4th House, My Pensieve

Malaysia, Truly Asia, Wow Philippines, Go Korea(?)

2011-07-16T21:07:00.003+08:00

Malaysia, Truly Asia. - Who's behind the ad campaign? Why has it stayed alive? Is it really the budget factor or the idea itself? Why is Philippines lagging behind other SE nation's ad campaigns?

As one watches the international channels such as CNN, Discovery channel and the likes, these tourism advertisements do their job in promoting their respective countries. One of the most successful ads that we cannot help but like is Malaysia's Truly Asia. We cannot help but like the it over our own country's ads, as much as we want to be patriotic and put our vote for the Philippine's and Korea's ads.

Korean tourism ad has had some funny incarnation. From the culture laden vids and over driven catchy sound of K pop, it has recently come up with a more decent one. I remember it having the super K pop beat on the background, then switching to a super slow and downright boring ad. For now, it has toned-down and it seems to be hitting a middle ground on the culture and modern sights (read HALLYU) and a more subdued sound as a background. It was quite intriguing the first time we saw it.

As for the Philippines' --- that is another matter. The Wow Philippines' ad almost got around to Malaysia's, as well as Incredible India's but it was short-lived. I'm not saying that it was that good but it did have something. Unfortunately, it only aired for a while mainly because of limited budget as reason. (Just my guess.)

Lagging behind Malaysia's ad would be Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia (I don't remember much of this, though), and Philippines from SEA. These brings me to search for the ad company that made Malaysia and brought me to ISC after googling for the Malaysian ad company. I hoped to find out the person behind the company and found Mr Austen Zecha, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TWBA-ISC Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Here are a few copy pasted bios taken from their own website and another page on the net.

A lifetime of experience in humour.

Over 30 years of experience in journalism and marketing communications.

Passionate and vocal about everything and anything.

You either love him or hate him ? there is no middle ground.

That's Austen Zecha for you.

His nationality is a "marketing mix" ? a Dutch national born in Indonesia with a Eurasian father and Malaysian mother. Educated in the US, Austen graduated from Eaglebrook School and Phillips Andover Academy. He also holds a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree from Stanford.

Having spent his initial working years in Malaysia as a journalist from 1962 to 1964, he returned to Malaysia in 1974 to start his first agency venture. Since then, Austen Zecha had a dream: to create a fully integrated marketing communications agency that offers much more than just advertising.

TBWA-ISC is the dream come true.

TBWA-ISC's clients are advised by some of the best indigenous brains in Malaysian marketing while leveraging on the additional expertise of one of the world's top 10 international advertising agencies. With a Malaysian management team and co-owners that embraces a global perspective, TBWA-ISC truly gives vibrancy and life to what has become a cliché ? ?think global, act local?- whether in concept testing, research, or cultural sensitivities.

Austen Zecha

	Group President & Chief Executive Officer, TBWA-ISC Malaysia

	Austen Zecha is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of a Malaysian-headquartered marketing communications group of agencies, which include the TBWA-ISC Malaysia, WMD, Tequila-ISC, TQPR Asia-Pacific, Hype, and since October 2001, Loomis-ISC, a Honolulu-based agency. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1957, before earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Stanford University in 1961 and 1962. Throughout his pre-prep, prep school and college years, he starred in three varsity teams: soccer, track and tennis. In 1962, Austen started as a Southeast Asian journalist accredited to three organisations: The Associated Press, The Asia Magazine and The Straits Times of Malaysia and Singapore. By mid 1974, he returned to the US to join the personal staff of the late Robert F. Kennedy, who was then an Attorney General, and later became the Senator of New York. Following this, he joined the New York headquarters of the former Exxon Corporation and subsequently, the former Mobil Oil Corporation, as an International Advisor. It was in Hong Kong during early 1971 that Austen started his marketing communications agency life with his own advertising agency, which was later sold and became DMB&B Hong Kong. He moved to Malaysia in early 1975 to start another agency, which he sold, and became JWT (Malaysia) a few years later. His third agency group in Malaysia became Southeast Asia’s largest, and sold its advertising arm to Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide in the late ‘80s and its public relations arm to Edelman Public Relations. He started the present ISC agency group in early 1994, selling part of it to New York’s Omnicom Group, TBWA Worldwide in July 2001, and bought a controlling stake in Honolulu’s Loomis-ISC in October 2001 “for a rainy day and to keep senility away”. Austen has been married to a native New Yorker since 1969, has two married sons – who have made him into a four-time grandfather – and a third son and daughter who are still in university in the US. He has been included in numerous “Who’s Who” listings since the early ‘80s, sits on the Boards of several Asian and US organisations, and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Business Program in Honolulu. Born in Indonesia of Eurasian parents before World War II, Austen has a permanent residency in Malaysia, but is a citizen of The Netherlands. His interests include current events, history, sports (he is a PADI-certified scuba diver, and has a bona fide 18-handicap in golf after teaching himself the game only since 2007), boating, music, movies and travel (especially to his favourite Bali). -Asia Pacific Media Forum

Am I watching too much tv now? :)

Rolled Backpack or not?

2011-07-02T23:12:00.002+08:00

Last Friday, my son's quite cheap trolley type backpack finally broke. It was a happy occasion as I have been meaning to get him a new one. That one was bought with only a year of service is enough and that's it. Basically just for his kinder year with less books and frequency of usage in mind. It did surpass my expectation. :)

Now that it's finally out of commission, the question is what kind of new one should I get? Initially, I was thinking of something that is sturdy, with well padded straps, strong back support, and can last at least two years. He's still young so his book load won't be as much when he hits 3rd or 4th grade. But after seeing that it could really be quite heavy even now that he is just in his early grade school year, I am more inclined to get him either a decent backpack with a hand carried book bag or a wheeled or trolley type school bag. I am willing to fork out slightly bigger budget than before for a decent bag for him.

The big problem is hubby prefers a good quality traditional backpack and a big NO NO to the trolley type. Upon insisting that we head out to the local department store right away, I objected and suggested that I check the thrift shops first. I have been checking out the bags at the store and they are not worth their prices. They are quite overpriced in my own opinion. The pads are still quite thin compared to the ones that I can find in thrift shops that is almost half their price. Good thing is that he relented. Problem is, with that choice of store, the most likely bag that I would find is a backpack.

So we ended up buying a backpack which is quite big in my own opinion. It was a good quality but still a little too big for my boy. He may be able to carry it but to put in all his morning books is going to be too much weight. And here is another battle with his father. He doesn't listen to the fact about the issue on the toll of heavy bags in one's spine. We ended up arguing about the topic all the time. Why he cannot listen to the stats and researches and still subject his son to such is beyond me.

I had to do a more specific online search about the weight proportion. Some says that it should be ten percent, while others give 15 percent of the body weight. The last time I check my son't weight, he is roughly around 20 kg. That makes his ideal backpack weight to be around 2 kilos only. I still have to check that it is the actual things that he will have in his morning bag.

Hmm...wait 'til I get around to it and...

2011

2011-06-23T09:50:00.003+08:00

It's been a while since I've dropped by here.

I turned 2 _ this year. Looking back to where am I in my life, this is what kept me busy this last year. I managed a year of teaching part-time in a school with regular setting, my kid pre-school life is done, and went on a few trips in between.

My concerns has been about home and being a Mom. Now that we're on the formal grades, the pressure on being a Mother gets stronger. We had to face learning the Fil language, keep up with other academic and non-academic activities and attend to my kid's physiological needs: food, exercise, sleep etc.) The daily grind of these can really be daunting. The only reward is that our child will turn out well as he should be.

My current worries at this point are school related: his and mine. I don't want to be a Tiger Mom (I have yet to read that book thoroughly, though.) I have to spend a great deal of tutoring him on two of his subjects, Filipino and Makabayan. What I don't understand is why the latter subject is done in Tagalog while we used to learn it in English during my time in the same school? But of course, the subject title itself is "Patriotic," so that should explain everything. (Duh.. Really, we are not that very patriotic family.)

As for the subject Filipino, I hope my language teaching learning will come to use as I tutor my kid in the subject which I really didn't do very well when I was in school. :( I will just have to keep in mind other foreigners who are good learning the language as an inspiration.

Another one is the extra-curricular activity. During the first week, the kids were encouraged to join singing or dancing school groups. My kid was not interested in any of it. But upon more prodding, we decided that he can try learning an instrument and join a school musical group. So aside from the morning and afternoon school load, he still has two days after-school activity. I will have to find another time for us to do our tutorial sessions. I started attending the meetings and getting more information on the music group. These had me thinking that it might be a good idea for him to try the school newspaper too. Hmm..this might take another extra work for both of us though.

Less worry for me are the other subjects like Character Education, English, Math and Science which are all in English. It's a good thing that we have started on MES subjects long ago and he's pretty much "there" on these subjects. We can concentrate more on the Fil subjects until he is more comfortable with the language. I would just have to constantly keep in mind not to totally slack on these subjects as these are his strong ones.

That is just for my kid's school. On my own part, I have to finally write the "paper" this semester or else. I would really have to be consistent in focusing my powers and free time in writing that. It's been hanging on my head for a year and it;s about time. Target date: August 15.

End of June : I should be able to scrape all my related lits

wk 2 of July: Write Chap 1, and check

wk 4 of July: Write Chap 2, and check

wk 1 of Aug: Write Chap 3, and check

Mid- Aug: present for Res 1

Crossing my fingers with fervent prayers that I will accomplish this.

Oh Granola!

2010-05-03T16:45:00.005+08:00

This I'd say would be my first original recipe. Well, somebody did give me an idea that someone else has tried before. But as for the exact recipe that I have in mind, I didn't find one online so far. As far as I know, as long as they will manage to stick together, I can add any nut or fruit or grain that I like.

Since I almost always have some oats, sesame seeds and raisins at home, I only have to add a few more things to actually start it. Got myself a pack of pinipig from the grocery and I also got a chance to buy a gin bottle of honey a few days ago (a bit cheaper this time). Husband was complaining that we hardly use honey so why bother to buy again. Hmmph! I finally got something to show him what the honey is for.

Here's what I managed to put in my first No-bake *Gran.

1 C rolled oats
1/2 C sesame seeds
1/2 C pinipig
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C sugar (I used muscovado since it was available at the moment)
1/2 C honey
a pinch of salt (just thought it might be good ^.^)

1. Toast the oats, sesame seeds, and pinipig separately. Different sizes will need different duration to toast.
2. In a saucepan,heat up the sugar and honey together under medium fire.
3. Add the raisins, then the rolled oats,sesame seeds and pinipig.
4. Mix thoroughly under low fire until almost sticky consistency.
5. Transfer to a baking dish or whatever flat container lined with waxed paper to shape.
6. Cool it until it's enough to be put in the freezer to chill for an hour or two.

It might be good to keep it in the fridge but mine was almost gone even before it chilled perfectly.

Additional Info

What's the difference between granola and muesli? Granola is usually coated with honey or another sweetener, and baked to create a crunchy cereal. Muesli is less sweet, and soaked to create a chewier cereal. - www.canadianliving.com

Granola and Muesli compared side by side here.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

2010-04-17T11:58:00.000+08:00

Just love this quote. Dr. Seuss, you rock!

News Reads

2010-01-08T10:15:00.002+08:00

This article caught my attention thinking what would be the grounds for such a suit. It turned even more interesting because it involves mental illness versus special children. Looking at it at a different angle, I do think that this can have more complications.

Couple to file suit vs airline despite apology
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:41:00 01/08/2010

Filed Under: Air Transport, Health, Children

Filipina helps nab Nigerian in $18-M credit card ripoff
Posted 02:49pm (Mla time) (Mla time)
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The tenacity of the Filipina wife of an American lawyer led to the arrest by National Bureau of Investigation agents of a Nigerian national allegedly responsible for credit card fraud and identity theft.

Gift-giving, Party planning, etc.

2009-12-11T22:22:00.004+08:00

As the holiday season is fast coming by, I have to succumb to preparing some food and gifts as little as I could. We really don't observe the Christmas thing but we try to have at least some special food and activity around those days. I'd like to channel most of it to the New Year's though.

Nevertheless, since I have a little boy who really cannot be totally oblivious to the gift/christmas/ frenzy atmosphere all around and some kids that I feel like giving some gifts too, I have set myself to prepare even just a bit.

Some books that are really not age-appropriate to my son anymore have to find someplace where they can also be appreciated. We have decided to give away some of these this season and promote the love of reading. Good thing is that kiddo also sees the whole idea there. Or so I hope. ;)

Some of the books that I had in my list are these:

Grover's ABC Treasure Chest
Henry and the Elephant (A Thomas the Tank Engine Storybook)
Dinny the Dinosaur
Santa's Christmas List
some books from a local publisher Dolphin

Upon searching for other gift ideas for the grandparents, I had found some interesting birthday party ideas (for the future), and I am linking it here.

creative kids - ideas on crafts, party planning, kids activities
Tips for Planning a Kids Birthday Party - 5 Tips on Party Planning
Easy Homemade Presents for 6-8 yos.
Christmas Cookie Recipe - a gingerbreadman cookie

More later.

Eating Out for a Picky Eater Local

2009-12-07T22:17:00.001+08:00

A week ago when we went to see the Christmas animation display at government center,
I had this longing to eat garlic rice. I've tried it before to no avail and since I am still
not very satisfied with the local restos variant here, (mostly, it just turns out to be a fried rice) I am out to find a recipe online.

As I was searching for the garlic rice, I tried to remember what resto did I like this one best. My search led me to Tago-tago Floating Restaurant in Legazpi City, Albay.
Ah..!The three restos that I loved during our stay there. They sure hold nice memories of my short stay.

Colonial Grill (corner Rizal St. and Aurora St.)

This place has the grilled tuna that resembled close to home.
I had this impression that tuna is more expensive in Legazpi than it is Puerto Princesa.
One time that I went there for my fill, they said that they out of tuna and that the next
delivery will be a day or two later. Hah! I wouldn't hear that info if I were in my hometown. Perhaps, they're out for today but there will surely have it the next day.

One more special thing about this place is that it is where hubby and I had dinner right after we got the lab result that I was pregnant. I went there to satisfy my craving for tuna and it is also where I called my Mom to inform her of the news. Memories.

Location:
Old downtown Albay. Looks like a old house turned into a resto. You have to take stairs. I cannot remember what was on the first floor. It has wooden floors which we reallyliked.

Small Talk Cafe (on Aurora Street, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Legazpi-City-Philippines/Small-Talk-Cafe/186176090111)
051 Doña Aurora St., Legazpi City
(63-52) 480-1393, 820 1477, +63 917-5583275
Email: smoltok_cafe@yahoo.com

Location: Just a few steps from the Grill resto, this looks like another old house converted into a resto.
Despite the fact that it's just a few yard from the city main street, Rizal St., it still lies in a residential-looking area. You might actually miss it if it weren't for the signage. For that matter, it made me feel like a trespasser at first. hahha! Sort of exclusivity. Upon entering, we were greeted with a very loud color on the walls. Ah! It wasn't that intimidating after all.

For our pizza and pasta cravings, we would head to this place specially when we are not yet very hungry. It is not a fast food pizza place anyway. I don't exactly remember
what our favorite dish from the Bicol Italian fusion pastas on the menu which are not that spicy at all. The spiciness, if there was any, suits me just fine. On the other hand, my husband would still need to crush the chili if there is any. But to be honest, what really brought me back to this place was the cheesecake. Such a sweet tooth that I am.

Tago-tago Floating Restaurant (Bgy. San Roque, Legazpi City;Tel. No. (63-52) 820-0202, 480-0202)

Location: True to it's name, which means hidden, it is on the outskirts of the city. Going there and actually looking for the place make you wonder if you're really going to a decent restaurant at all. The roads is long and narrow. Even though it's paved, I had this impression that it's located in a very crowded residential area. The road is winding and one should have his own ride to get there. Either you have your own vehicle or hire the usually present tricycles. In such cases as the latter, better have the rate secured first before starting off. This was a few years ago so the transportation note might not apply anymore.

The restaurant has floating cottages on the pond, good for 4 or so people. Not too many or you might just sink. Haha! Just my imagination, that is. The water looks green and it makes me think of mosquitoes. Good thing the cottages has screens so you can at least eat in peace. These cottages gives a lot of privacy for couples out on a date!

The food that led me back to this is the garlic rice. Theirs was also a bit of fried rice variety, yet it still tasted good. As for the other dishes that I've tried there, I can't remember them now anymore. Sorry.

~~
La Roca Food Garden (Brgy. 38 Gogon Legazpi City; Tel. No. (63-52) 820-2305)
Another place that we got to try at that time was the La Roca Food Garden. Pretty spacious place with an upscale ambience. What I do remember is that they serve shabu-shabu. That's it.

