Live One Day At A Time

After months, finally, I got another Saturday off. 

We normally have Fridays only.

I've accomplished a lot during these two days however there are things that have to be attended to still. 

We have to start cleaning up as we will be moving houses by the end of next month and also, we haven't found any place yet. 

I am pretty sure that we can find one that is nearer to our work place. 

Will be going for leave early May as well. 

With all of these busy things going on, it is important that we still appreciate life, each day, as it is. 

I am trying to pause for awhile and have a break at work. 

Staring at the PC for hours is very draining. 

To be honest, I may not be the most positive/optimistic person though am trying my best to be one. 

With all of the things going on: dropping oil prices, cost of living going up, the situation in Syria, Hubby and I are thinking of settling down somewhere for good. 

However, until such time that we find another opportunity, we'll have to stick it up here. 

Appreciate the jobs and the financial capability that goes with it, the life that we currently have. 

Imagine, I used to have USD 500 as my monthly salary when I came here in Doha. 

That time, everything else was still cheap. We don't have to worry about the rent, electricity bills and all since we have a company provided accommodation. Transportation was also provided.

Well, we've come along way and we are grateful for the opportunities that we are having at the moment. 

Like how the old saying goes, Your life can change in an instant so I'll stop worrying and overthinking about things. 

Great things are on their way, Inshallah! 

Breathe In. Breathe Out.

Lately, I am in a calm mood. 

Am not denying the fact that often times I do have emotional and mood outbursts (yes, my hubby can also attest to that).

Name it: mood swings, irritable feeling, that moment when you feel like punching someone on the face.

There are lots of things that trigger these feelings: negativity, complaints, annoying people, things that you don’t have control of.

And then I realize. That’s it.

There are things that I don’t have and won’t have control off so I told myself, “Hey, don’t waste your time on being annoyed but instead think of things that you can do enjoy”.

So am bouncing back and avoiding all the negativity.

Once I can sense them closing in, well, am breathing in, breathing out.

Repeat 10 times.

2018

As I officially say goodbye to 2017, I would like to recount some of the things that happened in this wonderful year. 

2018...Oh man, that's quite surreal! 

I am always grateful to be here, working, living a healthy life, was able to travel and know a whole lot of people and these are amongst the best and most memorable of them all (not in a particular order): 

1) Do Volunteer Work 

I have always been passionate about doing volunteer works (it is good for the soul). 

I was a volunteer tutor in an institute here in Doha and was helping my fellow kababayans to review for the IELTS Exam. 

After almost 4 batches, I met a lot of Filipinos who would like to have better lives and move to countries that would benefit their families. 

It is quite inspiring as they have come from different walks of life and have one goal: to move somewhere (some in Canada, New Zealand, the US, Australia, New Zealand). 

Mere "Thank Yous" are quite heart-warming! 

2) Death and everything that comes with it. 

It may not be the best experience that I had, however, it is one of the most memorable. 

We had celebrated my Dad's first death anniversary and remembering his death always makes me teary-eyed. 

We have come together as a family and am always proud and thankful to have him as my Dad. 

I have always wondered what it feels like on losing someone, yes, you may have seen it in movies but it is indeed different if it is one of your own. 

I could clearly remember taking that flight home all alone and praying that I make it just in time; cannot feel my tummy, was feeling cold all over and was relieved that I made it to the hospital. 

My Dad was in Coma and never woke up. 

Signing that waiver, removing the life support and waiting for him to breathe his last are the most painful, heart-wrenching experiences that I have ever had. 

Seeing the flat line and hearing that beeping sound is still echoing inside my head up until now. 

We had said our simpulan words of love to him and I promised him that being the eldest, I will take care of the family, as always. 

3) Work, Work, Work 

Yes, I still belong to the elite group of people called "employed" Alhamdullilah. 

It is almost 10 years since I move to Qatar and am lucky to have my job still. 

I know that living and working in this country is just temporary and I know that if the time comes that I will have to leave - it only means that I have done my part and there is another mountain to climb, other opportunities to explore and other world to rule.

4) Finished a short course.  

My friend and I are always talking about having a small business. 

I enrolled in New Enterprise Planning Course in the UP Open University and was so happy to finish it with distinction. 

Am planning to take the Project Management Course in a few months time and I hope I can pass the exam certification exam too. 

5) Travel. 

We were lucky enough to travel to Africa this year! 

It was great as it's the first time for my husband and I to travel alone. 

We are now looking for our next itinerary. 

6) Save.

Thanks to my Hubby for keeping our finances in check. 

Being married and having to deal with all the aspects of life that comes with it is not easy-peasy. 

We are blessed enough to be in the same pace and like what I told him before, we are always a team no matter what. 

We are working towards our sasaran or goal and are hoping that we can achieve that. 

We are always finding ways to save more - talk about the vouchers and the discounts and those points-earning things! 

The goal is to be rich and not look rich. 

7) Shop Less. 

By shopping less, I meant clothes and shoes and things that we don't really need. 

If it's on sale, it does not mean you have to buy. 

I was quite happy that we are not having a lot of trips to the malls except when grocery shopping and when we do, we only but the things that we only need or those that we are to cook. 

This 2018, I am not to write a New Year's Resolution - am not really a big fan of that. 

Instead, I plan to list down the things that I want to do without the pressure of doing them within the year. 

1 - Invest in Mutual Funds or Stocks religiously. 

2 - Enjoy more chill, relaxed time. 

3 - Travel. 

4 - Live minimally. 

5 - Do that Peso-Savings Challenge 

Wheew, that's not a lot but I hope I can commit to them. 

What's on your list? 

Happy Birthday To Me!

Two days back, I had celebrated my 35th birthday. 

Yes, 35th birthday! 

I have just realized how pretty young I am hahaha. 

Most of the time, it does not occur to me that I am of that age unless I see those who used to be so little back then - now all grown-ups, married, have kids and the like. 

I still feel young at heart - though sometimes, back and leg pains are there (sign of aging hahaha). 

There was no party, no gift-giving, nada, but my Mom cooked spaghetti for me back home and invited some of our neighbors. 

My Hubby said that I can do whatever I want or go wherever I want to go on "my day". 

And there we were and off to Villaggio Mall. 

It was crowded because it is still the Eid Holidays and the mid-year sale is on however, we did have a great time! 

Turning a year older did make me realize how lucky I am to be so alive, healthy and blessed. 

Alhamdullilah. 

Looking back and if I am to talk to my younger self, I would tell her these: 

1 - You did well. 

I may have made some lousy decisions and mistakes before, but hey, I have learned valuable lessons from them. 

2 - Chill. 

Do not easily get stressed out. Look for other things that can distract/divert during those hectic times. One can only do too much. 

3 - Minimalism is in. Shoppping Galore is out. 

I used to spend a lot on useless things and I did take something out of it - after a lot of stuffs donated, given and thrown. 

Now, I am embracing minimalism and I have never felt so relieved not having a few things that I really need. 

Aside from the fact that I don't have to fix a lot of stuffs, I can save up for the things that I need and matters. 

4 - Be brave and aggressive. 

It's totally fine that not every one will like you or agree with your decisions. 

Being aggressive is different from being ill-mannered. 

Boldness can also take you places and achieve the things that you want to. 

5 - Be social and overcome your shyness. 

Yes, there are times when I still do feel shy but I am working on it. 

I am trying to be more "sociable" too. 

6 - You always have the power. 

You have the power to change lives, to make your own choices and stand for yourself. 

7 - You can still go places. 

Hey, you still have a lot of chances of traveling the world, exploring different cultures and meeting new people. 

8 - Live life to the fullest. 

Enjoy and savour each and every moment.