Your Daily Dose of Anything

11 Filipinos presumed Dead in New Zealand

2011-03-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday night extended condolences to the families of the 11 Filipinos who remain missing and are now presumed dead, after New Zealand authorities announced their shift of focus to recovering the remains of victims buried in the rubble of the recent massive earthquake that hit Christchurch.

"It is with sadness that the DFA learned of the statement from the New Zealand Civil Defense office that there is no more chance at this time of finding survivors and that they have to shift from search and rescue to recovery of remains," said DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya in a text message.

The missing Filipinos were believed to have been trapped beneath the rubble of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building, which collapsed after the deadly 6.3-magnitude quake that killed more than 200 people in Christchurch City.

The DFA had earlier declined to confirm if the 11 Filipinos are already presumed dead, saying they were still being considered as "missing". (See: No DFA confirmation yet if 11 Pinoys missing in NZ 'presumed dead')

Malaya, however, explained that they are merely following the announcement of New Zealand authorities as regards the halt in the search and rescue operations.

"We are guided by the pronouncement of local authorities on this matter and we are facilitating the submission of dental records, fingerprints and other materials that will hasten the process of the identification of remains," Malaya stated.

New Zealand authorities had given up hope on Thursday of finding any more survivors from last week's earthquake, as there had been no live rescues since last week and the grim reality was that no more people would be found alive, according to a Reuters report. (See: N. Zealand civil defense abandons search for quake survivors)

"We convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families on the loss of their loved ones," Malaya added.

The 11 missing Filipinos and now presumed dead were identified as Jessie Lloyd Redoble, John Kristoffer Chua, Ezra Mae Medalle, Emmabel Anoba, Jewel Francisco, Ivy Jane Cabunilas, Mary Louise Anne Amantillo, Valquin Bensurto, Rhea Mae Sumalpong, Erica Nora, and Lalaine Collado Agatep.—JV, GMA News

SOURCE: DFA condoles with kin of 11 Pinoys presumed dead in NZ quake

13 Things Your Mail Carrier Won't Tell You

2011-02-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

1. Maybe your dog won’t bite you. But in 2009, 2,863 of us were bitten, an average of nine bites per delivery day. That’s why I wince when your Doberman comes flying out the door.

2. Remember this on Valentine’s Day: It takes our machines longer to read addresses on red envelopes (especially if they’re written in colored ink).

3. Why stand in line? At usps.com, you can buy stamps, place a hold on your mail, change your address, and apply for passports. We even offer free package pickup and free flat-rate envelopes and boxes, all delivered right to your doorstep.

4. Media Mail is a bargain, but most of you don’t know to ask for it. Sending ten pounds of books from New York City to San Francisco through Media Mail costs $5.89, compared with $16.77 for Parcel Post. Besides books, use it to send manuscripts, DVDs, and CDs; just don’t include anything else in the package.

5. We don’t get a penny of your tax dollars. Really. The sale of postage, products, and services at our 36,000 retail locations, and on our website, covers all of the post office's operating expenses.

6. UPS and FedEx charge you $10 or more for messing up an address. Us? Not a cent.

7. Paychecks, personal cards, letters—anything that looks like good news—I put those on top. Utility and credit card bills? They go under everything else.

8. Sorry if I seem like I’m in a hurry, but I’m under the gun: Our supervisors tell us when to leave, how many pieces of mail to deliver, and when we should aim to be back. Then some of us scan bar codes in mailboxes along our route so they can monitor our progress.

9. Yes, we do have to buy our own stamps, but a lot of us carry them for customers who need them. If we don’t charge you, that’s because we like you.

10. Use a ballpoint pen. Ink from those felt tips runs in the rain.

11. Please dress properly when you come to the door. A towel wrapped around you doesn’t cut it. And we definitely don’t want to see you in your underwear!

12. We serve 150 million addresses six days a week, so we’re often in the right place at the right time. We pull people out of burning cars, catch burglars in the act, and call 911 to report traffic accidents, dead bodies, and more.

13. Most of us don’t mind if you pull up to our trucks while we’re delivering and ask for your mail a little early. But please get out of your car and come get it. Don’t just put your hand out your window and wait for me to bring it to you.

Source: 13 Things Your Mail Courier Won't Tell You

Threat of a USB Cable

2011-01-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Everyone who's into computers surely are familiar with Universal Serial Bus or more popularly known as USB. Almost all peripherals uses USB to establish communication between USB devices and a host controller like PCs and notebooks both for Windows and Macs. USB can connect computer peripherals such as mouse, keyboards, digital cameras, printers, media players, flash drives, Network Adapters, and external hard drives. For many of those devices, USB has become the standard connection method. So can a USB device do any harm to your computer? At the recent Black Hat DC conference, teacher and student team Angelos Stavrou and Zhaohui Wang from George Mason University presented how an Android phone can be used to mount as a standard human input device (HID) when plugged into a Windows, OS X or Linux computer, potentially giving keyboard and mouse access to malware or even a remote hacker. How does it work? Stavrou and Wang gave this explanation "Say your computer at home is compromised and you compromise your Android phone by connecting them. Then, whenever you connect the smartphone to another laptop or computing device that the hacker can take over that computer also, and then compromise other computers off that Android. It's a viral type of compromise using the USB cable." The bigger worry is anti-virus application will not be able to detect the problem because the process would appear to be a normal keyboard or mouse activity. Once installed, the malware author could then retrieve files, download other malware or even take control of the system altogether. Think of the effect - if you insert a compromised Android phone via USB. Tthe computer will be affected by the malware it would then automatically contaminate any clean mobile device connected to it making the malware a viral problem. How often do you connect a USB device to our computers? As I am typing this story, I have a couple of USB devices currently connected to my computer. So the next time someone asked you if they can attach their mobile phone to your computer via USB, think it over again. Who knows - you may be the next victim of the USB threat. As a general rule, you do not allow anyone you don't know, even friends to attached their mobile phones and USB devices into you computer - unless of course if its your mom, dad and bosses. I am logging off. Stay cool and God Bless us all!

Source: USB Cables - From friend to foe

Filipino Educated appointed as President of US School

2011-01-18T00:57:00.000-08:00

Gabriel Esteban says, "I am honored to be asked to serve as the 20th president of Seton Hall University, a leader in higher education for the past century and a half."

Filipino educator Gabriel Esteban, 49, was named the 20th president of Seton Hall University in the U.S. last month, reports Manila Times. He served as the interim president of the school for almost six months.

Esteban is the first non-priest to head the university in New Jersey. According to Manila Times, the school's board of regents asked the board of trustees to make an exception to the university rule that requires the president to be a priest. "I am honored to be a part of this great institution and to carry on its nationally recognized leadership in Catholic higher education," Esteban said. "As an immigrant, I am extremely thankful."

According to the Seton Hall University website, Esteban previously served as the provost and chief academic officer of the school. He started heading enrolment services in 2009. "Under his leadership, Seton Hall recruited the largest new class in 30 years, more than 1,300 students, with an average increase in SAT scores of 27 points."

Before joining Seton Hall, he worked at the University of Central Arkansas, the Arkansas Tech University, the University of Houston-Victoria and the University of the Philippines. He has a Ph.D. in Administration from the University of California, a Master of Science in Japanese Business Studies from the Chaminade University in Honolulu, and a Master of Business Administration and a degree in Math from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

SOURCE: Pinoy educator Gabriel Esteban appointed President of US University

Boosting Metabolism

2011-01-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

Do Intervals
Mixing in fast-paced intervals raises your metabolic rate higher than doing a steady cardio workout, and will continue to do so up to an hour after you’re done, says Kristin McGee, a trainer and Pilates instructor whose client list includes Tina Fey and Bethenny Frankel. An Australian study also found that women who did intervals while they were biking lost three times as much fat as those who worked out at a steady pace. If you’re a walker, simply walk at your normal pace for 1 to 2 minutes, then speed-walk for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat the sequence 10 to 15 times.

Opt for Caffeine
It’s time to hit Starbucks. A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior shows that coffee drinkers have a 16 percent higher metabolic rate than those who abstain or drink decaf joe, because caffeine increases your heart rate and stimulates your central nervous system. Spread out the cups over your entire day to keep your metabolism running at a boosted rate—just be sure to have your last cup by early afternoon so you can hit the pillow with no problems later on.

Add Some Ice
Though the increase is modest, there is some evidence that drinking cold water can cause a slight surge in metabolic rate. Since your body maintains a core temperature around 98.6°F, cold water will be brought to that temperature after being consumed and calories are burned during the warming process. Discovery Health deduced that you can burn up to 70 extra calories a day if you follow the common rule of drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of cold water per day. Need another reason to up your water intake? Researchers at the University of Utah found that participants who drank half of the recommended amount of water per day (four 8-ounce glasses), not only showed signs of dehydration, they also experienced a 2% decrease in calories burned per day.

Eat a Big Breakfast
It’s time to nix the oatmeal with skim milk. Instead, start your day with a fatty breakfast, including eggs and even a piece of bacon, suggests Molly Bray, PhD, lead author of a recent study showing that a fat-filled morning meal will jumpstart your metabolism for the day faster than a lowfat, low-calorie breakfast. Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who eat 22 to 55 percent of their total calories at breakfast gain 1.7 pounds over four years. That’s not bad considering those who eat 0 to 11 percent of their calories in the morning gain nearly 3 pounds.

Drink Green Tea
Not only does green tea contain enough antioxidants to keep colds and the flu at bay, but it also does wonders for your metabolism, according to a study published in the journal Phytomedicine. Researchers found that people who drank the equivalent of three to five cups daily for three months shaved 5 percent off their body weight. Green tea contains ECGC, a plant compound that stimulates your metabolism, says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a nutritionist in private practice in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, and founder of Essential Nutrition consulting.

Don't Skimp on Dairy
Calcium-rich foods and drinks, including milk, yogurt and cheese, increase the rate at which fat turns into waste, says a study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen published in the The Journal of Nutrition. It doesn’t matter what form of dairy product you’re consuming as long as the serving size is adequate (keep it lowfat!)—either a full glass of lowfat milk or 6 ounces of yogurt is perfect. Also, the study noted that you have to actually ingest the calcium in its natural form; supplements don’t work due to differences in the chemical makeup.

Build More Muscle
Gaining lean muscle mass boosts your metabolism and makes losing weight much easier, McGee says. If you add just 5 pounds of muscle to your body, you’ll burn up to 150 more calories per day without even working out those muscles. And, you can burn an average of 600 calories per hour during your cardio workout thanks to that extra muscle mass. “Muscle burns more calories than fat does, even at rest, so any strength-training activities to build lean muscle are excellent,” McGee says. The key is to challenge all your muscles and do a full-body strength-training workout, hitting your core, arms, legs, back and chest.

Pick Up Heavier Weights
By using heavy weights at a very slow rate—twice as slow as would feel natural—you break down your muscles (you’ll know the weights are heavy enough and the workout slow enough if you start to shake after just a few lifts or squats). Researchers at Wayne State University found that when your body repairs those overworked muscles, it causes your metabolism to increase for up to three days after the workout.

SOURCE: 8 Tricks For Boosting Metabolism

Habits of Happy Moms

2010-11-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here are 10 things happy moms do--so remember these tips in your day-to-day life!

1. Find time for yourself
Happy moms know they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day, it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days.

2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight. So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide. And they're angry. And they let you know they're REALLY angry. Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining, leave them be! Happy baby = Happy Mommy.

3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn’t look like something out of a magazine. That just means it’s cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It’s not gross—it’s an adorable photo op! Life is about how you look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down, just remember… it’s probably feng shui.

4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile!

5. Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone is happy, but when mom is not....

6. Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes there in your mind.

7. Remember your dreams and goals
Everyday we are encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example –happy moms hold on to their dreams and goals and don’t let go.

8. Be lighthearted
Don't be the uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz. Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner.

9. Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it’s taking your child out of school for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars. Happy moms know how to turn the mundane into fun.

10. Mind your own business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident in yourself.

SOURCE: 10 HABITS OF HAPPY MOMS

Limiting Liquid Calories

2010-10-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Now that it’s starting to feel like fall, I can’t wait to get my hands on a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. But a grande made with whole milk and topped with whipped cream has a whopping 410 calories—crazy, right?

Even if you go “skinny” (made with non-fat milk), your Pumpkin Spice Latte is still 260 calories. That’s not a ton of calories, but ordering one just a few times a week when I need an afternoon pick-me-up adds more than 1,000 calories into my week—and that’s just from coffee! When you factor in a morning glass of juice and a couple of happy hour cocktails, those weekly drink calories sure add up!

But no way am I cutting out my caffeine fix. Instead, I’ve implemented some rules so I don’t overload my diet with beverage calories. Here’s how I think before I drink.

I drink in the morning
I drink most of my caloric beverages, like iced coffee and juice, early in the day when I’m most active and more likely to burn off the calories throughout the rest of the day.

I stick to 100% fruit juice
Some juices are packed with sugar, so I make sure to read labels and select ones that are 100% fruit juice to cut out empty calories from extra sugar. Plus, 100% juices are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants.

I savor each sip
I just can’t say no to whipped cream on top of my Pumpkin Spice Latte so I make sure to enjoy ever single sip of this diet splurge. But I also take steps to whittle down its calorie count. I order mine made with soymilk, which retains the creaminess of the drink without all of the fat of whole milk. I also order my fancy latte all by itself; if I had it along with a meal or a snack I wouldn’t realize how many calories it has in it.

I pace myself

When it comes to a glass of wine or a beer, I try to drink a glass of water between rounds. This way I consume fewer calories without missing out on any of the fun. Plus, I stay hydrated at the same time.

I add some zing to plain water
I drink a lot of water throughout the day, but it can get really boring. To spice up my H2O, I experiment with adding fresh ingredients, such as cucumber and orange slices, or even fresh herbs, like basil and mint.

SOURCE: 5 Ways to Limit Liquid Calories

Art of Persuasion

2010-09-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone has little tactics for getting what he or she wants. Some use seduction, others beg, while there are those who use plain-old intimidation. But you don't have to resort to unseemly methods to get your way. According to Michael Lee, author of How to Be an Expert Persuader in 20 Days or Less, "The power of persuasion rests on getting people to do what you want willingly, resulting in a win-win scenario for everyone involved." Can't get your employees to meet deadlines or your husband to walk the dog? Then these 10 secrets are for you.

1. Start things off on their behalf. "People are more likely to be persuaded to complete a task if it's already been started for them," says Steve Martin, coauthor of the bestselling book Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive. Next time the dishes need to get done, try cleaning the silverware, then asking if your partner wouldn't mind finishing the job.

Use a different approach to stop the same old fights from happening.

2. Use the magic word “imagine.” I know it'll be a late night, but can you imagine how relieved we'll be if we get the job done before going home? This tactic paints a vivid picture in the person's mind of the pleasure if she/he does—or the pain if she/he doesn't—do what you asked, says Lee.

3. Stress their losses. Can't pry your hubby away from Sunday sports for a trip to the beach? No problem. Rather than guilting him into it with complaints about needing more "quality time" together, remind him that he's passing on one of the last days of summer. "We’re more persuaded by the thought of losing something than the thought of gaining," says Martin.

4. Be the first to give. People are psychologically conditioned to return a favor, says Martin. And, instinctually, we've known this one all along—i.e., if you buy the first round of drinks, they'll buy the second. So think of doing the initial good deed as an investment, explains Lee. "In turn, people will feel compelled to do things for you."

5. Ask for more than you need. "People feel a sense of guilt when they refuse a request," Lee says. "If the second request (a.k.a. the real request) is something they can afford to comply with, then they'll grab the opportunity," says Lee. This is a tactic kids know well: Can we go to Six Flags? No? OK, so how about the pool? "The second request gives freedom of choice, like an escape route," Lee says. They'll feel relieved, and you get what you want.

