For Immigrants, a Ripple Effect (or "How Do I Reconsider My Position Now?")

read more | digg storyYou may want to read first the link to this posting, to give a better context to my take on this piece of news.

Yes, it’s just getting rough lately here (at least from where I’m doing my business here in NYC). And I’ve been seeing some telling signs, and I’ve become aware of a lot of developments from what people have been willing to share me. I’ve been seeing that more and more people are getting scared, so fearful of what will happen to their “future.”

You know something? I’ve seen the same kind of environment back in the Philippines. And I’m glad, really delighted, based on the latest macroeconomic indicators, the Philippines is actually among the least affected by this economic turmoil that has started from here in the US, has engulfed most of Europe, and has brought recession recently to Japan. The Philippines has actually got its best economic performance in over 2 decades!

Now, what do I mean by my statement that “I’ve seen these happenings back in the Philippines?” It refers to that outlook of having a fearful perspective set against political and economic events [except during the early to middle years of the Ramos presidency, where I remember knowing ordinary people–those who don’t have social connections, whatsoever–who were brave enough to invest and pursue businesses] carried by most media. I’ve always remembered the fear, the scared outlook from most people I’ve met back in the Philippines, such that they won’t be willing, or postponing decisions to take risk, as well as those who had been so familiar with “grey clouds” at looking on developments, that contrast so strongly against the bright clouds that can actually be seen most times up in the skies of the Philippines, being in a tropical country. It’s the gloominess, such that it’s tough being an entrepreneur, as you seldom get support, institutional or otherwise, or honest-to-goodness motivational words even from your first line of friends, family or relatives. You try to convince yourself that things will be better eventually, as I always remember telling myself.

Then I’m also glad, even way more grateful, to have been very experienced with such scenarios now being painted, by at least one set of believers here locally. I’ve gained much practice from my experiences back in the Philippines, while it was still going on its see-saw depiction of its economic growth rates (they call it “boom-bust” cycle?). I just have a suspicion that things are really getting tough even with those who are moneyed, such that indications show they have not been buying like during comparable periods. I just wonder if those who have been actually earning more, by all respectable counts, can be actually be made to pay higher tax rates? At least in the meantime, until the crisis is over…..but this is just more or less, thinking aloud.

But of course, I gotta be ready still. I’m getting myself prepared for the worst scenarios as well. It pays to be more than cunning these days! Let’s see where all these prognostications will lead us. I just like to add as well that it will pay to make sure we keep our heads intact amidst the raging turmoil.

For Immigrants, a Ripple Effect (or "How Do I Reconsider My Position Now?")

read more | digg storyYou may want to read first the link to this posting, to give a better context to my take on this piece of news.

Yes, it’s just getting rough lately here (at least from where I’m doing my business here in NYC). And I’ve been seeing some telling signs, and I’ve become aware of a lot of developments from what people have been willing to share me. I’ve been seeing that more and more people are getting scared, so fearful of what will happen to their “future.”

You know something? I’ve seen the same kind of environment back in the Philippines. And I’m glad, really delighted, based on the latest macroeconomic indicators, the Philippines is actually among the least affected by this economic turmoil that has started from here in the US, has engulfed most of Europe, and has brought recession recently to Japan. The Philippines has actually got its best economic performance in over 2 decades!

Now, what do I mean by my statement that “I’ve seen these happenings back in the Philippines?” It refers to that outlook of having a fearful perspective set against political and economic events [except during the early to middle years of the Ramos presidency, where I remember knowing ordinary people–those who don’t have social connections, whatsoever–who were brave enough to invest and pursue businesses] carried by most media. I’ve always remembered the fear, the scared outlook from most people I’ve met back in the Philippines, such that they won’t be willing, or postponing decisions to take risk, as well as those who had been so familiar with “grey clouds” at looking on developments, that contrast so strongly against the bright clouds that can actually be seen most times up in the skies of the Philippines, being in a tropical country. It’s the gloominess, such that it’s tough being an entrepreneur, as you seldom get support, institutional or otherwise, or honest-to-goodness motivational words even from your first line of friends, family or relatives. You try to convince yourself that things will be better eventually, as I always remember telling myself.

Then I’m also glad, even way more grateful, to have been very experienced with such scenarios now being painted, by at least one set of believers here locally. I’ve gained much practice from my experiences back in the Philippines, while it was still going on its see-saw depiction of its economic growth rates (they call it “boom-bust” cycle?). I just have a suspicion that things are really getting tough even with those who are moneyed, such that indications show they have not been buying like during comparable periods. I just wonder if those who have been actually earning more, by all respectable counts, can be actually be made to pay higher tax rates? At least in the meantime, until the crisis is over…..but this is just more or less, thinking aloud.

But of course, I gotta be ready still. I’m getting myself prepared for the worst scenarios as well. It pays to be more than cunning these days! Let’s see where all these prognostications will lead us. I just like to add as well that it will pay to make sure we keep our heads intact amidst the raging turmoil.

"I Am Thankful For….." (from "As A Man Thinketh")

MY FRIDAY STORY

I AM THANKFUL FOR …
Author Unknown

The partner who hogs the covers every night,
because he Is not out with someone else.

The child who is not cleaning his room, but
Is watching TV, because that means he Is at
home and not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay,
because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,
because it means that I have been
surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,
because it means I am in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing,
because it means I have a home.

For the parking spot I find at the far
end of the parking lot, because It means
I am capable of walking and that I have
been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating/cooling bill,
because it means I am warm/refreshed.

For the lady behind me in church that
sings off key, because it means that
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and Ironing,
because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at
the end of the day, because it means
I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the
early morning hours, because it
means I am alive.

And finally…

For too much e-Mail,
because it means I have friends who
are thinking of me.

Sent to you as a courtesy of…

Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
For a free eBook of James Allens classic:
http://www.AsAManThinketh.net

India Calling (or How I Look at This in My Case….)

read more | digg story Please read first the link to this posting from New York Times.

I’ve wondered once what would have happened to our family’s fortunes if my Mother pursued her application to immigrate here in the USA. She worked here as a nurse somewhere in the Midwest in the mid 1970’s (she was even here during the US Bicentennial, I recall). She was told to go back to the Philippines and wait for a work visa for herself and her family, which took her forever. When the notice from the US embassy came, she was in KSA working, and opted to just stay as she considered working in the Middle East to be better in terms of real income, i.e. there’s much more in terms of cash savings as there is not much of a lifestyle anyway in KSA, compared with the consumerist lifestyle here in the USA.

Now, we move to my own case, when I decided to pursue my dreams here in the USA in 2006 (I was here in 2003, which trip gave me wide ranging opportunities to have a look at what the US can offer me). Since my arrival, I’ve decided to pursue the life and options available to that of a “Freelancer.” Being an entrepreneur back in the Philippines, and also someone who has led a corporate life (I was a Manager in my area of expertise back in Makati, the Philippines’ business center, that is actually in Metro Manila, the national capital region that looks like most of, or even better than the metropolitan cities in SouthEast Asia, with this city having 12 million in population density), I’ve seen early enough that at my age (being in my 40s), there would be no serious corporate employer who would be hiring me in my own terms, at least part of my terms, even if I got an MBA, I could write, I could speak better English in my own accent than most immigrants here in the US, among other advantages. I actually gave it a try, to get myself hired, but the jobs were just so ridiculously insulting. I’ve always had to struggle it out against “ethnic stereotyping,” (a term I’ve read in one of my favorite blogsites, whose author gave a perfect term to what I was experiencing) as employers and their representatives are basically disrespectful and doubtful of a foreign looking applicant’s background and experience (particularly for someone who’s not from here, even if the Philippines used to be a colony of the US, and even if this English language heritage has been brought about by having been colonized by the US in early part of the 20th century—–as if this historical observation has bearing whatsoever on the fate of the citizens of a former colony). Employers here, with certain exceptions with those I’ve known personally, basically behave harshly and rather mean, it seems to me, to newcomers, to say the least, and they won’t even admit that, even if pointed out to them. Just like in most places, they’d always look at you most conveniently according to how you are stereotypically categorized in the back of their minds (this is basically a normal business reaction, would you believe?). I remember, however, a friend’s reaction to “stereotyping.” You’re sure you would have company, as there would be many who would fit the notions found in a stereotype (“at least you have company”). But still, being stereotyped in doing one particular line of work could be a curse at worst cases; it even perpetuates and strengthens existing power and authority structures (that goes against the very grain of experiencing further growth and development especially for those who have special skills and talents very valuable in today’s ever changing economy).

But I’ve continued to learn my lessons, to become better prepared in accomplishing my intentions.

I’d do gigs, for every opportunity that I’d be on the lookout, where I can use my skills, and in activities that would bring out my passions and interests. When one is in his 40s, there is basically no time to spend on doing intrinsically “boring” jobs that are really not meaningful, purposeful to one’s existence. This applies as well to jobs that are just being done, but won’t get the worker any respect from his / her countrymen. Among other set of attitudes, this particular attitude has carried me through hardships and struggles that continue up to this day, as I have to constantly find meaning and purpose why these events have been happening, why I meet these people here, and why I’m here in NYC. Of course, these are all my decisions, and I’m being responsible for myself.

