Book of Days

Pacman Once Again Place The Philippines on the Map

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:03:00 +0000

Okay, I'm not a boxing fanatic, I don't even like it, but people were talking nonstop about the recent victory of Manny Pacquiao so I thought I should try writing about it. Well, not really about the whole match.. some part of it maybe... and I will also try to write something about the Pambansang Kamao himself.

I woke up at 10 a.m. and it was like any other Sunday aside from the fact that my dad's eyes were glued on the television watching a broadcast about Pacquiao, he usually reads a newspaper during this time. Then I suddenly realized that it was the day of Pacman's match against Hatton. I don't know what is it about boxing that make people, male people to be precise, so excited. Oh well, maybe it's the exhilaration they feel after every blow. Anyway, the anchor, sorry I didn't get his name I was busy with my breakfast, reported that Manny's parent, I don't know if it is his dad or mom, wants him to become a priest but he ran away and trained in a boxing gym.

I don't want to interrupt my dad so I decided to go in the other room to watch something else other than boxing match predictions. After several channel-changing labor, I settled in Shake Rattle and Roll in ABS-CBN. I was getting into the movie when suddenly the screen flashed a news about Manny Pacquiao knocking out Hatton in the second round. My initial reaction was: 'Is he really that good?!' I couldn't believe it at first. My officemate, Joel, told me that he didn't think Manny will win this time. I believed him. I thought that he will not win either. Hehe.. So going back to the fight, according to the reports, Manny knocked out Hatton twice in the first round and come second round knocked him out once again and Voila! That's the end of their match. Manny once again emerge victorious. Sweet! According to wikipedia, because of his achievements, he is the former WBC lightweight world champion, WBC super featherweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion, and WBC flyweight world champion and he has also held the Ring Magazine titles for featherweight, super featherweight, and light welterweight divisions, he became the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions. He is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and is rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Being a Filipino, I was really glad during times like this since it brought our country pride and recognition and somehow unite our people. I remember last year during his match against De La Hoya, it was reported that the crime rate goes down. Isn't it great?!

I'm not sure what's next for Manny Pacquiao but may you continue to bring pride and glory for our country. Mabuhay ka Manny!

How to be Fabulous, Rich, and Young

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:06:00 +0000

Reading today's Philippine Daily Inquirer, I came upon this article in the Job Market section which was written by Mr. Ernie O. Cecilia. It tackles the problem of most young professionals on financial matters.

I googled for some related articles on financial planning, saving, investment, frugal living, etc and found some really nice materials. I summarized them on this post, so folks read on and start taking control of your financial situation.

If you want to have something that you haven't had before, you must learn to do things you haven't done before.

Earning

The first aspect of personal finance is earning. You must know where you can earn the most. If you are an employee, know your skills and how much those skills get paid in the market. If you are not getting paid enough, look for a company that pays big bucks.

You can do part-time work, either alone or in partnership with your friends who have the same interests without affecting your main job. If you have entrepreneurial acumen, try starting a small business that does not conflict with your job. If you have other skills that can earn more, use those skills while you have a fixed job.

Spending

The next thing to know is where your money goes. If you find it hard to earn money, make it twice as hard to get money out of your pocket.

Saving

Don't live beyond what you're earning. Better yet, live below your means. If you can't save from your income, you can start saving from your expenses. Below are some tips from pinoymoneytalk about the ways to start saving.

Step 1: Retain your brain

Saving money is a state of mind. Before you can start, you have to renounce the spending — and stop believing you actually need all the stuff you've been spending money on.

The next time you want to buy something, take the P50 or P100 out of your wallet, and stash it somewhere. See? That's called saving. You don't end up with stuff; you end up with MONEY. To retrain your brain, start thinking about the following:

Accept frugality as your savior. Become a closet cheapskate and emulate your frugal friends. Note that they fix the shower curtain instead of buying a new one. Sit down with Depression-era relatives and ask about economizing.

Seek inspiration. Get thee onto MSN or Google Search and type in "living cheaply," "frugal living" and "voluntary simplicity." Be inspired by the gazillion Web sites devoted to living on less!

Cry poverty — with style. Learn handy phrases like, "Let's eat somewhere cheap." And "Cab? No, I'll take the bus this time." It's less embarrassing than you'd think, because more people are in your shoes than you think!

Step 2: Now save it!

There are a thousand ways to live on less. But you don't want to make your life a misery. Here are some of the most painless ways you can economize without losing out on quality of life.

Go veggie. If you can do three meatless days a week (without substituting pricey fish), you could save P200 a week, which equals P800 a month, which equals P10,400 a year! Beans: Ya gotta love 'em.

Never spend a windfall. Take that holiday money from your folks, that P0.75 change from the grocery store, that P0.25 coin that somebody dropped on the street, and any other extras and save 'em.

Haggle. You'd be amazed at who will drop their prices, fees and interest rates — flea markets, banks, airlines, etc — as long as you know how to haggle.
Toss the catalogs. The most insidious form of spending temptation known to man or woman. Chuck them straight in the trash. Yes, including Victoria's Secret. Sorry, guys.

