All You Have To Offer
Posted in

Kurt Nielsen


Hey – what is it with you today?
You know you shine
you know you glow
Don't drag yourself down

Just listen
to what I have to say
If not tomorrow
you'll soon be on your way

If this is all you have to offer
I think I'll pass
If this is all you have to show for
It'll never last

Hey – what if you put all things aside?
And say, hey –
It's time to kiss self-pity (good)bye

'Cause it feels good
just knowing you're OK
and not somebody
lost along the way

If this is all…

(chorus SOLO)

But, hey – I think you need to calm down
Seems like your mouth has got it's own mind
Or maybe it is me…

'Cause I love you
but you're ruinin' my smile
You're like a sad song
that I've been playin' for a while

If this is all…

If this is all…

 

Ice Cream for the Soul
Posted in




**My Lord, I need about a pint of ice cream today. I feel so  physically and emotionally drained over the weekend. I am lifting all my cares and concerns to you today as I continue to praise and thank you for all the blessings, answered prayers and challenges that come my way. Hold my hand dear Jesus and walk with me all day, all week, and for the rest of my life. Amen.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked.

"Cross my heart." Then in theatrical whisper he added, indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing, "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

Angel's LSS: How Did You Know
24/7 Reading List: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Differential Diagnosis: In need of ice cream

Growing Unconditional Love
Posted in

There is dignity in not giving up on someone you truly love. But there is more dignity in letting them go so they can experience better love.That shows your true love because you then become unselfish and through putting others first, unconditional love grows.

There is respect in fighting gallantly to win someone's heart another time. But an even greater respect comes from fighting hard and knowing when to stop. Even though you would give anything to have that past back, that person has touched your life in a way that will make your future so much brighter.

Accept that, and hold your head high, knowing you have captured their heart as well.

There is courage in allowing your heart to hurt and grieve, but there is a greater courage in knowing it will be scarred. But stronger as time goes on.  For whoever caused those scars has made your life better in some way and will make you better person when you marry because of what the scars taught you.

Losing the person who meant the most in your life is a humbling experience, yet it is even more humbling if you allow it to run your life and forsake all you have been blessed with when you feel like you have lost your world.

Remember how many people depend on you and whom you mean the world to. There is fortitude in holding on for another chance although an even greater fortitude comes from extending your hand and heart in friendship realizing you will still share things with that person no one else ever will.

You will always, have the looks and jokes and memories. Don't ever discount how special those things are in your heart and theirs. True love hurts when it is lost, but an even greater love grows inside yourself through realization that something better is in the world for both of you. And that there are still things to share with that person.

Even though some feeling may have changed. Take their hand and help them achieve their hopes and dreams. Because in that there is dignity, respect , courage, humility, fortitude, and the Unconditional Love that will continue to grow in both of your hearts.

One Thin Dime
Posted in

One day recently I visited a businessman’s office, and while we talked, I noticed that he constantly twirled a small paperweight with a dime in it. Curious, I asked him about it. He said, "When I was in college, my roommate and I were down to our last dime. He was on a scholarship, while I had earned my tuition by working in the cotton field and a grocery store. We were the first two members of our families to ever attend college, and our parents were extremely proud of us. Each month they sent us a small allowance to buy food, but one month our checks didn’t arrive. It was a Sunday, the fifth of the month, and between us we had one dime left.

"We used the solitary dime to place a collect call to my home 500 miles away. My mother answered. I could tell from her voice that something was wrong. She said that my father had been ill and out of work, so there was simply no way they could send any money that month. I asked if my roommate’s check was in the mail. She said that she had talked with his mother. They also couldn’t raise the extra money that month either. They were sorry, but it looked like we’d have to come home. They had put off telling us, hoping for some solution." "Were you disappointed?" I asked.

Devastated. We both were. We had one month remaining to finish the year, then we could work all summer to earn our expenses. My grades were excellent, so I had been guaranteed a scholarship for the next term."

"What did you do?"

When I hung up the telephone, we heard a noise and dimes started pouring out of the pay phone. We were laughing and holding out our hands to catch the money. Students walking down the hall thought we were crazy. We discussed taking the money and using it. Nobody would know what happened. But then we realized we couldn’t do that. You understand?" "Yes, but it would have been tough to return it."

"Well, we tried. I called the operator back and told her what had happened." He smiled, remembering. "She said that the money belonged to the telephone company, so replace it in the machine. We did, over and over again, but the machine wouldn’t accept the dimes.

"I finally told the operator that the dimes kept falling back out. She said that she didn’t know what else to do, but she’d talk to her supervisor. When she returned she said that we’d have to keep the money, because the company wasn’t going to send a man all the way out to the school just to collect a few dollars."

He looked over at me and chuckled, but there was emotion in his voice. "We laughed all the way back to our dorm room. After counting the money, we had $7.20. We decided to use the money to buy food from a nearby grocery store and to go job hunting after class."

"Did you find a job?"

"Yes, we told the manager of the grocery store what had happened as we paid for our purchases with our dimes. He offered us both jobs beginning the next day. Our money bought enough supplies to last until our first paycheck."

Angel's LSS: Officially Missing You
24/7 Reading List: Red Drawgon
Differential Diagnosis: touched

I'm a Christian
Posted in



How should we pray? There is no set way to pray. Prayer is an integral part of our relationship with God and therefore weare free to talk to Him as we wish. God does not want us to repeat meaningless words; He wants to hear what is on our hearts. Having said that, many people find it helpful to have a pattern for prayer - Use the mnemonic ACTS.

A — Adoration
praising God for who He is andwhat Hehas done.

C — Confession
asking God’s forgiveness for anything that we have done wrong.

T — Thanksgiving
for health, family, friends, etc.

S— Supplication
the addressing of humble requests; praying for ourselves, for our friends, and for others.


