simply me

Christening Favors

2011-10-27T20:26:00.006+08:00

Finally, I'm finished with the Baptism favors of my nephew this coming Saturday.

Favor tags

Cupcake towel Favors

Lollipop towel Favors

Pasta for weekend

2011-10-25T20:18:00.002+08:00

I love cooking and experimenting with foods except baking or any form of cooking which requires measurements.

Last weekend my brother-in-law brought home a pasta maker and it was my first time to make a home made pasta then i cooked another experimental dish. Fettuccine in Extra virgin olive oil, garlic and bacon with lots of herbs.

For the herbs, i used thyme, herbs de provence and oregano.

Its not perfect but not bad for a first time.

Twin Lake, Dumaguete

2011-10-24T20:17:00.005+08:00

Our two-day trip to Dumaguete started from Cebu South Terminal. Its about 3 and a half to four hours ride by bus to Liloan port where we catch a 20-minute fast craft ride to Sibulan Port in Negros Oriental. We are met by a friend from Sibulan port and we had another 20-minute motorcycle ride to Hotel Nicanor. After check-in, we just had our lunch and we're off to the twin lake at around 1pm. It was a very hot 30 minute motorcycle ride to place where we could hire a specially designed motorcycle “habal habal” that will bring us to the twin lake since ts nearly impossible for ordinary motorcycle to climb uphill because of the steep and rough terrain. It took us about 1 hour of rough climb uphill before we reach the entrance (stop over for picture takings included, hehehe).

The entrance alone has so beautiful feel of nature with a small manmade lake anf luch greens but it was just a preview. We stooped to pay our entrance fee, had some more picture takings, then it took us a couple of minutes more, this time much steeper and rougher terrain to reach the Balinsasayaw Lake, one of the twin lakes.

The twin lakes, Lake Balinsasayaw and Lake Danao are two freshwater lakes on the top of the mountain situated between the mountains or Negros Oriental and just separated by a narrow mountain ridge. It is a protected natural part home to some of the rare birds.

Boats are also available for rent if you wish to get a closer look and go around the lake or to reach Lake Danao.

There is also a reception area where they serve drinks and snacks where you can have a magnificent view of the lake.

Before going to Dumaguete, riding in a motorcycle scares me, how much more that time that we climbed uphill on a narrow rocky terrain at the edge of the mountain, huh. It was a rough trip but the experience is all worth it.

My Christmas Wishlist

2011-10-21T20:37:00.003+08:00

It's nearly the end of October and its just a little more than two months away and its already Christmas. This year I'm not really thrilled with the coming Christmas, but of course I have my like anybody else I have my Christmas wishlist. I know its too early but time flies so fast and in no time, its already December, so why not make a list earlier and so that Santa can have enough time to prepare for it. I think I'm not totally nice this year but I've not been naughty hahahah. Anyway these are just my wish, in short “asa”.

Ok, so first on my list, I wish to have a heavy duty electric sewing machine. I know how to sew but I am not good at it since i didn't have any training or whatsoever, just you tube tutorials, Heheheh. If this wish will come true, I think i will be good at it, because I will no longer bear with my low-tech and so stubborn electric sewing machine. Then I can make may kung anu anung anik anik. Hayyy ang saya. Hahaha.

Next, I wish for a digicam, better if its SLR because I want to learn photography. pra may mapag praktisan, hahaha ambisyosa.

Lastly, I wish to have a new hardbound dictionary, because unfortunately, my ever reliable Merriam Webster Dictionary is way older than me.

That's all, co'z I would like to limit it to just material things, it's just that my non material wishes are not that interesting and entertaining to read, hehehe.

Life

2011-10-11T20:05:00.002+08:00

Life is never easy, you have to be hurt to appreciate joy, go through the darkness before you can see the light, to experience hardships to value your comfort, to be afraid to learn to conquer your fears. Nonetheless life is a gift that we should cherish every moment and value every experience.

In my life's journey, here are the few things that I learned:

Most valuable opportunities comes only once, be wise enough to spot them.

Hurts don't last forever. Time heals, but it depends on how deep you've allowed it to go.

Never take for granted the simplest things, you might loose them before you realize their importance.

What you want is not always what you get, but it doesn't mean you are a failure, there are just things that are not meant for you.

Silence doesn't always mean yes, there are just things that are better left unsaid.

Anger does not always mean hatred, it can be a means of coping.

Laughter does not always mean happiness. Sometimes it could just be a mask.

St. Benedict's Monastery

2011-10-10T20:30:00.006+08:00

Day 1 of my 11-day vacation we went to Carmen Cebu. Carmen is a town about an hour ride from Cebu to the north. At that time it was their annual religious fiesta and my friend whom I am staying with was invited by his friend that was also invited by his officemate from Carmen (hahaha).

In the afternoon we went to St. Benedicts Monastery. It is the home of benedictine priests with a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding it. One of the tourists spots in carmen, the place is very tranquil and a perfect place to pray or just be with nature.

Cabaling Beach Resort, Guimaras

2011-10-03T20:16:00.024+08:00

The island province of Guimaras is famous for its sweet mangoes and white sand beaches. It is

only a 15-minute pump boat ride from Iloilo wharf but if not for

our company outing, I never had a chance to go there.

Our company outing was held at Cabaling Beach Resort, a newly developed beach resort at Sitio Cabaling, Jordan, Guimaras.

From Buenavista wharf, we had approximately an hour of jeepney ride which half of it was narrow unpaved road.

Cabaling is blessed with very fine off white sand, tranquil surroundings and small corals carpeted the resort's surrounding area.

There are also lots of hermit crabs wandering around the shore before the main entrance to the resort and I got to take home seven of them to be my pets.

How to get there

Guimaras is reachable by ferry boat that services iloilo-guimars and vice versa from 6am-6pm daily. Travel time is approximately15 minutes.Motorboats can also be hired to drop you off to your desired destination or to visit some of the islets. Some resorts also offer special arrangements to fetch their visitors from iloilo to going to their resort and vice versa.

A day in Antique, Philippines

2011-09-27T20:08:00.009+08:00

First stop for me for this year was antique. Its my first time to go there though I had a chance to pass by this province more than 10 years ago. From Iloilo, I had approximately 2.5 V-hire ride to the municipality of Hamtic where I stayed.

It was the weekend before the Holy week so the weather is so hot but that didn't discouraged us to explore the place.

We had time to stroll around Gaisano mall and meet up with some friends. Afterwards we had lunch at Bondoc's Restaurant. Its located uphill, surrounded by trees and vegetation, scattered around the main edifice are small cottages where you can have your meal.

Thanks to one of our friends who offered us a free ride to tour around the the province's capital San Jose and to have some picture taking by the seaside.

We spend the afternoon lounging on one of the Bangus fishponds in Hamtic, by the way hamtic is also famous for their fishponds and Bangus.

It was Sunday the next day so we started the day by going to Sta. Monica Parish Church, had a little stroll around the plaza then had breakfast and prepared to go back to Iloilo.

On our ride back to to Iloilo we had plenty of stop over for picture taking with the beautiful scenery and the the lush green mountains along the way.

Catching Up

2011-09-23T20:22:00.000+08:00

Its been a long while since I last posted in this blog. Since I don't had much to do these days, i'm doing a little catching up. Probably one post per week of some of the places I've been to these year. Currently i'm doing a little editing on the blog's settings and hopefully next week I can start posting...

