You may notice that I used the word surprises in my title to describe this year. Why? Because even if a lot of catastrophe and sad things happened, I believe this year also stretched us and made us more resourceful, mindful of our health and habits, and made us realize what really matters. It made us realize that we need each other and we can do a lot of things when we are together.
2020 made me more grateful of the people around me. I could never imagine myself being able to survive it without them, especially without the grace of our Lord. If you are reading my previous posts (yes, the last one is a year ago so forgive me), I shared that my client engagement in Amsterdam ended on the last day of January. It's been a big transition for me after that as I have worked for that client for almost 2.5 years. It also came to a point where I considered finding work in Europe as I was already used to staying there. Still, I decided to come back home for good even if it means I had to leave some close friends behind. I really miss them and hopefully I can go out with them again.
Even if I let go of the opportunity in Europe, our Lord God blessed me with new projects - two internal projects for Covid19 tracking and employee evaluation and two billable US projects, with one I am still part of until the first quarter next year. I am also now a part of a new team that supports our new product direction after becoming a project-based employee instead of a regular employee in my current company. Yes, it's quite unstable but I am still grateful for I still have work that gives me satisfaction and people who trust and care for me. I was also even able to witness the Northern lights, had sleigh ride and snow adventures during my last vacation in Europe last February from a flight compensation of Emirates.
I also may have lost touch with some people temporarily but I gained more time with my family and some friends. Some of my relationships also got stronger than before. I also met my boyfriend this year in an unexpected moment of life. There are a lot of uncertainties in the future and I still have things I need to plan for but I know in time I will find the answer. I am grateful that even if there were times I didn't know how I will manage, things get better. The world still needs healing especially our country but I know good things will prosper in the end. I cannot control the future but I will do my best to contribute something valuable to this world to make it a better place to live in, most especially for my future children. No matter how difficult it will be, I will never give up for the people I care about.
A lot has happened in 2019. It is a good and memorable chapter of my life. This year is a transition phase for me. I am still working on the same client but I am now going to roll off end of January. A new project awaits me. A new life is starting to open. I am opening my doors to new challenges, new acquaintances, new friends, and new experiences. There were also a lot of changes in our company. I also got to meet new good friends. I am still keeping contact with most of my friends through reunions, meet-ups and chats. I was mostly out of the country to work for our client onsite but I also made sure I made time with my family. I think, by this time, I have changed a lot in terms of my outlook in life. I was afraid to let go of things I am used to but little by little, I am learning to not get too attached and let changes teach me. In the end, we cannot really control what will happen. Yes, we can plan and have goals, but to really get the most of life, to live a full life, we should let uncontrollable things go. We should learn to live by the moment. I was doing that this year. In the process, I was and am still entrusting myself to God. And He is good. He took care of me and is still taking care of me all these years. Even if I don't understand some things, I know He will always lead me to the light. So I am really grateful. This 2020, I promise I will be bolder, stronger, and more inspiring so I can encourage more people. I know I can do all things with God by my side. I have a vision for my life and I know He will help me fulfill those things. And I am not saying this because I want to believe it but I know and feel it in my heart. So, 2020, here I come! :) Happy new year everyone! P. S. I am currently doing a training and I am planning to take some certifications in 2020. Please pray for me. I am also opening myself to a lot of new things as well as taking a lot of risks for my future. Please include these in your prayers. Thanks in advance. Let me know if you have prayer requests too.