6. Make them laugh. "If you want to be more persuasive, work on your sense of humor," says Lee. And so does British comedian John Cleese of Monty Python fame, who once said: "If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And, if I can persuade you to laugh at a particular point that I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge it as true." Classic comedian mentality, but he's also right: People generally laugh at things when, for one reason or another, they identify with them, explains Lee.

7. Drop the “I” for “we.” "Studies have shown that the reassurance of 'we' is more productive in persuading people to compromise than other approaches," says Martin, including the threatening approach (If you don’t do this, I will) and the rational approach (You should do this for the following reasons). The use of "we" immediately conveys a sense of belonging, commonality and support: We've worked through this before; we can work through it again.

8. Rely on the majority. Energy reduction studies show that households are more likely to reduce their energy consumption if they see their more energy-efficient neighbors’ utility bills. "When persuading, point to evidence of what others like the person you are trying to persuade are doing," Martin says. After all, when making decisions on our own, he explains, we likely survey the scene for reassurance anyway.

9. Use the positive labeling technique. “You did a fantastic job with this—I’m sure you'll do even better next time.” One of the most powerful principles of persuasion rests on a person's need to remain consistent with his past actions, Lee explains. "People are more likely to be persuaded to behave in certain ways if they have acted that way before—and it has been noticed," adds Martin.
10. Time your request. "Sometimes, it’s not what you ask for but when you ask for it," says Martin. People are most persuadable immediately after thanking someone, and at their most persuasive after being thanked, so it's the perfect time to ask for a favor: My pleasure. In fact, I was hoping you might be able to help me out with something, too.

SOURCE: Mastering the Art of Persuasion

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Dreams

2010-09-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone dreams—every single night—and yet we tend to know so little about our dreams. Where do they come from? What do they mean? Can we control them and should we try to interpret them? We spoke to the dream experts to bring you nine surprising facts about dreams. Read before snoozing.

1. Dreaming can help you learn.

If you’re studying for a test or trying to learn a new task, you might consider taking a nap or heading to bed early rather than hovering over a textbook an hour longer. Here’s why: When the brain dreams, it helps you learn and solve problems, say researchers at Harvard Medical School. In a study that appeared in a recent issue of Current Biology, researchers report that dreams are the brain’s way of processing, integrating and understanding new information. To improve the quality of your sleep—and your brain’s ability to learn—avoid noise in the bedroom, such as the TV, which may negatively impact the length and quality of dreams.

2. The most common dream? Your spouse is cheating.

If you’ve ever woken up in a cold sweat after dreaming about your husband’s extramarital escapade with your best friend, you’re not alone, says Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, a dream expert, author and media personality. “The most commonly reported dream is the one where your mate is cheating,” she says. Loewenberg conducted a survey of more than 5,000 people, and found that the infidelity dream is the nightmare that haunts most people—sometimes on a recurring basis. It rarely has anything to do with an actual affair, she explains, but rather the common and universal fear of being wronged or left alone.

3. You can have several—even a dozen—dreams in one night.

It’s not just one dream per night, but rather dozens of them, say experts—you just may not remember them all. “We dream every 90 minutes throughout the night, with each cycle of dreaming being longer than the previous,” explains Loewenberg. “The first dream of the night is about 5 minutes long and the last dream you have before awakening can be 45 minutes to an hour long.” It is estimated that most people have more than 100,000 dreams in a lifetime.

4. You can linger in a dream after waking.

Have you ever woken up from such a beautiful, perfect dream that you wished you could go back to sleep to soak it all up (you know, the dream about George Clooney?)? You can! Just lie still—don’t move a muscle—and you can remain in a semi-dreamlike state for a few minutes. “The best way to remember your dreams is to simply stay put when you wake up,” says Loewenberg. “Remain in the position you woke up in, because that is the position you were dreaming in. When you move your body, you disconnect yourself from the dream you were just in seconds ago.”

5. Even bizarre dreams can be interpreted.

While it can be hard to believe that an oddball dream about your mother, a circus and a snowstorm can have any bearing on real life, there may be symbolism and potential meaning to be mined in every dream—you just have to look for it, says Harvard-trained psychotherapist Jeffrey Sumber. "The meaning of our dreams oftentimes relates to things we are needing to understand about ourselves and the world around us,” he says. Instead of shrugging off strange dreams, think about how they make you feel. “We tend to dismiss these dreams due to the strange components, yet it is the feeling we have in these dreams that matters most,” he explains. “Sometimes the circus and the snowstorm are just fillers that allow us to process the range of emotions we feel about our mother and give us the necessary distraction so we can actually experience that spectrum of emotion.”

6. Recurring dreams may be your mind’s way of telling you something.

Do you have the same nightmare over and over again? Loewenberg suggests looking for underlying messages in recurring dreams so that you can rid yourself of them. For example, a common recurring nightmare people have involves losing or cracking their teeth. For this dream, she recommends that people think about what your teeth and your mouth represent. “To the dreaming mind, your teeth, as well as any part of your mouth, are symbolic of your words,” she says. “Paying attention to your teeth dreams helps you to monitor and improve the way you communicate.”

7. You can control your dreams.

The premise of the new movie Inception is that people can take the reins of their dreams and make them what they want them to be. But it may not just be a Hollywood fantasy. According to the results of a new survey of 3,000 people, dream control, or “lucid dreaming” may be a real thing. In fact, 64.9 percent of participants reported being aware they were dreaming within a dream, and 34 percent said they can sometimes control what happens in their dreams. Taking charge of the content of your dreams isn’t a skill everyone has, but it can be developed, says Kelly Bulkeley, PhD, a dream researcher and visiting scholar at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkley, California. The technique is particularly useful for people who suffer from recurring nightmares, he says. Dr. Bulkeley suggests giving yourself a pep talk of sorts before you go to sleep by saying: “If I have that dream again, I’m going to try to remember that’s it’s only a dream, and be aware of that.” When you learn to be aware that you are dreaming—within a dream—you not only have the power to steer yourself away from the monster and into the arms of Brad Pitt, for instance, but you train your mind to avoid nightmares in the first place. “Lucid dreaming enhances your ability to learn from the dream state,” says Dr. Bulkeley.

8. You don’t have to be asleep to dream.

Turns out, you can dream at your desk at work, in the car, even at your kid’s soccer game. Wakeful dreaming—not to be confused with daydreaming—is real and somewhat easy to do, says Dr. Bulkeley; it just involves tapping into your active imagination. The first step is to think about a recent dream you had (preferably a good one!). “Find a quiet contemplative place and bring a dream that you remember back into your waking awareness and let it unfold,” he says. “Let the dream re-energize.” Wakeful dreaming can be used as a relaxation tool, but Dr. Bulkeley says it can also help your mind process a puzzling dream. “It creates a more fluid interaction between unconscious parts of the mind and wakeful parts of the mind,” he says.

SOURCE: Yahoo! Health - 8 Things You Didn’t Know About Dreams

Pride of the Philippines - Miss Venus Raj won 4th place in Miss Universe 2010

2010-08-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

It's the pride of the Filipinos when Venus Raj won the 4th place in Miss Universe Beauty Pageant.

Read More on the detailed information about the Pageant from Good News Pilipinas

(picture was taken via GMA News)

Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, was given a big round of applause after being declared the fourth runner-up in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

The world’s most prestigious beauty competition was participated in by 83 contestants, and Venus was also the only Asian contestant to qualify in the semifinal round of 15.

It is the best finish of a Filipina candidate since 1999, when Miriam Quiambao placed 1st runner-up, Desiree Verdadero 3rd in 1984, Charlene Gonzalez’s top 6 finish in 1994 and equals Chiqui Brosas’ 4th place standing in 1975.

All Filipinos must be proud of her achievement and she has done a great job in representing our country, despite current adversities.

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010. Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was named first runner-up. Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska, was third runner-up, Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell was second runner-up,

Before the announcement of winners, the top five were asked questions by a panel of celebrity judges.

The 22 year old Filipinas was asked by judge William Baldwin, “What is one big mistake that you’ve made in your life and what did you do to make it right?”

“Thank you so much, Sir for that wonderful question,” she says and then greets the audience, met by wild cheering.

“You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much,” she answered.

Her journey to this year’s competition was a tough one. Raj was almost replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson after being stripped of her crown and title when organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe pageant found “inconsistencies” on her birth certificate.

Raj was advised by former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz to let it go. Meanwhile, she found an ally in then Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. said Raj would be reinstated on the condition that she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport.

“We have reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe,” said the BCPI.

Raj then obtained a valid Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs, despite saying she should be reinstated without condition.

On August 4, Raj flew to the United States to represent the Philippines, competing with 82 other beauty queens from Albania to Zambia in a pageantry of swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills in the their quest to bring home the 2010 Miss Universe crown.

The contest, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was judged by celebrities including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.

Manila Police Chief torture holdup suspect

2010-08-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

When i watched tv the other night, i saw the news regarding to a man who allegedly a suspect for hold up, was tortured by a Police Officer inside the prison jail. It really my heart break watching the naked person who was tortured violently. If you will be able to watch the video, you will see how he was tortured. The Police man tied a rope in the victim's penis, that was painful for sure! The wife of the victim found him in the hospital dead.

I was thinking, the victim is still a suspect. He should be innocent until proven guilty. And even if he is guilty, there's no one who has the right to do that to him. I was really angry while watching the video and i almost cried. That is very painful to the family of the victim.

Watch the video from youtube:

Read the Full Information - Officers held over Manila police 'torture' video

MANILA (AFP) - – Philippine authorities are holding 11 policemen amid a probe into an alleged torture video filmed at a Manila police station.

The officers, among them a mid-ranking policeman, are to face a disciplinary hearing on Friday, according to Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, head of a police task force investigating the incident.

The graphic recording, which has enraged the Philippine public since it was broadcast on Tuesday, showed a man in civilian clothes whipping a naked man writhing on a white tiled floor.

In between blows the torturer yanked a rope that appeared to be tied to the victim's penis.

"These people (the officers) are now under the custody of the Manila police," said Rongavilla, adding that a formal complaint will be read against the men.

"The internal affairs office has issued summons and an initial hearing will be held this afternoon," he said.

All 11 had been posted at the Asuncion community police precinct in the high-crime Manila slum district of Tondo, but were suspended after public outcry sparked a government investigation.

While allegations of torture and extra-judicial killings carried out by police and military are nothing new, the broadcast of the video was the first time such an incident has been seen on public television.

Local network ABS-CBN, which broadcast the clip, did not say when the incident took place, and the fate of the victim was unclear. It said an unnamed informant took the footage with a mobile phone.

Rongavilla told ABS-CBN that the investigation will also look into allegations that the officer accused of torturing the naked man had committed similar offences.

"Many people are coming out alleging their sons and husbands had been given similar treatment," he added.

"The investigation will attempt to establish a time frame and the dates when the alleged actions took place," Rongavilla added.

Rubik's Cube solution

2010-08-14T04:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AFP) – An international team of researchers using computer time lent to them by Google has found every way the popular Rubik's Cube puzzle can be solved, and showed it can always be solved in 20 moves or less.

The study is just the latest attempt by Rubik's enthusiasts to figure out the secrets of the cube, which has proven to be altogether far more complicated that its jaunty colors might suggest.

At the crux of the quest has been a bid to determine the lowest number of moves required to get the cube from any given muddled configuration to the color-aligned solution.

"Every solver of the Cube uses an algorithm, which is a sequence of steps for solving the Cube," said the team of mathematicians, who include Morley Davidson of Ohio's Kent State University, Google engineer John Dethridge, German math teacher Herbert Kociemba and Tomas Rokicki, a California programmer.

"There are many different algorithms, varying in complexity and number of moves required, but those that can be memorized by a mortal typically require more than forty moves."

One may suppose God would use a much more efficient algorithm, one that always uses the shortest sequence of moves; this is known as God's Algorithm. The number of moves this algorithm would take in the worst case is called God's Number. At long last, God's Number has been shown to be 20."

The research, published online, ends a 30-year search for the most efficient way to correctly align the 26 colored cubes that make up Erno Rubrik's 1974 invention.

"It took fifteen years after the introduction of the Cube to find the first position that provably requires 20 moves to solve," the team said. "It is appropriate that fifteen years after that, we prove that twenty moves suffice for all position."

Using computers lent to them by Google -- the company won't disclose how many or how powerful they are -- the team crunched through billions of Cube positions, solving each one over a period of "just a few weeks."

The study builds on the work of a veritable pantheon of Rubik's researchers, starting with Morwen Thistlethwaite who in 1981 showed 52 moves were sufficient to reach the solution from any given Cube position.

By May 1992, Michael Reid showed 39 moves was always sufficient, only to be undercut a mere day later by Dik Winter, who showed 37 moves would work.

Rubik's enthusiasm extends not only to God's number, but the speed with which the tricky puzzle can be solved.

The current world record holder is Dutch Erik Akkersdijk who successfully solved the puzzle in just 7.08 seconds.

Source: Study uncovers every possible Rubik's Cube solution

Marquez Versus Diaz

2010-08-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS (AP)—Although Juan Manuel Marquez’s right eye was swollen nearly shut, he kept it focused on his one remaining goal—a third fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez didn’t exactly make himself more attractive to boxing’s pound-for-pound champion with his systematic dismantling of Juan Diaz.

Marquez unanimously outpointed Diaz on Saturday night, picking apart his younger opponent to retain the WBA and WBO lightweight titles.

Marquez captivated the crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center with precise punching and slick defense in a rematch that was nearly as entertaining as the fighters’ thrilling first meeting, which Marquez won on a ninth-round stoppage in February 2009.

Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs), who turns 37 next month, further erased memories of his one-sided loss to the larger Floyd Mayweather Jr. last September by dominating another opponent closer to his own size.

“The first one was difficult, and so was this one,” Marquez said. “He’s a very good boxer. Like every true Mexican warrior, we both fought with all of our hearts and left it all in the ring.”

Marquez reiterated his call for third fight with Pacquiao, believing he’s the only fighter outside of Mayweather who can worry the Filipino congressman. Their first two meetings resulted in a draw in 2004 and a split-decision loss for Marquez in 2008.

“It’s good for all fight fans,” Marquez said. “The Mexicans, the Filipinos, everyone wants to see it. That’s the most important fight to me now. I’ll be ready for November, and hopefully Pacquiao will take the fight.”

But Pacquiao is in negotiations to fight Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13. Both of those fighters are represented by Top Rank, while Marquez is backed by Golden Boy—and the two companies have been increasingly unwilling to match their fighters against each other in recent years.

Diaz (35-4) has lost four of his last six fights, yet showed remarkable stamina and courage against one of boxing’s most punishing fighters. The University of Houston graduate and aspiring lawyer was sharp again—just not sharp enough to beat arguably the most accomplished Mexican fighter of his generation.

“I fought the best fight I could,” Diaz said. “We were trading punches. We fought in, we fought out. I didn’t stand in front of him. I wanted to get in there and then get out, but it was hard, and I got hit with a couple of good shots. … I did the best I could. I followed the game plan, worked off my jab, but he’s a great fighter. He was the better man.”

Judge Jerry Roth favored Marquez 116-112, while Glenn Trowbridge scored it 118-110 and Patricia Morse Jarman had it 117-111. The Associated Press scored 10 rounds for Marquez, 118-110.

Source: Marquez dominates Diaz to keep lightweight belts

UFO in China?

2010-07-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

Last week, the Web was aflutter over rumors that a UFO had been spotted over Xiaoshan Airport in Hangzhou, China. There was even video that showed, well, something, soaring high in the sky.

