Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you dear friends! May the New Year bring you blessings and gifts of good health, happy home, and peace of mind.
All the best!

May the Christmas season bring you happiness and peace!
A blessed Christmas Everyone!
Love you!

What I like about ... the Philippines

I recently opened a blog in a different site. The name is "pinoyyellowbug". This is very similar in intent to this "what I like blog". However, it focuses specially on the Philippines and its people and anything good about the Philippines.
Go check it out at:http://pinoyyellowbug.wordpress.com/

What I like about ... retirement

I love retirement!
When I retired, I told myself that I will only do things that will make my heart sing. And that's exactly what I am doing now - doing things that make my heart sing!
What are these things? - foremost on my list are:
- photography
- writing
- reading
- playing bowling
- crafts
and that about covers the most important ones.
I'm really having a blast pursuing all these things especially photography and writing.
I still teach sometimes, but the keyword there is sometimes! Teaching for me is on project basis now and not on regular basis. I like it that way.
I love the freedom of being able to plan my own day and not do something because somebody else wants my time.
Isn't this great?
That's why I love retirement!
By the way, I also wrote a hub about this song in my heart. Check it out.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Song-in-my-heart

What I like about ... playing with my camera

I'm very sorry I have not posted here for a while. Somehow, being affected by typhoon Ondoy has thrown off my natural rhythm and I am just beginning to get back in the groove. I'm really sorry about that.

To get back in rhythm, I have been playing with my camera, which by the way is one of the first things I immediately tried to save when flood waters started to enter our house!

Playing with my camera focuses my mind on beautiful and creative things and makes me forget about all the things I still have to clean and put in order. It's so much fun to discover the camera's new features and find new ways of using them. There is still so much to learn and I am just beginning to discover them. I really feel like a child with a new toy even if I already had this camera since May of this year.

Anyway, I'm sharing today a photo I created by zooming in on some plants in my garden. I did this to create a swirling effect. Isn't it amazing?

What I like about ... do_ors

This is the last of the musical series so...

That will bring us back to do!
Yes, we are back to "do" today! And I right away thought of doors.

I love doors. Doors fascinate me. Every time I see a door, I always start wondering what is at the other side. They always capture my imagination. Doors that are ajar are even more tantalizing to me. It is as if they welcome further exploration and discovery. Don't you feel like that about doors?

I also like doors that have ornate designs and knockers. Somehow they remind me of castles and princesses and knights. I guess I am just a silly romantic. Ha ha ha!

I took this door photo in a resort here in the Philippines. The resort specializes in old buildings, so it has a Spanish era atmosphere.

what i like about...ti_ckles

Oh no, I can't believe that it's been a month since I last posted on this blog. I'm really sorry about that. I have been busy with other things but that should not be an excuse!

So to get down to business... I am now into "ti" in this notes series. I paused a little longer when I reached this note. I could not think of a "ti-" right away. Anyway, I finally thought of "ti_ckle".

Yes, I love tickles. In fact I am very ticklish. It's so easy to activate my funny bone. You can tickle me with a story, with an actual tickle, or even with just a look. Ha ha ha. My husband loves to take advantage of this weakness of mine. He tickles me with looks! Ha ha ha.

I love it when something tickles my imagination. I can go places with this!

Tickles are subtle, but they produce wonderful results. Every time something or someone tickles me, I feel happier, lighter, and eager to start a new day.

I love tickles!

What I like about ... la-ughter

Do-re-me-fa-sol-la...I am now in my "la" day and immediately "laughter" came to mind. I must confess that I love to laugh. I laugh at every chance I get. I also come from a family who loves to laugh. So every time we have some family gathering, you can be sure that there will be laughter.

There was even one time that some people got scandalized at our laughter. Why? Well, it was the wake of my father and all my aunts and uncles were there. We were telling stories and reminiscing about Tatay (father), so naturally there were some funny stories. And how can you tell funny stories without laughing?

"Laugh and the world laughs with you"
"Laughter is the best medicine"

These are just two of the most remembered sayings about laughter. I talk about these in my new hub "Laugh and the World Laughs with You". Please check out the following link: http://hubpages.com/hub/Laugh-and-the-World-Laughs-with-You

What I like about Sol-itude

It has been a while since I last wrote in this blog. So many things have transpired since my last post. However, I am keeping to my last theme here which is to use the notes in finding about what I like. So I started with “do – re – me – fa” – and I am now in “sol”. I immediately thought of solitude.

I sometimes need solitude in my life. I actually seek solitude especially after several hectic and stressful days. I need solitude to get in touch with my inner self, with nature, with the universe, and with God.

In solitude, I find peace, regain my energy, and regain my focus.
In solitude, I am filled with gratitude of my many blessings.
In solitude, I begin to dream new dreams and build new hope.
In solitude, I find myself, I find God.

That’s why I like solitude.

What I like about ... fa_bles

Image from: http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210200/ancient_greece/aesop.gif
Who has not encountered fables in his/her childhood? I grew up having Aesop Fables as part of my book and comics collection. I still can remember the stories and the lessons we learned from these fables.

Who can forget "The Ant and the Dove" or "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and their respective lessons about helping each other or preparing for days of necessity?

What about "The Boys and the Frogs"? I can never forget the lesson from this story. That's why it took me a long time before I got used to pithing a frog for dissection. I actually got sick when I got my first frog and we were taught how to pith it. Ah, but this is not the point of this blog, so enough of that.

Anyway, there is "The Crow and the Pitcher" and "The Hare and the Tortoise"...
Oh, I can go on and on about my favorite fables but I think you got the point.

Fables are part of our childhood it's true, but the lessons we learned from them, we bring with us to our adult life.

That's why I like fables. Their stories are simple but their lessons are deep and have far reaching effects.

What I like about ... me_mories

"Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty, water-colored memories of the way we were..."

When I was thinking of what "me" to write about, that line from Barbra Streisand's song from the movie "The Way We Were" came to mind. I started reviewing my memories and I realized that I have mostly happy ones.

