Post Scripts

Echoes in the Dark

2010-10-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

It is very seldom that I write poetry nowadays; and this is one of those rare occurrences.

Echoes in the Dark

Gasping for air

with the weight of the burden I am carrying,

the chronic beating of my heart

Suffocates…

Pain is a cynical friend,

a constant companion in this winding madness.

Grief and confusion stands in the way

of hope’s graceful light;

their bleak shadows cloaking me in darkness.

What is the price that I must pay

To breathe again?

Myself,

or the denial of myself?

The answer is being drowned

by the mockery of fear.

I am struggling to untangle the

the twisted echoes in the dark.

Photo originally uploaded in Flickr by Cateyes.

I like the caption written below the original photo which goes,

“When the darkness comes, keep an eye on the light - whatever that is for you - no matter how far away it seems.” - Jan Berry

Lessons from a beauty magazine

2010-10-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

I posted this one as my status at Facebook yesterday. Before I put in a new one, I would just like to blog it. It is a constant reminder nowadays.

Four Mantra(s) to memorize:
1. Just Breathe
2. Live Big
3. Anything is Possible
4. No guts, no glory

Four Rules to Break:
1. Put others first
2. Make small talk
3. Don't settle for less than perfect
4. Better safe than sorry

And as the title goes, I read this one from Cosmopolitan magazine, August 2009 issue :)

Leveling Up - exactly the words I was looking for

2010-10-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

I just celebrated my 31st birthday a few weeks ago and every birthday for me is a time to reflect on the past year, where I am in my life right now and the direction I intend to take. The past year has been a turning point in my life and has defined me more than any other year has. Looking inside myself for answers has been the most gratifying thing I have done so far. It made me look inside for my strengths and weaknesses, reasons for joy and sadness, how to embrace myself with flaws and all, and how to be a little kinder to myself and be a better person. I am so far grateful for everything and all the people who came to my life; they helped shape the person I am today.

I read the Glamour (Dec 2008) issue featuring Nicole Kidman as one of their voted Women of the Year. As I feel like I have experienced a lot during these past years, I can't help but relate to her when she said,

As a woman now, I want to share things. I have girlfriends in their twenties, and I say, "Ask me anything. You can learn from the things I did wrong, and you can learn from the things you think I'm doing right. Take whatever you want and make it your own." So: Have no regrets. Every relationship leads you to where you're meant to be. Learn to be comfortable with being alone. Learn to be comfortable with saying no to people; we put everybody else before ourselves. Read great literature; don't get all your information from TV. Define your moral code - nobody else is going to give you that. Find it yourself. Keep asking questions, keep challenging. You don't have to conform. Rebellion creates character. And, as my mother always said to me, "Don't let anyone break your spirit!"

If I have to share some lessons with you I have learned during the past year they would be:

Nothing lasts forever, even good things have their own end.But it is in these empty spaces that new beginnings bloom, it is on empty pages that new stories are written.
Sometimes when you become too obsessed with your future, you forget the people you should be taking care of in the present. And sometimes, it's more troublesome to have your life all planned out because life is meant to be lived one moment at a time. Your work shouldn't be more important than who you're doing it for and who you're doing it with.
Life does not play by the rules, sometimes it can even be unfair; the thing is you must learn to knock it down, confront it, do your best, and accept whatever the result. And don't ever forget to give yourself a pat on the back afterwards.
Invest in yourself and rebuild yourself one step at a time.
Keep going and you'll get there: easier said than done, but we must keep hoping, believing and doing. You can pause, but don't stop especially when it is worth the fight.
You don't have to care about the whole world to make a change; you just have to care enough to make a difference, even in one person's life. No grand dreams needed; even a single mission can create a major impact.
I don't want to look at life as a series of moving ons; because I don't leave things behind. I just blend the good with the bad and make the best use of it. It is more optimistic to see turning points in life as moving up to the next level.

So what do I have in mind until next year, just to level myself up, I guess. I hope everyone does the same. Just like the balloons we have here, the wind can take us where it wants to; because wherever it takes us, we will float beautifully up there. Good luck to us!

image from: http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2009/03/oh-happy-day/

Give a little piece of your time

2010-09-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

Giving your time to someone is a true act of charity and therefore of love itself. Time is something you give that you can not take back.

Nowadays, it's especially hard to even give time to one's self amidst all the busyness of the modern society. Although technology has supposedly made our lives more convenient, the advancement it made to our society demanded more specialization thereby more time for the working class. This made it even more difficult for working parents, especially mothers, to juggle all the pieces together.

I just want to share with you a very touching story I read from Paolo Coehlo's blog.

A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door.
“Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.
“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?
“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.
“If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.”
“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?”

The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.
“Are you asleep son?” he asked.
“No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.

“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10.00 you asked for.”
The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills.
The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled.
“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.

“Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?”

Lesson learned: When at home, let us give our time and attention to the ones who need them the most: our children. It may not be easy but it is something we must do, a habit we must form. And remember, a little piece of your time means a lot to our little ones.

Faith is a silver lining and Happiness is more than just a choice

2010-09-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

Do you have regrets in life?

Do you sometimes feel like you made a wrong decision in the past that keeps making your present day seem cloudy and gray?

A lot of people would hypocritically say they don't. I say I do have a lot of things I wish I could undo or redo. But the thing is life keeps moving forwards. We can not go back to the past. The important thing is you turn all this negative thoughts and emotions to something constructive and positive. There is always a silver lining no matter how dark the clouds are; you just have to have to believe.

You have to have faith that everything is happening for your own good. When you let God be the author of your life, nothing could go wrong because He knows what is best for you. These are the things I remind myself everytime I am feeling down and then I just go on with the day with that little piece of sunshine and hope in my heart. And everything goes well... =)

Happiness is more than just a choice; it is a decision to make.

Photo originally uploaded by Pranav Singh at Flickr.

Start Where You Stand

2010-08-20T21:44:00.001-07:00

Snowy Drive Ahead
Originally uploaded by Olly Muxworthy

Start Where You Stand

Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.

The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success,
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.

Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history;
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned,
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.

I did not write this poem. I read it from pravsworld.com

Connecting the Dots Backwards: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

2010-08-20T00:39:00.000-07:00

In a very inspiring speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford University's commencement exercises last 2005, the CEO and founder of Apple Computer and Pixar Studios shared with everyone the most touching stories in his life. In a tale of a cycle of success after failure, and failure after success we can see that this extraordinary of a man is more human than we consider him to be. His speech was so endearingly humbling that I can't help but respect and admire him more.
You can already sense from the first few lines of his speech that he is going to make it a story so plain and simple yet worthy of an audience such as those of Stanford University's students and everyone else who is interested in hearing his story. His speech began like this:
"I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories."
His stories were about connecting the dots, about love and lastly about death.
He narrated how he has to drop out of college because his parents could not afford it, his decision to take up a calligraphy class that no one would imagine would help him define the Mac program later on, how he started the mac business at his garage with a friend, how it boomed into business, and how he was fired from the very business he actually set up, how being fired from it helped him set up Pixar, and how Apple soon bought Pixar reuniting him to the business he once created. He told it in such a way that tells us, everything does happen for a reason. That sometimes life give us a roadblock, the point is we must not stop, but continue on believing and doing the right thing. Looking back, we can see that he viewed all those failures as disguised blessings. As he said,

"The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life...Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

He also reminded us to find and go for the thing we love in life, what we are passionate about; because it is the only thing that will give us true happiness. And I admire him for taking acknowledge of the influence of a woman in his life, who later on became his wife.

He also told a story about hearing this quote when he was 17 that made him ask everyday "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" How the concept of death made him more courageous. "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
And then, he amusingly ended his speech with a line at the back cover of the final issue on one of the publications 35 years ago (it might have been the lines that inspired him when he was at an age like the graduate students he was talking to) it said "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." And he said, that that was the thing he has always wished for himself. I think he means that we should always thirst or be hungry for something more in life, to never lose our enthusiasm, to always accept that we are not that great or smart or intelligent. I think the message of his whole speech is the same as how he delivered it: in the end we are all human beings no matter how great or small you are, what matters is you face life with enough faith that things will work out for good, armed with brevity, courage, humor, and humility.
Be extraorinarily ordinary!
You can read the full excerpt of his speech here.

And in line with this, Pixar is the company responsible for giving us Toy Story, and as of this time, Toy Story 3 is the highest grossing animated film of all time!
Read here.

Braving the Winds

2010-07-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Life is full of choices but you only have to make one. Oftentimes we find ourselves overwhelmed and we become double-minded. It is hardest when we are faced to choose between what we want and what is right. We even get to the point when we become so confused with what is really the right thing to do. During these times there is no greater remedy, I realized, than to be silent and listen to what God is telling you.

Ask for wisdom. There are things our feeble mind will never understand. We don't always know what is good for us. No matter how much we try to believe that our fate is in our own hands, it is not. There will always be things that will startle us or knock us down to make us believe that there is Someone out there steering the wheel for us. So ask for wisdom, ask so we could see what God wants us to see, and hear what He wants us to hear. Do not insist your ways, especially do not make big decisions when you are angry or upset. The most important thing is believing God will give you what you are asking for, in His own way.

Ask God to guard your thoughts. Our destiny is shaped by our actions which is dictated by our thoughts. Develop patience. Practice patience. This is what I am always telling myself nowadays because I am such an IMPATIENT person. You know what makes up patience, it's faith. Faith that good and wonderful things will happen, no matter what we are going through right now. True maturity in faith is being single-minded; not wavering. I'm praying for steadiness in my words and action, to be not like the wave of the sea that is tossed and turned by the wind. I'm praying so hard that I could be that strong and steady.

So for today, I am gathering all my thoughts, putting them in a box, and submitting them to God for revision. have a good day everyone!

photo originally uploaded in Flickr, courtesy of pericomart(pericomart.blogspot.com).

My Photodiary: half a Month of reflections this July

2010-07-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

July 16, 2010: Whatever your pursuits in life are, no matter how great or small or ordinary you are, in the end we are all just human beings made from dust and to dust we will return.

July 15,2010: Instead of being too anxious, plan in advance and take action instead. It's really more tiring being worried all the time than using your energy doing something.

July 15,2010: Thinking should not lead to farther confusion but to find answers and solution.

July 15, 2010: In life there, are times when you have to put to rest some things or set them aside for awhile so you can make room for something new. Decaying issues should be totally let gone of; it is the only way to stay alive and well.

July 15,2010: Make the best out of the worst situation. There's always a brighter side to everything.

July 14, 2010: Don't take anything for granted. With just a blink of an eye, anything can be taken away from you. Remember, nothing lasts forever.

July 13,2010: FOCUS..FOCUS..FOCUS..

July 12,2010: I love to study, i love to study 100x...i love to read, i love to read 100x...if i say this long enough i might finally believe it.

July 11, 2010:keep your eyes to the stars but your feet firmly planted on the ground.Greet each day with high hopes but with a humble spirit.

July 11,2010: Don't be hard on yourself and don't make life difficult for others. Sometimes the key is just to really simplify things. Stop making and viewing things as if everything is so complicated. Just breathe...

July 5,2010: In a world when you feel like no one really cares and everyone's trying to do their own thing,isn't it just right to just be who you really are?...

July 5, 2010: Sure, Jesus said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also But He didn't said we should offer the same cheek again, right?

July 4, 2010: What can't kill you, can only make you stronger. i maybe sick but I'm not dead yet!

July 2, 2010: Do you sometimes feel like everything is working out against you? Remember Jacob's story and how he wrestled with God? God let him win right? I think that is because God saw how determined he was and he never gave up. So if things get worst, we should hold on and keep fighting.

Looking at things in a lighter perspective

2010-07-12T19:12:00.001-07:00

The Magic Windmill
Originally uploaded by Ben Heine

Oftentimes we find ourselves overwhelmed with some matters only to later realize they are so trivial. In short, we are sweating the small stuff. And by so doing, we might be doing more harm to our self than good.

Recently, I have been so stressed out by things happening around me in the time that I need no additional distractions. Things are keeping me out of balance and out of focus; maybe I am letting them affect me that's why. You know how problems seem to go in large batches? Sometimes worries have a way of getting into your life a large number at a time.

How I am coping nowadays is a product of adjusting and going through problems for the past 30 years of my life. I am still learning but I want to share with you some of the things I have realized lately.

When problems come into your life do not be overwhelmed or the problem will take control of you. Treat them as a friend who is there to give you a lesson about something.
Don't be hard on yourself and don't make life difficult for others. Sometimes the key is just to really simplify things. Stop making and viewing things as if everything is so complicated. Just breathe...
Learn to see things in a lighter perspective. Keep a happy thought inside yourself. Find some quiet time to draw strength to face life and its challenges.
Always believe in yourself and that life is good and that God is there who cares more than enough about you. Keep the faith.
Never give in to circumstances. There is always a way, or sometimes you yourself would have to make the way.

Life is about making choices; and that includes choosing whether to be happy or to be forever miserable.

Photo courtesy of Ben Heine originally uploaded in Flickr, The Magic Windmill.

When things get complicated, simplify them

2010-07-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes we find ourselves overwhelmed with some things only to later realize they are so trivial. In short, we are sweating the small stuff. And it may be doing us more harm than good.

Recently, I have been so stressed out by things happening around me in the time that I need no additional distractions. Things are keeping me out of balance and focus; maybe I am letting them affect me that's why. You know how problems seem to go in large batches? Sometimes worries have a way of getting into your life a large number at a time.

How I am coping nowadays is a product of adjusting and going through problems for the past 30 years of my life. I am still learning but I want to share with you some of the things I have realized lately.

