What's Hot For Halloween??

Halloween is Saturday, and it's estimated we'll spend billions for the holiday. (How much exactly?) How will Americans spend all that dough? Costumes and candy galore, pumpkins, decor, haunted houses and more.

Costumes: Top sellers are witches, princesses, pirates and superheroes, but pop-culture costumes are also hot. The biggest trend is bloody obvious, and here are some ways to get in touch with your inner vampire. Think Michael Jackson gloves or Kate Gosselin wigs. Or get some video inspiration for a shiny, floating parody.

Candy: Chocolate is by far the most popular Halloween treat, but kids also love prank candy, themed lollipops and, well, gross gummies. This year a dark variation on a Valentine's favorite is a big seller.

Creative carving: The old eyes-nose-mouth triangles have given way to complex and beautiful pumpkin designs. Get creative with free templates and tips.

Spooky décor: Make a do-it-yourself gravestone or hang ghostly apparitions in the trees. If you're willing to put a little effort into it, this electronic creep is frighteningly good.

Haunted houses: Most every city has pay-per-scare haunted houses. This one in New Hampshire and another in Pennsylvania are popular, but this horrifying home in Baton Rouge consistently gets top ratings.

Boo you: Have you ever been BOO-ed? It's a cute way to spread Halloween spirit from house to house.

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Bored!

I am bored in school. Since it is semestral break, the students are on vacation. I envy them! I wish I have a semestral break too but of course I don't have since I'm not a student anymore. I have work.

I want to have a vacation. I want to have a change of environment. But I don't know if this will happen at this time. But at least Monday is a holiday, I can rest.

I am happy still because an account of mine was reactivated. I almost give up on it. I thought I lose it. I am so glad it was revived.

But the sad thing is I forgot to punch in after lunch time. sigh! Well, I'll just write a letter of the incident tomorrow. I'm bored and I am tired. I think that I'll going to sleep early tonight.

Maximized Time...

I've learned to maximize my time. I've learned it from a friend. I have to do the things that needs to be done. I don't have to wait for others and set aside the things that I should do. I am like that in the past. I always wait for others who promise that they will come back but most of the time they didn't. And the end point is I am the one on the losing end. So sad!

Anyways, I'm not like that anymore. I've learned to do my own thing. I will finish first my tasks before doing things for others. To use my time wisely. Like yesterday, I was going to meet up with a friend. My mom ask me to buy her vitamins. Before, I was like set aside my mom's request and wait for my friend to arrive. But, yesterday, I bought first the vitamins my mom ask me to buy before proceeding to our meeting place. I'm glad I did it because my friend arrived late. At least, I accomplished something for myself. I haven't wasted my time.

I'm practicing it now and it feels good to accomplish much! he he

How to Wear Skinny Jeans..

Skinny, 80s style jeans have made a huge comeback like no other trend out there. They’ve been on the scene for almost 2 years now, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be going away anytime soon. Some people love skinny jeans, while others can’t stand the thought. The truth is, skinny jeans can look great, but only if you know how to wear them.

Most people like wearing skinny jeans with flats, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look good on everyone. Why? Skinny jeans don’t help your figure; especially if you’re short, or a little curvier. Skinny jeans look amazing on tall and lean figures, and that’s the truth. If you’re tall and lean, go ahead wear them with flats as they won’t shorten
you or make you look stocky. Not all fashion trends look great on everyone.

That being said, even if you are short, you can still pull off a pair of skinny jeans, but make sure you have a little bit of heel. Skinny jeans tend to shorten you, so wear them with a pair of hot pumps, the combination is
just to die for!

Either way, just because skinny jeans are hot right now, does not mean you have to wear them! If they don’t look good on you, there is no point in putting yourself in something that doesn’t make you feel comfortable.

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Love Me For A Reason - Boyzone

Girl when you hold me

How you control me

You bend and you fold me

Any way you please

It must be easy for you

To love the things that you do

But just a pastime for you

I could never be

And I never know girl

If I should stay or go

Cos the games that you play

Are driving me away...

Don't love me for fun girl

Let me be the one girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love

Don't love me for fun, girl

Let me be the one, girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love

Kisses and caresses

Are only minor tests, babe

Of love turned to stresses

Between a woman and a man

So if love everlasting

Isn't what you're asking

I'll have to pass, girl

I'm proud to take a stand

I can't continue guessing

Because it's only messing

With my pride, and my mind

So write down this time to time

Don't love me for fun, girl

Let me be the one, girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love

Don't love me for fun, girl

Let me be the one, girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love

I'm just a little olf-fashioned

It takes more than a physical attraction

My initial reaction is

Honey give me a love

Not a fascimile of

Don't love me for fun, girl

Let me be the one, girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love

Don't love me for fun, girl

Let me be the one, girl

Love Me For a Reason

Let the reason be love (Repeat to fade)

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For a Lifetime

If I had to sum up friendship in one word, it would be comfort.
~Adabella Radici

One of the loneliest feelings in the world is the knowledge that the relationship that I had counted on to last a lifetime... didn't. It's during these moments -- during the bleakest days of dragging through a divorce -- that I find myself aching for a miracle.

Curiously, it's just these times when a friend seems to appear.

Sometimes it's a phone call from my oldest friend, Nancy. I've known her longer than anyone, and she has a talent for getting right to the heart of a matter. She always understands the very deepest part of me. When I hang up the phone, I always feel younger than the day I first met her.

Other times, I'm lucky enough to hear from Pam. I've known her for thirty years now, and I can tell her anything. It's amazing to me what comfort there is in that. And sometimes, what fun there is in that. Our conversations are often unusual, but they always leave me smiling.

