Thursday, January 31, 2008

There's Something Crooked About 'Change'

The word "change" clings like ChapStick to the lips of presidential candidates these days. But if Hillary and the chaps knew the origin of the word "change," they might not stick with it.

"Change" first appeared as both a verb and noun in Middle English during the 1200s. In 1300, for instance, a piece of writing dubbed "Cursor M." (which would make a really cool screen name) included this sentence: "He chaunges crun or wede." After rummaging around in a Middle English dictionary, I discovered this means something like, "He changes gully and weed," a skill that might have come in handy during the Dust Bowl era.

In 1340, someone named Hampole wrote that "he ofte chaunged to and fra," which pretty much describes the shifting policies of today's presidential candidates. (Could "fra" be a prescient reference to Rudy Giuliani, who has changed his frau twice? Hmm ... ) The word "chaunge" was imported into Middle English from the Old French "changier," which, in turn, had been derived from the Latin "cambiare," meaning "to exchange."

But here's the game-changer: There's strong evidence that "cambiare" came from the Old Irish "camm," which meant -- get ready to wince, politicians -- "crooked."

So, over the course of 1,200 years, a humble Irish word meaning "crooked" went through a few changes itself, migrating from Old Irish to Latin to French and then back again to the British Isles, where it entered Middle English meaning "change." Perhaps the presidential administration of the change-loving candidate who wins should be dubbed "Camm-elot."

The candidates, of course, can choose among any number of synonyms for "change," but the trendiest terms related to mutability seem to be the adjectives "transformational" and "transformative."

Writing in the Atlantic Monthly, for instance, Andrew Sullivan described Barack Obama's candidacy as "potentially transformational." Last Thursday, Washington Post columnist George Will described the interval between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary as "six transformative days."

And BBC reporter Justin Webb recently wrote, "The buzzword here on the subject of the 2008 presidential election is that it will be 'transformative.' ... I am at a disadvantage though: I am not sure what 'transformative' really means."

Maybe we should just stick with "change."


story by Rob Kyff

I am not happy today???

I just wondered about my Rankwidgets today especially my Alexa Traffic rank which is now 6.977,299..The last days, it was Rank Number 12...and now what happened???? I hope it will go back to normal 12 as this is just quite depressing...I am not happy guys..!!!

Thanks to Technorati my Rank is getting higher from 6million something to 121,630...really good job!!...I'm just doing my best!!! Wish everyone a great evening!!!

Words -- Just Words

Several years ago, while on a long flight, I was seated next to a flight attendant who had broken her leg in an accident. Eventually, we started talking, and I found her language to be shocking. It seemed so inappropriate; she was a vivacious, personable young woman. Frankly, filthy language offends me, so I commented on her choice of words. She, in turn, expressed amazement that I was offended and said they were "just words." I responded, "You're right. And I'm sure this is the way you talk in front of your parents." She responded, "Absolutely not!" So I commented, "Well, why not? They're 'just words.'"

The truth is that our language does betray us. Our words are a direct reflection of our thoughts, and anyone who is incapable of expressing himself without the use of profanity is becoming handicapped to an incredible degree.

It has been my observation that improper language bars individuals from certain jobs, organizations and social situations. In my lifetime, I have never heard of an employer instructing a personnel manager to hire an individual because of his filthy, vulgar language. I've never heard of a young girl going home and telling her parents that they must meet her date for the evening, pointing out that he has the "filthiest language" she has ever heard or that he tells the dirtiest jokes you can imagine. I frequently advise wannabe speakers to be very careful of their language, warning them that they never will get engagements because of vulgar, racist or sexist language but that inappropriate language will frequently crop them from consideration.

What all of this really means is that vulgar, violent, improper language or coarse, racist, sexist jokes will limit opportunities in the choice of a mate, the selection of a job, the building of a career and the establishment of friendships.

The message is clear: Learn the language rules. Practice them in your everyday life, and I will see you at the top, Zig Ziglar said!

----

Grow/Swell

As a rookie salesman, I had a very difficult time getting started. However, once the ball started rolling, I enjoyed a spectacular four-year run of success. This led to a career change and a new job in New York City. It was exciting and rewarding but required that I leave home each morning before my two little girls were awake, and most of the time, when I returned at night, they were asleep already. I could not handle that style of parenting, so in just three months' time, we moved back to Columbia, S.C.

I got into a promotional-type business and temporarily enjoyed some success, which quickly evaporated. At that point, I stopped growing and started swelling, which led to 15 additional job and career changes within the following five years. I became a super-critic, a know-it-all and a very difficult person to work with. One of the companies I briefly worked for was an insurance company that had been in business for many years. This astonished me because they were obviously way behind the times, and I had some absolutely brilliant ideas that would revolutionize their business and expand their market share. They rejected these very significant ideas. I left in a huff, wondering how they ever would survive -- which, incidentally, they did.

After five frustrating years, I finally had a reality check and realized that the success I enjoyed earlier had come because I had committed myself completely to improving what I did instead of assuming I knew it all. I made a strong commitment to the new company I represented and worked hard and enthusiastically while continually acquiring new information from those who had beaten many paths before I came along. Interestingly enough, results were excellent and progress was steady, and just two years later, I was on a career path that has been most rewarding and satisfying.

I hope the message is clear. Keep growing. Don't start swelling. Listen to those who have had successful experiences.

by Zig Ziglar

Wake-Up Call

I always get-up in the morning by wake-up calls. Last Monday, I woke up by a friend's call... Tuesday by a telephone advertisement call.. Wednesday by my own alarm since I had an appointment with my dentist. Today, I woke-up by my friend from VHS Neumarkt who called me around 8:00 am.

