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 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!
A new year, new hopes, new goals and hopefully a better world for all of us.
I wish I could say that I've been too busy to blog but truth be told, I just didn't feel like writing for a month. Saddam Hussein's swift execution almost tempted me; so was The Times' cover on the reopening of the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Well, time to pick up the pen, or in this age, the keyboard - and to start blogging again.
I wish I could say that I've been too busy to blog but truth be told, I just didn't feel like writing for a month. Saddam Hussein's swift execution almost tempted me; so was The Times' cover on the reopening of the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Well, time to pick up the pen, or in this age, the keyboard - and to start blogging again.
The weather has turned cold and rainy and times like these makes me want to curl up in a comfortable sofa with a big mug of hot chocolate and an interesting book for company. When I was younger, I could indulge in lazy comfort but since we cannot stay young forever, here I am now hot chocolate on the table as I try to keep awake and do some semblance of work.
One of the things I missed the most were the times when I can go to Cafe Adriatico with a close friend or two, order a cup of coffee, and just sit back to relax and talk. Manila - like any other city - has its own unique charm to a beholden resident. Certain streets brings back memories and favorite spots offer comfort after a day's work. I suppose I will always miss Manila and remember my favorite haunts when I'm feeling cold and a bit blue in an island a plane away.
One of the things I missed the most were the times when I can go to Cafe Adriatico with a close friend or two, order a cup of coffee, and just sit back to relax and talk. Manila - like any other city - has its own unique charm to a beholden resident. Certain streets brings back memories and favorite spots offer comfort after a day's work. I suppose I will always miss Manila and remember my favorite haunts when I'm feeling cold and a bit blue in an island a plane away.
A peek at Christmas in Manila
Christmas is just around the corner. In our part of the world, no Christmas decor is complete without the Belen - the Nativity scene. This would range from miniatures to life size, from the simple and humble to priceless heirlooms from several generations of Christmas past. We also have our Parol - Christmas lanterns shaped like four and six-pointed stars - to remember the bright star that the Three Wise Men from the East followed in search of the infant King of Kings. Made from indigenous materials and elaborate light circuits, some Christmas lanterns are made from a variety of materials - paper, plastic, seashells, recycled materials you name it. My personal favorite are the ones that are made of Capiz - seashells from the outside and elaborate and multicolored tiny bulbs from the inside. You plug it and watch the dazzle of lights.
In the early morning of December 16, churches and the faithful celebrate the start of Misa de Gallo - early morning masses that culminate in a grand midnight mass on Christmas Eve. It is a test of piety and determination to rise early on cold December mornings to attend 4 am mass for nine consecutive days. It is considered a blessing to be able to attend and complete the masses.
After the mass, we have bibingka and puto bungbong - native delicacies – for breakfast. These are prepared by vendors outside the churches only for the season. Perfect with hot chocolate.
There is no better proof of the Filipinos love of music than from the children and adults alike who serenade houses with Christmas carols starting on the night of December 16. These would include my six year-old neighbors in search for additional pocket money to the angelic voices of local church choirs who go out each night until Christmas Eve for the benefit of their communities. All children do their rounds of caroling and I do have my fair share of memories. I stopped doing the rounds when I realized that my singing did nothing to encourage the Christmas spirit. (To my utter disappointment, joining the choir is beyond my musical abilities)
On midnight of Christmas Eve, whole families attend Midnight Mass and go home to the grand Noche Buena - the Christmas Eve Feast. The traditional Hamon - ham and Queso de Bola are the main entries so are our favorite dishes such as Pinaupong Manok, Afritada, Relyenong Bangus, and Carbonara. Sweet desserts such as Leche Flan and Fruit salad plus Mercedez D' Brazo, my Mother's favorite cake flavor. Noche Buena is always a treat to our family's sweet tooth. Christmas day is for visiting godparents, exchanging gifts and partying.
The days after Christmas are mostly for the family. We get to attend family reunions, visit with the whole clan and get to catch up on quality family time. Christmas and New Year Holidays end at January 6th which is the Feast of the Three Kings.
Here’s wishing you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas!
Christmas is just around the corner. In our part of the world, no Christmas decor is complete without the Belen - the Nativity scene. This would range from miniatures to life size, from the simple and humble to priceless heirlooms from several generations of Christmas past. We also have our Parol - Christmas lanterns shaped like four and six-pointed stars - to remember the bright star that the Three Wise Men from the East followed in search of the infant King of Kings. Made from indigenous materials and elaborate light circuits, some Christmas lanterns are made from a variety of materials - paper, plastic, seashells, recycled materials you name it. My personal favorite are the ones that are made of Capiz - seashells from the outside and elaborate and multicolored tiny bulbs from the inside. You plug it and watch the dazzle of lights.
