Create Your Own
Lost Friendship
4 months ago
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
DARN THAT ZAC EFRON!
Darn that Zac Efron! Why was he born so late?
I've seen all 3 High School Musical movies, courtesy of my kids, and I really appreciated Zac Efron. I've also seen him in Hairspray and I thought he really got talent. But it wasn't until I saw his movie "17 Again" that I started to see him in a diferent light. He's one hot, hunky dude! And he's definitely grown up! I can feel my heart fluttering when he walked in slo-mo in that "makeover-to-17" scene. Damn that kid, why did he have to be so darn yummy? And to make matters worse, he was having scenes with this "older" woman that was his movie wife! I could hear myself sigh and groan wistfully. Vanesssa hudgens is one lucky girl! What I would give to be in her shoes for just one day, haha!
Moviewise, the plot is nothing new, another one of those "transformation" movies where the hero finds ways to redeem himself or herself or find a way to redo things in the past...pretty much ho-hum. But casting Zac Efron? That was the saving grace, haha! I find the movie refreshingly funny, and I certainly enjoyed it better than "The Hangover".
Oh, dear, does this mean I'll be collecting Zac Efron movies? Hmmm...we'll see...
Friday, July 10, 2009
DUTY WOES
Whew! What a toxic duty! 3 post-cardiac surgery patients with all sorts of arrhythmias imaginable: vtach, atrial fib, brady, paced beats...my eyes were glued to the monitors the whole time! Everytime the alarm goes off, I feel like having my own arrhythmia! To top it off, I'll be on night shift later...
Friday, July 3, 2009
STAYIN' ALIVE!
CPR STUDY SUGGESTS "STAYIN' ALIVE" LIVES UP TO NAME
CHICAGO – “Stayin’ Alive” might be more true to its name than the Bee Gees ever could have guessed: At 103 beats per minute, the old disco song has almost the perfect rhythm to help jump-start a stopped heart.
The American Heart Association recommends 100 chest compressions per minute, far more than most people realize, study author Dr. David Matlock of the school’s Peoria, Ill., campus said.
The American Heart Association recommends 100 chest compressions per minute, far more than most people realize, study author Dr. David Matlock of the school’s Peoria, Ill., campus said.
He found that “Stayin’ Alive,” which has a way of getting stuck in your head anyway, can help with that.
His study involved 15 students and doctors and had two parts. First they did CPR on mannequins while listening to the song on iPods. They were asked to time chest compressions with the song’s beat.
The study showed the song helped people who already know how to do CPR, and the results were promising enough to warrant larger, more definitive studies with real patients or untrained people, Matlock said.
It turns out the American Heart Association has been using the song as a training tip for CPR instructors for about two years. They learned of it from a physician “who sort of hit upon this as a training tool,” said association spokesman Dr. Vinay Nadkarni of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Matthew Gilbert, a 28-year-old medical resident, was among participants in the University of Illinois study this past spring. Since then, he said, he has revived real patients by keeping the song in his head while doing CPR.
Gilbert said he was surprised the song worked as well as it did.
“I was a little worried because I’ve been told that I have a complete lack of rhythm,” he said. Also, Gilbert said he’s not really a disco fan. But “Stayin’ Alive” work wonders!
His study involved 15 students and doctors and had two parts. First they did CPR on mannequins while listening to the song on iPods. They were asked to time chest compressions with the song’s beat.
The study showed the song helped people who already know how to do CPR, and the results were promising enough to warrant larger, more definitive studies with real patients or untrained people, Matlock said.
It turns out the American Heart Association has been using the song as a training tip for CPR instructors for about two years. They learned of it from a physician “who sort of hit upon this as a training tool,” said association spokesman Dr. Vinay Nadkarni of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Matthew Gilbert, a 28-year-old medical resident, was among participants in the University of Illinois study this past spring. Since then, he said, he has revived real patients by keeping the song in his head while doing CPR.
Gilbert said he was surprised the song worked as well as it did.
“I was a little worried because I’ve been told that I have a complete lack of rhythm,” he said. Also, Gilbert said he’s not really a disco fan. But “Stayin’ Alive” work wonders!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
MY TRANSFORMERS2: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN EXPERIENCE
Okay, after months of anticipation, I finally got to watch the much-talked about sequel. Of course, I resisted the urge to see it on the very first day when the theaters were jampacked. That would have been an exasperating experience with all those jostling bodies, bobbing heads, and noisy commentaries during the movie. My kids and I watched it on the second to the last day of its first week. Even then, there was still a considerable number of moviegoers, proving the movie's global box-office sell.What do I think? Hmm...when my fifth-grade son asked me "wasn't Bumblebee's voicebox fixed at the end of the first movie?" I couldn't answer him. Then we got lost in the action-packed movie scenes, and I just stopped thinking. We went home with our heads still reeling from the action. We were on a high, what a ride. Great, amazing movie, exactly the kind of movie that will make you forget your problems and worries.
Later, when I was considerably subdued, I started thinking. Then I found myself asking some questions. Days after the movie opened, I deliberately avoided reading reviews of the movie because I didn't want to be influenced. Now I found out that it didn't fare too well with the critics. Okay, fine, for its entertainment value, I give it a 10. I think that's the only thing that matters to the producers. But I couldn't help but agree with some of the critics. I found an article exactly mirroring my sentiments and questions.
1. In "Transformers," there was this giant battle in the middle of downtown Los Angeles -- excuse me, Mission City -- that was witnessed by thousands of people at the very least. But somehow the government was able to cover up the whole thing, and now the existence of alien robots is just an internet rumor? How did they do it? Pay off everyone who was there and quickly fix millions of dollars in damage? Also, didn't Keller (Jon Voight) go on TV and tell everyone we were being attacked by "a technological civilization far superior to our own"? How did they spin that?
2. There are two pieces of the Allspark cube left: the military has one under lock and key, and Sam discovers another. The Decepticons steal one and bring Megatron back to life. But when Sam (Shia LaBeouf) wants to bring back Optimus, he has to find the Matrix of Leadership on the other side of the globe. Why not use the other piece? Mikaela (Megan Fox) has it in her backpack the whole time. It brought his kitchen appliances to life, why can't it do the same for Optimus?
To read more of these questions, and the gaping holes in the plot, click the link:
http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/smg-transformers-10-questions.html
But what do we care, right? We had a blast, it was FUN, that's all that matters.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
GOODBYE, MICHAEL
He may be strange, a wacko, eccentric...but there's no denying he was a musical genius, his creative talent in a class of his own, a true musical legend. The music industry suffered a tremendous loss. Despite his global fame, ironically, he was a very, very, lonely man. But at least now he finally found the peace that has eluded him all his life...rest in peace, Michael Jackson...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
ANG GALING NI BEBENG!
Ang galing ni Bebeng!!! Pinoy talaga!
Registered nurse si Bebeng sa L.A. Kasama niya ang kanyang ina na nagpagamot doon. Namatay ang ina nito. Dahil sa kamahalan ng pamasahe pabalik sa Pilipinas, nagtipid si Bebeng. Pinauwi na lang niya ang kabaong ng kanyang ina na mag-isa.
Pagdating ng kabaong, napansin ng mga kapamilya niya na nakadikit ang mukha ng ina sa salamin ng ataul. Nagkomento tuloy ang isang anak, "Ay, naku! Tingnan mo 'yan...hindi sila marunong mag-ayos ng bangkay sa Amerika! Nakudrado tuloy ang mukha ng inay."
Upang ayusin ang itsura ng bangkay, binuksan ang kabaong. Aba! May sulat na-nakastaple sa dibdib ng ina. Kinuha nila ito at binasa. Ang nilalaman
ng liham na mula kay Bebeng:
Mahal kong tatay at mga kapatid:
Pasensya na kayo at hindi ko nasamahan ang nanay sa pag-uwi riyan sa Pilipinas dahil napakamahal ng pamasahe. Ang gastos ko pa lang sa kanya ay mahigit $10,000 na. Ayoko nang isipin pa ang eksaktong halaga. Anyway, ipinadala ko kasama ni nanay ang mga sumusunod...
Nasa likod ni nanay ang dalawampu't apat na karnenorte at isang dosenang spam. Ang adidas na suot ni nanay ay para kay tatay. Ang limang pares ng de-goma ay nasa loob ng dalawang asul na Jansport na backpack na inuunan ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo.
Ang iba't-ibang klase ng tsokolate at candy ay nasa puwetan ni nanay. Para sa mga bata ito. Bahala na kayong magparte-parte. Sana'y hindi natunaw. Ang pokemon stuffed toy na yapos-yapos ni nanay ay para sa bunso ni ate. Gift ko sa first birthday ng bata. Ang itim na Esprit bag ay para kay Nene.
Ate, nasa loob ng bag ang pictures ni inay, japanese version ng pokemon trading cards at stickers. Suot ni nanay ang tatlong Ralph Lauren, apat na Gap at dalawang Old Navy t-shirts. Ang isa ay para kay Kuya at tig-iisa ang mga pamangkin ko. Maisusuot ninyo ang mga iyan sa fiesta.
Suot din ni inay ang anim na panty hose at tatlong warmer para sa mga dalaga kong pamangkin. Isuot nyo sa party. May isang dosenang NBA caps sa may paanan ni nanay. Para sa inyo, itay, kuya, dikong, Tiyo Romy. Bigyan nyo na rin ng tig-isa 'yung mga pamangkin ko at 'yong isa ay kay Pareng Tulume.
Ang tigdadalawang pares ng Nike wristband at knee caps na suot-suot din ni nanay ay para sa mga anak mo, diko, na nagbabasketball. Tigdadalawang ream ng Marlboro lights at Winston red ang nasa pagitan ng mga hita ni nanay.
Apat na jar ng Skippy Peanut Butter, dalawang dishwashing liquid, isang Kiwi glass cleaner at tig-aanim na Colgate at Aqua Fresh ang nakasiksik sa kilikili ni nanay. Hati-hati na kayo, huwag mag-aagawan.
Isang dosenang Wonder bra (Victoria's Secret ata ang tatak) gustong-gusto ni Tiya Iskang society natin, suot-suot din ni nanay. Alam kong inaasam-asam nyo 'yan, tiya. Anim na lipstick lang ang kasya sa bra. Ang Rolex na bilin-bilin mo tatay, suot-suot ni nanay. Nakatakip sa Nike na wristband. Kunin mo agad, Itay.
May isinisik akong zip-loc sa bunganga ni Inay na naglalaman ng $759 dollars. Hindi na ako nakatakbo sa ATM. Puede na siguro sa libing iyon.
Iyong tong na makokolekta, i-time deposit niyo Kuya para pag namatay si Tatay may pambili na ng ataul. Ang hikaw, singsing at kuwintas (na may nakakabit pang anim na nailcutters) na gustong-gusto mo, ditse, ay suot-suot din ni nanay. Kunin mo na rin agad, ditse. Ibigay mo ang isang nailcutter kay Jay bakla sa kanto.
Tanggalin niyo ang bulak sa ilong ng inay, may isiniksik ako 3 diyamante sa bawat butas. Ibangon niyo lang si inay at tiyak na malalaglag na ang mga iyon. Konting alog lang siguro ng ulo.
Marami pa sana akong ipaglalalagay kaya lang, baka mag-excess at si nanay pa ang maiwan. Basta parte-parte kayo, tatay, kuya, ate, dikong, ditse. Para sa inyo lahat ito. Bahala na kayo kay nanay. Pamimisahan ko na lang siya rito.
Balitaan ninyo na lang ako pagkatapos ng libing. Alam ni ate ang email ko. Paki-double check ang lista kung walang nawala sa mga ipinadala ko.
