I am a Working Mom!

Hooray For Today!

2012-02-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

We should always, always start our day beautifully! Our day depends on how we will make it - this is true. If you want to be happy despite of all the problems, you will be happy. If you want to be bothered by the car in front of you in the highway, it is your choice.

Really - happiness will come from within. So choose to be happy today.

In the Philippines, McDonalds has a very good commercial and so with the song (i love all McDo commercials) - it is entitled, Hooray For Today! I truly love this, that is why i want to share it with you.

Hooray for mornings and things that make them good
Hooray for beaming smiles that make my day
Hooray for stops and gos
Hooray for colors and quick hellos
Hooray for surprises that walk my way
Hooray for friends I'll make, oh hey...hey!
Hooray for treats that make me smile,
Like magic stripes that fill the sky
Hooray for days that make me say,
Oh Hooray for today!

Let's hooray everyday from now on...

Be happy! :-)

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Zarah Pimentel is foremost a very proud mother to a 6year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes pleasure in with helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses by setting them free in doing menial tasks and assisting them in more ways they can imagine. She has been featured in several magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

Let Us Be Imperfect Together

2012-02-10T00:04:00.000-08:00

Our world today is so much geared on perfection. Perfectly beautiful, perfectly sexy, perfectly smart people - well, thanks to the media. We are all aiming for things being like being as beautiful as Angelina Jolie, as strong as Manny Pacquiao or even as rich as the Trumps and the Gates. Oh, such dreams!

But i just wish that we embrace each of our imperfections. I am sure these people have their own imperfections, but we just can see what they want us to see.

I am not saying we stop improving ourselves. It can be done. We can workout and have strict diet or even surgeries to be as sexy as Angelina, we can train 6 times a day in boxing and we can work all days every week to become rich. But where will these lead you? You are chasing somebody's life - not yours.

That is why when i make mistakes, i apologize because i am not perfect. And so, when my daughter or husband have shortcomings - forgiveness is so easy. It is because we know and acknowledge our imperfections.

Bottomline is that you know your potentials, your strength and weaknesses, so we should take advantage of those. Live life to the fullest. Let us be imperfect together!

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Zarah Pimentel is first and foremost a very proud mom to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes pleasure in with serving to entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing menial duties and helping them in more ways they can imagine. She has been featured in a number of magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

For more details about what she does, kindly go to her blog, Virtual Assistant Mom.

A Celebration of Life

2011-04-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

This may be off my usual topic... but i feel i just have to share my what i felt when i attended a 'celebration of life' get together. Well, this is the new term for funeral service or a wake.

I usually do not attend this kind of gathering or even goes to a hospital to visit sick loved ones. I do not know the reason why but i just do not want to do that, unless really necessary. I just realized the reason when i attended my cousin's celebration of life. It has to do with 'mortality', not only mine but to all the people around me.

In just a second, something might happen to anybody - whether a sickness, an accident or just about anything else. A life will be ended just like that, without any warning. And i just do not want to face this reality of life then. But now i know and i accept that this will happen to everybody, including me or to the people i love.

So what can i do now? I will just make it a point to express my love to those people. I will not keep any ill feelings about anybody. I will make the most out of my day. Spend more quality time with my family. These things will seem impossible to do all the time, but i will try my best.

Maybe, it is also time for you to feel what i am feeling - for you to value people around you.

Always be happy,
Zarah

Zarah Pimentel is first and foremost a very proud mother to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes pleasure in with helping entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing basic duties and aiding them in more ways they could imagine.

For additional information about what she does, kindly visit her blog, Virtual Assistant Mom.

Do Not Grow Too Fast...

2011-04-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

I have been looking back and starting to realize how fast time flies...

I just do not want to let go of my baby, i do not want her to grow older anymore. I want her to always be by my side, needing me, asking me about everything and loving me... oh, i am getting teary eyed now!

It seems like yesterday when i am just changing her diapers, now she can take a bath by herself.

