Photohunt: Bags

Skipped last week's chance to participate in Photohunt. Today's theme is BAGS. The first bag was a gift by my children. The second gift was a gift to Kay for her debut. She'd let me use this bag a couple of times.

The bags above do not cost even an eighth of an original Louis Vuitton bag. I was reminded of this because I heard of a bid in DZMM's Aksyon Ngayon for a Louis Vuitton bag by a known actress. The project is for a cause. The radio show aims to accumulate enough money to rescue women OFWs in Middle East countries. The bag originally cost more than fifty thousand pesos. That's a lot of money to me.

Do you own a very expensive bag?

Photohunt: Bags

Skipped last week's chance to participate in Photohunt. Today's theme is BAGS. The first bag was a gift by my children. The second gift was a gift to Kay for her debut. She'd let me use this bag a couple of times.

The bags above do not cost even an eighth of an original Louis Vuitton bag. I was reminded of this because I heard of a bid in DZMM's Aksyon Ngayon for a Louis Vuitton bag by a known actress. The project is for a cause. The radio show aims to accumulate enough money to rescue women OFWs in Middle East countries. The bag originally cost more than fifty thousand pesos. That's a lot of money to me.

Do you own a very expensive bag?

Why I was not around...

You maybe wondering... If not, it's okay. But in case you are wondering why you don't see me around paying a visit to your blog sites, these are the reasons:

Son and I saw them at a book sale in a mall. Kay was in Cavite that day. Yes, she treated us at Dampa sa Libis in the evening. That was a fun night, really enjoyed it.

Back to these books, I am currently reading Scheisshaus Luck by Pierre Berg and Brian Brock. It is an interesting read but unsentimental, brutal, gory, and atheistic. It is a true to life experience of a survivor. Quite disturbing to me but I plan to finish reading it. Reading the book leads me to asking this question - what is the be-all and end-all of wars for those people who wanted them to happen? I mean, everybody loses in wars. Why plan for wars then? How can those people involved in conquering nations and letting the massive bloodshed happen? How can a selfish ambition kill hundreds of thousands?

Deviating from the topic, Papsie discovered the car does not have break lights. Thank God we were not apprehended, or met an accident and needed the likes of a San Jose motorcycle accident attorney. Oh, wait, a car attorney, I mean.

The car has break lights now. And I am going to read again tonight if Father Clock allows.

Why I was not around...

You maybe wondering... If not, it's okay. But in case you are wondering why you don't see me around paying a visit to your blog sites, these are the reasons:

Son and I saw them at a book sale in a mall. Kay was in Cavite that day. Yes, she treated us at Dampa sa Libis in the evening. That was a fun night, really enjoyed it.

Back to these books, I am currently reading Scheisshaus Luck by Pierre Berg and Brian Brock. It is an interesting read but unsentimental, brutal, gory, and atheistic. It is a true to life experience of a survivor. Quite disturbing to me but I plan to finish reading it. Reading the book leads me to asking this question - what is the be-all and end-all of wars for those people who wanted them to happen? I mean, everybody loses in wars. Why plan for wars then? How can those people involved in conquering nations and letting the massive bloodshed happen? How can a selfish ambition kill hundreds of thousands?

Deviating from the topic, Papsie discovered the car does not have break lights. Thank God we were not apprehended, or met an accident and needed the likes of a San Jose motorcycle accident attorney. Oh, wait, a car attorney, I mean.

The car has break lights now. And I am going to read again tonight if Father Clock allows.

A Sunday Treat by Daughter Kay

Last last Sunday, it was a date with Daryl. Last Sunday, it was a treat by daughter Kay. Why, you may ask. She had already received her cheque as payment for an ad when she had her OJT.

We went to Dampa sa Libis. It was my first time to go there. I had first dined at Dampa in Cubao. Kay will be coming from Cavite that night so we met with her at SM Hypermart. From there we went to Libis.

I had not finished with the rest of the pictures we had there. We had fun, of course. The children enjoyed the wet market. We saw one of our customers before with his wife and kids. He looked like a rock star with his very straight long hair. And, oh, we saw Mr. Mike Enriquez, GMA 's television news anchor. Papsie planned to approach him and tell him, "Excuse me po, pwede bang magpa-picture?" with a tone that is so Mike Enriquez. He was not able to even go near him. We were laughing very hard while we took a picture of Papsie near the window with Mr. Mike Enriquez eating at the background. Papsie was giggling that time.

I am not sure when I can be able to organize the pics but here is the feast:

A Sunday Treat by Daughter Kay

Last last Sunday, it was a date with Daryl. Last Sunday, it was a treat by daughter Kay. Why, you may ask. She had already received her cheque as payment for an ad when she had her OJT.

We went to Dampa sa Libis. It was my first time to go there. I had first dined at Dampa in Cubao. Kay will be coming from Cavite that night so we met with her at SM Hypermart. From there we went to Libis.

