We're all pretty small in the big scheme of things

KPO members swarmed TOSH on 9-11-07 at 3pm and I was invited. Awww...thanks Lilie. Am I still part of the bunch?!


Kimmie wasn't there to enjoy the night with us, though. Thought Markie will be there, too... or maybe he was just around lurking...or maybe disguised? What am I saying? Imagination gone wild again...


Met the new members already, which is pretty funny since I haven't even met all the old ones except Thessie. Both of us were not able to attend the 1st rendezvous. She tagged along her witty daughter who then served as the buffoon of the group. hihi


Oh ...another oldie was there -- Chellie. Soft-spoken Chellie. The lady-in-red-of-the-night who concentrated on babbling with Tarieh, who is, yes a new member. So, there's the new member bonding with a pro writer. Well, Lilie mentioned that they're all good writers. Which is a good thing. At least she's spared of editing heaps of articles. Yippee!


...and good news, Tekla. Oops! Thessie...(whoever started calling you that, btw?! And my my...why?! *wonders*) Lilie said there's very significant improvement in your writing. Cheers to you!


Gracie. How can I forget this bubbly girl who did nothing but pretend snapshots were all candid?! hehe Cute!


...and another bubbly girl -- Reenie. *smiles* Very casual, very childlike, very natural. Tried every food she could reach. hehe


Lilie was beside me all the time and made me feel real comfortable knowing that am naturally shy and don't like crowd. We bonded ...and as what she would always do... left me with encouraging words. Turned the alarm on again and said, "wake up, Siobe!"


No, I wasn't asleep, dearie. My eyes are just naturally like that. LOL


Well, everything you said to me meant something. Honestly, no one has really cared for me the way you do. Like, send me text messages almost incessantly just to check if am happy and fine, although I don't get to reply often. So, thoughtful. Appreciate it a lot.


Nuff of yackety-yack now. Will just show you the snaps. Everything from Lilie, btw. Stole'em so I have something to post here. *beh*

Clambake at The Old Spaghetti House





Here's the KPO caboodle.
Guess who took the shot?





Our bonding moment had to pause for the snaps.





As how Lilie described Me and Reenie on her Friendster...
"her closest chummies in batch one and batch two"





Awww...what can I say?





It's supposed to be just me and Thessie...
then it became threesome





Another pause for a snap.





Here's the three of us again.






Mom and daughter. The lil girl was the night's buffoon
I mentioned earlier.





Gracie...the animated writer with Thessie and baby.





...this is what I was talking about. and there's lots of this kind.
nice one Gracie. keep pretending. hah





they (Chellie and Tarieh) have their own bonding moments, too.






Was it already too late? zzzzzzz

We called it a day past 7. Rennie and Lilie went to have their bonding moment together in Timezone(?).


About the place... sorry Lilie but I like Cibo better. As a good critic, I won't give T an A. Not even a B. Not even a B-. Maybe C will do. *wink* Oh, make it a C- for letting uninvited guests in -- flies.

Following 12 and preceding 14...

Who here believes that the number 13 is unlucky? Or worse a hex? Hmmm. Do I? I dunno but am sure I don't want to stay on the 14th floor of any hotel or condominium unit. 14th floor is, anyway, the new 13th floor.


Come on now! Who are the engineers fooling? However you view it, the number that comes after 12 is 13. Go and check the structure of a building. If it skips a floor after 12 but an empty floor is really there, then 14 is a safe floor. It's really the 14th floor. Otherwise, 14th floor is the floor we all rather shun.


I remember, there's this point in time when I was offered a job by a Makati based company. Thing was, I didn't remember any instance that I forwarded my application to them. They sent me a text message with the complete address where I should go. It says 13th floor of X building. Geesh. Eerie.


Guess what? I did not show up. I never did, even though the same message was sent to me a couple more times that month. Just too spookish.


Can I say now that I believe the superstitious belief? Am I one of the many who have triskaidekaphobia -- fear of the number 13?

....................................

Recently, Paul, Tita Nini, Lizzie and I watched 1408. It's a film based on a Stephen King short story with the same title and starred John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.


