My family and I spent a day at Hadsan Beach Resort in Mactan Island Cebu. We rented a jeepney from Cebu city from 6am to 6pm. The beach is clean and with white sand. You have to pay P60 per person for entrance fee and 500 for the cottage. Electricity is P600 pesos for 1 use, regardless of the number of hours. I didn't like that at all, that's just over charging. Anyway it was fun to be on the water and get so much sunburn afterward because we forgot to take the sunscreen lotion and we underestimated the sun rays. You can also buy fresh sea shells from the local fishermen.
Island hopping costs 3500 for 1 day, you can visit 3 islands. This is good for 30-40 persons.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hadsan Beach Resort in Mactan Cebu
A View of Cebu from Dumaguete City
I took this photo when I visited my brothers in Zamboanga City last 2009. The ship sailed 22 hours since it stopped in Dumaguete city for almost 2 hours. This a view of the island of Cebu. I love the clouds and the little reflections they created.
Monday, September 27, 2010
You Have Two Choices
This is a great story about having a positive attitude. Thanks to Ralph for sharing this wonderful story. I like this story too! I know life doesn't always give me reasons to smile, but it's my choice to find some reasons to smile each day and I am always successful. Thanks FJR for being one of the reasons!
Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I was any better, I would be twins!”
He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”
Michael replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes tome complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose to point out the positive side of life.
“Yeah, right, it’s not that easy“, I protested.
“Yes it is,“ Michael said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. The Bottom Line: It’s your choice how you live life.”
I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was doing he replied, “ If I was doing any better I would be twins. Wanna see my scars?”
I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
“The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter,” Michael said. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live.”
“Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked.
Michael continued, “….the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, ‘he’s a dead man.’” I knew I needed to take action.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said Michael. “She asked if I was allergic to anything.”
“Yes I replied.”
The doctors and nurses stopped as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, “Gravity”.
Over their laughter, I told them, I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.”
Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything!
Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I was any better, I would be twins!”
He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”
Michael replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes tome complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose to point out the positive side of life.
“Yeah, right, it’s not that easy“, I protested.
“Yes it is,“ Michael said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. The Bottom Line: It’s your choice how you live life.”
I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was doing he replied, “ If I was doing any better I would be twins. Wanna see my scars?”
I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
“The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter,” Michael said. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live.”
“Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked.
Michael continued, “….the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, ‘he’s a dead man.’” I knew I needed to take action.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said Michael. “She asked if I was allergic to anything.”
“Yes I replied.”
The doctors and nurses stopped as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, “Gravity”.
Over their laughter, I told them, I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.”
Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything!
Friday, September 24, 2010
A Visit to Hanshan Temple in Suzhou
Today is still a holiday here in China, so I decided to visit a temple in Suzhou. It is an old Buddhist temple located at the town of Fengqioa, near the Bridge when you are going to DaRunfa or RT Mart.
"The temple was first built in the Tianjian period of the Liang Dynasty (502-557). A famous monk, Hanshan, was said to have been in charge of the temple during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) so it was named after him.
Hanshan Temple is famed in East Asia because of the poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge" (楓橋夜泊), by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. The poem describes the melancholy scene of a dejected traveller, moored at night at Fengqiao, hearing the bells of Hanshan Temple:
While I watch the moon go down, a crow caws through the frost;
Under the shadows of maple-trees a fisherman moves with his torch;
And I hear, from beyond Suzhou, from the temple on Cold Mountain,
Ringing for me, here in my boat, the midnight bell.
The poem is still popularly read in China, Japan and Korea. It is part of the primary school curriculum in both China and Japan. The ringing of the bell at Hanshan Temple on Chinese New Year eve is a major pilgrimage and tourism event for visitors from these countries." -wikipedia-
I got off on the bus stop right in front of RT Mart and just walked over to the bridge then turn left on the first street. Looking from the bridge the place looks quite. I could only see few people walking around the place. I like the place since it's near a canal and many barges are passing every second. I went inside the park and good thing it was free. Then when I went further in, there was a big gate leading to the temple which has the sign "Entrance Ticket to Hanshan Temple" that means going inside and seeing what's in there is not for free. I decided not to go since there were too many people going in and I think it would be too crowded inside so I just enjoyed the view from the outside.
I was surprised to find many tourists from all over the world trying to visit the temple. The reason that I couldn't see people walking on the road it that they have their own buses, tourist buses, taking them there. Most of them are Chinese but I've overheard people talking in Japanese and Koreans. They even have their flag carried by their tour guide. Here are some of my photos with the temple and the place around the area.
"The temple was first built in the Tianjian period of the Liang Dynasty (502-557). A famous monk, Hanshan, was said to have been in charge of the temple during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) so it was named after him.
Hanshan Temple is famed in East Asia because of the poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge" (楓橋夜泊), by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. The poem describes the melancholy scene of a dejected traveller, moored at night at Fengqiao, hearing the bells of Hanshan Temple:
| 月落烏啼霜滿天， 江楓漁火對愁眠。 姑蘇城外寒山寺， 夜半鐘聲到客船。 | Yuè luò wū tí shuāng mǎn tiān, Jiāng fēng yú huǒ duì chóu mián. Gūsū chéngwài Hánshān Sì, Yèbàn zhōngshēng dào kèchuán. |
Under the shadows of maple-trees a fisherman moves with his torch;
And I hear, from beyond Suzhou, from the temple on Cold Mountain,
Ringing for me, here in my boat, the midnight bell.
The poem is still popularly read in China, Japan and Korea. It is part of the primary school curriculum in both China and Japan. The ringing of the bell at Hanshan Temple on Chinese New Year eve is a major pilgrimage and tourism event for visitors from these countries." -wikipedia-
I got off on the bus stop right in front of RT Mart and just walked over to the bridge then turn left on the first street. Looking from the bridge the place looks quite. I could only see few people walking around the place. I like the place since it's near a canal and many barges are passing every second. I went inside the park and good thing it was free. Then when I went further in, there was a big gate leading to the temple which has the sign "Entrance Ticket to Hanshan Temple" that means going inside and seeing what's in there is not for free. I decided not to go since there were too many people going in and I think it would be too crowded inside so I just enjoyed the view from the outside.
