A Woman,A Mother, and a Wanderer

Serres Royales de Laeken - Greenhouses of the Belgian Palace

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Every year, the Belgian Palace opens its greenhouses to the public. The opening date differs each year as they depend on which time the flowers bloom at their best. And so, it is only for a limited time(about 3 weeks). To make the tour of all the greenhouses open to the public you will need at least an hour visit to really appreciate their gardens. Entrance fee is only 2 euro but it's free if you are under 18 years old.
This is my sister inside one of the greenhouses.She is obviously amazed by all the colorful flowers.
One of the many beautiful flowering plants inside the palace...the wisteria

And the forbidden garden...
And the path.... towards another greenhouse and almost at the end of the tour...

I think they only open until 2nd week of May. Note that they are closed on Mondays for maintenance. For more information visit: www.monarchie.be or http://www.idearts.be/loisir/ville/laeken/laeken.htm it's in french language.

Hongkong- Cebu- Hongkong thru Cebu Pacific

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:29:00 +0000

I'm getting so excited to go back home after almost 2 years. This time we have a different itinerary. Since I have never been to Hongkong, my husband decided we stop-over and spend a few days in Hongkong. The next plan is to take Cebu Pacific Air to continue travelling to our destination: Cebu. Cebu Pacific Air is a low-cost airline that offers domestic and overseas flights in the Philippines.

I'm now looking forward to go and visit Hongkong and of course to go visit my family,relatives and friends in Cebu. I'm sure there will be loads of photos in the memory card.hehehe. My husband keeps on showing everybody the websites of the places where we stay and the nice places to visit...yes the power of the internet. :)

Learning How to Ski through Youtube

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Never tried skiing yet? How about learning first how to ski by watching how it's done? I found the best place to learn the basic ski techniques-- in youtube! hahaha
To begin I watch this:

I was so motivated to learn how to ski yet it's impossible to learn by just memorizing the techniques illustrated with the explanation. So I was looking for another alternative to prepare myself to learn how to ski-- so it's like learning to ski by observing the basic steps demonstrated online. When my husband saw me watching how to ski on youtube he said,">

But well, it's only looks easy because you're just watching it... wait till you get there! hahaha

Now tell me, how many times did you fall for real? ( just wondering ) LOL

Money Is Just A Piece of Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Money is just a piece of paper...a piece assigned to create the illusion of belonging something. Richness nowadays is being measured according to how much money a person has in his bank account... if we truly believe that... then we believe in a lie... and we are doomed for believing it.

Pure richness is something that does not lose value no matter what.But what happens to money in times of crisis or during war? In times of crisis company loss their profits and they have to lay off workers to cut on their budget.As a result many people lose their jobs and end up in debts after all their money savings are used up.In times of war money losses its value or else becomes worthless...yes,in a war scenario, a hungry homeless person would surely bargain something else useful in return for basic needs like food and water.

Money is just a matter of mind-conditioning...it is not a real wealth. It's ironic how the owner of a burning house thinks of all the things gone when his house is burnt and with all his cash and jewelries in his safety deposit.He forgot to think about the real wealth that survived that burning which is himself... if the creator dies with his creations, now that's a real loss.But when it's just the creations, the creator can still create another one...maybe even better than the previous ones.Money can come and go, be earned but then just be spent on anything one desires...but real wealth will settle longer and its existence will remain with its bearer.

Think about talents and skills- these are real possessions... something that cannot be easily taken away in a blink of an eye or by a burning house.These are pure richness that cannot be stolen from your identity and can be offered and bargained anytime anywhere.In times of war and famine or whenever something needs to be bargained for food and shelter, the ones who are really wealthy are those who possess something in return for a favor. These are handy treasures that can be bargained.

Quest for the Effective Anti-Age Creams

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Nowadays, TV commercials are emphasizing too much on selling anti-age creams as if it's really unacceptable to see wrinkles on a human face. "Anti-age", as it denotes, suggests that these brands of facial creams can fight the age-ing process and that they can manage to stop the body's natural process of deterioration.These TV advertisements just teach people to be scared of looking old and being close to death.

They instill into our brains the idea that getting a wrinkled face is a bad sign-- a symptom of a disease we call death. Of course we buy their crap advertisements of their commercials. It will get encoded into our brains whether we like it or not. you know how? --through repetitive exposure. They keep on showing it again and again until your brain will finally accept the information. And you still wonder why you suddenly hum a song you don't really like later after you heard it played everywhere. They know how it works and if you are not aware of what's going on around you, you'll surely be one of those who got under their control and yet you still don't know you've been manipulated into buying their products.

The truth is, everyone will get old whether we like it or not. And everyone will have wrinkles and crampled skins as the years pass by. And there is no such thing as anti-age cream. These creams don't work miracles of fighting the ageing process... it could delay the process,yes, but it's not a permanent solution. We have to accept the fact that nothing is permanent except change. Everyday, we change and our body changes as well. We see the visible marks and traces of the years we have experienced in this wonderful world-- the scars left on your left knee because you fell from a tree when you were a kid, trying to get your kite on a windy day, or the stretch marks left after a wonderful pregnancy and successfu delivery of your baby that left scars and damages on the mother's body figure. These are marks that tells a lot of story about your life and experiences-- how you enjoyed playing under the rain, exploring beautiful places that left traces of cuts on his arms and feet as you walked through a thick bamboo plantation, how you fought and escaped during the war and left a scar on you thigh due to a bullet that passed through the skin. Stories like this made an admiration of that person inspite of all these ugly visible traces of his past adventures.If I had those unforgetable memories,I wouldn't trade them for anything.

It's not about looking good that makes up a personality attractive and desirable. It's about feeling good about yourself no matter how much the society tells you how unattractive you are because of how you look. Knowing that every trace of wrinkled skin is a reminder of the body's progress as it matures and leaves traces of wisdom in life --that living and enjoying life and what it can offer-- all these years of life's ups and downs is a gift of joy a person can possess.And no matter how many times these creams and surgeries will try to erase the signs of the passing time, it will always leave traces that will remind you of the time you have spent on this journey of life.

Coltan and Congo Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:52:00 +0000

I have recently found out that I am partly accountable for the misery and war going on in Africa…as a consumer of the many latest electronic gadgets like cellphones and computers,I became a part of these people who profit on other people’s misery through my desire of owning things of comfort and sophistications.