I am very happy to wake-up everyday, facing my day to day tasks and activities. For all those who wake me up by their calls, thank you very much. I am thankful to God that I always wake up everyday, healthy and have the chance to face again the daily challenges in life.

Today's call was different because it is regarding a person who needs help very badly. My friend in VHS explain to me about it and I am also willing to help whatever help I can give. It is always a very wonderful feeling when you help someone especially help and support that comes from the heart without asking for any return. I also really admired the extra effort, help and support extended by VHS team to all Integrations Course participants.

I really appreciate the excellent jobs that the VHS Neumarkt are extending to the Integrations Course students or participants not only with helping them to learn German language, its culture and history but also any personal help they can offer.

I already witnessed and experienced the excellent service provided by VHS Neumarkt as I was also a participant before in the German Integrations Course.

I would advise Auslaenders or Foreigners who want to take the Integration Course to visit Volkhochschule (VHS) Neumarkt at Gartenstrasse 1, 92318 Neumarkt or contact them at tel.# 09181-25950 or write them at info@vhs-neumarkt.de. You can also visit their homepage here.

To all VHS Team especially to Ms. Claudia Z., Mr. Rainer H. and to my previous teachers...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Fasching in Germany

I witnessed last year a Fasching or Carnival in Dietfurt, a small village in Neumarkt, Germany. It was really lot of fun seeing people with different masks and customes. I'm just sad that I cannot witness it again this year as my husband can't go with me and I don't want to drive alone there since I also don't know the way. Here are some photos I took last year. Some photos can also be found here.

















What is it?

Carnival season is a time of wild fancy-dress parties and costume-balls, which are open to the public. Carnival reaches its climax in big street processions with elaborately decorated floats, usually on Rosenmontag. Carnival celebrations happen mainly in the Catholic parts of Germany. Nevertheless, Karneval parties do occur in some places in the north of Germany.

When is it?

Officially it starts am elften elften elf Uhr elf (11th November at 11:11am) and continues in a fairly low-key way for about three months before the Tolle Tage (Crazy Days) which climax on Rosenmontag, the 42nd day before Easter. Carnival season is traditionally seen as a chance for people to go wild and let their hair down before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. In the Christian church Lent is a serious time before Easter for fasting (eating no food or very little food) and making up for your sins and mistakes.

Why the different names for it?

Carnival is a regional festival and is celebrated in different ways according to different local traditions. It’s known as:

Karneval in the Rheinland area;
Fastnacht around the city of Mainz ('fasting night', or eve of Lent, the period of fasting);
Fasnet in Swabia (south-west region of Germany) and in the south-west of the state of Bavaria;
Fosnat in the Franken region (northern Bavaria), and as
Fasching around the city of München and in Austria.

What do people do?

Carnivals are held in southern German cities, and in the Rheinland cities of Mainz, Aachen, Bonn and Düsseldorf. The biggest and zaniest Karneval is in Köln. The first written record of the Köln carnival is from the year 1341. Köln has the Dreigestirn (three Stars): the Carnival Prince (known as Seine Tollität, ‘His Craziness’), the Bauer (peasant) and the Jungfrau (virgin). The Jungfrau has always been a man. It is a great honour to be a member of the Dreigestirn, and they are elected each October from the members of Köln’s 105 historic carnival associations.

The Köln carnival involves heaps of street-parties and pub-parties, with people disguising themselves in all sorts of ways. In fact, on Rosenmontag you stand out as unusual if you aren’t wearing some sort of mad costume or haven’t painted a clown-face on yourself. At the parades and costume-balls people are dressed as sheiks, Vikings (with hairy coats and horned helmets), Attila the Hun, clowns and harlequins, devils, witches, animals, or fruit, and in many other creative ways . Köln’s many Karneval associations put a lot of effort into building and decorating the floats for the Rosenmontag parade. As the floats pass by, the costumed people on board them pelt the street crowds with lollies and sweets while they sing the many old Karneval songs. The Mariechen, acrobatic dancing troupes of girls entertain the crowds as part of the parade. In the parade the Carnival Prince has a royal bodyguard who are dressed in uniforms of the early 1800s. The bodyguards remind the crowd of the city’s tradition of anti-militarism by disobeying orders (eg turning in the wrong direction) and by sticking flowers in their rifle-barrels. About 1.5 million people go to the Rosenmontag parade in Köln.

Weiberfastnacht (women’s carnival night) is the Thursday before Rosenmontag, and it is tradition that women are allowed to cut off the tie of any man within reach, and to kiss any man they want to. Women going out that night to pubs take scissors with them. Rosenmontag is not an official holiday but in areas of Germany that celebrate Karneval, workers usually get the day off. On Rosenmontag German television devotes a lot of time to Karneval am Rhein.

History

As described above, Karneval is associated with festivals of the Christian church (wild partying before Lent begins). However, it goes back to pagan times, and was a way of driving out the evil spirits of winter and encouraging the coming of spring and good crops. Ugly masks worn for this purpose are still worn in carnival festivals in southern Germany. Karneval can be traced back to pagan Roman festivals, which may explain why Köln and Mainz, two ancient cities with Roman history, have such big carnivals. In the Middle Ages, Karneval gave the people a break from the tightly structured class system, as they were able to hide their social background behind imaginative masks and costumes. Poor people were able to mix with all other levels of society and share fun with them. In those days people would dress up as knights, damsels and even priests, as a way of making fun of them. In a similar way, people these days sometimes wear masks which make fun of well-known politicians or celebrities.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A Very Important Lesson

Got this interesting story from my email..just want to share it with you peeps...
here it goes..

