LEonSSONS of Life

Within the depths of our souls, we are all connected by this unifying and essential energy of life – love.

2012-02-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

When we fall in love with another person, we are essentially experiencing the love that was within us all along. The person is merely acting like a mirror reflecting our soul back at us. Technically, we can’t “fall” in love, because we are already made of love. The other person, much like a musical instrument, is the catalyst allowing us to recognize the beauty that’s already within us.

Because of our lack of understanding that love resides within us, and that we actually have the power to invoke it on our own, we credit it to the other person for giving love to us. This feeling is so strong and extraordinary, that we become addictive and possessive. We want to capture it and keep it fixed, so that we can – at last – keep this heightened feeling forever.

Because we attribute love as being ‘to’ this other person external to us, pain happens when we forcefully try to kill the love, which is actually within us.
Let’s repeat: Pain happens when we forcefully kill the love that’s within us.
When we forcefully try to kill the love within us, it physically feels as if someone has stabbed a knife into our heart, and a sharp pain surfaces in our chest area. In reality, we are that someone doing the stabbing, because we are trying to sever our innate connection to love and our Soul is now bleeding. Our Soul is crying for help, asking us to stop the stabbing, to stop the pain. (taken from thinksimple.com)

Vasilopita

2011-12-31T14:57:00.000-05:00

Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake. Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's day on January 1 in Greece.
On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year.
It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially blessed for the year. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary, the Church and the poor.
Vasilopita is made in honor of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way he could give them money without demeaning them at all.

This year 2012, when my mother in law sliced our cake, the piece meant for me contained the coin. I felt deeply happy and excited to find out what's gonna be my life this year. God bless me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Remember, it's more in our hands to make things happen, so let's keep going and savour another year of our lives...

DISTURBED

2011-12-16T09:31:00.000-05:00

Everyday I am trying to make my life "still " like a water in a basin without anyone disturbing it. But today. unfotunately, that basin was being thrown with a piece of disturbance that shakens my whole being and here I am trying to survive a destroyed soul. wounded heart and confused mind... I just can't easily ignore the effect of these turbulence in me, tears are falling and eyes can't manage to close and resting is hard to achieve... Why and why?

May I will gain strength to move on and have my peace again. I just wanna live a simple life, full with laughters and smiles and zests to savour the wonders of breathing!

Motto in Life

2011-12-05T22:14:00.000-05:00

"Life is like a lighted candle, it melts as it shines for others". This is my motto eversince I happened to hear this from a priest when I was attending a mass in our cathedral during my university years... I once made a self-reflection to this as a requirement in my religious subject every Sunday . The whole sentence is equal to self-sacrifice for me. Ohhh yes, sacrificing is a hard thing to do, but its always a part in dealing with life. If only there is a way to avoid making efforts to get what is always an advantage to myself, perhaps perfection is then known in human lives. However, the truth is there is no such thing as a perfect life - NO pains, struggles, bitterness, injustices, heartaches,self-giving & etc.

Yesterday, I applied my motto in my decision-making. Again, I decided to give up something that means a lot to me. A joy that makes me feel I am flying without wings and when I do, I don't wanna stop flying and flying... But again, life is not just about me, there is beyond my being and I need to recognize this, and that's why I needed to sacrifice. Anyway, though my cardiac organ is filled with needles these days, I believe somehow I will be fine and stand out right!

I salute myself for learning to be a candle with light and for being able to melt for others' sake. May I will keep standing still in spite of what I am losing- rare treasure that lifts me all the way to my soul.

wedding ring

2011-03-14T08:09:00.000-04:00

Today my heart was pumping so hard when I saw the phone number of my daughter's school calling me. I thought of something bad that happened to her. Finally, it was the principal on the other line. Guess what? She informed me that my girl was bringing with her a wedding ring( of her dad), placed in a nice box. According to her, when she asked her why she has the ring, she replied that she wanted to give it to someone she wanted to marry. But she did not mention the name of that someone. As her mother, I know to whom...lol. Hence, not only the drugs must be kept away to be reached by children, but also wedding rings. Better, keep it in your fingers,, except if you are swimming.

AFFECTED

2011-03-04T00:18:00.000-05:00

I am so unalive these days. When I smile, it's not coming from deep within and my mind cannot concentrate on somethig that I need to do. Hence, I went down without the car key, I ran to the doctor's clinic thinking that I had the appointment yesterday, instead it's actually today, I cannot access an account because I just suddenly forgot the P.I.N. , and shop and shop, try and try then finally I didn't decide what to buy and worst I am not reading for the exam next week! Ohhh, I hate all these, but I am just affected!

May life will treat me better soon, before I'll gate crazy!

* I dreamed of some important faces in college by the way, I don't know why, like the first dean that we had(deceased already) and Mrs. Soringa, plus another important face driving the military bus...

She

2011-02-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

She's familiar to me even when we were still studying in college, though she's not a Nicolanian like me. Instead, she has the same school with my older brother. Many times, we met in the restaurants while with our individual dates, or in the terminal, though with didn't have the same route. I always remember her for being nice and smiling and known her well as a good friend of my bro. Until we graduated, we became more closer because we belong in the same way of living - teaching. Specifically, my brother and her were assigned in the same place. They shared deep friendship.

The last time I saw her was during my last visit in Philippines when we had our night swimming in Mabua Beach. I learned that she was not just a mere friend then, but somehow a member of the family. I was so glad to see her again and to recall our laughters. Plus I am amazed by the fact the she owns a car already. However, she was not that cool anymore,compared to our past. She didn't stayed longer with us, for she has many things to do, according to her. So my brother accompanied her home.

That was December 2008. Few days after the entrance of the new year 2009, I learned a very bad news! She did something that triggered my brother's anger together with a third party. Then since both of them were in a law class, they filed a case against my brother instead. He was arrested and put in jail which broke our hearts a lot especially to my mother. It was such a terrible experience! Personally I cried a lot and felt so helpless for I am so far, but thanks God there's a woman, friends and family that stood with my brother on those moments of his downfall.

A year, months and days finally passed with pursued and cancelled court hearings. Finally today, marked the end of it, the reading of the judgment. God knows I was so worried and kept praying for anything that could help us all survive and that I tried to sleep with my netbook and cellphone beside me. However, I was so restless and finally managed to call my mother just right after the reading. Then she told me," good news nak, case dismissed"! I was speechless and cried a lot again while uttering the thank you words to HIM.

I am wondering if she is feeling happy now after she put our family in this terrible experience. Instead of blaming herself for doing what she did to all of us and just let go of what happened, she managed to be with that policeman to let my brother live a life like that for some time. But in the end, she married another man instead of the police. Isn't it funny?

Another lesson in life: we need to think carefully in making moves/decisions, and always we have to protect ourselves above all. Sometimes anger or any emotion can drive us to do things to people not worthy of any...Also, before we commit infidelity and dishonesty, expect a boomerang that has higher impact that awaits ahead.

Climate change and anti- smoking campaign

2011-01-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

When I signed in today in facebook, my attention was caught by the paragraph posted by my college batchmate, divina. It was about the news from CNN about climate changes, which is actually a very interesting topic eversince... However, I wonder how many of us take this matter seriously. I observed that we just keep hearing,but most of the irresponsible creatures just actually keep ignoring these. How many of us never feel and practice everyday the recommended measures to help save our planet Earth? Unfortunately, it is a fact that everybody is really experiencing now the negative effects of our misbehaviours. Not all of us are great contributors to this dilemma, but no one is exempted to pay the price - even the unconceive creatures! Obviously, the various news from different sides of the planet bring message to everyone, but who really cares,the few or the many?

For instance, today I was sitting in the waiting area together with the parents of the children who are enrolled in swimming lessons. While busy reading my french book, I heard them conversing about the anti-smoking campaign of the government. Two mothers, (of course smoking that moment) were so negative about it, and complained that its unfair for them who are smokers, because they can't go now freely in coffee shops, restaurants and any public areas while practicing their addiction to cigarettes. On the other hand, two mothers were so glad about the campaign and one even was so impressed! The two parents beside me, were sharing also their personal views while confessing that once they were smokers too, but they stopped already for significant reasons-like pregnancy and children... After them, I shared my point of views too. One emphasis that I shared was: IN LIFE, WE ALL WANTED/NEED SO MANY THINGS, BUT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT HAVE THEM ALL AND WE MUST SET PRIORITIES.

Why not choose the right path, when we really can? Man is entrusted to manuevre his life and the rest of the creatures,yes? If the rest can change, why others can't? What is most important in one's life, is to offer quality to the life that we choose to reproduce in this planet, mainly our children. For sure, it is time to think beyond ourselves anymore! This is been a long, long need that many of us never deeply prioritizes.

As for me, I am proud that as always, I never take for granted my habitat and I am multiplying my efforts through my child.

