Sightings...

Cocoa, Tea, and Coffee

The three associated beverages, cocoa, tea, and coffee are known to the French as aromatic drinks. Each of these has its characteristic aroma. The fragrance and flavor are so marked that they cannot be imitated by any artificial products, although numerous attempts have been made in regard to all three. Hence the detection of adulteration is not a difficult matter.

Designing persons, aware of the extreme difficulty of imitating these substances, have undertaken to employ lower grades, and, by manipulation, copy, as far as may be, the higher sorts. Everyone knows how readily tea, and coffee, for that matter, will take up odors and flavors from substances placed near them. This is abundantly exemplified in the country grocery or general store, where the teas and coffees share in the pervasive fragrance of the cheese and kerosene. But perhaps it is not so widely understood that some of these very teas and coffees had been artificially flavored or corrected before they reached their destination.

[source: Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes and Home Made Candy Recipes]

Beer

Since Oktoberfest is just right around the corner, here’s something to booze you up...

Beer, surely, is a gift of God, one that brings together yeast and vegetation (in the shape of barley and hops) in a drink that has been enjoyed for 8,000 years, a beverage that has soothed fevered brows, nourished the hungry, and coupled friendly and unfriendly alike—it’s even seen men off into battle. “No soldier can fight unless he is properly fed on beef and beer,” said John Churchill, the first duke of Marlborough (1650–1722), a great British tactician and a forebear of the even more celebrated Winston.

Queen Victoria (1819–1901) was another who recognized the merit of beer: “Give my people plenty of beer, good beer and cheap beer, and you will have no revolution among them.” With these sentiments, the redoubtable monarch echoed the enthusiasm of the Athenian tragedian Euripides (484 – 406 BC):

The man that isn’t jolly after drinking

Is just a driveling idiot, to my thinking.

Cheers!!!

[source: Tap Into the Art and Science of Brewing]

DIET

A "diet" could be defined as any temporary change in your eating behavior to help you lose weight. This entire concept is flawed. When you say you are “going on a diet” the implication is that it’s temporary and at some point you’re going to have to “go off” the diet. This is not a program that you go on and off. The only way you'll ever lose fat and keep it off permanently is to adopt new habits and keep them for life.

Initially, your new dietary and exercise disciplines may feel uncomfortable. Sticking with them will take some effort in the early stages. After a short adjustment period, you will discover that it gets easier until eventually your new behaviors become deeply entrenched into your daily routine like grooves in a record. Your new habits will become as much a part of your daily routine as taking a shower, brushing your teeth or going to work. Your positive new habits will become a part of your lifestyle.

Go ahead...puff

If you smoke:

·         You will be twelve times more likely to die from lung cancer.

·       You will be ten times more likely to die from some form of lung disease.

·         You will be ten times more likely to die from cancer of the larynx.

·         You will be six times more likely to die of heart disease.

·         You will be twice as likely to die of a stroke.

Now let’s just think for one short moment: wouldn’t it be very important for you to increase your chances of living from two to twelve times longer, gain many extra years of happy, healthy existence, and save thousands of dollars in increased medical costs? Another overlooked benefit is the amount of money saved by not buying cigarettes in the first place.

[source: HOW TO STOP SMOKING FOREVER]

I wish...

Is it normal to aspire, dream or fantasize once in a while? Having to imagine yourself living a totally different life or maybe dreaming the life of somebody else’s is a part of it. These idealistic views of ours are sometimes too good to be right, in a more subtle manner. They are sometimes believed to go overboard. It loses its intent and purpose.

Some resort to idolatry and other unexplainable things. Drastic measures are also accounted to these abuse of our ability and as well as our strengths. We unwelcome the possibility of change in a positive way. Its intent to inspire, move and change us is just left lurking around like nonsense purpose.

Let our dreams inspire in better way. Let it stand as a purpose for us to advance and reach a goal in life. May they challenge us to do more good. My perception of a dream serves as an inspiration.

Status

STATUS

Pre-arranged reality

That’s where I live at

Everyday delusions

Disarranged chats

Cold and dimly lighted alley

Far more than usual

Least expected of

Than ordinary usual

Tears are tired

Of the overbearing pressure

Have all dried up

So desperate of these measure

Brass full of stains

Discoloured to the grain

Winds may have caused

Precious gems to fall

At least, there are some

Those are left let them come

Mediocre they may seem

They all fill my dreams

Though I’m unable

Perceived as unstable

I still do surely exist

Thinking I can’t desist

I guess I’ll be staying

And in sleep, I’ll be dreaming

And wish to again be

Go back to the normal me

Follow the heart

Allowing ourselves to at times, perceive a right thing or a wrong thing as the suitable move which in turn, results in the other way, is inevitable. Our own perception and foresight of things makes us do them. Even the rightful power of the conscience steps in and takes charge. Ego or pride is sometimes the culprit. With what others may think or say can be a factor in making or doing what is needed to be done. More frequent than not, we act though the great influence of our hearts.