Then there is Bea, a relatively new friend who understands a lot more about what I am going through than I ever would have guessed. She knows what to say and what not to say. She sends cards that make me laugh when I need it most. When it's often all I can do to get through the day, her positive attitude and infectious giggle never fail to act as a tonic, leaving me feeling uplifted and revived.

Fran is my old friend and jogging buddy who knows to pick up the pace on days when I need to run off the extra anger, and to stroll on days I just need to talk. She has a talent for finding cards that capture just the right sentiment so that I can have a reminder when she isn't around.

Nina never fails to offer wisdom, insight, and guidance when I need them the most.

Patsy has a talent for distractions and resources.

Jane sends e-mails that make me think. Margie sends e-mails that touch me deeply. Deb sends e-mail jokes that make me laugh until my stomach hurts.

At a time in my life when I feel stranded and alone, some friends make a point of "checking in" to see how I'm doing, and some make sure the children and I always have plans for the holidays.

There are the friends who know how to be there, and the friends who know how to listen. There are those who offer perspective and ones who know how to be silly. There are the ones who -- bless their hearts! -- are willing to rearrange their schedules in order to make precious time for me, all because they know just how valuable a real friend is.

Most amazing of all are the friends who teach me (usually by example, like the gentlest and wisest of teachers) how to forgive.

Every single one of them teaches me that even in the darkest of days, I can always make out the shapes of happiness if I strain enough to see. They teach me that not every relationship lasts a lifetime -- but that we will always have a lifetime of relationships.

If anyone were to ask me what helps most in a divorce, I would tell them: friends. Good friends. They teach me that when I ask for a miracle to help me through the rough spots, I get friends who help me through the rough spots instead. And that makes them the miracle I needed all along.

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The Ugly Truth..

Synopsis:

The battle of the sexes heats up in Columbia Pictures comedy The Ugly Truth. Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She's in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick

My Movie Review:

It is a hilarious movie. When a man is really in love with a woman, he is really scared to speak up to the one he loves. He chicken out! ha ha Love really is something that you don't expect. It just happens. You'll just feel it. It's like magic. I can say that there's no really formula for love. You just have to be yourself and not pretend to be somebody you're not. This would make you truly happy in the end. Pleasing someone, changing the real you for that someone you think is right for you is not the right thing to do. Just be true and be yourself. And everything will be fine.

Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) lyrics - Backstreet Boys

Even in my heart I see

You're not bein' true to me

Deep within my soul I feel

Nothing's like it used to be

Sometimes I wish I could Turn back time Impossible as it may seem

But I wish I could so bad baby

Quit playin' games with my heart

Quit playin' games with my heart

Before you tear us apart

I should've known from the start

Before you got into my heart

I live my life the way

To keep you comin' back to me

Everything I do is for you so

So what is it that you can't see

Sometimes I wish I could

Turn back time

Impossible as it may seem

But I wish I could so bad

You better quit playin' games with my heart

Quit playin' games

Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong

Don't leave me hangin' here forever

Oh baby, baby this is not a lie, let's stop

This tonight

Baby, quit playin' games

Sometimes I wish I could

Turn back time

Impossible as it may seem

But I wish I could so bad, baby

Quit playin' games with my heart

Quit playin' games

Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong

Don't leave me hangin' here forever

Oh baby, baby this is not a lie, let's stop

This tonight

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Sembreak...

The school is a total riot nowadays! The students are so busy trying to finish their requirements. Having defense left and right. The corridors are so noisy. What a busy week! This is because sembreak is finally near!

I feel good that finally the first semester is over! I can relax now. I have a good semester even if there's some not good things happened. But overall rating, it is really good for me.

I hope that next semester would still be really good for me...

Life Lessons from Classic Movie Monsters

What Movie Monsters Can Teach Us About Morality

For nearly 100 years, they've dragged us into strange, fantastic realms where they've thrilled us, chilled us, and entertained us silly. From the days of the silent screen to modern CGI blockbusters, movie monsters have ensured we walk away with our hearts beating a little faster and our nerves a little jumpier. Monster movies, from the Depression-era Universal classics to more modern fare, have always been synonymous with escapism. And, with the recently released "Zombieland" and the upcoming remake of "The Wolf Man" (coming in February), Hollywood shows no signs of stemming this terrifying tide.

We've certainly never associated good life lessons with these nefarious creatures. But nevertheless, there may be a few to glean. What can Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and others movie monsters teach us about morality?

Dracula: It's What's on the Inside That Counts

The tux. The cape. That awesome Transylvanian accent. Yes, Count Dracula of 1931's "Dracula" made quite an impression on London society, charming the ladies, intimidating the men, and sucking up all the attention for himself. He was a count, for crying out loud… rich, debonair, and oh so mysterious.

But underneath it all, who was Dracula, really? Did he like the count he saw in the mirror?

Of course not! He's a vampire! If Dracula was the sort to ponder, he might have seen the mirror—and his inability to cast a reflection—as a metaphor for his empty, parasitic existence. Dracula is a soulless creature who used people for only what he could take from them, giving nothing in return (well, except for eternal living damnation, that is). He sucks the joy from life and drains it of meaning, leaving little behind but the husks of his victims. He's a classic example of a hollow man with a great exterior but nothing going on inside to reflect on.

