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Relationships Travel

My Leadership Journey

A good friend of mine, recently asked me for an update because our almost daily conversations have taken a back seat to life.
 
It’s not that we don’t still enjoy the friendship, the banter, and comfort we find in one another through our rekindled Facebook friendship, it’s just that her taking care of a brand new baby boy, and me wrestling with all the responsibilities that life has thrown my way, are suddenly just a little bit more important than us giggling or crying on the phone with one another.

Mira and I went to high school together and found each other again on Facebook after almost 30 years. 

It’s funny when life does that.
 
I have always said that all of my relationships ebb and flow. They change like the seasons do, too. But it’s in the security of a friendship that is totally without judgement that we know we are accepted exactly for who we are.
 
These are the types of friendships that allow room for growth when we are paying close attention.
 
So, recently, my friend, Mira, asked me for an update.
 
And I know that between the both of us we don’t know when we will (BOTH) get a free moment to be fully present and chatting via FB messenger but, I wanted to let her know that all is well, and that as a family, we are all healthy and moving forward.
 
I also wanted to let her know that there have been some amazing opportunities and events that have unfolded for me and my family as well.
As I was typing out my quick (ok, not so quick) update for my friend, I realized that it could read much like a blog post would, had I the time to put my thoughts together on one of my most recent and enlightening experiences.
 
My friend, Rhodora Palomar Fresnedi, who was also the Executive Director of Unilab Foundation, asked me in the first week of May if I had time to join this enriching activity called Leadership Journey.
 
She didn’t say much about what I could expect, but she did have one of her colleagues send me a list of things to pack. From the long list of things to pack, it was clear to me that I would definitely be challenged on this trip, both physically and mentally.
 
If I was lucky, perhaps even spiritually…
 
 

Still thinking about the beautiful sunsets I was able to witness last week in #siargao. #takemeback #sunset #nature #naturelover #beachvibe #beach #ocean #GodsGreatGoodness

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on May 2, 2017 at 6:25am PDT

When someone you know, invites you on a trip to one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, you make sure you do everything in your power to get there. 

 
And that’s exactly what I did.
 
Leadership Journey put me back on track in re-examining my beliefs and aspirations.
 
 
To be void of all distractions and work on myself was probably the best gift anyone could have ever given me.
 
 
It was like a retreat to find myself and my sense of purpose yet again.
 
 
Truth be told, we can find moments like this every day. Small moments. Quiet moments. Grateful moments. But they usually come from someone else handing us a gift.
 
I don’t mean a material gift.
 
 
I mean a GIFT.
 
Sometimes that gift could be their presence. Their time. Their gratitude in return for something you gave them. I see it often with my Buddies. It’s also probably why I also enjoy spending so much time with them.
  
But being that connected to NATURE for an ENTIRE week?
 
 
THAT WAS AN AMAZING GIFT.
It did something to me. It made me think.
 
 
I began to ask myself about how I was living my life, raising my children, and taking my place in this world.
 
I asked myself hard questions about how Nino and I have lived our lives together.
 
Like: When did our family vacations become more about consuming than immersing ourselves in something new and different?
 
 
Like visiting a waterfall. Or hiking a mountain. Or experiencing something different from what the kids experience on a day to day basis? My experience in Siargao was similar to some of the vacations I remember as a child and as a teen. I remember DOING things. GOING places. EXPLORING and EXPERIENCING.
 
It wasn’t necessarily about what we could buy and bring home.
 
 
It was about indulging in the food the culture, and the people of the new place that our parents were treating us to.
 
My time in Siargao helped me realize that so many of my values had shifted in the past years. I know this happened slowly, like a chipping away at who I was and who I wanted to be. Perhaps, this happened because I began to compromise too much of myself.
 
Perhaps things changed because of who I was surrounding myself with...
 
I have written about the last year of my life and how it has been truly life changing. Throughout the positive and negative experiences I have had, I have taken my lumps and tried to somehow figure out what the lessons were that God wanted me to learn.
 
But I guess that’s what this Leadership Journey was really all about.
 
It was about me revisiting ME. 
 
It was about me stepping outside my comfort zone.
 
Remembering who I have always been.
Who I wanted to become.
It was about revisiting my purpose and the work that I choose to invest my time in.
 
And what kind of contribution I want to make to this world.
 
 
The work that I refer to is not just the work that I do through my advocacy, and the organizations that I spend my time with in furthering our common missions of inclusion.
 
My most important work involves the children that I am raising, and the difference that I hope THEY will make in this world.

Thank you Jojo and Rhodora for inspiring me to be better. To continue to do better. And to strive for more, by pushing the envelope not just through my advocacy in furthering inclusion, but for also reminding me that I can continually step outside my comfort zone in developing who I am and who I want to be as a person.

 

My Leadership Journey was sponsored by Unilab Foundation and the program was developed by Except One. If you would like to learn more about how Leadership Journey can change your life and help you hone your leadership skills and find your purpose, check out Except One by clicking here.

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It’s December 1st! Is there anything more delic It’s December 1st!

Is there anything more delicious than the smell of Christmas and the new found freedom as we anticipate celebrating the holidays with our families again?

@festivalmall has hosted a series of musical shows since November 5th that include Ace Banzuelo and Silent Sanctuary. Check out Michael Pangilinan on December 10th, too!

