Mi Choza De Nipa: 07/15/2007

Now that pictures are properly shown… and very clear at that…

Sometimes, a sunflower would turn its back on the sun…

And my shock when I checked the Religion forum...

When I tried to go in on the forum Religion, I was so shocked to see that

the “religions” being discussed are cults and occults…

I browsed a few lines, then quickly got out… alive.

My shock!

I remember how I started with BBS...

Many years ago, when blogging was not in existence, there was what we called BBS.

There were no ICQs then, or, if there were, not wildly used yet. We used the VMS platform,

And the bulletin board sites, the forums, web logs, were all in text-based formats (only).

I happen to access the oklahoma education center .org site, and there were many forums.

In I went, checked a few forums, then picked on the science group. There I was, really,

really a newbie. Experience is zilch. Blogging know-how is nil. I only know computers as is.

I was green on the collar on the outside world…

I saw Shekinah, asked her why she picked that name, and my guess was right.

She is a Christian, and she picked that name in gratitude to the One who dispenses the

Shekinah glory. She works in the US military office. That’s all I knew of her.

But here is the point I want to make.

I threw in a very elementary question about creation, and the those guys out there

jumped on it, picked up on the heat, and threw in all their knowledge and learning.

Whew! It was a long, long discussion, and I was enjoying all the arguments and

counter-arguments sent back and forth, and of course, since it is the science forum,

now and then someone would quip, ‘This should be in the religion section!’ then

continue on with the discussion.

Then came the bomber. A guy with a long, long list of arguments pointed out the

defect of natural selection. He was arguing that there is a flaw in nature, and that

due to natural selection, which all started when the so-called evolution took place.

He was pointing out that if ‘creatures were left to pick and select their own existence

and make-up’, it would definitely amount to anything less than perfect. Then he

enumerated all the defects in each and every existing living being.

He did mention that for humans, one of the defect is known as ‘hernia’. Don’t know why.

Anyway, that discussion was a vast knowledge, and I regret not being able to ftp the

full text of the arguments. It was a waste. If only web was prevalent then, and I can

simply ‘click’ and ‘save as’…

Happiness is a Voyage

Happiness is not a destination, but a voyage.

It is not the end, but the means.

It is not the goal, but the agency.

It is not the destination, but the passage.

Pan-de-Sal Recipe addendum

Forgot…

Additional ingredient

Bread crumbs

Additional Method

3.1. Pagulungin sa bread crumbs ang tipak ng dough.

Puto Recipe

Puto ng Pinas Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup fresh milk

1 spoonful baking powder

3 eggs

¼ to 1/8 butter (optional)

cheese, grated (toppings)

Method

1. Paghaluin lahat, maliban sa keso. Unahing paghaluin ang mga likido, isunod ang mga pulbos at harina.

2. Isalin sa kanya-kanyang cake/muffin cups.

3. Ibudbod ang keso sa ibabaw.

4. Steam-cook. Mga 10 minuto. Tusukin ng toothpick. Pag malinis ang toothpick, luto na.

Puwede ring subukan na lutuin sa TupperChef surgical stainless steel cookware…

5. Kainan na!

Pan-de-Sal Recipe

Pan-de-Sal Recipe

Ingredients

6 cups bread flour (or cake flour)

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup oil

1 sachet (small) instant yeast

1 1/4 cup water

Method

1. Paghalu-haluin lahat ng sangkap. Mag-makina, o mas-SuperMasa. Haluing mabuti.

2. Dumakot ng isang tipak na halos ay kapantay ng nais na laki ng pan-de-sal.

3. Ilagak sa laba-board, at itabi ng mga 2 oras. Hayaang umalsa.

4. Iluto sa oven (o sa TupperChef surgical stainless steel cookware): 180C, 15 minuto, o hanggang maluto.

5. Kainan na!

Second Chances Everyday

Not many second chances exist in the world today.

Just ask the kid who didn’t make the little league team

or the fellow who got the pink slip or the mother of three

who got dumped for a “pretty little thing.”

Not many second chances. Nowadays it’s more like, “It’s now or never.”

“Around here we don’t tolerate incompetence.”

“Gotta get tough to get along.”

“Not much room at the top.”

“Three strikes and you’re out.”

“It’s a dog-eat-dog world!”

Jesus…would say, “Then don’t live with the dogs.”

That makes sense doesn’t it?

Why let a bunch of other failures tell you how much of a failure you are?

It’s not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance—

much less someone who will give you a second chance every day.

But in Jesus, you find both.

John 10:10

[Jesus Speaking] “I came to give life—life in all its fullness.”

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Lawyers always rehearse trials and specifically, cross-examining witnesses because it is important to always be prepared for the witness' answer so that you can lead them in a direction that supports your case.

In a small trial where everybody knows everybody, a trial just started. The prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand. She was a grandmotherly, elderly woman - neatly dressed in her best Sunday clothes, lace gloves and a pretty bonnet.

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She nodded, thought for a little while and responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams."

Thinking a bit longer, she continued: “I've known you since you were a young boy and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs."

With a frown, she went on: "You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. So, yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned.

It was not the answer he was expecting. His mind racing to recover from this disaster, he landed on his feet: he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Why, yes, I do."

The old lady cocked her head to one side and continued: "I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster too. He's lazy, bigoted and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state…"

She shifted in her seat, grabbed her handbag tighter and went on: "…not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women, and one of them was your wife."

She concluded, "So, yes, I do know him."

The defense attorney looked as if he was having a heart attack.

Just then the judge (who was obviously also a lawyer) hit his gavel and asked both counselors to approach the bench.

