Today, I received a strange email from a friend's old email account. In it, he claims to be in Nigeria for the "Tinapa Opening Ceremony". The email continued that his money was stolen at the hotel by some armed robbers and that he had no money left. He asked the recipients of the email to please send him $2,500 for his mounting hotel bills that he will repay once he's back home from his travel.
Armed robbers supposedly stormed his hotel room and yet the hotel still charges him his daily hotel stay? I just laughed because it sounded ludicrous aside from the fact that in the Philippines, Tinapa is a kind of dried fish. Either he was sending a practical joke email or his email was hijacked by a Nigerian scammer. Hours later, he sends an email from his newer email address warning us that his old email address was hacked.
A few days ago, another friend looking for an apartment via Craigslist.org called me asking for advice. He said that a Pastor and his wife were subletting their apartment for only $600 while they were outside the country. It was such a good deal that my friend actually called the number in West Africa and spoke to this "Pastor". He had a heavy accent and was supposedly in West Africa (read Nigeria) with his wife on a prolonged stay. In the Craigslist posting, he said his wife was in Canada. Anyway, he couldn't show my friend the place because they were both out of the country but would send him the keys after he sends the money for the deposit and rent. This one smelled as bad as the "Tinapa Opening ceremony". I told him to continue looking and stop wasting his time with this "Pastor".
A few months back when Hubby posted something to sell on Ebay, he was contacted by someone who supposedly wanted to buy his item but would send him an international money order for an amount bigger than what he was asking for, but asked that Hubby give himself a big tip and return the balance to the supposed buyer via another international money order. The tone of the email had the same kind of writing that usually came with the original Nigerian email scam promising millions of dollars in a secret European account of a dead relative to a person who can pay for the processing fees to have it released. It has just evolved into many other forms.
These scams are now widely publicized, and have even been exposed by NBC Dateline. They even got a few of these scammers to come and meet them in London and Amsterdam for the "hand-off" of fees in exchange for part of the hidden millions. Everything was filmed via hidden cameras. Amazingly, a lot of people still fall for it - those hoping for a windfall of some sort.
Who doesn't want to get rich? I definitely wouldn't mind it. But if a business transaction sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is!
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
“Third Party” Legislation – Homewreckers may become legally liable
Usually, a messy divorce follows an affair where the husband and wife duke it out in court for children’s custody, possessions, etc. while the person who is the cause of the break-up can walk away without much consequence.
Now, it may actually be possible for the wronged individual to also go after their spouse’s paramour for damages. Apparently, South Carolina is mulling over a law that would enable someone to sue the third party who caused the break-up of their marriage.
I think it’s a brilliant idea. A lot of people will think twice about something if it can hit them right where it will really hurt – their pockets. If a jilted spouse can prove that a person was the cause of the upheaval in their lives, then I think the homewrecker should be made to pay, literally.
In fact, I would bring it a step further. It should not be just the spouses who can sue but the children that come from the broken home, as well. Boy, I could think of a couple of women I would have happily taken to the cleaners. Their money and possessions in place of my stolen childhood. It still would not have been a fair trade but I would have taken it, nevertheless! :)
Now, it may actually be possible for the wronged individual to also go after their spouse’s paramour for damages. Apparently, South Carolina is mulling over a law that would enable someone to sue the third party who caused the break-up of their marriage.
I think it’s a brilliant idea. A lot of people will think twice about something if it can hit them right where it will really hurt – their pockets. If a jilted spouse can prove that a person was the cause of the upheaval in their lives, then I think the homewrecker should be made to pay, literally.
In fact, I would bring it a step further. It should not be just the spouses who can sue but the children that come from the broken home, as well. Boy, I could think of a couple of women I would have happily taken to the cleaners. Their money and possessions in place of my stolen childhood. It still would not have been a fair trade but I would have taken it, nevertheless! :)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Physician, Heal Thyself
It is funny that just a couple of weeks after I wrote a blog about hate, I came across an article featuring a psychiatrist and his opinions about current events in Manila. He was an object of hatred of mine for sometime. It was almost like God reminding me to test my heart whether I still harbored those ill feelings. And yes, I felt a shadow of my old rage at first but it slowly dissipated as I thought of how God used those years to patiently and lovingly work things out in my heart and make me who I am today.
