Rule 3 : Live Simply

Ahhh... This is a debatable rule.  Some people would jokingly equate Living Simply as "walay panutbrush" - meaning, when one doesn't brushes his teeth, he's living simply.  So untrue, of course. 

For me, to Live Simply is to live a not complicated life, though life itself is complicated.  Huh? How can one live a not complicated life when life is complicated.  This sure is confusing, hehehe...Explaining this is harder than I thought. Tsk tsk tsk...

So as not to complicate life (hehehe), might as well tell you how I Live Simply in my own little way. 

I'd say, I live within, or most of the time, below my means.  Meaning, I spend less than what I earn.  And to spend less than what I earn, I mostly buy things I only need.  I don't buy things just because I want it.  Though at times, I have to admit, I have the tendency to be an impulse buyer.  That is a reason I don't have a credit card. I don't like to spend on things that I will only regret.  Actually, I have done this many times in the past.  But now, I know better.  Whenever I go window shopping, I don't bring money with me.  This way, I'll have time to think things over and to choose the best.  And most likely, when I delay my purchases, I'll realize I don't anymore want the things I want.

Whenever I want something that I also need but not at the moment.  I saved up for it.  So, I also enjoy things.  I also give myself gifts.  But in a way that will not drain my financial resources.   So, I save some of my earnings.  I save consistently every month.  And what's left of my earnings is what I spend on my daily needs for the month. 

I don't buy "branded" items.  Would I look differently in a P3,000.00-worth pants than in a P500.00-worth pants?  Nope.  A P3,000.00 pants won't make me look sexy.  It will only give me stress when it gets stained, hehe...

Would I look more beautiful wearing a P1,000.00-worth earrings than a P50.00-worth earrings?  Nah..I don't think so.  I don't have allergies anyway.  And these are only accessories I wear on special occasions (mostly, once a year, hehe).   And with a P50.00 earring, it won't bother me  if it gets lost.  :-)

Cellphones?  Hmm.. I've had a few cellphones.  But, I always buy the low-tech ones.  Meaning, not so many features in it.  As long as I can call and I can send messages with it, it's fine with me.   I don't like to buy cellphones with so many features, yet I won't be using it.  It would just be a waste of my money.  Besides, I'd be stress of the thought that somebody might snatch it or stole it from me.   Simple features of cellphone = less expense = less stress, hehehe...    I have to say though, my cellphone needs to be small, so it fits right with my hand when I hold it. :-)

Pat and I stopped our subscription with Dream Satellite.  We have a TV at home but only use it to watch movies in DVD or CD.  We can't watch shows on TV channels anymore.  We decided to do this because we only get to watch TV shows a few hours a week.  Sometimes we don't watch any for a week.  We have internet and DVDs.   So, spending P890.00 per month is such a waste of money.   If we see the expense each  month only, it seems that 890 is not that big.  But what make me rethink is when I added all up the 10 months that we've been spending 890.  That is a total of P8,900.00.  Wow!  That is definitely too much for me for just watching TV shows.   So, that was the end of it.   The next month, we didn't anymore subscribed.  Aside from being a waste of money, it's also a waste of time.  I don't get productive just watching TV.  It has been, I think, 3 years now that we have not seen TV shows at home.  And it never bothered us.  We realized we could live without it.  And without the TV shows, I am able to do more things that are beneficial to me and Pat.  Like...  writing this post, hehehe....

But I like to watch movies with Pat from time to time, for the reason of  "bonding".  We could snuggle.   We would talk about the movie.  Exchange of views.  We get to learn more about each other.  And we discover the similar likes and dislikes we have towards movies.  :-)

I don't need to dine in expensive restaurants just to have a date with Pat.  Watching a movie with him. Strolling in the park.  Watching the sunset.  Sitting on a bench.  Standing in the sidewalk eating squid roll (for Pat, it's fish ball).  These are just some of the simple pleasures in life that I enjoy most. 

