Day dreamer and Believer: Inspiration

Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Hello everyone!!! I have been MIA during the past few months because I opened up a home based business that's keeping me busy every single day since the day we started. I have a long story to tell and a lot to share and I'm happy that I finally have the time to do it now.
With all the things that's happening now I have so many what ifs in my mind. I think a lot. I'm thinking if for how long am I still gonna wait for this pandemic to end and start my life as a working and earning woman who's slowly building and investing on her dreams. This waiting game brought out the best in me. For some reason, I feel like I'm already old enough to be still dependent to my single mom who earns and provides for the family. I'm already a college graduate, a degree holder of Doctor of Dental Medicine, but still has no license because of the cancellation of the board exam last May and on December. I have my whole life this 2020 figured already. I started reviewing for boards since last January 2020. I was thinking that after I passed the boards, I will work with my tita as an associate dentist and will still be a part time blogger. Years after I become an established dentist, I want to learn baking and start a pastry shop business beside my dental clinic. It makes me happy whenever I think how my life would have been if this pandemic didn't happen. But things went upside down- waiting became longer and dreams went on hold.

During early June, I decided to try baking again like it was my first time. I tried baking 2 years ago, but everything was a fail. I don't know why the pastries that I tried to bake didn't came up with how it's supposed to look. I tried a few times and repeat it again but still, it failed. Fast forward to 2020 when this pandemic happened and all I was left were notes in preparation for boards, I decided to try baking again as an outlet whenever I feel like I cannot absorb the lectures anymore. I don't have any baking instruments to be honest. I borrowed my lola's oven toaster (the one in the picture above), my tita's extra measuring cups and bought a few basic ingredients- flour, sugar, baking powder.. and started baking. I don't know if it's just me but I'm grateful from where I started. I know a lot wouldn't believe but this oven toaster will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is where Shai Bakes started. It is what I used for the first month where I baked 1,700 + cookies in the first two weeks. I wake up really early because it can only accommodate 6 cookies at a time and we have set our delivery hours during lunch time. Imagine the panic and stress it brought me hahaha! Starting a business means risking the only amount that you have and working hard to make that very small start up into something bigger. I started with a budget of Php 2,000 and didn't expected for it to grow. Being in a business also means being open minded to all the possibilities that can happen. Businesses doesn't become successful overnight. It takes months to years and it requires a lot of guts and hard work.

For the first 3 weeks of Shai Bakes, I can only bake classic chocolate chip cookies. I'm not ashamed of that because it's the OG cookies where Shai Bakes is now known for. I also don't know if people only say it's delicious because most of my first customers are my friends or they just loved how it tastes like. Repeat orders and repeat customers made me believe that my products are worth coming back for. From classic chocolate chip cookies, I decided to add red velvet, double chocolate and s'more cookies.

I was asked once if I could bake something that's healthier and I came up with lemon crinkles and lemon bars. I only have few customers for these 2 products but I want to market it and suggest my customers to try it since I want these two to be appreciated and known in Batangas. Lemon bars are my personal favorite in my menu. It's for you to find out why! :)

I have decided to put cinnamon rolls too on my menu and it surprisingly became an instant crowd favorite!

My blueberry minis started my cheesecake series! It's crazy how my cheesecakes became in demand since September started and I receive orders of it almost everyday.

My first cake was also a blueberry cheesecake which I made as a request from a friend. It's funny to think how everything went so fast. From opening on July 5th with only classic chocolate chip cookies on my menu, to baking a cake in less than 2 months, and now receiving orders everyday (I only have certain delivery days before like twice a week.)

Then came strawberry cheesecake...

And now with added mango and oreo flavors. There are still a lot to come and I'm excited to share it with you soon!

