A Nice Lady

I have met ladies from China since before when we were staying in Hong Kong. Up to now I still remember Ah Man who taught me simple Cantonese. Yes, she could speak both Cantonese and Mandarin.

When we went back to Singapore, I met more Chinese women who were teachers. What was so wonderful then was that I met my China friend who had an American accent. She told me that her professors in University were mostly Caucasians and Americans in particular, the reason for her accent.

Then, I met more China teachers. I learnt along the way that, like in my born country, some teachers are good and well mannered and some have attitude.

Now, I met another young lady, my colleague actually. She is such a nice lady, so well-mannered and is a true professional. How I hope every Chinese teacher is like her. She is Li Li, a 26 year old lass. With an attitude like her, I am sure she'll go places.

I'm a Phoenix

I learnt this quiz from my visit to Tatang's Karinderia site. I got interested and took the quiz too. Wow! I'm a phoenix. I like it!


You are Form 0, Phoenix: The Eternal.
"And The Phoenix's cycle had reached
zenith, so he consumed himself in fire. He
emerged from his own ashes, to be forever
immortal."
Some examples of the Phoenix Form are Quetzalcoatl
(Aztec), Shiva (Indian), and Ra-Atum
(Egyptian).The Phoenix is associated with the concept of life,
the number 0, and the element of fire.His sign is the eclipsed sun.
As a member of Form 0, you are a determined
individual. You tend to keep your sense of
optomism, even through tough times and have a
positive outlook on most situations. You have
a way of looking at going through life as a
journey that you can constantly learn from.
Phoenixes are the best friends to have because
they cheer people up easily.

Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Call Me Elizabeth

Over there in Borders in KL, I bought two books. One of those is this book by Dawn Annandale titled Call Me Elizabeth, wife, mother, escort, a true story.

"Insourmountable debts. A marriage on the verge of meltdown. Children going without the bare essentials. And no family to turn to for help. In these circumstances, Dawn Annandale answered the job advertisement that would change her life." This caught my eye that made me decide to buy the book.

Is it worth it? Depends on how you look at life and how you understand women and mothers.

The author wrote in a way that seems to ask the readers to understand her situation and look at prostitution in a positive way. Yes, she had difficult situations and rationalized her "career" for the love of her children. Who am I to judge if a thing done was made out of love for children? But then prostitution is still a sin. We should consider our body as sacred for it is a sacred creation of God. Between God's wish and love for children, which one is more dominant? Ahhh, this is painful. I don't know.... But for sure, I will look on other ways how to express my love to my children. Material things, whether necessities in life, is secondary for me.

Sorry, I have decided. Prostitution, even though done for the holiest of motives, is not an acceptable answer to life's problems. As said by me, a wife, a mother, a grandmother all rolled into one.

An Answer I Regret

I was once asked how my born country's prominent schools' graduates are viewed in my country of residence. In good faith, I answered the truth on how local people look on us, on our level of education.

After nights of denial that there was nothing wrong with my answer, I could say now that I should have not answered that question. I should have answered that she must come and see for herself how. Or I should have added that it was that way, but then after you have proven your worth, they will look highly of you. Even though I highlighted on my answer that they view us that way but then one's personality counts the most for me, would still put me in a bad light.

Why I did not added that it took me much effort and pain to show the good side of the Philippines? And that in my own ways I was able to change their mindset?

I am not perfect really. I'm not....

Why I am writing this only now? For I am sure that if somebody will show me my own answer to that question, I will also say "yabang naman nyan!!!"

Forgive me, forgive me folks!!!

A Lucky Bracelet

This is my colleague Elizabeth taken when she was demonstrating to us how to make moon cakes.

Two weeks ago she went on vacation to Genting in Malaysia with her husband and kids. When she went back, she brought pendants and bracelets. She asked us to choose one item, either bracelet or pendant.


I chose this bracelet. It was described as a lucky bracelet because of the crystals. For me to be lucky as written in the instruction which was in Chinese characters but translated to me by Elizabeth, I need to wash the bracelet with warm water so as to wash away the negative elements. Then I have to place it inside the freezer for five hours. After that, I have to dry it with clean cloth. Once I wear it, the positive aura in me will come out and spread towards the people around me that they will like me and I will be lucky in many things. Of course I did everything as per instruction.

