Hmmmmm.....

I think I really write long blog entries. I rarely even post short ones... I think it's because I have deep thoughts on stuff... And I like writing them down. :) I am after all more of a writer than a speaker. For some people they voice out their thoughts or opinions literally. However, in my case, I write them down :) I love to write ever since I was in high school when started to write editorial articles. Sadly, when I entered college, I became rusty in my writing skills even in grammar. This is because I hardly have time to write anymore except when I am forced to for my acads such as in writing thesis papers, term papers, and all other sorts of papers that I am simply required to do. Aside from that, due to time constraint, I don't have time to write that much anymore. AND yes, I feel too lazy to write at times too. Often, I wanted to blog about something so much but then again I was too sleepy, too tired or too lazy to really write.. So in the end, I never got to writing them down. So that's my thought for that "Hmmmmm....." moment :P

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A Short Jeepney Ride...

Ok enough about technical talk :) After attending the friday youth service at my church in VCF - Ubelt, I took a jeepney ride home. When I got on the back of the jeep, I immediately rummaged my extremely disorganized bag for my coin purse so that I can pay my jeepney fare asap (so I won't forget). When I got my six pesos, I said "Mama, bayad ho (Mister, here is my fare)". Suddenly, I was interrupted by the middle-aged woman seated near me, "Miss dito po". What she wanted to say is that I should pay the fare to her not to the driver. This is quite rare and unusual because most of the time, a passenger pays to the jeepney driver or the the person seated beside the driver. So after being told to pay to her, I gave her my jeepney fare. Later on, other passengers who realized that she was the one in charge of the money, immediately just handed her all their fare. Anyway, that is not what struck me. What really made me want to post this here in the blog was something else that I noticed in this short trip of mine. I realized that the woman was the wife of the driver. This is because, the woman kept calling the driver "Pa" and the driver kept calling the woman "Ma". So it was obvious they were husband and wife. But I was amazed at the way they treat each other. I find it rare in married people nowadays. They were working together in that jeepney as partners. The husband drives the jeep while the wife takes charge of making sure that everyone pays the fare. The husband trusted his wife with the money. Another thing I noticed is that they were very gentle with each other in speech. They were not shouting at each other rather they treated each other with respect. I particularly commend the husband because he was gentle with his speech towards his wife and he was constantly asking his wife how many passengers can still fit in the jeep. And when she says three more, he would signal the people outside that three more seats are available. If his wife says, there are no more seats, he would no longer stop for passengers. It was really very simple. But they portrayed a beautiful picture of what marriage should be... a partnership with respect, trust and unity. And I believe, they could not have done that without LOVE which is the unifying factor for a simply beautiful relationship.

Marriage is like that jeepney. The husband is the driver because he is the head, he is the one who leads the marriage. But the wife is with the husband all throughout the trip. She doesn't take charge or take control of the jeepney rather she is there constantly supporting the husband. Giving him advice when he is unsure of something, encouraging him to either go on or to stop. She is trusted with the affairs of the family such as the finances, the house, the children - the treasures of the family making sure that everything is well kept. I'm sure that along the way, that jeepney will encounter flat tires, low fuel, corrupt traffic officials or even bumpy roads. But, as long as the husband and wife have that respect, trust, unity and they communicate to each other in that way as I have witnessed in that short jeepney ride, love would abound.

Yes they are ordinary people. They are not rich or famous people in society. I'm sure that they're not perfect and neither is their relationship because nothing is perfect. But what I witnessed during my short jeepney ride home was something amazing, something extraordinary, something beautiful and rare in our generation today.

AND someday when I get married to my future husband, I want something like that... simple but really beautiful... truly what marriage should be... :)

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Social Computing?!?!

It was an ordinary school day. Nothing really special. I went to school early in the morning to attend my 8am advertising and print class. The professor is a really great man. He is actually one of the guys behind the design of popular logos of really BIG brand names and companies. KUDOS to our professor! :)

Afterwards, I attended my next Social Computing class wherein we were told by our professor that next week we are going to have a lab session on Facebook which is a becoming quite the fad these fast few years because of its Social Computing nature that makes everyone addicted to it. I had to agree with my professor because I was really turning into a Facebook addict ever since I tried it for the first time. There was so much interaction you can do with it that Friendster and other similar interaction spaces and tools that I have used are no match for it. (I particularly like the fluff friends!!!) Yes, I have become a victim of Facebook. I actually spent hours and hours trying out Facebook. Anyway, it is a good thing that Facebook is our group report/paper topic for our class. So learning a lot about Facebook and even the tiny details about it can mean a lot to my grade in this class. So at least, I am really engrossed in learning about it :P I wish studying for all my subjects is always that much fun! :)

Maybe in the future, teachers should turn to Social Computing to really improve the way things are done in the class. That way, students would really enjoy learning.

After all, a lot of technologies nowadays are really booming because of their social computing components. Also due to social computing such as forums, user reviews, blogs and the like, products can be built or destroyed in a single day. Let's face it, before we actually buy something like for example a cellphone, we actually ask for other people's opinion if its good or not. If most people say its not, we would NEVER buy it and vise versa if they say it's highly recommended. Even when we go out to watch movies, we always ask the same question "Maganda ba? (Is it really good?)". Who in his right mind would want to buy something that would end up as a waste of money? No one! Exactly the point of how valuable Social Computing is to our present generation especially since almost everyone now has access to the Internet.

I commend a lot of websites who actually realized the importance of Social Computing. They're smart! For example, try online shopping. There are actually two types nowadays. The first type is the traditional one wherein all the information in the website including the product info came from the website owner or the webmaster. However, due to the social computing trend, a lot of websites have changed their approach. They have included 'upload product pictures' by users; user reviews; recommend "other products other users bought after buying this product" or "similar books" or "other books by this author"; even track the user's behavior and preferences in buying products in the background and other gigs wherein there other users can give their feedback and input.

There is so much social computing applications and tools out there nowadays that people are so crazy about. Instant messaging system such as the all famous Yahoo Messenger is one of the long lasting and ever being used messaging system by people all over the world. For me, what YM has that makes it stand out is that it has so much more interaction tools and capabilities embedded in it (aside from being really user friendly) that allows users to easily represent many aspects of their identity such as their current emotions (thanks to the really well designed and improved emoticons and the audibles) and being visible only to certain people at a time (which is something we all want to do in real life). Not to put other messaging tools down, I have never used Google Talk. However, I have used the updated Microsoft Live Messenger which also have some aspects that I really like such as the games that I can play there which I think are really so much better than the ones I can play in YM. Aside from that the loading time in Live is also faster. What I like about the chat feature in Live is that you can choose to either chat in text or by sketching it through the integrated sketch-like feature. There are also lots of nice backgrounds to choose from which are quite trendy and not commercially driven which is what I encounter in YM. Aside from that, I also like the "Winks" which is pretty unique. Unfortunately, there is only but a limited number of them available so it also limits the user's use for them. Unfortunately, I continue to encounter the unrelenting bugs in both messaging systems.

