The Voice Within

Written by Christina Aguilera, Glen Ballard


Young girl don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall, ooh
Young girl it's alright
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly, ooh

When you're safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothing's harder than it seems
No one ever wants or bothers to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means

When there's no one else
Look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just
Trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength
That will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to
Trust the voice within, ohh

Young girl don't hide
You'll never change if you just run away, ooh ohh
Young girl just hold tight
Soon you're gonna see your brighter day, ohh

Now in a world where innocence is quickly claimed
It's so hard to stand your ground when you're so afraid
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
When you're lost outside, look inside to your soul

When there's no one else
Look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just
Trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength
That will guide your way
If you'll learn to begin to
Trust the voice within

Ohh yeah, ooh, yeah ohh

Life is a journey
It can take you anywhere you choose to go
As long as you're learning
You'll find all you'll ever need to know
(Be strong)
Break it
(Hold on)
You'll make it
(Be strong)
Just don't forsake it because
(No one can tell you what you can't do)
No one can stop you
You know that I'm talking to you

When there's no one else
Look inside yourself
And like your oldest friend just
Trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength
That will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to
Trust the voice within, oh yeah

Young girl don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall, ohh

==========

I like this song a lot. This reminds us to always, always trust ourselves. There are times that we declare and we say that people around us become our strength and our weakness, but in truth, it is within us, what we believe it to be - is what it is and will be. I remember the saying that 'what you think is what you are'. And yes, in time, everything we think about evolve to reality. So, in times of trials and sufferings, always, have faith that everything will be alright. Be positive and always trust that you can do it! (This is just me rambling again...)

Faith in Miracles

This is a must-read email from a friend, really touching.

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.

Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster . No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter.. That did it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick ... and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.

'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.

'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'Wh at kind of a miracle does your brother need?'

' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. 'I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'

'How much do you have?' asked the man fromChicago.

'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.

'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle f or little brothers.'

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'

That well dressed man was Dr.. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... one dollar and eleven cents plus the faith of a little child.

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

***So keep the faith!

Cake Trends

I'd like to share with you Knot's trendiest cakes! Yummy and pleasing to the eyes!


Polka Dots
Orange, apricot, ivory, and white fondant dots play up this cake's modern shape.


Paisleys
A cascade of burgundy and orange paisley accents on a brown marble-banded cake looks decidedly fun and different.


Flowers
A creamsicle-hued, three-tiered cake practically pops off the cake stand when accented with bold orange flower cut-outs.


Elegant Clusters
Clusters of sugar-made daisies and black-eyed Susans add a fresh summer touch to an otherwise modern chocolate cake.


Delicate Blossoms
Pale green flowers accented in gold are just the right touch for this two-tiered, organic buttercream cake.


Sugar Carnations
Place a small "table" cake covered in sugar carnations at each reception table for a fun conversation-starter.

More in The Knot Magazine

Stress-Free Homework

I've noticed that whenever I give homework to my students, some of them ended up not meeting my expectations. I thought that I thoroughly explained everything to them, but then again, I might not have. I read some tips to make homework stress-free. I guess this applies to lower elementary and high school, but I think in can be applied in college too...

1. Write it down. This really helps a lot. I remember one time I dictated an assignment and I just rolled my eyeballs when I saw what some of them has written.

2. Check for Understanding. I think the problem here is that, when you ask questions whether or not they understand what you are talking about, they would all say 'yes', even if they did not. They just want to end the topic and go home.

3. Make sure it is legible. I sure am writing legibly and still there are others who are hastily copying or reading something that ended up with the wrong answers, again.

4. Give Examples. What I noticed with this is that they follow it to the letter that when you try to eliminate verbatim and changes the thought but similar meaning, they would still get lost.

5. Have a Rationale.

6. Assess it. The way I assess assignments are either giving them quizzes or oral recitation. You'll know by then how much they learned, and who among them does not know what they are doing. Sometimes, lazy students just copy assignments from their classmates.

