Novice in being a Maid of Honor

The moment I found out that I will be the maid of honor of my teacher I was overjoy; literally jumping up and down. It was my first time to be a maid of honor and I never expected that she would pick me. Yes! We are close but I'm not her relative or anything but what ever the reason was, I glad she pick me. I promise myself to be the best maid of honor.

I started searching in the internet on what makes a good maid of honor, I was expecting something like you should be sexy, beautiful and dress like an elegant princess but all I saw were tips on what to bring during weddings like hair-clip, pins, stockings etc. Why should I bring those? The make-up artist can do that for us. Anyway, I just did what I want I work out like jogging and conscious eating. To have a nice figure and look good that was my goal.

December 12, 2015 was the day for the fitting of the gown. To be honest I didn't like the gown they gave me; the other one was too conservative and the other one was too revealing. So I decided to look for my own gown for the wedding. I started with cocktail dress but I didn't like them. It look weird in me. Going to different boutiques and putting on and taking off the gown was not easy it was quite frustrating. Most of the beautiful gown were already taken. They were also pricey from 800 pesos to 1000 pesos, definitely not worth it.

Good thing my sister's friend Ma'am Gloan recommend a boutique, Erica's gown. Ma'am Gloan was so nice to accompany there and help me pick a gown, she also ask for a discount and I got it very cheap... It made me feel like dancing hahaha!


The wedding day was stressful

NOT YET DONE

These are the cocktail dress that I tried.

Using a Planner

I've been using a planner since 2013 and it was kinda of useful for me. It kept me on track with important things and important dates. Like that time we had a seminar in 2013 and my friend needed the date to get a copy of the certificate because it would be easier for them to look for it. Luckily, I list that down on my planner and easily found and they also found my friends certificate. 

The thing is a planner guides you in your daily activities plus it makes sure you reach that deal line. If you stick with your plan for the day you won't procrastinate. 

My first two years of using a planner was very effective. It reminded me to deposit money, meetings, birthdays, activities and so on. I was very OC with it like it had a specific pen color for specific activities; like violet is for attending mass, light blue is for daily activities, dark blue is for important activities, brown is for working out and diet, pink is for my craft work, etc. I was so OC that if I didn't had the pen I wanted I won't write on it. But I like how colorful it looks like. I was inspired to use different color pens because of the Geronimo Stilton books which I was into that time and I think I still am. The problem with wanting to use the appropriate pen was it didn't become planner it became a list of things that I already did. I don't plan any more if it’s done then I'll get the pen for that activity and write down. This is the reason my 2015 planner was well used because if I don't have the pen I won't write and if I have time I'll list down the things I did. Kind of like an enumerated diary.

So I asked myself should I use a planner for 2016. Well as you can see my answer is YES but this time I'll be using a different kind of planner because first they don't sell planners like the old one I had and second I think this one is better because it is a calendar book; I can see the whole month in two pages which means I can PLAN ahead of time. This time I'll try not to be OC about it, I'll use black and red pen only. Red pen for birthdays and checking list and all other activities will be black. I also like the front cover of my new planner, it is vivacious and optimistic. 

Honestly, I’m looking forward in using my planner next year and as always I write done my future plans for the year like trip somewhere during sem-break or during holidays. 

"Make Today Amazing" like it is already saying that today is amazing or I should see today as something amazing.   

A Rookie's guide to Running

My First time to use Endomondo.

I start running or should I say "early morning walks" a few years ago but not really that consistent. Sometimes I'm too lazy to get up and when I do, the sun is already too high and I'll just get sunburn and end up not doing it.  So I'm writing the blog to share my story on how I was able to motivate myself to run/ morning walk. 

On October 24, 2015 in the evening I saw my colleague post on Facebook about her run tomorrow so I ask her if I could join her. Her name is Kristine. She said YES and she was very enthusiastic. We were supposed to meet along Diversion road around 5:30 am. Sad to say I was late I woke up around 6 am. So I got up and ready myself so fast hoping she was still there and she was. We chat while running, to make it clear she was running I was walking fast hahaha! She explains her routine in running and so on.

From then on I go for morning walks every weekend and if I wake up late I'll just go to the nearby subdivision wherein there's many tree so I won't get sunburn. Though I do get bored sometimes so you could imagine that these are just brief walk.

November 20, 2015, another Facebook status caught my eye. It was from my friend, Ayesah. Let me just give you a short info about her, she is definitely out going and she one of my friends who inspired me to be out going. She did trekking, hiking, surfing, running for marathons, different body works, etc. You might be thinking of a super muscle bound girl right now but she is not like that. She just likes to stay health. She done a lot of outdoor things but she also like some alone time she love reading books and drinking coffee "the elixir of life". She also likes dressing up... just like me. Anyway going back to our main topic, her status was about this app she use to record her speed and distance as she runs, it also has a map that shows where you going. It looks amazing so I download it and started using it.

While walking I look at the map and felt impress about myself seeing how far I've gone. Sometime I would tell myself few more walk and I'll reach 6 km. So I though of making a list to help rookies like me to start running base on my shallow experience.

Without further ado here is My Rookie's guide to Running

1. Find INSPIRATION

              Inspiration is very important it keeps you going when you're tired. It is the force that pushes you off your bed and on to the road. Here are some of my inspirations:

 a. Endomondo- To make it clear this not some guy I like. It is the app Ayesah use in running which I also use. Trust me, seeing how far you've gone will really motivate you to go further. Breaking your own record is even better so go and download it now!

b. Wedding- My teacher is getting married and I'm the maid of honor therefore I need to look gorgeous as always! No big flabby arms!

c. Outfits- Just imagine all the clothes you can wear. Tuck in shirt without being conscious of your tummy. If that doesn't work remember the agony wearing jean, holding your breath and making your legs fit in them. A real grrrr!

d. Health- You don't want to die young so work out and stay healthy.

