grateful

Happy birthday to me! I have two birthdays now- first is the day I was born and second is the day my raison d'etre was born. Umm, not exactly my raison d'etre, OA naman, more like what's keeping me busy these days (aside from Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, etc).

Anyway, it's our business' 4th anniversary! We've been in operation for 12,520 hours already, way past the magic number of greatness: 10,000 hours. Yeah, baby, we're the greatest here. No chinky-eyed Chongga can take that away from me. Can't believe it's been four years since we first opened our doors. Four years, four massage therapists, six nail techs and 20 lbs later, I'm semi-fulfilled of what we have achieved so far- being the top of mind when it comes to nail care. Semi-fulfilled lang because I know there's so much more room for improvement. I hope maging super sipag ako para bumongga pa kami nang bonggang-bongga ☺

My hopes and dreams for my baby:

1. More clients and less lull time
2. No more drama (both intra- and inter-NS drama)
3. Expansion!
4. More services- I want Minx and Shellac sana pero parang masalimuot, pero I super like. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Isama mo na eyes. That's how much I want them. 
5. that we'll last for 50 more years
6. for the copycats to fall by the wayside

 Four years ago, when everything was still in mint condition.

A little worn-out now and in need of refurbishing. 

SOON.

Anyway, cooked for tonight's anniversary dinner with my cheeky girls. Not a fan of kitchen duty here but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Can't leave it all up to my gehls. Cooked spaghetti, buffalo wings and grilled liempo. FTW! This is the second time I cooked spaghetti, first time was back in high school pa. Surprisingly, I enjoyed cooking. I think I want to cook another dish soon. 

Grateful to God for everything. Also thankful to all our clients for their continued patronage. We wouldn't be here without them. HAPPINESS ☺

Mommy's Birthday
The family celebrated mommy's birthday a day earlier. It was celebrated a day in advance since AC was supposedly going on a trip to Vietnam and would not be here on May 2nd (today). Originally, it was planned to be a lunch date at Trinoma; However, since my daddy just arrived from the province, we had to postpone it for later so he could rest even for a while.

We were never really fond of big fiestas. We just had a family dinner at Conti's with one of my aunts. The food was really, really good but their service really, really sucks. As in. They would get our plates from the table without even asking if we're done. While I was reaching for the cake, the waiter got my Coke can without even asking, semi-shoving my arm aside. It took forever before the food was served and the most bastos thing was when they gave the bill to my mom. My mom was still looking and double-checking the order when all of a sudden, the waitress abruptly took the receipt from my mother's hand upon learning that it's my sister who's paying. I saw her do it right before my very eyes and I couldn't believe what I saw. Good thing my father didn't see what that waitress did or else, nasermonan siya. Good thing the food was really good and it compensated for the terrible service.

Market Research
AD and I were late for dinner since we conducted a little market research on the side. She actually had a meeting scheduled at 4pm but we managed to squeeze in a nail spa visit before that. The nail spa was located at Timog. It was a neighborhood nail spa, a lot similar like ours, but their neighborhood is much more upscale and encompasses a much larger area.

The place was small and a little cramped. I guess it's their way of maximizing space. It was also a little noisy since their staffs kept chatting even when there were customers around. The seats were cushy but they're not conducive to relaxation. What I liked was the fact that they use imported polishes such as OPI, Essie and China Glaze. I also loved the body scrub they used on me, I think it's that Tropical Fusion schnitz. It smells soooo good. *idea*

I really need a better air-conditioning system. Or maybe I just need to transfer it somewhere where there's better air circulation?

BTW, something in here made me smile and proud of what I currently do.

Ano ba talaga, koya?
Actually, more of Ano ba talaga, father dear?

And so we tackle again the subject of whether or not I should go to law school. I managed to escape law school a few years back and just when I thought that my father has accepted the fact that I will never be a lawyer, we're back to square one.

Just tonight, over dinner... the topic of me going to law school was reopened. And now I'm torn whether or not I should go back. A part of me feels guilty of being not able to fulfill my father's dream for me and do just that, fulfill my father's dream I mean. Personally, I don't want anything to do with the legal profession. I just don't think I'm cut for that type of job. I can't even get my 5-peso change, 'no!