To Live Simply is, for many, easier said than done.  When you are yet confused with what you want in life.  When you are still struggling to find your purpose, your goal, your mission.  You'd think you just can't seemed to live a simple life.  Because you'd want to have all. 

For now, I still can't say I totally Live Simply.  But I am getting there.  Living Simply is a commitment.  And it becomes a lifestyle.  And when you Live Simply, unconsciously, you let others simply live.  And, this, will be another topic.  :-)

- - - - - -
For this blogpost series, I am supposed to tag 5 people so they may also write something about the topic. And learn from them also.   God bless everyone.

Anna Oposa |  ANNAlysis
Eileen Campos |  Possibly Pinay
Aileen Apolo-de Jesus | An Apple A Day
Berniemack Arellano  | Habagat Central 
Arlene Collado |  Joys in Life 

My Take on Sustainable Lifestyle

I have always liked to do things that could lessen the impact on the environment.

http://www.recyclereminders.com/safety-signs/recycling-signs-labels/recycle-sign/saf-sku-s-2986.aspx

I have from time to time, reuse plastic bags I get from groceries and wet markets.  I do my best to dispose of the kitchen wastes properly.   But I never to do it consistently for the past years.   I still make lapses.  Maybe due to tiredness. 

However, after the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2011 was conducted last month here in Iligan City organized by Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., I felt I now have the obligation to really do my share in helping protect the environment. 

For a start, Pat and I, have, I think 2 years ago, replaced all our fluorescent tubes (40 and 20 watts) with the compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in 5 watts to 10 watts only.   Aside from being eco-friendly, we have definitely saved a lot on electric bills.     :-)

I have already consistently segregated the non-biodegrable from biodegrable wastes.  I will find time in December to build a compost pit in our backyard so that I won't have to put the biodegrable wastes in the garbage truck. 

I'll get serious with my gardening.  I will consistently take care of the plants I planted in the pots.  The pepper (atsal).   The tomatoes.  The eggplant.  As well as the flowers. And I'll add more.  I've always wanted to have herbs in a pot.  I prefer to use fresh herbs than the dried ones.

I am yet to start using cloth bags, instead of plastic bags, to put the things I buy in the market.  I always forget to bring one along...hehehe

Learn to find ways of making use of the old things at home which are taking up spaces.   For one, my sister and I will make a project of reusing Pat's torn pants into sling bags.  I have kept, I think, about 6 pants.  We will start this project in December.  

I sell tissue paper in the office.  I have found some articles in the internet on how to reuse the cardboard that holds the tissue in a roll.  I will then start collecting these cardboards and make good use of it. 

Me and the IBS members will be doing a tree growing project next month.  We are supposed to do this before the summit.  But with the hectic preparation for the summit, our time could not permit it.  So, we have scheduled it in December, together with the Masonic brothers of Pat.  We intend to maintain it till the trees grow big.

I have to again take care of my eating habits and the food I eat.  But, I have to say, I have not anymore used monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the food I cook for six years now.  I only get to consume MSG whenever I eat out.  And I have not drunk softdrinks, iced teas and juices for many years also. 

Have to get back to exercising again.  I used to dance for an hour every weekend.  But with the new routine I have during weekends, I forgot to dance.   I'll have to make time again to keep in shape.

I will continue to blog about my take on sustainable lifestyle so that I will have kind of a monitoring on how far I am in my quest to a sustainable lifestyle.  :-)

Rule 2 : Don't Worry

"Don't Worry, Be Happy".

This has been the phrase I often hear from older people who have lived and experienced life for so many years. So, why do they say we don't need to worry? What exactly is to "worry"?

WORRY, according to Dictionary.com is to "torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts".   This is when you think of things that are yet to happen which may never happen at all.  Og sa binisaya pa, gauna imong huna-huna.  (In Visayan, you are thinking ahead.)..  hehehe...

http://www.theoutsourcingcompany.com/blog/entrepreneurship/how-to-overcome-worry-and-anxiety/

Now I have to admit.  I am guilty of this.  So Guilty, with a capital G, hehehe... I am such a worrier that sometimes I get headaches just by worrying.  I can worry about anything, actually.  I don't know why.  As much as I want to avoid worrying, I can't seemed to help it.  It feels like it's an involuntary muscle, just doing its things without my permission. hehe...