Three years ago, I adopted a purebred Sheltie from a rescue
shelter. His name was Buster. He had bad teeth and his fur
stuck out no matter what. I didn't care. He was my dog. He had
a few owners in his life, and I promised him that I would
never give him up, no matter what. Earlier this year, we found
out Buster had an enlarged heart. The vet gave him six to
eighteen months.

Buster was having seizures that were probably causing brain
damage. Last Friday night, he had a seizure and cracked his
head against the sofa. He couldn't walk after that. He kept
bumping into walls and experienced constant bowel movements and
vomiting. My dog was gone. Buster was no longer there. His body
was walking around, but that was all. I decided he needed to be
put to sleep.

He went to sleep on December 21, 2007, less than a month
before his ninth birthday. I feel his absence keenly. I
sincerely hope and pray dogs do get into heaven. After all,
D-O-G is G-O-D spelled backward.

Buster had no worries at all. He knew that I would feed him
and water him in a timely manner and that I would take care
of him no matter what. In return, he gave me his loyalty and
undying love.

He taught me a very important lesson:

This is what God wants from us.

I feel awed that such a simple creature could teach so
valuable a lesson with deeds and not words. I already loved
God with all my heart, without reservation, and followed him.
And now, I love God even more than I thought possible.

~A MountainWings Original by Michael Dowds, Peyton, Colorado~

Quote for Today

Great Men
==========

Great men are they who see
that the spiritual is stronger
than any material force.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Monday, January 28, 2008

Hohenfels, Germany

Some images from Hohenfels, a small town in Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany. It is also home to the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) of the United States Army.

Some sights to see are the castle ruins in Hohenfels and the beautiful St. Ullrich Church. Hohenfels is a small but beautiful town where you can experience lovely nature around. Here are some images from Hohenfels.

view of St. Ullrich Church from the Schlossberg hill, where the castle ruins are found.


see that small chapel afar, that's the Station of the Cross Chapel


the castle Turm or tower. down the Schlossberg are lots of house. some are even hundred years old already.

zoom view of the Station of the Cross Chapel

that's Schlossberg Turm (tower)

The Right Ecommerce Software for my Brother- in-Law

My brother-in-law in Las Vegas, Nevada have been searching for a website where he can advertise his business. He even asked me to help him search for a very good and reliable website where he can put his own site on the web and attract more customers especially through online shopping.

Nowadays, a lot of busy people do shopping or searching for some products and services in there home through internet. It happened that I was surfing in the net at that time that my sister mentioned to me again about ecommerce software where his husband can make an online business.

I happened to browse Ashop Commerce which is leading provider of hosted shopping cart software.

As I was reading further about it, I really find it very reliable.It help merchants climb to the top of the search engines because it is 100% Search Engine Optimized which can help merchants very searchable through the internet.

Ashop Commerce is a shopping cart software which provides a turn-key ecommerce solution with it's revolutionary online store building software. One of the worlds most easy to use web based administrations with award winning features allows the merchant to build an online store capable of competing with the webs most powerful sites for a simple, low monthly fee.

My brother-in-law can then start a business online through Ashop shopping cart software with no big worry and hassle. Ashop also accepts credit cards as payments and it is also integrated with all major banks, gateways and third party processors like Paypal. There is no worry using credit cards with Ashop since it has a built in SSL protection or a checkout security which makes customers pay with confidence.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Friendly site award from Lily

Thanks a lot Lily for passing me this friendly site award...I'm tagging Carlota, Joy, Lyn, Lolli, all bisdak family and all friends blogger you can grab this but pls don't forget to add my URL...

To all my friends blogger, I might visit you one by one next time if given the chance...sorry my linker is temporary out as of this moment..will try to find another linker so that I can link you up..


I want to say thank you to all my friends online for keeping me company in this blogging world. All the time, your tags and comments are very much appreciated. I will do my bloghopping later when I get a chance. take care everyone and enjoy the beautiful weekend.
God bless us all!!!

To All my Friends!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends out there. I might not visit you one by one but if given the chance to do so, it would then be a great pleasure for me. Again thank you very much especially for the special friendship we have.. Those are really very great treasure that I can keep and can never be stolen.

I also would like to especially thank a new friend named Carlota whom I met here in the web. Although we still don't see each other in person, but I believed she is a very unique and great person. Thanks a lot for the teachings. I really appreciated everything from the bottom of my heart.

TO ALL MY FRIENDS...MORE POWER TO ALL OF US...GOD BLESS US ALL IN THIS YEAR 2008 AND ALL YEARS TO COME...I wish you all a great Sunday!!!

