AUDEO VIVERE ! ! !

Pweety Flowers! :D

2012-02-14T21:05:00.003-05:00

I'm on writing hibernating mode that's why I can't continue yet with my 2011 year end review. Anyhow, just greeting you a very romantic 2012 Heart's Day.

Be in love. Stay in love.

Arlen

2011: The Year That Was... (Part One)

2012-01-08T15:11:00.005-05:00

January 2011
After our usual family-oriented Christmas holidays, we looked forward to the start of 2011 the same as before: go to work/school, tend to the households, tend to the kids/family...At the end of the month at my former job, we had our annual Chinese New Year celebration dinner. I had no idea that would be my last Chinese New Year celebration with my former colleagues...

February 2011
At the very first day of the month, I received a job offer here in the Cayman Islands. I was not seriously taking it all in when it was first offered, having had a lot of "rejections" before (not on the same country though). I just sort of "went with the flow": accepted the offer, promised to complete the requirements for the work permit grant, half-heartedly thinking if I would be rejected again, it won't be the first. If I won't get approved, it was fine. If I got approved, would be outstanding. So I didn't rush anything and I can still remember it took me til Valentine's Day of 2011 (the 14th) for me to have my medical examinations to be attached to the work permit. Still working, I would just take leave of absences to complete my paper works. It took me near the end of the month to complete the requirements and have my then-prospective employer here to submit them to Immigration. Meanwhile, at the back of my mind, I was trying to spend more time with my kids, half-expecting I might be approved and fly anytime. We woke up at wee hours in the morning, drive from home (yes, I know how to drive and yes, we have a car ) and attended the 2011 Hot Air Balloon Festival at Clark Airfield.

March 2011

Its the "contemplation" month. I was anxious about the submitted work permit application over at Cayman Islands Immigration. Was informed that usually it takes three weeks or more to process. At home, I was trying to fix loose ends in case I would be approve and head out of country to work. I attended my son's Nursery graduation; my son's growing adorable and smart and I'm sooo proud of him. All of my kids. At work, I was cramming to update my deadlines/reports. On top of that, I was budgetting my time when to submit my resignation because I knew my employer here would want me ASAP but that my former employer would want at least a month notice... Third week of the month, the approval came. I was like "YES! FINALLY!!!" I was floored after being told before that there's no chance for me to grab similar-like opportunities. This time, the opportunity was WAAAAY better and WAAAY less complicated. The offer of 8 times my salary back in Manila was just the cherry-topping on this fabulous "cake". And its accounting job too. God really moves in mysterious ways. On the last week of the month, I submitted my resignation.

April 2011

Mixed emotions month. My employer here were cramming to get hold of a ticket for me. I informed them that I needed the whole month for transition. Thank goodness they understood as they couldn't get an April ticket. Meanwhile, my former boss was having mixed emotions as well. He was teary-eyed, PROUD that I got the opportunity from one of the financial sector of the world and SAD that I had to leave his company. I was given 2 Despedida parties: First, for my department at a Chinese restaurant and Second, with my kids and my boss at Manila Hotel. Yes, that's how proud my boss was for me and he talked with my kids about that fact, giving them advice to study, asked my eldest son his ambition (to be an Aeronautical Engineer) and told them that if they need any assistance, they can run to him. My boss was that kind and he's my second Dad. He gave me a parting gift of US$6,000 and my other officemates/colleagues/friends gave me stuff, 4 of them gave me scarves, as if I'm going to a very cold place, lol!! My ticket was dated May 11 via London Heathrow Airport.

to be continued...

A Very "ROCKY" Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:31:00.003-05:00

from the ROCK (Cayman Islands), my family wishes you all a very warm Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

....and Happy Boxing Day today!!!!

A Wedding And An Almost Funeral

2011-11-19T16:23:00.001-05:00

I "attended" that today, November 19, 2011 lol! I mean, on the theater...

I just watched the for me the most-anticipated movie of the year, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. It started off with a beautiful wedding, with the most talked about wedding dress(es) the main lead Kristen Stewart will wear. They're both gorgeous. The fitted-bodice of the first wedding dress in her dreams was divine but the "real" wedding dress was surreal. They went by the book with the design of the dress and the back of it was gorgeous! The moment was sooo special, added to that is the knowledge that Kristen was walking to the altar with her real boyfriend, the other main lead Robert Pattinson.

Sigh! What a movie! It's really worth the wait! I cried on most parts: on the wedding scenes when Billy Burke, who's playing the role of Bella's father was giving her away to Edward...it was so touching, on Bella finding out she's pregnant and that Edward wanted to get rid of "it", the joy on the faces of the partners when Edward told Bella that he can hear their baby still on the womb and that he/she loved them both, and lastly, when Edward was struggling to pump Bella's heart over and over with her looking sooo dead. It's Edward's desperate look that really brought out the tears. He was fighting so hard to keep her alive at the very last minute. There were laughing moments too. Most of 'em were from the cheer speeches at the wedding.

Kudos to the director Bill Condon (hope I spelled his name right). It's by far the best performance yet of most the cast, especially the three main lead characters. And I love how they did the make ups too! It showcased how it was supposed to look by the book. In fact, everything was mostly by-the-book, including the stars' lines. Wish I can see it again.

I'm really thinking about it...

My First Birthday Here In Cayman Islands And Beyond...

2011-11-12T18:40:00.007-05:00

a gift from a friend...

blueberry & strawberry cheesecake...yumm!

blowing out the candles... 37 na po ako!

brunch after yoga class today Nov 12 @ Cimboco

my eggs benedict..yum too!

sharing the fantastic day with a friend...

some retail therapy over @ Bayshore Mall

floats on parade for the Pirate's Week...

infront of Bayshore Mall

the pirates and the wenches hanging 2 skeletal bodies...

me with an old pirate...

Sunday Morning Yoga Class

2011-10-16T12:48:00.006-05:00

@ Bliss Living and Yoga, Ltd.

It started out with my colleagues stories of her yoga's experiences. She would tell me of how yoga relieves stress, relaxes her, stretches, tones..not to mention fun. My first reaction? Apprehensive, skeptical and most of all, hesitant. Because, the accountant in me was telling me the rates will be steep and oh boy, was it really steep! For just a quarter of the monthly fee, I would be able to afford a WHOLE month's fee at a local gym! So I kept fending her off, telling her that I would think more about it. I was more bending on not joining. When the yoga studio announced its 30-DAY CHALLENGE, my colleague relentlessly convinced me. I really didn't want to, wasn't really interested into going. One of my bosses (he's one of the yoga instructors), was convincing me, too. I was becoming whiny (I hated that!); saying lots of reasons and half-heartedly nodding. Unknowingly, he enrolled me to the challenge. The weekend before the challenge started, I had my usual insomnia spell. I was tired, grumpy and lethargic the first day of the challenge. The boss reminded me of the yoga challenge. Again, I half-heartedly nodded. When my colleague was readying for the yoga class after work, I told her I won't go. She said the boss enrolled me. I told her I didn't think so. So I missed the first day of the yoga 30-day challenge. After her session, my colleague told me I was indeed enrolled by the boss. Yikes, I felt guilty as hell...(the 30-day challenge cost CI$108 or US$129). Come Tuesday morning, I was assaulted by words like- "don't be a shit bag", "you need your butt of the chair"... That worst part quickly ended. Me saying I was sorry didn't stop him to lament. That episode continude to gentle caholing of "seriously, you need it especially you're always infront of the computer..." I promised to come the next session, after work on Tuesday.

My first yoga class was HOT YOGA. And it was literally hot! So hot that I felt suffocated. I didn't mind the poses for I'm unusually flexible and limber. But I had difficulty adjusting with the extremely hot temperature. Its used to make the ligaments more suffle for the poses plus it detoxifies the blood, thus HOT YOGA is detox yoga which makes it really popular.

My second class was taught by my boss (oh, boy). It is called POWER YOGA. Unlike to the gentle pace and poses of the HOT class, POWER is like the strengthening version. It pushes one to her/his limits. A lot of push-ups or chaturangas, etc and very fast paced to a beginner like me. I had difficulty keeping up on leg poses. Thursday morning, he pressed my biceps thinking I was tender on those parts but I said no. Most of the tender spots on my body was on the back of my thighs which were really stretched.

So that started my yoga experience and I did finished the remaining 29 days. I was so proud and it does hugely helped on improving not only my balance and strength but also my breathing, posture and stamina. It becomes a daily habit for me now that after the challenge, I signed up for more months. Maraming salamat, bossing!

Pictures below were taken before and after our yoga class earlier (Sunday)...

Things To Be Grateful About...

2011-09-29T10:38:00.003-05:00

For waking up everyday.

For hot shower.

For filling breakfast.

For exciting work.

For active, funny bosses.

For steady income.

For TFC (lol!)

For funny demeanor.

For entertaining friends.

For peaceful moments.

For savings.

For steamy rains.

For active mind and heart.

For a liberating experience at yoga.

For the four(4) important guys in my life: my kids and that special someone

For my boys laughter.

For my boys getting better grades.

For my boys love to me; never fails to fill me up.

For that special someone's one-corner-smile that perks up my whole day.

For that special someone's laugh.

For that special someone's love for my kids.

For that special someone's grumpiness; it keeps me on my toes (lol!)

For that special someone whom I lean on to now.

(this will be updated from time to time...)

My Rules For Living...

2011-09-22T11:04:00.002-05:00

If you open it,

close it.

If you break it,

admit it.

If you value it,

take care of it.

If you make a mess,

clean it up.

If it's none of your business,

don't ask.

If it will brighten someone's day,

say it.

If it will tarnish one's reputation,

just keep it to yourself.

Ladies Vs. Real Women

2011-09-15T09:13:00.002-05:00

Ladies: If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up".

Real Women: If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too damn bad. Please recite with me the Real Women's motto: "I made it and you will eat and I don't care how bad it tastes".

Ladies: Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Real Womean: Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink. You might still have the headache, but who cares?

Ladies: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Real Women: Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake. You are probably lying on the couch, with your feet up, eating it anyway.

Ladies: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple with the bag with the potatoes.

Real Women: Buy boxed mashed potato mix and keep it in the pantry for up to a year.

Ladies: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Real Women: Go to the bakery - they'll even decorate it for you.

Ladies: Brush some beaten egg white over a pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

Real Women: Swanson frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I just don't do it.

Ladies: If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Real Women: Go ask the very cute neighbour to do it.

And finally the most important tip...

Ladies: Don't throw out all the leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Real Women: WHAT LEFTOVER WINE????

The Gift...

2011-09-07T20:22:00.003-05:00

The Engineers

2011-08-05T18:05:00.001-05:00

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 1

Two engineering students were biking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want." The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice: The clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 2

To the optimist, the glass is half-full. To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 3

A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, "What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!" The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!" The priest said, "Here comes the green-keeper. Let's have a word with him." He said, "Hello, George. What's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?" The green-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime." The group fell silent for a moment.

The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight."

The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything she can do for them."

The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?"

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 4

What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers? Mechanical engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets.

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 5

The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work?"
The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?"
The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?"
The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 6

Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body.
One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints."
Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections."
The last one said, "No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 7

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

ENGINEERING CASE NUMBER 8

An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog, and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want." Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog - now that's cool."

This Time...