2010 Sinulog Festival Schedule Of Activities

2009-11-25T05:17:00.004+08:00

This coming January 2010, Sinulog Festival, One of the most colorful festival in the Phillipines will celebrate it's 30th year. expect that it will be a grand and fun celebration.

Schedule of activities are as follows:

Dec 01 – Jan 31, 2010
Sinulog Street Fair - Osmeña Blvd.

Janaury 3-31, 2010
Sinulog Photo Exhibits featuring 2008 Sinulog Photo Winners - SM City Cebu

Janaury 3-31, 2010
Sto. Niño Exhibits - SM City Cebu

January 9-19, 2010
Dancing Pilgrims: Sinanduloy of Tangub City - SM City Cebu

January 07, 2010
Opening Salvo - Assembly area: Fuente Osmeña

January 08, 2010
Solemn Mass at Basilica del Sto. Niño
Launching Parade followed by the opening Program at Fuemte Osmeña with the presentation of Ms. Cebu 2010

January 9, 2010
Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan
Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center

January 9-15, 2010
Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña and Concert with Street Party Bands

January 10, 2010
Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan
Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center

January 13, 2010
Ms. Cebu 2010 Coronation Night at Waterfront Hotel

January 16, 2010
Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño
Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
Cultural Shows
Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
1st Sinulog Fireworks Competition , fronting SM North Wing
Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu
Handumanan Concert, USP-F Theater for the Performing Arts

January 17, 2010
SINULOG GRAND PARADE

January 18, 2010
Awarding Ceremonies at Cebu City Sports Center

Dinagyang 2010 Schedule of Activities

2009-11-23T21:48:00.004+08:00

This coming 4th weekend of January, Iloilo City will once again celebrate the Dinagyang Festival, commemorating the Christianization of the native Ilonggos and to Honor Senior Sto. Niño.

Here's the Complete Schedule of Activities for the said event:

Dec 10 to 15: National Launch of Dinagyang Festival in Tiendiestas, Greenhiils Shopping Center and Mall of Asia

Dec 18: Pamukaw, Dinagyang Festival 2010

January 5: Presentation of Dinagyang Festival Canditates at SM City Event Center

January 6: Dinagyang FEstival Fashion Show by Alta Moda at Robinson's Place Iloilo

January 7: Swimsuit Competition for Ms. Dinagyang Festival Candidates at SM City Iloilo Event Center

January 9: Ms. Dinagyang Festival Talent Competion at Robinson's Place Iloilo

January 9-24: Dinagyang Tourist Assistance Center, SM City Iloilo

January 10: Headress and Casual Wear Competition for Ms Dinagyang Festival at SM City Iloilo

January 11: Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang 2010 Newspaper Gown Competition & Talent Showcase SM City Iloilo

January 12: Pre Judging of Ms. Dinagyang at Iloilo Grand Hotel

January 13-23: Tentative Schedule for Dinagyang Festival Basketball Cut at Univerisity of San Agustin Covered Gym

January 13-21: Masses San Jose Parish Church and Turning Over Ceremony for Incoming Hermano & Hermana Mayor, San Jose Parish Church

January 15: Mass for opening Salvo of Tribe Dancers San Jose Parish Church
OPENING SALVO Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2010 Judging Area

January 16: Coronation Night of Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang FEstival 2010 at Colegio de San Jose Auditorium

January 17: Dressing up Dagoy Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2010, SM City Iloilo, Event Center

January 18: Healing Mass at San Jose Parish Church
SM Department Store Dinagyang Show with Dingdong Dantes at SM City Iloilo

January 18-19: Final Rehearsal of Dinagyang Ati Tribes 2010, Dinagyang Parade Route

January 20: Arrival of Pilgrim Image of Señor Santo Niño from Cebu City Iloilo Port Terminal, Coronation of Queen Juana 2009 & Dinagyang Niño 2010 San Jose Parish Church and Final Rehearsal, Kasadyahan 2009 Dinagyang Parade Route

January 21-24: Iloilo Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association Food Festival(IHRRA) Delgado St., Iloilo City

January 22:
8:00 a.m. TAMBOR TRUMPA MARTSA MUSIKA Freedom Grandstand
10:00 A.M. GMA 7- Debate Grand Finals SM City Iloilo, Event Center
1:00 p.m. FLUVIAL PROCESSION from Fort San Pedro Drive Inn to disembark, followed by Solemn Procession to San Jose Church San Jose Parish Church
5:30 P.M. Santo Niño mass
6:00 PM GMA, Kapuso Night Freedom Grandstand
7:00 P.M. Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2010 LUCES IN THE SKY SM City Iloilo

January 22-23:
2nd ILOILO DINAGYANG 2010 AGE-GROUP SWIMFEST Iloilo Sports Complex

January 22-24: SM Street Party & Food Festival SM City around Mall

January 23:
7:00 A.M. Mass for Kasadyahan San Jose Parish Churh
8:00 A.M. KASADYAHAN Competition
6:00 P.M. ABS-CBN, KAPAMILYA NIGHT SM City
7:00 PM LUCES IN THE SKY
7:00 PM Religious Sad-sad to Sr. Sto. Niño San Jose Parish Church

January 24:
6:30 a.m Concelebrated high mass for devotees, Tribes, Gov’t. Officials, LOMAS in attendance San Jose Parish Church
8:00 A.M. DINAGYANG CONTEST
5:00 P.M. Salvo of A Thousand Drums, Iloilo Sports Complex
7:00 P.M. Closing & Awarding with PAGCOR’s Wanders & Fireworks Iloilo Dinagyang Awarding Ceremonies Iloilo Sports Complex

January 25:
Thanksgiving Mass with all members of 2009 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Working Committees San Jose Parish Church

Yoga and Its Benefits

2009-05-14T01:19:00.006+08:00

Working at night shifts made me gain the weight I effortly try to loose before so I'm trying to find ways to stay fit but going to the gym and having a strict diet is not an option for me. I am really not that lazy to excercise but I only have a few hours of sleep each day that going to the gym makes me sleep even lesser. And since I consider myself sleep deprived (hehehe) I am afraid to go on a strict diet that I might get sick one day of not having enogh nutrition.

So, i got interested with Yoga and I decided to take lessons on Hatha Yoga. I really don't have a clear idea of what is yoga, I just thought that it might help me loose some of my extra pounds and it was good, excercise, relaxation and lessens stress all in one. Generally, practicing yoga makes you fit, reduces stress and helps you have a better disposition in life. Research also found out that the benefits yoga poses is grouped into physiological, psychological, biochemical effects. But its a pity that I always miss my Tth classes because sometimes I'm too lazy to get up of bed early and sometimes due to other personal reasons.

Then the foundation organized a two-day talk on Yoga Wisdom, the Speaker was Acharya das and I got more interestred with Yoga philosophy more than Hatha Yoga. I don't know but I really got amazed by his talk and his wisdom that I wanted to learn more. I realized that Yoga is more than just relaxation and getting fit. Through Yoga, you learn to find happiness and beauty in simplicity, to love unconditonally, become more peaceful and be closer to God. So, i decided to take lessons Yoga philosophy and last sunday was my first day. We talked about knowing one's self and purpose in life.
I am so excited to learn more and I want to continue Hatha Yoga, and I will it time permits, but definitely, I will continue taking lessons on Yoga Philososy, so far, I am loving what I am doing. Sundays is supposed to be my rest day but learning yoga is worth sacrificing my rest day.

