My Magick Basket

Body Painting

2010-03-24T22:14:00.000+08:00

For more than a couple of months, Awatiro and I have been thinking of doing something like this - a body painting session! We're kinda bored and we wanted to entertain ourselves and we're lucky that we found people who are willing to contribute their time and services for free all for the sake of art!

I did most of the color splashing on Mina and Johnny with the help of Sharon. I already had ideas in my head on what to paint but I had been under so much stress and I didn't have enough sleep, I messed up with the plans! Well excuses aside, I was more than ready to give up but they cheered on... I didn't want to take them down with me that's why we pushed through until almost 9pm...

I know I could have done better if I didn't give in to my mood swings but hey, we were already there that day...There's no turning back!

To the four of you, thank you very much!

*Photos are not to be used without permission from the blog author.

WHITE NIGHT PARTY

2010-03-10T12:00:00.000+08:00

On 27 March 2010, Saturday, wear WHITE and party all night at JCI Macajalar 24k's WHITE NIGHT party!

See you there!

We Too Are Stardust

2010-03-09T12:24:00.001+08:00

These are some of my favorite lines from Jostein Gaarder's book Sophie's World...

WE TOO ARE STARDUST...

We're All Connected

2010-03-07T22:37:00.002+08:00

We are all connected... You may believe it or not but you can't deny that every move you make has an effect in The Universe.

I came across these lines from two memorable people... I don't know if you will acknowledge what they said but I do.

The earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites one family. Man did not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.

--allegedly said by Chief Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish Indians

All life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality.

--Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Laureate and Civil Rights Activist

THINK ABOUT IT. ;)

Kill Boredom With A Paintbrush

2010-03-04T12:20:00.001+08:00

Here's some stuff squeezed out from boredom...

Beads

2010-01-27T00:26:00.000+08:00

I have always loved beads. I love them as accessories on the neck, wrists, or ankles. I even love them on clothes too! I love stringing beads and this latest project is courtesy of that DIY kit I found at Toy Kingdom. I found "Egyptian" beads and I don't think they look Egyptian at all but I bought the set. I added some of my own beads to create this neck thingy...

The Natural Cosmic Laws

2010-01-20T16:39:00.000+08:00

I have read a book on Enlightenment and have found this list of natural cosmic laws to be very useful. Not everyone might believe these laws but then if we try to understand deeper, we will know that these laws really do exist.

A lot of people suffer in their present states because they are not aware of or they violate the natural cosmic laws. The natural cosmic laws are immutable and they apply even if you do not believe in them.

Ignorance of the law excuses no one thus, it is essential that we are aware of the natural cosmic laws in order for us to be guided in our activities in this life.

The Natural Cosmic Laws

The first natural cosmic law is the Law of Reincarnation. Various scientific researches including hypnotic regression which have been conducted in different countries have proven that reincarnation is real. This law states that we can live through several incarnations in order to evolve into a better soul and become a master of matter.

The second law is the Law of Karma. This law proclaims that “Whatever you sow, you reap.” It is also known as the Law of Causality or the Law of Action and Reaction. The three types of karma are: Sinchit karma which is accumulated karma of many lives and constitutes the patterns of actions and reactions; Pralavda karma which is the destiny karma and a part of the Sinchit karma that you are paying off or balancing in your present incarnation; and the Kriyaman karma which is what you choos to do at each instant and only appears in milliseconds, giving you the freedom of choice and it offers escape from destiny karma.

The third is the Law of Sharing. This law states that “As you give, so shall you receive.” It also proclaims that whatever you share with the universe, it will come back to you multifold. Learn to share with joy, don’t count how much you have given but concentrate on the joy you felt when you shared. The art of giving is to give from the heart voluntarily.

The fourth law is the Law of Praise. This law is also known as the Law of Positivity. When you meet people in your life, don’t dwell in their negative aspects; always try to look for the beauty in people. By looking at the beauty in people, we change how we look at ourselves.

The fifth is the Law of Thanksgiving. You may be experiencing misfortunes in your life but nevertheless, give thanks for your blessings. Make it a habit to be grateful for what you have and you will change. In order to change your life, the first thing you should do is change yourself.

The sixth law is the Law of Forgiveness. Recall all the people who have hurt you and caused you pain. You might feel hatred and other negative feelings toward those people and you have to change how you feel. You might also react negatively to other people who resemble the people who have hurt you and it will only cause you to be hurt again and again. Changing how you feel towards those people will help change you.

I See You

2010-01-13T20:29:00.000+08:00

Almost a month after its premiere, I finally had the chance to watch James Cameron's Avatar.

I have read and heard various reviews (and spoilers) of the movie and most of them had been positive that's why I watched it!

When it comes to James Cameron films, viewers could only expect everything to be on a grand scale. Well, I like the story and the whole movie. The effects are great and Cameron really knew exactly when to create and release it. If he made the movie years ago, it might not be as great as it is today.

Shall I write down a synopsis of the movie? Nahhh... Too many people have already written about it and I don't want to join the bandwagon. Hahaha! But I love the system of belief of the Na'vi... Everything is connected... I love you Eywa...

Should I rate the movie with stars and all? Hmm...I am not a movie critic and it would not be fair if I give out stars just for the heck of it. I love the movie. That's it!

If only CDO has an IMAX or 3D theatre...maybe I'll give the movie a gazillion stars... hahahahaha!

I SEE YOU...

Money Laundering

2010-01-08T22:22:00.000+08:00

I normally clean out the pockets of my jeans before I drop them in the washing machine. What a pleaseant surprise! I thought I already cleaned out the pockets and whalaaa... Two 20 peso bills rise from the gyrating waters.

It's a new year...

Time to wash off the dirt from the previous year and have a fresh start!

I quit my job...

Aum

2009-12-10T20:50:00.002+08:00

AUM
3x3 ft/ 36x36 in
Oil on Canvas

AUM is the most sacred symbol in Hindu dharma. Aum (OM) is the sound of the infinite.

Aum is said to be the essence of all mantras, the highest of all matras or divine word (shabda), Brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Aum is said to be the essence of the Vedas.

By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe.

A stands for Creation

U stands for Preservation

M stands for Destruction or dissolution

This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva)

The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas)

The three letters also indicates three planes of existence, heaven (swarga), earth (martya) and netherworld (patala)

All the words produced by the human vocal organ can be represented by AUM. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips

In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent (it has an upwards movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon.

As the creation began, the divine, all-encompassing consciousness took the form of the first and original vibration manifesting as sound "AUM".

Aum provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, it makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains undefined.

Source

PAGLANTAW: Visions of the Past and of the Future

2009-12-09T23:48:00.002+08:00

PAGLANTAW
Visions of the Past and of the Future

"You cannot change the past or the future. Instead of changing the past and future, what you do is create them."

The past and the future cannot be changed, yet they can be created and re-created in various ways through a person’s imagination and they can be manifested in various forms whether through literature, the performing arts, or the visual arts.

Memories and dreams help a person create or re-create a distant past or a forthcoming future. With visual art, these visions can be exhibited through paintings and works of various media that is why Circulo de Arte and the Circulo de Arte Alumni have come together to look back on the past and look forward to the future through PAGLANTAW: Visions of the Past and of the Future, a collaborative group art exhibit.

A vision of the past: In 1995, students of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan who were art enthusiasts gathered together and formed the Ateneo Art Society and looked forward to create an established art organization in the campus.

In 1996, the core group of students through the help of the organization moderator Mr. Pennessencio “Nonoy” Estarte, renamed the group into Circulo de Arte, and aimed to gather more art enthusiasts in Xavier University in order to share, develop, and exhibit various art ideas and techniques. From then on, generations of young artists and their art have graced the halls and walls of Xavier University and other establishments through Circulo de Arte group art exhibits.

Now celebrating its 14th year as a school-based art organization, Circulo de Arte looks forward to creating a flourishing future in art by creating visions that are never impossible to attain, always within reach through art and imagination.

We invite you to view PAGLANTAW and have the opportunity to see different visions of the past and of the future through colorful works by young artists.

The Tarot of of Marseilles According to Alejandro Jodorowsky

2009-11-28T13:24:00.003+08:00

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a Chilean scholar in comparative religion, playwright, director, producer, composer, actor, mime, comic book writer, tarot reader, historian and psychotherapist. I am amazed with his wisdom. He surely is somebody to look up to!

Pacquiao Defeated Cotto!

2009-11-16T11:55:00.005+08:00

I know this is a day late and a lot have already made posts regarding the fight... However, I still want to say to the world that I am glad and proud that I am a Filipino in this lifetime!

Manny Pacquiao is a living example of a person who had humble beginnings but is now one of the most influential and inspiring people in the world. In spite of all the glory, he still remains humble...that's what I admire most about him. Congratulations Manny!

As for Miguel Cotto, I admire his sportsmanship. He even bothered to go up to Manny and give him a hug. Cotto is a great warrior too, he lasted longer than the others but he's not just tough enough for The Pacman.

For the next few days (or weeks) the Philippines will surely remain in a hazy state due to Pacman's victory. I just hope that after the celebrations, everyone will go back to their normal lives and work hard not only for themselves but also for the country. Elections are coming up and we have to do our duty to choose leaders who will help us make changes! But before that, we should cheer on and vote for Efren Peñaflorida to be the ultimate hero of CNN Heroes. The guy needs our help so he can help more children!

I am proud to be Filipino. I am happy I am Filipino. I believe that we still have a lot to share to the world not only with our natural resources but also with our talents too! The Filipino race is a brave and honorable race. In my own little way, I will do what I can to make my country proud and help restore it back to its glory!

White Water Rafting in CDO

2009-10-23T18:44:00.006+08:00

Last weekend I faced my fear of the water by going white water rafting in the Cagayan de Oro River with my old friend and a new one. I was quite scared at first but after the initial four rapids, I got used to it and had so much fun! I even jumped off from that big rock and dunked into the water!!!

Thanks to Odessa and Anya for sharing that experience with me and more thanks to the river guides who made sure we were not harmed.

Until then...

I want to go rafting again and again and again and again... Hahahaha!

Music: Blur - Song 2 Remix
Photos: Kagay White Water Rafting Tours

CDO Bloggers Group Hosts Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3!

2009-10-21T19:16:00.004+08:00

(Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines – October 21, 2009) – It’s all systems go for the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) as they play host to the much-awaited Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, an annual gathering of Mindanao-based bloggers, IT industry experts, community leaders and new media advocates, on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. Roughly 300 bloggers are expected to attend this year’s summit.

With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” (Changing The Way People See Mindanao) the event aims to uphold the beauty and strength of Mindanao, to highlight the diverse cultures and fascinating tourist spots that are uniquely Mindanao and to provide a platform where bloggers and other new media practitioners can discuss concerns related to Mindanao – all with the help of new and emerging technologies.