When problems come into your life do not be overwhelmed or the problem will take control of you. Treat them as a friend who is there to give you a lesson about something.

Don't be hard on yourself and don't make life difficult for others. Sometimes the key is just to really simplify things. Stop making and viewing things as if everything is so complicated. Just breathe...

Learn to see things in a lighter perspective. Keep a happy thought inside yourself. Find some quiet time to draw strength to face life and its challenges.

Always believe in yourself and that life is good and that there is a God who cares more than enough about you. Keep the faith.

Never give in to circumstances. There is always a way, or sometimes circumstances ask you to pave a new way

Life is about making choices; and that includes choosing whether to be happy or to be forever miserable.

When Life becomes a Struggle

2010-07-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

Do you sometimes feel like everything is working out against you? Remember Jacob's story and how he wrestled with God? God let him win in the end right? I think that is because God saw how determined he was and he never gave up.

Jacob's life story is one great struggle. From the time he was conceived with a twin brother in his mother's womb, to the time he worked 14 years to get the woman he loved, and his whole life he was running away from his twin brother's wrath after tricking him out of their father's blessings. Beyond all this, he never gave up, not even when he found himself grappling with an unkown adversary.

Why the need for struggle? Because we won't hold on to something tight unless we fight for it. Moments like this will always come into our lives. When we feel like we are giving our best yet we can not get what we want or we can not go where we want to go. Maybe, God is wrestling with us. Maybe, He wants us to hold on to him tightly as Jacob did and never to let him go, and to admit to ourselves that we can only be saved or we can only win by His grace. And like Jacob, he was blessed by God because he asked and begged for it.

So if things get worst, we should hold on and keep fighting.

One more thing, after wrestling with God, God changed his name from Jacob which means "cheater or manipulator" to Israel "God rules" (or let God rule your life). It was a beginning of a new life for him.

Photo uploaded by Mike Beange from Flickr.

My Photodiary June 2010

2010-06-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

Trying to stay awake. Fighting Boredom with Discipline and Creativity. I have a long long way to go still, and lots lots more lessons to study (in school and in life).

I AM A WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!!
what makes a person strong? when they feel it is in their power to do things and they take charge.
but what makes faith stronger? when you believe there is a greater power beyond all things and you let Him take charge.
:) gud am everyone!

There are things only the passing of time can teach you...
like how much a thing or a person means to you..sadly, we realize it only when we no longer have them,..and all we have left with are the what ifs and the could've beens..and the wish that time would make everything all right..it seems that we are giving time a lot of hard work; maybe it's time we give time a helping hand :)

When I feel like giving up today, I just tell myself: JUST KEEP GOING, JUST KEEP GOING, JUST KEEP GOING!!! I can change my direction but never the destination I have set for myself.

~ Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. ~ Marilyn Vos Savant

Life is more exciting than taking a roller coaster ride; it is as daring as doing backflips on a wheelchair!!! :))

Heavenly Father, I claim the dream you put in my heart now. And by taking ownership of it, I commit myself to fulfilling the purpose you have set for me. Please give me the strength and courage to realize them Lord. And I am not only grateful for all the love I am receiving but for the love I give as well. Please keep this vow in my heart, mind, and soul, until I fulfill all of this.Thank you Lord.

Most of the time the greatest battle we have to fight is within; and our worst enemy ourselves or our own fears.

If you want to be HEALED, you must FORGIVE.
Love heals, love forgives, and love transforms

TALK TO THE HAND: dpat kasi pag ng DELETE ka wag mo ng i UNDO! ang gulo mo!learn to live with the consequence yun un.

feeling excited! everyone needs a dose of enthusiasm each day!

braving the waves nowadays! sabay lang sa alon ng buhay...

Being A Jonah in the Modern World

2010-06-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

I had my first day of classes in graduate school yesterday; it has been 10 years since I last went to school and it has been almost 7 years since I last practiced my studies. It was only recently that I decided to go back to everything and claim this part of me that has long been sleeping. And with that I remembered the story of Jonah and realized how I am much like him; escaping the assignment God has called me for because I think I am not even capable of doing it. The story of Jonah is about a passive man and an active God (much like mine).

Jonah is the central character from the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament. He has been called by God to prophesy against the destruction of Nineveh. Instead he went to another city thinking he will be able to escape God and concerned himself with things that God considered too trivial for him. To stop him from going to another city called Tarshish, God sent up a great storm and the people aboard the ship where Jonah is, threw him to the sea to appease God. I too had recently had what I call a "great storm" in my life that made me realize where I should be.

But then God saved him again by having a great sea creature swallow Jonah. There he stayed for sometime. Much like how people procrastinate right? When people are too lazy to do anything it feels like being inside the belly of a whale. You lock yourself up in a fake comfort.

then he slowly realized his fault, said a thankful prayer to God, asked for his forgiveness, and accepted his fate. God made the sea creature spit out Jonah in the dry land. And then Jonah prophesied in Nineveh, the people confessed their sins, and he was able to save one city and hundreds of people from destruction. He was able to turn one sinful city to a city of believers.

It is a very beautiful story and one which I will never ever forget from now on. A story which I will read over and over again when i feel like turning back from life.

Taking up my Master's and going back to practice is really hard. I am not that young anymore like most of my classmates are, I have three little kids to take care of and one household to run, but what I have is something special. I have this dream in my heart that God has kept alive all through this years that is waiting to be born. And I believe He is calling me for a greater mission, to fulfill the dreams I have during my youth. I am one of the best in my field when I was starting out. My mentor in school had so much belief in me that she said one day she might be teaching her future students books I have written in our field of study. But I did not appreciate all that. I believe that instead of being a Nutritionist dietitian, which I have no interest of becoming it was my mother who suggested to me to take it, I always wanted to become a doctor. Much to my resentment, I did not even attended my graduation (and i graduated with honors) because my mother informed me she will not be able to send me to medical school for financial reason. When it was time for me to take the board exam, I was doing nothing while all my classmates attended 2 or more review centers. But at the last minute I did took the board, self studying for only a week. I did pass the board but not exceptionally (who would expect right?)

I had job offers then that I wish I have right now. It is true that oppurtunity only comes once. I let go of being employed at the hospital (St. Luke's) pioneering here the Nutrition Support Team because that is where I took my practicum and do not like the people I will be working with (invalid reason). I also let go of the oppurtunity to work at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of DOST because it is too far from home (invalid reason again), and I deliberately fail the interview I had at the Philippine General Hospital a few years ago because deep inside I already felt that the long break I had with my practice rendered me incapable of practicing (which is another invalid reason because why would they set me up for a panel interview which took almost a month to schedule because they have to gather all the dept heads together). Finally, I quit pursuing my career path to raise my kids (which I am not regretting).

It is only recently that I have realized that to be truly happy in life you must have a purpose and you must do it. I also realized that you should not fall victim to your circumstances; that when life offers you a roadblock you can change your direction but never the destination. And to stamp in my head the logo that says "Press On".

It might appear that I am doing it for myself now. Partly it is for myself and my family, but most importantly I am seeing that a lot of people need my help here, the hospital I am working now needs a lot of improvement. I don't like reading those textbooks again (I'd rather read my collection of fictional stories), I don't ever want to do reportings, I don't want to trouble my mind with complicated technical matters, case studies and proposals are monsters for me; I would rather sit at home, relax, watch movies and my collection of asian novelas, update facebook, blah blah,blah... BUT, I feel like there is an empty cup I must fill up, and I feel like an empty cup waiting to be filled also. Now, I consider doing all of these for the greatest glory of all, which is for the Lord who has been graciously by my side all these years. And that makes all the difference now.

I remember God said to Jonah (when Jonah was trying to excuse himself and distract himself with trivial things):

"You were upset about this little plant, something for which you have not worked nor did you do anything to make it grow. It grew up overnight and died the next day. Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city? There are more than one hundred twenty thousand people in it who do not know right from wrong, as well as many animals!" (Jonah 4:9-11)

I tried busying and distracting myself with other things also; but as this story implies there are things which are meant to be done by you and you alone, some things however are better left as matters for other people.

Be the best you can!

What is love?

2010-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

So many interpretations for this single emotion (some would even contradict that it is really a feeling) but here's one of my favorites:

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not ...excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
- Captain Corelli's Mandolin. "Love is the beauty of the soul."

This would have to be the perfect graduation speech

2010-06-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me congratulate myself, this is my 300th post! And I hope still counting and counting and counting ...
Anyway, since this calls for a time for celebration let me share with you what I think is the most humorous yet most significant graduation speech I've ever heard. This one is from Baz Luhrmann:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
Wear sunscreen!

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh, never mind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

*Sing*

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

*Floss*

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

*Stretch*

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the
most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people
most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in
Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

*Travel*

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

*Respect your elders*

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from
the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

Finding My Inner Alice and my very own Wonderland

2010-06-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

As a young girl I never really was a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I find the story too disturbing and mature for my young mind. I never really understood the concept of the movie that time. Plus, the animation wasn't really that extraordinary.

Nevertheless, when I first saw the trailer of the movie released this year and heard that it was from Tim Burton I told myself I have to watch this. I watched the film yesterday and I was amazed! The technical aspect well, who can expect less from Tim Burton?! The acting was excellent! No one would fit the Red Queen's role better than Helena Bonham Carter of course. She made me laugh everytime she ordered "Off with their heads!" Johnny Depp, well he is the Mad Hatter. The storyline and the soundtrack is very good. Alice performed by Avril Lavigne is on repeat in my playlist.

Finally, I was able to understand the message of the story. No wonder Lewis Caroll made the main character of the story a young girl. It is about following your dreams no matter how crazy it may sound to others. It also tells us that it is always and should be our choice that we must follow; we must not live to please other people. And it is better to be loved than to be feared. I wish I was able to learn those lessons earlier. I am so glad they released the movie right now, I was given a chance to finally connect with my inner Alice.

"Lost my muchness, have I?" I don't think so! :)

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Watch it when you have the time!

Here's the trailer and the MV of Alice performed by Avril Lavigne. Enjoy!

Fashionable bands

2010-05-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Spring and Summer is the season of blooms. Nowadays, it has become fashionable to wear garland designs on our heads. A lot of sassy headbands are making their way into the market and the streets, from the ostrich feather like ones, to the big bows, to the ones with small hats on top. Just wear them with plain colorful tees or girly dresses and you are good to go.

Don't forget that a nice updo will make the look fashionable and not trashy. Get a clue on how to wear them here (I got the photos from bando.com):

Good thing here in the Philippines headbands like this cost like 10 times less than they do in the US!

Two Important Things I Learned Today

2010-05-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

First, I am not responsible for anyone else's happiness except my own.

Second, Lack of action leads to depression.

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Silent Screams

2010-05-12T19:49:00.001-07:00

maybe ..
Originally uploaded by mhd.hamwi

My heart can't help but compose a bitter sweet melody

Sadly, I choke all the lyrics to the song

and I feel like dying

I wanted to shout but even silent tears won't fall...

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

original photo uploaded by mhd.hamwi at flickr. click photo to follow link.

My First Two Days Working as a Volunteer in a Government Hospital

2010-05-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

Some people keep asking me why work as a volunteer? With the crisis going on right now, people I know can't help but wonder why I would rather sacrifice my time and energy doing service without pay. My answer is "I need to".

It is a rather vague answer for some, for the need arises from a lot of things actually.

For some time now, I am searching for a purpose in my life outside my familial obligations at home. And I realized I do not have to search that far but to start where I left off. And the thing that I have neglected most was practicing what I studied, which I chose to supposedly help sick people (I always had a soft spot for the suffering). I told myself, I also had an obligation outside of home; to the people who are in need and I am capable of helping. And that is what I am doing right now.

I used to work as a Dietitian in a private hospital, now I am volunteering as one in a public hospital (there is no opening at the moment but there will be a vacancy soon). And I am glad I am where I am right now because not only is my help needed by the patients, but the dietary department. I reviewed all their handouts and most of them are outdated and I now owe it to myself to revise them and make new ones. Next month, I am also planning to make a powerpoint presentation for the monthly Diabetic Clinic. And I would like to suggest putting up a malnutrition ward for pediatric patients. And that is just the beginning of things I would like to do for the hospital.

I now realized that to enjoy what you are doing, you really have to love it; take ownership of your role and commitment to excellence follows. And guess what? I forget that I am not paid to do all this because I am happy.

Pressing On towards the Goal

2010-05-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” - Greg Anderson

How many times have we made resolutions? How many times have we set up goals? How many of these were we able to keep? And, how many were left forgotten?

I was one of those people who set up big goals: write a novel, travel the world, etc etc...Why not,correct?
Lately, I learned that it is not wrong to dream big, but it is realistic to start small. For example, writing a novel is feasible but then you have to commit yourself to writing even a page each day, finding a support group of writers, and going thru all the publishing hassles. This may take years, but it is attainable with persistence and enough determination to keep going.

Starting this year (notice I said starting not this year because this is supposed to be on going), I am committing myself to this three major goals:

1. SERVE by using my God-given skills and talents. Three ways I will be doing this for now is by:
Getting back to hospital practice where I can help patients who need to get educated on proper nutrition and diet
Continue writing. Whether I blog, which I intend to keep more personalized so I can reach more people undergoing the same things as myself; or to submit to publications (I used to send articles to the Filipino Lay Education on Heart Disease journal as a volunteer).
To serve in our Church. I intend to do that by joining the choir because I love to sing.

2. TO KEEP MY LONG TERM COMMITMENTS: to my family, my friends, and my goals. I believe this is a test of true integrity, character strength, and patience. I often fail at this, that is why I am trying my best to keep focused this time.

