tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29457595968546585712024-02-07T00:41:29.113-05:00Portraits Of LifeMy Thoughts And ReflectionsAmiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-25727958655461236252019-10-29T15:55:00.000-04:002019-10-29T15:56:11.190-04:00Awesome Fall Colors <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some of the photos I took in Great Falls Park, VA</div>
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-33262920047498623522018-08-02T17:47:00.005-04:002018-08-02T17:49:28.087-04:00What A Wonderful World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hi Folks, it's been like ages since my last post. The demands of my everyday life had been so hectic that this blog has taken a back seat for a while. I didn't have enough time to focus on this site. But lately I realized that I don't have to say so much to keep up with my readers. Sometimes beautiful images and photos that capture a special moment are enough to keep in touch with you all. So here I am, sharing with you some of the photos I took while spending a nice afternoon at the Prince William Marina, Woodbridge, Virginia last Sunday afternoon. Indeed, it's a wonderful world to live and I am blessed by God to be here!</div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-63902185825540814972014-08-06T19:35:00.000-04:002016-05-14T21:31:12.896-04:00My Grand Europe Tour A Year After PostLast September, I took a vacation to Europe for 14 days which was actually very short to explore and enjoy three amazing countries of Italy, Austria and Germany. I had the time of my life! I met super amazing people and got to see even more amazing places. The first leg of the tour was Rome, Italy. Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world. This city is full of history. Every place you go there's always something worth discovering. Every turn in streets & pavements, is a walk through history that dates back thousand of years...I have always been fascinated by the Roman Empire, the renaissance and the Catholic church history. Being a Catholic, it is very special for me to see the center of Catholicism, the Vatican. It was an awesome feeling to be in those places and looking at the arts and architectures that I used to just read in history books. There were no words to describe my feelings while I was exploring the St. Peters Basilica. It is one of the most magnificent structures I have ever seen in my life. It is all works of art from floor to ceiling. Everything is made of marble and ivory and everything is so exquisitely handmade that it just blows my mind away.<br />
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Two days were not enough to see all the places I wanted to see but I was able to go to a Wednesday mass celebrated by the Holy Father, toured The Coliseum and the Vatican Museum, walked the historic streets of the old city of Rome and shopped at an outlet center of Castel Romano in port Civitavecchia. I was tired and exhausted and my wallet was dwindling, Huhuhu!<br />
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Some photos of St. Peter's Basilica:<br />
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On the third day, our tour bus left Rome before the break of dawn for Venice. It was a ten hours trip via Assisi. And this is going to be the second part of the four series of this post.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-12265193792341062792013-12-05T04:04:00.001-05:002013-12-08T02:02:38.871-05:00Chasing My Passion AgainHello! It's been quite a while since my last post and here I am, back after a long break. It is not because I lost my interest in writing. On the contrary, I do miss it. I miss putting my thoughts together and translate them into words. The fact is, this year has been a very busy one for me. Here's what I had been up to:<br />
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<b>. Getting back to playing golf again. </b>Three years ago, I decided to give up playing golf in exchanged<br />
for something I thought was more important in life than my passion for this game. I sold my clubs and<br />
tried to forget golf for two years! If you've known me or had played with me in the<br />
past, you'd think I was out of my mind. But yes, I had that moment. The year 2013 has been an <br />
awesome year for me as far as golf and I are concerned. I even got the chance to play for the<br />
Wounded Warrior Project golf tournament. Although my team didn't win in the tournament, it's good<br />
to know that we played for a good cause. I am happy to be back playing the game I so love. I will<br />
never ever give it up again for anything.<br />
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<b>. Europe Trip</b>. Yes, last September I went on a two weeks vacation to Italy, Austria and Germany. I had the best times of my life. I'm currently in the process of finalizing my draft and</div>
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have been working on the pictures I took from this trip so I can post it here soon.</div>
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Marriott hotel lobby- Rome, Italy</div>
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fellow tourists and eventually became friends</div>
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gondola ride in Venice</div>
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Hallstatt, Austria</div>
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Salzburg, Austria</div>
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Munich, Germany</div>
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King Ludwig's palace-Munich, Germany</div>
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<b>. Work, Work and more Work! </b>Don't get me wrong. I love my job. It's one of the reasons I wake up</div>
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feeling refreshed every morning. Every day is different from the other. The interactions I have with</div>
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fellow employees and the experiences of talking to different people from all sorts of backgrounds </div>
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is always such an awesome experience. </div>
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Life may seem like a boat ride on an enraged sea amidst raging waves at times but still, interlaced with snippets of calmness brought by the sight of a sandy shore. My passion for life, the resilience of my spirit and the love of my family and friends will make this journey truly exciting.</div>
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I will end this post with this quote from one of my all time favorite movies. "The saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there's nothing to make it last." --from the movie "Dear John"</div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-14282272303329127822013-05-26T04:14:00.002-04:002013-07-05T01:57:40.619-04:00Fabulous Fifty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is my 50th birthday. This is one of those days I always tease others about and it's hard to believe I would reach it myself. Every birthday to me is a blessing. I am blessed to be 50 years old and still in such a good health. In my life, I can say that I have been to both sides of the world. I have gone through times of adversity as well as times of success. I have faced trials and travails of life and I triumphed in most of them. I have known about being betrayed and being loved. I had moments of sadness and loneliness and times of joy and laughter. Through it all I have a lot of reasons to thank the Lord for. The fact that I am celebrating my 50th birthday is a miracle.<br />
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As I step into the threshold of another chapter in my life, I look at the past with gratitude. I have the present and even if it is not perfect I am so blessed to be where I am. I still have the future to look forward to. I may not have another 50 years left, but there is so much to be excited about it.<br />
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Today is a very special day for me. I will celebrate it with thanksgiving to God for the gift of life. I feel the love and care of family and friends as greetings, message of prayers and love are pouring from them from all corners of the world. I am fifty, I am healthy and I am loved!<br />
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Cheers and thank you very much to all of you who have touched my life in one way or another!Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-7621983504794254962013-05-25T02:28:00.001-04:002013-05-25T02:40:49.291-04:0050 Years At A Glance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip71BeN-MOECahaudQglOHw3XrpqlmWXO9LsNJF18ppDcQ5ScVJD22xAEI_63Gm_qTdNBKXJUB7Le2nYKeSk6XiECGqRI_aU_BAgEtUY7NFnPEn_WPkgxjLQFkf-f3vtIKj_C-q7o29oM/s1600/13482165-gold-50th-3d-number-closeup-representing-anniversary-or-birthdays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip71BeN-MOECahaudQglOHw3XrpqlmWXO9LsNJF18ppDcQ5ScVJD22xAEI_63Gm_qTdNBKXJUB7Le2nYKeSk6XiECGqRI_aU_BAgEtUY7NFnPEn_WPkgxjLQFkf-f3vtIKj_C-q7o29oM/s320/13482165-gold-50th-3d-number-closeup-representing-anniversary-or-birthdays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am turning 50 in a couple of days. So I thought I'd take the opportunity here to list 50 things that have impacted my life and made a mark in my heart. They changed me, inspired me and sometimes haunts me:<br />
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1. LOVED SOMEONE MORE THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE<br />
2. witnessed a total solar eclipse<br />
3. Shot a gun<br />
4. Gone on a blind date<br />
6. Skipped school -<br />
7. Watched someone die.<br />
8. Watched someone be born.<br />
9. Been to five Asian countries<br />
10. Been to Florida<br />
11. Been on a plane<br />
12. Been on a cruise ship<br />
13. Been Lost<br />
14. Been on the opposite side of the country<br />
15. Been in a car accident twice within a year<br />
16. Swam in the ocean<br />
17. Cried myself to sleep<br />
18. made prank phone calls<br />
19. Slept while driving<br />
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20. Recently colored with crayons</div>
21. Sang Karaoke<br />
22. Paid for a meal with coins only<br />
23. Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of my nose<br />
24. Caught a snowflake on my tongue<br />
25. Danced in the rain<br />
26. Written a letter to Santa Claus<br />
27. Been kissed under the mistletoe<br />
28. Watched the sunrise with someone<br />
29. Blown bubbles<br />
30. Camped out under the stars<br />
31. Seen something so beautiful that it took my breath away<br />
32. been Married<br />
33. Been divorced<br />
34. Children<br />
35. Had a Pet<br />
36. Been skinny dipping outdoors<br />
37. Been scuba diving<br />
38. Been fishing<br />
39. Been boating<br />
40. Been water skiing<br />
41. Been hiking<br />
42. Been camping<br />
43. Gone horse-back riding<br />
44. Flown in a small 4-seater airplane<br />
45. Been bungee-jumping<br />
46. Driven a race car<br />
47. Done something that could have killed me<br />
48.Been to Hollywood<br />
49. Played 54 holes of golf in one day<br />
50. Dated a millionaire<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-69242245999692625142013-01-27T07:51:00.000-05:002013-01-27T07:51:15.166-05:00Getting Out Of The Well
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is very nice, I just want to share this with you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHVz_d2_9cDfhi6wPB0UJ9LBhuzJmyedMAEx0BB8J_G6eQRt2ckfg_Ofmye3S81gW-qISny0vp5n5xPfnEK8dHvgTPHKnOG3lfLO6CsA8KnEgyH8EyJkrrOr6Gl3CKvlJMuejZKN1A3g/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHVz_d2_9cDfhi6wPB0UJ9LBhuzJmyedMAEx0BB8J_G6eQRt2ckfg_Ofmye3S81gW-qISny0vp5n5xPfnEK8dHvgTPHKnOG3lfLO6CsA8KnEgyH8EyJkrrOr6Gl3CKvlJMuejZKN1A3g/s320/IMG_1450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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 since the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth the effort it to retrieve the donkey.</span></div>
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He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. The donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly at first. Then, to everyone's amazement he soon quieted down.<br />
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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.<br />
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The farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, and he would continue 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!<br />
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Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is to remember to shake it off and take a step up just like getting out of the well. Each of our troubles can be a stepping stone. We can get out of any situation, even the deepest well, just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.<br />
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Remember the five simple rules to be happy:<br />
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1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.<br />
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2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.<br />
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3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.<br />
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4. Be willing to give more.<br />
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5. And always remember to expect less from others than yourself.</span><br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-50388803973989648392012-12-13T18:30:00.000-05:002012-12-14T00:45:52.443-05:00Christmas Through The Years<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEBY4LE7JrNdVglONHVsNZllBexiFbNHKpZvxEWlN7i2P7oVHa82tx7tPc3CwLIL74Khsqhgb-VycpZbO3IbaJGbKHjzlHn0wVqg1_0lOvb6Mmd5hvP4Ljn9bM_YbGlxf5qjm7GIcfv0/s1600/amazing+Christmas+decorations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEBY4LE7JrNdVglONHVsNZllBexiFbNHKpZvxEWlN7i2P7oVHa82tx7tPc3CwLIL74Khsqhgb-VycpZbO3IbaJGbKHjzlHn0wVqg1_0lOvb6Mmd5hvP4Ljn9bM_YbGlxf5qjm7GIcfv0/s320/amazing+Christmas+decorations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas always brings so many fond memories of my childhood. It is the time of the year when as a child I would have some sleepless nights from being so anxious of the holiday and anticipation of receiving Christmas presents that our parents have prepared for us. My most funny memory was when I would be unable to sleep at night of Christmas Eve out of joy because I couldn't wait for dawn so I could bathe and slip into my new dress and new shoes to show off to everybody the next day.<br />
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Through the years, Christmas celebration in my life had changed. As I get older, the celebration has become more quiet and more focused on others and less of myself. I am not expecting gifts anymore. I am more excited about finding perfect gift for each of my love ones. I want to give something more than just material things. The anticipation of Christmas has become bigger than just material gifts and festive celebration. It has become more of sharing myself, my time and treasures not only to family, friends but also to those who are less fortunate. Christmas is sharing the gift that waits for all of us under the tree of heaven. The birth of the savior in a manger brought the good news of life to all mankind.<br />
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As we celebrate Christmas this year with our family and love ones, may we also reflect that two thousand years ago, a King left his very comfortable throne to come and be with us here on earth--as a friend, a teacher, as God. He gave the most precious gifts to each of us- a new life. However some of us haven't open the box yet, still wrap and gathering dust. He still gives and waits.<br />
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Wherever you are in the world, may you feel the joy, peace and love in your heart and in your home not only this holiday season but through out the coming year.<br />
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Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!!!<br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-58540339563246440142012-11-19T16:00:00.000-05:002012-11-30T15:39:26.016-05:00My Memoir Of The Roman Sigma Second National Convention<br />
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It was a humid Saturday morning of October 27, 2012 when I checked in with my mother and my grand daughter at Water Gran Resort in General Santos City, Philippines. I just arrived from the States two days before and I was still battling with a terrible jet lag. I was attending the second national convention of Roman Sigma Fraternity and Sorority. I joined the group when I was in my first year college in Mindanao State University, main campus. My hometown General Santos City chapter was the host headed by our energetic, get-the-job-done type of person and successful entrepreneur sis Gina Perez Johnston. My emotion was mixed, not sure wether it was because of too much anticipation of meeting my brothers and sisters that I haven't seen for almost three decades and the anxiousness of meeting young and new breed of Romans for the first time or nervousness because I am one of the speakers after my batch mate in the Triangle Batch of '82 brother Juan Lorenzo Castillon assigned me a topic with a few days notice and very short time to prepare. As soon as I got inside our room, I immediately tried to get some sleep because I haven't had any for almost three days. I was really exhausted and I could feel my system was messed up, the day was my night and the night was my day sort of feeling as far as my body was concerned. But it was not long enough and soon I started hearing commotions outside. The participant brothers and sisters were coming in to register, some with their families in tow. I was thinking of how uncomfortable I would be the whole day because I could feel the heat and humidity intensifying as the sun slowly moved into mid day. But this thought was overtaken by my excitement as I looked at my brothers and sisters from different colleges and universities and alumni from all over the country were looking all set for two days and two nights of fun, foods, bonding and camaraderie, brainstorming and everything in between.</div>
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The convention center was an open hall and was the center of all our activities. We started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist officiated by Rev. father Rogie Castellano, CP. If I had to write all the events and activities, I won't be able to cover them all in just one post. Even if I could, I won't be able to mention all the names of everybody and what they did to make this affair successful as it was. But I am posting photos below to give everyone (especially members of the Roman Sigma) a bird's eye view of that affair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFCwbxoUosa9JUCYptXJvUMmEkfFXVwTM-JAaA02i_-mAuDyMpATY5NwCL6NGs-d4iHc3-fIKTALgoQgaFznqfUFr33Iuu5ZFQt-hz2zpoSUI9gVTstFqrXlhrKxSNUtRr4-U52j6gq8/s1600/IMG_6496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFCwbxoUosa9JUCYptXJvUMmEkfFXVwTM-JAaA02i_-mAuDyMpATY5NwCL6NGs-d4iHc3-fIKTALgoQgaFznqfUFr33Iuu5ZFQt-hz2zpoSUI9gVTstFqrXlhrKxSNUtRr4-U52j6gq8/s320/IMG_6496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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sis RenRen, me, Father Rogie and the head of the </div>
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host chapter, sister Gina Perez Johnston</div>
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The Speakers and their topics:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilCoaa8L-tTYk_Z2VJWNnoy6AxEUBWAeTH1Cx1K1tiHfvxtdoz-xWLRvy5REuUjxhXgNUVCxHoKc5JwZymcOMPAjlbLcSB8p2EphF7BfmgAWsI6DjUosiQ8c4iDKjK5r933N4KcUVUpo/s1600/IMG_6524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilCoaa8L-tTYk_Z2VJWNnoy6AxEUBWAeTH1Cx1K1tiHfvxtdoz-xWLRvy5REuUjxhXgNUVCxHoKc5JwZymcOMPAjlbLcSB8p2EphF7BfmgAWsI6DjUosiQ8c4iDKjK5r933N4KcUVUpo/s320/IMG_6524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bro JuanLorenzo Castillon, </div>
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The Steering Committee chairman in his opening address</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3AzPGghGOkR1-ErpFCwR_GNjGxNV4r_Ej6VqIoH8bQbwRYaLfEnfKW5_mkYqALBDGqu40x9vhsuKBsV-sLe_5yS6AMLn7GP8y9BPFVFhhatMeqQTAyaPv4nr-vsyKYxtXl5o5SUPCUw/s1600/IMG_6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3AzPGghGOkR1-ErpFCwR_GNjGxNV4r_Ej6VqIoH8bQbwRYaLfEnfKW5_mkYqALBDGqu40x9vhsuKBsV-sLe_5yS6AMLn7GP8y9BPFVFhhatMeqQTAyaPv4nr-vsyKYxtXl5o5SUPCUw/s320/IMG_6527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bro. Dr. Epimaco Cabanlit, PhD on <i>A Glimpse of</i></div>
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<i>of The Glorious Past,</i> an Inspirational Speech</div>
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Bro. Alexander Godwin Beley on <i>Milestone of </i></div>