For added information, here's the benefits of Yoga Excercises:

Increase Flexibility – yoga has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really on the ‘radar screen’ let alone exercised.

Increase lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons – Surprisingly it has been found that the body which may have been quite rigid starts experiencing a remarkable flexibility in even those parts which have not been consciously work upon.

Massages All Organs of the Body – Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate - that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime.

Complete Detoxification – By gently stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny as well as providing nourishment up to the last point. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.

Excellent toning of the muscles – Muscles that have become flaccid, weak or slothy are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess flab and flaccidity.

Back to Blogging

2009-05-14T00:59:00.003+08:00

It's been quite a while since I last posted anything on this blog. I've been busy lately with work and also with personal life that I can no longer find time to think of a nice article. It's my third day now being unproductive at work since my client is currently suspended, and that means I don't have anything to do. We'll actually, I was given a SEO traning module for me to read and to study while waiting for a response from my client, but I can't just focus on it straight for more than an hour. So finally, I was able to find time to open my blog and at least write a little something.

Disclosure Policy

2009-02-16T21:17:00.001+08:00

This policy is valid from February 16, 2009.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact me at haydee.sampiano@gmail.com

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Weekend Getaway in Bohol

2009-02-09T21:00:00.009+08:00

Last weekend was so far the best weekend I ever had. We spent the weekend in Bohol and went island hopping. The views are breathtaking and the sunset and the underwater scenery are mesmerizing.
What made it more exciting was the fact that it was the first ever leisure trip I had with the consent from my parents.
I owe that once in a lifetime experience to me best friend who was ever persistent in convincing me to attend to his brother's wedding and his nephew's Christening.

Here are some of the pictures we've taken as remembrance..

What Is Love

2009-01-10T07:30:00.005+08:00

Everybody wants and needs love, and everybody actually feels it and have it in so many different ways, but why can't we find a universal meaning for love. Each one of us has its own definition of love but what's right for someone might be totally wrong for another. And that makes me wonder, with all those interpretations and definitions, how could we really know if we are really in love or we are just in love with the idea of being in love?

Of course, I'm talking here about romantic love. We may feel or think that something is right but what if everybody finds it wrong, can it still be considered love? It's really true that love is blind, we get blinded by the feelings we have for that moment, and do things that we think is right, But when love decides to leave, soon we realize that all those things we used to believe to be right was just plain stupidity. Why could something so good could hurt so bad and why something so wonderful could break your heart into pieces? Yet, despite the pain and all the uncertainties, we sometimes tend to cling to love and forget to know when to say it's enough and let go.

One thing's for sure, love is complicated and mysterious, we can't fully define or understand it because it has its own reasons that no matter how hard we try, we can never fathom its depths. It's a gift that's given freely and we can never force it to stay. All we can do is to accept it when it arrives and let it go when it decides to leave. When it arrives, we might know how long it will stay, all we can do is cherish it while we still have it. It might not be always right but it will always give you memories that will last a lifetime. One day, when you look back, you can say to yourself, all the pain was worth all the happiness I had and you'll be more than enough willing to be in love all over again.

Advantages of Having Fishes as Pets

2009-01-08T21:01:00.018+08:00

I've always been a fish lover since I was in grade school and I remembered when I was in high school, I always try to be thrift in spending my allowance just to buy some more fishes every weekends. But during college, all of them, except my two janitor fish, just died one by one since I no longer have time to care for them. But after I graduated and had a job, I decided to have fishes again as my pets. Actually, I also do love to have reptiles at home but they are expensive and I'm sure it will make my mom freak out so I think I will just settle for fishes for now.

Having fishes like any other pets makes you relax, because its very soothing to watch them swim and they have actually have a lot of advantages over having other domesticated and furry animals.

First of all fishes are less expensive to buy and low maintenance pets. Unlike furry pets, you don't need to visit a veterinarian regularly and fish medications are a lot cheaper. It is also less traumatic to see a floating dead fish once in a while than seeing your dog or cat lying dead in your house. hahaha.

Secondly, fishes don't require that much tender loving care. Its perfect for those busy people because fishes don't need to be walked around, bathed or to be taught to have a proper toilet training. You also don't need to deal with noise like barking or wailing at night. All you need is enough space for them to swim freely, little amount of food, clean water and that's it.

Third, cleaning is also a lot easier, you just have to clean your aquarium and for my concrete ponds, I just siphon the dirt that settles at the bottom then replace the water twice a month, with furry animals, you have to clean your place every day from fur that they leave behind.

But having fishes can also be addicting, you always want to have more, to have different kinds of breed and to have a bigger specie but unlike when I was in high school, I now only have a few kinds of fishes, until maybe I can add more fish tanks, hehehe.

my bettas

carp and shubunkin

double tails

my red pacu and 11 year old janitor fish

sword and mollies

Sinulog Festival 2009 Schedule

2009-01-07T02:35:00.011+08:00

A week before the celebration of the Dinagyang festival, here in Iloilo City, Cebu City will also celebrate its annual and most popular festival, the "Sinulog Festival". Like the Dinagyang celebration, the Sinulog Festival also honors the Child Jesus or the Santo Niño which is teh City's patron Saint. It traditionally last for nine days in which on the final day, it is culminated with a grand parade in a dance ritual with colorful costumes in the rythm of teh drums to commemorate the transition from pagan beliefs of our ancestors to the birth of Christianity.

2008 Sinulog Festival Pictures from Flickr

Schedule of Major Events

January 09, 2009
Sinulog Photo Exhibits at SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu
Launching Parade after the mass at Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sprots Center
Opening and Launching Program at Fuente Osmeña

January 10, 2009 - Sinulog sa Kabataan - Lalawigan

January 11, 2009 - Sinulog sa Kabataan - Dakbayan

January 15, 2009 - Miss Cebu '08 Coronation Night at Cebu Waterfront Hotel

January 17, 2009
Fluvial Procession of the Image of Sto. Niño
Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana & Rajah Humabon at BAsilica del Sto. Niño
Procession of the the Image of Sto. Niño
Street party at Plaza Independencia and at Fuente Osmeña
Kasadyahan Nite Mardi Gras at Ayala Center Cebu

January 18, 2009 - Sinulog Grand Parade and grand fireworks display at Cebu City Sports Center and at Ayala Football Grounds in the evening.

January 19, 2009 - Awarding Ceremonies at Cebu City Sports Center

My Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)

2009-01-06T21:39:00.011+08:00

Because I have fishes for pets, about a month ago, a friend who is interested with bettas asked me if I do have any idea about them because he wanted to have them as pets together with his tortoise, during that time I don't have any interest in taking care of bettas since you can't group them or place them in a community tank.
Since I know where to buy cheaper fishes and its just a block away from my place I volunteered to buy for him and temporarily take care of them until the weekend. But after a few days of watching them, I decided to buy some for myself because they are so colorful and beautiful to watch.
As a rule in taking care of bettas, you should never put male bettas together for they will fight, sometimes to death so I placed them individually on empty soda bottles. But later on, I feel pity for them because they can't move freely so I decided to transfer them to my aquarium, and as of now I have 16, six males and ten females all in my 20 gallon aquarium. At firts, they are always fighting but bettas are territorial fishes and after establishing their owmn places, they are getting quite well now.