Just tonight, I’ve been to my second time of having to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a group of people who happened to share the lovingly and anxiously prepared dinner with me because I was doing a gig as a caregiver. Last year, I was with my patient and his family to one of his son’s friends (I’m unsure of this though), but this year, we were in the house of one of my patient’s sons. I’ve grown to really appreciate and like having this opportunity, among many opportunities, as I’ve got to observe first hand how Americans ( those who belong to the 2nd, 3rd or higher level of generations of the original immigrants ) celebrate Thanksgiving, with myself being the only foreign born. This is one holiday that reminds me of Christmas season back in the Philippines, as this somehow approximates the collective anxieties of the general population in how to best make use of these precious moments shared with family, loved ones and guests.

Prior to this year’s Thanksgiving, I was asked by a visitor of my patient, one Sunday, why there are just about so many people from the Philippines who are dominating this industry of “caregiving” or doing healthcare jobs, i.e. mostly as nurses here in the US. I answered “I don’t know.” The guest said, who didn’t really mean anything malicious by asking me these questions, even expressed her surprised at finding the most capable persons doing “caregiving” jobs, who were lawyers, teachers, and other professionals back in the Philippines. She even asked me, and then guessed nearly correctly what was I doing back in the Philippines prior to settling for good here in the US. But of course, I’m glad that now I’m reading this article about some people here in the USA, whose families were originally from India, are going back and starting to make a life again, a better life in India [despite fresh news lately]. Indians, I’ve observed, just like other nationalities, here in the US “suffer” ethnic stereotyping themselves. For example, the 2 taxi drivers [who could be doing a gig like myself, with them doing a different nature of work as cab drivers], who brought us to and fro the house where we had Thanksgiving dinner, were themselves Indians [How do I know? I have first hand knowledge about things Indian as I got several relatives married to Indians back in the Philippines]. But Indians, just like in their home country, have got quite a huge number of presence here in the US. Unlike the country where I originally come from.

However, I personally doubt if I’d like to go back soon. Back in the Philippines, when I was still doing HR work that called for me to do recruitment work, I would encounter a lot of applicants who have decided to go back and stay for good in the Philippines after they have spent several years here in the US. I did HR work for over 20 years, and I’ve seen a lot of these cases. That somehow pointed out the pointlessness of pursuing a life in the US, as these applicants are actually proofs that the US is far from being the land of milk and honey (so to say).

But I still believe, and have found out to myself that indeed, the US is the “land of the free, home of the brave,” despite really rough problems cropping out lately. I’ve seen strong evidences, despite contradictions. One development was the recent election of Obama, being African-American, as President. I’d certainly won’t see this happening in most countries, that have mixed make up of population. My attendance to Thanksgiving dinners among regular Americans, who are actually not among regular types, as most of them are based in NYC (which many consider to be the most diverse city in the US), has shown me, and afforded me to consider my faith in pursuing my notions on egalitarianism. I’ve seen this in Japan as well, but Japan is really a homogenous society, unlike the US which behaves more like heterogenous in its societal makeup. This makes people believe that good and services have to be made available at affordable prices or costs to the majority of the people, and not only to those who have access to money and power. I’ve yet to say this to the Philippines. I’ve yet to see this happening as well to most countries in the world.

India Calling (or How I Look at This in My Case….)

read more | digg story Please read first the link to this posting from New York Times.

I’ve wondered once what would have happened to our family’s fortunes if my Mother pursued her application to immigrate here in the USA. She worked here as a nurse somewhere in the Midwest in the mid 1970’s (she was even here during the US Bicentennial, I recall). She was told to go back to the Philippines and wait for a work visa for herself and her family, which took her forever. When the notice from the US embassy came, she was in KSA working, and opted to just stay as she considered working in the Middle East to be better in terms of real income, i.e. there’s much more in terms of cash savings as there is not much of a lifestyle anyway in KSA, compared with the consumerist lifestyle here in the USA.

Now, we move to my own case, when I decided to pursue my dreams here in the USA in 2006 (I was here in 2003, which trip gave me wide ranging opportunities to have a look at what the US can offer me). Since my arrival, I’ve decided to pursue the life and options available to that of a “Freelancer.” Being an entrepreneur back in the Philippines, and also someone who has led a corporate life (I was a Manager in my area of expertise back in Makati, the Philippines’ business center, that is actually in Metro Manila, the national capital region that looks like most of, or even better than the metropolitan cities in SouthEast Asia, with this city having 12 million in population density), I’ve seen early enough that at my age (being in my 40s), there would be no serious corporate employer who would be hiring me in my own terms, at least part of my terms, even if I got an MBA, I could write, I could speak better English in my own accent than most immigrants here in the US, among other advantages. I actually gave it a try, to get myself hired, but the jobs were just so ridiculously insulting. I’ve always had to struggle it out against “ethnic stereotyping,” (a term I’ve read in one of my favorite blogsites, whose author gave a perfect term to what I was experiencing) as employers and their representatives are basically disrespectful and doubtful of a foreign looking applicant’s background and experience (particularly for someone who’s not from here, even if the Philippines used to be a colony of the US, and even if this English language heritage has been brought about by having been colonized by the US in early part of the 20th century—–as if this historical observation has bearing whatsoever on the fate of the citizens of a former colony). Employers here, with certain exceptions with those I’ve known personally, basically behave harshly and rather mean, it seems to me, to newcomers, to say the least, and they won’t even admit that, even if pointed out to them. Just like in most places, they’d always look at you most conveniently according to how you are stereotypically categorized in the back of their minds (this is basically a normal business reaction, would you believe?). I remember, however, a friend’s reaction to “stereotyping.” You’re sure you would have company, as there would be many who would fit the notions found in a stereotype (“at least you have company”). But still, being stereotyped in doing one particular line of work could be a curse at worst cases; it even perpetuates and strengthens existing power and authority structures (that goes against the very grain of experiencing further growth and development especially for those who have special skills and talents very valuable in today’s ever changing economy).

But I’ve continued to learn my lessons, to become better prepared in accomplishing my intentions.

I’d do gigs, for every opportunity that I’d be on the lookout, where I can use my skills, and in activities that would bring out my passions and interests. When one is in his 40s, there is basically no time to spend on doing intrinsically “boring” jobs that are really not meaningful, purposeful to one’s existence. This applies as well to jobs that are just being done, but won’t get the worker any respect from his / her countrymen. Among other set of attitudes, this particular attitude has carried me through hardships and struggles that continue up to this day, as I have to constantly find meaning and purpose why these events have been happening, why I meet these people here, and why I’m here in NYC. Of course, these are all my decisions, and I’m being responsible for myself.

Just tonight, I’ve been to my second time of having to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a group of people who happened to share the lovingly and anxiously prepared dinner with me because I was doing a gig as a caregiver. Last year, I was with my patient and his family to one of his son’s friends (I’m unsure of this though), but this year, we were in the house of one of my patient’s sons. I’ve grown to really appreciate and like having this opportunity, among many opportunities, as I’ve got to observe first hand how Americans ( those who belong to the 2nd, 3rd or higher level of generations of the original immigrants ) celebrate Thanksgiving, with myself being the only foreign born. This is one holiday that reminds me of Christmas season back in the Philippines, as this somehow approximates the collective anxieties of the general population in how to best make use of these precious moments shared with family, loved ones and guests.

Prior to this year’s Thanksgiving, I was asked by a visitor of my patient, one Sunday, why there are just about so many people from the Philippines who are dominating this industry of “caregiving” or doing healthcare jobs, i.e. mostly as nurses here in the US. I answered “I don’t know.” The guest said, who didn’t really mean anything malicious by asking me these questions, even expressed her surprised at finding the most capable persons doing “caregiving” jobs, who were lawyers, teachers, and other professionals back in the Philippines. She even asked me, and then guessed nearly correctly what was I doing back in the Philippines prior to settling for good here in the US. But of course, I’m glad that now I’m reading this article about some people here in the USA, whose families were originally from India, are going back and starting to make a life again, a better life in India [despite fresh news lately]. Indians, I’ve observed, just like other nationalities, here in the US “suffer” ethnic stereotyping themselves. For example, the 2 taxi drivers [who could be doing a gig like myself, with them doing a different nature of work as cab drivers], who brought us to and fro the house where we had Thanksgiving dinner, were themselves Indians [How do I know? I have first hand knowledge about things Indian as I got several relatives married to Indians back in the Philippines]. But Indians, just like in their home country, have got quite a huge number of presence here in the US. Unlike the country where I originally come from.

However, I personally doubt if I’d like to go back soon. Back in the Philippines, when I was still doing HR work that called for me to do recruitment work, I would encounter a lot of applicants who have decided to go back and stay for good in the Philippines after they have spent several years here in the US. I did HR work for over 20 years, and I’ve seen a lot of these cases. That somehow pointed out the pointlessness of pursuing a life in the US, as these applicants are actually proofs that the US is far from being the land of milk and honey (so to say).