I still shook my head at the very sad fact that this person ,who crossed professional boundaries and helped destroy my family, is now sought after for his "valued" counsel by the media. I once considered legal action against this man to strip him of his license to prevent him from hurting any more people. I had evidence, too - records I kept of goings-on, witnesses who were ready to corroborate and tell the truth, his own fellow counselors who had sanctioned him, notes he had written encouraging someone to harrass other people through text message and phone calls, etc. A friend of mine still holds it all in safekeeping back home. However, with the legal system being the way it is in the Philippines, I felt it would prevent me from moving on. It would be costly, too and it's not like he had anything then that I could sue him for. He was nobody and had nothing. I had wasted years being manipulated and hurt by this person that to go through a legal process that would take more years would just prolong a very unpleasant episode in my life. I felt that what remained of my life was just too precious to waste. Lucky him. :)
My hope is that all those years between our incident and this present time, he has sought healing for himself and his own deep psychological problems - that he has found his own answers which is what, in fact, drove him to psychiatry according to him. I hope that all that took place before he became visible in the media because if not, then he has a loftier place to fall from when his own problem rears its ugly head again.
In my life, God had turned what someone meant for evil, their own very selfish gain, into good. That's the reason why when the grudge comes unbidden into my heart, I find it hard to hold on to for more than several minutes. I quickly realize that if God has forgiven my own sins and restored me, how dare I begrudge someone else that? I like where I am right now!
God deals with us all in His perfect time so I leave that in His hands. In the meantime, I'll work with my God for all my own issues.
I still shook my head at the very sad fact that this person ,who crossed professional boundaries and helped destroy my family, is now sought after for his "valued" counsel by the media. I once considered legal action against this man to strip him of his license to prevent him from hurting any more people. I had evidence, too - records I kept of goings-on, witnesses who were ready to corroborate and tell the truth, his own fellow counselors who had sanctioned him, notes he had written encouraging someone to harrass other people through text message and phone calls, etc. A friend of mine still holds it all in safekeeping back home. However, with the legal system being the way it is in the Philippines, I felt it would prevent me from moving on. It would be costly, too and it's not like he had anything then that I could sue him for. He was nobody and had nothing. I had wasted years being manipulated and hurt by this person that to go through a legal process that would take more years would just prolong a very unpleasant episode in my life. I felt that what remained of my life was just too precious to waste. Lucky him. :)
My hope is that all those years between our incident and this present time, he has sought healing for himself and his own deep psychological problems - that he has found his own answers which is what, in fact, drove him to psychiatry according to him. I hope that all that took place before he became visible in the media because if not, then he has a loftier place to fall from when his own problem rears its ugly head again.
In my life, God had turned what someone meant for evil, their own very selfish gain, into good. That's the reason why when the grudge comes unbidden into my heart, I find it hard to hold on to for more than several minutes. I quickly realize that if God has forgiven my own sins and restored me, how dare I begrudge someone else that? I like where I am right now!
God deals with us all in His perfect time so I leave that in His hands. In the meantime, I'll work with my God for all my own issues.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Time To Hate
It's hard to hate. No, let me rephrase that. It's very easy to hate, but extremely exhausting. It zaps all our energy and turns us into a person we don't like. It takes over our soul until we eventually turn into the very person we hate, or worse.
We may all enjoy a little hating here and there, to an extent. Schadenfreude, I guess. Anyone who says they have never experienced Schadenfreude has to take an honest look at their hearts. At times, we take pleasure in someone's misfortune when we feel they have it coming. But that can turn ugly, and I don't mean just for the object of our hate, but also for us.
Is it worth it? Some will say yes, and for a time it may seem so. Revenge is sweet on the surface but it can turn sour eventually, and even deadly in some cases. I think the reason why God tells us to leave it to Him, is because we don't see the damage it does to our psyche, whereas He does. He encourages us to seek, pray and cry for justice to Him and I guess through the proper earthly channels. He will deal with it with a timing that is perfect - whether it be in a visible manner or not. People have often called it poetic justice, I call it God's justice.
Truth has a funny way of rearing its head even when people do their best to hide it. Maybe it won't be in the swift manner that we want, but it will. Proverbs says fools get trapped in the snare that they themselves have set up. I've witnessed that happen. They don't need our help, they will do it to themselves, one way or another.
