Personal Resolutions

I know it is too late in the year to be jotting down personal resolutions.
But one incidence just the other night made me
realize that I must do something to improve myself and my
relationships with other people.

So, every once in a while, I will be posting my
own personal "resolutions" that I would like
to stick with as long as I can, (for I can not promise
to be able to do this forever :) I am just starting, you know,
so give me some slack.

We Can Make a Difference

Friends, please read this piece,
written by Mr. Raffy Perfecto.

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I wrote a similar article that was published in July
23, 2000. This time I would like to share with you
some suggestions that may improve our economy and
generate jobs for millions of Filipinos. Perhaps our
Filipino brothers and sisters who are well off can
play a major role in this task of economic survival.

1. Invest your surplus funds on agricultural ventures
and enterprises. Encourage our businessmen to
concentrate on providing enough food for all Filipinos

2. Buy only Filipino-made goods. (Avoid buying
smuggled or imported goods). When we buy Filipino-made
goods, we assure our children jobs when they graduate.

3. Use your spare time studying entrepreneurship or
learning a new business. Make yourself productive all
the time.

4. Cut-down on recreation and entertainment expenses
and save the amount in our local banks.

5. Each one should save at least 10% of their income,
no matter how small. If half of our population (42
million Filipinos) save P10.00 per day, our local
banks will have P12.6 Billion every month to lend out
to Filipino businessmen at very low interest rates.

6. Boost Philippine tourism by inviting friends and
relatives abroad to visit home twice a year. It is
estimated that there are at least 20 million Filipinos
abroad!

7. If you are fortunately employed, you are encouraged
to go the extra mile for your company and your
country. Many Filipinos are just using 70% of their
abilities. A 20% to 25% increase in individual
productivity is attainable.

8. Organize more Cooperatives to help the poor.

9. Reduce tariffs on imported production &
agricultural equipment

10. Respect property rights; observe the rule of law;
and BE HONEST.

Rather than dwell on the things we cannot change, let
us focus on the above concerted actions that can help
to move our economy forward, provide more internal
resources (capital), and increase our employment rate.
I believe that 84 million Filipinos acting together
can make life better for all Filipinos. (No one can do
everything, but EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING!)

Mabuhay ang Pinoy!
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RAFFY PERFECTO
Las Piñas City
Philippines

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

The Guys' Rules

Got this from an e-mail sent by a friend (thanks Judith!).
This is quite long but really funny.
Source is unknown.

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At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear "the rules " From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!

Please note.. these are all numbered "1"ON PURPOSE!

1.Men ARE not mind readers.

1.Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1.Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1.Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1.If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1.Whenever possible , Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1.Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will Be scratched. We do that.

1.If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing! ," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1.If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1.When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine... Really.

1.Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Thinking Like Da Vinci

As I was reading Francis J. Kong's book on my
way to work today, "The Early Bird Catches the Worm...
But the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese", I stumbled
upon his article "Thinking Like Da Vinci".
(aside: What a coincidence since I have just written a
blog post on Da Vinci Code the other night!)

In the article he referred to a book by Michael J. Gelb's
book , "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci:
Seven Steps to Genius Everyday". Mr. Gelb provides
seven (7) steps to cultivate your own genius
since he believes that "Genius" is made, not born.

I had the pleasure of listening and meeting
Francis J. Kong (though he might not remember me :).
He is very down-to-earth and his thoughts and
anecdotes are relevant as he discuss the topic.

Back to his article - - he provided some very
basic yet insightful recommendations:

Think out of the box.
Look at issues from different angles.
Ask counsel and read lots of books.
Do a lot of hard work.
Take risks.
And most importantly,
ask for God's Wisdom in dealing with a problem.

Amen to that!

Walls Closing In

The whole world tried its best
To fall down on me.
I can feel my fear
Closing in before I could shun it
Away from me.
From what I have done
To my self.
Dearer than I could ever feel
For my own flesh
For my own sanity.
---5/29/97

Da Vinci Code in the Philippines

After so much has been said about the Da Vinci Code, I apologize that I need to add some more.

There are so many views in this issue.

1. Those who felt scandalized and offended by the assertion that the Catholic Church has been hiding may "skeletons" regarding Jesus, Magdalene etc.

2. Those who felt that the book/movie should be treated as fiction and as such must be enjoyed as that... meaning, duh, don't get too carried away and don't go bashing stained-glass windows for 2000 years of "deceit" by the Church.

3. There are those who felt that the book/movie is a real eye opener, like it was gospel truth (whose gospel? it's open for discussion) , and their faith has been shaken so badly that they are considering a transfer to another religion.

4. And there are those who do not know, nor care what the big hoopla is all about.

In the Philippines, there are major cinema chains which did not show the film, because it was rated R-18. So what is the point of this post? My point is that if one's faith is strong, you can not fear that one book or one movie can sway you otherwise.

