I'm so Glad$!?

Just this day I receive a comment from one of my postings. I'm so happy because at last my postings are read. She is actually my mentor in blogging. She is the one who encourages me to do blogging and in her comment she said I have to continue posting and one thing I'm happy with is my page is already rank to number 1 di ba there's an improvement. I hope I can have time to post more because of my hectic schedule. But I'm happy because there's an improvement at last that's what I've been waiting for.

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Remembering 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution 1

THE EDSA People Power Revolt hasbeen endlessly written about the past 22 years that there's hardly anything left to be said. Except to remember and be grateful. And, except to wonder over again.

Who can say enough about the wonder that was Edsa? Diverse people and events of those four days in February came together neatly and forcefully to cause the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.

The wonder of the mighty Marcos military turning against itself. The rebellion of the Marcos defense minister and his acting chief of staff to support the civil disobedience launched by the political opposition led by Cory Aquino. Most of all, mass upon mass of people armed only with their faith shielding their once-hated military with their own bodies.

The wonder of an Edsa brimming with the faith of the Filipinos has not receded with time. The wonder is a constant, undiminished even by the shattered dreams of the Filipinos. Their dream to be free was now reality. But as they set his country free so was the machinery of corruption set free and running as it was in the time of tyranny. The Filipinos kicked out the looters of this nation's wealth only to realize that a new pack of looters had taken over.

At Edsa, Filipinos held the power of the people in their hands. With that awesome power, they rejected the leaders, who had robbed them, betrayed them, tortured and killed those who would not be enslaved.

At Edsa, Filipinos were the masters of their fate. At last, they could believe in a government for the people and by the people. They were sovereign. Next to the dream of freedom, there was this other one. That their leaders elected in a free and honest election, would harken to the people's mandate. That theywould listen. And that they would act quickly according to what the people needed. That they would be true to their oath of office. That they would serve their masters, the people. That was the lesson at Edsa that leaders had to learn from thereon. That was also the dream. It has not happened. Both the learning and the dream.

Filipinos are now free to speak their mind, to air their grievances. But that is about all they have of their four days of courage. That is all they can show for nearly being bombed into kingdom come at Edsa.

The post-Edsa Filipinos now have a voice. But who is listening? But for the periodic elections when politicians are suddenly and suspiciously solicitous and generous, who really cares?

The Filipinos are back exactly to where they were before Edsa: Stuck in poverty and the corruption of their government but, unlike at Edsa, powerless to do anything about it. To top it all, the Marcoses never left home. Which is the worst post-Edsa scenario imaginable. Only, this is happening right now.

For all the post-Edsa desecrations of the Filipinos' courage and sacrifice, their dreams and expectations, Edsa is not in ruins. It remains a wonder to behold 22 years later. It has stood as a bacon to oppressed people everywhere. It continues to burn brightly as an eternal flame to freedom. Edsa is a monument to the best that the Filipino can be.

As wonders go, we can say everything about Edsa and yet nothing. Because wonders can never be fully explained. Because wonders can never be unraveled. To unravel a ball of thread is to discover you've lost it.

Let historians then evaluate the context and perspectives of Edsa relative to the development of our nation. Let political experts assess, dissect and perorate on why Edsa failed. Let the ideologues lament that the revolutionary zeal for reforms has fizzled out. That traditional vested interests are back in business as usual. That the political order is out of order. That the national purpose is adrift. That national unity is in tatters. That the Edsa spirit is dead. All that may be true. But so is this truth: Edsa happened and the Filipino made it happen. No one can diminish Edsa or take it away from the Filipino.

So, let the people rejoice that there ever was an Edsa. Let them sing and dance in the streets in the next four days in celebration of their triumph. Because Edsa was of their very own making. Their finest four days when they decided in Nick Joaquin's words, ''to have a future again, a tomorrow again, and that we didn't have to resign ourselves to a numbing prospect of one damnable Marcos after another.''

