power of sleep

‘’Following stroke, patients may be faced with occupational dysfunction. Occupational performance capacity may become impaired, impacting on their physical, cognitive and psychosocial capacity to adapt to effectively meet the demands of and engage in their usual occupations, thus impinging on their occupational identity, health and well-being.’’ (Occupational Therapy and Stroke, Second Edition, Edited by Judi Edmans).

To hear or simply read such lines from the expert simplifies a thing. Whatever way one puts it. It spells restraint. Because of the incapacitation on everything, tears came running down my cheeks again. It went down together with my hopes and dreams. Depressed and felt fallen apart, I resorted to my last known solution to these; although temporary, it felt good, I slept.

It does not solve anything but waking up gave me a new perspective on how to face this dilemma.

How I wish it was all a dream

Those things may not be as it seems

New life and hope I guess

Nothing but me in a dress

Though wrecked, everything new

All turned alternately black and blue

Left me with sanity and needed wisdom

To lift myself and carry all along

Telling me please don’t bother

Asking or look in another

Or tell me what it is all about

All I can say is: I’m down, but definitely not out!

''K'' - Pop

Further to a dear friend’s imminent request, we now visit Korea. Their culture is very rich and different pessimistic and humane manner.

Language:

How do you say 'hello' in Korean?

‘’Annyeong haseyo’’. Annyeong haseyo is a greeting used any time of day and translates, "Are you at peace?"; 'Gomapseumnida' means 'thank-you'; 'Eodi' means 'where', and a 'Bang' (pronouce to rhyme with 'long') is a room. You can go to a 'DVD Bang' to watch movies, a 'PC Bang' to play video games, or a 'Nori Bang' to karaoke.

Table manners:

 You are out to dinner with your co-workers and boss. As you are eating some delicious fish you realize that the bite you just took contains quite a few bones. To be polite you should spit them out on the table. That's right- spitting on the table is the accepted way of getting something out of your mouth.

 Which of the following would most likely happen at a typical Korean meal?

'Double dipping'. When eating Korean style you will not have a plate for your food. While you will receive your own rice and soup bowls, everything else is served and eaten out of community serving dishes.  Also, while water may be provided at the table in a container, it is not usually served with the meal. Drinking is saved for after the meal.  After the meal you will be offered coffee or green tea.

As in most Asian countries, rice is an important part of the South Korean diet. How often do most Korean people eat rice? Every day. Rice is eaten every day and is usually served with every meal. There is a saying that the meal is not finished until you eat rice.

What is kimchi? Fermented vegetables. Kimchi is very tasty and usually very spicy. It is made from a variety of vegetables such as radishes or Chinese cabbage. The vegetables are salted and then seasoned with a variety of spices and stored in sealed containers to undergo lactic acid fermentation. Don't be surprised if you are served kimchi at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On the street:

Car ownership has jumped almost 40 percent in the last 10 years which works out to millions of new drivers. Needless to say, accidents are very common and auto repair shops do a very lucrative business. Public transportation (bus, train, taxi) is also very popular, efficient and best of all cheap!

What will happen to you if a policeman sees you spitting on the street in Korea?

Nothing. Young or old, the Koreans have no problems and actually seem to relish making the loud 'hhuucchhhkkk' noise and then spitting wherever they happen to be.

What should you say and do if you bump into someone?

You don't have to say anything, bumping isn't considered rude. Saying 'excuse me' is right with an additional saying of 'God bless you'.

Religion:

Buddhism. Christianity and Shamanism are both found in Korea but are not nearly as prevalent as Buddhism. In Korea, if you see what looks like a swastika on a building, it is a Buddhist temple. It is a bit disquieting at first, but the swastika doesn't have the same connotation that it does in the West. In Korea, it is associated with the peace and harmony of Buddhism. You will always see it on temples or on stores that sell Buddhist goods. People will even display it on their houses for good luck. The symbols are not in fact identical, as the "arms" of the Buddhist symbol point in the opposite direction from the Nazi swastika.

Many countries have 'nicknames' that we recognize. For example, Japan is called 'The Land of the Rising Sun'. Which of the following is Korea's nickname?

'The Land of the Morning Calm'. 

Oddities

And some odd facts for your perusal.  Bizarre truths that could harness the weather.

 When Albert Einstein died, his final words died with him. The nurse at his side didn't understand German.

 St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was not Irish.

