I'm sick

Hello! Thanks for dropping here. Here's a hug to show my appreciation!

I am sick now... My resistance has probably weakened because of so many deadlines to beat and high demands at both work and graduate school.

Please hang on there, I'll be back soon.

Photo Credit: here

Crushed

My soul is torn into pieces

My heart is crushed
What a blow into my ego
What's left of me?
Bits of my dignity?

But incidentally, I got this verse from the Bible:

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Photo Credit: here

Thanksgiving Prayer

Today, I asked a student if there's also a Thanksgiving holiday in Japan. She isn't sure but said maybe there isn't. She thinks thanksgiving is something that should be done everyday if not every minute of second.

I received this forwarded message through my mobile phone:

In a science class, the teacher asked her students to give an example of things which are countless.

One student answered:

WATER.

Another one answered:

SAND.

The other one answered:

AIR.


The teacher noticed that everyone was participating except for one. She called his attention and asked the same question.

"What are the things which are countless?"

The student stood up and said,

BLESSINGS.

Have you been counting yours recently?

I thank God everyday for the food on our table, the air that I breathe, the water for my thirst, for my family's good health and protection - and so on.

But the things that I am most thankful for this year are the trials that I went through.

My boyfriend left for Saudi Arabia January of this year and it has been so difficult since. I also lost a significant amount of money a few months ago. Things may have never turned out as I want them to, but I can now clearly see the purpose and rewards of trusting God even in trying circumstances.

My thanksgiving prayer is that you, too trust God even when everything is bleak and sorrowful.

Belated greetings of happy thanksgiving everyone!

It's 32 days before Christmas!

Streets are now decorated with teeming lights, Santa Claus is everywhere in town, houses and offices are decorated with pine-tree replicas and finally shops are getting busier with shoppers buying their gifts early - it's Christmas!


Christmas season always makes me happy. I always had break from school or work. There are many parties to attend and people to reunite with. There's feasting everywhere and the Spirit of Christmas makes people smile even to strangers.


This Christmas is going to be a little different. My boyfriends not in it. It's not going to be sad nevertheless. We celebrate Christmas because God came to the world to save me - now that's reason enough to be glad!

Let's countdown to Christmas!

Photo Credit: here

I want to give my parents a dream vacation

I've been bugging my parents to get a passport because airplane fares have been significantly lowered recently and they can avail cheap international flights at almost any moment they want to.

Retirement is every person's ultimate dream - the type where one can enjoy life to the fullest and just spend his days to enjoy what the world can offer.

I would have wanted them to go cruising from island to island and just enjoy old age. Well, apart from being too expensive, both of my parents have to see their doctors and buy their medication regularly so it wouldn't be very convenient to be away for a long time.

I asked my mother and she said having myrtle beach accommodation is leisure enough for her. She got excited. My father likes to go anywhere as long as they are together (talk about being in love even in old age!).

I'd have to save money for such trip and stay to myrtle beach hotel. I know it doesn't come cheap but after all, myrtle beach accommodations are worth the cost.

Dilemma

I want to wake up early
But I always sleep late
I am worried about my health
I'll probably suffer later

Being a night person isn't easy
I want to change
But old habits don't die simply
I have to make more effort
To break the routine
I've been all these years

Photo Credit: here

Need a translator?

Have you ever used Google's translation toolbar? I find it very useful because I can always get quick and free translations of web pages, documents and other web content from Spanish to English for example, Chinese to English or mostly Japanese to English.

I find it funny most of the time though. The English language has idioms, informal expressions and figurative parts of speech that would create confusion when translated directly. I guess other languages have also similar attributes. There is a significant difference too, with connotative and denotative meaning so although we could get some rough idea of the text, there are elements that are omitted or misunderstood.

If we are talking about formal and business documents, I guess there should be a need for an online translation to get the job done more efficiently.

If for example, a company is going to expand in another country a brand translation that fits in a socio-cultural context within which it occurs would be best.

Translia is a network of translators and clients. Try its free translation service today.

Making our marriage work before it starts

My boyfriend and I are reading this book by Harold Sala entitled, "Connecting: 52 guidelines for making your marriage work".

We are learning many things from this book except that we are not married yet. I bought it from the bookstore because he said we should start preparing ourselves and making things right even before we start and exchange "I do's '".

I have finished reading this book and rereading it now with my boyfriend through Skype's voice call one guideline a night. It's like a couple's devotional and bonding time for both of us and English lesson for him rolled into one.

So far, we're on the 37th page and we've learned what the author says are key ingredients in marriage: love, communication, forgiveness, humor, understanding and meeting each other's needs. We've also discovered ways on how to resolve the differences: talking about them, compromise, respect, and submit them to God.