We all liked it, although the flick was only given a B rating. Well, B is not bad afterall.


Why is this relevant to this entry? Good question. It's all because it involves the number 14, which I just said is the new number 13.


1408 is the room in Dolphin hotel in Manhattan, which is said to be an evil room. At least, in Stephen King's short story. Famous ghost writer, Mike Erslin (John Cusack) received an anonymous postcard from the said hotel with this message,

"don't enter 1408".

Next thing, he insisted booking a reservation in that room even after the hotel's manager (Samuel Jackson) warned him that no one lasted more than one hour in room 1408.


Staying in that room changed the author's life forever.

Just watch the flick yourselves. haha. All I can say is I don't want to hear the song, "We've Only Just Begun" again!

....................................

See? 14th floor is the new 13th floor, indeed. And add 1+4+0+8. What do you get?


What's in the number 13, by the way? Dunno too but here's a lil research I did.

How is fear of the number thirteen demonstrated?

* More than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor.

* Many airports skip the 13th gate.

* Airplanes have no 13th aisle.

* Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.

* Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.

* On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.

* Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue in France, socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate.

* Many triskaidekaphobia, as those who fear the unlucky integer are known, point to the ill-fated mission to the moon, Apollo 13.

* If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck . Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.

Here's additional information from Wikipedia about 13th floor:

Skipped

Most commonly, it is skipped altogether. Although the thirteenth floor has been skipped in terms of numbering (e.g., for hotel/apartment/suite numbers), the floor numbered 14 is technically the thirteenth floor of the building; it is simply not numbered as such. Any calculations involving the height of a building based on the height of a floor should take this into account.

12A

Sometimes the floor is simply renumbered as 12a; this does not affect the numbers of the higher floors.


Special designations

Other buildings will often use names for certain floors to avoid giving a floor on the building the 13th floor designation. One such example is the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the 13th floor is called the Pool floor.


Uninhabited

Sometimes, the floor is put to some other use. For instance, the thirteenth floor of One Canada Square houses the air conditioning equipment and no rentable offices, though the owners insist that this is merely an architectural coincidence.


Letter "M"

Because the letter M is the 13th letter in the English alphabet, some people may use a letter "M" as a substitute for the 13th floor, such as 12, M, 14, and so forth.

Good thing two Friday the thirteenths had passed for this year. In 2008, it's going to be in the month of June. Good luck!

My thoughts are commodities.

It's been five days. Your loyalty was tested. Only a few of you kept up checking my room. It's so sad. But, don't worry. I do understand that maybe it has become too dark and green. Just come back anytime you wish to. You're always welcome.


Am not so busy anymore. Done with promoting my to be released flicks. Which allowed me to be at the zoo for a day. Some of the animals missed me. There are new additions to the zoo and boy I had a hard time toning them down. *whew*


It's no joke being a zookeper, y'know. You only get paid $10 per hour. Yeah, yeah, in 8 hours I get $80 but you have no idea how tough the job is. Not that am complaining. I love the animals and they love me. That's good enough. Maybe, was just too overwhelemed by that day's experience.


As a zookeper, I clean the animals and their cages and I feed them. Most keepers don't play with the animals but I do. *wink* I coddle them...Which is why I am the animals' favorite keeper. *sticks out tongue*


It is a dirty job which balances my being a celeb. Helps me keep my feet on the ground. I suggest that all prima donna attitude should be sent to work in a zoo.

My most favorite task is to educate people about zoo animals. I do researches to share with them and I also tell them about my personal experiences with each animal. Fun! I feel like an expert.

It feels bad, though, when the animals get sick. It breaks my heart. This is the thing I dislike the most working as a zookeeper. Having to nurse sick animals. Can't stand seeing them suffering.

Oh well. I still love the job no matter what.

Take a look at the photos of my 1st day back to zoo. hehehe

This is not my friend Hippo.
This is one of the additions in the zoo.

It finally caught me. Ouch!

No, I don't dream to become the next Steve Irwin
and work as a croc hunter...





