JENNA Sto Tomas-Zantua‘s story
CHANGING PLANS, TAKING CHANCES, AND FINDING MY TRUE IDENTITY
Pronounced as Halu-Halo, which means “mix-mix,” is a popular Filipino frozen dessert made up of a hodgepodge of ingredients you stir and the result is an uber refreshing snack that’s perfect for a hot summer day.
While the Halo-Halo may seem to an outsider, a bizarre-looking dessert, for me, it’s a beautiful creation sent from dessert heaven.
I’m sorry if I’m making you think about food right now. I swear it’s unintentional. I only wanted to share this one dessert that I think represents so much of the mixed culture that I grew up with as a Filipino.
In fact, the Halo-Halo itself is much like my country’s history – a true melting-pot of pre colonial matriarchal society with Chinese, Malay, and mixed Asian influence marked by a long colonial history with the Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese, way of life and thinking.
A distinct blend of culture and tradition indeed. And while it’s good that as a Filipina, I can adapt and relate to many types of people, it was also a constant battle of finding my true identity as a woman of color living on the other side of the world…
THE BIG MOVE
Probably my biggest life decision was moving abroad over four years ago.
My husband, who is an international school teacher suddenly got a job offer to teach in Russia. At that time, I was a restaurant business owner and on the side, doing HR consultancy with corporate clients.
I had a full time job. I was also a new mom.
I had just given birth to my daughter when the opportunity came. To make things more complicated, we just purchased a house a few weeks before all of this happened.
There was only one question in my head: Am I ready to make this big move?
Did I get scared?
Definitely.
Did I think about what could happen to us?
Hell yes.
Yet, it was also one of those rare moments where you just feel it deep in your bones – I knew it was the right thing to do for us as a family.
I knew just how drastic our lives will change the moment we leave – whether it’s a bad or a good thing, I would have never known if I didn’t take the risk.
It was a gigantic leap, a new, exciting, and scary adventure, so to speak.
For the next two years of our life abroad, I devoted myself to the art of becoming the best most outstanding stay at home mom I could ever be.
I learned how to cook many cuisines. I taught myself Russian and Cyrillic. I learned how to operate the washing machine (so just for context; it was always the laundry shop that did our clothes so this was something new to me).
I cleaned the apartment (not my favorite thing to do). I was also breastfeeding and taking care of the baby. Life was busy but good even though it was cold all year long.
But life had other plans for us too..and after two years, it was time to move on to another country – this time it was Panama, a place so much farther away but quickly became home for us.
I adapted to the pace of living in a new city with a landscape that very much resembled Manila.
I settled into our new apartment, found out where the park is, the grocery, a coffee place, and also enrolled in Spanish class.
I also found a nice local daycare where my daughter can easily learn Spanish and be with other kids.
On my daughter’s first day in school, I found myself at home with literally nothing to do, and then suddenly, I realized that for the first time in a long time – I could go back to working full time.
Things were changing again, time for a new plan.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE
I am grateful for being able to have an expat lifestyle where moving from one country to another is considered “normal”. I had gotten so used to things changing that I no longer feared the thought of change and instead; I welcomed it.
However, there’s always my friend and enemy, FEAR.
The one who constantly whispers the cautions, the what-ifs, and the doubts. Where do I find the courage to forge my path? How do I even begin?
All I knew then was I had a strong desire to find this new identity or maybe a new endeavor that will light up and awaken my sleeping entrepreneurial spirit…
Wanna know what happens next?
Watch out for my chapter in the Empire Life Book, Redefine, launching Jan 2021!
You will be able to find the rest of her story in the Empire Life Book, Redefine, launching in Jan 2021!
ABOUT JENNA:
Jenna Sto. Tomas- Zantua is a digital ex-pat living in Panama. She is an online business consultant that helps women founders with brand positioning and strategy to build, systematize, and maintain profitable online businesses. She is a director of Operations, certified online business manager, brand copywriter, digital marketing geek, amazing cook, tough mama of one, fiercely loyal friend, and wife to Steve Aoki’s (better-looking) doppelganger…
…also a badass female entrepreneur and founder of Digital & Boundless™, an online company that provides topnotch strategic marketing, operational systems, and tech implementation support for impact-driven small businesses. Digital and Boundless™ wants to leverage technology, automation, systems and processes that help women entrepreneurs grow their online business with ease and less overwhelm.