3. AIM FOR SELF IMPROVEMENT. I am starting with three things:
Smile more and laugh often.
Walk,stand up, and sit up straighter.
Be a good listener.
Not to say things I will regret later on.

In relation to this, I want to share with you a poem from Calvin Coolidge which was scribbled on one of my notebooks for the longest time, and a verse from the Bible I heard recently from a Gospel last Easter. I hope they will help you as much as they are reminding me to press on towards the goal.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not:
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not:
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not:
The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan "Press on" has solved and will always solve
the problem of human race."
-Calvin Coolidge

"7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 3:4-17

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Image from this post taken from Flickr by alicepopcorn . Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

Writing a Poem once again...

2010-05-03T20:32:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Sofia Ajram

The first poem I have written, or the closest one I can come up with, after a long time.

Praying for Spring

I've always thought that I'll be standing firm,
until you came.

You were like a gentle blow of wind,
and like a dying leaf I fell
together with everything that is broken and shattered
I clothe the ground foreseeing winter-
a long and cold winter.

As the ghost of pain numbs and threatens
every beating life of my being into muteness
there I lay dreaming, hoping
for the first dew of spring to awaken my frozen heart,
for the dawn to take away the shadows,
and for the light to drown the dark memories.

I beg for wings to take me away,
away to a place
where winter thaws,
where laughter plays a gentle melody,
where life bursts in warm colors.

I ask for Spring!

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

That's why they are called BAD HABITS

2010-04-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

I just read this article from Y!News entitled Bad habits can age you by 12 years, study suggests, and listed smoking tobacco, drinking more than three alcoholic drinks per day for men and more than two for women, less than two hours of physical activity per week, and eating less than 3 servings of fruits and veggies per day as the culprits. Hmmm... seems like most people in our generation will be aging sooner tsk,tsk,tsk...

Anyway, I think that being stressed out all the time will age you much faster than all these combined!

Speaking of habits, they said that if you continue doing something for more than 30 days it becomes a habit right? So breaking away from a habit would mean reversing the situation in the same time frame would work(for example trying to quit smoking for 30 days would make non-smoking a habit). Well, it could work. But it requires a LOT of discipline and motivation from yourself and from other people.

We all have, some time in our lives, experienced trying to break away from something that will cause more harm than good to us. In my own experience, the first step to truly liberate yourself from something is genuine acceptance that this thing is not good for you. Ask help, find a support group, and decide to do what is good. Stick to your plan. It is difficult initially, like how a spacecraft fights gravity on take off, but with enough energy and effort it will break away from the force that is pulling it.

Break a bad habit (stop being a people pleaser, for example or shopping when you are depressed).

Start a good habit (smile for starters, and as they say, the whole world smiles with you).

And do not ever forget to congratulate yourself every step of the way.

:) I am smiling now! And I'll be happily doing it for 30 days! crossing my fingers here.

Image from this post taken from Flickr by Sepulture . Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

The Power in Goodbye

2010-04-26T07:48:00.001-07:00

Do you remember those personality tests, or whatever they are called, that we answer when applying for work? I am reminded of being asked "What is it that you fear most?" , and I answered,"Being lost". Come to think of it, the thing that bothers me the most is actually not feeling clueless in the middle of nowhere but being alone. That is why I hate goodbyes more than I'll ever hate feeling lost. At least being lost doesn't give you that senseless feeling of being lonely.
Anyway, I am not here to emphasize how dreadful goodbyes are (we have all experienced how terrible it could be) but to share with you what I have come to terms with myself lately.

I have lost a lot of people at a young age. I lost my father when I was 10, my two grandmas immediately right just after I became a young mother myself, my two grandfathers even before that, an aunt and an uncle in between, and my mother never really stayed that long enough because she was working abroad, now the man I am married to is also abroad. I lost a lot of people also that I have been close to, some as close to me as my own siblings, a few I have shared a bond no one could ever break or understand. But as they say, every hello has its goodbye...

The thing is I have been through all the things a person being left behind has been through. It is a sad and ugly feeling, and you wait for a salvation that seems not to come.

BUT, there is also power in goodbyes. After you have mourned any kind of lost, you pick up yourself and move on. You tell yourself there are better days ahead and you can make it on your own - that it is in your power to make yourself a happy person. And then, you get to know yourself more and appreciate the person that you really are. Being able to do all that is empowering.

Also, let me tell you that being in the left behind situation most of the time, created a fear in me not to disappoint people and not to be the one to say goodbye myself. The thing is, when it is right to say your goodbyes then do it. Delaying it will only cause more pain and resentment.

Thumbs up to everyone who are left behind,to those who left who are worth remembering, to those who have the courage to say goodbye, and to those who parted peacefully!

Image from this post taken from Flickr by Joanot. Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

Cutting Loose from the Past

2010-04-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Lately, I often find myself wondering where this life would take me. All of a sudden it hit me that there are only two things I must do. First, quiet down a while and pray for guidance. Second, when finally the inspiration or answer comes, I must not be afraid to take the first step.

When making a major life change, it may be difficult to let go of things and to get out of one's own comfort zone. But that is the only way we can grow and be independent. Growing up doesn't stop with being independent, but true maturity is tested with how we get along well with people or what we call interdependence.

For now, I am taking this time to learn and acknowledge the lessons from my past mistakes, to move on by cutting loose from the past (I do not live there anymore), and to brave new waves!

That said, I am committed to fulfilling my long abandoned dreams which are to finish my Master's Degree in Clinical Nutrition and to go back to hospital practice. And also to continue learning with whatever life throws my way and just be a much better person all the time.

Good luck to being the best you, everyone!

Disclaimer: If you think that at this point I am saying I have matured already, you are wrong. I still have a lot of growing up to do. What's good is I am slowly getting to know myself more and trying to be true to the person that is the real me.

Image from this post taken from Photosushi. Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

Listening to The Word Exposed

2010-04-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

For several weeks now, every Sunday I am tuned in to The Word Exposed on local TV ch5
to listen to the teachings of Bishop Chito Tagle. He is able to explain well what the Sunday Gospel is all about. He makes it conversational and thus easier to understand. Realizing that there are church leaders like him makes me even prouder to be a Catholic. Keep the faith alive!

If you would like to listen to Bishop Tagle, their Youtube link is here.

If you would like to add him at Facebook click on his profile here.

Finding the Courage to Dream Again and To Live Eventually

2010-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

I realized lately that:

Life is a natural process, so is love and how our relationships blossom; we only reap what we sow.

We must not cram our way through life (same goes for relationships and work). We must go through the whole process; step by step.

Make no room for quick fixes or artificial short-term success. Going through the necessary hard work and pain is necessary for us do develop patience and endurance so we can be ready for anything.

One must develop true integrity and character strength for long term endeavors.

Success thru goodness, diligence, and hard work is the only thing that brings true happiness.

If a journey begins with a single step, that first step is acceptance of oneself; and there the journey ends also.
000---000---000

In connection with the last line, I could now say that I am not infallible. I am not perfect either; but I am no longer a victim of my own weaknesses or circumstances.

For a few years now I gave up on my own dreams, the bad thing was people around me convinced me I was doing the right thing, and worse I believed the lie. I ended up with a lot of resentments, both for myself, my situation, and the people around me. I lay there procrastinating about my own life, hibernating, just waiting for something to happen as if things would work out to realize my plans for me (looking back I don’t even had a plan anymore). I acted sorry for myself, being a young mother of three and all alone, I left my own profession. The profession I worked so hard for when I was in college (I even graduated with honors from one of the best schools not only in my country but worldwide), the very same profession I was able to get a registration both in the Philippines and in United Kingdom (only as a Nutritionist, I was close to being able to pass my registration as a Dietician when I gave up on it also). Had I only stick to it long enough, I would’ve come a long way now.
But I gave up on all of them. I gave up on myself. For a while I convinced myself I am contented staying at home, then I tried to take the easy road and switched to an industry that gave me an instant job which turned out did more harm to me and my family than my original career. It took a great deal of courage and long days of reflection for me to admit that I need and must go back to realizing the dreams I have left behind. And I know that I need triple the courage to work on it now than before because I am not getting any younger, and there are more obstacles I have to get over; but what I have now is something I would never have had when I was younger.

It is the wisdom that I can make my dreams come true with patience, perseverance, a lot of hard work and faith, and to never let myself be a victim of my own circumstance. The belief that if I have a purpose in life, not only for my family but for my community as well. And that I can strike a balance between the two.

I believe that only by finding a purpose and realizing my dreams will I find the true joy of living.

000---000---000

I found a wonderful poem which talks about (well, for me) greeting every thing that comes to your life as something positive, whether they are good or bad; just think that something good will come out of it.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
for each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Rumi
The Guest House

© 2010 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Image from this post taken from Flickr by Digital Agent . Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

What is heaven to me without you?

2010-03-18T20:50:00.001-07:00

I was watching Fishbowl on channel 5 last Saturday when I heard this wonderful song sung by a group of students. The lyrics was so wonderful I believe it the best love verses ever written. The composition was based on Psalm 73. There are only a few lines I was able to memorize it says:

What is heaven to me without you?
Where am I on earth when you are not there?...
Far away from you, life is not life....

Does anyone know the complete lyrics of this song? If you do can you please write it on my comments page? And if you can find it in youtube can you please send me the link also? Many thanks in advance!

Image from this post taken from Flickr by Katarina 2353. Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

A Leap called Faith

2010-03-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine yourself bungee jumping or skydiving? Where you stake your life trusting only a piece of rope and lock or that thin piece of parachute to save you? Still if you are courageous enough you will take the leap right?

I can compare faith to that. And faith do require a lot of courage. A courage to begin, move on, continue and pursue, and to never ever quit.

When you find yourself at the crossroad or you're just stuck somewhere (as I find myself at increasing number this time), when you have thought out everything and felt like you have given it all and still it is not working, then maybe it is time to let go and just submit everything to faith and be joyful in hoping that it will be fixed in time.

I want to share with you this poem,from an anonymous writer, I have read recently which is about what it truly means to let go. Putting your trust or faith somewhere other than yourself won't be easy, especially for such a control freak as myself (who wants everything done the way I like it), but believe me eventually it will make you a lot happier and much saner person. 　

Let Go and Let God

As children bring their broken toys
with tears for us to mend,

I brought my broken dreams to God,
because He was my Friend.

But then, instead of leaving Him
in peace to work alone,

I hung around and tried to help
with ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How can you be so slow?"

"My child," He said, "what could I do?
You never did let go."

And never forget to smile when the going gets tougher than expected : )

Image from this post taken from Flickr by RebeccaAcoustic. Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

A Lesson Learned from the story of the Good Samaritan

2010-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most told parables of Jesus was the story of the Good Samaritan. I lost count of how many times I have heard that story and I thought, as most people do, that the moral it is as simple as extending charity to people we do not know, those who are strangers to us, and even to those we consider enemies. As I grow mature in thinking (well, partly) I realized there is a much deeper meaning the story wants to impart.

It is a story about sharing, but more importantly it shows that we must learn about setting boundaries when helping others.

If you could remember what the Good Samaritan did for the poor man (Luke 10:25-37) he did what he could to save the man (he bound up his wounds, took him to an inn, paid for the stay, basically provided him his needs for the moment), and he stayed with him for a while. Nevertheless, came the next morning, he continued on the journey that he was set to do *never forget your responsibilities and obligations).

When we find it in our power to help another person, we must not hold that back. But we must also be discerning up to where or how much of ourselves we can give to another. We must not be naive as to give more than we should. As they say, it is better to teach a man how to fish and to never ever give to the dogs what is for the master. Also, never ever forget your priorities.

As we extend our hands to help, we must first examine our motives as to why we are doing it. At the same time, question if our involvement will be for the better good. Even good deeds has their limitations. Although I believe that people has innate kindness in them, we are still imperfect. There will always be people who will take advantage of other's goodness. And in the end, you might be doing more harm than good both to yourself and the people involve.

Lesson learned: Watch out and remember that we must apply discipline and reason together with charity.

Learning Obedience the Hard Way

2010-03-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of things my mom asked me to do that if I was only sensible enough to follow might have saved me from a lot of trouble. For example, she told me to cut that stupid gold credit card in half way before I received those nasty threats from debt collectors. This is just the least of those things…Anyway, some of us are born stubborn and some are just plain slow learners in life, and that includes me. You know the song Buses and Trains? Before I used to ignore the lyrics of that song and just liked the tune. But now I can feel firsthand what it meant when it said “ I walked under a bus, got hit by a train…I’ve sunked out at sea, crashed my car, gone insane…”

Anyway, we do learn obedience from how we suffered. And I know that now. I was used to following the rules but lately I learned to question them. Now I know that the first thing you need to learn before obedience is trust- trust in the wisdom of the people who loves you, trust in the teachings of God. When you want to be truly happy you have to make the right choices and believe in a greater power who has a plan for you. You may not understand His plans for you at the moment but in time they will gel. And in time we will see that He is taking us in the right direction.

We just have to trust him and obey; and one way of obeying Him is obeying our parents. Make the right decision today. Remember it is harder to break bad habits tomorrow.

Image from this post taken from Flickr by Amore de Mae II. Click on the photo to follow link to the original site. Thanks!

No excuses for laziness..just write, write, write...

2009-12-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

To keep myself writing again, I bought 3 thought boxes from a local store. Each with a different theme, where I can draw one note from every day so I can at least have something to write about in the mean time. I'll be compiling the three topics under one column here titled "Out of the Box". But of course, I will still be updating Fresh Scoops, Mother Thoughts and Word Prompts as often as I can. Crossing my fingers to that,..

So here goes my first draw...

