Random Thoughts

If it can tame a lion's mane...

2012-01-29T01:20:00.000-08:00

I am sure it can also tame yours. LOL!

Puerto Princesa Underground River is now officially one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

2012-01-28T03:12:00.000-08:00

It is now official! Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is now one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The PPUR is joined in the list by Vietnam's Halong Bay, Argentina's Iguazu Falls, The Amazon Rainforest among others.

Bernard Weber, founder and president of New 7 Wonders of Nature, announced today that PPUR is now officially in the list.

The 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river can be found in Palawan, 50 km North of the city of Puerto Princesa.

Congratulations! This is another proof that It's More Fun in the Philippines.

10 things I will accomplish in 2012

2012-01-27T05:18:00.000-08:00

I don't normally do lists of to do's. It is actually one of the things that I don't like to do because I am spontaneous and looking on a list makes me feel pressured. But, I have changed.

I have reached the 3rd decade of my life and in the next years before I reach my 4th, I want to accomplish the things that I know will make me say 'I have lived my life to the fullest.'

This year, I am going to make a list of the 10 things that I want to accomplish for 2012. I have started with getting a driver's license when I turn 3-0, and now I have it. I like the feeling of accomplishing personal goals without the pressure.

This list is not according to importance or priority.

1. I will take a Civil Service Examination. I wanted to be a licensed professional.

2. I will take the TOEFL. I need it for my career abroad.

3. I will be more adept in Photoshop.

4. I will have a DSLR. Although, I really really love my Canon PowerShot A3200 IS, I wanted to own a DSLR because I can use it in my online career. See number 5.

5. I will be a serious blogger.

6. I will go to one province in the Philippines, outside Luzon.

7. I will go to Enchanted Kingdom with my son. The first time he went there was last December... without me, because I have work.

8. I will teach my son to write his full name. He'll go to school on June and I want him to be prepared for the opening.

9. I will make home improvements, either in the kitchen or bedroom.

10. I will open another bank account that I will regularly deposit.

Blackberry Empathy

2012-01-23T06:28:00.000-08:00

Blackberry's new concept phone--Empathy. It was designed by Kiki and Daniel of Art Center College of Design as sponsored by RIM Blackberry. Although Blackberry Empathy is not yet available in the market, it will surely make previous Blackberry phones and other phones as well, melt. This phone that looks like a black sapphire has these drool worthy features:

1. The ability to detect the emotion of its user and its contacts as well (super powers?), hence, the name Empathy. It is equipped with a mood ring.

2. It becomes clear when idle.

3. The buttons change color according to the user's emotion.

4. Has proximity sensor to detect people's emotions.

5. Has transparent OLED screen.

Favorite Photo of the Day: My Family

2012-01-23T03:56:00.000-08:00

Just a few of my family members. From upper row, left to right: Tatay Anoy, Ate Faye, Nanay Umeng, Rhonjay, Rose, Tita Cit, Ate Winnie, Ate Joyce, Kiel, Narie, Edmark, Charity, Ate Ayie, Ate Precy. From lower row, left to right: Alaissa, Julienne, Andre, Nanny, Lance, Me, Abeer, Jill Anne, Jenna, Ivan.

I will never exchange them for anything else. I love my family!

Favorite Photo of the Day: Gone Fishing

2012-01-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

Didn't caught any, but, he'll go back next time. This photo was taken at our farm, about 10 minutes walk from home. I used my Canon PowerShot A3200 IS camera.

Sure, the city that never sleeps promises more than what you expect, but, nothing beats living in the province. And that if I will be born again and will have the chance to choose where to live, I'd still choose to live where I live now. I want my child to experience running on rice fields and meadows, pick fruits and harvest vegetables, feed the animals without having to go to the zoo, go fishing and discover that patience is a virtue.

Coming Soon: Underworld: Awakening in 3D

2012-01-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

This goes into my watch list. I have seen the first two films and I liked them. I believe that part three will be as amazing as the first two. Kate Beckinsale is one sexy bad ass vampire!

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

2012-01-14T04:56:00.000-08:00

I've just finished reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind. It was a great read. I like the twists and turns of the story. Each time the character's life unfolds, I had to reread the part to confirm what I have just read. It was a novel of sadness, love, romance, and hate. It's one of those books that is hard to put down once you've started reading.

For a change, I bought David Baldacci's The Camel Club. I haven't started Joe Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings because I am still overwhelmed of the size of the book (it is huge) and its 536 pages. It can wait. And while it waits, I will read Baldacci's. I hope the New York Time's best selling author will impress me.

