Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay

What Makes A Woman Truly Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:22:00 +0000

What is true beauty? What makes a woman truly beautiful?

I have exhausted my self lately on my personal quest of finding what true beauty is and what makes up a beautiful woman. I collected images of different women of all ages, races, colors and shapes... I read articles about remarkable women of our times, memoirs of ordinary women who lived extra-ordinary lives, watched movies about powerful women of my generation, captivated by the most loved and most hated women on TV and entertainment, and even consumed myself of beauty quotes that I would regularly post on my Facebook wall every now and then.... Most of the time, I found myself intoxicated with wisdom that profoundly brought clarity to me about the world and myself as a woman...

MY PERSONAL AHA! MOMENT:

A woman's true beauty is an experience that I invite to my life, that I feel within me, that I learn from others, that I empower my self with, that I enjoy to share, that strengthens me and everyone around me...

A TRULY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IS...

A mother who fights with all her strength beside her son who's battling leukemia.

A young mother who shines when she takes her baby to experience life's great adventures before he can even walk.

A girl who behaves in public with grace and good manners saying 'thank-you', 'sorry', and 'please', controls her lingo, and builds healthy relationships with her family members, friends, and colleagues.

A woman who loves her self and carries her self with confidence, whose heart-warming smiles brightens the day of every body whom she talks to, and not letting anything or anybody steal her joy.

A single mother who listens to her daughter's pains, dreams and desires in life, who makes her feel loved, valued, important and assure her how beautiful she is.

Someone who lets nobody stop her from being great, for making a difference in the world, who loves what she does even if some people ridicule her passions, who inspires other women to embrace her talents and uniqueness, who brings honor to our country, who brings peace to the troubled and laughter to the lonely....

She doesn't even have to be a human... She could be a short furry four-legged beauty who would lick the tears off my face...

I was floored when I found this quote that describes the most beautiful people...

Beauty is not something that we can buy or wear or can or can't afford to show off. It's not something that we inject on our face and body, either. So, let's not get caught up in our appearances when we look at our selves in the mirror to judge our own beauty. It's not someone else's job to tell us if we are beautiful or not. Being beautiful inside and out is a daily decision that we affirm to ourselves.

So... I Think I'm Crazy To Think I Can Change The World

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:50:00 +0000

"What did I do to my self?"

I uttered these words after watching the movie "Evan Almighty" last weekend. This was Steve Carrell's movie years ago and I caught this scene where he was kneeling by his bedside, and he was awkwardly praying to God to help him change the world.

I remember I also prayed awkwardly to God to show me how I can change the world, starting in me... I prayed for Him to make me grateful, faithful, trusting, giving, loving, forgiving, to love myself more and to live an abundant and amazing life so I can inspire others... Then, I thought "what the heck I am thinking? Well, you are God and you put this crazy thought in my head".... And my life went on and I was very conscious ever since of what could possibly happen. Am I gonna be on TV, am I gonna be a big celebrity, am I gonna be in Dancing with the Stars.... How I wish! I went to work, read my usual books, went out with my friends, eat, relax, enjoy with my husband, watch funny movies, clean my house... Nothing too significant changed and I got a little frustrated and sometimes bored. In my mind, I was waiting for a big chance or opportunity where I would say... "This is it. I better keep my ducks in a row now, because I am just about to breakthough and change the world!" I can't wait to blog about it andtell you how amazing it was to be able to do that....

There was a scene in this "Evan Almighty" movie that struck me like a lightning, and it was when GOD (played by Morgan Freeman) said:

Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

I never swear in my life, but I swear God spoke to me in that movie. For the entire week, I've been trying to digest this quote like I would digest a big slab of steak cooked to my well-done perfection (I'm hungry while writing this)... as it has given me hope and encouragement to embrace all these opportunities that are about to come to me so I can be "the change I want to see in the world"....

Crazily I thought, and humbly I felt... and surely I can testify that I had those opportunities come to me in my life, not just lately since I blogged about it, but for many years ago, since I can remember. I am grateful through times that I had plenty and times that I had none... I am faithful when I looked fear and doubt in the eye and cast it out of my sight, and trusted God at moments when I have given up on something I can not control (coz I'm such a control freak sometimes)... I am giving understanding and encouragement to others when that's all I can give... I am loving and caring for others by learning from them, appreciating them, seeing the good in them and overlooking their bad attitudes and terrible choices in life... I am forgiving myself and freeing myself of shame and guilt... I am loving myself by celebrating my uniqueness, appreciating my own body when I feel like criticising me because of my flaws... I think of my family and friends that I have helped and supported. I read the messages that I have sent to my loved ones or posted on my Facebook where I was encouraging them and sharing to them what I'm so passionate about. When I am lacking, I declare that God is providing me everything I need and I claim His plans to prosper me. I inspire others by embracing my inner beauty through self-love, gratitude, positive thinking, wisdom and humility. I have shared great moments with my friends and loved ones through my comedy (I'm fabulously silly around my friends. I just love making others smile!). Those were the times that I do strongly feel that I truly live an abundant and amazing life.... just like what I prayed about.

So, I'm still going to change the world, and now, what?

What if I can be so stinkin' courageous and focus on loving myself so happily that the devil won't know what to do with me anymore? I personally feel very strongly passionate that this journey will be nothing but A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So, help me, God!

