A friend sms this nice thought.
"Someday, we'll forget the pain that caused tears and why we cried. We would finally realize that the secret of being free is not revenge but letting things unfold in their own ways and that life is simply a blank book. After all, what matters is not the first but the last chapter which shows how well we ran the race."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Crazy about Aamir Khan
After watching "3 idiots" I tried to google Aamir Khan. I was pretty impressed by his performance and how he looked so boyish in that film though he is in his 40s. I watched Dhobi Ghat in Youtube. I also watched the trailer of Delhi Belly and news about him. hahahha. I even signed up to his blog. The guy is smart and witty.
Enough of Bollywood, I have to resume my Mandarin tutorial. :)
Where does all the money go? (Part 2)
Amid the economic crisis affecting capitalist nation like US and European countries, China's economy is soaring. As a proof, Senator Chiz Escudero said in an interview that US President Barack Obama sought the advice of China's Premier Wen Jiabao about the economy. Escudero attended the World Economic Forum in Dalian City in China and Premier Wen mentioned in his speech that indeed Obama asked for advice. The advice given was "open your economy to Chinese entrepreneurs."
We can't deny that fact as everywhere China products proliferate, from clothing, food, electronics, and whatever you can think of. I remember one joke of Russel Peter about the Indians, Chinese and Jews. He said that if Louie Vuitton (did I spell it correctly?) store is on sale Indian people will go inside the store and just look around. Jews won't even bother to have a look at on sale items knowing LV is pricey. Chinese will surely go inside the store and when the sales clerks aren't looking they will take snaps of the items and send the designs to China for reproduction. Chinese create a cheaper LV or imitations. Philippines is a market of these cheap imitations and other Asian countries.
I read an article last week about an American journalist who wanted to experiment if her family can survive without using/eating China made products. She said that she has to travel far just to find things that aren't imported from China. She found it expensive if items were not produced from China.
I remember that some Filipinos suggested we boycott China products during the heated debate on Spratly islands. But based from the chronicles of the American journalist it is tough to boycott China products. However, there is a positive side to Philippine economy if we do this. We will be patronizing our own products. With the open trade policy in the Philippines, small entrepreneurs are competing head on with China imports (which are most of the time cheaper).
Enough on the talk about economy. Typhoon Pedring is lashing out its fury outside my window. Some areas in Dagupan City were flooded. But am grateful that Pedring isn't as stronger as Typhoon Ondoy. Pedring is on its way out of the country and heading Cambodia.
We can't deny that fact as everywhere China products proliferate, from clothing, food, electronics, and whatever you can think of. I remember one joke of Russel Peter about the Indians, Chinese and Jews. He said that if Louie Vuitton (did I spell it correctly?) store is on sale Indian people will go inside the store and just look around. Jews won't even bother to have a look at on sale items knowing LV is pricey. Chinese will surely go inside the store and when the sales clerks aren't looking they will take snaps of the items and send the designs to China for reproduction. Chinese create a cheaper LV or imitations. Philippines is a market of these cheap imitations and other Asian countries.
I read an article last week about an American journalist who wanted to experiment if her family can survive without using/eating China made products. She said that she has to travel far just to find things that aren't imported from China. She found it expensive if items were not produced from China.
I remember that some Filipinos suggested we boycott China products during the heated debate on Spratly islands. But based from the chronicles of the American journalist it is tough to boycott China products. However, there is a positive side to Philippine economy if we do this. We will be patronizing our own products. With the open trade policy in the Philippines, small entrepreneurs are competing head on with China imports (which are most of the time cheaper).
Enough on the talk about economy. Typhoon Pedring is lashing out its fury outside my window. Some areas in Dagupan City were flooded. But am grateful that Pedring isn't as stronger as Typhoon Ondoy. Pedring is on its way out of the country and heading Cambodia.
Monday, September 26, 2011
God in Control
I started to pray and read the Bible in the morning and before going to bed but sometimes there are distractions. I fall prey with these distractions and I just say my prayers and neglect reading God's word. The other night, I told myself to wake up and read the Bible because I was too tired to read and I can't focus. So what happened to me was I had difficulty sleeping and I fell asleep at 3am! I guess if I got up and read the Bible I could have a good sleep after that.
