Finally!!!
:)
I moved into my new place last week, but only got my internet connection set up today. I'm so happy, I can't even describe it. I never knew how much of an internet addict I've become... :)
Internet in Korea is BLAZING fast. Coming from Thailand, where waiting for a page to load was almost like pulling teeth, this is a very welcome change indeed. ;)
Anyway, now that I've got the connection, I can begin to update my blogs again. :)
Happy Lunar New Year to all! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Am in Korea :)
Just wanted all my friends to know I'm now living and working in Seoul, South Korea. :)
It's been an interesting first full week of work. I don't mind the work hours so much as the damn cold. This past Monday, it hit -7 degrees Celsius, and I think I froze some new muscles I never knew I had before. ;)
It's always difficult settling in to a new country, but I have so many friends over here who have helped to ease my transition tremendously.
I'll be moving to my nice, new apartment on the 28th of January, which is also when I celebrate my 33rd birthday. :) I guess life does take some strange turns, and I will just have to see where I end up on this new, grand adventure of mine.
Hope everyone else is doing great. Happy Chinese New Year to you all! :D
It's been an interesting first full week of work. I don't mind the work hours so much as the damn cold. This past Monday, it hit -7 degrees Celsius, and I think I froze some new muscles I never knew I had before. ;)
It's always difficult settling in to a new country, but I have so many friends over here who have helped to ease my transition tremendously.
I'll be moving to my nice, new apartment on the 28th of January, which is also when I celebrate my 33rd birthday. :) I guess life does take some strange turns, and I will just have to see where I end up on this new, grand adventure of mine.
Hope everyone else is doing great. Happy Chinese New Year to you all! :D
Thursday, January 19, 2006
I finally get my visa... wooohooo!!!!
Got my visa today!!! :D
Am flying to Korea tomorrow... Jan.20, arriving at 18:30. :)
Can't wait!
To all my Korean friends... I'll see you all soon! =)
Am flying to Korea tomorrow... Jan.20, arriving at 18:30. :)
Can't wait!
To all my Korean friends... I'll see you all soon! =)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Great article on the Philippines :)
The Philippine name game
By Sarah Toms BBC News, Manila
Naming a child is often a difficult decision. For many Filipinos, individuality is an important factor, with many choosing unconventional first names. So when the BBC's Sarah Toms gave birth in the Philippines, could she come up with an original name?
In March, my daughter will be celebrating her second birthday in Manila.
Made in the Philippines and born in the Philippines, it seems only yesterday that I was trying to leave hospital with my newborn.
The nurses had quickly christened her "Miss Philippines" because of her long legs.
But then I discovered that until I came up with a real name and began her birth registration at the hospital, I would not be allowed to leave.
Exhaustion made any decision difficult and I started worrying I would be celebrating her first birthday in the hospital if I did not find a name soon.
'Ace' politician
Filipinos place serious importance on finding unique names for their children, most of them injected with a large dose of Philippine humour.
Here, there is nothing ironic about a senator called Joker Arroyo - it is his real name.
Joker Arroyo, who is no relation to the Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, has a brother called Jack but there is no word on any other siblings called Queen or King.
Another politician however, is known as Ace.
Congressman Robert Ace Barbers is always known by his middle name as his two other brothers and late father all share Robert as their first name.
One composite name that has become popular is Luzviminda, taken from the three main regions of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
One writer said it is like being called "Engscowani" for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In this devoutly Roman Catholic country it is not surprising that many have taken on religious names, but with a Philippine twist.
Take the mayor of Makati, the financial district in Manila.
His name is Jejomar, composed of the first few letters of Jesus, Joseph and Mary.
Catholicism started here with the arrival of the Spanish in 1521 and the colonisation of the Philippines.
Beyond food and architecture, religion is one of the lasting influences of Spanish rule. And that is at the root of the desire to have a unique first name.
Many Filipinos who converted to Catholicism took on surnames with religious references, such as Santos or De la Cruz, for good luck. But this resulted in many people having the same last names.
To solve the problem, the Spanish decided to restrict the surnames of Filipinos to a number of acceptable ones. But with a rapidly growing population, it seems there are not enough last names to go round.
Originality
Security experts say that with so many surnames being the same it can take ages to do background checks.
Filipinos encounter their own problems with the country's notoriously poor records system.
Getting a bank loan or passport can be a nightmare if someone with the same name is wanted for a crime.