A Day with Friends

2009-01-06T01:41:00.009+08:00

As far as I can remember, this past Christmas season has the most number of holidays, which means more time to have a break from the stress and pressure of work and more time to spend with the family and friends. It's good news for those who are working away from home for they have ample time to go home to their provinces and spend the Holiday season with their families at the same time a perfect opportunity to meet with old friends.
Last Friday, January 2, my friends are scheduled to return to their respective jobs in other parts of the country so we decided to meet before they leave, sadly, one of our friends didn't make it for his grandfather died the previous day, so only the three of us met with my friend's mom.
We don't have enough time so we just had lunch and spend the rest of the time singing in an arcade. We spent only a few hours but we had fun because we don't know when will be the next time we can spend time again.

My Friend's Place

2008-12-18T05:10:00.014+08:00

A good friend of mine recently transferred to his new boardinghouse and since it's a single room furnished with only a double deck bed, he's so excited to decorate and furnish his new place. Its just funny how he always boast about how beautiful his toilet and bath is, (we'll a lot more beautiful than most of the “not so expensive” boardinghouses) on what new things he bought for that day and is always preoccupied thinking on what more to add. He's just so excited that I can almost feel his excitement while were talking on the phone. We'll he can't do much with it, specially with the pink colored interior of the room (the color I most hate LOLs) since he's just renting the place on a monthly basis but I'm sure he will do a lot more to improve the place. As I also once experienced, living away from my family is sometimes lonely but a wonderful learning experience, it's like going out of your comfort zone and rediscovering your own personality in a whole lot different way. You get to practically decide on anything and everything and that makes it more exciting and it's just satisfying to have a rest in your own cozy place after a long day's work.

Here's some of the pictures he sent me through multi media message and I'm posting it without asking permission. Hahahha.

Dinagyang Festival 2009 Schedule

2008-12-09T21:02:00.009+08:00

Its December once again and only a month more to go before the Dinagyang Festival. For those of you who's not yet familiar with the Dinagyang Festival, It is a two day celebration in the streets of downtown Iloilo every fourth weekend of January to commemorate the birth of Christianity among the Natives and to Honor Santo Niño the Holy Child Jesus.

On the first day of the celebration which is a Saturday, the Kasadyahan Competition is held, it features a colorful parade of costumes where tribes compete with their own interpretation of dramatized offerings and prayers for their patron saint. It usually portrays a battle between the good and the evil in which the good prevails with the help of their patron or Sto. Niño.

The following day is the Dinagyang Ati Competition, it features different tribes in colorful costumes made from indigenous materials. The tribe members called the warriors cover their bodies with dark brown paint to imitate the color of the Aetas which is the first settlers of the Panay Island. These warriors dance to the thundering beat of drums while shouting “Viva Senior Santo Niño.

In the previous years, during this time of the year, you can already hear the lively beat of the drums every night when different tribes practice for their performance the next year, but the plaza's in every municipality seems to be quiet? There are so many speculations about the matter and the question now is, where are the tribes and will the Dinagyang still be celebrated?

Luckily, the answer is YES. The Executive Committee of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2009 has expressed optimism that it can achieve its objective of giving festival followers and tourists a fun-filled celebration despite a little delay in the implementation of lined up activities in its table of operation. Hailed as the country’s best tourism event for three straight years by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, Dinagyang festival is scheduled from January 14 to 25, 2009.

Here's the Complete Schedule for the Dinagyang Festival Celebration

November 6, 2009 (12nn) - Local Launch of Dinagyang Festival

December 7, 2009 (3pm) - National Launch of Dinagyang Festival

December 13, 2009 (2pm) - Pamukaw 2009

December 20, 2009 (2pm) - Presentation of Miss Dinagyang 2009 candidates

January 16, 2009 (3pm) - Opening Salvo

January 18, 2009 (7pm) - Coronation Night of Miss Dinagyang 2009

January 22 to 23, 2009 - First Iloilo International Dragon Boat Race Competition

January 23, 2009 (8am) - Dinagyang Drum and Bugle Competition

January 23, 2009 (3pm) - Fluvial Procession

January 24, 2009 (8am) - Kasadyahan Competition

January 24, 2009 (7pm) - International Night

January 25, 2009 (8am) - Dinagyang Ati Competition

January 25, 2009 (7pm) - Iloilo Dinagyang 2009 Awarding Ceremonies

Pictures from ILOILO -the heart of the Philippines the Official website of the Province of Iloilo

History of Santa Claus

2008-12-08T21:12:00.003+08:00

Santa Claus originated from Saint Nicholas, a bishop of Myra in the province of Lycia (which is now a part of Turkey) in the 4^th century. Born in a wealthy family during the 3rd century in the village of Patara, he was raised to be a devout Christian who dedicated his life serving God, assisting the needy, the sick and the suffering that he was later became known throughout the land for his generosity for those in need, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ship.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Christians are persecuted and imprisoned. After his release, Nicholas attended the council of Nicea in AD 352. He died December 6, AD 343 and was buried in his cathedral church in Myra, where “manna” a unique relic that formed in his grave is said to have healing powers that fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas particularly in Russia where along with Saith Andrew, he became the patron of the nation. But the reaction against the saints during the reformation led to Saith Nicholas' eclipse in all the predominantly protestant countries of Europe except Holland, where he was known there as Sinter-Klaas, an alteration of Saint Nikolas, and his traditions were taken to New Amsterdam (now New York) by dutch colonist in the 17^th century.

In 1809, under the pseudonym of Diedrich Knickerbocker, it was Washington Irving's fanciful description in his book Knickerbocker's History of New York who gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas and with some adaptations, Sinter-Klass was appropriated by the English settlers under the name of Santa Claus.

The English Santa Claus and the Dutch Sinter-Klaas carry out an identical mission in the same extra ordinary way: they enter the houses from the roof through the chimney and deposit gifts for their children in shoes and stockings. There are however notable differences between them. In Holland the figure is definitely a saintly bishop whose activities takes place on December 6 (the date of his death which also became his feast day) and have no connection with Christmas. The Dutch saint arrives on horseback, not by sleigh, after a sea journey from Spain and as a bishop, he does not have a wife. He is always accompanied by Zwarte Piet (Black Peter, his Moorish servant).

In 1823, Clement Clarke popularized the poem A visit From Saint Nicholas or more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas that made this Dutch-American Saint Nick achieved his fully Americanized form. Moore included such details as the names of the reindeer; Santa Claus' laughs, winks, and nods.; and the method by which Saint Nicholas, referred to as an elf, returns up the chimney.

Christmas issues of Harper,s magazine from 1860s to 1880s further elaborated the American Image of Santa Claus. Illustrator Thomas Nast depicted a rotund Santa and added details such as Santa's workshop at the North Pole and Santa's list of the good and bad children of the world. A human-sized version of Santa Clause, rather than the elf of Moore's poem.