Can you recommend great reads for me?

I was driving in my dream

2012-01-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it has something to do with my longing to have a driver's license but I had a dream last night about me driving a van.

I remembered my son's dad giving me money for our son's birthday. I was on the passenger seat of the van when he gave me the money from the outside. He immediately left telling me that he'll give me more when he gets back. He really didn't went far, he was just on the other side of the road watching me. Suddenly, the van began to move. I was horrified because I was on the passenger seat. I was crying for help but he didn't help me. I miraculously maneuvered the van but instead of stopping, I drove it until I reached a parade of some sort.

Here are some probable explanations of my dream according to Dream Moods:

To dream that you are driving a vehicle signifies your life's journey and your path in life. The dream is telling of how you are moving and navigating through life. If you are driving from the passenger side of a car, then it suggests that you are trying to gain control of the path your life is taking. You are beginning to make your own decisions.

To see money in your dream indicates that success and prosperity is within your reach. Money represents confidence, self-worth, success or values.

It's More Fun In The Philippines!

2012-01-09T04:41:00.000-08:00

The Department of Tourism released their new slogan It's More Fun in the Philippines! and Filipinos are enjoined to participate by posting the best photos they have that proves the point. The slogan even went trending on Twitter.

And here are some of the best photos I have found...

If you want to make your own slogan, click here and have fun!

New Book: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2012-01-08T05:29:00.001-08:00

I bought this book during Christmas vacation but it's just yesterday that I began reading it. I was planning to buy The Girl with A dragon Tattoo but had second thoughts because it will be shown in theaters anyway. And then I thought of buying another Mitch Albom book but I decided I'd like to read a 'new' book... from an unknown author (at least for me). I moved to another shelf and saw this The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon that sat quietly on the far side.

And so here I am, now hooked reading the book, just like everyone else who has read it.

A sneak peek:

Barcelona, 1945 - just after the war, a great world city lies in shadow, nursing its wounds, and a boy named Daniel awakes on his eleventh birthday to find he can no longer remember his mother's face. To console his only child, Daniel's widow father, an antiquarian book dealer, initiates him into the secret of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a library tended by Barcelona's guild of rare-book dealers as a repository for books forgotten by the world, waiting for someone who will care about them again. Daniel's father coaxes him to choose a volume from the spiraling labyrinth of shelves, one that, it is said, will have a special meaning for him. And Daniel so loves the novel he selects, The Shadow of the Wind by one Julian Carax, that he sets out to find the rest of Carax's work. To his shock, he discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book this author has written. In fact, he may have the last one in existence. Before Daniel knows it his seemingly innocent quest has opened a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets, an epic story of murder, magic, madness and doomed love. And long before he realizes that if he doesn't find out the truth about Julian Carax, he and those closest to him will suffer horribly.

(Synopsis by bookbrowse.com)

Did this ever happen to you?

2012-01-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Photo from Someecards.

It happens to me sometimes. LOL!

Quick Notes

2012-01-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

Last year was a challenge for me. It was also rewarding. God has been so good to me that I could not find any good reasons to complain. I may have failed to fulfill my duties as a Catholic but despite that, He has showered me with more blessings that I could handle. I didn't even ask for some.

I started to feel "vacation" only after the 29th of December. Although rather short, I was able to spend 4 meaningful days with my family. We spend New Year's Eve in grandmother's house, we watched a movie, and even get to experience farm living for a while. It was fun!

I am now on work mode, but still misses waking up at noon and sleeping so late. I could already sense pressure as early as today. I have to condition myself again for me to survive another year at work.

I celebrated my fifth year at work, well, at work. So lame. I am grateful (seriously) that I was able to serve a truly unique group. There is nothing else in the world like it, believe me. I could not wait for the salary increase to come. Har! Har! It's my service incentive.

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes. It's not the song popularized by Ace of Base nor the sign of apparition. It is my self-statement.

I will turn 3-0 on the 22nd. If you've read my previous entries about my concerns of aging... well, it doesn't concern me anymore. It is just a number. I don't feel like getting older anyway, only wiser.

Popular New Year Resolutions

2011-12-30T05:03:00.000-08:00

Photo from Psychology Today.