We're going to have more of these lessons in the coming days.

Top Ten Dream Destinations

I thought of making a travel blog but I don't think I'm fit to do it yet. I haven't been anywhere except in the Philippines and Thailand. But I am dreaming of being able to visit many countries in the future, too. Well, I want to go to all but if I could only choose ten... I'd pick:

1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. France
5. South Africa
6. Alaska/Canada
7. Southernmost part of Argentina/Chile
8. Japan
9. Spain
10. United Arab Emirates

New Zealand and Australia top my list because my boyfriend loves these places, too - something we love in common. We're hoping we can afford to go to either of these places for honeymoon. I've searched for accommodations in Auckland and accommodations in Melbourne, they're not so expensive anyway. There are cheap flights, too and many other flight fare cuts. I guess the only thing we have to worry is getting a VISA.

Anyway, we aren't getting married anytime soon. So we still have plenty of time to save and prepare.

I'm back to school

I want my brain sharpened again! I decided to go back to school!

So far, I think that my decision is great. I guess I am going to be a lot more productive than the previous months. Getting more tasks and deadlines in my hands requires me to multitask and to do things more quickly - which in turn makes me more efficient.

Working during the day and working at night, where do I put the time to study? Well, this will be a challenge for me. I've decided to enroll under the Professional Teachers Certification program at the University of the Philippines Open University. It's actually a kind of cyber schooling or distance learning, whatever you like to call it.

I am so excited to learn new things. I couldn't decide which masters program to take so maybe I can take just education units for the meantime.

What's great about cyber school is that I don't have to attend school physically (well, except for examinations and some tutorial sessions). What I don't like about it is that I have to study many reading materials that are given as substitute to lectures and classroom instructions.

Well, I am sure that everything will turn out well if I pour my heart into it. Wish me luck.

Photo Credit: here

Grab the chance to win $5, 000 in this contest

Don't you love the thrill of winning a contest with big giveaways? I do! And it's not so hard to join.
All you have to do is submit a video to the iLASIK Video Contest to win.

"You gotta see this video contest" is sponsored by Abbott Medical Optics, Inc, a campaign to promote ILASIK procedure, a recent innovation to help people who are suffering from poor vision or those who have to wear glasses or contact lenses, and other certain vision defects to regain or improve how they can see the world.

ILASIK technology is a painless surgical procedure that makes use of two lasers instead of a knife or blade. The first laser is used to scrape off an outer layer of the cornea and the second one to reshape it to correct vision problems.

To join the contest, there are three categories. A participant must submit an entry to any of these categories:

1. "My contacts are getting in the way of my good time"
2. "My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision"
3. "You should see life after the iLASIK Procedure"

To get a higher chance of winning, a participant has to get as many votes as possible.

If you think you can make a video that relates to any of the categories given above, grab this chance to join and win now!

She bangs!

I've been sporting the same hairstyle for more than five years - long, straight hair. I've been wanting to change the way I look but my hairstylist refuses to make any drastic changes on my hair. My boyfriend also doesn't want me to cut my hair until our wedding day.

Sob.

I saw this picture over the internet and I wanted to have this style, too. I went to my favorite hair cutter to have it executed on me but he refused to!

Sob again. Here's the picture:

I tried doing a virtual makeover on my face courtesy of some website and this is what I've got:

Doesn't it look flattering on me? What do you think? Should I get a bangs or not?

Photo Credit: here and here

Sealed with a Kiss

If you haven't experienced being far from the people you love, you're lucky. The separation can be overwhelmingly painful! Thanks to modern technology, we can talk to our loved ones wherever they are at real-time through the internet and cellular phones.

There's still magic however with the old-fashioned letters delivered to our residential mail boxes and seeing the envelops of our letters sealed with a kiss.

I don't get letters often these days. I get letters from banks, the university where I am currently enrolled at (distance learning program), and utility bills; but I always hold my breath in excitement every time I see a stationery envelope from the mail box with my name on it.

Email messaging may be the common form of communication today but I think we still like the feeling of opening our mail boxes at night and seeing a letter addressed to our names, especially when the letter is sealed with a kiss.

Halloween

Decorated pumpkins or Jack-o'-lanterns are the symbol of Halloween in most countries in the world today. This practice is said to have originated in North America although Ireland and Britain have long had the tradition of carving designs on vegetables and fruits.

There are many versions of the folklore about Jack and the pumpkin lantern. But they don't matter now. People carve pumpkins just for fun during the Halloween. I guess people can carve any design on it as long as it looks scary enough. Here's a site I found that gives tips on how to carve a pumpkin.