Our hearts, or our feelings, must be included always in our perception of what is right or wrong. Mistakes along paths are admissible, for it is within them that we are realized and reminded that what we did was right or wrong.

Try to double check to be sure that you are doing what is needed follow what your heart says.

Hunger

I have been given by a friend of mine an idea, an aching truth and a mere perception of reality. It is the reality that the world today starves. Demands continue to pile up as supplies rummages. The hunger issue everywhere continues to escalate at an alarming stage as we see children die of famine, communities and states wage war on this bewildering event.

That is why everyone is painfully swallowing the reality that the quality and quantity of food doesn’t matter anymore. Nowadays, having ‘something’ to eat is a great blessing in which we should be thankful for. Our belief and perception that it is only the rich people, who get to eat in a decent manner, can somehow be coming true.

We don’t have to wait ‘till or every Christmas day to remember these hungry people. Just being appreciative of whatever is in front of your table is more than enough to show you care.

Being - in Filipino

Ang aking sariling kamalayan ang nananatiling moog ng aking pagkatao. Ibig tukuyin nito ang ganap na pagiging ako. Ako na may buhay at laya sa anuman ang idinidikta ng aking puso’t isipan. Ako at ang aking kamalayan ay sapat na upang ituring ko ang bawat hakbang sa aking buhay ay puno ng pag-asa anumang uri o gaano ito kalaki.

Ang kaakibat na mga pag-asa ay ang siyang mananatiling daan sa aking pagkabigo o tagumpay sa buhay. Magsisilbi itong sukatan ng aking pagiging tao at myembro ng pamayanan na patuloy na umaasa ng maayos na pamumuhay.

Ang katuparan ng isa o higit pa sa mga pag-asang ito ay matutugunan lamang kung kikilos ang taong mat buhay, na sa isang konsepto, ako o tayo bilang mamayan.

Ang konktretong pagkabuo ng pag-asa ay nasa pag-aari lamang ng isang buhay at nag-iisip na indibidwal. Sinusunod ng kanyang kamalayan ang ideyalismong nabubuo kung kaya’t may pag-asa. Habang may buhay ay may pag-asa.

Perceive - II

Love hope

This in any way not to jeopardize any circumstance or decision rendered. This is just an angle or a piece of perception of my aching mind. A few days ago, I was confided by a seemingly alienated problem. Being somebody to talk to, I faced an unfamiliar work drawing out problems of the heart. In my own little ‘stroked’ way, I empathized with my friend but the consoling thing quickly ended as I was dragged by her undeserving fate.

Admiration turned into pity is what I felt. She used to tell me her joy in unconditionally giving or expressing the affection needed for the man she love [or loved, for that matter]. I imagine how lucky the guy was. Suddenly, it was like talking to another person. Uncovering the reason behind everything was beyond my will.

I was so blessed knowing her. Her selflessness and being dedicated to love is remarkable. It taught and reminded me again of one thing beyond this crazy world we’re in: love unconditionally.

Perception of Ideas

by JRAP

I tied to wander in the hallways frequented and at times inhabited by ideas but unluckily, what I ended up was nothing. What I perceived was delusion for me, at least for the time being. I almost thought that what I feared most is already happening. It spoiled my perception of the end for me.

All of these maybe pushed me to the brink of silence and freedom of expression but it failed to control my brain. It may have succeeded but only for a while. What kept me up is my willingness and determination.

No matter how absurd or moronic they maybe, I know for sure that somebody out there share the same as with me. Stale and idle they may be, the important thing is I expressed it in a manner knowledgeable to all. And for you to get involved, affected or moved is just a triumphant confirmation that what I do is worthy enough.

In Love?

SUPREME BLISS

So tranquil and serene

Beauty that’s within

Just a shadow of your smile

To me it seem worthwhile

Your Witt and knowledge of things

Veracity it further brings

The way you move likened to poetry

All things in perfect beauty

I should try not to sleep

Or blown by wind so swift

For I may unable to see you

A grandeur that in accrue

But what I seek to thee

Stare or at least a glimpse of me

A notice of my presence

Is more than enough of my existence

To me you are wonderful

I am amazed...

Like a supernova

Awed by this nirvana

Perceive

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 9:30-37. 

They left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 

He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." 

But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"

But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. 

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." 

Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me.