Among the adversities in life we inevitably will meet are disasters. We've been through the last deluge and the latest weather report indicates that we soon may have to go through another storm. Remember that every storm passes -- do not fret. Pray instead, but these are a helpful tips which I can suggest :
1. Do not panic. Most people who panic cannot think objectively and are prone to act without thinking. Accept that there is NOTHING we can do with natural disasters but pray. THINK and plan ahead.
2. Gather all your important things - ID's,family albums, credentials, and ANYTHING dear to you and put them in a waterproof bag. Also, remember to put in an extra flashlight, a couple of candies, important medicines if you are suffering from any disease. If you have allergies, for instance, put your anti-allergy medicines in the bag.
3.Make sure that you have your small AM radio (your Ipod FM radio is not useful) so that you know what is happening. Try purchase some extra batteries BEFORE the disaster (or always have them anyway) so that you can use them anytime you need them. Keep flashlights where it is easy to reach so you don't have to look for it in the dark.
4.If you live in low lying areas, please try and evacuate BEFORE the rain happens. KNOW where is the nearest evacuation center and bring your emergency bag.
5.Try and buy amoxcillin (broad range spectrum antibiotics) or doxycycline(respiratory ) so that should you end up at an evacuation center and feel sick with sudden fever an dflu you can take doxycycline if you have fever and no medical help is available right away. Amoxcycillin is a broad range antibiotic which can be handy if you are suddenly infected because of a wound or if you get any infection. Please note that pregnant mothers and kids below 12 SHOULD NOT TAKE THESE antibiotics. I have included this suggestion only because there may be times when even doctors and hospitals may be out of reach when you need them.
6.Try and get a hand sanitizer and include it in your emergency bag.Remember that if you cannot wash your hands a hand sanitizer would do.
7. Charge cellphones and all means of communications BEFORE the emergency. Get a back up battery if possible. Remember that you can also use your cellphone for emails to get in touch with your relatives abroad. If you are a SMART CELLPHONE user for instance, you do NOT need to BUY a wifi phone. All you do is type in the email address/space/ message and send to 200. Yes, it's that simple to send an email. GLOBE allows you to log in your yahoo messenger for your relatives abroad.
8.It is a good idea to bring in a couple of re hydration salts if you have kids. Rehydration salts are cheap and can help sustain your kids should you happen to run out of drinking water.
10, Make sure that you have reliable RUBBER slippers so that in case you have to run or climb out of the house, you can simply carry your emergency bag and safely go to the evacuation center without having to worry about your "tsinelas" not being sturdy enough.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
About Friendship...
One who looks for a friend without faults will have none. -- Hasidic Saying
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.-- Walter Winchell
Friends are needed both for joy and for sorrow. -- Samuel Paterson
Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.-- John Evelyn
Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.-- Swedish proverb
A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.-- Anonymous
Count your age with friends but not with years - Anonymous
Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness. -- Lois L. Kaufman
"I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship."
-- Pietro Aretino (1537)
"There is nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends."
-- Hillaire Belloc
"The rain may be falling hard outside,
But your smile makes it all alright.
I'm so glad that you're my friend.
I know our friendship will never end."
-- Robert Alan
"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit."
-- Aristotle (4th century B.C.)
"Friendship is essentially a partnership."
-- Aristotle (4th century B.C.)
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
-- The Bible: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
"A friend loves at all times."
-- The Bible: Proverbs 17, 17.
"A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself."
-- James Boswell (1763)
"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another."
-- Eustace Budgell (1711)
"Friendship is Love without his wings!"
-- Lord Byron (1806)
"Friendship makes prosperity more brilliant, and lightens adversity by dividing and sharing it."
-- Cicero (44 B.C.)
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost"
-- Charles Caleb Colton (1825)
"Every man passes his life in the search after friendship."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We do not so much need the help of our friends as the confidence of their help in need."
-- Epicurus (3rd century B.C.)
"Friends show their love in times of trouble..."
-- Euripides (408 B.C.)
"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."
-- Euripides (408 B.C.)
"A good friend is my nearest relation."
-- Thomas Fuller (1732)
"My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private."
-- Solomon Ibn Gabirol
"Your friend is your needs answered."
-- Kahil Gibran
"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit."
-- Kahil Gibran.
"Let your best be for your friend..."
-- Kahil Gibran
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures."
-- Kahil Gibran
"A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother."
-- Homer (9th century B.C.)
"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over."
-- Samuel Johnson
"However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship."
-- La Rochefoucauld (1665)
"A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care to acquire."