Don't pay unnecessary fees. Like the P15 you pay just because you're not withdrawing from your bank's ATM. Or the late fees for returning videos. Or those fat charges banks hit you with when you write a check that, well, bounces.
Never pay a pro. If you can fix the neighbor's car, and she can paint the bathroom: Do it.

Pay less for long-distance. Evaluate your phone bill and see how much you're paying per minute. Some dial-around codes or cheap calling cards may give you a better rate.

Never pay full price. If you must shop, discover your friendly P99-and-below-shop in the neighborhood or the online world of discount Web sites. Ebay.ph, Auction.ph, and BidShot.com are good sites for cheap auctions, just be wary of scammers!

Investing

Investing is one of the best things you can do in life. With it, you can reach your financial goals. The best time to invest is probably 20 or 10 years ago. The next best time is now. The success of great investors is usually rooted in how long they have invested. Time is the best ally of any investor, because the power of compounding.

If you want to be rich, fabulous and young, you have to depend on you and only you. Your financial success does not solely depend on how much money you make. Much of it is knowing where the money you make goes. In your early age you can determine how rich or poor you can be.

The Twelve Questions of Christmas

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:32:00 +0000

1. What’s the best gift you have ever received? And the worst?

The best gift, I have to say, is the book I received last 2005. The book

was Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I like that because it was wrapped in a very unexpected way.

I do not have a worst gift. I like every gift I received.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie moment.

Watch the film clip below:

3. What is your favorite version of a Christmas song?

“All I Want for Christmas is You” during the big number at the end of the movie Love Actually and sung by Olivia Olson.

4. Describe an ornament that has special significance to you.

I like the angel atop the Christmas tree but it doesn't have any special significance to me. I just like it. I also like Christmas balls. I like the way your face gets reflected and illuminated on it whenever you go closer to it.

5. Have you had any traumatic Christmas-related experiences?

None so far.

6. What is your happiest Christmas memory?

Celebrating the yule tide season with my family.

7. Favorite Christmas picture:

This year, below is my favorite Christmas picture.

8. What’s on your grownup Christmas list (besides world peace, of course)?

A condo unit.

9. What Christmas TV special do you look forward to all year long?

I'm not aware of any Christmas TV special here in the Philippines. But I love watching Christmas Carol in Disney Channel every year with my siblings.

10. What famous person would you most like to encounter under the mistletoe?

Satoshi Tsumabuki (Orange Days)

11. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

I love cookies!! So any cookie will do. Yum! Yum!

12. Favorite Christmas quote?

I have to cite two quotes and both are from Charles Dickens. I just can't make up my mind what to choose.

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

Untitled Update

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:36:00 +0000

In just a few more days, we will be saying goodbye to year 2008 and welcome another year. A lot of things happened to me, especially few weeks ago. I'm also aware of the fact that I deprived this blog of its regular updates. It's not yet christmas vacation, not for us, although some people I know already started taking days off from work and are now going places. I envy them! Not only they have enough penny to splurge for the holidays, they also have longer days off from work. In my case, I have to save. I really feel I need to control my impulsiveness when it comes to buying things and focus more on saving.

Last December 7, I took Level 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or JLPT. It is a standardized test to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of non-native Japanese speakers. Oh boy! It was tough as hell. I'm not confident I'm gonna be certified. Funny thing is, since it was scheduled on the same day as Manny Pacquiao's match, I bet on passing the JLPT if Manny won in the boxing. And we all know that he did.. Haha.. Although I feel silly after betting my chances on JLPT over some people's chances on winning a boxing game. Oh well! We'll see the result on March.

I'm still so into piano and violin. I'm still having my lessons every Saturday on violin and Sunday on piano. They are actually the reason why I haven't updated this blog for almost 4 months and for not studying Nihongo. We now have a new violin teacher. I considered buying a new violin but my friends told me that if I'm gonna buy a new one, I should have it made by a luthier which by the way cost a lot. We're now on Suzuki Book 2 on violin and for my piano lessons, I'm already on Book 3 of The John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course.

Last week I went to Divisoria with my roommate and another batchmate to buy toys for my inaanaks. While we were inside the toy store inspecting the items on the racks, I spotted a glass chess set and immediately remembered my Dad. He loves to play chess, so I bought it for him. I haven't given it to him yet. I hope he'll be thrilled. We finished our shopping at 11p.m and got home by 12 midnight. It was so exhausting. It made me promise to start my christmas shopping early next year.

This coming Tuesday is our Christmas party in Fujitsu. The theme is cosplay. I first considered of doing Tinker Bell but after hearing rumors that some girls will also dress as the cute fairy, I rejected the idea. Then a friend offered her Princess Jasmine costume. I got excited by the idea so I bugged her to find it. Unfortunately, Princess Jasmine's costume is nowhere to be found. So I guess I will be coming in the party without a costume. I don't want to spend a cent for a costume so I already decided not to wear a costume. I hope it will be fun! Can't wait to see people in costume!