Do you have even the slightest idea
how it's like to tame an animal as gigantic as this one?

See how tough my work is? Gotta go back to my small, pumpkin shaped den. And eat my take out fast food...

At least, the dino can't get in here.

Spicy Chicken & Beef Chowfan.
Yumyum.




Chowking Wanton Noodles.

Note: Fiction writing is great. You can make up almost anything.

There comes a time in our lives when we chance upon someone so nice & beautiful.

Last day of the month. How lickety-split August went by. Buh-bye.


Today, I will share with you this zero cool feeling I have for someone. I didn't realize that I could still fall for a guy. Thought my heart had frosted. I was so wrong.


He came into my life without a hint. At first he was just nobody. But, he's that stick-to-itive. His situation's a hard nut to crack so I tried ignoring him. But, he's that unflagging. He knew what he wanted, and that's me.


It's a love affair you can call against all odds. He's already pinned and with obligation. This should've warded me off from feeling anything groovy for him. But, obviously, it did not. He's everything I've ever dreamed of in a person. My life had never been this colorful until that day I met him.


Who would've thought that we could get along? I didn't really like him at first. But, fate pulled us to each other. At that point when I was down and lonely, he brought smile on to my face. And since then I've always worn one.


Love was not really involved at first. Thought twas just that we're getting along quite well. Why not? We work together.


He's a happy person. Very positive and intelligent. Which is the very attitude I like the most in a guy. In fact, he has everything I've ever dreamed of for a lover. Except the looks. hehehe I was wishing for someone who looks like Keanu Reeves. Shhh


I dunno how else I can express how wonderful I feel right now just thinking of him. Every second spent with him is like a dream come true. I love the way he stares at me. The way he holds my hand. How he nuzzles his nose on to mine. The way he embraces me and how his scent lingers on even long after his gone.


I love that he's so eager to know about me as a person. How he makes me feel so important. I mean, yeah, every guy would make a girl feel that but, this is something else. It's just so hard to put into words. But it's wonderful. He sees through me like nobody else can.


Our love story is not something that everyone would accept. But, who cares? This is my life. Yes, I am an icon. Always being chased by paparazzi. It's part of my career. But we promised each other that we'll hold on no matter what.

I am so in love.

Well, we have a movie coming up so please support us. It's going to be released on the 15th of November this year. My love Jet Li's co-starred by Jason Statham.

No, don't believe the nasty rumors about Jet just using me to promote the film. And our love story is not just on cam. *wink* Come on now!

I owe this to the fans and I will never forget you so I want to accept this award on behalf of all of you.

Yipee! I finally was granted the privilege to post and flaunt this cute badge! Am so happy and I dunno how to thank everyone who voted for my blog to be the Filipino Blog of the Week. Maybe hugs and kisses will do? *shy*


Anyway, here it is.

Awww. Am so honored. It's like I won an Oscar. hehehe *big smile* Am the Filipino Blog of the Week for week 70. And am still hoping to get another badge.


Am wondering, though, if I was the 2nd placer for week 69. Wasn't able to check. And too bad I can't understand percentage (%). So, I completely have no idea. But, as far as I can remember, supporters were with me the entire voting duration for that week. Hmmm. Now, there's no way to know anymore. Or is there?


Would love to post that 2nd placer badge as well. Hehehe.


Anyway, am already a hall of famer so, better not be greedy anymore. See the badge on the right side bar? *grins*


Actually, am so speechless that's why I was already able to say a lot without even acknowledging the person behind this brilliant idea of featuring and celebrating Filipino bloggers that share interesting ideas and experiences to the world. (Were my ideas even interesting? Shhhh...they might take the award back. )


Well, he calls himself Talksmart. He's just so fascinated with my wittiness that he nominated my blog. Of course, this is stretching of the truth. hihihi I think he just stumbled upon My Green Room when it was still on a Scribe and read through. *whispers* It caused him several yawns, actually.


