Abundance

It's Friday and I am feeling calm and peaceful this morning. I decided to go searching for websites of some favorite writers. I've even linked with a life coach. The past few weeks, maybe even months, I've been excited about my professional life, but somewhat anxious about my personal life.

As a woman, I can't be "right" when my personal life is out of sorts. How about you? Through the years, I've found that others articulate my thoughts and feelings much better than I. I love it when a person speaks with passion and clarity.

For me, Sarah Ban Breathnach is one of those people. I found her books years ago (Romancing The Ordinary and Something More). I loved her writing...provocative and it felt right. It was like I was thirsting for the things she said. I even envied her confidence and wished I could be "like that". Reading her books, I felt all kinds of emotions...giddy, happy, wowwed, solemn, and wanted to try new things...things that would help me be happy with myself. Isn't that the hardest part for us as women? Caring for self? Body, mind, heart, and soul? When's the last time you consciously took care of yourself in any manner?

Since then, I've come a long way, have learned much, made many friends, and have made it to my 15th wedding anniversary (with my hubby, of course).


"We can consciously decide to be happy, loving, festive, fulfilled, generous, peaceful, contented, spiritual, joyous, calm and emotionally connected to the important people in our lives for the holidays this year. We can at least try. Or we can 'return to Sender' without opening the boon of holiday miracles and gifts waiting for us. It’s our choice. Everyday." (www.simpleabundance.com) by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Peace and love, V

Taking Care of Business - Comp Time

I'm assuming you are all familiar with overtime and compensatory time, right? I had a family member ask me about comp time as he was having some issue at work (govt office) with comp time...when it's used and how it's applied.

If not, comp time or CTO is defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as compensatory time off ...paid time away from the job that is earned and accrued by an employee in lieu of a cash payment for overtime compensation, at the rate of no less than one and one-half hours of compensatory time for each hour of overtime worked. Under the act, only government agencies may legally allow their nonexempt employees time off in place of wages; for the most part, private employers are not eligible to use comp time in place of overtime.

Anyway, according to one online source, www.ppspublishers.com/articles/comp_time_rules.htm, the Supreme Court Clarified Comp Time Rules in Christensen v. Harris County, No. 98-1167 (5/1/00)

"The accrual of large amounts of compensatory time off can cause a big financial liability for public employers. The Supreme Court may have helped solve this problem by ruling that employers can require employees to use the banked time.

Public employers scored a victory recently when the Supreme Court ruled in their favor regarding the use of compensatory time off. Under a 1985 amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), state and local government employers may give nonexempt employees (those employees subject to the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements) compensatory time off (or "comp time") instead of paying overtime as long as the covered employees agree to this arrangement. To ensure that employees who earn this time off are compensated appropriately, the FLSA also contains several provisions regulating the accumulation and use of the banked time. However, according to the Court, employers still have some discretion to determine when the comp time must be used. Specifically, the Court found in Christensen v. Harris County, No. 98-1167 (5/1/00), that public employers can require employees to use the accrued comp time, without having an agreement that addresses this requirement."

An article at www.entrepreneur.com states, "a state law may provide comp time for all employees who work more than 35 hours in a workweek. By comparison, the act requires that only hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek are overtime hours that must be compensated at one and one-half times the regular rate of pay. Therefore, in this situation, comp time may be granted for work done between 35 and 40 hours as "other" compensatory time."

My opinion is to use it wisely, keep all employees informed, and be smart and ethical. Once you divert from this, you can get screwed. If you end up in court, they tend to side with the plaintiff/employee. I don't know everything about HR, but I do reference many online sources, especially the Society of Human Resources (www.shrm.org) and am a student member (since I'm still pursuing B.A.). It's a terrific resource but to get the full benefits, you have to be a member.

What is your experience with CTO and how was it handled? Do you believe it to be fair to the employee? the employer?

Reflection & Inspiration

This time of the year I tend to reflect and plan for the upcoming year. As I reflect this Christmas season, I think of people, especially women who have inspired me throughout my life. You may or may not know them and many of them are not famous, but they are very important to those who know and love them...I'm one of them.

