Monday, August 07, 2006
Being Efficient at Work
As a working mom, I always want to be efficient not just at home but also at work. This way, I get to make the most of my time and money. To be efficient at work, I just follow these guides:
1. Before the start of the week, write down and rank according to priority your to-do list and your plan of action. As soon as you’re done with items on your to do list, cross it out. This way, you’ll know you’ve reached your goal for the day and for the week.
1. Before the start of the week, write down and rank according to priority your to-do list and your plan of action. As soon as you’re done with items on your to do list, cross it out. This way, you’ll know you’ve reached your goal for the day and for the week.
2. Deal with tough tasks early in the day, when your energy level is high. Your brain can think through details more systematically.
3. Always separate outgoing files from incoming files for appropriate action and for filing immediately.
4. Check your e-mail towards the end of the day, especially after an out-of-town trip when correspondences have piled up. Reading messages early will have you spending the rest of the morning going through your inbox.
5. Set meetings early in the week to allow others and yourself time to arrange your schedule.
6. Make or return phone calls as soon as possible so you have more time to finish projects.
7. Ask for a salary raise in the middle or end of the year, when your performance can already be evaluated.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Finding the Best Time to Enjoy One's Self
As a person, I believe that in order for me to give love to others, I must be able to love myself first. And one way for me to show my love for myself as much as I love others is to enjoy myself. Now I've found the following times the best way for me to enjoy myself:
1. I go to malls right after it opens. This way, I get to window-shop at a more leisurely pace. Since it's still early in the morning, salespersons are much friendlier and eager to help me out. There is also no problem in getting a parking space.
2. When I need to have my hair done or have my beauty rituals done, I go to the salon early also in the morning when stylists or beauticians can fully concentrate on me and I get a VIP treatment.
3. When going to restaurants, I have either an early or a late lunch or dinner. This way, I don't have to wait for a table.
4. I usually surf the internet and download data early in the morning or late at night when there are few users. I also get value for my money with surf-all-you-can promos.
5. I usually do and finish home work and other errands in the morning so I can have a lot of leisure time in the afternoon and do whatever I fancy.
1. I go to malls right after it opens. This way, I get to window-shop at a more leisurely pace. Since it's still early in the morning, salespersons are much friendlier and eager to help me out. There is also no problem in getting a parking space.
2. When I need to have my hair done or have my beauty rituals done, I go to the salon early also in the morning when stylists or beauticians can fully concentrate on me and I get a VIP treatment.
3. When going to restaurants, I have either an early or a late lunch or dinner. This way, I don't have to wait for a table.
4. I usually surf the internet and download data early in the morning or late at night when there are few users. I also get value for my money with surf-all-you-can promos.
5. I usually do and finish home work and other errands in the morning so I can have a lot of leisure time in the afternoon and do whatever I fancy.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Dinner Time: A Perfect Time for Family Bonding
Early morning yesterday, I received a message on my cell phone from my husband requesting me to come home early. He said that he was asked by my sister to tell me that we’re going out and she’ll treat us for dinner tonight. So I said okay and I’ll try to be home before 7:30 p.m.
I did not want to miss this dinner time because now that most of us siblings have our own families, it is seldom that we’re all gathered together. In fact, my sister who’s now residing in U.S. with her own family just came home to the Philippines for her kids’ summer vacation. But since summer in the U.S. is almost over, they’ll be leaving this coming Friday by bus to Manila City and will be traveling by plane to U.S.A. next week just in time for the kids’ school opening. Oh, how fast precious time really flies by!
I used to look forward to dinner time when we were still kids because it’s the time when we are all gathered together and share stories. Dinner time is such a good family bonding time for us since it is the time when we get to share our life with each other. It’s the time when we get to tell our mom and dad about what happened in school, how we spent the day and what’s new in our life. It’s also the time that we get to open up to our parents about what’s bothering us for the moment, what problems we’re having in school or with our friends, what we’re happy about for the day, what new discoveries we had and so on and so forth. Actually, the list is endless because it’s only during dinner time that everybody in the family is around and no one is in a hurry to leave as it will be bed time soon.
Now fortunately, my day at the office was quite a breeze and so I was able to leave at exactly 5:00 p.m. When I arrived home, everyone was ready to leave already and it was just me they were waiting for. We all went together in our old reliable car and headed for the nearby Coco Leaf Restaurant, a restaurant that serves Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Filipino delicacies.
It was such a feast eating mixed Asian food. We had “sinigang na hipon” for our soup. Rice, being a staple food in our country, was served in three varieties: the classic plain rice, fried garlic rice and Yang Chow rice. As for the main dish, we had Lumpiang Shanghai, pancit Canton, Chop Suey, beef kare-kare, mixed sea foods, fish tofu, chicken lollipop, Bikol Express, and binagoongang adobo. For our refreshments, iced tea, Coke Light and mineral water was in order.
Since we had a room in the corner of the restaurant all to ourselves while eating dinner, it was like we’re just in our home in yesteryears where everybody, from kids to adults, had some fun sharing their stories for the day and updating each other of what’s the latest news in each family. My sister’s kids even provided us with some entertainment where they sang songs which they dedicated to their mother.
