Friday, May 04, 2007
ALBERT EINSTEIN SAID...
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited.
Imagination encircles the world.
MASK
I took this photo a few days ago. This mask belongs to my mom. It's one of her collections in her curio cabinet. =D
TGIF
It's a really really rainy day today! It's been raining since this morning and it's still raining now (it's around 2pm right now). I hope it won't let up. It's wonderful to hear the whoooshing sound on the roof and to feel the cool breeze. I really love the rain! =D I went out earlier to take come photos. Just wanted to let out the creative side of me today. Will post those photos later on. =D
.....
Ruther is having a fun time now that it's the Golden Week in Japan. Yesterday, he and his friends played badminton then they went around Machida. Ruther brought me and the boys to Machida once after touring Zoorasia. It reminded me so much of Manila but only it seemed bigger!
Today, he and his pals are going to Tokyo and might take photos there. They will also be visiting the Tokyo Tower. Ruther was supposed to bring me there last February but we ran out of time, unfortunately for me. But he said that if we go back to Japan this year, he'll take us there too. So yay! =D
.....
I'm done reading the Agatha Christie book (The Hollow). I'm still not sure about what my next book will be but hopefully, it will be interesting as well. Will keep you posted...
.....
Ruther is having a fun time now that it's the Golden Week in Japan. Yesterday, he and his friends played badminton then they went around Machida. Ruther brought me and the boys to Machida once after touring Zoorasia. It reminded me so much of Manila but only it seemed bigger!
Today, he and his pals are going to Tokyo and might take photos there. They will also be visiting the Tokyo Tower. Ruther was supposed to bring me there last February but we ran out of time, unfortunately for me. But he said that if we go back to Japan this year, he'll take us there too. So yay! =D
.....
I'm done reading the Agatha Christie book (The Hollow). I'm still not sure about what my next book will be but hopefully, it will be interesting as well. Will keep you posted...
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I COMPLETELY AGREE!
This article deserves some recognition in my blog... I converted it and this is what I cost in pesos yearly: P6,573,322.00. Okay, who's gonna pay me? =D
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070502/us_nm/work_mothers_dc
Stay-at-home mother's work worth $138,095 a year
NEW YORK (Reuters) - If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as a housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would earn $138,095 a year, according to research released on Wednesday.
This reflected a 3 percent raise from last year's $134,121, according to Salary.com Inc, Waltham, Massachusetts-based compensation experts.
The 10 jobs listed as comprising a mother's work were housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist, it said.
The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, it said, working 40 hours at base pay and 52 hours overtime.
A mother who holds full-time job outside the home would earn an additional $85,939 for the work she does at home, Salary.com.
Last year she would have earned $85,876 for her at-home work, it said.
Salary.com compiled the online responses of 26,000 stay-at-home mothers and 14,000 mothers who also work outside the home.
(Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070502/us_nm/work_mothers_dc
Stay-at-home mother's work worth $138,095 a year
NEW YORK (Reuters) - If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as a housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would earn $138,095 a year, according to research released on Wednesday.
This reflected a 3 percent raise from last year's $134,121, according to Salary.com Inc, Waltham, Massachusetts-based compensation experts.
The 10 jobs listed as comprising a mother's work were housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist, it said.
The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, it said, working 40 hours at base pay and 52 hours overtime.
A mother who holds full-time job outside the home would earn an additional $85,939 for the work she does at home, Salary.com.
Last year she would have earned $85,876 for her at-home work, it said.
Salary.com compiled the online responses of 26,000 stay-at-home mothers and 14,000 mothers who also work outside the home.
(Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst)
BESTFRIENDS
Vanilla (playing with a crunchy leaf with her cute ears perked up) and Shiro (panting like crazy) after chasing each other around the garden one hot afternoon.
GOODBYE MRS. RODRIGUEZ
I received a text/SMS message from my childhood friend and classmate this morning. It was not good news. Our grade school teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez passed away recently. According to my friend, the cause of death was a heart attack. I felt so sad when I heard this. We are now planning the best time to visit/ see her remains. We want to go as a group so we could express our condolences collectively.