With the country ranked as one of the most corrupt in Asia, thousands of Filipinos are forced to walk around with certificates from the National Bureau of Investigation to prove they are not wanted criminals.
So a first name with a bit of individuality can help avoid confusion and cases of mistaken identity.
Because of that I know a Peachy, a Preciosa and even a Bogi. I also know a Boy and a Girlie, names that often come from being the lone son or daughter in a large family.
I even have a female friend called Ken and no one thinks it is odd.
Still, I was taken aback when a famous and middle-aged newspaper columnist asked me to call him Babe.
Cultural misunderstanding
Some of the names are real and some are nicknames, but it is hard to tell them apart.
That brings me to the doorbell names: it is not uncommon to call your little one Bing, Bong, Bong Bong and even Ping and Ting.
Another category is the rock 'n' roll name.
How would you feel being christened Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger or Nirvana?
One journalist friend told me of an interview he had with a Hitler Manila.
Mr Manila, who does not share the Nazi ideology, told him that he was always remembered for his name but it sometimes caused problems.
One time, when he was shooting pool with some visiting Germans, the atmosphere became tense after he wrote his name on the blackboard to reserve the next game.
Order was not restored until he pulled out his driving licence to prove his name really was Hitler.
Still, that experience did not stop him from carrying on the family tradition. His sons are named Himmler and Hess after two of Hitler's closest associates.
Deliberation
Another friend told me of a couple who named their five daughters Candy, Caramel, Cookie, Peanut and Popcorn.
Scott Harrison, an American businessman here, says he has heard of a woman who gave birth to twin girls on either side of midnight, naming them Sunday and Monday.
Nothing unusual in that - my daughter's kindergarten teacher is called Wednesday.
So what did I name my daughter?
After much deliberation and temptation to join the Philippine name game, I settled for an old French favourite, Elise.
Elise is not a strange name by any means, but in the Philippines it is as unusual as you can get.
By Sarah Toms BBC News, Manila
Naming a child is often a difficult decision. For many Filipinos, individuality is an important factor, with many choosing unconventional first names. So when the BBC's Sarah Toms gave birth in the Philippines, could she come up with an original name?
In March, my daughter will be celebrating her second birthday in Manila.
Made in the Philippines and born in the Philippines, it seems only yesterday that I was trying to leave hospital with my newborn.
The nurses had quickly christened her "Miss Philippines" because of her long legs.
But then I discovered that until I came up with a real name and began her birth registration at the hospital, I would not be allowed to leave.
Exhaustion made any decision difficult and I started worrying I would be celebrating her first birthday in the hospital if I did not find a name soon.
'Ace' politician
Filipinos place serious importance on finding unique names for their children, most of them injected with a large dose of Philippine humour.
Here, there is nothing ironic about a senator called Joker Arroyo - it is his real name.
Joker Arroyo, who is no relation to the Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, has a brother called Jack but there is no word on any other siblings called Queen or King.
Another politician however, is known as Ace.
Congressman Robert Ace Barbers is always known by his middle name as his two other brothers and late father all share Robert as their first name.
One composite name that has become popular is Luzviminda, taken from the three main regions of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
One writer said it is like being called "Engscowani" for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In this devoutly Roman Catholic country it is not surprising that many have taken on religious names, but with a Philippine twist.
Take the mayor of Makati, the financial district in Manila.
His name is Jejomar, composed of the first few letters of Jesus, Joseph and Mary.
Catholicism started here with the arrival of the Spanish in 1521 and the colonisation of the Philippines.
Beyond food and architecture, religion is one of the lasting influences of Spanish rule. And that is at the root of the desire to have a unique first name.
Many Filipinos who converted to Catholicism took on surnames with religious references, such as Santos or De la Cruz, for good luck. But this resulted in many people having the same last names.
To solve the problem, the Spanish decided to restrict the surnames of Filipinos to a number of acceptable ones. But with a rapidly growing population, it seems there are not enough last names to go round.
Originality
Security experts say that with so many surnames being the same it can take ages to do background checks.
Filipinos encounter their own problems with the country's notoriously poor records system.
Getting a bank loan or passport can be a nightmare if someone with the same name is wanted for a crime.
With the country ranked as one of the most corrupt in Asia, thousands of Filipinos are forced to walk around with certificates from the National Bureau of Investigation to prove they are not wanted criminals.
So a first name with a bit of individuality can help avoid confusion and cases of mistaken identity.