Another instant messaging tool that I have really become fond of was the IMVU. When I first tried it, I also really got addicted to it. It was so cool because it was in 3D. Aside from that, it was so much easier to represent myself (my identity) in the digital world. I was so crazy about it that I really tried to make my avatar look a lot like me. How is this possible? In IMVU, you can actually shop online for your avatar, dress him/her up, and make your avatar move around and act human (with certain limitations of course wherein censorship is involved). The rooms or interaction spaces where your avatar chats or interacts with other avatars is also quite remarkable because these rooms/spaces are also in 3D. They are made to replicate real-life locations or places like a cafe, ferris-wheel, rooftop, rooms, etc. There is so much possibilities in real life that trying to replicated here. You can also take snapshots with your friends and keep them in albums. You can also receive gifts and give away gifts. Also when you talk or chat with other IMVU people, your conversation appears in 'bubbles' (somewhat like in the comics). And if you are chatting with someone, then you are doing something else, the person you are chatting with is informed that you are doing something else (somewhat likened to real time experience wherein people actually see if you are really focused on them or not).

Now that's just the software side of things. Social Computing is also involved in hardware applications such as the new "Microsoft Surface" (http://www.microsoft.com/surface/). The first time I saw its video, I was so in so much awe... I thought it was so AMAZING! To have such a natural environment to interact with the things that you place on its surface. Aside from that, while you are interacting with it, your friends can also use it. One example I clearly remember in the video is when ordering in the restaurant. For example, if you and your date decided to eat in a restaurant, the menu is already integrated in the "Surface". Both of you can choose what you want to eat by selecting them on the menu with the touch of your fingertips. Then later on if both of you decides to split the bill on what each of you just ate, then both of you can simply place your credit cards on the "Surface" and you can simply just throw the picture representations of the food you ate to your credit card and your date can do the same by tossing his share of the food representations to his/her credit card. Again you both do this with the touch of your fingertips! AND Voila! You have split the bill.

So there :) I believe that there is still much more to see in the future of Social Computing. I wonder what how radical it will turn the world around in the years to come ;)

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Cindy Jacobs Prophecy For The Philippines

Cindy Jacobs Prophecy For The Philippines
700 Club Asia

Recently, due to many requests, The 700 Club Asia featured the audiotape of Cindy Jacobs' inspiring prophecy for the Philippines. Special guest was Pastor Jerome Ocampo, head of the Jesus Revolution revival crusade, who was in the United States when the prophecy was given.

The prophecy was delivered unexpectedly and extemporaneously last October 27, 2001. The venue was the "Catch the Fire" conference of Harvest International Ministries in California, U.S.A..

Cindy Jacobs, American founder and head of a worldwide prayer network: Generals of Intercession, author of three bestselling books on prayer, prophecy and spiritual warfare; and widely recognized "prophet to the nations" was an invited speaker.

At one point in the conference, two of a handful of Filipinos there, Pastor Jerome Ocampo and his wife Annabelle, were called onstage. They were prayed for and asked to receive the financial "love offering" for the day to benefit the "Jesus Revolution" youth revival to be held at the Luneta in Manila the next month. Cindy Jacobs was invited onstage to make the call for support for the revival.

When Cindy came up, she immediately sensed a stirring in her spirit.. "Don't you feel a sense of destiny on this stage?" remarked the prophetically gifted intercessor who had been to the Philippines once in 1996 for a conference.

"She was shaking," recalls Jerome as Cindy turned towards them. "It's as if she couldn't hold back what she wanted to say. It just exploded, tuluy-tuloy." In a high, clear, commanding voice, the words gushed out from Cindy in a torrent, without a single pause. Her prophecy was amazingly specific and accurate," Jerome marveled.. This is what she said:

PROPHECY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

"Jerome, the Lord would say to the Philippines -I am shaking everything that can be shaken so that no man can glory in what I will do. For I have waited for a generation that I could raise up a purity and a holiness in. And I am raising up firebrands!

There is a forerunner anointing coming upon the youth of the Philippines that will prepare the way of the Lord, even into the Middle East. Look and see what I will do in Mindanao. For I am going to visit in a way that you cannot imagine! I am coming to Mindanao, says the Lord, as God and the Lord of Hosts, and I am going to start appearing. As a sign that I am going to truly change the nation, I am going to show myself to the guerilla leaders. I am going to come, says the Lord, and I am going to begin at the places in the Philippines that have been the bloodiest; the places where the guerillas' insurrection have been the strongest. And I am going to come with signs and wonders and miracles! I am getting ready to pour out a miracle anointing upon the Philippines such as the earth has never seen! For Indonesia, they had a mighty rushing wind. But in the Philippines they will have the fire from heaven that will begin to fall! And this will be a purging fire! And I will say, I will visit even as if in a day, says God. Do not think that I am not able to come in a day and begin to unravel the iniquities of the nation, says the Lord!

I am going to visit the military. I am getting ready to come among the young in the military. And the Lord says, there's going to be a revolution of righteousness that comes within the military.

I'm getting ready to dethrone everything that needs to be dethroned, for even the bowls of heaven are full. Oh, I see the bowls in heaven are just getting ready to be tipped over the Philippines and I am going to spill out my glory!

And the Lord says, I will remove the shame that Satan has tried to put upon this nation! And the Lord says, look and see, for even the blood of the martyrs cries out from Saudi Arabia! The blood of the martyrs cries out from those Islamic nations, and my Filipino people that have laid their lives down. Do not think I haven't seen it! Do not think I am looking away! Do not think I do not see you! Do not think I do not see you, Philippines; for I see you! You are the apple of my eye! You are a treasure unto me!

This is the day and this is the hour when I begin to change everything, says the Lord! I'm going to change the judicial system. I'm going to dethrone corrupt judges. I'm getting ready to deal with the police force. I'm going to expose, expose, expose, expose!

And the Lord says, look and see what I will do! For I will open up my treasure chest from the Philippines! And I am going to release finances for the Philippines that will surprise and shake even Hongkong! For I am getting ready to move a distribution of wealth, says God. And I am getting ready to open the oil! I am getting ready to open that which is in the ocean! I'm getting ready to bring forth a revolution even in the economic systems, in the finance systems!

Look to the university in Manila, says God. For I am going to bring a revival that the-Oh my Lord!--- the Lord says, not hundreds, but thousands and thousands and thousands are going to get saved!! The Lord says, can I touch a whole university? Yes I can touch a whole university! I can come with my glory and I can come with my power in ways that you cannot imagine!

For I am coming, says God! I am coming and I will remain, says the Lord!




May God be glorified indeed! All praises and honor to our LORD Jesus Christ! AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!

