SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 15: Joanna performs during the Miss Pole Dance Australia 2010 final at the Enmore Theatre on October 15, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Professional pole dance athletes from around the country descended on Sydney to showcase their skill and agility in a competition for the national title. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Thus the words of my second child. I have to agree because art is also an exercise of human skill. Living with other people requires human skill.
With annoying kinspersons, for example, one needs the skill to be extra patient. A nasty word equals silence from the receiver, or a mellow response. You will notice that the antagonist backs out and realizes that he or she is the one at fault. If one is lucky enough, a lesson is learned.
With a serious braggart who competes for attention, or fame, or favor, one needs the skill to be perfectly still, and a consistency to ignore the urge to lash back, or compete. The last person to brag always has the edge but why stoop down the level?
I am sure that I am, son included, not alone in the struggles with people we deal with on a daily basis. This is a diverse group with diverse motives, background, education, influences, etc., therefore, it is not easy, and it requires skill. If mastered, living with all these people becomes an art.
I am not musically inclined. I am a lover of good music though.
Zoom Pedals are new to my ears. I have not encountered these sound effect units ever since and it is interesting to know that they are used for guitar multi-effect settings such as distortion, chorus, and delays. They are used to emulate the sounds of amplifiers, too.
I learned that these zoom pedals are used for electric guitar playing but I bet that this knowledge will not bring me to learn the craft of electric guitar playing . I cannot even play a non-electric guitar.
English: apples and grapes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A relative of Papsie died. As always, death in this country is also a way to reunite. Very much like a reunion. Of course, it is inevitable to see people you are fond of, and those you aren’t. You see most of his kins, some willingly smiled and greeted, some deliberately ignored. It’s because they’re rich, I was told. “As if rich would mean they are better people,” I pondered.
Among the folks that I am very fond of was a sexagenarian who loves to talk to people, especially to relatives. He is a very, very funny man, much like a father to me. Last night, the talk went from his teasing a grandchild telling that she might have just arrived from watching a movie when it was obvious that she was still in uniform. Papsie said that a provision of two hundred pesos a day is not enough money now for students to be able to watch a movie. That would not be enough. The old man seemed to be surprised and replied that during their time, they only need five centavos to be able to watch a movie and they do it on foot. That is, they walk their way to the movie house. He continued reminiscing and said that long ago, during their times, apple or grapes are not a common thing to have and eat while today, if one has money, he can have an apple or grapes anytime. He remembered that they were not given apples or grapes if they are not sick, and he was laughing telling us, “How could one eat when he is sick?” We laughed a lot.
His stories and jokes were very funny. He always has side remarks that are funny and scornful at the same time but people loved him for what he is. He makes each encounter light, fun and unforgettable. That is why it makes me wonder why some relatives would act (or show) like they are truly honorable people (when some of them are not) and that they belong to the elite group deliberately classifying people with their stares from head to toe, and frowns, and heads held up high (that appear like they are peacocks). Perhaps someone is right with the assessment that these people think about themselves as better people because they are rich. As the saying of Andrew Carnegie goes, “There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.”
Home Economics sewing (Photo credit: OSU Special Collections & Archives)
When I was in elementary, we had home economics and industrial arts subjects. The first half of the whole year class for the girls will be spent for home economics and the second half for industrial arts. The home economics seemed easier as sewing and other topics related to home management are being taught. It was easier for the girls. It was a challenge when it was the time for girls to try industrial arts where activities are known to be for the boys and that includes most carpentry works.
We were taught about using the hammer, the chisel and the saw. It was too hard for me to get the feel of using the handsaw. It always felt the blades are dull and had made me thought they needed saw blade sharpening. I was always told it is not the blade but the way I use and hold the hand saw. The second half of the year ended without me knowing how to use it. I do not even remember what grade I got from it.
Today, these carpentry tools are easier to use with the many innovations made available. I am still interested to know more. 😀
A new baby is in the house! Not actually in our house. The nephew’s wife (Papsie’s side) delivered a healthy, good-looking boy with an angelic face.
