Davao

It is my second time to go to Davao City. My first time was with my previous workmates. When we went there, we didn't explore the city but we went to Touristy places like Crocodile Farm, Eden Park and Davao Zoo.

I miss my workmates and all the fun adventures we did on my first time here but I didn't get to
explore the city more than I do on my second time around. Well it is because our main business why we went here is for business and to promote our Hotels and Resorts. I am forever grateful for this opportunity that my company has given me. I am just lucky to have a company that shares my best interest in life - traveling. Talking about mixing business with pleasure.

We stayed at Pinnacle Hotel. It is located at the heart of Davao City, a few minutes walk from Gaisano Mall and Matina Central. They were kind to accept our request for an early check in because we had an early 7AM flight.

 After a few cat naps we headed to Nanay Bebeng's for a heavy lunch. This is the start of our Davao food trips. Hahaha! Nanay Bebeng's serves local Davao specialties like Crabs, Tuna, Blue Marlin, Sinigang etc. in buffet style! OMG. PAPAK KUNG PAPAK! I love their young corn dish. Yun ata yung talagang pinapak ko aside from crabs. Haha!

 We started working after lunch and after a long work day, we had a cute dinner at Sea Green Cafe in Magsaysay Ave. It is a cute cafe with my current favorite color design (Sea green / sea foam green), very chic and with rustic theme. I like how this cafe made me feel so relaxed and very homey knowing that this day was a very energy draining one. So Comfort food it is! We ordered three different kinds of pasta, Vegetable Pesto Pasta, Salmon Carbonara and Plain carbonara. All three pasta was so good and the best part is, it is all organic! The owner was also very accommodating.

Our first day in Davao was definitely a game changer for us. We called 10 accounts in our half day and most importantly, I had a great time with these ladies because I got to know them more deeply.

<3 Mrs. D

On Career: Don't make others look bad so you can uplift yourself.

In the corporate world, we all know that to be able to climb up the ladder you really have to work your hardest and compete with other colleagues who are also fit in the position. I believe that and I know how hard it is to compete with your colleagues whom you made friends with. As my previous boss said:

"It is a friendly competition"

Although many of us take this light, or in a friendly manner, some just give in to dirty fights. They'll do everything and anything to make others look bad just to uplift themselves, and for me its just WRONG. May pinaghuhugutan talaga ako. Hahaha! 

Soon I'll be transferring to another department with a higher position. (YES, I'm bragging about my somehow PROMOTION. Hohoho! Thank you God!) Someone told my superior that I am not doing well with my work and I didn't took care of my accounts. Somehow it hit me, yes, maybe I didn't give my best, maybe I didn't hit my targets for a few months, maybe I didn't have a good relationship with my clients and I am very lazy to go on provincial sales calls.

Then the other part of my brain talks, yes, you didn't give your best but look at where you are right now? Soon to be in a higher position, the position you are aiming for since you started working. You didn't hit your targets for a few months, but the Hotel Manager saw a potential in you that you can sell. 

I told my husband what happened. He just smiled and said: "Darling, they're just insecure. So don't mind them and just be happy that God has blessed you" That time, I think God is talking to me through my husband. There are so many people that will bring me down but no matter what they do, what they say and what they think, you just have to keep getting better. The sweetest revenge is for them to see that you're happy and successful. Lalala... *insert happy dance here*

I'll just leave you with my husband's word of wisdom:

"Being kind is easy and being rude is easier. But if you chose to be kind, it will give you a satisfying feeling of happiness"

<3 Mrs. D

My First Color Manila 3k Run Challenge

As I begun the year 2015, I pledged to myself to fully commit into fitness and be in my ideal weight, 100lbs to be exact by the end of the year (or earlier because we were planning to have a baby soon!). On January, I tried Zumba again until end of February, but still, my mind made excuses, my body chose the couch potato that I got used to for the past year.

Few weeks back I was looking for an inspiration to get my lazy ass going. Then I saw a colleague from my past work who aims to finish the 42k Bull Runner Marathon. Her journey to 42k took one whole year. She runs, do yoga, dance and lift weights, even when she travels, she never left her running shoes behind. Then the day of her 42k race came and she finished first! I am so happy for her though we never talked that much but yes, I'm still happy for her from a far. Hehehe!