The Atlantic reports that Geoffrey Forden, a weapons expert from MIT, has analyzed several of the alleged UFO videos. He has come to the conclusion that a) what people saw in one of the videos wasn't a UFO, but a rocket, and b) the same video wasn't taken anywhere near China. It was shot near Kazakhstan.

CNN explains how "Forden used scientific theories to examine the images of the flying object that he felt were not created with Photoshop." Then, on a blog, Forden wrote: "It seems to me that a DF-21 [missile] launch somewhere near Jiuquan and aimed at a point somewhere in the eastern Gobi desert is the most likely cause of this 'UFO.'"

Here's where it gets a little tricky. As mentioned, there are actually several "UFO over China" videos floating around on the Web. Some appear to have been altered with photo-editing software, while some were not.

One of the videos making the rounds on the Web may have really been taken at the airport on the night in question. But (there's always a but), those photos are likely of a missile. The Atlantic writes that "the likeliest scenario, it turns out, is that the Great Twinkling Light of Hangzhou was actually a Chinese ballistic missile, the DF-21."

In other words, don't go calling the Men in Black just yet.

Source: OMG! UFO! Or Maybe Not

'Vampires Suck' Twilight Spoof Official Trailer

2010-07-12T01:25:00.000-07:00

This is very funny! LOL

President Noynoy Aquino Inauguration

2010-06-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

June 30, 2010, the inauguration for the President elect Benigo "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Watch the video:

Toy Story 3 - Facts and References

2010-06-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hidden Facts and Movies References of the Movie Tory Story 3

• "A113," the number of a classroom at CalTech where many Pixar animators studied, shows up as an Easter egg in every Pixar film. In the "Toy Story" series, it's the license plate on Andy's mother's car.

• Sid, the bully from the first movie who wears a skull T-shirt, appears as a garbage man in the new film wearing the same skull T-shirt.

• There's a postcard on Andy's dresser addressed from the featured characters from last year's "Up," Carl and Ellie Fredrickson.

• Lightning McQueen from "Cars" is referenced a few times throughout the film: A miniature toy car at the daycare center, on a child's shirt at the center and on a fictional train that shares McQueen's number, 95. That number is itself an Easter egg, referring to 1995, the year the first "Toy Story" was released.

• A calendar from Pizza Planet is clearly seen. Pizza Planet has appeared in every Pixar film except "The Incredibles."

• Pixar has a history of hiding a character to be featured in a later movie somewhere in a current film. Nemo first appeared in "Monster, Inc." and "Toy Story 3" newcomer, Lots-o-Huggins Bear (who, ironically, is not very huggable), first appeared alongside a bed in "Up." A poster on Andy's wall shows a character from next year's "Cars 2." It shows Finn McMissile, a British sports car/secret agent who plays a major role in the sequel.

• Buzz Lightyear's batteries are from "Buy 'N' Large," the giant corporation responsible for ruining the planet in "WALL-E"

• Totoro, the furry, friendly creature from Hayao Miyazaki's Japanese animated classic "My Neighbor Totoro," shows up as a toy that Woody meets. Pixar founder John Lasseter has called Miyazaki an inspiration for his work, and Lasseter produced his most recent film, "Ponyo."

• A significant amount of the film takes place at a daycare center. At the daycare center, Mr. Ray the Scientific Stingray from "Finding Nemo" makes a cameo. Nemo himself appears as a sticker on Andy's toybox.

• "Toy Story 3" director Lee Unkrich performs one line in the movie, as the voice of the Jack in the Box character.

• The "Toy Story 3" screenplay took 2 1/2 years to write and storyboard.

• John Ratzenberger keeps his streak alive of appearing in every single Pixar film made to this point. For "Toy Story 3," he reprises his role as Hamm.

• Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton, was based on a 1988 version of him called "Animal Lovin' Ken" which included his "own chimpanzee to care for and love." Um, okay. The Barbie featured in the film is based on a 1983 version titled "Great Shape Barbie."

• Ken wears 21 different outfits in the movie.

• Woody has 229 animation points of movement in his face. Buzz has 215 animation avatars in his face.

• There are 302 characters in the film.

Source: 'Toy Story 3' Chock Full of Hidden Facts and Movie References

Love Poems and Quotes

2010-06-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

A Special World

A special world for you and me
A special bond one cannot see
It wraps us up in its cocoon
And holds us fiercely in its womb.

Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
Gently nestling us to the fold
Like silken thread it holds us fast
Bonds like this are meant to last.

And though at times a thread may break
A new one forms in its wake
To bind us closer and keep us strong
In a special world, where we belong.

- Sheelagh Lennon -

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

- Courtney Kuchta -

What I Love About You

I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so bright and blue.
I love the way you kiss me,
Your lips so soft and smooth.

I love the way you make me so happy,
And the ways you show you care.
I love the way you say, "I Love You,"
And the way you're always there.

I love the way you touch me,
Always sending chills down my spine.
I love that you are with me,
And glad that you are mine.

- Crystal Jansen -

What is HONEYMOON?

2010-06-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

When i opened the site of YAHOO, there were topics that showed up there and there's one title that really caught me. The title was "Why do they call it honeymoon"? That made me think as well and asked the same question. What is really honeymoon and what does it mean? Everytime i heard the word, one thing i can think is a married couple, the ones who just got married. So let's try to seek what is the real meaning of the word.

According to Wikipedia, A honeymoon is the traditional holiday taken by newlyweds (or between two people in an early harmonious period in a relationship) to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion. Today, honeymoons by Westerners are sometimes celebrated somewhere exotic or otherwise considered special and romantic.

History

One early reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24-5 - When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife he has married.

In Western culture, the custom of a newlywed couple going on a holiday together originated in early 19th century great Britain, a concept borrowed from the Indian elite, in the Indian Subcontinent. Upper-class couples would take a "bridal tour", sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives that had not been able to attend the wedding. The practice soon spread to the European continent and was known as voyage à la façon anglaise (English-style voyage) in France from the 1820s on.

Honeymoons in the modern sense (i.e. a pure holiday voyage undertaken by the married couple) became widespread during the Belle Epoque. as one of the first instances of modern mass tourism. This came about in spite of initial disapproval by contemporary medical opinion (which worried about women's frail health) and by savoir vivre guidebooks (which deplored the public attention drawn to what was assumed to be the wife's sexual initiation). The most popular honeymoon destinations at the time were the French Riviera and Italy, particularly its seaside resorts and romantic cities such as Rome, Verona or Veince. Typically honeymoons would start on the night they were married, with the couple leaving midway through the reception to catch a late train or ship. However, in the 21st century, many couples will not leave until 1–3 days after the ceremony and reception in order to tie up loose ends with the reception venue and/or visit with guests from the reception.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe

2010-05-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

I am thinking these past few days of having Brunch Ideas so i thought that i might try to post some ideas that you might like to try.

I will try to give you Fresh Fruit Salad recipe with Honey-Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

12 cups fresh fruit in bite-size pieces

Use any fruits you wish or select from among these good choices:

Strawberries - halved or quartered

Seedless grapes - whole

Cantaloupe and/or Honeydew Melon balls

Apricots - seeded and quartered

Raspberries - whole

Cherries - whole

Bananas - slided about 1/2 inch thick

Tip: Don't add the bananas until just before serving

1 cup broken nuts (optional)

"Broken" indicates smaller than whole, but larger than chopped; pieces

Combine the fruits in a large bowl. Gently stir in the nuts and the Honey-Lime Dressing, below:

Honey-Line Dressing:

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

Zest of 1 lime, grated

3/4 cup honey

Combine all the dressing ingredients and fold into the fruit salad.

Makes about 16 3/4 - cup servings.

Source: Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe

Miss USA 2010 Pageant

2010-05-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS – A 24-year-old Arab American from Michigan beat out 50 other women to take the 2010 Miss USA title Sunday night, despite nearly stumbling in her evening gown.

Rima Fakih of Dearborn, Mich., won the pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after strutting confidently in an orange and gold bikini, wearing a strapless white gown that resembled a wedding dress and saying health insurance should cover birth control pills.

When asked how she felt about winning the crown, she said, "Ask me after I've had a pizza."

Fakih, a Lebanese immigrant, told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. She moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York, where she attended a Catholic school. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003.

Pageant officials said historical pageant records were not detailed enough to show whether Fakih was the first Arab American, Muslim or immigrant to win the Miss USA title. The pageant started in 1952 as a local bathing suit competition in Long Beach, Calif.

Fakih told reporters she sold her car after graduating college in Michigan to help pay for her run in the Miss Michigan USA pageant.

She said she believed she had the title on Sunday after glancing at pageant owner Donald Trump as she awaited the results with the first runner-up, Miss Oklahoma USA Morgan Elizabeth Woolard.

"That's the same look that he gives them when he says, 'You're hired,'" on Trump's reality show "The Apprentice," she said.

"She's a great girl," said Trump, who owns the pageant with NBC in a joint venture.

In a moment that was replayed during the broadcast, Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in her gown because of the length of its train. But she made it without a spill and went on to win.

"I did it here, I better not do it at Miss Universe," she said. "Modeling does help, after all."

Source: Arab-American from Michigan crowned 2010 Mis USA

Violence in 2010 Presidential Elections in the Phils.

2010-05-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

9 dead, 12 hurt in "most peaceful" elections

At least nine people were killed while 12 others were wounded in over 30 violent incidents that marred the country’s first nationwide automated elections on Monday.

The military, however, said this year’s has been the “most peaceful" elections so far.

“So far, this has been the most peaceful if we will compare it to the previous elections," said Col. Ricardo Nepomuceno, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections.

“We hope this would hold until tonight and throughout until the counting (of the votes) is over," Nepomuceno added.

Nepomuceno said that as of 3 p.m. Monday, they recorded 37 election-related violent incidents based on the reports of military units nationwide.

He said this number was far lower compared to the previous elections where incidents “go by the hundreds." He, however, failed to give the number of violent incidents in previous elections.

The 37 incidents were broken down into six shooting incidents, 13 harassments, five encounters, one ransacking/robbery, one confiscation of a firearm, one ballot snatching, five voter intimidations, three mauling and two explosions of improvised explosives.

Violent clashes between supporters of rival political clans are commonplace in Philippine elections. —KBK, GMANews.TV

SOURCE: Yahoo News

Mayweather beats Mosley

2010-05-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS –Floyd Mayweather remained unbeaten on Saturday, defeating "Sugar" Shane Mosley by unanimous decision on Saturday in a showdown of veteran US welterweight boxers.

Mayweather improved to 41-0, winning on judges' scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110, while Mosley fell to 46-6.

Mosley, a Maori tribal tattoo adorning his left shoulder, landed a hard right cross early in the second round that staggered Mayweather and followed with several more punches that threatened to end the fight early.

But Mayweather weathered the storm and slowly began to use his speed and skill to seize command. By the sixth round, he was landing hard rights and getting inside to work on 38-year-old Mosley time after time.

Mayweather, 33, connected on more power shots late in the seventh round and started verbal taunts as well as hard punches in the eighth and kept dominating all the way to the final bell in the 12th round.

Mayweather had been looking to fight unbeaten Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao but talked unraveled and Pacquiao instead fought Ghana's Joshua Clottey on March 13, beating him by unanimous decision in Dallas.

Mosley had not fought since a ninth-round stoppage of Antonio Margarito in January of last year.

Mayweather declined to fight for Mosley's World Boxing Association welterweight title because he did not wish to surrender three percent of the purse total to the sanctioning body.

Source: Inquirer Sports

The things that Men notice instantly from Women

2010-04-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

It's no shocker that women are known for judging others, but did you ever think men might be guilty of it too? It's true...and you might be surprised to learn exactly what they're honing in on. Here are three things he notices the moment you meet.

Your Friends

You can work your butt off to come across well— a flattering, flirty outfit, big smile, witty conversation—but you can’t do the same for your friends. Men know this, so if you’re out with the gals, men look at them as representatives of all your personality traits—including the not-so-good ones. “I met a girl who seemed sweet at a bar. We chatted, and she invited me to hang with her friends,” says Stan, 26. “Within 10 minutes, I realized they were all gossipy drama queens, and I bolted.” If your friends aren’t on the same win-him-over page as you are, head to your own corner of the bar.

Your Laugh

Guys pride themselves on being funny, so they look for ladies who can appreciate their sense of humor. However, there’s such a thing as laughing too much. “I went out for drinks with one girl who cracked up at everything I said, even if it wasn’t funny,” says Adam, 27. “It got on my nerves so much that I made an excuse to leave early.”

Cell-Phone Usage

You’re having a great chat with a guy when you get a text. What you do next—ignore it or write a response before putting the phone on the table so it’s easier to get to next time—tells him how you’d treat him in the future. “I met a girl at a coffee shop, and within 15 minutes, her phone rang,” says Seth, 33. “She just let it go to voice mail, which made me feel like, at that moment, I was her first priority.”

It's Your Turn: Decode His Body Language

What do you notice first when you meet a guy? How important are early red flags?

Source: Surprising things men notice about women instantly

North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2010-04-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

The humble hamburger bun is essential for soaking up the vinegary sauce—it hugs the fillings like no other bread can.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons pepper
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
One 5-pound boneless pork shoulder roast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
8 hamburger buns, split
4 cups North Carolina-Style Coleslaw, optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300°. Mix together the salt, pepper and paprika; sprinkle all over the pork and rub in.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a 24-inch-long sheet of heavy-duty foil and double-wrap the pork.
Place the pork, skin side up, in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; roast until tender, about 4-1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and carefully unwrap the top of the pork, revealing the skin. Increase the heat to 450° and roast for 20 minutes more.
Transfer the roast to a large bowl, along with any juices. Using two forks, shred the pork. Add the vinegars, sugar and hot sauce; toss. Serve on the hamburger buns, topped with coleslaw, if using.

Source: North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Mystery Hero Helps in Tot's River Rescue

2010-04-06T05:14:00.000-07:00

(April 5) -- A California couple want to thank the mysterious man who jumped into the frigid East River to help rescue their 2-year-old daughter after she slipped on a gangplank while visiting a ship docked at New York's South Street Seaport.

But they can't find him because he left the scene in a cab moments after toddler Bridgette Sheriden was back on land.

In a video captured by witness Eric Stringer and shared with the New York Daily News, David Anderson is seen bobbing in the river and holding on to a rope as he clutches his daughter in the 48-degree water on Saturday.

"He went all the way under, and when he came up, he had her in his arms," Stringer, 34, a freelance TV producer from Hicksville, N.Y., told the Daily News. "She was motionless, at first. It was a couple of seconds, and then she started crying."

The mystery man leaped into the river along with Anderson. Stringer's video shows the man in the water next to Anderson as he holds his daughter. According to Stringer, the mystery man helped secure the father and daughter to the dock and keep them from drifting away. Paramedics called by witnesses arrived shortly after the three were pulled onto the dock, but the unidentified man reportedly hurried off in a taxi.

Anderson and Bridgette were taken to Bellevue Hospital and were released after treatment.

Bridgette's parents now want to thank the man.

"I'd like to offer him my congratulations and my best wishes, and I'd like to talk to him privately to convey the same message," the mother, who declined to reveal her name, told the New York Post.

SOURCE: From AOL News - Mystery Hero Helps in Tot's River Rescue

What to Wear on a First Date

2010-03-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things to remember when you go out on a date most especially if it is a first date.

SHOW YOUR ROMANTIC SIDE

Head-to-toe ruffles aren't neccessary; a hint of feminity is. Pair soft tops with structured pants or skirts; long, flowing skirts with a simple top. Pink is the ultimate romantic color (and it just happens to look great on everyone).

SKIP THE SLEAZE

Dressing like Lil' Kim on the first date may get his attention, but it won't hold his affection for long. Instead try peekaboo styles that do keep something to the imagination: crocheted sweaters, sheer tops over a tank, slit skirts.

