Random Question One

I have this idea of getting people’s insights or answers about a random question. For now, I have my friends and husband as the initial respondents. Hopefully, there would be more as I try to be bolder in asking questions such as this to strangers a la reporter.

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Question: Why do you have to leave? (First of n Parts)

I have to leave because I want to make a new beginning. –– sha, technical writer

Because staying won't do you any good anymore. –– Guile, indie musician

Better opportunities for growth... I felt I have given my contribution and it's time to move on. –– fritzie, full-time fashionista

Coz i need to move on... –– GiN, HR - Employee Engagement Assistant, Accenture

I left because I'm off to something not here. –– iescarro

"I have to leave in order to survive." –– senshi

Direct to the point... money... dako sweldo diri (japan) –– ForrestGump

Because I’m no longer happy. –– smooth escape

Kay sick. Sayang ang sick leave dili ma convert. –– anonymous

Mu-leave ko kay feeling nako wa nako gi-value... so balhin nalang ko kung asa ko i-value. –– martha

I have to leave because I'm not happy anymore and I don't find it healthy for me. I don't want to work with you anymore and I feel that I should be doing other things than this. It's time to think of myself this time, my dreams, my future. –– brewed

Leave for me is a time where I can relax and spend time with my family. –– Reginald

First and foremost, it’s the pursuit of happiness. And to heed the call for adventure and growth. –– anonymous

(job) = greener pasture; (place) = unsafe; (relationship) = doesn't work out; (game) = tired/sleepy -- Mark

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So there! I could have waited for more answers from other friends but I was so eager to publish this post. To those who replied, thank you for your time. More to come of this sort.

Want to reply to this question? Please email me at syvesuma@gmail.com so I could publish your answers next time. Thank you.

Have I gone what???

Part 1

I don’t remember how it started.

It got worse when he didn’t insist to take me back to the hospital room. Just as I would not stress my need for company, so neither would I care about how important it is for him to leave.

So I took the elevator by myself and stepped out hoping for things to get better, as they always did. I just guessed it would take time for me to stabilize. And I was trying to convince myself that maybe it was good riddance for the moment.

Until I was growing aware of someone’s “stare”. Scary, was the first thing that came to my mind. I looked back and was surprised to see that it was that person from the psychiatric ward. Er, what was he doing here trailing me? That gave me the creeps, as I took hurried steps.

No, my mind was not playing a trick on me. I swear I know where he came from ‘cause I’ve been in the room once –– no, not as a patient in the same category. But still I couldn’t bring myself to believe that it could get worse.

So much for positive thoughts.

Because I moved further and found myself in a company of a whole bunch of familiar faces –– all from the same ward. Huwaahhh!!! Have I gone MAD??? Have I become one of them without me realizing what happened?

Dazed, I screamed in terror.

Part 2

A woman came up and assured me that I was just in the wrong floor of the hospital building. Later, I recognized her from the room next door.

She was kind enough to take me to where I should be –– for women who had babies. I came around glad to see my parents, who were waiting for my return all along.

Now… what was that???

I woke up with that exact question in mind.

New Look!

Hey! Check this out.

Thank you to my sponsors: Bourjois for my eyeshadow, marcara, lip gloss and blush on; to Orange Blossom for my headwear; Blue Nile for my necklace; Nordstrom for my earrings. Haha!! Lastly, thank you to MakeoverSolutions.com for whipping up a new look for me.

Wow, there's nothing like a virtual makeover.

My Market Research

I am currently expanding my interest in business (particularly low-capital ventures). The following are some of the business insights I got from my online research.

There has been a significant growth for non-grocery retailers in the country, particularly health and beauty retailers and clothing and footwear retailers. This can be accounted to the increasing consumer sophistication (the growing number of urban middle class), and the growing number of shopping malls.

However, cheaper products from China, Korea and Hong Kong among others prove to be major competitors of the local brands. Not to mention the ever-popular Ukay-ukay.

“With most Filipinos still belonging to lower- to middle-income groups, their low disposable income renders them to still focus their spending on daily necessary items, classified under grocery products. Nevertheless, the rise of non-grocery retailers continued in 2005, although still not strongly enough to unseat the dominance of grocery retailers.” (Source here).

Fast food still leads in consumer foodservice. Of course, Jollibee Foods Corp. immediately comes to mind. We can also notice the growing number of cafés/bars. Still the continued development of shopping malls contributes to the growth of these establishments.