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The Boy Who Lives in the Moon

The night is young

I watch the full moon shine

Illuminating this summer night

I gaze upon its splendor

Like a prince enthroned

In the heavens above

Or should I say imprisoned

In his majesty’s high position

He once laid his eyes on me

A shimmer of hope at first maybe

A journey would he embark

To be in leveled grounds with me

A journey that was thwarted…

All else ended…

All but a truth of lies…

The warm night suffocates me

I am strangled in this pain

Broken pieces of shattered dreams

Traces of happiness in a forgotten past

Lost hopes in empty promises

A face streaked with tears

Sadness overwhelming…

When will this misery end?

the question lingers in my mind..

As lay in this dark abyss

I dream of a boy…

Who lives in the moon

Alas, who am I?

I am but a speck of dust

In his vast universe…

-Franchere S. Chan-

April 1, 2007

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Convicted by God

This term has been such a busy and exhausting term. I have been so caught up with the activities in school and in my academics. I believe the enemy has been using all these to pull me down and pull me away from my Father... Yes, God has been calling me back to church to grow in Him, to be nurtured in my faith, and to serve soon... There has been so many affirmations from God... but I was not able to go back because something always comes up. Indeed, it is a spiritual battle. Now, I have made a commitment, I am going to act now. I am no longer going to put it off. Because the time to go back to church is now. I have to make that first step or else it would never come. I love God and He is my First Love. I have to make that stand to follow Him and choose Him above everything else. I know that there are certain parts of my life that I was withholding from Him. I thought I was giving it to Him, but slowly as I drifted away from the church... I ended up losing my grip on God. I was neglecting Him and my relationship with Him. I got too caught up with this world, it's expectations, and all the things that I have to do. I got too BUSY (Being Under Satan's Yoke). But I had enough! God wants me back. God is calling me HOME. Last night, in my devotion, I was convicted by God to about this. I was informed by my sister in Christ that we were going to have our small group today. God opened up this opportunity for me to make that first step to go back, to listen to Him once again, to be nurtured in my faith, and to do His will. Today, my last project for the term ended. In line with my commitment to go back to Church. I have decided to set my priorities straight. God is my priority. Therefore, I must align my priorities to His will. May His PERFECT WILL be done! AMEN! May His will be my will! AMEN! Recently, I got a lot of offers from different organizations to run for the coming batch elections (from both parties), as well as high positions in organizations. However, I turned them all down. WHY? because they are no longer what God wants for me. They are no longer in line with His will. Yes, in the past, God used the opportunities of high position in organizations, projects, and other academic or extra curricular activities for His Divine Will. However, that is not what He wants NOW. I am ready LORD, to commit myself once again to YOU. I am ready to lay down everything before You. I am ready please prepare me for whatever plans You have for me. I want to surrender every aspect of myself to You. "There is no greater joy Lord than being with YOU. My soul is restored. My heart is renewed. Yes, there is no greater joy LORD than being with You." (excerpt from a song that suddenly came to mind). Even my lovelife Lord. I am laying it down. Today, the LORD convicted me. He made me come to the focus group in order to convict me and to affirm something to me. He wants me to surrender this aspect of my life to HIM. He wants me to lay it all down, and to completely TRUST HIM. The LORD says I have to wait, to be patient upon HIM, and to trust Him... to have FAITH. He affirmed it.. HE wants me to WAIT!

During our focus group discussion, I learned a lot from our focus group leader. Thank God for blessing us with our leader. He used our leader to convict me, and to affirm that He wants me to wait.

The following are my notes from the discussion:

The topic is about "Love in terms of Waiting"

There are five ways to show our love to someone - Touch, Words, Gifts, Service, and Time. We were asked to pick two of these based on how we show our love to someone. I chose time and words. I chose time because I strongly believe that your personal time is the greatest gift you can give to someone. Personally, when someone is important to me, and I love that someone, I give that person my time. I also chose words, particularly words through writing, texting or typing. This is because I am more of a writer than a speaker nevertheless I use both to encourage people to show them I care or that I love them. After that, we were told to choose two of the ways once again on how we want to be shown love. Once again, I chose time and words. I chose time because for me, if the person really loves me, he/she would sacrifice his personal time which could never be replaced just for my sake. Time is precious, more precious than any other gifts. For me time is also quite related to service. When you give your time to someone, there is already an action upon it. I chose words once again, because I felt cared for and loved whenever someone encourages me, and tells me I am loved, that I am cared for... :) And yes, the LORD does show His love for us through HIS WORD. :)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Question: When is the right time for us to go into a relationship?
Ans: When we finally understand God's purpose for us.

In the case of Adam, his purpose was to name all the plants and animals. When God's purpose for him was fulfilled, God gave him Eve.

Love is patient. God wants us to appreciate the present through patience and trust.

There are 3 simple truths that can help us correct the wrong attitudes in our relationships:

Number 1: The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.

• Right now we don't appreciate delayed gratification. ex. plagiarism (cut and paste bec. I don't want to take time to read and paraphrase; instant noodles; pre-marital sex; e-mails, etc.)
  
• The youth right now is corrupted by the enemy.
• Biblical: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
  
• "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
  a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
  a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
  a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
  a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. "
• The youth have forgotten the essence of this verse... There is a time for everything.
• Each season yields a unique treasure.
• Just like in school, each semester has its own emphasis and focus that we must learn first so that we can use them in the next terms to come.
• You don't have to rush. You have to be prepared. You have to go through a process. Be patient.
• Don't get burned with the passion, with the fire.
• The story of the two bananas.
• in the story there are two bananas on the tree, one ripe, and one unripe. The bananas were taken both away from the tree. The ripe one was ripened while attached to the tree that is why is was sweet and delicious. However, the unripe banana that was taken from the tree was forced to ripe away from tree. As a result, it was not as good as the ripe banana. Instead, it tasted bland.
• The bananas can be compared to love. There is a time for everything.
  

• God has many wonderful experiences that He wants to give us.
• Unfortunately, we spoil good things by taking the them at the wrong time. An example is relationships.
• Just because something is good, it doesn't mean we should pursue it right now.

Number 2: You don't need to shop for what you can't afford

• Girls love to shop. Sometimes when girls try on some clothes in shops, they find that the fit is so right, that it seems made for you, but when you look at the price tag, you find the price to be very expensive, far too expensive for your budget.
• Relationships can be compared to shopping.
• You can only achieve intimacy if you are ready for it because intimacy COSTS commitment.
• Right now we are in our walk with God as singles. Yet there are even situations wherein we stagger with our commitment with Him.
  
• If we cannot totally commit to our relationship with God, how much more to other people.
• Right now we must focus on Jesus. Surrender every aspect and area of our lives to God.
• When you focus on Him, He will be able to give you breakthroughs and He will be able to provide you with lots of bonuses.
• Right now God wants us to appreciate the men in our lives. He wants us to appreciate the friendships so that we would be able to appreciate the husband he would give us in the future.
• God wants us to just enjoy our relationship with Him. He wants to develop us holistically.
  
