Adding links, slide shows, feeds, labels etc. is easier now with the Page Element aspect of Blogger.
On the Dashboard, click “Layout” and then “Add Page Element”.
A window opens with choices:
Just choose which element you’d like to add.
Monday, March 31, 2008
My Blogging 101- Blogger Page Elements
If you’re tired of how your blog looks, Blogger actually provides a way for the ordinary blogger to play around with the objects contained therein, without messing up the main template.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My Blogging 101-Background Image
For most of us ordinary denizens tweaking a blog can be painstakingly tedious. It will require countless browsing time and reading of message boards. Clicking link after link.
Sometimes you find what you’re looking for and sometimes these links can lead you to pornographic sites and viruses you don’t wanna deal with (it also will require countless of internet time in just finding the “cure”).
So, you have a blog and you’re stuck with generic templates. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a unique background? Wouldn’t it be nice to change the look of your blog at will?
After countless minutes of internet time, here are some of the few tricks I've encountered:
Blogger
This is pretty easy. Since acquiring Blogger, Google have constantly upgraded and provided updates for us not so tech-savvy (HTML codes are gibberish for me) people.
1. Makes sure you have a picture ready and save it at a free picture hosting site such as (imageshack, photobucket etc).
2. Open your blog and on the Dashboard click Layout>Edit HTML. Go to the code that says:
body {
background-image: url(http://img......jpg);
3. Insert your picture URL from the picture host and click preview. Do not save changes yet for it may not work the first time and you have to do it again. Just click “Clear Edits” to discard whatever changes you made and start again.
Blogdrive
It’s pretty much the same thing with Blogdrive. Go to your “Layout & Design” tab. On the lower part of the page click on “Main Template Edit”. Now if you’re not sure about this, copy and save the your existing Template code into a notepad for future reference in case you’ve deleted and saved something from within your main template.
Just paste the original code again into the main template.
Look for the code that looks like this:
body {
margin: 0px;
padding: 0px;
background: url("http://img...gif") repeat-y;
Change the http://img...gif using the URL from the free picture host. And viola! You have a unique background you can call your own.
Tweaking the HTML code of your blog is not easy. It requires patience and diligence and always, always save a back up file in case everything goes crazy, if all else fail, there's always "Pick a New Template".
Sometimes you find what you’re looking for and sometimes these links can lead you to pornographic sites and viruses you don’t wanna deal with (it also will require countless of internet time in just finding the “cure”).
So, you have a blog and you’re stuck with generic templates. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a unique background? Wouldn’t it be nice to change the look of your blog at will?
After countless minutes of internet time, here are some of the few tricks I've encountered:
Blogger
This is pretty easy. Since acquiring Blogger, Google have constantly upgraded and provided updates for us not so tech-savvy (HTML codes are gibberish for me) people.
1. Makes sure you have a picture ready and save it at a free picture hosting site such as (imageshack, photobucket etc).
2. Open your blog and on the Dashboard click Layout>Edit HTML. Go to the code that says:
body {
background-image: url(http://img......jpg);
3. Insert your picture URL from the picture host and click preview. Do not save changes yet for it may not work the first time and you have to do it again. Just click “Clear Edits” to discard whatever changes you made and start again.
Blogdrive
It’s pretty much the same thing with Blogdrive. Go to your “Layout & Design” tab. On the lower part of the page click on “Main Template Edit”. Now if you’re not sure about this, copy and save the your existing Template code into a notepad for future reference in case you’ve deleted and saved something from within your main template.
Just paste the original code again into the main template.
Look for the code that looks like this:
body {
margin: 0px;
padding: 0px;
background: url("http://img...gif") repeat-y;
Change the http://img...gif using the URL from the free picture host. And viola! You have a unique background you can call your own.
Tweaking the HTML code of your blog is not easy. It requires patience and diligence and always, always save a back up file in case everything goes crazy, if all else fail, there's always "Pick a New Template".