I was surprised to find many tourists from all over the world trying to visit the temple. The reason that I couldn't see people walking on the road it that they have their own buses, tourist buses, taking them there. Most of them are Chinese but I've overheard people talking in Japanese and Koreans. They even have their flag carried by their tour guide. Here are some of my photos with the temple and the place around the area.
Hansha temple view from the outside.
Entrance Ticket Office
A Small canal in front of the temple's entrance gate.
Tourists going inside the temple, except me.
The famous orange wall. They all wanted to take a photo here.
A view from the bridge.
Barges from northern China.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Why Are Americans Jobless?
Source: I got this from Patrick, a friend from Luxembourg and though it's not really that funny for a joke, there's some reality in it, not ONLY in America but true to every nation.
Note: Fictional Joke
John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6 a.m.
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN PHILIPPINES ) .
He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE ) and tennis shoes (MADE IN
VIETNAM). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA ), then he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO ) to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA ), he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia ) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his computer (MADE IN MALAYSIA ), John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL ) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE ) and turned on his TV (MADE IN KOREA ), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA .
AND NOW HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM HIS PRESIDENT (MADE IN KENYA )
Note: Fictional Joke
John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6 a.m.
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN PHILIPPINES ) .
He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE ) and tennis shoes (MADE IN
VIETNAM). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA ), then he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO ) to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA ), he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia ) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his computer (MADE IN MALAYSIA ), John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL ) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE ) and turned on his TV (MADE IN KOREA ), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA .
AND NOW HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM HIS PRESIDENT (MADE IN KENYA )
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
28 Funny and Amazing Facts
Adapted
Reminder: Please don't try to do Number 7, believe me you just can't! :)
1. Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
2. In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
3. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
4. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
5. Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
6. Coca-Cola was originally green.
7. It is impossible to lick your elbow.
8. The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
9. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
10. The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
11. The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
12. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
13. The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
14. The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
15. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
16. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
17. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
18. Only two people signed the Declaration ofIndependenceon July 4th, John Hancock and CharlesThomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
19. Q. Half of all Americans LIVE within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
20. Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
21. Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
22. Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
23. Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
24. Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
25. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
26. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month . which we know today as the honeymoon.
27. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
28. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Microwaving Water---Dangerous
Adapted
A 26-year old man decided to have a cup of coffee.
He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before).
I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he wanted to bring the water to a boil.
When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven.
As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but suddenly the water in the cup 'blew up' into his face.
The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand, but all the water had flown out into his face due to the build up of energy.
His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring.
He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye.
While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven.
If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc.., (nothing metal)...
General Electric's Response:
Thanks for contacting us, I will be happy to assist you.
The e-mail that you received is correct.
Micro waved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the
boiling point.
They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all.
The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something like a spoon or tea bag is put into it.
To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup.
After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything into it.
Here is what our local science teacher had to say on the matter:
'Thanks for the Microwave warning. I have seen this happen before.
It is caused by a phenomenon known as super heating.
It can occur anytime water is heated and will particularly occur if the vessel that the water is heated in is new, or when heating a small amount of water (less than half a cup).
What happens is that the water heats faster than the vapor bubbles can form.
If the cup is very new then it is unlikely to have small surface scratches inside it that provide a place for the bubbles to form.
As the bubbles cannot form and release some of the heat has built up, the liquid does not boil, and the liquid continues to heat up well past its boiling point.
What then usually happens is that the liquid is bumped or jarred, which is just enough of a shock to cause the bubbles to rapidly form and expel the hot liquid.
The rapid formation of bubbles is also why a carbonated beverage spews when
opened after having been shaken.'
A 26-year old man decided to have a cup of coffee.
He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before).
I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he wanted to bring the water to a boil.
When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven.
As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but suddenly the water in the cup 'blew up' into his face.
The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand, but all the water had flown out into his face due to the build up of energy.
His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring.
He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye.
While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven.
If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc.., (nothing metal)...
General Electric's Response:
Thanks for contacting us, I will be happy to assist you.
The e-mail that you received is correct.
Micro waved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the
boiling point.
They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all.
The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something like a spoon or tea bag is put into it.
To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup.
After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything into it.
Here is what our local science teacher had to say on the matter:
'Thanks for the Microwave warning. I have seen this happen before.
It is caused by a phenomenon known as super heating.
It can occur anytime water is heated and will particularly occur if the vessel that the water is heated in is new, or when heating a small amount of water (less than half a cup).
What happens is that the water heats faster than the vapor bubbles can form.
If the cup is very new then it is unlikely to have small surface scratches inside it that provide a place for the bubbles to form.
As the bubbles cannot form and release some of the heat has built up, the liquid does not boil, and the liquid continues to heat up well past its boiling point.
What then usually happens is that the liquid is bumped or jarred, which is just enough of a shock to cause the bubbles to rapidly form and expel the hot liquid.
The rapid formation of bubbles is also why a carbonated beverage spews when
opened after having been shaken.'
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Which One Would You Choose to Offer a Ride To?
Source: Forwarded Email from Patrick of Luxembourg
You are driving along your car on a wild, stormy night, it's raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:
1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?
Think before you continue reading............
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
* You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first;
* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect hence to pay him back.
* However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
His answer:
"I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."
Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations... and begin to "Think Outside of the Box"!
You are driving along your car on a wild, stormy night, it's raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:
1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?
Think before you continue reading............
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
* You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first;
* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect hence to pay him back.
* However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
His answer:
"I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."
Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations... and begin to "Think Outside of the Box"!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Cheap International Calling: Save up to 90%
I really appreciate the new VOIP service that Rebtel offers for international calling. I used to call my family and friends abroad using skype, but now I changed to rebtel for one very good reason, it's CHEAPER and the call quality is very good.When you save the number in rebtel you will be given a local number which you can use to call the international number. For example, the smart network in the Philippines, +63920#### you would get a local US number which is +1404### if you are from the USA. This new VOIP is just great! Free for United states number. Thanks FJR :)
Save up to 90% on international calls
- Pay only for the time you talk
- One minute billing, no contract, no hidden fees.