Happy moments, Praise God.
Difficult moments, Seek God.
Quiet moments, Worship God.
Painful moments, Trust God.
Every moment, Thank God. 

    I AM A CHRISTIAN

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I`m not shouting "I`m clean living."
I`m whispering "I was lost,"
Now I`m found and forgiven.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don`t speak of this with pride.
I`m confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I`m not trying to be strong.
I`m professing that I`m weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I`m not braggingof success.
I`m admittingI have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I`m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I`m not holier than thou,
I`m just a simple sinner
who received God`s good grace,somehow.

By Maya Angelou

Stephie the Grouch
Posted in



I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning, but apparently took a wrong turn somewhere. Kaya halos the whole day eh nakasimangot ako at naka kunot ang noo. Sorry po, I really can't stand people who are too chicken or too dumb to make decisions for themselves.

Yung tipong kaliit liitang bagay na lang eh itatanong pa sa'yo at kukulitin ka pa para ipaliwanag mo paulit ulit and piece by piece as though he or she lacks rational faculties to enable them to think for themselves.

Sigh. I was harassed by such people the whole morning. Ang resulta tuloy eh matinding migraine, o sinusitis, o whatever ang tawag dito.

Yes, masungit ako. I'm grumpy, i'm bitchy and I'm a grouch. My officemates look at me and exchange glances as if to say, "may sumpong si Steph". Oo, may sumpong ako. So don't mess with me.

It was past 3 pm when I traced the root of the problem. Hindi pa pala ako kumakain! hahaha. Masama pala talaga akong magutom. After eating, all smiles na ulit ang lola nyo! Funny, but everyone around me seemed relieved that I was back to my "normal" talkative and bouncy state...na para bang hindi nila matanggap na nagtataray ako. Hehehe

Pero sa totoo lang, windang na talaga ako sa pag o organize ng company outing namin, It's beginning to sap my strength and drain away my energy. We'll be going to Isla Verde, Batangas on the 15th. I was there last Sunday and I found the place quite charming.

Sabagay, basta naman me araw, dagat, at buhangin eh masaya na ako. Kuntento na ako sa paglalakad lakad sa dalampasigan early in the morning or late afternoon kasabay sa paglubog ng araw. Mas happy shempre kung may kasama na ako sa paglalakad. Hehe. Eto na naman ako...wishing, hoping and praying for true love to find me in God's perfect time.

May there be more like you...
Posted in

"Stay with us Lord, the day is already waning. Stay with us. Stay to illuminate our doubts and our fears. Stay so that we may fortify our light with Yours. Stay so that in a world that has little faith and hope, we may be able to encourage one another." Pope John Paul II

                                              [img:586711]

"Abnoy ka ba?"
Posted in



HOW TO CONTROL EMOTIONS

This would guide you on how to control your emotions towards your better-half, friends, officemates and all the people around you. The rules of practicing 'ugaling langit, ugaling kaaya-aya:

#1 Ang naunang magalit ang may karapatang magalit. Pag naunahan ka na ng galit niya, tumahimik ka na lang muna.

#2 Walang taong nang-aaway mag-isa. Pag hindi kayo sumagot o pumatol, titigil din daw ang taong nakikipag- away sa inyo.

#3 Ang taong galit, 'bingi.' If someone is angry, wala raw pinakikinggan, so, don't try to explain and fight back. Hindi ka niya iintindihin dahil wala siyang naririnig kundi ang sarili nya.

#4 Ang taong galit, 'abnoy.' Ayon sa pastor, Biblical daw ito... because the Lord said when He was crucified, "Father, patawarin mo sila dahil hindi nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa." Modern term for these kinds of people are abnoys, so you better not get angry para huwag kang matawag na abnoy. You should also know and realize that the persons who make your day bad are jewel, because you need them for you to mature.

Hangga't andyan daw sila at kinaiinisan mo, ibig sabihin, immature ka pa. God will not take away those people; it's for you to take away your bad feelings towards them. You'll know na mature ka na pag dumating 'yung time na hindi ka na naiinis sa mga taong ito because you have learned to accept them and to have patience with them.

#5 Finally, the best part of this is to tell yourself na, because of this person, "I will grow mature," and that DAHIL SA CONTRIBUTION NIYA SA MATURITY MO, KUKUNIN DIN SYA NI LORD.

No Hay Olvido
Posted in Love and other Disasters

THERE IS NO FORGETTING

If you should ask me where I have been
I have to say, Life goes on.
I have to speak of the dirt that obscures the stones
and the river that endures and is destroyed:
I know nothing except the things the birds have
forsaken,
the abandoned sea, or my weeping sister.
Why so many different regions? Why is one day
joined to another? Why does the mouth
gather black night? What of the dead?

If you should ask me where I came from, I have to
talk with things I forced away,
with utensils much too bitter,
with huge, sometimes-rotting beasts
and with my grieving heart.

There are no memories that have crossed over
nor has the yellow pigeon that sleeps in forgetting;
only tear-stained faces,
fingers at throats,
and what has collapsed from the leaves:
the obscurity of a day transpired,
a day which has fed on our blood grief.

Here are violets, swallows,
all that pleases us and appears
in the sweet cards of the long passing lines
of our time and our pleasure.

But we cannot grasp beyond these teeth,
nor nibble at the rinds the silence gathers,
because I have no answers:
there are so many dead,
and so many dikes that the red sun breaches
and so many heads that strike doorjambs,
and so many hands that encircle kisses,
and so many things that I long to forget.

~Pablo Neruda~

In the Fullness of God's Time
Posted in

I would have made a longer entry, but am really pressed for time. I want to attend the 6 pm mass tonight for the Pope. Three nights in a row have I broken my daily routine to pay my respects to a true man of the cloth. Yeah, I love John Paul II...and I am rejoicing that he will finally reach his room in the Father's mansion.