I remember Mrs. Rodriguez. She was our advisor/adviser when we were in the 5th Grade. She was plump and had wavy hair that reached her shoulders. She would always smile at us when we greeted her in the mornings before the flag ceremony started. I remember too the time when she lost her home to a fire and everyone in school helped her and her family by giving her money, food, clothes, appliances, practically anything we could give her. She was sad about the tragedy but it did not affect her joyful disposition. She was such an inspiration. And now, she's gone. I really can't believe that after I graduated from High School we only saw each other twice. And fleetingly at that. So so sad. I would have loved to have a chat with her once more, just to talk about life in general. I know I would have learned much from her.
I hope that wherever she is right now, she is happy and at peace. I know that she deserves to be with the Lord now. Goodbye Mrs. Rodriguez! We will really miss you!
I remember Mrs. Rodriguez. She was our advisor/adviser when we were in the 5th Grade. She was plump and had wavy hair that reached her shoulders. She would always smile at us when we greeted her in the mornings before the flag ceremony started. I remember too the time when she lost her home to a fire and everyone in school helped her and her family by giving her money, food, clothes, appliances, practically anything we could give her. She was sad about the tragedy but it did not affect her joyful disposition. She was such an inspiration. And now, she's gone. I really can't believe that after I graduated from High School we only saw each other twice. And fleetingly at that. So so sad. I would have loved to have a chat with her once more, just to talk about life in general. I know I would have learned much from her.
I hope that wherever she is right now, she is happy and at peace. I know that she deserves to be with the Lord now. Goodbye Mrs. Rodriguez! We will really miss you!
GOLDEN WEEK IN JAPAN
The Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within seven days. In combination with well placed weekends, the Golden Week becomes one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons, besides New Year and the Obon week.
Trains, airports and sightseeing spots get very crowded during Golden Week, and accommodation in tourist areas can get booked out well in advance.
The national holidays making up the Golden Week are:
1. April 29
Showa Day (Showa no hi): April 29 is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989. Until 2006, Greenery Day (see May 4) used to be celebrated on this day.
2. May 3
Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi): On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect.
3. May 4
Greenery Day (Midori no hi): Until 2006, Greenery Day used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Greenery Day, May 4 used to be a national holiday due to a law, which declares a day, that falls between two national holidays, a national holiday.
4. May 5
Children's Day (Kodomo no hi): The Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku) is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girl's Festival, by the way, is celebrated on March 3.
source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html
Many Japanese take paid time off on the intervening work days, but some companies also close down completely and give their employees time off. Golden week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs. Two other holidays may also be observed for most or all of a week: OshÅgatsu in January and Obon in August. Golden Week is an extremely popular time to travel. Flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked despite significantly higher rates at this time. Popular foreign destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, and major cities in the U.S. west coast such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco, as well as in Europe, are affected during these seasons by large numbers of Japanese tourists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Week_(Japan)
Trains, airports and sightseeing spots get very crowded during Golden Week, and accommodation in tourist areas can get booked out well in advance.
The national holidays making up the Golden Week are:
1. April 29
Showa Day (Showa no hi): April 29 is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989. Until 2006, Greenery Day (see May 4) used to be celebrated on this day.
2. May 3
Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi): On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect.
3. May 4
Greenery Day (Midori no hi): Until 2006, Greenery Day used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Greenery Day, May 4 used to be a national holiday due to a law, which declares a day, that falls between two national holidays, a national holiday.
4. May 5
Children's Day (Kodomo no hi): The Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku) is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girl's Festival, by the way, is celebrated on March 3.
source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html
Many Japanese take paid time off on the intervening work days, but some companies also close down completely and give their employees time off. Golden week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs. Two other holidays may also be observed for most or all of a week: OshÅgatsu in January and Obon in August. Golden Week is an extremely popular time to travel. Flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked despite significantly higher rates at this time. Popular foreign destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, and major cities in the U.S. west coast such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco, as well as in Europe, are affected during these seasons by large numbers of Japanese tourists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Week_(Japan)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
NEWS FROM JAPAN
The Small Print
By Reg Dunlap
A chewing gum called Bust-Up, said to increase a woman’s bust size, has become increasingly popular in Japan.