In the early morning of December 16, churches and the faithful celebrate the start of Misa de Gallo - early morning masses that culminate in a grand midnight mass on Christmas Eve. It is a test of piety and determination to rise early on cold December mornings to attend 4 am mass for nine consecutive days. It is considered a blessing to be able to attend and complete the masses.
After the mass, we have bibingka and puto bungbong - native delicacies – for breakfast. These are prepared by vendors outside the churches only for the season. Perfect with hot chocolate.
There is no better proof of the Filipinos love of music than from the children and adults alike who serenade houses with Christmas carols starting on the night of December 16. These would include my six year-old neighbors in search for additional pocket money to the angelic voices of local church choirs who go out each night until Christmas Eve for the benefit of their communities. All children do their rounds of caroling and I do have my fair share of memories. I stopped doing the rounds when I realized that my singing did nothing to encourage the Christmas spirit. (To my utter disappointment, joining the choir is beyond my musical abilities)
On midnight of Christmas Eve, whole families attend Midnight Mass and go home to the grand Noche Buena - the Christmas Eve Feast. The traditional Hamon - ham and Queso de Bola are the main entries so are our favorite dishes such as Pinaupong Manok, Afritada, Relyenong Bangus, and Carbonara. Sweet desserts such as Leche Flan and Fruit salad plus Mercedez D' Brazo, my Mother's favorite cake flavor. Noche Buena is always a treat to our family's sweet tooth. Christmas day is for visiting godparents, exchanging gifts and partying.
The days after Christmas are mostly for the family. We get to attend family reunions, visit with the whole clan and get to catch up on quality family time. Christmas and New Year Holidays end at January 6th which is the Feast of the Three Kings.
Here’s wishing you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas!
Randy David is a sociologist, a University of the Philippines professor and a well respected public commentator. He writes a weekly column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Public Lives. Read his scholarly take on the Philippines current political and social climate here.
His article comparing Ferdinand Marcos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is too accurate for comfort as his systematic detailing of how Arroyo manipulates the law to deal with principled critics. These are dangerous times for courageous men who oppose tyranny.
His article comparing Ferdinand Marcos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is too accurate for comfort as his systematic detailing of how Arroyo manipulates the law to deal with principled critics. These are dangerous times for courageous men who oppose tyranny.
So much time in my hands nowadays what with the employment round around not going where I want it. Here's an interesting article on proxemics - personal space. I think we all have had that experience of feeling annoyed when someone stands too close, or stares too intensely. Very interesting how individuals are wired psychologically. And much of it unconscious.
Hope you find it as interesting as I did.
Hope you find it as interesting as I did.
A creative take on an old problem courtesy of technology and the world wide web. Read it here.
An article at New York Times (November 2) by David Pogue talked about Microsoft offering free domain, web hosting plus some more neat perks for small businesses via Office Live.
Article here. I went to microsoft.com to check it out but unfortunately, the service is available only in the US, Germany and Japan. Darn! Was having visions of my name.com back there. I guess I'll have to make do with blogspot for now.
An article at New York Times (November 2) by David Pogue talked about Microsoft offering free domain, web hosting plus some more neat perks for small businesses via Office Live.
Article here. I went to microsoft.com to check it out but unfortunately, the service is available only in the US, Germany and Japan. Darn! Was having visions of my name.com back there. I guess I'll have to make do with blogspot for now.
I read Conrado de Quiros' take at how the result of US election, specifically the Democrats' victory, affects Philippine politics. Click to read article here.
It goes to show that in this time and age, if we can't make our politicians at home act nobly or even at the very least appropriately, we can always count on American politicians to tell them to do so. Not the Americans fault but what can I say?
I doubt it very much if even God coming down from heaven will make Arroyo behave. With all the things she has done, what will ever stop her from upping the ante? How much more are we willing to take from someone who cheated in the elections by using taxpayers money, rules without mandate nor support from the people, systematically murders critics and at the same time bribes supporters with money (guess whose) and poses with every decent, popular figure at the moment (the latest was Ronato Alcano, the 2006 World Pool Champion) hoping perhaps that their triumph can rub on to her?
If we Filipinos can't fight our own battle, how can we expect others to fight with us?
A glimmer of hope.
It goes to show that in this time and age, if we can't make our politicians at home act nobly or even at the very least appropriately, we can always count on American politicians to tell them to do so. Not the Americans fault but what can I say?
I doubt it very much if even God coming down from heaven will make Arroyo behave. With all the things she has done, what will ever stop her from upping the ante? How much more are we willing to take from someone who cheated in the elections by using taxpayers money, rules without mandate nor support from the people, systematically murders critics and at the same time bribes supporters with money (guess whose) and poses with every decent, popular figure at the moment (the latest was Ronato Alcano, the 2006 World Pool Champion) hoping perhaps that their triumph can rub on to her?
