15-day vacation in bicol

Take a stride to the Region's wonders.

1. black and white sand beaches

all in a day's work

Working in an office with only 4 employees( boss included) has its own quirks and frenzy moments. Some of the people that comes in and out of the office have angelic and ethereal faces, some seemed very much baffled with problems while some are frequent phone callers. Others always bargains for the price of services, while most would like to solve a concern outrightly.

Here are some funny instances in the office:

boss: (talking to her sec.) have you already filed this motion for reconsideration?

phone rings. secretary answers the phone...

sec : ( talking to the caller on the other line) law office good morning. yes sir, how may i help you?

boss ( thought that his secretary is talking to her): hmmm. ok

sec: yes sir ( talking with the caller on the line)

boss: yes, ok

sec: ok sir. ( still talking with the caller)

boss: hmmm... ok


boss and sec. seems that they'd understood each other by the mere say of yes three times before the end of the call.

another...

sir: (removing the files from his attache case when he found out that the menu list of the restaurant that he'd eaten his lunch was inside a big brown envelope) How come that this menu list was placed here?

legal researcher....

a legal researcher was interviewing one time a police person charged with concubinage. The interviewee was asked what kind of support he'll give.

legal researcher: sir, what is the manner of support would you like to place here in the affidavit?

police: the support

legal researcher: sir, in what manner are you going to provide the support?

police: yes, the support

legal researcher: sir, what will I place here?

police: ah, state there that 4k will be deducted from my
salary to be given in the form of check to the person that il give my support

legal researcher: hmmm... ok sir, under whose name will the check be issued?

police: hmmm... yes... ok

legal researcher: sir, what name will appear in the check?

police: (mentioned a name)

legal researcher: (cannot understand what he said) kindly spell it sir.

police: ok.. it is z ...x...u...i... (very far from the pronunciation of the name given)

legal researcher: ok sir, kindly write it down instead.

police: (murmurs) hmmm... it is...( thinking)....( utters a name and writes it down)

legal researcher: ok sir, what is the nature of your work?

police: am a traffic

legal researcher: traffic what sir? could you please write it down?

police: (writes in the paper the word "traffic" and then erase it... then write again traffic...then said) just place in there traffic

legal researcher: ok sir, kindly wait for your documents.

police: ok, thanks.

another one:

phone rings 5x. sec. answered the calls and noted, that all those came from one person who is looking for the boss.

phone rings the 6th time:

sec: law office good afternoon. yes mam?

caller: is sir there?

sec: sorry mam. sir is not around.

( then suddenly, sir would talked out loud with his clients or employees.. hehehe.. you know what i mean.).

PERSONALS

Am now living without the guidance of someone whom I considered the reason of my existence. Plans cluttered, spirit much in vexed, a body that is now used to too much eating and an attitude that houses negativism and skepticism. I don't know if God had decided too early for these things to happen. Am still very much unprepared. Feels like am in the wilderness, that though, the city is just a stone's throw away, I still find it hard to get there.

I love you... I love you... I love you... You often told me and reminded me that am the one whom you preferred to live with when you're old. And I persevered hard at that time coz I know when I got successful, there's one person who'll be twice as happy of my victory. Those years may seem the hardest times if I'll analyze and compare things, but why is it that I considered those as nothing but just a part of life. Everyday, during those times, I always have the reason to smile, to pray and to do things willingly. Now, even if there's just a small problem, seems that am carrying the world at my back. Things indeed had changed in great proportion.

I hope you are very much at peace now with the One who is the Giver of Life. You have now find eternal rest where you can never experience pain. We may not be with you physically now, but rest assured that we'll always be the children that you've been very proud of. We will continue the things that you've started and we'll never forget the values that you've accustomed as. As I stay here in our house, do singlehandedly the things that we onced shared to do, I appreciate you more and more.

Nothing compares to you - VERY UNSELFISH... FORGIVING... EVER PATIENT... EVER LOVING...

