Be Extra Careful

Now that you are set to go for an outing, or an excursion, or a travel, be extra careful with your belongings.  A motorola case cannot protect your cellular phone from thieves, and boy, they swarm places where there are many people, nor would a Vaio bag protect your laptop.

A cellular phone is a necessity, and a laptop can or cannot be one.   If you do not need your laptop to be with you on an outing, just leave it at home.  It is not as handy as a cellular phone, and could become the apple of the thieves' eyes.  After all, you do not need to work when you are scheduled to relax.  So, chill out. :-D

It's Summer Time

It is summer time again.  Colleagues and friends are planning already about traveling to the beautiful places in the Philippines.

One of my co-employees choose to ride on an airplane to go to the Visayan region while another choose to travel by land.  The latter believes that it is easier to deal with travel emergency on the road than when you are up above on an airplane.

For me, traveling by air or by land are both dangerous.  There is no better choice.  When one is met with a tragedy (not that I expect one for anybody), they each offer difficulties isolated for each case but the possibility is always there.  Depending on the degree, traveling by air or by land is just the same.

We will be having our family outing not far away from Manila.  There are no exotic views but it is always the warm and cozy feeling of being with them that will make it unforgettable. :-)

Will Graduate with a Teaching Degree

Daryl and his friends will graduate with teaching degrees.  With God's mercy, they will all graduate, and some with flying colors.

I have a firm belief that my son will be a good teacher.  He said once that he could have chosen to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or an engineer, (he knows he will succeed in any field he'll chose) but he chose to be a teacher because his definition for success is a far cry from the common meaning of it as amassing wealth because of one's profession.  He wanted to be successful in giving his own contribution to education's progress in the Philippines.  He wanted to serve the youth, and his country.

It sounds noble and idealistic for the young to choose teaching degrees because with the current situation in the Philippines, it is not as promising as the other courses.  But Daryl has not wavered.  He remains a good student.  He strives to be a good teacher someday by giving focus on his studies.  He has started to set an example and I know he will not fail in his goals.

Lettuce Grown by Hydroponics

Tito Pino never forgets to bring us a bagful of lettuce grown by hydroponics every time he visits.  Hydroponics is one technique of growing lettuce in his home in Cavite.



I was amazed to learn first time that lettuce can be grown via a soilless culture. As I surfed through the internet,  I learned that hydroponics is only a subset of a soilless culture, the latter having a broader scope, and some culture do not use the mineral nutrient solutions used in hydroponics.

I am happy for Tito Pino to have a form of relaxation, taking care of his lettuce plants, that could give pleasure to him.  I have a different one in mind when I grow to be his age that does not involve plants (because I do not have a green thumb).  I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can be able to do what I wanted when it's time to relax.

Take me by the hand and wish...

There were as many times  that we passed by these jewelry shops inside the mall, Papsie and I.  Oftentimes, we will linger then wonder.  It had always made me stare on the three stone pendant like that everlon diamond knot three stone pendant.  Three stone pendants are always beautiful to look at.  Horizontal or vertical, they always catch my eye.  There is always that charming lure these jewelries have.

If luck had allowed me to win the lotto, I could have bought one for me.

Papsie and I held each other's hands with a wish of each own.

When Athletes Bulk Up Like Incredible Hulk

I have always wondered if all athletes use creatine to 'bulk up like Incredible Hulk.  I have always wondered if use of power-enhancing supplements could really make one stronger and faster.  I will not mention bigger because it is obvious that these athletes grow big and look big.

Creatine had become popular because of its effects on the muscles where they gain mass, and because they can increase power and performance as claimed.

I still believe that before one decides on taking any med or supplement, the pros and cons should be considered.  Creatine, for example is popular among athletes but as to long term effects, no established conclusions are gathered yet.  An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

The Honied Tongue Has Its Poison

Said an unknown writer.

Very true for me.  There are people who appears sweet but have poison in their honied tongues.  Just beware of slighting their egos, or triggering their resentful selves, and you are a potential candidate for character assassination or bashing.

