Beyond blessed.

I know this has been LOOOOOOOONG overdue, but I am quite surprised that there are still some who manage to visit my blog. (thank you thank you!) Now I am just overwhelmed with all the blessings that the whole family is receiving lately, my heart is full that I cannot contain my happiness. 

I guess almost everyone is aware that we have already started operating our newest business, a McDonalds store. Located somewhere in Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria Bulacan. (if you haven't visited it yet, you just might want to come, we'll be more than willing to serve you!) Hehe, nagpromote pa! Anyway, I'm not quite sure about what this post will be all about, be it about the new store, the very very busy me, but maybe, I just want to rekindle an old love that I have inside me, the love for writing. (I am a frustrated writer, you know!) So anyway, let me take it one by one, as admittedly, I am still SHOOKT (is that how millenials call it?) with what is happening in my life lately.

Restaurant Manager

I was assigned to head the store. (For some reasons, baka wala lang gustong mag manage sa family, because of stress and pressure lol) And mind you, managing a fast food restaurant is extremely stressful challenging! The demands of our customers will always be there. Fast food, so dapat fast! (Malamang.) I never had a decent rest day since the store opened. I was able to take a day out from work when I had to bring Matti to the hospital because he was sick. That's just it. Demand level: 100000%. Now I've appreciated my training more than ever! I've experienced making sandwiches, sundaes, everything! It is physically, mentally and emotionally draining to be a restaurant manager. Not to mention my course that is in no way related to the food industry! But surprisingly, despite all the pressure and everyday challenges that I get to face, I am enjoying the journey! Parang bring it on! Haha, I know the whole store is still in the period of adjustment, but mind you, I can see a lot of people improving, some are already in line for promotion! Could have been prouder of my team. And yes, to those who had been continuously giving us appreciative and constructive feedback, sending my virtual hugs to everyone! McDo Sta. Clara is doing its best to serve you the best way that we can. On a personal note, I am very thankful, that my parents gave me the chance to prove myself, may ibubuga rin naman ako. I will not disappoint my family! Fighting! But more importantly, I had been filling my thoughts with my inspiration, my son Matti and my husband John. They had been my great source of inspiration and motivation to keep going.

Daughter

The reason why we had this store is because my parents worked hard to provide us with the best life that we can have. Started from the bottom now we're here! It is not a secret that we started from nothing, and now we (especially nanay and tatay) are enjoying the fruits of their hard work. I actually admire them and look up to them that they manage to raise five good looking (o walang kokontra, blog ko kasi to!) children and work hard for the family. Now it's just Dean who is studying and they're all good. Now that we have started (yes, because our goal is to come up with more, God willing) exploring the food industry, I am looking forward to more branches to come. Which reminds me... that depends on me. (and my team) Having said that, it reminded me of the responsibility that they have given me. Since I was assigned to head the store, I have to be the RM slash Owner Operator slash the daughter of my parents. Meaning, I have to command and at the same time oblige. It's hard at times, but I am still knowing the drill. Although, I must admit that I also have a love-hate relationship with naytay because since I get to learn the nitty gritty details of the store, and they only got the customer's perspective of things, it is quite hard to reconcile. But we're both learning. This is a team effort and I appreciate all the help from the family. Ang takaw nga lang nila sa kape at chicken mcdo. hahaha! I have learned how to compromise actually.

Wife and mother

Like what I have mentioned, I get my inspiration from my boys. There are times when I go home at night and John would just talk to me for a few minutes and the next time I knew it, he's already snoring. Managing a restaurant requires a lot of time. I miss my boys. I look back to the days where we go out, do staycation and the like. But now that we are starting a business, I just look forward to the days where I can stay with them all day and enjoy. (Fast forward to November please!) I thank God for giving me a husband who understands. Mind you, John is one of the most understanding people that I knew! He knows that I am busy and is doing his best to be the best husband to me and a father to Matti when I am not around. I've realized that for a marriage to work, you have to understand and support each other. 

Now Matti. You know it hurts me to go home and see Matti sleeping already. As a working mom, it's so hard to leave the house and see Matti crying "mama mama". But on a larger note, I am doing this for him. Cliche as it may seem, I am doing this for him. John and I are working hard to give Matti a comfortable life and a bright future ahead. Growing up I did not understand why nanay or tatay skipped my recognition, the inter-school singing contest that I joined (oo songers ako noon! hahaha ewan ko kung bakit!), but now that I am a mom, I understand that there are things that one should sacrifice in order to live. But please don't get me wrong on this, we all have different perspectives when it comes to things. As a mom, I promise to be there for Matti when he needs me. Which is why I also thank my parents for allowing me to skip work to have Matti checked when he was sick. Maybe, my parents are at peace back then since my inang Anita was there for me. (oh how I miss her.) Matti will always be my priority. I'd say I am still in the period of adjustment nowadays, but yes, I am getting there. It says it takes a village to raise a child. True. I am thankful with the family that I have, since when mama is at work, preparing sandwiches and breading chicken, dodo and dada plays with Matti at home. Really, tatay ko sumbungan ni Matti! He's so close to my parents that when I get mad, he'll go to their room and ask his dodo and dada to support him. Mahusay na bata! And so I tell Matti, okay Matti, you ask lolo and lola for toys and clothes. haha! But how can you not love my son? He's so bright (memorized the alphabet, counted 1-10, haha proud momma moment!), and adorable too! He's a people person I must say. He's always happy, and smiling! He even knows when to say sorry and thank you! (of course I am biased, he's my son!) I must have done something good in my life that God gave me Matti. :)