One very good reason to try not to focus on the hatred we feel is that we will miss the other opportunities for happiness that are there because of our seething and devising. A classic example is a person I know who turns off men that she meets because she habitually spews out vitriol, through opinions and jokes about men. She thinks it's funny but it scares them off. There are times she exhausts even me, when I have to listen to her rant and rage. It is sad to witness her continually ruin her own chance at future happiness because she refuses to let go of the past.
Yes, there's a time to hate but we should try to keep it as short as we possibly can, for our own sake. We do ourselves a huge favor when we finally choose to let it go. Holding on to hatred is like trying to hold fire. It will eventually burn and consume us and those that we love, if we hold on to it too long.
We may all enjoy a little hating here and there, to an extent. Schadenfreude, I guess. Anyone who says they have never experienced Schadenfreude has to take an honest look at their hearts. At times, we take pleasure in someone's misfortune when we feel they have it coming. But that can turn ugly, and I don't mean just for the object of our hate, but also for us.
Is it worth it? Some will say yes, and for a time it may seem so. Revenge is sweet on the surface but it can turn sour eventually, and even deadly in some cases. I think the reason why God tells us to leave it to Him, is because we don't see the damage it does to our psyche, whereas He does. He encourages us to seek, pray and cry for justice to Him and I guess through the proper earthly channels. He will deal with it with a timing that is perfect - whether it be in a visible manner or not. People have often called it poetic justice, I call it God's justice.
Truth has a funny way of rearing its head even when people do their best to hide it. Maybe it won't be in the swift manner that we want, but it will. Proverbs says fools get trapped in the snare that they themselves have set up. I've witnessed that happen. They don't need our help, they will do it to themselves, one way or another.
One very good reason to try not to focus on the hatred we feel is that we will miss the other opportunities for happiness that are there because of our seething and devising. A classic example is a person I know who turns off men that she meets because she habitually spews out vitriol, through opinions and jokes about men. She thinks it's funny but it scares them off. There are times she exhausts even me, when I have to listen to her rant and rage. It is sad to witness her continually ruin her own chance at future happiness because she refuses to let go of the past.
Yes, there's a time to hate but we should try to keep it as short as we possibly can, for our own sake. We do ourselves a huge favor when we finally choose to let it go. Holding on to hatred is like trying to hold fire. It will eventually burn and consume us and those that we love, if we hold on to it too long.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Good Knight, Sleep Well
I was having a conversation over the phone with our Business Support Manager and in the middle of our discussion she exclaimed, "Heath Ledger died! They found him in his apartment!" I asked her if she was sure that she wasn't pertaining to Brad Renfro who died last week. She said, "No! I'm reading it in CNN!"
At first, I was sad. Brad Renfro, the former child actor who debuted in "The Client" and Oscar nominee, Heath Ledger, both young, promising actors following the steps of that other tragic figure, River Phoenix. But the more I thought about it later on, the more mad I got rather than sad. All that talent, life, possibility, opportunity and future gone too soon because of poor choices.
Is it another case of having too much too soon? It seems to be with a lot of these young celebrities. These unnecessary deaths should serve as a warning to the others who seem to be headed down that same path. At least, something good would come out of this tragedy.
Who would have thought this Knight's tale would have such a sad ending?
At first, I was sad. Brad Renfro, the former child actor who debuted in "The Client" and Oscar nominee, Heath Ledger, both young, promising actors following the steps of that other tragic figure, River Phoenix. But the more I thought about it later on, the more mad I got rather than sad. All that talent, life, possibility, opportunity and future gone too soon because of poor choices.
Is it another case of having too much too soon? It seems to be with a lot of these young celebrities. These unnecessary deaths should serve as a warning to the others who seem to be headed down that same path. At least, something good would come out of this tragedy.
Who would have thought this Knight's tale would have such a sad ending?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Snowed In
We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland - so we donned our warm clothes and started shoveling. It was coming faster than we could clear the driveway and pathways so we both decided to work from home today. Actually, only I am working from home. Hubby's company declared a snow day so he's scot-free, just hanging out here at home while I am stuck to my computer - working. I have never had a snow day ever since I lived here in New England. I've been very "lucky "to work with companies who have been sticklers for working even when there's a blizzard outside and it's the first time I've stayed at home because of snow.