I had not finished with the rest of the pictures we had there. We had fun, of course. The children enjoyed the wet market. We saw one of our customers before with his wife and kids. He looked like a rock star with his very straight long hair. And, oh, we saw Mr. Mike Enriquez, GMA 's television news anchor. Papsie planned to approach him and tell him, "Excuse me po, pwede bang magpa-picture?" with a tone that is so Mike Enriquez. He was not able to even go near him. We were laughing very hard while we took a picture of Papsie near the window with Mr. Mike Enriquez eating at the background. Papsie was giggling that time.

I am not sure when I can be able to organize the pics but here is the feast:

Car is New. Not.

I do not have a new car. But our car is newly painted and had undergone body repair and was painted ice blue. It looks like a newly purchased car during the 90s. Smooth to the brim. Shiny new.

We were thinking of buying a few car accessories that will replace the old ones. We were also thinking of having the radiator overhauled. Papsie thinks it can be the reason why the car overheats at times.

Jumping to another topic.

I am so happy that the car is back. Life is hard without the car even if it's not a Benz. The other day I got sick because I went to the grocery store forgetting that the car is in the repair shop. I bought four kilos of assorted wet products. It was too late to realize that the bag is heavy while the other grocery bag with the dry items is lighter but not really that light. I forgot I am not feeling well but remembered that I had to buy them to maximize my visit to the mall. My original plan was only to pay the bills.

I am just so happy for the car to come back home. :D

Car is New. Not.

I do not have a new car. But our car is newly painted and had undergone body repair and was painted ice blue. It looks like a newly purchased car during the 90s. Smooth to the brim. Shiny new.

We were thinking of buying a few car accessories that will replace the old ones. We were also thinking of having the radiator overhauled. Papsie thinks it can be the reason why the car overheats at times.

Jumping to another topic.

I am so happy that the car is back. Life is hard without the car even if it's not a Benz. The other day I got sick because I went to the grocery store forgetting that the car is in the repair shop. I bought four kilos of assorted wet products. It was too late to realize that the bag is heavy while the other grocery bag with the dry items is lighter but not really that light. I forgot I am not feeling well but remembered that I had to buy them to maximize my visit to the mall. My original plan was only to pay the bills.

I am just so happy for the car to come back home. :D

Christmas is fast approaching

How do I know?

Well, the other day nephew R's cellular phone was snatched inside the bus. He tried to go after the snatcher and someone from down the bus boxed him on the head. He insisted on going after the two crooks but a set of three people were waiting for him. He was stunned and decided not to continue the chase.

The day before that happened, a notorious gang robbed a watch store in Greenbelt 5. One of the gang members was killed by a security escort of a mayor.

When I went to Pasay the other day and while inside a jeep, a street child was sitting on the entrance of another jeep with his improvised drum singing and tapping a beat, unmindful of the stares of the passengers inside the jeep and from the other jeeps.

And there will be more signs to come.

EDSA and wrinkle creams

Yes, I still do not need a wrinkle cream after experiencing EDSA without a car but commuting via the MRT. But it was not a simple feat to win.

As I traversed EDSA up to the farthest and the last station of MRT which is Taft Avenue, I saw along the way some of the flood marks. EDSA was not spared. But they were not the only ones that marred the busy main road. The metropolis is getting old. There are new establishments alright but they did not succeed in truly beautifying the main road. They made it overcrowded. And I guess it is true to almost every part of the metropolis.

The crowd of people walking, running, waiting for the buses, or buying some necessities from the convenient or makeshift stores is overwhelming. In fact, it is like scary to me. The globe is filled with the Homo sapiens, and the variety is truly evident. You can almost see the difference even without them talking directly to you.

This I saw while I was inside the MRT bus. From afar, the metropolis is becoming old and dense. Should I go far? Inside the MRT bus, the variety presented itself effortlessly. There are still gentlemen who are ready to offer their seats. But there are also sneaks who wait for their victims. Actually, as I observe, a scary thought of seeing someone display his prowess of pickpocketing and dipping into a backpack, for example, crossed my mind. It almost made my mind burst with fear.

The funny thing inside the MRT bus is that people, most of them men, like to converge near the door. It is not really advisable for people to stay on this area when there are still spaces in the middle. The result is truly unbelievable - men (and women) unmoved by the influx of passengers from each station making it difficult to board or get off. Some of the men actually prefer this kind of scenario it seems seeing them with their evil grin. I do not know what kind of pleasure they get in momentarily having a feel of a woman's body in a crowd. That is so shameless and shallow. I am just so thankful that I boarded the bus on the first station and got off on the last station. I do not need to bump myself in and out.