A Japanese engineering firm has come up with an “air shower” that blasts dust and grime off employees as they enter an office or a building. The large, reverse-vacuum-like contraption will sell for nearly ¥2 million and will be known as the Manner Jet.
Kumamoto City officials OK’d a hospital’s request to set up the nation’s first “baby box,” which allows parents to drop off unwanted offspring anonymously.
A hospital in Nagano Prefecture announced that, in 2004, a woman gave birth via in-vitro fertilization after using her dead husband’s frozen sperm.
A 30-year-old company employee was arrested for abusing his pet ferret after posting a video of himself beating and choking the animal on the internet. “Abusing the ferret was my outlet for everyday stress,” said the man, who admitted to killing “20 or 30 ferrets, hamsters and other animals.”
source: http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/recent/smallprint.asp
By Reg Dunlap
A chewing gum called Bust-Up, said to increase a woman’s bust size, has become increasingly popular in Japan.
A Japanese engineering firm has come up with an “air shower” that blasts dust and grime off employees as they enter an office or a building. The large, reverse-vacuum-like contraption will sell for nearly ¥2 million and will be known as the Manner Jet.
Kumamoto City officials OK’d a hospital’s request to set up the nation’s first “baby box,” which allows parents to drop off unwanted offspring anonymously.
A hospital in Nagano Prefecture announced that, in 2004, a woman gave birth via in-vitro fertilization after using her dead husband’s frozen sperm.
A 30-year-old company employee was arrested for abusing his pet ferret after posting a video of himself beating and choking the animal on the internet. “Abusing the ferret was my outlet for everyday stress,” said the man, who admitted to killing “20 or 30 ferrets, hamsters and other animals.”
source: http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/recent/smallprint.asp
PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS (MAY) PART 1
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/events/events_calendar.asp
DAYAW DALAN FESTIVAL May 2-3 San Jacinto, Ticao
Dayaw is an old Tigaonon term which means “to show off, parade or display”. In its strictest meaning, dayaw is to present with pride what is distinctly and essentially inherent in a person. Dalan on the other hand, means in olden times, a mountain trail which now includes path, street and highway. Dayaw Dalan Festival symbolizes the best of what the municipality of San Jacinto have as a town and as a people. The festival is held in honor of its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Burgos.
PAHAW-AS FESTIVAL May 2 Dumangas, Iloilo
Pahaw-as is a local term that means a harvest of the agricultural products from the fishponds or other water forms.
JOURNEY TO MT. HAMIGUITAN May 2- May 5 San Isidro, Davao Oriental
A trek to Mt. Hamiguitan which is the site of the 600 hectare Bonsai field: Pygmy Forest
KATAGMAN (OGTONGANON) FESTIVAL May 3 Oton, Iloilo
An annual event showcasing the rich history and culture of the municipality that dates back to the 13th century
FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS May 3 Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
Fiesta of Sta. Cruz in honor of the Holy Cross religious, cultural, and civic activtites are lined up.
RIT-RITEMONG CAYONG FESTIVAL May 3-5 Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
This is what the Sarratenos call their fiesta which stands for liberty, courage, leadership, unity & brotherhood even in the most certain pain of death
BAWANG (GARLIC) FESTIVAL May 3 Sinait, Ilocos Sur
Competitions and exhibits include biggest garlic, longest and most creative twined garlic bulbs.
CARABAO-CARROZA FESTIVAL May 3 Pavia, Iloilo
Features a parade of 18 gaily decorated bamboo sleds and a race among carroza-pulling carabaos on a 400 meter course.
ISABELA DAY: BAMBANTI FESTIVAL May 4- May 11 Isabela
Anniversary of the establishment of the civil government of Isabela in honor of Queen Isabela II. Activities like agro-industrial trade and tourism fairs, parades, sports events, beauty pageant and others are conducted to entertain visitors.
LINGGA-ANAY May 4 Panay, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration.