So there, that pretty much sums up my life so far. I still have more to share, pero baka majinx kasi, so I'll just tell you the story when it's all done and ready. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in Mcdo Sta. Clara one of these days! xx

much love,

Niki

Happy BIrthday to me! :)

So I just celebrated my 27th birthday yesterday. I filed a leave from work just because I don't want stress on my birthday and crying isn't really my thing yesterday. I just wanted to celebrate and be happy that God gave me another year! I feel a bit bad that my husband is working that day (we have this unwritten agreement to spend our birthdays together), but thank God he finished work a bit earlier so he spent some time with me. :)

I just had an ordinary day yesterday. I decided to dropped by my favorite church, (Quiapo church), where I prayed hard for this little bacon growing inside my tummy. The church is so meaningful to me that it has been my sanctuary when I feel like I will never have a boyfriend after a very traumatic heartbreak. And now, I have a very supportive and loving husband and we're expecting a baby this year. What more can I ask for?

And so after I prayed and had my little thanksgiving, I went near my husband's office to wait. Spent some time alone just to reflect and feel really fortunate to have more than what I deserve. I know I have been very blessed. I also came to the realization that now that we will have our little family, they will be the most important people in my life ever! I will do everything to protect my family and will forever be there for them. I know I can never be ready to be a mom (no matter how hard I prepare) but with God's guidance and my husband's support, things will be easier for me. As early as now, I also feel that I have a very obedient baby (Because when paranoia strikes if the baby is doing well, I talk to him/her and tell him/her to make his/her presence felt, and then after a few hours, I am having nausea attacks again.) and even if I haven't hugged and kissed him/her, I already love her! My husband has also been very caring and loving, baby bacon is lucky he/she will be having an awesome father!

So I just set a simple dinner with few of my closest friends to celebrate. Nothing fancy, just a little something good enough for everyone.

I never have a dull moment with these guys. I had unlimited laughter and nonsense (but fun) stories last night. We may have different paths and priorities now, but I have thankful that we never lost the friendship along the way. Still the same, simple things make us happy! I might have lost some people in the process, I only have a handful of friends whom I share everything with, and I am happy that I stayed with these people. They saw me laugh, cry, cry harder, smiled, and laughed again. :)

And in connection, I am so happy that Joanna gave me a bag of candies! Nerds and other gummy candies! (Alam na talaga mahilig ako sa maasim!) But this is my favorite! Hello kitty and then it's super sour! Haha, ang babaw ko talaga!

Too bad I was not able to take a "welfie" of me and my husband. I just find this picture cute, so I'm posting it now because this guy deserves a shout out. (Warning, extremely mushy post ahead) I know our married life have never been a walk in the park. Trials come along and it had been really hard for someone like me, who always sees the glass half empty when the going gets tough. But having you as the first person I see when I open my eyes and the last person I cuddle before I sleep makes everything easier. I know we will never have everything and sometimes pressure from other people makes our life harder, but your positive outlook towards the life ahead of us helps me to feel that it wouldn't hurt to be positive. You inspire me to be better everyday. You are always there to listen when I rant about emotional stress. You have been my secret keeper, my husband, my best friend. Your love is more than enough for me to keep going. I love you and I will always thank the good Lord for the day that you've sen't me the message "Hi Niki, si John to, kamusta na?". 

Last night, before we sleep, I hugged my husband tight and told him, you are the best gift that God gave me bi. And then he hugged me back, touched my tummy and said, no, this is the best gift. And then I said, "diba bigay mo yan sakin? haha" And then he answered, "si Lord ang nagbigay nyan sa atin." And just like that, I am reminded again of the blessing that God has given us. He had been so good to us that we are having our baby despite the hardships that we experienced before that. Now I have more reasons to give back. :)

And that's all folks, it is indeed one of the simplest birthdays that I had. But it is the most important so far because of this baby growing inside me that will always remind me of how blessed I am.


Much love,

(birthday selfie :P)

Happy First! :)

This is probably one of my favorite wedding pictures of ours. My husband is such a funny soul (obvious naman diba) and the camera captured this moment. A year ago, I got married to my best friend. It was indeed a memorable date... 1.4.14. Our wedding was two years in the making, we got engaged July 18, 2012 (his birthday) and got married on the first Saturday of 2014. And last Sunday marks the first year of our marriage. 

