tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176372572024-03-13T11:23:53.315+08:00Book of Daysmusing, mumblings, love, hatred, anxieties, confessions, restlessness... wanting more of LIFE!!!saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-65306126936023647632009-10-15T23:52:00.004+08:002009-10-16T00:09:41.561+08:00Being a MotherI'm just posting a story I found while reading a friend's blog. I really liked it. I wasn't able to control my emotions while reading and before I know it, my tears fell already. It is a very touching story about mother and son. Hope you will also find time to read this. I have no intention to post again tonight after the previous entry I just published but I really have to share this. It is worth your time.<br /><br />Here it goes.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would Love to spend some time with you.' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded 'just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said,'I would like that very much.' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half-way through the entrees, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Sometime later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. 'I love you, son' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I love YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till some 'other' time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first... somebody doesn't have two or more children. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. .. or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in- law to a mother's heartstrings. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home...somebody never had grandchildren. . </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her... somebody isn't a mother. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pass this along to all the GREAT 'mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them... no matter who that person is! </span><br /><br /><br /><span></span><blockquote><span>Watch your thoughts, they become words.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>Watch your words, they become actions. </span><br /><br /><br /><span>Watch your actions, they become habits.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>Watch your habits, they become character. </span><br /><br /><br /><span>Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny. </span></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle'.<br /></span><span><br /><br />The story is somewhat similar to the other story I read in Chicken Soup for the Soul I just forgot the title but nevertheless it has an impact. You will be touched.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-78161809051702747622009-10-15T23:26:00.003+08:002009-10-15T23:34:24.206+08:00An Unexpected Trip On the Way Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://amhist.ist.unomaha.edu/module_files/monopoly%20stake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/Stc_7tPT_gI/AAAAAAAAAUE/vCPiZ2Zh0MY/s320/monopoly%2520stake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392849373788110338" border="0" /></a><br /><div><u></u></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were on our way home when Kerikin, my roommate, commented that getting home at past 8 o’clock in the evening is better than going home after office hours since by doing so we we are able to avoid heavy traffic. I was not surprised when the driver of the passenger vehicle we are riding joined in our conversation saying that traffic during that hour is still not okay. Then he asked us if our house was flooded when Ondoy stormed. We said no and he commented that out of several people he asked the same question we are the only ones who answered no. He also added that we were lucky. Apparently, some parts of Pasig are still flooded. A silly thought hit me about those still flooded places being part of a body of water but then rejected the idea blaming the condition to clogged water passages. Then the conversation progressed. I was liking that man’s way of thinking. He was so absorbed on what he was talking. We discussed people throwing garbage anywhere and how it can be blamed for what happened during the storm (And I totally agree with him!), senator’s pork barrel, corrupt officials, people from the province leaving their homes to crowd Metro Manila in the hope of getting a good job to earn money and more importantly he talked daringly about political monopoly and corruption. Our conversation halted when we were about to get off but he advised us to really vote for the right people on the upcoming election. Who are these people?? Well, it’s our responsibility to find out.<br /><br />Vote wisely! ^_^<br /><br /></div>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-60789746772144826892009-10-12T20:52:00.003+08:002009-10-12T21:02:50.205+08:00Indigo Love of Reading Fund Cute CommercialAnother great video I found in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">youtube</a>. Here's what's written in the letter:<br /><br /><blockquote>How tired I am of this unbearable distance between us. How I long for the toll of the recess bell. Have you forgotten me, grown mindless of me? Tell me I am not writing into an abyss, Or that is what will become of my heart.</blockquote><br />Aww! That is soo sweet! ^_^<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HypgcCT1r68&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HypgcCT1r68&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />^_^saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-16764236113083048762009-10-12T12:09:00.005+08:002009-10-12T12:30:58.819+08:00Ukraine's Got Talent Amazing Performance<p>This is an exceptional performance from two adorable little kids, <span class="description">Jurij 7 and Karina 6 years old</span>. If I were their parent I would be so proud of them. I found this video in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">youtube</a> and I wanted to share it with you guys. </p><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SZLaZyMpfUI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SZLaZyMpfUI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><p>Amazing!! They are so cute.. ^_^</p>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-37126285464819872712009-10-12T11:18:00.009+08:002009-10-12T11:44:09.935+08:00Call of Nature: Mother Earth Spoke Through Ondoy and PepengBelow are some of the horrendous pictures of Ondoy and Pepeng's aftermath which can be found in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">flickr</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/waffycasem/4000931084/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/StKiaIT7_iI/AAAAAAAAATc/dJ3I1FcGZD0/s320/4000931084_2de2006514.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391550273707310626" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/waffycasem/4000931084/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bokawkan Landslide</span></span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbitexplorerii/3997094563/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/StKioE6mtbI/AAAAAAAAATk/4DdmrQaphZY/s320/3997094563_5131f86074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391550513313920434" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbitexplorerii/3997094563/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">passengers of VLI & PRBL being rescued by the Coast Guard in Carmen, Pangasinan due to heavy flood</span></span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeoj/4000506174/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/StKi8OcGyZI/AAAAAAAAAT8/IRA4Lixbrow/s320/4000506174_4b8b702b59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391550859467737490" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeoj/4000506174/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">October 11, 2009 San Carlos City</span></span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/3955895304/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/StKizh19bpI/AAAAAAAAATs/HybPwPo2GpU/s320/3955895304_a01a6cde04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391550710057627282" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/3955895304/"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Tropical Storm "ondoy" ( Ketsana ), 26 September 2009...Quirino District </span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/3955980090/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/StKi3wHtSEI/AAAAAAAAAT0/ZkpKNLmPIbI/s320/3955980090_c71dab0a70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391550782609639490" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/3955980090/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tropical Storm "ondoy" ( Ketsana ), 26 September 2009...SM Supermarket Sta. Mesa, Manila</span></span></a><br /><br /></div><br />The thing about us is that we can easily cope up and start all over again during times like this. We tend to easily forget and move on but I hope that what just happened in our country will serve as a wake up call to us Filipinos.