Darlene's Blog Site

Exchange Links Here

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:58:00 +0000

Hi there.. if you want to back links with me, I would be very glad to have my link exchanged with you..
--> Add my link ( http://darlene06.blogspot.com) to your site
--> Then inform me about it by leaving your link here through COMMENTING so that i can add your links too under "MY LINKS"

Here's my current LINKS:

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Philippines, the next Africa?

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:02:00 +0000

Based on a documentary film I have seen, thousands of Filipino people from the countryside transfer or migrate to the cities everyday to find a new life and earn for a living. They were hoping that rural area can provide them a work where they could earn money to sustain the needs of their family. But it is a sad truth that almost all of those who attempted this end up living in the streets, getting food from the garbage can and become beggars. The worst part is that the population of people in the streets is increasing as families are formed and babies are born there. With the rapidly increasing prices of products in the market and the occurrence of oil price hike every now and then, more and more of these Filipino people are suffering from hunger.

Although not everyone in the Philippines are suffering from this problem since there are still people who can sustain themselves and their family with comfortable life, it is still however a fact that a huge percentage of Filipinos today are suffering from hunger that leads them to do their own tactics of earning money like collecting garbage and selling those recyclable ones to earn some income or asking for food from passers by. But not all who are starving are contented with this type of living. They tend to do more than these like the illegal ones such as stealing or car napping and others just to earn a bigger amount of money. Because of this condition found in the Philippines, many are concluding that Philippines will be the next Africa.

I hope that there will still be a solution to this problem and that Filipinos will still be able to get over it.

The Gospel of John

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Last night, during our CYF, while having our Bible Study, we had an overview on the Gospel of John.

John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James who used to be a fisherman, wrote The Gospel of John, 1John, 2John, 3John and Revelation.

In his book, The Gospel of John, there are 7 "I am" of Jesus Christ.

"I am the bread of life"
"I am the true vine"
"I am the door/gate"
"I am the good shepherd"
"I am the resurrection"
"I am the light of the world"
"I am the way, the truth and the life"

Also in the same book, it's recorded that Jesus did miraculous signs. These include:

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead
Jesus feeds the five thousand
Jesus walks on the water
The healing at the pool
Jesus heals the official's son
Jesus changes the water to wine
Jesus heals a man born blind

Before we ended our Bible Study, the question "What is the purpose of having The Gospel of John?" was raised. The answer to this question is found in John 20:30-31

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book.

31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

What is true wisdom by Fr. Moga SJ

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:47:00 +0000

The concern for wisdom found in human history posseses a certain mysterious complexity. This search for wisdm has taken many various forms. The wisemen of human history present us with a bewildering diversty of ways of thinking and living, a diversity which challenges us. Which of these different forms represents true human wisdom? How are we to understand wisdom or a wise life?

According to Fr. Morga, what wisdom is NOT includes the following:

1st: Wisdom is not merely a matter of a high mental capacity.

--->A person having a high IQ may mean that he/she possess a special potentiality for certain mental processes but it does not mean that such person posseses wisdom.

2nd: Wisdom is not a knowlegde which is connected with a particular human skill.

--->Knowing how to drive or to operate a computer may be very useful but such knowledge is far from wisdom.

3rd: Wisdom is not a mere factual knowedge, even though it be correct, never deserves to be classified as wisdom.

--->To know the current price of corn, today's date or a telephone number is not wisdo for wisdom goes beyong facts and is found in a deeper understanding of reality or life or a situation.

Here are various descriptions of wisdom by Fr. Moga

1.) Wisdom as a sensitivity for mystery

--->To be wise, we have to admit or acknowledge our own ignorance and we have to search for answers for the things being questioned.

2.) Wisdom as the knowledge of the ultimate cause

--->Also, to be wise, we have to know the basic or universal principles.

3.) Wisdom as the sense of the overall gaol of human life

--->This means that we must know what our real purpose for living is.

4.) The sensitivity for human life

--->We learn fom our experiences because of the ups and downs of life and a wse person appreciates the good and bad sides of life.

5.) Wisdom as a broad view of things

--->It means that we have to take a holistic view of things. We must look at things ina a larger picture and understand it. One tool used for understanding is reflection where we go beyond the limitation.

6.) Wisdom as good judgment

--->This is where we properly handle different life situations and our judgment must include our concern for the future outcome.