 A South African monkey was once awarded a medal and promoted to the rank of corporal during World War I.

 The Toltecs, Seventh-century native Mexicans, went into battle with wooden swords so as not to kill their enemies.

 China banned the pigtail in 1911 as it was seen as a symbol of feudalism.

 Before it was stopped by the British, it was the not uncommon for women in some areas of India to choose to be burnt alive on their husband's funeral pyre.

 Before the Second World War, it was considered a sacrilege to even touch an Emperor of Japan.

 Ancient drinkers warded off the devil by clinking their cups

 The Nobel Prize resulted form a late change in the will of Alfred Nobel, who did not want to be remembered after his death as a propagator of violence - he invented dynamite.

 Coffee is the second largest item of international commerce in the world. The largest is petrol.

 King George III was declared violently insane in 1811, 9 years before he died.

 When George I became King of England in 1714, his wife did not become Queen. He placed her under house arrest for 32 years.

 The magic word "Abracadabra" was originally intended for the specific purpose of curing hay fever.

 Catherine the First of Russia, made a rule that no man was allowed to get drunk at one of her parties before nine o'clock.

 Queen Elizabeth I passed a law which forced everyone except for the rich to wear a flat cap on Sundays.

 At the age of 12, Martin Luther King became so depressed he tried committing suicide twice, by jumping out of his bedroom window.

 It is illegal to be a prostitute in Siena, Italy, if your name is Mary.

 The Turk's consider it considered unlucky to step on a piece of bread.

 The authorities do not allow tourists to take pictures of Pygmies in Zambia.

 The Dutch in general prefer their french fries with mayonnaise.

 Hindus don't like dying in bed, they prefer to die beside a river.

 Sir Winston Churchill rationed himself to 15 cigars a day.

 The childrens' nursery rhyme 'Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses' actually refers to the Black Death which killed about 30 million people in the fourteenth-century.

 During the reign of Elizabeth I, there was a tax put on men's beards.

 Some Eskimos have been known to use refrigerators to keep their food from freezing.

 It is illegal to play tennis in the streets of Cambridge.

Inspired burst...

I’ve recently scourged the web and I was able to pick a few yet inspiring words of wisdom that could somehow subjectify our existence. Here are those:

It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.

-Eckhart Tolle

It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.

- Lena Horne

Peace of mind is not the absence of conflict from life, but the ability to cope with it.

- Unknown

Life is the sum of all your choices.

-Albert Camus

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

- Mahatma Gandhi

It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.

-Proverb

Silence is a source of great strength.

-Lao Tzu

You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

-Jon Kabat-Zinn

To live is to be willing to die over and over again.

-Pema Chodron

Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.

-Unknown

Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.

-Unknown

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.

-Hardy D. Jackson

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

-E.E. Cummings

We all have problems. The way we solve them is what makes us different.

-Unknown

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.

-Paul Boese

Whenever something negative happens to you, there is a deep lesson concealed within it.

-Eckhart Tolle

What matters is the value we’ve created in our lives, the people we’ve made happy and how much we’ve grown as people.

-Daisaku Ikeda

The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.

-Robert M. Pirsig

Think like a man of action; act like a man of thought.

-Henri L. Bergson

Joanne

I would not dwell on where she got her looks and her intelligence. Everything came from her mom. Among them siblings, she was the hardest to come out of her mom’s womb. Her delivery was a heart-stopper to me as her mom’s blood pressure went down. But God showed me two things after that incident. He showed me to love more my family and to be thankful for this wonderful child He has given me. I admit that I fell short in achieving the first one but being thankful for this ever so-sweet, talkative, ‘hungry’ and gorgeous young girl is an achievement for me.

Again, tons of regret is what I feel now. I know soon that they’ll leave me. Her smile and our laughter together will soon be just vivid memories. Her kiss and warm embrace will soon fade but her daughterly care will forever made my heart.

Janus

I consider him to be the ‘’mini me’’. From the physical up to the emotional aspect, God must given up and got tired of where else to procure such feature to suit this creation of His that’s why He chose me.

Being a father to him is quite a job for me because it’s like looking everytime through a glass mirror. I cannot help but laugh at myself each moment I’m confronted by my childhood tantrums with his mere presence. An experience with his raw existence is more like having a chat with me. Jolly and quite emotional are among those traits we share.