Helpful tips for a better living

2011-01-14T05:14:00.000-05:00

Today I was caught by the news from yahoo and I decided to posts the article for I found it to be helpful. Here are the tips:

In this week's episode of Upgrade Your Life, Yahoo! News's Becky Worley delivers some simple, everyday solutions for what might appear to be daunting high-tech problems, starting with:
1. Touchscreen phones that won't work when you have gloves on
The capacitive touch displays on the latest and greatest Android and iOS handsets are tops when it comes to tapping out messages with a light touch. Winter gloves, however, will block the electrical charge from your fingertips that capacitive screens use to register a tap — bad news if you're trying to answer a call in a blizzard.
Becky's solution: Cut a tiny slit in your wool gloves (assuming you don't mind slicing up your winter wear) to allow a finger to pop out whenever you need to start tapping.
Don't want to cut holes in your gloves? Try the Pogo Stylus, a pencil-sized metallic stick with a specially made tip that works with capacitive displays.
2. Dirty cell phone cases
That case you bought for your smartphone looked pretty spiffy when you first slipped it on. After a few months, though, you'll be in for a rude shock when you take the case off and look inside. Where did all that gunk come from? On second thought, don't tell us.
Becky's solution: If it's a one-piece silicone case, just toss it in the dishwasher — done. Beware, though: Plastic cases with multiple, glued-on parts will come apart if you give them the dishwasher treatment.
3. Wet gadgets
News flash: Gadgets and water rarely mix. If you do manage to leave your cell phone, camera, or other battery-powered gear out in the rain — or worse, drop them in a toilet — the prognosis is usually pretty grim.
Becky's solution: Before you give up hope, try dropping your soaked gear into a Tupperware container full of rice to draw out the moisture. Or, as a general preventative measure to keep moisture away, save some silica gel packs (you know, the ones you'll find in boxes of new shoes or beef-jerky packages) and stuff them in your cell phone or camera case.
4.. Scratched DVDs and CDsThere's nothing quite as annoying as a skipping music CD or a DVD that randomly jumps seconds or minutes ahead, without warning. In some cases, you might be dealing with a dirty laser in your CD or DVD deck; more often, however, the culprit is a scratched disc.
The good news is that it is possible to repair scratches in the polycarbonate plastic coating that protects the underlying layer of data on a DVD or CD, as long as the scratch isn't too deep.
Becky's solution: Polish the scratches with a little furniture cleaner, perhaps with a follow-up dose of car polish. Just be sure to start from the center of the disc and rub outward, in a straight line; whatever you do, don't rub in circles.

Hope they will be helpful for you too.

CONDOLENCE TO MY SOLE FOLLOWER

2011-01-13T16:57:00.001-05:00

In this blog, I have only one follower, my batchmate in college, whom I called her goddess because of having a similar name with one of the gods. We maybe not that close during those times but through our blogging, she became so familiar to me which is intensed by our facebook connectivity.

Just the other day, I read her blog about the condition of her mother. I am touched by the fact that she was so down because of her mother's denial in taking her medicines that affected her... I can relate how hard it must be for her mother to had the kidney problem, because once I was about to die with this illness too. I remembered by the way, that this follower visited me in the hospital and she commented, " I thought leong can't be sick". I don't know if she can still remember this... But I think she meant that she can't believe me being not strong and ok. Like her mother, I was hiding also the medicines that the doctor gave me, under my pillows. The only good thing about it was the fact, that I was given wrong medicines, considering that the doctors were incapable of detecting the stone that blocked my tube, like a corn kernel. Fortunately, my mother was so determined to admit me in Cebu, and it was until then that we learned my kidney problem too. It really wasn't easy!

Today, as I signed in facebook, I learned that her mother passed away already. So, condolence to you my dear follower. I wish you are really a goddess with the power to heal. But I believe, you have strong faith in God and being you makes me confident that you have deeper understanding about physical nature of man, hence, you will surely be fine after all.

My day

2011-01-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

Today is truly a memorable day to our family - it's my brother's birthday but more than anything else, this is the day that marked a history of our lives. Again, another new year that we need to face sad realities of living. As usual,truth/ destiny left us no choice, but to continue accepting that the tragedy that happened to our family (killing of our father about 31 years ago), will forever affects our generations... The great thing is the more pressure is applied to pages with pastes, the greater is the chemical bonding between these pages, that results into a strongly bonded book that can't easily be destroyed by time. I prefer to just look at life this way.

To divert my emotions and thoughts and to stop the rainy moments of my day, I thanked my mother-in-law for asking me to drive them to the village to savour the wonderful day in the midst of winter. Today was really a brilliant day. I spent my time with them picking up wild greens in the middle of the wondrous fields filled with flowers and shining leaves of trees. After, was a chat in a coffee place while drinking our preferred refreshments with some sweets from the bakery. It was fun and time passed quickly. At least, I am somehow diverted. Unfortunately life has to keep going on, but it doesn't matter, I am recharged again and ready to move on... This is my day, how about yours?

SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACTS

2011-01-08T08:52:00.000-05:00

In college, I clearly learned about norms and standards of the society through my Educ. 3 subject, with Mrs. Ortega. But with all the lessons we had, my thoughts are more concentrated to the frightening/challenging fact: we will suffer the consequences of our acts. Truly, freedom is not absolute and we need to live by the rules most of the time. Of course, it is favourable to breath each day in a place where you can freely express yourself, but unfortunately this is not what reality is. Every moment is a challenge to make choices and to think what to finally cross and do... Furthermore, we are born with a family, meaning we need to practice mutualism and all the symbiotic relationships in one way or another...

Maybe the right thing to do is to think deeper in making decisions that affects many. It may not matter most when we decide wrongly to things that only ourselves may suffer the consequences. For example, its a different thing to finally decide to break up with a boyfriend, it is just fine. But to easily decide to end the relationship between parents with children, is worst. The innocent creatures are force to suffer the consequences of two immature invidividuals...Do they deserve? But this is another sad truth in life and its variable.

NEW YEAR'S PIE

2011-01-01T01:37:00.000-05:00

Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake. Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's day on January 1 in Greece.
On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year.
It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially blessed for the year. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary, the Church and the poor.
Vasilopita is made in honor of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way he could give them money without demeaning them at all.

This time, we baked the pie in grandma's house. It was a successful one! But until this moment, no one find the lucky coin yet...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

ME

2010-12-30T02:56:00.001-05:00

Life teaches me a lot! Like, it is very easy to loss but so difficult to gain;easier to fail but harder to succeed. Einstein is right, everything is uncertain in this universe, but one thing for sure, humanity will keep doing stupidities throughout... Hence, I am obliged to protect myself, for everybody perceives things differently. No one cares more than myself, but ME and I am the one who is entrusted to manuevre my self-becoming. I am carrying my basket of choices everyday and the wheel for my will is in my hands. Therefore, the question is not what they want/need but instead, its what I want/need.For, if I am well, then the rest will be fine...

IMPATIENT CAROLLER

2010-12-24T00:56:00.001-05:00

Yesterday before I drove for groceries, I dropped my daughter to the house of her grandma. She was so excited to visit her because she wanted to make a carolling. She brought then her triangle instrument and just as she reached the door, she started singing. Well, this time she uttered the lyrics more clearly and memorized better the songs. Her grandma was so amazed while watching her and she enjoyed dancing with my daughter's voice...from one song to another ... IMPATIENTLY, my little one stopped singing, and asked: "WHEN ARE GOING TO FINALLY GIVE ME THE MONEY"?

Well she drove her crazy from laughter and got 10 euros...

In addition to this blog, last year she collected also some amounts and she saved them. Last week we opened it and deposited it in the bank for her future. Actually, what is funny is that, when we start telling her that we don't have money, she heartily offers to use her deposits. Since the bank gave her another thrifty box with a key(hidden by dad so not to be lost) to save again, in times that we make jokes to her about unavailability of funds, she commands her father to give her back the key so she can lend us some...Until now, she really don't care yet about having money, only she enjoys the idea of dropping some in the box. Actually, that amount she got from her grandma, until this time,it's still out of the box because she forgot it in her grandma's house.

Children are really examples of unselfishness and playfulness. Just having interests to things but without practicing bad intentions/thoughts in dealing with these things. Unfortunately, we all don't remain to be children, though within us, if we only reconize, we are still and we can be forever !

It's time to recollect to welcome the new year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

A DREAM

2010-12-22T00:43:00.001-05:00

This blog is supposedly written yesterday.

Yesterday I was awakened by the picture of my dearest friend in elementary-ELVIE PENADOS LANGIT. But only in my dream! I clearly saw here standing in the ATM . Then she turned to me holding a lot of money, and told me that she did not manage to do her transaction,but she's in a hurry. So, I helped her and she left...