Shai Bakes is one of the best thing that happened to me this year. I may not be able to follow my planned timeline but God redirected me to something unexpected that's now a big part of my life. I'm 3 months baking now and I already have my own baking equipment given by Pau. He never failed to send me a helping hand and show his support even if he's not physically by myside all the time. I also wouldn't be able to achieve all of these without my mom and brother's all out support. They were my backbone and crying shoulder when I feel down and tired. Shai Bakes wouldn't be standing for 3 months without my strong support system and I couldn't be more thankful for their presence. My customers and their orders are my happiness now. Their satisfaction is my satisfaction too.

I really hope this little business of mine would reach more people especially this coming holidays. I'd love to see more satisfied and happy customers with my baked goods!

There's one last thing I want to say, that is to never stop praying and wishing for your dreams to come true. Start small, work hard, and slowly, it will be given to you. Be proud of yourself for what you have achieved.
Advance Happy Holidays! See you in my next posts :)

xoxo,

I was recently given the idea by Light, a new technology company to take part of their #VantagePoint project. It is a project were some bloggers were chosen to take part to share some of their favorite stories and photos from different locations and how they captured the moment. I immediately thought of a friend who’s passion for photography fits more with this kind of project than I do. I contacted him and asked if he could make a guest post on the blog and luckily he agreed.

"Hello guys. So I was given a chance by a special friend to create a blog post about one of my passion and that is taking photographs. To be honest with you I don’t have any idea on creating a blog HAHAHA so I’ll just start by introducing my partners in taking those awesome shots. All photos were taken using Canon EOS 1300D and Canon SX420. Most of the time I use my SX420 for “distant shot” landscape photos or just general view photo for it has a very powerful zoom lens while my 1300D for photos with subject’s, portraits, events, artistic and urban zooms. Here are some of my best shots at various places like London, Singapore, Cebu PH, and Bataan PH."

"This photo was taken in the streets of London with my friends. We travelled towards the bank of the river where we took a nice photo of the iconic London Bridge. Since it was gloomy that day I set the camera setting to manual and enhance its setting to make it look cold. I love to take photos with silhouette effect and this one was my first silhouette shot in an urban place."

"This one is at the top of Greenwich Park, still in UK. There is no special effect with this photo but it takes an effort to take this shot because, as you can see, it was perfectly taken at the middle of the street and the timing was just perfect as the two cars passed parallel to each other."

"This one was taken at Marina Bay, Singapore and this was actually the first shot of my Canon 1300D. For this shot I used the fish lens effect for a wider look. To take this aerial shot I purposely climbed a bridge trusses. Luckily there were no cops around that time though the original plan was to have a long exposure shot to vanish the people walking around. But I still consider this as one of my best shot in Singapore."

"This is the bridge that I climb to take that photo. As you can see I use the long exposure so there would be no cars and people walking around. Long exposure can be achieved by adjusting your camera setting to manual and remove the auto focus then set the shutter speed to your desired speed. For this shot I set it to minus 20 seconds to achieve it."

"Of all the silhouette shots that I have taken this one is my favorite. This was taken at Corregidor. If I’m not mistaken this location was called Battery sunset. Battery means a location where canons were placed during World War 2. It’s an ideal location for taking this kind of photo. It has a great view of the sea and the sun. It is also an ideal resting place after a long day of exploring the island. This photo was taken using manual setting. I focused at the sun as my subject to achieve the blurry effect."

"This is the view that you will enjoy if you have the chance to visit the island. Luckily the sun wasn’t entirely blocked by the clouds and it made the photo more stunning. We have to wait for 25 minutes to capture this photo but because of the great ambiance, we had a great time waiting for the perfect timing."

Thank you guys! I hope you enjoyed my very first blog post. :)

Thanks Light.co and #VantagePoint project for the opportunity.

Pictures were taken by Mr. Paulo Aguila. :)

xoxo,

2 weeks ago I had a photo shoot for my cousin's entries for her final exam in Photography. The chosen theme was Dramatic Angel and she asked me if I could model for her since she thinks that I fit the character of an angel. We shoot these photos in our parents' home town because out of all the shooting places we listed it seemed like it is the perfect place to shoot all of these. I couldn't be more proud of her photography skills because she took these photos like a real professional.