Out of the Box

Something to do:

"Read Poetry and let it feed your soul"

Strength and Comfort for Life's trials:

"The cross is the ladder to heaven"

Query:

"If you could spend parts of the year in another city, what city would it be?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the first one, it says read poetry, but I will deviate from the usual classics today and opt for something lighter like a song. Well, I'll choose something from Jewel.

In this song you could feel the pangs of regret biting through after a lost. Always in the end there is just one question you would ask yourself, "can I have done something more?"...So don't take anything for granted.

Everything Breaks Sometime -- Jewel

Under the shadows, forbidden and hot
Desire grows, more often than not

I'm sorry's a stupid thing to say
Especially considering it's not like I planned it this way

But I'm sorry is all that there is left of me
I'm so sorry this love left me hollow and made you empty

Maybe I could have loved you better
Maybe you should have loved me more
Maybe our hearts were just next in line
Maybe everything breaks sometime
Everything breaks sometime

It's hard to believe it's boiled down to this
It seems so surreal this won't be healed by a kiss
It's hard to stare at you knowing you like I have
I used to feel so close, now I feel so bad

My heart's filled with thunderstorms and I'm ready to burst
And I've lost my favorite harbor and I'll weather for the worst

Maybe I could have loved you better
Maybe you should have loved me more
Maybe our hearts were just next in line
Maybe everything breaks sometime
Everything breaks sometime
I'm so sorry,
Everything breaks sometime

000---000---000

The cross is the ladder to heaven definitely. We must bear our own crosses, in whatever we have set upon to do. It is the only way for true happiness and fulfillment.

000---000---000

I would go to Prague! I just can't explain it but there is something that draws me to that city. It's like a great place to become artistic and creative.

Remembering Dori

2009-10-25T05:53:00.000-07:00

You know what I like about watching animation flicks? They are really more mature than what they appear to be. Most of the things I've learned in life, I learned from watching Disney films...not kidding!

And out of the many characters I have know and seen if I could be someone I would be Dory (Finding Nemo). I'm more like the Marlin type of person; always worrying that something bad is going to happen and very untrusting. I would like to be Dory with her blunders and short-term memory loss and all. She is just one happy fish.

Some of the things she said in the movie I can't forget:

Marlin: How do you know that nothing bad won't happen?
Dory: I don't.

Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory: [continuing] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim you want to swim.
Marlin: Now I'm stuck with that song... Now it's in my head.
Dory: Sorry.

Marlin: I promised I'd never let anything happen to him.
Dory: Hmm. That's a funny thing to promise.
Marlin: What?
Dory: Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo.

Marlin: What did it say? What did the mask say?
Dory: P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.
[gasps]
Dory: I remembered what it said! I usually forget things, but I remembered it that time! P. Sherman, 4...
Marlin: Wait! What does that mean?
Dory: I don't know. But who cares! Ha ha! I remembered! P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. I remembered it again!

Marlin: [Dory and Marlin are in pitch darkness looking for the mask] Dory, do you see anything?
Dory: Ahh! Something's got me!
Marlin: That's just me. I'm sorry.
Dory: Who's that?
Marlin: [exasperated] Who's that? Who else would it be? It's me!
Dory: Are... are you my conscience?
Marlin: [sighs] Yes, I'm your conscience. We haven't spoken for a while. How are you?
Dory: Eh, can't complain.
Marlin: Good. Now, Dory, do you see anything?
Dory: [angler fish's light approaches] Yes, I see... a light. Hey, conscience, am I dead?
Marlin: No, I see it too.

Dory: [At the entrance to the trench] Come on, let's go.
Marlin: No, no, no! Bad trench, bad trench! Come on, we're swimming over this thing.
Dory: Whoa, partner. Little red flag going up. Something tells me we should go through it, not over it.
Marlin: Are you even looking at this thing? It's got death written all over it!
Dory: I'm sorry, but I really, really, really think we should go through it.
Marlin: And I'm really, really done talking about this. Over we go.
Dory: Come on, trust me on this one.
Marlin: Trust you?
Dory: Yes, trust. It's what friends do.

It's been too long i almost forgot my log in details

2009-10-25T05:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry, sorry, sorry... can't say sorry enough for being too busy (I know that is not a good excuse)that i do not have enough time to blog. Or should i blame it on writer's block??? I'm just so out of my usual writer self so lately; so absorbed with something else. Anyway, just a few things I would like to share because I can not think of something else right now (see, writer's block?!). Here are excerpts from my two newest posts from my other blog.

just a piece of advice to anyone who needs it (like myself), always always think twice before saying something, because the tongue really is a killing machine. My mantra lately: Hold your tongue and keep your composure.

Live well guys!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I could have only one thing it would be…

If I could have only one thing in this life it would be happiness… The kind of bliss that gives you peace of mind. For years I have been blindly searching for that something or someone that would make me feel complete and contented. And this life, as I see it today, has been only been kind and generous. It has given me pieces of that something yet I fail to appreciate them all. If I am miserable there is no one else to blame except my self and my failure to see blessings at the tip of my nose. I hope I haven’t come to this realization late.

Happiness is a choice says someone I know. And I choose to be happy now; as happy as happiness is. Whatever happens…

Peyton Conway March:

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life — happiness, freedom, and peace of mind — are always attained by giving them to someone else.

Martha Washington:

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.

Mohandas K. Gandhi:

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Nathaniel Hawthorne:

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

Norman MacEwan:

Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Margaret Bonnano:

It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis.

Mark Twain:

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.

Mark Twain:

Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.

Leo Buscaglia:

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.

Helen Keller:

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.

Helen Keller:

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller:

Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Henry David Thoreau:

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.

H.H. the Dalai Lama:

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.

Eric Hoffer:

You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make you happy.

Felix Adler:

The truth which has made us free will in the end make us glad also.

Brother David Steindl-Rast :

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.

Buddha:

Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.

Aristotle:

Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient

Anne Frank:

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

Anne Frank:

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Allan K. Chalmers:

The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Amy Lowell:

Happiness: We rarely feel it.
I would buy it, beg it, steal it,
Pay in coins of dripping blood
For this one transcendent good.

========================================================

In continuation of the previous post I have written, I know that there is no way for me to be truly happy but to change my perspectives and the way I see things in life…

I need to embrace change and have faith that at the end of it all I’ll be able to see life in all its precious colors. Life is still beautiful. Tough times never last…

in saying...
“Unless you are prepared to give up something valuable you will never be able to truly change at all, because you’ll be forever in the control of things you can’t give up.” - Andy Law, Creative Company

“There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”
— Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince (1532)

“There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it often a comfort to shift one’s position and be bruised in a new place.”

— Washington Irving
Tales of a Traveler (1824)

We would rather be ruined than changed,
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.

— W. H. Auden

“Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn’t all bad — not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life — to keep us moving … to keep us growing … to keep us interested . … Imagine life without change. It would be static … boring … dull.”

— Dr. Dennis O’Grady
in Bottom Line - Personal

“Everybody has accepted by now that change is unavoidable. But that still implies that change is like death and taxes — it should be postponed as long as possible and no change would be vastly preferable. But in a period of upheaval, such as the one we are living in, change is the norm.”

— Peter Drucker
Management Challenges for the 21st Century (1999)

“When we see the need for deep change, we usually see it as something that needs to take place in someone else. In our roles of authority, such as parent, teacher, or boss, we are particularly quick to direct others to change. Such directives often fail, and we respond to the resistance by increasing our efforts. The power struggle that follows seldom results in change or brings about excellence. One of the most important insights about the need to bring about deep change in others has to do with where deep change actually starts.”

— Robert E. Quinn

“The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

— Abraham Lincoln
December 1, 1862 in Message to Congress

I just love that line "... think anew, act anew."

Korean Girl Groups: Wonder Girls and 2NE1

2009-08-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

First, there was the explosion of Koreanovelas this side of Asia (('m in the Philippines by the way), now it is their music dominating the airwaves here. Anyway, I like their songs and the fashion style - wow! Very upbeat and every dose as pop as these girls are. I am liking these two girl groups now. And I find my self well singing korean with the lyrics I searched from the web (okay, so I'm guilty of looking for English translations too, shoot me!).Next thing we'll know we will be speaking Koreans, instead of them learning to speak English here.hmmm... Enjoy!

2NE1 - I Don't Care

2NE1 - I Don't Care (unplugged)

Wonder Girls - Nobody (Off. Music Video-US release)

Wonder Girls - Nobody

Wonder Girls - Tell Me

© 2009 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

A Week of Resemblances

2009-08-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Fresh Scoop

Some of the week's most interesting news:

The Big Ben in straws! To celebrate London's most famous landmark's 150th year, a field in Cheshire England displays a straw replica of the Big Ben(right) in a field. Kind of looks like it huh? Minus the River Thames and The House of Parliament of course.

The world's crookedest street(right), Lombard St., in San Francisco was turned into a real-life, gigantic version of the board game Candy Land.

The emperor tamarin twin monkeys, Lara and Lucy, are orphaned in The Denver Zoo after their mother died of cancer. This species of primates was said to resemble German Emperor Wilhelm II (can you see?) hence the name. Mutual grooming is said to play an important role in their development that is why their care takers from the zoo are making sure they don't miss on it. See the picture here?

© 2009 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Fall Fashion from Elle

2009-08-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

The latest trend to wear for Fall is here:

Russian Inspired

How to wear the trend? Here's how.

Sixties Style

Sixties Style Tips.

80's

Fashion Tip from Marc Jacobs collection.

Modern Americana

Here's what Modern Americana is.

Lingerie-Inspired

Here's how to wear it and watch the slideshow here.

Slouchy Fashion

Read the article here.

Things I have learned so far...

2009-08-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry blogger friendlies for being absent for some time. I attended a training, and I am in a new one again. But do not worry, I'll try to blog more often now and will be visiting your blogs too soon, which I missed a lot. For my first post, after quite some time, let me share with you the lessons in my life I have been contemplating so far. I hope that you will get a thing or two from my list. Have a good life y'all.

Things I have learned so far...

The best things come to people who wait patiently and to those who take the initiative.
Surround yourself with happy people. Their energy is contagious.
Do something everyday that will make you proud of yourself.
It may take time for your affirmations to come true, but believe they will.
Do Not Give Up.
Start small, finish big.
Make eye contact.
Walk with your head held high.
Speak as if you want the whole world to listen to what you are saying.
Finish the Day and be done with it. Tomorrow is a new day.
Act confidently; even if you have to fake it before you make it.
Sit straight.
Meet new people.
Make friends. Do not descriminate and judge people.
Pick a role model and be one.
Banish self-consciousness.
Forget about pleasing others.
Be kind to yourself.
Say sorry.
Forgive. Let go of things that drain the life out of you.
Make the best out of yourself. It is the only thing you really have.
Remember: You are wonderful and one-of-a-kind.
Smile:)
Thank people for compliments and be generous in giving compliments.
Help. Ask for help.
Walk.
Go out and face new challenges.
Learn more about yourself.
Stay positive.
Be honest.
Read a good book.
Cultivate a sense of humor. Laugh more!
Do not beat yourself up.
Learn a new craft or hobby.
Sing.
Push yourself to the limits. Never settle for less.
Do not run away from what scares you.
Explore.
Listen to music.
Listen to what others say. Respect their opinion even if you do not agree with them.
Be responsible.
Pay your bills on time.
Eat well. Take your vitamins. Drink plenty of water.
Own your life.
Be open to change.
Keep in contact with your friends and loved ones.
Be creative.
Remember that problems have their solutions. Do not be anxious.
Pray. Have Faith.
Hope for good things to come.
Always TRY. Do not be afraid of failing.
Do not hurry all the time.
BREATHE.
Take time to enjoy the little things in life.
Count your blessings.
Relax. Have fun.
Believe that life is beautiful.
LOVE. Love passionately.
Carry a piece of sunshine in your heart and brave the storms!

© 2009 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

One more for all the mothers out there

2009-05-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

To every woman who has the toughest and most rewarding job in the world: Happy Mother's Day!
Celebrate and Enjoy!
Yeah, hear us R-O-A-R!!!

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."- Jewish Proverbs

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden,fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving

"A man who has been the indisputable favorite of his mother keeps for life the feeling of a conqueror, that confidence of success that often induces real success."
-Sigmund Freud

"Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life."
-Sophocles

"Womanliness means only motherhood;
All love begins and ends there."
-Robert Browning

"The biggest lesson we have to give our children is truth."
-Goldie Hawn

"Love and respect are the most important aspects of parenting, and of all relationships."
-Jodie Foster

"Self-reliance is the greatest gift a parent can give a child."
-Author Unknown

"Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see."
-Pope Paul VI

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

Mother Thoughts

"I affirm my profound belief that God's greatest creation is womanhood. I also believe that there is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."
- James E. Faust, April 1993 General Conference

Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see.
Pope Paul VI

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries. ~T. DeWitt Talmage

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends - but only one mother in the whole world. ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

Women do not have to sacrifice personhood if they are mothers. They do not have to sacrifice motherhood in order to be persons. Liberation was meant to expand women's opportunities, not to limit them. The self-esteem that has been found in new pursuits can also be found in mothering.~Elaine Heffner

At work, you think of the children you have left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself. Your heart is rent.~Golda Meir

Happy Mother's Day to every woman who has the most gratifying job in the world!

Fresh Scoops

World's Cleanest Countries according to Forbes.com

Most of the countries included are from Europe (14 out of the 20 top environmental performance) with the US lagging behind.

Topping the list is Switzerland.

I found another article from Newsweek about one couple's cyber romance "A Geek Love Story". It talks about how cyberspace is changing people's view on love, relationship and lust.