I really wondered why after many years of not having a communication with her, we crossed in my dream ,until I chatted with my mother yesterday. They were texting each other and she told nay that our classmate in elementary died.

MY ELEMENTARY CLASSMATE-REGRACE

She's one of my very active friends in elementary years and I remember her most with her bicycle and the way she dressed herself . But most of all, because she was the reason why my tooth was broken with a sharp bolo during our cleaning up in Grade 5. It's really a long time that I never heard about her, but suddenly while I signed in facebook, her face appeared in the right side of the screen and I had the opportunity to view her pictures with her family...I never had time to add her, but I was so confident that we can be connected soon. Unfortunately, the next day, I learned that she's dead already!!!

POINSETTIA

2010-12-19T08:30:00.003-05:00

Due to the holidays, all shops are open today(Sunday) and my mother in law called me in the morning to go with her shopping in one of the biggest shops in the city and europe.

Just as we enter the entrance, my eyes were enlightened by the christmas plants. Actually, I did not remember the name in English until I googled it - POINSETTIA! In greek its called ALEXANDRINA. So what I learned about it? Here are some:

*One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.

*The poinsettia is a native plant of Mexico and originated in a rather limited region near present day Taxco. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Aztecs of central Mexico cultivated the plant and called it Cuetlaxochitl. Because of its brilliant color, the poinsettia was a symbol of purity to the Indians.

*Poinsettias were first introduced in the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett.

So, its very clear now to me why its name starts with P in english. Got it?

Here's my own poinsettia that surely makes my family's christmas merrier and colorful! I bought this for 6.50 euros, with a special offer price. I love it and its enough as a gift!

Born Free

2010-12-16T08:58:00.000-05:00

What is life? Never mind. It's a complex thing ever... Well, it depends how you deal with it.

As for me, I just free myself from all the negative vibrations. Today, I spent time in the parlor for a new haircut, then drove next to a boutique to enjoy the italian fashions, shopping for the shoes of my daughter and spending quality time with my immediate family. Ohhh, it feels sooo good!

Realization? After all it is not regretful to live...

Try it too!

It's Complicated

2010-11-26T00:45:00.000-05:00

Finally I watched the movie of Meryl, Martin and Baldwin- IT'S COMPLICATED. Well, it's a worth watching one...

True, we are living in a complicated world and most of the time we are in the complicated status/situations that make us confused and unfocused. But fortunately no matter how complex things are, we are capable of finding the right ways to untie the knots that bind us. Only we need to be willing to search these keys...

Finally, with regard to the movie I am more fascinated by the garden with fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers. Well, it ignited my feelings to do gardening again after winter ends. Even now I am so excited! Last year, I enjoyed a lot harvesting and eating the tomatoes and onions I personally cultivated with flowers and fruit trees too.

In my opinion, doing simple things that make us happier lessens the complexity of things. And as to WHAT, we need to search these within us.

Philosophy about Crisis

2010-05-07T00:53:00.001-04:00

Crisis is global, be it environmental, political and economical. Every now and then, there is chaos and struggle for combatting the pressures that are striking the human comfort. Well, everyday, throughout the years, everybody is so busy finding ways to reach standards or to compete with one another. But the saddest thing to note is, we all neglect the BASICS , that we must bear as live day by day. People is becoming less in VALUES and the right attitudes in dealing life together with anything connected to it.

For example, I know many individuals, complaining about how difficult life is nowadays. No jobs, no money, less opportunities and etc. Also, they complain about the temperature, climate change and the ability of the sun to burn skin. However, while they're saying this, they are busy smoking, having one or two cars plus motorbike, wake up late and more time in doing unproductive and unnecessary activities every 24 hours of their lives! Why is this so?

Well for me, though I got an opportunity to have a better lifestyle, I never changed the basic attitudes that I learned. NO matter who we become and where we belong, still we must all stick to the same foundations of making life worth living. In spite of the changes that the world is offering, still we are suppose to always act responsibly by trying to choose what is more beneficial not only to ourselves but to many. Hence:

1. Why not put into action this poster, "smoking is a choice but living with a fresh air is a right"? How can you still keep making the choice of smoking, while you know very well that you are one of the obvious contributors to the health and environmental problems? Is this how good you weigh things out, or you don't weigh things at all before you decide? Maybe you just follow. Besides, do you really have enough money to still buy cigarettes, or you sacrifice some food for your children just to steam your holes? Think.

2. Why maintain having cars or even just a car, when you have difficulty in paying or you cant afford to get a license, an insurance, tax and service fees? You better walk for an exercise also and peace of mind.

3. Is it necessary for you to use the elevator / lift even if you have empty hands and strong feet? Well, can you please follow the stairs to save energy... and burn your calories as well.

4. Why keep ordering from fast foods while you can cook, simple and healthier foods from your garden? Or let, me guess, you don't know how to cook, but you make children. Hey, if you learned human reproduction, then you can reproduce vegetables and fruits too and if you try to learn cooking, then you can surely cook. But of course, you need to deal with earth, washing plates and knives.

5. You have inherited a land, why not utilize it? Because you finished schools? Well, remember what your teachers taught you about biology? So why not plant trees, your own tomatoes, onions, lettuce and fruits? Ohh, you are a busy person? Well maybe you are busy doing unnecessary, try to check.

6. How about recycling? Are you still practicing this every moment of your life, or you never mind at all?
Remember, whatever actions/ examples you are showing to your children, you will see it in them. And even your neighbors. Indeed, values are caught, not taught. So shut up, do your job.

A lot more to say but no more time for now. Will you think about the matters above? It's all up to you... Don't forget, God created us to take care of His creations and not to abuse them for our comforts. I think the crisis we are facing, can be lessened if we all start to live life simply again, like how it must be.

Enjoy the sea, the sun,nature in general. Lessen destruction and construction,maximize the lands and make them heads full of green hairs AND DON'T JUST SIT LIKE NOTHING IS GOING ON,BE RESPONSIBLE, YOU ARE A PART OF THE WHOLE. This is what education is all about...

Lastly, let me share this mind-blogging ad:

Whatever is flying in the atmosphere, whatever is swimming in the hydrosphere and crawling everywhere, is the inheritance of the next generations. Will you deprive these to them?

Doing Tasks at the Same Time

2010-04-25T15:07:00.001-04:00

Yesterday she decided to cook early and very well, it was a successful recipe. Then she turned off the fire and left the casserole over the largest eye/burner. After an hour, before she opened the shower, she suddenly decided to boil an egg for her daughter. Unconciously, she pressed the wrong button, the largest eye instead of the small one. Then even being in the bathroom, she smelled something undesirable...and then she realized...she made a mistake!

She blamed herself and felt bad, fortunately her other half comforted her. So, she smiled and thought of saving the recipe...

Fil-Greek Kidney Buy and Sell for LIFE

2010-04-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading the article in the newspaper which talked about the greek man who revealed his story about his kidney problem. It was in the year 2007, that he decided to fly to Manila,Philippines and had his kidney implant, after a long time of being desperate being in the waiting list for an organ donor here in Greece. It costed him 65,000 dollars. He returned home being so alive again and said," I bought my kidney to be saved".

It was sad to note that the last paragraph of the article stated that, there in Philippines, there are so many hungry families, and that they are willing to sell their kidneys...

Well, I am wondering this time, how many greeks will be flying soon, so as to find hope for their kidney problems. As of now, many of them are sooo desperate to find donors here in their country, so this news must be a light for them. In fact, one has been waiting for six years now!

Being me, deep within it hurts to know that some Filipinos are doing this(of course they have their own reasons), though at the same time, I know how positive this is for the people of my second home... I feel the two terminals!

Valentine piece

2010-02-14T08:22:00.002-05:00

I woke up with a dream today. It was all about the loving memories that never fades until this time. Well, that dream is just right for this day, right?

As for me, I celebrated this special day this year with a shopping therapy. I bought some gifts to my hubby, girl and daughter of our close friends. To my family in Philippines, well I never stop thinking about them, and wishing I can move the continents by my will. How about myself? Well of course, I shopped two gifts for me, I deserve them. Lol! Plus, a loving kiss from dear hubby. Well, he's not that material this year. It means a lot!

Love is indeed great and such a powerful intangible/invisible matter that anyone who experience and has it, gets the most of life. I believe that its really the fountain of all. When its the roots of anything we do, its leading us to the right edges.

It is so sad to note that people nowadays seems to bargain love with material things. Or let me say, we just wanted to take love without the bravery to stand for it and conquer the odds of loving. Somehow, the meaning of loving is just so deep that not everyone is willing to dive through. Maybe love is inside an artichoke, sorrounded with thorns and deeply hidden. Hence, if you dare to have it, be willing to take the consequences. What do you think?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! Don't just greet but show what is love by example. Act before it's late.

WHY DO WE CLINK GLASSES OR TOAST?

2010-02-02T04:36:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the theories I read...

