Brewed Attitude

Hello Everyone! I am so sorry for the lack of personal updates, things have been very busy that the very little time I have online were dedicated to completing...well sponsor3d entries. My apologies. Maybe, the very small number of readers I have, have now disappeared, err I hope not!

Anyways, 2010 has been very good so far but I have never been this homesick my entire life. DH too. We were just having this long convo while DS was choosing his Toys R Us loot and we assessed if this is still all worth it. I know whatever we are feeling got something to do with the time spent with my folks and siblings and that we are adjusting once again to the "immigrant life" yay!

To date, there are still a lot of uncertainties in our lives, don't we all have that? But knowing myself, I am so poor at handling uncertainties and I want security and sureness in major aspects of my life, if not all. To answer these uncertainties, I have committed myself to a 7-day fasting&prayer after much hesitation and fear. I am on a liquid 7-Day Fasting which means, I can only take water, beverages and soups. Today is my first day and I survived it. If you are interested, you can check out THIS SITE, this is where I get my information, bible readings and guidance as advised by my good friend, I. I may not be able to tell you everything I am praying for but generally I am praying for wisdom, resilience, strength, patience, forgiveness, tolerance and compassion.

I know God is with us and we will have a great 2010. This is our year!

1. Made a new friend: Yes. My cousin's suitor who gave DS a Christmas present.
2. Laughed until you cried: Often, especially when me and DH are making fun of DS lol! or whenever I am chatting with my MG family.
3. Met someone who changed your life: Not this month.
4. Found out who your true friends are: I already knew.
5. Is there something you want to tell someone: To myself: Stick to my diet routine.
6. How many kids do you want to have: Just 2.
7. Do you have any pets: Not here.
8. Do you wanna change your name : Not at all.
9. What did you do yesterday: Laze around.
10. Last time you had pizza: Last year hahah!
11. What time did you wake up today: 10:30 yikes!
12. What were you doing at 10:30 p.m.: Reading an online article.
14. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life? My eating habits, seriously lol!
15. What are you listening to right now? TFC.
16. Most visited web page: YMail, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.
17. Who made you sad? my folks and siblings, I had to bid them goodbye :(
18. What made you happy? Trips/vacations and my family.
19. Who are with you right now? sleeping boys.
20. Stupidest thing ever done last week? nothing major.

Yes, it's purging season on my end. I finished making back-up copies on photos and documents in my laptop as well as DH's PC. It took me almost 2 days to complete that particular purging task. Thanks to our neighbor who accidentally pull out and cut our cable, internet and phone connection, thus making me offline for almost 4 days. Also, I was able to catch up with some unread feeds in my Google Reader. In the process, I was able to unsubscribe to sites I do not really read, I have tons of those! I finally purged websites and blogs about gossips, mostly showbiz/hollywood, hee hee. Anyhow, as I was checking my feeds, I chanced upon these 50 Fabulous Ways to Save Money from THIS BLOG, such a nice read.