Manny Paquiao Stuns Ricky Hatton (yeah,and well everyone else)

2009-05-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

Okey, if you need the blow by blow account about today's fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton I suggest you read the news or watch it on you tube. I know everyone should be blogging about this right now but still, I just want to say I'm proud to be Pinoy (how many chances are we given to say that again and again right?!) after watching Manny Pacquio bring down Ricky Hatton on the 2nd round (Hatton literally ended up on his back)! As my brother said, "parang diretso na sa ataul nya" (like dropping dead straight to a coffin).

That was the best the fighter the West can give? Come on! (I do pity the white guy though, he was struck dumb. Did you see how his eyes rolled before he got conscious again?) That's boxing, I guess.

Anyway, wave your flags everyone, with three stars and a sun!

A Lesson on Assertiveness

2009-04-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

A former teacher, who also happened to be one of the most accomplished woman I know, taught us that assertiveness is something women should have more of. I guess she is right. So as I was browsing the net a while ago and found this article I thought it might be good to share this article with you. Anyway, we can practice being more self-confident and self-assured especially at rough times like this when aggressiveness will take you a long way. So, am I saying goodbye to my shy old self? Hmm...it may take time but I'll do it a step at a time.

Would you benefit from assertiveness training? Take this mini-test…
Complete the following statements by answering with: (A) Always (B) Frequently (C) Sometimes (D) Rarely (E) Never
1) I stand up for my own needs.
2) I feel I deserve to be heard.
3) I believe I have a right to my own feelings and opinions.
4) I share those feelings and opinions with others.
5) I ask for what I want and need.
6) I am able to say “no” when I do not want to do something.
7) I am afraid it will seem selfish if I express my feelings or opinions.

If you answered C, D, or E to most of questions 1-6, and/or answered A or B to question 7, read on – because you’ll likely benefit from assertiveness training.

9 Tips for Improving Your Communication Skills

Here are some useful strategies for increasing assertive communication. You may want to practice with a trusted friend to build your confidence.

1. Use assertive language. Use “I” statements so that others know what you are thinking and feeling. For example, instead of saying, “You are ignoring me!” you could say, “I feel hurt when you watch television when I’m trying to speak to you.”

2. Be clear in asking for what you want. For example, if you are going to the movies and picking up a friend who has a reputation for being late, you could say, “I really want to get there for the previews, so please be ready to go at 7 o’clock.”

3. Speak up if you are overlooked. For example, if you are waiting in line at the grocery store and someone steps in front of you, it is okay to say, “Excuse me, I’m not sure if you saw me, but I was in line ahead of you.”

4. Do not apologize for your feelings. Do not apologize when you have not done anything wrong.

5. Do not take responsibility for someone else’s behavior.

6. Repeat your request, if you are not satisfied that you have been heard.

7. Express yourself calmly, taking deep breaths if you need to. Avoid insults and accusations. For example, instead of saying, “You are so stubborn, you never listen to me!” you could say, “I feel frustrated when you interrupt me, so please just listen for a moment.”

8. Listen to others’ points of viewl-but remember that you do not have to agree with their opinion or do what they are asking.

9. Offer to compromise, when appropriate.

Being assertive takes time and practice. Your skill and ease will increase over time, so be patient with yourself! If you follow the steps above, you are well on your way to developing assertive communication.

Link to the Original Article here.

Solar City

2009-04-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Fresh Scoops
It is possible that small cities of the future are powered by solar energy. In Babcock Ranch Florida, USA, they are making this possibility a reality. It is a community conceptualize to run from solar panels and be entirely free from fossil fuel use. The city plan looks beautiful and it helps the environment it becomes even more commendable. I wish to live in one of cities like this in the future. Maybe the energy bill wouldn't cost as much as they do today. Let us all hope so.

Color Coordinate Your Wardrobe

2009-04-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Do you want to dress effortlessly without the hassle of being a color-overload? Well, the first thing I found out I need to know about dressing up is how to color coordinate. Here's a few tips I want to share:

Color Matching Combinations for Clothing

Baby pink: browns, tan, mint green, olive green, gray, turquoise
Dark pink (fuschia): gray, tan, yellows, lime green, mint green, browns
Tomato red: baby blue, mint green, creamy white, gray
Cherry red: blues, gray, pale orange, pale yellow
Light brown: pale yellow, creamy white, blues, greens, purples, reds
Dark brown: lemon yellow, baby blue, mint green, baby purple, lime green
Tan: baby pink, dark brown, blues, greens, purples
Pale orange: gray, browns, forest green
Dark orange: pale yellow, forest green, browns, cherry red
Lemon yellow: cherry red, browns, blues, gray
Pale yellow: fuschia, gray, browns, tan, reds, blues, purples
Golden yellow: gray, browns, blues, reds, black
Lime green: tan, browns, pinks, dark orange, navy blue, gray
Forrest green: oranges, light brown, tan
Olive green: tan, browns, grays, creamy white, black,
Mint green: brown, gray, navy blue, reds, gray, tan
Turquoise: fuschia, cherry red, tan, browns, creamy white, dark purple
Electric blue: golden yellow, tan, light brown, gray or silver
Baby blue: reds, gray, browns, dark orange
Navy blue: baby purple, tan, brown, gray, yellows, oranges, greens, reds, pale colors
Baby purple: dark orange, dark purple, olive green
Dark purple: tan, pale yellow, gray, turquoise, mint green, pale orange

Next thing we should do is sort out our clothes and group them according to colors. We can paste the list we have above on our closet to help us better pair our clothes next time, fast and simple!

Things to remember:

Color Wheel:

The color wheel shows how colors are related. The color wheel includes the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Color wheels help artists remember how to mix and think about colors

Complementary colors: On a standard color wheel, they are the colors opposite each other (red/green, yellow/blue). They look good together and compliment each other.

Analogous Colors: Colors located next to each other on the color wheel such as red, orange and yellow or red violet, red, and red orange.

Warm and Cool Colors

There are certain colors that compliment your skin tone: such as warm colors match warm skin tone (with yellow undertones) and cool colors (with bluish undertone) complement cool skin tone.

To find out what your skin tone is:

Look at the veins in the underside of your wrist. If they appear green your skin tone is warm. If they are bluish, you have a cool skin tone.

Some have natural or balanced skin tone which looks good in almost any color.

Warm colors consist of red, orange, yellow, and anything in between.

They are called warm because they remind you of a sun or fire
Warm colors seem to come out at you in space

Cool colors consist of blue, green, purple and anything in between.

They are called cool because they remind you of cool earth or a cold creek.
Cool colors seem to recede from you in space

Neutral Colors:Black and White and shades in between (gray). Monochromatic neutrals have a brownish color to them (khaki).

Try this online site which provides a color wheel you can use to personally color coordinate www.colorschemedesigner.com or try the elements of art website.

Lego statue, marshmallow hat, pay for housewifes,and becoming

2009-04-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

Since I am moving all my blogs here, my post format will almost always look like this one.
Hope you'll like it!

Fresh Scoops
WHERE THE SUM IS GREATER THAN ITS PARTS, they prove it!

This statue of Jesus Christ which stands at a church in Sweden is made out of Lego bricks totaling to 30,000 pieces and was constructed after more than a year. Cool!

A hat made out of marshmallow at the Easter Parade in New York. Yummy!

Mother Thoughts

"Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family. But here again, because there is nothing to sell, there is a very general disposition to regard a married woman's work as no work at all, and to take it as a matter of course that she should not be paid for it."
- George Bernard Shaw

I wonder, when will the state ever pay us, stay-at-home moms? Okey, let's not call it pay but benefits (because when we started getting paid for raising our kids, it'll rub off the glory of motherhood right?) But then again, the government shouldn't forget our contribution to the economy and should otherwise give more benefits to stay at home mothers so we can better support our children. Did I hear anyone say yea?!

Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Exercise: Use your dictionary to find a new word to be use as your writing prompt.

My dictionary writing prompt today would be becoming.

becoming: adjective,

Appropriate, suitable, or proper.
Pleasing or attractive to the eye.

Read how to do this exercise from From eHow.com

Here is the result of my exercise:

Becoming

At the end of the cold stony road,
the human spirit mingles with joy.
As struggles breathe life to the living,
pain and death wakes us to existence.
When people grab fear and let go,
that's when men finally understood
that the reason we are here
is for our own becoming.

© 2009 Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo. All Rights Reserved.

Genes that can turn Carbohydrates to Fat

2009-04-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

A team of researchers discovered a gene in the liver called DNA-PK which regulates the conversion of carbohydrates into fats.

In an experiment using mice, which has the same genetic make-up as humans, scientists disabled this type of gene. As it turned out, the mice became leaner even if the same amount of carbohydrates were given them.

"We hope that this research will one day help people eat bread, pasta and rice and not worry about getting fat," Roger Wong, a graduate student who worked on the study, said in a statement.

The team of scientists hope that the research will contribute to the fight against obesity.

Control Overspending

2009-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

It helps to be reminded of this:

Be assured that it gives much more pain to the mind to be in debt, than to do without any article whatever which we may seem to want.
-(Thomas Jefferson in letter to his daughter)

Yo can read this article on "Teaching Kids about Money".

Robots That Can Think for Themselves?

2009-04-10T03:46:00.000-07:00

Researchers from United Kingdom (Aberystwyth University, Wales) said they had created machines that could reason, formulate theories and discover scientific knowledge on their own, marking a major advance in the field of artificial intelligence.

Also known as robo-scientists, they may be the future of researchers in the field of medicine and other sciences. They are currently designed to work unraveling complex biological systems, designing new drugs, modeling the world's climate or understanding the cosmos.

Adam, as they appropriately named the first of this kind of robots has already made an independent discovery, specifically the genetic make-up of baker's yeast. It is said that Adam can also reason out the result and plan on the next experiment.

The next robot will be named Eve, and is expected to have more brain power and will search for new medicines. (Even robots state the obvious I suppose, just kidding!)

Amazing? Yes! Unexpected? I guess not.

Letting Go

2009-04-09T02:03:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that keeping all those 5 blogs is excruciating, so I'm finally letting go of them hu-hu-hu :( and will be importing all my blog posts here. I'm glad to say that this is my new home. Finally settling down!

Please feel free to browse my archive for older but still interesting posts or explore my blog using the labels. Bear with me people! hehehe !

A Video Game for Kids that Promotes Non-Violence

2009-04-08T03:25:00.001-07:00

Amidst growing concerns posed by violent computer and on-line games to kids' psychological development, a team of scientists and game developers formulated a game that on the other hand is said to teach conflict resolution.

The game is called "Cool School - Where Peace Rules". It's a role playing game in which kids are apparently faced with playground and classroom conflicts and are rewarded when they resolve the conflict positively and peacefully.

The game can be downloaded for free at Curriki just search for "cool school".

I guess it doesn't hurt to try this game.

A Video Game for Kids that Promotes Non-Violence

2009-04-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

A Guideline in Helping Children Build Self Esteem

2009-04-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

From a handout given by The Family Center, this is a helpful guideline meant to help parents build their child's self-esteem. As parents we are being asked the following:

I encourage my child more than I criticize him.
I try to avoid comparing my child with others.
I treat my child as politely as I do company and friends.
I look into my child's eyes when he speaks to me.
I try to treat my child as a special and unique person.
I spend some time each day with my child.
I introduce my child to visitors by name.
I try to touch(hug,kiss) my child each day.
I accept my child even if he does something I do not like.
I accept my child's friends.

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Self-esteem: Having a high opinion of one's self.
Being comfortable with the way you are.
Being able to like your self.
Being in control of your inner thoughts in a positive way.

The Road To Success is Always Under Construction.

2009-04-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

A Motivational Poem
The Road To Success is Always Under Construction
by Author Unknown

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way.
Life is not so much a matter of position as of disposition.
The best vitamin for making friends, B-1.
If you don't care where you're going any road will get you there.
A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.
He who throws mud loses ground.
Nobody raises his own reputation by lowering others.
Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
Ideas won't work unless you do.
The future is purchased by the present.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
Lost time is never found again.
A hard thing about business is minding your own.
Triumph is just "umph" added to try.
Caution is not cowardly, Carelessness is not courage.
He who forgives ends the quarrel.
Children need more models than critics.
Frogs have it easy, They can eat what bugs them.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime.
If the going gets easy you may be going downhill.
Dieters - People that are thick and tired of it.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
The best labor saving device is doing it tomorrow.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
Failure is the path of least persistence.
Hard work is the yeast that raises the dough.
Patience is counting down without blasting off.
Have a backbone not a wishbone.
Some folks won't look up until they are flat on their backs.
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
Friend - One who knows all about you and likes you just the same.
Money talks and often just says, "Good-bye".
Birds have bills too and they keep on singing.
Forbidden fruit is responsible for many a bad jam.
God's retirement plan is out of this world.
A good example is the best sermon.
The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice.
Well done! is better than, Well said!
Minds are like parachutes - they function only when open.
Live as you wish your kids would.
Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion.
If you can laugh at it then you can live with it.
People don't fail, they give up.
When looking for faults use a mirror, not a telescope.
Smile, it takes only 13 muscles; A frown takes 64.
Kindness, a language deaf people can hear and blind can see.
Heaviest thing to carry - a grudge. A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
A small leak can sink a great ship.
You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails.
We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.
Tact is the ability to see others as they wish to be seen.
A bad conscience has a very good memory.
Hug your kids at home - Belt them in the car. One thing you can give and still keep - is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
If you must cry over spilled milk then please try to condense it.
Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
Make friends before you need them.
It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Success is … more attitude than aptitude.
Our favorite attitude should be gratitude.
The greatest of all faults is to imagine you have none.
Too many of us speak twice before we think.
Some people develop eye strain looking for trouble.
Everyone has 20/20 hindsight.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.
It is no crime not to be perfect.
If others have sinned you need not mention it.
No man knows less than the man who knows it all.
Patience carries a lot of wait.
One who lacks courage to start has already finished.
A quitter never wins, A winner never quits.
Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.
Break a bad habit - Drop it.
Don't learn safety rules simply by accident.
Failing to prepare We prepare to fail.
Past failures are guideposts for future success.
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm.
If your dreams turn to dust…vacuum.
Money is a good servant but is a cruel master.
Seek joy in what you give not in what you get.
Procrastination is the thief of time.
Success comes in cans Failure comes in can'ts.
Anger is one letter short of danger Greatest remedy for anger is delay.
2/3 of promotion is motion.
Having a sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

Batteries made from viruses?

