My Reading History: How I Came to Love Books

I was in my second grade, I have been frequenting my Tita Carmen's house, because during that time, she was very fond of me. She was truly generous to me, and was shoving me a lot of books in her library, she wanted me to READ. Tita Carmen is my Dad's cousin, good thing is, they are the rich family who lived upon shelves and shelves of books, and was teaching me to love books as much as she does.

We are not as fortunate as they are so I would always hop on over to their house, and borrow her books. She brags about her daughter, Ate Jing who has been a bookworm as she was the one who owned all the collections Tita Carmen has been keeping.

My first ever read:


The Cat in the Hat, is the first ever book I have come to love, I have loveD Dr. Seuss and all books he has written. Until in Grade 3, Tita Carmen upgraded my reading to this:


I remember the first Nancy Drew book (Caroline Keene) I read was, The Secret of the Red-Gate Farm, followed by Secret of the Old Clock. I had a lot of books, and Caroline Keene has been the best author of my younger years. When in grade four, I was among those kids who enlist themselves in the reservation of borrowing the books. Iwas really making my way to getting a bit closer to the librarian in order for her to enlist me first. Bess, George, Nancy and Ned kept me company during my elementary days.

And then, come the guys' version of Nancy Drew, I also devoured Hardy Boys. Frank and Joe Hardy were among the first crushes I have. And of course, I wouldn't forget that these Hardy Boys books were the ones who made my first ever crush to notice me. I was in my first year high school then, the crush knew that I was collecting HB books and he was borrowing them from me, until I got hold of my copy of the The Secret Warning. He borrowed it from me and when he returned it, I was able to decipher a code he placed inside the book's pages and it read: Your simple beauty reflects your true personality. Some of the books I lent him had contained his feelings professed inside the book's pages. Haha.

Oh Hardy Boys, my Hardy Boys

When I was in my third year high school, my bestfriend already introduced me to Danielle Steel. And I fell in love with her stories as she kept one wanting for more.

Sidney Sheldon was a favorite of mine, and I started reading his novels when i was in first year college. I ended up college ending all his books in my memory. I have kept a few of his books, but I swear, I read all of them. Except his autobiography, The Other Side of Me.

I loved all Shedlon's books, and after him came John Grisham, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Stephen King, the ever favorite Harry Potter, and who would ever forget my obsession to The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.

I became member of the Jane Austen Book Club hosted by Jo of Wits and Nuts, and this introduced me to classical flicks too, also introduced me to more classical love until I became in love with Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Seriously, very Bella Swan-y.

My blogroll also contains people of different variants, with different love, but most of them love books as much as I do, Toni of Wifely Steps introduced Paulo Coelho to me, and thanks to Blue Rose for giving me a copy of Brida.


But as of the moment, thanks to Sir Gilbert of KnowRead-KnowRight for giving me a lot of readables, some of them done, and some untouched yet (but waiting for my free time which is to come really really soon already!).

He has given me From Altoids to Zima, a bunch of ebooks, Mitch Albom's Five People You Meet in Heaven, and a lot more. And the latest I have been reading:


This book is just SO ME, for the moment as I have a lot of books in my shelf, but I got so little time for reading. Currently, yes, I am reading, as always, but not the novels, the stories I'd love to gobble up, but different science workbooks, dictionaries, textbooks that I have been editing and beating deadline through. Wish me luck that this gets done ASAP, as I really am in need of a good long vacation.

Eh, Palawan, here I come?

So tell me, how's your Reading History?
Come on, I wanna know!

18th Mindanao Business Conference

Please click pic to view larger image.

Business as usual, maybe, but that would be more interesting if we here in the Southern Mindanao learn more about our businesses, and how we have the chance to aim for progress and improvement in our businesses.

Southern Mindanao, being a progressive area in Mindanao, is the venue for the 18th Mindanao Business Conference. And we here, would like to invite you for this big event that will happen come September 17-18. With lots of respective speakers to speak about totality in the business world, and the movement of Trade and Industry in the country, we invite you to be part of this experience.

Please click here for further details.

Seatlbelt: One Slip That Could Save

When we started traveling in our car last April, I feel like I am very much protected because I am inside, comfortably sitting, in our very own car.