7.) Wisdom as living in terms of the religious dimensions of life

--->It is where we recognize God in our personal life.

8.) Wisdom as knowing how to be happy

--->To be happy, we live a simple life with contentment.

9.) Wisdom as living in terms of what is truly important

--->With this, we prioritize the most important things in life. The criteria for this would be knowing what is beneficial in the future.

10.) Wisdom as living in tune with greater realities

--->Under this we go back to nature. Guided by nature we live our human lives in the way that they were meant to be lived.

Wisdom is difficult to define which is why I failed to answer when I was asked about what true wisdom is. I was told that true wisdom would be the integration of the 10 descriptions of wisdom by Fr. Moga

Taking Pictures as a Hobby

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:39:00 +0000

The word "photography" comes from the French photographie which is based on the Greek φώς (phos) "light" + γραφίς (graphis) "stylus", "paintbrush" or γραφή (graphê) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light." Traditionally, the product of photography has been called a photograph, commonly shortened to photo.

Photography is the process of recording pictures by means of capturing light on a light-sensitive medium, such as a film or electronic sensor. Light patterns reflected or emitted from objects expose a sensitive silver halide based chemical or electronic medium during a timed exposure, usually through a photographic lens in a device known as a camera that also stores the resulting information chemically or electronically. Photography has many uses for both business and pleasure. It is often the basis of advertising and in fashion print. Photography can also be viewed as a commercial and artistic endeavor.

Photography is the result of combining several technical discoveries. Long before the first photographs were made, Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) (965–1040) invented the camera obscura and pinhole camera,[2] Albertus Magnus (1193–1280) discovered silver nitrate, and Georges Fabricius (1516–1571) discovered silver chloride. Daniel Barbaro described a diaphragm in 1568. Wilhelm Homberg described how light darkened some chemicals (photochemical effect) in 1694. The fiction book Giphantie, by French author Tiphaigne de la Roche, described what can be interpreted as photography.

The camera or camera obscura is the image-forming device, and photographic film or a silicon electronic image sensor is the sensing medium. The respective recording medium can be the film itself, or a digital electronic or magnetic memory.

Photographers control the camera and lens to "expose" the light recording material (such as film) to the required amount of light to form a "latent image" (on film) or "raw file" (in digital cameras) which, after appropriate processing, is converted to a usable image. Modern digital cameras replace film with an electronic image sensor based on light-sensitive electronics such as charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The resulting digital image is stored electronically, but can be reproduced on paper or film.

Photography gained the interest of many scientists and artists from its inception. Scientists have used photography to record and study movements. Artists are equally interested by these aspects but also try to explore avenues other than the photo-mechanical representation of reality, such as the pictorialist movement. Military, police, and security forces use photography for surveillance, recognition and data storage. Photography is used to preserve memories of favorite times, to capture special moments, to tell stories, to send messages, and as a source of entertainment.

Source

Today, more and more people are interested in photography because they find it fun and interesting. Before, mostly take photographs to capture moments that only happen once in a life time. But now, people practice photography not just for this reason. Some wants to earn profit, and others take photographs as their hobbies. And now, with the new age technology, digital photography was born where capturing and developing photographs is easier and clearer images are produced.

A Tag For All My Links

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Hey guys.. look! I've got another tag but this time, it's from Al Francis and I'm going to forward this to all my links.. Thanks for the tag Al! :)

::Start Copy Here:

1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.

2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list
3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!
5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up!
6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2. Creative In Me 3. Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6. Chez Francine 7. Le bric � brac de Cherie 8. La Place de Cherie 9. SuperNova and SweetPain 10. Avee's Adventures 11. Fil-Am Stories 12. Air Sick 13. Essay of Life 14. All About Reviews 15. From PI With Love 16. Beauty Kikay 17. Everyday Life 18. Fil-Oz Blog 19. More on Health 20. Ozlife Begins 21. Rants and Ramblings 22. Taurian�s Bible 23. What A World 24. Jocelyn's Journal 25. Dhaqueen's 26. Man's Call to Salvation 27. Life Away From Home 28. Icelog 29. Dabawenyako 30. The Nook 31. Al's World 32. Darlene's Blog Site 33. YOUR BLOG HERE!

::End Copy Here::

Nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature are our very own Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and Subterranean National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Wow! Isn't it amazing? Our very own Tubbataha Reef of Palawan, Chocolate Hills of Bohol and the Subterranean River National Park of Puerto Princesa are nominated for the new 7 wonders of the world.