It is new year again? Did you do a resolution in 2010 for 2011? Were you able to accomplish your resolutions? Will you consider doing another list of things that you will hope to change or improve in 2012? According to a research, here are the most popular new year resolutions:

1. Resolution to improve health. This includes losing some pounds and doing a regular exercise.

2. Resolution to quit vices such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and gambling.

3. Resolution to pay debt or to maintain good credit standing.

4. Resolution to finding a job or a better job.

5. Resolution to save money either by depositing in a bank or investing to some business or stocks.

6. Resolution to travel.

7. Resolution to spend more quality time with family.

8. Resolution to do charity works.

9. Resolution to learn new things.

10. Resolution to keep a hobby.

Unfortunately, more often than not, only two out of the ten resolutions get to be done because of the following reasons:

1. Unclear and vague goals.

2. Failure to keep track of the progress of the resolution.

3. Weak self-control.

Remember, it is better to list only one resolution that you know you can adhere to than to list ten that you know you will not fully commit yourself to do.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

My rewards for being loyal

2011-12-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

Meet my new cellphone, Samsung Galaxy Y that Smart Telecom gave to me as a reward for being loyal to them. I have been their post-paid subscriber since 2008. My Samsung Monte can take a rest now.

And for being a Smart Bro subscriber for two years, I got this Nokia C1-01 as a reward.

It really pays to be loyal! Woot! Woot! I hope next time they will give me an iPhone! Haha!

Merry Christmas To You!

2011-12-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

Let me begin this post by saying 'Thank you!' for supporting Random Thoughts. It wouldn't have gone this far if it weren't for your visits. I hope you'll keep up with me for a longer time.

God bless you all! Merry Christmas!

Dream Interpretation: Carnival, iPhone, New Baby

2011-12-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Photo from here.

I had a series of dreams with no connection with one another last Sunday.

In my first dream, I was merrily watching people on a carnival ride. I just watched them for a few minutes and then I left.

In my second dream, I was inside a mall looking for a cellular phone to buy... particularly an iPhone 4S. Yeah, I long to have one that it even haunts me in my dreams.

In my third dream, the weirdest of the three, I gave birth to a baby girl. I was rushed to a hospital and was immediately sent to the delivery room to give birth. I was assisted by a surgeon (I could still remember his name) instead of an OB-Gyne. There were a couple of nurses and midwives who were also assisting other expectant mothers. It was not the typical delivery room, more like a delivery ward. I was in bed number 4, beside a huge window. I told the surgeon that I have had previous delivery via Cesarian Section. He said we should continue delivering the baby the normal way. I pushed and pushed until the baby girl was out. I could see the doctor assessing the baby. He holds her on her feet. I asked him why isn't the baby crying. He said there is nothing to worry about because she is breathing. I still could not believe why I gave birth in the first place.

According to Dream Moods:

Carnival - means falsehood and deception. Much sorrow will arise in what were thought to be pleasant times.

Cell Phone - seeing a cell phone in dream means you are being receptive of new information. It also represents mobility. Alternatively, it denotes lack of understanding. Perhaps you are having difficulty getting through someone.

Birth - to dream of giving birth denotes giving birth to a new idea or project. It also represents a new attitude, fresh beginnings or a major event. Alternatively, it means calling attention to your inner child and the potential for you to grow. A more direct interpretation would be your desires or anxieties of giving birth or the anticipation for such an event to occur.

Can you guess who is the first Filipino to own an Apple iPhone 4S?

2011-12-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

Photo from mobilephoneconnect.com

It is none other than President Benigno Aquino III!

The most coveted phone was delivered by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of Globe's parent firm, Ayala Corp., in person in Malacanang two days before Apple iPhone 4s was officially launched in the Philippines.

Globe president, Ernest Cu, clarified that it was not for anything else but to acknowledge President Noynoy's loyalty to Globe Telecom since he has been their subscriber for years now.

For techie lovers out there, you can also own an Apple iPhone 4S by clicking here and here.

Help the Typhoon Sendong Victims

2011-12-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

Photo of a father mourning for the loss of his child circulates the web.

Typhoon Sendong is the "Ondoy" of Mindanao. It left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday but it left more than 650 casualties, 800 still missing and more than 2,000 families affected from Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City.

Donations in cash or in kind are needed to help the families affected by the typhoon.