“Mindanao is the home of everything fascinating or in bloggers’ lingo – bloggable. Through the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, it is the hope of the CDO Bloggers, along with our partners and generous sponsors, that we listen to knowledgeable resource persons, meet other Mindanaoan bloggers, share and maximize all of our skills and resources and adopt tried and tested practices that can help us to fully promote Mindanao and for us to become better bloggers as well,” emphasized ChiQ Montes, president of CDO Bloggers.

“Of course, we also want all of the participants to have a good time and experience the sights and sounds of Cagayan de Oro,” Montes added.

Montes said that apart from Mindanaoan bloggers, the summit will also see the participation of some bloggers from Luzon and Visayas.

Expected to grace the summit are United States Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett, Atty. Adel Tamano, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula.

Considered unprecedented in the Philippine blogosphere, a top ranking United States Embassy dignitary is set to deliver the keynote address. Bassett’s trip to CDO will be her first trip to Mindanao since assuming office in June. She previously served as DCM in Mexico.

“We are deeply honored. We’re certain that the summit participants will be delighted to meet her and we can’t wait for her to see our beautiful city,” Montes said.

Other speakers during the whole-day affair include Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constanton "Tinnex" Jaraula, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Atty. Adel Tamano.

Google’s Philippine representative Aileen Apolo, whose talk will focus on beginners, Digital Filipino’s Janette Toral, who will discuss blog advertising and Lyle Santos, who will talk about making money online will also be present. Representatives of other blogger groups including those in Davao City, General Santos City and Zamboanga will also give updates.

After the summit proper, participants have the choice of joining either the city tour (Xavier University Museum, Cathedral, Divine Mercy Shrine, Opol Aviary, Limketkai Mall) or the whitewater rafting adventure.

Also happening on October 24, right after the MBS 3, is the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao awarding ceremonies.

CDO Bloggers, Inc., a group duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is the lead organizer of this year’s Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. Previous summits took place in Davao City and General Santos City.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is generously supported by SMART Communications Inc, Nokia, Syntactics, Inc., STI, Rafting Adventure Philippines, MakatiAve.com, Majesty Sales Center, Havaianas Philippines, OLX Philippines Free Classifieds, Clara Shoppe, ASTERISK Events and Communications, RG & K Construction, Paguia’s Cottages, ThePacificaCompanies.com, The Site, Spruce, The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Office of CDO First District Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy, SM City Cagayan de Oro, Ultra Craft Advertising Corporation, Magnet Advertising, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao Bloggers community. Media partners include Papa Ardie’s Concepz, STI, ABS CBN, MOR 91.9 and HOT FM 106.3.

For more information about the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

About CDO Bloggers
CDOBloggers or Cagayan de Oro Bloggers, Inc. is a duly SEC-registered organization that promotes Cagayan de Oro through blogging. Among the group’s goals are to create impact in society through blogging, to help promote Mindanao to the world as a bustling and peaceful land, to promote Cagayan De Oro City and Kagay-anons around the world with a sense of pride and to use blogging as a media platform.

The CDO Bloggers group is the main organizer of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (MBS 3). For more information about MBS 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

For more information about CDO Bloggers, visit http://www.cdobloggers.com or send email to cdobloggersinc(@)gmail.com

About Mindanao Bloggers
Mindanao Bloggers aims to unify the island through this exciting new medium — the way of the blog — thereby promoting deeper understanding of our different cultures and beliefs. Thus, it is hoped that this community blog will help in presenting to the world at large the true beauty of the Philippine South, as well as the marvelous diversity of the peoples of Mindanao. For more information about Mindanao Bloggers, visit http://www.mindanaobloggers.com

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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
ASTERISK Events and Communications http://www.asteriskeventsandcommunications.com Mobile number: (+63) 919 238 6575 / (+63) 922 478 5218 Email address: asteriskEC@gmail.com

Gratitude

2009-10-12T19:01:00.003+08:00

Androcles and the Lion

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.

As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.

Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

_______________________________________________________________

When I was younger, my mother made me read, read, and read. I remember she let me read Aesop's fables and this story about Androcles and the Lion was part of that compilation. The original story was said to be by Apion but this version on my post is attributed to Aesop since it has a "moral" at the end of the story.

Gratitude may be a sign to indicate the nobility of a soul but then we should alsobe aware on what we should be grateful for.

I am grateful for every day of my life. Yes, even the bad days. ;)

Amazing Grace

2009-09-28T21:17:00.000+08:00

Amazing Grace (Bagpipes) - Watch more funny videos here

The Philippines: Man Loses His Own Life After Saving Dozens From Floods

2009-09-28T20:18:00.005+08:00

I stumbled upon this story from The Age and I want to share it with all of you... Thanks to The Age...

_____________________________________________________________

Philippine man loses own life after saving dozens from floods
September 28, 2009 - 2:28 PM

An 18-year-old construction worker braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box.

Family members and people who Muelmar Magallanes saved have hailed the young man a hero, as his body lay in a coffin at a makeshift evacuation centre near their destroyed Manila riverside village.

"I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar," said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself. "He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice."

Mr Magallanes was at home on Saturday with his family when tropical storm Ketsana unleashed the heaviest rains in more than 40 years on the Philippine capital and surrounding areas.

At first the family, long used to heavy rains, paid little attention to the storm.

But Mr Magallanes and his father quickly decided to evacuate the family once they realised the river 800 metres away had burst its banks.

With the help of an older brother, Mr Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached it one-by-one to his three younger siblings, whom he took to higher ground. Then he came back for his parents.

But Mr Magallanes, a strong swimmer, decided to go back for neighbours trapped on rooftops.

He ended up making many trips, and eventually saved more than 30 people from drowning, witnesses and survivors said.

Tired and shivering, Mr Magallanes was back on higher ground with his family when he heard Ms Penalosa screaming as she and her baby were being swept away on the polystyrene box they were using in an attempt to cross the swift currents.

He dived back in after the mother and daughter, who were already a few metres away and bobbing precariously among the debris floating on the brown water.

"I didn't know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die," said Ms Penalosa, her eyes welling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

"Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone," Ms Penalosa said.

Ms Penalosa and other witnesses said an exhausted Mr Magallanes was simply washed away amid the torrent of water.

Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with 28 others who perished amid Manila's epic flooding. The official death toll stands at 100 with 32 missing.

Standing next to his coffin, Mr Magallanes' parents paid tribute to their son.

"He always had a good heart," said his father, Samuel.

"We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl."

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

"He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself."

AFP

_____________________________________________________________

Now that's a real hero! Helping others without expecting anything in return! Mr Magallanes was just one of the many simple folk who risked their lives just to save others from the great deluge this country has experienced in the past few days. It's so sad yet inspiring to read this story. He will be remembered by the lives he saved and by everyone who views him as a hero myself included.

Now now... What have I got to say to those people who are taking advantage of the situation and are "helping" the flood victims by giving out food and clothing with their names emblazoned on those stuff? Shame on you... If you really want to help, you don't need to advertise your names to further your political ambitions. Just HELP...

To those who would like to help victims of typhoon Ondoy, you can help by donating to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations.

Text: Red AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart).

The AMOUNT can be 10, 25, 50 or 100.

You can also help the flood victims through the details in this Google page.

Prayers will also do. In times like these, we need FAITH...

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

2009-09-24T01:02:00.000+08:00

My Sweet Lord
by
George Harrison

George Harrison is my favorite Beatle and this song is one of my favorites. I am just grateful with how things turned out in the past few weeks and I am looking forward to greater things. Life is not simple; we have to learn to go with the flow...

Life is never easy but it's better if we face the vicissitudes of life with optimism.

One more thing, never ever forget to be grateful always... ;-)

Blood Head Sculpture Acquired By The National Portrait Gallery

2009-09-17T20:42:00.002+08:00

Self, Marc Quinn (2006)

Click image to go to original story

Most museums that hold precious art in their premises protect their art by maintaining a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in their halls. In the National Portrait Gallery in London, a colder climate is needed for its newest acquisition, a work known to be one of the most important works of the BritArt era.

The National Portrait Gallery has purchased a newly minted version of Marc Quinn’s Self sculpture; the artwork is the fourth reproduction of the British artist’s head made out of nine pints of his own frozen blood. Three previous versions of the art piece sit in private collections yet this one was acquired by the gallery in order to show to the public.

The Art Fund, a charity in the UK that is devoted to collecting important works for public collections contributed £100,000 to the £300,000 ($500,000) cost of the sculpture. It was already an arranged discounted price since the work was intended for the museum. The remainder of the funds used to purchase the blood head sculpture came from other nonprofit organizations.

The National Blood Service in the UK recommends that there should be a 16 week waiting period in between blood donations. If Quinn follows the necessary protocol, it takes him almost three years to collect the necessary amount of blood to make another version of the sculpture. If Quinn aspires to create another version, the next sculpture will be available for sale in 2011.

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3

2009-09-14T23:00:00.004+08:00

Mindanao is a big, beautiful island and it has a lot of interesting sites, people, and traditions. Since pre-colonial times, the island of Mindanao has captivated many people from near and afar and it still continues to do so with more people from a wider scope. Mindanao has kept abreast with changing times and through the internet, it remains an important place that should not be missed.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit is an important event that allows bloggers from and of Mindanao to convene and uphold the goal to celebrate and promote Mindanao. Now on its third year, the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 aims to change the way people see Mindanao.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 has the theme “Mindanao Bag-ohon ang Panan-aw” and it will be held on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive here in Cagayan de Oro City.

The following is the schedule of activities for Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3:

October 24, 2009, Saturday
7:00 – 8:30 : Registration
8-30 – 8:45 : Opening Prayer & National Anthem
8:45 – 9: 00 : MBS3 Introduction – ChiQ Montes
9 :00 – 9:30 : Welcome Speech – Mayor Tinnex Jaraula
9:30 – 10:00 : Introduction on Mindanao Bloggers – Blogie Robillo
10:00 – 10:30 : Adel Tamano/ Khalid Dimaporo – State of Mindanao
10:30 – 11:00 : AVP on Mindanao and BREAK
11:00 – 11:30 : Tourism Director
11:30 – 12:00 : Keynote speaker
12 :00 -1:00 : LUNCH BREAK
1:00 – 1:30 : Aileen Apolo – Target: Beginners
1:30 – 2:00 : Janette Toral – Blog Advertising
2:30 – 3:00 : BREAK
3:00 – 3:30 : Lyle Santos – Make money Online/ Adsense
3:30 – 4:00 : Davao Bloggers Update
4:00 – 4:30 : GenSan Bloggers Update – Avel Manansala
4:30 – 5:00 : Zamboanga Bloggers Update – Ryann Z. Elumba

At 7pm, the Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao Awards Night will take place and make MBS 3 a more memorable event!

If you would want to be part of the said event, pre-register now and hope to see you soon!

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is organized by the CDOBloggers, Inc.

Do You Remember The Time?

2009-09-14T01:26:00.002+08:00

I had quite a lot of adventures and (misadventures) way back in my younger days. I just had fun reminiscing about those times and believe me I still wonder how I lived through them. I lived one day at a time and sometimes the days were too fast they passed by like a blur…

I wasn’t being fair to some people especially to my parents since they never knew (and still have no idea) that I had wasted a lot of money on mindless things. Back then it was cool to drink, smoke, and just let things be. Now I have realized it’s not easy to spend hard-earned money if you are the one doing all the earning… Spending is easy if you never had to lift a finger to earn the dough.

