Household

The housewife takes on a full time online job – Fully Housewifed

It was my idea to get me a full time online job.

I felt it was something we just had to do. 

I’ve been taking on short-term projects for the past several years but it was no longer working for us. We’re raising three boys and they’ve got needs we have to meet and bills we have to pay.

I also didn’t want Jay to take on any more extra jobs; that wasn’t working for us either. I want him to have time for me and the kids and having jobs on the side take that away from us.

Moving closer to my  husband’s workplace (which also happens to be our church facility) proved to be a bit  pricey than we planned. If you want a good place for the kids, you have to be willing to shell out more.

After having to deal with swarms of cockroaches and snakes slithering on the floors (yes, snakes) of our previous apartments, we had to make the adjustments. 

Finding the right job

After nights and nights of prayers and discussions, Jay and I came up with a list of guidelines for the job I should be looking for:

1. It has to be home-based

With all the horror stories going around about helpers hurting the children left to their care or even killing their employers, we agreed that our children are too young to be left by themselves with someone we barely know. Working from home is the most sensible option.

(We did consider taking back our former nanny but she suffered from tuberculosis and had to rest for a time. Then, Kasambahay Law was declared and we couldn’t meet the expenses required in hiring a helper).

2. It has to be full time

It has to be a steady income. Part-time work tend to come and go and that would totally negate why I will sign up for a full-time job in the first place.

3. It has to pay well

It’s going to be precious time taken away from my children and my husband and I was determined to work hard. It has to be worth the sacrifice.

Although my pay isn’t really that big, it’s a fair salary considering the skills I still did not have entering the industry. I started with a much lower pay in another company doing online writing as well and I’ll always be grateful to that man, Mr. Dan Clay, for taking his chances with me.

4. Training must be included

If I’m doing home-based, the internet would definitely be a big part of it.

And though I have works published in some magazines and spreadsheets, truth is, I knew nothing much about the internet.

My knowledge on the internet is like me being a driver. I know how to turn a car on, move forward , reverse, turn right or left. But I know nothing about the machine or anything beyond making a car move.

I’ve done a couple of part-time gigs online and I knew a little of this and a little of that, but I needed more training for a bigger responsibility.

If I wanted a full-time job, I need to be equipped for it.

I prayed the hardest for a boss who will not only be patient with me, but was willing to train me and invest in me. And I am so ready to learn, too!

5. It has to be something I’m good at or something that I can be potentially good at.

So basically, it has to at least touch on writing. Otherwise, it’s singing but I don’t think there are full-time positions for singers available online.

I don’t like being paid for work that I can’t deliver.

I don’t think it’s right and I don’t think it’s fair.

Much as I am a big believer of hard work and loyalty, I also care about the results.

The great juggling act

I landed my first online job in years in January, then, at the encouragement of my good friend, Chame, I applied for and eventually moved to the company she works for on May 15.

I now work as a full-time marketing assistant for  a web development company based in Australia, and I am privileged to work for a boss whose heart is to help start-ups and other entrepreneurs succeed.

Working eight hours and home-schooling at the same time is no piece of cake but Jay and I managed to whip out a schedule that works for both of us.

The importance of a great support system

My husband took some of the home-schooling load off me and helps me with some of the chores. He also comes home for lunch and helps me feed the kids. Even our seven-year old son, Pablo, lends a hand by looking after his younger brothers and playing with them during my work hours.

I’ve learned to live with piles of plates on the sink and toys scattered all around the house. And I no longer insist on doing laundry. It now goes to the laundry shop and comes back to us soft, clean and smelling good. 

Aside from loyal friends, I also found support from a group of Filipino WAHMS (Work-at-Home Moms) who go through as much craziness as I do.

There are still a few more adjustments we need to make that we’re praying provisions for, but so far, we’re managing to get through with smiles on our faces at the end of most days.

Four hours of sleep is a luxury now but I have no complaints, and I’ve no regrets. I am blessed! I have learned so much and I’m learning more as the days unfold.

God had been faithful in our time of lack and He remains faithful despite my weaknesses. I’ve only a humbled and thankful heart.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4: 12-13.

Giveaway alert: Win a Pic Watch! – Fully Housewife

This Giveaway is officially closed. Winners have been declared. Thank you very much!

Pic Watch watches are selling like hotcakes!

And why wouldn’t it? You can customise your own Pic Watch and be as creative as you want to be!

You can choose the image, the background color, or the color you want for the strap.

You can even choose a size – Pic Watch offers 35 mm, 33mm, and 30 mm strap sizes.

You can have one made for yourself, make one for your best friend, give it to someone special as a gift or you can surprise your kids!

Pic Watch has got you covered.

What design do you have in mind?

To start off, you can supply your own words to complete the Keep Calm statement:
Or you can be a total fan!

You can be sporty:

Or maybe nationalistic:

It can be about your personal goals:

or aspirations:
Or a way to encourage someone:

You can be romantic (or cheesy):

It can be your child’s favorite cartoon characters:

Or your house sigil:

You can pledge your allegiance to your Alma Mater:
Talk about traveling:

Or show your funny side:

Why, you can even make a selfie or a watch with the portrait of your family:

It’s really okay to do that with Pic Watch!
If those are not enough ideas for you, you can always go to Pic Watch’s Facebook page and get more ideas from there. It can be anything you want the design to be!

For only Php 270 –  Php 300, you can already own a Pic Watch!

