That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

Are Most Filipinos Dishonest, Reckless and Rude Drivers?

2011-05-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2011 (Sunday), 5:15PM, I was walking at SM North EDSA and was crossing the street at the pedestrian lane. I always make it a habit to use the pedestrian lane whenever I cross the street because I know it is the right thing to do. However, this dark blue toyota car (probably 1995-2000 model) with the plate number WHL 753 was suddenly speeding as it turned left and I was halfway the street so I was confused if I should run towards the end of the pedestrian lane or I should stop from where I was standing, then I decided to stop and gave way to the speeding car. It kinda annoyed me because he was not supposed to speed up because on the first place he was turning left and that it was a pedestrian lane. It pissed off the driver too and I saw him pointing dirty finger towards me. That is so rude! Why are most Filipino drivers dont slow down at the pedestrian lane when somebody is crossing the street?

May 16, 2011(Monday), 12:30AM, my brother arrived at the NAIA and we were waiting for a taxi to get home. Near the arrival area, just right across the parking lot, there are buses and jeepneys that pass by. We decided to take the taxi instead because we were all tired and my brother had suitcases that are heavy. While we were waiting, one taxi stopped in front of us. We asked for the metered rate because almost all taxis from the airport ask for a fix rate. We don't really care, we can pay extra on top of the metered rate as long as it is negotiable but the driver couldn't answer how much the rate is so we decided not to get on it. After 10 minutes, another taxi with the plate number UVH 701 stopped by infront of us and we asked if his rate is according to the usual taxi metered rate and the driver said yes so we got in and he started the engine. Inside the taxi, I was looking for his meter, and to our surprise, there was none. From that point I knew we were trapped to what were trying to avoid in the first place. He handed us the paper which according to him was registered and accredited by the NAIA. The basic flat rate indicates P500(?!). I couldn't help but freak out because that is not right! Where in the world did they get their rate? He said it was a NAIA rate and it was legal (?!). Would you believe that to get from NAIA to Cubao will cost P1,800. We got off the taxi in Baclaran which is just 5 minutes from the airport and we paid the driver P500 but we all felt like we were robbed and cheated. I was very angry and told the driver it was so disheartening that he lives by means of cheating. I told him that he would earn that much amount in a matter of minutes and I earned the money I paid him in a matter 9 hours. I did it with all hard work and he earned it with all dishonesty. After we got off he speed off and gone.

There are more instances of stories like these and to my opinion based on experience, most Filipinos are dishonest, rude, and reckless drivers.

How to Boost Signal for Globe Tatoo

2011-04-16T01:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, my Sky broadband modem was broken and I had to use my Globe Tatoo to connect to the internet for the time being. The problem was I couldn't connect to the internet although I loaded it P100. So I called the Globe tech support and the troubleshooting was very easy! All i need to do is choose TOOLS > OPTION > PROFILE MANAGEMENT. Under the Profile Management I have to choose Globe broadband prepaid as a default for profile name and for APN I chose static: http.globe.com.ph and for access number under authentication it should be *99***1#. Then click on "set as default" then "ok".

Also we checked the signal to make sure I get the best signal. Here's how we did it: TOOLS> OPTIONS> NETWORK> NETWORK TYPE, choose WCDMA Only.Once you shift between settings, the dongle will automatically detect the available signals based on the setting you opted for. On WCDMA Only, USB dongle defaults to 3G/HSDPA signals only. On WCDMA preferred, USB dongle will search for either GPRS, EDGE, 3G or HSDPA. Whichever proves to be the strongest signal available in the area.

After I checked all those things, voila! I could connect to the internet again. Thank God! However though, I could not connect the webcam using Globe Tatoo. I hope they would develop a kind of USB broadband that can get 1MBPS and above so we can use other features. I also subscribed for SUPERSURF50 and send it to 8888 because I noticed that after using about 1 hour of the internet, the load left was P79. That means 1 hour of internet is equivalent to P20 which can save me a lot better with the SUPERSURF50 for 1 day internet service. Overall, I'm at least satisfied! I can wait until tomorrow for the modem repair.

Love

2011-02-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

February is the month of love. For some people in love, it is a month to celebrate and express their feelings to their loved ones and for others "not in love" but are still searching or looking for love, it is month of sadness and maybe even grievances because they have lost or have not found yet the right person in their lives. Love is the most powerful emotion that can give life or kill the life of a person. To some who feel they are loved, it brings an ultimate contentment and happiness. As Victor Hugo said, "the supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved." To some who feel they aren't, it becomes a weapon that brings life to death. Whatever kind of love it is: agape, platonic, filial, or romantic, we all need love because it is the only thing that makes us happy and keep going. For those who are looking for love, just keep going! As Nancye Sims said in her poem A Creed to Live By;

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

So just keep going! That's what life is all about and I'm sure you will get what you truly deserve if you just believe what your worth is.

Severe Lower Back Pain

2011-02-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

I noticed several times when I get up from bed, I have a severe back pain. I couldn't get up and I really hate the felling. So I got this article from Darlene Zagata at www.ehow.com. Here are her 6 ways of lowering back pain.

1
Support your back while sleeping. Purchase a firm mattress that provides proper support for your back and spine. A mattress that is too soft will not provide adequate support for your spine and may leave you feeling stiff and achy on awakening. You can also try placing a pillow between your knees for proper spine alignment. Do this if you sleep on your side. If you sleep on your back, place the pillow under your knees. Sleeping with too many pillows or no pillow under your head can also alter spine alignment. One pillow of sufficient size and firmness should be adequate.
2
Bend at the knees when lifting objects from the floor. Do not bend over from a straight position. Lifting incorrectly can cause back pain and injuries. Learning to lift correctly can protect your back from strain.
3
Exercise to strengthen your muscles. Weak stomach muscles can play a role in back pain as it affects the spinal alignment and posture as well. Try doing exercises such as crunches to strengthen your stomach muscles and ease the strain on your lower back. A person with well toned abdominal muscles is less likely to suffer from back strain.
4
Maintain your proper weight. Being overweight puts stress on your spine that may result in lower back pain. People who are overweight tend to walk with a leaning slant and this can put unnecessary strain on the back. Shedding a few pounds can help improve your posture and eliminate constant back pain.
5
Work out for flexibility. When your muscles are tense there is an increased chance of injury. There are many ways to improve your flexibility. Do stretching exercises as often as you can. Take a dance class. Dancing is an excellent way to improve your flexibility. Ballet is an especially good form of dance. Yoga is also a good way to gain flexibility. Start slow and work toward improving flexibility.
6
Practice good posture. When you catch yourself slouching correct your posture and stand up straight. Your back pain could be the result of constant slouching and correcting your posture could help to eliminate the pain.

Beware of Spam Messages

2011-02-13T18:38:00.000-08:00

I opened my yahoo mail this morning and I was surprised of this email indicating I was among those randomly selected and registered for further consideration in the diversity immigrant program for United States Permanent Resident Card(also known as Green Card or Diversity Visa). It was asking me to pay an amount of $880 through Western Union. Gosh! That's a lot of money! What is my guarantee or assurance?!

First thing came up to my mind is that this is another way of other's making money online. I have received a lot of spam emails asking for my name, address, personal bank account and IDs, and I always tag and report it as spam. However, this email I received seems to be more authentic than any other spam emails I received. I studied it carefully and I am still convinced this is another spam. I hate people making money through spam emails. They don't have any decent job to earn for sure. That's so pathetic!

JOBS at IBM PHILIPPINES

2011-02-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

IBM, the world's 2nd Most Valuable Brand, is looking for people to work alongside the best and brightest minds in the world to build a smarter planet.

As an IBMer, you have access to a world of experiences unique to global company—world class training, advanced technology, and a culture that values its people.

IBM offers a competitive salary and benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and professional development training for all its employees. It’s highly dynamic culture cultivates workforce diversity and values dedication, innovation and trust in all relationships.

Be part of something great. Be an IBMer.

List of Job Openings

CALL CENTER AGENTS

Location: UP-Ayala TechnoHub, Quezon City
EDSA Central, Mandaluyong City
PBCom Tower, Makati City

Responsibilities:
• 24x7 operations but peak will be in the morning shift. Minimal staffing during the night.
• Customer Care Specialists provide excellent customer service by phone, email or chat for one of the world's largest banking and finance accounts
• Provide value to the customer by being responsible for the provision of service and sales solutions in an effective and efficient manner.
• Transform sales/service inquiries into enhanced customer relationships
• Describes customer channels & products

Qualifications:
• Excellent English communication skills
• Proficient in the use of computers and internet applications
• Completed at least 2 years of college education, or a 2-year diploma/certificate course
• Willing to work in a schedule-shifting environment, including graveyard, holiday and weekend shifts
• Experience in up-selling and cross-selling is an advantage
• Fresh graduates are welcome to apply
• Premium pay is offered to candidates with previous international contact center experience

TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS

Responsibility: Provides excellent technical support service by phone for one of the world’s leading manufacturers of Consumer Electronics.

Qualifications:
• Excellent English communication skills
• Highly proficient in computers and internet applications
• Completed at least 2 years of college education, or a 2-year diploma/certificate course, preferably in an Engineering or Computer-related field
• Experience as technical support in a call center environment, particularly in troubleshooting, is a definite advantage
• Willing to work in a schedule-shifting environment, including graveyard, holiday and weekend shifts
• Familiarity with the Mac OS, or certification on A+, NET or Cisco CCNA is preferred but not required
• Fresh graduates or those without previous work experience are also welcome to apply Premium pay is offered to candidates with previous international contact center experience

SALES SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

Responsibility: Generates and submits sales proposals and coordinates sales activities for the IBM North America sales team.

Qualifications:
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills
• College graduate of a 4-year management-related course
• Proficiency in computers and internet applications
• Good analytical, documentation and organizational skills, with keen attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Able to balance and effectively prioritize workload in order to meet deadlines
• Willing to work on graveyard shift
• Willing to work in Makati City

Preferred but not Required:
• Graduates of Math, IT, Commerce, Business, Management, Marketing and related courses
• Previous work experience in Marketing, Sales, Management, Bid support, Contract creation and Pricing is preferred
• Good working knowledge of MS Excel
• Above average knowledge in IT and IT-related tools

*If interested, send your resume at maricris.ada@gmail.com or send a text message at +639277962931

On Politics

2011-02-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning, after a long day at work, I heard a shocking news about Sec. Angelo Reyes committing suicide. I was so disheartened and felt sorry for him. I cannot judge whether he is guilty or not on the accusations about the missing million budget for AFP modernization. It must be too much for him handle that it brought him depression and he decided to end his own life. I am very disappointed with the kind of government Philippines has. Corruption is very obvious anywhere you go. Not only public officials, even the government employees who get their bread and butter through the taxes people pay are corrupt. This wickedness in the Philippine government has to stop. I hope Filipinos would learn how to be a good citizen.

My Resolutions for 2011

2011-01-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

2011 is my year! I am not going to let this year pass without at least 80% percent of my resolutions. I am no longer the procrastinator I have known for many years. It's time for a change and this year is a better year for me. I don't want to work anymore because I am getting old. I need something stable for myself and establish my own business. All I need is consistency, positivity, belief to my abilities. No one can hold off my dreams anymore. All the resources I need is with me, and all I need to do is use my creativity and put them into action and with faith I know that I can accomplish things beyond my capacity.

No One by Alicia Keys

2011-01-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

I love this music so much. Alicia Keys is so beautiful and to me she is like a goddess of beauty.

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything is gonna be alright

People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything is gonna be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you,
You, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry cause
Everything is gonna be alright

People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything is gonna be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you,
You, you
Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try
Try to divide
Something so real
So till the end of time
I'm telling you there is no one

No one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
Oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh...
Oh oh oh oh...

Gym, Gym, Gym

2010-08-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Oh my God! Life is so boring today! I want to go to the Gym. I never had any exercise for a long time. I miss the gym where we dance and had spinning. And after the gym, there's the sauna. I want to go to the gym today! It feels so good to workout.

Books to Read

2010-08-20T03:22:00.000-07:00

Since 2006, I have never finished a book. The last book I have finished was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I never even finished the book's last 4 chapters. It is so frustrating that I keep buying books and I never even have the time to read them. The last book I bought was Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol". I just wish I have more time to read and finish the book. Most of the books I read, I just start with 3 or four chapters and after that it's stuck on the shelf. I miss those times when I have more time. I really want to resign from my current job. I feel so tired and stressed especially when the person I talk to is a difficult person. But then anyway, back to books, here are the list of books I need to read and finish:

1. Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (a gift from my Korean student back in 2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
3. The Tipping Point
4. Blink
4. Middlesex
5. Eat, Pray, Love
6. Sophie's World
7. The Color Purple
8. Twilight
9. New Moon
10. Eclipse
11. Breaking Dawn
12. 7 Habits of Effective People
12. The Road Map to Success
13. 21 Steps to Successfully Start a Business
14. Have a Little Faith
15. The Witch of Portabello
16. The Lost Symbol

These books are so far some of the books I bought but never read yet. Hopefully I could have more time to read books. I don't know why I have no more time to read. It seems like time is not enough for me to read. Well, I will try to finish at least one book a month starting today.

Pork Menudo

2010-08-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished cooking Pork Menudo. This is the first time I've cooked the recipe. I'm studying cooking so I thought I should learn new receipes twice a month.

Ingredients:

1 pouch (30 g) Mama Sita's Meat Stew (Menudo/Afritada) Mix Menudo
1/2 kilo of diced pork
1 can of cooked garbanzos
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup of diced carrots
1/2 cup od diced potatoes
2 cans of reno liver spread
1 pc diced bell pepper
2 pcs of Magic Sarap Mix
1/4 cup of UFC banana Catsup

Procedure:

1. Boil pork in a bowl of water
2. Fry the carrots and potatoes in hot oil and set aside.
3. Pour and dissolved Mama Sita's Meat Stew (Menudo/Afritada Mix. Simmer until meat is tender.
4. Add fried carrots and potatoes, then the rest of the ingredients. Simmer for 5-7 minutes
5. Add Magic Sarap Mix and UFC banana Catsup.

So here is my Pork Menudo:

Things I Want to Have

2010-08-20T00:20:00.000-07:00

1. SLR Camera - I want to have an SLR camera because photography is one of my passions. I'm not good at taking pictures but I want to learn it.
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2. Projector - I love watching movies and hen I have my own house, I want it with an entertainment room where I can sit around with my family or friends and watch movies. We can sit around nice and comfortable couch and watch the movie with surround sound system.

3. Car - I'm sure everybody wants to have their own cars. I want to have my own car too, nice and comfortable. I can go anywhere I want.

4. Bathtub and Jacuzzi - They said that the true living room is the bathroom. I want to have a nice house with a very nice bathroom. I always watch this Home Make Over and I really love the bathroom make over.

5. Nice kitchen with an oven - I like to practice cooking too, I love this travel and living channel. I like watching them cooking food, especially the "Naked Chef", I like how he cooks. I want to have a nice house with a nice kitchen.

6. House - I want to have a very nice house facing the lake or sea, with a beautiful yard and garden.

7. A gym - it is so nice to have a house with a gym. I like to work out and keep my body fit.

If I were rich, I will surely have all these things. It's so nice to live a comfortable life.

Cool Wedding Entrance

2010-08-19T03:34:00.000-07:00

This video is one of the coolest video I've watched it. I love their wedding entrance concept. Seems so fun and I love this Chris Brown's "Forever".

Top 11 Favorite Romantic Movies

2010-08-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

The following movies are my top 11 romantic movies because there are parts in the movies that I see in myself that I want.

1. Dangerous Beauty - I like this movies because of the poetry, love and passion. There are a lot of quotes simple but so moving. My favorite line "I confess that I find more ecstasy in passion than in prayers. Such passion is prayer." Very witty!

2. Bruce Almighty - I like the the part when Grace was praying for Bruce and Bruce being the Almighty found Grace from across the windows crying and praying for him. It also touched me when Bruce met God again and God asked Bruce what he really wanted to pray for that he really cares about and he prayed for Grace hoping God will give Grace the man who will love her as much as he does.

3. My Best Friend's Wedding - I cried on the part where the guy sang "The Way You Look Tonight" while they were dancing on the boat. Whenever I am in the mood, I watch it over and over again.

4. Just like Heaven - Sometimes people are just meant to be. Sometimes you work so hard and you are overcrowded with your duties and obligations in life and when it's the right time, and you meet the right person, love just simply happens.