(PS: I refer "devil" to fear, doubt, worry, negative thoughts and influences, bad habits, insecurity, pride, selfishness, materialism, procrastination, trash, fat... etc.)

For the fun of it, here's the movie trailer of Evan Almighty. Whether you are inspired to change the world or build a boat, or simply finding your purpose in life, this religious comedy can enlighten you.

"Change" To Start In Me

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 04:57:00 +0000

One major aspect of this new challenge for me is to begin the change within me. Recently, I dared to define what true beauty means to me. So, I wrote it down, shared my Beauty Manifesto videos in Youtube, in my blogs and even created a Facebook fan page about it. I realized after that project, I did not only define what true beauty means for me and but I also embraced the challenge of being the change I want to see in the world.

I felt an instant gratification for myself on that daring process, as it was the most liberating first step in living the change I want to see in the world. All my self-image consciousness, insecurity and judgment were washed down the drain. I have empowered myself to direct my life on my own terms, and not to be trapped on what others say I should live my life or how I should look. Living in a culture where negative self-criticism, self-hate and self-defeating opinions were encouraged as a norm in the media and our society, this is not the easiest process for me to turn it around. This first step alone takes courage, self-love and self-belief to fight the obvious.

As a result of this, I had clarity of who I am and what I want to be.... I no longer worry about others' opinion of me as it does not matter to me anymore. A few times now, I was able to express that "I don't really care now what people think or say of me"... and it really is amazing to say that.

I hope to inspire you to have that autonomy and control of your own life and you will find your self to be much more powerful than what others think. You won't let other people's remarks influence you or make you embark on the journey of self doubt, just like what this song says...

So... I Think I Can Change The World

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 06:47:00 +0000

My new life purpose isn't only alive and breathing, but well communicated in my past job interviews and documented in my career blogs. At first, I did kind of felt weird and crazy, but as I went on following my intuition and passion... I instantly recognized that inside of me, there's this inspired energy that naturally comes out of me and made me glow when I was triggered by character questions like, "Why am I different?" or "What makes me stand out from the rest?" Being self-assured of who I am and confident to know what my true passion and life purpose is, this cliche made me open up the vulnerable side of me. Just being able to express my mind is the most liberating thing in the world.

After acquiring several habits over the years that strengthened my values and character and protected my thoughts and belief system, I've come to a decision that I can truly be in charge of my destiny. Without hesitation, I seriously dared to think I can change the world.... Then, I started to see things differently. I desired to think and do things differently. I no longer want to be average. I'm no longer fond of rules that will limit me. I no longer care if people will agree or disagree with me. I was constantly connecting the dots, and I have to keep looking... I should not stop. I can't be ignored.... This is in my mind every day. I feel it in every level of my being and emotion... No one can ever take this away from me.

One day this week, I had this overwhelming feeling and I was talking myself out of this craziness in my head. Am I ok? What is going on with my brain, so on and so forth.... So, in the essence of me un-thinking my thoughts and insulting my intuitive nature, I googled and typed the phrase "crazy thinking differently" (as that was my strong feeling of myself that moment).... To my surprise, I did not expect to see this video to be first in the list.

I'm no Steve Jobs, but he inspired me to remain foolish... to keep thinking what I'm thinking differently. So... I think I can change the world. That is my intention and opportunities come to me to make this into reality.

My Real Life Debunking of Beauty Myth

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:31:00 +0000

I want to personally share to you all my fabulous readers - this amazing woman, Tara Starling, whom I met at the Ignite Your Spark Women's Conference. Please watch her video and you'll know why I'm following this brave and courageous woman in changing the world, one woman's beauty manifesto at a time.

For the last couple of years, I've been drawn to Youtube watching videos of makeup and fashion tutorials, beauty product reviews, especially beauty myths and other disturbing videos about how media is distorting women's images through extreme photo shopping and altering - and why in the world girls and women alike are obsessed about these doctored images of celebrities and models. What really threw me off lately are the videos of young girls asking viewers, "Am I ugly?" or "Am I Fat?", and letting the world judge them!

I remember, when I was a young girl, I struggled, too, and I was very conscious about my legs as they are not ideally skinny, like the models I see in the magazines. And I let the world judge me and be called "fat and ugly!" I carried this insecurity about my body until now, and I even used to joke to my family and friends, "Na ang mga pata kong ito ang magtatanggol sa lahat ng mag-aapi sa inyo!" (My thighs will defend you from all bullies!) That sarcastic and comic expression somehow helped me scare away my own (inner) bullies, and I'm now more accepting of my body image, and loving my beautiful legs that my Mama gave me! I even enjoy wearing dresses now that show off my legs with pride on how strong they have become!

Few months ago, I shared this "Love-your-legs-your-mama-gave-you" wisdom to one girl one time at work, and she told me how she wants me to be around her so she will feel better about her (self) "legs"... At that time, I felt inspired that I have a compelling message to women who have body image issues. And this "Taking Back Beauty Movement" is my perfect vehicle to reach them.

Lastly, I want to share with you all this "Beauty Myth" video I shared recently in my Facebook Fan Page, so you know what's all these "Beauty Myths" that the world is talking about!

