So there really is balance

 

Before its too late

Mr. Rex Resurreccion, the resource person of the seminar I attended yesterday at UPLB, asked “Kumusta kayo? “  Most of the attendees, including me, answered either “Fine.” or “Okay.”

He nodded. Then said “Why don’t you try to answer me with ‘eto, yumayaman’ “ His suggestion caused an uproar among us. I’m still not sure if it was due to cynicism (I hope not) or plain amusement (amused , I was).

He asked again and we answered as suggested “eto, yumayaman.” It indeed sounds better.

Mr. Rex explained that “such and similar answers serve as self -affirmation…”

This reminded me of the first time I’ve learned and had my own positive self-affirmation. I then had a couple of affirmations per week, like “I’ll top in our test.”, ”I can save.”, I’ll do better than ____.” among others.  Though its hard to live by what I tell myself as I want and should be, my affirmations help me believe and hold unto my aim “to be a better me”.

Lately, I been making a resolve to be punctual and not just beating the time/deadline. However, I tend to come up with reasons, I mean, excuses not to do so. I don’t want to make this a habit. So before its too late, here’s my self-affirmation (I intended to faithfully live):

“I’m an early bird and I’ll catch a number of worms.” *hehehe*

Do you have self-affirmation/s too?

P.S.

Mr. Rene Resureccion is the founder of Passion for Perfection.

 

An afternoon at FAITH chess plaza

 Why loitering at the chess plaza, I noticed these two groups: a pair of chess players and a Chess-misan buddies.

 

Think of this: Excitement

From among the thoughts I have read which made me either sad, enlightened, challenged, or encouraged; I am sharing this one to you.

 

Do something every day that tickles your whiskers.

 

Tired of doing the same old things called routine? I do—sometimes. That was why I searched for the possible cure to couteract my ”boredom”. The answer is obvious— to grasp exciting things every now and then.

The excitement or spices I looked for aren’t the expensive or new ones. Instead, I tried to remember those within my reach but hardly found time (by discretion) to do. I also thought of the things that are simple yet, I am unfamiliar with and I certainly would love to learn. I came up with this bottom line, or should I say common denominator: the “thing” becomes exciting if it is in line with my interest.

Sensible, right? What else can break the ice better than the things I want to do.

Last week, while I was buried in the middle of  I-want-to get-rid-of-paper works came the sudden attack of backache. Stressed. I was. To my luck, my officemates children came and ask me for something to do (FYI, the boss was not around then, hehehe). A break, finally. I grabbed a couple of scratch papers which I asked them to crumple. To come up with trumphet-like tube, I cut  the end of a bathroom tissues’ tube. Then, I made two connected wings out of an old folder. I sticked the crumpled paper on the wings which make the wings look soft. The remaining crumpled paper was made into a head. Then, the body parts were put together. Presto! an angel. The project was simple, not very impressive, green, and definitely stimulating. But mind you, after a few more minutes, I was back to work refreshed and more eager to finish ASAP.

Hmm… Now its your turn to share. What excites you, especially during crunch time?

Source:

The Red Cat Society created by Kevin Whitlark and written by Patrick Regan

 

Hippeastrum riticulatum var. striatifolium

The flower of Hippeastrum riticulatum var. striatifolium plant has long, reticulated (resembling a net), red or pink lobes and has numerous stamen. The leaves are green and broad with prominent white rib, while the stalk is not too sturdy. This plant requires less watering and blooms better in shady places. 

Click this for other information.

 

Going home after the first day of classes

17 November 2009. Its the first day of class! How come the students seem they did not have enough vacation (sem break) and can’t wait to go home?

 

CATurday snapshot #17: Quenching his thirst

Meowth was desperate  to quench his thirst.  Always a resourceful cat, Meowth drank rain water straight from our big and moldy shell, where my mom is propagating a red ginger. He did not even bother me as I capture the moment.

 

Multiple Choice

When I was a grader, I consider the multiple choice type of test as the easiest to answer because the correct answer is given. All I need to do is find out which it is from among the choices. 

Then came high school and college years where multiple choice type of tests included finding out either the best  answer,  all the correct answer, or the combination of  all the correct answers. These types of multiple choice test  require in-depth analysis, thus, coming up with an answer is hard and very nerve-wracking.

I thought I’ve learned my lesson about Multiple choice questions until my bro asked me

“If and only if you are to choose between M or T, who would it be?”

I came up with an answer. But as I think about it, I came with this conclusion— a conclusion that is too far from my belief  way back grade school: the multiple choice type question of is not easy as it seem, most especially if used in daily decision-making. It is tricky and is confining. Now, I prefer the essay type of test where I can justify my answer.

 

Think of this: behind the shadows

From among the thoughts I have read which made me either sad, enlightened, challenged, or encouraged; I am sharing this one to you.

Dr. McGoldrick introduced each of us with a single sentence. About Lynn he said to them, ‘This young lady will be entering Yale in the fall and becoming a physian.’

‘A fine career,’ said the Russian politely.

About Mac he said, ‘This young man is a high school junior who has won a national science contest with his experiments on lasers.’

The Russian almost bowed. They were courtly, as if their manners were from the time of the czars.

And about me, Dr. McGoldrick said—out loud— ‘This is Scottie-Anne McKane. Her sister is a beauty contest queen and has won many pageants.’

The other kids stared at him, horrifed.

I thought: I refuse to burst into tears in front of the Soviet delegation to the United Nations. There is such a thing as going too far.

The ambassador said, in excellent English, ‘We have just had the first beauty pageant in Moscow. It was very strange for us. You must be so proud of your sister, Miss McKane.’

Stomping on his toes would probably not cement Sovient-American relationships, so I said, ‘Very proud, sir.’

A hint of smile tugged the corner of his mouth. ‘I think you lie, my dear.’

‘I think you’re right, ‘ I said.

And the Soviet ambassador to the United nations winked at me.

Who wants to be introduced thru comparison? I guess none. No one would like to remain in the shadows of another person, right?

Honestly, I’ve been in a similar situation when I was in Grade one. My younger BIG bro received praises for being academically superior, while I got none but subtle remarks on my being an average student. I then had low self-esteem. But I opted to have a change.

Not that I became an outstanding and smart student over night, but my aim of getting out of bro’s shadow motivated me to do my best always and in all ways. I succeeded. I had my own share of applauses.

Since then, I have this drive to find my own place so as not to be in someone else’s shadow.

Do you have your own “shadow” story?

Source:

Twenty Pageants Later by Caroline B. Cooney

P.S.

I case you are interested, here is a review about the book mentioned above.

 

Mother Theresa in charcoal

I was walking around Caedo building when I saw an in-process charcoal painting of Mother Theresa of Calcutta at R and E frames.  I stopped and watched  for a while then asked the artist, who preferred to be called Greg, if I can take snapshots and ask some querries while he was putting the last touches on his current artwork. He agreed. 

From our brief chat, I learned that He do not have a degree in fine arts, he attends workshops to improve his craft. He told me that his drawings then were of cartoon characters, but as time passed by his topics became varied. Now, he paints whatever he wants or whatever he was commissioned to do.

I asked if he works only on a particular time of the day.  He affirmed. He told me that as much as possible, he paints only during day time so as not to strain his eyes.

Note:

R and E frames is located at Caedo Commercial center, Bo. Calicanto, Batangas city.