<br /><br /><u></u>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-7453398591678968322009-10-09T20:19:00.002+08:002009-10-09T20:25:50.563+08:00The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes<blockquote>If we really don't know how to fix it, then we should stop breaking it.</blockquote>I was astonished watching this girl deliver her speech at a U.N. assembly in behalf of other children about environmental issues. And for this very reason, I would like to share this video hoping that most of you guys will watch it and that girl’s message will not fall on deaf ears.<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TQmz6Rbpnu0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TQmz6Rbpnu0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Mull over her words and let’s start doing something for mother earth.<br /><span style="font-size:8;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-43670400374643933192009-10-04T23:18:00.003+08:002009-10-09T20:31:40.365+08:00Take Good Care of Mother Earth, A Commitment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/Ssi9P6tF91I/AAAAAAAAAS0/qDebrCcPnlk/s1600-h/mother-earth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/Ssi9P6tF91I/AAAAAAAAAS0/qDebrCcPnlk/s320/mother-earth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388765035302877010" border="0" /></a><div>From now on, we should make a commitment not to throw garbage anywhere. To make the deed easier we should have this mind setting, every time we’re about to throw something, a candy wrapper or anything, we should think that we can be considered a criminal responsible for the loss of so many lives during calamities for this garbage that we’re about to throw can block the passages of rainwater and may cause havoc. Therefore throwing garbage carelessly should be considered as mortal sin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, if we are to do our grocery let's bring green bags or eco bags so as to lessen the use of plastics. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please let’s do something for the environment.</div><div><br /></div><u></u>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-18306215020036476132009-10-03T23:14:00.004+08:002009-10-09T20:32:01.035+08:00What Storm Ondoy Taught Us<div>We have witnessed the rage of Ondoy when it struck Metro Manila last Saturday. Two of the most commonly reported explanations about the storm's destructive effect are too much rain (455 mm of rain fell in 24 hours) and climate change.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At first take on the issue, heavy rain may seem to be the most obvious cause.., climate change?? Well, yeah.. Maybe.. But watching the horrid scenes left by Ondoy, I could not ignore the wastes scattered everywhere. For me, and I think most of you will agree with me on this, these litters also have come into play in most places wreckage. If drainages were not clogged, water could have flowed through it allowing rainwater to go down easily.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In our dorm in Pasig, we were among those few people who got lucky to be spared by Ondoy's wrath but just a few blocks from our place, filthy floods were knee-deep inside other's homes. And because of that, we don't have electricity for a week!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SsdvuC5HV4I/AAAAAAAAASs/IfS5hjHJyJg/s1600-h/iStock_000006066914.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 264px; float: left; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388398316013180802" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SsdvuC5HV4I/AAAAAAAAASs/IfS5hjHJyJg/s320/iStock_000006066914.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Somehow, Ondoy managed to teach us an important lesson: to be concerned about the state of our environment. I hope many people realize the grave effect of not disposing wastes properly. I guess they do.. they just don't have the initiative to really do it as it should be. Let's be responsible with our garbage and try as much as possible to minimize plastic use. Let's save our environment for a healthy earth. ^_^</div>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-486566190097347582009-10-02T22:55:00.007+08:002009-10-09T20:32:26.347+08:00PepengSome people are not fully recovered from Ondoy’s wrath yet another typhoon, more destructive, is devastating our poor country. According to <a href="http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/">Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration</a> Typhoon "PEPENG" (Parma) has maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It was forcasted to move west Northwest at 13 kph but is now slowing down as it continues to move towards Aurora-Isabela area. Below is PAGASA’s satellite image update as of 11 p.m.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 260px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388021049349655794" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SsYYmPDQTPI/AAAAAAAAASk/FbczjRZl_Mc/s400/satpic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stay safe everyone! Let's pray that this typhoon will take another course and spare the Philippines.saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-29531274908315524982009-08-15T01:15:00.005+08:002009-10-09T20:32:38.962+08:00Firefly in My Window<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SoWdlvL5aPI/AAAAAAAAASc/35FVgfWJL_k/s1600-h/firefly.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 210px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SoWdlvL5aPI/AAAAAAAAASc/35FVgfWJL_k/s320/firefly.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369871402356271346" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The night is cool. My system is not yet set for slumber so I make myself busy answering <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">facebook</a>’s Pick Your Five, <u>5 things that remind me of something.. or someone</u>, and playing <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/kungfupets/">Kung-Fu Pets</a>. I was trying to make up my mind what five songs to include in my facebook list as I have a long list of songs that reminded me of people close to me when something flickering in our curtain caught my eye. I got up and went closer to the window to see what just disturbed my reverie. I was stunned to discover that it was a firefly. I looked outside hurriedly to see if there are more fireflies but I was disappointed. It was really nice to see a firefly. It kind of brings back some of my childhood memories. I can’t remember how old I was since the last time I saw fireflies gleaming on a huge mango tree. I think I was about 10 – 12 years old then. Now I’m missing the tranquility and simplicity of life in the province where fireflies are all over the place during the night. It’s really funny because I just remembered telling my officemates I missed seeing fireflies. And I just saw one! To my excitement, I cradled the poor thing in my palm taking extra care because I might squeeze it. ^_^</p><br /><p>I’m looking forward to seeing more of these flaming bugs in this crazy and busy city.