Cleaning and sobering up could be a sign of maturity in my own vocabulary even though to some it is not the case. Who cares anyway? But I am glad I’m over it and I am more than glad to say that I have a lot of stories to tell when I’m older. I never regretted a moment in my past. There were some things I silently wished never happened but right now, I’m glad they did. I’ll never get to where I am today if I never did all those crazy stuff back then.

Life is weird and so was I and I am still.

-reposted from a Hubpage dated 06/02/08

Black Woman, White Kids

2009-09-11T00:02:00.000+08:00

Black Brazilian mother with albino children

A black woman has puzzled many scientists because three out of her five children are white. Rosemere Fernandes de Andrade and her partner Joao are Afro-Brazilian must be carriers of the albinism gene since it requires both parents to be carriers in order to produce albino offspring.

The genetics professor Valdir Balbino of the Federal University of Pernambuco said that it is a very rare occurrence since the parents and two other children are black.

The family lives in the slum area of Olinda in north-east Brazil and the children have been ridiculed by the other students at their school. Mrs. Fernandes struggles to pay the medical bills for her children Ruth, 10; Esthefany, 8; and Kauan who is just 5. She must also buy the children expensive sunblock and extra clothing to protect their skin. The mother of five has also been challenged by security guards who insisted she could not be the children’s mother because they look different.

Albinism affects around one in 17,000 people and those with albinism do not produce enough melanin which gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes and protects the body from the sun’s harmful rays. People with albinism often suffer from extreme short-sightedness and a severe sensitivity to light.

In several parts of the world, people dare to pass judgment on people with albinism, calling them names that could only hurt. People with albinism did not wish to be born that way and most of them are having a hard time coping up with the people around them. Be nice to them!

If you would want to help people with this condition, read on to the original article. Thank you.

Kahlil Gibran On Love - The Prophet

2009-09-10T00:16:00.000+08:00

On Love:

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Earn Money Through Blog Advertising!

2009-09-09T23:37:00.002+08:00

Hey folks! It’s been a while since I have posted something here and now I’m back! During my hiatus I came across this site that will help bloggers generate money through their blogs: LinkFromBlog.com!

LinkFromBlog.com is a fast growing blog advertising company that connects bloggers and advertisers through an online marketplace. Advertisers have the opportunity to advertise on thousands of blogs while bloggers can make money through blogging!

LinkFromBlog.com has the following advantages for advertisers:
• Advertise business in high traffic and ranked blogs;
• Set price for original reviews;
• Get your website noticed;
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Bloggers will have the following advantages from LinkFromBlog.com:
• Make money just by writing about the advertisers’ products or services;
• Get maximum possible payment for reviews;
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• Make money online and be a blogging sensation!

So friends, if you want to earn through your blog, better check out LinkFromBlog.com and blog your way to success!

You can click the following icon if you want tips from LinkfromBlog!

I Want Pain Relief

2009-09-09T23:03:00.000+08:00

Body aches are normal for most of us who are busy with our daily lives. Work, exercise, and other strenuous activities are good for the body and mind but pushing ourselves to the limit will cause us to feel different kinds of body pains.

I don’t know if you would agree with me but I believe that pain relief is essential if we are experiencing chronic pain. We do need to relieve our pain especially if it is already affecting our lives.

When I was 19, I went through a lot of stress from school and I was experiencing severe pain and swelling in the joints. I sought a doctor and I was prescribed with different kinds of medicines and was advised to watch my diet. I never wanted treatment but then when things got better I realized that arthritis pain relief is essential especially in situations that can’t be controlled anymore. Arthritis is incurable but it can be relieved.

Lately I have been experiencing back pain from working overtime and sometimes when I get home I would just directly go to bed to rest and ease the pain. I have searched means for back pain relief and I believe that I would only have to change my lifestyle and posture yet when all else fails, I have to seek medical treatment. I would love it if I would not have to suffer from back pains anymore.

I do believe that “pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.” We could not escape from pain especially when it suddenly hits us but we can choose to let it linger on or not by seeking and applying pain relief.

Camera and MP3 Sunglasses

2009-09-05T18:44:00.000+08:00

Are you one of those people who love multi-tasking? Are you fond of getting many things done simultaneously? If your answer to both questions is yes, then you will surely love the chic and sporty Camera and MP3 Sunglasses!

The Camera and MP3 Sunglasses is the latest product in the industry created to let its users enjoy doing many things at the same time without having to carry around a bagful of gadgets! The sunglasses can be used in various weather conditions and can protect the user’s eyes as well as give a cool sporty look.

When doing activities while using the glasses, users can take pictures of anything they see along the way without having to carry around a separate camera. When doing extreme sports and other activities which employ the use of both hands, the Camera and MP3 Sunglasses is just perfect to use! The 1.3 megapixel camera will surely take clear and amazing pictures as the user makes extreme moves. The wonderful pair of glasses also has a small remote control that can be used to take pictures discreetly.

If the user would want a background soundtrack while doing extreme stuff, the Camera and MP3 Sunglasses has discreet headphones to play MP3s. Favorite songs can be blasted from the headphones while riding a bike, running a mile or skiing slopes. The headphones can be hooked out of the way when the user wants some quiet time doing his or her activities.

The Camera and MP3 Sunglasses has a USB 2.0 interface via a standard Mini USB cable used for uploading music, downloading photos, and recharging the glasses’ internal 3.7V, 240mAh Li-ion battery.

The Camera and MP3 Sunglasses comes with extra clear lenses, a remote control with strap, a USB cable, a storage case, and a cleaning cloth. It also has a 1 GB storage space for files.

To Catch a Thief

2009-08-21T23:18:00.002+08:00

My mobile phone got stolen tonight... Oh well, that's life!

If you are one of my friends/contacts, please send your contact info through private messaging... Thank you...

You can also post them as comments...I will not publish them for the world to see...

Ninoy: The Filipino Is Worth Dying For

2009-08-21T00:40:00.001+08:00

This exact date twenty-six years ago, I was still a one year old tot who played with sand on the beach. My family spent time together and celebrated my mother's birthday a day ahead. August 21, 1983 was a Sunday that's why we were at the beach with our relatives. That day became a memorable day in history, when we got home, the grown-ups found out about the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr., better known as Ninoy Aquino to Filipinos.

Ninoy sacrificed a lot for the nation and with his death, many changes were brought to the Philippines. His spouse Corazon Aquino became a president of the country as she was supported by the people who helped her overthrow a dictatorship.

Ninoy did not die in vain and his spirit will keep on burning for the country. Such a remarkable man will never be forgotten ever.

The Words and Inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi

2009-08-17T19:41:00.007+08:00

Some pages of the book...Click to enlarge image ;-)

Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Yesterday I went walking around the mall and stumbled upon another book sale. I love book sales and every time I stick my nose into one, I always end up finding treasures I never let go off my hands.

As I was rummaging through the old, previously owned, and new books, I cam upon this shelf of new books still sealed in plastic. Some stuff from Blue Mountain Arts caught my attention and my heart really beat faster when I saw one of the volumes: The Words and Inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent peace leader when he was still alive and even now, decades since his death, he continues to inspire people from all over the world. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869, the Indian political and spiritual leader was a pioneer of resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience founded upon total non-violence has led his nation to independence from the British.

Gandhi was born into a middle class family and studied to become a lawyer but his love for his country and fellowmen made him give up all of the possible wealth he could have achieved. By giving into his calling and doing what he was supposed to do, Gandhi gained something more that inspired many nations and many generations all over the world.

Gandhi is more known to the world as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma is a Sanskrit word that means Great Soul, and it was first applied to Gandhi by another great man, Rabindranath Tagore.

Gandhi has touched lives on many people and improved the living conditions of his fellowmen. Through non-violent protests, the man has promoted peace without having to harm other people. He became the concrete example of a man who conquered his enemies without using firearms. His wisdom, tolerance, and belief of a better future and justice brought him to his victory.

A man who could have worn a suit with a tie chose to wear the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, lived a simple life, yet overthrew an empire and regained the country for his fellowmen. A man whose gentle ways sent out roaring messages that brought down walls of disillusionment and tyranny. A person who will remain idolized by people who love peace and who believe that there is still something good to look forward to in this otherwise disenchanted world.

Mahatma Gandhi is officially honored in his beloved India as the Father of the Nation and his birthday, October 2, is a national holiday. It is also the International Day of Non-Violence.

Thank you for the inspiration Great Soul... With what you have shown the world, we could always give peace a chance...

Deranged Woman Throws a Cup at the Mona Lisa

2009-08-12T19:41:00.005+08:00

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa

It's not the first time that the world's most recognizable portrait has suffered an attack from a viewer; in fact the Mona Lisa has had suffered a lot of woes from people who must be out of their minds.

I have read from a website just recently that the famous painting got attacked on 2 August 2009 -- a Russian woman hurled a ceramic cup at the Mona Lisa out of frustration from being denied French citizenship!

The Mona Lisa is a portrait known the world over for its enigmatic smile and for its artist, the great Leonardo da Vinci. A portrait of Francesco del Giocondo's wife, Lisa Gherardini, the Mona Lisa is also refered to as La Gioconda. The painting was created with great skill with Leonardo's own sfumato technique and brilliant artistry. The painting is owned by the Government of France that is why it is gracing its own wall at the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris.

The woman visited the museum on a Sunday when the entrance to the museum is free and suddenly threw the cup out of frustration. The Mona Lisa went through that attack unharmed since it is covered in bulletproof glass. The Russian woman however, was arrested by the police and underwent psychiatric testing for her behavior. She was eventually released but the Louvre filed a legal complaint against her for the incident.

I have watched several documentaries about the Mona Lisa and it is deemed to be da Vinci's most favorite of his works because he always took it with him while traveling from one place to another and had it with him until his death.

My friend Odessa is a big fan of da Vinci and the Mona Lisa...I wonder how she'd react to this weird piece of news in the art world.

I was appalled when I first read the headline... Thank goodness for bulletproof glass I can still keep dreaming of seeing her someday!

Rest In Peace and Thank You President Corazon C. Aquino

2009-08-05T19:14:00.005+08:00

artwork by KDLIG

SALAMAT...

Ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang Pilipino.

You may not be her first, her last, or her only...

2009-08-03T19:19:00.001+08:00

You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters?

She’s not perfect, you aren’t either, the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, admit to being human & making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.

She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break; her heart.

So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze, and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.

-Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. Bob Marley

Goodbye Tita Cory

2009-08-01T23:04:00.004+08:00

Like that morning in June 25, 2009 I woke up emotional and distraught. The time for one great woman to return to her Creator finally came. Former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino passed away today, August 1, 2009 at 0318h.

I know a lot of people have already made blog posts since the news broke out and I would not want to say anything more than what had already been said.

