The difference...

***a recap* on my favorite subject...

"And that among the crowd, never forget

to stand out as an individual."

It's unusual to see pink Gumamela in the midst of white ones..
and so I grabbed the chance to take a shot of it...

It simply makes the difference.

Thanks for this one..

A big thanks to Midas for this award.

I am very honored...

This award was created originally by Arte y Pico and to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creativity and their talents, also for contributing to the blogging world in whatever medium. When you receive this award it is considered a "special honor". Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to 5 others."What a wonderful way to show some love and appreciation to your fellow bloggers!

Am passing this on to Gladz, Bes, Joan, Mari and Nance. They simply shine!!;)

the vineyard

Never thought that the grapevine in our front yard will actually grow in this very dry area without even much tending or putting some fertilizer on it. Its vine just bear fruit naturally.Can't wait for its season to ripe and have it tasted. ;)

"Let us go out early to the vineyards and see whether the vines
have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened, and whether
the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love."
(Song of Solomon)

the sorrow of my nation...

While we have not yet overcome from the struggle we have to face over the high prices of the basic commodities and the problem on rice shortage, typhoon "Frank" relentlessly hit our country leaving so many lives go wasted. Though its saddening to recount the crisis that we are now going through, I hope and pray that we remain strong still.

Watching over national television the damages that the typhoon left to us, while the capsized ship of the Sulpicio lines brought too much anguish and sorrow to the affected families...I wish we could do more than protesting and grumbling against who's to blame. I just want to reiterate that Sulpicio lines' money can never repay the lives that were risked and lost due to their selfish aim to profit. We're not talking in this case of mere mammals drowning in the flood but we're talking here of human lives! We mourn with the rest of our countrymen.

May we continue to pray for all the victims and for their loved ones that they'd left behind.

the secret garden

Catch a glimpse of this "Opo", just one of the fruit vegetables' garden that sustains the people in one rural area where I spent my month long vacation. I realized that if we make used of the fertility of our soil, perhaps there is never such a thing as hunger.

"if God takes care of the birds in the sky seemingly
with nowhere to go,
then it's never impossible that God will take care
of His human creations too..."

Creativity

I couldn't help but laughed really hard till I got teary-eyed the moment I read the lines written by one of my students in his creative portfolio, during our summer class 2008 program held in another city.


In his dedication, he was thanking his parents and their coconut tree that if not for the tree, he wouldn't be able to fulfill his project. He even mentioned the struggle he had to make to climb the coconut tree inorder to come up with this very creative project.

What made me laugh is the thought that I would see the young man's humor in his creative portfolio with the way he reacted on things and situations.

His wit and creativity helped me decide to give his work an "A+" grade. (just click photos for clear view)

I was really filled with much appreciation after I realized the kind of living that they have there in a so called provincial area. And surely the coconut trees that must have been surrounding their house really helped a lot!

With very less expense, he was able to make his project not only memorable to him but very inspiring to his readers.

Indeed, an old cliche makes sense that, "poverty is not a hindrance to success."

Look of the year

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Update...update!

I so love this poem...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann