Thanks Abelle, for this very special card.

Now, I’m not really into giving out awards like this (but I do appreciate it when I receive one) and I realized that there are other people who I’m really glad to have met through this blog. Abelle’s the third one, but I can’t send this Visa to her.

So I’m giving this Blogging Friends Forever Visa Card to:

Edelweiza - makulit at kalog, masarap kakulitan sa comments or sa Cbox.

Gem, the Lady Programmer from Baguio City - I’ve learned some great tips on freelancing through her blog. Plus, she lives just 6 hours away from my favorite place on Earth!

This photo was taken on my 3rd trip to Sagada in July of 2006. I always get thrilled at seeing the look on somebody’s face whenever they encounter the rice terraces for the first time. They can’t believe that something so magnificent can be possible.

Read about her post and about the other bloggers that she gave this award to.

Thanks again, Gem, for this very wonderful treat. I think you’re a Kick-Ass too!

I’m not really clear as to what this award is all about, but since it came from a friend, it means so much to me.

My friends Acey and Alex believes that the Department of Health misbehaved. Alex blogged about his thoughts on the matter, believing how bullshit the government has become just because of a concert.

I’m one of those people who believe that the DOH acted properly. I won’t go into details explaining my side or opinion. I was never good in debates or stating what I stand for. Call me a chicken or whatever. I’m just elated on how things turned out.

I love staying at St. Joseph Inn because it is situated on a hill and therefore, gives you a great view of the town and the surrounding mountains.

You know why?

That’s because she just gave me the The Million Dollar Friend Award!

Things like this really warm my heart. It makes me glad to have started this blog because I keep on meeting new friends.

Thanks again, Abelle, for making my day.

It’s still in an experimental stage but I gave it a try and made some searches. One thing I like about it is that for every search that you make, you will be presented with a set of questions with answers first on the top results before the websites where RankNoodle found your search term. And these are not just any common questions. They are usually trivia that will make your day and say, “Well, I didn’t know about that. I’m glad I do now.”

For example, I made a search for ‘white house’. The results showed these questions:

These are the kind of results that would surprise you anyday. Well, who doesn’t like trivia mixed with their searches, right?

Oh, and the answer to the last question is Alice Roosevelt. She’s the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. She smoked in public and during those days (1901-1909) it was scandalous for a woman to do that.

Now isn’t that nice?

Aren’t you glad you learned something new today?

So when I’ve heard of the news that they will be holding a reunion concert, I was thrilled! I never saw them perform live so I thought this might be my chance. That excitement was only short lived when I learned who their major sponsor is. Marlboro.

I was greatly disappointed.

I abhor smoking. I abhor cigarettes. I’ve witnessed two of my loved ones get cancer because of smoking. I’ve seen them slowly deteriorate, slowly die. That’s why I consider any act of promoting these filthy sticks as a mortal sin.

I beg and pray that the Eraserheads will not associate themselves so heavily with such a product. I pray they continue with their reunion concert, but not with Marlboro or any cigarette brand as their sponsor.

The Eraserheads are a legend. They can get any sponsor they want. I wish that even to the last of their performances, that they set themselves as examples to not only the youth, but to all who admire them and their music.

P.S.
Marlboro was the cigarette brand of choice of my loved ones who died of cancer.

There are great Halloween costumes out there, if you know where to look. I remember the first time I attended a costume party. I was really very boring because I went there looking like a top corporate executive. When a friend asked who I was supposed to be, I just said I was a corporate raider ready to attack and take over any corporation.

Yeah, it didn’t turn out as I expected it to be. How I wish I was able to buy better, funnier or more scarier costume. I wish I went there as a pirate, like Captain Hook brandishing his, well, hook. Or I could have been a wizard like Gandalf casting spells here and there. Now, that would have been fantastic!

If you have kids, you should let them enjoy Halloween by letting them play make-believe. They can be fairies for a night, a gremlin if that’s what your boy wants, or a ninja. Anything is possible with a Halloween costume. A kid’s imagination is limitless.

You just have to make sure that you follow all Halloween costume safety tips and suggestions so you will have a worry-free and safe Halloween, both for you and your adorable children.

Halloween is coming, it’s just a few months away. Let your kids be kids and also let yourself feel like a kid again. Wear a costume and have fun. Halloween comes only once a year anyway.