How I start my WORK WEEK!

I love starting my work week really early. As what Laura Vanderkam said "You need to wake up before the insanity starts. Before demands are made on you. Before your goals for the day have competition." I usually get up at 5-ish in the morning, I get my tea ready.... you know I love my tea. This months favorite would be Twinnings (english breakfast or jasmine green tea) I pair it with green stevia and I am a happy camper. 

Most of the time, I drink it outside our little porch with Lester. We plan our day ahead, talk silly things over News and FaceBook feeds. Just enjoying the morning, the love birds chirping and watching passerby's.

In my comfy pyjamas, my fave cup and my cute ass Coco =)

After some relaxing morning sesh, comes the rush hour. Hubby prepares for work and I prepare for the week ahead. I usually check my emails and some to-dos for work then I clean the room, do a quick exercise/stretching, shower and moisturize and then quick drive to mail some letters for lester and I.

My Monday is not really that toxic. I don't do anything that much. I just stay home after running a few errands in the morning. I just stay in bed and watch chic flicks most of the time If I don't have an appointment or a lunch date with a friend or Jaycees. I sleep around 4 in the afternoon and wake up at 9 in the evening. I go straight to the kitchen to heat some dinner then I prepare my desk for work, make sure everything is running fine and back up are charged. I see to it that I get an hour jumpstart at work so I wont dilly dally when I start my shift.

I take a 1 hour break at 3 in the morning. I usually just drink tea and eat whatever husband brought home from work. FYI, my husband never fails to bring me food everyday ever since we lived together. Whether coming home from work, a meeting or from a basketball game... I think its bitter sweet. Part of me doesn't want him feeding me all those junk and fatty food (well to be fair.. he sometimes bring salad.. but rare) while a part of me feels so blessed that I have such a sensitive and caring husband. Anyhoo.. so much for that..

I wrap up work at 8. The rest of my work days' just the same, except that I don't run too many errands in the morning rather, in the afternoon.

So that's it. I admit to have a really boring work week, that's why lester and I really take the time to enjoy our weekends together and make sure to plan some escapades once in awhile to catch up with life. As a traveler once said "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us"

I'm thrilled to be writing this blog and giving you a glimpse of what usually happens in my daily life, it's not as great as others but I am truly contented and happy and I think thats what matters most. Thanks for inspiring me with your post, bloggers! Keep em coming! =)

Typical Weekend

SATURDAY

My work usually ends at 8 in the morning(PH time). The first thing I do is clean up my desk and go straight to bed and snuggle with my husband and our little bratinella, Coco. We don't get up until around 9-ish.

Then we head to the kitchen and prepare breakfast together. This is what my plate looks like this morning. Egg and toasts plus a cup of my favorite tea (Twinning) and my sweetener (stevia). My husband usually eats cereal (Nestle Fitness Cereal)for breakfast unless we eat out.

On weekends we love to eat outside the house, enjoying the chirping of the love birds and coco running around and playing with the rabbits. 

After breakfast we usually just run some errands together. We give coco a bath (we take turns, this week is lester's turn) but I usually prep coco after shower. From blowdrying to combing, to dressing her up to brushing her teeth.. all those girly stuff and when I'm done I help out in the kitchen. Lester on the other hand prepares the laundry to send to the Laundromat and work on some paperworks.

It's a must to stay home for lunch on Saturdays because all of us are home and mom or dada usually cooks the meal, so we are not allowed to eat out unless its a business thing or an urgent lunch meeting. It's also a great time to discuss the weeks events. We share updates, brag on achievements and talk about the news and hear some random annoying yet cute nags from my mom, definitely to stick around for! Not gonna miss it for anything. =)

After lunch hubby and I prep up for our usual Saturdate. We still run some errands in between but most of the time we just go to the mall, watch movies or sometimes go out of town and look for some newly opened restaurants or pastry shops (we both love sweets). We love driving around town and just hang out. Saturday is also our shopping day to buy some things that we need for our room, office supplies or bathroom. This is the time we pick up the things we need to use for the week ahead like groceries, toiletries etc. We sometimes meet up with friends/colleagues/ over coffee (JCI Meetings for me and AMREB Meetings for lester)

I sleep really early on Saturdays because i don't get to rest the whole day compared to workdays. I sleep around 7-8 in the evening. 