For a quick ran off from the list of other eats that I can remember:

Boklan - got old Chinese resto ambience, quite busy place for families and groups, and good tasting pancits
Benjo's Pizza - they were on our phonelist for quick pizza eats, almost an American style dishes
Biggs Diner - quick eats too, American Diner style, just a bit crowded space though (the one on the Legazpi Center, that is)
Cres Snack Inn - if my memory of the name serves me right, this was the place where we got to eat regular home dishes
at reasonable price, it has Chinese-Fil style of place, and WE love their vege CHOPSUEY.
~~~..~~..~~~..~~~..~~~~..~~~..~~~~~

IN continuum of restos, let me head over to a place closer to home now.

There are a lot of new restos around here nowadays. But I'll try to list my fave places first. Be warned that this list will not include any popular seafood hunts for most people because I hardly eat any seafood except fish. No seashells like crabs, lobsters and alike. These are also located downtown, running from end to end of the main street, Rizal Ave. All are not exactly the it, but a block or two off. All in safe distance from the pier or the airport.

Ima's - good-tasting vegetarian dishes, freshly cooked (that means you may have to wait a bit, but it's worth it),
mid-range prices, cozy place
Balai Inato -Pinoy grilled Chix and chix galore, plus other side dishes of course
Balinsasayaw - we're almost a regular at this place, whenever I don't want to cook at home. hahaha!
- another Pinoy grilled chix galore, just a tad cheaper than inato, and has a wider range of food on the menu
Neva's Place - for our pizza and pasta fill, at a VERY reasonable price, and homey ambience (the place was actually where the owner used to live before, if I am not mistaken)
Pizzito - 24-hour Pizza place locate very near the airport, looks like a franchised chain, neat pizza, love their cone pizzas, almost fast food-style prices, and cold ambience, not a place to go to when very hungry and on a budget, good place for a quick bite at a price, with less crowd compared to the bigger fastfood chains.

Extras along Rizal Ave.

Native Fil Food:
a. Backyard Grill - gone were the days, live acoustic music at times, evenly spaced cottages in an open area
b. Bilao't Palayok - alternative place if I get tired of Balin or Inato, reasonable price
c. Saris Baryo - been there once and nothing special to make me go back again
d. Ka Lui - need I say more with the reputation of this place? everybody puts this at a pedestal ;)
e. *Ati-atihan Chix - it's a bit off the main road building that's why it seldom cross my mind to try it whenever I'm hungry ;)

Fusions, etc.:
*Lotus - Jap, Fil, Asian Fine Dining (daw), good location as it is beside Ka Lui's but still won't beat the more senior one in terms of patrons. :0
E-republik - More eclectic menu, tried a safe vegie dish and was not satisfied, nothing special in my opinion
- It also has acoustics, and ah! it's a bar, and I'm not so big on that.
*Fresh Cafe - a bit pricey, with a pretty cool looking building, still have to taste the food though.
Itoy's Cafe - a bit pricey but tasty ;)
Jo's Chix - another grilled chix place, an alternative to Balin and Inato

Food chain branches along Rizal Ave. :
Shakey's - the only true American pizza place
Jollibee - need I say more?
Chowking - need I say more?
Mang Inasal - another chix house, this time from a food chain, they have unlimited rice option, the chix itself is has nothing very special for me though. Bacolod Inasal still tastes better.

World Facts: Ph vs. Kr

2009-11-07T11:17:00.004+08:00

Last weekend has been a holiday for the country in remembrance of those who already passed away. Even if the family doesn't really believe on the Catholic teachings, in a predominantly Catholic country, it is hard to ignore occasions like this. Spending time at the cemetery, watching living people and tombs and tombstones of the dead gives one plenty of time to wonder on life, death rate, birth rate, population, cremation etc.

Seeing the cemetery crowded at this time of the year makes me wish that I'll be cremated when my own time comes around, provided of course that it will not be an environment hazard of course. I don't want to be in a coffin and seal in concrete blocks, for whatever it will look like later on. I prefer to go back to the soil, decompose naturally. And so does my Aunt -- I am not alone.

As I have often wondered, there are more births than deaths in the Philippines. I am not wishing for the opposite but at least, there should be an even number somewhere. The country's population growth rate is really a big issue and it affects a number of things in the country. I will not go to specifics on this but it's staring right at our faces.

On the other hand, Kr (I am only particular to this country coz of personal reasons) has only a mere 0.266% (ranks at #178 in the world) comparing to Ph of 1.957 % (ranks at #61 in the world). Meaning that population increase in the Philippines is way too healthy for our own sake. UAE has 3.69 as the highest rate of population increase and Cook Islands with -3.3 % as the lowest. Here are some more numbers to crunch taken from CIA World Factbook as of July 2009.

Ph page Kr page Philippines VS South Korea
Population: 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) vs. 48,508,972 (July 2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 12th vs. 25th

(Ph population is almost twice of that of Kr.)

Age breakdown: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) vs. 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) vs. 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) vs. 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009 est.) (Again, the children's population is twice more than in the Ph. While the opposite is true with the 65 year old and above. There are more old people in RoK and more children in Ph. )

Life Expectancy:
total population: 71.09 years vs. 78.72 years
country comparison to the world: 133 vs. 40 male: 68.17 years vs. 75.45 years
female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) vs. 82.22 years
(South Koreans generally live longer than their Filipino counterparts.)

Net Migration
-1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) vs. -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 vs. 102

(Although both countries indicates negative signs, meaning the number of people who moves out of their country, there are still more Filipinos who leaves Philippines.)

Education Expenditures:

2.5% of GDP (2005) vs. 4.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 158 vs. 85

(Again, South Koreans spends twice more in educating their nation than that of Filipinos.)

Blog categs...

2009-10-24T22:13:00.002+08:00

As I sift through my previous blogs today, I found some older ones that I have yet to move to a more appropriate place. Some are simple ramblings, reposts of anything that interest me, goings-on with my family, food, etc. I have to do something about this. NOW! ;(

Food Fotos 2: Korean Attempts

2009-10-11T13:26:00.006+08:00

Some old Korean dishes I've tried. I wasn't still personally satisfied how everything turned out so I should try these again later.

No camera at hand so I had at that time and I had to make do with my laptops built-in cam. This is the **Sweet Chicken (the Korean name escapes me at the moment). Kid and me loved it but turned out a bit too sweet for my spicy-loving hubby. Followed the recipe from Maangchi.com but I'm afraid it's not at par with how it's supposed to be. (*winks)

This is supposed to be Deokk Guk but all I can see is the egg and the stock. Too much stock.

Deokkbeokki - or what's left of it. The vegies are not that visible anymore. The deokk was the one my sis-in-law sent over a few months ago. We don't have it in town and needs to order it in the capital city or elsewhere.

** Dakkangjung

Food Fotos

2009-10-11T13:09:00.004+08:00

I am not really a big kitchen girl but when I have the urge to hang out in the kitchen, I can make decent food to satisfy my stomach. Here are some of the stuff I've managed to take photos of before we have have consumed everything.

A play with home photo studio with the mango muffin which didn't grow much. Edible nonetheless.

Another attempt at a mango pie. Or was it the first one? I still didn't really get the crust properly but I ate most of this myself anyway. ;)

A carrot bread rich with lots of eggs, and sugar and the works. Followed the recipe through and through but felt guilty and didn't try this again coz of all the carrot and eggs it needed. Pretty fancy and expensive ingredients for the tropics. I find carrots a bit pricey round here.

Here's a friends recipe from Fuller's cookbook. Brownies with lots of eggs. Hmm..sinfully rich. hahaha! We enjoyed making it anyway.

Muffin for my hubby, along with the coffee.

Homecooking/baking, etc.

2009-10-06T10:52:00.001+08:00

Workbook

Jul 8, 2009

How to make polvoron

entrepreneur.com.ph

Learn how to make polvoron

Just like pastillas, polvoron has become a favorite gift to give to overseas friends and family. There is such a huge demand for polvoron that in a survey conducted by the Business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last 2007, Goldilock’s Bakeshop named polvoron as their top-selling item—it sold more than their cakes!

Materials needed:

Mixing bowl

Measuring cups and spoons

Wooden spoon

Saucepan

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups powdered milk

1 1/2 cup melted butter

2 cups sugar

Japanese paper or cellophane

Polvoron molder, P24

(All available in supermarkets)

Getting started:

1. On a pan, toast fl our in moderate heat for about 15 minutes, or until light brown, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

2. Remove the pan and transfer the mixture into a big bowl.

3. Add the powdered milk, and toss for another 3-4 minutes.

4. Add sugar and melted butter. Mix well.

5. Fill the polvoron mould with the mixture, press it hard by using a spoon, then release it. If it is still too loose, add more butter or olive oil. Make sure that you could pick up the polvoron without it crumbling straight away.

6. Place the polvoron in an airtight container, then chill in the fridge until firm.

7. Carefully wrap the polvoron individually in japanese paper or cellophane.

8. Keep the polvoron refrigerated until you want to eat them. You can store them on the fridge for about a week, or you can freeze
them.

How to make puto

entrepreneur.com.ph

Learn how to make puto

Making and selling puto and kutsinta are hit business opportunities because (1) they are ridiculously easy to make; (2) they require very little capital; (3) you can mark them up to as high as 300 percent but (4) they will still be affordable to the masses.

Materials needed:

Steamer

Mixing bowl

Strainer

Muffin pan

Measuring cups and spoons

Wooden spoon or wire whisk

2 cups rice flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups coconut milk

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon anise seeds (optional)

1 cup grated coconut (or coconut flakes)

Getting started:

1. Sift the rice fl our, salt, baking powder and white sugar together.

2. In a bowl, add the coconut milk to the sifted ingredients and blend until the mixture is smooth.

3. Add anise seeds or whatever flavoring you wish (i.e. vanilla, pandan, etc.) Mix and blend thoroughly.

4. Carefully pour the mixture into the muffi n pans (greased with butter beforehand), making sure you leave 1/3 space at the top. This is to give the puto space to expand upon cooking.

5. Steam for about 30 minutes.

6. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of each puto—the toothpick must come out clean.

7. Top with grated coconuts.

A Korean Palace: Repost from PDI

2009-09-27T13:41:00.004+08:00

Changdeok Palace: Better than any Koreanovela
By Ino Manalo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:55:00 09/27/2009

Filed Under: Television, Entertainment (general)

MANILA, Philippines—A remarkable example of the global nature of contemporary culture is the way Filipino audiences have taken to Korean TV drama shows like “Jewel in the Palace.” Something in these tales of intrigues and courtly passions must have appealed to our local viewers.

To the Koreans, court intrigues are nothing new. There is no lack of sumptuous settings for such Machiavellian plots. Seoul has the privilege of being home to five grand palaces. Now islands of serenity in the bustle of city life, they had witnessed tumultuous events.

One palace, Gyeongbukgung, was completely destroyed in the 1592 Japanese invasion. It was restored only to be damaged when Japan again occupied Korea in the 20th century.
The Japanese built a huge Neo-Classical administrative building atop the ruins, creating a virile image of their imperial might.

This office was such a despised symbol of foreign domination that the Koreans insisted on its destruction upon regaining their independence. In the 1990s, Gyeongbuk Palace (“gung” is the Korean word for “palace”) rose again. Clearly, even huge edifices are vulnerable pawns in the pageant of power.

Most beautiful

Of Seoul’s many royal residences, perhaps the most beautiful is Changdeokgung. Though having had its share of the ravages of war and fire, it has retained many structures from its past. It is the only palace in Korea to appear on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Wandering about Changdeokgung, one feels close to the bosom of the earth. This is a building that embraces its setting. Every pillar stands with the strength of trees, floors stretch out like a vast sea.

In contrast, the structures of Gyeongbukgung have a linear orientation. State ceremonies are carried out in regimented orderly procession. Not so in Changdeok Palace, where courtyards wrap around mountains and gardens reflect the contours of the land.

A few years ago, I had the honor of being tasked by Unesco’s Dr. Molly Lee to design modules for training teachers on how to explain the features of Changdeok Palace within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development or ESD. This meant analyzing the buildings and gardens of the royal compound from the perspectives of environment, economics, as well as society and culture.

I was, of course, quite nervous about the assignment, not being a scholar of Korean history or culture. Fortunately, I was working with local experts such as Dr. Sun Kyung Lee, and the officers of the Korean National Commission for Unesco.

Organic relation

The environmental modules were probably the easiest to conceptualize. The Unesco Heritage List inscription citation makes specific mention of the organic relation between Changdeokgung’s layout and the surrounding terrain. Indeed, the palace is a wonderful enclave of rare flora and fauna, a micro-ecosystem in itself.

Dr. Sun Kyung Lee explained that the many ancient trees and the various ponds help cool the area so that the average temperatures in Changdeokgung are lower than the rest of Seoul. More importantly, it was demonstrated how the various courtyards of the buildings were thoughtfully positioned so that throughout the day, each one does not receive the same amount of sunshine as the rest.

The dissimilar degrees of exposure to solar energy results in different temperature gradients, which in turn aids in the formation of natural breezes. In this way, the palace halls actually has an efficient air-conditioning system which does not require wasteful energy consumption.

The eaves of the buildings are carefully designed so that they keep away glare and rain while allowing maximum light to enter.

I was also impressed with the many sliding doors. Their wooden grids and delicate paper panels reminded me of our own capiz windows. What was most interesting, though, was that, in the warm Seoul summers, these sliding doors could actually be hitched up so that the whole room would be completely open on all sides.

For the economic aspect, one could point to the many tourists that visit Changdeokgung every year. Though there is a great demand to see the place, it was decided to restrict access so as not to strain the ancient structures. Visitors are required to join guided tours and are not allowed to wander around at will.

Entrance fees were made higher than for the other palaces. This insures that tourist numbers would be low while maintaining a sizable income stream—a good model for some of our more fragile heritage sites. The Korean example illustrates that sometimes, limited high-end tourism might be a better option.

Historical drama

It was perhaps the socio-cultural dimension that was most challenging to document. Certain buildings such as palaces reflect the drama of history because they are both the settings and the targets of great movements in a nation’s life.

Occasionally, world-wide narratives intersect with more site-specific tales. This point is best illustrated by Changdeokgung’s kitchen. At first, this antiseptic white-tiled room hints only at a universal story dealing with the eventual acceptance of European culinary conveniences and standards of hygiene.

Later on, one learns this modern-style kitchen was actually built because the Japanese had confined the royal family to a smaller section of the compound. Since the king and his clan could no longer make use of the original outlying cooking facility, it was necessary to construct one that was more centrally located and with more contemporary appointments.

What initially seems a nondescript room for food preparation is actually replete with reminders of imperialism and subjugation.

Viewing the garden with its strategically arranged ornamental rocks and pedestals for floral arrangements, one is easily lulled into seeing all of these as delightful decorative elements. Yet, realizing that one is standing in the women’s quarters, it suddenly becomes clear that these artful devices were meant to be entertaining distractions for cloistered consorts.

How many queens had sat staring at these same views while contemplating what lay outside their shuttered courtyards?

Meaningful symbol

All over Changdeok Palace are symbols very meaningful for the Korean people. There are images of animals like the phoenix, which represents the king. Tiles are decorated with a branching fern-like motif—an allusion to a sacred plant that confers immortality. There are stone markers in the main plaza indicating where an official was to stand according to rank. The characters are in Chinese, indicating the pervasive influence the Celestial Empire traditionally had in the region.

It surprised my hosts that I could make out the numerals 1 to 9. The secret source of my knowledge: mahjong!

One of the teaching modules I devised required participants to create matching T-shirts using designs taken from the palace compound. Many festooned their creations with images of flowers, terraces, trees, architectural details, even clouds.

Easily the most evocative part of Changdeokgung is Biwon, the Secret Garden. Here the foliage is at its most lush. Concerns about time recede as one meanders around a courtesan’s dream of ancient pavilions. Many kings built their sanctuaries and reading rooms in the tranquil embrace of this sylvan quarter.

One Biwon retreat mimics a rustic farmer’s home. Evidently, when the royal family was tired of the pomp and splendor of their palatial lives, they would escape here and play at being simple folk.

Yet, in many ways, this modest residence is more impressive than its gilded counterparts. Unencumbered by rich trappings and elaborate decorations, the pure wooden surfaces and the translucent paper-lined windows gleam with a quiet beauty.

Palaces rise and fall with the whims of destiny. But an exquisite edifice like Changdeokgung endures in the hearts of a people, not because of its regal halls filled with the embellishments of pride and power, but because it demonstrates how humans can fashion beautiful abodes while respecting the rhythms of nature.

~~~~~~~

This article reminded me of one of the palace I had the chance to see a few years back. I'm not sure if it was exactly that one, though. Upon checking, this was not the one. I was able to see the smallest and the biggest one, but not this one. ;(

Smoking Ban in Public Schools and Offices: Yahoo to the Pips of CSC who drafted this Circular

2009-09-18T17:43:00.006+08:00

Smoking ban is finally taking shape. Or is it another attempt of the government at it? With the numerous orders and circulars not being strictly observed about how a government employee should conduct himself, this one ought not to be one of them. This is a matter of health and death. I wonder if anybody had taken notice of it.

Just take my city as an example. Littering and smoking are not allowed in public transports even a small tricycle but unless the passenger voices out any complain on this, some drivers would still keep at it. Personally, I try to avoid a ride that has a driver smoking. Sometimes, I would rather wait for another one than get into a death ride.

Now here are the things that every citizen should do, if ever put in a situation of having someone smoke in a public place.

1. Be aware that every citizen has a right to clean air. If you think somebody is trespassing that right, move on to no.2.
2. Be polite and inform/remind them that it is prohibited to smoke in that area. Do not be embarrass to do so. Keep in mind that your little embarrassment will have irreversible damages to your health. Sometimes, the offender will actually feel ashamed about it. Which is better than them getting angry about it. Remember, be polite. ;)
3. Let them know where the smoking area is.
4. And lastly, be polite and thank them for their consideration (even though you might be seething in anger at times).

In a public transportation specially the trics in my city.

Practically every legally franchised trics running in the city has these red or green stickers, with the Mayor's photo in it, that shows the penalties on littering and smoking in public utility vehicles. This one is really my favorite. Why? A few years ago, back in the late 90's, this city ordinance was virtually unknown specially to the drivers. This one almost came along almost at the same time with the anti- littering campaign but I guess it's too much for the public to care about at that time. Littering was more of the target back in those ages. I've read about this ordinance in one of the City's newsletter but no one actually follow, much know about it. It just one of those ordinances that rot in the filing cabinets of the government. So every time I bring it up to anybody I come across smoking in a PUV, I would be met with skepticism as if I am just making up a story or something to that effect.

Lo and behold! After a decade of that, I finally found my ally on the stickers placed right inside the tricycles. Now, I simply have to point to it to remind the erring citizen of that ordinance. Information dissemination is finally right in front of our face.

Fast forward to bigger picture. The enactment of the Clean Air Act brought some more attention to smoking in public places anew. But still, it seems that not a lot of people specially from the executive government, know how to put this into effect even in a minute way in their own offices. The country's Civil Service Commission finally did something lately with their Circular. I would love to know more about this one and perhaps another sticker campaign will do the trick again? Beware, though, with the ubiquitous photos of officials who puts their faces as big as the information that they are trying to convey. I am treading another territory now. I'll leave it at that. Here's the newspaper article about the CSC Smoking ban lifted from the Philippine Star.

What is Your Panty Type? (A repost)

2009-09-17T01:50:00.005+08:00

Recently, I have been trying to fine tune my undergarment shopping. It seems I haven't found a regular brand, or cut yet again. The ones that I've used locally for years needs to change. My personal preferences change and I still have to find which one suited me. With all the brands, cuts, and undergarment lingos, I have yet to learn a lot. On to googling. This is the first decent and fun find.

What is Your Panty Type?

Panties, regardless of the cut and style and the fabric they are made of, are basic items to be found in a woman’s lingerie drawer. There are different kinds of panties out there and women do have their preferences as to what type of panties to wear. Some women own different types to wear for different outfits and different occasions, while some opt for just one or two types and stick to them.

It is often said that you can tell what kind of person a woman is by the panties that she wears. Is she the sexy type or the fun-loving, outgoing type? Or is she the practical one and puts comfort above all considerations in picking her underwear?

Bikinis: The bikini panty is the most popular type of panty. Young girls are often raised on this type before they gravitate to boy shorts and thongs when they get older. The bikini panty has a fully-covered rear and is cut high at the thigh. The sides of the bikini can either be of full material or just string (thus leading to the string bikini version). There are mid-rise bikini types as well as low-rise ones to fit the low-pants trend. A woman who prefers bikinis is the kind of woman who likes pretty things but will not sacrifice comfort for them.