However in 1925, since grazing reindeer would not be possible at the North Pole, newspapers revealed that Santa Claus in fact lived in Finnish Lapland. Markus Rautio revealed the great secret for the first time in a Finnish public radio in 1927 that Santa Claus lives on Lapland's Korvatunturi - "Ear Fell". The fell, which is situated directly on Finland's eastern frontier, somewhat resembles a hare's ears - which are in fact Santa Claus's ears, with which he listens to hear if who among the world's children are being naughty or nice. Santa has the assistance of a busy group of elves, who have quite their own history in Scandinanvian legend.

The very popular Rudolph the red nosed reindeer with a shiny nose, is the ninth reindeer and was invented in 1939 by an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward Company.

Santa Clause that we now know is the combination of many different legends and mythical creatures. Several centuries and a combination of different customs from different parts of the Northern Hemisphere has created the whole world's Santa Claus - the ageless, timeless, deathless white-bearded man who gives out gifts on Christmas and always returns to Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland.

Since the 1950s, Santa has happily sojourned at Napapiiri, near Rovaniemi, at times other than Christmas, to meet children and the young at heart. By 1985 his visits to Napapiiri had become so regular that he established his own Santa Claus Office there. He comes there every day of the year to hear what children want for Christmas and to talk with children who have arrived from around the world. Santa Claus Village is also the location of Santa's main Post Office, which receives children's letters from the four corners of the world.

Health Risks Due to Lack of Sleep

2008-12-04T21:36:00.001+08:00

Adults takes generally around seven to eight hours of sleep of sleep each day, but individual differences makes some people require more or less sleep than others. Though the real function of sleep is yet uncertain, it serves some restorative functions in all individuals and a basic necessity for living healthy and productively.

For people who works in a graveyard shift, the health risks doubles, working at night has its own negative effects (which I also in my previous blog post) but aside from that, not having adequate sleep is also a problem.

Here's a compilation of of the most evident effects of sleep deprivation or lack of sleep.

Lack of sleep affects brain functions that results to less efficient memory performance. Sleep deprived people are often tired and becomes forgetful, feels less motivated and becomes more anxious; and this affects everything from performance, to physiology, to charisma. Immunity also drops and so you develop illnesses or aches.

In addition, as a result of continuous muscular activity without proper rest time, effects such as cramping are much more frequent in sleep-deprived individuals. . Beyond impaired motor skills, people who get too little sleep may have higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and may take unnecessary risks.

Sleep deprivation disrupts hormones responsible for regulating glucose, metabolism and appetite.
The body's inability to metabolize glucose can also lead to diabetes and obesity.

Also a study according to According to a 2000 study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers in Australia and New Zealand, sleep deprivation can have some of the same hazardous effects as being drunk. People who drove after being awake for 17–19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries.

One of the possible side effects of a continued lack of sleep is death. Usually this is the result of the fact that the immune system is weakened without sleep. One study stated that people who sleep less than four hours per night are three times more likely to die within the next six years.

True Essence of Christmas

2008-12-04T20:59:00.007+08:00

Time moves so fast that its December once again. Christmas is only few days from now and the end of the year is fast approaching. We can now hear Christmas songs in radio stations, see dancing colored lights everywhere and of course the holiday shopping rush. Christmas season is also as good opportunity for family reunions and meeting up with old friends. Its also a perfect time to think for our New Year's resolution and our goals for the year to come. As a kid, its always the time I'm looking forward to, being excited of what will be Santa's gift, which is my reward for being good for the whole year (LOLs), party at school and attending midnight mass. But as as grown up, the idea of joining the holiday rush, redecorating the house, wrapping of Christmas presents and preparing for a family get together makes me excited. Christmas songs being played never fails to excite me. It just lifts my spirit, no matter what my concerns are.

Though Christmas is mainly for the kids, we as adults should also take this opportunity to ponder on what have we done for the past year and what we could do in the next year to come. Lets take this opportunity to forget all grievances (though its not the only time we can mend things up, but this will be a good chance). Let people know how much they mean to us and lets not just focus on gift giving and parties. Christmas is the time to reflect on what's the real purpose of the celebration; and its giving love.

Could Man and Woman Really be Just Friends?

2008-11-25T06:05:00.003+08:00

By the rule of nature, opposite attracts each other and this is also true between men and women. This is a natural phenomenon, and also not to disregard our past cultural upbringing that men are working and women must be at home, and the only way that they could get together was for the purpose of romance.

In reality, men are compliments of women. Though many say that friendship between men and women is quite impossible because there is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship, but we have to consider that there are always exceptions. There are still other kinds of possibilities that true friendship between men and woman may exist. It only depends on our individual views and on how we look at friendship.

Now on these modern days, that men and women are both actively working, shares a common interest and have constant interaction between each other, its not impossible that friendship will flourish. So naturally, the question arises: “Is it possible for a man and a woman socialize without sexual attraction, tension, passion and stay in platonic relationship? I think yes, its possible for a man and a woman to be just friends because the basics of friendship are the similarities in interest, the compatibility and the confidence and trust that you are willing to give, not gender differences. One woman even suggest that if you are able to sleep (without sex) soundly with a man in one bed without any distractions you van really be only friends.

David Bromstad

2008-11-22T05:53:00.005+08:00

The first time I knew about David Bromstad was when I was searching for a good program to watch on TV since I can't sleep, then I happen to browse thought the lifestyle network and Design Star was airing that time. Since I am a reality TV show fanatic I got interested and watched the full episode. At the end of the episode, they presented their designs and I was amazed by his creativity and artistry. I really got interested with the show but sadly, I can't follow the weekly airing of its episodes, luckily, before the season ends, they had a Design star marathon and I did watched it for seven hours straight.

As a background, Design Star is an American reality competition show and each week, the remaining contestants participate in an interior design challenge and they compete for their own show on HGTV.

David Bromstad became the winner of the first season of HGTV Design Star, is known for his endless energy and out-of-the-box thinking. Bromstad began his career as a design student at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. Earnest, passionate, talented and innovative, Bromstad creates awe-inspiring works on many platforms, including custom art, furniture building and interior design.
As a Design Star champion, he won a slot as host of the new must see series, Color Splash. In the show, blends styles that incorporate realism and fantasy." He combines this approach with a love of color and practical advice that shows how to transform tired rooms into unique, vibrant spaces. He brings his exuberance, passion, decorating savvy and unwavering belief that "color is the root of great design" to transform tired rooms for homeowners each week into vibrant, unforgettable spaces — while he teaches us to do the same in our homes.

Friends

2008-11-20T20:44:00.018+08:00

As I was going through my things, I happen to stumble on my college pictures. It was four years then but still the memories are impossible to be forgotten. Though most of them are now working abroad or in other places here in the Philippines, pursuing their own careers, it still feel great to get in touch with them every once in a while. Thanks to the internet and cell phones,it is surely a great help in bridging the distance and keeping the friendship still burning even miles apart.

What is a friend?
Someone who...
Accepts you as you are,
Believes in "you",
Calls you just to say "HI",
Doesn't give up on you,

Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts),
Forgives your mistakes,

Gives unconditionally,
Helps you,
Inspires you to be the best you can be,
Just happy to be with you,
Keeps you close at heart,
Loves you for who you are,

Makes a difference in your life,
Never judges,
Offers support,
Picks you up,

Quiets your fears,
Raises your spirits,
Says nice things about you,
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it,
Understands you,

Values you, Walks beside you, X-plains things you don't understand, Yells when you won't listen and Zaps you back to reality.