Friday, March 28, 2008
Travel Destinations-Mindanao (Part I)
For those who travel and escape the humidity of Summer, yes, its that season once again. Below are some of the more popular destinations in Mindanao, Philippines:
1. Camiguin- just one hour and forty minutes travel from Cagayan de Oro City. Some of the Places to visit in Camiguin:
a. Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery – Located in Bonbon, Catarman. The marker commemorates the sinking of a community located in the area due to the volcanic eruption in 1871.
b. Katibawasan Falls – a 250-feet falls pours ice-cold water to a man-made rock pool surrounded by ferns, orchids and other flora. I took a dip once and swore the water’s freezing, yes, even in summer.
c. Mantigue Island – a separate island from Camiguin of about 3 kilometers. Ideal for snorkeling and diving. When we were there were no cottages and sheds built, thus the entire island maintained its unsullied beauty. I hope it is still the same until now.
d. Ardent Hot Spring – it’s the locals version of hot spa. Located in Mambajao. There are picnic huts and tables surrounding the lagoon.
e. White Island – powdery sand takes your breath away. Only makeshift bamboo and palm sheds dot the stretch of white sand. Boats for hire ferry passengers to and from the main island. Of course you need to bring your own food, because based from experience the food they sell there are so expensive.
f. Cold Spring – located in Catarman, camiguin – with picnic huts and tables and facilities for visitors and tourists.
2. Cagayan de Oro City - located in Northern Mindanao, this city has daily one hour flights from Manila. Some of the Places to visit in Cagayan de Oro:
a. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village – established in the late 90s, this living museum showcases the different houses of the indigenous tribes of Northern Mindanao. The gardens include some of the beautiful flora and fauna. And the site offers a breathtaking view of Macajalar Bay, staffed by Lumads dressed in their traditional garb.
b. Macahambus Adventure Park – about 15 minutes away from the airport, offers a variety of things to do, such as a suspended bridge hanging between huge trees, rapelling down a gorge 120 meter down.
c. River rafting – the only river rafting destination in the Philippines with yearound navigable caourse ranging from Class II-III-IV estimated three hours run. Make sure to wear sports leggings because you don’t want your thighs to be sunburned. My friend Tee had extreme burns across her thigh for wearing skimpy shorts while rafting.
d. Tubing – if you don’t like paddling, you can try the pinoy-style river rafting where your guide will do the hard work of paddling for three hours while you enjoy the scenic Cagayan de oro River.
3. Bukidnon – situated in North Central Mindanao, much of the province is very fertile and on a high flat terrain. It always rains in Bukidnon, so if you’re there be sure to have a spare jacket or umbrella. Some Places to see while in Bukidnon:
a. Monastery of the Transfiguration – located in Malaybalay City designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin. What struck me was the ecumenical design of the altar. No statues, no distinguishing mark that would identify it as one religion. But what you see inside is one big rock, that serves as the altar. And of course, they have the Monk’s Brew. Locally grown coffee by the Benedictine Monks.
b. Mt. Kitanglad National Park – located in Sumilao with an area of 40,176 hectares, it features diversified flora and fauna. As with other National Parks, it has strict Park Rules that everyone is enjoined to follow.
c. Mangima canyon - located in Manolo Fortich, the zigzag road offers some scenic view of the mountainside.
d. Panyak cave – located in Sumilao, gave me my first experience of actually seeing stalactites and stalagmites up close.
e. Napalit Lake – located in Pangantucan, measures about 36 hectares with twenty four islets with varying sizes.
4. Davao – located at the Southeastern part of Mindanao with a land area of 2,443.61. this province is huge. Subsequently, roads are slightly bigger than the rest of the major cities in Mindanao.
a. Philippine Eagle Foundation – sanctuary of the world’s largest eagle located in malagos, calinan district.
b. Crocodile Park – it features giant crocodiles, snakes and colorful butterflies. With facilities for recreation and relaxation.
c. Pearl farm – located in Samal island, once a thriving resort where white, pink and gold pearls are cultured from oysters coming from Sulu.
1. Camiguin- just one hour and forty minutes travel from Cagayan de Oro City. Some of the Places to visit in Camiguin:
a. Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery – Located in Bonbon, Catarman. The marker commemorates the sinking of a community located in the area due to the volcanic eruption in 1871.
b. Katibawasan Falls – a 250-feet falls pours ice-cold water to a man-made rock pool surrounded by ferns, orchids and other flora. I took a dip once and swore the water’s freezing, yes, even in summer.
c. Mantigue Island – a separate island from Camiguin of about 3 kilometers. Ideal for snorkeling and diving. When we were there were no cottages and sheds built, thus the entire island maintained its unsullied beauty. I hope it is still the same until now.
d. Ardent Hot Spring – it’s the locals version of hot spa. Located in Mambajao. There are picnic huts and tables surrounding the lagoon.
e. White Island – powdery sand takes your breath away. Only makeshift bamboo and palm sheds dot the stretch of white sand. Boats for hire ferry passengers to and from the main island. Of course you need to bring your own food, because based from experience the food they sell there are so expensive.
f. Cold Spring – located in Catarman, camiguin – with picnic huts and tables and facilities for visitors and tourists.