</p>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-39877759835906532972009-08-04T21:00:00.006+08:002009-08-04T22:12:25.569+08:00Reminiscing College Good Times<p>I was browsing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">youtube</a> and watching random videos when I happen to saw my classmate's post of our graduation march. This is the first time I ever laid an eye on that video and it made me miss my college days. Here's the video:</p><br /><br /><p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kDaG8i1r5TE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kDaG8i1r5TE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><p>.. And then I look through the Related Videos section and found these videos. The first one was by Roy, Sugaroy, or Kilay. Next was put together by Janine. And the last one was by Giel.</p><br /><br /><p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iiPu2t9OU1o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iiPu2t9OU1o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z43EuTaCXKE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z43EuTaCXKE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5xlSdFuSC_c&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5xlSdFuSC_c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><p>I actually have videos like these and I think I already posted them here.</p><br /><br /><p><strong>Update:</strong><br />I also like this one. hehehe..</p><br /><br /><embed style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 325px" name="flashticker" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" src="http://widget-e6.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=lt&il=1&channel=9054694&site=widget-e6.slide.com"></embed> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 450px"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=9054694&map=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://widget-e6.slide.com/p1/9054694/lt_t028_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=9054694&map=2" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://widget-e6.slide.com/p2/9054694/lt_t028_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=9054694&map=F" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://widget-e6.slide.com/p4/9054694/lt_t028_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" /></a></div><br /><br />^_^saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-61634682751676174522009-08-04T19:03:00.002+08:002009-08-04T19:54:19.602+08:00Changing the World<blockquote><p><br />When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">couldn</span>’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">couldn</span>’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.<br />Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.<br />~unknown monk 1100A.D<br /></p></blockquote><br /><br /><p>I found the above quote while wandering in the Internet. I really like it. I have the exact message of that quote only in the form of a poem at the back on one of my journals during high school. I hope that many people will reflect on that quote. Many of us are hoping for a good change but we often overlooked the things that have to be changed about ourselves. I myself is guilty as charged. Most of us complain over silly stuff, it may not really that silly but the point is have we taken the initiative to do something about it?! We made a habit of blaming others instead of working together for a solution. I know it’s kind of hard to do that but that’s what we should do.</p><br /><br /><blockquote><p>Be the change you wish to see in the world<br />~Gandhi</p></blockquote>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-40388364069298472402009-08-01T15:05:00.006+08:002009-08-01T15:22:34.137+08:00Loving Jon Schmidt's Love Story ArrangementI'm sooo loving Jon Schmidt's Love Story arrangement. He actually merged the song with Coldplay's Viva La Vida. Genuis! I love it!! ^_^<br /><br />Here's the video:<br /><br /><object width="420" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0v3d6SFcDys&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0v3d6SFcDys&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="344"></embed></object><br />^_^saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-19984318411518221442009-05-04T17:03:00.002+08:002009-05-04T17:32:32.448+08:00Pacman Once Again Place The Philippines on the Map<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/Sf6yqMI_tMI/AAAAAAAAASE/mm54hGuFrJE/s320/pacquiao-vs-hatton.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331895446736450754" /><br /><div>Okay, I'm not a boxing fanatic, I don't even like it, but people were talking nonstop about the recent victory of Manny Pacquiao so I thought I should try writing about it. Well, not really about the whole match.. some part of it maybe... and I will also try to write something about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pambansang Kamao</span> himself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I woke up at 10 a.m. and it was like any other Sunday aside from the fact that my dad's eyes were glued on the television watching a broadcast about Pacquiao, he usually reads a newspaper during this time. Then I suddenly realized that it was the day of Pacman's match against Hatton. I don't know what is it about boxing that make people, male people to be precise, so excited. Oh well, maybe it's the exhilaration they feel after every blow. Anyway, the anchor, sorry I didn't get his name I was busy with my breakfast, reported that Manny's parent, I don't know if it is his dad or mom, wants him to become a priest but he ran away and trained in a boxing gym. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>I don't want to interrupt my dad so I decided to go in the other room to watch something else other than boxing match predictions. After several channel-changing labor, I settled in Shake Rattle and Roll in ABS-CBN. I was getting into the movie when suddenly the screen flashed a news about Manny Pacquiao knocking out Hatton in the second round. My initial reaction was: 'Is he really that good?!' I couldn't believe it at first. My officemate, Joel, told me that he didn't think Manny will win this time. I believed him. I thought that he will not win either. Hehe.. So going back to the fight, according to the reports, Manny knocked out Hatton twice in the first round and come second round knocked him out once again and Voila! That's the end of their match. Manny once again emerge victorious. Sweet! According to <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">wikipedia</a>, because of his achievements, he is the former WBC lightweight world champion, WBC super featherweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion, and WBC flyweight world champion and he has also held the Ring Magazine titles for featherweight, super featherweight, and light welterweight divisions, he became the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions. He is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and is rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Being a Filipino, I was really glad during times like this since it brought our country pride and recognition and somehow unite our people. I remember last year during his match against De La Hoya, it was reported that the crime rate goes down. Isn't it great?!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/Sf6zyzcxywI/AAAAAAAAASM/2SEo8WjnfLo/s320/philippines-flag.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331896694238989058" /></div><div>I'm not sure what's next for Manny Pacquiao but may you continue to bring pride and glory for our country. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mabuhay ka Manny!