HOPE THOSE HUGS AND KISSES WHEN WERE TOGETHER HAVE CAUSED YOU MUCH HAPPINESS FOR THOSE ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT I CAN GIVE YOU AT THAT TIME.

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH MAMA!!! YOU'LL FOREVER BE HERE IN OUR HEART AND IN OUR MIND!!!

LORD, I KNOW SHE'S WITH YOU NOW. HER LONG WAIT TO SEE YOU IS OVER. KINDLY TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER THERE SO WE CAN MEET HER SOON. THANKS.

***Its better to be at peace with self than to be at peace with others and have hostility within.***

At first I'm blind, now I see

At first, I thought things will always be done as planned. That as long as your intention is good, and what you're doing and thinking is good, you'll always accomplish the end that you'd once hoped for. That when you do not meddle on other people's business, you'll be free from criticisms and other people's problems.

Now, when you do not meddle on other people's lives, they'd think that you're a naive individual who knows nothing about the world. When you asked a lot of questions, they'd think that you're a stupid fool. When you don't ask, they'll regard you as supercillious. When you show to them that you can live on your own, they'll say that am here for you. (All words just ended in the mouth) excuse me, where are you people?

Looking at the glass self, you'll see that your only companion is you. You ponder and think that things are not always what it seems. That there's a certain reality and unleashed thought behind every act. And that naivety is never an excuse to commit a wrong act. And that everything must be acted upon with reason.

CWC

Camsur Watersports Complex is a new tourist spot for water lovers. It features an authentic lake good for wakeboarding, kneeboarding, skiing and wakeskating. With the very cold and windy February monsoon, having a visit to this place is indeed a great and exciting vests. Situated in Cadlan, Pili Camarines Sur, it houses a 6- tower cable system with a man made island at the center. There's also game rooms, good for air hockey, basketball, pool and foosball. To make your stay worth all the enjoyment and expenses at affordable prices, there are cabana rental lodges that can accomodate your whole family in just a thousand pesos per night. There's also motorcycles for rent for easy, fast and complete scenic view of the ecopark. Restaurants and bars also offers an array of entrees.

If you want to have your body feel relaxed and free from skin impurities, try Nature spa in this place. It'll give you an exhilarating feeling that you'll treasure for lifetime.

a tribute to someone

Sometimes, I must forget all the memories, think as if I'd lived without her and wake each morning with glee as if she's not on my side for twenty-two years. But, sometimes, I would think that she's just alive, - always there to fill up the emptiness in me, hug me, kiss me, scold me (often), correct all my errors (may it be grammatical or my unthinking actions).

She's the only person I can call mine. She insisted to live coz she still wanted to guide us until we're all financially stable and have our own families. She knows that her guidance is direly needed all throughout. And we, as her children, will always be needing her coz she's the only one who can fill up our emotional needs. She still had a lot of plans, a very lot that some ended unfinished. Anyway, her prime purpose in life was fulfilled and that is- to raise us up and give us education that will make us live independently for ourselves.

I love her so much. Her life had been well spent coz she gave us all that she can afford to give while she's still with us without any grudges nor complaints, just all gratefullness and thanksgiving.

Anyway, its nice to have realization of things so you can see clearly how you're faring with life. However, if you may have had already a dose of healthy mind 'invigorating' capsules, the right thing to do next is to add a twist of delightful pasta recipes and cool nature trips.

As promised, here's the yummy pasta recipes(courtesy of Ms. Joanne Glynn's New Pasta Cookbook)

Penne Parcels

1/2 lbs (225g) penne
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
4 red peppers, cut into thin strips
5 small tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 1/4 inch (3cm) sprig fresh rosemary
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 small zuchinni, julienned
1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken stock

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
2. C

If you don't want, then don't force, nothing to lose anyway

Why pity yourself this and that, force on someone who had been shunning away from you. You are worthy to be loved, not to be left behind or just be played with. Or, if you like to be played with, then just consider it as a game, never a serious thing.