I worry over things that might happen.  I create scenarios in my head.  Get stressed with the scenarios.  And when the actual thing comes, the scenarios I create in my head did not happen.  As an example, whenever I need to confront someone over something, before I go to her or him, my mind would play dialogues like I am already making a conversation with the concerned person.  And most likely, I create negative conversations.  Then I get stressed out.  But, when the time comes that I get to talk to him and say my first line, his answer would not be the same as what I imagined it would be.  So, the conversation, the dialogues, would be different from what I created in my mind. 

I worry about what other people would think with what I do, what I wear, what I say.   Sheesh.  Like I owe them something in my life to let me worry about what they think.  It's really such a ridiculous thing to do.  Yet, I am doing it. 

I don't know why I am such a worrier.  Probably I got it from my father. He is such a worrier too.  I grew up with him always worrying about things. 

When I got married, the worrying turned into jealousy.  Yikes!  Another bad thing.  Tsk tsk tsk.   But I have to say, Pat has been a blessing to me.  He is the very opposite of me.  He never worries about situations.  He always assesses them first before making a decision.   From time to time, he helps me overcome my worrying mind.   Whenever I have confusing thoughts, I ask his advice.  He always reminds me not to think of things that are yet to come for most likely, what I am thinking won't happen.  He's say to just let things come and see what happens.  Sometimes, we make option A, option B. hehehe...   

For some time now, I have been doing my best to avoid worrying.  There are times when I start to worry, I remind myself to stop it.  I pray and shake my head (literally!) to get rid of the worry thoughts. 

It really do feels good not to worry.  You'd feel light.  Relaxed. No heavy heart.  No headaches. 

"Worrying is like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere."  I forgot who said this but this is so true.   You can spend all day worrying.  But that's all you'll ever be doing.  You won't accomplish anything by doing it.  All you'll get is headache. Which could eventually lead to illness as your immune system would be down due to stress.

And when you worry, it means you don't trust God.  We live in a world where we believe there is someone much greater than us.  Much bigger than our problems and worries.  As I am such a worrier, I am guilty of this.  Sometimes I forget to give to God my worries and let him worry about them, so I can do other things that are productive.  Like, finally start my dream business which I have been postponing for many years now due to worrying.  :-) 

So, as a second rule, Don't Worry.  Be happy.   :-)


- - - - - -
For this blogpost series, I am supposed to tag 5 people so they may also write something about the topic. And learn from them also.   God bless everyone.

Anna Oposa |  ANNAlysis
Eileen Campos |  Possibly Pinay
Aileen Apolo-de Jesus | An Apple A Day
Berniemack Arellano  | Habagat Central 
Arlene Collado |  Joys in Life 

I'm Going to GenSan!

Yes! On November 25, I am going to General Santos City with Pat.

There are 3 reasons why I am going to GenSan :
 
1. To attend the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0.   This will take place on November 26, 2011 at Suncity Complex.  I want to attend this event hosted by the Soccsksargen Bloggers to learn more about blogging.    And to meet fellow bloggers from the different parts of Mindanao, and maybe even as far as Visayas and Luzon.  At the same time attend the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao in the evening.  

2.  Tour the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.  And see for myself the wonders of the city.   I have never been to General Santos and it will be my first time to travel beyond Davao City.  Then, of course, buy tuna flakes to bring back home to Iligan City.   :-)

3.  Travel with the members of the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc.   I really enjoy hanging out with my new friends.  Since most of them are still in their twenties, I also feel like I'm in my twenties, hehehe....  My activities with them have been one of the highlights for 2011.   It would be our first time to travel together outside Iligan.  And I sure don't want to miss a truck load of fun!  :-)

Hmmm.. If I have written this post before today, these would be just my reasons.  But just a few hours ago, around 7pm to be exact, while I was still getting inside my house, Xy-Za texted me to "check fb".  I wondered what would have been posted there since it is the first time that she sent me such message.  I thought, probably they have already found a place to stay in GenSan. 

