What kind of a man

"What kind of a man would I be if I leave her when she needed me the most." Were the words of American Idol hopeful, Chris Medina. During Medina's Milwaukee audition his fiancee, Juliana Ramos, along with his family came along. We, aas viewers learned that Medina proposed to Ramos two years ago but she got involved in a major car accident in October 2009. The tragedy left her with brain damage, nearly paralyzed. They haven't been married until now. Since then, Medina has been constantly taking care of Ramos...even when the doctors said that she won't wake up from coma.

Steven Tyler was especially moved by the story too. He was heard saying "that's why he sings so good coz he sings to you..." Truly, what kind of a man would leave a girl when she needed him the most? The worst---this is why Medina's story and loyalty is such an inspiration to many...seeing that there's one heart like his that gives us hope in this seemingly uncaring world.

Links

I welcome exchange links.

Simply leave your url and name and link back to www.mariekhan.com, do leave a comment when you do. Thanks!

Steal - Day 27 - Proj 365

You thought no one's gonna steal your bike? Dead wrong! Now, only a wheel is left :(

Malambot/soft

--



Malambot, matamis at talaga namang katakam takam ang mga Macarons na ito.
---
Ito ngayon ang isa sa mga nais kong pagtutuunan dahil gustong gusto din ng aking mga kuting.

Naku, isang tingin ko pa lang dito, lumalambot na puso ko...mas  malambot pa sa hawak nyang teddy bear ang yapos ng batang ito...
---

D: mama, ako cute no? (vain much)
G: oo (proud mom)
D: ikaw din cute (uy lambing)
G: Kasi magkamukha tayo?(trick question)
D: kasi pareho tayo mataba...glaub' ich (boink!)
---

Happy LP!

For the love of writing

When I started this blog, I saw to it that I write articles that are long enough to be categorized as a worthy read.

As days, months passed I ran out of ideas, I relied on my photos to take space, literally putting into use the cliche 'a picture paints a thousand words.'

Save for the lack of creative juices I blame three things. One, I am speaking two other languages and studying 2 others that English has taken a back seat. I see to it that my kids speak tagalog and I practice German outside the house. I very seldom speak English with them...Given my interest in learning other languages, I'd rather watch movies in Japanese. I also bring Spanish dictionaries and books to read when I'm out on long train rides instead of my usual Jane Austen or Brönte. (I reread them...)

Second, I do not have the leisure to write lengthy posts as I only allot myself about two hours of blogging. Priority goes over to my City daily Photoblog, Vienna Daily. I also can't ignore my love for food so I see to it that I post at least 2 or 3 recipes over at my kitchen blog. Even if I extend a few more minutes blogging, I'd only end up with a photo and a quote for a post....

Lastly, I was involved in too much paid blogging that I devoted writing about stuff related to diet pills, gadgets and well stuff that I should write about because I had a deadline to beat! It was fun and I was getting paid for it but somehow...in the deepest recesses of my hypothalamus (lol) I feel guilty. Despite having the obligatory disclosure on my blogs, I still haven't convinced myself that writing for something that I haven't tried/used or far complicated, that that I won't be interested in is justifiable.  Also, I liked the other platforms where you get  to choose the topic you want to write about. I've been contemplating on quitting until finally PayU2blog, one of the more popular paid-blogging platforms, hit a nerve quite painfully. 

I receive a lump of opps/tasks (writing opportunities/reviews as we call them in the blogging world) from them steadily. Cashing out is not a problem as they are so far the most effective when it comes to paying. At 60 words per post for 5$, you'd think it's not bad at all...it isn't but most of the time I just write more than the required number of words...I try to make it look like a normal post yet they still appear like "junk" as a colleague once put it.

Two weeks ago, there was an extra opp for reviewing an iTunes application. I love browsing new apps for my iPhone, so I applied. The instruction said that one should write the review on the website and not on the blog. I joined in, logged on to my account, downloaded the app and wrote a review...there was a problem though, being outside the U.S. the website directed me to the German version. (For the record, I wrote the review in English and German to benefit German users as well.)  I then emailed PayU how the event transpired...nicely.The reply was nicely written too:

---------------------

Tony Payu2blog

Sent On 01/13/11 10:44 AM

Priority None

Subject RE: Buy.com Iphone App Assignment

I'm sorry I don't have any way to verify that assignment

-----------------------

Well, I could understand that. I wasn't feeling bad about it since he has a point. What set my ire on fire was the follow-up message.

