Saturday at Shang

As I said, Makati is my favorite place on earth. I got to try two restaurants in Makati Shangri-la today. Firstly, I had lunch at Inagiku with my former boss. They have excellent Japanese buffet and I love the fresh salmon sashimi and sea urchin. Yum! I’ve always loved Japanese food for it’s simple presentation and taste. I was comfortably seated near the couch before 12 NN and was taking my time to relax and enjoy the great ambience. This lunch was meant to be my treat to my former boss who assisted me with my present post. The conversation was such a happy one that we didn’t notice that we ended lunch at 4 PM. We had so many stories to share and it was a pleasant get together. When I left her company eight years ago, I didn’t have the slightest idea that I’ll be back with the same group of companies. I’m very thankful that we have a good working relationship and I can say that she has become my friend as well.

With lunch ending at 4 PM, I had 3 hours to kill before my 7 PM birthday dinner for Ma. I went around Powerbooks and I finally got the book I ordered! Yipee! The book was three weeks in the making and it was worth the wait. Three hours went by so fast that I had to rush back to Makati Shangri-la and this time, I was in Red. It’s a fine dining restaurant that offers intercontinental food. All I can say is that the food presentation was good. Ambience was good too but I wasn’t too happy with the service. For an upscale restaurant, the servants weren’t that attentive to our needs. I had to ask for a water refill thrice and for the bill twice. Since I didn’t want to spoil Ma’s birthday dinner, I let it all go. By the time we finished dinner, I was sleepy and didn’t have much energy to even watch a movie. Oh well, maybe next time.

The Big Move

The packing started a week ago. Everybody in the office was busy sorting out his or her files. One was shredding documents for one whole day while the others were securely taping boxes strewn all over their workstations. Today is the big move.

I have temporarily been holding office here in Ortigas for almost a month now. Ortigas has been home to me the past four (4) years and the move to Makati is a welcome change. I’ve never held office in Makati but this place is home to me with my favorite place on earth being there – Greenbelt. I like Ortigas since it’s convenient to hop from one mall to another. Podium is very accessible and Megamall is a stone’s throw away. If I walk a little further, Shangri-la is just right by the corner. I usually have get together dinners around the area and I’ll miss being around this place.

It has been one change after the other for me and the physical transfer of my office is a part of my transition. Ortigas holds so many memories for me but that is all there is - memories. I’m happy to leave it at that. Initially, it was difficult for me seeing a place I don’t want to even remember but as weeks went on, I figured out why I’m strategically situated where I am. It was to validate certain feelings and most importantly to heal.

Things are growing on me. I’m slowly getting accustomed to my new life and I know I’ll never go back to the way I was. It is by choice that I handle my life this way. Lines have been drawn and I feel perfectly fine with it.

Grumpy and Grumpier

Zombie. That’s how I am the past few weeks. I usually go to bed around 12 MN to 1 AM. I need an average of eight (8) hours of sleep to feel fully recharged. Anything less than that, I’m most likely to throw a dagger look at people who have the guts to get my ire. I know I’m getting grumpier and grumpier by the day and I can get pretty feisty and impatient. Case in point.

Orie asked Ca, one of our house help to bring down the accessories of the mixer. After realizing that she doesn’t need it, she called the maid’s quarters through the intercom to inform Ca. It was Irene, another house help who I’ve been feeling iffy with, who picked up the phone and assured Orie that she will relay the message. After a few minutes, Ca goes down to our room and brought all the accessories.

Orie: Ca, sorry. Di ko na kailangan mga yan.
Ca: Ah ganun ba?
Orie: Di ba sinabi sa yo ni Irene?
Ca: Hindi.
me (out of nowhere): Sabihin mo kay Irene, bruha sya! Bruha!

Then Ca went back upstairs. Orie had this look on her face and said “Atchie (ate), ngayon lang nakita narinig magsabi ng bruha.” (me talking to myself: Well, ako rin! Hmp!)