These people, as I had observed do not have the capability to have a face off with their victims.  They rally among themselves to get satisfaction.  They rejoice about every bad news about their targets.  What a pity.

Interpretations are often wrong with these people.  Every move and step a target makes will be misconstrued as against them.  They malign.  They politicize.

It is sad that office politics seems to have no cure.  I just hope that the execs will not indulge too much in such petty matters.  There are bigger fishes to fry.

Or maybe a puff would do..

I don't know.  I had to say that there maybe something that my father would appreciate as a gift for Father's day.  He was a chronic smoker and I am very sure that cigarettes or cigars will make him very happy.

But if he was still living to this day, I doubt if I will give him cigarettes for this occasion.  He got very sick of emphysema and had complications because of it and if he had succeeded combating the illnesses, I will definitely not allow him to smoke anymore.

I wanted to post a picture of my dearest father here but the album that contained his pictures and our old pictures together was eaten by termites.  On second thought, I'd rather not.  I will be crying gallons.

One More for Father's day

My father will never want father's day presents because I believe just seeing his grandchildren grow up would be enough a gift for him.  Unfortunately, it was only Kay who had experienced the love and she did not even know it and remember it because she was only a year and a few months old that time, and he died after a few months.

My father was a simple man.  Actually, he was so simple that he was almost like half-witted to use up his money when relatives visit the house.  The simple happiness he acquired from letting them in our very small house and accommodate them and use up all available money that he had was just enough for him that time.  Never mind if there was nothing left for us the next following days and weeks for us.  He was so clannish that it really looked and sounded foolish for me.

Then he expected a recompense that did not happen.  That made me very sad.  Up to this day, there are still relatives who considers me like somebody or like them who says hi just to ask for money.  Shallow, shallow indeed.

Joining Linkedin

I had created a Linkedin.com account few years back and stopped in the middle wondering why I should be putting important information about me in a website like that.  Well, for businesses it would be vital like ProFlower info on Linkedin.com, for example. The company has an online business and a Linked.com account would be very beneficial in marketing their service of sending flowers or bouquets.

But for an individual, I doubt if it would be more beneficial than delicate.  Nowadays, one cannot be so sure.  Even in social networks like Facebook, Friendster and Multiply, everybody has to be extra careful in giving out personal information like phone numbers and the like.

Holographic Sights

There is interesting news for those who are into shooting  sports activity.  Holography is the process behind eotech sights.  With these weapons, the target is clearly locked in making it easy for the shooter to execute the act.

This is not a sport I would love to do because of my poor sight.   But I think with this holography process, even shooters like me can have fun.  It is as easy like aiming the target and it will be locked in.

A Lawyer For Accidents

They say its lawyer tucson but I think it should be Tucson lawyer.  Don't you think?

Anyway, as I was cleaning the house before I type these letters, I thought of morbid things again.  What if while I was on the two step stool, I slipped and broke my hip bones?  Morbid?  Not enough.  What if a knife suddenly fell to my foot sticking right into it while I was doing the dishes?  Maybe better.  But what if I got electrocuted while organizing the wires that got tangled?  Morbid.

But Tucson lawyers will only attend to clients with personal injuries like car accidents, dog bites, or pedestrian accidents, to name a few.  Now I wonder if there is a lawyer for busy working moms like me in case we had an accident in our domestic workplace - the home.   Who are they going to charge anyway?  That would be the big question.  :-D

Saturday

Saturday again and it’s clean-up time.  What do I need?  Of course, I would need a broom and a rag.  But a two step stool and the vacuum cleaner are the best devices I can effectively use to get rid of dusts and cob webs.

Saturday again and it is not a day to do nothing.  It would be a headache not to attend to the chores that are left unattended.  How I wish I have clones!

How do you finish the chores on a weekend?

Here is how I do the things that I do on a Saturday:

• I look around and scan the house of what needs to be done.


• I start with the dried hanging clothes that have to be kept and organized (because nobody here in the house knows how to do it).


• I arrange the laundry – separate the whites from the colored ones, and then start with the laundry after a while.


• While the washing machine is running, I start to dust the furniture and sweep the floor.


• I check the washing machine and load the next group of laundry.