2. Cagayan de Oro City - located in Northern Mindanao, this city has daily one hour flights from Manila. Some of the Places to visit in Cagayan de Oro:
a. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village – established in the late 90s, this living museum showcases the different houses of the indigenous tribes of Northern Mindanao. The gardens include some of the beautiful flora and fauna. And the site offers a breathtaking view of Macajalar Bay, staffed by Lumads dressed in their traditional garb.
b. Macahambus Adventure Park – about 15 minutes away from the airport, offers a variety of things to do, such as a suspended bridge hanging between huge trees, rapelling down a gorge 120 meter down.
c. River rafting – the only river rafting destination in the Philippines with yearound navigable caourse ranging from Class II-III-IV estimated three hours run. Make sure to wear sports leggings because you don’t want your thighs to be sunburned. My friend Tee had extreme burns across her thigh for wearing skimpy shorts while rafting.
d. Tubing – if you don’t like paddling, you can try the pinoy-style river rafting where your guide will do the hard work of paddling for three hours while you enjoy the scenic Cagayan de oro River.
3. Bukidnon – situated in North Central Mindanao, much of the province is very fertile and on a high flat terrain. It always rains in Bukidnon, so if you’re there be sure to have a spare jacket or umbrella. Some Places to see while in Bukidnon:
a. Monastery of the Transfiguration – located in Malaybalay City designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin. What struck me was the ecumenical design of the altar. No statues, no distinguishing mark that would identify it as one religion. But what you see inside is one big rock, that serves as the altar. And of course, they have the Monk’s Brew. Locally grown coffee by the Benedictine Monks.
b. Mt. Kitanglad National Park – located in Sumilao with an area of 40,176 hectares, it features diversified flora and fauna. As with other National Parks, it has strict Park Rules that everyone is enjoined to follow.
c. Mangima canyon - located in Manolo Fortich, the zigzag road offers some scenic view of the mountainside.
d. Panyak cave – located in Sumilao, gave me my first experience of actually seeing stalactites and stalagmites up close.
e. Napalit Lake – located in Pangantucan, measures about 36 hectares with twenty four islets with varying sizes.
4. Davao – located at the Southeastern part of Mindanao with a land area of 2,443.61. this province is huge. Subsequently, roads are slightly bigger than the rest of the major cities in Mindanao.
a. Philippine Eagle Foundation – sanctuary of the world’s largest eagle located in malagos, calinan district.
b. Crocodile Park – it features giant crocodiles, snakes and colorful butterflies. With facilities for recreation and relaxation.
c. Pearl farm – located in Samal island, once a thriving resort where white, pink and gold pearls are cultured from oysters coming from Sulu.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Rituals Of The Mundane
There are only two dates in which we observe total severance from everything commercial, New Year’s Day and Good Friday. At least that’s what I observed in the place where I live. You cannot find any establishment that’s open, even the malls and big department stores, who takes pride in providing the ultimate definition for consumerism, are closed in defiance of their existence.
Good thing.
So the populace is forced to stay at home and reflect on their transgressions, attend liturgy, walk with the scheduled processions, or, as in the case of my neighbors, organize cockfights. That’s has been their “tradition” since the phenomenon (I call it us such), was observed (by me) ten years ago.
At first, I shook my head, and I didn’t know better, consider it blasphemy. The next year after that, it became bigger with people coming from other barangays; I consider it a resolute waywardness of everything Christian. Now, ten years after, I call it, hopeless.
I went to a place yesterday where years ago teems with people, doing penance, by walking and doing the station of the cross, now, the pictures speak for themselves.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
My Blogging 101
1. Finding a good blog hosting site. Begin by searching on the internet and read reviews by users.
You can try one of these sites –
a. Blogger.com. Sign up is free, just click “Create Account” and take it from there. Instructions are as easy as 1-2-3.
b.Blogdrive.
c.MSN Spaces.
d.Livejournal.com.
2. Article. For the first few months your articles should be tutorial type with lots of how tos and advices. Generally why people go online is to look for answers that help them in the real world. This way having a tutorial type post can sure generate traffic to your site. This if you want to monetize your blog and earn. If you want to maintain it to be personal, just between yourself, family and friends , then you can write whatever you like.
3. Fresh Updates. If you have just started, make sure to update at least daily. This way you make your target readers interested in going back to your site.