With Hubby driving, it seems as if I am very much confident that I travel with him carefully manning the vehicle and bringing us to our destination safely. I have never seen him driving without fastening the seatbelt on. And he has this habit of reminding me to buckle up too.


Lately, the late night news is being bombarded with lots of vehicular accidents who have victims not only arriving to the hospital bruised, but some dead. Mostly because of motorcycle collision or a headbutt among cars and big trucks.

This then reminds me so much that life on the road is a challenge; that if you are not careful to mind your life, it could very much be in danger. Hubby tells me: "Gamitin mo ang seatbelt, hindi yan design ng sasakyan, para sa kaligtasan yan." (Fasten your seatbelt, that thing is not made as car design but for safety.)

Although I sometimes forget, I am instantly reminded about wearing one especially if I travel with the kids. The kids in the passenger seat is being trained to wear the seatbelt too, even if we get lots of complaints from the kids. They must be comfortably slipped on especially when they make the backseat their playground when on the road.


This single slip of the seatbelt could save you a trip to the hospital, and could even save your life. So don't forget, fasten that seatbelt on when traveling.

Siomai Recipe - Following Jeanny; and a Lot More

Friday: Grab A Crab Lunch and Taaz Bar Dinner with Friends

I received a text from Bariles, inviting me for lunch with Donna Mae and her family at Grab a Crab. It was my first time meeting Donna's family and they were so friendly too. His dad is an enjoyable conversationalist and one who doesn't look down on people despite their wealthy status in life. They really are a bunch of nice people.

Her Mom, a Farm Town addict like me, even invited us for dinner too, to which we promptly agreed to go and try their premium red coconut wine. Ahhh, twas heavenly.

premiun red coconut wine: in short, bahalina!

I only had a shot though, and I was already red all over my face. Swabe!

Dinner went by with a nice band singing for us at their bar, and although we missed her Mom and Dad to a party they went to, we sure had fun.

Oven roasted chicken and a bunch of steamed talong, okra with bagoong.

Grilled tilapia, ahhh, delectable!

Enjoying a hearty dinner with Donna Mae, Emman, Sir Gilbert

Saturday: The First Shot at Siomai

Weeks ago, I read Jeanny's post and it included a favorite of mine and the hubby's. She has featured her siomai recipe, and i decided of preparing one for the kids and hubby. However, it was not until last Saturday that I ended up mincing carrots, garlic, pepper, and some stuffs for the siomai I did. With all my heart, i followed Jeanny's recipe and all it took me was the aroma in order not to sleep on the wrapping.

Although not that perfect, it was considerably good. And here's the siomai I did. But hop on over to Jeanny's post for the recipe. Thanks Jeanny!


As I watch Hubby, indulging on the freshly steamed siomai, it made me remember about the chili sauce which he so loves. And for the lack of it, I decided to slice some calamansi, and snagged bits of fresh sili from the garden, and presto! Our weekend is one huge siomai overload.


Sunday: Siopao and Pasta Overload

Hubby made logos for Bariles Republic, and in return, he gifted us with Joann's siopao, the best in town. We decided to share it with Gay, and while there, she also made pasta for us. Ooohlala, this is the reason why my tummy is getting bloated everyday, haha!

Us overloaded with siomai, we shared these stuffs with them.

Joann's beef siopao, yummeh!

Gay Carillo's pasta chili fetuccine

So there goes my weekend! Mukhang Fiyesta ba?

Nag-uumapaw na Galit

I read this article from here. But if you don't want to click the link, let me share it with you.

May araw din kayo

By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer
08/17/2009


Tatagalugin ko na nang makuha n’yo. Kahit na lingwaheng kanto lang ang alam kong Tagalog.

Tutal Buwan ng Wika naman ang Agosto. Baka sakali ’yung paboritong wika ni Balagtas ay makatulong sa pag-unawa n’yo dahil mukhang ’yung paboritong wika ni Shakespeare ay lampas sa IQ n’yo. Kung sa bagay, ang pinakamahirap gisingin ay ’yung nagtutulug-tulugan. Ang pinakamahirap padinggin ay ’yung nagbibingi-bingihan. Ang pinakamahirap paintindihin ay ’yung nagmamaangmaangan. Bueno, mahirap din paintindihin ’yung likas na tanga. Pero bahala na.

