Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

I consider 2011 a stellar year for me. I was able to successfully complete all the projects I planned: my new logo, my website, and my book, plus winning the Nuffnang Blog Awards in Malaysia for the Best Lifestyle Blog was a bonus!

Thank you Mia De Lara  of Mobudays for my beautiful logo!

Thanks Dart and Mia for creating an awesome website! You guys are visionaries — zero headache, more fun! Working on my new site taught me new things and it helped me sharpen my “web” skills. I’m looking forward to a new and improved site!

Thank you Xandra Ramos-Padilla of National Book Store for making my dream come true! This book is the start of a great partnership!

Who knew? I’ve never won a local blog award nor have I been a member of Nuffnang’s ad, so you can imagine my surprise when my blog was nominated. What an honor! Competing with the best of the best bloggers in Asia and winning the Nuffnang Best Lifestyle Blog in Asia-Pacific made it even sweeter! This award has inspired me to improve and expand my website. Thank you Nuffnang! You guys rock!

Working on all those projects while attending to my family and working as a celebrity stylist was definitely a feat for me. I faced so many challenges, and sometimes heartaches, during my journey. It wasn’t easy but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Life is precious; I make every moment count.

During a dinner party last December, a friend asked me, “With all the things you’ve done and with all your achievements, is there anything else you would like to do? How can you top everything you’ve done this year?” I thought that was a great question. It makes one appreciate life and at the same time makes you think of your next step. Without any hesitation my response to her query was, “Honestly, I feel like I’ve only just begun.”

It’s true. I’ve been working in the fashion industry for more than 10 years and I still feel passionate about everything I do. By staying hungry for my passion and my purpose to help others, it fuels me to continue my vision.

So, how does one “top last year’s projects”? My answer is simple: move forward. My goal is to better myself as a human being and work on projects I believe in. I learned in life that when you do things that you love, everything else (money, recognition, peace of mind) follows.

Here’s something to inspire all of us:

Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005

Sometimes when things don’t go our way or when we are faced with challenges in our lives, it is important to remember that there is always a reason for them not to happen. We might not realize what it is immediately but later on, just like what Steve Jobs said:

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well worn path; and that will make all the difference.”

Have faith. Believe in yourself. Be true. Be selfless.

Here’s to connecting the dots, staying hungry, and staying foolish.

Shopingero/shopingera, have you found what you love doing? If not, what steps are you taking to find it?