But I still believe, and have found out to myself that indeed, the US is the “land of the free, home of the brave,” despite really rough problems cropping out lately. I’ve seen strong evidences, despite contradictions. One development was the recent election of Obama, being African-American, as President. I’d certainly won’t see this happening in most countries, that have mixed make up of population. My attendance to Thanksgiving dinners among regular Americans, who are actually not among regular types, as most of them are based in NYC (which many consider to be the most diverse city in the US), has shown me, and afforded me to consider my faith in pursuing my notions on egalitarianism. I’ve seen this in Japan as well, but Japan is really a homogenous society, unlike the US which behaves more like heterogenous in its societal makeup. This makes people believe that good and services have to be made available at affordable prices or costs to the majority of the people, and not only to those who have access to money and power. I’ve yet to say this to the Philippines. I’ve yet to see this happening as well to most countries in the world.

Cornfields, endless cornfields!

Reno Trip,AirBalloons,TruckeeRiverSept2008 057
Originally uploaded by dyerohmeb

During my recent trip across the USA on the Amtrak, I just got so tired staring at endless and very, very wide patches of cornfields! The sight becomes very common after awhile, that it’s dulling my senses. I think this kind of view outside the train must have started right after we got out of Chicago (or even Chicago, but I was asleep then!).

The picture, which I fixed, shows some shadows belonging to my co-passengers. These fields provide more than the supply of the whole USA, I suppose, and most would be exported for some other industrial or commercial purposes. I wonder what farming technologies are used by owners of these farms, which could be owned by huge companies, or maybe by individual landowners/farmers who must have joined together to come up with something economically strategic for their own interests. Who could be the players in this very huge agribusiness endeavor. I wonder who are their buyers; I also wonder what makes up the totality of the end consumers of the produce from all these cornfields. I won’t be surprised, though, that part of the huge wealth of the US lies here in these very fields!

Happy Thanksgiving! {+ "new airline rules" picked up from a friend’s email!!}

**photo=from an old, old email! ha ha ha!

Happy Holiday Flying

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir.
May I see your ticket?

Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You’re in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a
seat locator fee of $5. It’s the airline’s new policy.

Passenger: That’s the craziest thing I ever heard.
I won’t pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I’ll pay.
But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you.
My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy.
Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem.
Up we go, and done!
That will be $10, please.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges
a $10 carry-on assistance fee.
Passenger: This is extortion. I won’t stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you’re right, you can’t stand.
You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt.
We’re about to push back from the gate.
But, first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way!

Attendant: Sir, if you don’t comply,
I will be forced to call the air marshal.
And you really don’t want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there’s a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10.
I can’t believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir.
Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It’s stuffy in here, and my overhead
fan doesn’t seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir.
Just insert two quarters into the overhead
coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir.
Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge.
It’s the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don’t have any quarters.
Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you’ve given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there’s a change making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin’ out loud.
All I have left is a lousy quarter?
What the heck can I do with this?

Attendant: Hang onto it.
You’ll need it later for the lavatory.

Some of Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses No Longer

“An update on which countries have been included recently in the US visa waiver program.”

read more | digg story

Is there someone out there in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines who can somehow explain why the Philippines remains to be excluded from this list? Or are there efforts now ongoing on the part of those in Philippine government service that now work towards getting all qualified Philippine nationals (not only those who are favored, those who are part of the ruling members of the elite in Philippine society) get into the US without undergoing so much of the mostly-humiliating experience of getting a US visa? I thought the Philippines is a favored friend of the USA, and that there are “special relations” that exist up to now, as the Philippines was a former colony of the US? It seems like the present set up is just being perpetrated far longer as this favors certain sectors of Philippine society (i.e. those who are considered elites!—such a tiresome bunch!)

Addendum:
Come to think of it, and allow me to let your minds play and consider espousing an idea during one of my think-aloud sessions online.

It’s always advantageous for both the elites of the USA and the Philippines, at least those who are in positions of power and authority to have the Philippines be included among the countries under the USA visa waiver program as soon as reviews of relevant policies are made possible. The implication of this inclusion has cascading effects that are immeasurable since they go beyond economics, and political areas, but also along the areas known to most of those involved in societies in both countries.

As you may have very well figured out by now, economic activities in the Philippines are handled mostly by those who have political connections (we’re talking here of what really matters on top-level). But there are not much opportunities to be identified and pursued, as these are mostly cornered exclusively by those who are in power (i.e. an indication of this has been the presence of high rates of poverty for long periods of time, showing that much of the wealth are actually just kept and not allowed to be distributed down at a more faster rate by those in power and authority, those who are among in the ruling class, without exchange of favors). Also, given the timidity of those who are very well entrenched and who live comfortably well, and the disconcerting and uncompetitive environment that has yet to completely motivate entrepreneurs to strike on their own on a sustained basis, there are not much expectations for desired economic changes to happen fast. Moreso, other members of this elite group, including those who have better education and experience will eventually find themselves pursuing meaningless endeavors by their existence in a society like that in the Philippines, which country values keeping close-family-knit-ties and its ill-effects, so much so that if you’re not part of the clan, you don’t expect much in enjoying benefits (i.e. health care, business opportunities, travel opportunities, educational opportunities, etc etc)—which is but natural.

These members, or who are related by blood or affinity to those of the ranking elites, would usually end up finding opportunities abroad, most probably in the US. The USA has remained to be the biggest location of transplanted Filipinos and their kin outside of the Philippines, primarily because of colonial heritage factors, with the Philippines being formerly a colony of the USA. These members will then have to seek out opportunities in the US, and they would be needing visas just to get to stay for at least 90 days, which can be renewed that may last up to 6months at one time. This period of allowable stay will provide enough time for visitors (those who can afford the exorbitant travel fees) from the Philippines to figure out if they would like to stay for good here in the US. Most will eventually find out they can not stay here for good, as they will begin to miss the kind of indulgent lifestyle they have back in the Philippines where there are a lot of servants to meet their needs. Moreso, there’s really poor group support set-up that is usually claimed to be “bayanihan” by some, but which is actually absent most time. During their stay here in the US under a visitor’s visa, they will just be spending their own money, or could have their relatives lend or give them money to spend here, which can be good for the local US economy. This can mean lots of amounts of money getting to be spent here by Filipino visitors, which can take much more efforts to quantify now, just to give an idea.

Moreso, this concern about Filipino visitors staying here for good just to evade immigration, is typically baseless, and at the most a sign of biases against people who look differently at least in facial features. There are a lot of other nationalities from the world over who have come over the US, and have stayed for good. I’ve met a number of people from those countries now included in the visa waiver program, and who are here in NYC whose visas have expired and have stayed out for good. This does not necessarily apply to the majority of Filipino visitors. At the most, Filipinos who affiliate themselves with the elites back in the Philippines, would actually just like to have a feel of how it is to live in the US, or abroad, away from the petty intrigues and glass-half-empty-half-full existence back usually observed in the Philippines.

Filipinos who visit the US would love to meet up with relatives and visitors who would eventually get tired of them, as realities will get to set in, as these are costly endeavors. These visitors will just then consider going back to the Philippines, if they knew they could always go back, anyway, as visitors (if there’s a scenario that the Philippines gets to be included among the US visa waiver program) here in the US.

Mind you, I’ve heard and have known a number of people from the Philippines who can afford to travel here in the US. Actually, the trip of other people can be financed by their relatives here. But consider looking at the listing of Forbes of the wealthiest in the world, and you’d be surprised to see at least 2 to 3 families from the Philippines, which has currently 90million in population. Consider those who are less wealthier, and these families can very well afford regular trips back & forth to the US. Consider including the Philippines in the list of countries with a visa waiver program, and there would be more traveling here freely, without much ado, as they can afford to do so (they’re just pushed back from the high probability of being denied for some unclear reason by the embassy in the Philippines).

It’s in the interests of the US government to begin cornering the market and enjoying the benefits brought here by Filipino visitors in the US as soon as possible, even if the US is actually 8500miles at least from the Philippines. These visitors would be English speaking who would be familiar with US culture that is prized and valued back in Philippine shores. These visitors would surely want to visit a country, like the US, that’s very familiar to them. Or else, China, thru Hong Kong, or other Asian countries, or even Australia and New Zealand, or even Europe may just get hold of these visitors fast, in today’s high volume and competitive tourism business. These visitors from the Philippines would just like to take a look-see trip to decide if they would really want to lead their lives in the US. Most won’t stay long anyway, as discussed in the paragraphs above.

And there would be no need just to clump most Filipinos who’d be allowed to come here in the US as healthcare personnel or teaching staff. These visitors can do more other than these jobs. They can very well invest here, if they see opportunities. They’re among the best adaptable people there are in the world now. You may just have to ask around from non biased employers, just to get sufficient proof, though!

Of course, there are more ideas that can be identified from other readers. Please feel free to share your feedback, and let’s modify, improve our positions.