We finished eating dinner a bit early and with the kids wanting to eat some desserts, we then proceeded to Star Marks Café and Restaurant where their cakes are known for its being yummy and delicious. There, everyone ordered their favorite cakes and pastries like Rocky Road Chocolate cake, Chocolate Crinkle Cake, Tiramisu and Crema de Fruta.
I did not want to miss this dinner time because now that most of us siblings have our own families, it is seldom that we’re all gathered together. In fact, my sister who’s now residing in U.S. with her own family just came home to the Philippines for her kids’ summer vacation. But since summer in the U.S. is almost over, they’ll be leaving this coming Friday by bus to Manila City and will be traveling by plane to U.S.A. next week just in time for the kids’ school opening. Oh, how fast precious time really flies by!
I used to look forward to dinner time when we were still kids because it’s the time when we are all gathered together and share stories. Dinner time is such a good family bonding time for us since it is the time when we get to share our life with each other. It’s the time when we get to tell our mom and dad about what happened in school, how we spent the day and what’s new in our life. It’s also the time that we get to open up to our parents about what’s bothering us for the moment, what problems we’re having in school or with our friends, what we’re happy about for the day, what new discoveries we had and so on and so forth. Actually, the list is endless because it’s only during dinner time that everybody in the family is around and no one is in a hurry to leave as it will be bed time soon.
Now fortunately, my day at the office was quite a breeze and so I was able to leave at exactly 5:00 p.m. When I arrived home, everyone was ready to leave already and it was just me they were waiting for. We all went together in our old reliable car and headed for the nearby Coco Leaf Restaurant, a restaurant that serves Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Filipino delicacies.
It was such a feast eating mixed Asian food. We had “sinigang na hipon” for our soup. Rice, being a staple food in our country, was served in three varieties: the classic plain rice, fried garlic rice and Yang Chow rice. As for the main dish, we had Lumpiang Shanghai, pancit Canton, Chop Suey, beef kare-kare, mixed sea foods, fish tofu, chicken lollipop, Bikol Express, and binagoongang adobo. For our refreshments, iced tea, Coke Light and mineral water was in order.
Since we had a room in the corner of the restaurant all to ourselves while eating dinner, it was like we’re just in our home in yesteryears where everybody, from kids to adults, had some fun sharing their stories for the day and updating each other of what’s the latest news in each family. My sister’s kids even provided us with some entertainment where they sang songs which they dedicated to their mother.
We finished eating dinner a bit early and with the kids wanting to eat some desserts, we then proceeded to Star Marks Café and Restaurant where their cakes are known for its being yummy and delicious. There, everyone ordered their favorite cakes and pastries like Rocky Road Chocolate cake, Chocolate Crinkle Cake, Tiramisu and Crema de Fruta.
I really enjoyed the special treat we got from my sister and I guess it goes the same for the rest of the family. I will miss this family gathering for the next years until my sister and her kids will be back again for a much needed break from work and a much deserved vacation. I know my kids will also miss their cousins who became very close to them at such a short time.
Yes, no matter how short the time we spend together as one family, I believe if it is well spent together, then it is well worth our effort, energy and resources. In fact, quality family time can give us the greatest joy and happiness that can last a lifetime.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Ten Simple Ways to Happiness
One of the things I want in life is happiness. I believe this is also true for most everybody. Sadly, though, only a few of us find the elusive happiness. The reason we never find it is because we think happiness can be found in a material thing, person, place or an event. But the truth is that happiness is an internal feeling that we feel inside our heart and can not be found outside of us.
Having people, things and events come into our lives do bring about the feeling of being happy but it is only short-lived. After a few moments of elation, we start to feel dissatisfied and incomplete all over again. It is fun to want people, things and events to come into our life. The cycle of dreaming, desiring, working for and finally achieving what we want brings about excitement, expectation and anticipation adding color to our life.
However, to have true happiness, we only need to look for it inside of us. We can be the happiest when we pour out and give of ourselves. Happiness envelops us when we are in that blissful state of feeling complete, desiring nothing. Below is the ten simple ways I’ve found to happiness:
Having people, things and events come into our lives do bring about the feeling of being happy but it is only short-lived. After a few moments of elation, we start to feel dissatisfied and incomplete all over again. It is fun to want people, things and events to come into our life. The cycle of dreaming, desiring, working for and finally achieving what we want brings about excitement, expectation and anticipation adding color to our life.
However, to have true happiness, we only need to look for it inside of us. We can be the happiest when we pour out and give of ourselves. Happiness envelops us when we are in that blissful state of feeling complete, desiring nothing. Below is the ten simple ways I’ve found to happiness:
1. Keep your heart free from hate.
2. Keep your mind free from worry.
3. Live simply.
4. Expect little.
5. Give much.
6. Fill your life with love.
7. Spread sunshine.
8. Forget yourself and think of others.
9. Do as you would like be done by.
10. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.
Let’s go for happiness and live a wonderful life!
