It's Your Day Today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to EN, my one and only sis!

Wishing you good health, happiness, lotsa lotsa friends, and walang kakupas-kupas na beauty ever.

I'll always be here for you!  Take care always and God Bless! =)

Global Brands

        I was at Powerbooks the other day and stumbled upon the photo book "Shelf Life" by Rosie Walford.

        In this book, Rosie introduces us to 113 brands that became "endangered species" in the global market.  These are local products that don't give a damn how English speakers might interpret their names.  It is a recommended book for brand marketers and an absolutely entertaining book for us ordinary mortals. 

        And you don't have to read page by page of text to enjoy it.

        Here are some of those supermarket heroes:

        Anybody want some Coolpis juice?  They're peach flavored, too!

        Or how about some Cocagne Sardines?  These must be deliciously addictive...

        I love tofu and "taho", but I might think twice about eating this "Poo Tofu" from Indonesia.

        Chocolates are for lovers.  But Flirt chocolates are for desperate persons.

        Now... this tea is really for "desperate" persons ;-)

        ...and when you go to the bathroom, use this.

        ...and this.  The ever useful Krapp Toilet Paper.

Enjoy more about Rosie's book here: http://www.shelflife.co.uk/

What's Your Love Language?

        What communicates love to you might not mean a thing to your mate.

        Still can't seem to find a way to communicate your love to those closest to you? Perhaps it is time you learn about the "Love Languages".

        That's right. According to relationship expert Gary Chapman (not to be confused with Amy Grant's ex husband), author of the best-selling book "The Five Love Languages", there are exactly five different ways you can show love to your spouse, your kids, your friends, your parents, your coworkers, practically anyone you have an interpersonal relationship with, including God.

• One is Words of Affirmation, using words to affirm another person. If it is a spouse, it could be, 'You look nice in that dress,' or 'Do you ever look tough tonight!'

• A second love language is Acts of Service, doing things for them. You know the old saying 'actions speak louder than words,' for some people that is true. If you wash dishes, if you cook meals, if you offer to carry their bags, they feel loved.

• A third love language is Gifts. It is universal to give gifts as an expression of love. In anthropology, the study of cultures, anthropologists have never discovered a culture where gift-giving is not an expression of love. The gift says, 'She was thinking about me. Look what she got for me.'

• A fourth love language is Quality Time, which means you give a person your undivided attention. This doesn't mean sitting on the couch and watching television, because then someone else has your attention. If you are sitting on the couch with the TV off and you are looking into each other's eyes and talking that is quality time -- so is taking a walk or going out to eat, so long as you are communicating with each other.

• A fifth love language is Physical Touch. We have long known the emotional power of physical touch. In marriage it is holding hands, it is kissing, it is embracing, the whole sexual part of the marriage.

 

        Out of those five love languages, everyone has a primary love language. The problem is that by nature we speak our own love language. Whatever makes us feel loved is what we do for our spouse. So you have the husband whose love language is physical touch. He comes home and goes to the kitchen. He wants his wife to feel loved. He starts hugging her. She says, 'Leave me alone! Can't you see that I am busy?' His problem is not his sincerity. He was sincere. The problem was he was speaking his language and not her language. If acts of service is her love language, the best thing he could have done was to have gone in there and said, 'Honey, why don't you sit down and rest. Let me finish that.' Wow! She feels loved because he is speaking her language.

        So what's your love language?  Take the short quiz  HERE.

        Here's my test result, the top most in the list being the one I prefer to "speak" the most (my primary love language):

#1 Acts of Service -- I prefer to show my love through favors and chores and doing things for others. I feel put-upon and unappreciated when my efforts are taken for granted.

#2 Touch -- I want to give and/or receive affection physically.

#3 Quality Time -- This can be expressed either through those intimate tete-a-tete discussions or via doing things together.

#4 Words of Affirmation -- I need to hear praise to know I am loved and I may also prefer to express my affection verbally. Negative comments cut right to the bone. I want to hear that I'm loved and how much and why.