DAYAW DALAN FESTIVAL May 2-3 San Jacinto, Ticao
Dayaw is an old Tigaonon term which means “to show off, parade or display”. In its strictest meaning, dayaw is to present with pride what is distinctly and essentially inherent in a person. Dalan on the other hand, means in olden times, a mountain trail which now includes path, street and highway. Dayaw Dalan Festival symbolizes the best of what the municipality of San Jacinto have as a town and as a people. The festival is held in honor of its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Burgos.
PAHAW-AS FESTIVAL May 2 Dumangas, Iloilo
Pahaw-as is a local term that means a harvest of the agricultural products from the fishponds or other water forms.
JOURNEY TO MT. HAMIGUITAN May 2- May 5 San Isidro, Davao Oriental
A trek to Mt. Hamiguitan which is the site of the 600 hectare Bonsai field: Pygmy Forest
KATAGMAN (OGTONGANON) FESTIVAL May 3 Oton, Iloilo
An annual event showcasing the rich history and culture of the municipality that dates back to the 13th century
FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS May 3 Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
Fiesta of Sta. Cruz in honor of the Holy Cross religious, cultural, and civic activtites are lined up.
RIT-RITEMONG CAYONG FESTIVAL May 3-5 Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
This is what the Sarratenos call their fiesta which stands for liberty, courage, leadership, unity & brotherhood even in the most certain pain of death
BAWANG (GARLIC) FESTIVAL May 3 Sinait, Ilocos Sur
Competitions and exhibits include biggest garlic, longest and most creative twined garlic bulbs.
CARABAO-CARROZA FESTIVAL May 3 Pavia, Iloilo
Features a parade of 18 gaily decorated bamboo sleds and a race among carroza-pulling carabaos on a 400 meter course.
ISABELA DAY: BAMBANTI FESTIVAL May 4- May 11 Isabela
Anniversary of the establishment of the civil government of Isabela in honor of Queen Isabela II. Activities like agro-industrial trade and tourism fairs, parades, sports events, beauty pageant and others are conducted to entertain visitors.
LINGGA-ANAY May 4 Panay, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration.
WET WEDNESDAY
Wonderful!! We are going to have a wet Wednesday today! Ahhh... a respite from the scorching summer heat. I just love rainy weather! =D
.....
Ruther watched Spiderman 3 last night with his friends. I wish we could have watched it together. I really miss watching movies with him. There's something really pleasurable in watching movies with your sweetie even if the movie turns out to be a total crap (I'm not saying Spiderman 3 is). Anyway, Ruther said the movie was great. Which leaves me with this question: when am I going to watch it?
.....
I made spaghetti for lunch today. We usually have the usual rice, soup and viand meals but I wanted something different today. Mommy had cans of spaghetti sauce in the pantry so I got down to it right away. In case you didn't know, the Filipino way of preparing spaghetti sauce (aside from the chopped onions, garlic and tomatoes) is with ground beef and slices of hotdogs. Don't ask me why. I have eaten spaghetti this way since I was little. =D Also, instead of Parmesan cheese, we use cheddar cheese to top our spaghetti which I think is because of the availability, the cost (waaaay cheaper than Parmesan) and personally, the creaminess. love how it melts in your mouth!
Anyway, it was quite yummy if I must say so myself. I prepared more than the usual serving so I decided to store the rest. This way, when they boys and I need a bit of snack in the afternoons, we'll simply microwave some. Maybe I'll make some garlic bread to go along with it... Yummy!
.....
I am halfway done with the Agatha Christie book I'm reading. It's taking me longer than usual because I've been so engrossed with watching tv - the reality show Pinoy Big Brother. Really, I've become quite addicted to it. Well anyway, once this hateful female housemate is out of the house, I would be able to breathe easier. =D OOhhhh... she just makes me sooo mad!
.....
Ruther watched Spiderman 3 last night with his friends. I wish we could have watched it together. I really miss watching movies with him. There's something really pleasurable in watching movies with your sweetie even if the movie turns out to be a total crap (I'm not saying Spiderman 3 is). Anyway, Ruther said the movie was great. Which leaves me with this question: when am I going to watch it?
.....