Sabi mo, Cerge Remonde, alangan naman pakanin ng hotdog ang amo mo. Bakit alangan? Hindi naman vegetarian ’yon. At public service nga ’yon, makakatulong dagdagan ng cholesterol at salitre ang dugong dumadaloy papuntang puso n’ya. Kung meron man s’yang dugo, kung meron man s’yang puso.

Bakit alangan? Malamang di ka nagbabasa ng balita, o di lang talaga nagbabasa, kung hindi ay nalaman mo ’yung ginawa ni Barack Obama at Joe Biden nitong nakaraang Mayo. Galing silang White House patungong Virginia nang magtakam sila pareho ng hamburger. Pina detour nila ang motorcade at tumuloy sa unang hamburgerang nakita nila. Ito ang Ray’s Hell Burger, isang maliit at independienteng hamburger joint.

Tumungo ang dalawa sa counter at sila mismo ang nag-order, hindi mga aides. Nagbayad sila ng cash na galing sa sariling bulsa at kagaya ng ibang customers ay pumila para sa turno nila.

Ito ay presidente at bise presidente ng pinakamakapangyarihang bansa sa buong mundo. Kung sa bagay, ’yung amo n’yo ay hindi naman talaga presidente. Di lang makita ang pagkakaiba ni Garci kay God kaya nasabing “God put me here.” Pekeng presidente, pekeng asal presidente.

Sabi mo, Anthony Golez, maliit lang ang P1 million dinner kumpara sa bilyon-bilyong pisong dinala ng amo mo sa bansa.

Ay kayo lang naman ang nagsasabing may inambag ang amo n’yo na bilyong-bilyong piso sa kaban ng bayan. Ni anino noon wala kaming nakita. Ang nakita lang namin ay yung bilyon-bilyong piso—o borjer, ayon nga sa inyong dating kakosa na si Benjamin Abalos—na inaswang ng amo n’yo sa kaban ng bayan. Executive privilege daw ang hindi n’ya sagutin ito. Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang di managot sa taumbayan? Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang magnakaw?

Maliit lang pala ang P1 million, ay bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay sa nagugutom? O doon sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao? Tama si Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Isipin n’yo kung gaano karaming botas man lang ang mabibili ng P1 million at karagdagang P750,000 na nilamon ng amo n’yo at mga taga bitbit ng kanyang maleta sa isa pang restawran sa New York.

Maliit lang pala ang P1 million (at P750,000), bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay doon sa pamilya ng mga sundalong namatay sa Mindanao? Magkano ’yung gusto n’yong ibigay sa bawat isa? P20,000? Sa halagang iyan 50 sundalo na ang maaabuluyan n’yo sa $20,000. Pasalu-saludo pa ’yang amo n’yo sa mga namatay na kala mo ay talagang may malasakit. Bumenta na ’yang dramang ’yan. At pasabi-sabi pa ng “Annihilate the Abus!” Di ba noon pa n’ya ’yan pinangako? Mahilig lang talagang mangako ’yang amo n’yo.

Bukod pa d’yan, saan ba nanggaling ’yung limpak-limpak na salapi ng mga kongresista na pinansisindi nila ng tabako? Di ba sa amin din? Tanong n’yo muna kung ayos lang na i-blowout namin ng wine at caviar ang amo n’yo habang kami ay nagdidildil ng asin—’yung magaspang na klase ha, ’di yung iodized. Ang tindi n’yo, mga p’re.

At ikaw naman, Romulo Macalintal, tapang ng apog mo. Maiisip mo tuloy na sundin na lang ang mungkahi ni Dick the Butcher sa “Henry VI” ni Shakespeare: “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Pa ethics-ethics ka pa, pasalamat ka di nasunog ang bibig mo sa pagbigkas ng katagang ’yon.