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef located in the Sulu Sea, Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 km wide. Aside from being a marine sanctuary, Tubbataha is also prominent for being a bird sanctuary. A lighthouse islet, at the southern tip of the South Atoll, supports a large number of seabirds which nest there. Around the Tubbataha, there are tens of thousands of masked red-foot boobies, terns, and frigate birds resting during their annual migrations.

The Chocolate Hills and the area around it have relatively flat to rolling topography with elevation ranges from 100 metres to 500 metres above sea level. The vegetation of the Chocolate Hills is dominated by hardy grass species such as Imperata cylindrica and Saccharum spontaneum. Several Compositae and ferns also grow on the hills. In between the hills, the flat lands are cultivated to rice and other cash crops.

Subterranean River National Park features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.

Let's continue to vote for our very own to let the world know that Philippines has a lot of wonderful views that must be visited. This will also promote the tourism of our country. To vote, please go to http://www.new7wonders.com/

Tagged Updated: A Tag From A Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:17:00 +0000

Here's The Golden Rule:

1.Copy and Paste the entire page comeback to me and asked me your number
Here.[link]
2.Its not necessary to erase once you've done the post already.Just add them in your post.Leave one space at a time.
3.Add title "Tagged Updated" Benefits that will get by playing this game is
4.Your Technorati will gain more Authorities and gain more links,inlinks,backinks too.
5.I will read and survey every links posted and joined this game.Because i know some links is not a good one Remember i am the moderator,i want all the links is good and not a bad one.Promoting bad exposure this is not the game for you.Thanks and God bless.

1.Filipino-Life-Abroad 2.Random Thoughts 3. Proudly Filipina 4. Everyday Lives 5.Bestfriend Blogs 6.Thoughts and Rambling 7. In my Kitchen 8. In the Life Of..Mine 9. Everything Has A Reason 10.Filipina In Hawaii 11.My Daily Ramblings Rendevous 12.Puzzle of my heart 13.Mommy's Little Corner 14.My Drift 15. Twerlermz Blog 16. LIFE'S LONG ROAD 17. Dearly-Dear 18. Darlene's Blog Site 19. Add your link here

Thanks for the tag Williemz! I'm tagging this to my friends al, jeypriey, alisa and james.

Do Miracles Still Happen Today?

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:47:00 +0000

Do you need a miracle in life? When we face hardships and difficulties in life,we tend to look for miracles. But the question would be, "Do miracles exists in today's situation?"

But before answering this question, we must understand first the definition of miracle. During our Youth Worship Service the guest speaker said that Miracle, according many bible scholars, is a supernatural event which has no human explanation where God temporarily suspended time and intervene in our life for a divine purpose.

4 things about When and Why miracles happen

God perform miracles but not at all times
Most of God's miracle was to authenticate His chosen people
Miracles performed by God is seldom for personal purposes
He performs miracles to direct people to His word

3 Major periods where God performed His Miracles

During the EXODUS
Times of the Prophets
Jesus and His disciples

Yes, miracles still happen today. We can pray and hope for miracles in our life but we should not focus our attention to what miracle we can receive from God since it is not always that God give us miracles. Things that can be explained are not considered miracle but grace of God. Whether we are provided with miracles or not, we should always focus on God and trust in Him alone.

David Cook Wins on American Idol

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Finally, the long wait is over. Unpredictably Cook won the title of an American Idol who got 12 million more votes than Archuleta. Again, during the performance night, both Cook and Archuleta had 3 rounds to prove themselves. (1) Clive Davis Song Choice (2) New Song Contestant’s Choice (3) Contestant’s Own Song Choice

Round 1: Clive Davis Song Choice

David Cook - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2

Judge Randy Jackson loved the end note, though he said Cook might not have done everything he could have with the song.

Paula Abdul said Cook had "arrived."

Simon Cowell said that the singer was "phenomenal."

David Archuleta - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John

Randy Jackson said "This is one of the best performances of the season ... and unbelievably molten hot. Crazy vocals!"

Abdul said that "the sun is never going to go down on you, because you bring out so much sunshine."

Cowell said that the song was the best he'd done so far in the competition.

"Taking everything into account, round one goes to Archuleta," Cowell said.