Why do I blame myself? Because one of the root causes of the conflict is the battle over Congo's vast mineral and resource wealth-- a fight for control of minerals that drives the global economy. A mineral called “coltan” is the cause of the trouble in Congo. 80% of the world’s known reserves of coltan come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Coltan is used in computers, cell phones, and various other electronic equipment such as the Playstations. Indeed Nicholas Cage was right in his phrase “there is always money in misery” in the film Bangkok Dangerous. Companies who depend on coltan don’t care much on what’s actually happening in the mining field…as long as they get their supply whatever it takes, that’s all that matters.

I have learned that this crucial mineral is often mined in working conditions that we would deem as utterly unacceptable in an American or European mine. The child labor documented in these mines is absolutely appalling, as most of us could never even fathom having our children face such conditions that threaten their health and life. Many multi-national corporations have displaced whole villages without adequate compensation in order to exploit minerals and they operate without regard to any sort of human dignity. I wonder how they can care more for money and care less for their fellowmen…especially those innocent children.

As I am sure you are aware, conflict has resumed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a conflict that is fueled by control for Congo’s riches. Over 5.5 million people have died since 1998 in DRC, which is the equivalent of seven Rwandan genocides and five Darfur conflicts. Much of the coltan finds its way to the US via Rwanda after it has been extracted by men, women and children, who are meagerly compensated for their intensive labor. There are workers who are even terrorized by beatings, killings and rape at the hands of soldiers, rebels and militias who trade coltan for funds and weapons. There are many armed groups who are even hired by western corporations to protect their interest.

The film “Blood Diamond” by Leonardo di Caprio portrays the same scenario of people living in misery and fear because people in power control the wealth of the land through war. Children end up working in the mines or recruited as a soldier instead of going to school to learn good things.

What can I do to help? The only thing I can think of right now is to make the people find the right answer to mankind’s big question… Why there’s poverty and misery in the world? Let’s start to evaluate ourselves. Our way of life, our actions, in some ways, contributed directly or indirectly to the poverty and misery of other people. If you are a millionaire, you are guilty of acquiring more money to yourself and so in this situation, many people get less…and much less because the more you have, the less you share due to fear of losing what you have possessed. You’d prefer to spend your money having a good time in casinos and partying all night long with other rich people rather than providing aid to help the less fortunate. By fancying things of comfort and luxury, other people have to work very hard to produce it for you if not exploiting other people to do the job.

Now, I’ll try my best to desire less and hope this way I’ll be able to at least minimize the damage that has already been done and help in the process of recovery and healing. And right now, I’m starting to spread the word to make the people aware of their participation in the world events even if they are miles away. What other thing can we do to help heal Africa? By surfing at their website Heal Africa or just by using the search engine you can contribute a donation not coming from your own pocket but from Microsoft company. Check here Search and Give to help even in just a small and simple way.

Parents and Children Learn By Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:20:00 +0000

Everyday I see people minding their own life while there are others who are too busy minding about somebody else's life.Everyone around us seemed to be preoccupied by these things--money,fame,glamour,if not friendship,love,or sex,or just nonesense...

I see or hear couples arguing about stupid things.These nonsense arguments usually lead to a more serious fight.Every battle begins with a misunderstanding, and if not solved early will lead to a piled-up misjudgements and harsh comments on each side.A family with parents who keep on arguing usually produced traumatized children.A family becomes fragile if both parents are unstable in their emotions and decisions. Wife starts a fight with her husband because he does not earn enough for the family.If not it is the husband complaining about the overspending of his wife who keeps on shopping and buying unnecessary stuffs..

Living in a world of madness creates stress to the people around and as the younger generations witness the examples of the older generations they have the tendency to copy the same-- in time they might grow up to be exactly like one of their parents.

As a parent, we have to be careful on what we say knowing that children will learn from our example. And when we say NO we have to at least explain why or else they will not obey you.When my son was playing nearby while I was ironing and then later tried to approach me with a curious look on what I was doing,I said No instantly but he didn't understand why and kept on approaching so I scream STOP! He didn't know why I prevented him from approaching and didn't understand why I yelled at him.Little kids don't feel the sense of danger that parents feel... we learn that by experience or by other's experience...so I took his hand and let him feel the warm ironing board. He only understood the danger of "very hot stuffs" when I let him remembered how he reacted the last time he was eating a very hot rice. Another instance was when I was cutting meat in the kitchen, I told him not to play with knives and other sharp object because he might get cut like the meat.One time my husband got an accidental cut so I took the opportunity to show him how it is to get an accident. He was like curious on interviewing his father to know how it feels and later on told him to be careful next time.

My point is, we don't just say NO to somebody without saying an explanation. Arguments starts when somebody is taking his authority over someone but that someone is doing a rebellion. In order to establish trust between each other, the other one has to make an honest if not invented explanation.I know a little child asking so much questions is sometimes a pain in the ass-- especially if you don't know the answer or how to answer according to the child's level of understanding.Even if sometimes, you just guess or invent an explanation,at least, there is a little explanation he got.

Communication is very important to establish an agreement and understanding. But to communicate with someone we have to be tactful on selecting less harsh words if we want to do sermon or scolding. Try to be gentle with words yet firm in your eye-contact. Eye contact is important if you want your point to be understood. Then whatever it is that you argue about, try to pause and take time to listen to the other party, you might realize it's just a misunderstanding.It happend already many times especially if both are talking and none of them listened but the people surrounding them.

Career as a Mom-- What Did I Miss?

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:44:00 +0000

So many things I missed these past few days...or let's say these past few weeks of my absence in the blogworld.

First, I miss replying my emails and offline messages in YM so as checking the comments section in my friendster...Gosh I miss my old friends .... my chatfriends, my school friends, my close friends,my friendster friends...especially those who left me comments and greets me in the comment section...well, what can I do if they prefer to greet me or say what they want to say to me in the comment section instead of just saying a plain comment or sending a message through email?Anyway,I'm glad they haven't forgotten me and stay thoughtful eventhough I miss to rebound back(repeated again for the second twice ehehehe) the thought sometimes.Pasensya na po!

Second,I miss my gardening as a hobby especially now that summer is still here(even though the weather in Belgium is not as promising as the Philippines' tropically hot summer.(oh,how I miss my country's climate!) Now,my garden is not as beautiful and as colorful as the last year.Well,a new baby changes all my previous routines and priorities. These days,my mind is mostly about the baby's well-being as a first priority.And I'm always pre-occupied by things that meet the baby's needs....and then my needs just right after...and I enjoy it actually.It feels good to be a mom the second time around....

