Mum's Kitchen Table

Tips in buying and storing eggs

2011-03-25T20:01:00.004+08:00

Do not buy cracked eggs; they could , if not already become contaminated.

Eggs will keep for 2-4 weeks in the refrigerator. Store in their container within the refrigerator - not in the door.

Store left-over egg whites in a small sealed jar with a label noting number of egg whites. These will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator

Store lef-over egg yolks in a small cup with water just covering the yolks. seal with plastic wrap and use within four days.

Click here to read: Frequently Asked Questions About Eggs . . .

Useful tips on saving Energy

2011-03-25T19:51:00.002+08:00

In the Kitchen

Here are some ways or suggestions to help you to save money on gas and electricity.

Use double steamers and cook other foods in the base pan. For example: soup or stew.

Significant time and energy is required to heat an oven. You can save energy and money by planning your baking. For instance, when using the oven to cook a casserole or roast, either cook other foods at the same time - example: baked vegetables , a dessert a tray of biscuit o immediately after use.

Microwave ovens and pressure cookers are very energy efficient.

What is Soya Milk?

2011-03-12T07:42:00.003+08:00

This is a non-animal derived milk often used as a substitute for other milks by vegans and by those allergic to any form of dairy milk. It is made from pulverized soya beans, is suitable for both cooking and drinking and is used to make yogurt cream and cheese.

Soya milk is interchangeable with cow’s milk although it has a slightly thicker consistency and a nutty flavor that is quite different. It also tends to curdle in very hot tea or coffee. Some soya milk has added sugar, so it is advisable to check the label before buying.

Chocolate and fruit flavoured soya milk and versions fortified with extra vitamins and cacium are widely available in health food shops and larger supermarkets.

If you are looking for other kinds or types of milk you can check this article.

The Rocks Market Sydney - a great place to shop

2010-05-07T17:43:00.011+08:00

The Rocks Market has something for everyone including antiques and collectibles,art, fashion and beauty, food, homewares and furniture.

It is located in the Northern end of George Street and Playfair Street .

Opening Hours: 10 am - 5 pm

Beautiful Flowers

Surf Boards Clock

SYDNEY MARKETS - If you like market browsing, here is a list of differrent market running evey weekend in Sydney .

Fruit and vegetables for healthy skin

2010-05-07T16:43:00.003+08:00

The vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins in fruit and vegetables have powerful action on the skin. Include at least five portions in your daily diet to give your skin extra protection.

APPLE

Apple is high in pectin, which binds easily to toxic metals such as mercury and lead that may infiltrate the skin. it also has strong antiviral vitamin C, essential for skin healing.

AVOCADO

Rich in antioxidant vitamin A, C and E and in potassium, avocado is also high in calories, so eat sparingly. Avocado is widely used in commercial skin preparations.

BANANA

Containing good levels of a wide range of vitamins and minerals including potassium and vitamin C, bananas are also used in many natural skincare products.

BEETROOT

Rich in iron, beetroot helps to purify the blood and remove toxins from the skin. It also has vitamins A and C for strong skin, and calcium for healthy nerves and bones.

CAPSICUM

Capsicum such as yellow and red peppers have very high levels of vitamin C. They are also high in beta carotene, iron and potassium- all good skin protectors.

CARROT

Carrot is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E. and beta carotene, as well as iron, calcium and potassium which help to form blood cells and promote strong bones.

GARLIC

Garlic has strong antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. it is a natural detoxifier and antioxidant and strengthens the immune system.

LEMON

Along with other citrus fruits, lemons are rich in vitamin C. In addition, the rind is packed with essential oils. Lemon juice can soften hard water and wash soap residues from skin.

LIVE SPROUTS

Fresh live sprouts like alfalfa and bean sprouts are high in plant enzymes, essential fatty acids, B-complex vitamins and vitamins A, C and E. If left to grow nutrients will increase.

PARSLEY

Parsley is rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and chorophyll and has traces of zinc and manganese.

PINEAPPLE

The inside of a pineapple makes an ideal exofoliant when rubbed over the skin. Pineapple is also good in facial treatments for problems skin. Eaten, it is ag ood source of vitamin C.

WATERCRESS

Watercress is a powerful blood cleanser and helps to rid the body toxins, making the skin clearer and healthier. it is also rich in A, C and E antioxidant vitamins.

You might also be interested to read my other articles about different fruits and vegetables.

Types of Japanese Green Tea

2010-05-02T02:53:00.003+08:00

The Japanese have been using green for centuries and it has remain a huge part of their culture, there are lots of studies about its amazing properties and it’s health benefits.

Green tea is unfermented tea which means that the fresh tea leaves are not oxidized during processing and the green colour is retained. After the leaves are picked the leaves are steamed to deactivate the oxidizing enzymes as quickly as possible.

Once the browning has halted the leaves are rolled into thin needle shaped and dried , with this method all nutritional components are sealed and does not destroyed the vitamin C in the leaves.

I was amazed by the expertise of Mutsuko Tokunaga, author of “New Tastes in Green Tea” on how she explained and presented the green tea to someone who is a beginner like me.

This aims to guide hopeful green tea lovers in choosing and experimenting popular green teas and its distinct taste.

Sencha - Japan's most popular tea. Sencha have a delicate sweetness and a mild astringency. Sencha refers to the first pickling of the tea bush, which takes place from late February in warm climates to the end of May in cooler areas. Sencha is high in vitamin C and is especially popular with women as a teatime break.
Fukamushicha: Ideal for delicate stomachs, the leaves are steamed two or three times longer, as a result the leaves become withered and the color is also darker. The taste remains sweet and moderate and the fragrance is richer and deeper. Despite the stronger aroma it is gentle on the stomach and you can drink as many cups as you wish.

Kukicha : A refreshing fragrance to wake up to. Cconsists of stems and stalks normally discarded in the production of sencha, gyokuro and matcha teas. Kukicha produced from the stalks of gyokuro and is highly prized. The clean taste and light fragrance are sure to help you wake up feeling refreshed.
Konacha: Good for cooking with or for sprinkling over dishes. Konacha (tea powder) is the tea served at sushi restaurants where it is called "agri". It consists of the rejected buds and tea "dust" left over from the processing of sencha and gyokuro. It is reasonably priced and has a strong color flavor and aroma, making it an ideal cooking ingredients.

Bancha : A tea that resembles refreshes the palate after meals. After the first picking for sencha is done from late February to the end of May, new shoots and leaf buds begin to grow and these are used for bancha.Bancha leaves are picked in June, August and October, with the leaves becoming tougher with each picking. As well as the leaves, bancha includes the upper stems and some larger leaves discarded during the process of sencha production. It contains more flouride than other teas, it is effective against tooth decay and halitosis.

Matcha : A tea to go with desserts. Matcha is the powdered tea used in Japan's tea ceremony. The unpowdered form is called "tencha". Top grade matcha is a bright shade of green. As a rule, the lighter green varieties are sweeter and the darker ones more astringent. Matcha completely dissolves in water when well mixed and thus the leaf is all consumed providing more nutrients. A popular ingredient in savory dishes as well as desserts.

Gyokuro: A high-grade tea that combats fatigue. It has a sweet mild flavor because of the high levels of theanine, an amino acid generated by covering the tea bushes with reed screen two to three weeks prior to picking. This shields the leaves from direct sunlight and results in leaves that are dark green when dried. Gyokuro contains a lot of caffeine and chlorophyl. Caffeine stimulates the brain and the nervous system while chlorophyl stimulates tissue growth, resulting in healthy skin.

Hojicha - A mild tea for children and those with a delicate constitution. Hojicha is produced by roasting bancha or sencha over a high heat, resulting in brownish leaves imbued with a savory fragrance. Since it contains relatively little caffeine and tannin, it is good for children, older people and those recovering from illness. it can also be served cold in the summer.

Genmaicha - The perfect follow-up to a rich meal. Bacha or medium-grade sencha combined with well-roasted and popped brown rice .The rice adds a slightly nutty taste and its mild flavor makes it the ideal tea to drink after a meal that includes oily or deep-fried foods, such as tempura or Chinese cuisine.

The best way to familiarize yourself with a variety of teas is to find shop that allows patron to buy small amount of many different leaves as sample, this will allow you to find new taste and select which one you really like before buying in big quantity.

You may also be interested in reading the Main Types of Tea.

Reference: Tokunaga, Mutsuko, "New Taste in Green Tea: A novel flavor for familiar drinks, dishes and desserts", 2004.

Del Rosario Kids circa 1940s

2010-03-13T07:49:00.004+08:00

My grandmother Marcela Constantino Del Rosario and my cousins.

Alamat Ng Butiki

2009-12-02T09:59:00.003+11:00

Mayroong magkasintahan na nag-iibigan ayon sa matatanda. Walang kasintamis ang kanilang pagmamahalan.

Minsan isang araw ay may ginagawang pagsubok ang dalaga sa katapatan ng binata. Dahil sa malaking pag-ibig nito sa dalaga ay tinanggap nito ang hamon. Kaagad na sinabi ng dalaga sa kasintahanna kailangan niya ang puso ng kanyang ina. Ito ang kahilingan ng dalaga at pag nagawa mo ito at magtagumpay ka ay aagad tayong magpapakasal.

Walang sabi-sabi na umalis ang binata patungo sa kanilang tahanan upang tuparin ang kahilingan ng dalaga. Naratnan nito ang ina nagpapahinga sa silid. Nanginginig na kinuha ang balaraw at dali-daling dinukot ang puso ng ina. Kaagad nitong kinuha ang puso ng ina at patungo na sana siya sa knaroroonan ng kasintahan. Ngunit sa pagmamadali nito ay nadupilas siya at ang hawak niyang puso ay biglang nahulog sa sahig.

Ang puso ay biglang nangusap "Bakit mo ginawa ito, anak. Bakit kailangan sundin and nahihibang mong kasintahan? Gusto kong ipaalam sa iyo anak na ang isang ina na pinakakautangan mo ng buhay pangalawa sa sakilang lumikha ay hindi mo na makikita kailan pa man at bakit ako pa na siya mong ina na nagmamahal din sa iyo ay labis kaysa iba?"

Nanangis ang binata at nagsisisi sa mga narinig niya. Nais niyang isauli ang puso ng ina, subalit huli na at wala nang magagawa. Dahil sa ginawa ng binata ito ay biglang pinarusahan at naging BUTIKI, na gumagapang sa mga kisame at sa mga haligi. Magmula noon siya at gapang ng gapang ito ay naging parusa sa isang anak na walang utang na loob sa kang pinanggalingan.

Lemon - Garlic Breath Remedy

2009-11-28T07:51:00.004+11:00

If you are one of those who enjoy Italian food or other cuisines that use a lot of garlic but find that the taste lingers on a bit longer than you would like, try using lemon with a little spice as a natural breath freshener.

Just crush one or two cloves into a hot lemon drink and swirl the mixture around in your mouth before swallowing.

The Rosary

2009-11-03T17:31:00.003+11:00

Tradition attributes the rosary to a vision of St Dominic in which Mary presented him with a rosary as a means to overcome the Albigensian heresy.

(The Albigensian heresy had plagued southern France in St.Dominic's time, during the 13th century. It was based on the belief that there were two supreme beings, a good God who created the spirit world, and an evil god who created the material world.)

However, there is no historical reference to this until 200 years after Dominic's death.The rosary evolved over centuries.The desert fathers counted prayers with pebbles or pegs put into a board. In the middle ages strings of prayer beads called paternosterswere popular, Paternoster is Latin for "Our Father" The rosary as we know it probably began as a substitute for the 150 Psalms for people who were illiterate and unable to read the psalms.

October is the month of the rosary and October 7 is the memorial Our Lady of the Rosary.The rosary can be thought of as a garland of roses presented to Mary. At Lourdes and at Fatima she encouraged praying the rosary. It is good prayer for families to pray together.

Read more about "How to Pray the Rosary"

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Parol - Filipino Christmas Lantern

2009-10-30T06:58:00.007+11:00

Parol - Filipino Christmas lantern is one of the popular symbols of Christmas in the Philippines. This star-shaped lantern decorate homes, restaurants, schools, hotels, business premises, streets, malls, throughout the Philippines. They light the dark nights in the streets of large cities and small villages.

The parol represents the star that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

The word parol is from Spanish word meaning "lantern'. it is believed that parols were first used to light the way to church for the Misa de Gallo service which starts every December 16.

Parols have become a Filipino folk craft and even young children make simple one for their school project. Parols are also sometimes made from local materials, such as coconuts or shells. Huge twenty-foot parols with flashing electric lights are paraded down the streets in the city of San Fernando Pampanga.

The Story of the Christmas Card

2009-10-21T10:29:00.008+11:00

The custom of sending Christmas cards is now so well established that it is surprising to discover that is is only about one hundred years old. Valentine cards were popular in the mid-eighteenth century and New Year cars were exchanged in Europe a long time before.

Christmas cards became accepted, in the 1870s. Other early forerunners were the Christmas greetings children brought home from school, done in the best handwriting on decorated paper, to present to proud parents. traders would also leave specially decorated visiting cards at Christmas.

1843 - the first Christmas card was produced by Sir Henry Cole.