So, after changing clothes, I turned on the computer and checked Facebook.  And to my surprise, this is what I found :

Wohwah!  And I was like, reading it again and again.  I said, "Is this for real?"  Then I saw a post in the IBS fanpage by Mr. Avel Manansala regarding the list of nominees for the Philippine Blog Awards 2011 for Mindanao.   And sure enough, I saw my blog listed on the Personal Blog Category.  My heart skipped a beat.  I got excited.  Thrilled.  I felt happy.  And of course, my first thought was to thank Xy-Za for nominating my blog to the Philippine Blog Awards.  Without her nomination, I wouldn't have a chance to be listed.   And this is my 4th reason for going to General Santos.  hehehe... To be able to witness the awarding of the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao.  I have witnessed it the first time last year in Zamboanga City.  But I know this time would be different.  As my blog would be included in the list.  Yehey!!  It would be announced in the nominees for Personal Blog Category.  I'd like to be there to hear the announcement.  I know the chances of winning the award for me is slim.  There are so many nominees in the Personal Blog Category which I know are far better than mine.  But I don't mind if I will not win.  The fact that I was included in the final list of nominees is already an award itself.   :-)  

More so, Lai Marie's blog Pinay Travelista is also nominated under the Travel/Destination Blog Category.  So, that would be two blog nominees for the Iligan Bloggers Society.  Cheers to that!  Yeheeeeeeeeeey!!      

Rule 1 : Never Hate

What is hate?

According to Thinkexist.com, Hate is

  -  a strong aversion coupled with desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is
     directed;  intense dislike;  detestation
  -  to be very unwillingly, followed by an infinitive, or substantive clause with that;  as "to hate to get into
     debt", "to hate that anything should be wasted

http://unroughness.wordpress.com/category/basketball/

Based on the first definition, hate is definitely a very strong negative word.    And yes, I say, one should Never Hate.  As this creates a negative vibes in one's spirituality.  But one can be angry (or dislike) at something or someone.  As a human being we have all sorts of emotions.  But hating someone or something is not a good thing to have in one's life.  With hatred in your heart, you will be carrying a heavy heart.  This will give you stress.  And funny thing about it is, when you hate someone, most likely, he doesn't know you hate him.  Or he doesn't care you hate him.  So, who's in the losing end?  You.  

Personally, I Never Hate.  I dislike, yes.  I get angry, yes.  Of course!   But I never get to the point that I Hate.  Hate for me is the highest level of bad emotions, specially, hating someone.  It's like, when one hates, there's no turning back.   And I don't remember saying that I hate something or I hate someone in my life.
I may dislike some people, but I never say I hate them.  When they came into my life, they somehow made a difference.  Each people we encounter in our day to day activities is with a purpose.  If we can see that in every person we meet, we would Never Hate someone.  Even those who have hurt us, somehow, if we take it positively, would make us a stronger person.  There are always lessons to be learned.

Some people say they hate themselves. 

 

http://www.backtalkk-lyts.com/emo.php

But again, this is not good.  Even the worst.  I usually just say, I don't like what I feel about this or about that.  I don't like how I feel or how I think.  But not that I hate myself.   When you hate yourself, you will have given up everything about you.  Which could result to low self-esteem.  Wrong decisions in life.  

Some statements that people usually say :

"I hate it when it rains." 

"I hate it when people talk behind my back."

"I hate it when I have to fall in line in the grocery."