Because of that I know a Peachy, a Preciosa and even a Bogi. I also know a Boy and a Girlie, names that often come from being the lone son or daughter in a large family.
I even have a female friend called Ken and no one thinks it is odd.
Still, I was taken aback when a famous and middle-aged newspaper columnist asked me to call him Babe.
Cultural misunderstanding
Some of the names are real and some are nicknames, but it is hard to tell them apart.
That brings me to the doorbell names: it is not uncommon to call your little one Bing, Bong, Bong Bong and even Ping and Ting.
Another category is the rock 'n' roll name.
How would you feel being christened Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger or Nirvana?
One journalist friend told me of an interview he had with a Hitler Manila.
Mr Manila, who does not share the Nazi ideology, told him that he was always remembered for his name but it sometimes caused problems.
One time, when he was shooting pool with some visiting Germans, the atmosphere became tense after he wrote his name on the blackboard to reserve the next game.
Order was not restored until he pulled out his driving licence to prove his name really was Hitler.
Still, that experience did not stop him from carrying on the family tradition. His sons are named Himmler and Hess after two of Hitler's closest associates.
Deliberation
Another friend told me of a couple who named their five daughters Candy, Caramel, Cookie, Peanut and Popcorn.
Scott Harrison, an American businessman here, says he has heard of a woman who gave birth to twin girls on either side of midnight, naming them Sunday and Monday.
Nothing unusual in that - my daughter's kindergarten teacher is called Wednesday.
So what did I name my daughter?
After much deliberation and temptation to join the Philippine name game, I settled for an old French favourite, Elise.
Elise is not a strange name by any means, but in the Philippines it is as unusual as you can get.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Which generation is greater: the past or the present?
My Dad and I were just talking over dinner, and he mentioned the topic of the speech they had to give for the Voice of Democracy national oratorical championships. My Dad was a national finalist in the Philippines, and he said their topic was "Which generation is greater: the past or the present?"
To put this in perspective, I reminded him of a quote attributed to Sir Isaac Newton, in a letter to his friend. Reacting to the notion that he, Newton, had the greatness to see things others could not, Newton's response was:
"If I have seen further than others, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
What an absolutely perfect quote for that topic.
Isn't this what human society is all about? Isn't this what the word "progress" really means? To be able to say that the next generation is greater in terms of achievement, and yet to be able to praise the accomplishments of those who came before, without which the "greater" generation would not have been able to achieve such greatness?
It's a great metaphor for our own lives. Our parents always want the best for us, and I think the true test of selflessness and love is to always wish for your children to do more than you ever did or could. That's what my Dad wants for us kids. He wanted to be a lawyer, but through force of circumstance he chose instead to be a banker, so we could have a better life. Now any of his children can choose to be anything, because of his sacrifice.
My Mom had the same self-sacrifice. Early on, she and my Dad agreed that she would give up her career first, and wait until we were sufficiently old enough to take care of ourselves, before she took care of her own prospects. That's why she only got her MBA in her 40's, and why she's only recented applied for, and been given, her CPA license in the US. She is now the auditor of a university in America, and I couldn't be prouder of her. She gave up a great deal of money and opportunity for the three of her children, and we are all the better for it.
If I, or my siblings, ever accomplish anything great, it is only because we have stood on the shoulders of our own giants. Without our parents, none of what we have done, or will ever do, would have amounted to much, because we would never have had the example of sacrifice, determination and dedication that our parents instilled in us, and still inspire in us today.
Don't forget to acknowledge the giants in your own lives. Remember that behind every great person is a proud set of parents, both of whom probably don't get nearly as much credit as they richly deserve.
To put this in perspective, I reminded him of a quote attributed to Sir Isaac Newton, in a letter to his friend. Reacting to the notion that he, Newton, had the greatness to see things others could not, Newton's response was:
"If I have seen further than others, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
What an absolutely perfect quote for that topic.
Isn't this what human society is all about? Isn't this what the word "progress" really means? To be able to say that the next generation is greater in terms of achievement, and yet to be able to praise the accomplishments of those who came before, without which the "greater" generation would not have been able to achieve such greatness?
It's a great metaphor for our own lives. Our parents always want the best for us, and I think the true test of selflessness and love is to always wish for your children to do more than you ever did or could. That's what my Dad wants for us kids. He wanted to be a lawyer, but through force of circumstance he chose instead to be a banker, so we could have a better life. Now any of his children can choose to be anything, because of his sacrifice.