•Hundreds of years ago in Greece when it was common to poison your enemy, a toast was seen as a gesture of good faith. The host would pour the wine into a decanter and then drink from it to prove it was safe. Once the host had proved that the wine was safe, then everyone felt comfortable enough to drink it as well. The clinking of glasses during this time could have been a sneeky way for wine to be passed back and forth between glasses to prove it was safe.

•There were many cultures that believed that clinking glasses would drive away evil spirits. It was these evil spirits were many times the ones blamed for drunkenness.

•It was considered a welcome sound for weddings and birthdays.

•The Italian toast "cin cin" sounds like the sound of glasses touching.

Up until the 16 th century, toasts were usually only made to "good health". Today it is to salute a special day, marriage, promotion at work and many other special occasions.

Maturity and Her Sense of Humor

2010-01-01T12:45:00.007-05:00

Here are some of the instances when my daughter practiced her sense of humor:
*We were in the garden planting tomatoes and union bulbs, while she was busy digging using her garden tools, which are cute as her, she kept talking too. Then she told her grandma that this morning, her dad uttered a very bad word and that being his mother, she has to fill his son's mouth with pepper. Then grandma asked her what was the bad word. She answered, "well I cannot tell you, IT'S A BAD WORD"! (April 9, 2010-Friday)

*Hubby gave her a 2 euro coin and he said while putting it in her palm, " you got TWO euros,ok"? Then she replied quickly with disagreement, "no, you just gave me ONE". (Easter 2010)

*We were preparing to go and withdraw money in the bank. She asked me why we got dressed. I told her that we will go to the bank and withdrew money in the ATM because we didn't have money anymore. Then she said, well, I will start working so that I will have money...then I can buy whatever I want, today, tomorrow and the next days, in the kiosks(sari-sari stores selling ice creams,junk foods and etc.). MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010-EVENING

* She was not allowed yet to go with her friends to do the carolling, so yesterday she went outside of our door, closed it, rang the doorbell and did the carolling by herself. She sang seriously, though the song was unmemorized and the lyrics were not well pronounced... Of course, she collected a lot from grandma and her mom. Then few minutes later, we were in the balcony, this time her dad was with us. She closed the door of the balcony from the kitchen, opened it and requested permission to sing. Again, she got more from her dad. Then she placed the bills in her thrifty box. Indeed, there's always a way.

* We visited the houses we are renting. As we parked in front of the first house, she asked permission to make a carolling. But I did not agree, because I supposed they were resting. Smartly, she convinced me that she will not sing loudly anyway, so not to disturb them... lol! She forgot what carolling is for.

* When we fetched her grandma today to join us in the park, she was asked about a thing that she likes in the living room, so she can have it. Then she pointed the one given by one of the friends of her grandma and said, " well, I like this". Unhappily, grandma explained to her that she can't give it because it's from a friend. Surprisingly, she reasoned out, " but I did not asks you to give it to me, I just said, I like it".

* One morning, she woke up and knocked in our bedroom. She wanted to sleep with mum and dad before preparing for school. Then she was inbetween us,but suddenly she chose to give me a tight hug, so we slept face to face. Later, she complained and said" mum,can you please stop releasing air while sleeping". Well, can a mother stop breathing for the sake of her child?

* She was not feeling weel for days. So, we did not send her to school to get enough rest and recover. Lasnight, at about 10, she kept asking her dad that they will draw again,though our refrigerator has no space anymore to hang their drawings...Poor machine, it looks like a newspaper stand now. Thus, her daddy told her that they will not draw anymore, instead she will now go to bed to sleep. Right away she replied, " ahhhh to sleep again???, I'm so tired of sleeping already dad"!

Well my hubby was speechless and found her more cute. He hugged and kissed her, and forgot what he just asked her...Mommy was listening and laughing only. No comment. (Feb. 17, 2010-Wednesday)

Life's Surprises

2009-09-16T08:46:00.005-04:00

Life is really full of surprises. True, it's always with two terminals, no matter what lifestyles we are enjoying. I read once in a science book, that no matter how thin a thing is, it has always two sides. Yeah, I agree somehow!

As for my family, well I have more to tell this time. The father of my hubby passed already. The bad news is, I really missed the chance to meet him, same with my daughter. God knows I tried searching for him, but I failed. At least I am free of guilt, for everything is not under my control... It was only when I saw the paper posted along the streets, that I exactly know where could I had found him... But again, its too late. All I did, was to take one of the posters with his photo, and kept it together with the important papers of the family. May his soul be at peace.

After months, a lady working in an attorney's office approached me while we were in the kioks nearby. She let me signed a paper, after I read the contents, and instructed me to give it to my hubby. Well, it was an invitation for a meeting with the mother and brother of my other half. I was so excited to finally meet them. And yes, we really met already and since then our finally is united! It was a dramatic acquiantance. God knows how happy I am to be able to reconcile them after years of living without communication. Well, we have no right to judge them. The important thing is, they grabbed the chance to burry the past. Most importantly, I am giving my daughter chances to have her grandma and being nourishes with more love from people of her blood.

MEMOIRS IN SCHOOL: LEARNING IS FUN

2009-07-05T23:29:00.013-04:00

2009-06-28T00:13:00.003-04:00

My daughter did not manage to have her afternoon rest yesterday. Hence, during her bicycling time, she was so sleepy. Yet, she still managed to compete with the other bikers older than her. But the funny thing was, she always claimed to be the winner!

Before she started her first ride, she fell down and filled with dusts of earth. But she insisted that she's really fine and not sleepy. So we set her free, playing with other children and making a number of rounds. Well, she really tried to exert the remaining energy she had 'til to the point that she asked us to go upstairs already...and ate her favourite fruit-watermelon.

While we were eating, I commented to her, "you're really sleepy"! Then right away she answered, " come on mother, what are you talking about? I am not sleepy yet, look at my MOUTH, it's still widely open"!

Yeah, she's really not sleepy yet.

My Plants

2009-04-11T23:57:00.007-04:00

My naughty girl

2009-03-13T01:05:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I was cooking an ohmlette. I took the half-dozen egg out of the fridge and started reaching the beater. While doing so, the giant ant crawled into the kitchen and without my notice she took away the eggs!I started searching for it everywhere in the kitchen area, until I told myself that my mind is indeed in trouble. Then I remembered the fact that I have a naughty daughter, though she was watching her favourite show, so it maybe impossible. So I screamed "where are the eggs"! Nobody answered. Well she acted like nothing was in troubled of searching. Finally I asked her seriously, and she ran into her room and took the eggs behind her curtain and gave it to me with a smile... So, I just smiled back to her.

I returned back to the kitchen,opened the package of the six eggs and prepared the pan and the others. As I planned to start breaking the eggs, I saw them lacking, yes one was missing. This time I know the thief of course... Same story, she hid the egg!

Its spring time and our balcony is full with flowering plants. I took the two pots out from the balcony and placed them in the living room window. Yesterday, hubby noticed that one plant remained in there. So with anxiety, he asked me. I ran to check it out, but deep inside I was so certain that my daughter did something that caused it to fall. I imagined that its already in the floor, broken and undressed with beauty. I right away looked at the floor, but to my amazed there were dirts anywhere. Then I found it being at the edge of the window covered by the curtain of the living room. Certainly, she just pushed it from the middle part to the end.

This morning I woke up early to read. I saw through the glass window that it is raining, so I went close to view outside. Guess what I found out? The sliding window was slightly open, surely from yesterday. My daughter tried to open it for sure but had the difficulty, yet she still managed a little bit. That's why hubby was in troubled with the temperature yesterday and our fireplace didn't help him a lot. Now, I know...

That's my girl! Lesson? Keep an eye to your child as long as you can or else...you will never know.

Below are photos of her being:

wearing my stockings

trying to make massage

she polished her nails and caught in the act

yogurt cake

2009-02-13T12:30:00.009-05:00

My daughter is not fond of eating yogurt when she was still a baby. But now she discovered a yogurt from our neighbor which has an acceptable taste for her. So, I decided to find such kind and I found out that it is only available in a kilo size. I bought it anyway though I'm wondering if the rest of the amount will be on trash for it expires soon.

This afternoon though I got bored and has the desire to do something unusual. Then I remembered the yogurt thing and came to think of baking a cake which has this ingredient. Indeed I amused my bored self to the making for the first time of this kind of cake. Honestly, I enjoyed it while doing an activity that manifests my being a wise woman in the kitchen. I think nowadays, the woman of the house must be more careful in budget-making as we all face economic crisis. Being wise means saving while keeping the family healthy. See, my hubby and girl appreciated the product.

Guess what??? Tomorrow I will try cooking artichokes with yogurt as one of our meals. Isn't it healthy?

If you'll ask me if I am changed after all those years that passed by, then I will tell you yes. I am becoming a well rounded woman - learned loving the art of cooking and home management already as plus to what I am before.