My evening was cut short. Ma advised me to go to bed early and get my much needed sleep. I think she somehow foresaw I am most likely to strangle someone. :-D

Thoughts on the Coming Christmas Season

I love giving presents and for the people I love, it has to be very well thought of. Setting foot in the mall to shop for gifts is something I have been hoping to do but then again, is this something I even want to do together with other hurried Christmas shoppers? I usually patronize my own by giving out Ma’s pastries as my presents. This year, I’m thinking of giving my own personalized designer cookies. I will definitely make time for this and with December 24 being the last banking day of the year, I need to squeeze in my gifts with all the incoming orders.

December is also a celebration month for most members of my family. Four out of six celebrate their birthdays on this month. Ma’s birthday is on the 2nd, Pa on the 22nd, Marissa on the 24th and I on the 31st. It can be quite lonely that Marissa and Koc are not around and it’ll be our 2nd Christmas with the two of them abroad. I place great importance on my family time and each of their birthdays has to be celebrated.

I haven’t thought of how I’ll celebrate my birthday this year. I usually have group dinners at home or outside for several years now. However, things have changed the past years. I prefer my celebration to be quiet and really intimate with only a few close friends singing Happy Birthday with me. I see having a pre-birthday dinner at a restaurant I haven’t tried. Nothing fancy. No violins. There’s good food. Great ambience and a lot of laughter. Just me sharing stories with very good friends and my family. Thinking about this really warms my heart.

The Quest for Balance

Work life balance is something most people aspire for. I don’t claim to be an expert in this area but I try to balance out my scale. Admittedly, it’s difficult. I’m struggling. I’m trying to pace and make it sane for myself and the people around me. There is so much to be done with so little time in a day.

Most people think that running a business is easy. Believe me it’s not. The time and energy spent is far more than what I give at work. The work doesn’t end when I clock out of work. It goes beyond work hours and it stretches even during weekends. I’m used to having two days off a week to relax and enjoy my so-called life. For several months now, I haven’t had the chance to do so. There are several indications of how packed my schedule is. Maybe I’m too tough on myself. I think I am. I’m being such a Capricorn. Driven. So driven I’m driving myself bonkers.

1. I haven’t watched my favorite TV shows for a loooong time. I consider myself lucky if I’m able to do so.
2. It’s only lately that I’ve started to read the newspaper. I was out of national loop for months! I take it upon myself to read. My job calls for it and I can’t afford to not be in the know. Besides, it pays to know the current events.
3. I haven’t opened my Bible for more than a month but I do pray in my own quiet time. Home is no longer a conducive place to pray because I’m hyper-activated with the things I have to do.
4. My reading time is when I’m in the bathroom. I used to spend an hour to two to read a book on my favorite lounging chair. The bathroom has always been my sanctuary and it still is. It is there where my brilliant ideas pop out of nowhere.
5. I get power naps on my way to work and on my way home.

When I start to sound as if I’m complaining, I constantly remind myself that these are things I have prayed for. I’m thankful for all that I have been blessed with and it would be too much to even complain to enjoy the best of both having work and managing a business. I just need to manage myself well lest I become a curse to the people around me.

Christmas Gift Ideas – Php 100 and Below

We have thought of something great so everyone can take home the goodness of our pastries. We came up with Sweet Packages worth Php 100 and below. This is a limited offer only until December 31, 2008. Clients can place orders from our bestsellers, dessert bars, cupcakes, loaves, and handcrafted designer cookies at very reasonable prices. The price is already inclusive of packaging so no worries on gift wrapping.

Place your orders now. Call us at 2448790 or send us an email at sweet_success888@yahoo.com. View our Mutiply site as well at www.sweetsuccess888.multiply.com.

Slimming Massage

Rose came over the house together with her sister last night. She has been my home service massage therapist for many months now. As I comfortably positioned myself in bed for my usual one-hour massage, she asked me something.

Rose: Mam, gusto mong mag try ng bago naming massage?
Me: Ano yun?
Rose: Slimming massage.
Me: Rose, bakit mo ako inaalok nyan? Sa malamang di mo inalok si Mama at si Orie nyan dahil payat na sila. Talagang ako pa ang naisip mo ano? Kung si Orie ang minassage mo, baka buto na lang sya pagkatapos.
Rose: Baka gusto mong sumubok. Bago lang to. Nung Monday lang kami nagsimula.
Me: Eh magkano naman to?
Rose: Php 700.
Me: Sige sa susunod ta-try ko. (My usual massage only cost me Php 250 so I was hesitant to shell out Php 450 more.)
Rose: Mam, wag mo na lang banggitin sa iba pero sa yo Php 500 na lang.
Me: Ok sige. Try ko na nga ngayon. (Eh di bumigay din ako.)