He has completed his mission in the fullness of God's time.

Karol Wojtyla was elected pope 14 days after I was born. I knew no other Pope than John Paul II. I  was one of the multitude who welcomed him in UST during the World Youth Day celebrations. I have always looked up to him as a model of moral ascendancy and love. I respected his pronouncements and admired the way he exercised diplomacy and tolerance to non-Christians.

I will miss John Paul the Great.

The Requiem mass last night was a very touching and emotional one. It was both heartbreaking and elating to hear his World Youth Day (or was it Jubilee?) message where he spoke in halting Filipino after so many years. It was as though he was still alive and standing in our very midst.

Only now, after going through (and still undergoing) the test of fire do I begin to fully appreciate a man of great faith. It is not easy to be under public scrutiny all the time, having the press hound you, having people all over the world watch your every move and hope that you commit a huge blunder so they can persecute you.  Yet, he remained steadfast in faith and immersed himself more in prayer.

John Paul II translated his faith into action, reaching out to millions of people all over the world just to tell them of God's love.

Sorry for sounding like an emotional child, but I am humbled and blessed by the simplicity of his life and the way he devoted his life to serving God. As early as now I am already asking him to intercede for me and I believe  that he will.

                                            ****

I drew a strip of paper with a message that read: "Make Christ the center of your life"...Saint Jerome Parish gave out these papal quotes to parishioners and after reading mine, I had to wipe away a tear. God knew my struggle, He knew that it was always a choice between serving God in the renewal ministry or serving my family.

Most of the time, I am torn between the two. But last night  I clearly heard HIS message. I witnessed an exorcism and even helped in the deliverance.

Each one of us is here for a reason, a purpose. What it is, we don't fully know. I am still in the long and arduous process of submitting my own will to God.

John Paul II, pray for us and remember us when you go to the Father.

Angel's LSS: The Jubilee Song
24/7 Reading List: Da Vinci Code
Differential Diagnosis: Miss ko si Pope...

Living by Faith, not by Sight
Posted in

I ran a reading marathon last night, finishing both the Red Dragon by Thomas Harris and Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code in one night. I turned in about 3 am and had to get up 2.5 hours later to hear mass.

There are just a couple of postulates in the book that I would want to react to...Mary Magdalene's relationship to Jesus Christ, for one. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Christ and Mary Magdalene (who happens to be one of my favorite characters in the Bible, by the way), were indeed married  and had children. So what if Christ got married? That still does not change the fact that He suffered and died for our sins...that He still rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven.

Of course , that will forever change the tradition and vows surrounding Holy Orders, but that is a separate and different issue in itself. Mary Magdalene as the Holy Grail has been discussed and written about ad nauseam, I just reflected on the possibility and found that in my heart of hearts, Christ is still my Lord and my God.

I'm rambling...my apologies. I'm like 5 hours short of sleep, but I don't mind. I do try my best to live by faith and not by sight, and that includes getting up early on a Sunday morning to hear mass...alone.

I do not live my family, nor do they hear mass with me. It's one thing I always ask God to give me, someday, in His perfect time. Anyway, I went to the Church of the Five Wounds in Las Pinas for the first time and felt blessed in the sense that this was a Church of the poor.

Don't get me wrong, I am not rich. It just so happens that I hear mass in Ayala Alabang, BF Homes and in St. Jerome Parish (also in Alabang) on most days because it is most convenient for me. Compared to the Churchgoers in these three places, the crowd at Five Wounds, was, to put it succintly, masa. These are our laborers, market venders and jeepney drivers, and yet they were all happy and joyfully hearing mass with their families.

"I complained of having no shoes until I saw someone who had no feet."

I read this line from a book many years back and never forgot it. It dawned on me how these people could be satisfied and contented with so little, while I sometimes still gripe and complain with all I have. I have been blessed with a good paying job and a Dad and a stepmom who still spoils and pampers me with gifts. I basically get to do the things I want and live comfortably (not luxuriously, mind you) in a rented apartment in a pretty ok subdivision in Las Pinas. I can shop whenever even in between paydays and I can still afford to buy myself a cafe latte' at Starbucks at the end of the day.

But yesterday my ATM balance fell short of P2,000. That was after buying a pretty expensive pair of pants and grocery shopping. Payday is Thursday. Yeah. I almost panicked. To think that I wouldn't be spending for anything more than just transportation money...to think that there were probably a hundred people inside the Church with me who would feel so blessed to have P2,000 to spend in four days.

Sometimes, God speaks to us in hushed whispers, other times through thunder. I guess what really matters is how we respond. In my case, this morning's lesson is one I will remember well. Ni minsan naman hindi kami pinabayaan. Even when the family was a little hard on cash, there was never a time that we didn't have food on the table or lacked pocket money for school. God always met our needs. Kadalasan lang hindi ko na a acknowledge because I was busy looking at what I lacked.

Let's see if I can learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

 

Angel's LSS: My brother and my Dad rambling
Differential Diagnosis: sleepy

English-Tagalog Dictionary
Posted in



It's a beautiful Monday morning peeps! Let's have something fun to read. Thanks for this one Sam.                

