Summer Time is Camping Time

Another outdoor activity that excites me when I think of Summer is camping. Well, who doesn't love Summer Camps? Camping is almost synonymous with the word "adventure".

Why, of course, camping is a lot of fun. It's affordable. It's a change of pace from the toxic urban life. The thought of sitting around a campfire under a clear sky, gazing up at the stars, and listening to the sounds of the night is rejuvenating!

So, if you want go camping with your family and friends, here are the things you need to prepare:

1. Food/Water. Of course, you want to make sure you have enough food to consume during the trip and while on the camping site. It's not going to be fun if you are starving throughout the day. If you are a little OC like me, you might want to make a checklist like this:
__Large water jug/ water bucket
__Coolers/ice
__Thermos
__Soap to wash the utensils
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Matches/lighter
__Tongs
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
__Cooking oil
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Folding table
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates,  bowls/paper plates ; bowls
__Mugs/paper cups
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil
__Paper towels
__Napkins/Tissue papers
__Trash bags
__Seasonings/sugar/condiments

2. Miscellaneous: Extra clothes, money, cellphone, phone charger, towels, camera, mp3 player/iPod, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kit.

3. Shelter. You need to make sure you have enough stuff to prepare your campsite shelter. Here are the things you need to bring:
tent, ground cloth, hammer, mat for tent entrance, blankets, pillow

I'm sure you have your own checklist on what to bring for camping. ^_^

I'm glad I found a website about Coleman Tents and Shelters for Camping - the number one resource for all camping needs. Whether you need a camping tent or a beach tent they have it all. They stock Coleman Tents and lanterns. They know everything we need for camping. This company has been a leading maker of supplies and gear for campers everywhere for many generations.

Coleman camping tents are available in child sized, large cabin models, and even pet specific so there is the perfect shelter to safely house everyone in your group rain or shine. Made with some of the best materials available Coleman tents will last for many camping seasons with the proper care so that you do not have to buy a new tent every season. Get the Coleman Tents you need for summer, fall or winter through their web site.

A sponsored post by Coleman Tents and Shelters for Camping.

How to Make an Aquarium

Hi, whatzup! ^^

I had four days off from work last week from Sunday to Wednesday. It's because I had 2 days vacation leave from work and two rest days. Sunday was our family day slash worship day. On Monday we went to Aqua Cainta - a pool resort nearby. On Tuesday I got bored. So I decided to buy a fish as a pet.

I've always been interested with ornamental fishes. When I was a kid, I used to buy gold fish from a near by pet shop but it always end up dead the next day or next week. It's because I didn't know how to take care of it back then.

So again, I bought 3 red-capped gold fishes, an 8 x 12 x 6 small aquarium and some aquatic plants.


... and of course some pebbles to deceive the fishes. Aquatic plants shown above are being sold for only P5.


... aren't they lovely? ^^
There ye go fish! Please my babies go ye and multiply. LOL

Hmm... I'm thinking of giving them names. What do you think would be good names for them?

Posted on Monz Avenue blog.

Pimp My Truck

Lowrider trucks or mini-trucks are very useful vehicles especially when you are moving stuff from one house to another. It is also good for traveling. Some people would simply prefer truck than fancy sports cars. These people simply prefers comfortableness and affordability with added benefit of increased utility. If you have a truck and you want to enhance its appearance. You have come to the right blog post as I will be directing you to where to pimp your truck.

Access, a leading tonneau cover manufacture offers 7 styles of pickup covers to enhance your pickup truck.

Each Access tonneau cover offers specific benefits for pickup truck owners. Their base model is the Access tonno sport, which is a low profile tonno starting at under $300. The mid-range models include the literider tonneau cover and the Vanish tonneau cover. Priced around $350, these 2 truck covers offer a few more features than the sport model. There deluxe covers include the Access tonneau cover and the Lorado tonneau cover. Both are about the same, except the lorado is more low profile. And lastly for the person who want the best, check out the Access limited. The limited edition offers more features and benefits than any other rollup tonneau.

If you are looking to enhance your truck, consider checking out the Access literider tonneau cover.

This post is sponsored by Access LiteRider. Thank you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in a Call Center Company

Evidently, the industry of call centers as well as the rest of the Business Process Outsourcing has become a blast for many Filipinos. Since the start of the rise of this industry, the unemployment rate has drastically lowered significantly. Being in the call center industry have its own advantages and disadvantages that you have to consider especially if you are regarding it to be a resort on having a job that can fend you your daily needs.

Continue reading...

- Guest Writer:LemonWriter
- Posted on Monz Avenue

Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest Major Sponsors

Below are the four MAJOR sponsors of Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary contest:


I Am Buraot
A blog about politics, the environment, religion, philanthropy, and everything else that is life. Author is known for his generosity in sponsoring contests. The home of the famous

EntreDropper.Anak Ni KulapoYet another blog of Buraot. If you want to die laughing, then go visit Anak Ni Kulapo. His life in the US and hilarious stuff about his home country are only two of the must-sees in this blog.

Seiko's Diary
The blog title says it all. This is Seiko's journal about being a mom to her five gorgeous kiddos, her take on life in general, and random musings of a woman who loves life.

Mom Conversations
A new blog about everything concerning mothers: pregnancy, health and fitness and babies are the current categories, under which are detailed articles containing tips and valuable information for moms everywhere.

Please drop by these blogs if you have the time and see why they are worthy of a special mention. :)

Posted on http://www.monzavenue.com

Be Ready to Have a Baby

My mom has been asking me when will she ever have a grandchild from me. Well, that's a tough question to answer especially if I haven't even thought of getting married.

You see, it's not easy to become a parent. Babies need a lot of attention and tender loving care. Not only for a certain period of time within a day but regularly - yes, throughout the day.

To be able to fulfill their responsibility properly, parents need a lot of preparation for their baby's arrival. Just like any major step in life, like getting married or even putting up a business, one must first sit down and carefully calculate the expense. Raising a child, which is also known as a 20-year project or more than that, is a lot more complicated than running a business.

One must be mentally, emotionally, spiritually and most of all, financially ready before deciding to bear a child. Pregnancy can be a disaster to a lady if both parties are not ready. Thankfully there is an available Pregnancy forum online that can help young parents with all of the latest information regarding everything we need to know about pregnancy and what to expect, through to everything we need to know about raising a baby. If you are having a baby or planning to have one, you might want to register at BabiesBase. Registration is free.

This is a paid-post by BabiesBase.

Health Insurance

Are you looking for a job?
Or do you have a job but not earning enough?
Or are you looking for an extra-income?
Times are hard but there are still a lot of ways to earn money.

Try being a sales insurance agent. You see, life is so unpredicatable. We are not in control on what's going to happen to us in the future. For that reason, more and more people are shopping for health insurance.

And now with ProspectZone, it is so easy to get higher quality health insurance leads. ProspectZone is the leading provider of insurance leads on the internet. They are specializing in health insurance leads, life insurance leads and uninsurable leads. With their network of insurance websites that produce more than 6,000 leads on a daily basis, you can never go wrong with ProspectZone. They have been in the insurance lead business since 2002 and has been connecting interested online insurance shoppers with professionals who can provide them with competitive quotes.

Whether you are a sole agent or a broker, Internet plays a big role in boosting your sales. From lead-generating websites to highly-effective software tools, their agency products and insurance software will save you time, make your work easier for you and make buying insurance easier for any customers.

Please note, however, that ProspectZone is strictly a lead company. In other words, they don't sell insurance. They don't make loans. Basically, what they do is effectively connecting sales insurance agents or brokers with people who are shopping for insurance.

They help insurance agents grow their books of business by connecting them with highly qualified and motivated prospects.

So what are you waiting for? Simply give them a call or request one of the sales consultants to contact you today.

Their contact information is available on their website.

First Post for 2010

Ayun! 2010 na pala. Akalain mo yun?

English Translation: There you go! It's 2010 already. Would you believe it? (hehe bat parang mas mahaba yung English Translation ko. LOL. yaan nyo na. blog ko to. ^^)

Nyahaha! Pasensya na medyo masaya lang talaga ako. Kung bakit, secret na yun. ^^

Ambilis ng panahon ano? Iisang post lang ata nagawa ko sa buwan ng Disyembre. Isang mabilisang tanong lang, napapansin nyo din ba na parang mas mabilis ang takbo ng panahon ngayon kesa dati? Ibig sabihin ba nun mas mabilis na umikot ang mundo?

