I am Back

So, this is it!

It’s been a while since I finally realized that blogging is in my vein, that I’m actually missed it!

Million of words house in my head. I’m in trouble in the organization of those to make it better and clear. For almost two years and a half lots of events, incidents and situations played on my life which I want to share to my friends online. And it makes me crazy to keep it alone because I know that some could be possible beneficiary of my story.

It is really hard to start writing again but I know I can make it.

I feel to revenge!

A week before the celebration of our Savior’s birthday, most people seems to rush preparing for the special date. In wherever I turn my eyes, glittering Christmas lanterns hung, spreading colorful lights. In my family’s little studio-type apartment, my eldest decorated minimal decoration as December starts while singing Christmas carol. That time, he might not yet anticipated the forthcoming miserable experience in our lives, that Christmas won’t be as prosperous as past years. Though I am expected for it, talking about it at that moment may ruin his happiness so I kept in silence, letting him finish the task. Until now, no one breaks the ice.

And time flies so fast. I am not ready to face the challenge. Kids asking when we go shopping for new clothes and shoes and what would be the food for Noche Buena. Again, I keep on smiling and after a while close my eyes to stop tears coming out. What should I do? Why do such thing happening to me? Everything ruins my plans. And that f_____ school stole my kids happiness!

I really don’t know where I am heading to. Everyone is telling that things will be okay. But when? How? Those who I thought are capable of helping me during this tight season seem to hide their faces off. What a nice year-end experience and Christmas gift from this crazy world!  I didn’t realized that sometimes we go beyond the borders we created, pulling off to slide down even keeping still to be on the right path. That somehow our designed path are affected by other people’s decision and  cruelty that putting us into situations we cannot understand.

Life is unfair!

The USANA Family

I have met her unexpectedly, in time that I was down and ready to fall again. Through the article which put her in the limelight everything turned extraordinary as she made extraordinary thing to save life of an ordinary people.  It is unusual reaction of posting comment to a certain article but I cannot help myself leaving one upon reading her story yet I posted intention to become part of the company where she belongs.

A colleague has been part of the USANA family third quarter of this year where Ms. Traci Tatum Castaneda also a member, as Gold Director, and she proves products so great.  Despite of my eagerness to join her in her business venture I was not able to; I am totally financially broke. As Traci read my intention to becoming part of the USANA, she left me a private message through facebook stating her willingness to help me starting the business in all ways. Receiving wonderful assistance offer from a person who has track record in the field is a great opportunity which only few people can have.  Her humbleness and encouragement led to a mutual agreement which I know would be beneficial for both of us.

USANA Products Combat Eroding Health

USANA Health Sciences is one of America’s leading companies in the field of health and nutrition. USANA helps improve the lives of thousands of people around the world in two ways:

1. Superior product lines that customers can always trust

1. Innovative network marketing program that offers a fair and balanced compensation plan for both the average and ambitious USANA Associate

Our Mission

To develop and provide the highest quality, science-based health products, distributed internationally through network marketing, creating a rewarding financial opportunity for our independent Associates, shareholders, and employees.

The Founder

Dr. Myron Wentz, internationally recognized microbiologist, immunologist, and pioneer in the development of human cell culture technology and infectious disease diagnoses, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of North Dakota, and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Joining a pathology group in Peoria, Illinois, Dr. Wentz served as infectious diseases specialist and directed the microbiology and immunology laboratories for three hospitals in the Peoria area. After three years of clinical experience, he saw an opportunity to make a deeper contribution to medical science by developing much-needed tests for viral diseases.

Dr. Wentz launched Gull Laboratories as a one-man operation in 1974. By June of 1977, several of his viral diagnostic assays were FDA-approved and ready for marketing to hospitals and clinical laboratories. He developed the first commercially available test for diagnosing infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. Dr. Wentz sold his controlling interests in Gull Laboratories in 1992 and founded USANA Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements, foods, and personal-care products.