1) Contemplate - kulang ang mga pinggan
2) Punctuation - pera para maka-enrol
3) Ice Buko - nagtatanong kung ayos na ang buhok
4) Tenacious - sapatos na pang tennis
5) Calculator - tawagan kita mamaya
6) Devastation - sakayan ng bus
7) Protestant - Tindahan ng prutas
8) Statue - Ikaw ba yan?
9) Tissue - Ikaw nga!
10) Predicate - Pakawalan mo ang pusa
11) Dedicate - Pinatay ang pusa
12) Aspect - Pantusok o pandurog ng yelo
13) Deduct - Ang pato
14) Defeat - Ang paa (ng pato?)
15) Detail - Ang buntot (ng pato?)
16) Deposit - Gripo (Call DIPLOMA if DEPOSIT is leaking)
17) City - Bago mag-utso; A number to follow 6
18) Cattle - Doon nakatila ang Hali at Leyna
19) Persuading - Unang Kasal
20) Depress - Ang nagkasal sa PERSUADING
22) Defense - Ginamit ng mga pangsulat sa kontrata sa PERSUADING
23) It depends - Kainin mo ang bakod
24) Shampoo - Bago mag-labing-isha (11)
25) Delusion - Maluwang (kapag maluwang ang damit, eh DELUSION)
26) Delivery - Walang bayad. Kapag working lunch, eh DELIVERY na
ang tanghalian
27) Profit - Patunayan mo
28) Balance Sheet - What comes out after eating a balance diet
29) Backlog - bacon saka egg
30) Beehive - magpakatino ka
31) CD-ROM - tingnan mo ang kwarto
32) Debug - ang ipis
33) Defrag - ang palaka
34) Defense - ang bakod
35) Defer - ang balahibo
36) Deflate - ang plato
37) Detest - ang eksamin
38) Devalue - 'yon ang susunod sa letrang V
39) Devote - ang boto
40) Dilemma - brownout!, a!
41) Effort - 'dun nagla-land ang efflane
42) Forums - apat na kwarto
43) July - nagsinungaling ka ba?
44) Thesis - ito ay...
45) Hostess- sino to?
46) Deficit- gaano kalalim? (how deficit?)
47) Chicken nut bread- d sya makahinga
48) Uno dos tres- ang mga ka hoy (oh no those trees are burning)
49) Associate- nakakita ako ng tae
Differential Diagnosis: Smiling

Who knows, lightning could strike...
Posted in Love and other Disasters

I came across this quote while reading the newspaper this morning.  It made me smile.  Yes, who knows, lightning could strike.

Remember that no matter how long we have waited and failed,"there will always be someone out there who will love us the way we want to be loved". There is always someone out there whom we can walk with and share our joys with. There is someone meant for us. All we have to do is believe that there is and give ourselves the chance to find it.

What Women Want :)
Posted in

                                         King Arthur and the Witch

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.

But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified.She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewerage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life. Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen, lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous,  intimate moments?

What would YOU do?

Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life. Now....what is the moral to this story? The moral is.....If you don't let a woman have her own way....Things are going to get ugly!   

Angel's LSS: Beautiful Soul
24/7 Reading List: Angels and Demons

The PUSH Principle
Posted in

Letting Go

By: Gary Valenciano

I used to feel the emptiness inside me
I was not supposed to feel that way
I had everything I needed
But nothing ever made me
What I longed to be
The wealth, the name
The lights, the fame
Were everything to me
And then one night
Out of the blue
I heard His name (Jesus)
And so I took that step of faith
And walked into His domain
I believe that's what He wants
Every heart to do
When hard may seem the task
One step is all He asks of you

Letting go to know the truth
Is not so hard to do
It's the heart that's got the will
To open up for Him to fill
And trusting and believing Him
Is all we've got to do
It's just the heart that's got to move
For Him to show His love that's been there
Even when we never cared
Take hold of His hand
Let go and you'll understand

Why be afraid
For God knows what you're feeling
But even He can't do a thing
If He sees the heart's not willing
And so we ask what's going on
We want what's right and still do wrong
When hard may seem the task
One step is all He asks of you

I guess by now you'd realize
You can't be on your own
And all your cares
And all your burdens
Should be cast upon His throne
Letting go, just let go, letting go
Let go and you'll understand
Just let go and you'll understand

****

Madalas ituro sa amin ito sa Community, "Let Go, Let God", ang sabi kasi pag may problema ka, o intindihin, iwan mo na kay Lord at hayaan mo na ito duon, wag mo nang balikan. Para sa akin, ang hirap nitong sundin, kasi perennial worrywart ako. Sanay akong pinupuyat ng problema, at nag e-enjoy ako sa pag e exhaust ng lahat ng avenues to solve my problems.

I forget the "PUSH Principle" during crunch time. Ito yung Pray Until Something Happens. But I'm thankful that I am learning this little by little. Natututo na akong manahimik muna and mag pray bago ako mag decision o kumilos. It always works for the best!

Katulad today. I have 23 people who signed for my "isla verde challenge". An Amazing Race cum Survivor type of game for the company outing I'm co organizing. Ang fear namin nung partner ko eh baka ni hindi kami makabuo ng isang team of five. Now we are assured of four teams and its three days to go before the outing.

Blessings such as these make me happy. And it all the more makes me proud that I have chosen to walk in the light. Two years na ako kay Lord...still a work in progress. Madami pa ring mistakes, madami pa ring times na nadadapa at bumabagsak sa mga pop quizzes...pero still pushing.Someday, I will be worthy to be a vessel. For now I will content myself with knowing that I am clay in the potter's hand...being shaped and molded.

I am not ashamed to say that I love God and that I praise Him and thank Him for everything. ALam ko kadalasn weird na rin ako magsalita at hindi na ako naiintindihan ng mga dati kong ka berks at ka tropa. Madalas na rin akon mapulaan for keeping mum on "hot issues" at lalampas na daw ako sa langit dahil araw araw ako nagsisimba. Gaano raw ba kalaki ang kasalanan ko sa mundo at parang sobra sobra ako kung magdasal.

I do not do this for people to see. I do not need their admiration nor am I affected by their criticism. Basta gusto ko lang, wala naman pumilit sa akin na mag serve sa renewal ministry at mag join sa mga outreach. All I know is isang araw nagsawa akong gumimik, sa pag uwi ng lasing at dead tired sa pag ba bar hop at kakasayaw...na isang araw pagod na ako sa buhay ko at tinawag ko siyang DIYOS KO, and He heard my cries and saved me.

