cherokee. twenty something. a beloved living the time of her life. national flower of Atlanta, Georgia. Jesus. internet. web upholstering. web critic. hobbyist. reading. studying. learning. driving. traveling. sleeping. pillows. guitar. flute. music. table tennis. sports enthusiast. films & movies. photography. the beach. dark chocolates. ice cream. passionate. perfectionist. eight. writer. retailer. values driven. contemplative. dreamer.
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HELP BUILD MY CITY
Your daily visits and messages will help my city rise. Drive through Città Giardino. Grazie!
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FROM CARS TO AIRPLANES
rooks driving through on 08.24.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 16:39
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THE PRINCE GAVE A BALL
I was there...but did not marry him. Cinderella did. Hehehe ^.^
rooks driving through on 08.24.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 16:33
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AT A BIRTHDAY BASH WITH FMA FRIENDS
rooks driving through on 08.10.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 17:21
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DR. LISA BOOTH BROOTEN
Last friday, August 1, 2008, I attended a forum, Global Media Trends: Community Engagement at Titus Brandsma Center in New Manila, Quezon City. The guest speaker was Dr. Lisa Booth Brooten. She is a Fulbright Scholar (2008). An Associate Professor, Department of Radio Television College of Mass Communication & Media Arts Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, USA.
Dr. Brooten shared some initial findings of her study - Comparative study of media reform in the US, Thailand, Philippines, and Burma. Interestingly after the forum, these thoughts kept swimming on my head... News delivered by our country's two biggest networks (ABS-CBN & GMA) are "Manila-centered" - news in the eyes of manila media even if the news happened in the provinces. A manilafied interpretation of the news becomes the presentation on television. Surprisingly yet subtly, headlines or the "on the top news" include entertainment (Britney Spears fighting over child custody). Hence, the trend sways to the "entertainmentization" of the news. Thus there is a great call to move beyond the celebrity focus. That is, to decentralize and to get the locals more involved in documenting and delivering the news.
rooks driving through on 08.05.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 16:23
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SPEEDYCARPARTS...FROM RAGS TO RICHES
rooks driving through on 07.31.08 THU - (GMT+08:00) 09:38
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SCENT OF A WOMAN
I admire women who have real beauty. A humble and kind heart that reflects on a pretty face that makes a woman more beautiful. Stay pretty coz we're few. (From a text message months ago)
I believe that behind and more than the pretty face is the inner beauty God created in a woman that makes her extra special. The inner beauty is that scent of a woman that may come in various forms. That is leadership, wisdom, patience, endurance, resilience and a lot more that makes her stand out, be recognized, and respected. Livescience names The Most Powerful Modern Women Leaders and our very own Corazon Aquino is among them.
1. Queen Elizabeth II - United Kingdom
2. Indira Gandhi - India
3. Margaret Thatcher - Britain
4. Golda Meir - Israel
5. Angela Merkel - Germany
6. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - Liberia
7. Corazon Aquino - Philippines
8. Benazir Bhutto - Pakistan
9. Sirivamo Bandaranaike - Sri Lanka
10. Yulia Tymoshenko - Ukraine
rooks driving through on 07.12.08 SAT - (GMT+08:00) 12:52
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LIVING NO MORE IN THE SHADOWS OF NBA LEGENDS
rooks driving through on 06.20.08 FRI - (GMT+08:00) 08:10
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FIREFOX 3 ON ITS QUEST FOR A WORLD RECORD
rooks driving through on 06.20.08 FRI - (GMT+08:00) 07:50
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CRAZY TRASH PRANK
One coffee break morning at the office, a trash was left at a table we were about to occupy. I asked my officemates who left it because I had a feeling that Dags left it because I saw him there before we occupied the place. He had this "oops... sorry I forgot" syndrome. They then told me that it was Dags who was eating a cupcake earlier but were only 90% sure if it was really him who left it. Spontaneously, I thought of playing a trash prank. To make sure if it was really his, I then asked Dags out of mischievous innonence if he left his cupcake wrapper at the pantry. He laughed and told me that it was his. He said sorry and thanked me. He thought I already disposed it. He he. Little did he know that I was about to leave a surprise for him at his table...