- Great call quality
- Reliable lines with clear voice quality.
- Any phone, any network
- Works with your current carrier.
- No calling cards, no downloads
- PIN-less dialing. Use it instantly.
TRY IT NOW!
Cheap calls from United States to Calling rates per minute starting at Calling rates to all countries
Australia USD 0.020
Bangladesh USD 0.032
Cameroon USD 0.155
Canada USD 0.015
China USD 0.019
Colombia USD 0.029
Dominican Republic USD 0.049
France USD 0.019
Germany USD 0.019
Ghana USD 0.209
Haiti USD 0.169
India USD 0.039
Indonesia USD 0.025
Israel USD 0.010
Malaysia USD 0.029
Mexico USD 0.010
Nicaragua USD 0.125
Nigeria USD 0.089
Philippines USD 0.099
Poland USD 0.019
Russia USD 0.019
Thailand USD 0.008
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Please Click Here!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
What is Gmail Error #721?
FINALLY! it's resolved after 7 hours. I was thinking of switching back to yahoo :)
Just this afternoon, June 26 at 4pm (Beijing Time) I tried sending email to some of my contacts but all I got was, "Oops-a server error occurred and your email was not sent. (#721". Messages are not sending but I am receiving new messages.
Steps I did.
1. I've tried to log in and log out but it didn't help.
2. I tried switching from firefox to IE, google chrome and Safari, I thought it was a browser issue but still it didn't help.
3. I tried another gmail account. It worked!
I don't understand this at all, why my main account doesnt work when I'm only using 57% of the space?
Please help me...I desperately need to reply some important emails from my main account.
I posted this problem in google discussion forum, hoping that some google wizard will be able to solve this issue, after an hour I got people responding to my question with the same concern.
"I have the same error! and exactly the same thing is happening. I can send from another account but not my main account. Somebody help!" - natgerm-
" Exactly the same problem just now happening from my gmail account in Holland.
"I've been having exactly the same problem all morning.Very annoying. What can be done about it?" -Parvati-
Click here to view more gmail users reply.
Other info
Operating system: Windows Vista Home Edition
Just this afternoon, June 26 at 4pm (Beijing Time) I tried sending email to some of my contacts but all I got was, "Oops-a server error occurred and your email was not sent. (#721". Messages are not sending but I am receiving new messages.
Steps I did.
1. I've tried to log in and log out but it didn't help.
2. I tried switching from firefox to IE, google chrome and Safari, I thought it was a browser issue but still it didn't help.
3. I tried another gmail account. It worked!
I don't understand this at all, why my main account doesnt work when I'm only using 57% of the space?
Please help me...I desperately need to reply some important emails from my main account.
I posted this problem in google discussion forum, hoping that some google wizard will be able to solve this issue, after an hour I got people responding to my question with the same concern.
"I have the same error! and exactly the same thing is happening. I can send from another account but not my main account. Somebody help!" - natgerm-
" Exactly the same problem just now happening from my gmail account in Holland.
Just 30 minutes ago it was still working, now I get the 721 message and sending fails. Other gmail accounts still work....Any one?" -Mlvo123-
"I've been having exactly the same problem all morning.Very annoying. What can be done about it?" -Parvati-
Click here to view more gmail users reply.
Other info
Operating system: Windows Vista Home Edition
Program and version you use to access Gmail: Firefox 3.6.4, IE 8, google chrome, Safari
Your antivirus software: Avast Home Edition
Any extensions, toolbars or plug-ins: Bing search engine, video downloader toolbar, Stumble, translate
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Watching TV Shows
Waking up late on a lazy Saturday afternoon, I quickly grabbed the remote control beside me. I clicked on CCTV 9, the only English channel that is available out of more than 50 channels. The show was a documentary about a Royal wedding of a princess in Sweden. Oh, so it's a political fairy tale. I was not so interested so I transferred to CCTV 5. As usual coverage about the World Cup, well I watched few of their matches because I have to know some of the famous people in Football in order to relate with my students' interest. It was hard since the commentator is speaking in Chinese, but I was glad I'm picking up some expressions while watching the show. I remember some words such as Piàoliang! (beautiful), Hǎo! (good), Měiguó (USA), Fàguó (France), Àodàlìyǎ (Australia), Xībānyá (Spain), and few others. It's nice to learn some new words that I know will stay in my long term memory since I can relate it to the event. I am now serious about learning Chinese. It's my goal to speak the language within a year, so I must use whatever resources I can find. Talking about studying Chinese, I have to go back to my lesson now, self learning Chinese using Rocket Chinese!
Friday, June 18, 2010
It's Tough Shopping in China
Shopping in China is one of the difficult situations that you will experience due to language barrier. Most shop owners or clerks don't have any English ability. What's more frustrating is when they realized that you don't speak Chinese they won't even try to make an effort to help you. I've been to some video shops and book shops in Suzhou when the owner just left me after I inquired if they sell English movies and books. I have been to quite a lot of situations like that they would just dismissed the situation. I felt helpless and wish that I could just speak their language instantly. But all those frustrations are actually just secondary. What's more tough is when you go shopping with a Chinese company. I usually ended up buying things that I don't like just because she likes it and insisted that I should buy it because it looks good. Aside from the fact that I don't like the style, the price is also too much compared to what I imagined. The Chinese people don't realize that businessmen lead them to believe that the price is cheap by displaying a sign of 50-90% off. If you really take a look at a new price, it is still too much. Imagine that a dress still costs 260RMB after the so called 50% discount! They would think that this is a good price, well unfortunately not for me. I'd rather go shopping alone and struggle with my few Chinese phrases about asking for the price and trying to get a bargain. I feel more at ease and at the end of the day I can say, I survived!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Before...
Adapted
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.
Life Is a Gift Today - before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Habits
Author: Darren Hardy
A wise teacher was taking a stroll through the forest with a young pupil and stopped before a tiny tree.
"Pull up that sapling," the teacher instructed his pupil, pointing to a sprout just coming up from the earth. The youngster pulled it up easily with his fingers.