15 Tips to Increase Your Blog's Traffic

Simple Ways to Get Your Blog Noticed in the Blogosphere
The blogosphere is a big and busy world with over 100 million blogs and growing. How do you attract visitors to your blog? Follow these simple tips to drive traffic to your blog.
1. Write Well and Write Often
Frequently updating your blog with useful content is the first step to building your blog's audience. The content you write is what will keep readers coming back for more. Make sure you have something meaningful to say to them and say it often to maintain their interest and keep them loyal.
Furthermore, post frequently to increase the number of chances you have for your blog's content to be noticed by search engines such as Google or Technorati.
2. Submit Your Blog to Search Engines
Get on the radar screen for the popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! by submitting your blog's URL to them. Most search engines provide a 'Submit' link (or something similar) to notify the search engine of your new blog, so those search engines will crawl it and include your pages in their results. It's important to understand that simply submitting your blog to search engines doesn't mean your pages will appear at the top of a Google search results screen, but at least your blog will be included and will have the chance of being picked up by a search engine.
3. Use and Update Your Blogroll
By adding links to sites you like in your blogroll, the owners of those blogs will find your blog and will be likely to add a reciprocal link in their blogrolls. It's an easy way to get the link to your blog in front of many readers on other blogs. The hope is that some of those readers will click on the link to your blog on the other blogs' blogrolls and find your content interesting and enjoyable turning them into loyal readers.
4. Harness the Power of Comments
Commenting is a simple and essential tool to increase your blog's traffic. First, respond to comments left on your blog to show your readers that you value their opinions and draw them into a two-way conversation. This will increase reader loyalty.
Second, leave comments on other blogs to drive new traffic. Make sure you leave your blog's URL in your comment, so you create a link back to your own blog. Many people will read the comments left on a blog post. If they read a particularly interesting comment, they are highly likely to click on the link to visit the commentor's website. It's important to make sure you leave meaningful comments that are likely to invite people to click on your link to read more.
5. Syndicate Your Blog's Content with an RSS Feed
Setting up an RSS feed button on your blog makes it easy for your loyal readers to not just read your blog but also know when you publish new content.
6. Use Links and Trackbacks
Links are one of the most powerful parts of your blog. Not only are links noticed by search engines, but they also act as a tap on the shoulder to other bloggers who can easily identify who is linking to their sites. Linking helps to get you noticed by other bloggers who are likely to investigate the sites that are linking to them. This may lead them to become new readers of your blog or to add links to your blog from theirs. You can take links to other blogs a step further by leaving a trackback on the other blog to let them know you've linked to them. Blogs that allow trackbacks will include a link back to your blog in the comments section of the post that you originally linked to. People do click on trackback links!
7. Tag Your Posts
It takes a few extra seconds to add tags to each of your blog posts, but it's worth the time in terms of the additional traffic tags can drive to your blog. Tags (like links) are easily noticed by search engines. They're also key to helping readers find your blog when they perform searches on popular blog search engines such as Technorati.
8. Submit Your Posts to Social Bookmarking Sites
Taking the time to submit your best posts to social bookmarking sites such as Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit and more can be a simple way to quickly boost traffic to your blog.
9. Remember Search Engine Optimization
When you write your blog posts and pages, remember to optimize your pages for search engines to find them. Include relevant keywords and links but don't overload your posts with too many relevant keywords or completely irrelevant keywords. Doing so can be considered spamming and could have negative results such as your blog being removed from Google's search entirely.
10. Don't Forget Images
Images don't just make your blog look pretty, they also help people find you in search engine listings. People often use the image search options offered by Google, Yahoo! and other search engines, and naming your images with search engine optimization in mind can easily boost your traffic.

11. Consider Guest Blogging
Guest blogging can be done when you write a guest post on another blogger's blog or when another blogger writes a guest post on your blog. Both methods are likely to increase traffic as your blog will be exposed to the other blogger's audience. Many of the other blogger's readers will visit your blog to see what you have to say.
12. Join Forums, Web Rings or Online Groups
Find online forums, web rings, groups or social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn where you can share ideas and ask questions of like-minded individuals. Add a link to your blog in your signature line or profile, so each time you post on a forum or participate in another online network, you're indirectly promoting your blog. Chances are many people will click on that link to learn more about you.
13. Promote Outside Your Blog
Promoting your blog shouldn't stop when you step outside the blogosphere. Add your blog's URL to your email signature and business cards. Talk about it in offline conversations. It's important to get your name and your blog's URL noticed offline, too.
14. Nominate Yourself and Other Blogs for Blog Awards
There are a number of blog awards given out throughout the year. Nominating yourself and other blogs and bloggers can draw attention to your blog and drive traffic to it.
15. Don't Be Shy
The most important part of the blogosphere is its community and much of your success as a blogger will be tied to your willingness to network with that community. Don't be afraid to ask questions, join conversations or just say hi and introduce yourself. Don't sit back and hope the online world will find you. Speak out and get yourself noticed. Let the blogosphere know you've arrived and have something to say!

5 Tips to Monetize Your Blog

Many bloggers want to find ways to generate an income from their blogs. Following are five tips to monetize your blog and start bringing in some money from your blogging efforts.
1. AdvertisingIncluding advertisements on your blog is the most obvious way to derive an income from your blogging efforts. Ads can come in the form of text links or banner ads, and advertising options are available that you can easily tap into through pay-per-click, pay-per-post and affiliate programs online. Google AdSense, Amazon Associates, eBay Affiliates and Pay-Per-Post are just a few of the most common advertising programs available to bloggers.
2. MerchandiseAnother simple way to monetize your blog is by selling merchandise through a service such as CafePress who will work with you to create custom items for you to sell through your blog.
3. ReviewsBloggers can make money by reviewing products, events, businesses and more through blog posts.
4. EbooksA great way to bring in some revenue on your blog is by writing an ebook and offering it for sale through your blog. Ebooks are particularly successful for bloggers who have positioned themselves as experts in their fields and advertise their ebooks as additional or exclusive information just for readers of their blogs.
5. DonationsMany bloggers add a donation button to their blogs asking readers to make a monetary donation to keep the blog alive. Donations are also solicited with clever taglines such as, "If you like this blog, why not buy me a cup of coffee?" The donation link leads the reader to another website such as PayPal where the individual can easily make their donation.