Anyways, how was my year 2009? I don't know about you but I am happy to leave 2009 behind. Hmm... Let me create a list about the year that was. Gaya-gaya na naman ako key (CF Rhona):

1. January. Year 2009 will always be a significant year to me. Cuz it's the year when I found the blogosphere and blogger friends. Technically, I started blogging in Dec 2008 but I found blogger friends in year 2009. Personal favorite post for January is Untiring Love: Lizard love story

2. February. It's the time of the year when almost everyone is in love. Personally, I don't celebrate Valentines but here's my favorite pic for that month.
Personal favorite blog posts:
* Why Do I Blog?
* The One that Got Away: It was an article written by Mark Macapagal of Manila Times. It's about that person with whom almost everything was great, almost everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn't fall the right way.

3. March. I started promoting the Love Emo Shirt Design by ZeroBriant.
* Does You Handwriting Tell a Story? It's a tagged-post or a post for a tag (whatever! ^^) The main goal of that tag game is for the blogger to show off his handwriting by taking a picture of it and posting it on his blog. And I think I did well. Nyay! ^_^

4. April. We went to Olanggo Islands for Island Hopping as our Last Team Building.

It was a lot of fun. Swimming slash snorkeling was my favorite part of the day. When you go to Cebu, you should try Island Hopping. Just lemme know, I'll go with you, basta ba sagot mo yung gastos. LOL ^_^



5. May. Sumali ako sa Santacruzan. Kris Allen won American Idol. ^^ hehe feeling close. Manny Pacquaio won against Ricky Hatton by TKO on the 2nd round. On work-related stuff, this was the time when we heard about the bad news that the account will be dissolved and we will be transferred to a different account. That was sad, but we got over it.

6. June. We started our training at a new account but the same company. That's the time I was introduced to a somehow cool phone called Palm Pre. On blogging stuff, I joined three blogging contests:
* Rhona's Pa-kontest
* Otep's Libre Lang Mangarap Shirt
* OrphicPixel's Domain Contest

7. July. Started taking calls at the new Account. For someone who got so used to do chat support or email support, I was a little bit having a hard time talking to Americans on the phone but eventually got used to it. On blogging stuff, I launched my very first self-hosted All-About-Emo-Love-Article-Writing contest. Thank you so much to the sponsors. Congrats to Winkie, TSI, Jason, Ax, Lovely and Alvin! My apologies to Edz, Shattershards and Bluguy. Their prizes are still on its way. Actually I still have the shirts here. Di ko pa din na-papadala through LBC. I'm really sorry for the delay, I promise to send it within this month. I keep losing your addresses kasi. Calling Edz and Shattershards, please leave your addresses or simply message me on Facebook. Thanks. To Bluguy, pano ko naman ipapadala tu sa Roma? :(

8. August. Miss Winkie won my pa-kontest. I casted my vote for Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009 (Updated!)

9. September. I moved from my previous call center company to a new one.
10. October. I was introduced to the latest and coolest operating system developed by Microsoft, the Windows 7. I got trained for one month. Everyone was saddened by the Ondoy tragedy.

11. November. I was totally absent from the blogosphere. Not even a single blog post.

12. December. I joined the real estate business. On the call center-work-related stuff, I got a good news that I will be transferred to the Chat Support Team. And that's very awesome because I won't get to hear the voices of the irate and frustrated customers.

Yey! ^_^ What a sweet life!

In short, the year 2009 ended pretty well for me. I lost some, but gained a lot of new ones and new things.

“There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching...”

- Anonymous.

Best Web Hosting Provider

More and more bloggers have decided to buy and get their own personal domain name. At first I thought, “well if it's just your personal blog you don't need your own domain. Private domains are good for commercial sites.” But as I've become more exposed to the web, I learned that there are advantages from getting your own personal domain name. Here goes the list of positive effects of having your own personal domain name:

1. Boosts up website traffic. You have your own trademark and you become more memorable. It is easier for your visitors to type in your URL because it becomes shorter.

2. Better search engine ranking. When it comes to search engine ranking the keywords in the homepage (index) of a domain rank higher than any other pages.

3. More theme or template options. On a sub-domain you are limited when it comes to theme selection and making template changes. In fact, on some blogging platforms bloggers cannot access their underlying template files and make any changes at all.

4. New E-mail accounts. Most personal domain name comes with free e-mail accounts.

5. A lot more. Feel free to name one.

Web Hosting Geeks offers a directory of today's best web hosting providers of the year! Cheap professional web hosting service plans starting from $3.95; all webhosting plans include at least one free domain name registration and 30 day money back guarantee.