It was not a long ride. That is why I prefer to ride the MRT. But when I got off and saw the crowd again at Taft avenue, it almost made me dizzy. I was a stranger to the place and the unfamiliarity felt like I was engulfed wholly. But I have to look confident and composed and cool. From what I saw, the place is not really that safe. I got wary of the brazen looks of some of the men with their tattoes and burnt skin and hair, with their hallowed eyes, and with their dirty sneakers and feet. Why, they were more than the same guys I saw in Munoz and Balintawak. It felt like they were all over the place. So I had to stay with the crowd and ask directions confidently as needed.

I reached my destination and after a few hours, the transaction was finished and I have to go home. I was back to the same scenario of me being an alien to the place and asking what PUJ do I need to ride to get to the MRT station. It was truly a grueling ride because you get to see the vicinity up close. I am not being judgmental here but I really felt scared seeing those men again from inside the jeep where some are even drinking liquor that early. The MRT station seemed very far.

The ordeal came to an end when I board the MRT bus again back to North EDSA. It felt safer.

EDSA and wrinkle creams

Yes, I still do not need a wrinkle cream after experiencing EDSA without a car but commuting via the MRT. But it was not a simple feat to win.

As I traversed EDSA up to the farthest and the last station of MRT which is Taft Avenue, I saw along the way some of the flood marks. EDSA was not spared. But they were not the only ones that marred the busy main road. The metropolis is getting old. There are new establishments alright but they did not succeed in truly beautifying the main road. They made it overcrowded. And I guess it is true to almost every part of the metropolis.

The crowd of people walking, running, waiting for the buses, or buying some necessities from the convenient or makeshift stores is overwhelming. In fact, it is like scary to me. The globe is filled with the Homo sapiens, and the variety is truly evident. You can almost see the difference even without them talking directly to you.

This I saw while I was inside the MRT bus. From afar, the metropolis is becoming old and dense. Should I go far? Inside the MRT bus, the variety presented itself effortlessly. There are still gentlemen who are ready to offer their seats. But there are also sneaks who wait for their victims. Actually, as I observe, a scary thought of seeing someone display his prowess of pickpocketing and dipping into a backpack, for example, crossed my mind. It almost made my mind burst with fear.

The funny thing inside the MRT bus is that people, most of them men, like to converge near the door. It is not really advisable for people to stay on this area when there are still spaces in the middle. The result is truly unbelievable - men (and women) unmoved by the influx of passengers from each station making it difficult to board or get off. Some of the men actually prefer this kind of scenario it seems seeing them with their evil grin. I do not know what kind of pleasure they get in momentarily having a feel of a woman's body in a crowd. That is so shameless and shallow. I am just so thankful that I boarded the bus on the first station and got off on the last station. I do not need to bump myself in and out.

It was not a long ride. That is why I prefer to ride the MRT. But when I got off and saw the crowd again at Taft avenue, it almost made me dizzy. I was a stranger to the place and the unfamiliarity felt like I was engulfed wholly. But I have to look confident and composed and cool. From what I saw, the place is not really that safe. I got wary of the brazen looks of some of the men with their tattoes and burnt skin and hair, with their hallowed eyes, and with their dirty sneakers and feet. Why, they were more than the same guys I saw in Munoz and Balintawak. It felt like they were all over the place. So I had to stay with the crowd and ask directions confidently as needed.

I reached my destination and after a few hours, the transaction was finished and I have to go home. I was back to the same scenario of me being an alien to the place and asking what PUJ do I need to ride to get to the MRT station. It was truly a grueling ride because you get to see the vicinity up close. I am not being judgmental here but I really felt scared seeing those men again from inside the jeep where some are even drinking liquor that early. The MRT station seemed very far.

The ordeal came to an end when I board the MRT bus again back to North EDSA. It felt safer.

Going to the Beach?

Not during these rainy seasons, of course. And though it would be summer, I would not go to the beach because I do not know how to swim. I am not a beach person. With the many calamities happening that relates to the bodies of water, I think I cannot even think of going near them. Even with cheap hotels south beach Miami type around, I would find it really hard to visit beaches because that would remind me of hurricanes, tsunamis, overflowing rivers during flood, and dams spilling out water.

I know, I know, I sound so nega. But you cannot blame me, even if I was not directly affected (and not even one in the family was affected), I can't help but feel traumatized of the whole thing. It still makes me cry sometimes to see the television clips about the victims and anything relating to the typhoons.

Going to the Beach?

Not during these rainy seasons, of course. And though it would be summer, I would not go to the beach because I do not know how to swim. I am not a beach person. With the many calamities happening that relates to the bodies of water, I think I cannot even think of going near them. Even with cheap hotels south beach Miami type around, I would find it really hard to visit beaches because that would remind me of hurricanes, tsunamis, overflowing rivers during flood, and dams spilling out water.

I know, I know, I sound so nega. But you cannot blame me, even if I was not directly affected (and not even one in the family was affected), I can't help but feel traumatized of the whole thing. It still makes me cry sometimes to see the television clips about the victims and anything relating to the typhoons.