4. What to Call your blog. To generate traffic, make sure to have an easy to remember blog name. Normally the one of the major factors to generate readership is by word of mouth. How can people talk about how interesting your blog is if they cannot pronounce it.
5. Start browsing and commenting on other blogs across the net. It shows that you’re serious at what you do and interested in what other people think. That way they’ll return the favor and visit your site as well.
6. Start submitting your site to blog sites directory. This way you have a bigger chance of being in the system and you can easily be searched.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's Holy Week Once Again
The Philippines is a predominantly Roman Catholic nation and celebrating the Holy Week takes major precedence over other celebrations. It starts on Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, the triumphal return of Jesus to Jerusalem days before his Passion. Then there’s Maundy Thursday, the feast before Easter that honors the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and Good Friday, his crucifixion leading to his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
For Christians all over the world, we are looking forward to Easter Sunday, because that means after the bleak Good Friday and Black Saturday (parents will say, behave because Jesus Christ is dead and the superstitious: you cannot afford to get a booboo because it will never heal) there is always the Resurrection.
As we evolve as a culture, we veer away from ultra traditional ways and observe/practice them less and less. Now families time vacations during Holy Week, instead of carrying rosaries and prayer books we clutch digital and video cameras. Instead of taking time out to reflect we get drunk and party.
I’m not saying it’s wrong because I’m guilty too.
For Christians all over the world, we are looking forward to Easter Sunday, because that means after the bleak Good Friday and Black Saturday (parents will say, behave because Jesus Christ is dead and the superstitious: you cannot afford to get a booboo because it will never heal) there is always the Resurrection.
As we evolve as a culture, we veer away from ultra traditional ways and observe/practice them less and less. Now families time vacations during Holy Week, instead of carrying rosaries and prayer books we clutch digital and video cameras. Instead of taking time out to reflect we get drunk and party.
I’m not saying it’s wrong because I’m guilty too.
Hey Guys,
Here's a cool site I just found that is giving away
free reports about making money online that I
thought you might be interested in...
http://www.reports777.info
You can choose from 10 different "insider"
reports - totally free, and they give 'em to
you in exchange for joining their free newsletter
(which you can easily unsubscribe from at ANY
time).
They also give you a neat $25 surprise gift!
Tough to go wrong with an offer like that, wouldn't
you say?
Anyhow, that's all for now - have a great day and
check back soon!
Here's a cool site I just found that is giving away
free reports about making money online that I
thought you might be interested in...
http://www.reports777.info
You can choose from 10 different "insider"
reports - totally free, and they give 'em to
you in exchange for joining their free newsletter
(which you can easily unsubscribe from at ANY
time).
They also give you a neat $25 surprise gift!
Tough to go wrong with an offer like that, wouldn't
you say?
Anyhow, that's all for now - have a great day and
check back soon!
Selling From Home On Ebay - Getting Started
You can make money on eBay by selling just about anything.
If you look around your house, you can surely find many things
that you'd be willing to clear out. Look them up on eBay and
see what prices these kind of items are commanding.
If you go around your house and start making a list of things
that you can sell on eBay, you'll be well on your way to making
money on eBay. Then go to your computer and starting looking
these items up.
Some of them will clearly have value. List those right away
and see if you can get a good price.
It's a good idea to sell items that you know a little bit about.
That way you can field questions from potential customers. That
also makes it less likely that your customer will be disappointed
in the end.
If you live near an outlet store of some sort, you might be
able to find a product that you can sell at a profit on eBay.
Make careful note of the product, its specifications and
availability, and then compare this information with similar
listings on eBay. You might be able to make money as a middleman
using this approach!
When you're ready to expand your online business and begin
making SERIOUS money, check out the FREE reports available here:
If you look around your house, you can surely find many things
that you'd be willing to clear out. Look them up on eBay and
see what prices these kind of items are commanding.
If you go around your house and start making a list of things
that you can sell on eBay, you'll be well on your way to making
money on eBay. Then go to your computer and starting looking
these items up.
Some of them will clearly have value. List those right away
and see if you can get a good price.
It's a good idea to sell items that you know a little bit about.
That way you can field questions from potential customers. That
also makes it less likely that your customer will be disappointed
in the end.
If you live near an outlet store of some sort, you might be
able to find a product that you can sell at a profit on eBay.
Make careful note of the product, its specifications and
availability, and then compare this information with similar
listings on eBay. You might be able to make money as a middleman
using this approach!
