Stress: Don’t Fight It, Control It! Tips…

Under stress? Always. First and foremost, don’t panic! Some people can work under stress because they do not panic. Keep calm and assess the situation. What is the sources of the stress? Is it your boss? Your officemate? The office/school itself? Chill. Hopefully, none of them bite. Here are some ways to control the stress in your life:

1. Stop what you’re doing and release the tension. Count one to ten. Breathe in and out deeply. Oxygen deprivation contributes to tension. The choky feeling of stress come from this. Pump air in your lungs.

2. Don’t take that Starbucks! To relieve yourself from stress and get you a pump of adrenaline, it is not advisable to take caffeine or alcohol. That grande Latte will give you a temporary energy boost but will only add to your anxiety and when the boost is over, you are ten time stressed.

3. Smell the flowers. Took a breather? Try aromatherapy. If you can bring a small vial of smells with you, that would go a long way. Smell some lavender to relax. Patcholi or citrus for a good energy boost. Mint or ginger for head ache. Got none? Smell the office flowers. Make sure they are fresh!

4. Attention! Stand or sit up straight. Who would have thought that posture has anything to do with stress?

5. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Are your clothes well pressed and fresh? Is your space clean? A spic and span living space is a livable space. Dirt and germs help grow stress.

6. Call ya girlfriend! Who needs therapist? Talk to your gal pal about the show on TV, about your crush, about your favorite food. Talk about something light and fun. Give your mind a break and unwind your heart with some heart to heart with BFF. If it won’t stress you out, you can call your mom too.

7. Quit keeping up with the Joneses! Doesn’t it tick you that your neighbor has a new car? That your seatmate got a 4.0 and you didn’t? That your officemate and best friend got the promotion you want? Stay in the present and quit wishing the shoulda, woulda, coulda. Be happy for them and praise them. Who knows, baka may balato ka pa!

8. 8 glasses a day, lack of water withers us. Especially since we are composed mainly of water. Do your health a favor and carry a water bottle with you. You need it.

9. An apple a day… Eat right! Make sure you have a balance diet of go, grow and glow foods. Jollibee and McDo are ok once in a while but not all the time. Additives and MSG is not good for the body. Lesser things to worry in the future if you don’t have gal stones or cancer. Oh, make sure to eat on time too. That way, you prevent ulcer. Don’t have enough time? Bring a cracker with you.

10. Dark is good. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help lower your blood pressure so pop a piece before a board meeting. Just make sure your brush your teeth after.

I'm Going to Miss You...

When I threaten to run away, there are two places I always said I would go: to Diko in India to visit the Elephants or to Nanay in the Big House. I would always gather my underwear and my fave shirt and bundle it in a lampin and set it on a stick like the cartoons.

Suddenly for the past two years, I have the urge to go home. Yes, I went home three times. I lived with Nanay and had fun. She was quirky, strict but a whole lot of fun.

This year, I had the privilege to really go bonding with her. She told us of her past "loves", recent "loves" and all her fond memories. She teased us non-stop and was "game" to do anything. We went swimming, eating, talecrafting, and all me and my sibs can do in the month-long stay we had with her.

I went home Sunday morning and opened the door to the house to be surprised by Jade with an odd expression in her face. She had tears but her mouth looked like she was laughing or making a joke. The annoying Jade just spilled it. I can't believe it of course.
She was just kicking it! Now she kicked it!

I went to my phone and saw Ate Faith's messages. Now what? Really? I can't believe it! No! But she was so lively and vibrant!
Then I thought... wait a minute! It's ballroom night! Did she see her unfortunate Leo and maybe suffered a broken heart because she still felt something for him? Did Rei Balundoy kiss her and sent her swooning?
I'm sad but why can't I bring myself to get sad? I felt sad but at the same time I felt she must be happy. Like it must really be time.

Memories float to me and it just makes me smile instead. It was always a funny or happy memory with her. I know she was so proud of us all. The day I went home after 4 years and surprised her, she was surprised although mom already told her we would stay with her. I told her I was Cum Laude. She looked like a queen. Then I showed her my accomplishments. She wanted to sue the school when she learned I crossed a bamboo bridge by myself on top of a mountain with no railings or anything. Then i was not home at 5pm, she was panicking already.

I would never forget the stories she told us. About the mysterious Mutya ng Tubig, her love stories, her funny relatives, the American soldier who wanted her, Tatay and his quirks. They were meant for each other! Her break with Leo and how she found Rei. Yu think she was a school girl!

I would never forget her lessons too. How she valued education above all. How she wanted us to cease the day, take any experience we can get. Go travel! Go try something new! She did! Go take up a hobby! He diet program: chew like a goat!

I would never forget you!

Kong Hei Fat Choi!

What's in season...

New Year Fashion Tips at http://figures.multiply.com

Ash Wednesday Today

Today is the start of Lent.

Go on Abstinence...

Ateneo HS Fair

Talecraft Contest in Ateneo HS. I'm happy for all the winners! For those who didn't get to win, I had fun reading the stories. Hope they could submit them in Crafters!

Winners of the Website contest.
Picking the cards.
Brave souls who joined. hehehe.

Contestants and winners of the Saturday game.