I don't know much
about the appropriate SPF
to use but since I trust this
brand I'll go with it.

2. Apply SUNBLOCK- After 2 days of morning walks my students notice that I turn brown like I got sunburn. This is the disadvantage of working outdoor and not waking up early. Now if you see someone walking in the morning reapply sun block along Diversion road that would mostly be me hahaha!   I want to keep my fair skin... for the wedding!

3. Bring WATER- Re hydration to keep you body going. Do I need to say more... you’ll get thirsty.

You can look in the internet for some
suggested songs while jogging.
So far I'm just listening to the songs
I like; nothing in specific.

4. Make your own PLAYLIST- Music keeps you on the beat to move. Sometimes I dance while walking, just go with the beat. Another thing about playlists that it keeps you focus not mind the people around but of course be courteous with the people around greet them good morning.

I love this color
that's the reason I bought these shoes.

5. Wear RUNNING SHOES- I don't know what shoes is good for running but for me as long as my big toes can move comfortably it's OK with me.

6. OUTFIT-  Wear something comfortable and air breathable because in the long run you'll feel irritated and sweaty. Wear a cap to protect your face from the sun and bring towel to wipe yourself

My best record so far 12.65 km and I'm determined to break it. 

7. ENCOURAGEMENT- We all needs encouragement every day. My way is posting my Endomondo result more like the better. For sure people with the same goal will support, just keep posting.

8. DESTINATION- You should plan your route, know where you’re going or if you are like me you should have a plan B just in case you wake up late. Being late is not a reason to stop.

9. Be CLEAN- Brush your teeth and wash your face you don't want people to stay away from you when you say 'hi" to them so keep it clean. Have a shower if you have time.

10. Check the WEATHER- We are not members of some kind of military camp so keep in mind that if it is going to rain we are not going to run. This based on my experience one time I was walking around diversion road and it started to rain so I need to look for a ride fast because there was no shed there and I don't want to get wet and sick. Lucky a tricycle was there and I was home safely. Learn from my mistake check the weather from the internet is it going to rain or not.

Savings Jar and Daily budget

         

I've been conceptualizing of ways on how I could save money and control my daily budget. Every pay day I withdraw my salary and deposit an amount for my saving and whatever the amount of money left is what I budget until the next pay day. That simple, according to a book I read "Saving comes first before Expenses." But my problem here was my budget doesn't reach the next pay day so I have to withdraw money from my saving and I end up saving 25% of my salary per month; sometimes nothing at all because I need to pay some bills. So I came up with my own monthly financial plan. So here it goes.

          How much do I earn per month subtract with monthly deduction? How much is my clean salary? That amount of money is where I base my daily budget and monthly savings.
          
          After that, I ask myself how much do I NEED per day to go to work and come home and have a few snacks? Yes! NEED not want because NEEDS are affordable and WANTS are expensive. So I spend 16 pesos for fare back and forth, I usually spend 20 pesos for snack sometimes I don’t because I have pack lunch and snack. Therefore, I spend 36 pesos per day; assuming I don’t have to go anywhere else and I pack my food but since I can’t control circumstances like that I came to a conclusion that I NEED 50 pesos per day. Sounds go for me!

          I still do the same routine after I withdraw my salary and deposit it in my savings account. But this time it is base on a financial plan that works for me. I also list down my withdraw and deposits because I don't have a passbook. 

         I keep a copy of my financial plan with my ATM card so that I won’t forget to utilize my money wisely. 

        So how do I stay in track with my daily budget? Simple, I made these small envelops; I wrote the days of the week on it and put 50 pesos in them. As soon as I get my salary I take away 700 pesos and have it change to 50s which is good for 14 or until next pay day. I have it color coded pink envelop is for my 1^st week and yellow for 2^nd week, it is also a sign that I’m almost out of money hahaha! or salary day is near hahaha! 

The green envelop is for my dentist, I have braces I pay my doctor month also within the budget. The peach envelop is for my cellphone plan. The white envelop is for my savings just in case I don’t deposit it on time so I’ll know not to touch it.

        Most of the time I spend less than 50 pesos per day so I put those extra coins and bills in these jars. I also label them so I would know there purpose. In this way I won’t have to touch my saving. YEAH! Now I’m at my second 5 pesos and 10 pesos jar A.K.A. new year jar. I’m so proud of myself. This financial plan really worked for me! Hopefully it works for you.

       If want to know what my savings are for, it’s for future trips and security purposes. The comfort of have money in bank when you need it most.

Childhood Dream Come True!

You have no idea how great this feel! First time to see a cosplay.

This is my first time to see an actual cosplay. I've seen them in TV or in my friends Facebook account but now, it's my turn. We just went to SM Baguio to eat lunch that time and while walking around the mall we saw them. I told my sister that I needed to have a picture with them. It was now or never. Yap! I was that desperate. It was just a few minutes but it felt so amazing. Seeing them walk around the mall was like childhood dream come true.

         I always had the desire to see a cosplay or be a cosplayer. My teen years was the pick of anime programs. I definitely miss those day. I use to have daydream about my own anime and my own story. For me, being a cosplayer is having the chance to express yourself, to bring life to the person you always wanted to be and just be free. 

        It was just a few minutes but the JOY I felt could last a life time and I know the cosplayers felt the same way. I'm looking forward for some more cosplay show and with any luck be a cosplay myself.