5. A Walk in the Clouds - I like to find a man who would choose me and accept me as I am.

6. A Walk to Remember - Very idealistic love thing that I realized as I grow old there is no such thing as this. I hate that it's tragic, but I love how love changes people.

7. Definitely Maybe - Sometimes you give up on love but still wish to end up with the person you love.

8. 500 Days of Summer - I like the ending part of the movie when the guy met Summer at the park again after she married and he asked why she suddenly got married when he thought all the time she was not into any commitment and Summer answered, "I just woke up one day and I knew...what I was never sure of with you." That's very true. Some people rush diving into marriage when they suddenly feel like they found the right person.

9. Mannequin II (On the Move)- It's the first movie I watch in cinema alone. I was just 12 years old and I just found it so interesting so I saved myself some penny and cut off my classes and watch the movie by myself. I was so happy.

10. The Break Up - I like it just being realistic about the whole love thing. it's true that love is not always a happy ending.

11. Sassy Girl (Korean Version)- I like it just being funny and cute. My favorite part was when the girl was playing Canon on the piano. I always love Canon!

Ironic

2010-08-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

My song for today is Alanis Morrisette's "Ironic". Why? Because for the last three months my performance at work has been so ironic. I have been trying my best to work so very hard to hit my target and the more I have become more focused on the most important metric of my performance, the reverse result I get! How good is that?! In truth, I am very, very angry. I felt I put so much effort on what I was doing only to find out this is what I get! I cannot express how much disappointed I am at this time. I don't know what can make me happy. This makes me so angry and I keep asking myself where I went wrong. I feel self-pity when I think it is so unfair. I feel so much hatred when I thought I did well on my job but the feedback I get is negative. I keep asking, "why me?"..."what did I do?"...or "where did I go wrong?". What should I do more to improve? It hurts me so bad. I want to cry with so much anger! I feel so low and so much pity on myself. I'm going to be so miserable living with anger, hate, and lots of disappointment. I am angry to myself because I couldn't blame anybody. And with this attitude, I feel so rebellious. I think I am going to explode like a bomb with so much anger and hatred. I used to say God has mercy to those who always do their best! But I can't prove that now. I am not angry to God, I just feel like it is unfair. I want to look at it in a positive way, like a challenge on me but as of now I can't lie to myself. Probably, there is something wrong with me. But I don't know what. I want to find an answer, but I feel it's for me to find out. I feel so helpless. I feel so alone. I can't think straight now...I am so miserable.

Letting Go

2010-08-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

I am very upset today, too sad, and disappointed; and when I am at this position, I tend to do things that I shouldn't do. So what I did today, is really something I hope I won't regret. I wish I could be strong enough with the decisions I make. This time, my decision is final and I don't want to take it back. I think I can do it, I pray. It will cost me too much sadness and regret, but it's okay. I am fed up and this is final to me. I waited and waited, and was patient. But sometimes when you feel like you don't matter anymore, you stop and end it all. This is my turning point. Wish me happiness!

Love, Love, Love

2010-07-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

I feel so bored today and so I just downloaded songs that I used to listen to over and over. I remember this Matt White's "Love". I used to listen to this song when I was so in love to someone. Listening to this music reminds me of something...such a nostalgic feeling!

More of Self-Motivation

2010-07-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have been sick the last few days and now thanks God off to work! While staying at home I feel like I don't want to go back to work. I miss the regular working hours Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM. However, I cannot afford losing my job this time because I get better compensation here. So now I am in the middle of thinking what I should do. I am already sick and tired of the current job. I want to move up! I want to have my own business and be my own manager. But I don't know where to start. What I need the most now is definitely not time management but self-management. I feel like time is too short that I can't accomplish anything in a day. This November, I am going back to Singapore and I don't have any clear agenda yet. I want to work and live there. The place is so nice and friendly and safe too, which Philippines is far far behind. I am 32 and I want to accomplish something better!

Time Management

2010-07-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have been so lazy going to work, and things like me being depressed, stress or exhausted adds up to me being demotivated. I really want to have a long, long vacation...about at least 2 months to get away from work. I am not satisfied with my performance at work lately and this is so ridiculously unprofessional. So how can I go about it? I need time management and that means putting first things first. Okey, so how should I put first things first. I always have a problem with my priorities. I can handle this. I need to have a balance life. I think my time for sleeping, working, and having fun are not balanced. I am worried of my health because I start feeling like I am aging. I need to be healthy. Oh gosh, now is the time for a change.

Cute Little Kids Arguing

2010-07-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

I found this video of cute kids' fighting. I see that children even at their early age project their own personality. It's just so nice to watch them arguing.

I am Confused

2010-05-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

By June I'd be going to Singapore and I am thinking about resigning from my current job and just pursue the opportunity to find a job in Singapore. But somehow, I am so confused about what I should do now. Honestly speaking, I am so lazy about going to work. I want to have as much as many vacation. I don't have enough time to plan but I really don't know what's gonna happen. I want to find a job there, but I am afraid I don't have much money to support my needs while I am staying there. I need enlightenment. I need help. What should I do?

30s and Single

2010-03-29T02:24:00.000-07:00

What would you do when you're at your 30s and still single. I do not wish to be single forever and I get a lot of preasure as I get older. I want to have a good career but at the same time I want to have a relationship. Right now, I am not successful with my career. I wished I had planned it better. I regret those times I didn't focus much on building my career and now, I'm still an under achiever. To make things worst, I have been single for a long time too. I get more preasure as time flies. I think I would get older and still single. That's sad I am sure. I dream of being happy in a relationship but I don't know why love is so difficult for me to find. I get frustrated sometimes and really sad...but that's the way it is. So I think I just have to embrace this life. What if I really get old and single? I think, I would just help taking care of my family, my relatives, and other people. I would do what I want to do. I pray to God that he helps me carry on. Time will come, I would learn to accept that this is who I am.

2010-03-23T03:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know what exactly to write today. I am not actually in the mood but I just want to write something. I'm worried about my laundry, I haven't finished them last Saturday and tomorrow, I will have my work off again. I want to rest now. I will need to go to work early tonight.

Learning How to Love My Job

2010-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Loving what you don't like is difficult but I will give it a try. What are the things that can motivate me to love my job? First, I have to set goals. What are the things I want to see from myself with this kind of job? Do I want to be a workforce, QA, supervisor, or an OM? I definitely want the highest position from this job. However, I lack confidence. I need to be more confident and show my eagerness, passion, and my accountability on the current position I am at now. Second, avoid being tardy and taking taxi becasue I am in a hurry everytime I go to work. I have to manage my time and take rest so that I will not have a hard time going to work. Third, I have to think about the benefits I can get from this job. Certainly, the money that I earn from hear is far better than any other job. Aside from that, there are other ways I can earn extra income while staying in this job.

Right now, I am too far from those positions I mentioned above. I really have to work hard and show that I am performing. I have always been mediocre. My goals, my plans, my mindset have always mediocre. But I want to be an achiever and hav to start believing in myself that I can do better than my current perfomance. I don't want to stay forever to where I am now. I need to elevate, get the things I want and start that self-confidence that I have always been ashamed of. It's about time!

Depressed

2010-03-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

There are times when I feel extremely bored and depressed, and my way out is through writing. Today, it's cloudy and it rained a little in the afternoon. I feel so sad because I miss my family. I want to spend my time away from work and have a little vacation. When I feel depressed, I always ask myself what's lacking. I realized there are three: my love life, my career, and my family. All of them are lacking, so I feel unhappy and bored most of the time. I don't have a love life and it makes me feel so much bored. Second, I have the money, but just enough to support my daily needs. To add more to my depression, am not happy anymore with my current job. Whenever I stay home from my work offs, I feel extremely bored and I really hate the feelings. Third, my parents are away and I miss them so much. And because being present at work is required, my supervisors would not allow a long leave. 10 days is the most I can enjoy and I really have to work hard to get it approved. I don't know if I can go home this year. The only way I think I could do that is to resign. I hope I am not depressing my reader with all this stuff. As I said, writing here my feelings is such a sweet escape. I don't think anybody would be interested anyway to read about this. I don't know what to do now. Probably, I have to rest because I'd be really early to work tomorrow. I have to think about things I would do to stop this negative feelings. Oh! God help me!

The Secret

2010-03-19T10:34:00.001-07:00

What does this book want to tell us? This book wants to tell that you get what you attract the most. Being positive results to succeess and being negative results to failure. For example, if you say "I don't want to be late", you are attracting the concept of the negative feelings of being late. So instead of saying that, you have to attract positive ideas and just say "I'm going to be early." Let me share one of my favorite quotes:

If You Think You're Beaten

If you think you're beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost for sure, you won't.

If you think you're losing, you've lost.
For out in the world we find -
Success begins with a person's will,
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You have to stay with it,
In order to win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go,
To the one with the better plan.
For more often than not, you will win,
If only you think you can.

When I was in college, I happen to drop by a Christian bookstore and picked that bookmark with that quote that really inspire me the most. I bought it and for years I never forget it especially when I feel down. I have dreams and visions in life. I'd like to start with those visions with a positive outlook in mind. It's never too late to start anew now.

Demotivated at Work

2010-03-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

It's almost two years since I started my career in a call center. I admit it has really been tough and even tougher these days. I am not happy anymore. I want to do something different this time and start a different career. This is not focus! My boss said focus is really very important to work if you really want have a better career. What do I really want to do this time? What are the things holding me back from resigning to my current job? Compared to what I earn before, I admit that a job in a call center pays me better. But what I miss the most from my previous job is time. I miss working on regular hours Monday to Friday, from 8AM to 5PM and being able to sleep during the night. I'm near to losing my thread on my current job. My productivity and motivation is near the end of the line. I keep on motivating myself but it seems like something is missing. Right now, I am thinking of working abroad. But sometimes, I also think I want to work as a teacher in a regular school and take masters degree. But I think I am getting old and it's too late for me to finish masters. I want to think about my priorities in life. I am so confused!

Chronic

2010-03-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

I was on my way downstairs to get something to eat when I suddenly realized that I have been so troubled these days. I have a chronic disease! Everytime I feel exhausted and unhappy about what I do, I tend to be consistently late to go to work. When I was new to this call center job, I always go to work early, never late nor absent. Right now, my work usually starts at 3AM, but just recently, I get up at 3AM. I gave 30 minutes allowance to take a shower, get dressed, and prepare everything I need to bring to work, and the other 30 minutes I spend on my way to work. It doesn't happen though, because by the time I am ready to leave home, I have only 10 minutes left to travel (lucky if I have 15 minutes left). When I arrive to work, I feel like I'm an MLB player running to reach the home base. And before the ball reaches the home base, there you go! I hit it! LOL...I hate what I always do! I want to be happy and motivated at work. I'm trying to do my best and I told myself even if I crawl to go to work, I will...LOL. Oh my gosh! This is really crazy! So my problem is how to resolved it? What am I going to do so I'd be happy to what I do? I need some motivation. I know motivation comes from within. Hhhmmmm....let me thinks about it!

IBM Call Center in the Philippines NOW Hiring!

2009-12-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

Are you jobless right now? Do you want to earn money and be hired on a one day process? Do you want to work in a call call center specifically the following sites: Technohub UP-AYALA Land, EDSA-Shaw, or PBCOM Makati? There is a great opportunity knocking at your door now! Contact Cris on the following numbers: home phone number (02)509-7032 or mobile number +639277962931. Requirements are the following:

1. Completed at least three years in college of any course with no back subjects OR finished a two-year diploma/certificate course
2. Excellent oral and written English communication skills
3. Strong customer service and problem solving skills
4. Willing to work in a schedule-shifting environment including graveyard, holidays and weekend shifts

Additional Requirements are necessary to speed up the employment!

Social Security Number
NBI Clearance
Tax Identification Number
Employment Clearance
Education Documents:
- Diploma or Certificate of Completion
- Transcript of Records or Certification of Grades

My Christmas Wish List

2009-12-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming and I just have several Christmas wishes. On top of my list is an APPLE ipod 16G. I want to have something handy that I can use to go on YM and chat to my friends, browse the internet, save pics, and store some music. I have the audio book of the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter, and I want to store them in that ipod so I can "listen" while reading anywhere I go. Well I want to do that read and listen to the audio book at the same time because I want to develop my listening and speaking skills. I want to sound like the native speaker. I want to be articulate in speaking English. I wish! I really wish. This ipod is something I can have as a gift for myself. Very soon, I will have it. Second to my list is a one year free subcription to fitness first. I want to work out and feel better about myself. I want to look toned and sexy. I can wear anything I want to wear. I dont have to hide my tummy fats. I feel excited! Next to my list is to win the Singapore shopping spree by 2nd Avenue. They have this riddle every week which pops up on the tv screen every week and all you need to do is answer the riddle online and answer the question "Why you deserve to win this contest?" Well, I wrote and answer the question anyway. I answered it like this: Well, 2 days from now is my 32nd birthday and I am a little bit frustrated that I can't stop aging, I have not accomplished the position I want in my career, and most of all, I have been single for a long time, about 5 years now. I sometimes feel sad (honestly most of the time) that I am still single. I liked someone so dearly, but he broke my heart so bad! I still love him and think about him, but I can't make him love me back. He doesn't know how much hurt I am right now. I sometimes feel that I don't look good enough to attract someone I really like. So whenever I feel frustrated that way and I have extra cash or enough credit on my card, I turn my attention to shopping. Who would not love shopping anyway? I want to win this contest so I can buy myself good makeups, nice clothes, cologne, and other necessities. It would also be treat to myself especially that I feel a bit depressed now. I said to myself, if he can't love me back, I will just start loving myself. I will buy things that will make me feel beautiful and make me happy not because I want to please someone but because I want to please myself. After all, I know I deserve it. Everybody deserves to be happy. Another reason I want to win this contest is because I always tell my friends that one of my greatest dreams (aside from marrying the man I am truly and madly in love with) is to have P10,000 for shopping. However, because I earn just enough for my family's needs, I can't save a P10,000 just for myself. So when I saw this contest on 2nd Avenue, I immediately open the website and answer this riddle. I want to win this contest as my 32nd birthday treat. I am single at 32 but shopping in Singapore is definitely a dream come true to me. Who knows! I might meet someone special there too. I would be very, very happy because if I can't have the love of the man I like now, at least, you will make one of my dreams my dreams come true! I feel the rush of excitement though my blood while writing this. I wish you could choose my entry to win. Thank you for reading anyway! More power to 2nd Avenue! (LOL) I wish I could win! it will help me believe that there is still hope that dreams may come true!

I'm Back

2009-12-12T03:01:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas! I'm glad I'm back! my sulking days are over and am just glad to be back. Christmas is near so merry Christmas to all.

Superman

2009-09-21T01:39:00.000-07:00

I really love watching Smallville. In fact, I have already finished the whole 8 series. I'm waiting for the season premier this coming this fall. Of all the TV series I've watched, it is the best ever!

Life is Wonderful by Jason Mraz

2009-08-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

I really like this song. It very nice to listen at. It's ballad, it's kinda make me feel sad when I hear this song but I just love it.

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la

It takes a night to make it done
And it takes a day to make you young brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
And it takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes some silence to make sound
And it takes a lost before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to show you care
It takes a hole to see a mountain

Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la life is full of
Ah la la la la la life is so full of love

Thank God It's My Day Off at Work

2009-08-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's really tiring working when you are not enjoying what you are doing. It's sad when you go to work for the sake of earning for a living. It's not supposed to be that way! I have to change my point of view of going to work. There should be improvement to my performance so I can be promoted to work immediately. Here are some of the things that may be helpful so I would enjoy a day at work:
1. Go to work early even if you do not enjoy it. Be always early so you can prepare yourself and condition your mind to the tasks you will encounter for the day. Attendance and punctuality is the very basis of your being professional at work. Many people get easily promoted because this became the employer's basis of their employee's accountability to their job.
2. List some of the long term goals that will help you get promoted. For example, attend some seminars related to work. Try to participate to some events, leadership seminars and try to accept responsibilities that will make you visible to the management.
3. Have time to enjoy yourself like going to the gym, reading books, going to the cinemas, have a night life with friends, dining, shopping, traveling so you can enjoy what you are earning.
4. While enjoying yourself, make sure you save some of your money too so you can have a balance life. Try to open a savings account for future use. You can open a business too aside from working. It's important that your goal is not only being an employee forever. Soon afterward, you'd be managing your own business and you'd be your own boss.
I will make these my motivations so there will be improvement to my performance. I may have messed up three quarters of the year 2009, but the time is now to gather myself up and be more proactive.

