After that very tiring day from work, my SUNFLOWER in full bloom really makes me smile. Apart from the sweet kiss of my kids, the bloom really makes my day.

You are a disciplinarian before – which I resented in my younger days, but now that I am also a Mom too, I realize that you are just over protective of us.

You easily get angry when we are rowdy; perhaps you just got irritated because you were so dead tired from work before.

You would easily raise your voice, but now I realize that you are sick with hypertension and diabetes.

I would often see you restless because you had been deeply bothered by the tuition fee payment of all 4 of us. But then just like any wonder Mama, you made it with 4 college graduates and now professionals under your cap.

You would scare us to death with the hit of your belt every time that we have low grades and we fall beyond your expectations. But because of this my siblings and I pushed ourselves to be the best in our studies and in our every battle.

I almost hate you for being an iron lady, but now I realize that if not for your strong conviction and determination, we would not be the way we are now. Now that I am a Mom like you, I realize that you may show tough love but that does not mean that you love us less. You are tough because you need to be and for you feel that it is the best to do that time. I would never question your parenting style, though I just wish that you are more approachable as a Mom. We may have different parenting style, but we have the same goal for our kids to give them a good life and tons of love.

Mama, now that I am also a Mom like you, I realize that being a Mom is a tough job. Now that I am a Mom I appreciate you even more. I dearly love you and sincerely thank you for everything.

Happy Mother’s Day Mama KO.

But behind this controversial brawl – the sad fate of our aviation services and airport has been de-faced:

- That the CCTV in NAIA 3 is not functioning.

- The question of competency of the subcontracted security services of NAIA3 – are they really capable in handling such situation which has transpired like this squabble?

- The issue of BAGGAGE OFF-LOADING was not well communicated to the passengers. The airline management should at least inform the passengers before hand that their baggage are subjected into this internal procedure so that the passengers will not be caught off guard when they found out about it.

BAGGAGE OFFLOADING – where passenger’s luggage had to be offloaded from the plane from due to problems with excess plane load. It will be boarded on the second next available flight whereas the owner can wait for it, or as per CebuPac spokesperson Candice Iyog – it will be delivered to the passenger’s residence at the airline’s expense.

These are just some to name a few. Of course our aviation has other problems like:

- Flight delays

- Insufficient facilities – It was also previously discussed that our local airports cannot cope with the rapid expansion of the airline companies – meaning the airline companies acquire airplanes but there is not enough run way to accommodate the flights.

- Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA 1)was also cited as the 2nd worst airport in the world by Frommers, one of the leading brands for travel guides in the world – coming from a trusted brand of travel authority this surely has a negative effect in our tourism. (New York JFK Airport Terminal 3 – rank as 1st worst airport in the world as of 2012). Frommer’s results based on the four C’s – comfort, conveniences, cleanliness and customer service.”

- United States Federal Aviation Administration down graded the Philippines to Category 2 safety status in January 2008, effectively banning local carriers from expanding their operations in the US. This dversely affects tourism growth. Under Category 2 status it prevents local carriers from expanding their flights to the US, has hampered tourism growth.

But still I am never losing hope that above issues can be resolve.  We need a good public servants to address the problems – someone who is driven and has real concern to help our country.  We also need to have a realistic rehabilitation plan for Philippine Aviation nationwide.

Aviation Industry may not directly affect each and every Filipino but it can have an impact in our economy – a good aviation system and facilities can translate to a good feedback to foreigners and tourist which can also translate to a growth in the tourism industry.

As a tax payer,  I hope that I can really see where the taxes go….

If you are not into buying into a new house of your own or investing in a real estate property, engaging in a real estate business of buy and sell is a good industry to venture. I am also contemplating in engaging in the real estate selling.

Being internet savy, I had seen a good real estate information site while surfing the Net which is an inspiration for wannabe realtor like me.

Treton Valley Realty is a site whether you would love to seek to acquire a new real estate property or you just need additional information. The site has online tools to help the readers in their search for a good real estate property. They have comprehensive listings of property database, where you can select from depending on your needs and preference. They have a good listing of properties in : Real Estate in Teton Valley and Driggs Real Estate. Treton Valley has been cited as one of the top vacation destination. Imagine owning a property in an estate which offers a very relaxing and has vacation mode facilities like hore back riding, hiking biking, fishing, boating & motorsports.

