Sunday, December 25, 2016

CHRISTMAS TIME: IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

     
          
When “ber” month comes in the year, you could smell that Christmas is around the corner. The months pass by so fast that you could barely have enough time to buy Christmas presents. Christmas rush is everywhere and the “Sale” word posted in every shops/malls.

When I was young, I am excited for Christmas because I would have a new clothes, I will receive “aguinaldos” from my “ninongs” and “ninangs”, get a lot of gifts from my family and relatives, I could eat Queso de Bola and some special delicacies prepared only during this season, it is school break, people are nice to me…. haaaa, there seems to be an endless reason why I love Christmas season.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

MY CHICKEN TERIYAKI RECIPE


Here in UAE, chicken is the most available and affordable meat you could find in every supermarket or grocery stores. Most of the time, you will always find it on sale items. You will also notice that in every occasion you will find chicken dishes cooked in different way. That maybe is the reason why I have chicken skin (just kidding).

The recipe below is my own version of chicken teriyaki. I once cooked it while following a cooking show, but some of the ingredients were not available so I just substitute it for some ingredients that are available and affordable. I hope that you would like it.

Friday, October 7, 2016

EIGHT BEST THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

                
Once in a while, we would have our leisure trip either locally or in other countries. Our first (read here) and second (read here) trips abroad has been fun and exciting and every trip is special and unique as the people, culture and beliefs are different from country to country.     

Our trip to Bangkok, Thailand (formerly known as Siam) is my third leisure trip. We went there last November 2015. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is a Buddhist country so you will see images of Buddha almost everywhere.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT SPENT AT RIKKS FLOATING RESTAURANT, YAS MARINA





My friends and I want to go out for dinner; they’ve searched the internet and found good deals in Cobone. After seeing the terms and conditions and reviews, we decided to go for a floating restaurant, it cost AED 749 for 6 persons.  We called for a reservation on a Tuesday night to avoid the crowd and to enjoy the view and the food.The dinner cruise includes views of Yas Island, Ferrari World and Yas Water World, dinner buffet featuring international cuisine, unlimited soft drinks, water, tea and coffee, and music and dance performances.

Monday, October 3, 2016

TITHING: THE HEART OF GIVING BACK TO GOD



 
When I started to earn money as an OFW, I am putting aside some percentage for my family, for my expenses and for my savings. Most of my income went in supporting my parents and the rest I saved it to prepare myself to come home for good.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

SEVENTH CURE TO A LEAN PURSE: INCREASE THY ABILITY TO EARN

 
“Cultivate thy own powers, to study and become wiser, to become more skillful, to so act as to respect thyself. Thereby shalt thou acquire confidence in thy self to achieve thy carefully considered desires.”
 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

SIXTH CURE TO A LEAN PURSE: INSURE A FUTURE INCOME

 
“Provide in advance for the needs of thy growing age and the protection of thy family.”
 

Sunday, September 25, 2016

FOURTH CURE TO A LEAN PURSE: GUARD THY TREASURES FROM LOSS

 
“Prevent thy purse from being emptied once it has become well filled. Guard thy treasure from loss by investing only where thy principal is safe, where it may be reclaimed if desirable, and where thou will not fail to collect a fair rental. Consult with wise men. Secure advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of gold. Let their wisdom protect thy treasure from unsafe investments.”
 

Friday, September 23, 2016

THIRD CURE TO A LEAN PURSE: MAKE THY GOLD MULTIPLY

 
“Put each coin to laboring that it may reproduce its kind even as the flocks of the field and help bring thee income, a stream of wealth that shall flow constantly into thy purse.”
 

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

SECOND CURE TO A LEAN PURSE: CONTROL THY EXPENDITURES

 
“Budget thy expenses that thou mayest have coins to pay for thy necessities, to pay for thy enjoyments and to gratify thy worthwhile desires without spending more than nine-tenths of thy earning.”
 

Monday, September 19, 2016

Saturday, September 17, 2016

THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON BY GEORGE CLASON: LESSON LEARNT

 

“Money is plentiful for those who understand the simple rules of its acquisition.”
 
Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you have a scenario in your life that you actually wait for the month to end to receive your salary and when it is delayed you feel anxious (pay your bills & debts)? And when you receive your salary, it is like gone in the wind. It comes and goes. Money is difficult to earn but it is so easy to spend.
 
How come the rich becomes richer and the poor become poorer? Why other people’s purse are abounding whilst others were empty.
 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

FIVE EXCITING THINGS TO SEE IN HONG KONG


Every once in a while we tried to relax and take a short vacation in other countries before proceeding our way home to Philippines. This time our destination is another Asian country, Hong Kong.

As usual, we booked our hotel using booking.com. We booked our stay in Silka Fareast Hotel, within walking distance from the Tsuen Wan MTR, City Landmark and other shopping malls, commercial and recreation areas.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

A FUN-FILLED DAY IN UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE

                
My first leisure trip was in Singapore in 2012 for 3 days and 2 nights initially, but we stay for 4 days and 3 nights due to flight delays. Anyway, we were compensated for the inconvenience although we were dying to go home to Philippines and tell our stories.

                On our second day, we were able to go to Universal Studios located within Resorts World Sentosa in Sentosa Island.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

THREE WAYS ON HOW TO MEMORIZE BIBLE VERSES



 
                Every week in our prayer meeting, we are encouraged everyone to memorize a Bible verse to be used as a weapon in the attacks of the enemy. Just like what Jesus did when he was tested in the wilderness (Matthew 4)... he used the Word of God to fight the devil until Satan was defeated.  

