Yeye Viray

Blog

  • It can be tiring…

    I take this moment to rant about something that has been bothering me for days. You see, my husband and I have been working so hard to what? To give our family a good life and our children a better future. But more than that, we are deeply thankful for being able to serve God and others. Unfortunately, some people can be insensitive? ungrateful? or just plain (sorry for the word) stupid.

    It never entered my mind to take advantage of people. I can continue running my business even for the sake of maintaining my employees. I don’t expect people to give me credit for anything I have provided for them because it all came from the real Provider. I just want them to strive harder and be deserving.

    It is a challenge to be generous, because sometimes you have to keep reminding yourself that what has been given to you is not really for you (And usually it’s not just the amount that you can conveniently give). But more than that, it is a great challenge to provide for people who you think don’t deserve any of it. Or those who are not happy for what you can give them. Then again, who am I to judge?

  • Rose among the thorns

    The Mobile App Team of Search Opt Media, Inc is now mobilized (no pun intended) and yes I am the only female in the group. I must admit that I am the “newbie” here in terms of project management, development and implementation. Yes I have implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system years ago but with this fast changing field, I now feel obsolete.

    You might ask why I allow myself to go down the hierarchy when I am already the wife of the CEO, uhm I mean the Vice President and Corporate Treasurer who basically handles everything except Marketing and Operations. Plus I have my coffeeshop to attend to.

    Simple. It’s the challenge of really learning the craft and being able to say that I am one of those few people who developed a (successful) iPhone/iPad App. And yes, because I am a daydreamer. :)

  • When can we move on?

    After almost 2 years, I finally saw the person responsible for our vehicular accident. I’ve heard so many things about him. Negative things to be exact. Aside from the fact that he did not help us when we were thrown at the embankment (obviously hurt, rain pouring hard and our children crying), he did not even ask how we were when he went to the hospital. All he said to my husband was, “Nka-compre ka nman diba?” (He was referring to our comprehensive insurance).

    Despite his behavior, we agreed that he will just shoulder the hospital bill just to make us feel that he did not abandon us. In short ‘pampalubag-loob.’ We just wanted to move on with our lives and forget about everything. The important thing for us is that we are all safe. But what he did was, he gave P40k and that’s it. 3 adults and 3 children were hospitalized plus the fact that I was under general anaesthesia during my knee surgery and he would think that that amount would be enough. We should have paid for it instead (part of it will be taken cared of insurance anyway). We were not asking for financial assistance, we were expecting him to be responsible for what happened. That made us decide to file a case instead.

    To be honest, I want to move on and forget about all these. Each session that we attend reminds me of the FEAR, PAIN and ANGER that I felt that day because I can’t imagine how some people can really be mean. Plus the fact that I almost lost one or more family member/s. And I don’t have a choice but to remember every detail of it because when in case we would be asked, we should be prepared.

    The encounter yesterday with Mr. Michael R. Tiqui (from Bulacan) made me realize that it would take more time for us to move on.

  • Bits and pieces

    So many things are running on my mind and I just have to let it all out;

    1. I have this diary/organizer where I list all my activities for the day. The more items checked, the more accomplished I feel. But lately, I noticed that items on my list are not directly related to work; Kumon, Taekwondo, bank, grocery, bills. In short, I’ve been busy driving for my kids and running errands. It’s so frustrating! But at the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that my family is more important than work and I should be thankful for the privilege of being a hands-on mom/wife.

    2. I am a considerate and generous person and some people tend to abuse. I cannot tolerate those people. They wouldn’t hear a thing from me but they’ve cut for sure what could have been more.

    3. A good friend just gave me ref magnets from Singapore, Malaysia and Korea. I LOVE ref magnets! :) I started collecting during my work-related local travels. So when I go to Singapore this July I don’t have to buy anymore… uhm maybe one from Universal Studios lol.

    4. Speaking of travel, I can’t wait to pack our bags again and go. I am excited to see Singapore and Malaysia for the first time and hopefully Indonesia as well. But to be honest, after this, I don’t know when’s next. Traveling is expensive. All I can do is put my hands together and pray for more. :) Btw, I’ve seen a batch mate at St. Petersburg and instantly I fell in love with the place. Aaaarrrgggg…

    5. I miss reading. It’s one of the things I REALLY love. No time is not an excuse of course. I’ve proven last year that at least 10 pages before sleep is workable. I’ve read a lot of books last year. I have to buy myself a book one of these days. Or maybe re-read some I have at home. I just have to start reading again. Period.

  • Search Opt Media, Inc. gets an International Award

    Running a business with clients from US and Europe is an achievement itself. But receiving an INTERNATIONAL ARCH OF EUROPE AWARD is far from what the Founder (Francis Gary Viray) and I ever imagined.

    Ok enough for drama. So what is the award all about and how did we get it?

    According to the Regulations of the IAE;

    1. The award is presented in recognition of those companies or organizations in different countries throughout the world that further their reputation and position by implementing and promoting quality culture.

    2. The award recognizes and encourages the contribution of companies and organizations to quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction as well as improving relations with employees, suppliers and all those associated with the company.

    3. The jury which designates the companies awarded will be formed by the leaders of those companies having received the award in previous years for their merits and contributions to quality and excellence in those companies which they direct. (We still have no idea who voted for us).