Remember, you're human- worthy of all good things that world offers

Life is a matter of enjoying fully your God given gifts. Its not counting what you don't have, its about appreciating every single good things that you possess. Though, at times you may think that things are taking the wrong deal, but still, dont lose hope and continue to hold on. Though giving up is the best resort still, make each day a memorable and useful one. You are the only person that can make yourself happy. And as they say it, happiness is always a choice. Other people have also their own lives to live. They may be there for you at all times now, but sooner or later, we can never tell, by fortuitous event or by their own will, they may leave you behind. In life, there's no such thing as forever, maybe its only just a word, used by people when their emotions overule their minds. Or, if the meaning of such word really exists and is applied, then very lucky to that person who had found someone that really knows the meaning of that word.

So, now its better not to be so attached to anyone. Remember you are born alone, you have the capacity to live, to make a life, to make a living, to be a useful citizen - without depending on someone to push you through, to lift you up, to give a new light. Other people may seem to influence and give you much inspiration, but just be thankful that you've met them. Don't think anything else. Always do not assume. Even your wife or your husband has her/his own life to live, so don't meddle much on their business. Too much meddling can even cause so much doubts and quarrels. Or, if your personality is really very controlling, then you'll lucky if you'll find someone who'll be patient with you throughout.

If you're a person who easily falls for someone who's kind, pretty/handsome and intelligent, then, change you attitude or line of thinking on that matter. If you'd been hurt by that thing, don't let yourself fall for the same trap again. Control...control...control... or don't indulge in a thing which you can see an impending danger. When you're already hooked to it, its hard to get out. Well, if you're bored with your life and wants to have some challenging problems to solve, then you can have one. But just be sure that you'll ready to face the consequences or else, you'll end up blaiming yourself for your foolishness. Anyway, if you don't know and cannot distinguish a fool thing from a wise one, then its the first thing that you must know. Animals and humans are separated by the degree of intelligence that they possess. Unable to distinguish right from wrong is in way includes you to the level of the brutes. And hello! Remember, you are human and is worthy of all human respect, happiness and friendship with the world. You are one unique individual who needs no pity coz you're already capable of making a living and making yourself happy.

errands met

It's fulfilling to accomplish all the errands you have to do for the day. There may be some unexpected things that may arise, but the things that you've set to be done for the day must still be met.

Today, I paid bills, went to our lawyer, met some friends, attended mass, cleaned the house and cooked food for me and my brother. Allotting specific time for each activity will make you realize that doing one thing at a time is very easy and systematic. Making a daily planner and giving a specific timeframe for every activity is very helpful. You will no longer be going back and forth on any unfinished business.

All of us have twenty four hours a day. Some may complain that they don't get enough time to do their works while others who do same things as they do have still that extra time and reserved energy for pleasure. Take for example, two persons similarly situated ( in the sense that they have their own families and same nature of work), the one who finds time to have family dinner on saturdays, outings on sundays and bonding moment with wife and kids in front of their favorite tv shows every other night; and the other one who'll come home from work, continuing the unfinished business he'd supposed to do in the office - unable to join family dinner nor talk to kids on school matters nor to his wife on how's her day.

Time is of the essence. Every moment spent in a useful way has its corresponding compensation. Compensation may not always be in the form of money for it will help you balance your life - socially, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.

Thoughts for keeps

Seting forth career goals may take quite some time. In so doing, three things must be consistently ingrained in mind and be followed to achieve it- common sense, focus and direction. These three words are indeed very hard to follow if you don't know where you're going. You may meet a lot of unnecesary things along the way, affect negatively your perspective in life, change your values and lead you to nowhere.

