Year 2020

Year 2020, a new decade has come. So much has happened in the last decade. I got married, had 3 children, had my Masters degree, ongoing Doctoral degree, and lots of white hair. It maybe simple to some but to me, simplicity and contentment with what you have is the key to happiness. I may not have achieved so much in the last decade, but the hard situations that surpassed and survived will be a learning  step to continue on and survived this next decade. Positivity in time of crisis, problems and hard situations will always help us. Beliefs and Faith to the one God will always provide light at the end of a tunnel. I am praying that we can survived this 2020 and in light of the recent happenings in the world hoping that it is now 2030!

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Win A FREE BORACAY VACATION Packages by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel AgencyWOW Philippines

Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel-
Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines-
Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila-
Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-
Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat-
PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com/

Paulo Coelho: The Witch of Portobello

In the latest novel of Paulo Coelho, he identified four types of women according to their archetypes in search for meaning to our lives or for the path of knowledge.

Four Classic Archetypes of Women

1. The Virgin( not the sexual virgin) are those whose springs from her complete independence, and everything she learns is the fruit of her ability to face challenges alone.

2. The Martyr finds her self knowledge through pain, , surrender and sufferings.

3. The Saint finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return.

4. The Witch justifies her existence by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure.

Most of us can belong to two or three types but some can be in this four types. Just like Athena, the character in the novel of "The Witch of Portobello". Optimistic, sociable, likely to be noticed in a crowd; understanding, compassionate, generous in which she should be careful for because it might to her head and end up losing more than she gains.

In real life, one of my co-worker is both a Virgin and a Saint who faces her challenges alone when her husband suffered emotional breakdown. She took care of him and at the same time raises three children for almost 8 years.

My mother is both a Martyr, a Virgin and a Saint. I love her not because she's my mother, she's also a friend.

When I was still single I was a Virgin (literally?...of course :) ; when i married i became a Saint. Maybe someday I hope to become a Witch who will only mind her own happiness and not think of the consequences or the results of my actions. I dreamt of being Free from all the worries of this world, not the freedom of the dead..... i want to be financially free, i want to help lots of people, i want to raise good and responsible children (i can do this!), i want to provide good things to my family, i want so many things....(sinong hindi?) my problem is on how to act on those wants when i was tied on my old beliefs, traditions and principles.

Philippines: November and December 2009 Holidays

Philippines: The Malacañang reminded the public of the incoming holidays for the month of November as per Proclamation No. 1699 that was signed by President Arroyo last December 24, 2008 that November 1, Sunday is "All Saints Day" while Special Non-working Holiday on November 2, a monday "All Souls' Day".

Next weekend another Special Non-working Holiday as per Proclamation No. 1808 that was issued last April 2009. November 27 (Friday) and November 28 (Saturday) is Eid'l Adha of the Muslims while November 30 (Monday) is Bonifacio Day.

December 24 is a special Non-working Holiday while December 25 (Christmas Day), December 30 (Rizal Day), December 31 (Last Day of the Year) are regular holidays.

Norway, Australia, Iceland: World's Best Country To Live In

Norway, Australia, Iceland are the Top Three Best Place to Live according to the human development index (HDI) compiled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP ranks 182 countries based on life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and gross domestic product(GDP) per capita.

This data are based in 2007 and does not take into account the global economic crisis.

Included also in the top ten are the following:
1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Iceland
4. Canada
5. Ireland
6. Netherlands
7. Sweden
8. France
9. Switzerland
10. Japan

United States drop down to 13th place from the 12th place.

China moved up 7 places on the list ranking 92nd most developed country.

Philippines ranked 105th, Singapore at 30, Malaysia at 66th place, Thailand at 82 and Samoa is ranked 94th.

Indonesia 111th, Vietnam 116th, Laos 133, Cambodia 137 and Myanmar 138th.

Afghanistan is the only Asian country among the bottom ten which also include Sierra Leone in 180th spot, just below the Cetral African Republic

Thoughts to Ponder: Aftermath of Typhoon Ondong

"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

"Some people lose their health gaining wealth and then lose their wealth gaining health".

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did." When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

"The highest hurdle to cross is your own mindset."

"Its impossible to understand mystery of life, more we try to analyze more we become confuse."

"Tough times never last, but tough people do."

Top Ten New Species of 2008

Every year the scientist from the the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) scour the world's ecosystem to reveal new species from the plant and animal kingdoms.

Top Ten New Species of 2008

1. Pygmy Seahorse or Satomi's Pygmy Sea horse. A pea sized sea horse found in Derawan Island in Indonesian Borneo. (Hippocampus Satomiae)

2. Swirling Snail that twists itself around four axes.(Opisthostoma vermiculum)

3. Barbados Thread Snake as thin as spaghetti and with a total length of just ten centimetres.

(Worlds smallest snake) (Leptotyphlops carlae)

4. Decaf Coffee/Charrier Coffee. A plant, Coffea charrieriana is the first record of a caffeine free species from Central Africa.