He finally decided to nominate it cause he understands the importance of sleep. Which is what my blog induces. See? Not only that he's composed (his blog's name is The Composed Gentleman), he's also appreciative. And not to mention, intelligent. (Hope he gets to read this so he'd consider nominating my blog again.) *winks*


Here's a lil something about Talksmart:

A professor. An Engineer. A Geospatial Analyst. A Remote Sensing Scientist involved in a NASA project. Book lover. Part-time writer. A proud Filipino in South Dakota, USA.

His blog, "The Composed Gentleman", is an academic blog so it's nothing like My Green Room. The blog talks so much sense and to add to that, it serves a very good purpose. So more than any other blog, it deserves a space in every blog on the Net. Applause to you Talksmart!


...and congratulations to me.


Note: Am so speechless.

Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave.

Please don't leave me. I will be very lonely. *frowns*


You see, had been busy as a bee the past weeks. My schedule was so hectic that I couldn't even get forty winks. And it's the same reason why I wasn't able to post for a week. I just hope you won't leave.


Loyal readers, please stick with me. And yeah, I have to thank those who keep on visiting my blog even if it's taking me long to write a new entry. Hugs and kisses tya'all.


You know how it is to have no time for yourself? It's draining...backbreaking. I feel like I am deprived of everything. Hahaha... Drama! Just because I don't get to have a letup...hehehe


Anyway, yeah, am so so so occupied. Like I work 24/7. There are breaks in between of course. Am no slave, come on!


It's so hard to earn money these days. You'd have to take at least 3 jobs to be able to support yourself and save some for the rainy days. I should know.


What do I do and am this busy? Well, I work as a print and ramp model, performing artist, movie actress and a zoo keeper on the side.


You think that being a celeb is fab?! NO! You are so wrong. Call time's at 5 am. Yes! You read it right -- 5 am -- to think that am not a morning person. And then when I reach the set, I'd have to wait for my turn to shoot. I'd usually get lazy eyes waiting in one corner.


...Taping ends at 2 am the following day. *yawns*


...after the tape you think it's my chance to finally take my well deserved holiday? No. Because I still have to head to my next engagement. No matter how sore my feet already are, I still have to endure another day's activity -- ramp modeling.


Since, there was no time for me to rehearse with the rest of the models the previous day, I'd have to be at the venue earlier than the rest to learn the blocking and get myself familiarized with the runway. Or else... *pooshoog*


And because am such a sleepy head, (you already know the reason why. But of course I can't just tell everyone to..."excuse me for being a slugabed...I just came from a taping") so inattentive with even the simplest instructions, the runway coach hurls all kinds of curses at me. Know what? I can't get to mind anymore since am already somnabulating. What do they know? hahaha


Walking in a runway feels like walking on fluffy clouds when you're drowsy. Just don't ask me how I look like.


...and so the fashion show's over. But, my day is not. Need to run to my next commitment -- pictorial for a print ad. That's another 3-5 hours work.


After that, will head home to freshen up and rest for an hour. You can call me lucky if I can even stay for 30 minutes to watch my favorite program, "Myth Busters". Sometimes, I don't take a bath anymore. Often, I just sprinkle myself with strong perfume. Thanks Victoria, but it's not anymore a secret. *wink*


Then I'd have to skedaddle to another taping. *whew* FYI, I was doing three movies concurrently.


It's also a dream-come-true-turned-into-a-nightmare that I got a stint with Bamboo. A nightmare as I was not able to enjoy my time with him anyway. Was too drowsy to even realize he's beside me and singing with me. How could I have forgotten it's his show? Geesh.


Finally, I have to see Ellie. The Elephant in the movie, "Evan Almighty". I am its keeper. I do it part time. It's another tough job. But, we're friends now.


I have to thank everyone who watched, "A Love Story". It's now a box-office hit. Please continue to watch it until you memorize the entire script and even the blocking.


Take a look at my photos. Proof of my hard work.

Not a lot of people know that
there's a third woman in the movie.
Well, there is. *wink*

Me and Harry Potter promoting the flick.

Am also in Ratatouille.





Poster for a clothing fab line.