Frankenstein's Monster: Don't Mess with Mother Nature

According to the credits, "the Monster" in the 1931 classic "Frankenstein" is the big, hulking, flat-topped guy who lurched about and said "argh" a lot. But we beg to differ. Really, the reanimated corpse was doing just fine as a collection of spare parts before the good doctor and his assistant, Fritz, decided to steal them, stitch them together, and get them all moving again with a little electrical charge. He didn't ask to be reanimated, and he certainly didn't ask to be imbued with a terrific fear of fire. And maybe the whole movie would've turned out differently had someone simply told him that little girls do not float.

No, the real monster here is Dr. Frankenstein himself. Sure, maybe he was smarter than the average mad scientist. Maybe you wouldn't run away, screaming, if he stood behind you in the express lane at the supermarket. But can anyone doubt the man's less-than-honorable intent when he cackles, during a horrific, life-creating thunderstorm, "It's alive! It's alive!"? Frankenstein was a symbol of science gone wrong, which has been a favorite touchstone of cinema ever since: Sure, technology is great and all, but can't we take it too far? Frankenstein's answer: "Argh."

The Wolf Man: Beware the Beast Within

"Dracula" and "Frankenstein," as scary as they were for Depression-era audiences, were at least comfortingly predictable in their own ways: Dracula might drink blood, but you knew he wasn't going to make a scene at a dinner party. Frankenstein's monster, meanwhile, simply couldn't be trusted with the fine china.

The star character of Lon Cheney Jr.'s 1941 film "The Wolf Man" was a different beast entirely. Most of the time, he was mild-mannered Larry Talbot, a nice, honorable guy with a cool-looking cane. But when the moon popped up and the wolfbane's in bloom, watch out: You've got a ravenous monster on your hands, liable to tear into anyone who looks at him sideways (or, for that matter, looks particularly tasty).

While Talbot only turned into The Wolf Man under specific conditions, it reminds us all of the embarrassing, frightening, and sometimes destructive passions that roil inside us. The Wolf Man is Freud's Id unfettered—a mass of animalistic hungers, desires, angers, and fears that we've learned to master but never truly tamed. It's a good reminder that we should always be ourselves—as long as it doesn't involve biting people.

The Blob: Don't Let Small Problems Become Big Ones

The Blob in 1958's "The Blob," started its sojourn to earth innocently enough. Locked inside a meteorite, the jelly-like mass escapes after an old man does what any of us would've done: poke the meteorite with a stick. Alas, the mass climbs up the stick and attaches itself to the old man's hand, eventually consuming the poor guy with nary a burp. Soon, The Blob is digesting small-town citizens like realtors snack on breath mints. Only the creative use of fire extinguishers brings the creature to heel.

Of course, had anyone understood earlier that The Blob couldn't stand cold, more folks would have survived and the movie would have been much shorter. But really, it's not in our nature to nip many of our problems in the bud. We tend to let them fester and grow, until suddenly we realize they're devouring our time, energy, and (occasionally) our grocery store janitors.

The Mummy: Love Really Is Forever

Imhotep's in love. Granted, it's a forbidden love—one so forbidden that he was mummified alive for it– and on top of that, his main squeeze breathed her last breath several millennia ago. No matter. Because Imhotep of the 1932 film "The Mummy"—feeling surprisingly lively after being revived by a forbidden reanimation spell—has found the spitting image of his long-lost love, Princess Anck-es-en-Amon, in a woman about 5,000 years his junior.

The woman, Helen Grosvenor, has no idea that she's the reincarnation of a long-dead princess, of course. Nor does she have a thing for Imhotep, and she's eventually forced to conjure him back to death again. But that's not the point. The thing is, we've long been told that true love, is the most powerful force in the world, able to break barriers, conquer obstacles, and even transcend death itself. Imhotep's foray into the 20th century suggests that we heard right: That all those romantic poets knew what they were talking about.

Next time Imhotep takes another stab at finding his beloved, though, maybe he should ask her if she still loves him, too.

The Phantom: Rules Aren't Always Meant to Be Broken

Let's be up front here: Erik, a.k.a. The Phantom in the 1925 film "The Phantom of the Opera" is kind of a jerk. He has a crush on pretty opera singer Christine Daae, and in order to make her rich and famous, he strong-arms the reigning diva into not singing, threatens the establishment of the Paris Opera House, and drops a massive chandelier on unsuspecting ticket buyers.

But if you're Christine and you're accepting all this diabolical help (and there's no question she is), the least you could do is follow the one incontrovertible rule he's created for her: Don't touch the mask.

So what happens? The minute Erik's back is turned (playing a tune on his organ that has an "undercurrent of menace," he says), Christine sneaks up behind him, rips off his mask and reveals the most horrific visage this side of Tom Petty. Erik gets mad. Christine gets panicked. The Opera House nearly gets blown up. We're not saying that Christine should have meekly followed this masked madman's wishes… but perhaps had she shown a little more consideration for Erik—who's obviously sensitive to his looks—he might not have tried to kill quite so many people.

The Zombies of 'Night of the Living Dead': Live a Little

Sure, being undead isn't always fun. But while Dracula seemed to enjoy his status and Imhotep had his reincarnated love to keep him occupied, the zombies that populate 1968's "Night of the Living Dead" are as mirthless a bunch of reanimated corpses as you're likely to meet.

You'd think these zombies would appreciate the fact that, though dead, they can still shamble around. So what do they do with their extra time on earth? See a movie? Watch a football game? No, they search with a slow, single-minded determination for the living in order to eat their brains.

We can all get a little zombie-like in our daily lives. We can lose track of our priorities, forget to watch the sun rise, and instead shuffle to our little cubicles, day after sunless day. The zombies on screen remind us that there's more to life than just walking, eating brains, and grunting. There's a whole world to explore and enjoy. We should remember to stop and smell the roses—before our noses fall off.