5. Tahina Palm. A gigantic rare genus of palm tree found in Madagascar that literally flowers itself to death. (Tahina Spectabilis)

6. Spray-on species/Extra Hold Bacteria. A bacteria discovered in hairspray by Japanese Scientist.(Microbacterium hatanois)

7. Stick insects/Stretch Bug. The worlds longest insect, resembling a stick, with a length up to 57 cm. (Phoebaeticus chani)

8. Ghost slug/Spooky Slug. A carnivorous pale slug found in a garden in Wales. (Selecnochlamys ysbryda)

9. Damsel/True Blue. A species of blue damselfish found deep in the Pacific.(Chromis Abyssus)

10. Fossil/Live Birth Fish. A fossilies mother fish from Western Australia. (Materpiscis attenboroughi)

September 9, 2009

September 9, 2009 is very important to people with cultures who believe in lucky nine....

Not only does the date look good in marketing promotions, but it also represents the last set of repeating, single-digit dates that we'll see for almost a century (until January 1, 2101), or a millennium (mark your calendars for January 1, 3001), depending on how you want to count it.

As the final numeral, the number nine holds special rank. It is associated with forgiveness, compassion and success on the positive side as well as arrogance and self-righteousness on the negative, according to numerologists.

As per the Japanese and Chinese beliefs, it is the opposite.. The Chinese associated number nine with long life and luck like their fearsome nine dragons while the Japanese associated these with badluck and suffering, that's why they avoid even hotel rooms and hospitals.

A Prayer: Thank You For This Day!

A PRAYER

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see

and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are

a forgiving God and

an understanding God.

You have done so much for me

and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything

I have done, said or thought

that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe

from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day

with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day

to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind

that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper

over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response

when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,

You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be

a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have

words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost

and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged

and misunderstood.

I pray for those who

don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will delete this

without sharing it with others

I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe

that God changes people and

God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For each and every family member

in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy

in their homes; that they are out of debt

and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this

knows there is no problem, circumstance,

or situation greater than God.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.


I pray that these words be received

into the hearts of every eye that sees it

in Jesus' name. Amen!

Paalam President Cory Aquino!

The First women president of the Philippines, President Corazon C. Aquino died last August 1, 2009 of a colon cancer.

She was the idol of democracy. A simple wife who continued her husbands fight for democracy in the Philippines.

The Filipino people pays tribute by wearing yellow ribbons in their dresses, yellow ribbons along the streets, and attending her wake at first in the Dela Salle and later on in the Manila Cathedral.

August 5, 2009 was declared as Special Non-working Holiday as the late president was laid in the Manila Memorial Park.

Paalam President Corazon Aquino!!! May you inspire others to continue fighting for our freedom!!!

Go Go Go 2010 Election!!!

Spaghetti with Meatballs

Most kids love spaghetti, a variations from a regular spaghetti is put some meatballs on it...

here's the recipe.

Spaghetti with Meatballs

Ingredients:

Sauce:
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
350 g beef, in single cut
1 kl. ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
salt

Meatballs:
12 g. ground minced beef
1 egg
2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
4 cups fresh bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup oil for frying
1 kl spaghetti

Sauce:
Saute the onion and carrot in the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the beef and saute, until browned all over, 8-10 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and season with salt.
Simmer over low heat until the meat is tender, about 3 hours. Remove the meat. It can be serve separately after the pasta.

Meatballs:
Mix the ground beef, egg, Parmesan, bread crumbs, and nutmeg in a large bowl until blended.
Shape the mixture into balls the size of marbles.
Heat the frying oil in large frying pan. Fry the meatballs in small batches until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
Drain and add to the pan with the sauce. Toss well with the meatballs and serve hot.

Tomato sauce :
1 kl firm ripe tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 red onion, thinly sliced,
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Leaves from 1 small bunch basil, torn
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp. sugar
salt

Answers to Many Why's of Life Part 2

1. What's the feeling of staring at something for so long but it is still unfamiliar?



"Jamais Vu" or the reverse of Deja vu is a temporary sensation in which familiar situations and objects seem new and strange. This is according to UK researchers that is exists and can induced.



2. Myth: I am too old to donate organs

Facts: People of all ages can donate organs and tissue. Physical condition, not age, is the important factor in determining if organs can be used.

3. Lactose Intolerance is the ability to break down the sugar(lactose) found in milk.
Cow's milk allergy is caused by a specific reaction to the proteins found in milk.

4. The Human foot has 26 bones, 107 ligaments, 33 joints, and more than 250,000 sweat glands.

Philippines: AH1N1 Virus Update

In the latest press conference of the Department of Health, Secretary Francisco Duque announces an additional 131 new cases of AH1N1 totalling to 604.

In this new cases there are 117 Filipinos and 14 foreigner and 19 from them have a history of travelling to countries affected of AH1N1.

Metro Manila has now a Low Level Outbreak of AH1N1 because most of the cases and new patients are from the Metro.

Colegio de San Agustin of Makati was the latest school who suspended their classes due to 1 student who has AH1N1.

Holy Spirit School in Quezon City also suspended their classes not because they have a case of AH1N1 but for preventive measure and disinfecting of their facilities.