I used to tell stories before she sleeps, now - she is the one full of stories. It is her turn now to tell what happened to her for the day.

I used to just carry her and stroll the park, now she is leading the way.

It seems like yesterday when i just choose the dresses that she will wear. Now, she knows what she wants when we go shopping.

Oh, she now even wants to cook by herself.. (but of course, she still cannot)!

Do not grow old too fast, my honey! Please... be our baby for some more years!

I love you, anak!

Always be happy,
Zarah

Zarah Pimentel is firstly a very proud mom to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes pleasure in with helping entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing basic duties and helping them in more ways they could imagine. She has been featured in several magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

For more details about what she does, kindly visit her internet site, Virtual Assistant Mom.

Favorite Mommy

2010-09-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am amazed on how my daughter grew. It seems that she is growing doubly everyday – physically and mentally. If only I have my way, I would like to slow it down, tremendously.

She tells things that I cannot imagine her saying. One time, she saw her grandma praying, she sat beside her and said, “Lola, I pray that when I grow up, you are still here with us”, she started crying and embraced her grandma. I asked her later where she heard what she said, she just told me, she just felt it.

And the same night, before she slept, she prayed loudly. And I overheard her say, “…thank you for my favorite Mommy.” It made me smile and I asked her again, why did you say ‘favorite mommy’. What do you mean by that?

She then said, “Mommy, we all have our favorites. I like spaghetti, that is my favorite food. I would like to eat it every day. And you are my Mommy, so you are my favorite mommy. I do not like anybody else.”

Oh, that made my day! What about you, are you your kid’s favorite mommy?

Be happy... be successful,

Zarah

Zarah Pimentel is firstly a very proud mother to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes delight in with serving to entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing boring duties and assisting them in more ways they could imagine. She has been featured in numerous magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

For additional details about what she does, kindly visit her blog, Virtual Assistant Mom.

Spell LOVE... T-I-M-E!

2010-08-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Are you a working mom? If you are, you know the feeling... when you go home and find that your kid is already sleeping. During weekends, you still bring home some work. You cannot cook your family's favorite dish because you cannot leave your office early. You missed out several recitals... Oh, there is a long, long list.

I am one of you, guys! I want to stop working and be a mom - i hope it will just be that easy!

There was even one time, when my daughter and I were having fun, telling stories, rolling in bed - tickling each other and then i realized i have to make a call to my prospective client. So i told my daughter that i need to work. She just said, "You know Mom, i pray that you stop working already." Oh, that melted my heart!

And then one time, i saw a quote, "Parents Take Note: This is how your kids spell the word LOVE ... T.I.M.E". I just said, "Yes, that is true!" So i need to take action now. Kids need you during a certain age only. When they are old enough, they would not need you much anymore. And time flies very quickly.

Moms, let us spend TIME with our kids. So next time, they will spell LOVE it will be M-O-M! :-)

Be happy… and successful!

Zarah

Zarah Pimentel is firstly a very proud mom to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes delight in with helping entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing menial tasks and aiding them in more ways they could imagine. She has been featured in lots of magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

For more information about what she does, kindly go to her web site, Virtual Assistant Mom.

Perfectionist Mommy

2010-07-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

In work, I am obsessed with perfection. I do not want to make mistakes – and I make sure that all tasks are done properly and timely.

Many says I am a control freak! And I admit it… I am really is. If I can only do everything by myself I will do it. Because I believe that when you want something done perfectly, you do it yourself. But, of course I cannot – so I am still learning the art of delegation!

It is really a great deal for me to delegate. It is because when I see the outcome, I tend to think immediately that it would be better if they have done it as I would have. And it will be perfect if they have adapted my method. But I know that everybody has their own style of working.

That is why, I made a solution. When there is a task, I first do it myself, I write down the steps, make screenshots and make a PDF file for the activity. So that when the same task will be required, I can just forward the PDF instruction and you know what, it usually turn out as I expect it. Great technique, huh!