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<i>Roman Sigma 1969-present</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq912Z6JCYyj4hNLuOHigLhiBzvWxuMam5szkt3T18xpoggeQNj7C-CvJB0tT6boEhyphenhyphen-h2YoKi_RB7rUOwbCskbB0UfqoeDB8oAr00MSq3FFjH-CUmb5J4Y68lq5TumCjgCpms7kQSXg/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq912Z6JCYyj4hNLuOHigLhiBzvWxuMam5szkt3T18xpoggeQNj7C-CvJB0tT6boEhyphenhyphen-h2YoKi_RB7rUOwbCskbB0UfqoeDB8oAr00MSq3FFjH-CUmb5J4Y68lq5TumCjgCpms7kQSXg/s320/IMG_6532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bro. Engineer Ramil Sanchez on <i>The Emerging Role</i></div>
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<i>of Fraternities in Higher Education</i></div>
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Bro Dante Manlimos on <i>Building The National</i></div>
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<i>Structure-Strategy To Expansion and Effective</i></div>
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<i>Delivery of Services</i></div>
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myself on <i>Exploring The Possibility Of Creating A</i></div>
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<i>Welfare Fund</i></div>
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sis Gina P. Johnston, on <i>Recruitment Practices</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and The Legal Impediments </i></div>
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Bro. Nestor Longakit, on <i>Constitution Enhancement</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and Centralized Communication </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Bonding and Fun together:</div>
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me with the gorgeous and beautiful wives of my </div>
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brothers; we call our group The M Group</div>
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bro. Ramil believes there is treasure inside the tuna </div>
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belly</div>
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The brainstorming:</div>
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And the hilarious scenes of the search for False Gay:</div>
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The Picture taking before goodbye:</div>
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There were two things that highlighted the Second National Convention. First, we were able to pass resolutions and adopted changes that the group believed are relevant and will cater to the needs of the members and the group as a whole. Second was the creation of the National Executive Council and election of its officers. The Following are the elected National Executive Council Officers:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">National President :Bro. Engr. Ramil Sanchez</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Alumni :Bro. Dante Manlimos</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Bro. Nestor Longakit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sis. Gina Perez Johnston</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Bro. Roquito Malones, Jr.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Bro. Mario Pelarion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Bro. Alexander Godwin Beley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Student/Sorority :Sis. Leslie Mendoza Jumawid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Student/Fraternity :Bro. Mon Sambo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Secretary :Sis. Cynthia de Los Reyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Treasurer :Bro. Engr. Zaldy Avena</span></div>
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<div>
I couldn't help but be amazed at how bro. Juan Lorenzo Castillon managed this group (as our steering committee chairman) from Bangkok where he has been based. And how sister Elgien Verano who is based in New Zealand was able to collect the money needed for this gathering. But utilizing the technology and with the cooperation and full support of each and every active member from all over the world, we were able to pull off the convention successfully. It was made possible because of our team work and our love and dedication to Roman Sigma. We truly worked together as a family. It was an affair to remember for everyone who was there, an inspiration for others who did not make it because of individual circumstances and a challenge for those who are planning to attend the future conventions. </div>
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Just like every gathering of this size the Second National convention was not perfect. There were some challenges that we had to deal with. But whatever problems and frustrations or things not done had become learning curves and lessons learned that will certainly be a guiding force for the next gathering of this kind. Besides, after all the fun and the priceless moments of togetherness and bondings we had, everything else was insignificant. This convention's theme was "Strengthen Our Bond, Let's Convene To Shape The Future." Everybody who was there would agree that we did developed a much closer relationship among brothers and sisters and we were able to laid down plans that will make our group more solid and strong that it can ever be. In this convention we have built a strong foundation for a much more focused goals and objectives that matched the group's capacity and readiness for the challenges of the future.</div>
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After witnessing how the host team worked without counting the cost and listening to brothers and sisters speak and defended their argument during the different workshops, I felt the pride of being in this group. Back in college, being one of the recognized organization in the university, I have always been proud of Roman Sigma and our contribution to the community and our achievements in different fields that we were involved then. But the business proper of this convention presided by Bro. Juan Castillon was a moment that will be instilled in my mind for a long time. I was in awe and short of words in describing my admiration during the deliberation and voting proper at how our Law student brother Mario Pelarion and the rest of the general assembly defended their stand on the issues they were passionate about. For that couple of hours, I felt I was in the House of Congress. It was very commendable to say the least.<br />
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We believe that with the leadership of our newly elected national president, the smart, result-oriented bro. Ramil Sanchez and with the help of the rest of the National Executive Council officers, the Roman Sigma will be stronger and more solid. They have all our trust and confidence that they will lead our group in achieving our goals. We will be an organization to reckon with.<br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-32262375609525132812012-11-03T03:57:00.000-04:002012-11-19T09:40:35.593-05:00A Day In The Farm<br />
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Yesterday, amidst my very hectic, short and crazy schedule I took a day to go and visit our farm in Sarangani Province. I will be leaving for the States in a couple of days so I thought of visiting the place while I have the chance. It's been 25 years since the last time I was there and I was amazed at how much it has changed in terms of land scape and vegetations. But the familiar feelings and the fondness of the place where I spent so many memories of my youth seems like fresh and remains as it was more than two decades ago; in my perspective at least. I took some photos which to my frustration are short of capturing the beauty of the place I once called home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYuWX9iNBHjyGgwyPeNgcm1MMZJTIoNGZjPmLJoFOw5pwIxC94qDIqo68KCGXz8h-k59zcsqcdHSv1uFtFOfYudLqoJ0k8ro6i9nt4Z7jtlWIYgMTtwjEPXfv1hr-T5TMc5P1Oq_SCzlx/s1600/IMG_7042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYuWX9iNBHjyGgwyPeNgcm1MMZJTIoNGZjPmLJoFOw5pwIxC94qDIqo68KCGXz8h-k59zcsqcdHSv1uFtFOfYudLqoJ0k8ro6i9nt4Z7jtlWIYgMTtwjEPXfv1hr-T5TMc5P1Oq_SCzlx/s320/IMG_7042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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this structure was a witness to my dreams as a young </div>
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girl; who was full of hope & had a crazy ambition </div>
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of becoming a future mayor of our town</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmgzPlS0rGNDWpER1FB3Mk204VfEOFpmBxyHXnzb8WXl2ljOHtZtGt9IjFPRh2sRY6XPMe9y-QJthGZ10-HdQCdbb4Ex8I6nZ7B_0YTZgkyWQh-dTbG2eY0gD3yHThX2hWtK8vgIYECkR/s1600/IMG_7048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmgzPlS0rGNDWpER1FB3Mk204VfEOFpmBxyHXnzb8WXl2ljOHtZtGt9IjFPRh2sRY6XPMe9y-QJthGZ10-HdQCdbb4Ex8I6nZ7B_0YTZgkyWQh-dTbG2eY0gD3yHThX2hWtK8vgIYECkR/s320/IMG_7048.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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papaya tree</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2Sl8zIO8cOYICQtrNpaBuFbRl983vC9eMEnItFwcjc_Fo4c1XJvoVNxC-IwWeAioQeoOYmlcnC78LnoXx19oK4dkhDB4nuTVHvSHrupo0BCchuY5DkYjLTqqryokxuFWyKKgQ9yx1Rb4/s1600/IMG_7061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2Sl8zIO8cOYICQtrNpaBuFbRl983vC9eMEnItFwcjc_Fo4c1XJvoVNxC-IwWeAioQeoOYmlcnC78LnoXx19oK4dkhDB4nuTVHvSHrupo0BCchuY5DkYjLTqqryokxuFWyKKgQ9yx1Rb4/s320/IMG_7061.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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banana</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyRctB3-SLJWqvhfRPHxeY9RdImIUpvLTtz9TRjwzhZRBKqJIpPdpFvFMz8Aqj9GVpZGsYKqshXkcciSpLqIsiKE9cXnFgxbyaf00wKVcDQkFP6JIze-HyZAGVe05zCaa96t5LLLfiJU/s1600/IMG_7078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyRctB3-SLJWqvhfRPHxeY9RdImIUpvLTtz9TRjwzhZRBKqJIpPdpFvFMz8Aqj9GVpZGsYKqshXkcciSpLqIsiKE9cXnFgxbyaf00wKVcDQkFP6JIze-HyZAGVe05zCaa96t5LLLfiJU/s320/IMG_7078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm6P4BaSTWwTjEUHpKLAmfH1wOyQt5UfywdmmV1TrUmzSAzZORjIyakBBOnoACJ2aFvxrh3b71eeAvJovPrbXLWysafhyphenhyphencVbkpuP4oGSHW4i08YsLjC1m6QUWbRVoLby-995pCtDcBqps/s1600/IMG_7114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm6P4BaSTWwTjEUHpKLAmfH1wOyQt5UfywdmmV1TrUmzSAzZORjIyakBBOnoACJ2aFvxrh3b71eeAvJovPrbXLWysafhyphenhyphencVbkpuP4oGSHW4i08YsLjC1m6QUWbRVoLby-995pCtDcBqps/s320/IMG_7114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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fruits like papayas, mangoes, bananas </div>