To read more about the Philippines, to get a better grounding why those in those who are in power and has authority in both US and the Philippines, you may want to see some changing facts about the Philippines on this link from the CIA.

read more | digg story

Some of Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses No Longer

“An update on which countries have been included recently in the US visa waiver program.”

Is there someone out there in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines who can somehow explain why the Philippines remains to be excluded from this list? Or are there efforts now ongoing on the part of those in Philippine government service that now work towards getting all qualified Philippine nationals (not only those who are favored, those who are part of the ruling members of the elite in Philippine society) get into the US without undergoing so much of the mostly-humiliating experience of getting a US visa? I thought the Philippines is a favored friend of the USA, and that there are “special relations” that exist up to now, as the Philippines was a former colony of the US? It seems like the present set up is just being perpetrated far longer as this favors certain sectors of Philippine society (i.e. those who are considered elites!—such a tiresome bunch!)

read more | digg story

Addendum:
Come to think of it, and allow me to let your minds play and consider espousing an idea during one of my think-aloud sessions online.

It’s always advantageous for both the elites of the USA and the Philippines, at least those who are in positions of power and authority to have the Philippines be included among the countries under the USA visa waiver program as soon as reviews of relevant policies are made possible. The implication of this inclusion has cascading effects that are immeasurable since they go beyond economics, and political areas, but also along the areas known to most of those involved in societies in both countries.

As you may have very well figured out by now, economic activities in the Philippines are handled mostly by those who have political connections (we’re talking here of what really matters on top-level). But there are not much opportunities to be identified and pursued, as these are mostly cornered exclusively by those who are in power (i.e. an indication of this has been the presence of high rates of poverty for long periods of time, showing that much of the wealth are actually just kept and not allowed to be distributed down at a more faster rate by those in power and authority, those who are among in the ruling class, without exchange of favors). Also, given the timidity of those who are very well entrenched and who live comfortably well, and the disconcerting and uncompetitive environment that has yet to completely motivate entrepreneurs to strike on their own on a sustained basis, there are not much expectations for desired economic changes to happen fast. Moreso, other members of this elite group, including those who have better education and experience will eventually find themselves pursuing meaningless endeavors by their existence in a society like that in the Philippines, which country values keeping close-family-knit-ties and its ill-effects, so much so that if you’re not part of the clan, you don’t expect much in enjoying benefits (i.e. health care, business opportunities, travel opportunities, educational opportunities, etc etc)—which is but natural.

These members, or who are related by blood or affinity to those of the ranking elites, would usually end up finding opportunities abroad, most probably in the US. The USA has remained to be the biggest location of transplanted Filipinos and their kin outside of the Philippines, primarily because of colonial heritage factors, with the Philippines being formerly a colony of the USA. These members will then have to seek out opportunities in the US, and they would be needing visas just to get to stay for at least 90 days, which can be renewed that may last up to 6months at one time. This period of allowable stay will provide enough time for visitors (those who can afford the exorbitant travel fees) from the Philippines to figure out if they would like to stay for good here in the US. Most will eventually find out they can not stay here for good, as they will begin to miss the kind of indulgent lifestyle they have back in the Philippines where there are a lot of servants to meet their needs. Moreso, there’s really poor group support set-up that is usually claimed to be “bayanihan” by some, but which is actually absent most time. During their stay here in the US under a visitor’s visa, they will just be spending their own money, or could have their relatives lend or give them money to spend here, which can be good for the local US economy. This can mean lots of amounts of money getting to be spent here by Filipino visitors, which can take much more efforts to quantify now, just to give an idea.

Moreso, this concern about Filipino visitors staying here for good just to evade immigration, is typically baseless, and at the most a sign of biases against people who look differently at least in facial features. There are a lot of other nationalities from the world over who have come over the US, and have stayed for good. I’ve met a number of people from those countries now included in the visa waiver program, and who are here in NYC whose visas have expired and have stayed out for good. This does not necessarily apply to the majority of Filipino visitors. At the most, Filipinos who affiliate themselves with the elites back in the Philippines, would actually just like to have a feel of how it is to live in the US, or abroad, away from the petty intrigues and glass-half-empty-half-full existence back usually observed in the Philippines.

Filipinos who visit the US would love to meet up with relatives and visitors who would eventually get tired of them, as realities will get to set in, as these are costly endeavors. These visitors will just then consider going back to the Philippines, if they knew they could always go back, anyway, as visitors (if there’s a scenario that the Philippines gets to be included among the US visa waiver program) here in the US.

Mind you, I’ve heard and have known a number of people from the Philippines who can afford to travel here in the US. Actually, the trip of other people can be financed by their relatives here. But consider looking at the listing of Forbes of the wealthiest in the world, and you’d be surprised to see at least 2 to 3 families from the Philippines, which has currently 90million in population. Consider those who are less wealthier, and these families can very well afford regular trips back & forth to the US. Consider including the Philippines in the list of countries with a visa waiver program, and there would be more traveling here freely, without much ado, as they can afford to do so (they’re just pushed back from the high probability of being denied for some unclear reason by the embassy in the Philippines).

It’s in the interests of the US government to begin cornering the market and enjoying the benefits brought here by Filipino visitors in the US as soon as possible, even if the US is actually 8500miles at least from the Philippines. These visitors would be English speaking who would be familiar with US culture that is prized and valued back in Philippine shores. These visitors would surely want to visit a country, like the US, that’s very familiar to them. Or else, China, thru Hong Kong, or other Asian countries, or even Australia and New Zealand, or even Europe may just get hold of these visitors fast, in today’s high volume and competitive tourism business. These visitors from the Philippines would just like to take a look-see trip to decide if they would really want to lead their lives in the US. Most won’t stay long anyway, as discussed in the paragraphs above.

And there would be no need just to clump most Filipinos who’d be allowed to come here in the US as healthcare personnel or teaching staff. These visitors can do more other than these jobs. They can very well invest here, if they see opportunities. They’re among the best adaptable people there are in the world now. You may just have to ask around from non biased employers, just to get sufficient proof, though!

Of course, there are more ideas that can be identified from other readers. Please feel free to share your feedback, and let’s modify, improve our positions.

To read more about the Philippines, to get a better grounding why those in those who are in power and has authority in both US and the Philippines, you may want to see some changing facts about the Philippines on this link from the CIA.

"100 Blogs that Will Inspire You to be a Better Person" {got this from my friend, Dinx Borja}

Posted by Site Administrator in Self-Improvement, Wellness on 11 4th, 2008
By Christina Laun

Everyone needs a little help sometimes in getting motivated, feeling happy or just getting those creative juices flowing. Luckily, the Internet is full of places to find inspiration. These blogs can help you get moving towards your goals, whether you want to give back more to the community, feel better about yourself, or just get in shape.

Must Reads
These blogs are must-reads for anyone looking to get inspired. You’ll find everything from personal development tips to ways to be happier.

1. Zen Habits: This blog is one of the best out there for those looking for some inspiration. It provides articles on topics like productivity, saving money, getting in shape, simplifying your life and so much more.
2. Steve Pavlina: Think you’ve messed up your life too bad to come back? Steve Pavlina went from sitting in jail for felony theft to graduating from school with a double major in computer science and mathematics. He’s now a successful blogger and speaker and you can find hundreds of wonderful and inspirational tips on his blog.
3. Brian Kim: This blog helps you to find ways to invest in yourself, through getting in shape, improving your mental health, boosting your finances and more.
4. Change Your Thoughts: If you’re looking to make a positive change in your life this blog has plenty to offer to you. Blogger Steven Aitchison gives some great tips on everything from finances to spiritual well-being.
5. LifeHacks: What could be better than making your life more efficient by getting organizing and streamlining? This blog is full of tips to help you make the most of everything you do.
6. Dumb Little Man: Don’t let the title of this blog fool you; the content is anything but dumb. With posts on everything from improving your communication skills to reducing your stress, this blog can be a great source of inspiration and information.
7. Success Begins Today: Don’t wait until tomorrow to start working towards your goals– start today. This blog focuses on tips to boost your personal productivity and get you on the path to success in your career and beyond.
8. 43 Folders: Check out this blog by Merlin Mann to learn some simple ways you can start making your life better.
9. Life Optimizer: Everyone faces setbacks on the road to success, and this blog helps you learn how to turn those roadblocks into success with posts on productivity, optimism and personal growth.
10. LifeHacker: One of the most popular personal development and productivity blogs out there, LifeHacker contains tons of tips to help you make the most of the technology at hand to help you work faster and keep important and useful information at your fingertips.

Goals and Dreams
Do you have a personal goal that you haven’t found a way to achieve yet? These blogs can help get you started on working towards that goal with some inspirational tips and suggestions.