I am likewise thankful for him for he somehow shows obedience, fear of God and his selfless care to others. I just hope that time could turn back its hands so that I could mentor him more the values and importance of living for yourself and for others as well.  

MySQL

Amongst every available Open Source database in the market today, MySQL (pronounced locally as “my sequel”), is far the most popular.  MySQL is a brainchild of the commercial company called MySQL AB.  They are the ones who are in charge of the developing, distributing and supporting this database management system.

And for those who have just logged in and definitely has no idea of what this is all about, a database is an organized and structured collection of data placed or stored in a computer.  These stored sets of information are systematized and are arranged through the help of a database, so a user can easily search on a more organized and systematized number of data in a fast way.  A vivid example of a database is that system used on servers that are connected to your office computer or to those in your rented PCs at your nearest internet café.  Your favorite search engines on the internet use these kinds of database.  The ever popular You-Tube and Windows utilizes the same system.

The next query that comes to mind is what does this popular database system MySQL can do?

About the server, since the MySQL server stores data and information in a unique way -data is being kept on systematized tables that are uniquely separate from each other - a complete “get-away” from the old-fashioned task of just dumping and storing all the bulk data into one big frame.  By doing such, MySQL promotes and adds more speed because of its accessibility and the flexibility it provides.  With the MySQL server at hand, it further offers faster connectivity, reliability and security as it has over the years, developed to be more viable to data handling to the ever increasing and continuous demandable environment that lauds for much larger database storage.

MySQL

The software comes next. The MySQL database software is an Open Source type, which means that the software can be modified and used by anyone.  According to sources, MySQL database software can easily be downloaded free from the internet.  Once the downloading is done, one can easily modify or change it to whatever that suits the need.  Additionally, MySQL database software offers a system that supports various programs and tools that enables the server to set-up a faster and easier to manage database product.

As a result, this breakthrough in database technology has given everyone-from developers to the simple users- a relief and a promise.  A relief since MySQL has saved the day being the more advantageous and reliable database that we all can count on using.  A promise because the trend in database technology posts a more challenging role to MySQL’s developers into perfecting the database system amidst the demands of our modern world.

Hell...no!

When I was a kid, my mother, as well as my granny always remind me to be good at all times.  Just like any of us, it’s a universal idea or a global mindset to always do good deeds to others.  Doing so will definitely give us rewards in the end.  Doing otherwise will solicit a very unnatural to the way things work in this world.  To some, there exist places for people to go depending on his acts (whether good or bad) when still living.  To some, it is just a mere collective idea of having to pay the consequences of your actions when you were still alive (considering that you already dead, I mean).  Although millions of information have come out in the past decades; tons of discourses, debates, various sides of the coin have been presented, ancient and modern ideas considered, that place that we all once knew to be the where the “dark side” is still uncertain up to know.  Aside from heaven, it is the place called Hell that I would like to consider giving thoughts about.

Accept it.  The mere mention or utterance of the word Hell gives us the chills in a way or another.  The word connotes the extreme side of good – bad.  So bad it is sometimes referred to as a curse. Most of us get frightened, afraid or worried upon hearing this word.  But what is it, by the way?  Different religions are the ones who talks about it extensively and to think that they are also the same groups that argue much about it most of the time.  As much as we don’t want any of these arguments roving around, we’ll discuss their different and unique versions of Hell.  Though it may seem a serious topic, touching them on a lighter and on a simpler method won’t send us directly to hell, would we?

The “wikis” that we have on the internet explains and defines hell in the religious context.  They further said that hell is some existing place that a person goes to after life.  Not unlike any other place, hell is one that is a place of suffering.  It is often construed that the amount or intensity of sufferings made in this place purely relies on the sins that a person committed when he was alive.  But anyways, to be discussed below are the concepts or versions of Hell as seen from different religions.

Hell in Christianity’s eyes.  It is considered as the most well-talked and probably the most well-believed and accepted notion of hell.  Christians firmly believe that there are certain places that a person goes after death and hell is basically one of them.  Hell is a place for sufferings.  It is where you suffer as a consequence for all the sins you’ve made when you were alive.  In the Christian Bible, the teachings and ideas of hell’s existence are mostly found on the New Testament.  Further, it is described on the New Testament using Greek words such as “Tartarus” and “Gehenna”.  “Tartarus” in Greek mythology is referred to as a deep, sad and dark place used as a dungeon to those who are suffering beneath the “underworld”.  Gehenna on the other hand, is a Jewish term which is equivalent to Christianity’s hell (will be discussed later).  It is in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Luke, John & Mark) that hell is mostly discussed.  A picture of hell is drawn as a place of darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mark 9: 43-49).  Aside from these gospels, hell is later described in the New Testament as a place that has something to do with death, judgment, condemnation, wrath, destruction, never ending fire and eternal damnation.  (Now that’s a place nobody would want to be into, I suppose!)  The New Testament also made mention of the Greek word Hades, which has also something to do with Hell.  It was described as some place where punishments are made in a lake of fire.  Christians firmly and strongly believe on the notion that a person will definitely go to hell (such, is the curse) and pay to suffer eternally for the sins he has committed.  The Catholic’s highest priest, the Pope (specifically Pope John Paul II) simply described and pictured hell as a place that is empty and sad.  In a more simplified way, it is a place where the presence of God is nowhere to be found. 

Protestantism traditions and practices tell that Hell is a God-created place where devils and fallen angels are punished.  Hell is also the place to go to people who were not listed or written in the book of life.  It’s a place for those who are not credited with salvation.  Protestants also believed that the people in hell will receive eternal suffering come the Final Judgment.  (Get in line folks and have your reservations…)

The Seventh-day Adventists are not that brutal in nature.  They depict that a person who has just died undergoes the process of deep sleep and it is on Jesus Christ’s second coming that souls of those “sleeping” will be called.  It is the sinners that will suffer and eventually destroyed by eternal fire together with Satan here on Earth.  Their belief in the existence of hell is not that clear, but instead of the sufferings of the wicked and the sinners.

Islam’s Jahannam.  It is the Islamic equivalent to Hell.  The Qur’an (Muslim’s Bible equivalent) further describes it as one of the places where one goes to and it is only God (Allah) who knows who will go to Jahannam or to Janah (Paradise for them).  It is in Jahannam where non-believers or those who only pretend to believe in Allah will go.  Jahhannam is also, according to Muslims, the place for the unfaithful ones.  Because of their unfaithfulness, it is in Jahannam that they will be punished.  However, the Muslims further believe that those who are in Jahannam will eventually be forgiven.  Exemptions on forgiveness are also available in Jahannam as those Muslims who committed shrik (Polytheism – having more Gods than Allah, in Muslim’s terms), will be condemned to stay eternally at Jahannam (that’s free of charge, free use of amenities, complimentary drinks and free breakfasts).

Islam’s idea of suffering for the consequences of one’s sins as well as its concept of Hell is quite different.  They believed that Hell is divided into different levels.  Each level is divided in manner that the same are based on the sins or actions one has done in his life.  And the manner of punishment in these levels would depend on how “bad” you were before.  (It’s time to be good guys!)

It is universally and generally presumed that Hell is some place that really hot.   A Jahannam version is hell quite different.  It a deep place, according to the other Islamic traditions where extreme coldness can be felt.  If you happen to have committed a crime or a sin against God, and also happen to like ice creams and brain freezes, then Zamhareer is the place to be.  It is known to have snows, blizzards, eternal ice and coldness that no one could endure.  (Anyways, better get those fur coats ready…)  The lowest level of Hell for Muslims is the Hawiyah.  In this level, you will find hypocrites, two-faced practitioners of the religion and those half-hearted believers of Allah.

Not to be spared and set aside are those beliefs from our religious practitioners from the East.

The Buddhistic view.  The concept of hell for the Buddhist religion (Buddhism) is best envisioned in the word Naraka.  Religious experts say that Buddhism’s Naraka is entirely different from the western religious concepts of hell.  Naraka differs in two aspects.  Firstly, one does not go to Naraka as a consequence, a punishment or a verdict on a certain judgment.  Secondly, a stay or visit in Naraka is not eternal.  In Buddhism, Naraka is the lowest level of the realms of rebirth. Apart from these rebirth realms, there also exist hell realms.  The lowest in these hell realms is the Avici.  Sins committed against Buddha are believed to come from Avici which means endless suffering.  According to Buddhist practitioners, a being or a person is placed in Naraka as a result of previous karma (actions of the person).  The Naraka dwelled person will stay there until his karma attains its full result.  Upon achieving this, a person will be reborn to another realm of unfinished or unachieved karma in his life.  In reality and in a more common way of explaining, being into a state or realm of hell is, to Buddhism, is the experiencing of extreme fear and anguish.