• For one thing, you can't go into a relationship with so many insecurities.

Number 3: Any season of singleness is a gift from God.

• 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35
• I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord.
  But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--
  and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband.
  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
  

• For now, God wants our undivided devotion to Him.
• Singleness is a gift.
• Jesus created this opportunity of singleness so that it would be a time for Him to nurture growth in us without distractions.
• As singles, we must make the most of our singlehood.
• Question: Do you really trust Him when it comes to this area?
• Waiting for God's timing really requires patience both now and in the future.
• Right now, God is preparing us.
• In Time Magazine, there was this article published regarding the Marshmallow test conducted by scientists on four year old kids. There was this isolated room. In the room there was a marshmallow. Each kid was taken one at a time to the room. Each of them were told that after 20 mins, they would be given two marshmallows if they would wait and not eat the single marshmallow. After the proctor left, some of the kids immediately ate the marshmallow. Some waited for a while but ate it when they couldn't wait anymore. However, there were some kids who did wait. Some used diversions such as covering their faces, looking away, or dancing. Some even fell asleep. Years passed, the kids became high school students. The scientists followed up these kids. They found out that the kids who waited grew up to be more successful, more confident, outgoing, adventurous, and positive thinkers. On the other hand, the kids who couldn't wait turned out to be lonelier, out of place, and more negative.
  
• Right now, we should develop our character to delay instant gratification.
• Like those kids, we go through the same internal struggles.
• But God promises something better as we take the unique experience of singleness.
• Just have faith and be patient. God knows best.
• Let's commit to enjoy our singlehood now and have faith in God.
• Jeremiah 29:11
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
• We are in our relationship with our Father which is the best relationship.
• Like the dust that undergoes a process inside the oyster, that turns into a pearl, God is molding in us a beautiful pearl.
• REMEMBER: You are worth waiting for!
• The heart is like a glass, it is fragile. God would only give it to someone HE trusts.

In closing:
There was this blind man by the name of Bob Edens. He was 51 years old. For five decades, he was blind until a surgeon tried an experimental surgery on his eyes. After the surgery, he opened his eyes and then he could see. He was astounded by everything he saw. He never realized that yellow was so yellow. But his favorite color was red. He never realized how round the moon was. He was amazed by what he saw.
Like Bob Edens, many people today are blinded. They fail to see the great things in life. However, these people have an inner desire to see things differently, to see change happen.

So what is our role?

Our role is not the surgeon. In the story, there was a gap. The surgeon used the scalpel and all those other tools to conduct surgery on Bob Edens. In the same way, we are the tools of the SURGEON (God). God wants to use us, but we have to choose for ourselves to allow God to use us. And what better time for us to be used by God... as singles.

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Nichole Nordeman - Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in the lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me




This is one of my favorite songs by Nichole Nordeman :) I love what the song says and somehow the song speaks to me. This song reminds me to stay on the right track that is to put God first in everything I do that I may be able to glorify HIM. I want to be able to serve my God wherever He will place me... may that be in school, in church, at work, at home... everywhere... :) It also reminds me not to be worldly... I know that sometimes I do get tied up to this world so much that I forget and neglect the fact that God should be number ONE. However, being worldly is not what I really want. When I start to reflect and look back... I realize that all things in this world will fade and disappear but God and everthing done for Him and HIS kingdom will last forever. Someday, when my time to leave this temporary life, this tent, I want to be able to leave a LEGACY... that I was able to serve God as His good and faithful servant... as a CHRISTian... :)

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Hillsong - My Heart Will Trust

I'll walk closer now on the higher way
Through the darkest night will you hold my hand
Jesus guide my way

O you mourn with me and you dance with me
For my heart of hearts is bound to you

Though I walk through valleys low
I'll fear no evil
By the waters still my soul,
My heart will trust in You x2

O You counsel me and You comfort me
When I cannot see,
You light my path

My heart will trust in you


I love to sing... AND I love being able to sing for my God.. :)
This song is one of my favorite Hillsong songs.
It reminds me to trust in God especially when I am stressed out or encountering a difficult situation in my life. He is my comfort. He is my counsel. He is the peace that calms the storms in my soul. How I long to be in His arms... to be wrapped by those comforting Arms of Love... Lord I am coming back to you once more... to you Lord I find my peace...

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Year of the Open Door

The year of 2007. What will it be like? Will it be a year of disasters and

catastrophes beyond imagination as some have predicted? Or will it be

a continuance of the glory of heaven being manifest? The year of 2007

will have some very serious catastrophes. There will be some things

happen that the world will not know how to handle. But you may rest

in Me, saith the Lord, because the manifestation of My glory will be so

great in the year of 2007 and such overflowing revival throughout this

nation and around the world that you're hardly going to even notice

the natural catastrophes that happen in 2007 and the things that the

devil is trying to do will get caught up in the – in the swell and the

explosive power of My Spirit being manifested, saith the Lord.

Hallelujah.

2007 will be known as the "Year of the open door". My Word states in

Revelation chapter three that I open doors no man can shut. I shut

doors no man can open. There are those of you over the years that

have set out with commitment and resolve to do things that I have

assigned you to do, and over a period of time it looked like the devil

just slammed the door in your face and some because of catastrophic

things happening in your family, others because of sickness and

disease that has attacked and others because of financial disasters

and just plain old not enough money to get it done that the devil was

able, as I said, to just slam the door in your face. But you hear Me now,

saith the Lord, I am opening your door! I am opening your door! I am

opening your door and in 2007 the devil or nobody else will be able to

close it on you! Don't quit! Don't give up! The kingdom of heaven is at

hand. Don't give up on this nation. Don't give up on your church. Don't

give up! Don't quit! Don't stop! 2007 is the year of doors open and held

open. Go through them with great faith and stay on the Word. Stay on

the Word! Stay on the Word! You stay with Me. I'll stay with you and

together we will see victory beyond anything you or anybody else has

ever seen before! Hallelujah. Oh, hallelujah. Glory, glory, glory.

Oh, hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, bless the Lord.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Oh, glory to

God.

And by that same token, saith the Lord, there are certain doors

that the devil has been holding open; doors of war, doors of

destruction, doors of all kinds of disobedience and blaspheming lies

and tongues. Well, I'll tell you in 2007 you and I together are going to

slam the door on him. We are going to slam it in his face. We are going

to walk on him and you are going to find out what I meant in My Word

when I said set your feet on him and walk on him. He has been put

under your feet. He is becoming the footstool that I said he would be.

And now is our time, saith the Lord. Hallelujah. Yes. Bless the Lord.