And right now, I am still digesting the fact that there are really many ways of skinning a cat. And I should accept the truth that even if the task is not done exactly as I wanted, it can still be great… or even better! I should face the reality that I cannot control everything… period. And in a company, delegation is one of the keys of success.

Happy delegating, everybody!

Be happy... be successful,

Zarah

ZSPimentel is first and foremost a very proud mom to a 4year old girl. She is a co-owner of an outsourcing business, Hire a VA, a company that outsources Virtual Assistants and SEO specialists from the Philippines, that was put up together with 2 other female colleagues. She very is content with helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses by setting them free in doing menial tasks and assisting them in more ways they can imagine.

Work in the Eyes of a Child

2010-06-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

"Mommy, i do not want money anymore. Can you turn off the laptop so we can just play?" How will you react to this request from your child?

Full time work at home moms tend to think that they will have more time with their kids if they work this way. NO! It is because full time office work and full time work at home work is still the same. You have to work 8 hours still... No less!

But of course WAHM has its perks and priviledges. They have a lot more hugs and kisses as compared to those who work in the 'real world'. They will have a peace of mind that their kids are safe - and no need to install a nanny camera. When they wake up, they can work immediately - less 1 hour of preparation for office and another 1 hour travel time.

How can you tell your kid that you have to work and leave her with her nanny? How can you explain to them that you cannot be disturbed when you work? That she has to wait until you are finished with your work before you can play with her?

Kids nowadays are very smart. They can understand well enough - moms just have to talk to them straight. With this, they will see the value of work and money.

ZSPimentel is first and foremost a very proud mom to a 4year old girl. She is a co-owner of an outsourcing business, Hire a VA, that was put up together with 2 other female colleagues. She very is content with helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses by setting them free in doing menial tasks and assisting them in more ways they can imagine.

How "Mommy" are You?

2010-05-04T05:13:00.000-07:00

There are no schools for mommies – I sure hope there is one! Hahaha!

Seriously, being mommy is a BIG responsibility. I received an email from a very good friend of mine, Mrs. Weenie Wee-Quiambao and this made me stop and think, “Did I do good with my mommy job?”

What if you are a working mom , do you still have time, energy, patience and strength to be a mommy when you arrive from work? Or it may be a case of, 'the mind is willing but the flesh is weak'? :-)

I will share this to you and I hope this will make you realize what being a mommy reall is:

A Newborn ' s Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

What do you think?

Be happy… and be successful,

Zarah

Zarah Pimentel is firstly a very proud mom to a 5year old girl. She is a co-founder of Hire a VA, an SEO Company in the Philippines that outsources SEO Specialists and Virtual Assistants from the Philippines. She takes delight in with helping entrepreneurs grow their companies by setting them free in doing menial tasks and aiding them in more ways they could imagine. She has been featured in lots of magazines and a book entitled, How to Start a Home-based Business to Become a Work-At-Home Mom.

For more information about what she does, kindly go to her web site, Virtual Assistant Mom.

You Can Let Go Now, Daddy!

2010-03-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

This is a video of how a father loves his daughter... shown in different settings, different milestones in a woman's life. Any daughter can surely see themselves in this woman's place.

This is a heart warming video. I cried buckets of tears (no exaggeration... really!).

After watching this by myself, i showed this to my 4-year old daughter. I thought she will not understand it, but she cried too. I asked her why and she told me, "That is Daddy! I love my Daddy!" And we both cried.

These kinds of videos will make us realize how we love somebody... And as we look back, we will also recall the times when they showed us our love but we did not acknowledge it.

It is not Father's Day, but let us celebrate all the Dads in the world. And let us make everyday a Fathers' Day (and of course, Mothers' Day!

I love you Tatay!

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.

How Working at Home Helped Me

2010-02-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

I have been working at home for almost a year now – and I am loving every minute of it.

Looking back, I have been thinking that I should have discovered this a long time ago… lol! Maybe I have not wasted so much time for doing nothing or doing irrelevant things while being a housewife.

