Blessed Monday

Yesterday was a blessed day. I was looking for a third part time job since my 2 part time jobs are not that active. I'm not really looking for the sake of money but more for experience and to fill in the gaps. I found out that I can work more efficiently in my full time job if there are things I do in between. Yesterday, the third part time job came, it was unexpected but welcome.

Also, there's a church duty that I was praying for. Last night, a friend from church went to our place because our pastor wants me to attend the seminar for my church duty. I was elated! I was dressing up when he arrived and I hurriedly finish and went to church. It was a blessed evening!

All in all, yesterday was a good day!

A Different Kind of Working Experience

Working from home has opened new doors, and new experiences for me. I was able to try and do jobs that I'm curious to do but don't have the chance because of my position in the office, or just can't because it's out of my line of career and my work experience. Before venturing out, I can see that I can do a lot of things that I was limited to do when I was still in the office. And I'm right. Though admittedly, working from home is not that stable a career. That's why one needs to be prepared for months earning only minimal or no income if one wants to venture into this field. Luckily, I had prepared for that. I gave myself at least 3 months to try this out.

My first 3 months paid well. I had a stable work-from-home job as a Project Manager, which is in my line of work. I was earning the same salary I was when I was still working in an office, but have the flexibility of time, as long as I can deliver what is asked of me. I was also able to practice again my applicant sourcing skills, which I missed and loved doing in one of my previous job. I thought this is a long-term job but things happen. My boss encountered some financial problems and have to let me go.

After that, I was lucky to be hired as a part time personal assistant. During the trial phase, I thought my boss is cold, he was too formal on his communications with me. That doesn't mean that it's hard to communicate with him, in fact he answers inquiries fast. So I just did what I need to do to finish the job. There were two of us whom he has shortlisted and luckily, he chose me. After that, things changed. He became more at ease to talk to. Maybe that's just part of his test. I've been working for him for a month now, part time, and even though I'm earning a little less than the minimum wage, it's a learning experience for me which I know I can't try out and do when I'm working in an office. And it's more than enough to pay the utility bills lol.

I then met an employer who showed me the other side of applicant sourcing. I thought that all applicants are prepared. Prepared meaning they send their resume on jobs their applying for at the very least. I learned that I'm wrong. There were many applicants who would just send you an email asking if they can apply for the job without sending their resume. Some send their resume without any subject and cover letter. Still, there were others who used cover letter templates, which they send to every company that their applying for. How did I know that this is the case? Well, either they forgot to change the position that they are applying for, or they just attached both the cover letter and the resume to their email lol. It was a funny, though sometimes irritating experience. Even though, I still think that recruitment is one of the enjoyable jobs.

Happy 19th Birthday to me!

Earlier, I had posted that end of the world is my birthday. My birthday ended and nothing end-of-the-world-y happened. But what happened today are:

• 2nd day of another full time job. I applied, got interviewed, and started yesterday with this job. Though it's still in the testing phase, I hope this is the start of good start (redundant eh? lol)
• Lots of part-time opportunities. I need a part-time job now specially that I'm not sure how much I'll get in the testing phase of my current full time job, if any. Though I really hope that I'll get paid
• Just for laughs, I earlier posted that a job interview made me wait an hour and a half which resulted from the interview being cancelled by me. (Well, I really hate time-wasters). Now, the recruiter messaged me early in the morning inquiring what position I'm applying. I was surprised and I'm really wondering if I'm still interested for that job because I'm really not interested in working with her lol
• The highlight of my birthday is when our beloved pastor went to our home. I really feel blessed.

Waiting....

One thing I've realized that I hate about going to interviews when applying for a job is the waiting period. It has been 2 years since I applied for a job and I already forgot about that. The interviews I have in my work-from-home job applications are always on time, which made me forget about that waiting time. Until now. I have an interview scheduled at 9:30AM and I hurriedly did the things I have to do before that time comes. But 30 minutes after and the interview hasn't started yet. I had already caught her attention by messaging her that I'm ready for the interview and she answered with an "okay". It seems she's the one who is not yet ready to give the interview lol. I am fighting the urge to interview her instead hahaha. Oh well. One of my flaws is I'm inpatient. It's the reason why I hate office meetings since I can't do anything while in a meeting. Which is very different when I'm working from home where meetings are productive. Oh well.... this waiting is really making me sleepy... *yawn*

Wee!!!!

Finally, after trial and error of configurations, I've successfully set my wifi connection here at home! Now, I'm using this wirefree! Almost, that is lol. I just need to buy a new laptop battery and I can work anywhere I want. In this house of course lol. And some more tinkering and I'll be making my mobile more hitech and useful (ie, more personalized apps installed).

I'm just so happy! Well, this is the benefit of not being given anything to do by my boss lol

World's Biggest Domed Arena

To God be the Glory

Lazy Saturday

Since I've started working, I wasn't able to have much lazy weekend. It's because I'm excited working from home, and enjoying what I do so I tend to work in between browsing around and stuff. Plus mom and I had become closer since I worked from home, which is good, so we tend to go out and stuff.

Today, I'm having a lazy Saturday. I'm not in the mood to work, it's my day off. And my boss didn't reply to my email, which is good, so I won't be tempted to work. I missed this kind of day, though I like it as it is. Too many lazy weekends causes boredom. This is just right. I get to appreciate it. Heaven.

Another good thing that happened is I've got to talk / webcam with my love. Missed those times and I'm happy we're back again and happy that we're able to see each other again. Even if we both have sleepy tendencies today lol.

Saturday has just started and I'm looking forward to more good things coming.

What a vacation

I couldn't help but think that my previous vacation was more stressful than relaxing. I always try to think of the happy stuffs but unfortunately, the happy stuffs are tinged with sad memories.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. During the weekend, I realized that what happened was just a way to show me who my real friends are. Glad I wasn't that close to them, but nevertheless, I was still hurt.

All I want right now is move on, be stress-free from their, or her clutch. I honestly don't mind anymore the extra costs I incurred. Not that I don't need the money. But I can earn the money back and I can charge my loss to experience. What's more important to me now is to be stress-free and be totally free from her. To be totally relieved and move on. No doubt she has moved on, she already have her pictures. And I think it's my right to move on myself. I'm not asking for much, am I?

Tai Taxi Incident

I would just like to share what happened during my recent trip to Davao. It's actually what happened before I got to the airport. This is not to defame anyone but to warn everyone so that this incident wont happen again.

I called the Tai Taxi base at around 930pm Sunday, July 31 to request for a pickup at 3AM the following day, Monday, August 1. The operator who answered my call is Jozel, and I specifically asked her if I can be at the airport at 330am if I leave here at 3am and she said yes. I told her where I'll be picked up, on the corner of Purok 6 and Ilaya streets in Alabang.

August 1. around 230am, I called Tai Taxi base again and asked what's the plate number of the taxi who'll pick me up. She verified if it's for 3AM pickup and I said yes. She said the plate number of the taxi is TYE 626. I asked her if the driver knows where I'll be picked up and she said yes.

245AM, the driver of TYE 626, Maqui, texted me and asked me where he'll pick me up. I was surprised since the operator told me he already knew where I'll be picked up. Nonetheles, I gave him the place and told him how to get there.

2:59AM, no sign of the taxi yet. I texted Maqui and asked him to text me if he's already at the agreed pick-up place. He replied with "ok po, wait lang po tnx".

3:05AM, I texted him again, telling him to tell me if he already got lost. He didnt replied back. 3:09 I called him and he said that he was in the men's room but is on his way. 3:13AM, I told him to text me because we'll be late. He again replied at 3:15 with a "ok po mam tnx".

3:16 I asked him where he is and told him the time. He then replied back at 3:19 and told me that he might be lost. He also texted me that we'll reach the airport by 3:30AM. I replied back and gave him specific instructions on how to go to the pickup place.

3:26 he texted me that he made a wrong turn. I texted him back to give him instructions on how to get to the pickup place from where he made the wrong turn.

3:29 he texted me he'll be there in 3 minutes.

He was able to reach the pickup place at 335.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Home is where the heart is, and you're still the home I picture in my future..

Saw this from a friend's FB status, and I can truly relate

Maybe it's really not meant to be

I think I've done everything I can. I'm sooo very tired already. If this doesn't work out, I'm ready to give up and move on.

FB Status

I'm not single and I'm not in a relationship. I'm just waiting for the one that have my heart. And how I miss him and miss feeling whole again...

Great First Week

"GREAT first week! You have made a real positive impact on this business in just 5 days. Thank you very much." This is what my employer told me. And I can't help but remember what I had gone through my previous work and smile. I know it will be busier for me but I know that I made the right decision in moving on from my previous employer. I know managers can be the cause of people resigning and I hope not to be that kind of manager. I know that I'll be busier with my current work but with proper time management, I know I'll fare better here.

Yesterday, I'm really really glad that I was able to talk to someone so close to my heart. I wish we can go on as before, continue what we have and make it prosper. I know God will provide.

Afraid...

Saw you online but I'm afraid to talk to you... funny I've never been afraid to talk to anybody before.. but I'm afraid now.. afraid that you'll block me... but I wanted to tell you this... you know what's funny? my mom loves you more than any of her offspring's spouses because she knows that you'll take care of me. and i know that too. but we can do nothing abt it :(

Together....

Together forever, Never apart, Maybe in distance, But never in heart.

I saw this from a friend's FB status and made me sad. The thought is very sweet and I remember the times our hearts are still together and now I wonder if they still are, or if they ever will be :(

The Narrow Road

It's our locale's 83rd anniversary and during the bible exposition, this verse was read:

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
~ Matthew 7:13-14

A realization dawned on me then. It took me a year to decide to enter His Church and another year to fully understand His will and be baptized inside His church . There are a lot of churches claiming to be Christians and believing in the Bible too but only few does find out which is His true church. There are even those who had already found His true church, believes in the teachings, but unfortunately can't stand up for them, and are taken by the worries in this world. Indeed, narrow is the gate that leads to life.

I just hope that I can be a light that shines specially to the people I love and is not yet in His fold.

Blocked!

I have a nagging thought that a once very close and special person blocked me from FB but only had the chance to verify it yesterday. Maybe it's because I'm occupied and always forgot to check it or maybe because deep inside, I'm not ready to know the answer. Learning that he blocked me made me sad but I understand him for doing it. But as I think about it, it made me more sad that somehow I cant reach out to him anymore. This morning, another realization occurred to me. I think he has also blocked me in YM. Which made my heart more heavy since I always logged as invisible but I always made the effort to be visible to him so that somehow I can still reach him. But now, I think it's senseless. Oh well....