Angel's LSS: Healing
Differential Diagnosis: I want to Praise the Lord

Breaking down barriers
Posted in

A story tells of a merchant in a small town who had identical twin sons.
The boys worked for their father in the department store he owned and, when he died, they took over the store. Everything went well until the day a dollar bill disappeared. One of the brothers had left the bill on the cash register and walked outside with a customer. When he returned, the money was gone.

He asked his brother, "Did you see that dollar bill on the cash register?" His brother replied that he had not. But the young man kept probing  and questioning. He would not let it alone. "Dollar bills just don't get  up and walk away! Surely you must have seen it!" There was subtle  accusation in his voice. Tempers began to rise. Resentment set in. Before long, a deep and bitter chasm divided the young men. They refused to speak. They finally decided they could no longer work together  and a dividing  wall was built down the center of the store. For twenty years hostility and bitterness grew, spreading to their families and to the community.

Then one day a man in an automobile licensed in another state stopped in front of the store. He walked in and asked the clerk, "How long have
you been here?"The clerk replied that he'd been there all his life.  The customer said, "I must share something with you. Twenty years  ago I was "riding the rails" and came into this town in a boxcar. I hadn't eaten for three days. I came into this store from the back door and saw a dollar bill on the cash register. I put it in my pocket and walked out. All these years I haven't been able to forget that. I know it wasn't much money, but I had to come back and ask your forgiveness."

The stranger was amazed to see tears well up in the eyes of this middle- aged man. "Would you please go next door and tell that same story to the man in the store?" he said. Then the man was even more amazed to see two middle-aged men, who looked very much alike, embracing each other and weeping together in the front of the store.

After twenty years, the brokenness was mended. The wall of resentment that divided them came down. It is so often the little things that finally divide people- words spoken in haste; criticisms; accusations; resentments. And once divided, they may never come together again.

The solution, of course, is to let it go. There is really nothing particularly profound about learning to let go of little resentments. But for fulfilling and lasting relationships, letting them go is a must. Refuse to carry around bitterness and you may be surprised at how much energy you have left for building bonds with those you love.

Silverscreen Pick: Meet Joe Black (kilig!)
Differential Diagnosis: Missing my Daddy

Daddy's Angel
Posted in

Pasensha na kung senti ako today. I'm missing my Dad already...umalis siya this morning for the US. He'll be away for a couple of moths to undergo treatment. Cancer patient sha, minus one kidney, pero lumalaban pa rin. At first glance, you wouldn't even think that he's gone through a nephrectomy and painful Interferon treatment for more than a year. Laging nakatawa kasi saka very active. He runs around the village (take note ha, hindi walking, as in he runs!) everyday, and does all the household chores kasi sila lang ng younger brother ko ang naiwan sa bahay sa Bulacan.

I'm not ashamed to say I'm still a Daddy's girl at 26...and that I love my Dad very much...sa kanya ko nakikita ang practical application ng living by faith at pagiging bukas palad sa kapwa...Can't wait for him to come back. I always ask the Lord kung pwedeng habaan pa ang time ni Daddy dito, para makasama namin siya ng mas matagal ng kapatid ko. Pero alam ko rin na mas dapat kong siyang ioffer kay Lord at ihabilin dahil mahal na mahal ko siya.

That's what I pray everyday....I entrust my loved ones and friends to God's care, because I know HE can take better care of them than me...the constantly worrying and patronizing me.

I love you Daddy. May God always keep you in the hollow of His hand.

Points to Ponder
Posted in

I'll be away for three days ona  company outing. I just though I'd leave something for my friends to read while I am away. Here are some of my favorite quotes.

1."The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise."

2. "Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence?"

3. Trouble is a part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough.
 
4. It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.
 
5. Maturity is the ability to do a job whether or not you are supervised, to carry money without spending it, and to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.
 
6. A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.
 
7. One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody, everything, every night before you go to bed.
 
8. Fall seven times, stand up eight.

9. The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose.- John McEnroe

10. Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
-Marie Curie
 
11. Worrying about something that may never happen is like paying interest on money you may never borrow.

12. Happiness is a way station between too little and too much.

13. If you treat every situation as a life-and-death matter, you’ll die a lot of times.

14. It pays to know the enemy - not least because at some time you may have the opportunity to turn him into a friend. -Margaret Thatcher

15.Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.

16. Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine.

17. Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence or learning.

18.If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all.

19. The miracle is this--the more we share, the more we have.

20.  It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.- Professor Dumbledore to Harry

Duyan
Posted in Love and other Disasters

Para kay Haller...April 19, 2005

Kung tutuusin, walang sapat na dahilan para malungkot ako. Hindi ako dapat bumubuntong hininga ngayon at iniisip ka. Nanghihinayang na wala ka na at nami- miss yung dating kakulitan at paglalambing mo sa’kin. Gusto kong isiksik sa isip ko na  hindi ka kawalan, na madami pa naman akong ibang kaibigan. Pero bakit nanghihinayang ako at hinahanap kita?

Dalawang araw na ang nakakaraan pero eto pa rin ako, paulit-ulit pa ring nire-replay ang mga eksena sa isip ko, pinipilit i-trace kung saan nagsimula, o sino ang may sala. Yun bang isang case na San Mig Light? Yung Malboro Reds na nagkanda ubo ubo ako sa paghithit pero sinadya mong bilhin para dalain ako? Yun bang pagkukuwento ko sa’yo sa mga nangyari sa buhay ko nung ilang buwang hindi tayo nagkita at nag usap? Yun bang daring na dress na sinuot ko nang gabi? O yung makitid na duyan na hinigaan natin sa ilalim ng mga bituin Tumatahip na ang ulo ko sa kaiisip pero wala pa ring malinaw na sagot. Ang alam ko lang, magkaibigan tayong matagal-tagal na hindi nakapag bonding. Hindi naman bago sa atin ang mag marathon nang inuman, diba nung huling outing nga inabot tayo ng alas singko sa labas, halos anurin tayo nang ga- higanteng mga alon sa Anilao? Anong pinagkaiba nang Sabado nang gabi sa lahat ng araw na magkasama tayo at magkausap?