Intolerable Cruelty

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A recent study found that school-age children who witness violence exhibit a range of problem behaviors including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers.

The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country.

From: http://www.endabuse.org./programs/children/
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Why?

Why are we capable of hurting those whom we have professed to love?

Why do we hurt our children, physically and emotionally?

Does it not hurt twice as much when we are hurt by those we love, look up to and depend upon for protection?

50 Mystery Credits Won at BlogExplosion!

Finally, 50 Credits won at BlogExplosion! Woww!
I thought i'd celebrate and immortalize this by posting a screen capture (thanks to Bratinella for the idea, saw the same in her blog)
What is BlogExplosion?

You, Yourself and Yours

What's good about writing to yourself is that you do not have to mail it (or answer back).

Same thing when you babble and ramble all by yourself. You do not have to listen, nor nod your head once in a while, nor try to frame a witty reply.

However, it is highly recommended that you save your babbling and rambling hen you believe you are totally alone. People who might overhear or see you ranting may think you have gone bonkers (which, by the way, may be a "milder" description of whatever afflicts your brain).

BTW, the term "you" and its other forms can be used interchangeably with "me" and its related forms, as applicable.

Revelations

Nature has revealed
Some of its most guarded secrets
That was brave of her
Wish I could say the same
For poor pathetic me.
---5/29/97

Short Story : Three Words in a Line

Merry; Groggy; Smile
Sated; Dated; Style
Gay; May; Gone
Now; Come; Alone
South; North; Meet
Anger; Differ; Seethe
Argue; Settled; Part
Broken; Again; Heart.
--May 1995

Light and Night

What do we need happiness for?
To make lonely days pale in comparison;
To lift our esteem in times of trouble?
To serve as warming memories of days agone?
Guess it must be just to remind us
Life has as much light as it has night.
--May 1995

Heart Song 1995

I was cruising down
Along life's dull and lonely street
Never caring, never expecting
Till I hear a different beat.

The intro was loud and clear but low
Instructing me precisely where to go.
I never thought I will ever be compelled.
But soon enough along the first verse;
I am irrevocably under its spell.

The music in my head steadily progresses.
Hypnotizing me verse by verse.
Making me do things not even
Ever contemplated in my dreams.

So I swayed and swooned
Lulled and sated by its pleasant rhymes
But soon enough the song has to end
With it my heart and my soul to fade/die.
-3/3/1995

Everything but the Girl

From songs of Everything but the Girl...(I just LOVE this duo)

Am I just getting more from your words than you have put into them?
You tied these knots now you undo them.
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If you lose your faith, babe,
You can have mine...
If you're lost, I'm right behind
Cause we walk the same line...

... That big old moon
Lights every corner of the room
Your back aches from lyin'
and your head aches from cryin'...
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Blue and Green

Ok, now you tell me.

What do you see?

Cat Nap (A long long nap...)

A cat sleeping for all eternity

More Song Snippets....

Tears in my eyes burn, while I waited for my turn. --- from the song "Waiting in Vain"

Players only love you when they are playing --- from a song by " Fleetwood Mac"

Give me one reason to stay here...You got to make me change my mind.--- From a Tracy Chapman song

There's a thin line between love and hate. --- From a Tracy Chapman song

Note: These snippets of song lyrics i have complied back when I was a confused young women.
and BTW, now I am a confused young wife. lol...

Irony of Hardwork and Failure

IF much hard work leads to success.
And, too much success leads to arrogance.
Then, arrogance leads to failure.
Does it follow that hard work leads to failure?

From Song Lyrics...

If skin could crawl, and flesh could fall from my bones, they'll run away
from here. --- from a "Garbage" song

Stroke of luck or gift from God? From below or Saints above? --- from a
"Garbage" song

Don't go making all these promises you know you can't keep. There's a time
to play king and time to be the thief. Time will be the thief and your
fallen king will end up alone -- From a "Savage Garden" song

Who Moved My Cheese?

“Cheese” – a metaphor for what we want to have in life, whether it is a job, a relationship, money, a big house, freedom, health, recognition, spiritual peace, or even an activity like jogging or golf.
Each of us has our own idea of what Cheese is, and we pursue it because we believe it makes us happy. If we get it, we often become attached to it. And if we lose it, or it’s taken away, it can be traumatic.

Positive - Negative

The positive way of handling things is to recognize the need for negative
thinking.

What can go wrong will go wrong.

Almost Always Somebody Else

Everybody here is thinking about somebody else (and almost always about
somebody who is not here)

Making it easy for your self is almost always making it hard for somebody
else.

Bad Hair Day

What if your hair grows from the outside going into your scalp.

Imagine how hard it would be for your barber to cut your hair.

That would be a major operation, requiring the lifting of your scalp just
so he can reach your hair.

Giving, asking and getting...

You can not give what you do not have.
You asked for far too little that when you got some of that "little" it
is almost like nothing.