Farewell Letter

For those who are wondering why I left my company when I know that it takes good care of its employees and working with people there are like the camaraderie in high school or college, here is the letter I sent to our VP (and HR manager)

Dear Sir,

Since January of this year, I already felt the need to grow. I feel stagnant in my career and not fulfilled with what I'm doing. I try to ignore it but things and feelings have been piling up and last April, the feelings of being unsatisfied with my work were doubled when a manager mocked my abilities. But in fairness, said manager already apologized to me.

I am writing this, not to embarrass nor point fingers at anyone, but to tell you of what we, as employees, encounter with the organization, so you may improvise ways to improve the current system and the organization as a whole. I know that the management wants to keep their people and are open-minded for suggestions. Here are what I noticed during my almost three-year stay here:

• Career-wise

1. Career path. And I didn’t mean promotion or job titles. It's where you are headed. I feel stagnant in terms of what I know technologically.
2. Every SOP made is only followed in the first few days and is ignored the following days. It maybe due to lack of resources and heavy time constraints. New SOPs are also implemented without notifying all of the members.
3. Since there's no clear path, the ideas and methods of improving things are 'strike-anywhere' which results in nowhere
4. No clear turn over of knowledge. There's no schedule set for turn over. The employee learns as the tasks are given and since not all tasks will be handled in a specified period of time, the employee now feels inadequate that during the period of his stay, he only knows specific tasks and not all tasks
5. Lack of manpower resources. There are things that can be assigned to an OJT but the employee is the one doing them even if other teams have lots of OJT and they have lots of team members too. I don't know who requests for an OJT but I know that the management knows that a team is lacking in manpower.

• On Managers

1. It's nice to be a hands-on manager but the manager should have trust that his subordinates can do the task assigned to them. Lack of trust on the subordinates can make the subordinates feel inadequate. 
2. Doing the subordinates' task and asking how to do it might take more time than letting the subordinate do it. Plus the distraction it causes on the subordinate's part may lead to more errors than just allowing the subordinate do the tasks assigned to him.
3. Micromanaging might work with newly grads but not on employees with years of experience.
4. Know your resources. Having successive projects is ok. Having simultaneous projects with the same deadline and assigned to the same persons will cause more bugs / inefficient system deployment. This will also make that person feel inadequate
5. Belittling your subordinates is not giving them encouragement to do better.

• ITO / NOC

1. Be professional.

a)     Don't downgrade priority status of tickets without informing the one who assigned the ticket. The priority was raised to that level for a reason and not just for the assigner's whims

b)     Acknowledge requests sent so that the other party would know that you had seen it and not ignoring it

c)      The refrigerator is for everyone's use. But don't consume goods that are not yours, specially if they have names

d)     Being at home while working is ok. But this is still not your home so be professional enough in dealing with your co-workers.

I also hope that the 'lunch incident' during the company outing won't be left as it is. I think it's the company's responsibility to take care of the welfare of its employees. I think it's not right for the employees to lose their daily pay, or leaves, because of the unfortunate incident.

Again, I have nothing personal against any of the employees here. It has been nice working with everyone and who knows; maybe we can work together again in the future.

Regards and more power,

After one week of silence...

After 1 week of not hearing from my would-be employer in my work-from-home job venture, I had received the formal job offer I'm waiting this morning.

Tomorrow is my last day in my current job and I'll start with my new venture on Monday. The coming days will be busy as I tend to some government papers and prepare myself to the start of a new beginning, career-wise.

Amidst all of these, there's one thing (or person) I'm really missing. But I know that God will provide for my needs.

After The Storm

The weather has improved now. The storm has passed. I hope my mom's health will follow. And I hope this means the same for all the things I'm going through now.

Trust God

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

I know that God will get me through this. Even if it's killing me now...

Virus Attack

Seems like everyone in this house is having problems. First, me and my mom. Next, my computer just cultured some virus which wont allow me to connect to the internet and making me format my laptop again. Then, our satellite tv cant get signal. Good thing local antenna is working. Oh well. I hope this is the last of the list of misfortunes and after this, all good things will happen.

Life is Too Short

I received a shocking news when I logged to YM this morning and talked to my friend at work. One of our colleagues, 10 years my junior, died in his sleep. It was said he had nightmares. His body was discovered 7:20am today.

It's really shocking. We're not that close but there are a lot of things he can still do. He's not even sick. I wish, before I go, I'll be able to do the things that I dreamed of.

Another Day at the Hospital

My mom and I had stomach flu due to a Sponge Gourd or Luffa Actangula (which we locally call Patola) we ate for lunch last Sunday.

This was the second (or nth?) time we were victimized by this vegetable. I'm not 100% sure it's the patola but it most probably is. It's refreshing to eat with noodles and soup, but I dont know what's in it or what causes the upset stomach. This time as well as the previous time(s), it was an overly mature patola.

There was a funny bitter taste to the patola noodle soup we ate last Sunday which is unusual since patola should be a little sweet tasting. My mom thought it was the chicken liver which was an ingredient of the soup. I love chicken liver but I didnt eat it thinking it was what's causing the bitter taste. When I'm almost done, I tried a bit of the chicken liver and found out that it's not what's causing the bitter taste.

6 hours after eating lunch, I felt something funny with my tummy. I decided not to eat the patola noodle soup for dinner and told my mom what happened to me. She said it's still good and went on to eat it. Then, the nightmare came lol.

