What does "success" mean for you?

Perhaps you've been too busy making a living to ever give it more than a passing thought. There are as many different definitions of success as there are human beings. What's yours?

There are those who say that one failure of our times is the belief that success is synonymous with material possessions. Many people spend their lives accumulating wealth, yet in the end feel hollow and unfulfilled. Another failure happens when we mold our idea of success with other people's specifications, even if these are not the specifications drawn up in our own hearts.

Adding Height If You're Under 5'3"

• Avoiding a little girl look is a major concern of petite women. By creating vertical lines and wearing fashions designed especially for the petite figure, you can seemingly add inches to your height.
  
• Wear vertical stripes and small prints.
• Keep dress lengths just below the knee and jackets and sweaters in shorter length as well.
• Wear sling-backs and sleek pumps with matching stockings.
• Don't wear billowy sleeves, large ruffles, prints or horizontal stripes.
• Beware of pants that "sag" making your legs look shorter, and avoid cuffs.

Confidence Must Come From Within, Not From Your Clothes

Still, there's one important factor that we must know--and that is how to carry ourselves with confidence. People tend to think that simply wearing the right kind of clothes is enough to do the trick. Well, admittedly, sometimes yes.

But if you depend on clothes to give you strength of character and the right attitude, your self-esteem and self-confidence will become dependent on what you wear. That's too much power to endow a personal wardrobe.

Self-esteem and self-confidence must come from within and never from outside factors such as fashion. You should therefore "carry" your clothes instead of letting your clothes carry you.

You can go on creating your own images and fuss over the elements of your fashion, but in the end, once you're done putting things together, you must ultimately project who you are--from the inside.

This is true essence of fashion -- your personality -- the one and only you. 

Seafood Special: Chili Crab

From now on, I will be posting here the recipe of my favorite dishes. Rather than keep all of my recipe collections in a notebook, much better if I share it also to anyone who will come across this blog with same interest as mine - in cooking.

• CHILI CRAB
  

This is so simple for this will take only around 20-25 minutes to prepare and will make 4-6 servings.

Steam 1 kilo large crabs (about 3-4 pieces) until cooked. Set aside. In a wok, heat 3 tablespoons oil then saute 3 cloves garlic, 1 chopped onion and 1 tablespoon chopped ginger. Add 1 bottle chili sauce and 1/3 cup water.  Simmer for a few minutes. Halve the crabs then add to the pan. Cook until heated through.

Meal Sidings: Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes. Some like it smooth some like it chunky (I love it both). If you want really smooth and creamy mashed potatoes,  puree the boiled potatoes then add lots of milk and cream. If you like it with a bit more bite, then just mash coarsely with a fork before adding the other ingredients.

Here are some simple ways to prepare your favorite sidings (mashed potatoes) for main meals:

• Plain Mashed Potatoes:
  

Combine 1 1/3 cups mashed potatoes with 2 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons fresh milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and dash of white pepper. Blend well.

• Garlic-Onion Potatoes:
  

Combine 1 1/3 cups mashed potatoes, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 teaspoons fried sliced onions*, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend well.

• Basil-Parmesan Potatoes:
  

Combine 1 1/3 cups mashed potatoes with 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon sliced fresh basil, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and dash of salt and white pepper. Blend well.

* To make fried onions: slice the onions thinly then fry in a small amount of oil over medium heat until the onions are caramelized or browned.

My own pictures of each of the above recipe will soon to follow.

Weekend Funnies

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.  He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" 
 
God sighed. A deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made." 
 
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?". 
 
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. 
 
I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." 
 
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. 
 
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. 
 
"For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, but cold and harsh while southern Europe is going to be poor but sunny and pleasant." "I have made some lands abundant in water and other lands parched deserts." "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." 
 
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a group of islands and said, "What are those?" 
 
"Ah," said God. "That's the Philippines, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains and forests. The people from the Philippines are going to be handsome, modest,  intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high  achieving. They will be known throughout the world as carriers of peace and love." 
 
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance." 
 
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I put in the government." 

* * * *
 

A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. 
He asked, "What are all those clocks?" St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move." "Oh," said the man, 
 
"Whose clock is that?" "That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie." "Incredible," said the man. 
 
"And whose clock is that one?" St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life." 
 
"Where's Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's clock?" asked the man. The Philippine President's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan." 

* * * *
 
The new parish priest was very nervous in his first sermon that he almost could not talk. Before starting his second homily, he asked the monsignor what he must do to be relaxed during the sermon. His superior suggested that the next time he goes up the pulpit; he should first take a sip of vodka. He would feel much better before he knew it, the monsignor advised. 
 
The next Sunday, he followed what his superior had advised,  and, indeed, he felt so relaxed and could even talk at length during that stormy Sunday; he felt wonderful. Upon returning to the rectory, he found a short letter from his superior:  
 
My Dear Reverend,  
 
1. Next time, just take a sip, not gulps. 
2. There are 10 commandments, not 12. 
3. There were 12 disciples, not 10. 
4. We don't refer to the cross as "that big T." 
5. We don't refer to our Savior Jesus Christ and his 12    disciples as "JC and his band." 
6. David Killed Goliath. He never kicked him in the ass. 
7. We don't refer to Judas as "that asshole." 
8. The Pope is sacred, not castrated. And we don't refer to him    as "The Godfather." 
9. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not "Daddy,    Junior, and the Apparition" 

* * * *
 

A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him, "Father, I have a problem. I have two female parrots, but they only know how to say one thing." 