I made spaghetti for lunch today. We usually have the usual rice, soup and viand meals but I wanted something different today. Mommy had cans of spaghetti sauce in the pantry so I got down to it right away. In case you didn't know, the Filipino way of preparing spaghetti sauce (aside from the chopped onions, garlic and tomatoes) is with ground beef and slices of hotdogs. Don't ask me why. I have eaten spaghetti this way since I was little. =D Also, instead of Parmesan cheese, we use cheddar cheese to top our spaghetti which I think is because of the availability, the cost (waaaay cheaper than Parmesan) and personally, the creaminess. love how it melts in your mouth!
Anyway, it was quite yummy if I must say so myself. I prepared more than the usual serving so I decided to store the rest. This way, when they boys and I need a bit of snack in the afternoons, we'll simply microwave some. Maybe I'll make some garlic bread to go along with it... Yummy!
.....
I am halfway done with the Agatha Christie book I'm reading. It's taking me longer than usual because I've been so engrossed with watching tv - the reality show Pinoy Big Brother. Really, I've become quite addicted to it. Well anyway, once this hateful female housemate is out of the house, I would be able to breathe easier. =D OOhhhh... she just makes me sooo mad!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
WOW. HOUSE.
Last night I dreamed of House. You know, that tv series where Hugh Laurie plays the infamous Dr. House. I remembered my dream the moment I woke up but now, it's all fuzzy. No, I did not dream about the series, about the episodes, the cast. I just dreamed about Dr. House and only him. And in my dream he did not have his cane with him and walked perfectly well. Wow. I must have a serious crush on this guy. =D
THE BIG C
My mom and dad went to the hospital this morning to visit my mom's aunt there. For the past few weeks Aunt B seemed to be growing something in her tummy because it was big and it looked like she was pregnant. An inital diagnosis of her condition said that she had water in her tummy. But the final diagnosis is worse. She has cancer of the ovary which affected part of her colon. My mom said it was Stage 2. Today she was recovering from the operation where she had the cancer-ridden ovary removed. Her children thought it best not to tell her that she has cancer so Aunt B has no idea at all. When she found out that she was going to undergo some chemotherapy, she became worried and asked why. They just told her that it was for "preventive" measures. She accepted this reasoning and hopefully will no longer worry about her condition in the next few weeks.
Thinking about this, I realized that if I were in a similar situation, I would appreciate being told the truth. I would rather know what I'm up against so that I could battle it. I would not want to be complacent about such a thing but do my best to beat it so that I could live longer and be with my loved ones longer.
This kind of situation serves as a reality check for us mortals. If I were younger and I would visit my Aunt B at the hospital, I would wish her to get better soon and think about it no more. But now that I'm older, it goes beyond that simple thinking. It's no longer just wishing someone ill would get better and recover. We start to think about our health, our aches and pains, our family's medical history. We consider the possibility of making a will, of getting a health insurance, of having yearly physical check-ups. It's no longer a simple thing, no longer something negligible that we could easily brush aside. Death is something one has to come to terms with sooner or later. I would just want to prevent that for as long as I possibly can.
Thinking about this, I realized that if I were in a similar situation, I would appreciate being told the truth. I would rather know what I'm up against so that I could battle it. I would not want to be complacent about such a thing but do my best to beat it so that I could live longer and be with my loved ones longer.
This kind of situation serves as a reality check for us mortals. If I were younger and I would visit my Aunt B at the hospital, I would wish her to get better soon and think about it no more. But now that I'm older, it goes beyond that simple thinking. It's no longer just wishing someone ill would get better and recover. We start to think about our health, our aches and pains, our family's medical history. We consider the possibility of making a will, of getting a health insurance, of having yearly physical check-ups. It's no longer a simple thing, no longer something negligible that we could easily brush aside. Death is something one has to come to terms with sooner or later. I would just want to prevent that for as long as I possibly can.
ARACHNID
We found this spider in our bathroom... I suppose it wanted a drink of water. Ethan was so fascinated with it (and all bugs, in my opinion) that he wanted to touch it. Of course I told him "no". But gently. =D
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