As Mr. Sun beams at us, most people are all smiles as they plan their out-of-town trips. Since summer is synonymous to the beach, it isn't surprising that our peers are on a diet. And why am I not surprise. It's the hottest topic in our pantry and even men are a part of it --- bikini beauties!
As coffee break begins anew, we want you to share your insights on:
To celebrate the rebirth of coffee break, we shall be doing several but definitely interesting revisions to it. Think innovative. Think themes. Think interactive. With the comeback of coffee break, expect it to be more engaging because we will be following one theme every month. So why do I say it's more engaging this time? Because the monthly themes will all be coming from you! Every blogger who participates will be called a --- BREWER! Isn't that exciting!
So, to start the ball rolling, I am now calling all those brewers reading here. Now is your chance to send in a theme you want for the months of April - September. It can be about anything, but it just has to be one word. Again, each theme has to be just a word. Let's say, for the month of March, our theme will be SUMMER. So for the whole month, the topics will be related to summer --- , tips on looking vavavoom this summer, the best thing about summer, happiest summer memories, yummiest summer food. Get the idea? Now send in your themes. We need 5 themes to get us through from April - September. Jot it down now!
As soon as we start doing our discussions again, I shall be posting an official icon for those brewers out there who never get tired contributing their clever thoughts. And if you guys don't mind, I hope you could post that icon in your blogs in celebration of coffee break's rebirth!
It was an advise I so needed to hear as my husband said "You can only resume your coffee breaks if you're willing to allot time for it". For several months now, my coffee break sessions have been in hiatus. I have been getting messages from my frequent coffee drinkers asking when we'll have a new round of our sessions. I know, I kept saying the 4-letter word --- SOON. But how soon is soon?
A few revisions. Hotter topics. A new and exciting logo. The comeback of our coffee break sessions will just pop in your screens any moment. Abangan!
It was 19 degrees celsius yesterday, the coldest time of this year's holiday season. And while we all searched our closets, looking for our funkiest sweaters and jackets, Christmas carols could be heard from outside of our house.
Back in my mother's house, I remember my siblings and I make fun of carolers. Before giving them a small amount of money, we request songs for them to sing. And whenever they grant our requests, we joyfully sing with them. Of course the songs we would normally ask them to sing are the ones we know by heart, such as O Come All Ye Faithful and Silver Bells. If the carolers are the cute ones, we request them to sing the all-time favorite Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and my favorite Tagalog song --- Kumukutikutitap.
Everywhere we go, the spirit of Christmas is present. Children singing carols. The city filled with glowing lights and trinkets. Shopping malls offering their items in big discounts. People carrying a warmer than usual smile. Parties and reunions here and there. Bumper to bumper traffic.
We all have our own memories of Christmas, both the merry and the not so merry times. In this month of December, we will have feel-good coffee break conversations about Christmas. After all, this season is really the best time to feel joyful. Not because of the gifts we will be receiving. Not because of the parties we will be attending. Not because of the bonuses our pockets will be getting. Christmas is a joyful occasion because it is the time when we can reach out to people as we proclaim to the world the gift of having that child in the manger.
Credits: NBX_xmas tree
A warm hug. A child's shy smile. My favorite scent. A cold glass of water. My husband professing his love for me. A student calling out my name sweetly. A sincere text message from a friend. My favorite song played on my player. A sudden rush of inspiring dreams. A quiet time for praying.
Come to think of it. There are a million reasons for us to smile. And these reasons are the ones we almost always overlook. Most of the time, we only need the simplest things in life for us to wear that priceless smile.
Hello world! What a lovely morning this is! I received 2 good news. First, I got new funds in my paypal account. And second, our 13th month pay is reflected in our ATM payroll accounts today!
What's next? Christmas shopping! The other day, my husband and I were updating our Christmas Gift List. With a number of loved ones and a big group of friends and godchildren, Christmas shopping can truly be challenging. One has to consider several factors such as one's budget, the inflation rate and the personality of the gift-receiver. Whatever factors a gift-giver considers, what's important is for us to avoid the Christmas rush and enjoy the feeling of sharing one's blessings this holiday season. Merry Christmas blogmates!
There is something about Reality Shows that keeps me glued on the television. It must be the overwhelming display of emotions or the freudian slips that are evident in every episode. Every reality show is an opportunity for us to observe the human behavior. For school counselors like me, seeing these people be themselves on boob-tube is a lucky chance for us to understand human nature.
Beauty and the Geek. Survivor. The Ultimate Fighter. These are my favorite reality shows. What's on your list?
Yesterday, Barack Obama changed world history after being elected as the first African-American president of the US. Although I do not know him personally, I can bet all the money I have in my account that his monumental presidential win is by far, his most celebrated milestone in life.
A newly-grad's first paycheck. A brilliant idea. A warm hug from an orphan. A memo stating your promotion. A first paid blog post. Your exchange of wedding vows.