They also offer FREE domain name registration included when you purchase hosting from one of their web hosting partner providers. Some of our web hosting providers offer up to 5 free domain names or a free domain name forever when you signup for a web hosting service.

For more information, visit their website by click on this link here: Web hosting

Hmm.. I wonder when will I be able to get my own domain name. *wink

Note: This is a sponsored post for Web Hosting Geeks through payperpost.com.

Kris Allen is the New American Idol

And the winner is... Kris Allen!

Folksy singer Kris Allen is the new "American Idol," turning judges' favorite Adam Lambert into an also-ran.

Host Ryan Seacrest said on Wednesday's finale that nearly 100 million votes were cast for the finalists. The 23-year-old Allen, a student from Conway, Arkansas, bested the 27-year-old Lambert, a theater actor from San Diego.

The two-hour finale included performances by the Black Eyed Peas, Cyndi Lauper, Carlos Santana and Rod Stewart. Lambert performed with Kiss and Allen dueted with Keith Urban.

Allen gets a record contract along with his "American Idol" title.

Source: Yahoo!

Many viewers believe that Adam's punky-rock style and the nasty humors about him (pics of him being gay and kissing other men) may have alienated voters in conservative states, including in the south. Kris Allen hails from Arkansas.

Do you believe that Kris Allen deserves it? Why or why not? ^_-

Listen to Kris Allen's version of No Boundaries (Studio Version).


KRIS ALLEN - BOUNDARIES

Lyrics:

Seconds hours so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment last forever if you feel you’ve lost your way
What if your chances are already gone
Started believing that I could be wrong
But you give me one good reason
to fight and never walk away

Coz hear I am — still holding on!

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe its harder to believe

You’ll make it through the pain (or through all your aches and pains)
Weather the hurricane
To get to that one thing

When you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand and show you that you can

You can go higher
You can go deeper
There are no boundaries
Above and beneath you
B-reak every rule coz there’s nothing between you
and your dreams

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe its harder to believe

To listen to Adam Lambert's version, click here.

Lastly, I just wanna let you know that I am loving this video and the song as well.

Ten Random Pet Peeves

Once again, I got tagged. Some bloggers hate it when they are tagged. But for me it’s cool to be tagged especially when I am running out of ideas to write. So keep on tagging me guys. LOL.

Thank you Reesie for the tag.

Just like any other tag, this tag comes with a rule. List down 13 things that you hate or your pet peeves. Be it a person, a thing or a whatever. But I’m too lazy to make it 13, so I was only able to come up with 10.

So here goes my list of random things that I hate.

1. Bullies. They can easily get on my nerves. I think the term is self-explanatory.

2. Smokers. I think they’re selfish. Why? Because they only think about self-pleasure without taking consideration of its harmful effects not only to themselves but most especially to the people around them. I have weak lungs, so I have basis on hating them. It’s a major turn off.

3. Indecent proposals. It’s not that I’m saying that I frequently receive indecent proposals. I know for a fact that I am not the hottest guy in town. I don’t even consider myself hot. But believe it or not, I have received indecent proposals not once and not twice but N-times na!!! LOL! I dunno why. What’s making it more sickening is when such proposal comes from a dirty old gay or from a matrona. haha. Di naman ako mapili, ayoko lang sa amoy lupang bastos o flirt! LOL.

4. Fakers. People who create fake profiles of famous celebrities.

5. Posers. Just like number four, these are the kinds of people who create profiles and not using their own picture. To make it worse, they claim to be the real owner of those pictures.

6. Spam and Scammers. Have you ever received an e-mail saying that you just won a $1,000,000 from an online lottery? Or some deceased Nigerian billionaire wants to transfer their funds to your bank account? Haha! Please delete that e-mail right there and then. Don’t fall into their trap. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, then most likely, it is just a scam.

7. Atheists. I don’t exactly hate them. It just saddens me that some people can not see the fact that God exists. I hate it that they have closed their eyes and sealed their minds from seeing the evidences of a Creator. I don’t like them because they mislead people.

8. Conceited, self-important and insensitive individuals. I think, usually these three characteristics usually come together in one person. When a certain person is conceited, they think they deserve a VIP treatment and they think they’re above everyone else. They do whatever they desire to do without taking consideration what other people would feel. Insensitivity that is.