7. Give Sincere Praise. College days should be ruthless and gentle at the same time. And yes, I do praise.

Using Photoshop

I've been wanting to tinker my way through Photoshop and the first thing I want to learn is how to extract a background if I only wanted the image, not the entire pic. So, I surfed through the net looking for the best possible explanation that I would easily understand, and frankly, it's not that easy. Until now I keep looking for the best possible site and finally found this Adobe Photoshop 7 Tutorials. I still havn't tried it but it seems good enough to start. And another one that I've tried is this - Good Tutorials - but I think it's a mixture of other Adobe because there are instructions that doesn't fit my 7.0.

Garage Organizer

One of the the problems always encountered when it comes to garage is that it is always cluttered. And when the time comes you need something, like bolts or screws, you can't find it! That is why I've been hoping hubby would buy a garage storage so that things can be organized in our garage. I told him to try calling CarGuyGarage at 800-736-9308 since they offer several varieties of garage storage. This one is my favorite!

 It's a garage storage but it doesn't have to be boring! 

I like the that the wheels since we would be able to clean without having to lift anything and since the entire garage is off-white, the red seems to be an appropriate eye-popper!

Obama's Letter for His Children

I first read this letter from World Buzz Today and got the images from Parade Magazine.

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.


Love, Dad

===

He really have a way with words...his charisma is sooo evident! Here's a link to his speeches!

Seven Habits

SUMMARY OF THE SEVEN HABITS
(Stephen R. Covey)

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Change starts from within, and highly effective people make the decision to improve their lives through the things that they can influence rather than by simply reacting to external forces.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Develop a principle-centered personal mission statement. Extend the mission statement into long-term goals based on personal principles.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Spend time doing what fits into your personal mission, observing the proper balance between production and building production capacity. Identify the key roles that you take on in life, and make time for each of them.

Habit 4: Think Win/Win

Seek agreements and relationships that are mutually beneficial. In cases where a "win/win" deal cannot be achieved, accept the fact that agreeing to make "no deal" may be the best alternative. In developing an organizational culture, be sure to reward win/win behavior among employees and avoid inadvertently rewarding win/lose behavior.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

First seek to understand the other person, and only then try to be understood. Stephen Covey presents this habit as the most important principle of interpersonal relations. Effective listening is not simply echoing what the other person has said through the lens of one's own experience. Rather, it is putting oneself in the perspective of the other person, listening empathically for both feeling and meaning.

Habit 6: Synergize

Through trustful communication, find ways to leverage individual differences to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. Through mutual trust and understanding, one often can solve conflicts and find a better solution than would have been obtained through either person's own solution.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Take time out from production to build production capacity through personal renewal of the physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Maintain a balance among these dimensions.



***excerpt from www.quickmba.com

A Thought from Andrew Mathews

Eventually we discover there are no perfect jobs.

Why?

Because people only pay us to do things they can’t do, or don’t want to do. If there were no problems to solve, our jobs wouldn’t exist.

So, if you don’t like your work, you have two options: 1) change your attitude or 2) change your job.

====

And I did! And I discovered that it's still not perfect...sigh. Better change the attitude.

The Beauty of Korean Language

HEAD VS. HEART

Many people familiar with both English and Korean would agree that if English is language of the head, Korean is the language of the heart. English tends to have clean and clear distinction between definitions, whereas Korean is much more subtle and subjective. A telling example of this trend may be found in the words describing different colors.

On an objective level, there are relatively purely Korean color adjectives. In addition to black and white, the spectrum is divided up into the 3 primary colors of red, yellow, and blue. The same word p'uruda, can be used equally effectively to describe both green grass and a blue sky.

The subjective level, however, is where Korean colors shine. Using consonants of different strengths, vowels of different colors, and various suffixes added to the adjective stem, the Koreans can express how a certain color makes them feel. The extent and subtlety to which this is possible goes far beyond the difference between "blue" and "bluish" and is in fact one of the characteristics that makes the Korean language unique. Similar shades of distinction are made in words describing tastes. Koreans at first have a hard time believing that English speakers use the same word "hot" to describe both coffee and chili peppers.