Adventure in Salzburg, Austria

I had an adventure with a friend in Austria last year. We visited a lot of cities there which include Salzburg, Linz, Attnang Puchheim, Wels, Vienna and a lot more. We travelled by train. I really enjoyed travelling by train. No stress, you just sit down inside while seeing the beautiful landscape outside. Anyway, I would like to share with you the photos I have in Austria and might write some more about Austria in my future posts. Before I forgot, Salzburg is a very interesting lively city which has a lot to offer to its visitors. Here are some of my photos there..have fun viewing..

birth house of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart



horse carriages in Residenzplatz, Salzburg


the Pferdeschwemme (Horse pond) built in 1695


Salzburg City along Danube River


above is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the symbol of the city. Construction of this castle begun in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard.
below is the Neptunbrunnen (Neptune's Fountain) built in 1732 by the sculptor Anton Pfaffinger.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

It's Amazing to join Smorty

I just enrolled yesterday at Smorty. It is just very amazing that my blog was approved at the same day that I enrolled it. I was totally happy how Smorty approved my blog so fast. It wasn't even 24 hours that I got the approval. That was really very great and amazing. Smorty's services are really very smart and efficient.

I just started blogging. My blog is not even two months old but Smorty approved it efficiently. Unlike other service connecting advertisers who accept at least 3 months old blog, Smorty is different because they consider blogs even less than 3 months old.

I was really surprised and was so happy about Smorty and can now advertise for blogs. They are really incredible. From now on, I can already share my ideas, thoughts, opinions and even my personal experiences about anything and everything that happens in my day to day living and can get paid for blogging. That's why I also want to share with you my first experience in Smorty and the efficient service they offer at the same time I can write blog advertising with them through my own personal experiences.

Anyway for those who still do not know what Smorty is??..here it goes. Smorty is a service connecting advertisers with bloggers. Advertisers can pay bloggers to write opinion posts.

So fellow bloggers who want to earn money for the things and topics you write, why not join Smorty and get paid to blog. Don't forget..blog for money join SMORTY.

Why Teenagers, Like, Like 'Like'

"So we were all, like, hanging out. And then this guy comes over and starts, like, hassling us. Then he's all like, 'Get outta here!' And we were all, like, 'This is public property.'"

People write me all the time to complain about teenagers' talking like this. "Why does every other word have to be 'like'?" they ask. "It's a filler," they write, "a verbal tic like 'um' and 'you know.' It's monotonous and mindless."

Monotonous it may be, but it's hardly mindless. In fact, teenagers use "like" to impart subtle nuances and convey the emotional essence of events.

As linguist Geoffrey Nunberg points out in his fascinating book "Going Nucular" (PublicAffairs, $18.95), peppering sentences with "like" emerged in the slang of jazz musicians and beatniks during the 1950s. The word "like," he writes, "didn't actually mean anything so much as it evoked, the way a jazz riff does."

Because "like" implies comparison, it distances speakers from their words, reflecting casualness and even a mistrust of words' ability to fully convey an event or idea. Phrases such as "we were all, like, hanging out" and "starts, like, hassling us" suggest that "hanging out" and "hassling us" don't fully capture the events described, but provide the general idea.

Similarly, Nunberg observes, "like" can be used to finesse a request ("Could I, like, stay at your place?"); express disbelief ("So you're, like, firing me?"); and soft-pedal a suggestion ("We should consider, like, moving.")

----

During the 1980s, teenagers started using "like" in a new way: to introduce quotations, as an apparent synonym for "said," as in, "We were all, like, 'This is public property.''

But here's the catch: "Like" doesn't really mean "said."

For when teenagers say, "He was all, like, 'Get outta' here!'" they don't necessarily mean those were the speaker's exact words. They mean that what follows is an approximation of the tone of what he said. In fact, he may not have said anything but simply grunted and chased them away.

In this context, "like" is being used to introduce a brief imitation of the person's behavior. That's why the words following "like" are often accompanied by a physical gesture such as waving arms or a clenched fist.

But will all these fancy explanations stop adults from waving their arms and clenching their fists when they hear teenagers sprinkle their sentences with "like"?

I wouldn't, like, count on it.

========

this words are from Rob Kyff....

Contract of Friendship Tag

Hi Lily,
My only pinay neighbor in my place. Thanks a lot for passing this contract.Thanks a lot for keeping me in your list of friendship. I also want to pass this Contract to Gen, Carlota, Lolli, Lyn and all my friends bloggers, you can grab it too..and pls don't forget to add my URL..thanks a lot..wish everyone a nice weekend.


And here's the contract!

After serious and cautious consideration...your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2008! It was a very hard decision to make. So try not to screw it up!!!My Wish for You in 2008 May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires! May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ...May 2008 be the best year of your life!

A Friendly Tag

I got this tag from my blogger friend Gen, thank you for forwarding this to me, it is such a pleasure receiving this tag, it is very cute! Now, I am tagging Lolli, Carlota, Lily, Joy and all bloggers friends out there and pls. do not forget my URL also when you pass this tag. Thank you guys!



A real friends must be cherished beyond all worldly measures and shine brighter than gold and last longer than diamonds.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Thoughtless Friday

Got migraine again today..thanks God I felt better now but still feeling a bit tired..Can't think of anything to write besides that I really miss Philippines, my beloved home country and of course my family there too!! Here is my home in Cebu Province.










Thursday, January 24, 2008

Stop-over in Amberg, Germany

Since Amberg can be passed by in going to Grafenwoehr, my friends whom I went with last Saturday, Jan. 19,'08 made a stop-over to see the town. At the same day, we just came from Ramstein around 4 hours drive till we reached our place in Hohenfels. Everyone was really tired but still we proceeded to Grafenwoehr just to see the new Shopping building in the US Base.

We made a bit walking and sightseeing in Amberg and never forgot to take some photos. Here they are....Please also find below a bit information and history about Amberg.


