Jun 12 2010
Photohunt: Bubbles
There are days when I feel as light as a bubble…
So carefree…
As if I’m floating way up high…
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Heyyy…don’t try to burst the bubble! 
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Thanks to rainydazeee for the pics.
Jun 07 2010
Oh no! An unresponsive black LCD screen on my HP Pavilion dv2500 entertainment series laptop
After having been my constant travel buddy and work companion for more than two years, my HP dv2518 Pavilion laptop (belonging to the dv2500 entertainment series), which I fondly nicknamed Pavi, surprisingly failed me. This happened the day after our evening plane trip from Manila. After unpacking my bags and arranging the stuff in my room, I excitedly opened my laptop and turned it on, only to be greeted by a blank black LCD screen staring back at me. It sure did boot up but the screen is just too dark. I can make out a silhouette of the Windows Vista login window, thus I can conclude that it was not the hard disk that was damaged.
I bought Pavi last June 2007 at IT City in Thailand and it has been my trusty work companion since then. It has also been with me on my trips here and abroad, whether they’re work-related or not. It has undergone through countless airport checks and x-ray machines already, thus I’m quite used to bringing it with me during my travels, safely kept in my laptop stroller bag.
When I found out its LCD screen refused to light up, I had so many questions running through my mind that time as I really cannot pinpoint what caused the damage. Could it be because I placed the laptop bag under the seat in front of me and our plane had a rough landing? Yup, that Cebu Pacific Air pilot gave us a startling jolt when we hit the ground, we felt like the plane was being dropped from the sky! It could have made the laptop jump from the floor and damaged the LCD. Or could it be that something heavy dropped on the laptop during that trip? Ugh. I thought it was just a temporary LCD screen failure, but the more I tried to turn it on and reset its power button, the more I realized I’m just wasting my efforts in a futile attempt to recover it. My mind was in a denial stage as I keep telling myself, “Noooo, it just can’t be so lifeless and unresponsive like that!”
Few days later, I brought Pavi to a computer repair shop. The technician attached the laptop to another LCD monitor and we saw the Windows Vista login prompt showing up. So my first guess was right, the hard disk was not damaged, and my precious files are still intact. The computer store manager suggested that I take Pavi to an authorized service center for HP, and I did. Too bad my laptop was not under warranty anymore, I shuddered at the thought of costly parts replacement.
I was hoping for a positive finding from the HP technician after leaving the unit for weeks as he ran some tests. Unfortunately, I was met with more disappointment as the technician gave his verdict – display controller is damaged, mainboard needs to be replaced. The cost of replacement was almost half the price of brand new laptops, clearly it was not a practical option for me. So I had no choice but to give up my laptop. Sigh.
Few hours later, I found myself surfing the web for a new laptop, as I sadly let go of Pavi.
May 25 2010
On helping the environment and the USPTO Green Technology Pilot program
Early this year, I met with my grad school friends to catch up on each others’ life happenings. And what a meeting it had been as we not only talked about career, travel, politics and other mundane topics but we also came up with a project to help the environment and benefit some underprivileged kids. The idea was a spontaneous result of our animated conversation about electronic waste management, as we were curious about it and took turns asking some explanations from Flo who’s an environmental engineering expert. We were interested to learn from her about recycling electronic waste and how to properly dispose obsolete computer hardware and accessories such as floppy disks, RAMs, hard disk drives and CD-ROM drives.
Our planned project will be dealing more with household junk, specifically old appliances, used clothes, knick-knacks and other items that are not needed anymore. We aim to recycle them or sell them to interested groups and the proceeds will be used to fund the needs of underprivileged kids. It may be just a simple project but it will be our own small way of helping others and helping the environment as well.
For most industrial and information technology companies, there’s a need to do more than just comply with standard environmental safety policies. It would be even better to come up with innovations related to green technology e.g. those related to renewable energy, efficient use of energy resources, or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus to encourage more green technology inventions, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) revised their application process, loosening up rules, for their Green Technology Pilot program. Less limitation on the categories will allow more applicants to qualify for the pilot program.
In a CNET Green Tech news article U.S. Patent Office loosens rules for green tech, the USPTO eliminated the need for patent applications to comply with its previously specified green technology classifications.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is trying to cast a wider net to catch more green-technology inventions.
The patent office announced Friday that it has changed the application process to attract more green technologies into an accelerated patent-review program.
The Green Technology Pilot program was created in December to encourage more inventors to apply for patents relating to green technology. If accepted, those patent petitions will get priority screening under the one-year trial program.
On Friday, the patent office eliminated the need for green technology patent applications to comply with its previously specified classifications. The requirements had narrowed the definition of green technology more than is necessary, the patent office said.