rooks driving through on 06.17.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 14:57
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GO CELTICS
rooks driving through on 06.07.08 SAT - (GMT+08:00) 14:11
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BUONA FESTA DI MARIA AUSILIATRICE
One with the entire Salesian Family in celebrating the greatest Salesian Feast: Buona Festa di Maria Ausiliatrice.
rooks driving through on 05.24.08 SAT - (GMT+08:00) 07:28
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SEASON 7's AMERICAN IDOL
I started this season much to Simon's chagrin, as a word nerd. But I'm absolutely at a loss for words right now. This is amazing. -- David Roland Cook
rooks driving through on 05.23.08 FRI - (GMT+08:00) 10:37
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HOW LUCKY ARE YOU
Luck Quotient: 58%. You have an average luck quotient. There's been times when you've been extremely lucky... but also times when you've been very unlucky. You probably know that you can make your own luck in life, if you're open to it. So listen to your intuition as much as you can. It's right more often than you might expect.
How lucky are you?
rooks driving through on 05.22.08 THU - (GMT+08:00) 14:14
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NEVER THE SAME
God does not run out of ideas. His art is simply dynamic that no two person is alike even if they have the same set of parents or are born with a twin. Yes, even twins are unique from each other. And because of our innate uniqueness, we can never expect the other to be like us. We may have similar interests but the complexity of its similarity still lies on a different level. We therefore cannot claim absolute control over the person
to follow a set of rules rigidly whatever the set up may be. Beyond those rules is a call to enduring LOVE.
I was deeply touched by these words of a priest from a homily. He said, "We always fail in love because we expect us to be the same." From what he said my reflections took off the launching pad.
In our struggle and attempt to make things perfect and right in our own definition, we oftentimes fail to even pass the grading system of satisfactory. We would always see an enormous heap of failure rather than a worthwhile chunk of success. Living in modern chaos has become complicated than ever yet can be simple as ever if we choose to love in its truest sense.
And so if maybe the next time you get annoyed with a person because of his unique way of doing things like doing his laundry, arranging his things, eating his sandwich or whatever it is that gets into your nerves... I guess you know now what to do. Don't strangle him please...
rooks driving through on 05.21.08 WED - (GMT+08:00) 12:33
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HEART ATTACKS AND DRINKING WARM WATER
About three weeks ago, a friend sent me an e-mail regarding warm water as a means of reducing the risk of having heart attacks.
It is usually refreshing to drink cold water, juice, iced tea, or softdrinks after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer.
And so it is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
To live happy and healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle through moderation in everything. A good and hope filled disposition sets the tone to a happy life too.
May everyone live the time of their lives.
rooks driving through on 05.13.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 13:35
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KRYPTON
rooks driving through on 04.23.08 WED - (GMT+08:00) 09:48
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PILGRIM'S THEME
I last listened to this song (really listened) 6 years ago and I cannot remember anymore the passion, the excitement, and the hope...
Today...
I see dreams falling like debris.
I see dreams being washed away by the gushing waves.
I see dreams blown away by strong winds.
And as the song slowly fades to end, I see dreams heading towards the sunset...
Hmm... Yet ironically, I am beginning to believe that I am getting there in spite of these sinking dreams. Someday, I will be there with the vibrance and splendor of a dreamer reborn in the greater scheme of things...
Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tied of doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things
Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day - what's new
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things
REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things
Each must go his way, but how can I decide
Which path I should take, who will be my guide
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things
The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things (Refrain 1)
BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things (Refrain 1)
REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things
rooks driving through on 04.18.08 FRI - (GMT+08:00) 09:16
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STOP GLOBAL WARMING
I signed up to join the Stop Global Warming Virtual March and I encourage you to add your voice as well. Global warming is the most urgent issue of our time and since we are all contributors to global warming pollution we must all be part of the solution. Joining the Virtual March is a first step to joining the movement to demand solutions now.
You can join by visiting: http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/countmein.asp
StopGlobalWarming.org's mission is to use the strength of numbers to urge our government to address global warming, and urge businesses to start a new industrial revolution of clean energy that reduces our dependence on oil and helps stop global warming.
Together we can make a difference.
rooks driving through on 04.14.08 MON - (GMT+08:00) 07:36
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ISN'T IT STRANGE
Something strange yet true from my inbox...
Isn't it strange how a 100-peso bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?
Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?
Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?
Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?
Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?
Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?
Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?