Gasthaus (guesthouse/beer garden) in Amberg



old but attractive buildings in Amberg



the late-Gothic Pfarrkirche St Martin



Tourist Information Office



Rathaus in Amberg/ Gothic Town Hall (built in 1358)



a shopping street in Amberg with a chapel



that's the Amberg Nabburger Tor (gate)


Amberg is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Oberpfalz ("Upper Palatinate"), roughly half way between Regensburg and Bayreuth.

HISTORY

The town was first mentioned in 1034, at that time under the name Ammenberg. It became an important trading centre in the Middle Ages, exporting mainly iron ore and iron products. In 1269 the town became together with Bamberg subordinate to the Wittelsbach dynasty that ruled Bavaria.

In 1329 the town and the entire region of Oberpfalz fell to a branch line of the Wittelsbach family and was no longer part of the duchy of Bavaria. Although in geographic terms it was regarded as Bavarian and the region was part of the Bavarian circle in the organisation of the Imperial Circles. The rulers of the Palatinate were open-minded towards Protestantism. In the 16th century the town turned to Lutheranism, but attempts of the ruling family to introduce the more radical Calvinism failed due to the reluctance of its citizens.

In 1628 Amberg and Oberfalz became part of the electorate of Bavaria. The inhabitants were given the choice: return to Catholicism or leave the town forever. Many families left the town and fled to the Free Imperial Cities of Regensburg and Nuremberg.

Amberg was the regional capital of Oberpfalz until 1810 when it was handed over to the larger city of Regensburg.

After the Second World War, in which Bavaria fell into the American Sector, Amberg was home to Pond Barracks, a United States Army base. The base was finally closed in 1992 and turned over to the local community for housing.

history info from wikipedia

It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's... A Plane

Heard on a pre-flight announcement from an American Airlines
pilot:

On our flight today, we will be flying at 34,000 feet.
To give you an idea of how high that is, we would be able to fly
over 50 Empire State buildings stacked one on top the other.

Our speed will be about 500 miles per hour. That is just over
the muzzle velocity of the standard military .45 pistol.

We will be pushed along by two Pratt and Whitney JT-8D-200
turbofan engines. While thrust to horsepower varies with
altitude, the total 40,000 pounds of thrust is greater than the
combined power of 10 D-9 diesel locomotives.

In other words, we're faster than a speeding bullet, more
powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a
single bound, and as always, your Dallas based crew stands for
truth, justice, and the AMERICAN way!

~from avweb.com~


from The Mountain:
A .45 bullet moves considerably faster than a jet, 34,000 feet
is the height of only half as many Empire State buildings and a
D-9 diesel produces 4,000 horsepower. Read the link below if you
want to check the truth of the 10 locomotive engines.

Remember, this is flight crew helping to make a potentially
boring flight better. Often, the spirit is more important that
the details.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/propulsion/q0195.shtml


from Mountain Wings Issue

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

All of Us Are in Debt

I want to thank all the emails I received everyday especially those that are very informative and useful in my daily living. Below is one example of it. Hope you guys will also get a lesson from it. Enjoy reading to this beautiful essay.

All of Us Are in Debt

Albert Einstein said, "A hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received." As you think about what Einstein said, you will come to realize the completely unselfish wisdom of those words. First, we're indebted to our parents because they were responsible for bringing us into the world. Next, we are indebted to the doctors, nurses, aides, orderlies and other hospital personnel for the part they played in making our arrivals safe and healthy ones.

We're indebted to the educational structure where we learned reading, writing and arithmetic, which are critical to our lives. It's sobering to realize that yes, somebody did have to teach Albert Einstein that two plus two equals four.

We are in debt to all the pastors, priests and rabbis who taught us the essence of life by instructing us in those character qualities that are important to us, regardless of our chosen fields of endeavor -- athletics, medicine, education, business or government.

We certainly owe a debt to those people whose messages have been encouraging and positive, as well as informative and instructional. We are deeply in debt to those public servants who committed their lives to service through appointed or elected offices in this great land of ours. That includes the postal worker who brings the mail, the pressmen and reporters who are responsible for putting these words in print and the workers who build the highways upon which we move from one location to another.

The list is endless -- which brings us back to Einstein and his quote. We do have a heavy debt, and one way to repay that debt is to regularly express thanks and gratitude to the men and women who make our lives worth living. Think about it. Thank a lot of people.

He Could Sell Anybody Anything

Got this from my email. Guess it's worth sharing for especially to everyone who are engaged in selling.

by: Zig Ziglar

The person who is unfamiliar with the skills and character required to be a professional salesperson is inclined to describe a successful salesperson as someone who "could sell anybody anything." The unfamiliar person thinks he's paying that salesperson the supreme compliment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The genuine professional could not "sell anybody anything" -- the con artist could. The professional salesperson won't.

The sales professional will only sell a product he is convinced will make the customer the big winner. Sales professionals understand that satisfied customers are the key to long-term success. Selling is essentially a transference of feeling. If I can make you feel about my product, goods or services the way I feel about my product, goods or services, you, the customer, will figure out a way to buy my product, goods or services.

If the customer does not "win," the salesperson must spend an inordinate amount of time prospecting and avoiding old customers. That is not the way to build a sales career. When people ask me what they should sell, I always tell them to find products in which they can fervently believe and would be pleased to sell to their parents, children, brothers or sisters. They should choose products or services so good they can always say with pride, "The product I sold benefited the customer far more than it did me and offered more benefits than the price we were asking."