Even though his businesses have been extremely successful, Dr. Wentz first and foremost considers himself to be a scientist, not a businessman. Nonetheless, Dr. Wentz’ business acumen has been recognized through a presidential appointment as an advisor to the Small Business Administration and as a 2003 recipient of the Utah Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

In addition to Gull Laboratories and USANA Health Sciences, Dr. Wentz created Sanoviv Medical Institute, a holistic medical facility with full hospital accreditation located in Baja California. In recent years Dr. Wentz has turned his attention to charitable and humanitarian concerns, founding the Wentz Medical Centre and Laboratory in Uganda and the Wentz Medical Centre in Cambodia to serve children in those countries orphaned by diseases such as malaria and HIV. In 2006 Dr. Wentz was a recipient of the Children’s Champion Award, presented by the Children’s Hunger Fund, for which he travels worldwide as a medical missionary. In 2007 Dr. Wentz was honored with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences. In 2009 the new Children’s Hunger Fund Malawi Medical Center opened and was named after USANA’s founder.  In 2011 Dr. Wentz received the Multi Level Marketing International Award (MLMIA) Industry 5 Star Award and co-authored the national best-selling book, The Healthy Home.

While Dr. Wentz’ primary focus is on health and disease prevention, his love for music and his generosity have made possible the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

“I dream of a world free from pain and suffering. I dream of a world free from disease. The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth. Share my vision. Love life and live it to its fullest in happiness and health.”

-Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences

-Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences

To learn more about Dr. Wentz and all of his visionary endeavors, visit his Web site www.DrWentz.com

He might be the most inconsiderate prof but he made me real

I feel like I’m in the cloud nine after receiving a round of applause from my classmates as I and my partner retreat from the aisle of the presentation room last Sunday. We both done the best of us in the presentation. Knowing that the professor is the most “inconsiderate prof” in the graduate school I inculcated my mind that he won’t be able to have a chance to criticize me, and my partner as well, in delivering the presentation. Thanks to my ever supportive family who gave me ample time studying my piece until midnight of Saturday despite of being ill. Even though I was in high-fever my soul forced me to memorize each line of the paragraphs, understand the stages and models of the topics and create examples on my mind just to prove that I am worthy of taking the first seat of the presentors.

I was warned before hand by some colleagues that the prof is used to bombard presentors of questions until he satisfies himself so I made myself ready for that situation. Fortunate I was, he didn’t shown me the bad side of him instead was supportive in giving his ideas once in a while. At the end of my presentation, I extended him my sincere thanks for being under his subject because I felt that he made me a real post graduate student after the presentation.

My Terror Professor

I am worrying about my class reporting this coming Sunday in the graduate school. I feel like I am not yet ready to do the initial class reporting in the Policy Analysis class with the known terror professor in the university of all times. He is expecting too much from his class, as if we are all in his level of knowledge, and can be able to make rebuttal with him like what he does in the court room. The first class meeting with him sounds pleasant; he actually gave the class hints of how to please him to achieve the grades he ordered us to write in the upper right side of our class cards. Majority wrote 1.25 including me, and one marked his card 1.5. The target grade would be the professor gauging point of grading which will be based on reporting (he doesn’t want us to use power point presentation), attendance (two absences is equivalent to failing grade of 2.0), tardiness (late comer would prepare snacks for the class) and research paper (inability to pass research paper may lead to INC grade).

Looking back a month ago, I remember classmate in other subjects talking to us that she and some of our classmates will visit the dean’s office to request for subject change upon knowing that the terror professor will handle our class. The fortunate students request granted and had given new class with other professor while the unfortunate ones (we are eleven left) stays with him.  And yes, we starting to carry the cross in our shoulder or should I say, making wire walking for we all don’t know how to make this man completely satisfied with our presentation output.

And take note that the Sunday class doesn’t end the problem; in every meeting, all of us will do presentation with him. If I will turn on the schedule of classes there are six meetings with him within the semester and we actually done first meeting, so there are five left. According to him, the last meeting would be final examination day and research submission which means no more reporting on that particular day. However, the remaining four meetings will be the frantic moments for all; for sure no one can escape with his sharp tongue commenting until each and every one of us knelled down to shame.