Bakit sa gabing iyon pinili mong talikuran ang pagkakaibigan natin? Sa ilalim ng itim na kalangitang sinabuyan ng mga bituin, sabay sa marahang pag ugoy nang duyan at sa pag iyak nang kung anong ibon sa ilang.  Gusto kong isiping lasing ka lang, o nalulungkot. Ayokong lagyan nang kulay at bigyan ng ibang dahilan ang paglapat ng mga labi mo sa akin. Na paulit ulit mong inuusal ang salitang “sorry” at naiinis ka na sa sarili mo pero hindi ka rin naman lumalayo at patuloy ka pa rin sa paghingi ng halik.

Sabi nila kapag tinawid na ang gahiblang sinulid na naghihiwalay sa magkaibigan, mahirap nang bumalik. Dati hindi ako naniniwala dito, pero ngayon nakikita kong totoo. Ni hindi mo na makuhang tumingin sa akin kinabukasan,at  ni ayaw mo akong kausapin. Nag text ka minsan para sabihing patawarin kita at nami miss mo ako, pagkatapos nun, parang hindi mo na ako kilala. Pinatawad naman kita. Sabi ko kalimutan mo na yon. Hindi naman napakalaking kasalanan ng pag halik mo sa akin…pero sinabi mong manhid ako.

Sa tinagal tagal nang pagkakaibigan natin ngayon mo lang ako tiniis. At hindi ko lubusang maunawaan kung bakit. Siguro dala ng hiya sa ginawa mo, o pagkapahiya na hindi ako nagpaubaya. Sorry kung nasaktan ko ang “ego” mo. Pero mas pinahahalagahan ko yung pagkakaibigan natin.

Madami ring tanong na tumatakbo sa isip ko, may mga maliliit na eksenang pilit kong hinahanapan ng kahulugan…tulad ng marahang paghaplos mo sa mukha ko, o paghagod sa buhok ko. Sa paghawak mo nang mga kamay ko at pagsasabing ipanatag ko ang loob ko dahil nandito ka. Na wala akong dapat ikatakot dahil hindi mo ko pababayaan. Na sa gabing iyon, ako ang prinsesa mo.

Hindi ko rin maipaliwanag kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng katahimikan ng hagkan mo ako sa noo at sabihing babantayan mo ako sa pagtulog at gigisingin bago sumikat ang araw. Yun pala, pagdating nang liwanag, mawawala ka na…yung dating ikaw na kilala ko.

Siguro nga hindi ko makakalimutan ang islang ito. Maraming magandang ala ala, magagandang lugar na nakita, mga bagong kakilala…dito ka rin nawala. Dito, sa tabi ng kakahuyan, saksi ang mga alon at batuhan, nabahiran ng malisya ang dating inosente at masaya nating pagkakaibigan. Paano na ngayon bro? Ni hindi ko na makukuhang umakbay o yumakap sayo, matatakot na ako dahil baka bigyan mo ng ibang kahulugan.  Sabagay, ni hindi nga pala tayo nag uusap.

Manhid na kung manhid. Pero ma miss ko yung paglalambing mo. Yung pagdadala mo nang kung ano anong pagkain sa opisina para sakin, yung pagtawag para kamustahin lang ako o paalalahanan na umuwi nang maaga. Hahanapin ko yung pag te-text mo ng gud nyt at pag p pray mo sa akin tuwing Miyerkules kapag nagsisimba ka sa Baclaran.

Ma mi miss kita, may isang daan at isang dahilan kung bakit Sana lang, dumating ang araw na harapin mo akong muli, kapag nakalimutan mo na ang iyak ng mga ibon sa ilang, ang hampas ng mga alon sa batuhan at ang pag ugoy ng duyan sa isla.

USTe
Posted in

Marahan kong iginala ang aking paningin habang naglalakad sa kampus. Mariing tinititigan ang mga dating pamilyar na tanawing ngayo'y tila nagbago na. Walong taon kong naging daigdig ito, dito nabuo ang mga pangarap at plano ko sa buhay. Sa lugar na ito ko unang natikman ang tamis ng tagumpay at pait ng kabiguan...dito sa USTe.

Nakita kitang naglalakad sa likod ng mga puno sa field, tambayan namin yun high school pa lang kami, masaya kang humahakbang papalapit sa akin. May ngiti sa iyong mga labi at banaag ko ang tuwa sa iyong mukha. Enrolment mo ngayon, kolehiyo ka na. Isa sa mga pinalad na pumasa sa mahigpit na pagususulit para sa mga gustong maging Nurse. Ang dami mong pangarap, kaydami ding plano.

Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng lungkot ngayong daigdig mo na rin ito. Tomasino ka na...sa edad mong 16 sisimulan mo nang tahakin ang mundo ng mga topaking propesor at ga-tuhod na baha sa Dapitan at Espanya; mag aabang na isuspindi ang klase kapag may bagyo, o kung may paring may kaarawan.

Pakiwari ko'y malapit ko nang matapos ang misyon ko sa buhay mo. Hindi nga ako ang nanay pero sa akin ka na lumaki. Ako ang tinatawagan ng eskuwelahan kapag may sakit ka; naaksidente o nakawaiwan ng kung anong project o asignatura sa klase. Tanda ko lahat ng kakulitan at kabalbalan mo bilang bata, ang mga ka weirdohan mo nang maging teen-ager ka at ang mga trip mo ngaung malaki ka na.