EGO

From a Korean perspective, the English speaker is decidedly ego-centric. He speaks of "my home", "my house", "my mother", "my school" and "my country", while a Korean sees these as a group of people (family, students, or citizens), and always precedes them with a possessive pronoun without 'our'. Ask Korean about his job, and he will usually tell you first what company he works for, then what section he is in and what his rank is.

An English speaker, on the other hand, will most likely first tell you what he personally does ("I'm an electrician"etc.). To the Korean, membership in a particular section or company is of primary importance, while to the English speaker, his own skills or duties come first, and the company is seen as an entity for which he provides a service and from which he expects due compensation. The contrast between Eastern self-assertion is also evident in the way Koreans and English speakers express subjective judgments.

In general, the English speaker makes himself the subject of the sentence, saying " I like chocolate", or "I hope it rains", while the Korean makes the object of judgement the subject of the sentence, saying "(As for me) chocolate is good", and "It would be nice if it rained."

***excerpt from the Korean Language Class in Davao

Humour in Logic

If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it's your stupidity.

.........................................................................

I was born intelligent -
education ruined me.

.........................................................................


Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect......
so why practice?

.........................................................................


If it's true that we are here to help others,
then what exactly are the others here for?

.........................................................................


Since light travels faster than sound,
people appear bright until you hear them speak.

.........................................................................


How come "abbreviated" is such a long word?

.........................................................................


Money is not everything.
There's Mastercard & Visa.

.........................................................................


One should love animals.
They are so tasty.

.........................................................................


Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

.........................................................................


Every man should marry.
After all, happiness is not the only thing in
life.

.........................................................................


The wise never marry.
and when they marry they become otherwise.

.........................................................................


Success is a relative term.
It brings so many relatives.

.........................................................................


Never put off the work till tomorrow
what you can put off today.

.........................................................................


"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep

.........................................................................


There should be a better way to start a day
Than waking up every morning

.........................................................................


"Hard work never killed anybody"
But why take the risk

.........................................................................


"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours

.........................................................................


God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.

.........................................................................


The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.


.........................................................................

A bus station is where a bus stops.

A train station is where a train stops.

On my desk, I have a work station....
what more can I say........

Creation - The Twist

IN THE BEGINNING, GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND POPULATED THE EARTH WITH BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER AND SPINACH, GREEN AND YELLOW AND
RED VEGETABLES OF ALL KINDS, SO MAN AND WOMAN WOULD LIVE LONG AND HEALTHY LIVES.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's ice cream and Krispy Creme Donuts and Satan said "You want chocolate with that?"

And man said, YES, and Woman said "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds and Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that man found so fair and Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them and woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented thousand island dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side.
And man and woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them" And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter and man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good. Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might loose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so man would not have to toil changing the channel and man and woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them and man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite and Satan created McDonald's and its 99 cent double cheeseburger. Then said "you want fries with that?"

And man replied, "Yes! and super size them!" And Satan said "It is good."

And man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

From The Purpose Driven Life . . .

THE GREATEST ADVICE

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals. Don't stagnate.!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr/Mrs Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won.
Only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.

-Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Deficit Disorder Syndrome

This is how it goes...

I decide to do work on the car, start to the garage and notice the mail on the table. OK, I'm going to work on the car...BUT FIRST I'm going to just go through the mail. Lay car keys down on desk.

While discarding the junk mail, I notice the trash can is full. OK, I'll just put the bills on my desk and take the trash out, but since I'm going to be near the mailbox, I'll address a few bills.

Yes, now where is the checkbook? Ooops. There's only one check left. Where did I put the extra checks?

Oh, there is my empty plastic cup from last night on my desk, I must find those checks...BUT FIRST I need to put the cup back in the kitchen.

I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice the flowers need a drink of water, I put the cup on the counter and there's my extra pair of glasses on the kitchen counter. What are they doing here? I'll just put them away,.

But before I forget, I'd better water those plants. I head for the door and, oh no, someone left the TV remote on the wrong spot. Okay, it'll just take a sec to put the remote away and then I'll water the plants.

And where are those checks?

END OF THE DAY: Oil in car not changed, bills still unpaid, cup still in the sink, checkbook still has only one check left, lost my car keys, and, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm baffled because...I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY!!!

