Swipe… Swipe….

I got my very first credit card when I was working with call center. My first credit limit was PHP25,000 and that time it was big amount. Let’s face it being ‘kuripot’ (thrifty) I tried before not to buy things unless it is totally worn out, and this was before when I don’t have credit card.

Lo and Behold, the Kuripot me started swiping my credit card like crazy. But of course that time, I have a big salary and I got this every other week. So the interests and other percentage to be added to my credit card didn’t scare me.

I pay on time and I got good credit line that time. It didn’t occur to me that this plastic card will be a major problem in the future. Let’s face it, credit card companies loves to offer this plastic in call centers because they know “we can pay”.

So what we did, dine here, party there, shopping more, expensive getaways and the likes. And I pay my credit card every month as if my whole paycheck is just destined to pay for my bills. But despite this, I remain the “swipe queen”.

And then when I quit from my call center stint, that’s the time I realized how hard it is to keep a credit card. I have this tendency to swipe it anytime thinking that “Hey I will be able to pay this soon and besides this is “ZEEERRRROOOO” interest purchasing”. Dang, I was so stupid that I didn’t realize that I will be paying more because of that installment basis with “ZEEERRRROOOO” interest. I know, stupid me… Didn’t know that the interest rate is just way way to much.

But now I learned my lesson and decided not to have credit card at all. Yes, I don’t have credit cards anymore.

Here are some tips for you guys to know if you’re heading into Credit Card debt:

1. You use credit to meet basic needs. Your income should be used to buy everyday items like food, clothing, and gas. Having to use credit cards to cover these types of purchases is a sign of financial trouble.

2. You transfer balances to avoid credit card payments. There are times when a credit card balance transfer makes sense, like to consolidate credit card balances or to get a lower interest rate. However, frequently transferring balances instead of making credit card payments is a red flag.

3. You skip one credit card bill to pay another. Prioritizing credit card payments is wise. But skipping payments is always unwise. If you consistently find yourself too strapped for cash to make your credit card payments, you are already in credit card trouble.

4. You avoid or ignore credit card statements. If only wishing away credit cards actually made them go away. Pretending your credit card debt doesn’t exist only gives it time to grow. Facing credit card debt sooner gives you the opportunity to tackle debt before it gets out of control.

5. You charge more than you pay. Imagine trying to fill a hole while someone shoveled out more dirt than you put in. Your hole would never get filled would it? It’s the same with debt. If you’re charging more than you’re paying, your credit card debt will always continue to increase.

6. You don’t have an emergency fund. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you’ll feel forced to use your credit card in emergency situations. Credit card debt created because of large, unexpected expenses can be hard to pay off, especially if your budget is already stretched.

7. You don’t have a plan to pay off your credit card debt. You know what they say, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” If you’re not actively working to pay off your credit card balances, you could end up unnecessarily paying on the cards for years to come. Whether you have excessive credit card debt or not, you should always have a plan to pay off your balances.

8. You use credit to “afford” expensive items. The allure of credit is that it tricks us into thinking we can afford to buy more than we really can. Truth is, only extra income or lower expenses (or both) enables you to afford more expensive items. Incurring credit card debt to maintain a lifestyle you really can’t afford isn’t a wise decision for your future income.

9. You have past due accounts. If you have credit cards that are currently past due, you’ve probably run into unfortunate financial trouble that’s keeping your from making payments. Remember, the more past due your accounts become, the harder it will be to bring them current again. Take a look at your monthly budget for money you could spend to get your credit accounts back on track.

10. You have maxed out credit cards. If your credit cards are all maxed out, you’re not headed for credit card debt, you’re already in it. What next? Make a decision to pay off your credit card debt and to make wiser choices about using your credit cards in the future.

Then I was able to watch this television show about a young lady played by Nikki Gil who is a shopaholic. She swipes her card and buy things that she don’t really need. And the magical credit card that she got is no interest at all. So when she started swiping since she got an unlimited credit limit, she started to change, neglect people around her and her relationships with her boyfriend and bestfriend started to be on the rock. Then when she totally lost them, the credit card bill… It says there that she is paid already. With clothes - she paid it with love, with shoes - she paid it with friendship… so on and so forth. Until she lost her sanity too which is paid to other things she bought.

That made me think, being addicted to shopping and swiping can cause really harm to everyone around you. And because of this, let me try to share tips on how to ‘PROPERLY’ use your plastic cards there.

Consider where you shop. Opt for cards that will earn rewards at stores and services you use most often, or offer savings on items that you actually buy regularly. Airline and hotel discounts, for example, are not particularly useful for those who aren’t frequent travelers.