------------------------

Tony Payu2blog

Sent On 01/14/11 03:56 PM

Priority High

Subject Iphone App Revew Update

A few things have come up that I want to make everyone aware of.

1. I can't verify the review if its in a foreign language.. sorry.

2. Do not Email every known person here about this assignment, if you do the assignment will be cancelled and you will probably never get another one like it.

3. Read and follow the instructions in the assignment,, and in the emails about it...

4.A few people have done theirs already and will get paid next pay period.. many people haven't even responded to the emails... if you do not respond that you understand and are going to do the review by sunday the assignment will be reassigned.

I am not angry at all so please don't take it that way .., we just need to get this done and get it done right anything else is not acceptable at all.

Thanks to those that did it fast correct and followed the instructions!!

-----------

Again, he stated his points well, noted @ number one above. No, I only emailed once about me having finished my foreign language and English review. I did number 3 and I am not one of those in number 4. True, he wasn't mad, I was...at myself for finally having that sinking-low feeling on getting upset  especially since I wrote the task because I like to and not because I will be paid to. 

I mean of course, who wouldn't want to be paid for writing? No one, it is but natural like any other job to be paid for service rendered.  However, I wouldn't want to be treated like I was someone desperate to gain that extra 10$...all I really wanted was to write about the app. Then and there I decided that I wouldn't write for them any more...it was hubby who made efforts to get me connected to the U.S. Apple store. He then asked permission to use my review on the German site but I didn't answer and I didn't know if he pushed through. 

---

This brings me to another topic. That of the Big Bad Blogger (BBB) that has been abuzz since Margaux Salcedo (Sunday Inquirer, Philippines) wrote about the article “Please Don’t Give Blogging a Bad Name.”

It has been established that blogging is the new media...almost if not more influential than traditional media. Coming from both, I clearly saw how blogging has taken a new role in influencing public opinion, gaining sympathy from readers or destroying an individual or a company's reputation.

Salcedo didn't provide much information and names but instead used pseudonyms like BBB, supposedly a blogger who supposedly coerces with an unnamed PR Firm to pressure a restaurant owner under the name Georgia to avail of their ‘buzz creation’ or "word-of-mouth generation,” services. By doing such, by tickling the ears of bloggers, many are now on the hunt of the real BBB. A popular Filipino food blogger has been in the limelight because of this which he has already denied, he wrote an entry about it on his blog.

Not too long ago, there was also the issue of the Palamunin bloggers which also send the blogging world abuzz. Being not from Pinas, I haven't gone to food blogging events but I surely have read a lot about them and the product reviews from such events by bloghopping. From what I gather, these are bloggers who come to events, they get a loot bag, eat and write about the products. Well I see nothing wrong with that...it's the same when holding a book launch, a press  release or a movie premier night...attendees (not all) get lots of freebies! Now please correct me if I have perceived this wrong...but I clearly remember we have food when attending book launches and other events. And back in the days, there's envelope journalism (perhaps until now).

What I think wrong is when it becomes a routine, an a la ALTANGHAP (almusal, tanghalian, hapunan) way of life as a friend puts it. What's worse is when these supposed bloggers wouldn't give efforts  to write decent reviews but copy instead from the given press kit...(ok, raise your eyebrows now). They do exist. Thing is, blogging is really a free tool but it has turned to something so big that we need to consider one thing that all of us is greatly concerned about and what traditional media has always or at least tried to uphold: truth.

When one reviews a product or write about an event, it would be different from the experience of a dozen others who attended. Agree? Writing requires a stretch of imagination, as you have to connect this to yourself personally. What had transpired, what you ate, how you were treated and perhaps a bit of suggestion for improvements. This is your own opinion devoid of influence from owners, organizers and other reads.

So why not let only those bloggers who are all for the freebies attend such company events or food tasting then make them write a pre-written text on their blogs? Ugh! because they haven't established themselves well in the blogosphere and that won't help the companies in their word of mouth generation...

---

Blogging isn’t purely fun...you get to hit some nerves, maybe make a boss fire an employee for reading your blog about bad service or even be ganged upon for exposing something that no one should know. But despite all these, I will still maintain my blog—blogs, actually. I have one blog that serves as a photo journal of this wonderful city, Vienna, another as a collection of food and recipes that serves as a reminder to eat healthier and one that is a reservoir of my belief, fear and anger. I write everything there, including things I choose not to say to others. I don’t and wouldn't name names and places, I'm discreet and nobody knows it’s my blog, except for google and their staff. lol.