How about you?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

Alpha and Omega

2009-01-27T22:38:00.008-05:00

Alpha is the first letter of the greek alphabet, while ΩΜΕΓΑ is the last...

Kali chronia to everyone! Its already 2009 and this is my first entry of the year. Well, it is just right to take some notes first of how I ended up 2008 and welcomed 2009 in my life.

The previous year was full of blessings. We finally got our own house here abroad and I like better the new environment. Most importantly we are living with neighbors that are happy and enjoying simple lives like ours. Also I got the job in an office and at least had the experiences of being a full time mother and worker. Woohhhh it was very challenging! But I decided to spend more time first to my daughter and stopped her from being so pressured to be in school at a very young age. It was very not easy forcing an innocent soul who still wanted to stay longer in bed and enjoy her dreams just because the horn of the school bus is on the air... On the other hand, it was still nice for her to find new playmates. However, I would say, giving her more time to sleep yet and being free everyday was a great decision! In fact, it was easier for her to learn many things out from a mother's presence and teaching. Potty training? She mastered it already for a long time. Experience tells me that a child easily learns when there is a constant supervision of the trainor. Having no enough time to be around every now and then has a great relationship ( I think), to the learning process. As the child plays, a mother or both parents has to remind the child about the toilet,in a constant manner, otherwise floods and pollution happens everywhere...The same whatever activity she or he is in. But unfortunately, parents are pressured to exchange their quality time to satisfy whatever reasons they have, like the needs of the family, hence everything gets more complicated.

Finally the best part was being able to manage flying with Thai Airways to reunite with my family in Philippines before Christmas! It was such a great, great time, though full of challenges. My only regret was with the services of the PAL, that kept us staying in Manila, though they provided us with a nice hotel, food and cash. Hmmp graceful mistake, still a blessing! At least I met many nice filipino people during the the two-day stay... What exactly happened? During take off of our flight to MNL-SUG, it was obvious that the engine was that not doing well, yet we managed to fly like a wounded bird. Then some time later, the pilot decided to return to the nest for our safety. Hello what I was asking that time was to feel that we touched the ground already or there will be no new year for all of us,yet we finally managed! So flight was cancelled and a surprise meeting with my family was delayed... The next day, due to many cancelled flights, the ratio of the passengers to the seats of the plane was in dilemma. Hey, what's up PAL staffs, that was a very obvious sign of poor management. Hence, they ended up paying cash and promised all of us a special flight the next day.

Anyway, life is a very challenging process. No matter how we plan well, everything is not under our control. That's why I never always plan, instead I rely also in my instincts. Then, I adjust and try to enjoy the unplanned moments. So far, I have no regrets in the end. Still the unexpected ways and instances are the best for me. I really love surprises and challenges. Though in this way, life isn't that easy and sure, but when can it be certain anyway??? In my opinion, being carefree is sooo great...

Four days of new year was spent with my family. Leaving them after the reunion was not that easy. But we have to move on. This is very basic in life. Again, uxpectedly I learned that our flight from SUG to MNL was cancelled. The reason this time was the bad weather. So, we were advised to have the land trip going to Davao and catch the plane to manila at 7:30 in the morning. As usual, I embraced the unexpected way. I entertained myself with the thoughts that I will finally see Davao, and at least we can still have extended time together with my mother and sister. And of course the smell and taste of durian!

The departing moment was teary! If only I can bring them all to where I am, life would be more different. But its not that easy and fast. We hugged, kissed and showed how we will be missing each other...then finally bid goodbyes.

During our few hours of stay in Thailand Airport, I met many deported Filipinos. My heart was broken as I heard their stories. They were in jail for 40 days and in a difficult situation. The worst fact was, there were babies and children. I offered some help like distributing the milk of ianthy to every mother, that even a 1 month old baby was forced to drink, just to have something in the mouth,( I refused but the mother insisted and took the responsibility) and gave cash for diapers. After many hours, a representaive of the Philippine government came and bought them some foods and arranged their flight back home. Before I bid goodbye to all of them, I learned that we have the same departure time.

I felt sad but on the other hand I am walking so light...and happy deep inside. This is what I wanted for my child - to see in reality that life has many faces! Our life's worth depends on how we live with others...

Then we started to journey the way to Gate C of the international area of the airport. My goodness, its like walking in the paradise created by man! Yeah, it was really great especially that we were there during midnight. My regret? I have no camera anymore, even a high tech phone. Well, I've just been from Philippines,you know. But nothing to worry, all the memories are inside of me.

With all those experiences, I welcomed 2009 with full of zests! Now I am back to my a normal life but as I live with it, I am leading myself to the new targets... Hopefully, this year, we will all enjoy another good year or the better. As for me, wow many challenges happened already within this month, specifically to my mother and brother. But our love and care for each other is quit strong enough to survive these new humps, hence, I am looking foward to favourable outcomes. May the Invisible One above keeps me on track.

Kali chronia to all and let us enjoy every breath!

Detangling Hair Spray

2008-11-10T23:59:00.000-05:00

Every day I am facing the difficulty of setting the hair of my child for she is a naughty girl when it comes to this. After taking a bath she knew already what's next, hair blowing/drying then combing the hair with different combs ang tying. My goodness she kept running and running until I got tired of teasing ang begging for her to volunteer to be stationary.Sometimes, I really got angry but deep inside I understood why she acted like this. During bed time, her brown hairs tangled and even conditioner cannot solve the problem. Hence, it took a lot of time for me to fix them and it caused her also pain, that's why she avoided this daily process.

I kept thinking about any solution until one day I decided to use the baby oil. Yeah, it was a little bit help yet the consequence is that after applying the oil, my child looks like a living creature who always have a wet-look! So I stopped it and sometimes tend to just tie her hair without combing or brushing it at all. Yet, I am not happy.

One day, while scanning the brochures for cosmetics, I reached the page with the advertisement of this detangling hair spray for kids. Of course I was so interested and happy for it was also on offer. At first I was doubting, but being so desperate on this matter made me sooo certained finally. Indeed, I grabbed the chance, who knows!

The next day the order arrived. I was so excited for the first try. Heey, the smell alone drove me crazy, its really a baby stuff! And when I applied it to my tangled gurl, it did miracles! Truly the comb passed so well as if, exploring in an uncrowded place. From then on, we are fine together. The funny thing is she never forget to reminds me of applying it before proceeding to strike the combs in her crowning glory.

Thanks to you detangling hair spray and to the chemists behind this formula of course!

Harmful acts of saving and recycling

2008-11-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

These Hair bands were made from used condoms and threads...Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in southern China threatening to spread sexually-transmittable diseases.

Be cautious of hair bands at open markets around the city too – they are probably from China since they are purchased in bulk very very cheap !!!!
Take a good look before buying hair bands in future – specially like the following above.

We all have to be extra careful on these cheap imports from china. These includes clothes, food, toys, slippers and even glasses because the Chinese are using some strong but cheap chemical in their manufactures. Cheap is becoming expensive and at the same time fatal.

I received this e-mail from a friend. Pay attention so you can't be a victim. As what I observed, due to the financial crisis we are facing today, people tend to shop in stores with very cheap prices. In fact, here in our neignborhood, just this year, many new Chinese stores just opened. But are we going to bargain quality and health with costs??? Think and think.

Thanks to my hubby, he always reminds me of not buying these kind of stuffs!

Suggestion: Don't just buy and buy things. Better do shopping sometimes only but when you do, quality products are in your basket,ok?

SEPTEMBER 20:The Day Before Today

2008-09-20T23:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was another bad,memorable, funny then lucky day. Bad because I had to handwash a bulk of dirty clothes because after a week of contacting the technician, he still didn't come. I was so disappointed of waiting. Hello, we were hoping to have someone checked the washing machine because since last saturday, it did not fill water. So we called right away the store for it's still within the guarantee period. Yeah, finally they picked up the phone after so long, then guess what? Of course we were given another number and name to contact. Anyway, at least he answered the phone right away. Then hubby explained about the problem, ohhh, he right away gave his finding. Then the conversation ended by the bad news that he has to order first a spare part in athens. So, when my hubby told me , I wondered how irresponsible he is, to just make his assumption of what could probably the problem, without seeing it first. This made me angry, but what can I do but to wait.

Anyway, speaking of washing clothes by hands, this reminded me a lot of unforgettable days backhome like sleeping late, waking up early just to wash clothes. And ohh, the memories in the dormitory during my college years were great. My boardmates and I met at the laundry area of our landlady. Then we chatted a lot and ended up smelling the scented clothes by softeners. It was fun! Just to clean our uniforms, took a lot of time, yet we were happy.