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are found in the farm</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_1wJn1u9oK0BIx0c4qtdLVudOrYQ6H5O98_69Jl-y4r54Zh1Xcu7LTOPQAnAzw2s-zq2rh83aM3RgpHqEu-r5-OIJBYv4Psl_it3o7NlXn1cuAMXcqSNe6AwZae4ZqcJqIgDF7R5870/s1600/IMG_7060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_1wJn1u9oK0BIx0c4qtdLVudOrYQ6H5O98_69Jl-y4r54Zh1Xcu7LTOPQAnAzw2s-zq2rh83aM3RgpHqEu-r5-OIJBYv4Psl_it3o7NlXn1cuAMXcqSNe6AwZae4ZqcJqIgDF7R5870/s320/IMG_7060.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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view from the kitchen window</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_dhR6SfJq3umDp7EPap2LZ9jpRqeQvLK27FOCMbyjGK0X46JuyOGE79xEy6_sxLGcDODAzKuHVfucLKIVBaSZGkQXT71am_Twr_eyALGMCw6BC_IXd9aSzGP84Xnvex6Ju_hcgV25x_/s1600/IMG_7053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_dhR6SfJq3umDp7EPap2LZ9jpRqeQvLK27FOCMbyjGK0X46JuyOGE79xEy6_sxLGcDODAzKuHVfucLKIVBaSZGkQXT71am_Twr_eyALGMCw6BC_IXd9aSzGP84Xnvex6Ju_hcgV25x_/s320/IMG_7053.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I planted this coconut 25 years ago</div>
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Farm animals & fowls:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzcf76Ch_snPr2TT27FvPOGv5-_QftxrZQvsTPjtSrSxQH3JpazoFJPsuZg1i9WHu9rS4ukqA-gSnZSAE50YBGbwM_oQ1zkWQJeM2nFkQx70pJ9VtczD15woDZf5DBkmCSxab7KCJjQ_6/s1600/IMG_7070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzcf76Ch_snPr2TT27FvPOGv5-_QftxrZQvsTPjtSrSxQH3JpazoFJPsuZg1i9WHu9rS4ukqA-gSnZSAE50YBGbwM_oQ1zkWQJeM2nFkQx70pJ9VtczD15woDZf5DBkmCSxab7KCJjQ_6/s320/IMG_7070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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chicken</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8iDoRnEw4lJj7jQx2z_bWhNkpGCneW1-yD02vPUHznl7IB-Pzk9vzRQVFi4KgSVt2srSg2UkLANmO5YxqeKwoT9Sqr9dPvTi-eE9pJHGwJ0_LfMo81fK_nxzx4bh7Fxn71QVLHjwAWY/s1600/IMG_7116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8iDoRnEw4lJj7jQx2z_bWhNkpGCneW1-yD02vPUHznl7IB-Pzk9vzRQVFi4KgSVt2srSg2UkLANmO5YxqeKwoT9Sqr9dPvTi-eE9pJHGwJ0_LfMo81fK_nxzx4bh7Fxn71QVLHjwAWY/s320/IMG_7116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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cow</div>
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horse</div>
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carabao</div>
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goat </div>
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part of the river where we used to play and swim </div>
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when we were kids</div>
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this is a bridge that was not there when I almost got</div>
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drown while playing in the deep water under the trees</div>
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I used to love swimming here like this little kid but</div>
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the difference is that the water used to be so clear</div>
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the girl who dreamed of becoming a mayor of this </div>
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town someday is now a woman who loves to travel </div>
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and now look at life and the world from a different </div>
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perspective</div>
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bahay kubo </div>
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farm road going to the barrio where</div>
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we used to be scared to walk especially</div>
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at night because of "momo"(witch)</div>
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hanging bridge is another structure that was not</div>
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there when we were growing up</div>
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my sister, my confidante and my best friend</div>
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the second and fourth generation taking a rest</div>
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under the "payag" after a long walk.</div>
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That one day I spent in the farm was a chance for me to reconnect to my past. When I look at my life now and where I had been in this world, it is such a relief to realized that I haven't changed so much as far as my values are concerned. I still love the peace and quiet of being around with nature. I enjoy both the simplicity of the past and the challenges of the present and the future. I will always treasure the people who have formed me to be what I am today. My dream of becoming a mayor is a thing in my past anymore, but I still want to contribute in shaping the future of that place. After all, it is still home and the world to my sister, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. God may have placed me in a different location many thousand miles away. But the memories and love ones will always make me feel close and connected to this place. </div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-38437048417685479592012-10-16T11:00:00.000-04:002015-01-26T11:50:02.207-05:00Why Lonely Woman<br />
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Lonely woman, life's a struggle</div>
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Life has always been a fight</div>
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Lonely woman, don't know why</div>
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You're still alone, it isn't right</div>
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How did your life get like this</div>
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Why did you end up so lonely</div>
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What happened to the fairytale</div>
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What happened to your one and only</div>
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People talk about their lovers</div>
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You smile and shrug, and you pretend</div>
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You don't mind being alone</div>
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But you want your pain to end</div>
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Lonely woman, nothing's changing</div>
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Lonely woman, fading youth</div>
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Maiden bloom now whithering</div>
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With no one to take care of you</div>
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How did you get so lonely</div>
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Who put you on this path</div>
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Where is your one and only</div>
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To take you by the hand?</div>
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Delusion creeps in to comfort your pain</div>
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your life is eternally in rain.</div>
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All your actions are in vain,</div>
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why, oh why you lonely woman?<br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-6477492677716007442012-10-14T08:15:00.000-04:002017-10-08T05:59:46.069-04:00Friends & Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE7etsB-TscAqVb7iGfeEy9SJbNDbOPxqyRho1tSxFUQjLJPodgAry3cbQryoJNYksSH5W06lpWeajSGfCrvV2fXv8K0I8wpxR7iUhHoFChXAozbypAO-PJXiSc4ORtsKgoG0uU1SV8wi/s1600/Memories:a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE7etsB-TscAqVb7iGfeEy9SJbNDbOPxqyRho1tSxFUQjLJPodgAry3cbQryoJNYksSH5W06lpWeajSGfCrvV2fXv8K0I8wpxR7iUhHoFChXAozbypAO-PJXiSc4ORtsKgoG0uU1SV8wi/s320/Memories:a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Friends are the most wonderful gift of life. I am blessed with so many friends. Most of them I have shared long-lasting friendships, that after so many years we have become family to each other. May is one of them. May is like a sister to me. We call each other ate (big sister). We have so many wonderful times and memories together. She's a wonderful person with a golden heart and one of the strongest woman I have ever known. She is single but very happy, had raised two nephews and she's a cancer survivor, click <a href="http://mayurbano.multiply.com/journal/item/35/My-New-Life-Begins-where-My-Scar-Ends">here</a> to read her testimony. I can go on and on telling you all the qualities that my friend posses that made her my little hero but that's another post to write.<br />
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May is here in the US for a vacation and just recently she and her nephew Russ came for a visit and stayed with me here in Virginia for a week. And to add to the excitement, our common friend Rhoda who is based in New York also took time off to join us. Our moments were filled with catching up stories and new memories to fill the pages of our book of friendships. I am posting some of our photos during our time together. Ate May, Russell and atch Rhoda, I hope you'll enjoy this; this is for you....<br />
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Picking them up at Dulles Int'l Airport<br />
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at Apple main store in Manhattan, NYC<br />
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May, Russ and Rhoda<br />
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at Central Park, NYC<br />
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with more friends<br />
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the world seem perfect when three very good friends are together</div>
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tired from walking</div>
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Times Square</div>
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my ever dearest friends and our gracious hosts in New Jersey, Juls and Delsie<br />
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Washington DC photos:<br />
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It is really true that time seem to be so short when you are with the right company and you are happy. As much as I didn't want to, it was time for my friends to leave. I am back to my reality now--missing them and looking forward to that day that we will be together again.<br />