2011-07-31T14:42:00.003-05:00

In the challenges, the big scary decisions, the life transitions that feel like they will swallow you, the fear, the worry, the times when you feel pulled completely out of your comfort zone, the times when you feel so overwhelmed because you don’t have all the perfect pretty answers, the times when you fall flat on your face and the times when you just don’t know what to do next… these are the times of our lives. These are the times that stretch us to become greater than we imagine ourselves to be. These are the times that, if you let yourself take a deep breath (let yourself), you know you were meant for something greater. These are the moments we will someday be most thankful for because they cracked us wide open and made us take things to the next level. These are the pivotal moments when we are faced with a choice: stay stuck or dive in. Perhaps this very instant is your time. I think it’s time for a few cannon balls, friends! Dive in. - Lara

Last Day For Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows 2 And An Island Birthday Party

2011-07-24T18:57:00.007-05:00

It was July 21, 2011 and the last day of the last Harry Potter film showing here in Cayman Islands. We hurried to the Camana Bay and went to Go Hollywood Theater and enjoyed ourselves to the film. My friend was teasing me when I was tearing up on some parts. The entire story of Harry Potter is very close to my heart, having been read all of the 7 books and watched all the 8 films. Harry Potter will always be a part of me...

Two weekends ago, a Pinoy friend celebrated his birthday here on the Islands. We cooked Pinoy foods like egg rolls, noodles (for long life), fish dishes and shrimps. He also bought jerk chicken to add up on the menu and it was my first time to taste the famous jerk chicken. Not too crazy about it because I thought it tasted gamey. Aside from that, a guest bought a bucket of KFC :-) Food and booze flowed around that night and we all had fun.

Inuman At Kasayahan Sa Motorpool...

2011-07-10T14:47:00.001-05:00

The Future Mom-In-Law...

2011-07-02T05:50:00.002-05:00

I don't know what came to this woman. I guess she hates her son's future bride so much she had the nerve to write a very disturbing email, which she sent TWICE to the bride's personal email and ONCE to the bride's work email as well. What's the bride to do? Forward it to her friends which in return, forward it to others until it became viral.

Here's the whole email:

"from: Carolyn Bourne
to: heidi withers
subject: your lack of manners

It is high time someone explained to you about good manners. Yours are obvious by their absence and I feel sorry for you.

Unfortunately for Freddie, he has fallen in love with you and Freddie being Freddie, I gather it is not easy to reason with him or yet encourage him to consider how he might be able to help you.

It may just be possible to get through to you though. I do hope so.

Your behaviour on your visit to Devon during April was staggering in its uncouthness and lack of grace.

Unfortunately, this was not the first example of bad manners I have experienced from you.

If you want to be accepted by the wider Bourne family I suggest you take some guidance from experts with utmost haste.

There are plenty of finishing schools around. You would be an ideal candidate for the Ladette to Lady television series.

Please, for your own good, for Freddie's sake and for your future involvement with the Bourne family, do something as soon as possible.

Here are a few examples of your lack of manners:

When you are a guest in another's house, you do not declare what you will and will not eat - unless you are positively allergic to something.

You do not remark that you do not have enough food.

You do not start before everyone else.

You do not take additional helpings without being invited to by your host.

When a guest in another's house, you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise early - you fall in line with house norms.

There are plenty of finishing schools around. You would be an ideal candidate for the Ladette to Lady television series.

You should never ever insult the family you are about to join at any time and most definitely not in public. I gather you passed this off as a joke but the reaction in the pub was one of shock, not laughter.

I have no idea whether you wrote to thank [your future sister-in-law] for the weekend but you should have hand-written a card to her.

You should have hand-written a card to me. You have never written to thank me when you have stayed at Houndspool.

[Your future sister-in-law] has quite the most exquisite manners of anyone I have ever come across. You would do well to follow her example.

You regularly draw attention to yourself. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.

It is tragic that you have diabetes. However, you aren't the only young person in the world who is a diabetic.

I know quite a few young people who have this condition, one of whom is getting married in June. I have never heard her discuss her condition.

She quietly gets on with it. She doesn't like being diabetic. Who would? You do not need to regale everyone with the details of your condition or use it as an excuse to draw attention to yourself. It is vulgar.

As a diabetic of long standing you must be acutely aware of the need to prepare yourself for extraordinary eventualities, the walk to Mothecombe beach being an example.

You are experienced enough to have prepared yourself appropriately.

No-one gets married in a castle unless they own it. It is brash, celebrity style behaviour.

I understand your parents are unable to contribute very much towards the cost of your wedding. (There is nothing wrong with that except that convention is such that one might presume they would have saved over the years for their daughters' marriages.)

If this is the case, it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding as befits both your incomes.
One could be accused of thinking that Heidi Withers must be patting herself on the back for having caught a most eligible young man. I pity Freddie."

My first reaction when I finished reading the email? OMG... The bride should know she's not marrying the mom-in-law and that she's not accountable to the mom for whatever her life is. If she love the groom enough to recover from this brouhaha, she should proceed with the wedding. However, I think its best too for both the bride and the mom-in-law to sit down and talk.

The Chair-nelas

2011-06-25T21:56:00.002-05:00

See how innovative Pinoys are? To some, this image is something to smile about. To most, it depicted the situation lot of us go into whenever rainy season comes in; i. e., flooding for one. The manong in the picture thought of something so uniquely Pinoy it caught the attention of the social networking sites: that despite the recent flooding brought by Typhoon Falcon, Filipinos tries to adapt to the circumstances their in...

Which makes me so proud to be a Pinoy.

My OMG Moment Plus My Father's Day Message

2011-06-19T18:32:00.003-05:00

A dear friend showed me something today that definitely made this day one of the unforgettable day for me.

It taught me more to appreciate what I have: the strong support of my families and friends both in the Philippines and here in the Cayman Islands. Secondly, it taught me to understand more God's omnipotence and omnipresence, all the time. He really knows what's best, that He already has a plan and that above all, His will is always be done.

I should say too that life's challenges/struggles hasn't decrease for me. However, when I prayed before for Him to grant me the need I knew I should have, He agreed and granted it plus more. He really works in mysterious ways and more so now, I hand my life and my family to His will.

My family and I feel so blessed and thankful that God has given me a strong support system, foreground is my father, to whom I owe mostly my peace of mind. The rest of my life isn't enough to convey my thanks to him as God has supported us. And I would gladly extend my thanks to him in any way I can as long as I am able.

Thank you, Papa.

Unexpected Visitor

2011-06-12T12:28:00.002-05:00

Look who decided to drop by....

.....an iguana! It's my first time to see one. Someone told me its pretty small compared to other iguanas he had seen before. I wasn't going to pass the chance, so I took these shots. He was lazying on the wall sill...

Then it decided to perch itself on the wall... Didn't wait his next move coz I was afraid it would jump on me, lol!

Philippine Independence Day Celebration, Cayman Islands

2011-06-12T07:29:00.005-05:00

Long weekend here, thank goodness! They are celebrating the Queen's birthday every 2nd Monday of June. I don't have to work til Tuesday next week and it coincides with the celebration of Philippine Independence Day last night, June 11 at the Lion's Center.

At $10 entrance fee, I got the chance to hear and watch the performances of equally talented Filipinos and Caymanians. I got into the groove when singers sang songs of Usher, Bruno Mars and OPM's. Great evening over all. Got to meet my kababayans and got to eat much-missed Filipino foods like barbecues, pansit, siomai, goto, empanadas, etc....

lucky to be early before the place got filled out.

accoustic songs before the start of the celebration

Didn't get to take more pictures coz I was busy mingling around, lol! Love the warmth of the community here.

P.S.
Finally, my Generali card arrived. Loving the coverage of my health insurance now as compared to the one I had at my previous work.

Summer 2011

2011-06-05T11:02:00.006-05:00

Summer here is just starting they said. But for me it is sooo over. Now with the rain and all.

It is so predictable here. One time its sunny then it will suddenly rain. Yesterday, weekend and all, its raining and yet the sun was up at the same time.

Here's some snapshot of how I spent the summer this year:

look how fine the sand was and how gross was my feet, lol!

after about 20 minutes from the dock, we stopped to this splendor...

our side trip to Stingray City sand bar. water was so crystal-clear...

stepping down from the boat and interacting with the sting rays and feeding them with squid heads. not my thing. i'd rather stay on the sidelines and watch. they brushed my legs and they're so slimy i freaked out...several times!

then we headed out to Rum Point. we just walked through from where we stopped the boat which looked like we were in the middle but it was shallow ALL THE WAY! love the cocktails and looking at the cutesy shops!

I love this place... Hope to be back again soon... Sans the rain, of course!

This Is Why Bin Laden Never Stood A Chance

2011-05-22T14:49:00.003-05:00

Two of The Year's Best Comeback Responses

2011-05-22T14:43:00.001-05:00

If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer's credibility.....

Q: 'Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?.'

A: 'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.'

Q: 'Officer -- who provided this description?.'

A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.'

Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?.'

A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.'

Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?.'

A: 'Yes sir, we do!.'

Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?.'

A: 'Yes, sir,... I do.'

Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?.'

A: 'Yes, sir.'

Q: 'Now, ... why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?.'

A: 'You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.'

The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback' line -- and we think he'll win.

Number 2: Now We Know Why He Was a General-----

In an recent interview, General NormanSchwarzkopf was asked if he thought there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harbored and abetted the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks on America.

His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.

The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function.... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."

You got to love them both!

GO AHEAD

2011-05-17T12:50:00.003-05:00

Go ahead. I'm waiting.

You may want to read Republic Act No. 9262

And as for the perfume, I didn't state that you are using one. I'm saying it figuratively; that is, if you get the drift.

Can't You Get It? 3

2011-05-06T08:15:00.003-05:00

This has been long overdue. The rant, that is. Writing anything in blog sphere seemed like open book in all public to view but there's certain courtesy/ethical conduct with regards to opening sites and reading its contents. It extends too to copying, crediting any content from any site.

I wrote about precious celebrations that's happening in my life with pictures to boot here in my PERSONAL BLOG to journal each milestone. I appreciate any HONEST and SINCERE comment that's been given by readers but I found it so REPULSIVE for ANY picture posted here to be USED without my consent. Ano yun? Para lang bumango ang tingin ng byenan mo sa iyo? You don't have any right in using my name, my son's name or any picture here for purposes of seemed like "sugar coating" or "window dressing" yourself so that other people will change their impression on you.

Other people can make up their own mind about you without you USING anything or anyone for that matter. For all we know, no matter how many perfumes you don on, if you really stink you will stink .

Do us a favor and freaking move on.

WISDOM OF THE SOUL

2011-03-11T00:20:00.000-05:00

1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.

2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.

3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.

4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.

5. Success stops when you do.

6. When your ship comes in. ... make sure you are willing to unload it.

7. You will never "have it all together."

8. Life is a journey... not a destination. Enjoy the trip!

9. The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want I will be happy."

10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.

11. I've learned that ultimately 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.

12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.

13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.

14. We often fear the thing we want the most.

15. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.

16. Look for opportunities. ..not guarantees.

17. Life is what's coming....not what was.

18. Success is getting up one more time.

19. Now is the most interesting time of all.

20. When things go wrong.....don' t go with them.

21. Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

22. A person who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes, but a person who doesn't ask, is a fool forever.

