What motivates you?
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 12 June 2009
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I know the question is not specific.
A lot of things can motivate us.
In our jobs, what usually motivates us is the encouraging words from our superiors, praising us for performing more than what is expected of you.
In relationships, what motivates us is how we can be an inspiration to our friends, to have that constant bonding with them and of course becoming a better daughter / friend / wife.
There are different aspects and different situations… and we approach them in various ways.
Robert and I chatted awhile ago about the upcoming restaurant/ internet cafe business that he and his friend, Bhoie had decided to put up.
It still is on its early days. The place is still being constructed and the unpredictable weather in the Philippines is making it more difficult however Robert and Bhoie are positive that it will finish on time.
I love it when Robert is hatching up a plan and acting on it to become a reality. He is like a little kid slowly opening his present for Christmas day. I hope that when I go home this July, I would be able to see the fruits of their work. (”,)
Immediate Release
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 11 June 2009
I want to write…. just to let it all out…
The thoughts running through my head… swimming… beating each other out!
I may not even understand this post but this is what I need right now…
There, I’m better.
Being ‘Manang’ for one day
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 6 June 2009
I remember when I was still a kid, we have the dependable ‘Manang’ with us.
You can always hear her name being called in the house a lot of times as if we are a broken record being sung by an upcoming singer…
‘Manang, can you pick this up?’
‘Manang, after cleaning my shoes, clean my cabinet. Thanks!’
‘Manang, where did you keep my pants?’
Being married to a man who likes doing things by himself, I have to keep up with him… errrr… not!
Robert likes cleaning our house (here in Dubai and in the Philippines). He likes sweeping the floor while I read a book… He likes cooking different types of food while I browse the internet.
Yeap. I am a bit lazy – okay fine! I am lazy.
So when the harsh reality was brought to my attention, I knew I had to do something. So what I did, I search the internet for recipes so that I can whisk up a dish before he comes home from work.
** Fast forward to Saturday, 6 June 2009**
Even if Robert is not here in Dubai, I still do the regular household chores and today, I again, transformed myself to be ‘Inday or Manang’ for one day. My roommate, Mary Ann and I cleaned up the room (well, she changed the curtains and the sheets).
Not satisfied with just the room being clean, I also cleaned the toilet. I have to admit, this was satisfying. I love the way the knobs become shiny while I scrub them with a pad + my secret toilet cleaner(s)… the off-white basin (due to the household’s members constant use) turning to white!
It feels good to see your accomplishments grinning back at you… for a job well done!
I hope when the time comes that I will be back to Robert’s arms and stay in our wonderful! wonderful house… I will be able to do these things without hesitation (”,)
*Manang – a term being used for housemaids in the Philippines.
*Image courtesy of http://indonetwork.net/penyedia_prt/sell
What can make ME happy?
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 5 June 2009
Recently, I was asked by my superior ‘ What can make you happy Rachiel?
Silence.
I was caught off guard but I did regain my composure and told my superior about my plans in the future (i.e. 1 1/2 year’s time). The time frame I have mentioned was enough for me to pay off all our debts here and move back home for a few months.
Being with Robert and establishing a family WILL make me happy.
However, I suddenly asked myself quickly – what can make ME happy?
A good friend once told me that I never prioritise myself (yes, he used the word ‘NEVER’). It’s always for somebody else and the end product is they’re happy therefore I’m happy.
I just had a thought about it and I think he’s right.
I have put my writing dream to one side to be responsible. I always attribute it to me being the eldest that is why I have to. Never mind that some of the opportunities for me have passed as long as I was able to hold it together for them and honestly, that does make me happy.
At times, after a day’s work and I get to meet or chat with people who were able to do what makes them happy. I tend to take a step back and ask myself, am I really happy? Usually, I end up shrugging it off and telling myself, ‘Of course you are!’
I guess if happiness can be rated percentage-wise, I can say that I am 80% happy and 20% well, you know 
Well, in time, my happiness will reach 100% and I am sure it’s close to happening!
Thoughts I had while watching Desperate Housewives
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 30 May 2009
I have been watching Desperate Housewives on and off for months now. These episodes have been my constant companion whenever I do my ironing.
It feels like I am part of their little community, Wisteria Lane. Being part of how they lead their lives and how they portray their ‘outside’ lives so that their friends and their neighbours will not know what is really happening in their homes.