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:13:00 +0000

You Should Play the Piano

You are a true music aficionado who loves many musical style and eras.

You find music to be an escape. And you'd like to be relaxed and comfortable when you're making it.

You're very innovative, and you have a unique way of knowing what may sound beautiful.

There's a strong possibility that you could compose some of your own work songs quite easily.

While you have a lot of creative energy, you are also serious and conscientious.

Your musical talent needs time, practice, and lots of privacy to flourish.

Your dominant personality characteristic: your painstaking attention to detail

Your secondary personality characteristic: your natural tendency to be whimsical

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

^_^ I'm glad its the piano!!! ^_^

Last night I watched The Pianist with my roommates. I was so inspired that after the movie I played the piano until 2 am. Then I woke up at 7 and played some more for quite a while before attending my piano lesson. I was so amazed with the way the piano player moved his fingers on the keys. It was so light and graceful. I hope I can play like that.

When I had my piano lesson today I'm starting to have difficulties and it made me sad. I wanted to play the piano. I wanted to be good at it. My piano teacher keeps on encouraging me. He told me that even though I memorized my piece, I still have to check what's written on the staff. I think that's the problem with me..., I rely on my memory. I already developed a habit of memorizing the pieces that I ought to play. I think I have to practice sight reading more often.

I'm thankful I have a patient and very understanding piano teacher. At the end of the lesson I apologized to him for giving him a hard time. He just smiled and told me that it's actually normal... that most of his students are also having a hard time on those pieces. I'm several pages away from starting Book Three of John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course. I'm excited but my piano teacher told me that the next pieces will be more difficult.

Bite Me!

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:44:00 +0000

I want to be a vampire like the Cullens! I want to witness how cities transform and more importantly, I want to have all the time in the universe to master the piano and violin. So Edward Cullen bite me, sink your teeth into my flesh!

Lately, I’ve been bombarding my web log and multiply account with my obsession with piano and violin that I forgot to mention the newest addition to my addiction, the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. I have to wait for two weeks before I laid my hand on the first book, Twilight. I finished reading it and last Wednesday when I went to Powerbooks to get the second book, New Moon, it was sold out. I don’t know how long I will have to wait this time. Hopefully it will not stretch to two weeks. I’m losing my patience now. Good thing there’s the piano to divert my attention. I can’t wait to read the second book. I already reserved a copy of the final book in the installment, Breaking Dawn, which will be out on August 4, 2008. And about the third book, Eclipse, I’m about to get a copy this Sunday. I hope there’s still one left for me.

Twilight will soon be in motion picture and will be released this December worldwide. Unfortunately though for me and for the rest of the Twilight fanatics here in the Philippines, since we have Metro Manila Film Festival, we have to wait a little longer until January of 2009 before we can finally watch the movie BUT some fans have already made an online petition with the sole intention of having the movie shown this December. Let’s see how far that petition can go. I have my fingers crossed.

About the casts of the movie, Edward Cullen will be played by Robert Pattinson. He’s the same guy who played Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Bella Swan will be played by Kristen Stewart. You will probably remember her as Sarah, the daughter of Jodie Foster (Meg Altman) in the movie Panic Room and as Sophie in the movie Jumper.

The official movie poster

Another picture I found on the net

That’s it for this entry. ^_^

I'm So Into Piano

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:15:00 +0000

I've been taking piano lessons since May and just last week we were able to finish Part One of John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course. Yay! I'm so excited to start with Part Two. Part One and Two of the course are somewhat like a preparatory grade in piano. At first I find the phasing of our lesson slow but everyone has to go through the basics even Maksim. He just started earlier but I’m quite sure that before he mastered the Flight of the Bumblebee he practiced Mary Had a Little Lamb first. I also registered in pianoworld and have been reading threads ever since. A few hours ago I came across a thread posted by an engineering student in Argentina.

He's 18 and has been taking piano lessons in a conservatory for a year and a half. He's about to start college next month and worries he won't have enough time to practice. He even considers piano more than just a hobby and wants to be a better player. The guy wants to be an engineer and a musician at the same time.

Piano by Darkshadow1425

Actually, for the past few weeks I also have been pondering on the same thought. Can a person of different profession, without music background be a pianist? I'm not aiming to be a concert pianist. I think that's way too much. Being able to play in a simple bar with few audiences will be fine for me. I just want people to hear and see me play. I want to be good at piano so I really made sure I practice everyday for at least an hour.

I considered purchasing a keyboard with weighted keys to have a look and feel of the real piano. I want a real piano but knowing how much piano costs I have to settle for a keyboard as an alternative.

I already have music pieces lined up and ready to be played. I just got to have the skills to play them so I really have to be patient and practice and practice and practice. ^_^

Piano Lessons with PianoNanny

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sat, 03 May 2008 07:43:00 +0000

Back in college, I really wanted to take piano lessons but thesis and other senior-school stuff prevented me to do so. I would read online articles on how to play the piano but as our thesis progresses the lesser the time I'm able to allot on my piano lessons until such time I barely sleep and have no option but to drop my online piano lessons and focus my full time attention on our thesis.