I realize this condition is serious...I'd get help...BUT FIRST...I think I'll check my e-mail.

Paranoia

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.

Crucial because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...

Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

Learned this from a tourist guide:

*In New Orleans, If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM, toss it away from you...chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

*If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

*Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. - DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

*If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

*A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat

B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.)Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.
(And better paranoid than dead.)

*ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

*If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably! In a zigzag pattern!

*As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

************* Here it is *******

*Another Safety Point: Someone said that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. The Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

Till There Was You

Let me introduce you to one of my most favorite song...this song symbolizes a love story of two people, who at one time in their lives, did not know how much they were meant for each other until this song, awakened one of them...

There were bells on a hill but I never heard it ringing. No, I never heard it at all, till there was you. There were birds in the sky but i never saw them winging. No, I never saw them at all, till there was you. Then there was music and wonderful roses, they tell me in a sweet fragrant meadows of dawn, and you. There was love all around but I never heard them singing. No, I never heard them at all, till there was...YOU.

Goals

Making a sensible resolution:

*Long term vs. Short term
*General vs. Specific
*Unrealistic vs. Realistic

==========

1.Set measurable goals.
2.Think about your decisions.
3.Re-evaluate.
4.Plan ahead.
5.Be realistic.

==========

1.Know where you are starting from.
2.Know where you want to go.
3.Design a plan to go there.
4.Follow the plan.

Worst Divorce Letter

Sorry guys! Got me laughing...i just have to blog this!!! (from an email)

Dear Luningning,


I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you for good. I've been a good man to you for seven years and I have nothing to show for it. These last two weeks have been hell.


Mr. Lopez called to tell me that you had quit your job today and that was the last straw. Last week, you came home and didn't even notice that I had gotten a new hair cut, cooked your favorite meal and even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers.


You came home and ate in two minutes, and went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps. You don't tell me you love me anymore, you don't want sex anymore or anything. Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me anymore.

Whatever the case is, I'm gone.


Your EX-Husband,

Papi Willie


P.S. Don't try to find me. Your SISTER and I are moving away to Toronto together this summer! Have a great life!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear ex-Husband,

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It's true that you and I have been married for seven years, although a good man is a far cry from what you've been. I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and gripping. Too bad that doesn't work. I did notice when you got a hair cut last week, the first thing that came to mind was “You look just like Michael Jackson!”

But my mother raised me not to say anything if you can't say anything nice. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my SISTER, because I stopped eating pork seven years ago...

I turned away from you when you had those new silk boxers on because the price tag was still on them. I prayed that it was a coincidence that my SISTER had just borrowed fifty dollars from me that morning....

And your silk boxers were $49.99!


After all of this, I still loved you and felt that we could work it out, so when I discovered that I had hit the lotto for sixty-nine million dollars, I quit my job and bought us two first class tickets to Manila , but when I got home you were gone. Everything happens for a reason I guess.

I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted.

My lawyer said with your letter that you wrote, you won't get a dime from me.

So take care.


Signed,

Rich, Freeeee & Available, Luningning


P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this but MARIA, my SISTER, was born MARIO. I hope you don't have a problem with your hemorrhoids.

****I have to delete the picture coz it might be considered adult...^^V

Interesting Sites

http://wordchamp.com/ - learn languages. I discovered this site when I was browsing English Club. It's fun!

http://www.englishclub.com/ - I love this site! This site got all what you want to learn in English, from pronunciation to grammar. They've got English lessons, games, quizzes, forums, chat, lesson plans, jobs & more for ESL learners & teachers!

http://www.stlyrics.com/ - lyrics database.

http://www.customsigngenerator.com/ - this is a list of graphic generator sites, haven't tried them all but maybe it is to your liking.

http://htmlgoodies.com/primers/html/ - this is a site for learning how to improve your webpage...although reading them does make my head aches...but for those who has a knack for htmls...this site is for you.

http://www.shockwave.com/home.jsp – do you love games but tired of yaho? Try this site.

http://www.gametap.com/ - another place to play those 3d games, like lara croft.

http://www.webmd.com/ - all about heatlh.

http://www.pregnancy.org/ - all about preggies!

http://www.babycenter.com/ - all you want to know about babies and it's other link http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/ which is all about parenting!

http://www.soya.be/ - interested in soya? This site is for you! All about soya and soya products!