The Million Beauty Manifestos - Taking Back Beauty Movement

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:07:00 +0000

I could not have dreamed of a bigger dream and challenge myself to do something that I've never done before in my life - than this one... I don't need to do this but I want to, and that's a good reason enough for me to pursue this "next chapter"!

I have appointed myself to become one of the VOICE and ADVOCATE of a new women's movement called TAKING BACK BEAUTY MOVEMENT. Its mission is to debunk all the lies about our own beauty (known as "Beauty Myths"), shift the society's definition of beauty (not only based it on how we look but how we live), and compel the media especially the beauty industry to portray women responsibly.

I have instantly become overwhelmed by this as this is a personal struggle that I can relate to my whole life. How many times have I looked at my Victoria's Secret catalog and looked at my self in the mirror with discouragement, asking myself, "Why don't I look like any of these women?" The beauty industry here in America has defined the perfect ideal beauty as tall, skinny-slim, blonde, flat tummy, big breasts, young, surgically enhanced, no stretch marks, no wrinkles, no pimples, no opinions, posing in some sexually suggestive manner and looking like she's floating.... So, most women and young girls could not relate to this "beauty", including my fabulous and curvacious self! I felt that the definition of beauty has been distorted by the media, that if you don't look like Barbie, you are ugly and unworthy!

This is not an issue of low self-esteem or having no confidence for women. The issue here is that the rest of us REAL women are buying these lies and believing that we are not enough, that we are not worthy, that we are not deserving, and no matter what we do, we can never be the ideal beauty that God created us to be.

To kick off my new mission, I have created a new video of myself inviting each one of you to participate with me in your own little way. I am ambitious enough to DREAM that I'd reach out to millions of fabulous women (of all sizes, race, color, or age) around the world and ask a million of you to define what true beauty means to you - and not what the media or your society or your culture tells you. Your own written words are so powerful enough to make a change within you, and believe that you are truly beautiful just like God made you to be, and that you are worthy enough and deserving to be loved and be respected just the way you are!

It's so easy to do this. Simply write down your own beauty manifesto in a piece of paper, take a photo of it with your self (if you'd like), then post it online at www.starlingtruebeauty.com/1millionstrong. And tell your loved ones about it! This will immediately create awareness to the media and beauty industry executives that WE, REAL WOMEN, should be portrayed in a realistic and respected manner. Thanks for your support for this worthy cause that will be changing the world one true beautiful woman at a time - starting from you.

Why I'm Telling My Story

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:48:00 +0000

I just recently changed the look of my confessions blog and wrote this preface under the title:

"The most important story I will ever tell is the story I tell to myself about myself. This story creates my reality and moves my life towards my passion and purpose." (I got this inspiration from Cassie Ashton, speaker at Ignite Your Spark).

I received few emails from random people before why I don't write my story anymore in this blog.... Now that I have time to update all my blog accounts, I read through my written history and realized that I have defined myself very well (especially in my Career Blog than in my personal blog). I was able to relate again to my old blog in 2010 about my"Ambition to Meaning." This brought vivid thoughts in my mind that I'm constantly in crisis when it comes to really knowing what my purpose is.

So, why am I telling my story now?

Most people just watch and wander around through their existence in this world and allow life and circumstances happen to them. Worse, they don't even know who they are, what they want to become so they let the world, the media or their loved-ones define them - sometimes in a harmful and self-destructing way. When I started blogging 4 or 5 years ago, I knew in my gut that I don't want to be one of those people who just went to work without passion, partied on the weekends and lived their life without purpose. I knew I was unique and I had to acknowledge my Creator and share my gifts to the world. But deep inside me, I continuously struggled to have to buy my own story and authenticity as I never claimed a clear purpose why I'm doing what I'm doing...

Those years of blogging about me, my experiences from childhood, my activities and dreams in life as a young adult, my challenging and humbling moments, and overcoming many obstacles here in the US - have defined me and my character just how I have written it. And powerfully, it has molded my destiny and prepared me to take my first baby steps toward greatness.

I've read a while ago that before I can convince others of my greatness, that I have to buy into my own story. I must define first my priorities, know my values and believe in my purpose. And only then I can effectively share my story, my service, my passion or myself to others.

I remind myself everyday that it's good to be humble, but I don't have to mumble my life away.... I just know like I know that I just have to sing this song inside me and see that my song is sung...

I could go on and on vaguely here, but I only want this one to be a foreword of what's coming up next here in my confessions blog. I have an exciting mission that I'd like to announce later to everyone... I just need to take a big deep breathe here and kick some left-over fear in the face!

Keeping my Spark Alive at IGNITE YOUR SPARK 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:19:00 +0000

I spent two and a half days this weekend at the IGNITE YOUR SPARK 2012 National Leadership Conference for Women Changing The World in Salt Lake City. I'm proud to say that I've been part of this women's tribe since last year as I want to network with like-minded women of my kind - the fierce and independent woman who knows what she wants in life and decides to get it... the empowered woman who is in charge of her self and her future!

Last year, I came to network and be inspired by my favorite authors and speakers like Lisa Nichols, and find myself a mentor or a life and career coach. I believe in investing in myself personally and for my chosen sales profession. This year, I wanted to be inspired to find MY bigger purpose in life. I came with an open mind and an open heart to challenge myself to do something that I have never done before so I can have what I never had before...