Tonight I decided to sleep early (at 11pm). I fell asleep for 30 minutes and then woke up. Since sleeping muse isn't visiting me I decided to pray for people whom I remembered and opened my laptop to blog. Unfortunately, I could not connect with Smartbro. I thought maybe after reading the Bible, I can connect to the internet. So I read one chapter of the book Mark and then tried to connect to the internet again. Guess what, I got a smooth connection to the internet! Early in the evening I had trouble opening YM and Gmail but this time it was smooth. I am happy that God is showing me He is in control and directing me what to do.
Tonight I decided to sleep early (at 11pm). I fell asleep for 30 minutes and then woke up. Since sleeping muse isn't visiting me I decided to pray for people whom I remembered and opened my laptop to blog. Unfortunately, I could not connect with Smartbro. I thought maybe after reading the Bible, I can connect to the internet. So I read one chapter of the book Mark and then tried to connect to the internet again. Guess what, I got a smooth connection to the internet! Early in the evening I had trouble opening YM and Gmail but this time it was smooth. I am happy that God is showing me He is in control and directing me what to do.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Where does all the money go?
News headline: Global Economic Crunch.
For so many months now there is so much talk about US economy crumbling and European nations buried in debt.
Everybody is talking about recession and economic crises but nobody knows where does all the money go. If we talk about losing money a lot then someone is hoarding or raking in most of the money. I asked a doctor the other week what nation is getting richer. He said no one. But that's impossible, if one is getting poorer then naturally someone is getting richer. I told him it could be Vatican that's getting richer. Or it could be China (we see China-made products all over the nations). Two years ago, one columnist postulates it could be India (maybe because they are cunning people?).
Who do you think is getting richer?
Media write a lot about falling economy but never mention who is getting richer. Other nations could learn about a thing or two from progressive nations.
There is one economy that will never go into recession and that is God's economy. Whatever happens to the world, God provides for His people. I don't worry about rising prices even though my own salary is static because I rely on God's providence.
For so many months now there is so much talk about US economy crumbling and European nations buried in debt.
Everybody is talking about recession and economic crises but nobody knows where does all the money go. If we talk about losing money a lot then someone is hoarding or raking in most of the money. I asked a doctor the other week what nation is getting richer. He said no one. But that's impossible, if one is getting poorer then naturally someone is getting richer. I told him it could be Vatican that's getting richer. Or it could be China (we see China-made products all over the nations). Two years ago, one columnist postulates it could be India (maybe because they are cunning people?).
Who do you think is getting richer?
Media write a lot about falling economy but never mention who is getting richer. Other nations could learn about a thing or two from progressive nations.
There is one economy that will never go into recession and that is God's economy. Whatever happens to the world, God provides for His people. I don't worry about rising prices even though my own salary is static because I rely on God's providence.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Dhobi Ghat
Impressed by Aamir Khan's performance in the film "3 Idiots" I watched also his latest film "Dhobi Ghat" (Mumbai Diaries).
The movie revolves around a painter (Arun) who found video tapes of a newly married gal in his new apartment. The girl committed suicide due to husband's philandering, a budding photographer (Shai) who fancied the Painter, and a dhobi (laundryman) named Munna who's in love with the rich budding photographer. The film shows poverty and love.
The actors are all good but I didn't like the plot. I watched the film thru YouTube.
I asked an Indian colleague what does Dhobi Ghat mean? He said dhobi refers to laundryman and dhobi ghat refers to the area where they wash the clothes.
I was thinking if the Dhoby Ghaut area in Singapore has Indian origin since there are lots of Indian migrants in Singapore. I googled it and I was right! Dhoby Ghaut is Dhobi Ghat.
The movie revolves around a painter (Arun) who found video tapes of a newly married gal in his new apartment. The girl committed suicide due to husband's philandering, a budding photographer (Shai) who fancied the Painter, and a dhobi (laundryman) named Munna who's in love with the rich budding photographer. The film shows poverty and love.
The actors are all good but I didn't like the plot. I watched the film thru YouTube.
I asked an Indian colleague what does Dhobi Ghat mean? He said dhobi refers to laundryman and dhobi ghat refers to the area where they wash the clothes.
I was thinking if the Dhoby Ghaut area in Singapore has Indian origin since there are lots of Indian migrants in Singapore. I googled it and I was right! Dhoby Ghaut is Dhobi Ghat.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
3 Idiots
Last week I watched the Bollywood movie "3 Idiots" as recommended by Miggy. He warned me that it might be boring at the start but it was a good movie and a very long one (runtime is 3 hours!).