After graduation, I became preoccupied looking for a job that I totally forgot about the piano. Then one time, I was so stressed with work that I when I got home, I locked myself in my room and played Enya and that reminded me of how eagerly I was before to learn to play the piano. I searched the net for possible schools, I even considered enrolling in Yamaha until I came across this ad about a piano tutor who offers cheap piano lessons. I phoned the person and inquired about the details. But when I was about to start my lesson, Fujitsu Ten Solutions Philippines called. I was bored with my previous company then that I opted to file my resignation and join FTSP. Once again, I have to postpone my piano lessons since the salary that I'll be getting from FTSP is not as much as the one from my previous employer.

Then just last week, Irish, my office mate, asked me to take violin lessons with her and Sir Arch. I told her that I also wanted to take piano lessons but violin will also be fine. We went to Megamall canvassing for violin and also for possible violin classes. We still have to look for other institutions that offer violin or piano classes and compare prices.

No work for us last Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, so I spend my long weekends at home. I'm supposed to review for our Nihongo class but I just spend most of my time reading piano lessons at PianoNanny.com.

So far I've learned the following:

Melodic Names (including sharps and flats) of the notes on the Keyboard.

Melodic Names (including sharps and flats) of the notes on the Staff.

Rhythmic Names of the notes on the Staff (quarter, eighth, sixteenth, half, and whole).

The length (size or time signature) of a measure and how to figure it.

Treble Clef (to be played by our right hand).

Bass Clef (to be played by our left hand).

Meanwhile, enjoy this artistic pieces I've found on Flckr:

Treble Clef

Bass Clef

That would be it for this post. I have to go back to PianoNanny. I meant to document my progress here. So wish me the best of luck! ^_^

Life's a Beach

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:09:00 +0000

There is no better way to enjoy the summer than to spend some time at the beach getting a tan, island hopping, and collecting shells. Our first destination was Tondol Beach in Anda Pangasinan. It was almost a six-hour drive from Ortigas but you can cut the travel time by two or three hours if you average 120 on the road. The beach offers a long stretch shallow and calm water which is ideal for sunbathers.

Upon getting there, after unloading our bags from the car and securing them on the rooms, we immediately changed to our swim wears, put sunblock on, and hit the beach. It was one of the fine beaches we have here in the Philippines.

Irish and I planned to get up early before the sun on the next day to jog around the beach, continue collecting shells, and watch the sun rise but failed to do so. After the breakfast, we rented boats. They were just actually a fishing boat with no cover up or something, which took us to Hundred Islands at the expense of burning our skin.

On our way back, we spotted this little island and decided to stop there for a few minutes which was stretched to hours with our churning stomachs. We just forgot about the time since we were having so much time dipping and swimming in the shallow water. After our island hopping, we had a hearty lunch courtesy of Dudes aunt. We had tinola and some inihaw! Yummy! I want to go back and take my friends there.

The next beach that I visited this summer was Coral View Beach Resort in Morong Bataan during our company outing. I must say that the beach looks much better in pictures. I can't help comparing it with Tondol Beach but our stay there was fun nevertheless. We went to Pawikan Island but since there's nothing much to see or do there we decided to go snorkeling. Afterwards, we had photo shoot with Sir Archie as our photographer. Haha!

I can't wait for our next escapades!! ^_^

Amazing Race Craze

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:35:00 +0000

This team will win the race! I've got high hopes on both of these guys. I wasn't able to watch the 12th episode of the Amazing Race Asia 2 but my sister did and she told me that Mark and Rovilson snatched the first place back from the Singaporean team, Adrian and Collin. The final season is on the 14th and I hope Mark and Rovilson can outsmart the other teams and arrive at the pit stop first.

So while the race is still on, feast your eyes on the following pictures!! :D

Christmas Rush

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:02:00 +0000

This Christmas rush is giving me a headache. I'm not yet done with my shopping and malls are jam-packed with hurried shoppers like me. So now I don’t know where else to go to complete my list.

This week has been the most tiring one this December—practice, party, and shopping. We had practice from Monday, December 17, until Thursday, December 20. The practice lasts from four to five hours a day on the average so I usually got home at around 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. given that I live almost in the province. Last Wednesday I went to UST for the Paskuhan, a university-wide Christmas celebration. I missed the fireworks so I guess I just have to browse for some clips of it in Youtube and wait for eternity before I can play the entire thing since I'm now using a dial-up connection. I planned of going home early that night but got home at 1 a.m. instead. Lastly, yesterday was our Christmas party which was held in Crowne Plaza and has the theme: Visua Kei: FTSP Goes Glam Rock!

The glamorous rockers!