Then, I miss a little bit the travels...it will be a little bit complicated now that we have another one added to the list of travellers but we don't have to worry about that right now...we are not yet in the mood to travel again anyway.Wherever it will be... it can wait.

Lastly, I guess I miss my old me...the single me... the one who was carefree soaring like a bird...hehehe...anyway the old me has evolved and has changed her avatar...she can never be the same again...especially now that there's another part of her being transformed and moulded into another life...everything has changed and these changes brings new challenges...And the new me is always ready for the new challenges life has to offer...Bring it on!

Busy Mom Again

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:33:00 +0000

It's been many weeks I have not updated my blog.In case you have not read the latest happenings in my life, I just had my 2nd child and now back as a busy mom again.... changing diapers, less-sleep if not sleepless nights, singing lullaby, and what else?hhmm... another mess to clean up and more laundry to wash...No, I'm not complaining...having a new baby around and taking care of this lovely little creature is indeed a sacrifice to make...and as a saying goes "in every sacrifice, there is a prize".

Having him is also a gift--another blessing in the family.Each day is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything else in this world... not even for a ticket to go somewhere beautiful and fun... even a house and lot or Euromillion will not convince me to choose over having him in my life....that's why I'm not even spending a little time to update my blog! haha!... in short he's one of the few that matters to me right now.So here we are, exposed to the internet for everyone in my relatives and friends to view...

Age Is Just A Number

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0000

For me, counting birthdays and determining how "old" you are can indeed affect your way of thinking and behaving... it's like a mind programming that tells you " you are one year older so you should act older"... like when somebody tells you,"you're already too old to play with toys" or you're too old for her/him". I mean, when you were still young, people look at you and say comments like "you're still young to get married" or you're still too young to have a baby". Later on as years passed by, some of these people tend to be scared to commit due to the fact that they are still "too young" and therefore not ready to get serious.But later on as your age reach 29 or 39 or 49, you'll start to get scared of the next bigger number then you start to realize you're getting older and then you imagine how it will be to live in the 30's,40's or 50's and worst is how you will look like in your 60's.
Age is just a number. But why do we judge a 20 yr old girl who wants to marry a 40 yr old guy? Why do we not find it appropriate for a 50 yr old woman to date men in their 40's? Because inside our head we have been taught a different scenario... that young couple are still " too young to settle in" and that " old people should just retire because they are already over-aged to flirt or fall in love.
Society teaches us traditions like counting birthdays and minding age gaps.But we must keep in mind that the number of your age will not determine "how matured you are mentally and emotionally". A 10 yr old child could be mentally more intelligent than a 20 yr old Miss Universe candidate or a 40 year old guy could still be emotionally immature and therefore feels that he is not yet ready to commit,get married and have children.Many often see themselves not yet ready for something even though they are already at a certain age.
Many older women experience growing anxieties as they reach the age of 50's or even at an earlier age. Even women in their 30's start to fear of the old age as they start to see signs of wrinkles on their faces. Independent women as they reach the age of 40 will suddenly realize they want to have a baby and procreate whatever it takes to experience a woman's stage of "becoming a mother".
Whatever's the age of a person doesn't really matter. What matters are the experiences you had encountered and the memories that will linger as time passes by.We can count on years,but the years can't count or measure the knowledge and wisdom a person has obtained in the years of his life...

Image by Free-StockPhotos.com

Getting Out of Economic Bondage

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:03:00 +0000

With almost everything commercialized, someone needs to earn money to pay for everything...electricity,water,food etc etc. The list goes on.We have become dependent on money to sustain our everyday life as if we live a life that revolves around money and its influence. As a result people experience poverty and misery.

When I was 5 years old I thought everything was free and available whenever I needed anything. When I was hungry I asked for food and there it was given. Then I turned 6 and had to go to school.My mother had to give me a coin that I did not know for what use.I was told I had to give it in return for a snack and a drink.And I started wondering why we have to do that.After school I wander around our neighborhood to spot for ripe fruits on trees.Then all I need was to ask permission to climb on their tree to get some then share my harvest to the generous owner.I did that "climbing trees hobby" until I was 14 and got told "Ít's inappropriate for a girl to climb on trees like a monkey". I became conscious when they say 'my panty is showing off.But anyway,I minimized my climbing activities to concentrate more on my school activities and home chores.Life as I see in my teenage years became more complicated.

That was my experience years ago.Now that I am married and have kids,life gets more and more complicated especially with the newer and newer technology that offers almost everything you want in return for your fortune and hard earned money.One thing I learned.We only have these basic needs : food and water, clothing, shelter. The rest of the other things which consume a lot of money are mostly miscellaneous bills that add up to become the pricey "liked or wanted items" that you can REALLY LIVE WITHOUT.

It's not easy to get out from the bondage of money where each citizen of a country is always under economic control of these big-time businessmen and politicians.Capitalism has long been introduced in many countries starting from the western world and spreading to the developing countries and most people engaged in businesses just socialize for the sake of business. As they say: "Nothing personal, just doing business." That's the few things I don't like about businessmen... you cannot be sure of their sincerity... as the term goes- they are usually business-minded and always go for money and profit.

I don't fully blame these bussinessmen and capitalists. I understand that it's their goal in life and so they have to go for it no matter how much it had to cost for other people and how much other people had to suffer to do manual labor to obtain their products.

The only solution to get out of this economic bondage and to be free from poverty is to realize first that all these material things beyond your needs which are for sale are just decorations of life-- creating temptations to motivate people to work harder.It's their choice to be tempted or not. To be free from poverty is to know what poverty really is and to realize we can do simple things to get out from poverty -- if we really think we are poor.As long as you still meet the basic needs everyday, you are not poor. Poverty is just in the mind.And money is not the basis to measure poverty and richness. As long as you are capable of doing something to provide your basic needs, you are still free to choose to live a life dependent of the economy that big businesses controlled or live an independent life free from the dictations of the society.

To get out of the economic bondage is to learn ways to be independent from the outside supply-- meaning you have to learn to produce and sustain your needs-- from food to clothes to shelter.Food is the most important and the solution is to plant in your garden.I guess for the rest you can figure out a way to solve your needs.This process has to be done slowly but surely you will see the sweet fruits of your labor.

Consumerism and Economic Enslavery

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Since money was invented, people's way of thinking have changed. They have shifted from being productive into being money dependents.And that causes consumerism to explode.

Consumerism has always been exploited by money-- and even farmers or producers have been selling their lands for more profits and shifting from producers into steady consumers.And we asked: why is money involved in this? Because the idea of having money changes everything... you think you can buy whatever you want-- food, shelter,clothings,anything you need and want.

