SCRIBBLED NOTES #24: FIVE WORDS LIVING IN LONDON HAS TAUGHT ME

It's easy to get lost with all the worries of life specially when you're living overseas alone. Suddenly, you're not resting on your own comfortable pillow and everything is brand new. It takes a concious effort to go back, breathe and appreciate what life is offering you.

It's my second time to do this, my first was 3 years ago. I lived in Prague, Czech Republic for months. I thought the second time will be easy peasy, but I was wrong. It's a different kind of vanilla, and this time around, I find these 5 words true to form.

TRUST
I've been thankful to the Lord that He's given me so many good people during my stay here. They are so friendly and accommodating, it makes me feel like this is my second home. Sweet! You know what I reckoned? Sometimes, you just need to trust people. And believe there's so many good souls out there.

C'est la vie (SUCH IS LIFE)
Before, I used to wonder how come people get good breaks and others don't. Not long after, I realized that trying to make a sense out of life is like trying to count the number of sands on the sea shore. Life is not meant to be understood to the point of controlling it. What one should push is to do his best then leave it up to God. I think that is why this phrase is invented. C'est La Vie, a French phrase for 'Such is Life' or 'That's life'.

SILENCE
There's so much going on for me back in Manila. So many hats to wear, enjoy and fulfill to some extent. So, on a Black Saturday of April 2014, I got in the plane and toooot... eerie silence. I am fine to be by myself (case in point: I watch so many movies, alone. Ha!) - it's just that - I'm surrounded by so many awesome people the past months that the silence threw me off guard. On my second Sunday here in London - I plugged out all my gadgets and just sit alone at Preta a Manger (local organic sandwich shop). Doing nothing, just looking at the chirping birds and staring blankly in the sea of people.

*

SPA + PEDICURE EXPERIENCE AT CALIFORNIA NAILS AND DAY SPA (MOA)

 

For someone who's working for years, a break from the usual routine is considered a luxury! Suddenly, weekends become sacred and even if you're doing the things you do - it's healthy to pause after those 5 consecutive working days. Just recently, I've attended my younger brother's graduation and since there's a free time between his graduation program and our family gathering, we tried California Nails and Day Spa (CANS) at Mall of Asia (MOA).

Dainty Pinks Everywhere
When you stepped into their spa, you will be greeted by vivid pink hues. I love how clean and relaxing this place is. Sofa is bulky and soft. They have plush chairs and ottoman. Obviously, their theme is pink and girly, and I like that!

CMK TRAVELS : HELLO FROM LONDON

Aaand how I miss blogging! I've been on a hush mode the past days weeks since I'm currently in London, United Kingdom. This explains all the prior posts before this. I have conciously abstained from documenting my trip (via FB/Twitter/Blog) for the simple reason that I want to live the moment. I plan to write things in hindsight.

So, this is my third week and I am loving it. It's not a walk in the park, there's a huge adjustment on so many things but with God's help (don't know where would I be without His guidance) - I have learned to embrace what God allows me to experience right here, right now. Post for today is nothing grand, it's more of some bits and pieces that I find interesting whilst living a life here in the UK.

London Train System
If you know someone who's dumbo in terms of public transportation, your list should include me. I have been lost so many times even within Makati (which I've been into for the last 10 years). When I've heard from Maya that London train system is the most complex she'd been to, jitter bug bit me real hard.

However, after a couple of days, I can sit on the train, do sight seeing and alight from one station to another without a shaddow of a doubt. I love how user friendly their map is, and most of all, it's in English! Woohoo!

a

FASHION ALERT : THE NOT-SO-LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Ah, the classic LBD, more aptly known as Little Black Dress! It's every girl's staple attire. Coined to be one of a girl's must-have by so many fashion gurus, LBD is no doubt a franchise of its own. Add to that, the recent fashion book by Liz Uy called Sylized (Book Review, HERE) - a quality LBD should be one of a woman's investment, she shared.

I only have one brother, and it was his graduation when I wore the dress. I bought this last year for reasons I don't know! I just appreciate the cut so much plus it's not that gown-y so I gave in. I do recall mum raised her eyebrow when I showed it to her plus the remark, "Where will you use that?". Haha! Couldn't blame her that time.

However, let me redeem myself. I wore this when I emceed for an activity last year plus this occasion. It might be handy on some other events too, who knows? :) DETAILS: Dress is from Black Et Noir, Gold Watch from Swatch and Peep Toe Sandals is from VNC (got it from KL Malaysia, which is a real steal, btw).

Here comes our fashion pegs! Blacks are so versatile, that's for sure. Pair it with a leather jacket or crown yourself with a gorgeous head piece and of course, take it from my favorite fashion icon - top the whole number with a beaming bloody red clutch!

Ready for another set? Here goes...

MONEY MATTERS : 3 TIMELY REMINDERS ON INVESTING

SOURCE

Learning is an everyday process. You wouldn't come to a point that you're all-knowing and there's nothing new to be learned. Otherwise, life would be terribly boring. I've began my quest on personal finance some periods ago, and I've learned a lot ever since. Greatest leap that I've gone into was I enrolled in Registered Financial Planner, Philippines (RFP) April of last year. I must say, it was all worth it.

In hindsight, I have collated my Top 3 notes to self this year. I'm still working on each area as of my publish date, but no rush, we take baby steps! Here they are, let me know if you can relate:

♣ Invest regularly.

Studies backed up by real numbers show that between buy and hold vs. peso cost averaging, the latter yields more return. FYI: Buy and hold means investing one time and let the money grow without adding any investments. Peso cost averaging means you regularly invest.  Having said that, I know that peso cost averaging is the better choice, however, I'm procrastinating on the execution part. I need to devise a way and invest regularly to maximize the yields. After all, I am more of an aggressive investor + my time horizon is five years or more.  (Related Post: Start Young, Enjoy Early)

♣ Increase my investment fund percentage.
Operative word: If possible. I know that some people have more bills to pay than others, however, whenever possible, let's increase our investment fund percentage. Simply put, if you are investing 20% of your monthly income, make it 25% for a change. Think of it this way: that LV Never Full Bag will depreciate the moment you take it from the store, however, if you have invested the fund into an equity market, your money could've grown much more. If you want to do a spot check if you can handle what it takes to be in the stock market, here's 5 SIGNS THAT STOCK MARKET INVESTING IS FOR YOU.