Thursday, May 29, 2008

Wordpress Got pressed on Comments

A friend forwarded me an email about this atheist philosophy teacher and his student and though I have gotten that same email before, still I never get tired of it. What I did was post it on my wordpress and just minutes after posting, I already have an email notification that someone had placed a comment on it...A few minutes later another comment was added. Whew, it must have been an interesting topic, I was able to stir up some people's emotions.....hahaha....Oh, I forgot to tell you the title of my post was "What a Conversation" and I tagged it under "faith"...Now if that's not enough to stir up ones' mind...You might wanna check it out as well. ..and comments are always welcome whether good or bad....=)

Survey

I lifted this from a bulletin posted by my friend on friendster..Got nothin' to do so might as well answer it....

1. last beverage:

- Coke Zero.

2. last text message:

- roberta.

3. last time you cried:

- last Wednesday..

SIX HAVE YOU EVERS:

1. gone on a date:

- yep

3. kissed someone & regretted it:

- sort of….

4. lost someone special:

- yes. :(

5. been depressed:

- yeah, but i’m over it now

6. been drunk and threw up:

- nope.! I never go beyond my two bottles of beer (whew..boring, hahahaha)

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:

1. purple

2. light blue

3. pink

THIS MONTH HAVE YOU:

1. Made a new friend:

- yes…

2. Laughed until you cried:

- hmm. yes.

3. Met someone who changed your

life:

- no

4. Found out who your true friend

is:

- no.

5. Is there something you want to tell

someone:

- no.

6. How many kids do you want to

have:

- 2.

7. Do you have any pets:

- no.

8. Do you wanna change your name :

- no. it’s the name my Pap chose for me, why change it??? I love it.

9. What did you do yesterday:

- went to the grocery, did the laundry, packed my sis things until 2 am.

10. Last time you had pizza:

- two weeks ago

11. What time did you wake up today:

- about 4 a.m. tough!

12. What were you doing at 10:30 p.m.:

- last night? Packing someone else’s luggage

13. Last time you saw your father:

- last month

14. What is one thing you wish you

could change about your life?

- some decisions I made but I don’t wanna go into details

6. What are you listening to right

now:

- the sound of my keyboard

17. Have you ever talked to Tom:

- Tom who??? Would love to talk to Tom Hunks but I would probably get starstrucked..oh, you’re not talking about Tom from Looney Tunes right??? hahahha

19. Most visited web page:

- hotmail and yahoo

20. Coke or Pepsi:

- both

Chit....Chat....

I was supposed to watch t.v. but apparently I didn't like the topic on that show for today so I opted to surf the net instead. I've cheked out my mails and so far no thing's really important there only updates on the online group that I joined a year ago...in a little while I would be preparing dinner, a little later tonight I'd be busy helping my sis pack her things since she's leaving tomorrow after lunch, for the country's most environment friendly city.....those who love travelling can already guess, what place I'm talking about...hahahha...Yesterday, I went to a job interview and went through a lot of exams, I practically spent the whole day in that office...I was endorsed for final interview today, but had it rescheduled as I have to attend to some very important things....Had one interview before that with a different company and I was quite disappointed with the remuneration package so I did not accept the job...and so the quest for the "perfect" job continues....hahahhaha...
What else has happened so far????...Oh, I checked out some wedding favors for a Moroccan Theme wedding and I have chosen a few....Would probably ask around for the prices, this coming week end....Looks like it would be a busy week end again.....Just opened my YM, and saw my friend R_____ was online...The moment she realized I'm online, she sent me a message asking me if someone from a headhunter's office had called me up already...I told her none yet..Then we were talking about our rants over our bosses, jobs, etc.....I checked out my wordpress and saw I've got a pile of comments to approve..I haven't updated my blog there for almost a week now, because I'm beginning to get frustrated on not being able to put all my widgets and html codes on my wordpress sidebar, just like what i can do to blogspot....but then it was on wordpress that I came across one of my favorite radio jocks in the country....chico garcia......and i'm logging out....Peace!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Cool Widget



While looking for some tips on weding themes etc. I came across this entry where it has a widget called Mixwit . It's a site where you can create and share mixtapes by making a mix of your favorite music which are available through the sites "search" button. The skin is a miniature cassette tape and you can customize it by adding photos, including colors,text.glossiness etc..and you can label your tape as well. For music lovers out there this is a must try! I'm even surprised at the variety of songs you can choose from. Check this out...it's quite a cool one!

