Valentine's Day came and went. I'm a chocoholic so I kinda made my wishlist of chocolate shops I'd travel to. Special thanks to forbestravel.com for the tips.
Went to my friend's daughter's first birthday celebration, that was fun. Time really flew. Seems to me that just a few months ago Angeline was this cute baby and now's she's 1. Jeanne and Bob's son Dawson is turning 2 in March. Adorable kids. My niece Inno is turning four months, too. Time seems to pass by so quickly.
Of the many countries around the world Filipinos flock to in search of greener pastures, Dubai was a glittering oasis. Apparently the oasis is turning into a mirage. The woes of Dubai's foreign workers here.
A touching story about a brave firefighter and a baby he saved
forty years after.
A touching story about a brave firefighter and a baby he saved
forty years after.
David and I were at WenXin Park February 1st. Taichung's Lantern Festival for the Year of the Ox feature Ling Ling and Niu Niu, mascots of the Sinon Bulls baseball team. The park wasn't that crowded yet but already families with young children and adults alike wait their turn to take photos of lanterns shaped like animals, flowers and trees. Even musical instruments.
The Lantern Festival officially started February 2nd. There are gourmet food booths, activity areas for families and street performances. 10,000 Year of the Ox mini lanterns will be given out to visitors, too.
Children will love this. Even the not so young ones will find it interesting as well.
A prosperous and happy new year to all from this side of the world.
The Lantern Festival officially started February 2nd. There are gourmet food booths, activity areas for families and street performances. 10,000 Year of the Ox mini lanterns will be given out to visitors, too.
Children will love this. Even the not so young ones will find it interesting as well.
A prosperous and happy new year to all from this side of the world.
January 2009. How time flew! I lot of things happened the past year, some good, others not so. With the new year comes new hope and a renewed sense of promise. May 2009 bless each and every one of us good health, closer family ties and a strong heart to face the challenges ahead. I would like to call for world peace as well and a swift end to the current Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Four weeks into 2008 and the Lunar New Year is just around the corner. Where I'm now, I get to greet the New Year twice! Imagine another go at assessing the year past and planning for the coming one. What's more, I can make a list of my New Year's resolutions - which I've completely put off the first time around - I get another clean start. Just what I need, another start.
I was shocked and saddened by Heath Ledger's untimely demise. I'm with those who think it was an accident. A young man with an adorable daughter and a string of projects lined-up wouldn't think of ending his own life. Rest in peace, Heath.
I was shocked and saddened by Heath Ledger's untimely demise. I'm with those who think it was an accident. A young man with an adorable daughter and a string of projects lined-up wouldn't think of ending his own life. Rest in peace, Heath.
Found Elizabeth Gilbert's very engaging book on her travels, "Eat, Pray, Love" last Thursday at Caves Book. It is part travel, part account of her search for spiritual enlightenment, part autobiography. I'm just so amazed at how engaging a storyteller she is!
Discovered Bossa Nova through Rita Lee's beautifully done cover of such Beatles hits as
"Hard Day's Night", "With a Little Help from My Friends" and my personal favorite, "If I Fell". "Bossa'n Beatles" is an excellent album to listen too if you dig jazz and the Beatles. It's a great introduction to Bossa Nova.
That's it for now. Ciao!
Discovered Bossa Nova through Rita Lee's beautifully done cover of such Beatles hits as
"Hard Day's Night", "With a Little Help from My Friends" and my personal favorite, "If I Fell". "Bossa'n Beatles" is an excellent album to listen too if you dig jazz and the Beatles. It's a great introduction to Bossa Nova.
That's it for now. Ciao!
I've been away for more than a month! The job is turning alright and I'm having a wonderful time. So here I am again, collating articles here and there so I can place them at my blog. Enjoy!
Listen to this short piece on NPR about the perception one's accent create on other people in the US. Does speaking English with an accent affect one's career? You decide.
Ah Sweden! Read all about its second most famous city here.
Norway is on top of my list of cities to visit, now Sweden is a close second.
Listen to this short piece on NPR about the perception one's accent create on other people in the US. Does speaking English with an accent affect one's career? You decide.
Ah Sweden! Read all about its second most famous city here.
Norway is on top of my list of cities to visit, now Sweden is a close second.
Something to read on a hot, humid day like this.
Currently going through all the emotional hassles of rejoining the work force after more than a year of living under a rock. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
Currently going through all the emotional hassles of rejoining the work force after more than a year of living under a rock. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
A study that has 'Power makes people stupid' as one of its major premises. Provides insights on the effect of power on those under it as well. Ignore the 'Rich' title, as the findings apply more to those in positions of power than anything.
The 15 British navy officers and marines tell their story after two weeks of captivity. Whatever propaganda or media coverage puffed-up Iran got out of the stand-off is irrelevant; all I am for is a peaceful resolution. Thank God that's what happened in the end.
I'm not in the mood for bad news so I'll skip the local newspapers for now.