I had three things on my list that I wanted to take away from this conference: First is to claim another dream. I'm in a career transition right now and I believe that I have lived my dream career from two years ago, and now I want to claim another bigger dream career in 2012. Second is to find that bigger purpose in my life, like be part of a new movement or volunteer in a group that serves women of all kind, age, size, race and circumstance in life to make them feel better about themselves - empower them in some ways that I can be truly passionate about... Last is to vulcanize my passion in living my legacy and keeping my spark alive as long as I love and live!

This transformational conference has been a compelling event for me personally. This marks the day in my life that I let my true passion and inspiration lead my life's decisions. I've learned throughout the past years that life is about deciding my possibilities in my career, the groups I choose to support, and in many other aspects of my life.

Before I continue and finally revive my writing of my story here in my blog, here's the inspirational introduction video of Ignite Your Spark.... And I hope you find a way to join us in 2013!

Insecurity Vs. Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:09:00 +0000

I realize that even if you already are the most beautiful,sexiest, wealthiest, smartest, most famous, most successful person…. You could still bethe most insecure about yourself. I do envy thosepeople who may not have all the opportunities or all the talents, but they are free of any insecurity. I also realize that the mostinsecure people are ungrateful, needy and very hard to please. They think andspeak highly of themselves during the day or in front of many, but at the endof the day, they look at the mirror and they criticize themselves and they feel this insecurity in all levels of their being.

Okay, I admit... I'm guilty of this sometimes and eating breakfast food at dinner time, watching too much of “Keeping UpWith The Kardashian” and listening to my life changing audio books on my drive to work everyday...

This is just my general observation as I have been watchingmyself closely on my own daily reality check on building a strong character formyself in becoming more grateful and less needy... to be more appreciative of myself than critical. I believe that if I develop this grateful attitude towards myself, that I will have better attitude towards others around me. Though this is something that I have been doing amazingly for the past few years, I found that this has become my most powerful daily habit and now a part of me and my conscious inner being.

Everyday or every time I exchange conversation with people, especially those who are close to me, I try to findthis unique gift of humility and gratitude in their hearts. I feel blessed whenever I hear them say, "I'm so thankful" or "I'm so grateful" or "I'm so blessed"... not only in their happiest moments, but most especially in their most trying times. I always feel grateful whenever I can see even a small spark of gratitude in a person.

As I've read many books on achieving personal success and happiness, having the attitude of gratitude has been the most valuable lesson I have learned from these great preachers. Here's a short video I found today how gratitude can lead to abundant life. It is not beauty, not wealth, not talent nor intelligence, but a practical attitude of gratitude.

Facebook Face Off (Identity Crisis of Sorts)

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:04:00 +0000

Yesterday, I was having one of those moments thinking clueless and having an identity crisis of sorts in my Facebook. And I wrote, "I have 1,320 Friends in FB.... It's overwhelming! If I can scam you all for a dollar each, I'll be $1,320 richer! And all I post now are QUOTES... Am I missing something here? Where's the goofball behind this profile?" And seriously, where's the hyper and theatrical character owner of this..... Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay blog???

First, let's talk about the status of your face..... I've picked this one up from a friend's FB status few weeks ago and I loved it because it's so true!

"Welcome to FB! Where love stories are perfect. Where shit-talkers tell the truth. Where everyone brags they have the perfect life and claim to be in love with their partners. Where your enemies are the ones that visit your profile the most. Where your ex-friends block you. Where your ex-love 'unfriends' you. Where you post something and people interpret whatever the hell they want." (Shout out to Roldan Din's FB, woo-hoo!) OK, I'm guilty and I'm sure many of you can relate to this awful truth. But that's the beauty of Facebook... you can be vulnerable and sensitive, frank and annoying, or inspiring and simply making people smile - just to get some sort of attention. Don't we all need attention?

Lately, I have estranged myself from FB, and to fill in some gag of life on my wall, I would feed it with my Twitter quotes.... I can not keep up with my FB population anymore and I don't know what else to offer them except something that I'm passionate about through positive quotes.

To confess to whoever enjoys reading my FB wall and this personal blog, here's some real-life status updates I can openly share in this post, and I'm not holding back.... (Imagine me holding a mega-phone.... but who cares!)

"If I'm responsible for giving a person a smile, that's the greatest feeling in the world!"

"When I'm offered a halo-halo, a turon, or a banana-que, I light up like a little girl on a Christmas morning!"

"If we don't make love, it'll be just fine."

"I like girls who celebrate their beauty in their own uniqueness and passion, who didn't have to go with the flow to be cool."

"I sometimes feel that I have emasculated everything around me."

"When you hear that song, will you think of me?"

"Make me happy, beautiful, and rich, and I will pay you attention."

If you're sick of FB like me, here's a cool youtube video about controlling your Facebook Fever!

The Case Study of My Intuition

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:30:00 +0000

Today, my intuition says it's time to speak the truth about my special "intuitive" gift. Intuition is this ability to understand something immediately, without the need of conscious reasoning.... the ability to see any event or any object from a viewpoint of the cosmic whole... the ability to get a sense, vision or feeling about someone or something.