To achieve a cetain end, you must sacrifice a lot of things. When you really would like to save money for your education, you've got to say no to movies, clothes, gimiks, eating at restaurants and hanging out with friends(often). When buying things, you'll really consider if its needed? if its really a priority? can you still live without it? If all the answers to these questions are yes, then don't buy it. If you let yourself be easily tempted by beautiful and expensive things, set aside a few amount for it without diminishing the amount set for your needs. Don't lend money on someone just to follow your "wants" desire. If you really would like to have it, then work harder to get it. Its heart warming when you get what you want because of your hard work for you appreciate more its value.

the gravity of a word spoken at the right occasion

Words, though only verbal enunciation of ideas can move mountains, crush hearts and turn impossible things possible. Speaking the right word at the right time can make a friendship, can pacify hatred and can remove all doubts. A single word, repeatedly said can be a big driving and guiding force to make each day anew. It can also simplify the complexities that the mind gives.

food for thoughts

Soliloquizing is a remedy to a disturbed soul, comforting to a poignant experience, antidote to a feeling of remorse and a better off over the counter drug to remove all headaches and mental disturbances. The proverbs said that your sadness is your sadness and your joy is your joy. All the things that happen to you are all of your doing and you cannot blame anyone for the wrong that you've done. So first and foremost, before you find comfort to others, you must first comfort yourself, for the only person that can help you most is YOU.

***

Anyway, sometimes its better to be stoical to pain and pleasure. At least, you won't get hurt and the degree of reaction to anything would be the same. Emotion may control your thinking and consume your health and body. Its an aspect of life that sometimes provides more disadvantages than advantages and can even cost a life if not properly handled.

***

Animals and man are both living things. Just that the latter has intellect and free will. Yet, sometimes, animals behave better than humans do. Our cat is very faithful to us. No matter how long we've been far from home, when we arrived, she's still there. She even met us with great delight as she meowed loud and carressed our feet with her fur. Even if we've been bad to her coz we wer not able to take care of her, still she's very happy to see us back. Where in fact, in humans, if someone is away, the one left or the one away will also find someone to fill the love that the away loved one gives.

***

If you'll make every little thing a big deal, for sure you'll develop wrinkles, high blood pressure, cancer and a lot more of illnesses. Take things not too seriously at times. Pamper and give yourself a break at times! Deviate from your usual routine and make something new. Try cooking, planting, crocheting, golf, mountain climbing or something that you've never done before. To live is to discover the things that life offers. Worrying is just losing your faith in Him, coz by doing so, you understimate His power to do the things that you cannot do.

***

Though with people's many differences, there are still some who accepts you fully so you can be at ease and at peace with the world. Treasure them and never abuse them, for they are one in a billion.

***

A joke is a joke, neither half meant nor a teasing banter. Its only for fun and never to be thought of or assumed as something true.

idle time

''Idle time is the workplace of the devil.'' A qoutation that awestruck my mind when Princess Punzalan was asked on what she does during her freetime. Idleness...idleness...idleness!!! Who wants to live an idle and inutile life? Generally speaking , no one wants to indulge himself in mediocre, idle and inutile existence. In life, things must always be moving forward; idleness and looking back is a big NO NO. Even if you want a simple life, you must still set aside all idle time and turn it on to something more useful. Though your mind and body are one in making you feel sad and downtrodden , sometimes you must really contradict the two and force yourself to do the things that must be done. Otherwise, you'll end up depending on others and compromising your freedom.

Move! Move! Move!

My sister had been constantly reminding me of the errands to be accomplished. Though at this moment, I need a little bit of drama and understanding from people ( especially when am too indolent to do the things that must be done), my sister provides no exception. For her, thinking must always be accompanied with actions, otherwise you'll go no further. She's right anyway. Sometimes, being too laxed can create a crack or lose in momentum. And now, its better to move!move!move! (I always repeat words in my mind so as not to forget it), just move and accompany it with little of common sense and discerning thinking.

I'd talk with someone today. He's an inspiring person with good sense of values. He graduated valedictorian in elementary and high school and magna cum laude in college. Though he occupies high ranking positions, he remains to be so down-to-earth and so cool. Seems like he does not have any inhibitions, frustrations and what if's in life. He's a jolly person that knows the goodness in every being. He knows a lot and loves to share what he knows to others. He wants to establish connections by doing little acts of kindness. For him, simple things and sharing what you have can build a good reputation. He's already 63, yet still has a physique like that of Goliath. His diet includes vegetables, fruits and lean meat and fish.