The 15 British navy officers and marines tell their story after two weeks of captivity. Whatever propaganda or media coverage puffed-up Iran got out of the stand-off is irrelevant; all I am for is a peaceful resolution. Thank God that's what happened in the end.
I'm not in the mood for bad news so I'll skip the local newspapers for now.
Here's one article that takes a look at the level of dependency in relationships. Read it here
It's cold and rainy here in Taichung while a friend told me that it was migraine-inducing hot back in Manila. The weather really is screwed up.
Click here for news on Daniel Radcliffe's much anticipated theater appearance in the West End's revival of the play, 'Equus'
It's cold and rainy here in Taichung while a friend told me that it was migraine-inducing hot back in Manila. The weather really is screwed up.
Click here for news on Daniel Radcliffe's much anticipated theater appearance in the West End's revival of the play, 'Equus'
A long, insightful read as scientists theorize on the reasons - biological or evolutionary - on why belief in God is so pervasive. Read it here.
" Listening four or five times a day to newscasters and commentators, reading the morning papers and all the weeklies and monthlies - nowadays this is described as "taking an interest in politics". St. John of the Cross would have called it indulgence in idle curiosity and the cultivation of disquietude for disquietude's sake."
- Aldous Huxley
Quoted him for what he said rings true for me. Hmm ... there I was thinking I was trying to know what is going on around the world for surely, knowing helps one understand, right? I wasn't even doing it for the sake of 'interest' but merely to comfort myself with the thought that I at least am abreast of what is going on outside.
I remembered an old Sufi story I read somewhere about a man on his knees on the street looking for something. Another man passed him by and asked what was wrong. The first man said he had lost his key. And so the second man helped him look. This went on for a while and when they couldn't find it on the street, the second man asked the first man where he had lost the key. "Inside the house" came the reply. The second man asked him in turn what the heck he was doing looking for the key out in the street. The first man then replied, "Because it is bright here".
If only I wasn't so predisposed to thinking too much ...
- Aldous Huxley
Quoted him for what he said rings true for me. Hmm ... there I was thinking I was trying to know what is going on around the world for surely, knowing helps one understand, right? I wasn't even doing it for the sake of 'interest' but merely to comfort myself with the thought that I at least am abreast of what is going on outside.
I remembered an old Sufi story I read somewhere about a man on his knees on the street looking for something. Another man passed him by and asked what was wrong. The first man said he had lost his key. And so the second man helped him look. This went on for a while and when they couldn't find it on the street, the second man asked the first man where he had lost the key. "Inside the house" came the reply. The second man asked him in turn what the heck he was doing looking for the key out in the street. The first man then replied, "Because it is bright here".
If only I wasn't so predisposed to thinking too much ...
This alarm clock is something that's bound to wake you - it's won't stop ringing or rather it would be difficult to stop it from ringing until you're fully awake since you'll need to locate it and stop it from beeping.
I wouldn't want one - it will be such a waste to smash a $50 clock so early in the morning don't you think?
I wouldn't want one - it will be such a waste to smash a $50 clock so early in the morning don't you think?
I was quite shocked when I read about the death of Anna Nicole Smith. I wasn't a fan but who hasn't heard of Anna Nicole Smith? The accidental death of her son a few days after the birth of her daughter was such an unnecessary tragedy. Then came the media circus that was the question of her daughter's paternity. Here's a better way to sum up the bits and pieces of her public life. May she rest in peace.
It's such great fun to be a young kid these days. Take a look at what toy makers have in store for boys. As a child I never did like dolls and these toy cars and flying wings would have made my day anytime. I got to get one of those Tyco R/C Terrainiac!
The last installment on the immensely popular Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" will hit bookstores on July 21. Cool! Finally, the question of Snape's loyalty will be put to rest. Four months to go ...
Here's one to up the ante on washing dirty linen in public - made all the more noteworthy by the fact that the couple involved were the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his wife Veronica Lario. Now if only more wives will think of other er, engaging and interesting way to air grievances against their erring, publicity-magnet husbands ... I'll let you chew on that juicy bit here.
I discovered this informative site on Dr. Daniel Goleman who wrote the international bestseller, Emotional Intelligence. You can learn more about his books and his work here. I found two titles of his books that I'm interested in reading.
Bye for now.
Here's one to up the ante on washing dirty linen in public - made all the more noteworthy by the fact that the couple involved were the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his wife Veronica Lario. Now if only more wives will think of other er, engaging and interesting way to air grievances against their erring, publicity-magnet husbands ... I'll let you chew on that juicy bit here.
I discovered this informative site on Dr. Daniel Goleman who wrote the international bestseller, Emotional Intelligence. You can learn more about his books and his work here. I found two titles of his books that I'm interested in reading.
Bye for now.
Continuing my recent fascination with articles that chronicle what make doctors tick, here'a another one. The research uncovers the effects of consecutive 24-hour shifts on interns, and consequently on the patients they see.
Ever heard of the largest flower in the world? This is one flower you can't expect to get come Valentine's Day. Who would want a flower that stinks like rotting flesh anyway? For more details on this rather weird and stinky bloom, check this out. Rafflesia is endemic to Southeast Asia. Hmm, more reasons to marshall efforts to preserve rainforests. Who knows what other exotic plants and animals lay undiscovered within them?
