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are quickly advancing and perhaps the core thoughts, processes, equipments and procedures in the past may have been replaced by newer counterparts today.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.