"Now, pull up that one," said the teacher, indicating a more established sapling that had grown to about knee high to the boy. With little effort, the lad yanked and the tree came up, roots and all. "And now this one," said the teacher, nodding toward a more well-developed evergreen that was as tall as the young pupil. With great effort, throwing all his weight and strength into the task, using sticks and stone he found to pry up the stubborn roots, the boy finally got the tree loose.
"Now," the wise one said, "I'd like you to pull this one up." The young boy followed the teacher's gaze, which fell upon a mighty oak so tall the boy could scarcely see the top. Knowing the great struggle he'd just had pulling up the much smaller tree, he simply told his teacher, "I am sorry, but I can't."
"My son, you have just demonstrated the power that habits will have over your life!" the teacher exclaimed. "The older they are, the bigger they get, the deeper the roots grow, and the harder they are to uproot. Some get so big, with roots so deep, you might hesitate to even try."
A wise teacher was taking a stroll through the forest with a young pupil and stopped before a tiny tree.
"Pull up that sapling," the teacher instructed his pupil, pointing to a sprout just coming up from the earth. The youngster pulled it up easily with his fingers.
"Now, pull up that one," said the teacher, indicating a more established sapling that had grown to about knee high to the boy. With little effort, the lad yanked and the tree came up, roots and all. "And now this one," said the teacher, nodding toward a more well-developed evergreen that was as tall as the young pupil. With great effort, throwing all his weight and strength into the task, using sticks and stone he found to pry up the stubborn roots, the boy finally got the tree loose.
"Now," the wise one said, "I'd like you to pull this one up." The young boy followed the teacher's gaze, which fell upon a mighty oak so tall the boy could scarcely see the top. Knowing the great struggle he'd just had pulling up the much smaller tree, he simply told his teacher, "I am sorry, but I can't."
"My son, you have just demonstrated the power that habits will have over your life!" the teacher exclaimed. "The older they are, the bigger they get, the deeper the roots grow, and the harder they are to uproot. Some get so big, with roots so deep, you might hesitate to even try."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Charice Pempengco
For someone who didn't win and rise above the winner, just an inspiration!
USA National Anthem...amazing
Note to God
Listen
Because You Loved Me with Celine Dion
USA National Anthem...amazing
Note to God
Listen
Because You Loved Me with Celine Dion
Before the Philippine 2010 Election
I just miss home... :)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Ang Maging Senador ng Pilipinas
(I got this email from a friend in Dubai, I hope that Filipinos will choose an HONEST leader for this coming May 11th election)
CORRUPTION is the MAIN reason why Philippines will always be a developing country. Goodluck "hungry" politicians, this is for you!
ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR!
(How sweet to be a Senator)
Miriam Defensor Santiago was featured in Correspondents last week.
Maganda rin naman ang naidudulot ng pagiging prangka ni Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Ayon kay Santiago , marami ang tumatakbong Senador dahil sa laki ng budget na ibinibigay sa kanila kada buwan.
Lumalabas na P35,000 suweldo nila kada buwan ay pakitang-tao lang sa milyun-milyong budget ng bawat senador... Kada buwan ay may Fixed Monthly Budget ang bawat Senador ng humigit-kumulang P2 Milyon.
Sa opisina pa lang nila ay humigit-kumulang P500,000 ang budget nila sa Maintenance and Operating Expenses (Rental, Utilities, Supplies at Domestic Travels) at P500,000 para sa Staff at Personal expenses. Kaya para makatipid ang ibang Senador, kaunti lang ang staff na kinukuha nila. Nagtataka ka pa kung bakit mayroong mga Ghost Employee?
Bukod diyan, may P760,000 allowance pa sila kada buwan para naman sa Foreign Travel. At ang masakit pa nito, hindi na kailangan i-liquidate ng mga resibo ang mga gastusing 'yan kundi Certification lang ang Requirement.
Heto pa, lahat sila ay Chairman ng mga Komite sa Senado. Ang Committee Chairman ay tumatanggap din ng budget na sinlaki ng tinatanggap ng mga Senador na humigit-kumulang P1 Milyon din! Hindi sila mawawalan ng Komite dahil 24 lang ang ating mga Senador at 37 naman ang Committee sa Senado. There's food for everybody 'ika nga! Lumalabas na doble ang kanilang benepesiyo at kita kapag sila ay nabiyayaan ng Committee Chairmanship.
Sa P200 milyon na Budget para sa Pork Barrel ng mga Senador bawat taon, awtomatikong may 10% na S.O.P. o kita ang Senador na P20 milyon. Ito ang porsiyento na ibinibigay ng mga kontratista sa mga Senador na nagbibigay sa kanila ng mga Infrastructure at Livelihood Project.
Bago matapos ang termino ng isang Senador, kumita na siya ng P100 milyon sa Pork Barrel pa lang. Yung ibang Senador mas gahaman, hindi lang 10% kundi 20 - 30% ang komisyon hinihingi sa mga kontratista.
Pansinin ninyo na lang ang pagbabago ng buhay ng ilan sa ating mga Senador simula nang manungkulan sa puwesto. Kung dati ay simple lang ang kanilang pamumuhay ngayon ay nakatira na sila sa mga eksklusibong subdivision, maraming bahay sa Pilipinas at abroad at mahigit lima ang sasakyan.
Ngayon nagtataka ka pa ba kung bakit gumagastos ng daan-daang milyong piso ang mga Senador sa kampanya para sa isang posisyon na P35,000 lang ang suweldo kada buwan? Bawing-bawi pala ang gastos kapag naupo na!
ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR! ! !
One of the reasons why the Philippines will never, ever get off the ground...... ayon..... . kaya talagang mahirap nang umasenso ang bansang Pilipinas - yung mismo gobierno nila ninanakawan ang kanilang kapuwa taong pilipino at hindi pa iyan..... hindi pa sila nagbabayad ng buwis sa bansa - kaya lahat ng kalyehon lubak-lubak at masyadong madumi at mababaho!!! Hindi na sila nahiya sa kanilang nakikita.... eh kasalanan naman nila yoon - dapat sa kanila pumunta lahat ng mahihirap... ..we should be thankful to miriam defensor santiago for being fair dinkum and honest about this - for exposing these people - that is what the country needs - whistleblowers - if there are no whistleblowers the country will never ever prosper and will just sit in the sidelines watching with envy the prosperity of the other southeast asian countries - look at Vietnam now, much better...... .while the rest of the new breed of filipinas are just maids - the present level of education has also deteriorated in that country - whether it be ateneo, up, la salle - they could not compete anymore - they do not know how to use their education to better up their poor country, they prefer to steal not to assist in the path of prosperity for their country - they lack human factor and social conscience and no social responsibility. ...the result of a poor level of education. so wake up, you filipinos paying your taxes there, stop defending your corrupt masters and do something!!! !! we all feel so sorry for you....