    We were supposed to receive the award at Frankfurt tom (April 30). I’ve already asked for plane itinerary from our trusted travel agency and checked the hotel at Frankfurt where we stayed when we were there last year.  Unfortunately, we overlooked the participation fee amounting to 3,900 euros! All in all we would spend more than half a million pesos to personally receive the award. It would have been nice to be part of the awarding ceremony but it wouldn’t be practical. Anyway, present or not we already have the certificate. Indeed a milestone for the company!

  • A year older

    I don’t have a perfect life (if there’s such a thing). Blessings and answered prayers come in abundance and so are problems and challenges. But today as I turn 34, I can say that I am already a fulfilled woman. I know my kids are still young and I feel that God isn’t done with me yet, but there is so much contentment and happiness in my heart that I cannot ask for more. It feels like the rest of my years alive will be bonus already.

    God has been using me not mainly on what I am good at but more on what he sees in my heart. All these things that are happening to me today is not what I pictured myself years ago. I underestimated God. Who I am today is not my own doing, I feel Him working in my life. All I did was pray (hard), wait, keep my feet on the ground, share my blessings and keep the faith.

  • Raising kids to be entrepreneurs

    I grew up believing that I have to study well so that I’ll be employed by a good company, take note, employed. Neither my papa nor mama brought up the idea that it is better if I come up with my own business. Of course there is nothing wrong with being employed, it’s just that allowing kids to see or experience how to have business give them another option.

    My kids are luckier than I am. Aside from the fact that I can go home anytime I want and I can bring them to the office, they are exposed to the joys and pains of running a business. They might not understand what’s happening around but I know they can sense the big responsibility that their parents carry. They learn about human resource management because they see how we treat our employees in and out of the office and unknowingly listen when we interview applicants. They meet lots of people. They enjoy the perks of having our own office and coffee shop and think that it is a normal thing. We set high expectation for them without us saying a word. We bring them anywhere we go, official business or not.  I ask Marcus to help me with some repetitive computer tasks just for him to have the feel of having something to be responsible for and yes he gets paid for it, not with money but frappe. lol

    I don’t say that one should have a business to raise up future entrepreneurs. You can pay them for the things they do at home (of course you have to explain the objective so that they will not expect to get paid for every chore they do). You can ask them to choose things that they don’t use anymore and sell it. (Balancing it with giving things to less fortunate people). When you travel you can give them money and let them buy things that they can sell back home. You can help them cook/bake something and sell it. And so much more.

    I am not sure what my kids are thinking now and what they will become in the future. All I know is that they want to become rich! (My boys said so! haha!)

  • Business with a heart

    I always thought of business as a faster way of making more money, well it is. But I realized that it’s not as simple as that. If that’s your main goal then you’re dead.

    I had management subjects in Industrial Engineering that taught me about risk management, financial management, work simplification, reducing cost, managing people, etc. but they still do not guarantee success.

    I realized that coming up with a business is another way of serving God and others. Through that business, you can hire more people and help them cope with daily financial struggles. Again, blessings are meant to overflow to others.

    My prayer these days is for the company to grow bigger and for the coffee shop to be profitable that we can hire more people and give them competitive compensation. A way to make them realize God’s generosity. Of course I told God that a convenient life for me and my family hopefully comes with it as well.

    Running business is earning money while providing for others for God’s greater glory. This, I know, is an assurance that the abundance will continue.

  • See the World

    In ten years time (actually this is too long already but I don’t want to put too much pressure on my provider), my goal is to visit the top 5 destinations on my list;

    1. Japan – More than seeing Disneyland and Hello Kitty Theme parks, visiting temples, eating Japanese food everyday, riding the bullet train, etc…. I want to see its beauty during the Cherry blossom season.

     

    2. Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Times Square New York

    3. Greece – I want to see Santorini’s dramatic views, stunning sunsets and whitewashed houses. I also want to explore Greece’s archaeological sites and ancient ruins especially Parthenon, Delphi Theater and ancient temples.

     

    4. Washington D.C. – Thanks to Dan Brown’s bestseller The Lost Symbol, I got curious about Freemasonry and I want to see all the Masonic symbols and coded messages mentioned in the book, not to mention what DC can offer as a tourist destination. Actually, it was Dan Brown who introduced me to Louvre Museum as well.

    5. Amsterdam – I asked a well-travelled Priest on what’s the best place in Europe he’s been so far, he said Amsterdam confidently. I searched about it and here’s a piece of what I got, “Beer cafes, brown cafes, coffeeshops, grand cafes, tasting houses… whatever you fancy, Amsterdam’s got the cafe to suit.” Just that and I’m convinced.

     

    Spain and Brazil are trailing closely behind. Not to mention London and Scotland that I want to see again. This is one of those times that I really wish I am a billionaire… so freakin’ bad! :)

  • Travel Opps

    By this time last year I’m starting to prepare documents for Shengen visa application. For this year, thanks to Marcus’ 13th bday and Zach’s 7th, I have all the reason to book our plane tickets to Singapore. We also plan to visit Malaysia and Indonesia. To be honest, I promised Gary last year that after the Euro trip, we’ll start saving (meaning, enough travel for I don’t know how many years). But you see, you can promise anything when your dream just came true LOL.

    We have another opportunity to go back to Frankfurt, Germany this April. So important for the company (I cannot divulge right now) that Gary and I are really considering it. It’s so hard to decide because we have to consider the budget and the 3 kids that we cannot bring along. My heart is torn.