How 75k Happened?

So, last December ---Chuck and myself made a very simple resolution to list down our expenses just so we know how to plan, and to "purposely live within the means". We 're on 5th year here in Oz and it is good to know where our money went, how to allocate it wisely.

So, the last 6 months spending total to AU$75k. I am actually stoked of where those monies came from.  I feel like God must have blessed us financially to give us all these in the last 6 months. Mind you, we didn't live with the intetion to save, now, i felt that we are actually living lavishly with these expenses.  That sounds really huge to me especially that we are not earning much here. Maybe , our net income combined is around 120k, so,having had to spend that much first half of the year is over the top!

We had 13k for travels ( NZ and tickets to Philippines) and maybe others, 21k for mortgage so the run- rate would be approximately 6.6k /monthly is really huge. The next project is to trim down .  We need to be realistic with our expenses and really stick into it.  I have been planning to save 3k monthly but that hasn't been realized consistently and  a tad bit disappointing.  

So, some resolutions; 

No Coffee buying going to work. The office has free unlimited Coffee! 

Lunch- limit <10 lunches. Else, pack lunch.

Shopping- No MORE

But....we will continue to be generous. To give back . To be available to others when needed. I will continue to provide for my parents, my mum in law, our grannies who are growing old. 

Despite all these huge expenses, our God is Almighty that I am actually in awe of our capacity to have afforded all these. I feel that I am in a Miracle Trap and I refuse to get  out from it. oh, Lord God, how lucky I am to be in your midst. Thank you. 

But wait there's more! Amidst all these huge expenses, I feel that we have been blessed with so much more actually, there was never this feeling of deprivation but rather abundance. I have always been blessed with this perspective of seeing our cups half full! Praise to you , Oh God who is our greatest provider! 

end goal: Slim down expenses to 5,500/month

I am sorry, Cheyenne!

I am sorry that sometimes Mama is harsh like last night. I should have been more patient and kinder to you.

I am sorry that I am not understanding sometimes. Instead, I ended up imposing my ideas to you without giving you time to think and understand where I am coming from. I was too demanding and intrusive and failed to forget that you are a growing individual that sometimes a day's demand can be too taxing.

I am sorry that I close my ears sometimes and not hear you.  I should give you my 100% attention.

So, I know what I am going to do now.

- i will talk to you gently when I feel irritated at you
- i will be very open of how I feel but not intrusive
- i will try very hard to be patient and this last thing will never change
- i will love You endlessly

And incase you forgot, these are the things that I adore about you.

- You are a smart, happy, joyful girl
- You have that mature disposition and I am so proud of how you manage your day to day independently
-  You always look at brighter side of things and certainly would like more of your fun and quirky side.
- And finally, you came from me and you stole my heart completely.  Nothing can ever change that.

I want you to know that I don't desire you to be PERFECT  , so don't work too much on that. I want you to be happy, helpful , independent , strong but gentle. I know these things will sound ironic but the right time will come when you fully understand and you will choose for yourself which road you are going to take. Whatever that choices will be, I will be here all the way.

Forgive me of my shortcomings, Cheyenne.  Mama is not perfect too.

This photo throwback circa 2014, Hunter Valley

i need POSITIVE Diversion

So, i had to knock into my creative energies to give me a breather.

A breather from people I don't want  to associate with. A breather from conversations that make me NUTS! A breather from people who are impatient, immature and have so much confidence in themselves.  Arrogant, RUDE or should I say selfish, too much LOVE for themselves.

There are people coming and going in our workplace due to the restructure. It is such a happy place before but has now generated too much negative energy. Luckily, I will have the job till end this year but I have uncertainties ahead. Oh, yes, I have and is making me unsure of the future moves, plans but will have give me enough time to prepare for indeed a BIG wave of change is COMING!

So here's a result of the creativity that I have been wanting to do since we arrived from NZ trip.

That Day we Landed on Glaciers
Perhaps one of the most epic, expensive and exciting ride of this lifetime!
This by the way is Cheyenne's favorite in all our NZ escapades. Sometimes, It is hard to please this girl. But I won't forget what she told me the moment we landed Queenstown airport in the midst glacier mountain tops.

She said; " I don't believe Changi Airport (Singapore) is the best airport in the world, it is Queenstown Airport. " How naturally , beautiful it is!

I have to agree. What she said is true.  The place is epic , deserving of Middle-Earth!

and when your HEART knows

"when your heart knows , you can't stop it,  can't explain it,  you can only trust it."


when I married this man, I have no idea how our life would turn out.  I could recall, it was the stage that I am insecure , unsure, arrogant, my pretentious self.