Project your spending. Figure out how much you’re likely to spend, and translate that into cash back or points, depending on which program your card uses. For points, figure out how many you need to get the rewards you want. Make sure to subtract the annual fee, if your card has one. If you realize that you’d have to spend a small fortune to earn only a tiny reward, try another card.

Favor cash back. Points often end up unused - a plus for the credit card companies who got you to spend more without having to give you anything in return. But cash back accumulates without you actually having to do anything. Plus, Consumer Reports found that cash back cards tend to offer better rewards than point equivalents.

Skip credit if you carry a balance. If you don’t pay your bills of in full, you may want to pass on the rewards cards altogether. Because rewards cards often have higher interest rates, you may end up paying much more in interest than you reap in rewards.

Do the math on do-good programs. Do-gooders might be enticed by cards that give rewards to charity. But they usually pay very low rates - about 25 to 50 cents for every $100 you charge. You’re probably better off going with the cash back, and then sending money to a charity yourself. You’ll end up with a larger donation - and a tax deduction.

Use airline miles fast. If you do still use airline miles and manage to save up enough for a trip, make sure to use them right away. Airlines are always changing their redemption rules, and considering how much the big carriers are struggling these days, holding onto unused miles can cost you.

Avoid temptation. Research has shown that credit card customers are tempted to charge more in order to earn points toward a reward such as new digital camera or set of golf clubs. But overspending for a “freebie” often doesn’t pay.

~By: CNN Money.com

And this tip as well

• Use a credit card for large purchases because they offer the best purchase protection. Pay off our balance each month.
• Use a debit card if you don’t mind having the money come out of your bank account immediately, and as a way to be sure to avoid interest and fees. A debit card offers some protection, but not as much as a credit card.
• Use a check if plastic isn’t an option.
• Use cash at any time. There’s no risk of identity theft and it’s accepted everywhere, but you have little protection in case something goes wrong with the transaction.
• Don’t use your credit card or better not to have any credit card at all.

DON’Ts

* Use your credit card to make everyday purchases. Items like food, clothing, and gas shouldn’t be purchased with a credit card. Using your credit card as a substitute for cash is a habit that can quickly lead to debt. For ordinary purchases, leave your credit card in your wallet and use cash or debit card instead.

* Get into the habit of making minimum-only payments. Making only the minimum payment each month increases the amount of time it will take to pay off your debt. It also increases the amount of interest you end up paying. To pay your debts off quicker and cheaper, you should pay as much as you can on your balance each month.

* Use your credit card to buy things you can’t afford. Living a borrowed lifestyle is the quickest way to get into debt. If you can’t afford a purchase today, chances are you won’t be able to afford it tomorrow, or even next month.

* Close out a credit card without knowing how your credit will be impacted. There are times when closing a credit card can hurt your credit score. Avoid closing cards that still have a balance or those that make up a significant amount of your credit history.

DOs

* Make wise decisions about purchasing items you need versus those you simply want. We’ve all used the word “need” to describe something we really just wanted badly. Using your credit card responsibly means recognizing which things you need and which you just want.

* Let your creditor know in advance if you won’t be able to make your monthly payment on time. The worst thing you can do is simply forgo your credit card payment, no matter the reason. Most creditors will assist you if you let them know before you miss your payment. Simply call your creditor, briefly explain the situation, and ask that any late fees be waived.

* Stay within 30% of your credit limit. A large part of your credit score considers the amount of debt you have. Keeping your balances low helps you maintain a good credit score. Not only that, lower balances are easier to manage than those that are higher.

* Negotiate a lower interest rate. Especially if your current rate is higher than offers you receive. Your interest rate determines how much you pay for carrying a balance on your credit card. Evaluate the interest rate on your credit card periodically to be sure you are getting the best deal possible.

Hope this helps..

 

French Beat Boxer

Watch this video. He is so great. Bravo!

 

The Lost Son

“A young widower, who loved his five year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came who burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and panicked. The took the burnt corpse of an infant to be his son and cried uncontrollably. He organised a cremation ceremony, collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little bag which he always kept with him.

Soon afterwards, his real son escaped from the bandits and found his way home. He arrived at his father’s new cottage at midnight and knocked at the door. The father, still grieving asked: “Who is it?” The child answered, it is me papa, open the door!” But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him. He shouted: “Go away,” and continued to cry. After some time, the child left. Father and son never saw each other again.”

After this story, the Buddha said: “Sometime, somewhere, you take something to be the truth. If you cling to it so much, even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it.”

