I Lost My Wallet...

There were countless of times that I returned something I found to its owner. I believe in the Golden Rule. And I believe that what you sow, you shall reap. So when I lost something earlier, my belief on that rule and Bible verse was put to the test.
This image is for representation purpose only. photo source here
After giving Gabby his lunch at 11:45 am, Sunday and I left to eat at home. Already about a block away, I noticed my wallet was missing! I decided to go back to school because that was the only place I remember I held that wallet. On the way, I thought hard where I left it. I admit I am absent-minded at times. In fact, it has been my YM status message for days: Online but Absent(minded)!

I looked everywhere for it but no wallet was in sight. I’ve asked the school guard and the moms I know but to no avail. I felt a deep regret for not being watchful of my things. If that wallet was gone for good (for bad, in my case), I’ll be losing two ATM cards (one is for paid posting payment), my TIN card, some discount cards, some cash and my son’s healthcard. There is nothing I can do about it now but pray.

And answering my prayer in broadband speed, God let one mom overheard my inquiry on the school canteen’s staff and said, “I think you should check the High School Principal’s Office. Someone informed her that he found a wallet and left it there.”

To end the story happily, I have my wallet back. I was so happy! It's just so difficult to apply for another TIN card or affidavits of loss for those cards these days.

Is it possible that the boy who returned the wallet practices the Golden Rule and believes and applies that sow-reap verse, too? I think so. I believe so.

My Extra Help…and Expenses!

One thing that my kids enjoyed last summer is tagging along whenever I go to clients to get payments, deliver files or just to meet and discuss projects.

Gabby and Sunday at a client's office

My kids really love going to offices and seeing adults at work. Maybe because when they were younger, I would always bring them along on company parties and outings. Now that I work at home, they have to come with me to experience those office visits again.


Thinking of bringing your kids to the office, too? Here are some tips:
1. Pray for good weather and safety. Sometimes, rain spoils kids’ enthusiasm.

2. Inform them beforehand that where you are going is an o-f-f-i-c-e. They have to behave properly and be polite especially when you introduce them to people.

3. Bring the essentials: drinks, snacks and candies for survival on a short term basis; toys, coloring books and crayons, pencils and papers for entertainment; and towels, caps or umbrella, hand sanitizers and wet wipes for protection.

4. Thank them after that visit. It pays to instill gratitude at an early age. Thank them for the energy, effort and good behavior.

5. Reward them after a day’s work. I let my kids know that accompanying me on my clients’ visits is like helping me collect payments or talk with clients. After those visits, we would head to the nearest mall for a snack or stroll before going home. It’s my way of rewarding them for a job well done.

Gabby and Sunday enjoying a stroll outside a mall
after accompanying me to a meeting.
Bringing my children to work has some long lasting benefits. It strengthens our relationship, opens their mind at very young ages on work manners and environments, and teaches them some values like delayed gratification (e.g. ice cream comes after the meeting!), patience and hard work.

It doesn’t matter if I spend some on them after client’s visits. Just seeing them happy being with me is enough consolation. :)

Mommy Moments: Encounter with Animals

My kids love animals. Proof of that is their love for animal programs and shows in Animal Planet and their books about them. But watching and reading about animals are not enough. Nothing beats live encounters with them. So whenever we have money and time, we head to the zoo or I take them to places with animals like dog shows, pet shops, etc. Here are some of their encounter with animals:Gabby was less than two years old here when we went to Manila Zoo.
He wasn't afraid of the snake then!Gabby and Sunday love Manila Zoo!This isn't a real zebra. Just one of the
stuffed toy-like animal displays in Manila Zoo.Gabby and Sunday had a good time observing the marine life
at Manila Ocean Park.My kids love to have a pet. But sadly, Gabby has an asthma and their pediatrician advised us not to have one for now. Robby, the rabbit here, was given by their Lolo but returned to them after a month.
Exposing the kids to animals teach them sympathy, kindness and love for nature. I'm so happy my kids love animals! :)

More posts about Encounter with Animals here!

Resorting To Email Marketing

Being a work at home mom, I also have fears regarding the stability of my work. Freelancers like me have peak seasons or those times when I have so many projects that sleep is sometimes a luxury. But on lean times, which happen more frequently now that we are experiencing economic crisis, I have to think of ways to have more clients.

Having worked in the marketing departments of different companies before, I must say that I have first-hand knowledge of what to do. The marketing managers I’ve worked for were just some of the best in the industry and I’ve learned so much from them. They always let me and my co-graphic designer, if any, join the sales and marketing meetings not only because we are the ones in-charge of executing their marketing plans through our designs of promotional materials but also because they want to share their knowledge with us.