2009-04-06T03:04:00.000-07:00

In search of alternative sources of energy, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are turning culprits into heroes. In the future we might be seeing cellphones and even cars powered by batteries engineered by viruses.

"MIT researchers are relying on viruses to build futuristic low cost batteries that will power cars, cellphones and other electronic devices.

These new 'viral' batteries will match the most advanced versions being considered to power plug-in hybrid cars, besides powering electronic devices, said Angela Belcher, the MIT materials scientist who led the research team."

A Lesson from Desiderata

2009-04-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

Desiderata is a poem by Max Ehrmann which speaks about attaining true happiness in life. Desiderata means "things that are yearned for" or "desired things" in Latin.

I like the poem because it teaches us that the true path to happiness stems from desiring the right and essential things in life. It says that happiness can be found for example in being in good terms with people, listening to others, being yourself, not being cynical about love, being at peace with God and your soul,...

I read this poem everytime I feel like losing my moral compass and I want to share it with you. Hope you'll love it as much as I do.

-- written by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

What's up with this Salmonella Outbreak?

2009-03-31T05:14:00.000-07:00

First they swipe the racks clean off with peanut butter, now it's pistachios that the US FDA is banning. The reason they say is salmonella contamination.

What is salmonella and why is it causing such a rage?

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes most food-borne infections.

Sources of Salmonella Infection:

Unclean foodstuffs, particularly in institutional kitchens and restaurants,
Excretions from either sick or infected but apparently clinically healthy people and animals (especially endangered are caregivers and animals),
Polluted surface water and standing water (such as in shower hoses or unused water dispensers),
Unhygienically thawed fowl (the meltwater contains many bacteria),
Raw eggs from Salmonella-infected fowl (the Salmonella can be on the eggshell as well as in the egg mass).

And according to US FDA now the list includes peanut butter and pistachios (possibly they say as a warning to consumers).

What are the symptoms of Salmonella Infection?

Most people experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 8 to 72 hours after the contaminated food was eaten. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually disappear within 4 to 7 days.

How can we prevent salmonella infection?

CLEAN: Wash Hands and Surfaces Often

Wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling pets.
Wash utensils, cutting boards, dishes, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next item.
Consider using paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.

SEPARATE: Don't Cross-contaminate

Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Always wash cutting boards, dishes, countertops, and utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

COOK: Cook to Safe Temperatures
Use a clean food thermometer when measuring the internal temperature of meat, poultry, casseroles, and other foods to make sure they have reached a safe minimum internal temperature:

Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops to 145 °F.
All cuts of pork to 160 °F.
Ground beef, veal and lamb to 160 °F.
Egg dishes, casseroles to 160 °F.
All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
Stuffed poultry is not recommended. Cook stuffing separately to 165 °F.
Leftovers to 165 °F.
Fish should reach 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
Bring sauces, soups, and gravy to a boil when reheating.
Reheat other leftovers thoroughly to at least 165 °F.

CHILL: Refrigerate Promptly

Keep food safe at home, refrigerate promptly and properly. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 90 °F).
Freezers should register 0 °F or below and refrigerators 40 °F or below.
Thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Foods should not be thawed at room temperature. Foods thawed in the microwave or in cold water must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature before refrigerating.
Marinate foods in the refrigerator.
Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers for quick cooling in the refrigerator.
Don't pack the refrigerator. Cool air must circulate to keep food safe.

Source: CDC website

What to do if you suspect you have any food borne infection?

You should consult with your physician and bring a ready fecal sample for examination. In the meantime to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids/clean drinking water.

The Sweet Brigaderio and Neno's Award

2009-03-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

I really don't understand the text written on the award but Richard of Dreamworks, who passed it to me explained that it is a tribute to those who love blogging a forming friendships across blogosphere.

So, in receiving this award I am expected to:
(Aim of the award: As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.)
* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!
* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it
* Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
* Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
* Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

(plus list the rules written here for tagging)

The Sweet Brigaderio Award and Neno's Award

and Neno's Award

Why do I love blogging? Honestly, it gives me a sense of fulfillment knowing there is a place where I can fully express my ideas and share them. Plus the perks of using information technology, getting creative, and meeting new people. What more can you ask for right? (For others, blogging has also become a source of income which is good and something I look forward to.)

I'm passing this tag to
my newest followers: De Wi, kalpana gupta, kizuna, greener bangalore, vancouver canada.

Been out for a while, done procrastinating!

2009-03-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

I've been my usual procrastinating self again for the last few weeks, yeah sadly... Been out for a while reading of my must read books (I'm done with the twilight saga and now officially a Team Jacob member,hehehe). Next reading is the eragon series (whew!). I finished training a few weeks ago for technical support, I passed, but will have to wait until the 13th of this April to work (as indicated in the contract baka magbago na naman ang date kainis!).

Anyway, to you guys who oftentimes find themselves doing more of thinking than acting on to get what you want in life take my advice and take your butt off the couch! Take the leap of faith and be counted! Take action, wag tatamad tamad! hehehe!

Here's an article I posted in my other blog some time ago when I thought I was done procrastinating. I like to share it with you, hoping to make an impact. Good luck!

Quotes About Procrastination

”The trouble is that you think you have time.” --Jack Kornfield

"Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count." --Robert Anthony

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." --William James

"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting of until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday." --Napoleon Hill

”Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible.” -- George Claude Lorimer

"Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the "someday I'll" philosophy." --Denis Waitley

"Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy." --Wayne Dyer

"Know the true value of time! Snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." --Lord Chesterfield Stanhope

"The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you've made up your mind--jump in." --Charles R. Swindoll

"It was my fear of failure that first kept me from attempting the master work. Now, I'm beginning what I could have started ten years ago. But I'm happy at least that I didn't wait twenty years." --Paulo Coelho

”You may delay, but time will not.” --Benjamin Franklin

"The really happy people are those who have broken the chains of procrastination, those who find satisfaction in doing the job at hand. They're full of eagerness, zest, productivity. You can be, too." --Norman Vincent Peale

"Don't fool yourself that important things can be put off till tomorrow; they can be put off forever, or not at all." --Mignon McLaughlin

"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment." --Robert Benchley

Spring Trend 2009 - The Jumpsuit

2009-03-03T03:58:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend #11 - The Jumpsuit

Tips:

Look for soft yet tailored cuts.
Cinch at the waist, or cuff at the legs; do not accessorize.
Wear with strappy sandals.
Jumpsuits are made to hug the body so wear a color that flatters your figure and fits you well (not something that may crack when you sit down).

(Ralph Lauren)

(Derek Lam)

(Proenza Shouler)

Topless Coffee Shop

2009-03-02T19:50:00.001-08:00

In Maine USA, Paul Crabtree owner of the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop, seems to be profiting from his newly opened business. As to what prompted him to venture in this kind of business he said, "I know what people want. People like nudity, and coffee is profitable. Sure, I'd start a coffee shop, but I'd be out of work in a week." Brilliant? Well sort of but more of a bold person I think!

As of the moment it was reported that he hired 10 women and five men (out of more than a hundred applicants) to serve as waitress and waiters topless. As one employee puts it, "An 80-year-old woman told me she wanted to see me in spandex. I just feel really lucky to have a job. I need the money so I can pay my rent."

The sign at the door of the coffee shop says "no cameras" and allows only adults 18 years of age and above. Well, I guess if I can I would see this place! Everyone needs a little entertainment at times like this!

Topless Coffee Shop

2009-03-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

Spring 2009 Trend - Light Jackets and Trench Coats

2009-03-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend#10: JACKETS/TRENCH AND JUMPSUITS

(DSquared2)

How to Wear the Plaid and Tiered Trend

2009-02-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend#9: WESTERN PLAIDS and TIERED SKIRTS

Wearing Plaid Shirts like a Lady:
1) Fit is key. A man’s shirt will fall straight at the sides, but a woman’s shirt should follow her curves. Too-straight side seams will make you look mannish.
(2) Leave the top button (or two) unbuttoned. Subtly show off your figure.
(3) Choose a shirt with special details, such as a ruffle at the back or tuxedo pleats down the front.

Or check out How to Wear Plaid from eHow.com

(Marc Jacobs)

Eggs for Sale!

2009-02-28T19:25:00.001-08:00

Women's egg that is.

It is said that in US today more and more women are drawn to sell their egg at fertility clinics for a sum of about $10,000. Well, in times of recession that would be helpful. But not all women are qualified to be donors; first they have to undergo a series of tests for eligibility.

As one donor puts it, "Yes, the money is very nice, but it's nice to be able to let a mother who wants to be a mother be a mother."

So long as you're truly helping, and helping yourself in return. This is just one of the many creative ways for women to make money. Please don't forget that. And for anyone who doesn't need an extra egg to get pregnant count yourself lucky.

Source Yahoo News.

Eggs for Sale!

2009-02-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Ten Honest Things About Myself

2009-02-27T22:33:00.000-08:00

The Ten Honest (but scrap? no scraps!) Things About Myself would be:

I have a driver's license but I'm really hesitant to take the wheel! Just as much as to say that I am a registered nutritionist/dietitian here and in United Kingdom but I don/t practice my profession. Sad right?

2. I was born September 22nd which is the autumn equinox, which also means I am either a Virgo or a Libran. Confusing?! At least I get to read two horoscope predictions a day : )

3. I am one of those born with many talents but doesn't know how to use them because I am sick with stage fright.

4. I always wanted to have twins and when I finally got them, it was the best surprise of my life! But I planned to marry a doctor in my 30's turned out I married the artistic type in my 20's. Life is full of surprises.

5. I've always been an outstanding academic, having graduated with honors from elementary to college, passed the board exam without review, been the first Filipina registered as Nutritionist in UK; but that could also be my greatest weakness since it has taught me to be more lax since I can easily get what I want. But I am reinventing myself now.

6. My all-time favorite author would be Jane Austen, all-time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.

7. My all-time favorite movie would be Date with an Angel, and I am in an endless search for the Relativity series DVD. I am a romantic at heart!

8. The most gorgeous men alive (okey, including my husband that is!) for me would be Henry Cavill (also Stephenie Meyer's first choice to play Edward Cullen)

and Taylor Lautner (who plays Jacob Black in Twilight the movie).

9. But I'll always be melted by Bamboo's voice!

10. My greatest dream is to travel the world with my loved ones!

The Honest Scrap tag was passed to me by Mye of Blog Appetitite. Many thanks!

Now, I want to pass this to seven interesting people I know who are: Iceah, Pretty girl, Khaye, Desiree, She, Human Observer, and Global Madrasi.

Rules for Posting the Honest Scrap Tag

Write a post about this tag and include the name (URL link) of the person(s) who passed this tag.
Write also 10 HONEST things about yourself.
Pass this tag to 7 friends/bloggers and leave comments on their blogs informing about this tag.

If you want you can also design your tag post with images like I did with mine.
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Anyway, don't forget to visit Fresh Scoops if you want to read about the new e-cigarettes, or see the first photo of Rihanna after the assault, or check on the new wristwatch phone, and almost anything new. My latest posts on Motherthoughts includes posts on Fashion Forecast for 2009 and an article about Abusive Relationships. See you there!

Spring 2009 Trend - How to Wear Bright Colors

2009-02-27T21:57:00.000-08:00

Spring trend #8:BRIGHTS

Bright colors for Spring and Summer:

Bright turquoise
Fuchsia
Primary yellow
Grass green
True red

How to wear bright colors:

Remember that bright colors doesn't hide flaws so make sure that what year wearing fits you perfectly (as much as that can be possible). Avoid unnecessary details like ruffles as they become too overwhelming with colors.
Pair with neutrals: Black is a favorite choice or you can substitute it with white or navy. Orange and green looks good with khaki.
Look and feel your best when wearing bright colors as people tend to notice you more.

(Moschino and Marc by Marc Jacobs )

You Shouldn't Meme!

2009-02-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

This tag was passed to me by Richard of Dreamworks. Thanks Richard!

The Rules:
1. List these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Tell 7 unspectacular quirks about you.
4. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
5.Link the person who tagged you.
6.Leave a comment for each blogger.

7 Facts About Me:

I am a Woman and I'm proud of it! Hear me Roar!!!
I was born during the Autumn Equinox, September 22nd, a moment when day (light) equals night (dark), and a balance is created between them. I am either a Virgo or a Libran, which is confusing actually.
I graduated from elementary to college with honors.
I was married at 21, had my eldest son at the same age, and had my twin boys at 27. And I am turning 30 this year! Didn't they say that 30 is the new 20?! hehehe!
As far as I know, I am the first Filipina to ever be registered as a Nutritionist in the United Kingdom.
My Body Mass Index says 21 and that means I am within my ideal body weight. That means, I am one of those expected to live longer, healthier lives. Well, from science's point of view!
I have a driving license but I don't drive! (this could actually fall under my quirks!)

