Simple Pleasures

Take my advise, don't let your parents fool you of jointly buying properties. You may get yourself caught up in a parent trap. Eventhough now is a good time to buy property but make sure that property is not as liquid as cash ergo you cannot divide property especially if it is a condo unit.

Yeah sure, long term din naman yan eh. But think about it. Just when you're at an age when liquidity is important, you ought to be saving it in fixed income with long maturity rates to ensure that you will have something to fall back in case of emergency. Right now, I'm down to zero state of liquidity for the reason that half of my salary goes to monthly amortization on one condo unit that we couldn't live in yet. How I got myself into this mess? Out of my the goodness of my stupid heart thanks to mom. My mom asked me if I want to help her out get a property in mandaluyong. She said that around five years time, it will be built and rented out so it will pay for itself. And since I trust my own mother, I jumped in without having second thoughts thinking that my money will be put to good use. Certain luxuries were sacrificed which was easy however, as the years progressed. I realized that I got myself caught in a dilemma.

You see, I'm at this age when I can think for myself and plan for the years ahead. I didn't realize that I had to pay this monthly amortization rate for 12 years. Meaning, I'll be in my early thirties paying up for that property when I should be paying up for myself living on my own and for my future family. When can still have the condo unit rented out but the rent cannot cover for its monthly amortization. Even if you rent out the 3-bedroom condo for 20k/mo won't even cover the whole deal. I still need to pay out nevertheless.

Here's more, it gets worse when an aunt of mine couldn't pay up with hers and sold the property to my mom. In turn, my mom asked for my help to help her with the other half of the amortization of that other property. As a daughter, I can't say no. Pero naman, sana they should have given enough thought before jumping into it.

Another disadvantage that I see is this: fast forward 30-40 years from now with my parents dead, the deed of the property belongs to whom? Luckily the title of the first condo unit was named after me but I don't want to get into caught within the trouble called paperwork and dividing up the assets of the family with my two other siblings. I want everything clearcut without any problems otherwise this may instigate a possible feud, which is so common among siblings.

With this mindset, I proposed to her if I have it refinanced through a bank and pay her out but she feels reluctant with the suggestion that I made. When I think about it, this is probably one of their ways to get through their elderly days.

I wanted to think I'm helping them nor I could put the blame on them. But I couldn't help thinking what happens for my own good. My own future when one should keep money that should be easily available when extremely needed. I can't live the life I wanted because I'm forced to save. How can I achieve my dream of independence when the money I earned is stuck in some long-term depreciating property that I can't even live in.

So when it comes to properties and parents, think thrice before buying. You'll never know what you can get yourself into.

Yeah, I'm one of those quiet people when asked if there's something I could improve to that person, I say nothing because if I say anything, it might turn out the worse of them.

Yeah, I'm one of those people who silently pipes hot when fuming and just walks out the door for the simple reason that I don't want to speak foolishly first and regret later.

Yeah, I'm one of those people who chooses to keep my secrets with despite being read like an open book. Somebody should hire me as a secret agent for this.

And yeah I'm one of those secret pessimists with an amazing optimist attitude because that's what everybody wants to see. Who would want to hang out with such a big hater of reality. How do I do it? I let my mind go blank when I want to feel err happy.

I'm getting back the same level of stress I had last year. My pain at my nape is getting worse everyday and I'm still working my butt for more than 12 hours. I guess the only things left for me to enjoy are my java study groups and rare meetings with old friends.

***

I'm thinking about going back to smoking to release some of it. I know it's not worth it but I need something to vent it somehow.

***

I've also wasted money to enroll to a gym (again!) along salcedo street. I needed to lose weight and probably the best way to beat stress. The consultant included to have a personal trainer in the program (which cost about 70% of what I pad in the 3 month programme), but what the hell. I had to do it anyway and I need someone to watch after me to see that I'm doing it properly.

***

I've done my financial forecast too for the next 4 months and I realized that I have nothing left to save for myself (unless you call insurance my savings, that's a different matter) unless my bonus arrives by mid-year. Sana! Sana! Sana! So I can get rid my HSBC card once and for all. At least I could look forward to freeing up around 7k worth when April comes, by which will also go to insurance. Huhuhu!

***

The SCWCD Sig was fun yesterday despite the small numbers (only three of us showed up in 6750 with me being uber-late as usual). Nevertheless, all of us learned a lot and had a healthy exchange of ideas for about two hours. I'll be looking forward to another meeting next week and hopefully I get my readings finished by then.

***

I'm down with one and a half days to finish my presentation for the SCJP Sig this Thursday evening. By tomorrow, it will be master procrastinator at work. Ha!

***

Putang-inang-shet! Nadali nanaman ako ng D.O.M kanina. Ayoko sanang pansinin kasi ayokong magpahalata na umiiwas ako. Tsaka bagong rebond ang hair ko at naka-shades pa ako para di ako makilala. Lusot sana ako nang pina-upo ako sa harap kaso shuttle niya pala yung nasakyan ko. Nang nakasakay na ako, sabay sakay ng matanda sa driver seat at binati ako kesyo ang tagal na naming hindi nagkikita. Nang umalis na ang sasakyan, panay tanong kung kelan daw kami nag lulunch. Pakingshet!