Samar Vacation 2009

2009-05-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

It has been three years since I last had vacation. It was nice being reunited with my family. I didn't even want to go back to my busy life here in Manila. Life there is very simple. People sleep early and wake up very early. While I was there, I met old friends. I hadn't seen them for the last three years and they have changed a lot. Most women I know are married. So they kept on asking me the question I was trying to avoid; "When are you going to get married?" I felt a lot of pressure answering that question. So I asked myself am "Do I really have to get married now?" To them, a woman unmarried at my age is an old maid because most people get married at an early age. I told them I am not picky, I just haven't met the right person to love yet. It would be overwhelming if I marry the person not because I didn't have a choice but because he was my choice. Anyway, I wanted to extend my vacation but I had to go back to work. Until now, I still feel lethargic. My family was very sad when we were about to leave. I'm looking forward to having a long vacation again. And I hope next time, I would bring someone special so they won't have to ask me about my love life again.

First Quarter of 2009

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Every new year approach, I set goals in mind. I want to accomplish many things and become successful in life. One of the things I told myself I will change is my time management. It's too bad that until now, I have not been able to handle it well. I blame myself for this because its just a matter of discipline. I am the do-it-all type of person. I do it all only when I am in the mood. I started buying books lately, books that just sit on the shelves. I never even have the time to read them. So the first quarter of 2009 is finished and now is the day I must start doing something to change my life. I have to re-evaluate what had happened to the first quarter of 2009. Now is the right time for a change. These are the 10 things I want to do for the 2nd quarter of 2009:

1. read at least 2 books a month
2. take my master's again
3. be early for work at least 30 minutes not just in the nick of time
4. do household chores
5. sleep 8 hours a day
6. travel out of town to have fun
7. save money
9. go to a fitness club at least 3 times a week
10. buy a laptop

I wish a can do all these things. I want to be successful and be happy and feel good about myself. I will re-evaluate these things at the end of the first half of 2009. I hope I can do it!

Fate vs Destiny

2009-04-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to make life meaningful to live by. Each choices we make determines what future we want to have. There is big difference between destiny and and fate. I once watch a Korean TV drama and was enlightened by what I heard from the leading actress. She said some thing like destiny is like a ball throwing right in front of you. It's either you choose to catch the ball or just leave it and never bother to get it. Fate on the other hand is like a ball throwing right at your back. It just hits you without knowing when it happens. Then I realized that we all make our destiny because we choose it. However, making a choice sometimes is not that easy. Sometimes we think it may lead us to a dangerous situation that we never expected. Sometimes it makes us happy that we make the right decision. Making a choice is like gambling. It leads you to something that sometimes you never expect to happen, so sometimes you think you are just one hell of a lucky person. Whatever there is in the future by the choices we make, it is better to live life in the present. Live life one day at a time. Live and just be happy. Happiness mo, abutin mo!!! Take Enervon!

A Sad Call

2009-03-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

I handle different kinds of calls everyday. One of the calls I received yesterday was from a woman named Mary (not her real name for security purpose). She said she would like to cancel her service subscription from us because her husband, Morris (not the real name) has just passed away. I felt sorry with the sad voice I heard from the other line. All I could do was to sympathize with the customer. I heard her voice shaking like trying to hold back from tears. I pulled out the account and check on the notes. Since I don't have the authority to cancel any account, I put her through to a customer loyalty department. When I transferred the call, I felt saddened for Mary and talk to one of my colleagues sitting just beside me. After the call, I checked on the notes on the account and found that the account was just recently activated and Morris even made several calls a few months ago. I imagined his life with his wife just before he died. I was so curious about what had happened and decided to search on the internet for the record of names. I typed in on the Google search field the full name of Morris. It gave me several articles and clicked on the one I think related the most to my research. I read the story and looked at the picture of a young man vigorous and handsome. Without a doubt, I knew it was Morris. I read the tragic story behind his death. He was a Canadian soldier sent to Afghanistan, so helpful and willing to risk his life for the good of others. I was touched! I felt sad for Mary to lose the love of her life. Not even Mary shared her memories with Morris to the public but also Morris' Family. I realized how hard it is to have a son, a father, or a husband risking life in the military service for good of his country. I remember a week ago when I received a call from a man too who requested to transfer his account to his sister because he is also moving soon to Afghanistan. I processed account transfer as he requested. I had a clue he was going to a military service too. I knew the fact that a lot of soldiers have already lost their lives in the Middle East. I told him "You take care sir and may God always protect you there." He replied, "I appreciate that." Then he sincerely thanked me and we hung up. I just realized that these soldiers in the Middle East surely made a difficult decision before leaving their family, friends, and love ones. We all make different choices and before we make decisions, we consider many things. These people who choose to be soldiers to serve their country know what risks they are facing. It may not be spoken, but am sure they put their lives in God's care as they serve their country and protect innocent people. These soldiers are brave enough to make that choice! They deserve that honor. I salute Morris for that and all soldiers who were wounded and lost their lives amidst war. You may have suffered, but am sure that in the sight of God, all your labors will not be taken for granted.

A Time for Everything
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time...Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Living Your Dream

2009-03-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am one of Ellen Degeneres' fan. I love her humor. Once I watch her most recent program and she mentioned what Oprah once said "The greatest adventure in life is living the life of your dream." I was inspired and realized that there are dreams impossible but you can strive to make it happen. I would like to do that! I want to live the life of my dreams. Though impossible, I at least try. :)

A Broken Heart's Prayer

2009-02-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

I love a man I always think about.
Though we don't communicate very often and talk to each other, I still love him.
He doesn't know how much he means to me.
He doesn't know much time I spend thinking about him.
I wish he knew.
But even if he knew, would that change his feelings toward me?
I hope, but reality always reminds me it won't.
So, I am very sad that I am immersed to loving him.
I asked myself once if he were in a wheel chair and sick, would my feelings stay the same?
I said, "Yes! Nothing will change and I will even love him more no matter what or who he is. I will still take care of him and make him happy."
Then I realized this feelings I have for him must be true love!
It's more than the usual infatuation or attraction.
It's the kind of love unconditional and genuine.
I was then enlightened by the sayings true love conquers all.
I always say my greatest dream is to be forever with the man I LOVE so dearly.
He is the man I dream of waking up each morning.
I can't imagine how overwhelmed I would be, the happiest woman on Earth to be next with the man she dreams.
It's more than the state of winning millions in the lottery.
But how sad and pathetic I am to dream of a love one sided and unnourished.
So I cried and prayed to God earnestly to stop all my madness.
So earnest that I pleaded to Him with my hands tied up together so close to my heart.
And though it hurt me, I asked God to take him away from me.
I don't want to live on my foolish dream.
It's been hurting me so much and I deserve to be happy.
I prayed to God to give him the deserving woman he loves so he'd be happy and fulfilled.
I don't want to dream about him and me because it's far from reality.
I just pray that God comforts me.
And if we are meant for each other, God will lead us together.
If not, then I pray to God he gives me a man I would love and deserve.

The Key

2008-12-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

One morning, I was in a hurry to work. I arrived about 4 minutes just before time. I took a taxi, but the driver had no enough change for a P500 bill. So I immediately log in fist inside, placed my stuff in my locker, and asked for P500 change from my co-worker. Then I ran fast outside to give the driver the fare and run back inside since it was already time. Two hours later, I realized my locker key was no longer attached to my ID key holder. I immediately went outside to ask the security guard if someone had seen any key and returned it to them. The guard said none. So I went to the main entrance and asked another guard, but I still got the same answer. I cannot afford to lose that key, so I was very much disappointed. After I asked the second guard at the main entrance, I almost gave up, turned my back to get inside, but instead, something drew me to continue searching for it. So decided to go back to the place where I had been scurrying 2 hours earlier. It was just about 5 meters far from the second guard I asked. As I looked on the ground, I saw a tiny black thing. So I drew nearer and voila! It was my key! It was trampled on the ground since a lot of cars passes to and fro where I found it. Thank God I found it!!! This is another lesson for me. A day before that happened, I prayed to God because I felt disappointed looking for the things I could not find. After I found that key, I hurried back inside and there was only one thing I realized and I thought God was teaching me; that I will someday find what I am looking for and I just have to trust Him all the way. I didn't have much trouble looking for that key, everything was so fast and my feet just drew me nearer to it.

My TWILIGHT Experience

2008-11-29T02:37:00.000-08:00

I had this very strange experience upon watching this Twilight movie. I actually invited my cousins to spend Friday night watching Twilight at the movies, problem was that my cellphone ran out of battery and I left my charger at home so I couldn't find any way of communicating with my cousins. For a week I couldn't use my cellphone. So, I wrote them email on Thursday afternoon and asked them for a quick reply since I had a limited time using the internet at work. Unfortunately, I didn't received any confirmation through email. I was trying to reach them for any confirmation when I borrowed my co-worker's cellphone and still I was disappointed receiving no replies. I didn't tell my cousins I had my cellphone off, so already put that plan aside. Because it was Friday and a salary day, everyone were talking about going to the mivies. Actually my friends invited me to come over with with them but I declined the invitation because I had already told them my cousins and I were going to the movies too. I didn't tell them that our plan was already put off. I felt sad because I was dying to see the movie that Friday night but I had no companion to enjoy my time. So I just went to my boarding house and took my clothes and pack my bag as I was planning to go home instead. I felt disappointed because I had no idea if my cousins ever went to the movies and if they did I regret we would ever meet. There would be a very little chance since the mall is so big and there were a lot of people at the same time. Meeting them at the mall would be 0.01 percent to me. So I left the boarding house around 8:15 PM and rode the jeepney. On the jeepney, I was still sad because I had to spend time at home on a Friday night, so I was thinking of dropping by SM mall to withdraw some money and just buy Twilight book to read instead (just to enjoy my time). However, I think I am still a lucky girl! When I was near to SM mall, the jeepney driver stopped by a gasoline station in front of Trinoma mall and said his clutch needed a repair. I was a bit pissed off with the driver because SM mall is still a half kilometer far from the gasoline station. I had to walk a long distance to SM carrying a quite heavy bag with me. So I had no other choice but to go to Trinoma mall which I was thinking of not going to anymore because everyone from work told me they were going there to watch the hit movie. I was thinking that it was quite pathetic if my friends see me walking alone right there with my big bag. Since I didn't want to walk a long distance, I had no choice but to go to Trinoma (hoping not to meet my friends). As I crossed the street, I took a glimpse of SM mall, I was having my second thought. But then I kept walking until I got inside the mall. I went up through the escalator and praying not to meet anyone familiar from work. The BPI ATM machine was near the food court and actually I and my cousins had already spent the time there when we watched For the First time about two or three months ago. As I kept walking to the food court looking for the ATM machine, I had this instinct my cousins would see me walking right there and call me. It was really amazing!!! And to my surprise, my cousins and aunt were right there and eating dinner at a table. I passed through them and they called my name. I was freaking excited and told them how amazed I am!!! They said they were tying to reach me but I didn't reply anything. Imagine, out of many people, I estimated it was only 0.01 percent of meeting them, but there they were!!! So my Friday night was not ruined and I am happy that they saw me there. I was looking for my co-workers, but I didn't find any of them. I'm a lucky girl that Friday night. Lesson in life? I realized that there are things in life such as "destiny". I no longer believed in it but now I am!

How to Save Money on Groceries

2008-10-27T05:06:00.001-07:00

These days, we are experiencing financial crises, and cutting or financial expenses is quite necessary and important to everyone. If you have the tendency to be an impulsive buyer, there are ways you can minimize your expenses. I read this article from Oprah.com and would like to share to you as well.

5 Ways to Save Money on Groceries

By Stephanie Nelson

Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, says it's possible to fight the rising cost of groceries without sacrificing your favorite foods. Try her simple coupon saving strategies the next time you go to the grocery store:
Plan your meals and shopping lists around featured sale items.

Use your store's weekly sales ad flier to plan your menus for the week. Then, write your shopping list around the items and brands that are on sale.
Taking a few minutes to make a detailed plan will save you the time of making unplanned trips to the store during the week—which can ruin your budget.
Planning ahead also helps you avoid impulse shopping during your trip.

Know how your stores' savings programs work.

Do they have "buy one, get one free" deals?
Do they double coupons?
Do they offer a store discount cards that gives you automatic discounts?
Do they have special store coupons?
Once you know your stores' rules, you can combine them to pay the lowest possible prices for your items, such as using two coupons with a "buy one, get one free" deal. Combining strategies can result in free items.

Use grocery coupons, ideally when the item is on sale.

Buy the Sunday newspaper—75 percent of grocery coupons come from the newspaper. Buy two to three copies per week to save dramatically.
Go online—grocery stores often have their best deals and printable coupons on their websites.
Many stores offer electronic coupons that go directly on your store discount card.

Stock up on common items when they hit their lowest price.

Don't buy a year's supply, just enough to last until the next sale (two to three weeks).
Boneless chicken is on sale every other week at Stephanie's grocery store, so she buys two weeks of boneless chicken every other week to store in her freezer. This habit saves her family of four $325 a year on this one item.

Be flexible about brands and stores.

Buy the brand that's on sale with a coupon, or get the store brand if it's less expensive.
Shop at the store with the best prices for your items that week.

IL POSTINO: Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines

2008-10-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

I always love poetry but I honestly don't have the talent for it. Last night, I watched this film dubbed in Filipino language. The story is about a young post man who brings letters to Pablo Neruda from time to time. He admires him because he can entice women so easily with his poems. Then they became friends and he learned using metaphors to capture Beatrice's love, a young beautiful girl working at a small tavern. This film has won the best picture in the academy awards in 1995. Neruda's uses nature in most of his poems and I remembered when Mario Ropoulo asked him to explain one of his poems, then Neruda answered something like if he explains the poem, its mystery is gone. I strongly suggest to those poetry lovers to watch this film. I'm sure you will love the story and Pablo Neruda. Here's the poem I'm sure you will love from the movie written by Pablo Neruda:

Tonight I can write the saddest lines

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

Write, for example,'The night is shattered
and the blue stars shiver in the distance.'

The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.

She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.

To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.
And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is shattered and she is not with me.

This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.

The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.
My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing.

Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before.
Her voide. Her bright body. Her inifinite eyes.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long.

Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms
my sould is not satisfied that it has lost her.

Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.

Pablo Neruda

Do You Believe that Cyber Relationship Works?

2008-10-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

Many singles right now go for online dating. I don't know what drives other people to go online dating. I have a friend who had gone online dating and in less than a year got happily married. She's living a happy life she dreams of and was given the perfect man she is looking for. I envy her 'cause she found her true love. I have been going online for a year and unfortunately haven't found the right person yet. Maybe because we don't have the right chemistry and we barely know each other. So, I think that the chances for someone to find true love online is nearly 25% only. Maybe love is something you don't have to look for, but something that will come at the right time when it's truly meant for you.

My Favorite Commercial

2008-10-09T23:42:00.000-07:00

I just love this commercial from KFC. I like how the guy shrieked and pointed his finger when he saw this KFC shrimp. It's funny 'cause this is a controversial issue in the Philippine setting these days. Who would forget Lolit Solis' issue with Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual? Well, I don't believe they are gays, but it's true we will never knows who's who.

Churva Sounds Like French to Me

2008-10-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of these words: churva, chuva, chuk-chak-chenes, eclavou, charing, chismak, achupapa? I'm sure you do and you even use some of them in you daily language! These are just some of the few new vocabulary words added to the slang Filipino language. I just realized that some of these words sound like French and I wonder where these words came from or who started it. These words are usually gay languages adapted by people especially when they often hear it from the media. Filipinos just love creating new words. Gay languages are really entertaining to listen to and because they are often heard from the media and from gay friends, people, especially women would just easily adapt them. I think many women these days are so gay.

MUFA Flat Belly Diet: Healthy or Unhealthy?

2008-09-29T02:13:00.000-07:00

I watched today Rachel Ray's topic on how to lessen your belly fat. Most women are actually having the problem maintaining a flat belly and this is one of the many new recommended solutions to maintain a flat belly. According to the episode, you can loose about 5 to 7 pounds in just four days. The Flat Belly Diet encourages the implementation of the flat belly mantra, “a MUFA at every meal.” A MUFA is what nutritionists refer to as MonoUnsaturated Fatty Acid. It’s a “good” fat that helps fight disease and can even further weight loss. MUFA can be found in almonds, peanut butter, alive oil, avocado, and yes, chocolate too. Rachel Ray's episode was recommending and campaigning this Mufa flat belly diet.
However, I read an article of by C.Y. Lai and she doesn't recommend this kind of diet for few reasons. It is important that before we try on several things like this, we must try to balance and know what the negative effects are.

