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Teach the Children the True Meaning of Christmas

Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten! Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December. Teach the Children the holy pl

Advise On Life

by Rachel Stephens In three words I can sum up everything that I learned about life, "It goes on." When the going gets tough, make yourself realize that no matter what your problem is, someone is and always will be fighting a harder battle. Tears don't help problems and whining won't make things better. Have faith but understand that faith makes things possible, not easier. Have hope but understand without doing anything nothing gets done. Be there when people need you, because in order to have friends you must first be one. Make the impossible, possible. Never give up! You only fail when you fail to try. Keep an open mind; you never know what you may learn. Never compromise your standards for anyone, do it for you. Remember that laughter makes the world go round. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose, see through the problem to find the solution. Don't make promises that you can't keep. Keep in mind, those who gossip to you will gossip about

Driver's State of Mind

Last week, as I was driving home along España, a speeding bus almost side swept my right side mirror. I didn't actually see what happened, just heard the squeaking sound from the mirror, and when I checked it at home, there was a linear scratch on it. Driving in Metro Manila is really dangerous, especially with the so many reckless bus and truck drivers who think they are the "kings of the road". Some jeepney drivers feel the same way too and a handful of private vehicle drivers as well. With these people on the road, you can't help but practice defensive driving. Recently, a series of vehicular accidents happened all over the country, killing a significant number of people, including a beauty queen. These are proofs that there are already multitudes of "kings" on the road and their royal presence is alarming and should be stopped. I agree to stricter requirements in getting driver's licenses. While at it, let me share this article on driver's

The Right Reaction

I always react to circumstances rationally. I am quick to override my initial insinct of extreme emotion because I have learned that the heart has the natural tendency to over react even over simple things. Many people unfortunately died already because of this. We go through a lot of stresses and if we are not in control of our emotions, we'll give up early. We have to learn how to smoothly accept the circumstance without raising the blood pressure and the heart rate. We should be able to stay calm even in panic. Let's master the art of deep breathing. It is always wise to remember that "everything works together for the good of those who are called according to (God's) purpose" and that He will not give you anything you can't handle.

Yuck: Few people correctly cover coughs, sneezes

Associated Press. Mon, Jul 12, 2010 Alas, here's more proof that most people have habits that aren't very sanitary — and sometimes can be plain disgusting. The good news is that about three of every four people cover their cough or sneeze, in at least a token attempt to prevent germs from flying through the air. The bad news is that most people — about two of three — used their hands to do it. "When you cough into your hands, you cover your hand in virus," said study author Nick Wilson , an associate professor of public health at the Otago University campus in Wellington. "Then you touch doorknobs, furniture and other things. And other people touch those and get viruses that way," he explained. Health officials recommend that people sneeze into their elbow, in a move sometimes called 'the Dracula ' for its resemblance to a vampire suddenly drawing up his cape. But only about 1 in 77 did that. Using a tissue or handkerchief

Noynoy Aquino: The President

Today, the 15th President of our Republic, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, was sworn to office. He is one person that never came to my mind before the elections as a possible leader of the country. But much has been said about what happened in the May 2010 elections and the guy won fair and square. Now, I set aside my doubts and will start supporting him, a responsibility that all of us should do as citizens of the country. Sincerely he said, “The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-isip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko? Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo… Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.”

Too Much X-ray or CT Scan can Kill You!

By Marilyn Marchione, AP Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione, Ap Medical Writer – Mon Jun 14, 10:59 am ET We fret about airport scanners, power lines, cell phones and even microwaves. It's true that we get too much radiation. But it's not from those sources — it's from too many medical tests. Too much radiation raises the risk of cancer. That risk is growing because people in everyday situations are getting imaging tests far too often. Of the many ways people are overtested and overtreated, imaging is one of the most common and insidious. CT scans — "super X-rays" that give fast, extremely detailed images — have soared in use over the last decade, often replacing tests that don't require radiation, such as ultrasound and MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. Radiation is a hidden danger — you don't feel it when you get it, and any damage usually doesn't show up for years. Taken individually, tests that use radiation pose little risk. Over time

