101 in 1001: Part 2

May 12, 2012 marked the last day of my first 101 in 1001 days… the 1001st day since I made that list… Soon I will recap the final accomplishments, unfortunately I haven’t done a few things or updated some, I maybe have done only about 75% in my list, but I think that’s pretty good enough and I will not be “hard” on myself. Others who have done this list way back 2009 (I think that’s the birthyear the Day Zero Project), have either lose heart and fell out of radar, and those who keeps on it until the 1001st day accomplished only an average of 60% (and they feel great too!).

I feel awesome looking at my list. I wouldn’t have thought doing most of those silly, adventurous, fulfilling things without having a list to remind me what are the most important things in life. IMPORTANT things are often set aside (thinking there will always be time in the future to do that), and we busy ourselves on menial, urgent, superficial (unrewarding) stuff. We have to be deliberate on our choice on what we do in our time…. our life.

Life is great! Life is deliberate! Life is fun! Happiness is a choice!

Even before May 12th, I have already came up with my shortlist of the my 2nd 101 things to do. June 9, 2015 will be my next 1001st day! (See also the new website where one can keep track of their 101 and get inspiration too.)

101 things in 1001 days

1. Visit the National Library
2. Everyday photo via Instagram
3. Everyday kids photo
4. Baler, Quezon
5. Road alley collection
6. Kids mutual fund
7. Red shutters
8. Magazine challenge
9. Mountain climbing
10. Buy a property
11. 10 new authors
12. Frame kuyas art
13. Eco-challenge
14. New pillow designs
15. List of old dreams
16. Aliya and lean to attend art class
17. Taal volcano
18. Drive or driver
19. Kubo for Dad
20. 10 old classic movies (first-time to watch)
21. White water rafting
22. Starflyer ride with Papi
23. 10 movie dates with Jolo
24. Lego “museum” for Lean
25. Art wall for Aliya
26. Watch Dance Competition (Jolo)
27. Bohol and Chocolate Hills
28. Random secret good deeds
29. Charity give-away, back-to-school series (school supplies)
30. Garage sale for charity
31. Feature Blogger of the Week
32. Feature 101 blogger doing 101 in 1001 days
33. Solo travel
34. Update Headboard
35. Have a scholar but not related or kin
36. Accomplish 5 undone things from my first 101 list.

—- i have to think of some more and organize this list —-

Good luck to me!

Today… Jump!

Today….
I will work convinced that nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
To do anything today that is truly worth doing,
I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger,
but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.

First time to enjoy snorkeling…
when I thought I could never try to “swim” without my feet touching the seabed (even in lifevest)…
Now I can! I was enjoying every minute of it.

Today Series 14/22

Today… Happiness…

Today!
I will remain aware of how little it takes to make this a happy day.
Never will I pursue happiness, because it is not a goal, just a by-product,
and there is no happiness in having or in getting, only in giving.

(Today Series 8/22)

Happiness is a choice! we can choose to be happy… just as the same that we can choose to be good! and better everyday!

Pic Note: What we have…

TSP#8: Park Moment with Kids

Just a simple pleasure of watching them play in the park…
My Aliya is so brusko and lacks femininity climbing the slide stairs and down… My Lean is so bubbly inspite of his “size” (he reaaly needs an exercise like this)…. We rode the see-saw (the four of us) and was afraid we might break it…

What a great day!

TSP #6: Soft Drizzle of Rain

Awesome! soft, soft, tiny drizzle of rain…
… reminds me to slow down, appreciate nature, and how it touches us….
… life is great….

TSP: Found Flat Shoes under my Desk

… Just in time when my feet were aching for having worn a high-heeled uncomfortable sandals…
… it was a relief to find old flat shoes underneath my table

… glad and I wore way back home…
… forget about glamourosity!…

TSP # 3: Playing Clay with my 2-year-old daughter

Moments like this… This is what we live for, right… All the works and tasks that we do are geared towards having a good life and having fun! SO why not live that moment once in while, sitting momentarily with a child playing dough and clay and making stuff! I did… and had great fun!

TSP: Awesome to Read about this Awesome Blog

Having Found this “Awesome” Article at RD Just at the Same Time I Was Thinking of Updating My Blog about “Simple Pleasures”

“In Search of Awesome,” an article in Reader’s Digest that made me smile. The “awesome” sayings are really witty and nice and simple. These are actually “ignorable” acts, things, circumstances in everyday life, but really awesome when you realize the awesome feelings it gives you. This can be found in Neil Pasricha’s blog “1000 Awesome Things” (now a book)…. See it and I’m 100% sure you’ll find something that will make you smile (then count that as your own “Awesome” moment)

I been thinking about updating my blog (this blogsite) for quite sometime, I’ve been “inactive” since September when we ventured to our new business. I’ve droped few entries and pics every now and then (mostly about my Project K), but not about more serious thoughts. I noticed also that I neglected my “regular” entries like the “Pic Note”, “Tips and Insights” and “Today’s Simple Pleasures”…. Anyway, as I was thinking reviving these projects, I came across this article of “Awesome.” It’s almost the same thing about my “Today’s Simple Pleasures” which I started last year – not yet aware of the other blogsite ha… – (so nobody can “sue” me for plagiarism )…
Anyways, I will again pursue this… basically for myself… because I want to be grateful about everyday’s blessings and simple acts or things that make us realize that “everyday” is a miracle… and a magic… and most definitely a “choice”!
Well, good luck sa akin….

