Mommy Practicality

Monday, February 02, 2015

Fun Ranch Birthday Party Packages And Review

Thursday, January 29, 2015

DMC Handcrafted: Dare Your Mind To Create Event and Upcoming Workshop

Thursday, January 29, 2015

20 Ways To Fulfill Your Mommy Role When You Go To Work Everyday

Sunday, January 25, 2015

My Extremely Close Encounter With Pope Francis

It is not every decade that the Philippines is blessed to be visited by a Pope. The last two visits were in 1995 by Saint Pope John Paul II during the World Youth Day, then just recently by Pope Francis. Looking back 20 years ago, I took part of the World Youth Day activities. In fact, I was part of the official choir who seated at the Quirino Grandstand's front bleachers, just by the right side of St. Pope John Paul II. I saw the Pope visibly from a distance while he was celebrating the mass and I felt really blessed for the opportunity to sing officially for the World Youth Day.

But not as visibly close as my encounter with Pope Francis during his recent visit to the Philippines. On the second day of his visit, he was scheduled for a quick visit to Malacanang to meet President Aquino. Together with our neighborhood friends, we decided to go to Nagtahan Bridge which was very close to home, just one trike away or it could even be a walking distance. We were up as early as 6 AM to wait for his estimated arrival to the venue at 9:30 AM.

We were at the foot of Nagtahan Bridge as early as 6:00 AM

See that white line where the police is standing? I was right that very spot after I took this photo.

There were also people at the other side of the bridge waiting for Pope Francis to pass by.

When we went to Nagtahan that early, people were just starting to settle in vantage positions to see Pope Francis. So did we. It was a treat to see neighbors who were there for the same reason, neighbors you don't get to see nor talk to often. That almost four hours of wait was all worth it. After some chitchats with a number of people, a few cups of taho and pambobola made with the policeman who served as a human barricade (and the only person in between me and the Pope), he passed by right in front of me.

The much awaited moment, Pope Francis was passing by us. We all felt very blessed by this rare moment.

Goosebumps all over. The feeling was amazing, it's overwhelming actually!

Here's the video of my unforgettable experience last weekend:

It was a surreal experience. A life event which no words could exactly describe the overwhelming feeling I had at the sight of our dear Pope Francis. He, who is the Pope of the times, who judges no one regardless of gender, age, economic or civil status. How could anyone not be endeared to him? He only speaks of love, kindness, compassion, simplicity, humility, honesty, and service. With due respect to others who think the visit of the Pope is already equivalent to idolizing other god than the main man Himself, Jesus Christ, and who think the Pope's arrival was turned into a national concern worthy of the three day holiday, I disagree with you. The Filipino Catholics are joyous of the Pope's presence among us. We are united with the pope in celebrating and sharing the love of Jesus. It's very far from idolizing the Pope in place of Jesus Christ. Let respect for each religion or sect reign over any hatred or righteousness. Personally, the most important thing is we believe in a higher being, in one creator, whatever religion we come from, whatever name we call our God.

At the end of the day, it will all still boil down to how one is living his life according to what his religion teaches. Are you good, kind, compassionate, humble and honest, not only to others but to yourself? I hope yes, and if everyone in the planet is indeed good, just imagine how peaceful and beautiful our world would be! Don't you think?

Friday, January 23, 2015

The Best Things In Life Come In Three's

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Wes' Skechers for Kids Shoes with Air Tricks Lightz

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A Day in a Life of a Multi-Slashie-ME

Sunday, January 11, 2015

My Sentimental #TodoBonding Overseas Call Using SUN Todo IDD

Friday, January 09, 2015

A Practical, Doable, and Adjustable 24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge

It's been more than 10 years since I started working. Like most of the young career women (and I admit to not being financially smart enough), a big chunk of my salary went to shopping and recreation. A part of it went to my parents, bills and some were saved but was touched impulsively when a new model of mobile phone or bag came out. I always said to myself a few years ago, had I known better, I would have saved at least Php 1,000.00 every pay day let's say for 10 years, I should now have Php 240,000.00 for emergency fund.

But as I always say, it's never too late to start saving (and investing, which I started doing a few years back.)! And the best time to start is NOW! Yes, yes, yes, NOW! I've been seeing on different websites and blogs a lot of money-challenge savings plan. They're all effective given your sheer determination and discipline to follow the amount to save week on week. But as much as I want to follow any one of those versions, as a full-time working mom who gets money every two weeks, I think I cannot follow the weekly schemes with the given amount to be saved.

So, I made my own practical, doable, adjustable and customize-able 24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge for you to follow and be richer by around Php 6,000 up to Php 60,000 by the end of the year! This money-challenge scheme is also good for people who regularly get their salaries twice a month.

What's good about the schemes that I developed, inspired by other Money Challenge schemes, is that:

You could choose from Plan 20, Plan 50, Plan 100, Plan 150, and Plan 200
You have a summary of all these plans to choose from
Once you've chosen a plan, there's a plan schedule you could follow with a corresponding amount to save and running total.
A check box at the left side of the sheet for you to tick after you've tucked away to your money bank (make sure it's sealed tightly) the amount corresponding to that week.

I have another use for the check box at the left. Isn't it there are months in a year when we're richer (I meant bonuses, special projects, commissions, or cash gifts perhaps)? On these months, you could save the bigger amounts on the sheet and just exchange the schedule of saving on lean months. Make sure you tick the box and make a short note. It's really up to you how you'd want to use the sheets. Again as I've said earlier, it's adjustable, customize-able, and very practical.

Here are Mommy Practicality's 24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Savings Plan 20, Plan 50, Plan 100, Plan 150 and Plan 200.

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plans 20 to 200

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plan 20

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plan 50

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plan 100

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plan 150

24-Bi-Weekly Money Challenge Plan 200

So there you have it loves. Choose whichever plan that suits you. You may even create your own savings plan if you wish. The most important essence of this Money-Challenge is to- SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! Start the year right! Be financially smarter, pay yourself first. Good luck! :)