As I write this, the snow is still falling and it has not let up. Everything's white and beautiful outside. That won't last long, however, especially when the salt and sand start to melt everything. It gets slushy, muddy and very slippery. It can be a nerve-wracking ride going up and down our hill during these times and we don't intend to attempt that today. That's the price we pay for a brief moment of breathtaking beauty.
As I write this, the snow is still falling and it has not let up. Everything's white and beautiful outside. That won't last long, however, especially when the salt and sand start to melt everything. It gets slushy, muddy and very slippery. It can be a nerve-wracking ride going up and down our hill during these times and we don't intend to attempt that today. That's the price we pay for a brief moment of breathtaking beauty.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
'Twas Two Days Before Christmas Eve
-my successor remains unnamed,
-projects at work remain undone,
-the tree and house remain undecorated,
-the Christmas shopping list remains unchecked,
-the house remains cluttered,
-my energy remains unreplenished,
-the spirit remains unfelt.
Stop, time! I'm not ready for Christmas!!!
-projects at work remain undone,
-the tree and house remain undecorated,
-the Christmas shopping list remains unchecked,
-the house remains cluttered,
-my energy remains unreplenished,
-the spirit remains unfelt.
Stop, time! I'm not ready for Christmas!!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
We're Open
I never usually invite people to the opening night of any theatre performance, but last Friday was an exception. Aside from Hubby who's always there to support me, I had my mother-in-law, who could not watch the later shows because she was flying back to Florida, and my friend Melissa from Germany, who happened to schedule a visit the same week we were opening.
The King and I opening night went much better than I expected. We had a great crowd and an almost seamless show. The standing ovation in the end was gratifying and so was the first review that came out the following day. The critic was generous in his praise to everyone. Here's his kind snippet about me.
Hopefully, that inspires all of us to keep peforming with the same energy in the next five weeks although I feel a bad chest cold coming on. I really hope I can recover by the time Thursday rolls in.
The King and I opening night went much better than I expected. We had a great crowd and an almost seamless show. The standing ovation in the end was gratifying and so was the first review that came out the following day. The critic was generous in his praise to everyone. Here's his kind snippet about me.
"Pia as Lady Thiang has a phenomenal voice. Her majestic delivery of "Something Wonderful" is breathtaking with the lyrics and music moving Anna to return to the King. Pia gives the role of the head wife the necessary backbone to reprimand Tuptim for her betrayal of the King as well as to convince Anna to stay in Siam."
Hopefully, that inspires all of us to keep peforming with the same energy in the next five weeks although I feel a bad chest cold coming on. I really hope I can recover by the time Thursday rolls in.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
High and Dry
Lately, I haven't been able to focus my thoughts long enough on any particular thing to put them down in writing. It is definitely not for a lack of opinion, or emotion, or things to write about. I guess I'm just going through a dry spell. Sorting my thoughts out and putting them "on paper" is just a real effort these days.
Although the things I've mulled over the past few weeks range from general stuff like the Filipino self-esteem in terms of the Desperate Housewives brouhaha; people who don't put any value to their verbal commitments; my current involvement in the company's campaign for the United Way (non-profit); to more personal stuff like career next-steps, as I've been asked if I would consider moving to another state for the company; and analyzing motivations for a character I'm playing in a show I'm doing. I can expound on each one of these but somehow I am just not in the mood to do so.
I'm just in a rut.
Although the things I've mulled over the past few weeks range from general stuff like the Filipino self-esteem in terms of the Desperate Housewives brouhaha; people who don't put any value to their verbal commitments; my current involvement in the company's campaign for the United Way (non-profit); to more personal stuff like career next-steps, as I've been asked if I would consider moving to another state for the company; and analyzing motivations for a character I'm playing in a show I'm doing. I can expound on each one of these but somehow I am just not in the mood to do so.
I'm just in a rut.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Add me, add me not.
I enjoy social networking sites because it makes you realize how long and varied the arms of friendship you have established. It also makes you realize people are connected in many ways. The first one I ever signed up for way back in the mid 90s was sixdegrees.com. At that time, the internet was only beginning to flourish in the Philippines so not a lot of my friends were that much into it yet, so the people I connected with were mostly in the US and 'nerds' from different countries who owned computers and were used to subscribing to electronic bulletin boards and chat servers. Six Degrees started charging after a while so I didn't renew my subscription.