Many would say that being a mother is the most difficult job of all. Yes, I agree with this completely. But I would also say that if you a mother who used to work 9 to 5 before, this will be doubly difficult for you.

Being a stay at home mom is really fulfilling, you get to see your kid grow up. You will not miss his first smile, first word, first step and all those milestones in his life. You got to monitor everything about your baby – the food, the nap time, the play time, the tv shows being watched, and all the rest.

But I guess you will feel that there is still something missing, something lacking in your life. You have to be intellectually active – you have to make your brains work. And if working in the ‘professional world’ is not an option anymore and then, the ‘virtual world’ is the answer.

You can work as a Virtual Assistant. You can get trained by accessing online trainings (there are free ones out there) or you can sign up to some outsourcing companies like oDesk, Elance, Bestjobsonline, onlinejobs.ph and many others. I can personally recommend to try out oDesk first. There are many jobs you can choose from – but I must warn you, the competition is very stiff there. But perseverance always pay off, remember that!

When you work at home, you can have the luxury of both worlds – and earning! What more can you ask for - be a virtual assistant mom!

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.

How Time Flies..

2010-02-19T00:09:00.000-08:00

Whew, how time flies! It is almost a year since i last written a post... I have been super dooper busy!

Right now, i am still busy as a bee, juggling my being a mom to Erica and being Zarah the super VA (hahaha)! But both roles have been well and good.

As a matter of fact, me, together with some colleagues put up an outsourcing company, Hire a VA. And we are now closing 2 big accounts (crossing my fingers and praying hard)!

With Erica, she is in honor roll now and very, very, very smart! (this is her mom talking, sorry!) She usually tells me when it is time for me to work, "Mommy, you can leave me and go back to work now!" or "Who is your boss now?" She knows i have different bosses in different times of the day.

So far, so good then. And i am always thankful for all the blessings that i am continuously receiving.

Hope it is well with all of you!

Till the next post...

Ciao!

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.

What a Blessed and Loonngg Week!

2009-05-17T07:08:00.001-07:00

Hi BFs (blog friends), i hope you had a productive week as i had. I have so many things that i would like to share with you, but first things first. I would like to tell you what happened to me last week.

Many of you, my bfs would be familiar with oDesk, because i guess, you came to know my blog because of various forums i joined regarding oDesk.

If only you can see my Message Center, i saved all the good news there. But that will just reflect the fun part of my first week at oDesk. You cannot see there the sweat, blood and eye bugs i had before i had my victory dance.

Before i joined, i read all i the threads and posts from my two favorite forums, http://pinoyexchange.com/ and http://www.femalenetwork.com/girltalk/. This took me two whole days to finish it. Then finally, on May 7, 2009, i signed up with oDesk, armed with all the tips and experiences of pinoy exchangers and sisses that i have read in the forums. It took me two tries with the readiness exams, 2 hours to complete my profile and 2 hours to finish 4 other tests.

Now, the exhausting part. I started applying, it took me 1 whole day to apply to almost every job posts i think i can do. Then came the dreaded messages, "Your candidacy has ended". Everytime i received that message, my heart ached and an there was an explainable feeling of hurt - i really don't do well with rejection.

Then after a day, i was hired by an American Mom who wants her kids' grades monitored, hooray! But do not think this is it, because it was just a 1hr/week job. Funny!!! But i never gave up, i continued to apply, maximizing the 20 applications quota.

The following day i had an interview with a pinay buyer who wanted to hire me as a writer. Wow, eversince, i really want to write! She was sooo kind, she gave me an opportunity to write, and she guided me all the way.. Bless her! That is not the only good news i received that day, i received 2 invitations for an interview with one Frenchman ala Hugh Grant, and one cutey New Yorker.

May 11, i started my writing stint, May 12 got acquainted with the cutey New Yorker and the following day, i "rubbed elbows" with frenchman ala-Hugh Grant! That did not stop there, the same day, the American Mom told me to assume a very unique job position (i will tell you about that in my next post), that is another 2 hours in the morning! Wow!

