The problem with money was indeed inevitable that is why minimum wage earner like me wants to dive into any opportunities available even if there's no assurance in the end.

I have encountered many "online money-making schemes" which sound too good to be true yet I am still gambling with them.

First, my friend invited me to an online crypto investment worth P2500 because another friend found it to be legit and real. But then, I have never received my ROI because you need to add more money in order to get your profits. So. I considered it a CHARGE TO EXPERIENCE.

Second, was this random text I received that tells me to invest with a promise of quick profits, and once again I fall into the trap. At first, I earned double so I was like very impressed with it so my broker told me to invest more, so I did because I was able to receive firsthand my earnings. So she told me to invest more which I gladly complied with, in fact, I borrowed money to add up to my deposits. However, when I reach further, I was required to pay more than P17,000 in order to withdraw my earnings. I was shocked because that's not how it works at first. So I gave up, with P1,500 losses on my end.

Then recently, as if I am not been scammed before, another promising opportunity was presented before me. This time all I need is to invest P2000 which will turn into P25,000 in 3 hours without doing anything. I was hopeful because there are lots of positive reviews online which is why I am convinced to grab this opportunity. To be honest, in that P2000 that I have invested, I borrowed P500 to complete the amount. That was it. After two hours or so, I received an email telling me that my earnings are now ready but I need to pay more than P11,000 for the maintenance fee! That was never mentioned to me before and I was totally devastated. I asked the broker to send me back my deposit but according to her, it's not possible.

What shall I do? I am again facing another betrayal of trust or rather, falling into the temptation of a quick-money scheme. 

I admit I have learned my lesson the hard way now. I am just so disappointed because I really need money since I was hospitalized two weeks ago and all my savings were depleted plus I am indebted to someone.

Hope this will serve as a warning for those who have limited resources. Never engage in any online opportunity as promising as this.

#JaynaSutton

What is freelancing?

I have read a great article online that I find worth sharing which talks about freelancing.

Freelancing is a great way to earn money and build up both your experience and reputation. You can do it remotely, so you don't have to be near an office or storefront. You can sell your services directly to buyers anywhere in the world through various websites like Upwork, Freelancer and GuruGuru. The biggest mistake new freelancers make is that they think it will take less time than it does. 

To run a successful business, you need to spend money before you start earning it.  Freelancing is an increasingly popular and ideal way to earn money online. You can do it remotely, sell your services to anyone anywhere in the world and work from home. If you want to work from home or don't want to commute for long hours every day (like many people who live in cities), freelancing is the best option for you! Freelancers often get started with little more than a computer and Internet connection – all they need are a passion for their job and some skills they're good at. 

The biggest mistake new freelancers make is that they think it will take less time than it does because they think they don't have any experience yet when actually there are lots of resources out there such as this article that can help guide them on how long each step takes before moving onto another step 

You can do it remotely, and you can sell your services to anyone anywhere in the world. You might be thinking that this sounds like a dream job, but it's actually possible! Many people have been doing freelance work from home for years now. And if you're not sure how to get started with remote freelancing, here are some tips: 

        Find an opportunity that resonates with you personally — this is important because otherwise there will be less motivation for completing tasks on time or thoroughly than if they were more meaningful to you personally (for example, working with one person who has shared similar interests). 

         All you need is a computer and Internet connection, as well as a passion for your job and some skills you're good at. You don't need a college degree or any other certification to freelance. If you're interested in freelancing as a side hustle or making some extra cash on the side while still working full-time, here's how it works: 

 Get started by signing up with an online marketplace like Upwork (formerly oDesk). It's one of the most popular places to find freelance jobs because it allows employers to post projects directly without having them filtered through multiple websites like Freelancer or Elance. The best part? Most jobs pay anywhere from $20-$50 per hour! If there isn't anything available at this time but know that there will be later on down the road, ask around until someone recommends someone who may also be looking for help with specific tasks like writing articles for their blog.