23. A best friend is like a four leaf clover... hard to find, and lucky to have.

24. I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

25. Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look behind.

Due Rewards

2011-03-08T08:20:00.003-05:00

God greets Mother Teresa at the Pearly Gates. "Thou be hungry, Mother
Teresa?" saith God. "I could eat," Mother Teresa replies. So God opens
a can of tuna and reaches for a chunk of rye bread and they share it.

While eating this humble meal, Mother Teresa looks down into Hell and
sees the inhabitants devouring huge steaks, lobsters, pheasants,
pastries and fine wines. Curious, but deeply trusting, Mother Teresa
remains quiet.

The next day God again invites Mother Teresa to join him for a meal.
Again, it is tuna and rye bread. Once again looking down, Mother Teresa
can see the denizens of Hell enjoying caviar, champagne, lamb, truffles
and chocolates. Still Mother Teresa says nothing.

The following day, mealtime arrives and another can of tuna is opened.
Mother Teresa can't contain herself any longer. Meekly, she says: "God,
I am grateful to be in heaven with you as a reward for the pious,
obedient life I led. But here in heaven all I get to eat is tuna and a
piece of rye bread and in the Other Place they eat like emperors and
kings! Forgive me, O God, but I just don't understand..."

God sighs. "Let's be honest, Mother Teresa," he says. "For just two
people, does it pay to cook?!"

Questions To Ponder

2011-03-07T01:46:00.008-05:00

The Smart Wife

2011-03-07T01:44:00.001-05:00

Letter from husband ( who is abroad) to wife

Dear Sweetheart:

I can't send my salary this month, so I am sending 100 kisses.

You are my sweetheart

Your husband

Allen

============ =========

His wife replied back after some days to her husband:

Dearest sweetheart,

Thanks for your 100 kisses, I am sending the expenses details.

1. The Milk man agreed on 2 kisses for one month's milk.

2. The electricity man only agreed after 7 kisses.

3. Your house owner is coming every day and taking two or three kisses

Instead of the rent.

4. Supermarket owner did not accept kisses only, so I have given him Some other items....... ....

5. Other expenses 40 kisses

Please don't worry for me, I have a remaining balance of 35 kisses and I hope I can complete the month using this balance.

Shall I plan same way for next months, Please Advise!!!

Your Sweet Heart

Up..Up And Away!

2011-02-12T09:38:00.010-05:00

Last weekend was our first attendance to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. Day was great, all the balloons flew and looked awesome in the nonetheless cloudy sky. We just have to wake up VERY early (1 a.m.) to be on time of the flying session which started at 5:30 a.m. Here's some of the pictures I took during our visit:

we waited for the still dark sky to lighten up. and at 6:00 a.m.,
we weren't disappointed as the pilot students from
Philippine State College of Aeronautics paraglided with
the national flag as the national anthem was playing along.
it was a sight to behold.

assembly people here laid down, fired up and blow hot air onto balloons.
the sight was spectacular and definitely worth the wait
as we see each of the balloons got filled up with air and started to float.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

2011-02-02T01:27:00.010-05:00

Time flies so fast that a month already passed for the Year 2011, yey! And one of the special occasions celebrated and looking forward this month is the Chinese New Year, which is a big thing here.

Of course, there's the usual treat our company provides to its employees; that is, treating us to a sumptuous full Chinese lauriat for the occasion. Here's the fare we had that day:

assorted cold meats (crispy pork skin, century egg slices, chicken, pork asado, etc)
all good!

this was what my plate looked like: had the crispy skin,
seaweeds plus the asado. yummy!

next were the shrimps. they're very good and very fresh!

the peking duck skin plus the works.

onion leeks, cucumber and rice paper

and some hoisin sauce

this is how its eaten, wrap them all top some hoisin...

...and bite into it. yum!

fried battered shrimp and pork,
made into salad with fruits and crisp veggies.
too heavy on the dressing. my fam didn't like it, still have the leftover on my fridge.

the soup. this is so, so nothing to rave about.

the sinfully good steamed lapu-lapu (grouper)!

peking duck meat. i found it kinda tough.

various seafoods (squid, shrimps, scallops) plus vegetables.
this was very good too!

finally the rice arrived!

OMG! the fatty crabs!
meaty and soo full of roe...yum.
could almost felt my cholesterol points shot up (just kidding)
my youngest cringes whenever he sees Mr Krabs on the plate :-(

the noodles (pancit canton)..we're all loaded at this point sigh!

...fruits for desserts.

plus the company of friends and colleagues.

...and its really a looking-forward-to Year!!

apology for somewhat blurred pictures. i had the flash of my camera turned off. should have turned it on, darn!

After 40 Years Of Marriage

2011-01-29T06:13:00.000-05:00

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table. She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other
for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband. The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof...! the husband became 92 years old.

The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful bastards should remember fairies are female.....

Cool Under Pressure

2011-01-23T20:35:00.001-05:00

For all those who work with rude customers... it's a shame we can't get
to do this!

An award should go to the Virgin Airlines desk attendant in Sydney
some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point,
when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

A crowded Virgin flight was canceled after Virgin's 767s had been
withdrawn from service. A single attendant was re-booking a long line
of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his
way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said,
'I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS'.

The attendant replied, 'I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help
you, but I've got to help these people first, and I'm sure we'll be
able to work something out.'

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers
behind him could hear, 'DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?'

Without hesitating, the attendant smiled and grabbed her public
address microphone: 'May I have your attention please, may I have your
attention please,' she began - her voice heard clearly throughout the
terminal.

'We have a passenger here at Desk 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If
anyone can help him find his identity, please come to Desk 14.'

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared
at the Virgin attendant, gritted his teeth and said, 'F...You!'

Without flinching, she smiled and said, (I love this bit) 'I'm sorry,
sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too!'

Best Parent of the Year

2011-01-18T06:29:00.011-05:00

Management Lesson

2011-01-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"

The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."

Management Lesson: "Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."

Who's Your Daddy?

2010-12-26T19:13:00.001-05:00

These are a Hoot!!

The following are all replies that Detroit women have written on Child Support Agency Forms in the section for listing 'Father's Details,' or putting it another way... Who's your baby's Daddy? These are genuine excerpts from the forms. Be sure to check out #11, it takes 1st prize and #3 is runner up.

1. Regarding the identity of the father of my twins, Makeeshia was fathered by Maclearndon McKinley I am unsure as to the identity of the father of Marlinda, but I believe that she was conceived on the same night.

2. I am unsure, as to the identity of the father of my child as I was being sick out of a window when taken unexpectedly from behind. I can provide you with a list of names of men that I think were at the party if this helps.

3. I do not know the name of the father of my little girl. She was conceived at a party at 3600 East Grand Boulevard where I had sex with a man I met that night. I do remember that the sex was so good that I fainted. If you do manage to track down the father, can you please send me his phone number? Thanks...

4. I don't know the identity of the father of my daughter. He drives a BMW that now has a hole made by my stiletto in one of the door panels. Perhaps you can contact BMW service stations in this area and see if he's had it replaced.

5. I have never had sex with a man. I am still a Virginian. I am awaiting a letter from the Pope confirming that my son's conception was ejaculate and that he is the Saver risen again.

6. I cannot tell you the name of Alleshia's dad as he informs me that to do so would blow his cover and that would have cataclysmic implications for the economy I am torn between doing right by you and right by the country.. Please advise.

7. I do not know who the father of my child was as they all look the same to me.

8. Tyrone Hairston is the father of child A. If you do catch up with him, can you axe him what he did with my AC/DC CDs? Child B who was also borned at the same time.....well, I don't have clue..

9. From the dates it seems that my daughter was conceived at Disney World. Maybe it really is the Magic Kingdom .

10. So much about that night is a blur. The only thing that I remember for sure is Delia Smith did a program about eggs earlier in the evening. If I had stayed in and watched more TV rather than going to the party at 8956 Miller Ave , mine might have remained unfertilized.

11. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of my baby, after all, like when you eat a can of beans you can't be sure which one made you fart.

How To Make a Woman Happy

2010-12-26T19:06:00.001-05:00

It's not difficult to make a woman happy. A man only needs to be:

1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined!
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate

WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:

45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:

51. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:

54. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes

HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY

1. Show up naked
2. Bring food

Woman And A Fork

2010-12-26T18:35:00.001-05:00

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly..

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing
quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Season's Greetings!

2010-12-23T09:49:00.003-05:00

What a remarkable year 2010 has been for me and my family: continuous blessings, overseas trips, family in perfect health, great job and boss, children's good grades and overflowing love (met my special one this year). Am very thankful and truly blessed.

From me and my family to yours, have a Wonderful Christmas and Fruitful New Year to each and one of all!

Thoughts To Think About

2010-12-21T02:50:00.000-05:00

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

***********

Gardening Rule:

When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.

If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

***********

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

***********

Never take life seriously.

Nobody gets out alive anyway.

***********

There are two kinds of pedestrians -- the quick and the dead.

***********

Life is sexually transmitted.

***********

An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.

***********

If quitters never win, and winners never quit,

then who is the fool who said : "Quit while you're ahead?"

***********

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

***********

Always get the last word in: Apologize.

***********

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day;

teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

***********

Some people are like Slinkies . .

not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

***********

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

***********

Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

***********

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

***********

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

***********

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

***********

Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

The Parodoxical Commandments

2010-12-01T20:22:00.002-05:00

The Parodoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

In final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway

The Luckiest People On Earth

2010-10-27T20:30:00.002-05:00

The Luckiest People On Earth

Browsing Old Cemeteries

2010-10-27T20:13:00.001-05:00

Harry Edsel Smith of Albany , New York :
Born 1903--Died 1942.
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the
Car was on the way down. It was.
=============================
In a Thurmont, Maryland , cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no
Place to go.
=============================
On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in
East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia :
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only The
Good Die Young.
=============================
In a London , England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann, Who lived an old maid
But died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767
=============================
In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread, And
The Lord sent them manna. Clark Wallace
Wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna.
===============================
In a Ruidoso, New Mexico , cemetery:
Here lies Johnny Yeast... Pardon him
For not rising.
===============================
In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania , cemetery:
Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake.
Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.
==============================
In a Silver City , Nevada , cemetery:
Here lays The Kid.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.
================================
A lawyer's epitaph in England :
Sir John Strange.
Here lies an honest lawyer,
And that is Strange.
=================================
John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne,
England , cemetery:
Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,
Dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.
==================================
In a cemetery in Hartscombe , England :
On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went
Out of tune.
==================================
Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls ,
Vermont :
Here lies the body of our Anna,
Done to death by a banana.
It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,
But the skin of the thing that made her go.
==================================
On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket ,
Massachusetts :
Under the sod and under the trees,
Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.
He is not here, there's only the pod.
Pease shelled out and went to God.
==================================
In a cemetery in England :
Remember man, as you walk by,
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so shall you be.
Remember this and follow me.
(To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone)
To follow you I'll not consent.
Until I know which way you went.

Appreciating Everything

2010-10-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

Appreciate those who have hurt you, because they strengthen your heart.

Appreciate those who deceive you, because they improve your wisdom.

Appreciate those who slander against you, because they improve your personality.

Appreciate those who whip you, because they arouse your will to fight.

Appreciate those who abandon you, because they teach you independence.

Appreciate those who make you stumble, because they strengthen your legs.