I can list down several events in my life which I consider milestones. But the very recent one, was the invitation I got to have an exhibit of my photos. Being a wannabe photographer who has no formal photography training, this exhibit which will be held in January 2009, will be a very significant moment of my life. This is my debut, a historical event in my life which I would be happy to document for our future children.
Credits: Anne Langpap_citrus freeze kit
A session with the Spirit Questors
PART 2
We all opened our eyes, looked here and there to make sure everyone was in the circle --- confirming nobody stood up to switch the toy pumpkin light on and off. It was also made clear to us that the cold and soft wind we felt did not come from the sealed windows. There were no fans or aircons turned on. And although it felt cold, I felt sweat dripping on my temples. The cold wind was obviously made by the entities we welcomed in our circle. And what kind of entities were they?
The head spirit questor tried to communicate with the entities. Take note --- entities, in plural form. There was a water fairy, fire fairy and a dark (most probably male) entity. The water fairy was said to be good, just roaming around the house --- lying on the bed beside the husband, playing with the fax machine, watching over the couple's 5 year-old son. Although she is a good one, her presence in the house should be felt less as she develops a close attachment to the child. The dark male entity is, well, a dark and violent one --- responsible for the broken glasses and giant muddy footsteps. The fire fairy slams the doors. This one, with the dark entity, creates and deepens the conflicts of the residents in the house. So why were they there? The head questor was told they were dwelling in the couple's home because of the arising tension everyday. The arguments, yelling, conflicts, violence --- the couple's married life that was getting weaker invited them to stay in the house. So what should be done?
The couple was advised to fill their home with a good family relationship. Less fighting. Less violence. More understanding for each other. More attention and nurturing for their children, especially the young son. These will keep the dark entity and the fire fairy away from the family. They were also told to put an aquarium in the living area, a part of the house where the water fairy frequently goes to. An aquarium, or any item with water on it (painting of a water falls) will attract the water fairy and lure her away from the young son. The spirit questors reminded the couple and the rest of the group to avoid creating portals for non-human entities. Portals are their doors to our world. Below are 3 portals we humans unknowingly create:
1. a room that is hardly used (storage room, attics)
2. mirrors facing each other
3. a mirror facing a painting of a living thing (plants, persons, animals)
4. strained family relationships
A month after that night, everything was surprisingly quiet in the couple's house. Up to this day, the aquarium is still in their living room. The mirrors in the bathroom were changed to abstract glass etchings. Our experience that night seemed unimagineable --- feeling the presence of non-human entities. I didn't even think they existed. It was both scary and risky. But it definitely was a night full of learning.
*We were told by the spirit questors to change clothes and take a cold bath as soon as we got home. According to them, there had been instances when entities they've encountered followed people who joined the circle. A cold bath was said to drive them away.
A session with the Spirit Questors
PART1
In 2001, I joined my sister and some friends for a paranormal session with spirit questors. These were 20-something individuals who have the psychic abilities to feel, see and speak to human and non-human entities from the other world.
Our location was in Valle Verde 5, a house my architect-sister built for a client. Ever since the owners of the house (a couple with 2 kids) had frequent arguments, they began experiencing weird things --- fax machine printing on its own, loud footsteps by the hallway, slamming door, broken plates, muddy 12ft sized footprints in the living area.
After a few reminders from the questors, I found myself seated with the group, hands held as we formed a circle on the 2nd floor hallway. We were asked to close our eyes, concentrate and focus on what the head questor was saying while we sat in total darkness. I remembered how it felt so humid as I opened my eyes, checking out if everyone was really seated in the circle. And we all were! I looked at each person asking myself why was I there --- was it going to be just a waste of my time? Then the head questor suddenly said "We can't communicate with the entities because someone from the group isn't focused enough". Knowing that I was the culprit, I closed my eyes and began focusing. And then it started to rain so hard outside. It began to feel cold in our circle with a light wind blowing on our skins. As we all turned around, we noticed the windows were all sealed. As a toy pumpkin's light started to turn on and off, puzzled and scared, we all knew the entity was in our circle.
To be continued...
Credits: Lliella Designs_burnt spice sampler
After a year and a half, my best buddies and I finally met each other again. The last time we were together was during my wedding. And boy, were we ecstatic to see one another again!
A bottle of beer each after a sumptuous dinner. So, what did we talk about while grabbing that San Mig Light? The never-ending "You remember back in High School when blah-blah-blah..." We don't get tired looking back at those days. We just can't help it. Whenever we're all together, those awkward moments we reminisce just leave us laughing all night!
Design Credits: Sueli Colbert_my moment kit , ShabbyPrincess_festival kit
Flashback. In 2003,I had this very interesting chat with Renz, my Kinder student in Claret School of Quezon City.
I was on my table, fixing some documents. The kids were having their recess in their usual playful and childlike mode. I was wearing a long face as I contemplated on my not so good lovelife. This was way before Gino and I became a couple.
