Author: Zandra L.

A writer and a manager by accident.

When a blogger tries to be a guru in everything.

Featured Image: LinkedIn

Since it is Tuesday, my topic will be about my experiences as a blogger.

Funny as it may sound, but this topic is something that I am guilty of since I know little about blogging and did everything I could to appear as if I am already a pro in it.

And you know what, it was honestly not a good feeling talking to your readers as if you’re an expert in everything.

As my journey of being a blogger goes on, I’ve come to realize that we still need to consult people or do a little bit of research to have a better knowledge on a certain topic than to try hard enough to appear to be a smart one.

I bet in general, we have assumed that exploring is understandable and so we’ve treated everything posted on our blog like our own.

In my blogging career, I’ve seen many bloggers who don’t put a value on recognizing their sources of information. They also shared several photos without giving any credits to whoever or where those photos taken. They tried so hard to give several information, but failed to mention where did they get all of those.

We live in unfair world, where the people who worked hard enough are the ones who do not receive enough credits for creating a masterpiece.

The truth is…

We can never be a guru in everything. Thus, we need to recognize those sites and people we’ve illegally used their sources.

While I understand that being a blogger is a long learning process, they would appreciate us more if we will only focus on what we know about or something we are truly good at and not trying to be good at everything.

I know that it is a nice feeling to be viewed as a well-rounded person, but what we are most forgetting in making our blog is that…

We must find ourselves in it.

What I’m trying to say is that, we should be honest with our readers. Don’t try to exaggerate things just for us to get an attention from the crowd. After all, nobody wants to be liked by people we are not.

Now, I want to ask about your own struggle in your blog.

It is normal to experiment first, but losing our own identity in order to gain a lot of readers is just like putting all our efforts into waste.

Why?

Because one day, we will all become tired and exhausted becoming someone we are not.

So while it is not too late, just be real with our content. Just like what I’ve said on my previous post, we can’t expect everyone to like everything we post.

All of us have different tastes and interests in life, so try not to feel little with our work.

But count everything as our progress. Whether it is a small or big achievement, we have to recognize it.

As long as we are trying hard and working hard, everything will surely pay off.

Have you tried to be a guru in everything?

If yes, what has been the most awful experience you’ve encountered from your readers? Feel free to comment below!

Thank you for reading my blog post and my next topic will be published after this week.

Blogging Schedule

Featured Image: Unsplash

A few background about myself and my blog since I published this on a Monday.

When I started a blog last year, I have no idea about blogging. All I know is the fact that I have so much to share in this world.

Thus, last year had been a long and rough road for me since it is all about experimenting and getting to know what I want on my blog and how will I be able to reach out to people who’s needing some assistance if I myself were also a newbie at that time.

Fast forward, it took me more than a year to finally have a fix schedule as what most bloggers do.

But before I share my blogging schedule, I want you to know that this is still a trial and error. Meaning to say, it can still be changed and I know, we as bloggers need to be flexible every step of the way.

I already mentioned on my blog that I have a full-time job and this one is more like an extra job to get me cover from my other expenses.

But I promise that I will work hard on every topic that I’ve selected and here are the following:

Tell me about Yourself

⁃ Every Monday

This topic will be about me and my readers. I will share a piece of information of myself and after that, the spot will be given to my readers. I’ve included this topic so I can create a connection with my readers by simply knowing a piece of information about themselves as well.

Experiences as a Blogger

⁃ Every Tuesday

This topic is for all of us, bloggers. Let’s share whatever we have learned so far.

Motivational Quotes

⁃ Every Wednesday

This is a must have in order to encourage people to continue whatever path we’ve chosen. By simply receiving some words of wisdom, it will give us some kind of comfort, strength and confidence to hold on tight and persist whatever we have started.

Current Events

⁃ Every Thursday

This is to keep people updated on the current issues we are experiencing such as battling with covid-19, getting up after the super typhoon and so on and so forth.

How To’s

⁃ Every Friday

This post will be about giving tips, advices or some few reminders on whatever topic that I will discuss on.

To my RT supporters, this post will be done on a weekly basis. I won’t be posting daily for I will be running out of ideas.

Posting once a week at a given topic would be enough. Let’s start to be more organized for the upcoming 2021.

There will be some delays, but the given topic will never change on its day.

Saturday & Sunday will be a bonus topic.

Thank you!

After going through all my blogging schedules, today is about “Tell me about Yourself”.

I want to know how did you start your own blog.