11. Inspire Possibility: This blogger was formerly a trial lawyer but is now a life coach and helps clients to develop their leadership potential. Check out his blog for tips on getting where you want to be in life.
12. Sean Rassmussen: Sean Rassmussen’s blog is all about the law of attraction and helping success to come your way. His blog is full of ideas and suggestions to help you build your financial wealth and build better communication skills.
13. Shar’s Empowerment Blog: Sharmen Lane wasn’t always a successful author, life coach and radio coach. In fact, she started off as a manicurist and her blog is full of articles that can help you turn your dreams of success into realities just like she did.
14. Cultivate Greatness: Do you see yourself as a leader? This blog will help you build your skills and become the respected and satisfied individual you’ve always wanted to be.
15. Illuminated Mind: This blog is all about personal development and contains some great articles like “How to Make Your Dreams a Reality” and “33 of Life’s Most Powerful Lessons” to help you get inspired to follow your dreams.
16. Today is That Day: Whether you believe in the law of attraction or not, this blog is a great place to find inspirational advice on finding happiness and fulfillment.
17. Dream Manifesto: Check out this site to find a great collection of articles that can help you come up with creative ways to achieve your dreams in your career or your personal life.
18. Success Soul: Blogger Shilpan Patel shares personal experiences of hard work and success in this blog, which provides great, simple ways to work towards being getting over your fear of failure and finding real success and fulfillment in life.

Work
Most of us spend a good portion of our waking hours as work, so it’s important that those hours are spent doing something that makes us happy, not miserable. These blogs can provide some advice on turning your job into something more rewarding.

19. The Lean Blog: This blog explains just what the “lean” is and how it can make a difference specifically in hospitals and factories but more generally in any kind of work.
20. Sales Motivation: If you work in any kind of sales field, you know that there are times when it’s hard to close the deal. This blog can serve as a source of motivation on those days when you just can’t seem to make it all come together.
21. The Lazy Way to Success: While it may sound crazy, this blogger explains how you can do less and accomplish more by making the most of the time you’re working.
22. Entrepreneur’s Journey: Taking to the net for work opportunities? This blog is a great place to find advice on working on the Internet, marketing a business and running a blog.
23. Web Worker Daily: Chances are pretty good that even if you don’t work directly on the Web that you use it for work during at least some part of your day. This blog can help you find ways to make working on the internet, and on computers in general, more productive.
24. LifeDev: Creative people will love this blog, with tips, tools and resources that can give you insights into ways you can improve your work and your life.
25. Simple Productivity: This blog is full of easy-to-follow tips on time management and productivity that can help you make the most of the time you spend at work so you have more time to spend with the people you care about.
26. Ian’s Messy Desk: Check out this site for tips on getting the most out of every hour of the day. You’ll find helpful advice that can boost your productivity and help you communicate better with others.
27. Make Use Of: Why waste time on tasks that are repetitive or that can be done much easier with a simple computer program? This site is full of links to websites and programs that can help you shave valuable minutes off the time you spend working each day.
28. All Things Workplace: Get some tips on standing out in your office, making things run more smoothly and much more in this blog totally dedicated to work issues.

Personal Development
If you’re looking for a little extra motivation or guidance, check out these blogs designed to help you be better at being you.

29. Pick the Brain: This blog is all about self-improvement and you’ll find articles on improving everything in your life from finances to your stress level.
30. LiteMind: Blogger Luciano Passuello believes that our minds are the greatest tools we have to accomplishing anything and his blog is full of tips to help you make the most of your brain power to get the things you want out of life.
31. Genius Types: Check out this blog to get some ideas on how to improve your creativity, make more money, work in a team and more.
32. Ririan Project: Here you’ll find a little bit of everything from tips and guides on eating right to information on how to build your self-esteem.
33. JustinDriscoll: This blogger and minister is all about giving you tips on how to be incredible, love your job and embrace your spiritual side.
34. How to Succeed Socially: If you’ve always been a bit socially awkward or tend to be the wallflower at parties, give this blog a read. You’ll find tips and advice on coming out of your shell and letting the world know the real you.
35. You Already Know This Stuff: This blog isn’t about teaching you new things, it’s about helping you use the things you already know to make your life the best it can be.
36. Universe of Success: Get a little push in the right direction from this blog, full of useful tips and information to help you make big and little changes in your life for the better.
37. The Power of Choice: While you may not always like the choices you’re offered, or find them easy to make, this blog explains how to go about choosing the path that’s best for you and how powerful your choices truly are.
38. steve-olson.com: Are you in search of personal freedom? This blogger is, and he share his experiences in his blog as he works towards the goals he holds to be important.

Being Happy
At the end of the day, all that really matters is your happiness. These blogs can give you some guidance on finding that happiness and keeping it even when things are tough.

39. Abbey of the Arts: This blogger holds a PhD in Christian Spirituality, but he blog focuses not only on the spiritual but in finding beauty in the simple and everyday and creating art that feeds the soul.
40. The Positivity Blog: Keep a healthy attitude about work and life in general through posts on this blog that help you to deal with everything from dealing with procrastination to working on your social skills.
41. Chief Happiness Officer: Don’t think there’s any way your workplace can be a happy one? Read this blog for inspirational ideas on making your workday something you don’t dread getting through every day.
42. Balanced Life Center: If you’re looking for ways to live a more inspired life, this blog contains a variety of tips, tools and techniques to get you started.
43. Self-Help Happiness Blog: Want to be happy? This blog provides the means for you to do it yourself, with quotes, tips and inspirational stories to get you started.
44. Happiness Club Blog: This blog contains wonderful inspirational stories, reviews of books, and news that can be a great way to learn all about what it takes to be happy.
45. Happiness Blog: Blogger Michele Moore talks about the nature of happiness in this blog and provides some tips and important things to think about when it comes to being happy and finding happiness in your life.
46. Mark and Angel Hack Life: With tips on everything from living well before you die to ways to boost your productivity, this blog can be a great place to find inspiration to be happier in your personal and professional lives.
47. Money and Happiness: Money is often a source of stress, especially if you don’t have nearly enough of it to go around. This blog can help you learn to work towards financial happiness and let your finances stop ruling your life.
48. The Happiness Project: Ever wanted to know if those self-improvement tips actually make a difference? This blogger has taken them to heart and spent a year trying out every guru out there. Check out her blog for reports on what really works to make you happier.

Giving Back
One way to feel good and to help others to feel good as well is by giving back to your community. These blogs provide inspirational stories and information that can help you find new and inspiring ways to live with purpose.

49. Blogger Stories: Think bloggers can’t make a difference? This blog is all about just that, with bloggers who have made a big impact in their communities telling their stories.
50. Let’s Do Something Good: Help counteract all the negative things in the world by putting a little good out there. This blogger explains small things you can do to make the world a little better each day.
51. World Volunteer Web: Want to learn about volunteering operations around the world? You can do just that on this site and read dozens of inspirational stories about people who have made a big difference in the lives of others.
52. HoundsGood: In this digital age you may not even need to show up in person to volunteer. This blog is full of ways that you can join the ranks of virtual volunteers and make a difference right from your own home.
53. The Fundraising Coach: Nearly all charitable organizations can use a little extra funding and this blog provides helpful advice on making the most out of fundraising campaigns.
54. Everyday Giving: Get all warm and fuzzy reading this blog, which is full of inspirational stories of ways big and small people have given back to help others around them.
55. BlackGivesBack: While geared towards the African-American community, this blog can be an inspiration for anyone who wants to find new ways to donate and get involved in the community.
56. The (Late) Breakfast Society: Learn about this organization which supports the development of youth through community activities. You may even come up with some ways to help young people in your own community.
57. BetterPlace.org: Want to make the world a better place? This blog can help you start, by providing news and views on the latest developments in volunteering and charitable work.
58. Charities Blog: This blog provides links to charities and also some thoughtful commentary on those who are working within charities or donating to them to ensure others who are disadvantaged get the help that they need.

Embracing the Spiritual
Whether you want to get in touch with God or just want to find some inner peace, these blogs are geared towards helping you get in touch with your spiritual side.

58. Meditation and Inspiration: If you’re in search of a little guidance for your mediations this blog can be a big help. Check out the daily inspirational offerings to help you get in touch with your inner self.
59. The Sacred Path: Those with an interest in shamanism may find this blog particularly inspirational. Blogger Richard shares his spiritual journey on the site and provides numerous other helpful resources for those still in search of spiritual inspiration.
60. The Level 8 Buddhist: If Buddhism is a philosophy you’re interested in, give this blog a chance. You’ll find posts about the tenets of Buddhism as well as ways you can apply it to your everyday life.
61. Goodness Graciousness: This blog is dedicated to celebrating the good in the world and can help you embrace the happiness the universe has to offer you.
62. All Considering: Check out this site for some interesting posts on spiritual growth and changing your life.
63. Daily Spiritual Quotes: Looking for a little inspiration? Check out these daily quotes to find some sage advice and wisdom on your spiritual quest.
64. Awakening Sense: If you want to awaken that inner you, take a look at this blog. The blogger isn’t a spiritual expert, but someone who just wants to share personal experiences and feelings with others.
65. Life 2.0: Help accelerate your path to self-realization by giving this blog a look-see. You’ll find posts on everything from inspirational stories and quotes to links to interesting websites.
66. Surfing the Tao: Check out this blog to increase your spiritual awareness while also getting posts on the latest news, technologies and politics.
67. A Grateful Heart: Appreciate all your daily blessings though this blog. On it, you’ll ge access to photos, inspirational quotes and much more.