A year ago, I met this intuition expert in one of the networking events in Salt Lake City and when she told me she was writing a book on intuition, came this strong rush of feeling inside me and I was bursting out like a drag queen, and I said "I've been hiding in my intuition closet. I know it's there and it wanted to come out so strongly and so undeniably that they startle me.... It is like every cell of my body is screaming at me to do something, to take a certain course, even though logically it may make no sense..." That confession to this woman I just met had led me to open my mind and heart to study it and learn how to tap in its power, listen to it, trust it and teach it to guide me. It was not an overnight makeover but many months of practicing my awareness of this amazing gift. Once I came out of my closet and awakened my inner guide by unlocking the wisdom of my subconscious mind, I already know what to do - no questions asked.

I've written a little bit about it in my last year's blogs but not with huge compliment. For example, I wrote something like.... "I feel that there is something big and significant that will happen to me this year. I don't know what or why or how, but I feel that I need to prepare for it." And so I followed this instinct and took the actions without questions... and so I was right!

The interesting thing about intuition is that it doesn't necessarily coordinate with our current reality or current life. Sometimes, our intuition serves as a protector, preventor or guide. Sometimes, you may not know why you took the action you took until more time passes... One thing I know for sure is when I don't follow those intuitive hints, I usually pay a price down the line.

Call it gut-feelings, instinct, inner guide, little voice inside my head, internal GPS, higher self, wizard within..... I have learned to trust this gift to always lead me in the direction of my dreams. I have learned to train that part of me so I have an overview of my life that has my best interest at heart. It can provide me an oasis of peace in the midst of chaos, bring me to harmony, help me release negativity, and give me confidence to take action and prepare for change in my life. It also can be a valuable guide as I take steps to create my dreams and know how to turn them to reality.

Here's a video that I found that talks a little bit about How to Tap into Your Intuition (and not to over think all the time...).

The Fabulous Pinay Finally Speaks The Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:41:00 +0000

The truth is I wondered why I don't write blogs as much as before. (What's new pussycat?) The truth is I felt that so many good things has happened in my life already this year that it will make me sound so full of my self if I highlight them one by one. The truth is I feel humbled in many of those milestone moments. And the truth is I just kept it to myself... when I should have spoken the truth.

This past weekend I took the liberty to be with a group of like-minded women in Salt Lake City called the "Ignite Your Spark 2011, Speak Your Truth." I knew without a doubt that this is my event. Not only do I want to ignite my spark but I need lots of fuel to set my ground of fire.... well, that's too graphic, what I'm trying to say is, I needed more courage to step out of my box because I feel like I'm going to breakthrough this year.... I don't know how, I don't know why, but I feel it coming...

The "Speak Your Truth" tag line also inspired me. This personal blog has been my way of speaking my truth for the past several years. I have written humorous tales from my childhood "promdi prabins" days up to my humbling experiences here in the states... All of those served me well to be the strong and independent woman that I am now.

I had many unforgettable memories from this conference, but there was one moment that I will forever cherish. It was when I shared to a few women a personal testimony as they shared to me their own dreams and what they hope to gain from this conference... Last year, I once felt fear and had gone through some adversity. Those days I so-called my "Ramen Noodle days" really tested me, my bank account and most especially, my attitude. As an advocate of self-empowerment tools like books, magazines and audio CDs on positive thinking, visualization, attitude of gratitude, law of attraction, etc. I knew those moments were the perfect opportunity for me to put these wisdom to action. I even highlighted them in a few blogs, like the New About Me, and the Four Fearless Steps that Made a Difference in my Life. There was only one thing for sure that I did. I MADE A DECISION. And I act upon it, and the rest was history.

Lastly, I wanted to share this inspiration that I got from the conference: "How does one become a butterfly? someone asked.... It is when you want to fly so much that you're willing to give up being a caterpillar." The truth is, without focus and action, your dream remains just that.

2011 The Year of the Fierce Pinay

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:39:00 +0000

Every beginning of the year is the time when I would sit at a corner and think and envision what my new year would be like... This is also the time when I review my past year's blogs and see what I highlighted in my life. My last year's over all mission is CHANGE. Attitude change, check! Career change, check! Fabulous to Fierce, check!

Today I declare for myself that 2011 is the Year of the Fierce Pinay. The past year I have followed women celebrities who inspired me to find my fierce self - Tyra, Oprah, Ellen, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, to name the famous ones. These are women who celebrated self-empowerment in their talk shows and songs, who values self-acceptance of our own uniqueness - of ethnicity, color, body, face, and attitude! I also follow a few extraordinary people with good inspiring teachings and stories of their journey, their struggles in order to succeed in their career and businesses. Now that I have laid my foundation for my fierceness, I can not wait for what 2011 will bring me!

If there is one fierce Bible verse that I will live by in 2011, it is to live the Ephesians 3:20 life: "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us..." To put it simply in my own phrase - "what I ask or think about is powerful within me and that GOD is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond for me..."

If there is one song that would empower me to start this new year with some bang, that would be Katy Perry's FIREWORK! This is my New Year's song. Here's to all the fierce men and women of the world who decided to work the power within them to realize all their dreams this 2011, "You just gotta ignite the light, And let it shine, Just own the night, Like the Fourth of July..." Remember, "Baby, you're a Firework!!"