BE COMFORTABLE

No need to hold your breath in tight jeans: opt for something with a bit of stretch if figure-hugging styles are your thing. And stilettos may look sexy, but your dogs will be barking in minutes if you go with too-high heels. Try leg-lengthening wedges instead or a sandal that laces at the ankle for added foot appeal.

REVEAL THE REAL YOU

Whether it's your lucky charm bracelet or a groovy pin, let the real you shine through with well-thought-out pieces or accessories.

Simple ways to reveal bits of your personality:

Wear your favorite color; hues tell alot about the wearer.
Don a sentimental piece of jewelry (your grandmother's necklace; your friendship ring from junior high).
Dress in a familiar style (only a bit better). If downtown diva is your thing, don't show up in Laura Ashley just to win his heart.

PASS ON STATUS PIECES

Chances are, he's not going to know Manolo from Mossimo, so save your impressive designer labels for girls' night out. Remember that if you show up looking like too much of a fashion plate, he may be intimidated by your shopping prowess (and start wondering just how much dinero he'd be out in a long-term relationship with you!)

SOURCE: About.com

Pacquaio Beats Clottey

2010-03-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao won again! Well, being a Filipino, i am very proud of him. Filipinos was too engrossed watching the fight last March 14. We were too busy doing anything but just focus on the tv screen. LOL

MANNY PACQUIAO underlined just what a special talent he is with a landslide points victory over Joshua Clottey.

Pacquiao's victory in Dallas last week was no great surprise but I was disappointed with Clottey, who didn't do much more than show up.

Perhaps his negativity can be explained by Pacquiao's workrate.

The Filipino threw around 1,200 punches - that's a phenomenal number.

Clottey did catch Manny a few times but Pacquiao has confidence in his chin, even though he's fighting up at welterweight.

His opponent's best shots just bounced off him.

Pacquiao won his first title at flyweight 12 years ago and is now beating the best at welterweight - little short of greatness.

And instead of getting slower with age and by going through the divisions, he's getting quicker.

Read more of the story on how the columnist, Frank Warren, put into details about his views on the fight of Manny Pacquaio and Joshua Clottey. Click HERE

5 foods to prevent heart disease

2010-03-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of cases of heart disease and it is very important that we know how to prevent it.
Eating a healthy diet can be a key method of preventing heart disease.

Here are the foods that are recognized to protect your heart from SHINE

1. Garlic: This herb is ideal for heart health. Numerous studies have shown the potential benefits of regular garlic consumption on blood pressure, platelet aggregation, serum triglyceride level, and cholesterol levels – all of which keep your heart performing. Garlic also makes a great seasoning for food so you can greatly reduce salt.

2. Salmon: Make the swap from a saturated fat burger to a salmon fillet. While some saturated fat is fine, a little goes a long way. The average cheeseburger has more than half a day worth of the artery clogging fat, which will increase your risk for a heart attack. Conversely, salmon lowers that risk thanks to heart healthy fats. Omega-3s can prevent erratic heart rhythms, reduce likelihood of blood clots inside arteries, improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, and prevent cholesterol from becoming damaged, at which point it clogs arteries.

3. Berries and Cherries: Props must be given to nature’s candy. These sweet treats are high in polyphenols, which prevent cell damage that creates unhealthy blood vessels and heart. During the winter, opt for frozen berries. Try thawing a bag of frozen strawberries in the refrigerator. Then, add unsweetened, steel-cut oatmeal with the berries their juice and your heart will say thanks with each beat.

4. Quinoa: Often mistaken as a grain, this tiny sprouted seed is an excellent source of magnesium, the mineral that relaxes blood vessels. Low dietary levels of magnesium lead to some scary health issues like increased rates of hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart arrhythmias. Quinoa cooks quickly and makes great leftovers. Toss with grilled veggies and roasted chicken for a delicious one-pot dinner, or try this Red Curry Quinoa recipe.

5. Hot Cocoa: You read right! Hot cocoa is brimming with antioxidants – two-times more than red wine and three times more than green tea. The cool February temperatures are no match for a mug of hot cocoa. My tip: since hot chocolate mixes are full of sugar, use 100% cocoa and combine with a teaspoon of sugar. Plus you'll sweeten with the natural sugars in the milk.

Source: SHINE

Another Earthquake in Chile

2010-03-03T00:52:00.000-08:00

A wide array of Pacific nations, including the US, Australia, the Phillipines to Japan, are bracing for potentially devastating tidal waves after a massive earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami that is radiating across the ocean.

The quake, with a magnitude of 8.8, has killed at least 122 people in mainland Chile and prompted the evacuation of coastal areas on Easter Island – famous for its monumental stone statues – as well as Samoa and American Samoa.

Countries across the Asia-Pacific region are readying emergency measures drawn up after the Indian Ocean quake of 2004, with the tsunami expected to hit in the next 24 hours.

Michelle Bachelet, the outgoing Chilean president, declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile and said a huge tidal wave had swept into the Juan Fernandez Islands. Local radio stations reported serious damage on the archipelago, which reputedly inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe.

The president-elect, Sebastian Pinera, said more than 122 people had died in the quake, and the toll was rising quickly. Bachelet said there were more than 85 deaths just in the Maule region, at the quake's epicentre.

"We have had a huge earthquake with some aftershocks. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately. Without a doubt, with an earthquake of this magnitude, there will be more deaths," Bachelet said.

More on this information - Chile earthquake: Pacific nations brace for tsunami

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2010-02-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day everyone.. Here's a poem for all of you!

Valentine Treasures

Valentine treasures are people who

have often crossed your mind,

family, friends and others, too,

who in your life have shined

the warmth of love or a spark of light

that makes you remember them;

no matter how long since you’ve actually met,

each one is a luminous gem,

who gleams and glows in your memory,

bringing special pleasures,

and that’s why this Valentine comes to you:

You’re one of those sparkling treasures!

By Joanna Fuchs

7-year-old Boy Raises Huge Sum for Haiti

2010-01-26T21:34:00.000-08:00

A seven-year-old British boy has raised more than 60,000 pounds ($107,000) in a day for survivors of the Haiti earthquake by doing a sponsored bike ride. According to ABC News.

It was really so very kind of this little boy that he was able to raised a funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Charlie Simpson set out to collect around 500 pounds ($890) for a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) appeal by cycling eight kilometres around his local park in London, but his efforts inspired hundreds of people to donate online.

He started his fundraising efforts after seeing shocking images of children being pulled alive from the rubble in the Caribbean nation.

"My name is Charlie Simpson, I want to do a Sponsored Bike Ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives. I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti," he wrote on his website.

Read more about this information: Seven-year-old cyclist raises $100k for Haiti

Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

Have you heard the news about the earthquake in Haiti? A lot of people were died, people that are still missing, houses that collapsed and people that were trapped on the buildings.

The earthquake that happened in Haiti last January 12, 2010 really was a disaster.

Here's a detailed information about the earthquake.

Source: Wikipedia

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake centred approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, which struck at 16:53:09 local time (21:53:09 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). The United States Geological Survery recorded a series of aftershocks, fourteen of them between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9. The International Red Cross estimates that there have been as many as three million people affected by the quake, and an estimated 450,000–500,000 deaths.

Most of Port-au-Prince's major landmarks were significantly damaged or destroyed in the earthquake, including the Presidential Palace (though the President survived), the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail. All hospitals were destroyed or so badly damaged that they have been abandoned. The United Nations reported that headquarters of the United Nations stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), located in the capital, collapsed and that a large number of UN personnel were unaccounted for. The Mission's Chief, Hedi Annabi, was confirmed dead on 13 January by President Rene Preval.

New Year's Predictions

2010-01-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

If you notice, before the first day of 2010, there are a lot of predictions that are going on. Some of the predictions are from some famous fortune teller, some are from other people but do you really believe on it? I mean, are those words from those fortune tellers are true? Do you believe on them? For me, I really don't! Because there's NO ONE who know what will happen in the future aside from GOD.

How about you? What can you say about this topic?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

2010-01-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone! I wish you all prosperity, good health and more blessings to come!

Mom and Baby Died, and Revive

2009-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of miracles that happened in this world and recently, during the Christmas eve, a mom from Colorado went into cardiac arrest during labor and died, along with her baby. But miraculously, both managed to revive.

DENVER – A Colorado woman says a Christmas miracle brought her and her newborn son back from the brink of death after her heart stopped beating during childbirth and the baby was delivered showing no signs of life.

"I got a second chance in life," Tracy Hermanstorfer said.

Hermanstorfer, 33, was being prepped for childbirth at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs Thursday morning. Her 37-year-old husband was by her side when she began to feel sleepy and lay back in her bed.

"She literally stopped breathing and her heart stopped," her husband, Mike, told The Associated Press. Pandemonium erupted as doctors and nurses tried to revive her with chest compressions and a breathing tube, but nothing worked.

"I was holding her hand when we realized she was gone," Mike Hermanstorfer said. "My entire life just rolled out."

Doctors told him, "We're going to take your son out now. We have been unable to revive her and we're going to take your son out," he recalled.

After the Cesarean section, some of the team rushed his wife to the operating room while the others attended to Coltyn. They handed him to Mike Hermanstorfer, who said the baby was "absolutely lifeless."

"My legs went out from underneath me," Hermanstorfer said. "I had everything in the world taken from me, and in an hour and a half I had everything given to me."

The doctors went to work on Coltyn as Hermanstorfer held him, and soon he began to breath.

"His life began in my hands," Hermanstorfer said. "That's a feeling like none other. Life actually began in the palm of my hands."

Read the full information and watch the video in Yahoo! News

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to everyone and a prosperous New Year!

Finding DoFollow Sites

2009-12-20T03:23:00.000-08:00

With all of the above being said - it is rather difficult to find sites that are "DoFollow"...however, they are out there! Listed below for your convenience are running lists of multiple categories of sites that are DoFollow, and great candidates for your next backlink!

In getting links, regardless of if they're DoFollow or not, please note that Google and other search engines are rather smart these days. If you have multiple links pointing to a page from one DoFollow source, or if that source is also linking to other places that are giving you backlinks (such as your Blogspot or Wordpress account), search engines will notice and may devalue your links to the point where they become worthless. Build links naturally and over time. Provide value and they'll be quality links. Otherwise, you'll hurt your website's link building efforts in the long-run.

By the way -- when it comes to link building, only the first link pointing to a site counts. Posting more than one hyperlink on the same page to the same source won't help in any way.

These are the best dofollow sites that I choose for game related blacklinks.
I have just created this list of DOFOLLOW gaming blogs / Do Follow Games related websites.
You can get free backlinks, better SEO, better Alexa Rank and better PageRank by commenting the dofollow blogs below:

1.http://www.frogview.com
2.http://www.wowfailblog.com
3.http://computershopper.com
4.http://www.gamingplanet.info/
5.http://www.pcgametrek.com/zuma
6.http://pcgamesmagazine.wordpress.com/
7.http://pc-games-2010.blogspot.com/
8.http://biggsuccess.com/
9.http://www.martinbowling.com
10.http://www.gamingplanet.info/
11.http://pc-games-2010.blogspot.com/
12.http://www.pcgametrek.com/

Don't Be A Spammer - Be A Value Provider!

Spamming Dofollow resources will not give you results...not only that, it hurts the entire community, and it persuades Dofollow providers to convert their sites to Nofollow. Be sure that all of your link-building exploits are done so tastefully and honestly. If you don't cram keywords and give an honest account of what your site is about, search engines will reward you for it!
Just write relevant comments and they will surely be approved in a few hours;)

15 Ideas for Sweet and Simple Gifts For Neighbors

2009-12-14T01:08:00.000-08:00

The more holiday cheer we can spread, the better, especially in our own neighborhoods.

Here are some ideas for simple, sweet, inexpensive gifts that are just right.

1. Holiday Cookies. Carve out a day to spend with your favorite ladies, and bake away. Pool your recipes and divvy up the goodies into gift bags or decorative plastic gift trays at the end of the day.

2. Have a stack of classic chocolates on hand. My kids' school has a fundraiser in September so we can buy just such incidental gifts, along with gift wrap. If you don't have such a fundraiser in your neighborhood, you might think about starting one. (Innisbrook.com handles ours.) If you are just looking for some yummy chocolates to stock up on, Ferrero Rocher is a big favorite, and these chocolates can be purchased inexpensively in beautiful holiday arrangements at most discount stores. It's nice to have a stack of extra gifts like these in the cabinet during the holidays, when you never know when you'll need an extra gift.

3. A bottle of your favorite (and relatively inexpensive) wine.

4. A journal and a nice pen. It's nice to have a special place to record their favorite personal thoughts of family memories.

5. Homemade crafts. If you're a scrapbooker, make a mini holiday album. If you love to sew, fashion some new placemats or potholders. And if you are not craft inclined, shop for neighborhood gifts at your local holiday craft fair. These are great for finding inexpensive holiday gifts that are often just sentimental enough.

6. Favorite fixin's. Combine the dry ingredients of your favorite sugar cookie recipe in a plastic bag and slide it into an inexpensive Christmas stocking. Print the baking ingredients on a festive tag, and use a pretty ribbon to tie it to the stocking, along with a holiday cookie cutter.

7. Fresh flowers. A simple bouquet of flowers, artfully arranged, is always welcome, especially when it arrives with a heartfelt note. Potted plants are wonderful, too.

8. Wreaths or poinsettias. There's always room for more holiday greenery.

9. Gift certificates for your local favorite coffee house, café, or soup restaurant.

10. Movie tickets (and if the family has young children, throw in an offer to babysit, too.)

11. An assortment of candles in festive shades and aromas, or an aromatherapy diffuser and essential oils. Scents of peppermint and cinnamon are especially lovely this time of year.

12. A personalized ornament for the neighbor's holiday tree.

13. Simple photo albums or photo frames that match your neighbor's décor.

14. An inspiring book of quotes or meditations.

15. A simple note telling each neighbor what they bring to your life and how much you value their friendship.

Article Source: EzineArticles

Countdown to Christmas

2009-12-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

No one really waits 'til the first week of December to start planning for Christmas. It takes weeks to plan decorations, make wreaths and garlands, collect gifts, and get in the holiday spirit.

Organize Your Gift Wrap Headquarters
Whether you wrap your gift purchases as you buy them or save everything to do at once, the job will be easier if you get everything organized. You'll find helpful tips in our article on Gift Wrapping Tips. Get all your gift wrapping supplies in one place with a large wrapping surface available. Include paper, tissue, ribbon, raffia, tags, tape, scissors, and double face tape.
Make Your Christmas Card List
If your days are really busy, writing Christmas cards might seem like a chore. But if you get organized ahead of time, it won't be so difficult. Once you've bought your Christmas cards, take time to address the envelopes, add the stamp, and your return address. Then each day for the next couple of weeks, sign or write notes on several cards. Before you know it, you'll have everyone done. Be sure to keep a few extras on hand for people you might have forgotten.
Fill Your Freezer With Goodies
Start baking cookies, breads, main dishes, and desserts and store them carefully in the freezer. Then during the busy days around Christmas, you'll have meals for family and friends.
Gifts for the Disadvantaged
You'll have plenty of specific gifts to buy for family and friends. So now is a good time to think of others who are less fortunate. Purchase some toys and gifts for "Toys for Tots" or the Salvation Army. Be sure to include your children in this special giving. You'll be setting a good example for years to come. Read some of our Shopping Strategies to avoid the busiest times to shop and get good bargains.
Plan Your Parties
If you're planning to entertain two different circles of friends, say those from work and those from church, plan the parties on two consecutive days. You'll only have to clean house once, cook once, choose your clothes once, polish the silver once, make one centerpiece. You'll save lots of time and frustration, doing all the preparation at one time.
Start Basic Holiday Decorating
It's not too early to start to decorate your home. Start with a fresh pine wreath for the front door. Put candles everywhere. Tie seasonal bows all around. Lay a fire in the fireplace. Turn on some traditional Christmas music. Get out the holiday dishes.