King Kong: Fame Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be

Kong of the 1933 hit "King Kong" was doing just fine on Skull Island. No, he wasn't rich or famous, but he had everything he really needed: food, shelter, dinosaurs to fight, sacrificial maidens to play with.

Then along comes a big-shot movie director promising fame and fortune and, before he knows it, Kong's drugged and shipped off to New York – a story surely familiar to many an aspiring actor. The director knows that if Kong can make it there, he can make it anywhere. And indeed, Kong does make it—to the top of the Empire State Building, where he's promptly gunned down by a squadron of biplanes.

The chance to be famous has always haunted the American dream. And, in an age fraught with reality TV and YouTube, fame seems so much more attainable for most of us. Back in the day, we had to be really, really good at something. These days, you–um, don't. And really, who among us wouldn't want to be the next…Jon Gosselin?

But as we pursue fame, it's good to remember Kong's example: sometimes it's better to be a live, happy gorilla away from the bright lights, than a dead one in them.

The Invisible Man: Don't Do Drugs

Dr. Jack Griffin wasn't born invisible. No, as we saw in the 1933 classic "The Invisible Man," he made himself that way, through the use of a mysterious drug known as monocane. And, while being invisible might be enough to make anyone stoked, the side effects—notably cranium-cracking madness—are a definite downer.

Griffin wasn't a fun invisible man. He was downright scary, in fact, and liable to beat, kidnap, and kill the folks he came in contact with while reciting nursery rhymes. Eventually, the guy got his comeuppance, gunned down naked in the snow.

Griffin's story never made it to any somber PSAs. But perhaps it should. After all, the dangers of drug abuse often seem negligible—almost invisible—to users, and drug abuse itself often goes undetected. Griffin might actually be a fitting representative of the bad things drugs can do.

Count Orlock: Stay Out of the Sun

We've heard it a million times: "Too much sun can hurt you." "Wear sunscreen if you go outside." "Don't forget a hat." Count Orlock of 1922's "Nosferatu" knew the dangers of the sun as much as anyone: Vampires, after all, have particularly sensitive skin.

But, no. Just like the legions of enthusiastic tanners who toast their bodies to become more attractive, Orlock was drawn to the sun by a cute little thing named Ellen—a woman who left herself open to Orlock's nefarious advances in order to kill the vampire. It worked like a charm: Forgetting his SPF 5,000 sunscreen back in the crypt, the vampire vaporized in the rays of the rising sun.

Staying out of the sun might not qualify for some as a matter of morality. But taking care of yourself, be it eating well, exercising, or staying sensibly in your crypt when you're supposed to, are important to health. Feeling good is an indispensable part of being good. Just ask Orlock.

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Riddex Pest Repeller

Do you want to get rid of mice and roaches? Are they pestering you? Are they messing up your home? You don't have to worry anymore. There's a solution to your problem. I would like to introduce to you Riddex Pest Repeller. It is the best product in the market of its kind. Guaranteed that it will get rid of unwanted pests in your home.

Riddex is also a safe product with low maintenance. It is chemical free so you don't have to worry that it would be harmful to your health. It is also listed with Underwriters Laboratories, the Environmental Protection Agency. So don't think twice on using it. It surely works! What are you waiting for, try it now!

Food for thoughts..

Faith and doubt both are needed, not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve.

- Lillian Smith


He who laughs, lasts.

- Mary Pettibone Poole


Love consists in looking together in the same direction.

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

- Confucius


Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.

- Aldous Huxley


Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.

- Rainer Maria Rilke


Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

- Leo Buscaglia

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Final Exam!

Tomorrow is the start of the exam week. Finally, the last week of my teaching job. yipeeeeeeee! I made it!

I am done making my exam. I feel more relax right now. Teaching is not an easy job. You must give your heart and soul to it. You have to have the passion for it.

Days really move fast. I recall how hesitant I am in accepting this part time job and now it's almost over. the extra income is also a big help too. I was able to buy the things I wanted and help my family too. It's nice to have an extra money too in the bank. he he!

Top 10 Movies to Put Your Faith in Love (and Cry in the Process)

We all need to cry sometimes. And even if life's going pretty well for you, sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than being alone and crawling into a little ball on the couch with a blanket, a box of tissues, and movie that makes you think about the power of love. Oh yeah, and cry like a baby.

It's during those times I turn to one of these movies about putting faith in love. You'll see they aren't all romance movies—some are films about love of family, friends, and more.

I know that many of you will disagree with some of my choices-- I've left out a lot of perennial favorites like "Casablanca," "Some Like It Hot" and "Annie Hall." But the films below are the ones that affect me the most.

'Selena'

When Mexican-American singer Selena, "Queen of Tejano Music" burst onto the music scene in the early 90s, I was too busy banging my head to Nirvana and Pearl Jam to notice. But when she was murdered in 1995 by her fan club manager, I was awakened to the shock, anger, and heartbreak among her many fans. In the heavily Hispanic areas of my hometown, Brooklyn, N.Y., I noticed memorial T-shirts worn by many. In "Selena," Jennifer Lopez wonderfully portrays the music star (in a performance she hasn't matched to date) as a carefree, amazingly talented young woman, who loved her family, fans, and music, and whose life and career was cut way too short. Watching her fans and family grieve her loss--both in the movie and in real-life--was absolutely heartbreaking.