Was it really your idea to start a blog or someone had told you to do so.

Feel free to share whatever you are comfortable to say. You can add what were you before you started a blog.

Thank you and I really hope that you are as excited as I am in becoming more organize on my blog.

Again, thank you so much for being a part in my journey.

Thank you for accepting my flaws, for reacting on my blog and for giving me some tips and advices as well.

My next topic will be published on its given day of the week and that will be a surprise. God bless!

Blogging 101: Does scheduled post works?

Featured Image: Pexels

Due to our busy schedule, this feature helps us achieve a sense of productivity.

But here are the things that you need to consider first.

⁃ Giving yourself a deadline helps you to become productive. However, know that if you craft is still not good enough…better delay it than criticize your work for your negligence.

⁃ Do not also post just for the sake of being active. Only post once you are done proofreading. I often say this thing, do not underestimate the essence of having a content or a substance.

⁃ Do not copy anyone’s work. Always remember that you can only stand out from the crowd if you choose to be original.

This is the reason why I do not read all bloggers’ work in fear of copying their style for writing.

You can get some help or gain some insights, but never let yourself to be somebody else. Let the people admire you for who you are.

But here’s the heartbreaking truth…

Not everyone will like about what you post. You can recommend your blog, but never force them to read everything. Accept that all of us have different interests in life and that, having few readers is enough especially when you are new to this field.

Just don’t stop blogging for whatever that interests you and make sure that it is worthy of their time.

If you want to build a strong and long lasting connection to your readers, just try to be as interesting as possible. Ask them about what’s on their mind or how they feel about it. In that way, they wouldn’t feel that you are just talking to yourself and avoiding people to react on your work.

And remember, there’s always room for improvement. So be open to constructive criticism and not from any forms of bashing.

Thank you for reading my short post and God bless! I hope you will be able to post with all honesty and not only for the sake of gaining more viewers.

If you were able to read everything…

What has been the most challenging part when you were just a newbie in the field of blogging?

Happy weekend, guys! Feel free to comment below. Stay healthy and keep safe. Gracias!

Optimism is a decision, not a trait.

Featured Image: Pexels

Hello, RT Peeps! I really hope that everyone is doing fine.

What I am about to share with you is optimism. But before anything else, I would like to clarify that I am the opposite one.

Honestly, I grew up hating my life because this is not something that I had wish to have.

I am grateful, but not contented.

I almost have everything, but I often end up dissatisfied with the kind of life that I have.

So what gives me the right to speak about optimism, right?

But last night, when I was already resting someone texted me and told me that they were already on roof due to typhoon “Ulysses” which caused the areas to be engulfed by flood.

All homes were soaked in water with mud and I started to cry out of worry.

But you know what this person told me?

What’s with that worry? We are all fine! This person told me that I should be strong and be more thankful to God for they are still alive.

But let’s admit, our loved ones is our “achilles’ heel” that made it hard for us to see and accept the fact that they are suffering so much especially in this time of pandemic and now, facing another catastrophe in our lives.

Looking back, when I was in college I had a thesis about the effects of happy disposition and it seems like this person knows well my study more than I do.

How ironic, right? Seems to be more educated as well ’cause it did not affect this person’s point of view in life no matter how bad life gets and this made me feel more special to have someone who has that kind of thinking…much matured and full of positivity in life!

Now, I can attest that my philosophy professor was right in claiming that the most giving persons on earth were the poor ones.

Simply because they are still willing to share whatever that is left on them because they know how it feels to have nothing.

Sad to say, we need to see the sufferings of others not really to pity on them, but only to help us realize how lucky we are and that, we must be ashamed of God for making a fuss rather than praising him for all the blessings he had given to us.

Of course , I cannot promise to everyone that I would be as positive as this person, but somehow it moved me in choosing to be positive more often than to worry and complain a lot of things.

Just so you know, I became really depressed this month because I was constrained to do what I like. So down that it felt like I was not given a good life ’cause I was like a prisoner in our own house.

But after knowing what this person is going through, unexpectedly it gave me a meaningful message that I would never forget and that is…

Seeing the sufferings of our loved ones serve as an eye-opener on how we look at our own lives. God let us see the suffering of our loved ones to help us appreciate the blessings that was given to us in which we often took for granted.

Kudos to this person for making me realize that I was so wrong the whole time. I just feel suffocated, envy, and too desperate to get all my desires.