-- La Rochefoucauld (1665)
"I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, who has sight so keen and strong
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
-- Bernard Meltzer
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.-- Walter Winchell
Friends are needed both for joy and for sorrow. -- Samuel Paterson
Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.-- John Evelyn
Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.-- Swedish proverb
A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.-- Anonymous
Count your age with friends but not with years - Anonymous
Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness. -- Lois L. Kaufman
"I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship."
-- Pietro Aretino (1537)
"There is nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends."
-- Hillaire Belloc
"The rain may be falling hard outside,
But your smile makes it all alright.
I'm so glad that you're my friend.
I know our friendship will never end."
-- Robert Alan
"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit."
-- Aristotle (4th century B.C.)
"Friendship is essentially a partnership."
-- Aristotle (4th century B.C.)
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
-- The Bible: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
"A friend loves at all times."
-- The Bible: Proverbs 17, 17.
"A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself."
-- James Boswell (1763)
"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another."
-- Eustace Budgell (1711)
"Friendship is Love without his wings!"
-- Lord Byron (1806)
"Friendship makes prosperity more brilliant, and lightens adversity by dividing and sharing it."
-- Cicero (44 B.C.)
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost"
-- Charles Caleb Colton (1825)
"Every man passes his life in the search after friendship."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We do not so much need the help of our friends as the confidence of their help in need."
-- Epicurus (3rd century B.C.)
"Friends show their love in times of trouble..."
-- Euripides (408 B.C.)
"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."
-- Euripides (408 B.C.)
"A good friend is my nearest relation."
-- Thomas Fuller (1732)
"My friend is he who will tell me my faults in private."
-- Solomon Ibn Gabirol
"Your friend is your needs answered."
-- Kahil Gibran
"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit."
-- Kahil Gibran.
"Let your best be for your friend..."
-- Kahil Gibran
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures."
-- Kahil Gibran
"A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother."
-- Homer (9th century B.C.)
"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over."
-- Samuel Johnson
"However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship."
-- La Rochefoucauld (1665)
"A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care to acquire."
-- La Rochefoucauld (1665)
"I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, who has sight so keen and strong
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
-- Bernard Meltzer
Monday, September 14, 2009
Internet Tips for Those Who Need Extra Income
I wondered about friends of mine who stay up all night "to make extra income" by doing work over the internet. There are several sites, but one that I hope that we Filipinos thought of FIRST is Odesk. Odesk has a "software" you have to download to keep track of your time.Some call this "cyber slavery" but we are all timed anyway when we go to the office to work aren't we?
If you have relatively good English skills, ANYONE can be paid by the hour which is something that YOU determine. The average one hour however is something like 5 dollars which isn't bad because that's close to the US rates.
If you can write, do wenb work, can cannot inbound-outband calls (using skype, perhaps), do SQL programming and come up with websites, Odesk pays you for the job that you have done. Odesk PAYS you because most "employers" pay Odesk FIRST before they hire you whcih means that Odesk literally pays you. Thus, your "employer" cannot run away from you after doing a job.
I am writing about Odesk because we Filipinos should have THOUGHT of something like this. At a time when everyone seems to need "some extra source of income", Odesk certainly has its possibilities.
Initially though, you'd have to take the regular Odesk test. This test will certify that you're Odesk-ready. You can take other tests like English writing ones or call center tests and these tests give you an edge as you compete against others.
I learned about Odesk from a friend of mine who makes extra income using Odesk. It can be difficult because of the time difference between Canada, UK and America vis-a-vis the Philippines but if you can stand night work at home, you can try your luck at this site.
Isn't it rather sad that the Philippines has not thought of something as CREATIVE as Odesk? Surely, if we had something like this, we'd have more of OUR workers having more income. There are however Filipinos who do get jobs and have the best Odesk Feedbacks.Try the tests, if you fail one, try another -- find your skills. Besides, if you fail one test you can take it again after some time.
While traditional work is good, it is also helpful to know about what's happening around the world and how wok can "happen" though you aren't in your own "office". I sometimes wonder if this is the wave of the future. Perhaps, it is.
Here is a video about it :
If you have relatively good English skills, ANYONE can be paid by the hour which is something that YOU determine. The average one hour however is something like 5 dollars which isn't bad because that's close to the US rates.
If you can write, do wenb work, can cannot inbound-outband calls (using skype, perhaps), do SQL programming and come up with websites, Odesk pays you for the job that you have done. Odesk PAYS you because most "employers" pay Odesk FIRST before they hire you whcih means that Odesk literally pays you. Thus, your "employer" cannot run away from you after doing a job.
I am writing about Odesk because we Filipinos should have THOUGHT of something like this. At a time when everyone seems to need "some extra source of income", Odesk certainly has its possibilities.
Initially though, you'd have to take the regular Odesk test. This test will certify that you're Odesk-ready. You can take other tests like English writing ones or call center tests and these tests give you an edge as you compete against others.