As promised here are some of the photos she took. :) I hope you'll like it!

These are some of the pictures my cousin sent me for the exhibit. I love the results. The pictures look very timeless and dramatic. We made it!

This whole photo shoot wouldn't turn out this great and be possible without the photographer, my cousin- Aimee Bustillo. :) Thanks for making me your model for this photo shoot. I'm looking forward to more fun shoots and times with you my little sister! Belated Happy 18th Birthday. :) I love you!

Photographer: Aimee Bustillo

Industrial Design student- University of Santo Tomas

xoxo,

October 11, 2014 surely marked the best day of my life so far. I once had a dream of becoming a princess, a real princess, and for that one night I felt like I truly am with this magical celebration.

To tell you honestly I was quite nervous because it was raining hard all throughout the day. I call and text my friends from time to time to check or ask them if they were already in the venue. I quite freaked out because I was thinking that maybe my guests won't be able to come due to bad weather. But then, when I arrived at the venue and had my grand entrance I was surprised to see that almost all my invited guests were able to come. Yey! It already made me so happy!

Just to share with you, the first time I went to this venue I already fell in love with the place. I think I was 7 or 8 back then. The ceiling, the lights, this garden reminds me so much of gods and goddesses, fairies and princesses. I told myself that I will not celebrate my 18th birthday if it wouldn't be held in this place! Haha! Sounds rude but this is how much I love it. Chez Amis didn't disappoint me though! They made my night truly a magical and unforgettable one.

My very supportive cousins. I love how our outfits matched here! Told ya, pastel and candy colored outfits go well together! Haha :)

The program started with an opening prayer followed by my mom's welcoming remarks and finally, my grand entrance :)

It was followed by my 18 Roses. I chose the 18 closest guys to me which includes my friends and relatives. Someone's late though! :( Haha. Just kidding!

18 Treasures...

then the 18 Symbolic Gifts. It consists of my 18 closest High School and College friends. It was nice seeing them all in pastel and candy colored outfits. :)

After dinner I changed into my cocktail dress and had my look changed. I had my second entrance and this time danced a production number with Batangas Fusion Dancers. I never thought that I would dance something like this in public! Hahaha :)

My production number didn't end there! I was introduced by the emcee as a singer back then and I was asked to have a song number on the spot. Good thing I didn't got nervous. I started to sing my mom's favorite song, "Grow Old with You", went down the stage and found myself approaching her near the table where she was sitting. This was my favorite part and I became a little emotional during that moment.

My college friends also sang during that night. Nakarequest din naman! Haha :) They never failed me and I will always be their fan.

18 Blogger Finds followed. It consists of my High School and College best friends as well as my girl cousins.

The last but definitely not the least 18 list was the 18 Candles and Wishes which include my titas and lolas.

Special thanks to my one and only Ate Ghen for having my cake sponsored. You don't know how much it meant to me. :) I love you.

And again, I want to acknowledge the presence of my friends and family who came to this wonderful and magical event of mine.

My family. All of this wouldn't be possible if it wasn't because of my mom. Thank you po!

My forever favorite trio! Haha.

My High School girls. It was nice seeing all their pretty faces even though they're incomplete. :(

My Dentistry family :)

My Dela Roca Family :)

and Bagon Family :)

And of course the program doesn't stop there! My debut ended with everyone's favorite part, the non-stop partyyyy partyyy!!!!

This event is definitely my favorite among all the days I had in my 18 years of existence. Thank you to everyone who came and contributed to make this event a truly memorable one. I love you! :)

H&MU: Misty Culla

Invitations: Bell's Invitations

Photo Coverage and Photo Souvenirs: Precious Moment

Venue and Cater: Chez Amis Catering Services

Emcee: Lubrix "DJ Ryan" Bay

Cake Sponsor: Ate Ghen Dela Roca

Dancers: Batangas Fusion Dancers

xoxo,