Moral Lesson:

Not all we believe that is true is in fact true. Sometimes, we have to learn to gauge whether it is a fact or just something we only believe. The more we try to hold on to our own belief only without giving a room for possibility that what we currently believe is not right and as a result, we overlooked the truth we are looking for.

Learn to listen to others and be open minded.

 

Sssshhh…

Last Thursday, on my way home from work. I was so sleepy. I was hoping to catch at least an hour sleep on my trip. Then I rode this bus and sat on the third lane from the last row. I was so happy because the bus didn’t have their usual T.V. on nor any radio. And all of the passengers were really quiet. That I am starting to think, oh yeah, they also want to sleep.

So as I start to take a nap, there was three college students at the back who talk as if they are the only people inside the bus. I tried to ignore it but their voices are really loud to make everyone stay awake. It is perfectly okay if they are riding a cab and they are the only people to hear their nonsense topic.

And here it goes:

Girl One: Where are you planning to celebrate your debut?

Girl Two: We are planning to celebrate it at Villa Ocampo.

Boy: Villa Ocampo. Tito ko yung may- ari nun eh. (Villa Ocampo? My uncle is the owner of that place.) - Duh!, so that means he isn’t your uncle or any sort. And I don’t think you can even ask for discount since he last saw you when you were six. I wonder if he can still even remember you.

Girl One: Oh I see, maybe you could give Girl Two a discount.

Girl Two: Oo nga, baka naman pwede discount. (Yes, maybe you could ask for a discount.)

Girl One: Paano mo sya naging tito? (How did he became your tito?)

Boy: He is the godfather of my parents in their wedding. The owner is Jun Ocampo, and I last saw him when I was six ..

And their conversation went on, having this stupid ideas about the theme of her debut. Like wearing this very first dress worn by Filipinos during Spanish era to the attire worn by our ancestal Aetas.

Filipina fashion style during Spanish era

Loincloth or Bahag. Used by our first ancestors.

I wonder who would want to have this theme for their debut though. Maybe they are trying to impress other people but gosh, I am not impressed at all. I find them ridiculous.

Girl Two: Boy, alam mo I like this boy and he is making paramdam to me. (Boy, I like this boy and I think he is showing me some interest.)

Boy: Really?

Girl Two: Yes, and I think he will make iwan to his girlfriend. I am sure, he will do that kasi I am more pretty. ( Yes, I think he will leave his girlfriend. I am sure he will do that coz I am more pretty)

When I saw the girl two, geez, I am chubby I wont exchange my face with her. And number two reason why I am so irritated, if they want to speak in English, just speak in English, don’t do it in Tag-lish way (tagalog-english). If they want to sound like elite, they should avoid using this kind of lingo and the fact it doesn’t fit her face as well. Duh! I am so so irritated already coz I can’t get my sleep and even the old lady beside me started to complain.

Girl One: (She just keeps on pretending to the echo of Girl two using baby talks. Which I think doesn’t fit her face as well. Gosh, why they have to try to impress other people around, where in fact we find them all stupid already.

Girl Two to boy: Can I have an alcoholic drink?

Boy: The only thing I can give you is screwdriver.

Girl Two: Okay better than nothing.

Girl one: Gosh, I don’t know if I can take those kinds of wine. - Hello!!! Screwdriver is not a wine you moron. It is a mixed drinks!

And so my sacrifice of listening to their stupid conversation lasted till I reach the bus stop outside our village. I wish next time, these people will learn the word “respect”. They are in a public transport and as much as possible they should lower down their voice. They are trying to impress? Where in fact they are not impressing us, but rather irritating us.

Oh well, I think I will always encounter those kind of people everyday and everywhere.

 

A glass of milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.

She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.”

He said….. “Then I thank you from my heart.” As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the nameof the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.

He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.

She read these words…..

“Paid in full with one glass of milk”

(Signed)
Dr. Howard Kelly

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: “Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands.”

Moral lessons:

~ Constantly reach out and meet new people and reconnect with old acquaintences
~ Help others whenever you are presented with an opportunity
~ Don’t approach relationships or interactions looking for what is in it for you (often it’s not there or obvious)
~ Commit random acts of kindness
~ Realize people are fair, helpful and good if given a chance
~ Do no evil (as Google, ironically, says)

 

Are You Right or Left Brained?

You Are 60% Left Brained, 40% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.

The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Hmm, this all true. I prefer reading and I love dogs. Good in communication? Maybe, because I talk a lot.

And it is also true that I have this eye on details even the smallest detail. Maybe because being a perfect example of a Rooster, I am perfectionist. I just don’t settle being good, I’d always want to be the best.