Consumption mirrors, mimics and mocks the severities of labour. It is driven by the same compulsions, the same economic necessities, the same inescapable rigours and rhythms of an industrialization without end. The role of the consumer is to turn the body into an absorber of more and more industrial products, denatured but more expensive foods, medicines and remedies.

Women are always the first subject of these exploitation. We invent stuffs for their body: items made of gold, jewels, diamonds for facial, hand and arm ornaments, the use of gems, crystals, rings and even rings in nose, ears, eyebrows,anything a woman could desire and fancy... as what is being depicted on the story of the famous Eve... women were said to be the subject of temptations.

And now comes the new trend of consumption : services that "work wonders" --the manipulation of identity, be it for those who want face surgery to look like someone else, or those seeking to defeat time with anti-ageing creams. And the cosmetics industry with its shampoos of elderberry and jojoba, its facials of cucumber and wild herbs, its body-mousse of strawberries and avocado, purports to apply to our body a freshness and purity which has long ago disappeared from what we eat.

Money enslaves the so called "third world countries" which in fact are the ones who are truly rich in natural resources.These innocent people have been taught that they are poor because they don't have what westerners have-- nice clothes, fancy cars, huge houses,latest technologies, and every "rich people's bling blings" . And so these poor people got enslaved into labour inside their own territory for sugar production, tea or rubber plantationsand the list goes on ... people exploiting other people on the other side of the world for the sake of the consumers of the controlling westernized world.And as labour gets intensified in these "third world countries",an evergreater toll of the bodies of the poor are more and more exploited and consumed up to the last drop of their blood,at the same time the bodies of consumers must be pampered and protected more than ever before, so that they will go on serving as consumers of industrial products of the future.

Time will come, the people all over the world will start to feel and see the symptoms of this massive form of epidemic disease.Oh yes,Mother nature will always find a way to get rid of the causes of the imbalance--but first she will send warnings before she strikes... we might hear news about crisis in banks,hospitals,petrol companies and even government,debates about economic issues, conflicts between labourers and owners of factories..and so on.And obviously, we could see bodies wasted from insufficiency and overwork on the one hand and, at the same time, bodies bloated and wasted by excess and all the sicknesses of hyperconsumption.

Each one has to start to be wise and responsible in their own production and consumption.Those who spend too much money in the consumption of unnecessary things has to learn to consume moderately because it has always been proven that TOO MUCH OF SOMETHING IS BAD ENOUGH.

Clean and Renewable Energy: For What Price?

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:44:00 +0000

Nowadays,people are complaining about the prices of commodities.Basic needs have become less and less affordable even to the people with average income.

Few smart people working for years to find solutions that would fill up the energy shortage in the near future manage to create promising stuffs yet with prices that only rich people can afford.We all know that there's limit to this source of energy we're getting right now. As humanity is finished digging up all the fossil fuels and all there are left of the limited resources, where can we go to ask for help?

Brazil has already its alternative to petroleum consumption which is bio-ethanol.Some farm tractors in Europe run with colza oil.Some experimented with used oil from their kitchen fryers which I think is too risky for the motor engine.

The problem is not finding the solution to the future crisis.The solutions are already found.The only real problem is the investment....those people who have the money to invest on solutions want to profit more so they'd prefer investing on limited resources rather than the unlimited...because they know they can control the money inflow... that's what happens right now.Businessmen controls the money profit through overpricing due to what they call as the "low supply and high demand".We will just expect another oil price increase next year due to another lower supply and higher demand.And then what's next?

If they are really serious on solving the energy crisis,they should start to invest on projects that will provide clean and renewable energy...and please make it affordable for the majority of the people.

Date Rape Drugs and Its Potential Victims

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Rape has been happening worldwide: In most cases, the victims are women and the rapists took the time to plan the crime to make it safe for him to escape the consequence and making sure that no witnesses and evidences will be present that would convict him or making it appear like the suspect is innocent and the victim as consenting to the act(victim as a prostitute/hooker/wife/gf).An example is the case of a Date Rape.

Nowadays,it's no longer safe for women to go to parties and dates.There are crazy people out there who manage to invent drugs to keep you under their control to do what they want with you and escape from their criminal act.These Date Rape Drugs had already made a lot of victims and people especially teenage girls unaware of its existence are usually the potential targets.I have only learned about this through net surfing and clicking on random informative websites.Being aware of this,I'm scared for those innocent girls out there who easily put their trust on people they go out with and have some drinks...

So, I"m trying to spread this information through my blog to inform girls (and guys as well) so they would be warned...If ever you go to parties or any gatherings that requires drinking, keep yourself from being a victim of these date rape drugs...you should:

*Say "NO" to alcohol. Have water or soda instead.
*Open your own drinks.
*Don’t let other people hand you drinks.
*Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
*Don’t share drinks.
*Don’t drink from punch bowls or other large, common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
*Don’t drink anything that tastes, looks, or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty. *Always go to a party, club, or concert with someone you trust, such as a friend or an older brother or sister.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY...

I Was Saved by my Instinct!

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Rape incidents have been occurring again and again in many parts of the world and still there are many unsolved cases of rape wherein the victims continue to suffer on their own...feeling dirty and blaming themselves for what happened to them.In some countries of the middle east,the victims are the ones to take the punishment either by stoning or imprisonment if they cannot provide enough witnesses of the incident.What's worse is the society's response of no sympathy and the unfair treatment towards the rape victims...they are doomed to a life of misery because no man will have no more interest to marry them... an outcome to a crime committed by someone and the victims got the blame,shame and pain.Such mental tortures and nonacceptance by the society could sometimes lead these victims to commit suicide.

I was once almost a victim of this kind of predators when I was still studying in college...only I was not THAT stupid to figure it out and find a way to get out of his trap.

Here's my story:When I visited my sister in Mandaue,there was this good-looking guy I noticed staring at me right after I got out of the jeepney.He followed me as I cross the street then asked me a stupid question just to catch my attention:"Miss,what time is it?" I answered,"You don't trust the time on your own watch?" He was laughing and said I'm too snob and that he did not notice his watch is visible.I said,"Yeah,yeah, you forgot to take it off before you ask me the time." He continued to talk to me and asking more questions while I was walking and him trying to make a conversation while catching his breath....I just broke up with a boyfriend at that time and was not interested to flirt on guys nor to be flirted.Although he got tired of talking to me and me answering him back with another question, he continued to act interested in me and asked if he can accompany me to my sister's house.I told him he should be scared to go with a stranger he just met in an instance because he would not know where he will be taken.He just smiled,showing off his dimple and answered,"I'm a guy,I can protect myself and in case, nothing will be taken from me." I ended up the tease saying,"Well,good for you."