9. Leeches. Literally, I hate those little creatures that cling to the skin to suck blood and will only go away when they are satisfied. Figuratively speaking, people sometimes behave like leeches do. They would come to you and pretend to be “friends” but the truth is, they only come to you because there is something in you that would be beneficial to them. In other words, they are there for a reason – selfish reasons. They cling to you perhaps because they need you to get their work done. These are the kind of “friends” that evaporates once you’re the one who’s in need. Also, leeches are most likely social-climbers.

10. No common sense slash extremely dumb individuals. These are the kind of people who keeps asking the same thing everyday. Like, “Hey! I don’t know how to send a picture as an e-mail attachment!” Then, as a Good Samaritan as you are, you’d help them and walk them through the process. But then the next day, they have exactly the same problem. And then you teach them again. What if that happens for the third time? Will you not be irritated? Well, okay lang sana if you are dealing with old people or people who hasn’t touched a computer in their whole life ever. But they are just people of your age. The thing is, they are just too lazy to use their common sense. Tsk!

“I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries.” - Theodore Isaac Rubin

That's all! Have a great day guys!

Interview with OFWs: On Working Abroad

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. In fact, I was raised by a wonderful single parent yet financially-challenged lady, my mom. Ever since then, surviving in this crazy world has always been a challenge. My mom had tried working as a secretary, promo girl, dressmaker, cook and I’ll-ask-her-later-cuz-i-forgot-kind-of jobs. Now that I have come of age and my mom is not getting any younger, I feel like it is now my turn to give her a happy and fulfilling life that she deserves. Don’t ask me about my dad, he has always been out of the picture. He’s like a catch-me-if-you-can type of dad. No, I am not Leonardo DeCaprio’s son. How I wish!

Anyway, I believe that working abroad will not only widen my horizon but will also potentially improve my career life. But just like any first-timers, I have fears on what’s in store for me out there. What will be the challenges that I’m going to encounter? So I made a little interview and my interviewees were the OFW blogger-friends that I met here in the so-called blogosphere. I sincerely thank them for their cooperation. I really am grateful. So read on and learn from the veterans. ;p

Note: You will be seeing cute faces below however please be aware that this is not a dating site.^_-

Click on their names to go to their respective sites. :)


Reesie of Reesie.net, USA

Me: How long have you been working as an OFW?
Reesie: 4 long years.

Me: Wow! That’s quite long already. What’s the biggest challenge that you have encountered as an OFW?

Reesie: Communication and culture gap. Conversational english (US) is way different than the Formal English that was taught to us since kindergarten. It took me a while to learn their slang and colloquial language. Additionally, I had to listen very well to my boss and co-workers when they spoke considering that their accent was difficult to understand, at first. My bisaya accent was so prevalent back then. It took me a year to adjust, adapt, and immerse in their languange.
But one major challenge that is very hard to overcome is the loneliness. Being alone and away from your family and friends is frustrating and unbearable sometimes. The first six months were the worst ones. The only thing that can get me through each day is the taught that I am helping my family back home- that they have a decent life because of me-to say the least.



KJ of KrisJasper.com, UK

Me: How long have you been working as an OFW?
I moved here Feb 2003.


Me: What’s the biggest challenge that you have encountered as an OFW?
Hmmm.. luckily my agents had put me in a cool workplace (up to now) I was the only foreigner before so it was cool! The only challenge I guess is just becoz I have chinky eyes they always assume I can speak chinese. LOL!

If you're thinking if I miss Pinas! Oh yeah! definitely! But good that there's TFC, everytime I see these terrible politicians arguing with each other, that puts me off from "early retiring" in Pinas. lol!


Rye aka Flamindevil, Malaysia

Me: How long have you been working as an OFW?
I’ve been in KL since August 18, 2008. I’m turning 8 months old. Yippee

Me: What’s the biggest challenge that you have encountered as an OFW?
Being away from my family and friends has been the biggest challenge yet. There are only two things which can happen when you’re working abroad--- either you’ll survive or not. The first few weeks were hell. I missed my family and friends terribly. Being away from one’s comfort zone is not the easiest challenge that a person may encounter. Most of the times, I still have to prepare my food after a hard day’s work. Even if I’m dead tired, I have no choice.