Funeral Not Wedding

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:59:00 +0000

I was seven years old when my grandma died. I did not cry when I first heard about the sad news. I don't know why. Maybe because I don't want to believe that she left me without saying good bye. I haven’t fulfilled my promise to her yet. I can still remember the time when she washed me after I pooed and would tell me that when I grow up I should do the same to her when she can’t take care of herself anymore. “Of course grandma”, I would always reply.

During her wake, I do not want to look at her casket because I was always afraid that she might open her eyes and grab me. Believe it or not, until now I’m still afraid looking on caskets. My uncles would carry me when they would look at the casket but I would always turn my back. Then they would tell me that I was lola’s favorite apo and that she will visit me on my sleep if I will not look at her in the casket. After a few days, I would climb up the stairs and take a peek at my grandma’s casket then I would go and lock myself in our room. I would ask God why it has to be a funeral, why can’t it be a wedding so everyone can be happy. I have tons of questions when I was a child.

I was closer to my lola than my mom during those time and when my mom would smack me with her ever trusted pamalo I would always run to my lola and she would stop my mom. My mom would tell me that the reason why I’m such a stubborn girl is because lola spoiled me. I’m such a bitch when I was a kid you know! I can make my mom cry. My grandma would always give in to my every capricious acts and wishes. God I’m missing my lola!

It’s nice to remember our departed loved ones but let us not forget family members and friends who are still with us at this very moment. We should show them how much we care and love them when we still have the luxury of time.

Filling Up the Long Gap

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:47:00 +0000

I just realized I haven't blogged for ages. Well, been busy with lots of stuff and I think being busy and preoccupied sometimes can be detrimental. You see, I lost track of time and I also just happen to neglect myself and some things and people that matters to me. I told my friends I lost some weight but they won't believe me. :-)

…

I have stories and thoughts to share but my mind is not working properly. Maybe I had too much caffeine again. I've read somewhere that too much coffee is bad for your brain. I guess my creative juices have been drained.

By the way, I resigned from my previous company and found a new niche where I can enhance my skills and learn more new things. I love learning you know! So this is it. A start of a new career! This is pressuring me but I have to take on it.

Bidding Harry Potter Goodbye

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 04:51:00 +0000

I feel so great I was able to secure a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows without making a reservation yet at the same time I kind of feel sad knowing that this is going to be the final book. Harry's adventures ends on this book. As I was reading it, I have this heavy feeling and I let my eyes linger on the words quite longer.

The two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane. For a second they stood quite still, wands directed at each other's chests; then, recognizing each other, they stowed their wands beneath their cloaks and started walking briskly in the same direction.

That's how the book started. The book is darker compared to the first six books but I love it. I just don’t think children should read it. Will Harry defeat his nemesis Lord Voldemort and die in the process? I still have to find out. I’m restraining myself from reading the Epilogue.

Another thing that made me emotional was JK. Rowling’s dedication. It goes like this:

The dedication of this book is split seven ways: To neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzee, to Di, to Anne, and to YOU, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end.

I was so moved with her dedication. Or maybe I just feel sad knowing that it was JK's way of saying goodbye and expressing her gratitude to those who really stick with Harry.

There are so many wonderful and childish memories that I held while hanging out with Harry. I started reading it when I was still in high school when it was introduced to us by Ace and since then you'll find us talking nonstop about Harry and what will happen on the next book. Believe me, we even suspected Dumbledore to be an enemy. In between classes or during breaks we would go to the staircase and play a game with Ace acting the quiz master. It's a race going to the top. Whoever answers correctly will have to take a step higher. The questions vary from the name of the spells, books, professors, and believe me, even candies mentioned in the book. We don't have a price to the winner but we enjoyed it nevertheless. Remembering these details, makes me feel excited to meet my friends later to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Yes, I haven't watched it though some of my college friends were asking me to go with them last week, I said no. Well, it's not that I don't want to go with them, it's just I'm used to being with my high school friends when I watch a Potter film.

The Ultimate Harry Potter Personality Test

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:32:00 +0000

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

Bellatrix Kills Ron!

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:13:00 +0000

My eyes hurt and I was almost done with the supposed-harry-potter-book-seven when I received an email from a friend. I guess it's her way of saying that the pdf that I got from another friend, which I also sent her, fooled me. The email was a spoiler. It contains chapter titles and some even got a summary. The pictures below are just some of the images attached in the email.

And here's the complete list of chapters:

I. Dark Lord Ascending

another first chapter that is not Harry’s point of view
very dark
first death
Bellatrix and Voldemort interact

II. In Memoriam

back to Harry’s point of view
Dumbledore’s past
Rita Skeeter appears here. Apparently, Harry is not pleased.

III. The Dursleys Departing

The Dursley’s leave Privet Drive

IV. The Seven Potters

Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reunited
Death Eater attack
another death
very intense

V. Fallen Warrior

another death
one person loses a body part
scenes afterwards set in the Burrow
tells what happened with Ollivander

VI. The Ghoul in Pajamas

general plan discussion all around
Hermione is scary (lol)

VII. The Will of Albus Dumbledore

Harry’s birthday! Ron gives him a funny gift.
Minister of Magic is back
Lupin is acting off

VIII. The Wedding

Weasley relatives, Luna’s father, and Krum all make ppearances
Krum argues with Luna’s father over the symbol
Dumbledore’s past again, which is not pleasant
Kingsley makes an appearance with some bad news.