Round 2: New Song Contestant’s Choice

David Cook - "Dream Big"

Jackson didn't love the song, but complimented Cook for "singing your face off."

Abdul said he took a song no one knew and made everyone fall in love with it,

Cowell dubbed the performance "lightweight." Though the tune was supposed to be a winner, he lamented, "It didn't feel like a winning moment for me."

David Archuleta - "Staring Through Windows at My Own Reflection"

Jackson again didn't love the song, but he did love recycling his old bit about how Archie could sing the phone book and make it work

Abdul said he was "on fire."

Cowell loved the "fantastically self-centered ... egotistical" lyrics and told Archuleta that he definitely chose the better song. Round two: Archuleta.

Round 3: Contestant’s Own Song Choice

David Cook - "The World I Know" by Collective Soul

Jackson said the mellow ballad showed another side of Cook and was exactly the kind of record he should make after the show.

Adbul told Cook he was standing on stage "in your truth and delivering unbelievable songs with integrity and originality."

Cowell praised Cook as one of the "nicest and most sincere" contestants in the show's history. But though he liked the song, Cowell said it was "completely and utterly" the wrong choice for this stage in the competition.

David Archuleta - "Imagine"

Jackson said "Dude, you are so good tonight, you are exactly what this show is about: finding the best singer we can find and the best singer of season seven is right there!"

Abdul said she was rendered speechless by the performance, calling it "stunning."

Cowell seemed to complete the Archuleta coronation, saying the night was one of "the great finals" in "Idol" history. "Here's the difference," he said. "In my opinion, David, you came out here tonight to win. And what we have witnessed is a knockout."

While watching their performances, I really thought that Archuleta was going to win the title of American Idol. But thanks to those who voted, David Cook won.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:39:00 +0000

Yeeey I can't wait to see this new movie coming this June 4, 2008. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is finally coming its way to the Philippines. This movie is based on Prince Caspian, the second novel of the seven books in the series by C.S. Lewis' masterpiece The Chronicles of Narnia. It is however called as Book 4 because it is the fourth chronologically.

Cast of Characters:

Pevensies

William Moseley as Peter Pevensie
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie, the second oldest Pevensie
Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie, the third oldest Pevensie
Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie

Telmarines

Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian
Sergio Castellitto as King Miraz
Damián Alcázar as Lord Sopespian
Vincent Grass as Doctor Cornelius, Caspian's mentor, who is half-dwarf
Alicia Borrachero as Queen Prunaprismia
Simon Andreu as Lord Scythley
Predrag Bjelac as Lord Donnon
David Bowles as Lord Gregorie
Juan Diego Montoya Garcia as Lord Montoya

Narnians

Liam Neeson as the voice of the lion Aslan
Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin, a cynical red dwarf
Warwick Davis as Nikabrik, a black dwarf
Eddie Izzard as the voice of Reepicheep, a swashbuckling mouse
Ken Stott as the voice of Trufflehunter the badger
David Walliams as the voice of the Bulgy Bear
Klara Issova as a hag
Cornell John as Glenstorm the Centaur.
o Lejla Abbasová as Windmane (Glenstorm's wife)
o Yemi Akinyemi as Ironhoof (Glenstorm's son)
o Carlos Da Silva as Suncloud (Glenstorm's son)
o Ephraim Goldin as Rainstone (Glenstorm's son)
Gomez Mussenden as Lightning Bolt, a child Centaur
Jan Pavel Filipensky as Wimbleweather the giant
Tilda Swinton as the White Witch
Shane Rangi as Asterius
Douglas Gresham as a Telmarine

Trailer Here

A Tag From Alyssa

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:42:00 +0000

:Start Copy Here::

Rule:
1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.
2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list.
3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!
5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up!
6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen, using alphas and tapes from Kate H, flowers from Ida, paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6.Because Life Is Fun 7. Piece o’Kaje 8. Mon a Bric 9. Celebrate Life 10.My Journey11. Deeply In Love 12. Pink and Brown Diaries 13. Happyheart 14. Wilstop 15. Fun|Fierce|Fab 116. The Nook 17. Dabawenyako 18. Life Away from Home 19. Wren-der 20. Darlene's Blog Site 21.YOUR BLOG!

::End Copy Here::

Thanks for the tag Alyssa... I'll tag this to Al Francis, James Vales, Radish, Kate and you if you are interested!!