I've picked up a couple of books from the library: 'In Search of Stones' by M. Scott Peck and 'Emotional Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman . Dr. Peck's book needs several moments of contemplation so I take time to read him; Dr. Goleman's book is very informative. It delves into the physiology of emotions hence it feeds my thirst for cold, hard facts that I seldom - if ever - associate with my emotions. I'm halfway through this one. I find it a good read. The book was published in 1995 and I do hope Mr. Goleman published an updated edition. I'll do some digging by Monday and I'll post updates here.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Ever heard of the largest flower in the world? This is one flower you can't expect to get come Valentine's Day. Who would want a flower that stinks like rotting flesh anyway? For more details on this rather weird and stinky bloom, check this out. Rafflesia is endemic to Southeast Asia. Hmm, more reasons to marshall efforts to preserve rainforests. Who knows what other exotic plants and animals lay undiscovered within them?
I've picked up a couple of books from the library: 'In Search of Stones' by M. Scott Peck and 'Emotional Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman . Dr. Peck's book needs several moments of contemplation so I take time to read him; Dr. Goleman's book is very informative. It delves into the physiology of emotions hence it feeds my thirst for cold, hard facts that I seldom - if ever - associate with my emotions. I'm halfway through this one. I find it a good read. The book was published in 1995 and I do hope Mr. Goleman published an updated edition. I'll do some digging by Monday and I'll post updates here.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Ever wondered how doctors think? We all have sat in front of a doctor at one point in our lives. We come to him with our symtoms, automatically trusting his judgement, expecting it to be accurate and looking to him to ease and cure whatever pain we are having. We literally put our lives in their hands. In The New Yorker's Medical Dispatches, Jerome Groopman wrote about how doctor's think in What's the trouble?
It makes for an interesting look at how doctors arrive at a diagnosis, the factors at play whenever they see patients and the things that could go wrong. Thankfully, the doctors in the article had the humility and courage to accept their misdiagnosis, talk about it with colleagues and discuss ways of avoiding the same mistakes in the future. Doctors are, afterall, human too.
It makes for an interesting look at how doctors arrive at a diagnosis, the factors at play whenever they see patients and the things that could go wrong. Thankfully, the doctors in the article had the humility and courage to accept their misdiagnosis, talk about it with colleagues and discuss ways of avoiding the same mistakes in the future. Doctors are, afterall, human too.
Had a good laugh this morning when I got to read the Grit's comment today. My apologies for the frustration my un-updated blog has caused you and those who have faithfully visited. I'll do my best not to neglect my blog again.
I visited Filipina Soul and through a couple of blog connections discovered A Dress A Day
Erin's latest entry was about tagging - if you get tagged, you write 5 things about yourself that you have never posted before and you have to tag 5 other people. I posted my response on her blog which I also posted here.
The second part - tagging others - I tag the Brit and Grit, and Erik.
Hope you have fun and I'm looking forward to reading your lists. Here's mine:
1. I have a six-year old nephew - Macky - who I love very, very much. He's a smart kid, on top of his class and is both naughty and sweet.
2. I have four sisters and one brother.
3. My idea of good times are: a good book; solitude; sorting out my stuff; chocolates or spaghetti (my favorites) and hanging out with the ones I love.
4 & 5. When I was around 10 or 11, I saw a part of a romantic movie entitled 'Starstruck' on tv. It was way past my bedtime and Mama told me to turn it off. The thing that stuck with me all this time was what the grandmother character told her grandson about never letting the one you love 'get away'. She went on to say that she married a good man but that until that time and already in her 70s, she still wonders about a man that she once danced with - 'the one that got away'. And darn I didn't get to finish watching that movie! Is there anybody who can remember the movie?
Start writing your lists!
I visited Filipina Soul and through a couple of blog connections discovered A Dress A Day
Erin's latest entry was about tagging - if you get tagged, you write 5 things about yourself that you have never posted before and you have to tag 5 other people. I posted my response on her blog which I also posted here.
The second part - tagging others - I tag the Brit and Grit, and Erik.
Hope you have fun and I'm looking forward to reading your lists. Here's mine:
1. I have a six-year old nephew - Macky - who I love very, very much. He's a smart kid, on top of his class and is both naughty and sweet.
2. I have four sisters and one brother.
3. My idea of good times are: a good book; solitude; sorting out my stuff; chocolates or spaghetti (my favorites) and hanging out with the ones I love.
4 & 5. When I was around 10 or 11, I saw a part of a romantic movie entitled 'Starstruck' on tv. It was way past my bedtime and Mama told me to turn it off. The thing that stuck with me all this time was what the grandmother character told her grandson about never letting the one you love 'get away'. She went on to say that she married a good man but that until that time and already in her 70s, she still wonders about a man that she once danced with - 'the one that got away'. And darn I didn't get to finish watching that movie! Is there anybody who can remember the movie?
Start writing your lists!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)