Making Time For You

February 19, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Kutitap By Becky PagsibinganBy Becky Pagsibingan
Can we make every minute of our day count? I guess we could if we streamline our day, stay better organized and strategize our actions on a daily basis. We can make plans for timesaving ideas to avoid lost time for ourselves and our family. It is easy to write down timesaving ideas, but do we have the discipline to implement them? Proper motivation is another thing. What motivates me is the thought that I will earn some time to read a book or magazine, watch the TV, cook leisurely, call my daughter in Tampa, and my other two daughters in the area, listen to music soothing to my ears, or hear the songs of my favorite singers.

What will make the difference between being stressed out and having quality time for ourselves and with our family? What strategy could save us every week? Ill be happy if I could save 3 hours or more each day.

1. Grocery Shopping

- make a list of the items you will buy
- avoid shopping during peak hours of 11AM to 1 PM or 5- 7PM
- stockpile groceries in advance when deals are hot - youll save time by not running back to the store every time you need the items

2. Laundry- do it on a week day instead of wasting a Saturday

3. Bills

- keep a portable bill-paying file handy. Pull it out when youre waiting for an appointment at the doctor, dentist or beauty shop
- keep a file stocked with stamps, envelopes, a calculator,, your checkbook and bills

4. Getting Out The Door

- put everything you grab in the morning in one place before you go to bed at night - lunch bags, briefcase, purse and anything else youll need

5. Cooking

- Prepare the batter of pancakes and put in the fridge the night before. Set out the syrup, skillet and spatula youll need
- look at how you have your kitchen arranged to save wasted steps. Store you kitchen utensils close to the stove to save wasted steps

6. Cleaning and Organizing

- clean your house one room at a time
- create a portable cleaning caddy with cleanser, paper towels and sponges and start in one corner
- stay focused and avoid running back and forth to the kitchen

7. Errands - Map your errands before you go

8. Phone calls

- if you tend to lose track of time on the phone, keep a small hourglass or egg timer nearby, and use it on those busy days when 40-minute chats are out of the question. (or ask your husband to signal you time is up)

9. Computer Time - check email everyday and return messages all at once

10. TV Viewing - Establish one or two TV-free nights every week
Add all of these time-savers up and you could win back as much as 24 hours a week. Even though you may save only a fraction of this time, youll still find minutes and hours you can spend in more meaningful ways. Ill be happy with an extra hour in bed.

Warie Azarcon Celebrated His Birthday
Friends of Manila Mail columnist , Atty. Azarcon, gathered at his home in Herndon, Virginia to celebrate his birthday on January 27, Sunday. His actual birthday was January 24, but it was an ordinary day. Wife Norma, a wizard in the kitchen, whipped up a Sunday brunch which turned out to be more of lunch than breakfast. The heavy meal was stretched to mid-afternoon. Well-wishers were Vellie Dietrich-Hall and husband Harry Hall, Dr. Rene and Inday Alvir, Kevin and Maurese Owens, Jun and Alma Conty , me and Pat Pagsibigan.

The Super Bowl Sunday was another occasion to have another gathering at the Azarcons. The same group came plus Oscar and Evelyn Bunoan, but minus Harry and Vellie. A combination of American and Filipino pica-pica foods were spread out on the dining table. Again, Norma delighted everyone with her Super Bowl food, Evelyn, the chef, brought Empanada and her own version of a healthy cake. Inday brought Chili Beans and Alma, crispy pork chop, but I thought of bringing hot Chicken Arroz Caldo and Tokwa at Baboy with small slices of green papaya and onions.
All favored the Patriots except Warie and Evelyn who rooted for the Giants all the way. Unluckily for the duo or luckily for the rest, there was no betting.

A Surprise Party for Vilma
It was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for Vilma Mataac, but of course there was a spoiler to the fun. Husband Celso Mataac informed her that one of the invited guests could not attend her birthday party on February 1. What party? Vilma asked. It was Celso who was surprised. Actually, Lisa, their daughter, orchestrated the celebration, but probably had forgotten to tell her dad of the plan. Anyway, family and close friends showed up at the party at their home in North Potomac, Maryland. Guests enjoyed the feast with a variety of Filipino dishes and desserts. There were three birthday cakes, but I only picked the Filipino cake with butter icing.
Vilma was with the World Bank before her early retirement and Celso is a partner at an Accountants firm in Maryland. Both are active community leaders serving with the Marinduqueno Association of the US and Canada.

A January Wedding
Jocelyn Amanda Cuadra Earnshaw or Jojo to relatives and friends, married Kenneth Richard Dorsey on January 19, 2008. The wedding was at The Washington Sae Han Presbyterian Church in Annandale, Virginia. Immediately after the wedding service, the guests were invited to a lunch reception at the Harvest Moon Restaurant and Lounge. Jojo is a niece of her namesake, Jojo de la Rosa, a Manila Mail advertising manager. The bride works at a Wachovia bank while the groom at AT&T.
The newly wed couple flew to Domincan Republic to spend their honeymoon. Their family and friends wished them a happy and blessed life together.
Email address: pagsibiganr@aol.com

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Comments

2 Responses to “Making Time For You”

  1. FRANCISCO BUSA JR on March 26th, 2008 2:23 pm

    Hi Ms.Becky,
    I spoke to you 3 years ago re: FEU reunion. It’s been awhile.

  2. FRANCISCO BUSA JR on March 26th, 2008 3:00 pm

    Hi Ms.Becky,
    I spoke to you 3 years ago re: FEU reunion. I graduated Civil Engineering in Institute of Technology. Anyway, I would like to ask your favor if you can help my son’s band (Emanon) to be featured in your column. I’m managing Emanon and helping them to be known in our area. The band was formed a year and half and has been playing to private and charity organizations. The recent gig was with Carol Banawa’s Concert in Falls Church. In April 4th, Emanon will be playing for United in Giving, a benefit show for Capital Area Food Bank of Montgomery College, April 12 in UM College Park, May 17 in New Jersey and a lot more. You can visit them at www.youtube.com/emanonmusic and www.myspace.com/emanonofficialsite.

    Emanon is a five member band consist of four college students from University of Maryland and Montgomery College and my son (drummer) from Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring.

    Hope you can find time to response.

    Thank you.
    Francis Busa
    240-899-3154
    4639 Weston Place Olney Md 20832

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