My Mom had the same self-sacrifice. Early on, she and my Dad agreed that she would give up her career first, and wait until we were sufficiently old enough to take care of ourselves, before she took care of her own prospects. That's why she only got her MBA in her 40's, and why she's only recented applied for, and been given, her CPA license in the US. She is now the auditor of a university in America, and I couldn't be prouder of her. She gave up a great deal of money and opportunity for the three of her children, and we are all the better for it.
If I, or my siblings, ever accomplish anything great, it is only because we have stood on the shoulders of our own giants. Without our parents, none of what we have done, or will ever do, would have amounted to much, because we would never have had the example of sacrifice, determination and dedication that our parents instilled in us, and still inspire in us today.
Don't forget to acknowledge the giants in your own lives. Remember that behind every great person is a proud set of parents, both of whom probably don't get nearly as much credit as they richly deserve.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Why do we have our goals in life?
What defines your life's goals? What makes you want to do the things you want to do?
Some of us prefer to focus on the end goals, and the means necessary to achieve them. I like to take the thought process a step further and ask why I have those end goals in the first place.
I mean, when you think about it, why do we want "success" or "wealth" or "power" or anything else? Why? To what end?
Take money, for instance. I mean, some people spend their whole lives seeking ways to make more and more money. I could certainly understand if the money were for some decent reason such as education for one's children, or buying homes for one's parents, or even something altruistic like helping to feed the world's poor.
But sometimes, in the pursuit of money, or power, or success, people seem to lose sight of the fact that these are supposed to be TOOLS of life... things that help you get the "better things" that people aspire for.
Unfortunately, the more people get fixated on these things, the more these "tools" end up becoming the "things to aspire for."
I mean, if we forget the real reason we are on a particular path, would we ever know when it would be time to stop and smell the roses? Or would we just keep on trudging along, with the only goal being to get as far as we can on that path before we died?
Next time you think about your life, stop for a bit and look around. If you can't recognize where the heck you are, and why the heck you're there, perhaps it's time to ask if you're really living a life you want to live.
Some of us prefer to focus on the end goals, and the means necessary to achieve them. I like to take the thought process a step further and ask why I have those end goals in the first place.
I mean, when you think about it, why do we want "success" or "wealth" or "power" or anything else? Why? To what end?
Take money, for instance. I mean, some people spend their whole lives seeking ways to make more and more money. I could certainly understand if the money were for some decent reason such as education for one's children, or buying homes for one's parents, or even something altruistic like helping to feed the world's poor.
But sometimes, in the pursuit of money, or power, or success, people seem to lose sight of the fact that these are supposed to be TOOLS of life... things that help you get the "better things" that people aspire for.
Unfortunately, the more people get fixated on these things, the more these "tools" end up becoming the "things to aspire for."
I mean, if we forget the real reason we are on a particular path, would we ever know when it would be time to stop and smell the roses? Or would we just keep on trudging along, with the only goal being to get as far as we can on that path before we died?
Next time you think about your life, stop for a bit and look around. If you can't recognize where the heck you are, and why the heck you're there, perhaps it's time to ask if you're really living a life you want to live.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
My favorite Korean singer
I just think this girl is amazing. :) Exceptional looks, incredible dancing ability... oh, and she's not a bad singer too, though that is incidental. ;)
Of all the people I wish I could meet in Seoul, she is no.1 on my wish list. :)
Sunday, January 08, 2006
I've created a new blog
It's called "The Bull's Eye" and it is primarily dedicated to commenting on the stupid things politicans, businesses, military folks, etc. do everyday.
http://fight-the-bull.blogspot.com
:)
http://fight-the-bull.blogspot.com
:)
A bit low on the happiness thermometer...
I'm feeling a bit low right now. I guess it's a combination of uncertainty regarding my work status, and dissatisfaction regarding the rest of my life.
I'm just finding it hard to choose to be happy these days.
In the old days, I might have blamed this general malaise on "Kill Bill, Part 1," which I finally watched today, but that wouldn't be true... especially since I actually felt BETTER after watching it. It seems that watching movies or listening to songs that mimic your general mood (bloody? angry? vengeful? what???) sometimes helps you to feel better. I read about some scientific study sometime in the past that said that really angry people sometimes got to feel better by listening to music that fit their mood (i.e. heavy metal, pumping rock, etc.). Makes sense, I guess. If I were really pissed off, the last thing I'd want to listen to would be Mozart. :)
Oh, well. As they say in Gone with the Wind... "Tomorrow is another day..."
