2009 is Year of the Yin Earth Ox. According to Chinese astrology it has more influence of the Yin which is a bad influence but Feng shui experts say that generally it would be a good year as all of the 5 elements of wood, metal, earth, fire and water are present. Based on the Chinese calendar, first day of the year of the ox is January 26, 2009.
If you want to know more about 2009 and its predictions using Feng Shui please visit: http://www.feng-shui.eu.com/advice/chineseanimalpredictions2009.htm.
The Feng Shui
I am not a devout Fengshui believer but it’s also cool to get a glimpse of what’s in store for me in the new year. Hence, I visited the above website just to check out how those who were born in the Year of the Tiger perform in the Year of the Ox. Well, this is what I discovered. “Overall, it will be very good year for you as compared to last year. There are poor stars shining in your constellation and basically these stars represent poor human relationships and that you have to lessen making decisions based on impulse and career wise, it will be a good year but still be careful as there are people who will try to pull you down”. Hmmmnn, sounds interesting. The most exciting part however, is that it says “that single tiger should not take risks in relationships this year and let your confidence shine through as "peach blossom" for romance is very strong this year”. Whew! Peach blossom? What can you say? I need this! I should take risk (LOL).
I still believe it’s about hard work, perseverance and diligence that will bring us to where we want to be. I am definitely excited for the year 2009. I am looking forward to a brighter year ahead. I am not good at making resolutions but I am a certified born dreamer in all situations possible I dream and when I dream, I dream big – tax free (LOL). I would give you a peek of how my year of the Ox would be like.
1. With regards to the affairs of my heart – As I’ve said I am moving on and look for new one – damn! There are many out there untouched and that’s not synonymous to virgin okay? (LOL). My feng shui says that romance will be very strong this year. I like it (harharhar) and I want to be more Sexually Pre-Occupied (SPO) this year - I promised myself (LOL). So the equation is Love + Sex = Romance – why not? harharhar
2. My placement with VSO is finishing soon by the end of February and I am keeping all my options open. I have been barking hardly to all international organizations for a paid job and hopefully will get one good reply. Another possibility is an extension with VSO in which we are currently negotiating for a new placement.
3. I am going home in March (Godwilling) for a dip in the sea and unwind to gain back my sanity.
4. I am going to apply for housing loan – definitely a substandard low-cost housing and will see if I can afford it (poor joel).
5. I shall start my personal photo-album project if time permits me to do it.
6. Will visit my dentist for my dental apparatus to feel good…
7. My feng shui says, my best protection to ward off negative vibes and cool down the effect of poor stars in my constellation – is a pig…yes a pig so a key holder or a key chain with a pig symbol would be helpful but I also reckon If I am not going to extend my contract here in China then I might as well start my meat business – why not? (LOL).
My Dreams
1. Join United Nations.
2. European Tour.
3. A 2-storey Balinese inspired house complete with amenities – a swimming pool, an entertainment room with home theater, a spacious living room, a butterfly tea garden and a small gym.
4. A BMW - any model will do (LOL)
5. Start a business – a backpackers’ hostel. The name would be “Oikos” or Casa do Mundo…
I told you I dream big and its these dreams that kept me moving and brings me back when I stumble. It feels good to have dreams and direction. Each year is a step closer to these dreams. Watch out (LOL).
A blog borne out of loneliness, turned out to be a life, a strength, a healer, a companion, a confidante in a journey of a road less travelled by… So come and hop in to my roller-coaster ride as together we discover unknown terrains, unearth amazing discoveries, and witness unlikely relationships as it blossoms… This is about surviving the fiercest of storms and celebrating the sunniest of springs.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Recap (Balik-tan-aw) 2008
Few hours from now and it’s goodbye 2008. Welcome 2009 – Year of the Yin Earth Ox.
As we bid farewell to the year of the rat I thought it would be nice to post some notes of the year that was.
First on the list – the sizzling rat
Nope. I am not talking about a menu offered in the restaurant. I am talking about my uninvited guests in my kitchen. I seldom cook at home but I made it sure I have ample supply of vegetables so that when I need to satiate my palate’s craving – it’s within reach. Am really really surprised to see that rats do eat chilli and veggies. What? Yes it’s weird. Rats now go hot and spicy (LOL). How can they munch on red chilli? Could it be part of global recession? Perhaps.
As we bid farewell to the year of the rat I thought it would be nice to post some notes of the year that was.
First on the list – the sizzling rat
Nope. I am not talking about a menu offered in the restaurant. I am talking about my uninvited guests in my kitchen. I seldom cook at home but I made it sure I have ample supply of vegetables so that when I need to satiate my palate’s craving – it’s within reach. Am really really surprised to see that rats do eat chilli and veggies. What? Yes it’s weird. Rats now go hot and spicy (LOL). How can they munch on red chilli? Could it be part of global recession? Perhaps.
