Deep Thoughts Archives | Page 13 of 37

The Lifestyle Changer

21 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 7 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, Tech World

The minute I learned that tablets are coming its way to consumers, I knew that life will never be the same again. While others may see that tablets are a fad, I see it as a lifestyle changer–literally something that will change our lives.

It has changed my life in lots of ways even if I don’t even bring it with me wherever I go. Even if I own one, I mainly use my tablet at home and rarely bring it with me to work.

There are so many tablets to choose from nowadays and it’s a matter of matching your needs to the kind of tablet that’s right for you.

So how did it changed my life?

Travel Buddy. We usually turn to the Husband’s smartphone for help when it comes to google maps when we travel but with the tablet having a bigger screen, it was so much easier to look at maps and find our way.

Connectivity. Once connected to 3G or WIFI, the tablet has been very useful in being connected to loved ones wherever I am. At home, I don’t need to open my computer to tweet, email or reply to a message in facebook. No more logging on or off. A touch of a button or a tap on the screen of my tablet and I’m online.

My Library. It’s been awhile since I’ve bought a real book or a magazine. I love that I get to save storage space in the home now that I have a digital storage for my books, magazines and even Archie comics (yes, I still read Archie comics until now!).

Kitchen Reference. A few have asked me, “Do you memorize the recipes you share on your blog?”. And the answer is, “No.” Even if I write my own recipes, I can’t remember them all especially if I don’t cook them all the time. Again, no need to open a computer, all I have to do is use my tablet and voila, the recipe I need appears right there and then. Very convenient too for searching for recipes online.

My Entertainment. While I’m cooking, I switch to youtube and there’s instant entertainment for me. No need to open the TV. Having a few minutes of “me” time in the afternoon while I sip a cuppa? I switch to music and listen to my favourite songs.

Health Partner. The Husband installed some Yoga and exercise apps and it was very useful. No need to play videos on TV or play Wii Fit on days when I’m busy. I tap on the Yoga apps and you’ll find me doing some Yoga positions and exercise repetitions in the lounge room. The apps I use: All-in-One YOGA HD, Yoga for iPad and PoWorkout Trim & Tone.

A few has asked me if it’s worth getting a tablet. I believe the reason why people ask that question is because they see this gadget as a fad and not as something that will be part of their lifestyle. I believe that it is up to the consumer to make any gadget worth their money. It’s up to the consumer how they will maximize the use of any gadget they buy.

As for me, I thought hard on why I needed such an item and made sure that it is not just a want but also a need. Now that I own one, I’m making the most of the tablet I bought and use it for making my life better and productive.

The Sweetest Things

8 August 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 8 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, The Married Life

It’s Monday once again and for most of us, it also means back to the daily grind of tasks and responsibilities. So how are you feeling this morning? I know that the usual feelings on Mondays are denial, sleepiness, crankiness and laziness (anything else?). I sometimes have a variation of all these emotions every Monday morning but I try to snap out of it as quick as I can because I want to arrive to work cheerful and ready to be productive.

I catch the train every morning to work and during my 45-minute transit I try to come up with some mental exercises to wake my brain up and bring out the positivity in my spirit. Every morning, I always think about the happy things that make me feel blessed.

For this morning, my list consisted of The Sweetest Things that I have shared in Instagram before. My Instagram account (follow me at @ibyang if you have an account and let’s share photographs!) has been a repository of random photographs that immortalize special moments of my life. It’s an easy, user-friendly iPhone app that instead of just sharing minute details here in AWCL, I just upload a photo in instagram and voila! I get to share a significant part of my life in a split second.

Moving on, here are some Instagram photos that immortalized some of The Sweetest Things that made my heart warm and tender.

One of my BFFs in the Philippines gifted me with these cute grooming set and a Rizal mug. According to her, she immediately thought of me when she saw this Korean/Japanese-looking grooming set because she knows I love anything Korean. It was also very timely that she gave me this because I was on the lookout for a grooming set that I could always bring whenever I travel. This grooming set is now part of my travel make-up bag.

She gave me this Rizal mug years ago since she also knows I’m a Rizal fan. This mug not only reminds me of my love for Rizal but most importantly, this reminds me how much my BFF and I love coffee.

One of my College BFFs is another person who knows me so well and always seem to give me the cutest, useful things. This year, she gave me a pair of winter slippers with heart designs (she knows I love the heart symbol).