Nagmamahal,
Bebeng
Registered nurse si Bebeng sa L.A. Kasama niya ang kanyang ina na nagpagamot doon. Namatay ang ina nito. Dahil sa kamahalan ng pamasahe pabalik sa Pilipinas, nagtipid si Bebeng. Pinauwi na lang niya ang kabaong ng kanyang ina na mag-isa.
Pagdating ng kabaong, napansin ng mga kapamilya niya na nakadikit ang mukha ng ina sa salamin ng ataul. Nagkomento tuloy ang isang anak, "Ay, naku! Tingnan mo 'yan...hindi sila marunong mag-ayos ng bangkay sa Amerika! Nakudrado tuloy ang mukha ng inay."
Upang ayusin ang itsura ng bangkay, binuksan ang kabaong. Aba! May sulat na-nakastaple sa dibdib ng ina. Kinuha nila ito at binasa. Ang nilalaman
ng liham na mula kay Bebeng:
Mahal kong tatay at mga kapatid:
Pasensya na kayo at hindi ko nasamahan ang nanay sa pag-uwi riyan sa Pilipinas dahil napakamahal ng pamasahe. Ang gastos ko pa lang sa kanya ay mahigit $10,000 na. Ayoko nang isipin pa ang eksaktong halaga. Anyway, ipinadala ko kasama ni nanay ang mga sumusunod...
Nasa likod ni nanay ang dalawampu't apat na karnenorte at isang dosenang spam. Ang adidas na suot ni nanay ay para kay tatay. Ang limang pares ng de-goma ay nasa loob ng dalawang asul na Jansport na backpack na inuunan ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo.
Ang iba't-ibang klase ng tsokolate at candy ay nasa puwetan ni nanay. Para sa mga bata ito. Bahala na kayong magparte-parte. Sana'y hindi natunaw. Ang pokemon stuffed toy na yapos-yapos ni nanay ay para sa bunso ni ate. Gift ko sa first birthday ng bata. Ang itim na Esprit bag ay para kay Nene.
Ate, nasa loob ng bag ang pictures ni inay, japanese version ng pokemon trading cards at stickers. Suot ni nanay ang tatlong Ralph Lauren, apat na Gap at dalawang Old Navy t-shirts. Ang isa ay para kay Kuya at tig-iisa ang mga pamangkin ko. Maisusuot ninyo ang mga iyan sa fiesta.
Suot din ni inay ang anim na panty hose at tatlong warmer para sa mga dalaga kong pamangkin. Isuot nyo sa party. May isang dosenang NBA caps sa may paanan ni nanay. Para sa inyo, itay, kuya, dikong, Tiyo Romy. Bigyan nyo na rin ng tig-isa 'yung mga pamangkin ko at 'yong isa ay kay Pareng Tulume.
Ang tigdadalawang pares ng Nike wristband at knee caps na suot-suot din ni nanay ay para sa mga anak mo, diko, na nagbabasketball. Tigdadalawang ream ng Marlboro lights at Winston red ang nasa pagitan ng mga hita ni nanay.
Apat na jar ng Skippy Peanut Butter, dalawang dishwashing liquid, isang Kiwi glass cleaner at tig-aanim na Colgate at Aqua Fresh ang nakasiksik sa kilikili ni nanay. Hati-hati na kayo, huwag mag-aagawan.
Isang dosenang Wonder bra (Victoria's Secret ata ang tatak) gustong-gusto ni Tiya Iskang society natin, suot-suot din ni nanay. Alam kong inaasam-asam nyo 'yan, tiya. Anim na lipstick lang ang kasya sa bra. Ang Rolex na bilin-bilin mo tatay, suot-suot ni nanay. Nakatakip sa Nike na wristband. Kunin mo agad, Itay.
May isinisik akong zip-loc sa bunganga ni Inay na naglalaman ng $759 dollars. Hindi na ako nakatakbo sa ATM. Puede na siguro sa libing iyon.
Iyong tong na makokolekta, i-time deposit niyo Kuya para pag namatay si Tatay may pambili na ng ataul. Ang hikaw, singsing at kuwintas (na may nakakabit pang anim na nailcutters) na gustong-gusto mo, ditse, ay suot-suot din ni nanay. Kunin mo na rin agad, ditse. Ibigay mo ang isang nailcutter kay Jay bakla sa kanto.
Tanggalin niyo ang bulak sa ilong ng inay, may isiniksik ako 3 diyamante sa bawat butas. Ibangon niyo lang si inay at tiyak na malalaglag na ang mga iyon. Konting alog lang siguro ng ulo.
Marami pa sana akong ipaglalalagay kaya lang, baka mag-excess at si nanay pa ang maiwan. Basta parte-parte kayo, tatay, kuya, ate, dikong, ditse. Para sa inyo lahat ito. Bahala na kayo kay nanay. Pamimisahan ko na lang siya rito.
Balitaan ninyo na lang ako pagkatapos ng libing. Alam ni ate ang email ko. Paki-double check ang lista kung walang nawala sa mga ipinadala ko.
Nagmamahal,
Bebeng
Sunday, June 7, 2009
MEN GROW OLDER TOO!
Lighten up on the ladies! Men grow older too, as these pics will prove! Recognize them?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
STOP WHINING, Y'ALL!! KRIS IS THE NEW IDOL!
Well, what did I tell you? All the hype and brouhaha over Adam Lambert didn't help him clinch the title after all! You may all call it the biggest upset, but for me, I already had the inkling weeks before when Kris started showing strong performances. All the fawning and Adam-worshipping were getting to be too much, in the end, it's the underrated underdog who captured the title. Shame on all of you who thinks America got it wrong! America just elected Obama, for Pete's sake! This should be an eye-opener, a moment of realization that true TALENT prevails over flashy, eyelined showmanship with overrated hype machine. In fairness to Adam, he's a good performer, a good showman, but that's all he excels in. Kris plays the piano, plays the guitar, a songwriter, a TRUE-BLOODED musician! I could listen to a Kris CD all day, but an Adam CD? More than an hour's worth of screaming with that voice? I don't think so!Adam fans, c'mon, Adam's already a star, title or no title, thanks to all the hype; Kris needed the title more. And if y'all could just stop whining and thrashing and OMG-ing and be objective about it, you'd realize Kris is a deserving winner. You go, Kris!