Learn To

Learn to know what to stop.

Learn to know what to start.

Learn to know what to continue and sustain.

Every now and then, I reflect on this quote I got from a homily.

What are the things I really need to stop? Procrastination, idleness and worrying. So far, I am making progress with the worrying part. I don't worry anymore about my health as much as I did before. I guess I have in some sense, got over hypochondria, not entirely though, but I notice that I do not make a lot of issue when I feel something weird going on inside my body. I'm not thinking of terminal illnesses when my stomach aches, when I have angina, when my leg cramps or when my head throb. I don't jump at the chance of going to the hospital and have my health checked just to be sure I don't have those things that I fear. I totally stopped thinking those negative thoughts.

How? I guess I got to the point that I grew tired of worrying too much. I mean, I don't get anywhere by doing so, it only heightens the sensations and aches physically and I'm just totally torturing myself. I have, in a sense, accepted that with life comes difficulties, and that no matter what, there will be solutions for whatever comes our way.

The things to start? I guess are opposite of those I would want to stop among other things. I want to start earning money, for one, and I want to start learning some things I need to get to the money part. I guess I have to resolve and act on submitting my papers for evaluation so that I can get to the learning part.

What to continue and sustain. Hmm, the positive things I've been doing with my life and with my family are some of the things I will continue. And sustain those that needs improvements. I'd rather keep to myself the improvements I wanted to make (shush, I'm still trying to identify which - maybe cooking?).


Through it all, I think the most important part of learning to do these things is the positive attitude. Optimism goes a long way, and optimism heightens the feeling of hope and motivates one to do more, be more and believe that anything is possible.

In Our Home

• Food stains are hard to remove in plastic storage containers. Mix baking soda and water to form a paste and rub unto stain. Rinse with vinegar and wash as you normally would. Another method is to place it under the sun. The sun will bleach out the stain.
  

• There are always bundles of soft photos that haven’t yet been placed in an album. Don’t try and pull them apart if they get struck together, you might end up ruining the pictures. With a hair dryer on low, slowly pull the photos apart.
  

• You can still use some of last year’s supplies! If glue becomes hardened in the bottle, add a little vinegar to soften and dissolve it.
  

• When the glue won’t come off after you’ve peeled off paper labels or price stickers from glass ware, rub cooking oil onto the glue with a paper towel. Repeat the process and the glasses will be as slick as a whistle.
  

• Add a cup of liquid bleach to the warm water in your washing machine when you are washing a plastic shower curtain to remove all mildew. Remove the curtain at the end of the wash cycle and hang it to drip dry on the shower rod.
  

Parenting Tip

Make your kids feel safe. Instead of scaring them to make them obey, talk to them and explain why things shouldn’t be done. Comfort them when they are scared. Remember that kids rely on their parents for security. Show them you’ve taken steps to protect them.

Tips and Insights on Life

Powered by SMART

1. Opportunity doesn't come to you. You go for it.
2. Start each day with a blank sheet.
3. Never let the urgent crowd out the important.
4. Take care of your relationships.
5. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.
6. Take time to listen to music.
7. Life doesn't stand still for you.
8. Once in a while, live beyond your limits.
9. Learn something new every week.
10. Every problem has a solution.
11. Take the road less travelled.
12. Fill your life with good moments.

101 New Year's Resolutions...

Ok, I got this from Cosmopolitan Dec 97-Jan 98 Vol. 1 #8 Issue. I'm picking those 'resolutions' I wanted to do or been doing...

1. Organize files. (got too many things to organize)
2. Save 1/4 of every monthly checkpay. (this is very hard to do!)
3. Think before you speak. Don't inflict moods to those around you.
4. Offer to do something for mom.
5. Get to bed by eleven and out by seven. (its actually 12am and up by 6am)
6. Schedule grocery trips on weekends and limit to twice a month maximum.
7. Do at least one fun thing every weekend that does not involve family.
8. Do something creative at least once a week.
9. Read unread books before buying new ones.
10. Volunteer some time for a cause.
11. Read at least one good novel each month.
12. Keep your word.
13. Do 200 abdominal crunches a day.
14. Write a good letter to someone.
15. Start your novel.
16. Read, read, read.
17. Learn something new everyday.
18. Don't be lazy. (bwa hahahaha)

Would You?