–––

Prophecy given by Kenneth Copeland

November 11, 2006

2006 Washington, D.C. Victory Campaign



The signs of the second coming are here... Hallelujah for the Lord reigns... Hallelujah for the Lord Jesus LIVES!!! I can't wait to be with you LORD! To serve You... to grow in You... I am laying down everything else at Your feet... May You be glorified. I now choose You and You alone above all else. My First LOVE is YOU Lord Jesus YOU... :)

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My Virtual Pet Panda

adopt your own virtual pet!

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While waiting for my email to attach my file at 530am in the morning...

Life can be so exhausting... So much is happening in such a short period of time...

Time... it comes and goes like the wind... fleeting..... away it goes... I can't catch it...

Tribulations... that is what I like to call the problems I go through every single day of my life... The pitfalls I pray I would not fall into, the slips and mistakes I hope I won't make, and the stupidity I dread so much I usually end up doing... But then again, all these things shall pass too... And I am grateful for the God who is in my life... He saves... Jesus... He sure is wonderful.... not only is He my Hero my Savior... He is my number one BESTFRIEND... I love Him...

Joys... I dont like calling them happiness... Happiness for me is fleeting... comes and goes with time... but joy... it is ever present... even if I am in the period of tribulations... I still feel joy... through suffering and pain, one can still feel joy... Rejoicing in spite of troubles... I like to think of it that way... Life will never be out of problems... But it is in the person to decide and choose to be joyful about it or not... To rejoice with the tides of life... to choose to think positively... To choose to appreciate the simple blessings in life like... family... friends... a home... pets... education... wisdom... learning something new... reading a book... remembering a sweet memory... talking to a loved one or friend... spending time with your loved ones... accomplishing something... playing a sport you love... jokes... even corny ones... crushes... puppy loves... a touch of the hand... a smile... a flower... the sweet fragrance of nature... the cool breeze... feeling fulfilled... a kiss... a hug... eating good food... enjoying your favorite music... sleeping... dreaming... taking a walk... ah... it's countless... Blessings will always be countless because we have a gracious and loving God... He is so benevolent... I like the sound of that word... The Lord is indeed a generous God... We just fail to see that... because we are so caught up in this world... with all our greedy wants and desires... we don't realize we already have so much to cherish... too bad... we end up neglecting these simple blessings... we mess up things... we ruin them... we don't take care of them... and then when it's too late... poof! they're gone and we realize how much we've lost... that we were so foolish to prioritize things that are so fleeting... we humans... run after such temporary things... we forget to value things that truly matter... I'm guilty of that too... What have I been doing lately? Being so caught up... being so busy... I need to tell someone I love him/her... well let me start now... I love you! God loves you too... I think you should know that... You deserve to know that... whoever you are... take time and treasure what you have now... don't let life get to you... enjoy the simple blessings you have right now... and by the way... God bless you!

While waiting for my email to attach my file at 530am in the morning... Geez... I haven't slept yet and I have a class at 11am. O well... I haven't written my thoughts out like this in a very very very.... LONG TIME... :)

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A Love Story by God

Mark Schultz - The Time Of My Life

He packed his bags when he was just 18
To see a world he thought he'd never seen
But he knew when he met her
That she was the girl
He'd been waiting for

And each night they spent talking on the front porch swing
And like it came straight out of a movie scene
But one night she stepped out as the sun began to set
When she got to the porch she found a letter that read

You're the only girl I'll ever love
And I'd do anything not to give you up
If I could only stop the world
When you're standing by my side
See I'm having the time of my life
Yes, I'm having the time of my life

The months went by it was their wedding day
A church on a hill wedding bells rang away
She looked like a princess
All dressed up in pearls
It was her proudest day

And he stood all alone in a darkened church hallway
He got down on his knees and he started to pray
He thanked the Lord for his family and the perfect bride
But he couldn't hold back what he was feelin' inside
And he said

She's the only girl I'll ever love
And I'd do anything not to give her up
If I could only stop the world
When she's standing by my side
See, I'm having the time of my life
Yes, I'm having the time of my life

Forty years went by and she lived most of God's plan
She stood alone in an attic, wedding dress in her hand
And she held an old letter written so long ago
But she'd never forget it
No matter how old

And as she turned to put the dress away
And pack up the years
He was standing in the doorway
With his eyes full of tears
And he held her

'Cause you're the only girl I'll ever love
And I'd do anything not to give you up
If I could only stop the world
When you're standing by my side
See I'm having the time of my life
Yes, I'm having the time of my life


Awwwwwwww.... This is a God-written love story..... I too pray and hope for someday....

Dear Child,

You have searched for true love in your own way. But My ways are not your ways. I want to script a beautiful tale just for you, but first you must trust Me with the pen of this precious area of your life. Will you let Me write your love story? (from the book "When God Writes Your Love Story")

Love,
The Author of True Love, The Creator of Romance
God

Dear Lord,

Yes LORD! May Your prevailing will be done in my life... in my love life as You please... May You be the Author and Perfector of this love story... I give to You with all my heart, the pen to my love story... I trust You know what is best for me... I am willing LORD to follow You wherever You may lead me... I desire to let the Great Author write page by page the love story of my life. May Your will be be my will. May Your will be done. AMEN.

Love,
Your beloved princess and daughter

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Wait Upon the Lord

Wait Upon the Lord
by Emily Matthews

Waiting is the hardest
when we feel our need is great,
But it helps if we remember
that our God is never late.
He knows our deepest longings.
and He times things perfectly.
For in His love, He only does
what's best for you and me.

Waiting... in this fast-paced world... waiting sure is not easy.
We want what we want NOW! ASAP! If we don't get it, we feel all sorts of negative emotions, like disappointment, sadness, anger, vexation, and the like... BUT WHY? Why can't we be patient and wait... Is there anything wrong with waiting??? Why do we all have this mindset that we hate to wait, when in fact, waiting is better than hurrying things up or rushing things?

Lately, I have experienced something that has really tested me and my faith...
In the past, I have experienced surrendering to God my studies, my pride, my anger, my family, my friends, my weaknesses, and even strengths... yet there has always been one big struggle of surrender in my life and that is my heart... In a past relationship, God has told me to surrender and to let go... it was one of the toughest decisions I had ever made in my life... because it was definitely not an easy thing to do... however, due to that obedience, I have discovered much blessings... a better and stronger relationship with my bestfriend, and with the Lord. I also have learned so much from that experience of surrender... I learned to value people, to be content, and to love... to truly love and what it means to love...

Love is not about expectations. It is not about getting what you want or satisfying yourself. It is a wonderful and precious gift you give without expectations. You love because you want to love. It is a committed choice. You love not because you expect your love to be reciprocated. In the same way you give without expecting anything in return. That is love.

After some time, I was able to show this kind of love... I have finally learned to love... everything is going so well... but then God told me to do something... something so difficult... God told me to wait... I want to love that person so much right now... I am overflowing with this love for that person that I just want to love... But God told me to stop, and to wait. If you were in my situation, what would you do?!?