Thongs: Racy and sometimes titillating, and propelled to popular heights by Sisqo’s “Thong Song,” the thong is the skimpiest and sexiest type of panty around. Thongs are usually low rise and leave the bottoms bare. They usually come in G-string or T-back. G-strings are almost nothing but strings, giving that barely there look and feel to it. T-backs, on the other hand, form a T-shape on the buttocks. Women who like wearing thongs like to feel sexy – and they usually are.

Boy shorts: Boy shorts are a new style of undergarments and are quickly edging close to bikinis. This type of panty is cut low at the thighs, covering the hips and the buttocks, although there are versions of this style that leave the lower portion of the rear bare enough to tease but still leaving a lot to the imagination. Boy shorts are becoming more and more popular because they allow the wearer to look sexy without putting too much emphasis on problem areas like the butt and thighs. Boy shorts are worn by active, athletic women who still want to look sexy without sacrificing comfort.

Briefs: Briefs are also known as granny panties. They are big and cover a considerable portion of the lower torso, starting from the upper thighs and up to the belly button, sometimes even the waist. Some people do not find hipsters pretty at all, but there is no doubt that they are very comfortable. Many women wear them for sleeping or when they are having their periods. A woman who prefers to wear briefs above all other types of underwear does not give a hoot about what is fashionable and stylish. Comfort is her only concern and nothing else.

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal (a wordpress site)

My First Buko Pie..I'll dare myself to eat the whole pie next time!

2009-09-17T01:07:00.005+08:00

Sunday : Mother texted me that she has some buko from San Jose and asked if I was interested to turn them into pies. I said yes and went there late in the afternoon. But turned out they have to go somewhere so raincheck for the scooping out.
Monday: I planned on going back again but didn't make it to their place to pick it up.
Tuesday: My son caught a fever the night before so I had to cancel my baking plans. Too late, they already brought me the buko stuff so I had no choice but to really do it til midnight. I started before dinner and resumed after dinner until one A.M.

Here's what happened. I made my first buko pie, a dozen of min-buko pies and a loaf of not-so-moist banana bread (I've done better ones before).
The filling. It was almost overflowing in my little sauce pan.

After two trials on going for the dough, I finally figured out that it need some egg yolk to make it stick together. My previous trial easily crumbled until this.

Still will not qualify as pastry chef but at least I can make what I want to eat.

And have my family taste and enjoy it too!
It was such a delight to see and eat these small thingies. Yum...

The buko pie turned out good, almost great to my hubby's taste. (It's been years since he last tasted one, hahaha!)

Stem Cells Research in the Philippines: Existent?

2009-09-16T12:54:00.004+08:00

Stem cell research has been the rise to fame and downfall of a famous Korean scientist a few years ago. It rocked the ROK and the world. In the Philippines, stem cell research are almost unheard of in the common people except a biology class and medical sciences. This recent article in Inquirer gave me a glimpse on where the stem cell concept/research is in the Philippines.

It also talks about a Fil-Am jack-of-all-trades (brainy and cutting-edge biotechnology realm, that is) who is a Physician (oncologist), chemist, Lawyer, molecular biologist etc. I'm not sure which description would really bring the ultimate Wow or what?. Individually, these "descriptions" would be impressive enough but to roll them into one person, that is something. Now, wouldn't you say some people are more than blessed with their brains, hmm. On the note though, one thing that should be added to that list is "cancer survivor." I believe it would be the most meaningful one, in my own humble opinion. Let me put a name to that list now, and it would be Dr. Samuel D. Bernal of The Medical City in Pasig. It would be interesting to meet him, I think. I do have great respect for oncologists and molecular biologists. ;)

A series on Stem Cell Concept in the Philippines was written by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

When this thing picks up speed, I bet the whole "religion-concerned country" will have their say.

2009-09-04T11:54:00.002+08:00

Newspaper reading has been a good habit I've picked up through the years. Even though not everyday, I do find myself looking it up at least twice every week.

As much as I not a big fan of the subject of politics, here are some interesting columns under opinions of Inquirer;

On the Expat's stake of Estrada's bid for presidency

On other possible presidential candidate giving way for Ninoy Aquino
(The joke for the day also left me thinking for the fill-in-the-blanks.)

a brief LP background and ideas for the future election

Aug. 16th '2009

2009-08-20T11:16:00.001+08:00

A Thousand's Splendid Sun
by Khaled Hosseini

My eyes are still red and puffed, my head is starting to throb but my mind and fingers are itching to write something. I started reading this book last Friday night after arguing with my husband who let me had the chance to get a hold of this one in the first place. I chose to read this first over another which I had no idea what it was exactly about as to a synopsis or something of that sort. For this book, hubby was able to, at least, tell me more like a sentence or a brief description about it. It wasn't just "it was top ten recommended books to read" or something to that effect. In order to for someone to start something to read, there should be at least a background or something of a pre-reading part before the actual reading. You just don't go bungee jumping without knowing what's below you. Err..is that too much of a comparison,now? It was well late into the night and I seriously don't have any plans of turning on my laptop to check for the background of the story online.

That left me starting to read Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand's Splendid Sun. The setting started in an all-too-innocent backdrop of a place in a country far from civilization. Meaning, no electricity, a couple of farm pets in the scene, -- a very simple living. There was a girl. And an eccentric mother. A little girl of fifteen years of age, and strange words that signals the reader that this wasn't an average English written novel. It continues on with these local words, giving it some spice. It isn't straightforward English and sometimes, you'd get lost in some terms. Nonetheless, looking at the other side of the coin, it gives the reader a glimpse of the language and culture of where the story begins. From the innocent setting that it has started, the story unfurls into almost excruciatingly painful changes that takes place in the young life of the protagonist. As the story moves to the city of Khabul, I wonder what kept me reading it. If somebody has told me that most of the story takes place in Afghanistan, I am not sure if I would have the interest of finishing at all. I am not going to attempt to retell the storyline or much less give out spoilers, pray forgive me. Perhaps in another entry I might, or might not, after all.

This will only be my reaction. I cannot share this with my DH coz he hadn't finish it yet and I might give out some spoilers.

Reading the book made me thankful, again, that I was a girl born in a country where I have rights. I am not really one patriotic citizen, with all the shams going on in my country but for being born and brought up where women have more right, is more than a good fortune. It is a privelege. I don't think I can live in a culture where women are thought less of any more than a possible wife, mother or househelp. Don't get me wrong, all of those roles are beyond repproach but THAT isn't all. The author dedicated the book to two names and the women of Afghanistan. Women. Yes, women. Not to the scantily-clad women of tabloids, of TV's and movies but my guess would be to the burqa-clad women who have no choice but to live in their husbands shadows, along with the violence that women around the world endures. This I must reiterate. I am open to the fact that it much of the culture that some women in certain countries live that way. It is their culture. Yes, but if the women should have a choice if they wish to follow their culture or another. I perfectly understand women who have a great respect to their own culture and I DO ADMIRE them for that. I can only be be grateful that they have a heart like for I myself may not have any for such. Go ing back to the story, it tells of a tale of two young girls who later on grows up in front of the reader's eye's into women, made sterner through all of the wars, bloodshed and the simple ramifications of living a life in Khabul, under the different political disturbances for a period of a decade or two. Or is it even three? I can only sigh. This is indeed a good read, not for the faint-hearted but for anybody who has a heart, a man or woman for that matter.

P turns Five!

2009-08-20T10:15:00.004+08:00

Yesterday has been a great day! It was a bit busy for me but it turned out fine.

After three years of planning, I was finally able to bake my son his birthday cake. A first for me, I'm afraid. We've always bought cake from stores before and just come to think of it, he has always had a cake on his birthday. Small maybe but still a cake.

I started around 10 AM after my morning routine. I made two batch coz the portions were not that enough. After two hours, a total of 6 C of flour, 2 C of mayo, 3 C of sugar, 12 T of cocoa and a number of sifting, the mixture did get into the oven and out to start cooling while we had our lunch. Having it cooled a bit, I went back to it to make the fudge and finish up the irregular turn out of the cake. Ha! It sure was time consuming for a first timer like me. I still had to run to the market to get some peppers for the spaghetti. It was about 4 when the grandparents arrived with their gift. ;)

Since not everything is still settled, we all went out for some playtime for the birthday boy and while I run for additional candles and peppers and other stuff needed. SOS from my bro who took care of the finishing touches for the cake which was wanting some colors save for the brown chocolate fudge covering it.

Things to properly note down on DIY cake: NIPS, or MnMs, mallows, sprinklers (which I have to go to a special party store and not just at the only mart in town!), small stick'o, pretzels, hmm...it should look better next time. ;)

Some more notes on the things I learned:

a. I may someday consider using the confectionaire's sugar on the frosting or even fudge. I did buy it and it's rotting in my cupboard. The very conscientous of sugar for the teeth really gets in the way of my baking. Tsk, tsk. I keep on thinking of the very fine confectsugars that is just perfect to melt in our mouth and at the same time melt our teeth! There should be a balance somewhere.

b. Take care of the candles way in advance. This is a second for me coz I do remember one of my friends who had the same problem last time. I almost had the same, except that mine was easier solved. I didn't have to look for a very special candle. A stick was enough except that I needed one more. My reuse-reduce-and-recycle-thing kicked in and what I did was just add one more from the last set that we had last year. Ah! I did buy two this time for next year. Hmm..kidded the clerk about it but I was actually dead serious. LOL..

And now, off to make our thak you cards for our guests yesterday. My son sure had a great birthday thanks to them.

August 20th, 2009

2009-08-20T10:10:00.002+08:00

Things that make me happy in the morning...

Waking up to see my boys sleeping beside me,
catching the rays of the early sun reflected onto the wall from the floor that catches the sun from the window,
(it only happens sometime around seven or so),

having the moment of being alone before the numerous tasks that have to be done gets rolling in,
and seeing the torrents speed hitting 40's up to 50's kbps. With our net service provider usually hovering around less than 10 kbps, this is something. Now, isn't that fast and enough to make you happy?

Three Men and a Maid

2009-08-03T11:57:00.003+08:00

Upon searching for an audio book to download for my aunt to listen to, I checked out this book. It's pretty short, light read and funny. I might have seen this plot on movies/tv a lot of times before but it sure is a good try to listen to an audiobook for a change.

From librivox.org, I started to listen to it. It actually made me laugh out loud at times. Good thing I am listening while doing chores at home and not in somewhere in public. It is not really hilariously funny but it does have the occasional humor to it. I loaded it up in my mobile player yesterday and hopefully finish it up on the 4th or 5th of this month. Then I can move on to another book. ;)

Blog Face-off

2009-08-03T11:29:00.004+08:00

This is the first entry. A big trial. Another attempt to write something. Anything. As long as we're writing. For only 15 minutes, we have to write something.

This exercise has been brought up before, without the timer thing, but never made it to a second or even an decent one entry. We talked about doing a writing exercise every week before but it NEVER materialize. It seems that if we put it in the schedule for another time, the "another time" never comes. This time, we did it the "Flylady way". And what's the flylady way that I learned? It is setting your mind on to something, being able to do it in fifteen minutes and doing it NOW. That sure sounds quite easy, but for people who can't really concentrate and tend to over concentrate ;), that is almost an impossible task.

So for now, I will just have to leave it to my fingers to keep moving until the bell rings. It reminds me of writing exercises at school which I never really appreciated. I mean, I never saw the importance of using the remaing time for the class to sweat on something to write about. Somehow, there was no consistency on the writing exercises, and I never saw the connection.

Fast forward to more than ten years since high school, I find myself having to retrace my steps on learning to write. I'm not talking of the basic pen-holding things, and grammar of course. This is creative writing. Well...at least an attempt on it. It might be a good exercise for the brain, if not necessarily physically for my fingers for my typing skills. An exercise nonetheless which I hope I can continue on doing as I try to keep a decent flow of entry in my blog.

Looking back to my previous blog entries, I've pretty much kept a regular entry every month since I got my own laptop this year. I'ts quite liberating to be able to write something when you feel like writing. The only problem is finding the time now.

Time's up!

Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie - A book report of sort

2009-08-02T00:00:00.003+08:00

might have started a new one to read without writing anything about this. Nevertheless, for the sake of writing exercise, and future reference on what this story is all about, I am writing it now.

This book, it seems to the the first book of Tuppence and Tommy. The first, or probably the only one I've read of Christie's books featuring this duo, was "What Mrs. Mc Gullicudy Saw" or Flatform 9:13 or something like that. It was quite a light read compared to the books featuring Hercule Poirot. It must have been not very easy to write a male protagonist. I believe it's pretty complicated compared to writing about a woman protagonist.

Back to Tuppence and Tommy, this book introduces the reader to the two childhood friends who ended up meeting each other in their lives. At one point during the war where Tuppence was working in a hospital as an all-around attendant (from dishwashing to attending to the patients) and Tommy as one of the soldiers/patients injured in the war. After their VAD stints, they met again while both looking for opportonity to earn something. It is in this situation that they teamed up to take up anything. After laying out their plan on advertising themselves in the papers, Tuppence stumbled onto a very interesting case of a catchy name.

Jane Finn. What's in name?
Seriously, it didn't strike me as anything special. It's just a name and there are other countless strange names across the globe. Well perhaps not during that time of writing. I mean, the war has just ended and all that.

So going back to the story, I really won't be going into the nitty gritty of it all. I would just like to take into notice how the characters were painted. There were other big characters which at one point was in my list of suspects. Sure there were a lot of other characters involved but with the build up of an apparent mastermind behind all of the complications in the story, a mysterious Mr. Brown is always the culprit. Upon realizing that this Mr. Brown is most likely one of the active characters in the story, living in another name, I was out for a possible name. As I read, I developed a hunch that it was Suspect no.1. Almost all throughout the book, my money was on him. The thing was I wasn't really that sure as I later found out because I did a doulbe take around the end when the Suspect No. 2 was pointed out as the One. But of course, all the deductions and various offhand suggestions that was built up against Suspect No. 1, indeed added up and in the end, it turned out that he indeed the one posing as Mr. Brown. Now what points led me to form that hunch? Hmm..the way the character was build up. It was so attractive, I'm not referring to the aesthetic here. Although there was another character described as interestingly but it died somewhere in the story. That brought me back to No. 1. I really admire how his character was build up. There was the instance on the mysterious poison administered, inside knowledge of things that the protagonist will be doing and such and such. It seemed that the protagonist are always one step late of what the anagonist has done. This case simply led the reader to believe that the culprit is among the people trying to help the protagonist as they solve the case. SOmething like an inside knowldge of the pursuants. Ah! This was one entertaining read for me.

I can finally move to another book and see for myself how another story plot thickens, how the characters are built and how well can I make guesses.

Now, what will be my next one? Perhaps a Ms. Marple book. I don't think I'm ready for Poirot again.

Happy Day Today!

2009-07-21T01:04:00.006+08:00

Hubby got his first online shopping package this month. And....I got myself a new Mp3 player! Although I'm not sure if it was originally for me. Haha! My previous one was long gone and I'm just tickled to get a new one. Thanks dear. :) It might take a while for me to get use to it's relatively simple functions.

Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.

The

Having found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.

As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)

20th of July

2009-07-21T01:04:00.004+08:00

Hubby got his first online shopping package this month. And....I got myself a new Mp3 player! Although I'm not sure if it was originally for me. Haha! My previous one was long gone and I'm just tickled to get a new one. Thanks dear. :) It might take a while for me to get use to it's relatively simple functions.

Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven enough to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.

The shirt was almost unused more than 6 years ago. Then I think I gave it to my Bro or Pops when we left. After 3 years, we got back and found the shirt back in our things. It was a little loose, almost a candidate for a rag if it weren't for the print. It was a comfy sleeping shirt for a while but...hey...not all the time. I finally found a new home for the mask print.

Having found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.

As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)

7-8-9

2009-07-08T23:47:00.004+08:00

Another date I can't resist.

If last year, I went for the 7-7 date, this year, I will go for the 7-8-9. Bro informed me to attend some seminar today and I jokingly suggested to have his gf join, which she gamely accepted. We spent quite some time together with P. It was quite cool, so to speak.

What's going on my mind now? I am actually sleepy and can't think very straight. Ah! My shining sink!

I have finally started "flying with my sink">. I've found this nice site a few weeks ago but I just didn't get on with it till I had my kitchen fixed last Tuesday. I was off to a better start with a newly fixed water taps, etc. I don't have any excuses anymore. So far, I'm on my second night now. Tuesday, after starting off with my sink, I also did the 1st room's bathroom. It was such a tremendous job. Both didn't have any big clean up for awhile. At the end of the day, I was barely able to get my sink cleaned up before tumbling into bed. I was really tired. But the feeling of accomplishment was really worth it. I am finally starting.

This week, I had also started back into my physical exercises. Ah, upon checking up on my calendar so far, I had started on the 1st of July. I kind of tried this around New Year but slacked off. My goal at that time was at least 3x a week. This time, I will try to do at least 30 mins, 4 or 5 times a week. I have yet to wake up more early too. So far, after hitting 10 AM wake up time a few weeks ago, I have tried to regain control and slowly worked my way back into 8:30, then 8, and finally 7:30 this morning. Bad thing though was I didn't jumpstart at that time today. SO far, things are looking up. Eeny weeny baby steps. Eyelids are really drooping...or dropping? Duh..too sleepy. Signing off for now.

The APO; My Nostalgic Musings

2009-06-28T17:55:00.003+08:00

Contrary to the common generation of those who love the APO Hiking Society, I was not born in the 70's. I didn't exist yet at that time. The Martial Law, and everything that happened in the country at that time. Even when it ended with the First People's Power Movement, I wasn't aware of such historical events.

The APO existed during that period and after that. They continued to live on through their music even if they are not very active in the music scene nowadays save for their anniversary bash last year with a series and one big concert.

I was listening to some of their music today as I do my house chores and it was kind nostalgic. After the highly volatile political period of the 70's and early 80's, the group emerge through it all and went on to do noontime show on TV. Me, being raised on watching TV (ha! I wonder what my Mom had to say on this;-), had watched this group on the tube. From once a week Sunday noontime shows, they went on to do the weekdays. "Sa Linggo nAPO Sila" to Isang Linggo nAPO Sila. At that time, the reigning noontime show on TV was "Eat Bulaga" and they did make a quite a competion. Since both main groups (the APO and TVJ) are remarkably good singers, the shows were filled with music, games and fun. I believe it was a non-comparable quality to what I see today on noontime TV shows filled scantily clad back-up/background dancers and trying hard "singers." But of course, this era has more money at stake to win for the locals/common tao. I myself can be part of it if I am desperate enough to stand in line at the station everyday.