So while Rose was vigorously scrubbing me with lotion with beads (it felt more like a body scrub routine than a slimming massage), she explained that this massage can be done weekly and is suitable for people with cellulite. (Do I look like one big blob of cellulite?)

The slimming massage was good for an hour and a half. All I wanted to do after the massage was fall asleep. I was quite happy with the service. I haven’t had a body scrub in months and this was a good one. Not that I don’t scrub myself while I take a bath daily but I usually have a scrub to even out my skin tone. That’s how vain I can get.

I had a good laugh tonight. I’m not really too conscious of my weight. I’ve always been on the round side and I’m perfectly A-OK with that. Love your body. I love mine.

Character Cupcakes

As I have committed to come out with new concepts in our Multiply site every 2 weeks, I’ve been successful at it. Orie and I have been preparing the whole week for our three new concepts. I had to surf through different images and have my chosen characters printed. The preparation for each new project takes a week or so but it is nevertheless fun and exciting each and every time.

We started icing the cupcakes around 8 PM and we finished the product shoot past 12 MN. We were able to finish two themes – Dora the Explorer and Disney’s Cars. The photos were amazing. The styling was great. Orie is getting better and better with her concepts and I’m really proud of her.

We’ll be posting the photos next week together with our Kung Fu Panda cupcakes. I saw the photos of this theme and I was in awe. The oriental background and styling was really something. Can’t wait to see them posted online.

Coming Out Concert

I was out again tonight with another set of friends. It was a fundraising concert where one of my very good friends sang on stage. Let’s call her H. It was some sort of her coming out. Not that H was in between thus the coming out. It’s not a Birdcage type of concert with three drag queens on stage singing Diana Ross’ I’m Coming Out. It was H’s first time in many years to be back on stage. The venue was packed and there were people even outside of the bistro. The concert was that successful. I was happy to see my friend pursue her dreams. She has long wanted to nurture her creative side and it she has been trying out different things just so she gets a feel of where she truly belonged.

H was a picture of joy and she is slowly changing course. At this point in her life, she needs to be around people who understand her language and the concert was a good start. I haven’t been in touch with H as I used to but the friendship remains the same. We always pick up where we left. The day ended with a dinner at Trellis and as always, I’m in the company of good friends.

Earthquake Drill

I found myself listening to one of the craziest things someone would do. I was happily seated in the company of high school friends and it has been sometime since the five of us got together over dinner. We were recalling the funniest moments we had back in St. Jude when Delwyn said that I did something hilarious right in the midst of an earthquake drill. Me? What? Earthquake drill? I’m such an angel to even think of something devious to do. I couldn’t quite remember whatever this thing was that I did but I had a feeling I probably did. Here was Delwyn’s recollection of that eventful day.

Back in 2nd year high school, we had an earthquake drill and all the students from the old building had to evacuate to the new building. So you can just imagine students supposedly storming out of their classrooms seeking safety. But no. It didn’t exactly happen that way. When the head teacher signaled the start of the earthquake drill, the students leisurely walked out of the classrooms. There was no sense of urgency at all. Nobody took the exercise seriously. Ms. Dulce, our PE teacher dressed us down and hollered that if it were a real earthquake, we could have died right there and then. Ok ok. Point taken. To cut the long story short, we had to go through another drill and this time with feelings. Now, brace yourself for what I supposedly did. Well according to Delwyn, I was one of the first people to storm out of the classroom screaming at the top of my lungs running like crazy. I go “Really? Ginawa ko ba yun?! Wala akong maalala.” Hmm, I did some recalling and I think I did.

I think it’s very likely of me to do something like this. I agree. This was I.

The Christmas Wedding

It's not me who's getting married anytime soon. Ma will actually be a ninang this coming December and her gift will be the wedding favors and what else? Cupcakes and cake. I was tasked to take charge of the decorating and it's keeping me on my toes. It wasn't that difficult choosing a design that had a Christmas theme. I have the perfect design in mind. It's simple and it'll have lots of red. The wedding reception will be on the 20th of December and I'm preparing for it. I'm still figuring out how to juggle my work and craft but I'm sure I'll find a way.