Renz: Teacher Jan? (staring at me with a priceless smile)
Me: Yes Renz? (looking back at him)
Renz: Don't be sad. Things will be fine. (winking at me)
Me: Huh? (clueless on what he was saying)
Renz: Whatever problem you're thinking... it will be fine soon.
Me: Ooh... Thanks Renz. (I've never been this grateful before.)
Renz: Promise Teacher Jan. It will be okay. Smile now.
Without checking if I did, he left and went back to his friends while I went to the bathroom and let the tears roll down.
It's amazing how a 6-year old child can utter such words to a confused adult like me. Such genuine conversations are a treasure we hold on to.
Executive Clemency. Reprieve, absolute pardon, conditional pardon with or without parole conditions and commutation of sentence as may be granted by the President of the Philippines. -1987 Philippine Constitution
Much as I want to have a no-brainer coffee break for this week, GMA7's 24 Oras left me with a devastated heart last night. And their late night news Saksi showing Vicky Morales interviewing Mrs. Vivian Hultman on the phone roughly tore my heart into pieces.
The president granting executive clemency to Claudio Teehankee Jr. came as a bitter surprise for the Filipino nation. First, because it seemed abrupt. How could it have happened so soon? Second, because the family of the victims were not informed before hand about it. Secretary Ermita claims the Hultman's were notified about the posible pardon but Maureen Hultman's mom says otherwise. And third, because it appeared like the president used her power unfairly. With this, more Filipinos feel and believe that our Justice System is obviously bias and tainted.
His parents must have been so frustrated to see him the moment he came out of this world. Why? They named him Granada. What's wrong with the name? Because his last name is Sabug. Yeah blogosphere... Meet Granada Sabug.
Her parents must really love the Holiday Season. For all we know, a lot of monumental happenings in their lives might have transpired during Christmas. Or maybe they simply love the decorations during this season. Why? Because they named her Christmas Tree.
And so I did my research and these are the weirdest names I found on-line. Jack Pot. Bill Ding. Dick Sweat. Heaven Lee. Moe Lester. Booger Mountain North Carolina. Sexmoan Pampanga (now changed to Sasmuan). Vevherly from Survivor Philippines.
This post has no intention of insulting any person or place. If it has, my apologies. In behalf of my blogmates who will participate in this post, we simply wish to have a good laugh amidst all the financial crises the world is experiencing. Thus, the birth of this post.
Since I am preoccupied this week with stuff related to leadership (see related post), I think it is okay for me to bring that up as a topic in coffee break.
In high school, I remember my teachers always appointing me as a leader, be it in a group activity or as a class officer. Guess what I would do... Refuse the position being assigned to me. I just didn't like responsibilities. I wanted to be normal --- meaning, free to do what I want, unmindful of whatever people will think of me. To me, being a leader meant that you have to be a role-model. You have to be cautious of your words and actions because you are influential. You are the motivator and inspiration. And back then, I didn't want to be one.
Up to this age, I would still try to run away from leadership tasks. This time though, I simply cannot. Gone are the days when I can sweet talk my teachers to spare me the role. Now, I realize that there will come a time in a person's life that we really have to step up and play certain leadership roles. I say certain because I believe that we are all leaders in our own ways. The only difference is that some people are born leaders while others are made. And I think I fall in the latter.
Macgyver. Individuals from my generation would surely know him. I mean, who could ever forget him. The street-smart guy who has the ability to do whatever needs to be done with barely nothing at all. His ultimate secret? His awesome creativity in making something out of what's available. Clever indeed. That's Macgyver, the guy who could make a bomb out of toothpicks and a can of soda.
While watching Fox Crime in cable the other night, a commercial was shown and I just couldn't believe what I was looking at! Re-runs of Macgyver in another cable channel! What a surprise! Now that brought me back to memory lane.
By now, because of what happened to my father, the blogosphere knows and have proven the enormous power of prayers. At this moment, Papa has been transferred to another room, safe from harm and away from ICU. Again, my sincerest thank you to everyone who prayed with me and my family!
With that, I think it is but timely for us to talk about the power of prayer. I am sure, whatever your religion is, you have your own story to share on how your life has been changed because you called out to Him.
Believe it or not, I just finished texting everyone in my phonebook their very first Christmas greeting! Why not... It's only 115 days before Jesus is born! And it really is something to look forward to, despite every bad thing we see whenever we watch the news. And my husband is so excited too! On his part, he started playing Christmas carols already!
Christmas tree. Lanterns. Simbang gabi. Holiday shopping. Bibingka. Red cardigan. Josh Groban singing Holy Night. Forgiveness. Love. These are the things I love most about Christmas.
I got in late for work today. My 7 precious minutes wasted on the darn traffic jam. Although I alloted 20 minutes travel time, it was of no use because traffic really is getting worse in our area. And in the middle of the noisy vehicles, I was there frowning as I welcomed with cold open arms my furious temper.
I told myself the minute I stepped in my office, that I'll try to keep myself busy the next time I'm caught up in traffic. And then a big question popped out of my upset mind... just how in the world shall I do that?