101 Inventory-taking

It’s been awhile since I have made updates on my 101… The last time I took inventory, I had only 18 “minus”… but amazingly as i took the count now, I had already 26 “minus” (see here)… well that’s 25% complete with still 665 days to go… fairly good…. But I have to keep up with the stories behind these accomplishments… so need to blog-blog more…

But later on that. For now, I will also have to take a look on my tasks that are in-progress and needs further effort to accomplish… or better, i have to revisit some of them that seems “no-ending” tasks and rather change/enhance them with attainable-time-bound ones.

Some of the progress that worth noting are:

I am more into reading and been around with lots of books
I am keeping up with my “motivation-project” with my staff
I am keeping the contacts with family more often
Being happy and contended with simple hits and pleasures for each day
Got my true-to-life digital camera (my wish)… but need to be serious in photography
Having done the surprise birthday treat for my Mama and Dad
Done lots of movie-music clips and digital scrapbooks lately
I am planning for a travel holiday in Bangkok in August
The teachings and the learnings with kids are still the priority

What else… well, just want to say, I’m still on my 101 in 1001 days…

Pic Note: Dance

Pic Note: Simple

Pic Note: Happy?

image source

image source

If I Had My Life to Live Over

by: Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over dinner even if the carpet was stained and sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair would ‘fly’
I would have burned the pink sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about the grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching tV — and more while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the eart would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “later, now go get washed up for dinner”
There would have been more “I love yous’…more “I’m sorrys”… but mostly given another shot at life, I would sieze every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back….

(Erma Bombeck, lost her fight with cancer in 1996)

also from her:
“when i stand before God at the end of my life,
i would hope that i could not have a single bit of talent left
and could say, “i used everything you gave me”.”

Project K for K! Another Hit! (Episode 2)

Event: Project Kindness for Kids (Share-a-toy!)
Place: The Garage, Matungao Bulacan
Date: December 24, 2009
With : Family

Yes, another episode of Project K for K was held at Matungao Bulacan, Bulacan (our hometown). We have prepared toys for about 150 kids within the vicinity and we gave it away on the 24th. It’s been fun, warming experience having brought smile to kids. Plus, the “cousinhood” was having a really great time volunteering during the distribution…. Some of our nephews and nieces even waited on the line to receive their share of toys as well, then they distributed candies. It was also a plus-experience for Chuko and Deanne as, aside from having fun too, Chuko also need “community service credits” even on vacation as required by their school back in US.
Christmas is really for fun, fun, fun and giving, giving, giving! What a wonderful blessing being a part of a blessing to others (even in simple ways…). What a wonderful feeling! Life is really meant for these moments!

See also related posts:
Episode 1

The Holiday A-Z Photos!

A - St Agatha’s Resort Grand Reunion & Papi’s Bday (#18) (# reference in previous blog)

B – Boat Ride up to Cruz sa Wawa at Bocaue (#20)

C – Complete Cousins

D – The DAY (my day) (#10)

see also pictures here: Ways to Celebrate a Bday

E – Eucharistic Day of Lean (#4)

F - Family! (#16)

G – Gift-Giving for Kids (#13)

H – Home for Holiday – Chuko & Deanne (#12)

I – “I” Moment at our Christmas party… Audit Bday Tribute (#7)

J – Surprise Bday Treat for John-john (#1)

K – moments with Kuyas (#22)

L – night with SVS at Lorna T’s house in “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” (#2)

M – Kuya’s visit at our house @ Marilao (#23)

N – New Year’s Eve (#21)

O – Opening of Seri Asia (#9)

P – Party! Party! Puregold Audit Family (see this also) and SVS Family! (#6)

Q – Queue at Charity Gift Giving

R – Raffle, Bingo & Games on Xmas Eve (#15)

S – Star Awards for Auditors (#8) (more info here)

T- “These are the Days” (#21) A Music Video @ YouTube – click here

U – Unstoppable “Sports Tournament” – Swimming, Bowling & Basketball

V – Dinner date with Verna and later on with SGV Friends (#5)

W – Wacky Photos! (#14) see more here

X – Xmas Spirit! with Daddy & Mama!

Y – bYe Time… 1st round (#24)

Z – Z-read, bYe… 2nd Round (#25)

“Blessed & Lucky” (These are the Days @ YouTube)

Here’s my tribute to my whole family, kins or clans:
Regardless how “huge” is our family, we remained intact, happy, excited, close and harmoniously together! And to think we are now “breeding” the 3rd generation,
We are really indeed blessed and lucky being born in the right time and right place with right family….
See this music picture clips of our glorious times together…

“These Are the Days” by Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniac, our favorite song… see it in You Tube

see also these related entries
Holiday Photo A-Z
The Holiday: A Recap

These Are the Days….