“This will permit more applications to qualify for the pilot program, thereby allowing more inventions related to green technologies to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier,” David Kappos, director of the patent office, said in a filing in the Federal Register.
The initial target was to have 3,000 patent petitions examined in the first year, with a goal of dramatically cutting down on the average review time of 30 months.
So far, there have been a total of 950 requests for accelerated review, with only 342 requests granted.
The green technology program is designed to encourage development of businesses with products that reduce use of fossil fuels and protect the environment. It’s not yet clear how much commercial impact the expedited review process will have, experts told Scientific American earlier this month.
Read more…
While this is considered a positive move from the USPTO, not everybody thinks highly about it if you read the article’s comments section. According to reader doubtthat, “Patents don’t speed up innovation, they slow it down and make it more expensive for everyone.” Another reader who calls himself jlees wrote, “Possibly one reason to loosen up on the patent process is that the way it is stifles innovation and discourages innovators from bothering with trying to get a patent. They tend to decide it’s not worth the hassle. What should be a service of the government is an impediment instead.” Well, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the revised USPTO Green Technology Pilot program would greatly benefit the environment by encouraging more green technology inventions without giving too much hassle to patent applicants.
With so many natural disasters happening lately, such as the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland which caused worldwide air travel crisis recently, the effect of global warming can already be felt. I believe that caring for Mother Earth shouldn’t be as complicated as adhering to environmental safety standards, we can also do our part in our own homes by conserving electricity and in our communities by taking part in environmental-conservation projects.
Nov 30 2009
The Best Day of My Life
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!
There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate!
Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.
I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God’s seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.
Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I’ll make someone smile. I’ll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don’t even know. Today, I’ll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I’ll tell a child how special he is, and I’ll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.
Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don’t have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I’ll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.
And tonight, before I go to bed, I’ll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.
As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!
By Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D.
from Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen,
Patty Aubery & Nancy Mitchell, R.N.
Jul 01 2009
When you thought I wasn’t looking
Happy July! I got this from my e-mail… and I couldn’t agree more with the message.
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A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child.
Jun 17 2009
An online recovery community
Being in a group that shares the same vision and goals reinforce positive changes to one’s life as a result. This is why there are support groups on weight loss, cancer and other medical conditions, parenting and just about any endeavor an individual goes through. Bonding with others and sharing experiences promote learning and provide valuable insights and realizations which are essential to one’s progress. I’ve recently joined an online mentoring club for a business venture and I could say that it really helps to actively participate in the forums and share ideas, ask questions and offer support to other members.
Continue Reading »
Jun 16 2009
Web hosting 101
After successfully upgrading one of my blogs to the latest WordPress version, I felt proud of my little achievement. That’s because I always rely on my techie bro for the technical details of running a website. Thus doing it on my own was quite a feat for me. I know I still need to learn so much about WordPress, data backup, web hosting and other related topics. Browsing over some really informative articles over the net helps a lot in feeding my limited knowledge.
Continue Reading »
May 29 2009
Another design project coming up
The date is not definite yet, but I will be traveling again for another home design project. That would make me a busier bee then. It will involve interior design for a condo and I hope it won’t be as difficult as the previous one since we had no contacts yet that time and just relied on one contractor. Hopefully, we’ll make a deal with a new contractor for the carpentry works, window screen installation and other furnishing jobs or we might even hire again the previous one. Oh well, I’m praying things will turn out better this time. The previous project was not easy for me considering I had less time spent with my online ventures. Anyway, God is good and He always provides.
Photo credits: aileenguirnela.com
Apr 27 2009
Strictly for company use
A former office mate was once apprehended by our HR department head for not being focused on her work as a secretary. I forgot how it was but I guess the IT department saw some unrelated files on her computer and I remember there were some videos, games and personality quizzes. So, the IT staff didn’t have better things to do as well huh? They were also busy snooping on other people’s computers! Ugh.
These days, most companies strictly discourage sending personal emails during working hours. And how about sending online instant messages via Yahoo Messenger or ICQ or Skype? Some companies allow these chat programs as means of communication for business-related matters but some employees still sneak in few messages to their loved ones.
As one of my friends declared, the work results are more important than these limiting company rules. IMO, it really depends on the job description and one should adhere to company rules as a responsible employee. What is your opinion about this?
Apr 23 2009
Heaven sent
Isn’t it heartwarming to receive greetings or emails from good friends who are continents away from us? I got a nice inspiring email from a dear friend in the US and her recent experience is worth posting here.
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I want to share with you a personal experience that happened during our vacation. My husband and I had a car snow accident few days ago. Before the accident happened I was already praying the Psalm 91 as we were already anxious about a sudden snow storm. On our way to our hotel, our car hit the snow slope. In my panic state, I thought God didn’t hear my prayer.