'Titanic'

OK, we all know how this movie ends. But it doesn't prevent me from falling apart during the scene where Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, encourages his love Rose (Kate Winslet) to survive the icy waters after the massive Titanic sinks. "You must promise me that you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise....never let go." And then...he dies. Sniff, sniff.

'The Other Sister'

Part inspirational tale, part love story, Juliette Lewis' portrayal of Carla, a mentally disabled young woman's who struggles to succeed and live a normal life, is heartwarming and uplifting. Her relationship with fellow college student Daniel (Giovanni Ribisi) who is also mentally disabled is so wonderfully innocent and sweet that it will no doubt move you to tears.

'Braveheart'

This Mel Gibson hit movie offers the best of both cinematic worlds—it's action-packed and has a beautiful love story woven in. The funeral scene in the beginning of the film, where the young William Wallace is handed a flower from the adorable Murron is enough to make any macho man shed a tear. Or seven.

'The Notebook'

Who hasn't gone into convulsive sobs while watching this movie? Anyone? Anyone? Watching this masterpiece about an elderly man trying to help his dementia-stricken wife remember the story of their love, strengthened my belief in soul mates and miracles. If this movie doesn't move you, I'm sure nothing else will.

'Beaches'

They say "opposites attract" in romantic love, but throughout my own life I've certainly found that this rings more true in my friendships than anything else. And watching the friendship between CC (Bette Midler) and Hillary (Barbara Hershey) blossom, and fade, and then grow stronger, gives me renewed faith in the power of friendships and encourages me to be a better friend.

'Ghost'

The movie that made pottery-making sexy again will always have a place in my heart. I can't help but think of this movie—and the intense love between the two main characters, played by Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, whenever I'm at a wedding and the classic Righteous Brother's song, "Unchained Melody" is played.

'Steel Magnolias'

I hate it when people die in movies, especially when the character—in this case Julia Roberts as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie—is so charming and lovable. And, watching all of the other friends in this movie—a stellar line-up of characters played by Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis, and Daryl Hannah—cope with Shelby's upcoming marriage, and eventually death, makes me at times crack up laughing, and break down crying.

'You've Got Mail'

When this movie came out 15 years ago (Wow! Has it been that long!?) single, tech-savvy people everywhere started believing in love again. Today, with online dating on the rise, the thought that one's soul mate could be found while answering an online dating ad, or by striking up a conversation with someone on a discussion board or in a chat room, always has the hope of a "You've Got Mail" ending behind it.

'Stepmom'

In this ultimate tear-jerker, Susan Sarandon plays Jackie Harrison, a woman with terminal cancer, who must learn to get along with her ex-husband's fiancé, Isabel (Julia Roberts) because she will eventually become stepmom to Jackie's two children. Not only do we get to experience Jackie's intense love for her kids—and the horrific pain of knowing she only has a short time left with them—but also her struggle to trust (and maybe even love) a woman who is so different from herself.

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Another day...

I'm glad I brought my laptop with me today. It is a boring morning. I am all alone inside the clinic. At least I have something that occupies me. Where are the people? I don't know. My friend may arrive late this morning. But I'm sure she is coming.

Anyways, I'll just do the things that I have to do. I will encode the exam I made for my students. It is their final exam. Finally, it is semestral break. I can rest in my teaching job.

Still, this is a great day because i'll get my salary today. he he I'll just enjoy the peace that I'm experiencing right now. I'm glad that my boss did not make a big deal of what happened the other day. He is a good boss!

Have a great day everyone! =)

Worth the Journey...

There is no partiality with God. – Romans 2:11

In 2003, I prayed for a part-time job to augment my business income but all God sent me were non-paying volunteer jobs. While I continued praying for a part-time job, I kept doing whatever God asked me to. It was a hard time for me but I tried to learn my lessons.
After a year of that, God sent me a fulltime secular job. Then after four years, He transferred me to Shepherd's Voice Publications where I am happily working now — finally "home" after the long search.

God hears our every prayer and our every desperate plea for help. He sees the sincerity of our hearts and gives us His blessings when we are ready for them. When we are tempted to question Him why some "bad" people get rich while we who are trying to be good remain poor, it's good to remember that God shows no partiality. He will bless us with what we need, perhaps not always in tangible things. It can be in the form of virtues — patience, endurance, persistence, fortitude — which will come in handy when God finally says, "OK, you've learned your lessons. Here, partake of my bountiful blessings."

I passed that route, as many others did, and I can say it's worth the journey.
Tess V. Atienza

REFLECTION:
God shows no partiality. We are all special in His eyes. He knows what's best for us — always.

Toxic Day!

I had a toxic day! It's really hard to please everyone. I can't! I just hope that tomorrow everything will be okay. The issue will just die down.

I want to rest now and have a good night sleep...

The complete iPod collection..

nano shoots video.
The new video camera built into iPod nano lets you shoot video wherever you are. The FM radio tuner features Live Pause and iTunes Tagging.* And it's still the same ultraportable size.

Only from the Apple Store.

		(PRODUCT) RED iPod nano Purchase the (PRODUCT) RED iPod nano and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
		Yellow iPod nano Brighten every day with the vibrant yellow iPod nano.

Next level fun. The new iPod touch.
Every new iPod touch comes with iPod touch 3.1 software, so you can play games head-to-head with friends. Better performance and graphics on the 32GB and 64GB models mean gaming and applications are faster and more responsive. And built-in Wi-Fi makes iPod touch your pocket computer.

The first music player that talks to you. Now in five colors. iPod shuffle.
The VoiceOver feature on iPod shuffle tells you the name and artist of the song that's playing—and even the name of the playlist you've selected. Comes in 2GB or 4GB and five new colors.

