Goals

That was a reaaally looooong lunch. Kidding, postponed writing this post so that I could come up with more things to put in it. :)

List 2: Things to aim for in 2012

1. Savings. I have been working for awhile now and it's such a sad reality to realize I don't have much savings to speak of. So this year I'm making it a priority. I'm giving up that extra night I dine out, or that extra pair of shoes I don't really need. Instead, this year I'm going to prioritize putting away a fund to for my future. :)

***photo from the internet

2. Travel. I know, I know. Seems weird to place this as my second priority when in fact my first priority on this list is my goal to SAVE. But I am a firm believer in giving oneself the to opportunity to grow and be exposed to new things. I also believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money travelling as long as you have a plan and you stick with it. So next year, just as much as I'm devoted to saving I'm also going to work as hard to reward myself with travel. So if I travel that only gives me more reasons to save. :) Good enough logic for me.

3. Culture. When I went to visit my aunt in London she made me do 1 Cultural thing per day. That could be going to the theater, visiting a museum or whatever I could find that would teach me about the culture in London. Of course at that time I would begrudgingly go because all I wanted to do at that time was shop. Now I'm thankful for all the times I actually went. I loved the British Museum and all the cool stuff in there. I loved all except Jerry Springer the musicals I watched and was sorry I missed out on catching the ballet. I loved feeding the ducks although in the end I was horrified that they tried to attack me, it's nothing like you see in the movies. So this year, I'm making it a point to see more plays. Visit more museums. Explore new cultural places, I just need to do more research. heehee

***photo from the internet

4. Business. In 2012 I want to be able to start my own business even if it means working twice as hard as I'm used to. I want to be able to start something that I can share with my parents so that they have something they can work on too. I want to be able to do something that they can benefit from and something that we can share as a family. :)

***photo from the internet

And as if God wanted me to actually sit down and think about this, we tackled the same thing on our last day of training. We were asked to write down our goals and I wrote down a lot. Things to accomplish in the next few years. I should share some with you guys. I'll come up with another post for that. :)

We're down to the last day of the year. The day to go back and revisit all the things that went on in 2011 and to think what you would like to do in 2012. So my next list, New Years Resolutions! :) Here we go!!!

Gratitude

Since I'm in the office and most of my clients are on break I don't really have much to do. So I decided to make a few lists...

First List: Things/people I am thankful for:

1. My parents. Of course they're on top of my list. We didn't grow up rich, we grew up comfortable and that's more than I could ever ask for. I'm an adult now who has her own bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of but I still cannot say that I am ready to be responsible for another human being let alone a child. My brother and his wife recently had a baby and I can see that although they could not be happier it is indeed very hard. So I am always thankful for the fact that my parents were there when we were growing up. They made it a point to spend time with their children and to build relationships with us. Don't get me wrong, growing up I had those I-wan't-to-pull-my-hair-out moments with them too. But as you grow older, you realize that what your parents have been saying are right and well, you just wish you realized it sooner.

2. Family. Because just as I wrote in the blog before this. Family is love and with my huge family there's always enough love to go around. :)

My Barretto Family at our last Grand Reunion. Cant' wait for the next one.

3. My job. With today's economy everyone is struggling and yet I still manage to pay my bills and do what I want, within reason. I am thankful to have found a place where I am allowed to do be creative, meet new people and work on things I like. Add to that the fact that the people I work with are awesome and being around them is always fun.

Nuffies! :)

4. My friends. I love my friends because even if we don't see each other all the time the friendship is still the same. We pick up from where we left off as if no time has passed. We really are F.R.A.N.C.E (Friends Remain And Never Can End). :))

5. The kids. I love kids. They're adorable, they are super innocent most of the time and you can be a total kid when you're with them. This year we were blessed with Lucas. My oh-so-gwapo godson who is the eldest of my ahia. He's a total cutie and he's so pleasant to take care of until he starts crying for milk because he's a mellow baby. And then there's my goddaughter Fif. A total laughtrip. She's as naughty as her mother. She speaks her mind. Tells you what she wants, when she wants it. It may sound like she's a brat but she's also thoughful and sweet and super malambing. Those traits I think she took after me! :P What makes the babies even more fun? The fact that atchie Sofia loves little Lucas a lot. She keeps insisting to carry him despite the fact that he's about half her size. Isn't that adorable?

***Photo from Coley

6. The bu. Of course I save the best for last because I'm cheesy like that. We've been together a few months short of a decade and I still wake up to the thought that I couldn't have been blessed with someone better. Bring on the cheese. I never like making decisions without first consulting with the bu. It's because he always balances me. He makes me see things from a different perspective. He challenges my decisions when he thinks I'm being stupid or stubborn or most of the time both. He supports me when he knows I want to something but am too scared to try. In the end, he's the perfect yin to my yang. ahahahaha...gross I threw up in my mouth a little Seriously though, I am lucky to have found someone who knows me enough to know what I need be it support, love, understanding or a big bonk on the head. :)

List no. 2 coming up after I have a quick lunch! :))

Happy Christmas!

I've been meaning to write a post for the longest time but every time I start something I keep thinking I have nothing to write and so I put it off again. But then again, I have so many things to share, about me, about my family and about the fact that Christmas is absolutely my most favorite time of the year. A testament to the wonderful childhood I had. :)

Growing up Christmas was all about presents. Lots and lots of presents. I come from a huge family and I have never been short of awesome presents from the coolest toys to the nicest outfits. Christmas presents were abundant. Christmas angpao's were abundant as well. :D It has always been an established tradition. Christmas and New Years Eve was reserved for my mother's side of the family. Christmas and New Years Day was reserved for my dad's side of the family. A perfect set-up.

Meet my mom's side of the family.

***photo from Coley

I grew up with cousins. I was never short of playmates to run around and play pretend with and now we have two babies in the family. Love. :D

Meet my dad's side of the family.

Most of my relatives are already in the States so there's only a few of us but the celebrations are never dull. We always start off with a great meal and the best dessert and finish off with presents. How can my Christmas get any better than that? That's when I realized I am becoming a grown up. Although I still love getting loads of presents (which I must say were awesome this year? Yay family) I love being around these people the best. Christmas is all about Family and love. So I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas this year and an even better coming New Year. :) Will post about that next. :)