Going back to the APO, their show had four main female hosts. From what I can remember, they had Bing Loyzaga, Ilonah Jean, Agot Isidro (I think she started TV on that show) and ...mmp, the last one escapes my memory just now. Ah! de Leon - Melissa de Leon, I think. All of them CAN SING. Of course, a few other hosts drifted in and out of the show like Amy Perez, and even Ariel Rivera, who was the "crush mga kolehiyala" at that time. It was really an interesting musical variety show, far from the current trend of noontime game shows that fill the boob tube every afternoon.

Ah! The world is getting wicked. And I am just feeling nostalgic. Hahaha! The APO rocks! Their songs are really timeless and brings back the old town feelings, even if I really didn't exist mostly at that period. More reminiscing next time to the like of Three Coins in the Fountain era.

Hello MS Office

2009-06-06T16:02:00.002+08:00

After months of figuring out what and how to go about the Unit plan file that I have to do, I finally found that the cd we have is still working. How come when I tried to install it before, right after we've installed the OS, it didn't work. I never tried again after that. We ended up installing the open office which worked just fine until this Unit Plan file from school. Luckily, hubby suggested to try it again. My big hurdle is now over. I can finally start listing up my own plan.

Hmm..back to the drawing board.

Anne Frank, Holocaust, Schindler's List..etc.

2009-06-05T00:01:00.005+08:00

I have recently started listening to an audio copy of the Diary of Anne Frank. Even though I have read it before somewhere, a second "reading" is not really a bad thing. I have more chance to twirl the story in my mind now, unlike before that I simple devoured reading it. This time, I have extended my reading.

This brought me to youtube, and found some comments and videos about questioning the authenticity of Anne Frank's Diaries, or worst, the existence of the Holocaust involving the Jews and the Nazi's. I mean, really. It's nice to know that there are other ideas about that one but come on, this seems like too real to be reel. There seem to be a movie or something about Anne Frank and I have yet to find it.

This reminded me of the movies of the same topic; the Schindler's List, and the Pianist. Although I think I've seen the first one and I do remember the synopsis and the book where the story was based from (aside from the real person, of course), can be a good read. But the movie, it wasn't something that I would want to watch again. It's just so terribly depressing. Regardless of that, I would still strongly recommend to anyone to watch it, even just once, for their own existence's sake. It's just up to them if they would like to question if the holocaust really existed at that time.

A bit about Schindler. His first name is Oskar, a German, who was not very lucky with business but somehow was able to use his business to save at least 1200 Jews during the holocaust.

My goodness, the web really has a lot of interesting things to bring into a classroom. Anyway, I may have this for my lil' one later when he's old enough to understand. He finds the Anne Diary audio book interesting (at his age now), though.

Just for Fun...

2009-06-01T17:09:00.002+08:00

Good one to click to make it bigger and start staring.

Sigh...a relief on the book tax issue

2009-05-28T13:02:00.002+08:00

Due to my own papers to write last week, I wasn't able to follow how the book tax issue went. it seems that I missed the most important update on it here. Philstar covered it, thank goodness. There's still hope for our nation to start reading again.

I am not entirely a big fan of politics, but thank you Madame President for puting your foot down on this issue.

A time for Introspection

2009-05-28T12:31:00.002+08:00

Today is a day to introspect.

School enrollment season is here again. I have been contemplating if I should enroll again this sem or take a break for now. My son is going to be 5 soon and and I have only a year or two to prepare him for schooling. I am not really sure if I should forgo my own education for now that he is still under six. I have been considering and hoping to try to homeschool him instead of regular school. I am not very enthusiatic in the regular set up of school, starting with the unimaginable fees, uniforms, enrollment systems, school stuff shopping, and others. As usual, I always end up going against the grain.

If we are goingto homeschool, I should study now to improve my teaching skills some more and while he' still doesn't require great attention in studying. If he's going for the regular, I can study later when he starts grade school.

That brings me to the decision at hand. I have to clean up some subjects I left unfinished. I may take a break this term or next. But I only have three more subjects before I can qualify for the comprehensive examination and start wring a problem paper. That is still a thing for me to consider. At least, I finish the subjects and decide the next step later on.

On the other hand, it saddens me to think that something is missing in my little boy's childhood life. It might be almost same or even worse than mine. I don't think if he would have any "childhood friend" to consider. Perhaps, I really should take my hubby's proposal of letting him attend that neighborhood center. Or another would be make my own center at home. I like the idea but would it be something I can do? How will I start? Can I keep it up, along with my own studies if ever I decide to do both things? sigh...

What will I do?

From birthdays to children's day and culture contrasts

2009-05-28T11:08:00.000+08:00

A conversation on planning how to spend one's birthday spurned a thought on the stark culture contrast.

Culture wise, when it someone's birthday, the celebrant is sort of expected to throw a "bash" or some sort. Well, of course, it could be just a one-dish affair to share with family and friends. And having one that is sometime between Mother's day and Father's day can be tricky. In a span of 30 days, there would be some sort of that kind of "dilemma." Why? hmm...

DD was just pointing that out and mentioned how come there isn't a big Children's Day here. Uhmm..I am not really sure when but I think it's sometime around the 4th quarter of the year. Googled it up, one site mentions Oct 17 (Christian site), another one has Nov. 20 (Universal Children's Day). This is can be confusing. But the reality, there's isn't really much hype to this day in this part of the world.

In comparison to my hubbys home country, it is a big one for the kids. That is something that he always points out. This is what I have to say. It may not be that big here for a day but it is everyday, or culturally.

Case point no. 1. The local culture here is usually in favor of children. Take the simple food serving on a meal. In our culture, the youngest ones are served first and given their choice of share. Perhaps, this is because kids can be very "demanding" at times or it can be quite convenient for the adults to satisfy the wee ones first. But of course, when it is a "really old one," like grandparents, the kids are also taught to honor to get granny's plates filled first. On the other hand, it is an exact opposite with their culture of serving the oldest ones first. Uhmm, I may haven't seen a lot but with my hubby and family, they do point out that older ones gets serve first, as the culture has been. Of course, I do remember some occasion that they chose to forego that culture.

Case point no. 2. My country's population consists of a great number of children. It's quite easy to take that fact for granted. It can even be blamed for the widespread poverty of the nation. Hubby's country has a very limited and dwindling birth rate. No wonder they have to make the Children's Day big. (;-) Although, I do believe there was a story on the importance of that regard.

Kidding aside, there is really a stark contrast on culture between two nations. It takes an utmost care to balance the similarities and differences in order not to start the 3rd World War.

On Women's Surname

2009-05-28T00:08:00.000+08:00

This issue came up again today as I fill up my voter's registration application.
Do I get to keep using my maiden name or what?

Google up the phrase about it and found contrasting ideas.

On the point of keep the maiden name, here are the sites.
(1) from a senate site, pdf file of Sen. Flavier's (dated 2004)
(2) from a consular's office website in Sweden (date Mar. 2003)
(3) from National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (Mar. 2009)
with RA 386 download, 3 options, and a more liberating interpretation of the Law.

Now, this law is usually interpreted in another way as shown in this site run by religious lawyer. Which one is it really? I am still at loss.

This issue may be trivial but this is legal. ;)

More on the suicide news..

2009-05-27T01:14:00.000+08:00

Here is a link to an article about the ROK ex Pres suicide.

Below is the statistics report on suicide cases in the world.

A nation of suicidal nature...

2009-05-25T20:56:00.000+08:00

Ex-president commits suicide.

How many foreign Presidents ever committed suicide? That is something that I have to check on history first. Sure, there are typical cases of murder, assassination but suicide? Hmm...culture, personality are factors. This can be a good paper to write on.

In a highly religious country I grew up in, suicide is seen an ultimate sin. Something that is irrevocable (for obvious reasons and beyond), something almost shameful. Why would anybody actually do it is still unfathomable. It's beyond my own comprehension as I was in the belief that it is unpardonable.

This latest news is a big shock indeed. It's quite usual (almost) to hear about famous actors or other personality (showbiz and biz) to commit suicide, but politics? Specially someone who held a very high position of a country.

The late president was uncannily soft-hearted to look at. I used to find his "swagger" entertaining everytime I see footages of him walking. The issues that surrounded him before his death would not have been worth his life, in my opinion. But I guess, he regarded them very highly. Enough to take his own life. Or perhaps, there's more to it than that. We'll never ever know.

One thing for sure, he is now one of statistics in a nation who have a high suicide rate in the world.

May 20, 21...pet, excretory system

2009-05-25T20:54:00.000+08:00

May 20, 2009

P had a thing with his excretory system today.
In the morning while I was working on the lappy.
He stirred but he didn't get up and say good morning at all.
SO I checked if he was upset or something only to find out something
wet beside him. Uh-oh..I mentioned the wet thing and he said,
"I made a mistake." And after that, tried to bury his face in his hands.
So we had an early wash coz of that.

Later that night when I got home from school, I found the toilet
unflushed with something. So I asked P if he pooped today and he said yes.
This is a first that he did not bother anybody with it.
The father was surprised coz he had no idea about it. Upon further questions,
it turned out that the son just did it all by himself. Asked if what was the DD doing
at that time, son said he was asleep. SO the little boy simply pulled his undies and
went back to what he was watching. No washing (good thing it's a dry thing so not much
skid marks) and flushing. Gross! But looking at it in a way, I am just glad of his try
of independence. Yet, still got a few part to iron out.

A day with P's excretory system.

May 21, 2009

Last week, sometime around May 14 or 15, our dog got out of the fence and did not come back.
Hubby tried to make some story but I'm not just in the mood to put in writing just now.

Anyway, my folks woke us up today with the news that they found the dog around the neighboring vacant lot.
The big lot is quite like a forest still and fenced with barbed wire.
They saw the dogs head trying to get out of it but since the space was too small,
the poor dog got stuck. They tried to get her out but he rans away from them.
My folks thought about bringing my son to there to coax the dog out.
Good thing is when we got there, she did recognize us. After a few tries and hesitation,
the dog finally got out and went home with us.

Our dog is finally back home, but the thing is we lost her dog dish.;)
I am quite relieved that she's back home and safe. I did feel very bad that she was out in the wild for
almost a week. Ah, I think that was Friday. Almost a week indeed.

I have yet to evaluate my son's reaction and other stories
around this disappearance and homecoming.

Repost: Anger

2009-05-23T00:12:00.001+08:00

Anger:

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'

'But, why shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'

Disciples gave all kinds of answers, but none satisfied the saint.

Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'

Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly. Why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small.'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

Moral:
When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

Repost: Family

2009-05-23T00:10:00.001+08:00

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old..
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God's still
Small voice came to me and said
'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY = (F)ather (A)nd (M)other (I) (L)ove (Y)ou

Repost: Girls Vs. Women

2009-05-23T00:06:00.000+08:00

Girls leave their schedule wide-open and wait for a guy to call and make plans.
Grown women make their own plans and nicely tell the guy to get in where he fits

Girls want to control the man in their life.
Grown women know that if he's truly hers, he doesn't need controlling.

Girls check you for not calling them.
Grown women are too busy to realize you hadn't.

Girls are afraid to be alone.
Grown women revel in it-using it as a time for personal growth.

Girls ignore the good guys.
Grown women ignore the bad guys.

Girls make you come home.
Grown women make you want to come home.

Girls worry about not being pretty and/or good enough for their man.
Grown women know that they are pretty and/or good enough for any man.

Girls try to monopolize all their man's time ( I.e., don't want him hanging with his friends).
Grown women realize that a lil' bit of space makes the 'together time' even more special-and goes to kick it with her own friends!

Girls think a guy crying is weak.
Grown women offer their shoulder and a tissue.

Girls want to be spoiled and 'tell' their man so.
Grown women 'show' him and make him comfortable enough to reciprocate without fear of losing his 'manhood'.

Girls get hurt by one man and make all men pay for it.
Grown women know that that was just one man.

Girls fall in love and chase aimlessly after the object of their affection, ignoring all 'signs'.
Grown women know that sometimes the one you love, don't always love you back-and move on, without bitterness.

Girls will read this and get an attitude.
Grown women will read this and share it with other grown women and their male friends".

Repost:Good reads for today..divorce

2009-05-23T00:01:00.000+08:00

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, "I've got something to tell you." She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. "I want a divorce." I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, "Why?" I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, "You are not a man!"

That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. "No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce." she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, "Ddaddy is holding mummy in his arms." His words brought me a sense of pain.

From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; "Don't tell our son about the divorce." I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, "All my dresses have grown bigger." I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me ... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, "Dad, it's time to carry mum out." To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind, I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, "Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore."

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. "Do you have a fever?" She said.

I moved her hand off my head. "Sorry, Dew," I said, "I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us part."

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us part.

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.

Source: online, repost

Idiot Nation? -- the Non-Reading Culture of Philippines

2009-05-16T11:16:00.000+08:00

This past few weeks that I had been reading online newspaper can truly be beneficial or annoying, both at the same time. The issue on tax on books that had started surfacing around the first week of this month really is something for the public to take notice of more than that of Pacquiao's mother birthday bash.

I can only sigh and think if there's anything I can do about it. An editorial on taxes on books is published in the Inquirer newpaper today. Hopefully, other people will be able to check it out and let their minds be felt.

Here is the editorial page link. Also other here and here from previously published regarding this issue.

S Club 7, Charlotte's Web, and Origami

2009-05-10T00:26:00.000+08:00

Homework brought me to an interesting find on the web; an origami site which is very easy to figure out and follow. I can finally try my hand at some paper folding with my son one of these days. I still got the little box of origami paper I had saved a couple of years ago.

Another find today are the music back in the late 90's and early 2000's. A little upbeat travel back in time.

And after the music, I'd occasionally yearn to listen to some story of another genre so I decided on Charlotte's Web for this month. If I can't find the time to read, I might as well listen to it. What I got was a BBC drama. It might have been better if it was the audio book but this will do for now.

Better get started on it. ;)

The Tale of Second-hand Clothes

2009-05-06T22:51:00.001+08:00

This isn't a trail of a piece of clothing but a musing on how in the world these second hand items end up in here?

The second-hand clothes stores, or "ukay" as popularly known, are continually sprouting in every part of the city. There are more stores compared to twenty years or so ago. I do remember my grandmother always have these interesting finds whenever she comes home from the market. These stores are usually found near the market where every person from all walks of life would have to take notice somehow or the other, even if they really not very keen on buying one. There were mostly clothes where my grandma would get her church clothes. She sure hoarded a lot of it during her lifetime.

Fast forward to more than twenty-years, the number of stores have more than doubled, even tripled. These can be found around the market, along the high-way, the main streets and sometimes in surprising places. And some had also specialized into shoes and bags, aside from the common things like clothes. These make me wonder how these clothes ended up here. The labels would usually indicate that they were made in the China, Korea, Japan, U.S. and occasionally South Americas. These are really interesting finds for someone interested in geography. ;)

With a few hesitation before on the idea of diving into the mounds of "ukay", I found myself doing it every now and then. There was more than one occasion that I really scoured quite a number of stores in one whole sunny afternoon. It wasn't really a casual shopping but a dead on quest on making the most of my budget. Yet, sometimes, I wonder if am I really paying fair for the clothes? Some are almost new, with tags that shouts 1$ price but would sometimes be sold a quarter more or double the price even. This is really just ironic. I do have an idea that these products can actually be just donations or trash of other people from other land. Those who cannot live to wear a minutely-stained top or something of that sort, or those who really have no more space in their closets.

It reminded me more than once when we had to move and had to get rid of some clothes that we won't be bringing since we won't be using them in our destination. We put the stuff in a recyle bin late night and I really thought at that time who would end up using the stuff. Some of those were really heartbreaking to part with coz of quality but practicality means we won't be using it at all after the move. I was almost sure that some of those made its way to a second-hand clothes' shop. The same thing that recylcable items collected from every apartment every week. These are mix of kids clothes usually, along with bags, shoes, and even books. Must be very interesting really how one man's trash be another man's treasure.

This really make me wonder how these items travel and I stumbled on this NY TImes article on how a shirt from NY made it's way to Africa. Now, how about the going to Asia? Upon reading this article, I was "relieved" to found out Asia and South America gets the bettter ones compared to the ones going to Africa. Hmm..it leaves us some interesting thought.

Here is the article.

The Pull of the Kitchen and School

2009-04-27T22:54:00.000+08:00

Today is the start of school works for me. The papers I have to write suddenly all showed up at my doorstep and requires immediate time for conceptualizing and writing. One from previous semester, a couple for the recent subjects that I have. Not to mention the time I need to digest my statistics subject.

One at a time, I should do. First on the list is...

The paper on reading
paper on grammars
copy and paste thing on acquisition

Another set to do would be the exercises, homeworks for the stat class.

For extra stuff, restart of a love affair with the photocopy center.

But one thing that I have to prep is printing out the stuff for P tomorrow and the Acquisition cut and paste. But of course I should read the latter one first.

Not bad for a student/mom, huh. Did I mention that on top of all that, I still have to find green onion at the market tomorrow and bring my kid to the playground and think up the meals as well?

Can I just hang myself? Better get started.

Korean Kitchen, Maangchi etc.

2009-04-26T23:34:00.000+08:00

Some foods that I'd like to be able to try to cook soon. At Korean Kitchen, Tofu Kanjang Jorim and Tuna Pancakes. Then, Sweet Spicy Chicken from Maangchi.

With my loaded class schedule this weeks to follow, I wonder when I'll get around to trying these yums.

Oh! On a note to house stuff, the boys finally got what they had been campaigning for the longest time, a kitten/cat. Hmm..how will the house be tomorrow?

Nyt off now.

Knee-deep

2009-04-25T17:05:00.000+08:00

Almost, that is. I'm almost knee-deep in school work. With no structured study time, I am going to be swamped with all the readings that I have to. I love the work it entails but excuses, excuses.

Oftentimes, I have to research something and I end up finding resources for teaching little ones. The subjects that I took this semester are all that I am interested in, except for one. I am now thinking that it was a mistake to put stress on myself and take the fun out of studying. It will eat up a lot of my time, and to think that I am not sure if I will still continue next semester. I have yet to polish off the two diplomas that I was working on before I plunge headlong onto the next step. Can I make it? Will I survive without risking my other subjects?

I need help. I might as well drop the subject.

Notes from today

2009-04-22T00:02:00.000+08:00

Got a lot of stuff to log in today but this will truly remind me of the diary that I used to keep for the longest part of my life; the simple recall of how I spent the day.

Some notes to jot today is the soy milk that I tried to make today. 3 cups of soybean to 5 cups of soaked soybean plus 10-15 cups of water yielding more than half pot (smaller one of my pots) of milk. I did the grind, boil and strain (and boil once more) this time unlike last time where I grind, strain and boil.