We usually speak of fond memories, happy memories because as the song says ... they 'light the corners of my (our) mind'. We rarely speak of sad memories because we don't want to remember things or incidents that make us sad. However, we do (at least I do)remember embarrassing memories because we can laugh about them during retelling.

I must admit I'm a sucker for happy memories. I actually collect them somewhere in my memory brain and I take them out when I need cheering up. It's always good to stash these memories so we can withdraw from them anytime that we need something to "warm the wintry nights". Don't you agree?

So go make your own memory bank. The interest is compounded daily!

What I like about ... re_ady mixes

Thank God for ready mixes!

I used to make my own mixes but that was before ready mixes became popular. Now, I rely on these time savers all the time. I'm no chef, so I don't have to prove anything or use a secret recipe. I only need to open a box or a sachet or a packet of these wonderful mixes and viola...a tasty dish or a yummy cake comes out!

Want to bake?...there is a ready mixed recipe for your favorite cake, whether it's 'Devil's Food Cake' or 'Chiffon Cake'.

Want to cook 'adobo', or 'mechado', or 'kaldereta' or 'kare-kare' or any other dish you can imagine? There is a ready mix for it. This is especially true here in the Philippines. Ready mixes industry is a thriving business here. New mixes are introduced into the market almost every month and companies, big and small, are joining in on the fun.

My son's girlfriend told me once that I have the best tasting beefsteak she has ever tasted. I think it wasn't just to get into my good side. I think she really meant it because she did not only have 2nd or 3rd servings, she even finished the whole dish down to the last drop of sauce! I never told her it was because of the ready mixed 'beefsteak'! She will discover for herself in due time. Ha ha ha.

So is it any wonder why I love ready mixes?

When you sing you begin with...do...

Photo from: http://static.playdo.com/1014/clickhere/tabimages/Doughnuts_227105929_std.jpg

Last time, I used the alphabet to share what I like about things. After I completed the alphabet, I was stuck. I could not think of another way to go about writing more "what I like about...". I have been feeling guilty already since I have not updated this blog regularly.

Anyway, I started humming to myself today the song "do re me" and it suddenly occurred to me that if I used "a b c" last time, then maybe I can also use "do re me" as a starting point. Why not?

So here goes... what I like about...do_ughnuts

I like doughnuts because...they are...
- easy to digest
- readily available from down the corner
- easy to make if you are in the mood to make them

They also...
- taste great with coffee
- taste great with tea too
- and so with juice
- come in different flavors
- even come in different colors (I don't like the rainbow colors though)
- come with various toppings
- come with various fillings
- are inspirational...huh?

Did that last one surprise you? Doughnuts, inspirational? You gotta be kidding?

Well, no, I'm not kidding. I know of a fellow professor (bless his soul), who used to speak to graduating students and he always talked to them about doughnuts. He always told them "don't just focus on the hole in the doughnut, rather, look through the hole and find a beautiful world out there". See what I mean? Doughnuts can be inspirational!

Okay, let's go get some doughnuts!

a thank you note

Hi Everyone,
I just wish to thank all of you who supported me in the "hubnuggets wannabe".

It's now official, my hub on tea is not just a wannabe, it's already a "hubnugget"!

With your help I made it to the top 5. In fact I am #2! Imagine that!

Because of this, I gained more friends and fans. Not only that, I also learned today that my hubs, all 6 of them have accumulated 1000 views! Imagine that again!

http://hubpages.com/profile/jill+of+alltrades

Thanks to tea! Let's drink some more!

what i like about ...tea

I love drinking tea so I have accumulated lots of tea bags. I wondered what I can do with these teabags and so I researched on this.

I found several good uses for them so I wrote about them and published the article in my hubpages. http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Other-Uses-of-Tea

Now, guess what ... today, I got an email telling me that my hub or article about tea made it to the shortlist of hubnugget wannabes. This is a citation of hubs published by new hubers.

Was I happy? You bet! I was in fact elated!

Now all those in the hubnugget wannabe list were told to campaign for votes so that their hub will make it to the top of the list.

So my dear friends and passersby, please click on the link below and vote for my hub - "The Other Uses of Tea". I am known as "jill of alltrades" in hubpages by the way.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Summer--and-the-HubNuggeting-is-Easy


By the way, anybody (even if you are not a member of hubpages) can vote. Just click on the link above.

Thank you!

And that's why I love tea ... my article about it got a citation! Yehey!

What I like about ... zzzzz

It's "Z" day today, so this is the last of my alphabet series for this "what I like about..." blog. I will have to think of some new series next time. Can you suggest any theme?

I could not think of something that starts with "z" except 'zebra' and 'zinnia'. However, I have nothing much to share about zebras except - their stripes make good subjects for photos. Zinnias on the other hand are flowers and I have talked about flowers several times in this blog and also in my photo blog, http://aphotoaday-saanva.blogspot.com/search/label/flower

So today, I thought I will share about 'zzzzz' or sleep which of course does not start with 'z' but is nonetheless always represented as 'zzzz'.

Everybody loves to sleep. It's always so hard to wake up somebody from their sleep. This is especially true every morning as I try to wake up my kids. I have to knock on their doors several times before they finally stand up and get ready for work or school. They just love to sleep.

I also love to sleep, so I wrote about it in my hubspages. Please check out my article there. http://hubpages.com/hub/sleep--do-we-need-it

what I like about ... yarn

It almost the end of the alphabet for this alphabet series of what I like. It's "Y" day today, and "y" made me think of my yarn collection.

I love yarns. I love working with them. I love their colors.

I keep a box of yarns which I open every now and then to look for something to work on like some crochet or knit project or simply to tie something with. I usually use a combination of red and green yarn to tie up some Christmas packages or a blue and pink yarn to tie up gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.

Sometimes I just look at my box of yarns if I want some cheering up. Their colors are usually enough to brighten what otherwise would have been just an ordinary day.

What I like about ... xylophones

Things or places starting with "X" are rather rare. I can only think of X-ray, Xenia, and xylophone.

Even if x-rays are important as diagnostic tools, I cannot say that I like them. Xenia is a flower that looks like mums. Since I love almost all kinds of flowers, there is really nothing about Xenia that I can pinpoint as something I specifically like. So I am settling for xylophone.