TV5 KAPATID FOUNDATION

Donate in Cash

Bank of the Philippine Islands

Savings Account No. 1443-05333-2

Donate in Kind

News5 Aksyon Center, TV5 office

San Bartlolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

News5 Aksyon Center Hotline - 938-6393

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Donate in Cash

BDO Peso Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya

Account Number: 39301-14199

Swift Code: BNORPHMM

BDO Dollar Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya

Account Number: 39300-81622

Swift Code: BNORPHMM

PNB Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 419-539-5000-13
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

BPI Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3051-1127-75
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

BPI Dollar Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3054-0270-35
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Donate in Kind

Sagip Kapamilya
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St.
Diliman, Quezon City

Hotlines
(02) 411-4995
(02) 394-9272
0917-887-4411

THE CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE, AFP
Donate in Kind
Situation Awareness Center (SAC),
CRS AFP, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Landline: 912-6615
CP Nr. (0917)2471252
Focal Person: LTCOL ROLANDO RODIL, Opns Officer

Kim Jong Il Dead at 69

2011-12-19T03:31:00.000-08:00

Photo from nndb.com

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, died today at the age of 69. The cause of his death is still unknown but media speculates that he died due to complications of diabetes and heart disease. In 2008, he had a stroke but appeared still vigorous in photos and videos.

During his 17-year rule, North Korea suffered three-year famine which caused the lives of more than 2 million. North Korea is known to be a hermit country, so secretive, that only a few were allowed to have telephone lines, computer and television wherein there is only one channel to watch... everything is a propaganda.

Kim Jong Un, his third son, shall takeover his position.

My First Blog Award

2011-12-18T03:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you to A Single Mom's Blog for giving me this award. I am so flattered. Now, to pay it forward to other deserving blogs...

1. Anooke
2. Pau's Big Thoughts
3. Reflect
4. Drink It In
5. Performance Espectacular
6. They Draw and Cook
7. Steal Their Style
8. Adore Vintage
9. Little Heroine
10. Douglas E. Walker Photography
11. All Things Fabulous
12. Everyday Sparkles
13. Melissa-Ann
14. Hottest Heels
15. ExSHOESme

Give this award to 15 other bloggers who truly deserve it. Do not forget to mention the name of the blog or blogger who gave it to you.

Canon PowerShot A3200 IS

2011-12-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

Meet my new baby, Canon PowerShot A3200 IS as my gift to myself this Christmas. It has 14.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and has video recording capability. And yes, I bought it in pink.

I'll try to post more photos in this blog.

Click. Click. Click.

Azkals vs. LA Galaxy

2011-12-03T06:47:00.001-08:00

I am not a football fan, heck, I do not even know the rules of the game. But, I watched the televised exhibition game of the Azkals and LA Galaxy at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and I was hooked.

So, the LA Galaxy won with a score of 6 versus the 1 goal of the Azkals, but the game brought the house down. It was one unforgettable moment in the world of sports particularly in the world of football fans in the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao was the lucky one who took home David Beckham's jersey.

I was once a b2b telemarketer

2011-12-01T21:28:00.001-08:00

I was once a b2b telemarketer of an Australian company back in 2007. It was a trial job after working in a government office for almost three years as a clerk. I only had vague idea on what a telemarketer is supposed to do. Years back, telemarketing is something you only get to picture in a call center company and only a few industrial companies had b2b telemarketing division. I thought calling another company to offer a product was simple. It took some time before I was able to somehow master the art of telephone communication that incorporates marketing and eventually, sales. Hearing yeses from clients was the most rewarding thing a telemarketer can experience.

Being a b2b telemarketer is not easy. You have to be tactful, assertive but not pushy and know by heart what you want to say and sell. If want to build a career in this field you have to know these:

1. Motivation - first and foremost, you have to have the passion for it, otherwise, you'll end up being frustrated for each rejection.

2. Product Knowledge - what I learned from reading marketing books is that the secret to selling is knowing what you sell... from its raw state to the finished product.

3. Know the Call Format - companies have their own call plan. Read and memorize it.

4. Attitude - it is harder to sell on the phone because you don't see the reaction of the person. It is important that your client knows, through your voice, that you are someone he or she can trust.

5. Know the Customer - you don't sell dog food to someone who owns a cat.

6. Visualize Your Success - if you think of failure, then, it is failure that you will get. A b2b telemarketer must be an optimist at all times. Business is but a pool of rejection and if you will see it that way, you will never get to meet your quota.

7. Enjoy the Success - celebrate a sale even if it is the only sale! And recollect what strategy you made to get that sale and stick to it.

Can I has cheeseburger? And 50 thousand pesos?

2011-11-30T02:15:00.001-08:00

I am craving for cheeseburger! And my favorite cheeseburger maker--McDonalds is giving away 50 thousand pesos every day for McDelivery orders. Too bad, McDo is too far away from home to deliver.

If you have McDonald's near you, good luck because you already qualify. If you want to know more about this promo, click on the link.

Go ahead, I know you are craving for a cheeseburger too.