Beautiful Days in Hongkong

Beautiful Day Songwriters: Hewson, Paul; Evans, Dave; Clayton, Adam; Mullen, Larry Jr It's a beautiful day Don't let it get away It's a beautiful day Touch me, Take me to that other place Teach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case. See the world in green and blue See China right in front of you See the canyons broken by cloud See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out See the bedouin fires at night See the oil fields at first light, and See the bird with the leaf in her mouth After the flood, all the colors came out. It was a beautiful day Don't let it get away Beautiful day Touch me, take me to that other place Reach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case What you don't have you don't need it now What you don't know you can feel it somehow What you don't have you don't need it now Don't need it now It was a beautiful day!

Lessons from Hongkong

It has been a while since I last travelled abroad and my recent vacation in Hongkong was a breath of fresh air to my seemingly busy schedule. There were lot of 'firsts' in this family travel of ours. It was the first time that we travelled together as a family; first time that the kids boarded an airplane and went overseas; first time for all of us to see Hongkong (and Macau) and its amusement centers; and first time for us to see my two sisters' humble abode and workplace.The trip was generally tiring but exciting and fun. Talking as a first timer, I would say that Hongkong is generally orderly and clean . I was amazed at their transport systems especially their MTR, a much better version of our LRT/MRT's combined. Their double-decker buses have well defined routes and stops and would not mind if there are passengers on board or none at all. Their parks and amusement centers are well maintained and refreshing in sight and in smell. Men and women in

The Making Of A Mother

By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" The Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands." The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!" said the Angel. The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" "And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked. The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she ask

A Tribute to Uncle Bonjo

A tribute to a wonderful uncle, a generous godfather, and an honorable leader... It was a the day when the skies turned grey The day we were told that you've gone your way The weather was still warm but a wind was passing through We realized that we will sorely miss you. We knew we'd feel blue That one day we'd lose a man as dear as you Who would have thought you'd leave so soon? Leaving behind the friends and relatives you bound in reunion. We're sure you've gone to a better place Bringing with you love, peace and other things You're probably looking down with a smile on your face Seeing us reminisce the memories and our exciting beginnings. These are moments we'll cherish and hold so dear Moments spent and everlasting memories Even though it's hard not to see you again physically We'll continue living our lives inspired by the uncle we all knew...as Bonjo.

No Role for Antibiotics After I & D

I chanced upon this article and I find it interesting and worth looking into. We're used of prescribing antibiotics for all bacterial infections, skin abscesses included. Resistance to some antibacterials is already high in the country so any idea to lessen its use will be significant in its reduction. April 9, 2010 — Antibiotics don't improve outcomes after incision and drainage of uncomplicated skin abscesses, new research indicates. They might prevent new abscesses at one month, however. "We're seeing so many abscesses now," lead researcher Dr. Gillian R. Schmitz told Reuters Health. Before methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) became so widespread, most abscess patients had diabetes or were immunocompromised, she said, "but now they're popping up all over the place in people with no traditional risk factors." "But no one has studied best practice for treating abscesses," Dr. Schmitz added. In the Nov

Our 6th Wedding Anniversary: Iron and Candy

6 years ago today, in a golden yellow motiff, Rot and I professed our vows at San Miguel, Manila and celebrated with our family and friends at Intramuros. It was a memorable event for both of us as it was a culmination of our friendship. All these years, I was the Iron and she was the Candy. It was obvious from the start that I was the stronger and serious partner being a type A personality. Rot on the other hand was the more thoughtful and 'sweeter'. We have had our 'ups and downs' but, with God in the center, the iron and the candy have been a good mix so far.