Typhoon Cosme in Zambales

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:42:00 +0000

After the occurrence of a hurricane in Myanmar, China was struck by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. Now, a typhoon named Cosme attacked Zambales in Philippines.

It was announced that Zambales is under the state of calamity since typhoon Cosme destroyed more or less 700,000 homes affecting at least 38,000 families. This frightful event left residents no choice but to temporarily transfer in evacuation centers. Moreover, Cosme also lead a landslide causing roads to be closed and great flood destroying land farms.

What a frightening and terrifying news! With these reports in the air, we must be alarmed because nature is already avenging. Let's not wait for another calamity to occur and immediately take action in taking good care of our environment. We already had enough of what nature can offer. Now, It's the nature's turn to be respected and taken care of because it's God's creation and it has life of its own.

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:50:00 +0000

In our lives bad things may happen. What do I mean by "bad things"? Here, "bad things" means the events in your life where you feel that you are suffering, hurt or deeply downcast.

Some examples of "bad things" that may happen in our lives

Family is/was broken
having diagnosed with cancer
Business going down
Born with lacking body parts
Lost a loved one
Received a failing mark from school
Got fired out from a job
Severe conflict with your best friend or with your parents
Parts of your rented car were stolen
your house got ransacked

When these things happen, most often we ask ourselves "Why is it happening to me/us?" And most of the time we think and feel that God is punishing us for being bad that's why these things happen in our lives.

During one of our Sunday Youth Worship Service, a message entitled "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?" was explained to us and five reasons were provided as answers.

1st : God is Honored

Does this mean that God wants to see us suffering and in pain? Absolutely NOT! This only means that when we are agonized and yet we praise God, He is honored. The question would be WHY? God is proud of when we suffer yet we continue to praise God, that's why God is Honored.

2nd : To experience God

Whenever we feel that trials in life are attacking us, we experience God when we call on His name and ask for His help. We can feel His hand guiding our every step to be able to overcome our sufferings. However, sometimes, we only realize that we had experienced God after we have gone through the pain. And it is during this period where we can see God's purpose in our lives.

3rd : God's purpose is fulfilled

When we overcome what we have gone through in life and share our experience as a testimony of God's helping hand to others, God's purpose is fulfilled. It could be that God is using us as his instruments to let other people know of how God has helped us during the most difficult period of our lives and that He can help them too whenever they needed Him.

4th : For Maturity

To mature means that we learn from our experiences. Also, we mature spiritually. From our experiences, we learned how to pray, ask for God's help and thank Him for helping and answering our prayers. We learn how great God's conditional life is. Also, we mature in the sense that we learn the consequences of our actions.

5th : It is an opportunity to suffer for Christ

As believers, we are called to suffer for Christ. So when we are experiencing hardships it is our chance to suffer for Him.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must den himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

I hope that whenever trials, hardships and difficulties in life come our way, we still hold on to God knowing that He is greater than all the trials that may attack us.

Syesha's Out on American Idol

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:11:00 +0000

Last Wednesday, the only woman left standing on American Idol was ousted as many had predicted. Syesha Mercado, a 21-year-old actress from Sarasota, Florida got the least number of votes. For the past two months, Syesha had been one of those who got the least votes almost every week and now, she’s finally out.

The night before the elimination, each contestant sang 3 different songs. (1)The Judge’s Choice (2) The contestant’s own choice and (3) The Producer’s Choice

ROUND 1: The Judge’s Choice
Paula Abdul for David Archuleta ---> "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel
Randy Jackson for Syesha Mercado ---> "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys
Simon Cowell for David Cook ---> "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack

ROUND 2: The Contestant’s Choice
David Archuleta ---> "With You" by Chris Brown
Syesha Mercado ---> "Fever" by Peggy Lee
David Cook ---> "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot

ROUND 3: The Producer’s Choice
David Archuleta ---> "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg
Syesha Mercado ---> "Hit Me Up" by Gia Farrell
David Cook ---> "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith

My favorite performance that evening was when David Cook sang “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” because for me, the song really fit him.

The American Idol competition is getting tougher and tighter as it is down to its final two contestants. With Syesha out, the two Daves, who both had never experienced being on the bottom 3, will be competing each other next week. The teen David Archuleta versus the bartender David Cook, who will be the next American Idol?