What I like about xylophones is their sound. It is very refreshing and inviting. Every time I hear their sound, I am always reminded of either bells or the gurgling sound of a brook. I love it especially if I hear the sound early in the morning. I feel that a bright and lovely day is unfolding if I hear the sound.

What I like about ... water

It’s “w” day and water immediately came to mind.

I will not talk about the obvious importance of water in our life except to say that – our cells consists of about 70% water, so it’s but logical that if we lack water, then we will not function efficiently at all. We can even die of dehydration or lack of water. Having said that, I will talk more on the other reason why I like water.

I like water because its presence in any scene always adds some interesting point in my photos. Taking a picture of water in its many forms – as a droplet, as moving force, as part of the scene, as rain, or even as a simple puddle, has always been challenging. I will post the many “faces” of water in my photo blog. Please follow me over there by clicking on the link below.
http://www.aphotoaday-saanva.blogspot.com/

For today, I will just post one of my favourite water photo – that of raindrops. I called this photo "angel tears".

What I like about ... van Gogh

It's "V" day today and I immediately thought of Van Gogh.

I got to know Van Gogh first through Irving Stone’s fictional biography, “Lust for Life”. I was so moved by the drama of his life such that I poured through many art books in the library and looked at whatever pictures of his paintings were there. There was no internet at that time yet (late 60's). Through the book, I got to understand van Gogh better and appreciated his works more.

I cannot say that I like all of Van Gogh’s works. However, I appreciate most of them especially because I learned of the circumstances under which those works were done. Sometimes I wonder however why he has so many self portraits wearing different kinds of hat. Did he paint these because he was egoistic or because he could not afford to pay any model? My guess is probably both.

My favourite works are his popular “Sunflowers” and of course “Starry Night”. However, I also like his less known “Landscape at Dusk” painting. I love the way he captured the essence of dusk through the colors he used.

Van Gogh's passion for his art is the main reason why I like him and his works. The title, "Lust for Life", that Irving Stone used in his book is an apt description of van Gogh's life.

what I like about ... umbrellas

It's "U" day today, so I thought of umbrellas.

Umbrellas are so versatile. They can be used as "parasol" or for the sun, or "parapluie" or for the rain. They can even be used as canes or as weapons. For those of you who have watched the tv series "The Avengers", I'm sure you still remember the character of Dr. David Keel and his ubiquitous umbrella. And who can forget Mary Poppins and her umbrella with the talking parrot?

I love umbrellas because of their bright and beautiful colors. I know umbrellas used to come only in black but the present day umbrellas are just so colorful. Don't you agree?

Umbrellas also come as single fold or double fold or even triple fold. The shorter they are, the more handy they are and they can easily fit inside a handbag. However, if you don't have a bag, then the folding ones are also more likely to be forgotten somewhere. I can't remember anymore how many umbrellas I have lost this way. So now, I just carry around the no fold or single fold umbrella. I am less likely to forget them if they are big.

Umbrellas are of course favorite gifts or give-aways of companies or even politicians. Every time you open the umbrella you become a walking advertisement of the company or the person. Isn't that ingenious?

I simply love umbrellas, don't you?

What I like about ... handkerchiefs

Today, I'm posting a wonderful contribution by my good friend, Teng. She collects handkerchiefs and makes paper (origami) dolls. We will ask her to talk about her dolls another time. All the photos are from her collection. Aren't they pretty?

What I like about handkerchiefs
"They’re small, square pieces of cloth. They’re thin and, when folded, could fit into a pocket or a small purse. They’re used for wiping. What are they? They’re handkerchiefs!

Wrong! Except for the “cloth” part, the description could fit that of a tissue paper and doesn’t do justice to a handkerchief. True, some tissue papers have designs like hankies, but you throw used tissue paper away. You don’t do that to a hanky. Especially one that you’ve carefully selected or made, or had been given, and have kept all these years.

Why do I like hankies? One is their obvious function - wiping off anything wet. You use a hanky to wipe off tears (of sadness or happiness), sweat, left-off water after washing, left-over milk on a child’s mouth, etc, etc. Who cares what you wipe? You can wash the hanky afterwards and it’s good as new!

Second, hankies are works of art. Their designs are limitless – flowers, plants, animals, people, sceneries, ribbons, shoes, purses, stamps, flags, ships, etc, etc. Their colors are beautiful, their texture fine and soft. The combination of cloth with lace, embroidery, beading, paint, etc could astound you.

Third, you can do wonders with hankies, transforming them into other works of art. Using the paper-folding art of origami, hankies can also be folded and twisted into birds, flowers, dolls, etc and displayed. Visit the hankies department of any Japanese department store and you’ll see what I mean.

Fourth, you can wrap a small gift with a hanky. And the hanky ends up as part of the gift!

Fifth, they make very nice, inexpensive gifts (although, if you gift it to a Thai, he/she has to “pay” you a small amount, to counteract the “tears” associated with hankies). And you won’t need a big box or a large wrapping paper to wrap them in, so that’s another plus in the expense area.

Sixth, there is something to learn when you look at handkerchiefs. How the Japanese traditional attire looks like. Who Fendi, Celine, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Lehrer, etc are and whether you can recognize their creation, without looking first at the signature/label on one end of the hanky. How places in other countries look like.

I have collected hankies since the 60s, so you can imagine the volume of my collection. My children had even commented that I should establish a hankies museum! Well, why not? Their beauty then would be shared instead of being just kept in boxes!"

Mother's Day

Today I am just sharing a card I made especially for all you lovely mothers out there. I hope you like it.

what I like about ... tableaux

Today is "T" day and right away I thought of "tableaux." I love looking at tableaux. They present scenes or groups of people or even photos in such a creative way that make an immediate impact on the viewer.

Tableau is the reason why I joined HP's tabblo.com. The website has presented a way that awakens the artist in us. It allows one to put together photos and text in a creative way. This is not a paid promotion of their website at all. I just want to let you know that I love using the website.