When you're ready to expand your online business and begin
making SERIOUS money, check out the FREE reports available here:
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bananas etc.
One Saturday morning two weeks ago, I went up to another part of Bukidnon. This time it’s the western side of the hilly province. I was to attend a meeting with the people behind the Del Monte banana packing house. They set up a meeting with their “Buyers” (entities who purchase the banana rejects) Their aim was to set a standard in determining the weight load of reject bananas for distribution in the local market. By local market meaning the bananas you see being sold in our wet markets, that did not pass export standards, like size and appearance.
The series of Packing Houses are located along the roads of Talakag, Bukidnon, virtually giving employment opportunities to local residents. One companion quipped, he saw one local princess of a certain tribe, working segregating bananas.
Some things I noticed though, women are given the task of sorting and determining the quality and men are given the heavier task, like piling of cases, boxes and packing.
During the meeting, it was agreed that, Del Monte will consider the idea of just giving away the bananas for free, right now they are purchased at Php 1.95 per kilo, in lieu of the Buyers providing manpower for cleaning the entire Packing House. It is a welcome change indeed for the Buyers, who right now are encountering problems in terms of distribution, especially when there’s heavy downpour, and in Bukidnon, that can go for days.
Additional opportunities include, the chance of surrounding Barangays, to earn. Overly ripe and deformed bananas are not sold to local markets, instead they are unloaded to houses along the roads, for chopping and drying. Here the Buyer buys back the chopped and dried bananas at Php 4.50 per sack and sold to feed mills.
Going back to Talakag, after at least ten years, was an eye opener. No more bad roads. And corn and cassava chips are not the only means of livelihood for the locals, they have water rafting, bananas, and developed tourist spots, like caving and nature hiking.
Pacquiao - Marquez fight
Okay so I’m one of the millions of Filipinos that root for Pacquiao. It’s a matter of national pride. It’s for the benefit of our reputation of being the basket case of Asia. At least with Pacquiao dominating the boxing scene, we can, for an hour or so forget the immensely embarrassing problems besetting the country.
Sad to say, almost all live feeds of Pacquiao fights are with a fee. They do broadcast the fights on TV but with 30 minutes to one hour delay and loaded with advertisement. Sometimes 2 round fight can last up to 4 hours if you watch it on free tv.
I know, nothings for free, and even if it is “free” it comes with a price.
Here I am 30 minutes nearing the 10 am pacquiao fight, browsing the internet for any free live feeds. Here are some links I stumbled upon:
SopCast Channels:
sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/22260
sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/35999
• You need to download SopCast and you need to have a broadband connection.
Sad to say, almost all live feeds of Pacquiao fights are with a fee. They do broadcast the fights on TV but with 30 minutes to one hour delay and loaded with advertisement. Sometimes 2 round fight can last up to 4 hours if you watch it on free tv.
I know, nothings for free, and even if it is “free” it comes with a price.
Here I am 30 minutes nearing the 10 am pacquiao fight, browsing the internet for any free live feeds. Here are some links I stumbled upon:
SopCast Channels:
sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/22260
sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/35999
• You need to download SopCast and you need to have a broadband connection.
A Boxing-Crazed Nation
I kid you not. My government’s Armed Forces declared a seven-hour unilateral ceasefire in its campaign against communist insurgence to give troops time to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Manuel Marquez fight.
Military operations will cease at 8:00 am, March 16, 2008 Philippine time and will end at three pm same day. And I only know this today, Pacquiao is a military reservist holding a rank of Master Sergeant.
To declare a suspension of operations to watch a boxing fight? Priceless.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Leave It To The Experts
Last Saturday’s trip gave me quiet a scare. Halfway to Bukidnon, I was going downhill into this zigzag road on 2nd gear, near the bottom, it seesawed out of control. Good thing I had my hand firmly on both foot break and hand break. When I reached the bottom, after two spurts of smoke, my moped stopped altogether.
I proceeded to press the electric start, to no avail. I used the crankshaft, nada. All the while, I was praying, “god let this thing start”.
Now, I pray. More so on situations like Saturday’s. Thankfully, after about five minutes, it came to life. After a few meters, I sensed something was wrong, I couldn’t get the same power from the 4-stroke 125cc moped, that I was so used to getting. I went ahead nonetheless, lest, it stopped again and that would be alarming on my part.