A decade later, I can't even count how many free networking sites I am a member of and I can hardly keep up. I get so many persistent invitations to connect with a certain set of friends from different times in my life that I eventually sign up for it. It's always fun to reconnect and know that when you want to reach out to someone, they are only a mouse-click away.
Once in a while though, I get these questionable add-me notices or requests from men that I don't know from Adam. Reading the profile of some can be quite entertaining, and sometimes a little uncomfortable, because you know that they're there for one purpose - and that is to pick-up people. Of course, I just try to ignore these requests and not respond lest I draw more unwanted attention. It can be exasperating though.
I guess there's always going to be a downside to a good thing, huh?
A decade later, I can't even count how many free networking sites I am a member of and I can hardly keep up. I get so many persistent invitations to connect with a certain set of friends from different times in my life that I eventually sign up for it. It's always fun to reconnect and know that when you want to reach out to someone, they are only a mouse-click away.
Once in a while though, I get these questionable add-me notices or requests from men that I don't know from Adam. Reading the profile of some can be quite entertaining, and sometimes a little uncomfortable, because you know that they're there for one purpose - and that is to pick-up people. Of course, I just try to ignore these requests and not respond lest I draw more unwanted attention. It can be exasperating though.
I guess there's always going to be a downside to a good thing, huh?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
So Long, Teri
Today, God embraced a good friend into His bosom. After years of battling cancer, He has given Teri peaceful rest in His arms.Teri, we will miss your smile, your affectionate ways, your sweetness and your laughter.
Oh, and tell Monique we said hello. We will surely see you both again some day.
In the meantime, we will strive to live the way you did - in faith, in love, in joy and in hope, no matter what the circumstance.
We love you, Teri. We won't say goodbye, just "...so long!"
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Darn Boston Pedestrians
Bostonians take rights very seriously. They abuse one in particular, and that is the pedestrian right-of-way.
Massachusetts Law of the Road, Chapter 89, section 11 says, "No driver of a vehicle shall pass any other vehicle which has stopped at a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, nor shall any such operator enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing or until there is a sufficient space beyond the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating, notwithstanding that a traffic control signal may indicate that vehicles may proceed."
Boston pedestrians, however, jaywalk with relish, with no regard to the crosswalk or whatever the nearest traffic light indicates. They expect cars to stop for them, no matter if the traffic light says otherwise. We have been stuck at many intersections going through two cycles of green lights, just because pedestrians here just proceed to go on crosswalks without even looking up while they're on their cellphones or busy talking to whomever they're walking with. And even when they realize that they're blocking the whole intersection, they still take their sweet time to get across with not a care in the world. One time, a car to our right dared to toot their horn to get a guy to move quicker because the light was about to change to red again. The pedestrian actually had the audacity to look offended and scream at the driver of the car. In frustration at one point, I rolled down my window and reminded a pedestrian to look at the traffic light before crossing so she won't get into or cause an accident, and she flipped me the bird.
I wish Boston cops would give jaywalking citations, just as easily as other traffic tickets. Yes, people need to drive carefully, but pedestrians need to cross lawfully and responsibly, as well.
Massachusetts Law of the Road, Chapter 89, section 11 says, "No driver of a vehicle shall pass any other vehicle which has stopped at a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, nor shall any such operator enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing or until there is a sufficient space beyond the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating, notwithstanding that a traffic control signal may indicate that vehicles may proceed."
Boston pedestrians, however, jaywalk with relish, with no regard to the crosswalk or whatever the nearest traffic light indicates. They expect cars to stop for them, no matter if the traffic light says otherwise. We have been stuck at many intersections going through two cycles of green lights, just because pedestrians here just proceed to go on crosswalks without even looking up while they're on their cellphones or busy talking to whomever they're walking with. And even when they realize that they're blocking the whole intersection, they still take their sweet time to get across with not a care in the world. One time, a car to our right dared to toot their horn to get a guy to move quicker because the light was about to change to red again. The pedestrian actually had the audacity to look offended and scream at the driver of the car. In frustration at one point, I rolled down my window and reminded a pedestrian to look at the traffic light before crossing so she won't get into or cause an accident, and she flipped me the bird.