2018 was full of surprises. I can say that almost everything is unplanned. I let things happen. I just enjoyed whatever comes my way. I started with a plan but due to unforeseen events, I decided to let go, just live by the moment, observe, and see where life takes me. I'm not usually like that as I usually want things in my control in some way. But then, by doing so, 2018 had shown me a lot of possibilities and opportunities. I grew stronger, braver, and bolder. Yes, I had my fears. During the middle of year, I was trying to decipher if I would still want to continue working in a foreign country with new people. But I had to face my fears to learn. I loved the challenge. I loved the new learnings especially getting new perspectives, practices, and expertise in my field. I loved knowing more people and their culture. I traveled to different places starting with the different cities in Netherlands such as Hague, Zaandam, Zaanse Schanse, Heerlen, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Hoorn, etc. I also went to different cities in Belgium such as Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, and Leuven followed by the different cities in Germany such as Cologne and Berlin. My favorite is when I went to London to go to the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studios and to attend the MarkLogic Tech Summit to meet all the European MarkLogic consultants. During my trips, I met my friends, both planned and unplanned. In Brussels, I met Mavs. In Leuven, I met Pia. In Berlin, I met Bob. In London, I met my Feast friends, Joan and Keren with her husband. And my out-of-the-country highlight is when I celebrated my birthday in Scotland with my cousin Kuya Louie and his wife Ate Louchelle. They are both so generous and kind so when they went to Netherlands, I toured them and treated them for a cruise. Of course, my year will not be complete if I will not go to visit my own country and continent. I visited Singapore and also went to Bacolod, Antipolo, Zambales, Bulacan, and our province Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. I still smile when I remember all my travels this year, along with the experiences, the learnings, and the good company with wonderful people. Aside from travels, I got miles and reward points in my hotels and flights that I was able to use to buy my own Galaxy watch, stay in hotels for free nights, experience the Emirates Business lounge, and have the Gold Skyward status and SPG Platinum Ambassador Elite. I am really grateful for all the blessings I am receiving. That's why I want to share my blessings to others. I am really glad my family were able to successfully pull off my mother's 60th birthday. We all had our share and as requested I sang for my mama, gave a speech, and danced a bit. Haha. I was also able to have mini reunions with my friends, relatives, former housemates and colleagues (former and current). At work, I am learning a lot. I am working in 3 projects currently. I was awarded the MarkLogic's Consultant of the Quarter" once. I was also certified as a MarkLogic 9 Developer in 2018. My goal is to pass the MarkLogic 9 Admin and the AWS certifications this year. To think of it, if I didn't accept the offer of me working abroad because I had to leave behind people I love, I would not experience all of these things. Yes, it was lonely at times. Sometimes, I cried in silence because I am not sure what my future will be. Neither MarkLogic Philippines nor MarkLogic APAC is getting many long-term projects while the other regions are. If I will stay in my current company, my path might be to always work outside the country. I am not sure up until now what path to take. Some are suggesting for me to relocate abroad. Some tell me to settle down already (probably lie low at work). I want to plan my 2019 but I cannot still make up my mind. I tried to have a local business and investments but those didn't give me enough for me to stop working. Opportunities are still with my current field of work. I tried to start and be part of my own startup a few years back but all failed and my teammates had different priorities or something else so I had to let go and forgive. I was aiming for the company I was working with previously to grow big in the Philippines but it didn't work the way I envision it so I had to leave too. I am still grateful though with everything. 2018 and the previous years taught me to trust God more, to pause and listen. I am not sure what will happen in the future, but, I want to live by these verses for 2019:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
I know in time I will know the answers. ❤️ Thank you 2018. Welcome 2019.
Erik Sass has been covering the events of WWI exactly 100 years later. Here's a look back at how we got here.
Because I am learning more of the history while going to the musuems and going to different countries, I got bothered why wars happened before. What’s the reason? What’s the trigger? Why did they chose to go to war? This is one article that give some reason why for WWI.
I often tell young kids and particularly my grandkids, don't ever count yourself out. You'll never know how good you are unless you try. Dream the impossible and go out and make it happen. I walked on the moon. what can't you do?
I am currently reading on Rex Mendoza'so book entitled "Trailblazing Success" and this particular sentence strucked me: "To know your purpose, you need to know your destination". I was just talking to my close friend about how I am so far and without a pause, I said, I'm happy. I am happy not just in the moment but I am happy deep inside and grateful for everything I have accomplished and what I become. It's not perfect but if I think about it all, all the hardships, all the sacrifices and the love I have given and received, I really want to say thank you to God for everything.
I don't know what my future will be but I have a vision of what I want it to be. Rex, Bro Bo and others I consider as my life mentors are right. You have to follow your passion and know your purpose. They say I am Jack of all trades but I always make sure I am on top of what I am focusing on and what I am doing. I am not satisfied to only know one thing. I don't want to be popular but I want to inspire and influence people to live life to the fullest and reach their own potential. I always believe that we are capable to achieve what we set our mind to. And to be able to teach and inspire people, I do things I want to teach to show that it's possible. I experience the world. I try many things even if some people don't understand what I do. People wants me to get married already but at the same time they are inspired with what I have achieved. I delight and think about what others say but at the end of the day, it's still me who knows my heart and I follow it. I listen, ponder and reflect. And as the years pass, I am convinced that I want to live my life extraordinarily. I want to be my best, reach out to more people, teach them, inspire them. And I can only do that if I don't just follow what others tell me to do, which is to settle down and have a family. Yes, I still want to have my own family but I want to have my own family who will also allow me to help more people to be the best persons they can be. I delight in giving solutions and inspirations and that's I believe my purpose is. I pray that God lead me in my decisions everyday and I also pray for you.
Last year, I listed a lot of goals. I accomplished some, was not able to accomplish others but they were replaced given the opportunities I got in 2017.
So here are my goals for 2018:
Be more fit and healthy - I'll definitely need to be more intentional on this one and be more disciplined
Have Rings 'n Dips grow and have thousands of customers
Have all my condo units leased for 6 or more months continuously.
Be certified in MarkLogic (dev and admin), be more involved in MarkLogic project initiatives
Save and invest more in paper assets
Have more time in church and ministry (maybe regular or more involved in some Church events)
It’s almost the end of the year again. Soon, it will be 2018! I can’t believe it. Times flies so fast! I’m hoping and I’m positive it will be a good year. It’s 2018 and 18 is the day of my birthday so maybe something great will happen to me next year. Of course, 2017 is also a good one. And as a habit, I gathered all the important events that happened this year. This is my way to remember my life as I browse through my blog whenever I feel sentimental in a quiet day. :)
Here is the list:
1. Rings ‘n Dips
This is the year, my friends Joy and Mimay, and I registered our business. It is challenging but fun! We learned a lot from it starting from cooking, making our menu, marketing and advertising our products, business registration, selling, applying for malls, food hubs, bazaars, etc, creating our packaging, giveaways, promos, logos and a lot more. We had our successful bazaars in Greenfield, Mercato and Claret. We also did deliveries to our families, friends and officemates. Overall it’s a good start. Next year will be a big step as we are already aiming to rent a place in Antipolo and we really need to design the place, renew our business permit, and find people to sell for us. I’m crossing fingers it will be successful. Please continue supporting us. We will still do deliveries and meetups for your orders.
2. Turnover of my condo units, renovations and Airbnb clients
This is also the year where I had my 2 condo units turned-over. Yey! Of course, it was not easy as I had to pay a large amount of money for the 1 bedroom and had to loan the studio unit. It was tough and I really had to do some sidelines earlier this year. Thank God, He sustained me. He also helped me forgive those who didn’t pay their debts from me even if I badly needed money. I really do hope someday they will find the courage to talk to me, pay and say sorry. But enough of that. I’m glad everything turned out well. I managed to have my studio renovated and now I’m doing it for the 1 bedroom with the help of my bestfriend, my Papa and Tita. Hopefully, I can finally find tenants for the 2 units next year before I leave for work in Amsterdam temporarily again. Before I forgot, I also has 2 separate Airbnb bookings in Nov and Dec, though I had to really ask permission and beg from the admin so they will allow my tenants to stay in my unit. I learned the homeowners doesn’t agree with lease less than 6 mos. Too bad as I was really hoping it’s possible but I really have to comply. Once I had my 1 bedroom furnished and renovated, I’ll have the two units rented so I can also earn from my investments. Don’t worry. I’m positive in spite of everything.
3. Jobstart Life Skills Training (LST) and other sidelines
Earlier I mentioned about having sidelines and teaching and being a facilitator for the Jobstart Life Skills Training (LST) is one of them. I was assigned to QC and I worked part time for 2 weeks to teach out-of-school and promising Filipinos (18-21 years of age I believe). I did it to earn a little but more than that, I really want to start the year helping in the best way I can. I really have a heart with children and teens, especially when I can see from them that they really want to improve, to work hard for themselves and their families and to make a difference. I was given the opportunity when my friends from WYD were reunited for my friend’s wedding. They opened to us the idea, invited us for the training and eventually signed up and conduct the training on our respective areas. It was both challenging and fun. I really hope those kids will reach for their dreams. I really love them that I even cooked adobo and caldereta for all of them even if I don’t have to. Haha! I can still remember those days. It was difficult. I learned that cooking for many people is tough especially when you don’t have enough space in your refrigerator to fit a cooking pot filled with food and you don’t have a car to bring those food to your students – I had to commute bringing heavy containers filled with food. It’s worth it though especially when I can see the smiles from the students while they eat those home-cooked food instead from fast-food. I will forever remember those experience.