In a nutshell, sell a product that does the job, and the people to whom you sell will be happy to recommend your product to their friends, relatives and neighbors. That's what professionals do. That's career-building selling. Build your sales career that way.

by: Zig Ziglar

Bible Verses

Meditation

Psalm 32:1-5 NASB

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!

How blessed is the man to whom the
LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

When I kept silent about my sin,
my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with
the fever heat of summer. Selah.

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions
to the LORD";
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Psalm 32:1-5 NASB

Bible Verses

The Fear of the Lord brings Wisdom and Life!

For thy name's sake, O LORD,
pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

What man is he that feareth the LORD?
Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 25:11-13 KJV

______________

If thou seekest her (Wisdom) as silver,
and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God. For the

LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh
knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:4-6 KJV

______________

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 9:9-11 NIV

______________

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

ONLY HUMAN WITH GREAT MIND CAN READ

I got this from my friendster..

This is weird, but interesting!! I can read it very good..How about you my friends??
here it goes..


fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a
sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out
of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod
aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was
rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the
hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch
at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't
mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a
wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is
taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in
the rghit pclae. The rset can be a
taotl mses and you can sitll raed it
whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the
huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter
by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot
slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can
raed tihs rospet wtih tihs tilte:

ONLY HUMAN WITH GREAT MIND CAN READ
THIS...

REPOST ONLY IF U CAN READ THIS

Passing-By at Landstuhl, Rhineland Pfalz, Germany

As I stayed for some days in my friend in Ramstein, we always passed by Landstuhl but there is no time to see this town. Last Jan. 15,'08, we need to go there to find a Quelle Shop. Unfortunately there is no Quelle Shop to return the items that my friend ordered. So what we did instead was went walking around.

Landstuhl is a small town of Kaiserslautern. You can find below a little history about Landstuhl. I also have here some photos for you to see the place.


at the back of this Chapel is a cemetery (Friedhof Kapelle)



Burg Nanstein



Insurance Building in Landstuhl



street direction going to Landstuhl



Holy Ghost Church, landstuhl



busy street in Landstuhl



Ballet School Building



front of the Holy Ghost Church



that's the Ruins of Nanstein Castle






gate of the Amsgericht(Municipal Court)


Landstuhl
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Administration
Country: Germany
State : Rhineland-Palatinate
District Kaiserslautern
Municipal assoc.: Landstuhl
Mayor: Klaus Grumer

Basic statistics
Area 15.34 km² (5.9 sq mi)
Elevation 248 m (814 ft)
Population 8,852 (31/12/2006)
Density 577 /km² (1,495 /sq mi)

Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate KL
Postal code 66849
Area code 06371
Website www.landstuhl.de


Landstuhl (IPA: [ˈlantʃtuːl]) is a municipality of over 9,000 people in southwestern Germany. It is part of the district of Kaiserslautern, in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the north-western edge of the Palatinate forest, approx. 10 km west of Kaiserslautern.

It is perhaps best known in the U.S.A. because of the U.S. Army's medical installation. The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) post, is often the first stop for American casualties leaving the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ramstein Air Force Base is also located nearby.

The earliest traces of human settlement in Landstuhl are from 500 B.C. From the Celtic period is the “Heidenfels” (i.e heathen rock), which was a holy site even into Roman times. From the Roman period is a settlement from the 1st Century A.D.

In the 15th Century, the von Sickingen knight dynasty assumed responsibility for Landstuhl and the surrounding area. The most famous member of this family was Franz von Sickingen. Franz von Sickingen built his castle in Landstuhl – Burg Nanstein (the most visible landmark in Landstuhl and the surrounding area) - into a dominating fortress. From this base he moved to expand his domains by conquering other parts of southwestern Germany.

Ater several defeats, v. Sickingen withdrew to his castle and was besieged by the Archbishop of Trier and the Counts of the Rhine and Hesse. During the bombardment of Nanstein, Franz v. Sickingen was killed. The castle was later expanded by von Sickingen’s descendants, but it was destroyed by the French in 1689.

Landstuhl is the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde ("collective municipality") Landstuhl.

Bible Readings

Wait on the LORD

You, LORD, are the light
that keeps me safe.

I am not afraid of anyone.
You protect me,
and I have no fears.

Teach me to follow, LORD,
and lead me on the right path
because of my enemies.

Don't let them do to me
what they want.

People tell lies about me
and make terrible threats,
but I know I will live
to see how kind you are.

Trust the LORD!
Be brave and strong
and trust the LORD.

Psalm 27:1, 11-14 CEV

Bible Verses

A Life Pleasing to God

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:17-19 NIV

_______________

Honor widows who are real widows. If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

1 Timothy 5:3-5 RSV

_______________

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11 KJV

_______________

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.

Discipline to Children Starts at Home

Good Morning Everyone!!! I just read this in my email from Mountain Wings. I wanted to share it with you. Perhaps you can help by praying especially to those children who are really stubborn and mind you at the very early stage of life, at the age of three. Sounds really not good.

Children's discipline always starts at home. Parents always have the responsibility to discipline their children. In my own opinion, I believed that children must be discipline at the early stage of life specifically when they start talking. Whether the parents are professional or not, I believed that proper manners, values and discipline must be thought to them.

I am still not a Mother and if ever it is God's will for me to have children I will try my best to give them proper discipline. I know it is not easy to discipline children. I came from a very big family of twelve siblings. I am just very thankful that even my parents don't have time to each one of us, we are still given some discipline which until now is being inculcated in our lives.