In Hindu’s eyes.  Hinduism, much like the Buddhists, also shares the concept of Naraka in some ways or another.  Hell to them is also Naraka or a low spiritual world.  They further adhere to the notion that it is through this lower world that spirits are judged.  And just like in the western concepts, a person goes to hell and is punished for the sins he committed.  Hindu Scriptures such as the Puranas clearly accounts Hindu’s hell as some court that is presided by the god of death, Yamaraj.  A sidekick of him is present and is the one responsible for the safekeeping of detailed accounts of the sins committed- Chitragupta (I never knew they were so, organized!).  Sinners are punished according to the judgment made by Yamaraj.  Punishments are either torture using weapons, dipping in boiling oil, burning in fire, etc. (Did I mentioned that reading this article is also one of the punishments?)

Taoism.  For Taoists, they don’t really embrace much on the idea of Hell.  In many ways than one, Taoists believe that hell exist when humans are punished as a result of a wrongdoing or sins committed.  This is the notion of Karma for them.

Whatever we believed or conceived it to be, may it be a place, a realm, a hot or cold world beyond, it is for sure Hell as it is and obviously don’t want to be in it.  Generally, it would definitely be a no-no for us if invited there.  And I further presume this global idea that doing what you think is good for yourself especially for others even on your own humble way, is a step farther away from the idea of having to suffer eternally in Hell.  (That’s one hell of a piece, isn’t it?)    

Once upon a time in China…

We are always fascinated with the various and diversified cultures of a certain country.  It is always interesting to trace its roots and follow the path of its growth development along with time and the country’s distinct way of preserving the richness and the antiqueness of their culture.  These are considered as among the highlighted treasures and global distinction a particular country carries.

Moving towards the world map’s Eastern section is a place of such.  It is considered to possess of what is considered to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world.  This country comes zooming into mind when being “ancient” is the topic.  So ancient, its civilization is considered also to be one of the most populated countries in the world.  The gunpowder, paper, compass and printing are some of its great contributions to mankind.  We’re talking here of nothing else but the country China.

I.  Location and Geography.  To give you a clear picture of where China really is, it is that place located in the Eastern Asia.  The bodies of water surrounding or bordering it are the East China Sea, the Korea Bay, the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea.  It is between its neighboring countries North Korea and Vietnam.  China is considered as the third largest country in the world (the former USSR and Canada are on the top most) and the largest in Asia.  China’s actual claimed area is 9,596,960 sq km! (This includes Taiwan as their province).  The area China covers is a bit larger compared to that of the United States.  China’s capital city, Beijing is located at the upper eastern part of the country.  And because of its extreme amount of area coverage, it is likewise very rich in natural resources that include mountains, deserts and river basins that are fertile.  China’s western part is mostly composed of mountain ranges such as the Himalaya, Pamir and Tian.  The northern side of China is well known for its “Wan-Li Qang-Qeng” or otherwise known as the Great Wall of China which was built during the Qin Dynasty in between 221-206 B.C. to protect China against invaders.  Said man-made structure was before measured to be 6,000 miles long. 

Although China has been under its government’s economic development undertakings over the years, much of people living there are still living in poverty.  With its ancient culture being intact and preserved, it is not surprising that majority of their source of living comes from farming and fishing as well.  Apart from these, China also has an abundant amount of natural resources such as gold, coal, zinc, copper and is also known to have a considerable oil deposits.

  

II.  History. – When it comes to history, China has probably the oldest because it is considered as one of the “pillars” or centers of human civilization.  Dr. Indiana Jones would further agree that his fellow archaeologists then that the early inhabitants of China, or maybe of the Earth, was found inside one of China’s cave.  The unearthed fossil was recorded to be approximately 300,000 to 550,000 years old. (Now, that is really old!) It is what our history books back in school use to mention – the Peking Man.  They were China’s first dwellers and were known to be the human beings who first used fire.

Since then, China was mostly ruled by various Emperors along with their dynasties.  Ancient Chinese history comprises the commencing rule of the “Three Sovereign Ones and Five Emperors” to the last Eastern Zhou Dynasty.  The Imperial era in Chinese history began with the ruling of the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

China’s years during the1200’s were under Mongolia’s occupation.  The first foreigners who were able to conquer and rule China were led by the historical Mongolian figure Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan.  He then likewise established the Yuan dynasty.