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May, Rhoda and Russell, till we meet again!<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-68639940738947208022012-05-22T02:33:00.000-04:002012-05-25T20:53:46.168-04:00Aging Gracefully<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f-4bh7Un9rTj-G1pfAAQvv6LtmdqY4zwuYKSlEWwIykccwV8m-OzzsOAY_aNJFaZ60ocV9MN0-mF0QO0-8qreu73jtDaBjR4lW67f4YW4GPu3ZlimmxYQ9rDvYpGrZh3gyy1yVfw1wdS/s1600/IMG_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f-4bh7Un9rTj-G1pfAAQvv6LtmdqY4zwuYKSlEWwIykccwV8m-OzzsOAY_aNJFaZ60ocV9MN0-mF0QO0-8qreu73jtDaBjR4lW67f4YW4GPu3ZlimmxYQ9rDvYpGrZh3gyy1yVfw1wdS/s320/IMG_0823.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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Time passes by so fast. I can't believe I'm turning another year older in a few days. I'm taking a couple days off from work and hopefully I can celebrate my 49th birthday as I planned to.<br />
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For most of my adult life, my feeling about celebrating my birthday has always been a matter of just adding numbers to my age. My self image has always been of the young, fresh out of college me. Smarty pants, ambitious, and out to prove something to the world.<br />
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That's all started to change in the past five years or so. My eldest daughter is now pursuing her Masters in Business Administration and my youngest is working in the same company I am working for. I'm starting to be conscious of gray hairs when I look at myself in the mirror. I see a different person in the pictures others take of me. I see the wrinkles and other signs of natural aging. I'm in a stage where I am planning my retirement years.<br />
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Physically I'm changing and I am gracefully accepting it. I'm getting older but happier, internally stronger but also a tad bit slower. As a single parent to my two daughters since they were eight and ten years old, my world revolve around them and baby Arielle. They are my inspirations and the reasons why I am where I am today. Lately, events and circumstances struck me and made me face the truth that they are on their way to being completely on their own. Sometimes it makes me sad to realize that my two kids are all grown ups now and have fully embraced the American way of valuing independence. From where we came from, our children especially women usually stay with parents (regardless of age) until they get married. I have to learn to accept the fact that they don't need me as much anymore, that they want to make their own choices. And I have to let them do that. Parenting is one of the hardest things to learn but teaches us the most.<br />
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Anyway, I am pretty well adapting to the many changes that are taking place in my life and the aging process. I am grateful for who I have become. Life has not been perfect, but in the scope of things, it has been so good. I can't thank God enough for everything. I'm happy with my life now and I'm looking forward to what the future will bring. It's a blessing to have what I have and just this thought is enough to make my birthday truly worth celebrating.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-38336078514286229362012-03-13T22:13:00.000-04:002013-01-27T08:01:03.086-05:00Beating Bad Cholesterol<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About three years ago, my lab test showed that my LDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol has gone up. My blood pressure was also 125/90. My doctor told me that the figures were just a little above normal and I didn't have to take medication yet but I needed to watch my diet if I wanted it back to normal and stay healthy. As for me, it is either normal or bad. That knowledge opened my eyes to my consciousness as far as my health is concerned so I made a commitment to be really serious about my food choices and made it my challenge on a day to day basis. I have always thought that I was fit and healthy because I never gain too much weight even after giving birth to two daughters. I would gain five to ten pounds but I never had a problem getting rid of those extra pounds few months after giving birth. But my maternal side of my family have history of high blood pressure; my mother has been on her high blood pressure medication for two decades now, she had a mild stroke once. Adding to that is the fact that most of the foods I used to love are high in sodium and cholesterol, crispy litson (roast pig) skin for me is to die for, so I knew that if I don't change my diet, the figures would go up and then I would have to go on medication for the rest of my life. </div>
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Knowing that I was at risk of stroke and heart attack really made me take my diet seriously. I've realized that because I have always been skinny didn't mean I have been healthy. My physician told me to avoid <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/12/health/red-meat-shorten-lifespan/index.html"><span class="s1">red meat</span></a> and foods that are very high in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol like fried chicken, litson, french fries, meat burgers, cheese, pasta with white sauce, eggs, whole dairy milk, processed meat like ham, bacon, sausage and hotdogs. I went on a serious diet overhaul, just eating nuts, whole grains, fresh vegetables (salads) and fruits and almost zero meat, just grilled fish, roasted chicken breast and organic protein supplements for my protein. My doctor told me to come back for a follow up after 3 months to see my progress. And then every six months thereafter. </div>
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For the first time I was worried about my health. It made me reflect on how many of my friends and acquaintances passed away because of stroke and heart attack. In fact one of my closest friends and high school batch mate Jimmy died of stroke at the age of 42. Still young and at the prime of his life, none of us his friends thought he would die so soon as he did. And these thoughts have motivated me to stay committed to my diet regimen. So when I came back to my doctor after three months, my blood test result showed my LDL cholesterol went down and my blood pressure was 118/70. After six months, my blood test results showed my cholesterol level was normal and my blood pressure stayed normal too. It's been three years now and every six months I still have my routine blood test and check up. I have been on the right track. I stayed on my healthy diet and made it a habit to read labels on the food products I buy. I would never buy anything that is high in saturated fat, sodium, calories. Once in a while, I still have my litson and my favorite cheese and pasta. But what changed is the fact that I take everything in moderation. </div>
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I am committed to staying healthy and fit. It is such a challenge especially when you are surrounded by places where foods we love that are bad for our health are accessible or easily available to us. But I took it one day at a time. Now it is my way of life. It takes a lot of commitment and staying in focus. I love my life and I want to enjoy it longer. I still have a lot to look forward in the future. It is not only my responsibility to take care of myself for me and for people I deeply care about. It is also what God wants me to do with this precious life that He has given me. My take on this is, if I don't take care of my health, then who else will????</div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-2240100836440434592012-02-06T08:30:00.000-05:002016-05-10T22:42:24.829-04:00Love And Heartbreak<br />
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Why is it that when we're in love with a person, we take them seriously. But later on in the relationship when we start seeing the other side of the person, the one that we don't like, then we start to have issues. The reality of loving is, the one who gives us so much happiness is also the one who will break our heart. We become vulnerable to that person.<br />
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If you think loving is all bed of roses, think again. The the truth is, it takes a lot of hard work and equal responsibility from both couple. We invest not just time and money but most of all, our most precious and guarded emotion. It can either bring out the best in us or it can shatter our world. For some who are not strong enough, will resort to drugs, alcohol or other kinds of addiction just to forget their pain for a while. I know quite a few people whose lives turned upside down and broken into pieces when their relationship didn't work. I don't really blame them, nothing is as devastating as knowing that our beloved has hurt or betrayed us.</div>
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There are no guarantees in love and there are no established rules on how to keep it safe from pain and heartbreak. It is because every person is different. Each one comes from a background different from the other. There will always be struggles and challenges to overcome if we want to have a a strong and lasting relationship. I find it hard to believe when I hear stories of couples parting ways after decades of being together. Experience thought me that people change. And sometimes part of that change is the way they feel towards us. Sad as it is, but that is a reality we need to be prepared for.<br />
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The lesson I learned from my past is to take one day at a time. We should cherish each moment that we are together for we don't know what the future holds. We may not be with that person tomorrow. Show more understanding instead of focusing on the flaws and weaknesses. Give more and expect less. Always remember what made you fall in love with that person in the first place. I may sound like a naive, "martyr", or even crazy, hopeless romantic, heart over head woman in love. But I would like to think that if I have given all the love I have, done my part to keep the relationship and still it didn't work, maybe it was not meant to be in the first place. At least I know I've done my best. I will be grateful that I have loved and I was loved. I will have memories to cherish for the rest of my life. Life is too short to spend it being sad and miserable. I am responsible for my happiness and no one could make me feel better but myself.<br />