Now or Never – High School Musical 3

Sixteen, sixteen minutes left
better get it done!
Sixteen, sixteen
sixteen more minutes
get ready, game on!
Sixteen, sixteen
sixteen minutes left
running out of time!
Sixteen, sixteen
sixteen more minutes
it’s on the line!
Sixteen, sixteen
sixteen minutes left
better get it done!
Sixteen, sixteen
sixteen more minutes
’til we’re number one!

(Let’s go team!)

Gotta get it together!
Yeah, pull up and shoot! Score!
Are you ready? Are you with me?

TEAM! TEAM! TEAM! YEAH!
Shake’em with the crossover? (Wild Cats)
Tell me what are we here for? (To Win)
’cause we Know we’re the best team!
(Come on boys! Come on boys! Come on!)

The way we play tonight
is what we leave behind! (That’s right)
It all comes down to right now
it’s up to us! (Let’s go!)

So what we’re gonna be? (Gonna be)
T-E-A-M Team!
Gotta Work it out
Turning on (Come on)

This is the last time
to get it right!
This is the last chance
to make it or not!

We gotta show
what we’re all about (TEAM)

Work together!

This is the last chance
to make your mark
History will know
who we are
This is the last game
So make it count

It’s Now or Never!

W-I-L-D (Out of Bounds)
Wildcats!
You know! Come on!
W-I-L-D
Wildcats!
Come on! Come on!
West High Knights, hey
Yeah, we’re doing it right? (OH YEAH)
W-I-L-D
Wildcats!
It’s now the time!

Gotta get inside, downlow
In the pain now shoot! Score! (Defence!)
We gotta work it together
Gimme the ball! (3x)

Fastbreak! (Keep the ball in control)
Let it fly from downtown (Three! Four!)
Show’em we can do it better! (No way! Go go go!)
(Come on boys! Wildcats!)

The way we play tonight
is what we leave behind! (That’s right)
It all comes down to right now
it’s up to us! (Let’s go!)

So what we’re gonna be? (Gonna be)
T-E-A-M Team!
Gotta Work it out
Turning on (Come on)

This is the last time
to get it right!
This is the last chance
to make it or not!

We gotta show
what we’re all about (TEAM)

Work together!

This is the last chance
to make your mark
History will know
who we are
This is the last game
So make it count

It’s Now or Never!

Right now I can hardly breath!
Oooh, you can do it just know that I believe!
And that’s all I really need!
Then come on!
Make me strong!
It’s time to turn it up, game on!

Wildcats! Go tear it up!
Go Wildcats! We’re number one!
Hey Wildcats, We’re the champions!
Go! (5x) Oh Team! Oh!
West High Knights, hey
Yeah, we’re putting up a fight! (wildcats)
We’ll never quit it, gonna win it!
Let me hear you say
HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY

This is the last time
to get it right!
This is the last chance
to make it or not!

We gotta show
what we’re all about (TEAM)

Work together!

This is the last chance
to make your mark
History will know
who we are
This is the last game
So make it count

It’s Now or Never!

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Productive Day!

I feel like I accomplished so much today. I settled my credit card. They waived my annual fee. Yippee!!! I am so happy. I had a good lunch too.

I was able to send something very important to my friend. I received a good news that finally I will receive my salary in my part time job on the 15th of October. I've been waiting for it for 3 months.

We are almost finish in my caregiver class. We had a return demonstration today of different nursing procedures. I'm happy that my students are learning a lot from me. It feels good to be able to share my knowledge.

Lastly, I had a good conversation with a friend. It ended my day with a good feeling. I'm going to eat my dinner now even if it's already late. And then got to go to sleep after. I hope that tomorrow would be another productive day.

A chocolate for me...

I am happy to receive a chocolate from my friend. How thoughtful of him. It's one of my favorites. It surely uplifts my spirit when I'm down. It's one of my happy foods too.

We've been good friends for so long now and he is really a loyal friend. We had some misunderstandings before but he was able to make up for it.

I will always cherish our friendship.

Thoughts to Ponder...3

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

- Japanese proverb



Nine requisites for contented living: Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor. Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others. Faith enough to make real the things of God. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

- Johann von Goethe



Joy runs deeper than despair.

- Corrie Ten Boom



The human race has one effective weapon--and that is laughter.

- Mark Twain


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Cold Comfort..

The best ice cream in America is made by small outfits, often with local ingredients. With warmer weather on the way, here are nine parlors sure to please.

I scream, you scream, and here’s the best ice cream

Christina's Ice Cream -- Cambridge, Mass.
In its 25-plus years, Christina's Ice Cream has developed something of a cult following in its hip Inman Square neighborhood. Located among several popular restaurants, it is a perfect spot for an after-dinner cone, or a destination in and of itself. Christina's is known for its more uncommon flavors -- like Red Bean, Green Tea and Kulfi -- that customers are unlikely to find at other ice cream shops. But owner Ray Ford says vanilla is still the top seller, with Gina's Mocha Explosion, Mango and Coconut Butterfinger not far behind. There are 40 flavors available at all times; 94 on the shop's list. Flavors change seasonally and customer suggestions are welcome. "It can be really unusual," says Ford, "but it has to taste good."