I wish Boston cops would give jaywalking citations, just as easily as other traffic tickets. Yes, people need to drive carefully, but pedestrians need to cross lawfully and responsibly, as well.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Beauty Pageant Q & A
I guess we, Filipinos, don't have the monopoly on funny answers to beauty pageant questions! Miss Teen South Carolina gives her two-cents' worth on why a fifth of Americans can't locate the the US on a world map.
Poor girl. We all have our embarrassing moments, but to have it happen on national television with millions of viewers watching and at least 51 girls forever recording the event for posterity - that must not be pleasant.
Poor girl. We all have our embarrassing moments, but to have it happen on national television with millions of viewers watching and at least 51 girls forever recording the event for posterity - that must not be pleasant.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Nerve of Paris
"No! It's not right!"
Tell me, Paris. What's not right - the fact that you drove under the influence of alcohol and endangered other people's lives or the fact that you ignored the law twice after that and drove with a suspended license?
Oh, wait - you think it's not right that you're going to jail? Why is that not right? Is it because you're special? Why, you're Paris Hilton and you are above the law! Your family's wealth can buy you out of any trouble!
"I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq and other places around the world."
Now suddenly, you want people to have selective attention and look the other way while you're trying to weasel your way out of serving your jail term - telling everyone to focus on "more important things"? Why, you lapped up and made money out of all the attention showered to you by people and the media before!
When are you and your buddies going to stop drinking and driving - when you've maimed and killed innocent people? Believe me, you'll live with that much longer than a 45-day jail sentence.
If you use the time right, this jail term might actually be the best thing to happen to you. I just hope your parents don't continue to mess it up for you. I hope that instead of teaching you that there is always a way to circumvent the law, that they would go buy themselves some parenting skills. They can certainly afford to do so.
Tell me, Paris. What's not right - the fact that you drove under the influence of alcohol and endangered other people's lives or the fact that you ignored the law twice after that and drove with a suspended license?
Oh, wait - you think it's not right that you're going to jail? Why is that not right? Is it because you're special? Why, you're Paris Hilton and you are above the law! Your family's wealth can buy you out of any trouble!
"I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq and other places around the world."
Now suddenly, you want people to have selective attention and look the other way while you're trying to weasel your way out of serving your jail term - telling everyone to focus on "more important things"? Why, you lapped up and made money out of all the attention showered to you by people and the media before!
When are you and your buddies going to stop drinking and driving - when you've maimed and killed innocent people? Believe me, you'll live with that much longer than a 45-day jail sentence.
If you use the time right, this jail term might actually be the best thing to happen to you. I just hope your parents don't continue to mess it up for you. I hope that instead of teaching you that there is always a way to circumvent the law, that they would go buy themselves some parenting skills. They can certainly afford to do so.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Umpteenth Blog Posting on Virginia Tech
I was reading about the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting and it is so sad to see how many meaningful and purposeful lives were cut off by a single person whose life did not hold much. Their lives, full of promise and hope for the future of a world they dreamed of changing, ended by someone whose life was spent in silent, simmering anger that finally boiled over - the usual scenario of almost any mass shooting.
Tragic.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to hear how individuals, who inspired others in life, galvanize everyone who knew them even more in their death. It shows that no matter how short their lives here were, their bright light still illuminates everything that surrounded them, long after it's been extinguished. Their death, no matter how unexpected and ugly, will somehow serve as a catalyst for change.
Tragic.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to hear how individuals, who inspired others in life, galvanize everyone who knew them even more in their death. It shows that no matter how short their lives here were, their bright light still illuminates everything that surrounded them, long after it's been extinguished. Their death, no matter how unexpected and ugly, will somehow serve as a catalyst for change.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Snooty Old Lady
A colleague and I were chatting about work in a local Starbucks across our building. As she was talking about the new line of business that we had, an old lady who was reading one chair away from us at the counter, tapped her on the shoulder.
Lady: "Excuse, me, could you keep your voice down....?"
Colleague: "Oh...sorry..." She looks at the lady in surprise and turns to me in puzzlement.
Lady: "...it's a public place!" She adds haughtily.