It’s purely work - nothing personal
It has been professionally and personally challenging year for me. Work-wise, there was an infinite roller-coaster ride of emotions but I thought that was the beauty of the ride in itself – the highs and lows – that which gives you adrenalin rush, that which prompts you to say hey wait…I need to pee. It’s very rich-learning and soul-searching experience I wouldn’t dare trade off with anything.
They say that “when you’re in Rome do what the Romans are doing”. Well I don’t totally agree with this. I don’t have against culture and traditions in fact I have acculturated myself to the point that my translator/National Volunteer asked me or to put it precisely ordered me to stop acting like Chinese. There’s definitely nothing wrong with aspiring for professional competence and excellence. The problem comes in when local work culture and ethics stand in the way to achieve that professional excellence and efficiency. And this year has been a constant struggle to the point of crossing boundaries in which I felt I have offended people in one or the other. It’s purely work and nothing personal “ika nga in pinoy lingo trabaho lang walang personalan”. I have sent my apologies already to people if indeed I have offended them by email, verbal or by my actions. We do have lapses humans as we are. No one is perfect. I want to welcome 2009 fresh and without baggage.
Thank You! Obrigado! Xiexie!
There are many reasons though to be thankful for. I have gotten the chance to travel a lot courtesy of my work – thank you to my sponsors (LOL). It is refreshing to see new places I have not imagined visiting and meeting and making new friends along the way.
I have created my blog this year and really really thankful to those who visited my page. It’s picking up am so glad. My blog is important to me because it relaxes me especially at my lowest ebb. It’s a therapy.
Celebrating Christmas the most meaningful way…
Celebrating Christmas away from home I thought has been very significant and meaningful because I was able to share my time to the People who are Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) and played with the kids orphaned by AIDS.
I am truly grateful of the opportunity to work with PLWHAs. These are the very people who are facing real life-changing difficulty and are living in the community where stigma and discrimination against them is still high and comes in many forms. The first time I saw them in 2007 when I conducted a consultation and training to set up their support group - I saw souls who were lost, confused, alone and afraid to see the beauty of the imperfect world. People who thought that their future is bleak. People who do not know how to smile anymore.
I am very happy that I was able to bring these people together and set-up their own support group. I thought I would celebrate Christmas alone in the confine of my room. I was wrong. Through the eyes of my friends who are PLWHAs, I felt the real meaning of Christmas. On December 24, I was invited by Women and Children’s Hospital to give a short session on Stigma and Discrimination in the village. I was moved of the sincerity and warmth of their reception when they saw me. It was an indescribable feeling but deep in my heart was that longing of my company. They were all surprised to see me. They thought I was gone. There was an endless expression of joy that I am joining them in their activity until late in the evening. It was not a Christmas party. It was an HIV/AIDS activity but somehow I felt deep inside me that it was God’s way of telling me that this is the true essence of Christmas. The spirit of sharing and touching lives. I do believe in signs somehow and in a cold winter evening while watching the performance there was a brown, spotted butterfly that kept on clinging to my pants. I had Goosebumps that evening. I got the accolade from these people in return of my time, knowledge and friendship and that is priceless. I do not have the indicators to measure whether I made a difference in their lives or not but one thing is sure…they touched my life more than I touched theirs. I am overwhelmed to see a bunch of PLWHAs who knows now how to smile and face the people with dignity as evidenced in their public performances. They are the very reason why I kept my commitment moving in the campaign against HIV and AIDS.
I realized it’s really not the gifts, the decors, the food and the festivities that makes Christmas meaningful. Is it not that the essence of Christmas is celebrating Love that Jesus Christ was sent to earth to save us all and all in the name of love? Most of us are drifted away from the real essence of Christmas to the physical celebration. Mine was truly a different one but significant and meaningful
Affairs of the heart…
Personally, this year made my heart unstable. There was some kind of a surge in its power voltage (LOL). The famous author and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Khalil Gibran said that “Love will find you and dare not direct the course of love, for Love if finds you worthy will direct its course”. It was some kind of an unrequited love so it’s time to pick up the pieces and move on.
Thank you 2008.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holiday Aftershocks?
I just realized that being ready to face death as I always say is easier said than done. If I could only negotiate then I would really do it. Prayer is the best weapon that we could do in this trying of times. Storm, flooding and earthquakes are the many natural calamities that the human race have faced and no "expert" can stop it. I thought this could be "signs of times" as mother nature is now calling the shots to put things in order, into balance.