Friday, September 2, 2016

IS CREDIT CARD A FRIEND OR AN ENEMY?

 
Only during the time that I am an OFW and owned a credit card did I fully understand how it works. Back in the Philippines, I’ve only process credit card payments as a cashier in a big supermarket and I thought of people using it are rich people because rich people can only apply for credit card because they can afford their payment based on their income.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

ENJOYING THE “SEA”NIC VIEW WHILE DINING IN PACIFICO TIKI, AL BANDAR MARINA


Once in a while, I go out with my colleagues and we explore restaurants in Abu Dhabi for eating bonding.

Yesterday, we tried Pacifico Tiki , Dining & Lounge in Al Raha beach.  Tiki culture is a 20th century theme used in Polynesian-style restaurants and clubs originally in the United States and then, to a lesser degree, around the world. Although inspired in part by Tiki carvings and mythology, the connection is loose and stylistic, being an American form and not a Polynesian fine art form.

Monday, August 29, 2016

HOW BLOGGING BECAME MY FIRST PASSIVE INCOME



 
Is there a good thing about being laid off? Yes there is I believe. The Bible says; we should give thanks in all circumstances, good or bad. When we stay positive we will find more things to be thankful for. There are blessings always hidden in every situation we face, we just have to open our eyes and heart to see it.

Friday, August 12, 2016

“ASENSADONG PINOY SULIT MAG-ABROAD” SEMINAR FOR OFWs




One of my colleagues at work invited me to attend this FREE seminar as part of spreading financial literacy to all OFWs.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

SEVEN EXCITING THINGS TO CHECK OUT IN SINGAPORE


Finally, I was able to travel outside Philippines and Abu Dhabi, but this time it was for a leisure trip.

This was my first leisure trip, so I was very excited and at the same time anxious. Being a first time tourist, I felt a little naïve (hahaha), but I do believe we all feel the same, isn’t it?

We booked in Fragrance Hotel in Geylang using booking.com. In booking.com you could find best deals in hotels around the globe plus you can book and reserve without hassle (with free cancellation on most of their hotel relationships).


Monday, August 8, 2016

LET'S GET STARTED!!!

About Me


                Hi, there! My name is Julie, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) for more than a decade here in the United Arab Emirates. I am an amateur or will I say “budding” writer or blogger.

Being an OFW is tough because I am away from my loved ones, but when I realized why I have to do it, it became easy to accept the circumstances and be thankful for the opportunity to earn more and help my family.

I created this blog with a desire to share my knowledge, skills, experience and testimonies in order to inspire and encourage other people.

I plan to retire from being a full-time employee at the age of 40 (God’s will) and instead managing multiple businesses; where I could have the freedom to serve God more, spend quality time with family, and travel the world to see the beauty of the creation of God (people, culture and nature altogether).

About this Blog


In this blog you will find post sharing my faith in God, family concerns, finance tips, food trips and ideas and all about having fun while doing all these things.

FAITH. I am a believer of God, an ambassador of Jesus Christ. Since I started my journey as an OFW, I have been quite serious about my spiritual growth. Although, I haven’t really reached that point of maturity like what Paul said, but I am straining towards the goal.
I am also fond of music especially Christian music so I made a blog which focus on Christian music (check it out here).

FAMILY. Close family ties is one of the characteristics of the Filipinos that I am proud of. I am close to my family especially with my mom and sisters. We share our personal struggles and success with each other. My family is one of the greatest blessings I received from God.

FINANCE. I personally believe in financial education. That is why I started to read about handling finances on the onset of my career as an OFW. I have a goal to accumulate enough money to retire comfortable so I need to know how to attain that by educating myself. Money is a blessing from God where we can be tested if we are trustworthy steward of His blessings. Money is a tool that can be used either for good or for bad depending on the person handling it. Money is not the root of all evil rather the love of money is the root of all evil. So we have to watch out on that and ask wisdom from God on how to handle our material wealth.

FOOD. I am fond of eating, I admit to that. I don’t mind paying a reasonable amount of money to eat what I want. Most of the time, we cook our food at home to save money and to also keep us healthy. To be honest, there’s no food that can compare to my mom’s cooking, I really love and really missed it. And even if I tried to copy and cook it here, sadly I cannot get her taste. I think she put a secret ingredient that makes it so delicious even if it is a simple recipe (lots of love I believeJ). In this blog, I will be sharing some cheap dishes that we usually cook at home as well as the restaurants I / we dine in to give you an idea about how much we spend on food.

FUN. Who don’t want to have fun? I personally like nature and travel. Initially, I am not an adventurous person but as I grew older, I realized that there is a world outside that needs to be explored and a lot of lessons to learn outside home. Some of the lessons are meant to be learned outside the four corners of our house. And it is fun when you meet new friends and see new sights and experience a new culture, there is so much to see and learn.

As I have mentioned a while ago, I consider myself to be an amateur in writing (so please excuse any wrong grammar), novice in personal finance (so I might refer other sites that can help you) and I will be sharing things based on my own experience and research.  

I created this blog to document my journey as an OFW to inspire others that the things we receive and we will receive are all coming from God and we should be a good steward of it (that includes our life).

I pray for our abundance in all areas of our lives.

God bless us more...