Being artistic was far from what I imagined myself to be. In fact, art and I never became friends.hahaha.. I remember during my art class in elementary, I always end up re-doing my projects all over again because the end product looks like waste. "Promise, feeling ko ikakabagsak ko anything about arts."

I finished this while I was waiting for a friend so I won't get bored.

With my pink gel pen

My birthday post!

Because this was my first time to do this, i was not able to put the design in the middle.hahaha

i just added our name and the date I finished it so it could somehow be in the center.

Aside from these two, I also intend to go back to crocheting. I plan to do some table and tv covers for our room. Hay, I can't wait to grab those yarns to start with these DIY projects of mine before I change my mind!..hahaha

This afternoon, while I was browsing some of the my old school files, I saw this old reflection paper of mine which I have submitted in our Leadership subject. This paper was written by yours truly 4 years ago and I thought of sharing this to you.  Just a word of precaution: it is not my usual blog entry wherein you can imagine me as a bubbly/"makulit". This time, I'll talk about some serious stuff (chos!)

As a background, our professor had asked us to write about our thoughts about this quote by George Bernard Shaw:

Below is the exact content of my paper. I'll just add some graphics so this entry will not look so boring (^_^)  I hope you can pick a thing or two from this reflection. 

Reflection Paper

Date: August 13, 2011

According to the article “Unreasonable People” by Rev. Lilli Nye, the reasonable man sees the world as comprised of conditions which she must accept and acclimate herself in order to survive, be happy, and achieve the modest success. The unreasonable man has a restless inner vision or conviction about how things ought to be, and find the current conditions unacceptable and intolerable. The unreasonable man persists in trying to change outward conditions in order to move them closer to his vision.

My understanding on the quote is this: Reasonable man will accept the things as they are and abide by them, because they are the law or the policy. They are the ones who can live a very prosperous life, yet they will never help change those laws and policies which are completely idiotic because they’re afraid. On the other hand, unreasonable men are those who stand for what they believe in and do not bow down to written concepts, even it means that they will suffer.

When you are being unreasonable, it means you think about innovation. As Gary Hamel said, “If you want innovation, hang out with weird.”  I saw an article (How to Dream Big – Be Unreasonable) that states that “Just because something is “common sense” and “common knowledge” does not make it the truth.” It’s true that when you go back to history, those people that have made difference and excelled are those that challenged the general view of things during their time. They are those that constantly ask questions before they accept what was said to them as the truth. Inventors, for example, they did not stop on innovating things just because someone had told them things are impossible to exist anymore.  They find ways to create new things that would enhance their productivity.

Unreasonable men for me are also risk-takers. They are those that are prepared to fail. They have to stand up for failure. They are those who keep pushing the boundaries and changing the world. But these people are not just committing failures; they see these mistakes as temporary set-back, an investment and the opportunity to learn and to do better next time.

Let me share my own experience on taking risks and experiencing failure. I am currently a Certified Public Accountant and my journey on being one is tough. It was 2006 when I first took the board examination. Yes, you read it right! I did not succeed in my first attempt to be a CPA. Financially, it was a very hard year for me and my family. Yet, I took the chance to get the exam because I think it was more strategic to have it right after graduation. But maybe because of lack of time to prepare and the focus of my mind was not 100% on the exam, I failed. Honestly, it took me two weeks to get over this trial. I was really devastated. But then again I realized, “life must go on.” That’s when I started to move forward. Luckily, I got hired by my current employer. My new work helped me to divert my attention to something new.

But at the back of my mind, my dream to become CPA is still there. And so, after a year in my work, I asked permission to my boss if I could take change my working schedule so that I could take review classes at night. Fortunately, she allowed me. I was so happy because I feel in my heart that this will be my time. I really worked hard for this chance. Though it was tougher on my part since I have to juggle my time between my work and study, I did not feel tired at all. In fact, I treat each day of my 4-month review to be my daily brain exercise. It was 2008 when my dream came true. It was very fulfilling and I do not know the fulfillment that I have felt during my 2nd attempt will be the same if I have passed on my 1st take. 

