Blogs are fun!

Before this class, I thought that blogs were just boring arenas for  those who had no friends to talk to.  I thought they were just sites for nerds to vent their opinions on politics and other serious issues in society.  So, when I found out that the online part of our class will be dedicated to blogging, I said WHUUUUT?  I have since turned around and changed that to "OH WHAT FUN IT IS!"

Seriously, I did have fun doing these blogs where you can just about write what comes to your mind and voice out your own opinions.  True, the subjects were given by Ms. Croker, but I took every assignment as a challenge to the "free spirit" in me.  Blogging has opened a new venue for me to write on a given topic as I see it and react to it based on my own personal experiences.  I remember the time when I joined a competition ... extemporaneous speaking.  I would say that blogging is "extemporaneous writing."  I truly enjoyed the experience.

Of the several blogs I have visited, Vincent's blog comes to the fore as the entries were always fun reads.  I was so fascinated by his story that I even made him the subject for my profile essay.  Everardo's experiences in Iraq have made me appreciate the efforts of our men in uniform who are continuously fighting for our freedom.  Adam's (Michalson) blog entries were always filled with passion and his choice of words reveal the voracious reader in him.  Yvonne's is special because she is a dear friend, that I happen to work with.  The Yosemite scene provided a calmness which I think she experiences in her family life.  I can go on and on about the others, but I think I might not have enough space here marvelling at how each blog I visited gave me a different reading experience.

Before I sign off on this blogging experience, I would like to extend my appreciation to all those who wrote comments on my blog entries.  Your opinions and reactions have become inspiring and actually made me look forward to reading them (that's why I try to post my blogs early.)  Through your words, I felt like I found new friends in cyberspace.

I wish I could continue on keeping this blog alive... maybe, but not on a regular basis.  It is just nice that I now have another site (other than Facebook) to share experiences and make new friendships.  I can see myself checking-in once in a while, especially when I will have something interesting and exciting to share.

Ms. GC (as in Gaylene Croker), thanks for opening a door to new writing relationships...

What We Eat is Killing Us?

I had a "revealing" experience watching and listening to the three TED lectures which dealt mainly on food, fast food in particular.  Mark Bittman, Ann Cooper and Jamie Oliver all presented the evil that is in junk food which is almost killing our children and polluting our environment (Bittman).  

They all used staggering statistics which literally scared the crap out of me.  In 18 minutes, 4 Americans dies of diet-related diseases.  USA is the most unhealthy nation in the world.  Diet-related illnesses are the number one killers in the nation.  Most moving is the picture of a 19-year old woman, severely obese, and has only 6 years to live.  The visuals of coffins made me just close my eyes, almost in tears.  They illustrated and presented some shocking revelations and heart-moving truths.

What is going on?  Are we slowly killing our children and this is being supported by our government? Must we just move on and take in everything that they serve us just because it is convenient?

Inspiring enough, the three speakers provide us with a clear-cut solutions which they admittedly think are "easier said than done." Cooper is adamant about schools creating a healthy menu for the lunches.  Oliver's project is to set up shop in each school where children will be taught how to cook healthy food. 

I know that junk food is not all that healthy, and I do eat it.  But after listening to them and remembering what I have learned on Fast Food Nation, I am seriously considering revamping my diet and heed to Mark Bittman's advice:  Less meat, less junk, more plants.

Three People Who Made Me Who I Am Today

Delfin, my dad –

            He has always been a man of few words.  But when he speaks, you know that his few words are direct to the point and must be heeded.  His wisdom had made me become interested in his line of work – broadcasting.  For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be like my father.  But although I did not get to be exactly like him (an engineer and radio station owner), his work ethic and focus have been deeply etched in my own persona.  He is a lot older now, but he still exudes the qualities I adored in him when I was growing up.

Cris, my husband –

            Through the almost 30 years that my husband and I have been together, I must say that he is the only person that knows me very well, sometimes too well.  Life lessons have been and still are being learned as we trek on this journey of our lives… together.

Jiggy, Joey & Jet – my sons, my life, my world.

            My sons are the most important people in my world.  In making any decision, especially life-changing ones, I have always taken their welfare as a priority.  What would benefit my sons would be the right decision.  Although they are all adults now, I still take on life’s challenges with their well-being at the forefront.

Merry Christmas II You by Mariah Carey: A Christmas CD must have

Merry Christmas II You!

Every year, I add a new CD to my Christmas collection.  I am always anticipating new songs from new talents or even remakes of classics.  It is to my pleasant surprise that Mariah Carey released a follow-up album to a great masterpiece of a Christmas album in her 1994 CD - Merry Christmas!  This new album, which dropped November 2, has topped her previous one.  Merry Christmas II You captures a soulfulness and unmistaken feeling of peace and joy -- the true spirit of the holidays.

