What Are You Thankful For?

If there is something I am truly thankful for right now, it would be having the chance to spend my weekends with my family. Let me share you the whys.

Years and year back, I once co-managed one of the biggest retail stores here in the Metro. Being the flagship store in the country, that requires your presence at work on weekends when most people come to shop in bigger groups. A weekend off is never an option unless you file for a vacation leave. That was my first job and I could say the most ideal one for a fresh graduate with a business degree. And like anyone else, I tried to enjoy it as much as I could.

Then came BPO and call center jobs.

I sheepishly admit, shifting my career that time is very encouraging. Since my current job is customer service by nature, I thought I'd have this edge already. Perhaps, landing to an office-based work seems more promising to me, regardless of the change in timezone. I spent tough years in the industry but I know I was paid well and have received the finest benefits. Though your acceptance to the job offer somehow includes your willingness to adjust your lifestyle and even missing a few social events. Those were challenging years for someone who aspires to move up to the corporate ladder. I've met a lot of good people, was harnessed with rigid training and learned to self-discipline when it comes to schedule adherence. 

If my memory serves me right, I only enjoyed 6 months straight of weekends off that is within the period of 5 years. Good thing I was still single then. As I look back, I know there is nothing to regret with those choices I made. It served me well in so many aspects and for that I am very thankful. I am thankful because it gave me the chance to appreciate what I have now.

 

Let me just clear that I have nothing against working during weekends. In fact, I have a high regard especially for parents who can effectively manage their time despite their absence during family days, which is normally on a Sunday. Maybe I'm just thankful because I don't need to find a "swap" just so I could attend a very special gathering when my shift falls on a weekend. Second, my daughter is just few years away from preparatory school and that makes we want to spend more time with her when we are both off from our weekday routines.

Third, hubby used to work on weekends these days because of urgent completion of site projects. We are truly grateful if the site is located in Manila, otherwise we need to wait for a week til he gets back. So if I'm not there too for my little one, how sad could be our home? Fourth, I usually make up for the things I can't do during working days, like giving her a bath, taking her to the playground, watching her favorite cartoons in the morning, and taking her to sleep. A few of the simple things I'd like to do.

 

Fifth, I'd like to take her to so many places where she can see and meet families who bond together too. That's part of personality development for kids her age and I want to give her that kind of exposure. I could go on and on with my reasons but the bottom line here is that I am very thankful that I don't struggle on this part, or at least not for now.

 

So, if you think you're not satisfied with the company where you belong at the moment, why not try to realize this part? It may somehow give you that big reason to be thankful instead, because what you are receiving is probably something that many are silently praying to have. Agree? :-)

Have a merry weekend!

xx, 

OneGutsyMom

It's A Boy!

It was a day full of love, well wishes, happiness and excitement for my best friend Joyce, who is soon giving birth to baby boy James Alfred. Thanks to our event organiser Filsyn for taking charge on all the party ideas from decorating the venue, food displays, games, souvenirs, etc. Career kung career mare, good job!

Hello Wish List

I'll be turning another year older in two weeks and it's something that makes me overwhelmingly happy and excited at the same time. We don't get celebrations like this during my younger years so that date on the calendar isn't really something to look forward to. Apparently, it changed since I became a Mother.

The years added define every fulfillment I earn facing the most impossible work or personal challenges and satisfaction on what I have achieved as a mother and a woman. That alone gives me a reason to be joyful and proud that I surpassed another year with immeasurable contentment and without losing aspirations in life.

So last night, I came up with a funny wish list and posted one on my Instagram account. It's sort of a reward I'd like to receive to gauge if I did well for the entire year. In case the hubby reads this, hey no pressure ha! :-)

Tory Burch Nylon Ella Tote 

I stopped buying bags for almost a year now to lessen the guilt. Ha ha! My last haul was my Large Brown Long Champ back in September and it's the most overused bag so far. See how useful it is for me - I carry it going to work, to malls, to anywhere we go with Daphne since it can accommodate all her baby stuff, even during coffee meet ups. I like how it gives more than enough space to carry my belongings. So dear Tory Burch, in case I don't receive you by June, for sure I'm still gonna get you. One bag each year. :-)

Pandora charm bracelet

Well, I just signed up as a member very recently. Ha ha! Here's my ideal piece. Isn't it lovely? Price is not practical if you purchase it here, so I'm hoping a friend can get it for me in the US.  If ever I decide to get one here in Manila, that is because I never really had a charm bracelet ever since. Looking forward to owning one that I can keep for years until my daughter can wear it herself. The charms I picked best describes me and my top favorites. 

White iPad Mini 16gig

Seriously, who doesn't want a new gadget? I stopped playing Candy Crush but still in to Instagram and other  Apple apps. It would be nice if I can blog from here too. Besides, Daphne and I can share at night so she can play with her Pororo flashcards. 

Photos borrowed from respective websites. 