"It's ok, I am familiar with Bollywood movies because there are lots of intermission (dance numbers) and sub-plots, " I replied. I told him I love Bollywood and can understand a bit of Hindi especially if it's cuss words. :))
The story is about great friendship and passion for excellence. The casts of the movie were Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Omi Vaidya, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani. According to my research the film is loosely based on the novel, 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat. Aamir Khan was the lead actor and he was good performing his role Rancho.
The friendship of three young men started in Imperial College of Engineering. A university that focuses on getting high score rather than instilling the skill on its students. Rancho ( Aamir Khan) tried to change this system. He argued with his professors on how they teach and attended any subjects he wants regardless it is not part of the syllabi for his current year. He thirst for knowledge but didn't just rely on lectures of his professors. He tried to explore and discover new things. One quotable quote from Rancho: " Pursue excellence first and success will follow you pants down." :)
I love the character of Rancho so much as a friend and a student. He exemplified what a true friend is. He showed in the film that he was willing to sacrifice his future (getting good score and passing the exam) when a friend direly needs him (Raju). Raju's father almost died of a lung disease but Rancho quickly came to rescue. He strapped the old man to his body and rode his scooter to the hospital. The doctors said if it them longer to take the old man to the hospital he could have died. It was examination the following for the three guys but Fahran and Rancho stayed with their friend Raju to watch the old man.
Another incident was when Raju jumped from the 3rd floor of the school building upon learning he is going to be expelled for misconduct (peeing on the door of the Director's house) and was unconscious for so many months he didn't give up on him. He was there to cheer the patient even when he was not conscious.
The movie was hilarious but it was done in tasteful manner not the slapstick way. The same night I watched it the first time, I watched it TWICE. The following day, I watched again. :))
"It's ok, I am familiar with Bollywood movies because there are lots of intermission (dance numbers) and sub-plots, " I replied. I told him I love Bollywood and can understand a bit of Hindi especially if it's cuss words. :))
The story is about great friendship and passion for excellence. The casts of the movie were Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Omi Vaidya, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani. According to my research the film is loosely based on the novel, 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat. Aamir Khan was the lead actor and he was good performing his role Rancho.
The friendship of three young men started in Imperial College of Engineering. A university that focuses on getting high score rather than instilling the skill on its students. Rancho ( Aamir Khan) tried to change this system. He argued with his professors on how they teach and attended any subjects he wants regardless it is not part of the syllabi for his current year. He thirst for knowledge but didn't just rely on lectures of his professors. He tried to explore and discover new things. One quotable quote from Rancho: " Pursue excellence first and success will follow you pants down." :)
I love the character of Rancho so much as a friend and a student. He exemplified what a true friend is. He showed in the film that he was willing to sacrifice his future (getting good score and passing the exam) when a friend direly needs him (Raju). Raju's father almost died of a lung disease but Rancho quickly came to rescue. He strapped the old man to his body and rode his scooter to the hospital. The doctors said if it them longer to take the old man to the hospital he could have died. It was examination the following for the three guys but Fahran and Rancho stayed with their friend Raju to watch the old man.
Another incident was when Raju jumped from the 3rd floor of the school building upon learning he is going to be expelled for misconduct (peeing on the door of the Director's house) and was unconscious for so many months he didn't give up on him. He was there to cheer the patient even when he was not conscious.
The movie was hilarious but it was done in tasteful manner not the slapstick way. The same night I watched it the first time, I watched it TWICE. The following day, I watched again. :))
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Shopping in Bangkok
Hongkong and Bangkok are both known as shopping mecca but if you are looking for quantity and culture the latter would be a great choice. HK on other hand offer branded items. I chose BKK over HK as I love Thai food and my money can go a long way there.
Like any other girl I love to shop but when you are buying for other people it is a dilemma. I had difficult time deciding which items to buy because am not sure if other people will like it. I can't go by what I like.
I discovered new malls that offer various trendy designs in different sizes (not free size). City Complex and Krung Thong Plaza are better shopping malls compare to Platinum Mall. The only thing I hate about City Complex is the escalator. It's confusing where to locate the escalator. It was not built in the usual way we expect where to find escalator going down. I had to circle the whole floor every time I want to go up or down. In the end, I got tired and went home. I didnt attempt anymore to chech 3rd and 4th floors.