I introduced this stranger to my sister joking I paid him to show off as my new boyfriend. She asked him questions and they had a little talk as well.I learned that he was working at the building where the jeepneys stop.By the end of my visit,he asked my sister's permission to visit me in my boarding house then asked for my number.

He called me every night for about a week then he ask if he can visit me in the boarding house.My housemates got thrilled seeing him in person and they giggled when I told them I potioned him with my underarm odor when I got off the jeepney.He laughed at my joke and told them that for him it was "love at first sight." Well,he played his card as a gentleman for days and got my trust to tell him where I study and where I work part-time during week-ends,holidays and vacations.For another week,we ate dinner together after my work and then escorted me home safey after that.

A day before the attempt we passed nearby the police station and told me he has an uncle who is a famous police. I told him I have never been to the police station in that area.He then said,"You should go to see him since it's just near your place."He told me stories about his family without me asking about them which made me wonder why he kept on talking about their family's close connections with politicians and some other things that he felt might impress me.I just reply repeatedly,"Really?,really? really? Wow,really?

It happened after our dinner when he told me his uncle is interested to meet me in person...he said,because he had already met my sister, to return the favor I should meet his uncle who just live nearby. I told him I'm not rushing to meet all of his family.He didn't insist.He invited me for a little walk and I could notice he's making too much effort to make a longer conversation to distract me from questioning him where "our little walk" would be heading. It seemed like he was too much in pressure at that moment that I could notice he constantly wipe off his sweat while some bizarre smiles appeared on his face.I started to sense something... When we arrived at the opposite street of the Metro Gaisano he asked me if I have some money change in my wallet.I questioned him,"Why,you're gonna rob me later on?" He was laughing out loud and said that's why he likes me so much because I'm such a joker that I made him laugh easily.As I insisted for an answer he then told me we are approaching his uncle's place so why not take the visit...but we need to pay because there's an entrance fee to go inside his uncle's apartment.Consciously,I was both shocked,scared and insulted...WHAT?Does he really think I'm THAT stupid to fall for his trap???... but I continued pretending to be still naive and stupid so I could get back my joker card at the end of his game.

We arrived at the small street at the back of the Metro where there are lots of motels,inns and lodges.We stopped near a mango vendor and asked me to take out my wallet to get the money.It was at that time that I got the courage and overcome my fear and felt now it's my turn to play my act.I looked at him with a very sour and sarcastic smile on my face and said. "This is where your uncle lives?Well,I've suddenly changed my mind.I'm no longer interested to meet your uncle nor to see your face again!You really think your plan to check me in using my own money will work by inventing a story of visiting your uncle who lives here?I still have loads of laundry to do and books to study so do me a favor and stop wasting your time and my time.Find someone else stupid enough to fool around." He was sooo blushing from embarrassment but kept on following me until I finally got into a jeepney and left him standing beside the street(maybe hoping I'll change my mind again?bwahaha). I arrived at the boarding house and told no one about what happened.

It was then when I arrived in my room (feeling finally safe)that I trembled like crazy and cried tears of relief when I realized how much I was into trouble if ever I really fall for the guy and trusted him easily and blindly.My instinct was letting me sense the danger since the very start... like a feeling that "he's too good to be true" and my suspicions on him kept me distance from feeling full trust when I'm with him.

The next day, I told my close friends about that frustrated date rape and they told me I was lucky to figure out and get out of the trap before it's too late. If ever he did not asked me if I have some money and he had not told me there would be an entrance fee I would not figure out we would check-in a room and the rest would be a sad story of a raped girl.I was glad to know that I may be naive but not stupid.After the incident the guy never called again nor show up in school or at work and I always get scared to see him accidentally somewhere someday.The memory of his face always traumatize me.

U.S. Soldier Raped a Filipina & Claimed She's a Prostitute

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:40:00 +0000

When I heard the news about another Filipina raped by a U.S. soldier ( this time it happened in Japan) and the case was dropped due to "insufficient evidence", I couldn't believe why her hospitalization for a few days due to serious bleeding and her medical findings are still not enough evidences that there has been a rape going on.During the previous reports,the soldier told the investigators he paid her for sex at the Hotel New Century in Okinawa City. An employee of the hotel said the two checked into the hotel at 10 p.m. on Feb. 17. The soldier left at 9 a.m. the next day and the woman was later taken to a local hospital for treatment of serious bleeding, ---the police said. Why on earth would they not charge him of rape if the victim showed serious evidences as a result of the act? Was it because this soldier claimed he paid this woman for sex and for that,it made him blameless for the woman's condition? Let me define rape in case these policemen neglect its meaning: Rape is the act of forced penetration of any bodily orifice (vaginally, anally, or orally) or forced cunillingous, involving violation of the survivor's body and psychological person. The assault is accomplished by the use of force, the threat of force, or without force when the survivor is unable to physically or mentally give her consent. It is the destruction of a feeling of control over one's body, life, and the course of events. Rape is an experience of violation, degradation, and humiliation. It often infuses the survivors with the shock of their own vulnerability. Obviously,there has been an assault accomplished by the use of force.A person has a right to refuse sex at any time, even during a sexual encounter. The same rules apply even if the people are married to each other...which means I could sue my husband if he force me to!

I found another informative article...a journal entry by Cheryl Spear in connection with the rape of prostitutes. Rape is rape is rape. But when the trier of fact is aware that the victim is a prostitute, the constraints of dominant discourse and structural context come into play and affect the perspective in which the rape is seen. Yes, she was raped. But, she has chosen to sell her body and therefore is given less protection than the women who does not sell her body. Under the U.S. Constitution we are each entitled to the full protection of the law, so that it is a violation of our constitutional rights to accord some of us less protection than others because of our "chosen" profession. We refuse to take into consideration that these rape victims who happened to be prostitutes chose prostitution for survival from among these situations like extreme poverty, sexual and/or physical abuse at home, and homelessness. Last year, there was a case in Philadelphia,U.S.A. wherein a bar association has criticized a judge for refusing to uphold sexual assault charges against a man who allegedly let friends rape a prostitute he had hired. The poor victim got double trauma because of added insults to the injuries.

Now back to that poor Filipina whose filed case has been dropped by the Japanese court, I wonder why she did not manage to contact the front desk of her condition inside the room..for sure the rapist was sleeping for the rest of the night which gave her a chance to contact somebody through the phone...or was she so traumatized that all she did was cry overnight for self-pity... Maybe she also had a gun pointed at her that she could not scream or do something to stop him from hurting her... or if not(I doubt she could ignore the pain after all those hours she spent with this guy),she was just ok being sexually abused as long as she got paid but surprisingly when she woke up,she maybe did not get the exact amount agreed or did not get any payment at all that's why she filed a rape case...just a thought what threatened her so much to not inform the hotel staff of her raped condition and bleeding while the guy was still fast asleep so police could catch him at that moment and she might win the police sympathy if the had seen her agony inside that hotel room...

Unwanted Pregnancy and Denial of Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:39:00 +0000

One of the shocking news I have read from the Philippines are the 2 cases of babies thrown by their own mothers...one was thrown from a running cab(who luckily survived)and one thrown from the window of a building(9th floor,dead).I was so sad to learn that certain desperate women can do such acts to their own child.But then,why do we have to judge them as bad women for their behavior?It's their own life and they are the ones who are taking control of themselves(which I doubt if they are still in control).Surely, they've been trapped inside certain circumstances wherein they feel the only way out is to get rid of their responsibility to take care of a baby alone...certain reasons of their acts could be:
1.she's a teen age girl with a boyfriend unwilling or unable to support the baby once born

2.she's wants to finish studying and taking care of a baby means she is obliged to stop and concentrate on her responsibilities being a mother...

3. she is considered a role model in the family and in school but one day got hot with her boyfriend and went beyond the limits...few months after she learned she got pregnant.

4.her parents are unaware of her pregnancy and they might not accept her "immorality" once they learned she's pregnant and keeping the baby would mean a big burden and a curse.

5.she undergoes a mental state wherein there is a denial of pregnancy and her mind is unaware that her body is pregnant and does not show any signs of it like weight gain and bulging tummy.Discovering just during her time of labor, she will suddenly have mental shock and panic and might just decide to get rid of "that thing".

6.she is surrounded by people with strict religious practices.Knowing she will no longer be accepted among their religion scared her to be cast away so she thinks of ways on how to get rid of the baby without abortion.

Among the Catholic society and some other religions,abortion has been seen as an evil act...immoral,dangerous, and deadly.But what's more dangerous,immoral and deadly than a mother throwing a new-born baby from inside a running taxi or from a 9th floor of a building?That woman concerned,feeling alone and helpless, had to choose between 2 evils.

There is also that case wherein a woman's troubled mind could lead her to a denial of pregnancy...a situation of "mind-over-matter" in which your mind is unconscious of the pregnancy occurring on one's body.Mind-over-matter is a strong power from conscious or unconscious intentions of the person.In this case of denial of pregnancy, since the mind's influence is focused on other priorities of that woman like her stressful work or busy studies, her mind is no longer conscious on other influences of the physical world including her physical body.She still does the usual stuffs everyday like taking a shower,dressing up,eating but mostly they are done as a mental program of reflex called as daily habits.As an effect of this unconscious pregnancy,the body will also not show the physical changes and signs of the ongoing pregnancy.

This power of mind-over-matter is also applied by certain people of paranormal discipline in which they can walk on fire or on water without being burned nor drowned...the mind has a powerful capability to control the surrounding physical world.In the case of denial of pregnancy, the mind neglecting or let's say:not recognizing the body's process of procreation causes the body to continue the "babymaking process" as part of nature's work but making the obvious signs unknown to the mind.This special case has never been acknowledged yet by many people especially in the Philippines, but there are already many case reports of this kind in europe.A known case in France involves a singer,Sherifa Luna, who won the French version of American Idol.She just learned she's 8th month pregnant after she experienced excessive fatigue and went for a check up.The ultrasound showed she's carrying an 8th-month fetus but her body didn't show-up any signs of an 8th-month pregnant woman.Everybody could not believe it since nobody noticed any signs...she dressed up like any teenage girls and danced like crazy with her belly button shown but really no sign of a bulging tummy!The funny thing she said during an interview was: after she learned she's pregnant,she first got shocked but became excited knowing she will be a future mom very soon...and then all the signs of pregnancy just showed up like nausea,vomiting,fatigue,cravings...her tummy starts to grow fast too....the weird thing she said was she got her menstrual periods during the previous months but not anymore after she learned she's pregnant!

Cases like this are hard to believe and most women either ended up accepting their babies or killing them.I've read some articles regarding some reports of this issue.

Description and Petition from the French Association for the Recognition of Denial of Pregnancy:

This is based on a population study in Germany:

A report from a study on American women citing a rate increase of unwanted pregnancies on poor women:

As a personal opinion,I would suggest that instead of teaching the youth on how to put a condom or take a pill, they should teach them how to take control of their sexual life...to act with precautions and to be aware of responsibilities following these acts.

Few Things About Belgium-- Good and Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:32:00 +0000

Well, I have no other major complaints about living in Belgium except for the crap weather... you see, when it's cold,it's very cold and snow is rare...I seldom see snow during winter... and when it snows, there's traffic jam everywhere! And the snow only last for a couple of days and then back to dry cold temperature that breaks my lips and gives me electric shocks everytime I touch the car door.Now let's talk about summmer... my favorite season... well more or less. I think I prefer the end of spring and start of summer...when bald trees start to have green leaves again and flowers bloom everywhere.But hey, careful, you might go out then boom-- hales of ice as big as pingpong balls if not like corn grains would suddenly fall from the sky! And yes,in summer it's hot... really hot but dryyyy... and when it rains, it really pours " comme une vache qui pisse" ( like a cow that pees) ! lol
Blogging about Belgium weather,I think is just typical for someone who has not encountered such a crap weather before in his entire existence...like many said, only in Belgium... name them--- hundreds of kinds of beer yet many Belgians still drink in moderation, and aahh-- the heavenly Belgian chocolates many tourists claim to be the finest in the world... then added to these records are the best tennis players in the world.What else?... yes! Belgium is the country with the most divorce rate! Then as I said,it has the crappest weather.... but the funniest thing I know about Belgium is- it's known for its popular "Mannekin Pis", a small statue (fountain)of a little boy who pees!From time to time it wears some costume during special holidays.

But seriously, Belgians are also serious with regards to government and politics.Maybe the reason why the UN headquarter is put here. They are serious when it comes to invention. The man who invented the Saxophone is a Belgian.And the actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian for those who don't know.And I said serious because if in Paris they have the Eiffel tower, in Brussels they have the Atomium, a giant replica of an atom.
Ah,all these flowery words about Belgium... but still I would'nt like to stay here all my life. Living in this country of many opportunities is still a sad place of refuge for me. You see, getting along with the Belgians is my other issue aside from the weather.Belgians, you see, do not really consider themselves foremost as Europeans like the Americans feel they are ( even if they are originally Europeans as well hehehe ) Belgians, if compared to a Filipino Scenario are like the Tagalogs and the Bisayas. The Tagalogs feel they are superior than the Bisayas but the Bisayas don't give a shit. They go to Luzon anyway and look for a job-- either they end up as maids or nannies or they become famous singers and actors. Anyway, whatever they do to get a decent job they still don't gain respect from fellow Filipinos because the Tagalogs have this "inferiority complex" ( not all Tagalogs though ) Once they learn you are a Bisaya, they will look down on you like they see their housemaid character in you.And they mock you with your accent when you try to speak their language.Anyway, I'll blog about that when I have time.I'll focus first on Belgian scenario.

In Belgium there are 3 major divisions of their citizens namely, Flamands and Wallon.The 3rd one,Germanophone are not very aggressive with regards to dominance. And so, 2 major language play a role in Belgian government.They both fight for their own rights and for their territories. In Belgian products, it is obligatory to put both Flemish and French translation of their marketing labels and other inscriptions as well as the ingrediesnts.

If you are just a tourist, it's okay if you don't speak their language.They too can speak English... well mostly the Flemish can speak English.But if you want to become a permanent resident, you have to study their language.And knowing that there are 2 languages to learn, well, all I can say is good luck to your Belgian adaptation and welcome to Belgium!

Not Only in Belgium but the Whole World is in Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Everywhere we see people doing rally and manifestations because the price of petroleum does not cease to increase.Every news talk about people demonstrating their anger in the streets...

There has been protest rallies in Malaysia resulting to a petition to get Malaysian Prime Minister to step down.In India,20 had been injured and 70 people had been detained after the protest rally.In the Philippines protest rallies have been set against additional tax on oil.In europe, rallies are also going on in Spain,in Portugal,in Belgium,and in UK. There has been many events like this. Today, taxis,trucks and tractors are paralyzing the Brussels during the usual peak hours and those people driving their cars within the city are really affected.It's not the first time something like this happens here and the unions are really into solidarity.And it's not the only place where people complains about price hikes.Most farmers and consumers of the world are affected by this crisis.Once the oil price increase,everything goes with it.

Here's a good film about what's happening now to the world market and how some people profit no this crisis:

2013, la fin du pétrole 2/3 (2013, End of Petroleum)
by Cassandre-

Unless we don't look for other alternative to solve the problem of oil shortage,we will always be spinned round and round on the hands of these big oil capitalists and imperialists.

In the near future if we continue being dependent to oil,car owners will be the one exerting their own energy to move their cars.

The Wonder of Life-- Women as Pro- creators

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:32:00 +0000

The amazement and joy I got from feeling the baby inside my womb while watching this fragile creature on-screen during the echography is so intense that any other things that brings me similar feeling is just a tiny speck compared to it.
Realizing that this being is growing inside you and you are helping to make his growing progress a success is such a magnificent role that I would not just take for granted. And I don't know why some women still smoke or drink while pregnant.Maybe they don't really mind the risk of their vice to the baby's health... and their addiction is stronger than their maternal affection.

Becoming a mother is a privilege of the female species that cannot be experienced and enjoyed by the male species.(except of course if you are a hermaphrodite or bisexual being like an earthworm or a lychee flower which has both male and female organs).

What gives every woman a sensation of having the important role in this world than to be the bearer of life inside your womb and taking care of it while it forms and completes its process of creation...and no macho male can ever take that privilege away from the females.Imagine having a world without a woman...no reproduction and no cycle of life,mankind surely will cease to exist.This very fact that men always try to destroy what Mother Nature has created. But let us look at it this way... Mother nature who possess everything that mankind needs to continue the cycle of life in this world has to provide food (including water) and shelter.Inside a womb the mother provides food to her baby through the ombilical cord and supplies the water trough the amniotic acid.She provides a shelter with her placenta inside her uterus.

The rest of what we have right now (like clothes and accesories and the rest of the bling blings including our gsm,pc, etc etc ) are just options to provide comfort and luxury ... in short, we don't REALLY need these many things (except if you live in a place with very cold temperature) but we WANT and DESIRE these things to make our simple life complicated. For this reason a baby is created and born naked, with a brain free to think of all the superficial inventions in this materialistic world.It's up to him to figure out what really matters most when he is tired of all the consequences he has to face as he complicates his simple life...then eventually learn how to go back to the basics.

I've Decided to do Breastfeeding

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Yes,boys and girls,I've decided to breastfeed my baby once he's there.I always believe that breastfeeding is still the best food for the babies...especially the newborn ones.Colostrum gives the baby the best protection against diseases by supplying the needed immunities acquired by the mother against certain diseases and this stronger resistance is passed on to the babies.

During my first experience of breastfeeding, it was a little bit painful because of its sensibility but later on I got used to it and my first baby did grew well without any allergies whatsoever.It's also good for his immune system to fight against certain diseases and it helps the mom's body(especially the uterus to go back to its normal place and shrink back to its normal size). Also,in many cases,mothers who are breastfeeding minimized the risk of rapid gain of weight since their babies are also consuming the extra calories and stored fats and nutrients in their body.Nature is designed to make the necessary storage of extra fats and nutrients to supply the babies need during pregnancy until after birth of the fetus.That's why here in europe and other developed countries,certain mothers who decide not to breastfeed are prescribed some medications to help them control their body's natura response to motherhood and control their weight gain by slowly stopping the production of milk which is the automatic process of nature after a mother gives birth and by slowly cutting off their urge to eat on big quantities due to wider space occupied by the stomach after the baby is out.

I've noticed that in the Philippines, the idea of breastfeeding is considered by many people as inconvenient and for others it's disgusting to see a mother breastfeeding her baby...some educated people find breastfeeding as a low-class practice.The commerce of formula milk has slowly changed the mentality of many parents especially the moms. The influence of medias on people made a great impact of educating parents the wrong information that formula milk makes your baby more intelligent and even gives them skills.Take for example Promil...according to their famous advertisement Promil is the milk for gifted children( it gives the parents the idea that if they give their babies Promil they will grow up to be like the kid who knows how to play the violin).Another mentality I've noticed on some people is, being able to buy a formula milk means you can afford and it makes them feel they are in the higher class of the society...while breastfeeding moms makes them look like their family is tight in budget and so they cannot afford to buy the baby the "high standard" form of the baby's nourishment.