You can check out one of my tableaux by clicking on the link below. You may also want to look at my other tableaux by clicking on the "next tabblo by saanva". Saanva is the name I am using in this website. Saanva was coined by my son, Milo, when he helped me with my first ever website. It simply comes from the first few letters of my name and designation, "Salvacion Angtuaco Visual Artist".

This is the link.
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/1719080/

What do you think?

What I like about ... sunshine

"S" is for sunshine.
Who doesn’t like sunshine? Aside from its obvious importance as energy, light and heat source for all living things on earth, I like sunshine because of the ever changing mood it produces on people and things.

We are of course familiar with SAD or seasonal affective disorder (also known as winter blues) which is usually brought about by decreased sunny days, but of course that is not the reason why I like sunshine.

I like sunshine because of the happy mood it brings to people. Do you still remember John Denver’s song, “Sunshine on My Shoulder”? It goes like this...
“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high....”

Then there is the Beatles’song, “Here Comes the Sun” with the lyrics...
“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right....”

And of course, one of my favourite songs, “I’ll Catch the Sun” by Rod Mckuen...
“I'll catch the sun and never give it back again.
I'll catch the sun.
And keep it for my own.
And in a world where no one understands,
I'll take my outstretched hand,
And offer it to anyone...”

There are many other sunshine songs, but I think those three will suffice to prove my point. Sunshine does make everyone happy, right?

The other thing I like about sunshine is its effect on things. It can also change the mood of things and I speak especially of the mood in photographs. Since I love taking pictures, I am very much aware of how sunshine changes the mood of scenes and even portraits. For example, the presence of filtered sun rays through the leaves usually gives a dreamy effect to a photo. Or photos with backlit effect can be very dramatic.

I can go on and on about the effect of sunshine on photos but I think I should stop here already.
I just want to reiterate that...
I like sunshine ... isn’t it obvious?

what I like about ... ribbons

It's "R"'s day today. I have already posted several "Rs" before...roses, rainbows, reading, just to name a few. Still, I did not find it hard to come up with another "r". So it's "ribbons" turn today.

I like ribbons because they are so... colorful, graceful and versatile.

One can do so many things with ribbons...
... we can use them for tying hair,gifts,books,and practically anything that needs tying up.
... we can also make them into decorative pieces...just as themselves, as ribbons... but we can also make them into flowers, buttons, markers, beads
... then, they can be made into borders, frames, tassels, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and other doodads...

Yes, ribbons are so versatile. One wonders what happens to a world without ribbons.

What I like about ... quests

“Q” is for quests. This is what immediately came to mind when I thought of “q”.

Quests always remind me of heroes, of knights in shining armour, of impossible dreams.

Just look at Don Quixote and his impossible quest, or Sir Galahad and his quest for the Holy Grail, or even Frodo and his quest to destroy the one ring. All these fictional characters had to undergo numerous difficulties in their quests but all of them became triumphant in the end.

But stories of quests do not have to remain as fiction. We have heard of many true-to-life stories wherein somebody overcomes great difficulties and obstacles and emerged as present-day heroes.

Quests bring out the heroic feeling in every person. They make us dream bigger dreams and we become stronger and more determined in the pursuit of our goal.

Quests remind me of the lyrics of the song, “Impossible Dream” from the movie “Man of La Mancha”...
... “ This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star.”....

what I like about ...patterns

One of the many things I look for when I compose my shots during photography is to look for patterns. So when I thought about "P" as my topic for today, I immediately thought of patterns.

We find patterns everywhere... in things at home, in the office, in school, in nature.

Just look at how crayons are packed or how bottles are stacked. Take a look at the leaves, or the flowers, or the stones. Observe the things in your closet, or your bag, or your desk. You will find patterns there, everywhere.

The challenge in photography is to present these patterns in such a way that they create pleasing pictures. This is the challenge that always excites me. That's why I love taking pictures.

What I like about ... orchids

"O" made me think of orchids. I love orchids. Even the simplest of them always look so attractive, so elegant, so graceful.

Orchids always remind me of exotic places...tropical rain forests...colorful maidens...

Orchids also remind me of special occasions ...weddings, debut, proms, graduation, inauguration, anniversaries, beginnings, endings.... We always make corsage and floral arrangements for these occasions.

Among the flowers, orchids also have one of the most exotic names ...
...Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Masdevallia, just to name a few.

Easter Greetings

Hello Everyone,

May the miracle of Easter bring you blessings and happiness.

Happy Easter!

What I like about ... magic

I have already posted two “ms” before ... mother and morning. So I had to think of another “m” for today. And I got it ... magic!

Who does not like magic? I love magic. I love the mystery ... the fun ... the excitement ... the discovery....

Isn’t it fun to ask the question - “How did he/she do that?”

Don’t you feel elated if you figure out how something is done “magically”? That’s always a high point for me ... discovering how a certain trick or magic is done.

Magic makes me...
... feel good
... excited
... alive
... eager to learn
... young

Magic is ... magical!

What more can I say?

what I like about... lamps

Lamps are one of those objects that also never fail to attract my attention. So my "L" day reminded me of lamps.

Why lamps? Well, when lighted they always draw attention of course. Plus their designs are most of the time graceful and symmetrical. Some designs are minimalist while others are ostentatious and sometimes even outrageous.

When looking at lamps, I feel that I am also looking at some architectural design.

However, the one thing that I like about lamps is the shadows they create. The interplay between light and shadows always fascinates me. I can create many stories with this interplay.

Just take a look at the shadows created by this lamp. What does it remind you of? I'm sure something comes to your mind, right?

what I like about ... kittens

It's "K's" day so I thought about kittens.

What I like about kittens is they start as shy and cautious individuals but once they become familiar with the surroundings then they become playful and fun to be with.
This is what happened to this kitten. For the first few weeks, it always stayed close to its mother and would only look at me with soulful eyes. It never budged from where it was, beside the mother. Later, it started to explore its surroundings and ventured away from its mother. Then it played with anything I would place near her.

Why is it that when kittens grow to be cats they become less playful and actually boring? Cats just sleep practically all day. They don't play anymore. Do you notice the same thing with your cats and kittens?