Simplifying Life
Free your mind, and your space, of all that clutter. These blogs can help show you the way to a happier, simpler and even greener life.

68. I’m an Organizing Junkie: Take some advice from this blogger on how to get rid of your clutter and make your home a more organized, peaceful place.
69. Think Simple Now: This blog is dedicated to helping you find “creativity, clarity and happiness”. You’ll find articles that touch upon topics that will help you grow personally and spiritually.
70. My Simpler Life: Beth Dargis, professional life coach, gives her advice on reducing the things in your life to those that you really care about in this blog.
71. Everyday Simplicity: Whether you are just starting out with simplicity or have been on the bandwagon for awhile, this blog offers numerous tips on getting organized and embracing simple things every day.
72. Psychology of Clutter: Just can’t seem to get rid of that stuff overflowing from every storage space in your home? there may be a psychological reason behind it and this blog can help you to understand what that may be.
73. Finding Simplicity: If you feel overwhelmed by finances, clutter or just the junk in your life, take a look at this blog.
74. Down to Earth: Find out loads of information of gardening, green living, and living frugally from simply life blogger Rhonda.
75. Green and Simple Living: Learn how to conserve resources, reduce waste and live a simpler and more earth-friendly life from this blog.
76. Plastic Drifter: These days, it seems everything is made of plastic or comes in a plastic container. This blog is all about minimizing the junk that clutters the modern home.
77. Unclutterer: Check out these daily tips to help you get your desk, closet or anywhere organized and keep it that way.

Control Your Money
Money can be a big source of unhappiness both for you as the individual and in your relationships. These blogs can help give you advice on bringing your finances under control to make you happier and healthier.

78. DoshDosh: If you don’t have the time to get a second job but want to make some money on the side you can get some help from this blog. You’ll find loads of tips to help you make money on the net through blogging and other online ventures.
79. It’s Just Money: Want to learn some healthy financial tips from someone who’s been in the same boat as you at one time or another? This blog is a great place to start. You’ll find loads of tips informed by personal experience that can help you manage your money and plan for the future.
80. I Will Teach You to be Rich: Ramit Sethi provides advice on topics like saving, productivity, personal finance and more on this popular and well-written blog.
81. WiseBread: Who says you can’t live like a king on a shoestring budget? This blog provides tips on managing a budget, saving for the future and being frugal where it counts.
82. Get Rich Slowly: This blog won’t help you to get rich overnight but it can teach you a few things that will assist you in getting your finances under control for the long haul.

Healthy Mind
Whether you need to work on your mental health or just want to be better at remembering important dates, these blogs have something inspirational to offer.

83. Everyone Needs Therapy: While it might be hard to admit to yourself, everyone needs a little help dealing with emotional baggage now and then. This blog explains how some of those emotional issues might be affecting your life and offers a different take on mental issues.
84. Selfvolution: You can get tips on self-improvement on this blog with posts that focus on everything from brain exercises to working out your financial kinks.
85. The Pursuit of Happiness: Those battling with depression certainly aren’t alone as this blog proves. The blogger chronicles his experience, both the ups and downs, as he seeks treatment for depression.
86. Addiction and Recovery: If you’re struggling with addition to drugs or alcohol check out this blog. You’ll find a range of information on the latest trends and research on addiction.
87. Mind Hacks: Based on a book of the same name, this blog is full of neuroscience and psychology tricks to find out what’s going on inside your brain.
88. Luminosity: Find some ways to improve the health of your brain on this blog. It’s run by neuroscience expert Michael Scanion, and you’ll find some engaging and fun games to play to keep your mind active.
89. Mind Tweaks: Think your brain needs a little fine-tuning? Check out this blog for tips and tricks to strengthening your brain and keeping you mentally in shape.

Healthy Body
If you want to squeeze into those skinny jeans or just feel better about your health but haven’t found the motivation to get you started, check out these blogs. You’ll find all kinds of inspirational stories and advice that will give you a jump start on getting fit and feeling good.

91. Inspired: Dr. Hannah Albert is a doctor that specializes in homeopathic care. Her blog is full of tips on how to use natural methods to improve your overall health and well being.
92. Run to Win: Runners out there will appreciate this motivational blog. You’ll get tips and news about all kinds of topics that can help make you a better and more successful marathon runner.
93. Ultimate Health and Conditioning: Ready for a challenge? This blog can provide you with the information you need to start a fulfilling fitness program and get your squishier parts in shape.
94. Lose the Buddha: Check out this blog for the story of a woman who has struggled with weight loss and finally managed to lose that last 40 pounds.
95. That Skinny Bitch: This blogger, like many out there, lost weight only to regain it. This blog is about her journey to lose the weight and keep it off for good this time.
96. John is Fit: There’s nothing like opening yourself up to public scrutiny to help you stick to a weight loss and diet plan. This blogger hopes to shed some weight and keeps an inspirational diary of how he’s doing day-by-day in this blog.
97. Fat Man Walking: Steve Vaught felt out of control of his life and wanted to take things back into his own hands and lose weight. He decided that to do that, he was going to walk all over the United States. This blog chronicles his epic journey in good times and in bad.
98. Fat to 5K: Blogger Emil shares his story of weight loss, with a goal to go from his initial weight of 367 pounds to a much slimmer, trimmer runner’s body. Follow along as he monitors his diet and exercise and runs his first mile on his way to fitness.
99. Yoga Blog: Learn how to make yoga part of your fitness routine with this instructional blog.
100. Old Man Running: Think you’re too old to be out there working out? This 71-year-old blogger and runner proves that fitness is possible at any age.

Addendum to That "Finding A Life Partner" Posting!

Praise God, today, I had the luxury of time that allowed me to discover the true author of that forwarded email…just as I suspected, someone’s trying to make cool, stupid fools out of everyone of us…..curious to know more about the real source? then visit the blogs of “Fling93” (visit his site?)where he writes that the author is NOT Eduardo Calasanz. And that it’s from the book “Letters to My Son: A Father’s Wisdom on Manhood, Life, and Love” by Kent Nerburn (visit his site?), and co-written with Richard Carlson (and the “article” is in Chapter 26).
Note: I hope I did better this time! 😀 But what the heck, go find your life partners, for all you unhappy singles out there!

Copying & Pasting an Innocent-looking Forwarded Email That Attempts to Share First Hand Tips on "Choosing Well" to Get a Life Partner!!! Whew!!!

Hope everyone who finds time to read this forwarded message, will also find in his / her heart the courage to actually do the hard work needed to come up with a good choice for a life partner!

Note: Of course, I would not check the veracity of the facts behind the story, i.e. if this is just one of the mild concoctions of one frustrated writer (or more) out in the world wide web. But please feel free to share, anyway!!! If not, do as you please. Happy searching for a life partner! Vaya con Dios!!

> For those who have loved and lost, and lost all over again and for those
who are still looking…..for those who found it …. Good for you! =)
>
>
>
> PARTNERS AND MARRIAGE
>
> Eduardo Calasanz was a
student at the Ateneo de Manila University,
> Philippines where he had Father Ferriols as a professor.
> Father Ferriols, at that time, was
the Philosophy department head.
> Currently he still teaches Philosophy for graduating college students in
> Ateneo.
> Father Ferriols has been very popular for his mind opening and enriching
> classes but was also notorious for the grades he gives.
> Still people took his
classes for the learning and deep insight
> They take home with them every day (if only they could do somethinga bout
the
> grades…)
> Anyway, come grade giving time, (Ateneo has letter grading systems, the
> highest being an A, lowest at D, with F for flunk), Fr
> Ferriols had this long discussion with the registrar people because he
wanted
> to give Calasanz an A+. Either that or he doesn’t teach at
all…Calasanz got
> his A+. Read his
paper below to find out why.

