I'm going to the WordCamp

I've been blogging for God-knows-how-long.  In the same length of time, I've heard of WordPress.  I never really found out what the big difference is between that and this blog but I've heard that it's the future of blogging.

Maybe I've had enough of free-today-not-so-free-tomorrow blog sites, so I am not going to start learning WordPress.  Luckily, there's this one-day camp organized by the Mindanao Bloggers Forum  that will teach me all about it called WordCamp on 6 September 2008 at the College of St. Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila.  I'm at zero-level on programming, but hey, I've got to start somewhere, right?



You know the nice thing about this camp?  It's absolutely free, thanks to some generous sponsors:

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals
• Free Online Flash Games
• Wazzup Manila Philippines
• Real Estate CRM
• Real Estate Website Designers
• Orange County Real Estate
• Auto Insurance Quotes
• Lane Systems Inc.
• RedMedia
• Orange County Business Lawyer

So... see you there? =)K

Watch Simple Plan, Jamie Scott & The Town, and New Found Glory

Get a chance to watch Simple Plan, Jamie Scott & The Town, and New Found Glory all in one night of slammin’ rock ‘n roll at the Araneta Coliseum on August 4, 2008 8:00pm.

Visit TitikPilipino.Com

It's the little things...

Have you ever had that kind of day when you're told you failed one important exam (simply because you just screwed up) right after you took one and before you're to take another one, and you had fever the night before and your head hurts and your ears ring because of the colds but you had to go through a very noisy meeting of people who just had to shout instead of sitting still?  Sounds quite miserable, right?

Yup, that was Friday this week.  To top it all off, the last test -- which was my only Saturday class in a school that takes me 1.5 hours to commute to (one way) -- was postponed (again).

So Saturday evening, I was shaking off concepts in Child and Adolescent Psychology and thinking hard about ways I can prepare for the upcoming deadline for my daughter's tuition installment, I boarded a bus going home.  It was full considering it was the Saturday equivalent of the rush hour (7pm through Quiapo, Centerpoint, Greenhils, etc.) so I braced myself to stand for a good length of the ride.  This elderly couple with two children made room for me. I sat thanking them and soon realized they gave me more than just a seat on this ride.

The couple were obviously the grandparents, because at one point, the Lola asked the girl what her dad's work schedule was, to which she answered singing with "Umaga... mag-exercise tayo tuwing umaga, tuwing umaga, tuwing umaga..."  That brought a smile.  She was humming or singing all her answers.  Obviously, this six-year old was pretty happy about something.

After a while, the baby, who was about 8 months old, became a bit testy and the Lolo, who was holding it, didn't know what to do.  The girl proceeded to nozzle the baby's neck.  It giggled and made other happy noises.  Maybe the girl got tired of reaching over after while, so she simply pointed out to the baby that there was a train (LRT) and the baby made sounds as if to talk about it.  That interaction was so nice to see, and it made me think my own daughter might be the same way to a sibling if she had one.

Later, the Lola told the girl that they weren't sure if the kids wanted to go with them so they were keeping quiet about asking.  She said," Ayaw naming magsalita kasi mahirap na."  The girl's response?  "Ok lang po.  Sanay na kami sa hirap e."  And then she went on singing again.

That hit home.  For a few seconds, I forgot what pained me and just basked in the happy thoughts of a little girl so excited about spending the weekend with her grandparents.  They weren't rich people.  The couple wore faded clothes and their bags were bursting at the seams.  The little girl and the baby were wearing ternos and the girl was wearing dangling earrings that reached her small shoulders.  The contrast apparently didn't matter to little girl.  She was going ro spend the weekend with Lolo and Lola and her little sibling, and that was enough to send her singing her responses to her grannies.

She is right too: focus on the moment, especially if it's very good.  There is still time, I simply should just take it one step at a time though taking care not to lag.  

Step one:  relax.  
Step two:  don't panic.
Step Three:  focus.

Easier said than done, I say...

=)K

Joketime: My Favorite Things for Old People

I got this from an email that said it was Julie Andrews who sang it at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP on her 69th birthday.  A quick google on the subject revealed that this was a hoax though.  In any case, the lyrics are funny.

(Sing It!)
- If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Warning vs Scammer

To all those who may have received the email below, pls note that a quick search on Google shows that the alleged "secretary,"  Mr.Christian Ajai of Cotonou,Benin Republic has been tagged as a scammer.  (See http://www.delphifaq.com/faq/russian_marriage_scams/f1534.shtml?p=193)

Besides, we all know that such amounts could only be in a scam for us poor mortals...

I wonder if Mr. Edwards knows his name is being used...

=)K

original email----------------------------------------------------------

From: "william edward" <williamedward1@gala.net>
Subject: Good news contact my secretary today.


My good friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?,I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another foreign partner from Isreal
who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort,sincerity,courage
and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction.I have
left a certified international bank cheque worth of $1,200, 000.00 cashable
anywhere in the world for you.

Contact my secretary Mr.Christian Ajai in Cotonou,Benin Republic.His email
address is christianajai3@yahoo.fr he will send the check to you.You should
send him your full Name and telephone number/Your currect mailing address
where you want him to send the cheque to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear you.

William Edwards.

Joketime: English...tragically.

I got these pics on my email and the subject header said "made in China." Although I would not say that the Chinese do not know how to speak in english, I would also say that there is a big possibility that there will be those who wouldn't be good at it. Sa dinami ba naman ng mga Intsik e, malamang may magagaling at malamang meron ding banban, devah? In any case, even in a country with English as a second language (like our very own Philippines) we still have people who fall through the cracks... although in China those cracks would be equivalent to canyons considering the size of the population.

Anyway, here are some funny ways of translating public signs... Enjoy!

=)K