IX. A Place to Hide

Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave the Burrow, and run into Death Eaters
Hermione gets hit on by drunkards
They go to Grimmauld Place

X. Kreacher’s Tale

Harry finds a letter from his mother saying disturbing things about Dumbledore
R.A.B. is Sirius’s brother (everyone knew that, lol)
lots of complex stuff on Horcruxes

XI. The Bribe

setting is Grimmauld Place
Harry has sent Kreacher on an errand
Kreacher seems to be getting friendlier
Lupin is still acting off, and states something extremely surprising (off in an easily irritated, jumpy way. We’ve also been told that Lupin/Tonks shippers will be over the moon, so, perhaps Tonks is pregnant?)
Trio find out who has the locket, and they are shocked.

XII. Magic is Might

Trio plan to get the locket from the ministry

XIII. The Muggle-born Registration Commission

Umbridge
persecution

XIV. The Thief

Trio leave Grimmauld Place and Kreacher
Trio stays in the woods.
Harry sees through mind-link that Voldemort is not in the country, and is looking for a stolen object that has something to do with wands.

XV. The Goblin’s Revenge

Ron does something weird.

XVI. Godric’s Hollow
XVII. Bathilda’s Secret

Someone named Bathilda wrote the History of Magic book. IDK if this has anything to do with anything, but still, might be worth noting.

XVIII. The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
XIX. The Silver Doe

Hermione is sleeping. Harry sees a Patronus and follows it. It leads him to a thing Dumbledore has left him. He is reunited with Ron. The entire scene with the destruction of the Horcrux and display of Ron’s insecurities happens.

XX. Xenophilius Lovegood

The Tale of the Three Brothers
“The Tale of Three Brothers” is a wizard children’s story. The story involves three objects called the Deathly Hallows. Three brothers, three objects, AKA the Deathly Hallows.
Trio goes to see Luna’s dad
He tells them a wizarding fairy story about three objects
They are called the Deathly Hallow

XXI. The Deathly Hallows

Harry follows lead of DH story instead of Horcrux stuff
He becomes stupidly obsessed over it, kind of like how he was over Malfoy in HBP
Makes a huge mistake and gets the trio “captured”

XXII. Malfoy Manor

A couple of people have died, one important
Someone else is being kept in the manor
Someone else dies
The trio is tortured for info
Dobby helps them escape
Another someone else dies

XXIII. The Wandmaker
XXIV. Shell Cottage
XXV. Gringotts
XXVI. The Final Hiding Place
XXVII. The Missing Mirror
XXVIII. The Lost Diadem
XXIX. The Sacking of Severus Snape
XXX. The Battle of Hogwarts
XXXI. The Elder Wand
XXXII. The Prince’s Tale
XXXIII.The Forest Again
XXXIV. King’s Cross
XXXV.The Flaw in the Plan
Epilogue

*** The email originated from a Smart Communications' employee and was forwarded to me by a friend.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 15:38:00 +0000

NOTE: This post contains spoilers!

I’m not the type of person who would take a peek at the back of the book just to find out the ending without reading the whole thing but I’m so curious and thrilled with the Harry Potter’s last book I was tempted to go to the last page and here’s what I’ve read:

You have been warned, so please don't read if you don't want to know anything about the end of the series.

... seen him in the area on the day of his parents’ mysterious deaths. The source tells this reporter that the strangest thing about the case is the expression of terror on both victims’ faces. The source claimed it was as if they’d been frightened to death…

But after reading it, my curiosity got even bigger and bigger and I was again tempted to sneak a quick look at the previous page. Do you want to know what I’ve found out? I know you will hate me if I disclose it so I will not discuss it any further but they’re not Hermione and Ron as my friends have guessed.

There are so many interesting details in the book. Did you know that Dudley is a wizard? That explains why he was able to see the dementors when he and Harry were attacked in Little Whinging back in book five. So yeah, “Ickle Diddykins” is a wizard that is why Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were so nice to him and treat him really special, maybe to avoid him getting mad…but it is also possible that Dudley is casting a spell on his parents to buy him lots of presents.

I like Ron and Hermione’s love story. It’s really kind of complicated but at the same time cute (I couldn’t find the right word to describe it :-).). Ginny is annoying. She now wears a push up bra just to get Harry’s attention. Also, I hate the way Harry is obsessed with her.

Snape. I don't know if he's an ally or what. We know that he killed Dumbledore but in book seven it was mentioned that the former headmaster still trust him even after death and he left something for Snape. This is really thrilling. I can't wait to finish reading the book.

About the horcruxes, there are seven and the seventh one is…The answer lies on Harry's forehead.

Okay, I’ll end it here. I don’t want to spoil it even further. :-)

Qualified to be a Member of the International High IQ Society

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 04:46:00 +0000

So just this morning while browsing Smartkit I clicked a link which directed me to the official site of the International High IQ Society. I browsed through the site, which by the way has a clean and very nice design, and found some very interesting stuff. I took the Cognitive Mental Abilities IQ Test electronic edition, eCMA. It's a 36 question multiple-choice timed test, and I can't believe I got 139. Having an IQ of 124 and up qualifies you to be a member of the society.

The International High IQ Society takes what's best about the golden age of the intellectual salons—tolerance, moral engagement, and faith in the free play of ideas—and applies them to a contemporary setting.

The International High IQ Society (IHIQS) is the world's second-largest high IQ society, remaining behind Mensa International. It was founded by Nathan Haselbauer in New York City on April 2002. (Wikipedia, June 9, 2007)

Captured in the Forest

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:22:00 +0000

After I had my lunch, I took quite some time browsing smartkit, a very interesting and mind stimulating site for all the brainiacs out there. I tried solving the Deduce the Pattern puzzle and I got the answer correctly so I tried browsing for other puzzles in the site and next to the one I just tried is this very puzzle I'm posting on my blog. Try to solve the puzzle below. I already have an answer but I will post it here later. So read on and try answering it. Share your answer ok?!

From www.smartkit.com

A man walks into a forest and gets captured by fairies. They tell him that they will kill him but he will choose his fate. He will say a statement, and if it is true, he will be
boiled in water. If it is false, he will be fried in oil.

How does the man get out of this situation?

Soundtrack Of My Life

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 27 May 2007 09:58:00 +0000

I'm not feeling great these days but whenever I listen to this song, I feel calm. I never get tired of listening to this song or any of Enya's songs for that matter. If I just had a bad day or if I'm not feeling okay, I would just plugged my ears with Enya's music and in a few moments I feel better already. Book of Days is my favorite. It is simply beautiful!

Read the lyrics they're beautiful!

Book of Days Lyrics
Artist: Enya

One day, one night, one moment,
my dreams could be, tomorrow.
One step, one fall, one falter,
east or west, over earth or by ocean.
One way to be my journey,
this way could be my Book of Days.
Ó lá go lá, mo thuras,
an bealach fada romham.
Ó oíche go hoíche, mo thuras,
na scéalta nach mbeidh a choích.

No day, no night, no moment,
can hold me back from trying.
I'll fly, I'll fall, I'll falter,
I'll find my day may be, Far and Away.
Far and Away.
One day, one night, one moment,
with a dream to believe in.
One step, one fall, one falter,
and a new earth across a wide ocean.
This way became my journey,
this day ends together, Far and Away.
This day ends together, Far and Away.
Far and Away.

Moms Are Great

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:17:00 +0000

They carried us in their womb for nine months. They've been so loving and caring from the day we were born. They treat us like a very special treasure. They feel that we're so fragile we might break any moment that is why they cuddle us with so much carefulness.

They were our first teacher. They would read us wonderful stories... fantasies... enchanted world that we used to believe really existed. Remember the time when your mom would give you a pencil and guide your tiny hand on the writing pad so you could write your name? And do you remember when you mom would pack your lunch box? How she prepared your things for school? How she combed your hair and fix your uniform??

They have always been there for us though most of the time we ignore them. They still hug us although we push them away. They have been so supportive and understanding.

Today is a special day to show our moms how much we love and appreciate them. They have many sacrifices during our upringing. Go make your mom feel how special she is, not only during mother's day but everyday. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms. And for my mom..., thank you so much for everything. You've been so wonderful. Thank you for showing to the world how proud you are of me although I doubt myself. Thank you for always believing in me. I know I caused you pain when I did not heed your advices and just seem to ignore you. I'll make it up to you I promise but for now let me tell you how much I love you. I couldn't been here without your guidance.

I love you mom!

Programmer Personality Test

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:01:00 +0000

I just took this test and here's the result:

Your programmer personality type is:

PHTB

You're a Planner.
You may be slow, but you'll usually find the best solution. If something's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

You like coding at a High level.
The world is made up of objects and components, you should create your programs in the same way.

You work best in a Team.
A good group is better than the sum of it's parts. The only thing better than a genius programmer is a cohesive group of genius programmers.

You are a liBeral programmer.
Programming is a complex task and you should use white space and comments as freely as possible to help simplify the task. We're not writing on paper anymore so we can take up as much room as we need.

You can take the same test by following this link: http://www.doolwind.com/index.php?page=11

Rampant Killings: The Abu Sayyaff's Outrage Beheading and The Virginia Tech Massacre

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 05:05:00 +0000

It has been a long week. Rampant killing and beheading were all in the news. We normally saw these on movies that is why to see them on print and on daily news is quite unnerving. I cannot imagine that there are people who still exist in the world these days capable of doing such barbaric acts. Whatever their reasons are, its not right to claim other people’s lives.