This time was doubly hard since I'm feeling sick myself but have to tend to her as well. Good thing that we just stayed for a little less than a day at the hospital and both of us are feeling better.

All in all, it's a tiring, expensive day but I'm still glad we're now back at home. Hopefully, this will be a lesson not to be 'too thrifty' where food is concerned.

Career Window

Ok, I've done it. After feeling unfulfilled and questioning where my career is going since the start of the year, I've tended my resignation today and will be staying here till end of June. I feel that I did the right thing, and I'm excited to start a new chapter of my life, career-wise. And looking forward to good results in other parts of my life

China's Android

 I recently posted that I had already bought a new phone after 10 months of waiting. Now, I was very excited to try Android Market apps but I cant connect to the service. I found from Sony Ericsson's Support that phones from China and Saudi Arabia dont have access to Market apps. And after inquiring at the seller, I found out that my phone was from China. Good thing, there were already a lot of Android enthusiasts at work and they are willing to teach me to root and override the settings. Hopefully, we can make it work.

need to belong

Sometimes I feel I dont belong. Good thing I can always count on my best friend. Unfortunately, I cant share this sadness I feel now.....

Weather and My Mood

The weather today reflects my mood.. gloomy with the rays of sunshine trying to peep in. I'll try to hold on to those bits of sunshine even when the weather around me is gloomy

After 10 months

10 months ago, I lost my pink Samsung Star Wifi just outside of the building I work in. My best friend was very supportive and forever looking for a phone that I might like. Unfortunately, I cant find one. I was in love with that phone and I dont want to buy the same phone. I was heartbroken when I lost it. It was my dream phone.

During those time, I'm using my old but very reliable Nokia 6020.

Until I was introduced to Android phones. I said I want to own one. But it's an expensive phone. Well, I'm not a patient girl but I wont spend more than P10,000 for a phone. The last phone I lost was P10,000+ lol. I even said I wont buy another high end phone when I lost it, or more like I wont buy another expensive phone.

After 10 months of looking and waiting, finally, I now have my dream phone, a red Sony Ericsson X10 Xperia mini pro for just P8,300.00!

And I really hope I wont lose this again. It's only my second day with my phone and I'm already attached to it

My New Hobby-to-be

My bestfriend show me a picture of a saltwater tank and since we both cant swim, I instantly got hooked to it. It was my first time to know that such an aquarium exists. Now, I'll be starting getting all the know-how that I need in preparation for this. I found this site, a step by step guide on how to start having your own saltwater tank

closing chapters..

Last Thursday, I had made a decision that if nothing changes with how I feel, I'll be tending my resignation within 2 months. I decided to tell my supervisor about this the following day since he was not around on Thursday. It also gave me time to analyze my feelings after making that decision, and all I can feel was peacefulness about the decision.

Talking to him last Friday revealed to me that what I feel is what he feels in the organization. But he can't just leave the company that easy since he is friends with the owners. And I know as well as he knows that the owners really care for their people. Funny thing is, the manager, which doesn't own the company nor the money being paid to us is the one who is causing grief on the employees.

He was also offered to lead another team as the team leader of the said team has resigned and will be having his last day 2 weeks from now. The reason is also the said manager.

Now, there's something I've learned from a friend who had also tended her resignation. She said that said manager talked to her when she gave her resignation and she was sorry that she didn't wait for said manager to be on her maternity leave before giving in her resignation as was her original plan. The manager talked to her and made her feel so little. Now I had confirmed that it's really a part of her character to treat other people that way.. to make other people feel so little when she's talking.

Hopefully, when I give in my resignation, she won't be talking to me. Maybe I can use this when she did lol. Still, I don't want to leave the company with a sour note so I really hope that she will just accept my resignation when I give it in and not talk to me about it.

Scripts

A friend showed me a link on a class she plans to enroll and I read 'working with Scripts' and I was thinking programming scripts then shake and reminded myself that I'm reading a Director's workshop class syllabus lol. I think this is what you call overworked lol

In films, script means a dialogue between characters in a film
In programming, script means a set of instructions a program is supposed to do

Hmm... they almost have the same purpose..

You

Found this in FB status shuffle which I can relate very much.

May not see you as often as I like, may not feel you hold me thru the night. But in my heart I truly know your the one for me, and right now that is all I need

Of course if I can have you with me right now, it would be fantastically fabulous!

Trust and Respect

Read this in one of my friend's Skype status:

It's nice to be trusted

and I definitely agree. And if that trust is broken, I can see no point in continuing the relationship. For me, any relationship is built on trust and with trust comes respect.

Delayed update -- a productive weekend

I have a very productive weekend.

Tuesday, my mom and I bought a water purifier after office. (ok, I know this isn't part of weekend lol) We dined at one of my mom's favorite resto, Tokyo Tokyo and then proceeded to Ace Hardware to buy what we need. We were the last customers that day lol

Friday, I worked from home and had our water purifier installed.

Saturday, bonding with mom and sis and pamangkins (niece and nephew). It was a good one. Had also bought a much needed sandal for church, one for me and one for mom.

Sunday, PLDT man came and installed our landline and DSL. Now I just have to configure stuffs and our house might be able to go wireless, woohoo!

Was meaning to create this blog post Monday but was very busy with stuffs. And speaking of stuffs, my supervisor and I had a long talk yesterday. Cleared some things up. I was thinking it will be the trigger point in my career. But I'll try to give it a month before deciding.