What I like about ... jokes

Hello, I'm back.

I spent the break visiting Boracay, my favorite island here in the Philippines. I also visited my mom.

It was a fun and fruitful break and I'm now eager to resume this blog.

So we are now in "J" and the first "j" that came to mind is ...jokes.

Who doesn't love jokes? I think almost everybody likes jokes except of course if the timing is wrong and the joke is on us.

Anyway, a good joke is always fun and can "break the ice" in any occasion.

A good joke always brings... laughter, happiness, lightness, sometimes even tears, but tears of gladness of course.

I still remember a teacher in college who would always crack a joke in class. However, she would always start laughing at her own joke and we never really understood what the joke was about. Still, all of us would join her in laughing but our laughter is really never about the joke but more because we found her so funny as she tried telling the joke. Ha ha ha. She always looked so funny as she would double over in laughter with tears streaming down her eyes. It's just so sad that for such a happy person, she died a violent death. God bless her soul.

We always like a good laugh.... The popularity of the following shows is proof of this...
...funniest home videos
...candid camera
...bubble gang
...friends
...etc.
We joke about almost anything or anyone...
... our own self
... mother in law
... neighbor
... school
... church
... dogs
... babies
... homework
... husband/wife
... elderly people
... anybody... anything

taking a short break

Hi, I will be out of town for a few days and may not have access to an internet. Will be back next week.

What I like about ... ice cream

"I" is for ice cream!

Is there anybody here who does not like ice cream?

I love ice cream. I love its rich, creamy sometimes fruity flavour. I have a friend who eats her desserts first (especially if it’s ice cream) before even starting with the main course. I don’t do that however, I really reserve my ice cream as the last food I will take in a meal. Then I will leisurely eat it and enjoy every spoonful of this wonderful food. If it's in a cone... I would finish the whole cone too.

When I was in college, my friends and I would visit an ice cream parlor once a week. Every week, we would try a different ice cream concoction or flavor. We had sundaes or parfaits or splits... and all kinds of flavor. We even had a hearty laugh when we once ordered a supposedly "birthday suit or special" (I forgot the exact name) and we were served two scopes of ice cream with a banana (with cherry and cream on top) between them. Ha ha ha... naughty... naughty.... I think they changed that to 3 scopes of ice cream later. Those were fun days!

There was a time when (because of health reasons) I was advised by my doctor to stop eating ice cream and all kinds of cold food. So everyone would laugh at me when I would order “ice tea without the ice”. Ha ha ha.

I managed and even got used to not drinking or eating anything cold but I really missed ice cream during those times. It’s good that I have recovered from that health problem. Now I can have my ice cream. Yipee!

What I like about ... hourglass

It’s my “H” day today. So I thought about “hourglass”.

Hourglass or its other variations such as the 3-minute egg timer, or the timers used in “Boggle” or “Pictionary” or even those table top message discs with colored sand have always fascinated me. It’s really the movement of the sand that I find fascinating. I would always watch intently as the sand flows to the other end of the glass. I would even check if the 3-minute egg timer really completes its flow in 3 minutes. How crazy can I get?

Anyway, do you have any “H” thing that you like? Please share it here.

What I like about ... gardens

"G" means garden for me. What about you, do you like anything that starts with "g"?
I love gardens - both well kept ones and naturally occurring ones.

My garden is so small, you can go around it in 5 minutes. However,it has sustained my photographic adventures. Most of my flower photos are taken from my garden.

I visit my garden regularly and I always discover treasures like:
... new buds or fully bloomed flowers
... spiders and other bugs
... butterflies and other flies
... snails including their colorful eggs
... mushrooms and other fungi
... leaves that have unusual formations
... birds
... frogs
... blades of grass with sparkling raindrops
... spiderwebs
Oh, I can go on and on about the many treasures I find in my garden.

Aside from serving as the repository of many subjects for my photography, a garden is also a wonderful stress reliever. When I'm working in my garden, I usually lose track of time and I feel refreshed as I discover new buds in my plants. There is something so enchanting about watching a new seed come to life and become a beautiful flower or tree.

I also love visiting public gardens and other people's gardens. They are always so refreshing and beautiful to behold.

What I like about ... sharing coffee with Friends

This is my "f" day and "friends" came to mind immediately. And one of my happiest memories is sharing coffee with friends.

Hmm... I love the aroma of coffee. It just perks me up. And sharing it with friends is the best way to having coffee.

Don’t you just remember all the good times you have had with friends as you discussed important as well as trivial issues over a cup of coffee?

I am sure that many ideas have been born as you shared coffee with friends.
I am sure that problems have been solved as you shared coffee with friends.
I am sure that heartaches have been mended as you shared coffee with friends.

Do you notice how
... time flies if you are with friends?
... you just naturally slide into instant rapport if you are sharing coffee with friends?
... there seems to be no beginning and no ending if you are with friends and sharing coffee?
... even instant coffee tastes great if you are with friends?

The best way to having coffee is to have it with Friends.

What I like about ... Easter

When I thought about what I like that begins in “e”, Easter came to mind right away.

It’s now the season of Lent so Easter is just around the corner.

Easter always reminds me about:
... new beginnings... about rebirth
... new hope
... sunrise
... melting snow
... morning mist
... dewdrops
... Spring
... new leaves ... new trees
... buds and flowers
... Easter lilies and Easter candles
... Easter bunnies and Easter egg hunts

The significance of Lent for me is, there is always Easter to look forward to.

What I like about...daisies

Daisies are so beautiful and eye catching. They also come in various colors and each color always reminds me of some essence.

For example, white daisies always remind me of innocence, of the softness of babies. Pink daisies on the other hand remind me of a debutant, a sweet girl on the brink of womanhood. Orange daisies meanwhile remind me of a lady, confident and alluring, oozing with life.

What about you? What do daisies remind you of?

Daisies are also perfect subjects for photos. Their symmetry is always fascinating. One can zoom in or out and each view enhances their symmetrical nature. .. reminding me of fractals...

