Truly Rich Reflections: What’s Been On My Mind Lately (What About You?)

July 23, 2012 by Tina Leave a Comment

I wrote this over the weekend but wasn’t able to post it because I had problems with my Internet server. 🙂 Sharing this with you all now before I forget. 🙂
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It’s 4 a.m. here in Manila and (as usual), I am awake, attempting (remember my consistent keyword? Ha, ha!) to work. (Yes, I know, then I shouldn’t be blogging, right?! LOL!) Well, I just couldn’t continue doing research for the articles I’m writing without sharing what’s been on my mind lately. (Yes, I’m a bit “my-life-is-an-open-book” like that!)

So, let me share these links with you guys. I think these best describe what I’ve been thinking of / about these days.

“S” isn’t for Supermom — ‘Nuff said. These days, I’m feeling more and more that I’m really no Supermom. Which is good. Because then I’m reminded that He is God, and I am not. (Though I tend to forget this A LOT!)

Our homeschooling journey — This image below from SimplyLivingforHim.com says it all. When I am in doubt and I want to give up and think, “The kids would be much better off if someone else was teaching them!” (which happens every other day or so, LOL!), I MUST remember this:

And I also must remember that even if we’re homeschooling, I may not be giving my kids the quality time they deserve. So I need to be more careful and intentional about being hands-free and “present” whenever I am with them.

The Aurora, Colorado Dark Knight Rises Shooting — I am deeply troubled by this. I can’t even imagine what the loved ones of the victims and the shooter must be going through now. A survivor shares her story in her blog post here. I realize now, more than ever, that we must all continue to cherish the gift of life that has been given to us. And fight for life in all stages — from conception to natural death.

Gratitude Is a Magnet — This may be an old article but reading it again from time to time reminds me to go back to the Source of all our blessings! It also reminds me of how grateful I am to the Lord for all the different ways He’s blessed my family and I — including the blessings we’ve received through this little ol’ blog and my fabulous blog partners — both past and present! (You guys are AWESOME, really! And you deserve a separate post altogether!)

Investing in the Stock Market — Yes, FINALLY! Hubby and I are about to take the big leap and invest a small amount in the stock market! We’re trying to apply the principles behind Bo Sanchez’s bestselling book, “My Maid Invests in the Stock Market,” in the hopes of retiring as multi-millionaires later on! 🙂 Will keep you guys posted about this. 🙂

(a link to the Keynote Address of Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle, DD, during the 1st Catholic Social Media Summit) — It’s a rather long video (1 hour+), but basically, Archbishop Tagle’s talk is an apt explanation for why I blog. And why I am on and . ( too, but not so active. Hehe!)

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Aside from these, I’ve also got work-related stuff on my mind, plus other projects I’m working on (not to mention my long-overdue articles! Ha, ha!) Well… despite all these things keeping me busy, I’m SO grateful that I’ve got this blog, AND YOU GUYS, TOO, to “keep me company!” 🙂 Have an awesome week ahead, everyone! 🙂

P.S. Watch out for all the fabulous, awesome things I’ve got lined up for you all this August! I’m planning another month-long celebration-of-sorts — with more inspiring guest posts, more amazing giveaways and more truly rich tips, recommendations and reflections! 🙂

What has this mom been up to lately?

January 17, 2012 by Tina Leave a Comment

It’s already 5 a.m. and I need to catch a few Z’s before hubby and the kids wake up. Thankfully, it’s Wednesday today, which means I don’t have to report to the office (at least, I hope so! Ha, ha!)

Anyway, I realized that it’s been a week since I last posted on this blog, so I thought I’d share a bit about what I’ve been busy with lately (hence, the lack of posts!):

The busy mom! Image source here.

Proofreading books by Bo Sanchez

Proofreading Kerygma magazine‘s March issue

Editing and proofreading Mustard magazine‘s March issue (and learning InDesign at the same time, ha, ha!)

Attending meetings and our production department’s “R and R”

~~Trying to~~ Working from home on certain days

Contacting and following up volunteer writers and photographers to cover CFC (*Couples for Christ or CFC is our Catholic community) events

Writing articles for Smart Parenting’s website (check out my latest article here).

Brainstorming on topics for other sideline writing gigs. (Thank You, LORD!)

Accompanying our son to his dance practices for the Couples for Christ Annual Leaders Conference at the Araneta Coliseum (I wrote about his performance, among other things, here.)

Around 15,000 people watched Tim dance with his friends from Kids for Christ!

Answering questions from people who ask about homeschooling.

Meeting with people from Angelicum College about organizing a Catholic Homeschoolers Summit – WOOHOO! Thank You, Lord, again! 😉

~~Trying to homeschool~~ Homeschooling our kids (we had/have good days and BAD days!) But I’m trying to focus on the GOOD from now on, and to make the MOST of every day! Pray for us, please?! 😉 (We’re going to try using Time4Learning ~~tomorrow~~ later!)

Thinking of things to blog about and never getting around to blogging about them. LOL!

~~Worrying about~~ Learning to trust (again and again!) that God will provide for our daily needs.

Experiencing GOD again in a personal, powerful way during the CFC conferences last weekend. (Read about it here.)

Oh, and wasting a lot of time (waaaaahh!) on Facebook, blog-hopping and deleting e-mails from my inbox! (I.NEED.TO.PRIORITIZE.MORE. `Nuff said. LOL!)

Dealing with yaya (nanny) issues (Waaahhh! Can anyone recommend a dependable, honest, hard-working yaya?)

And, most recently, as in, just a few minutes ago, updating my homeschool blog.

So yeah, that’s it pancit. (More or less!) Of course, every day up to now, despite its downs and dark moments, has been a BLESSING. I am truly rich in most aspects already (just lacking in the financial department for now, tee hee!), and for that, I am thankful, Lord! 😉

How about you, dear reader? What have you been up to lately? Feel free to leave a comment! 😉

Truly Rich Mom’s Makeover on Glam-o-Mamas!

September 25, 2011 by Tina Leave a Comment

*Warning: This is a self-indulgent post. haha. I just feel like sharing this here. So bear with me. hehe.
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Remember my post about winning a makeover from Glam-o-Mamas? Or perhaps you’ve read my post about the actual makeover (titled: “Why I am GLAM“). Well, just in case you were wondering (but even if you most probably weren’t, humor me, after all, I did warn you about this self-indulgent post right?! haha), here is the post about the makeover as written by Nicole Jacinto of Glam-o-Mamas. (It’s been up for a looong time now but I am only sharing about it now, hehe).

Hope you will share in my joy and gratitude for all God’s blessings, great and small, by reading it! 😉 God bless you always!

Anything but Ordinary

A Mommy Makeover Story

How many of us mamas wish we had even just one unadulterated hour a week for “me” time? Whether it’s spent indulging in a foot spa, or catching up on that dusty novel by your bedside, or allowing that alarm button to snooze an extra hour later, we all know that these simple pleasures make a world of difference.

One Saturday morning, a busy mama of two finally got her “me” time pass. After winning a Maquillage Makeover from Glam-O-Mamas, fresh-faced Tina Rodriguez took an LOA from mommy duties and made her way to Makeup Forever in Bonifacio High Street.

Tina is your typical young working mom – she’s a blogger (http://www.trulyrichmom.com), a writer for several online and print publications, and a devout advocate of her church group. With her never-ending list of to-do’s, spending time to put on even a little bit of make-up is the least of her priorities. “Wash and wear” is this girl’s mantra. So for someone who admits to never even experiencing an eyebrow threading, this makeover was a big deal not just for Tina, but for the whole family!

Take a peek at how Tina spent her morning being pampered by the Make Up Forever team!

Here’s Tina before the makeover, eager and excited to start!

Make Up Forever PRO Pilita Guadines starts working her magic on Tina.

Look at all the Make Up Forever goodies! If only all our dressers had this kind of spread!

Make Up Forever offers a multitude of vibrant shades to choose from.

More than 1,400 products including 125 shadows, 100 lipsticks, and products for body painting and special effects constitute Make Up Forever’s extensive range of products. The Make Up Forever store at Bonifacio High Street is a haven for both professionals and ordinary makeup lovers alike.

Almost done! A few more finishing touches and Tina will be photo shoot ready.

Voila! The finished product! Tina poses with the flawless makeup expert, Pilita Guadines.

To complete the makeover, Tina also received a gorgeous summer dress from Florence Fling.

Pretty Tina! Her easy and natural look can go from daytime straight into date night with the hubby.

When Glam-o-Mamas checked up on Tina and her family’s reaction to the makeover, this was her reply:

“The best compliment I got when I came home was from our 4 and a half year old son – You look so pretty Mama! Hehe. We actually just stayed home and let the rain stop, then went on a family “date”…. to my in-laws’ place! Hahaha. Nothing fancy. :-)”

Well, if the kids approve, then that’s all that matters, right? Congratulations again, Tina! 🙂

Special thanks to:

Celine Gabriel of Make Up Forever, B:8 Bonifacio, High Street, Bonifacio Global Taguig City, T:

Pilita Guadines, Freelance Professional Make-up Artist, Make Up Forever PRO Team, M: 0922.8010051,

Tessa Nieto-Villalon of Florence Fling, M: 09499482165,

July 6, 2011 by Glam-o-Mamas