Sir Henry Cole, an Englishman was credited with the idea of the first Christmas card. Cole was the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He was a businessman with a keen interest in art.

In December 1843 he found he had little time to write individual Christmas greetings to his friends, so he decided to produce a printed card. The artist John Calcott Horsley drew a design which Cole approved and so the first Christmas card was born. It had a picture of a family enjoying the festivities, with two side panel showing acts of charity. One thousand of the cards were printed and sold for a shilling each.

The ideas was not an overnight success. But advances in the colour printing process and the introduction of the halfpenny post for cards in the 1870s meant that Christmas cards started to gain widespread popularity in England. By 1880 the Post office was having to broadcast its annual advice " Post Early for Christmas" familiar to those who live in Great Britain.

1875 Louis Prang - Father of American Christms Card

At around the same time, Christmas cards were becoming popular in America through the work of Louis Prang, a German living in Massachusetts. He produced high-quality cards and helped to spread their appeal by organizing nationwide competitions for the best design.

Many of the designs still seen today originated with the earliest Christmas cards. Snow scenes pictures of festive feasting and nativity scenes were all popular. other early cards were more elaborate, coming in the shape of fans, starts or scrolls. Some even had silk finishes and pictures that could be animated by puling a tab.

But competition from less costly foreign imports forced Prang to stop making cards in the 1890. When World War 1 cut off the supply of Christmas cards from Europe, American businessmen began making them again.

Christmas cards have never been as popular as one might expect, even if you make a personalized Christmas card or sent an e-card or a virtual Christmas card, perhaps because sending has always been more associated with the "social" aspects of Christmas.

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Food Names Trivia Quiz

2009-10-19T07:15:00.004+11:00

How much do you really know about food? Test your food knowledge with my food names quiz . . . Have fun!!!

After whom the dessert ‘pavlov’ named?

In ‘angels and devils on horseback’, what are the angels and devils made of?

What is ‘vol-au-vent’?

In Scotland, which soup is traditionally served on Burns Night?
From where does the term ‘chowder’ for soup derive?

How did Toll House cookies get their name?
For which occasion was Vichyssoise soup created?

What is the origin of the word ‘gammon’?

How did jambalaya get its name?

What does chili con carne mean?

Answers:

1. The pavlova was named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova.

2. The angels are oysters and the devils are prunes.

3. Vol-au-vent is French for "flying on the wind "- they are puff pastry cases.

4. A soup called -Cock-a-leekie.

5. From the French word "chaudiere" - a huge copper pot for communal fish stew.

6. When you have to pay a toll to cross the Mississippi, you could stop at the toll-man's house and buy his chocolate chip cookies.

7. The opening of the roof garden at the old Ritz Carlton Hotel, New York City.

8. It was common in the French colony of Virginia and the French word for ham is jambon.

9. It was brought by Spaniards to New Orleans and jamon is the Spanish word for ham.

10. It is Spanish for meat with chilli powder.

If you are looking for free general trivia quiz, to use for fundraising, school trivia games or just to ftest your knowledge, you can check my quizzes at Hubpages. Enjoy!!!

General Knowledge Trivia Quiz

Interactive General Information Trivia Quiz

Music Trivia Quiz

Mathematics Trivia Quiz

How to make French Toast?

2009-08-30T13:06:00.003+08:00

What to do with day old bread that has gone dry? Don't throw it . . . make French toast for breakfast or merienda. Almost any kind of bread may be sliced flat and used if you don't have a slice bread. If you do not have old bread and you are dying to have a French toast use fresh bread but soak it only in the milk mixture for a shorterr time.

What do you need?

3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh milk
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup water
6 slices of bread

In a bowl or shallow dish, combine eggs, sugar, salt and milk. Soak bread in the mixture for a few minutes. Turn slices over until egg mixture is absorbed.

In a thick skillet over medium fire, heat butter. Place bread slices until lightly browned on each side.

Serve plain or top with jam jelly, maple syrup or cinnamon sugar.

I hope you enjoy this recipe , you can try some of these easy and simple recipes that I have collected:

Enjoy Cooking !!!!

Alamat: Bakit maraming isla sa Pilipinas?

2009-08-26T05:43:00.006+08:00

Noong bata pa ang daigdig, ang Pilipinas ay buo, mahaba at makitid na lupalop. Sa hilaga ay nakatira ang mag-asawang Angalo at Angarab. Sila'y nabubuhay sa panlilimot ng kabibi.

Isang araw ang mag-asawa'y nanguha ng kabibi sa tabing-dagat. Malayo na ang kanilang nalalakad subalit wala pa silang nakitang kabibi kahit isa. Si Angalo ay napalaot nang kaunti.

May natisod siyang bagay sa ilalim ng tubig. Yumuko siya at ito'y kinuha. Isang malaking kabibi ang bumulaga sa kanyang paningin.

Binuksan niya ang kabibi at gayon na lamang ang kanyang pagtataka nang makita ang isang bilog na bungang makinang.

"Tingnan mo Angarab, ano kaya ito?" at itinaas ang maliit at maniningning na bato.

"Iya'y perlas! ang sigaw ng asawa, sa kabila ng kanyang pagkamangha. "Manguha tayo ng marami!"

Mahabang oras na sila'y nalimot ng malalaking kabibi sa bandang malalim ng dagat. Isa-isa nilang tinanggal ang mga perlas sa kabibi at maingat na binalot sa malambot na balat ng kahoy.

Nang sila'y pauwi mula sa hilaga nagsimula ang kanilang away. Iginiit ng isa't isa na malaki ang bahagi na dapat mapasakanya tungkol sa mga perlas na natipon.

"Malaki ang aking bahagi! ako ang unang nakatuklas ng perlas."

"Hoy, mahiya ka! Marami ang napanguha ko kaysa iyo. Kaya malaki ang aking kabahagi!"

Sila'y nagsumbatan at nagtungayawan. Kapwa sila nagtatadyak sa galit.

Ang sigaw at ingay ng tadyak ay lumagonlong hanggang malayo kaya ang mga bundok ay nangatibag at ang lupa ay gumiwang, nag-kalungga at nangag kabitak.

Bukod sa sigawan at tadyakan, sila'y nagsabuyan pa ng putik at bato. Ang mga bato at buhangin ay nagagliparan sa iba't ibang dako. Ang lupang kanilang knatatayuan dahil sa away ay nangatipak at nagkahiwa-hiwalay. Ang malapad na lupa sa hilaga ay naging Luzon; ang nasa timog ay naging Mindanao. Ang mga batumbuhay na tumalamsik sa iba't ibang dako ay naging bahagi ng Bisayas.

Dahil dito kya ang kapuluan ngayon ay nababahagi sa libu-libong isla, malaki at munti.

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Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon

2009-07-25T08:43:00.010+08:00

Noong unang panahon, sa kaharian ng Albay ay may isang makapangyarihang Rajah. Siya ay may anak na kaakit-akit na ang palayaw sa kanya ng mga tao ay Daragang Magayon na ang kahuluga'y "Magandang Dalaga".

Maraming naakit sa kanyang taglay na kagandahan kaya di mabilang na mga datu at mga dinoong tanyag nag nag-alaysa kanyang ng pagmamahal. Ang isa sa mga nanligaw ay si Kauen, anak ng mayamang Rajah sa kanugnog na kaharian. Naghandog ng mahalagang hiyas at ginto ang binata subalit tumanggi sa regalo ang dalaga. Si Kauen ay nabigo subalit nag yabang pa na ang dalaga ay magiging kanya pagdating ng araw.

Mula sa malayong Katagalugan narinig ni Gat Malaya ang nabalitang kagandahan ni Daragang Magayon. Maramisiyang mga pagkakataong makaniig ang paraluman subalit nagkaroon ng mga sagabal. Minsan malapit sa munting ilog, nakita ang dalagang namumupol ng mga bulaklak. Kinamaya-maya'y ang binibini'y nagtampisaw sa batis. Ang binata'y nagparinig ng himig ng masayang awit upang matawag ang kaniyang pansin. Nag katitigan sila at ang binata'y nginitian.

Nabuhayan ng loob ang Prinsiping Tagalog at ito'y nagsalita, "Magandang Mutya, mula ako sa malayo upang ikaw ay sadyain at makita ang tangi mong kariktan!"

"Sino ka? Hindi kita kilala! Isa kang pangahas!"
"Ako'y si Gat Malaya, galing sa kahariang malapit dito. Bigyan mo ako ng isang bulaklak at ako'y masisiyahan na!"

Bantulot na inihagis ng dalaga ang bulaklak. Dumapo sa mga palad ng binata at ito'y kagyat na idinampi sa kaliwang dibdib.
"Maaring bang kita'y makitang muli?"
At nagsimula ang maraming tipanan ng dalawa sa makasaysayang batis.

"Isang araw," mungkahi ng lalaki, "kita'y iniibig. Tayo'y pakasal!" Ngunit ang Rajah? ang aking ama?" may alinlangang paliwanag. Dapat niyang malaman."
"Huwag kang mag-alala! Hihingin ko ang kamay mo sa kanya!" Pumayag and Rajah. Ang batang prinsipe ay kanyang nagustuhan pagkat magalang at nakakahalina kung kumilos. Itinakda ng Rajah ang kasal sa pagbibilog ng buwan, matapos ang anihan.

Nagpaalam si Gat Malaya upang ipabatid sa kangyan magulang ang itinakdang kasalan. Kakaunin niya ang ama't ina ta silang tatlo ay babalik sa Albay.

Nabalitaan ni Kauen (nabigong manliligaw ng dalaga0 ang napabalitang pag-iisang dibdib. Kanyang sinamantala ang pagkakataong wala si Gat Malaya. Pinuntahan niya si Daragang Magayon.
Matigas ang pagtanggi ng dalaga sa kabila ng mga pagbabala, "kung hindi kita makamtan, walang magkakamit sa iyo sinuman!"

Ang prinses ay natakot dahil sa pagbabala sa buhay niya at sa kanyang ama. Siya'y sumagot, " Ako'y magiging iyo kung si Gat Malaya ay hindi bumalik!"
Nagtutumulin ang mga araw at mga linggo. Malapit na ang tag-ani ngugnit wala pa si Gat malaya. Hindi pa siya nagbabalik. Gabi-gabi ang dalaga'y nakaupo sa durungawan at anghihintay.

Nang dumating ang kabilugan ng buwan napilitan ng pakasal kay Kauen. Nagkaroon ng marangal na handaan, kainan at sayawan.

Sa gitna ng kasayahan dumating si Gat Malaya kasama ang mga magulang.

"Ako'y naparito upang angkinin ang aking nobya!" sabi ni Gat Malaya.
"Hindi maari!" Tugon ni Kauen.

Nagkaroon ng sukatan ng lakas. Magugunita na si Gat Malaya ay subok sa espada subalit si Kauen ay malansi at mapaglalang.

Nang ihagis ni Kauen ang kanyang sibat, si Daragang Magayon ay tumakbo upang pumagitna at sawayain ang dalawa. Sa kasamaang palad, ang sibat ay tumama sa dibdib ng dalaga. Niyakap ni Malaya ito, ngunit pataksil na sinibt ng katunggali. Kapwa nalagutan ng hiniga ang magsing-irog.

Nagluksa ang Rajah at ang buong palasyo. Ipinag-utos niya na ang dalawa'y ilagak na magkasama sa isang hukay. Lumipas ang mga araw. Himala ng himala. Ang lupa sa puntod ng libingan ay tumaas hanggang sa ito'y maging bundok. Napakaganda nito at sa katagalan, ito ay tinawag na Bundok ng Mayon bilang ala-ala kay Daragang Magayon.

Hub Challenge

2009-07-22T04:36:00.005+08:00

Last month I joined Hubpages in their 30 Hubs in 30 Days Challenge, I was not able to complete the challenge but I was able to managed 13 hubs only.

Mga Halimbawa ng Kasabihan

2009-07-20T04:11:00.003+08:00

Ang kasabihan ay bahagi na ng kulturang Pilipino. Ito ay ipinasa sa atin ng ating mga ninuno, ang kasabihan ay nagbibigay ng paalala at mabutiing aral sa atin.

Ngayon ay marami ng bagong kasabihan na nagbibigay aral sa ating mga kabataan. Narito ang mga halimbawa ng makabagong kasabihan.

Ang batang matapat, pinagkakatiwalaan ng lahat.
Ang kalinisan ay tanda ng kasipagan.
Ang pagsintang labis na makapangyarihan, pag ikaw ay pumasok sa puso ninuman, hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka lamang.
Walang matimtimang birhen, sa matiyagang manalangin.
Ang kayamanang galing sa kasamaan, dulot ay kapahamakan.
Ang taong walang tiyaga, ay walang yamang mapapala.
Mabisa ang pakiusap na malumanay, kaysa utos na pabulyaw.
Ang magtahi-tahi ng hindi tutoong kuwento, mabubuko rin sa bandang dulo.
Ang masipag sa buhay, umaani ng tagumpay.
Walang lihim na hindi nabubunyag, walang totoo na hindi nahahayag.
Ang anak na magalang, ay kayamanan ng magulang
Huwag mong hatulan ang isang aklat, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pabalat.
Walang tunay na kalayaan, kung nabubuhay sa kahirapan.
Ang talagang matapang, nag-iisip muna bago lumaba.
Titingkad ang iyong kagandahan, kung maganda rin ang iyong kalooban.

Ano ang Salawikain?

Halimbawa ng Salawikain

Marami pang Halimbawa ng Salawikain

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Female Mathematician - Sophie Germain

2009-07-19T06:42:00.002+08:00

Sophie Germain was born into a wealthy Parisian Family in 1776. Finding little encouragement for education from her parents, Germain taught herself in her father's library and through correspondence with other scholars.

Unable to attend the newly established Ecole Polytechnic, a training ground for mathematicians and scientist, germain submitted papers using a false name.

Lagrange, alecturer, was impressed with the quality and originality of her work, helping and encouraging her. She also correspond with the mathematician Gauss.

Germain worked in number theory and analysis. Other areas of interest were acoustics and elasticity.

She won several prizes in these areas of mathematical physics. One of her major achievements was a mathematical description of vibrating elastic surfaces which included a prediction of the behaviour of Chladni Plates.

She died in 1831 shortly before she was due to recieve an honorary doctorate from the University of Gottingen.

There are many more female mathematicians who have great accomplishment in the field of mathematics since ancient times. . . read more about their remarkable contribution .

Halimbawa ng Bugtong

2009-07-18T07:45:00.008+08:00

Kung ikaw ay naghahanap ng mga bugtong para sa iyong homework at dito ka dinala ng iyong Google search, narito ang mga halimbawa ng bugtong.

Tubig na naging bato, batong nagiging tubig.
Ang paa ay apat , hindi makalakad.
Umupo si itim, sinulot ni pula, lumabas si puti, bubuga-buga.
Alin dito sa mundo ang halamang walang buto.
Urong-sulong lumalamon.
Baboy ko sa Pasolo, nasa loob ang balahibo.
Isang hayop na maliit, dumudumi ng sinulid.
Isiniksik bago kinalabit, malayo ang sinapit.
Isang matandang hukot, nakatitibag ng bundok.
Heto na si bayaw, dala-dala'y ilaw.

Mga sagot:

Asin
Mesa
Sinaing
Singkamas
Lagari
Mangga
Gagamba
Baril
Araro
Alitaptap

Miniature Cakes

2009-07-12T05:33:00.004+08:00

Miniature Dog Cake

Holden Car

These are miniature cakes displayed during the 2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show
More Pictures . . . . Click Here.

Mga Sala-Salawikain

2009-07-10T05:25:00.003+08:00

I saw this book called "Mga Sala-Salawikain" by Julio Silverio, this is a new version of the traditional salawikain. Nakakatawa pero may aral. Here are my favourites

Iba ang kalatog ng pinggan, sa kalatog ng bakal.
Yumuyuko sa atin ang iba, gayong tinitingala nating sila.
Halik na matunog , ay hindi pang-irog.
Ang lumalakad nang marahan, kung dumating ay madaling-araw.
Kung walang taong hangal, and ilan sati'y di magtatagumpay.
Katulad mo ay aso, kinakagat and kahit sino.
Ang baboy na gumagala, kinakatay nang walang awa.
Ang taong tamad, sa gutom ang bagsak.
Taong naghahambog, ang siyang sumasabog.
Pag dinaan sa tiyaga, nagkakaroon din ang wala.
Kung gustong patinuin ang isang bata, ang rendahan muna ay ang kanyang dila.
Ang gawaing dinali-dali, mangyari ma'y tagpi-tagpi.
Santo, santito, corazon maldito.
Kung ibig mong tayo'y magkasundo, tayo'y maglayo.
Ang taong mabuti sa panlabas na anyo, ay maaring mandaraya ang kanyang puso.

If you are looking for more traditional Filipino Proverbs "Salawikain" here is a list from Hubpages.

Tree Jokes

2009-06-15T16:42:00.009+08:00

.
What did the tree do when its local bank closed?
It started a new branch.

What name do you give a tree on a windy day?
Russell

What happens to a tree when you tie a rope to it.
It gets a knot.

How do trees surf the Internet?
They log on.

What noise do trees make?
They bark.

What do trees do when they're upset?
They pine.

Want more jokes, check out my Joke Hubs:

Art Cows

2009-06-14T04:31:00.005+08:00

Esther is one of the 15 cows that was displayed during the 2009 Sydney Easter Show. A project sponsored by Dairy Australia, under their Picasso Cows Competition, the competing school have to come up with a design and concept then 5 primary students from the school have to paint it on the fibreglass cow.

Check out for more pictures of painted cows

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Island Cooler

2009-06-13T12:08:00.002+08:00

Nothing could be more refreshing on a hot summer's day than a combination of tropical fruit juices. Why don't you try this nice Island Cooler.

You will need :

8-10 cracked ice cubes
2 measures orange juice
1 measure lemon juice
1 measure pineapple juice
1 measure papaya juice
1/2 tsp grenadine
sparkling mineral water, to top up

To decorate you need pineapple wedges or cocktail cherries

What you have to do:

1. Put 4-6 ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Pour the orange juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice papaya juice and grenadine over the ice. Shake vigorously until a frost forms.

2. Half fill a chilled Collins glass with cracked ice cubes and pour the cocktail over them. Top up with sparkling mineral water and stir gently. Decorate with pineapple wedges and cocktail cherries speared on a cocktail stick.

If you are looking for more non alcoholic drinks recipes, check this out.

Enjoy and have fun this summer !!!!

Trivia Quizzes

2009-06-06T21:03:00.006+08:00

Everyone enjoy a bit of trivia, if you are looking for trivia quiz for a fundraising event, for a school trivia day or just want to tickle your brain try some of these trivia questions. Have fun !!!

Jose Rizal Quotations

2009-05-15T12:34:00.004+08:00

You can find more quotations from Dr. Jose Rizal here.

Pilgrims - World Youth Day 2008

2008-07-18T07:23:00.020+08:00

Thousand of pilgrims from the United States, Italy, Germany, Spain, and other European countries, and also from neighbouring countries like New Zealand, Pacific islands, Papua New Guinea, have arrived in Sydney for World Youth Day (WYD) from July 15 - 20, which is a week long series of events attended by Pope Benedict XVI and thousand of youth from all over the world.
.

The Asian pilgrims came from Indonesia, India, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines.

The Filipino pilgrims is one of the largest Asian pilgrims, like most pilgrims, Filipino pilgrims are being accommodated in Catholic schools and private homes. They have a busy week ahead of them and here are some photos of the pilgrims on their way to the Papal arrival at Barrangaroo in Darling Harbour.

Happy and Proud to see the Philippine flag.

Pilgrims from Peru

World Youth Day 2008

Receive The Power - Official Anthem of WYD 2008

Butterflies

2008-07-14T21:19:00.005+08:00

Wordless Wednesday - Oysters

2008-04-29T10:02:00.001+08:00

Red Tip Banana

2008-04-24T16:03:00.002+08:00

While shopping at the Fruit Warehouse, I could not resist to touch this banana, a bit curious why the tip of the bananas are red, actually they have been dipped into food grade wax. These Eco bananas wax tips are grown under a more natural growing cycle to provide a sweeter and creamier flavour with a longer shelf life.

This means that the growers of these bananas has a significant reduction in the use of Synthetic Fertiliser and Agrichemical inputs, thus leading the way to producing an Eco Banana.
To look different' from other banana products and so that buyers could easily recognised the fruit. the producers of these banana have developed the 'Red Tip' identification.

Read the story of the PACIFIC COAST ECO BANANAS

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-24T06:36:00.002+08:00

Weekend Snapshots

2008-03-24T06:39:00.005+08:00

During the Easter long weekend we went for a drive along the Northern Beaches, these pictures were taken at Newport Beach. It was cold and gloomy on that day and there were only a handful of people on the beach.

I hope you have a good weekend....

Baha'i Temple - Sydney

2008-03-24T05:03:00.004+08:00

The Baha'i Temple

Sydney, Australia

One of only seven in the world

To All Filipinos Everywhere

2008-03-02T06:29:00.007+08:00

I recieved this email and I just like to share it with you, it is inspiring.....

To All Filipinos Everywhere:

by B. Torres

I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country.

Can it get any worse than this?

Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!

I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strutaround with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear andawe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws,enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do!These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – RobinHoodlum and his band of money men.

Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."

It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for allthe world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heavenforbid!

I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor healthservices, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.

And then this. Scandalous Government Deals.

Plundering presidents pointing fingers.
Senators who are crooks.
Congressmen who accept bribes.
Big time lawyers on the side of injustice.

De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos andArroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren couldever spend in a lifetime. Joker caught red-handed. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money,money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?

And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on arusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's shady financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.

They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.

But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines . I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak,a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.

Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power ofgood. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation inridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!

I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way youc an. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world.

I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hardwork, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.

I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to beaware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into.

The youth is our future –and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.

I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere tolook around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders.

YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!

Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and yourheritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.

Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. Weare tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.

For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.

P.S. Please translate in your dialect and forward to your provincemates!

Wordless Wednesday No. 6 - Sungka

2008-02-08T19:52:00.000+08:00

What is SUNGKA? (pronounced SOONG-kah)

SUNGKA is a traditional Filipino Game, played by two players, each aiming to outdo the other by trying to accumulate as many pebbles (sigay) as he can into his mother hole according to rules of distributions and moves.

It is a game of skill in calculation played on a block of wood called “Sungkaan”, shaped like a boat with the surface artfully rounded at the ends.

Wordless Wednesday No. 5 - Langka Jackfruit

2007-12-26T04:16:00.001+08:00

Weekend Snapshot No. 5 - Parol - Filipino Christmas Lantern

2007-11-25T16:59:00.000+08:00

After the Hockey game we headed to the city to watch the Sydney Christmas Parade, we were late but my daughter and I were able to take some pictures and I was so happy that I did not miss the Philippines' Float.

The Philippine Dept. of Tourism have presented a very beautiful display of our Parol - Filipino Christmas Lantern . Several colourful parol were displayed on the float, and lovely and gorgeous Bayanihan Dancers are holding the parol on a dance.

These parol bring back a lot of Christmas memories, I think every Filipino who are watching the parade are so proud that our traditional Christmas decoration are admired by Sydneysiders and people from other cultures.

For more information about the Parol you can check

out my article on HubPages about Christmas In the Philippines

To join Weekend Snaphot. . . .Check it out here.

Wordless Wednesday No. 4: Chess Anyone?

2007-11-14T18:20:00.000+08:00

Weekend Snapshot No. 4 - Sculpture by the Sea

2007-11-11T13:32:00.000+08:00

To join Weekend Snaphot. . . .Check it out here.

Last Saturday, we spent the day at the Sculpture by Sea, a yearly exhibition of sculptures displayed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, it is a magnificent location to showcase great work of art. There are about 100 sculptures created by artist from around the world. Here are my favourites.

Twisted Reality

"Dream the impossible. . . "

A huge twisted spoon is the first sculpture that greeted us. The sculptor is Tomas Misura, it is made of stainless steel, with a price tag of $34,000. I guess it is too big for my kitchen anyway.

Cycle-90, a premonition of wind

Created by Kaoru Matsumoto, from Japan, it is made from stainless steel and aluminium bearings. The sculptures operate by combining precision bearings with the precise design and weighting of the sculpture's components. This creates sculptures that are highly responsive to their environments and attain diffeent characters as the wind speed and direction change.

Bella

"The freedom to be who you are and to enjoy what is "

Made of silicon bronze, by Greg James from Western Australia, She measures 125 cm x 60cm x57.5 cm. This bella seems to be enjoying all the attention she is getting.

The table, her chair and my pet

This pink table measures about 120cm x 90 cm x 250cm.is made of stainless steel, from the idea of Yeo Chee Kiong, from Singapore. According to the artist, his main interest and concern is to question and challenge common visual perception and the shred concept of object and space in the practice of contemporary visual art.

I am always amazed at how fast the time seems to fly when your eyes and mind are occupied by all these amazing display just in front of you, my daughter and I had a good time taking photos. we went home tired and eager to download all our photos.

More Pictures of the Sculpture by the Sea Click Here.

Wordless Wednesday No. 3: Showtime at Luna Park

2007-11-07T03:20:00.000+08:00

Weekend Snapshot No. 3 - Sunday Indoor Hockey

2007-10-29T19:14:00.000+08:00

To join Weekend Snaphot. . . .Check it out here.

My daughter was introduced to this game at school and she got so interested, last school holiday, she attended a one day indoor hockey clinic, this also includes an 8 week competition every Sunday, so for the next 7 weeks our Sunday will include a morning hockey games.

Indoor Hockey is a faster version of field hockey, played on a Basketball court with 6 players no off side and no lifting of the ball except for shots at goal. This fun and exciting concept developed from field hockey makes it a fun and easier game to play for everyone, especially beginners and kids.

Indoor hockey is a game of speed, agility and tactics. It is a game where one pushes the ball. Hitting the ball is illegal

This is my daughter pushing the ball, they need to have their own hockey stick, wear a shin pad to protect their legs and they also need a mouth guard. They can wear any sports shoes. Today's Score is 7- 5. They did not win but it was a good game.