Appreciate those who denounce you, because they remind you of your shortcomings.

Appreciate those who love you, because they show you what its all worth.

We Will NEVER See Ads Like These Again!

2010-10-15T20:36:00.003-05:00

The Patient Grandfather

2010-10-15T20:29:00.000-05:00

The Patient Grandfather

A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly behaved 3 year-old grandson.

It's obvious to her that he has his hands full with the child screaming for sweets in the sweet aisle, biscuits in the biscuit aisle; and for fruit, cereal and pop in the other aisles.

Meanwhile, Granddad is working his way around, saying in a controlled voice, "Easy, William, we won't be long . . . easy, boy."

Another outburst, and she hears the granddad calmly say, "It's okay, William, just a couple more minutes and we'll be out of here. Hang in there, boy."

At the checkout, the little terror is throwing items out of the cart, and Granddad says again in a controlled voice, "William, William, relax buddy, don't get upset. We'll be home in five minutes; stay cool, William."

Very impressed, the woman goes outside where the grandfather is loading his groceries and the boy into the car.

She said to the elderly gentleman, "It's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. That whole time, you kept your composure, and no matter how loud and disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying things would be okay. William is very lucky to have you as his grandpa."

"Thanks," said the grandfather, "but I'm William . .. . the little bastard's name is Kevin."

Coming Changes

2010-10-15T20:27:00.000-05:00

Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them but, ready or not, here they come!

1. The Post Office: Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check: Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper: The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book: You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. The price is less than half that of a real book. And, think of the convenience once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book; you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone: Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same
cell provider for no charge against your minutes.

6. Music: This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with; older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary "Before the Music Dies."

7. Television: Revenues to the networks are down dramatically; not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing. Commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The "Things" That You Own: Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy: If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. It's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. You can be sure that 24/7 "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google "Street View". If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else: again and again.

All we will have that can't be changed are Memories.

People with the first initial “D” have the shortest life expectancy.

2010-10-13T00:37:00.001-05:00

Psychologists at Wayne State University looked at the life spans of 10,000 doctors, lawyers and athletes born between 1870 and 1930 and found those people whose names began with the letter “D” lived, on average, the shortest lives. At the other extreme, those who had the first initial “A” lived the longest, out-stretching “D”-people’s longevity by nearly 10 years.

The researchers speculate that having a name beginning with “D” contributes to poor self-esteem — which other studies suggest lowers a person’s defense against disease. The self-confidence knock is due to a link with the standard American school grading systems, where Ds constitute poor achievement. “Throughout life, we are constantly reminded that ‘A’ symbolizes the best, whereas ‘D’ is regarded as almost a failure,” the professors write in the journal “Death Studies.”

If this isn’t an argument for the widespread adoption of a pass/fail system or stickers with smiley or frowning faces, we don’t know what is. - [Mind Blown]

BIG LOL!!!

The Hearts of the Earth

2010-10-10T23:07:00.005-05:00

from here:

Mangal em Voh, New Caledonia (photo by Yann Arthus-Bertrand)

This pictured travelled the world. It hasn't been airbrushed and it isn't a digital manipulation. The heart shape of this clearing was not designed by men, but is rather a natural process of vegetation elimination due to the water's salinity in the region. It became one of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's most famous pictures and served as the symbol for his "Earth from Above" project. But our planet has other natural hearts...

Not far from New Caledonia we can find another heart-shaped land mass: the island of Tavarua, in the Fiji islands. It is a heavenly place, surrounded by a coral reef, explored for tourist purposes. You can see it in Google Maps

In Patagonia, in Lake Gutierrez to be more precise, there is also a small heart-shaped island (picture at Google Maps). On the other side of the world, in Croatia, the Galesnjak island has the very same shape (picture at Google Maps).

Close to Australia, in the Great Coral Barrier you can also find a coral reef in the shape of a heart. You can only see it from the sky, or at Google Maps.

At the Chembra peak, in Kerala, in India, at 2100 m of altitude, there is a small natural lake that is very sought-after by tourist for its peculiar shape: a heart (picture at Google Maps).

Two more coincidences. First, a little wood in the north of Spain, in Cantabria. It only assumes this shape when looked at from this angle though. You can see it at Google Maps. Finally, a swampy area at the Guantu natural park, in Taiwan (image at Google Maps).

World's Worst Jobs

2010-10-10T23:03:00.004-05:00

If you think you have a worst job in world, look at this pics:

So do you still think you have a worst job?

When Love Fades...

2010-10-07T03:51:00.000-05:00

A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I would like to buy some cyanide."

The pharmacist asked, "Why in the world do you need cyanide?"

The lady replied, "I need it to poison my husband."

The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he exclaimed, "Lord have mercy! I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband. That’s against the law! I’ll lose my license! They’ll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not! You cannot have any cyanide!"

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist’s wife.