• I start to vacuum clean if there is time left and scour the floor clean.

Basically, these are the things I do on a Saturday.  It is only the volume of work that changes not the fact that I have a role to do every Saturday.  Oh, it includes Sundays, I almost forget to mention.

Nanay and the Rocking Chair

Seeing that rustic furniture above reminds me of my late mother-in-law.

The rocking chair in her room is her lone witness of all her aches and pains, physical and emotional, during the times she was ailing.  It had seen a lot and heard a lot.  It had seen her anger and disappointment, her tears and loneliness, but most of all, it had seen her happiness especially when her sisters go to her room and visit her, and when somebody goes to that room and ask how she'd been, which had gone infrequent.

While everybody was busy with each life that had to be borne, a poor soul and a rocking chair silently shared each other's laments.

But that is life.  That sturdy rocking chair above had given in after years of service and its owner had also resigned from life.  It is my wishful thinking with hope that her benevolence will earn her something wherever she is now.

Amazed about Girl Power

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="286"] Tony Leviste[/caption]

For me every time I see pictures of equestriennes like Toni Leviste and Mikee Cojuanco it speaks of girl power.  They look like powerful women dressed in that outfit complete with equestrian helmets and boots.

True, horseback riding is not limited to men anymore.  But to see women play and compete is always thrilling to watch.  It makes me wish I am in their shoes doing the act of competing and winning.

Maybe Soon, Maybe Later

Friend M*  soon will be flying to America for keeps.  I do not know if she'd followed advices to look and find jobs in a health care job search that she could apply to.  A relative of mine had told me that job hunting now is difficult in US where the citizens are the priority and only health care jobs and services are open to foreigners or immigrants.

Maybe soon or maybe later she will be leaving.  Friend M* will probably not witness the changes in the work organization anymore.  It is not actually the issue, it is the leaving that kind of makes me sad.  A friend will always be a friend unless one remains faithful to the relationship.  There are hurdles to keep the relationship but it is normal.

Well, I just have to be ready.  It is not a surprise to me anymore if one day I hear that she would be gone.  It will be a sad day but a hopeful one, too, for her.  May God bless her kind soul always and keep her from evil people, and bad circumstances wherever she goes.

How did you get rich?

Well, unless you start your craft like the ones at  www.personalcreations.com - a website of novelty items for different occasions, you cannot have your earnings that could possibly make you rich.  The problem now is where are you going to get resources when you have exhausted all means, or another possible reason, when you do not have anything to start with?

People get rich because basically they had striven.  They had knocked themselves out probably and tried hard or did their utmost to get what they wanted.  But there are others who got rich and battened themselves because of another person, probably a lover, or a benefactor, who they love or do not love at all.  Well, it depends actually on their definition of love.  There are others who resorted to acquiring richness by illicit conduct and illegal practice, a sub rosa way which is the easiest for many. You know, doing bad is easier, some would say.

People get rich because their parents are rich.  No doubt about it.  But some others become rich because they mingle with the rich. You know the kind that are branded as social animals.  They are the nouveau riche who walks with stiff necks and arched brows.  They are people who reeks of hypocrisy and humbug.

People get rich because they won the lottery and they 'cherish' the blessing by doing something to make the prize grow.  You know, the kind who will do their best not to go back to the miserable lives, and eat boiled kangkong and soy sauce.

How did you get rich, may I ask? Did you trample others to get your way up?  Do you really have to be so base and pathetic?  You cannot bring your riches when you die.   My mother-in-law would always say that there will always be a big difference between a rich man and a poor man about to be buried.  I totally disagree because as man came from dust, from dust he shall return without anything in tow but his clothing when he dies, if he has clothing at all.

Disability should not be the end of it all

A disability insurance may not be the ultimate answer but it could assist a policy holder to augment some basic needs when he or she needs to cease working because of a disability.

This matter crossed my mind because of A* who had broken his nose because of a blow caused by a beer bottle pounded on his face by his assailant, and had obtained leg injury which might have caused him to limp.  If he had survived, I doubt if he can be able to function as effectively with a damaged nose.  But what is sure is he can claim payment because he had acquired the insurance before the incident happened had he survived.  If he had a lingering illness, he could not be able to acquire the insurance.

