Talk To Strangers

While I was checking some items at one shop, a middle-aged woman from Indonesia approached me and asked where I am from?  I love talking to strangers especially if they approached me, so I replied with a nice smile to her that I am from Manila and she said she is from Java. 

We kept talking for awhile, at first I thought she was just complaining to me that many Filipinos here in Helsinki is just avoiding her or doesn't want to talk her and she doesn't understand that why Filipinos and few Thai or Vietnamese doesn't want to speak to her and I just explained to her maybe they are shy or they were in a hurry and she said she still doesn't understand  and she even concluded that maybe she doesn't have money and she looks poor that's why they don't talk to her and she said well "no problem", so I just smiled to her just to end that topic. 

As we continued to chat, I found out that she is living in Finland for about 30years (oh my!). Most of the time she is talking to me in Finnish and I'm replying to her a broken Finnish with a twist of English but I can see that she was really trying hard to talk to me in English and I was really trying hard to talk her in Finnish ( I understand Finnish but having difficulty to speak), anyway as she talked about herself and her experienced here in Finland, I understand why she approached me. She needs someone to talked too, so I was listening to her attentively and trying to comfort her. She said, she doesn't have job and gets a small amount of money from the social, she said for her case, there's a small opportunity and I patted her shoulder and she had tears in her eyes, she sees that I have more opportunity not because I am young but because she sees that I am kind and warm person ( aww). After wiping her tears, she said "no problem". 

 Her story doesn't end there ( I think we talked for about 20-30mins, while looking for a summer outfits), she talked about her husband, she and her husband are sleeping in separate rooms. She mentioned that her husband always on the phone and always business, business, business... They don't have a good communication, they are just living in the same roof. As she went on..she said her husband is using different dating app ( come on...dude!). She is aware that her husband is dating other Asian ladies and again she said "no problem!" and again she wiped her teary red eyes 😞😞😞 and I patted her shoulder.

Through her eyes, I can see her sorrow, pain and loneliness. Longing for her husband's caress and affection. And through her eyes also I can see that she is not losing hope. 

Throughout of our conversation, I learned that it is lonelier when you are living with someone with no good communication than living alone. 

At the end of our small talked ( actually if I didn't say I need to go, she will still continue but I need to cut our time cos I was running my errands). She thanked me a lot a non-stop "thank you" cos she said I made her feel better (Oh wow! imagined that I was just running my errands and I made someone feel better 😇😇😇) and before we said goodbyes I told her "God bless you".

It is better to talk to some strangers ( but of course not all strangers will be able to listen, just trust your instinct) cos these people doesn't know you at all, it's one time talk, one time conversation and one time advice, but this one time might or will be a memorable for two strangers. 



xx
Jo💖

Is It Just A Minor Thing?

Life is unpredictable we will never know what will coming next. 

In 2013 until early 2015 I had been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder because of my separation with my ex. Those years, I was undergo to a therapy. I had a chemistry with my first therapist, I felt warm and comfortable talking to her all my troubles, she made me feel like we are strangers but are friends. She was so good to me, she even made a request to my doctor to see me for my other health issues, having depression also affect our health. I had twelve (12) sessions with her and it felt so short, maybe because I felt at ease with her. When I moved to different city and continued my therapy, my second therapy was good but I don't feel connected with her, I didn't able to finish all my sessions with her, cos in my point of view I shouldn't waste her time trying hard to comfort me, since we don't feel connected to each other. After I ended my session with my second therapist, I tried my very best to help myself and get motivated each day, I was enjoying my life back then and pulling myself to get out on my comfort zone. My past was my reality, it was easy for me to say forget the past but the memories of the past still remains. I have no rights to blame or complain cos it was my choice, it was my choice what had had happened in my past and I didn't regret it at all. I have been living alone for the past 5 years in a foreign land( after my ex left me in 2013). It was a good decision and choice that I didn't return myself to my parents in Manila (Philippines), as an only child I became strong, brave and independent person that no one knew that I could be ( cos even I, sometimes can't believe what I had been through and what other challenges will face in the future),that I can stand on my own feet, of course with the guide and help of God and the unconditional love and support of my parents I conquered it all.