With Santa visiting, Christmas parties, arts and crafts and lots of promos, you can even enter for a chance to win a Toyota Fortuner!

Best of all-I love it when the places we know give purpose to their celebrations. Thank you #FestivalMall for partnering with @dsapi1  this holiday season. 

Thank you for sharing all the different ways we can celebrate the holidays with you!

#tistheseason #seasonofgiving #downsyndromeawareness #aintnothingdownaboutit #upsyndrome
I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Th I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Through this learning exercise with @usapeecphl, I have learned a bit more about these little birds that have bigger breast parts, and thank you Chef @ivoryyat for showing me how easy it is to prepare Greek Lemon Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes.
 
Clean and fresh flavors are perfect for these smaller birds that are rich in protein with zero carbs. Try the recipe in the comments section. I’m sure you’d enjoy it as much as I did!
 
Interested in U.S. Cornish Hens? You can buy them in stores near you. #CornishHen #USCornishHen #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ad
@gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @pura @gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @puratosph products that they sent over the other day. Ready to use Bavarian Cream made these Cream Puffs easier than ever. I think we have to figure out how to temper our couverture better…

#workinprogress #wasdelicious #giabaked #puratosph #gavinosph #anyonecanbake
@mommymundo always has a way of bringing together @mommymundo always has a way of bringing together just what we need, no matter the time of year. Loving these photos of my first boy that were snapped @expomom.

Anyone else thinking about #HolidayPhotos? I am not one of those moms that has it all together before Christmas. It’s usually a mad dash for us at the end of the year, but if it’s anything that the past few years has taught me, it’s that the little things are what makes the Christmas special.

Many of us haven’t been together with the extended family or even our immediate family in so long. That means it’s the perfect time to document.

@nextbymetrophoto will be hosting one last Christmas Marathon family photo shoot before the end of year. Check them out or shoot them a message. They have some cute set-ups.
****GIVEAWAY ALERT*** 10 things I LOVE about @sed ****GIVEAWAY ALERT***

10 things I LOVE about @sedahotels listed here and on FB!

1. Each property has a Signature Dish. If you can’t make it to Bacolod, you can still enjoy Chicken Inasal in any of their properties.

2. Clean Design. So easy to work and play in a space that is light, modern, and clean in design. 

3. Beautiful views. Every chance I got, I would sit outside at @straightupatseda. 

4. Spacious Rooms and Residence Stays. Staying in the Three Bedroom Premier was perfect for our family. 

5. Attentive Service. Everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

6. Centrally Located. If you are thinking of fun things to do in Makati and want a home base, Seda Residences Makati is near a few of the museums, parks, and malls.

7. Work with ease. Internet service is uninterrupted. Meeting rooms are available and easy to book.

8. Relax and Play. From mid-day tubbies with Gelli to, taking advantage of the pool, or the children’s room, the little girl had more than enough things to keep her busy!

9. #FamilyTime. Spending an extended amount of time outside our own space led to laughter, fun conversations, and opportunities to try new things. We were comfortable and rested in the space we were in, which meant more opportunities for us to connect.

10. Homegrown with a Purpose. A Filipino brand that understands the importance of both work and travel, each property is important to the city & province location. Environmentally aware by adopting Mayumi, a Philippine Bald Eagle. 🦅

Want to win your own staycation at #SedaResidencesMakati?

Up for grabs is one night in a ONE BEDROOM DELUXE for two persons with breakfast!

Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Follow @sedahotels 
2) Follow @mommanmanila & @kitchen143 
3) Tag a friend (or more) who love(s) staycations too!
4) Comment why you should win this staycation treat!

Plus points for people who share this post in stories and the winner will be announced on December 6th.
Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work. Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work.

@kitchen143 is something I really do love. Sharing a little bit of my kitchen with viewers and followers brings me joy. Even better when I get to work with chefs whom I can learn from and friends who like to spend time in the kitchen too!

#Thanksgiving
Thankful for the gift of music. Wish I caught mor Thankful for the gift of music.

Wish I caught more mini moments from We Will Rock You.

Such a great musical!

@sedahotels 
#sedaresidencesmakati 
#sedaat10
Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. @gelliaventajado j Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. 

@gelliaventajado joined our family and led me to @bestbuddies. 

Thankful for all the ambassadors who were able to spend time with us. And for @smlpeeps  and @asurionphcareers for helping make magic happen on Saturday afternoon for #Friendsgiving.

#Thanksgiving #bestbuddiesph
Thankful for women who share their faith with me. Thankful for women who share their faith with me. 

#Thanksgiving
Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at this time of year? Whole turkeys require serious commitment to cook. #IYKYK But because U.S. Poultry is now available here in the Philippines, that also means preparing turkey is a tad bit easier.
 
Frozen U.S. turkey products are available and ready to cook for people who want to dabble with flavors for this bigger bird but aren't sure how.
 
Thank you to Chef @ivoryyat for putting together a medley of my favorite fall flavors. This combination of apples, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup perfectly compliment  the roasted turkey leg and remind me of flavors and scenes from back in New York. 
 
@usapeecphl l has the highest standards that follow USDA requirements which are certified safe before shipping to the Philippines. Get them in stores near you. 

#ad #Turkey #USTurkey #Thanksgiving #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ServeTurkey #EatTurkey
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