</span></span></div><div><br /></div>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-70035562341709594692009-01-04T11:06:00.004+08:002009-01-04T13:14:02.590+08:00How to be Fabulous, Rich, and Young<div>Reading today's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span>, I came upon this article in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Job Market</span> section which was written by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Ernie O. Cecilia</span>. It tackles the problem of most young professionals on financial matters. </div><div><br /></div><div>I googled for some related articles on financial planning, saving, investment, frugal living, etc and found some really nice materials. I summarized them on this post, so folks read on and start taking control of your financial situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to have something that you haven't had before, you must learn to do things you haven't done before. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Earning</span></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SWBAdy_g6tI/AAAAAAAAAQU/rlbUcKpIDQc/s1600-h/2409554036_2b8c7a2723.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 107px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SWBAdy_g6tI/AAAAAAAAAQU/rlbUcKpIDQc/s320/2409554036_2b8c7a2723.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287296843181517522" /></a><br /><div>The first aspect of personal finance is earning. You must know where you can earn the most. If you are an employee, know your skills and how much those skills get paid in the market. If you are not getting paid enough, look for a company that pays big bucks.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can do part-time work, either alone or in partnership with your friends who have the same interests without affecting your main job. If you have entrepreneurial acumen, try starting a small business that does not conflict with your job. If you have other skills that can earn more, use those skills while you have a fixed job.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Spending</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The next thing to know is where your money goes. If you find it hard to earn money, make it twice as hard to get money out of your pocket.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Saving</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't live beyond what you're earning. Better yet, live below your means. If you can't save from your income, you can start saving from your expenses. Below are some tips from <a href="http://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/">pinoymoneytalk</a> about the ways to start saving.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1: Retain your brain</span><br /><br />Saving money is a state of mind. Before you can start, you have to renounce the spending — and stop believing you actually need all the stuff you've been spending money on. <br /><br />The next time you want to buy something, take the P50 or P100 out of your wallet, and stash it somewhere. See? That's called saving. You don't end up with stuff; you end up with MONEY. To retrain your brain, start thinking about the following:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Accept frugality as your savior. </span></span>Become a closet cheapskate and emulate your frugal friends. Note that they fix the shower curtain instead of buying a new one. Sit down with Depression-era relatives and ask about economizing.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Seek inspiration.</span></span> Get thee onto MSN or Google Search and type in "living cheaply," "frugal living" and "voluntary simplicity." Be inspired by the gazillion Web sites devoted to living on less!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cry poverty — with style. </span></span>Learn handy phrases like, "Let's eat somewhere cheap." And "Cab? No, I'll take the bus this time." It's less embarrassing than you'd think, because more people are in your shoes than you think!<br /></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Step 2: Now save it!</span><br /><br />There are a thousand ways to live on less. But you don't want to make your life a misery. Here are some of the most painless ways you can economize without losing out on quality of life.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Go veggie.</span></span> If you can do three meatless days a week (without substituting pricey fish), you could save P200 a week, which equals P800 a month, which equals P10,400 a year! Beans: Ya gotta love 'em.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Never spend a windfall. </span></span>Take that holiday money from your folks, that P0.75 change from the grocery store, that P0.25 coin that somebody dropped on the street, and any other extras and save 'em.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Haggle.</span></span> You'd be amazed at who will drop their prices, fees and interest rates — flea markets, banks, airlines, etc — as long as you know how to haggle.<br />Toss the catalogs. The most insidious form of spending temptation known to man or woman. Chuck them straight in the trash. Yes, including Victoria's Secret. Sorry, guys.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Don't pay unnecessary fees.</span></span> Like the P15 you pay just because you're not withdrawing from your bank's ATM. Or the late fees for returning videos. Or those fat charges banks hit you with when you write a check that, well, bounces.<br />Never pay a pro. If you can fix the neighbor's car, and she can paint the bathroom: Do it.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Pay less for long-distance.</span></span> Evaluate your phone bill and see how much you're paying per minute. Some dial-around codes or cheap calling cards may give you a better rate.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Never pay full price.</span> If you must shop, discover your friendly P99-and-below-shop in the neighborhood or the online world of discount Web sites. Ebay.ph, Auction.ph, and BidShot.com are good sites for cheap auctions, just be wary of scammers!<br /></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Investing</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Investing is one of the best things you can do in life. With it, you can reach your financial goals. The best time to invest is probably 20 or 10 years ago. The next best time is now. The success of great investors is usually rooted in how long they have invested. Time is the best ally of any investor, because the power of compounding.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to be rich, fabulous and young, you have to depend on you and only you. Your financial success does not solely depend on how much money you make. Much of it is knowing where the money you make goes. In your early age you can determine how rich or poor you can be.</div><div><br /></div><u></u>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-60369904532900611692008-12-24T19:32:00.013+08:002009-01-01T22:40:23.354+08:00The Twelve Questions of Christmas<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1. What’s the best gift you have ever received? And the worst?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The best gift, I have to say, is the book I received last 2005. The book </div><div>was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Memoirs of a Geisha</span> by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Arthur Golden</span>. I like that because it was wrapped in a very unexpected way.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIibJ0-9XI/AAAAAAAAAPk/TEggN82slog/s320/Memoirs-Of-A-Geisha-9780099771517.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283323162748974450" /></div><div>I do not have a worst gift. I like every gift I received.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is your favorite Christmas movie moment.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Watch the film clip below: </div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Is9xHR11E3A&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Is9xHR11E3A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">3. What is your favorite version of a Christmas song?