Do it all in love

I love this verse and is very applicable to what I'm going through

Let all that you do be done in love

1 Cor 16:14

the first rain of May is in April

Today is the first rain 'after' the summer season. I know it's just April and I know it's supposed to still be summer but I like the weather and temperature this summer brings. I'm not a summer-type of person since I easily sweat, and I sweat a lot. But the current weather is sunny but not that hot (sometimes) and it's really cool during the night. I think the current summer temperature is cooler than that of February this year, which was supposed to be the coldest month since December of last year.

need something new

After working for more than 2 years in my current company, I need a change. I need something more fulfilling. I know I'm on a dead-end here but that was ok for me before. But now that workload is pouring, and I'm faced with either the same redundant, mundane tasks, or more documentation tasks, or more tasks that I have no idea of due to lack of proper orientation, my patience had become to run very thin. I no longer enjoy going to work and I know I need a change. I also need to change my outlook while I'm still here. I dont want to apply for another local job. I wish I can just be with MJ and start the new chapter of my life. But I know there are reasons for such. I know there will come the right time.

And now that I'm still here, I need to find something that will make me happy and fulfilled.

And with this, here's a song that somehow relates to what I feel.


Something New In My Life

I guess I wanted something new in my life
A new key to fit a new door
To wake and see a different view in my life
The one I've been waiting for
Dreams like everyone I've had a few in my life
Who knew that this one would come true in my life
I knew the moment when you touched me, you touched me
You're like a sudden breeze that blew in my life
A new face, a new smile, a new song
And now I know I wanted you in my life all along
I guess I must have saved an empty place in my heart
For you to come and fill that space in my heart
That long before I said I loved you, I love you

Whatever happens this is true in my life
When all those springs have come and go
Whatever doubts I've made or do in my life
Whatever else that I may do in my life
You'll always be something, girl, in my life
From now on
I know there always will be you in my life
From now on

Law of Friendship

I was feeling so down yesterday when a friend sent me this text message


Friendship has one law:

Never make your friends feel that they are alone

So,


Disturb them as much as you can. Hahaha


which lifted my spirits up. Thank you!

Carbo - Cardio

I've been doing my power walk the other day when this thought came to me. I need to do cardio to burn the carbo (carbs or carbohydrates) that I've been taking in, like rice and bread and rice lol. So cardio kills the excess carbo in my body.

Gelato

I love ice cream. It's my comfort food. When I'm down, all I need is a cup of ice cream (or two lol) and I'll feel good in an instant. A few months back, I was introduced to a better (but more expensive) ice cream, which is gelato. Ever since, I had become a fan of it. Though there are only 2 gelato spots I've been frequenting, which is located here in Makati, Gelatone in Greenbelt 3, and Gelatissimo in Greenbelt 5 which is my favorite.

For those who wants to know, here are the Top 10 Gelato Spots in Manila

Work rants

If you want to have things in order, you should start by doing things systematically. Do and not just talk abt it and telling other people to do it. Sheesh. I dont want to be forever cleaning up after you.

Picbadges

Ever wonder what Facebook picbadges are? I see them all around my FB friends and got curious so I searched what they are for. I thought they're just pins and in a way they are. They are a cool way of expressing yourself by adding a visual statement to your profile picture. This statement can be anything from a cause, brand, belief, or just what you want to say.

Some of the cool picbadges can be found here .

Now I'm thinking if I'll use this

or this

What do you think? :)





Disclaimer: This isnt a paid site of that link, was just browsing and sharing stuffs.

Word of the day: obambulate

Word of the day: obambulate - To wander aimlessly.

Sample sentence: Sometimes I feel like I'm just obambulating

Source

Another blog

I started another blog and learned that it's

Harry Houdini's birthday lol

FB "like" diseaser

I really find it weird when people likes a post in FB when that post is a sad or a bad one. For example, "I have a headache :( " and you would see people liking it. WTF? Do these people who clicks the like button hates the one who post it? Or they just dont think and dont care what the post was about, as long as they can click the "like" button? Grrr... retards..

On Radiation

Click here for the source

Earthquake / Tsunami scare..

As I am busy downloading an exercise vid (while working of course), a big quake with 8.9 magnitude hit Japan followed by a tsunami. I dont want to imagine an 8.9 quake, we had one in the 1990s which is only 6.something and it's really strong. Now, we also have tsunami warnings. Checking the affected provinces, I'm happy Laguna is not in it. But I'm hoping and praying that everyone will be safe.

Related articles:

CNN
GMA News
Youtube

Smile!

Just received this text message forwarded by a friend. I couldnt say how timely this is lol

Why Smiling is Good

1. Smiling makes us attractive -- I remember MJ with this lol

2. Smiling changes our mood

3. Smiling is contagious -- maybe that's what made me smile, when my supervisor was telling abt his daughter's antics

4. Smiling relieves stress

5. Smiling boosts your immune system

6. Smiling lowers your blood pressure

7. Smiling lifts the face and makes you look younger

So keep smiling!

true colors or painted ones?

I'm never really good at hiding my true feelings. I don't know if I should try to hide it, but I prefer being me. It makes me feel 'plastic' to do something that is not really what I feel. At least, I dont say bad things when I'm upset. I'll just keep my mouth shut, since I believe in the saying that "If there's nothing good you can say, then dont say it".