I must confess that I don't know much about this game but from watching I think I am going to learn and enjoy this game as a spectator.

Acrostic Name Poems

2007-10-27T05:27:00.000+08:00

An acrostic poem is written so that you can read a word downwards using the first letter of each line. I remember during my primary days, it is one of the popular activities that teacher use to encourage students in writing poetry. It is easy to start with and it is fun. Topics can range from your name, or names of your family members, animals, food, nature, names of places you have been or just about anything you can think of. It does not need to rhyme, acrostic poems help your ideas come alive.

One of my favourite is writing acrostic name poems, I once saw a stall in the mall, selling personalized gifts using acrostic poems, I said I can do that to and I was so inspired and made some of my own. You can also do your own acrostic poems and make it as a poster for your child's room or add it also a nice additions to your scrapbooking album.

Here are a few that I made.

MELISSA

M is for marvelous, so gentle and sweet
E is for enchanting, a heavenly treat
L is for her laughter, a music to my ears
I is for intelligent, her mind so bright
S is for special, smart and sensitive too
S is for sincere, with a heart so true
A is for affectionate, a cuddly litte girl

Melissa, you bring a special joy to us.

AIMEE

A is for adorable with an angel's smile
I is for inquisitive, you'll have much success
M is for merry, her sweetness glows
E is for enthusiasm, she overflows
E is for energy which she is never without.

Aimee, she is a breath of joy!!!

DYLAN

D is for dynamic, so fun to be with
Y is for youthful, so pure and innocent
L is for loyal, a delight to know
A is for active, clever and bright
N is for natural, the genuine side of you

Dylan, driven by boundless energy

I have some more examples of Acrostic Name Poems for Boys and Girls .

Wordless Wednesday No. 2: The Blue Stilt Walker

2007-10-24T14:53:00.000+08:00

Weekend Snapshot No. 2

2007-10-21T15:58:00.000+08:00

To join Weekend Snaphot. . . .Check it out here.

It is not yet summer here in Australia but it is getting warmer and warmer, last Saturday I went to the fruit shop and bought some watermelon, rockmelom and kiwi fruits and make some fruit skewers. I like it because they are bite size and very easy to prepare.

Sago at Gulaman

A popular refreshment in the Philippines, this is home made drink, made of Sago seeds and jelly, I used a canned jelly, I made this just to quenched my thirst. It is really refreshing.

Last Sunday, I was planning to cook "Pinakbet" a Filipino dish but I forgot that I don't have "bagoong" (salted and fermented shrimps or small fishes), so I just end up taking this picture.

How about you, how was your weekend?

Bugtungan Tayo !!!

2007-10-21T06:07:00.000+08:00

When I was young there was a radio program with a segment called "Bugtungan Tayo", (Let's Answer some Riddles) my father and I always tuned-in, everyday in this program, so I 've learned to memorize the bugtong and get competitive in answering the riddles against my father. It is a good bonding time.

Filipino riddles or Bugtong are part of our culture, as Filipinos we love this kind of mental game, bugtong is a short one liner statement and consist of two parts, the first part refers to the object and the second part refers to the characteristics of the object being identified

Let's try if you can answer some of the riddles below. I was not able to translate it in English, I tried but I am not so happy with my translation it sounds "barok", so I need to polish my English translation in the meantime, have fun guessing.

Bugtong Tungkol sa Prutas - Riddles about Fruits

Isang maliit na bulsa, punung puno ng paminta.
Baboy ko sa Mariveles, balahibo’y matutulis.
Puno ay buko-buko, dahon ay abaniko, Bunga ay parasko, perdigones ang buto.
Isang magandang prinsesa, ligid na ligid ng espada.
Nanganak ang aswang, sa tuktok nagdaan.

Can you answer some of the riddles. ?

Post your answers to the comments.....

More examples here.

Wordless Wednesday No. 1: Cascading Waterfalls

2007-10-17T09:28:00.000+08:00

Weekend Snapshot No. 1

2007-10-15T07:03:00.000+08:00

To join Weekend Snaphot. . . .Check it out here.

Weekend Snapshots at Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is Sydney's most famous beach and an Australian icon. Its name is derived from an Aboriginal term for the noise of waves crashing on the rocks. The beach is watched over by lifeguards who monitor the area of beach marked by flags. When we visit on the weekend there are already a lot of people, it is good that we come early.

Bondi Beach is a great place to swim, surf, sunbathe, jog or just walk along the beach and enjoy the magnificent view. During the summer months Bondi Beach is a very busy place, usually there are surf carnivals on the beach during summer months.

I am looking forward in coming back to Bondi Beach sometime early November for the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, it is Australia's largest annual, outdoor free to the public exhibition of sculpture that will be staged from Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk.

You won't be disappointed when you visit Bondi Beach, it is a huge expand of sand and there are a wide range of restaurants along Bondi's esplande. And if you are Shutter Bug like me, you can enjoy the view and photograph to your heart's content.

My favourite fruit

2007-10-13T13:41:00.000+08:00

This is my favourite fruit a cyclindrical fruit, covered with a light brown fuzzy skin, which looks very dull in comparision with the beautiful bright green interior with tiny little edible black sees , a very delicate fruit but very refreshing ans sometimes tangy.

Did you know that a single kiwi fruit contains more than a day's Vitamin C requirement for an adult? You can read more about here.

Filipino Folk Dances

2007-10-13T04:30:00.000+08:00

Pictures taken during the Read Philippines Project- Penrith launch

Sayaw sa Bangko

This dance is native to the barrio of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan, and demands skill from its performers who must dance on top of a bench roughly six inches wide.

Muslim Dance

Palayok Dance - I don't know exactly what is the name of the dance

Tinikling
This 'Visayan' dance was found in Leyte where this dance originated. Dancers imitate the tikling bird’s legendary grace and speed as they skillfully play, chase each other, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. It is named after the bird, tikling. this version of the dance is done between a pair of bamboo poles.

Subli

From the province of Batangas comes this ancient dance, originally performed in veneration of the holy cross of Alitagtag, referred to in the vernacular as Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz. The word subli is derived from two Tagalog words, subsub (stooped) and bali (broken). Hence, the men are stooped throughout the dance and appear to be lame and crooked, while the women dance with hats.

Visit me at HubPages

2007-09-26T07:51:00.000+08:00

I discovered HubPages 8 weeks ago. HubPages is the online publishing with easy-to-use publishing tools. I become a Hubber - hubbers are Hubpages authors and earn money by publishing their Hubs (content-rich Internet pages) on topics they know and love and earn recognition among fellow Hubbers through the community-wide HubScore ranking system.

Hubpages is free and you can create hubs about anything you desire as long as it is in accordance with the terms of service.Hubbers can earn revenue from Google AdSense, Ebay and Amazon Affiliates Products.

The only down fall to using HubPages as a blogging platform is that you do not receive all of the monetization from your content, by sharing the ad revenue you are in effect paying for being allowed to post in Hubpages and use the services that Hubpages offers. I think it is a fair deal. To pay for the hosting cost and the development of HubPages you will be on a 60/40 split with HubPages. The nice thing about HubPages is that it has built in traffic for you when you get started. But you still have to do your own promoting by submitting your hubs to social networking sites, etc. Hubpages takes care of all the technical issues so I don't have to worry about that and there is only one template for eveybody.

By collecting hundreds or thousands of writers on its platform and creating links between them, the whole site grows in significance in the eyes of Google and other search engines. What I like it is it has an active forum and the admin and fellow hubbers help each other in answering your questions.

We also received a weekly newsletter, with some tips about writing hubs, one good thing that I learned from reading the newsleeter is to write articles that are evergreen content.

What are evergreen content? It is information and advice that stands the test of time, and is useful and interesting for years to come. People will always be searching for it, and it won't be "yesterday's news" for a long time.

Why is that important to you? Because evergreen content that is unique and excellent in quality attracts the attention of search engines, who will send traffic to your evergreen Hubs for months or even years. That means a steady stream of clicks and revenue. Sounds good.... If you are interested check the HubPages FAQ.

I started about 8 weeks ago,so far I have written 34 hubpages, the topics of my articles varied, but I like writing about the Philippines our customs and traditions. Places to visit in Sydney and of course with lots of pictures. I think I am getting addicted to it. Take a look and you may like to be a hubber too.

Check my Hubs here!!!

Read Philippines Project - Penrith

2007-09-25T13:29:00.000+08:00

For the last few weeks, I have been busy helping in the READ PHILIPPINES PROJECT- Penrith. This project is designed to promote greater interest and awareness of Philippine cultural heritage through an updated wider collection of books and audio-visual materials on the Philippines that will be made available through Penrith City Library.

This is a project of the Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro. The Consul General has always emphasized that “the involvement of the Filipino-Australian community in the partnership is a vital component in the success of the project.

The READ PHILIPPINES PROJECT will be formally launched in the City of Penrith as a joint undertaking of the Philippine Consul General in Sydney, Penrith City Council and the Filipino-Australian community on 29 September 2007.

You can read more at Read Philippines Penrith Project Blog.

Digital Photography - Sepia Tone

2007-09-23T13:45:00.000+08:00

I have been experimenting for a while and I find that some of my not so nice pictures can be turn into something different just like using the Sepia Tone of my Kodak Z700 camera software. It is easy you just have to change the scene and presto I got these photos.

Moore Steps at Circular Quay

A lonely Cockatoo

Coney Island at Luna Park, Sydney

St Magdalene Church, St Marys

Want to see more you can visit my hubpages on Sepia Tone, here

The Beauty of Black and White Photography

2007-09-20T04:49:00.000+08:00

For someone who is like me who is just starting to experiment on the many features of Digital Photography, I like it so much because it gives you total power over tonal control and contrast variation but I am very much fascinated by the beauty of beauty of black-and-white photography.

A lighthouse in the midst of Sydney Harbour

Central Station, Sydney

Trolleys at Aldi Supermarket

Black and White Photography suits almost any type of photography, whether you are taking portraits, landscapes, children, or architecture it gives the photos a new look and feel. I have more black and white photos here. .

Mimosa House

2007-08-26T17:22:00.000+08:00

This house is situated at the corner of Putland Streeet and Pages Rd, St Marys, NSW, Australia, it is just about 2 minutes walk away from where I lived. This house is a fine example of late-Victorian architecture, in October 1980 it was classified by the National Trust. Mimosa House was completed in 1894 and was designed and built by local building contractor Joseph Sainsbury.

At present this house is 113 years old, the two-storied house Mimosa stands today as one of the most elegant and historic houses of the area. Now being restored to its former glory by the present owner, the house was originally built for St. Marys tannery owner and businessman, Andrew Thompson.
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Why do we have two ears?

2007-08-22T19:52:00.000+08:00

Recently, my daughter,told me that "Mum you don't listen to me, could you please stop talking and listen to me". So I did, because I was tired of talking . . . so I listen to her and she explained what are the reasons for her behaviours and when she was finished, I told her what I think and this time I am in control of my feelings and we agreed to some extend.

According to a quote by Epictetus, a Roman Philospher, "We have two ears and one mouth so we may listen more and talk less. " I wish to reflect on one of the most important skill parents should have, it is the skill of Listening, which is the silent side of communication. It is but natural that we want to be understood and the best way to understanding is to listen.

How hard could it be, we are given two ears to listen. It is hard sometimes, but we must not forget the most important listeners in the lives of our kids should be us, their parents. We need to keep the lines of communication open by knowing how to listen and when to talk and say the right words.

Sometimes, words in themselves have little meaning, it is the people who utter them who gave meaning to the words and how it is said. We as parents need to be able to offer advice to our children but before we utter the first word, we need to be sure that we heard the correct message.

We now lived in a society where our lives are run by technology, we are always running out of time and we as parents have problems of our own, so we need to guard what we say against prejudices and closed minded opinions that can prevent us from hearing what our kids are actually saying.

That being said, I think Mark Twain was right when he said "If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two mouths and only one ear.

City to Surf fun run 2007 photos

2007-08-12T22:25:00.000+08:00

My daughter and I had an enjoyable morning taking photos of the participants of the 2007 City to Surf fun run. It is a 14 km run from William St in Sydneyto Bondi Beach. We missed the 8:00 train to Sydney so we decided just to go straight to Bondi Junction and catch the bus to Bondi Beach.

Thousands have taken part on this years fun run. It is also a big charity fund raising event, the entrants can choose a charity or choose the official partner charities namely Sydney Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Barnardos and Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets.

Here are some photos.

Runners wear different coloured bibs. I was not able to take photos of runners with Red Bids which is restricted to professional athletes and those who ran in less than 75 minutes during 2006 City to Surf . Runners with Green Bibs ran in last years City to Surf between 76-100 minutes.

Blue Bibs are for semi-serious runners who’ll probably finish in less than 120 minutes.

Yellow Bibs are for people who want to run for fun by themselves or in a family group with children.

I am hoping that I can run next year. Have to get fit. . .