I trusted with my whole heart that I love him but I wasn't ready to see his lows, his weakness against my insecurities, my expectations against his growth. There was a span when we were growing apart. Yes, slowly, the idea of separating from him eats me. I was so ready and sure to give him up and live my life alone! I cringe recalling those days, and I apologize for those dramas.

Fast forward-----our life now. I wouldn't exchange for anything. Our life after 13 years of marriage is indeed the only relationship in this lifetime that have rocked my LIFE in a good way. The children along the way made it even more meaningful but above all else, this man is my favorite person----genuinely, the best friend who makes this world worth living and who amidst all arguments and disagreements is a source of inspiration and strength. Always the better half.

Thank you for not giving up. Oh yes, thank you for despite seeing the ugly side of me, you've chosen to stick around.  You believed and therefore you flourished.

The after-math

Been a month since we took that flight to New Zealand. Life has full of surprises for us and this trip definitely exceeded expectations.  What a wonderful earth we lived! and NZ is so much blessed with the wonders of nature. I am in so much awe, every corner of that country talks to me about LIFE, THANKSGIVING and just to stand still, enjoy moments, breathing the fresh air, taking it all IN!

Life in its purest form. A tree representing hope amidst the changes of the LAKE. It remained beautiful in the low tides. And so does life. This photo represents hope and gratitude of anything that happened, could possibly happen and that innate characteristic of positivity to shine through. LIFE can be turbulent sometimes, it will relentlessly test our aptitude---but the good news is , It is NEVER a RACE to achieve that best version of yourself and while doing so, don't forget to enjoy the MUSIC.

Lately, I have been really out of FOCUS. It is like, there are organization and re -org going through my mind, and not coming through NEAT. For some, they thrive on that, I just can't.  It is nailed in my tendency to be organized.    I can't think well when I go through this stage and it feels like I am only at mediocre of this endeavors I am pursuin'.  Anyway, will need to clean up some clogs and will keep it SIMPLE.  For now, i will take it easy. No stress, no drama. Just living the LIFE.

I have loads of photos from this trip but for now, maybe a snap of my second-born who is growing real FAST and really speaks her mind loudly now which is really funny.

Aussie! oi! oi! oi!

this one ...., to the books!
on the 16th of March 2017, we are finally citizens of Australia. A country that never occurred in my dream. I have never dreamt of working or staying abroad. Thought I would stay through in Pinas and be the Karen that I want my life to be. But GOD had bigger , bolder plans for me. Actually, all my life I tread through the waves of Ups and Downs keeping God in the center , always trusting him.

Oh, next in line --- PASSPORTS!
Cheyenne's school camp coincides with the oath taking ceremony and missed this event.  However, since she is a minor, Chuck accepted the certificate on her behalf.

and just like that, Autumn.

the weather is playing up , wet weekends , cold and hot that sometimes planning for it is a challenge.

BUT, i don't let it stop me from getting out with my kids amidst the fact that I can't drive and Chuck in most Saturdays are not available. Simple, do it on Sundays! Therefore, Saturdays for grocery shopping which I could do on my own and planning for the week's meal. Blah Blah Blah , the story of my weekends will never be OVER. Add to that the ironing and the playing with Kylene and the cleaning a messy place because , toddler. But, I don't mind how messy our place is----it actually is good that Kylene explores stuffs, and keep her interest with toys than gadgets.  Although , the bad mom in me would sometimes hope she stays a bit longer on ipad so that there is peace and quiet home on weekends, I tend to succeed sometimes and that is why, if I am lucky I could stay 3 hours in the kitchen.  Like last weekend. I have prepared 3 kinds of food, and marinated the chicken for Chuck's pack lunch. I love how productive  I was!

So, Sunday when it was supposed to be cold came very HOT HOT HOT even in Bilpin! It is the part in NSW where I was expecting it to be cooler.

and we were picking fresh apples supporting the local farmers and listening intently to their instructions when it comes to picking the fruits. Sadly though, a few comer ignored it and just did whatever they wanted in the farm not putting into consideration the hardwork of the owners. It annoys me . I like visiting farms and be one with the hands of the food I eat and I feel it when they are not respected at all!

That is supposed to be easy to follow. When a row has a 'Check' , then that is good to harvest. Even my 3-year old can follow that!

here's my happy folks! My sis, amidst her " busy" social life joined us today!
To tell you frankly, I am happy when her social life is active!

all i want is a Happy Life.
Amidst the odds, the uncertainties and the anything that comes in Between. (  how gorg my mom is, her lipstick is always on point)

in the yellow fields  of  Bilpin Spring Orchard.