Me: "Exactly. So if you want a quiet place to read. Go to a library."
There was music blaring and the baristas were taking orders loudly. I didn't understand why she thought my colleague's voice made it any worse. After simmering for a bit, she gathered up her stuff in a huff and took her little bum out of the place.
I know it was not good of me to snap. I just couldn't stand the little attitude and tone that she had when she addressed my colleague, not to mention her very lame reason for asking her to hush up. Grrr...
Lady: "Excuse, me, could you keep your voice down....?"
Colleague: "Oh...sorry..." She looks at the lady in surprise and turns to me in puzzlement.
Lady: "...it's a public place!" She adds haughtily.
Me: "Exactly. So if you want a quiet place to read. Go to a library."
There was music blaring and the baristas were taking orders loudly. I didn't understand why she thought my colleague's voice made it any worse. After simmering for a bit, she gathered up her stuff in a huff and took her little bum out of the place.
I know it was not good of me to snap. I just couldn't stand the little attitude and tone that she had when she addressed my colleague, not to mention her very lame reason for asking her to hush up. Grrr...
Sunday, April 08, 2007
A Morning Like This
Christendom's reason for existence boils down to this day - the celebration of Jesus' resurrection symbolizing His victory over all our sins - past, present and future. It was a morning like this, centuries ago, that gives me the foundation of who I am and helps me define what I want to be every day of my life.
To me and many others, this day goes beyond the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts. It is a reminder that if not for this day - nothing else holds much meaning, no matter who we supposedly are and how much we have.
To me and many others, this day goes beyond the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts. It is a reminder that if not for this day - nothing else holds much meaning, no matter who we supposedly are and how much we have.
Twila Paris singing "The Warrior is a Child/Do I Trust You"
Friday, March 30, 2007
Live Like A Dog
The other day, we were driving around with Katy in the backseat of the car. As we waited for a light to turn green in an intersection, a homeless woman approached our car begging for some money. Hubby rolled the window and put some in the cup she was holding. As the woman walked away, she stopped by the backseat window and started waving and talking to Katy, who looked up at her while happily curled up on a soft pillow. Instantly, I felt my throat tighten as I realized that the little pup seems to be living such a comfortable life compared to this woman.
These days, to live like a dog isn't necessarily a bad thing especially in America. A study I read said that the estimated total pet expenditure in the US in 2007 is $40.8 billion, that includes the pet purchase, food, supplies, vet care, medicines, grooming, boarding, etc. I wonder if that figure includes the ridiculous things that people who've gone overboard buy - i.e. pet strollers, complete pet furniture sets, wardrobe, designer collars, leashes and carriers, etc. That staggering amount can feed thousands of families in third world countries. Heck, it can pay a small country's debt.
It's a sobering fact that we, humans, sometimes tend to go overboard and get our priorities all wrong. There's something wrong with the picture when dogs and cats in the park are better dressed and accessorized than some of the people that are hanging out or sleeping on the park benches; when our four-legged companions are well-fed when some people are foraging for whatever food they can find in the trash .
It's difficult not to dote on our pets, especially when they sometimes behave with more loyalty and unconditional love than some people. We have been hurt so much by our fellow human beings that a lot of us have channeled our affection to our pets.
I guess all this is a symptom of an even deeper issue in society... and I have barely scratched its surface.
These days, to live like a dog isn't necessarily a bad thing especially in America. A study I read said that the estimated total pet expenditure in the US in 2007 is $40.8 billion, that includes the pet purchase, food, supplies, vet care, medicines, grooming, boarding, etc. I wonder if that figure includes the ridiculous things that people who've gone overboard buy - i.e. pet strollers, complete pet furniture sets, wardrobe, designer collars, leashes and carriers, etc. That staggering amount can feed thousands of families in third world countries. Heck, it can pay a small country's debt.
It's a sobering fact that we, humans, sometimes tend to go overboard and get our priorities all wrong. There's something wrong with the picture when dogs and cats in the park are better dressed and accessorized than some of the people that are hanging out or sleeping on the park benches; when our four-legged companions are well-fed when some people are foraging for whatever food they can find in the trash .
It's difficult not to dote on our pets, especially when they sometimes behave with more loyalty and unconditional love than some people. We have been hurt so much by our fellow human beings that a lot of us have channeled our affection to our pets.