An Honest Review of MUFA Flat Belly Diet
By C.Y. Lai

You may have heard about the latest diet called Mufa flat belly diet in Good Morning America. At the time of writing, it's probably the second hottest thing after Paris Hilton's presidential campaign. Prevention magazine's Editor in Chief Liz Vaccariel and Nutrition Editor Cynthia Sass have written a book on this subject (selling at $39.95 per copy). Specifically, they said this diet can help you to reduce the most stubborn fat on your body - the belly fat. There are also other claims including: lose up to 15 lbs in 32 days, trim up to 12 inches of fat, look and feel sexy. Now the question is, does MUFA Flat Belly Diet really work, or it's just another weight loss gimmick?

The concept of MUFA Flat Belly Diet is pretty simple: consume 4 400 calories meal per day, that's about 1600 calories intake daily. Each meal should consist of Mufa foods, and other health foods including whole grains, fruits and vegetables. In case you are wondering, MUFA is actually Monounsaturated Fatty Acids. According to some research, MUFA can help you to lose weight especially in the middle. Foods that contain MUFA include olive oil, sunflower oil, flax oil, avocado, nuts and seeds.

Sorry to disappoint you, but MUFA flat belly diet is hardly a new breakthrough in weight loss. In fact, I suspect that it's design to slim down your bank account instead of belly fat. Here's why:

The diet is unhealthy: MUFA Flat Belly Diet plan is too low in calories. It's not feasible in the long run. In addition, low calories intake will force your body to enter starvation mode which make you difficult to lose weight. In addition, if you manage to lose weight, it should be the direct results of low calories intake. Think about it, if you shift from 2000-3000 calories intake per day to less than 1600 per day, how can you not lose weight? In addition, any low calories diet tends to make you hungry. You need extreme will power to beat those hunger and cravings. What's worse, if you resume your normal meals, you may stop losing weight or gain back the weight!

Lacks flexibility: You have to count calories for each meal and also include at least one MUFA food. How do you think you can manage if you lead a busy life? Of course, there's a solution for those of you who have deep pocket. There's an online Flat Belly Diet program that cost around $15 per month to join.

In the cover of the book, they mentioned you don't need to exercise ("not a single crunch required"). However, there's a chapter in the book that devote to exercise and they said it's "optional". In my opinion, it's an outrageous claim. All health experts and doctors would definitely emphasize incorporating regular exercise into your diet plan.

In a nutshell, MUFA Flat Belly Diet is not recommended.

Holy Cow! Too Much Traffic Jam in Valenzuela City at 5AM!

2008-09-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

I was really frustrated this morning! Why? It's because of the endless traffic jam in Valenzuela City! Can you imagine that traffic jam starts as early as 4 or 5 am? I can't stand it anymore and it ruined my whole day!!! I was late for work for 15 minutes. I knew I was gonna be late so I decided to get off the bus and grabbed a taxi. We tried another route and all roads we can possibly go to were congested with cars. This is so much pissing me off that I cried in anger inside the taxi for this stupid traffic jam in Valenzuela City. I guess government officials responsible for the road construction should look upon this severe problem. They have abandoned finishing the south bound lane construction. I remembered last year when they had to close McArthur Highway for the Tulyahan Bridge construction, and prior to that, were some road cementing and construction for some areas too. I taught I could breathe well after that, but now, a year later, they have to redo it?? What the hell is going on? I'm so stressed! For almost three years I have noticed that this traffic jam is becoming so malignant like a developing disease similar to an incurable cancer. That's how I describe it! Some people might say, "It's your fault! You don't get up early!" I dare say, it's too unfair for most people from Valenzuela City! If I should get up early, the government of Valenzuela should also find a resolution for this! I'm tired of this pointless traffic jam.

Pointers to Review for the 2008 Licensure Examination for Teachers:

2008-09-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

Taking the L.E.T. isn't that easy, but if you know what to review, you would at least have the idea of what you need to focus on. I remember when I took the exam. I was reviewing in a famous teachers' school in Manila and I was also teaching at the same time. On my free time, I would read books and take notes of the important things to review based on the table of specification provided by the PRC. I downloaded the content and made sure that I scheduled a time frame for each area I need to prioritize. The Exam is divided into three components: General education, Professional Education and your Major Subject. Each category contains a certain percentage of questions that will be included in the actual exam. It is important that you, as an examine, understands the subcategories for each major topic so you would know what you need to focus on and give more priorities on the component of those topics with higher percentage. I assure you that you are already halfway to passing the L.E.T. if you carefully plan your time frame for the review, implement discipline to yourself, and know the content of the exam you need to prioritize on. So, you would be much prepared a day before the exam, and all you need to do is relax, watch a movie and have a leisure time. You have to avoid cramming on the review because you might regret in the end. FOR THE CONTENT OF THE QUESTIONS ON L.E.T., PLEASE CLICK HERE Pointers to Review for the 2008 Licensure Examination for Teachers. You may want to copy and paste them on the MS Word and print it as your guide.

September 2008 Licensure Examination for Teachers: Room Assignments and General Instruction to Examinees

2008-09-23T03:47:00.001-07:00

Many education graduates of 2008 are now preparing to take exams for the upcoming licensure examination for teachers or L.E.T. Here are some of the main points you have to remember before you take the exam:

What to Bring on Examination Days?

Notice of Admission
Application Stub
PRC Official Receipt
Two or more pencils (No.2)
Ballpens with BLACK INK ONLY
One (1) piece Metered-Stamp Window Envelope
One (1) piece Long Brown Envelope
One (1) piece Long Transparent (non -colored) Plastic Envelope (to keep above items)

What to Wear on Examination Days

MALE - white polo shirt or T-shirt (tucked-in)
FEMALE – white blouse or T-shirt

General Instructions To Examinees

Report to the Test Center before 6:30 a.m. on the first day of examination to verify your room and seat numbers.
Late examinees will not be admitted.
Attend to your personal needs before the start of examination in every subject. No examinee will be allowed to go out of the examination room while the examination is in progress.
Always put your answer sheet on top of the armchair while taking the examination.
Stop answering the test questions at the end of the time alloted for the subject. Arrange your test papers as follows:
1. Notice of Admission;
2. Answer Sheet; and
3. Test Questionnaire
Do not leave the room until
1. your answer sheet and test question set are received by the room watchers,
2. you have signed, indicated the time and set ( A or B ) on the Examinees Record of Attendance, and
3. the lower portion of your Notice of Admission (Certification on the Receipt of Test Papers) is signed by the Room Watchers and returned to you.

Click the link here to know your Room Assignment

The Freedom Writers Diary

2008-09-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

I watch this film last night on HBO starred by Hillary Swank and I really like the the story. I like watching movies and I heard about this movie before , but I never had the chance to watch it until last night. This story is about the a teacher who encouraged her students to make use of their full potential and change their point of view in life. She encouraged her students to read books and influence them affectively. It is really encouraging and I agree that we need teachers who is passionate enough to make innovations in the educational system we have. Developing values to students is the most important key to education. Click here to view more about Freedom Writers.

Thoughts I Just Realized

2008-09-19T06:25:00.001-07:00

Most of the time when I'm alone in the bus or walking alone the sidewalks, there are many things that pops up into my mind that I oftentimes ignore but they keep playing again and again. While I was walking on my way home this evening, I just come to realize few of those things:

1. When I look at the faces of strangers around me whether in the bus, at the sidewalks, at the restrooms, in the mall, at work or everywhere, people I don't know are completely unimportant to me. I don't care what issues go around their lives. To me, they are simply individuals. I have my own life, my issues, and my stories. Just like like the movies, I think I am the star and everything else revolves around me. I thought of every stranger next to me as nobody. Then I started thinking about what the stranger could have thought of me? To him/her, of course, I am also no one or nobody. I think every individual have their own world and they also think, "I am the star and world revolves around me."

2. The world becomes crowded and polluted with the civilization of man. What if I live in the 1800s or 1700s? What kind of life or environment could I have? I went to Starbucks yesterday to buy my tumbler, I saw there the sign on the counter "Help save a tree" then we can optionally use a mug instead of the paper cups when we order coffee. Then I remember that every night, I saw big trucks in the highway loaded with tons of logs. Then I asked myself, how many trees are cut to create and build big buildings and to provide paper and tissue around the world? We are environmentally growing polluted with tons of junk cars and garbages everyday.

3. Every individual is a walking heart. All people have someone romantically special or infatuated with in their lives. Some are happily in love and others are sad on the one sided love. At some point in our lives we fall in love, get hurt, and back to love again. Every time I sit alone in the bus, I think of those people special to me: my friends, relatives, family, and special people I have loved (I wonder where they are now)...and when I look up at the moon and stars, I think it is the same moon and stars they see at night. So even if I don't see them anymore, I think they are not that far and they could be staring up at them too one night and think about me.

4. The worst thing that can happen to someone is not losing someone important in life but losing hope in life. That is the reason why other people commit suicide. Losing hope is the root of depression, having no reason to live because you no longer expect good things to save you from your agony. Why do people get crazy? Why do they want to escape the world of reality? Was it all because they lose hope in life?

5. My life as a student going to school is so much better than my life as an employee going to work everyday. When I was a high school student, I didn't worry much about responsibilities. I didn't really study hard. I only waited for bell to ring and then I was ready to go home, watch TV, and sleep. When I was in the university, I didn't study hard again and all things with love, studies, and influences of friends occurred complicated to me that I had to study in my hometown. I transferred to a school that at first I said was boring. All I could see were trees and sea water. My school was near the beach and mountains, so any nature lover can perfectly enjoy them anytime they want while studying. During my stay there, all I thought was to study and didn't try much of hiking, camping, swimming, or snorkeling. I realized now why I didn't try to enjoy them while they were at the reach of my hands? I can't enjoy those things for free here in the city where I live now. It was only now I realized how lucky I was to spend four years of my life there. I regret. So I realized that you have to enjoy every moment while it is still there, otherwise, you will miss the opportunity as time pass you by. Seize the day as the famous saying goes!

Learn How to Handle Your Finances

2008-09-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

Handling finances is too difficult especially if you don't earn enough and you have a lot of expenses to pay. I agree I am guilty about this. In truth I have no savings at the moment. I just earn good enough to pay my expenses. I would like to have my savings though. Here are some steps on how we can handle our finances based on one of the episodes from Oprah:

Stop Spending

The quickest way to get yourself back on the right path is to stop spending. Use these suggestions to help cut back so you can move forward!

Don't carry credit cards in your purse (only debit/ATM)
Write checks, pay cash
Turn down credit line increases
Create specific funds for special occasions, like holiday presents, vacations, anniversaries, etc.
Tell friends what you're trying to do to rally support
Don't run up bills you can't pay in full at the end of the month
Pay credit card bills on time to avoid late fees
Make no more than one ATM visit a week
Don't be seduced by credit card offers such as airline miles

Create a Monthly Spending Plan

You have a choice in how you spend your money, so having a spending plan in place is always proactive and empowering. A new spending plan should be developed for each month, detailing your estimated monthly expenditures. It should be completed 15 days before the month starts. By following this timeline, if you have a shortfall—more money going out than coming in—you will have time to cut expenses or generate additional income.

Remember, fine-tuning your spending plan is a process. If the plan you put in place for one month doesn't work, it doesn't mean you should quit. It means you should continue to tweak the plan and figure out how to make it work to accomplish your goals. Plus, doing this exercise will inevitably make you more conscious of how you choose to spend your money and how motivated you are to pay down your debt.

Take Steps to Grow Your Income

If you haven't been able to free up enough money to start repaying your debts in a big way, you have some choices. You can consider whether the big-ticket items in your life—your home, your cars, private schools—are truly necessary. Downsizing to a smaller home, going car-less or putting your children in public schools can save some major money.

You can go through your home and your possessions and see if there's anything of value to sell. Which could you part with if it meant financial security? Your boat? Second car? Second home? Time share? Art or jewelry? To get the most for whatever you're selling, you need to know what it's worth. If it's truly valuable (think $5,000 or more) you should have it appraised for your sake and for tax purposes. If it's a household item that's not worth having appraised, you can get an accurate idea of fair market value by seeing what similar items are selling for through classified advertisements or on eBay. If you find you have nothing big of value but lots of little things to sell, there's a solution as American as apple pie—a garage sale.

You can earn more money, either on your current job or—more likely—by taking on a second one. If it's been a year or more since you received a raise, it's time to ask for one. If you don't get it, ask your supervisor what you need to do to increase the size of your paycheck. You may need to get a second job. Eight and a half million Americans have already done so to meet regular household expenses or pay off debt, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's 4 out of 10 people! If you're already moonlighting and it's been a while since you raised your rates or raised your prices, do so today by 10%. That's the easiest way to pad your pocket.

Because You Love Me: Charice Pempengco and Celine Dion Duet

2008-09-17T04:30:00.001-07:00

Last September 15, Charice Pempengco sparkled again as she sang Becasue You Love Me with the popular Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden. It's really surprising that Charice Pempengco is on her way to stardom in the US after guesting with two famous TV shows in the US: The Ellen Degeneres Show and Oprah. After that, she had a duet with Andrea Bocelli and now the popular Celine Dion. She is making a remarkable history in the music industry of the Philippines. After Celine's introduction to Charice, she invited her on the stage to sing with her and the show began. I got goosebumps as she sang, and really Celine Dion gave her way for Charice to shine that night. Charice really makes Filipinos proud of her.

The 6 Signs You Are in The Wrong Job

2008-09-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Many people come to a point of getting tired of the job for several reasons: money, growth and promotion, and pressure. It is very important that we stay in a healthy job where we can learn something and at the same time we are happy about what we are doing.

I was an ESL teacher before. When I accepted the job offer in my previous job, I have goals set in mind: to give my best and get the promotion I want. At first, I was eager and full of energy, but I came to the point when it all stopped and I was no longer happy. I began to search for a better job that would give me a better pay. In truth, money is the number one reason why people leave their jobs.

I watched the movie CHALK, it about the story of teachers who have the passion to spread learning to their students on the first years of their job, but later on came to a point too that they decide to leave teaching because the job is not paying enough compared to the effort they exert. It's true that teachers work hard enough but not getting enough pay and benefit, so most of them leave the job and search for one where they get better salary to spend for their expenses. Here are 6 signs that tells you are in the wrong job which Oprah shared in one of her show episodes:

1. It's not just that they don't pay you enough, it's that they couldn't ever pay you enough to make you feel good. People who feel underpaid always think that more money will make them feel better. Sometimes it will, but sometimes it won't. And I can prove it. If your biggest complaint about your job is the salary, consider whether an amount 10 percent higher would make you happy. Then think of a number that is 20 percent higher. If a 10 to 20 percent increase would make you feel well compensated, you're in the right job—you just need to work on getting a raise. If you could go as high as 50 to 100 percent more and still not be satisfied, then money isn't the problem and more of it won't make you feel better. It's time to find another position within the company or a new job altogether.

2. You believe that nothing you do makes the least bit of difference. This a demoralizing position to be in, but it's usually not the work itself that makes you feel as if you're not making a contribution. One of the world's most admired companies specializes in cleaning services, and its employees, who scrub office floors and bathrooms, believe they have reason to be proud of themselves and the work they do.

You need to discover a sense of purpose. Your job is making copies? Find out who needs them and why. Or maybe you need to shift your focus to what makes you happy outside of work—traveling, playing tennis, volunteering. Then you can think of your job as the means to make those activities possible. If you still think that everything you do is meaningless, then you need to prepare for a job change—because once you believe you're wasting your time, it won't be too long before your employer believes it, too.

3. You're not learning anything. Of all the things that can go wrong with a job, I think feeling as if you're not growing is one of the most dangerous. The market for your talents is changing every day, and unless you are evolving, too, you run the risk of becoming as obsolete as punch cards in a software world. Be vigilant if you feel you are not learning anything and your current employer is paying you more than anyone else would. That means it is definitely time to run, not walk, toward opportunities for building new skills. (A boss looking to cut workers will always target the ones who cost him more than their talents warrant.)

You might register for technology courses or simply ask your current employer for new responsibilities. Concentrate on shoring up an area you feel is your biggest weakness or building on your second-greatest strength (you've probably automatically refined your strongest suit because it's something you love to do).