Marami mang sugapa rin sa aming mga taga media, di naman kasing sugapa n’yo. At di naman kami sineswelduhan ng taumbayan. Wala naman kaming problemang sumakay sa PAL at kailangan pang bumili ng P1.2 billion jet. Anong sabi n’yo, kailangan ng amo n’yo sa pabyahe-byahe? E sino naman ang may sabing magbabyahe s’ya? Ngayon pang paalis na s’ya—malinaw na ayaw n’yang umalis. Bakit hindi na lang s’ya bumili ng Matchbox na eroplano? Kasya naman s’ya ro’n.

Lalo kayong nagpupumiglas, lalo lang kayong lumulubog sa kumunoy. Di n’yo malulusutan ang bulilyasong ginawa n’yo. Para n’yo na ring inagaw ang isinusubong kanin ng isang batang nagugutom. Tama si Obama at Biden: Sa panahon ng recession, kung saan nakalugmok ang mga Amerikano sa hirap, dapat makiramay ang mga pinuno sa taumbayan, di nagpapakapariwara. Sa panahon ng kagutuman, na matagal nang kalagayan ng Pinoy, at lalo pang tumindi sa paghagupit ng Typhoon Gloria, dapat siguro uminom na lang kayo ng insecticide. Gawin n’yo ’yan at mapapawi kaagad ang kagutuman ng bayan.


Sa bandang huli, buti na rin lang at ginawa n’yo ’yung magpasasa sa P1 million dinner habang lupaypay ang bayan sa kagutuman—di lang sa kawalan ng pagkain kundi sa iba pang bagay—at pagdadalamhati sa yumaong Ina ng Bayan. Binigyan n’yo ng mukha ang katakawan. Katakawang walang kabusugan. Mukhang di nakita ng masa sa usaping NBN, mukhang di nakikita ng masa sa usaping SAL. Mukhang nakita lang ng masa dito sa ginawa n’yong ito. Sa pagpapabondat sa New York habang naghihinagpis ang bayan.

At buti na rin lang mayroon tayong sariling wika. Di sapat ang Inggles para iparamdam sa inyo ang suklam na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di sapat ang Inggles para ipakita sa inyo ang pagkamuhi na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di maarok ng Inggles ang lalim ng poot na nararamdaman namin sa inyo.

Isinusuka na kayo ng taumbayan, mahirap man sumuka ang gutom.

May araw din kayo.

Gensan City's Traffic Lights System - Our New Baby

Once when i was in Cebu, there's this place in Colon Street where all pedestrians needed a shove in order to concentrate to where he/she's going, the traffic there is just so heavy that I couldn't believe my eyes taking a look at all the crowd passing by. I have never experienced being along with that huge crowd, and waiting for the go of the lights until everyone moves along.

Funny it may seem, but I was truly amazed at what a traffic light can do.
Now, here in General Santos City, we welcome a new baby, the traffic lights signal system. Yes, years back, we have been gifted with a traffic lights system but that was only located along Pioneer Avenue, an area where most traffic is seen daily because of the surge of students near that avenue.

Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio (in red) with some Local Government Officials.
photo by Bariles

Now, thank goodness, it's located in one of the busiest streets of Gensan, the National Highway. Located near the junction of St. Elizabeth Hospital and the National Highway, this will surely be a big help in disciplining our pedestrians in crossing the street and our drivers in carefully manning their vehicles in order to allow traffic to flow properly.

Here's our City Mayor, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, together with our local government officials.

The City Mayor with a priest for the blessing of the Traffic Lights Signal System, followed by our petite but intelligent and strong-willed congresswoman Darlene Anotonino-Custodio.

Way to go General Santos City! I salute the local government unit and the officials of this big city for doing a great job. Envisioning a bright future with the use of proper road safety is one key to a successful and prosperous city. Mabuhay Kayong lahat!

So for those who want to visit Gensan, it's almost Spetember, get your tickets ready for the Gensan Tuna Festival Experience!


**Photos by the hubby, unless otherwise stated.

Fun with Words

Hi guys,

Thanks for visiting today. I just wanna let you know that due to insistent public demand (LOL) from friends and other plurkers, I have created a new blog for a weekdays posting on new words. Entitled Fun with Words, I hope to share with you all some words I have learned during my entire reading life as a bibliobibuli. You might want to add that new blog to your blog lists. Thanks so much!