Each song in the album is treated with a modern feel.  There are a few cuts that have struck my fancy on this album:  "Oh Santa," the carrier single, is an upbeat original that will surely be a Christmas song staple in the many years to come;  "Auld Lang Syne" has a jazzy treatment to it and really mesmerizes your listening pleasures;  "Here Comes Santa Claus Lane" just makes you want to get up and dance all the time; " O Holy Night," recorded live in 1994 (included in both albums,) captures the "soul" of the season and of the entire CD.  

The highlight of the album is her duet with her mother, Patricia Carey, "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah."  I was in awe as I listened to it.  Unbeknownst to most, Patricia's career as an opera singer gave rise to Mariah's talent.  The coming together of their melodies not only invokes sweet harmony but you can just feel the warmth of family.

This whole album encapsulates the singing prowess of Mariah Carey.  The flexibility of her voice to reach high octaves, yet pleasing and soothing, is a talent of hers that I have long admired.  This album is another testament to Carey's enduring talent and generation-defining vocals.

As the season draws near, the prospect of a recession-drilled holiday is but a reality.  Merry Christmas II You on your music list for the holidays will not fail to put smiles on your faces, rejuvenating the holiday spirit and experiencing the real message of the season.

Mariah Carey -- Oh Santa!

FFN Aftermath: Convenience vs. Conscience

           Fast Food Nation has completely made me re-think of my preference for fast food when eating out.  The new information, which I have learned from this book, made me look differently at a hamburger.  After reading Chapter 5 and onwards, I actually have not ordered a hamburger since.  Since I don’t know how to cook, I have told my husband that we must buy our ground beef and make our own patties, if we must eat burgers.  Home-cooked meals are now encouraged in my household.

            The horrendous conditions concerning high school student-workers in fast food chains and of the workers in the slaughterhouses and meatpacking companies were still vivid in my memory.  The infection of cattle and the outbreak of E. coli are conditions that should call for the government’s stricter enforcement of food safety laws.

            Our eating habits have been molded by the proliferation of the fast food restaurants.  These habits, however, have resulted in serious health risks – obesity, cancers, heart conditions, diabetes and strokes.  As I have now become aware of these issues, I am making a conscious decision to vote on any bill, proposition or measure to address them.  Come election time, I will now pay more attention to the candidates who places the fast food industry and all the concerns discussed in the book as a major component in their political agendas.

            Overall though, I still think it remains a choice.  It is up to us, adults, to protect our children from the hazards of the fast food movement.  And every choice has its consequences.

For me, it is a battle of convenience vs. conscience and I choose the latter.

So far...

The ONE truth from my 6 statements is... Next year, I will be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary.  Most of you got it right.  Kayla, you are right, the other lies could be truths but not mine however.  Ms. Croker, swimming with the dolphins could remain in my dreams for now.  I am praying it can be my truth... someday.  Yup my 25th anniversary is coming up next year.   Now, now, don't be counting the years.  Let's just say I got married when I was 2!  Ahahahahaha!

English 101 is the only class I am attending this semester.  I knew that I will really enjoy the class but I didn't realize how much reading and writing we have to do!  For me, it has been quite a while since I had to do so much reading and writing.  I do like to write, but lately it has been mostly "social writing" (if there is such a thing.)  Just how other students have 4-5 classes while working full-time amazes me.  When I start to complain about how I am having a hard time reading and writing for English 101, I just think about them and tell myself that I don't have the right to complain.  I do have a special admiration for their commitment to getting a good education even if they already have jobs... not to mention taking care of their families too.  Whew!  Just the thought of it exhausts me already.  To all those who are doing it, I salute you and hang in there.

Fast Food Nation is now getting to be such an interesting book.  I am now wanting to read on and on until the end.  I actually think twice or thrice before eating fast food now.  After this book, I probably have to re-think about how dependent I have become on fast food.  After this book, perhaps I will promote healthier alternatives to my family as well as my co-workers.

We are on the homestretch in our class.  I don't know how I am going to finish my final paper though.  I am actually so nervous about it that I get the "shakes" when I try to work on it.  Hopefully, Essay #4 would ease my anxiety.

So far... everything is GREAT!

Spot the 1 Truth

1.   On my 8th birthday, a fairy came to visit me.

2.   It is difficult being blonde.

3.   My pet snake swallowed a monkey.

4.   Next year, I will be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary.

5.   On a cruise, I jumped off the ship to swim with the dolphins.

6.   I spent my first paycheck on a Dolce & Gabana couture gown.