Today Glossy Pics

2007-08-06T19:39:00.000+08:00

The first theme for Pinoy Moms Network Fam Pics photo sharing project is GLOSSY. The photo entry must be home or family related, original and owned by the PMN member who is posting it, to find out more of the mechanics check it here.

My entry for this month is "Mum's Glossy Magazines "

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My daughter and I are keen magazine readers. Monica started reading young girls' magazines when she was about 10 years old. When she went to high school, her interest changed and she started to read teenage magazines. But surprisingly she also likes to read my favourite magazines which is "Notebook:Ideas for Living" I don't buy it because of it's Glossy cover, It is a well-balanced magazine, filled with stories about real women, not because of their beauty and riches but with their achievements.

Although I like all the section, I particularly like the crafting, home and garden and the fabulous food section. It is jampacked with useful and informative articles and the layout is very impressive, I just love the quotes on every article. It is a pleasure to read and collect. We always look forward to the new edition every month. I read every page of this Glossy magazine.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

2007-08-02T19:49:00.000+08:00

I really enjoyed this musical, I love the music, the songs, and the dance, I must admit that this is one of the best musical that I have seen, my daughter could not stop talking about it on the way home.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is an Australian comedy about two drag queens and a transsexual who travel into the heart of the Australian outback to perform a cabaret show at an Alice Springs hotel. The film stars three leading men in out-of-character roles. Manly Terence Stamp, sexy British star from the 1960s, plays transsexual Bernadette. Guy Peace plays Felicia, also known as Adam sans the drag costume, and Hugo Weaving plays Tick. The three characters find themselves in many hilarious situations, as well as a few serious ones, on their road-trip into the desert.

If you haven't watch Priscilla, don't miss this opportunity to see this spectacular show, you have only few days left after a successful season at Sydney Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – the Musical will complete its 11-month Sydney season with the final performance to be held on Sunday 2 September 2007. The show will be moving to Melbourne in October.

Sydney Opera House, a masterpiece of 20th century architecture

2007-08-01T20:57:00.000+08:00

The centrepiece of Sydney's cultural activities is its Opera House. This amazing building stands on the Sydney Harbour like a spectacular giant white shells. It stands on Bennelong Point at the very edge of the harbour. It is close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

In January 1956 the Government announced an international competition for the design of a "National Opera House". Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect was declared winner of the competition in 1957.

The construction of the Opera House begun in 1959. There were many difficulties during construction, it took almost 15 years to build and finally the Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973.

The Opera House consist of four main halls for performing arts, plus an exhibition hall, a reception room and a recording hall. The main chambers are the Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, Drama Theatre and cinema. There is also the Dennis Wolanski Library and archives for the performing arts. There are also restaurants, cafes and shops.

Hundreds of people tour the Opera House everyday, making it one of Sydney's most popular tourist attraction, as well as a leading cultural and arts venue. You can wonder round the forecourt of the Opera House, but for you to see the performance spaces you need to join a guided tour.

Sydney Opera House now a World Heritage Site.

On 28 June 2007, The Sydney Opera House was formally recognised as one of the most outstanding places on Earth with its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sydney Opera House is now listed alongside other universally treasured places such as the Taj Mahal, the ancient Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and Acropolis.

It is 50 years since Utzon was announced as the competition winner (January 1957) and 33 years since Sydney Opera House was officially opened (October 1973). It is the youngest cultural site to ever be included on the World Heritage List.

The expert report by the International Council on Monuments and Sites to the World Heritage Committee states, "Sydney Opera House stands by itself as one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind."

Headlice episode- Revisited

2007-07-31T05:07:00.000+08:00

Today, my daugther handed me a letter from the principal, it was a general letter to all students and parents about the recent outbreak of headlice in school. A bit surprise, usually headlice are mostly common in primary shools, but not in high school.

When my daugther was in primary, I got a call from the school that I have to pick up her as soon as possible because she got headlice. She never had headlice before, when I came to pick her up she was sitting on the corner near the principal's office. When she saw me she run and embrace me so tightly, I feel a pinch in my heart, I feel that I have not been responsible enough. I know, there is no need to get worried, its just headlice. I need a “suyod” a brown fine tooth comb to get rid of it. That is what Nanay used to get rid of my headlice when I was young.
Anyway, they told me that not to bring her to school until all the headlice are gone. I got a bit worried, I have to get rid of these lies fast. I get frantic and headed to the chemist to buy what the teacher advice me to get, KP24 but I was amazed by the many headlice products available in the market to eradicte headlice.

So I spent the whole afternoon and the weekend working on her hair. It is not easy, as I have found out. The most important thing to do - to get rid of the headlice is to make sure that you get all the nits out. Nits are the pearlish white eggs and they will hatch, you must pull them out by hand. I spent hours and hours pulling the nits out by hand.

Headlice are very sensitive and will quickly move away from the area you are searching. I was told by a friend to use a hair conditioner, by applying conditioner through the dry hair it will immobilise the lice for about 20 minutes so I will be able to capture them using the fine tooth-comb. I did this for about a week.

It is very difficult to get rid of all the nits, if you leave one behind, you have failed the whole treatment. Make sure that you rinse the comb with boiling water. I was told that not to assume that treatment has worked. Sometimes headlice will be resistant to one type of product and you will need to use different prouct or treatment method.

Mind you, before I was able to get rid of the headlice I spent a lot of money trying all the treatments available, I tried KP24, NADS, I also tried, Tea tree oil. the Headlice shampoo from the hairdresser which cost me a fortune. I can't remember now which one really work with so many products that I have used.

And don't forget there is a possiblity of re-infestation, make sure you check other family member's hair, wash the child's clothing, bed linen, towels, combs, brushes with detergent in very hot water.

I also found out that it is good to be vigilant and constanly check your child's hair, since Monica have a long hair when she was young I make sure that she had her hair tied back when she goes to school. I was so pleased that I don't have that problem now.

Monica is vain with regards to her hair, but just to make sure I still have that urge to check her hair because I don't want to have that lice episode again. Nah... there was nothing, on her hair. Thank God.

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Philippine Torogan Maranao House

2007-07-30T06:43:00.000+08:00

This miniature Maranao House can be found at Cockington Green Gardens at Canberra. The Torogan House has been handed to Cockington Green Garden as part of the 2006 ACT Multicultural Festival. The Torogan sculpture was created by Mr. Noel E. Escultura.

The Cockington Green Gardens display miniature buildings of Great Britain. The almost two-acre display area also features many trees and shrubs with miniature growth characteristics. There are model buildings from around the world includes buildings from Indonesian, South Africa, Croatia, Venezuela, Norway, Argentina, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Slovenia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Turkey and we have our very own Torogan Maranao House.

The Torogan House is the ancestral home of the Sultan or Datu the village chief at Maranao in Southern Philippines. The Torogan house have a butterfly-like end beam that protrudes in front of the house. It is intricately adorned with a range of folk motifs, usually a plant, geometric form, dragon or serpent that are prominent in Maranao artwork. The building is constructed on post resting on rocks which act as a rollers to prevent earthquake damage.

The Cockington Green Gardens is located at Gold Creek Village, 10 minutes from Canberra City Centre. Check out some of our photos of our visit at Cockington Green Gardens.

Kuwentong Tambay- The Book

2007-07-29T17:54:00.000+08:00

At last, I finally received the book Kuwentong Tambay . I've been a regular reader of Batjay's Blog and I really like to read the book, but I don't know of anyone who is going home in the Philippines, so when my brother who works as a seaman told me that he is going to have a vacation I asked him to buy me the book and send it by mail.

But unfortunately I did not hear a word from him for a while and I am wondering if he was able to buy it or not. I rang him and he said he is still reading the book and will mail it to me when he finish it. (Lol)

I finally got it . . . Thank you !!!

Digital Scrapbooking

2007-07-29T16:26:00.000+08:00

I have long wanted to learn scrapbooking but don't really have the time to do it, so I thought maybe I could do digital scrapbooking instead. I've search the web about digital scrapbooking tutorials but I have found out that most digital scrapbookers are using Adobe Photoshop which I don't have.

But I am sure there are other digital scrapbooking software available, luckily I found Eureka's Scrapbook De luxe which I bought from Dick Smith Electronics for $10.00.

For those who enjoy traditional scrapbooking or are new to scrapbooking like me, you'll love this software. It offers the basic features needed to get you started. It imports your scanned pictures and digital pictures in the program, then you can use the many cut-outs, templates, photo tools, clip-arts and have a lot of great layouts. You can export your scrapbook creation into a JPEG file for TIFF format to email and share with your family and friends or put on a CD. It is easy to understand and in no time you will be making your first digital scrapbooking page.

This is my first time to try digital scrapbooking and I am still learning. Look at what I have created this afternoon.
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Click to Enlarge

Some more to come ....soon!

But I wanted to know how I can use those free digital templates that are available on the net. Any ideas?
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Christmas In July

2007-07-25T17:37:00.000+08:00

Where in the world would you celebrate Christmas in July, where else but here in Australia, Although snows are just in some region and in the mountain areas, it is really cold this time of year. It is just nice to snuggle and enjoy the cold that winter brings.

Pinoy Moms Network

2007-07-17T19:32:00.000+08:00

Pinoy Moms Network is now an e-zine!!! An inspiring project of Connie Veneracion and Noemi Dado. A cool place for pinoy moms around the globe to share their varied experiences, stories of the ups and downs of motherhood, find new friends, have a laugh, share family photos and learn from each other.

The PMN, the e-zine was born on July 9 and our section editors have been very busy. Two of my articles have made it to the first week, my wineglass charms, will inspire you to make these mini wine id tag for your next party and keep your creative juices flowing. Don't forget to check the parenting section, my daughter's questioning look at me when I told her to write a thank you letter for a birthday gift she received from her aunt, inspired me to write this article "Thank you letter- a thing of the past?".

There are lots of interesting and informative articles, so have a look at what our talented Filipino moms have contributed to make PMN an enjoyable place to hangout and make it a daily reading habit.

Photographing the Photographer

2007-07-12T17:48:00.000+08:00

Don't you just hate it when you have to wait for other photographers before you can take a picture especially in heavily visited tourist spot, then if your in a hurry and can't wait you will end up with pictures with a lot of photographers on it.

But it has change my views when I saw Ken Ilio's website Uncommon Photographers , a website dedicated to intrepid photographers whom he caught on camera, photographers who put themselves in the most uncompromising positions just to get that perfect photograph.

Have you ever taken pictures of people taking photos? I do . . . here are some of my favourites.

This guy took forever just to snap one picture. Taken at Bondi Beach during the Sculpture By the Sea .

As any ShutterSpud will tell you, nature photography is always easier when done from the comfort of an easy chair.

Happy Dragons snappers, taken at the 2007 Chinese New Year Parade in Sydney.

At the 75th Sydney Harbour Bridge Birthday Walk.

That is my niece, at the lookout - which gives you a great view of the Three Sisters, Blue Mountains.

Three Sisters

2007-07-09T09:56:00.000+08:00

When my sister from Texas and her family visited us, we went for a drive to visit the magnificent Three Sisters. The Three Sisters, is a unique sandstone rock formation at Echo Point in Katoomba at the Blue Mountains, it is is one of several well known natural attractions in Sydney and is visited by tourists every day. The Blue Mountains region is just an hour drive from our place. You can read more about what you can do at the Blue Mountains regions here.

So what is the story behind the name, according to the Aboriginal legend, there were three sisters who fell in love with 3 brothers from another tribe which they were not allowed to marry. This caused a tribal battle. To make the story short, to protect the 3 sisters they were turned into stone by a whitchdoctor. It was supposed to be temporary but the whitch doctor died and no one could reverse the spell. There is another legend that you can read here.

Well . . here are the real three sisters, oh, wait . . . our eldest sister might get jealous. We are four girls in the family, one lives in Texas, two of us lives here in Australia and our "Ate" is in the Philippines, I wish she was here to join us. Distance separates us, how I wish many times we lived closer, so at least we can visit each other more often.

This is one of my favourite sisters quote.

"Chance made us Sisters, hearts made us friends." -Unknown-

Today is your lucky day

2007-07-07T11:34:00.000+08:00

Are you doing anything special today - don't forget today is July 07 2007. Is it your birthday today or are you celebrating your wedding anniversary. Do you believe that today is a lucky date?

Sydney Morning Herald gives the following reasons why 07/07/07 is considered a lucky date :

- According to Christian doctrine, God created the world and rested on the seventh day.

- For gamblers, 777 is the top slot-machine jackpot; the digits add up to 21 for blackjack; and in craps a roll that adds up to 7 wins.

- Christians celebrate seven sacraments and seven virtues ; Native Americans honour seven directions. Hindus recognise seven chakras or energy centres in the body.

- The seventh day falls on Saturday for Jews and Seventh day Adventists.

- There are seven wonders of the world.

I once read a Swedish quote about luck, "Luck never gives, it only lends." . . . .so anything plan today?

The Lemon and the Curry tree

2007-07-06T18:28:00.000+08:00

This is my sister Edith, from Houston Texas, admiring my other sister's lemon tree. She is humming, "Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat."

While she is still in picture mode, I captured her wondering what this tree is, trying to figure out if she could guess it by its smell. . . well, actually that is a Curry tree! She said the leaves looks like of the "Kamias" tree that we have in Bulacan.