What are the pros and cons being an OFW?
I learned to be independent here in KL. I believe I matured fast. I made bold decisions without consulting my parents. I learned and realized that one could really survive and make it if he wants to. ‘If I Can, I will because I’m good at it.’ However, there are still times when I get lonely as much as I dun wanna entertain the idea. It usually happens during birthdays and holidays. I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic of the times when I was in Manila . I sometimes feel deprived of familiar warmth and affection. I inevitably wish for people who could light up my need for familiar faces, familiar voices and tested bond.

Sherwin, Iraq

How long have you been working as an OFW?
Worked in Saudi Arabia for 3 years and another 3 years in Iraq.

What’s the biggest challenge that you have encountered as an OFW?

Working abroad was like searching a needle inside the dark room, clueless and totally blind. I don’t have any idea what path I’m walking through but aside from those, I have learned to stand on my own feet, making decisions without somebody’s influence and live my life everyday as exciting as riding on a bicycle for the first time. A doubtful skin is all I have (maybe it’s just the thought that I’m a Filipino) and the fact that I’m in a religious Muslim country where the perfect intensive authority is implemented. But then again, I was able to gain experience when it comes to my chosen profession.

There you have it. The very inspiring answers of our OFW blogger friends. Hmm... I'm just soo excited to work abroad.

What’s Eating You?

It’s been almost a week or a little over a week since my last post. Actually, I already have made two rough drafts for my next entries. And what’s taking me so long to publish them is that I have been a little ambivalent on which entry should I publish first. And until now, I have still yet to decide. Thus, to make a halt on the increasing gap between my last post and my next post, I hereby, publish this “mema”-entry. Note: I got the term from ChaosPilot’s blog entry entitled “MEMA”. (Derived from “May ma-“ like memasabi lang or memapost lang. hehe)

I got tagged by Bluguy. According to the rule, answer each question in just one word. I’ll try.

Where is your cellphone? locker

Are you currently in a relationship? No

What's the color of your hair? black

Describe your work. chatting

Describe your sister. supergirl

What's your favorite thing? cellphone

What's your dream last night? mystical

What's your favorite drink? milk-tea

What's your dream car? Porsche-Panamera

The room you’re in: office

Describe your shoes. leather

What's your greatest fear? falling

What do you want to be in ten years? rich

Who did you hang-out with this week-end? cousins

What are you not good at? breakdancing

One of your wish list items: Sports-car

Where you grew up? Cebu


Last thing you did: bloghopping

Your pet: dog

Your computer: laptop

Your life: gift

Your mood: dizzy

What are thinking about right now? future

Your favorite color: olive-green

Last time you laughed: a-while-ago

Last time you cried: last-week

What do you think about school? cool

Describe love: crazy

Describe the person who gave you this tag: cool

Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment. - Grenville Kleiser 1868-1953, American Author

“What’s eating you?”

My 12-year old cousin was asking me, “Kuya, what’s eating you?” I was a little startled with her question, so I was like, “Huh?” Then she said, “Dugay na man ko wa kita nimo… what’s eating you?” (I haven’t seen you for a while, what’s eating you?)

Instead of answering her, I ran to the nearest computer and I made a little research about it. I googled, “what’s eating you?” (Akalain mong mas marami pang alam na figure of speech yung bata, kesa sakin. Tsk tsk!)

I learned that, “What’s Eating You?” can be interpreted as:
* What’s consuming your time lately?
* What’s bugging you?
* What’s making you busy lately?

So, what’s eating me lately?

Basically, these are the things that's currently "eating" me aside from my regular job:

• Blogging and Bloghopping - I am having fun, aren't you?


• Pet Society / Facebook
  Do you have a facebook account? If you do, and if you’ve heard about Pet Society, then yes, that’s one of the online games that’s currently consuming my time. Feel free to add me up. Simply search Ray Bajan on facebook and add me up. Thank you.

• DOTA: Defense of the Ancients is a custom scenario for Warcraft III, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft The objective of the scenario is to destroy the opponents' "Ancient". The two teams' ancients are heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission. Source: Wikipedia.com

• Reading Awake! Magazine: Awake! is a general-interest magazine published by the The WatchTower Organization. The title comes from Mark 13:33 and Luke 12:36. It is considered a companion magazine to The Watchtower which focuses mostly on Bible study and doctrine. Awake! has a wider scope than the Watchtower, publishing articles on science, nature and geography, usually with a religious slant.