Another bad thing was that, I was about to have an accident with my motorbike. The road was clear with children, only cars on side parking. Then suddenly, two children suddenly appeared while teasing the ball. My goodness, we were really so closed to make an accident! Luckily, I did not accelerate yet after a gradual start. I really hate parents allowing their children to play within the road. For sure, if accidents happen, they will put the blame to the drivers. Hello, the community is so spacious! Why can't they just teach them to play in safe areas. Sigh.

Memorable day. Finally after having the summer without any rain, on September 20, the sun hid and the sky cried. Yes, it was raining yesterday and the wind was blewing strong. Ohh I cancelled the appointment to meet with Filipino friends to do some arrangements for the package to Philippines this October. Hey, its time to be at home and enjoy a relax life. True, I just baked chocolate brownies instead.

After being recharged, I started thinking again about the washing machine. The truth is, I did not manage to wash them all. Actually my neighbors offered me to use their machine for the meantime, but I hate doing this. I wanted to asks help when I'm left no choice at all. So, I reread the manual. After reading, I realized nothing has changed to the printed words. I knew them already, but the phrase that says" do some personal troubleshooting before contacting a technician" challenged me. Hence, I started cleaning the machine first then I finally decided to open the filter(very2x hard to open) again with the hope that this time I will succeed. Fortunately, I did it! Ohh, I'm glad it its not that dirty. But guess what I found??? Shame but I have to be honest. One day, I decided to wash my bra( not the expensive one, for its intended at home only)in the washing machine. When I wore it again, I noticed that its imbalanced already. The iron thing inside, that made it a push-up bra, was gone! Now I know were it went. It managed to reached the filter of the machine. So, I believe, that it was the cause of the annoying sound when the machine was turned on. Since, I made a lot of trials, finally it was carried until it was being filtered. Very funny!!! Mind you, the moment I turned on the machine lastnight, ohhh it worked already and just right now while I'm writing this blog, its working. I am so happy.

During those days that I didn't have the washing machine. I realized its great importance to my life as the lady of the house. Lastnight, I promised to it that from now on, I will give an extra care to this very helpful thing, especially that winter is approaching. And that I will not overload her anymore. In fact, I am planning to paste the chart containing the weights of laundry in the wall behind it. This is another important commitment and lesson.

Finally, another memorable event yesterday was the movie that we were watching with the title Human Trafficking. My goodness, I did not know what to feel. At first I was happy to see on the screen(before I knew the title and understood what the movie was all about)MANILA,PHILIPPINES. Gosssh, I saw it while I was in the kitchen, so I ran to the living room to be with my hubby. Then I started viewing the very negative sides/areas of the Philippines. I did not know what to feel before my hubby. Yet, we finished watching the movie. Its really heartbreaking to realize that Philippines is most of the time advertised as a very poor country, very unsafe and filled with calamities,kidnapping and prostitution. I remembered one day also, last year, my hubby excitedly informed me about the next feature of the travel channel. So we were both excited because its about Philippines. Unfortunately again, the traveller showed not more about the positive sides.

Anyway, here I am as a Filipino, trying to convince the people of my second home that my homeland is great, rich in nature and filled with warm people. That it is country that must be visited too for countless positive reasons.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY:Fishes in our Aquarium

2008-09-06T15:01:00.000-04:00

Hubby decided to buy us a 55 galloon aquarium instead of just a simple one that I wanted for our daughter. I was not so convinced at first, especially of the idea about the maintenance. However, there I was musing in the petshop with my daughter and experiencing the trouble in selecting the size, kind, filters and the materials the aquarium needs. Fortunately, the lady was very helpful and the exit in the shop was marked by the disappointment when she explained that we still have to need 8-10 days for the aquarium to be ready to accomodate fishes. Hmmmp, the excitement vanished!

Anyway, right that day I set up this controlled environment, with the desire to let the hours and days passed by, so we can have right away the breeds of NEMO( movie). Guess what? Its really not easy to start, specifically in the washing of the sand. But the thought of the joy it will cause when creatures are swimming already keeps me dynamic.

The next day, my hubby lost his patience of waiting already. He convinced me to break the rules by buying even just two ordinary and small fishes from the neighborhood. Gosssh, the impatient one agreed too. So, the first two marine inhabitants in our aquariun were a female and male small fishes with long tails. Believe me or not, though they looked microscopic, they caused us intense joy and fun. We love watching them especially that they are so fond of going in and out to the habitats that we provided. The funny thing is that they live separately. The female one stays in the house while the other is in the artificial coral reef. They just meet outside and play. Their size don't speaks about thier energy at all - small creatures with high kinetic power.

One day, a filipina friend visited us and she gave us a gift-a 3-inch fish with orange tale and beautiful flat body. It was a gift as a sign of her deep gratitude for my time to help her trouble. How's the fish??? The moment,I dropped her to the water, the male small fish made a speedy dive and hid himself in the leaves of the plants and stayed there without moving. He was so frightened! While the female small fish, was so welcoming to the new comer. Yet, the token fish was trying to avoid her at first. Then the funny fact was, later the male fish became the close friend of her and oftentimes ignored his first companion. So we came up with the theory that maybe the newcomer is a female one too and they are a proof of the law of chemistry that states: opposites do attract. You think so? How do we know that sex of the fishes anyway? One determinant that I learned is by looking at the tails of the first small fishes that I bought. For the new one, that I don't know. Eventually, the three enjoy each other's company already. In fact, they were in one group, hiding themselves, as a new black fish called janitor was introduced one day. Speaking of this janitor fish, I had a bad experience with the taxi driver going to the shop where he came from. Never mind. By the way, he was so shy at the first time, yet like the old ones, later he learned to get along and be part of the others. The funny thing with him is that, he's always teased by the small ones and I think its annoying for him... hence, he always stays near the filter.

The day came that I need to clean our aquarium and changed the water and washed everthing. Believe me, I really cried! It was a bad experience and I regret the negative attitude that I had that moment. Right away, I forgot the pleasures of the creatures that benefit this environment which need also my care. Anyway, I did it and tried learning lessons.So the second time I accomplished the duty, I found it easier with positive attitudes. I was filled with willingness and sense of responsibility. This time, there was also cooperation because my hubby and daughter were with me. We did it together happily.

Days passed,(two days before today), we went to the petshop again. Wow to my amazed, this shop really has the beautiful fishes. But take note, most of them are sooo expensive! For example,a fish with a tag of 90 euros??? But they are tropical ones and truly wonderful. I chose of course, the dynamic and also amazing fishes but economical. This time we got two goldfishes-fantail and oranda. Both are equally treasurable as gold. So, how about these two goldies??? Certainly their being colorful and shiny makes the our aquarium very attractive. Also, this ecosystem we have at home, is increasingly the source of happiness, happy thoughts, guessing and story telling each day. The three of us usually gather in the same place at the same time sharing the incomparible feelings and bondings and thoughts as we make our own stories about them based on what we see and how we interpret their actions. The oranda by the way is naughty one. He's busy picking up the pebbles by mouth every now and then even to the point of placing them on top of the big stone that I added in the aquarium. Besides, he is really lively and daring! And the fantail goldy??? Of course the most beautiful and has the amazing tail. When it swims, its like a lace is thrown and there floating in the water. It depicts gentleness,charism and worth. Hubby noticed that it don't swims as fast as the other, for its like a preggy bride(because it has a swollen belly) with a long gown to protect. Funny indeed!

Finally we named them using the characters of the movie NEMO: marlin(oranda goldfish with orange,white and black stripes),dory (the gift)and nemo(the fantail goldfish) while the small ones are not yet baptised.

As I watch these swimming creatures, it always reminds me of NEMO, and makes me wonder if one of them has his story too. Then my mind keeps wandering and the finishing line is always in the commitment to take care of these lives whatever their stories are. Hope others will do the same.

How much is the Dog in the Freezer???

2008-09-04T11:13:00.000-04:00

One of the songs that makes me laugh is that with the line,"how much is the dog in the window". However today, my hubby asked me to prepare for him a frappe( blended coffe and sugar with milk and ice cubes then straw). So, after I did the blending with the electric machine for this, I opened the refrigerator for the ice cubes. My goodness, you know what I found out in the third drawer of the freezer? Take a look at the image below:

Yes, it was really the barking dog of my daughter in the freezer! Luckily its only a toy and not the live one. Of course, it was very cold already. What's her reaction when I confronted her? She smiled and took the toy with joyful eyes and placed it in her cheeks then said, " its cold mama"! "Of course my dear, all frozen things are really cold,don't you know that?",I replied.

This time, for sure if I'll happen to hear that old song again, this funny event today will be refreshed in my hard disk.

In addition to the fun,take a glance to another captured moment of my little girl wearing my boxer sandals. Hmmp, she just felt so comfortable and a pretty sexy woman.But the noise she caused by walking with these heels was really killing us. What a naughty girl!!! Yet, her actions were treasures for me and my hubby.