#5 Gifts -- I am moved by presents and physical tokens of affection. It's the fact that someone is thinking about me enough to give me something that moves me. The objects are of secondary importance to the relationship and sentiment with which they were intended.

Now, I know why I'm so "kuripot", hehehehe :P

And the Team Leader is...

Timelines:

        July 13, 2005 - I've decided to start my own journey to climb my own private Mt. Everest -- to take on the challenge of "reaching the top"; to prove to myself that I can make it on my own and to succeed in this thing called "life".

        September 10, 2005 - I've learned that it takes teamwork to scale new heights; much more if the mountain I am going to climb is Mt. Everest.  It takes a good team leader to lead and to show the way to the top.

        October 11, 2005 - Three months into my journey, I am still (very, very) far from reaching the top, taking my time acclimatizing and enjoying the scenery around me.  This time, however, I found an unexpected companion in my climb.

        It was Him.  He was there all along.  Observing me.  Silent, never complaining, but ever present and so patient with me.  He helped me along when I stumbled, He reached out and encouraged me to go on when I wanted to quit, and He even carried me sometimes when I was too tired to walk.

        Jesus was with me all along in my journey.  Of course I knew Him already, having been raised in a religious family and having studied in a Catholic School.  But I suddenly woke up from a dream and came to an enlightened realization that it wasn't enough to just know Him and to know about Him.  It also wasn't enough just to believe in Him.  I had to accept Him in my life, to know Him personally and to have a relationship with Him, and to invite Him into my heart so that I don't have to struggle everyday in my "climb".

        Suddenly, i't's no longer about mindlessly climbing the mountain trying to reach the top.  It's no longer about succeeding in life.  It's too mababaw.  I know that in due time, I'll reach the top anyway.

        My perspective has changed. 

        It's now all about LIVING life.

        And it's now about climbing the mountain with Jesus as the Team Leader, accepting Him to lead my life and trusting Him to bring me to a mountain far, far higher than the highest Mt. Everest I could think of.

        The journey unfolds itself...  And I'm enjoying it now more than ever :-)

Bis-nes!

        Usapang Bis-nes!

        Twenty years ago, if people had extra cash to dispose of and when asked what to do with it, their most common answers were "to buy a new house", "to buy a car", "to buy an appliance showcase", etc.

        Times have changed.  Today, when asked the same question, most people would answer "to start a business" or "pang-capital ko sa negosyo".

        Why do people want to start their own business?  A survey was conducted asking people the reasons why they want to start their own business.  The answers from 1000 people were varied but the researchers found that they could be grouped into nine categories:

1. To earn extra income (because their present income from work is not enough)


2. To have more time (for the family, for friends, for themselves)


3. To have a beter home (more comfortable living)


4. Retirement (planning for retirement or to retire now)


5. Education (to finish education, to attend graduate studies or to enroll their children in a quality school)


6. Financial security (to pay off those debts and sleep stress free and without worry from collectors)


7. To have opportunities for Travel (both local and international travel)


8. To be able to give to Charity / Church (because the ultimate purpose of wealth is to help others)


9. To leave a legacy (something that will outlive them for the benefit of other people)

 
        But much as they would want to start their own business, they have some common challenges:

1. Lack of time and money


2. Lack of education


3. Lack of expertise


4. Lack of encouragement and support


5. Low self-esteem


6. Fear and doubt

        A little bit of trivia: Did you know that ninety percent (90%) of business startups fail within the first three years?

        Will your business susvive the first three years of its existence?

        So here's my proposal (my shameless plug): I offer FREE business consultancy to people who want to start their own business, or for people who are exploring/thinking of starting up their own business (despite the limitations and challenges I enumerated above). 

        A treat to a cup of coffee will do nicely to keep a spirited conversation.  A hotdog sandwich and iced tea from MiniStop will do nicely as well.  But it's not mandatory :-)

        Let's talk.  (serious ito, ha)

Have You Escaped Yet???

Warning: Game Spoiler!

How to escape from the "Crimson Room".

