Loosing A Dad

Fortieth day.  My father left us 5th of February, 2014, and this is the fortieth day since that fateful night at Mother and Child Hospital.  At this moment, words are never enough to give you enough purview of all the emotions felt.  I just thought that maybe, just maybe, this video would somehow collect in one profound tribute the love poured for us; a love story of a father.  No plain memories would suffice in the remembering...A youtube presentation for a DAD

How to become a Freelancer

Being a freelancer is a pivotal step that will take you to 180 degree turn, especially if you are coming from a regular 8-hour shift, with regular income, and a regular boss (someone who gives you a daily dose of circumscription of outputs and deadlines). But it is a step I dare took because this is an option that's more viable for me, being a mom of a third grader and a wife to an overseas worker. Let me take you to the journey that freelancers like me gets to trail. 

The crucial first 3 to 6 months

The first 3 to 6 months is the very decisive stage. Constructive mindset plays a very central role in both the way you work and think- this is the time when you must get a strong base of clients who will give you jobs. Get ready to invest mentally and financially.

 The 24/7 agenda

As a freelancer, you are your own business entity; something that you could not separate yourself from.  This means that if a job can’t be done within the regular hours of work, you must work extra hours to complete the task to beat the deadline. Simply put, you ought to work 24/7 if that’s what it takes to deliver your committed work.

 Plan ahead and commit to it

Not like a regular employee who only follows a built-in plan or schedule, as a freelancer, you are now the one to install your own work plan and see through it. And in planning, you must look at longer and viable time frames if you must meet all the due dates.

 Welcome new challenges

Your primary reason in shifting to a freelance-career is to do what you like or do best.  But it doesn't follow getting what you always want.  There are times when you need to do a project or a contract that are extremely difficult, or at times monotonous, only because it’s financially beneficial if you do so.

 Some clients are difficult

Uniqueness defines each individual. You must treat each of your clients based on what they need and how they need it, individually. Trust that not every one of them will approve of you. They might not like you, but make them love the job that you do for them. That's where the challenge is.

Good taste in the way you say things

You are your own front line. What you say and how you say it, will work for or against you.  So it’s best that you think well of what comes out of your mouth in answer to their queries or in any conversation that you'll have with your clients.  Your income depends on the way you market yourself. Treat your clients like kings.

Work longer but expect lesser

Part of your investment as a freelancer is to work for longer hours with less payment.  Primarily because some fixed paying clients will not pay for hours worked, but for the actual job you delivered to them. Good to know that there is a learning-curve in every job, which allows you to produce more output with diminishing time. That is what you will come up in the long run due to efficiency. Keep going.

Markets tend to either go up or go down

You cannot dictate how your market behaves. Just be prepared for whatever changes your niche might encounter.  Learn to be flexible.

Some people may not understand your freelance job

Most often, misunderstanding is the reason why most freelancers have problems with their family and friends. Don’t expect them to absorb outright the nature of your work. It will take a while. Meantime, do what you must in order to get yourself better prepared to deliver your commitment regardless of any conflict with people around you.

Learn the rules

 Prior to making decisions about your freelance business, learn first the rules and laws of the land. Various countries have diverse policies.  Learn them so much that you don’t offend anyone in the course of your job.

Know the tax and VAT rates in your country

Don’t stumble into any surprising tax or VAT rates in your country.  These things must come to your knowledge, first thing.  It was said that, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.”  So better protect your business in knowing what dues to pay and at what rate.

Always have a contingency plan

Contingency plan is the answer to downtime period.  For any business to survive, it is a must to have a financial fall back.  When freelance project is good, learn to save a few for the times when business or projects are slow, when you get sick, or when a project is cancelled. 

Have a back-up plan when business is slow

When you have stagnant days, take it as the opportunity to have more time finding new projects and better your system. Take this time to prepare your business for the times when new projects will start coming,alongside the revival of old projects.

There are always many competitors

At a glance you’ll know that competitors from freelancer hubs are great too many.  This only signifies one thing:  Do not flop. You need to become proactive in keeping your clients exemplary satisfied in your work.  And you must better yourself every single day if you want to get better results than does your competition.

Be flexible

Odds are not always on your side.  At times, your clients may get to divert to other plans, get sick, reschedule conferences, or simply change mind.  You might either sulk or make quick adjustments yourself. Yield.

Freelancing is quite expensive

Just like any business, freelancing needs cash outlay.  When you gain a lot from it, save.  Because there will come a time when you need all your savings to get through the bad season.  Be extra ready.

When you make more per hour, more goes to expenses

Since your expenses, may it be variable or fixed, are ought to be paid by you, make sure that these are all fully covered with the amount you charge to your client. Although you are paid more for each hour of work than when you are a regular employee, keep in mind that your expenses grow bigger as you incur more hours working as a freelancer.

You ought to turn down other business offers

Learn to say NO to an offer.  That’s hard especially if the offer is indulging with the high rate and all.  This is important because working without play will drain your energy to a fault.  Strike a balance that will benefit your pocket without compromising your health.  A healthy freelancer will produce first-rate output, producing happy clients in return. 