I have to struggle with myself for some time... but I know deep inside that in the end I have to follow God because I know that He knows what is best for me... But IT IS SO DIFFICULT! I WANT IT SO MUCH NOW!!! These past few days, I was so happy loving that person... and being loved in return... but I know that we have to surrender everything to God... Soon... as in right that very moment...

No beginnings are easy... It is not easy to let go of things that that so important to you... especially if you have really love them... Now God has told me to surrender the one I love to Him... That sure is not easy to do especially if everything is like a dream come true and there is really no problem except that God wants you to surrender it to Him because He wants you to WAIT...

I love God more than anything else... above all else... I seek to do His will... and now there is this one thing that am holding so close and wanting so much for myself... and because of this I know that God wants me to surrender it to Him so that He may take the lead in this matter... This is what I want also yet in spite of that, it is not easy to give it up to Him... Trusting something to God in all other aspects has been easy for me... but when it comes to this thing... when I do not know what will happen in the future.... I really had a difficult time... I trust God... but I know that there is fear in my heart that I will lose this very important person in my life if I give him up to God... Fears like - if we wait maybe someday our feelings for each othere would have changed... nevertheless... I still desire God above all else... I know that whatever happens I can never turn my back on my God... It has been my commitment to Him ever since long ago... I will not back down on my principles... I will stand up for my God... I know He loves me and wants only the best for me... that is why He is asking this from me... He knows what is in my heart... He knows my deepest longings and desires... And I know He takes all of these in considerations... He values them and gives importance to each detail... that is why I know in spite of my fears, I know I can trust Him... I see only the present, yet His ways are higher than my own... He sees the future... I know He has a big and wonderful plan for me... and so much more blessings ahead especially if I surrender this to Him...

At that moment, i felt like I was Abraham... God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac to Him... Abraham loved Isaac but He loved God above all else... so even if it hurts... even if it is not the easiest thing to do... Abraham did it because he loved that Lord with all his heart and desired to do what God's will is... In the end, God blessed him... for in obedience there is so much blessings...

Owkay... so I know what I have to do... and so I did it for my God! I told the guy that we had to wait on the Lord... as in WAIT... we can only be friends for now... bestfriends... At first he was depressed but then I found his response later as the best expression of love he has ever shown to me... He is willing to wait... because I am worth waiting for... and that He too wants to do what God wants for both of us... He is going to keep on praying for me... asking for me from the Lord... He is going to wait for me... [awwwwwwwwwwww......]

I realized something myself... I love this person so much... and I want everything to work out perfectly... and the only way for that to happen is if I will commit everything to God... for His plans and ways are perfect... Because I love this person so much, I will wait for him too... I will surrender him to God... because I love him that much... He is that important to me... that I want everything to be super ok not only now but more importantly in the future... I will wait for Him in the Lord, I will continue to pray for him in the Lord... If it is God's will that we really are going to be for each other then great, Hallelujah... that would be so wonderful! if not then we really are not for each other and it is still good that we waited at least there would be less hurts. Whatever it may be... May the Lord's will be done! Amen...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

In HIS PERFECT TIME... He will give me the desires of my heart... I seek YOUR will above all else. I surrender to You and commit to You once again all that I am... I will live my life for You... I trust You Lord... May Your will be my will... May Your will be done... AMEN!

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With All I Am

Hillsong United - With All I Am

Into your hand
I commit again
with all I am
for You Lord

You hold my world
in the palm of Your hand
and I'm Yours forever

Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
the reason that I sing
with all I am

I'll walk with You
wherever You go
through tears and joy
I'll trust in You

and I will live
in all of Your ways and
Your promises forever



In HIS PERFECT TIME... He will give me the desires of my heart... I seek YOUR will above all else. I surrender to You and commit to You once again all that I am... I will live my life for You... I trust You Lord... May Your will be my will... May Your will be done... AMEN!

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My VERY First REAL Blog Entry: Pondering Maw...

Whoaw! It has been such a long time since I wrote anything in this blog. In fact, I really don't do blogs... I made this blog because it was required by my prof... We were required to post summaries, reviews and other homework here... So in other words this blog was simply used for academic purposes. Haha... however... I used to love to write a lot... back in HS I used to write for the school paper... editorial section... wherein I used to voice out my opinions a lot... more on about my faith and principles... I miss that... That is why from now on.. I have decided to write once again... There are times when I want to voice out something deep inside me but I just could not express them into words... Somehow thru writing, I am able to bring them out... the unspoken words from my mind and heart. Words seem to unravel more easily for me through writing well in this case... typing haha... I guess I really am more of a writer than a speaker...

Who am I?

I am simply mawself! Je m'appelle Franchere. Je suis feminin. Je suis étudiante. Je étudie à De La Salle University - Manila. Awww... I like french... well I just know a little. I am taking up elementary french as an elective class this term. Anyway to simply translate the above information. My name is Franchere [fran-she-rie]. I am female [so that you know hehe]. I am a student. I am studying at De La Salle University - Manila. To add more information about me... You can just call me France, Cherry or Mawie. I am fond of these three MAIN nicknames. I am a sentimental person. I love to eat and sleep. Even if a eat a lot, I never gain much weight. So I am still as thin as ever. I do hope I'll gain some weight next time... Not too much... Just enough... I love to sing... It is my passion to sing especially for the Lord. My voice is made for Him. I am also a drummer [ok so I am still just learning]. I am single and available for the Lord. In HIS TIME, in HIS PERFECT TIME, I believe He has someone in mind for me. Someone who is truly a man of God and a man who has the heart of God. So I WILL WAIT IN THE LORD [even if it is sooo difficult]. I LOVE my family and friends so much... I love the Stand [our Christian Band]. WE play alternative Christian music. I am a vocalist and an aspiring drummer in the band. Ahem... I am currently taking up a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Instructional Systems Technology. I LOVE IST!!! THE BEST SPECIALIZATION EVER!!!

I am a growing Christian, a child of God, His daughter, His princess. I am proud to be a Christian, and I never regretted being one. Life is tough, it is tougher without God. I am nothing, but because of God, I have everything. Life is meaningless without the purpose God has set out for me... for this reason, I desire His will alone, that His will be my will as well... Whatever I do, I do it not for myself but for you Lord, to glorify you with all that I am... I LOVE YOU LORD!!!

"In my life, the pride and honors, I give to my parents; all the glory and thanksgiving I give back to You Lord, and the learnings are what I gain for myself." - Franchere S. Chan

So what's up?????