Syempre masyado ka nang matanda para tumabi pa sa akin pagtulog; bukod sa lagi mo akong sinisiko at sinisiksik. Kasi naman, mahigit 3 pulgada na ang taas mo sa akin, at sobra pa ang palad mo para takpan ang mukha ko. Mukha na mga kitang kuya diba?

Ngayong araw na to, sa gitna ng maraming kabataang magsisimula ng kolehiyo,  lubusan kong  naramdaman na kailangan na kitang pakawalan; na panahon na para ikampay mo ang sarili mong mga pakpak at maglayag ka para hanapin ang sarili mong sulok sa kasaysayan. Panonoorin lang kita, magmamasid mula sa di-kalayuan at mag aantay baka sakaling kailanganin mo si ate.

Naging mabait kang bata. Masunurin kahit may kakulitan. Maski minsan hindi ka nag astang brat. Hindi naging palahingi o mapaghanap kaya lalo ka naming inispoil. Kapag minsan may hinihingi ka, gusto ko kaagad na maibigay o mapagbigyan, bihira kasi eh. Napagtatakpan naman ng determinasyon mong makatapos ang panaka-naka mong katangahan at pagka burara sa mga gamit mo.

Wala kaming reklamo ni Itay. Kaya kahit kailangang rumaket ako ngayon kabi-kabila para masigurong magtatapos ka ng Nursing, hindi ko iniinda yun. Baon mo pa lang sa isang buwan tumatakbo na sa P8,000. Ayos lang, kaya yan. Konting higpit lang ng sinturon at bawas ng luho makakaraos tayo. Apat na taon na lang...lakas siguro nang iyak ko pag nagtapos ka ...sa tuwa! Hindi, biro lang. Iiyak ako kasi masaya akong makita kang papalapit sa pagtupad ng mga pangarap mo sa buhay. Na unti unti mo nang maisasagawa lahat ng mga plano mo.

Nakakatuwang isipin na ngayon pa lang pinaplano mo nang i spoil ang magiging mga anak ko (kaya nga ang bilin mo, mag asawa ako at wag mag madre diba?), na ikaw ang sasagot nang matrikula nila hanggang makatapos ng kolehiyo. Na lahat ng gusto nila ikaw ang bibili (ayos yan tol, parang gusto ko nang mag anak ngayon pa lang) at hindi ako magdadalawang salita kapag may kailangan sila.

Yun nga lang, hindi ko maipapangako sa'yo yan. Sabi ko kay Lord kapag nakapagtapos ka nang hindi ako nag asawa o nakatakdang ikasal, papasok ako ng kumbento. Hindi ko pagsisihan yun, pangako. Naging kumpleto at masaya ang buhay ko dahil sa'yo. Hindi mo siguro alam, pero ikaw ang inspirasyon ko sa buhay...na kahit hindi ako magkaroon ng sarili kong anak at pamilya, naranasan ko na rin namang maging nanay nang alagaan kita.

Mahirap at magulo ang mundong sa Kolehiyo. Maraming pagsubok, pahirap at sakripisyong kailangang gawin. Dalangin ko lang na lagi kang gabayan at patnubayan ng Diyos...na sa bawat araw ay subaybayan ka Niya at ingatan. Parang nanay na nga talaga akong magdasal....laging nakikiusap, laging nag aalala.

Sa ngayon, isa na lang ang assignment ko...maipakilala at mailapit ko SIYA sa iyo. Pagkatapos nito, mission accomplished na ako.

Bro, dito kita sa USTe iiwan...kung saan ko nahanap at nakilala ang sarili ko. 

Between Nowhere and Goodbye
Posted in

There's a calming reassurance that I find in the ocean...the seemingly infinite expanse of aquamarine waters warmed by the sun, the gently lapping waves breaking over jutting rocks, the salty smell and taste of sea foam on my lips. This will always be my favorite place on earth.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to commune with the sea. I frolicked on saline waters and basked in the golden glow of the sun; walked to and fro the still warm sand before the sun set. I felt calm and at peace...amid all the chaos, there was clarity.

It may sound unusual, but the ocean always evokes in me a feeling of loss, but at the same time, feeds me a glimmer of hope. It closes cycles and begins new ones. I have always run to the sea whenever the tears are too heavy cry out; I have always sought solace in the crashing waves to carry my burdens into the navel of the sea and keep it there, forever. Once more in Isla Verde I cast off my hurts to the sea and let the salty tears touch sea water, thereby making them invisible.

And then I kept on walking and walking. I was headed to a place I knew well. It's a good place, somewhere between nowhere and goodbye, in the middle of then and now...I have been here many many times before...always broken, spirit downcast and unable to hope.

No, it's not about love. It's not about falling and losing. It's not about rejection and pain...or unrealized dreams and failed plans. Ahh, but I had many of them in my time...But  this is about letting the ocean swallow all your doubts and uncertainties, allowing it to drown unresolved issues and unanswered questions that keep you trapped in the past. It's about finding reassurance in the pattern of the waves--it crashes on cliffs, breaks as it hits the shore, but always begins anew.

That's the lesson from the sea. Every beginning has an end. But all endings make room for a new start....That the sun sets every afternoon but rises again in the morning, breaking the cold and darkness in the horizon.

For the rest of my days, I will keep walking on the fine sand, head kept low in prayer. I will always thank the Lord for carrying me during the darkest and owest points of my life; for forgiving my stubborness and my accepting my shortcomings;  and for always finding me whenever I get lost...somewhere in between nowhere and goodbye.