And so many others.  But, I think, these statements are used most likely as just...  a statement.  They probably used the Hate word as an expression of just not liking something.  Because you really can't hate the rain.  We need rain.  You really can't hate the people who talk behind your back.  It's none of your business if they talk behind your back.  You really at times have to fall in line in the grocery store if you are buying something.  In other words, you can't get away with these things.  There are some things you just can't control.  And you can't hate things you have no control of.   It won't do you any good, anyway.


When you Hate, in the true sense of the word, you won't have Peace of Mind.  Just hearing his or her name would get into your nerves, more so when you see him or her.  You will be like a walking bomb.  Ready to explode.   So NEVER HATE. 



- - - - - -
For this blogpost series, I am supposed to tag 5 people so they may also write something about the topic. And learn from them also.   God bless everyone.

 Anna Oposa |  ANNAlysis

Eileen Campos |  Possibly Pinay

Aileen Apolo-de Jesus | An Apple A Day

Berniemack Arellano  | Habagat Central  

Arlene Collado |  Joys in Life 

So, What Makes You HAPPY?

This has been the questions of many to people whom they see as happy.  And it makes me wonder why they ask.  Aren't they happy themselves? Well, probably, they aren't.

So, what makes one HAPPY?  

http://ahomeschooledteenager.blogspot.com/2010/08/church-special.html

I've come to make this blog post when one of the members of the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., shared a link in Facebook to the post of another member about a "7 Rules To Be Happy"  and some of the other members gave their comments.  And then a challenge was started to write something about it, instead of just commenting on the thread.

The 7 Rules to be Happy, as posted by Explore Iligan 9200 in Facebook are as follows :

1.  Never Hate

2.  Don't Worry

3.  Live Simply

4.  Expect Little

5.  Give a Lot

6. Always Smile

7.  Best of all Stay in Love

These are, in my opinion, rules that when one really thinks about it, are somehow interconnected to each other.  You can't seem to have one without the other.  Like say, when you are always In Love, you Never Hate, you Give a Lot,  and you Always Smile.  When you Live Simply, you Don't Worry.  When you Give a Lot, you Expect Little.  

As there are 7 rules, I will make 7 blogpost for this topic.  And make it a "What Makes You Happy? series.  First on the series would be Rule 1 : Never Hate.    :-)

The Third Time with David DiMuzio

I never thought he'd become famous in the Philippines or should I say, I never thought he'd choose Philippines to pursue his dreams.

I met him for the first time in Hongkong in June 2009, when Pat and I went for a vacation with his niece, Tintin, and her family and her sister, Mari.  He was then Mari's boyfriend.

And I thought that was it.   But last year, during fiesta in September, he came to Iligan, for the first time, and did some performances -  a mini concert at a resto, a juggling show for the indigent kids at the Rizal Park.  All for free.  All the while, I never take much notice of his music then.   And during his show, I didn't pay much attention.  I was instead looking at the people in the restobar.   I was listening to the people with me in the table talking.   All I thought is :  he is the boyfriend of Pat's niece.  And that's it.   And I never really got to listen to his music even with his CD available at the house.  Mari and Ate Amy even told me to listen to his songs.   But it never got me interested. 


For the past months this year, I've seen some of his music videos in the internet.   Pat would play some songs that are linked in Facebook.   And I said, "wow, David is now starting to make waves in the Philippine Music Industry."  He's starting to become famous with his "Taglish" (Tagalog-English) songs originally written or co-written by him.

Then, before him becoming so very famous in the Philippines, I got to meet him again, the third time.  Through the efforts of Pat.

As we were discussing in one of the meetings of the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., what to have as an entertainment to the fellowship night of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2011, Pat popped the question to the group, "would you want David DiMuzio to have a show?".    And  I was thinking, they might ask who David DiMuzio is.  But, boy, was I so wrong!  All the ladies, shouted - "David DiMuzio!  Yes, sir Pat!".  And then they started talking about him (except for the boys, of course, who didn't have an idea who he is, hehe).   They all went gaga.  Pat then said, he'll try if he could contact him and get him to come to Iligan.   After some texts, calls and emails with David, we got our request granted.  :-)

David DiMuzio came back to Iligan, the second time, on October 30, 2011.   And since the show was presented by us, the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., we got some photo ops time with him before and after the show, and we got the front row during the show.  And because the venue was a bit small, I got a seat situated on the stage.  Ain't that cool?  hehehe...  You don't believe me?  Well, below are some photos.