Pic Watch is giving away 3 customised watches to 3 lucky winners! Here are the mechanics:

Reminder: PLEASE POST ALL YOUR ENTRIES ON THE COMMENT BOX ON THIS PAGE!

1. Read my blog “Getting down and personal with Pic Watch”. Answer this question: How did Pic Watch become part of some of their customers’ special moments?

2. What design would you like your watch to have and why?

3. Share the link of this giveaway on either your Facebook or Twitter account. Please add hashtags #picwatch and #giveaway in the caption.

Include the link of your Facebook or Twitter post where you shared the giveaway so we can validate your entry.

4. Include your name and email addy in your entry so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Your entry should look like this:

Answer to #1 Answer to #2 Link to your Twitter or Facebook post where you shared the giveaway

Name, email address

I will use random.org to choose the winners and make an announcement on September 28 on Fully Housewifed Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you win, I will email you. Be ready with your Pic Watch designs by then!

This giveaway is open to Philippines residents only.

(All images used in this page are properties of Pic Watch)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!!!

Entry #3 Shari Jane Jansen

Entry #10 Maria Jafel Otud

Entry #19 Arla A. Vicencio

Please wait for my email on how you will receive your prizes!

To choose the winners, I assigned each entry a number, then raffled off the numbers using Random.org:

In behalf of Rudyard and Judith Cinco of Pic Watch, I would like to thank all of those who joined the giveaway.

Congratulations once again, Shari, Jafel, and Arla, I hope that you will love your Pic Watch watches! 

-May of Fully Housewifed

http://instagram.com/p/tr5sKxI8gT

Calle Crisologo at Daytime – Fully Housewifed

Among all the places we went to in Ilocos, the one Jay and I most looked forward to showing our children was Calle Crisologo in Vigan.

We’ve been to Vigan together twice in our youth, and in both times, we performed with our band at the city square, front lining for the then popular band True Faith at the annual San Miguel Oktoberfest.

Playing in Vigan with our band was one of our fondest memories — getting on the rented van right after our gig at Strumm’s in Makati, and heading towards north with our bags and instruments; just a bunch of silly kids talking out loud, laughing and bantering with each other, and sometimes, trying to catch sleep on the road.

Walking on a Cobblestoned street

Since it’s been years, we can’t quite remember what hotel we were booked at, but I do remember walking the cobblestoned streets leading to the plaza and back, and having difficulty doing so in my 3-inch high shoes.

Vigan, most particularly Calle Crisologo, is now considered a UNESCO heritage site. In my knowledge, it used to be home to the society’s principalia during the Spanish colonial times, and the oldest Spanish village in the Philippines.

During the few times our band toured, Jay and I weren’t able to go around very often because we were always exhausted and would much rather sleep off the whole day in our rooms until it was time to prepare for the gigs.

But Vigan was special. Vigan was one of the last places we played at with all the original 7 of our band members together. It was that first seven that dreamed together and went through high water together.

Heritage houses

However, Vigan didn’t quite live up to our memory when we got there. Perhaps because it was on January 1, we came at day time, and the festivities were over.

A friend of mine who checked into a hotel in Vigan recommended the Calesa tour which brought them to many good sites – including The Pagburnayan, where they got to try clay pot molding.

We didn’t get to do that. It turns out that they took the hotel tour calesa, which was different from the ordinary calesa being rented out.

We took the Calesa in Burgos Plaza and all it did was bring us around the neighborhood that doesn’t look any different from villages in Manila, until it went around the corner to bring us to Calle Crisologo.

Burgos museum was closed because it was a holiday, we weren’t interested to go to food stores that sell Vigan Longganisa because we already got some from Carl Louie’s, and the Calesa driver didn’t have any more ideas on where to take us.

Calle Crisologo, to me, seemed like just one long strip. It’s still beautiful in the morning, but there seemed so little to see.

(READ: Getting to know Ilocos in 3 Days)

Calesa for hire

We did check out some of the shops and got Judah a cute wooden toy – the one where wooden chickens peck on the wood as you swing the hanging ball around.

Pablo wanted to get one of the tribal designed swords, but we didn’t think it was safe to bring it home with us, considering how active all three boys can get. I mean, they sometimes accidentally hit each other’s faces around here while playing pretend spar, I don’t want to have to deal with anyone of them accidentally chopping off the head of his brother.

Vigan Sorbetes


We got some local sorbetes and all agreed that the Avocado flavour was the best one.

Just a recap, we did see Bantay Bell Tower, which was our first stop on our first day, and we saw a healthy lion at the Baluarte zoo before we proceeded. The zoo wasn’t much, really. If you’re pressed for time, I’d say you take it off your itinerary.

Baluarte Zoo Gallery Looking at the zebras on the other side Cafe Leona, Vigan St. Paul’s Cathedral, Vigan Tired, happy, ready to go home Quirino Monument, Vigan Ilocos Sur Capitol

(READ: The Food of Ilocos)

We tried Cafe Leona which is where we finally tasted Dinengdeng cooked by a local, and walked around a little more. The fountains were off at the plaza and the lights were out in Calle Crisologo. It wasn’t all that bad. I think we felt downed because Jay and I yearned for the nostalgia – to see Vigan just as we remembered it, with the beautiful lights and all. It just wasn’t the best time to visit.

We hung out at the plaza for a good thirty minutes, I think, and just rested in the shade before going back to our van.

It was time to go home.

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