7 unspectacular quirks:

I like songs recorded in a different language which I do not have a clue what it's all about!
There was a time in my life when I loved coconut so much I fed on it the whole day and nothing else! sakit ng tiyan ko afterwards!
I have a peculiar handwriting that during my school days that my teachers particularly knows if a note was written by me or not.
I have this high pitch voice that is more or less irritating.
When I was young I wanted to either be a ballerina or an astronaut. After my father died my obsession was to become a doctor.
When I was a teenager I wanted to join the Bb. Pilipinas and become the next Miss Universe. But then I pushed aside the thought when I joined a beauty pageant in school and had a terrible stage fright! Come to think of it, if I didn't have that fear, I'd be a singer (like Gwen Stefani) or an actress (like Reese Witherspoon).
If I have a first love-movie it would be Date With An Angel! It's the movie I'll always love!

I'm passing this tag in turn to the following interesting blogs MysLykeMeeh, TantraFlower, Whispers of My Life, Fat Mum Slim, Metz Secret Garden, littlemissfly, and In search of a greener tomorrow. It'll be nice to get to know you more guys! Good luck!

What is an Abusive Relationship?

2009-02-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

After the controversial violent incident involving young singers Chris Brown and Rihanna, I've decided to write this post on abusive relationships.

Abusive relationships are characterized by extreme jealousy, emotional withholding, lack of intimacy, raging, sexual coercion, infidelity, verbal abuse, threats, lies, broken promises, physical violence, power plays and control games.

Abuse does not have to be physical.

Emotional abuse is as damaging as physical abuse, though it is often harder to recognize, and therefore to recover from. Emotional abuse causes long term self esteem issues and profound emotional repercussions for the partners of abusers. Abuse typically alternates with declarations of love and statements that they will change, providing a "hook" to keep the partner in the relationship.

Abusive relationships are progressive -

Abusive relationships get worse over time. Emotional and verbal abuse frequently shifts to more overt threats or physical abuse, particularly in times of stress. Abusers are generally very needy and controlling; the abuse escalates when they feel they may lose their partner, or when the relationship ends.

Abusers are often survivors of abuse themselves.

Many of the attributes of abusers are documented trauma based adaptations to childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Abusers act out of deep seated shame and feelings of inadequacy. They seek to pull their partner down to make themselves feel better.

You are probably in an abusive relationship if:

• constantly keep track of your time?

• act jealous and possessive?

• accuse you of being unfaithful or flirting?

• discourage your relationships with friends and family?

• prevent or discourage you from working, interacting with friends or attending school?

• constantly criticize or belittle you?

• control all finances and force you to account for what you spend? (Reasonable cooperative budgeting excepted.)

• humiliate you in front of others? (Including "jokes" at your expense.)

• destroy or take your personal property or sentimental items?

• have affairs?

• threaten to hurt you, your children or pets? Threaten to use a weapon?

• push, hit, slap, punch, kick, or bite you or your children?

• force you to have sex against your will, or demand sexual acts you are uncomfortable with?

Sometimes abusive relationships are easy to identify; other times the abuse may take subtle forms. The examples shown here can help you identify traits of abusive and healthy relationships. In general, abusive relationships have a serious power imbalance, with the abuser controlling or attempting to control most aspects of life. Healthy relationships share responsibility and decision-making tasks and reflect respect for all the people in the relationship, including children.

Healthy Relationships:

Non-Threatening Behavior

• Talking and acting so that your partner feels safe and comfortable doing and saying things.

Respect

• Listening to your partner non-judgmentally.

• Being emotionally affirming and understanding.

• Valuing opinions.

Trust and Support

• Supporting your partner’s goals in life.

• Respecting your partner’s right to his or her own feelings, friends, activities and opinions.

Honesty and Accountability

• Accepting responsibility for self.

• Acknowledging past use of violence and / or emotionally abusive behavior, changing the behavior.

• Acknowledging infidelity, changing the behavior.

• Admitting being wrong when it is appropriate.

• Communicating openly and truthfully, acknowledging past abuse, seeking help for abusive relationship patterns.

Responsible Parenting

• Sharing parental responsibilities.

• Being a positive, non-violent role model for children.

Shared Responsibility

• Mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work.

• Making family decisions together.

Abusive Relationships:

Using Intimidation

• Making your partner afraid by using looks, actions, gestures.

• Smashing or destroying things.

• Destroying or confiscating your partner's property.

• Abusing pets as a display of power and control.

• Silent or overt raging.

• Displaying weapons or threatening their use.

• Making physical threats.

Using Emotional Abuse

• Putting your partner down.

• Making your partner feel bad about himself or herself.

• Calling your partner names.

• Playing mind games.

• Interrogating your partner.

• Harassing or intimidating your partner.

• "Checking up on" your partner's activities or whereabouts.

• Humiliating your partner, wether through direct attacks or "jokes".

• Making your partner feel guilty.

• Shaming your partner.

Using Isolation

• Controlling what your partner does, who he or she sees and talks to, what he or she reads, where he or she goes.

• Limiting your partner’s outside involvement.

• Demanding your partner remain home when you are not with them.

• Cutting your partner off from prior friends, activities, and social interaction.

• Using jealousy to justify your actions.

Minimizing, Denying and Blame Shifting

• Making light of the abuse and not taking your partner’s concerns about it seriously.

• Saying the abuse did not happen, or wasn't that bad.

• Shifting responsibility for your abusive behavior to your partner. (i.e: I did it because you ______.)

• Saying your partner caused it.

Using Children

• Making your partner feel guilty about the children.

• Using the children to relay messages.

• Using visitation to harass your partner.

• Threatening to take the children away.

Using Male Privilege

• Treating your partner like a servant.

• Making all the big decisions.

• Acting like the "master of the castle."

• Being the one to define men’s and women’s or the relationship's roles.

Using Economic Abuse

• Preventing your partner from getting or keeping a job.

• Making your partner ask for money.

• Giving your partner an allowance.

• Taking your partner’s money.

• Not letting your partner know about or have access to family income.

If you are in an abusive relationship:

Abusive relationships do not change without sustained therapy specifically targeted toward the abusive relationship patterns. These relationships cannot be changed from one side, it takes mutual honesty, openness and willingness from both parties to work through these issues. Group therapy is highly recommended for abusers, as it helps them to break through the denial that is generally a part of the abusive patterns. (People in denial generally recognize their own dysfunctional behavior in others more easily than in themselves.) This applies to the partners of abusers as well - group helps them to break through the denial by seeing the relationship patterns from a wider view.

If the abuser is unwilling to own their behavior and seek help the prudent course of action is to remove yourself totally from the situation. This is painful, but is generally safer and ultimately better for both parties than allowing the cycle of abuse to continue. Be prepared for the abuse to increase after you leave - stepping out of the cycle enrages the abuser, as it shatters their illusion of control. (75% of women killed by their abusive partners are murdered after they leave.) Learn how to protect and care for yourself. Detachment with love is difficult, but the best solution if your partner is unwilling to work though the issues.

Help is readily available for both parties in abusive relationships. These relationships cannot be changed from one side. Remember that by staying you are condoning and enabling the abuse - and helping your partner to stay sick. If your partner is unwilling to get help the only safe course of action is to totally remove yourself from the situation and seek help on your own.

If you are in an abusive relationship, get out now before it's too late.

The e-cigarrete: a higher breed of cigarettes or just another faux pas?

2009-02-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

Everything seems to be gaining some kind of an "e" prefix to its name these days of tech advancement, and cigarettes are the new additions. A Beijing-based company, Ruyan Group Ltd., was the first to develop the so-called electronic cigarettes aka e-cigarettes. The company also patented the atomizer technology which allows users to get the nicotine fix without the harmful smoke. e-cigarettes are marketed as a healthier much harmless substitute to the usual ones. However the World Health Organization released a statement that there is still no strong evidence to backup this claim. Anyway the price range for this battery operated cigarettes cost around $60 to $240 for the whole kit which includes battery chargers and cartridges that range in flavors.

What can I say? Just quit smoking, or even better, don't start to learn how to smoke. It isn't just bad for your health, it also makes you look ugly and old!

Spring 2009 Trend - Neutral Colors and How to Wear them

2009-02-26T21:56:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend #7:

NEUTRALS with emphasis on white, black and white, and cream.

How to wear Neutral Colors:

Accessorize (hats, belt, bags, or shoes) in bright or metallic color.
White is not slimming choose semi-fitted dress styles, straight-legged pants, or fluid blouses of drapery fabric. White shoes can make feet look bigger, so if this is a concern, try white shoes with pointed toes or thin strappy sandals, and skip the ankle straps.
Cream pairs well with khaki or darker shades of brown.
For the black and white combination here is something from about.com: "If you like a black and white color-block style, choose it strategically according to your petite figure type. Black recedes and white advances, so if you have a triangle-shaped figure, select a black skirt and white blouse. If you have an inverted triangle figure type, select a white skirt and black top. Petites who have rectangle-shaped figures can create the illusion of a narrower waistline by wearing a black belt or clothing with a black band below the bust.

(Diane Von Furstenberg)

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(Fendi)

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(Matthew Williamson)

Spring 2009 Trend - How to Wear the Nautical Trend

2009-02-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend #6: NAUTICAL

How to wear the Nautical trend: (usual color combination is navy blue, white and red)

This look should look crisp and fresh.
Pair striped top (navy and white) with wide legged trousers or white pants. Accessorize with a gold bangle.
The classic sailor pants are white with two rows of button on the front panel. Or you could use a dark wide-legged jeans and pair it with a V-neck top (in white,red or navy).
Do the classic navy blazer plus white jeans.
Achieve the nautical feel by accessorizing in anchor design.

(D&G)

Spring 2009 Trend - How to Wear Metallic colors

2009-02-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend#5: METALLICS

How to Wear Metallics:

If you have a petite frame refrain from wearing a metallic bag and shoe at the same time because it furthers shorten your frame.
Keep the metallic to the slimmest part of the body; since metallic reflects light, it tends to grab attention.
Silver shoes with gray and gold shoes with black goes well.
Silver compliments light skin tone while gold flatters warm skin tone.
If you are wearing a metallic dress, go simple with everything else (like make up and accessories).

I love this playful combination of metallics on Leighton Meester by Proenza Schouler:

(Marc Jacobs and Philosophy)

Spring 2009 Trend - How to Wear the Safari Trend

2009-02-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend #4: SAFARI

(Ralph Lauren)

These beauties scream Africa (hmmm...can it be a part of the Obama fever?)!
Earth tones, wooden accessories, animal prints (think light fabrics).

Tips in wearing the Safari trend:

Pair these strong pieces with muted, neutral tones.
Wear open shoes to make the look modern.
Wear a single piece that will serve as your statement (e.g. a snakeskin sandals, or an animal printed bag, or a wooden bangle). Don't wear everything safari(accessories plus clothing plus bag plus shoes) at the same time or you'll look more Indiana Jones than a Safari Diva.

(Louis Vuitton and Marc by Marc Jacobs)

Spring 2009 Trend - Cleopatra Inspired How to Get the Look

2009-02-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend # 4 Cleopatra Inspired and Asymmetrical necklines

Ancient Egypt meets Modern Cleopatra!
Bring out your eyeliners and do the smoky eyes, the pharaoh-ess is back! The one-sided pony tail is way too much for me though.

Naeem Khan, Ralph Lauren, and Monique Lhuillier Collection Spring 2009

Spring 2009 Trend - How to Wear Slouchy Pants and High Waists

2009-02-21T22:59:00.000-08:00

Spring 2009 Trend # 3: SLOUCHY PANTS AND CROPPED LEG (Eley Kishimoto and Chloe)

Looks nice when paired with chunky heels and drapy tops or a simple tank.
To not overdo it, make the harem pants the star of your outfit.

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High Waist pants, skirts, or shorts

Make sure the piece you are wearing is cinched at the waist for a flattering figure. Also try pairing it with a simple cardigan or blazer.

Dolce and Gabbana and Armani

Spring 2009 Trend- Butterflies and Flowers and How to Wear Prints

2009-02-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

Spring Trend #2 BUTTERFLIES AND FLOWERS (Matthew Williamson and Marc by Marc Jacobs )

Of course, some other prints like futuristic graphics and geometrics appeared on runways but this one is my favorite: flowers and butterflies. Very Spring!

How to wear Prints:

Temper with black or any other neutral
Accessorize from within the same color family
Do not overdo. If it's straining to the eyes take it off.

Rihanna's First Photo After the Alleged Assault Released

2009-02-20T05:26:00.000-08:00

The first photo of singer Rihanna was released at TMZ.com after the violent incident reported involving herself and Chris Brown.

Rihanna and boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown allegedly fought after attending the pre-Grammy Awards party. Chris Brown was reported afterwards to have surrendered at the Los Angeles police station for charges of assault, but later posted bail and was released.

Rihanna is still keeping silent about the incident. Chris Brown on the other hand, after days of silence released a statement saying "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired...I am seeking the counselling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

I admire both Rihanna and Chris Brown for their outstanding talents and achievements at such a young age. This incident will probably destroy the image of one of the involved, or both of them (since we haven't heard the rest of the story yet). So sad I really loved the songs With You, Forever, and No Air from Chris Brown and of course Rihanna's classic Umbrella. One of you will be taking a bow soon, come to think of it.

Picture of Rihanna and Chris Brown just hours before the alleged fight:

Follow up on this report: As of March 1,2009 there are reports that the couple are back and is staying at a house owned by P. Diddy. There has been a statement also from Rihanna's father saying he is "behind her". Abusive relationships tends to be repetitive and cyclical, let's hope Rihanna knows what she is doing.