The Bent Spoon -- Princeton, N.J.
The Bent Spoon, in Princeton, is dedicated to using local, organic ingredients, and its flavors rotate accordingly. There are always 18 on the menu, with five constants. The rest depend on availability of ingredients. "That's what's so great about little, small ice cream shops," says co-owner Gabrielle Carbone. "You come here to visit and you taste New Jersey. We call it our New Jersey terroir." With ready access to cheeses from a local vendor, Carbone and partner Matthew Errico make fresh ricotta and mascarpone ice cream, and have even tried goat cheese basil. Bourbon Sea Salt Caramel, Cardamom Ginger and Chocolate Earl Gray are other favorites. The pair make ice cream for 25 local restaurants and hand-pack pints to sell at a small number of local retailers, farmers' markets in season and the lucky students at nearby Princeton University.

Woodside Farm Creamery -- Hockessin, Del.
Jim Mitchell is a seventh-generation farmer whose family has been on his farm in rural Delaware, two-and-a-half hours outside Washington, D.C., since the late 1700s. In 1998, he and his family opened an ice cream stand on the farm. They make all the ice cream using rich, high-butterfat milk from their Jersey cows.

Woodside offers 35 flavors at all times, rotating for diversity. Mitchell says vanilla is the favorite, but his creamery is also known for its Peppermint Chip and Motor Oil. The latter is coffee ice cream with fudge ripple and caramel ripple that is dyed green to look like motor oil. The farm created the flavor for a local steam museum and it was such a hit they added it to their regular menu.

Jake's -- Atlanta
With signature flavors like Chocolate Slap Yo Mama, Brown Shugah Vanilla and Coffee & Donuts (with pieces of Krispy Kreme doughnuts mixed in), Jake's is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and going stronger than ever. Founded by Jake Rothschild, a self-taught chef who grew up hand-churning ice cream on his parents' back porch, Jake's grew from one small shop in Atlanta to three, supplies several local restaurants and will soon sell its ice cream at Whole Foods markets throughout the Southeast. Customers are part of the Jake's family, helping the company create and name new ice cream flavors. According to Rothschild, Jake's "isn't just an ice cream parlor; it's an experience." For those who aren't close enough to experience it live, Jake's ships anywhere in the country.


Graeter's -- Cincinnati, Ohio
At Graeter's, four generations of the same family have been making ice cream using the French Pot process since the late 19th century. The company churns out two gallons of ice cream at a time, 300,000 gallons annually. Known for its chocolate chip flavors, Graeter's also makes the chocolate that is broken up into pieces -- sometimes large chunks -- for its creamy frozen treats. "Nobody, but nobody makes ice cream like mine," says CEO Richard Graeter. Graeter's offers 19 regular flavors, with others rotating seasonally. Elena's Blueberry Pie, with real pieces of blueberry pie in it, was created as part of a fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer. Graeter's has 14 shops in Cincinnati, sells its ice cream at supermarkets in Denver, Houston, Dallas and Ohio, and ships it anywhere in the continental U.S.


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Extend the Life of a Well-Worn Wardrobe

Learning how to care for your wardrobe can save you money and will help you prolong the shelf life of your favorite clothes.

There's something to be said for your broken-in jeans that always fit perfectly, your favorite sweater that never fails to earn a compliment and the great pair of shoes that never hurt your feet.

Learning the right way to care for your wardrobe will help you prolong the shelf life of your favorite clothes—and save you money along the way.

Stain Removal 101

If wearing a white top makes you a magnet for stains, Steve Boorstein has three rules to help make sure you never lose a garment to red wine again. Known as "The Clothing Doctor," Steve is a third-generation dry cleaner who has written books and created DVDs on clothing care.

Rule 1: Be patient. A spill can be fixed, but an ill-treated stain may be permanent.

Rule 2:Identify the origin of your stain. Steve says stains can be generalized into two groups: water-based (like coffee, wine, blood) and oil-based (oil splatters, french fry grease, vinaigrette dressing). A water-based stain can be treated at home; an oil-based stain should be taken to a dry cleaner.

Think about it this way: Oil repels water, so dousing water and detergent on an oily stain will only spread it. As the name implies, a dry cleaner can treat the stain without water. Steve says to try and get an oil-stained garment to a dry cleaner within 48 hours.

Rule 3:"Never rub a stain," Steve says. To treat a water-based stain, blot with a white cloth or towel—not a paper towel or tissue. "They break apart within the fibers and make the situation worse," says Joseph Hallak, vice president of Hallak Cleaners in New York.

A Tide to Go pen or other spot-stain remover can also work on water-based stains, Steve says. Just blot carefully, never rub and stick to durable fabrics.

Once you get home, immediately wash the garment and let it air-dry. "If you machine dry it and the stain hasn't come out, you'll limit the ability of the stain to come out," Steve says.

Yellow Underarm Stains

The combination of perspiration and deodorant are to blame for the dreaded yellow underarm stains of a once-white shirt. It's not an easy task, but Steve says a sweat-stained shirt can sometimes be salvaged.

If the garment is washable, Steve says to treat the stain at home with a stain remover and an old toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to gently work the stain remover into the underarm of the garment and let it sit for three to five minutes. Follow by washing with the hottest water the garment's tag allows. As with any stained item, avoid the dryer and opt for air-drying.

If the stain doesn't want to budge, a home remedy might do the trick. A little bit of white vinegar mixed with water is acidic enough to change the color of a cotton shirt, Steve says. "It's aggressive, so make sure not to use it undiluted."

The bottom line is that an old sweat stain may never come out—the key to keeping stains away is to prevent them in the first place. "Make sure your deodorant is dry before you put your garment on," Steve says. In a rush? "It's not unheard of to use a blow-dryer to dry your underarms first."

If you begin to sweat, Steve says to pop into the ladies room and dab your underarms. At home, don't just put a soiled top into the hamper or back into the closet. "Just because you can't see the stain doesn't mean it's not there," Steve says. "Be proactive. If you know that you perspired, make sure wash the garment within 24 to 48 hours. If it's 'dry-clean only,' make sure to get to cleaner with in day or two."