Inconsistencies of the English language

2007-07-01T11:22:00.000+08:00

I just found this amusing article and I would like to share it with you.....

We'll begin with a box and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox should be oxen not oxes;

Then one fowl is goose but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of mouse should never be meese;
You may find a lone mouse or a whole nest of mice.
But the plural of house is houses not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

The cow in the plural may be cows or kine,
But the plural of vow is vows, never vine.

If I speak of a foot and you show me your feet
And I speak of boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

If the singular this and the plural is these,
Should the plural of kiss be nicknamed keese?
Then one may be that and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose.

We speak of the brother and also of brethren
But thought we say mother, we never say methren;

Then masculine pronouns are he, his and him
But imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim.

-Anonymous-

Can you think of some more? Please feel free to add it.

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10 Ways of Joining the Coronary Club

2007-06-25T16:31:00.000+08:00

I would like to share this article that I read in a book that was published in 1970, it was a part of a speech that was given by Dr. Kenneth Price, a noted heart specialist, to the National Association of Credit Managment. Though it was written a few decades ago, it's still relevant to this day and age.

10 Ways of Joining the Coronary Club

1. Go to the office on Saturdays, evenings and holidays.

2. Take a briefcase home at night and review your troubles and worries.

3. Show up early next morning after a night meeting to impress the boss.

4. Never eat restful, relaxing meals. grab a "quickie" or do business at lunch.

5. Look on fishing, hunting and golf as " a waste of time."

6. Keep in touch with the office during your vacations.

7. Don't delegate any authority.

8. When traveling, "work all day and drive all night," to save time.

9. Accept all invitations to banquets and to join committees.

10. After your customers have gone to bed, sit up half the night writing reports.

Well, . . . for me, I don't have any intention of joining this club. How about you, are you a candidate in joining this club, I hope not. Remember we have only one heart . . .

Money Matters

2007-06-16T11:37:00.000+08:00

A conversation with Monica.

Monica: Mum, do you agree with this saying "Money doesn't bring happiness".
Mum: Yes and No
Monica: What do you mean Yes and No?
Mum: Well . . . of course this is true, money is not as important as good health, family and friends. But money enables us to buy the things we need and want and help us to enjoy life to the full.

For the last 6 months that Monica have been doing her paper delivery job every Tuesday, she have earned $390.00. An average of $15.00 an hour, not bad at all.

I encourage Monica to continue doing this job not only to learn the value of work but to develop her money skills. I grew up, with the belief that Money doesn't grew on trees, my mother always say "don't waste money or there is not enough money to buy something expensive." But I think nowadays, since there are many opportunities for young people to be able to earn, we should not only teach them how to save but we should also teach them how to spend their money, wisely.

Let's face it, all of us have limited amount of money so it is important to make the right choices on spending. Young people these day have a lot of things they want. Having money when you are young means being able to buy the things you want like CD, DVD, concert tickets, designer clothes or a new mobile phone.

I have a trick that I told Monica, if she is really want something or itching to buy a new pants or T-shirt or a new CD, ask the following questions before buying anything.

Will I use the item often?
If it is clothing, do I really need this item?

If the answer is yes, wait for a few days before making the purchase, she might change her mind and save some money. I hope she will apply this trick when we go shopping this afternoon. She has been telling me that she wants a Parka jacket.
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Roald Dahl's 7 tips for becoming an author

2007-06-13T18:30:00.000+08:00

Last night I was reading The Dahlmanac: A year with Roald Dahl, it is a month to month book of facts and information about Roald Dahl, a British novelist, short story author and screenwriter. You may be familiar with many of his stories which has been made into films like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , James and the Giant Peach, my personal favourite Matilda , The BFG, The Witches which become classics in their own time.

As I read through the book I came across Roald Dahl's 7 tips for becoming an author. I realized that some of it was quite appropriate for bloggers so I thought I will share it with you.

Roald Dahl's 7 tips for becoming an author:

1. You should have a lively imagination.

2. You should be able to write well. You should be able to make a scene come alive in the reader's mind. Not everybody has this ability. It is a gift and you either have it or you don't.

3. You must have stamina. In other words, you must be able to stick to what you are doing and never give up for hour after hour, day after day, week after week and month after month.

4. You must be a perfectionist. That means you must never be satisfied with what you have written until you have written it again and again, making it as good as you possibly can.

5. You must have strong self-discipline. You are working alone. No one is employing you. No one is around to give you the sack if you don't turn up for work, or to tick you off if you start slacking.

6. It helps a lot if you have a keen sense of humour.

7. You must have a degree of humility. The writer who thinks that his work is marvellous is heading for trouble.

Well, that's a lot of work. . . let's see. . . I have lot of imagination but the problem is putting my thoughts in words, sometimes I could not find the right word to use to say something.

I can truly say that I have strong self- discipline, but my biggest challenge is time. Though, I am blogging as a hobby I would like to pursue it a little farther. I have only been in the blogging world for a few months I found out that it is full of opportunities but you must learn the art of blogging. Nothing comes easy, so I have to armed myself with a lot of spare time, practice, tips, techniques and some help from the expert. As Roald Dahl said don't forget to have a degree of humility.

Flower blog

2007-06-10T10:56:00.000+08:00

I have so many pictures of flowers which is enough for me to start a flower blog. So I created another blog called Beyond Flowers to celebrate my passion for flowers and photography. I started taking my camera on my daily walk and I captured flowers in different seasons of the year.The flowers in this blog were taken way back in the summer of 2006.

But along the way I found other interesting creatures which will also be featured in this blog. I could not resist not including the full bloom Jacaranda tree, or the bright red Flame tree, which the owner questioned me for taking the picture, a lot of lovable animals and critters along the way.

During school holidays Monica and I have visited interesting parks, floral display and gardens. Pictures are filing up and I have to organize them. I have download the pictures at Photobucket, now the hardest part is journalising and remembering the name of the flowers, I have to refer to gardening books or consult google images to make sure I name it correctly. I started to bring a small notebook where I could quickly jot down the date, names and places where I took the picture, but sometimes it is hard to write down when you have the camera on the other hand.

But I am getting there, I have a few things ready for you to look at, check out what I have started and hope you will come back.

100 things about me

2007-06-09T10:39:00.000+08:00

I've seen this on other people's sites and it seems this is a ‘must-have’ for blogs, so without further ado here is mine.

1. I live in the vibrant city of Sydney.
2. I was born and raised in the Philippines and proud of it.
3. I am a single mum, to a 14 year old girl.
4. My daughter's name is Monica, I named her after Monica Seles, the famous tennis player.
5. I am a Taurus, being born on the 30th April.
6. My favorite color has changed through the years but I've always like pastel colours.
7. Computers and the Internet fascinate me.
8. I taught myself HTML and still learning.
9. I like to cook
10. I would like to learn how to bake and decorate cakes.

11. I have three older sisters.
12 We have an adopted brother.
13. I wear reading glasses... without my glasses, I’m helpless.
14. I can’t do math without a calculator.
15. I rarely wear makeup.
16. I love being barefoot.
17. I work in a school library for 5 years now.
18 My first car was a Cream Datsun.
19. Now I drive a white Toyota Corolla.
20. By nature, I am a quiet person.

21. I first came in Sydney in October 1986.
22. I have lived in the following suburds of Sydney, St Clair, Homebush, Liverpool and St Marys.
23. I live in Saudi Arabia from 1992-1994.
24. I hate going to the dentist.
25. I take blood pressure tablets or else. . .
26. I can read and speak basic Spanish.
27. Can't speak any Pilipino dialect.
28. I love to walk and do so most days
29. No Pepsi for me.

30. Photography is my newfound hobby.
31. I have a Kodak EasyShare Z700, digital camera.
32. I like taking pictures of flowers and animals. (i have lots of them!)
33. My mother taught me how to crochet.
34. I can't knit.
35. I make my own cards, i sell my handmade cards in the Sunday market.
36. I also make Christmas decors.
37. I am a Beatles fan.
38. I also like Michael Jackson, Police, Abba and Simon and Gurfunkel, Whitney Houston.
39. My sense of humour is sometimes lacking. But I do love to laugh.
40. I collect things stamps, postcards, and coloured paper clips and knickknacks.

41. I love to read, but don't have time to do it often
42. I hate garlic.
43. I am afraid of escalator, i'll rather use the stairs.
44. I believe that travel is a great learning experience.
45. I don't drink beer or any alcohol.
46. I can't dance, i have two left foot
47. My 2 favourite TV programs for 2007 are Lost and 24.
48. I rarely wear skirts,
49. I wear slacks.
50. I don't play any musical instruments.

51. I can write and read my steno notes.
52. I was named after my paternal grandmother.
53. I rather watch the evening news rather than the soapies.
54. I like dates, when i was in Saudi Arabia, I eat dates by the bucket.
55. I like shopping. . . .love a bargain.
56. I love going to bookstores, more then shopping for clothes!
57. I like watching TV game show,
59. I bought a digital alarm clock from my first salary.
60. I'm not bored easily, I find a lot of things to do.
61. Someday I would like to travel and see Europe.
62 I don't like chewing gums.
63. I like to learn French, I sounds very romantic.
64. I hate roller coaster .
65. I eat brown rice and Basmati rice.
66. My current weight bothers me. I still don’t exercise enough.
67. I am pretty emotional, I cry easily like when watching a sad film.
68. I am an Oprah Winfrey fan. I love Oprah!
69. I can’t always work the DVD player.
70. I love arts and crafts magazines.

71. I still make wishes when I blow out the candles.
72. My birthstone is Diamond.
73. My birthflower is Daisy and Sweet Pea
74. I've gotten addicted to blogging and hope to earn from it.
75. I would like to be self employed one day.
76. I spend an immense amount of time at the computer.
77. My favorite outfit is a t-shirt and comfortable pair of blue jeans.
78. I enjoy receiving creative and personal gifts.
79. I have to write things down to remember them.
80. I love to read, but don't have time to do it often

81. I’m afraid of heights but flying doesn’t bother me.
82. I have been under the knife once - - - talk about hysterectomy
83. I completed my BA in Library Information Studies last year through Distance Education.
84. I am looking for a new job now.
85. I drink soy milk.
86. I am currently reading "The Secret " by Rhonda Byrne
87. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout.
88. I have some regrets, but I know I can't change the past.
89. I believe in Honesty is the best policy.

90 The first movie I watched was "The Sound of Music"
91. I still have Long Playing album .
92 Scrabble is my favourite board game.
93 I enjoy trivia games.
94 I have lots of magnet on my fridge.
95 I wanted to be an interior decorator when i was young. .

96. I don't like sports.
97 I was born under the Year of the Dog - people under this sign are honest, quiet, intelligent, generous, stubborn, loyal and faithful to those they love.
98. My oldtime favourite books are: The little Prince, Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and Hope for the flowers.
99. I like making lists, but this list took me a lot longer than I thought it would.
100. If you have come this far, reading my list , i think you deserve a big THANK YOU.

Weird or not so weird

2007-06-08T17:15:00.000+08:00

I have been tagged by Sassy Mom's Corner and Grey Mom , the topic is weird things about me. I thought it will be easy for me to think of my weirdness, but it took me a while to list 5 of them, So here goes my weird list.

1. Who touch my paper clips?
- I collect coloured paper clips, big and small. My daugther said to just buy a box of them. No, I don't do it that way. I work in a school library and a lot of time you will find paper clips left on the table or on the floor I will pick them up, that is how my collection grew. If someone gave me a file with a paper clip on it, I will staple the file and get the paper clip only if they are coloured, not the traditional paper clips.

But the funny thing is I saw the exhibit of Robert Klippel and in 1979 he made an Eighteen Miniature Constructions, which consists of 18 mini-sculptures made of paper clips and paint, he set a record for the highest price ever paid for a sculpture in Australia. Hmm.. maybe I should put my clip paper into good use this time.

2. I'll take the stairs and I'll meet you there. . .
-Yes I am afraid of escalator, if I could avoid it, I will use the stairs but if not what I do, is I will put my right foot first on the steps and hold tight on the rail. I don't mind going up it is going down that is the problem.

3. No garlic for me. . . please.
-I don't like garlic but I am not a vampire. I don't eat fried rice with garlic or garlic bread. When I cook adobo, I don't put garlic but when my daugther taste my brother-in-law's adobo with garlic she wants her adobo with garlic all the time. I don't mind the smell but I just can't put it in my mouth even if you chopped or crushed it into small tiny bits I will always know that there is a garlic on it.

4. McDonald's caramel sundae and frech fries
- I don't do this anymore because we stop going to Mcdonald's but when my daugther was in her tweens we are a big fan of McDonald, she will get her Happy meal and I will have my caramel sundae and french fries, I will dip the french fries into caramel sundae and that is really Yummy!!!

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
I have this habit since I was young and until now, I always wash my hands it is not because my hands are dirty or I think it is dirty but I think if my hands are wet it makes me feel happy or stronger. I tried to put lotion to change the habit, but I still prefer water. Another one - - everyday before I go to work, I have to check if all the lights are off, stove, oven are off, heaters off, all doors are lock, not once but twice or thrice, my daughter will always complain "Mum how many times do you have to check." Oh, I just want to make sure, there is nothing wrong with that, is my usual answer.