Friendship is not based on how many secrets you share. Isn't how well you get along nor how much you like each other. Isn't how people see you together. But friendship appreciates the differences, the gaps, the hindrances, the trials...and still a friend looks at you straight from the heart without hatred, without judgment, without envy, without criticism and only pure acceptance .

Friends are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. They are like stars... you don't always see them, but you know, they are always there. A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.

Similarities create friendship's while differences hold them together.

A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Friends are people who comes into our lives that left footprints in our hearts that made us never the same.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

How Well do you Know Your Personality

2008-11-19T21:39:00.010+08:00

Each one of us has our own different personality. These differences makes us unique and it affects how we deal with other people. These differences spices our friendship, stretches our patience with our relationships and makes life more exciting being with other people. But these differences with our personality also creates misunderstandings, petty quarrels or even worse. In order to understand and deal with other people, we must first understand ourselves and try to determine our strengths and weaknesses, through these, we can better understand other people and make a compromise for a better relationship.

One tool in determining our personality is the Enneagram Personality Theory. It is an introspective tool, a psycho dynamic model of nine types. From one point of view, the Enneagram can be seen as a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. It is common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types, although one of them should stand out as being closest to yourself. This is your basic personality type.

Here's the basic personality traits of the nine personality types I compiled.

These are some of the variations of the names of the Ennea-types, or sometimes they are referred to simply just by number.

One: Perfectionist or Reformer

Two: Helper or Giver

Three: Performer, Producer or Achiever

Four: Tragic Romantic, Individualist or Connoisseur

Five: Observer ... Investigator ... Sage

Six: Devil's Advocate ... Loyalist ... Troubleshooter ... Guardian

Seven: Epicure ... Enthusiast ... Visionary ... Dreamer ... Generalist

Eight: Boss ... Top Dog ... Challenger ... Confronter

Nine: Mediator ... Peacemaker ... Preservationist

Type One “Reformer” does everything right away, produces order and is principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.

Ego fixation: resentment

Holy idea: perfection

Passion/Vice: anger

Virtue: serenity

How to get along with type One personality

Take your share of the responsibility so I don't end up with all the work.
Acknowledge my achievements.
I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine the way I am.
Tell me that you value my advice.
Be fair and considerate, as I am.
Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It will help me to forgive.
Gently encourage me to lighten up and to laugh at myself when I get uptight, but hear my worries first.

Type Two "Helper" always helps others and is demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing and possessive.

Ego fixation: flattery
Holy idea: freedom
Passion/Vice: pride
Virtue: humility

How to get along with type Two personality

Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
Share fun times with me.
Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
Let me know that I am important and special to you.
Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

Type Three “Motivator” desires success and is adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.

Ego fixation: vanity
Holy idea: hope
Passion/Vice: deceit
Virtue: truthfulness

How to get along with type Three personality

Leave me alone when I am doing my work.
Give me honest, but not unduly critical or judgmental, feedback.
Help me keep my environment harmonious and peaceful.
Don't burden me with negative emotions.
Tell me you like being around me.
Tell me when you're proud of me or my accomplishments.

Type Four "Tragic Romantic" wants to be unique and expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed and temperamental.

Ego fixation: melancholy

Holy idea: origin

Passion/Vice: envy

Virtue: equanimity

How to get along with type Four personality

Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

Type Five “Thinker” needs to understand the world and is perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.

Ego fixation: stinginess; Holy idea: omniscience; Passion/Vice: avarice
Virtue: detachment

How to get along with type Five personality

Be independent, not clingy.
Speak in a straightforward and brief manner.
I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts.
Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable.
Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity.
If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place.
don't come on like a bulldozer.
Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy.

Type Six “Skeptic” shows affection and is engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.

Ego fixation: cowardice; Holy idea: faith; Passion/Vice: fear
Virtue: courage

How to get along with type Six personality

Be direct and clear.
Listen to me carefully.
Don't judge me for my anxiety.
Work things through with me.
Reassure me that everything is OK between us.
Laugh and make jokes with me.
Gently push me toward new experiences.
Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

Type Seven “Enthusiast” enjoys and is open to new things, spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.

Holy idea: work

Passion/Vice: gluttony

Virtue: sobriety

How to get along with type Seven personality

Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
Be responsible for yourself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
Don't tell me what to do.

Type Eight “Leader” desires strength and is self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.

Ego fixation: vengeance; Holy idea: truth; Passion/Vice: excess (lust)
Virtue: innocence

How to get along with type Eight personality

Stand up for yourself... and me.
Be confident, strong, and direct.
Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
Give me space to be alone.
Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

Type Nine “Peacemaker” longs peacefulness and is receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.

Ego fixation: indolence; Holy idea: love
Passion/Vice: laziness (sloth)

How to get along with type Nine personality

If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.
Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and non judgmentally.
Ask me questions to help me get clear.
Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
Let me know you like what I've done or said.
Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

Want to know more about your own Personality? Try this short personality quiz.

Negative Effects or Working in Night Shift

2008-11-18T05:36:00.007+08:00

I'm working as a link builder in one of the outsourcing companies here in the Philippines, and I've been working for more than a year now on a night shift, but still my body is still not yet (and I don't think it will be) adjusted to my sleeping schedule. My eating habits has drastically changed and aside from not having enough sleep, it seems that I can't also have enough time for myself since I am working at night then sleep at daytime with only a few hours of sleep. I'd be lucky enough to sleep for more than five hours a day which only happens sometimes. I've practically tried every sleeping tip I know from making my bedroom as dark as possible to eating foods that may help for better sleeping, but it did only a little help. At times when I desperately need to rest and sleep but my body just resist, I even take paracetamol or anti allergy medicines. So I did some research on how night shift affects one's body. I am aware that it's not good nor healthy so I try to avoid it now. So I did some research on other scientifically proven facts on the effects of night shift on our body.

When you are awake at night and asleep during the day, your body does not receive powerful biological cues from the amount of light in the environment. These cues are necessary to regulate the circadian rhythms that control your sleep/wake cycle and this causes difficulty in falling asleep and getting enough deep sleep. An additional problem is switching from a night schedule to a day schedule on days off, or during changes in your work shift. This switching causes the same effects as jet lag. Working on a night shift may lead to an increased risk of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Night shift work has also been shown to increase the risk of heart and digestive problems, as well as problems with moods and emotions. Night shift workers are at an increased risk for safety accidents due to tiredness.

Seattle - Oct. 16, 2001 - Women who work the graveyard shift may face an up to 60 percent increased risk of breast cancer, according to a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study. Led by Scott Davis, Ph.D., a member of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division, the study is one of two independent investigations. Davis and colleagues found that women who worked the graveyard shift at least once during the decade before breast-cancer diagnosis were at approximately 60 percent increased risk for breast cancer compared with those who did not work the graveyard shift. In addition, the risk of breast cancer significantly increased with each additional hour per week of graveyard-shift work.