My previous post is also connected with this. Click Here

"There are no lucky people in this world. Whatever me, you or they have - appearance, family, money, success, sport, career, children - was achieved by a lot of stress, determination and hellish HARD work."

I want to have something to achieve, something to accomplish for myself. To have that sense of fulfillment.  This pushed me to sign up for the Color Manila Run on April 19, 2015 at Mall of Asia. So I still have 28 days to train.

I signed up for a 3K run challenge. I know its not a big deal but for me it is. It will be my first time to join a marathon and aiming to finish with a medal. I joined a few fun runs before but I ended up walking and not finishing it. 

I am currently researching for a 28 day running plan to help me succeed in this marathon. I have low endurance and stamina so I MUST work on that. It can also help me get back on track for my fitness goals. 
I started practicing yoga yesterday and danced hip-hop abs at home. Hahaha! I'm counting it as my Day1. 

Wish me luck!

<3 Mrs. D

Different shades of my hair

I colored my hair with my usual shade of Thai Tamarind by Kolours. It is the first time that I will use it with a short hair. And It has come to my attention that my hair differs in color in different lighting ever since. Maybe because I used to many? or the multiple layering of color in my hair? Hahaha! I just thank my hair for not dying up on me. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan ng buhok ko, buhay at maganda pa rin sya - at least for me. HAHA!

 Here, my hair looks like its in Chestnutty brown.

 

Here, it looks reddish

 

Here, its brown.

Its just amazing how lighting can effect the color of your hair. Try it!

<3 Mrs. D

 

STI Tanay Job fair

As part of my company's marketing strategy, we always make it a point to join our client's job fairs. STI College, one of our biggest clients invited us last March 12, 2015 for their annual Job Fair held at STI College in Tanay, Rizal.

It was a very long road trip for me and my colleague, that took us one hour - no traffic jeepney and tricycle ride from Cainta. Whew!

 

 There was never a dull moment with this girl. So many stories to tell, kalokohan, boylets. HAHA! Thank you for joining me in this adventure. :)

We interviewed student applicants the whole day. I didn't know that being a Human Resources staff for a day was hard. Being the one who interviews the nervous students, being the one questioning, deciding if the applicant is fit for the position they're applying for and being the one turning them down. 

I've been working for 8years now and I think I will never master the art of being interviewed. HAHAHA! I will still get nervous, still stutter and still think of a new/best answer on "please tell me something about yourself". 

View of their classrooms.

Thank you STI College - Tanay Campus for inviting us on your Job Fair and for the students we interviewed, GOODLUCK!  

<3 Mrs. D

Sense of Fullfilment

"Some days I'm extremely focus on my career development and future goals. Other days, I just want to quit and become a housewife and bake shit" 

Saw this on my MUA's Instagram post. WOW. I am so feeling this!!! I know I am so blessed because God gave me a full time job, I'm lucky that I've been accepted to three big companies known in the Philippines. I can provide, I can buy and I have the pleasure of buying things that I want and need because of my job. Work is a blessing. (Please slap that to my face. HARD)

After spending three and a half years in the bank industry, I've been promoted once, got an award for being one of the top sellers of the month in our area and joined a cheering competition which by the way, we won 2nd place. I enjoyed it there. I love what I do, I love the people I worked with and most importantly, I always feel a sense of fullfilment. I have goals, I have so many dreams, I wanted to become a good banker and rise high in the corporate ladder.

Then I got tired, lazy, restless, incontented. Suddenly I became lost and I just don't know what to do with myself anymore. Lucky girl that I am, I got accepted in a Hotel industry where you have to work 6 full days a week, you must have an initiative to do things so you can brought something to the table and a position where you'll going to be stuck for a very veeerrrryyyy looooong time. There will be no promotions (as in none at all) Maybe that's what I'm lacking? That sense of fullfilment? From promotions or any activities that can wake up my lazy ass. I wanted to go back to the bank industry and feel that sense of fullfilment again.