At the moment, I have been struggling with my depression again because of all the events that had happened for the past few months. My father is having kidney problem and he is undergoing home dialysis and my mother is also diabetic and need to monitor her kidney as well. Financially I am no good at the moment since I am currently unemployed and looking for job but since no job available for me I was trying to create job for myself which is doing small business in the fashion industry. I am in the first phase of this small business and since I don't have financial to finance my own business, I need to think how I can make income and finance my small business in the future, so the outcome is planning and preparing a fashion event in Fall and it will be profitable by selling and marketing our upcoming event. To be honest, it wasn't easy at all  I became restless, no energy, no motivation, can't concentrate nor focus to all the things that I need to do, maybe, just maybe I am mentally and emotionally exhausted especially with my parents health issues that I can't even help or support them cos I have nothing to help them at the moment. I prayed a lot, talked to God from time to time asking forgiveness and asking guidance and telling him that I can do this again ( since I had been through the same thing in 2013 until early 2015)  and give me some courage, determination and motivation to face all these challenges again and I know our miracles will happen at the right time. I only have my parents in this world we are living( it is a good reminder that we are only three in this world; my father, my mother and I), I don't have anything else nor someone else. In my experience, I learned not to ask help cos I guess when you ask help, you need to pay it back cos otherwise they will hunt you and will spontaneously remind you that they used to help you. So from then, I avoid to ask help from anyone,it is not an ego but a disappointment that in this world there is no free of charge, but there are still people who always think that they helped you even though it wasn't a help at all but just made some comments towards your problem. 

I am alone living in this foreign land  but I am not lonely, I love living on my own, I get more stress and restless if I live with others; noises whether small or loud, messy living room, messy kitchen, dirty toilet, hair on the floor, unpleasant smell, etc.. all those things it bothers me a lot. That's why I decided to live all by myself despite it will be break me and  I don't see it as a negative impact cos the most important thing for me is my health, my mental health. 

I am very thankful and grateful to my friends in Finland especially my Western friends, they knew my stories from the beginning, they are very supportive, always cheering me up, they understand me and they were so proud of me cos I did able to managed all those challenges that I had been through.I guess they are my "True Friends". I have friends in Manila but as time goes by I just realized they are not those friends who you can lean on,despite we started to get acquainted many years ago ( usually they measured the meaning of friendship by numbers of years) not because we have different lives, but definitely I have different point of view from them "what a True Friends means?" 

No one knows  in the circulation of my acquaintances and my blood related in Manila and in U.S. that I am a deep person even I, I just also realized that I am a deep person but my few friends in Finland knew it already from the beginning after they heard what I had been through. 

As as I am sharing this to you, I am starting to uplift my life again, I've been in a depressive disorder mood for the past few months, I used to be a morning person despite I still wake up at 5:30 or 6:00 but my body doesn't want to get up, I just lied  on my mattress for about 2 hours and my two hours was wasted for lying on the mattress starring my stuffed dog and I need to fight this depression, no one will able to help me but myself because I am strong independent woman, I need to calm myself, I need not to worry (as I've been telling and reminding myself all the time). One step at a time is all I need to gain my focus, motivation, determination and bring back my concentration. 

Today, 7th of May 2018 I woke up at 5:30, prayed my rosary, talked to God, brush my teeth, washed my face, put my sweats on, my shoes, my jacket and I started to have a 30mins morning walk while listening to a good music, enjoying the bright sun, blooming trees and flowers. I am hoping that my guardian angel  would be able to help me to continue this daily routine of mine. 

#fightdepression
#supportUS
#thankyou

Cheers,
Jo ❤☺

Cool summer job!

 Summer is just around the corner! I know we are all looking forward for this season to come cos who doesn't want to hang around at the beach, lay on the sand while having your cocktail and of course the most important thing is your summer outfit. 

But we also still to consider to get a summer job, for us to be able to have extra cash for our summer leisure. =)

Many summer job applications are due to three to six months before the starting date. Some begin to close the applications  for the summer job in January.

Not all summer jobs are only available for the teens or for the students. A lot of people nowadays are suffering from the unemployment due to the economic crisis or recession that we are currently facing now.

Why to overlook your dream job that you can’t get it, there is a lot of summer jobs out there to be consider, it might be not pleasant as you think but it will give you an experience. It will develop your learning skills regarding on what summer job you landed.

Summer jobs are good way to figure it out if an industry is right for you.

It is tough for the job seekers to find a job that inexperienced workers. Summer job is the perfect opportunity for the exploration. It is worthwhile to start hunting a summer job.

Although picking berries, ice cream vendor, and other skilled work are really not enhancer at your resume but otherwise employers are more likely to hire job seekers who has work experienced.

