Letter of Appreciation

I haven’t written anything these past months because I am thinking of a possible article that can give inspiration to my reader. I promise myself the next post will be a smash hit.

Then I realized that I haven’t thank you for staying and patronizing my blog.

That is why I want you to know that I appreciate every one of you. This blog has been a lot of fun for me. This is my means of being me and an expression of my thought. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time to update this blog the past month. I went to graduate school and that consumed most of my time. But thanks God I am not into it anymore.

This time I promise myself that since I have a lot of time in the world, I will update it regularly. And I would like to say sorry too, to my followers who leaved their messages and left unanswered.  This time it’s going to be different.

As always, if you have a question or want to make a comment, please do. I will try to get to it in time.

Thanks, everyone.

“True Friendship”

        Friendship defines as a cooperative and supportive relationship between people. In this sense connote a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, affection and respect along with a degree of rendering services to a friend in times of need and crisis.

            Friendship is something that takes time to happen. You may think that having a friend means you shared the same friendship, but it may not be as it is. Friendship requires a lot of effort to straighten things out, a lot of time to share to get acquainted and be comfortable, and a lot of hardship to make it happen. 

            A friend is a person who will always be by your side when things go wrong. When you feel like you’re alone in this world and seem no one else cares. But by their presence, they will do impossible things in their might just to make you feel better. And let you understand things in different perspective not just by saying, but also by leading.

            In my life, I would say that I have a few true friends that without them my life would change completely. And without them, I might not be the person I used to be today because their presence, their characters, and even their attributes influenced me completely without interfering any of my decisions. Because they don’t judge me whatever consequences it might generates, but rather cheer me up and encourage me to looking always on the brighter side of the decision I have made.

            Also, despite of their absence and not always there by my side for a certain reasons but the sense of belonging, telling me they are always there to help and support me all the way to my dreams is really astounding to know.

            Because of those, I want to thank them for being such a way they are, for believing in me after all these times and for making me feel that I am special.

            Kudos to all of my friends!

palawan getaway

Finally, after an hour flight from Manila, I am here now at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. I can’t explain my enthusiasm as I step down the plane. I heard a lot with this wondrous city and hoping see what’s in store for me here. 

Palawan in general is famous with the following nature’s delight and is known for its crocodile farm, Underground River and numerous dive spots.

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan, a first class city in the Philippines.  It has a population of 210, 508 people in 33, 306 household according to the 2007 census. It lies at the mid-section of the long strip of Palawan Island province. It is approximately 306 nautical miles from Manila, 206 nautical miles to Panay Island and about 250 nautical miles to Zamboanga. It is bounded on the north by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas and on the south by the municipality of Aborlan. To its west is the South China Sea while to the east is the Sulu Sea.

Puerto Princesa attributed its name from a folk etymology to a princess-like maiden who in the early days is said to have roamed around the place on certain nights of the year. On the other hand, practical people attribute the name to the geographical advantages of the place as a seaport – naturally protected the whole year round and endowed with a depth that can accommodate any size of shipping – a royal heaven for vessels or a virtual princess of ports as thus indicated by Spanish Colonizers on the country’s map. But historically, the place was named after Princess Asunción, born in 1864 to Queen Isabella II and her consort, Francisco de Cadiz. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa.

Eventually, the name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today. 

true friends

Having good and true friends are a blessing from above.

I’ll be a hypocrite if I say that I didn’t feel bad when I prayed to God and He seems not to answer. He seems not to care. A sadden feeling engulf you when seeing other having all the glories while you’re not. And, what’s really hurt more is that when you’re trying to be good but not been appreciated.

I didn’t know if I am only been blinded of what I want. Or maybe I am asking too much. Perhaps, the blessing that I am asking for has come to me unnoticed. It may not directly answer my prayer but still given me the other ways around.

He may not give me materials things but good and true friends that can count on when you needed the most. Who never leave you your side in times of troubles.

I supposed to off Palawan empty handed. Actually, I am planning to withdraw this trip to for an emergency. But my friend pushes me through. They knew what had happened and they are willing to help. That’s what I like with them. They are willing to lend hand without asking and expecting nothing in return. Who couldn’t value those kinds of friend? Perhaps, all of us will.