A Sunday with Daryl

We went to the mall this afternoon. I say it's one of the best days in my life - to go to the mall with my son. Daryl, at 17, sounds like very young, but if you get to be with him, you will discover he is 'a man in a young boy's body'.

The experience strolling with my son in the mall is better than taking a nap with the outdoor pillows. You know, between daughter and son, Daryl is better when it comes to discussion. On our way to EDSA for the bus, we talked about how he has this compulsion to pretend that everything is okay when it is not. He said that sometimes it pays to be 'plastic' like smiling and pretending that it's okay when his grandma gives errand when he feels so tired from school.

In the bus, we talked about social responsibility. He said that it is easy to say that you should not do something for the approval of other people. But you find yourself doing something so that the others will be okay and that they will not feel bad.

He said that even if one is back with her old self again talking with someone who she had an altercation with, they still should find time to talk about what happened.

He said he does not enjoy shopping.

He said that he enjoys eating out. And we ate out at Savory. I enjoyed eating out with him.

I love my son. He's the best son.

A Sunday with Daryl

We went to the mall this afternoon. I say it's one of the best days in my life - to go to the mall with my son. Daryl, at 17, sounds like very young, but if you get to be with him, you will discover he is 'a man in a young boy's body'.

The experience strolling with my son in the mall is better than taking a nap with the outdoor pillows. You know, between daughter and son, Daryl is better when it comes to discussion. On our way to EDSA for the bus, we talked about how he has this compulsion to pretend that everything is okay when it is not. He said that sometimes it pays to be 'plastic' like smiling and pretending that it's okay when his grandma gives errand when he feels so tired from school.

In the bus, we talked about social responsibility. He said that it is easy to say that you should not do something for the approval of other people. But you find yourself doing something so that the others will be okay and that they will not feel bad.

He said that even if one is back with her old self again talking with someone who she had an altercation with, they still should find time to talk about what happened.

He said he does not enjoy shopping.

He said that he enjoys eating out. And we ate out at Savory. I enjoyed eating out with him.

I love my son. He's the best son.

Photohunt: Anything Goes

I know, I am late again for Photohunt! But will still post. This week's theme is free for everybody. That means anything goes.

I am featuring Dagul here, the most doting cat in the household. I noticed that this male cat we love so much is already growing old. But he is still the same fierce and territorial cat that we know. He challenges every male cat that goes to our house when the felines are in heat. He is very possessive.

The other day Dagul went home looking down. He just laid there on the floor silent and morose. Daughter Kay noticed that he had wounds on different parts of the body - on the face, on his chest and on his feet. When Kay talked to him, he made a sound like he was reporting something. I felt worried and told Kay to treat the wounds. Kay told me that he will get over it and the wounds will heal by themselves. Luckily, the wounds are not deep and they've healed already. I wonder if the papillae on his tongue had helped heal the wounds. And maybe this is why cats don't need acne treatments?

Or maybe cats really have nine lives? Hmm.. but Dagul had fought not only nine times.

Photohunt: Anything Goes

I know, I am late again for Photohunt! But will still post. This week's theme is free for everybody. That means anything goes.

I am featuring Dagul here, the most doting cat in the household. I noticed that this male cat we love so much is already growing old. But he is still the same fierce and territorial cat that we know. He challenges every male cat that goes to our house when the felines are in heat. He is very possessive.

The other day Dagul went home looking down. He just laid there on the floor silent and morose. Daughter Kay noticed that he had wounds on different parts of the body - on the face, on his chest and on his feet. When Kay talked to him, he made a sound like he was reporting something. I felt worried and told Kay to treat the wounds. Kay told me that he will get over it and the wounds will heal by themselves. Luckily, the wounds are not deep and they've healed already. I wonder if the papillae on his tongue had helped heal the wounds. And maybe this is why cats don't need acne treatments?

Or maybe cats really have nine lives? Hmm.. but Dagul had fought not only nine times.

Filtering the Soul

I could not exactly remember that day when I tried selling water filters. In short, I tried my luck in sales but to no avail. The scorching sun, the dog at a gate, the sharp stares, the mocking smiles, and the relentless truth that I was selling not a piece. They killed my hope that I can be rich one day selling water filters.

Failures in life filter the soul. It tells you of your limitations. It shouts at you telling that you can never have everything in life. That defines mortality.

The recent tragedies caused by the two typhoons also do the same. They filter the soul. Not only failures in life but also tragedies that makes us stop and ponder - what am I doing in life? what am I doing for others? There are many questions to answer and that makes us reach for the hand of the Unseen Holy for answers.

It is only after these unwanted and dreadful moments, situations and events that our souls are truly refined. During ecstasy, we all tend to over-indulge, we wallow in euphoria, and sinfulness, and forget about the more important things in this life.