CORRUPTION is the MAIN reason why Philippines will always be a developing country. Goodluck "hungry" politicians, this is for you!
GUSTO KONG MAGING SENADOR NG PILIPINAS
(I want to be a Senator of the Philippines)
ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR!
(How sweet to be a Senator)
Miriam Defensor Santiago was featured in Correspondents last week.
Maganda rin naman ang naidudulot ng pagiging prangka ni Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Ayon kay Santiago , marami ang tumatakbong Senador dahil sa laki ng budget na ibinibigay sa kanila kada buwan.
Lumalabas na P35,000 suweldo nila kada buwan ay pakitang-tao lang sa milyun-milyong budget ng bawat senador... Kada buwan ay may Fixed Monthly Budget ang bawat Senador ng humigit-kumulang P2 Milyon.
Sa opisina pa lang nila ay humigit-kumulang P500,000 ang budget nila sa Maintenance and Operating Expenses (Rental, Utilities, Supplies at Domestic Travels) at P500,000 para sa Staff at Personal expenses. Kaya para makatipid ang ibang Senador, kaunti lang ang staff na kinukuha nila. Nagtataka ka pa kung bakit mayroong mga Ghost Employee?
Bukod diyan, may P760,000 allowance pa sila kada buwan para naman sa Foreign Travel. At ang masakit pa nito, hindi na kailangan i-liquidate ng mga resibo ang mga gastusing 'yan kundi Certification lang ang Requirement.
Heto pa, lahat sila ay Chairman ng mga Komite sa Senado. Ang Committee Chairman ay tumatanggap din ng budget na sinlaki ng tinatanggap ng mga Senador na humigit-kumulang P1 Milyon din! Hindi sila mawawalan ng Komite dahil 24 lang ang ating mga Senador at 37 naman ang Committee sa Senado. There's food for everybody 'ika nga! Lumalabas na doble ang kanilang benepesiyo at kita kapag sila ay nabiyayaan ng Committee Chairmanship.
Sa P200 milyon na Budget para sa Pork Barrel ng mga Senador bawat taon, awtomatikong may 10% na S.O.P. o kita ang Senador na P20 milyon. Ito ang porsiyento na ibinibigay ng mga kontratista sa mga Senador na nagbibigay sa kanila ng mga Infrastructure at Livelihood Project.
Bago matapos ang termino ng isang Senador, kumita na siya ng P100 milyon sa Pork Barrel pa lang. Yung ibang Senador mas gahaman, hindi lang 10% kundi 20 - 30% ang komisyon hinihingi sa mga kontratista.
Pansinin ninyo na lang ang pagbabago ng buhay ng ilan sa ating mga Senador simula nang manungkulan sa puwesto. Kung dati ay simple lang ang kanilang pamumuhay ngayon ay nakatira na sila sa mga eksklusibong subdivision, maraming bahay sa Pilipinas at abroad at mahigit lima ang sasakyan.
Ngayon nagtataka ka pa ba kung bakit gumagastos ng daan-daang milyong piso ang mga Senador sa kampanya para sa isang posisyon na P35,000 lang ang suweldo kada buwan? Bawing-bawi pala ang gastos kapag naupo na!
ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR! ! !
One of the reasons why the Philippines will never, ever get off the ground...... ayon..... . kaya talagang mahirap nang umasenso ang bansang Pilipinas - yung mismo gobierno nila ninanakawan ang kanilang kapuwa taong pilipino at hindi pa iyan..... hindi pa sila nagbabayad ng buwis sa bansa - kaya lahat ng kalyehon lubak-lubak at masyadong madumi at mababaho!!! Hindi na sila nahiya sa kanilang nakikita.... eh kasalanan naman nila yoon - dapat sa kanila pumunta lahat ng mahihirap... ..we should be thankful to miriam defensor santiago for being fair dinkum and honest about this - for exposing these people - that is what the country needs - whistleblowers - if there are no whistleblowers the country will never ever prosper and will just sit in the sidelines watching with envy the prosperity of the other southeast asian countries - look at Vietnam now, much better...... .while the rest of the new breed of filipinas are just maids - the present level of education has also deteriorated in that country - whether it be ateneo, up, la salle - they could not compete anymore - they do not know how to use their education to better up their poor country, they prefer to steal not to assist in the path of prosperity for their country - they lack human factor and social conscience and no social responsibility. ...the result of a poor level of education. so wake up, you filipinos paying your taxes there, stop defending your corrupt masters and do something!!! !! we all feel so sorry for you....
Thursday, April 29, 2010
First Time in China
There are many things that I only did for the first time in China. One of them was riding on a China Railway High-Speed Train (CRH). When I arrived in Shanghai Pudong International Airport last 2008 I was so amazed with the train that went so quickly from the airport to a distant place. I wanted to be on that train but my instruction was to take the airport bus to Suzhou which is really convenient for someone who is Chinese illiterate like me.
I met two other foreign teachers, Mokom from Cameron and Randy, from Canada. We became good friends and they showed me around Suzhou, Venice of the east. I told them that I really wanted to try riding on a high speed train. I was so excited when Randy said that he would be meeting friends in Shanghai and I was welcomed to go with him. I was only thinking that it would be a fun ride, just like my first plane ride. I have never imagined that for 35 minutes from Suzhou to Shanghai I would only have enough space for my two feet. The train was so fully packed that I couldn't see the floor. We were not lucky to get a seat since we just bought the tickets on the day of our trip.