1900’s were more trying times for the Chinese people as they decided to end the rule of dynasties by establishing the Republic of China.  Its establishment brought about various political problems in the nation that led to political actions that lasted and became a significant part of World War II (Sino-Japanese War).  These battles between political factions led to another uprising which led to the Chinese Civil War and eventually to the communist’s control of the country.  In 1949, the communists led by Mao Zedong established the People’s Republic of China and headed the same.  Forces from the Republic of China were forced to move up to Taiwan.  And since then, the last of the Chinese Civil Wars have politically divided China into two entities: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan – Republic of China (ROC).

III.  Interesting facts you might need to know.  Below are some specific Chinese facts worth noting:

• With so large an area and so old its history, China’s number of listed languages totals to about 206;

• As considered one of the oldest civilizations, China is also distinct as having its own ancient writing script;

• An average Chinese only get to learn 5,000 of the 20,000 characters in the Chinese language in his lifetime;

• The missing link between the dinosaurs and the birds was found in China as provinces like Sichuan and Dashanpu have given Dr. Indy and friends over 1000 fossils of dinosaurs;

• The Tang Dynasty was ruled by an empress, Empress Wu; and,

• The oldest known calendar belonged to the Chinese.  It is based on the Lunar Cycle.  A complete cycle would actually take 60 years to finish;  

• The world’s largest dam is in China, The Three Gorges Dam; and,

• Looking for a place to party with all of your friends?  Try China’s Tienanmen Square – the world’s largest public gathering place.

IV. … and more Chinese facts and interesting information…

• Tree hugging in China is strictly forbidden;

• A Chinese rural sport in some of its areas is fast becoming rare in its urban places - spitting 

• “Taikonauts” are best known as Chinese Astronauts 

• An ancient Chinese pickled fish sauce was the roots of your favorite condiment.  The Chinese called it “ke-tsiap”. (‘Wanna guess?);

• The chopsticks that we use in Chinese restaurants originated from and were used by the Chinese people approximately 4,000 years ago of course, in China;  

• The soldiers who then guarded the Great Wall never really left their posts in their entire lives (A true and dedicated one…);

• China is also known for its soft silks.  These silks and its whereabouts were kept secret for two thousand years.  It was a guarded secret then that anyone who is caught giving the secret could be murdered (ssshhhh…); 

• They are truly man’s best friend. Pekingese dogs were considered sacred by Chinese Emperors for more than two thousand years (is it the dog, or the god? Try spelling it backwards); 

• Consider it an international flight when you fly from Hong Kong to China;

• China is home to about 30 million Muslims;

• Aside from fireworks, the Chinese then also had other use for gunpowder. They also used them for guns (obviously), land mines, grenades, rockets and stealth bombers (the last one is not included…sorry);

• The plants that grow in China are very useful.  20% of them are used in medicine.  And that varieties (150) of these Chinese herbs are used in treating infertility (which brings us to the next fact….); 

• A minute in is equivalent to 34 babies born in China (Now that’s a real explosion!);

• With over 870 million speakers, the Mandarin Chinese is the world’s most spoken language (qīng chu?);

• There was one time in china that all Disney characters were banned for 40 years. (Poor Mickey!);

• Disney’s “Mulan” and its roots have long been told in China approximately 1,500 years ago;

• As if there’s something between China and Disney…It was then believed that “Cinderella” originated from China and not from Disney’s;

• The CSi guys may be amazed by the fact that the fingerprinting was first used in China in 700 A.D.;

• Packing a rice mixture and soft milk in the snow really made wonders for the Chinese around 2000 BC.  It later became our favorite ice cream;

• The world takes pride on China as it is considered the largest apple producer in the world above US;

• According to registry statistics, China has about 200 diverse family names;

• Wars in China before consisted of flying kites.  They used kites mainly for war purposes only during those times; 

• Do you know China employs one of the odd jobs in the world? Apologizers;

• A governor of China then was born with two pupils…in each eye;

• Engineering is fast becoming the best academic course in China as they produce 70,000 Engineers yearly;

• An internet café would be the best business opportunity as there are 100 million internet users in China;  

• But unfortunately, these millions of internet users can’t access the BBC News site; and,

• One of my favorites…“May you live in interesting times.” (Considered as a Chinese curse).