SUNDAY - "OHANA DAY"

Lester and I wakes up at 4 in the morning to hear the mass. This schedule is just recent, we usually go with the whole family at 8 in the evening but we opted to attend the first mass so we can do more during the day plus we love eating breakfast together =) 

After breakfast, we do our weekly cleaning. I clean the room and lester cleans the office. Still catching up on errands, making sure that everything is ready for the busy weekdays ahead.

Lunch on Sundays are the best. It's like FIESTA! 

In the afternoon, the family always go somewhere. We either go to the mall, beach or out of town. 

Dinner is also special because we always eat out. 

After dinner, the rest of the family attends the mass while lester and I get ready for our weekly spa date. I think for working couple like us, it is necessary to schedule a weekly spa/massage. Husband is always driving most of the week and I am barely breathing on my office chair. My husband always gets the foot massage service and I always get the Swedish whole body massage and we both get facial treatments. For very busy weekdays, we usually get the 2 hours so we can really sleep and rejuvenate. 

We head home right after and doze off to horror movies/documentaries. 

Travel like a PRO

Traveling is fun, but it can be very expensive and stressful especially for long, multi city trips. It's best to be fully prepared. Always plan a little bit of extra time from booking to packing.. If you are traveling with your loved ones, make sure you have a game plan. It's not a good idea to over enjoy and be penniless right after. Always set your vacation on a budget and stick to it. I've got a few tips on how to be efficient in booking those fun escapades with your loved ones.

1.) Plan a year ahead, that way you can scout for some great deals and airline promos thats only a fraction of the cost. Subscribe to your local airlines' website to receive newsletters and updates on their recent promo fares.

2.) Look for apartments/condos for rent instead of getting a hotel. Visit (https://www.airbnb.com/) You can get great deals for half of what Hotels are charging these days. Our last trip to Japan was booked via Airbnb and It was the best decision ever! Traveling for four in a hotel would cost us minimum Php40,000 for a one week stay but since we booked an apartment via a local host (Airbnb) we paid only half of that. The best part is we get to cook our own meals and we have a local host who was quick to help in translating and providing us direction. Not only did we saved money, we also saved time.

3.) Look for tour package deals online and write down all the attractions included in the itinerary. Search it one by one and see how far they are from each other also check if there are entrance fees. If you can get there just by walking, then don't book it! Its best to do it yourself. Most MRT or Rail Stations have detailed information and direction on certain tourist attractions. It's not bad to ask either. So go explore, you might see something thats not in the tour list! =) Book only those attractions that's far and that would cost you double on transportation. That's probably the best and only time that you should join a group tour. Make sure you book few days before incase there are changes.

4.) Download a free printable packing checklist you can find online. My go-to-site is www.pinterest.com. You can find a list of essentials you need for your trip. You can just edit and add as you go along. I will be posting a separate blog on a few of my travel-must-haves, what and what not to bring and how to organize your luggage. Stay tuned! =)

5.) Check the weather at your country of destination. You don't want to be too overdress or too underdress, don't ya? Check them online at www.weather.com

6.) Check into your flight online the day before and make sure you print your flight itinerary, boarding pass, tour itinerary, accommodation/hotel information. You will be presenting them too many times to different counters (check-in counter, travel tax counter, departure fee counter, immigration, etc.) Printed tickets are a lot easier for you and the people who will check it rather than whipping out your phone/tab every time.

7.) Meet with your banker/financial adviser and make sure that you activate all your credit cards to avoid hidden charges while abroad. Most bank charge Php2000 per International transactions. Verify it with your bank.

8.) It's best to exchange your money abroad instead of doing it here. You get a higher rate when you convert your money upon arrival thereto. And I guarantee you that there's a lot of money exchange retailers in the Airport, so no need to worry. Just carry a small amount of cash for emergency use, but then again it's always best and advisable to use your Credit Cards/ATM cards/Debit Card/Prepaid Cards.