Ghosts in the Big House?

I was looking at the pictures from the X-mas season when I noticed they had ghost spots! As circled bu the yellow. This was the Xmas picture.
Perhaps the ghosts of the long dead ancestors came out to party with us!

Dark Curse by Feehan

I was looking at Feehan's site when I saw she has a storyline for Dark Curse already. I'm a fan of her Dark Series but more especially the De La Cruz Brothers. Dark Curse stars Nicholas De La Cruz, the uptight elder brother of Rafael in Dark Secret.

There are actually 5 members of the De La Cruz family, they are the 5 daunting brothers: Nicholas, the eldest and the leader. Manolito, the Sensual and buff now half-werewolf (Dark Possession), Nicholas, the middle child, Rafael (I call him spoiled) the haciendero-type joke from Dark Secret and the youngest and charming of the 5 Riordan who is the Star of Dark Hunger.

From the Site:

DARK CURSE-- September 2008

Lara Calladine is haunted by childhood memories of being held prisoner in an ice cave and kept sane by the whispered stories told to her by her imprisoned aunts. They instilled mage and Carpathian magic deep within her and then helped her escape. She has spent years searching for the cave in hopes of finding the answers to the riddle of her past as well as finding her aunts who may have given their lives saving her.

Nicolas De La Cruz has returned to the Carpathian Mountains--his homeland--on orders from his eldest brother, Zacarias, to bring news of a conspiracy to the prince of their people. He is weary of his long existence and plans to end it away from his brothers where they will be unable to stop him once he has fulfilled his duty.

Lara and Nicolas paths collide in an explosive adventure that rocks the Carpathian world.

Sagay

A nice quiet place to eat...

Sagay Restaurant in Casa Leticia. They now serve Mexican stuff. I had the pleasure of sampling some food.
Taste good. Yummy Mexican food. These over here are the Beef Quesadillas.

Food Places and More

Davao is a home to a variety of restaurants and food chains. Here are some Sulit places I've been to na good food and affordable.

Chickies and Patties
Chickies has been around since I can remember which is more than 20 years na siguro. They are known for their chicken and other short orders. I love it here. I remember eating here is a treat. They were the best fast food chain in Davao until Jolibee and later McDo came into the scene. They have my fave gravy, macaroni salad and yummy arachibuteric Leche Flan. Yum yum! Make sure to get two pieces of Chicken!!!

Pritong Manok
Pritong Manok is known for Duh! Fried Chicken. Translate Diba!
They are found in most all mall food courts and even near markets. They sell chicken per piece. They now have diversified their products to include Tender Juicy Hotdogs with rice. Try ordering three pieces of chicken smothered in gravy! Yum. They sell their chicken depending on the part you want. The cheapest is the neck which is about 18 pesos. A big breast is 47 a piece.

Boyd's
Italian? Try a bowl of pasta for about 85 pesos. It includes a long (definitely long!) slice of garlic French bread. They bake the bread themselves! Good food, cheap too. Don't worry about the ambiance. Looks can be deceiving. The inside is actually cozy.

Picobello
It's on top of JS Gaisano. Nice place if you love Italian. They have a kilm (exposed brick oven) where everyone can see and smell the yummy pizzas baking. The prices are cheap and you can avail of their offer of buy one take one during 2pm to 5pm. Excellent food!

Harana
No, nobody's serenading you there but the food feels like a serenade of the senses. Harana is practically older than me. It started as a backyard barbecue place. Then they rented the place at Torres St. and built a playground for children to play while waiting for the food. Now, the playground and good bbq are the trademark of Harana.

Kuya Ed's

Nobody can beat a buffet like Kuya Ed's. For 2 years, they still boat their 99 peso-buffet. You may choose from a variety of Filipino dishes. Occasionally, they bring out siomai and tempuras. Guaranteed busog!

Cecil's
Cecil's mainly sells cake. But they are the yummiest cakes! Need cakes fast? They are better and cheaper than Goldilocks! Doesn't taste commercialized either. They have kiosks in malls where they sell cakes per slice. They also sell short orders. A hefty slice of chocolate cake is about 47 pesos. A cream puff or éclair is 18 pesos each. Dessert anyone?

Merco
Before Goldilocks even set her lacy foot in Davao, Merco was there. They are known for their birthday cakes and sandwhiches you can eat in the cafe with ice cream topped on them. No kid! They don't mind what you eat! As long as you're having a blast! A big 8-10 slice black forest cake costs about 300plus pesos. 500 in Goldilocks and Red Ribbon and they taste commercialized. Merco has retained their quality for more than three decades.

So, when "libot-ing" Davao, don't be afraid to try out the food. Try any place! Food is good in Davao, that is a guarantee!

Masquerade

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you!
Mom! You look 20 years younger! It's all in the smile!

Event: Nanay's 85th Bday, Le Grande Masquerade
Date: January 18, 2008
Venue: The Summit, Royal Mandaya Hotal

Heirarchy of Drivers

We have a family driver/slash/dad's corporate driver. He was once mom's buss boy elevated to cook and now elevated to driver.