A kilometer after, I had another scare, I noticed I was low on gasoline. “Darn”. Another prayer “please please let it reach Malaybalay”. After 29 kilometers of stressful negative thoughts, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the familiar sight of “Welcome to Malaybalay”. I immediately went for gas, with the first gasoline station I came across with. I had full tank and thought “that ought to take care of my problem”. Well, I had another problem. When I started the moped, all I got was this, voluminous smoke coming from the exhaust. A gasoline fed moped shouldn’t do that right? Oh no.
One attendant noticed the smoke (who wouldn’t), and came over to where I was standing. He offered to check and help. After a minute check he opened the air cleaner drain. And viola! A half liter of motorcycle oil flowed. The air cleaner drip shouldn’t do that right? It shouldn’t contain air not oil. Oh no. Well, the shop is a kilometer away. And I bargained (begged) the attendant if he could accompany me (pushing any form of transport is the last on my list, unless I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere. There I can push, with my helmet on.) We walked for 500 meters (thanks Renan the good Samaritan), good thing Bukidnon is this one big hilly place, the main road was downhill from there on, so, we went free-wheeling until we reached the shop.
And they found this. Almost two liters of motorcycle oil. It went up to the air cleaner and out of the exhaust that’s why it was belting oodles of smoke. Oh no.
But the mechanic said, I’m fine there was no damage, and asked me who put so much oil in the moped? Uhm, I replied, dunno, my mechanic? (I dare not say I was the one who put additional oil before I left for Malaybalay, sorry Mike hehe). They drained the moped of the excess oil (took out one liter), cleaned the air cleaner and tighten the chain. The mechanic said, i shouldn't worry about the little smoke, it will dissipate eventually.
And off I went. Lesson learned, never ever self medicate, leave it to the experts.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Kaamulan
I drove to Bukidnon yesterday amid a blustery weather, which suits me fine considering I was driving a Moped. My cousin T who lives in Malaybalay, Bukidnon invited me to meet her there for some previously agreed purpose. Towards the end of our conversation concerning the above-stated fact, she just mentioned, “oh by the way, there will be some street dancing on Saturday”.
Street dancing? What street dancing? Then I remembered, it’s Kaamulan time in Bukidnon.
Kaamulan is a festival featuring the seven Hill tribes of the province. Namely: Talaandig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tiwahanon, Matigsalug, and Bukidnon. The festival features street dance competition, trade fair, off road racing, garden show among others. This festival is an important part of the Bukidnon’s cultural heritage, so much so that they have designated one area for it, the Kaamulan Grounds.
Sadly, I arrived in Malaybalay around quarter to eleven in the morning, obviously the street dancing and float presentation was over, so I contented myself in taking some photos.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I shouldn't have taken a step into that doorway
Last week my boss got hospitalized. I was surprised when she called me and told me I had to be at the hospital because she got hospitalized the night before. When I entered her room, there she was lying on the hospital bed with dextrose hanging on a peg, with her partner stroking her hand for comfort.
I asked her what happened, and she replied, she got pneumonia. I don’t say the normal things people say when friends and relatives or co-employees get sick most people don’t mean it. I prefer a simple touch on the sleeve or even a single flower. Though it’s another matter entirely if it’s a communicable disease.
So, we proceeded to discuss matters regarding her various businesses. And the tasks she wanted get done while she is ingesting loads of antibiotics. Since, she needs to sign a lot of documents, I went up and down the sixth floor of that hospital for two days after the initial visit. After that, we communicated through cellphone, which is fine by me.
On the fourth day she called me again for a meeting concerning another business venture which she wanted me to set up. When I opened the door of her hospital room, she said, “thank god, you’re here, my mother and sister who promised to be with me 24/7 hastily left when I said I have TB.” For a few seconds I just stood there on the doorway, unsure of what to say.
I asked her, “You sure? Is your doctor sure? (silly question, at this point I was thinking of going back down the length of the six floors without looking back!) She said, “yes”. So I said, feigning nonchalance, “well, they say it’s treatable now, are you taking your medicines religiously?” She said yes and proceeded to discuss things with me.
How can I listen to anything, anything at all after she dropped that bomb on me? Thoughts like, “darn this woman for not telling me two days ago!” Tuberculosis is a deadly highly infectious disease for starters.
After the meeting, I went down the lobby so concerned for my health. When I came back in the afternoon for another meeting, I couldn’t help asking the hospital pharmacist for her opinion. I was advised to wear a mask at all times in her presence. (err.. too late). I went back up to the sixth floor carrying the mask, but before I went in, I thought to better ask the nurse station which is just 4 meters away from her room, if I was being told the truth.