Aside from Jobstart Life Skills Training, I also had some sidelines from my friends. Those are web applications, mobile applications and trainings on how to use MarkLogic. Those stretched me given my full-time jobs but I’m glad I am really able to finish them and help my friends. I’m still finishing one more before the year ends and I really do hope our client will benefit well from that. I better test a lot scenarios to make sure there will be less, if not zero, bugs in web and mobile application.
4. Visa Applications and Work in Amsterdam
I also mentioned earlier about my work in Amsterdam. Yes, I was given the opportunity to work onsite in Amsterdam. It was a very big project for MarkLogic Netherlands and they really need people to help as there are a lot of projects in Europe but there are only a few consultants working there. Our big project in the Philippine government is almost done when I heard the invitation so I signed up. I thought I only have to work onsite for 1 month when I said yes to the idea but they really need people to work onsite for a longer time. A work permit in Netherlands can only last for 90 days so I had to go back in the Philippines this month to apply for another Visa and permit. My recent Visa application is ongoing right now and I may leave again on the last week of January.
My experience in Amsterdam is something I will never forget. It was my first time to travel alone in a foreign country. It was also my first time to meet my colleagues and teammates in Amsterdam. I don’t know how to speak Dutch. Good thing everyone knows how to speak English. Yes, I still need to use Google Translate especially when commuting from another place to another, to buy groceries and dine in in some restaurants. Haha! I can still remember how long it took me to buy the ingredients for adobo and menudo as I was having a hard time finding the vinegar etc. I’m glad I survived. It was a similar experience when I tried to find the ticket booth. I tried to buy a train ticket from a machine but to no avail. I tried to find a ticket booth instead and was successful to buy a reloadable prepaid card that I can use for all public vehicles. Another similar experience was when I went to Muiden castle, trying to ride a bus and a van for the first time. I missed the schedule once, had to wait for another in 20 mins and almost missed the van because I thought I should ride another bus. But the trip was worth it, being inside a real castle and seeing all those wonders. I also enjoyed going to one of the Ikea in Netherlads, the musuems, parks and more, by Intercity, metro, walk, etc. I also met the Gary Bloom, the MarkLogic CEO, other consultants working in Amsterdam and even Geert who was our remote mentor in the Philippines when I was still training during my first months in MarkLogic.
I really enjoyed being in Amsterdam (except for adjusting to the very cold weather and being homesick for a while because I miss my family and friends). I love the environment as it is so clean, full of birds, flowers, parks, beautiful buildings, arts, vehicles and more. I also enjoyed working even though there were very stressful days in the end because of the change of priorities and lots of challenges on making other people to execute what the project needs given the constraints on their schedule, the protocols they have to follow, difficulties in understanding what needs to be done on the last minute, etc. I’m glad it was successful and the client is very impressed with the short turnaround times and output we delivered. We had successful deployments to TEST and UAT and hopefully this week the deployment to PROD will be successful. I am already on leave this week so I just told them to email me if there are emergencies. I’m crossing fingers the deployment will be calm and successful. I learned a lot from the project. I lead the UI from the MarkLogic side and authentication/authorization for Single-Sign-On (SSO) and also able to successfully ingested and harmonized the voice data for our Trade Hub. I met a lot of good and amazing people. I learned how they work and some, I got to know in a deeper level, with their personal stories. We had lunch, dinners, tours. I will definitely cherish those memories with me.
5. Completion of Philippine government projects
I also want to highlight the completion of our biggest government projects this year. I’m really glad we were able to close it this year. My involvement finished before I left for Amsterdam and I also had a knowledge transfer demo before I left but my teammates were asked to do more improvements like MarkLogic 9 upgrade, Encryption at rest, performance improvements, etc. before it finally closes. We are anticipating more Philippines projects after that. There are a lot of big companies who contacted us too when we had our MarkLogic Philippines Tech Summit. I hope it will push through, as well as with other clients we had our POCs with.
6. Montero and beach house for my family
I can say that this year is the most expensive year. :P Why? Aside from what I mentioned earlier (business, condo renovations), my family bought a Montero before the excise tax on cars next year. Our beach house in our province is also ongoing construction – there are still things needed for it to complete though. But God is good because I am able to provide in some way to help my family. I am doing a lot this year. Sometimes, I just want to stop and relax without worrying anything. But I know it will be better next year. I’m also glad I am able to help. I’m really grateful that God continually blesses me even if there are hiccups along the way. Someday, all my hard works will pay off.
