Speed Dating 101

It's the month of LOVe and HEARTS. As a SINGLE woman you can just imagine how much I hate it when this month approaches, so I decided to lighten things up by writing about my attempts to finding my PRINCE CHARMING through SPEED DATING!

I am NO EXPERT when it comes to DATING! Actually a lot of my past dates have been disastrous. However, I kinda consider myself an expert when it comes to SPEED DATING. If you're wondering why, it's because I have been to about 4 or 5. Even if I never got the chance to have a relationship with the guys I met, I have actually had coffee or a second and third date with the guys I met.

I suddenly recalled my SPEED DATING days and decided to write about it when I heard that my friends would be going to one soon! I hope they get tips from this BLOG of mine

Before joining a SPEED DATING EVENT, one must:

1. Check if the organizers are REPUTABLE! I have been to SPEED DATING EVENTS, which were not organized properly so the event turned out to be a total flop. Not only was the venue lousy, but the people you met were CREEPY. I actually attended one wherein the guy I spoke to was about 60 years old. (talk about AWKWARD)

So how would you know if the ORGANIZERS can be TRUSTED! 

First, it would be good if they had a website you could check on. A Website where you could browse their past events and the people they chose to join.

Second, the event should have a targeted age. You can't have a dating event wherein you allow 18 year old guys to talk to 30 year old women. An age limit should be set.

Third, You have to make sure there is a screening process just to make sure you get your money's worth. Usually a good organizer would ask for your Social Networking Sites just to make sure that there is some kind of compatibility among the people they will allow to join.

Fourth, Look at the VENUE! It should a least be DECENT enough to have a nice conversation with someone. 

2. Practice your SPEAKING SKILLS! Speed Dating is all about impressing people in 3 to 4 minutes. What comes out of your mouth will define you as a person.

3. Wear something APPROPRIATE! you wouldn't want to be over-dressed or too sloppy. First impressions really last. Wear something you are comfortable and confident in. Actually, if I had known about ERZULLIE during those times, I would have worn them since their pieces are CLASSY, COMFORTABLE and FASHIONABLE.

4. Never go as a group of FRIENDS. This will mean that you will only be interacting with the SAME people/ with each other. If you don't want to go alone, bring a close friend of the same gender.

During the EVENT:

1. Don't give too much information. Don't talk about your past relationships or your family problems. Stick to your interests, hobbies, line of work etc. 

2. Don't pretend to be someone else. You could definitely have a future with someone you'll meet. You wouldn't want to start your relationship with the wrong idea about each other.

3. Speak in a language you are comfortable in. Don't pretend to be slang or British if you are not. I have seen girls like this, and it surely was a major turn-off.

4. Don't eat while the EVENT is going on. You wouldn't want your mouth full while talking to your partner.

5. Don't look too DESPERATE! Guys can smell a desperate woman.

6. NEVER EVER admit that you have been to more than 1 SPEED DATING EVENT. It makes you look DESPERATE and PATHETIC. Always act as if it were your FIRST. I have been an expert on this.

After the EVENT:

1. Accept invitations to go out with someone you like.This will give you the opportunity to know the person more. I usually go to a Coffee and Dessert place after.

2. Don't accept an invitation if you are not comfortable or if you don't like the person. Decline respectfully and say that you have to go home immediately.

3. Never get a ride home with a person you just met even if he has the HOTTEST car in the world. You can put yourself in a lot of danger. I personally did this after going out with a guy after the EVENT. My mom scolded me big time when I got home, and that's the only time I realized the DANGER of what I did.

4. Exchange numbers so that you could keep in touch.

My most unforgettable Speed Dating Event was back in 2010. After waiting for 2 hours, only 2 girls and 8 guys  showed up. It was really an AWKWARD situation. The guys decided to continue with the event, and since we were only 2 girls during the event, we decided to just sit and eat in 1 long table. The difficult part was trying to get to know everyone without making the other guys feel out of place, but the best part was having so many guys to choose from. At the end of the EVENT, I went out to with someone I enjoyed talking to, and had coffee and dessert until midnight. We went out 2 or 3 times after and kept in touch through texting. We didn't turn out to be partners, but I gained a new friend.

Just a PIECE of ADVICE:

Go to the EVENT for FUN. Don't expect too much, so as not to get DISAPPOINTED. Enjoy the experience and hope that a MIRACLE happens.

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea

A New Beginning

The New Year is a chance to forget the old and begin anew. It's a time to change and learn from mistakes and past experiences. A time to explore and try new things.
New Year is one of my favorite celebrations not because I get to dress up, party and eat all night because honestly I don't do any of that. I actually celebrate New Year at home watching New Year Celebration parties on television and drinking red wine with my parents as the clock hits 12 midnight.

So why do I love New Year? It's because it gives me hope that something better can come to my life and it holds a future full of surprises.

Since the New Year is a time for new things,I have prepared my New Year's Resolution for 2012. It's a list of new things I want to try and achieve.