In a very quiet voice he said, "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, I'll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt."

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

a few more quotes to live by

“The more I know, the more I know that there is more that I should know.”

- unknown

“The difference between an experienced programmer and a knowlegeable one is the ability to arrest bugs and solve problems – and not repeat the same mistakes all over again.”

- me

“Silent water runs deep.”

- (forgot who)

“Some silent waters aren’t deep after all; they simply have nothing to be noisy about.”

- me

“To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over stones on its way…”

- a line from ‘The Sound of Music’ song

I would like very much to be what that song lyrics song says. Tripping is an accident.

And falling is a painful experience. Especially over stones. But if I were supple and pliant,

almost like water, then it wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Every time I trip and fall over stones on my way, I would laugh…

Why Do We Send Our Kids to School?

A couple of months back, my Chinese colleague and I were talking about random things.

Then we focused on a few things about education. She mentioned that she had a grandfather

who was unschooled, but very smart. You wouldn’t know that he did not go to school if not

his telling it. However, the point she did make is this: the grandfather made sure that his

children did go to school themselves. He must have seen something that, despite learning

and knowing what the schoolkids learn and know, there is something more than just that.

There is. Discipline.

First and foremost is the discipline of time.

Then there is the discipline of rules and regulations.

We also have the discipline of test.

We also have the discipline of conformity.

Then there is the discipline of adaptability.

There is also the discipline of socializing.

Not to forget, the discipline of hierarchy.

And the discipline of discipline (itself).

I wish I can explain all these in a clear and concise manner, but I can’t.

I did go to school, but that talent and skill is not just in me.

Some things aren’t simply learned, school or no school…

D.A.R.Y.L.

Sorry, I missed. The acronym, for those who don’t know, is

D - Data

A - Analyzing

R - Robot

Y - Youth

L - Lifeform

D.A.R.Y.L.

Last Sunday, 15^th of July, we were able to watch the movie D.A.R.Y.L.

It was a classic movie, though not a very classic one. I watched it back

when I was in my early secondary school days. How fast can 30 years go?

My kids were patiently watching, as, to be honest, the movie was already

slow-paced, compared to today’s very visual, fast-moving, loud and colorful

movies, even those for the kids. There’s really quite a big difference on how

movies are created then and now. They still managed to relate to some parts

here and there, keeping quiet most of the time, but laughing now and then

on some jokes thrown off.

Some lines that I caught now, which I didn’t back then:

1. D.A.R.Y.L. – we want those acronyms, nothing else.

a. The generals, when the boy was already showing signs of emotions, like fear

2. This is some kind of a joke! This isn’t real!

a. DARYL’s adoptive mother, when the adoptive parents were shown what DARYL is

3. But why? Why all these?

a. DARYL’s adoptive father , when the adoptive parents were shown what DARYL is

4. The five senses, sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, the learning is very fast compared to just sitting down and loading the computer.

a. The male doctor who created DARYL, answering the adoptive father.

5. OK, its him.

a. Turtle, DARYL’s best friend, when DARYL’s memory bank asked “I still don’t know what’s a hooker.”

6. When a machine becomes human, you can’t tell the difference anymore.

a. The lady doctor who created DARYL’s computer chip

Monday, July 16, 2007

The Best Giving Quotes

Yesterday, a brother who gave the exhortation for giving in a Sunday worship service gave some very good quotes about giving. See them below.

1. If everyone gives one thread, the poor man will have a shirt.

– unknown

2. No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.

– Calvin Coolidge

3. Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.

– Princess Elizabeth, Asquith Bibesco

4. We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

– Winston Churchill

5. Give to God what right – not what’s left.

– unknown

6. A lot of people are willing to give God the credit, but not too many are willing to give Him the cash.

– unknown

7. If you can feed a hundred people, then just feed one.

– Mother Teresa

8. It’s important to give it all you have while you have the chance.

– Shania Twain

9. The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

– Albert Einstein

10. No church ever has a money problem, only a faithfulness problem.

– Brian Kluth, Pastor and Generosity Speaker & Author

11. The Dead Sea is the dead sea because it continually receives and never gives.

– unknown

12. There’s no good reason to be the richest man in the cemetery.

– Col. Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken

13. My mind tells me to give, but my heart won’t let me.

– the Exhorter

Hearing this, I remembered the story of how, in a church, members were called to give their

testimonies and thanksgiving, and share tell the congregation how God has moved in their lives.

One after another came, until a gentleman in a nice suit stood up infront and boldly proclaimed,

“The reason why God has blessed me much today is that when I was 5 years old, I did not withhold

from him my $2. I wanted so much to buy an ice cream with it, but I dropped it in the offering plate.

Now, I’ve become a billionaire!” And without waiting for another word from the man, an old lady

suddenly stood up and shouted, “I challenge you to do it again!”

Most of the time, we are also told that God looks at the heart when we give. He isn’t concerned much

on how much we give. I think that is not entirely correct. He does give attention to both heart,

and how much. See the account of the widow and her two mites.

Mark 12:41-44,

As Jesus sat near the Temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them, "I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had -- she gave all she had to live on."

Mi Choza De Nipa

Friday, July 20, 2007

Pictures...

And my shock when I checked the Religion forum...

I remember how I started with BBS...

Even in the Cold...

Happiness is a Voyage

Pan-de-Sal Recipe addendum

Puto Recipe

Pan-de-Sal Recipe

Second Chances Everyday

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Do You Know Me?

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

a few more quotes to live by

Why Do We Send Our Kids to School?

D.A.R.Y.L.

D.A.R.Y.L.

Monday, July 16, 2007

The Best Giving Quotes