Blogging, as written on my header keeps me sane...in a way.  Writing down things that bothers me is like having the ear of an old friend who has always been there when things go awry. Perhaps I would leave the ads but I'd certainly lie low on writing about product reviews if not totally quit it. For the meantime, I will keep my blog and keep on writing. 

Stow Away - 24 of 365 -Project 365

“Adventure must start with running away from home”

- William Bolitho 

Please, never run away as young as you are. 

Thistle

Genesis 3: ¹⁷And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.

    ¹⁸Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

    ¹⁹In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.

---

Cruel how a thing of beauty could be be a form of punishment.

Join us:

Piano lessons

I'm glad that my daughter enjoys playing the piano. She has been doing lessons for 3 semesters now and can play Beethoven's Für Elise and a handful more. 

What I really like about her learning the piano is she herself teaches her younger brother. :) Sometimes, she could be strict with it but my son learns a lot anyway. Happy mommy moments!

Malamig/Cold

--

---

And I ask why am I black, they say I was born in sin, and shamed inequity. One of the main songs we used to sing in church makes me sick, 'love wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. -Peter Tosh

---

Kadalasan na ang puti ay sumisimbolo sa kalinisan, sa pagiging puro ng isang bagay...immaculate. Kagaya ng niyebe na talaga namang nakakaakit dahil puting puti. Pero mag-ingat dahil sa ilalim ng puting kumot na ito ay nakatago ang putik at maraming dumi. 

--

Hindi alintana ang putik at dumi, heto ang mga batang talaga namang patuloy sa paglalaro ng yelo kahit anong lamig. 

--

Happy LP!

How to transfer files from Wordpress to Blogger

I've always loved blogger...this is my first home online. I was happy posting photos everyday with a little write up or a quote. It was a simple online diary. In the middle of it all, I got caught up with the paid blogging scheme that I wanted to upgrade and eventually, hubby bought me a domain name, got me to his hosting and did all the transfer by himself.

It was a mistake. I had to log in to three different dashboards and I lost the lust to blog. So here after 800 posts and more I'm back to blogger. After much research on how to transfer a Wordpress blog to Blogger, here it is. Let me help you in doing that.

Thanks to the developer of easy tools we can now transfer posts and comments, labels, even spam comments wholly via xml files!

So first you have to clean up your Wordpress comments. Log on to your wordpress blog. Empty the spam comments because they are the culprit in hindering a smooth transfer. They also eat a up a fair amount of space. At first I had a 24 mb xml download but cut it down to 6mb later on when I learned about this trick.

After you've deleted all the spam comments press export under tools. Save the xml file to your disk. Log on to your blogger account, go to Settings of the blog you want the file transferred to - Basic- Import blog...browse for the file and if you wish to publish immediately tick the box for automatic publishing. Wait! There's an error when you upload...well, wordpress xml files are not compatible with blogger so you need to convert.

Here's how: go to this wordpress to blogger converter app. Upload the wordpress xml file then convert. If your file is less than 1mb this will work like a charm...if it's bigger then it will only result in error. I didn't notice the notification about the 1 mb limit at first. So, how do you convert wordpress xml files that are more than 1 mb? This is were I thought "what if my files could be divided into smaller parts?" I'm no techie so I almost scratched the idea altogether until I landed on this awesome page, the WXR file Splitter! Brilliant!

The website itself gives a detailed instruction on how one is supposed to use it, so just follow the sequence. Now, make sure that when you choose the number of split files that they will end up not more than 1mb for the converter to work. If they get bigger you can always delete the files and redo the splitting until you get all of them below 1mb (1000kb). Then convert each of this xml files via the wordpress to blogger converter app.

I don't guarantee that all of your converted xml files will be uploaded withouth hassle. I encounter some errors while uploading too but since I got a lot of posts I didn't bother redoing it or deleting the problem which the system also identified.

So there, viel Erfolg! I would love to hear your experience with this process, do leave a note or tips and suggestions for improvement! Thanks!

Congratulations Sir!

Two Philippine professors won the top prize in the Awards and Medals Competition of the Global Development Network (GDN) held in Bogota, Spain.