Halloween is supposed to be a holiday to celebrate and give respect to the people who are already dead. Hallow is an old middle-ages English word which means "holy" but people have changed the meaning of Halloween to merry-making parties and horror films.

As a Christian, my family doesn't celebrate Halloween nor do we believe that spirits of our dead family members or loved one go back to earth during All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Nevertheless, it's a tradition in the world that we respect.

Photo Credit: here

Doctors who train doctors' teachers offer training courses

There is a growing demand for medical teachers at present. Health care is a primary concern to everyone. This is especially true as the population of elderly people in the industrialized countries increases, so does the demand for nurses, doctors and other health care providers. Quality medical care is a basic need not only to the elderly but for every single person. Everyone aims to enjoy a healthy, disease-free life.

However, medical technologies are quickly advancing and perhaps the core thoughts, processes, equipments and procedures in the past may have been replaced by newer counterparts today. So, it's important that doctors who train doctors undergo more medical teaching courses, and doctor teaching courses to update their skills, knowledge and expertise with the help of people who have specialized in teaching the teacher courses.

A teacher cannot teach without proper training for without sufficient knowledge of the subject, how can he or she impart knowledge to other people? Even better if the teacher updates his/her skills regularly with the current trends and developments.

Natural ways to fight common cold

Frequent change in weather conditions plus lack of quality sleep, exercise and proper diet weakens our bodies' resistance causing us to have flu or common cold.

I've have the flu for roughly two days and although it doesn't affect my work so much, sneezing every so often bothers me a lot.

I don't like the idea of buying synthetic medicine for common ailments like cold, 'cause it's something that can be relieved by having enough rest, drinking sufficient liquid (water and fruit juices) and eating foods which boost our bodies' natural defense system like fruits rich in Vitamin C, chicken soup, whole grain and green leafy vegetables.

I guess it's also a good idea to have some exercise because it releases endorphins, a hormone that make people feel happy.

I hope I'll get well in time for my lessons at the tutoring school where I work now part-time.

photo credit: here

Woe of social networking sites

Social networking sites, forums, discussion boards, blogs, messengers, emails - these are just some of the many ways to connect to people across the globe.

They've changed the way many of us lived. I don't feel the day is complete without checking my gmail, yahoomail, twitter, facebook, multiply, blogspot, skype, ym (the list goes on) accounts. But sometimes, they can be stressful because they demand so much of our time.

Last year, when I still didn't have a full-time job and I only had the part-time work tutoring Japanese people online at night, I had all the time to update this blog, connect to other bloggers, check my emails, respond to almost every comment and messages in my chat box, acknowledge all requests... I enjoyed everything.

I get so lazy responding to every comment, every request... it takes so much of my time.

Since I started FaceBook last February, I got hooked with its accompanying games, quizzes and other applications, as well as connecting to other people in my contact list.

Now, I am tired with it as well. I realize I have more things to do than check all my online accounts. I want to break-free from my addiction to it.

I hope to be able to update this blog regularly and hopefully create a new one. I keep saying these days and I hate myself for repeating my self every time but not being able to do what I say.

Two-way PDF converter?

Documents are part of our everyday lives. We make, read, print or send them to people every now and then.

When I was in college, we were required to make reports in PDF formats, that way the documents are read-only and cannot be altered by any other person.

I was surprised when I saw a software that can convert pdf to word because I only know of word to pdf conversions.

It also isn't too expensive and can be used for two years with full technical support. I wonder if I would need one in the future. At least, I can always check this pdf software again.

I wanna travel the world!

No matter how beautiful the pictures, how descriptive the words, how vivid the imagery, there's nothing more satisfying than experiencing it yourself using all your senses.

See it. Smell it. Taste it. Touch it. Hear it.

Traveling allows one to embrace the culture, to get mesmerized by the surroundings, captured by the enthralling beauty of scenic spots, enjoy how local people live.

I was there in Thailand for a week and I want to visit more places, even places in my own country. I'll do this while I'm still free and unattached because when I get married, I'll probably have more important priorities.

Anyway, here are my pictures of my recent trip to Bangkok.

Anguish

I get more depressed everyday when I check this blog. I haven't written in a long time, my statistics is dropping significantly day by day.

I wrote many drafts. I want to shout in despair. I want to cry in desperation. Why am I having a difficult time writing anything to express myself.

Typhoon 'Ondoy' (Ketsana) came to the Philippines. It was one of the biggest calamities I have ever seen in my life. I was quiet. I was grieving in my heart but I couldn't put it into words.

I lost a part of myself and I don't know how to get that back.
I can't write anything. Writing is supposed to be an expression of myself.