The Five-Year Old at School

Kindergarten

Skills Kids Need to Begin Kindergarten
1. Go to the bathroom independently
2. Button and zip clothes independently
3. Pay attention to a story
4. Listen to authority figure and follow instructions
5. Play with other children appropriately
6. Hold a pencil and cut with scissors
7. Talk in complete sentences using intelligible speech
8. Recognize most letters, shapes, and numbers to ten
9. Sort and count up to five objects
10. Recognize and identify some letter and phonic sounds

What Kindergarteners Learn
1. Attention and social skills for large and small group interaction
2. Songs, poems, and stories
3. Beginning phonics, letter, and sight word recognition
4. Oral language skills, both comprehension and expression
5. Write all the letters and her name using proper capitalization
6. Write with 'inventive' spelling
7. Know his address and phone number
8. Sorting, classifying, and counting with manipulative sets
9. Recognize, say, and write numbers to 20
10. Count by fives and tens
11. Understand more than, less than, and equal to
12. Addition, subtraction, and basic math problem solving with manipulative sets
13. Identify and count coins
14. Recognize where the big hand and little hand are on an analog clock and tell time to the hour
15. Say the days of the week and the months of the year
16. Facts about the seasons and holidays
17. Characteristics of some plants and animals
18. Parts of the body and the five senses

Child Development - The Five-Year Old

The Five-Year Old At Home
Routines
The five-year old loves family mealtime; not so much for the food, but for the fellowship with the family. In fact, she'd rather talk than finish her dinner. She likes plain foods and must be encouraged to try anything beyond meat and potatoes. Start with salad and simple casseroles to expand her food choices. Fives need lots of sleep and many will still take a nap. Serve dinner early and begin your bedtime routine so that he is in bed by 8:00 p.m. during the school year. You'll still want to run his bath and stay nearby, but he can pretty much bathe himself. He needs to be reminded to brush his teeth morning and evening. Bedwetting may be an occasional problem, especially with boys. Take steps to reduce liquids in the evening and consult your pediatrician if bedwetting is an ongoing problem.

Building Character
The five-year old lives in the here and now, and doesn't comprehend the idea of long-term consequences. He has difficulty seeing a point of view that is different from his own and this can make him seem stubborn and argumentative. But, he is generally cooperative and helpful, wanting to please his parents and be good. He may come home from kindergarten talking about a child who is bad. This is a good time to help him recognize what happens when someone behaves badly and to praise him for his good behavior. Five has a good imagination and that can manifest as lying. It's best to treat lying with a light touch this year. Let her know that you know she is 'pretending' or not telling the truth. If she lies to avoid punishment, talk to her about the importance of telling the truth and add a small consequence for not doing so.

Discipline
Because of five's here and now mindset, consequences for misbehavior and non-compliance should be immediate and brief. Don't expect that he'll learn his lesson the first, or even the tenth, time he receives a consequence. He hasn't yet learned self-control; and so, discipline this year involves baby steps, not giant leaps. Don't give up and don't get frustrated; just keep on giving consequences for misbehavior consistently with the attitude that he has the desire to be good, but is still learning. Daily structure and routines are important throughout childhood; but this is a transition year, so structure is crucial to your child's security and well-being. As much as possible, her life should revolve around familiar people, places, and routines. When behavior problems occur, make sure that your child is getting plenty of rest and regular meals; cut back on outside activities to focus on familiar daily routines; catch him being good and praise him; and give immediate instruction or consequences for misbehavior.