And this winter season, she gave us the biggest surprise by knitting beanies for us. Yes, she not only knitted a beanie for me but for the rest of our gang. So sweet of her and the beanies are sooo cute and colourful!

The Husband’s high school friend whom we got to spend time with in April when we were in Manila gave us these lovable His and Her key chains. The lips of the boy and girl key chain are magnetic so everytime they get close, they “kiss”.

I got to spend time with my youngest cousin two weeks ago and during dinner at their place, he hugged and kissed me all of a sudden. I asked, “What was that for?”. He replied, “Nothing, I just want to.” Awwwww. That was simply a precious moment. I’m glad that even if he has grown up to be a big boy now, he never forgets to make “lambing” (be sweet). No matter old he gets, in my heart, he will always be my baby cousin.

My High School Barkada (friends) have our own facebook page and that’s where we get to plan our get-together(s). A few of us are living abroad now but thru our page, we get to update each other with statuses and photographs. Last week, a few of them decided to have dinner on Friday night and all was planned thru comments in facebook. One of our friends also tweeted about it so when I saw the tweet, I messaged back and told them that I will call them during dinner…and I did. It was lovely to hear their voices. It was a comfort and joy to know that even if we’re miles apart, there are no walls and awkwardness. The minute we heard each others’ voices on the line, we picked up where we left off and it was instant fun and laughter. Below is a photo of my coffee date with them before I left Manila.

It’s always a treat when there’s cake at home and it’s always wonderful when the Husband makes the effort of baking it. On Saturday night, he baked my favourite Vanilla Cake enveloped in Buttercream Icing and topped with Pink and White Sprinkles. Not only does the thought of having a Husband that bakes my favourite cake makes me feel loved, I’m happy that I get to bring a slice of his cake with me to work, to enjoy during my Monday morning tea.

Wishing you all a week filled with sweet moments! Happy Monday!

Affirmation: Wear Your Blessings Well

24 July 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 3 Comments Category: Affirmations, Couples Reflections, Deep Thoughts

Affirmation:

I will wear my blessings well

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Wearing your blessings well doesn’t mean you have to brag about what you have. Sharing your achievements in life doesn’t mean you lack humility or you are a show-off. When done sincerely, basking in the blessings given to you is a way of honouring God’s presence in your life and embracing the abundance God has blessed you with.

I’ve been inspired by Joel Osteen’s thoughts on Wear Your Blessings Well and I thought this is worth sharing.

Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” God is a rewarder of those that seek Him. When you keep God first place and do your best to honor Him, blessings always follow obedience. That means you will come into increase, promotion and good breaks you didn’t necessarily deserve. When blessings come, God desires that you wear His blessings well so you can be an example of His goodness and display His greatness to others. This means you are quick to give God the credit when credit is due. This means instead of feeling guilty for being blessed, you are thankful for His blessings and receive them with gratitude.

Let God make an example of what it means to live a blessed, prosperous, abundant life through your life. We are His great representatives here on earth! Don’t hide what God has blessed you with from the world. Learn to let God’s goodness shine brightly in your life each and every day and wear His blessings well.

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Here’s another worthy read: some key points from Joel Osteen’s talk on Wear Your Blessings Well:

When you’re blessed, the haters come out. When you step up to a new level, the backbiters show up. When you wear God’s blessings well, don’t be surprised if it draws jealousy out on people . But we got to get to a point where we say not arrogantly but in all HUMILITY, “I’m gonna wear God’s blessings well in spite of who doesn’t like it. I’m gonna take this promotion in spite of who gets jealous. I’m gonna wear this beautiful material blessings in spite of who gets envious. I’m gonna drive this brand new car in spite of who criticizes. I’m gonna move in to this nicer neighborhood in spite of who judges me.

Life is way too short to worry about what everybody things. If friends get jealous and judge you and are critical, you need some new friends. Because true friends celebrate you. True friends encourage and cheer you on. True friends are happy when you succeed.

People may criticize. They may judge you, they may find fault.. but they don’t know what it took to get to where you are. Some people come in at the end of the movie and they see you blessed, and prosperous and healthy, and sober and free and happy and they want to judge you and criticize. But the problem is, they missed the 1st part. They didn’t see the sacrifices you’ve made. They didn’t see the struggles that you endure. They didn’t see the battles that you’ve fought. The times you felt like giving up but you kept pressing forward. The nights that you stayed up and prayed and believed and gave and served. They didn’t see the price that was paid to get you to where you are. And that blessing may look free, but the truth is it cost you something.

Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for the favor, the honor, the peace, the victory that God has given you. Somebody paid the price. Seeds were sown. That is God honouring your past, faith, your sacrifices, your faithfulness. Don’t hide your gifts and blessings God gave it to you. People are always gonna talk. That’s their problem not yours. If you will always wear your blessings well.. BEING QUICK TO ALWAYS GIVE GOD THE CREDIT, then there’s no limit to where God could take you. He’ll make you an example of what it means to LIVE A BLESSED, PROSPEROUS, ABUNDANT LIFE.

If you want to watch the video, please click this link.

AWCL turns Four Years!

17 July 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 10 Comments Category: Blog Life, Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts

Five years ago, I started blogging via my Multiply site and then a year after, a few months after I got married, I officially created “A Wife’s Charmed Life” (AWCL). Since then, it has been a great ride of sharing experiences, thoughts, gastronomical and travel adventures through writing and photographs, meeting friends and somehow creating a community of bloggers who share the same interests as mine.

Last year, this blog has gifted me with the opportunity to be a part of a Filipino newspaper here in Sydney called “Ang Kalatas“. From my little world in the blogosphere, I also now share my life experiences through my column “Life Down Under“.

It has been truly a wonderful journey of writing and sharing photographs that I’m still enjoying enormously and I will continue doing so no matter how busier my life gets.

I’m grateful
…for every story you share back with me
…for every comment, question and email you sent my way
…for the “likes” in FB and retweets in twitter
…for the links back to my blog entries
…for every appreciation you’ve let me known
…for recommendations, tips and leads so I can share it via my blog
…for spending time in my little home in the blogosphere.

If you have passed by AWCL, thank you very much! And if my story and photographs have made you smiled, made you feel good or let you learned anything, the honour and pleasure has always been mine.

Cheers to more years of writing and sharing!

Welcome HOME.

24 May 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 8 Comments Category: Blog Life, Deep Thoughts

I’m slowly easing myself into work as I’ve finally came back last week. I was a bit overwhelmed when I got back because everyone were so happy and relieved to see me, plus the fact that my presence at work is badly needed already (we are launching a “new” training program in July). I was warmly welcomed with big and long hugs by everyone and some of our external trainers (whom I have become friends with throughout the years) even called me just to say hello. I’m truly, truly touched.

Welcome Note on My Desk (18 May 2011)

One of my workmate-friends, even emphasized, “Welcome back HOME“. This was due to the fact that I told them that I’m still a bit homesick. Another one said, “But this is your home.” That is true. Sydney is home. Manila is home, too. I take pride in having two homes and I never take that for granted. Which is probably why at this time, I let myself miss Manila a bit more even if it meant hurting a bit.

Anyway, with each day that I’m feeling better (due to flu that I got when I was in Manila), I’m gradually increasing my appetite for work. Slowly, I go back to “my normal”.

Welcome KISSES (Cherry-flavoured Kisses from one of my friends at work)

Speaking of Home, I would like to thank everyone who visits my little home here in the blogosphere, “A Wife’s Charmed Life“. I’ve been “quite absent” in the blogosphere lately, I’m even tweetless in twitter. Since I’m still trying to get myself 100% healthy, I avoid doing numerous tasks at the moment and that includes blogging while doing chores at home.

I have so many things to write about, it’s so overwhelming. We captured thousands of photographs and been to a couple of great places. I would like to write about them soon. But where do I start? How do I begin? Where the hell did my mojo for writing go???? I am asking myself these questions for the past week because I want to start blogging again. My mojo for writing is out there somewhere and I’m faithfully waiting for it to come back while I get 100% well. But I hope it comes back soon.

In the meantime, I’ve started replying to emails and will continue doing so in the coming days.

I have received several requests for an exchange of links and I plan to get on to it soon. If you have linked me up in your site, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Let me know where you’ve linked me up and give me the link to your blog and I will add you to my Love Links page. I don’t mind being linked up and I don’t mind giving the favor back to you. You can let me know by leaving a comment on this blog post OR by leaving a comment in the Love Links page of this blog.

Thank you for your time. I wish you a week full of abundant blessings!