And now, I am still wearing it. I am waiting for Lady Luck to come. Who knows, one of these days, I'll win the lottery or toto here in Singapore.

Kidding aside, I like this bracelet of mine. That is why I am wearing it. I like the colour green, cream and dark green crystals.

Festival of Light

Today is a public holiday here in Singapore. Deepavali or the festival of light is celebrated by the Indian community here. My Indian friends like Shoda or Antie Sellam are of course celebrating.



I am interested with this celebration, even though I am a Filipino, not because I also discuss this celebration to my children in the centre as they need to be aware of the different celebrations of people from other races, but because when this day comes, the memories of my first Indian friend come to my mind.

It was in 1992 when I met Shanti. The first time I saw her beautiful face, I then realized that Indian women are indeed captivating. The saree she was wearing then projected an elegant woman. I am used to see Indian girls before, as I had classmates in St Paul who were pure Indians, and from there my prejudices on them were formed. But Shanti was different. She changed my perception of their people.

Shanti invited me to celebrate Deepavali with her husband and son. I then experienced my first Deepavali in Singapore.

Over the years, I met Indian friends. And I could say that there are many things we can learn from their culture that can enhance our day to day living. Why not take a while and read what Deepavali is all about.

Deepavali is the most important Hindu Festival, signifying the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It ushers in the New Year for Hindus and is celebrated all over Singapore for six weeks.
Deepavali (also known as Diwali) traditionally falls in the second half of the month of Asvina, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar. During the festival Hindu homes are brightly lit with oil lamps to usher in brightness, good fortune and divine blessings. It's a time of rejoicing as people go to the temple in their best clothes and visit friends and relatives to receive their blessings.

During Deepavali, it is believed that the souls of the departed return to earth, and so lamps are lit to guide them. Light also symbolises goodness, success and other attributes that may be bestowed by the Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu. The festival celebrates the legendary slaying of the oppressive Narakasura by Lord Krishna, which in turn reconfirms the inherent nature of goodness and its ability to triumph over evil. For this reason it is both a happy time and a magical one. If you are visiting temples during the festival, as at any time, it is important that you dress appropriately and remove your shoes at the door.

*from www.istc.org.

Innate Honesty

Innate Honesty

When my computer crashed more than a month ago, I consumed my free hours reading books and watching programs on TV and cable. One of the best books I read was Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt. As I mentioned in my previous entry, it is a book by a rogue economist who explores the hidden side of everything. There was even a warning by the author of the Tipping Point and Blink, Malcolm Caldwell: “Prepare to be dazzled.” And yes I was really dazzled.

Based on the data he presented, schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have one thing in common and that they all cheat. Of course it would be very difficult to accept especially if you are also a teacher like me. But then, the writer presented his explanation so intelligently that you’ll be convinced of his thinking what with his presentation and analyses of the data on the Chicago Public Schools. The analyses on Chicago cheating resulted in the firing of the cheating teachers.

Levitt’s question that if sumo wrestlers, school teachers and day-care parents all cheat and so are we to assume that mankind is innately and universally corrupt? And how corrupt? His answers impressed me. Imagine, Mr. Levitt explained that the answers lie in bagels and that of a man named Paul Feldman.

Paul Feldman started his business, honor-system commerce, by soliciting customers early in the morning; he would deliver some bagels and a cash basket to a company’s snack room; he would return before lunch to pick up the money and the leftovers. His business worked for within a few years, he was delivering 4,800 bagels a week to 140 companies and earning as much as he had ever made as a research analyst.

Without meaning, Mr. Feldman designed an economic experiment. By measuring the money collected against the bagels taken, he found it possible to tell, down to the penny, just how honest his customers were. Though he expected a 95 percent payment rate when he started his business, in the summer of 2001 the payment rate was 87 percent. This data therefore revealed that though a lot of people steal from Mr. Feldman, there is a vast majority, 87 percent, though no one is watching over them, do not.

The outcome of Feldman’s experiment may have not surprised Adam Smith, as reasoned by Levitt. Why so? Because the theme of Smith’s first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, was the innate honesty of mankind. “How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interests him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”

The great philosopher Socrates also argued that people are generally good even without enforcement.

Ans so with Socrates, Adam Smith and now Paul Feldman, I am with them also. I do believe that man has innate honesty. How about you?