When we go somewhere, he would hang out in the driver's lounge. example in Rockwell or some parties. I would notice that there is a hierarchy of drivers. I would classify it into three. I shall call them the Barongs, the Polos and the T's.
The Barongs are the hi-class drivers. They are usually corporate drivers or hi-paying drivers. They drive businessmen and politicians and their family. They get over-time pay on top of their usual salary.
They usually wear a uniform or the working barong. These guys are proud to wear them. They know bits of English and are not afraid to use them.
The next is the Polo's because their usual attire are department store bought polo shirts. They are family drivers usually. Their bracket take home is about Php9,000 to Php6,000. They may or may not have over-time pay.
The "lowest" in the class are the T's because they wear T-shirts only. Sometimes, the T-shirts are the company give-aways. They have a small salary and they work as delivery drivers and are sometimes used as family drivers. These guys stick together.

Funny, our driver, he worked for us in the British School for 4 years. So now, he has all the confidence. Some of is words have British accents. He does not ask "Ha?" when not hearing something. He sys "Pardon me?"
One time I went to drive through in McDo and I was on the passenger's seat. I gave my order but the cashier in McDo can't hear my drink so she asked again. "Water. MineralWater. Orlan, paki sabi mineral water."
So he says "mineral wwoh-tah"
I nearly burst out laughing!
He can pronounce Shcublig, Stroganoff, cottage pie and bangers and mash... and he can cook them too.

Eden

Eden Tour 2008 with Aki Ria, Achi Bel and Ahia jun.
The forests in Eden were man-made. They have lots of herbariums and flower gardens, including this Prayer Garden.
Flowers in the wishing well.

Eden seems like a well kept place. The forest is teeming with life. The flowers are diversified and the guides all know about them.
It's a good place to tour and bring the family. There are good activities to be enjoyed by anyone out in the wild!
Just don't forget your "Off" lotion.

Malagos

In Malagos! I wasn't able to go to the Phil. Eagle Center last year so we came this year, courtesy of Ahia Jun and Achi BelBel. One of the caretakers was feeding the Eagles and he was kind enough to bring out his fave White Crested Eagle for pictorials. Very powerful wings. It was so strong and wide!

Save the Eagles!!!

Talecraft Davao Contest

Gaisano Mall of Davao, Spazio
Jan. 12, 2007

Satisfying Your Belly at Belly's Grill

Your Belly will be Full at Belly's Grill.

Located at the corner of Mabini St. and Quirino, Davao City, this unassuming little restaurant is actually home to good food. In the mood for grill and other Filipino Specialties?

Specialties: Hito (Catfish), Ostrich meat, BBQ pork and Chix, kinilaw, tuna belly and more! The taste of the dishes are varied but you know grill when you taste it.

Ambiance: The location is very accessible. There is ample parking. Inside, the lighting is good and the aircon is cool. It's not too fine dining but it certainly not carinderia.

Critique: Belly's is actually a bit of mixed market and confused owners. Service-wise, it is good. They are very accommodating. All in all, food is good!

Cool Lunch. It was my first time to taste ostrich and hito. Ostrich steak tastes and feels like beef. There is a slightly different aftertaste but it's likeable. Hito was good. Not malansa at all. Tastes really fresh and cooked right. Very crispy. Not too oily, just right. I like the taste.

Food Trip Experience Rank: * * * *

Here's some more opinions on the food trip. With pictures too.
http://www.mydavaocity.com/bellys-grill/

Spidey Unmarried???

Comic fans fume as Marvel erases Spidey-MJ marriage
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-01-09-spider-man-marriage_N.htm?se=yahoorefer

21 years of marriage down the drain so Peter could save Aunt May? C'mon! Can't they find something better to do for our friendly neighborhood web-swinger?

Clips from the Article:

That's why the comic world is in an uproar over Marvel Comics' decision to undo the marriage of Peter Parker and red-haired bombshell Mary Jane Watson, reversing two decades of storytelling.
In Amazing Spider-Man #545 last week, Peter and Mary Jane make a tearful deal with the devil-like character Mephisto: In exchange for saving Aunt May's life, Mephisto erases all traces of the Peter-Mary Jane marriage from memory.
In the issue out this week, subtitled Brand New Day, Peter Parker returns to his roots — young, nerdy and single. Aunt May is alive and well and Mary Jane is again just part of the cast. The marriage never happened.
"People are very upset. They erased a lot of stuff that had been set in stone," says John Newman, manager of Ultimate Comics in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Wednesday as customers came in to buy the opening chapter of Brand New Day. To help emphasize the new start, Amazing Spider-Man will go thrice-monthly.