As what I have blogged yesterday, we were hit with an earthquake not so strong but which no one would not want to be in. Although there were no reported injuries and damages I still kind of feeling uneasy that what if a big earthquake would strike again? God forbid but I really have to prepare. What is more stressful, I realized, are the aftershocks. It drove me nuts, half-dead and blank when it hit at around 2:30 early morning of 27th. I thought I was high on drugs, half awake awaiting for what's next. Three (3) more aftershocks followed until around 8:30 in the morning. What's worst, rain came not heavy but something that would make things worst if a big earthquake would strike again. At its first instance I jumped out of my bed by adrenalin rush and called my National Volunteer (translator) but the reply left me shock as well as he just replied in a very flat tone "yeah earthquake" (LOL)...wow was the only word that came out of my mouth. I went back to my bed but this time I had put on my 2 sweaters and 2 jackets. I was ready for any eventuality. Important documents like passport, expert permit and IDs are beside me so that if anything happens I can just grab them with ease. I slept so uncomfortably. I just wonder why does earthquake has to come at the holy hour when people are sleeping? Could this be saying something? Although I am aware that it can strike anytime it's just that everytime it hit here it's always at the time when people are in its deepest sleep.
Well, I realized we all have to deal with different holiday stresses. Mine is just so different.
As what I have blogged yesterday, we were hit with an earthquake not so strong but which no one would not want to be in. Although there were no reported injuries and damages I still kind of feeling uneasy that what if a big earthquake would strike again? God forbid but I really have to prepare. What is more stressful, I realized, are the aftershocks. It drove me nuts, half-dead and blank when it hit at around 2:30 early morning of 27th. I thought I was high on drugs, half awake awaiting for what's next. Three (3) more aftershocks followed until around 8:30 in the morning. What's worst, rain came not heavy but something that would make things worst if a big earthquake would strike again. At its first instance I jumped out of my bed by adrenalin rush and called my National Volunteer (translator) but the reply left me shock as well as he just replied in a very flat tone "yeah earthquake" (LOL)...wow was the only word that came out of my mouth. I went back to my bed but this time I had put on my 2 sweaters and 2 jackets. I was ready for any eventuality. Important documents like passport, expert permit and IDs are beside me so that if anything happens I can just grab them with ease. I slept so uncomfortably. I just wonder why does earthquake has to come at the holy hour when people are sleeping? Could this be saying something? Although I am aware that it can strike anytime it's just that everytime it hit here it's always at the time when people are in its deepest sleep.
Well, I realized we all have to deal with different holiday stresses. Mine is just so different.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Earthquake Protection - The Triangle of Life
I often say to a lot of my friends that I am not afraid of death but I always ask and pray to the Lord that if it comes my way, I hope the easiest and the most natural possible. But there's no telling. It's only HIM who is in control of everythng. China has been hit with earthquakes many times and many were destructive. This year alone, I had experienced several episodes too strong to just forget. It left me paranoid many times. Just after celebrating Christmas at around 4:30 in the morning, we were hit again with a 4.9 magnitude earthquake. I am 30-minute away from the epicenter. The last earthquake in September registered in the richter scale at 5.9 and I thought this time was stronger than the previous one. But whatever it is, the experience gave me jolts that it is so difficult to get a good and deep sleep - too stressful. Earthquakes are unpredictable and so I thought all of us need to know about how to deal with it when it comes. I came across with this article below about eartquake protection using the tringle of life. I hope you will share it to your friends and loved ones.
Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life
Posted by: "Almond Monteagudo" ar_monteagudo@yahoo.com ar_monteagudo
Thu May 15, 2008 6:21 pm (PDT)
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 12:53:55 -0400
Subject: Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life
PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO SAVE LIVES.
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
In 1996 we made a film which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse, we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA , Canada and
Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Children were under their desk. Every child was crushed to
the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't, at the time, know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, and the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured.
The next time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere.
TEN TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the foor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs arenot collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word to everyone YOU care about and save someone's life!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life
Posted by: "Almond Monteagudo" ar_monteagudo@yahoo.com ar_monteagudo
Thu May 15, 2008 6:21 pm (PDT)
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 12:53:55 -0400
Subject: Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life
PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO SAVE LIVES.
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
In 1996 we made a film which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse, we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA , Canada and
Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Children were under their desk. Every child was crushed to
the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't, at the time, know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, and the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured.
The next time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere.
TEN TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the foor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs arenot collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word to everyone YOU care about and save someone's life!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
JibJab - 2008 Year in Review
A friend sent me this video and I find it funny and witty so I thought it's worth sharing it with you guys. I hope you enjoy the video as well. Wishing you the best of 2009.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
My Personal Greetings for this Yuletide Season
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)