Today... I really feel weird... I am happy for a lot of things... yet at the same time... I feel a bit down.... Hahahaha... But that was a while ago... Now I feel happee again... I am soooo... moody... I found out a lot today... I realized a lot of things too... I like that about life... Whatever happens, you will CAN always pick up a bit of lessons from every situation one is in. It is just that sometimes we either are too blind to see these tiny pieces or we refuse to pick them up... People usually focus on the negative side of things... That is why we worry or become sad or feel bad... [GUILTY] There is a saying that we should count our blessings rather than our failures or misfortunes... I strongly believe in that! We have to be optimistic... to look at the brighter side of things ALWAYS even if the situation is already so bleak... That is called having a positive outlook in life. The glass is always half full not half empty. This is easier said [typed] than done... Hehe... Well I guess almost all if not all the positive and good things/actions/deeds/virtues in this world are easier said than done... especially if you don't really feel like doing them. Example, when we are in love with our bf/gf, we can't help but dote on them, love them with all that we are... But can you do the same for your parents who likes to nag and restrict you with rules and regulations you feel are unfair? your siblings who are nosy and irritating? or to that poor little kid starving in the streets? Is it easy? The answer for most of us is no. Simply because it is not natural for us. We don't feel like it... But the point is, what is the right thing to do... in my case, as a Christian, what would JESUS DO? What is right in the eyes of my Lord and King? Nevertheless, Christian or not, doing the positive thing is always so much better than not. Usually it takes up more time, and more effort from us but then again most of the time, the things we build with the most effort from ourselves are the things in this world that gives us the most fulfillment. Have you ever tried making a really difficult project? It was so difficult that you felt you were in the verge of failing yet you kept on trying your best to finish it... And then you passed and maybe even received a perfect GPA of 4.0 for that particular project. What did you feel? YOU felt GREAT!!! So much fulfillment... Same goes for relationships and other things in life. Even if there are problems, even if there are really times wherein people are so unlovable, but in the end, if you never gave up. Instead you kept on being positive towards all of these and kept on looking at the brighter side of things... learning from them and reacting positively... in the end, you will see the rainbow behind those dark clouds... hehe... you know what I mean? FAITH! Faith is to believe and trust that even if you don't see something, you are still willing to take that risk to hold on to it. I have faith in God. Even if I do not see Him, I have faith that He exists, that He loves me, that He died for me, and that He is with me always. I have faith in Him that He has "... plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. Some people call it dumb. But hey! Those people must have at some point in their life experienced things like love, care, joy, happiness or peace. We do not exactly see [physically] all of these things, yet we have FAITH that they exist. This faith is further strengthened when we experience them. I have faith in God more and more each new day because I experience Him in my life. So in life to have a positive outlook, have faith in the beautiful and good things in life especially towards God. In my walk with God in this journey called life, I also learned something extremely essential... In almost all situations if not all, 90% of the end result is based on our reaction towards that particular situation, and only 10% on the incident itself. Meaning if we react positively towards something, most likely the end result is also more positive than negative.
EXAMPLE: Your mother kept on nagging you to start studying for your quiz and stop playing computer games.
SITUATION A: You got angry at your mom, and talked back at her. Due to this you were grounded and you failed your quiz. Aside from that, you hurt your mom's feelings, your feelings were also hurt, and your relationship with your mother was strained.
SITUATION B: Inside you may be fuming already, but you decided to hold your calm. You stop playing and studied. After a while, you felt your anger fade. You are able to study for that killer quiz and passed it. Your mom became proud of you because of your obedience. You developed a better relationship with your mother. She might even add an extra something to your allowance.
Based on the two situations, we can clearly see that situation B brought about a better result. (+) plus or multiply (+) = (+) unlike (+) plus or multiply (-) = (-) or vise versa.

So what's up with all these opinions and stuff above??? Just some stuff I like to share to people who might pass by and read this simple blog of mine. These words are the voice of mawself. Things inside me that are principle based as well as things that I learned in my journey in this life. They are reflections of my thoughts today. People sometimes wonder why I am the way I am. Hehe maybe if you keep on reading my blog and my future entries, you would know why. I plan to do the same... To know more about myself as I blog. Sometimes, writing it down, helps oneself to understand thyself... reflecting about the inner thoughts deep inside me...

Hmmm... There is still so much more I want to type... BUT I think it is time to stop blogging because it is already 4am in the morning... I am sooo dead later. I still have a morning class to attend to... WAHAHAHA.... Lights off.

Listening to Nichole Nordeman - Brave and Nichole Nordeman - Hold On
[Happy Mawie]

Thank you Lord for the peace you bring to my heart...
I lay all my problems, worries and anxieties down at Your feet...
I trust You and commit myself once again to You...
I choose to follow You...
I desire to do Your will...
May Your will be done in my life... AMEN!

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Who am I?

my self poem

I was a bit of clay... ugly and unrefined...

I was hardened and rough... dirty and useless...

Then one night, the Potter looked at me and smiled...

"I shall break you...mold you and make you into

a wonderful jar... You shall become a beautiful clay jar..

You shall hold and contain my treasure... my gift...

let anyone who is willing take part in it and be blessed..."

I was a simple sound… nothing much to hear…

Just a noise in the background… a hollow echo...

Then one night, the Composer and Conductor of the Universe

Listened to me and said…

“I shall compose you into a song…

People will listen and hear… The melody of your voice is my

Instrument to let them know of my treasure… my gift…

With your voice you will testify…

With your voice you will glorify the King of Kings...”

I was piece of paper… blank and empty…

I was plain and nothing special…

Then one night, the Author saw me.

He lifted His pen and started to write on me…

“I shall write you into a beautiful story…

In it are small and great things…

They will tales of wonders… some sad… some happy…

With these tales you will glorify…

They shall testify the grace and love of thy King…”

I was lost but now I am found.

I was blind but now I see.

I was deaf but now I hear.

I was mute but now I speak.

God found me and now I am His.

He changed me inside out.

He gave me a new life… a new me…

The old has gone, the new has come.

I am a Christian, a child of God…

I am simply myself… I cannot deny that.

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Assessment About Tantease

www.tantease.tk

a. use of effective images

In terms of use of images, it was effective because they are able to take great photos that are enticing to the eye. They are able to send the message they want to send through these photos. The photos are also able to speak for themselves. They were able to get good models who would show that they look good in those clothes. As well, they were also able to take photos which focused more on the clothes not the models. As a result, they are really tempting the user to buy their product. Aside from the good choice of photos, they were also able to place or position them properly in the website. There is also a good blending and contrast of colors which makes the colors of the clothes they are selling stand out. They are also able to show the different styles of a certain type of clothing through the use of photos. This is convenient for the prospective buyer because he/she could easily choose which he/she wants to buy and compare them with other styles. There are also photos of different cloth color combinations of that particular clothing which also helps the user choose which is the color combination that he/she prefers. Overall, these photos will give the prospective buyer a convenient time to choose from a variety of choices.

b. structure and navigation

The structure of the side is very professional yet it gives the site a friendly atmosphere. This combination gives the site a feeling that this is a place where you could order and buy, but at the same time warmly welcomes the customer to the website. It also seems that this site would target buyers or customers who are probably teenagers or fun goers based on the design and structure of the website.