Headless bodies of the victims. Their heads were placed in 2 sacks and sent to the army headquarter

Firstly, we have the outrage group Abu Sayyaf which beheaded seven civilians. The victims were construction workers who were abducted while working on a road project in Jolo. One of the Abu Sayyaf after beheading one of the victims even got the nerve to call the wife of his prey to apologize. The wife pleaded desperately for the life of her husband but little did she know her husband's body was already in the custody of authorities. Also, I've learned that two of the victims were teenagers who just finished high school and went to Jolo for summer job so they can continue their education.

Life is too precious to be taken carelessly.

It was a sermon written by Islam clerics after the bodies of seven road construction workers were found. The sermon obviously criticized the Abu Sayyaf which passes itself as an Islamist group.

Students at the Virginia Tech hold a candlelight vigil after the massacre.

Then we have learned about the Virginia Tech Massacre. The shooter, Cho Seung-hui, killed 32 people and injured 17 more. He had this tatoo on his arm which says "Ismail Ax". The words on the disturbed student's arm, which was scrawled in red ink, caused a frenzy search on Google. Unfortunately, no one knows yet what it means. Some link it to Abraham, others to James Fennimore Cooper's "The Prairie".

Cho attributed his killings to the "rich kids", "debauchery", and "deceitful charlatans". After a psych exam, he was declared "danger to self and to others". Fellow students recall Cho's odd behavior. They said that he used to write grotesque stories citing massacres and killings using chainsaw and an ax.

While browsing the net, I found this blog, The Smoking Gun, which has the copy of Cho's play called Richard McBeef. The play is absurd and violent. It was about a 13-year-old boy , John, who accuses his stepdad, Richard, of pedophilia. It contains violent scenes and harsh choice of words.

Here's an excerpt:

Richard: I may not be your biological father, but I'm your new father. We live under the same roof. We really need to get along. Come on, son, give me a chance.

(Richard gently rests his hand on John's lap.)

John: What the hell are you doing!

(John slaps Richard's hand)

John continued: What are you, a Catholic priest! I will not be molested by an aging balding overweight pedophilic stepdad named Dick! Get your hands off me you sicko! Damn you, Catholic priest. Just stop it, Michael Jackson. Let me guess, you have a pet named Dick in Neverland ranch and you want me to go with you to pet him, right?

Officially Unemployed

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:39:00 +0000

I just graduated and currently looking for a job. As a matter of fact, these past few days I searched for available positions, those related in Information Technology specifically Management of Information System and System Development, in jobsdb . The funny thing is during our thesis days I swear that I will never ever apply for a programmer position. I do not want to become like this:

... but after some thinking and evaluation I was challenged to be a programmer, to contribute my skills for a company and see how far it will take me. I am actually excited for our thesis. And now that I've made mention something about our thesis please do visit this site http://snuffles117projectscreenshots.blogspot.com/ to have a view of our thesis and let me know what you think ok??! The site by the way is another addition to my blogs wherein I post the screenshots of every project that I've been part of. I meant to write an overview of what these projects are but right now what you'll see on that site are pure screenshots and minimal texts. I will try to update it sooner.

So going back on my job hunting adventures, I sent my application to several companies, attended every interviews despite the burning heat in the metro, and right now I do have several pending applications. I've heard countless times already that job hunting is not an easy task. Now that I'm doing it, I can attest the difficulties. Some say that if its not for you then it's not. I disagree! There's no such thing as your destined job. You have to be prepared and alert on the interview and you have to pass the exams.

I hope that I could find a nice job that I will enjoy and impose new learnings. I do not want to end up like this man:

Baccalaureate

snuffles117@yahoo.com (saraness) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 08:23:00 +0000

While viewing my friend jha's multiply account I found this picture:

Students getting ready for the last passage at the Arch of the Centuries with the magnificent UST Main Building in the background

Wow! was my instant reaction. It was really amazing. The person, Jesse Herrera, who took the picture is a genius. The picture was taken last March 23, 2007 during our Baccalaureate Mass.

Baccalaureate Mass. As cited in wikipedia, baccalaureate is "a farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class". And what was the sermon about again?? It was about a lot of things but the topic that was retained on my brain is all about change.

Another video about the events that took place during the Baccalaureate

During our baccalaureate mass, I'm feeling mixed emotions. I felt happy and relieved that finally all my efforts were paid off but at the same time I was sad and uncertain. Change. Another chapter of my life has ended and another one is about to begin. After leaving the walls of my university what's next? Honestly, I do not know. Sometimes saying goodbye to the things that we have grown accustomed with is really dreading but we don't have a choice but to go on with our life unless you wanted to end it. If only we can rewind our life then what I'd be doing right now is going back to the days when I was a kid, innocent, have high hopes, and really happy but then again reality bites... we can't do that. There are no rewinds or even fast forwards only play... and we have to play it right.

I recall a statement on the "Interview with God" presentation which was shown during our retreat in Caleruega. Here is the Lord's reply when He was asked what surprises him most about humankind:

That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.

That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.

Change is inevitable. We have to embrace it.