• Chatting with friends online. Most of these online friends are young OFW's. I have always dreamed of working abroad that's why almost every once in a while I give these guys a buzz on YM and ask them about how is it like living and working abroad.

On my next post, I will be featuring some young OFW with a glimpse of their stories.

On Global Warming

I first heard about “Global Warming” way back in first year high-school. Back then, I had no idea about what Global Warming really is. Back then, my limited capability of understanding things could only grasp the idea that Global Warming is just a natural phenomenon every summer. I was dead-wrong!

“Is there really something wrong with the weather?”

Well, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research says: "When we observe global weather—the extremes in precipitation, floods, droughts, storms—and note its development, we can rightly say that these extremes have quadrupled over the last 50 years."

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation is believed to be the result of an "enhanced greenhouse effect" mainly due to human-produced increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and changes in the use of land.
- source Wikipedia.com

In other words, human activities are causing this worldwide phenomenon to go amok. Yes, humans are the ones to be blamed. Our planet Earth has been abused to the point that it can’t take anymore. Although this problem sounds too massive for an individual to take on, there is still something that we can do to help in our own ways. So what can we do in our own little way to help prevent Global Warming?

* Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible.

* Unplug electronics when they are not in use, because they still take up energy. At the very least, turn items off when they’re not being used.

* Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have a full load, and if available, use the energy-saving setting.

* Plant a tree.

* Use nontoxic cleaning products.

* I'd like to end my list here. But we still can do a lot more. Please make a research. (",)

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Note: The following information was originally posted by Wilfred at his blogsite.

On the 28th of March 2009, at 8:30 in the evening (local time), everyone is encouraged to participate on the first international election between the Earth and global warming, through the Earth Hour.

Let's all grab this opportunity to take part in this international movement and cast our vote for the Earth by switching our lights off for an entire hour (that's only sixty minutes or three thousand six hundred seconds). Leaving your lights on means a vote for global warming. The goal for this year is to gather one (1) billion votes for the Earth, which will be presented to the world leaders in the upcoming Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The official goverment policies to take action agaisnt global warming and the subsequent climate change that will be determined from this meeting will replace the Kyoto Protocol.

Earth Hour was initiated last 2007 in Sydney, and was participated by 2.2 million homes and businesses. A year later, in 2008, it had grown up into a global sustainability movement with up to 50 million people switching their lights off.

This year, Earth Hour 2009 is being taken to a new level, where every individuals, encompassing all races, from different countries, are encouraged to VOTE EARTH. Every one is being called up to take a stand and control over the future of our planet.

Let's all vote because every vote counts.

Again, VOTE EARTH by simply switching your lights off for one hour on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM local time, taking part in the global movement -- the Earth Hour.

Make a single flick at that switch, that's just it!

Should you wish to join, you can register by clicking on the "VOTE EARTH" ad in the sidebar.

PS: However, we all know that we have different circumstances. It may not be wise for some to totally turn off all their lights or their appliances. In my case, since we have a total of 6 electric flourescent lights in my house, I will make sure that at that very hour, 5 of them will be turned off and I will not turn my computer on. We all can make a difference in our own little way! Think about the future.

Sources:

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
Watchtower: http://www.watchtower.org/e/20030808/article_02.htm
Wilfred’s Blog: http://adiklupet.blogspot.com/2009/03/thinking-urchin-supports-earth-hour.html

By the way, thank you Jeszieboy for inviting me to join EARTHHOUR 2009.

Why do I blog?

I never had any interest in writing. In fact, I suck at this field. I know I don't have the talent and I don't have the discipline. My bad! I used to miss my English classes way back in high-school and college. I used to think English is just a "minor" subject, not as important as Biology or Physics. I remember during my elementary years when we had to compose an essay in a formal theme. Argh! Ang ginagawa ko noon, nagpapa-cute ako sa teacher ko at tinatanong ko kung pwedeng assignment na lang. Tapos ipapagawa ko sa ate ko. Pag di naman nag-work yung pagpapa-cute ko eh, pinapagawa ko na lang sa katabi ko yung formal theme. Haha! Astig di ba? May personal secretary.

Ngayon na-realize ko na sana pinagbuti ko yung ganung mga essay writing na yon e di sana mas magaling ako magsulat ngayon. Peru ayos lang ika nga, it's never too late to learn.