4. No one ever talks to you about the future in a positive way. Many of us feel we don't get enough positive feedback. In today's fast-paced environment, managers are often so overwhelmed that they fail to notice when someone could use a little praise. But there is a difference between not getting enough compliments and not having any indication that your boss or senior managers imagine you playing an important role in the company's future (something like "You know, you would be good for job X, one step up"). If no one further up the food chain says anything to you about the future, it could be a sign that the plan is to keep you in your slot—if you're lucky, and they don't need to make cuts.

Finding out that you're not on the fast track—or any track at all—can be painful, so don't press for more information than you can handle. When you're ready to deal with the worst-case scenario, ask for some time with your boss and say, "Here are two or three jobs I would like to grow into. What should I do to be ready for the next step?" If the boss says, "I think you're terrific, but the company needs to do better before we can offer you, or anyone, any opportunities," that's good news.

5. You hate your boss so much that it's hard to think about anything else. The number one reason people give me for wanting to change jobs is that they hate their boss. But let's face it, if you have a boss, any boss, you have days when you aren't thrilled with her. The occasional incident doesn't turn a good job into a wrong job. But when every day is Boss-Hating Day, that's another story.

Nancy, for example, was working in a café with people she liked. This group had such great style that they turned what could have been just another lunch spot into the place in town. Yet their boss continually changed his mind, insulted his staff, and micromanaged and second-guessed everything they did. One day, Nancy realized that her work menu never altered: It was always more servings of boss hatred. The only way to change the situation was to change jobs.

6. You feel that who you are at work doesn't have much to do with who you are in the rest of your life. Little mismatches can always crop up between our individual preferences and what our job requires: Maybe it's the daily irritation of pulling on pantyhose or being forced to defend a dumb company policy. But you might discover a profound discrepancy between yourself and your company. Maybe your casual style doesn't fly in your buttoned-down workplace. Or, more seriously, you may find your ethics don't match.

Just a few weeks ago I heard about a young woman who was bothered by the bookkeeping practices of the family-owned business she worked for. It's not that these procedures were illegal, but she prided herself on adhering to the highest standards of ethics and these loose policies made her acutely uneasy. If you're consistently uncomfortable at your workplace—as the result of a major personality conflict or a clash of ethics—you should get ready to move on.

Cheese the Day with My Blueberry Cheesecake

2008-09-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

I love cheesecakes! Ever since I have tried one, I couldn't stop myself once in a while to stop by a cake shop and try their blueberry cheesecake and make some comparison. So far, I like the Red Ribbon's cheesecake. It will make you feel better especially when you feel sad. You may also want to pair it with a glass of Novelino wine. I like every tidbit of the cake and the taste of the chilling wine. Try them and I'm sure you will love them too.

10 Things I know for Sure by Barbara Barry

2008-09-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Home make-over seems to be unaffordable for some poeple without buying new furniture. Actually we can have our home make-over as long as we know how to make simple things beautiful. In this book, Barbara explains 10 simple things about interior designing:

1. Don't fight what you cannot change. Anything that's permanent has to become your best friend, so learn to love it and to play it up. If you have a brick wall outside your window, bring terra-cotta into the room through pillows or flooring. If your fireplace has a charred hearth, paint a door black to pick up on that color. Expand on what's there by extending it: That makes it seem intentional.

2. Quality counts. Once you've slept on soft sheets or dried off with a fluffy white towel or sipped tea from a porcelain cup, you understand how the smallest details can have an enormous impact on your sense of well-being. The body knows quality. So I say buy less, but buy at the highest level you can afford.

3. Windows shouldn't look like party dresses. Think of window treatments architecturally, as extensions of the wall. Treat them simply with a fabric that's the same color as the wall so that you enlarge rather than constrain the space.

4. Make choices based on your gut, not your head.

5. Not every piece of furniture has to make a statement. A Louis XVI chair can be fabulous, but best to surround it with neutral, pared-down pieces that will complement and not compete with it.

6. Restrained color palettes bring order to the chaos of life.

7. The best design strikes a balance between toughness and gentleness. I'm always looking to blend a line and a curve; if I make a chair with a straight leg, it will have a curved back. Geometry offset by sensuality inevitably stands the test of time, and resonates with every taste, both masculine and feminine.

8. Different tasks require different lights. I put a 40- and a 60-watt bulb in a double cluster lamp so that I can have three choices: 40 for the party, 60 for reading, and both—100 watts—for cleanup.

9. Go easy with patterns. I'm searching for calm all the time—that's why people come to me—and life is already a pattern. We create it with the shape of the furniture, the windows, the doors, the pillows, what we wear, and the stuff we have. Unless you have a sure hand, adding a print to that can just make for more visual noise.

10. Live glamorously! Glamour is not about money, it's more a quality of character...but having elegant furnishings can certainly set the stage. I love how California was and still is the backdrop for a casually elegant lifestyle: palm trees and swimming pools, cocktails and pearls. Perfect.

WHAT THE DOCTOR DIDN'T TELL YOU...

2008-09-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

You would be surprise knowing these simple remedies that we can use as alternatives for emergency purposes...just incase, you will know what to do. Keep this on the Fridge

Did You Know That? Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately -- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers."

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly -- even though the product was never been advertised for this use. (Note: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine is not the same..and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.)

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus ... Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection ... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust ... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer ... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover ...just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt's tomato paste boil cure ....cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters ...To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine ... a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises .. Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly . Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor... Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Eliminate ear mites... All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief ....It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Another Timeless Love Story

2008-09-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

I usually drop by a bookstore and spend an hour or so trying to browse books currently on the bestselling kiosk. I saw this book "The Time Traveler's Wife" and got fascinated with the story as I read the synopsis behind the book and thought it's another story that would fulfill one's romantic love fantasy. I love love stories, but as I get older, I've become more realistic. I still believe that there is true love, but sometimes doubt if I could ever find it. I think that I'd be the happiest creature on earth if I find my true love. My greatest dream is to marry the man I love. Yes! Now, I feel like a hopeless romantic but getting back to my reality. Anyway, I would still buy this book and read it. It is feels good to read books where we can imagine our romantic kind of stories happen. I found out that this is a movie in the making right now with Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams which will be released by December 25, 2008. I have read the book review about it and I think people would love this timeless love story.

To know more about the book review, please visit http://starbooksz.blogspot.com

The Health Benefits of Glutathione

2008-09-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

Filipinos are naturally born with brown or tan skin. Most westerners are attracted to this beautiful skin color that they would even go sun bathing to get that golden brown tan. This is an irony for most Filipinos because for them, fairer or whiter skin is more beautiful than brown. So, to get fairer skin, most skin-color conscious people are into this emerging popular medicine that fulfills their dream to stay younger and more beautiful: the Glutathione.

Many celebrities are taking this medicine to maintain their fair and good looking healthy skin which I would also love to have. Who would not want to wear a fairer, healthy, and good-looking skin? It is just that this medicine is quite costly that I can't afford it. If I can, I would also take it without second thoughts (some people hesitate because they are more health conscious and are worried about the negative side effects of the medicine). I think what we need to understand is that this medicine commonly know as "pampaputi" is originally used as food supplement for people who especially have liver diseases. It serves as an antioxidant which results to a fairer skin. I have here are some of the facts behind the Glutathione:

Glutathione - or L Glutathione - is a powerful antioxidant found within every cell. Glutathione plays a role in nutrient metabolism, and regulation of cellular events (including gene expression, DNA and protein synthesis, cell growth, and immune response. Glutathione, taken as a supplement, may not be able to cross across the cell membrane and thus may not be effective. Consider acetylcysteine and other antioxidants instead, including the mineral selenium. See below.

This antioxidant, made from the combination of three amino acids cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, forms part of the powerful natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase which is found in our cells. Glutathione peroxidase plays a variety of roles in cells, including DNA synthesis and repair, metabolism of toxins and carcinogens, enhancement of the immune system, and prevention of fat oxidation. However, glutathione is predominantly known as an antioxidant protecting our cells from damage caused by the free radical hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione also helps the other antioxidants in cells stay in their active form. Brain glutathione levels have been found to be lower in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Glutathione is found in foods, particularly fruits, vegetables and meats. Cyanohydroxybutene, a chemical found in broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage, is also thought to increase glutathione levels. Various herbs -- for instance cinnamon and cardomom -- have compounds that can restore healthy levels of glutathione. Brazil nuts contain a high amount of selenium which can increase glutathione levels. Although glutathione is available in pill form over the counter, its utilization by the body is questionable since we don’t know if it can easily enter cells, even after it is absorbed in the bloodstream.

What happens if Glutathione levels are low?
Glutathione deficiency contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a key role in aging and the worsening of many diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, HIV, AIDS, cancer, heart attack, and diabetes.

So I think that there is nothing wrong if Filipinos would take this medicine as "pampaputi". As long as it gives them the benefit of staying healthy and beautiful, then it's good. We need to be healthy in order to maintain balance in our life. Remember that poor health is even more costly.

The Law of Attraction is the Secret to Success

2008-09-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

I always believe in this poetry. When I read the book the Secret I remembered this poem and believe that there are things in this world that our mind can control. The mind is such a powerful weapon that we can use as our shield through all the negative things we think of in our battles in life.
If You Think You're Beaten
by Kristone

If you think you're beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost for sure, you won't.

If you think you're losing, you've lost.
For out in the world we find -
Success begins with a person's will,
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You have to stay with it,
In order to win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go,
To the one with the better plan.
For more often than not, you will win,
If only you think you can.

In the Bible, it says, "The battle is in our mind!" There are things that the mind can control as long as we know how to handle them. One of my favorite Christian authors of all time is Joyce Meyers and her books are always filled with God's inspiration. All people have shortcomings to God and practical application is always one of the most difficult thing that people do. However, as long as we strive hard and do our best to overcome the negative powers in our mind, we can always win the battle. I suggest Joyce Meyers books. I think you'd be inspired to it too when you read them.

Healthy Appetite VS. Barefoot Contessa

2008-09-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

I love these TV shows because I love food. I always love the way they prepare food. It always seems to be quick, easy, delicious and most of all nutritious. The difference between Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger and Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten is additional tips of creating a good ambiance in the dining setting. Barefoot Contessa adds appropriate art and design in the dining setting. I think that preparing food for visitors doesn't have to be much of preparation like what we usually do when we have visitors in the house. With their easy demonstration of preparing stylish and healthy food, you can create a different experience and impression on your visitors. I have gotten plenty of ideas from their shows. Sad to say, I have never prepared one yet for a visitor, but would really like to do so in the near future. I took some samples of videos from their show. Enjoy watching!

August is Almost Over

2008-08-30T00:10:00.000-07:00

Oh! How time is flies! Ausgust is almost over and two days from now is the "ber" month. I love this season of the year. People become more lively and excited about the coming Christmas. Here in the Philippines, you will start hearing Christmas music on the radio during the "ber" month. It is the most celebrated season of the year. People start planning and decorating around the house. I want to spend this Christmas with all my family. We will be together and I know we are going to be happy.

I Love the Whole World by Discovey Channel

2008-08-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

I really like this advertisement from the Discovery Channel. Every time I watch it, I stop and just realize that life is really wonderful to live. The message and the rhythm of the song are so good, and the concept of the film captures everybody's attention. I notice that every time we would hear this, we just pause for a while and listen to it. Here is the lyrics:

(Dialogue)
Astronaut 1: It never gets old, huh?
Astronaut 2: Nope.
Astronaut 1: It kinda makes you want to...
Astronaut 2: Break into song?
Astronaut 1: Yep.

I love the mountains,
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world
And all its sights and sounds
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda (twice)
I love the oceans
I love real dirty things
I love to go fast
I love Egyptian kings
I love the whole world
And all its craziness
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda (twice)
I love tornadoes
I love arachnids
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
It's such a brilliant place

Beauty Tips

2008-08-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

About a year ago my former student gave me a present as a token of friendship before she left the Philippines. She bought this BEAUTY IN A BOX from Papemelroti store beside Chocolate Kiss in Quezon City. I really appreciate what she gave me. Those are several easy and natural ways to shine using homemade remedies that I want to share too. People get older, but we can avoid it if we take care of ourselves. Beauty in the outside is as equally important as the inside.

BLACKHEADS BUSTER

You need: egg white, 1 piece of large cotton
1. Soak the cotton in egg white
2. Cover the affected area with the cotton and wait for it to dry and harden completely.
3. carefully remove and dried cotton. Black heads should come off with it.

SKIN SILKENER
Make Honey Bath with 1/4 cup honey.Add this to your bath and in no time at all you'll have sweet, soft & improved skin.

DANDRUFF FIGHTER
Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts warm water to balance scalp pH and control dandruff. You can also apply undiluted vinegar to the scalp. Allow it to penetrate, then shampoo with a mild shampoo.

SCAR REMOVER
Apply cocoa butter , aloe vera juice or Vitamin E to the affected area repeatedly until it fades.

Darken Grey Hair
Try this for reducing grey hair the natural way. You need: 1/2 tsp. of fresh grated ginger, 1/2 tsp. of honey. Consume ginger and honey every morning.

Shiny Face
Dry out an over-oily face prone to blemishes with Philips Milk of Magnesia - put a thin layer all over you face.

FOR SHINY HAIR
This mix can complement your shampooing and conditioning! Ass 1/4 cup vinegar to six cups cool to cold water (for long hair). Use this as your final shampoo rinse. Condition as usual.

PIMPLE CURES
Try some of these on those nasty spots to see which works best for you!
1. Grind garlic into a paste and apply to zit to help heal and stop infection.
2. Take some aloe vera juice and apply on the affected area overnight.
3. Mix baking yeast with tea tree oil to make a paste and leave on pimple.

FRESH BREATH FAST
Just chew fresh parsley and your breath will be sweeter than ever.

BYE FOR BLEMISHES
Gently massage baking soda over pimples. Do not overscrub. Rinse with water.

GOODBYE CROW'S FEET
Use egg white to combat unsightly lines at the corner of your eyes. Before going to bed at night. Gently dab the egg white onto the lines and finish with a dab of vegetable oil. The egg protein will help erase the lines.

BYE BYE BLACKHEADS
Mix cornstarch with vinegar and spread on the area for 15-30 minutes. Using a washcloth, wash off well with warm water.

MAKE YOUR FACE GLOW
You need: 1/3 ripe banana, small bowl
1. Mash the piece of banana in the bowl.
2. Use the pulp to wash your face & throat, avoiding the eye area.
3. If your skin is specially dry or dehydrated, leave this on for approximately 5 minutes.
4. rinse, then pat and dry.

WRINKLE REMOVER
you need: 1 egg white, 2-3 drops of fresh lemon or lime juice
1. Beat all the ingredients together.
2. Cover the wrinkled area with the mix and let dry.
3. Once dry, splash off with warm water first, then cool water. Pat dry.

REMEDIES FOR TIRED EYES
Rose Water: Soak cotton ball and apply to eyes once a week.
Cucumber: Place a slice each on your eyes & rest for around 10 minutes to reduce stressed eyes.
Potato (shredded): Put on top of eyes to reduce black circles. let it rest for around 10 minutes.

OVERNIGHT FACIAL
Get rid of blemishes and make your skin more youthful by patting apple cider vinegar on your face before bed. You'll have softer, smoother skin in the morning.

TO LIGHTEN DARK ELBOWS & KNEES
You need: 1 tsp. dry milk powder, some lemon juice, some water
1. Make paste out all the ingredients. Note: Lemon juice is for bleaching and sloughing.
2. Rub on knees and elbows. Wait 10 minutes before rinsing.

13 Famous Movie Love Quotes

2008-08-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

Are you a movie fanatic? Can you name from which movie are they?

1. "All I want for Christmas is you."

2. "You had me at hello."

3. "You complete me."

4. "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it."

5. "It doesn't matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other."

6. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

7. "If I tell you I love you, can I keep you forever?"

8. "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

9. "If you love someone you say it, you say it right then, out loud. Otherwise the moment just...passes you by..."

10. "You will never know love unless you surrender to it."

11. "Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever... And you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for you."

12. "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

13. "I'm a just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

Anito

2008-08-25T08:34:00.001-07:00

It is a very clear evening when I looked up the sky. I can see the beautiful stars twinkling at night and the big round moon flashing it's light to the serene sea far across our house. You can hear the sound of waves as they tamp on the sea shore. You can also hear the sounds of crickets and lizards when everybody quiets down and rests before they get ready for bed. You can also feel the cold breeze from the eastern coast, and wont need the use of fan to get yourself cool and comfortable when you lie on bed. You just have to open your window, but be sure that you have the net when you sleep to protect you from mosquito bites. The sound of the waves is like a soft music playing lullaby as you dose off. The village in some nights is dark since the power goes on and off in a far countryside like my hometown, so every houses are always ready to use a gas lamp and candles in their hut except for those who own a generator in their house every time there's electricity interruption.