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Life is good, so I should live it to the fullest. Time is precious to be wasted feeling sorry for events in our lives that we do not have control with. The sun is even glorious at sunset. Just keep moving. As the lines of Desiderata goes: And whatever your labor and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful!<br />
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Strive to be happy....</div>
Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-30549022337442098882011-12-18T23:09:00.007-05:002012-12-07T14:35:17.453-05:00Christmas In My Heart<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JHlyblaRUsjg95rV0DFN3bpQ6zwbeunl1YTIgoUzB9lt18iTcnxO9z9hUOT-Khy4CeH2HkfRTUg9yMHHlyEl1ySSkALCg6IimWNroSLrpqm13UbbR6TYFCHFLK89wCtgySBrqFNhCu5z/s1600/christmas-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JHlyblaRUsjg95rV0DFN3bpQ6zwbeunl1YTIgoUzB9lt18iTcnxO9z9hUOT-Khy4CeH2HkfRTUg9yMHHlyEl1ySSkALCg6IimWNroSLrpqm13UbbR6TYFCHFLK89wCtgySBrqFNhCu5z/s320/christmas-living-room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas is right around the corner again. During this time being away from most of my love ones could be a lonely time. Christmas has always been a very special celebration for our family. We always looked forward to this season with so much anticipation because this is the time of the year when our big family really enjoys spending time together and exchanging presents. The highlight of the celebration would start from all of us going to Mass on Christmas Eve and the good times would continue until Christmas morning. After the celebration, we'd all be sleepy, tired and exhausted but happy. As for me and my daughter Rhea, we could only wish we were coming home this Christmas and be with family in the Philippines. This is one of those times when we feel really homesick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having said that, doesn’t mean that I won’t be enjoying the holidays. To me Christmas is special in so many ways. I live in the suburb of Washington DC Northern Virginia. At this time of the year everywhere I go, I hear Christmas songs. At night when I'm home I really enjoy watching Holiday movies on Hallmark channel. Everything just feels so cozy. Every year since I got here I am looking forward to this once a year change in the landscape right where I live. As you drive down the streets of our neighborhood after dark, you are constantly entertained by the panoramic vista of decorated homes all sparkling with myriads of colored lights with thousand tiny bulbs. Some houses have Christmas lights on their trees and shrubs or along the eves of their houses. A few of them have lighted figures of Santa, reindeer, snowmen or other Christmas characters on their front lawns. To me the most spectacular view and the best part is when the ground is covered with a blanket of pure white snow. The surrounding becomes a fantastic wonderland of lights and colors. It is an awesome view to behold. I will always love spending Christmas in the US this way. </div>
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Even though I won't be celebrating this Christmas with my family, I will celebrate it with them in spirit. After all the real essence of this season is what's inside our Heart and what it means to us. And to me the message of this holiday is happiness and the joy of giving and not just receiving. Most of all, being grateful for all that we have. Sometimes because of the things that happened to us we tend to focus on the negative part of life. All we need is step forward a little bit far from our door steps so we could see how bad the sufferings of others are compared to ours. Then we will realized how blessed we are in so many ways. I have always feel so blessed in my life. I have the love of my family, I have real friendships that span half of my life; aside from occasional common colds, and muscle/back pains that comes with age, my health has always been in good shape, I have a stable job that gives me the feeling of accomplishment every day. In the world’s perspective of wealth, I may not be rich in material things but I have everything I ever need. What more can I ask for? </div>
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May the spirit of Christmas which is peace, joy and love be felt by each and every one of us no matter where we are in this world. May we always find reasons to be happy and enjoy the birthday of our Lord. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best to come in 2012!</div>
Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-87571502984198491802011-12-10T00:14:00.000-05:002012-02-05T09:48:26.763-05:00Hello Winter!Guest post written by buddy Orville Lynn<br />
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When I was relocated to Boston in the spring, I welcomed the change with open arms. I was not looking forward to another hot and dry Texas summer. I had heard that Boston summers are awesome! Boy oh boy are they ever! I was so pleased with the temperatures and regular rain showers, I couldn’t remember ever spending so much time outside during August. The move to the north had certainly been good for my soul and I was thrilled to know I was going to call <a href="http://www.libertyhotel.com/" title="Link to Boston packages">Boston</a> home for quite some time. I had spent the whole season reading and enjoying the outdoors when old man winter showed up unannounced and ready to take over. A cold snapped arrived early and the only place I was comfortable was in my home with the heat on high. That’s when I decided to contact <a href="http://www.expertsatellite.com/direct-tv/direct-tv-boston-massachusetts.html">Boston direct tv</a> and get my satellite TV. I had forgotten how much I loved classic movies and great documentaries since it had been so long since I had even turned on a television. Come on winter, I ‘m ready for you with remote in hand.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-54311303739996303382011-12-04T23:44:00.000-05:002017-09-03T19:14:39.415-04:00Lonesome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When was the last time you're lonely? What triggered you to feel that way?<br />
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I asked that question because someone told me today that she was lonely and feel bad about it. I didn't know what to tell her. I just want her to feel better. I assured her that she will be fine.<br />
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I had known loneliness as a negative feeling that creates a cavity of separation that most of us unknowingly step around. But I think that it is good to be lonely sometimes. From the depth of solitude which is certainly an aspect of loneliness, so many thoughts finally have a chance to bubble up. Thoughts that are not able to come to fruition amidst the clatter of conversation. The world that we have now is always warring and contentious and competitive and grasping and materialistic that sometimes we miss the chance to experience the nuances of our human existence. Sometimes my most profound ideas can rise out of silence and solitude. When I am lonely, I have the opportunity to have a thought that isn’t just in reaction to what I saw or someone else said or did. It stirs my creativity and innovations.<br />
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Still there are moments when I don’t recognize that alone, lonely, scared, bored or frustrated are not the same thing. It is disconcerting to have that realization.Truly, I need to be introspective, at least to be just myself and to feel the ebb and the flow of life. <br />
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Loneliness is not a bad thing at all. And as long as I recognize that it is good to feel like that once in a while, as long as I can look at it as an opportunity to look deep inside myself and feel my emotions; then I can truly say that it is okay to be lonely.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-2512373088051703732011-11-20T19:35:00.002-05:002012-07-22T18:09:18.977-04:00Colonial Williamsburg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because of very busy schedule I wasn't able to travel much this year. But I didn't take that as an excuse for me to not explore the many interesting, mostly historical places just right around my home state of Virginia. Just recently, my daughter and I went to Colonial Williamsburg and spent two days just experiencing 18th century American way of Life.<br />
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Colonial Williamsburg (CW) is a collection of approximately 40 original, restored and/or reconstructed buildings located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The 300+ acre area has been beautifully restored to allow visitors to experience what life was like in the 17th and 18th centuries. The streets are devoid of cars and the way the staffs dress, the way businesses/trades are done and even the way they talk bring you back to those times. Many famous Americans graced the streets and taverns of the city, including George Washington, Patrick Henry, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Virginia was the largest British colony from 1699 until 1780 and Williamsburg was then its political and social hub. <br />
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Here are some snapshots of that trip<br />
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the Governor's Palace</div>
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Colonial Homes:</div>
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an affluent home and its kitchen and laundry room below</div>
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a typical affluent home had a kitchen and laundry room separated from the main house </div>
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Businesses and Trades:</div>
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The Church:</div>
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The country's first Mental Hospital:</div>
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That was truly a very relaxing two days for me and Rhea. A good way of getting away from work and enjoying that gorgeous but chilly Virginia weather. It was learning history, savoring great foods from colonial times, talking to really nice people and most of all not worry about time; recharged us and refreshed our minds to get ready for the life waiting for us in the big city.</div>