Nung una, pampalipas oras lang to. After the wicked IT guys blocked Friendster, Myspace, Facebook and Multiply in the office, I thought blogging would be another way for me to cure boredom.

Well, it actually started like "Oh, everyone else is doing it. And they're enjoying it, so maybe I should do it too." One of these people that I personally know is Glenn/Gavin/Maldito. Just a bit of information guys, Maldito and I are officemates. Haha! He keeps telling me not to disclose that information, perhaps he fears that it might unfold the "mystery" of him as an anonymous blogger. heheh. Sorry Gavin, I just did. Don't worry, I know your readers will love you even more. Peace bai! ;)

Seriously, I thought, it would be worth it to share thoughts with some of the articulate digital self publishers known as "bloggers." Little did I know it would turn into a hobby. Little did I know that I'd gain friends and get a little "emotionally-attached" with them. Haha.. Yeah mushy! I know. But seriously guys, I appreciate all the kindness you have shown me here in the blogosphere.

Now I've just realized, I blog because I want to stay connected with you all - the most wonderful people in this virtual world.

This is my 21st entry and I would like to take this opportunity to say "I thank you guys!" for all your comments on my posts, they serve like proof that you, veteran and non-veteran bloggers (like me), acknowledge my existence in this virtual world. And that means a lot to me already. I would like to make a special mention of the following bloggers who has touched the softest part of my.... uhhm heart.

• Rye aka FlaminDevil. For all your inspiring posts. For being a very friendly blogger and for always giving positive comments on my entries. You have no idea how much your entries made me jealous of your talent. Your writing style seems simple yet creative, very well-written and sincere. No wonder why the number of your readers are increasing day by day. ;)

• Kris the ex-PROSETITUTE, but now known as theCHAOSPilot. For being one of the first commenter on my first entry. His superb way of writing makes me envious, haha, how I wish I could write that well.

• Dencios. Another cool guy, and not to mention, gwapong-gwapong blogger (again, like me.. hehe) who never fail to give uplifting comments. I really appreciate that.

• Winkie. Have I told you, I love your style of writing? Parang casual lang peru effective. Like, it shows your bubbly spirit and the effect to me is refreshing. Thank you talaga.
  

Teka, nakakapagod mambola... hehe. At dahil I'm running out of time, kasi nasa internet shop lang ako dahil rest day ko ngayon, mamadaliin ko na to. Naputulan kasi ako ng internet sa bahay.

I sincerely thank you guys for being so cool in an awesome way:
Azul, Abrel, Bluguy, Cindy, Desza, Jaja, Kokoi, Kris Jasper, Lion Heart, Mac, Marah, Markey, Payatot, Ron Turon, Ron (thecoffinrock), Vanvan, Wilfred. Sa lahat ng nasa Friendslist/Bloglist ko. heheh. Pasensya na sa hindi na-mention hehe.

Marami pa akong kakaining bigas, and I'm more than willing to learn not only to eat but to cook as well.

PS: I wish we could meet someday.

The One That Got Away

I got this from an office mate/friend and I am sharing this article as this has made an impact to me.



The One That Got Away

Source: The Manila Times
By: Mark J. Macapagal

In your life, you'll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with... and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn't fall the right way, I suppose.



I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a longtime partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing. It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little nice ties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn't matter who you're with, it just doesn't work. Small problems become big; inconsequentia ls become dealbreakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

........... Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come.

Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn't matter. All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about. You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?" You'll wonder, "What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?"

That's what the one that got away is, the biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

If you're married, you'll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you're mature enough to realize that you're already with the one you're with and this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you'll think about him/her every so often, but it's alright. It's never nice to live with a "might have been," but it happens... Maybe the one that got away is the one who's already married. In which case it's the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you're old and gray and reminiscing. But if neither of that is the case, then it's different.

What do you do if it's not yet too late? Simple...find him, find her. Because the very existence of a "one that got away" means that you'll always wonder, what if you got that one? Ask him out to coffee, ask her out to a movie, it doesn't matter if you've dropped in from out of nowhere. You'd be surprised, you just might be "the one that got away" as well for the person who is your "the one that got away." You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won't make a difference.

If the timing is finally right, it'll all just fall into place somehow and you know, I'm thinking, it would be a great feeling, in the end, to be able to say to someone, "Hey you, you're the one that almost got away.