How to Get Your Child to Do What You Ask - The First Time

Stop and think. Do you find yourself saying over and over to your child, 'brush your teeth', 'get started on your homework', 'clean up your room', or 'go to bed'? This is such an energy burner for parents. We often get into the pattern of telling our child to do something, then telling them again 10 minutes later, and again 30 minutes later when we notice that she still hasn't done what we asked!
Your child has probably developed several strategies to put things off as long as possible. She has learned to distract you by whining, bringing up something else she has to do right now (like watching the rest of her "favorite" tv program), starting an argument, or just downright ignoring you. Since you are probably busy doing something, it's easy to forget for a moment that she has not done what you asked.
When you have to ask her again, you are just a little bit frustrated. The third time - you are angry, and a simple request becomes a source of tension and conflict. You can change this pattern and it's not too late! Use these simple steps each time you ask your child to do something. They take just a little bit more time and attention at the first request, but will save time and frustration in the long run. With practice, they will become a habit. The results will be less frustration, anger, and stress for you and more respect, compliance, and self-discipline from your child.
Here's what you should do:
1. Decide in your own mind what you want the child to do and the time frame you will accept for her compliance - immediately, within 15 minutes, whatever.
2. Get her attention. That means making eye contact at the very least. Don't yell it from the kitchen. If you are busy in another room, ask the child to come to you before you make the request.
3. Tell her specifically what you want her to do. "Go brush your teeth right this minute so you can get to school on time."
4. Watch to make sure she starts to do what you asked.
5. Praise her for doing what you asked. (Don't leave out this step!)
6. If she does not begin doing what you asked or does not complete the task, ask her "What did I ask you to do?"
7. If she correctly tells you what you asked her to do, say, "That's good, now do it."
8. If she does not do what you asked then - STOP THE WORLD - the child does not do another thing until she does what you asked.
9. If the child begins to throw a temper tantrum or continues to avoid doing what you asked, put her in a short time-out. When she comes out tell her to do what you asked. Don't let it go or she will learn to avoid responsibility by causing an uproar.

3 Steps to Improve Your Child's Behavior

All children have episodes of bad behavior, some more frequently and severely and others less. Using these three steps will improve your child's behavior and reduce the frequency and severity of any child behavior problem.

1) Relationship
A loving, stable relationship between parents and children is the basis for the child's healthy social development. Tell your child you love him and show your love by taking time to listen, to play, and to teach. The parent-child relationship is built on the words you say and the tone of your voice. It is strengthened by the laughter you share and the games you play together. It is forever bonded by the values and skills you pass on to your child every day.
2) Planning
Planning is the secret of good parenting. Watch your expectations so that you plan for good behavior rather than dread the bad. Most children's behavior problems occur during times of transition and adjustment. Since childhood is by its nature a continual process of transition, and adjustment to rapid development, it's easy to see that bad behavior is a natural reaction to challenges that the the child doesn't yet have the skills to accomplish.
Planning involves knowing your child, her temperament and skills, and knowing the challenges of her environment. Use direct instruction, guidance, and practice opportunities to teach the skills she will need to cope with new challenges in the journey of childhood.
3) Response
Attentiveness and response are the tools for improving your child's behavior. An understanding of behavior modification principles will help you plan your responses to improve behavior. It all comes down to actions and consequences. When a child's action elicits positive reinforcement, it will be repeated over time. When an action elicits punishment, it will eventually be extinguished. Children learn to make the connection between an action and its consequence when the reinforcement or punishment is immediate and logically related to the action. Parents don't always have to provide the consequence; most consequences occur naturally. Parents can help make the connection by talking to the child about what they did and why it lead to a certain consequence. But, as parents, our responses to our child's actions are powerful consequences, either rewarding or punishing and therefore, shaping his behavior. In the context of a positive parent-child relationship, your approval or disapproval is usually enough of a response to reinforce or punish a behavior. When more intensive rewards or punishments are needed, parents should choose those that work for their family.
The key is to attend to your child's attitude, moods, and behavior; and then, respond to both good and bad behavior quickly. Learn to recognize when bad behavior is being reinforced or good behavior is being extinguished, and adjust the consequences to turn it around. This requires that we be attentive to our child and make the right response.

Tot Talk: Helping your Children Learn to Read

What's "old hat" to you can be new and exciting to preschoolers. When you talk about everyday experiences, you help children connect their world to language and enable them to go beyond that world to new ideas.
What to do:
1. As you get dinner ready, talk to your child about things that are happening. When your 2- or 3-year-old "helps" by taking out all the pots and pans, talk about them. Which one is the biggest? Can you find a lid for that one? What color is this one?
2. When walking down the street and your toddler stops to collect leaves, stop and ask questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer. Which leaves are the same? Which are different? What else grows on trees?
3. Ask "what if" questions. What would happen if we didn't shovel the snow? What if that butterfly lands on your nose?
4. Answer your children's endless "why" questions patiently. When you say, "I don't know, let's look it up" you show how important books are as resources for answering questions.
5. After your preschooler tells you a story, ask questions so you can understand better. That way children learn how to tell complete stories and know you are interested in what they have to say.
6. Expose your children to varied experiences--trips to the library, museum, or zoo; walks in the park; or visits with friends and relatives. Surround these events with lots of comments, questions, and answers.


Talking enables children to expand their vocabulary and understanding of the world. The ability to carry on a conversation is important for reading development. Remember, it is a better talk too much than too little with a small child.

Tips for Maintaining a Scream-Free Home

It is sometimes hard to get children to listen and follow directions, especially if they have ADHD. This leads to stressful feelings and frustrations on the part of the parent. The child’s behavior may end up escalating; as a result, the parent may feel a loss of control and escalate his or her own negative feelings. Sometimes arguing and yelling begins. The child may throw a tantrum. Madness ensues.
How Can Parents Keep Their Cool?