1.  Live a Healthier Lifestyle.

Actually I have already started by going on a 7 Day General Motor's Diet. A way to cleanse myself from everything I have eaten during the Holidays. Hopefully this could jumpstart better eating habits. I plan to start walking around the oval track after work, and I have decided to at least walk home from work 3x a week.
I'm not in it to be thin because I actually very happy being a plus size. It's more of wanting to be healthier since I am not getting any younger.

2.  Win the Biggest Loser Contest at my workplace.

You got me! I also want to live a healthier lifestyle because I want to win a contest we started at work last Dec 16 which will go on until March 16, 2012.
Of course cash awaits the one who will win, but aside from the cash, I got into this because it's easier to get healthy when you're surrounded by people who have the same goal. When you are busy with piles of paperwork, it just gets more difficult to stand up and take time to exercise. Hopefully, with 13 people in this contest, I can be motivated to get myself out of my desk and in the oval track.

3. Get Out of the Singles' Valentine's Day Group

2011

2010

2009

This may sound really funny, but my friends and I started a Singles' Valentine's Day Group because we wanted to celebrate just like everyone else during this very commercialized day. I think we have been doing it for about 5 or 6 years. It has been really fun. We usually eat dinner together and watch a movie or drink coffee after.  Believe it or not, I have been going with almost the same people every year. What's actually funny is that every member hopes to be out of the group by the next year, so instead of saying, "See you next year", it's more of, "Hopefully next year, I'm not part of this group anymore".
In my workplace a lot of us are still single. Being single is not that horrible because you have all your time for yourself and you can stay focused on what really matters to you, however, at one point in your life everyone wishes for something different or for someone to sway her off her feet
So if I have one favorite resolution...I think this would be it! To do everything I can to get out of this group. Kidding aside, I love my friends who have been celebrating Valentine's each year with me. They are my true and closest friends, and I have been having a blast with them...but I wish that every single one of us finds that someone who will make us happy.

4. Open a Personal Saving's Account

I know I should have done this a long time ago since I have been working for 8 years already... but I think I never had the courage to have one. I must let you in on a secret. I really had this fear of putting my money in the bank because from time to time, I'd here of banks that would close, and people being left without anything, so I decided to just keep my money or ask someone else ( a trusted friend of course) to keep my money for me, but I think I now know better. I need to save for my future ahead so that when I'm grey and old, I wouldn't have to worry, and I can enjoy the fruits of my labor.
So yes!!!! I have finally gathered courage to open an account this 2012.

5. Spend my Summer in Korea and Bellarocca Island in Marinduque

South Korea

Bellarocca Island

Korea has always been a dream of mine and I'm very excited to announce that I'll be going this summer. Aside from Korea, I'll also be going to the Luxury Island, Bellarocca which is called the Greece of the Philippines.

I love to Travel and I make it a point to visit a new place every summer. I have been to countries like France, Israel, London, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and China and I just can't wait to go to more countries in the future. God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to travel and explore the world : )

6. Cut down on Retail Therapy

I love to shop for clothes, shoes and accesoories! They are all my weaknesses, but this year, I promise to make wiser choices when I buy, except of course, when items are on SALE or when Erzullie, the best plus size brand, releases new fierce items. I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from buying great finds.

7.  Do Better at WORK

I believe I am a workaholic and perfectionist... It has its disadvantages like staying really late in the office or not having enough energy to do anything else but sleep once I get home, but the I love my work, and I want keep doing my best and improving myself. So for 2012 my promise would be to do even better without forgetting to put a balance in my life.

8.  Clean Up and Organize

I must admit that I love this cabinet and wish I could fix all my things this way. This 2012, I promise to let go of things I have not worn or used so that I can get/ buy new stuff haha. 

Honestly, I cannot open myself to new things if I keep holding on to the old ones, so to be able to reinvent myself, I have promised to let go and free myself from anything holding me back.

I will give more to charity and to anyone in need.

9. Try something new or adventurous

Well, it doesn't have to be as adventurous as the picture above. May be sport a new hairstyle or learn a new hobby. I haven't really thought of this in detail yet, but I promise to do something different this 2012.

10. Pamper myself

Because I'm always so busy, sometimes I forget the most important thing in my life and that's me. 

I promise to give myself more time by putting a balance in everything I have to do. 

How will I enjoy life when I don't even have time to enjoy me : )

This year I will not forget to treat myself for a spa, massage or even just good make up.

This year "I" will be the priority.  

2012 brings hope, but for some, it brings fear because of all the talk about the END of the World. Whether those rumors are true, one things is for sure... don't waste your time thinking of what if's or how the world will end.

Enjoy life while you still have it. Live every day as if it is your last so that when that end comes (we certainly don't know when that is) we can say that we have lived life to the fullest without regrets.

Happy New Year Fierce Ladies, until next time

XoXo

Andrea