I'm just finding it hard to choose to be happy these days.
In the old days, I might have blamed this general malaise on "Kill Bill, Part 1," which I finally watched today, but that wouldn't be true... especially since I actually felt BETTER after watching it. It seems that watching movies or listening to songs that mimic your general mood (bloody? angry? vengeful? what???) sometimes helps you to feel better. I read about some scientific study sometime in the past that said that really angry people sometimes got to feel better by listening to music that fit their mood (i.e. heavy metal, pumping rock, etc.). Makes sense, I guess. If I were really pissed off, the last thing I'd want to listen to would be Mozart. :)
Oh, well. As they say in Gone with the Wind... "Tomorrow is another day..."
Saturday, January 07, 2006
My doggies think they're people...
I have two big, pure-bred Bull Mastiffs at home... one is named Kiwi (the mom) and one is named Tim (the son). They both seem to think they are really and truly part of the family. Kiwi, for instance, will take advantage of any open bedroom door to sneak in and jump on the bed... she likes sleeping on beds. Tsk tsk. :)
Tim, on the other hand, prefers sofas. When we raised the sofa cushions (they're detachable) so that he would, presumably, stop sleeping on them, Tim found a way to push them down again so he could have a more comfortable rest.
If they weren't so big they could eat me, I might actually put my foot down. As it is, they're just too big (and, admittedly, cute) .
Oh, well. Guess I'll just have to never forget to shut the door. :)
Tim, on the other hand, prefers sofas. When we raised the sofa cushions (they're detachable) so that he would, presumably, stop sleeping on them, Tim found a way to push them down again so he could have a more comfortable rest.
If they weren't so big they could eat me, I might actually put my foot down. As it is, they're just too big (and, admittedly, cute) .
Oh, well. Guess I'll just have to never forget to shut the door. :)
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Ever wondered...
1) How George Bush got to be President with fewer votes than Al Gore... ? I mean, I thought the electoral college was meant to ensure fair representation across the states. If having fewer voters get to select the leadership of the US is fair, then I guess America deserves Bush.
2) How oil companies can claim they didn't take advantage of Hurricane Katrina, and yet subsequently raise oil prices and declare record profits by the end of the year? Hmmm... seems to me, if you raise prices for poor people AFTER a natural disaster, and then throw parties for yourselves because you got more money than you ever got before... surely some people have LESS money than they had before? And wouldn't those folks be... the ones who suffered from Hurricane Katrina? How is this NOT exploitation?
3) How some women claim they don't care about rich guys, and only want those with "kind hearts," and then go for either Brad Pitt or D0nald Trump? Where are all the supermodels in love with the sweet, nerdy guy next door?
4) How most women in a party/dinner/social cannot possibly go to a bathroom alone?
5) How many men actually say the vows "till death do us part" with a straight face?
6) How many priests actually look hopeful during the marriage ceremony? If gambling were legal in the Church, do you think that priests might start betting on how many couples they can get to STAY married?
7) How some kids can be so darn cute when young, and just plain look like they fell out of the ugly tree when they get older?
8) How many times we end up rebooting our computer, without EVER complaining to Microsoft?
9) How we could possibly let O.J. Simpson go? And how we could not fire every member of the prosecution team for screwing up an open-and-shut case?
10) How Jennifer Lopez can actually make money? I mean, she can't sing, she can't act, and she sure as heck can't make perfume...
11) How Britney Spears could pick Kevin Federline? I mean, this is Britney, for crying out loud?? You'd think she could at least have picked a guy with some talent. Then again, what does she know about talent?
12) How John Kerry could be so BORING?
13) How movies like "Gigli" ever get made? I mean, shouldn't there be a rule that if a movie this bad is ever greenlighted, the guy/girl greenlighting it should be fired... if not shot?
14) How cigarettes kill over 500,000 people each year (compared to less than 20,000 for ALL illegal drugs), and yet cigarettes are legal but marijuana is not?
15) How America has the most gun violence among children in the world, and the most guns in the world, and yet the NRA still insists that owning guns makes America a safer place to live?
16) How women can say they are "absolutely stuffed" after the main course, but then immediately start munching on a hot fudge brownie offered to them for dessert?
17) How some men actually pretend they aren't afraid of commitment? Of course, many of these men end up getting divorced and practicing "serial monogamy," which is the state of being always faithful to each new girl you end up with.