The past days at work was kinda boring. But today was a busy one. In a good way. Until our new manager who I thought was an ok girl got on my nerves the previous days due to her power trips and now, she's acting as if she thinks the tasks we'll need to do are easy ones. I guess the good image I had of her has now corroded to nothing. Oh well.

Now I'm wondering, which do you prefer, those who can smile even if they want to kill the person? Or show what they really feel?

On another note, I really wish that MJ wont hurt himself tomorrow, his tomorrow that is.

Remembering Ondoy

Yesterday, I went home early. Well, if you call 6pm early lol. As always, I pass by the mall I usually go to. Reached it at 630pm and went out of the mall around 7pm. Before I reach the mall near the bus stop, it suddenly rained hard. And I mean hard. Rain with winds. I was hoping that I can easily ride a bus and I'm lucky. I thought the rain was only in Makati but the bus driver said it was raining before they reach Makati. So it must have come from the north. I was hoping it wasnt raining in south because we have our bible exposition that night. Before reaching my destination, it was raining cuts and dogs. Luckily, the bus driver is a good and safe driver and didnt go on driving fast even if other reckless bus drivers did that. We pass by some flooded areas, and I was afraid I'd end up walking in a flooded street. When I got out, my fears were confirmed. It was flooded on the bus stop. I need to cross the street but would have to wade in knee-deep waters. Luckily, another bus arrived and was kind enough to allow us to ride just to cross the street, which I hadnt thought of doing earlier on the bus I rode lol. I arrived safe, wet from head to pants, with my shoes almost dry, until the tricycle I rode had to pass a very flooded street.

I was afraid mom was worried because that rain was like Ondoy which hit the country last Sept. 26, 2009. I was afraid we'd end up locked again in our house with flooded streets outside. Thank goodness the rain ended a few minutes after I got home. And my mom didnt know abt the very flooded streets until I told her about it.

Lazy Saturday

One of the lazy days of my life. Was planning to play FB games but my connection wont allow me. So I ended up chatting with friends on FB and looking for more extensions for my Chrome browser which I use as a secondary browser. Also a cool day, raining with just 24C/75F in temperature. Nice to just stretch in bed, much better cuddle with a loved one.

Tomorrow is our Holy Supper, really looking forward to it.

Aspartame History

This is copied from http://www.rense.com/general33/legal.htm

How Aspartame Became
Legal - The Timeline
From Rich Murray
rmforall@att.net
12-24-2


From Norfolk Genetic Information Network (Taken from Welcome to the Spin Machine by Michael Manville http://www.freezerbox.com/archive/2001/04/biotech/ http://www.freezerbox.com/ )

In 1985 Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle, the chemical company that held the patent to aspartame, the active ingredient in NutraSweet. Monsanto was apparently untroubled by aspartame's clouded past, including a 1980 FDA Board of Inquiry, comprised of three independent scientists, which confirmed that it "might induce brain tumors."

The FDA had actually banned aspartame based on this finding, only to have Searle Chairman Donald Rumsfeld (currently the Secretary of Defense) vow to "call in his markers," to get it approved.

On January 21, 1981, the day after Ronald Reagan's inauguration, Searle re-applied to the FDA for approval to use aspartame in food sweetener, and Reagan's new FDA commissioner, Arthur Hayes Hull, Jr., appointed a 5-person Scientific Commission to review the board of inquiry's decision.

It soon became clear that the panel would uphold the ban by a 3-2 decision, but Hull then installed a sixth member on the commission, and the vote became deadlocked. He then personally broke the tie in aspartame's favor. Hull later left the FDA under allegations of impropriety, served briefly as Provost at New York Medical College, and then took a position with Burston-Marsteller, the chief public relations firm for both Monsanto and GD Searle. Since that time he has never spoken publicly about aspartame.


The Aspartame/NutraSweet Timeline

http://www.swankin-turner.com/aspartame.html http://www.swankin-turner.com/hist.html

Aspartame/NutraSweet: The History of the Aspartame Controversy

By James Turner, ESQ. Director of the National Institute of Science, Law, and Public Policy (NISLAPP)

National Institute of Science, Law, and Public Policy 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 462-8800 Fax: (202) 265-6564 nislapp@swankin-turner.com

Timeline

December 1965-- While working on an ulcer drug, James Schlatter, a chemist at G.D. Searle, accidentally discovers aspartame, a substance that is 180 times sweeter than sugar yet has no calories.

Spring 1967-- Searle begins the safety tests on aspartame that are necessary for applying for FDA approval of food additives.

Fall 1967-- Dr. Harold Waisman, a biochemist at the University of Wisconsin, conducts aspartame safety tests on infant monkeys on behalf of the Searle Company. Of the seven monkeys that were being fed aspartame mixed with milk, one dies and five others have grand mal seizures.

November 1970-- Cyclamate, the reigning low-calorie artificial sweetener -- is pulled off the market after some scientists associate it with cancer. Questions are also raised about safety of saccharin, the only other artificial sweetener on the market, leaving the field wide open for aspartame.

December 18, 1970-- Searle Company executives lay out a "Food and Drug Sweetener Strategy' that they feel will put the FDA into a positive frame of mind about aspartame. An internal policy memo describes psychological tactics the company should use to bring the FDA into a subconscious spirit of participation" with them on aspartame and get FDA regulators into the "habit of saying, "Yes"."