Filtering the Soul

I could not exactly remember that day when I tried selling water filters. In short, I tried my luck in sales but to no avail. The scorching sun, the dog at a gate, the sharp stares, the mocking smiles, and the relentless truth that I was selling not a piece. They killed my hope that I can be rich one day selling water filters.

Failures in life filter the soul. It tells you of your limitations. It shouts at you telling that you can never have everything in life. That defines mortality.

The recent tragedies caused by the two typhoons also do the same. They filter the soul. Not only failures in life but also tragedies that makes us stop and ponder - what am I doing in life? what am I doing for others? There are many questions to answer and that makes us reach for the hand of the Unseen Holy for answers.

It is only after these unwanted and dreadful moments, situations and events that our souls are truly refined. During ecstasy, we all tend to over-indulge, we wallow in euphoria, and sinfulness, and forget about the more important things in this life.

The Habit of Listing

I have this habit of listing important things. At work, I list THINGS TO DO on a page of intermediate pad to keep track of the things that I have to do and those that I have finished or completed. Before going to the supermarket, I also list the things that I have to buy to minimize time spent. It is faster and economical for me to have a ready list.

They say I am OC but I'd rather be than be unprepared because working and doing things impulsively lead to errors, oversights, accidents and unwanted things in life.

I will soon have a directory list using Microsoft Outlook at work. The previous file that I had was deleted when hard disk was replaced. This catalogue will classify information of contacts, friends, and acquaintances. The list will group the info records.

This habit of listing has the following advantage:

1. It keeps things organized. Orderliness lessens stress. It is always stressful to act or move or think without an orderly list of things. The chaotic jumble of matters in the mind will truly make your head ache.
2. It facilitates actions or decisions to be made. How smooth it will be to look at a neat list where you will start your action and decide on them.
   
3. It economizes time. When you have a list, you will spend less time browsing through a pile of records.
4. It encourages discipline. Lists are controls, too. Even if it is a personal list, it regulates your everyday activities and assures that you will act on matters immediately and not procrastinate.

Do you also have this habit of listing?

The Habit of Listing

I have this habit of listing important things. At work, I list THINGS TO DO on a page of intermediate pad to keep track of the things that I have to do and those that I have finished or completed. Before going to the supermarket, I also list the things that I have to buy to minimize time spent. It is faster and economical for me to have a ready list.

They say I am OC but I'd rather be than be unprepared because working and doing things impulsively lead to errors, oversights, accidents and unwanted things in life.

I will soon have a directory list using Microsoft Outlook at work. The previous file that I had was deleted when hard disk was replaced. This catalogue will classify information of contacts, friends, and acquaintances. The list will group the info records.

This habit of listing has the following advantage:

1. It keeps things organized. Orderliness lessens stress. It is always stressful to act or move or think without an orderly list of things. The chaotic jumble of matters in the mind will truly make your head ache.
2. It facilitates actions or decisions to be made. How smooth it will be to look at a neat list where you will start your action and decide on them.
   
3. It economizes time. When you have a list, you will spend less time browsing through a pile of records.
4. It encourages discipline. Lists are controls, too. Even if it is a personal list, it regulates your everyday activities and assures that you will act on matters immediately and not procrastinate.

Do you also have this habit of listing?

Graveyard Shifts in Call Centers

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240"] 74-365 Year3 I Am Not A Morning Person (Photo credit: johngarghan)[/caption]

I am just curious. Have you experienced working in shifts? I have to ask because not once have I experienced working in graveyard shifts. Therefore I am not in a position to talk about it but I heard of many stories and experiences from some friends and acquaintances who had worked in night shifts.According to a friend, it is really difficult at first to be assigned on the graveyard shift. If you are a day person, it would be a grueling experience because of the sudden change in sleeping and waking. If you are a nocturnal person then maybe working with this kind of schedule will not even pose a problem.

Working in call centers on graveyard shifts will require one to be physically, emotionally and mentally ready. The arrangement - sleeping during daytime and waking and working during nightime - is a total deviation from the normal routine. I really wonder how easy or difficult for one to get used to it. I would definitely find it difficult and will have a hard time getting used to it. I sleep late at night until 12 midnight but I cannot be awake the whole night and until dawn. My eyelids will give way.

Some schedules are really terrible, they say. How could I bear the horror of walking alone in the streets in the wee hours of the night? There are many possible dangers. Thugs lie in wait for their victims specifically those sex maniacs that are on the loose. And even if the location is safe, health dangers can also be a threat to one's well being.

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Shock Absorbers

Experiencing Balintawak market made me think how those people living in desolation and deprivation protect themselves and their nearest and dearest in times of tragedy, catastrophe or misfortune. While some of us shield ourselves from the effects of the said destructions by way of getting indemnity through insurance online for example, those people in Balintawak live on a day-to-day basis of hand to mouth.

