What will happen to the world on December 21, 2012?

Photo credit: www.watchdocumentary.tv

No one knows if it’s truly the world’s end. Not even Nostradamus nor NASA as written in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NIV) “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

But it’s not about whether the world will end on a certain date.

I guess the more apt question would be: How have we lived our lives before 12-21-12 to make us ready for it - in case the world really ends?

The homily this morning on Day 6 of simbang gabi taught us the value of extra-ordinary service and loving presence to our loved ones, perhaps two inexpensive and essential gifts that most of us find difficult to give. We have a lot of things to accomplish when we are swamped with our (worldly) desires, – career success, money and fame – and unfortunately our family, friends and loved ones become the least of our priority. It happened to me. Or maybe, it is still my dilemma.

But thanks to Mary, Mother of God, who, when she was pregnant to Jesus Christ, was still able to visit Elizabeth, mother of St. John the Baptist, in her pregnancy.

Thanks to the late Department of Interior and Local Government, Jesse Robredo, who, in the midst of success and public service, was still a great father to his children and husband to his wife, Atty. Leni Robredo.

Thanks to the late Rodante "Bogs" Aquino, my father, who shared with me valuable lessons in life including the importance of generosity. He may not have been a wealthy man when he died, but his wealth lied on the quality of life he lived with a huge amount of friends and mourners that showed up in his death.

They have touched my life in so many ways and I thank them for reminding me of my capacity to provide these valuable gifts of service and presence to others.

I do not know either if the world will end today. But one thing is for sure, if we will live our lives to the fullest as in the examples of Mother Mary, Sec. Robredo and Mr. Bogs Aquino; and share our best selves to people, we will not be concerned if the world will end today, tomorrow or whenever. 

I am just curious. How have you lived your life before 12-21-12? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Are you pregnant yet?

Are you pregnant yet?

This question from people has been nagging me since I joined my husband in November 2011, about 8 months past.

It's been a standard greeting of people whenever I'm home for vacation or whenever I'm in touch with them online.

Whenever I say no, there are further whys thrown at me which I find more difficult to answer.

I am lying if I'd say I'm not affected. I've been longing for a baby, my single wish in my prayers; and getting jealous to mommies who enjoy mommyhood already. After all, that's my ultimate goal when I decided to join my husband in Palawan and be away from home again.

But all I can do now is to patiently wait and have faith that we're in the right direction. As what Mr. Francis Kong posted on his Facebook, "Progress has less to do with speed and more to do with direction. Do not be impatient. Many wrong life decisions are made simply because one could not wait. As long as you are in the right direction, be patient, be diligent, be excellent and enjoy the scenery along the way."

Can you relate to this post? Feel free to comment or share your stories of pain and how God has relieved you with His answers. In my case, Mr. Kong's advice has been used.

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Six months past and how far have my projects gone?

Students and employees alike are busy at mid-year. The students are busy with the school opening while some employees may be occupied in splurging their mid-year bonuses.

I am not a student anymore and neither do I have a bonus to spend. But I am busy with something important.

Early this year, I thought of setting a few personal projects to give more meaning into our lives as a couple. I have also created projects focused on my personal enrichment. And how far have I gone?

• Project Franco and Edrice
  

  We’ve been married for three years and have been together for six months. And thus, we have been trying to have Baby Franco or Baby Edrice.
  

  Result: So far, we are still waiting but we’re okay. Husband and I are enjoying our time together. It’s like we’re just having our honeymoon. Though late, I am happy we can still enjoy the honeymoon experience.
  

• Project Bond
  

  The separation of three years has taken a toll in our relationship. Thus, the decision to be together is not only for Baby Franco or Baby Edrice but for us to fix our relationship.

  Result: The six-month bond is still too short but I can feel things between us have improved.

• Project Write
  

  I took Journalism as a degree and since discovering the cathartic effect of writing, I have never let go of the craft. I was not able to practice it though but from time to time, I grab a pen and paper or hit the keyboard of my notebook to put my thoughts in writing. Last year, I created a blog where I put random thoughts on issues, occasions and things that interest me.

  Result: The blog is a jumpstart. It keeps me motivated to practice more and improve in my craft.