Group photo with David DiMuzio before his show

With  David DiMuzio on stage.  See that lady in shorts and green tshirt?  That's me!  I recorded all the songs David sang that night.  :-)

The view from where I am seated.  :-)

David brought with him some CDs of his new album.  I thought of buying one after hearing some of his songs during the show.  But luck wouldn't side with me as he ran out of CDs.  Many wanted to buy his album and have it autographed.   So, I ended up buying the old album instead.  But it was ok.  I'd get to listen to his compositions before he came to the Philippines.  :-)

I didn't really anymore plan on having a photo with him since I already had one last year.  And for me, it's just still David.  But Pat insisted I pose with David after he signed the album.  So, not to waste time, as many are still lining up for a photo op with him, I posed.  And I was glad I did.  I get to use it here in my blog.    :-)

After everything got settled with David's fans, we had our last group photo with him. 

After really listening to him sing his songs, I realized, I like his songs.  I like the rhythm.  The beat.  Even the slow ones are good.  If only I knew the lyrics to the songs, I could have sang along with him.   And I like him sing Tagalog songs. He pronounced the words without accent.  It doesn't sound much like a foreigner is singing the song.   

Here is a Tagalog song rendition by David DiMuzio

And here is an original composition of David, I like this song very much.  

I like the melody and the slowness.

After the show, Pat was already teasing me.  He said that I've become a convert.   Well, I have to admit, I do really like his songs.  :-) 

Thanks so much David for granting our request in such a very short notice and to think that you have a scheduled show on the 29th, you committed to come to Iligan on the 30th.  We will forever be grateful to you.  God bless you always.   :-) 

Exhausted but Thankful

Where do I start?

 

http://getselfcentered.com/im-exhausted-and-what-this-means-to-you

It has already been a week since the conduct of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2011.  And I have so many things to blog about that are still on my mind.   I never got the chance to write the past days.   After the summit was concluded with the concert of David DiMuzio, the excitement and adrenaline in my body settled down and the stress and fatigue from all the preparation has finally sunk in.  All I did on the 31st was lie on the bed, sleep, eat.   And on November 1st, when I am about ready to start blogging, my mother have to be admitted to the hospital.  So, I have to stay with her for her first and third night in the hospital.   But yesterday, my mother was already ok and has checked-out of the hospital.    :-)

My body may have been really tired with all the activities  I have attended to, but I am very much thankful.

Thankful for the success of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2011.   All the invited speakers came specially those from Manila.  Thank you very much to Commissioner Naderev Saño and his staff Desiree, to Mam Janette Toral and Anna Oposa, for their all out support.  Without their presence, the summit would have not been successful.  And to think they are from Manila and with all the travel advisory (negative, of course) circulating, they still decided to come to Iligan.  Thank you very much.

I am thankful to David DiMuzio and Carlo Rafanan for accommodating our request for them to hold a private concert in such a short notice.  Thank you so much.

Thanks to all the bloggers and non-bloggers who were able to attend the summit.  Their presence was definitely one reason the summit was a success.  Especially to those who are not from Iligan City.  For coming all the way to Iligan from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan and Bukidnon.

Very much thankful to the sponsors, performers and partners - establishments, institutions, companies, government agencies, individuals - who have greatly helped in the success of the summit.

And to all the members of Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. who have labored with me to make this event a success, not for us, but  for Iligan City.

To all who have appreciated our efforts, who have posted blogs about the event, who have sent messages of thanks to IBS.

And last but not the least.  I am very thankful that my mother is ok.  No major illness.  :-)

Thank God for all the blessings.   :-D

http://www.writeshop.com/blog/category/encouragement/