On Friendster and Multiply

Only got time to check on my mail and I found two invitations from my niece and my friend to join them on this social networking site Multiply. Having set up mine for about a year now, I gladly accepted their invitation. I like the way I am able to post as much pictures as I want on Multiply not to mention the easy photo editing tools they have. Lately I have learned to add music to my profile and it's just cool. Friendster on the other hand was the first social networking site I joined, and have been a member for almost 5 years now. Through the five years, I was able to find some long lost friends and former classmates that I've lost contact with. Needless to say, these social networking sites sort of became an avenue for me to be in contact with family and friends, now that all of us are living our own lives and are miles apart.

So..Birthdate's got to do with Lovelife?




Your Birthdate: June 12



You are certain and confident when you choose to love someone.

Even though your romantic choices may be unconventional - you stand behind them.

Your friends never know you as well as a romantic partner does.



Number of True Loves You'll Have: 4



Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 1



You are most compatible with people born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, and 30th of the month.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Roberta's Encouragement

One of my nicest friends' Roberta, never fails to send me messages of encouragement even if we don't get to see each other as often as we want to. I'd like to share some of her messages here and maybe someone might just get something out of it as well...

Things I Learned in Kindergarten That are Still Useful Today
  • Share everything
  • Play fair
  • Don't hit people
  • Put things back where you got them
  • Don't create a mess
  • Don't use crayons on the wall
  • Don't take things that aren't yours
  • Say sorry when you hurt somebody
  • Flush
  • Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you
  • Live a balanced life-learn,play,enjoy,sing,dance
  • Beware of strangers....and most of all
  • When you go out of the real world, make sure someone is holding your hand
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smooth roads never make good drivers, smooth seas never make good sailors, clear skies never make good pilots. A problem free life never makes a strong and good person. Be strong enough to accept the challenges of life. Don't ask Life "Why Me?" instead say, "Try Me." Have a tough but winning life!

The Lord is still preparing the best gift for you. Someday in your life at the right time, at the right place, EVERYTHING will be set accordingly. Just trust HIM, he'll make it happen.
--------Now wouldn't it make you all rev up for life's challenges???

Losing My "Dizzy Devil" Stuff Toy

I am a Tazmanian Devil and his miniature understudy-Dizzy Devil- FANATIC. Back in college, I remembered passing by a Character shop in a mall and a Dizzy Devil stuff toy was on display. I instantly liked it, and my first instinct was to see how much it cost. It was a bit pricey so I left the shop, only to come back after a few minutes to buy it. The money I spent was from all those lunches that I didn't take and snacks I never bothered to have. One that I find so lovable about Dizzy is his color, which apparently is my favorite. I went home very happy and Dizzy had a special spot in my room - in my bed or in my dresser. After I finished school, and moved to a different place to work, I couldn't bring dizzy with me. So I placed him on top of my closet, and every time I come home at my parents' I would get comforted just by the sight of him and the rest of my 5 other stuff toys. I don't even hug them anymore but just seeing them stuck in my shelf, always makes me feel relaxed. It may sound weird for some, how one can be so attached to inanimate stuff objects, but I have my reason for it. I grew up not having them, as i would usually get dolls and other toys as gifts.. It also reminds me of my ninong or the saved allowances which are usually what I use to purchase each one of them, that's why they are quite special to me. And it broke my heart when my Ma told me that she gave away my Dizzy to my cousins' little boy, because she couldn't stop him from crying. Whew! how do you answer such blow??? The only words I said was "i had it since i was in college"....to this she replied "pasensyahan mo na lang". Then I said " I don't have a choice anyway"...For some reason I feel like I just couldn't let it pass. I've had Dizzy for 10 years already, it was the first stuff toy I got for myself, saved up for it "my whole life", and would have wanted to pass it on to my future kids...But that won't be possible now. I'm not angry at the little boy who had it, in fact I liked him, enjoy his company. It's just that sometimes my personal stuff are soo personal to me that I couldn't afford giving them away. And I'm ssooo not over this issue yet.......Even if I'm surrounded by Taz items in my desk right now. hahahha....

Mom's Revel Bars


My Ma was here the first week of May. Not seeing her for the most part of the year, my siblings and I often get excited everytime she comes here. We had all the reasons to. First, she would always bring us fresh seafood and delicacies that you can only find in our hometown. The past few visits, though she added Revel Bars to her usual list of "pasalubongs". She brought some for us so she can let us taste her latest creation and she seems to be enjoying it when she sees us eating them with so much gusto. A very good cook that she was, she started telling me the recipe so I can do it myself. Just like when we were so much younger. I can say that we both share the same love for cooking and baking. I can't believe that the recipe was just so simple, I whipped one already last weekend. My siblings seemed to love it, they even brought some for their office mates.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup margarine, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 pc egg

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup oatmeal

1 tbsp cashew nuts or walnut, chopped

100 g semi-sweet chocolate, grated 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 can (234 g) Fresh Cut Crushed Pineapple, drained

Procedure:
PREHEAT
oven to 350°F. Grease a 7”x7” pan. Set aside.