I learned about Odesk from a friend of mine who makes extra income using Odesk. It can be difficult because of the time difference between Canada, UK and America vis-a-vis the Philippines but if you can stand night work at home, you can try your luck at this site.
Isn't it rather sad that the Philippines has not thought of something as CREATIVE as Odesk? Surely, if we had something like this, we'd have more of OUR workers having more income. There are however Filipinos who do get jobs and have the best Odesk Feedbacks.Try the tests, if you fail one, try another -- find your skills. Besides, if you fail one test you can take it again after some time.
While traditional work is good, it is also helpful to know about what's happening around the world and how wok can "happen" though you aren't in your own "office". I sometimes wonder if this is the wave of the future. Perhaps, it is.
Here is a video about it :
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lord, What Do You Want Me To Do with My Life?
If you believe in God then that is the question that may be difficult to answer but God somehow "tells" us by sending us people, circumstances, joys and even difficulties to let us know what His purpose for our lives are... it differs, however, because we are all individuals and God "talks" to us individually.
One may be meant to serve him as a doctor and another as a priest. Another may be meant to play his/her guitar for the church choir. There is no ONE main purpose for everyone but a different purpose for every human being. God made us all unique. Thus, He deals with each of us as personally as possible. That's love! This song is something I'd wish to share with you all.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ivy at 103 Twitters Like Mad
Ivy is a 103 year old grandmother from the UK and she can beat most of us when it comes to Facebook and Twitter. She first started with Facebook and now is deeply engrossed with her Twitter. Yes, she is the oldest member of both social networks (Of course, we have Kirk Douglas at My Space but he's 90 and THAT is young compared to Ivy).
Ivy has gone through two world wars, probably even witnessed the lightning of the first streetlight at Telluride, Colorado and is a first hand witness to the history of world technology. Yet, at 103, she has learned to "rock with the times". Now, doesn't that tell those who THINK that 60 and above are "too old" for the internet something?
What do you THINK?
Ivy has gone through two world wars, probably even witnessed the lightning of the first streetlight at Telluride, Colorado and is a first hand witness to the history of world technology. Yet, at 103, she has learned to "rock with the times". Now, doesn't that tell those who THINK that 60 and above are "too old" for the internet something?
What do you THINK?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The "Great" Larry Hochman Shares his Thoughts:)
This was originally written in 2001, when Jillian was eight years old. We're having her Sweet 16 party this weekend. This - and two other old notes - will lead up to one current and very important one. Stay tuned if you want to thoroughly enjoy your present and parlay it into an incredible future.
And please pass this note along to whomever you think it will inspire.
*** ***
There is no better sound in the world than hearing your child laughing from the soul. It tells you that anything is possible.
I'm spending part of the morning doing Mad Libs with my daughter Jillian. She's discovering this verbal treasure for the first time, and the world of verbal humor is opening up for her.
And she's laughing like a big silly goon!
Later on in the day we stop at the bank. She sees the lollipops on the counter near the teller and makes her way toward them. Before I say a word she asks if she can get one for her little sister Sarah. At that moment I remember Jill doesn't like lollipops and feel a burst of pride and love for my little lady.
After the bank, we stop at the hair salon for a long overdue cut. She's getting the works: wash, blow dry, cut, styling. She's sees herself all fluffy and feminine, the hint of the woman she will become. As she's being fussed over by the beautician, she celebrates her new found prettiness with a grin from ear to ear.
Still later, we stop at a Subway restaurant to get her favorite treat...ham and provolone on whole wheat, no vegetables, no mayo, nothing.
Her eyes light up when I offer the three chocolate chip cookies (if she shares with Dad). I notice the look of unbridled pleasure on her face as she chomps on her sandwich. She savors the food itself and the fact that she's getting a special treat; the combination makes her feel like a princess.
Then we stop at my office so I can take care of some paperwork. I ask her to call home and tell Mommy where we are and how long we'll be. She delights in the fact that I show trust in her to make the call by herself, and that I believe in her enough to use the "special buttons" on the office phone. She handles the task as well as any administrative assistant I've ever had.
Close to bedtime, we work on math homework. She whips through four pages of multiplication, number patterns, graphs, and word problems. The quiet calm of competence shines in her eyes, and her mouth is turned up at the corners in a sublime, confident smile.
She knows her stuff, and tomorrow her teacher will know she knows it as well.
Want to see the wonders of the world? Find a child, one you love if possible.
See the world through his or her eyes, the joys, the kindness, the fears, the dreams, the unexpected delights, the gratitude.
Even better, see YOUR world as if YOU are the child. Experience things for the first time, and feel it with that intensity.