The large population, which is concentrated in the urban areas (specifically Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro) and the intense economic activity provide franchising opportunities in both food and non-food sectors.

Meanwhile, the Internet has provided numerous business opportunities for local entrepreneurs in the Philippines. As of 2004, Internet users in the country reached 7,820,000, according to Computer Industry Almanac. The wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs are able to generate new revenues and build customer networks through online services.

The telecommunications industry proves to be a very promising sector, particularly the cellular mobile telecom services (CMTS). This is again owing to the country’s rapidly expanding middle class. According to an online source, in 2004, the total number of CMTS subscribers reached 34% or over 30.2 million.

On the agriculture sector, where the Philippine economy is largely based, the stable food crops are rice, corn, and kamote (sweet potatoes). Other key crops include coconuts, fruits and vegetables, sugar, tobacco, and abaca.

(Reposted from my Friendster blog)

Three Tres Test 2 (others repeated)

three careers you're considering/you've considered:
1. photographer
2. interior/landscape designer
3. bum :P

three celeb crushes:
1. kristen kreuk (hmm… if I’m going to have a baby girl... :P)
2. hugh grant (more of the sense of hugh-mor)
3. jennifer aniston, rhian ramos, keira knightly (fab figures and beautiful faces)
three plus: I love luke mably in the movie the prince & me 1 (don’t know in other movies)

three of your favorite musical artists:
1. the beatles (most people tell me they’re great but I grew up not knowing them as a band)
2. mariah carey
3. I am so into music, so can’t have just a few favorites.

three of your favorite songs:
1. even the type changes to agree with my prevailing psychological state
2. anything for my baby’s listening pleasure
3. I am so into music, so can’t have just a few favorites.

three places you want to go on vacation:
1. japan
2. overnight at a beautiful beach anywhere in the Philippines
3. hmmm…

the perfect weekend getaway:

1. overnight at the beach

2. enjoying massages at the spa

3. a trip to beautiful places I’ve never been to

a lot more!!!

Rants Are Us: DDIIFFAA

Don’t look at me as if you don’t recognize my value; it makes me appreciate myself less.

Don’t flatter me with your interest if you cannot stand up for me all the way.

I am impatient.

I am disillusioned, indecent. Take my cue.

Feed my soul.

Fire me up.

Alas, I am pretty but pretty tense.

And I am still waiting round the bend.

Hello?!

Hello! If you’re looking for someone who can say though he/she is not entirely content but HAPPY nevertheless (very happy, indeed), count me in.

I credit a lot of this feeling to my husband with whom I create a relationship of such quality. I’m not saying you should start your own family and have a baby because that, too, is something that you can plan but not make happen all by yourself.

It all boils down to how we uphold life’s beauties while being bound by our duties.

I appreciate whoever coined this: “Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It just means you’ve decided to see life beyond the imperfections. So don’t say you’re happy ‘cause everything’s alright. Be happy ‘cause everything sucks but you’re doing fine!!!”

My Raj...

Nice Article: Action is the antidote to fear

Have you ever noticed how much bigger our fears often are than reality? They take on monstrous proportions, keeping us stuck in place when we really want to be moving forward. Then when we finally start taking steps towards whatever it is we fear we say, "Oh, that wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought. Why didn't I do that sooner?!"

In my article in Worthwhile magazine, The F Word, one of the things I talk about as an antidote to fear is action. It never ceases to amaze me how starting to take steps towards something is like letting the air out of a big fear balloon (complete with ppphhhhhtt sound effects - but maybe that's just in my head).

So much of fear's energy comes when you're in stasis. When you're sitting there and staring at the thing you fear, the energy behind that fear builds and builds. It's like a pressure cooker - the pressure builds and builds. When you start taking steps you create a release valve for that fear.

Some of that release comes by equalizing the pressure inside and out. The intensity of the fear was never in line with reality. Part of it comes because taking action and seeing success - even in small steps - builds your confidence to do even more. And part of it comes because taking steps brings you further down the path. What was unknown becomes known.

So what step can you take today? And then tomorrow? And then next week?

Article reposted from here.

Today's Scope: September 4, 2007

Your mind should be working overtime today, dear Leo, as new information and new ideas come to you thick and fast. You might want to use what you're learning in projects of your own, perhaps writing or painting. You might also want to spend some time telling stories to children. Opportunities to participate in exciting new enterprises could provide possibilities for advancement and for an increase in your income. Make the most of it all!

La lang. :)