Your personal events/projects are sometimes compromised

If someone has to pinch hit for you, it will be no less than you. You have no choice of sorts.  If someone has to give extra hours to complete a project on time, it will still be you.  This means that even your personal projects or events will have to take a back seat. 

Conclusion

Don’t get scared.  This writing is not constructed to give you that effect.  Otherwise, be open to the realization that freelancing is not a walk in the park.  It demands a total turn-around of mind-set, priorities, financial strategies, and physical energy.  You have to ready yourself.  Know your strengths and capitalize on them big.  Know your weaknesses and convert them to opportunities.  This article will save you all the headaches that unpreparedness could bring.

The challenge is always on how you battle the unnecessary.  Know your skills.  Market them. Plan well. Invest on them.  And deliver first rate output. That’s what a true good freelance customer service is all about. Set your priorities intact. It is important to have bonding and understanding time with your family.  Planning ahead and planning well will do the trick.  With your own determination and the support that you get from them, there’s no reason for you not to succeed in freelancing world.  Go ahead, indulge and take that first client!

Hong Kong Getaway

H

ongkong Getaway

My friends are eager to go there because they want their kids to experience the magnificent 'Hongkong Disneyland'. In fact just recently, one of my FB-mom-friend asked me about accommodations because packaged tours are already fully-booked.   I tried assisting her with inputs based on what we did. This same gesture gave me the idea of putting this on paper:  the detailed accounts of how we realized our Hongkong adventure as a family.  I sincerely hope that this will render my friends and readers the purview of how to get there and consequently, have a reasonably cozy place to stay, while enjoying the imperial experience at Hong Kong (HK).

How I miss that place. It's only been like a year since we set foot on its land.  But I could still hear the voice over of MTR saying:  "please mind the gap", vividly. Oh, actually it’s my boy.  He constantly mimics this monologue (Chinese accent included). I can’t blame him.  It's a dream come true for the three of us. The first out-of-the-country vacation we had as family.  It’s a privilege of touring around the Disney, the Ocean Park, Avenue of the Stars, and post destination, Macau. It is also the same opportunity that allowed us to observe and experience different culture, deserving of respect.

Let me tell you how we did it, the three of us, exploring Hongkong: with barely a map...err, maps -around 3 of them (which we got from the tourism booth at the lobby of HK airport and one from a friend), hardcopies of research data from Google, Hotel Concierge assistance, and customer service's advice from every terminal drop off. It’s quite a handful. And don't forget, the endless WALKS: barefoot walks.

Here's what we did:

1.  Secure yourself and family members a passport. 

I gathered both mine and my son's authenticated birth certificates along with my 2 valid ID's, NBI clearance and marriage certificate prior to setting up an online appointment with DFA Pampanga.  You could check document requirements at the DFA site. Do set up an appointment while you are there. I printed out details of my scheduled date, and presented it to the guard on duty when we went to DFA for 'appearance.'  It doesn't took us very long because of their very efficient system.  Once done, you'll have to either go back or opt for a delivery of your passport, after 2 weeks or so.

2. Secure your plane tickets.  

I do not wish to promote any airline here, but we opted for Cebu Pacific because they were on very good promo at the time.  That was around December. We paid for the tickets in January. And we are set to fly May.  You have to secure plane tickets ahead of time because promos come way too early. Pay early, fly later.

3. Secure your accommodation.

We never opted for packaged tours because our minds are set to explore the place as family; open for mistakes and ready for fresh ventures.  We meant to take the adventure like the backpackers that we are. Taking advantage of the free nights of accommodation we had at the Hyatt Hotel in Sha Tin. But good friends who also travelled as family on their own , a day later than us, managed to avail a hotel room at  a reasonable rate by asking our 'kababayans' at the Hongkong airport.  As tourist-friendly as it is, Hongkong has a lot of options to offer with regards to places to stay once you get there.

4.  Do your research.

Prior to your flight, exploit the Google, sorry for the term, but that's just what I did.  I literally exhausted all the avenues and venues of research as to what places to go, the accessibility of our hotel from key destinations, what transport to avail, and where to start.  Actually, I want you to do the reverse.  Start from the last thing I've researched, then work back. Haha.

5. Do the Web Check-in.

Don't forget your flight date.  Do the online check-in at the website of your airline few days prior.  Print your check-in details for presentation to Airport Check-in Officer. There's a separate line for web check-in passengers, go there. This is beneficial because you would only go check-in an hour before your flight. Time saving, eh?

6.  All set,  food check.

The day before our departure, our early morning was spent on checking and rechecking our checklist:  clothes and undies, emergency kit, medicines, chargers, passports, visa ATM, and a few cash.  Take note of your baggage weight. Our food we bought from Marquee Mall, Angeles City. We were accommodated by my best-friend's wife, Elma, to spend the night at their place in Angeles City. We are bound to fly off from Clark Airport. Please take note, you need to have noodles, bread, milk and coffee with you. You're not yet familiar with the place where you ought to go, so better have goods ready for children's aching tummy. My good friend, Elma, cooked us rice and tocino for baon because as a frequent Hongkong flyer herself, she knows that it's best to have ready meals when you get to Hongkong.