No "Black" Saturday

This is a repost from Holy Week of 2007. Here's an example of one person who, I believe, had the right way of reflecting on his holy week. Let's continue to be reminded of dying on our own crosses! ERIK WEIHENMAYER: "BLIND" FAITH TO TOUCH THE TOP OF THE WORLD "People have the inner resources to become anything they want to be. Challenge (in a person's life) just becomes the vehicle for tapping into those inner resources," begins Eric Weihenmayer. "Life isn't meant to be easy. It is meant to be exciting and challenging. But you've got to understand that it's never going to be easy." Thirty year old Weihenmayer lives in Colorado and thrives on challenge. He is a marathon runner, a long-distance biker, a sky diver, and a well known, highly experienced rock and mountain climber. He has climbed the highest peak on three of the world's seven continents and scaled the Nose of El Capitan. He plans to attempt an ascent of M

Living A Holy Life

As we prepare for the coming week, let us be reminded again of this powerful message. In the message "Believe and Be Restored" we considered our need to believe that what God said is true. He said the death and resurrection of Jesus was the final sacrifice for our sin, and that those who believe would receive the gift of eternal life. Clearly, our Salvation is a gift from God; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). We did nothing to earn our Salvation and there is nothing we must now do to keep it, we simply must believe; "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Though our sins are forgiven and Jesus is 100% sufficient for Salvation - though we walk in grace and are absolutely free of condemnation - sin in our life still causes temporary separation and tension in our relationship with God. Therefore, over and over in scripture, we are called to a life of holiness: "As

Semestral Break

Today is the start of our 3-week semestral break and it's a good time for me to sit back and relax for a while. Although, I have yet to finish my take home examination, I really need a break from stresses at work and school. One thing I've been wanting to do is to catch up on the movies I missed. I can't even remember what the last one I saw and I know there've been a lot of good movies that were shown. A trip to Quiapo is one itinerary of the day... Then there's cleaning of the house, the car... Sometimes we get too busy with work that we can't do the stuff you used to do and love doing. After work, all you want to do is just lie down and sleep. The mind gets too tired that it doesn't allow your body to do more. Oh well. Life. It's complicated...

My Valentine!

How much do I love thee How much is my love worth It's worth more than all the wealth in this world because you're worth more than everything... When do I love thee when do I think of you Every second, Every minute any given place, any given time... Where do I love thee Where do I keep my love for you I keep it deep in my heart Where no one can ever touch. Why do I love thee Why do I love all about you I love you because you are my one and only... My Love, My Valentine...Forever.

Improving Sales

I t's the first day of the 2nd month of the year and I wonder how our Sales Team are doing so far, considering the 'high target' management has set for them. I am not a good sales person and I can only do so much to assist them in meeting their quota. So, I am sharing this article from my 'idol' Francis Kong who always explains it best. What Makes an Excellent Salesperson by Francis Kong An optometrist was instructing a new employee on how to charge a customer. "As you are fitting his glasses, if he asks how much they cost, you say P4,500.00." If his eyes don't flutter, say, 'For the frames. The lenses will be P3,500.00.' If his eyes still don't flutter, you add 'Each.' Boy... oh... boy. This is not customer service... this is a rip off. This is no way to make a sale. “Hi... how are you doing?” “Do you need any help? Well if you do just call me... I'll be around.” These are the same words I hear

Colon Cancer Again!

I have a sim ilar post sometime ago when an aunt of mine died of it. Then Cory Aquino died of it, and now, another relative and the mother of one of my staff are suffering from it. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. And it occurs most often in people older than 50. This type of cancer happens when cells that are not normal grow in your colon or rectum . These cells grow together and form tumors. When it is found early, it is easily treated and often cured. But because it usually is not found early, it is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Screening tests can prevent this cancer, but only a few of us undergo screening. According to the American Cancer Society, if everyone were tested, tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year. What causes colorectal cancer? Most cases begin as polyps , which are small growths inside the colon or rectum. Colon polyps are very common, and most of them do not turn into cancer. But doctors

Reality Check : The Difference

Let me start the year by sharing to you an article that points out a reality. It was supposedly written by Dr Arsenio Martin. 2010 is election year again for us and contrary to many, I would say that the change of leadership in our government will not make our country better. Our country is doomed to be poor, unless we see the point this prose is hammering into our heads. I just hope that these thoughts will not just fly by as a 'nice to know'. The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country. This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand , that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich. The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources. Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattl