Thursday 26 August 2010

TIME's Top 50 Websites for 2010

Time Magazine issued their Top 50 list of the Web's best sites for the year 2010. I wonder though why it was released in August. One would surmise lists like this are issued at the end of the year haha. In any case, to each his own and deviants are always welcome.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2012721,00.html

Among those listed above, I only regularly visit 4 haha; although at least I know the existence of Sesam Street and National Geographic albeit I just don't visit them sites.

Included in the list is TED. TIME's feature on TED highlighted a couple of its best talks, which includes Elizabeth Gilbert's (author of Eat, Pray, Love - a book which I loved!) talk on creativity. And I couldn't agree more! This talk was really good! One of my favorite among my favorites. Currenlty, Liz Gilbert's talk has already 33 laguanges available for subtitles! Filipino is not yet available though and an idea has just taken fruit - I got excited with the prospect of translating! Can't wait to get started on this project! =D


Monday 23 August 2010

severe repercussions

I had a number of errands to attend to late this afternoon (I already have my international driving license yey!) hence it was only after talking with Cashiew that I learned about the grim news of an ex-police officer who took the passengers of a tourist bus on hostage.

I believe Mendoza has his issues and his problems. But his problems had clouded his better judgment hence he acted dumbly, clearly not thinking of the severe repercussions his action will do to the Philippines and his countrymen.

Right now, all key words relating to the incident are trending in Twitter. I have read about a lot of people from other countries blaming and damning Filipinos and our country; collectively judging us because of the dimwitted action of one man. Right now, Hongkong Security Bureau has issued an "Avoid All Travel" to Philippines because of "severe threat".
http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/index.htm

I bleed for my country. I bleed on how we are wrongly judged now. I bleed for those who died on this incident. I bleed on how this will lower down our tourism business and possible investments hence worsening our current economic plight. Yet most of all, although this may sound a bit selfish, I bleed and worry on how this incident might affect my dream wedding - a wedding where my loved ones and the family of my fiance would gather to witness the union between me and my betrothed. I fear that this may not come to pass anymore because of fears in security of our family...

Tuesday 17 August 2010

driver's license

Got my Driver's license today, yey!

Had the written exam, got 37 out of 40. haha! Should have had made it perfect though. =D
Anyways, international license is on the way as well. Excited, excited.

Saturday 14 August 2010

how cruel can it be

I took the day off from work last Friday - had to undergo drug test for my driver's license and I had to go to the bank for my bank certificate. Late that afternoon, I went to the office to meet with the groupmates and together, go to Jom's place for his farewell party before he flies to Singapore next week and lead a new life.

While we were having our dinner, I casually asked Kristine on the latest news in the office, thinking she would just update me on another funny yet mundane happening. And so I totally wasn't prepared to hear the news she told me - that 4 JGC managers working for IGD Pj were killed in a road accident in Abu Dhabi. My eyes must have been as big as saucers as I exclaimed "WHAAAAT??! HOW? WHEN? WHY??!!". My heart sank as I hear more of the story and yet my mind still can't comprehend what happened and why it happened. As talk went to the subject of overspeeding in the Middle East, I thought of the possibility that my special someone would get to be assigned at site every now and then and my heart was gripped with fear. Worry now settled in as well as I thought about what he must have felt about the incident.

Of course, like a lot of people, I'm angry with the truck driver who was so reckless that he didn't check any oncoming traffic thus killing 5 people. But foremost in my thoughts was how unprepared those 5 must have been with their deaths. They were not able to say goodbye to their loved ones, were not able to say their farewells and to express their thoughts and feelings to the people who are important to them. Their dreams and aspirations just cut off, with nary a warning. It was such a tragedy.

And yes, how sad and cruel it is to die without even saying goodbye to those dearest to you...

This tragedy has a lot of effects in a lot of facets with big resulting complications. I can only hope that their deaths will bring about good changes in Abu Dhabi's traffic laws. In that way, their deaths won't be in vain.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/4-japanese-among-5-killed-in-traffic-accident-in-abu-dhabi

This reminds me yet again though, to tell your loved ones, everyday, as often as you can, how special they are to you.