I'm very excited about this event. It's very timely that this wedding is happening during the most wonderful time of the year.

Dinners with Friends

Now that I have more time, I'm able to meet with friends over dinner. Yesterday, I met with Sheilla and we both enjoyed the Roti Kanai at Banana Leaf. It was finger licking good. I enjoyed my three-hour conversation with her and we even went to a Christmas store afterwards. I was feasting my eyes on decors that adorned Christmas tress of different kinds. How lovely to look at. It was relaxing.

This coming Thursday, I'm meeting my high school friends this time. We'll be a group of six and it has been some time since we last got together. I do have different sets of friends. I have my high school friends, college friends, Beijing friends, work friends and lately, my cake decorating friends. I wonder what group I'll be able to form in the future. Certainly, there will be a new one. I can be such a Ms. Congeniality.

A Disconnected Life

It's been a couple of weeks now and still I'm not yet virtually connected at work. It'll happen ... soon. I don't really mind at all. I'm taking my time to read through manuals, individually meet with my staff and learn the ropes of the business. It gives me a lot of freedom not to be hooked up on the net. If ever I do get my inbox and internet access available, I won't have any connection to Yahoo Messenger either. Again I don't mind. I'm actually able to focus more at work this way. No distractions at all. Zero.

I like where I work now. I can balance my life. I get off work at 5:30 PM and by 7:00 PM, I'm at home. This life is growing on me. I'm happy. I'm satisfied and I'm thankful.

Child At Heart

I found my way into business that deals with children. Initially, I had difficulty thinking like a kid. My designs have always been into intricate and fancy ones like paisleys. It was hard for me to think in terms of what designs would appeal most to children. However lately, I've been looking into things that children love like Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Disney characters. Oh how I enjoyed browsing through different Disney character cliparts! It brought back so many childhood memories that I have somehow kept in the recesses of my memory. I remember watching all Disney movies when I was young. One of my favorites was Cinderella. I'd always hum along when Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella from a tattered lady to a beautiful princess.

I'm composing this blog while I'm surfing through the net. I'm working on a project this coming weekend for new designs to be posted in Sweet Success' Multiply site. Orie and I have agreed that we'll be working on new designs every two (2) weeks so we always have something new to offer to clients. It keeps me on my toes and I always have something to look forward to. I have a very strong need to bring out my creativity regularly.

So much has changed in how kiddie parties are being done. Kids nowadays have theme parties. They're like mini versions of debut parties. I was shocked to know that even the characters have evolved. I wasn't aware that Disney Princesses now have baby versions. Yes you read it right. There are Disney Baby Princesses! I also didn't know that Strawberry Shortcake now had friends. Even her outfit has changed. Oh well, I must have been gone for a long long time but now I'm back. I'll never be too old to be a child at heart.

Snippets of My Retreat in Daily Life

The past three (3) weeks have taken me to a wonderful spiritual journey. I’m grateful I had the time to think things through and realize why things had to happen a certain way. I have somehow gone full circle and it is amazing. I’m happy! :-) I realized that …

1. I have to learn to trust God that He will take me where I am needed. When I realize where I am today, I’m very happy with where He has taken me. Life is fluid, free flowing and spontaneous. I’ve learned how to ride the waves and surf through tough waters and yet enjoy the sun and the feel of sand on my feet.

2. My prayers were much unstructured and yet I feel just as loved, guided and blessed. I wasn’t able to follow the assigned scriptural readings and yet I strongly feel the presence of the Lord. I don’t even feel guilty about missing out on some assigned readings. I can experience my journey the way I want it to be.

3. I can experience God in ways I never thought I would. It’s not just in prayer.

4. Just when I was about to lose my footing with all the things happening around me, I always get a gasp of second wind that takes me to the finish line.

5. Keeping my life real was one of my toughest challenges. I’m glad to say I’m doing it every single day.

6. I have new found friends and it brings me joy to share my life with people who share the same passion as I do. I have lost people who I thought were my “friends” and now that I look back, I’m better off with those “friends”. There are wounds to be healed and I know I’m healing well.