 

Things that I learned

• I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
• I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
• I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
• I’ve learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
• I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
• I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
• I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you think you can’t.
• I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
• I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
• I’ve learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
• I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
• I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
• I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
• I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
• I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
• I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
• I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
• I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
• I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
• I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
• I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
• I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
• I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
• I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
• I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
• I’ve learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
• I’ve learned that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

 

Bad English Part 2

Well, last night while I was writing the Bad English article, I forgot this recent incident. This happened during the last Binibining Pilipinas 2008. The girl who won the Binibining Pilipinas World and will be competing for this year Ms. World beauty pageant has a very bad command in English. Come to think of it, Ms. Janina San Miguel is a communication student (major in Broadcasting), and yet she has this English command.

Just see and watch: (please see the transcript too!)

Plus the transcript!

Paolo Bediones: Janina, how are you?
Janina San Miguel: I’m fine.
Paolo Bediones: Alright, so you won two of the major awards - Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimsuit, do you feel any pressure right now?
Janina San Miguel: No, I don’t feel any pressure right now.
Paolo Bediones: Confident! Alright! Please choose a name of the judge.
Paolo Bediones: We have Miss Vivienne Tan.
Vivienne Tan: Good Evening.
Janina San Miguel: Good Evening.
Vivienne Tan: The question is, what role did your family play to you as candidate to Binibining Pilinas?
Janina San Miguel: Well, my family’s role for me is so important b’coz there was the wa- they’re, they was the one who’s… very… Hahahaha… Oh I’m so sorry, Ahhmm… My pamily (thi… My family… Oh my god… I’m… Ok, I’m so sorry… I… I told you that I’m so confident… Eto, Ahhmm, Wait… Hahahaha, Ahmmm, Sorry guys because this was really my first pageant ever b’coz I’m only 17 years old and ahahaha I, I did not expect that I came from, I came from one of the top 10. Hmmm, so… but I said that my family is the most important persons in my life. Thank you.

Hmm, now what do you think of her English? Can you understand? I wonder how she even won the title and for me I she had not answered the question. See, the p and f she says “pamily” while it should be “f”amily.

A lot of of people says that this also happens with Ms. Teen U.S.A (Ms. South Carolina). And she doesn’t have any excuse since she is an American and she should have “mastered” this language very well. Hmm I can’t seem to understand whether she is confused or don’t know how to answer that damn question.

Please take A look..(Please read the transcript!)

The question: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the US on a world map. Why do you think this is?

Transcript of Ms. South Carolina’s answer:

I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as. And I believe that they should, uh, our education over here! In the U.S. should help the U.S., or, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for our children.

Hmm funny right? I wonder when they can try to at least speak slowly but surely *confused*.. Why they always have to be in the rush.

 

Bad English…

I was working with call center industry for almost 5 years. And given I have been dealing with foreigners most of the time and we are not allowed to disclose our locations, (say even if the customer noticed our native accent, we should still say that we are located in U.S.), we need to really sound like Americans or Brits, depends which account you will be handling.

Mostly of the accounts I handled were U.S. clients so I need to undergo this American Accent training with none other than Anne Cook. Dang she is really good. But since I am a Filipino, I think there would still be slip of the tongue when it comes to this English language. The common problems of Filipinos I think would be the P and the F, the B and V. Most of the time, they interchange this with one another for example “pe-der” (this should be “F”ea=ther), fey-per (this should be “P”ey-per) and the likes. Also the “Th” sounds.

Hmm, I think this is the classic Filipino English which is mostly shown during our Accent training classes. This is why I just so love Rex Navarette. I know some people think he is kinda racist but common, he is stand up comedian, and I think most of them do this as well.

Yeah see the P and the F.

Maritess is also funny..

Basically this are videos that shows that we need to have to improve our English if we are really serious in getting in the call center industry. But sometimes, I think when I was in this industry, I find some of the agents so TH (trying hard) when they try to imitate the way black people speak. For me, I think, they sounded like this:

Yeah, the more harder you try to sound like those black or put some twangs the more it ends up in disaster. Example the beach ends up with short e and it sound like BITCH!. Common dude, speak in your normal way. Don’t be so trying so hard. You look like a mess.

I’d rather listen to this person. Who thinks that the title of Mariah Carey’s song Without you is Ken Lee. I think she has more excuse in English language since I think only few speaks fluent English in Bulgaria.

Hmm, now I wonder, do I also speak that bad. But hey, so far in my stay in the call center, none of my customers during escalations of my agents thinks I am not located in U.S. so as my agents.

Maybe, I should not be confident enough. I should still improve my English.

 

Diet… Social status based?