She hopes to see more women-owned businesses grow and thrive in the big, exciting, vast, and sometimes scary, online universe.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH EMPIRE LIFE
You can also find more information about Allison Ramsey, Facebook Digital Marketing Professor & Empire Life Founder at Instagram, LinkedIN, Website, and Twitter.
To learn more about getting started with Empire Life in launching and scaling your online empire you can contact Allison, Founder of Empire Life, on Instagram and LinkedIN.
“Change is inevitable.”
our Recent blogs
Check Out The Most Recent Blogs.
Let’s Start Something new
Say Hello!
Have a Question? Drop Us a Line.
I'M IN!
Grab Your Free Course on Gaining More Clients!
Very good post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the great writing.
I used to be able to find good info from your blog articles. Emmi
I really like and appreciate your article post. Much thanks again. Really Cool. Codi
There is clearly a lot to realize about this. I suppose you made certain good points in features also. Stephanie
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great post on our website. Keep up the good writing. Gisele
A great post! Consuela
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post. Really thank you! Awesome. Xena
Thanks regarding providing these types of good write-up. Carie
These are genuinely amazing ideas regarding blogging. Maura
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thank you for sharing. Laurette
Everyone loves it when individuals come together and share opinions, that’s why I love this blog! Great site, continue the good work! Eddy
Thanks, Empire Life. The article here was definitely unplanned in how amazing it was but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Honey
Our company will actually promptly and also efficiently promote this website! Gilda
Thank you for this! Zola
Sweet website, super user-friendly, and really clean. Carmen
Thanks again for the blog article. Really looking forward to reading more. Coraline
I am actually grateful to the owner of this site, Empire Life, who has shared this impressive post here. Roselin
Hi, constantly I used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the break of day because I love to gain more knowledge. Lonni
You made some decent factors there. I appeared on the internet for the issue and found most people will associate with with your website. Lucille
Every the moment inside an even though we pick blogs that we study. Marj
Terrific work! This is the type of info that should be shared across the internet. Cindra
Thanks so much for the blog. Really looking forward to reading more. Maddy
I believe you have remarked some very interesting details, thank you for the post. Marcile Ange Daggett
I am sure this article has touched all the internet viewers, its really pleasant paragraph on building up your website. Alisun
Hi there, all the time I used to check webpage posts here early in the morning since I love to learn more and more. Simona
I blog often and I seriously thank you for your content. Concordia
I simply wanted to thank you one more time for that amazing web page you have made here. Nikaniki
Perfect work you have done, this site is really cool with fantastic information. Iolande
I think this is a real great article post. Much thanks again. Ertha
I like looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment. Anya
We recommend everyone to please visit your website, and we follow you. Your website includes all our picks on the web. Adorne
Wow, this article is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going to inform her. Lilia Maury Moia
Fastidious answers in return of this issue with genuine points and describing everything concerning that! Jeannine
Hi, it’s a fastidious post on the topic of media print, we all be familiar with media is a wonderful source of information. Ruthie
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I am going to highly recommend this website! Esta
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic. Shirlene
Hi! Do you make any plugins to help with SEO? Marlee Erskine Kipp
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this info. Casi
Super-Duper blog! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also. Adelind
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck with the next! Imogen
What a powerful post. You all are leaving quite a legacy. You all gave and gave and gave. The first time I ever went to this blog, I saw tons of articles, and what a host, you all are so hospitable. You are incredible. So, our hearts are with all of you, and thank you all. Claudina
I got what you mean, saved to my bookmarks, very decent internet site. Ula
Fantastic article post. Really looking forward to reading more. Lark
Spectacular article! Charyl Delmor Idell
Wonderful article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website. Continue the truly amazing writing. – Jannette
Thanks for sharing such a fastidious idea, post is pleasant, that’s why I have read it fully. Eudora
Hello, fantastic website! Does running a blog similar to this take a lot of work? Tedi
I am typically to blog writing and also I truly value your content. The write-up has truly peaks my passion. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for brand-new info. Layla
Touche. Solid arguments. Keep up the amazing work. Lotty
I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information. This great article has truly piqued my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too. Jaynell
This is a really good tip-giving article, very serious and professional. Zorana
Thanks for all of this. Lorinda
I simply wanted to make a brief comment in order to thank you for these stunning recommendations you are showing here. My time intensive internet looks up has now been rewarded with really good insight to exchange with my great friends. I would repeat that many of us readers are very endowed to exist in a fabulous network with so many lovely professionals with great basics. I feel truly blessed to have discovered your website and look forward to viewing all the plenty of more enjoyable times reading here. Thanks once again for a lot of things. Nickie
This is incredible! – Ann
Great post. Lovely story.