Actually this is a free seminar but even if you still need some extra bucks just in case there’s a mess and that’s I am deficient. I lost all my extras to that emergency and nothing left for my trip. Luckily, with the unselfishness of my friends I am sure I can attend to it. They not just lending me money and things but also giving me words of encouragement. That I should go.

Because of this I would like to thank them for being a true and sincere friend especially to Ms. Grace for lending me money and for giving me advices on this matter, Mr. Arby for handling my classes and Mr. Eleazar for allowing me to borrow his cam.

                 

palawan here i come...

Photo taken from airplane...

My anticipation was finally confronted. At first I was hesitant to ask permission from my principal because I thought he won’t allow me to join in the international convention in Palawan but I was wrong. I never asked him twice. He agreed without hesitation.

I have been invited by the world’s longest-established conservation organization to attend to 7 day conservation/seminar programs on “Forest Carbon Stock and Biodiversity Assessment” to be held at Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

 Honestly, at my age I never had been to or at any part of Palawan which makes me excite. I was hesitant at first because it’s my first time to travel this far departing my job behind and without my parent’s knowledge, plus the fact that I will leave my student for a week without my replacement. But looking at the bright side, it is also nice that we must discover something beyond the four corners of the room. We can elaborate and elucidate ideas when gain firsthand.

I know I will learn a lot from this seminar…and

PALAWAN HERE I COME…

My Newest Found Best Friends

my new found friends [yushin, ian, clarence and jarred]

It is so funny to think that sometimes it is better to be with the kids, than to be with someone of your own age. I can’t explain why at times I have this felling. And often times I wish that I wouldn’t have grown up and stayed to be just a kid forever. But even how hard I wish for, it will never be.

Time will always be of the essence and at the same time your enemy. Growth and progression is just around the corner. You can never do anything about it unless you found the fountain of youth that everyone is searching for.

As I look for an answer, I then realized that maybe because of their simplicity.

Children are so simple on all aspect of life. Often times they perceive things in a very simpler ways. Their happiness can easily been pleased in no time. Their innocence transforms problem without a second thought. And when they smiled and looked at you the way they were, it soothed every corner of your soul.

Associating with the kids is also a tolerable escape to a never ending problem of being an adult. The solution to complexities that webbed through us we aged. Talking and mingling with them make us realized to relax, chill out for a while and take life gradually. Besides we not need to rush into things because if we do, we will find ourselves burned with the circumstances.

For sure we wouldn’t see the beauty that life surrounds us.

I don’t have yet a child of my own, but it doesn’t diminish appreciating them even more. Actually I have new found best friends. They are the sons of my officemate. We simply click because of a very simple reason; our resemblance for foods. They love fried chicken, ice cream and chocolate as much as I do.

I might be sound childish but that the way I am. 

Do It Yourself!

Our university has a strict implementation on the use of cellphones especially during every class. As a matter of fact we are always reminded not to use or otherwise close it. They believed that learning can only be best achieved when there is proper concentration and attention. Thus, disruption from cellphone is inappropriate.

 While I was taking my snack at the cafeteria, as expected I received all of my queue messages as I opened my cellphone. Almost 20 messages registered on it but only one caught my attention.

At first, I laugh at the note since it is pretty much obvious that is a joke. An ordinary joke! But when I read it again I realized that is not just an ordinary joke. This might have significance on us.

Anyway before I continue, I quoted it below.

A cute letter by a little kid who hates Math:

“Dear Math, please grow up soon and try to

solve your own problems. Don’t depends on

others…”

It might be ridiculous in its true essence but when you try to analyze and contemplate for a while, it might give you a second thought.

With this message, I realized that we must not drag others to intervene or even solve our own problems because if we do, we just gave them the right to encroach our privacy. And sometimes because of consideration, they impede our decision.  Now, if we lend a hand and can’t give it, we must not despise them. It’s their prerogative. Help will surely come on the right time and especially at times when we least expected.

But as grown up, we must know how to handled and solve our own problem. Only ours can solve even how difficult it is. For sure we can only depend on ourselves.

One at a Time

When my grandfather was still alive, he’s been always telling me to do things one at a time. He keeps on repeating that I cannot serve two masters at the same time. But I never followed him. When he is reminding me such idea I always despise it in my mind because for me, it’s only a matter of time management. A lot of work can be done if we know how to manage our time well.