To the woman who served as a mother to the Philippines before, during, and after her term; and the woman whose strength and faith inspires me and makes me proud to be a Filipino woman, Tita Cory, rest in peace. Thank you for everything you offered to your country and fellowmen!

Outside The Wall

2009-07-19T23:57:00.003+08:00

It's my first time to watch Pink Floyd's The Wall in its entirety and I must say that the film is something worthy to see. The plot, the sequence of scenes, the Freudian animations, the actors, and of course, the soundtrack rocks!

Outside the Wall

All alone, or in two's,
The ones who really love you
Walk up and down outside the wall.
Some hand in hand
And some gathered together in bands.
The bleeding hearts and artists
Make their stand.

And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall.

Digital Filipino in CDO

2009-07-19T23:39:00.007+08:00

photos by ChiQ Montes

17 July 2009, 6pm, Philtown Hotel, CDO – One of the Digital Filipino Club’s distinguished members Ms Janette Toral was in the city to talk about the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2009 Writing Project with the local bloggers of CDO. The weather had been bad but those who braved the heavy rain were in for a treat!

The program started with Ms Toral introducing herself then she handed the microphone to the participants so that they (umm it’s actually WE because I was there together with other CDOBloggers hahaha!) can introduce themselves and talk about their blogs. Some of the participants in the event were newbie bloggers while some were not new to the blogging world.

After the introductions were made, Ms Toral presented the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2007 and 2008 and stated the reasons why those bogs ended on the lists of both years. They were all amazing and had various unique content! Ms Aileen Apolo who was one of the influential bloggers in 2007 was at the event and shared her blogging experiences too!

Ms Toral encouraged Cagay-anons to unite and nominate blogs by local bloggers to be part of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2009. There’s barely two weeks left for Cagay-anons to come up with nominations! I hope there will be a local blogger who can make it to the top 10!

The event was sponsored by Syntactics, Inc. who also introduced their project LetIThelp.org that helps give training and employment to underprivileged local graduates.

The night ended with good cheer and most of the participants were cam whoring (forgive the term hahaha). When we left the halls of Philtown, we had to face the rain again but it was ok. It all had been worth it!

One Love

2009-07-16T18:55:00.003+08:00

I grabbed another video from YouTube courtesy of one of my friends on Facebook. I have loved this Bob Marley song from the very first moment I heard it years ago and since then, what had been Bob's dream of a united world started to become my dream too. This version just touches my heart...

from the video info:
From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song "One Love" with Keb' Mo' and Manu Chao. This is the third video from the documentary and a follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the incredible "Don't Worry." Released in celebration of Bob Marley's birthday on February 6th, this tribute to the legend is performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

ONE LOVE

Relax and be Entertained with Numerous Channels on Your TV

2009-07-15T22:21:00.001+08:00

My friend from high school is now living in the US and the last time we talked online, she told me about her new favorite shows she watches on Direct TV. She said that the satellite service allows her to surf numerous channels and keeps her up to date with the latest soaps, sitcoms and talk shows. It also keeps her tuned in to the latest news from different part of the planet.

My friend lives quite a busy life in NY yet she unwinds by doing yoga or just watching the shows she told me about. She learns tips on how to live a balanced life, gathers recipes of food she would love to try and cook by herself, and collect valuable information she comes across on knowledge channels. Directv has also helped her find out about the latest news happening here at home and she said it made her more homesick.

My dear friend said she’ll be coming for a visit this Christmas so that we can hang out and she can ease the homesickness. For now, Direct TV in New York will keep her company and put a constant smile on her face.

Motorola Aura Celestial Edition Cellular Phone

2009-07-05T19:10:00.000+08:00

At this modern age when almost anything is possible due to science and technology, it is venerable that history should also be recognized and honored. It is by looking back to where we came from that we are able to look forward into the future and make it even better and brighter. A century ago, people might have thought that it was impossible to go to the moon but in July 1969, what was once a dream for many became a reality for some men.

The Motorola Aura is one of the uniquely designed and manufactured cellular phones in the industry and it has undergone a new facelift with its latest release the Motorola Aura Celestial Edition. The latest edition of the Motorola Aura cellular phone was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of man’s first landing on the Moon.

The cellular phone has pretty much the same features as the original Motorola Aura but the stellar Celestial Edition includes historic audio clips from that first Moon landing event especially with Neil Armstrong’s famous first words on the Moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” That’s a pretty cool clip to hear from a pretty cool phone! You can use it as your message alert tone!

There are not so many available information about the specs of the Motorola Aura Celestial Edition and there is no exact date to when it will be released. Let’s just assume it will be out on the market on the anniversary of the Moon landing, on July 21.

Motorola has not disclosed on how much this special edition phone will cost and if it is available in limited numbers and in limited territories only. Let’s all hope that we will have the opportunity to grab this unit and remember that day in history when man finally walked on the Moon.

Thriller Acapella Style

2009-07-03T03:15:00.003+08:00

I was watching videos on YouTube and stumbled upon this really interesting music video. This French guy François Macré created his own version of Michael Jackson's Thriller using only his own voice! He never used instruments, synthesizers or other stuff just 64 acapella tracks!

Here's what he wrote in the "more info" section of this vid:

Here is a remake of the "Thriller" song that I've entirely recorded with my own voice, using 64 A'cappella tracks. There is therefore no instrument, synthetizer, beatbox, or even to sampler, but only the sound of my voice livened up with Reverb, Equalization and slight Chorus. Regarding looping parts, I've simply used the "looping" technique.

I've accomplished this non-commercial project at home, only with a laptop , microphone, headphones and webcam. It's just an artistic challenge, accomplished during my hours of free time, whose purpose is to surprise my close circle and net surfers.

I hope you'll have as much pleasure to hear and watch it as I had to accomplish. Don't hesitate to leave me your comments, or to contact me through my MySpace's profile : http://www.myspace.com/francoismacre

«THRILLER» Original Song :
Lyrics and Music by Rod TEMPERTON
© RODSONGS

All I can say is that what this guy did to Thriller is way too cool to compete with! Two thumbs up for this really talented guy!

Rest in Peace Jacko

2009-06-26T07:45:00.000+08:00

Michael Jackson is dead...and a lot of bloggers in the blogosphere are blogging about him just to get traffic. So sad... Even though MJ had his own share of faults, he was a person and a music icon a lot of people look up to.

I don't want to write much. My heart aches because almost every song he sang since he was a kid is a part of my life soundtrack.

I need a working turntable... time to dust off those classic Jackson 5 LPs...

Rest in peace Jacko... your spirit and music will live on...

Do You Want 56 Permanent Stars On Your Face?

2009-06-18T23:21:00.000+08:00

What would you do if a guy draws 56 stars on your face and you won't be able to rub them off with soap and water? That's the sad fate of Belgian teenager Kimberley Vlaeminck who sued the tattoo artist who put too much stars on her face.

The eighteen year old said she only wanted three stars on her face but she happened to doze off during the process. She woke up in pain when the tattoo guy started to put stars on her nose. She was surprised that the guy turned her face into a galaxy!

The tattoo artist said that the teenager agreed to have fifty-six stars tattooed on her face but only complained when she went home and her father got mad with what happened.

What should we learn from this young woman's experience? If you want a tattoo, better make it clear with the artist what you want, how big do you want it and how many do you want of it. It is also very important to never fall asleep while you are getting yourself inked!

Medical Alarm Devices for Elderly People

2009-06-18T22:28:00.003+08:00

My grandfather suffered a stroke last year and since then there had been many changes in his life. He is not his usual self who goes to town whenever he feels like it and do whatever he feels like doing. His stroke changed him; he used to be quick moving yet now he has become a slow, cane-holding old guy. Sometimes he needs to be followed around but there are times when he wants to be his usual independent self and goes around by himself.

My grandfather’s condition worries most of us in the family. What if he goes around by himself and falls off from a flight of stairs or slips on wet pavement? How would he call for help if no one is around?

I happened to stumble upon medical alarm devices which help a lot of elderly people abroad and I wish it is available here. The alarm is composed of two devices one is for the home and the other one is a GPS tracking bracelet that the elderly can wear.

The medical alarm home device has a fall alert detector that alerts emergency personnel that the elderly person has fallen or in an emergency situation and can’t even push a button to ask for help. The other device, the GPS tracking bracelet, is equipped with a 2-way speakerphone that the elderly can use like a cellular phone and use it to all for help. It can also be used to track down elderly who can’t remember their way home or who got lost.

Technology has made the lives of the elderly and their families easier. I could only wish that we can get my grandfather a medical alarm kit so that we will be assured that he is safe and well.

A Car Made of Matches

2009-06-16T19:36:00.002+08:00

Michael Arndt and his F1 Match Car

It was in February of 2008 when the news broke out about a man who created an F1 car from almost a million match sticks. I know this post may seem stale because it is nothing new but I love the handiwork of the guy that's why it's on my blog!

Anyway, Michael Arndt of Germany used 956,000 match sticks to make a Formula One car. It took him thousands of hours for more than six years to make such a masterpiece. He used 1,686 tubes of glue to put the sticks together in order to create the life-size F1 model. He spent a total of £4,500 on the said project.

Creativity and patience can make a person do great things.

Are you creative and patient enough to do great stuff?

Broken Wings

2009-06-08T18:01:00.004+08:00

detail from Topsy-Turvy

ICARUS

In hope
I surrendered my wings
for mortality
for senses
for life

While he
so vain
wanted to escape
through
flight

With wax
he attached
the wings which were
once
mine

He flew
so near
to my
beloved friend
the sun

Unlucky
he was
the warmth
of my ally
melted the wax

My frail wings
dropped him
the mortal
Icarus
fell.

Nothing Is Real

2009-06-01T22:49:00.004+08:00

Chimerical Harmony

These swirls of colors may seem vibrant and happy at first glance but in reality the vibrancy of the colors is chimerical---UNREAL... Not all things in this world are what they seem...

I made and sold this painting in February 2006. I don't know where it is right now but the buyer said she'll be sending it to her then newlywed daughter in the US. I wish the girl and her spouse a good marriage... something real... something not chimerical...

A Keyless Lock Is Not Impossible Anymore!

2009-06-01T22:42:00.005+08:00

I remember the good old days when I was still a kid and a TV addict—I used to watch shows most kids my age didn’t watch. One of my favorite shows during prime time was Mission: Impossible. I had been amazed with the show because of the unusual missions of the characters and the thrilling, explosive scenes. Some of the extraordinary stuff in M:I included the characters’ disguises, the ways and means they searched for clues and solved puzzles, and the out-of-this-world gadgets they used to accomplish their missions.

As far as I can remember of the show, one of the most amazing things I’ve seen were portals with keyless locks. Main characters and villains alike passed through doors without using keys but just pressed their fingers on a scanner and they were allowed access. For many years I thought such things were impossible and would never exist in real life, little did I know there are people who strive to make those bizarre things a reality.