1. Control Yourself
Realize that we cannot control our kids, nor should we want to. Our primary job as parents is to control ourselves and model proper behavior. How many of us throw our adult tantrums when something goes wrong, then expect our children to remain calm?
2.Make a Conscious Choice to Remain Calm
No matter what your child or spouse does, remain calm. Screaming or withdrawing emotionally only makes the situation worse. When we are calm, we can solve problems instead of creating more of them.
3. Have Self Respect
We are not responsible for our children’s behavior, attitudes and actions. If your child is in a bad mood, so be it. Choose not to give in to or join his pity party. If your child comes into the kitchen barking orders and being rude, you are not obligated to respond. Walk away calmly, go about your business and let your child know that when he’s ready to talk and be polite, you’ll help him with breakfast.
If your child refuses to do his homework, then he will suffer the consequences at school. Our children need to learn that they are responsible for their choices, and you are responsible for yours.
4. Assume a Calm Posture
Each time you approach your child or spouse, ask yourself, “Do I want to have a conversation or a confrontation?” Instead of standing by and barking orders, sit down, put your feet up and relax. It is much harder to yell and lecture when you assume a calm posture.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Exercise, walk your dog, pray, listen to music -- do whatever helps you feel good. Make a decision that no matter what your child or spouse does, you are only responsible for your actions. This liberates parents and frees children to be responsible for their choices.
6. Be the Calm in the Storm
When your home is spinning out of control and you are working to keep a sense of calm, recruit others to your mission by sitting down and coloring or reading a book. Let everyone else know that you are in control. You’ll be surprised at how your children (and spouse!) begin to calm down once you do.

Comforting Your Fearful Preschooler

Help your child overcome fears and anxiety
Have you ever woken from a dream that was so vivid you had to convince yourself it wasn't real? During those first unsure moments you are unable to separate dream from reality. Eventually, past experience allows you to ground yourself in the here and now. Unfortunately for preschool children, they lack this experience and often suffer at the hands of irrational fears and nightmares.

1. Monitor Your Child's ExposureOne way to handle fears is to head them off at the pass. When choosing a book, movie or television show for your child, preview it first. Look for fantastical images or ideas that may be frightful for a young child. Try to imagine how you would respond to the material if you could not distinguish fantasy from reality.
2. Adult Reasoning is not ComfortingPreschool children do not have the mental processes necessary to understand adult reasoning. Therefore, to tell them a movie is make believe, a book is just a story or a dream didn't really happen is not comforting. It is what you know to be true, but it is not your child's truth. Instead, concentrate on comforting your child with empathy. Tell them you understand that they are scared and that fear is an awful feeling. Let them know that you are there with them and will protect them for as long as it takes for the fear to subside.
3. Use Soothing Words and Comforting TouchWhen your child is afraid, use soothing words and comforting touch to calm them. If your child has a nightmare, sit with him and massage his temples or stomach until he is able to return to sleep. Use low, smooth tone of voice to tell him he is loved, and know that simply having a parent with him until the fear passes makes your child feel safe and cared for.
4. Be RespectfulWhile a child's fear may seem silly to you, it is very serious for them. Respect that and honor your child's fear. If you downplay it or tell the child they are being ridiculous, you are teaching them to not trust themselves. Fear is fear, no matter how irrational it may seem.

I hope this tips can help mothers out there who have preschoolers understand why their children are acting like that.

4 Steps to Helping your Teen Pick a College Major

Picking a college major is one of the biggest decisions after deciding to go to college that a teen has to make. You can help your teen make his/her decision with as little stress as possible using these four steps:
Step #1: Don’t get alarmed if your teen isn’t sure about what he/she wants to do. It is an awful tall order. It takes some time and a lot of thought. Know that your teen should actively start looking into a major as soon as he/she has decided to go to a college, but can wait until sophomore year to make a final decision. So, there is time.More: How To Talk to Your Teen About a Future Career
Step #2: Get ideas of which field of study that has caught your teen’s interest.
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What classes did your teen talk most about? What activities with clubs did your teen enjoy? In what courses did your teen do well with his/her grades?
You can let the power of the internet help here too. Have your teen take a interest assessment test. There is one free given at the University of Arizona.
Step #3: Look at what careers are available in that field of study. Specific research is needed to find what jobs are available. This step is often missed by parents and students – or it is seen as something to do at the end of schooling. I tend to differ with this opinion. Having a specific goal helps someone do what needs to be done to obtain it.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook put out by the Department of Labor gives you what schooling is needed for a specific career, how much income you can earn and other important information about almost every career out there today. It’s a wonderful free online resource.
Step #4: See what it takes to get your teen to where he wants to be. Here is where having some college catalogs will help. Find out which colleges have the majors your teen is interested in looking into further.