So, i had a FULL week. It was a very lllooonnnggg, but very fulfilling and a blessed week. Whew, i live for great weeks like that one!

So, my fellow oDeskers, don't fret if you are always rejected, erase the message in your inbox and apply again! In my next posts, i will be giving some tips on how to get noticed when you apply. Yes, i will tell you, the competition is VERY stiff in there! But, perseverance is always the key!

Okay folks, that's all for now, i have to go back to work, my hours already have an equivalent $sign on it! :)

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.

Everything Online

2009-05-15T13:15:00.001-07:00

When i graduated college, i wanted to be an Executive. My dream was to go to the office early in the morning, work my butts off, and have fun with friends before going home. For me, that was the perfect set up.

But then, came the world of internet. Everything seems to be done online. You can chat online, shop online, watch online, play online and many others.

Then came online jobs. Telecommuting. Virtual job. Perfect for both the employer and employee, win-win situation. Employer will save costs for office rental,utility bills, taxes, benefits for employees, plus accompanying headache in maintaining regular staff. On the employee’s part, they will save transportation, food, clothing expenses. Both employer and employee can do their work in their PJs, how cool is that.

I am part of the online job world already. I am enjoying every minute of it. Working one hour and playing with your daughter after that. Then back again to work. For me, it is like working in Disneyland - with all its glitz, fun and play! What more can you ask more?

What wonders can ONLINE do! Got to go, my daughter wants to play! Ciao!

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.

Heaven in Heaven

2009-05-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

What is it like being single and free? It feels like eons ago, but wait, i cannot remember the feeling. I can remember the times, but i cannot really remember the feeling. But that “cannot remember the feeling” thing is in a positive note.

Because now, i know, i cannot see myself in the morning without the smiling Aika waking me up and saying “Good morning, mommy!” I will not exchange for a $x/hr job an afternoon play with Aika in the playground. I will not survive the day without hearing Aika say “Mommy, i love you forever!”.

You know what, i thought my life before, wherein I can freely go anywhere, do anything I want, go anywhere in a snap was already heaven on earth, but now, my life with my daughter Aika is… Heaven in Heaven!

I love you forever, Aika!

Mommy, Are You Going Back to Work?

2009-04-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

I have been dreaming of working again. I have been playing with that idea for quite sometime already. A few years back, I gave up working (i had a computer shop before), because i feel my daugther needed me more than i needed to work. That was three years ago. Now, my daughter will be going to school this June, so i know that this is a perferct time to go back to work.

Working is a big word for Mommies! Primarily because this means being away from your kid. And this is the hardest part of all. The guilt in your heart when you leave your daughter in the morning, without even having breakfast with her. Having the pain in gut thinking that you should be playing with her after she wakes up in the afternoon, instead of having a meeting with your boss. Or even the thought of cooking a "yummy" dinner for your family instead of being stuck in a terrible traffic. Whew, these are probably what Mommies' thoughts are, 5 times a week, 9am to probably 9pm, depending on the traffic in Edsa! ;)

So what now? I really do not know how to answer my own question. And then, a bright solution was handed to me in a silver plate by a friend, she told me "Why not apply as a Virtual Assistant, a homebased job." She knows a company which is hiring. Aha, the answer to my prayers...

I applied with a whispered prayer, "Please Jesus, give me this job." You know what happened? After 3 sets of gruelling, mind boggling, head spinning 1 and 1/2 hours of interviews, i was hired. Yehey!!!

I am already part of working mother world, sans the mini skirt, blazer, heels (ouch, that really hurts!), make up and traffic! I will never miss having breakfast with Aika and Eric, i can play with my daughter in the afternoon, and cook mouth watering Caldereta for dinner - and still work! What a perfect way to live a Working Mommy's life!

I will say a little prayer to the ones who made this virtual jobs possible!

Nitey nite everybody!

The author, ZSPimentel is a Virtual Assistant Mom and currently a co-owner of the company, Hire a VA which outsources VA and SEO Specialists at a very reasonable rates.