Looking back, our year had been a tough one. I've decided to let go of our life in the city and go back to Bulacan to help in my parents' business. (That is a huge sacrifice in my husband's part, as his work is in Manila) It was indeed one of the toughest decisions that we have made as a new married couple. We looked for a small room in Bulacan and stayed there. It is a mutual decision not to stay in my parents' house. We are both raised to be independent. Also, we had our ups and downs as a newly-wed. But because of that, I have learned how to compromise and accept John's strengths and weaknesses. In the same manner, he learned how to handle me in my worst slate. (I am the most topakin person ever!) As early as now, I realized that God gave me a very patient and loving husband, I know he will always give the best that he can for me and our future kids.

The day wasn't really how I planned it to be. Because of some priorities, we decided to stay in our humble home the whole day because I need some rest. So I just slept the whole day. When I felt better that night, we decided to watch a movie and ate dinner somewhere.

I'm so happy with what my husband gave me, a carrier charm and a bouquet of beautiful flowers!:) Thank you hubby, you really know what I love!

And to cap the night, we had dinner at Manam. We went to Fairview Terraces because he got curious of the place. I can't walk that much so after the dinner and the movie, we went home. It was indeed the simplest anniversary that we had since we became bf-gf, but I am beyond blessed that God gave us our number 1 wish this year. He promised me that when I get better, we will celebrate somewhere else. :) Still, I am really happy spending my life with my weirdo. I couldn't imagine it the other way around anyway. :)

much love,

I'm not sleeping with him.

How intriguing the title! :D hahaha, last Tuesday, my sister tagged me and my guy best friend in a photo which says "My best friend is a guy and I'm not sleeping with him." So para medyo intriguing, yan nilagay ko. :P Since I am filled with chikas and all nowadays. So anyway, I remember posting something about Manuel long time ago. That I'd rather settle for something permanent than something that I might lose along the way.

How I wish I can share something that had happened a couple of days ago. But to make the long story short, I came to realize that there are just some people who are meant to push you to your limits. And the best response? The art of deadma. Manuel and I had been friends since high school. Apart from my husband, I consider him to be my bestest guy friend, just because we have this "platonic special connection" which we both know will stay forever. (naks!) So last Tuesday, our friendship was put into test, by someone who is really clueless of what had REALLY happened. Some people are putting malicious levels on us. I want to laugh hard, just because that is not true! Not at all. In fact, we had this conversation about "kahit maghubad ka sa harap ko, di kita papatulan!" And it's mutual! I tell him everything about me, and he does the same! That is why I wonder why people are just too malicious to think that there is "something" happening between us. FYI, I am married. And cheating with my husband is really not my cup of tea. I mean, yes, Manuel and I go out, oftentimes we eat out and have coffee alone, and we'd rather have it that way (just because there are some issues that he's not comfortable to share to anybody else except ME.). And I can't see anything wrong with that!

So just to pacify the issue, I, no scrap that, we decided to keep things on ourselves and just see people bury themselves to negative vibes. All I know is that I got my guy bestfriend no matter what. :)

To add good vibes, I'm sharing some of our fancy pictures over the years. ;)

I just hope everyone will find someone like Manuel in their life. Someone who will be your friend for the rest of your life, no matter what. I am just so blessed to have a guy bestfriend in him. And yes, I am not sleeping with my bestfriend. ;)

much love,

9th cravings day!:)

I've been craving for steak for two weeks now. And being a spoiled wife, my husband granted my wish! Yummers!!! :)

8th happy movie day!:)

Unexpected "free" movie date tonight made me happy! :)

7th sweet day!:)

I'm not really a fan of sweets, but Ernie and Bert got me here! Treating myself and the hubby after my stressful days with ice cream!

6th cheesy happy day. 😘

My husband has always been one of my greatest source of happiness. The only man who made me realize that I am worth those precious rings in my finger now. <3

4th happy day. :)

And it's time to get healthy this time! I'm sharing a bowl of fresh berries that I had this morning for Rustans Century Mall opening. Berries are my ultimate favorite! Happy food!!! :)

3rd day!

Okay this is something work-related. Spell facing?? Thank you Market Market for a very good display!! :)

Happiness Day 2!

I don't know if the everyday stress from work is making this challenge harder for me.. But who cares? I have the best husband in the world!!

Mushy as it can be, I am so blessed to have the ever patient and loving partner. With that I am forever thankful. :)

I will be happier, one day at a time. :)

Lately, I've been really as in REALLY stressed in work. With all the adjustments of working in a company where I am in right now, everything should be understood ASAP. Coming from advertising, I must say that this is an entirely different industry. The word planogram is not enough! Only that, allow me to brag a little, I was able to come up with a business review all by myself! (Thanks to Rhea, for helping me, even if it means staying up to three in the morning!)

Anyway, I came across this website 100 happy days challenge and it instantly motivated me to be happy despite the stress of my everyday life! Ang dami ko pading blessings na natatanggap! So allow me to join this happy bandwagon, I am sharing nothing but happy thoughts! And to start...

Potato corner (saggy please) made me happy today! I know it's full of oil, and flavorings, but it's my forever comfort food!! Like when I am sad, (or even if I'm not), I eat friesss! I even bring packed lunch just to have extra money to buy fries! 

And today, even if my work is eating me alive, I am thankful that God invented Potato Corner! :)