How to Get Your Teen into College

Getting into College - Steps to Take

Step 1: Make the DecisionWhile the ultimate decision to attend college belongs to your teenager, your role plays a huge part in whether or not this is the path he will take. As a parent, you guide your teenager through his childhood into his adulthood making suggestions and helping with decisions along the way. If you want your teen to go to college, chances are he’s going to college.

Step 2: Taking the Right Courses for CollegeIt is very important for your teenager to be taking the right courses in high school.
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He will need four years of math, science, history and English. He will also need to take a 2nd language class for 2 or 3 years – depending on the college he wishes to attend. You’ll need to work with your teenager’s high school to be sure he is getting all of the right courses offered to him for college preparation.
Your teen should also take a look at extracurricular activities such as a membership in a community organization, getting involved in sports and/or being involved in a student club. These are all things colleges will look for on the application.

Step 3: Making the GradeEducation needs to be a priority in your teen’s life. Colleges pay very close attention not only to your teen’s grades in school, but also to the attitude your teenager has about school. Promoting a positive school experience in high school benefits your teen. They will have a great attitude about learning and it will show through on their college application and in the college interview. So remember, while good grades help, an A+ attitude toward learning will get your teen into the college of his choice.

Step 4: Choose Which Colleges to ApplyNever apply to just one college; you’ll be wasting your teen’s time. Be sure to apply to at least two if not more. This will give your teen not only a back up plan should he not get into the first college of his choice, but it will also give him some wiggle room should he change his mind about where he wants to attend.

5 Steps to Good Decision-Making Skills for Teens

Making decisions is a skill that teens will need to learn to do well because the decisions they are making in this life stage can be life-altering. Whether or not to get a job, start smoking, use drugs, go to college, start dating or have sex are decisions that teenagers are making everyday. Mix in the decisions of whether or not to study for an upcoming test, which leads to good grades, which leads to college choices and you will begin to see the scope of why your teen needs to learn to make his/her own decisions.
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Plus, good decision making skills help teens achieve with less stress, as the consequences of poor decision-making skills cause a lot of stress. Here is how you can help your teen learn to make good decisions in five straightforward steps.

Step #1: Prepare yourself. Our first step is all about you, the parent. Are you ready to let your teen take over this decision that you have been making for him/her? Take some time to think it through. While it won’t be all at once, there will be a time when it hits you that you aren’t always needed for important decisions, or that you may not agree with the decision your teen made yet the situation worked out fine without you. This can cause some melancholy feelings – and proud feelings too. Ah, the mix emotions of being a parent! You need to prepare yourself for it. When these thoughts and feelings hit, it is important to remember that you are doing a good job and your teenager is lucky to have you in his/her life.

Step #2: Help your teen identify a conflict that needs his/her attention. Verbally spell out the conflict and end with a question: “What do you think you could do?” or “What are your options?” Help your teen list a few that he/she may not think of, but don’t do this task for him/her.

Step #3: Encourage your teen to think through each option. Spelling out the pros and cons will help him/her see the big picture of each option, thereby helping him/her choose appropriately. Younger teens often have trouble seeing the big picture, so they may need more help than a 17-year-old. But all teens can use their parents as sounding boards. Be available to listen and help even after your teen has developed good decision-making skills.

Step #4: Allow your teen to make the decision. Hold your tongue just before you’re ready to say, "I think you should..."
Note: If your teen is used to you making the decisions and isn’t getting around to finalizing his thoughts on the options and choosing one, you may want to ask your teen if he/she is worried about ‘being allowed’. Many times at the teen home I would have a teen talk over all of the options and then wait quietly until I told them what they were allowed to choose. An awkward moment or two would follow and then the teen would realize that I wasn’t going to do the choosing and say, "Oh, you want me to choose. I didn’t know I was allowed." So, this is simply solved by verbally giving permission.

Step #5: Reconnect and evaluate the decision with your teen. While you shouldn’t act like this is a business meeting, do talk to your teen about what happened, even if the outcome wasn’t what was hoped for. Discuss what he/she might do differently the next time and do not be judgmental. Give your teen positive feedback and tell him/her that you are proud that he/she took on this challenging decision.

How To Help Your Teen Form a Useful Habit

Useful habits help people get things done and make us feel good about ourselves. By teaching your teen how to form a useful habit and why it is important to learn the process of forming a new habit, you will empower him/her to solve problems on his/her own and teach him/her to be independent.

Here's How:
1. Begin by talking to your teen about habits - good and bad. Explain how you can change one habit by replacing it with another.

2. Discuss and decided which bad habit your teen should work on replacing. Example: Not making his/her bed every morning.