The pharmacist looked at the picture and said, "Well now, that’s different. You didn’t tell me you had a prescription."

~~~~~~~~

A man was sitting on the sofa watching TV when he heard his wife's voice from the kitchen: "What would you like for dinner, Love? Chicken, beef or lamb?

He said, "Thank you; I'll have chicken

She said "Not you.... You're having soup. I was talking to the cat."

You Undrstang?

2010-10-07T03:34:00.004-05:00

GOD'S Awesome Physics and Mathematics

2010-10-07T03:32:00.000-05:00

Fascinating, I've never given most of this a thought!!!!

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs.

For example:

-the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days;
-those of the canary in 14 days;
-those of the barnyard hen in 21 days;
-The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days;
-those of the mallard in 35 days;
-The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days.
(Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week!)

God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant... The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs... For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily.

The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation!

God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains.

-Each watermelon has an even number of stripes on the rind.
-Each orange has an even number of segments.
-Each ear of corn has an even number of rows.
-Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains.
-Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number.

-The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather.

All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirty fold, sixty fold, and a hundred fold - all even numbers.

God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linnaeus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed!

What Type Of Fruit Are You?

2010-09-27T20:23:00.002-05:00

You Are A Pear

You are independent, intelligent, and a free thinker.
You can accomplish great things, especially when you do them on your own.

You are direct, honest, and sometimes even a bit brutal.
There's not much that gets in the way of you and your ambition.

While you are hard nosed, you do have a much sweeter side to you.
It takes times for you to soften toward someone, but once you do, you'll be their friend for life.

What Do We Eat In A Week?

2010-09-27T04:55:00.004-05:00

This is an interesting post I recently found here:

Germany
The Melander Family
Total Spent for the week: $500.00

North Carolina, USA
The Revis Family
Total Spent for the week: $341.00

Italy
The Manzo Family
Total Spent for the week: $214.00

Cuernavaca, Mexico
The Casales Family
Total Spent for the week: $189.00

Poland
The Sobczynscy Family
Total Spent for the week: $151.00

Cairo, Egypt
The Ahmed Family
Total Spent for the week: $31.00

Shingkhey Village, Equador
The Namgay Family
Total Spent for the week: $5.00

Bhutan
The Namgay Family
Total Spent for the week: $5.00

Breidjing Camp, Chad
The Aboubakar Family
Total Spent for the week: $1.00

No matter what provisions we have, I feel that me and my family are blessed. And everyday there's a reason to be thankful for.

Isa Ka Ba Sa Kanila?

2010-09-23T04:34:00.000-05:00

Who Are Filipinos?

Filipinos are brown. Their color is at the center of human racial strains.

This point is not an attempt at racism, but just for many Filipinos to Realize that our color should not be a source of or reason for an inferiority complex.

While we pine for a fair complexion, white people are religiously tanning themselves, under the sun or artificial light, to approximate the Filipino complexion.

Filipinos are a touching people. We have lots of love and are not afraid To show it. We almost inevitably create human chains with our perennial akbay (putting an arm around another's shoulder), hawak (hold), yakap (embrace), Himas (caressing stroke), kalabit (touching with the tip of the finger), kalong (sitting on someone else's lap), etc. We are always reaching out, always Seeking interconnection.

Filipinos are linguists. Put a Filipino in any city, any town around the world. Give him a few months or even weeks and he will speak the local language there. Filipinos are adept at learning and speaking languages.

In fact, it is not uncommon for Filipinos to speak at least three: his Own local dialect, Filipino, and English. Of course, a lot speak an added language, be it Chinese, Spanish or, if he works abroad, the language of his host country.

In addition, Tagalog is not 'sexist.' While many 'conscious' and 'enlightened' people of today are just by now striving to be 'politically correct' with their language and, in the process, bend to absurd depths in
coining 'gender sensitive' words, Tagalog has, since time immemorial, evolved gender-neutral words like asawa (husband or wife), anak (son or daughter), magulang (father or mother), kapatid (brother or sister), biyenan (father-in-law or mother-in-law) , manugang (son or daughter-in- law), bayani (hero or heroine), etc.

Our languages and dialects are advanced and, indeed, sophisticated! Filipinos are groupists. We love human interaction and company. We always surround ourselves with people and we hover over them, too. According to Dr. Patricia Licuanan, a psychologist from Ateneo and Miriam College, an Average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives.

At work, we live bayanihan (mutual help); at play, we want a kalaro (playmate)more than laruan (toy). At socials, our invitations are open and it is more common even for guests to invite and bring in other guests. In transit, we do not want to be separated from our group. So what do we do when there is no more space in a vehicle? Kalung-kalong! (Sitting on one another). No one would ever suggest splitting a group and wait for another vehicle with more space!

Filipinos are weavers. One look at our baskets, mats, clothes, and other crafts will reveal the skill of the Filipino weaver and his inclination to weaving. This art is a metaphor of the Filipino trait. We are social weavers. We weave theirs into ours that we all become parts of one another. We place a lot of premium on pakikisama (getting along) and pakikipagkapwa (relating). Two of the worst labels, walang pakikipagkapwa (inability to relate), will be avoided by the Filipino at almost any cost.

We love to blend and harmonize with people, we like to include them in Our 'tribe,' our 'family'- and we like to be included in other people's families, too. Therefore we call our friend's mother nanay or mommy; we call a friend's sister ate (eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers tia/tita (aunt) or tio/tito (uncle), tatang (grandfather) , etc.

So extensive is our social openness and interrelations that we have Specific title for extended relations like hipag (sister-in-law' s spouse), balae (child-in-law' s parents), inaanak (godchild), ninong/ninang (godparents) kinakapatid (godparent's child), etc.

In addition, we have the profound 'ka' institution, loosely translated as 'equal to the same kind' as in kasama (of the same company), kaisa (of the Same cause), kapanalig (of the same belief), etc. In our social fiber, we treat Other people as co-equals. Filipinos, because of their social 'weaving' traditions, make for excellent team workers.

Filipinos are adventurers. We have a tradition of separation. Our myths And legends speak of heroes and heroines who almost always get separated from Their families and loved ones and are taken by circumstances to far-away lands Where they find wealth or power.

Our Spanish colonial history is filled with separations caused by the reduccion (hamleting), and the forced migration to build towns, churches, fortresses or galleons. American occupation enlarged the space of Filipino wandering, including America, and there is documented evidence of Filipino presence in America as far back as 1587.

Now, Filipinos compose the world's largest population of overseasworkers, populating and sometimes 'threshing' major capitals, minor towns and even remote villages around the world. Filipino adventurism has made us today's citizens of the world, bringing the bagoong (salty shrimp paste), pansit (sautéed noodles), siopao (meat-filled dough), kare-kare (peanut-flavored dish), balut (unhatched duck egg), and adobo (meat vinaigrette) , including the tabo (ladle) and tsinelas (slippers) all over the world.

Filipinos are excellent at adjustments and improvisation, managing to Recreate their home, or to feel at home anywhere. Filipinos have Pakiramdam (deep feeling/discernment ) . We know how to feel what others feel, sometimes even anticipate what they will feel.

Being manhid (dense) is one of the worst labels anyone could get and will therefore, avoid at all cost. We know when a guest is hungry though the insistence on being full is assured.

We can tell if people are lovers even if they are miles apart. We know if A person is offended though he may purposely smile. We know because we feel. In our pakikipagkapwa (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe But also his heart.

We have a superbly developed and honored gift of discernment, making us excellent leaders, counselors, and go-betweens. Filipinos are very spiritual. We are transcendent. We transcend the physical world, see the unseen and hear the unheard. We have a deep sense of kaba (premonition) and kutob (hunch). A Filipino wife will instinctively feel her husband or child is going astray, whether or not telltale signs present themselves.

"Fridays I Play Golf"

2010-09-23T04:31:00.000-05:00

Eileen and her husband Jim went for counseling after 25 years of marriage.

When asked what the problem was, Eileen went into a passionate, painful
tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the 25 years they had been
married.

She went on and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness,
feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had
endured over the course of their marriage.

Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the
therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking Eileen to stand,
embraced her, unbuttoned her blouse and bra, put his hands on her breasts
and massaged them thoroughly, while kissing her passionately as her husband
Jim watched with a raised eyebrow!

Eileen shut up, buttoned up her blouse, and quietly sat down while basking
in the glow of being highly aroused.

The therapist turned to Jim and said, 'This is what your wife needs at least
three times a week.. Can you do this?'

Jim thought for a moment and replied, 'Well, I can drop her off here on
Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I play golf.'

A Touching Lumpia Story

2010-09-23T04:30:00.001-05:00

This is for all the Filipinos out there, and those who are lucky enough to have Filipino friends, those who have Filipino spouses and those who have Filipino next door neighbors. The story goes like this:

The elderly foreigner lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite food, Filipino Lumpia.

Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort, steadying himself against the walls with both hands he inched his way to the kitchen. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame and gazed into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. For there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite food, LUMPIA.

Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted Filipino wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man? Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture. Painfully, he reached up with his right hand and weakly groped on the table surface until he felt the oily warmth of one of his rolled favorite dish. His arthritic fingers wrapped around one, gingerly picked it up and brought it down. His parched lips slowly parted and as he slowly brought to his mouth, the wondrous taste of that lumpia already overwhelmed him, seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand trembled on the lumpia, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.

"Git out of here!" she shouted. "dis are por your puneral!"

A Guide To A Better Life

2010-09-23T04:27:00.001-05:00

This is amazing: he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, but wrote a book ‘The last lecture” before then, one of the best-sellers in 2007. What a legacy to leave behind…

In a letter to his wife Jai and his children, Dylan, Logan , and Chloe, he wrote this beautiful "guide to a better life" for his wife and children to follow.
May you be blessed by his insight.

POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Personality:
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:
15. Call your family often
16. Each day give something good to others
17. Forgive everyone for everything
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day
20. What other people think of you is none of your business
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything
24. Do the right things
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
27. The best is yet to come
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

Customer Service

2010-09-23T04:23:00.001-05:00

Life is always good. So here's a laugh for all of us.

Customer Service

Young Mwangi was appointed sales person at a local General Dealer's store in Kampala .

While on one of his shifts, a lady approached him and asked if they had peach jam to which he bluntly replied, "Out of stock." At this, the lady immediately turned to leave the shop in disgruntlement.

It was then that the shopkeeper, who had been looking on, called Mwangi aside and told him, "When a customer asks for a product that is out of stock, you apologize for its unavailability, and then offer other types of the same product. For instance in this case it was peach jam; offer other types of jam like plum jam, guava jam and so on."

Next, came in another lady who asked for toilet paper and Mwangi politely replied, "I am sorry ma'am, we do not have any toilet paper right now but you could try carbon paper, manila paper or sand paper!

"What Should I Do To Marry A Rich Guy?"

2010-09-16T22:08:00.000-05:00

A young and pretty lady posted this on a popular forum:
Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?

I'm going to be honest about what I'm going to say here. I'm 25 this year. I'm very pretty, have style and good taste. I wish to marry a guy with $500k annual salary or above. You might say that I'm greedy, but an annual salary of $1M is considered only as middle class in some areas of New York.

My requirement is not high. Is there anyone in this forum who has an income of $500k annual salary? Are you all married? I want to ask: what should I do to marry rich persons like you? Among those I've dated, the richest has a $250k annual income, and it seems that this is the upper limit of where I can reach. If someone is going to move into high cost residential area on the west of New York City Garden (?) a $250k annual income is not enough.

I'm here humbly to ask a few questions:

1. Where do most rich bachelors hang out? (Please list down the names and addresses of bars, restaurant, and gym)
2. Which age group should I target?
3. Why most wives of the rich men are only average-looking? I've met a few girls who don't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able to
marry rich guys - what have they got??
4. How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your
girlfriend? (My target now is to get married)!

Ms. Pretty

J.P. Morgan CEO’s reply:

Dear Ms. Pretty,

I have read your post with great interest. Guess there are lots of girls out there who have similar questions like yours. Please allow me to analyse your situation from a professional investor’s point of view.