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<br /></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-38459181710942669792011-10-20T22:00:00.001-04:002011-10-23T18:28:05.791-04:00Changes And More Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The fall season is at its peak and the world where I am now is surrounded by vibrant autumn colors-- red, yellow and gold. The weather has been gorgeous for a couple of days, sunny but very comfortable although sometimes it gets really chilly especially in the morning. But less than two months from now winter will be here and the trees will turn into gray, colorless and lifeless.<br />
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Don’t get me wrong, I am not being pessimistic. To me the confetti of the fall might be over and the coming winter might be cold and gloomy but not the beautiful and warm colors of life. I am just in my deep reflective mood and can't help but ponder about my life. I am happy that finally I found the balance that I have been looking for and excited about the changes that I am going through now. But I also think that time can get by me if I'm not careful and find ways to ensure that I am not only enjoying as much of it as I can, but is living the life I want to live. Everyday I am conscious of the fact that time is precious, it is slipping away and won't wait for me.<br />
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And looking out the window watching the falling leaves dance with the wind before touching the ground, I seem to hear them whisper their message that somehow validates these thoughts.<br />
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When I first came here in the East Coast there was this little maple tree in front of the deck of our house. This tree was but a small sapling, so weak and hapless that it was almost blown about by the winter winds. Over the changing seasons it has grown taller, thicker. Its branches now reach up to the heavens; its roots have taken a firm grip in the earth. Though its leaves have fallen away throughout each of the seasons, its core has developed to a fuller and more mature stature, and now is the most beautiful tree in the yard. Every time I pass by that house and look at that deck, I can't help but look at the tree and with it, some thoughts make me smile. I feel the warmth in my heart.<br />
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Life from my point of view is constantly evolving and continually changing. I am enjoying every bit of it and I am grateful and blessed for all that I am NOW.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-21744875388023807062011-10-06T15:03:00.002-04:002016-05-14T20:08:50.834-04:00Monticello, A World Heritage Site<span id="goog_942747656"> Come step into the past for a moment and let me take you to a different time. My recent trip to Monticello in Albemarle, Virginia was very informative and an amazing travel down history 300 years back. It is Thomas Jefferson's mountain-top home and designated as UNESCO Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of the finest examples of the early Classical Revival style in the United States. He built it between 1768 and 1809. This National Historic Landmark attracts approximately half a million tourists every year. Thomas Jefferson is the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, founder and deisgner of the University of Virginia, also a UNESCO Heritage Site and just a couple of miles away. </span>Let me share with you my experience of Monticello and its yard and gorgeous gardens through some of these photos that I managed to take. Taking pictures inside the museum was not allowed.<br />
The drive to get there:<br />
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Foggy and chilly Virginia by-ways</div>
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Michie Tavern was built in 1784 and less than a mile away from Monticello. Foods serve here are from pre colonial United States and they are really good.</div>
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the Entrance</div>
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the east portico</div>
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beautiful architectural details</div>
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I can imagine sitting under this shade and pond while reading my favorite novel</div>
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Blooms in the garden/yard</div>
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Jefferson's home is surrounded by different plants/flowers</div>
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and trees</div>
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the west portico</div>
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My trip to Monticello made me learn more about this great man and thus admire him even more. It was really amazing to see the way that Thomas Jefferson designed his home. It was filled with his innovations, many of which he designed or adapted "with a greater eye to convenience." As in the rest of the house, the bedroom's furnishings illustrate many of his ideas about the efficient use of time, space, and light, including prominently placed clocks, space-saving alcove beds, and light-maximizing mirrors. At the end of the tour, I found myself wanting to know more about him, his life and his passion. He was a man of letters, an intellectual, an artist, a statesman and a lover of the finer things. There is so much to learn about him, and that tour gave me a glimpse of the world Jefferson and his family inhabited.. That was such a fulfilling day for me.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-65743298900520565912011-09-22T20:01:00.007-04:002012-12-13T02:04:49.657-05:00September ElevenI have been a football fan for many years of my life. I really enjoy watching this game. I started watching NFL back in 1995. I can't forget that afternoon when I was flipping through the channels and happened to click the Superbowl championship between San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. From that day on, I have become so interested in the sports and watch superbowl on TV every year. <br />
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Last September 11 and 12, we were in Jacksonville, Florida visiting family. They took me to watch their home team Jacksonville Jaguars play againts Tennessee Titans. The game started at one o'clock in the afternoon and the temperature was 95'F. Even that didn't diminished the excitement I felt for being able to watch NFL game live. And being there when the action took place was amazing to say the least. In spite of that seething Florida heat, the Everbank Field was filled with Jaquars fans who have always been very supportive of their home team. Watching that game was even more special and memorable to me because it was September 11 and halfway through the game, there was a commemoration of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the US. Footages of that dreadful event were being shown on wide screens of the football field and hundreds of red, white and blue ballons were released in the air and few members of US Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy held and spread the American Flag in the middle of the field while Charice Pempengco was singing "God Bless America." Up in the sky, the three members of the US army were flying in parachute and after a couple of minutes they landed in the middle of the football field. The whole stadium was quiet even if it was full packed with fans; which made the moment so touching. <br />
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Here are some of my photos of that memorable day:<br />
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The Everbank Field--Home of the Jaguars</div>
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the stadium was still empty when we got there</div>
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warming up </div>
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Jaguars' mascot entertaining the fans while they were waiting for the game to start</div>
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start of the game---here they come!!!</div>
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the stadium filled with fans</div>
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Filipino couple who also love football and Jaguars die-hard like me</div>
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singing of national anthem</div>
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carrying the flag out of the field</div>
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signal of the start of the game....</div>
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Remembering 911; so touching and made me teary eyed:</div>
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Jaguars won!!! fans went home very happy</div>
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Watching the fans celebrate the victory of their home team made me smile and felt like celebrating with them. While at the same time what I witnessed during the commemoration of 911made me reflect on how that day and that tragedy changed the lives of all American people and the rest of the world. What a day!</div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-35329991964416315932011-09-01T06:43:00.005-04:002016-09-01T21:55:44.475-04:00A Day At Mount Vernon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Monday my daughter Rhea and I were both off from work so we decided to go to Mount Vernon, the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. We had planned to see this very historic site since we got here in Virginia, but took us all these years before we finally found the time to go. The Estate is located along the banks of Potomac River and just about ten miles from my home. It is a self contained community with it's own grits mill, winery, blacksmith shop, etc. Everything they needed, they produced and processed. One of my favorite parts of the mansion is the back porch overlooking the Potomac river. <br />
