A laptop that fits the bill
Because I don’t want to spend a lot of money in computer rentals, all of my posts are hand-written first in a piece of yellow paper or any other kind of paper - tissue, receipts, etc. In this way, I wouldn’t have to rent for a very long time in the internet cafe thinking about what I’m going to write. One hour is enough - 15 minutes for typing and editing, and then the remaining 45 minutes I use for blog hopping, commenting, and visiting my account in Friendster.
Sometimes, I use colorful ballpens to get me in the mood for writing. But I often use mongol pencil because it allows me to edit/erase without making the paper dirty. Also, my pencil should be newly sharpened and the paper should be super clean and without crumpled parts.
This has always been my blogging routine and laughingly, I’d been comfortable with this set up for than a year. LIAR! Hehe. Of course, it’s such a hassle to go in the internet cafe just to update my blogs especially when it’s raining. That is why I am now planning to buy a pre-owned laptop. Specs: 512MB, 15″ LCD with built-in wifi. Budget is 10K. Target date is on or before March 2010.
We know you want a bolder paper person
Goal for 2010
In spite of the financial pressures that I went through last year, I still would like to report in my journal that 2009 was a good year for me. Well first, I was able to acquire my own domain. Second, my first nephew was born. Third, my total annual income is higher compared with the previous years although the expenses still exceeded the earnings. And then I also met a few nice friends and I have a good feeling they are for keeps.
Of course, I’ve also had some disappointments. Like not being able to meet my target blogging income and not being able to find a new job. But I’m not losing heart. In fact, these disappointments are just pushing me to work doubly hard so that 2010 will be better than 2009 
In no particular order, here are my goals:
- make time for my blogging activities. I really intend to update my posts at least twice a week.
- get a new job - the kind that I really love doing. I’ve already gotten tired of being a QA.
- try my luck in freelance writing - I’m not sure if I have the talent but there’s no harm in trying, right?
- go back to school or at least get a TEFL certificate - this one’s a bit complicated as it will require time and money, lots of money.
- learn how to swim - only optional. Maybe if things get too boring, I might enroll in an inexpensive swimming class.
Reading aloud baby books
Because I really want my 3 months old nephew to learn how to speak English, I’ve already started reading english books to our baby hoping this will acquaint him with simple english words and phrases. First, I tried Like Water for Chocolate (it was the only available english book in our house at that moment) but in the middle of reading it to him, I realized that the narrator talked about things like sexual desires, anger, unrequited love, etc., which are very inappropriate for minors, particularly for a 3-month old baby boy so I changed the book to The Birthday Burglar and A Very Wicked Headmistress. It’s just so funny because Baby Timberland kept on giggling and cooing while I was reading Tita’s recipe for Christmas Rolls, as if he already understood those things :) Honestly, I couldn’t find any book in my cabinet that suits his age. Margaret Mahy’s The Birthday Burglar and A Very Wicked Headmistress is suitable for children whose age are 10 years old and above. But I still tried to read him more grown-up books like Hannah’s Gift and Rain and I think he loves it! He likes it! He keeps on staring at my face specifically at my lips and he laughs and makes ”ooh-ooh” sounds. My mother, his grandmother, is against this because according to her, there is a proper age for studying and a conducive place for learning. She even cited my younger brother as an example. She enrolled him in kindergarten at the age of 4 (instead of the usual 6) and he became a consistent honor student but he also easily lost his interest in school. Of course I consulted this to Timberland’s mother, my sister, and she doesn’t mind as long as I don’t read to him my collection of Pugad Baboy Comic Book.
Something about swimsuits
My best friend thinks I’m weird and funny (but she told me that it’s also the same reason why she chose me to be her best friend). One time, we went to a beach resort where women are required to wear proper swimming attire such as one-piece, tankinis or bikinis. The trouble with me is that I didn’t want to wear a bathing suit because I was too conscious of my body and I worried that people will only make fun of me. She told me that the other girls will not laugh because they are also wearing swimsuits and that they don’t even know us so they’d probably won’t notice our presence. I remember she was laughing really hard while explaining those things to me.
Honestly, I really like sexy string bikinis (but not the T-back type). I find them beautiful and very feminine especially when worn at white beaches during summer. I sometimes wish I had the body of Adriana Lima, the famous Brazilian model, so that maybe I’d feel comfortable wearing the black bikini which I’ve kept hidden for a very long time. My best friend is asking me “when are you going to wear that? when you turn 50? Haha!” I’m not really updated when it comes to summer fashion trends but of course I know that it’s so passé to wear shorts and t-shirt in the beach. I love swimsuits but I still need to gather more guts.
Just a few reminders
Blogtoprofit: I need to re-submit sterndal dot com. Apparently, my blog was rejected due to “copying contents from other sites” which is totally silly! I sent an e-mail to the admin explaining a few things and luckily, I got a reply from them telling me that they are willing to re-evaluate my blog Weeh!
ATM: I’m already running out of cash (just 120 pesos in my wallet!), have to withdraw asap! I also need to drop by the supermarket to buy diapers and other baby supplies, then go to Meralco to settle our electricity bill. I’m just thankful that I already paid Mrs. Money-Eater in full last payday so I don’t have to see her face tomorrow and hopefully forever. Never again will I allow myself to be treated like a common criminal. No sir, no ma’am! (mimicking a character from one of VC Andrews’ novels).
NSO/SSS: Having trouble with my membership in social security systems. The clerk said my SSS number/ID is just temporary because I haven’t submitted my birth certificate yet. HUH?! But I already gave it to them four and a half years ago! GRRR! I was told that if I want to apply for a salary loan, I have to give them my NSO certified birth certificate. So okay fine. But I’ve already lost my copy so now I need to request for a new one.
Passport: I can feel it! My dreams of working abroad are starting to realize. It was not that impossible as I have first imagined. When the angel told me about it, I honestly thought it was too good to be true. But, you know, opportunities come unexpected and in cluster. First, there is a chance of working in Korea (initially as a TNT but my friend’s friend’s friend promised to help me find a tutorial job as soon as I get there). Then, there came another one which is not sure yet but the mere fact that the angel considered me for this opportunity is enough to keep me joyful for the past few days I think it means she considers me as a friend! Anyway, I’m getting a passport, just in case any of the two will push through.
Dental We’re already two months late for our cleaning and check-up. I need to phone my dentist’s secretary to ask for an appointment not only because Mom is already freaking out but I’m also paying a small fortune for my and my mother’s medicard. I don’t really want to use our health insurance because that might mean being terribly sick, but dental is different, doesn’t necessarily mean we have cancer.