1. Balance your checkbook... avoid bank fees.
2. Empty your spare change in to a jar.
3. Bring your own popcorn to the movies... forgive yourself for sneaking it in.
4. Make coffee at home.
5. Eat out less often.
6. Shop the sale sections.
7. Purchase gifts throughout the year and store them.
8. Wash your car at home.
9. Turn off the water when not in use.
10. Take a picnic to the park vs. eating in a restaurant.
11. Distinguish between your wants and needs.
12. Water your lawn in the evenings.
13. Purchase fewer "trendy" items that need to be replaced each year.
14. Carry a calculator in your purse.
15. Mow your lawn less often.
16. Pay your bills on time... avoid late fees.
17. Run your dishwasher only when full.
18. Track your spending.
19. Use Coupons.
20. Do your nails at home.
21. Only get the occasional manicure.
22. Maintain your car well.
23. Wash your clothes less often.
24. Pay off your credit cards... avoid interest fees.
25. Empty your fridge before shopping again.
26. Stick to a budget.
27. Turn off unused lights.
28. Purchase vehicles used.
29. Use your local pet store shot clinic for pets.
30. Increase your insurance deductibles.
31. Visit your state's controller office and claim any of your unclaimed property. Click here for California.
32. Grocery shop on a full stomach.
33. Maintain excellent credit... avoid higher interest rates.
34. Carpool.
35. Pay ahead on your mortgage.
36. Shop craig's list! www.craigslist.com
37. Exercise outside vs. the gym.
38. Avoid shopping when feeling emotional.
39. Complete your returns!
40. Grocery shop with a list and stick to it!
41. Simplify! Need or want less...
42. Use the mail in rebates!
43. Purchase store brands or generics.
44. Sport a low maintenance hair style.
45. Get facials at your local beauty college vs. spa.
46. Make conscious spending decisions vs. autopilot choices.
47. Shop the Internet.
48. Pay your savings first.
49. Accept "hand me downs".
50. Organize your receipts and warranties so you can find them.

So far, I have been consistent with my "living a healthier life" New Year's resolution. This is also the first time I have counted my calorie intake everyday. My goal is to reach my pre-marriage weight (crossing fingers!) by losing 2 lbs a week. Approximately, in 3 months time, I'd be able to lose the extra weight I have without being unhealthy. Armed with these 2 plus my self-control and determination, I hope to reach my desired weight goal in no time.

The first time I heard of 30-day shred was when I was watching a Health TV show, then I began to research and so no negative feedback. Ordered one in ebay and tried it for 10 days. All it takes for you is to engage in a hard core sort of combined circuit training for only 20 minutes a day. It's hard work but you are done in 20 minutes. There are 3 levels, so no plateauing will happen. Highly recommended. Reality Check: I am still in Level 1 hahahaha!

LOSE IT App in iPhone is so cool. They will make the computation for you. All you need to do is input your desired weight goal, how many lbs you intend to lose each week and voila! Your allowed calorie intake in a day is there to guide you. Best of all, It's free!

After years of battling people-pleasing personality, a dear friend finally made me realized why I should stop people pleasing and being so overly-nice. She even said that I should learn the art of being SNOOTY, silly hee hee. Seriously, I really want to get rid that part of me because some people tend to take advantage of my friendship and because of trying to please others, I tend to lose myself too. Yesterday, we had a good chat and her wisdom was all I needed to stop this side of me. Yes it is true, out of 10 people, only 8 will like me and half of the 8 will only remain loyal to me. So whatever others may think of me or say about me is none of my business, what matters is who I truly am with people who matter :). I cannot control what others may think of me, I may get tired and even dead pleasing others but there are people who won't really like me so I might as well just enjoy my life and be myself. This is a fact of life which I cannot change.

Thank you C for your Wisdom and making me realize this reality :).
SAPUL!

People around me think I always lead a bubbly life, nope they're wrong. Maybe, because of my bubbly personality that's why they think that way. Plus the fact that I always put on a smile in every chance I can. Why hassle people with your own problems right? Everybody has their own set of bubble machine infront of them. But sometimes, problems make me really stress, sore and tired and end up me getting soak really bad with all the bubbles that come my way. You know the best thing to do when bubble machine aka problems start popping out infront of you? Embrace them! Feel the suds, soak in it, after all bubbles don't last long, they will slowly pop up one by one. And yeah, keep the bubbles coming!

Read, read read this to yourself before you welcome 2010.

Somewhere between the life you have and the life you want lies the quiet seed of potential. With each new thing you do — the friend you make, the garden you plant, the risks you take — it begins to open up. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, a new life of your making starts to sprout, taking root and fanning its damp leaves in the open air. But like all tender young things it requires attention, enough rest, enough sustenance to thrive. This year, give yourself plenty of what you need — maybe even a little bit extra. Get more sleep. Take a chance. Taste a new food. And watch things grow.