If and when I’m going to build my own home, I think I should make it secure by using a keyless lock on each door of my abode. I want a modern home and it would be interesting to use modern stuff not only for security reasons but for practical reasons too! I wouldn’t have to worry about losing my house keys for as long as my finger is with me, I can enter my house!

I know a couple of decades ago technology had been pretty laid back and having a keyless lock for one’s home may have been impossible. Here and now in the twenty-first century almost anything is possible. Almost anybody can get almost anything done, seems to me we really are finally catching up with the stuff in Mission: Impossible!

CDO Bloggers Blogging 101 Workshop A Success!

2009-05-28T20:09:00.003+08:00

Last Saturday, 23 May 2009, CDOBloggers conducted a workshop on the basics of blogging. The event was held in Sentro 1850's conference room and it was attended by more than seventy people. I was one of them!

The following were discussed in the workshop:

Setting Up a Blog (Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal, etc.)
Blog Writing (Types of Blogs, Niche Blogging, Blog Ethics)
Blog Promotion and Marketing (Driving Traffic and Search Engine Optimization)
Monetizing (Paid Posts, Advertisements)

Due to time constraints, there were some points not discussed but the organizers pledged to send additional tips to the participants via email.

A mini-contest was part of the workshop to check out if the participants really understood what were discussed and the prizes included free website domains and hosting, and ILOVECDO t-shirts.

I pretended that I was a bit thick-faced (hahaha! just a bit) and stood up to answer one of the questions asked by one of the speakers. I won a free domain and hosting too! I wanted it badly so I grabbed the opportunity! Hahahaha!

The event was CDOBloggers' first baby and the org vows to learn a lot from it for improvements in the future. I'm looking forward to future events with CDOBloggers and I hope the org will become more successful!

A Time for Everything

2009-05-23T19:31:00.000+08:00

Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds

My friends keep telling me that there is always a time fore everything. I believe they are right.

I have always loved this song which was made popular by Pete Seeger but I especially love this version by The Byrds. Some of the lyrics were directly taken from the book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

There is a time fore everything.

Patience is a virtue...

I Want Letters in My Mailbox!

2009-05-23T19:03:00.000+08:00

Even at this time when everything is almost electronic and digital, I still go for some things which are quite nostalgic. Nowadays we keep contact with our family and friends through the internet –- instant messengers and e-mail. I love the speed of electronic messaging because I can send and receive messages with just a click of a button. However, the old-fashioned part of me would still love to receive hand-written letters in the mail no matter how long it would take them to reach me.

Since most people rely on e-mail, I now rarely receive personal letters on my mailbox at home. I still receive letters in the mail alright—most of them are newsletters and bill statements! I have decided on availing of a commercial mail box service that asks for a cheap fee every month and it is located just near my workplace so I can just drop by easily in between breaks.

I am just wondering if they are using mailboxes which are made of quality materials. I would recommend that they should invest in commercial mailboxes which could withstand wear and tear. I would not want my mail to be poorly stored and I would want my personal stuff to be secured. Hmmm…maybe they should use cluster mailboxes which are built in the way to be really tough and secure.

Anyway, I have a friend who also loves receiving letters in the mail. She lives in an apartment and she said the landlord uses apartment mailboxes where all the tenants' mail are stored. She said that all her mail are secured and she can retrieve them with ease, she just drops by her mailbox whenever she goes home from work.

I would love it if I can receive more mail in the future and my friend hopes the same too! We are hoping for more letters especially the more personal handwritten ones, not just those newsletters and statements!

Acobay: The Newest Social Network on the Block!

2009-05-22T21:51:00.003+08:00

Social networking sites are sprouting like mushrooms nowadays and each of them has services and features which aims to capture the interest of more users. Most of the social networks which have now become mainstream started with humble beginnings and they have grown into giants in the world wide web because their users like spending time in their sites.

I am a member of various social networking sites (more than twenty to be frank!) and I must say I can’t help but compare and contrast each and every one of them. I have maintained the ones which I find to be helpful in my life while those which are not easy to navigate and not interesting enough for me I have left unattended.

The other day I came upon a new social site: Acobay. I am still getting to know Acobay and so far I think it rocks! The users of the site get connected with each other through stuff they share. The stuff that each user shares like kinds of computers, cars, music, games, movies, and so on allows him or her to connect with the users who share the same stuff.

One of the stuff I shared is the kind of computer I use…I was amazed to find people who use the same brand and model too! I then shared the model and brand of digital camera I use to take pictures and whallaa! I found more people who use the same kind of camera! I shared the movies, books and music I love and got connected with more and more people!

I am still getting to know more about Acobay and I think I will love it more as time goes by. I get to make connections with people who share the same interests with me and what’s more, I find it fun!

Join me in Acobay and let's experience a different kind of social network!

Bright Lights

2009-05-18T18:06:00.003+08:00

The Aurora Borealis

Auroras are natural light displays in the sky which are usually seen on night skies on the polar regions. In northern latitudes the effect is known as the Aurora Borealis named by Pierre Gassendi after Aurora the Roman goddess of the dawn and Boreas the Greek name for north wind. The southern counterpart of the northern lights is Aurora Australis.

As a curious child I loved burying my nose in books and many things have fascinated me. I have read and fantasized about this phenomenon of lights even though I knew since then that I will never see it unless I go to the places where they can be seen...the places near the poles!

Someday...someday... for now I'll just look at photographs of the beautiful bright lights...

Life, Love... Love, Life!

2009-05-13T02:01:00.000+08:00

The most powerful force in our lives is our ability to love.

Indeed, it’s the most basic essence of who we are.

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the other.

The whole purpose of life is to live by love.

-Thomas Merton

Last night my seventeen year old cousin Jason sent me this quote on my mobile. I was shocked and I wanted to weep for a while because I never expected such a young man to send serious stuff on the phone. Most kids his age don't even bother to send messages at all but then maybe I underestimated that age group.

Here I am, a decade older than my cousin yet I still refuse to understand what his message meant. I choose not to understand it. It will only make things more complicated than they already are.

Here I am, twenty-seven years and a day older from the day I was ripped from my mother's womb, and I am still very stubborn.

Running away is not an option.

Repressing emotions is not the solution.

Living life and loving it could be a good start...

The Beatles could be right...

It's EASY.

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love, LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED...

Santeria a la Maura

2009-04-24T18:48:00.003+08:00

Maura singing Santeria

I enjoy watching Maura, an authentic Brasileira singing and doing covers of songs I also happen to love. I have even subscribed to her YouTube channel because I seem not to get enough of her. Hahaha! I love her voice and I think she's got the spunk to make it big someday. I hope somebody signs her up!

I love Santeria. I am still a Sublime fan. However, I think this version is cool!

Happy weekend!

MY Quarter

2009-04-23T18:54:00.002+08:00

Where can you find two great people situated opposite each other for eternity? Only on a coin... an American quarter dollar specifically...

George Washington and Helen Keller can be found on an Alabama quarter. I happened to find this coin in my purse yesterday and I don't friggin' know how it got there. Maybe somebody gave it to me as change. I don't know who...

I was just amazed with the words on the coin... LIBERTY on one side...COURAGE on the other. Words that describe what these two great people possessed and fought for when they were still living.

Why did the quarter come into my possession? To remind me to have courage in order to fight for liberty? On what ground? On what war? On what situation? I don't really know...

I am keeping the quarter... Maybe the greatness of Keller and Washington will rub off on me...someday...someday...

Let There Be Light With Light Fixtures In Your Home

2009-04-21T19:56:00.003+08:00

“Let there be light,” and then there was light.

If we are in the dark, we tend to grope for things which may be on our way. However, going around in the dark will never be a problem if we have a bright light to shine on us and help us find our way around.

If you have your own home, you should consider having quality lighting in order for you to see things clearly and also to set a cozy mood. Quality light fixtures should be among the items you should purchase for your home not only to make your house bright but stylish too!

In what way could you make your house brimming with light and style? Try putting elegant and classy chandeliers which will serve not only as sources of light but also as decorative pieces that will make your house more beautiful!

Home lighting creates a great impact in making your home not just a wonderful warm abode but also a place you would want to go home to every night without having to worry about getting lost in darkness.

Shop Clothes Online!

2009-04-21T18:43:00.003+08:00

Shopping for clothing is one of the tasks we could never avoid since clothing is one of our basic needs. We may be conscious of the latest fashion trends or we may dress according to our personalities but either way, we should know how and where to shop for quality clothes.

Shopping is one of the most interesting things we look forward to since it is an activity which allows us to purchase what we want. What should we do then if and when we don’t have time to go to shops? Go online shopping!

If you would want to save time from spending on long queues yet would want to choose from a variety of clothes without the hassle, you can shop clothes online. You can check out women’s wear, men’s wear and children’s wear online without having to run from one section to another but with just a few clicks of your mouse button!

Save yourself some time from going amok in clothes stores and start to shop clothes online!

Camiguin Weekend

2009-04-20T18:15:00.004+08:00

Last weekend I went to Camiguin with a LOT of people, my mother, and my sister. I never had much sleep the night before and I thought the trip will be canceled because it was raining hard until dawn. Anyway, everything went according to plan and I had fun. It was not a lot of fun but it was fun in its own way.

The trip to and from Camiguin Island was done the old fashioned way. From the Agora Bus Terminal in Cagayan de Oro we headed to the municipality of Balingoan and from there went aboard the ferry and sailed to the island. Once we got to the island we headed to Mambajao where our temporary residence was located. After a festive lunch, we rested a bit and then went from one tourist spot to another.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening of Saturday riding the hired bus (with a kamikaze driver tsk tsk) jumping from Walkway to the Sunken Cemetery to the Old Church Ruins of Cotta Bato to the Soda Pool to the Sto. Niño Cold Spring to Ardent Hibok-hibok Hot Spring. We didn't have much fun at Ardent though because it rained hard and the power went out! We went "home" and slept the night away... All of us were dead tired.

Come Sunday morning the sky was cloudy and I thought it was going to rain again but it didn't! We rode a small motor-powered boat to White Island (which is actually a sandbar) and basked in the sun! After an hour we went back to the mainland taking with us some souvenirs and photos we took on the sandbar. Later on the troop scheduled a visit to Katibawasan Falls but my sister and I chose to stay in our room and prepared our stuff. After lunch we all headed home and spent 4 hours split on the ferry and in the bus. Around 6pm we finally reached our humble home.

What's good about that weekend getaway? A change of environment for less than 48 hours. Hey it's better than being stuck the whole weekend in the same place you are stuck for a long time.

The downside? We never got to explore the island on our own. It's not nice touring with a large group, believe me!

The past two days were both fun and not fun but one thing is for sure, I'm going back to Camiguin and see its real beauty...at my own pace...without having to worry about being left by a bus...and hopefully with no rain!!!

Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?