                    Photo by: Decorationbas

There are summer job opportunities not to overlook; here are some list:

• Picking berries - there is no specific skills when it comes picking berries, just wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes that suitable for the unpredictable weather, which might be rainy or sunny. Picking berries is relaxing, and it might be adventurous and fun as well.
• Ice cream vendors - if you like to work in a flexible time and if you like ice cream, this is one of the most great summer job that suitable for you. Ice cream vendor might be the most of sociable summer job, working directly to the public to establish and maintain the interpersonal relationship with the customers.
• Telemarketing - It is quite a challenge convincing others to purchase the products that you are selling or promoting it. Communication skills is a must if you are landing at the telemarketing industry. One to consider for this summer job is how are you building a rapport to the clients? Gaining, retaining and growing relationship are the most important aspect to build a rapport with the clients.
• Housekeeper - There are people who are really meticulous and maintaining the cleanliness of the place (e.g. house, rooms, hotels etc.). This summer job is great for the people who have a skills in organizing, tidying/cleaning for either household chores or public establishments. Apart of tidying/cleaning one of the responsibility of the housekeeper as well is to report the necessary repairs or replacements of the broken electrical things or technical problems.
• Waitress/Waiters - Waitress/Waiters are one of the demanding part time job over the summer, although they undergo trainings for them to be able to memorize orders or enter orders into computers for transferring to kitchen staff, preparation of the orders, presentation of the menus to the customer, assisting host or hostess if needed to answer the phone for the reservations. These are few tasks that the waiters/waitress needs to be familiar during the training course.
• Busboy - Busboy might not be demanding compare to other summer jobs but it is interesting to consider for the summer job as well. Technically busboy is the assistant of the servers. They don’t need special skills, formal training or kitchen experience to be able to get this job. Nevertheless a busboy must have a sanitary permit to be able to work at the kitchen, since they are most probably the responsible for cleaning the dishes, kitchenware, the kitchen itself and the dining hall.
• Grass Lawn/Gardener - Over the summer many municipality/cities are focus on the beautification of their own places. This grass lawner or gardener is one of the most popular summer job as well, especially for the teenagers. It doesn’t need any special skills to be a gardener or grass lawner, a training must be a necessary for the use of the grass mower, there are grass mower that might be complicated to use and to be able to be familiarize to use the tractors if it is needed. If you are passionate for the beautification of your town and loves planting ( trees, plants and flowers ) this summer job is suitable for you to consider.
• Babysitting/Nanny- Nanny/Babysitting is not only applicable for the summer job. It is to consider as a part time job for everyone especially for the students. The nanny is specialist in working at family’s home and responsible for taking care the kids. A nanny/babysitting must know how to nurture, caring, loving and compassionate for the kids. Working with the kids might be challenging since you need to supervise them every now and then but the most important thing to do is to build a rapport with the kids and make them comfortable, make them at ease and make sure that they will feel safe in your care or at the environment.
• Receptionist -Receptionist/Concierge is most famous at the hotels, resorts and some of the malls has a concierge as well, they handle the front desk, they assist the reservations of the bookings of the hotels or resorts. Receptionist/Concierge requires to have a pleasant personality and has an excellent PR (public relation). They are the faces of the hotels, resorts and some of the malls, encountering different people from their day to day basis must be a challenging for them, let’s face it not all guests are having a pleasant character or personality, they have to deal with them with a great aura and in a positive way despite how frustrating it can be. Here are few main tasks of the Receptionist/Concierge: Greet visitors warmly and make sure they are comfortable,call persons waiting for visitor and book them a room to meet in,schedule meetings and conference rooms. Lastly always make sure that the front desk are tidy and neat.
  
  
  Happy Easter everyone!
  
  
  xx
  Jo
   

African Modern Twist and Trend

Historical evidence is lacking for the evolution of African clothing, mainly due to the warm weather.  The first clothing was made out of animal skins - leather and fur shawls and loincloths. And the first jewellery was probably made of seashells and feathers. Different styles and colors can represent different traditions. (according to encyclopedia.com)

In African clothing at least there are 45 categories, but of course these categories may have some changes. Here are few list of categories; African textiles, African wax prints, Dashiki, Ethiopian suit, Wrapper and so on...

Wax Print

Tissu Print

Ankara Print

African Textiles

A colorful fabric with a unique pattern printed on it, is very common in African clothing. There is wide range uses for the African trend from shoes, bags, accessories, casual wear, smart casual, street style, for women, men, kids, name it... African trend has it. ;)

African Modern Pattern

 African modern twist and trend are totally fascinating, it has ability to define the pattern printed, shapes, and colors that create a unique outcome of style without boundaries.


xx
Jo

Too Good To Be True

As looking forward for the Spring to come, when the weather becomes warmer, days get longer, plants starts to grow, flowers to bloom and singing birds on the top of the trees. This is the season for the new beginnings; fresh buds starts to bloom and animals awaken.