From About.com

Prime Suspect of Maguindanao Massacre Surrender

2009-11-30T02:34:00.000-08:00

Maguindanao (Philippines) Massacre

2009-11-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-three persons – including a politician about to file her and her brother’s certificates of candidacy (COCs), as well as journalists covering the event – were confirmed killed when heavily armed men waylaid the group on its way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Romero Brawner confirmed that as of yesterday afternoon, ground troops had recovered 21 bodies – 13 women and eight men – from the massacre site in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.

Supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu and their

companions were on their way to the Comelec office to file COCs at around 10:30 a.m. when they were blocked at a checkpoint manned by some 100 Maguindanao police personnel and armed civilian volunteers allegedly led by Datu Unsay town mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Ampatuan was not available for comment.

Reports from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division reported that a certain Police Senior Inspector Dicay of Shariff Aguak accompanied Ampatuan. Three vehicles owned by the Mangudadatu’s were found burned.

Toto Mangudadatu, who was not with the convoy, is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the May 2010 elections and had asked his wife to file his COC.

Aside from Bai Eden, the other victims were identified as Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, the vice mayor’s wife who was raped before being killed; lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo and her father, Bai Farinah Mangudadatu; Faridah Sabdulah; Manguba Bai Mangudadatu, Toto’s aunt; Farida Mangudadatu, Toto’s youngest sister.

The journalists were identified as Ian Toblan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Joy Duhay, Andy Teodoro, Mac-Mac Areola, Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo Koronadal, Henry Araneta of dzRH Cotabato, Bong Reblando of Manila Bulletin and Neneng Montano of local radio dxCP.

Also reported killed were Rasul Daud, driver of Mangudadatu, Wahida Ali Kaliman, Farida Sabdula, Zorayda Vernan, Victor Nuñez, Zaida Abdul, Pinky Balayman, Ella Balayman, Rahima Piopo, Abdullah Hajji, Patrick Pamansan, Meriam Calicol, a certain Unto and a certain Chito, and eight others who were not included in the list.

Toto said his wife and her companions left Buluan town at about 9 a.m. on board several vehicles and were flagged down by armed men at Barangay Kauran in Ampatuan, Maguindanao some 30 minutes later.

“Six members of the group that was to bring my certificate of candidacy to Shariff Aguak were beheaded by the gunmen that flagged them down at a portion of a highway near Shariff Aguak. The police and the military have to do something,” Mangudadatu told Catholic station dxND in Kidapawan City.

“I opted not to provide armed security escorts to the group to avoid possible tension during the filing of my COC,” he added.

The Mangudadatu clan is known to have a long-running feud with the family of Maguindanao’s incumbent Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., who police said is known to have his own private army.

Canadian Woman Loses Benefits Over Facebook Photo

2009-11-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

BROMONT, Quebec – A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits because her insurance agent found photos of her on Facebook in which she appeared to be having fun.

Nathalie Blanchard has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, for the last year.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday she was diagnosed with major depression and was receiving monthly sick-leave benefits from insurance giant Manulife.

But the payments dried up this fall and when Blanchard called Manulife, she says she was told she was available to work because of Facebook.

She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard posted on Facebook, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday.

Blanchard said Manulife told her it's evidence she is no longer depressed. She's fighting to get her benefits reinstated and says her lawyer is exploring what the next step should be.

Blanchard told the CBC that on her doctor's advice, she tried to have fun, including nights out at her local bar with friends and short getaways to sun destinations, as a way to forget her problems.

Manulife wouldn't comment on Blanchard's case, but did say they would not deny or terminate a claim solely based on information published on Web sites such as Facebook.

Source: Yahoo News

New Tallest Man in The World

2009-11-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

A new crowned Tallest Man in the World, Turkish Sultan Kösen (26) who measures a staggering 8 ft 1 in (246.5 cm). Watch the video from youtube.

How to Tell if Your Woman is Cheating on You

2009-11-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

In my previous post How to Know if Your Man is Chating, a guy visitor of my blog commented that he was cheated before by her woman. So he told me that i have to balance it. So to make it fair and balance, it will be the other way around. Now I am going to share to you an article about How to Tell If Your Woman is Cheating on You from eHow.com.

Have you ever suspected your girlfriend to be cheating on you at one point in your relationship? Do you trust her too much and believe that she can never do something foolish behind your back? If you do, it is time to wake up because some women, just like men, also flirt when their boyfriends are not in sight. They find enjoyment in playing and leading on other guys especially if they know that the said guys are attracted to them.

1. It's hard to say how frequently married women cheat. Polls have had widely divergent results, showing that anywhere from 10 percent to 60 percent of the married female population will have an affair at some point--although marriage counselors say the lower end is more likely. But while most cheaters are still men (but not by much, actually), women are more likely than ever to be the ones who stray.

One of the leading signs that your girlfriend is cheating is a noticeable void in her need for your attention. Since she is now having that particular need met elsewhere, she will not pursue you to fill this need any longer. For example, you stop showing interest in her likes and hobbies. Your girlfriend might start to look for someone who is interested in those things. This person could be a friend, but if there is an attraction and this other person is willing to fill this void, she may decide to cheat.

2. Another sign is her paying more attention to her physical appearance. Of course, if your girlfriend already focuses heavily on appearance, this may not be a sign at all. But if your girlfriend usually leaves the house in sweats and little makeup and now is putting on a nice outfit, makeup and fixing her hair for simple things like going to the grocery store, it may be cause for concern. If she suddenly is focusing on a diet and exercise regimen and makes no mention of what sparked her motivation, this could be a signal of infidelity.

3. If you see your girlfriend trying to avoid being overheard on the phone, this is a sign she doesn't want you to know something. Now, when I talk on the phone, I don't like being in a room with someone else. For one thing, it seems rude for me to be talking over whatever they are doing. Second, I get distracted trying to have two discussions at once.

But if your girlfriend has been happy for years to talk away while you watch t.v., but suddenly decides you need peace and quite, this is a sign that she doesn't want you to hear what she's talking about.

4. Feelings of guilt will show up in strange ways. She might suddenly be much more affectionate than she has been, so much so that it seems artificial. This is her trying to cope with guilt feelings.

At other times, if she appears to be picking fights with you, this is another way of coping with guilt. She needs justification for cheating, so she will pick fights that allow her to look at you as the bad guy.

If both of these appear at once, then these mood swings are a good indication that something is going on.

5. If your girlfriend starts to dress differently, this is a sign she's dressing for another man. Of course, women like new clothes. So don't get crazy if she continues her normal shopping patterns. But if you notice she's bought a whole bunch of new lingerie, you could have a problem.

6. Finally and most importantly. Women need an emotional connection in order to feel desire. If she feels she does not have that connection with you she will start to pull away sexually. As she develops an emotional connection with another male what is left of her emotional connection to you will start to wane further.

7. In closing, there are ups and downs in every relationship. Try to remember that one of these signs by itself does not signify that cheating is taking place. If you only see a couple of signs you should count yourself lucky and work to improve that area of your relationship. However; when you see multiple signs then you need to heed their warning. If she hasn't cheated, she soon will be. Take the steps necessary to protect your most important asset, your relationship.

How To Know if Your Man is Cheating?

2009-10-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the internet and I found an article from yahoo regarding about guys. It is one common problem of girls on how to find out if their guys are cheating or the other way around. I find it interesting so I try to post it here in my blog.

Source: 6 Signs Your Guy is Cheating

It’s every woman’s worst relationship fear — that her man is cheating. We’ve all heard the statistic: half of all men cheat. And some experts say that number is even closer to three quarters. Could it be happening to you? Aside from finding lipstick on his collar, a mysterious condom in his pocket or, yes, a phone number on a napkin (helpful hints but unlikely clichés!), there are some red flags to watch out for to tip you off that something fishy might be going on. The following are six signs that should raise your eyebrows:

1. He’s Acting Differently.
The most telltale sign of a cheating man is that he’s acting differently than the way he used to. If any of the signals below describe your guy’s usual actions, don’t freak out and immediately assume he’s having an affair; he’s probably just being his quirky self. What you should be suspicious of is new developments, says Barbara Feld, LCSW, a couple’s therapist at Park Avenue Relationship Consultants in New York City. She says you should ask yourself, “Is what’s happening different than normal? Is he showing a real change in behavior?” If he’s always been private, hasn’t ever had the highest sex drive, or often flakes out on plans, that’s just who he is. It’s when he starts to be that way and never was before that you should start asking questions.

2. He’s Avoiding You.
If your guy has suddenly started coming home much later, seems to be making excuses to be out of the house, starts going away with out you on the weekends, or just generally seems to be avoiding you, that’s a clear indication of trouble in your relationship. M. Gary Neuman, a licensed family counselor and the author of “The Truth About Cheating” found that 61 percent of cheating men said they started spending more time away from home. 55 percent of men about to cheat said the same thing. No matter how busy your guy may be, he should be making an effort to see you (because, hello – he loves you, right?). If he’s stopped making time for you, it’s not at all unreasonable to wonder if he’s making time for someone else.

3. You’re Having Less/Different Sex.
You might think that cheating men stop sleeping with their partners completely. But that’s not always the case. According to M. Gary Neuman, a little less than half of cheating men report having less sex with their partner. Others keep having sex so that they don’t raise suspicions – sneaky b------ s. So be alert to the amount of sex you’re having, but most of all, pay attention to the quality of the sex. Therapist Barbara Feld says sometimes when a guy is having an affair, the quantity of sex remains the same, but it’s the sex itself that changes. Maybe it used to be very romantic, and feel more like making love, and now it just feels like plain old sex.

4. His General Response to You Has Changed.
If a guy is having an affair, he may stop acting like the sweet, romantic man you fell in love with. Maybe he used to be very loving and kind towards you, but now he seems to get annoyed easily, be critical, or pick fights. If he’s consistently not being affectionate with you, don’t brush it off. Try to figure out why he’s different – and what could be distracting him, or making him feel guilty.

5. He Has Suddenly Become Very Private.
It’s just not normal for your guy to always go into a different room to answer calls, keep his cell phone in his car, or get really private about his bills (unless, of course, your man is a privacy freak and you knew that going in). But if he suddenly stops checking his e-mail in front of you, has turned the bathroom into a phone booth, and has redirected the bills to his office, it’s a fair guess than an affair is under way.

6. He is Unreliable
Quite simply, says Barbara Feld, “is he where he says he will be?” If he’s never where he says he’s going to be, it’s a certain sign he’s lying to you about something. Maybe he says he’ll be at the office, but you call and he’s not there. Or he says he’s with a friend, and that friend then calls looking for him. Everyone’s plans change sometimes, but if your guy is consistently not where he says he will be, it’s very possible it’s because he’s with another woman.

What to Do?
If your guy is showing any of these six signs, talk with him about it. Tell him things feel different than they used to, and you want to know what’s going on. “If he tells you everything is fine but you know it’s not, continue to pursue the issue,” says Barbara Feld. “You can also suggest, ‘let’s talk to someone together,’ and get couples therapy.”

Don’t turn a blind eye on your relationship. If things are bad, getting bad, or just feel strange, do something about it. Even if you guy isn’t having an affair, all the signs above could be signals that he’s about to. By addressing – and working with him to fix – whatever is going on in your relationship, you can prevent an affair from ever happening in the first place. If you’re noticing negative changes or problems in your relationship, address them now, while they’re still small. Maintaining a strong relationship with open communication is one of the best things you can do to ensure fidelity—both on his part, and on yours.

Baby's Sleeping Habits

2009-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Newborn baby sleep habits are among new parents' first concerns. In fact, one of the questions typically asked to new parents is "how does baby sleep"? Often, the new parents are so sleep-deprived that they can't answer in complete sentences anyway, which usually answers the question without an explanation! If you ask any two moms or dads the same question, you will more than likely get two very different answers. This is to be expected. After all, a newborn doesn't realize that he needs a schedule, and he probably won't fall into one until he is at least four or five months old.

How much does a newborn baby sleep?

Newborn babies may sleep as much as twenty hours a day. You may be thinking that if your baby is going to sleep that much, you won't be sleep-deprived at all! The problem, however, is that newborn babies sleep in spurts. Your infant may sleep an hour or two, then wake up to eat for twenty minutes, then sleep another hour, then wake up to be changed, then sleep for thirty minutes...You get the picture! You will need to try and rest when baby sleeps, if at all possible.

What if my newborn baby gets her days and nights mixed up?

It isn't at all uncommon for a newborn to get her days and nights confused. After all, she has spent the first nine months in almost semi to total darkness. It was probably quite a rude awakening for her as she experienced labor and delivery, and she was greeted by bright lights and many people poking, prodding, and holding her.

She isn't ready for a schedule yet, so you will have to encourage her newborn baby sleep habits to change. Until she does, however, you should still try to rest when she is sleeping. If you have other children, this can be difficult, so enlist the help of your partner, family members, and friends. The more rested you are, the easier it will be to cope with the changes that having a baby can bring.

Encouraging Newborn Baby Sleep Habits

Although you really can't expect your newborn baby to follow a set schedule, you can gently condition him to become a better sleeper at night. If he seems to sleep better in the day than at night, you will need to create an environment that is not as conducive to sleep during the daylight hours. You can do this by keeping baby in a well-lit room around other people. Interact with your newborn anytime he is awake. Talk to him, and play with him.

As the day turns into night, begin creating a bedtime ritual. You might want to give him a bath, change him into a gown, and feed him while sitting in a darkened room. Many babies sleep better if there is some type of background noise or white noise, such as a fan. You can turn this on only at night. If you continue to follow this ritual, eventually, your baby will associate this with bedtime, and you should notice him sleeping for longer periods at night.

Where should my newborn baby sleep?

Where your baby sleeps is actually a personal preference. Some parents prefer having their babies in the room with them, sleeping in a bassinet or crib. Others prefer to start their babies off in their own rooms. Still others prefer to have their babies sleep with them.

A word of caution, however-If you do want your baby to sleep with you, there are specially designed baby beds that let your newborn baby sleep in your bed but eliminate the risk of your baby being smothered either by a sleeping parent, bed covers, or a pillow. Remember-no matter where your newborn baby sleeps, she should always be placed on her back to lessen the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Her crib or bassinet should also be free of blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and loose sheets.

Finally, it will be several weeks or months until your baby sleeps for longer periods of time. Until then, do your best to rest as much as possible, and remember that babies grow fast. Soon, your baby will be sleeping through the night, and you'll feel a lot more rested in the morning!

Source: Newborn Baby Sleep Habits

Bagyong Pepeng (Typhoon Parma)

2009-10-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

There is another typhoon that hits the country (Philippines) and that is Typhoon Pepeng, the international name is Parma. It is causing another disaster in our country: heavy rains, floods and landslides.

Typhoon Parma, the strongest typhoon to hit the country since 2006, was hovering off the northwestern coast of the main Luzon island, the weather bureau said.

Here are some of the videos taken to the places that were affected of the typhoon:

What to wear and not to wear at work

2009-10-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of us do not know how to dress up properly most especially if it is work related so I am going to show you an article about The way you dress affects how others view you. It's nothing personal, just business.

Many professional women are guilty of multiple fashion faux pas without realizing it, and their lack of judgment can sometimes lead to being passed over for a job or promotion.

Dressing for success means business, not pleasure. Read on for our must-avoids.