The biggest mistake new freelancers make is that they think it will take less time than it does. We’ve all heard stories about people who became successful overnight, but this is not the case for everyone. The truth is that being a full-time freelancer takes time and effort. It can be a lot of work if you let it be, which means you need to manage your time well so that you don’t get overwhelmed by all the tasks on your plate or let yourself get distracted by other responsibilities like family or friends' lives. It's also important not to be afraid to delegate tasks when needed; if someone else can do something better than what you're currently doing then let them! Don't feel guilty about saying no either—if there are things happening in your life that distract from work then there's no reason why they shouldn't happen while working too! 

Another year unfolds, January is about to close, it also means, another opportunity to become a better version of myself. 

But how?

Honestly, the year 2022 ended with an empty thoughts of what am I planning to do in 2023. I used to write down all my "bucket list", my plans, my to-do-list, but nope, I met 2023 empty handed. 

What's getting into me? Well, nothing actually. I just find it depressing whenever I don't get to have what I want, I get frustrated if I cannot realize the things that were written on my list. That's the very reason why I stop writing it down. Instead, I look up, I surrendered everything to Him. Yes, I may have plans but this time I will allow God to have His plans for me. I just have to do the things that I ought to do, no pressure. In this way, I won't be too expectant and I won't have to nurse a broken spirit again once I don't get what I want.

What could be in store for me this 2023? Well, that's something that only God knows.

I am actually excited and I am confident that God will slowly unfold before me all His plans. All I have to do is to perform my daily grind.

My most unforgettable childhood memories were something that I don't want my kids to experience. As young as I was, I was exposed to severe emotional unrest. I was so vulnerable to pain. I was not sold like Joseph but my heart was so full of hatred that I was bringing the pain until I got married. Yes, I'm so overwhelmed with hatred for my father, for his total being, for neglecting his duties, and for having so many kids with different women and yet doing the same thing that he did to us, abandoning his responsibility as a father.

My childhood experience somehow left a myriad of baggage in my heart before. I used to have trust issues with men I got relationships with, much more with my husband. It took me almost a decade before I finally built my trust in him. However, that feeling of uncertainty was still engulfing me. I'm so scared for my kids that is why I kept on reminding my husband of the detrimental effect of having a womanizer father. 

I used to tell myself that I have to be empowered so that whatever may happen I could stand on my own when worst comes to worst with my marriage. But then I realized, it's not about me anymore. I need to consider my kids, their feelings, and their future. That's why it was always my fervent prayer that God will sanctify our marriage and keep it whole till our last breath. 

It is indeed inevitable for people like me to have that fear. But then as time goes by I realized one thing when God reminded me that everything happens for a reason. Then I tried looking back to where I came from. Doing so created so many "WHAT IFS" in my mind.

What if my Mom and Dad didn't break up? How long will we survive? 

What if my Mom endured all the pain? Will she be happier?

What if my Mom didn't stand up for us, where could we possibly be right now?

When my parents broke up, we were separated and scattered. I was already in my third year of high school when we get back together with my Mom and siblings. Such a reunion was never easy. We have so much indifference. Good thing there was a man who played the role of my father- my late Tatay Rene, our stepdad. I would say, Tatay was a total blessing for all of us. He gave up a good life just to be with us. The process was never easy as well with his own family but Tatay was the kind of father that no one would dare to disown him. He was our total confidante, the father that we look up to. 

By then, I still hate my biological father. I still put all the blame on him for all the hardships that  I've gone through when I was still younger. It was Tatay Rene who taught me to release all such hostility. He even asked me to allow my father to walk me down the aisle during my wedding but I blatantly disagree with him coz all I want to be with to take that role was only him and I am so glad that he endured the pain of his feet (coz he's suffering from diabetes during that time).

Barely two years after my wedding, and a day after my birthday, my Tatay Rene passed away. I never came to his wake coz I cannot endure the pain of losing him. Whenever I saw my father, I cannot help but compared him to Tatay. They're both not perfect but Tatay was so responsible and trustworthy.