Again, these are just my funny wishes. Who knows, it may come true one day! Let the count down begin! *teehee*

xx,
OneGutsyMom

My Longest Week

Last week was the longest week I had this quarter. So many things have happened within the circle. One for instance, the "spark" faded like a thin smoke which made me wonder if there is something more I should look forward to. Or if I needed to take the back seat before going further without hesitations. Another one is about health goal setting and reducing risks and issues. You may have encountered this as a green joke - "Katawan lang ang puhunan" but I think it should be taken seriously, especially for family providers. Consider yourself lucky if you are receiving the best health package. I really hope to remain positive against the odds. It's been a challenging week.

To lift up my very low spirit last week, hubby and I went out for a little shopping spree. I did not buy anything for myself that day but it made me so happy having an advance Father's Day present for hubby and gave me blushing cheeks when I came in to Pois Belly and Kids. Check out their latest kids' collections below. Just to share a bit of an info, Pois is for tweens, Belly for expecting Mommies and Kids or Great Kids for kids and toddlers.

They were all cute and pretty and price are very reasonable too. Roughly Php1K for a pair of top and shorts. I would actually pick everything displayed on top, if hubby allows me to. For now, I'd say this is the place to be for your little girl's outfit needs. Will be back very soon before our family photo shoot project.

Look at their fancy paper bag. Back in college, I used to collect paper bags from the stores we shopped and this became an ongoing habit. Don't ask me why I keep most of them, that's my way of reusing/recycling. Ha ha! To date, this is my favourite paper bag from all the kid's shops we've been to. I want something similar for a new blog design. Speaking of, I just renewed my domain few days ago, so that means OneGutsyMom.com is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Must cook something for my lovely readers. :-)

We also got the chance to try Army Navy Burger + Burrito. I've been meaning to try this for the longest time! There's a nearer branch from home which is along Shaw Blvd. but it never happened. The hubby liked it much, caught him non-stop pouring mustard. Here's what we ordered:

• Classic Burger for Php165 each 
• Added extra egg Php17 (him) and cheese for Php30 (her). 
• Large Libertea Iced tea for Php75 and Soda in can Php50. 
• Freedom Fries (not on photo) for Php75

I don't think it's a juicy burger, I find it quite dry but tasty which is good for me. It is not overwhelming either (perhaps the Double Burger is) so I was able to finish the whole of it. Fries were really crunchy which were thin-sliced. I should try their Burrito next visit before I can say mission is accomplished. :-)

How was your week Mothers? Tell me about it.

xx,

OneGutsyMom

Cafè Publico

Me and my friends Mia and Yen organised a late lunch meet up at Greenhills while everyone's closely monitoring the National Election results. The last time I went to my voting precint in Rizal was about 9 years ago and since then I opted not to participate anymore. Well maybe when I transfer registration here in Mandaluyong. My two amigas voted that day before 6pm and it seems hassle-free going there when almost everyone are done casting votes. 

Anyhoo, while we're at the Promenade area, we have no idea where to dine even with a number of options. We checked Cafe Publico out of curiosity and because I've read a lot of good reviews about their gelatos . We didn't come here for desserts though.

There were tables available inside but still we chose the al fresco area. It poured a little bit so weather is quite okay. Each of us were handed with this wide wood type menu and while Mia and I were checking it, Yen started to play with the rocking chair. The waiter must have wondered why we were laughing out loud when he came with our chilled bottle of water.

 

Nachos with cheese and Pomodoro sauces Php195

 

This was our first order and I think we all liked it somehow. Nachos were the regular crunchy ones but cheese dip on the left is the best I've tasted by far. Nothing significant about the Pomodoro sauce though, I can actually say a jar of Tostitos salsa is way better. But overall, this is an upgraded version of nachos compared to the usual ones served in bars. 

Mushroom and Truffle cream spaghetti Php310

 

I liked the way they presented it and the three of us had a fair share of bread stick. He he! We were kind of disappointed though because we picked the most expensive on the list but there's this smell or taste that spoiled the whole pasta experience. Not sure if it's due to the mushroom type they used. I eat mushrooms and it surely doesn't have to taste that way. It felt like we just need to finish our pasta because we are going to pay for it anyway. Tsk! But I'm not giving up on Cafe Publico, next visit I'll surely try other pasta and gelatos. 

On a lighter side, just like our usual yet seldom dates with fellow amigas, we surely enjoyed the whole afternoon talking about love, life, family matters plus the trending "dirty finger day" on all social media platforms. We had coffee afterwards to continue our daldalan. This also served as our simple farewell party for Mia who is soon moving to another continent. Awww... It should have been a bigger group that day, but oh well, it's difficult to match schedules. May the good Lord bless all your plans in life, mare.. It's really worth the wait. xx

CAFE PUBLICO

2/F Greenhills Shopping Center, Promenade,

Greenhills, San Juan MM

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