Tragic Earthquake Took Away Thousands of Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Chengdu, China was struck by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake which knocked down buildings, schools and chemical plants. It killed over 12,000 people and buried over 18,000 people young and old. The tremor was so powerful that its shock was felt even miles away from Central China reaching Thailand and Vietnam. Thousands of rescuers came to help but still, there are thousands of bodies left buried under concrete cements and thousands of lives gone.

This event is a disastrous one. We who are not affected by this catastrophic incident must be thankful that it did not happen to us. We are lucky enough that this tragedy didn't happen in our country. Let’s pray for the victims that they will be able to recover fast and that they may feel God’s refuge hands.

My Heart Felt Emotions with JSP

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:21:00 +0000

JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology provides a simplified and fast way to create dynamic web content. It enables quick development of web-based applications that are server- and-platform-independent.

Things to remember in JSP Scripting:

<%= scripting-language-expression %>

<% scriplet %>

<%! scripting-language-declaration %>

<%@ page drectives %>

<%@ include file = " " %>

Although I’m currently enrolled as an IT student, I’m not quite familiar about JSP files. It’s just now while taking up summer classes that I was oriented about JSP. At first, I had a hard time understanding JSP codes since it was something new for me and there were new characters involved. As I went along and with the background I have on both Java and SQL, I was able to improve my understanding on JSP files since it uses Java as its primary language.

When we had a project on JSP files, I thought that it was as easy as 1, 2, 3, add a little code here and delete some there. But ooops! I was wrong. I had sleepless nights in creating our project and JSP was a witness of how angry and frustrated I was every time I don’t get the codes right. There were questions in my mind like “how to do this and that” that not even one of my group mates was able to answer. It was the time when I thought that we will not be able to submit our project. But knowing that there were plenty of us who were also having a hard time finishing our project, I didn’t lose hope. I’m thankful that with the little help from my friends, we were able to carry out our project. By the time we were able finished our project, we all felt a great relief.

With this experience I had with JSP, I can say that it’s not easy to deal with it at the beginning. It requires deeper knowledge and understanding about other languages such as HTML, Java and SQL to slowly comprehend what JSP is all about and what it can offer. But overall, learning JSP is a great experience.

My First Ever AFYOP Seminar

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:29:00 +0000

When I was invited to be an AFYOP (Ateneo First Orientation Program) facilitator, I had mixed emotions. I felt happy and excited at the same time nervous and scared. I was happy and excited because not everyone gets to have a chance to be an AFYOP facilitator. There were students who volunteered to be an AFYOP facilitator but were rejected due to certain conditions. So because of this I guess I’m lucky because I was invited. However, I felt nervous and scared because of my personality. I’m not an open person who can easily introduce myself in front of many new faces and that I’m totally not a talented dancer nor a singer. Moreover, I’m scared that I might not be a good facilitator.

Last Sunday, 11^th of May 2008, we, who were invited to be a facilitator, had our very first seminar which was a whole day activity. Before I left the house, I said to myself “This is it! Take it or Leave it!” I have to make my final decision whether to join or not. Finally, I found myself heading towards the school to for the seminar.

The seminar started off with some singing and dancing. Afterwards, in order to know other students who were also invited to be AFYOP facilitators, we had the game called “Human Bingo.” Everyone moved and talked around. This activity was followed by another activity and another and another until we were already able to make friends and know each other more. The activities didn’t stop with knowing each other which we will also be doing with the first years. We were also taught how to manage students who we call learners at the same time we were reminded that as facilitators, we FACILITATE the learners, NOT TEACH them.

When the seminar ended, I was glad because the activity was great and I was able to meet new friends. However, my fear was still there. Learning from sitting and listening is still different from actually doing it. I still don’t know if I will be able to facilitate the learners well. But I hope I will. What’s more is that I have to learn how to sing and dance. Well I hope that this AFYOP thing will really be a great experience to cherish.

What My Name Means

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:46:00 +0000

"DARLENE"

What your first name means:

English	Female	Darling. From the Old English 'dearling'.
Anglo-Saxon	Female	Tenderly loved.

Your number is: 8

The characteristics of #8 are: Practical endeavors, status oriented, power-seeking, high-material goals.