Strange indeed...
rooks driving through on 03.30.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 07:47
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EASTER 2008 - A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Let me share something interesting to know forwarded by a friend...
Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon, after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.
Here's an interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are some facts:
(1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones who were around that time).
(2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
rooks driving through on 03.25.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 17:58
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SPE SALVI
My favorites from our Holy Father's latest encyclical.
(7) Faith is not merely a personal reaching out towards things to come that are still totally absent: it gives us something. It gives us even now something of the reality we are waiting for, and this present reality constitutes for us a "proof" of the things that are still unseen. Faith draws the future into the present, so that it is no longer simply a "not yet". The fact that this future exists changes the present; the present is touched by the future reality, and thus the things of the future spill over into those of the present and those of the present into those of the future.
(27) Life in its true sense is not something we have exclusively in or from ourselves: it is a relationship. And life in its totality is a relationship with Him who is the source of life. If we are in relation with Him who does not die, who is Life itself and Love itself, then we are in life. Then we "live".
(39) The capacity to suffer for the sake of the truth is the measure of humanity. Yet this capacity to suffer depends on the type and extent of the hope that we bear within us and build upon. The saints were able to make the great journey of human existence in the way that Christ had done before them, because they were brimming with great hope.
rooks driving through on 03.20.08 THU - (GMT+08:00) 13:39
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VOTE FOR OUR VERY OWN NATURAL WONDERS
Two among the many breathtaking natural wonders of our country are nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Here are our country's nominees.
Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/TubbatahaReefReef/
The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name "Chocolate Hills."
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/ChocolateHills/
To view other nominees and vote for our country's very own natural wonders, visit http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/.
rooks driving through on 03.10.08 MON - (GMT+08:00) 16:27
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BREAKFAST AT THE OFFICE...ON A SUNDAY MORNING
It was weird to be having breakfast at the office today...a sunday because sundays are sacred to me. Armand, the janitor must have felt the same way too when he walked in at our pantry because he saw me eating breakfast on a sunday morning. I was just thinking if he thought of me as a ghost or a weirdo who forgot what day today is. Anyway, our team has to go on overtime today because our boss from the US would be coming on wednesday. We had to finish on a project.
Well, today was better than I thought it would have been coz I was able to accomplish 11 test cases. I survived the day with flying colors yet still can't believe I had breakfast at the office today...a sunday.
rooks driving through on 02.24.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 21:56
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A LOVE FOR ALL TIME
When google strikingly displayed this image on my monitor as I drove through their homepage today, I became hopeful of a passionate and enduring love amidst this seemingly hopeless materialistic cosmos we live in. A love which is not only driven by money, security, fleeting hormonal desires, or other personal interests but a love for all time. And as I wished for this love to touch the heart of each one, a background music filled my mind while staring at the inspiring image (especially for couples and soon to be couples)...it could be so nice, growing old with you.
rooks driving through on 02.14.08 THU - (GMT+08:00) 21:32
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INSPIRING REFLECTIONS FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI
And only where God is seen does life truly begin.
Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is.
We are not some casual and meanigless product of evolution.
Each of us is the result of a thought of God.
Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.
There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel,
by the encounter with Christ.
There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him
and to speak to others of our friendship with Him.
rooks driving through on 02.12.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 21:12
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BEAUTIES OF US AUTO PARTS PHILIPPINES ^_^
rooks driving through on 02.08.08 FRI - (GMT+08:00) 20:31
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IN TIME FOR LENT...
Let me share an inspiring story I received from my e-mail...
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, "I don't understand."
"It is simple," said the Lord "It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."
rooks driving through on 02.07.08 THU - (GMT+08:00) 20:25
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TYPICAL DAY
rooks driving through on 02.05.08 TUE - (GMT+08:00) 20:53
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ANYWHERE YOU GO
Anywhere you go,
No matter how divine or sacred that place might be
But resides still on this mundane world…
The best that it could give is only almost perfect…
Laughter, fun, friendship, contentment, serenity…
Treasures of one’s heart to keep
Yet at a certain instance of one’s life, you realize what matters most --
In between tears of resentment and grappling acceptance
Of things given up from a repository of sacrifice and passionate love
A single strand of hope binds
That somewhere in the bitter past, a new life may bring sweet rest in your trusting heart.
rooks driving through on 02.03.08 SUN - (GMT+08:00) 21:17
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