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>“All I Want for Christmas is You” during the big number at the end of the movie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Love Actually</span> and sung by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Olivia Olson</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pikz3DMhu54&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pikz3DMhu54&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">4. Describe an ornament that has special significance to you.</span></div><div><br /></div> <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIj5yYnZ4I/AAAAAAAAAPs/ITa4otyas-k/s320/Angel.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283324788543547266" /> <div>I like the angel atop the Christmas tree but it doesn't have any special significance to me. I just like it. I also like Christmas balls. I like the way your face gets reflected and illuminated on it whenever you go closer to it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">5. Have you had any traumatic Christmas-related experiences?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>None so far.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">6. What is your happiest Christmas memory?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Celebrating the yule tide season with my family.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">7. Favorite Christmas picture:</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This year, below is my favorite Christmas picture.</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIkzwRyb-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/q_Xlbwett9k/s1600-h/paskuhan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIkzwRyb-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/q_Xlbwett9k/s320/paskuhan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283325784410451938" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8. What’s on your grownup Christmas list (besides world peace, of course)?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>A condo unit.</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIo8ounHYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/SDgLey5BumM/s1600-h/unit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIo8ounHYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/SDgLey5BumM/s320/unit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283330335049194882" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">9. What Christmas TV special do you look forward to all year long?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not aware of any Christmas TV special here in the Philippines. But I love watching <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Christmas Carol</span> in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Disney Channel</span> every year with my siblings.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">10. What famous person would you most like to encounter under the mistletoe?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Satoshi Tsumabuki (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Orange Days</span>)</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIpnFtUXFI/AAAAAAAAAQE/AUtCxBizsoc/s1600-h/kai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIpnFtUXFI/AAAAAAAAAQE/AUtCxBizsoc/s320/kai.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283331064382905426" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">11. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I love cookies!! So any cookie will do. Yum! Yum!</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIqG94V-3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/AN8mrbEAEeU/s1600-h/cookies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SVIqG94V-3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/AN8mrbEAEeU/s320/cookies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283331612037479282" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">12. Favorite Christmas quote?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I have to cite two quotes and both are from Charles Dickens. I just can't make up my mind what to choose.</div><div><br /></div><br /><blockquote><br /><div>I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens </div></blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote><div>Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836 </div></blockquote>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-20913008372719300052008-12-21T20:36:00.002+08:002008-12-21T21:47:45.618+08:00Untitled Update<div>In just a few more days, we will be saying goodbye to year 2008 and welcome another year. A lot of things happened to me, especially few weeks ago. I'm also aware of the fact that I deprived this blog of its regular updates. It's not yet christmas vacation, not for us, although some people I know already started taking days off from work and are now going places. I envy them! Not only they have enough penny to splurge for the holidays, they also have longer days off from work. In my case, I have to save. I really feel I need to control my impulsiveness when it comes to buying things and focus more on saving.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last December 7, I took Level 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or JLPT. It is a standardized test to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers. Oh boy! It was tough as hell. I'm not confident I'm gonna be certified. Funny thing is, since it was scheduled on the same day as Manny Pacquiao's match, I bet on passing the JLPT if Manny won in the boxing. And we all know that he did.. Haha.. Although I feel silly after betting my chances on JLPT over some people's chances on winning a boxing game. Oh well! We'll see the result on March.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still so into piano and violin. I'm still having my lessons every Saturday on violin and Sunday on piano. They are actually the reason why I haven't updated this blog for almost 4 months and for not studying <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nihongo</span>. We now have a new violin teacher. I considered buying a new violin but my friends told me that if I'm gonna buy a new one, I should have it made by a luthier which by the way cost a lot. We're now on Suzuki Book 2 on violin and for my piano lessons, I'm already on Book 3 of The John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last week I went to Divisoria with my roommate and another batchmate to buy toys for my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">inaanaks</span>. While we were inside the toy store inspecting the items on the racks, I spotted a glass chess set and immediately remembered my Dad. He loves to play chess, so I bought it for him. I haven't given it to him yet. I hope he'll be thrilled. We finished our shopping at 11p.m and got home by 12 midnight. It was so exhausting. It made me promise to start my christmas shopping early next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>This coming Tuesday is our Christmas party in Fujitsu. The theme is cosplay. I first considered of doing Tinker Bell but after hearing rumors that some girls will also dress as the cute fairy, I rejected the idea. Then a friend offered her Princess Jasmine costume. I got excited by the idea so I bugged her to find it. Unfortunately, Princess Jasmine's costume is nowhere to be found. So I guess I will be coming in the party without a costume. I don't want to spend a cent for a costume so I already decided not to wear a costume. I hope it will be fun! Can't wait to see people in costume!</div><u></u>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-52127568189420845732008-08-24T16:13:00.002+08:002008-08-24T16:48:12.600+08:00What Musical Instrument Should You Play?<table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Should Play the Piano</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatmusicalinstrumentshouldyouplayquiz/piano.gif" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are a true music aficionado who loves many musical style and eras.