If we Filipinos can't fight our own battle, how can we expect others to fight with us?
A glimmer of hope.
Ronato Alcano is the the new World Pool Champion
The 2006 Philippines World Pool Championship ended yesterday with Ronato Alcano of the Philippines beating Ralf Souquet of Germany to become the 2006 World Pool champion. He is the third Filipino to win the title after Efren 'Bata' Reyes first raised the trophy in 1999. Read the rest of the story here.
Ronato Alcano the 2006 World Pool Champion.
Ralf Souquet's interview here.
For related stories on the recently concluded Pool championship, check out the official site here.
The 2006 Philippines World Pool Championship ended yesterday with Ronato Alcano of the Philippines beating Ralf Souquet of Germany to become the 2006 World Pool champion. He is the third Filipino to win the title after Efren 'Bata' Reyes first raised the trophy in 1999. Read the rest of the story here.
Ronato Alcano the 2006 World Pool Champion.
Ralf Souquet's interview here.
For related stories on the recently concluded Pool championship, check out the official site here.
I have managed to finally post the pictures we took on the zoo. Here they are.
The Giraffes.
Gazelles or impalas?
One up close. Notice the white vertical lines on its body.
The king of the Jungle is taking a nap.
One very tired muscat.
Two young rhinoes out of the water.
Do you know what these animals are called? ...
These monkeys were perched on top of logs way above the ground. They seem to enjoy the attention and are giving the crowd a better view of them.
A bison in its pen. We got to the zoo an hour before closing time and most of the animals are already being hearded toward their night sheds.
This lioness was restlessly pacing around her pen.
I remember this animal was tagged as the Red Panda. Didn't really think there was one.
This penguin separated himself from the group, stood on a ledge and vigorously shook its head. It keep stretching its neck too. I wonder what he's trying to say? ...
The Penguin group
Another shot at them.
A Koala!
And another.
.
Like I said before the zoo is really very big and we plan on coming back so we can explore the areas we missed. From what we've seen, it will probably take half a day to explore the whole zoo. I only got to see the elephant enclosure from afar! We'll definitely be back.
Here I am posing beside the giant totem pole. My husband David took the picture.
Til next post.
The Giraffes.
Gazelles or impalas?
One up close. Notice the white vertical lines on its body.
The king of the Jungle is taking a nap.
One very tired muscat.
Two young rhinoes out of the water.
Do you know what these animals are called? ...
These monkeys were perched on top of logs way above the ground. They seem to enjoy the attention and are giving the crowd a better view of them.
A bison in its pen. We got to the zoo an hour before closing time and most of the animals are already being hearded toward their night sheds.
This lioness was restlessly pacing around her pen.
I remember this animal was tagged as the Red Panda. Didn't really think there was one.
This penguin separated himself from the group, stood on a ledge and vigorously shook its head. It keep stretching its neck too. I wonder what he's trying to say? ...
The Penguin group
Another shot at them.
A Koala!
And another.
. Like I said before the zoo is really very big and we plan on coming back so we can explore the areas we missed. From what we've seen, it will probably take half a day to explore the whole zoo. I only got to see the elephant enclosure from afar! We'll definitely be back.
Here I am posing beside the giant totem pole. My husband David took the picture.
Til next post.
Here's something about Filipino food popular in Japan. Click http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=31399.
I find it interesting that we are contributing to Japanese culture since Japanese Anime are very popular back home not mention the fact that Filipinos love Japanese food.
I find it interesting that we are contributing to Japanese culture since Japanese Anime are very popular back home not mention the fact that Filipinos love Japanese food.
As the title of my blog indicates, there's quite a mishmash of things you can read here. Part of me says I need to create some sort of a niche but if you are still reading this, I hope it's because you appreciate the sort of topics you come across in each visit. That said, thanks for stopping by. :o)
I read with great interest this article at NYT today. Isn't she grand? I think that given half her enthusiasm for languages, my Mandarin would be flawless by now. But as it is, her half is hers and my minuscule is mine to the utter detriment of moi! I really need to work on my chinese.
I take heart at the fact that somewhere out there, Elizabeth Little is pouring through obscure languages she doen't seem to plan on using while I ought to be having a good time living with the one language I ought to be speaking fluently. How difficult can that be?
I read with great interest this article at NYT today. Isn't she grand? I think that given half her enthusiasm for languages, my Mandarin would be flawless by now. But as it is, her half is hers and my minuscule is mine to the utter detriment of moi! I really need to work on my chinese.
I take heart at the fact that somewhere out there, Elizabeth Little is pouring through obscure languages she doen't seem to plan on using while I ought to be having a good time living with the one language I ought to be speaking fluently. How difficult can that be?
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