Have you ever wondered why daisies are usually the ones used in that crazy, juvenile game of ...”(s)he loves me... (s)he loves me not... (s)he loves me....

And why do we say..."upsey daisy" when we pull up a baby or sometimes toss her/him in the air?

Just shows you... daisies are fascinating!

What I like about...clouds

Have you ever imagined playing among the clouds? I have, when I was a little girl. That's a long time ago of course.

My friends and I used to watch clouds go by. We would point out the many different shapes that clouds would assume. We were however more like Charlie Brown who just saw shapes of animals or other characters and not like Linus who saw whole scenes like “the Nativity” or “the parting of the Red Sea”.

I would also imagine then that I have dresses made of clouds or that I could hop from one cloud to another and travel to exciting places.

As I studied science in school, I of course learned to identify the different cloud formations and the kind of weather associated with them. So cumulus, nimbus, stratus, cirrus and their various combination became part of my vocabulary.

Clouds still fascinate me even up to now. I have never outgrown the magical spell they create for me. So even if I already have hundreds of cloud photos, I still take their picture especially if I am on a plane.

I can still remember the first time I have ever seen night clouds while on a plane from Paris to USA. The moon was bright and it had a eerie and mysterious effect on the clouds. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me at that time, so I was not able to take a picture. However, the memory is still with me.

I simply love clouds ... they awaken my imagination.

What I like about ... bananas

We have so many varieties of bananas here in the Philippines but there are 3 varieties that I really like... “lakatan, latundan, and saba”.

“Lakatan” (also known as Cavendish internationally) has a light yellow flesh when ripe while “latundan’s” flesh is white. Lakatan is the only variety that is exported because it is hardy and has thick skin. However, the exported kind is bigger than but not as tasty as the local kind.

“Saba” although it can also be eaten raw when ripe, is known more as the cooking kind of banana because it is prepared in so many different ways. It can be broiled, boiled, stewed or fried. It can also be cooked plain or coated with sugar or flour. It is also used as secondary ingredient in many dishes. My favourite way of preparing “saba” is what is locally called “banana cue”. This is made by rolling in brown sugar a ripe banana , deep-frying it in oil and then skewering it in bamboo stick. If you should ever come to the Philippines, you should try this... it’s really good!

I can sing praises about bananas all day but I think it’s better if you just read the following item sent to me through email. I have been eating bananas every since I can remember but knowing about all the benefits from the banana based on this article, I have come to appreciate this fruit even more.

By the way ... Never, put your banana in the refrigerator ! ! !

Read on... and please pass on to friends....

From an email....
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in
the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose
combined with fiber.

A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a
strenuous 90-minute workout No wonder the, banana is the number one fruit
with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also
help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and
conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.
This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the
body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood
and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates
blood & nb sp glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin
in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium
yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so,
the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry
to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of
blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped
through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and
lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the
potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help
restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without
resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a
banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and,
with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while
the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you
suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.


Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood
sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the
affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it
amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work
leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at
5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more
likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by
snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.


Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal
disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw
fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.

It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the
lining of the stomach.


Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit
that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant
mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure
their baby is born with a cool temperature.


Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because
they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.
The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in
them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat,
sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we
are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium
levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana
snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine,
"eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by
strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill
off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with
the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or
surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it
to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three
times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the
other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of
the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known
phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

One more thing ------want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the
INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry
cloth.

A m a z i n g f r u i t............................

I love bananas!

Ever wonder why there is an expression "going bananas"?...

Check out my article in hubpages for more about bananas...

http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Recommend-Going-Bananas

What I like about...angels

source of image: http://www.angel-guide.com/images/angels-picture-angel-prayer.jpg

Do you believe in angels? I do.

Some of you might raise your eyebrows about this, but I know that some of you also believe in angels.

Anyway, as I thought about what I will write today, I realized I have so many topics to choose from and I had problems deciding which one to write about. So I thought it a good idea to do it alphabetically. When I thought about “A” the first word that came to mind was “angel”. So, I’m going to talk about angels today.

If you don’t believe in angels, please just bear with me. If you do believe in angels, then I’m sure you also have a story to tell about them. Why not share it too?

Well, what do I like about angels?
... I know they are always there as our guide
... If I hear a whisper and nobody is around, I know my angel is talking to me. Have you ever experienced this?
... I have called on angels especially my guardian angel, and I always get some kind of answer. I know it’s hard to explain especially to those who don’t believe, but to those who do believe, I’m sure you know what I am talking about.

Do you remember all the movies and tv series about angels?
... Angels in the Outfield http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109127/

... Touched by an Angel http://www.touched.com/touched05/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touched_by_an_Angel

... City of Angels , starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan

... Angels and Demons http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808151/

... and many more...

So, angels are really interesting or those movie and tv series would not have been made.

And even if we (ordinary mortals) do not see them, we can feel them.

Or I think we do see them... in a baby...in somebody you love... in a flower... in a blade of grass... in a raindrop... in a friend .... a neighbour... a helping hand....

Angels are always there... watching. And the beauty about this is ... we can always call on them.

What I like about ...receiving letters

Don’t you just love receiving letters? I do. I love getting letters especially from people I like and love. I don’t like getting solicitation letters though, but that is not the topic here.

So what do I like about receiving letters?

Well...
... first and foremost, I get to know how the sender is of course.
... then I get to know how or what he/she has been doing
... then of course I may receive answers to some questions or reactions to what I have written before

... I even get to learn new words. For example, “conundrum” has never been part of my vocabulary, but a friend used it to describe me. Ha ha

... letters in the form of emails are especially fun because we can get almost immediate answers
... but traditional letters are also just as much fun. Plus we also get stamps that are either: informative or decorative, commemorative or fun

... letters can make me laugh or frown, cry or sing, or even blush...omg!

... letters can make me introspective or interrogative

... letters can profess love

... letters can coax me to action

... letters can inspire

... letters can puzzle

... letters can move mountains

... letters can also irritate or anger, but this is not the place for that

Letters are always welcome ... the written word has a special place in my heart.