Me: “Miss may I ask..err..if Ms……. On room 605, does she have TB?”
Nurse: “How are you related to her?”
Me: “She’s my boss.. I know it’s against hospital policies, but she told me she has TB
so, if you can just help me verify if it is true because I was exposed to her, and she
only told me like three days after.” “and I brought a mask with me, I’m also hesitant to
wear this in front of her…so pls I need to now.” (literally begging)
Nurse: flipping my boss’ chart…”hmmm..no…she’s clean..there are no TB meds…X-
rays are clean.”
Me: “You sure?” “Because I will go back in there without any protection whatsoever,
and if she has TB for real, I’m getting back with you on this.” (sounding ominous and
laughable).
Nurse: “Yes she is clean, you can relax now.” (laughing good-naturedly)
Epilogue
Me: “You said you have TB, I asked the nurse she said you don’t have it”. “why would you lie
to me?”
Wicked *****: hahahahahaha!
Me: “I even bought a mask! Grrr.”
Wicked *****: hahahahahaha!
Oh great.
I asked her what happened, and she replied, she got pneumonia. I don’t say the normal things people say when friends and relatives or co-employees get sick most people don’t mean it. I prefer a simple touch on the sleeve or even a single flower. Though it’s another matter entirely if it’s a communicable disease.
So, we proceeded to discuss matters regarding her various businesses. And the tasks she wanted get done while she is ingesting loads of antibiotics. Since, she needs to sign a lot of documents, I went up and down the sixth floor of that hospital for two days after the initial visit. After that, we communicated through cellphone, which is fine by me.
On the fourth day she called me again for a meeting concerning another business venture which she wanted me to set up. When I opened the door of her hospital room, she said, “thank god, you’re here, my mother and sister who promised to be with me 24/7 hastily left when I said I have TB.” For a few seconds I just stood there on the doorway, unsure of what to say.
I asked her, “You sure? Is your doctor sure? (silly question, at this point I was thinking of going back down the length of the six floors without looking back!) She said, “yes”. So I said, feigning nonchalance, “well, they say it’s treatable now, are you taking your medicines religiously?” She said yes and proceeded to discuss things with me.
How can I listen to anything, anything at all after she dropped that bomb on me? Thoughts like, “darn this woman for not telling me two days ago!” Tuberculosis is a deadly highly infectious disease for starters.
After the meeting, I went down the lobby so concerned for my health. When I came back in the afternoon for another meeting, I couldn’t help asking the hospital pharmacist for her opinion. I was advised to wear a mask at all times in her presence. (err.. too late). I went back up to the sixth floor carrying the mask, but before I went in, I thought to better ask the nurse station which is just 4 meters away from her room, if I was being told the truth.
Me: “Miss may I ask..err..if Ms……. On room 605, does she have TB?”
Nurse: “How are you related to her?”
Me: “She’s my boss.. I know it’s against hospital policies, but she told me she has TB
so, if you can just help me verify if it is true because I was exposed to her, and she
only told me like three days after.” “and I brought a mask with me, I’m also hesitant to
wear this in front of her…so pls I need to now.” (literally begging)
Nurse: flipping my boss’ chart…”hmmm..no…she’s clean..there are no TB meds…X-
rays are clean.”
Me: “You sure?” “Because I will go back in there without any protection whatsoever,
and if she has TB for real, I’m getting back with you on this.” (sounding ominous and
laughable).
Nurse: “Yes she is clean, you can relax now.” (laughing good-naturedly)
Epilogue
Me: “You said you have TB, I asked the nurse she said you don’t have it”. “why would you lie
to me?”
Wicked *****: hahahahahaha!
Me: “I even bought a mask! Grrr.”
Wicked *****: hahahahahaha!
Oh great.
Rhymes
They lull children to sleep. They’re catchy. They are our first experience of oral history, transferred from one generation to the next and have been around even before any written form of prose is obtainable.
I’m referring to nursery rhymes. I have a five-month old nephew, so I can’t escape these ubiquitous doggerels whenever I visit. As the last-song syndrome goes, I hum and tap to the beat of “Jack & Jill “, “Hey Diddle, Diddle”, etc when I leave, and they haunt me whole afternoon to my unending exasperation. It’s not cool to hum nursery rhymes at work. Not cool.
One day last week I began to think for some convoluted quirk of reason the reality of these lyrics, are they as harmless as most mothers think? Good thing for mothers with internet connection, they can just Google the answers, but how about those who haven’t any? Yes, some parts of my country are not connected yet to the World Wide Web.