Too much cleavage
Showing too much cleavage at work is the No. 1 fashion faux pas on our list. Studies show that women who dress in sexy attire in a professional environment are more often passed over for promotions than women who dress more conservatively. Bottom line: If you want to get ahead, ditch the low-cut top.

Too-short skirt
Wearing a micro-mini may send the message that you're trying to compensate for skills you lack in other areas. Also, the knee is a visual anchor, says Barbara Pachter, an etiquette expert. People's attention will be drawn downward when they approach you, instead of toward your face where it should be. Save your minis for after office hours and, while it doesn't need to be knee length, put on a skirt that you can sit down in without showing too much thigh.

See-through clothes
Summer materials such as organza and liquid jersey look and feel cool and pretty, but in the light of a staff meeting, they can reveal the outlines of your legs — and much more. The best solution is to check out your ensemble in a bright, naturally lit room before leaving for work. Always wear transparent blouses over camis or under jackets; transparent dresses and skirts should be layered over a slip or leggings. Ginger Burr of Total Image Consultants notes that buying clothes with lining — especially white pants and skirts — is always a safe choice.

Over-accessorizing
A rule of thumb when it comes to accessories in the workplace: Less is more. Costume jewelry, when worn in bulk, tends to look tacky. The real thing, on the other hand, can come off as gaudy. A boardroom-ready look includes one show stopper plus subtle accessories. That means if you're going to put on a chunky beaded necklace, stick to minimal earrings and arm candy.

Bringing the beach into the office
Sundresses, spaghetti-straps, flip-flops. Nothing makes you look less professional than coming to the office like you're dressed for the beach. Having a cover-up like a pashmina, neutral blazer or cardigan on hand will always make an outfit look more professional. Truth be told, however, these summer staples are best avoided at the office. Trade your tank top for a silk shell and Havaianas for backless mules.

UPDATE: Typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the devastated places affected so much by the typhoon.

Watch the videos on how the typhoon affects the people in Metro Manila.

Typhoon Ondoy flood the streets of Metro Manila

2009-09-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – As typhoon Ondoy continues to hit Luzon, Metro Manila and nearby areas are currently flooded, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported.

Based on NDCC’s latest situation report, areas in the National Capital Region that are not passable include Malabon (C4 Letre, M.H. Del Pilar, Panghulo Road, Catmon and Dampalit); E. Rodriguez cor. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City; Palasan in Valenzuela; Brgys. 180, 185, 187 in Pasay; Brgy. Santolan in Pasig; Barangay Malanday in Marikina; Brgy. Tunasan in Muntinlupa; and Brgys. Banaba, Sta. Ana, and San Mateo in Rizal.

According to the recent weather bulletin from Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) signal no. 2 remains in Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Northern Quezon, and Polilo Island. While Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugai, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Bataan, Metro Manila and the rest of Quezon are under signal no. 1.

PAGASA added, typhoon Ondoy continues to move with a maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. and is expected to leave the country’s area of responsibility by Monday morning.

Source: PhilStar

What Happens in Vegas Movie Review

2009-09-22T01:31:00.000-07:00

I got bored last night doing nothing. I was just lying in the bed watching television when I changed the channel and I saw a movie that just started entitled What Happens in Vegas. I heard about the movie but did not have a chance to watch it before so I was kinda thrilled when it was starting.

I know for a fact that there are others who watched that movie already. So I just wanna share some of my comments regarding the movie. Well, it was kinda predictable but then it has a lot of funny moments. Honestly, i really enjoyed the movie a lot! I always laugh when Ashton and Cameron always fight with each other. Their battle scenes are really fun! Cameron Diaz who is matured in so many ways while Ashton Kutcher who looks and acts like a 12 years old.

After the wildest party night of their lives, two mismatched strangers, Jack (Ashton Kutcher) and Joy (Cameron Diaz), wake up in Vegas to discover they not only got lucky – they got married! The road to annulment takes a hilarious turn after Jack wins a three-million-dollar jackpot while playing Joy’s quarter and a no-nonsense judge (Dennis Miller) sentences them to six months “hard marriage.” What follows is an all-out war of the sexes as Jack and Joy go to outrageous lengths to try and cheat each other out of the money. But in the end, they may learn that when you gamble on love, you just might win, against all odds! :)

A Man Died Because of the song Nobody by Wondergirls

2009-09-11T04:16:00.000-07:00

I was watching television this morning when I came across to a morning news. What caught me was the news about a guy who was killed here in the Philippines because of the song Nobody by Wondergirls. I really find it so stupid. I guess the people who are liable for this crime were high on drugs. That's just my opinion. Anyway, below is the detailed news about the crime.

Source: allkpop

We all know that the hit song, Nobody by the Wonder Girls is a global phenomenon. But no one would have expected this. A man in the Philippines was apparently stabbed in the stomach and hit in the head until he was dead because he didn't know the song, Nobody.

His name was Leo Santos, 28, and he was killed by 4 men from Tondo, Manila. The knife used was even left in the guy's body and the whole murder was because he doesn't know the song 'Nobody' by Wonder Girls.

Santos, an electrician from Mahomas Compound, Tondo, Manila was stabbed 2 times in the stomach and hit to death on 26th August. He died last Thursday at the Memorial Medical Center after succumbing to his fatal injuries..

The Manila Police District-Homicide Section are now looking for the suspects Jansen Maglanque, Jonar Balagtas, Rodolfo Aguas and Joseph (alias) for alleged murder.

According to information released by the investigation team, Leo Santos was walking along the Corregidor Street around 2am when Joseph was singing Nobody by Wonder Girls. Leo asked him, "What are you singing?"

The suspect Joseph got irritated because Leo didn't know the song he was singing. Joseph then punched Leo in the face and the other suspects joined in beating Leo to death. One of the suspects (the news didn't say who) even stabbed Leo in the stomach 2 times before all of them ran away.

The family didn't report the case immediately, only choosing to make a police report yesterday afternoon because the family decided that taking care of Leo's hospital issues and funeral arrangements were much more important.

Photo Manipulation

2009-09-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

I visited a blog yesterday and read the recent posts which is about photo manipulation. Well, it reminds me that have some pictures which I edited and I want to show it to you guys.. Hope you will like them! I really love editing pictures but since I couldn't find a time to do the stuff which I usually do before. Anyway, here are the photos.. Enjoy!

Miss Universe 2009 Pageant

2009-08-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

The Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant held in Nassau, Bahamas has crowned it's new queen. Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez who is 18 years old inherited the Miss Universe crown from another Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, who won the competition in 2008. The Venezuelan beauty retained the crown for her country.

The main event Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, and included performances by rapper Flo Rida, singers David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, and reality star Heidi Montag.

Here are the placements of the top 15 contestants:

Miss Universe 2009 - Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela
1st Runner-up - Ada de la Cruz of Dominican Republic
2nd Runner-up - Marigona Dragusha of Kosovo
3rd Runner-up - Rachael Finch of Australia
4th Runner-up - Mayra Matos of Puerto Rico

Top 10

France - Chloé Mortaud South Africa - Tatum Keshwar Switzerland - Whitney Toyloy Czech Republic - Iveta Lutovská United States - Kristen Dalton

Top 15

Albania - Hasna Xhukiçi Belgium - Zeynep Sever Sweden - Renate Cerljen Croatia - Sarah Ćosić Iceland - Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir
Special awards according to worldwide online voting

Miss Congeniality
China - Wang Jingyao
Miss Photogenic
Thailand - Chutima Durongdej
Best National Costume
Panama - Diana Broce

Cris Angel's Shadow of Illusion

2009-08-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

I was surfing Youtube and found something that will really interest you.. I don't know if you saw this video but one thing is for sure, I just watched it the very first time and I want to share it here. Watch and let me know what you think.

Here's the video:

Fire Music Video

2009-08-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

I want to share a music video that caught my interest.. The below video is a new girl group from Korea.. What makes interesting here is that one of the member there, the one wearing a pink pants, Sandara Park who is a former celebrity in the Philippines. was popular when she was still staying in the Philippines. She decided to go back to Korea and start a new carreer and now she is really having a good start.

My Collection

2009-07-24T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ever since, I really have a wide variety of interest in terms of sneakers... The first brand which I really like most is Chuck Taylor (Converse). There are some who were given by a special someone, others which I bought from my own money. Well, here are they..

These are the shoes which I bought from my own pocket. Since I couldn't ask from my mom directly to buy expensive shoes, so what I did was I saved and saved! I couldn't imagine I was able to save money and bought those stuff. LOL

(This pic was my first ever chuck taylor shoes which I bough in UK, do you know what UK means? Well it is Ukay-ukay! LOL)

(I bought this one in UK too!)

(this one as well.. )

(and this one.. well, this looks brand new when I bought this sneakers)

(Well, this one was not bought from UK.. This was the first chuck taylor which I bought in the mall, and it cost me around 1,500 pesos.. whew! It is a big money for me already.. LOL)

(And this chuck taylor here.. my favorite one! I bought it in a garage sale.. I really like the color so I grab it..)

(This red chuck taylor which looks like a pink one (lol), was bought in UK as well.. I was with my close friend that time when I saw it hanging in the outside the store)

The shoes below was given to me by special someone..

President Obama's First Pitch

2009-07-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama took the field at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2009 All Star Game -- but some fans watching at home still don't know just how good his pitching skills really are.

You can read more information about how Obama pitch here - http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/071409_obama_first_pitch_all_star_game

or you can read more in Yahoo Sports - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Obama-reps-Chicago-s-South-Side-delivers-first-?urn=mlb,176561

The $17,500 Video Game

2009-07-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

Think $60 video games are too expensive? You won't hear any argument from us, but you might from JJ Hendricks, a collector who just paid a clinically insane $17,500 for an obscure NES game from 1990.

The game in question is an ultra-rare, gold-colored version of Nintendo World Championships, a cartridge specially produced for use in a Nintendo-sponsored gaming contest. According to Wikipedia only 26 were created, and Hendricks calls it the "Holy Grail" of video game collectors.

The game itself has a time limit of just 6 minutes and 21 seconds and consists of three short segments from other NES games: Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Rad Racer. Players are scored according to their performance in each game, and their scores are totaled once the time limit expires. Doesn't sound too riveting to us, but then somehow we doubt Hendricks is in it for the gameplay.

And while $17,500 might seem a bit much for a collection of ones and zeroes, Hendricks actually got a bargain: the game was originally listed on eBay for a cool $25,000.

Source: http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/the-17-500-video-game/1332488

How to Moonwalk like Michael Jackson

2009-06-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

One of the all time famous dance moves is the moonwalk which was being popularized by the king of Pop Michael Jackson in the year 1983.. You can watch the video tutorial on how to properly dance the moonwalk on the link below..

HOW TO MOONWALK LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON

Here are some of the videos of Michael Jackson's moonwalk:

Tribal Seeds Videos

2009-06-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

I really love the reggae type of music. Now, I want to share some videos from the band I like most.

Enjoy watching!

Life....

2009-06-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

One thing you can't recycle is the wasted time...

Life is too short...

Live your Life well...

Let's stop worrying over "what if's"...

Be with people you wanted to be with...

Do the things you are eager to do...

After all,

It's only you, who'll decide of how your life will turn out...

Happy and Contented

OR

Rigid and Incomplete...

How To Do A Proper Push-Up

2009-06-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Do you like to exercise? Wondering how to do the push-up properly?

Push-ups aren't just for buff army trainees; they are a great upper body, low-cost exercise. If you're just looking to tone up or gain strength but not too much mass, push-ups are a great exercise. The best thing is you don't have to go to the gym to do them, you can do them at home!

Instructions:

1. Lie chest-down with your hands at shoulder level, palms flat on the floor and slightly more than shoulder-width apart, your feet together and parallel to each other.

2. Look forward rather than down at the floor. The first contact you make with the floor with any part of the face should be your chin, not your nose.

3. Keep your legs straight and your toes tucked under your feet.

4. Straighten your arms as you push your body up off the floor. Keep your palms fixed at the same position and keep your body straight. Try not to bend or arch your upper or lower back as you push up.

5. Exhale as your arms straighten out.

6. Pause for a moment.

7. Lower your body slowly towards the floor. Bend your arms and keep your palms in fixed position. Keep body straight and feet together.

8. Lower body until chest touches the floor. Try not to bend your back. Keep your knees off the floor, and inhale as you bend your arms.

9. Pause for a moment. Begin straightening your arms for a second push-up. Exhale as you raise your body.

Article Source: How to do a proper push-up

Ever experienced Sexual Discrimination?

2009-05-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

We all know that every part of the world, there are different types of people. There are racist, sexist and etc.. But have you ever experienced discriminated by other people because of your sexual gender?

Let's define first - What is Sexism?

Wikipedia define the word:

Sexism, a term coined in the mid-20th century, refers to the belief or attitude that one gender or sex is inferior to or less valuable than the other. It can also refer to hatred of, or prejudice towards, either sex as a whole, or the application of stereotypes of masculinity in relation to men, or of feminity in relation to women. It is also called male and female chauvinism. Historically and across many cultures, sexism has resulted in the subjugation of women to men. Many men and women espousing feminism, masculism and other ideologies have worked toward dispelling sexist beliefs.

Sexism is a form of discrimination based on gender. While many people use the term specifically to describe discrimination against women, sexism can also affect men, and other genders like intersexuals, and transsexuals.

I personally haven't experienced that kind of discrimination but I am against to it!

How about you? Have you experienced this kind of inequality?

Photography: Wonderful Images Of Waves

2009-05-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

These wonderful and incredible images of waves were taken by a photographer of surf named Clark Little.

The Greatest Advice

2009-05-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

I actually found this in my inbox today when I checked my e-mail and I was thinking of sharing this here..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video of Pacquiao Versus Hatton Match

2009-05-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Full Replay of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Versus Ricky Hatton

Manny Pacquiao Versus Ricky Hatton

2009-05-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Pacquiao Cements Legacy With Win

by Martin Rogers, Yahoo Sports!

LAS VEGAS – It took just 359 seconds to add the latest devastating chapter to a legacy that will last for decades.

Manny Pacquiao’s flurried fists made short work of Ricky Hatton on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and delivered the most emphatic proof yet that boxing has a superstar for the ages operating at his peak.

Pacquiao sent the Englishman crashing to the canvas twice in a frenetic first round, then sealed the contest with a brutal left hook that had Hatton out cold on his back with one tick remaining in the second round.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have announced his comeback from a brief and scarcely-believable retirement on Saturday morning. But there can be no doubt that Pacquiao is boxing’s undisputed king as he continues to ride a remarkable wave of momentum.

“Our strategy was the one punch,” Pacquiao said. “Left hook. Right hook. That was going to be the key to this fight.”

The Filipino fighter is a quiet and reserved man out of the ring, but between the ropes he morphs into an electrifying machine – and Hatton felt his full force.

The Hatton camp had hoped their man’s power would be telling, yet he simply had no response to Pacquiao’s pace and precision. A right hook put Hatton down with 54 seconds remaining in round one and proved to be the beginning of the end.

“I knew it was over,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. “Ricky fights the same way over and over. He doesn’t have the ability to adjust.”

As Pacquiao moved in for the finish in the second round, Hatton tried to cling on only to be sent down again with a fierce straight left. Doctors immediately rushed to the aid of Hatton, who eventually and thankfully was able to walk from the ring under his own steam.

“I am surprised this fight was so easy,” said Pacquiao. “I did work hard in my training camp and it paid off. This is as big a victory for me as when I beat Oscar De La Hoya.”

That December triumph over De La Hoya did not convince the entire boxing fraternity of Pacquiao’s ability, primarily as the Golden Boy’s powers had so clearly dimmed from his prime. Now there is no speculation. Pacquiao is the top dog, until someone proves otherwise in the ring.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a no-show at the postfight news conference, leaving Hatton’s co-trainer, Lee Beard, to explain the mauling by Pacquiao.