你喜欢读的希望! (Hope you enjoyed reading!)

  

RJ

He was always one of my buddies. Though he was regarded as the naughty and bad one, his sweetness and his subjectivity overpowers those negative traits. Partly, everything he is now was because of my imperfect upbringing. The flaws exhibited were the times were unattended and unguarded. I thank the heavens for giving me a blessing just like my son and I just hope that he sees and realize my real situation.

Young and carefree as he maybe but I know that he has the sense of responsibility. I’m hoping the cloud of anger of his on me will soon be cleared away together with the winds of time. And wherever it leads us as father and son, I’ll still treat him as a dear one. As one of my buddies.  

   

Tips on Shifting Careers

The presence of global modernization and fast-track technology, there’s a demanding requirement for people to adjust, modify and enhance their lives. Multi-tasking is an abused word used by people to cope up with their complicated standards. As these various factors multiply, gradual downfall of economy, increase in demand and recession are happening. These further leaves the working class of society grasp and fight for decent living. To shift one’s career is an alternative solution to at least, alleviate the predicament. Randomly, hereunder are some tips to consider in shifting careers:

·         Study – it is essential to study first the nature and scope of the targeted career. To study it gives a more vivid and assumed look and the pros and cons in entering or venturing into one. Analyzing on what the new considered career will do in the next years and the inclusion of the possibility of growth or can this new step be able to draw direct dedication or to some, a cause of financial downfall under certain unavoidable circumstances. It’s always best to do some case study. An objective look on same persons as canvasses in seeing a larger career picture. Plunging on it immediately does not do any good.

·         Asses – after much study, pervasion of the one in need of change follows. Meticulous assertion of personality and things that needs improvement, modification and outmost attention are important.  Realizing the demands of this career shift, it is a must to know what are the things that can and cannot be offered. The primary considerations such as the amount of talent, time and other relevant factors. These things may look simple, but it maybe liabilities in the end.

·         Take risks – the decision alone to shift careers is a big risk. Development and growth of an individual sometimes has their roots of taking risk. Deal with those willingly and with no trace of hesitation. Opportunities of these nature comes and knocks only once so taking a gamble would warrant more confidence and respect from others. Taking a huge new step in career is really a risk but promises great rewards in the end if handled correctly.

·         Handle mistakes – reality can be euphoric and this is impossible without the expected stumbles and miscues in the shift in career especially in trying them out. Being ready and able to handle them professionally gives great recognition on the work being newly done. Correcting and overcoming those career obstacles develops confidence as well as the will-power to act under pressure.

Being fully equipped with all the requisites and the tips mentioned wholeheartedly absorbed, guarantees that much needed success. It enables one be competitive enough to face the fast and demanding world of career makers. By doing those mentioned, career shift will be a stroll in the park for it leaves a mark of independence and assertiveness in the chosen new endeavour. People will be more up to the challenges in shifting careers as these useful tips can manoeuvre its way out of any possibilities of career downfall or slump.  

The Judges

There was once a time that San Beda College were home to us, the self proclaimed ''Judges’’.

The Judges

Together as classmates, we unchoked the hardships of college life as we played along serious academic challenge with the right amount of ‘coolness’ in every hard fought situation. I remember entering our room and all of our classmates’ heads were neither staring upwards blankly nor gazing downwards at their notes. They were all studying for the quiz later. Looked ridiculed, the Judges just smiled and went on with nothing as if a carefree life awaits us.

This kind of brotherhood went on until now. We may not even be the Judges as we planned to be but we are self-made one’s who’s eager to extend a hand or crack a joke to those who are in need. Convention and proper quorum may be rare but the spirit of friendship stays...with or without a bottle of beer.   

Love and be loved

In this rather gruesome yet inviting weather, I am again strained by my cold and stroked senses to engage more on the subject which everybody is so fond about, age and sex defies, and the thing that unites us all – love.

It comes in different ways, expressed in various ways, shared, given and taken. To some, it means more than life. To some, it means everything. But others take the opportunity of it being generalized and broad that it sometimes loses its intended meaning or purpose.

I have loved, experienced it, given it reluctantly without any ifs or buts, and to some extent, regretted having given it. But deep inside me is crushing that guilt feeling because what I gave was true. True to the fact that it has no conditions. Sad to say that the unconditional love I gave wounded me. God knows how I have loved and I want to be, sinful as I am, like Him.