Enjoy!

sHenG

Net Language - Parents, Beware

If you are no tech-y, continue reading. NOT!

You've been warned!

Some of us may be groping with some stuffs in the net, and in the SMS our kids receive after checking their inbox, and some of us may be the ones bothered by these seeming inability of us to understand what they mean.

Beware parents, these words, or group of letters may be harsh and incomprehensible but these are the kind that will save you from a miscommunication/misunderstanding with your kids. If you want to better understand them, we need to know their language, so here goes a few...

* UG2BK . . . . . . . You got to be kidding
* OMG. . . . . . . . Oh my God
* WDYM. . . . . . . . What do you mean
* GBTW. . . . . . . . Get back to work
* NMP . . . . . . . . . Not my problem
* PIR . . . . . . . . . . Parent in room
* GFTD. . . . . . . . . Gone for the day
* FYEO. . . . . . . . . For your eyes only
* BI5 . . . . . . . . . . Back in five minutes
* DEGT . . . . . . . . Don’t even go there
* BIL . . . . . Boss is listening
* PAW. . . . Parents are watching
* 99 . . . . . . Parents are no longer watching
* PCM . . . . Please call me
* IMS. . . . . I am sorry
* TOY. . . . . Thinking of you
* KUTGW. . Keep up the good work
* CID . . . . . Consider it done
* FWIW. . . For what it’s worth
* HAND . . . Have a nice day
* IAT . . . . . I am tired
* NRN . . . . No response necessary
* 4COL. . . . For crying out loud
* WRUD. . . What are you doing
* LMIRL. . . Let’s meet in real life
* ^5 . . . . . . High five

for more of these hi-tech words, group of letters with a complete thought, please check this out.

For a detailed story, read here.

Baby Faces

Tabebs and her many faces!

Isn't she adorable?

Ten Principles for Peace of Mind

I am guilty of some of these principles, many of us are, many of us crave for recognition, we become jealous, we interfere with others' concerns, we procrastinate, we do things we regret doing.

I know it is but sad that many of these principles have a high chance of getting a disregard, but for us who know and experience the harsh realities of life, these ten may come in handy for future use. This is shared by a person I admire in his writing, his life has been so open because he writes what he sees, feels and illustrates what he has experienced, Blogusvox.

A piece beautifully written, these ten (negatives) are the things that you may call a major drawback in your life for moving on, so in order to live a peaceful life, one that means sleeping peacefully at night with nothing to rush to the following day, take these ten as your major approach strategies in everyday living.

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked:
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget:
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, forget and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous:
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly:
Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
“An empty mind is the devil's workshop”. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET.

Spellings Matter

I have long been following some of my friends' blogs and looks like some of them have nice experiences with different topics from the Philippine Star.

Before, Jo of WitsandNuts had this post on her blog entitled Was that Indicative Plagiarism? And most who read that, turned PhilStar's leaves in order to get ahold of the article. After that, the apology came out.

A few months after that, another writer-plagiarist came out in a different article about Metallica.

What I am going to share to you now, is not one that if of the same wing as plagiarism but the sensitivity of the writers in PhilStar to comments given them.

This friend has been a writer of so many articles already, and is quite OC in spellings and other stuffs re: Journalism. Of course, we must be OC especially in our readings, because for me, spellings matter, we were all told to check our spellings even when we were in pre-school.

This is really a petty subject though, but you might want to check it out here in order to know the details.

True, had the writer been subjective and taken the matter lightly, and corrected and thanked the commentor, it could have ended right there and then, but then, I guess he was too proud to admit the mistake, and disapproved the comment, but still made that correction anyway. The comment I say, was of pure intention to correct the spelling and not to do anything negative to PhilStar.

Hay, I guess we really have to observe proper standards in our writing, and not to mention Good Manners.

No one is perfect, we sometimes make mistakes, but when we make mistakes and others have corrected us, let us be thankful. These corrections are there to help us achieve excellence.

Perfection is a destination no one has ever been to, that's why God gave us eyes to see others' mistakes, but has given us the mind to think what we must rightly do.