The pot is now sitting on the floor of my bedroom. I am keeping a close watch on it since the ants may attack it. Bless them.

Upon looking for the proper ratio between the soy bean and water to use, I stumbled on soy yoghurt. Oh no! Another mission for me to accomplish after I have figured out the proper ratio and coagulant for the tofu. Tofu, then yogurt. I may try that one time with the use of a dairy yogurt and my yogurt maker. (I can finally make use of the y-maker after bringing it over and keeping it for almost a year.)

Shelfing the idea for now, I have yet to turn my attention on the schedule of classes that I need to iron out, after enrolling again this summer.

Phew! Seems like a long summer ahead again.

Night.

World Digital Lbrary, Relaunched!

2009-04-20T00:36:00.000+08:00

The world digital library launched at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Here's the local paper's article link.

I already stumbled on this site a few months ago, under .net at that time. I have no idea if it was connected to UN at that time though. Here it is now at a new site. Hopefully, it will also grow and that the local university here will have something to share also.

Pig Out Days

2009-04-19T18:08:00.000+08:00

Eating frequently doesn't really happen everyday as I may want it to. Usually, too busy or something to eat,and even skip meals altogother.

These past few days, I had been increasing the frequency of food intake. A week age when most of the stores are closed for the lent season, we we're basically stuck at home with some food needing to be cooked. Flour, egg, and other baking stuff had me baking and baking. Can't remember what exactly. Another craze in my kitchen nowadays is the soy beans. I finally gave the "kong ja bang" a try and Hubby liked it to my surprise and relief. Along with that dish is the tofu and soy milk that I personally liked to try for the longest time. I was able to make both, on trial amount (as previously mentioned here.)

Now what else have I done so far?

Hmm..Thursday, I tried to bake a patty made from soybean leftover. Didn't turn out well. Good thing I also did a banana bread saved from the banana in the freezer (and another one from my Pops) because of the long and frequent power outage these week. Not very sweet one but it was well received by everyone. ;)

Friday, with the continued power outage, we all went to the town's library. We had the ride fixed and had dinner at my fave chix house. Hmm..that means pig out time. Ah, I would prefer to say "chicken out time." After consuming an extra serving of rice at the resto, I still have some rice to eat with the leftover chix that I packed home.

Next day, the we almost everyone weren't feeling well. I don't think it was bcoz of anything that we've eaten yesterday. For me, it's more of a cold caught after staying in an airconditioned room. I sure am a weakling in such rooms since last Wednesday at the school library. My baby finally caught it though, along with a fever. Tsk, tsk. Off for the fever medicine now.

Since everyone's feeling sick this weekend, we're turning on to fruits, juices and rice soup. Discovered a 24 hours rice chicken soup house around the corner and just perfect for the circumstances, as well as the rainy weather since Friday. Got a litre of pineapple juice

Little one requested orange, apple and banana. I added some apple juice. It's time for his dinner.

A regular in the house when we get tired of the rice
or when hubby prefers to eat his spicy noodles.

The trial tofu, looks solid except for the unbecoming shape due to the very limited amount that I tried to make. Ah, the vinegar taste used as a coagulant was also quite strong.

More on the tofu thing, I am still searching for the right coagulating agent. There are still more agents to search for in the market. The epsom salt, kalamansi, and a couple more of chemical compunds that I have yet to fix in my mind. I find the coagulation process pretty interesting. It's a chemical process that yields good tasting food that is healthy. Just imagine a liquid turning into solid with the addition of such agents. Hmm...a lesson in the lab/kitchen.

Soybean Galore!

2009-04-14T00:16:00.000+08:00

This is not an attempt to teach how to make soymilk and tofu. It is merely a record of things that I've learned as I finally tried my hand in making this fave tofu. The milk produced was just a bit since it was just a side-trial and the main target was the tofu.

The tofu is still "solidifying" right now so the I am waiting for the final verdict.

So what did I do? Here it is. Without pictures though. I have yet to get myself familiar to be confident enough to take time to take pictures while actually making it.

1. I soaked to 2 cups of soybeans last night. Rinsed it this morning and left it in the fridge for the remaining part of the day coz I had to go out this afternoon. (10 P.M.-9:30 AM, 10 a.m. - 9 pm in fridge). After the soybeans "grew," I divided it in two parts; one part for the Kong Jang and one part for the tofu. So that makes it just about 1 C of soybean for the tofu.

2. Around 9 pm, I started to grind the soybeans using the blender. Measuring 1 C of soaked soybean and 3 C of H20.

3. Strained the blended stuff into a pot using my son's unused nappy. (The nappy was not really used, just bought it but ended up using disposable. I took it out of storage, rinsed and microwaved for 3-5 minutes under med high to sterilize.)

4. After all the stuff are in the pot, I had it boiling for 10 minutes and forgot not to put the lid on. It ended up spilling over a little. That I should keep in mind NOT to do next time.

5. Ten minutes low fire while stirring, then bring to total boil. Turned off. (I tried to set aside some part for the soy milk but ended up with a mere less than a cup.)

6. I let it settle for a while to lower the temp a bit before spooning in 6 T or so of vinegar. I tried it 2 T at a time. It didn't look like it was doing the magic. Read somewhere that it coagulates with 1 C of vinegar is to 500 ml of soymilk (I am liking the term coagulate, reminds me of laboratory works back in college.)

7. After waiting for about 10 minutes, hoping that it would still coagulate more, I finally poured it in the waiting cloth-covered plastic tray mold. (Ah! My mold was way too big for the final tofu. Must try more soybeans next time. Maybe about 4 C of soybean to soak if I want to fill it up well.)

8. And now I must stop. Time to check how my tofu is doing. Is it a pass or fail for my first try?

Hmm...since it was just so little, it didn't "solidify" very well. I have yet to try the perfect ratio of soy milk and vinegar. Really just got to get some more reading on that last ratio part. That is quite crucial in producing the proper texture of the final tofu.

Getting late, I'm saving those thoughts about improving my tofu for the next day. ;)

Rediscoverthe power of Pics

2009-04-08T11:39:00.000+08:00

The mango muffin that didn't double.

My dream mango pie, still a dream to work on.

A whole bowl of Mangoes just for P.

The mangoes crammed in the fridge, to keep them for few days longer.

It's almost empty. Should I fell relief that we didn't have a lot of it rot and uneaten or sad that there aren't left anymore? ;)
My Mom mentioned that there might be another basket full of mangoes coming in a few weeks but we're almost hesitant to get some. Hubby had a stomachache coz of mangoes last time. His consumption will be lesser. And between me and my son, I don't think we can manage to eat as much as the father can. hahaha!

At least I hope I can still have some more to try my mango pie again. Try and try until the mangoes and stove gas ran out. Tsk,tsk,tsk.

Local History Notes...

2009-03-30T15:17:00.000+08:00

After P's last Saturday activity, we decided to go to Baywalk. At around five o-clock, the sun's rays angle were still a bit harsh for us so we decided to drop by that Plaza Cuartel near the church.

Coincidentally, there were a group of people doing something interesting at the area. I was told by my ex-boss that they were folks from the Nat Geo. They were going down under the dig and it was just interesting to note what's under, along with the what really happened there years ago.

A Massacre. That was it. My curiousity was really aroused and I looked for more info on what had happened there. This brought me to this site and this another one here. I also had the chance to talk about it with one of my prof and she shared that one of the Fil soldiers who was with Mr. Schloat was named Gaudencio Manlavi. Now, isn't that a coincidence that I know someone of that name round here. If that was the same name, could it be that the wife is still living now? That I have to find out.

All these and more about the local history which I find quite interesting. Off to go somewhere, out of this compounds of the pc.

Inspiration Homeschool

2009-02-10T16:45:00.000+08:00

Just so that I am not going to forget this place, I'll post it here for future viewing.

ESL bits

2009-01-27T22:44:00.000+08:00

ESL Teacher Talk

41 HELPFUL TIPS FOR ESL TEACHERS

Join a professional organization

Teaching can be a lonely occupation. Connect yourself to a network of people who do what you do and who share your concerns. You'll usually receive newsletters and reduced fees at conferences as a benefit. But consider joining also as a way of lending strength to an organization that can speak up on behalf of immigrants' rights and educators' concerns!

TESOL is the international organization for ESL/EFL teachers with over 20,000 members. (Call 703-836-0774 for information, or go to their website http://www.tesol.edu). There are dozens of smaller, regional TESOL affiliates that you can join as well --your state probably has its own affiliate. And there are other organizations that might relate to the kind of work you do, so keep looking until you get connected!

Attend workshops and conferences

Even if you haven't joined an organization, you can still go to conferences, and there's no better way to meet fellow teachers, get some inspiring ideas and see ESL books and materials on exhibit. (Note: if you only want to see the book exhibit, some larger conferences will sell you an exhibit pass for a reduced fee.) If you can't make it to a conference, try at least to attend some teachers' workshops. Most school districts and community colleges offer training sessions or workshops you can attend. But don't limit yourself just to ESL! You can get good teaching ideas from other areas as well.

Start your own support group

Find some fellow instructors who are willing to meet occasionally or have lunch together for the purpose of exchanging thoughts and ideas. A long-term relationship with other teachers can be very beneficial! The members of your group don't have to be from the same school--in fact it some times works better if they are not.

Get online

If you have access to the Internet through work or through a commercial e-mail service, sign up for some discussion groups, called "lists." One that we know about is called TESL-L, which provides an opportunity to talk with thousands of ESL professionals internationally. To sign up for this list, go to http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/~tesl-l/ You'll find information on what to do next.

A note of caution: This form of communication is addictive and can take up a lot of your time! You may want to get started during a school break.

Get a pile of catalogs

Finding just the right ESL materials for your students can sometimes be a challenge! Get yourself on the mailing list with lots of different publishers so you'll receive their ESL catalogs. You'll find it useful to have a library of catalogs to browse through when you need to.

Start with Addison-Wesley, Heinle & Heinle, Oxford University Press and Regents-Prentice Hall, but also seek out the smaller companies (like Language Success Press), as they often have great materials. And don't overlook literacy organizations as a source for materials --New Readers Press (Laubach) and Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) both have extensive catalogs.

Note: Hands-on English published an updated list of ESL publishers and their addresses in the July/August 1997 issue (Vol. 7, No. 2).

Get book distributors' catalogs

To get your hands on ESL materials quickly, sometimes it's best to call a book distributor such as DELTA in Illinois (1-800-323-8270), ALTA in California (1-800-ALTA/ESL) or BOOKLINK in New Jersey (201-947-3471). They carry books from many different publishers (although not all) and can usually ship you your order in a couple of days.

Get examination copies

Many publishers offer "examination copies" of certain titles to teachers who might be adopting a text for their classes. You usually must submit your request for these on school letterhead; see individual publishers' catalogs for details.

Make friends with a librarian

Start a steady relationship with a librarian, either at your institution or at a public library. These people are amazing in terms of what they can find out for you and the services they can provide for your students!

Tell them the kinds of things you are interested in or that you are looking for, and then stop in once a week (with cookies) to pick their brains. You won't regret it.

Make friends with the secretarial staff

If you are lucky enough to have secretarial help where you work, they are likely to be overworked and very unappreciated. However, they can provide vital help and information to you and your students, so treat them well and bring cookies.

Make friends with a custodian

The other truly powerful person at your school, who can really help you when you need it, is the custodian. Sue Sandeen recommends you get to know the custodial staff before Day One, and again, remember them with cookies.

Get a business card

Why is it that so few teachers have business cards? Give yourself a self-esteem boost and order some. They are usually around $25 for a box of 500. This will make it easier for you to network when you go to conferences and meetings.

If you don't have a fancy title, you still deserve a business card! One card we saw said simply: "Bill Smith, Teacher" with the home address and phone number below. Another one we've seen said: "Susan Jones, English as a Second Language Instructor." Volunteer tutors can often get business cards with the logo of their organization printed on them. This is a great way to introduce yourself as well as to spread the word about your agency.

Enroll in a foreign language class

Put yourself in the position of a student and learn what it feels like to struggle with a new language. This experience will improve your teaching in both large and small ways. And by the way, this exercise is worth repeating every few years--even if you already speak a foreign language, you've probably forgotten what it felt like when you started.

Keep a private teaching journal

This might sound like extra work, but if you keep a record of what works with your students and what doesn't, you'll find it invaluable in future years when looking for ideas.

We recently looked through some old lesson-plan books and found comments we'd written like "Great lesson!" and "Terrible day" to be extremely unhelpful. Take the extra time to write down what exactly you did and what the students' response was. (This exercise will help you prepare for the next day's lesson at the same time, by reflecting on what has happened so far.)

Organize lessons by topic

Adult programs can be especially chaotic. One very effective way to organize what the students are learning is by topics, which the students themselves can determine. Within one topic (whether it's grocery shopping or world peace) there is plenty of room for adjusting to different students' levels and for offering help in all the skill areas the students might need (such as reading, pronunciation, spelling, fluency, etc.)

This will be more cohesive from the students' point of view than a series of unrelated language activities.

Adopt a textbook series

If your program needs even more structure, Shirley Ostler recommends your program adopt a graded series of ESL texts. The benefit of this is that everybody can clearly see progress, and when students miss a class they can see what they've missed in the book. Many students understandably prefer to have the security of a textbook they can take home and look at or study from. Lesson planning is a little easier when such a text is in place, and yet there is still room for supplementing the material with other creative activities.

Always give clear guidelines

When teaching a course, Fiona Savage says one should always give clear guidelines to students at the beginning. These should include not only what course work is expected from students, but also the teacher's expectations as to attendance, punctuality, homework, etc. This will help prevent misunderstandings and problems later.

Always have a lesson plan

There is nothing worse than being unprepared, says Michele Bowman. Some people may be able to do lessons "off the cuff" after years of teaching --however, even these people probably have some kind of lesson plan jotted down some where.

Always have a backup plan

You never know what's going to go wrong and when, especially in adult programs! Fiona Savage suggests always having a spare exercise or language game up your sleeve. She also suggests preparing more materials than you strictly need for a lesson, as it is sometimes unpredictable how fast a class will work from day to day.

Rick Rosenberg keeps a short-duration activity file on hand at all times, for this reason. His file includes two lists of riddles and answers (students memorize one part and move around the room to find the person with the matching riddle or answer). He also keeps a password-like game called "Just-a-Minute" (by Elizabeth Claire) handy, with his own adaptation of it with vocabulary the class is working on, and a packet of short interesting articles about topics of interest to students.

He keeps this file on hand to reinforce the language or activities of the class, or as something to fall back on if he sees the students want a break or a change of pace.

Use real language

Have students study the language that is going on around them. Janice Higdon has her students take Walkman-type tape recorders with them to the workplace, stores, restaurants, etc. and bring language samples into class to study. She also has them bring in written items or forms which they must work with in their jobs or with government agencies.

Using the language the students find, she develops situations for role-playing about restaurants, stores, banks or other business and social situations.

Invest in 3x5 cards

There are millions of language activities you can do with plain 3x5 cards. Emily Thrush says she could happily teach English with nothing more than these cards and some markers or pens!

Some of their uses include: flash cards, concentration games, matching games, word order practice, pair work, information-gap activities, and on and on and on. (Pro Lingua Associates has two books with detailed descriptions of card activities--Index Card Games, and More Index Card Games.)

Save time by photocopying less

We need to think about saving time and resources in preparing for classes. Abbie Tom points out that one way to do this is to avoid photocopying as much as possible. Instead of copying ten exercises, copy one and think of ten activities you can do with it! Also use dictations in class and newsprint sheets as alternatives to copying.

Milk every activity to its fullest

This suggestion is both a time-saver and good pedagogy. Barbara Gottschalk has seen many teachers rush from worksheet to worksheet and textbook to textbook, wearing out themselves and the copy machine in the process! It's sounder teaching practice to fully expand on each item you present.

Here is a check list of questions which Barbara suggests we ask, for example about a story the students have read: Have they talked about it? Have they talked to each other about it? Have they written about it? Have they written about what some one else said about it? Have they read what other students have written about it? Have they done a dictation about it for listening practice? The repetition such activities provide is very important for language learning.

Explain the purpose of activities

Adults work better when they know why they are being asked to do something in a certain way. Fiona Savage points out that it's important to include students in your reasons for doing things--not necessarily for everything but at least from time to time. Particularly if students are resistant to the way you are doing something, it is helpful to explain the learning principles behind the method.

Reduce teacher talk

Pay attention to the percentage of class time devoted to your speech. Only at the very lowest language levels should you be talking more than your students.

Create a community

'Turning the class room into a community of learners' is a phrase we've heard before but may not know how to realize. Joy Kreeft Peyton, National Clearinghouse on Literacy Education (NCLE), says that in a classroom community, everyone has responsibility for seeing that learning happens. This may be hard to achieve at first, but a very helpful book with some guidelines is: The Different Drum : Community Making and Peace by M. Scott Peck (1987 Simon & Shuster).

End with success

End every class with a sense of accomplishment, says Sue Sandeen. It's also nice to end with a laugh, or with a game. If possible, say goodbye to each student by name.

Have students write you a letter

To find out if students are learning, not getting lost and whether they understand what is going on, institute a regular feedback writing, suggests Susan Simon. Ask the students to write you a letter about what they've learned, what they are confused about, and what they still want to know. Students love getting a personal response, and it is well worth the time.

Write dialogue journals with your students

An expanded version of the above suggestion is an actual journal which each student keeps and which you respond to regularly in writing. Using dialogue journals to write back and forth with your students can keep you in touch with what they are really thinking underneath all that classroom talk. (For examples of this technique, see Writing Our Lives: Reflections on Dialogue Journal Writing with Adults Learning English, Joy Kreeft Peyton & Jana Staton, Eds., 1991 Prentice Hall Regents.)

Teacher movement

When you present something to students, be aware of your movement, which can convey a lot of meaning. Movement includes your posture, gestures, expressions and appearance, as well as visual aids both planned and unplanned. Karen Camp bell reports that research has shown that 60% of the impact of a presentation is due to movement, 30% due to voice and only 10% due to words.

Use "right brain" activities, too

Try to incorporate rhythm, music, drawing, imagination and visualization into your lessons. For example, Karen Campbell uses an incomplete picture (two wavy lines) which her students have to expand into a picture of something, then write about. Lloyd Rogers likes to invent simple jazz chants suitable for his students or a special occasion. And Shirley Ostler urges us to "sing, sing, sing." Students love it, and it reinforces English intonation patterns and sounds, much as the jazz chants do.

Stories with holes

To encourage imaginative thinking, Michael Babayco reads incomplete stories to his students, or little-known fairy tales without the ending. Students have to try to figure out the rest of the story by asking probing questions. Sometimes the activity is done with only "yes" or "no" questions.