Life's Lessons & Unconditional Love:
Teofila (Tilly) Flores+ - mom
Pilar Mendiola Cruz+ - grandma
Maria Toves Flores+ - nana
Rita Cruz Findley+ - aunt
Daria, Josephine, Priscilla, Rosalin (aunts)
Tina, Verne, Mem (sisters)
Ria, Lauren, Paulina, Nikki, Jesusenta, Tippy (goddaughters)
Gen, Ash, Tiara (nieces)

Friendship & Mentoring Can Happen Anywhere:
Pat, Leticia, Susan, Maria, Barb - Goodwill Industries of Sacramento
Lois, Barb, Lynn, Lisa, Rosie, Tico, Cathy, Marsha, Clare, Tasha, Marilyn, Tamara, Toni, Johanna, Vangie, Evelyn, Leilani, Arlene, Ann, Pat Lam, Phi Theta Kappa women - Guam Community College
Mary - Dept of Military Affairs
Chilang, Pat, Bertha Rose - Dept of Administration
Denise, Angie, Lisa - Real Woman Magazine
Corine, Lou - Vancouver, WA
Rena Cruz, Nerissa Carino, Bernie Tudela, Christine Fejeran, (Ordot Elementary)
Joyce Santos, Annie Cepeda, Geri Iriarte (Agueda Jr High & GWHS)

There are many more women and men, old and young, who inspire me each day. You are all in my thoughts.

I encourage you to take a break...a whole day off work or a weekend away to reflect on the past year's blessings and things learned. Love yourself and send "thinking of you" notes to those who have loved you in little ways that affected you in a big way. We all know that it's the little things that matter most.

I wish you love and many beautiful Christmas blessings.

Frugal ...not a dirty word

Here are some tips from "The Happy Cheapskate" by Reader's Digest (www.readersdigest.com) that will help keep some money IN your pocket.

Feeding Family For Less:
1. Choose choice cuts over expensive marble prime cuts of beef.
2. Buy large eggs; shell color does not affect quality.
3. Freeze unused whites and yolks.
4. Use brown bananas...duh, on Guam we make yummy banana donuts. Brown peel means riper and sweeter.
5. Buy frozen juice over the gallon.
6. Vegetable puree...save all the cuttings of veggies, puree & freeze them for use in soups and sauces.
7. Make your own specialty coffee instead of paying $2-$5!! Try Latin-brand espressos, imported Mexican coffees, add a pinch of salt to regular ground coffee, add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or grated orange zest before brewing.
8. Get free recipies from foodnetwork.com for leftovers and eat like a star.

Savvy Shopper:
1. Grocery stores - make shopping list & stick to it, stay on the outer perimeter for your needs.
2. Learn sales patterns of your favorite stores and never pay full price again.
3. Look up and down...less expensive brands are on upper and lower shelves.
4. Check price per pound, always.
5. Use coupons

For tips, visit Reader's Digest or search online for savings on specific items. While we want to support our local business people, you can find great deals online with free shipping...

Have any more "happy" tips? Share them here!

Holidays and Money

At a time when our nation is in a recession, the big picture is hard to think about, let alone see, when our individual worlds require attention. I'm talking about putting food on the table, paying the utilities and mortage/rent, and paying for all the little things for our kids and minimal lifestyle.

My hubby & I chose to move out of a rental in which we were broken into (2x) just last month even though it was so convenient to live there. It was close to family, church, workplace, and shopping stores. It was stressful and impacted our small pockets...but we've survived and are adjusting. What else can we do?

With all life's "obligations" to pay for, how are you dealing with our island and nation's economic woes? For us on Guam, we worry and grumble about paying for government fees/fines/increases on power, water, environment and garbage!

I'm not the complainer type, but I hear and see how families and, especially women, are being hit hard with what's happening in our community. If you're like me, and want to help...share your strategies for survival and resources our readers can use.

I'm especially concerned about the impact on families during the holidays. The emotional trauma of wanting to participate in gift giving and not being able to is very difficult in this material world we've created.

Another adventure for Heroic Women

heroic adjective. renowned for great strength, courage, and daring; celebration of special achievements and attributes

Hello and hafa adai. My name is Vera Flores Dela Cruz...born and raised on Guam, a U.S. territory...where America's day begins.

After working with a great woman, Denise Mendiola-Hertslet, a heroine in our community and the founder of Real Woman Magazine, I found a new passion that molds well with my other passions...media...and, even more exciting, it's "new media". Thanks to the cost of printing magazines, I was driven to find a more cost-effective way to communicate to women and customers. What a wonderful surprise! I found a way fulfill my goals with little to no expenses and ultimate power to speak to women of Micronesia and even the world. Here you see Heroic Women born.

This blogsite is dedicated to all the women in my life...past, present and future. As individuals we make things happen. Our power is invigorating and humbling...we bring the leaders and shakers into this world.

My goals for this blogsite is to create a place for women of Micronesia (homegrown, those who make our islands their home, and those how reside throughout the world) to share their experiences, thoughts, dreams, and positive insights. I revel in the sharing and delight in each of your successes.

You can participate in the blogs by commenting...this begins our dialogue... OR you can be a regular contributor. For contributors, I'll need to see sample writings and then I can set you up. For those who wrote for RW in the past, you are most welcome to contribute to Heroic Women. Just click "comment" beneath this blog and state your cause.

Here's to you (and me), and all the successes we shall share. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Season's Greetings!