Having this person to talk to is a great privilege on my part. Sometimes, words are more than material things, for it incites you to act. And when you act, you are at least an inch closer to your goal. He had partially filled up my need of a listening ear. I love to talk to him. He seems so nice and fatherly.

Meeting and talking with someone who speaks good sense brings about new light to your spirit. Seems that he's a Godsent person who'll guide you through and renew your life. His existence is an inspiration and joy to the heart and mind.

Need to take the IELTS?

If you opt to study in UK, or work there as a nurse, you need to take the International English Language Testing System. See http://www.ielts.org/candidates/default.aspx for more information, or if you want to register online for IELTS in the Philipines, you can visit the website http://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines or, you can go directly to their office at 10F Taipan, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City.

If you plan to take it and does not have enough budget for a paid review, you can visit www.ielts-exam.net. This provides a comprehensive and thorough list of IELTS items - from listening, speaking , writing to reading comprehension. If you'll review each item religiously and put it to heart, you'll surely hit a high IELTS score. I just reviewed in this link in a week, yet the result was good. I've got a band of 7.5 out of 9. Top schools require 7 and to work abroad requires only 6.

So, save that money and have focus on your review. The data in the link that I had given you are almost exactly the same as that in the real IELTS. You can try and its for free. All you just need are ounces of discipline and concentration. For me, having no work at that time and relying on my sister for my IELTS fee, I got pressured to keep focus (since I just resigned from job). I also said to myself, if am not going to pass this exam, all my plans will be of no use. Having no option b or c in case I fail the exam, I said to myself that no matter what, I 'must' pass this test . With the minimal time that my mind functions, there's just a certain part of the day that it easily absorbs information. (For me, its 10pm onwards). It' s useful to know the time when your thinking caps are functioning well. Also, since mama can no longer support me, I must strive harder and push myself a little bit to get what I need. The motivation was there, but the better thing was that, the link had provided me just enough insights about the exam, that it seemed like am just having a review while taking the test.

wake up!wake up its a beautiful morning...stand up, stand up...let the sunshine in

First and foremost, you must console yourself to feel the joy of living. Waking up in the morning is another blessing and unfolds in new promises of excitements and new experiences . So, to start the day right, have also the attitude to make things right. Smile and pray to God to guide your actions. Do your usual routine. Fix your beddings, gargle, cook your food, take a bath and list down the things you want to accomplish for the day. Don't procrastinate or sit down for a while as if you're thinking very serious matters - for thinking without actions are useless. And keep in mind, enjoy yourself while still young, for there's so many time to rest in the land of the dead.

So, set aside negative thoughts, compliment yourself in front of the mirror (no one will hear anyway) and greet the day as if you were reborn!!!

foods...foods...foods!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, am inspired by Massi, an Itallian connoisseur of good food. Am planning to enroll in a cooking school and be a professional and distinguished chef someday. Goodbye law(my former ambition), i've now found my real passion - cooking.

Cooking, just like any other activity, takes concentration, equal amount of things (i.e. ingredients, right timing, series of procedures, a little of common sense and resourcefulness (when some ingredients are lacking) and a tongue that knows what's just right.

On my mother's 40th day, I was assigned to cook. I prepared rellenong hipon, atchara, embutido, chop suey and pancit molo. I followed the procedures in the Filipino recipe book of Ms. Nora Daza. The finished dishes were nice. The honest guests reacted with hmmmm while eating the menus I prepared.

However, rellenong hipon was my masterpiece. I bought half a kilo of shrimp, spring onion, eggs, flour, and mushroom. We already have in the house onion, garlic, and untosinsal (bacon). These are the procedures: remove the shells of the shrimp,but leave the tail intact; combine (for toppings) mushroom (cut into pieces) spring onion, flour, egg, garlic and onion together. Wrapped 3 pieces of shrimp with untosinsal(leaving the tail unwrapped), fill it with the toppings, had it rolled in flour and fry it. The presentation was nice and very tempting.