NOTE: if you can’t get hold of the book Freakonomics, you can visit www.freakonomics.com

Uncomfortable

I felt so uncomfortable with many issues in my blogging life these past few days. I have many questions but I got no answer.

The first time I started blogging, I was so happy for at last I have this medium where I can express my feelings and my love for writing. The day my daughter introduced me to Blogger, I felt so ecstatic as I met friends along the way. Surely, my intention was to gain friends too.

I was proud and happy when I was chosen to be one of the contestants for Test Drive A Mac as sponsored by Apple Asia. As it was a sort of popularity contest, I just took the fourth prize. But I was contented with that. Though in my heart, I should have won an iMac if only I solicited votes from my friends.

I was honoured when a blogger friend invited me to be part of her community. I did accept her invitation and so I left Blogger and shifted house. In that house I met more friends.

A blogger friend who is a journalist for a Philippine newspaper featured me in her column. Of course, I was so thankful.

But then something happened along the way when I post something about my being upset for the caption published in a local newspaper here. People came to comment and there was this person who suggested about a revolution. I answered back that we should stop from there. They should be sensitive where I live. I don't give a negative concept on the word revolution but I am not the person to discuss it whether it is cultural revolution or what they may have. And for me Singapore, whatever they may say, is still the best country in the world. I am just careful of what I am writing. But this person tagged me and discuss in his entry of what is wrong with that hated word. Another person commented which I answered that she perceived as malicious. What was so malicious with what I wrote when it was just a general concept? She wrote an entry on her blog that obviously pointed at me.

Am I too sensitive? Maybe but, I was really hurt as I considered that person a good friend whom I have high regard not only for the way she write but with her being highly educated and she chose me to be one of her first friends in the blogosphere.

Now, what really makes me so uncomfortable is that I could not access my site. My email haven't been answered.

Wahh! I really don't know what is happening with my blogging life.

I looked at my aquarium and I saw this goldfish. I am positive that she is happy with her life. Why should I not be happy like her?

Though uncomfortable, I think I should try to be comfortable with this site of mine. Yes, I must think positive. I must say, thank you goldfish! You opened my eyes.....

Upgraded

I upgraded my handphone last night. Well, I paid SGD 198.00 for the upgrade. So my handphone now is Nokia 7260. My daughter said it's not the latest model and it's out since last year. It is okay with me if my handphone is not the latest model actually. I am just happy that it has a camera and radio. That's all!

So for my new handphone, may we have a lasting relationship!!!

Loneliness

How I miss the girls now! I feel so lonely. After work, I came home with nobody in. My husband is on overtime same with my youngest daughter. My second is taking her degree at SIM and she'll be home around past 11:00 already. If only the girls are here with me. But this is life!!!

There are many ways to be happy, I know. This feeling is just temporary.

Well, I have to remember always what Phil Bosnans wrote about loneliness:

Here's an excerpt from his book, Give happiness A Chance:

"You can be alone without being lonely.

Loneliness is a moral disease which can't be cured by crowding people together. More than ever people are crammed on top of each other in high rises, in busy streets, trains, supermarkets, cinemas, bingo halls and vacation resorts. And it's precisely in these places that loneliness becomes sharper, still deeper.

This loneliness, which afflicts so many people today, grows from deep spiritual emptiness, from confusion and from insecurity.

These are things of the mind and it is here that people need to cure themselves. It depends on the mind and the heart, and on emotion and security, and by themselves, these are powerless unless they're sorrounded by real love. yet people seem unable to hold onto this love- they have sold their hearts to a pile of materialistic baubles. people are frightened of silence, of surrender to God, of prayer. They search in the darkness, in a stupor. They don't feel at home anywhere. People are standing outside in the cold. And they can't offer security and hospitality to anyone else either.

A return to God, as towards a father who has written your name in the palm of his hand, may work wonders."

Yes, i know this loneliness is just for a while. I always have to think that God is always with me and that my daughter and grandkids are okay.

Forgiven

Last night I read again the book Heaven In Ordinary by Angela Ashwin. It became my habit to read portions of that book every time I can as I consider it as a guide for me in this busy world.