CREAM margarine and brown sugar. Add egg, beating well after addition. Add vanilla. Set aside.

COMBINE flour and baking soda. Add to the margarine mixture. Mix well. Fold in oatmeal and nuts. Press 3/4 of this mixture at the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread DEL MONTE Fresh Cut Crushed Pineapple over crust (oatmeal mixture). Set aside.

MELT chocolate in a double boiler. Blend in condensed milk. Pour over crust. Cover and freeze for 15 minutes. Divide remaining oatmeal mixture into 6 portions. Press lightly onto pan to partly cover the chocolate topping. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool and chill for 3 hours. Cut into bars.



Sunday, May 25, 2008

Music of my Life

My influence in music hails from the fact that I came from a family of music lovers and from a grandfather who played the violin. Though I never got to learn it, I still can say that my earliest memory of my grandfather was spending New Year's in their home and listening to him play, and enjoying the fireworks afterwards. As I got older, I got introduced to the songs from the movie The Sound of Music. In fact I grew up with it. It's probably the one movie that I have seen the most number of times. I just never get tired watching it. And the songs, I know them by heart. Then I got hooked on listening to Tomorrow, from Annie, and if we can rewind the dates a little, I feel like I've heard the song Chiquitita for the longest time. It was just so familiar to me. And I knew the reason why - our neighbors were Abba fans and as my Ma had told me, when I was just a baby, these neighbors would keep playing Abba-thus the familiarity. When I started going to school, I couldn't study my lessons or do my homework without me listening to music. I never liked a very quiet bedroom, when studying. My music varies from rock,pop,jazz,Broadway,the classic and at a young age I was also listening to my father's records of Patti Page, Beatles and Bee Gees. Matt Monroe was in the list as well.

Through the years, I have learned to associate the different stages I went through in my life through songs. That's why it's hard for me to name just one favorite song. As I got more mature, I have found myself a perfect song - Baz Lhurmann's Everyone's Free to Wear Sunscreen.Though I've heard this so many times already, it still makes me cry every time. This song showed what a genius Lhurmann was, and as the say "the best advice one could ever get".

What's Cooking???

What's cooking today??? I actually came across this not so ordinary Menu and it would be nice sharing this one.

Appetizer

Name a color you find soothing.
>purple,white, celadon,light pink

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.
> It was fun! Or so I thought. It was the first and last day my Pap taught me to drive. He must have felt I have the making of a reckless driver. :)

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?
>Cotton!

Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?
> U2, Daughtry, Mariah Carey,David Cook

Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?
>Lots of letter "E"


Five Loaves and Two Fishes

This is probably my favorite Corrine May song. After hearing "On the Side of Me" and coming across this one, I'm again struck by the lyrics. This particular song never fails to make me feel a lot better and a lot stronger.
Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

A little boy of thirteen
was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing
and he went to take a look

Thousands were listening
to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom,
even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly
the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry
but there was no food in sight

The boy looked in his lunchbox
at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do
there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
the kindness in His smile
and the boy cried out
with the trust of a child
he said:"

Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
to feed them all"

I often think about that boy
when I'm feeling small
and I worry that the work I do
means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry
is a diamond in His hands
and every door that slams in my face
I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you willI surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small
I trust in youI trust in you

Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
no gift is too small


Saturday, May 24, 2008

Caring for Your Shoes and Bags

For most of us girls, our passion is collecting shoes and bags. We love having them in different designs and colors, anything that would match up any outfit, on any given occasion. Through the years, I've had a stock of shoes in my closet already, and so are my bags. Some of my shoes I have given away already to make way for my new pairs and the same goes with my bags. But how do you care for them, without ruining it's style and form and that they are not collecting dust in where you keep them? Let me share with you tips on how I keep mine, free from dust and retaining it's style and form......