I also noticed that the authorities would only open the gate five minutes before the departure. Most of the passengers were pushing and running to get on the train. I just let them pass but Randy told me, "that kind of walk won't work here in China, see everyone is running." I quickly followed him. He told me that I should take note of the information on the ticket. I should remember numbers such as train number that starts with D for the bullet train, coach number and seat number.The train is very long with 16 coaches and we should go to coach 10. There were only few people running so he decided that we should use the door on coach 5 and just walk through. When we got on coach 5 we couldn't walk through since every little space was occupied so we just stayed on coach 5 instead of 10. I noticed that the attendants didn't care if the passengers were on the right coach number. I learned that lesson when I was on my own. It seems that if you did not have a seat, and are standing, you can stand in any coach, as long as there is room.
One lesson that I didn't learn, was to push people away especially in line to buy a ticket. Some of the people don't know where the line is and would just go directly to the counter. Inserting in a line is an issue and it seems that it's acceptable in China. I was in line at the only English Speaking counter in Shanghai. There were at least five people who were able to cut in front of me. When there was only one person in front of me, the counter closed because it was already 12:40PM. So I had to transfer to another line which took about 30 minutes and ended up not getting a ticket and I didn't know why. On my third attempt at least I was able to say "Suzhou" properly I guess. I started to fall in line at 11:50am I got my precious ticket at 1:20PM and my train departed at 2:21PM. Good thing that Starbucks is just around the corner. A cup of coffee made me feel a little better.
Train ride is nice since it's faster than our jeepneys in Cebu, but I would rather be on a jeepney than being on a queue for ages, pushing your way while boarding, running to get on the train and standing until your destination. A day trip like this would take me a few days to get my energy back. If this is their way of being "Globally competitive" as my friend said, then so be it. TIC (This is China)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The 20 Dollar Bill
Author: Christian Godefroy
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up
a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked:
"Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up. He said:
"I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first,
let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked:
"Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into
the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because
it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground
into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that
come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you
will never lose your value. To those who love you, you are
priceless.
The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we know
but by who we are!
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up
a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked:
"Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up. He said:
"I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first,
let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked:
"Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into
the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because
it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground
into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that
come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you
will never lose your value. To those who love you, you are
priceless.
The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we know
but by who we are!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What are the BIG STONES in Your Life?
Author: Christian Godefroy
One day, an old professor of the national School of
administration (ENA-France) was asked to give a training-course on
the effective economic planning of one's time to a group of about
fifteen leaders of big companies from North - America.
This course constituted one of 5 workshops of their day of
training. So, the old Prof. only had one hour to spend on this
subject.
Standing in front of this group of elite who was ready
to note everything that the expert was going to teach, the old
Prof. looked at them one by one, slowly, then said to them:
"We are going to make an experiment".
From under the table which separated him from his pupils,
the old Prof. took out an immense jar Mason of a gallon
(glass jar of more than 4 liters) which he directly put in
front of him.
Then, he took out about a dozen pebbles roughly as big as
tennis balls and placed them delicately, one by one, in the
big jar. When the jar was filled up to the brim, and when it was
impossible to add anything to it, he raised slowly his eyes
towards the pupils, and asked them:
"Is this jar full?"
Everybody answered: "Yes".
He waited for a few seconds and added: "Really?"
Then, he bent again and took out from under the table a pot
filled with little stones. With accuracy, he poured these little
pebbles on the big stones, then moved softly the jar.
The fragments of little pebbles went between the stones
down to the bottom of the jar. The old Prof. raised his eyes again
towards his audience and asked:
"Is this jar full?".
This time, his brilliant pupils began to understand the whole
process. One of them answered:
"Probably not!"
"Well!" answered the old Prof..
He bent again and this time, took out from under the table a
bucket of sand. With attention, he poured the sand into the jar.
The sand went to fil the spaces between the big big stones and the
little pebbles. Once again, he asked:
"Is this jar full?". This time, without hesitation, and in a
choir, the brilliant pupils answered:
"No!".
"Well!" answered the old Prof. And, as expected by the
brilliant pupils, he took the jug of water which was on the table
and filled the jar up to the brim. Then, the old Prof. raised
his eyes towards his group and asked:
"Which big truth does this experiment show to us?" .
Being no fool, the most audacious of the pupils, thinking
about the topic of this course, answered:
"It shows that even when one believes that our diary is
completely filled, if one wants really wants it, one can add
more meetings to it, more things to be made".
The old Prof. answered. "It is not that".
"The big truth that this experiment shows to us is the following
one:
- "If one does not put the big stones first in the jar, one
will never be able to make all of them go in, then".
There was a profound silence, each becoming aware of the
evidence of these comments.
Then, the old Prof. Told them: "Which are the big stones
in your life?"
"Your health?"
"Your family?"
"Your friends?"
"To make your dreams come true?"
"Learning?"
"To do what you enjoy?"
"To relax?"
"To fight for a cause?"
"To take time for yourself?"
"Or any other thing?"
"What it is necessary to remember is the importance to put
one's BIG STONES in first in one's life, otherwise one incurs
the risks not to succeed in one's life.
If one gives priority to peccadilloes (the little pebbles, the
sand), one will fill one's life with peccadilloes and one will
have no more enough precious time to dedicate to the important
elements of one's life".
Then do not forget to ask to yourself this question:
"Which are the BIG STONES IN MY LIFE?
Then, put them in, first"
With a friendly gesture of the hand, the old professor
greeted his audience and slowly left the room.
One day, an old professor of the national School of
administration (ENA-France) was asked to give a training-course on
the effective economic planning of one's time to a group of about
fifteen leaders of big companies from North - America.
This course constituted one of 5 workshops of their day of
training. So, the old Prof. only had one hour to spend on this
subject.
Standing in front of this group of elite who was ready
to note everything that the expert was going to teach, the old
Prof. looked at them one by one, slowly, then said to them:
"We are going to make an experiment".
From under the table which separated him from his pupils,
the old Prof. took out an immense jar Mason of a gallon
(glass jar of more than 4 liters) which he directly put in
front of him.
Then, he took out about a dozen pebbles roughly as big as
tennis balls and placed them delicately, one by one, in the
big jar. When the jar was filled up to the brim, and when it was
impossible to add anything to it, he raised slowly his eyes
towards the pupils, and asked them:
"Is this jar full?"