“We knew about Manny’s speed and that it could play a factor in the fight,” Beard said. “What you saw was two rounds of action and Ricky got caught.”

Roach’s status as a trainer grows in line with each victory his top fighter posts and it became clear his game plan was perfect. Hatton could not avoid Pacquiao, who landed with 73 of his 127 punches. The Brit could only land 18 of 78.

“This is no shock at all,“ Roach said. “Hatton pumps his hands before he throws a punch, and it makes him a sucker for the right hook.

“Manny is a monster. He is the best fighter ever. There is no surprise here.”

Defeat was a bitter blow to the thousands of Hatton fans among the 16,262 in attendance who had journeyed across the Atlantic but saw their dreams dashed within a few brutal minutes.

The typical symphony of chanting carried on even after their man had been sparked out, but it may not strike up again. Hatton, who was alert in his locker room before being taken to the hospital, is one of the most popular boxers ever with an incredible fan base, but his fighting future is now in serious doubt.

For Pacquiao, the future is brighter than ever, and his legend continues to grow.

Said Pacquiao: “I can fight anybody.”

Pictures of how Pacquiao beat Hatton

I Got Paid From Text-Link-Ads

2009-04-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

I just received a check from text-link-ads unexpectedly.. I didn't know that I already reached the minimum payout and they didn't even send me an e-mail about the said payment so when I received the mail from the postmaster, I really couldn't believe it! LOL ... I was glad upon receiving it, although not totally happy because I wouldn't be able to clear the check in the bank.

Anyway, the complete details about it is in my other blog - Make Money Online

A Hot Model - Alex McKee

2009-04-19T03:46:00.000-07:00

Alex McKee is one hot guy! He is a model who just started dabbling in some acting. He is from Florida and one of his interest is photography.

He can be found here: http://muchlikefalling.deviantart.com/

What is Easter Sunday?

2009-04-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the fundamental principles and beliefs of Christianity and a well documented historical fact.

As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion, is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Happy Easter to everyone...

My Paypal account is still limited

2009-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

I am no where to go.. I went through the process of a lot of things just to verify my paypal, and now it is verified! The problem is that it is still limited.. Gosh! I don't know what to do.. Calling them is pretty expensive..

In the resolution area in my paypal account, they want me to send them a few documents namely proof of address, valid photo id and monthly bank account statement. I can send the other two documents but not the monthly bank statement. I am not receiving any statements from my bank ever since I opened an account from them.. I tried to talk to the recipients of the local bank and they said that monthly statements are to be sent from their main office and mailed to our address and I told them that I did not receive anything, so what they did was they gave me a print out copy of my bank statement. When I tried to send the document, paypal did not accept it. Maybe because it is just a print out copy and not the real copy which has a seal and stuff.

Now.... I really do not know what to do! I couldn't get some of my online earning because I could not receive payments due to the limitation. =(

Do you Question HIM?

2009-04-08T02:54:00.000-07:00

I have been in a lot of problems and trials these past few months but I never ask God why these things are happening to me.. I do believe that everything happens for a reason..

How about you? Do you question HIM?

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

I won't dare to question God why I
suffer pain and anguish..

Because I never try to question HIM when I
feel joy and happiness
in my heart...

High School Graduation

2009-04-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

My sister just graduated from High School. My father, nephew and my boyfriend were the one who attended the ceremony since my mother could not come. I was the one who became the photographer during the event! LOL..

The baccalaureate mass started 7:30 am and ended at 9:00 am. There was a 30 minute break and then the graduation ceremony started.

Anyway, here are some pictures which I took during and after their ceremony.

Successfully Enrolled EON Card

2009-03-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

This is just an update with my problem regarding my EON card.. Well, I have a good news for you guys, I have successfully enrolled my EON card in Union Bank's website..

After how many weeks of calling the Union Bank branch, e-mailing the customer service and for waiting, I successfully access their Online Banking , created a cyber account and enrolled my card. After a few days, I got my EXPUSE Number and was able to linked to my paypal account and got verified..

Although my account is already verified, my account is still limited.. I am working on it already to lift it.. What is good of having a verified account even it is limited, I have the option to withdraw my funds which is a great!

I already withdraw it and the status shows "completed".. I am now waiting for my bank to do the part of processing.. I will keep you updated on it on my next post!

Fuego Music Video

2009-03-18T23:24:00.001-07:00

I just like this music so I want to share it with you guys.. Here's the music video I found:

FUEGO DON OMAR & PITBULL

Quote For The Day

2009-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

NevEr LOve

iF yOu aRe noT prePared
to bE Hurt...

NevEr Start

iF yoU dOn't havE pLans tO fiNish...

NevEr sPeak

iF yOu dO noT mEaN iT...

mOst iMpOrtant...

nEveR darE tO lOvE

iF yOu dO nOt havE tHe CoUragE

tO FIGHT fOR iT....

Problem Enrolling my EON Visa Card

2009-03-06T22:50:00.000-08:00

The first week of February, I had to go to Davao City to apply for EON Visa Card in Union Bank of the Philippines since we don't have one in our city. After I applied, the lady from the bank told me that I have to wait for one week or so before I will get my card.

When I received my card, I tried to ENROLL it in Union Bank Online banking so I can add my card to my paypal account. When I Enroll it, there was a problem with the Union Bank website in which I can't get through the step 4 which is the confirmation of the enrollment. When I hit the submit button, it says it is still processing so I have to wait.. I waited for 4 hours and yet it is still the same reason I received.. So what I did was I tried to go back from step 1 and when I reached the step four and filled up the blanks there and hit the submit button, it was error! It says, "INVALID THIRD PARTY EON ACCOUNT"

I tried to call the customer service but I can't get through.. I tried to send them an e-mail but there was no response (there's an e-mail account stated at the back of the card).. It's been three days now since I sent the e-mail..

It's becoming my problem now because I can't verify my paypal account if I can't enroll my card successfully.. I don't know what to do now..

Reconciliation: Rihanna and Brown

2009-03-05T01:28:00.000-08:00

After the incident between the celebrity couple which made other people upset and angry because of what Brown did to Rihanna. Everyone was speculating on what really happened that time.. Well guess what? The two just reconciled!

Here's the article from People website - Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together

The pair have reunited almost three weeks after Brown, 19, allegedly battered the "Umbrella" singer on Feb. 8, a source tells PEOPLE.

"They're together again. They care for each other," says the source. The on-again couple are currently spending time together at one of Sean "Diddy" Combs's homes, on Miami Beach's Star Island.

Adds the source: "While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves."

In its latest issue, PEOPLE reports that Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday one week ago. "He called to wish her happy birthday," a source told the magazine. "They've reached out to each other. It's been mutual."

Brown was booked by LAPD for making criminal threats but the case has not yet been presented to the District Attorney, who will ultimately determine which charges, if any, will be prosecuted.

How to Lose weight

2009-03-01T05:39:00.000-08:00

My friends and I talked yesterday and the topic losing weight was brought up so I google last night about the topic and here's what I found from WikiHow

How to lose weight the healthy way

Steps:

Instead of the traditional 3 meals a day, eat 5 to 6 smaller meals a day.
Avoid chocolate, cake, brownies, potato chips, ice cream, or any junk food.
Never starve yourself. It shuts down your metabolism, makes you feel woozy, tired, and makes you hungrier. It also can affect your teeth, causing them to be sticky and full of plaque.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially if you feel like snacking or for dessert.
Aim to eat 'good carbs' (which have a low glycemic index) such as brown rice, oats, wholewheat bread and wholewheat pasta. Try not to have carbs after 5pm as any unused carbs will likely be stored as fat overnight, negating your morning bike session.
Don’t forget about exercising! When trying to lose weight, some people can get so wrapped up in cutting calories and portion sizes that they forget about the importance of exercise. If it's hard to start an exercise routine, use Monday as the day to recommit. Take part in a Monday Mile, enroll in a fitness class, or make a schedule to exercise for the week. Healthy Monday is a national non-profit public health campaign that encourages people to use Monday as the day for all things healthy.
Consider using "High Intensity Interval Training"
Maintain a steady intake of protein - aim for a minimum of 'your body weight in pounds' (in grams) of protein - if you would lke to build a bit of muscle, double that, and begin some weight training - this will supercharge your metabolism and greatly increase your body's fat-burning ability.
Go on the exercise bike for 20 minutes and on the treadmill for a half hour daily. Morning is the best time, because it burns your calories, but do it after breakfast.
Alternatively, go on the bike immediately after waking up, as you have had no food in your sytem all night, and therefore the first place your body will get energy from is the fat stores (not the muscles because you are using them) - bear in mind that after the bike, wait about 20 mins and eat a solid breakfast so your body knows you are not starving (this will be detrimental to the cause).
Wake up at a normal hour like 7:00, or 8:00 or 9:00 if you are pushing it. Go to bed before midnight--your body needs at least 8 hours of sleep to function the right way.
Eat breakfast each morning. Eating something in the morning gets your metabolism going and prevents you from binge eating later in the day.
Drink plenty of water, and cut down on carbonated beverages, particularly those with a lot of sugar. Try to not drink any soda.

Tips:

Try not to eat at fast food restaurants, as their food is full of fat and calories. Subway does have some healthy options. However, if you do choose fastfood, stick to the healthier end of the menu (Most places are adding a variety of salad and fruit options to their menus!)
If you think you're going to have a hard time staying on your diet, ask a friend to go on it with you for support.
Get your whole family involved, because if the family doesn't change their eating, you will have difficult times avoiding those sweets and etc
You burn calories before you burn fat. So it is better to have a higher calorie snack then a high fat snack
A lot of junk food comes in reduced fat by whatever percent, or low fat, low calorie, or smaller portions. Try to only eat 2 items of "healthier" junk food a week such as crispy minnies and low fat cookies.
Remember that 1 pound of fat is 3500 calories. However, one ice cream cone and 2 tbsps of peanut butter is 500 calories.
Keep the veggies near the front of the fridge. That way, when you open the fridge, you see the veggies first.
Don't drink any beverage that has plenty of sugar in it. Always drink water, it's good for you.
Try not to eat after 8:00. If you get hungry, snack on fruits or vegetables.
Remember not to eat anything right before bed because whatever food you eat stores in your body as fat.

Warnings:

If you change everything immediately, you are going to crave things and over eat. Do this in a slow process.
Don't try to drop weight quickly. Your body resists quick weight loss and tries to retain its stored fat. Trick your body into losing the weight by doing it gradually.

Friendship...

2009-02-23T03:25:00.000-08:00

Something nice happened to me today. I can't help not to share with you guys. I am just happy and touched! My best friend sent me a text message today which goes something like this:

I can't go back from where I started
so I shall walk forward going nowhere
I will run no matter how far
as long as you're with me...
I will keep you till the end of
my history....

She's sweet, isn't she? =)

Love at First Sight?

2009-02-19T00:17:00.000-08:00

When I reached high school, I started to like watching romantic movies and reading love stories (novels). There were a lot of instances where in the girl fell in love to the guy she just met or the guy fall in love to the girl in their first encounter. So, I asked to myself... Is it true? I mean, does it really happen in real life?

According to Wikipedia, Love at first sight is an emotional condition whereby a person feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first encounter with the stranger. The term may be used to refer to a mere sexual attraction or crush, but it usually refers to actually falling in love with someone literally the very first time one sees him or her, along with the deep desire to have an intimate relationship with that person. The stranger may or may not be aware that the other person has any such notion, and may not even be aware of the other person's presence (such as in a crowded place). Sometimes two people experience this phenomenon towards each other at the same time, usually when their eyes meet.

I've read somewhere that Scientists study our brain activity and say that it’s quiet possible but there are many who really don't believe that it exist, and some people claim that it happened to them.

Psychologists say that love at first sight depends on our psychological state at the moment. In some case we won’t even notice those charming eyes in another they can make a lasting impression. Also they say that it takes about 30 seconds to fall in love or precisely speaking to estimate whether the person is worth to fall in love with. By the way psychologists claim that men fall in love first.

In my own opinion, I don't believe in Love At First Sight but I do believe in attraction at first sight which eventually lead to falling in love to that same person when time pass by..

How about you, do you believe in love at first sight? Do you think it's possible to see Mr. or Mrs. Right from afar and just know instantly that they are the ONE?

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

LOVE QUOTES

If music be the food of love, play on.
- Shakespeare

Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.
- Robert Browning

Love is the enchanted dawn of every heart.
- Lamartine

Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without having asked any clear question.
- Albert Camus (1913-1960)

Love may not make the world go round, but I must admit that it makes the ride worthwhile.
- Sean Connery

Love doesn't grow on trees like apples in Eden - it's something you have to make. And you must use your imagination too.
- Joyce Cary

It is never too late to fall in love.
- Sandy Wilson

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE

Joke For The Day

2009-02-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

TWO NUNS

There were two nuns...

One of them was known as Sister Mathematical (SM),

and the other one was known as Sister Logical (SL).

It is getting dark and they are still far away from the convent.

SM: Have you noticed that a man has been following us for the past thirty-eight and a half minutes?

I wonder what he wants..

SL: It's logical. He wants to rape us.

SM: Oh, no! At this rate he will reach us in 15 minutes at the most! What can we do?

SL: The only logical thing to do of course is to walk faster.

SM: It's not working.

SL: Of course it's not working. The man did the only logical thing. He started to walk faster, too.

SM: So, what shall we do? At this rate he will reach us in one minute.

SL: The only logical thing we can do is split. You go that way and I'll go this way.

He cannot follow us both.

So the man decided to follow Sister Logical.

Sister Mathematical arrives at the convent and is worried about what has happened to Sister Logical.

Then Sister Logical arrives.

SM: Sister Logical ! Thank God you are here! Tell me what happened!

SL : The only logical thing happened. The man couldn't follow us both,so he followed me.

SM: Yes, yes! But what happened then?

SL: The only logical thing happened.

I started to run as fast as I could and he started to run as fast as he could.

SM: And?

SL: The only logical thing happened. He reached me.

SM: Oh, dear! What did you do?

SL: The only logical thing to do. I lifted my dress up.

SM: Oh, Sister! What did the man do?

SL: The only logical thing to do. He pulled down his pants.

SM: Oh, no! What happened then?

SL: Isn't it logical, Sister?

A nun with her dress up can run faster than man with his pants down.

And for those of you who thought it would be dirty,

I'll pray for you!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

A Moment of Laughter

2009-02-06T01:04:00.000-08:00

I got bored today so I decided to browse Youtube for videos. Here's what I found, this really made me laugh.. LOL

Honest Scrap

2009-02-03T00:23:00.000-08:00

The other person who gave me an award is Aims of Thoughts Running On My Mind, THANK YOU for giving me this Honest Scrap award.

When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!

Here are ten honest things about me:

I am an outdoor person
I sleep late and wake up late
I love to eat
I am lazy sometimes
I am a music lover: My favorites are rock, alternative, reggae and mellow music
Most people think I am a lesbian.. I am not! It's just that I find pretty girls attractive :)
I am one of the boys!
I love chocolates
I usually take a bath in the afternoon
I love collecting Chuck Taylor sneakers

I can only give this award to 5 blogs and this award goes to:

Arbitrary Thoughts
Silip
JC in da Haus
The Compulsive Talker
Random Thoughts

Enjoy your day guys....

First Google Adsense Payment Check Received

2009-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am proud to say that I just received my first Google Adsense Check and I am just waiting till the clearing end so I can withdraw the money which I deposited in the local Bank here in our town the day that I received the check.

Read the whole story of it which I posted in my other blog - Make Money Online

I am pretty excited to hold the cash in my own hands.. HA HA..

Payment Proof:

THANK YOU....

2009-01-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of Thanking to do...