BINGO games

Lots of teachers have used Bingo games to reinforce language. With her beginning students, Helen V. Jones uses a variation that has AEIOU for the letters. The students get practice in distinguishing the vowel sounds and the numbers (such as sixteen and sixty) in an enjoyable game.

Unscramble the letters

As an end-of-class activity, Richard Taylor has a word game that is better than Hangman. He writes a scrambled word on the board (for example, the word 'secretary'). The students try to see how many one-letter words, two-letter words, three-letter words, etc. they can find. They can do this in groups or as a whole class. Can any one (besides the instructor) use all the letters to make one word? This is a good vocabulary builder and can last from 5 to 45 minutes.

Question cards

Another filler activity comes from Michael Babayco, who keeps a recipe card box filled with 3x5 cards handy. On these cards he has written a variety of questions that are appropriate to challenge the students' thinking or knowledge. Whenever he has a few minutes, he picks a card and reads it to see who can answer first. As cards get recycled, students get reinforcement.

Back-to-back

To encourage use of descriptive words, Michael has 2 students sit back-to-back. One is given a picture of abstract shapes, the other a blank page and a pencil. The first student must describe the shapes, their sizes and their location on the page so the other student can make a drawing that will match as closely as possible to the original. (Tip: For some prepared drawings for this activity, see Talk-A-Tivities by Richard Yorkey (Addison-Wesley).

Jokes

Humor is one of the hardest things to share with ESL students, but they love to learn about it. Richard Taylor says he's had good luck with jokes from 8-year olds! For example, "There were thirty sick sheep and ten escaped--how many were left?" (Note: Richard didn't tell us the punchline to this joke, so you'll have to ask an 8-year-old.)

If you can find some 8-year olds to supply you with more jokes, you'll have lots of good teaching material!

Guessing game

To review vocabulary, play a "yes"/"no" game, a variation on Twenty Questions. The teacher (or a student) thinks of a word. Other students ask, "Is it _____?" to which the answer can be only "yes" or "no." Sharon Hennessy says this provides lots of fun pattern practice.

Vocabulary expansion

When presenting a new word, give not only its immediate meaning but expand on its uses as well. Jim Duber suggests when presenting a verb, always to indicate the prepositions it can take and the different meanings this results in. When presenting a noun, always include an article (a or an) and the term used for counting multiples of the noun, for example: a letter, lots of letters=mail.

Also give real-life examples of how we use this vocabulary.

"S" on a stick

Most ESL students have trouble at one stage of their learning remembering to use the 3rd person singular "s" at the end of verbs. Esther Robbins has a clever way to get the students to self-correct this error --she has a large cardboard "S" mounted on a popsicle stick, which she keeps in her briefcase. If the error occurs, she silently holds up the "S" as a reminder. Sometimes she will ask a student to pass the "S" to the one who needs it.

Oral history questionnaires

For discussion topics in class, Judith Snoke reports that she's had very good luck with the "Southern Oral History Questionnaire" from the Department of History, UNC/Chapel Hill.

Some of the amazingly effective questions, she says, include: describe the house you grew up in or the home of someone you loved; describe a meal at your childhood home--who is at the table, what do you eat, who serves, who eats first, who shops, who cooks and who cleans up; where do family members sleep, who do they sleep with; what is the naughtiest thing you can remember doing; who supported the family, what kinds of jobs did family members have?

Most libraries have some information on oral history--ask your librarian to help you find similar materials.

A reading journal

Encourage students to read by having them keep a journal of what they're reading and what they think about it, suggests Nicole Keshav. This can work for students at many different levels.

Repost: Top Richest Men of the World EVER

2009-01-27T17:47:00.000+08:00

10 Richest People of All Time and How They Made Their Fortunes

Posted by Alex in Money & Finance, Neatorama Only, World Records on July 9, 2008 at 2:37 am

Quick: who is the richest man of all time? Bill Gates? Warren Buffet? Not even close, though there's no denying they're very, very rich. The richest man of all time, when wealth is measured as a percentage of the national economy, was John D. Rockefeller, whose fortunes made Gates' and Buffet's look downright puny.

Keeping score of who's wealthier is like a spectator sport with Forbes magazine as its official referee. Last year, Forbes counted 946 billionaires (there are too many millionaires to count, so they don't bother with that anymore) with combined net worth of $3.5 trillion. That's larger than the GDP of Germany, the third largest economy in the world.

But the richest people ever belong in their own special club. These people (all men) have built fortunes of legendary proportions when calculated at the peak of their wealth. Here is the list of the 10 Richest People of All Time and How They Made Their Fortunes.

1. John D. Rockefeller

Peak wealth: $318.3 billion (based on 2007 US dollar). Age at peak wealth: 74

As a young man, John Davison Rockefeller said that his two greatest ambitions were to make $100,000 and live to be 100. He died two months shy of his 98th birthday, but boy did he make good on the first goal.

Rockefeller wasn't born to a rich family. His father, William Avery "Big Bill" Rockefeller was a shiftless man who spent most of his times thinking up schemes to avoid actual work! Nevertheless, thanks to the guidance of his mom Eliza - a homemaker and devout Baptist - John D. grew up to be quite a hardworking man.

Rockefeller started out in business as a wholesale grocer and went on to found Standard Oil, which through shrewd business decisions and some say predatory and illegal practices, grew to be a gargantuan monopoly. At its peak, Standard Oil had about 90% of the market for refined oil (kerosene) in the United States (in the early days of Standard Oil, gasoline wasn't an important component of the oil industry - indeed, gasoline produced by the refineries were dumped in rivers because they were considered useless!)

In 1911, the US Supreme Court declared Standard Oil a monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and ordered it to be broken up into 34 independent companies with different boards of directors. By that time, Rockefeller had long since retired from the company but still held a large percentage of shares. Ironically, the busting up of Standard Oil unlocked share values and his fortunes doubled overnight.

Rockefeller got his first job at 16 as a bookkeeper. In a move that portended his lifelong commitment to philanthropy, he tithed 10% of his income - from his first paycheck on - to charity. As his wealth grew, so did his charitable contributions. When he died in 1937, Rockefeller had given away half of his amassed fortune, and established philanthropic foundations to continue giving after his death.

2. Andrew Carnegie

Peak wealth: $298.3 billion. Age at peak wealth: 68

Andrew Carnegie immigrated as a young child to Pittsburgh from Scotland and began working at 13 years old as a bobbin boy in a textile mill. He changed spools of threads for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week for a weekly wage of $2. At 16 years old, Carnegie became a telegraph messenger boy, and soon after was promoted to be a telegraph operator.

Carnegie became a personal assistant to Thomas Scott, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and learned the ins and outs of the railroad business. It was Carnegie who invented a brutally efficient way to clear the tracks after a railway accident: by burning the railroad car!

When he was 20, Carnegie mortgaged his mother's house and made his first gutsy investment of $500 for 10 shares of the Adams Express company - sort of the Fed Ex delivery company of the 1800s - and was handsomely rewarded. He then invested in a company making sleeping cars for the railway. By the time he was 30, Carnegie had expanded his investments to iron works, steamers, railroads, and oil well.

But the real money came from steel. In the late 1880s, Carnegie built his steel empire to become the world's largest manufacturer of steel rails, pig iron, and coke.

In 1901, at the age of 66, Carnegie retired by selling his shares to John Pierpont Morgan for more than $225 million (a large sum today and an astounding amount of money back then) in form of gold-bonds. When the bonds were delivered, a special vault had to be built to physically house them!

Carnegie was big proponent of philanthropy - in a famous 1889 essay "The Gospel of Wealth," he wrote that wealth should be distributed to promote welfare of other people and enrich society. True to his words, Carnegie gave away more than $350 million or almost 90% of his fortune.

Note: At the end of the Spanish American War, the United States bought the Philippines from Spain for $20 million. Carnegie was appalled at what he perceived to be an imperialist move and personally offered $20 million to the Philippines so it could buy its independence from the US (they didn't take him up on his offer).

*The list continues here but this last bit of info is what made me repost it. When I read it in Philippine history books, the word "ceded" is used. Yet, the bottom line of this is the word "BUY." All part of history. Sad but true.

A Tree

2009-01-16T16:32:00.000+08:00

Trees
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer

I
think
that I shall
never see a poem
lovely as a tree. A tree
whose hungry mouth is pressed
against the world sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts it's
leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in summer wear
a nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom
snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools
like me,
But
only
God
can
make
a tree.

Alfred Joyce Kilmer (December 6, 1886 – July 30, 1918) was a soldier, lecturer, journalist and of course, a poet.

The poem "Trees" was dedicated to Mrs. Henry Mills Alden,^[35] (Ada Foster Murray Alden), his wife's mother and a poet in her own right.

According to Kilmer's son, Kenton, the poem—which was not inspired by any specific tree but about trees in general—was written "...in an upstairs bedroom... which served as Mother's and Dad's bedroom and also as Dad's office.... The window looked out down a hill, on our well-wooded lawn - trees of many kinds, from mature trees to thin saplings: oaks, maples, black and white birches, and I do not know what else."^[39] However, a 1915 interview with Kilmer "pointed out that while Kilmer might be widely known for his affection for trees, his affection was certainly not sentimental - the most distinguished feature of Kilmer's property was a colossal woodpile outside his home. The house stood in the middle of a forest and what lawn it possessed was obtained only after Kilmer had spent months of weekend toil in chopping down trees, pulling up stumps, and splitting logs. Kilmer's neighbors had difficulty in believing that a man who could do that could also be a poet."^[40]

Many locations across the United States maintain legends that certain trees in their localities inspired Kilmer to write the poem. Most noted among them is the tradition in Kilmer's birthplace, New Brunswick, New Jersey, which states that Kilmer wrote the poem "Trees" after a large white oak (Quercus alba) tree that was located on the outskirts of town on the campus of Cook College (now known as the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences), at Rutgers University.^[41] This tree, estimated to be over three hundred years old, was so weakened by age and disease that it had to be removed in 1963.^[42] Currently, saplings from acorns of the historic tree are being grown at the site, throughout the Middlesex County area, and in major arboretums around the United States. The remains of the original Kilmer Oak are currently kept in storage at Rutgers University.^[43]^[44]

Guy Davenport suggests quite a different inspiration. "Trees were favorite symbols for Yeats, Frost, and even the young Pound. [ . . . ] But Kilmer had been reading about trees in another context [,] the movement to stop child labor and set up nursery schools in slums. [ . . . ] Margaret McMillan . . . had the happy idea that a breath of fresh air and an intimate acquaintance with grass and trees were worth all the pencils and desks in the whole school system. [ . . . ] The English word for gymnasium equipment is 'apparatus.' And in her book Labour and Childhood (1907) you will find this sentence: 'Apparatus can be made by fools, but only God can make a tree.'"

Source:
-wikied it!

Food pix

2009-01-16T16:22:00.000+08:00

This is the "hoteok" we managed to make last Oct. 19, 2008. Can't remember exactly if this is the first done or the last one saved for "pictorial." At least there was a proof left that we did try to make one.

They said it is a potato. A hanging one. Not dugged up from the ground. I strongly doubt that it is a potato. In case someone else knows otherwise, please enlighten me.

11/29/08

Dragonfly.
A funny day with the root crops and the camera.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-16T15:50:00.001+08:00

I've started going back to the good old paper journal this year. It still nice to see some papers piled up filled with notes from time to time. ;0

I had another once-in-a-blue-moon homeschool with my kid yesterday. We had a holiday break of sort last December amidst the my school and holidays humdrum.

Our previous lesson was about weather, since it was a bit rainy around the last week of November to early December last year. We reviewed the weather calendar we made and remembered how rainy those days were. Compared to the current weather nowadays, I think it's a little better now even with strong winds blowing almost continually everyday. This windy season sure is a lot colder and harder than previous years that I've lived in this island. Sure, before was windy and cool. But this year's wind is almost chilly. It won't be a surprise to find people wearing thick, almost-springtime-kind of jackets during daytime.

Going back to my random lesson yesterday, I stumbled on a couple of nice websites for education which inspired me to get a class in order. ;) According to my theme list, were supposed to do senses next. We had a go over it and my son was surely more than happy to pretend study. The 5 Senses. Our sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Even though it was almost impromptu, we managed to gather and try all our senses. The listening to the howling wind, the sound of the running washing machine, taste of salt, sugar, peanut butter, the smell of bread, patis and stinky chair, moving around and almost hitting himself at the door..the list can go on some more. I really felt a bit guilty of depriving my son on his daily "homeschool" dose. He was so interested and when I asked if he was scared when he was blindfolded, he answered no. He's just enjoying the experience.

Sigh. Internal issues that comes up to my face every now and then. Sigh.

smoke gets in your lungs...

2009-01-16T15:45:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered what are the stuff found inside a cigarette stick?

There are over 4000 compounds in cigarette smoke that can cause cancer and other diseases. Below are a few of them:

Carbon Monoxide (also found in Vehicle exhaust fumes)

Napthalene (also found in Mothballs)

Arsenic (also found in Ant poison)

Cadmium (also found in Car batteries)

Phenol (also found in Vehicle Toilet cleaner)

DDT (also found in Insecticides)

Ammonia (also found in Fertilizer)

Cigarettes also contain nicotine. But contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that nicotine does not cause cancer. It is however, what makes cigarettes so addictive. Your body looks for it whenever you attempt to quit smoking.

ABC Phobias

2009-01-16T15:40:00.000+08:00

A

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing.
Acarophobia- Fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching.
Acerophobia- Fear of sourness.
Achluophobia- Fear of darkness.
Acousticophobia- Fear of noise.
Acrophobia- Fear of heights.
Aerophobia- Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airbourne noxious substances.
Aeroacrophobia- Fear of open high places.
Aeronausiphobia- Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.
Agateophobia- Fear of insanity.
Agliophobia- Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia- Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets. Fear of leaving a safe place.
Agraphobia- Fear of sexual abuse.
Agrizoophobia- Fear of wild animals.
Agyrophobia- Fear of streets or crossing the street.
Aichmophobia- Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Ailurophobia- Fear of cats.
Albuminurophobia- Fear of kidney disease.
Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens.
Algophobia- Fear of pain.
Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic.
Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions.
Altophobia- Fear of heights.
Amathophobia- Fear of dust.
Amaxophobia- Fear of riding in a car.
Ambulophobia- Fear of walking.
Amnesiphobia- Fear of amnesia.
Amychophobia- Fear of scratches or being scratched.
Anablephobia- Fear of looking up.
Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia)
Androphobia- Fear of men.
Anemophobia- Fear of air drafts or wind.(Ancraophobia)
Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Anglophobia- Fear of England or English culture, etc.
Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry.
Ankylophobia- Fear of immobility of a joint.
Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society.
Antlophobia- Fear of floods.
Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single.
Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity.
Aphenphosmphobia- Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia)
Apiphobia- Fear of bees.
Apotemnophobia- Fear of persons with amputations.
Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Arachnephobia or Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia- Fear of numbers.
Arrhenphobia- Fear of men.
Arsonphobia- Fear of fire.
Asthenophobia- Fear of fainting or weakness.
Astraphobia or Astrapophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Ceraunophobia, Keraunophobia)
Astrophobia- Fear of stars or celestial space.
Asymmetriphobia- Fear of asymmetrical things.
Ataxiophobia- Fear of ataxia. (muscular incoordination)
Ataxophobia- Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia- Fear of imperfection.
Atephobia- Fear of ruin or ruins.
Athazagoraphobia- Fear of being forgotton or ignored or forgetting.
Atomosophobia- Fear of atomic explosions.
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.
Aulophobia- Fear of flutes.
Aurophobia- Fear of gold.
Auroraphobia- Fear of Northern lights.
Autodysomophobia- Fear of one that has a vile odor.
Automatonophobia- Fear of ventriloquist's dummies, animatronic creatures, wax statues - anything that falsly represents a sentient being.
Automysophobia- Fear of being dirty.
Autophobia- Fear of being alone or of oneself.
Aviophobia or Aviatophobia- Fear of flying.

B

Bacillophobia- Fear of microbes.
Bacteriophobia- Fear of bacteria.
Ballistophobia- Fear of missiles or bullets.
Bolshephobia- Fear of Bolsheviks.
Barophobia- Fear of gravity.
Basophobia or Basiphobia- Inability to stand. Fear of walking or falling.
Bathmophobia- Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Bathophobia- Fear of depth.
Batophobia- Fear of heights or being close to high buildings.
Batrachophobia- Fear of amphibians, such as frogs, newts, salamanders, etc.
Belonephobia- Fear of pins and needles. (Aichmophobia)
Bibliophobia- Fear of books.
Blennophobia- Fear of slime.
Bogyphobia- Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.
Botanophobia- Fear of plants.
Bromidrosiphobia or Bromidrophobia- Fear of body smells.
Brontophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.
Bufonophobia- Fear of toads.

C

Cacophobia- Fear of ugliness.
Cainophobia or Cainotophobia- Fear of newness, novelty.
Caligynephobia- Fear of beautiful women.
Cancerophobia or Carcinophobia- Fear of cancer.
Cardiophobia- Fear of the heart.
Carnophobia- Fear of meat.
Catagelophobia- Fear of being ridiculed.
Catapedaphobia- Fear of jumping from high and low places.
Cathisophobia- Fear of sitting.
Catoptrophobia- Fear of mirrors.
Cenophobia or Centophobia- Fear of new things or ideas.
Ceraunophobia or Keraunophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Astraphobia, Astrapophobia)
Chaetophobia- Fear of hair.
Cheimaphobia or Cheimatophobia- Fear of cold.(Frigophobia, Psychophobia)
Chemophobia- Fear of chemicals or working with chemicals.
Cherophobia- Fear of gaiety.
Chionophobia- Fear of snow.
Chiraptophobia- Fear of being touched.
Chirophobia- Fear of hands.
Cholerophobia- Fear of anger or the fear of cholera.
Chorophobia- Fear of dancing.
Chrometophobia or Chrematophobia- Fear of money.
Chromophobia or Chromatophobia- Fear of colors.
Chronophobia- Fear of time.
Chronomentrophobia- Fear of clocks.
Cibophobia- Fear of food.(Sitophobia, Sitiophobia)
Claustrophobia- Fear of confined spaces.
Cleithrophobia or Cleisiophobia- Fear of being locked in an enclosed place.
Cleptophobia- Fear of stealing.
Climacophobia- Fear of stairs, climbing, or of falling downstairs.
Clinophobia- Fear of going to bed.
Clithrophobia or Cleithrophobia- Fear of being enclosed.
Cnidophobia- Fear of stings.
Cometophobia- Fear of comets.
Coimetrophobia- Fear of cemeteries.
Coitophobia- Fear of coitus.
Contreltophobia- Fear of sexual abuse.
Coprastasophobia- Fear of constipation.
Coprophobia- Fear of feces.
Consecotaleophobia- Fear of chopsticks.
Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns.
Counterphobia- The preference by a phobic for fearful situations.
Cremnophobia- Fear of precipices.
Cryophobia- Fear of extreme cold, ice or frost.
Crystallophobia- Fear of crystals or glass.
Cyberphobia- Fear of computers or working on a computer.
Cyclophobia- Fear of bicycles.
Cymophobia or Kymophobia- Fear of waves or wave like motions.
Cynophobia- Fear of dogs or rabies.
Cypridophobia or Cypriphobia or Cyprianophobia or Cyprinophobia - Fear of prostitutes or venereal disease.