"We knew it would be a very controversial thing to do," says Joe Quesada, Marvel's editor in chief, who believed so much in the project that he drew the crucial issues himself. "Looking into the future, this is really the right thing to do for the long-term health of the character."
Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962, was a hit, connecting with young readers because he was a geeky teenager, shy with girls and uncertain of how to use his powers. But in 1987, Peter and Mary Jane, by then a fashion model, got married. Marvel had instant regrets.
"I remember editors and editors in chief lamenting that a married Spider-Man was not where we want to be," Quesada says. "A married Peter Parker makes for a less interesting soap opera than a single Peter Parker going about his nerdy kind of life."
Writers tried everything: The couple separated for a while. She miscarried. And in a much-criticized story line, Marvel tried to convince readers that Peter Parker had not gotten married, but his clone.
That didn't stick, either. Then Quesada took over and insisted the marriage just couldn't continue. "Nobody wants to read about a married Spider-Man," says Craig Shutt, a columnist for Comics Buyers Guide. "But in the short run, it's a terrible idea. It disrespects the readers by saying everything they read is wrong."
At DC Comics, Superman is married to Lois Lane, disrupting that title's long-standing tensions. DC declined to comment for this story.
Quesada is steadfast that for Spider-Man, the move is the right one:
"Ultimately we have to do this to keep this character fresh for this generation and generations to come."

What? I bet this Quesada dude doesn't have a good marriage! He's just bitter or he want people to react! What do they mean people don't want to read about a married hero? We do! He's a good husband!

Bad Publicity is good publicity! Right? That's what they are trying to do!

Puh-leeez! Fresh for the New Generation? Can't commit? Divorced? Messy Life? It sound like a tele-novela drama!

Spidey was supposed to be the hero who would set a good example to the youth. Nerdy and shy but he does the right thing. He works as a photographer and tries his best in college. People could relate to the character. Now, what do they want to relate to? Spidey was supposed to be different. He was commited!

Davao so far...

Here I am, in Sunny Davao. It is warm and simpering but it never fails to rain. Great for the garden, which is where I am! I am making masks for Nanay's 85th Bday! Here's a preview. They are a little shy in facing the camera!
Talikod!

Proud Mount Apo from the sea. Glowing in the sunset with its crown of clouds.

Davao and Food

If you think Davao is just a province, think again!

It actually has sophisticated taste, for the ultimate food experience!

Check these two restos out! They are hot and I'm not talking about the spices!

If you're looking for a taste of Asia without leaving the country, try these out. Tsuru is a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine. Hanoi, named after the city of Hanoi, boasts the best of Vietnamese food. They are both healthy and an experience for the senses.

Both restaurants have branches at J. Camus street (near Apo View, Beside Casa Leticia) and also at Damosa Gateway.

http://casaleticia.com/

Food Trip Experience: * * * *

Indian Dining in Davao

Oh, wow! An Indian Restaurant in Davao! Why not? After all, Davao is known for food trips!
I got invited to a food trip last week and was able to sample Indian cuisines in Taj Minar. Mr. Zafar was kind enough to entertain us and explain each dish his restaurant served us.
I must say, it is authentic! I can tell. My mom is a chef and she cooks Indian every week. You can see the Cinnamon sticks and the cardamon spice in the meal. The curry was good and dessert was quite delightful. That is, if you have the taste for it.
Judging the whole menu, it is worth eating a quiet lunch in.
It is a must, a culinary experience even for the inexperienced!

Here is the website to the place.
http://www.tajminar.com/
Taj Minar is found in Damosa Gateway, Davao City


Food Trip Experience Rank: * * *

For more reviews and pictures on Taj Minar click on Kuya Bloggie's blog:
http://www.davaodeli.com/2008/01/taj-minar-indian-restaurant/#more-60
Here's my sis' review:
http://iceglade.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-season-2007-taj-minar.html

End of the Year!

It's end of the year... Good bye 2007. It's been great.

I'm thankful for a wonderful experience and a good 22nd year. In comes a new time.

Welcome 2008!

This year, my resolution is to take chance, live your dream and never stop believing!

So, here I am in Davao. It's a warm night and a beautiful new year. I am resolved to spend the vacation in peace and quiet. I hope...

Wearing red, must think positive! Must think money coming in. Wear red as much as I can! 2008, here I come!

Happy Holidays!

I'm in Davao!

No pictures yet but...

I'm in Davao!

And I'm already nog nog!

Contact

Bombshell! Harlequins Sub-genre for amazing females who are smart, witty, independent and needs a whole lot of lovin'

In contact, our heroine thinks she may or may not be psychic. She is secretly a police informant masquerading as "Madame Cassandra."

Little does she know that there is something deeper than being psychic in her life.

She is actually a genetically modified person with enhanced senses making her seem psychic. Now, psychics are being targeted in new Orleans and she has to trust herself and her powers to do it.

A little help from the other side goes a long way.

Very intriguing book. I like it.

Your usual mix of skeptics and psychics and a lot of suspense.

Silent Weapon

This is a very interesting read I had. It's by Debra Webb. i got it from Booksale (as usual) and it turns out pretty good.

The main character of the story got deaf at age 27. Her Fiance walked out of her and the school where she worked for gave her a pension and asked her to leave.

What a life! So she decides to get one. She studied sign language and lip reading and got herself a job at the police as a file clerk for cold cases. Some of the cases, she actually thought she could solve and so she started being an amateur sleuth.

Impressed by her abilities, the police chief asked her to be an undercover agent. Nobody would suspect a deaf cleaning lady, right?

In the house of the richest criminal in town, she had to watch her own back and her own heart.

When she thought nobody would like her anymore because she's deaf, she finds herself in a sort of love triangle between the detective she works with and the body guard of Mr. Criminal.