The expression or destiny for #8:

Your Expression is represented by the number 8. The 8 Expression is well-equipped in a managerial sense. You have outstanding organizational and administrative capabilities. You have the potential for considerable achievement in business or other powerful positions. You can expect to receive the financial and material rewards. You have the skill and abilities to establish or operate a business with great efficiency. You have good judgment when it comes to money and commercial matters, and you understand how to build and accumulate material wealth. Much of your success (or lack of it) may come due to your ability (or inability) to judge character. With the number 8 Expression, you exercise sound judgment in most of your affairs; you are realistic and practical in your approach to business matters.

The positive 8 Expression produces individuals that are very ambitious and goal-oriented. If the 8 energy is not in excess in your makeup, you will no doubt express these traits to some extent. No one has any more energy that a person with the 8 Expression who has a plan laid and is starting to work. No one has any more self-confidence, either. If you are expressing the positive qualities of 8, you are an outstanding manager because you can plan, initiate, and complete projects; you are very dependable and determined.

As it always happens, there can be too much of a good thing. If you have too much of the 8 energy in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes. A negative 8 can be very rigid and stubborn. Ambition sometimes has a way of becoming over-ambition, and you may express an unreasonable impatience with the lack of progress. If your negative side is showing, you may be too exacting, both of yourself and of others. Sometimes this can even becomes a case of intolerance.

The number 8 is very materialistic and also very desirous of status and power. Neither of these drives are inherently negative unless they are taken to an extreme. You must avoid the tendency to strain after money, material matters, status, or power, to the detriment of the other important factors in your life.

Your Soul Urge number is: 3

A Soul Urge number of 3 means:
With the Soul Urge number 3 your desire in life is personal expression, and generally enjoying life to its fullest. You want to participate in an active social life and enjoy a large circle of friends. You want to be in the limelight, expressing your artistic or intellectual talents. Word skills may be your thing; speaking, writing, acting, singing. In a positive sense, the 3 energy is friendly, outgoing and always very social.

You have a decidedly upbeat attitude that is rarely discouraged; a good mental and emotional balance.

The 3 Soul Urge gives intuitive insight, thus, very high creative and inspirational tendencies. The truly outstanding trait shown by the 3 Soul Urge is that of self-expression, regardless of the field of endeavor.

On the negative side, you may at times become too easygoing and too optimistic, tending to scatter forces and accomplish very little. Often, the excessive 3 energy produces non-stop talkers. Everyone has faults, but the 3 soul urge doesn't appreciate having these pointed out.

Your Inner Dream number is: 5

An Inner Dream number of 5 means:
You dream of being totally free and unrestrained by responsibility. You see yourself conversing and mingling with the natives in many nations, living for adventure and life experiences. You imagine what you might accomplished.

When some of my friends tried the source for their names, they were amazed because their names totally fit their personalities. However, when I tried it myself, I was somehow disappointed because not all of it fit my personality. Here, I can really say that the only one who truly knows me better than myself is God and there is none like Him.

source

Jason Castro Eliminated on American Idol

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:35:00 +0000

After Brooke White, once again, another good singer bids good bye from American Idol. After the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performances, Jason Castro was eliminated from American Idol.

During the performance, each contestant prepared two songs. Jason’s first song was Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” which Randy Jackson said sounded “really karaoke” and Simon Cowell called it “utterly atrocious.” For his second song, he sang Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”, but forgot the lyrics where Simon told him, “I’d pack your bags.”

After hours of voting, America decided. The dreaded moment has finally arrived for Jason Castro. He got the least number of votes and was sent home. Now, American Idol is down to three. Who among the three will be the next American Idol? Watch out for it.

Rubik's Cube

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:01:00 +0000

These days, more and more people are hooked up playing with the mechanical puzzle called Rubik's Cube. Invented in 1974, it was originally called "Magic Cube" by its inventor, Erno Rubik. It was renamed "Rubik's cube" by Ideal Toys in 1980.

Rubik's Cube comes in different sizes and tags:

2x2x2 - Mini Cube, Pocket Cube, Junior Cube
3x3x3 - Standard Cube
4x4x4 - Rubik's Revenge
5x5x5 - Proffesor's Cube

Techniques used in solving this cube depends on the solver whether her/she wants to solve it fast with lesser moves or just solve it for the sake of solving it.

Learning to solve Rubik's cube is quite difficult and confusing. But as they say, practice makes perfect.

Try solving the rubik's cube now and be one of the fastest Rubik's Cube solver in town! Enjoy solving! :)

Fido Dido in 7up Commercial

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:30:00 +0000

Created by Joanna Ferrone in , Fido Dido is a gawky, cornball and a very successful licensed character that was made to make people feel comfortable: You are what you are and what you are is okay.