Don't Give Up!

2008-07-19T01:04:00.000-04:00

In times that you feel like quitting because of the complexities of life, just take time to read the inspiring messages of this e-mail from my bestfriend Nelsa. Tnx to her. Enjoy and be enlightened:

Don't give up...

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"
I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up.
For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me... My CHILD...
what can I do for you?" and I said "God, please protect and bless the one reading this message.
God smiled and answered ... "request granted!".

KOULES - VENETIAN FORTRESS

2008-07-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

This particular blog is a start of my interest to write features about the archaelogical sites of my second homeland, where I personally visited.

HISTORICAL FACTS:

After the Crusaders occupied Constantinople in 1204, they gave Crete to Boniface of Monferrat who sold the island to Venice for one thousand pieces of silver. Under Venetian rule the arts flourished and Candia, as the Venetians renamed it, became a centre of learning. Many scholars and artists took refuge in Candia after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The Venetians began the construction of the city walls in 1462, which were completed more than a century later. The walls were 4km in length, of a triangular shape and had seven bastions. The Venetians also built the harbor and various other impressive architectural works. The walls proved their deterrent strength when the city was besieged for 21 years, one of the longest sieges in history.

Today, Koules Venetian Fortress is considered to be the symbol of Heraklion,Crete.Being built by the people from Venice, its then called Venetian Fortress. It was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1303 and took its final shape between 1523 and 1540.

From the August 25 Street of the city, I started taking shots of this magnificent structure,like a castle over the sea. Then bought a 2 -euro entrance ticket to enjoy the inside part. Just in the entrance, I am impressed already of the kind of hardwork rendered to its construction. Then, I noticed the many doors, big and small, opened and closed. First, I chose to be in the ramp going upstairs and finally amazed the whole view of the city as I climbed through many stairways. The photos will explain further what I experienced together with my buddy.

After enjoying the top views and climbing of stairs, another passage led us back to the inside. This time, we started looking at the ancient things around- there were tubes made of metals and they were all closed to the small windows, then at their edges were small and big balls made of stones. What are these and what for? These were there canyons! Remember that this structure was built to protect the city from many refugees. So, these were actually the weapons used by the Venetians to stop the intruders. The small windows served as the based of these metallic tubes and passages of the bullets which were made of stones.

There were also big jars and basins inside. Like in the many minoan palaces here, they served as storages of either wines or any liquids maybe. Also, we saw some rustful anchors found in the sea and were now displayed there. Finally, it can be concluded that even before, they have brilliant systems already. For example, the ceilings have some openings to provide lights and ventilations inside and the whole thing was composed of many cells and passages with easy access to view the approaching opponents.

Just enjoy the photos that I've taken and plan your visit here to personally experience the greatness of the ancient people.

FODELE VILLAGE

2008-06-25T23:26:00.000-04:00

It was one fair day of winter 2008 that we decided to make a trip to Fodele village. There are many reasons to visit this very green place. First, is the interest of stepping into the land where EL GRECO( The Greek) was born and to visit the museum for his honor. A small collection of memorabilia and some interesting reproductions are housed in a building dating back to the life of this world-renowned painter and renaissance figure. The collection of reproductions of El Greco's paintings, split into small rooms, are hung with back-lighting accentuating their own light and colour. They are full of soulful expressions and graces. One particular painting is that of a young woman, representing Mary Magdelene (1557), her hand across her breast, looking at breaking clouds.

The real name of El Greco( The Greek) is Domenikos Theotokopolous (1541 to 1614. This son of Crete travelled to Spain, and in Toledo, where his most important work, with characteristic elongated faces and bold use of light and colour, was completed. Rediscovered by artists in the late 19 th Century, he is considered an influential figure in the development of art in the 20th Century and into our time.

Enjoying the El Greco's park is also another valuable reason. During our visit, the park was like in a hibernating state. Yet, I really had fun with my daughter and hubby. It was such a fun to be standing in a ground filled with leaves and bald trees. Also,to enjoy the pleasure of entering a green and natural place marked with bridge as an entrance, which is connected to the stairs, while listening to the sound of flowing water under the pathway. Then realizing the existence in a very natural surrounding with wooden seats that reminds Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

But what else? Mind you, the land of Fodele, is a land of fertility. This place is well known for its plantations of oranges and lemons. I can never forget the shining leaves of these fruits as they were swaying lively with their countless fruits in orange and yellow colors. Indeed, it was a very memorable trip especially that we entered into one of the plantations where we personally picked them and enjoyed the company of the owner and his wife! Of course we drove home with bags of oranges and lemons (for very low prices) and enjoyably eating a lot during the return trip. But we never forgot to share our blessings by stopping by to the meat shop of my daughter's godfather and let them taste again the abundance of EL Greco's place.

Shocking News from Austria(taken from Yahoo News)

2008-04-30T00:04:00.000-04:00

Just wanna keep and share this news in case you have not read yet.
Officials: Captive family in Austria reunited
By VERONIKA OLEKSYN and BRADLEY S. KLAPPER, Associated Press Writers

AMSTETTEN, Austria - In an "astonishing" scene, members of an Austrian family terrorized by decades of incest and imprisonment met for the first time at a clinic where psychiatrists are helping them recover, authorities said Tuesday.

Details of the emotional gathering emerged as police said DNA tests confirmed Josef Fritzl is the biological father of his daughter's six children.

The retired electrician confessed Monday to imprisoning his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years in a warren of soundproofed cellar rooms, sexually abusing her, fathering seven children with her and discarding the body of an one, who died in infancy, in a furnace.

Three of the children were locked in the underground labyrinth with their mother for years and had never met their other siblings or grandmother, who lived upstairs.

Hospital officials said Elisabeth, five of the children and Fritzl's wife Rosemarie spent their first moments together Sunday.

"It is astonishing how easy it worked that the children came together, and also it was astonishing how easy it happened that the grandmother and the mother came together," clinic director Berthold Kepplinger said.

Now 42, Elisabeth was 18 when she was imprisoned in the secret annex her father built beneath his apartment in Amstetten, a working-class town 75 miles west of Vienna.

Under the circumstances, she and the children were doing "quite well" in the care of a team of specialists, Kepplinger said.

One of the children, a 19-year-old girl, was in critical condition and undergoing dialysis at another hospital, and was not part of the reunion, hospital officials said.

Forensics experts carted boxes of belongings Tuesday out of the Fritzl home and investigators said they were combing through his other properties but had found no other hidden rooms.

Fritzl, 73, led his wife to believe that Elisabeth had run away to join a religious cult when she disappeared and authorities said there was no evidence the suspect's wife knew what was going on or was involved.

Franz Polzer, head of the Lower Austrian Bureau of Criminal Affairs, said Rosemarie's other children told authorities they noticed "absolutely" nothing about their father's double life.

Fritzl faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on rape charges, the most grave of his alleged offenses. However, prosecutors said Tuesday they were investigating whether he can be charged with "murder through failure to act" in connection with the infant's death, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Fritzl's lawyer, Rudolf Mayer, said his client was under psychiatric care. Asked whether he showed any remorse, Mayer said: "I cannot say at this point."

Fritzl "is really hit by this. He is very serious, but he is emotionally broken," Mayer told The Associated Press.

However, prosecutor Gerhard Sedlacek said Fritzl was "calm, completely without emotion" when he was placed in pretrial detention Tuesday.

Residents of Amstetten questioned how the abuse could go undetected for so long.

Town authorities authorized the construction of a basement addition to the gray stone apartment building Fritzl owned and lived in, in 1978, city spokesman Hermann Gruber told the Austria Press Agency. He said inspectors examined the project in 1983 — the year before Elisabeth was imprisoned — and found nothing suspicious.

Officials said three of the children — the hospitalized 19-year-old, and two boys, aged 18 and 5, — "never saw sunlight" until they were freed from the basement on Saturday.

The other three children lived with Fritzl and his wife. The couple registered those children with authorities, saying they found them outside their home in 1993, 1994 and 1997, at least one with a note from Elisabeth saying she could not care for the child.

Kepplinger said the 18-year-old could read and write in a "reduced form."

He said Elisabeth has spoken "quite a lot" about what she went through in captivity, but he declined to provide details. "It was definitely dreadful for her and for her children," Kepplinger said.

Leopold Etz, a regional police official, told the Austrian Press Agency that Fritzl apparently chose which children would live upstairs with him and his wife according to whether they were "crybabies."

Etz said he could not confirm Austrian media reports that Fritzl took several "men's vacations" to Thailand with unidentified German friends in the 1990s.

Fritzl was a dues-paying member of Amstetten's fishing club, and club official Reinhard Kern said "there was never a problem with him."

"Whether he actually went fishing or not, how am I to know? Maybe it was an alibi," Kern said.