The population of the village ranges from 4000 to 5000 people only. Most old people are illiterate and earn a living through coconut faming and fishing. Education is the most valuable achievement for every parent in the village. They give high respect for people who earns a professional degree. College or university diploma is hanged in a frame to a conspicuous part of the houses so everyone can easily notice it.

This village is along the Pacific coast and getting here is really difficult, especially during the rainy season. You will need to travel by a motorboat and pass through an open rough sea maximum to four hours or by a motorcycle or jeepney and pass by a muddy, rough, and stiff road for a maximum to four hours too. There are only few jeepneys traveling each day and if you would like to go to the main city, people would need to get up as early as 2:00 A.M. to get the first trip ride. Some jeepneys race to get as early as possible to the main terminal to bring more passengers back to the villages. There are about eight villages from the terminal to our village. The terminal is about 40-50 kilometers far and each village is about five to eight kilometers far apart.

In some evenings when the tide is low, people would go to the sea coast to catch fish and seashells to sell or cook for tomorrow's meal. Some people are out the shore with their lamps and from the top view of our house, they seem all busy looking for food and a living. When the high tide is coming, people would just go back to their house and prepare their catch for meal. Some wine lovers would also prepare "Tuba" or coconut wine with their meal. In their houses, they feast for seafood and coconut wine and stay up until they get dizzy through the wine they drink. This is how most people live in this village.

In the moning, before the sun goes up, people also get up early to prepare going to the mountains and farms. They sometimes have to cross a far distance on foot just to get to the location where their piece of land is. Coconut farming is the main source of living here. We call this "copra". Some big business owners buy "copra" and transport it to big industial cities and sell tons and tons of it to factory owners and process it for shampoo, soap, lotion, and many more. After a long day at the farm, they would go back with some vegetables or a bunch of bananas. Truly, it is a blessing for people in the village. However, in some instances when a tropical storm hits the town and strong wind blows the coconut kernel from the trees, people become sad and worried. They knew they will have to wait for another season for the coconut to bloom it's kernel again. During this season, there is high demand for "copra", so this business becomes more profitable for farmers.

I love the ambiance in my hometown. I can enjoy the scenery of beach, swim in the sea, go snorkeling, and have a picnic everyday with my friends. Right now, I live in the city and I miss taking vacations in my hometown. It's been three years since I last went home. I miss those nights when the moon is so big and the light reflects on the sea and I just stare at it from the top view of our house and sing quietly with my guitar on a pale moonlight. The cold breeze embracing my skin just gives me more tranquility out of the busy and hazy ambiance of the city.

Extreme Make Over : Home Edition

2008-08-24T03:38:00.000-07:00

I love so much this T.V. program because you can see the mixed emotion and excitement of people when their house is chosen for the total makeover. I am mesmerized imagining how comfortable it is to live in a beautiful house with modern furniture and appliances. I am easily carried away when people cry when they see their new house. I think they are really, really lucky as everybody wants to have such a blessing to knock at their doorsteps. The episode of the Vitale Family is my favorite of all times. If you have the chance to watch it through youtube, here is the link. just make sure you have the tissue to wipe your tears because you might cry a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGExKVUOiD0&feature=related

It's really nice to see how the beautiful and creative the designers of the house. It is my dream to live in a beautiful house I design in the future. I want to live in a safe and secure place where big gates and fences are not necessary. I want to have a yard where I can have the garden and take care of fragrant flowers and have a backyard where we can have the barbecue party and picnic on weekends and holidays. I'm not good at interior designing, but is interested to it. In the future, I would like to have a comfortable house where I and my family can live together and spend the time we have not done for a long time.

Traffic Jam is Killing Me Softly

2008-08-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was watching the National Geographic Special about the Megacities and how they manage the traffic jam through their roads and traffic areas. In London, they can easily reduce traffic because there are computers implanted under the cemented road that detects the frequency and velocity of vehicles. It's pretty amazing that they have that technology which I think could be a great help here in most crowded and congested roads here in the Philippines.

When my cousin visited Europe for a holiday, she told me that at subways, some people just jump in to the entrance without swiping magnetic cards. One thing I have realized to what I have watched from the documentary is that modern Cities are full of cameras that monitor people's and vehicles' activities. They can easily recognize suspicious individuals around the city and detect car's plate number for a violation. As a result, the number of crimes commited each year reduced to a tremendous amount.

Sometimes I cannot blame myself aiming to live in place where greener pasture awaits everybody. Traffic here in the Philippines is killing me so much. It really ruins the day even if you start it right. I just wish there would be more progress technologically and discipline for everyone. I really envy Singapore! I truly believe that cleanliness and discipline is the key for a better future. No cutting corners!

Trust

2008-08-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

Trust is very important to me. I easily believe and trust people, so sometimes I consider myself so gullible too. It hurts me when my trust is betrayed. It happened to me several times. The last time I was really mad at was this man named Mike Usman. He contacted me through one web site and ask me to work for his family in London. He said he worked as an Engineer and is about to leave for Africa for a project. He wanted to me to go to take care of his children and told me that I would be well compensated. It was really a promising offer and I really wanted to grab it through. He asked me to contact an agency in London and pay half of the price of the finances to get me there. He gave me his address and his telephone number in UK and I started investigating. First of all the address he gave me was wrong which I searched through Google earth. Second, the agency I investigated has no profile on the net which seemed to be more suspicious. Third he sent me an application form which of all the application form I have received is the most informal of all. Fourth, he kept on calling me on phone and when I heard his voice, he has this African accent trying hard to sound like British. And so I started to confront this person and told him never, never take advantage on the goodness of other people and that he should find a dignified job. I'm really very angry to this person, so I suggest that to everyone out there, be wise! Research and investigate before trusting someone. Don't even give or forward any of your document as they may use it to trick other people. This is a lesson learned from me.

Hibernated

2008-08-12T15:59:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I last wrote and now I think I am in the mood to write again. This is my only outlet when I don't have audience to listen to all my agony...LOL...that sounds so pathetic! I welcome all my listeners and visitors. Well, I don't know really what to say. I wish I could write more and get to the extent of my love for writing and sharing something good to everyone.

What Would You Do If You Feel So Down?

2008-05-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone of us has the tendency to feel down from time to time. For some it takes a while and for some it takes a little while. Let's accept the fact that at one point we feel bored, lonely, and pathetic. Well, when we feel so disappointed and frustrated about life, why don't we ask ourselves what makes us happy? Do the things that makes you happy and eventually, you will find that peace. Remember that happiness is a choice! Happiness will not choose you, but you have the option to choose what makes you happy.

Everything goes in a cycle. Sometimes we feel up and sometimes we feel down. When you feel sad, accept that sadness and don't pretend that you are very happy. Pretensions will not help us feel better. When your boyfriend or girlfriend dumped you, stop pretending like you are "OK" when you're not that really OK. Telling other people how you feel will certainly help.

When we experience embarrassment, most often we pretend we don't feel ashamed! Then in one corner when you are alone, you would start feeling depressed! How would you handle that situation? One thing you can do is to cry. It's OK because it helps us feel better. Then Don't take grudges in your heart. Everybody feels humiliated sometimes. Learn how to smile because smiling really helps someone feel a lot better. Do what makes you happy, but not to the point you would hurt others or even yourself. Remember that whatever you do, you will be accountable for it, certainly not other people to blame for our shortcomings. There is certainly time for everything, and whatever you feel right now, just learn to embrace it! That's the ways the cookie crumbles! Enjoy life to the fullest and don't cling to the past that hurts you more.

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Beyond Forgetting by Rolando Carbonel

2008-05-15T03:21:00.000-07:00

For a moment I thought I could forget you.
For a moment I thought I could still the restlessness in my heart. I
thought the past could no longer haunt me—nor hurt me. How wrong
I was!

For the past, no matter how distant, is as much a part of me as life
itself. And you are part of that life. You are so much a part of
me— of my dreams, my early hopes, my youth and my ambitions—that in
all my tasks I can't help remembering you. Many little delights and
things remind me of you.

Yes, I came. And would my pride mock my real feelings? Would the
love song, the sweet and lovely smile on your face, be lost among
the deepening shadows?

I have wanted to be alone.
I thought I could make myself forget you in silence and in
song...And yet I remembered. For who could forget the memory of the
once lovely, the once happy world such as ours?

I came because the song that I kept through the years is waiting to
be sung. I cannot sing it without you. The song when sung alone will
lose the essence of its tune, because you and I had been one.

I have wanted this misery to end, because it is part of my
restlessness. Can't you understand? Can't you divine the
depth and the tenderness of my feelings towards you? Yes, can't you see how
I suffer in this even darkness without you?

You went away because you mistook my silence for indifference. But
silence, my dear, is the language of my heart. How could I essay the
intensity of my love when silence speaks a more eloquent tone? But,
perhaps, you didn't understand...

Remember, I came because the gnawing loneliness is there and will
not be lost until the music is sung, until the poem is heard, until
the silence is understood....until you come to me again.

For you alone can blend the music and memory into one consuming
ecstasy. You alone...

Day Two Graveyard Shift

2008-05-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

Oh man!!! My day two working at IBM call center is pretty much entertaining: graveyard shift, drinking three cups of cafe latte, interesting and intelligent people, humorous trainers, and lots of fascinating stories. Wow! How time flies! I'm learning a lot and I don't regret I quit my teaching job. For one thing, teaching can easily make someone look older and I don't want that to happen to me. I want to have more fun! I got tired teaching that I realized I wasn't productive anymore and decided to look for a career where I don't need to bring work at home. Well, I have goals set in mind when I joined the company and I won't stop until I get hold of them. They say, if you want to stay younger, go to a call center (hhmmmmm...let me see...). But of course, I know it's not going to be easy since callers expected everyday are always irate! Now how is that? Duh!!! But I will learn and master the art of being a customer service specialist...I swear! :)

Our trainer shared with us two hilarious youtube videos which were convincingly funny and I really, really love them. One was about an Italian man telling his experience in Malta and the other one was an audition for a Bulgarian Music Idol where the participant sang Mariah Carey's "I Can't Live if Living Is Without You!" Haha!!! I'm pretty sure you would love them.

Korean Food

2008-05-12T03:02:00.001-07:00

I taught ESL to Koreans for more than 5 years here in the Philippines. For those who have no ideas yet, the Philippines is the number one destination of Koreans to study English. For more than five years experience in teaching, I've truly learned a lot about their culture. One of the things I have adapted the most from them is eating spicy food. Beware! You need to prepare water when eating those spicy dishes because you might jump to your feet and run immediately for a drink! One of my favorite dishes is "Samjupsal". Now let me introduce it:

"Samjupsal" is a popular meat dish for all Koreans. They usually go to a Korean restaurant once in while to eat it. It consists of thick pork strips (no marinating necessarily involve), cooked on a grill (removing the cholesterol which is bad for the heart) with kimchi, mushrooms, garlic, onions and consumed together. This dish is usually served with a side of lettuce, spinach, or other leafy vegetable(s), which is used to wrap a slice of cooked samgyupsal. A dab of ssamjang (usually made of kochujang or dwenjang), kimchi, or other side dishes are also added and then eaten it as a whole. You can pair it with rice too, if you want, and the famous Korean hard drink "Soju". I don't really like it, so I might as well pair it with a glass of sparkling red wine instead. It's up to your taste.

Hmmmmmmm...YUMMY!!! I and my friends would often go to a Korean restaurant once in a while if we want to eat green leafy vegetables, stay healthy, and have better digestion. At first, you might not like it! However, I think this food contains an addictive, magical recipe that makes your taste buds crave for it once you try it!. I have experienced it for myself. Try it and I'm sure you will love it!

Uniquely Filipino

2008-05-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

The following is from a British journalist stationed in the Philippines. His observations are truly hilarious! It kept me laughing while reading his observations in the Philippines.

Matter of Taste
by Matthew Sutherland

I have now been in this country for over six years, and consider myself in most aspects well-assimilated. However, there is one key step on the road to full assimilation which I have yet to take, and that's to eat BALUT. The day any of you sees me eating balut, please call immigration and ask them to issue me a Filipino passport, because at that point there will be no turning back. BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can't see how gross it is. It's meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can't imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially-formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernible feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called 'soup', the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus...excuse me, I have to go and throw up now. I'll be back in a minute.

Food dominates the life of the Filipino. People here just love to eat. They eat at least eight times a day. These eight official meals are called, in order: breakfast, snacks, lunch, merienda, pica-pica, pulutan, dinner, and no-one-saw-me-take-that-cookie-from-the-fridge-so-it-doesn't-count. The short gaps in between these mealtimes are spent eating Sky Flakes from the open packet that sits on every desktop. You're never far from food in the Philippines. If you doubt this, next time you're driving home from work, try this game. See how long you can drive without seeing food and I don't mean a distant restaurant, or a picture of food. I mean a man on the sidewalk frying fish balls, or a man walking through the traffic selling nuts or candy. I bet it's less than one minute.

Here are some other things I've noticed about food in the Philippines. Firstly, a meal is not a meal without rice-even breakfast. In the UK, I could go a whole year without eating rice. Second, it's impossible to drink without eating. A bottle of San Miguel just isn't the same without gambas or beef tapa. Third, no one ventures more than two paces from their house without baon and a container of something cold to drink. You might as well ask a Filipino to leave home without his pants on. And lastly, where I come from, you eat with a knife and fork. Here, you eat with a spoon and fork. You try eating rice swimming in fish sauce with a knife.

One really nice thing about Filipino food culture is that people always ask you to SHARE their food. In my office, if you catch anyone attacking their baon, they will always go, "Sir! KAIN TAYO!" ("Let's eat!"). This confused me, until I realized that they didn't actually expect me to sit down and start munching on their boneless bangus (milkfish). In fact, the polite response is something like, "No thanks, I just ate." But the principle is sound if you have food on your plate you are expected to share it, however hungry you are, with those who may be even hungrier. I think that's great. In fact, this is frequently even taken one step further. Many Filipinos use "Have you eaten yet?" ("KUMAIN KA NA?") as a general greeting, irrespective of time of day or location.

Some foreigners think Filipino food is fairly dull compared to other Asian cuisines. Actually lots of it is very good: Spicy dishes like Bicol Express (strange, a dish named after a train); anything cooked with coconut milk; anything KINILAW; and anything ADOBO. And it's hard to beat the sheer wanton, cholesterholic frenzy of a good old-fashioned LECHON de leche feast. Dig a pit, light a fire, add 50 pounds of animal fat on a stick, and cook until crisp. Mmm, mmm... you can actually feel your arteries constricting with each successive mouthful.

I also share one key Pinoy trait ---a sweet tooth!! I am thus the only foreigner I know who does not complain about sweet bread, sweet burgers, sweet spaghetti, sweet banana ketchup, and so on. I am a man who likes to put jam on his pizza. Try it! It's the weird food you want to avoid. In addition to duck fetus in the half-shell, items to avoid in the Philippines include pig's blood soup (DINUGUAN); bull 's testicle soup, the strangely-named "SOUP NUMBER FIVE" (I dread to think what numbers one to four are); and the ubiquitous, stinky shrimp paste, BAGOONG, and it's equally stinky sister, PATIS. Filipinos are so addicted to these latter items that they will even risk arrest or deportation trying to smuggle them into countries like Australia and the USA, which wisely ban the importation of items you can smell from more than 100 paces. Then there's the small matter of the blue ice cream. I have never been able to get my brain around eating blue food; the ubiquitous UBE leaves ube cold. And lastly on the subject of weird food, beware: that KALDERETANG KAMBING (goat) could well be KALDERETANG ASO (dog)...

The Filipino, of course, has a well-developed sense of food. Here's a typical Pinoy food joke: "I'm on a seafood diet "What's a seafood diet?" "When I see food, I eat it!" Filipinos also eat strange bits of animals ---the feet, the head, the guts, etc., usually barbecued on a stick. These have been given witty names, like "ADIDAS" (chicken's feet); "KURBATA" (either just chicken's neck, or "neck and thigh" as in "neck-tie"); "WALKMAN" (pigs ears); "PAL" (chicken wings); "HELMET" (chicken head);
"IUD" (chicken intestines), and BETAMAX" (video-cassette-like blocks of animal blood). Yum yum. Bon appetit.