How to celebrate kid’s simple birthday?

Parents are in trouble when they have limited amount to spend in birthday celebration of kids because kids usually expecting grand party with friends around. And the cake and theme, of course, are the first priority with balloons and clowns as add-ons.

In my recent financial situation I won’t be able to give my 10 year old girl a nice birthday celebration, telling her the truth is not that easy. So I think of  ways of how to escape with huge birthday investment. And these are the ways I did.

1. Invite the kid to visit historical church. It took us two hours travel going to the place.

2. Bring her favorite gadget with you. I brought camera that she used to take lots of picture. She was indeed happy and contented doing the favorite thing she loves to do.

3. Dine in the favorite food palace. She just asked for the forever-favorite burger, shanghai roll, sweet blend spaghetti and ice cream to complete the table.

4. Take her in the shopping mall. I asked the kid to think of the very first personal thing she want to buy in the mall, she went for a pair of shoes.

5. Take her in the grocery store. I let her buy some of her favorite sweets, nacho, fruits and breads of her choice to take home.

Above with the above enumerated “how to”, do not forget to take great souvenir pictures.

Those strategies were done effectively with my kid, it might be the same with yours, try it.

Virtual Assistant jobs

As I fight the right to live and earn for a living, a website came across my path which offers quite promising jobs. If you are in the situation which you feel no one to turn to, even little available opportunity would be grabbed for luck, so I grabbed it. I signed up eagerly and submit the requirements the website is asking of.

The Staff dot com seems to be one of the promising online databank where applicants can send intention to sell his service to the employers. What is great about this website is that an applicant has given a chance to upload audio and video recordings stating his qualification and experiences which give the applicant great chance of hiring. Compare to other resume databank on the net, Staff dot com seems to have an edge. An applicant likewise would ask to set his desire monthly salary based on his previous performance. And because I am just new to this system setting desired salary took time for me to decide. I have zero idea of how much should I set my desired monthly work remuneration. At the end, I typed amount which I guess is based on the current basic wage in the country.

This is quite new experience to me, additional knowledge in manipulating my laptop as I recorded my voice through the installed audio recorder and videod myself via youtube dot com. I had fun doing those thing, and hearing my own voice recorded in net excites me so much.

Guys, if you are looking for a virtual assistant jobs, try Staff dot com.

(This post is NOT a paid post.)

Derek Redmond story in 1992 Barcelona Olympic inspired me

There are things that give reasons for an individual to keep through, fight and hope. In my case, not only once but in many times I thought of giving up, to end sacrifices for I feel that I am tired enough to go on. But the Lord is always in the corner, sending His instrument to extend His love for me. It might not be in the form which I needed most but in kind which has greatly effect in my heart: His WORDS.

I thought that attending my graduate class today would just be a lost of time and money; three hundred pesos expenses to travel back and forth from home to school in Manila  damage greatly to my budget. Less of my expectation, I will find a bit comfort with my professor, Dr. Nilo Rosas with his inspirational words and video clippings which somehow eye opener for me. I feel that those clippings were designed specially for me, a simple reminder that in time I would surpass all the trials in my life.

While watching some of his clippings most of students were crying. He showed to us Derek Redmond’s fate to finish his goal, along with his supportive father on his side  despite of the leg pain he was suffering during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic. Also the salvation story of the man who opted to save lives of many people over his young boy, and the story of the one eye mother who because of her love to her child she donated her eye to him when he lost his eye during an accident.

Those were very inspiring. I truly related with the stories for I know how hard dealing with problems. I feel better for a while. But the feelings goes out as I went back home because the reality is in there. Stepping out the classroom means welcoming the reality where I belong. Honestly speaking, inspirational thoughts from Dr. Rosas gradually faded out because truth can’t be denied of. I need to think over and over again of how to solve problems that are waiting for immediate solutions. And I have no one to run to. Everybody turns their back to me.