I hope that there will be similar site here in the Philippines that also offers this kind of service.

Homeschooling is a practice that, over the years, has rapidly gained popularity in the Philippines. Providing children with a familiar and relaxed learning environment that allows parents to tailor-fit certain aspects of their education based on their needs, remote education shatters the long-standing concept that prime education happens only within the confines of the classroom,  and is also proven to unlock certain hidden potentials of the student—presenting more room for growth and enhancement.

This year’s Homeschooling Conference is themed “Laying a Strong Foundation.” It will feature lectures from esteemed homeschooling authorities both here and abroad including: noted inspirational speaker, best-selling author and homeschool parent, Bo Sanchez; and former high school and college educator and best-selling author of award-winning books like “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling,” “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens,” and “Ultimate Planners for Moms, Teens and Students,” Debra Bell.

The event is supported by the 3,000-strong force of Filipino families, who are currently homeschooling by choice and discovering its priceless benefits.

About HAPI

The conference is organized by the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI), an organization that has dedicated itself as a catalyst for nation-building by advancing home education and unifying home educators in the country.

###

The Philippine Homeschool Conference is set to take place on May 19, 2012 5/F St. Francis Square, Julia Vargas Ave. cor Bank Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City with the theme “Laying a Strong Foundation”.  International speaker Debra Bell a homeschooling authority in the U.S. and best-selling author, and our own inspirational speaker and author Bo Sanchez are slated as keynote speakers.   The event will be honored by the presence of  Dep Ed officials like Atty Tonisito Umali, Asst. Secretary for Legal & Legislative  Affairs.

To know more about the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) or how to register for the Conference, visitwww.hapihomeschooler.com and/or email hapihomeschooler@gmail.com.

With this, it is of upmost important to have other means of earning (raket in other words) to make both ends meet. I am into buy and sell and online earnings. It is just sad that at my age instead of looking for the best annuity rates for my retirement, I am still stuck in these race called life. Stuck in the situation where we need to live day by day. But as a Pamilyang OFW, I make sure that a portion of our earnings go to savings, not necessarily for retirement but to start a conventional business enough to start a business in case my OFW husband decides to come home here in the Philippines for good.

How about you how are you able to get by? Are you still able to save? Or are you also living one day at a time

For many years, I was able to survive and tolerate the pain. But then along with that pain, I also suffered from frequent head ache which I just disregarded thinking that it was just mere migraine. Since headache will be gone after a good sleep, I did not bother to consult the doctor then.

But when I become a Mom, this is where the frequency of the neck pain and headache becomes intolerable. I have countless sleepless nights; I become insomniac because of the pain. My work even becomes affected because of frequent absences (Sick leaves). I am not fond of going to the doctor, perhaps I am afraid to face the truth. I am afraid of being sick, who would have not? But this time, I have to go seek doctors advice since even the nurse and the pharmacist in our office clinic would not give me pain relievers anymore since they told me that have hit the maximum number of medicine request for pain reliever.

Our office doctor gave me a referral to a specialist, he referred me to an orthopedic. I was already instructed to wear a short neck brace called cervical collar. Wearing this neck brace eases the pain temporarily since it gives my neck support. cervical collar to restrict neck movements and reduce pain.

But the orthopedic doctor told me that I have to undergo MRI to be able to diagnose the source of my discomfort and to know my condition. {My MRI experience will be another story to share}.

My MRI results shows that I have Cervical Spondylosis, a condition similar to former President Gloria Arroyo.

As per Wikipedia

“Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centra of thespinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae. If this condition occurs in the zygapophysial joints, it can be considered facet syndrome. If severe, it may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent sensoryand/or motor disturbances, such as pain, paresthesia, or muscle weakness in the limbs.”

To make it short, sweet and simple, in layman’s term it is arthritis of the neck. The bones in the neck (cervical spine) slowly degenerate as we age. This frequently results in arthritis. At times it may be crippling, it cannot also be treated but at least there are ways to ease the pain and solve the discomfort temporarily.