My annual income is more than $500k, which meets your requirement, so I hope everyone believes that I'm not wasting time here. From the standpoint of a business person, it is a bad decision to marry you. The answer is very simple, so let me explain. Put the details aside, what you're trying to do is an exchange of "beauty" and "money":

Person A (you) provide beauty, and Person B (me or someone like me) pays for it, fair and square.

However, there's a deadly problem here, your beauty will fade, but my money will not be gone without any good reason. The fact is, my income might increase from year to year, but you can't become prettier year after year. Hence from the viewpoint of economics, I am an appreciation asset, and you are a depreciation asset. It's not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation. If being very pretty is your only asset then your value will be much lowered 10 years later.

By the terms we use in Wall Street, every trading has a position, dating with you is also a "trading position". If the trade value dropped we will sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term - same goes with the marriage that you wanted. It might be cruel to say this, but in order to make a wiser decision any assets with great depreciation value will be sold or "leased".

Anyone with over $500k annual income is not a fool; we would only date you, but will not marry you. I would advise that you forget looking for any clues to marry a rich guy. And by the way, you could make yourself to become a rich person with $500k annual income. This has better chance than finding a rich fool. As far as those average looking wives of rich guys are concerned, they have Dads who help the rich guy make the $500K and more per year!!

Hope this reply helps. If you are interested in "leasing" services, do contact me...

Signed,
CEO
J.P. Morgan

Contrary Proverbs

2010-09-16T03:55:00.002-05:00

I have been in absentia in blogging but that doesn't mean I'm not updated :-D Everyday hassling home, work and affairs of the heart can really put aside my writings (and pasting as the case maybe, lol!). This one's been sent to me via mail. Thanks po!

"Time and tide wait for no man."

BUT

"All good things come to those who wait."

"The pen is mightier than the sword."

BUT

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Fools seldom differ."

BUT

"Wise men think alike."

"There's no such thing as a free lunch."

BUT

"The best things in life are free."

"Time waits for no man."

BUT

"Slow and steady wins the race."

"Strike while the iron is hot."

BUT

"Look before you leap."

"Do it well, or not at all."

BUT

"Half a loaf is better than none."

"Opposits attract."

BUT

"Birds of the same feather, flock together."

"Don't cross your bridges before you come to them."

BUT

"Forewarned is forearmed."

"Doubt is the beginning of wisdom."

BUT

"Faith will move mountains."

"Great starts make great finishes."

BUT

"It isn't over 'till it's over."

"Practice makes perfect."

BUT

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

BUT

"Silence is golden."

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

BUT

"You're never too old to learn."

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

BUT

"One man's meat is another man's poison."

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

BUT

"Out of sight, out of mind."

"Too many cooks spoil the broth."

BUT

"Many hands make work light."

"Hold fast to the words of your ancestors."

BUT

"Wise men make proverbs and fools repeat them."

A Matter of Taste (A British Perspective On Filipino Food)

2010-08-08T22:50:00.002-05:00

MATTER OF TASTE By Matthew Sutherland

I have now been in this country for over six years, and consider myself in most respects 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.

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, merienda ceyna, dinner, bedtime snacks and no-one-saw-me- take-that- cookie-from- the-fridge- so-it-doesn' t-count. (My take, yes we love to eat and we pride of taking care of our loved ones by cooking for them)

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 (food in small container) 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. 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, cholesterolic frenzy of a good old-fashioned LECHON de leche (roast pig) 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 through 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 purple ice cream. I have never been able to get my brain around eating purple food; the ubiquitous UBE leaves me 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..

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 a 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 that 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, doorbells. 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 our newly appointed chief of police has a doorbell name Ping . None of these doorbell 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 come from "dong" is a slang word for 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. More 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. T hat'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.

Top 25 City Hotels in Asia

2010-08-04T00:23:00.000-05:00

It's amazing to know that two (2) hotels here in Metro Manila were included in the Top 25 List of Travel & Leisure in Asia. I am so proud to have learned that two of our hotels are above par in terms of international standards in hotel industry.

I am so proud too and privileged to have experience to stay on one of them, the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. The room was comfortably big, stylishly furnished, with state-of-the-art amenities, to-die-for restaurant (the Circles), and huge bed.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

2010-07-14T23:05:00.005-05:00

This post is created via my phone plus wifi. Because of typhoon Basyang, power goes up and down, disrupting all major forms of communication here. Oh well, it is the start of storm season here. After my petit amor went overseas-offices hopping again, I have more time enjoying things like watching the 3rd installment of the Twilight Saga (Eclipse), which I enjoyed (as always) and reading good books. Well, he's coming in a week's time and I would have to enjoy more of my everyday with him...

I was intrigued by the book after having found out that it stayed in the New York's Bestseller's List for 95 consecutive weeks. Plus, it was written by Mitch Albom, the same who wrote Tuesdays With Morrie, a highly-recommended book, which I have yet to read.

The story is about the life of Eddie, who was in his 80's, died in a tragic accident and ended up in heaven to meet the five people who one way or the other touched his life. In this book, Eddie learned 5 valuable lessons:

1.) That there are no random acts. We are all connected.
2.) Sacrifice is the noblest thing one can do.
3.) Let go and forgive.
4.) True love does not die.
5.) Understanding and acceptance of one's life's purpose.

And to take a quote from the book, "That's what heaven is. You get to make sense of yesterdays."

Banoffee Pie

2010-07-05T02:42:00.003-05:00

Oh yes.. That's my very own banoffee pie made from scratch by moi. Banoffee pie is originated from England during the early 70's and is composed of Graham cracker crust, toffee, banana, whipped cream and I added my personal touch of chocolate syrup. Everyone has its own version on how to make it. It's no-baked and I made this in time for the 13th birthday celebration of my 2nd son. Very, very sinful. Not recommended for diet-watchers.

My 2nd Bubba Gump Experience

2010-06-09T22:39:00.010-05:00

Tuesday night was my 2nd visit to Bubba Gump after a long while. A long while, because my last visit was with my close friend Lei way back in 2003 or 2004. We both ate lunch there and I remembered the shrimps were great. But this time, I'm with my petit ami and he joined me to relive my experience again the iconic place for a drink. Iconic for both of us because we both agree that Forrest Gump, the movie which inspired the inception of the restaurant, tops on our list of feel-good movies. And because my petit ami is from the South too, lol. The place wasn't busy on Tuesday night, which was good.

So we agreed to meet there after work and he came there first. He had less traffic to tackle than mine. And he ordered a bucket of San Mig Lights while he waited for me.

He was excited for the beer because he found out that each cost about a dollar. And when he didn't get to finish 2 bottles from his last bucket, we only paid around 40 cents and we brought home the 2 bottles with us. When I arrived, he ordered my favorite cocktail and Bubba Gump had their own version: the Delta Margarita. It's the margarita on the left side, the other was mixed with raspberry. Mine's with lime. I found it weak and commented to him that it tasted like a regular lemonade. He alternately drank some of my margarita too while we waited for our shrimps.

The cool thing about the resto was that every wall was decked with the movie's memorabilia: the cast's screen shots, replica of the things seen, an actual life-size statue of Tom Hanks, memorable lines in the movie and a whole lot more. They have signs on the table that if you put to Run Forrest Run, they won't bother you. But if you put it on Stop Forrest Stop, someone will come to ask what you need. You don't have to wave someone to come. Like, when he ask for another bucket, we changed the sign to Stop Forrest Stop. Also when we asked for the check later. Our table was situated at the far end of the restaurant. The bar was smoking that night. And we both didn't want to be in there. Ours was very cozy and we did enjoy our time there without being distracted & interrupted much.

We ordered the Shrimper's Heaven with our drinks. It's a combination of 4 shrimp dishes plus coleslaw, 3 dipping sauces and fries. There's Coconut Shrimp which he liked but I didn't care much; Fried Shrimp, which was okay when dipped; Hush Pups which for me were just full batter lol. I think I only tasted half of one. And the Dynamite Shrimp which we both loved. We both didn't care about the fries nor the coleslaw. The coleslaw was actually untouched. And my guy didn't care for any dip unlike me.

Shrimper's Heaven

Hush Pups & Fried Shrimp

Dynamite Shrimp

Overall, its the best Bubba Gump experience for me. Oh well, the company outshone the shrimps lol. The shrimps were smaller this time but we both loved the Dynamite Shrimp with its spicy & hot sauce. I got to finish a shaker of the margarita and him 4 beers. After he settled the bill, we brought the 2 beers with us and we were both happy.

(All the pictures were taken from different sources in the web. My petit ami doesn't like to take pictures and he won't pose to any lol. Which is okay with me. I know he guards his privacy. )

Old Funny Posts

2010-06-02T00:40:00.004-05:00

I've recently re-acquaint myself to one of my favorite blog writer. Enjoy as much as I do! Here's two of his posts: (Click the pictures for the link)

And The Fat Lady Sings!

2010-05-10T21:25:00.001-05:00

The masses have spoken. We did it!

I Go Yellow

2010-05-06T01:09:00.001-05:00

Bulls

2010-04-29T01:57:00.012-05:00

My wife and I went to the Cloverdale rodeo and one of the first exhibits we stopped at was the breeding.
We went up to the first pen and there was a sign attached that said,

' THIS BULL MATED 50 TIMES LAST YEAR'

My wife playfully nudged me in the ribs .....Smiled and said, 'He mated 50 times last year.'

We walked to the second pen which had a sign attached that said,
''THIS BULL MATED 150 TIMES LAST YEAR'

My wife gave me an even stronger nudge and said,
'WOW~~That's almost three times a week! ........You could learn a lot from him.'

We walked to the third pen and it had a sign attached that said,
in capital letters,
'THIS BULL MATED 365 TIMES LAST YEAR'

My wife was so excited that her elbow nearly broke my ribs, and she said
'That's once EVERY day .You could REALLY learn something from this one.'

I looked at her and said,
'Go over and ask him if it was with the same cow.'

.
.
.

My condition has been upgraded from critical
to stable and I should eventually make a full recovery

Living A Five Star Life

2010-04-29T01:53:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from: Living a Five Star Life, by Betty Mahalik

In this day and age, we are surrounded by messages that virtually scream, "Your life would be perfect if..." My life would be perfect if I had a different job, a different house, car, nose, spouse, bank account (fill in the blank). Or my life would be perfect if I could be like some celebrity whose life appears so well-ordered and perfect-o. This week I encourage you to stop playing "my life would be perfect if," and start playing "my perfect life." What's the difference? Three things: being in the present, an attitude of gratitude, taking action with what's available now.

When we're caught up in the "my life would be perfect if" trap, we've lost touch with the present. And the moment we detach from the present, we can no longer practice gratitude. Think about it: it's difficult to be grateful for what you don't have...and what you don't have is always somewhere out in future-ville.

Look around you right now. Think of 10 things you're grateful for. Do you have a roof over your head and food to eat? I'm guessing the answer is yes. Do you have at least a few good friends or close relationships? Then appreciate them too, right now. Keep going, and practice being in the present and being grateful for what is here and now at least a couple times a day.

You're also probably sitting there thinking "yes but." Yes, but I want more money, a better relationship, more time to travel, to be thinner, happier or whatever. It's one of the great mysteries I'll never figure out. The minute you stop focusing on what you lack, start focusing on what you've already got, and add the "magic" ingredient of action, you actually begin to attract more of what you want. It's an amazing formula for really living your perfect life!

Let's say you want to lose weight or get in better shape, but you don't have an hour a day to spend exercising at the gym. Therefore, you've pretty well resigned yourself to not losing weight or getting in shape. What if you had five minutes though...just about everyone can find five minutes to exercise, stretch, walk around the block or walk the dog. Would you be willing to be grateful for five minutes and make the best possible use of it? Therein lies the beginning of your perfect life!

A simple formula may help you remember how to apply this principle:

The present
+ an attitude of gratitude
+ positive action
= my perfect life.

Try it for a day. Each time you start dreaming about how perfect your life would be if...come back to this moment, give thanks for what is, and do one thing to perfect what you have and who you are right now. There's a saying that "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." If you're ready to start perfecting your life, your teachers are all around you.

What are you waiting for?

Summertime!

2010-04-23T21:03:00.012-05:00

Summer...temp's scorching yet everyone's looking forward to it. Thank goodness it is soo bearable this year due to air conditioning. Plus, the onslaught of halo-halo, fruit shakes and ice cream.

First off summer escapade: East of Manila where we all were sunburnt!

Brief birthday celeb of Bunso.

Then we celebrated with my family to somewhere cool.

And still headed to the beach where we had a blast of a day.

My mom requested to have her photo with all her grandkids hehehe...