This experience of mine made me realized that a failure should not be a hindrance to try again and be successful and be better. Don’t let your fear to try things be over. Because if you allow it to hold you back, time will come that you will realize that there’s no way you will not be successful. In the end, you might regret that you lose your opportunity to become triumphant in your life. 

To end this, let me share to you what I have read in the internet while I was doing this reflection. This is about how to live an unreasonable life. The list includes the following:

Swim upstream  - To stand out from the crowd – go in the opposite direction. When those around see things from one perspective look deeper and seek out another view.

c.2014

Last month, I've got the chance to visit Cagayan de Oro for the 2nd time. Though it was not for vacation but because my work requires me to do so, I still enjoyed my stay there. One experience that I won't forget was when we dine in RedTail Shrimps & More. 

It is a newly established seafood restaurant in Cagayan de Oro that has been making its way to the food industry. According to Mr. Eddie K. Garbosa of Mindanao Gold Star Daily, RedTail Shrimps just started last April 2014. Ted and Angela Jalad, the minds behind this successful seafood restaurant in the south thought that they want their experience in USA be felt by the Kagayanons through their unique recipe and style of service. And I agree with Mr. Garbosa that they indeed, have been true with that vision.

As my first try to have a food blog entry, I will rate this place according to the following:
1. Taste
2. Service
3. Price

1. Taste (5/5) - We have ordered the following items: a. Shrimps with mild spicy redtail style sauce b. Fisherman's catch with mild spicy captain's redtail style sauce c. Stuffed crabs and d. Seafood rolls

What can I say? The food there were really great that I forgot that I was on a diet! hahhaha. The fisherman's catch is a variety of seafoods which includes shrimps, squid, mussles,  crablets & clams.  I am a shrimp-lover and I have lost my count on how many have I eaten from what we ordered. But believe me, we are 5 in the group, and one serving of shrimp can be enough for you. Another hit for me was the .redtail style sauce. It so delicious that  you want to pour it over on your rice, Sabi nga namin, "sauce pa lang, ulam na" I thought I was on seafood heaven that day.

2. Service (5/5) - The staff were courteous and kind. They are all smiles when they served us our food. Also, even though we know hat the food will still be cooked for us, our waiting time was not that long. It was a plus factor for me since I was so dead hungry that time already.hahaha

3. Price (4/5).  Aside from the food that I mentioned above, we also ordered 3 mango shakes and 2 iced teas plus 5 cups of rice. All-in-all, our total bill was 1,600+. Although, The price was not bad for a seafood restaurant and considering the kind of service they gave us that day,I still deducted 1 pt from them  and because of 1 reason: that is kuripot lang talaga ako.haha

Our lunch has been uniquely enjoyable for me also due to the fact that they didn't serve us spoon and fork and instead gave us hand gloves. Yes! this restaurant, encourages its customers to eat with their hands. However, I just don't know if they will serve you utensils if you requested them since our group tried to follow their "nakaugalian". And this was my first time kumain ng nakakamay in public

Overall, this place is a super recommended place for me when you want to enjoy a sumptous seafood lunch/dinner with your family.

RedTail Shrimps & More

Papa Juanitos Square

Stall 5 & 6, Cagayan de Oro

Mindanao, 9000 Philippines

Have you experienced answering an autograph or slum book during your younger years? I bet those of my age will still relate to this.. Oh wait, just to clarify, asa calendar pa naman po ako.hehe Anyway, for those who haven't tried it, it is simply a book filled with questions such as "who is your crush?, "who is your first kiss?"' etc. It will be passed on to everybody you know for them to answer.  Aminin nyu, ilang  autograph book ang binili nyu yet, pare-pareho lang naman pinapasagot nyu..hahaha..Don't worry, guilty din ako dyan.

Why did I ask? Well, I came accross this old blog of Nikki Gil and she talked about this. She even posted a picture of her own slum book when she was 11 years old.

www.giltheworld.blogspot.com

www.giltheworld.blogspot.com

For the sake of fun, I'll try to answer the questions that she listed down.

Name: Marichu Bartolo

Nickname : Chu

Birthday : ___ __, 1985 ( i did not include my exact bday on purpose for my privacy and not because I want to hide my true age, LOL)

Year Sign: Ox

Zodiac Sign : Aries

School/University : Tomas Earnshaw Elem. School, PUP LabHigh, PUP Sta. mesa, Ateneo Grad School (STRAMA na lang p)

Course : BS Accountancy '06

Favorite Subject : Math ( and as expected, the least is English)hahaha

Books: I'm not actually a bookworm but I have read Harry Potter Series, 50 shades of grey, Nicholas Sparks novels

Author: no particular

Kind of movie: Love Story or comedy. I easily get bored so I need something that can get my attention. Oh, I also love those suspense/thriller movies

Movie Idols : Julia Roberts, Drew B., Sandra B.

Singers: when I was in high school, I used to say Moffatts..hahah.. Those who don't kmow them, they are actually kinda the "one direction" of my time. I also loved MYMP then when Juris was their lead vocalist.

TV programs : Believe or not, I like cooking shows..hahah.. Even if I'm a bit dumb when it comes to cooking

Music : Pop / RnB

Dress/Outfit: Jeans and shirts will do for me, just as long they are comfortable to wear. I only wear dress during formal ocassions.

Perfume : Lacoste Touch of Pink

Food : Chicken and Spaghetti 

Drinks : Dalandan juice, chocoate milk
Hangouts: Malls
Color: Pink
Pet : Chin-chin, my dog

Pals : MTM talaga to, promise. 

Lucky No. 18

Motto: this is what I always write when I am asked to answer this kind of question " time is gold" epic di ba?

Who is your love? nyahahha, Do I still need to answer this? Obvious naman

How did you meet: We were high school classmates then became barkada when we moved to college

Is he your first love? Yes, I believe so.

His special characteristic? He can tolerate my "topak"

What attracted you most? his patience

Happiest moment : as of now, it was on Oct 18 when I walked down the aisle to meet my lifetime love to start our forever ( cheesy!)

Greatest achievement in life: I have to think about this further

Greatest Dream : to be a mom soon

Most stupid thing you ever done: next question please?

I just want to add, most of the time you have to write a message to the owner of the slum book. I remember I always write acronyms like J.A.P.A.N ( Just Always Pray At Night) or I.T.A.L.Y (I Trust And Love You). haah. basta may masabi lang.

Wow, by answering these questions, I felt that some of my elementary/high school days memories flashed back.  It's really fun when you reminisce those days that you and your friends are eager to write on each other's slum book. Ang sarap mag TBT,

Anyway, do you mind answering these questions also? Tag me so I'll get to know you more!

Aside from clothes and shoes, girls usually shop for bags. But I don't know, I think if 99% of women today have fascination over these things, I am proud to announce that I am included to the 1% group..Hahaha. You ask me why? Well, let's just say that I don't want to bother myself on rearranging my things everytime I have to change my bag that can compliment my look for the day. It's just not my thing.

Anyway, let's just ignore my weirdness and I'll just let you take a peak inside my bag.

So here is my bag. I did not buy it. Inarbor ko kay mother dear. hehe. Hindi ako maarte sa bag. My only requirements are that my umbrella will fit inside it and it should have many pockets. My bag usually contains my everyday needs.  That is everytime na may wala or naiiwan lang sa mga gamit ko, I always feel weird as if may kulang sa araw ko. (drama!) So i see to it that when I really have to change my bag, I have to check each and every pocket of it.  

And here are the items in my bag!

1. Wallet/ coin purse - the red one contains my budget for the whole week and the pink one contains my budget for the day ( puro barya na lang po budget ko.huhuhu)