For those lucky mothers they might stumble across these explanations regarding the history and origin of some of the most popular nursery rhymes:
It is a commonly accepted fact that there is a relationship between nursery rhymes and British History. Although the English language have changed drastically, its influence to eastern cultures have a marked difference in discipline and entertaining young children in these parts of the world. At a very young age, we are introduced to the idea of kings and queens and the other members of the royal court. As well as, the London Bridge, the Bells of Saint Clemens, Charring Cross and many others without even realizing they are not located elsewhere in the eastern hemisphere. And here’s the catch, some of them have origins that are political in nature and others even have more sinister lines and meaning.
“Baa, baa, black sheep, ... “ was about the complaints of the poor against enclosures of land for sheep farming among others.
“Georgie, Georgie, pudding and pie, ... “ legend says this refers to King George IV because of his greed, flirtations and fear of reforms among others.
“Hey diddle diddle, ... “ (my nephew’s favorite) ..this one generated a lot of theories , feel free to Google them.
“Hickory, dickory, dock. ... “ this is said to refer to Richard Cromwell, who could not preserve the Republic created by his father or prevent the restoration of the monarchy.
“Ring a ring of Roses” … is a tale giving an account of the Bubonic Plague where about 25 million people died across Europe.
“Pop Goes the Weasel”… spoke of the extreme poverty during Victorian London, “pop” was the word used for pawning goods and “weasel” was the slang for flute, whistle.
And many others that discussing them here will take pages and pages and hundreds of links. Reading about them was an experience and a blast.
And from hereon, for every line and rhyme I utter, I’m reminded, that Humpty Dumpty really was not an egg.
For further reading please browse:
1. http://www.rhymes.org.uk/
2. http://nurseryrhymes.allinfoabout.com/
3. http://folktalesmyths.suite101.com/
4. http://www.mysticfamiliar.com/
5. http://www.simpletoremember.com/
I’m referring to nursery rhymes. I have a five-month old nephew, so I can’t escape these ubiquitous doggerels whenever I visit. As the last-song syndrome goes, I hum and tap to the beat of “Jack & Jill “, “Hey Diddle, Diddle”, etc when I leave, and they haunt me whole afternoon to my unending exasperation. It’s not cool to hum nursery rhymes at work. Not cool.
One day last week I began to think for some convoluted quirk of reason the reality of these lyrics, are they as harmless as most mothers think? Good thing for mothers with internet connection, they can just Google the answers, but how about those who haven’t any? Yes, some parts of my country are not connected yet to the World Wide Web.
For those lucky mothers they might stumble across these explanations regarding the history and origin of some of the most popular nursery rhymes:
It is a commonly accepted fact that there is a relationship between nursery rhymes and British History. Although the English language have changed drastically, its influence to eastern cultures have a marked difference in discipline and entertaining young children in these parts of the world. At a very young age, we are introduced to the idea of kings and queens and the other members of the royal court. As well as, the London Bridge, the Bells of Saint Clemens, Charring Cross and many others without even realizing they are not located elsewhere in the eastern hemisphere. And here’s the catch, some of them have origins that are political in nature and others even have more sinister lines and meaning.
“Baa, baa, black sheep, ... “ was about the complaints of the poor against enclosures of land for sheep farming among others.
“Georgie, Georgie, pudding and pie, ... “ legend says this refers to King George IV because of his greed, flirtations and fear of reforms among others.
“Hey diddle diddle, ... “ (my nephew’s favorite) ..this one generated a lot of theories , feel free to Google them.
“Hickory, dickory, dock. ... “ this is said to refer to Richard Cromwell, who could not preserve the Republic created by his father or prevent the restoration of the monarchy.
“Ring a ring of Roses” … is a tale giving an account of the Bubonic Plague where about 25 million people died across Europe.
“Pop Goes the Weasel”… spoke of the extreme poverty during Victorian London, “pop” was the word used for pawning goods and “weasel” was the slang for flute, whistle.
And many others that discussing them here will take pages and pages and hundreds of links. Reading about them was an experience and a blast.
And from hereon, for every line and rhyme I utter, I’m reminded, that Humpty Dumpty really was not an egg.
For further reading please browse:
1. http://www.rhymes.org.uk/
2. http://nurseryrhymes.allinfoabout.com/
3. http://folktalesmyths.suite101.com/
4. http://www.mysticfamiliar.com/
5. http://www.simpletoremember.com/
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