Some of us have shock absorbers like a savings account in a bank or another source of income or sideline aside from the current jobs we have. Some of us have investments maybe. But even with these absorbers are the risks and the likelihood of failure, too, to get an assurance or a safeguard against life’s potent arrows.

We really cannot tell what life will have for us in the future. What is happening tells me that nobody is safe enough. We each have our own expiration date.

Shock Absorbers

Experiencing Balintawak market made me think how those people living in desolation and deprivation protect themselves and their nearest and dearest in times of tragedy, catastrophe or misfortune. While some of us shield ourselves from the effects of the said destructions by way of getting indemnity through insurance online for example, those people in Balintawak live on a day-to-day basis of hand to mouth.

Some of us have shock absorbers like a savings account in a bank or another source of income or sideline aside from the current jobs we have. Some of us have investments maybe. But even with these absorbers are the risks and the likelihood of failure, too, to get an assurance or a safeguard against life’s potent arrows.

We really cannot tell what life will have for us in the future. What is happening tells me that nobody is safe enough. We each have our own expiration date.

Going to the Market

Melancholia. This should not be what I felt going to the market and coming back home. But it was what I felt.

If you are familiar with Balintawak market then maybe you know what I mean. Aside from the high prices of the carrots and the baguio beans that I will be using for my pancit, the picture of the condition of the market and the situation of the people in and around there is true misery.

I wished I brought with me my camera. But then again that will catch the attention of the hoodlums living along the sides of the market. Papsie told me that snatchers and holduppers live in that area. I really wished though that I have taken pictures of the tattoed peddlers and stevedores. The worn-out look of the vendors tells of different stories. There is urgency, there is need in every attempt to let you buy their commodities.

I saw a young woman, probably in her early twenties covered with charcoal dirt and grime, together with another young woman. I saw a family on the sidewalk trying to sell bunches or clusters of fruits or vegetables. The child looks malnourished.

When I boarded the PUJ and had to wait for it to be filled up, I saw little kids with clothes unkempt, with their strands of hair disheveled, and with feet barefooted. With their innocent smiles while playing, I felt so lonely.

I think I will not go to Balintawak market again.

Photohunt: Sports

Lost count on how long ago these pics are. This was the time when we had consistently walked, ran, jogged and played badminton in the UP oval. We were 'trying hards' playing badminton and each one of us really does not have an inkling of the right way to play the sports. I once did when I was in college but that was eons ago.

Badminton as sports is truly a fat burner. I remembered I lost almost two (2) lbs only in a month with that once a week schedule of walking, running and jogging in that oval. How I wish we can go back to the same routine but alas everybody is busy. Daughter is graduating this coming year and is working on a thesis. Son is busy with the finals and the projects. And I am busy with everything! I will not enumerate them here and I am sure that will bore anyone with the monotony of what I do.

Visit Photohunt today.

Heartbreaking Clips

CLIP 1

I heard from the radio that Pangasinan was ravaged by flood waters. There are a lot of dead and missing people. In La Trinidad, Benguet, 100 died from landslides. In some parts of Cagayan and Tarlac, there are flooded areas, too. There are many cadavers floating in the waters but I am not sure where. And many more stories.

CLIP 2

Rescue is very difficult for motor boats and rubber boats because of the strong currents of the ravaging flood waters. A local official is pleading from private citizens to offer their helicopters to be used in the rescue. The Philippine government does not have enough air vehicles for the rescue?

CLIP 3

There is no effective urban planning in localities someone said. People, including officials, just helplessly wait for the catastrophe to come because there are really no concrete plans and projects to prevent this much damage from typhoons the localities are experiencing. Where is all the money, the funds? Then add the fact that the mountains are already made bald by the notorious illegal loggers. Where is political will?

CLIP 4

Workers rushed to the Personnel section (HRD for some); those who want to withdraw their application for SSS and Pag-ibig calamity loans. They thought it was the same arrangement as before where separate calamity loans are allotted for the affected people or for the victims. At present, there are no separate calamity loans. When one decides to loan because he is affected, he will get not the whole 80% of his contribution but only the remaining money from the current salary loan that he has. He is lucky if he does not have a current salary loan.

Heartbreaking Clips

CLIP 1

I heard from the radio that Pangasinan was ravaged by flood waters. There are a lot of dead and missing people. In La Trinidad, Benguet, 100 died from landslides. In some parts of Cagayan and Tarlac, there are flooded areas, too. There are many cadavers floating in the waters but I am not sure where. And many more stories.

CLIP 2

Rescue is very difficult for motor boats and rubber boats because of the strong currents of the ravaging flood waters. A local official is pleading from private citizens to offer their helicopters to be used in the rescue. The Philippine government does not have enough air vehicles for the rescue?

CLIP 3

There is no effective urban planning in localities someone said. People, including officials, just helplessly wait for the catastrophe to come because there are really no concrete plans and projects to prevent this much damage from typhoons the localities are experiencing. Where is all the money, the funds? Then add the fact that the mountains are already made bald by the notorious illegal loggers. Where is political will?