Folded and Hung Fashion Show





My new model friends with me on the runway.

Duet with Bamboo...




I take care of this Elephant.





Waiting to grab that cake. Fwahaha

What else am I doing here? Should be sleeping by now. Zzzzzzz

See yah next time. buh-bye.

I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That’s deep enough. What do you want — an adorable pancreas?

Whitening products are all over the market. Grr! When all I need is something that could help me clear my pimple scars. You see, I have very delicate skin. It seems very translucent that you can even see my veins. But, all I spot in groceries and supermarkets are various whitening products.

Have actually been using calamansi (sometimes spelled as Kalamansi) and I can guarantee you that it is one effective way to treat pimple breakouts and scars.

So, why am I looking for an alternative if I find calamansi effective? Well, am still looking for a more effective one that can promise an instantaneous effect. Y'know, something that will wipe out all my scars over night.

...to my dismay, all I see are hundreds of different whitening products. Yes, I know there is no other way to do it but to peel the outer layer of the skin. But, I already look like a moomoo (ghost) to even consider peeling my skin more. Grr!

My friends would tell me that many Filipinos desire to have whiter skin that's why whitening products are incredibly sought after merchandises. I wonder why. Don’t they know that lots of Americans would kill for a skin tone like that of Filipinos? They’d even bathe under the radiant heat of the sun just to achieve that look.

Oh well. Life’s like that. We always hanker for something we don’t have. Must be the influence of chi-novelas and korea-novelas. Hehe. Koreans have very smooth and fair skin. And yeah, I must agree that having lighter skin makes one more attractive.

But, that’s not what I need, though. I just wish that manufacturers would also create products exclusive for people like me who only needs to remove blotches.

Calamansi

Is there really no other way but to bleach? Calamansi also lightens, FYI. So, I wonder why won’t people desiring for a lighter skin tone just bathe with calamansi extracts in stead? It’s far less pricey. Plus, breakouts will be less common as well.

Another option for blotches or dark spots caused by pimple scars, which I also tried, is radish. Yes, it is as effective as calamansi.

Rub a small portion of radish on the problem area or obtain its sap and apply on your skin where lightening is needed. Leave for about a minute or two and then rinse. You will feel a tolerable sting, though. You need not wait for a minute once you start feeling the tingling sensation.

Very simple and practical way to treat zits and pimple scars, right? All can be found in the kitch. The only downside is that the effect doesn’t show as fast as you expect it to. Dunno, maybe it’s just with me. Hehe. Or did I expect too much?

Tomato is a good alternative, too. Same with radish, it can be rubbed on the skin and leave for a few minutes. There is also a tingling sensation once the skin absorbs the extract. Just rinse it well. It’s better to use lukewarm water for rinsing. After a few seconds, wet your face with cold water to close your pores.

You should feel your skin smooth and supple after doing any of the regimens I suggested. If you don’t, don’t blame me. But, it’s worth the try. So, try any of the three!

By, the way, you can also combine calamansi with evaporated or fresh milk.

For more tips, visit this site.

See, I know a few tips? So, why the heck am I putting up with the hassles of foraging each beauty soap shelf in the supermarkets?! Just impatience, what else?

Am scared of trying out just anything so should you have any suggestion, I will be glad to hear them.

Tea Tree Oil Foaming Facial Wash

Tea tree oil is also another option. It’s good for zits. However, it leaves pimple scars. I tried it before and I must say that pimples go away fast. But not the scars. I think it depends on the skin texture. So, it’s still worth the try. The one I used, I bought from The Body Shop.

So far, the most effective pimple fighting solution I have tried is Proactiv. It was suggested by my aunt. Now, it’s also in the Philippines. You can buy it at any Watson’s branch. It’s a bit costly, though, for the average buyers. Priced at almost 3,000 PhP. Correct me if am wrong.

Among the best seller pimple fighting treatment is Murad. Haven’t tried it yet but it’s on my list now. And yeah, the one Bryanboy promoted – Obagi.