And please, please, don't make this about homophobia, religion, or all that crap, coz those are totally out of the question! Here's what others have to say:
Aunty-Guv: Buy a clue folks - Kris had the real musical talent - A true musician who was rewarded for his talents - Adam - simply a showman whose screaming finally was his undoing. Kris is an artist - Adam a Flash (In the Pan!!)
Yahoo Music user: Get over it. All season it's been "ADAM IS AWESOME!! Everyone else sucks!" You love him, we get it. That doesn't mean "America" got it wrong or we are all homophobes. Everyone has their own taste, that's why there is more than one radio station. And could you go one article without hating on Danny? Did he do something personally to you to make you hate him so much? I don't care for Adam's singing, but I can admit he is talented and a good person. Both Adam and Kris will be fine. I am sure Adam is glad he lost because now he doesn't have to sing that horrendous "coronation" song.
BrnxBmbr: Thats right losers!!! Adam is and always has been nothing more than a wannabe broadway performer. He is not a musician - he's a drama queen. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!! All of you who disagree - get your hearing checked. Real musicians prevail - fakers do not... as CLEARLY shown tonight. Congrats Kris. Some of us knew you were the real Idol, not drama queen Adam.
AmandaLea321: does it really matter who the "idol champion" is anymore? i mean, last year archie and cook both got recording deals with the 19 management. i think the same will happen this year as well. kris will get a recording deal and so will adam. it really doesn't matter who wins the coveted "idol champion" spot...the recording contract isn't solely for the "winner"...its not exclusive anymore...the top two are getting the record deals...and not just the winner. kinda takes credibility away from the show a bit. i am very happy kris won..i liked adam but like lindsy mentioned, i got tired of ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE forcing adam in my face and down my throat. and also, i don't think adam needs american idol to become successful. he will do much better on his own. i think kris will do well also. he's creative and artistic..i think he is more of a total package...just my opinion. YAY FOR KRIS ALLEN!!!
christieB: Come on, that's not fair. America can't "get it wrong", because in the end, it's America's choice. America clearly prefers someone who doesn't need to go off on stroke-like shrieks in order to complete *every* song. The first time I heard Glambert sing one of his screaming songs I said "Wow, he's so unique". The 15th time, that wasn't my reaction. He is a very good singer, but (just my opinion) a bit of a one-trick-pony. At least Kris has some versatility.
AmandaLea: OKAY HOLD UP!!! NOW YA'LL GONNA START PERSECUTING SOMEONE ELSE'S RELIGION!!?? YOU SAY KRIS ALLEN WON CUZ OF "CHRISTIAN VOTE"? THAT IS FU**ED UP!!!! THIS DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION OR HOMOPHOBIA!! WOW!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE SOME OF YOU HAVE STOOPED THAT LOW...BLAMING A RELIGION OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION JUST CUZ YOU'RE FAV DIDN'T WIN...MY GOD!! ITS A TV SHOW...AMERICA VOTED!! AMERICANS OF ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE!! NOT JUST A CERTAIN GROUP IN GENERAL! GET OFF IT PEOPLE!! sorry, but i just had to get that off my chest.
KizerSoze: Its incredible how blind you Adam fans are. You cant just come to grips that there is a huge amount of people that simply enjoy the singing style Kris possess instead of Adam's. No you cant come to grips with that, instead you do what all lowlife's do. You claim Adam lost because he is gay, you claim Adam lost because Kris is a church goer...you are all pathetic. If you want to shed the blame, blame the people that were completely biased. I for one enjoy that America did not blindly follow the stupid. Simon needs to stick to Britain Has Talent, and forget American Idol. The American Idol judges are completely unlikeable, biased, and moronic, and as a result make Simon look like a tard.
TK: Kris won because Kris appealed to more people... period. It wasn't Gokey fans... I couldn't stand Gokey.. had to fast forward through him tonight. Most Americans are obviously not fans of the theater and to like Adam you needed to like the theatrical. His talent is undeniable. When he sang normal.. I liked him. When he screamed.. I didn't. You talk like there is something wrong with the fact that Kris is a happily married church worship leader (didn't know he was a church worship leader by the way). I'm telling you what... most of America seems to be messed up if they think there is something wrong with that. I could care less about Adam's lifestyle...that would be his choice and his business.. I just didn't like his music style and obviously the majority of the people voting didn't since he didn't win...GET OVER IT.
YahooMusic User: Don't, don't, don't ever believe this had anything to do with anything other than the music. What's so hard for all you Adam Lambert fans out there to understand that there is a large portion of America that doesn't like being shrieked at, on key or otherwise. Kris is just much more marketable to a larger audience, plain and simple.
Maybe...just maybe, next year, the judges won't fawn, slobber, and otherwise crown their favorite as the winner before America speaks. Adam is a talented guy and will do well regardless of the outcome....but I for one got tired of the endless, over-the-top gushing on the part of the judges. It seemed like America was getting the judges' choice rammed down their throats, and probably created a huge backlash.
Deahh: I think Adam is a very talented singer, probably the most talented in the competition this year. But the contest isn't about being the best singer, the contest is about being the best singer that people want to hear.The fact that he endears himself to you and most of your readers (judging by the comments I read most of the season) means simply that you and your readers love him. It also means that the more reserved, less vocal majority liked Kris.The end result will be meaningless in a year or two anyways. I disagree with you and truly believe Kris will have better, more long term success - but I'm not hating on Adam, I just don't think he has "widespread" appeal.As someone who has been a fan of "rockers" since he left the womb 34 years ago, I can tell you I would likely never buy a Lambert album while I can see myself buying a Kris Allen album. And while my rock music collection is quite large, at this point he doesn't even register. I don't even think he really fit well with Kiss tonight. He soft vocals are superb, and his high notes, while annoying, are good. It's his up-tempo, middle ground that I find lacking.