PARTNERS AND MARRIAGE

By Eduardo Jose E. Calasanz

> I have never met a man who didn’t
want to be loved. But I have seldom
met a
> man who didn’t fear marriage. Something about the closure seems
constricting,
> not enabling. Marriage seems easier to understand for what it cuts out of
our
> lives than for what it makes possible within our lives.
> When I was younger this fear
immobilized me. I did not want to make a
> mistake. I saw my friends get married for reasons of social acceptability,
or
> sexual fever, or just because they thought it was the logical thing to do.
> Then I watched, as they and their partners became embittered and petty in
> their dealings with each other. I looked at older couples and saw, at
best,
> mutual toleration of each other. I imagined a lifetime of loveless
nights
and
> bickering days and could not imagine subjecting myself or someone else to
> such a fate.
> And yet, on rare occasions, I would see old couples who
somehow
> seemed to glow in each other’s presence. They seemed really in
> love, not just dependent upon each other and tolerant of each other’s
> foibles.
> It was an astounding sight, and it seemed impossible. How, I
> Asked myself, can they have survived so many years of sameness, so
much
> irritation at the others habits? What keeps love alive in them,
> when most of us seem unable to even stay together, much less love each
> other?
> The central secret seems to be in choosing well. There is
> something to the claim of fundamental compatibility. Good people can
create a
> bad relationship, even though they both dearly want the
> relationship to succeed.
> It is important to find
someone with whom you can create a good
> relationship from the outset. Unfortunately, it is hard to see
> clearly in the early stages.
> Sexual hunger draws you to
each other and colors the way you see
> yourselves together. It blinds you to the thousands of little
> things by which relationships eventually survive or fail. You need to
> find a way to see beyond this initial overwhelming sexual fascination.
> Some people choose to involve themselves sexually
and ride out the most
> heated period of sexual attraction in order to see what is on the
> other side.
> This can work, but it can also leave a trail of wounded hearts.
> Others deny the sexual side altogether in an attempt to get to know each
> other apart from their sexuality. But they cannot see
> clearly, because the presence of unfulfilled sexual desire looms so large
> that it keeps them from
having any normal perception of what life
> would be like together.
> The truly lucky people are the ones who manage to become
> long-time friends before they realize they
are attracted to each other.
> They get to know each other’s laughs, passions, sadness, and fears.
> They see each other at their worst and at their best. They share time
> together before they get swept up into the entangling intimacy of
> their sexuality. This is the ideal, but not often possible. If

> you fall under the spell of your sexual attraction immediately, you
> need to look beyond it for other keys to compatibility. One of these
> is laughter. Laughter tells you how much you will enjoy each others
> company over the long term.
> If your laughter together is good and healthy, and not at the expense of
> others, then you have a healthy relationship to the world.
> Laughter is
the child of surprise. If you can make each other
> laugh, you can always surprise each other. And if you can always
> surprise each other, you can always keep the world around you
new.
> Beware of a relationship in which there is no laughter. Even the most
> intimate relationships based only on seriousness have a tendency to turn
> sour. Over time, sharing a common serious viewpoint on the
> world tends to turn you against those who do not share the same
> viewpoint, and your
relationship can become based on being critical
> together.
> After laughter, look for a partner who deals with the world in a way you
> respect. When two people first get together, they tend to see their
> relationship as existing only in the space between the two of them. They
find
> each other endlessly fascinating, and the
> overwhelming power of the emotions they are sharing obscures
the
> outside world. As the relationship ages and grows, the outside
> world becomes important again. If your partner treats people or
> circumstances in a way you can’t accept,
you will inevitably come
> to grief. Look at the way she cares for others and deals with the
> daily affairs of life. If that makes you love her more, your love will
> grow. If it does not, be careful. If you do not respect the way
> you each deal with the world around you, eventually the two
> of
you
>
> will not respect each other.
> Look also at how your partner confronts the mysteries of life. We
> live on the cusp of poetry and practicality, and the real life of
> the heart resides in the poetic. If one of you is deeply affected by
> the mystery of the unseen in life and relationships, while the other
> is drawn only to the literal and the practical, you must take
care
> that the distance does not become an unbridgeable gap that leaves you
> each feeling isolated and misunderstood.
> There are many other keys, but you must find them by yourself.
We all have
> unchangeable parts of our hearts that we will not betray and
> private commitments to a vision of life that we will not deny. If
> you fall in love with someone who cannot nourish those inviolable
> parts of you, or if you cannot nourish them in her, you will find
> yourselves growing
further apart until you live in separate
> worlds where you share the business of life, but never touch each other
> where the heart lives and dreams. From there it is only a small
> leap to the cataloging of petty hurts and daily failures that leaves
> so many couples bitter and unsatisfied with their mates.
>
> So choose carefully and well. If you do, you will have chosen
a
> partner with whom you can grow, and then the real miracle of
> marriage can take place in your hearts. I pick my words carefully when I
> speak of a miracle. But I think it is not too
strong a word. There is a
> miracle in marriage. It is called transformation. Transformation
> is one of the most common events of nature. The seed becomes the
> flower.
> The cocoon becomes the butterfly. Winter becomes spring and love
> becomes a child. We never question these, because we see them

> around us every day. To us they are not miracles, though if we did not
> know them they would be impossible to believe.
> Marriage is a transformation we choose to make. Our love is
> planted like a seed, and in time it begins to flower. We cannot know the
> flower that will blossom, but we can be sure that a bloom will
> come.
> If you have chosen carefully and
wisely, the bloom will be good.
> If you have chosen poorly or for the wrong reason, the bloom will be
> flawed.
> We are quite willing to accept the reality of negative
> Transformation in a
marriage. It was negative transformation that always
had
> me terrified of the bitter marriages that I feared when I was younger. It
> never occurred to me to question the dark miracle that transformed love
into
> harshness and bitterness. Yet I was unable to accept the possibility that
the
> first
heat of love could be transformed into something positive that was
> actually deeper and more meaningful than the heat of fresh passion. All I
> could believe in was the power of this passion and the fear that when it
> cooled would be left with
> something lesser and bitter.
> But there is positive transformation as well. Like negative
> transformation, it results from
a slow accretion of little
> things.
> But instead of death by a thousand blows, it is growth by a
> thousand touches of love. Two histories intermingle. Two separate beings,
two
> separate
presences, two separate consciousnesses come together and share a
> view of life that passes before them. They remain
> separate, but they also become one. There is an expansion of awareness,
not a
> closure and a constriction, as I had once feared. This is not to
> say that there is not tension and there are
not traps. Tension and
> traps are part of every choice of life, from celibate to monogamous to
> having multiple lovers. Each choice contains within it the
> lingering doubt that the road not taken somehow more fruitful and
exciting,
> and each becomes dulled to the richness that it alone contains.
> But only marriage allows life to deepen and expand and be

> leavened by the knowledge that two have chosen, against all odds, to
become
> one.
> Those who live together without marriage can know the pleasure of
> shared company, but there is a specific
gravity in the marriage
> commitment that deepens that experience into something richer and
> more complex. So do not fear marriage, just as you should not
> rush into it for the wrong reasons. It is an act of faith and it
> contains within it the power of transformation.
> If you believe in your heart that you
have found someone with
> whom you are able to grow, if you have sufficient faith that you can
> resist the endless attraction of the road not taken and the
> partner not chosen, if you have the strength of heart to embrace the
> cycles and seasons that your love will experience, then you may be ready
to
> seek the miracle that marriage offers. If not,
then wait. The
> easy grace of a marriage well made is worth your patience. When the
> time comes, a thousand flowers will bloom…endlessly.

Ako’y Sayo at Ika’y Akin (Acoustic cover) – Iaxe [literally: "I’m Yours Alone, and You are Mine Alone"]

It’s in Tagalog, as everyone from the Philippines knows something about the song. It’s a particularly melodious tone, played acoustic style, with lyrics that describe one’s raw affectionate emotions for someone …for 2 nights in a row, I tried to get to listen to it on YouTube. I remembered the song, after reading a friend’s profile. Something was wrong with YouTube last night, but tonight, I got to listen to it, finally, gratefully.

Tears were soon flowing down my eyes. I could just cry, as memories unfolded in my mind, and I freely went along with my emotions showing. I remember my partner who’s in the Philippines. I just feel so lonely, just so lonely, now that it’s in the low 40s here in NYC; it’s just getting colder. I know this is gonna be over soon. I know I’ll be better sometime. Thank God!

Disgrace

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

My review

This is one of those books I got to read while in transit via the subway to & fro my destinations to my other gigs. I’ve kept this book for over a year now, and thought, and have confirmed that it’s actually very readable (I read it in less than 3 days), even with a lot of distractions while on the subway.

I won’t detail down the story, as it’s obviously giving away its very structure. But reading this book comes with it different levels of experience. It’s got a well delineated story to begin with, interesting characters, and a context that makes one think about the conflicting attitudes of people who have undergone the terrible processes of “colonization” as against that of someone coming from a country that “colonizes,” and continuing into the views of those who have “colonized,” with whom I tend to share my feelings of empathy as the original country where I come from is the Philippines (the farthest country, being in SouthEast Asia, that used to be part of the great colonized-countries of the empire of Spain). I can just imagine how development directions of the Philippines would have been far progressive if it was not given up by the British when it momentarily took possession as a prize of the Philippines after winning a naval war against Spain off Manila Bay during the 18th century. But I’d like to remain grateful for Spain for the heritage that the Philippines has got now, nevertheless.

Yet, reading “Disgrace,” makes me to continue thinking about my position. It’s not always a comforting thought to be part of a colonized country. Colonizers are basically driven by greed of all forms, and certainly, they’re known to be cruel, no matter how you look at it. “Colonizing” has a debasing nature clinging to it. “Disgrace” has that after effect on me, that it has got me thinking about the Philippines, given its experiences of being a colony of Spain, and later on by the USA. But I’d rather focus on the collective gains, rather than the terrible sufferings, which are all recorded anyway, in historical books.

I’m surprised that J.M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace” is rather light to read. He’s got that compelling writing style that appeals to my tastes of books I’d like to read. The top characters exhibit such levels of passion, raw eroticism. And this is the first book I read about “animal rights” being shoved into my face, so to say, with me getting to appreciate such rights, and getting myself into pondering about my own existence. And I soon got to know that Coetzee’s been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. How excellent that could be!