Heto pa! Nang may dumaan ng mercedes two-door sa skyway, sabi niya pag nanalo daw siya ng lotto bibili daw siya ng ganon tapos pasasakayin niya ako dun at ipapaderecho niya sa baguio. Sabay hirit, isang linggo ako dun. As if impressed ako. Sabay hirit ko, pag nanalo ako ng lotto, bibili ako ng isang mansion sa bundok at doon ako mamumundok ako. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na kaya ko gusto mamundok ay para di ko na siya makita pero di ko na sinabi baka ihagis ako papalabas ng sasakyan at lalo akong ma-late.

Nung dumating na kami sa Amorsolo, atat na akong bumaba. Ayaw pa niya akong pababain dahil alam niya di ako doon bumaba. Sabi ko sa kanya late na talaga ako at ayokong matrapik. Awa ng diyos pinababa ako.

Parang ayaw ko muna sumakay ng shuttle tuloy. Bahala na!

I've found one tutorial about Ruby on Rails. Perhaps it's worth checking it out.

http://www.onlamp.com/lpt/a/5546

I was looking at graduate studies program offered by Penn State. Their financial aid program through teaching assistance looks promising, however I was dishearted to find out that Foreign Graduate students can't be admitted into the university's payroll because it will violate what is stipulated in their student visas.

***

A friend of mine found someone who happens to be my namesake and almost my "size".

***

For the past week, the team was so busy trying to complete a demo version of the application we are building. I was grumpy to almost all of my friends that I was still being lethargic over lunch. I've been going home late for the past few days. As it turns out, we were not been able to complete it this week and the demo to HK has been put off till next week. I still have to carry this burden till next week.

***


There is a thing called the Philippine Blog Awards. I was surprised to see so many respondents in this site and even checked out those who won last year. I feel I want to submit my blog but then I thought, I'm not really after the prestige (naks! hambog effect) but putting the blog as an effective tool to log my thoughts. Otherwise, I would have advertised my blog everywhere and have so many respondents in this site (more hambog effect).


You know what, I should submit http://pinoytechscene.mparaz.com. It was the best informative blog spot I've ever read so far. Far better than the ones I've browsed in the list of candidates in the blog awares (Biased kasi!).

***

I was asked if ever my husband or boyfriend would be decapitated whilst being together, will I leave him. My answer is no. Why? My mom has been taking care of my dad who was disabled from a car accident last 1989. It was a struggle for them but if it wasn't for my mother's love, she can't possibly raise three children and be the bread winner of the family. Seeing my mom's strength and perseverance this past years, I believe that love will go above all boundaries and hardships and that love will carry me through my trials if my beloved becomes incapable of fulfilling his responsibilities because of such an unfortunate incident.

"Love should be a solid rock, unmovable and cannot be weathered by elements nor time."

I think I can easily fall in love with a guy who can sing and smile like Marc Abaya. Even better if he IS Marc Abaya, half-naked shouting "Bastusan na!".  

I'm sorta happy about what happened this week. I made a couple of accomplishments for myself. I've been trying to start saving money out of my 200 peso daily allowance. This includes meals, shuttle and trike fares. I have to try to save at least 50-70 pesos of those. Luckily, I have developed a sudden fondness of collecting 5 peso coins to feed my new piggy bank, so that goes well within my objective. Also, I've been bringing packed lunch at work to save more money. With the help of my pregnant friend who was also working on a tight budget, I have my daily lunch companion.

Addition to my accomplishments includes being able to resist buying a half-gallon of all-new magnolia ice cream, two seasons of Alias on pirated DVD, De-Lovely Pirated DVD and a plush gym membership.

Also, my kumpare offered me a discounted round trip ticket to the US worth USD 800+. The lucky smuck won his plane ticket from a raffle sponsored by his company. He needs to sell it off to pay up his credit card. Too bad I don't have enough money to grab it. Tsk tsk tsk.

I was able to wipe out my debt on one of my credit cards. Hurrah! That leaves me one credit card with still 5-figures to wipe out.

Sad to say, the money I saved that week (except that ones that was fed on my beloved piggy bank) were spent on "accidental" gimmicks and a single purchase of Bath and Body White Tea and Ginger Hand Santizer.

Oh well, better luck next week.

To start the new year at work, I accidentally deleted a year's worth of archived emails, a sure way to forget the past year.

1. I will never be late for work.
2. I will learn how to bike
3. I will learn how to drive a car
4. I will save money and spend it wisely.
5. I will lose at least 20 lbs and not gain it back
6. I will scuba dive or mountain climb whichever goes first.
7. I will never let any man lead me away from my dreams
8. I will get certified at least thrice this year
9. I will find opportunities outside the country.
10. I will improve my focus and finish the work I have while I'm at it.
11. I will manage my time properly between work, studies and personal life.
12. I will hang out with my friends more often.
13. I will always pray at night.
14. I will start a sideline. Any sideline that earns me good money.
15. Never run out of patience especially with mom.
16. I will blog more often.
17. I will eat out less often except if it is less than 100 bucks
18. I will be a cheapskate
19. I will pray to God that I can do all these.