Well, there are several more. You can go visit recognized derma clinics around like Belo. They can better give you suggestions. But, most of the time, they promote their own formulations. Me… am so scared of going to a dermatologist. So, not an option for me.

List of other well-known Derm Clinics in the country:

DermClinic
Calayans
Ysa Skin Care Center
Let’s Face It
Ellen’s Aesthetic Center

Now, here are a few of the top rated soaps for whitening you can find in the groceries and everywhere (actually):

Oil and Herbs Whitening Soap
Also available
Green Papaya and Orange Papaya

Likas Papaya

Placenta

Savona Kojic Soap

I do not have a price list so just do your own research.

Anyway, going back to the pimple scar problem, I believe the best there is in the market is Ponds Whitening Detox. It promises a week or two noticeable changes. Your pimple scar will be less visible in a matter of weeks. Still not good enough for me. Am expecting an overnight, right?! hehe. Shooting the moon.

Here's another one recommended by a few friends. It did work for them. And many local performing artists are using the product -- Amira. It's also a whitening something, of course. It's just so an 'in thing'.

Oh, and a lot of people believe that Glutathione really whitens skin. It's a misleading marketing scheme, people! It's more of an antioxidant, so don't get fooled. The whitening is just a side effect which may or may not occur. So, unless you need to detoxify yourself, do not waste money on this one for your whitening ambitions. You will just end up frustrated.


...and if you are going to buy one, do not buy the cheap ones or else you will get a rather bad side-effect. In stead of making your skin light, it might only make it dark or even worse, blotch. You will have spots.


The Gluta soaps...hmmm...can't tell yet. But, it could only be another fake.

Read here about Glutathione.


There are still countless beauty products available like whitening toners, bleaching creams... I dunno a lot so just add any suggestion if you have.


Just a tip, it's important to read labels. Do a lil research before heading to the store to buy whatever you need for your skin. It will save you time if you know exactly what you are looking for. You will also be able to spare yourself from spending for products that won't really help.



Finally, to achieve a healthy and glowing skin be sure to always get enough rest, drink plenty of water, exercise, do regular cleansing routine (twice a day) and have some time under the sun at least 10 minutes a day.

No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it.

We often hear people grumble about how hard it is to get a job. Most are already losing hope. Most of them come from the provinces. Some are even from the remotest areas trying their luck here in Manila. They have this notion that opportunities are here. What they do not know is that, although, bigger chances of opportunities are here, the very tight competition will impede them from getting close to their dreamed break.

(Needless to say, many companies, especially the big ones, prefer applicants coming from the most prestigious schools and universities in Manila.)

Poor people usually would point out how deprived they are of so many things, including a comfortable life. Those who live in the shanties beside creeks, I often hear them point fingers at the government as if it is the government’s obligation to feed them everyday and supply them all their daily needs.

How about those people who are working their asses off just to support their families and themselves? Are they not also the government’s responsibilities as citizens of the country? I hate it when impoverished people complain that way.

My view about this is that they (the indigent people) also have responsibilities to themselves. Like, for goodness sakes, when you go to slum areas, you will witness how indolent people are living there. All they do (almost) the whole day is to gossip about the latest showbiz happenings…about a neighbor living the next door…about nonsensical things that do not in any way help in earning them even a centavo.

You will also see adolescent men taking pleasure in drinking alcoholic beverages (gin or beer) in front of the stores almost everywhere even early in the morning! Who ever gave them the right to complain when they are the ones causing their misfortunes? Had they worked their way out of their present condition, they could’ve somehow elevated their status… which, later on, could stop them from whining and blaming the government for their state.

Lizzie would often reiterate to me that I should not always pity the needy. Yes, I understand his point. Poor people, they are poor partly because it’s their choice. Like, I know some poor people who were given the chance to study as scholars. Good will. But, they screwed up the chance. They let it go away.

Just a couple of months ago, I was to help a teenage girl to get a job. I was telling the mother that it would be better if she earn and save money so she won’t need to depend on anyone since it’s only her mother who’s working for the family. The mother only works as a house helper; earning only 2,500PhP a month. The girl still has two more siblings. Both are studying. One is in Elementary and one is in high school.