I guess all this is a symptom of an even deeper issue in society... and I have barely scratched its surface.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Much Ado
It's been the front page headline since yesterday afternoon in CNN, and it still is early this morning - the death of Anna Nicole Smith. It's sad that she's passed away and my sympathies go to her loved ones. However, it is making me wonder since there are so many things going on in the world - aren't there more news worthy of the front page of CNN?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
What We Do For A Wii
Did wii get up in the cold and wii hours just to line up to get one?
Did wii wrestle with people physically or verbally just to get our hands on the last one?
Did wii suffer water intoxication and die just to try to win one?
How much do we want something and what are we willing to do to get it? Our culture is fast becoming one of quick 'fixes', materialism and conformity. Are we not cool or special unless we get something ahead of most people? And once everyone has it, where do our feelings of being special go? I guess it's gone until we find the latest and greatest to own ahead of everyone else again. Is that what it's all about?
It's so sad that Jennifer Strange in Rancho Cordova, California died trying to win a Wii for her children. Even sadder that a radio station, very much aware of the dangers and possible fatal results of water intoxication, still held the water-drinking and pee-holding contest to lure listeners and of course, advertisers. I don't blame her for trying to win one because of all the hype and over-inflated prices. It's heartbreaking that she felt she needed to do this to fulfill her kids' wishes.
Parents, we know we love our kids and would do almost anything to give them what they want - but have we carefully thought of the message that we send our children when they see us willing to fight anyone or do whatever it takes just to get our hands on a friggin' toy? We are telling them that having those material things matter more than patience, frugality, civility and life itself - that we're not good enough if we don't have the latest thing that everyone else has or wants. Is that where we really want our children to draw their self-esteem from?
What happened to teaching the value and wisdom of-
-being our own selves and not having to be like everyone else and give in to peer pressure?
-delayed gratification?
-having the patience to wait for a good thing?
-working hard to save up for something we want?
-building our self-esteem on more lasting things like character?
Oh, I enjoy playing the Wii when my nephew brings his over. I think it's a great videogame as it really gets us off our lazy butts. But, waiting to get something is good, too. If we still want it in a couple of months, then it just might be worth spending for because then we know it's just not going to be a very expensive passing fancy. If not, then that's hundreds of dollars more for our savings. And that can probably buy us something more lasting in the future - like maybe a good education for our children.
Did wii wrestle with people physically or verbally just to get our hands on the last one?
Did wii suffer water intoxication and die just to try to win one?
How much do we want something and what are we willing to do to get it? Our culture is fast becoming one of quick 'fixes', materialism and conformity. Are we not cool or special unless we get something ahead of most people? And once everyone has it, where do our feelings of being special go? I guess it's gone until we find the latest and greatest to own ahead of everyone else again. Is that what it's all about?
It's so sad that Jennifer Strange in Rancho Cordova, California died trying to win a Wii for her children. Even sadder that a radio station, very much aware of the dangers and possible fatal results of water intoxication, still held the water-drinking and pee-holding contest to lure listeners and of course, advertisers. I don't blame her for trying to win one because of all the hype and over-inflated prices. It's heartbreaking that she felt she needed to do this to fulfill her kids' wishes.
Parents, we know we love our kids and would do almost anything to give them what they want - but have we carefully thought of the message that we send our children when they see us willing to fight anyone or do whatever it takes just to get our hands on a friggin' toy? We are telling them that having those material things matter more than patience, frugality, civility and life itself - that we're not good enough if we don't have the latest thing that everyone else has or wants. Is that where we really want our children to draw their self-esteem from?
What happened to teaching the value and wisdom of-
-being our own selves and not having to be like everyone else and give in to peer pressure?
-delayed gratification?
-having the patience to wait for a good thing?
-working hard to save up for something we want?
-building our self-esteem on more lasting things like character?
Oh, I enjoy playing the Wii when my nephew brings his over. I think it's a great videogame as it really gets us off our lazy butts. But, waiting to get something is good, too. If we still want it in a couple of months, then it just might be worth spending for because then we know it's just not going to be a very expensive passing fancy. If not, then that's hundreds of dollars more for our savings. And that can probably buy us something more lasting in the future - like maybe a good education for our children.
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