It still makes me sad thinking he will not be there to talk to about the different pasta dishes he prepares.  It still makes me sad that I could have shown more kindness or I could have made him laugh.  I am sure that had he survived and had obtained a disability, I will tell him kindly that disability should not be the end of it all.  I should know.

What We Failed to Know

All I heard about A* from 'those people' are the negative things.  They have not said a good word about him.  I have to admit there were times I got irked by A*s unusual actuation and attitude.  But most of the time, he was kind and accommodating to me, and to some people I know.

We learned from his sister when we went to the wake a number of stories (and some are funny).  There was this story about his sister who had pawned her 24k gold jewelries.  A* redeemed the white gold chain, gold bracelets and necklaces, from the pawnshop and lost them afterward when he got in jail for a petty crime (those jewelries amounts to more than sixty thousand pesos) where the crooks in the guise of policemen took them all.

And there were more stories.

What we all failed to know is that he has a kind and loving heart to his immediate kin.  No one mentioned them when he was still alive that is why.  A* had not bragged about it either.

Do You Give Gifts on Father's Day?

There should be a Mother's day.  Therefore, there is a Father's day.  Or is it the other way around?  I do not know if the premise is right but I don't care.  The occasion requires us to buy father's day presents it seems to me.

I have not saved money for these celebrations not because I do not give importance. Have you? Have you spent time checking on what gifts to give to your father, or to your husband who is also a father to your children? Or to any of your friends who are fathers, too? Do you celebrate the occasion like how you would to a Mother's day?

I have not recalled in my childhood days of occasions celebrating Father's day. Probably because there was not enough money to spend but only for the basic necessities of daily living. I don't recall either for Mother's day.

My father was my favorite and my idol when I was young. I remember very well the sense of humor that kept us laughing until midnight. He loved to tell stories that made us, his children, laugh our arse off. Now, I think it does not make sense to you that I had not bought gifts for a Father's day occasion for my favorite parent. Sad it may seem but during those times, it is more about respect than giving gifts. Well, I am speaking only about my experience here. This is surely different with other families, especially the affluent.

Anyway, here is a trivia:

• Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, started the tradition of Father's Day in the honor of her dad.

• First local Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington.

• In 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson approved the idea of observing an annual Father's Day.

• In1924, President Calvin Coolidge made Father's Day a national event

• In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

• Father's Day is the fifth most popular card-sending holiday, with an estimated $100 million in card sales. Husbands, grandfathers, uncles, sons and sons-in-law are honored as well as father.

Lifesavers

It's that time of the year again. The cold winds brought by the Habagat cease to blow, and the temperatures once again begin to rise to stratospheric heights. Fans and air conditioners become overused once more, and people begin their yearly Diaspora to the country's beaches, be they as pristine as those of Palawan, or as dirty as that which we find in Manila Bay. It's that time of the year again: hot, sweaty and well...hot.

While I do find such opportunties to invade the beach welcome, there is one thing that I've never really liked about summer, and that is the possibility of drought. Indeed, the drought here can be so severe that we only have water during the wee hours of the morning. We have to wake up that early to save water. During such times, we would save the water in steel drums, plastic drums or in whatever container we have.

Eventually, these steel drums and plastic drums would prove very useful. When there is no water during the day, we would not worry about the water too much, since we know we have saved water. This is why you will find a lot of drums in many Filipino households. Indeed, the drums can be real lifesavers during such times. The only downside to this arrangement is that when the rainy season sets in once again, the water inside the drums can become quite stagnant. But I think that is another story altogether, so I digress.

Well, the good thing is that summer has not yet completely arrived. I guess I can still hope for a droughtless summer, although that may seem like wishful thinking. In any case, I know that we can count on the drums, just in case. In my case, summer will not come unless I finish my requirements for this semester.

Here's hoping for happy summer!

I Haven't Had a Sports Trophie

Why should I when I am not a sports person?  I haven't had one of those  sports trophies in my life.  So what?