I actually like the way she wanted to be independent. What ticks me is how people treats her like an invalid. Her fiance, the school, the detective at first, and the people she works with. this makes her more than ever determined to prove herself as a Silent Weapon.

Lone Rider Bodyguard

My newest set of reads are the old thin paperbacks of Harlequin Mills & Boon. I bought three. They were pretty inexpensive in Booksale. I thought to see these mass market reads.

I just finished Harper Allen's Lone Rider Bodyguard(2004). Cowboyish, modern and set in the desserts of New Mexico.
It's an ok read. Not bad. i was expecting something cheezy. Yeah, the hero of the story is too pumped-up full of male ego. He becomes a hero 4 times and keeps denying it. He has an aversion to marriage and had a bad boy past. The girl is the sweet, country, church-raised girl that can't take the bed without marriage.
Intriguing. three out of five stars on my ratings. It's a light read.

Anticipating Davao and Drama

Davao, here I come. in 2 weeks time, I'll be there vacationing.

Am I really that excited? It's nice to go home but going home has its price. i have to make numerous courtesy call and sleep over here and there. I do like living with nanay. She's one cool ganny-MaMa!

On the other side of the family, well... I love them and lets put it at that.

You see in my mama's side of the family, there may be lots of drama but they love to laugh about it. Popz side, tend to dwell on the drama. They live in it instead of be detached from it and laugh about it incessantly, however insane a problem is.

Home is where the drama is.

Aki said that writers need dramas in their lives. That's why famous writers have messy divorces, broken families, unaccepted gayness and the likes. Well, can't I get other's drama? I may not have the dramatic lifestyle but i do have ideas.

If literature is the reflection of reality, then I have a different reality to project. Fun and hilarious dramas. I want to write about the culture, people, life, history, insanity and petty nothings that amount to "ordinary" lives. Reflection o life through literature does not mean I have to have poverty, prostitution and politics. Can't there be award winning materials that don't have any of these?

Well, here to Davao and my inspiration to writing!

I have not joined NaNoWriMo but i may just write and read away my month in Davao!

Two People Driving... One Car

Popz right arm hurt. But Male pride won't allow him not to drive the car.
Now what?
Solution: Mom does the stick shift.

Try to guess what happened...

The Funeral Planner

Met the Wedding Planner?

Well...

Meet the Funeral Planner!

Lyn Isenberg's novel about life, death and business ethics is a must!

I love the book. Too morbid for your taste? it is not actually about Funerals. it is about handling griefs and ethics in business that makes you a worthwhile human being.

Meet Maddy. She's a small town girl in Michigan trying to be the best entrepreneur in L.A. He dreams keep turning to dust as a man named Derrick Rogers keep stealing every idea she has. She attends the funeral of her best friend, Tara and discovers the experience of a common place to grieve and celebrate life. From there, Lights Out Enterprises was born, a pre-need funeral planning for customized tribute needs. Her friends and family support her and business was going great until once again, Derrick Rogers steals the idea and sells it three times cheaper in the market.

Devastated, she is ordered by her charming investor to take a break and find the meaning of grief and what a true tribute is.

Her friends give her a mock funeral and from there, the journey has nowhere else to go but up.

It shows Friends and family must be pillars of support if not financially, morally. They teach you the ethics in business and perseverance will definitely pay. Even if you feel business goes nowhere and people keep stealing your ideas and you have no way of protecting yourself, honesty and clean services are all it takes to keep you moving forward.

Even the death were there to support Maddy!

Carpathian FanArt in my DeviantArt

Carpathian Fan Art
Christine Feehan's Dark Series
Carpathians are a race of immortal beings who have the power to control elements. They live during the night and must feed on blood in order to survive. When they give in to the dark side and loose their souls, they become Vampires.
Francesca Del Ponce-Daratrazanoff. Lifemate of Gabrielle Daratrazanoff. A healer and ancient in her own right. Dark Legend
Syndil and Barrack. From the band of lost children saved by Darius. Dark Challenge and Dark Fire

Riordan De La Cruz. Lifemate of Juliette Sangria. Dark Hunger, Hot Blooded.
Tempest Trine- Daratrazanoff. Lifemate of Darius Daratrazanoff. Dark Fire

http://ictuarium.deviantart.com/gallery/

Cassie Edwards Historical Romance

My choice of reads is very eclectic. From Fantasy to historical Romance, I look for something - Umph! Something spicy, something different.

I got some Cassie Edwards books in Book Sale and now every time, I see one, I buy it.

Only the Historical Romance in Native American Genre. Something seems to capture me in mixing culture. Though some will say that these type of books are very redundant. It will all have the same ending: the girl will live with the Native American Chief and be his wife forever.

Yeah, i expect all these books to have the same ending. Otherwise, I wouldn't want it.

I guess it's the culture and how two people deal with it that makes me want to read it. The girl will always fear the native injun but will somehow find his looks attractive. The chief distrusts all white men but the fiery white woman steal his heart and he must bend all of earth to possess her.

Complications to the story are the usual: A man runs after the girl because he is in love with her too. This man also would want the Indian's lands.

The people of the Indian Village might trust the girl but they will be one or two who will hate her. This person sometimes will help the white man to get rid of the girl.

It's the same banana but i love reading it.