• Project Content and Connection
  

  My interest is not only on content creation. I do enjoy and ride on the social media revolution where I consider myself as an enthusiast.

  Result: My blog is also a guinea pig in my social media experiments and little by little, I learn more and achieve more every day.
  

• Project 55
  

  This is so far the most challenging task for me. It’s been a three-year journey for me to lose excess fat mass and to reach that elusive 55-kilogram scale.

  Result: Good thing I have a jogging buddy now, my husband, who motivates me to run and burn calories regularly. He is also very vigilant in my food especially carbohydrate intake. So far I lost 4kg already and soon I hope to let go of that extra 4 kg in order to reach my target weight.

On the average, my projects have been in a slow but steady pace. I want to write that I need to step up but what for? I enjoy the experience of going through each of these projects and as long as I keep on moving and improving, I am a-OK!

How about you? I hope you had a fulfilling mid-year, too!

Why I would buy from you (and perhaps other customers, too)

Coming from a purely personal standpoint, I buy products for three reasons:

1. There is a need
   
2. There is a budget
   
3. The point of purchase is accessible - if not enchanting.
   

Let us look into the third reason - accessibility and appeal (the product or service being enchanting).

Accessibility

If you are an eyeliner, it will be easy for me if I can get it from a department store's
or supermarket's cosmetics section. Meaning, I can have your eyeliner almost anywhere I go. (You bet I am a prudent lady and not in the higher end market segment but who cares?)

If you are a credit card company and I need information, it will be easy for me if I can talk to the right person right away and not go through senseless voice prompts which make the answer annoyingly elusive. Do you think I will put up with the chase when my mobile phone charges surge while your voice prompts do not lead me to the answers I need?

If you are an online store, make good of your promise and charges of delivering the goods in mint condition and bring back my money whenever you fail to do so.

Appeal

If you want to catch the customer's attention and eventually convert him or her into a sale, pay attention to the delivery of the message, the presentation.

This facet of marketing is tricky but when you are able to pull the right string from the hearts of your customers, everything will be smooth sailing toward your goal to make a sale. Even reason number 2 will not matter anymore.

I am writing so because it happened to me when I bought some cosmetic items in two separate stores and countries.

The first item was a liquid foundation purchased in Singapore. There was this period that I had to buy a replacement as my foundation ran out. I passed by this store and tried to look for one that's on sale.

Take note of my main reasons: NEED and BUDGET.

I failed to find a foundation on sale but the store representative did one thing that prevented
me from walking away: she invited me to try one of their new arrivals and even asked me if she could apply
it on me. I agreed. No strings attached. But when she started to apply the foundation, her gentle stroke
on my face as if it's the most delicate thing, I was swayed. Not only because of the product and its
quality but of the way it was brought to my hands - or my face for that matter. Needless to say, even
before she showed me the result, I was sold already.

The second item was a lipstick purchased in the Philippines. Again, there was a need to fill and a budget to spend.

I was only browsing at first, looking what's available when a sales representative smiled at me, asked me on what I needed then and gave me a tempting offer. You bet. She asked me if she can apply her products on my face. This time, she offered me a full makeover!

So I let her did my face. Why not if it's free of charge? So the trust in the brand, the sales representative's gentle way of putting colors on my face that made me fall asleep and the final result, which is a full makeover that earned second look from most people in the department store, made it easy for me to pull extra cash from my wallet and pay for the lipstick and an eye cream. Yes, when the sales representative crossed sell other products, I was easily sold.

False urgency

We hear it all the time. Worse, we have to take action. It's okay if we're on the other side of the requisition table, the side that demands.

But we have qualms over urgent jobs when we're to deliver. Most often, we stretch ourselves to comply, appear efficient and yes, satisfy our customers - lest being complained.

And worse, customers have this tendency by default - hitting the red exclamation mark button in sending emails.

But how urgent is urgent?

If a superior asks for it.

If the operations need it to normalize the process.

If the name of the company or division is at sake, then swift action must be taken.

On the contrary, if a job is asked by a person who is not serious in getting things done (keeps on changing the shedule), does not have impact in operations (things will go on without it) and gives minimum value to the company or product branding, then why take URGENT action?