What I like about ... raindrops

Every time I see raindrops, I always stop and say a prayer of thanks. If I have a camera with me then I take pictures. You don’t know how many raindrops pictures I have collected. I think that one of these days, I will set up an exhibit just showing my raindrops pictures. Hmmm, come to think of it, I think that is a good idea. What do you think?

Raindrops, raindrops...
... are always refreshing
... are beautiful
... remind me of the wonders of God’s creations
... sometimes reflect our world upside down, so we get a fresh view
... can create works of art
... I love them on my face
... I love them on flowers
... are really angel tears according to a song
... are priceless jewels

Oh..., I simply love raindrops!

What I like about ... rainbows

If you see a rainbow in the sky, what do you do? Do you stop and savor its beauty? Do you exclaim, "wow, a rainbow!" I do. Or if I am with somebody, I always point out and say “look, a rainbow!”

I never tire of looking at rainbows. They are breathtaking.

Every time I see rainbows, I always try to follow the arc to its end and then I would wonder if there is really a pot of gold at the end. Ha ha, it’s always fun to make believe.

When I was in college, I decorated my room in rainbow colors that extended from side to side. The decoration always made me happy. It made me smile. Everybody who entered my room would always comment that my room seems so bright and happy.

Who does not smile if one sees a rainbow?

I wonder if anybody frowns when he/she sees a rainbow?

Rainbows remind me of:
... freshness
... new hope
... new beginning
... God

What I like about ... bookstores

Before I took up photography, guess where I spend more time in any place I go? In bookstores – that’s where. Books have always fascinated me and I can never resist bookstores every time I see them. Sometimes my friends can’t believe that I’d rather browse through books than try dresses or shoes, but that’s me.

Anyway, what do I like about bookstores? Well, as I said, books fascinate me and I already mentioned in a previous post (Jan 23) what I like about reading. So just put the two together (reading and bookstores), and there you have it ... those are the reasons why I like bookstores.

Another thing about bookstores, they usually don’t just carry books, they also have other things like pens, colored pencils, gift wrappers, all sorts of paper, craft things, albums, magazines, school supplies, art supplies, and many more.

So bookstores are really books plus.

What I like about... writing, a follow up

The other day, we watched the movie, “Inkheart” and I was really amazed at how it echoed what I have just written in my last post, “what I like about...writing”, so I thought I would write a follow up today.

The movie is about the adventures of a girl and her dad as the characters in the book they were reading (Inkheart), came to life.

Do you know that the tagline for “Inkheart” is, - “ Every story ever written is just waiting to become real”.

This movie is exactly what I have just written about writing! Isn't it amazing?

I also made a search about the book “Inkheart” and found that there is really such a book. It is supposed to be the first book of the “Inkworld” trilogy. The other two books are: “Inkspell ” and “Inkdeath” and the author is Cornelia Funke. Now, I think I have to get hold of those actual books. They probably are fun to read.

In the movie, the author of the book “Inkheart” is Fenoglio and not Cornelia Funke of course.

I must say though that the movie itself came out rather flat. The promise of an exciting adventure is there, but the movie just did not take off I think. Still, I found it interesting in the sense that I kind of identified with the plot.

What I like about ... writing

Writing, like photography, is another love that I intend to pursue to greater heights. I love writing though I get lazy sometimes. This is one of the reasons why I keep blogs, they more or less “force” me to write daily.

So, what do I like about ... writing?

Just like photography, writing also keeps me focused.
Just like photography, writing also opens up new worlds for me.

With writing, I can talk about data, facts or reality. But with writing, I can also talk about imaginary worlds, beings, things, situations, ... etc.

With writing, I can create stories wherein I can ...
... live happily ever after with my Prince Charming
... be the hero (heroine) in a great adventure
... be the villain that turned the world upside down
... be the star in a blockbuster movie
...visit the Himalayas or climb Mt. Everest, do hang gliding or fly to the stars
... be the one who changed the world
... be the richest man (woman) in the world
... be the greatest writer, photographer, teacher, mother, wife, lover, friend, artist, adventurer,explorer, scientist, designer, ... etc.
...create suspense, mystery, love, peace, health, joy, sadness, adventure, ... etc.
... create a world where everything is in harmony or in chaos depending on how you want it
...be anyone, anything, anywhere I (you) want to be

With writing, creativity is limitless. The only limit is how far your imagination can take you.

-----------
An update: It is now Sept. 20, 2010.

Since I wrote this, I now have joined a writing website. It is fun over there and I have published so far about 40+ articles over there. Come join me at hubpages if you are also interested in writing.
http://hubpages.com/profile/jill+of+alltrades

What I like about ...teaching

I have been a teacher for most of my adult life. After graduation, I worked for a while as a researcher. However, when I got a post as teaching assistant and finally as teacher, I was hooked ... and that’s how I spent more than half of my life ... as a teacher, a professor in college.

So, what do I like about... teaching?

Well, the first thing that I like about it is ... the interaction with students. I like this chance to know another person deeper, to somehow participate in his/her entry into adult life. When I first started teaching I was only a few years older than my students because I was a new graduate then. So during my early years of teaching, I was practically just an older sister and friend to my students.

Of course as I continued teaching, the age gap between me and my students widened and I became not their older sister anymore but their aunt, or mom, or mentor, and friend of course.

I am happy to say that many of my students have remained as good friends up to this date. We still would get together sometimes. I get invited to some of the momentous events in their life, like weddings, birthdays, etc. Some of them have become my doctors too. Imagine that!

The other things I like about teaching are...
... preparing lessons and of course teaching or sharing them. I especially love teaching freshmen because they are always eager to learn and participate in their learning.
I also love teaching teachers themselves because we learn from each other so much

...the challenges involved. The question I always ask myself as I prepare for every lesson is – how do I present the lesson in such a way that students will participate in the learning process? This is always a challenge to me because I know that many students would rather just sit passively inside the classroom and let the teacher do all the work. However, this has never been the style for me. Even before the buzz word “student-centered learning” was coined, I was already involving my students in the learning process.