Can't Hug in Public...

I saw this article in yahoo. Crazy! totally? What's with a friendly hug? These Kanos are getting too uptight. When the strings snap, society will be chaotic. As if they aren't chaotic already. No more war in Iraq so let them start a war in their own home.

If they implemented this in the Phil, we'll take it to the streets. I guess we pinoys are a touch society. My mom keeps saying that. We have a need to touch and feel. Even a friendly pat or a shake. We can even see it in our shopping habits. We are like blind people seeing for the first time groping each item that catches our eyes. Ask yourself, do you touch everything you look at in the department store of super market?

Do you squeeze a fruit, try on every sun glasses, feel every material of dress and even poke trinkets for the heck of it? Pinoy ka nga!

So what is up with this article? What's with the hug? why not display your affections on public. it's not as if you're groping the other person. A brief hug, a quick beso and that's it. If people repress this little hug and pat, these kids will sneak behind the public's eye and have non-stop sex. That's what repression will do!

Ill. student gets detention for hugging

Tue Nov 6, 5:56 PM ET (Associated Press, yahoo.com)
Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter. The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.
"I feel it is crazy," said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.
"I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend," she said.
Megan's mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces weren't even real hugs — just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.
"It's hilarious to the point of ridicule," Coulter said. "I'm still dumbfounded that she's having to do this."
District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.
It states: "Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved."
Coulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.
"We don't agree with it, but I certainly don't want her to get in more trouble," Coulter said.
The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.
"I'm just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn't be punishing us for hugs," Megan said.

The Tamuli

David Eddings presents another adventure about Pandion Knight Sir Sparhawk and his friends.

I love every minute of it. I think what captivated me were the characters. Sparhawk and his friends are quite a mixture of mixed nuts. Most of them have quick tempers and smart mouths. Each comment is witty but funny.

In the Elinium Trilogy, Sir Sparhawk is summoned from his exile in Rendor to find the queen encased in Diamond. Queen Ehlana is poisoned and the diamond encasement is the only thing keeping her alive. There is no worldly cure so Sparhawk must seek something not of this world. He travels to the land of the trolls and acquires the legendary Bhelliom, the sapphire rose of pure power. With Bhelliom, he cures Ehlana. But there are other threats like the party who poisoned Ehlana and the god Azash who desires Bhelliom. The Church of Chyrellos orders The Church Knights and Sparhawk to defeat the Zemochs and Azash. All seems well for the humans but for the gods, it is chaotic. Sparhawk turns out to be Anakha, the one without a destiny. The gods fear him for two reasons, one he possesses Bhelliom and two, they cannot see his fate.

Following the Events of the Elinium, Sir Sparhawk also Known as Anakha to the gods, is investigating trouble for the Church of Chyrellos. It seems trouble at home and trouble in the next empire are related. Sir Sparhawk is asked to journey to Tamuli in order to help Emperor Sarabian and his Tamul kingdom. They are invaded by ghouls, demons and other impossible things. Sparhawk and his friends must get to the bottom of things.

They reach Matherion, the domed city. Every corner of the palace speaks treason and all are ready for an uprising. Ehlana takes it upon herself to teach Sarabian the ruthless art of politics.

In the Second book, The Shining Ones, Sparhawk receives more friends as he encounters the Shining Ones or the Delphae race. Their god Edeamus granted them with unspeakable gifts and they offer their services to Anakha for a price. Of course, they encounter the Trolls and their gods and they too become allies. They find out that the god of the Cyrgai, Cyrgon desires Bhelliom. At the end of the book, Ehlana is kidnapped by the slippery Krager.

The last book, the Hidden City, is about the rescue and the war. Sparhawk brings the rest of the Church Knight from Chyrellos into the Tamuli empire. The god Cyrgon calls forth not ancients soldiers anymore but a force that equals Bhelliom itself, Kleal. Kleal is Bhelliom's brother and opposite. Kleal brings in soldiers from different worlds which levels the church knights and the Atans in almost half! Meanwhile Sparhawk and most of his friends attempt subterfuge and try to find Ehlana.

The other gods intervene and helps Divine Aphrael with Anakha. The gods of the Styrics, Edeamus god of the Delphae, The troll gods and the god of the Atans help Sparhawk and his army as they converge on the hidden city and battle the Cyrgai. Sparhawk battles Cyrgon who becomes Kleal's slave.

Everyone gets their adventure of a lifetime. All who fought in the battle has their lives changed. Even the trolls.

The conversations in the books makes you want to laugh or think. There are the usual witty comments that never seems to cease and there are philosophical and theological questions that makes you ponder on god, nature and church doctrine. All in all, the book is a very good read. I highly recommend it.

Halloween - Shalloween!

Is Halloween getting shallow? It seems like it.
It's too commercialized, it's no longer fun. In the village here in Merville, we have our usual trick or treating. Guess, what, there are no more village kids trick or treating. If there are, you can count them and they usually have chaperons. The kids trick or treating in the village are kids from the slums. "Squatters"
I hate to be discriminating but they are the worse kids in the world. They stole my pumpkin!
So, I decided to stop giving candies half-way through the afternoon.
I get some loving from Alonzo and Peppi and take a nice long cold shower.
I'm so not feeling Halloween anymore.