D

Decidophobia- Fear of making decisions.
Defecaloesiophobia- Fear of painful bowels movements.
Deipnophobia- Fear of dining or dinner conversations.
Dementophobia- Fear of insanity.
Demonophobia or Daemonophobia- Fear of demons.
Demophobia- Fear of crowds. (Agoraphobia)
Dendrophobia- Fear of trees.
Dentophobia- Fear of dentists.
Dermatophobia- Fear of skin lesions.
Dermatosiophobia or Dermatophobia or Dermatopathophobia- Fear of skin disease.
Dextrophobia- Fear of objects at the right side of the body.
Diabetophobia- Fear of diabetes.
Didaskaleinophobia- Fear of going to school.
Dikephobia- Fear of justice.
Dinophobia- Fear of dizziness or whirlpools.
Diplophobia- Fear of double vision.
Dipsophobia- Fear of drinking.
Dishabiliophobia- Fear of undressing in front of someone.
Domatophobia- Fear of houses or being in a house.(Eicophobia, Oikophobia)
Doraphobia- Fear of fur or skins of animals.
Doxophobia- Fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise.
Dromophobia- Fear of crossing streets.
Dutchphobia- Fear of the Dutch.
Dysmorphophobia- Fear of deformity.
Dystychiphobia- Fear of accidents.

E

Ecclesiophobia- Fear of church.
Ecophobia- Fear of home.
Eicophobia- Fear of home surroundings.(Domatophobia, Oikophobia)
Eisoptrophobia- Fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror.
Electrophobia- Fear of electricity.
Eleutherophobia- Fear of freedom.
Elurophobia- Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia)
Emetophobia- Fear of vomiting.
Enetophobia- Fear of pins.
Enochlophobia- Fear of crowds.
Enosiophobia or Enissophobia- Fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism.
Entomophobia- Fear of insects.
Eosophobia- Fear of dawn or daylight.
Ephebiphobia- Fear of teenagers.
Epistaxiophobia- Fear of nosebleeds.
Epistemophobia- Fear of knowledge.
Equinophobia- Fear of horses.
Eremophobia- Fear of being oneself or of lonliness.
Ereuthrophobia- Fear of blushing.
Ergasiophobia- 1) Fear of work or functioning. 2) Surgeon's fear of operating.
Ergophobia- Fear of work.
Erotophobia- Fear of sexual love or sexual questions.
Euphobia- Fear of hearing good news.
Eurotophobia- Fear of female genitalia.
Erythrophobia or Erytophobia or Ereuthophobia- 1) Fear of redlights. 2) Blushing. 3) Red.

F

Febriphobia or Fibriphobia or Fibriophobia- Fear of fever.
Felinophobia- Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia, Elurophobia, Galeophobia, Gatophobia)
Francophobia- Fear of France or French culture. (Gallophobia, Galiophobia)
Frigophobia- Fear of cold or cold things.(Cheimaphobia, Cheimatophobia, Psychrophobia)

G

Galeophobia or Gatophobia- Fear of cats.
Gallophobia or Galiophobia- Fear France or French culture. (Francophobia)
Gamophobia- Fear of marriage.
Geliophobia- Fear of laughter.
Geniophobia- Fear of chins.
Genophobia- Fear of sex.
Genuphobia- Fear of knees.
Gephyrophobia or Gephydrophobia or Gephysrophobia- Fear of crossing bridges.
Germanophobia- Fear of Germany or German culture.
Gerascophobia- Fear of growing old.
Gerontophobia- Fear of old people or of growing old.
Geumaphobia or Geumophobia- Fear of taste.
Glossophobia- Fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak.
Gnosiophobia- Fear of knowledge.
Graphophobia- Fear of writing or handwriting.
Gymnophobia- Fear of nudity.
Gynephobia or Gynophobia- Fear of women

H

Hadephobia- Fear of hell.
Hagiophobia- Fear of saints or holy things.
Hamartophobia- Fear of sinning.
Haphephobia or Haptephobia- Fear of being touched.
Harpaxophobia- Fear of being robbed.
Hedonophobia- Fear of feeling pleasure.
Heliophobia- Fear of the sun.
Hellenologophobia- Fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology.
Helminthophobia- Fear of being infested with worms.
Hemophobia or Hemaphobia or Hematophobia- Fear of blood.
Heresyphobia or Hereiophobia- Fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation.
Herpetophobia- Fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things.
Heterophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Sexophobia)
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia- Fear of the number 666.
Hierophobia- Fear of priests or sacred things.
Hippophobia- Fear of horses.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- Fear of long words.
Hobophobia- Fear of bums or beggars.
Hodophobia- Fear of road travel.
Hormephobia- Fear of shock.
Homichlophobia- Fear of fog.
Homilophobia- Fear of sermons.
Hominophobia- Fear of men.
Homophobia- Fear of sameness, monotony or of homosexuality or of becoming homosexual.
Hoplophobia- Fear of firearms.
Hydrargyophobia- Fear of mercurial medicines.
Hydrophobia- Fear of water or of rabies.
Hydrophobophobia- Fear of rabies.
Hyelophobia or Hyalophobia- Fear of glass.
Hygrophobia- Fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture.
Hylephobia- Fear of materialism or the fear of epilepsy.
Hylophobia- Fear of forests.
Hypengyophobia or Hypegiaphobia- Fear of responsibility.
Hypnophobia- Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.
Hypsiphobia- Fear of height.

I

Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Ichthyophobia- Fear of fish.
Ideophobia- Fear of ideas.
Illyngophobia- Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down.
Iophobia- Fear of poison.
Insectophobia - Fear of insects.
Isolophobia- Fear of solitude, being alone.
Isopterophobia- Fear of termites, insects that eat wood.
Ithyphallophobia- Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis.

J

Japanophobia- Fear of Japanese.
Judeophobia- Fear of Jews.

K

Kainolophobia or Kainophobia- Fear of anything new, novelty.
Kakorrhaphiophobia- Fear of failure or defeat.
Katagelophobia- Fear of ridicule.
Kathisophobia- Fear of sitting down.
Kenophobia- Fear of voids or empty spaces.
Keraunophobia or Ceraunophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Astraphobia, Astrapophobia)
Kinetophobia or Kinesophobia- Fear of movement or motion.
Kleptophobia- Fear of stealing.
Koinoniphobia- Fear of rooms.
Kolpophobia- Fear of genitals, particularly female.
Kopophobia- Fear of fatigue.
Koniophobia- Fear of dust. (Amathophobia)
Kosmikophobia- Fear of cosmic phenomenon.
Kymophobia- Fear of waves. (Cymophobia)
Kynophobia- Fear of rabies.
Kyphophobia- Fear of stooping.

L

Lachanophobia- Fear of vegetables.
Laliophobia or Lalophobia- Fear of speaking.
Leprophobia or Lepraphobia- Fear of leprosy.
Leukophobia- Fear of the color white.
Levophobia- Fear of things to the left side of the body.
Ligyrophobia- Fear of loud noises.
Lilapsophobia- Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Limnophobia- Fear of lakes.
Linonophobia- Fear of string.
Liticaphobia- Fear of lawsuits.
Lockiophobia- Fear of childbirth.
Logizomechanophobia- Fear of computers.
Logophobia- Fear of words.
Luiphobia- Fear of lues, syphillis.
Lutraphobia- Fear of otters.
Lygophobia- Fear of darkness.
Lyssophobia- Fear of rabies or of becoming mad.

M

Macrophobia- Fear of long waits.
Mageirocophobia- Fear of cooking.
Maieusiophobia- Fear of childbirth.
Malaxophobia- Fear of love play. (Sarmassophobia)
Maniaphobia- Fear of insanity.
Mastigophobia- Fear of punishment.
Mechanophobia- Fear of machines.
Medomalacuphobia- Fear of losing an erection.
Medorthophobia- Fear of an erect penis.
Megalophobia- Fear of large things.
Melissophobia- Fear of bees.
Melanophobia- Fear of the color black.
Melophobia- Fear or hatred of music.
Meningitophobia- Fear of brain disease.
Menophobia- Fear of menstruation.
Merinthophobia- Fear of being bound or tied up.
Metallophobia- Fear of metal.
Metathesiophobia- Fear of changes.
Meteorophobia- Fear of meteors.
Methyphobia- Fear of alcohol.
Metrophobia- Fear or hatred of poetry.
Microbiophobia- Fear of microbes. (Bacillophobia)
Microphobia- Fear of small things.
Misophobia or Mysophobia- Fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs.
Mnemophobia- Fear of memories.
Molysmophobia or Molysomophobia- Fear of dirt or contamination.
Monophobia- Fear of solitude or being alone.
Monopathophobia- Fear of definite disease.
Motorphobia- Fear of automobiles.
Mottephobia- Fear of moths.
Musophobia or Muriphobia- Fear of mice.
Mycophobia- Fear or aversion to mushrooms.
Mycrophobia- Fear of small things.
Myctophobia- Fear of darkness.
Myrmecophobia- Fear of ants.
Mythophobia- Fear of myths or stories or false statements.
Myxophobia- Fear of slime. (Blennophobia)

N

Nebulaphobia- Fear of fog. (Homichlophobia)
Necrophobia- Fear of death or dead things.
Nelophobia- Fear of glass.
Neopharmaphobia- Fear of new drugs.
Neophobia- Fear of anything new.
Nephophobia- Fear of clouds.
Noctiphobia- Fear of the night.
Nomatophobia- Fear of names.
Nosocomephobia- Fear of hospitals.
Nosophobia or Nosemaphobia- Fear of becoming ill.
Nostophobia- Fear of returning home.
Novercaphobia- Fear of your step-mother.
Nucleomituphobia- Fear of nuclear weapons.
Nudophobia- Fear of nudity.
Numerophobia- Fear of numbers.
Nyctohylophobia- Fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night
Nyctophobia- Fear of the dark or of night.

O

Obesophobia- Fear of gaining weight.(Pocrescophobia)
Ochlophobia- Fear of crowds or mobs.
Ochophobia- Fear of vehicles.
Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
Odontophobia- Fear of teeth or dental surgery.
Odynophobia or Odynephobia- Fear of pain. (Algophobia)
Oenophobia- Fear of wines.
Oikophobia- Fear of home surroundings, house.(Domatophobia, Eicophobia)
Olfactophobia- Fear of smells.
Ombrophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Ommetaphobia or Ommatophobia- Fear of eyes.
Oneirophobia- Fear of dreams.
Oneirogmophobia- Fear of wet dreams.
Onomatophobia- Fear of hearing a certain word or of names.
Ophidiophobia- Fear of snakes. (Snakephobia)
Ophthalmophobia- Fear of being stared at.
Opiophobia- Fear medical doctors experience of prescribing needed pain medications for patients.
Optophobia- Fear of opening one's eyes.
Ornithophobia- Fear of birds.
Orthophobia- Fear of property.
Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia- Fear of smells or odors.
Ostraconophobia- Fear of shellfish.
Ouranophobia or Uranophobia- Fear of heaven.

P

Pagophobia- Fear of ice or frost.
Panthophobia- Fear of suffering and disease.
Panophobia or Pantophobia- Fear of everything.
Papaphobia- Fear of the Pope.
Papyrophobia- Fear of paper.
Paralipophobia- Fear of neglecting duty or responsibility.
Paraphobia- Fear of sexual perversion.
Parasitophobia- Fear of parasites.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia- Fear of Friday the 13th.
Parthenophobia- Fear of virgins or young girls.
Pathophobia- Fear of disease.
Patroiophobia- Fear of heredity.
Parturiphobia- Fear of childbirth.
Peccatophobia- Fear of sinning or imaginary crimes.
Pediculophobia- Fear of lice.
Pediophobia- Fear of dolls.
Pedophobia- Fear of children.
Peladophobia- Fear of bald people.
Pellagrophobia- Fear of pellagra.
Peniaphobia- Fear of poverty.
Pentheraphobia- Fear of mother-in-law. (Novercaphobia)
Phagophobia- Fear of swallowing or of eating or of being eaten.
Phalacrophobia- Fear of becoming bald.
Phallophobia- Fear of a penis, esp erect.
Pharmacophobia- Fear of taking medicine.
Phasmophobia- Fear of ghosts.
Phengophobia- Fear of daylight or sunshine.
Philemaphobia or Philematophobia- Fear of kissing.
Philophobia- Fear of falling in love or being in love.
Philosophobia- Fear of philosophy.
Phobophobia- Fear of phobias.
Photoaugliaphobia- Fear of glaring lights.
Photophobia- Fear of light.
Phonophobia- Fear of noises or voices or one's own voice; of telephones.
Phronemophobia- Fear of thinking.
Phthiriophobia- Fear of lice. (Pediculophobia)
Phthisiophobia- Fear of tuberculosis.
Placophobia- Fear of tombstones.
Plutophobia- Fear of wealth.
Pluviophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Pneumatiphobia- Fear of spirits.
Pnigophobia or Pnigerophobia- Fear of choking of being smothered.
Pocrescophobia- Fear of gaining weight. (Obesophobia)
Pogonophobia- Fear of beards.
Poliosophobia- Fear of contracting poliomyelitis.
Politicophobia- Fear or abnormal dislike of politicians.
Polyphobia- Fear of many things.
Poinephobia- Fear of punishment.
Ponophobia- Fear of overworking or of pain.
Porphyrophobia- Fear of the color purple.
Potamophobia- Fear of rivers or running water.
Potophobia- Fear of alcohol.
Pharmacophobia- Fear of drugs.
Proctophobia- Fear of rectums.
Prosophobia- Fear of progress.
Psellismophobia- Fear of stuttering.
Psychophobia- Fear of mind.
Psychrophobia- Fear of cold.
Pteromerhanophobia- Fear of flying.
Pteronophobia- Fear of being tickled by feathers.
Pupaphobia - Fear of puppets.
Pyrexiophobia- Fear of Fever.
Pyrophobia- Fear of fire.

R

Radiophobia- Fear of radiation, x-rays.
Ranidaphobia- Fear of frogs.
Rectophobia- Fear of rectum or rectal diseases.
Rhabdophobia- Fear of being severely punished or beaten by a rod, or of being severely criticized. Also fear of magic.(wand)
Rhypophobia- Fear of defecation.
Rhytiphobia- Fear of getting wrinkles.
Rupophobia- Fear of dirt.
Russophobia- Fear of Russians.

S
Samhainophobia: Fear of Halloween.
Sarmassophobia- Fear of love play. (Malaxophobia)
Satanophobia- Fear of Satan.
Scabiophobia- Fear of scabies.
Scatophobia- Fear of fecal matter.
Scelerophibia- Fear of bad men, burglars.
Sciophobia Sciaphobia- Fear of shadows.
Scoleciphobia- Fear of worms.
Scolionophobia- Fear of school.
Scopophobia or Scoptophobia- Fear of being seen or stared at.
Scotomaphobia- Fear of blindness in visual field.
Scotophobia- Fear of darkness. (Achluophobia)
Scriptophobia- Fear of writing in public.
Selachophobia- Fear of sharks.
Selaphobia- Fear of light flashes.
Selenophobia- Fear of the moon.
Seplophobia- Fear of decaying matter.
Sesquipedalophobia- Fear of long words.
Sexophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Heterophobia)
Siderodromophobia- Fear of trains, railroads or train travel.
Siderophobia- Fear of stars.
Sinistrophobia- Fear of things to the left or left-handed.
Sinophobia- Fear of Chinese, Chinese culture.
Sitophobia or Sitiophobia- Fear of food or eating. (Cibophobia)
Snakephobia- Fear of snakes. (Ophidiophobia)
Soceraphobia- Fear of parents-in-law.
Social Phobia- Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations.
Sociophobia- Fear of society or people in general.
Somniphobia- Fear of sleep.
Sophophobia- Fear of learning.
Soteriophobia - Fear of dependence on others.
Spacephobia- Fear of outer space.
Spectrophobia- Fear of specters or ghosts.
Spermatophobia or Spermophobia- Fear of germs.
Spheksophobia- Fear of wasps.
Stasibasiphobia or Stasiphobia- Fear of standing or walking. (Ambulophobia)
Staurophobia- Fear of crosses or the crucifix.
Stenophobia- Fear of narrow things or places.
Stygiophobia or Stigiophobia- Fear of hell.
Suriphobia- Fear of mice.
Symbolophobia- Fear of symbolism.
Symmetrophobia- Fear of symmetry.
Syngenesophobia- Fear of relatives.
Syphilophobia- Fear of syphilis.

T

Tachophobia- Fear of speed.
Taeniophobia or Teniophobia- Fear of tapeworms.
Taphephobia Taphophobia- Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.
Tapinophobia- Fear of being contagious.
Taurophobia- Fear of bulls.
Technophobia- Fear of technology.
Teleophobia- 1) Fear of definite plans. 2) Religious ceremony.
Telephonophobia- Fear of telephones.
Teratophobia- Fear of bearing a deformed child or fear of monsters or deformed people.
Testophobia- Fear of taking tests.
Tetanophobia- Fear of lockjaw, tetanus.
Teutophobia- Fear of German or German things.
Textophobia- Fear of certain fabrics.
Thaasophobia- Fear of sitting.
Thalassophobia- Fear of the sea.
Thanatophobia or Thantophobia- Fear of death or dying.
Theatrophobia- Fear of theatres.
Theologicophobia- Fear of theology.
Theophobia- Fear of gods or religion.
Thermophobia- Fear of heat.
Tocophobia- Fear of pregnancy or childbirth.
Tomophobia- Fear of surgical operations.
Tonitrophobia- Fear of thunder.
Topophobia- Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright.
Toxiphobia or Toxophobia or Toxicophobia- Fear of poison or of being accidently poisoned.
Traumatophobia- Fear of injury.
Tremophobia- Fear of trembling.
Trichinophobia- Fear of trichinosis.
Trichopathophobia or Trichophobia- Fear of hair. (Chaetophobia, Hypertrichophobia)
Triskaidekaphobia- Fear of the number 13.
Tropophobia- Fear of moving or making changes.
Trypanophobia- Fear of injections.
Tuberculophobia- Fear of tuberculosis.
Tyrannophobia- Fear of tyrants.