It is too good to be true after long days/nights of darkness and coldness the spring is just around the corner.

Spring is my season.

The colors of spring are totally nurturing, giving us a good aura, and thriving us for a good progress.

I have few selections of outfits for the spring; jeans, floral blouse, dresses, tunic, shorts, sneakers, wedges, accessories and a gorgeous purse. A good standard of spring outfits.

Ladies, these are few outfits that must have in your closet.

Any ladies out there can totally rule these outfits this spring.

Remember we are all pretty and fabulous.


xx
Jo

Know Your Looks

Chic people aren't born chic. They are just well prepared on their own style and looks. They've been dealing a good habit to make look charming and cool on a daily basis.

Some of the stylish people can create their own looks, but it doesn't mean that they can't study or can't learn others style. They give themselves a plenty of time to try an outfit that they can pulling out well. The keyword is try and try until you create your own style that make you look outstanding. 
  

Photo by: Angela Windssor

Photo by: Fashionbeans

Trying something bold is not so bad after all, as long as you have the guts to pulled out together the outfit. Sometimes it's just a matter of how confident you are to nailed your creation of your own looks or style. You can have your own trend though <3.


This outfit is so totally cute, a combination of royal blue and yellow, it goes for a total casual Friday date with your girlfriends.



I know I've been talking all the time about woman's look, but I can't help it though =D 
Anyways guys can also create their own looks and style. Trendy guys are so cute and hot-tie :P and they look so amazing and cool, I know some of the guys are not a big fan of fashion, they will just wear whatever they see first in their closet. But guys please put a little bit of effort for your daily looks, just look neat or tidy is fine enough ;)


A chic person can wear anything they want,because they know they can still look good, like a t-shirts and jeans, I heard some people doesn't like to wear t-shirts cos it looks totally casual and not classy enough. Yes I agree t-shirts are totally a casual wear that can just wear at home but then again even how casual a t-shirts it can be;if you have the right jeans that can match well in your t-shirts plus add some accessories like earrings, necklace/scarf, watch and a flattering shoes that will be a perfect look with your t-shirts. Your looks will be still outstanding. 

Photo:Jollynneshane

Even wearing shorts can still look so great for everyone who knows how to spice it up their looks. This is a perfect cool outfit for a weekend getaway.

Photo: pinterest;misspool

Nothing can go wrong in a white blouse and jeans, it creates a classy look and to finish your classy look add a light blazer, accessorize yourself. Simple but elegant enough to rock this outfit.

Photo: makeupandbeauty

When it comes to a dinner date a lot of women are having trouble finding a perfect  outfit. Since a lot of women wants to dress to impress their dates, it is tough for them to find a perfect outfit. This is a simple and chic outfit that can be suitable for a dinner date. I know a lot of women can pulled out this outfit. =)

Photo: Indulgy

 
Selecting a perfect wardrobe is the right foundation on creating of your own style and looks; additional for your own style is a combination of a perfect accessories whether jewelries,watches,belts, scarves and bags and the most important thing to remember is "The Shoes" =D



xx
Jo

African Plains and Prints

Trendy and glamorous styles in African prints.

African fashion has been noticeable and known for an elegance nowadays. The colorful fabrics that elaborately-printed dresses, skirts, pants, blouses and suits are adorn couture. A modern and style twist African designs are very exquisite and stunning. It is indeed very mesmerizing for everyone.

Defining the styles and trend are the most vibrant African inspired fashion designers everywhere.

Combination of African plains and prints are just simply adorable. 

 

 Photo by: Pagnifik (Pinterest)

A casual plain and prints that can be wear anytime,with a touch of accessories anyone can rock this outfit.       

                      

                                       Image taken in pinterest:

Going to a party? Then you must have this striking outfit. Wear this outfit in a full confidence. This bold print skirt is totally superb! I myself should get one xD 

Image taken in pinterest:

 Aww! An exquisite casual outfit. Ladies remember size doesn't matter though. Less care what other people think as long as you nailed this outfit well.

                                     Photo taken in pinterest:

Wow simply amazing! You can wear this gorgeous outfit in an evening social gathering. It is chic and trendy. And remember Ladies to complete your outfit don't forget your heels with this chic outfit. =)

Plains and prints are totally perfect for each other, it compliment the outfit. You can always express your inner beauty with these delighted styles. Wear it in full confidence to make it appealing and sophisticated.

Have a lovely weekend =) 

xx

Jo