Managing my time really helps me cope up with my paper work. I can finish and submit it before the deadline. I can do my lesson as good as it should be. I can stay longer at school to prepare all the things I needed for tomorrows lesson and do sometimes help others on their work.  Plus the fact that I still have a spare time to rest. Well, that’s what we really ought to do.

But my problem begins when I enrolled for my masters.  Well, aside from being a teacher, I am also a full time student.  My schooling requires more time. Most of it is consumed for my researches and paper works that sometimes I neglected some of my responsibilities, even how well I mange my time.

Then I realized that my grandfather was right.  Even though how good you are, still there’s something lacking in it. Full attention is needed to finish a job well done. And that is missing especially when you’re mulling the next job.

But somehow, I realize that time management is not the answer for my problem.

It is how I prioritize things…

Street Children

I spent time strolling downtown especially when I feel languid to go home. This feat help me escapes from monotonous view of my surroundings and breaks my routine. With these, I can see different people even though they are unfamiliar, I can breathe cleaner and fresher air without thinking of possible illness I can get with polluted air due to some inconsiderate automobile owner and lastly, passes time unnoticeable.

And when I feel tired and hungry, since walking consumed my energy, to replenish it I usually go to my favorite 24 hour convenient store nearby to buy something to eat. Even though eating while walking is unethical as they say, I seem not to care.  I’ll eat what I want and where I want.

Anyway, when I was still working in an office I usually ate this way. Since office works requires more time especially when you have stack of file to accomplish, you don’t have any liberty but to do this way.

This is no different.

But I was wrong.

When I grab for a bite, savoring and relishing its flavor just like a scrumptious meal has been halted by someone who pulled my sleeve. Curious, I gazed to see who did. And what I saw melts my heart. A child, maybe age 8, wearing tattered shirt, untidy skin that seems deprived of water for years and malnourished body. He is begging for my food.

That even I was so hungry and my mind tells me to resist, he left me no choice but to give it to him.

Who wouldn’t soften a heart seeing a child that seems not eaten for ages? That when you looked into his eyes, only revealed hardship, adversities and a silent outcry for help.

Since I am naturally inquisitive, I ask his parent’s whereabouts.  I actually bit surprised on his answer, that his father is doing nothing at home. I wonder why some parents drag their children into such miserable situation and permitting them to earn for a living. Why don’t they move, step forward and do their responsibilities for their family.

Children should be loved and cared especially by their parents and their family. It’s not their privilege but their right. Their innocence shouldn’t been abducted by the parents or anyone.

But as you can see, they are anywhere and the sad part of it, they’re continuously increasing.

Who do you think should be blame?

Seven Things About Me

As I always encouraging my students that when they do a certain things, just make sure to aim for excellence. They must give their full effort and potential to finish a job well done. Because whatever the outcome is, it is always reflected to its personality.

It is nice also to feel that your works are being appreciated by others.  Recognition is more than enough but an award is blessing.

I would like to thank a very good friend of mine, Ferry Jhoi for sharing her precious award for the stylish blogger.

Here are the seven [7] positive and negative values about myself that I want to share with you.

·         I am a spender

Ø  As much as possible I am removing this quality. I will spend money only when needed. This year I will make sure to save some penny.

·         I do love to cook

Ø  They say that the way to a man’s heart is trough his stomach. But for me, is the other way around. It more romantic when a man does the cooking for his woman.

·         I hate to do the laundry

Ø  Since I was in elementary I always swabbing my cloths. Believe me…and now that I am earning, I don’t want to do it again.

·         I like to watch romantic movies

Ø  Especially when you’re with someone you valued.

·         I can live without cell phone

Ø  Cell phone is not that important for me than internet. I can’t last long without browsing the web. Plus, it is really necessary for my research.

·         I  love my parents

Ø  I really do value my parents the most. There’s nothing can change it.

·         I always pray to God

Ø  You can never go wrong with His guidance. 


RULES FOR RECEIVING THE AWARD!!!

•       Thank and link back the person who gave you this award.
•        Share 7 things about yourself.
•        Award 15 great bloggers you know.
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The Past

It is often difficult to fell in control of our lives and often unable to neither change the past nor control the events around us. The only ironic thing about life is the obstacles it would cast our way.  On the other hand struggles we endure enrich its quality. Mostly, life’s problems are always a challenge to test our endurance that gives us the willpower to solve it. And a grand accomplishment couldn’t easily achieve without trials.