7.  Finally, Fly.

Everything was on time. It took us only an hour to get there.  When you felt that turbulence comes very rigidly already,  then you know that Hong kong is just few minutes away. The approaching view of Hongkong is an awesomely delightful experience for first timers like us. Yipee!  

   

8.  Now, Get to the Lobby and take your maps.

I am a fan of those travelers, who skillfully make their way inside the city, with the grace of an intelligent stranger.  I went to the tourism booth at the Airport lobby, took around 3 maps and asked a lot of questions from the tourism officer stationed there.  After getting few details of how to start, I bought 3 Octopus cards, 1 for each of us and loaded them.  And remember your cash: You can have your Philippine pesos converted to Hong Kong dollars through the money exchange, right there at the airport lobby.  You need a reasonable spending capacity to go by.  Then using your loaded Octopus card, refer to your MTR map then ride to your next destination.  Every MTR stations has CUSTOMER SERVICE booths to entertain queries.  You'll never get lost.  Get those feet ready for the long walks going from one MTR station to the next...

The  BIG Challenge

I'm leaving you with this challenge: Go now, or go later.  Cable cars and The Disney Parade can wait till forever.  However, should you delay those knees may not be that strong to do the lengthy walks and bumpy rides anymore.

Or perhaps these random images are just what you need for inspiration.  Who knows, these might just catapult you to coming over. MTR voice-over is waiting, saying:"Next station...Hong Kong."

Prying Minds

One dreamy rainy morning.

"What is this, mom?"  With eyes wide opened as in total awe, my son, 'Optimus',  holding a round object, asked me. It was one of those mornings when we spent the prior night at my parent's place, because roads back home are impassable due to high tides (blame it all to low pressure areas that sure felt like super typhoons with its walloping show of heavy rainfalls). With mind barely awake, I muttered something inaudible for a reply, and went back to sleep.

But beyond my kid's curious inquiry is a stubborn pursuit for some truths, half-truths or whatever breed of truths there is in his venture.  He has a tremendous thirst for information and believes that everything has its own story, if not, a mini-story then. He will not stop until he knows what he holds. And he will never stop nudging until he had me fully drawn to giving answers abouthis mysterious find. I cannot dismiss a prying mind.

His vehement prodding propped me up to my favorite 'Indian sit' right there on the bed. Still sleepy, I stared blankly at him while taking hold of his find in an attempt to fake a diagnosis. My hands move boldly around the sinewy material of what seemed to be a rugged ball. Casting a stare,  I saw what it was.  A half ball of a coconut shell. Old, dry and rough, ready to serve its purpose:  as coconut shell fuel.

My son's subject of curiosity sent me back  thirty years before this time, when I was still this curious little girl, doing my own nudging with my 'lola'.

I grew up watching my grandma split woods using a hatchet. Yes, no issue on separation of duties.  She loves to do the work of my grandpa.  But it is my grandpa who specialized in making few good uses for coconut fruit. The miracle fruit known to Filipinos as 'niyog'.  Using his bolo knife, he would remove the husk from the coconut shell, then cut the latter in half to get the precious coco juice. There are times when he'd rather not take off the husk.  Because the complete package of husk and shell cut in half is functional to native households as 'bunot'.

However resourceful my grandpa is, it is known to me that after all that he did to the good old coconut fruit, my grandma is the one who would reap all the left overs as reserve for fuels. That's when coconut shell fuel or charcoal was introduced to me, by no less, my grandma.  All of a sudden, the memory of her sent warmth to my heart.  Her dirty kitchen is a smoke-filled, rusty, logs and fuels-filled, and delicious aroma of rice coffee-cored place. Her ancient bamboo blower is legendary in kindling and rekindling the fire for her cooking. Her kitchen is the 'conversation arena' of her home.  This is where most of my childhood queries were posted, at every nook...of every corner.

For a moment I let old memories consume me.  Like a flicker of fire, it ignites a sentiment that sends something warm down my cheek.  All because of an ordinary coconut shell.

Realization unfolds and plants itself permanently into my subconscious. Alright, I never did forget every learning I acquired from childhood.  From the people, the places and landmarks, the vintage materials, and the events -- all of these are hallmarks, pivotal to my being 'me'. I am the conglomeration of values I collected starting from childhood, ignited by one inquiry and observation after another...and substantiated by diverse catalysts from one time period, to another.

For now, I will leave the memory of that curious wide-eyed little girl, in order to give way to this awesomely inquisitive boy staring at me, with eyes questioning, mind open.

Allow me to start this right. All the good things my old folks showed and all the lessons I've learned, I will iterate to him.  Then perhaps, this child of mine, will start to fill his cup with better values from the same 'fuel' that kindled...my once prying mind.

Meantime, this boy deserves ample kisses and hugs from his mom, in honor of his incredible 'find'. Then later I'll tell him:  "Son, that object you are holding is.....; Did you know that...." Oh well, there's a lot to tell, but my boy definitely has a lot more to ask.  :-)