Confessions of A Meantime Girl
Posted in Love and other Disasters

She's the one you call when you're bored because she makes you laugh. She's the one you talk to when you're feeling down because she's willing to lend an ear and be a friend. She's not the one you call when you need a date to your company's Christmas party, or to go dancing with on a Saturday night. She's the one you spend time with
between girlfriends, before you find "The One". You know, the one who you keep around in the  meantime. She's not one of the guys, not a tomboy, but you don't look at her as a "real" woman, either. She's not bitchy enough, moody enough, or sexy enough to be seen in that light. She's too laid-back, too easily amused by the same things your male buddies are amused by. She's too understanding, too comfortable - she doesn't make you feel nervous or excited the way a "real" woman does. But she's cool, and nice, and funny, and attractive enough that when you're lonely or horny and need intimate female companionship, she'll do just fine.

You don't have to wine and dine her because she knows the real you already, and you don't have any facades to keep up, no pretenses to preserve. You're not trying to get anything of substance out of her. She's not easy, but you know that she cares about you and is attracted to you, and that she'll give you the intimacy you need. And you know you don't have to explain yourself or the situation, that she'll be able to cope with the fact that this isn't the beginning of a relationship or that there's any possibility that you have any real romantic feelings for her. It won't bother her that you'll get up in the morning, put on your pants, say goodbye, and go  on a date with the woman you've been mooning over  for weeks who finally agreed to go out with you. She'll settle for a goodbye hug and a promise to call her and tell her how the date went. She's just so cool . . . why can't all women be like that?!

But deep down, if you really think about it (which you probably don't be cause to you, the situation between the two of you isn't important enough to merit any real thought), you know that it's really not fair. You know that although she would never say it, it hurts her to know that despite all her good points and all the fun you two have, you don't think she's good enough to spend any real time with. Sure, it's mostly her fault, because she doesn't have to give in to your needs - she could play the hard-to-get bitch like the rest of them do, if she really wanted to. But you and she both know that she probably couldn't pull it off. Maybe she's too short, or a little overweight, or has a big birthmark on her forehead, or works at Taco Bell. Whatever the reason, somehow life has given her a lot of really great qualities but has left out the ones that men want (or think they want) in a woman. So she remains forever the funny friend, the steadfast companion, the secret lover, and you go on searching for your goddess who will somehow be everything you ever wanted in a woman.

You'll joke to her that she should be the best man at your wedding, and she'll laugh and make a joke about a smelly rental tux. She doesn't captivate you with her beauty, or open doors with her smile. Mainly she blends in with the crowd. She's safe. She doesn't want to be the center of attention and turn the heads of everyone in the room. But she wants to turn someone's  head.

She wants to be special to someone, too. We all  do. She has feelings. She has a heart. In fact, she probably has a bigger and better heart than any woman you've ever known because she's had a front-row seat to The Mess That Is Your Life, and she likes you anyway. She obviously sees  something worthwhile and redeeming in you because although you've given her nothing, absolutely no reason to still be around, she still is.

Anyway, yeah. I've been a Meantime Girl too, I was there out of love and friendship. But I woke up one day wanting respect, from ME...

Angel's LSS: Crush
Silverscreen Pick: Desperate Housewives
Differential Diagnosis: Mourning a friend's death

Salamat Sa Mga Ngiti
Posted in



Hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit hindi ko makuhang lumuha, samantalang lahat sila'y di  magkamayaw sa paghikbi at pananaghoy nung  isang gabi. Kaydami mong kaibigan at kakilalang  hindi pa rin matanggap ang iyong pagkawala.

Napakabata mo, napakabait, malakas, at  punumpuno nang buhay, ano't sa isang iglap  iniwan mo kami? Pero naisip ko Dex, hindi mo gugustuhing manangis ako. Sa mahigit isang taong  naging kakilala kita, gabi-gabing kasayaw, laging  kasiyahan ang idinulot mo sa akin.

Bawat pagbati at banayad na paghalik sa aking  pisngi, laging may kalakip na ngiti. Bagama't  hahanapin ko ang "Hi Stephie" sa tuwing papasok  ako sa Fitness First; ang sabay nating  pagsasayaw ng Baila Cassanova at Scandalous  sa Body Jam; ang pagkain mo ng pestong
inihanda ko na parang walang bukas; ang kakulitan  mo at napakaraming kwento...alam ko Dex,  kailangan naming palayain ka.

Wala akong ibang maipapabaon sa iyo kung hindi  ang pagpapasalamat na sa maikling panahong  magkakilala tayo, pinatingkad mo ang kulay ng daigdig ko. Hindi man naging napakalalim ng pagkakaibigan natin, binuksan mo sa akin ang iyong buhay, at buong layang hinayaan akong makilala ka. Salamat sa panahon, salamat sa bawat indak,  padyak at kembot na pinagsaluhan natin....Dexter  Chavez, salamat sa mga ngiti. Ito ang iniwan  mong ala- ala sa amin. Hindi ako iiyak...hindi ako tatangis sa iyong pagkawala, dahil alam kong payapa at maligaya ka na sa piling nang AMA.

Paalam friendster.

Humor Post
Posted in

My Daddy sent me this earlier. He said it may help me become a better writer. Hehe! Enjoy ya' all!

        Weights and Measurements

*2000 mockingbirds: 2 kilomockingbirds
*Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi
*2000 pounds of Chinese soup: Won ton
*Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: 1 bananosecond
*Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon
*1000 aches: 1 megahurtz
*Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower
*Shortest distance between two jokes: A straight line
*1 million-million microphones: 1 megaphone
*1 million bicycles: 2 megacycles
*10 cards: 1 decacards
*force of 1 kilogram of falling figs: 1 Fig Newton
*1000 grams of wet socks: 1 literhosen
*1 millionth of a fish: 1 microfiche
*1 trillion pins: 1 terrapin
*10 rations: 1 decoration
*100 rations: 1 C-ration
*8 nickels: 2 paradigms
*2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital: 1 I.V. League