<br /><br />You find music to be an escape. And you'd like to be relaxed and comfortable when you're making it.<br /><br /><br /><br />You're very innovative, and you have a unique way of knowing what may sound beautiful.<br /><br />There's a strong possibility that you could compose some of your own work songs quite easily.<br /><br /><br /><br />While you have a lot of creative energy, you are also serious and conscientious.<br /><br />Your musical talent needs time, practice, and lots of privacy to flourish.<br /><br /><br /><br />Your dominant personality characteristic: your painstaking attention to detail<br /><br /><br /><br />Your secondary personality characteristic: your natural tendency to be whimsical<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatmusicalinstrumentshouldyouplayquiz/">What Musical Instrument Should You Play?</a></div><br /><br /><div><br />^_^ I'm glad its the piano!!! ^_^<br /><br />Last night I watched The Pianist with my roommates. I was so inspired that after the movie I played the piano until 2 am. Then I woke up at 7 and played some more for quite a while before attending my piano lesson. I was so amazed with the way the piano player moved his fingers on the keys. It was so light and graceful. I hope I can play like that.<br /><br />When I had my piano lesson today I'm starting to have difficulties and it made me sad. I wanted to play the piano. I wanted to be good at it. My piano teacher keeps on encouraging me. He told me that even though I memorized my piece, I still have to check what's written on the staff. I think that's the problem with me..., I rely on my memory. I already developed a habit of memorizing the pieces that I ought to play. I think I have to practice sight reading more often.<br /><br />I'm thankful I have a patient and very understanding piano teacher. At the end of the lesson I apologized to him for giving him a hard time. He just smiled and told me that it's actually normal... that most of his students are also having a hard time on those pieces. I'm several pages away from starting Book Three of John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course. I'm excited but my piano teacher told me that the next pieces will be more difficult.<br /></div>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-88902702228675261262008-08-01T23:44:00.010+08:002008-08-02T00:35:14.201+08:00Bite Me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMw7xgwcqI/AAAAAAAAALI/4udpqpteBVI/s1600-h/twilight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: inline; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMw7xgwcqI/AAAAAAAAALI/4udpqpteBVI/s320/twilight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229577395768423074" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMxXK7WWWI/AAAAAAAAALQ/TgLFmSYKpyA/s1600-h/newmoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: inline; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMxXK7WWWI/AAAAAAAAALQ/TgLFmSYKpyA/s320/newmoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229577866447313250" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMx7p6B-pI/AAAAAAAAALY/KbZNLaaqfzk/s1600-h/eclipse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: inline; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMx7p6B-pI/AAAAAAAAALY/KbZNLaaqfzk/s320/eclipse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229578493238573714" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMyXCqfvwI/AAAAAAAAALg/B1AkxtgD7UA/s1600-h/breakingdawn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: inline; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJMyXCqfvwI/AAAAAAAAALg/B1AkxtgD7UA/s320/breakingdawn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229578963740770050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I want to be a vampire like the Cullens! I want to witness how cities transform and more importantly, I want to have all the time in the universe to master the piano and violin. So Edward Cullen bite me, sink your teeth into my flesh!<br /><br />Lately, I’ve been bombarding my web log and multiply account with my obsession with piano and violin that I forgot to mention the newest addition to my addiction, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Twilight Saga</span> by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Stephenie Meyer</span>. I have to wait for two weeks before I laid my hand on the first book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Twilight</span>. I finished reading it and last Wednesday when I went to <a href="http://www.powerbooks.com.ph/">Powerbooks</a> to get the second book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Moon</span>, it was sold out. I don’t know how long I will have to wait this time. Hopefully it will not stretch to two weeks. I’m losing my patience now. Good thing there’s the piano to divert my attention. I can’t wait to read the second book. I already reserved a copy of the final book in the installment, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Breaking Dawn</span>, which will be out on <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 4, 2008</span></span>. And about the third book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eclipse</span>, I’m about to get a copy this Sunday. I hope there’s still one left for me.<br /><br />Twilight will soon be in motion picture and will be released this December worldwide. Unfortunately though for me and for the rest of the Twilight fanatics here in the Philippines, since we have Metro Manila Film Festival, we have to wait a little longer until January of 2009 before we can finally watch the movie BUT some fans have already made an online petition with the sole intention of having the movie shown this December. Let’s see how far that petition can go. I have my fingers crossed.<br /><br />About the casts of the movie, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Edward Cullen</span> will be played by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Robert Pattinson</span>. He’s the same guy who played <span style="font-style: italic;">Cedric Diggory</span> in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bella Swan</span> will be played by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kristen Stewart</span>. You will probably remember her as <span style="font-style: italic;">Sarah</span>, the daughter of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jodie Foster</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Meg Altman</span>) in the movie Panic Room and as <span style="font-style: italic;">Sophie</span> in the movie <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jumper</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJM3_bmRoyI/AAAAAAAAALw/w5wbrEDF30k/s1600-h/official_twilight_movie_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJM3_bmRoyI/AAAAAAAAALw/w5wbrEDF30k/s320/official_twilight_movie_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229585155186860834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The official movie poster</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJM2zbsQIXI/AAAAAAAAALo/hUBiHZc6Wvc/s1600-h/twilight_movie_image_group_shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SJM2zbsQIXI/AAAAAAAAALo/hUBiHZc6Wvc/s320/twilight_movie_image_group_shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229583849541869938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span>Another picture I found on the net</span><br /></span></div><br />That’s it for this entry. ^_^saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-51953640063576500792008-07-11T23:15:00.004+08:002008-07-11T23:38:43.385+08:00I'm So Into PianoI've been taking piano lessons since May and just last week we were able to finish Part One of John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course. Yay! I'm so excited to start with Part Two. Part One and Two of the course are somewhat like a preparatory grade in piano. At first I find the phasing of our lesson slow but everyone has to go through the basics even Maksim. He just started earlier but I’m quite sure that before he mastered the Flight of the Bumblebee he practiced Mary Had a Little Lamb first. I also registered in <a href="http://www.pianoworld.com/">pianoworld</a> and have been reading threads ever since. A few hours ago I came across a thread posted by an engineering student in Argentina.