First International Trip Together: The Preparation

I am excited for tomorrow because it will be our first international trip! I will be going to Hong Kong together with my wife and her best friend. Definitely, it will be a blast!

Actually, this trip was initially scheduled on December. In fact, we already paid for our airfare tickets from Cebu Pacific months before our wedding. We got the tickets priced at P3000 for the both of us; sadly it was a one way ticket. It took us months to look for super affordable plane tickets back to Philippines but there were none. We attended a travel and tour convention and the people we have talked to advised us that based on their experience, the fares which are priced less than P3000 from Hong Kong (for two) was impossible. We almost lost hope. And there was a time that we decided not to pursue the trip anymore. Good thing, an angel came our way. On one fateful day, my wife, Edel was seeking advice from Atty. Tina (our friend from IMG). During that meeting, Edel blurted out that we planned to go to Hong Kong this year (December). Atty. Tina suggested that we join her this October. That night, when I got home, Edel told me this and we agreed.

Finding our way there.

The next day, we looked for the cheapest flight possible (that's where we're good at). We found one via Tiger Airways. However there was a challenge. Tiger Airways is stationed in Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Pampanga. We didn't know how to get there via public transportation. In fact, we haven't been there but we thought that it will be an exciting adventure and Google surely helped us find our way. 

After a few minutes of Googling, we found a possible option. We can go to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) via Philtranco bus line. They have a direct line from Pasay to DMIA daily. From that point, we already have our plane tickets (round trip) and we already knew how to get to the airport. 

Excited to take a photo of this view

Next, we planned for our itinerary. We planned to visit the Great Buddha in Ngong Ping 360 on the first day and Hong Kong Disneyland, the next day. After a couple of hours researching (Google again), we learned how to get there either from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) or from Kowloon. 

We discussed our planned itinerary with Atty Tina and she suggested that we go to Ocean Park instead of Hong Kong Disneyland. Her reason? The rides in Ocean Park are a lot more exciting as compared to Disneyland. We looked and compared their websites and we found out that Atty. Tina was right. 

Letting go of a dream?

Since I was a child, it was my dream to go to Disneyland. I wanted to see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and the rest of the gang in real life. Of course, Edel wanted this too. In fact, Edel and I once dreamt of having our wedding there. 

With this dream in mind, Edel and I discussed the implications of going to Ocean Park instead of Disneyland. 

After researching, reflecting and sharing our thoughts, we decided that we should visit both attractions. We decided to go to Ocean Park to witness what it has to offer and visit Hong Kong Disneyland to fulfill our dream. We agreed to compress our day 1 itinerary to include Hong Kong Disneyland in the afternoon. 

More Blessings!

I forgot to mention that Edel's best friend (Jess) was also part of the thinking process. We met her, texted her and called her up regularly to update her regarding our trip. Two weeks ago, we finalized everything. We researched and visualized everything starting from our place to Hong Kong and back. Aside from visualizing, we also thought of the things that we should bring. We were surprised to know how Jess packed her things during her previous trips which prompted us to rethink the things we ought to bring.

Sidetrack: Just this morning, Edel found out a website about the universal packing list online. We'll be using this on our future trips. 

Back to Jess, we received a phone call from her telling us that her parents will accompany us to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Wow! That was good news! Imagine we will not commute from Laguna to Clark anymore. She also shared that we can have discounted tickets in Ocean Park courtesy of her aunt. Yehey! 

… to be continued..

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Two Stories About Relationships

For today’s post, I’ll share two great stories that would teach us a valuable lesson in understanding what really matters in life.

Story 1. Lemonade Store Story.

I got this story from Seth Godin’s blog. It is about two lemonade stands run by kids.

The first stand is run by two kids. They use Countrytime lemonade, paper cups and a bridge table. It's a decent lemonade stand, one in the long tradition of standard lemonade stands. It costs a dollar to buy a cup, which is a pretty good price, considering you get both the lemonade and the satisfaction of knowing you supported two kids.

The other stand is different. The lemonade is free, but there's a big tip jar. When you pull up, the owner of the stand beams as only a proud eleven year old girl can beam. She takes her time and reaches into a pail filled with ice and lemons. She pulls out a lemon. Slices it. Then she squeezes it with a clever little hand juicer.

The whole time that's she's squeezing, she's also talking to you, sharing her insights (and yes, her joy) about the power of lemonade to change your day. It's a beautiful day and she's in no real hurry. Lemonade doesn't hurry, she says. It gets made the right way or not at all. Then she urges you to take a bit less sugar, because it tastes better that way.

While you're talking, a dozen people who might have become customers drive on by because it appears to take too long. You don't mind, though, because you're engaged, almost entranced. A few people pull over and wait in line behind you.