Alvin P. Ang and Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, both professors of the University of Sto.Tomas (teaching economics and journalism respectively) won from over 100 other countries' research proposals.

Congratulations Sir Jere (and colleague)! Your efforts finally paid off.

During our last vacation, I learned that  Sir Jere has been volunteering for the OFW Journalism Consortium. The consortium aims to deliver  reportage about Filipinos’ international migration and other related issues. Reading about, I learned that he has been writing about remittances from Filipinos working abroad while working on a research that later on won the competition. The research proposal was titled “Remittance Investment Climate Analysis for Rural Hometowns (Ricart): Piloting a Tool to Determine where Overseas Filipinos from Two Rural Hometowns can Best Invest their Money.”

Once again congratulations sir and keep up the good work!

Click here for more.

Room with a View

(VHS Uranium)

After coming back from our Philippine vacation, the kids went to a painting/creative class. This was held at the City's Uranium center which is located just beside the Danube Canal. I enjoyed accompanying them because the room had a wonderful view of Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel and the Canal...the ships were passing by as I look out...would post that soon.

Gym! Day 14 -Project 365

Meet my daily "routine." :) I have been back to the gym for a month now along with my iLipo treatment and I'm loving what I see. The treatment has boost my confidence to continue with the gy, since I already saw promising results from the treatment.

Late popcorn/cracker nights

Hubby and I love late night shows. In English, that is. Back home we would watch marathons of our favorite shows...at that time that would mean Friends, Buffy, Charmed, Spin City and so on...

That habit hasn't changed until now. We would still watch late at night but this time with the inclusion of Japanese and Korean telenovelas, animes, Japanese movies and other trilogies and movies we watched as kids. We have included other favorites as well...Ugly Betty, Smallville, How I met your mother and a lot more but we still watch Friends and Spin City. We love Spin City with Michael J. Fox was the lead role but Charlie Sheen's era has laughable moments too.

Episode above "The Gambler" was when Paul, Stuart and Carter rope reformed gambler Charlie into their poker night, and are responsible for his subsequent gambling bender. Earlier in the story, Charlie received football gift from the Mayor. It was signed by a famous player (name slipped my mind) and is worth about 15,000$ but at the end of the story was revealed to be actually 20,000$. Charlie almost sell the ball in order to finance his gambling...

In this same episode, Caitlin tries to teach the mayor to be more self-sufficient until they find him a maid. She however became attached to the idea of teaching the mayor the ropes of maintaining his home...or self.

Just like many episodes, I like the twist wherein Charlie walks away from gambling and chose to simply turn around. The show has actually lots of such scenes which hubby and I enjoy watching...

Oh, late nights like this are perfect with popcorn or shrimp crackers...the kids would stay with us only to munch.

Lata / Can

---

19 March 08

---

Hindi ako naninigarilyo. Ayoko din ang amoy nito lalong lalo na sa malamig na umaga na preskong presko ang simoy ng hangin...naku pag nalanghap ko ito sa taong sumakay ng bus, nauubo talaga ako. Hindi naman ako maarte...hindi ko lang talaga makaya...alam ko kung bakit mahirap alisin ang bisyo na ito pero di ko pa din maintindihan minsan kung bakit ang mga naninigarilyo ay may pagka-makasarili....kasi nga sarili lang nila ang naiisip hindi ang iba. Sariling kaluguran lang nila at hindi ang kalusugan ng iba.

--

Naging matindi ang pag-ayaw ko sa sigarilyo at amoy nito dahil sa ang anak ko ay may bronchitis. Sigarilyo ang isang sanhi nito...madalas pa din siyang sinusumpong at nung huling uwi nga namin para magbakasyon ay nag-level up pa sa asthma.

---

Hindi naman lahat ng naninigarilyo ay inconsiderate. Mayroon din namang mga nagkukubli at naninigarilyo sa kung saan walang tao. Tinatapon ang mga upos sa tamang tapunan. Yun nga lang nakakarami pa din ang hindi. Gaya ng lata na ito na makikita karaniwan sa siyudad, ang sindi ay pinapatay sa nakausling tubo tapos ay itinatapon sa lata.

--

Paminsan ay may mga taong hindi masyadong pinapatay ang sigarilyo...at dahil ang basurahan ay tinatapunan din ng ibang bagay na hindi naman dapat ay sumisindi ito...maniwala kayo talaga namang nakakainis ang amoy ng nasusunog na sigarilyo, basura, papel at plastik.