I am very thankful to my parents for everything they had thought me before. The values and the teachings that they inculcated in my life are very great treasures which I will carry with me till the end of my time and will be passed on to my future children.

To those parents who have children like this, I am praying for you. I believed it is still not to late to give them proper manners and values at the very early age. Don't wait to give them discipline later. It might be too late.

Remember you can form a branch in a tree while it is still young but when it is old, it is already very difficult to form it the way you wanted it. Parents also have to remember that you are the children's first teachers at home. Whatever examples and actions you show to your children will reflect on you.

Here is the story and the prayer request!! Please help by praying!!! Wish everyone a very Wonderful day!!! Got to go now to run some important errands...


Stubborn
=========

He is stubborn.

He uses abusive words in both private times and in public.
Please pray for him to become a good and kind human being.
Plus, he is a fussy eater.

The above is an excerpt from a prayer request.
The characteristics described are not unusual for a prayer
request. What was unusual was the age of the male who was the
subject of the prayer request.

He was three.

We can relate to the mother from the U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates)

We have a son who is two and a half and when George doesn't get
his way, he sounds just like her son.

Pray for us and anyone else who has a child with the same
characteristics.

Also, there are quite a few adults with identical characteristics.
Pray for those who have to deal with them and pray for us for
the times when we are them.

~A MountainWings Original~

Monday, January 21, 2008

Simply The Best Lyrics

by Tina Turner

I call you when I need you, my heart's on fire
You come to me, come to me wild and wild
When you come to me
Give me everything I need
Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams
Speak a language of love like you know what it means
And it can't be wrong
Take my heart and make it strong baby

You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and hang on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be dead

In your heart I see the star of every night and every day
In your eyes I get lost, I get washed away
Just as long as I'm here in your arms
I could be in no better place

You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and hang on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be dead

Each time you leave me I start losing control
You're walking away with my heart and my soul
I can feel you even when I'm alone
Oh baby, don't let go

Mountains

The experienced mountain climber is not intimidated by a
mountain, he is inspired by it.

The persistent winner is not discouraged by a problem, he is
challenged by it.

Mountains are created to be conquered; adversities are designed
to be defeated; problems are sent to be solved.

It is better to master one mountain than a thousand foothills.

~William Arthur Ward~

Bible Verses

"Meditation"

Wait on the LORD NLT

The LORD is my light and my salvation--
so why should I be afraid?

The LORD protects me from danger--
so why should I tremble?

Teach me how to live, O LORD.
Lead me along the path of honesty,
for my enemies are waiting for me to fall.

Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I've never done
and breathe out violence against me.

Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 27:1, 11-14 NLT

How Are You??

Mabuhay!!!
How everyone is doing? I wasn't able to update my blog for two days...You know why?? As usual I am very busy. Busy going somewhere and anywhere. I started the year not staying at home. I mentioned in my previous Blog that I did not spend New Year at home but instead with friends. But anyway, speaking of friends...I just have some questions regarding it. Do you really have to tell your friends or even ask permission wherever you're going somewhere or what your activities are? Do you really have to tell them every move you make?? Do you have to further explain if they get upset by not telling them where you are going or what you do??Anyway, I guess it's all up to you. It's your decision. All I can only say is that I have all the freedom to go wherever I want , or it's my choice if I tell them my activities or not. I am just lucky to have some good friends too!! To all my friends, thank you very much for everything.

I am a very democratic person. I always wanted freedom of all the things I am doing without being dictated by anybody. I always wanted to do what I want. But of course, it doesn't mean to do bad things.

I am just very lucky to have a very understanding, kind and independent husband. I can go any time wherever I want. But of course, it also depends on the situation. Unlike maybe for some who have jealous husbands or husbands who don't can live without the wife doing all the household chores. In short, I am just very thankful for really having a very good husband.

Perhaps I am writing now too long which might be boring for you. I will try to post in the couple of days some more blogs with more photos of my trips and sightseeings. I am just happy to see different places in Germany in just couple of weeks. From Rheinland Pfalz to the state of Bavaria (Bayern in German) seeing old but historical and memorable cities and towns and it's buildings are just very interesting and enjoyable. I just simply love travelling and hope will travel more next time.

To all my dear readers, thank you very much for passing by and visiting me here. Wish you all a very nice evening!! See you tomorrow!! Take care everyone!!

Bible Verses

Living in The Fear of the Lord

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 9:31 NIV

_______________

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1,2 NIV

(Renew your mind - Memorize Scripture!)

_______________

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:1-3 NASB

_______________

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany

This is where my village Hohenfels belong in Neumarkt i.d. Opf. Last Jan. 08, '08, we visited this small city in Bayern. Since me and my friend, can't think of any place to go, we decided quickly to drive there. I drove everyday to this city before when I was still attending the German language course.

We went a little bit shopping. The Winter Sale is already starting, that's why we bought some clothes which are off until 75%. That was not a bad idea. Before I buy clothes in it's regular price. Since I already know about Summer and Winter Sales in Germany, I usually buy during this time wherein you can buy clothes in its cheapest prices. But anyway, I really don't shop for clothes now since I already have enough. As usual, I also took some photos.



monument designed by Lothar Fischer in front of the Rathaus (Municipal Hall)


back of the Cathedral..


colorful buildings/stores in Neumarkt





in front of the New Rathaus


inside the coffe shop


Below are some information regarding Neumarkt and its facts and figures.

Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


Administration
Country Germany
State Bavaria
Admin. region Oberpfalz
District Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Lord Mayor Thomas Thumann (FW)

Basic statistics
Area 79.03 km² (30.5 sq mi)
Elevation 424 m (1391 ft)
Population 39,463 (30/09/2006)
- Density 499 /km² (1,293 /sq mi)

Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate NM
Postal code 92318
Area code 09181
Website www.neumarkt.de
Coordinates: 49°17′″N 11°28′″E / Expression error: Unexpected / operator, Expression error: Unexpected / operator

Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz is the capital of the Neumarkt district in the administrative region of the Upper Palatinate, in Bavaria, Germany. With a population of about 40,000, Neumarkt is the seat of various projects, and acts as the economic and cultural center of the western Upper Palatinate, along with Nürnberg, Ingolstadt, and Regensburg.

Geography

Neumarkt lies on the western edge of the Franconian Jura, nestled in a valley. The municipal region reaches as far as the Bavarian Jura to the east. The Neumarkt valley drains to the north through the Schwarzach River, a tributary of the Regnitz, eventually flowing into the Main, and to the south through the Sulz, a tributary of the Altmühl, which eventually flows into the Danube. The Ludwig Canal cuts through the area from North to South, bridging the European water divide. The elevation varies from 406 meters on the Beckenmühle River to the north, to 595 meters in the vicinity of Fuchsberg; as a reference, the elevation of city hall is given as 423 meters.

The municipal region has an area of 73.09 km². The following municipalities, all of which belong to the Neumarkt district, border the district capital. They are named clockwise, beginning in the north: Berg, Pilsach, Velburg, Deining, Sengenthal, Berngau and Postbauer-Heng.


Geology

Neumarkt is located on the western edge of a former Coral Reef (now called the Franconian Jura) of the Tethys Ocean during the Jurassic. The floor of the valley is predominately sandy, whence came the earlier name Neumarkt auf dem Sand (Neumarkt on the Sand), on the sides are isolated regions of loam. The mountains are formed of hard Limestone containing numerous springs, including, for example, the source of the White Laber River near Voggenthal.


Municipal subdivision

The core of the municipal area is the Old City and its still-recognized borders. The first housing developments built outside the city walls began in 1850 to the east, along Mühlstraße, Mariahilfstraße, and Badstraße. To the south, the Industrial area developed beginning around 1920. After 1945, the city expanded to the north and west, and eventually grew together with the municipalities of Woffenbach and Holzheim. Numerous other settlements developed around the city center, named, going clockwise from the north: Altenhof, Koppenmühle, Kohlenbrunnermühle, Mühlen, Wolfstein (at the site of the former Prison Work Camp), Weinberg, Schlosserhügel, and Hasenheide.

During the 1972 Municipality Reforms, nine municipalities were merged with the city, substantially increasing the municipal area.


History

Traces of the earliest settlement at Neumarkt go back as far as the Neolithic period. Around Neumarkt there are numerous burial mounds and multiple Celtic embankments. The town is assumed to have been first founded by the Bavarii in the 6th or 7th century, for example, the quarter of the city now named Pölling.

The precise date of the city's founding is unknown, but its founding as "neuer Markt" is assumed to have happened in the beginning of the 12th century, on the trade route between Nuremberg and Regensburg. The city was first mentioned in a document in 1135, and city fortifications were mentioned for the first time in 1315. In the 13th century Emperor Frederick II granted Neumarkt Reichsfreiheit, and with it, the right to collect customs on trade between Nuremberg and Regensburg and itself. However, the city never enforced this status, because the city fell to the Wittelsbachs in 1329 through the Treaty of Pavia.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Neumarkt was the residence of the rulers of the Palatinate. Count Johann von Pfalz-Neumarkt established the seat of his government here, and began to develop the city into a residency. Included in his work are the church of St. Johannes, the Court Chapel, and the castle of the counts of the Palatinate. Johann was succeeded by Counts Otto I, his son Otto II, and Frederick II, who later became an Elector, and moved to Heidelberg.

After the Palatinate Counts left, Neumarkt lost much of its importance. Subsequently, the city played a part in political and economic life only for the surrounding area, and the growth of the city stopped almost entirely. The next perceptible period of growth did not occur until the middle of the 19th century. In the Thirty Years' War, Neumarkt was occupied by Swedish troops from 1633 to 1635 and from 1646 to 1649. Both times the city was plundered and partially destroyed.

During the war of the First Coalition a dramatic encounter between the French and Austria troops occurred in Neumarkt in the Summer of 1796. The French barricaded themselves in the city and the Austrians began its complete destruction. Only through the intervention of a smith from Neumarkt, who single-handedly opened the upper gate, was something worse averted. Neumarkt attained the status of Bavarian imperial city, and was the seat of a district court after the Kingdom of Bavaria was formed by Napoleon in 1806.

In the 19th century Neumarkt gradually developed into an industrial center. Beginning in 1830, thousands of laborers worked on the Ludwigskanal in the vicinity of Neumarkt, the completion of which, in 1846, made Neumarkt a port city. The Express-Werken, established in Neumarkt in 1884, were continental Europe's first bicycle factory.

The economic and political results of World War I were quickly noticeable in Neumarkt. Over 300 of its young men fell on the battlefield.

In September 1923 one of the first local chapters of the NSDAP was founded in Neumarkt, which appeared publicly on September 23 for "German Day". The removal of active party members, however, led to its quick disintegration. The party was not reorganized in Neumarkt until 1928.

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