Oh well, currently I am damn gaining weight. But hey, I still have those curves in the right place. But more few pounds and I know I will definitely look like a whale… I have been watching a lot of talk shows that talks about loving your body no matter what size you are. It helps, but sometimes, I would go back in this conscious zone “my weight”…

Whenever I walk around the mall, and see this skinny girls that I think only wears size 0-4, dang I envy them. I am wearing twice of their size. I am just lucky I have small waistline despite of my horrific 150 lbs now.. Gosh, I am starting to look like a whale…

Now I have learned this saying from our neighbor who is a doctor.

Eat like a king/queen in the morning…. Eat like a prince/princess in the afternoon…. And eat like a pauper in the evening!

I was surprised with this saying. Come to think of it, its very practical right.. So here is my plan on how I will stick to this diet..

1.) EAT LIKE A KING/QUEEN IN THE MORNING - I guess this is just simply means, I can eat a lot in the morning. Breakfast is suppose to be the energy meal. It boosts our energy right? If you are skipping breakfast by choice because you think it is helping you to keep slim, you may be denying your body the energy it needs.  A sensible, regular intake of food helps you to maintain an ideal weight because the body burns it for energy and doesn’t feel the need to “hoard” food; denying yourself this boost first thing in the morning could actually lead to a reversal in your body’s metabolism and make it sluggish and unable to burn the remaining food that you consume as effectively. Eat small portions of nutrient-rich food to improve your mood, outlook and metabolism.

2.) EAT LIKE A PRINCE/PRINCESS IN THE AFTERNOON - I think it is plain and simple. I should lessen my food intake compared to what I usually eat in the morning. Small frequent meals and snacks eaten slowly throughout the day help to prevent hunger, overeating, and fatigue. Front-end load early in the day, rather than “rear-end” load in the evening. Starving yourself all day leads to overeating at night. Eat slowly in a relaxed atmosphere.

3.) EAT LIKE A BEGGAR AT NIGHT - Of course this should be the smallest portion on which I should eat. Since I know my metabolism has slowed down already..

Now below is the top to weigh lose I received from email. And currently I am following this one.Top Ten New Weighs to Lose Weight

1. Stop and think about the foods you eat. Focus on what you eat and how you eat. Identify your present habits before you try to change them. Attend to what, when, where, how and why you eat. Make slow, subtle changes to succeed long term.
2. Slow down. You may be eating or changing your habits weigh too fast! It takes fifteen minutes for your stomach to send a message to your brain. The faster you eat, the faster you take in calories. Sudden behavior changes are dramatic and exciting, but slow changes are more likely to succeed. Avoid “quick fixes” no matter how attractive they may appear. Losing one pound a week adds up to 50 pounds in one year and is easier to sustain long term. Grow into your new weight slowly and you are more apt to keep it off.
3. Portion control controls proportions. You can eat almost anything if you eat a smaller amount. Minimize, don’t supersize! Learn to accurately estimate serving sizes.
4. Moderate, don’t eliminate. Slowly reduce the serving sizes of your favorite high calorie foods rather than eliminating them. Excluding a food from your eating plan increases its value and appeal. Check serving sizes on food labels and try to eat one serving at a time.
5. Eat like a Queen or King in the morning, a Prince or Princess in the afternoon, and a Pauper at night. In other words, eat less, more often, earlier on in the day. Small frequent meals and snacks eaten slowly throughout the day help to prevent hunger, overeating, and fatigue. Front-end load early in the day, rather than “rear-end” load in the evening. Starving yourself all day leads to overeating at night. Eat slowly in a relaxed atmosphere.
6. E2 - Exercise & Energize. Exercise will maximize your energy and mental performance. Exercise prevents brain and energy drain. Enjoy physical activity and relaxation daily.
7. Think MM’s-not the candy, but rather Mini-Meals and Maxi-Movement. Make an effort to move and eat more often throughout the day. Take the steps, walk more.
8. Seek support. Identify what and who can help, and what and who will hinder. Rely on yourself and ask others for support. Communicate your needs.
9. Don’t let your weight get in your weigh. Nurturing your dreams can redirect your energy away from foods and toward a more “full”-filling and “full”-feeling life.
10. Proper planning prevents poor performance. Customize a food plan that works best for you, not something someone else comes up with. “One-size-fits-all” mass marketing plans are often more interested in your money than your weight. Design a program that satisfies your food preferences and health needs.

Hmm, I hope before October before my friend and I meet, I have shed at least 20 lbs. I am currently struggling but I know I will be able to achieve it. I want to look good, that what I always been telling myself. So despite my current size, I am still happy coz a lot of people still around me says I am still sexy in my own right.

But as for now, I will try my hardest to lose weight.. And that is not for other people but for myself too..