My ever supportive husband told me that nothing comes easy. He sends me articles that can "cure" my discomfort. One article said:

"There are no lucky people in this world. Whatever me, you or they have - appearance, family, money, success, sport, career, children - was achieved by a lot of stress, determination and hellish HARD work."

Which I dearly understand. For now, as I am on the process of seeking a bank related job, I will continue to work (not so hard, bahahaha), will try to still love what I do and enjoy perks of having a free lunch everyday, free internet access and of course getting paid by it. HAHAHA!

Help me?

<3 Mrs D

Challenging day

"God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers"

My dear husband once told me to just enjoy what God gave me (he means my work). Since I resigned in my previous job I struggled in terms of my career. Its like I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I'm lost. FOR A YEAR NOW. Maybe that's why this happened? I have no idea.

Ali was very positive. He keeps me grounded and slaps me back to reality if I go bitching around. I don't know what to do without his positive vibes. I'm glad that he's so strong for me and sad at the same time because he always catch me when I hit ground zero. It feels like I'm so weak that I need someone to catch me every time. I hate that. I want to be strong too. 

I tried to enjoy every single day. Thanks to my office mates who kept me company and for being the only reason I go to work. I want and need something that I love and enjoy doing. I know, there's no "easy job" but if you love what you do, I think you'll never know what bad stress is. Because love (for work) motivates you. It moves you. It makes you do good.

Another...

For those who truly know me, (High school, College and BPI friends) knows that I'm one of the most sincere friend they have. I'm honest. I'm pranka. I'm that friend who doesn't tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear. I don't talk behind your back because I can say it to your face because I don't do back stab. What you see is what you get - That's me. 

Its just sad  that some of the friends I thought were my friends, talk behind my back. WHY? and WHAT did I ever do to them? I don't know. I don't want to confront them anymore because it will just create drama (and maybe friction between us?) So I'll let go of this issue for the nth time, move on and just pray for them. Hoping no one will back stab them.

-------

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I didn't because I don't want to write so much hate. Anyway, God really does magic and moves in mysterious ways. My two OJT's from Ifugao State University surprised me with Red Ribbon moist chocolate cake slices. I was so touched by them and I know God sent them to make me get through a rough day.

I thank God for showing me that even though he is challenging me with problems, he is also blessing me. He knows that giving me this problem will help me grow as a person and for me to become stronger. Nothing can come between me, my faith and God.

<3 Mrs. D

New Hair Do

I've been itching (figuratively. Haha!) to cut my hair short for a long time now. I've also been arguing with myself and Ali if I really wanted to cut it short. Reasons have been going thru my mind...

Advantage number one: Less shampoo and conditioner to be used. Meaning? More savings!
Advantage number two: I am not one of those girls who really put time and effort fix their hair in the morning. I comb my hair after I take a bath and that's about it. Wala na ulit suklayan the whole day. I call it "sukmay" suklay-kamay. No hairdryers, no hair iron or hair curlers. I'm thaaaaat lazy with my hair. So being in a short do means very low maintenance and less suklay! Hehe!
Advantage number three: My head feels so light!!!
Advantage number four: I look neat and clean. Yehey! Plus Ali agreed that I look mature on my new hair! Pumapasa pa kasi akong Highschool. HAHAHA!

Disadvantage number one: I look fat, but sometimes I don't. Labo.
Disadvantage number two: I can't tie my hair. Well, somehow its also an advantage because there will be no curl in my hair. But when I exercise and with all that pawis? Ugh. GOODLUCK!

Four out of two... Kaya hello shorty!

I wanted a long bob looked like this

So I went to Azta Urban Salon to get my dream short hair.

It was shorter than what I expected. (I am so nervous while Melai was cutting my hair) but it turned out so well! I look chubbier nga lang. KEBS! Hahaha!

So there... I'm so happy with it and so is my husband, who said: You look mature and sexy. I LIKE!
Husband approved! Yehey!

AZTa Urban Salon
3rd Floor, Robinsons Metro East


<3 Mrs. D