Finally, once she's done, you put $5 in the jar, because your free lemonade was worth at least twice that. Well, maybe the lemonade itself was worth $3, but you'd happily pay again for the transaction. It touched you. In fact, it changed you.

Which entrepreneur do you think has a brighter future?

Nice story huh?

Okay. I’ll share some more.

Story 2. Dreams Discussion.

Last night, Edel and I had a serious meeting. We’ve been discussing our dreams, our plans, our strategies etc. Basically, the things that we want to happen in the future.

The discussion went well when I shared my dreams with her. She listened patiently. She nodded. She agreed. She wrote everything down in a paper with the dates next to my dreams. She wrote everything I’ve said like house and lot, house renovation, parents’ retirement, wedding, gadgets, and the list goes on.

Then, minutes later, I’m done. It’s now Edel’s turn to say her dreams.

I got the pen and the paper. It’s my turn to write down her dreams.
Then, she spoke with much eagerness and conviction that she wanted to have freedom. Her dream is to have freedom to have time with her close friends. She has this dream of visiting them on a weekly basis.

I said, “Is that your dream?”

She answered yes.

Actually, I didn’t expect to hear this from her. I’m expecting something more tangible (just like my dreams). That’s why I kept on arguing. I tried my best to squeeze out some juices from her brain to come up with a tangible dream just like I presented.

To cut the long story short, we had a debate. It’s a debate between my pride and her dreams. In the end she won. She won the debate.

How?

She explained that her dream is to establish a strong relationship with her friends, with her colleagues, with her loved ones.

Edel has this dream of loving from the start. She has this dream of nurturing friendship. She has this dream of building a strong relationship.

Yes. I got this dream of providing material stuffs to the person I love but it does not specify that I’m giving them love.

I failed to dream to love others which Edel reminded me of doing. I just dream of providing them what they want or I guess what I think they want.

But if I provide them what I think they want? Would that make me happy? Would that make them happy? Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. Why? Because I just provide them superficial things. I dream of providing them temporary happiness.

Edel's dreams are long lasting. Edel's dreams will give her sacred happiness. (Click here if you want to know sacred happiness?) It will not be taken away from her.

This idea hit me hard. Really, really hard. I almost cry in front of her. But hey, I know it is okay. She loves me. Even if I think that way.

After our discussion, I gave her the tightest hug I can ever give. I gave her my apologies for acting so rude and lastly I thanked her for helping me realize that one important thing.

Friend, build a long lasting and a strong relationship. This will give you not superficial happiness but a sacred one.

Invest time with your loved ones.

Story of the Elephant Sized Lechon

Imagine yourself in a fancy restaurant. You ordered one whole lechon. Then your order came. You were shocked and overwhelmed. It was so huge! It’s almost the size of a baby elephant. You started to wonder if you can eat all of it even if you haven’t eaten for quite some time.

Do you think you can finish it all at once? I don’t think so.

You need to slice chunk of it then slowly eat it piece by piece (you won’t be able to breathe if you eat it whole at once, if that happens you’ll die). I suggest you start by eating the skin part, then the belly, then goes to the head, then lastly the apple on the pig’s mouth. By the way, don’t forget to pause and celebrate for a job well done after finishing one of its parts.

Same goes with our dreams. We need to cut them into chewable slices in order to achieve it piece by piece. We need to focus our attention on one part then once we’re done shift our attention to the other parts. In between we need to celebrate for our success for finishing one task. This will motivate us to advance and finish the next mini goal.

But I’ll share you one secret cheat that would simplify the bite-sizing process. I got this cheat from Bo Sanchez (actually he used the word cheat just to catch our attention, so it’s not really a cheat). In order to achieve your dream as fast as you can, create your own dream team. This will definitely work with the lechon example I used in the earlier paragraph.

Let’s end this with one of my favorite success stories.

One man thought of an unrealistic dream. He dreamed of having 10 special ministries for the poorest of the poor. He wanted to care for abandoned elderly, visit the prisoners, house the orphans and send the street kids to schools. That dream is really unrealistic.

But here’s what he did.

He devoted his attention in building his first ministry. It took him 10 years to build this ministry. So he did his math. If he wants to fulfill his dream of having 10 ministries it will take him 100 years in order to finish it. So he decided to cheat. He looked for a team that has a passion for the poor. And together they are expanding their ministries. To date his unrealistic dream of having 10 ministries is no longer a dream. Why? They have now seven ministries for the poorest of the poor (Three more ministries to go). By the way, that man is no other than my spiritual mentor Bo Sanchez (be part of his wealth coaching program).

Do you have your own elephant sized lechon dream? Learn to bite size it. Learn to focus your attention into one part then celebrate then move to another part. And lastly, to fast track this process, find/create your own dream team.

More stories on my next posts.