The case started unfolding on April 19 when the imprisoned 19-year-old woman was found unconscious and was taken to a hospital. After receiving a tip, police picked up Elisabeth and her father on Saturday. Fritzl freed the captive children the same day, Polzer said.

Amstetten Mayor Herbert Katzengrueber told the AP in an interview that Fritzl was personable and well-liked, and that the town had honored the suspect and his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006.

Katzengrueber said he was at a loss to explain how such an atrocity could happen.

"No one can really explain it," he said. "I am appalled and saddened that such a thing could happen in my hometown. ... These have been awful and sad days."

About 200 people, many holding candles, gathered for a vigil in Amstetten's main square late Tuesday. In steady rain, they sang hymns and prayed for the victims.

"This is tragic," said 19-year-old Jaqueline Vogel, as tears trickled down her face.

Austria is still scandalized by a 2006 case involving Natascha Kampusch, who was kidnapped at age 10 and imprisoned in a basement outside Vienna for more than eight years.

In an interview with Puls4 private television, Kampusch, now 20, expressed empathy for the Fritzl family's ordeal and offered to help them financially.

But she also questioned the wisdom of moving the victims to a clinic for care.

"Those are the surroundings that they are used to. Just to rip them out of there without a transition cannot be good," she said.

___

AP correspondents William J. Kole and George Jahn in Vienna, Austria, and Melissa Eddy in Berlin contributed to this story.

Remote Control

2008-04-25T00:33:00.000-04:00

At dawn, my daughter ianthy woke up and demanded to sleep in our bedroom. So I took her out together with her pillow, and laid her down between me and my hubby. Then the three of us slept back immediately. Dreamed...dreamed...and dreamed while enjoying the warmth of our sweet baby and the pleasure of being mesmerized by her milky smell.

Time passed and hubby's soul was backed to the world. As usual his fingers were searching for the remote controll of the tv to hear news. Searched...searched...no technology! Then the vibration of a raised voice travelled into my ears. I stood up and tried searching too. I asked, "where did you put it?". The reply was, "it was between our pillows". Then I switched on the lamp, and guess what? The innocent soul, with very tiny and cute fingers was holding the remote controll while enjoying her sleep! What was our reaction? Of course, we forgot the trouble and started laughing and asking ourselves: how did she managed to take the RC quickly, when in fact, she was sleeping right away when I put her in bed?! God knows.

ashley judd superclip

2008-04-24T08:27:00.000-04:00

The face I am amazed of. Maybe you'll like watching her too.

Tag Q(s) and A(s)

2008-04-20T01:11:00.000-04:00

This is from mamZG, and I am breaking the rule of tagging 8 bloggers. Unfortunately, I have no long list yet.

Rules: Remove one (1) question from below and add in your personal question to make it a total of 20 questions. Then, tag eight (8) people in your list. List them out at the end of this post.

1. At what age did you marry? 26

2. What color do you like most? I am fond of green. It's cool and speaks of nature!

3.My question: If you are the pope, how are you going to deal with the church sex scandal issue?

Review celebacy. Allow the "willing" priests to express themselves fully and truly. To pretend and supress one's feeling is a sin for me. Even if they'll be injected with the equilibrium formula"like that in a movie", thier brilliance and human nature will lead them to resist. Why not make them the living examples of love, family and etc??? Why in the greek orthodox(where some priests are married) its fine? Is practicing sex instincts hinders their service to God or to the wealth of the church? Can I hear your side?

4. Where is the place that you want to go the most? Home. Where my family resides.

5. Which part of you that you hate the most?

My cardiac organ. It's so sensitive to emotions that I lose controll of my central processing unit sometimes.

6.Her question: What is money to you?

Something that makes you pull your ass out of the chair to earn it. It is a material thing that must be used wisely to take care the tangible ones.

7. What are you afraid to lose the most?

Anyone who is dear to me. Even just a thought about it scares me!

8. If you win $1 million, what would you do?

Realize my business plans and provide opportunities to others.

9. What do you loved the most last year (2007)?

Playing in a ground filled with snow together with my daughter and hubby. It was a trip in a very high mountain.

10. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you:

1) She takes environmental problems a serious issue and thus doing her part;

2) She has an excellent writing skills and of course blogs;

3) She's a great mom to her kids.

11. How do you cope with boredom?

I connect myself to the world through my laptop.

12. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?

Losing my father at 2.

13. Which type of person do you hate the most?

Someone who don't perserveres and takes risks.

14. What is your ambition?

Short term: Sail through the Ocean Village .

Long term: To have my own supermarket and apartments to rent .

15. If you had one wish what would you wish for?

Its all about health.

16. How did you celebrate new year?

With my hubby and daughter slicing our vassilopita(a greek cake esp. made during new year with a coin inside) and enjoyably captured the very happy ianthy when she got the lucky coin in her piece. Then we exchanged kisses and a greeting of "chronia polla" then it ended with hours of playing with our new playstation. Guess what I played? hmmp Bob d builder.hahha

17. It is already 2008, do you have a new year’s resolution?

Learn not to trusts and believes easily.

18. What do you look forward to in 2008?

Reunion with my family in Philippines.

19. If your life is a song, what title best fit it?

Hero.

20. What "special power" would you like to have.

The power to predict and know if the person I am communicating with is not telling the truth specially when my plans are involve .

I am tagging :

PERIODICO Surigao

Islander (for my Q and question no. 10)

MarawKarajaw(for my Q and question no. 10)

No, Ohh! no, no NEWS!

2008-03-27T09:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I read a true horror story: According to a news out of Journal (translated from Tagalog) an infant died when the head got separated from the body during childbirth. I found this in the blog Filipina Soul. Like the blogger and the parents of the infant, I am very confused and interested to know how this incident happened. I hope one of these days, I can read the updates of this horrible story...Based on the account of parents Amy and Bernabe Diaz, they could not fathom how her infant got decapitated, relating that the head even rolled on the delivery floor. The mother gave birth at the Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center. The hospital administrator refused to comment. Authorities are still waiting on the autopsy results of the case. Gossshh, can you imagine yourself seeing the head of your newborn baby rolling in the floor? No,no! I don't wanna dare thinking about it. By the way, is it not possible that the doctor cut the head instead of the umbilical cord??? Who knows...

Today, after enjoying the whole morning in the park, I spent time reading news again. Guess what I've got? Hmmmp, I learned about the miscarriage of Kris Aguino. This might not be a news with great impact to you for how can she be excused for this experience? But how about this? Former President Cory A. is suffering from a colon cancer that the family is asking for our prayers like what the Pampanga people are doing. Here is the part of the news:With former Pres. Cory Aquino now undergoing chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with cancer of the colon, Kris Aquino, the ever dutiful and ever loving, caring daughter, has decided to drop everything — well, almost! — to spend as much as time as she can with her mom.

As I kept wandering in the net, another news caused me to wonder, laugh and ponder. How will you react to this news?ARCHBISHOP REFUSES TO GIVE COMMUNION TO GMA, FIRST FAMILY. The reason why? Well read this:“A publicly known sinner and a good number of them receiving communion in public, I think it is a scandal. I would not give communion to people whom I know as a public sinner. No,” Cruz said when asked if he will give communion to the Arroyos. Ohh, people be careful then not to let the public know your sins. What made me laughed by the way??? Who in this world is not a sinner? Maybe the church implies that we must learn to be clever in hiding our sins to the public so we can still receive the body of Christ. Is it not the church the right place for the sinners as the hospitals are for the sick and the schools for the learners? Maybe the church leaders have to invite the Arroyo family to attend a B.E.C. sessions with them, like what we did during my college years, instead of not allowing them to have communions. What you think?

BUT what triggered me to blog today is this news from Japan that reads:REMAINS OF PINAY AND BABY SLAIN IN JAPAN ARRIVING HOME. You want some details? Here:“Autopsy results, as well as other forensic evidence gathered at the family residence in Tokyo where the killings took place, have established that the Filipina, Crisanta Mahusay Lopez-Nagano, died from severe bleeding from knife wounds, and her seven-month-old son, Naomasa, from strangulation in the morning of March 17 as confessed by husband, Masayoshi Nagano,” Cristobal said, quoting Confiado’s report. For sure you will ask why the husband did this. My goodness how can this be? Ohh why not, after all almost everything in this world is influenced by money. See?“He confessed that he killed his wife and child because he was worried about an outstanding loan and that he intended but he could not kill himself also,” Cristobal said.

What a sad story also. How I wish this is just an imagination of the writer. But no, it happened already. There's nothing that we can do to alter the reality. Yet for us who are still alive and have the chance to think about this story, maybe let's remind ourselves that there are no things more valuable than life. Let's not end killing our lovedones just because we are afraid of losing material things. As long as there is still air passing through our respiratory system, then there is still hope. Another lesson, let us refrain from spending too much or more than what we earn and most importantly, always think that banks are professional robberies. So be careful!