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It was a great feeling to be in a very historic place like Mt. Vernon. Although I learned American History in my college years, the only thing I knew about George Washington then was that he was the first American President and was responsible for the surrender of Gen. Cornwallis that lead to American independence from England. But by going to Mount Vernon and actually walked in his yard and saw his mansion, his huge farm (8,000 acres and 316 slaves!), his vehicles and everything around his mansion, I had a grasp now of how he lived and how hard life was then even for a rich person like him, much more for ordinary everyday people especially the slaves. I can't imagine travelling from Virginia to pennsylvania (160 miles more or less) even on a horse carriage like he had in a very rough road. Much more that I can't imagine fetching twenty to thirty buckets of water just to wash a load of laundry. Slaves assigned in the wash house must be one of the hardest tasks. It was such a tough life. It made me appreciate more the things and comforts that we have now. <br />
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I want to share some of the photos that I took but please bear with me if they are not really good. With the number of tourists there and the very limited space that I could move to get a good angle just to get rid of many distractions as I could was such a challenge. And it was one o'clock in the afternoon when we started the tour so I also had a hard time with the lighting. It was an educational and not a photography tour for me so I didn't worry about these technical stuffs so much. <br />
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the front gate of the mansion</div>
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back porch of the mansion</div>
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view of Potomac River from the back porch</div>
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the passage connecting the kitchen to the mansion</div>
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the blacksmith shop</div>
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the paint cellar</div>
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the smoked meat from wall to ceiling in the smokehouse</div>
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the buckets </div>
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the lard</div>
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animal fat</div>
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the laundry essentials</div>
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the clerk's quarter</div>
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The Paddock</div>
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the entrance to the slaves' burial site</div>
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the tomb of Pres. George Washington</div>
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It was a quality time for me and Rhea. Not only that, we also learned more about the history of this great country we now call home. We plan to see another historic place the next time we are both off from work. We don't have to go far and we don't have to spend money. "Historic Virginia" is a place to be if you like history. And many of these places are within ten to thirty miles from our home. We are blessed to be here.</div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-20830376731766329472011-08-28T20:40:00.001-04:002011-08-29T04:13:56.810-04:00After Hurricane Irene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzuw_4WsTnGgLtRuMjq_KUP3V9BTXat9uMKOUhIdebu-zYBFZoaeJ7zHJyMuqgCKGlKHDStd-S6VDam-1AohZQJ60MG8MhXDV9ozs6PQoVoqJelkeR7qXAh6x66JsW4B-EWvT3-ErNGYv/s1600/Irene2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzuw_4WsTnGgLtRuMjq_KUP3V9BTXat9uMKOUhIdebu-zYBFZoaeJ7zHJyMuqgCKGlKHDStd-S6VDam-1AohZQJ60MG8MhXDV9ozs6PQoVoqJelkeR7qXAh6x66JsW4B-EWvT3-ErNGYv/s320/Irene2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dawn was so pretty this morning. If seems like hurricane Irene( that hit east coast yesterday and left almost a million homes in Virginia alone without power) happened in another life. Even if it was still quite dark, I could see that the sky was clear. As I was pulling the driveway at a few minutes before 6:00, I could see the first sign of dawn. The sky was a very faint but gorgeous sight to behold behind the darkness of the cloud that was slightly covering it. The early morning breeze made the trees sway as if welcoming a new day with so much rejoicing and hope that finally the hurricane and the dangers it brought has passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Somehow that vision brought a feeling of happiness and hope in my heart. It inspired me to reflect on my experiences in my journey through this life. It is always comforting that happiness comes after every trial. The frustrations and the sadness brought about by our own mistakes and shortcomings may weaken our self-confidence but also a way for us to become stronger and better person if we only look at the positive side of these experiences. After every storm, the sky clears up and the sun will surely shines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsGxsU-_DRpme-nnpnA1-CxZ_-r2mxkExzsDWmbCklIkrZ45frtn714u4HLzpnEoYo2wAnziABmBpq_TiAVCc5Dq86zZ7PP_1ggy6gaZWmMlBllkIBcXZtNk5rD6not1AxWFBb_XBs6xt/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsGxsU-_DRpme-nnpnA1-CxZ_-r2mxkExzsDWmbCklIkrZ45frtn714u4HLzpnEoYo2wAnziABmBpq_TiAVCc5Dq86zZ7PP_1ggy6gaZWmMlBllkIBcXZtNk5rD6not1AxWFBb_XBs6xt/s320/image001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as for me there's so much to hope for and so much promise for today and for the future. The sky seemed to be talking to me, saying "be patient for many good things are coming, the promise of beautiful future is at hand." I felt so at peace even though my schedule as I looked at it, threatens to overrun me....<o:p></o:p></span></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945759596854658571.post-43913784262096773872011-08-24T15:52:00.005-04:002011-08-24T16:03:25.776-04:00Beware Of These Cons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKvVSs9hcXthGvcP6GHCuHqccyaXeHMwc0jg4U0b9HbqcHFJnIJiqFTjL86CP-pYYJBEnezdp5Dd2Eyqb1yQWRfgqTLEAjrUb5X8BQU4-tItdRvgwhTx-JCWIVrcdXDBgQ2OrUIJ70pdg/s1600/con+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKvVSs9hcXthGvcP6GHCuHqccyaXeHMwc0jg4U0b9HbqcHFJnIJiqFTjL86CP-pYYJBEnezdp5Dd2Eyqb1yQWRfgqTLEAjrUb5X8BQU4-tItdRvgwhTx-JCWIVrcdXDBgQ2OrUIJ70pdg/s1600/con+man.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Just the other day, I received an email from my friend from the Philippines, who begged me for assistance from Spain.<br />
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The warning lights came on one by one. In the first paragraph, she told me she's in Madrid for a program. She went on to explain, “I have misplace my wallet on my way to hotel where my money and valuable things were keep.” Then she wrote, “I want you to assist me (she doesn't sound so demanding, huh!) with a loan of 2700 Erous (notice the spelling and the grammar, hahaha!). I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with. Please send the money to the following information.”<br />
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Now, you ask me, are you not going to help your friend in dire need? Of course I will. The problem is I just talked to my friend that day I got her email. She was in Manila that day. I know her to be very proficient in English both written and oral.<br />
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You’ve probably received a scam letter like this before. Many people have. And some of them, God knows how, fall for it. It makes me wonder how is it that people can succumb to this pathetic con? Are these con guys trying to portray my friend, who has a degree in Economics and Masters in Business Management from Asian Institute of Management as so distraught that she wrote awefully? <br />
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Last month, I received this email:<br />
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_3_1303946879004106" style="background-color: #666666; color: white;"><b id="yui_3_2_0_3_1303946879004105">Dear Esteemed Winner,</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #666666;"><b>Congratulations, you have won 2,000,000.00 (TWO MILLION BRITISH POUNDS) from MEGA </b><b>MILLIONS LOTTERY PROGRAM as one of the 10 top lucky winners for the month of July, 2011.</b></span></span><br />
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<div><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;"></span></div><div><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #666666;"><b><u>THESE ARE YOUR WINNING INFORMATION'S:</u></b></span></span></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Batch Number 089/75588</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #666666;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303949204_1">Winning Numbers</span> 05,17,25,34,37</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Reference Number MM/5464542</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Payment No. MM 0348</span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;"></span></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">To begin your claims, kindly contact our Overseas Payment Officer, Dr. Ahmed Majid with below details.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">******************************************</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Dr. Ahmed Majid (Overseas Payment Officer)</span></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:mmclaims2010@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:mmclaims2010@gmail.com"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1303949204_2" style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">mmclaims2010@gmail.com</span></a></b></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">*******************************************</span></b></div><div></div><div>I was told, “Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Afro representative office in (South Africa) as indicated in your electronic play coupon.” Later references were made to “our Africa agent.”</div><div></div><div>I didn't really pay so much attention to this stuff because I knew right away that this is a scam. But after getting email from my friend in need I really got agitated. It is so frustrating and annoying isn't it?</div><div></div>Anyone who fails to note the nearly illiterate writing and falls victim to this scam or similar ones will mostly become their victim. I feel sorry for those victims and what they have to go through to learn lessons. <br />
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As I have said in the past, Technology have brought so much comfort and convenience to this generation. But we also have to be very careful and vigilant for those people who will use it to steal our money, privacy and sometimes our lives.<br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433418665917895812noreply@blogger.com0