There is slight pain on my head while writing this post. I maybe pressured enough this time of seeking solutions; and who do you think will not, if you know you’re landlady would come tomorrow for the two months house rental, and your kids would ask for their daily school allowances.  Who will not be in the hot sit knowing that only few pesos were left on the pocket’ how about the kid who will celebrate birthday on Wednesday, the electric bill on Friday? Gosh! I’m getting crazy!

But despite of these, still I am hopeful, believing and waiting. I won’t give up! Fight!

Who your friends are?

I’ve been waiting for a phone call since I woke up this morning; someone may call me just to say that, “hey, I had sent the money in Western Union and it is ready to pick up,” but I maybe got wrong instinct that this thing would happen today. It’s almost took me a day waiting for nothing.

It is past four in the afternoon right now, mom and daughter went to my sister’s house few blocks away and my son is in the community church for his choir engagement. I opted to stay home to find list of friends in the directory whom I know are capable of helping me. Even facebook accounts of friends were browsed, evaluating how they live their lives to assess should they have the means to assist me financially. I feel really bad seeing a long-time friend, who sent help refusal a week ago, with her comfortable and luxurious life. It reminds me of the folk’s saying, “you’ll better know your friends when you are in trouble. A true friend will share both of your happiness and sadness.”

Because of that I had second thought to continue seeking help from other people, I might just put myself in a shameful and pitiful situation over my friends. I imagine people are laughing at my back. But what should I do, no one I can turn into? It is just a matter of take or break.

To choose between options is hard. But I go for the second option. Just for my kids to survive in this critical situation I will do everything, I will accept other people’s criticism, judgement and laughter. I will stay tough for them, secure their daily needs of whatever possible ways I can make.

All is well.

Saddest side of the story

Thanking God is the only thing I want to do right now for the blessings that He provide us. Though I can really sense my mom’s fear about our situation yet she’s controlling  the kids to notice all about it. She smiles and still cracking for jokes at times so I did. But despite of the “fake” smiles on our faces both my mom and I worry so much. We think of where to get food for the kids. And our house rental, a week before it reaches two unpaid months, and the bills, gas, etc. Maybe my mom really feels bad seeing that I just only have P500.00 left in my pocket before the two gallons of alkaline water costs P90.00.

While doing house errands I thought of friends who possibly have extra cash to be lent. And I text Jeff. Few minutes  he texted back to say “I am sorry”. I tried another one, Gina, who answered me the same.

This is really a serious problem. Christmas is just in the corner, and my daughter’s birthday as well. In fact, this girl asked me during our lunch of what I would prepare for her birthday on December 5; she will turn 10. I smiled at her in silence because I really don’t know what to say. That’s one of the reasons why I am really hoping to borrow money from friends aside from the fact that we can’t take meals and kids might not attend their classes. I’m really in trouble.

Why am I in this situation? Simply because I resigned from my job because another school hired me as a full time faculty last September 11. I actually had passed requirements on October 25 as per advised by the Hiring Officer, and forwarded resignation letter to previous employer October 12. It was with my high expectation to join the school after the examination, series of interview and teacher’s demonstration with department deans and lead faculty, and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs in the panel room. Unfortunately, in the afternoon of October 25 a call from the said school changed everything and crashed out my plans, the Hiring Officer said that my application is not possible this semester (November to March) for not-so-clear reason as I was not able to understand what she was telling me because of shock. From then on I work out to find a new job but it seems most schools are not accepting new faculty during the second semester. Therefore, I need to wait until the semester ends.

In my calculation it would take seven (7) months before I can go back to teaching. The saddest side of my story is all I had when I left the previous school was my last 9 days salary and 13th months benefit which I spent the past days for our living. I don’t even have savings since I earn very minimal from the job. Now, I am just depending on siblings and friends donation for our daily expenses. But despite of this, I am still believing for the positive vibes, there will come a good job offer with the guidance of the Lord. Though my family and I are financially paralyzed this moment, I have so many things to be thankful the Lord. Our lives, of course, is the best gift. I am praising him that my family has rice and noodles in the table, that we can still laugh and smile with each other. And above all, there is love in our heart, the gift that nobody can take away from us.