2010 My Year of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:44:00 +0000

Today, I appreciate being able to write. I lost my voice, literally, and it's frustrating to even answer my phone because I just whisper.... Good that there's texting, Facebook, and of course, blogging - at least I can still communicate and reach out to the world. How I lost my voice? Long story at our friend's New Year's Eve party!

2010 has brought me so many lessons learned, faced many fears and endured different challenges... But in return, I became wiser and I have discovered so many of my strengths, and most especially, I have received many countless blessings with my new found life lived with the power of gratitude. As a result of this life-changing decision, so many of my dreams were fulfilled in 2010.

If there's one powerful thing I can share to anybody who's reading this: STOP COMPLAINING AND BE GRATEFUL in everything you do and don't do, in everything you have and don't have - everyday. Things and situation suddenly turns into positive when you are grateful. This is one major ATTITUDE makeover I did for 2010 - I do not complain anymore. Continuing to 2011, I choose to stay positive, be happy and be grateful everyday, and continue to expect abundance in my life. God is good, always.

A year-ender homemade video is here to cheer you on! Our super kulit na Christmas Day video opening gifts and surprises with our Chipmunk voices and music by Black Eyed Peas!

Memorable Night at the North Pole Express at the Heber Valley Railroad, Utah

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:59:00 +0000

What else would be a unique and most memorable fun get-away with my new nephew, Robertson (his first trip to Utah!) - than a magical ride to The North Pole Express at the Heber Valley Railroad in our small hometown of Heber on Monday, November 22nd! So many families from all over came to experience this exciting 90-minute fun of singing Christmas carols, story reading, enjoying hot cocoa and cookie treat, never ending photo ops and meeting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in a historic train ride found only in our beautiful Wasatch Valley. This traditional Christmas theme ride is limited only for this season so take your families now to the North Pole Express. I highly recommend this to anyone with children as this is an experience they will cherish for a long time, just like we did!

My sister's (Diana) family Thanksgiving vacation in Heber turned out to be the most exciting when a friend of mine texted me on Wednesday morning and that she saw my picture in our local newspaper, The Wasatch Wave.... Clueless of me, I mentioned this to my sister and she remembered that it must be our train ride! We then rushed to our grocery store, and there my sister was - buying a stock of the newspaper to bring back home to Houston as their priceless memory of Heber, Utah!

Here's our Official Family Photo from the North Pole Express! See baby Robertson's Santa outfit - he prepared for this ride (nice job, mom Diana!)

Short video of us singing "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" on our way to North Pole! Priceless Family Fun!

Confession of a Father's Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:17:00 +0000

"One day I will be free from this bad eyesight that I inherited from my father..." I told myself this Monday morning as I get ready to go to work and spend the next five days in my perky eyeglasses as a requirement to prepare for my Lasik consultation this Friday. As I looked consciously in the mirror before I go public at work in my four eyes, I can not deny that I saw a resemblance of my father in me.

So my father's birthday was this week (he's in the Philippines) and I thought of him a lot. I don't even remember the last time I was with him on his birthday. But I tried to remember all the times that he impacted me with strong core values such as, achieving academic and career success, creating a loving and trusting relationship, dealing well with people in authority, and a lot more. But the one that stood up in my mind was what he told me about beauty... that my beauty is power and a privilege.. that it is God's natural gift to me, and that I should use it to influence people in good ways.

Now that I'm more mature and I don't get to spend much time with my dad anymore, I have observed him a lot and understood why I am the way I am... Like my dad, I like strong over-flowing coffee with lots of sugar and cream. I love anything sweet, and anything greasy, like greasy peanuts, sisig, and Chinese food, especially pancit canton. I also inherited my dad's sense of humor and his charisma around people. I also got from my father his love of classic and country music, and his deep appreciation to simple life like nature trips and scenic views.

So I was listening to the music of my favorite country singer, Taylor Swift, and as I listened carefully to the lyrics of her new song "Never Grow Up"... a strong rush of emotion just overwhelmed me as I drove home that night. It was already getting dark fast and snowing lightly, and suddenly my tears were almost blinding me... I, then, remembered the scent of my dad's pomade, the gassy smell of his Renegade when he comes home from work, and when both him and my mom told me how fond they were of me when I was a baby and that they wished I "never grow up" and just stay pure and little... So as this song says...

Your Facebook is Your Reputation

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 02:25:00 +0000

Today, I posted a "heavy" remark on my Facebook (as I was so turned off to see lots of potty mouths when I checked my home page today,) and it goes:

Careless Teens on Facebook... Think before you post your stinky emotions. You may not be aware that what you communicate online is who you are to all who reads them. Google never forgets, so is your friends and your classmates, and your parents' and relatives' friends... so is your college admissions counselor and future employers...

When someone sees your Facebook statuses and you are BS-ing, F-ing, flirting, suggesting sexual acts, sharing racy photos and comments to others.... Remember that you have the whole world as your audience. Whether people know you or not, you are very susceptible to judgment because you and your thoughts are virtually exposed, unprotected, unguarded - whether you are just 9 or 99 years old.

If I could share with you all my perspective... It is a privilege to share something to the world but it comes with huge responsibility whether through blogging or posting on Facebook and other websites... I understand kids today goes through a lot of anxiety growing up, but if I'm smart, why would I share something that will ruin me later, affect my relationships and friendships, destroy my reputation, sabotage my dream career or dream college... And as a parent, why will I not do anything to correct this distasteful and regretful attitude?