Do what we can; summer will have its flies.

Striking Differences Between Winners and Losers

2010-04-20T04:24:00.005-05:00

(Courtesy of T. Felix. Thanks po!)

	Winners	Losers
1	Winners focus on solutions.	Losers focus on problems.
2	Winners take responsibility.	Losers blame others.
3	Winners find opportunities in crisis.	Losers complain about crisis.
4	Winners enjoy being in the present and learn from the past.	Losers live in the past.
5	Winners make commitment and keep them no matter what.	Losers make promises that they always break.
6	Winners think about how they can achieve.	Losers give excuses.
7	Winners make personal development a priority.	Losers neglect personal development.
8	Winners face their fear, accept it and take the leap.	Losers dwell in their fear.
9	Winners constantly expand their comfort zone.	Losers stay in their comfort zone.
10	Winners take action consistently.	Losers refrain from taking action and lack consistency.
11	Winners take failure in their stride and learn from them.	Losers fear failure and avoid them at all cost.
12	Winners try different strategies when they are not getting the results they want.	Losers do the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
13	Winners set goals.	Losers lack goals.
14	Winners plan.	Losers hate having a plan.
15	Winners believe there are always things to be learn.	Losers consider themselves as an expert even though they know little.
16	Winners are humble.	Losers are egoistic.
17	Winners continue to hone their skill every other day without fail.	Losers make little effort in honing their skill.
18	Winners work hard.	Losers avoid work.
19	Winners give their best for the things that they decide to do.	Losers work half heartedly in everything that they do.
20	Winners are persistent and will do whatever it takes (ethical means) to achieve their goal.	Losers give up when obstacles pop up.
21	Winners manage their time well and indulge in high value activities that will bring them closer to their goals.	Losers lack time management skills and indulge in time wasting activities like playing games and watching re runs for the umpteen time.
22	Winners dream in the day.	Losers dream in bed.
23	Winners think about possibilities.	Losers focus on obstacles that will stop them from achieving.
24	Winners are certain.	Losers doubt.
25	Winners control their own destiny.	Losers leave everything to their fate.
26	Winners give more than they take.	Losers take more than they give.
27	Winners think whether the crowd is going in the right direction. If not, he will walk the other direction.	Losers follow the crowd.
28	Winners think and lead.	Losers refuse to think so they follow.
29	Winners listen.	Losers fight for every chance to talk.
30	Winners always find a better way to do things.	Losers stick to one way of doing things.
31	Winners spend money in seminars and classes to improve themselves.	Losers think that spending money on seminars and classes is a waste of money and they prefer to buy toys that gives them instant gratification.
32	Winners help others to win.	Losers refuse to help and think only about their own benefit.
33	Winners find like minded people like themselves that can bring them to greater height.	Losers find like minded people like themselves that will drag them to failure.

It Says It All...

2010-04-07T20:10:00.001-05:00

Tiger Woods New Nike Video

Sophomore Year, '88-89

2010-03-19T20:27:00.011-05:00

(click image to enlarge)

A high-school classmate surprised me (and my other classmates) by posting our Sophomore class picture in Facebook. Wow, it's more than 20 years since this picture is taken, lol! And in terms of looks, we sure do all changed. Here's some odds and pieces about this class. I won't name names to protect the identity of my beloved classmates. Well...I'm actually protecting my hide, lol!

1.) This particular classmate hung up with 2 or 3 others, quite shy and reeled away from the usual "boisterous" kind which in turned gave suspicions to the rest of the class with h__ "orientation"..peace po!

2.) Pictured here too were 2 of my high school crushes. One has super cute, lop-sided smile and piercing eyes. The other one, timid and mysterious which added to his charisma.

3.) One of the guys here actually hinted to court me after almost 4 years since graduation. I was ALMOST succumbed to add more info but I think my fellow classmates would know who it was if I added them heheheh.

4.) One of the guys too sneaked I think 1 to 2 notes on my notebook (or was it a book?). He's the most unexpected guy I thought would do that! To think that it took me days before I found the first one.

5.) Hmmm. I think 4 or more classmates here were my classmates since grade school.

6.) Two of them deceased already. I surely miss them. One was my close friend.

7.) One of the girls here became very close to me that I spend lots of times in her house and we talked a lot about how things will be.

8.) I adore one of my adviser.

9.) This is the year where I discovered that if I put my mind into it, I can actually draw.

10.) Three (3) of the guys became doctors.

11.) I think some became nurses. I don't know the exact number but most of them are living/working abroad.

12.) Some are engineers.

13.) The most famous dream of the guys back then was to be able to admit at PATTS. I just don't know who was able to go through.

14.) Two or 3 of the girls including me experienced to cut class by jumping on the wall that separated the school and the cemetery hahahaha! All of us were in the top 10 of the class.

15.) One guy was so concerned about his "inadequacy" that he had started to do something about it.

16.) A year before this picture was taken, the mom of one of my classmates actually pleaded to have my picture taken with his son hahahaha!

17.) Some of these guys and gals had their share of being sleepy at class. But no one beat someone who were actually seated at the front of the class and who were aroused with some drool dripping from his mouth hahahaha!

18.) The school principal back then was one of my mom's professor in college.

19.) One of the guy's name was so inspiring to me that I copied its French version for my second son's name.

20.) One of the girls here flipped her hair more than other girls.

21.) I actually took my 2nd grade summer ballet class with one of the girls here. I think even piano lessons.

22.) Some of us spent time playing a card games on tanks(?) and boggle game at the school's canteen. Some even tried if it was really hazardous to combine mint candy and sprite.

23.) Because of our notoriety and mischievousness, the entire class was issued slips from the Guidance Counselor and went detention hehehehe.

Graduation & School Closing Rites Season Na Naman...

2010-03-12T06:55:00.003-05:00

Congrats to those who hurdled school (elementary, high school or college)! Your parents must be proud of you.

A lil laugh to commemorate this season...

The Blood Countess

2010-03-05T07:42:00.002-05:00

(I recently watched this piece of history in a movie and it galled me to think how far vanity can go to someone.)

Elizabeth Bathory was born in Hungary in 1560, approximately a hundred years after Vlad the Impaler died. One of her ancestors Prince Steven Bathory, was even a commanding officer who helped Vlad Dracula In 1546, when he claim the throne in Wallachia back again.

At the time Elizabeth was born, her parents George and Anna Bathory belonged to one of the oldest and wealthiest families in the country. Her cousin was the prime minister in Hungary, another relative was cardinal, and her uncle Stephan later became King of Poland. But the Bathory-family, beside the very rich and famous, also contained some very strange relatives. One uncle was known to be a devil-worshipper, and other members of the family were mental insane and perverted.

In the spring 1575, at the age of 15, Elizabeth was married to Count Ferencz Nadasdy, who was 25. The Count added her surname to his, so Elizabeth could keep her family name Bathory. After the marriage they moved to Castle Csejthe a mountaintop fortress overlooking the village of Csejthe, which lies in the north-western part of Hungary. Count Ferencz spent a great deal of time away from home, often fighting against the Turks.

He was a very brave and daring soldier on the battlefield, and later in life he earned a reputation as the "Black Hero of Hungary".
While her husband was pursuing his passion for war, throughout all the 25 years they were married, Elizabeth was often left to herself, and her life became more and more boring. To kill some time, beside admiring her own beauty in the mirror for hours, she took on young men as lovers, and onetime she even ran of with one, but she soon returned home and the Count forgave her. Another thing Elizabeth did to amuse herself while home alone, was to pay visits to her aunt Countess Klara Bathory, an open bisexual. She presumably enjoyed herself with her aunt Klara, since she visited her aunt's estate frequently.

It was also then she began to develop an interest in the occult. An old maid named Dorothea Szentes, also called Dorka, who was a real witch, instructed her in the ways of witchcraft and Black Magic. Later Dorka became Bathory's helping hand, when she was encouraging Elizabeth's sadistic tendencies, like the inflicting of pain upon people. Together with Dorka, Elizabeth began the task of disciplining the female servants, and torture them in an underground chamber. In the Countess's service, as helpers in the macabre punishments of the servants, was her old nurse Iloona Joo, her manservant Johannes Ujvary and a maid named Anna Darvula, who alleged also was Elizabeth's lover.

With the aid of this crew, Elizabeth made Castle Csejthe to a place of pure evil. She would always find excuses to inflict punishment and torture, upon her young servant girls. She preferred to having the victim stripped naked and then whip the girl on the front of her nude body rather than the back not only for the increased damage this would do, but so that she then could watch their faces contort in horror at their most grim and burning fate. Another favorite was when she would stick pins, in various sensitive places on the victims body, such as under fingernails.
In 1600 Ferencz died and Elizabeth's period of real terror began. First of, she sent her hated mother-in-law away. Secondly, she would have peace to enjoy a new kind of bath, that nobody was to known of. Short before her husband died something happened, that changed Elizabeth's life. She was now close to 40 and time, had taken it's toll on her appearance. Elizabeth tried to conceal the wrinkles through cosmetics. But this could not cover the fact, that she was getting old and close to losing her beauty.

Then one day it happened. A young chambermaid accidentally pulled Elizabeth Bathory's hair while combing it. The infuriated Countess slapped the girl's head so hard, that blood spurted from her nose, which splashed upon her own hand. Where the blood had touched her skin, Elizabeth immediately though it took on the freshness of her young chambermaid's skin. She then got hold of Johannes Ujvary and Dorka to undress the young girl, upon holding her arms over a big vat, then they cut her arteries. After the young girl was dead Elizabeth then stepped into the vat, and took a bath in her chambermaid's blood.

She was now sure, she had found the secret of eternal youth through this vampirism. She had discovered that blood is life.
Over the next ten years, Elizabeth Bathory's evil trusted helpers provided her with beautiful young girls, from some neighboring villages, upon the cover of hiring them as servants to Castle Csejthe. Back in the castle, the young girls would be mutilated and killed, so the Countess could take her blood baths. Sometimes, she would even drink their blood, to gain some sort of inner beauty. But soon Elizabeth began to realize that the blood of simple peasant girls, was having little effect on the quality of her skin. Better blood was now required. Elizabeth then started picking girls from some of the surrounding lower nobility. These noble girls were consumed in exactly the same beastly fashion as the peasant girls who preceded them.

However, with the disappearance of girls of noble birth, Elizabeth was now becoming very careless in her actions. People who lived in the neighboring villages, had already begun to talk. And soon the rumor about the horror in Castle Csejthe reached the Hungarian Emperor. The Emperor then ordered Elizabeth's own cousin, the Count Cuyorgy Thurzo, who was governor of the province to raid the castle.

On December 30, 1610. A band of soldiers led by Elizabeth's own cousin, raided Castle Csejthe at night. They were horrified by the terrible sights in the castle. A dead girl was lying in the main hall, drained of blood, another girl, who had her body pierced, was still alive. In the dungeon they later discovered, were several girls waiting in prison cells, some of whose bodies had been tortured. Below the castle, they found the bodies of some 50 dead girls.

During the trial 1611, a register with the names of around 650 victims, was found in the Countess's living quarters. But the trial was largely just for show and to make the occasion "official". A complete transcript of the trial was made at the time, and it still remains today in Hungary. All of Elizabeth's four accomplices were sentenced to death. Only Elizabeth was not brought before a court and tried. She remained confined in her castle while her four sadistic accomplices were tried for their crimes.

But she got her punishment, when the Hungarian Emperor demanded her condemn to lifelong imprisonment in her own castle. Stonemasons were brought to her Castle Csejthe, to wall up the windows and the door to the bedchamber with the Countess still inside. Here she would spend the remaining days of her life, with only a small opening for food to be passed to her.

In 1614, four years after she was walled in, one of the Countess's jailers found her food untouched. After peeking through the small opening in Elizabeth's walled-up cell, he saw her lying face down on the floor. Elizabeth Bathory the "Blood Countess" was dead at the age of fifty-four.

Ganito Ka Ba Mag-English?

2010-02-26T01:54:00.003-05:00

ENTERTAINMENT

Ganito Ka Rin Ba Mag-English?

(To whoever gets to understand this letter, CONGRATULATIONS!)

The following is a letter found at a certain bar in Manila and have been preserved to its original unedited form. Enjoy reading and you may try to direct translation is Tagalog, Pls. read with feelings……

October 1996,
To Marjorie

I am not surprise or wonder why Dennis leave you why? What reason can you think about but you’re very fat body. I thought before that Dennis only use me to his toy but sooner and later I’m realize that he really can’t not beared or stomached to be with you anymore because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you’re habit of making pakialam all his walks (lakad) and always calling to their house what he got home or this or that.
And then he say he get ashame to me either in school or in his family and then asking you to exercise you’re very very, very fat body. But you hate it. Thought you’re the most preetiest girls he knows about. What do you think you are “ Beautiful Girl” of Jose Mari Chan?
Even you are beautiful face ( to your think) you do not have the right to called me whatsoever or else difference name one time or the other for the real purposed to insults my personality because I’m never call you names either in the front of Dennis or in the backs of Dennis, but if you start already to calling me different name, I don’t have any other choice but to call you other different name to. Like you are a PIG, FAT, OBESSED, OVERWIGHT, AND UGLY SHAPE girl. Shame to you’re body that is to a BUDING.