While watching the series, I had these thoughts in my head:-
1) Kids
Lynette has her hands full with her four kids. Previously having a successful career, Lynette sacrificed that so that she can fulfill a more important role – taking care of her kids. While seeing her struggle with her kids, I figured can I do that too? Will I be able to take care of my kids while have a full-time job? What kind of mother will I be, a hands-on mom? a disciplinarian? a cool mom?
2) Relationships
Brie Van der Camp is an elegant woman. I am no where near her stature but my heart goes out for her. It’s like when all the major roles have been done – nurturing your children, instilling values in them and educating them in an acceptable manner, suddenly you realise someone is neglected – your husband.
I know that in a relationship, partners have to listen to what the other need and want. Sometimes, I am guilty of this too, we tend to be deaf… or we pretend to be either because we are tired or we just don’t want to.
With or without children, couples should always try to re-ignite the passion in their lives. Be it through words or actions.
3) Love
All of them have it in different levels but what I took notice is what Susan have for Mike. She follows her heart more than her mind. I do the same too and have never regret one moment of my decision!
I am still in Season 1 (just finished Episode 7) but have picked up a lot from what I have seen. I admire the friendship, the relationship and of course, the mystery of this community… hmmm…
Can’t wait for Season 2 =)
Life of being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 23 May 2009
Having worked in Dubai for five years (going 6th this December), I just cannot stop admiring how my fellow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW for short) can endure being away from their family.
I’m lying. I know the answer.
Money and a better future – these will be the answers you’d get from them… from us though some would hide their real agenda by saying they just need to be in a different environment or it’s for their career growth!
Being away from your loved ones is hard.
Rewind 2003, my parents, friends and I were at the airport… It was not yet time for me to go inside but seeing the families around me crying while they say goodbye to their ‘unsung heroes’… their daughter who promised that they would get their land back after 2 years of being away from home… their father who promised to buy them their favorite toys as long as they will not give their mom a hard time… and more.
It just made me realise how we, the unsung heroes, fught the battle – an emotional battle. Trying to convince ourselves that for just a few more years, the daughter can get the land back and as a bonus, she would be able to buy them a car or a jeep so that they can start a business… the father can buy expensive toys for his boys and send them to exclusive schools, from grade school through to college.
Life is hard but I guess with every sacrifice, comes great rewards!
As for me, I am hoping to get my partial reward this July!
**Can’t wait to see you babe!**
The DISADVANTAGES of being away from home (Part 2)
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 9 May 2009
- In: wife
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I thought I would be able to get over this phase… I guess not!
I do not know why but it’s like everything that I see or hear affects me one way or the other.
My roommate, Anne and I are having a teleserye marathon. We have been watching Maging Sino ka Man (Book 1) for the past week now. Our addiction to watching online teleseryes started with ‘I love Betty La Fea’ and ever since the show finished airing, we do not have anything to fill our weekends with.
That’s when we decided to start watching Maging Sino ka Man.
It’s funny how watching these type of series and hearing their ‘mabibigat’ na lines kind of brings you back to the days when you were the one saying it or your partner.
It is really weird but I have been having a hard time dealing with the fact that I have to stay here for one more year before Robert and I can be together again… I know, we are on the 5th month now going 6th yet I feel it’s way tooooooooo long. Yes, we do chat online and he would send me messages to brighten up my day and vice versa but still.
A laughter is best heard when the person laughing is just beside you.
A problem is best solved when the person you had an argument with is infront of you… seeing your pain or your anger.
A joke is best delivered when the person you want to share it with is waiting eagerly for the punchline and you can instantly see his reaction.
I don’t know where these feelings are coming from but it’s hard.
***
The DISADVANTAGES of being away from home
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 7 May 2009
I was just browsing my Facebook when I saw a photo album uploaded by my sister-in-law’s friend.
Ever since Julia was born, I have been collecting her photos… just so I can feel that I’m there with them (I do the same for Robert’s photos whenever his friends would send some).
I came across this photo and could not help but feel a slight pinch in my heart.
Family Picture minus me =(
I’m very family-oriented. Robert thinks our ‘family bonding’ is way too much but that’s the way we are. I firmly believe that even if all of us have shortcomings in this family, our bond has made us stick to each other – and not seeing myself in this picture makes me want to ask if it’s all worth it?