Hoping that I was able to give a light to others despite the fact that I am in no position to say these things. Just would like to help especially those who were already losing their faith in God.

It may not be our time, but with patience and right mindset, we will soon get there!

Maybe God has not given my plea all because of my tantrums, lack of faith in Him and most of all, comparing myself too often to anyone.

I am deeply sorry for acting foolish, oh Lord. Hopefully, this will be the starting point of changing my outlook in life that whatever storm we will face, there will always be a silver lining.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post and I do hope that you also learned something today. God bless!

If you were able to finish reading my work, what for you is the most annoying thing that has ever happened in your life…but felt guilty after learning the purpose of it?

Me?

Thinking that the worst enemy is my parents ’cause they are so controlling, strict and very conservative.

I’m already 26 years old. Had finished my studies and already working for almost 5 years now. But still they never allowed me to date or to hangout with friends just to travel. It should only be within our area and with a companion as well.

My life was about school and now, all about work since it’s a family business. I never really got a chance to get a normal life nor given too much freedom. And it adds more pain in my heart to be stuck at home due to Covid-19 threat. I became even more paranoid knowing that my life revolves around work and family alone.

That’s how I lived my life. I’ve been deprived for so long that it hurts so much that I never got a chance to have a kind of freedom just like everyone else. It’s true that when I was born, they were already wealthy and so they secured our life too much that sometimes, it became more stressful at home rather than fun.

But after assessing my life, I can proudly say that I am in good hands the moment that I was born. I may be got bullied at school, but never did I had a chance to be drunk and be raped which is too common for teenagers since they are the most gullible and vulnerable one.

Having strict parents is also a blessing ’cause whoever man that will come into your life, you can assure that you will be respected all because of them.

And whatever respect that I am receiving, the credit goes to my parents for molding me into a better person.

Of course, I am still hoping and wishing to grant my prayer and request since I am now matured and old enough. I promise that I would be more careful on whatever decisions that I will make in the future for them to stop worrying.

Now, it’s your turn to share. I am open whatever you want to share with me.

Feel free to comment below!

Gracias!

Why do people commit suicide?

Everything I wrote was just based on my personal experiences.

In my 26 years of existence, here are some of the things that drove people to commit suicide.

1. Frustration – you tend to quit your life simply because some of your expectations in life did not happen.

2. Rejection – you hate being rejected ’cause you feel like you are not worthy enough.

3. Depression – you always feel down for no reason and that is more depressing than knowing why you feel that way.

4. Recession – you feel bad knowing that you were one of those people who have been removed from work.

5. Obsession – you feel lost and empty whenever you don’t get your material possessions.

6. Humiliation – you to tend to end your life because you were always bullied.

7. Emotion – you want to die because of your uncontrolled emotion. One hurtful word and it’s a game over for you.

8. Attention – you want to vanish because you cannot get the kind of love and affection from your family, friends, or partner.

9. Action – you feel bad knowing that there’s no more assistance on the part of the government. This hurts so much especially for the poor ones who need more help.

10. Relation – you feel lonely because you have no one to share or connect with.

11. Abortion- you wish to be dead by now because you cannot take more responsibilities especially to an unwanted child. Either you live or let the baby die alone?

12. Restriction – you’ve become fed up of being deprived to do something you like.

13. Distraction – you lost the enthusiasm to start over again because you often get distracted by your surroundings. (e.g. shouting of neighbors, unexpected fire or a noise coming from vehicles)

14. Miscommunication – you’ve lost the energy to reconnect with your loved ones because both of you just talk without any understanding.

15. Destruction – you just wish to sleep forever because of several calamities happening in the world such as typhoon, earthquake, tsunami, and the like.

16. Option – you want to end all your sufferings ’cause you are left with no choice. (e.g. poverty, unemployment , abandonment, pandemic)

17. Obligation – you want to disappear just for you to stop providing for your family and relatives ’cause they have no plans for the future other than relying on you.

18. Deception – you got scammed by your business partner or fooled by your spouse that push you to commit suicide. Either you live in debt/shame or die to escape?

These are some of the things that come to mind, feel free to add more! ☺️

Thank you for still reading my blog post and I do hope that I somehow uplift your spirit in the best way I could.

Again, thank you and know that whenever you are in pain, nobody isn’t.

Whatever you are going through right now, I am pretty sure that somebody is experiencing or feeling the same thing.

So I recently got scammed and the experience was truly terrible!