Well, so what do you think, am I weird?

Thursday Thirteen No. 12

2007-06-07T05:16:00.000+08:00

Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest Americans in history. He contributed to society in almost every aspect. He was a writer, printer, newsman, publisher, editor, civic leader, inventor, scientist, philosopher, musician, patriot, statesman, and diplomat, what else did he do. I think he is a man of great vision but what I most like about him is his witty bits of wisdom, I have collected 13 of my favourites,

Thirteen Bits of Wisdom from Benjamin Franklin

1. You may delay, but time will not.

2. Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.

3. Silence is not always the sign of wisom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly.

4. Virtue may always make a Face handsome, but Vice will certainly make it ugly.

5. A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.

6. Tell me my faults and mend your own.

7. He that sows thorns, should never go barefoot.

8. Tomorrow every fault is to be amended; but that tomorrow never comes

9. Trouble springs from idleness; toil from ease.

10. Saying and doing have quarreled and parted.

11. The discontented Man finds no easy Chair.

12. Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

13. Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd, and never well mended.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

My Paper Girl

2007-06-05T19:17:00.000+08:00

Last December school holiday Monica started doing paper rounds in our area. It started when she asked me for an iPod for an advanced Christmas present and I told her that maybe she needs to have a part time job so she can fund her extra luxuries.

Monica likes reading local newspaper and junk mails, anything that goes in our mailbox, she has to scrutinized it. One day, she told me that she saw an advertisement in the local newspaper that in our area there is a vacancy for people who wants to deliver the local newspaper, so I check the ad and it says:

Why not deliver the St Marys Star on Tuesday

Papers are delivered to your home.

You have all day to deliver the papers.

Paid weekly.

Contract basis not paid hourly

Call now!

I call the contact number and I spoke to the supervisor in that area and I was inform what streets and how many paper she has to deliver and how much she will get paid. It is not much but it is a good start. To cut the long story short she got the job.

So every Tuesday morning she has to wake up early and collect the paper in the front yard, unbundled it and fold it while watching morning TV and put it in the bag ready for delivery. She gets additional payment if there are inserts like business advertisement flyers, she gets 3 dollars extra on her pay. She delivers them, in the afternoon after school, and her pay goes to her bank account the next day. But I have to drive her to the street so she can deliver the paper. I help her delivered the papers, it is an excuse to shed some of my unwanted fats and I don't want her to be walking by her self anyway. It is better to be safe than sorry.

After 3 months, her supervisor ask her if she wants to earn more but deliver less and she was given another route which is very near our home, Monica said "Mum I got promoted". (Lol) Knowing Monica I thought she won't last even 3 months, she whinged once in a while but it has now been 6 months and I don't think she has any intention of giving up her paper delivery job. For a 14 year old I believe that $17.00 a week is good start for a job that only takes her an hour to complete less with my help. The good thing is she learns to be responsible and how to manage her money.

Miniature bottles of San Miguel Beer

2007-05-27T17:44:00.000+08:00

The San Miguel Company rich tradition began in 1890 when Don Enrique Maria Barretto de Ycaza opened the first brewery in Southeast Asia, “La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel.” Now San Miguel Corporation is Southeast Asia's largest publicly listed food, beverage, and packaging company. Founded in 1890 as a brewery, the company has over 100 facilities in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, China, and Australia.

Yesterday, I was talking with a friend and I don't know how we ended up talking some commercial ads in the Philippines, even though I am not a beer drinker I like the "Kahit Kailan, Kaibigan" beer commercial. I think it is one of the most popular slogans of San Miguel Beer. This tagline is truly Pinoy, on how a Pilipino valued friendship, camaraderie and pakikisama. San Miguel Beer is found everywhere in the country, from the very classy restaurant to the neighborhood sari-sari store.

I got these miniature San Miguel Beer bottles in one of the stalls in Tomas Morato tiangge market , although it is not an official SMB memorabilia collectors item, I like to keep them. They are still standing proud in my glass cabinet for more than 12 years now.

Thursday Thirteen No. 11

2007-05-24T06:34:00.000+08:00

I have been inspired by the many birthday celebrations we have for the last few weeks both at home and at work, so my Thursday Thirteen for this week is how to say "Happy Birthday" in 13 different languages

1. Filipino - Maligayang Bati Sa Iyong Kaarawan!
2. French - Joyeux Anniversaire!
3. Thai - Suk San Wan Keut!
4. Welsh - Penblwydd Hapus i Chi!
5. Turkish- Dogum gunun kutlu olsun!
6. Hawaiian - Hau`oli la hanau!
7. Hebrew - Yom Huledet Same'ach!

8. Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Sinh Nhat!
9. Spanish - Feliz Cumplea–os!
10. Italian - Buon Compleanno!
11. Hindi - Janam Din ki badhai!
12. Dutch - Hartelijk gefeliciteerd!
13. Chinese-Cantonese Sun Yat Fai Lok!

And to anyone who is here today, who is celebrating their Birthday . . . . this one is for you !!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday , Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to YOU !!!!

Wednesday PhotoQuotes No.20

2007-05-22T19:06:00.000+08:00

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.

- Erich Fromm -

Treasured Photos

2007-05-19T14:52:00.000+08:00

I am feeling a bit nostalgic today, don't know why, maybe because I have been looking on old photographs.

This photo was taken on Christmas Day, together with my sisters and cousins. I treasured this photo because this is the only picture I have with my sisters when I was young. I know that this photograph was taken on Christmas because my mum told me and that was my first Christmas, I was the little baby girl on the photo.

I read that Adobe Photoshop is the best software to restore old, damaged photographs, but unfortunately I don't have this software. I only have a Microsoft Photo Editor but it did not removed the crack and the stain mark on the photo so I cropped the photo and put a frame on it.

This is my favourite photo and my only photo with my mother when I was a baby, it was taken in Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo. As far as I can remember every year my Mum make sure that we have a pilgrimage to Antipolo before, or after my birthday which is on the 30th April. This picture was taken on my first birthday. The young lady with the hat is Marina, my mum's friend.

Antipolo is known to be the home of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora de la paz Y Buenviaje). The last time I visited her shrine was in 1986 to pray for a safe voyage on my first trip overseas.

Thursday Thirteen No. 10

2007-05-17T07:46:00.000+08:00

13 Amusing Answers Taken From A School Examination

1. A monastery is a place where monsters are kept.
2. The three most important planets are Satan, Jupiter and Venice.
3. An optimist is a man who looks after your eyes.
4. The pilgrim Fathers were Adam and Eve.
5. The Pyramids are a range of mountains between France and Spain.

6. Tenacious is ten acres of land.
7. A pronoun is a word to use when you can't find a noun.
8. Climate lasts all the time, but weather only a few days.
9. Vowel sounds are made by keeping the mouth wide open, and consonants sounds by keeping it shut.

10. People in Iceland are called Equinoxes.
11. Eucharist - one who plays Euchre.
12. A figure of speech means something different from what it says.
13. Capillary is a small caterpillar.

For more amusing answers check here....

Think outside the square

2007-05-16T20:34:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, Monica was very quiet because she was busy reading this book "Finding Heroes" I did not bother to talk to her, she is seldom engrossed with reading so I just let her read.

On the way to school this morning, she asked me "Mum how do you think outside the square?" It took me a while to answer, I told her to read a part of the article so I can relate to what she wants me to explains to her, and this is what she choose to read.

"If we were asked to 'show' who we are, we might try a number of different ways to do it."

We could draw it
We could paint it
We could dance it
We could sing it
We could explain it
We could act it
We could write it
We could build it
We could even dream it !

And she stop reading and she said "So Mum..what do you think?" ...and she is waiting for my explanation. Teka muna,( Wait) let me think first , I am driving . . . .is my excuse.

If I am to answer the question show who you are, I will do a collage using different materials like fabric, paper, things i like, i will add photos and captions, instead of just writing it down or talking about it. I think everyone is unique and different people do things differently, in other words there are many ways to express yourself and people express their self differently and as we go along life we discover which ones suits us best and this way of thinking can be applied in our everyday life.
And I was surprised by her next question, how about if i don't think outside the box will i be in trouble? , I just said, no you won't but you might not be able to use other options available.

As I was writing this, I thought maybe I could have explain it much better than what I have said, maybe I should have given her a concrete examples. like if you a problem, to solve it, you have to look at it on different angles and identify all the possible options that are likely to contribute to a better result. Or maybe ask the question what will happen if I make it like this or do it like that?

I think that is how you think outside the square. How about you, how would you explain it to a 14 year old?

Thursday Thirteen No. 9

2007-05-10T06:11:00.000+08:00

My T13 for this week is to pay tribute to all mothers.

Happy Mother's Day !

~ A Tribute To All Mothers ~

Thirteen Flowers and Quotes For Mothers Day

1. A mother is someone who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take. -Unknown

2. A mother holds her children's hands for a little while . . . their hearts forever. ~Unknown

3. God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers. ~ Rudyard Kipling

4. The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. -Unknown -

5. I remember all my mother's prayers and they have all followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
- Abraham Lincoln -

6. There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. - Chinese Proverb -

7. For the hand that rocks the cradle - Is the hand that rules the world. - William Ross -

8. A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking - Helen Rice -

9. Mothers are always there for you to listen, a shoulder to cry on, an ear, a voice. -Anonymous-

10. A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled. - Emily Dickinson -

11. A mother's love is something we keep locked deep in our hearts, always knowing it will be there to comfort us Harmony Ferrario -

12 The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.-- Napoleon Bonaparte

13. For a mother is the only person on earthWho can divide her love among ten children.

And each child still have all her love.-Anonymous

Mother knows best

2007-05-09T13:15:00.000+08:00

Every mother have a special saying or reminders that they always tell their children, remembering them makes ones childhood so special. Some of them are not always sweet, some could be harsh sounding, but my mother's saying are instill to my mind, especially now that I am a mother myself. And since mother's day is fast approaching, I thought I would put together some my moms one liner and words of wisdom that I could recall.

There’s no shame in hard work. If you can create something using your hand you won't be unemployed or you will always have a job. (she is talking about skills like manicure, pedicure or hairdressing, dressmaking, painting, arts and crafts, cooking) my mom is a skilled dressmaker, curtain maker, beader, embroiderer, so it must have come from that.

We grow up short of money and my mom would always say that "Money does not grow on trees." Even if you walk from home to Monumento you won't even find a peso on the road.

My mom reminds us everyday , "to always bring a handkerchief ", my sister have a picture when she was in primary school, a handerchief was pinned on her dressed becaused she got a cold. Actually that always come handy. (now I always bring tissues).

My mother suggested that I took up secretarial course after high school and she told me, “One day, you'll be thankful for your typing skills.” (very useful for chatting and blogging, lol)

When you go home late or did not let her know where you are going, I always hear this “You will know what I am talking about, just you wait until you have kids of your own - then you'll understand.” (now I know, thanks to mobile phones.)

If I can't find what I am looking for, because I am always talking or complaining, she will say “If that was a snake it has already bitten you.”

My mother have strict rules on table manners so we have some don't's on the table:
-Don't talk with food in your mouth.
-Don't put the knife in your mouth, as it is not only bad manners but the knife maybe sharp

-Don't put your elbows on the table.
-Don't clean your teeth at the table.
-Don't put your leftovers like tinik (fish bones) or buto (bones) on the table, get another bowl to put it on.

Making decisions is two way traffic so if I ask my Nanay, she will say Ask your Papa.

While writing these, I can't help my self, but I truly miss Nanay, she won't be here on Mother's Day but I will always cherish her memories forever.

Wednesday PhotoQuotes No.18

2007-05-09T08:29:00.000+08:00

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while,

but their hearts forever. "

~ Anonymous ~

Children are like kites

2007-05-05T07:21:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I was browsing an old Country Sampler Magazine to get some decorating ideas and I saw a picture of a wooden kite about 10" by 11" with a beautiful poem written on it. It is about the flight and breaking away of a kite to that of a child's journey to adulthood. It is an inspiring poem about parenting and I would like to share it with you.

CHILDREN ARE LIKE KITES

You spend years trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are both breathless.
They crash - you add a longer tail
They hit the rooftop - you pluck them out of the spout
You patch and comfort, adjust and teach
You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they will fly - - -

Finally, they are airborne.
But they need more string and you keep letting it out.
And with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant,
And you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as meant to soar... free and alone.

Only then do you know that you have done your job.

~Author Unknown ~

.

.

Wednesday PhotoQuotes No.17

2007-05-02T16:39:00.000+08:00

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. "

~ Rabindranath Tagore ~

(Indian Poet, Philosopher)

This picture was taken last 28 April during the wedding reception of Don and Meredith at The Sebel Pier One Hotel.which is nestled alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and with a panoramic Sydney Harbour views, The Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel is built on, and over, the water.

Personal Bests (PB)

2007-04-23T19:24:00.000+08:00

Today is the first day of school for second term here in NSW. My daughter told me that she wants to get better marks especially in Science this term, she struggled in this subject last term.