KizerSoze: Kris is humble enough to be suprised by winning since everyone on the show and with visible power, such as this blog was against him. Hence his shock, and comment over Adam not winning. He does not believe for a second he does not deserve it, he just has class. Unlike Adam who actually picked sides when he was asked who he should stand with earlier in the show. Again you all like to spin things into Adam's favor. Sad that you all can't be happy that a regular citizen had this opportunity and made his dream come true. A lot of you are truly sour individuals.
Mike K - MCP President: Singers ALWAYS beat the screamers. Next time you wanna mess with what REAL music is, I'll come at you like an oncoming train!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
KRIS IN TOP 3!
Yes! Kris Allen is in American Idol's Top 3! That's enough for me. I don't care now if he wins or not, he's got loads of talent and I'm still a fan.
I just don't like Adam. He's all pomp and flash, but if anybody could just get their heads out of the clouds (of hype over Adam), they'd realize that between Adam and Danny, Danny's got the better vocal quality. Adam is too flashy and theatrical for my taste, and I find his voice shrieky.
I'm so disappointed in Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. She's so star-struck with Adam she's not being objective. Her bias/favoritism is so brazenly obvious I couldn't believe anything she says. Randy, Paula, and Simon have had their favorites but they don't show it that blatantly. You could see that anything could still hapen with them, unlike with Kara, who is so transparent she already had this season wrapped up with her precious Adam on top. Just for that, if Kris gets booted out, I'd vote for Danny; but you know, Adam could stilll get axed. You never know.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
SWINE FLU (H1N1) VIRUS UP CLOSE!
May 4, 2009—Sorry, not a curly tail in sight.Scientists have snapped the first ever portrait of H1N1, the new swine flu virus that has swept the globe in recent weeks.
A virus cell (such as the H1N1 swine flu cells above) is made up of a core that contains genetic material, which is surrounded by a protein-filled coat that allows the virus to catch onto and invade target cells. Each cell measures about one-ten-thousandth of a millimeter wide.
The samples, obtained from an infected patient in California, were photographed on April 27, 2009, at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Novel H1N1 Flu
What is H1N1 (swine flu)? H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread
Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”? This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
Are there human infections with this H1N1 virus in the U.S.? Yes. Cases of human infection with this H1N1 influenza virus were first confirmed in the U.S. in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time and more and more states have been reporting cases of illness from this virus. An updated case count of confirmed novel H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
Is this new H1N1 virus contagious? CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people? The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork? No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. - Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
STEPHEN KING'S "CELL"
Just finished very creepy, really gory, spine-tingling "CELL" from the master of the macabre Stephen King. (I got the first edition hardbound...) Couldn't help thinking, it would only take one lunatic with a sophisticated WMD, who cleverly realized that the ultimate method of delivery would be the ubiquitous cellphones -- to wipe us all out from the face of the planet...Most end-of-the-world scenarios dreamed up by writers (and analysts!) usually depict armageddon caused by too much technology...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 8
Last year's American Idol Season 7 was better by a mile (remember the two Davids?). I certainly don't think this season has talents who I could say with a certainty will sell records the way David Cook or even Daughtry has. Dunno with you guys but I really like very underrated Kris - he's got sheer artistry, musicality, genuine talent (case in point: his take on Donna Summer's "She Works Hard for the Money"). Adam has showmanship & starpower performance ability but I find his voice shrieky when he hits the high notes, and well, he IS a bit theatrical. Danny's got vetter vocal quality than Adam but his showmanship leaves much to be desired; plus i think he's just getting sympathy votes because of his life story. I think Kris is the dark horse, the underdog. Danny & Adam? Overhyped and overrated, methinks.Here's what some bloggers have to say: (from About.com)
(Cain): To me kris is the most talented of the bunch. good song choice, versatile yet convincing singing. but i’m not sure he can win. he’s not the one everybody is talking about. best doesn’t mean winner, too many have proven this. so sad ai’s been a popularity show for years and it will still be.
Adam’s dramatic performance soon will wear off and his singing style would be hard to fit into the market, if he indeed won the show. Danny has a good voice and a overly marketed story, but he also needs a little change and his cocky attitude won’t get him very far.
(Leigh): People love Adam because he’s different; he’s an entertainer first and foremost. However, I just don’t know what kind of album he would make or if he can really make it in modern music. He’s a great performer and he’s talented, but he’s so theatrical. And Danny Gokey–I am so done with him it’s not even funny.
(John): Kris is my favorite on this show. He seems like a really musical guy and a true talent, not just a vocalist.
(LeMarie): Totally agree with all the comments. Kris is one of the best contestants to hit AI. He is multi-talented and refreshing. AI would be foolish to pass him up.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
BLOG OVERHAUL
I'm currently in the process of overhauling my blog and going for a completely different look. It's been giving me a headache so far. I lost some widgets and I couldn't find them anymore, my flag counter was reset, and I couldn't decide on a template...darn! So far, I think I'm getting there...I haven't updated my blog for months now. Well, I've never been exactly that active in blogging...but I have a feeling that's about to change...here goes nothing...=)
DEAR GOD
In keeping with my "tribute to kids" mood lately, I found this nugget of a photo from www.anvari.org of Dear God letters from kids. Believe me when I say, read on and feel all your worries melt away...ahh, the innocence of youth...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN?
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes...
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?”
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." - (Rebecca - age 8)
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” - (Billy - age 4)
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." - (Karl - age 5)
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." - (Chrissy - age 6)
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." - (Terri - age 4)
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” - (Danny - age 7)
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" - (Emily - age 8)
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." - (Bobby - age 7) Wow!
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” - (Nikka - age 6) We need a few million more Nikkas on this planet!
