my friend said that in order to succeed in the profession we are currently pursuing we need to set aside our emotions...what we need is determination and discpline- and I think he is right.

God fortify me to go on...bless me with wisdom to understand my purpose.
Inspire me with your words...comfort me with your love and compassion.
Give me courage to continue despite the impending storm..
Help me to be a person like you are...

"It is when what you have is not enough to cover your needs but you still choose to give it away for others whom you think need it the most...-I guess is the ultimate measure of one's bounty."

Benefits from coffee

Since 2004, I have been very dependent in drinking coffee- once, twice or even more than to start my day or somehow boost my energy during day and night in which I am compelled to be awake.
In my lifestyle it is inevitable not to stay late at night and I find drinking coffee very reliable to help me do my other stuffs. It makes me at peace to know that drinking coffee has indeed a lot benefits to one's health and has erased my notion that coffee is no good at all. I have read that coffee has a lot of perks in our health which is good to know especially that I will find it difficult to chunk it out my system.
According to a spate of recent studies moderate coffee drinking may lower the risk of colon cancer, gallstones, and cirrhosis of the liver. Coffee has been linked to reducing the incidence of Diabetes, and has recently been touted as being high in antioxidants as well. Studies also shows that coffee is no.1 source of Antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in foods that can prevent or slow oxidative damage to our body. When our cells utilize oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals which can cause damage to other cells. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and hence prevent and repair damage inflicted by these free radicals. The evidence is strong that regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease and that benefit is directly related to the caffeine. Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found how coffee can reduce the risk of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain. It is often triggered by alcohol consumption which causes digestive enzymes to digest part of the pancreas. Some research also shows that the compound ‘caffeine’ present in the coffee is considered to be a mind acceleration mood booster which increases the mental performance. The compound caffeine stimulates the attention span, reaction time, concentration and acuity with numbers. Even a small amount of caffeine, about 32 mg in a five ounce cup of coffee can give you a large amount of energy and mental boost. Caffeine can actually move to your brain within 25 to 30 minutes and lasts unto six hours. I have visited a site and read that Caffeine is often added to pain medications because it improves their absorption and increases their pain killing effect. A caffeine in a strong cup of coffee can help relieve a migraine or even end it if consumed in the very early stage of a headache. It is known that substances that dilate blood vessels, like alcohol, can cause vascular headaches. Substances that constrict blood vessels, like caffeine, can help counter the painful effects of blood vessel dilation in the head.

***So enjoy a cup of coffee everyday!

HOW TO MAKE A CUPCAKE

Easy Cupcake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose in life.
• 1 1/3 cups effort
• 3 teaspoons determination
• 1/2 teaspoon perseverance
• 1/2 cup courage
• 1 cup faith
• 1 teaspoon hope
• 2 large patience (one is extra)

Directions:

1. Prepare yourself to a heat of 350 degrees. It'll take a lot of sweat but it will be worth it, later.
2. Line up your priorities, in order, in cupcake pans with paper liners.
3. Combine dreams, effort, determination, and perseverance in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add courage, faith, and hope.
5. Beat for 1 minute on consistent focus. Don't mind the muscle pain. It will be worth it!
6. Scrape side of bowl with discipline.
7. Add Patience to the mixture.
8. Beat again for 1 minute on consistent focus. Disregard the muscle pain. It will be worth it!
9. Scrape bowl again with more discipline.
10. Beat on high focus for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed. It may take a lot of sacrifice...but it will be worth it!
11. Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.
12. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
13. Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely. Relax coz you deserve some pat on the back and a big time break.
14. Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with a positive attitude or decorate with a grateful heart, as you desire.
15. Cupcakes are best when shared with others...it will give you a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

altruism

If only people could be altruistic rather than self-centered...then life would be less complicated and stressful.

BOOKFAIR @ SMX

Though it was not in my plan(budget) to purchase something other than the necessary expenses for the week, I went to SMX (with Sheila) with an initial purpose to window shop, but unfortunately that initial purpose faded away as I was eaten by temptation to augment my book collection.
First step, I was going gaga.
Second step, I was already having a rough estimate on how should I go about my allowance.
More steps, Sheila and I went on our seperate ways so that we will have our own moment choosing the books we want.
I went home with:

THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW by Bienvenido Tan, Jr.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the philippines
The Rulemakers (how the wealthy and well-off dominate the congress)
Rizal without the overcoat by Ambeth Ocampo
Sorry to burst your bubble by Yay



Luckily, I was able to have a small talk with the author of "sorry to bust..." and she even wrote a note on my copy.
Actually, I was not supposed to buy the book as I was already done with my shopping and was about to go out, then.
However, when I've learned (overheard) that the book was featured in 700 club (lately it has been part of my routine to watch it for inspiring words before I sleep), it caught my interest and I decided to stop and grab the book to (just) take a quick read and basically to know what it's all about....on my third turn of the page I told myself I should be sorry if I leave the fair without a copy.
It's about purpose in life and overcoming challenges in achieving one's dream.