At the dry cleaner, point out the stain to the clerk so that it's cared for properly. "Don't be embarrassed or shy about it," Steve says. "They've heard it all."

Sweater Pilling

Sweater pilling is unavoidable—whether your sweater cost $50 or $2,000, Joseph says. Sweater pills are tangles of fabric that naturally come loose where the garment is rubbed the most. Typically, a sweater's arms and sides are first to pill.

Even an expensive cashmere sweater can pill, says Mary Scalco, senior vice president of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute. As a rule of thumb: the softer a sweater is, the more likely it is to pill. Man-made fibers and acrylics are less likely to pill than natural fibers like wool.

To de-pill at home, try a rotary brush or pumice stone designed to remove sweater pills. For a hands-off approach, take the sweater to a dry cleaner. Joseph says de-pilling is typically included in the normal charge for cleaning a sweater.

Low-Maintenance Fabrics

If a "dry-cleaning only" tag really means "not gonna happen" to you, keep that in mind while shopping. Check the tag before trying something on and falling in love with a dry-clean or hand wash only garment. "Cotton, linen, polyblends and some microfibers are generally low maintenance," Steve says. "Anything that has a blend of poly or nylon in it generally won't have too many shrinkage issues."

Problem Plastic

The plastic cover dry-cleaned items come home in may seem like a convenient way to keep clothes fresh and dust-free, but plastic does more harm than good. "Long-term use of these plastic covers will suffocate the garment, possibly causing staining, mildew or other mishaps," Mary says. "Take them out of the bag and allow the clothes to breathe."

To store clothes between seasons, Joseph recommends using a cotton sheet instead of plastic.

Over Use of Dry Cleaning

A shirt with a worn-out, overly dry-cleaned look is usually the result of two problems, Joseph says. One, the dry cleaner isn't distilling his cleaning solvent regularly. "Rest assured, if you go somewhere that's charging $1.75, they can't afford to constantly distill solvent," he says.

The second culprit is likely overpressing, or what Joseph calls "the bang and hang." If a shirt is beginning to look overworked, Joseph says to ask for a soft press. At home, try ironing inside out with a cooler temperature.

Spray with Care

Many perfumes, hairsprays and lotions can ruin your clothes over time, Mary says.. "They either contain alcohol or an alkaline chemical composition that can cause some dyes to change colors," she says.

It may not look like your spritz of perfume did any harm, but the heat from a dryer or iron could eventually expose a nasty spot. To avoid this, Mary says to let all perfumes, hairsprays and lotions dry completely before getting dressed.

Fade Away

Keep black from fading to the telltale musty gray with a trick that Joseph says will help stabilize the dye in dark colors and prevent fading. Add a quarter cup of salt along with detergent to a large basin of water and soak the garments overnight. Follow with a short wash cycle using cold water and a gentle detergent.

A new pair of dark denim will benefit from a salt soak, Joseph says. "Jeans, the first time around, will bleed no matter what you do—but this will help stabilize it."

To help your jeans maintain their color and shape over time, wash them inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water. "If using a dryer, we advise drying on the tumble dry low setting inside out," says Chana Taft Schuman from True Religion Brand Jeans.

Baby Your Delicates

For delicate items, Joseph says hand washing clothes in baby shampoo is a good alternative to detergent. "It cleans well, it's safe, it's very delicate and helps preserve the garment a little."

Worn-Out Heels

If you don't know who your local cobbler is, now is the time to find out. "A cobbler can really take an old pair of shoes and boots and make [them] look like new," says Donald Rinaldi, president of the Shoe Service Institute of America.

A trip to the shoe repair shop can extend the life of a shoe by years. Jim McFarland is a third-generation cobbler and owner of Jim McFarland's Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida. His most common request is for new heel caps, which can run $8 to $12. "Generally, what come on most shoes are plastic caps," he says. "In shoe repair shops, we use really long-lasting rubber." A rubber heel cap protects the heel tip of a shoe and creates a nonslip grip.

Protect Your Soles

To really make shoes go the distance, Jim says to ask a cobbler for sole protectors. Slip-resistant and waterproof, they protect soles from snow, rain and general wear and tear. "They make soles last about 10 times longer," Jim says.

The thin sole protector won't ruin the look of your shoes—in fact, Jim can even apply a red sole protector to a pair of worn Christian Louboutins to make the signature sole look like new. Sole protectors will cost about $18 to $30, with special requests like red soles at the higher end.

Shine Like New

A shoe shine can do wonders to protect and condition leather shoes, but Jim received an inside tip for keeping patent leather shoes looking like new. Applying furniture polish, like Pledge, will give patent leather shoes a great finish.

Buy Shoes That Last

When it comes to shoe shopping, Jim says you often get what you pay for. "If you're buying shoes for less than $20, 99 percent of the time it's going to be man-made," he says. These man-made materials can include plastic and particle leather—a mixture of leather, resin and particle parts. "If you get them wet, they'll wear out in a week."

For shoes that last and allow feet to breathe, Jim says there is nothing like real leather—look inside the shoe for a label or print to be sure it's genuine. "Unfortunately, unless you catch one heck of a sale, it's going to be hard to find decent shoes under $60, $70," he says.

To work with what you already have, Donald says insoles and arch supports can help make an inexpensive shoe feel more comfortable. Donald says the added arch support—either fitted by a doctor or purchased at a local convenience store—can make all the difference.

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