7. Though I encountered moments of dryness in my prayer, I found a way to have a conversation with Him. I pray on my way to work, lunch break and on my way home. Prayer need not be structured. It is spontaneous.

8. Now that I’m back to work, I strive to balance my professional and personal life. There were moments I was tempted to bring home work but I chose to protect my personal time.

9. I only have simple dreams and I do not wish to be placed on a pedestal. No matter what people say, they are entitled to it and so am I.

10. Life is good. Learn from the past, enjoy the present and don’t worry about the future.

A Wonderful SMS

I received this wonderful SMS this morning. I saved it in my cellphone's folder. Very inspiring indeed.

I asked God, "How do I get the best out of life?"
God answered.
"Face your past without regret, handle your present with confidence, prepare for the future without fear."
Then He added, "Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and never doubt your beliefs."
Life is wonderful if you know how to live and live in full with the Lord.

All Organic Hair Care

I've been in search for the perfect shampoo and conditioner. My scalp is very sensitive and my hair is fine and wavy. For a couple of years now, my hair has gone through chemical abuses with non stop perming and coloring. It did take its toll and it was only when I had a haircut recently that my hair started to look healthier.

I've tried Kerastase and I like it. However, it's very pricey. A shampoo and conditioner would cost me Php 2,000 or more. It strains my wallet so an occasional Kerastase treatment at home is fine. Last Monday, I got my own bottle of Leyende's Clean and Present Shampoo with tea tree extract and Taming of the 'Do Olive Butter Conditioner. I tried it this morning and my hair was really soft and my scalp didn't even itch a single bit. I love it! I must have found the right one for me (not a man but a shampoo and conditioner). The 280 ml shampoo costs Php 450 while the 280 ml conditioner is also priced the same. These are all organic hair care products.

For those interested to buy, call Dang at 0917-5286397. You can also view Dang's Multiply site at www.allorganic.multiply.com. She also sells other skin care products and you'd be able to view these in the website.

Cupcakes Galore

We had a product shoot the other night at home. Orie and I had to finish decorating and prepping up a bunch of cupcakes. We finished past 12 midnight but it was all worth it. The photos have been uploaded to our new album at http://www.sweetsuccess888.multiply.com/. Check it out and enjoy! I'm posting a few shots for a sneak peak of what you can expect in our site. Place your orders now. These pastries are perfect Christmas gifts!

Go Forth and Multiply

I cannot explain how amaze I am with the power of the internet. Since Sweet Success joined Multiply (www.sweetsuccess888.multiply.com), we have been in touch with several people whether via email or phone and these are strangers who ask for quotations or those who want to tie up with us. We receive compliments from strangers who appreciate our works of art. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I'm very thankful to be connected with people who share the same passion as I do. It is very encouraging.

It helps that each member of my family are such great team players. Each one has his / her own expertise and we work well together. Pa - marketing, Ma - operations, me - cake / cookie designing, marketing and operations, Marissa - direct marketing and collateral designs, Koc - marketing and Orie - cookie designing, food styling and photography. Orie was also the one who set up the Multiply site. We synergize as a family and it's fun. We discuss business matters as a family and we deliberate on ideas and concepts. It just all fell into place.

Carpe Diem

I have troubles lately seizing the moment. I want so much out of my life that I zero in on something thinking that it should be the direction that I should be taking. As it turns out, life doesn't work out that way. It never does. I've been daydreaming for a week now of the kind of life that I want and I texted Ma of how I felt about things. She advised me to seize the moment. Here I am again, wandering in the realms of my mind and not going with the flow. Ma must have been scratching her head wanting to spank her stubborn daughter on the butt.

For a while, I've been thinking of who I want to be and disregarding where I am at this very very moment. However, I realize that I've prayed for these things that are happening in my life now. It is ungrateful of me to even complain of what others consider as a beautiful blessing.

So today, I resolved to embrace the entirety of life - the good and the bad, the ups and the downs. I went home today happy because I've learned to seize the moment. I'm so blessed that my life took a wonderful turn when I didn't expect it to.

Passion

I don't know where I get my energy these days. I juggle so many things at work and at home. I stay at the office till 5:30 PM and I usually reach home around 7 PM. When I get home, I hardly watch TV. I go straight in front of the computer and co-manage Ma's pastry business. It can be tough. I go to bed around 11 PM (this is even considered early) and the latest would be at past 1 in the morning.

I try to be in bed at 10 so I get 8 hours of sleep but I always end up doing more. I guess this is what passion is all about. I love what I do and no matter how tired I am, it still makes me happy. Find your passion in life. It springs your spirit forward.

Sweating the Small Stuff

Despite my work schedule, I managed to enrol myself in Maya Kitchen's one day course. Chef Maria Mercedes Camacho demonstrated how to prepare Petit Fours. Petit Fours are bite size pastries. It literally means small oven. I was even late for class for a few minutes as I came from my morning appointment.

I love details and needless to say, I'm drawn to small cakes as well. I find them really cute and lovely to look at. I had a eureka moment during class and I figured what to product test in the next coming months. I'll keep everyone in suspense but definitely, something is in the pipeline for Sweet Success!

So for this afternoon, I learned to bake French Macarons, Pili Nut Praline with Buttercream, Traditional Petit Fours with Cashew Nut Sponge, Mango Jam Layers topped with Cashew Marzipan and Poured Fondant and Marzipan Moulded Decoration and White Chocolate Filigree designs, Quezo Chiffon Cupcakes with Vanilla Butter Frosting, Petite Black Bottom Cupcakes, Petite Coconatura/Low Sugar Apple Pie and Miniature 3-tier Layered Maya Brownies.

I wish I have more time in a day to do all these things. Who says that it's a waste of time to sweat the small stuff? Not me. :-)

Pure Joy

Today was a normal day but was what different was the kind of happiness that I kept within me. I am happy about the things happening in my life no matter how insignificant it may seem to others. It gives me pure joy today that ...

• I was able to accomplish something I've long wanted to do. Accomplishing it doesn't mean that I've reached my final destination. I haven't. I'm just a step closer to where I want to be.
• I met one of my best friends today. Albeit for only less than an hour, I was happy to be with a true friend at the end of the working day.
• My family's marketing efforts are reaping fruits. We've been receiving product inquiries from people we don't know.
• I had the time to respond to emails to family and friends.
• I was informed that my cake decorating group will have a get together tomorrow lunch. This is a group of moms and I'm the only single one but I don't mind. They bring out my creativity all the time. I love to be in the company of people who share the same interest as I do. It's very healthy.
• Ma told me that she bought me decorative cutters that I need for my cakes for Chinese clients. She also bought me a revolving cake icer. Yipee!!!

I'm not even an inch close to where I want to be but I'm happy nonetheless. I'm blessed to have a good job, supportive family and true friends. Most importantly, Him. He made it all possible. With this realization, I should therefore stop complaining. :-D The world and other people have graver problems than what I'm whining about. Ma texted me this morning advising me to SEIZE THE MOMENT. I think I should. Ma knows best.

Draw the Line

You ask I'm back where? I'm back to the corporate world that is. Things are so much different for me. To begin with, I'm in a different industry. Generally I would say I'm doing good. I'm still adjusting so everything is not yet set in stone. It's too early to tell how things will be but I'm keeping an open mind. I'm not likely to go into details at this point lest I be misquoted.

I'm getting more comfortable with myself lately. I strive to achieve a work life balance and I always draw the line. Things have taken on a different meaning now that I'm able to compare my experiences before with what I'm currently going through. I would say I have a better appreciation of people, events and circumstances. Through time, the meaning of events change and this is precisely what is happening to me. This change also holds true of my perception and affection towards people that I know.

I have so many lessons from the corporate world and I'm keeping it to myself for now. I guess my co-workers now wouldn't see how much I've changed for the simple reason that I've only worked with them now. Surely, my friends would be able to tell the difference. A lot of things don't matter anymore and I'm happily drawing the line when it comes to my career and my personal life.

Still At It

It can be tough both working and managing a business at the same time. Despite the fact that I'm working during day time, I still do marketing work for Sweet Success during the evening. This includes replying to emails and networking. It's fun nevertheless. I do get tired but I'm not complaining.

The Sweet Success Multiply Site http://sweetsuccess888.multiply.com/ is viewed by so many guests in a day and I'm happy that family, friends and strangers are supporting us. :-) My passion for food and desserts is still there and it has not changed a bit. My plans are still the same and I will continue to do the best that I can.

So much needs to be done and there are times that I wish there are 25 hours (or even 26!) in a day. How I wish things would happen overnight but the reality of it is that it doesn't work out that way. Maybe it's meant to be that way so I have a better appreciation of the process of growing and learning.

For interested parties who wish to receive a price list, please send an email to sweet_success888@yahoo.com. It'll be such a sweet moment to have Sweet Success part of your Christmas. Thanks! :-)

Lessons from the Exhibit

If any of you are thinking of joining an exhibit or bazaar, here are a few pointers based on my experience.

1. Choose a booth that has a high foot traffic. Those located along the entrance are good ones. Corner stalls are also ok as it gives you a lot of space.

2. Prepare a checklist. An OC person like me thrives with it. I hardly miss out on things. My checklist includes things to do, timeline and items for display.

3. Make sure your collaterals are complete. Be ready with your signage, banner, business cards, fliers and brochures.

4. Get enough sleep the day before. It pays to be alert, awake, alive and enthusiastic on the day itself. Your guests don't want a zombie looking exhibitor / concessionaire.

5. Arrive at the venue early. This gives you ample time to run around to process documents for ingress and to set up the booth.

6. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This is not the time to be in high heels. Remember that you'll be spending a lot of time standing up.

7. Invest in a push cart. This makes it easier for you to transport your goods.

8. Place your things in a transparent plastic crate. This way all your things are organized and you can clearly see through your things without rummaging through boxes.

9. Be prepared with the right tools. Bring your scissors, pliers, stapler, adhesive, calculator and other things you need. Don't forget to bring paper and pen too.

10. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged. You don't want your phone dying out on you when you need it the most.

11. Inform your family and friends of the schedule way ahead of time. You can either send them an email or SMS.

12. Have a heavy breakfast and don't skip meals. You need the energy to do your sales pitch.

13. Smile a lot and enjoy!

I learned so many things during the recent exhibit. Can't wait to join the bazaars in Rockwell, Hotel Intercon and St. James Bazaar in Ayala Alabang next year. I'm sure it'll be fun.

I'm Just Different

The changes taking place in my life lately are endless. I can't describe in one word how I truly feel about things at this very moment. I have mixed feelings about different things. I'm just different now. I think Robs was right to say that I know better this time around. I can't even say that my life has changed 180 degrees. It must have been turned 360 degrees! I was turned inside out. I'm no longer the same person I was six months ago.

I feel myself changing (or I should say morphing!) every single day. My priorities have changed. I look at life differently and my definition of happiness is no longer the same. It became simpler. My dreams are different as well. What I initially thought I wanted didn't turn out what I wanted after all. I no longer chase for dreams that are not mine. Whatever I hold dear in my mind and heart is mine and mine alone. My name is written all over it. I used to pursue dreams of other people for me but not anymore. I grew tired of constantly proving who I can't be. Well I can be what people want me to be but I'd rather not. It's a total waste of my time.

My need to be still and quiet lately is very evident. I always need a moment to be alone whether to think, read or just be still. It's funny how other people see my life as very blessed while I sulk in the realms of my mind thinking I don't want certain things in my life. I guess that's just the way it is. I feel my indifference to some things in my life right now. I feel uncomfortable about it to be honest. Maybe because I'm not used to myself reacting to things this way. I pamper myself a lot and spend a lot of time building my own dreams. I have a lot of ME time nowadays. I'm embracing this thought that I can run my life the way I want to and I always have a choice.

It'll take awhile to settle into this new character. I know I will. I'm glad I no longer allow myself to take the back seat.

Photos of My Akbar Cake

As promised, here are the pictures of my final project. It took me a total of almost 4 days to finish from shaping the styro to covering the cake, cutting the decors and piping the designs. It was difficult to work on an uneven shaped cake but it was really challenging. After finishing it, I was beaming with pride in what I call my labor of love.

Enjoy!