There was a newsletter sent to me that asked, "Would you send your kid to Hogwarts?" and I'd say, "Can I go to Hogwarts, too?" Lol! Going ga-ga over Harry Potter series (even though the movies weren't as good as the book itself) made me see myself doing magical things and spiting someone with it. Did you ever dreamed of being able to fly? Or go around the world with just a click of your hand, or a wand, or even just pouting your lips? Did you ever see yourself in front of the mirror and changing your outfit with a snap of your fingers? Well, it's kinda fun daydreaming those things sometimes, and very positive too. The little child me is out and wanting to do impossible things too. I'll leave you here, I'm going to Wonderland!

The $20 Bill

I've been going through my emails and I decided to share some of the emails being sent to me. Hope you like this one!

Sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.

A Minute of Prayer

WHEN ALL IS WELL

Lord, I thank You for my peace
For Your loving presence in my life
For caring and supportive family and friends
For earthly comforts generously provided
For my good health and zest for living.
Let me not be complacent
With my comfortable stature.
Remind me to shame with the less fortunate.
And should there come a time in the future
When my life is not going well
Give me the grace to look back today
And remember with gratefulness
That there is always hope,
For a bright new tomorrow
If I put my faith and trust in You. Amen.

(Ephesians 1:3: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens!)

FOR MY CHILDREN

Lord, help me protect my children
From careless frivolities
And twisted idea of what life is all about.
Help them appreciate discipline
By which true character can be achieved
And genuine integrity attained.
Guide them physically and spiritually.
Send into their lives
Specially chosen companions and friends.
Save them from costly blunders
That may haunt them down the years
Bless them to grow, play and work
According to Your Faith. Amen.

(Sirach 30:1-2: He who loves his son chastises him often that he may be his joy when he grows up. He who disciplines his son, will benefit from him and boast of him among his intimates.)

***I always find time to pray, and as Sr. Sto. Niño is here in our home, it motivated my children to pray with me (of course, I couldn't force the toddler to join) added some family bonding. Tomorrow, Sto. Niño is off to another home...I'd like to share some nice prayers (above) and a verse from the Bible in connection to prayer to Sto. Niño:

Luke 11:1-13: Jesus Teaching on Prayer

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.

Jesus said to them, "When you pray, say this: Father, May your holy name be honored; May your kingdom come. Give us day by day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Suppose one of you should go to a friend's house at midnight and say, "Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. A friend of mine who is on a trip has just come to my house, and I don't have any food for him!" And suppose your friend should answer from inside, "Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and gie you anything." Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking. And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

***When I read this during the session for the coming of Sr. Sto. Niño, I couldn't keep myself from crying because I've been always having this novena "Ask, and..." and yes, I believe that in His time, whatever I ask, I will definitely receive!

A Letter From Above

I was going over the journals here in Bravenet when I came across Carol Sorsdahl journal titled 'Mommy without Clint'. I love children, and even if he wasn't mine, I felt pain and compassion of what he must have gone through. I know I do not have the right to sympathize because i wasn't there and I do not know what the family have been through, but still...

Here's for Carol (this was an email forwarded by a friend - I'm such a cry-baby):

When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son ? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair ?" the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You" . I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him ?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool ? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery ! How about that ?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

A Day at Pearl Farm

Pearl Farm is one of the many destination getaways that you can go to here in Davao City. With only P1,500/day tour with free buffet lunch plus a chance to see Malipano Island (it's a man-made island)...it's one place you have to stop by when you get here...well, better see the pics!

Way Back Into Love

Lyrics | Hugh Grant And Haley Bennett lyrics - Way Back Into Love lyrics

Expectations

BEAUTIFUL EXPECTATIONS © Andresr | Dreamstime.com

If you accept the expectations of others,
especially the negative ones,
then you will never change the outcome.


-- Michael Jordan