But, in stead of taking that advice / offer, she married a teenage boy who doesn’t have a decent job like her. Am just wondering who’s going to support them? What if she becomes pregnant?

… and they even prepared a good wedding reception last June. For crying out loud?! Where the *&^$ did they get the money to spend for that event? Just unimaginable.

Lemme emphasize that the mother is just getting 2,500PhP per month and two of her 3 children are studying. How much is the daily spending needs per family in a month?

According to a research, “for areas outside NCR, the daily cost of living was 662.93PhP”. This figure was the COL back in 2006. I wasn’t able to get the figure for this year.

So, 2,500PhP in a month is a very inadequate sum to support the needs of all the members of the family for the whole month. A family should actually get around 19,887PhP per month.

I am not against it. I mean, it’s their life, y’know. Why the heck should I care?! Yeah yeah, I know I sound so anti it. But, I really find it impractical, though. She’s just 17. And just imagine how many teenage girls and boys marrying at a very early age? What’s going to be the future for them and their children?

This situation is more prevalent in the provinces. People marry at a very young age. The earliest I heard of was 15. A few of them eloped. Eventually, the parents would just consent for an arranged marriage (is this even the right term?).

I find this really alarming. And, I actually believe that early marriage is one of the major causes of broken family or failed marriage. Why? Because they are still too young and they do not know the consequences of their actions. They still do not know what they want. And they do not understand that marriage entails responsibilities and obligations. Sooner or later, they will realize that this is not the person they want to be with for the rest of their lives. Eventually, they will just call it quits.

So impractical. So habitual. I dunno but as a concerned citizen, I think this problem should be solved firstly. I have heard so many situations where a young boy gets a young girl pregnant and the parents would resolve to arrange a marriage for them. Which, should not be the case.

Not that I do not value what everybody else is valuing. It’s just that a mistake should not be covered with another mistake. Marriage is not always the solution. Especially, not for kids.

I have blogged about limerence a couple of times before. I think it’s about time that we become practical with every decision we make before it’s too late.

I have also seen this documentary -- Reversal of Fortune (2005) -- about a homeless man who was given a $100,000 by a film director. The idea was to do a lil experiment, “what would a homeless man do with this huge amount of money?” It’s interesting, right?

I got interested because I have always been thinking of doing charity work. And I really wanted to know if giving them ( poor people) money to start a life over would truly help. Just as expected, the homeless man just blew the $100,000 off!

Of course, this is just one example. Who can tell with so much certainty that the others would do the same? Well, here in Manila, there was a lotto winner who won a lump-sum millions. If I remember it right, it’s 8 million PhP something. That was about a few years back. Now, the winner’s life hasn’t changed a bit. Still living in the same house and still living the indigent life.

How pathetic!

The money was spent for unnecessary luxuries -- rented a suite in a nice hotel, spent 20,000PhP cash everyday for whatever… -- they did not even think that no matter how big that money maybe, it could be gone in a flash.

Same thing with the other needy people who were able to climb up and reached a certain success but now are again living miserably. They screwed up. One example? Nah...won't drop names. She's a BIG star.

On a television documentary, I have learned that there are homeless families who have 13 members and up. There are couples who have 12 children and to think that they do not have a decent shelter. Plus they don't get to have a decent meal. They only get to eat once in a day. Just some 'pandesal' and a cup of coffee for all 13 of them. At night, they just find a waiting shed for them to stay.

Now, what is this ranting about? Just what am I trying to say?

Simple, before others can help you, you better help yourself first. You better understand that there are lots of opportunities for you no matter where you are and who you are. It’s just up to you to take it in or screw it up.

And for people like me who have visions of helping the needy, you better realize if the help you are giving will truly help. You have to understand when to help and who really needs help.

Anyway, for people who are determined to uplift their status, here’s a list of websites you can check for job opportunities.

Best Jobs
JobsDB
Learn For Good
Call Center Jobs
My Trabaho
Trabaho.Com
Manpower Philippines
Jobstreet