Featured Image: Pixabay

Please beware of buying online. Don’t just simply depend on their ratings ’cause the rate won’t tell you about the whole truth.

The saddest part of my experience is the fact that they still maintain a good ratings of 4.5/5.0.

Their secret is simple.

50 % true to its picture, but some may lack in quality and 50 % has some good quality, but obviously different in the photo they presented.

I understand that it is quite cheaper than any other shops, but I still give it a try since their ratings were high enough that I never thought of being scammed.

The heart breaking part of this is, I bought everything in bulk just for me to lessen the cost of shipping.

But to my dismay, most of the items were completely different from the color, texture and even its appearance.

And the process of return/refund was such as hassle. It is way harder than just placing an order. But I am still pushing it since I’ve lost thousands of money from a fraud shop.

No worries ’cause I already reported the shop who did this and I am taking the legal process, just way too long.

Really hoping to get my money back and the shop must be penalized for making people believe that all their products were authentic and in good quality.

Well, obviously this is just the down side of ordering online ’cause you don’t really see the actual item.

And the saddest part of it is that, it was edited and many sellers used to claim that it may be slightly different in color because of the camera they used. But you can tell it immediately when you are being scammed by the seller once you received your orders.

Sadly, refunding of money in on the end of the seller and you are lucky enough to meet other sellers who are so nice and understanding.

I remember, there was one seller who sent my parcel with a 2 lacking of items and the seller immediately refunded my money without having a second thought about it.

I know, the process of refund may take long. But at least it has been approved immediately. No need for you to make any drama just to convince him/her that you have not receive the 2 remaining items. I just simply send some proof and in less than a hour, the seller did cooperate to my concerns.

Whereas, this seller had a very thick skin that after sending a video and several photos for proof of my complain, the seller heartlessly disputed my request for return/refund of my orders.

Good thing, the provider of ecommerce for online shopping has the last say whether to grant my request or not.

But what really saddens me now is the fact that the shop was so used to scamming people.

If ever you got scammed, don’t let your fear devour you. If you know how to order online, you must also know how to address your concerns to the right people. Look for customer service and search for their official email address and some offer a live chat with their agent, so they can immediately hear your concerns.

I know and I believe that karma will be on its way and that would teach them a lesson they’ll never forget.

Do not fear of waiting too long to process it. You just have to have a courage to contact them. It is really up to you. Just be persistent in reaching out to them and always make a habit to do a follow-up.

Also make sure that you keep everything with you, such as the original packaging of your orders with complete details, of course. And make sure that you have compiled all the needed evidence that they need to see with regards to your complain. Additionally, make sure that the photo is in good quality to easily determine the problem.

More importantly, keep in mind that you are asking for their help, so be respectful whenever you can.

Be honest with your concern and be direct to the point. Don’t talk way too long since they are dealing with tons of complain every minute or hour.

To assist you immediately, give now the order ID of the package you have concern with. They may also ask for your email address that you are using for them to check and to also cope up with you.

Very time consuming, right?

Just think of it this way, the moment you keep silent…

It just means that you also do not care about other buyers.

That is why, I will not let this thing slide. I will still continue to send a hard evidence that they become accustomed to fooling people and doing that kind of business shouldn’t be tolerated.

Their business permit must also be confiscated and be banned from doing business online.

So what kind of a buyer are you?

The silent type or someone who knows how to fight for your right?

I know it was really stressful and time consuming, but I’m still doing it anyway ’cause that’s part of being a buyer. So instead of just sitting around, kindly stand up and fight for your right.

If you’re not going to do anything, how long would you bear it?

Even if it takes forever, at least you know to yourself that you are also doing it for the other potential buyers that will shop from them.

TL; DR ( Too Long; Didn’t Read )

Ratings are not reliable.

Please check for photos and comments as well.


Practice your right and do a legal action about it.


Fear or fraud, what will you choose?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I do hope that you learn something today. God bless!

When Slow Internet Connection Is Testing Your Patience

Featured Image: Pexels

I find it truly unfair for we’ve been paying fairly just to get the fast internet connection we truly deserve and they ain’t get their job right for us.

How truly heart breaking when all you could ever do is to consume all your prepaid load just for you to have it.

If you’re going to rate your internet connection from 1-10,  how would you rate it? Feel free to comment below. Gracias!

Cursing someone is not a good thing.

Featured Image: learnreligions

You know, it is hard to live when someone is just waiting for you to lose in the game of life.