Everybody answered: "Yes".
He waited for a few seconds and added: "Really?"
Then, he bent again and took out from under the table a pot
filled with little stones. With accuracy, he poured these little
pebbles on the big stones, then moved softly the jar.
The fragments of little pebbles went between the stones
down to the bottom of the jar. The old Prof. raised his eyes again
towards his audience and asked:
"Is this jar full?".
This time, his brilliant pupils began to understand the whole
process. One of them answered:
"Probably not!"
"Well!" answered the old Prof..
He bent again and this time, took out from under the table a
bucket of sand. With attention, he poured the sand into the jar.
The sand went to fil the spaces between the big big stones and the
little pebbles. Once again, he asked:
"Is this jar full?". This time, without hesitation, and in a
choir, the brilliant pupils answered:
"No!".
"Well!" answered the old Prof. And, as expected by the
brilliant pupils, he took the jug of water which was on the table
and filled the jar up to the brim. Then, the old Prof. raised
his eyes towards his group and asked:
"Which big truth does this experiment show to us?" .
Being no fool, the most audacious of the pupils, thinking
about the topic of this course, answered:
"It shows that even when one believes that our diary is
completely filled, if one wants really wants it, one can add
more meetings to it, more things to be made".
The old Prof. answered. "It is not that".
"The big truth that this experiment shows to us is the following
one:
- "If one does not put the big stones first in the jar, one
will never be able to make all of them go in, then".
There was a profound silence, each becoming aware of the
evidence of these comments.
Then, the old Prof. Told them: "Which are the big stones
in your life?"
"Your health?"
"Your family?"
"Your friends?"
"To make your dreams come true?"
"Learning?"
"To do what you enjoy?"
"To relax?"
"To fight for a cause?"
"To take time for yourself?"
"Or any other thing?"
"What it is necessary to remember is the importance to put
one's BIG STONES in first in one's life, otherwise one incurs
the risks not to succeed in one's life.
If one gives priority to peccadilloes (the little pebbles, the
sand), one will fill one's life with peccadilloes and one will
have no more enough precious time to dedicate to the important
elements of one's life".
Then do not forget to ask to yourself this question:
"Which are the BIG STONES IN MY LIFE?
Then, put them in, first"
With a friendly gesture of the hand, the old professor
greeted his audience and slowly left the room.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Great Speech Imitation Competition
I told everyone that they did great. Tried to be specific in giving individual comments, like "you really sounded like Pres. Obama or Hilary Clinton, good voice quality, confident, you maintained eye- contact, relaxed,good pronunciation etc. They all amazed me since public speaking is not my specially. But since I am the only foreign teacher in this school I am expected to speak, usually the closing speech. Opening speech is usually assigned to the department Deans.
Anyway my main message for everybody was, "On behalf of the judges tonight, I would like to say, Congratulations on a job well done! You gave us a very tough job tonight. You are all good in imitating these famous people who are doing this everyday. I believe that if you can sound like them, you can be better. I hope that in the future, students will be imitating your own speeches.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Chinese Luck
After having lunch today, I still felt so sleepy since I only had 4 hours of sleep. I didn't have to wake up at 11am but my friend wanted to have lunch with me since it was my birthday. It was still very cold and I was glad that the sun was out. Walking outside the restaurant I saw a group of teachers and students looking up at the sky with camera and phones in their hands. I was wondering what they were doing since I couldn't see anything. I had a feeling that I was asleep while walking. When we got near them my friend said, "Oh look there is a rainbow around the sun, it's your lucky day today!" I tried looking up but still couldn't see anything. I got my camera from my bag and just tried pointing it to the sky and didn't think I would get anything since it was just all white.
I made a few clicks and when I clicked preview all I saw was just white bright light, no sign of a rainbow. I was surprised when I downloaded the photos to my laptop. I saw the rainbow around the sun. I actually got a small view of it and I was happy that I captured the Chinese luck on my birthday.
I made a few clicks and when I clicked preview all I saw was just white bright light, no sign of a rainbow. I was surprised when I downloaded the photos to my laptop. I saw the rainbow around the sun. I actually got a small view of it and I was happy that I captured the Chinese luck on my birthday.
(Thanks FJR!)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Youtube Kills My Any Video Converter
Few months ago I remember spending so many hours researching for free youtube proxies. With the help of google I found a lot of proxies. I even tried using China's local search engine, Baidu and it gave me the same results. So I wonder if the government was smart enough to block youtube and allowed Chinese internet users to use a web proxy. Then to prove to the people that they are smarter and more powerful, they started blocking the free proxies. There are always new proxies everyday but the service is not so fast so I decided to go for a paid proxy server and glad that I found a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network). I Was willing to pay since I really needed youtube for supplementary materials, specially for news clips, speeches, movie clips and songs. I also enjoyed unlimited video downloads using Any Video Converter Professional Edition. I didn't have any problem grabbing any videos that I like from youtube. I download movies too. In short, youtube is the website that I always use everyday for entertainment and work purposes. Today, I tried to download Shakira's music video since we had a listening activity that talks about Shakira's job. I found out that the downloader is not moving at all. I uninstalled the file and downloaded the latest version. After downloading I tried installing it, but it just said error or "corrupted". I quickly searched online for another youtube downloader and tried about few of them with no success. So I was thinking that perhaps youtube blocks video download. I typed "youtube kills video download" on google. My fears were true , youtube kills my any video converter :( Now I don't know if I could find another software to download youtube videos or if youtube would sell their videos if I want to download them. I don't know exactly why they're doing this but for sure they have business in mind.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Gate Keepers Lies or Alibis?
I have been calling companies in the USA for the past few months. What I noticed with gatekeepers is that they have the same job, not to let cold calls get through. So in order to do it in a nice way without being rude they have invented some lies which I think they are good in doing.