Babies always warm the heart. It doesn’t actually matter how they look. What would they become someday far outweighs the physical aspect. The people around each baby would play a role here and there specially during the stage where they are developing. In short, each word, each actuation, each thought, each expression leaves imprints in their tiny brains. We are responsible for what they grow into. As said often, which is also a cliché, their minds are like sponges. They absorb each structure of existence of other people especially those that catch their attention intently.
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My daughter blurted the other day that she is not having a baby yet because she is still very young and she has a lot of plans in her life still. Papsie and I were speechless for a while. Papsie shrugged and said only these words, “Bahala kayo. Buhay nyo ‘yan. (It’s up to you. It’s your life.)” I wondered why he said that. I wondered all the more about the words that came out of my mouth. “A woman must not take contraceptives if she has not delivered a child yet. It might endanger her reproductive system.” My son looked at me and asked, “Really?”
I know that is a queer way of putting it but I know my children got the message, specially my daughter. They always know that I am always into responsible parenthood. One does not enter into something like having a baby, specially these days, without resources to use for bringing up a child. I know, too, that Papsie is on the other side of the equation. He is afraid of not seeing his grandchildren. He fears that our children might not really give him these wonderful children from his lineage.
It would be hypocrisy to say I do not want to see a grand child from my children. I would not insist though because it is not my life. My children have their own lives to live. I am actually rejoicing from the fact that they do not hasten to just bring out babies in this world and give the responsibility to other people. My heart is glad that they have goals while they take pleasure from the fruits of their hard work.
There is no need for a fireplace in the Philippines even if it is a gel fireplace. In a tropical country, rainy days will not require you to have one even during the months of ‘ber’.
You may wonder what a gel fireplace is. It is a portable fireplace which also means it is movable because of its small size. It uses alcohol gel burning that is why it is clean. No smoke puts out when using it.
But who knows if there are houses here in my country that uses them? I hear that in the mountains the temperature gets really cold. I remember having to wish for a fireplace at the inn where I reside in the region where I compete for a national writing contest. It was freezing cold there before. I hear it is not as cold now.
Read Bambit’s status at FB about the possibility of editing a Facebook comment. She even wrote about it here.
Image via CrunchBase
I didn’t know that and didn’t give too much attention to the pencil icon. I had a lot of comments that need editing. Sometimes I wished I haven’t written some of the words, sentences, expressions, lines and lines of thoughts I had there. Emotions are truly undependable.
I say thanks to the tips. I think I need to have a page for THANK YOU days. Or a category. 😀 There are lots of people, things, blessings, to be thankful for.
What must be pursued is a smoker life insurance if there is a blatant smoker in the house. Acquiring one each for the members of the family of a smoker will be much better.
Will thinking about morbid thoughts (like being involved in a freak accident or situation, or being disabled all your life) reason enough to acquire one?
As many insurance companies are going down it seems, one’s decision to get on having one will waver greatly. You would not want other people get rich with your money.
There is a great need for a company to get insurances for their employees or workers that face hazards or danger inherent to their jobs.
One’s ability to sell will be challenged with life insurances and other forms. These are hard times.
Would a life insurance be an option for most Filipinos? What comprise the population? I think this is still a far-fetched idea for most Pinoys.
The most awaited day at work. It is celebrated either earlier than 12 noon or later. We usually eat lunch late.
It is not because there are delicious menus that await us at the company canteen that is why we look forward to it. It is the discussions, the different topics, some are very light, some are serious or heavy, some are very funny, that are worth listening to and participating in. Most of the time it is funny.
Just this lunch break today, the discussion suddenly jumped to the question whether a single lady that had had multiple sexual relationships will have a ‘changed’ body form than one who had not have a sexual experience or one who has a single partner? One of the two guys (there’s only two in the usual group of five) confidently said that it is possible. I asked why and he explained it comparing it to a balloon’s form when pressed. This in between laughs and jeers. I refused to accept the reasoning and told him that I could only think that bodily changes occur only in conceiving women, or women who had already delivered a child. The other guy, who is much younger, readily agreed although he sounded uncertain. I added that this is evident when a woman already has an apple shaped body instead of a pear shaped body. The laughter continued until the attention was geared to the only single lady in the group. She got conscious and avoided walking ahead in fear that the two will take a look and observe. 😀
I look forward to another lunch break. I can’t help but smile.
