Cutty

Another new year has begun.  It is time to go back and revisit what has been done and what needs to be done.  It is time to re-evaluate what was effective and what needs to be improved.  I have made it a tradition to set my annual goals and targets at the beginning of the year.  Knowing that I have ticked off my goals for the year gives a sense of fulfillment that trumps all the heartaches and sacrifices to get me to where I am. In 2023:          ✔   Travel with husband.  I am amazed that we were able to do this for both work and pleasure.          ✔  Travel with the whole family          ✔  Start a new income stream         ✔   Sell more EVs.  I know this is vague.  But we were able to get into the retail market and find our niche.          ✔  Daily prayers and meditation This year, 2024, ...

As this year draws to a close, I can therefore say that 2021 has been good to us.  It is definitely better than 2020.  There were hardships, but comfort and convenience were in abundance too.  I found out who I can depend on and who were there just for show.  There were realizations that I learned to accept.  I learned to accept each person's limitations, when to challenge their boundaries, when to observe and when to take over.  Decisions were made.  Issues were resolved.   I do not want to jinx it, but, 2021 is bliss compared to 2020. 2022 holds a lot of promise.  New opportunities are coming.  It is time to set new goals and follow through goals that weren't met. 2022, please be good to us.

I am not one who does resolutions.  But, when 2019 began, I did something new .  I wrote down my goals for the year.  I referred back to it when I get lost along the way.  There were changes in lifestyle, perspective and attitude. 2019 was difficult year for me.  A lot of stumbling blocks came into view.  New trials made themselves known on a monthly basis.  I thought I'd have a more relaxed Christmas season this time.  Boy, was I wrong.  I was working in the Kitchen till the 24th. But, looking back, I was able to accomplish some of my plans.  I achieved my top priority. That's the most important thing.   As 2019 drew to a close, there were feelings of contentment, relief, gratitude, anticipation and hope.  Most importantly, there is happiness.  It was easier to bid 2019 farewell.  It wasn't a total waste, after all.  I am satisfied with these small steps. Now, as I sit quietly in my corner, I ponder o...

I know that this round-up is a week late.  How can I let it pass when it has brought me countless memories? It was a year of trials.  There were times when our household had to survive with one house-help.  It was in Q3 when I found out that the my most-trusted store supervisor was stealing from me.  Business was unstable.  Kids getting sick at the same time, specially when I couldn't be there to care for them.  Javi was physically abused by newly-hired nanny.  There were lots of late night meetings.   Monthly budgets barely covering expenses.  Lessons were learned, tears were shed BUT I have moved on.  I never realized I could overcome all those despite the judgement and opinion of envious individuals (wink, wink). It was a year of travel.  A summer trip to our favorite shopping destination during summer.  A trip to the World's Cultural Capital and it neighboring countries spear-headed by the ACS took place in Q3.  It...

I know I am a couple of weeks behind.  But, please allow me to do my annual round-up. It was all about new beginnings, new experiences and new opportunities. I didn't realize it but 2013 was still filled with trips with family and friends.  It didn't feel like it towards the latter half. In the first quarter, there was Hokkaido, the center of the Japanese Winter Festival.  I was happy to experience snow once again.  After 10 years, I remembered how pretty but inconvenient it could be.  It was en route to Hokkaido that I experienced being disembarked at the snowy tarmac of Busan, with no warning.  Walking in the snow was fun.  Slipping on ice wasn't.  Dressing up in layers, donning snow boots, drying skin, being driven in a taxi slipping on ice weren't my ideas of fun.  I was glad to see that the THREE in Hokkaido trip reflect things we've started in TATLO.  It just affirmed that we did something right. Then there was our US trip....