Spring 1971-- Neuroscientist Dr. John Olney (whose pioneering work with monosodium glutamate was responsible for having it removed from baby foods) informs Searle that his studies show that aspartic acid (one of the ingredients of aspartame) caused holes in the brains of infant mice. One of Searle's own researchers confirmed Dr. Olney's findings in a similar study.

February 1973-- After spending tens of millions of dollars conducting safety tests, the G.D. Searle Company applies for FDA approval and submits over 100 studies they claim support aspartame's safety.

March 5, 1973-- One of the first FDA scientists to review the aspartame safety data states that "the information provided (by Searle) is inadequate to permit an evaluation of the potential toxicity of aspartame". She says in her report that in order to be certain that aspartame is safe, further clinical tests are needed.

May 1974-- Attorney, Jim Turner (consumer advocate who was instrumental in getting cyclamate taken off the market) meets with Searle representatives to discuss Dr. Olney's 1971 study which showed that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of infant mice.

July 26, 1974-- The FDA grants aspartame its first approval for restricted use in dry foods.

August 1974-- Jim Turner and Dr. John Olney file the first objections against aspartame's approval.

March 24, 1976-- Turner and Olney's petition triggers an FDA investigation of the laboratory practices of aspartame's manufacturer, G.D. Searle. The investigation finds Searle's testing procedures shoddy, full of inaccuracies and "manipulated" test data. The investigators report they "had never seen anything as bad as Searle's testing."

January 10, 1977-- The FDA formally requests the U.S. Attorney's office to begin grand jury proceedings to investigate whether indictments should be filed against Searle for knowingly misrepresenting findings and "concealing material facts and making false statements" in aspartame safety tests. This is the first time in the FDA's history that they request a criminal investigation of a manufacturer.

January 26, 1977-- While the grand jury probe is underway, Sidley & Austin, the law firm representing Searle, begins job negotiations with the U.S. Attorney in charge of the investigation, Samuel Skinner.

March 8, 1977-- G. D. Searle hires prominent Washington insider Donald Rumsfeld as the new CEO to try to turn the beleaguered company around. A former Member of Congress and Secretary of Defense in the Ford Administration, Rumsfeld brings in several of his Washington cronies as top management.

July 1, 1977-- Samuel Skinner leaves the U.S. Attorney's office and takes a job with Searle's law firm. (see Jan. 26th)

August 1, 1977-- The Bressler Report, compiled by FDA investigators and headed by Jerome Bressler, is released. The report finds that 98 of the 196 animals died during one of Searle's studies and weren't autopsied until later dates, in some cases over one year after death. Many other errors and inconsistencies are noted. For example, a rat was reported alive, then dead, then alive, then dead again; a mass, a uterine polyp, and ovarian neoplasms were found in animals but not reported or diagnosed in Searle's reports.

December 8, 1977-- U.S. Attorney Skinner's withdrawal and resignation stalls the Searle grand jury investigation for so long that the statue of limitations on the aspartame charges runs out. The grand jury investigation is dropped.

June 1, 1979-- The FDA established a Public Board of Inquiry (PBOI) to rule on safety issues surrounding NutraSweet.

September 30, 1980-- The Public Board of Inquiry concludes NutraSweet should not be approved pending further investigations of brain tumors in animals. The board states it "has not been presented with proof of reasonable certainty that aspartame is safe for use as a food additive."

January 1981-- Donald Rumsfeld, CEO of Searle, states in a sales meeting that he is going to make a big push to get aspartame approved within the year. Rumsfeld says he will use his political pull in Washington, rather than scientific means, to make sure it gets approved.

January 21, 1981-- Ronald Reagan is sworn in as President of the United States. Reagan's transition team, which includes Donald Rumsfeld, CEO of G. D. Searle, hand picks Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes Jr. to be the new FDA Commissioner.

March, 1981-- An FDA commissioner's panel is established to review issues raised by the Public Board of Inquiry.

May 19, 1981-- Three of six in-house FDA scientists who were responsible for reviewing the brain tumor issues, Dr. Robert Condon, Dr. Satya Dubey, and Dr. Douglas Park, advise against approval of NutraSweet, stating on the record that the Searle tests are unreliable and not adequate to determine the safety of aspartame.

July 15, 1981-- In one of his first official acts, Dr. Arthur Hayes Jr., the new FDA commissioner, overrules the Public Board of Inquiry, ignores the recommendations of his own internal FDA team and approves NutraSweet for dry products. Hayes says that aspartame has been shown to be safe for its' proposed uses and says few compounds have withstood such detailed testing and repeated close scrutiny.

October 15, 1982-- The FDA announces that Searle has filed a petition that aspartame be approved as a sweetener in carbonated beverages and other liquids.

July 1, 1983-- The National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) urges the FDA to delay approval of aspartame for carbonated beverages pending further testing because aspartame is very unstable in liquid form. When liquid aspartame is stored in temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it breaks down into DKP and formaldehyde, both of which are known toxins.

July 8, 1983-- The National Soft Drink Association drafts an objection to the final ruling which permits the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages and syrup bases and requests a hearing on the objections. The association says that Searle has not provided responsible certainty that aspartame and its' degradation products are safe for use in soft drinks.

August 8, 1983-- Consumer Attorney, Jim Turner of the Community Nutrition Institute and Dr. Woodrow Monte, Arizona State University's Director of Food Science and Nutritional Laboratories, file suit with the FDA objecting to aspartame approval based on unresolved safety issues.

