Things On My Mind Lately...

- Learn more on photography
It means that I want to put my love of taking pics to a higher level. We own a very good point-and-shoot cam but since I want to deepen my "digital perspective" might as well plan to buy a DSLR. Hopefully our budget will eventually permit me to buy one, probably early next year ;) ....

- Know more about digital scrapbooking and Adobe Photoshop
A nice-to-have knowledge that I can tie up with photography. If only I'm not too lazy to learn these.

- Diet and Exercise
As some of you may know, Mon and I are trying to shed some pounds and force ourselves the habit of exercising at least 3x a week. Monitoring our more than 6 weeks of dieting and a bit exercise, it seems that we're on a roller coaster ride. One day we lost a lot, the next we gained it back (or some more!) huhuhu.. We know the trend where we gain it back.. our weekend FOOD escapades! Along with our diet goal is our weekly trips to our favorite Pepper Lunch. Now you know! hahaha..

- Learn more on Java, Frameworks and Tools :))
Learning to appreciate more the programming language I'm using at work, I figured I still have a heck of learning to do considering that Java is constantly improving and new frameworks, APIs and tools are created. This would require me to check again the fundamentals. Ngii...

- Travel, travel, travel
Mon and I have already planned to travel at least once a year. We are thinking of targetting countries in Asia first before other continents. Initial list: Japan (I would like to bring my Nanay along), Malaysia and Indonesia(which we can do anytime), Hong Kong (miss ko na eh and we haven't been there together), Thailand (more sight-seeing and shopping), Cambodia and Vietnam. But since Mon really wants to visit Greece, who knows?! We might prioritize visiting Greece first among others. ANOTHER BUT! Since travel will be very costly, it is a MAJOR PREREQ to fulfill the next three items.

- Save, save, save
I think I would agree with that most people say.. "Wisdom comes with age", "A year older, a year wiser" Those are a few that I can think of now that Mon and I are in the stage of trying to "secure our future" considering that the economy is very volatile as well as our plans to have a family soon and travel at least once a year.

- Look for other additional income opps
It's not just about saving, it's about trying to make a bit more while working. So (though still vague), we have to look for ways to have a few more bucks in our pockets. Have listed some already and we hope if time permits, we can start it already. :D

- Change spending habits
Hahaha.. Seems this will be a tough one for me (and not Mon :p). Though through the years I'd say I have changed my spending habits a lot, I still think I can still improve some more. I have identified some while writing this. First, I'm so excited in buying things for our family in Pinas. I was able to buy a lot that I need the biggest box to fill up with the goodies. Lalo pa that in Singapore, everyday na lang sale kainis. For sure I will still be sending something at home but I am determined to really set a budget for it and buy the most important things first before the anik-aniks. :)) Another thing is to review our daily/monthly expenses and see where we can save more. On my part, ang daming opps to save, as in hehehe... I think the major motivator is to think that I can save it so I can send more money at home. I'm thinking of the basics, such as to cut back on some things, cook again (lately I'm so tamad to cook) so I can bring some for lunch at the office AND stick to my phone call budget. I am also planning to have a coin bank where I'll put a dollar everytime I succeed in not spending on unnecessary things and putting 5 dollars for every item that I have bought. Parang bata... hahaha..

Haaayyyy, so little time so much to learn/do...