Cleaning:
  • Use a dry brush to sweep away residue, when removing dry stains on fabric shoes and bags.Gently dab a damp of fabric of the same color as the bag or shoe on the stain; sprinkle baking soda. Once dry, brush again. Repeat if necessary but don't use too much baking soda.
  • Never dry clean bags and shoes with plastic beads on them. It melts plastic.
  • Those that are made of suede, velvet, terry cloth, tweed can be cleaned with a dry old toothbrush. Do not remove stains while wet nor trim the fabrics for this will ruin the items more.
  • For oily stains, immediately dab baking soda. Let it sit until the baking soda is absorbed. Pat the area dry with the fabric of the same color as the bag or shoe. Don't rub. If the stain is not removed, dab soda water and baking soda on it. Press a dry fabric cloth of the same color on the area until wetness is absorbed.
  • Do not soak a pair of shoes or a bag to remove stain. There are bags that has adhesives that will dissolve with water. It will make your bags and shoes yellowish and rusty-looking.
Keeping Them:
  • Store your shoes and bags that are made of delicate material in smooth fabric bags. beaded bags should be kept in cloth bags as well to prevent snagging.
  • Shoes and bags should not be kept in tightly knotted and with metal seal plastics. This allows oxidation and metal may stain the fabric.
  • Make use of shoe trees to keep the shape of your shoes, even those with straps.If you don't have a shoe tree you can use crumpled wrapping paper or brown paper. Do not use newspapers or colored papers as it might bleed into your shoe soles.
  • Hang your bags on wooden pegs. It makes it easier for you to choose which one to use when you're about to dress. Or....
  • Keep your shoes in a walk in closet, on a built in shoe rack. You can do away with the walk in closet, just maintain the shoe rack. =)

Touched by Mattie Stepanek

This young boy's name is Mattie Stepanek. I saw him guested on Oprah a few years back and listening to him talk, left me in awe at how he is able to always see the brighter side of things. I am a personal fan of his book "Heartsongs",where most of the poems he wrote there was able to help me go through with my life and it has been an inspiration when I'm at my lowest point. I'm sharing three of his poems and I hope that just like me and many others, you too would be touched by Mattie..

Heartsong
I have a song, deep in my heart,
And only I can hear it.
If I close my eyes and sit very still
It is so easy to listen to my song.
When my eyes are open and
I am so busy and moving and busy,
If I take time and listen very hard,
I can still hear my Heartsong.
It makes me feel happy.
Happier than ever.
Happier than everywhere
And everything and everyone
In the whole wide world
Happy like thinking about Going to Heaven when I die.
My Heartsong sounds like this:

I love you! I love you!
How happy you can be!
How happy you can make
The whole world be!

And sometimes it's other
Tunes and words, too,
But it always sings the
Same special feeling to me.
It makes me think of
Jamie, and Katie and Stevie,
And other wonderful things.
This is my special song.
But do you know what?
All people have a special song
Inside their hearts!
Everyone in the show wide world
Has a special Heartsong.
If you believe in magical, musical hearts,
And if you believe you can be happy,
Then you, too, will hear your song.

On Being a Champion
A champion is a winner,
A hero…
Someone who never give up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team…
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit…
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life…
Especially when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For life .

Making Real Sense of the Senses
Our eyes are for looking at things,
But they are also for crying
When we are very happy or very sad.
Our ears are for listening,
But so are our hearts.
Our noses are for smelling food,
But also the wind and the grass and
If we try very hard, butterflies.
Our hands are for feeling,
But also for hugging and touching so gently.
Our mouths and tongues are for tasting,
But also for saying words, like
"I love you," and
"Thank You, God. For all of these things.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Loving Becky's Kitchen




I was on the look out for some baked goodies that I was planning to give to my colleagues. I didn't want to give out cakes from the bakeshops that's already known to everyone. What I wanted was some home baked cakes and goodies...that would make it more special. Becky's Kitchen came to mind...I've heard it a lot of times, knew how to get to the place, but just didn't have the time to do so before. I called up their Valle Verde Branch first, to ask for the prices. They have very nice staff - who nicely answered my pricing queries. I had about 13 cakes and goodies in my list, and a few questions about the sizes and number of pieces per box, but I never heard their staff grumble. That was a good sign. Their cakes are at very reasonable prices. Their whole round cakes are at Php400-Php500 only. Most of their cheesecakes are at around Php550. Now, isn't that a good price and the products are all mouth watering ! I bought one whole Swiss Chocolate Cake , tried a slice of Potato Almond Crunch, a box of Walnut Brownies (32pcs), and a box of butterscotch bars(32 pcs). All of these and I still have a change for my Php1000. Whew! If you wanna try out their delectable cakes and goodies visit them at these branches:

Becky's Kitchen
Community Center, Suha St.,
Valle Verde I, Pasig City
Tel: 671-7606
Or
1061 P. Ocampo cor. Bautista St.
Singalong, Manila
Tel: 525-1648, 523-4245

A piece of advice: Go there early. Or better yet call them ahead of time to reserve. Their products are usually sold out, easily. That's Becky's Kitchen!