Advertising and Marketing were also tackled in college but I still believe theories are not enough. I learned then about some of my best loved marketing strategies which are direct mails and e-mail marketing. Promotional messages are sent directly to target markets and they are way cheaper than TV commercials or billboards.

I think I have to resort to e-blasts if I need to. It’s time to apply those theories!

What I Want To Do When I Retire Someday

One of my dreams is owning a row of apartment units which will give me continuous income especially when I retire. I love the thought of enjoying the fruits of my labor and almost everyone loves passive income, right? But owning properties like apartments comes with a price. To satisfy the tenants, I know I would have to take care of the property well enough. And to have a peace of mind, I know I should scrutinize the tenants well and know more about their employment and criminal history before I accept them and let them live in my property. I think I will need the help of a Real Property Management company like RPM Midwest which offers leasing, collection and other management services for their clients' properties. I can enjoy the benefits of being the owner without worrying too much about the cost. But for now, one thing is sure: I am only dreaming! But seriously, when that time comes, I would enjoy being a landlady and make sure that my tenants get the best value for their money!

I Honestly Need A Good Web Hosting Provider!

One of the projects I’m doing right now is the website design of a medical insurance company. It took me longer than usual to finish this project because the client is just too meticulous and so quality conscious. But that’s fine with me. Anything that would make the client happy, I would do. After all, they pay me well and on time.

But I really have one big problem. Because I don’t have my own domain, I only email the screen shots of the pages that I design. Or I deliver the files saved on CD or USB flash drives. It’s so tasking and very time consuming on both parties! I am thinking of getting my own domain and designate my design site to it. I think I should get the help of a good web hosting site. I'm grateful that Web Hosting Geeks provides reviews and ratings of web hosting providers. It lets you compare which provider offers the best deals. For someone not so tech-savvy, Web Hosting Geeks is a great help! In fact, I just might refer this site to my client who’s deciding between managed hosting and the in-house infrastructure. For the meantime, getting my own domain is a top priority.

Father's Day at Le Soufflé

I've mentioned before that I look forward to dining at Le Soufflé. I really wanted to taste a soufflé dessert because I haven't eaten one before! I also want Gabby and Sunday to experience eating at a fine dining restaurant more frequently than Fred and I did. But with our financial status at the moment, I don't think we can fine dine again in months! :)
Why is it that when we go to a certain place for the first time, it is always empty? This is Le Souffle in Rockwell, Makati.Being the only customers at the time,
my Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti was served hot and fast.

Sunday poses before eating her Blueberry Cheesecake.Gabby liked the Bolognaise Spaghetti but
the Mango Shake is his favorite.The reason for the celebration--the father in the house--enjoys his food.
Though I wasn't able to taste the soufflé desserts because they weren't offered at that time, I still cherish this experience because we really enjoyed dining there. I know we can always come back anytime for the soufflé, when the finances permit again! :)

Mommy Moments: That's My Dad!

Today’s Mom Moments Theme is That's My Dad!

Meet my senior and junior executives! My husband and his son are so close to each other! They're both funny and very witty. And they look alike. Many people tell us that Gabby is an improvement of his Dad. We believe so, too.

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there! :)

More posts about Father's Day here!
Thanks to Shabby Princess for the digiscrap elements.

Market Communications For Your Business

One of my clients is someone who once dreamt of having her own medical insurance company. Having been in the industry for over ten years, she thought now is the time to have one. When most entrepreneurs would rather keep their money and wait for a better time, she’d rather take the risks and invest in this business.

The last time I visited her at her office, I saw communications gadgets and equipments for receiving calls and voice recording which I knew later would be for her call center department. And it dawned on me: medical insurance companies should have their in-house call center for efficient and round-the-clock customer service.

I was amazed at how she has planned her communications and call center department so well! She’s really into details and her choice of equipments is exemplary. She once told me that when one has a service-related business, high performance level equipments, high speed data solutions and applications should be thought of. Did she ask the help of a reliable telecommunications provider like Market Communications? I really think so. For if not, she ought to try tapping this company's services. It offers diverse solutions options and a wide variety of voice platforms and networks that caters to different business needs.

Having worked for a communications department of a company before, I know how important having reliable communications equipment and solutions is. It's good to know my client knows that well enough, too.

Scents and Sensibilities

Last week, my former superior and officemates called to inform me that they need help in the Art Section of the company’s Sales and Marketing Department. They asked if I am interested to work for the company again. I must admit I got excited. I worked and went to the office for almost more than half of my adult life. The idea of dressing up for work and dealing with different people now comes to mind. And one of the things that I love to do when I was still working is dabbing my favorite perfume, Romance by Ralph Lauren. I first smelled its scent when my hubby gave me a bottle when he came from a Hong Kong trip sponsored by their company. I fell in love with its very feminine Scent!

Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll go back to working again. But if I have to, sporting that scent will surely be expected. :)