This is something you can access anytime you want.
And it will make you a better grown-up.
Your Pal,
Larry
And please pass this note along to whomever you think it will inspire.
*** ***
There is no better sound in the world than hearing your child laughing from the soul. It tells you that anything is possible.
I'm spending part of the morning doing Mad Libs with my daughter Jillian. She's discovering this verbal treasure for the first time, and the world of verbal humor is opening up for her.
And she's laughing like a big silly goon!
Later on in the day we stop at the bank. She sees the lollipops on the counter near the teller and makes her way toward them. Before I say a word she asks if she can get one for her little sister Sarah. At that moment I remember Jill doesn't like lollipops and feel a burst of pride and love for my little lady.
After the bank, we stop at the hair salon for a long overdue cut. She's getting the works: wash, blow dry, cut, styling. She's sees herself all fluffy and feminine, the hint of the woman she will become. As she's being fussed over by the beautician, she celebrates her new found prettiness with a grin from ear to ear.
Still later, we stop at a Subway restaurant to get her favorite treat...ham and provolone on whole wheat, no vegetables, no mayo, nothing.
Her eyes light up when I offer the three chocolate chip cookies (if she shares with Dad). I notice the look of unbridled pleasure on her face as she chomps on her sandwich. She savors the food itself and the fact that she's getting a special treat; the combination makes her feel like a princess.
Then we stop at my office so I can take care of some paperwork. I ask her to call home and tell Mommy where we are and how long we'll be. She delights in the fact that I show trust in her to make the call by herself, and that I believe in her enough to use the "special buttons" on the office phone. She handles the task as well as any administrative assistant I've ever had.
Close to bedtime, we work on math homework. She whips through four pages of multiplication, number patterns, graphs, and word problems. The quiet calm of competence shines in her eyes, and her mouth is turned up at the corners in a sublime, confident smile.
She knows her stuff, and tomorrow her teacher will know she knows it as well.
Want to see the wonders of the world? Find a child, one you love if possible.
See the world through his or her eyes, the joys, the kindness, the fears, the dreams, the unexpected delights, the gratitude.
Even better, see YOUR world as if YOU are the child. Experience things for the first time, and feel it with that intensity.
This is something you can access anytime you want.
And it will make you a better grown-up.
Your Pal,
Larry
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Yes, WE ALL CAN!
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
I owe my blog-mates MORE than just this video. Yes, I have decided to put on my running shoes and see where this path takes me. This path, however, is NOT new. I have been on the same path for the last 40 years of my life as anyone from San Juan City probably knows. Thus, it isn't anything REALLY "new" after the forty years when we first started the Pink Ladies and decided to give the San Juan ladies "some means of livelihood". It was also in the 70's when I started to improve the San Juan school library and health centers. Later, I tried to make sure that San Juan would have more schools, teachers, a museum and something close to a "mini cultural center". Thanks to my son JV, who was supportive in most of the projects.He understood that that we needed more schools, health centers, improvement of police force and the basic need of every resident (and guest) of the city to feel safe and secure.
Admittedly, there is always room for improvement. That is why I have the BSK (Balikatan sa Kaunlaran) projects such as recycling and waste management. San Juan is the "flood basin" of Metro Manila and during the rainy season there are times when some areas are still under water. There is also the sanitation situation that has vastly improved and we intend to do more given the "go signal" from the people.
Why only NOW? Frankly, I first was rallied by my friends and residents of the city to take the official role during the 90's. That was however a point in my life when I was more enthused about business and I had an unexpected health problem caused by taking a vaccine which was injected into my system. Vaccines can be GOOD but not everyone should be vaccinated all because it seems to be "fashionable" to do so. Anyway i shall tell you that story another time in my blog.
Last year I visited my sister Gilda in Chicago and decided to have a complete medical check up, just to make sure that I can stand the rigors of the campaign and public service. I prayed. I asked God that should He want me to pursue this not-so-new path, a sign would take would be that of my doctor's prognosis. Surprisingly, my doctor in Chicago declared me in the pink of health and added: "You can do anything you like". After some more prayers and perhaps, a bit of heartache now and then, it was clear that this is the time in my life when I had to go for it.This was God's time given me to take a more obvious role as leader of the city.
Still, I cannot do it alone. Not without your help or your suggestions. If there is anything I appreciate, it is good and productive ideas for the city. I do not view this phase in my life as me running alone but all of you running "WITH ME". I have never viewed leadership as simply giving the orders but rather a partnership with the people who share the goals I have for the city. After all, I am no super woman, I was only a provincial whose roots are from Negros and who managed to be fortunate enough to get good education-- BUT if we all come to terms with our set goals for the betterment of the city (and even the country) then yes we can do and accomplish anything!
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