---

Minsan naman ay mayroong mga naninigarilyo na humithit pa bago sumakay ng bus...bawal ang manigarilyo sa bus kaya naman sa huling hithit at buga ay itinatapon na lang sa sahig...kadalasan nga yung buga ay haharap sila palayo sa pinto pero wag ka...dahil sa hangin papasok pa din sa loob...patawa!

---

----

I don't smoke. I don't like the smell of smoke especially on an early fresh morning. Unfortunately, smokers tend to smoke more when it's cold. So it can happen that a person getting in the bus has just finished smoking and of course, the smell stuck to his/her jacket would be so strong, I cough. :(

--

What's so sad too is most smokers tend to be inconsiderate and selfish. (There are those who aren't but those inconsiderate outnumber them tenfold.) They only think of themselves, do what they want without thinking of the hazards it will bring other people. Come on, if you wanna die smoking, don't take us with you! Do it alone! :P

--

More LP entries here.

I am me - Day 12 -Project 365

Ich bin ich

My little boy's perception of himself. Kindergarten Pedagogue said that when drawing this he didn't immediately draw the body but made extra effort of drawing a neck...something that most kids his age wouldn't mind drawing. Later at home he showed me this and said, "Mommy, this is me, brown, see my skin is brown..." lifting his sleeves to show his skin. :)

Certified Doglovers - Day 11 - Project 365

(My youngest son with a friend's dog.)

I grew up having a dog at home...mostly gifts from Dad's or Mom's friends which I would take care of as much as I could. (I was a normal student and kid back in those days hehe). I'd feed them, give them a bath and play around with them when I can. I still remember most of the dogs I had and my favorite would always be a bulldog I named Caster.

Don't be surprised that my kids have taken the same liking to dogs as I did. They know  a dog breed just by looking  which amazed most of the owners of those they identify. Like the one below...while on our way home my daughter bursted out "Mom, it's an Akita Inu!" The owner smiled and asked us if we were Japanese. :D I explained to him that my kids like learning about dogs and that they knew them from pictures and films. Since then he would let us stroke and play a bit with C (his dog) everytime we chance upon them by the playground. He even let me took a photo of C one  snowy day.

(An akita inu around our neighborhood that we often say hello to.)

Given the chance I'd get us a dog to take care of...it would be nice to have one that would grow old with us as the kids do. Their loyalty has long been tested, remember Hachiko?  I know  too that the kids would learn a lot about discipline having a dog around. Plus, walking dogs is a nice exercise for hubby and I. Living in an apartment is not an appropriate setup for a dog and 3 kids so might as well wait until we get a bigger place...for the meantime, we would just play with friends' dogs and our kois at home.

Still Learning

Summing up the years I spent in school would be a total of  almost 15 school-years. A year for preparatory school, 6 in grade school, 4 years in highschool, 4 years in College and almost another year for German.

I finished school yes, but I've never really stopped learning. Everyday,I still learn a new word, a new lesson in life and other things one gain through experience.

I've been working for our firm nowadays. Hubby's a self-employed Graphic Artist and I am his assistant...doing paperwork and accounting stuff, talking to clients, insurance people, finance office agents and all that. I sometimes have this feeling of doing something else though.I recalled that during our deliberation in class, I said that I want to pursue my real love, photography, should it not be possible I'd want to be an English-language trainer. I've seen how the interest for English learning boosted among students and adults in Vienna through the years. If I register myself as a professional photographer, I would need to do the Meisterprüfung. An exam to determine one's knowledge of photography. Since it has been a long time that I took photography classes, I might not remember the basics of film developing and printing as well. This is why I need to take another course, either teacher training or photography... I however, do not want the hassle of everyday going to class, I just did that for 6 months and most of the classes are in the evening! I was advised to take a course at an accredited online university, either in teaching or photography.

I haven't decided until now...I sometimes still find myself browsing  online university websites, sure photography is the wisest choice but  I' d want to brush up with my Spanish knowledge and formally learn Japanese too....let's see.

Thumbnail size roses

(May 2010)

Starting anew for Today's Flowers.

I may have posted this photo before but hopefully not for Today's flowers which I normally post on my city daily blog. I'm not sure what these small flowers are but as I like naming flowers I don't know the name of they are exactly how the title says....small rose-like the size of my thumb...but they do not grow on bushes rather on trees.