However, when Mom was petitioned by my younger sister to live with her in the USA and occasionally travel to Canada to visit our elder sister, I realized a lot of things. 

Mom deserves the life that she lived right now and the experience that she enjoyed at the moment. But then she already releases forgiveness to my Dad without the intention of going back to him. She supported him sometimes by giving him financial support when needed. She also keeps on reminding us, especially me, to forgive him because, after all, he is still our father.

I also realized that I have already reached my goal even without his support, and what else should I hate him about? Indeed, I was reminded of Romans 8:28. I've encountered that verse so many times but only now that I realized that it was God's direct message to me many years back. It was meant for my father. I honestly have that sigh of relief when I get to hug him during his birthday last month- that was the first time actually that I deliberately hug him sincerely since the time he left us. The feeling was so hard to explain. And I believe it was complete forgiveness that made me do it. Who am I after all when I, myself, was also a sinner but by the grace of God, I was saved?

This was my reflection. 

Romans 8:28

[28]And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We, humans, have multiple options to choose on how we live our lives. We can live in harmony with anyone, we can also choose to live with hatred and bitterness and we can also live without care for whatever is happening around us. It depends on us. 

But one thing that we should not forget is that whatever choices we'll be making- we should always consider the consequences. It's pre-knowledge after all. Unique as we are, we can judge our own actions whether what we are doing is correct or not. I wonder how some people find it challenging to live appropriately, and without stepping on someone's rights? I wonder how easy it is for others to mislabel someone for fun? I wonder too how we neglect someone's opinion just simply because we feel superior compared to them? 

We can be silly, we can be bossy but disrespecting others should not be an option. Indeed, RESPECT is important, because, in the absence of it, the world will be in chaos... 

OUR WORLD will be in CHAOS. 

#randomthoughts

Today marks my 20th year of existence with 21 years of experience...

Maturity may not always come with our chronological age, but the way I see myself right now, I can say that I am getting there nevertheless.

I have so many things running on my mind lately- plans, bucket lists, hang-ups, regrets for the things that I should have done yet failed to do, all those what-ifs, and what I would become.

Life these past days taught me a lot of things. Life is meant to be shared, and so does life's experiences. I am just so glad that I was able to interact with students again after two years of modular learning.

Every time I saw the eagerness of my students to learn something new, I felt the need as well to find new challenges for myself- to try something new too!

After 7 years of teaching Technical Drafting (TD), I lost track of what I really want for my students to learn. The resources are just so limited that for 7 years it felt like I am just producing half-baked individuals who might have the theories but were deprived of applications. Even myself isn't improving anymore.

I love TD (that's for sure) but I could tell that it's not really my passion. I'm not always good with drawing figures having technical specifications, and accurate measurements because I always deviate from the standard way of doing it. I am not good at following exact dimensions. So I let my students explore that things-some were successful but most haven't shown their interest.

What really was my passion? I love doing RANDOM things!

Random arts- random sketching, random lettering, random creative ideas, random picture, and video editing.

So I asked my School Head to have a shift in my specialization... something that could unleash my potential, something more practical and more fun to learn- so I've introduced myself to TLE- ILLUSTRATION...

When I read the Curriculum Guide for ILLUSTRATION, I knew right there and then that this is what I really want! I am still trying to learn about it but I want to explore and discover all its possibilities. And I want to do it together with my students...

I may be starting from scratch yet I learned to embrace it and wanted to learn more from it...

Sketching

Lettering/Calligraphy

Painting/Color Rendering

Logo Making

T-shirt designing/layouting

Digital Arts

Microsoft Applications

Photoshop

Canva

bonus track- Video Editing

and more...

Indeed, I am happy on my Birthday.

Thanking God for His wisdom, strength, guidance, and His provisions because, yes, it's an extravagant course hahaha, so help me God.