Nshima Servings

The great achievements of your life need time to make it happen. Got great advice in my inbox today and it’s worth sharing:

To achieve maximum success accept that progress is made one step at a time.

Every big accomplishment is a series of little accomplishments.

A building is built one brick at a time. Foot ball games are won one play at a time.

Success is always the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

No great thing is created suddenly any more then a bunch of grapes
or an orange miraculously appears.

If you want an orange, you must give it time. There must be time for it to blossom, bear fruit, then ripen.

That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grow slowly, endures.

You walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.

www.yourdailymotivation.com. Copyright 2007. Pass along freely but please maintain copyright notice.

And it is so true, in many aspects of your life, be it in marriage, raising a family, investing in a career or building a business. The success one aspires for requires work! If you look back at your achievements, you know that you worked hard for it but is probably worth every tired and aching muscle to get there.

May we never stop dreaming and working hard to achieve those dreams. Do what you can and give it time. Here’s to our success!

What am I waiting for? Seriously, what? I bug myself with this question a lot. And lately, a lot more than before.

I’ve been dabbling in a hobby that is creative and very interesting as far as I’m concerned. I love how I use raw materials, a little of this and that, to come up with a finished output that is totally different from what you put in. Add to the fact that the finished good is something that would let you hold on to memories for as long as possible ~ maybe even forever ~ and you can imagine what that does to the emotions. In my case, my “models” are always my kids, so this part of their childhood that they can leave for me, being able to let them stay my babies forever, really works me up to a choke. On what this hobby is, I’ll reveal more about in future posts.

Which bring me back to my question: what the hell am I waiting for? See, this hobby is something that has the potential for business. Maybe not really big, but something. I’ve been cooking it up in my mind for so long now. Been nudged and pushed a couple of times, most especially from my hubby, which only shows that I am getting a tremendous amount of support. What’s not seeing action is me.

Only I am scared out of my wits. Which is ironic  considering that the work I do is all about encouraging and supporting the growth of micro entrepreneurs.

Some nights, I would just lay awake, nudging myself to take that leap of faith and actually put a venture out there. I often find myself in start-and-go-let-it-wait situations, meaning I come across and idea that consumes me for a while, then I chicken out and tell myself I should wait a bit.  My business plan is right here, unfinished ~ part on paper, a lot of it ever evolving in my head.  I am always hungry to read the next “start your own business” book and small business success story. My line of work gives me access to all the business information I may ever need.

So here I am, most of the answers within reach. Already passed my “aha” moment. The next step is really up to me. Leap of faith. I have my heart and soul in this, all that’s waiting is my leap of faith!

Reconnecting with my business management professor from college, Atty. Eli Gatanela,  I once told him about my entrepreneurship idea. I wasn’t able to give specifics but I did tell him that it was a long time hobby and that I knew none in my area, possibly our city, who was into the same. His advice: “I hope you can find the time to exploit your hobby potential. The business world belongs to the quick! Who knows, you might reap the rewards of the early bird in the market and hit a goldmine.” No truer words. Again, another push. And I still haven’t moved. I’m so mental.

The year has flown by so fast and here we are, August already. And this always happens to be the time when my thoughts wander over to how the first half of my year went.

It didn’t go too well. Well, it was okay at first. Then it went haywire. Will have to live with the outcome for months on end, but I figured other people have their own problems to worry about too, so this will flow over with the tide eventually. It has given me bit of perspective on attitude though, and I guess I am grateful for that. For one thing, it’s a make-or-break-situation. You have to just get up and walk. That’s right. Pray, ask for guidance, get up. And keep walking.

For all it was worth, the intentions were well meant. But that’s how it goes sometimes, it’s the good people that get hit hardest. Yet keeping the attitude positive is what will get you out in time. Part of it involves praying… for yourself, for others ~ yes, even those who put you down. God knows your journey and He will make everything happen in His time, if you listen to His voice well enough.

And for all that has happened, I still have with me plenty of gratitude give. I am still lucky. I am still blessed.

If you are dealing with your own personal crisis, big or  small, one thing to remember is that it will pass! So keep the faith, keep the attitude positive, and count your blessings always.

Had a pre-birthday bash for my colleagues at the office today. I brought in spaghetti I picked up from one of my best friends, Binger. Compared to hers, mine’s probably so-so but my office mates thought otherwise because at the first taste, it was declared delish.

The few times we have spaghetti like this, I am reminded of my BFF. She currently lives oceans away and it will probably be a while before we see each other again. She’s one of the few people I can really open up to and there’s so much I miss about her not being here anymore.

Hey girl, if you chance by this post… well. Chat with you some later, ok? It’s been ages since the last one. Oh yeah, I forgot, Monday we talked.

Wonderful to come to home to this! We had some fresh organic leafies so that got the hubby whipping up a salad.  Carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, egg and cheese bits, and a dollop of low-fat mayo (no EVOO at that particular time, tsk!) Add some french bread and grilled chicken… delish!