3. Discuss and decide what good habit can replace the bad habit. Following our example: Making his/her bed everyday.

4. Discuss specifics of how your teen should accomplish the new habit. Write down the goal and a plan. Following our example: I have often given the suggestion to teens who had a hard time getting their bed made in the morning to roll out of bed and that very second turn around and pull up the sheets, fix the comforter and pillow. Voila, bed made! Talk with your teen, you can both come up with suggestions on how to attack the task at hand. Weigh the pros and cons of each suggestion but allow your teen to have the final say on how he/she will attack the task.
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5. Follow up for the next thirty days. You will need to check that your teen is completing the task for at least one month. When you check up on the task, it should be with your teen present so that the habit is fully reinforced. For our bed making example: you should be there to check whether or not the bed is made before your teen leaves for school. If it is, great. If not, your teen should make it before leaving. Don't admonish, just remind.
6. After 30 days of following the habit, reward your teen for a job well done. Set your expectations that the useful habit will continue and allow your teen to start doing so independently. Re-discuss how the new good habit was formed to reinforce the power of useful habit making.

The Game: Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune is the most popular syndicated game show on television.
The show has been on the air for over 25 years.
It may seem impossible today to imagine Wheel without Pat Sajak and Vanna White, but the show actually started back in 1975. It was a CBS daytime game show then, with Chuck Woolery as the host and Susan Stafford as the letter-turner.

The longest-running syndicated game show in the United States has finally arrived as ABS-CBN premieres the Philippine version of CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” beginning, Jan 14, to be hosted by “Game Show Queen” Kris AquinoUp to R200,000 in cash can be given away every night to the featured studio players while R2 million, R1 million and a brand new car is at stake for the player who will make it to the bonus round.Running for 25 years now in the US, “Wheel of Fortune” is one of the most famous game shows ever created on television. Even host Kris Aquino admitted that she is a big fan.“I used to watch the show in the States that is why I am really excited with ‘Wheel of Fortune’ because now I will be the one to personally host the show,” said Kris.Also joining Kris every night are Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 housemate Zara Aldana and “Star in a Million” finalist Jasmine Fitgerald who will be the show’s puzzle assistants.

I really like to watch this game because it helps my vocabulary and also helps me think. It's an educational show actually. In fact I also played this game in the internet. I wish I could joined this game soon.

My Dream House

How I wish I could have owned a house like this! Isn't it beautiful? Of course because it is the newly build house of the famous actress Kris Aquino. If you have read in the K Magazine and seen on tv the inside of the house, its really so beautiful and you will be amazed of the beautiful decorations and muebles and fixtures especially in the kitchen, all are highly electronics. You just have to push the buttons and you can operate the gadget.

UIC Nursing Board Passers Dec. 2007

Congratulations to the newly Registered Nurses of the University of the Immaculate Conception who graduated last March 2007 and took last December 2007 board examination. Out of the 97 who took the exam 37 successfully passed or 37% rating. To those who did not make it, find your luck next time.

The following are the newly Registred Nurses:

1. Aquino, Paola Michelle
2. Basingan, Romeo Jr.
3. Buensalida, Jessa Iria
4. Cabonita, Queenie Jade
5. Cabusao, Joanne
6. Calixton, Francis Jade
7. Camacho, Fitz Gerald
8. Capacio, Jefferson
9. Casona, Romfel Allan
10. Castillon, Jennyfer
11. Castillon, Joviely
12. Cencia, John Carlo
13. Ceniza, John Carlo
14. Cravajal, Carll Ervin
15. Dacuycuy, Mary Joy
16. Dingal, Glenn
17. Flores, Lavinia
18. Galicia, Niña Jane
19. Gallego, Louie
20. Gulfan, Faye Genevieve
21. Guyano, Milanie
22. Kinoc, Farley Blanche
23. Lacea, James Angelo
24. Magdaluyo, Aileen Fe
25. Mancera, Jessa
26. Medel, Bryan James
27. Melendres, Abegail
28. Menang, Sarah
29. Pendon, Ana Lee
30. Poderanan, Michelle Frances
31. Salveron, Rodney
32. Terse, Maureen
33. Vicente, Juvenile Mae


Note: (4 other passers are still verified as they were from the previous batch)

Who is telling the Truth?

We've heard over the radio and seen on tv the hottest issue that our government in the leadership of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is facing right now which is the ZTE Broadband Scandal. The issue makes the people divided into groups, some believes in the testimony of the witness Mr. Rodolfo Jun Lozada Jr., others to the government side. The question that clings to my mind is "Who is really telling the truth?". All of them are making defensive statements to escape from the issue. What will happen to our economy?. Our legislators are focusing on the issue and forget the biggest issue in our country which is the economic crisis (poverty, unemployment, etc.) that we are experiencing right now. How this issue will end? Just like other issues in the past which also involved government officials but lost, died that's why many people are confused that this new issue will also be like with the other issue that die in silence. Will Edsa People Power can help?
My stand for this issue is that what has been started should have an end and those who are sinners must face the trial and be punished, so that they will become an example and in this way graft and corruption can be minimized.