Here are instructions:

Find the following items:

1. CD Case (Upper left drawer)


2. Memo (Upper right drawer)


3. Thin Ring (On the thin glass plate on top of the drawer)


4. Casette Tape (On the floor, under the drawer)


5. Battery (On the edge of the bed; click on the left side of the purple carpet while facing the red wall)


6. Small Silver Key (Open the curtains by the window)


7. Thick Ring (Open-close the curtain repeatedly until the kay falls out)


8. Small Golden Key (Lift the pillow on the bed)


9. Metal Stick (Click on the edge of the bed near the headboard while the pillow is still lifted)


10. Power Cable (Use the Small Golden Key to open the lower left drawer)


11. Mysterious Red Box (Use the Small Silver key to open the lower right drawer)


12. Ordinary Key (Inside the CD Player; Use the power cord and turn on the CD player)

Go to the URL indicated in the memo (make sure to open the URL in a new window). Take note of the numbers on the cards.

Use the Two Rings and the Metal Stick to open the red box; put the battery and the cassette tape inside the box and play the movie.

Watch for the "+" sign that the dancing guy will be pointing to; position your mouse cursor over it but DON'T click just yet.  Wait until the movie has ended and you are facing the red wall.  Click on the spot 3 times and the safe will reveal itself. 

Remember the numbers in the yellow chamber?  This is the combination to the safe.  Open it using the Ordinary Key.

Take the screwdriver, go to the blue door and "destroy" the doorknob.

Escape quickly before the ghost eats you!  Heeeheeh   ;-)

Easy, no?

Secret Love

Someone just sent me a secret love letter...

Hi Dexter ,

How are you doing?

I'm doing great.

I haven't heard of you in a long time.

You want me, don't you?

Who am I?

Like you don't know!

Me... Romantika

The woman  of you dreams

Would you like to go on a date?

Where do you live?

Manila !!!

Sorry, that's much too far for me.

I'm from  Europe .

Keep on dreaming, cause I am the  woman  of your dreams and you will never get me!

Your chances with me are 1 in  1000

Hihi...

 

Click here to receive your own "love letter"  ;-)

Pwedeng mag-share?

        Nangyari ito noong 4th year college ako.  Isa ako sa mga lead organizers ng isang annual concert show na binalak naming i-revive sa school namin.  Ang concert na ito ay dating isang annual event ng kolehiyo na natigil lamang nang nag-propose ng "posterity measures" ang paaralan namin at ipinatigil ng ilang taon ang mga concerts at iba bang mga kahalintulad na aktibidades.

        Suportado ng lahat ang plano namin, maging ang college dean.  Mayroon pang isang orphanage na magiging beneficiary sa magiging proceeds ng concert na ito, kaya napakaganda talaga ng konsepto.

        Nagpa-audition kami, nag-assemble ng technical at support team, nag-brainstorm, at nagpraktis halos gabi-gabi.  Lahat ay sumasali sa mga praktis, nais patunayan ang galing ng aming kolehiyo sa iba't ibang larangan ng musika at sining.

        Bawat praktis ay itinuturing namin na parang actual concert na talaga.  Ibinigay ng lahat ang kanilang makakaya.  May mga nag-skip pa ng mga klase at ipinagpaliban muna ang paggawa ng assignments, reports at kung anu-ano pang mga gawaing paaralan para lang mapag-igihan ang kanilang performance.  Lahat ay napupuyat sa halos gabi-gabing pag-praktis.  Ako mismo ay napuyat, nangayayat, at bumaba pa ang mga grado ko (nawala ako sa dean's list noong semester na iyon).  Pero ok lang.  Lahat ay ginawa namin para lang sa isang matagumpay na concert ng aming kolehiyo.

        Nang malapit ng ang petsa ng concert namin, dumating ang isang pangyayaring hindi namin inaasahan.  Gagamitin daw ng PBA ang gym para magpraktis sa umaga at para maglaro sa gabi.  Malaking event daw ito, Purefoods vs. Shell, sa Baguio maglalaro.  Ano???  Ang concert namin ay sa Sabado ng gabi.  Ang praktis at laro ng PBA ay sa Linggo pa naman.  Paanong hindi namin pwedeng gamitin ang gym?