9.) Upon arrival. Always ask airport customer service if they are offering prepaid cards that can be use in train stations, grocery stores and vending machines. Most often, they have. It would save you time in buying tickets or food.

10.) If you have a smart phone or tablet, its best to download applications for language translations, maps and tourist attractions. It really is a lifesaver, so keep your gadgets handy at all times.

11.) Always ask for WiFi availability. Some countries have free wifi in almost all areas but some countries don't have. There are pocket wifi's you can rent online for a fee depending on days of usage. It would help if you search it ahead of time so you can have options. WiFi connection is important so you can track your location and your destination. Always remember that traveling is easier with a handy GPS!

12.) Travel light. Just bring the essentials. Most importantly learn and have fun! Get lost once in awhile!

30 Facts About Me

Been out for two years, got caught up with with work and family life. Now I'm back for some serious blogging, bloggers! Jotted down some ideas to write in the next few months, let me start it by some random 30 facts about myself.

1.) I’m Married to my best friend since 2010! But we’ve been together since 2008. 

2.) I’m a Taurean

3.) My real name is Ehra May.
4.) I'm 5'7 without heels.
5.) I finished nursing but I never worked as a nurse. Blood grossed me out too much.

6.) I love to sing! I sing in the shower, in the car. Anywhere, anytime! I’m weird like that. #SMH

7.) I’m obsessed with my baby coco loco! She is an adorable white terrier who most of the time thinks she’s human. 

8.) I work as a full time ISA (go figure!) for an awesome team (KW) — thats all you need to know! 
9.) I have extreme Ophidiophobia (Google it!)
10.) I love to cook and bake on my free time. My parents once bought me a conventional oven, so I can practice what I preach. It's now sitting in the kitchen with the other non-existing appliances. =) 

11.) I love to travel and discover different cultures and food (except china!) #DoYourResearch

12.) I am a hoarder. I love collecting things and never really use them. 

• Shoes
• Clothes
• Bags
• Perfumes
• Make up/beauty products
• Books

13.) I love shopping! There’s never a week that I don’t buy anything.. Small or big…Mine or not. There’s gotta be something. #DontJudge
14.) Started modelling when I was 14, stopped when I was 19. 
15.) I started working 3 weeks after I graduated, as a Financial Analyst for JP Morgan.
16.) I started venturing into business when I was 22 years old.
17.) I went to Law School but did not pursue it when I started attending taxation class. SMH!
18.) I took up certified online classes in Harvard for Global Hospitality Management and Foundations of Virtual Instruction.
19.) I learned driving at age 17. Had my license at age 23 and bought my first car at age 29.
20.) I am a "swing trader" and an "investor". I just love investing and playing in the Stock Market.
21.) I have huge feet. Size 9 or size 40!

22.) I have a sweet tooth. Always have something in my pocket to nibble! Nerds or Mentos are my faves!  

23.) Caffeine and I have a certain relationship

24.) I love Chinese and Italian food.

25.) I love sweaters and jackets and anything cozy! 
26.) I love traveling in cold countries but I can only stand 18 degrees up. Below that is suicide!

27.) I can’t sleep without the TV on.

28.) I love to procrastinate but when I set deadlines, I’m OC and intense like nobodys business! 

29.) I drink 2-3 litres of water everyday. 

30.) I am a sucker for movies! I love movie nights with all kinds of junk foods and cozying with my hubby and coco all night, every night =) 

There ya go! I know its boring but that’s basically what I can think of right at this very moment! It was kind of therapeutic in a weird way.. Haha! I love to read random facts about you too, so if you have something to share, feel free to tag me and/or pm me. 

XOXO,

Chinny

Holidate (Eid Mubarak)

Although we are not Muslims, we got to celebrate the time off from work with the nephew and niece. Went to a quick trip to ICM and Marcela (local stores in our area). Shopped for kids toys and some cutesy top for me and Ella ❤ Food trip to end the day (cheat day)

OOTD: 

Top(cotton on) Jeans(forever21) Shoes(old navy) bag(Michael kors) watch(Michael kors) necklace (knockoff Tory burch) I got from some online store

Make up: face(Johnsson's baby powder) cheeks(Estée Lauder) lipstick(wet n wild) Eyes(Nars)