I have been wanting to have a book which tackles about political clans in the Philippines and I guess, it's perfect that I got the copy of The Rule Makers. It has statistics of families/clans who have dominated congress...it even provided some sort of chart on how one is related to another.
This is interesting, I guess as this will show how money and name works to be in a position. Who rules and how this opportunity was laid to them.

I never even had a second thought of buying "Rizal without the under cover" as I am a fan of Rizal. When I scanned through the pages I couldn't stop myself from closing it. For a minute that I have scanned through it, it made me a fan not only of Rizal but of Ambeth Ocampo as well. I just so love how his essays make history as the new must-have-book in everyone's bag.

After finals, I will definitely indulge myself!...Though I must confess that I already scanned all of them...inticing myself all the more. But of course I shall "focus" on hurdling the finals...and that should be my primordial interest for now ( trying to convince myself )

Who knows Best?

Maria was asked by her Mother what gift she would want to have on her birthday.
Maria abruptly replied " Mom, I want a red-high-heeled shoes!".
The Mother promised that she would buy her the said shoes.

The morning after, Maria was jubilantly jumping on her bed holding the Red-high-heeled shoes her Mother promised to buy.

The youngest, upon seeing this rejoice went to the Mother and asked the same Red-High-Heeled shoes, to which the Mother said " No, Sorry... I can't buy you ".

The youngest went to the corner and cried.
"You know Mom you are so unfair! Why Maria always gets what she wants! She's really your favorite! I so hate her!", the youngest uttered in dismay and with so much jealousy to Maria.

The Mother went near...and gave a long embrace...then said " Junior, I will just buy you a rubber shoes, instead...."

Like a Mother, God knows (better) how to answer our prayers...
He grants prayer that is GOOD for us...
We just have to TRUST.

Last Sunday, we were so eager to know what was the first question for Political Law...someone uttered something like "Hard Law and Soft Law". Then everybody was taken aback (at least for a moment) the short silence was followed by laughters and spontaneous spiels. It may seem as typical objective question expected to be answered abruptly, (I wonder if that would be the scenario for others who have just encountered the word right there and then) but then it seems otherwise...well for us. To be honest, I have not encountered this (not blaming anyone...not even my references, though) until last sunday, I guess. Nevertheless, this has triggered my goosebumps all the more...a sad manifestation that I am not yet (really) that equipped. This is one sad part of hurdling any exams...just when you thought you could pass, if not perfect, an exam...one simple question, if not too foreign, could make you dead loss. It certainly would drag your spirit...worst is your dream. Just like any wise man would always say- Never feel that you are TOO good on something...coz if you do, there won't be a space for more learnings/improvements. Confidence, however, is another page of the book. We should not stop from learning (everyday). Little knowledge of everything is dangerous. We shouldn't allow ourselves to be stuck in the phase of being a mediocre. We should aim high..and we should work hard to completely attain it. Setting a standard for ourselves does pay. It is great to be good at what we do...or shall I say, it is good to be great at what we do.

They say that the easiest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. What is then the easiest way to a woman's heart?

Emotional Vampires

Bitch is a term for the female of a canine species in general. It is also frequently used as a term for a malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant person, especially a woman. This second meaning has been in use since around 1400. When used to describe a male, it may also confer the meaning of "subordinate", especially to another male, as in prison. Generally, this term is used to indicate that the person is acting outside the confines of their gender roles, such as when women are assertive or aggressive, or when men are passive or servile. More recent variants of bitch are bitchy, ill-tempered (1925), and to bitch, to complain (1930). ----WIKIPEDIA

**They intentionally or unintentionally say things in the most unexpected or expected, brutal, tactless, sarcastic, alarming, scandalous, malicious and libelous way... sometimes they just do it for the heck of hurting, vexing, or humiliating someone....or at times out of boredom.
**They know very well how to irritate someone.
**They get irritated easily.
** Respect is not found in their dictionary.
**Their anger has a very mean manifestations. They certainly know how to get back!
**They feel superior to everyone...irrespective of gender.
**They are never wrong! Attempt to dissent will just put one's life to misery/hell.

A spoiled brat (alternatively spelled spoilt brat) is a child who believes that they are superior to others around them, usually as a result of their parents and/or other educators systematically failing to teach socially acceptable behavior and discipline. The term also carries the connotation of the child's being privileged, as well as seldom being subjected to consequences of their actions. However, a child could be perfectly behaved and still be called a brat in a derogatory manner. ----WIKIPEDIA

** Naturally whimsical and arbitrary. Just imagine how it could be if they are seeing you as a hindrance. Don't expect that they will even care for your damn feelings. What matters to them is to get what they want in the way they wanted it to be...or in any way possible..by all means.
** Since they always want to be the best and to have the best of both worlds, your being "in" could be a disadvantage more than an advantage as you may appear to be a potential rival in the limelight. They see you with a flashing signboard on your forehead, a warning signal to their popularity radar.
** Impatient.
** conceited.
** Their fetish is fame/people's approval
** Tantrums has many manifestations....depending on the age of the bratty.
** Being a brat doesn't necessarily mean being a richie! I guess, it's in the upbringing.