7. Gym, spa, highlights and short hair
Of course, I am not working all day without thinking about my health and looks. They say, when you grow old, you don’t have to look old at the same time and I agree. Yes, I gained some weight when I went to Amsterdam. I blame it to the cold weather but yes I ate a lot of chocolates last month, as presents from colleagues, and also my laziness to go to the gym in Amsterdam. I was only able to go to the gym twice – mainly because after walking in a cold, I just want to sleep longer inside my warm blanket. I managed to lose some weight though in my early months in the Philippines. I signed up to a gym early this year but I had to stop when I went to Amsterdam. Aside from exercising, I also had my highlights and short hair this year. I was not able to maintain my highlights and hair color when I went to Amsterdam because the fee there for those things are so expensive. Before the year ends or early next year, I will go back to the parlor, just in time before I leave for Amsterdam.
8. Cooking, Adventure Trips and Out of Towns and country (Singapore, etc.)
They say, work hard but play harder. Even if I’m working for longer days, I always find time to have adventure trips, out of towns and out of the country for myself. I went to Singapore, Puerto Princesa, Tagaytay, Pansol, Tomas Morato, La Mesa Ecopark, Pasig Rainforest, Breakout Mandaluyong, Nuvali, etc. I went to the new malls like Century Mall, 30th, Uptown mall, and Vertis North Mall. I played with my friends in Timezone, went for different movies in cinema and at home. I also had my staycations and workations in Seda BGC, Millenia Suites, etc. with my family, my friends and alone to concentrate on my trainings. I also cooked some dishes with my friends this year and experimented on sauces, menus etc. I was hooked to Master Chef Australia during my stay in Amsterdam and other cooking shows, as my favorite past time, aside from watching home interior decorating shows like House Rules.
9. Artworks
I also found time to squeeze art to my schedule. I joined a contest in Freeway where a draw a concept on Philippine traditions. My artwork is entitled “Uso Pa Ba Ang Harana”. I didn’t win but I was really thrilled to get a lot of votes and comments saying my artwork is beautiful. I also attended a Decoupage workshop a few months after that. I also had trial book covers and illustration for children’s books but I had to let it go given my schedule. It was a good experience though.
Most of my time for artworks were dedicate to our business and my condo, I can say. I did some murals (panda and dolphin) for my studio. For our business, I did our logo (new and old), business card, T-shirt (front and back), Timmy the turtle stuff toy and keychains, kiosk, menu boards, ads, newsletter, etc.
10. Love and Support for my friends
Of course, my year will not be complete if I will not be part of the highlights of the lives of my friends. My housemate and close friend Jai had their booth for Technotonic in SMX with their company Numbytes. I went there with my other housemate/close friend Roan. I’m really happy and proud for her. I also supported Patch, my churchmate/close friend in The Feast with their Spark Project Festival and events. I also supported my best friend on his talks, and other ventures. I also sang "Your Love" and "Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko" during the 90 day book writing workshop of Sha, my churchmate and close friend from WYD. I also attended my friends’ weddings (Chicka/Macky and Paul G/Esalyn), my cousin Francis’ wedding with May, me as veil and my goddaughter/his younger as bridesmaid), the christening of Rafa, Kyle and Ram and lot more.
11. Lovelife
Last but not the least, let’s have a glimpse of my lovelife. The people always wonder how come I am still not married even with my age. What I can say is, I’m not worried. I know it will come. What is important is I am happy, I’m loved and I love the people around me. Let’s see in 2-3 years. :)
As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble. —RALPH WALDO EMERSON, ESSAYIST AND POET
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Businesses invisibly create and deliver so many different things in so many different ways that it makes generalizations difficult: what do apple cider and airlines have in common? As it turns out, quite a bit— if you know where to look. Here’s how I define a business:
Every successful business
(1) creates or provides something of value that
(2) other people want or need
(3) at a price they’re willing to pay, in a way that
(4) satisfies the purchaser’s needs and expectations and
(5) provides the business sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile for the owners to continue operation.
Take away any of these things— value creation, customer demand, transactions, value delivery, or profit sufficiency— and you have something other than a business. Each factor is both essential and universal.
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Value can’t be created without understanding what people want (market research). Attracting customers first requires getting their attention, then making them interested (marketing). In order to close a sale, people must first trust your ability to deliver on what’s promised (value delivery and operations). Customer satisfaction depends on reliably exceeding the customer’s expectations (customer service). Profit sufficiency requires bringing in more money than is spent (finance).
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Reference:
Kaufman, Josh (2010-12-30). The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business. Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