My Teenage Gleek Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:39:00 +0000

So millions of you GLEE fans have watched the season premiere this week, with Charice as a guest! I like Glee not only because it's a musical high school comedy-drama but because I can relate to their theme of celebrating being unique, and expressing one's self in an artful and theatrical way.

When I was in high school, I remember I was very theatrical as well. I'm not known for dating boys and provocative behavior, but I was popular for my passion of performing on stage. I was very comfortable on spot light and it was my way of expressing my individuality. I'd not only sing and dance and act in our school's talent shows and town fiestas, but I'd compete in declamation contests, choir singing contests, group dance contests, and even one time in a science quiz bee! So I was very Gleek, indeed! I was never the cheer leader type, but I was a volleyball varsity player. I was not the valedictorian type either, but I was focused on pursuing my college dreams and ambitions in life.

I have always dreamt to be a stage or TV actress when I was young, but it was not my destiny. So, everytime I'd watch a musical or stage play, or even a live concert, I'd imagine myself that I was on stage... Oh, well. Dreams are free and so is imagination!

One of my favorite stage performances in Glee is this "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. The song is kind of real for me as I was a small town girl and I never really stopped believing and I'm still holding on to that feeling...

My Infamous Miss Universe Q&A Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:36:00 +0000

Earlier today, I posted in my Facebook status: What's the biggest mistake you've ever done in your life, and what did you do to make it right? (From Q&A in Miss Universe, controversial question to our Ms. Philippines). Then someone asked me how I would answer it, and I commented:

If I would be asked this tough question, here's my tough and honest answer.... The biggest mistake I've ever done in my life is foolishly trying to be perfect to please everyone. I've been tough on myself trying to compete all the time and comparing myself with others - believing that I am better or not better than everybody else.... What I did to make it right is simply appreciate myself for what I am blessed with and what I have to share to others and the world even if I can't be nearly perfect and can't please everybody - that I can be myself, love myself, laugh at myself and believe in myself to be simply the best that I can be in everything that I do... Trust me, life is so much easier to live when you're just yourself and not trying to be someone you're not. Thank you.

I posted this just for fun as our country's bet, Ms. Philippines - Venus Raj, has received massive criticism over her English and her non-winning answer... Sadly, she was feasted and judged by rude, arrogant and shameless Filipinos and other international critics all over the internet... most of them can't even write their criticism in English well online.

I wanted to defend Venus Raj somehow here in my blog as I am also a Filipina woman and I had my share of experiences in beauty pageants in my younger days. That question was a tough one for a 22 year old. What kind of "major, major mistake or problem" in life could a 22 year old girl like her ever have? I mean, she didn't drop out of college or did stupid things like eloped with some handsome loser? But instead, she fought her way to this Miss Universe pageant, from the bukid to Las Vegas, and just laughed at herself after realizing her answer on stage... For me, that's true bravery, and how many girls like her can ever do that?

She's obviously a "promdi" like me. I can relate to her being still naive at 22, and obviously being raised in a very well-sheltered family. Unfortunately, that gave her a disadvantage in winning the crown, but she's still the winner in many people's hearts, including mine.

For me, even though she's not a typical Filipina beauty - in my opinion, Venus Raj is a true Fabulous Pinay. At the end of the day, we all know that she represented our country very well and she made us proud being in the Top 5!

I found this video interview of Venus Raj that you all should see!

Another video interview of Venus Raj, just being herself and being funny. For me, the sexiest thing in any woman is that she can make fun of herself!

My Old Face

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:03:00 +0000

Two decades ago, before today's Facebook generation.... my old face emerged! How refreshing to remember how natural I looked back then.

Three old photos topped my favorites from my old friends tagging me in their Facebook albums!!

My Four Fearless Steps That Made A Difference In My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Going back to both my personal and career blogs early this year, I had this intuition that I am going to go through "something" this year. I was clueless but I was prepared. In January, I started taking short business classes that opened my mind to a lot more possibilities for me, and these personal and professional development workshops dared me to change in this unlikely time during the US recession. In April, I let go of my hotel sales career and with it, I let go of my greatest fears and inhibitions. I decided to follow my intuition (God) and somehow it led me to CLIMB a different mountain… In May, I decided to go public in my pursuit of my new dream career in computer software and technology sales.

Here, I wanted to share and inspire you all the four Fearless Steps that I had to take and made a difference in my life to following this dream, or any dream that I want to achieve in life:

STEP 1: Killing my “Mind-Evils”
It’s my ultimate battle. These mind-evils are doubts, fears, shame, distrust, guilt, pride, pressure, stress, weakness, criticisms, depression, loneliness, rejection, discouragement, failure, worry…. I could go on and on. I call it “mind-evils,” because these only existed in my mind and they are destructive… Flushing these out of my mind is the most important step, and the hardest first step that I took… If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 2: Unleash my “Mind-Powers”
It’s my ultimate win. These “mind-powers” are achievement, success, positive attitude, quadruple self-belief, gratitude, confidence, contentment, courage, hope, love, faith, goals, happiness, peace, trust, responsibility, God’s will, and BIG, BIG PRAYERS…. If you read my daily Facebook status, you see that I feed my mind only with positive quotes and surround myself only with positive people. If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 3: Empower my “Mind-Visions”
It’s my ultimate prize. Many times, I said to myself: If I know where I’m going, I know I’m gonna get there…. If you tell me to shoot the apple, I’ll shoot the apple... If I want to race, I want to race to win…. I call these my “mind-visions” and they are powerful so I practice this all the time. When I had to go through some adversity or challenge in my life, or even if I just set myself to reach a personal goal, I focused on the end-result that is favorable for me. If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 4: Look what I have become…
It’s my ultimate pleasure…. To look back and see what I have become in the process. These are the moments that I remember most of… the learning experiences that I cherish the most. In my career change and job search during the peak of the US recession, for example, I had to do amazing things that I’ve never done before (that I thought I could never do)…. I pushed myself to my limits until I had unleashed my most daring and most powerful version of my self. If I can do it, you can, too.

Here’s my song to remember my journey, (THE CLIMB by Miley Cyrus) and I dedicate this to all men and women who are ready to push themselves to their limits and find their most daring, and their most powerful self inside of them, and cherish the climb.....

The Most Important 433 Words to Read This Month

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:41:00 +0000

No matter how sophisticated and grown-up we become, everyone has her insecure days. In this excerpt from her new book, Eve Ensler celebrates the true power of a woman (you guys know I'm all about that, right?). I got this from an editorial at Glamour magazine, and wanted to share to all emotional men and women, so read on.

Dear Emotional Creature:

I believe in you. I believe in your authenticity, your uniqueness, your intensity, your wildness. I love the way you dye your hair purple, or hike up your short skirt, or blare your music while you lip-synch every single memorized lyric (now, that's more like me!). I love your restlessness and your hunger. You possess the energy that, if unleashed, could transform, inspire and heal the world.

Everyone seems to have a certain way they want you to be - your mother, father, teachers, religious leaders, politicians, boyfriends, fashion gurus, celebrities, girlfriends. In reporting my new book, I learned a very disturbing statistic: 74 percent of young women say they are under pressure to please everyone. (You and I included...)

I have done a lot of thinking about what it means to please; to be the wish or will of somebody other than yourself. To please the fashion setters, we starve ourselves. To please men, we push ourselves when we aren't ready. To please our parents, we become insane over-achievers. If you are trying to please, how do you take responsibility for your own needs? How do you even know what your needs are? The act of pleasing makes everything murky (murky means dark or gloomy). We lose track of ourselves. We stop uttering declaratory sentences. We stop directing our lives. We forget what we know. We make everything OK rather than real.

I have had the good fortune to travel around the world. Everywhere I meet teenage girls and women giggling, laughing as they walk country roads or hang out on city streets. Electric girls. I see how their lives get hijacked, how their opinions and desires get denied and undone. So many of the women I have met are still struggling late into their lives to know their desires, to find their way.

Instead of trying to please, this is a challenge to provoke, to dare, to satisfy your own imagination and appetite. To take responsibility for who you are, to engage. Listen to the voice inside you that might want something different. It's a call to your original self, to move at your own speed, to walk with your step, to wear your color.

When I was your age, I didn't know how to live as an emotional creature. I felt like an alien. I still do a lot of the time. I am older now. I finally know the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting. It has taken me so many years to be OK with being different, with being this alive, this intense. I just don't want to have to wait that long.

Love,
Eve Ensler

(Eve Ensler's new book is I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World.)

Story of a Blind Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:48:00 +0000

A close friend of mine sent this via email to me last week and I have shared this with few of my friends as well. I thought this was worthy of a blog post. This story means different things to me.... one is, if you position your message well and positively, you can get better results in life. So, cheer on and the world will cheer back to you!

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."
I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling. And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it. If you like, share.

Memoirs of a Long Distance Aunt

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:36:00 +0000

My life is always joyous and meaningful in a lot of simplier ways, and I had a glimpse of this joy and meaningfulness when I visited my family in Houston back in April, saw my dad and my mom again after a loooong time... and met the "other man" who gave new sparkles in my eyes... He is my nephew, Robertson, and my dad called him "Betsoy"... ha-ha-ha!! I knew then that when I came back home to Utah, my life will never be the same again. I was right so!

New "About Me"

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:07:00 +0000

This past month of April passed by too fast and too furious for me, and shame on me that I had no single post! When I get all my pictures in my Houston visit loaded here in my laptop, I'd like to share with you all here in my blog why my recent birthday (yes, I'm older again!) was the most fun of all!

Today, I have updated my Blogger Profile "About Me" as it was inspired by a verse that was discussed in the church I attended today. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7"

Here's my blog-worthy "About Me"... I am a self-taught and self-empowered motivator, and I believe in the power of my personal written words. I use my blogs as an extension of my being, my doing, my thoughts, my creation, my power, my discovery of my destiny… I am ambitious and I set myself to achieve success and to realize all my dreams. I believe that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7). This is why I believe I can do amazing things and can manifest all my personal potentials and greatness that God gifted me. Although this makes me feel like I’m not humble enough, but when you believe that your potentials and greatness are your gift back to the world, you can be astounded when you can touch someone’s life with it… contribute to make the world a better place, make life more meaningful and God’s grace a delight to experience.

I hope that inspired you today.

To your power and greatness,
Czarina