CLIP 4

Workers rushed to the Personnel section (HRD for some); those who want to withdraw their application for SSS and Pag-ibig calamity loans. They thought it was the same arrangement as before where separate calamity loans are allotted for the affected people or for the victims. At present, there are no separate calamity loans. When one decides to loan because he is affected, he will get not the whole 80% of his contribution but only the remaining money from the current salary loan that he has. He is lucky if he does not have a current salary loan.

Disappointments Abound

After the tragic onslaught of typhoon Ondoy, a lot of disappointments surfaced. Has the world and the human genus in it gone mad creating an apathetic kind?

First, during the typhoon, immediate action from the government to its devastated constituents and ravaged properties and infrastructures was missing. Help was slow. There were no available or enough rubber boats, or any vehicle, that could be utilized in helping and assisting the affected people in the LGUs of the affected communities. I really wondered what happened to the calamity funds in each locality. I actually expected helicopters hovering above the flooded areas to fetch and save the people immersed in floodwater and mud and those that were drowning. But I saw none. They dilly-dallied it seemed.

Second, after ABS CBN's immediate action to gather relief, aid and money for the victims, there were people, detractors specifically, who took time sending messages to DZMM that the gathered donations were not spent accordingly for the victims. I find it ridiculous for these people to find time sending malicious messages. I wondered if they did something to help instead of finding fault.

Third, and the latest news, some businessmen are setting too high a price on the commodities. In short, they are over-pricing. What kind of sickness do these people have? These people affected by the typhoon are in dire situations, some are even in their direst, and for these businessmen to think of gain more than anything is really, really sick.

What neutralizes the negativity of it all is the goodness of the heart of those who donated without anything in return, of those who volunteered and allot time to assist in the packaging of the relief items, of those who offered not only their services but their vehicles as well to bring the relief items to the affected areas, of those who solicit help and donations from individuals, institutions, organizations and companies, and of those who offered their shelter, even temporary, to friends and even to strangers.

I thank God that there is still goodness. And goodness will not bear badness.

Disappointments Abound

After the tragic onslaught of typhoon Ondoy, a lot of disappointments surfaced. Has the world and the human genus in it gone mad creating an apathetic kind?

First, during the typhoon, immediate action from the government to its devastated constituents and ravaged properties and infrastructures was missing. Help was slow. There were no available or enough rubber boats, or any vehicle, that could be utilized in helping and assisting the affected people in the LGUs of the affected communities. I really wondered what happened to the calamity funds in each locality. I actually expected helicopters hovering above the flooded areas to fetch and save the people immersed in floodwater and mud and those that were drowning. But I saw none. They dilly-dallied it seemed.

Second, after ABS CBN's immediate action to gather relief, aid and money for the victims, there were people, detractors specifically, who took time sending messages to DZMM that the gathered donations were not spent accordingly for the victims. I find it ridiculous for these people to find time sending malicious messages. I wondered if they did something to help instead of finding fault.

Third, and the latest news, some businessmen are setting too high a price on the commodities. In short, they are over-pricing. What kind of sickness do these people have? These people affected by the typhoon are in dire situations, some are even in their direst, and for these businessmen to think of gain more than anything is really, really sick.

What neutralizes the negativity of it all is the goodness of the heart of those who donated without anything in return, of those who volunteered and allot time to assist in the packaging of the relief items, of those who offered not only their services but their vehicles as well to bring the relief items to the affected areas, of those who solicit help and donations from individuals, institutions, organizations and companies, and of those who offered their shelter, even temporary, to friends and even to strangers.

I thank God that there is still goodness. And goodness will not bear badness.

Only for the Rich and Able

It was my first time then to pass by that subdivision and saw a satellite dish inside one of those big houses. I got curious and asked Papsie and he said that those are used to receive communication from a satellite television, a sort of a Direct TV providing a wide range of channels. I was amazed.

But they were only for the rich and able, those DirectTV services, he said. I daydreamed that time I will someday receive signals for a wider range of channels better than the cable television was providing.

The satellite dish is still there in that posh subdivision. Today, satellite television services like Directv is almost affordable. Even the average families now can have it at almost $30 a month for a family package. That is equivalent to P1,5oo pesos today. Considerable. But still, I won't opt for it. I realized I really do not have time for a wider range of channels as I do not have enough time for everything.

Only for the Rich and Able

It was my first time then to pass by that subdivision and saw a satellite dish inside one of those big houses. I got curious and asked Papsie and he said that those are used to receive communication from a satellite television, a sort of a Direct TV providing a wide range of channels. I was amazed.

But they were only for the rich and able, those DirectTV services, he said. I daydreamed that time I will someday receive signals for a wider range of channels better than the cable television was providing.