U

Uranophobia or Ouranophobia- Fear of heaven.
Urophobia- Fear of urine or urinating.

V

Vaccinophobia- Fear of vaccination.
Venustraphobia- Fear of beautiful women.
Verbophobia- Fear of words.
Verminophobia- Fear of germs.
Vestiphobia- Fear of clothing.
Virginitiphobia- Fear of rape.
Vitricophobia- Fear of step-father.

W

Walloonphobia- Fear of the Walloons.
Wiccaphobia: Fear of witches and witchcraft.

X

Xanthophobia- Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow.
Xenoglossophobia- Fear of foreign languages.
Xenophobia- Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Xerophobia- Fear of dryness.
Xylophobia- 1) Fear of wooden objects. 2) Forests.
Xyrophobia-Fear of razors.

Z

Zelophobia- Fear of jealousy.
Zeusophobia- Fear of God or gods.
Zemmiphobia- Fear of the great mole rat.
Zoophobia- Fear of animals.

Homeschool Update

2008-11-10T00:34:00.000+08:00

My son's "homeschooling" is back on track. He is more inclined to do coloring and writing nowadays. His coloring skills had improved a bit. He's more aware of the colors outside the pictures and tries to color within the space. Writing letters, numbers and copying printed text he finds everywhere is becoming more often. A few months ago, I would be the one encouraging him to hold the pencil and practice something. He didn't really felt the same. He was more into "reading." It as almost frustrating to know that he can read but he can't write yet. Nonetheless, I took the time off and just let him be. Knowing that he will hear the "writing call" in his own time.
He now colors a lot more pages than before (more or less 10) and more often try to write with his pencil. Unlike before that he complains of "tired" after a short period of time.

His reading skills had improved immensely. He is never scared to figure out how to read stuff that he comes across. We've finished the consonants and vowels long ago and his "sight reading word bank" is growing day by day. As he tried to decipher new words, I keep in mind what part will be our next focus. My bet is on vowel families but I may have to try to figure out another one just in case there will be a better route. We did the "ail" family yesterday and he was so hyped on that. It may be another series to work on for us after the itsy bitsy books. Although, we're also doing the sight word set now, we might do both all together.

Another area that I want to deal with is the Math. I'm no math genius so I'm hoping that I can at least make a difference with my son. ;) I may have to work a little harder to figure out how to make it in this area but we'll see.

Off to check what's next on our "word family" and figure out how to go about fractions.

3rd and 4th

2008-10-28T11:03:00.000+08:00

I had tried putting some pics here with the recipe I posted last time but it didn't work. Might as well do that somewhere else like the 3rd house. That is more pix friendly. This one would be for thoughts really.

Hoteok

2008-10-28T10:45:00.000+08:00

Here is another what-went-wrong cooking story.

Last week, my husband had this idea that he can make this simple street food. Or so he thought. ;) Where did he go wrong? Since I'm in no position to be sure, here is my guess. First, he got the amount of sugar for the dough mixed up and ended up with a very sweet dough. Then he just went on to pour all the liquid (yeast mixture) to the flour. It made the dough quite soggy or sticky. To make it worse, we ran out of flour and it never occured to him that the dough might still need some more flour. When the dough looks ready, off to the frying pan. Now here's the last straw, since the dough was a bit sticky, it was hard to put in the filling inside and fry it flattened. We ended up not putting any filling in most of the hoteok. Well, we were able to eat all of it but it would have been better if there has been some filling.

Now, I am still open to trying to make it myself, if only I can find the right ratio for the yeast, flour, water and sugar. Oops! I forgot to mention that we almost fought because of the measurements. The recipe that he got used grams and I had such a hard time consolidating that to teaspoons and cups that I usually use. Talk about heading for disaster in the kitchen.

Ima's Vegetable Bar

2008-10-24T23:19:00.000+08:00

It's actually Ima's Gulayan Bar. Gulay is vegetable in Tagalog.

It's a fave vegetarian resto in Puerto Princesa City. Small but intimate setting which offers vegetarian dishes that will surely make you feel less guilty about how much you're eating. Why? Because, it's not like fastfood. You won't worry much about getting those extra pounds and fats even if you order all the stuff in their menu which includes rice dishes, pasta, pizza, quesadillas,sandwiches etc. --all meatless.

They have different fried rice kind with very interesting vegetables and spices. This is a new twist on "typical fried rice" which usually use a lot of meat and ginisa mix. And there's also the rice dishes mixed with tofu and other vegies like fajitas, vege tempura, among others.

If you're not a rice person, you can always have a sandwich which uses bread that is made from their own oven. I've only tasted the spicy bean burger and it didn't fail me. Who say's you can't have bread all the time? ;)

And if pizza is your thing, a 10-inch pizza might just be for you. From the P85 simple one to P150++ of total vegetarian mix will satisfy you tummy.

Aren't you getting hungry yet? Better check this place out if you're in town. You might just change your mind about non-tasting vegetarian food.

Happy eating without the guilt!

Basic Mix and Drop Muffin

2008-10-18T09:46:00.000+08:00

Mix and Drop Muffin
(Prep time: at least 30 mins., baking time: 15 mins.)

I'm not an expert but this made me confident enought to put here. I've tried a couple of muffins before which turned not consistently good. Meaning, sometimes great, sometimes just barely "eatable." This one, has a bit more good "turn out" than the others. Doesn't use a lot of egg, not very sweet, no kneading, friendly for a newbie like me. It's pretty versatile, you can add a lot of different stuff depending on your mood or what's the pantry has to offer. Got the recipe from a book in the library.

You will need:

1 package of yeast, active or dry yeast (about 2 1/4 t)
1 C warm water (lukewarm for compressed yeast)
4 T (1/4 C) sugar
1 t salt
1 egg, beaten
3 C regular all-purpose flour
4 T (1/4 C) salad oil

Make the mix.

1. Dissolve the yeast in the water, then add sugar, salt, and egg. Mix.
2. Set aside while sifting the flour.
3. Gradually add the flour and oil to the yeast mixture; beat until very smooth.
4. Set the dough to rise in a warm place, doubling in bulk, for about 30 minutes.
5. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts.
6. At this part, you can opt to mix in any flavor that you want. Choose any from the list below.

The ratio would be 1/4 part of the dough to any of these.
(You can actually have 4 different kinds in one baking.I usually use choco and cinnamon as they are in my cupboard most of the time.)

1 T cocoa powder + 1 T sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/4 C shredded Cheddar cheese
4 T finely chopped nuts
4 T chopped raisins
1/4 C drained crushed pineapple

After mixing in the flavor, drop it using a in a greased muffin pan. If generously heaped on each cup, you'd probably have at least a dozen of 2-in.-thick muffins.

Good for breakfast with some coffee or cocoa drink.

A boy of three no more..

2008-08-30T17:17:00.000+08:00

My son turned four this month.

Amidst my hectic schedule as a student, I have to make his birthday fun nonetheless. With or without a big party. His father is not really keen on parties as he regard such as not part of his culture, we only had to make do with what our boy requested, minimally. A chocolate cake with four candles, four balloons and the presence of his parents and Grandparents. Good thing my Mother enlisted herself to make some pasta or else, all we will be eating is the cake, some rice cake and bread.

The cake.

We didn't have a pic of it. All the gadgets seemed not ready for a party. Come to think of it, we almost bought exactly the same one we had last year. It looks like I may have to really prepare for his cake next 'coz the ready to eat ones are running out different design. I may end up buying the same ones I've previously bought. tut, tut.

On his first birthday, an aunt was the one who took care of the traditional 1st Birthday Rice Cake. It wasn't that sweet kind of cake, mind you. A first for me too.

On his 2nd birthday, I finally had the chance to really order a special one. A teddy Bear Cake. Small as it is, it was quite cute and just right as he was just a wee boy too.

On his 3rd birthday, we were in the middle of renovation and all so we ended up just buying whatever was in the store. Also a round chocolate cake with some nuts on top.

Same thing this year. Except that there were no nuts anymore. It was still yummy nonetheless.

Hopefully, next year, nobody else would mention about getting him a cake for his birthday. I would pre-order his cake and at least be able to choose really neat one. Or better yet make one myself! (That remains to be seen).

Balloons.

My four-year-old boy's concept of birthday means party and party means cake, plus ...balloons. Even though I've prepared some before, he specifically requested it this time. His concept of things is evolving. So I wonder what would be the addition next year.

Gift.

Although not yet concrete on his mind equation of birthday, I do think that he really looked forward to one specific gift this year. My brother-in-law had mentioned about sending him something a few weeeks before his birthday. We weren't very sure if he'll get it on his birthday. it could be a little late because of the post. Nobody knows. Fortunately, we were able to get it the same day. With all the rush of getting his box, we even got caught in the rain. The trouble was all worth it as we watched him enjoy his birthday gift. A dinosaur lego box set, dino book, a music Video tape that he can watch and sing along with. It was almost perfect, save that the gift giver was watching him online. Thank goodness for webcams online.

That pretty much capped his birthday. At the end of the day, we just have to thank the Lord for his numerous blessings.

Rilla of Ingleside

2008-08-30T13:51:00.000+08:00

As I look over my previous entries before, I've come across some typos, and things alike. Ihaven't done a lot of editing before publishing anything coz all I want to be able to do is save whatever is running on my mind. Excuses, excuses. I will have to polish it off soon.

These days kept me busy with schoolwork for me. Nonetheless, the pull of something to listen to even while I am doing the dishes, or folding up the clothes. I fancied Rilla on Ingleside one day and started listening to it. The first 5 chapters just played repeatedly for a while until I finally got tired of it and really decided to "really" listen. After getting past it, the interest on the book started building up.

Comparing it to the Anne series, which I thought I completed except for this, this one is a bit heavy. Melancholic. I was looking for a setting of the-old-days this book brought me to a period of war in history. It may not be as godd as the Anne Frank's Diary but it was set on a little far from the was area. Geographically. Still same sufffering of the people living during the war. I'm not sure if it was World War 1 or 2, I must go back to my world history lessons ;(. My bet is it's 2nd one.

This made me reflect again on the the atrocities of war. Not exactly first-hand recounting of what took place that time but how other people felt and lived. To live in the world during war time even you're miles away from the war zone still would be felt somehow. More than fifty years ago since the last World War took place and it might seem a long time ago. Some veterans still live til this day but it won't be long that the effects and lives of war may be forgotten. We might not be very apprehensive of any possibility of yet another war again. God forbid.

Confession. This book made me cry. Death of a brother. A brother believed to be a coward. Yet after braving the frontlines of the war, finds himself no coward at all. It is better to have died fighting so that others may live without fear, than to live in fear, and remember the sad pictures of life during the war.

Going back to the Anne series, I found out that I may have seem to miss one. My next book on the list would be "Rainbow Valley." I may need to take a break from Montgomery's books for now though. I'm digging up the "Further Chronicles of Avonlea" but I may "reshelf" it for a while. If I could find an A.Christie audio book, that would be to my liking now. If not, any mystery/detective one will suffice.

'Til my next one.

Books Snips and Snaps from the Past

2008-08-08T23:21:00.000+08:00

Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Harry Potter Series

These are some books that I've read years ago. Except for "The Hobbit" and the remaining HP books, most of it are already in film. One thing in common, I tend to enjoy the books better than the films. I've tried watching the films but never really got my whole attention compared to me reading the words of every page of the book. Could it be because I've already read and know the story? I doubt it. In my opinion, film usually don't do justice to the works of the authors. Still, films can be a shortcut to knowing the stories.

The Phantom.

It was creepy. It left an impression on me that I found myself immersed even though I got a bit scared while reading it. Or maybe it was the romantic part that kept me there? I was in my teens at that time when I read it. Didn't really enjoy scaring myself before, even til now. I prefer something that will make me think while reading. Not something that will scare me. I read, and finished it. Even enjoyed it along the way.

The Hobbit; The Lord of the Rings

This is a bit light reading compared to the trilogy that followed it. As it was recommended for me to read, I had a little more push to finish the book. I was 14 or 15 then. This, I believe, is one of the highlights of my reading journey. It paved way to other genres aside from romantic pulp fiction and teenage detective books that I've been reading before. Although I've read adult mystery/detective books before, the Hobbit was a good start to try a different one. It got me to read the "thickest book" I've ever read at that time, the LOTR trilogy. It was like a fairy tale adventure for adults rolled into one very thick book. The setting is somewhere in the middle earth; the plot has a lot of twist and turns; and the characters are elves, hobbits, fairies, and not to forget Gollum. Didn't he became as famous as Baggins?

Harry Potter Series

Page turning for kids and adults. More movies coming as they have not yet finish making everything into one yet. Should I write more on this one? Perhaps some other time.

A minute before twelve. Today is 8-8-8.

Pride and Prejudice

2008-08-08T23:00:00.000+08:00

I'm going a bit backwards on the logs of I have read recently.

This book title, I believe to have come across a few time reading other books before. Not to mention of it being in a movie. I've tried to watch before but never really got everything from start to finish. If I do remember it well, I was finally able to read this at a local library. Unfortunately, I had this impression that it was a condensed version.

When I first try to start the ebook, I almost backed off thinking that it looks so familiar that I might find it boring coz I've "read" it somewhere already. Nonetheless, with my hubby's prodding, as well as there wasn't much other choice availabe on the reader at that time, I started it. I can't remeber around what chapter was I when I felt that I have finish it even though I already know how the story will go. I found myself enjoying each page. Some part, I had to compromise on listeninng to the audio version. Nevertheless, I started and really ended it with "reading."

Going beyond the romantic hook of the story, I believe that it does also have other implications in life. A very nice choice of title. Pride and Prejudice. People really tend to have prejudicisms even unconsciously. It might be quite "immoral" to admit to have prejudice on something or someone but human may find himself a prey to this every now and then. As for pride, I think it's a given trait of human. Only, some can be very obvious while some are a bit inconspicuous.

Should I still give a background of the story? I believe not. This is a very popular one and any try on my part might not just do justice. I might even get sued. :)

Reading Log History

2008-08-08T22:46:00.000+08:00

I've never had a reading list except for the series of books of my favorite authors while growing up. I'm refering to the list of "other books of this author" at every back or inside cover of a book. Did I dream of collecting and be able to read all those books!

As life goes, we grow up. Genres might not change but other books come up every now and then. Even though I've managed to venture reading other authors, I've learned to read other kinds too. Different level, age-market or something of that sort.

After reading quite a number, I think it will be just now that I've considered keeping a log. Sure, I might have written some diary entries about a book or two before but most likely that it was out of overflow of ideas and reaction after reading one.

Now I have found myself of a task that I SHOULD write something about what I've read. For memory or simple mind exercise, as well writing.

Next entry coming up for some books that I've read recently and can still remember enough things to write about.

My Pie Crust Journey

2008-07-20T20:46:00.000+08:00

On the brighter side of the day, I finally got around to making a decent pie crust. Still a long way to go before perfection but I'll get there. I tried the sweet potato pie yesterday with a mixture of pride and a bit disappointment. Today is different. I really feel more confident that I can finally make pineapple pie, apple pie or maybe something more challenging next time. Nothing much really for commercial consumption yet but at least I need not to buy. ;). Coz I can eat my pie. ;) May take a bit of time and money, yes. But the personal satisfaction of something you made yourself is enough.

Flashback.
Growing up in the tropics where apples are not grown made me think of apple pie as so faraway. I mean, you really would need a lot of apples to make a pie. To buy here would be quite expensive. I have yet to figure that out when I really make one. Gotta go with the pineapple first as it is a bit cheap nowadays.

Pineapple pie is something that reminded me of university days, which by the way is not that long ago. I used to drop by at this spot before I get i the second ride on the way to school. This pie would be my snack later between classes as it is usually very sunny to go out to buy later. It might seem a bit over my student budget but it was my "sweet indulgence" of sort.

Later on, a few years after I graduated, the store disappeared and I've never tasted the pies again. There used to pineapple, mango, buko and of course egg pie. I'm not sure what were the other pies there but the pineapple and mango were my favorites.

My first pie trial this month was the mango coz we were able to find a bit cheaply priced per kilo but it wasn't that good. It was flat. I've no idea what happened exactly. I'll figure next mango season for another trial and error study. The crust was actually what I was trying out at that time as I felt I needed to figure out the pie crust baking before I ride out to different pies. I'm definitely going back to mango pies one day when I have the luxury for errors. ;)

Right now, I can only be too happy to try the pineapple pie.

Ah! Here's a list of things to note.
When I googled for mango pie recipe, there was a bit less simple recipes that I found. Apple, of course is very popular. Pineapple pie recipes are not that bad either. Not that intimidating for a beginner like me.

fave places for recipes;

allrecipes.com, recipezar.com, maangchi's channel on youtube (she's also on blogger, btw). Ah! I may have to write another entry on that sometime soon.

Gotta get back to life! Til my next pie adventure!

so sadd day..coz of another blogger site. go figure!

2008-07-20T20:31:00.000+08:00

Five months after I started this one out and just now that I remembered to update. What was the stimulus? A blogsite which was closed down because of copyright issues on the books that he wanted to share with his "friends". Didn't memorize the blog site but I will track it down again later. I just want to vent this frustration.

The owner wanted to share classics and other great books to anyone in the world through online but of course, the publishers and their lawyers are up against it. It just comes to money matters again. It's really all just money. Who can blame the developing countries that have not even heard of such great books for remaining as "ignorant" when there is really no access to these? Sure there are libraries, but come on, I bet it's not even in every public library in the U.S. (Anybody is welcome to correct me on that).

It all again boils down to the desparity of the the have-nots and the you-know-what. Education is still not for everyone. :( The cynic in me.

Getting electrified

2008-02-28T19:57:00.000+08:00

I attended the required seminar for the name change of electric connection today. Most of the audience were new connection so I can only imagine how is it to go through the application process, and finally getting the line. Really, electricity has always been taken for granted. It was a bit enlightening to note that I am finally a mature adult in my hometown. Translation; I have a basic bill to my name now here in my own hometown. I mean I've lived in some places and of course paid bills but I never really felt any difference if paying under my own name or something of that sort. I would have to attend some meetings later on, which I may attend not just because I'm required but because I care as to what is happening. Not just paying everything all the time and complain when something goes wrong. Awareness of things.

Welcome to the world of mass blogging!

2008-02-22T21:22:00.000+08:00

Here's another try at blogging. This time at a site where a lot of bloggers are already blogging away. I wonder if anybody would stumble on this page, ever. Is it gonna be my own? Without anyone peeping into it. Ha!