View all my reviews.

2003 Nobel Prize Winner J.M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace” – My Thoughts on It

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

My review

This is one of those books I got to read while in transit via the subway to & fro my destinations to my other gigs. I’ve kept this book for over a year now, and thought, and have confirmed that it’s actually very readable (I read it in less than 3 days), even with a lot of distractions while on the subway.

I won’t detail down the story, as it’s obviously giving away its very structure. But reading this book comes with it different levels of experience. It’s got a well delineated story to begin with, interesting characters, and a context that makes one think about the conflicting attitudes of people who have undergone the terrible processes of “colonization” as against that of someone coming from a country that “colonizes,” and continuing into the views of those who have “colonized,” with whom I tend to share my feelings of empathy as the original country where I come from is the Philippines (the farthest country, being in SouthEast Asia, that used to be part of the great colonized-countries of the empire of Spain). I can just imagine how development directions of the Philippines would have been far progressive if it was not given up by the British when it momentarily took possession as a prize of the Philippines after winning a naval war against Spain off Manila Bay during the 18th century. But I’d like to remain grateful for Spain for the heritage that the Philippines has got now, nevertheless.

Yet, reading “Disgrace,” makes me to continue thinking about my position. It’s not always a comforting thought to be part of a colonized country. Colonizers are basically driven by greed of all forms, and certainly, they’re known to be cruel, no matter how you look at it. “Colonizing” has a debasing nature clinging to it. “Disgrace” has that after effect on me, that it has got me thinking about the Philippines, given its experiences of being a colony of Spain, and later on by the USA. But I’d rather focus on the collective gains, rather than the terrible sufferings, which are all recorded anyway, in historical books.

I’m surprised that J.M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace” is rather light to read. He’s got that compelling writing style that appeals to my tastes of books I’d like to read. The top characters exhibit such levels of passion, raw eroticism. And this is the first book I read about “animal rights” being shoved into my face, so to say, with me getting to appreciate such rights, and getting myself into pondering about my own existence. And I soon got to know that Coetzee’s been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. How excellent that could be!

View all my reviews.

Eight Dream Symbols That Point to Stress – Page 3

Link
PLEASE READ LINK
Oh, Lord, I just love having dreams in my sleep, or else, I am surely have not been able to sleep well at all. I’ve known from my Psychology undergraduate studies, that when one is dreaming, one is having “rapid eye movement” (REM) or the state wherein dreams happen. Of course, I’d love to have the most pleasant dreams!

I recall having dreamt of seeing myself beheaded, with me seeing actually where my head drops and rolls….the details are just so real…such that I’d still remember this dream even up to now when I’ve had this dream when I was still in elementary school. And I’ve had regular dreams of just flying, flying so freely, and letting myself falling from the very top of tall buildings, and getting myself dropping for a few floors, and eventually, I’d be getting the hang of it, and I’d get my gears moving, and I’d be swooping up, up and away…..flying, flying…flying like a giant wild bird!!! That sounds like so outrageously out of reality! If not, it’s not dreaming at all!

Remember, there are historical records, or even in our literary printed records from old, old sources (for example, the Bible), where you’d read important people giving so much value to their dreams. Joseph, the disliked brother, and the beloved son of Jacob, was known as the “Dreamer” which ability must have caused him his being sold as a slave by his envious brothers to Egypt, and has since then made use of his fantastic talent to interpret dreams to get himself landed to the top lieutenant’s position of the Pharaoh. Joseph dreamt of starvation years to come; he thus wisely led the people to store valuable grains to prepare for these starvation years….which eventually led him getting to meet his old, old, dying Father (Jacob, who was himself, a dreamer!) begging to buy precious grains with this other sons….and the rest is history. There’s also Daniel, who dreamt fantastic dreams, plus other characters whose lives we can read in other books.

Go, dream, enjoy your dreams!

Believe while others…….

By William Arthur Ward

Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.

Sent to you as a courtesy of…

Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
For a free eBook of James Allens classic:
(pls hit this link to visit “AsAManThinketh”)

Attending a Prayer Gathering On My Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary

What else can I say on my Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary last November 2nd, I got myself joined the following:
1) attend the Mass, as it was also a Sunday;
2) attend a prayer gathering where my friend invited me to pray and participate with other Filipino prayer devotees;
3) get to join an intimate food gathering after the prayers where we got to taste the best of Filipino home-cooked food set buffet-style at the hosts’ dining table, plus
4) get myself enamored by the beautiful set-up, including floral arrangements by one of NYC’s best floral designers (under Preston Bailey’s event designers:(more about him?)), my friend Oscar, & the wonderful looking religious icons where we gathered around during the prayers, plus plus
5) a surprised birthday celebrant from one of those of my friends’ Philip/Oscar/Lilet’s inner circle in their apartment situated in Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan.

Of course, this may sound so religious, yet I’m delighted to have been part of these activities. Just take it as it is. I’d just like to describe how I got myself loaded with something of the beautiful and memorable that took place on my Father’s 3rd Death anniversary.

Call it “icon worship” if you feel like doing so, yet there’s something very appealing at how the images look like when bedecked with awesome floral arrangements. The image of the Virgin of Fatima (more about the Virgin of Fatima?) is a faithful replica of the very image found in Portugal. Note, as well, the lighted candles which were burning in memory of those souls who have departed, still very much beloved.

The prayer gathering takes place as part of the weekly tour of 3 religious icons (representing the Crucified Christ, The Baby Jesus, [or Sto. Nino, (curious about the best known statue in Cebu, Philippines?)] the Blessed Virgin Mary) as a group that visits households mostly by Filipinos (as far as I’m aware) in NYC. The leaders must be doing this 52 times all year through, perhaps with some breaks, and which practices I noticed must have started somewhere in Mandaluyong in Metro Manila(more about this region?), the 12-million heavily populated capital region of the Philippines. The prayers, lasting nearly an hour as guided by prayer books, cover praises, lamentations, special requests, and those topics that include asking for blessings for both the Philippines and the United States. I’ve felt that my prayers are many times better heard whenever I get to join these prayer gatherings, every chance I got. I presume that Hispanics and other people following Catholic traditions also have their own versions, but may be attended mainly by those who belong to the same race or native background. Amen.

Attending a Prayer Gathering On My Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary

What else can I say on my Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary last November 2nd, I got myself joined the following:
1) attend the Mass, as it was also a Sunday;
2) attend a prayer gathering where my friend invited me to pray and participate with other Filipino prayer devotees;
3) get to join an intimate food gathering after the prayers where we got to taste the best of Filipino home-cooked food set buffet-style at the hosts’ dining table, plus
4) get myself enamored by the beautiful set-up, including floral arrangements by one of NYC’s best floral designers (under Preston Bailey’s event designers:(more about him?)), my friend Oscar, & the wonderful looking religious icons where we gathered around during the prayers, plus plus
5) a surprised birthday celebrant from one of those of my friends’ Philip/Oscar/Lilet’s inner circle in their apartment situated in Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan.

Of course, this may sound so religious, yet I’m delighted to have been part of these activities. Just take it as it is. I’d just like to describe how I got myself loaded with something of the beautiful and memorable that took place on my Father’s 3rd Death anniversary.

Call it “icon worship” if you feel like doing so, yet there’s something very appealing at how the images look like when bedecked with awesome floral arrangements. The image of the Virgin of Fatima (more about the Virgin of Fatima?) is a faithful replica of the very image found in Portugal. Note, as well, the lighted candles which were burning in memory of those souls who have departed, still very much beloved.

The prayer gathering takes place as part of the weekly tour of 3 religious icons (representing the Crucified Christ, The Baby Jesus, [or Sto. Nino, (curious about the best known statue in Cebu, Philippines?)] the Blessed Virgin Mary) as a group that visits households mostly by Filipinos (as far as I’m aware) in NYC. The leaders must be doing this 52 times all year through, perhaps with some breaks, and which practices I noticed must have started somewhere in Mandaluyong in Metro Manila(more about this region?), the 12-million heavily populated capital region of the Philippines. The prayers, lasting nearly an hour as guided by prayer books, cover praises, lamentations, special requests, and those topics that include asking for blessings for both the Philippines and the United States. I’ve felt that my prayers are many times better heard whenever I get to join these prayer gatherings, every chance I got. I presume that Hispanics and other people following Catholic traditions also have their own versions, but may be attended mainly by those who belong to the same race or native background. Amen.

NYC Halloween Parade 2008

Very grateful to have been able to work again on this video that made use of the salvaged pictures I took during 2008 NYC Halloween Parade(visit the website of this 35-year old tradition?). I chose from my friend, Yankeeboy’s suggestions on which music to add to make the pictures, now turned into video, more livelier and interesting. He also told me that Screamin’ Jay Hawkins would sing I PUT A SPELL ON YOU as he goes out of a coffin! This music certainly made the work more palatable LOL….and more fun to pour my time on.