<br /><br />He's 18 and has been taking piano lessons in a conservatory for a year and a half. He's about to start college next month and worries he won't have enough time to practice. He even considers piano more than just a hobby and wants to be a better player. The guy wants to be an engineer and a musician at the same time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SHd7csjfurI/AAAAAAAAALA/zoK1bJvKFCo/s1600-h/piano_by_DarkShadow1425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SHd7csjfurI/AAAAAAAAALA/zoK1bJvKFCo/s400/piano_by_DarkShadow1425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221778025885973170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Piano by <a href="http://darkshadow1425.deviantart.com/art/piano-28397558">Darkshadow1425</a></span><br /></div><br /><br />Actually, for the past few weeks I also have been pondering on the same thought. Can a person of different profession, without music background be a pianist? I'm not aiming to be a concert pianist. I think that's way too much. Being able to play in a simple bar with few audiences will be fine for me. I just want people to hear and see me play. I want to be good at piano so I really made sure I practice everyday for at least an hour.<br /><br />I considered purchasing a keyboard with weighted keys to have a look and feel of the real piano. I want a real piano but knowing how much piano costs I have to settle for a keyboard as an alternative.<br /><br />I already have music pieces lined up and ready to be played. I just got to have the skills to play them so I really have to be patient and practice and practice and practice. ^_^saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-45914495806071487362008-05-03T15:43:00.005+08:002008-05-03T17:35:31.564+08:00Piano Lessons with PianoNanny<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwscF4rz1I/AAAAAAAAAKo/024wEm8nJaM/s1600-h/piano.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196076931206598482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwscF4rz1I/AAAAAAAAAKo/024wEm8nJaM/s320/piano.jpg" border="0" /></a>Back in college, I really wanted to take piano lessons but thesis and other senior-school stuff prevented me to do so. I would read online articles on how to play the piano but as our thesis progresses the lesser the time I'm able to allot on my piano lessons until such time I barely sleep and have no option but to drop my online piano lessons and focus my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">full time</span> attention on our thesis.<br /><br />After graduation, I became preoccupied looking for a job that I totally forgot about the piano. Then one time, I was so stressed with work that I when I got home, I locked myself in my room and played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Enya</span> and that reminded me of how eagerly I was before to learn to play the piano. I searched the net for possible schools, I even considered enrolling in Yamaha until I came across this ad about a piano tutor who offers cheap piano lessons. I phoned the person and inquired about the details. But when I was about to start my lesson, Fujitsu Ten Solutions Philippines called. I was bored with my previous company then that I opted to file my resignation and join <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FTSP</span>. Once again, I have to postpone my piano lessons since the salary that I'll be getting from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FTSP</span> is not as much as the one from my previous employer.<br /><br />Then just last week, Irish, my office mate, asked me to take violin lessons with her and Sir Arch. I told her that I also wanted to take piano lessons but violin will also be fine. We went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Megamall</span> canvassing for violin and also for possible violin classes. We still have to look for other institutions that offer violin or piano classes and compare prices.<br /><br />No work for us last Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, so I spend my long weekends at home. I'm supposed to review for our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nihongo</span> class but I just spend most of my time reading piano lessons at <a href="http://pianonanny.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">PianoNanny</span>.com</a>.<br /><br />So far I've learned the following:<br /><br /><ul><li>Melodic Names (including sharps and flats) of the notes on the Keyboard.</li><br /><br /><li>Melodic Names (including sharps and flats) of the notes on the Staff.</li><br /><br /><li>Rhythmic Names of the notes on the Staff (quarter, eighth, sixteenth, half, and whole).</li><br /><br /><li>The length (size or time signature) of a measure and how to figure it.</li><br /><br /><li>Treble Clef (to be played by our right hand).</li><br /><br /><li>Bass Clef (to be played by our left hand).</li><br /></ul><br /><br />Meanwhile, enjoy this artistic pieces I've found on <a href="http://flickr.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Flckr</span></a>:<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwr6V4rz0I/AAAAAAAAAKg/GdFcVHP35zc/s1600-h/trebleclef.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196076351386013506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwr6V4rz0I/AAAAAAAAAKg/GdFcVHP35zc/s320/trebleclef.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> Treble Clef</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwvol4rz2I/AAAAAAAAAKw/Pb2d5hYUGH0/s1600-h/194869462_0df5de735e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196080444489846626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBwvol4rz2I/AAAAAAAAAKw/Pb2d5hYUGH0/s320/194869462_0df5de735e.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Bass Clef </span></em></p><p><br />That would be it for this post. I have to go back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">PianoNanny</span>. I meant to document my progress here. So wish me the best of luck! ^_^<br /></p>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-88687767607627568412008-05-01T23:09:00.011+08:002008-05-02T01:03:57.007+08:00Life's a BeachThere is no better way to enjoy the summer than to spend some time at the beach getting a tan, island hopping, and collecting shells. Our first destination was Tondol Beach in Anda Pangasinan. It was almost a six-hour drive from Ortigas but you can cut the travel time by two or three hours if you average 120 on the road. The beach offers a long stretch shallow and calm water which is ideal for sunbathers.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnlbV4rzuI/AAAAAAAAAJw/L8eCxfs7dQo/s1600-h/DSC07191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195435903042703074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnlbV4rzuI/AAAAAAAAAJw/L8eCxfs7dQo/s320/DSC07191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnl9F4rzvI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/rTe--2Dm_zA/s1600-h/DSC07204.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195436482863288050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnl9F4rzvI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/rTe--2Dm_zA/s320/DSC07204.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Upon getting there, after unloading our bags from the car and securing them on the rooms, we immediately changed to our swim wears, put sunblock on, and hit the beach. It was one of the fine beaches we have here in the Philippines.<br /><br />Irish and I planned to get up early before the sun on the next day to jog around the beach, continue collecting shells, and watch the sun rise but failed to do so. After the breakfast, we rented boats. They were just actually a fishing boat with no cover up or something, which took us to Hundred Islands at the expense of burning our skin.