Thank you for this mind-blowing and life-changing article. I can feel the sincerity and so much love in it. I am grateful to you, Allison, for sharing these valuable lessons from Jenna.
I am just genuinely delighted to glance at this web site
posts which carries tons of useful data, thank you for providing these
types of statistics.
my web-site AdolfoTBemis
Thank you so much, always glad to share knowledge!
My friend obtained her last skincell pro recently and also
let me tell you, she is delighted! She has actually
been trying to find an all-natural means to remove her moles for quite
some time. She tried cream eliminators and medical professional visits, yet
nothing worked. Now, she is ready to go under the knife.
Let me show you what she has actually been with trying to find an all-natural remedy. https://classifylist.com/story9267078/skincell-pro-shark-tank
This is such a timely book coming out, will for sure grab it. I’m experiencing so many changes currently, in all aspects of my life.
Mind blowing post. i really like it.
O wow! thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
AMAZING CONTENT. THANKS A LOT FOR SHARING.
You have done a great job. thanks a lot for sharing
I love your style and all the blogs you have posted!
So happy to hear that Brynn, thank you for being there!!
What a wonderful article! I’ve focused on intentions (and their power) in creating my life for a while – so the biggest takeaway for me is when he said ‘be patient with yourself.’ More easily said than done for me but so worth focusing on! Thank you, Allison and Jenna, I’m off to get the new book, REDEFINE.
Wow, Empire Life, what a wonderful article, didn’t know Jenna before, but she just blew me away, so incredibly awesome!
Thank you. I love the candor with which Jenna speaks about those aspects of ourselves.
Such a beautiful, present article!
I feel that is among such a lot of vital info for me. And I am glad studying your article. The website taste is great, the articles are in reality great. Excellent process, cheers
I like what you guys are up to. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys into my favorites. I think it’ll improve the value of my web experience! 🙂
Thank you so much, Jenna for your beautiful article. Love, Carmine
My spouse and I stumbled over here to your website and thought I should stop by and say how great it is!
I like what I see so I am following you. Look forward to more articles.
Thank you for sharing this. Really an inspiration that we can put to use!
Thanks for sharing valuable information!
This was super inspirational to me.
Thank you so much for this Jenna. Pretty much the whole article resonated with me.
Yes, just a pure yes!
Thank You Allison & Jenna!!!! My biggest takeaway is how calm and relaxed and seemingly non-pulsed you are Jenna! Showing that success doesn’t HAVE to be Hard or done a certain way, and clearly you ‘listen’ and know what brings you Joy and how to share it! You have another new follower, again Huge Thanks!!
Flexibility and baby steps are where it’s at!
Enjoyed the interview with Jenna and that it sparked joy and creativity within you!
Oh my goodness. I almost cried several times. I am in a place of deep shifting and internal turmoil. So grateful for the many graces in this conversation.
I love reading the Empire Life Blog. I look forward every Friday to a new inspiring blog article hits my inbox. But, today – wow – I was blown away!
Your means of explaining everything in this paragraph is genuinely nice, all can easily understand it,
Thanks a lot.
My #1 Aha moment = that it’s okay to modify the dream. I like to think I do well at modifying my goals but then I feel guilty after I modify them. In reality, it often doesn’t matter if I finish a personal project this month, in 3 months, or 6 months. The point is to enjoy the process and stay dedicated. Thank you for the gift of this article!
This was exactly what my soul was searching for. I have been in a slump artistically, as I left my corporate gig pre-pandemic and 2019 was a rough first year. Then 2020 hit and all the negative thoughts came flooding in. I’ve been recovering.
Excellence in writing skills, thank you.
Empire Life,
Amazing! Keep us posted on your journey! Always, enjoy the process…
Thank You…sharing this with everyone I know.
Really thank you for this beautiful article, it was an amazing, and an amazing experience to see this article.
Really thank you for this beautiful article, it was a very informative article.
The best article I’ve read online, the best blog. thanks
Hi Empire Life, I am so grateful there are people in the world like your team and like Allison. What blessing you are in the world!
The article is really excellent. Every time I read it, I get information again.
The best article I’ve read in a long time……
I’ve followed Empire Life since 2017, and it makes my heart explode read the success of Jenna. There are still some saved quotes in my journal from the Redefine book, Series 1, that she wrote for me personally, and they continue to find new meanings throughout different seasons of life. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to move where we felt led even when we don’t know what will come of it. XO
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my Facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Found a lot of gold nuggets here.