This photo was taken last summer and since it's winter I won't be seeing them soon.  Thanks to the photos that serves as a reminder of beauty that we sometimes pass by everyday without giving much notice. :)

--

Join us:

Sleepiness continues - Day 9 Project 365

It started early, now it's a hard habit to break.

First love never dies...

When I was a kid, I drew a lot of stuff, I enjoy pencils, crayons and watercolors. Art class was my second favorite subject (following English and Literature). Once, I made a watercolor copy of Van Gogh's Irises for an art project, I was really proud of how it turned out. I dreamed of becoming an artist back then. I fervently hoped I did.

It's just that along the way of fulfilling that want I lost my way and found another path...well a bit related...that of admiring and reviewing art. That was a short stint nevertheless, a very enjoyable one. I got to know a handful of student painters then who are now big names in the art industry.

Back then, I always had difficulty drawing faces (and hands) or maybe the whole body in particular. So when I had the chance to better this skill I enrolled for a 2 day-weekend course in manga. :D (On the side, I really wanted to get to know the instructor...a Japanese.) Perhaps too, thedesire to draw hidden somewhere in me was awakened upon seeing friends' works posted on my facebook wall. :D Like the song that goes first love never dies but more appropriately it does not fade...it's there, always...no matter how hard you try to forget.

The course was set for 4 hours each on Saturday and Sunday for 74€...I thought it was cheap but thinking now, it really wasn't. No regrets though, I enjoyed every minute of it even if I had bits of difficulty at the beginning...So this was what I did for the half-profile drawing of the head...I also did front views, angry and crying faces but I'm not too confident to show them. lol.

I haven't considered enrolling for the next manga class...perhaps I'd practice more now or watch youtube videos for tutorials. Thing is, I am able to teach my kids a bit about drawing faces. (Ironic because hubby is a prolific illustrator but doesn't have the time to teach them.) Also, I got to use my pencils to draw again...not write.

Crochet - Day 7 - Project 365

I made my daughter a red bonnet to match her red jacket.

Paboritong Laruan/Favorite Toy

Kadalasan kapag binanggit ang laruan ay may kinalaman sa bata agad ang naiisip natin. Sila kasi ang mahilig maglaro pero kailangan din nating mga nakatatanda ang may sariling oras para sa laro, enterteynment at pagrerelaks. Sabi nga; All work and no play makes Juan (or Jack) a dull boy.

Kaya naman narito ang dalawa  sa paboritong laruan ng aking panganay na anak, kilala din sa tawag na Mister. :) Lumalaki na ang batalyon pero ok lang dahil enjoy naman siyang pinapalipad ang mga ito kasama ang 3 bata na enjoy din nanonood. Paminsan minsan, sila din ang piloto ng mga helikopter na ito.

Dahil mahilig din siyang magtagni-tagni ng video ay naging trabaho ko na ang magkuha ng video habang nagpapalipad siya. Kinabitan niya din ng video ang mga helikopter na ito na parang espiya hehe.

Patuloy din akong nagpapraktis sa pagkuha ng video at heto ang kauna-unahang flight niya at video ko naman.  Iyon namang camera ang nagiging paborito kong laruan...Babala: nakakahilo!

When we say "toy" We immediately think of kids. Simply because kids love to play but we kids at heart (read: older people lol) also need sometime to play, entertain ourselves and relax. The saying All work and no play makes Juan (or Jack) a dull boy is very true after all.

Two of my hubby's favorite RC helis are featured here. He loves taking them out on flights while I record everything on video...sort of a practice for me too! That's why the camera has become my favorite toy! :)

---

Happy LP! Click upper logo to join or view other participants' entries.

Being loyal - Day 2 -Project 365

Sunday's study article was very strengthening especially to the young ones. It is about being guided by God's word and being loyal to him even when alone. It reminds me so much of Joseph, the eleventh son of the Patriarch Jacob.

Joseph, out of envy was sold into slavery by his brothers, he was taken to Egypt where he is sold to Potiphar as a household slave. Potiphar makes Joseph the head of his household but Potiphar's wife, furious at Joseph for resisting her attempts to seduce him into sleeping with her, accuses him falsely of attempting to rape her. Potiphar casts Joseph into prison but it did not hinder him from being a man who recognizes God.

Joseph has been away from his family and has then lived a life different from what he was used to yet he knew that sleeping with Potiphar's wife is something God wouldn't approve of. Though there were no security cameras to record his action, Joseph knew that God could either be hurt or be happy with his actions.