I want something like a masquerade party. A place to gather and have fun. Dress up, socialize, meet people. Perhaps eat and maybe have a few Halloween games, watch haunted movies and such. What do we have now? Cream Party? A haven for drugs!
Where are the wholesome ones? Wholesome even for big girls like me?

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Dargon's Fire

Anne McCaffrey's World of Pern, viewed from a different time and a different angle by her son Todd McCaffrey.

I never really thought about the Shunned or the miners or the Wher-handlers until Todd wrote about them. It's a classic Dragonrider book with the focus NOT on the dragonriders.

There are holders, crafters and dragonriders but there are also people not included in society, they are the Shunned. The shunned are criminals banned from hold or hall for their crimes. it is the Capital punishment for all deviants. but what about their family? with the Shunned, their families come with them. the children suffer from famine and disease.

Harpers Hall wants to get to the bottom of this. These Shunned keep growing and they might do something desperate.

Although the threat of deadly Thread is still 16 turns away, the Firestone mines explode and there are none left. They need 40 tons per dragon per Weyr in order to fight Thread successfully. With firestone being so volatile, not even the shunned wants to work in the mines. Some of them are getting ideas about the stone.

It's a must collect book for Dragonrider fans.

Characters:

Master Harper Zist- A Harper in his Mastery Level. Zist lost his wife and child while under cover looking for the shunned.

Pellar- Adopted son of Zist. He is the Mute Harper. He has excellent tracking skills and part psychic.

Halla- A little girl whose parents were Shunned. she has 8 orphans to take care.

Cristov- Miner Tarik's son. he is an excellent miner whose father is Shunned. he tries to prove himself.

Kindan- an orphaned boy. Zist adopted him too. He was bonded to the green watch-wher Kisk but gave her to Nuella, Natalon's daughter, and pursued being a harper.

D'vin- Wingleader, rider of Bronze Hurth. he is freind of Pellar, Zist and Cristov.

Master Aleesa- Wher-Handler of the last gold Watch-wher. She keeps the Whers a secret from Telgar's Weyrleader D'gan.

Moran- The harper Zist and Masterharper Murenny sent to contact the Shunned. He got caught up with raising the children that he failed to report to harpers hall for turns.

Fenner- Lord Holder of Crom. he is soft hearted and wants to help the Shunned.

Bad Guys:

Tenim- Tenim is greedy. His father was shunned and he has plans to get rich no matter what. he steals coals from Camp Natalon then steals firestone from Mine #9.

Tarik- A miner with big ambitions. He got shunned and sent to Mine #9. Tenim killed him and exploded the mine.

D'gan- D'gan was an Igen rider. The Weyr was absorbed by Telgar and he flew the gold. He is ruthless Weyrleader and demand most of the firestone. D'gan is not actually the bad guy but he is an anti-hero.

Ayala Bombings...

Is it really a bomb? The politicians are still bickering and trying to pin the blame on the other party. I wonder who's running the country now that they're busy.

Are we very callous if the New Worlds Convention really pushes through?
In a business point of view, Ayala needs to push the convention through because they need people to visit their mall. No people no revenue.
Plus, the tenant would want that as rent deduction.

Dark Hunger in Manga

Finally, it's out! Dark hunger in Manga format by Christine Feehan!
The Novella format is in a book called Hot Blooded, an anthology on Paranormal Romance.

This is part of the Carpathian Dark Series. Carpathians are a separate race of humanoid people. They are as old as time and they keep their identities a secret from humans. With good reasons. They are endowed with magical capabilities and shape-shifting abilities. they are psychics and has the ability to control Nature.

Riordan, the hot and steamy Carpathian alone in the jungle. He was captured by vampires and set as a trap for his brothers. Hundreds of years ago, the five De La Cruz brothers, Zacharias, Manolito, Nicholas, Rafael and Riordan, were sent to South America to battle vampires. The jungle has become their home. Now, the vampires are making a come back. They threaten the peace of the jungle. The five brothers must make sure vampires are eradicated as quickly and as quietly as possible.

Juliette had no idea that the stranger she rescued will be her ultimate salvation. He claimed to be her life mate but no man enters the lives of Juliette, Jasmine and Solange. The were man-hating activists to the core.

Juliette, Jasmine and Solange are Jaguars. They too are a gifted race. Jaguars are able to shift to human and back to being jaguars. They are psychics too. The trio were victims of violence wrought by jaguar men. They rescue girls like them and animals in dangered in the jungle.

Juliette cannot help what she feels for Riordan. Can the jaguar within her accept him? How will her sister and cousin accept Riordan?

The plot seems to thicken as jaguars, human vampire hunter society and Vampires team up and stalk them in the jungle. Will Riordan and Juliette survive?

It's sizzling but no scenes!

Even Pat was able to read this manga. Me and my sibs like it a lot. they think Riordan is so bishonen. Juliette looks like Fujiko from Lupin III.

Riordan has no sense of fashion. Even in Dark Possession. He has no idea how to dress properly. Perhaps MaryAnn can give the brothers fashion tips!

Too young?