Yes, thanks for all of this!
Incredible, thanks, ladies!
This is great!
Thanks for sharing your expertise here.
Just desire to say your article is amazing. The clarity
your post has is just cool and I can assume you are an expert on this subject
Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
I know I am getting know-how all the time by reading these good articles.
Your way of describing the whole thing in this article is in fact nice, all be capable to understand it, Thanks a lot.
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on
the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox
and from now on each time a comment is added, I receive four emails
with the same comment.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Mavina, thanks for stopping by, your comment has been approved.
Could not have enjoyed this more, thanks!
Spot on with this write-up, I actually feel this website needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see
more, thanks for the information!
Thanks for this Empire Life and Jenna, I’ll be coming back for more articles.
Forwarding this to every woman I know!
Thank you for all of this.
I seriously enjoyed reading all of this.
This is epic.
Micha here, stopping by to say thank you all for these articles!
Savannah here, wanted to stop by and say thanks for this!
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Boom, this though!
Howdy, would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker than most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks, I appreciate it!
Please contact us on the contact page -> http://www.empirelifeacademy.com/contact -> we’ll make sure you get connected for being guided on a great tech platform.
Right here is the right website for everyone who wants to find out about this topic.
You definitely put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for many years.
Excellent stuff, just great!
This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must-read post!
Have copied this link and shared it with everyone I know.
Thank you for doing that.
Loving this, have let everyone know, I know.
You guys are doing amazing things here!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Anyway, I’ll be subscribing to your article and blog and
even I achieve you access consistently quickly.
Thanks for writing this, I love it, I shared this out with everyone I know, especially the women in my life!
Yes, just a full yes!
So well said!
-Antoinette
I absolutely loved this article. Thank you, Allison and Jenna. My heart feels full and happy, and hopeful. Allowing myself to modify the dream, pivot, do what I need to do when times are tough, stay mobile, honor my health by doing art, not be precious about it but keep it simple, be in the conversation when writing, be prolific, share consciously, and see the person behind the screen… are some of the key reminders and takeaways for me. Much love ❤️
Greetings! Thanks a lot for this!
My family every time say that I am wasting my time here at your blog, however I
know I am getting know-how all the time by reading this
good articles.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and
in accession to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Anyway, I’ll be subscribing to your augment and
even I achieve you access consistently quickly.
Hi Jenna, Really loved this article.
The concepts of not being everything to everyone and not overworking resonate with me. So often, trying to show up for everyone just has me spinning my wheels and not using my time for what’s important. That sometimes causes me to get behind on what must get done, which leads to overworking. Overworking is not the way I get the results that I want. Thank you for giving me action steps to break the cycle.
This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your articles, I was almost
moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
My relatives always say that I am wasting my time here at net, except I know I am getting experience every day by reading such good
posts.
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding
one? Thanks a lot.!
Thanks for being a part of our community!
My relatives every time say that I am wasting my time here at net, however I
know I am getting know-how all the time by reading thes
good articles.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and
even I achievement you access consistently quickly
Thank you for this beautiful article. It’s really a good article
We so appreciate you, Numara. Thank you for sharing.
To be honest all of the above spoke to me, great article.
So glad you enjoyed the blog!
Just what I needed this morning! Thank you.
So happy you are a part of our community and that you enjoy our content.
Thank you you are such an inspiration!.
Yay for you! thank you for being part of this community.
This is fabulous, thank you for a grear article!
Thanks for being a part of our community!
Thank you for this wonderful article!
Thank you for being a part of our community!
Allison, this certainly is amazing!
Thank you for being a part of our community, Laurie.
Awesome I love your content thank you 💗
Thank you for sharing it with the commmunity.
Really loved this!
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!
Muchos Gracias for your blog post. Great.
Good point Allison! We are our greatest asset!
Great blog and such good tips and reminders. Thank you!
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂
I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this certain information for
a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I
am impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part
🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Thank you so much Marita, that’s very kind 🤗
Very helpful, thanks.
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thanks for sharing.
Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from
my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through
your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
Hi there to everyone, it’s really fastidious for me to visit this site, it includes helpful Information.
It’s like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this like you wrote the book in it or something.
A great read. I will definitely be back.
The article is really excellent. Every time I read it, I get information again.
The best article I’ve read in a long time….
We’re sending you so much love and appreciation.
Amazing and wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome, Stephanie. xo-
Excellent blog, thank you so much for sharing.
We appreciate you so much. xo- Maria