There were many trophies in the supervisor's room.  I was told that those were trophies when there were still basketball tournaments in the company.  That was almost (or more?) two decades from now.  Must be a fun event I thought.  It is always fun to watch basketball and volleyball  tournaments even if I am not a sports person.

Actually, me and my husband love to watch UFC, which is a kind of mixed martial arts, in the arena. The scenes always made me cringe.  But one can get used to watching the fights.

My Dream Car Plus An Auto Insurance

Funny how I am already thinking about home automation systems when I can't even consider a cheap auto insurance quote for my old model car.  BertN said even a help can nurse a dream.  And I am a 'professional help'.  Therefore that makes me licensed to dream, too.  :-D

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="306" caption="a Nissan Figaro"][/caption]

I dream of acquiring a Nissan Figaro type car with not  a cheap auto insurance but with a comprehensive insurance.  I am not much of a big fan of huge or enormous vehicles.  I always find small cars cool and comfy.

Be Secure with Home Automation Systems

I am just curious.  Are you going to install a home automation systems if you can afford it? If you answer 'yes' I will definitely ask why and I am pretty sure you will reply that you will get one for your own home's security.  Especially if there are lots of valuables in your house that thieves will very much like to bring along with then.

But do you know that aside from your home security, there are other cool features of this automation systems that can lure you into buying one  like climate control, light control, and remote video monitoring, to name a few.  There are probably many other features in other packages.

High tech it may sound, I believe these things are as fallible as any conventional system in securing a house.  Just like how the whole world is becoming fragile against nature's wrath.

It Made Me Think of My Mortality

A co-employee died.  He was only 35.  He was stabbed many times in his home.  He obtained wounds in different parts of the body - face, neck, back and feet.  The villain had intention to kill.  My co-employee's decision of letting a stranger into his humble home was amiss.  But who would've taught that generosity could kill?

He can be compared to a cypress tree that could grow alone but independent even in isolated places.  My co-employee was trying to live his own life.  He was an independent fellow whose only wish was to be happy in his own way. Just like a cypress tree, he looked sturdy because he was big and bulky.  He was like almost 6-ft tall, if I am not mistaken.  Who would've taught that he could be as defenseless as he seemed to be unable to protect himself from the blows and attacks made by the equally big man?

It made me think of my own mortality.  Life is transient indeed.  It made me think how much preparations I must do and how soon my own candle will be exhausted.  It made me think the more that only God is in control just like how a potter molds and remolds his masterpiece.

"I Want Those White Stockings!"

One of those funny stories about nursing uniforms is that one told by my husband.

When they were young, they had a help who could lift a 25 kg sack of rice up to her shoulder. She's a woman.  That amazed me.  Lifting is not one of my forte that's why.  It always felt I could break my back every time I attempt to lift anything big and heavy.

But this is not about her lifting prowess.  This is about how nursing uniforms are so attractive that even a help dreams of having one.  It was her birthday one day and she was asked what she wants as a gift.  She wanted the white socks my husband's sister wears with her nursing uniform!

My Kodak Digital Camera

I lost a Canon digital Camera. Son Daryl accidentally lost his grip on my Sony digital camera damaging the lens.  Now I am using one of those kodak digital cameras. I have a C142. It's very much cheaper, only a fourth of how much each of the two previous cameras cost.

In times when resources are dire, one needs to make the best of what is at hand.  In times like this, one does not need Mentos but resourcefulness.

My kodak digital camera is 'very' easy to use besides being easy on the budget.  It has 10 MP and a 3x digital zoom.  It also has a share button app (which I haven't tried yet).  It captures satisfactorily.

So if you need a digital camera with a limited budget, why not give this camera a shot?  :-D

Are Trophies Worth It?

When I was younger, I used to compete.  Awards came in many forms which include trophies, medals, certificates, gifts in kinds and cash.  Of course, what was appealing to me, being young and moneyless,  is cash money.  :-D  But it had always given me more a feeling of satisfaction when there was a trophy and cash money.  Who would not want it that way?

But are trophies worth it?  I mean, does it matter when you had trophies when you were in the primary, secondary, or tertiary schooling?  Does the accumulation define a person?