Also according to the study from the different sources, here we are providing some informative message for this topic. People who work nights are more prone to a dangerous heart condition - possibly because of the chronic stress caused by their work patterns. A research suggests that “employees who worked in day shifts are more safe then the night shift employees. The chances of heart attack are very high for the night shift employees few more reasons are lack of sleep, continue stressing etc, chronic stress is cited as the main reason.” Mostly it happens because human body’s natural circadian rhythms tell that the concerned person should not be working when he or she should take sleep.

These information surely bothers not only me but also for others who works at this kind of job but I think we have to deal with it because this unhealthy lifestyle is our source of living.

Would You Risk Friendship for Love?

2008-11-17T20:41:00.005+08:00

Nothing makes life any sweeter than having someone you can call a bestfriend. Someone you can totally be comfortable being yourself. Someone who makes your joys more memorable and share with your burdens to make it more bearable. You spend couple of hours talking on the phone, you enjoy being together talking about your dreams, desires or just silly things or just plainly chilling out.

But sometimes complicated things may happen when your bestfriend is of opposite sex, Because you spend a lot of time together it's inevitable that one day you'll just realize that your falling for someone you consider your bestfriend. If you happen to be in that situation, it's a great dilemma to deal with. Would you be frank enough to tell him/her what you really feel and put your friendship on a risk of falling apart or would you rather keep it to yourself and have all these “what if's” for the rest of your life.

Me, personally I don't know the exact answer to this question. But one thing I am sure of, that honesty is still the best policy. If you're not quite sure what to do, just be honest enough to show how you fell and honest enough to say what's in your mind (promise, it will save you a lot of effort pretending that there's nothing going on). Don't be in a hurry to make things happen, just enjoy the time being together and the joy that your friendship brings you. Anyway, destiny knows how to find its ways, if your really meant for each other, it will happen in time. Cherish every moment being together because happiness is isn't found at the end of the road but along the way.

And to end this, let me share you these words:

Fall but not stumble;

Be consistent but not persistent;

Give but don't expect something in return;

Understand and don't demand;

Share but don't count;

You might get hurt but never keep the pain.

Life's Simple Lessons

2008-11-11T22:25:00.005+08:00

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her
shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a
towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob,
the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that
towel." After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and
stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800
and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back
upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It
was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies. Great!" the husband
says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with
your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent
avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs,
forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his
hand.

But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun
once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized
"Sorry Sister, but the flesh is weak."

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.
It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:

If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great
opportunity.

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to
lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of
you just one wish!"

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the
Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Pouff!
She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii ,
relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of
Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Pouff! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I
want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story:

Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit
saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do
nothing?"

The eagle answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground
below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped
on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high
up.

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to
the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the
energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the
bull. "They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him
enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second
branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched
at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot
him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:

Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the
bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was
lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to
realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He
lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A
passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following
the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung,
and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

This was sent to me through my yahoo groups - funny but true. So i think it's worth posting to my blog.

Life's Blessings

2008-11-11T21:03:00.007+08:00

We can always hear ourselves or other people complaining just about anything and everything. What we have is oftentimes not enough, and we have an endless list of the things we wish to acquire. But at some point in our lives, did we ever consider how blessed and lucky we are and appreciate the simple and common things we often neglect? Try to contemplate on the following information and feel blessed for the things we have.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and a spare change in a dish someplace, you are the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more good health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week

If you never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the anguish of personal loss and the pangs of hunger, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world

If you can hold smeone's hand, hug your friend or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you are able to offer healing touch

If you can read this message, you are belssed than over 2 billion people that can't read at all.

My Four Best Authors

2008-11-10T20:59:00.006+08:00

Reading is one of my interests. Well, before I starting working on a night shift because you can't just have enough time for yourself if your wide awake at night (except for those times I am caught sleeping during office hours LOL) and sleeping through the day. Though occasionally, I still find time to read good books. I basically read anything and everything with the exception of romance novels and medical related books or articles because I just can't relate to them but my favorite is horror books.

When reading novels, I'm not really particular with the authors, as long as I enjoy the story but you really can't avoid having favorites.

I actually have four favorite authors with with respective genre of writing.

Christopher Pike, a pseudonym for Kevin McFadded is my very first favorite author. An American writer born on November 1954 in New York but grew up in California. McFadden is a highly private person and the only known information about him is only gathered from his books and a very few interviews. He writes about young-adult science fiction, horror and thriller “not so long stories” which is at that time good for those who just started to get interested in reading pocket books like me. I just love the stories he is writing in his book and I just wish to be able to read all his books but It's hard to find it in book rental shops and “second hand” book shops (since buying brand new books is a little expensive).

Being a college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was his first book the Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. Although his books are best known for being thrillers, they are often more focused on aspects of science fiction, spirituality, and whodunit. References to Egyptian, Greek and Hindu mythology are also common in his stories. He is also the author of of the popular children's series Spooksville.

Sidney Sheldon or Sidney Schechtel, born on February 11, 1917 and died at the age of 89 on January 30, 2007. He was born in Chicago, Illinois,a famous and Academy Award-winning American writer who won awards in three careers: a Broadway playwright, a Hollywood TV and movie screenwriter, and a best-selling novelist.

In 1969, Sheldon wrote his first novel, The Naked Face, which earned him a nomination for the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America in the category of Best First Novel.

Sidney Sheldon's writing genre are Crime-fiction and Thriller. His stories often features strong and determined women who persevere and succeeds in a tough world run by hostile men. When asked why, he said that he liked to write about women who are talented and capable, but most important, retain their femininity. He also said that omen have tremendous power which is their femininity which men can't do without it.

V. C. Andrews or Virginia C. Andrews, is a known name for Cleo Virginia Andrews. An American Novelist born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia and died at the age of 63 on December 19, 1986 of breast cancer. Her stories involves very strong emotions and I can sometimes find myself crying while reading her novels.

Her first novel, titled Gods of Green Mountain, was a science fiction effort that remained unpublished during her lifetime but was released as an e-book in 2004.A writer of Gothic Horror and Family saga, her novels often revolves around family secrets and forbidden love involving themes of consensual incest and often which led to many critics claiming that her writing style was eccentric and immoral. She earned many awards and one of which is The Number One Best selling Author of Popular Horror and Occult Paperbacks" by the American Booksellers Association in 1986, beating out Stephen King.

Clive Cussler is a writer of adventure novels which features the adventures of Dirk Pitt. Born in Aurora, Illinois and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College for two years and then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. During his service in the Air Force he was promoted to Sergeant and worked as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer for the Military Air Transport Service.

Clive Cussler's life nearly parallels that of his hero in his books Dirk Pitt. He divides his time between the desserts of Arizona and the mountains of Colorado searching for lost aircraft or leads expeditions to find famous shipwrecks.

Cussler is a fellow of the Explorers Club of New York, the Royal Geographic Society in London, and the American Society of Oceanographers.

Life's Simple Instruction

2008-11-07T21:25:00.005+08:00

I've been collecting poems, quotations, inspirational messages and the like since my high school days. So, here's a list of some which I think worth sharing.

Most of these passages were collected way back before in high school and early college that there's no way I could remember where I got them.