The navigation is simple and easy. It is not confusing.

c. functionality of the buttons/command and services

The buttons are also simple. They directly tell you what will happen if you click that particular button. They give direction to the user for easy navigation. There is also a button for ordering online which is good because it would be convenient for the user to order immediately if he/she finds something he/she likes.

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Reaction to Office Ergonomics Training: A Dozen Things You Should Know about Eyestrain

One of the most common things I experience is eyestrain especially since I am a BS ComSci student. This is especially true after using the computer for several hours and looking at the monitor throughout this period of time. Sometimes, if I use the computer for more than 12hours straight, I feel dryness of the eyes as well headaches. My eyes become tired and reddish. However, whenever I start feeling that my eyes are becoming strained, I would close my eyes for a while to relax my eyes and to lubricate them as well. Sometimes I would force myself to stay awake even if I am already so sleepy and even if my eyes are already closing on their own. Due to this, I not only feel as if my head is floating, I also start having double vision. There are also times when I watch TV and I feel my eyes strained. Aside from straining my eyes, I also have to look up which can also strain my neck after a while. There are also times when I watch movies on my friend’s computer monitor. The computer monitor is placed near the window. Sometimes, when the sunlight is bright, it causes a direct glare which frustrates me and my eyes a lot because it gives me a headache while watching the movie. Sometimes the Venetian blinds can solve the problem. But there are also times when the direct glare comes from the ceiling light of the room itself which really bothers my eyes.

All the while, I knew that my eyes are not comfortable with those situations above. However, I haven’t really thought about why they happen to me. Now I know that watching TV which is not on an eye-level is really eye straining. I also realized that glares are not only frustrating, they are also unhealthy for the eyes. Lighting is important especially when reading something from the monitor. I have always been told by my mother to not stay too close to the monitor because it is bad for the eyes. However, I did not know what is the proper distance. I did not know that the best distance to read documents in the computer is to read it as far away as possible yet at the same time they can still be clearly read. I think I will also try applying the 20/20 principle which I have never tried before.

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Avatar: Mawie

Avatar Name: Mawie

HISTORY

One of my current and fondest nicknames is Mawie. It started when I was still in high school. I am fond of giving cute pet names or nicknames to my closest friends. Usually, I give animal names or animal-related names to them because I love animals and also because these animals resemble my friends’ characteristics in some ways. Example, I call one of my bestfriends Panda because he looks and acts like a panda. He likes to sleep and he likes the colors black and white. I call my other bestfriend Polar Bear because he a white, big and chubby guy like a polar bear. However, it was not really me who gave myself the nickname “Mawie”. I always give nicknames to my friends, however, I myself do not have any animal nickname at that time. I do not exactly recall how it happened. All I remember is that, somehow, I do want any animal nickname like wolf, fox or the like, but I wanted something that resembles me and at the same time sounds good to the ear. My friends tell me I resemble a cat because sometimes I look like one especially when my eyes become very round and shiny or when I smile or when I am bit sleepy my eyes become almond-shaped. I also say “Meow” when I do not know what to say anything anymore or if I have no specific answer to one of my friends’ questions. They say that my personality resembles that of a cat because I have a strong personality. Also, I am affectionate or “malambing”, and at times I am “makulit” and act like a kid who loves to play. Like a cat I love to sleep, but when I am awake, I can’t take it if there is nothing to do (di mapakali). For me, the best cat characteristic that I resemble having is the cat’s survival ability. Even if life is full of trials, hardships, and problems, I will be able to survive and make the most out of these things (of course I attribute this strength to God). However, at that time, I do not want to be called “Cat” so I ended up having the nickname “Meow”. Also at that time, I was the managing editor in the school paper. I needed a catchy name for my editorial column so I called it the “Cat’s Meow”. Eventually, during college, the word “Meow” evolved into “Maw” and “Mawie”. Somehow it does suit me better in the sense that in Chinese, “Maw” means cat. “Mawie” simply means little “Maw”.

DESIGN AND COLORS

This avatar is the embodiment of my “Mawie” character and personality. I have a light complexion so the cat is white. My favorite color is purple or lilac. This is why I added this color to some parts of the avatar such as the ears, stripes, and even on the eyes. There are also two purple circles on the eyes of the avatar not only to emphasize my favorite color, but also because I wear glasses in real life.

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Assignment on Musical Score

Assignment on Musical Score

1. What is a film score?

Ans. A film score is the orchestral music composed or used in a film. It is not the same as a soundtrack. They are not interchangeable. This is because a soundtrack is a song used in a film. A film score may be originally composed for that particular film or may have been used in a previous context.

2. Enumerate the basic functions of music in a film.

Ans. The basic functions of music in a film are as follows:

a. To provide the film with necessary film music.

1. Source music

2. Basis or identity of the film itself

3. Opening credits

4. Character themes

b. Identification of the ethnicity, location, and period of the situation or characters on the screen

c. Underscoring

d. Comments on a scene or provides the viewer with additional information or insight about the situation or characters

1. Overture

2. Describes a location

3. Character development

e. To generate an emotional response from the viewer while he/she is watching a film.

3. Watch any of the ff. cartoon film/movie and listen to the musical score used: Mulan

• Describe the emotional response or experience you had while watching the film. Did the musical made a lot of impact to you? In what way?

Ans.

The music in the film made a lot of impact on me. Throughout the story, I felt the Chinese or oriental influence on the music. There was also something about the film’s music that made it feel as if the time period is ancient. These two main factors made all the music that was played in the film coherent and connected to each other.

Sometimes, the music being played describes the atmosphere or the season of the current scene. For example, when Mulan’s father was praying in the temple, the music felt so serene, and it felt like you are really in a Chinese temple showing reverence to the place. There was also this scene when Mulan and her father were talking, aside from the cherry blossoms all over the place the music contributed a lot to make it feel like it is Spring time.

Aside from giving identity to the location, ethnicity and period of the situation, the music also portrayed a lot about the people in the story and what they feel. I felt the great value or weight of honor and tradition to the characters of the story.

The music really contributes to the mood of the story scenes. Whenever the scene would be about the Huns, the music would have a different feel that adds character to the Huns that they really are the enemies in the story. Another situation is that the feel of war or going of to battle can be really felt because of the music.

However, the greatest impact that the music had on me was on the emotional aspect. An example of this was when Mulan felt that she had dishonored her family, the music portrayed the exact feelings of being failure, and sadness that Mulan felt at that time. I can really feel the burden of the sadness being portrayed at that time. Another example was when Mulan felt determined to save her father from gong to war. The feeling of determination was portrayed by the music.

As a whole, I really believe that the film, Mulan, made a great impact on me not only because of the story, but also because of the music and what it was able to portray.

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