On A Day Like This

It is raining hard again..The past few days we have been experiencing heavy rains in the afternoon and I'm thinking - rainy season's here again.And in times like this, when going out seems to be out of the question (traffic can really be terrible when it rains you know), I get to do the things I wouldn't have done had it been a sunny day. Seems like I tend to busy myself with anything just so I can get myself off the idea of sleeping, which is probably the most convenient thing to do on a cold, gloomy afternoon. Picture this - it is your rest day, you just finished a very sumptuous lunch, you are all cuddled up in your room, watching t.v. , the cool breeze touching your face...whew! you are tempted to lie down your bed....To get me all pumped up again, on a lazy day such as this, I try to go online. Believe me, the minute I start checking my emails, and updating my blog entries, I would easily forget sleeping. And when I get tired of it, I start doing my unfinished scrapbook - not done with it but I'm half way through.Thank heaven's! Ha ha...This is also the time for me to clean up my room - sort out the stuff I don't wear anymore, throw the things I don't need and keep those that are still and yet to be used. By the time I'm done with all this, I begin to smell the aroma of coffee that has been brewing in the kitchen but I was too busy to notice. Took a sip of it and ah..this is life.....

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tuna Pasta

Was looking through some old photographs last night and saw the picture I had with some officemates during a team party. It was pot luck so I brought this tune pasta, which has been a family favorite. It was a hit for my team mates before the party was over they were already asking for the recipe. I was even receiving text messages from the others who have heard of it. It is just a twist to the usual spaghetti or fettuccini alfredo that many are used to, just substitute meat with tuna.




Tuna Pasta

1 kl pasta (fettuccini or spaghetti noodles)
2 cans all purpose cream

1 small can evaporated milk
2 cans tuna in brine or spicy (you can combine both)
1 can button mushroom (sliced)
Parmesan cheese (shredded)
½ cup butter
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Parsley for garnishing (chopped)

How to do it:

Cook pasta according to package instructions or until al dente.
In a pan, sauté onions and garlic until light brown stir in mushroom and tuna.
Pour in all purpose cream, cheese and season with salt and pepper.
Pour the sauce on your pasta garnish it with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Bon Apetit!


Cook Is the New Idol

This is my favorite American Idol moment...Cook sobbing in thanksgiving and disbelief that he was this season's winner. Performance night has been tough for Cook, since almost all the judges were only giving him "good" comments as opposed to the "awesome" comments received by David Archuleta. One would have thought Simon's comments would greatly affect the votes, but it didn't. America voted...and they have chosen wisely....
It is also worth noting that the finals night was able to showcase the kind of talents Idol had for this season. Brook White performing with Graham Nash, Syesha Mercado belting it out with Seal, Jason Castro doing one of his most applauded renditions - Hallelujah, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns singing "She Wrote Me a Letter", the six male finalists singing "Summer or 69" and the six female finalists sang Donna Summer hits.
Season 7 ended with David Cook singing this year's Idol song "Time of My LIfe"....Now that's what I call sexy!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Walking Her Home

I chanced upon this video and it made me cry watching it. The lyrics is just so beautiful...For my parents who are clebrating their 31st wedding anniversary soon.....Here is also the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6L_FhOtPuk





On Getting Invited to Wakeboard

Last week, a friend invited me to go with her group to CWC. She must have some very good convincing power to make me join her, though I have some second thoughts because of the dark clouds and heavy rains that has been hitting Metro Manila, I'm thinking there's no way we can experience a good weather in Cam Sur. Plus I don't know how to wake board in the first place so I wasn't so much interested at first. But she was persistent and I obliged. It was an 8-hour drive from Manila, and when we arrived there...we couldn't get settled in easily. All of us just wanted to to try out wake boarding right away. If you're a first timer, you get to try knee boarding first. I was successful in that one and I was all set for the wake board experience. After several bumps and unsuccessful attempts I was able to launch only to fall right away but who cares? It makes the whole experience more exciting.
When the cables are shut down and after everyone ate together, we took a nap
at the very cozy cabana... We had some time to splash in the swimming pool as well....and we ended the night by having a massage which is also available at the complex.

The next day we were on the road again back to Manila, all of us sunburned, but had a lot of stories and funny anecdotes to tell.

Getting Started

New entry on a new site. Wohoo! I'm excited. It took me a awhile before I finally decided to transfer on blogspot. I am maintaining 2 blogs now, this is the third, but would probably move all my stuff in the other blog here...But that would be at a later time. For now, I'll just enjoy blogspot's features....