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" -- (Proverbs 22:1) When I arrived in the Philippines from the UK six years ago, one of the first cultural differences to strike me was names. The subject has provided a continuing source of amazement and amusement ever since. The first unusual thing, from an English perspective, is that everyone here has nickname. In the staid and boring United Kingdom, we have nicknames in kindergarten, but when we move into adulthood we tend, I am glad to say, to lose them. The second thing that struck me is t hat Philippine names for both girls and boys tend to be what we in the UK would regard as overbearingly cutesy for anyone over about five. Fifty-five-year-olds colleague put it. Where I come from, a boy with a nickname like Boy Blue or Honey Boy would be beaten to death at school by pre-adolescent bullies, and never make it to adulthood.
So, probably, would girls with names like Babes, Lovely, Precious, Peachy or Apples. Yuk, ech ech. Here, however, no one bats an eyelid.

Then I noticed how many people have what I have come to call "door-bell names". These are nicknames that sound like - well, door-bells. There are millions of them. Bing, Bong, Ding, and Dong are some of the more common. They can be, and frequently are, used in even more door-bell-like combinations such as Bing-Bong, Ding-Dong, Ting-Ting, and so on. Even one of our current Senator and Presidential Candidate has a doorbell named Ping. None of these door-bell names exist where I come from, and hence sound unusually amusing to my untutored foreign ear. Someone once told me that one of the Bings, when asked why he was called Bing, replied "because my brother is called Bong". Faultless logic. Dong, of course, is a particularly funny one for me, as where I come from "dong" is a slang word of well, perhaps "talong" is the best Tagalog equivalent.

Repeating names was another novelty to me, having never before encountered people with names like Len-Len, Let-Let, Mai-Mai, or Ning-Ning. The secretary I inherited on my arrival had an unusual one: Leck-Leck. Such names are then frequently further refined by using the "squared" symbol, as in Len2 or Mai2. This had me very confused for a while.

Then there is the trend for parents to stick to a theme when naming their children. This can be as simple as making them all begin with the same letter, as in Jun, Jimmy, Janice, and Joy. Mo re imaginative parents shoot for more sophisticated forms of assonance or rhyme, as in Biboy, Boboy, Buboy, Baboy (notice the names get worse the more kids there are-best to be born early or you could end up being a Baboy).

Even better, parents can create whole families of, say, desserts (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Honey Pie) or flowers (Rose, Daffodil, Tulip). The main advantage of such combinations is that they look great painted across your trunk if you're a cab driver. That's another thing I'd never seen before coming to Manila -- taxis with the driver's kids' names on the trunk.

Another whole eye-opening field for the foreign visitor is the phenomenon of the "composite" name. This includes names like Jejomar (for Jesus, Joseph and Mary), and the remarkable Luzviminda (for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, believe it or not). That's a bit like me being called something like "Engscowani" (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Between you and me, I'm glad I'm not.

And how could I forget to mention the fabulous concept of the randomly inserted letter 'h'. Quite what this device is supposed to achieve, I have not yet figured out, but I think it is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only averagely weird name. It results in creations like Jhun, Lhenn, Ghemma, and Jhimmy. Or how about Jhun-Jhun (Jhun2)? How boring to come from a country like the UK full of people with names like John Smith. How wonderful to come from a country where imagination and exoticism rule the world of names.

Even the towns here have weird names; my favorite is the unbelievably-named town of Sexmoan(ironically close to Olongapo and Angeles). Where else in the world could that really be true? Where else in the world could the head of the Church really be called
Cardinal Sin? Where else but the Philippines!

Note: Philippines has a senator named Joker, and it is his legal name.

TO MY LOVING NANAY

2008-05-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

You gave me life
You love me much
Even though I wasn’t good
You still remain kind

I could remember
way back when I was young
You spared me a rod
and I cried a lot

It almost tore your heart,
I know
But you had to correct me
whenever I did something wrong

I never understood
why you had to do it
There were a lot of questions
running through my head

I thought you never loved me
I thought you never cared
But with all the hardships
You remain strong and firm

I want to thank you
For your unconditional love
I love you so much
No greater value could replace you in my heart

by Sir Ciram
All Rights Reserved

I heartily dedicate this poem to my nanay, my aunt Tina who passed away just two months ago, my Aunt Lydia, and my Lola Fausta.

Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Featurring the Philippine Cuisine and Delicacy

2008-05-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

If you want to understand what its like living here in the Philippines, you should watch this youtube video below featuring life here in the Philippines. Traveling here is quite really fun and exciting since most of foreign travellers find the tropical weather good, the people warm and friendly, the beaches calm and relaxing, and the food quite delicious and partly exotic.

Well, they say that understanding one's culture is never enough unless you try their cuisine and delicacies. A foreign friend showed me through youtube this famous TV show in America about bizarre foods in different counties. My friend said he likes this TV show, and he even has some plans to come and live here in the Philippines, too. I was surprised and proud too to see this show featuring the Philippine cuisine! For some, they would find it truly awful and disgusting, but I said, "Isn't it great!" Well, it's really a tidbit of what living here in the Philippines is like!!!

To read more about what Andrew Zimmern has to say about the Philippines, please go to: http://bizarre-blog.travelchannel.com/2007/02/philippines.html

The Tubbataha Reef Ranked Number 8 in 7 Wonders of Nature!!!

2008-05-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Good news for all Pinoys! The Tubbataha Reef is now ranked number 8 in 7 Wonders of Nature. One more ladder to go and surely the Philippines will hit a place in the 7 wonders of nature. Ranked in number 9 is the astonishing Chocolate Hills in Bohol. For those who have no idea yet; the Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name ''Chocolate Hills.''

I'm proud to be Pinoy! So why don't you go to the link below and vote for Tubbataha Reef and Chocolate Hills! It would only take you five minutes to vote. Let's make the Philippines proud because we are truly rich in wonders of nature!

http://www.new7wonders.com/classic/en/index/

Love Hopes

2008-05-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

What does love mean? Love is infinite. Love is ageless. Love meets no boundary. Love is free for everyone. It’s really quite incomprehensible understanding love. No matter how often we say “I’ll never fall in love again!”, a part of us still keep loving and hoping someone to love us back. Try to read the lyrics below:

I’ll Never Fall in Love Again

What do you get when you fall in love?
A guy with a pin to burst your bubble
That's what you get for all your trouble.
I'll never fall in love again.
I'll never fall in love again.

What do you get when you kiss a guy?
You get enough germs to catch pneumonia.
After you do, he'll never phone you.
I'll never fall in love again.
I'll never fall in love again.

Don't tell me what it’s all about,
'Cause I've been there and I'm glad I'm out,
Out of those chains, those chains that bind you
That is why I'm here to remind you

What do you get when you fall in love?
You get enough tears to fill an ocean
That's what you get for your devotion.
I'll never fall in love again.
I'll never fall in love again.

What do you get when you fall in love?
You only get lies and pain and sorrow.
So, for at least until tomorrow,
I'll never fall in love again!
I'll never fall in love again!

Part of Loving is really hurting! Well, they say it’s normal that we never have what we really want. But even so, we keep on hoping. That’s why I now understand that Love is hope. We never really lose believing. Love is a mystery everyone can’t fathom. Love keeps us alive for if it’s not for the love our family bestowed on us, we could have gone suicidal believing nobody love us.

"REMOVING GALLSTONES NATURALLY" by Dr. Lai Chiu-Nan

2008-05-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

I receive several forwarded emails from friends everyday and as I browse my unread email today, I found this message sent to me three years ago. The subject is "REMOVING GALLSTONES NATURALLY" by Dr. Lai Chiu-Nan. I said, "WOW! Why didn't I read that years ago?" If I had read this email long before, it could have helped my aunt who has just recently undergone an operation in her gallbladder. (Thank God she is safe now!) Before the operation, she had this severe stomach pain which she thought was only dyspepsia. After attending a party last week, she had severe stomach pain again. That time wasn't a minor pain! She was brought to the hospital immediately that evening. The doctors found out that the cause of her stomach pain was her gallstone.

I want to share this forwarded message because it could somehow help everyone of us avoid illnesses before they get worst. As it is said, "Prevention is better than cure!" We need to be aware and take care of our health because it's as equally important as life itself.

Now the messages goes like this:

It has worked for many. If it works for you please pass on the good news. Chiu Nan is not charging for it, so we should make it free for everyone. Your reward is when someone, through your word of mouth, benefits from the regime. Gallstones may not be everyone's concern. But they should be because we all have them. Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer. "Cancer is never the first illness," Chiu Nan points out, "Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading to cancer in my research in China, I came across some material which say that people with cancer usually have stones. We all have gallstones. It's a matter of big or small, many or few. One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can't digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area." So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu Nan offers the following method to remove them naturally. The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

Regimen:

1. For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day. Or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.

2. On the sixth day, take no dinner.

3. At 6 pm, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.

4. At 8 pm, repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.

5. At 10 pm, take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it.

The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage. The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools. "Usually they float," Chiu Nan notes. "You might want to count them. I have had people who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. Very many. "Even if you don't have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It's always good to give your gall bladder clean up now and then.

To find out more information about Dr. Lai Chiu-Nan, please visit http://www.lapislazulilight.com/profiles/drLai.php

It's quite important too, that we research before putting something into practice. In the bible it says: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6

I Am Pro Earth

2008-05-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Protecting the environment is one of the global issues I have become more concern about these days. I have recently watched a documentary concerning the Earth Day campaign on TV. I think everyone should be aware of the terrors that global pollution might bring us if we don't take actions right now. Everyone can help even in simple ways if they are really concern citizens.

Last March, the Vatican released an updated decree concerning the issues on seven original deadly sins where they added to name a few, modern sins: "Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation." Many reacted violently to these updated church dogma, but I believe it is a realistic area under discussion that most people take no notice of. I heard that in the US, supermarkets ask customers to return the plastics they use and be paid for it. I asked myself why we don't have the same policy here in the Philippines. Well, I have heard from a friend that we have, only that very few people know about it.

I feel sad that we still lack education and implementation when it comes to the most important issues we have to unravel yet. I guess, it's quite intricate living and opposing the industrial world. However difficult it is, I think it's about time we must help even in the simplest way we can!

If you want to help, you can visit http://goodtree.com/about

How to Cure That Boredom Feeling

2008-05-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Boredom is everyone’s major problem. It is a destructive force of nature that tears up one’s very soul. Some turns to drugs, sex, or other violent acts to find temporary means for tediousness. What is sad is when we choose wrong decisions that lead to another mistake and another mistake. In such a case, how can we find a cure? There are several suggested things I hope somehow could help you with:
1. Read books of your interest. Reading helps people in many ways. There are some self-help books that encourage people to make better choices in life. It feeds our mind and stimulates us increase our knowledge intellectually and emotionally. It also entertains us, so we can remember how to laugh even in times of difficulty.
2. Exercise and be more fit. Exercising is one good outlet to release stressful feelings. Try to venture on sports or any outdoor activities that can twist you attention to a more vigorous lifestyle.
3. Start a hobby like writing journals, poems, or short stories, making scrapbooks from your pantry, painting, drawing, decorating the house, or anything you could do to get yourself busier and forget about the boredom feeling.
4. Be more socially active. The reason why many people get bored is they don’t have the outlet to release their anxiety inside. Participating in any activity in your neighborhood or church and sharing yourself with others can let you loose from stress.
5. Don’t forget to pray. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we can use against boredom. I remember the book I’ve read from Og Mandino’s A Better Way to Live; All you need to do, whenever things get tough, is just touch your palms together, extend your fingers, raise your eyes, and say, “I need help.”

Good Places to Visit in the Pilippines

2008-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hot Summer! Love the beach? Well, if you are bored and looking for a place to visit here in the Philippines; I suggest three famous tourist destinations where you can enjoy hot sun, beautiful, white sands, and calm, blue seas: Mindoro's Puerto Galera, Boracay and Palawan's Dos Palmas. There are other plenty beach resorts you can choose from depending on your budget. Well, you have to plan well before going so you won't spoil your trip. You can afford a cheaper airfare rate through Cebu Pacific if you reserve earlier.

I have never been there yet, but soon I will! It's good to live life to the fullest, isn't it? It isn't late yet for me to do that. :)

A Reminder

2008-05-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Remind ourselves that life on earth is not for eternity and death may come unpredictably. We all seek for true happiness. I tried to seek my own happiness in different things just to fill in that empty, lonely space in me; but it all end up to many frustrations in life: family, broken relationships, friends, money, career, and even to myself. Sometimes, I think it's unfair that I suffer all these things and I wanted to ask God, "Why me?"

But whenever I see homeless, disabled, and unfortunate people living on the side streets, I realize that God has still been so good and merciful to me. I realized that I should never forget the good things He has done in me. I am ashamed that I ask God, "Why?"

There is something very important that I realized; life is too short and it becomes shorter when we cling to things we can never really bring to life beyond here on earth. I realized that what God has said in His words are true. We may get disappointed to many things, but definitely not with God!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Bossa Nova Meets New Wave

2008-05-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

I went out with my student, Antonio, on his last day at school. We had dinner at Moomba, a very cozy place where you can try various delicious dishes while listening to some jazz music. It was a terrific evening! We were sitting at a corner near the stage. The music they played were really all good and so relaxing. I even bought a copy of the CD. I love to listen to it especially whe I feel so bored and very stressed. All songs were performed by various artists. If you want to listen to it, just click the play button below.

TRACK LIST:

1) Bizarre Love Triangle
2) Upside Down
3) I Melt With You
4) Everytime I See You
5) Build Me Up Buttercup
6) Karma Chameleon
7) You To Me Are Everything
8) True
9) Somebody
10)Human
11)The Ghost In You
12)I Just Can't Get Enough
13)Always Something There To Remind Me
14) Just Got Lucky
15)Friday I'm In Love
16)Take On Me

Jokes about Marriage

2008-04-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

1. Marriage is not a word, it's a sentence (a life
sentence!!!).

2. Marriage is love. Love is blind. Therefore marriage
is an institution for the blind.

3. Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his
Bachelor's Degree and the woman gets her Masters.

4. Marriage is a three ring circus: engagement ring,
wedding ring and suffering.

5. Married life is full of excitement and frustration:
In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the
woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks
and the man listens. In the third year, they both
speak and the NEIGHBOR listens.

6. Getting married is very much like going to a
restaurant with friends. You order what you want and
when you see what the other person has, you wish you
had ordered that instead.

7. There was this man who muttered a few words in the
church and found himself married. A year later he
muttered something in his sleep and found himself
divorced.

8. A happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking;
the husband gives and the wife takes.

9. Son: How much does it cost to get married, Dad?
Father:
I don't know son, I'm still paying for it.

10. Son: Is it true Dad? I heard that in ancient
China, a man doesn't know his wife until he marries
her. Father:
That's true everywhere, son, EVERYWHERE!

11. Love is one long sweet dream and marriage is the
alarm clock.

12. They say that when a man holds a woman's hand
before marriage, it is love; after marriage it is
self-defense.

13. When a newly married man looks happy, we know why.
But when a 10-year married man looks happy, we wonder
why.

14. There was this lover who said that he would go
through hell for her. They got married and now he is
going through HELL.

15. Confucius says: man who sinks into woman's arm
soon have arms in woman's sink.

16. When a man steals your wife, there is no better
revenge than to let him keep her.

17. Eighty percent of married man cheat in America,
the rest cheat in Europe.

18. After marriage, husband and wife become two sides
of a coin. They can't face each other, but still they
stay together.

19. Marriage is man and a woman become one. The
trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

20. Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he
loves.
After the marriage the "Y" becomes silent.

21. "I married Miss right, I just didn't know her
first name was Always."

22. It's not true that married men live longer than
single men, it only seems longer.

23. Losing a wife can be hard. In my case, it was
almost impossible.

24. A man was complaining to a friend: "I HAD IT ALL -
MONEY, A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE, THE LOVE OF A BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN, THEN POW! IT WAS ALL GONE." "WHAT HAPPENED?"
asked his friend. He says "MY WIFE FOUND OUT."

25. WIFE: Let's go out and have some fun tonight.
HUSBAND:
OK, but if you get home before I do, leave the hallway
lights on.

26. At a cocktail party, one woman said to another:
"AREN'T YOU WEARING YOUR RING ON THE WRONG FINGER?"
The other replied, "YES, I, AM. I MARRIED THE WRONG
MAN."

27. Man is incomplete until he gets married, then he
is finished.

28. It doesn't matter how often a married man changes
his job, he still ends up with the same boss.

29. A man inserted an ad in the paper - WIFE WANTED.
The next day he received a hundred letters and they
all said the same thing - YOU CAN HAVE MINE.