18) How smart George W. Bush makes ordinary Americans feel? I mean, if HE can be President, then so can anybody else... Thank God Arnold was born in Austria...
19) How chocolate has given women more consistent pleasure than all the men in the world combined?
20) How people will get outraged, OUTRAGED at a man who kicks a puppy to death, yet not bat an eyelash when thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians are bombed or shot to death in this senseless war...?
I've got so many more, but no more time. Perhaps another day...
2) How oil companies can claim they didn't take advantage of Hurricane Katrina, and yet subsequently raise oil prices and declare record profits by the end of the year? Hmmm... seems to me, if you raise prices for poor people AFTER a natural disaster, and then throw parties for yourselves because you got more money than you ever got before... surely some people have LESS money than they had before? And wouldn't those folks be... the ones who suffered from Hurricane Katrina? How is this NOT exploitation?
3) How some women claim they don't care about rich guys, and only want those with "kind hearts," and then go for either Brad Pitt or D0nald Trump? Where are all the supermodels in love with the sweet, nerdy guy next door?
4) How most women in a party/dinner/social cannot possibly go to a bathroom alone?
5) How many men actually say the vows "till death do us part" with a straight face?
6) How many priests actually look hopeful during the marriage ceremony? If gambling were legal in the Church, do you think that priests might start betting on how many couples they can get to STAY married?
7) How some kids can be so darn cute when young, and just plain look like they fell out of the ugly tree when they get older?
8) How many times we end up rebooting our computer, without EVER complaining to Microsoft?
9) How we could possibly let O.J. Simpson go? And how we could not fire every member of the prosecution team for screwing up an open-and-shut case?
10) How Jennifer Lopez can actually make money? I mean, she can't sing, she can't act, and she sure as heck can't make perfume...
11) How Britney Spears could pick Kevin Federline? I mean, this is Britney, for crying out loud?? You'd think she could at least have picked a guy with some talent. Then again, what does she know about talent?
12) How John Kerry could be so BORING?
13) How movies like "Gigli" ever get made? I mean, shouldn't there be a rule that if a movie this bad is ever greenlighted, the guy/girl greenlighting it should be fired... if not shot?
14) How cigarettes kill over 500,000 people each year (compared to less than 20,000 for ALL illegal drugs), and yet cigarettes are legal but marijuana is not?
15) How America has the most gun violence among children in the world, and the most guns in the world, and yet the NRA still insists that owning guns makes America a safer place to live?
16) How women can say they are "absolutely stuffed" after the main course, but then immediately start munching on a hot fudge brownie offered to them for dessert?
17) How some men actually pretend they aren't afraid of commitment? Of course, many of these men end up getting divorced and practicing "serial monogamy," which is the state of being always faithful to each new girl you end up with.
18) How smart George W. Bush makes ordinary Americans feel? I mean, if HE can be President, then so can anybody else... Thank God Arnold was born in Austria...
19) How chocolate has given women more consistent pleasure than all the men in the world combined?
20) How people will get outraged, OUTRAGED at a man who kicks a puppy to death, yet not bat an eyelash when thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians are bombed or shot to death in this senseless war...?
I've got so many more, but no more time. Perhaps another day...
Ateneo and Debate
Congratulations to Sharmila and Chars of Ateneo B, and Glenn and Leloy of Ateneo A, for making the break at Worlds this year! :)
It's the first time Ateneo has broken 2 teams at Worlds, so I'm really proud of them. Ateneo was the only Asian university to reach the top 32 teams of the world this year. The next highest ranked team was ranked 70th.
This has been a really great year for my alma mater, having also won the Asian Universities Debating Championship, and reaching the Grand Final of Australs. :)
I'm happy to have been a part of that legacy, if only briefly. I know, at heart, I will always be an Atenean debater.
It's the first time Ateneo has broken 2 teams at Worlds, so I'm really proud of them. Ateneo was the only Asian university to reach the top 32 teams of the world this year. The next highest ranked team was ranked 70th.
This has been a really great year for my alma mater, having also won the Asian Universities Debating Championship, and reaching the Grand Final of Australs. :)
I'm happy to have been a part of that legacy, if only briefly. I know, at heart, I will always be an Atenean debater.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Fried chicken and motels... a marketing dream? :)
I just found out from one of my friends tonight, that this motel chain in the Philippines is offering free fried chicken to couples who stay an extra hour in the motel. ;) I have no clue what they call this promo, but a few phrases come to mind... :D
Seeing as how some kids read this blog, though, they will remain unspoken/untyped.