2009-04-15T17:16:00.001+08:00

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

-Sonnet 18, William Shakespeare

Lego Jesus

2009-04-13T17:11:00.002+08:00

Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus and images of the Lego Jesus

As a kid I have been fascinated with Lego even though I did not have my own set (we can't afford it and the product was not available in local stores yet) . The only chance I played with Lego was whenever I dropped by my cousin's house (and when she was IN THE MOOD to let me delve into my imagination). I have been fantasizing of owning my own set of blocks yet I lost interest. Now that I am earning my own dough, maybe I should give that childhood hangover/fixation a chance to resolve itself by buying my very own Lego... Hmmm...on my birthday perhaps! :D

Anyway, I found out earlier today that Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus was copied and the copy is made of more or less 30,000 white Lego blocks donated by church-goers! The 5.8 ft statue was painstakingly created for more than a year and was unveiled yesterday, Easter Sunday in Oensta Gryta Church in Vaesteras, Sweden.

Jesus and Lego...Lego and Jesus... Great combo???

Sand and Art

2009-04-03T19:47:00.001+08:00

I stumbled upon this video of Ilana Yahav's Sand Art. This is just one of the many clips she has on YouTube and on her site. Enjoy!

“To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand and Eternity in an hour.” -William Blake

“If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it, write it in the sand near the water's edge" -Napoleon Hill

“Our best built certainties are but sand-houses and subject to damage from any wind of doubt that blows” - Mark Twain

“The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” - Niccolo Machiavelli

“Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone.” - Jorge Luis Borges

“Time is like a handful of sand- the tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers.”

“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.”

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” - Leonardo da Vinci

“In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.” - Oscar Wilde

“There is one thing one has to have: either a soul that is cheerful by nature, or a soul made cheerful by work, love, art, and knowledge." - Friedrich Nietzsche

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton

“To a true artist only that face is beautiful which, quite apart from its exterior, shines with the truth within the soul.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” - Vincent van Gogh

Post Number 100: Thank You Francis

2009-03-30T17:37:00.002+08:00

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi who was born Giovanni Francesco Bernardone was a friar who founded the Franciscan order or the Order of the Friars Minor. He is the patron of saint of Italy, animals, and the environment. St. Francis was the first recorded account of the stigmata phenomenon.

Weird guy. He was born a rich man yet the abandoned everything and made a vow of poverty, and devoted his life in service to God.

He'll be playing a major role in the next few nonths... Update you about that later on...

For now, I have nothing more to say but "thank you St. Francis".

Color My World

2009-03-20T17:31:00.005+08:00

I took this pic last night before I TRIED to draw something nice (it turned up ugly). The pencils are proof that I have been quite lazy with drawing and stuff. Would you believe that these darlings are in my possession for more or less four years??? They don't look like they have been used often.

These babies are actually Ian's "old stuff" and he sent them over so I can make use of them. Well I haven't!!! Somebody told me I should refresh my memory and tell my hands that there had been a time I knew how to draw...

Hmmm maybe I knew how...maybe I THOUGHT I knew how but actually I DON'T... Tsk tsk...

I quote one of my heroes: "Believe it or not, I can actually draw." -- Jean Michel Basquiat

There's No Substitute For The Real Thing

2009-03-16T19:45:00.004+08:00

Still on a Francis M hangover...

SuperProxy 2k6 - Francis M.

Sawa ka na ba sa mga hustle sa buhay mo
Ayaw mo na bang mag-isip para sa sarili
Tinatamad ka ng bumyahe
Ang gusto mo’y nakahiga na lang
Napapagod ka na ba sa kayayakap sa asawa mo

Ito ang kailangan mo
I-dial lang ang telepono

Hindi na dapat maghirap
Sa iisang iglap ang buhay mo ay sasarap
‘wag nang mag-atubili kumuha na ng
Superproxy

Ako ay kaibigan na lagi mong maasahan
Umulan man at umaraw ay nariyan kapag kailangan
Ito ay special offer sa mga taong katulad mo
Gamitin ang iyong bulsa para guminhawa

Ako ang kailangan mo
I-saksak lang ang modem nyo!!!

Hindi na dapat maghirap
Sa iisang iglap ang buhay mo ay sasarap
‘wag nang mag-atubili gumamit ka ng
Superproxy

Ako ang kailangan mo
I-dial lang ang teleponooooooooooooo

Hindi na dapat maghirap
Sa iisang iglap ang buhay mo ay sasarap
‘wag nang mag-atubili gumamit ka ng
Superproxy!!!!

Outro:

Kiko:
Come & take a sip from the cup as the drink makes you think
Don’t blink ‘coz you’ll be taken out by the pen & ink
Superproxy, why don’t y’all just talk to me
My rhyme be stickin to ya head like epoxy
This is how it should be done, ‘coz this rhyme is identical to none
3 stars & a sun in one sky so high, one-nine-nine-five until we die
We on a mission to surf & ride the waves all the way to cyberspace we
Gonna stay
We on a mission to surf & ride the waves all the way to cyberspace

Ely:
And so it was without a fuss we kill the buzz
Surrounding this delusional, irrational thing we call massive
Entertainment
Time to return the favor kick out the jams with the freeman flavor
Take it from survivor, the search is over
I’ve found the best forget the rest
Erase it, replace it but never duplicate it
‘coz intstitutions are boring there’s no substitute for the real thing...

Your Favorite Color Reflects The Real You

2009-03-13T18:25:00.005+08:00

I stumbled upon Annie B. Bond's Your Favorite Color: What It Says About You article and found it insightful. I'm copying and pasting her article her on my blog I hope she doesn't mind. hahahaha!

Here it is:

Adapted from “The Healing Power of Color” by Betty Wood (Inner Traditions, 1998).

Whether we’re a vibrant Orange, or a peaceful Blue, our color preferences are a key to understanding our personalities. Find out what this color expert has to say about your favorite color. What does it reveal about who you really are?

White: Symbolic of purity, innocence and naivete, white has strong connotations of youth and purity. If you are an older person, your preference for white could indicate a desire for perfection and impossible ideals, maybe an attempt to recapture lost youth and freshness. It may also symbolize a desire for simplicity or the simple life.

Red: The color of strength, health, and vitality, Red is often the color chosen by someone outgoing, aggressive, vigorous and impulsive—or someone who would like to be! It goes with an ambitious nature but those who choose it can be abrupt at times, determined to get all they can out of life, quick to judge people and take sides. Red people are usually optimistic and can’t stand monotony; they are rather restless and not at all introspective, so they may be unaware of their own shortcomings. They find it hard to be objective and may blame others for any mishaps. Quiet people with a preference for red may feel the need for the warmth, strength and life-giving qualities of the color, or they blanket their true feelings under a sober exterior. Red is usually chosen by people with open and uncomplicated natures, with a zest for life.

Maroon: Harsh experience has probably matured the Maroon person into someone likeable and generous. It is often a favorite color of someone who has been battered by life but has come through. It indicates a well-disciplined Red personality—one who has had difficult experiences and has not come through unmarked but who has grown and matured in the process.

Pink: This color embodies the gentler qualities of Red, symbolizing love and affection without passion. Women who prefer Pink tend to be maternal. Pink desires protection, special treatment and a sheltered life. Pink people require affection and like to feel loved and secure, perhaps wanting to appear delicate and fragile. Pink people tend to be charming and gentle, if a trifle indefinite.

Orange: This color of luxury and pleasure appeals to the flamboyant and fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. Orange people may be inclined to dramatize a bit, and people notice them, but they are generally good-natured and popular. They can be a little fickle and vacillating, but on the whole they try hard to be agreeable. Orange is the color of youth, strength, fearlessness, curiosity and restlessness.

Yellow: The color of happiness, wisdom and imagination, Yellow is chosen by the mentally adventurous, searching for novelty and self-fulfillment. Yellow usually goes with a sunny and shrewd personality, with a good business head and a strong sense of humor. It is the color of intellectuality and all things to do with the mind. Yellow folks are usually clear and precise thinkers who have a good opinion of their own mental capacities and who have lofty ideals. They may at times tend to shun responsibility, preferring freedom of thought and action.

Green: The color of harmony and balance, Green symbolizes hope, renewal and peace, and is usually liked by the gentle and sincere. Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but preferring peace at any price. Green people can be too self-effacing, modest and patient, so they may get exploited by others. They are usually refined, civilized and reputable.

Blue: Soft, soothing, compassionate and caring, Blue is the color of deliberation and introspection, conservatism and duty. Patient, persevering, conscientious, sensitive and self-controlled, Blues like to be admired for their steady character and wisdom. They are faithful, but are often worriers with somewhat inflexible beliefs and can be too cautious, and suspicious of flamboyant behavior.

Blue-Green: Exacting, discriminating, poised and attractive, the Blue-Green person tends to be sensitive, intellectual and refined, persevering and stable if rather detached. Blue-Greens have excellent taste, and are usually courteous and charming, capable but often refusing help or guidance.

Turquoise: Complex, imaginative and original, Turquoise people drive themselves hard and may be in a state of turmoil under their outwardly cool exterior.

Lavender: This is often chosen by a person who lives “on a higher plane,” who never notices anything sordid and who is always impeccably and beautifully dressed. Lavender people may be on a continual quest for culture and the refined things of life, high and noble causes but without the necessity of getting their hands dirty. A Lavender person is usually creative, charming, witty and civilized.

Purple: Purples are highly individual, fastidious, witty and sensitive, with a strong desire to be unique and different. Temperamental, expansive and artistic, a Purple person may become aloof and sarcastic when misunderstood. If you chose Purple, you tend to be unconventional, tolerant and dignified, likely to achieve positions of authority.

Brown: A Brown person has stamina and patience, tending to be very solid and substantial, conscientious, dependable, steady and conservative. Browns are not impulsive, and may be inarticulate and tactless but they love responsibility and are reliable and kindly. If you chose Brown, watch out for a tendency to be obstinate and inflexible.

Gray: The color of caution and compromise, diligent Grays search for composure and peace and often work hard without reward. Older Grays like life to run on an even keel with few ups and downs. Young Grays may be withdrawing from life and suppressing their personalities. Grays often have good business ability and tend to work too much.

Black: Dignified and impressive without being showy, Black people want to give the appearance of mystery, but their preference may also indicate a suppression of desires and worldly aims, suggesting hidden depths and inner longings.

_________________________________________________________________

Now that you've read the article, can you say that the description of your favorite color matches your real personality?

A Robert Frost Memory

2009-03-09T19:51:00.003+08:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Robert Frost

Robert Frost is one of my mother's favorite poets and the last four lines of this poem are on her office desk. I remember reading the words out loud whenever I went to her office. We tackled this poem in high school and I was not too surprised when it was discussed since I already knew whose poem it was.

Those were the days...

Rest in Peace Francis Magalona

2009-03-06T18:21:00.002+08:00

For most of us who grew up in the '90s the name Francis Magalona aka Francis M is synonymous to the dawn of rap music in the Philippines. Most of us who were young kids who grew up during that era were introduced to "Philippine Rap" through the music of Francis M.

What I love about the music of Kiko are his messages of nationalism which make me proud that I am Filipino.

Today is such a sad day in the Philippines because Kiko finally left this world and succumbed to his illness. His memory will live on through his music and through his vision. May he rest in peace.

Francis M with Parokya Ni Edgar performing Kaleidoscope World

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most
Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world
Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most
Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Nothing But Water 2

2009-03-04T18:04:00.003+08:00

I am not really a "water person" and it's not my best element but I love marine life! This post is a sequel to Nothing But Water...

The clip was taken at the Manila Ocean Park last January. It took me too long a time to upload it. It's quite a shaky clip with poor cinematography... Hahahaha! I don't care! We had fun there!

A Pink Dolphin?

2009-03-03T17:11:00.001+08:00

A pink albino dolphin

A pink dolphin??? Yeah a PINK dolphin! The albino dolphin was spotted in an inland lake in Louisiana in the US. Conservationists think that people should leave the dolphin alone and not to harm it.

Dolphins are interesting animals and this pink one happens to be more interesting than the rest!

Earn Money Through Blog Advertising

2009-02-28T22:08:00.007+08:00

Exactly four years ago, a good friend introduced me to blogging. For years I had been interested with the internet yet at that time I did not know much about blogs. A blog, which is a contraction of the term web log, is a website with regular entries either of commentaries, descriptions of events, videos, photos and other media. Blogs have many functions including as online diaries, information sites, or as entertainment portals for various people.

My very first blog was an online diary where I posted events in my life, my views on things, photographs, artworks, as well as poetry I wrote and music of some musicians I love. I maintained that blog for personal purposes. I didn’t know until last year that I will be able to get paid to post an article on my blog. Blogs are the most functional media on the internet nowadays and since blogs can contain almost anything the blogger wishes to post in it, it can also be used to generate income.

Blog advertising is one of the most effective forms of endorsing products on the internet. Bloggers can write reviews about products they believe in and they can get paid for doing so. Advertisers will be spending a lot of money if they advertise their products on television and through print media. However, if they choose to advertise their wares on blogs with a good niche and a wide readership, they can save much more yet generate great traffic on their sites.

There are advertising websites which connect advertisers and bloggers, giving them the opportunity to earn income in harmony. Advertisers can post opportunities for bloggers to choose to review. The advertisers set guidelines on what the bloggers can write in their reviews and once the advertisers approves the bloggers’ reviews, a payment method will be generated online through online banks such as Paypal or AlertPay.

Blogs are very effective advertising tools and they can benefit not only the advertisers but the bloggers as well.

The Foodie Strikes Again!

2009-02-27T13:09:00.003+08:00

I love cooking and eating food... Well nothing's new! Hahahaha! Yesterday I had a craving and since I wanted to have a generous serving of what I wanted to eat, I decided to cook it myself!

I wanted to make carbonara but since traditional ingredients are not readily available around here and I wanted to cook my own version, I came up with this concoction I call Creamy Bacon Mushroom Pasta.

It was worth all the trouble. I had a hearty share of the pasta and I slept with a smile on my face! :-)

Please Don't Stop the Music

2009-02-25T17:58:00.001+08:00

This clip was taken when Gwen, my sister and I were on a plane to MM last month. It was not the first time Gwen and I went on a trip together but it was the first time my sister tagged along.

Gweny can't help dancing to Rihanna's song she even took off her seatbelt just to do her thing. Thank goodness she behaved before the plane took off... Whew!

Another Day

2009-02-23T13:45:00.000+08:00

I got my sign.

Lord give me strength. :)

Results for November 2008 Nursing Board Exams

2009-02-20T16:04:00.000+08:00

The exam results for the November 2008 Nursing Board Exams are out! Only 39, 455 passed the exams from the 88, 649 who took it.

Congratulations to the new nurses of the Philippines!

Wilde Words

2009-02-19T02:12:00.002+08:00

"Yet each man kills the thing he loves,
By each let this be heard,
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word,
The coward does it with a kiss,
The brave man with a sword!"

-The Ballad of Reading Gaol, Oscar Wilde

Earlier tonight I was reading a book, a book my twin friends gave to me for my birthday last year. I have already read the story years ago because a friend of mine lent me her copy yet earlier I've decided to refresh my memory by reading my own copy which I haven't even bothered to open yet.

Just a few pages into the novel, the author quoted the lines of the poem by Oscar Wilde.

Each man (woman) kills the thing he(she) loves...

Agree or disagree???

Housewares and Home Maintenance Products

2009-02-16T23:15:00.001+08:00

Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with the wonderful homes featured in home and lifestyle magazines as well as those in architectural digests. Every now and then I make “castles in the air”; always recreating what kind of home I want to have in the future and what kind of housewares and home maintenance products should be found in my dream home.

In the old days we refer to printed catalogues and magazines for home products which we could use to make our lives easier and help us become comfortable in our homes. Nowadays, it is easy to find stuff which will make our homes sustainable, organized and clean through online shops.

Online shops are very helpful for modern-day people like us. They can help us search for a wide array products we can use in our homes not only for laundry rooms but also for items which can aid us in simplifying our lives and have a better home environment.

If and when I’m going to build my dream home in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate to go online and purchase quality housewares and home maintenance products and make my home worth living!

Lessons from Buddha

2009-02-16T18:54:00.001+08:00

A friend on StumbleUpon sent me this pic as one of his stumbles. I almost wept when I've read the text. Please click the pic if you want a better view of the text.

Why all the drama? The text reminds us to find ourselves in our own beliefs; to not give a damn about what other people say or think about certain things but only believing in what we believe in and to stand up for those beliefs until our last breath...

Sushi Time

2009-02-12T23:33:00.000+08:00

Must I blurt out that I love eating food? I'm in for any adventure especially when it comes to food! I even have my own food blog The Food Lover where I post different kinds of food I love eating and recipes of food I love cooking.

My latest post is a photo of four sushi pieces. There are different kinds of sushi and these darlings belong to the makizushi group.

Makizushi are rolls of rice, vegetables and seafood wrapped in nori or dried seaweed wrap.

These maki are composed of sushi rice, crab, and some vegetables rolled together in a tight seaweed wrap. I loved dipping them in soy sauce and wasabi.

It's been a long time since I had sushi and I'm glad I had them once again.

Maybe I'll have some more soon...

Nothing But Water

2009-02-09T22:57:00.003+08:00

When I went to Metro Manila the other week, we visited the Manila Ocean Park so that Gweny (and us) can see some of the treasures of the ocean in the Oceanarium of the complex. It was a fun and interesting learning experience. Too bad I didn't take good pics... I forgot to set the cam to underwater mode... tsk tsk...

The Philippines is rich in marine life. Let's all help in preserving our seas by acting responsibly towards our environment.

Sunday

2009-02-08T16:00:00.001+08:00

What do people normally do on Sundays?

REST...

The Dark Side of Planet Earth

2009-02-05T19:26:00.002+08:00

The Dark Side of Planet Earth from mrcorbtt on Vimeo.

I stumbled upon this video on vimeo and I think it's perfectly cool! The soundtrack is Pink Floyd's album The Dark Side of the Moon and the video is of BBC's Planet Earth documentary.

I love the way the images seem to get in synch with the music. I love the part with the polar bears...

Nature and classic rock music at its best!

The Herb

2009-02-02T20:48:00.004+08:00

Cannabis sativa is an annual plant in the Cannabaceae family. It is an herb that has been used throughout recorded history by humans for various purposes such as fiber, for its oil, and as food, as a drug, as medicine, and for spiritual purposes. Different parts of the plant have different uses, and different varieties are cultivated in different ways and harvested at different times, depending on the purpose for which it is grown.

Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi/Sanskrit गांजा gānjā, hemp),is a psychoactive drug extracted from the plant Cannabis sativa, or more often, Cannabis sativa subsp. indica. The herbal form of the drug consists of dried mature flowers and subtending leaves of pistillate (female) plants. The resinous form, known as hashish, consists primarily of glandular trichomes collected from the same plant material. The major biologically active chemical compound in cannabis is Δdelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC.

Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory,although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the world's adult population (162 million) use cannabis annually and 0.6 percent (22.5 million) daily.The possession, use, or sale of psychoactive cannabis products became illegal in most parts of the world in the early 20th century. Since then, some countries have intensified the enforcement of cannabis prohibition while others have reduced the priority of enforcement.

Medical cannabis refers to the use of the Cannabis plant as a physician-recommended herbal therapy as well as synthetic THC and cannabinoids. So far, the medical use of cannabis is legal only in a limited number of territories, including Canada, Belgium,Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, Finland and some U.S. states. This usage generally requires a prescription, and distribution is usually done within a framework defined by local laws.

There are many studies regarding the use of cannabis in a medicinal context.

Cannabis has an ancient history of ritual usage as an aid to trance and has been traditionally used in a religious context throughout the old world. Herodotus wrote about early ceremonial practices by the Scythians, which are thought to have occurred from the 5th to 2nd century BC. In India, it has been engaged by itinerant sadhus for centuries, and in modern times the Rastafari movement has embraced it. Anthropologist Sula Benet claimed historical evidence and etymological comparison show that the Holy anointing oil used by the Hebrew contained cannabis extracts, "kaneh bosm," and that it is also listed as an incense tree in the original Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament. The early Christians used cannabis oil for medicinal purposes and as part of the baptismal process to confirm the forgiveness of sins and "right of passage" into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Unction, Seal, laying on of hands, the Counselor, and the Holy Spirit are all often synonymous of the Holy anointing oil.

Early Gnostic texts indicate that the Chrism is essential to becoming a "Christian." Some Muslims of the Sufi order have used cannabis as a tool for spiritual exploration.

There are a lot of bad and good feedback on Cannabis. Want to share your ideas?

Feedback welcome. :D

Wide Awake

2009-01-30T01:34:00.000+08:00

I know you are wide awake too. I am not the only insomniac in this side of the world. So what are you doing besides staring at your computer screen?

Hahahahahaha!

Do you want me to do something I've never done before? Hahahaha!

Up There

2009-01-27T15:34:00.000+08:00

More than thirty thousand feet above the ground, a tear fell down my cheek... Those places in the dream where the encounters were supposed to happen I've set foot on...but the person to experience that ritual with and the tools, were nowhere in sight...

Sharks

2009-01-24T01:11:00.000+08:00

Are you one of them???

Effects of Cold Water

2009-01-20T19:07:00.001+08:00

I saw this image as I was surfing the net earlier today. I am not sure if it is 100% percent true but if I am going to base it on what my mother's doctor told her, then it must be.

The other week my mother had been taken to the doctor for a general check up because she had not been feeling well. After a series of tests, the renowned doctor (he is a notable doctor with a noble cause), he prescribed a bunch of medicines and told her to stop drinking cold water or drinks. He did not prohibit fatty food or such like other doctors do but only told her to stop drinking cold stuff and told her to take everything in moderation.

He got his point, too much of something can really kill!

What do you think? Do you believe that cold water has such effects on the body?

Love is All WE Need

2009-01-16T21:07:00.000+08:00

"'All You Need Is Love' is a song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon/McCartney. It was first performed by The Beatles on Our World, the first live global television link. Broadcast to 26 countries and watched by 400 million, the program was broadcast via satellite on June 25, 1967. The BBC had commissioned the Beatles to write a song for the UK's contribution. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at #362 in their 500 greatest songs of all time. "

-Wikipedia

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

Something potent for the weekend...

Reminiscing

2009-01-15T17:20:00.003+08:00

"There is a person in your life whom you would want to annihilate but you can't because that person is already part of your life story. Eliminating that person is like deleting a chapter (or two, or more) of your so-called autobiography. When you're going to delete those chapters, the hollow crevasses will be obvious not only to you, but also to the "readers" of your "book", highlighting the fact that there are missing fragments in your otherwise, "colorful" life."

Quoting my old self from my old blog. First posted almost 4 years ago.

Watch Your English!

2009-01-14T18:41:00.002+08:00

Today had been quite a day for us here in CDO since we are experiencing/had experienced another day of bad weather. On the way to work I had to go through heavy traffic on our normally traffic-less road, and the only available public transportation I was able to get my a$$ into had to go through knee-deep water. Thank goodness we were able to pass through.

As the day progressed and I surfed some sites for news, I came across this article by one of my favorite columnists Mr Butch Dalisay. Mr Dalisay is adept with writing in English and he is a professor in one of the country's prestigious universities. In his article he mentioned irritating Pinoy expressions most of us erroneously use either consciously or not. He also mentioned his article in the previous week where he started the discussion of such annoying expressions. I thank him for writing those articles since it opened up my eyes and made me reflect.

Majority (if not all) of us Filipinos do not have English as our first language thus we tend to have difficulty in communicating in the language. English is being taught in schools from elementary to tertiary school yet most of us still have a hard time in expressing ourselves in the language. We can only conclude a few things: either the English taught in our schools and our English teachers were in poor standing; we never paid attention during English class; or we never really gave a damn and we refused to learn.

English and Reading had been my favorite classes in grade school and I commend our English teachers for being tough on us when it came to spelling, subject and verb agreement, and sentence construction. In high school our English teachers scrutinized our schoolwork and encouraged us to polish our grammar. In college, our instructor in Basic College English (may her soul rest in peace, she passed away last month) was very kind to us and showed us how to be better with the language. For the rest of the college English classes I had, I can't remember if my other instructors had been strict with the rules of the language. I never really gave a damn.

English is an important language since it is used in many fields internationally and locally. However, one's knowledge of the language does not necessarily measure what kind of person he or she is. It is a great advantage for a person if he or she has a good command of English and he or she can apply it in his or her daily life especially on his or her job. Nevertheless knowledge of the language does not automatically mean that the person who can communicate with it will have a better life than those who can't.

I work as a content provider for websites and I am quite alarmed that my grasp of the English language is quite limited. I even have a hard time constructing quality articles since I have not had formal training in writing but I am trying my best to be less erroneous and ignorant than I had been before.

I am currently laughing at the title of this post. I have a feeling that it is not appropriate. If it is indeed wrong, please tell me so I can correct it.

I have a feeling that it is another irritating Pinoy expression!

Well I don't give a damn...

Freedom from a Cold Heart

2009-01-13T17:14:00.003+08:00

Many months ago I came across this poem by Cyantre on deviantArt and I found it heart-wrenching... So sad... So honest...

Incapable of Love
by
Cyantre

Don't trust me.
You may say that you love me,
and I might say it too,
but don't believe it to be true.

Don't get in too deep.
I am shallow,
and I won't allow you to drown.
I'll turn your whole world upside-down.

Please don't trust me with your fragile glass heart.
In my hands, it's guaranteed to break apart.

I can't handle love's flames.
Ice runs through my veins,
just to keep me sane.

I'm sorry.

It was real, but then it faded.
It's not your fault that I'm this jaded.

You deserve better than me,
so I will let you go.

Now, you are free.

Then sometime yesterday I found this other poem still written by Cyantre:

Move On
by
Cyantre

The year may change, but you stay the same.
Vines and brambles hold you down,
to twist the sounds of all your saying.
A heart-half yours, is worth betraying.

Snakes alive, like your lies,
braided together. Bitten
as the colorless liquid of self-esteem
drips from my mind
onto the soft desert sand.
I remain parched, alone,
searching for warmth.

The dark heart I loved
can only be seen
when candles are held up to you.
Extinguish the flame,
and walk away.

Trust not the voice of insincere regret,
as choices like stones remain set.

Better to be alone,
than to be held down
by a lover always on loan.

Whatever Happened to My CDO?

2009-01-12T17:47:00.003+08:00

Whatever happened to my garden of black roses?

Video by mommy764

Since the beginning of 2009, my dear hometown had been drenched in hostile waters. It has had experienced a few sunny days but in a span of a week, Cagayan de Oro had experienced severe flooding and a lot of people had been displaced due to high waters.

I know a lot of people might scorn me and tell me that I don’t have the right to blog about the floods since I have not experienced them first hand. Our house had not been among those which had been flooded since it is situated on an elevated area yet I have a lot of friends and some relatives who went through that deluge. I am not as cold-hearted as I seem because my heart goes out to all those who went through it. Besides, who would want to see one’s hometown suffering from such an undesired and unexpected calamity? Who would want to know that the river rafts normally used by people for adventurous adrenaline rush had been used as rescue boats? Who would want to know that children have gone missing and a person died because of the said disaster?

There had been many causes why CDO had been flooded. We just can’t blame the bad weather. Each of us is to blame for what caused it. All of us had been careless in taking care of our environment. Improper garbage disposal, air and water pollution, and non-conservation of energy and resources could be the root causes of such a disaster. Other more organized activities such as illegal logging, illegal quarrying and illegal mining can also be pointed as the culprits of destruction.

Blame it on the weatherman for not predicting such heavy rains to come…but then the weather is expected to change unexpectedly…It is fickle like a woman… Well, these floods are the results of our contributions to climate change.

Nobody wanted these floods to happen…but they did!

Can we keep on blaming other people?

NO.

Who is to blame?

Yourself.

Myself.

Ourselves.

We're all connected... In our own little ways we can help prevent disasters such as these to happen.

If you don’t know what else to do, then PRAY!

My Apologies, Some Of My Blog Links Vanished Into Cyberspace!

2009-01-09T14:33:00.005+08:00

I was stupidly playing with my blog layout this morning and due to my carelessness some of the links in my blogroll vanished!

Since Day 1 I have alphabetically arranged all the links of my blog friends and if you look closely right now, most of the links from A-N are lost in cyberspace.

I am so sorry if your links became victims to my ignorance. Please comment on this post and please include your links if they are among the ones included in the flush whirlpool.

I am hoping for your consideration as I try to figure out what the heck went wrong.

I am also trying to change the blog background. I just want a plain dark background. Maybe you can help me out choose a design. A free background would do.

Thank you. :D

Laughter Is Still The Best Medicine

2009-01-07T18:31:00.001+08:00

My dear niece Gwen and I were at the mall the other day and while resting on the benches she told me to take videos of her. Well the little tot acted silly and laughed to her little heart's content.

Gwen's giggling just made me take my mind off negative things. Watching her laugh makes me laugh and I feel better already... :D

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

2009-01-06T16:21:00.003+08:00

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Early today I had a brush with negative energy and suddenly this phrase came to mind and got stuck there for a while. Well I guess it got stuck for more than a while because it became my Skype and YM status for the whole day and I even bothered to post an entry about it! Tsk tsk!

Anyway, whoever though of this phrase? Some say that it is an Arab proverb and others say that there is an identical Chinese proverb with the same connotation. It is a phrase appropriate for two people or groups or countries who have a common enemy, thus they become "friends".

This phrase does not apply only to people and foreign policies but it is also being applied in nature, business, and all other fields which create friends and enemies of each other. There are even verses in the Bible which mention being allies with an enemy's enemy.

It's already 2009... Make love not war...

As for those who still love sowing negative energy around, tsk tsk... Good luck to you! :D

My Heart Calling

2009-01-03T00:07:00.003+08:00

Last night I was just hanging around watching TV and saw Joan of Arc on Cinemax. I have seen the movie many times already but I keep being amazed by the story of the saint even though it had been quite fictionalized a lot in the movie. This is the soundtrack of the movie and I must say I can relate to it right now.

There are just some things in this world we can’t explain by pure logic or rationalization... It's not easy dealing with one's own spirituality.

My Heart Calling by Noa

Tell me who I am
Tell me what I'm hearing
Is it God or man
Leads us to our fate

Tears cried through the night
So much we've been fearing
I know I can fight
Soon will be too late

It's my heart calling
It's my heart calling
It's my heart seeing
What it wants to see

It's my heart crying
It's my heart flying
It's my heart trying
To set me free

Darkness turns to light
While my soul is healing
I know I must fight
This war deep inside

It's my heart calling
It's my heart calling
It's my heart seeing
What it wants to see

It's my heart crying
It's my heart flying
It's my heart trying
To set me free

Waving banners, swinging swords
Queens and kings, and other lords
And the battles of our pride
Greed and hunger deep inside

All the sorrow born of pain
Cruelty and cruelty again
Who will stop this vicious spin
Open arms and let love in
Open arms and let love in
Open arms and let love in
Open arms and let love in

Hola 2009!

2009-01-02T17:17:00.002+08:00

Hello World! Happy new year to everyone! Cheers to 2009! The year 2008 already came and went and even though it had not been perfect, it had been a good year for me.

So to all those who had been good, bad, and nevermind to me in 2008, cheers! Let bygones be bygones...

Bring Me to Life

2008-12-27T17:40:00.005+08:00

After three loooong days of hibernation in the Underworld, it's about time to come out into the light.

The Styx is not easy to navigate... it requires a lot of skill and courage to be able to pass through...

I went back my way...

I fought a battle but the war is not over yet...

The Cowardly Lioness needs more courage...

Wizard of Oz where art thou?

An Ode to No One

2008-12-22T17:16:00.007+08:00

The day had been quite gloomy and in a way it may have affected my mood and other people's moods as well... It's just a couple of days away from Christmas and I guess I am turning into a GRINCH. The season's supposed to be what, HOLY(???) but as I have observed over the years it has become more commercialized and shallow. There are some people who still keep the true spirit of Christmas but then we can't avoid people who love spoiling the event with all their shallow ramblings... Well I might be labeled as one of those shallow people... With all my shallow and useless ramblings I know I will never be able to escape sharp claws of more powerful Grinches out there. Tsk tsk tsk!

Here's a song to all of you out there who might want to say something to no particular people but would just love to rant and rave about anything and everything under the sky...

Fuck You (An Ode To No One) - The Smashing Pumpkins

So This Is Christmas???

2008-12-21T10:53:00.003+08:00

Happy Christmas - John Lennon&Yoko

Are you happy now???

Deafening Silence

2008-12-19T17:45:00.001+08:00

“The Lord heareth the prayers of those who ask to put aside hatred. But He is deaf to those who would flee from love.”

- The message of the Angel of the Lord to Elijah
THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN
by Paulo Coelho

I guess He just turned a deaf ear on me...