So if I were you, consult the doctor while it is not yet late.  I am lucky that my condition is still not for surgery,  I just underwent physical therapy and will still undergo as needed.    No surgery for me as of the moment and I hope that it will not come to that point.  The pain still haunts me until now but at least it is not that often as before.

Some had grown disappointment since they are expecting more, but there are times that most of the task given in the office as a newbie are clerical. You will realize that the derivatives, integral, logic controls etc, that you learned from college are not actually used in the real world. Experiencing culture shock is just but normal. The “real world” is more on the practical aspect, but you cannot disregard what you learned from school since it is a foundation of your chosen field.

Job hunting also requires charm and luck. You may have good academic records but it will not translate into being hired if you do not know how to sell yourself. In this reality, I have seen classmates and schoolmates before who are not academically impressive yet they have a good position in the corporate world now because of their wit, determination and good PR. But of course a good academic standing is a really, really good tool to arm you in your job hunting.

The hard work you put in school sometimes does not translate to a good work after college. This is reality, but this should not stop you from working hard and showing your superiors why you deserve to be hired.

My little advice to you peeps, always be prepared for the challenge. Your expectations may not be met at times but always be positive no matter how negative a situation may be . College may not always prepare you entirely in the corporate world, you have to learn on your own. There is a jungle out there, be brave but do not be eaten by the system.

Good Luck and have a good life after college.

There are lots of topics worth sharing but I am taking everything in stride right now. Now that my mojo is slowly cooperating, I would like to share to you what I had gone through. Those who had been diagnosed with Cervical Spondylosis will surely be interested in my post.  Cervical Spondylosis is a condition similar to former President Gloria M. Arroyo.

Last February 29, 2012, I had blogged that I have Cervical Spondylosis. The series of blog post that I will share to you will be about my battle with it and how I am coping right now.

To keep I inspired and my thought organized with this series of post; let me outline what I would have to share to you peeps:

• I Have Cervical Spondylosis = Done
• Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis and How I Discovered That I Have It = Done
• My MRI Experience
• My Physical Therapy and Rehab Experience
• Continuing Life with Cervical Spondylosis.

That will be a handful of blog topics to keep me inspired to blog again. Actually, I am writing this to keep my blogging mojo back. If you are a blogger like me you can totally relate about “blogger’s block”. But I am sure that you may also agree that once a blogger always a blogger.

To counter the sadness and emotions, we would be talking about our kids and their future – It makes us inspire to work hard even more. We would chat about our plans, dreams and even retirement. As a Pamilyang OFW, it is always a must to have that “PLAN / GOAL” and focus on its fulfillment.

Just like any parents, we love to give our kids a bright future by giving them the best life has to offer if we can afford it. Actually they are the major reason why my husband opted to work abroad.

However, as an OFW, you should also think about your life after abroad. Working abroad is not life time; you must have back up plans and think about life after being an OFW. We also have our own OFW Plans and Goals that I would love to share to you.

Our OFW Plans and Goals:
My husband has been an OFW now for nearly 7 years, in that span we are able to buy our own house and lot and a car. The house and lot that we purchased is located along the major main road of the subdivision making it very conducive for business. It will be hard for us have all of this is not for the “Katas ng Saudi” as my husband literally puts it. Now this time we are already thinking about our future and sustainability. We are now preparing for our life and my husband’s life after being an OFW.

At this early my husband and I are already thinking on putting up a business. Businesses that can help us sustain a comfortable lifestyle although he is no longer an OFW. Economics is not that enticing here in the Philippines, so we are really studying the business where would invest my husband’s hard earned money. We are now in the stage of soliciting advices from friends and studying the market. A former OFW friend told us that his barn wood furniture business is really doing well, since he is fond of carpentry. So from there we picked up that we must also have the passion on the business that we would be establishing. We already have short listed our business ideas which I would be sharing to you once everything has been set and finalized.

Well yes, there are still lots of things to be considered before we can start our business. But for now that we still have no tangible plans on the business just yet – the keyword is to SAVE – SAVE – and SAVE.

For our fellow Pamilyang OFW what are your Plans and Goals? If you still haven’t drafted your own then now is the time to have one.

As a general rule in life: In order to be successful in life, one has to have a goal, in order to reach that goal once must have a plan to achieve it.