30. When a man opens the door of his car for his wife,
you can be sure of one thing - either the car is new
or the wife is.

Quotatble Quotes from Dangerous Beauty

2008-04-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite movies of all time!

MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THE MOVIE

Marco Venier: I'm getting married Veronica. Congratulate me.
Veronica Franco: Felicitations on your grand match.

Domenico Venier: If I didn't know you better I'd think you have the feigned indifference of a man in love. Go on son. Tell the truth and shame the devil.

Beatrice Venier: Do you know what my daughter's nurse told her today? "In a girl's voice lies temptation - a known fact. Eloquence in a woman means promiscuity. Promiscuity of the mind leads to promiscuity of the body." She doesn't believe it yet, but she will. She'll grow up just like her mother. Marry, raise children and honor her family. Spend her youth in needlepoint and rue the day she was born a girl. And when she dies, she'll wonder why she obeyed all the rules of God and Country for no biblical hell could ever be worse than a state of perpetual inconsequence.

Veronica Franco: There's not a man in Venice I can't have.
Marco Venier: And there's not a woman in Venice I can't have.
Veronica Franco: You cannot have me.

Veronica Franco: I confess that as a young girl I loved a man who would not marry me for want of a dowry. I confess I had a mother who taught me a different way of life, one I resisted at first but learned to embrace. I confess I became a courtesan, traded yearning for power, welcomed many rather than be owned by one. I confess I embraced a whore's freedom over a wife's obedience. I confess I find more ecstacy in passion than in prayer. Such passion is prayer. I confess I pray still to feel the touch of my lover's lips. His hands upon me, his arms enfolding me... Such surrender has been mine. I confess I pray still to be filled and enflamed. To melt into the dream of us, beyond this troubled place, to where we are not even ourselves. To know that always, this is mine. If this had not been mine-if I had lived any other way-a child to her husband's will, my soul hardened from lack of touch and lack of love... I confess such endless days and nights would be a punishment far greater than you could ever mete out. You, all of you, you who hunger so for what I give yet cannot bear to see that kind of power in a woman. You call God's greatest gift-ourselves, our yearning, our need to love-you call it filth and sin and heresy... I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life.

Maffio Venier: It must be interesting to be in a room full of men, most of whom you've seen with their pants down.
Veronica Franco: Puts it all in some kind of perspective.

Paola Franco: Desire begins in the mind.

Paola Franco: It's the wanting that keeps us alive.

Veronica Franco: You... all of you... you who hunger so for what I give, but cannot bear to see such power in a woman. You call God's greatest gift... ourselves, our yearning, our need to love... you call it filth and sin and heresy.

Marco Venier: What God and greed have joined together, let no love put asunder.

Veronica Franco: My people are true citizens 700 years back.
Marco Venier: A coat of arms does not an inheritance make.

Marco Venier: [Marco has just told Veronica that it will be impossible for them to ever marry due to his duty to state and family] My family's bloodline traces farther back than most aristocrats in this city.
Veronica Franco: A coat of arms does not an inheritance make.

Maffio Venier: May sing... and rhyme... and more. Still... is at best a slut... with every horny mutt! You pride yourself on arts and letters, and fucking best your manly betters!
Veronica Franco: I save the goodly wives of Venice from their husbands' lustful menace!

Veronica Franco: I confess I *fuck* divinely those who love... and well opine me.
Maffio Venier: [mocking her] I confess... I fuck divinely... those who... richly wine and dine me!

Veronica Franco: Recant the curse you give my kind. Admit I have, as you, a heart and mind.
Maffio Venier: A greedy hand, an empty heart is all that wrests your legs apart.

Veronica Franco: You sleep with Giulia every night for duty's sake. I slept with the King of France once for duty's sake. Who does not forgive?
Marco Venier: Perhaps I just can't live with it.
Veronica Franco: But I love you.

Veronica Franco: [she's pealing a banana] The Latin for banana is arienna. Banana tree is pala.
[she swallows the banana whole, as the wives look on shocked]
Veronica Franco: A woman's greatest, and most hard-won asset... is an education.
Giulia De Lezze: Just because you can say it in Latin doesn't make it any less obscene.
Veronica Franco: Just because you took a vow doesn't mean you know how to love.

Maffio Venier: You compel sacred love to garner riches. What is this if not witchcraft?
Veronica Franco: No!
Maffio Venier: No? Did you ever give yourself to a man who could not pay your fee?
Veronica Franco: I gave my heart where riches were no use.
Maffio Venier: Answer the question!
Veronica Franco: I did what was necessary to live!
Maffio Venier: Did you ever give yourself to a man who could not pay your fee?
Veronica Franco: WHAT OTHER PROFESSION WILL YOU ALLOW ME? HOW SHALL I SURVIVE IF I CANNOT MARRY?
Grand Inquisitor: You will answer the question!
Veronica Franco: WHY, WHEN YOU ARE DETERMINED TO DAMN ME WHAT EVER I SAY?

Marco Venier: You must save yourself.
Veronica Franco: How?
Marco Venier: Confess... whatever foolishness they put before you...
Veronica Franco: That I am a witch?
Marco Venier: What does it matter what you say to these hypocrites?
Veronica Franco: I would be saying it.
Marco Venier: There is no honor with fools like these. God will forgive you.
Veronica Franco: Marco, if I give them my lie, I give them my soul. I'll lose everything I ever was. My love, my words, my heart.
Marco Venier: Yes, but you would live.
Veronica Franco: As someone else.

Paola Franco: Courtesans, my dear, are the most educated women in the world.

Veronica Franco: [after her first time] Who's next?

Veronica Franco: What do you yearn for, King Henry?
King Henry: [He holds a dagger at her throat] You've heard the rumors, Veronica?
Veronica Franco: Yes, sire.
King Henry: The king's a pervert.
Veronica Franco: What do you really yearn for, King Henry?
King Henry: Tears.
Veronica Franco: Tears for whom?
King Henry: Your tears.
Veronica Franco: You yearn for my tears? I don't think so.
King Henry: Then what do I yearn for?
Veronica Franco: [She takes the dagger from him slowly, then points it at his neck] Why don't we find out?

Paola Franco: In order to choose your lovers wisely, you need to understand men. No matter their shape or size... position or wealth... they all dream of the temptress. The irresistible... unapproachable Venus... who quickly turns pliable maiden when they've had a hard day.

Veronica Franco: If I were yours alone, your property, chaste and silent, you would soon tire of me.
Marco Venier: You're wrong!
Veronica Franco: Am I?

Maffio Venier: Personally, I didn't think Uncle was still capable of getting it up. What did you do to him to get him to publish this little of ditties.
Marco Venier: She worked for it.
Maffio Venier: Ha, I bet she did. How much do you cost these days Veronica?
Veronica Franco: If your prick is as limp as your verse, no price can buy time enough.

Trees

2008-04-30T18:38:00.001-07:00

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing
their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a
treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I
could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the
beauty.

"Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will
take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the
world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and
straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill
and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how
close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time
and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true,
a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first
tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able
to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down.
The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him
into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I
should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened
because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come
true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from
my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a
feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with
hay.This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His
dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and
they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from
the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for
the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the
importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest
treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the
second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they
were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think
it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping
man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this
time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its
boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through
the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When
they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in
the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree
came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of
the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had
been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going
your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your
trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what
they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always
know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not
our ways, but His ways are always best.

Mental Feng Shui

2008-04-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is without a doubt one of the nicest good luck forwards I have received. Hope it works for you -- and me!

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

4. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

5. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

11. Don't judge people by their relatives.

12. Talk slowly but think quickly.

13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

21. Spend some time alone.

Following a Daily Healthy Eating Plan By Erleen Tilton

2008-01-12T01:34:00.000-08:00

Most of us in the upper generation grew up with the Basic Four food groups as a suggested daily food guide. How nice it was to see such an improvement with the Food Guide Pyramid which had horizontal groupings of different foods. This guide did suggest whole grains and legumes, and concentrated more on the fruit and vegetables and was in place for more than ten years.

In January 2005, the Food Guide Pyramid was declared dead! In its place was a new food pyramid which was introduced a couple of months later. The New Food Guide Pyramid is an even better improvement. Here are a few of its suggestions at a glance:

* vary your choice of proteins with more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds
* eat a variety of fruits, and go easy on fruit juices
* eat more dark green veggies, orange veggies, more dry beans and peas
* eat at least 3 ounces of whole grain bread, cereal, crackers, rice or pasta, and look for “whole” before the grain name on the list of ingredients
* make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts and vegetable oils
* if you don’t consume milk, choose lactose-free products or other calcium sources
* for health benefits, physical activity should be moderate or vigorous and add up to at least 30 minutes a day

Without even viewing The New Food Guide Pyramid, these basic suggestions offer good information on making good food choices as well as physical fitness. However, it might help to consider another daily food guide which I call the Daily Basic Seven.

The Daily Basic Seven is this:

* Proteins
* Carbohydrates
* Fats
* Fiber
* Vitamins
* Minerals
* Water

In the fast food and ready made food arena, foods contain plenty of proteins (from animal sources), carbohydrates (all refined), and fats (fried, hydrogenated, lard), but this kind of diet is greatly lacking in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and most usually good pure drinking water. If we don’t receive a sufficient amount of all of these seven daily, our bodies will eventually cry out “disorder” and “disease”!

Let’s take a look at each of the Daily Basic Seven and see how they compare to the New Food Guide Pyramid suggestions.

* Proteins – We need proteins daily for the building, maintenance and repair of tissues. However, most Americans usually get much more protein than needed and the extra protein turns into fat. Proteins have 20 amino acids. Nine of them are called essential amino acids because they must come from food sources, while the others can be made up by the body. Animal proteins do have all 9 essential amino acids, while some of the plant proteins individually are lacking in some of them. However, they are all present in beans, whole grains, raw nuts, sprouts, and other vegetables, so if you are eating a variety of these foods, you are sure to get ample amounts of all the essential amino acids you need. Plant proteins are usually more economical to purchase, they are much lower in fat (steak = 56% fat, a bowl of beans = 6% fat, while the protein is the same), they have no added growth hormones or antibiotics, and they have no cholesterol or connective tissue so they are easier to digest.
* Carbohydrates (Carbs) – We do need carbs. They contain essential nutrients for the function of the brain and central nervous system, they are the chief source of energy for all body functions, they assist digestion and assimilation of other foods, and they also regulate the metabolism of proteins and fats. Most people’s sources of carbs are refined which work adversely in our systems. Healthy eating comes from the unrefined carbs such as whole grains, beans, raw fruits, and some of our other whole foods sources which are the carbs we do need to truly feed and nourish our system and cells.
* Fats – We do need fats too. They are just as essential to the body in keeping our organs in proper working condition, as motor oil is to a car. But again, we need the right fats from sources that will feed our systems, such as: raw nuts and seeds, avocados, and cold pressed oils from seeds, nuts and olives. Unhealthy fats are saturated (solid at room temperature – which are high in cholesterol), hydrogenated (or trans fats), heat extracted oils (the common procedure), and fried and roasted food sources.
* Fiber – Fiber is not optional for good health; it is essential! As we eat to nourish the body, we must also eat foods that will cleanse the body with natural fiber as well. Buying pre-packaged foods that are labeled “high in fiber” is not usually our best sources of fiber. Healthy recipes and foods high in fiber include whole grains (not whole grain breads – but the whole cooked or sprouted whole grains themselves), as well as whole beans, and raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and sprouts.
* Vitamins – Much of the foods today are deplete of natural vitamins and minerals due to the refinement process. The real reason we eat is to nourish the body, and if a food contains no nourishment, why would we eat it? It is not enough to eat just because it tastes good, or we end up over eating as we eat and eat to satisfy the body’s desire for more and more to get the nutrients it needs. It will eventually cry out “disorder” or “dysfunction” if it is lacking the proper nourishment of vitamins and minerals. Again, our whole food sources of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and legumes provide us with the necessary vitamins we need.
* Minerals – Good sources of minerals are as important as the minerals themselves. Our best sources of calcium actually come from raw nuts and seeds, and leafy green vegetables. Beans, sprouts, and grains are also good sources of calcium. Leafy green vegetables are a great source of iron, but one of the best sources is blackstrap molasses (what’s left over in the refinement of sugar) – an organic source rather than most supplements that are extracted straight from the soil. Our leafy greens, grains, beans, nuts, etc. are great sources of all other minerals too.
* Water – Last, but not least, is water. Every function in the body is monitored to the efficient flow of water. You can drink all kinds of drinks throughout the day that contain mostly water, but when it comes right down to it, “if it’s not water, IT’S NOT WATER!” We need water and lots more than people can imagine drinking. Remember, foods are our nourishment, water is our cleanser. And if what we take into our bodies does not nourish and cleanse, what might it be doing? Clogging, polluting, and creating sickness, disorder and disease! Cleansing is just as important as nourishing the body, and the perfect cleanser is water! A small adult need a minimum of 2-3 quarts of water daily, however, if you are working out, nursing a baby, sick, or overweight, you may need up to 1-3 quarts more water daily.

A good healthy food diet includes a good balance of these Daily Basic Seven items. We need them all, not just the first three as many people are getting, in order to enjoy optimum health and increase our energy. The New Food Guide Pyramid does include mentioning most of these briefly, but with a little bit of clarification, the Daily Basic Seven can provide a few more guidelines that you may find helpful for your daily healthy eating plan.

This Is for Every Woman

2007-12-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

To Every Woman
by Anonymous

To every woman that has been CHEATED on because she's NOT a SLUT who gives it up to any guy

To every woman that dresses CUTE not SKANKY

To every woman who wants to be called BEAUTIFUL...not HOT

To every woman that will spend her whole day looking for the perfect present for YOU.

TO EVERY WOMAN WHO GETS HER HEART BROKEN,

To every woman that would DIE to have a DECENT boyfriend who would love her back WHOLE heartedly

To every woman who would JUST ONCE like to be treated like a PRINCESS!!

To every woman that cries at night because of another HEARTBREAK

To every woman that won't get down on her knees & open her mouth just to get a BOYFRIEND

To every woman that just wants to HOLD HANDS

To every woman that kisses him with meaning

To every woman who just wishes he CARED MORE

To every woman who would JUST ONCE want a guy to give his JACKET UP when she is cold

To every woman who just wants him to call

To every woman who lies awake at night THINKING about HIM

To every woman that just wants to cuddle

TO EVERY WOMAN WHO SHOWS HOW MUCH SHE CARES AND GETS NOTHING BACK..

To every woman that thought "maybe this one could be the one..."

To every woman that laughs at stupid stuff when she actually doesn't think it is funny

To every woman who is just looking for that one and only..and is having a rough time along the way

To every woman that DOESN'T WANT a guy who JUST PLAYS WITH HER EMOTIONS but actually cares about how she feels.

To every woman who wants words backed up with actions.

To every woman that fell for all the lies only to find themselves alone in the end

To every woman that gave her heart away to have it shoved back in her face

To every woman that has faith that "Tomorrow will be a better day!" ...And it will be.

Where Did I get That "Khrissie Dreaming Bear"?

2007-12-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

Ted Kooser is a poet laureate in the US who wrote this Bessie Dreaming Bear poem. I thought that Bessie rhymes with Khrissie, so I chose this Khrissie Dreaming Bear as my URL. Bessie Dreaming Bear is about a girl who left after she was bought a red high-heel shoes. The poem goes like this:

Bessie Dreaming Bear
Rosebud, So. Dak., 1960

we all went to town one day
went to a store
bought you new shoes
red high heels

ain’t seen you since.

so now this is my own version of Khrissie Dreaming Bear...

Khrissie DreamingBear
By Sir Ciram

she fell for an asshole
who couldn't love her back;
broken-hearted,
she cried

why ain't this asshole love her back?

Intoxicated by Sir Ciram

2007-12-02T03:27:00.000-08:00

Lovely! That's how I fancy and adore you honey!

You bring smile in my most quiet moment everyday

Like the finest, sparkling wine in the winery

Your charm and allures and intoxicates me

I truly long to kiss your lips so passionately and tenderly

Red berry lipstick that leaves mark on your lips, cheek, and neck

Fragrant smell of a thousand oil perfume would stick on your skin and shirt

French kisses better than the sweetest chocolate cake fluttering to my tongue

My dream man, I love you!

How I wish you could be mine!

© khrissie29 (aka)

I made this poem during my vacant time in the classroom this afternoon. I was just inspired and thought of the beautiful poem from the movie Before Sunrise. I thought there's a poetess inside me. I love it!