Now, Fido Dido is back! From a sketch of only 15 lines, Fido has transformed itself into 3D icon of 7up commercial. With his new image, he is cooler than ever. His new commercial on 7up was taken in Singapore and this time, with Fido around, it now has effects fit for this summer season.

When I saw the commercial for the first time, for me, it didn't make any difference from other TV commercials, but when I saw Fido Dido, it caught my attention since I didn't see him for a long time. He didn't get any older but he's now in his new 3D image. Nakisabay sa uso. :)

Jewelries Online: Would You Take them? Think twice...

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Pure gold jewelries, especially those accessorized with real diamonds, as many people would say are girls’ best friend since they could make girls look beautiful. It can add up to accessorize your simple clothes and turn it in a fashionable outfit that could make you look fabulous. But the question for all jewelry lovers would be "will you dare to buy jewelries online?"
These days, many have disregarded buying these kinds of jewelries online for several reasons.

*------The Price------*
Jewelries are beautiful, but considering the product price is important. Jewelries found online usually cost higher than those found in jewelry shops. You can save your money and at the same time get the design you want when you buy from jewelry shops.
*------The return product is not reliable------*
In most cases, when a customer was able to purchase an unwanted product, they can return it. However, with jewelries, there are companies selling these that don’t allow customers to return what they have purchased.

*------It’s FAKE!------*
You’ll never know when the jewelries you have purchased online is real or not until the time that you already have them in your hands. Lucky for those who were able to purchase the real ones, but for those who didn’t, a great deal of money will be lost from you and it would really lead to neglect and depression.

I hope that with these possible risks, we will be cautious of the jewelries we purchase online.

May 1, International Labors' Day

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:51:00 +0000

May 1 is regarded as a legal holiday for most countries around the globe to commemorate the fight for the eight hour day.

It started in 1884 when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada passed a resolution which states that eight hours would compose a legal day's work starting May 1, 1886 because workers then were forced to work for more than ten hours a day. The resolution called for a general strike to achieve the goal.

Today we must celebrate because thanks to the resolution, laborers are no longer forced to work for more than ten hours a day.

Hero : My Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:41:00 +0000

In Ancient China, Nameless (Jet Li), who is a prefect of a small jurisdiction, arrives at the Emperor's palace. There, he was only allowed to stay 100 paces away from the Emperor (Chen Daoming) because the Emperor was protecting himself from assassins which is also why he is always wearing his battle armor. Nameless was said to be the one who killed the Emperor's most feared enemies which impressed the Emperor. As Nameless placed the weapons of the assassins Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), Broken Sword (Tony Leung) and Sky (Donnie Yen) before the Emperor and as he told him how he was able to killed them, he was permitted to come closer and closer to the Emperor until he was only 10 paces away from him.

After telling the story, the Emperor conveyed a disbelief in Nameless's story and accussed him of asking the three of them to surrender their lives so that he will be able to enter the Emperor's palace.
Nameless agreed to what the Emperor accused him and confessed that he worked together with the assassins. However, it was Broken sword who convinced Nameless not to kill the Emperor by writing on the sand "All under heaven", explaining that killing the Emperor would destroy the hope of having universal peace.
The Emperor, deeply moved by Broken sword's understanding of his true intentions, throws his sword to Nameless and carefully examined Sword's calligraphy behind him. By the time Nameless understood the true meaning of the words, he left the Emperor alive. As he stands in the locked gates of the palace, the Emperor hesitantly ordered the soldiers to execute Nameless with hail of arrows to set as an example and uphold his laws. Nameless was buried as a hero and an ending text states that Emperor of Qin was able to unite the Middle Kingdom and completed the Great Wall of China to protect themselves.

The movie is outstanding for its actions, movements and effects. The story was told with the use of flashback which made the story easy to understand. Different colors were dominant as the story of how Nameless was able to kill the three assassin was told. First was red, this was when Nameless told the Emperor how he killed the three of them, followed by blue which was when the Emperor told Nameless what he thinks really happened, and white, which was when Nameless was telling the Emperor of what really happened. I believe that these colors are very symbolic and they also captured my attention. Also, the beautiful scenes added the beauty of the movie.

For more information, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_%282002_film%29