I joined a yahoo group on Christine Feehan and her books. The conversations are very interesting. Lately, the latest conversation is about being too young or old enough to read romance. One mother asked the group if it was alright for her to give her 15 year old her Carpathian novels. Most of the people thinks it is alright. Teenagers have sex education in school and at that age, they arte quite curious. Better hand them the book.
This gets me thinking. What age will I allow my children to read things like these? The Carpathian Novels do have intense love scenes. Well, they get pretty intense as the series go along. I thought Dark Prince was a bit wild. The De La Cruz Brothers are not your typical Latino Lovers. They sizzle and pop!
I started out reading romances in eharlequin.com. A little sneak here and there. Then, i got a hold on Historical Romances. I liked it, especially the Native American Romances. Never liked Cowboy Romance. Then, i went on to Beatrice Small. She was nothing compared to Feehan's Carpathians. Now, i can't pick up a vampire novel.
I think I will let my kids read at 16. Perhaps just light romances at first. Got to Mother-Daughter talk101 then I can let them have the Carpathians books. I think by that time, Romance novels will evolve. Paranormal Romance is a relatively new Genre. It was popularized during the late 90’s. Sci-fi romances were popularized during the mid 80’s. Perhaps in the late 00’s, we would have more farfetched genres and more intense scene anyone today can’t imagine yet!

Dark Melody

By Christine Feehan

Dayan goes up to Canada with Cullen. He jams at a local club/bar. There, he meets Corrine. The moment she entered the room, he knew she was his life mate. She could save his soul. Corrine Wentworth was his everything. Her beautiful soul will save his dark soul. But Corrine is not so certain she could save anybody. Not even her own and her unborn daughter. Corrine has a heart condition. With the baby's complication, her time is running out.
She wants to believe in Dayan but her heart couldn't even take the pressure of believing in the paranormal. Darius and the rest of the band races to Dayan to save Corrine. Gregori and Shea joins them too.

Saving an unborn child while conversion is a relatively new ground for the Carpathians. Gregori and Shea must find a way to save baby Jennifer, a strong psychic even as she grows inside Corrine.

It's a mini reunion and non-stop teasing between Darius and Gregori.

One Corpse Too Many

A Cadfael Novel by Elis Peters.
1138 AD, Shewsburry, England. 94 corpse were hanged by King Stephen in a bloody war between him and Empress Maud yet the body count was 95. Who was the man strangled but not hanged? The murderer wanted to hide his leaf in a forest but forensic evidence was easily detected by the shrewd monk.

Brother Cadfael gets to the bottom of things and finds the murderer for Justice and for God. It is up to Hugh Beringer of Maesburry to fight the guilty is a trial by combat.
In a medieval world, Brother Cadfael is a modern thinker. He is a forensic annalist. He can spot minute details that normal people would not find and crude medieval sheriffs can't. Hugh trusted his judgment and they became friends in the process.

There are politics involved for all the characters. Some reasons explained but left the characters in the dark. As usual, there is betrayal and greed. Money was the ultimate motivator in the whole book. Cadfael thought Hugh was motivated by the secret treasury but it was actually a hidden enemy, always on the scene but not noticed until the end.

And in the end, it was not one corpse too many but three: the traitor in the camp, the secret messenger who was no hanged and the guilty person that Hugh had no choice but to kill in combat.

Magic in the Wind and Safe Harbor

by Christine Feehan

In the town of Sea Haven, there lived seven sisters with extraordinary powers. The people of Sea haven have a hush-hushed knowledge but the girls are well respected.

Magic in the Wind stars The Drake Sister's eldest, Sara. She is a securities expert sent to protect Damon Wilder. She is attracted to Damon and the gates of the Drake house opened for him. Now, she must protect him from death itself. Death, the shadowed figure of the Grim Reaper is following Damon constantly. It's up to Sara to protect him from death and the bad guys who wants Damon's brains.

Very short novel but a good start. Some of the sisters are introduced and their habits as well.

Safe Harbor

Another Drake Sister adventure. Starring Hannah Drake, the beautiful and sought-after model also the 5th sister.

Hannah is everything Jonas Harrington wants and more. Danger lurks at every corner and Jonas must protect Hannah and the other Drake Sisters. He works as a government spy and was one-time sheriff of Sea Haven. Jonas must give-up his dangerous lifestyle if he wants to win Hannah.

It's a sisterly reunion. Very touching. They all help Hannah with the trauma of being attacked by a maniac. Good story. Jonas and Jackson have abilities of their own too. Sinister Ilya is back. He's very powerful and you keep on guessing his motives.There will be a wedding at the end of the book.What harbor is safe? I don't know. Never was able to get the title.

The Drake Sisters From eldest to youngest:

Sarah - The securities expert. (Magic in the Wind)

Kate - Mystery novelist. (Twilight Before Christmas)

Abigail - Has the affinity for water. Everyone says the truth around her. (Oceans of Fire)

Libby - The healer. she travels the world healing people. (Oceans of Fire)

Hannah - Super model. She controls the wind. (Safe HArbor)

Joley - A spell-singer. She is a singing sensation traveling the world. (No Book Yet)

Elle- Quite confused. She has a lot of abilities. (No Book Yet)