Barbie on the Runway

2009-02-20T04:43:00.000-08:00

Barbie celebrated its 50th anniversary with a fashion show! The collection was made by 50 famous designers while top models brought the iconic doll to life. The show features decades of style from retro to futuristic.

The show opened with a design from Rachel Roy reminiscent of the first ever Barbie released:

I like this one from Monique Lhuiller:

Catherine Malandrino -“The Flag is the ultimate dress for the most famous American icon.”
(good thing she looks like a modern American woman here with different racial background)

Diane Von Furstenberg- "Barbie represents a confident and independent woman with an amazing ability to have fun while remaining glamorous." (sounds like every girl's dream)

The 850 Most Important Words to Know in the English Language

2009-02-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

"It is clear that the problem of a Universal language would be solved if it were possible to say all that we normally say with no more words than can fit on a sheet of notepaper. The fact, therefore, that it is possible to say almost everything we normally desire to say with 850 words, makes Basic English something more than a mere educational experiment. Eight hundred fifty words are sufficient for ordinary communication in idiomatic English."-Charles K. Ogden, Basic English: A General Introduction with Rules and Grammar.

OGDEN's BASIC ENGLISH
Word List - in His Order

OPERATIONS - 100 words

come, get, give, go, keep, let, make, put, seem, take, be, do, have, say, see, send, may, will,
about, across, after, against, among, at, before, between, by, down, from, in, off, on, over, through, to, under, up, with,
as, for, of, till, than,
a , the, all, any, every, little, much, no, other, some, such, that, this, I , he, you, who,
and, because, but, or, if, though, while, how, when, where, why,
again, ever, far, forward, here, near, now, out, still, then, there, together, well,
almost, enough, even, not, only, quite, so, very, tomorrow, yesterday,
north, south, east, west, please, yes .

THINGS - 400 General words

account, act, addition, adjustment, advertisement, agreement, air, amount, amusement, animal, answer, apparatus, approval, argument, art, attack, attempt, attention, attraction, authority, back, balance, base, behavior, belief, birth, bit, bite, blood, blow, body, brass, bread, breath, brother, building, burn, burst, business, butter, canvas, care, cause, chalk, chance, change, cloth, coal, color, comfort, committee, company, comparison, competition, condition, connection, control, cook, copper, copy, cork, cotton, cough, country, cover, crack, credit, crime, crush, cry ,current, curve, damage, danger, daughter, day, death, debt, decision, degree, design, desire, destruction, detail, development, digestion, direction, discovery, discussion, disease, disgust, distance, distribution, division, doubt, drink, driving, dust, earth, edge, education, effect, end, error, event, example, exchange, existence, expansion, experience, expert, fact, fall, family, father, fear, feeling, fiction, field, fight, fire, flame, flight, flower, fold, food, force, form, friend, front, fruit, glass, gold, government, grain, grass, grip, group, growth, guide, harbor, harmony, hate, hearing, heat, help, history, hole, hope, hour, humor, ice, idea, impulse, increase, industry, ink, insect, instrument, insurance, interest, invention, iron, jelly, join, journey, judge, jump, kick, kiss, knowledge, land, language, laugh, law, lead, learning, leather, letter, level, lift, light, limit, linen, liquid, list, look, loss, love, machine, man, manager, mark, market, mass, meal, measure, meat, meeting, memory, metal, middle, milk, mind, mine, minute, mist, money, month, morning ,mother, motion, mountain, move, music, name, nation, need, news, night, noise, note, number, observation, offer, oil, operation, opinion, order, organization, ornament, owner, page, pain, paint, paper, part, paste, payment, peace, person, place, plant, play, pleasure, point, poison, polish, porter, position, powder, power, price, print, process, produce, profit, property, prose, protest, pull, punishment, purpose, push, quality, question, rain, range, rate, ray, reaction, reading, reason, record, regret, relation, religion, representative, request, respect, rest, reward, rhythm, rice, river, road, roll, room, rub, rule, run, salt, sand, scale, science, sea, seat, secretary, selection, self, sense, servant, sex, shade, shake, shame, shock, side, sign, silk, silver, sister, size, sky, sleep, slip, slope, smash, smell, smile, smoke, sneeze, snow, soap, society, son, song, sort, sound, soup, space, stage, start, statement, steam, steel, step, stitch, stone, stop, story, stretch, structure, substance, sugar, suggestion, summer, support, surprise, swim, system, talk, taste, tax, teaching, tendency, test, theory, thing, thought, thunder, time, tin, top, touch, trade, transport, trick, trouble, turn, twist, unit, use, value, verse, vessel, view, voice, walk, war, wash, waste, water, wave, wax, way, weather, week, weight, wind, wine, winter, woman, wood, wool, word, work, wound, writing , year .

THINGS - 200 Picturable words -

angle, ant, apple, arch, arm, army, baby, bag, ball, band, basin, basket, bath, bed, bee, bell, berry, bird, blade, board, boat, bone, book, boot, bottle, box, boy, brain, brake, branch, brick, bridge, brush, bucket, bulb, button, cake, camera, card, cart, carriage, cat, chain, cheese, chest, chin, church, circle, clock, cloud, coat, collar, comb, cord, cow, cup, curtain, cushion, dog, door, drain, drawer, dress, drop, ear, egg, engine, eye, face, farm, feather, finger, fish, flag, floor, fly, foot, fork, fowl, frame, garden, girl, glove, goat, gun, hair, hammer, hand, hat, head, heart, hook, horn, horse, hospital, house, island, jewel, kettle, key, knee, knife, knot, leaf, leg, library, line, lip, lock, map, match, monkey, moon, mouth, muscle, nail, neck, needle, nerve, net, nose, nut, office, orange, oven, parcel, pen, pencil, picture, pig, pin, pipe, plane, plate, plough/plow, pocket, pot, potato, prison, pump, rail, rat, receipt, ring, rod, roof, root, sail, school, scissors, screw, seed, sheep, shelf, ship, shirt, shoe, skin, skirt, snake, sock, spade, sponge, spoon, spring, square, stamp, star, station, stem, stick, stocking, stomach, store, street, sun, table, tail, thread, throat, thumb, ticket, toe, tongue, tooth, town, train, tray, tree, trousers, umbrella, wall, watch, wheel, whip, whistle, window, wing, wire, worm .

QUALITIES - 100 General

able, acid, angry, automatic, beautiful, black, boiling, bright, broken, brown, cheap, chemical, chief, clean, clear, common, complex, conscious, cut, deep, dependent, early, elastic, electric, equal, fat, fertile, first, fixed, flat, free, frequent, full, general, good, great, grey/gray, hanging, happy, hard, healthy, high, hollow, important, kind, like, living, long, male, married, material, medical, military, natural, necessary, new, normal, open, parallel, past, physical, political, poor, possible, present, private, probable, quick, quiet, ready, red, regular, responsible, right, round, same, second, separate, serious, sharp, smooth, sticky, stiff, straight, strong, sudden, sweet, tall, thick, tight, tired, true, violent, waiting, warm, wet, wide, wise, yellow, young .

QUALITIES - 50 Opposites

awake, bad, bent, bitter, blue, certain, cold, complete, cruel, dark, dead, dear, delicate, different, dirty, dry, false, feeble, female, foolish, future, green, ill, last, late, left, loose, loud, low, mixed, narrow, old, opposite, public, rough, sad, safe, secret, short, shut, simple, slow, small, soft, solid, special, strange, thin, white, wrong .

Spring Fashion 2009 - Girly Frocks

2009-02-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

What's in this spring?
Take a cue from some of runway's coolest designs:

Trend # 1 : GIRLY (Take a cue from Matthew Williamson, Moschino, Eley Kishimoto, Diane Von Furstenberg and Rebecca Taylor )
Imagine short baby doll dresses with bows and some frills in vibrant colors.
Fun and flirt and I'm liking it!

Way to go with the girly trend:

Accessorize with girly things like earrings, headbands or tights.
Wear dress or skirts and show some legs!
Wear open-toe heels, or strappy sandals or ballet flats.
Make sure your outfit and accessories match.
Put a little make up on. You can't pull off this style if you are looking sloppy. A little blush, gloss and mascara will do.

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Mix/Pair bohemian pieces with conservative pieces like a vest or a blazer or a skirt (in neutral color) like Rebecca Taylor:

Social Networking's Negative Effects

2009-02-19T03:36:00.000-08:00

I recently read a report from the UK's Mail Online about an article written by Dr. Aric Sigman, a psychologist, featured in Biologist, the journal of the Institute of Biology.

According to Dr. Sigman, Social Networking Sites like Facebook, MySpace, etc etc could increase the risk of serious health illness (like cancer and heart disease) because they the levels of face-to-face communication necessary for humans. He called it "increased isolation" which negative effects includes altering the way genes work,upsetting immune responses, hormone levels and the function of arteries, and it could also impair mental performance.

He said their purpose maybe to bring people together but in reality they played a significant role in people becoming more isolated (stuck to their computers in short).

The next paragraphs are taken from the article in the Mail Online entitled "How using Facebook could raise your risk of Cancer":

'Social networking is the internet's biggest growth area, particular among young children.

'A quarter of British children have a laptop or computer in their room by the age of five and they have their own social networking sites, like the BBC's myCBBC. It's causing huge changes.'

Studies had shown that children taught via video broadcasts or DVDs did not learn as well as they did when given lessons by a real teacher.

Dr Sigman said 209 'socially regulated' genes had been identified, including ones involved in the immune system, cell proliferation and responses to stress.

Their activity may account for higher rates of inflammatory disease and other health problems seen in socially isolated individuals.

Electronic media was also undermining the ability of children and young people to learn vital social skills and read body language, said Dr Sigman.

'One of the most pronounced changes in the daily habits of British citizens is a reduction in the number of minutes per day that they interact with another human being,' he said.

'In less than two decades, the number of people saying there is no one with whom they discuss important matters nearly tripled.

'Parents spend less time with their children than they did only a decade ago. Britain has the lowest proportion of children in all of Europe who eat with their parents at the table. The proportion of people who work at home alone continues to rise.

'I am worried about where this is all leading.

'Social networking sites should allow us to embellish our social lives, but what we find is very different. The tail is wagging the dog. These are not tools that enhance, they are tools that displace.’

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The point I think is it's all right to socialize online as long as we do it as only as a part of our life not making it our life. Look around you! Do not take for granted the people and things that may be needing our utmost attention.

World's first wrist-watch, video, and phone in one out before the end of 2009

2009-02-18T01:52:00.000-08:00

There isn't a limit to human imagination and today's technology turns almost everything into reality. When you think that you've seen every possible feature installed in a mobile phone, think again. The LG 6910 does not only look stylish and sophisticated it is really smart functional. You can send text and emails, also browse and download from the web! How cool is that! It will be released by the Orange Network in United Kingdom before the year ends. Hmm, and how much does this cost? Rolex-y?

What is Communication?

2009-02-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

When you're the one doing the Talking:

"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak."-Epictetus

"Give every man thy ear but few thy voice." -Shakespeare

"I don't let my mouth say nothin' my head can't stand." - Louis Armstrong

"If you have nothing to say, say nothing." - Mark Twain

"Men are born with two eyes, but only one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say. " - Charles Caleb

"When you exercise your freedom to express yourself at the lowest level, you ultimately condemn yourself to live at that level." - Zig Ziglar

"Think and speak the beautiful only." - Christian Larson

"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."- Norman Vincent Peale

"Such is human psychology that if we don't express our joy, we soon cease to feel it."- Lin Yutang

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary."-Margaret Cousins

"Be amusing: never tell unkind stories; above all, never tell long ones."-Benjamin Disraeli

"Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in a few."Pythagoras

"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere.:-Lee Iacocca

When you need to Listen:

"I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening." - Larry King

"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." - Ernest Hemingway

"If speaking is silver, then listening is gold." - Turkish Proverb

"Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much." - Blaise Pascal

"Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery."- Dr. Joyce Brothers

"We listened to what our customers wanted and acted on what they said. Good things happen when you pay attention." - John F. Smith

"The reality of the other person is not in what he reveals to you, but in what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says but rather what he does not say." - Kahlil Gibran

"There is always hope when people are forced to listen to both sides."-John Stuart Mill

"Big egos have little ears.:-Robert Schuller

The secret of good communication skills:

"If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person’s place and to see things from his point of view - as well as your own." - Henry Ford

"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion." - Dale Carnegie

"Who speaks, sows; Who listens, reaps." - Argentine Proverb

"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives." - Anthony Robbins

The Octomom Controversy

2009-02-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

Her name is Nadya Suleman, single, unemployed, and a 49-year old mother to 14 kids; 8 of which are infants! She recently gave birth to 8 infants from in vitro fertilization. Word is she is receiving threats and other negative reactions from people after hearing that she is depending on piblic assistance to support the babies. The doctor who implanted the embryo in her meanwhile is being investigated by the California Medical Board and American Society for Reproductive Medicine, which recommends no more than 2 embryos be implanted in women under 35.

I just pity the babies. We should not consider them as freak of natures or a burden to the economy. They are here and we couldn't do anything about that. They deserve help from the government as much as every other citizen has. In the meantime the government and health sector should look more into this controversy and find a solution for mothers and fertility doctors alike. Remember, it is not only a spring of life that we are after, but the quality of life we can provide to our children.

Follow up regarding this news: Angelina Jolie was said to be 'creeped out' by Nadya Suleman after receiving some admiring letters from the latter and hearing rumors that the mother had cosmetic surgery to look like her! Weird, huh?!