Strength and Courage

It takes strength to be certain,It takes courage to have doubts.
It takes strength to fit in,It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to share a friend's pain,It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pain,It takes courage to show it and deal with it.
It takes strength to stand guard,It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer,It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to endure abuses,It takes courage to stop them.
It takes strength to stand alone,It takes courage to lean on a friend.
It takes strength to love,It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive,It takes courage to live.
May you find strength and couragein everything you do,And may your life be filled withFriendship and Love!

Being Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already haveeverything you desire.If you did, what would there beto look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes,They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,Because it means you've made an effort.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they will become your blessings.

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.
The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

You need a good study place to be prepared to study. You should be able to answer YES to all of the following questions:
1. Is my Study Place available to me whenever I need it?

Your Study Place does you little good if you cannot use it when you need it. If you are using a Study Place that you must share with others for any reason, work out a schedule so that you know when you can use it.

2. Is my Study Place free from interruptions?

It is important to have uninterrupted study time. You may have to hang a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door or take the phone off the hook.

3. Is my Study Place free from distractions?
Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. If you find that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, keep the volume low.

4. Does my Study Place contain all the study materials I need?
Be sure your Study Place includes reference sources and supplies such as pens and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else you might need. If you use a computer for your schoolwork, it should be in your Study Place .

5. Does my Study Space contain a large enough desk or table?

While working on an assignment or studying for a test, use a desk or table that is large enough to hold everything you need. Allow enough room for writing and try to avoid clutter.

6. Does my Study Place have enough storage space?

You need enough room to store your study materials. Be sure you have enough storage space to allow you to keep your desktop or other work surface clear of unnecessary materials that can get in the way.

7. Does my Study Place have a comfortable chair?

A chair that is not comfortable can cause discomfort or pain that will interfere with your studying. A chair that is too comfortable might make you sleepy. Select a chair in which you can sit for long periods while maintaining your attention.

8. Does my Study Place have enough light?

The amount of light you need depends on what you are doing. The important thing is that you can clearly see what you need to see without any strain or discomfort.

9. Does my Study Place have a comfortable temperature?

If your Study Place is too warm, you might become sleepy. If it is too cold, your thinking may slow down and become unclear. Select a temperature at which your mind and body function best.
Having a good Study Place is important for good studying.

Food as Medicine

Some foods can be a good medicine. Here are some food that could bring cure to some of your ailment...
HEADACHE? EAT FISH!Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches. So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.
HAY FEVER? EAT YOGURT!Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season. Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily.
TO PREVENT STROKE, DRINK TEA!Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. Tea helps suppress appetite and keeps the pounds from invading. Green tea is great for our immune system!
INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP)? GET SOME HONEY!Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative.
ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes.
ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. Fish has omega oils that is good for our immune system.
UPSET STOMACH? EAT SOME BANANAS & GINGER!Bananas will settle an upset stomach. Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.
BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.
BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.
MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS!Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.
COLDS? EAT GARLIC!Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. Garlic lowers cholesterol, too.
COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution --- it can irritate your tummy.
BREAST CANCER? EAT WHEAT, BRAN & CABBAGE!Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels.
LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE VEGGIES!A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.
ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.
DIARRHEA? EAT APPLES!Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are good for this ailment as well.)CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO! Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.
BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.
Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. Actually, any berry is good for you. They are high in anti-oxidants and they can actually keep us young. Blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field. They get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies.
Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.
Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C & Potassium. Watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn UV rays.
Guava & Papaya: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation.
Papaya: It is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes. Also good for gas and indigestion.
Tomatoes: These are very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies.

Ang Cellphone at ang Bible.

Ang cellphone laging hawak ipinapakita,

Ang Bible laging nakatago at ayaw ipakita.

Ang cellphone binibili kahit libo-libong halaga,

Ang Bible ayaw bilhin, kahit isang daan ang halaga.

Ang cellphone laging pinapalitan ng case,

Ang Bible hindi man lang mabilhan ng case.

Ang cellphone ay ayaw magasgasan,

Ang Bible hinahayaang maalikabukan.

Ang cellphone bihirang makaligtaan kung saan iniwan,

Ang Bible madaling makaligtaan kung saan naiwan.

Ang cellphone mahirap ipahiram, baka masira,

Ang Bible madaling ipahiram, kahit mawala.

Ang cellphone laging binabasa kung may bagong message,

Ang Bible hindi binabasa kaya hindi makita ang message.

Ang cellphone message masarap i-share.

Ang Bible verse nakakalimutang i-share.

Ang cellphone pinapakita ang lifestyle ng tao,

Ang Bible nagpapabago ng lifestyle ng tao.

Ang cellphone mabilis maluma,

Ang Bible hindi naluluma.

Ang cellphone message kung minsan ay late,

Ang Bible laging on time ang message.

Ang cellphone kailangan magload para mag-message,

Ang Bible laging fully loaded ang message.

Ang cellphone ay mahalagang gamit ng tao,

pero ang Bible ay mas mahalaga kung gagamitin ng tao.

Ang ganda di ba? San ka pa?