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." - (Noelle - age 7)
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." - (Tommy - age 6)
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." - (Cindy - age 8)
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." - (Clare - age 6)
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." - (Elaine - age 5)
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." - (Chris - age 7)
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." - (Mary Ann - age 4)
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." - (Lauren - age 4)
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." - (Karen - age 7) What an image!
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." - (Mark - age 6)
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." - (Jessica - age 8)
And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry".
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?”
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." - (Rebecca - age 8)
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” - (Billy - age 4)
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." - (Karl - age 5)
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." - (Chrissy - age 6)
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." - (Terri - age 4)
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” - (Danny - age 7)
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" - (Emily - age 8)
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." - (Bobby - age 7) Wow!
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” - (Nikka - age 6) We need a few million more Nikkas on this planet!
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." - (Noelle - age 7)
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." - (Tommy - age 6)
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." - (Cindy - age 8)
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." - (Clare - age 6)
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." - (Elaine - age 5)
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." - (Chris - age 7)
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." - (Mary Ann - age 4)
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." - (Lauren - age 4)
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." - (Karen - age 7) What an image!
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." - (Mark - age 6)
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." - (Jessica - age 8)
And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry".
Saturday, March 28, 2009
7 Reasons Not to Mess with a Child
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, he's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, “And there's the teacher, she's dead.”
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.
The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want - God is watching the apples.”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
THE DONKEY (NEVER GIVE UP)
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;
it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.
They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;
it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.
They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL : Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
THE SON
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out the package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out the package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings.
Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence...Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'
But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice rose angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'
But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'
'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!'
But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice rose angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'
But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'
'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!'
Sunday, December 7, 2008
FAMOUS ART
I've always considered myself as an art aficionado. Ever since I can remember, I've been fascinated by works of art, especially art by the Old Masters. I'm especially fond of Impressionism, and my favorite is Claude Monet. One of the things I want to do before I die is to see some of these original works of art up close and personal, so that means I'll be scouring the museums all over the world for that. I don't mind. after all, I do have that adventurous streak in me. I picked out some of the most famous art I admire and made a slideshow, aptly set to the "Mona Lisa Smile Suite" by Rachel Portman.. Following is the list of those included in the slideshow according to order of showing, with the art title, artist, and art movement. Enjoy!
1) A Beautiful World – Grandma Moses – American folk art
2) A Girl With A Watering Can – Renoir - impressionism
3) Adam and Eve – Gustav Klimt – art nouveau
4) American Gothic – Grant Wood – American folk art
5) Amoureux au Bouquet – Marc Chagall - expressionism
6) A Pair of Shoes – Vincent Van Gogh – impressionism
7) Arundel Mill and Castle – John Constable - Romanticism
8) Ashes – Edvard Munch - expressionism
9) At The Moulin Rouge – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – post-impressionism
10) Boating – Edouard Manet - impressionism
11) Bathers at Asnieres – Georges Seurat – pointillism
12) Beata Beatrix – Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Pre-Raphaelite
13) Blind Man’s Bluff – Francisco de Goya – Spanish rococo
14) Bride With A Fan – Marc Chagall - expressionism
15) By The Seashore - Pierre Auguste Renoir - impressionism
16) Cowper Madonna - Raphael – renaissance
17) Creation of Adam (section of Sistine Chapel) – Michelangelo Buonarrotti - renaissance
18) Daniel In The Lion’s Den – Peter Paul Rubens – baroque
19) Dejeuner Sur La Herbe – Edward Manet - impressionism
20) Flagellation of Christ – Caravaggio - baroque
21) Girl Asleep At A Table – Pablo Picasso – cubism
22) Girl With A Pearl Earring – Jan Vermeer – baroque
23) Head of A Nymph – Sophie Gengembre Anderson – Pre-Raphaelite
24) Holy Family - Michelangelo Buonarroti – renaissance
25) Impression: Sunrise – Claude Monet – impressionism
26) In The Green Mountains – Grandma Moses – American folk art
27) Irises – Vincent Van Gogh - impressionism
28) Landscape at Beaulieu – Pierre Auguste Renoir - impressionism
29) L’Etoile Pastel – Edgar Degas – impressionism
30) Madonna and Child with Angels – Fra Filippo Lippi - renaissance
31) Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci – renaissance
32) Night Fishing at Antibes – Pablo Picasso – cubism
33) On The Terrace – Pierre Auguste Renoir - impresionism
34) Pieta – Michelangelo Buonarrotti – sculpture
35) Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne – Amedeo Modigliani – expressionism
36) Portrait of Picasso – Juan Gris - cubism
37) River Landscape – Thomas Gainborough - rococo
38) Starry Night – Vincent Van Gogh – post-impressionism
39) Still Life With A Basket – Paul Cezanne – post-impressionism
40) Stour Valley and Dedham Church – John Constable - Romanticism
41) Study of A Nude – Paul Gauguin – post-impressionism
42) Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte – Georges Seurat - pointillism
43) Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh - impressionism
44) The Art of Painting – Jan Vermeer - baroque
45) The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli – renaissance
46) The Cornfield – John Constable - Romanticism
47) The Entombment – Peter Paul Rubens – baroque
48) The Flame – Jackson Pollock – abstract expressionism