First, I want to THANK all of you guys for the concern and care that you showed to me while I was not feeling good the past few days...

Second, I want to THANK my avid readers/viewers who kept on visiting my blog while I was in the hospital...

Third, I want to THANK the two person (Ate Mye and Aims) for giving me wonderful awards..

I want to post first the award which was given by Ate Mye of Blog Appetite for giving me TRIPLE AWARDS (Sisters, Bestfriends and A Lemonade).. Although I already have the Lemonade thing.

Here are the rules:

Put the logo on your blog or post
Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude
Be sure to link your nominees within your post
Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received this award

This award goes to:

Thoughts of a Girl
Karens Road
Looking For Love
My Life
Mother's Knows Best
Pinay Jade
Flawed
How to Make Money Online
Modern Mommy Blog
Sheila On The Web

I will be posting about the award that I received from Aims in my next post...

Thanks again guys! =)

I am Sick...

2009-01-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

I am sick for three days now due to dehydration along with UTI.. I really don't feel good =(

I kept on vomiting that time and got dehydrated so my mom decided to sent me to the hospital.. I stayed there for almost three days.. Oh wow! I hate it when I am at the hospital.. I just don't like the smell of the medicines plus the injections and all that stuff that were inserted in my hands..

Anyway, I am home already.. But I am still weak.. I will try to keep up as soon as I get better..

Lemonade Award

2009-01-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

For almost 4 months that I've been blogging, this is the second time I received an award from my fellow blogger. The first time was from Ate Mye which I wasn't able to make a post for the reason that my computer was acting weird. I am totally sorry because receiving an award for the first time is really an honor but yet I didn't make it. So this time, I will try to make it up..
Thank you yanjiaren at Green not Mean for giving me this Lemonade Award. I really appreciate it! So as part of this wonderful linking game, I will pass this award to the following bloggers and then kindly link back to this blog and if you can, leave a comment in this post. Thanks to all of you guys! Happy Blogging...

1. http://ondiamondmum.blogspot.com/
2. http://morgansmummy.blogspot.com/
3. http://laughoutloud143.blogspot.com
4. http://jedchan.com/
5. http://wartrip.blogspot.com/
6. http://journey1000words.com/
7. http://www.chatbugkaren.com/
8. http://property2009.blogspot.com/
9. http://blogappetite.blogspot.com/

One Sad Reality...

2009-01-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

The heavy rain started just last week. We thought that it was due to low pressure area but I woke up yesterday that it was flooding all over the town. My sister returned home early because the Mayor ordered to cut the classes to all the School because the situation seem to be out of control. At around 1:00 PM during that day, I received a bad news, there was a landslide which killed 2 people.

It is indeed a sad reality... We really don't know what might happen next.. We don't know what might happen after a minute...

Here's the story:

Cascading boulders of rocks and sands due to the loosening of soil from a denuded mountain buried alive at least two persons while seriously hurting two others in Purok Gangas, Mangagoy, Bislig City Thursday night, the Caraga Regional Disaster Coordinating Council said.

“As of press time, only two persons were officially reported to have been killed in that unfortunate incident as we are still awaiting our own monitoring team to check the incident,” Office of the Civil Defense Caraga Regional Director Dr. Blanche Gobenciong said.

Gobenciong claimed the local disaster council in the area is still identifying the casualties including those seriously hurt.

The Regional Disaster RDCC report claimed the four were on motorcycles when boulders of rocks and soil loosened up, rolled and hit the four victims who were then passing the mountain side road.

The death of the two victims brings to six the number of casualties in the almost week-long continuing rains that hit Caraga Region at the opening of 2009.

Read the full article HERE

Inspiring Phrase In The Morning

2009-01-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

When I woke up this morning, the first thing that I looked for is my cellphone to check for new messages. From 5 messages that I received, there's one message that inspired me most..

"Attitude is like posing for pictures, We pose the way we want to be seen by others... BUT stolen shots are better... BECAUSE they capture who we really are..."

ENTRECARD Credit Giveaways

2009-01-06T04:57:00.000-08:00

Do you want to earn 500 credits in your Entrecard account?

For sure you want to..

The blog, Anything Goes will turn two months old and for that, the owner of the blog will be giving away 20,000 Entrecard Credits (500 EC each for 40 participants).

Here's how to join:

1. Blog about this post - Entrecard Credit Giveaways, to invite others.
*You need to link back to the blog post and a link to the blog - Anything Goes.

2. Subscribe to the blog feeds via email and be sure to confirm it.

3. Leave a comment in her 'Entrecard Credit Giveaways' blog post stating your post url and email address used in subscribing..

So, what are you waiting for?

Life - Death - Fate

2009-01-06T01:04:00.000-08:00

I was about to log on to my yahoo mail account when I sighted an article in the "Featured" section in Yahoo page entitled Insight into Jett tragedy. I was curious because I saw a picture of John Travolta with a kid. So out of curiosity, I read the whole details and I found out that the child is John Travolta's son.

" Death certificate: Travolta son killed by seizure"

Associated Press writers Chris Gillette in Freeport and Juan McCartney in Nassau, Bahamas, contributed to this report.

FREEPORT, Bahamas – Jett Travolta's body shows no sign of head trauma and his death certificate says he was killed by a seizure, an undertaker said Monday, after doctors performed an autopsy on the 16-year-old son of the U.S actor.

The remains of John Travolta's son were being cremated and his parents planned to return to the United States with the ashes on Tuesday, said Keith McSweeney, director of the funeral home handling the body.

Jett Travolta had a history of seizures and was found unconscious in a bathroom Friday at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama Island.

Glen Campbell, assistant director of the funeral home, told The Associated Press that the body is in "great condition," despite police officials who had said the teen hit his head on a bathtub.

Authorities didn't release the results of an autopsy performed Monday, but Campbell saw the body and the death certificate, which was based on its findings.

The only cause of death that was listed was 'seizure'," he said.

Late Monday, a black hearse traveled from the funeral home to the airport after the family indicated they were bringing Jett's remains to Ocala, Florida, where they own a home. Two white jets waited as police in dress uniforms blocked access to the tarmac.

But the hearse was dispatched as a ruse, McSweeney told a news conference later Monday. He said he could not explain the reason for the decoy.

In a public statement released Sunday, John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston said they were "heartbroken that our time with him was so brief."

Read the full story - HERE

New Year's Resolution

2008-12-30T22:34:00.000-08:00

The year 2008 is soon to end and it is the time for reminiscing all the things that we did over the last 12 months. The time where in we look back at where we’ve been and look ahead at where we want to be. Everyone is really pretty excited and is looking forward to the new year , 2009.

One of the common and popular thing to do right before/during the New Year is taking New Year's resolutions. Everyone takes resolutions that they hope to follow through the coming year.

A New Year's Resolution, is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

Here are the Most Popular resolutions:

Lose weight

Gain weight

Get out of debt

Save money

Get a better job

Drink less alcohol

Quit smoking

Volunteer to help others

Be more independent

How about you? Do you have any New Year's resolution you would like to achieve and what are those?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE... Wishing you all in the best in 2009.

ADGITIZE Your Blog and Earn Online

2008-12-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

I just joined recently on the site called ADGITIZE .I even post a topic about that on my Make Money Online blog. You can read more about it here - Earn from Adgitize . It is an advertisement program in which a blog or website owner can earn from it. You can also get visitors when a member finds your blog and clicked on the adgitize ads on your blog. The word ADGITIZE is a combination of two words - Advertising and Agitate.

Now, what's good about it is that a blog/website owner will be rewarded with points which can be converted into cash. Free to sign up!

NOT ONLY THAT - You can get a LOT MORE visitors and drive MORE traffic in your blog when you become an advertiser in affordable price. And even if you are an advertiser, you will still earn revenue.

Want to try it? Here's how to join.

Click on the ADGITIZE BUTTON on the sidebar and register. Submit your blogs as soon as you registered and you are on your way to earning cash.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

U2's Comeback Album

2008-12-18T23:03:00.001-08:00

I am a music lover and I do listen to all types/genre of music. When I was browsing the net, I found an music news related to one of my favorite band U2 and I am glad when i found out that there's an album coming up. Here's the complete news from Reuters:

U2 to Release New Album in March

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Irish rockers U2 have named their new album "No Line On The Horizon," and will release it worldwide in early March, their label said on Thursday.

The quartet's 12th studio album was originally expected to be released by the end of this year, but the band announced in September that it would keep writing more tunes. Recording took place in Morocco, Dublin, New York and London.

Interscope Records will release "No Line On The Horizon" internationally on March 2, and a day later in North America.

It marks the follow-up to "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," which was released in late 2004 and went on to sell 9 million copies worldwide, according to Interscope. It also garnered U2 their second album of the year Grammy, following 1987's "The Joshua Tree."

The new album was produced by long-time collaborators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, with additional production by Steve Lillywhite. Tunes recorded in 2006 with producer Rick Rubin, the man behind Johnny Cash's comeback, have been jettisoned.

Tour plans have not been announced. The "Vertigo" world tour for the last album ran from March 2005 to December 2006. U2 is partnered on touring and merchandise with concert promoter Live Nation Inc, which said earlier on Thursday that it bought back the band's stock in the company for a guaranteed $25 million -- $19 million more than the market price. Interscope is a unit of Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Eric Beech)

What is Christmas?

2008-12-14T23:30:00.000-08:00

This is the month of December. One thing that comes to our mind is the celebration of Christmas season. People are very busy buying this and that. Christmas shopping here and there. Many people seem to think that Christmas is all about buying and giving gifts to people.

But the question is, what is really the true meaning of Christmas?

Christmas seem to be irrelevant to many. It is no longer associated with Jesus the Christ, the messiah, the one who came to save the world from destroying itself. We need to remember that the real TRUE meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

People need to stop all the commercial non sense around the Christmas season. Put a bit of God back into your lives.

How about you? What is the meaning of Christmas to you and to your life?

Description of Your Zodiac Signs

2008-12-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

ARIES
(March 21 - April 20)

The Aries person seeks adventure and has unusually high energy level. Pioneering, Aries will be the first to take a risk. People who were born in this section of the year have unusually strong will power and great obstinacy of purpose. They are usually born to be fighters in every sense of the word.

TAURUS
(April 21 - May 20)

Taurus is the sign of practicality and possessions. People born under the sign of Taurus tend to be very patient, practical and dedicated people.

The Taurus person tends to be one who is steadfast and passionate, however tempered with commitment. They often portray themselves as being charming and possession of stardom handsomeness.

People who were born in that time are extremely faithful, with a strong need for security and a settled routine. Although they are very earthy, they can also be highly romantic and sensitive when it comes to love.

GEMINI
(May 21 - June 21)

The people who were born in this period are widely known for their dual personalities and ability to change mood from moment to moment. Although they hate to be tied down, they make lively, entertaining and romantic partners, even if they can be rather fickle if bored or unhappy.

CANCER
(June 22 - July 22)

Emotional sometimes, Cancer sun sign people tend to be some of the more caring people in our world. They are very loving and value family and friends over fame or fortune. You will always find this loving person with a dear pet of some sort. Such people are easily hurt by the slights of others. These are very complex people, sometimes appearing extremely strong and at other times to be as vulnerable as a child.

These people are remarkably good at accumulating things; indeed, they can be unwilling to throw anything out, even relationships that have passed their use-by date. They are generally over-anxious in financial matters, and make great efforts to gather in money; as a rule, they have unusual ups and downs in their early life and so they are compelled to work to keep ahead, but once they get on their feet they keep there. If channeled in the right direction, their enormous sensitivity can become a great source of strength. Once they overcome their touchiness and master their turbulent emotions, their intellect and imagination enable them to become a success in almost anything they undertake.

LEO
(July 23 - August 22)

Leo is a generous soul, the kind of person that would give you the shirt off of their back. Always has a smile, this warmhearted individual will be the first to boost your spirits when you are feeling down.

People born in this period always aim to get above the common herd of humanity, and they themselves in turn are naturally attracted to strong personalities – in fact, they will forgive any fault in the people they like so long as they have individuality and purpose.

They are usually generous, kind, and openhearted, they find it hard to believe ill of others. If injured, they strike back quickly, but they also forgive easily and never hold a grudge. The typical Leo is flamboyant and generous with tremendous charm and a magnanimous spirit.

VIRGO
(August 23 - September 22)

Virgos are usually fastidious about their personal appearance, have a great respect for rank and position. People who were born in this period are as a rule generally successful in life. They have keen, good intellects and are very discriminating about those with whom they associate.

They are usually materialistic in their views of life, and analyze and reason everything from their own way of thinking outwards. These people are and attracted to only that knowledge that can be applied usefully. They will happily share this information with anyone, if it confirms their own usefulness in the world, and brings them eagerly out of there shells.

LIBRA
(September 23 - October 22)

Librans tend to be strong supporters of equality, the rights of man an universal brotherhood. Unfortunately they tend to be fence sitters and seldom put their feelings into practice. Librans dislike injustice and pettiness but many times fail to apply these feelings to themselves. Though subtle in appearance, Librans are selfish and self willed and resent any intrusion into their thought, independence or action. Librans rend to be very intuitive but tend to let their prejudices and feelings cloud the true issues. They tend to show good intelligence except in matters of their own feelings. Emotionally Librans tend to be impulsive and have a hard time seeing an idea or proposition through to fruition.

They are extremely positive and decisive in all their thoughts and actions. They have great foresight and intuition, and are generally seen at their best when acting on first impressions. The fear is usually well controlled so the typical representatives of this sign usually looks calm, collected, and in charge of the situation. Good natured and loving, they enjoy talking to people, yet can also be very attentive listeners.

SCORPIO
(October 23 - November 21)

The sun sign Scorpio is one of the most powerful astrological signs in the zodiac. Dynamic and forceful, they make excellent leaders. They are very determined and forceful, and do not accept failure as an option.

People born in this section of the year seem to be filled with inherent contradiction. The best and the worst seem to make this period their chosen battlefield. They are powerful, passionate, exciting and magnetic.

SAGITTARIUS
(November 22 - December 21)

Very optimistic, this astrological sign is allways looking on the bright side. You won't find Sagittarius singing the blues very often, as they are very good at seeing the silver lining in the clouds. Also highly patriotic.

They are often the great workers; such people never seem to tire until they drop with fatigue. They would rather learn on their own, through travel and experience, than endure structured classroom environments and routine work assignments.

CAPRICORN
(December 22 - January 19)

These people are usually ambitious and the lives of those born under this sign are marked by a purposeful pursuit of their destiny. Capricorns have a sense of purpose and a great faith in their own ability.

They are very ambitious and disciplined. They will climb the corporate ladder steadily, and with honor. You can count on them to get the job done and to go well above and beyond the call of duty.

The Capricorn person is typically a very pleasing person to meet. They are often attractive and very neat in appearance, possessing the most endearing manners.

AQUARIUS
(January 20 - February 18)

They are generally very active for the public good, and often give all they have to relieve the distress of others.

Very independent in their thinking, friendly by nature, original and creative thinking, friendly humanitarians who are typically rational, loyal and idealistic. They tend to be very willing and highly inventive.

Being somewhat rebellious and eccentric they can be unpredictable and contrary in their actions. Signs of lack of tact, stubbornness, contrariness expose them as being emotionally oblivious.

PISCES
(February 19 - March 20)

The Pisces are pioneers both in thought and action, very open to new ideas and a lover of freedom. These people possess a curiously natural understanding, which they do not obtain from books or study. They easily acquire, or rather absorb, knowledge, especially of the history of countries, travel, research, and like subject.

Although by nature generous, yet they are usually over-anxious about money matters, and inclined to worry about what their future position in life may be. This state of mind is largely due to their dislike and dread of being dependent on others more than from any love of money.