It is when we are alone or relaxing when our spiritual guard can be down and that we are vulnerable to attacks. (morally speaking) That is why it is advisable to develop one's "perceptive powers" to distinguish right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14)

It will also be helpful to think of how God would feel before doing something in secret. Remember his words:

" Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." (Proverbs 27:11)

Light

A lamp post against the morning's blue sky

September 16, 07; Disneyland Paris

----

(Para sa mga Ilaw ng tahanan. But the photo has nothing to do with this, just wanna use it lol.)

Proverbs 31

10 A capable wife who can find? Her value is far more than that of corals.

11 In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking.



12 She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life.

13 She has sought wool and linen, and she works at whatever is the delight of her hands.

14 She has proved to be like the ships of a merchant. From far away she brings in her food.

15 She also gets up while it is still night, and gives food to her household and the prescribed portion to her young women.

16 She has considered a field and proceeded to obtain it; from the fruitage of her hands she has planted a vineyard.

17 She has girded her hips with strength, and she invigorates her arms.

18 She has sensed that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

19 Her hands she has thrust out to the distaff, and her own hands take hold of the spindle.

20 Her palm she has stretched out to the afflicted one, and her hands she has thrust out to the poor one.

21 She does not fear for her household because of the snow, for all her household are clothed with double garments.

22 Coverlets she has made for herself. Her clothing is of linen and wool dyed reddish purple.

23 Her owner is someone known in the gates, when he sits down with the older men of the land.

24 She has made even undergarments and proceeded to sell [them], and belts she has given to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and splendor are her clothing, and she laughs at a future day.

26 Her mouth she has opened in wisdom, and the law of loving-kindness is upon her tongue.

27 She is watching over the goings-on of her household, and the bread of laziness she does not eat.

28 Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner [rises up], and he praises her.

29 There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you—you have ascended above them all.
30 Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; [but] the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.

31 GIVE her of the fruitage of her hands, and let her works praise her even in the gates.

--------

That's a mother and wife for you but for your lighting needs, Kichler lighting is the best choice out there....there were also a lot of beautiful and eye-catching chandeliers and installation at Ikea. Just looking at them makes me want to renovate our house....*sigh*

Ikea revisited - Day 3 - Project 365

I'm not one who is into doing resolutions or dividing the year that has gone from the year that is coming. Simply put, I don't celebrate New Year. If you're familiar with my gripes you'd know that I don't want to do anything related to pagan rituals. New year is a Roman celebration dedicated to their two-faced god, Janus. Yes, from whom the name of the first month of the year was taken. All that being explained though, I can't help but look back at how I started this blog...inspired to share the truth to all willing readers. It was a solemn blog back then and I would love to have it that way...perhaps soon.

For now, regular programming resumes and it means stuff I see around, things my kids do and other stories at home or around the city....

So I and 2 other friends visited Ikea last week...I wrote partly about this on my kitchen blog for more specifically the food we had. We went to accompany ate M who recently transferred to her new unit. She was looking for a complete bedroom set and we tagged along.

Ikea offers mattresses of different sizes, softness and thickness. Ate M was looking for a firm mattress that would help relieve her backache that she has been complaining about. What would be best but to try the mattresses on display if you're really comfortable. Her smile says she likes this one than the plush mattress she first tried.

Well, there is simply no one cure for back pains since there is no one cause for them. The perfect mattress that serves up blissful relief for one person may do absolutely nothing for another person. Worse, it may compound matters or mask a serious medical condition with temporary relief. So it is always a good thing to consult a physician when one feels something different....then we told ate M to buy this mattress after she had her consultation.

Day 2 - Project 365

 

I totally miss my Dad. I've often said that my youngest son resembles my Dad a lot. With this rabbit hair beanie, he even more looked like him. Dad worked as a seaman on the shores of Norway, Amsterdam, Greece, Germany and more. He always loved being aboard and going places. My earliest memories of snow where from pictures he sent to us wearing the same bonnet as little boy here.Those were from his stays in Norway, according to him was the most peaceful place he had ever been to.

Day 1 of Project 365

I promised my daughter that I will make her a beanie. :) I started of with a red one to match her jacket. I can't seem to find a red beanie so I made one but will post soon. An even better idea though is to buy from an online seller that has wonderful creations.Check for yourself, Babies and Hairbows.