...the unlimited creativity. Imagine, as a teacher you have to talk, write, draw, tell stories, guide, coach, mentor, sometimes do a song and dance routine, role play,sometimes act as counselor, as psychologist, as banker, as arbiter,as stand-up comedian, as...anything that the situation calls for.

...the chance to do research

...the chance to make a difference in many people’s life. Imagine, there is always a new encounter every semester. Wow! For example, if one is teaching 4 courses in a semester and there are 40 students in each class, that’s 40 x 4 or 160 new students that you get to know. Wow! Double wow! Can you believe that, ... the possibility of making a difference to 160 lives every semester?
The possibility of making a difference and the responsibility involved is simply awesome!

Those are just some of the things I like about teaching. There are downsides too of course (like checking piles of papers) but this is not the forum of that.

Let us just concentrate of what we like about...things, about anything, in this blog.

What I like about...photography

Ah, this one I really like. In fact I already have thousands of photos in the hard drive of my computer because I just love taking pictures. I also have created a blog just to share my photos and photographic adventures.
http://aphotoaday-saanva.blogspot.com

Plus, I also have a website for my photos: http://saanva.multiply.com/

Anyway, just to go back to the topic. What I like about... photography...
... it has improved my focus (pun intentional). Now, I not only learned to focus well in photography but my focus in other aspects of my life has improved as well. For example, lack of focus has been my greatest weakness in bowling. Now, my focus has improved as well my scores.

...I have learned so much about: composition, color, design, light, leading lines, etc.

... it has taught me to be even more observant, to pay attention to light, pattern, lines, shapes, shadows, color, temperature...etc.

... it has opened a new world for me. Now I have included in my vocabulary words like: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, lenses, tripod, bokeh, filters, macro lens, zoom lens, strobes, photoshop, lightroom, ...etc.

...it has heightened my creativity
...it has increased my curiosity
...it has gained for me new friends
...it has made me realize that I can do things that I have never done before. I learned that I can also win in photo contests and even have some photos published

...it has increased the depth and span of my interest in people, things, places, and my surroundings

As in my previous posts, I can go on and on about “what I like about... photography but I have to stop somewhere. And this is where I stop for now.

What I like about ... roses

Roses ...are so soft and dainty
...smell really good. However, even if they do I am surprised that very few perfumeries have come up with the scent of roses. I wonder why?

...look good in any angle. As I mentioned in my photoblog, there is something about roses that makes me want to take their photo all the time. Please check out:
http://aphotoaday-saanva.blogspot.com/search/label/rose

...so innocent looking but can appear mysterious and sensuous too

...come in various colors. Would you believe that there are green and black roses now.

...and once again, look at all the songs that have roses in them:
• “raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens...”(from “My Favorite Things”)
• “the days of wine and roses...”from the song of the same title
• “roses and lollipops, lollipops and roses”... from the song of the same title
• “dead roses are still beautiful to me”... from “dead roses”
• “paper roses, paper roses”... from song of the same title

Anyway, I’m sure you can come up with your own list of “roses songs”.

I simply love roses!

What I like about...mornings

Mornings are my favourite time of the day. Everything is fresh and new in the morning.

Dewdrops are still clinging to the blades of grasses while the early morning sun is just breaking through the mist.

Mornings always hold new promise, new adventure, new hope, new ...everything.

Mornings remind me of freshly baked bread and the smell of coffee. Hmm, I can almost taste that.

And think about all the morning songs:
“Sunday Morning waking up and touching you
You’re always warm at 9 a.m
Pillows close and I can feel you wanting me
When I go back to sleep again"
- From “I Didn’t Mean to Love You” by Helen Reddy

Or

"Sometimes in the morning, when shadows are deep
I lie here beside you, just watching you sleep
And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of:
My cup runneth over with love".
- From “My Cup Runneth Over”

Or

"Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word".
- From “Morning has Broken” as sung by Cat Stevens

Or many others like:
Angel of the Morning ... Some Velvet Morning ... Mornin' Glory ... Sunday Morning Coming Down and Waking Up in the Sun... etc.

Oh, I simply love mornings! Don't you?

What I like about...reading

Reading ... opens new worlds for me
...takes me to places I never dreamed of
...gets me acquainted with other peoples’ culture
...tells me stories about friends, lovers, strangers, aliens,
inventors, artists, ordinary men and women,
extraordinary men and women, heroes, heels, devils, angels, ...etc...
...increases my vocabulary. Just think about such word as
‘onomatopoeia’ or ‘antepenultimate’
...makes my heart sing with love
...gets my nerves excited in suspense
...teaches me about the birds and bees, flowers and trees...
...makes me enter the minds of Einstein or Bernard, Darwin or Mendel
...takes me to the past, the present and the future
...flies me to the moon
...takes me 20,000 leagues under the sea
...provides a stairway to heaven
...made me feel the despair of Van Gogh, the ecstasy of St. Therese
...teaches me techniques about photography, writing, gardening...

I can go on and on again but you know what I mean. I'm sure you can add to list.

What I like about... being a mother

“I love being a mother”. This thought flashed through my mind as my baby’s fingers curled around my index finger while I was changing his diaper. Even if that was a long time ago, I can still remember the warmth that enveloped my being as the realization hit me.

So what do I like about being a mother? Oh, many things... everything...
...being held on to by little fingers
...getting wet kisses and warm embraces
...being used as a pillow by her/his little head
...teaching babies their first words
...being called “mama”
...holding out my arms as my children made their first steps towards me
...reading bedtime stories
...being told by my children that I should join the Miss Universe contest (ha ha ha!),
...planning birthday parties ....

I could go on and on but I think you understand why I love being a mother.

why this blog

Have you ever despaired about reading and hearing negative things all day? Some people I know have stopped reading newspapers or listening to the news because they cannot stand all the nerve-wracking and energy-zapping stories everywhere.

Well, I have also grown tired of all the whining and "what's wrong with the world, or the government, or my neighbor, or... whatever" kind of thing. So I thought that I would start thinking and discovering what I like about something or someone or anything just so I will not despair.

If you feel the same way, I wish to invite you to join in and add your own likes so that we can all smile rather than frown. What about it? Come and join me.