Sophia, you are amazing. How fast you grow. How quick you learn. How utterly beautiful you are. Before I know it, these tiny feet will soon grow. What wonders will they take you to?

Chikahan na! I did not make an entry for the 1st WifeSpeaks’ MemoirMonday, then I found yesterday’s post about just as appropriate for the commitment kwento.

For my 1st official entry for Pinay wifey kwentuhan, here’s my chika in answer to the question:

What’s your marriage proposal story?

Over the phone. How’s that for a marriage proposal?

We had been dating about 2 years, a little on the serious side, but no solid commitments yet. We weren’t even calling ourselves (out loud, at least) boyfriend or girlfriend. We were young, we were enjoying each other’s company and we could talk deep thoughts just as easily as we could talk about everyday stuff. Why complicate things with “official” labels?

We were on one of our regular phone chats when at one point of laughing over something we were watching on tv, he turned silent and the mood shifted to somber. I don’t remember what we were talking about exactly but he started saying stuff about how he likes to analyze things a lot, really think things over, calculate whatever risks, and how he wouldn’t readily jump into a pool of water without knowing how deep it was. And I was all “ho-hummm… okay, meaning? … where did that come from?”

All of sudden he blurts out, “May, will you marry me?” A slight quiver of voice but strong and steady and sure nonetheless. From a guy who once declared he’d never marry.

Me? Said nothing. Well, I wanted to say yes. After dating that long, I really liked the guy. Yes, in a heartbeat! But I couldn’t say it because I was scared as hell. What in the world was he thinking, proposing like that! He was 26 then and I was only 22. Only! I was thinking, what if he wanted to get married tomorrow? I couldn’t do that.

My silence must have gone on longer than shock-factor necessary. Only when he said, “not now of course. In a few years” did I breathe a sigh of relief.

Even then, I didn’t answer him yet. I had to ask.

Q: You want to share your life with me? A: Yes. Definitely.

Q: So, it’s like… you want me to be your best friend? A: Best friend, yes.

And because I was trying to get some kilig out of the whole deal ~ you know, go all tingly and doe-eyed and just look plain silly,

Q: You want me to be the mother of your kids? A: No.

No? Kilig level down.

A: It’s OUR kids.  I want you to be the mother of our kids.

Sigh. Laugh. Kilig level soaring!

Then he was all somber again. He said, “But I have nothing to give you. I have nothing but my heart and soul.”

Teary-eyed. That was everything I needed to hear. I said yes.

It was hard to put the phone down after that. We talked a bit, but how do you end the most wonderful phone conversation ever? Eventually, we had to. It was nearing morning and our phones were on fire. When I hopped into bed, I was all giddy. I was engaged! His fiancee. Nice label. *heart*

This happened in the year 1999. We got married in 2003.

There was a butterfly garden at Murcia town’s booth during the Panaad Festival last week and Isaac and I sat amongst the flowers to watch the butterflies flutter around and feeding on pineapple wedgies. So beautiful; I think there were about 10 species, but this one, this one is special.

I’m not gonna go all scientific here so I’ll make this part quick: Specie name ~ danaidae or idea leuconoe, or simply the Paper Kite.

Why I consider it special because every time I see one, I am reminded of a beautiful day 5 Decembers ago when paper kites fluttered softly amongst flower bouquets under a church’s dramatic mural ceiling as a bride walked down the aisle. In a billowy dress of white accented with a veil of illusion tulle, the bride simply radiated. Beautiful wedding. Mine.

We must have released about 200 butterflies on our wedding day but to see one of it’s kind every now and then is a reminder of what we signed up for. It is a reminder of a commitment blessed and sealed that day, a commitment to rejoice in life’s ups and hold on in the downs. Beautiful commitment. Ours.

I guess this would have been an appropriate entry for WifeSpeaks‘ 1st MemoirMonday yesterday, but oh well. At least I got one for Tuesday’s topic. I love that one of my fave sites have made a comeback. So exciting. Mga misis, looking forward to exchanging stories!

Isaac is learning how to read ~ not that book yet, though. Only simple words. While he loves The Lion King, he is content to listen to the story. Then request to watch the movie another day.

I sometimes miss out on reading to him. When he asked me to read to him at bedtime tonight, I realize how much reading sessions I’ve missed all because I was too “busy”. And when he giggled at the stuff he found funny (mostly at my poor delivery of voice impersonations), I realize also how much he still enjoys them too.

She woke up, sat up and looked around a bit, then she called out her usual “Mam?” then dropped back down to snooze-land.

Mam? That’s me.

I love hearing her say that. At 1 year and 3 months old, this is one of Sophia’s everyday words. When she wants your attention, she will address you as ‘mamam’. Mamam is everyone to her, even her daddy.  But me, I am just plain ‘mam’. She says it sing-song too, high-pitched and question-like. Mam? I love it, i love it, i love it!