But believe it or not, in less than a minute, and if you can just imagine the timing, there was a sudden knock on our car window asking us if we were okay. They said they would help us. What a relief to know that they were rangers from the national park. It seemed as if they were heaven sent as they suddenly appeared from nowhere. We really thought we would be stuck in the snow that night. I was already thinking of the worst but we got help immediately.
Despite what happened, I’m still thankful that we got home safe. Now I realized that God listened to my prayers. I was asking for safety, He gave it to me and my husband. I remember that we have to be specific in our prayers. I forgot to pray for safety for our car too. At least the damage was not that bad. It’s just the front bumper that got a dent.
According to the ranger, if my husband was overspeeding that time, our car could have overturned. Another thing that I’m thankful was that our car hit the snow slope side, otherwise we could have fallen over the cliff.
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I hope you’ll be blessed as I had been after reading this simple testimony about God’s presence and protection whenever we need Him. Thanks to Odeth for letting me publish her story here.
Have a safe and relaxing day ahead!
Apr 18 2009
No place like home
For most of us, home is where sweet memories are made, and we readily agree that home is where the heart is. Thus, young couples would dream of having their own homes and imagine decorating it with their favorite appliance or furnishing. An ideal home is synonymous to comfort, peace, relaxation and rest. Designing its interior may vary according to the owner’s taste, but the overall style should present a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Early last year, I had an interior design project for a condo which was quite tough considering the work location was in another province and I was not familiar with the stores around. Mom was my partner as we shopped around, going over the smallest décor and detail to major appliances and furnishings. We made sure that the overall concept of comfortable living was embodied in the final design while staying on budget. Thankfully, our client was happy and satisfied with the modern and comfy look of his condo unit.
Continue Reading »
Apr 15 2009
Learning new ideas and concepts
Some people are not readily open to new ideas and concepts such as gaining knowledge on recent technological advancements. I know of some who still refuse to learn how to use a computer or how to send an SMS. If they would just realize what they’re missing! Learning these things are not as difficult as long as one is open and willing to be trained or taught.
I’m just thankful that technology offers us many ways to learn more, not just with tech-related stuff but with life in general as well. This is why I am fond of browsing a lot of technology sites even if I am not a geek. I just read to get ideas and I don’t really oblige myself to comprehend some concepts and terminologies that I find are too techie.
Continue Reading »
Apr 13 2009
Back to work again
Happy Easter everybody! So we’re back to tackling some pending tasks and getting ourselves oriented with our regular work schedule again huh. Somebody on my Yahoo! Messenger has the online status of looking forward to the next holiday. Sigh. We just can’t get enough of holidays I guess.
Anyway, our family just spent the Holy Week here in the city and we supported most of the parish Lenten activities. Beside our home is a beach resort, so instead of going to farther venues to celebrate Easter, we just opted to stay nearby and it was indeed a good decision. Lunch was yummy with Rellenong Bangus or stuffed milkfish as our main dish. Thanks to Auntie for being the expert cook! She deboned the milkfish without cutting it in half and sewing it back as most cooks do. It was a budget celebration but a very enjoyable one.
Apr 04 2009
Sunset-watching is nature’s gift to the soul
Sunset at Punta Bulata White Beach Resort, Cauayan, Negros Occidental
Have you ever watched a sunset in its entirety, from the moment the sky changes to its orange hues, you see the sun coming down slowly until it touches the horizon giving that beautiful spread of colorful rays until darkness shrouds the earth?
As a child of the sea, I love watching sunsets. This photo is taken at the Pacific Shores subdivision, Talisay City, Negros Occidental
What do sunsets tell me?
The vibrant display of hues at dusk is never the same every day and every minute, and such are the daily challenges life hands us over with. Just like sunsets, some days are wonderfully colorful, or lightly hued or dark and overcast but they’re all beautiful and meaningful just the same.
And just as these spectacular sunsets prepare the earth for darkness, we can anchor on our life’s successful and wonderful moments to get us ready and courageous for the challenging days ahead.
Sunset at Praha 4, Prague, Czech Republic
Sunsets always have a simple message for those who seek life’s meaning.
Feb 23 2009
It’s back!
Thankfully my travel blog is now back after being absent from the web for 3 agonizing days (from February 13-15) and it came back with an October 2008 backdated version on February 16. Did the unreliable and unsatisfactory webhosting company do anything to regain my 51 missing posts? Never! Thanks to techie bro for helping me out. Thanks also to BK for the encouraging comment. So how was it restored? I will explain more about it later. You bet I am definitely transferring to another webhosting service soon.