Usually, pains and regrets always accompanied with the choices we made. But no matter how we deal it, it’s our choice that matter.

            I usually hate going to the mall after work especially when I am wearing school uniform, but a while ago it seems that my foot has its own will of dragging me out. I truly don’t know why my body followed thru. Then I realized, I was passing and glancing through windows of shops without any particular direction and intention in mind. Maybe fate brought me here only to see an old friend.  Honestly, I was planning of avoiding her, but I was too late. She already saw and approached me that I couldn’t hide.

She was explaining something that I couldn’t even remember, because my mind was filled with memories. A déjà vu of what had happen, a sudden out-pour of emotion and a vivid realization that she was no longer mine. But only one thing struck me, she is asking for repentance. When I stared into her eyes searching for clues of sincerity, I saw an image of me saddening and regretting of losing this opportunity. Who couldn’t melt a heart if someone close to you is asking for forgiveness?

If God forgave us on the sins we’ve done, then who am I to refuse?

As I searched myself if I could still feel the same feeling. I know it’s still there. But maybe time resided the pains, the heartache and the guilt. It’s time to mend our misunderstanding. We knew for sure that we couldn’t pick and put the pieces back, but at least it’s no longer scattered. We can go back to where we once before and begin a brand new start.

She was right.

We must move on and let not the shadow cast our way.

The past is over.

What important is the present that defines our future. 

Unselfishness

Selfishness denotes an excessive or exclusive concern with oneself and as such it exceeds mere self interest or self concern. I think this can be a large motivation when it comes to personal goals. Instead of wondering what we can get out of the situation, we should be thinking on how we can help others. By helping others we are meeting their physical and emotional needs thus, bring compassions that resulted to a better society.

Wondering why others can’t do it for other’s sake.

Late that night when the weather is a bit cold and rainy, rushing to get home early from the day’s tiring works. It’s about 9 o’clock, anticipating that traffic was already subsided because it’s no longer rush hour. But behold, the traffic was still heavy. It’s is like I was stuck in a funeral parade. Assuming that it won’t last long I still waited for 30 minutes, but no progress at all. We didn’t even move a bit.

Since I almost near, I decided to walk. Mad on the situation and curious on what had happen, I peek through it. Vehicles are twirl at a corner, I thought it was an accident but not. Then I noticed that because only drivers didn’t relent way. If only they cede it won’t happened and delayed others.

Then I concluded that some are really inconsiderate.

Granting way is a simple gesture of showing concern and unselfishness to other. If all encompasses these characteristics, certainly we will succeed in every endeavor. Thus, we’re not only helping ourselves but also others and the nation as well. 

My New Year’s Resolution

             Some may say that new year’s resolution are just a waste of time as they’re nothing more than just a long list of should that we don’t mind and take to heart.

As we enter the year 2011 with buzzing resolution in our ears and with the excitement we felt, it won’t easily get vanish. No matter how we divert and exhaust ourselves to work, it will linger there till we try to do it.

Confident to say that retention is much longer when written and be seen always to remind us of what we want and what we need.

But I think New Year is not just a preparation to start a new beginning but also a good time for review. Failures and disappointments that struck us can be analyzed not to commit the same mistake.

According to Douglas Vermeeren, a best-selling author of goal setting and human performance, we fail and get disappointed because we are targeting a much higher objective.  A goal we sought to be achievable while not.

The previous year was a failure to me because I set my resolution a bit complicated. Lesson learned from the mistakes and the “should” that didn’t put to mind and heart thus I make my resolutions simpler.

Let me share you my simple way of starting the year’s right.

·         Refrain eating at a fast food stores.

Ø  It is more expensive than cooking at home. Foods are unhealthier than home-cooked meals as they contain higher amount of salt, fats and calories.

·         Avoid ordering extra rice.

Ø  Ordering extra rice means an extra cost. The price of rice is half outside when you bought and cooked for yourself.

·         Ride a tricycle only when needed.

Ø  Switching to walking may not only save you money but makes you healthy. This might sounds too easy but it can help reduce high cholesterol, lower blood pressure and the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes.

·         Invest in health.

Ø  The most important investment anyone can have. Good health indicates long and happier life.

·         Give more time to God.

Ø  Praying and believing in Him is only the best thing everyone must do. This give us courage and strength in struggling the year to come.