I met also a Pinoy traveler who mentioned that there is an area like our own Divisoria where you can find raw materials and lots of bags on sale. Another lady mentioned another mall that offer cheaper fashion finds. Planning to connect with this lady on my next trip to the shopping haven.
The Pratunam market offers cheaper price compare to Platinum Mall, Krung Thong and City Complex but the quality of the clothes are not all good. It is trendy and hip but the fabric used are of medium standard or lower.
Chatuchak Market or JJ market, the weekend bazaar, is also good to check out because they offer not just clothes and bags but house decors, plants, animals and other knick knacks. I find the prices of clothes a bit touristy but I got some skirts there that I didn't see in City Complex, Krung Thong Plaza or Pratunam market. It's worth checking out the market.
Like any other girl I love to shop but when you are buying for other people it is a dilemma. I had difficult time deciding which items to buy because am not sure if other people will like it. I can't go by what I like.
I discovered new malls that offer various trendy designs in different sizes (not free size). City Complex and Krung Thong Plaza are better shopping malls compare to Platinum Mall. The only thing I hate about City Complex is the escalator. It's confusing where to locate the escalator. It was not built in the usual way we expect where to find escalator going down. I had to circle the whole floor every time I want to go up or down. In the end, I got tired and went home. I didnt attempt anymore to chech 3rd and 4th floors.
I met also a Pinoy traveler who mentioned that there is an area like our own Divisoria where you can find raw materials and lots of bags on sale. Another lady mentioned another mall that offer cheaper fashion finds. Planning to connect with this lady on my next trip to the shopping haven.
The Pratunam market offers cheaper price compare to Platinum Mall, Krung Thong and City Complex but the quality of the clothes are not all good. It is trendy and hip but the fabric used are of medium standard or lower.
Chatuchak Market or JJ market, the weekend bazaar, is also good to check out because they offer not just clothes and bags but house decors, plants, animals and other knick knacks. I find the prices of clothes a bit touristy but I got some skirts there that I didn't see in City Complex, Krung Thong Plaza or Pratunam market. It's worth checking out the market.
 |
| Platinum Mall on the right and opposite is Krung Thong Plaza and City Complex |
 |
| Chatuchak |
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Another sleepless night
I am wide awake at 1 o'clock in the morning. I got home from prayer meeting at 11pm. Happiness is making me sleepless tonight. Something that has bothered me for quite a long time (for almost a year) is finally over. I can't resist to write down my feelings and thoughts over it. I am happy that the Lord has answered my prayers. I can move on with my journey. I got stuck with it for a long while and I thought it was hindering the blessings of the Lord. That something though has helped me change and become a better Christian.
I thank God for all the challenges I have gone through and am going through. The song says "in the good times, praise His name...in the bad times, praise His name."
I thank God for all the challenges I have gone through and am going through. The song says "in the good times, praise His name...in the bad times, praise His name."
Thursday, September 1, 2011
-berrrr
Welcome September! This marks the start of the fourth quarter of the year and start of the holiday season in Philippines. Christmas carols will be played on radios and some will start to deck up with Christmas decors.
For me, this means am going to add another year to my age soon. I was born in the month of November. October follows the month of September and November follows the month of October. Before we knew it, it's the year of 2012! How time flies so fast.
For me, this means am going to add another year to my age soon. I was born in the month of November. October follows the month of September and November follows the month of October. Before we knew it, it's the year of 2012! How time flies so fast.
Corruption in India
India's parliament gave in to Anna Hazare's anti-corruption demands. The lawmakers are drafting a bill now as response to Hazare's.
This will go down the history of India. Hazare's commitment to reform Indian system is inspiring but the ways might be exploited by others to achieve self-serving causes. Indian government does not want to create a precedence and undermine social democracy, hence, it took 12 days to respond. Hazare's cause is noble so I believe it is ok to give to his demand.
This will go down the history of India. Hazare's commitment to reform Indian system is inspiring but the ways might be exploited by others to achieve self-serving causes. Indian government does not want to create a precedence and undermine social democracy, hence, it took 12 days to respond. Hazare's cause is noble so I believe it is ok to give to his demand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)