welcome 2011

The year is coming to a close and still there are things I should do before 2010 ends:

- get a haircut.  I'd like to have my short pixie bob again
- manicure, pedicure and foot spa.  Since I've been so busy these days, I miss going to the manicurista so much.
-  get myself a 2011 planner.  Thanks to May who's giving me Starbucks booklets with stickers.  I only need to get a few peppermint mochas to have the planner.  Can't wait.
 - buy a 2011 Companion journal.  This has helped me in my prayertime so much that I'd like to continue it this 2010.
-  desk and mobile ped cleaning.  I started cleaning my desk already since I'm moving to a new cube this week.
-  de-clutter.  I need to do a great closet cleanup.
- buy a new pair of sturdy flats.  But this can wait until next year.
- do a cosmetics inventory.  I must to throw away those expired make-up in my kikay kit
- draft my 2011 business and career plan.  This should be on top of my list.  I want 2011 to be the year for my business so I'd better carefully map out my plan.  Also, with the new and tougher assignment, I should prep myself before coming to work on January.

Now that I have my checklist, I think I can finish everything before the year ends. 

Timecheck:  It's only 3 days to go before 2011.  Good luck to me! :P

Planning to get a Planner

Since 2010 is coming to a close, I am planning to get my own planner (redundant huh?).  It’s actually in my to-do list this weekend so while I haven’t bought a planner yet, I checked online the hottest planners in town.

The Starbucks planner:

Should I want this before the year ends, I’d better treat all my friends to a coffee at Starbucks.  This planner has been a fad for years.  And some people I know just collect and never use the planners at all.

This year, the famed planner comes in three cover designs:  metal, wood and velvet. If you don’t want to end up palpitating from caffeine overdose, you can buy online (sulit.com or ebay.ph) for P1,500.  Too much for a planner, huh?

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf 2011 Giving Back Journal

For me, CBTL is love.  It’s actually my favourite coffee shop in our T.Morato neighbourhood.    So when they finally launched this year’s journal/planner (last year’s only a blank page neat notebook), I was so thrilled.  The planner’s actually simple, just like the one’s you see in our local bookstores.  But I love the 101 Ways to Give Back page, a list of inspiring things to do for your family and friends.

Belle de Jour:

I’ve been using the BDJ planner for 2 years now and I’m very satisfied by it’s contents.  The several trackers, especially the expenses and the savings tracker are really helpful to me.  This year, they added Project Tracker, something that can really be helpful to me (after all, I’m a Project Specialist by profession).  So this remains on top of my list, plus the discount coupons worth around P10K that I can enjoy the whole of 2011.  Not bad for a planner priced at only P598.

But I find it very bulky and heavy that I end up leaving it on my desk.  I wish there’s a smaller version of this.

For more information: http://belledejourpowerplanner.com/

The “Relaks, Puso Lang Yan, Malayo sa Bituka” Planner 2011.

From the makers of 2010’s “I Was Supposed to Get that Coffeehouse Planner but I Got Fat Broke on the 10^th Frappe”, comes another witty planner that is set to be a talk of the town.  This year, the theme is Moving On and finding a new one (a partner) in life.  Since I’m in that kinda moving on stage too, I’m actually considering this one.  And besides, humour in this planner can come in handy too on those gloomy days.

Each planner costs only P350.

2010 planner of  Witty Will Save the World

For more information: http://www.facebook.com/wittywillsavetheworld

Powerbooks Pilipinas planner

photo courtesy: spot.ph

Before I can get a hold of this, I should first spend P2,500 at Powerbooks.  And since I’m on a tipid mode these days, this planner is out of my list.

Planner People Planner

photo courtesy: plannerpeople

These uber cute planners are for those who prefer it no-frills yet useful.  What I love about this planner aside from being reasonably priced at P200, they are lightweight and I can actually bring anywhere.

For more information:  http://plannerpeople.tumblr.com/ or http://planner.wedgienet.net/

Still can’t decide which planner to get.  So help me God.  J

happiest thought of 2010

Yesterday, a friend asked me what my happiest memory of 2010 is. And for me, it is a very hard question to answer.

This year, my Mama died and lost all my savings from her treatment. Because of that, I also incurred a lot of payables. I wasn’t able to join my friends in our annual summer outing. I wasn’t able to attend the Davao conference I’ve been planning to go to.

At work, I wasn’t considered for promotion. Instead, there spread some nasty rumors about me and a feud against a co-worker.

If I will focus on the heartbreaking memories and not think of the good I gained from those experiences, I can never move on. I will only encourage negative thoughts to fill me and I don’t want to welcome 2011 like that. And despite everything that happened this year, I still want to enumerate the blessings I received so I can come up with my happiest 2010 memory.

With the death of my mother, the bond between me and my sister strengthened. Now it is like, me and her against the world. It is said that through hardships you will know who your true friends are and with the experience, I realized that my real best friend in life is my sister. We stood by each other through thick and thin, and I can say that nothing can ever destabilize our sisterhood, our friendship.

I also learned a lot, from being independent and strong-willed to being compassionate to the people in need. I learned my lessons the hard way, nevertheless thankful that I gained so. I realized I should live each day as if it’s my last and never hesitate to show loved-ones that you care for them or it might be too late. Cliché but these are the most important things everyone should’ve realized long before.

Though I wasn’t doing really good at work this year, I recognized my priorities. With my free time, I can attend Singles for Christ activities for spiritual nourishment and still have time for my business. Last July, I got to attend the Metro Manila Conference in Silang, Cavite and felt so refreshed with the insights I got. Last August, I headed the Unli-Love Fully Loaded anniversary event of SFC-Claret. I was more elated to know that some of our Christian Life Program participants were actually inspired to join us after watching the concert.

I also continued my violin lessons and I am just so glad to have the time I need for practice. Last February, I had my recital and my super loyal fan Joel came to UP Diliman all the way from Las Piñas just to see it.

Work isn’t so much stressful and demanding these days, one the perks of staying in B2 position. Of course I still would want to be promoted given the chance, I miss the hectic workload I used to have. Anyway, this year I handled Q11’s Buhay Q Kumpleto station ID, Christmas campaign and a handful of corporate AVPs in a breeze. Not even my bosses noticed we’re doing a launch.

I still can’t point to a single memory but I can say that my 2010 has strengthened my grip to the Lord. Each experience has pushed closer to God. And with the trials I faced, I became more dependent on His providence, thus counting each time I wake up a blessing in itself. Every morning is a step closer to reaching my goals and a day away from my depressing past.