I can't find 'me'.

So long...

I am so sorry guys! I haven't updated this blog for a long time. I hope to write soon after I finish my job tonight.

Here's one of my pictures in Thailand.

Discovering Bangkok and Thailand's local lifestyle

I have been busy getting around Bangkok and its neighboring cities since Friday but unfortunately
my sister's internet connection at her apartment has been down since I came here so I could not update you about my trip.

I've been missing my parents, my boyfriend and my students in RareJob as well. I am actually quite sad I'll be leaving Thailand in a few days. I am absolutely loving it here. I'll tell you why next time.

Thank you for coming here!

Welcome to the real world!

I can't believe how cruel the real world is! It has started on dawn on me. The world is so full of people who intend to do harm to others.

My parents sheltered me from all forms of harm inflicted by others. I was lovingly protected, shielded from any form of threat, violence or unkind words. Now that I am now an adult myself, I realize that my rosy view of the world need to change.

I've always learned to try to see the beautiful, good side of people. Although I don't trust so easily, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. But guess what, I have to grow up!

I am living in a real world... time to look at the world in a different light.

I am learning Thai

I'll be off from work for about a week (or two?) . I'll be going to Bangkok in a few days. I am now learning basic Thai so I can at least get around the city by myself.

Please help me pray for a safe trip. Thank you

Exasperated

What do I say?
I have nothing new to share
Sigh
I don't know if it's some sort of drought
I just couldn't find anything to say.

Getting rid of worries about security over the Internet

Don't you get paranoid with the constant threat of viruses, malwares, spywares, trojans, phishing and other unknown malicious codes in your computer?

I am. I do banking transactions online, use Ebay and Paypal and I store most of my important documents and pictures in my email. What if somebody gets access to my PayPal or bank accounts and withdraws my money or use my account in Ebay to do to any kind of fraud of deception? What about theft identity? I could go on and the list would be endless. This is the real world and there are just people who want to inflict harm to others.

To solve my dilemma, I decided to invest in a good quality anti-virus and internet security software system.

I think it is also important for parents to have parental control over what kinds of sites their children can browse or visit. It's also useful if the anti-spyware software can block phishing sites. I haven't decided which anti-virus to use but I think Zsecurity is a good option. The customer support is excellent and many users have proven that the product is indeed effective.

I want my life to be
plain and simple
no pretensions
few lies
no extravagance

We are never sure
when our lives will be over
I want to be prepared for that day
I want to meet my Creator
I need to invest my time for things that last for eternity.

Looking for a home security system

Two prime functions of a home are shelter and security. We live in a home where we can do anything we need and want to do and feel safe whenever we are in it.

However, due to the increase of crime rates, it's hard to feel entirely secure and safe even within the bounds of our own homes, even with a home security.

Recently, I have been thinking of installing a Home Security Surveillance System at home. My folks are both old now, and I have no training whatsoever in self-defense. It's not being paranoid but being careful and doing precautionary measures to lessen if not avoid threats of attacks, burglary or accidents.

I've been looking for an easy-to-use and affordable home security system. I found Advanced Direct Security but it's only available in the US. I have to find a local one.

Outburst

Forgive my silence for a long time. You just don't know what I have been through.

I am happy to announce that I just turned a year older. I celebrated my birthday last August 26.

It was a bittersweet moment for me. There were many things running in my head, but were hard to express in words. I was very grateful for all the undeserved blessings and regretful for all the wrong decisions I have made, which I have no chance to redo or undo.

Let me tell you a bad news; A week before my birthday, I lost a big sum of money. Don't ask me how much or what happened because I won't tell you. I just couldn't believe how everything was so blurry, so fast, I couldn't exactly recall the details.

It was a big loss for me since I worked so hard to earn that money but it just disappeared so quickly. But there were so many things I was able to reflect and realize because of it, which I believe, God allowed to happen so I can ponder on them.

I would have been so disappointed but how could I? All I could see around me are blessings and unmerited favor from the Almighty.

I am still able to behold and the beauty of the world. I can see faces of people and beautiful sceneries; I can read without any need for glasses or contact lenses. I didn't lose my sense of sight. I can still see.

I am still able to hear the sound of cars' engines, listen to my favorite comedian's wacky comments on TV and listen to my boyfriend whine about how painful it is for his eyes to gaze transfixed at the computer for a long time. Although the ENT doctor said that I am moderately deaf on right ear, I didn't lose my sense of hearing. I can still hear.

Imagine if I had an accident where I could be crippled, debilitated, or detained in bed for days or years. If that happens, I might not be able to walk or move my body. I just lost a certain amount of money but I didn't lose my mobility. I can still walk. I can still move.

Imagine if I got terribly sick, it would be too difficult for me or for my family. I don't know how it would feel like, but as for now, I am healthy, I have no sickness. I am blessed. I am thankful.

I didn't lose my job. I can still work. I can earn money and get so much more.

To add, here's what my boyfriend has to say:

"What else do you have to ask for? You have the love of your family; good health; a good job and best of all, you have me, your best husband to be."

Indeed, life's trials has become more bearable with him by my side. I guess I still have to remember that whatever God gives, He can take away; and whatever the circumstance is, I still have to praise Him.

I am thankful. I am truly grateful. I wish these words suffice how my heart really feels. God, I am so thankful.

photo credit: here

When laziness takes over

It's weekend and I don't feel like doing anything.
I can't think of anything to write here.
I am under the spell of laziness again.
I just want to sleep and do nothing.
Good luck to me.

Excited to go to Thailand

Thirty-one days more to go and I'm off to visit the exotic city of Krung Thep, popularly known as Bangkok.

I've always been interested in Thailand. It is the only country in southeast Asia that had not been colonized by any western country, where a mixture of cultural and traditional influences of its neighboring countries and its own abound and are preserved, but also embraced the modernization of our global world.

Thailand is the country where we can find the most devout Buddhists and their temples. Elephants are both a tourist attraction and a means of transportation. We also hear of their tuk-tuks (three-wheeled taxi for short distances) and bargain centers for shopping.

I grabbed a local airline promo last May and was able to get round-trip tickets for flights this September. I paid $96 all-in, including the basic fare, taxes and airport fees. However, I didn't know then that September is the rainiest month of the year in Bangkok and this city has the worst traffic jam and pollution in the world (according to travel guides I've read when I tried to search the internet on what to expect when in Bangkok).

But hey, I am still excited. I am going to visit my sister there. I hope God gives me a favor by granting me a safe and enjoyable trip.

Blank

There are so many things to say,
too many unspoken words
It's hard to start
Jumbled thoughts in disarray

Top Ten EC droppers (July 2009)

Work at home
Life's sweets and spices
Mommy's Little corner
Moms, check nyo
The modern mom
A simple life
Yummy as can be
Life's tricky situations
Lisgold
Take a coffee break

Thank you.

Things I want to do

1. Have a short vacation with friends in a beautiful island.

2. Learn how to design a website - the savvy way

3. Read my grammar book again.

4. Leave comments in my friends' blogs

5. Improve diction, accent and pronunciation.

6. Cook for my mother's birthday

7. Be with my boyfriend

8. Clean the whole house

9. Read the books I bought

10. Watch a movie

11. Tell someone about God

12. Edit this blog's layout

13. Bring my father to the doctor for a check-up

14. Buy a microwave oven

15. Learn how to bake

16. Apply for foreign scholarships

17. Meet my relatives in Manila

18. Have a conference call with my sisters over Skype

19. Get a full body massage

20. Sleep

Good night everyone!

Making the most of our footwares

Imelda Marcos never had enough of shoes and so do most of women.

I am not the kind of girl who would lavishly splurge on shoes but I do buy myself some good pairs sometimes. Most of the time however, I have regrets because it always turns out that I don't use them as often as I should.

These are some of the reasons:

1. There's no occasion which would require me to wear those pair of shoes

I bought a pair of high-heeled off-white wedding shoes once to match with my off-white gown as a maid-of-honor during my brother's wedding ceremony. Too bad that I wasn't able to wear those again except once, on my graduation ceremony.

2. I don't like the style anymore

I bought a pair of trail running shoes December of last year because I attended a church youth camp which included hiking in some rocky mountains as part of the activities. It worked perfectly well. I almost fell in the river because the rocks were slippery when wet but the good thing about the shoes, the rubber spikes increased the friction. A few months later though, I don't like wearing them again, they looked so big and so rugged.

3. They're too uncomfortable

I have these favorite pairs of shoes/sandals because they look so good on me. On the down side, they hurt my toenails too badly so even if I like wearing them, I have no choice but to put them away inside their boxes.

What a waste of money, right?

Yes, that's why now, I am so careful in choosing the next couple of pairs I'll be buying. I read some shoes buying guide first. It's just like I'm stacking shoes and not using them anyway.

Why do we have troubles?

There will always be trouble while we are alive...

because we live in a fallen world

in a fallen world,

everything is anything but perfect

Problems provide good opportunities for us to grow

to mature as individuals

to discover those which we are capable of doing

those which we've never realized before

to better appreciate each day

Thank you, Lord

Because of the troubles, you're making me more like you everyday

Photo: Germane (my niece)