Me, personally, I still think that these products provide false informations and exaggerated claims to sell their products.Business is business and money is the strongest motivation of most people making the advertisements.No offense...just an opinion from a concerned mom.

What I Get Out of Online Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:39:00 +0000

It's not all the time that I do online shopping.I only do it when I see something nice and affordable that I really like and only if the shipping cost is reasonable. These days it's more convenient for me to do shopping online than to go take a long walk in the city center or the nearby shopping area.It's a bit risky for me to get too tired and put too much pressure to myself since I'm almost at the due date of my pregnancy. The reason why I do online shopping is because most of my present maternity clothes would not fit anymore especially on my tummy.

I look for summer clothes with front buttons practical for breastfeeding....that's right,I've decided I will feed my baby with my own natural mother's milk. Some might find it ewww and might lose their appetite while reading this but I dont find it disgusting.Ive done it already with my first child and I don't find any personal or medical reason why I wont do it again.Anyway, back to online shopping, as customer,I have to trust the seller of the item. The best way to do this is to contact and ask questions regarding the item you are interested to buy.

Most of the time, my husband buys from ebay.The last item he bought was a furniture.Now,it's my turn to shop online and I have to wait patiently for my package to arrive.At last, I received it and surprisingly, it said in the notice that it was the 2nd delivery following the first package due to stock shortage.I told my husband to contact them to inform that we have not received the first package yet.Luckily,it arrived the next day.I got worried because the package was not registered and we can't prove that we did not receive it.But anyway, I said next time I'll not take the risk of ordering again in there website because it seems like they are too busy to even inform us thru email that they have sent the package and that it's on its way...just a confirmation of the order and the payment made and that's it! I got no email regarding the status of my order after that...imagine 10 days of waiting.

Well,sometimes that's what you get out of online shopping...worries and some other problems regarding the item you bought... one of the clothes is a bit big but I can live with it... it's better than not receiving any of my orders at all !

Preparations for the Coming Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Since a few weeks ago,my husband and I have already been preparing for the coming of our second child. I'm already in my 8th-month pregnancy and the baby might decide to come out earlier than the expected date.Even our son is already excited to meet his baby brother.

The baby's room is almost ready.It just needs a little arrangement.The baby's bed just needs its bedsheets and the blanket.We don't put it yet to avoid the dust.Anyway,my husband still has time to do it since I will be staying 5 days in the hospital for a normal delivery and in case of cesarean, 10 days stay is needed to monitor the mom and the baby's health condition.

My suitcase is almost ready ... just need to put the toiletries/bathroom stuffs.We have already reserved a private room in Erasme Hospital which is a bit more expensive but it will be covered by my husband's company health insurance(family members are included).

Alien to the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Well,I admit that alien is me... I just realized that when my husband told me the french television TF1 shoot the Koh Lanta 2008 in the Philippines(again).Yes, last year they held it in Palawan.Now this year,it's in Caramoan.For those who does not know what's Koh Lanta,it's the french version of Surivivor... the dutch version of it is called Robinson Expedition and the dutch also shoot in Palawan before the french did.I found one of the last year's Koh Lanta preview in youtube...

Now, let's go back to Koh Lanta Caramoan. I ask my husband again,what's the name of the place?"Caramoan." I said, "never heard of that place.Are you sure it's in the Philippines?" He said,that's what they said, it's in the Philippines." Well, I could not argue more with him so I did a research through google map....and indeed that "unknown place" EXIST in the Philippines... in Camarines Sur,Bicol,Philippines. I've found a few photos from a french blog called TicTacFlo
As I look at the photos, I could not believe a place like this, is still unknown to many Filipinos(ehemm...like myself).I have been to famous places like Boracay,Bohol,Mactan-Cebu and as I said I've never heard of this place! Well, I guess my knowledge about the many beautiful islands comprising the Philippine archipelago is still limited. Indeed there are still many undiscovered paradise in my very own country.... and that fact makes me long to go back to my native land...again and again...

Flying With Ryan Air

noreply@blogger.com (Theresa) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:18:00 +0000

Travelling with Ryan Air is really a cheap way to fly through europe.It's also convenient to purchase a ticket through the internet....and the great time saving is-you can even check-in online!Well,this online check-in privilege is only for EU residents.Unfortunately my sister and my cousin could not do this so they had to do it at the airport and had to pay for the extra service charge...that's the thing about budget airline companies... they cut some costs so you don't pay too much for the ticket price... which means that it does not include a meal onboard and your only baggage is a hand-carry maximum 10 kilos.Extra charges are paid by the passengers per extra services like check-in baggage and meals on board. Anyway,who needs to have tons of baggage and a meal if you will only be visiting for a few days and the flight only takes 2 hours or less?
The only little hassles with this kind of travel is if you're pregnant and travelling alone or if you can't live without all your pairs of shoes and the matching wardrobes with you.The things you have to do is:

1.You have to be at the airport 2 hrs before the flight schedule if you are not an EU resident or if you are travelling with kids and have luggages to check-in.

2.You have to take the long queue with the other passengers to check-in with additional payment of 5 euros.However,for EU residents who already check-in online(it's free but you can't check-in online if you have baggages to check-in,you only need to be at the airport 40 mins. before the departure.You can go directly to the boarding gate by just showing the printed online check-in (+ the EU ID or passport) to the personnel checking the passenger's boarding pass.

3.Again,you take the long queue at the boarding gate since there is no assigned seat for you at the plane so you can sit anywhere as long as it's not a reserved seat.From the boarding gate,you may also have to take a shuttle bus to take you to the designated airplane.

4.With the hand-carry baggage,you then climb the stairs to go up the plane and carry your stuffs because they don't provide a direct passage from the waiting gate to the airplane.Of course you'll have to pay more for that kind of service so that's why if you don't like to exert a certain kind of effort then better not take this low-cost flights.Me, I had no problem with that... I was lucky they have a lift at the Gerona airport boarding gate so I had no troubles dragging my suitcase down the stairs...only a little effort by the time I had to go up the plane...my sister and my cousin were there to help me in case...kind passengers also helped me load my stuff seeing a pregnant woman in need of help.... :)