My greatest appreciation to my staff and colleagues at Audit Department. Life and work wouldn’t have been so engaging, rewarding and “easy” without the enthusiasm, commitment, motivation of these people. I have learned a lot from this bunch and I hope that I was able to inspire them too. Our moments of working, planning, achieving and playing together deserves this video clip I made:

These are the Days, by Natalie Merchant.

Tips & Insights: Live Life to the Fullest

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay ‘them’
I am a good example of this… I am not very quick in answering my age, it’s not that I am ashamed of it, it’s just that it doesn’t really matter… same with my weight… (but that one I have to work on a bit, for the sake of health)

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down..
I’m glad that I have bunchful of funny and witty friends around who are great to laugh with.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.
Yep, right… that’s why I’m always looking for new things to learn… it still amazes me to know some things, even how petty or irrelevant they are (example: EENT doctors are called othorhinolaringology… hehehe)

4. Enjoy the simple things.
Of course! If simple things will not amaze us, then we don’t deserve the big things! Me? I still enjoy pandesal on sardines, picking ears and reading good old Reader’s Digest..

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
Moments of these are so few, and yet it’s satisfying… I have to remind myself to laugh often… Chico and Del (93.1FM, 6AM to 10PM) are always ON AIR every morning, right?… well, that’s a very good source of hearty laughs…

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
Right! grieve sometime… but life must go on… fail, but fail forward… then stand tall… Choose to be Alive! (for myself and for others!)… As the quote in the image above (in case you can’t see it…) it says, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain!”

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it’s family, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
No matter how hard and heavy was my day, I always long for the refuge of home. Where love is there, where nothing is much expected from me, but be myself, but be at peace…. ohhhhhh….

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it.. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
That’s right, I should not take my health for granted. It’s not really “beyond our control,” I believe. At least, I can prolong it if I’ll really just try.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
Why should I? When guilt happens, I just let it pass (or make amends)… Next time around, I should know better!

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Ommmh, something I am not very good at… But I am working on it….I know it will really make a difference for the one we give love to (and me also) …. Ya, I will have to make efforts….

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!

But Must….

Seven Tips for Getting Yourself To Do Something You Dread To Do (but must)!

How many times do you feel miserable because of some undesirable (but important) tasks you need to face or tackle (or having to decide – again – to put it off)? I guess we are on the same shoes….

For example, right now I have so many policies and procedures in different stages of completion (or non-completion), and some are gathering “dusts.” Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and writing and editing and giving “life” to a process by making it official. But admittedly, I felt overwhelmed by the various sub-tasks involved, various approval process, and the prospect of getting unpleasant comments, and worst, no comment at all. But I believe how noble is this work. So I must jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.

So, bear me with in sharing this to you. These techniques (gathered/compiled from various sources) will help us toward the finish line of hitting “send”.

1. Ask for help. Some of our hesitations came when we got to the point of “nowhere to go.” Why is this so hard? I have no idea. But whenever I ask for help, or tackle the subject (just to clear my mind, sometimes), I’m amazed at how much it helps.

2. Remember: most decisions/tasks don’t require extensive research. I often get paralyzed by my inability to make a decision (fast), or by delaying making decisions because of the “perceived” complexity. But by reminding myself that often, one choice just isn’t that much different from another choice, I can move on.

3. How do you eat an elephant? … One bite at a time…. If you feel yourself dismayed at the prospect of the chain of awful tasks that you have to accomplish, just take one step (or one bite) today. Tackle one part. Later, take the next “bite”. Invest some time, rather than wasting time for the “inspiration to come.” I realized that the forward motion is encouraging, and before long, I find myself speeding toward completion.

4. Do it first thing in the morning. The night before, vow to yourself to do the dreaded task. And the next day, at the first possible moment – as soon as you walk into work, or whenever – just do it. Don’t allow yourself to reflect or procrastinate.

5. Be creative in dealing interruption. How often have you finally steeled yourself to start some difficult project, only to be interrupted the minute you get going? This makes a hard task much harder. Interruptions are part of the job. But it doesn’t mean that we’ll be forever doomed not to finish the task because of these “interruptions.” Carve out some time to work (usually on the 1st hour of the day) Or ask colleague to cover for you on menial tasks (ex. answering queries).

6. Every Noble Work Seems At First Impossible. It’s not always as hard as you perceived it is. Most of the time we are just overwhelmed by the “perceived” enormity of the task, fear undermined the objective and nobility. Nobody may have done it before, but it doesn’t mean it cannot be done.

7. Visualize. See yourself finishing the task. Imagine the outcome of the project. Visualize pressing the “send” button. The end product usually motivates us to move forward. Novelty and challenge, as uncomfortable as they can be, DO bring happiness. The chore that feels onerous today may give you a huge boost of satisfaction tomorrow, when it’s behind you. Keep that in mind.

(thanks to my sources, “the happiness-project” and og mandino, and their sources as well)…