Category Archives: Life Stories

Lessons from a Portuguese Woman

February 1 1:37 pm ,

The View

She was in coveralls, smudged by soot from head to toe.

She had been cleaning the fireplace of one of the apartment she owns.  She did not look the part at that time – but I was looking at one of the more financially savvy immigrant septuagenarian of Vancouver.  Her eyes had confidence as it held mine, and kindness too, perceptible and palpable, the trait of ladies who have aged gently.  I could tell life has been good to her, because maybe she has been good to it.

I was a prospective renter and I engaged her in conversation because her story – which I knew from people who knew her for some time – greatly interested me.  She owned several apartments but she arrived in Canada without money, or possessions.  I wondered how that could be, what’s her story, and can it be duplicated?

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Posted in: Canada, Financial Education, Life Stories, Mentors , Tagged: , ,

Within the Wealth Circle

January 14 3:10 pm ,

Clouds Almost Touching Clouds

In October 2011, Bo Sanchez launched another initiative aimed at helping those financially motivated to become wealthier, and he called it Wealth Circle.

Of course I could not resist being part of it.  Turned out, not everyone could get in because there was an application process that consisted of about a 10-page questionnaire (or something that seemed that long) that quizzed one’s financial health, motivation, problems, overall outlook in life.  It was a tedious process, one that made me re-assess my life, and reflect on it, making me laugh and cry a little (it was gut-wrenching and soul-satisfying).

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Posted in: Financial Education, Life Stories, Mentors, Wealth Attraction , Tagged: , ,

Life Summed Up in Boxes

January 8 3:49 pm ,

Looking Out Into the Great Beyond

How could we accumulate so much in just a few years? I asked myself this as I was surrounded by boxes, and choices.

What should I give up?  I wore this during our anniversary, and this during that party, and this was given to me by a favorite friend, and that by a favorite boss.  And the baby?  What does baby need?  Hubby… I wonder how many shoes he will bring (my Imelda man)…? And C’s violin, C must absolutely have her violin.  And her lyre! I must not forget her lyre.

But what does one do when she has to pack her family’s life in just 6 boxes?

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Posted in: Canada, Life Stories , Tagged: , ,

New Year, New Life

January 4 2:56 pm ,

Enjoying winter

 

Literally.  Because we took it a notch.  Er, notches.

Family and I – we just moved to Canada.  A country an ocean away, separated from us by 13 hours of flight time. A country of rugged beauty, incessant rains, warm winters (8 degrees is warm for them), trees with breadth longer than an arm span, quaint waterfalls and villages, deer that crosses roads at its peril, snow-capped mountains and seas in one sweep of the eye.  A country we have only begun to know.

But before I move on, please allow me to look back.

Because there are some things that I will be missing in my home country, the Philippines.

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Posted in: Canada, Life Stories, The Beginning, The Philippines , Tagged: ,

So You Like to Sing

August 13 8:43 pm ,
Sing!

Sing!

Many want to go this route – using the pipes to have a go at their wildest dreams.

And some have seen their wildest dream come true too, if the batting average of American Idol – or other singing contests – are anything to go by.

Before my memory goes to oblivion, let me share with you some tips from professional singers I had the great fortune to brush shoulders with:

1.  Practice.

And practice some more.  Like any other skill, practice makes perfect in singing.  And if you can afford it (or someone offers), hire a voice coach.  But know that not all voice coaches will do wonders for you.  Find one who will boost your ego and transform your voice to the most amazing instrument known on earth.  You will know this after a few days with teacher – if teacher makes you feel small, makes your voice squeak (like you don’t want to sing anymore), fire her.  She is not right for you.  Of course, there’s the truth too – you might not really have what it takes.  Careful balance and an open mind are needed.  And luck.  If this is what you were born to do, you will find the right voice teacher for you.

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Posted in: Advocacies, Life Stories, Talent Development , Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Nothing Goes In Until Something Comes Out

June 10 9:27 pm ,

 

Creating Order

Creating Order

 

You have a mission.

You look at your closet and then in it – really look – and you cannot fight the overwhelming feeling that there is just too much that you have allowed yourself to accumulate.  Yes, it is a testament to how much money you have had and spent, of the good life that you are trying to craft for yourself and your family.  But why is it making your head ache?  You heave a sigh, barely manage to control a cringe, and start – but you do not know how and where to begin.  You do not even know what your mission is.

Is it just to put things in order?  Once again?  Until you carelessly pull out an old shirt and the clumsy movement wreaks havoc to other perfectly laid clothes.  And then another bad, harried, hurried day comes and your closet is once again in shambles.

Is it to look for things to be given away?  But that dress cannot go.  You wore it in one of your anniversary celebrations and he said you looked stunning in it.  Cannot give those knee high boots away too, they are just way too expensive.  Or that sweater, because it was a gift from your boss (what if he asks about it?).  Or that blouse, because it still looks kind of pretty.  Or that shirt, because you got it on sale and just have not had the opportunity to wear it.  Right?

Stop.

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Posted in: Life Stories, Minimalism, Random Thoughts , Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes It Is Hard

June 3 12:33 am ,

Fireflies

Fireflies

To blog, or write, or sneak out so that when my little boy smiles at me I will not be tempted to drop my pen and carry him.  Or be in darkness, as I am now, writing when everyone else is sleeping.

Sometimes it is worth it, sometimes it is not, and it all depends on where the balance of my life tilts.

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Posted in: Life Stories, Random Thoughts , Tagged: , ,

Marrying a Man is Not a Financial Plan

May 4 8:51 pm ,
To Forever

To Forever

At the onset, let me say that I think it was love.

He had her and then he lost her, when someone whispered to his ear to, well, explore the world and his options.  But when he saw her showing off more skin in the tabloids, at the arm of some other man, as if saying come hither and eat your heart out, he groveled at her feet (I made this one up), tormented by the love his father before him had and then lost (and then found again), and wasted no time (well) to sweep the would-be princess (now duchess) to the bondage of marriage.

I am of course referring to Prince William and Catherine, whose love story and grand wedding have captured the world’s imagination – a world hungry for love, it would seem.

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Posted in: Life Stories, Random Thoughts , Tagged: , , , ,