49) The Joy of Life (Le Bonheur de Vivre) – Henri Matisse – fauvism
50) The Kiss – Gustav Klimt – art nouveau
51) The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci – renaissance
52) The Little Valley – Paul Gauguin – Post-impressionism
53) The Marriage at Cana – Veronese - renaissance
54) The Milkmaid – Jan Vermeer – baroque
55) The Moon-Woman – Jackson Pollock – action painting
56) The Music Lesson – Jan Vermeer - baroque
57) The Night Watch - Rembrandt – baroque
58) The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dali – surrealism
59) The River at Argenteuil – Edouard Manet - impressionism
60) The Scream - Edvard Munch – expressionism
61) The Stay at Homes – Norman Rockwell – American folk art
62) The Three Ages – Salvador Dali - surrealism
63) The Thinker - Auguste Rodin – sculpture
64) Venus of Urbino – Titian - renaissance
65) Village Path – Camille Pisarro - impressionism
66) Waterlilies - Claude Monet – impressionism
67) Waterlilies (the clouds) – Claude Monet - impressionism
68) Whistler's Mother - James Abbott McNeill Whistler – impressionism
69) Woman Before An Aquarium – Henri Matisse - fauvism
70) Woman with a Parasol (The Stroll, Camille Monet and her son Jean) – Claude Monet – impressionism
71) Young Girl Fixing Her Hair – Sophie Gengembre Anderson – Pre-Raphaelite
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
MY TWILIGHT EXPERIENCE
My sis and I were shopping for Christmas decors when we decided on the spur of the moment to watch “Twilight”. It was Friday, late afternoon, school was out -- bad call – clearly the demographic was high school and college students. The line wasn’t that long, but the movie house was nearly full. We took our seats and sat back to enjoy the movie. Fat chance…when the Cullens started to appear, the screaming started. As it turned out, seated right behind us was a whole row of high school students. And when Edward appeared, the dialogue was drowned out by the hyperventilating shrieks of the same demographic. Sheesh! A number of us were irritated, especially since they started to anticipate and pre-empt every scene after that with their intimate knowledge of the story. No amount of hushing quelled their excitement. When the scene came for Edward’s first “Hello”, the squealing drowned out the dialogue! Angry moviegoers finally yelled at them, including my very audible “OVER!” Well, that did the trick coz they behaved after that. Remind me never to watch a much hyped movie in its first few days of screening. I’d much rather watch it during its last few days of run when you have an almost empty theater and you can blissfully enjoy the movie without the noise, the jostling, and the passing-in-front-of-you-to-get-to-the-next-seat.Okay, let’s face it; no movie version could ever hope to surpass the book. That’s proven in the case of the Harry Potter series, The DaVinci Code, the Bourne series, and a lot more. Even the biggest Hollywood budget and the most high-tech special effects could never hope to match the imagination of those who have read the books. The best they could do is to stay true to the story and make the movie as close to the imagination as it possibly could.
Fortunately “Twilight” is one such movie, true to its source material. Even the choice of the actors to play the key roles did not disappoint the book’s followers. Although I still don’t get all the hype about this movie. I mean, the premise of a “good” vampire falling in love with a mortal has been rehashed to death. In fact this angst-filled romance reminded me of TV’s Buffy and Angel (remember them?), except that Buffy is a kick-ass slayer while Bella is the classic damsel in distress. Even the excruciatingly slow-to-happen first kiss reminded me of the long drawn-out first kiss of Joey and Dawson in Dawson’s Creek. But somehow author Stephenie Meyer seemed to have achieved the right balance of suspense and romance to titillate the imagination of her target audience, the young adults of this generation. Furthermore, she has completely reinvented the vampire image and veered away from the frequent depictions of a vampire. Like, being able to move in daylight as long as they avoid direct sunlight; we all know vampires burn when sunlight hits them, but in Twilight world, their skin glow like diamonds, a beautiful apparition. They don’t eat, they don’t drink, they don’t sleep (what? no coffins?), they don’t shun away from garlic or crosses. All this reinvention made Edward even more irresistible, and made the YA crowd root for Edward to finally turn Bella.
The movie not only captivated the hearts of its target audience, but also those not in the demographic. As usual critics are divided on this one, but I really don’t care much for what the critics say. I go to the movies to be entertained. And I WAS entertained, even tickled by the “cute” love story. If it’s entertainment you’re looking for, then this is the movie to watch. Just another one of those big Hollywood movies with sequels you’d have to wait over a year for. Yeah, bummer, huh? =)
Monday, November 10, 2008
SPEECHES
Over the years I've been asked, requested, tasked, ordered to speak at special events in schools, gatherings, work. I hate public speaking! I'm not that good with crowds. But sometimes you just gotta do what you have to do. And of course, I had to write my own speech! I have no problem with that, I'd rather write than speak. Still, it's a reality I just have to contend with -- that as I go along, there'll be speeches to write and well, deliver...
The following was the speech I delivered during our Nursing post-graduation ring-hop ceremony which I wrote in the wee hours of the morning, just hours before the event. Yeah, I know, last-minute chores and multi-tasking is a nurse's specialty...
We stand here today at this junction in our lives as proud finished products of four years of hard work, patience, and dogged perseverance. Like malleable metal forged through time, we were molded and polished into what we are today.
Our four-year stay in the Nursing program can never be described as one that was easy. We gave should I say more than our share of hardships and difficulties. Sleepless nights, countless requirements, mind-wrecking examinations and not to mention the dreaded pink slips…all these have helped in making us more competent, disciplined and much more prepared for the professional path ahead of us.
It wasn’t however all pain. As with life, our experience in the program is bittersweet. Undeniably, we have had happy and happier days. The friendships we have formed, the skills we have mastered and that we never thought we could do, and the compassion we have nurtured within us, are some of the things that have kept us going. Most importantly, we could never have made it without the untiring guidance and support that our administrators, faculty and family have unfailingly given us throughout the years. It is with this that I, on behalf of the pioneering batch of the College of Nursing, extend this gratitude to all these people.
To the administrators of the College of Nursing, headed by our beloved dean, Dr. Patria V. Manalaysay, we thank you for your unwavering support and belief in us, and your determination to make the Ateneo de Davao University College of Nursing at par with or even the best of them all. It is with fervent hope and prayer that we will do you proud.
Our four-year stay in the Nursing program can never be described as one that was easy. We gave should I say more than our share of hardships and difficulties. Sleepless nights, countless requirements, mind-wrecking examinations and not to mention the dreaded pink slips…all these have helped in making us more competent, disciplined and much more prepared for the professional path ahead of us.