        Wala kaming nagawa.  Malapit na ang petsa ng concert at ipinagpasya naming maghanap na lang ng ibang lugar, kahit mangupahan na lang kami basta matuloy lang ang concert.  Nakapag-distribute na kami ng mga tickets at nakapag-promote na sa radyo kaya "the show must go on" 'ika nga. 

        Pero mukhang sasablay ata ang bagong plano namin... Lalampas kami sa budget dahil kailangang umupa ng lugar at mag-arkila pa ng sound system imbes na makalibre na sana sa gym ng school namin.

        Nangyari ang kinatatakutan ko... Hindi natuloy ang concert.

        Tsk tsk, nasayang ang tatlong buwang preparasyon at paghihirap.  May "bonding" na kami sa isa't-isa dulot ng halos gabi-gabing pagpraktis namin.  Lahat ay malungkot.  Malapit na ang finals namin, matatapos na ang semester at mahihirapan nang i-assemble uli ang grupo pagkatapos ng summer vacation.

        Biglang bumagsak ang aking mundo. 

        Ano na ang gagawin ko?  Ano na ang sasabihin ng mga tao at ng mga kasamahan ko?  At ano na lang ang magiging explanasyon ko sa kanila sa hindi na pagpapatuloy ng concert namin?  Paano na lang ang paghihirap at sakripisyo na ginawa namin?  Ano na?  Paano na?  Bakit ganun?  Bakit ganyan?  Kailan na?  Saan?

        Tulala ako. 

        Sa araw ng concert sana namin nagpalabas kami ng announcement ng hindi na ito matutuloy.  Maraming dismayado.  Ako naman ay naglakad-lakad na lang sa Session Road.  Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang gagawin ko.

        Sa kakalakad ko ay napadpad ako sa may simbahan.  Pumasok ako at nakimisa pero tulala pa rin ako at wala man lang akong naintindihan sa mga pinagsasabi nila sa loob...  Hanggang sa kinanta nila ang kantang "Lift Up Your Hands".

        Nakinig ako.

"...and He said cast your burdens upon me those who are heavily laden."

        Ako ay biglang natauhan sa aking pagkatulala.

"...come to me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy loads"

        At napatingin sa sahig.

"...for the yoke I will give you is easy and my burden is light"

        Napaluha.

"...come to me, and I will give you rest"

        Hanggang sa tuluyang naiyak.

"...just face the rising sun,
and you'll see hope,
and there's no need to run."

        Huminga ako ng malalim.

"...lift up your hands to God,
And He'll make you feel alright."

        At ako ay napatingala sa Kanya at nagsabi ng "Salamat Panginoon. Ako'y nagtitiwala sa iyo. Taos-puso kong tinatanggap ang pagsubok mo na ito para sa akin."

        Natapos ang kanta.

        Gumaan ang aking pakiramdam.

        Lumiwanag ang aking buhay.

        At lumabas ako sa simbahan na masaya :-)

-------------------------------------
Lift Up Your Hands
Words and Music by Cecile Azacon
Sung by Basil Valdez
Arranged by Ryan Cayabyab

Complete lyrics here.

Tuwing naririnig ko ang kantang ito, naaalala ko ang pangyayaring ito sa aking buhay at muli akong naliliwanagan...  Walang mabigat na problema kapag ako'y magtitiwala sa Kanya.

The Certificate

Congratulations to Cousin Lurensbee for his latest "Certificate"!

Nakakataba talaga ng puso yan, clap clap clap! :-)

Escape from the Crimson Room

Got time to kill?

"I drank too much last night.
What time is it now?
So thirsty.
The bed doesn't seem to be the one I usually sleep on.
Is this a hotel?
No. It doesn't seem to be a hotel.
I'm trapped in this room.
I have to escape."

 
Patience is a virtue...  Escape from the CRIMSON ROOM.

 
(Hint: When you get to the part where you have to open the safe, make sure that you get the combination correctly on your first try.  Otherwise the safe won't open even if you get the combination correctly and you have to start all over again.)