Thoughts to Live By

True friends will make fun of what you do but support you all the way.Acquaintances will praise your work then not give a damn.
The only permanent thing in life is change, the sooner you'll accept that, the sooner you'll be happy.
Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.
There's no shortcuts to any place worth going to.
Always be friendly to people on your way to the top. You are going to meet them again on your way down.
You were never a failure, unless you blame someone else.
The teacher you hate the most, gives you the worst grades, doesn't credit you for your efforts and can't be bought. He goes by the name “Experience”.
Cry him/her a river. Then build a bridge and walk over it. You may have to repeat the “procedure” a couple of times before you can stop building bridges.
If you don't have anything nice to say about your neighbor, it's best to shut up. Keep things to yourself and walk away. “Why destroy other person's image when you yourself have to work on your own.
You can cry over spilled milk but just make sure to clean up afterward.

On a Lighter Side

You're never too old to learn something stupid
Never miss a good chance to shut up
Don't run, you'll just die tired.
The number of people is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway.

Remembrance from the Past

2008-11-07T05:39:00.004+08:00

This poem was written nearly ten years ago and is actually the very first poem I have ever written (this was the time when I was still a hopeless romantic teen. LOL) for the purpose of "officially" putting an end to whatever that's been bugging my mind and to finally say goodbye to someone who used to be a special friend. Sadly, I didn't have the time and the courage to give it to that person.
This is also the first time that I am letting other people actually read it, so, here it goes:

Here I am
Trying to be poetic as I can
Writing things I never thought I can

Remembering the things we've shared and done
I realized that there are still so many words and deeds
Left unsaid and undone

Learning to let you go
Was the hardest thing for me to do
For you are one of the best persons I've known

You taught me things that can never be found in books
Opened my eyes into life's realities
And helped me how to conquer life's difficulties

With you I found true happiness
Friendship that was pure and true
And left me with memories that will be forever cherished

But now I must face the truth
That you're gone and on your separate way
And I must go on with my life's journey

This simple poem may not fully explain
Everything that I want to tell
But this I offer you

To let you know how much you meant to me
And thank you for touching my life
Making me the person I am right now

This I promise and assure you
That you'll always be a part of me and to forget you
Is the last thing that I would do

Lastly, I want to say goodbye
Hoping that you'll never forget me
For your memories will always be with me.

The use of Colors as an Alternative Medicine

2008-11-05T20:33:00.017+08:00

About a few years back, I read an article from a magazine about color therapy and chakras.
Since that time, I had been interested with colors and how can it affects one's moods and
personality.

Color surrounds us everywhere and see beauty but little we know about the healing properties of colors. Most of us don't have yet the idea on how colors affects our moods, reactions and even heal or ailments.

Color therapy is an alternative healing that had been used since ancient times in ancient times. Though it is said that it is not scientifically proven, many experiments shows that color affects us in invisible but dramatic ways. Every color sends outs its own positive and negative signals, which our subconscious then picks up on, making us choose certain colors and ignore others.

Red root chakra (trunk to legs)
Associated with: light of life
Balancing color: blue or turquoise
Verb: I have
Too much of the color: high blood pressure
Too little: fatigue, anemia, low blood pressure

Helps dry up mucus membrane, kill cancer cell ans stimulates iron production.

Yellow solar plexus chakra ( above the navel and below the heart)
Associated with: physical health and mental digestion of thoughts, will power and asserting oneself
Balancing color: violet
Verb: I can
Too much of the color: nervousness and anxiety about nothing, stubborn, judgmental and critical
Too little: little food intake, ulcers, anorexia and bulimia

Good for digestion

Green heart chakra
Associated with: life, love abundance, fertility and wealth
Balancing color: none
Verb: I love
Too much of the color: overcautious, indecisive, insecure and heart ailments
Too little: hard hearted and lack of compassion

Regulates the flow of blood

Orange sacral chakra (stomach; between pelvis and navel)
Associated with: joy and movement
Balancing color: indigo
Verb: I feel
Too much of the color: stress, weakened immune system
Too little: fearful, jealous and repressed

Eases respiratory conditions, making phlegm and catarrh easier to expel

Turquoise or blue throat chakra (all things related to speech including lungs)
Associated with: creative and communication skills
Balancing color: red
Verb: I speak
Too much of the color: too much talk and no action
Too little: nervousness, unable to verbalize needs and always give way to others

Helps overcome nervousness and gives courage so say things that must be said

Indigo third eye chakra (center of the forehead)
Associated with: psychic, intuition, broadmindedness and extra sensory perception
Balancing color: orange
Verb: I see
Too much of the color: depression
Too little: narrow mindedness, superstitious, doubtful and learning difficulties

Helps when you can’t sleep

Violet crown chakra (top of the skull)
Associated with: pure creative energy, connection to the divine, spiritual power and concern for others
Balancing color: red
Verb: I am
Too much of the color: over sensitive, power hungry and mental disorders.
Too little: negative self image and low self esteem.

Pink is the ideal color for leaving the past behind. Wear it when you wan to move on from an unhappy situation and you’ll feel a whole lot more positive.

Red is the ideal color for topping up your strength and energy level. So, it you’ve felling as if you could stay in bed like forever, get into red

Yellow is the ideal color for ensuring peace of mind. Wear it if you’ve got important exam coming up and you’ll feel less panicky and more in control

Orange is the ideal color for finding happiness through independence. Surround yourself with orange when you fell like spending time just chilling out

Violet is the ideal color for fulfilling your dreams. If your waiting for something good to happen, shades of purple will make the wait worthwhile.

Blue is the ideal color for achieving inner peace and tranquility. Perfect for those times when you’ve been so stressed your fingernails can’t take it anymore.

Turquoise is the ideal color for those seeking calmness and purity. If you’ve been living life in the fast lane, spend a day in turquoise to recharge those batteries.

Green is the ideal color for emphasizing your positive feelings for others. So if a friend needs support, put your advice hat on and make sure its green.

Black is the ideal color if you want to become inconspicuous.
Black clothing can say "Notice me but do not intrude.

White is the ideal color to impart a pure, wholesome impression. Surround yourself with white if your surroundings feel cluttered and you want to refresh your mind.

Friendship Posters

2008-11-05T00:54:00.005+08:00

Beautiful friendship posters I found on flicker

Difference of Friends from Best friend

2008-11-04T21:34:00.008+08:00

As I was thinking for a nice entry for my first post on my first public blog, I remembered an email which was sent to me by a friend about "friend vs. best friend.

In my life, I consider myself lucky to have met two wonderful persons which I considered my best friends. Though they have different personalities and ideals and had been a part of my life at different times, they have touched and changed my outlook towards the beauty of friendship in one's life.

So, based on my personal experiences and an excerpt that I have taken from the email, here's a list of the differences of having a friend and a best friend.

Friend: has never seen you cry
Best friend: has always had the best shoulder to cry on

Friend: gives comments and advice
Best friend: gives opinions and decisions

Friend: never asks for anything to eat or drink
Best friend: opens the fridge and makes herself at home

Friend: will be there for you in just a call
Best friend: is already there even before you think of calling

Friend: asks you to write down your number.
Best friend: they ask you for their number
(cuz they can't remember it)

Friend: needs your explanation for you to be understood
Best friend: silence is sometimes enough

Friend: borrows your stuff for a few days then gives it back.
Best friend: has a closet full of your stuff

Friend: forgives you when you say sorry
Best friend: forgives you even before you forgive yourself

Friend: only knows a few things about you
Best friend: could write a biography on your life story

Friend: will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing
Best friend: will always go with you