It wasn’t however all pain. As with life, our experience in the program is bittersweet. Undeniably, we have had happy and happier days. The friendships we have formed, the skills we have mastered and that we never thought we could do, and the compassion we have nurtured within us, are some of the things that have kept us going. Most importantly, we could never have made it without the untiring guidance and support that our administrators, faculty and family have unfailingly given us throughout the years. It is with this that I, on behalf of the pioneering batch of the College of Nursing, extend this gratitude to all these people.
To the administrators of the College of Nursing, headed by our beloved dean, Dr. Patria V. Manalaysay, we thank you for your unwavering support and belief in us, and your determination to make the Ateneo de Davao University College of Nursing at par with or even the best of them all. It is with fervent hope and prayer that we will do you proud.
To our Clinical Instructors, I have this to say: through the years we have seen clinical instructors come and go. Some of them old, some of them young, some big and some small, some cute and some not-so-cute, some very, very kind and some never-mind. It cannot be denied that perhaps a lot of you are more hypertensive now than when you first started, or that a few of us have caused your hair to turn white. But then again, the same can be said for us, for some of you also caused our blood to boil especially when it comes to grades and pink slips. But we’re past all that now! Look at where we are right this moment… we survived. Our dear clinical instructors, you have become more than what your job descriptions called for, we thank you for being more than just our teachers, you have become our second parents, mentors, friends, counselors, and allies all the way. From all of us, thank you.
And of course, to our families who have taught us what unconditional love is all about and how it sustained us all these years, through all the out-of-town duties, overnight stay for case presentations, long hours spent away from home, and the financial burden --- for putting up with all these, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. No words can ever describe our heartfelt gratitude for all of you.
At this point I would like to share these words from Albert Einstein: “A hundred times a day, I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving.”
Ladies and gentlemen, everything that we have become, and everything that we will be we offer it all to The Man Upstairs and to all of you. Thank you very much.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ON SOUL MATES AND TWIN FLAMES
What is a twin flame you may ask? The term most often has been confused with that of soul mates but the two are distinctly different. The greatest love story ever told is the one you have with your very own beloved twin flame. In the beginning we were created in God (Alpha and Omega) in an ovoid white-fire-spirit-light, the soul was split just like the atom (Adam Kadman) into two identical parts (twin flames) each with the same identical soul blueprint. The tai-chi is a symbol of twin flames. Twin flames in love spiraling in infinity.We then went forth from the Etheric realm (heaven) of God's perfect light into denser levels of consciousness (the physical). The actual saga of Adam and Eve is about twin flames, for we all have our own Adam and Eve story. Somewhere in cosmos, each one of us has our very own divine other, who carries either the feminine or masculine polarity. This soul memory of the twin flame is so powerful, that we can feel very alone in this world, as we search for that promise of that original perfect love, the twin. No other love can compare to your own twin flame. Some people in very difficult relationships choose to suffer in agonizing pain, just to be with their twin flame. The movies Somewhere in Time, The English Patient and Moulin Rouge are modern day examples of twin flame love. Twin flames throughout history and literature are often tragic love relationships. The forces of anti-love work day and night to sabotage twin flames and keep them apart.
Twin Flames are ourselves in another body. When Souls chose to enter into physicality, they were split into masculine and feminine aspects. Please note, not male and female, because throughout our incarnations, we will be in both genders of bodies. When we first leave the Light to enter into physicality, we will connect with our Twin Flame. This is done so we will not feel so totally alone in the human experience. After this we go our separate ways and grow lifetime after lifetime in experience and wisdom until we are ready to break free of the bonds of physicality and mortality. When we have reached this stage we have the opportunity to reconnect with our “other half” or Twin Flame. The chances are that we meet our Twin Flame briefly in many lifetimes, but one or both of us are not ready for the intensity of this connection. When both halves of the whole are ready to come back together and meet they will discover that in that lifetime they have lead almost parallel lives. The events of their lives will mirror each other almost exactly. They may have come from very similar families and family dynamics. They may have had similar schooling or lack thereof. They may have almost identical careers. They may even have previous marriages and divorces within weeks of each other. When Twin Flames get to know each other, they will feel as if the other is reading their life script.
So now, what is a Soul Mate? A soul mate is different from a twin flame. Soul mates share a common mission and comparable stage of spiritual development. They come together because they are working on the same type of karma and the same chakra simultaneously. So soul mates have an attraction that is based on the sacred labor and on the path of self-mastery. A soul mate is like the echo of oneself in Matter working at the same task to fulfill a blueprint for God.
Soul mates experience a calmer, more stable connection on the lines of a brother and a sister type rapport. The very best marriages are often found to be between soul mates; they work very harmoniously together in business, raising children, and contributing to the community.
Soul Mates are those beings that we have had connections with in past lives. They may have been our parents, siblings, spouses, friends, etc. and they have agreed to come back to join us again. The reason for this rejoining is so that we can each achieve balance in our lives. Our Soul Mates represent our spiritual family. By connecting with them we are reminded of the resonance of our Soul and also they help us to wake up and remember our purpose. Most of the time when we think of Soul Mates we are thinking of love relationships, but we can have Soul Mates that join us for business partnerships, healing relationships, and yes, love relationships. Any relationship we can have is open to the arena of Soul Mates. They may be a teacher or minister or counselor who comes into our life and touches it deeply. Soul Mates are truly our friends from many lifetimes who come to play again with on this Earth. Often they come into our lives for a specific time or event. They may even come into a love relationship to assist us in a specific learning and then move on. Whatever the purpose of being in each others lives, it is a beautiful experience. When you connect with your Soul Mate in a love relationship, you have, in effect, found your perfect mate for where you are in your development as a Soul.
Over many lifetimes soul mate relationships prepare us for lasting twin reunion. They are a very important part of the process and should be blessed as such. Most often, soul mate unions will last longer and be more rewarding than the electrifying, but often stormy, twin pairings. Twin soulship is a very highly charged partnership and the two must be spiritually ready for it to last. When they are, their union will transcend all others.
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