September, 1983-- FDA Commissioner Hayes resigns under a cloud of controversy about his taking unauthorized rides aboard a General Foods jet. (General foods is a major customer of NutraSweet) Burson-Marsteller, Searle's public relation firm (which also represented several of NutraSweet's major users), immediately hires Hayes as senior scientific consultant.

Fall 1983-- The first carbonated beverages containing aspartame are sold for public consumption.

November 1984-- Center for Disease Control (CDC) "Evaluation of consumer complaints related to aspartame use." (summary by B. Mullarkey)

November 3, 1987-- U.S. hearing, "NutraSweet: Health and Safety Concerns," Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Senator Howard Metzenbaum, chairman.

********************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/857 RTM: www.dorway.com: original documents and long reviews of flaws in aspartame toxicity research 7.31.2 rmforall

http://www.dorway.com/upipart1.txt UPI reporter Gregory Gordon: 96K 3-part expose Oct 1987

"Survey of aspartame studies: correlation of outcome and funding sources," 1998, unpublished: http://www.dorway.com/peerrev.html Walton found 166 separate published studies in the peer reviewed medical literature, which had relevance for questions of human safety. The 74 studies funded by industry all (100%) attested to aspartame's safety, whereas of the 92 non-industry funded studies, 84 (91%) identified a problem. Six of the seven non-industry funded studies that were favorable to aspartame safety were from the FDA, which has a public record that shows a strong pro-industry bias. Ralph G. Walton, MD, Prof. of Clinical Psychology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry, Youngstown, OH 44501, Chairman, The Center for Behavioral Medicine, Northside Medical Center, 500 Gypsy Lane, P.O. Box 240 Youngstown, OH 44501 330-740-3621 rwalton193@aol.com http://www.neoucom.edu/DEPTS/Psychiatry/walton.htm ***********************************

love options in windows

phone dilemma

So since I've lost my phone July of last year, I have never had any desire to buy one. I'm using my old Nokia 6020. Then I dont know exactly when, I became interested in Android phones. But I want them to have both qwerty keypad and capacitive touchscreens The first one that caught my attention was a Motorola Charm but found out that this is not available in the Philippines. Then, my best friend showed me this



And now, just received a news from my mobile subscription Samsung Announces Plans for Four New Galaxy Range Smartphones.

So I'm wondering, should I get this phone even if it dont have qwerty keypad?

funny fb post

found this funny fb post

G: Whatever you give to a woman, she will make it greater. Give her sperm, she will give you a baby. Give her a house, she will give you a home. Give her groceries, she will give you a meal. Give her a smile and she will give you her heart. So if you give her crap.. Be ready to receive a ton of shit!!!!

B: Well...a woman once complained about the size of my organ...I told her that I had no idea that I would be performing in a Cathedral!

G: Oh and by the way Boy, next time u go to the Cathedral, try taking a piano with you!! Somewhat larger than a organ.....

G: Confusciuos say "Women are like Pianos... When they're not upright, they're grand!"

B: I'll take the (w)hole damn sound system!!....Drums, Geetars, etc.

Welcome to the 21st Century!

*our communication – wireless
*our phones- cordless
*our food- fat-less
*our sweets-sugarless
*our labor- effortless
*our mistake-countless
*our attitude- careless
*our youth- jobless
*our ladies- topless
*our needs- endless
*our situation- hopeless
*our future- clueless!!!

copied from the blog one of my best friends

common dilemma but i wont fail

I never dreamed nor wished nor want to be in this position. I understand one of my colleague's concern and appreciate it. Though I think there's a better way of reminding a sister. But I'm not taking it against you. We all have our own styles, and we dont know each other that much.

I'm now faced in a dilemma I had witnessed happening a lot to different people. But I know that the reason I witnessed them is for them to be small (or big) lessons to me. Not to be blinded by emotions and put God above all else. I wont exchange God's love for the love of man. I went through a lot to fight for my religion, had learned the difference between right and wrong, had seen the light, and I wont give it up. I wont go back to being blind..

Reason, Season or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

REASON
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

SEASON
When people come into your life for a SEASON it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real!

But, only for a season.

LIFETIME
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Stop here and just SMILE. :)

Work like you don’t need the money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
And dance like no one is watching.

2011 - reviving my blog

After months of blog slumber, I've decided to revive my blog.

Last Jan 1, we spent the day in my cousin's house for the yearly family reunion. I was planning to buy a 1/4 kilo of lechon for our New Year's eve fest last Dec. 30 but the lechon vendor insisted that I should buy lechon on the same day it will be eaten. Unless we'll make it to paksiw. So when I see lechon on our family reunion, I gladly put some on my plate. While I was putting food on my plate, I heard my cousin comment that they forgot to microwave the lechon. I was thinking, why the need to microwave it but let it go and went to the table and eat. Later that night, my mom suffered from LBM. I woke up early the next day and needed to rush to the toilet too. I was afraid I wont be able to attend to my duties at church. But fortunately I was able to without any "emergencies" lol.

At around 10am, my brother asked if we got sick last night. He said that all of them got sick except for his youngest grandchild who didnt eat lechon. He said that he asked one of my cousins if he got sick and he didnt and he didnt also eat lechon.

Lesson learned: follow your instinct and not your stomach lol.

Have a happy new year everyone!