Cooking is one of the basic essentials in life. Knowing how to cook and cooking nutritious and sumptous meal gives a different kind of satisfaction to the sense of taste, good health to the body and contributes to a lively aura that will surely boost your confidence.

'friends'

My brother's friend was here last night.He's a familu friend and acts like a brother to my

at last.... am here!!!

Have you experienced being away from your home where you've grown up? Have you felt that nostalgic and unexplainable feeling and longing for your home sweet home? Well, most people have really that degree of attachment to the place that they've grown up.

Now I realize, when you had taken possesion of inanimate things(i.e. house) for a long time and have yourself separated from it for a while, the feeling of missing it and going back to it is always there. What more if it's a person!

Am back to Bicol after a five month stay in Malaysia 'Truly Asia'. (I dont know why they call it Malaysia, truly asia. Does it mean that other asian countries are false asia? hmmm) Anway, its nice to be back. My loving and almost twin brother is here. (coz we almost think and act alike). My former classmates and friends whom most are pursuing law are here. And most especially, I will be living in my 'native' home. The home that produced four college grads, two of whom have already titles of their own while the other two are still on the process of building theirs.

Anyway, no matter where life takes me, I just hope that I'll be the person God wants me to be. I may be taking a path that I had never dreamed of and the lane is still vague. But, I just hope that things will turn out right. Or if worse, I hope it will just be a shortcut to something more profound.

They say when you always think positive, positive things will also happen to you. So, think positive, act, and never look back. (You can also look back, but only when someone is calling your name at your back. hehe)

hmmmm... pasta

My five-month stay in Malaysia together with an Itallian prince of rubber tickled my palate for his 'genuine' delicioso pasta recipes. (clap! clap! clap!). The super dinner ( that's what he calls it) was really unforgettable and mouth watery. (dinner is my favorite part of the day, thinking that he always prepares something special for my sister. Being my sister's sister, the benefit is always and must always be passed on to the younger ones. ( that's a rule, no exception)).

I'll ask him in detail tomorrow the recipes so I can share it to you. I assure you, his recipes are healthy and very easy to cook. Am sure, you'll live long, and will never be given the opportunity to take panadol, paracetamol or any medicine. His grandparents are living examples. They are already centenarians and are still very strong.

P.S. I pitied pimples when am there, coz our balanced and healthy diet never allowed 'pimps' to thrive and enjoy the subtleness of our face.

calm down... you're just human

Bottomline of every event is: either has sad or happy ending, a success or a failure one, and may give either a vexing spirit or an inspiring view of oneself.

My former enthusiasm, motivation and will to succeed are forsaking me lately. Though, there are helping hands who gave assurance that they won't leave me behind, help me until i can stand on my own; but still, the lost of someone so dear and so special made me behave in a way that all my enthusiasm to live and enjoy life seems so dull and bland. Sometimes, (take note, only sometimes, not all the time) comforting words gave no comfort at all. It'll just remind you of good yet better not remembered days of the 'lost' one.

Lost may not be the right term for someone who already departed. Maybe lost is the term applicable to those who had been left behind here on earth. When a person whom you consider your world had breath his last, a part of you is also taken away. Though, there are thousands of people living, the value that that departed person has to you, can never be compared to anyone. Others may try to fill-up the emptiness but it will only and will always be half filled.

Moving along through life's journey, I just hope and pray that things will be all right. Or, if not all right, at least a little better. And though there are some problems, may it be not too much. God gave me His human counterpart, just that, He took it away from me at an age where I needed His human counterpart most. Anyway, I may be lost now, but let not this feeling eat up my sanity. Let this feeling of lost be a challenge to live fully and productively.

Humans are subject to different emotions. And let this what I feel now made me think that am just a human being, expriencing same things and emotions just like any other human does. Successful and miserable people experience same emotions, the difference is, the former take it as a challenge and learn from it, while the latter feel miserable until poverty overtake them.

So now, calm down... concentrate... relax... take a deep breath...pray... smile... Life is not at all bad my friend. Anyway, I still have my dear siblings and friends with me. Though not at all times, at least, most of the times.