According to my father, I am taking the path of least resistance. Honestly and sadly, it's true. I'm not proud of it and I'm frustrated about it. And so I'm giving myself one year to prove that I don't need a title to be successful. If after one year and I'm still an aimless soul, maybe I'll give law school a try. Wow! Pressure on myself to do good... What to do? What to do? Kailangan ng mataimtimang pagdarasal at pagninilay-nilay ito. I need to prove myself. TO ALL OF THEM!

I need to talk to Joji about this, ask questions, etc.

Vintage Vanessa
I'm excited for Vanessa Carlton's Manila Tour! And so I'm getting re-acquainted with her songs just so hindi ako lost when I watch her perform on May 10.

I've been doing some research~ bio, songs and lyrics and recent activities. Apparently, she's currently into vintage. I'm not sure if she's the one into vintage or that's just the theme they adopted for her current album. Either way, I love it! Check out her Nolita Fairytale music video and you'll see what I mean ;)
I loved her songs ever since she started. I'm just not fond of listening to an entire album kaya hindi ko alam lahat ng songs niya. I'm more of a Top-40 kind of girl, I rely too much what's on radio and the music channels. But I know that I liked all of her songs that were released commercially. Her songs and that of Michelle Branch. Sila ang medyo magkapareho ng repertoire.

Super excited!!!!!!!!!! I wish she'll sing her songs from before and not just the songs that are in her current album. E-X-C-I-T-E-D A-K-O!

Workshop Day#2. Company Xmas Party.

2 down. 2 more days to go!

Yahoo! I am getting closer and closer to the end of this workshop. It's not that it's a bad workshop. I just feel that I am not really getting THAT much. Well, I enrolled in this workshop cos it might give light to areas we're having difficulty with or it might help us deal with the problems we're having in the spa. Apparently, everything is theoretical. Ya, and there's also valuable experience shared to us by spa owners but I don't think I'm that caliber naman to really worry about 35 massage rooms! They weren't able to help me with the HR aspect and also as to where I could get cheaper supplies. They've given helpful tips on how to manage and hopefully, they would come in handy in the near future. Who doesn't want to have 35 massage rooms and all of them fully-booked?

And guess what? I am actually making progress with my inter-personal skills! I am actually making friends! Isn't that great? Well, not really. Hindi ko alam kung may saysay ang pakikipag-connect ko sa mga classmates ko. Well, maybe I could keep in touch with some of them, just for future reference. Hahaha.

In a little while, we'll be having our Christmas party. I am no longer connected-connected with the company but technically, I am still part of it since I work part-time, doing customer retention.

Sana maging masaya. Kahit na makikita ko yung pangit na baboy :\

Workshop Day#1

1 down. 3 more days to go.

Ya, I know I should be taking this seriously since this is no joke and we have paid money to actually learn something from it that would help or teach us how to run our business. Or I might be taking it too seriously that minute by minute, I feel the responsibility getting heavier.

They say that this business is something that one should really LOOOOOVE to do since if you're only in it for the money, it is not for you. And it is not also the industry that will bring you lots of moolah. I dunno. They're experts in this field so I should be believing every word they say, right. Which poses the question, am I the right person to manage the spa? I am not even fond of getting manipeds.

Moving on...

Although I must say that I am enjoying this workshop. Pero sana all speakers are as good as the 2nd speaker. The first speaker, the one who did the introduction and stuff, she's good and an expert in her field but she's too stiff, too boring. The 2nd speaker was great. The time just whizzed by. It was fun listening to her. While the 3rd speaker, I kenat anderstand her that much. She tok like dis. And she's so arte... putting down the Piripins even dho she is Piripina. (Ergo, the question: Is it more annoying if Filipinos put down their own country than if foreigners do it? Maybe, there's a manner of saying it that wouldn't come across as too arrogant).

Haay... I love it that I am learning lots of things but I am also hoping that the days would quickly pass by. I am a loner in this class kasi. All of them are gurangers na. And I feel oh so out of place since they're all handling big-time spas while I run sa tiny, tiny day spa in an inconspicuous, insignificant area in Metro Manila. Can't relate ako.