In the Philippines, incandescent light bulbs are popular. Not as decorative accessory in a house but as a cheaper alternative. The different colors are a must for the Christmas season.
I am a frugal mom at times and I can purchase anything if it’s worth any item that we are going to buy. Cheap does not always mean low quality.
The house is lighted by all these incandescent lights. I love best the while lights.
Came across these wonderful gems via WordPress today:
Thus Raked Zarathusthra – the About page has this – “We diarise our amateur attempts to cook, garden and refurbish old furniture (as well as other leisurely pursuits) and hope you don’t mind reading along.” Honestly, it is my first time to hear the word diarise. The writer claims he/she is an amateur photographer yet the photos are superbly shot. The entries are downright honest.
Comic Belief – there isn’t anything in the About page. The author is an English major who has an obvious knack in writing. Here’s wishing that someday I will be reading a famous book from the blog owner.
Everlasting Memory/Love – this is a blog by a photographer by the name of Patrick Tan where he shares his photos. He captures photos with emotions and sceneries. A professional’s work indeed.
Walking Around With a Camera – a blog by Mike Renner from North Dakota and is currently living and working in Taiwan. The site is impressive. The collection of photos are amazing. A must see.
Freshwall Street – Amazing site that features cool streetstyles. The blog owner gives justice.
As a young girl, I was fascinated with many things. The coolest thing to me then was lifting magnets after discovering television. To see things move on the other side of a piece of paper simultaneous with the movement of the magnet was really amazing. Those times, I thought all things can be moved by a magnet.
About the television, I was in grade one when I saw one in the middle of the hallway to the second floor of the building in front of the stairs. As a very young child who had not seen a television, I got fascinated and frightened at the same time trying to understand how those talking people inside the boob tube got so small. A lot of possibilities ran through my head. I got so afraid but the fear was overcome by fascination and the need to discover.
I also got fascinated with learning. I felt as a little child that sounds, words, numbers, pictures and books are magic. I could not stop. I want more each day lessons from the teachers. The concept about young children likened to sponge was so true to me.
When I came home yesterday, I was told that a transformer on top of a post was in flame the past minutes ago. It was near an ice plant. It was near our house.
My daughter told me that she had already called up Meralco and was advised that the service men will be coming two to four hours from the time she called. Two to four hours and the transformer was aflame ?!?! No service men came within two hours so I called up again in the midst of the panic ridden voices outside the house. I was asked first if there is still electricity in the houses (What is this person saying??? I wanted to shout at her and tell her if she meant that they will not give service unless the situation is critical or there is fire already spreading. I tried to control myself to the max.) I was given the same details by the person on the line – the same person and the same service center branch.
The Meralco people came four hours after my daughter’s call and that branch was only ten minutes away from our house. I immediately asked if the person was the one who was advised to check the defective transformer. I was told that he isn’t the one. I asked where the person was and I was again given the answer that he might have probably logged out of work. I gave a follow up question why was it that the matter was already conveyed to them from morning and no action was given. I was given an answer that the person might have a bigger work to attend to. I did not continue my interview because I felt the guy was just beating around the bush.
Meralco’s service sucks big time and their mission is “to provide our customers the best value in energy, products and services.” Are they kidding? The quality of service was not met and it was obvious that there is noncompliance somewhere. There are many ways to do service for customers satisfaction but then again if there is no desire to do something fruitfully and fast, there will always be reasons. The staff of this entity needs assessment, and the entire process of attending to the complaints and concerns have to be greatly improved.
I found this picture of what I believe as hip hop clothing. Like the person that posted it, I also wondered why these pants are worn this way. There must be a reason why. That sketch at the right could be the reason? It was truly, truly hilarious to me! 😀 😀 😀
Hip hop clothing is also one of those streetwear clothing. This fashion originated in some parts of the US (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, to name a few) by African American youth. This comprises the hip hop culture that had changed significantly as time passed by. One can search via Wikipedia to know more of the history.
This kind of culture, music and clothing had already reached the Philippines and you can see some young boys (and a few girls) donned in this attire.
I thank God my son did not like this fashion a bit.
Warmstone 