So I would like to share this excerpt from the book:

Someone hurts us by being sharp and irritable. We snap back and then regret it. The whole incident leaves us dissatisfied and miserable. Yet there is something positive we can do. We can take as our "word friend" the tremendous assertion that both we and the person who hurt us are FORGIVEN. If we are honest, we ourselves are capable of being unkind and thoughtless as well. The other person's sin is ours too; we stand together sinners; yet in Christ, forgiven. By using this word friend, and letting its truth soak into our deepest consciousness, it becomes easier to picture our arms reaching out towards the person we clashed with.

Angela Ashwin wrote that we have to adopt a short word or a "word friend' which can become our companion during the day which we can repeat saying to ourselves. Using this word or phrase enable us to be with God in a deeper level.

Therefore, for today my "word friend" is FORGIVEN.

Surprised

I think it was two weeks ago when I received an email regarding a survey questionnaire titled Edelman/Technorati Blog Study. I was thinking then that it was just an ordinary spam message. So I answered the survey only the next day. As much as I wanted to answer more and with details, I did not do so as I was thinking that personal informations would be leaked which would give me more spam emails. You know me an internet moron. So I answered the survey questionnaire without that much enthusiasm.

To my surprise, I received another email from Richard Edelman the President & CEO of Edelman thanking me for participating in that blog survey.

And it was only today that I found out that Edelman is one of the biggest PR firm in the world. For them to choose me as one of the respondents is really an honour. Imagine only 8 people were chosen to participate here in Singapore and only 3 were chosen from the Philippines.

So thank you too to Mr. Richard Edelman for lifting up my spirit. Yes, I really feel so happy. It means I still have a place in the blogosphere inspite of what I felt before.

And for those who have no idea why this study was conducted, here's the purpose of the study:

* to better understand bloggers' attitudes towards corporations and PR firms.

*help clients understand how and why they should engage the blogosphere.

Now I really believe that there is nothing wrong in blogging about firms and other products too. They are also part of our daily life. We may not be financilly rewarded but at least our entries would be appreciated.

So the next time you blog, why not write something about a product you like?

Happy

I am very happy for when I visited Blogger to see if I can post an entry with no hassle, I found out that it returned back to normal. Yipee!! Now I can post entries with relevance and of course with nice published results.

Today, I am also happy for when my supervisor discussed with me my evaluation, it was all very good. One thing, I will go to course for upgrading. But I will be bonded for two years which will take effect after the completion of that two years course. Though I will be bonded, I am confident that there will be no problem as far as my visits to USA is concerned. I hope so.

What made me happy the past few days? A lot.

My student Abel suddenly exclaimed "Teacher, sunny day today!" That was on our way to Kid's Kampong in Pasir Ris. His voice was so loud that almost everybody inside the bus heard. It made me happy for that incident was a manifestation that my children really learn from me considering that Abel is more fluent in his Chinese dialect. I don't know if I look so shallow with this. But really it made my day!

I did shopping or I could say my family went shopping for clothes and toys to be sent to the kids in Virginia. The next day I was able to send the package and in 2 to 4 days they will receive all those items. I am happy and will always be happy to give things to my grandkids.(Those who don't really know me, I am a young grandma, not an old old lady! Am I vain? But really, I am just of same age as Madonna)

My husband and me talked and yes we really love each other. being married for so long, at times, I tend to create problems. But I know at times, a little misunderstanding can spice up our own lives.

And so, I would like to say again that I am back to normal. Happy and with positive outlook on life.

Thankful

I admit I am an internet moron. I really don't know the ins and outs of what's hapenning in the blogosphere. What i am only sure of is that I really like to write and to blog.

When I told my daughter that I deleted that blog which was really a labour of love, she scolded me and pointed out that it was a mistake. Blogs need not be deleted. But what. It was a decision that came out due to my feeling for that blogger who I could say killed my standing in the blogosphere. Or it could be my fault also.

I just feel so sad that my former blog's URL has a new owner and that it has, I could say, sexual links and project an entirely different style.

Never mind, it is not my blog. And my conscience is clear.

Though I really don't know if blogger has something on me for my deletion. My daughters just laughed at my thinking.

Well I still want to blog and I hope in due time, I will be given the privelege to have the former style, like font and colours. I really don't know what to do with this publishing...

I am still thankful that at least I can publish my entry.

Testing

testing... testing...

how i wish i can really post something....