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnqNV4rzwI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LIQFucEor7w/s1600-h/DSC07091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195441160082673410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnqNV4rzwI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LIQFucEor7w/s320/DSC07091.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnqkl4rzxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/09iIYs_T7WQ/s1600-h/DSC07096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195441559514631954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnqkl4rzxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/09iIYs_T7WQ/s320/DSC07096.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p>On our way back, we spotted this little island and decided to stop there for a few minutes which was stretched to hours with our churning stomachs. We just forgot about the time since we were having so much time dipping and swimming in the shallow water. After our island hopping, we had a hearty lunch courtesy of Dudes aunt. We had <em>tinola</em> and some <em>inihaw</em>! Yummy! I want to go back and take my friends there.</p><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnwFl4rzyI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Z-zB21aglTM/s1600-h/DSC07166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195447624008453922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnwFl4rzyI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Z-zB21aglTM/s320/DSC07166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnyD14rzzI/AAAAAAAAAKY/BrYuj7HZTwI/s1600-h/DSC07759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195449792966938418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/SBnyD14rzzI/AAAAAAAAAKY/BrYuj7HZTwI/s320/DSC07759.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p>The next beach that I visited this summer was Coral View Beach Resort in Morong Bataan during our company outing. I must say that the beach looks much better in pictures. I can't help comparing it with Tondol Beach but our stay there was fun nevertheless. We went to Pawikan Island but since there's nothing much to see or do there we decided to go snorkeling. Afterwards, we had photo shoot with Sir Archie as our photographer. Haha! </p><br/><p>I can't wait for our next escapades!! ^_^<br /></p>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-13634436428094639942008-02-10T16:35:00.001+08:002008-03-07T20:05:29.193+08:00Amazing Race Craze<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67Lsku0zeI/AAAAAAAAAJE/JdsxgtIwk8A/s1600-h/mark-rovilson-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67Lsku0zeI/AAAAAAAAAJE/JdsxgtIwk8A/s400/mark-rovilson-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165289789275295202" border="0" /></a><br />This team will win the race! I've got high hopes on both of these guys. I wasn't able to watch the 12th episode of the Amazing Race Asia 2 but my sister did and she told me that Mark and Rovilson snatched the first place back from the Singaporean team, Adrian and Collin. The final season is on the 14th and I hope Mark and Rovilson can outsmart the other teams and arrive at the pit stop first.<br /><br />So while the race is still on, feast your eyes on the following pictures!! :D<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67OxEu0zfI/AAAAAAAAAJM/u4S8EKUioSE/s1600-h/mnelson04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67OxEu0zfI/AAAAAAAAAJM/u4S8EKUioSE/s320/mnelson04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165293165119589874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67O9Eu0zgI/AAAAAAAAAJU/7eBfdj9HILc/s1600-h/mnelson21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R67O9Eu0zgI/AAAAAAAAAJU/7eBfdj9HILc/s320/mnelson21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165293371278020098" border="0" /></a>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-82651151559948572252007-12-22T20:02:00.000+08:002007-12-22T20:54:45.303+08:00Christmas Rush<div align="left">This Christmas rush is giving me a headache. I'm not yet done with my shopping and malls are jam-packed with hurried shoppers like me. So now I don’t know where else to go to complete my list.<br /><br />This week has been the most tiring one this December—practice, party, and shopping. We had practice from Monday, December 17, until Thursday, December 20. The practice lasts from four to five hours a day on the average so I usually got home at around 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. given that I live almost in the province. Last Wednesday I went to UST for the Paskuhan, a university-wide Christmas celebration. I missed the fireworks so I guess I just have to browse for some clips of it in <a href="www.youtube.com">Youtube</a> and wait for eternity before I can play the entire thing since I'm now using a dial-up connection. I planned of going home early that night but got home at 1 a.m. instead. Lastly, yesterday was our Christmas party which was held in Crowne Plaza and has the theme: Visua Kei: FTSP Goes Glam Rock!<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R20GvHtB3FI/AAAAAAAAAI0/jH4ki03Bp9I/s1600-h/glam.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146777355745877074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_YWCx__1R3yw/R20GvHtB3FI/AAAAAAAAAI0/jH4ki03Bp9I/s400/glam.JPG" border="0" /></a> <center><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The glamorous rockers!</span></center><br /></em>saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17637257.post-39773495134325685612007-11-03T11:59:00.000+08:002007-11-03T12:08:02.966+08:00Funeral Not WeddingI was seven years old when my grandma died. I did not cry when I first heard about the sad news. I don't know why. Maybe because I don't want to believe that she left me without saying good bye. I haven’t fulfilled my promise to her yet. I can still remember the time when she washed me after I pooed and would tell me that when I grow up I should do the same to her when she can’t take care of herself anymore. “<span style="font-style: italic;">Of course grandma</span>”, I would always reply.<br /><br />During her wake, I do not want to look at her casket because I was always afraid that she might open her eyes and grab me. Believe it or not, until now I’m still afraid looking on caskets. My uncles would carry me when they would look at the casket but I would always turn my back. Then they would tell me that I was<span style="font-style: italic;"> lola’s</span> favorite <span style="font-style: italic;">apo</span> and that she will visit me on my sleep if I will not look at her in the casket. After a few days, I would climb up the stairs and take a peek at my grandma’s casket then I would go and lock myself in our room. I would ask God why it has to be a funeral, why can’t it be a wedding so everyone can be happy. I have tons of questions when I was a child.<br /><br />I was closer to my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola </span>than my mom during those time and when my mom would smack me with her ever trusted <span style="font-style: italic;">pamalo </span>I would always run to my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola </span>and she would stop my mom. My mom would tell me that the reason why I’m such a stubborn girl is because <span style="font-style: italic;">lola </span>spoiled me. I’m such a bitch when I was a kid you know! I can make my mom cry. My grandma would always give in to my every capricious acts and wishes. God I’m missing my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola</span>!<br /><br />It’s nice to remember our departed loved ones but let us not forget family members and friends who are still with us at this very moment. We should show them how much we care and love them when we still have the luxury of time.saranesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015277031107442325noreply@blogger.com0