I remember I came across an article about Personal Bests. I heard a lot about Personal Best (PB) during the Olympic Games. The Encarta World English Dictionary, defines Personal Best (n) athlete's best performance: the best time or score that somebody has achieved in a sport or game.

I told my daughter that if athletes were able to use the PB approach in sports you can also do it in studying. I think you and I can benefit from it. But how does it work?

A personal best approach to learning is when a student aims to do as well or better than previous best.

Maybe it could start from small things like being more organized, doing assignments in time, not on the night the assignment is due or this could be in terms of grades(marks), getting a better mark than last exams.

It is like a competition but the student is competing with himself/herself. A bit hard to ask a 14 year old teenager especially with a continuous distractions of MSN, chat time, texting and high school crushes.

Studying is not super easy but we can make it simplier using the Personal Best approach, to be able to work towards PB try to:

Write down what you want to achieved and the steps on how you would like to achieved it. like make a timetable of your study hours and make time for yourself, like swimming, reading, tv time etc.
Reflect on how well you did in reaching your PB or (maybe ask Mum for some feedbacks)

And if you have achieved the first one, set the next PB.

I want Monica to enjoy school more but I also remind her that your mind and hard work go hand and hand. I understand that you cannot point at your child and told her/him that you must perform better than anybody else, but I know I can however, say, do the best you can, actually, do a little better than you've ever done before. (She can thank me later for this.)

Check out some Study Skills links :

Bakit masikip ang damit ng kalabaw at maluwag naman ang sa baka?

2007-04-20T19:19:00.000+08:00

Aside from the usual bedtime story book, when Monica was around 6-7 years old she likes my bedtime story and sometimes I run out of stories to tell her, so I have to make up a story. And if I told her a recycled story, she will tell me "Mum, you have told me that already."

Most of the stories that I told her are from my childhood memory of Aesop Fables, her favourite is "The dog and his shadow". I also told her stories that I have been told when I was young. I told her Jose Rizal's The monkey and the turtle. (Ang pagong at ang matsing), in different version. When she was a bit older, I told her about Jose Rizal's "Tsinelas ni Pepe" and later I slowly introduced her to family stories, which in my surprise she was very interested and she asked a lot of questions.

I was surfing the web the other day and I found an old time favourite "Bakit masikip ang damit ng kalabaw at maluwag naman ang sa baka?" This is one of the stories that I made a lot of version, I like giving a familiar names to the characters and she likes it. But I don't think she will still remember this story. Sad to say that she won't be able to read it because it is written in Tagalog. One of my fault is that I did not teach Monica to read in Tagalog, she can't even speak in Tagalog anymore so I have to translate it in English for her.

On second thought, she may not be interested in this story anymore, who am I kidding, she is now 14. Today, she is the one telling me stories about you know what, all about Boys!!!!

But for those who want to reminisce . . . here is the story.

Noong unang panahon ang balat ng kalabaw ay hindi katulad ng sa ngayon, ganoon din ang sa baka. Ang baka at ang kalabaw ay matalik na mag- kaibigan. Isang araw niyaya ng kalabaw na maligo sa ilog ang baka. Pagdating nila sa ilog ay hinubad nila ang kanilang damit at tumalon sila sa tubig.

Lumipas ang maraming oras, naalala ng kalabaw na tanghali na at sila ay kailangan ng bumalik at kung hindi ay mag aalala ang kanilang mga amo. Sinabi niya sa baka na mabuti pa'y sila ay umuwi na, ibig na ring umuwi ng baka at baka nga sila mapagalitan ng kanilang amo. Sa kanilang pagmamadali ang damit ng baka ay naisuot ng kalabaw at ang damit naman ng kalabaw ay naisuot ng baka. Hindi nila naalala hanggang naabutan sila ng kanilang amo, at hinabol silang pauwi. Hanggang sa ngayon hindi pa sila nagpapalitan ng damit.

Source: De Guzman, Maria Odulio (1972), Mga Alamat ng Pilipino, National Bookstore, Inc.: Manila, Philippines

Thursday Thirteen No. 8

2007-04-19T18:18:00.000+08:00

Thirteen Aussie Slang

When I came here in Australia in 1986, I don't know anything about Australian slang. Though not everybody speak slang, it will always come up during conversation. It took me a while to figure out what they were taking about. My first job here in Australia was in a shop at Wynyard train station, it was a busy place and I learned my first few lessons there. Over the years, I have increased my knowledge and usage of Australian slang and here are 13 Aussie slang that have been a part of my vocabulary.

1. Barbie - barbecue

2. Bludger - a lazy person

3. Brekkie - breakfast

4. Chook - chicken

5. Cuppa - a cup of tea

6. Lollies- candies

7. Mackers - McDonald's

8. Scratchy - instant scratch-away lottery ticket

9. Sickie - a day taken off work, but not necessarily because of illness.

10. Sunnies - sunglasses

11. Ta - thank you

12. Tuckshop - school canteen/cafeteria

13. You Right? - May I help you? Do you need anything?

Happy T13 !!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday PhotoQuotes No. 16

2007-04-18T06:00:00.000+08:00

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,

we must carry it with us or we find it not."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

It's all Greek to me

2007-04-15T22:38:00.000+08:00

Yesterday morning, Monica went to Penrith City Library and when she came back she said, "Mum I got something for you!" and she showed me a book called "Blog Rules". She said, I thought you might be interested and she left it on the kitchen table. I was busy the whole afternoon and did not have a chance to browse on the book until tonight.

The subtitle of the book is "a business guide to managing policy, public relations and legal issues." by Nancy Flynn. I said this is not for me, it talks about business blogs and legal isssues. but when I look at the back of the book, the glossary caught my attention, I know some of them and I also found some useful and interesting terms.

A blawg is a blog written by a lawyer or focused on legal issues, so a lawyer who writes blawg must be a blawgger, is that right? Bloggerati refers to the most prominent bloggers in the blogosphere.

A blogstorm, typically occurs when one influential bloggers alerts readers to a problem within an organizations or a disturbing issue surrounding an individual, then others bloggers pile one. In this book the author have some examples of companies that have suffered high profile damanging blogstorm.

The term dooced was coined by blogger Heather B. Armstrong who in 2002 was fired for writing about her job and collegues on her site. An employee-bloggers are dooced because of negative or unflattering comments they have posted about their employers and or their companies products or services. So dooced means to lose your job for the content of your blog.

Today I also learned who are Customer Evangelist, they are superfans who are crazy about a product or service and actively talking about an organizations or the company's products in their blogs, The organization turns superfans into customer evangelists by showering them with loads of personal attention and motivating them to spread the good word about the company to others.
Is this the new term for "word of mouth" but I think there is more to it, don't you think so?

I am familiar with Podcast, RSS, Tags, Ping, Filtering, Spam, Blogware but words like AstroTurfing, K-log, Vlog and Moblogs, Vicarious Liability, Citizen Journalist, Content Syndication, Aggregator, MSM, Splogs are new to me, it sounds cool, as Monica would say, but its all Greek to me until I read this book.

Source: Flynn, Nancy, 2006. Blog rules: a business guide to managing policy, public relations and legal issues.

I think I shall never see

2007-04-13T07:32:00.001+08:00

Mum, what is with you and the trees. Why do you to have to take pictures of trees, you have a lot of them already?

Well. . . usually I will just say because I like it. But there is more to that. Trees reminds me of home, the place where I grew up, it is surrounded with tress and I miss it. I love trees, they are beautiful and a wonderful creation of God.

I told my daughter a little story. A long time ago, an American poet by the name of Joyce Kilmer wrote a poem about Trees, when I was in grade 4, our teacher Miss Catindig make sure that everyone in our class memorized this poem by heart, which I am really thankful for her.The poem "Trees" opened the world of poetry for me. I have loved this poem ever since. The imagery are simple enough for anyone to understand. It is absolutely beautiful and there's something eternal expressed in this simple poem.

I think the poem summarized my love for trees, now my daughter knows the reason for my passion in taking photos of trees, I have them in my Gallery , don't forget to check my Jacaranda Tree Photos and Crepe Myrtle Photos. I hope she will also appreciate the beauty of this poem.

Trees

Joyce Kilmer (1886 -1918)

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Did you know that ....?
In the mountains of Graham County, North Carolina lies a 3800-acre tract of the most beautiful forest in America, and on July 30, 1936, the area was dedicated to the Poet, Joyce Kilmer as a living memorial. Check it out ... Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Thursday Thirteen No. 7

2007-04-12T04:18:00.000+08:00

Thirteen Quotations from Jonathan Livingston Seagull a novel by Richard Bach

This week I got my T13 inspiration from one of my favourite book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, it is about a seagull learning about life and flight. it is an uplifting book about finding the best in others and in ourselves. It can be read in an hour, it has only 93 pages and a third of it are photographs of seagulls in flight. The book was first published in 1970 and become a number one best seller. A heart-warming story that gives an extraordinary experience.

Here are 13 quotations from Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

1. For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight.

2. We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill.

3. The gull sees farthest who flies highest.

4. You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn't flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn't have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.

5. If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space and all we have left is Here. Overcome time and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?

6. The gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly.

7. The only true law is that which leads to freedom, Jonathan said. "There is no other."

8. But the speed was power and the speed was joy and the speed was pure beauty.

9. Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding.

10. Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from his thoughts, he lived a long fine life indeed.

11. Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight — how to get from shore to food and back again.

12. One day, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, you shall learn that irresponsibility does not pay. Life is the unknown and the unknowable, except that we are put into this world to eat, to stay alive as long we possibly can.

13. Well, this kind of flying has always been here to be learned by anybody who wanted to discover it, that's got nothing to do with me. We're ahead of fashion maybe. Ahead of the way that most gulls fly.

To the real Jonathan Seagull who lives within us all.

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Happy Meal Toys

2007-04-09T05:06:00.000+08:00

When McDonald's marketing genius came up with a plan to put a toy in a box with french fries and hamburger so the kids will want the toy and will ask their parents to buy the meal because of the toy, the "Happy Meal" was born.

When Monica was in primary school she loves Happy Meal and she likes collecting the toys. It create so much interest and excitement to her. During the Easter holiday break I was tidying Monica's toy box and I asked her if she still wants to keep the Happy Meal toys that she got, she said she just want to keep the toys that are in set. And here are "some" of what we decided to keep.

Usually a typical promotion have 6 to 10 items, but when McDonalds partnered with "101 Dalmatians" it released 101 different plastic dogs. These are what my daughter have collected during that time when we are in the Philippines, with some help from my older nephews and nieces who are also collecting. Hmmm. . . I thought she got more than that.

These are Happy Meal Snoopy collection, they are in different attires, if I could trust my memory, this promo was in 2001. The full set consist of 12 Snoopy dogs, but she only got 9. These are made of plastic and are approximately 18cms in height and come in three-section -head, body and legs, which are all interchangeable with each other. I like Snoopy, he has never failed to bring a light-hearted, funny touch to the comic strip.

I like this set too, they are cute.

I am aware of the issues raised by parents about the idea behind the McDonald's marketing tactics. But for me as a parent I think it is also my responsibility to refuse the child's request to buy the toy. I know . . . it is hard to say "No" especially when they don't stop whinging, it is annoying. I have learned my lessons the hard way. . . but now I am glad Monica's McDonald's days are over, we have never been to McDonald's restaurant for almost 2 years now. Goodbye Happy Meal !!!

Thursday Thirteen No. 6

2007-04-05T19:06:00.000+08:00

Thirteen Stamps From Around The World

I have been collecting stamps since I was 15 years old. Every stamp tells a story. Stamps are a window on the world, it gives you a glimpse about a country's history, geography, famous people, culture, economy and politics. Most stamps are rectangular in shape and fairly standard in size but some are a bit different because of their shape. Finding a good variety of stamps is easy but sorting them can sometimes be challenging, especially when your collection started to grow.

This week I thought I will show 13 stamps from my collections. I just randomly select them.

1. The Mooch o' life - Australia
From "The Sentimental Bloke", a poem written by C. J. Dennis published in the early 20th . In 1983, Australia Post, featured the Sentimental Bloke on a series of stamps.

2. First Day cover stamp , December 8, 1958

Inauguration of Manila Cathedral, Philippines

3. Mongolia

4. Antillean Crested Hummingbird from Antigua

5. Alice in Wonderland from Republic of Maldives

6. Precis Orithya Wallacei - issued 1971

Sarawak - one of the two Malaysian states in the island of Borneo.

7. Canada

8. Saudi Arabia

9. Magyar Post ( Hungary)

10. Seychelles. William Henry Seward (1801-1872) was Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.He negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7 million 200 thousand. It was not until gold was discovered in Alaska in 1890 that the territory overcame the reputation of "Seward's Folly." Alaska became a State of the United States in 1959.

11. Christmas Stamp 1981 - USA

12. Brown teal (Anas aucklandica) from New Zealand

13. Dubai - Children's Day 1970- "The Graham Children" by William Hogarth

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Wednesday PhotoQuotes No. 15

2007-04-04T07:01:00.000+08:00

"I don't know, it must be the weather."
- John Lennon, 1964, when asked by a reporter

"Why do you think you're so popular all of a sudden?"

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