You can’t not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me because I am the more sexier that you when you look to us in the mirror. I’m repeat again that you are like Lozada when she is a girl.
Love,
The sexiest Girl of D.M.
P.S.
You say that I’m the bad breathe but who is Dennis want to kissed. Me or you? And the final is me. There you go

Swim Laughs

2010-02-25T08:53:00.003-05:00

Some laughs about my new almost-everyday routine: Swimming.

An exercise routine that makes me calm, I entirely forgot now my fear of drowning, I taught myself to swim (breast stroke; that is), doing at least 6 laps on the Olympic size pool PLUS I get to imagine to drown my *bleep away, lol!

Cool Swimming
The weather was very hot, so a guy desperately wants to take a dive in the nearby lake. He didn’t bring his swimming costume, but who cares? He was alone. So, he undresses and gets into the water. After some delightful minutes of cool
swimming, a pair of old ladies walks onto the shore in his direction.
He panics, get out of the water and grabs an old bucket. As he holds the bucket in front of his privates he sighed with relief.
As the ladies get nearby they look at him and smile. Then one of them says, “You know, I have a special gift, I can read minds.”
“Impossible,” says the embarrassed man, “You really know what I’m thinking?”
“Yes,” the lady replies, “I know that you think that the bucket you’re holding has a bottom in it.”

Swimming Fools
There were these 4 guys, a Russian, a German, an American and a French, who found this small genie bottle. When they rubbed the bottle, a genie appears. Thankful that the 4 guys had released him out of the bottle. He said, "Next to you all are 4 swimming pools, I will give each of you a wish. When you run towards the pool and jump, you shout what you want the pool of water to become, then your wish will come true."
The French wanted to start. He run towards the pool, jumped and shouted "WINE".
The pool immediately changed into a pool of wine. The Frenchman was so happy swimming and drinking from the pool.
Next is the Russian`s turn, he did the same and shouted, "VODKA" and immersed himself into a pool of vodka.
The German was next and he jumped and shouted, "BEER". He was so contented with his beer pool.
The last is the American. He was running towards the pool when suddenly he steps on a banana peel. He slipped towards the pool and shouted,
"SHIT !!!!!!!........." And It Turned Out To Be Shit !!

Can't You Get It? 2

2010-02-20T05:23:00.005-05:00

"The most daunting and haunting words ever spoken to me where
" Kiss your son goodbye, because you will never see him again"
at a time that was suppose to be joyous.

Not the Notebook
Not the Rescue
not the weddin

But reality ~ ABS ...
Who would have thought those words
would come true.
Maybe that's why its always ringing in my ears.

Change is the only constant in life ... although some people never change.

'Quo fata ferunt'

Ingat po"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. Anonymous, I don't care if my posts seem to affect you always. What I know is, "He who plays with fire will get burned."

I don't disturb you, and most of all I don't care what's happening to you now. Or might I ask you, are you incessantly blaming me or the people around you again to what's happening with your life? Blaming other people why you can't see your son? Blaming other people so you would escape paying what you borrowed...tsk, tsk. A debt is a debt, don't you know that? What kind of person are you?

Isn't it proper to just loathe what you did? Using your son to your family so that they can pity you? Using your son so you can borrow money to your friends? Telling them you've been short on money because you've been supporting him? Using your son so you can tell that your phone bills were exorbitant because you were always calling him? And what about the native girl who had been sleeping over your place occasionally while you were suppose to be in a relationship? What about the near naked girl on the picture frame displayed on your house? Not to mention asking Filipinas there to find you other Filipinas you can date knowing you've been telling your friends and family you were in a relationship with another? Do you not wonder why your family don't trust you anymore? Why your friends turn their backs on you?

Can't you get it that I want NOTHING to do with you since the day I abruptly cut any communications from you? Do you honestly think you treated us fairly?

If you as you told and believe that you are happy, stop disturbing us then.

Leave us in peace!

Quotes 33 -- Nicholas Sparks

2010-02-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

And when I came in with tears in my eyes, you always knew whether I needed you to hold me or just let me be. I don't know how you knew, but you did, and you made it easier for me. ~ The Notebook

You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love. ~ The Notebook

You are the answer to every prayer I’ve offered. You are a song, a dream, a whisper … and I don’t know how I could have lived without you for as long as I have. ~ The Notebook

And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love. ~ The Notebook

I know there could never have been another. I knew it then and I know it now. ~ The Notebook

In times of grief and sorrow I will hold you and rock you, and take your grief and make it my own. When you cry, I cry, and when you hurt, I hurt. And together we will try to hold back the floods of tears and despair and make it through the potholed streets of life. ~ The Notebook

I realize the odds and sciences are against me. But science is not the total answer; this I have learned in my lifetime. And that leaves me with the belief that miracles, no matter how inexplicable or unbelievable, are real and can occur without regard to the natural order of things. ~ The Notebook

It is the possibility that keeps me going … and though you may call me a dreamer or a fool or any other thing, I believe that anything is possible. ~ The Notebook

I am nothing special of this I am sure. I am just a common man with common thoughts. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, that has always been enough. ~ The Notebook

You and I were different. We came from different worlds, and yet you were the one who taught me the value of love. ~ The Notebook

The hurt began to fade and it was easier to just let go. At least I thought it was. But in every boy I met in the next few years, I found myself looking for you, and when the feelings got too strong I'd write you another letter. But I never sent them, in fear of what I might find. By then, you'd gone on with your life and I didn't want to think about you loving someone else. I wanted to remember us like we were that summer. I didn’t want to ever forget that. ~ The Notebook

What are we, after all, without our memories … without our dreams? ~ The Wedding

You were honest and hardworking and kind. You were polite and patient and more mature than any guy I’d dated before. And when we were together, you listened in a way that made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. You made me feel complete and spending time with you just seemed right. ~ The Wedding

But it wasn’t just about my feelings. The more I got to know you, the more I was certain that you’d do whatever it took to provide for your family. That was important to me. You have to understand that back then, a lot of people our age wanted to change the world. Even though it’s a noble idea, I knew I wanted something more traditional. I wanted a family like my parents had and I wanted to concentrate on my little corner of the world. I wanted someone who wanted to marry a wife and a mother, and someone who would respect my choice. ~ The Wedding

My first thoughts after waking are – and always have been – of you. ~ The Wedding

Sometimes when you’re dreaming, I’ll move closer to you in the hope that somehow this will allow me to enter your dreams. ~ The Wedding

What I’m trying to say is that you are there, in everything I am … in everything I’ve ever done … and looking back, I know that I should have told you how much you’ve always meant to me. ~ The Weddin

I've been thinking about you constantly since I left, wondering why the journey I'm on seemed to have led through you. I know my journey's not over yet, and that life is a winding path, but I can only hope it somehow circles back to the place I belong. That's how I think of it now. I belong with you. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

Before we met, I was as lost as a person could be and yet you saw something in me that somehow gave me direction again. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

Saying good-bye to you today is the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do, and when I get back, I can honestly swear that I’ll never do it again. I love you now for what we’ve already shared and I love now in anticipation for all that’s to come. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I miss you already, but I’m sure in my heart that you’ll be with me always. In the past few days I spent with you, you became my dream. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

When I sleep, I dream of you and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

Before he met you, he was trying to find something. After you came along, he’d already found it. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

Men are like that sometimes – if they meet someone and fall in love, it’s real, no matter how fast it happened. But if someone falls for a woman they happen to care about, all they do is question the man’s intentions. ~ Nights in Rodanthe

I don’t need those things to make me happy. A nice quiet place to unwind at the end of the day, beautiful views, a few good friends. What else is there? ~ A Bend in the Road

Everyone – you included – is on her best behavior in the beginning of a relationship. Sometimes little quirks turn out to be big ones, and the big advantage that women have – sometimes the only advantage – is their intuition. ~ The Guardian

I’m just telling you not to simply shrug it off if it bothered you so much, but don’t let it ruin a good thing, either. That’s what dating is for, you know – to find out about a person. To find out if the two of you click. ~ The Guardian

That he’ll never let you down. That boy’s got a heart the size of Kentucky, and he loves you. That’s important. Take it from someone who knows. My mom used to tell me that whatever you do, marry someone who loves you more than you love him. ~ The Guardian

It was funny that you could know someone for years but still discover something you never noticed before. ~ The Guardian

In the instant their lips first met, there was a flicker of something almost electrical that made him believe the feeling would last forever. ~ The Guardian

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. ~ The Rescue

People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past. ~ The Rescue

There was something inside her that longed to be desired, to be cared for and protected, to be listened to and accepted without judgment. To be loved. ~ The Rescue

When he finally said it, all the terrible parts suddenly went away – all the frustration and anger and fear that both of us were experiencing. I remember how excited I was – you can’t even begin to imagine it. I started crying. ~ The Rescue

She loved the way he smelled; she loved the rough texture of his hands upon her and the wrinkles around his eyes whenever he laughed. She loved the way he stared at her as she got off work, leaning against the truck in the parking lot, one leg crossed over the other. She loved everything about it. ~ The Rescue

The initial feelings associated with love were almost like an ocean wave in their intensity, acting as the magnetic force that drew two people together. IT was possible to be washed away in the emotion, but the wave wouldn’t last forever. It couldn’t – nor was it meant to be – but if two people were right for each other, a truer kind of love could last forever in its wake. In the end, it’s worked out because we both want it to. As long as you two have that, you’ll be able to make it through anything. ~ The Rescue

PRANING!!

2010-02-19T04:48:00.001-05:00

"I'm worried that I'm losing my wife's love," the husband told the counselor.
"Has she started to neglect you?"
"Not at all," the dejected man replied. "She meets me at the door with a cold drink and a warm kiss. My shirts are always ironed, she's a great cook, the house is always neat, she keeps the kids out of my hair. She lets me choose the television shows we watch and she never objects to sex or says she has a headache."
"So what's the problem?"
"Maybe I'm just being too sensitive," the husband ventured, "but at night, when she thinks I'm sleeping, she puts her lips close to my ear and whispers, 'Die! You son of a bitch, die!'"

Q: What happens when a paranoid has low self-esteem?

A: He thinks that nobody important is out to get him.

The Tiger Woods Game

2010-02-16T08:55:00.004-05:00

This is what happens when a guy betrayed his loved ones with lies, lies and more lies.

His wife is contemplating divorce which put a HUGE risks on his billions. He is losing an incredible sum of money because of his indefinite leave from golf not to mention the lost endorsements, contracts due to damaged image.

Plus, the humiliation and shame...

The Tiger Woods Game

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-12T18:39:00.002-05:00

Can't You Get It?

2010-02-10T09:31:00.001-05:00

"In the name of love we never have to settle for disrespect, lies, deceit, betrayal, nasty behaviour. That is not love... When we find ourselves in these kinds of relationships its more important than ever to love ourselves enough, even more to let that person go"

"It's better for a girl to sleep a hundred years and be awakened by the right prince, than to stay awake and be kissed hundred times by the wrong frog."

Chine Engrish!

2010-02-06T04:38:00.008-05:00

PAG ETO SUMALUBONG SA IYO SA AIRPORT, ABA'Y DAPAT LANG NA MATUWA KA!!!

OI ITULAK MO DAW PARA BUHAY KA!

ANU DAW? BAWAL ATA MAG YOSI SA LOOB O TINAPANG BISITA BA?

BAWAL TAPAKAN NATUTULOG DAW YUNG DAMO

GAWA SA CHINA KAYA ILAYO NYO SA ANAK NYO

IHULOG NYO DAW YUNG ANAK NYO NG DAHAN-DAHAN

DITO MURA MAGPATABAS NG PAA

SA MGA GUSTONG MAGPAKAMATAY DITO DAW KAYO PUMUNTA

YUNG MGA SAWA NA SA BUHAY O MAGBABAGONG BUHAY

HAHAHAHA ANO BANG GUSTO MONG REAKSYON KO DITO? GAWIN BANG BOTE ANG LATA??

PARA SIGURADO, DI BA ?!!

ISIPIN NIYO MUNANG MABUTI KUNG KAYA NIYONG KAININ ITO HA!

ETO, IWASAN NIYONG PUMUNTA DITO AT MALUNGKOT DITO!!!

SIGURO NAMAN, OBVIOUS NA ETO... LIBRE NA NGA EH....KAYA DAPAT LANG SIGURO!!!

ME NAUNTOG NA NGA YATA EH... SABI NA KASING DAHAN DAHAN ANG PAG-UNTOG EH!!!

DITO, MARAMI KANG MAKIKILALA.. .. IBA-IBANG KLASE TALAGA!!!

KUNG GUSTO MO LAANG NAMAN....

ETO MEDYO NAGULUHAN DIN AKO... MASASAKTAN BA AKO KUNG DI KO IPE-PRESS O BAKA MASAKTAN AKO KUNG IPE-PRESS KO.... HMMMM... BAHALA NA KAYO MAG-DECIDE KUNG SUSUNDIN NIYO ETO O ANO....

DITO KASI, DI LANG ASO ANG DELIKADO!!!

SA MGA FANS NI FRODO AT SAM, DAMI KAYONG MABIBILING LIBRO DITO....

TEKA...... DI KO YATA KAYA TO AH.....
...BASTA IPUWESTO NIYONG MAIGI ANG SILYA AT PANATILIING MALINIS ANG MESA PAGTAPOS NIYO MAMATAY!!!

MALINAW NA BA?!!

The Six Wives Of Henry Lefay

2010-01-24T06:13:00.002-05:00

HAHAHAHAH!!

Truly hilarious especially the first parts...

http://www.wisevid.com/play?v=1t_f3A99-99c

(A grieving daughter tries to arrange her father's funeral, while putting up with all of his ex-wives.)