The satellite dish is still there in that posh subdivision. Today, satellite television services like Directv is almost affordable. Even the average families now can have it at almost $30 a month for a family package. That is equivalent to P1,5oo pesos today. Considerable. But still, I won't opt for it. I realized I really do not have time for a wider range of channels as I do not have enough time for everything.

Are you a member of a car assistance club?

Car is in the workshop for tinsmith work and repainting. It’s not really a big deal not to have a vehicle ready in the morning to bring you to work. I have been commuting almost more than half my life. What was unbearable once was my experience when the car stopped along Quezon Avenue because it ran out of gasoline! I wrote a post about it before in my hosted site and I cannot find it anymore. Thanks to that Kenneth who left the clients without a notice that he will suddenly disappear together with the hosting services and all the contents of my web site. But I digress.

Another unbearable experience would be with the abusive MMDA personnel that could charge you with anything when they find your car parked in a restricted area and tow it without properly informing you where your car was junked. It helps to be a member of a car club which services are similar to those of the motorhome towing clubs in the US though not exactly.

One time, the car broke along EDSA, Papsie called the car assistance club to which he is a member of. It did not take long for the towing vehicle to come. The mechanic came down immediately and checked what was wrong with the car and brought it to the shop when he cannot complete the job immediately while on the street. With the MMDA personnel, before you are given assistance, you will be charged first and you will be forced to deal against your will.

Are you a member of a car assistance club?

Car is in the workshop for tinsmith work and repainting. It’s not really a big deal not to have a vehicle ready in the morning to bring you to work. I have been commuting almost more than half my life. What was unbearable once was my experience when the car stopped along Quezon Avenue because it ran out of gasoline! I wrote a post about it before in my hosted site and I cannot find it anymore. Thanks to that Kenneth who left the clients without a notice that he will suddenly disappear together with the hosting services and all the contents of my web site. But I digress.

Another unbearable experience would be with the abusive MMDA personnel that could charge you with anything when they find your car parked in a restricted area and tow it without properly informing you where your car was junked. It helps to be a member of a car club which services are similar to those of the motorhome towing clubs in the US though not exactly.

One time, the car broke along EDSA, Papsie called the car assistance club to which he is a member of. It did not take long for the towing vehicle to come. The mechanic came down immediately and checked what was wrong with the car and brought it to the shop when he cannot complete the job immediately while on the street. With the MMDA personnel, before you are given assistance, you will be charged first and you will be forced to deal against your will.

Mesothelioma - a cancer: Part 2

I have already written a post about mesothelioma here. It discussed mostly about asbestos as the cause.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. Mesothelium is the lining found in most internal organs which has two layers. It helps the heart and lungs to move without damaging each other. Those afflicted with mesothelioma had difficulty breathing with fluid build up and repeated urges to cough. Other side effects, which are common in other cancers, too, are:

• exhaustion
• lack of motivation
• minimal intake of food
• extreme weight loss
• pain in the chest area

What scared me about this type of cancer is the pain. No matter how high the pain threshold of an individual is, it will probably persist and overwhelm one's demeanor. The worst thing is one gets to know that he has it when the cancer is at an advanced stage leaving you only a year or less to live.

The only way to probably prevent or slow down or treat is to have the condition be diagnosed. But how is one to know when the symptoms are apparent only when the cancer is 'ripe'?

I did not post this to scare. It always pays to learn.

Reference: Georgia Mesothelioma Side Effects

Photohunt: Words

Putting Words on a Card for Occasions

How do you write your notes on a card? Do you still take time to ponder first what to write or just scribble without a thought? Do you write carefully and neatly or write hastily even with erasures and errors on your notes?

I still find time thinking what to write. But I am also guilty of writing without careful thought especially when I am in a hurry. I do not believe that notes are not read anymore. I still believe that honesty or sincerity in a note lightens up the mood of the recipient.

Are Words in Book Titles That Important?

To me, it is. I am most of the time captivated by the words in a book title and in the caption, too. I think that titles, like headlines in a newspaper, or titles of a movie, say a lot about the content. They spark interest in a reader. Do you believe so?

Wonder what other photohunters in the Photohunt camp have for this Saturday's theme. Care for a visit?

Photohunt: Words

Putting Words on a Card for Occasions

How do you write your notes on a card? Do you still take time to ponder first what to write or just scribble without a thought? Do you write carefully and neatly or write hastily even with erasures and errors on your notes?

I still find time thinking what to write. But I am also guilty of writing without careful thought especially when I am in a hurry. I do not believe that notes are not read anymore. I still believe that honesty or sincerity in a note lightens up the mood of the recipient.

Are Words in Book Titles That Important?

To me, it is. I am most of the time captivated by the words in a book title and in the caption, too. I think that titles, like headlines in a newspaper, or titles of a movie, say a lot about the content. They spark interest in a reader. Do you believe so?

Wonder what other photohunters in the Photohunt camp have for this Saturday's theme. Care for a visit?