I have missed a lot of celebrations in my family… birthdays, debuts, graduations and weddings.
I try to match my leaves with whatever celebration in the family but it just never happen. I don’t know if it’s God’s way so that I do not really feel sad or depressed (like when I spent New Year in the Phils).
Well, if our plan goes well… I will not miss any of the celebrations!!! For now, I think I’m just going to continue checking my Facebook, Friendster and Multiply for more updates from them.
Recession
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 3 May 2009
*Sorry but I have to use my native tongue in this post to express myself more*
Dati isang kwento lang ang recession… parang alamat na kinukwento ng mga nakaranas nito nung panahon nila.
Mahirap daw ang buhay nun. Talagang nag-iba ang pananaw at ‘lifestyle’ ng tao. Di ko gaanung pinansin ang kinukwento sa akin ng boss ko nun. Recession? Parang isang dagdag lang na salita sa dictionary. Yun lang.
Sinong mag-aakala na magkakaroon tayo ng first hand experience kung ano talaga ang recession.
Naalala ko ang kwento ni Ate Gay, nakilala ko sa isang tindahan, “Recession? Hay naku, hindi kasi masyadong na-explain sa atin yan eh. Ang ibig sabihin ng recession ay – recess muna, babalik din kayo. Ang tanung kelan?” Sabay halakhak habang binabalot niya ang aming pinamili.
Pagbalik ko mula sa bakasyon, nagmistulang bungi-bunging ipin ang opisina namin – kulang na ang mga tao kasi ang iba sa kanila na-abisuhan na. Hindi ko ininda yun kahit pa ilan sa mga malalapit kong kaibigan ang natanggal.
Ika nga, di pa nagsink in ang nangyari.
Sa paglaon, unti-unti kong nararamdaman ang bigat ng panahon. Ang dating ngiti ng mga taong nakakasalubong ko ay napalitan ng pangamba minsan naman ang iba, nakatulala.
Iba-iba din ang salubong ng mga tao sa recession. May iba, tinanggap na lang ng maluwag sa kanilang kalooban, may iba naman na tipong nagtanim ng hinanakit sa mga kumpanyang nagtanggal sa kanila at may iba na walang reaksiyon kasi hanggang sa araw na ito (kahit may dalawang buwan na silang walang trabaho) eh hindi nila matanggap na di na sila makakabalik sa trabaho.
Para sa akin, tanggap ko naman ang nangyayari. Naisip ko itinakdang mangyari ito kasi nakakalimot na ang tao. Nakalimutan na nilang meron pang mas importante kesa sa trabaho… kesa sa karangyaan… at ito ay ang pamilya at ang buhay mismo.
Pinapatotoo ng mga natatanggap nating emails sa araw-araw tulad ng minsan ba’y naisip mong itigil ang iyong ginagawang trabaho para makapiling ang iyong pamilya? Tanungin ang iyong anak kung kamusta ang araw niya sa eskwela? Ang asawa mo kung anu ang mga pinagkaabalahan niya sa araw na ito?
Isa ako sa mga ito.
Sa sobrang dami kong ginagawa, minsan nakakaligtaan kong kamustahin ang asawa ko. Kung anu ang ginawa niya sa buong maghapon…Sa kadalasan, didiretso ako sa harap ng computer, magcheck ng emails at makikibalita sa mga kaibigan habang ang taong nagnanais na makuha ang atensiyon ko ay mahinahong naghihintay!
Kung nagagawa natin ito sa mga taong malapit sa atin, paano pa kaya ang Diyos na mas mahinahong naghihintay na kausapin natin siya?!
Alam kong isa lang itong pangyayaring lilipas din sa ilang buwan o taon pero sana maisapuso natin ang mga natutunan natin ng dinanas natin ang panahong ito… kung ano ba ang mas importante para sa atin.
Tandaan ang nasayang na oras ay hindi na muling maibabalik.
Picture Perfect!
Posted by: bluejeansgirl on: 23 April 2009
I may be experiencing all the negative vibes in the office but one look at this picture just melts all the negativity and just smile…
Her pictures have been my wallpaper – a good solution to forget about all the issues around me and just stare at her picture.
Happy weekend!!!
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