I realize, trophies and the other awards are just physical awards.  Of course, we have to cherish keepsakes but they do not really define a person.  Trophies do tell that part and parcel an individual had that inborn ability.  It may tell he is avid, or intelligent, or hardworking, or focused, or goal-oriented, etc., etc. but it does not translate entirely into saying that person is a 'good' man if you know what I mean.

 

A Haiku and a Letter for His Birthday

Yesterday, March 6, was Papsie's 47th birthday.  Daryl had just thought of buying a slice of cake within his budget to add something to his letter for Papsie's birthday.

Aside from the haiku, here is a copy of the letter (with his permission):

My dear Father,

It is not my intention to write a long letter, for it is not within my budget to print such a letter. Kidding aside, suffice it enough to know that I wish you nothing but the best for the years to come. You have given so much for us, despite your unique circumstance, that all I am asking of you is to live a little of your life for yourself. If I ever do get substantively rich  (in a financial sense), I promise to take you somewhere nice (perhaps that mami stand in  Masambong. :))

First, thank you for everything that you have done, and everything that you are still doing for me, my sister and my mother. Whatever we are now, whatever we have achieved and whatever we will achieve, we will always owe part of it to you. I am also thankful for the fact that you took it upon yourself to be useful, to be productive, given your predicament. It is rare, indeed, in this world of zanies and fools, to see a man rise above the circumstance which nature has assigned to him. For that, I thank you.

I also want to thank you for loving me as your son, despite my many shortcomings. I still have yet to learn the art of "diskarte" as you may call it, and I may not be well-versed with basketball, or with any other sport for that matter, but you love me just the same.

Second, I am sorry for whatever grief or pain that I may have caused you, or (God forbid) I may cause you in the future. I am a growing person, so bear with my pending development. I  may argue  with you a lot of times, but know that I do love you.

Yes, do know that we love you. It may sound just like any other I love you's thrown around but it  is meant with honesty, not flattery. Don't let the formality of this letter faze you from  believing in its sincerity; it is just a style which I suddenly wanted to employ. Know that there  are people in this world who keep you in their thoughts and for those who believe, in their  prayers, so whenever you're feeling down, just think of these people. Just think of us.

Papa, I know that I may not always be the son that people (and perhaps, just perhaps - you)  expect me to be. I do not play sports. I'm not a fan of wrestling, I love Whitney and Aretha, I  prefer books to the court - you get the point. But do know that I will always be the son who will  ask you to eat at the mami stand - the son who will sometimes frown upon hearing your requests  for me to fill the water container with..hmm..water (what else?), etc. In any case, I will always  be the son who loves you, beer belly and all. (Although, technically, you don't have a beer  belly. You have a "brandy" belly. And yeah, that was a corny joke but do indulge me.)

Today is your 47th birthday, and I want you to have more birthdays to come! Not another 47  birthdays, because that may just be too much. I am not promising anything but the promise to make  every effort to better myself, so that I may be a better son to you and Mama. In any case, I  believe that it is time for me to end this supposedly short letter. XD

Again, wishing you nothing but the best that life has to offer!

With all the love that the word LOVE could muster,

Your fat (getting to regular size) son,

Daryl Jules

It made me think about life insurance

Recently, our clan is putting up a reunion.  My initial reaction was excitement then later it died down because the venue will be in the province.  Aside from accessibility and resources, I cannot help think about morbid thoughts.  :-(

It is not a concern on term insurance vs permanent insurance actually. I think mostly about having one because I came to realize that it is beneficial in covering debts and liabilities in my time of death. I know it sounds morbid but it is more practical to me.  The problem is how do I thrust in another expense in my list?

Need to find another racket, is what I think.  :-D

Photohunt: Self Portrait

Photohunt has self portrait as theme for today.

Did that with Adobe Photoshop.  Many thanks to this tool.   :-D

Geez.  I feel vain.  :-)

Medical Carts

A cousin doctor mentioned that medical carts to be beneficial must have these features:

• They have to have large work surfaces; and they should be adjusted when sitting or standing to be able to work comfortably.