Funny though, what some marketers will do to get customers. Reminds me of that case we studied in my Masters program, about the convenience store chain that decided to put the diapers right beside the beer. They had found out through customer research that most of the people who buy diapers are actually fathers coming home from work... and that some associated selling (hence the beer) might work.
Guess what? It worked like a charm. :) Beer sales have never been higher.
So I guess this fried chicken thing might not be such a bad idea after all... ;)
Seeing as how some kids read this blog, though, they will remain unspoken/untyped.
Funny though, what some marketers will do to get customers. Reminds me of that case we studied in my Masters program, about the convenience store chain that decided to put the diapers right beside the beer. They had found out through customer research that most of the people who buy diapers are actually fathers coming home from work... and that some associated selling (hence the beer) might work.
Guess what? It worked like a charm. :) Beer sales have never been higher.
So I guess this fried chicken thing might not be such a bad idea after all... ;)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
As we leave our shadows behind
It's hard to imagine life
As anything more than
An unfinished palette
Less masterpiece than mess,
Dubious colors swirling in the shadows
Of the approaching sunset,
As the light gives way to something less...
And what artificial cheer is brought
By hopeful pricks of candlelight
In the gathering storm of gloom that is night
Seems to fade to insignificance beside
The darkness it seeks to set aside,
As the flickering shadows intrude
On the thoughts we seek most to hide.
Dawn is so very far away,
And even as we start to say goodbye
To the day that slowly leaves our minds
We yearn for hopeful truths to find
Somewhere in the morrow
Where the candles need no longer shine
As the spirits that stir in the enveloping dusk
Fall, once again, asleep a time,
Where the one true joy is only ever thus...
To see the sun, glorious in the newest of days...
To transcend our past, as we leave our shadows behind.
As anything more than
An unfinished palette
Less masterpiece than mess,
Dubious colors swirling in the shadows
Of the approaching sunset,
As the light gives way to something less...
And what artificial cheer is brought
By hopeful pricks of candlelight
In the gathering storm of gloom that is night
Seems to fade to insignificance beside
The darkness it seeks to set aside,
As the flickering shadows intrude
On the thoughts we seek most to hide.
Dawn is so very far away,
And even as we start to say goodbye
To the day that slowly leaves our minds
We yearn for hopeful truths to find
Somewhere in the morrow
Where the candles need no longer shine
As the spirits that stir in the enveloping dusk
Fall, once again, asleep a time,
Where the one true joy is only ever thus...
To see the sun, glorious in the newest of days...
To transcend our past, as we leave our shadows behind.
Monday, January 02, 2006
What would you do...?
I wrote this some time ago, but I guess the ideas are always going to be relevant, so here goes...
* * * * *
If you know your relationship is going to end at some point, but you still love each other very much, do you let the thing drag on until it gets too painful to hold on to, or do you end it quickly to save yourselves the pain?
There are a number of sides to this, of course, not the least of which are practicality vs. romance. I mean, if you can avoid pain, the practical side of you would probably say, "Do it." If, however, you can somehow hold on to your love for even a little bit more, the romantic side of you may say, "Hold on."
I guess it all depends on what you consider important, and just how much you're willing to sacrifice for it. But, really, if there is no happy end in sight, is life going to be better for you if you move on as fast as you can?
Why is it, though, that life often forces us to choose between what we want, and what is good for us? Why do we seem to always have to embrace options we never wanted?
Too many damn questions. Too few real answers. "And never the two shall meet..."
* * * * *
If you know your relationship is going to end at some point, but you still love each other very much, do you let the thing drag on until it gets too painful to hold on to, or do you end it quickly to save yourselves the pain?
There are a number of sides to this, of course, not the least of which are practicality vs. romance. I mean, if you can avoid pain, the practical side of you would probably say, "Do it." If, however, you can somehow hold on to your love for even a little bit more, the romantic side of you may say, "Hold on."
I guess it all depends on what you consider important, and just how much you're willing to sacrifice for it. But, really, if there is no happy end in sight, is life going to be better for you if you move on as fast as you can?
Why is it, though, that life often forces us to choose between what we want, and what is good for us? Why do we seem to always have to embrace options we never wanted?
Too many damn questions. Too few real answers. "And never the two shall meet..."
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