1. "He's on a meeting". Right, I can understand, managers usually have meetings, but I wonder why their meetings can last for a day and even for a week? Hmm I was once in a management position in a company dealing with US markets but I remember we only had meeting at least twice a week. Our everyday meetings would be those before and after the shift, like 6-10 minutes. How can you be productive if you're always sitting in the board room discussing about SWOT? So he's on a meeting means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
2. "He's in an out all day." Hmmm I just wonder is he always meeting people outside the company? Or does the company hire people who can work anywhere they like? How come the secretary doesn't even know his schedule? Well, again it's just another way of saying, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
3. "He is on his vacation". Okay that's great they have to enjoy away from work. But when I asked, "When is he coming back," they would say okay next week. Then I call back the next week and guess what he is still on his vacation. Good thing companies allow people to extend their vacation? vacation means "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
4. "He is not in today." Well could be his day off on the weekdays. Wow that is a nice day off. But if I asked, "will he be in tomorrow?" They would say, "probably, don't know his schedule?" Well who knows?
Again, not in today means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
5. "He's with a client." That's okay, since it's business so they could meet clients anytime of the day. But chasing them all the or all week and the owner or manager is always with a client, wow he must be a very busy man. Again, he's with a client means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
6. "Nobody does that." If asked if the purchasing manager, they would say, nobody does that, we don't purchase anything at all. Seriously? What keeps the company in operation? Do you ever purchase water? I guess not as well?
7. "He doesn't accept cold calls." I think some are very honest to say this and I would understand. But for all those other excuses, I hope that they would just be honest enough to say that it's impossible to speak with the right person at all.
1. "He's on a meeting". Right, I can understand, managers usually have meetings, but I wonder why their meetings can last for a day and even for a week? Hmm I was once in a management position in a company dealing with US markets but I remember we only had meeting at least twice a week. Our everyday meetings would be those before and after the shift, like 6-10 minutes. How can you be productive if you're always sitting in the board room discussing about SWOT? So he's on a meeting means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
2. "He's in an out all day." Hmmm I just wonder is he always meeting people outside the company? Or does the company hire people who can work anywhere they like? How come the secretary doesn't even know his schedule? Well, again it's just another way of saying, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
3. "He is on his vacation". Okay that's great they have to enjoy away from work. But when I asked, "When is he coming back," they would say okay next week. Then I call back the next week and guess what he is still on his vacation. Good thing companies allow people to extend their vacation? vacation means "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
4. "He is not in today." Well could be his day off on the weekdays. Wow that is a nice day off. But if I asked, "will he be in tomorrow?" They would say, "probably, don't know his schedule?" Well who knows?
Again, not in today means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
5. "He's with a client." That's okay, since it's business so they could meet clients anytime of the day. But chasing them all the or all week and the owner or manager is always with a client, wow he must be a very busy man. Again, he's with a client means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
6. "Nobody does that." If asked if the purchasing manager, they would say, nobody does that, we don't purchase anything at all. Seriously? What keeps the company in operation? Do you ever purchase water? I guess not as well?
7. "He doesn't accept cold calls." I think some are very honest to say this and I would understand. But for all those other excuses, I hope that they would just be honest enough to say that it's impossible to speak with the right person at all.
He Said, "Teacher I am that Person"
In China, I was aware that people are still a bit closed minded about "gay thing". I talked to my colleague about it and she just immediately said, well it's so sad but people still see that being a gay is an unacceptable thing. I then adjusted my expectations and careful not to bring up the topic again. I have been with few gay friends in the Philippines and most of the time it's so easy to spot a gay back at home since most of them are cross dressers. They even have long hairs and wear very sexy skirts while "shopping" at big malls like SM City Mall or Ayala Center Cebu. In China it's so hard to tell since they don't even have the freedom to show otherwise they would be discriminated and the worst scenario would be losing their friends and family.
Few weeks ago, while I was on the bus, a student sat beside me and asked to see my ipod touch.
He browsed though all my videos and when he finished he commented,
"You don't have Lady Gaga videos?"
"Not even Beyonce, or Britney Spears?"
"You're list is not updated." He continued.
I was a little surprised why he was asking for all those female videos. But I didn't put any thoughts about it. When I arrived in school I turned on my pc and logged in to qq. The moment I got online, he sent a quick hello then a question, "Have you met any gay in China?"
I said, "No. Why do you know anyone here?
He said "Of course, I have gay friends in Shanghai and Nanjing."
He asked other questions about what my opinion about being a gay then I tried to clearly stay away from the topic and just said, "some people are gays and some are not, some people accept them and some people don't."
Our conversation went on and on, then it was getting late so we said our goodbye. (88)
The following day I met him in class and he told me, "Teacher, I am that person we were talking about on qq."
I said, "What? are you serious?"
He said, "You should know when I asked you about Lady Gaga, Britney and Beyonce."
"Oh, I see." The only phrase I could say.
"Yes, I am a gay and does it surprise you that much? You're so naive. There are gays in China and I just happen to be one."
Few weeks ago, while I was on the bus, a student sat beside me and asked to see my ipod touch.
He browsed though all my videos and when he finished he commented,
"You don't have Lady Gaga videos?"
"Not even Beyonce, or Britney Spears?"
"You're list is not updated." He continued.
I was a little surprised why he was asking for all those female videos. But I didn't put any thoughts about it. When I arrived in school I turned on my pc and logged in to qq. The moment I got online, he sent a quick hello then a question, "Have you met any gay in China?"
I said, "No. Why do you know anyone here?
He said "Of course, I have gay friends in Shanghai and Nanjing."
He asked other questions about what my opinion about being a gay then I tried to clearly stay away from the topic and just said, "some people are gays and some are not, some people accept them and some people don't."
Our conversation went on and on, then it was getting late so we said our goodbye. (88)
The following day I met him in class and he told me, "Teacher, I am that person we were talking about on qq."
I said, "What? are you serious?"
He said, "You should know when I asked you about Lady Gaga, Britney and Beyonce."
"Oh, I see." The only phrase I could say.
"Yes, I am a gay and does it surprise you that much? You're so naive. There are gays in China and I just happen to be one."
After the Snow
A simple wish to see and touch a pile of snow is one of the reasons that brought be here in China. I always felt that there was something magical when it snows. When I watched movies that feature winter scenes with children outside playing with the snow and building snowman, I would always imagine that one day I would be able to do those things. When I see couples walking hand in hand or kissing under the snow I imagined that it was so romantic that I wished I would also get the chance to experience it.
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