Two new cases were also reported from the House of Congress after the first cases of AH1N1 death in the country who is an employee there.

Secretary Duque also announces that 64 patients have fully recovered in the past 24 hours and a total of 464 or 77% fully recovered from the virus.

Answers to Many Why's of Life

Answers to Many Why's of Life

Some answers to some life questions....

1. Why are rain clouds dark?

Rain is water. Water is light in colour. Rain clouds are full of water. Therefore, rain clouds should be light. Impeccable logic, but wrong. Obviously, there are always water particles of water are small, they reflect light and are perceived as white. When water particles become large enough to form raindrops, however, they absorb light and appear dark to us below.

2. How to get enough calcium without drinking milk?

Try calcium-fortified soy milk, though if you suffer from a true food allergy to milk you may also be allergic to soy.
If you can't tolerate soy milk, try a fortified rice or oat milk.
Calcium from supplement isn't a bio-available, but can provide an alternative.
Eat more canned fish bones, green, leafy vegetable, nuts, seeds or beans.

3. Is an aircraft affected if it flies over an area hit by an earthquake or a hurricane?

An earthquake would not affect airspace and thus would not affect a plane flying overhead, says Canadian Air line Pilots Association spokeman John Mazor. When it comes to hurricane, he says, a commercial plane would never get caught in one "because meteorologists are able to track the origin and path of a hurricane with great accuracy and with sufficient warning."

Quotable Quotes: Parenting Styles

Excerpt from Reader's Digest June 2009 Issue

"Parents: People who spend half their time wondering how their children will turn out, and
the rest of the time when they will turn in." Write Eleanor Graham Vance

" If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent." Bette Davis

" Kids can be a pain in the ass when they're not a lump in your throat. " Barbara Johnson

"Respect the child. Be not too much his parent. Trespass not on his solitude." Ralph Emerson

"The quickest way to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable." Lane Olinhouse

"Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children." Doris Day

"Parents are the bone on which children sharpen their teeth." Peter Ustinov

Baboy, Pig, Swine....

Baboy, Pig, Swine whatever we call it, can be both harmful and beneficial to our lives.

AH1N1 (Swine Flu), FMD(Foot & Mouth Disease), Biogas, Pork adobo, lechon, crispy pata, menudo....all are from pig.

We love eating pork cooked in different recipes, it gives us our needed protein to give us energy. Pork also has high cholesterol that can lead to us having high blood pressure, heart ailments.
It is individuals prerogative to control their intake in order to avoid these sicknesses.

Swine flu or AH1N1 is now in level 5 Pandemic around the world. At present there are now 20,000 cases and more than a hundred deaths in more than 66 countries according to the World Health Organization(WHO).

Philippines: June 12 Independence Day

June 12, 2009 marked the 111th day of Independence for the Philippines.

There will be no class and work on that day to celebrate the freedom from foreign rule.

But, are we really free from foreigners? We even encourages tourism because of the income and businesses we get from them.

Is June 12 really our independence day? some say its July 4 (Fil-Am Friendship Day) or January 21 (Opening of Malolos Congresss.)

How can we show our being Filipinos? Patronize our products, use our own language...etc...

Here's the irony of it...we like imported products, we encourage our students to speak the foreign language, the government treat domestic helpers as heroes instead of giving them employment in our own country.

Update on AH1N1 or Swine Flu Virus

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of this new influenza A H1N1 virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Do pigs carry this virus and can I catch this virus from a pig?
At this time, there is no evidence that swine in the United States are infected with this new virus. However, there are flu viruses that commonly cause outbreaks of illness in pigs. Most of the time, these viruses do not infect people, but influenza viruses can spread back and forth between pigs and people.

How severe is illness associated with this new H1N1 virus?
It’s not known at this time how severe this virus will be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical histories of people who have been infected with this virus to determine whether some people may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to see if certain people might have natural immunity to this virus, depending on their age.

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

As of May 20, 2009, how people are affected with this virus?
Based on the latest news from WHO there are now 79 deaths and 9,830 cases of AH1N1 in almost 40 countries around the world.

Is Philippines still free from this virus?
As of today there are no cases of this virus and the Department of Health together with the Department of Foreign Affairs are joining efforts to prevent this virus from coming in in the country.

Paulo Coelho: Veronica Decides to Die

As I was looking at the books in our office, I came accross this nice novel by Paulo Coelho entitled "Veronica Decides to Die".

This book is about a twenty-four year old women named Veronica who seems to have everything--youth and beauty, boyfriends, loving family and fulfilling job. But something is missing in her life. So, one cold November morning, she decides to die by taking a handful of sleeping pills, expecting never to wake up. But she does-- at a mental hospital where she is told that has only days to live.

In this book the reader will quest to find the meaning in a culture overshadowed by angst, soulless routing, and persevere conformity. The author questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers normal.

Sometimes we live to the dictate of what the society called normal life, and we tend to forgot that we have our own thoughts and feelings. Our way of life will not depend on other people but based on what we do for ourselves. We have our own prerogative to decide on our own.