Control freak is a derogatory term for a person who attempts to dictate how everything around them is done. It can also refer to someone with a limited number of things that they want done a specific way; professor of clinical psychology Les Parrott wrote that "Control Freaks are people who care more than you do about something and won't stop at being pushy to get their way."
In some cases, the control freak sees their constant intervention as beneficial or even necessary; this can be caused by feelings of superiority, believing that others are incapable of handling matters properly, or the fear that things will go wrong if they don't attend to every detail. In other cases, they may simply enjoy the feeling of power it gives them so much that they automatically try to gain control of everything around them. ----WIKIPEDIA

** If you are the kiss-the-ass type...well,good for you! You could even be their favorite.
**These people feel that the world is their slave.
**Minding other's business is their fetish. They feel comfortable if they have the touch of everything. They feel so great that they subconsciously wanted to do everything.
**They are neither impressed nor satisfied...but always disappointed and hysterical when things don't turn out right.
** (Very) Proficient in blaming and pinpointing games.
**Certified Editors and Auditors and highlighters of other's err/mishaps.

in the wilderness

Outside our home is a place called forest...
you could be a prey....or a beast feasting for a prey...
you could be a poisonous berry to deceive many...or you could be a flower to make a difference...
In this place...I have learned to struggle. To cry for the pain. To fear the wilds. To fear everything even my own shadow. To doubt myself. To almost got crazy. To hide for safety. To heal my own wounds. To disregard the marks. To wipe my tears and to stop its falling. To improvise my own weapons. To fear no more. To stand up and to fight for my survival....

Being stranded in to it has nevertheless taught me to value my life...more than anything else.
More beast may attempt to my existence...but fear has no place
for I know how to fight...

another way towards it..

I believe that God has His ways on leading us towards our destination. The ways may be apparent or may be profound and at times we run out of capabilities to comprehend...but whatever those ways are at the end God is just leading us to a better way to successfully reach our itinerary.

I am guilty of losing my patience and strength sometimes...of almost giving up...of forgetting that God is with me in my journey....but I am proud that though I went through all those temptations...I never doubted God's intention. Though I've been weak..I've never allowed myself to completely succumb to the devil's temptation - to give up!

Through out the process (of which I called -my maturity), though I stumbled a lot of times, I always cling to God and in one way or another, those experiences have stregthened my faith (more than my personality).

In our life, I know there is no precise route to reach our goals and along the way there will be some constructions and detour/reroute. Those things shouldn't stop us from travelling. Either we take the long or short cut, what's important is we follow God's way towards our destination....towards our goal. It only takes a DECISION...and FAITH- to God and to ourselves.

I would be unhappy if i grow old...alone. Well, one could be single but not alone.
I have seen people who need companions more than their companions need him/her.
I pity those who at their age should have established atleast a family, if not circle of friends, to accompany them in times of their need to celebrate goodness of life...but turned out to establish neither.
As the saying goes " sieze the day!" we shouldn't forget to make the most out of the day we have ... let us not deprive ourselves the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy life-to the fullest. Some are merely focused on how to reach their goal or destination, forgetting that they also have a life to live. I always believe that "it is not the destination...it's the journey". There are few who have gotten their biggest goal...but sad to say, remain lost and unhappy. They've realized that they have wasted their entire life making the impossible things possible...when all what they need was just to smile with joy in their heart and to laugh the loudest each day that will pass.
On the otherhand, I admire those who have intelligently (i must say!) enjoyed both the blessings of a happy and a fulfilled life. These are the people who have reached their destination while enjoying the scenery of life.
...and i wish to be one of the latter type.
when the time comes I have reached destination...I want to have no regrets. I don't want to look back with a heart wanting to redo or undo certain things....
I just want to go forward with a smile...and be very thankful how blessed i was to have experienced LIFE.

CHECKLIST

Do you find it hard to say "no"? Or you just say "yes" even when you mean "no"?
Do you always compromise your time to other's?
Do you always have to adjust to other's whims and caprices, even if detrimental on your part?
Do you always think of others...prior to yourself?
Does your conscience makes you feel guilty if you fail or disappoint someone?
Do you get disappointed when you disappoint someone?
Do you always crave for other's approval?
How important it is to you that people like you?
Do you pretend to be someone whom you know you are not?
How comfortable it is to you to be who you really are when you are with other people?
Do you say "ok' even if you feel otherwise?
Do you give more than what you have?
Do you drink more what you can take?
Do you laugh even if you didn't get the joke?
Do you cry even if you don't feel anything at all?
Are you true to others?
Are you true to yourself?
Are you true to God?