Today, my post will be short and simple. I was cursed by just one mistake. I was cursed that if something bad happen, it is because of my little mistake.

One mistake, end of your life!

How about you? How does it feel to be cursed by someone who is dear to you?

I am in deep shocked knowing that someone who is close to me can say such hurtful word like that.

How totally lame to focus more on the mistakes of others than to see and value them for their good deeds!

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I am doing fine despite the curse that I unexpectedly received today.

Deep and profound!

Sunday is my only free time to read a book and while I was reading on page 77, this short poem of John Maxwell captured my attention.

Isn’t it true that life comes only after pain? ‘Cause in pain we get to understand the true meaning of life. So while we are still alive, do things that will leave a beautiful mark in our world, most especially in this time of pandemic.

Make use of your time wisely. Share what you can only give and never look down on others. Always be respectful and know that for every blessing you receive is just borrowed from God above.

I hope you enjoyed the short poem that I’ve shared with you all. Happy Sunday and may you enjoy the rest of the day. 💛

How is your day going?

Featured Image: Pexels

I know, it must be hard for you seeing a lot of cruelty and suffering all around the world. There’s racism, pandemic, and a lot of killings. What had just happened to the world? This year 2020 had suffered so much that it is hard to take.

Do you all agree?

In this time of pandemic, many were still unable to see their family because they were trapped in lockdown. Different means of transportation have been suspended due to COVID-19.

Rape, child abuse, suicide, corruption, and the like continue to increase and so are making illegal drugs. Some were even forced to do it just for them to put food on the table ’cause globally we are on crisis.

It is hard to see people losing their job that is dear to them because most business establishments, regardless of size can no longer afford to give any compensations to their workers due to long closure of operations.

As for business owners, it must be hard for you dealing millions or even billions of loses in the market.

For the families who have lost their loved ones because they are the frontliners who were willing and dedicated enough in saving other people’s life, I sincerely empathize with you.

Those people who are single and a solo parent, it must be hard on your part taking all the burden and even the risk you take just to be able to support your child.

Poor became poorer due to the unfair treatment of society.

Those who are planning to go on trips as a way to destress after working tirelessly, but were trapped in their own houses to keep themselves and their family safe.

Those animals who are also suffering from hunger just like humans ’cause everyone is in short on budget and some have nothing left on their pocket and their loans have just increased.

And just like jeepney drivers, their only hope is from donations of strangers.

Those who are landlords, it must also be hard on your part not being able to receive any payment on time from your tenant because they have no work for several months. And the same struggle goes to other companies that provide electricity and water.

And lastly, those people that were able to survive from COVID-19. I know your health have been greatly affected by this virus and therefore, recovery wasn’t really easy as it seems.

Though, some of you have already recovered from covid-19, I know that you are still in pain and in the process of healing. Unfortunately, some people cannot understand or get what you are going through and so they have no plans in taking this virus seriously, not unless they too catch it by themselves.

Countless of people didn’t care to take this pandemic seriously.

Life is precious!

But for others? It felt like life was just a joke!

These people are the selfish and the coldhearted ones.

Know that all of us were suffering in this trying time, so I am praying and hoping that more people would start to cooperate and do their part as well.

The only thing that I could say to everyone is to please hold on tight. Believe in Christ and have faith. Christian or not, know that in the eyes of God we are all equal and the same.

Some may not call Him by his name and that’s alright ’cause we were born in different parts of the world.

But whether you believe it or not,

He saw all the sufferings. He knew from the very beginning that we are in pain!

This pandemic will soon come to an end and hopefully, whatever lessons we had learned and are continuously learning, may we take it from the heart so we will never forget it.

Again, cling on to God and may we willingly open our eyes and take our time to see the positive purpose of this struggle.

Most importantly, may we also have the ear to listen earnestly to God’s wonderful message and lastly, a mouth that is willing to speak nothing but the whole truth!

By writing this post, may we be reminded by the fact that some were lucky to beat this virus, but some were not. May we never forget to pray for the people that weren’t really ready to die, but death had just happened shortly and unexpectedly.

May we also pray for the bereaved families to be able to find light and comfort that they need in this darkest moment of their life.

Praying and hoping for the departed souls to find peace and happiness in the paradise of Christ.

To conclude, may we have the courage to trust God all the way and the attitude to know the made up stories from not.

How are you doing, Folks?

What have you learned in this time of pandemic that you are confident to share with us?

Feel free to share what’s on your mind and thank you for reading my lengthy post.

God bless!