 

"What do they say?" the priest inquired. They say, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?" 

"That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, then he thought for a moment. "You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible. Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Frank and Jacob. My parrots can teach your parrots to pray and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time." 

 

"Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very well be the solution." 

 

The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house. As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their cage, holding rosary beads and praying. Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them. After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison: "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?" 

 

There was stunned silence. Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed, "Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!" 

Wide choices of furniture

I can relate that sometimes shopping for furniture to fit for your home can be a difficult task.  But there’s nothing more discouraging when you find the piece you really like but then you can’t afford the price. That is why when buying furniture, you must set your budget first and don’t go for the things that will only break your bank.

Plan ahead and do some research on the internet first. Visit this one website where you can find wide choices of  bedroom furniture, and dining room furniture at thefurniturewarehouse.net. They also have discount furniture that can truly give customer a big saving. Check it out!

 

Discover The 90/10 Principle

Author: Stephen Covey 

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). 

What is this principle? 

10% of life is made up of what happens to you....  90% of life is decided by how you react. 

What does this mean? 

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. 

How? ………. By your reaction. 

You cannot control a red light but you can control your reaction. 

Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. 

Let's use an example. 

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. 

After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. 

Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. 

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. 

Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. 

Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day? 

A) Did the coffee cause it? 
B) Did your daughter cause it? 
C) Did the policeman cause it? 
D) Did you cause it? 

The answer is "D". You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. 

Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". 

Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. 

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction. 

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! 

React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc. 

Now you know the 90-10 principle. 

Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. 

The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. 

The result? 

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. 
 
It CAN change your life!!!

This is Beautiful! Try not to cry.

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?' 

The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.' 

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?' 

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.' 

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. 

The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.' 

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. 

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :  

'Dear Mom,

I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'.. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.  

Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! 

And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. 

Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place wi th me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. 

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. 

Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone... I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?  

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.  

25August2008

L.O.L

• PRETTY WOMAN
  

A  wife ask her husband: 

"Which do you like about me the most? My beautiful face or my body."

Her husbands answers, "Hmmmn... Your sense of humor."

• WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA?
  

The teacher asks her: "This is a world map. Who can  point out where is America?" Jack goes to the front of the map and points out the position of America.
The the teacher asks: "Tell me children, who discovered America?" The children answer: "Jack!"

• SIGNATURE
  

Son: "Father, can you close your eyes and write your name?"
Father: "Of course, I can. That's easy!"
Son: "Then, please close your eyes and sign my report card?"

• TWO GOOD REASONS
  

A mother urges her son to get up to go to school. 
Her son says: "I don't want to go."
"And why not?"
"Two reasons: the children hate me and teachers do not like me."
"Son, you have to go. First, you're 45 years old. Secondly, you're the principal." 

Breaking News!

CNN reports that gas stations will start showing PORN movies on the screens of the pumps so that you can see someone else get screwed at the same time you are !!

LOVE IS LIKE A TATTOO...

... you take the risk, face the pain and yet place it in a special part of you. and when the time comes that you need to erase it, you have to endure again the pain.and realize that it will forever leave a scar.... a scar that will alays remind you, that you once had a tattoo... a tattoo that for sometime symbolized something so special.

WHAT THE HEART SPEAKS

The heart sometimes speaks so much feelings to someone we thought was listening and it hurts so much to realize the person you have been speaking to never really dared to understand, nor tried to listen... NEVER.

Random Thoughts On Love

The greatest irony of love is letting go when you need to hold on and holding on when you need to let go.

We lose someone we love only when we are destined to find someone else who can love us even more than we can love ourselves.

When you think of your past love, you may view it as a failure.
But when you find a new love, you view the past as a teacher.

In the game of love, it doesn't really matter who won or who lost.
What is important is you know when to hold on and when to let go.

You know you really love someone when you want him or her to be happy, even if his or her happiness means that you're not part of it. Everything happens for the best.

Love strives in hurting.

If you don't get hurt, you don't learn how to love.

Love is like a knife. It can stab t he heart or it can carve wonderful images into the soul that always lasts for a lifetime.

Love is supposed to be the most wonderful feeling. It should inspire you and give you joy and strength.
But sometimes the things that give you joy can also hurt you in the end. Loving people means giving them the freedom that they choose to be and where they choose to be.

Loving someone means giving him the freedom to find his way, whether it leads towards you or away from you.Only love can hurt your heart, fill you with desire and tear you apart.Only love can make you cry and only love knows why.

If you're not ready to cry, if you'renot ready to take the risk, if you're not ready to feel the pain, then you're not ready to fall in love.

ON FRIENDSHIP

"listen" & "silent" are two words with same alphabets and are very important for friendship because only a true friend can "listen" to you when you are "silent".

New Frames From Zenni

Incredible Stylish New Frames from Zenni are now available! Zenni is getting more popular and is hitting big time when it comes to trendy eyewear. Just recently, around February this year Zenni was on Fox news! If you are looking for precision and high quality materials prescription eyeglasses, Zenni Optical $8 Rx Eyeglasses has it all.

Home Theater

Nowadays, more and more people are turning their ordinary TV rooms into home theaters. Home theater is ideal for people who are on the go, those who prefer instant rather than brewed, or those who don’t like the hassles of going out to watch movies in cinemas.

Generally speaking, a home theater system is a combination of electronic components (large-screen TV, speakers, and surround-sound signal) designed to create the experience of watching a movie in a theater-like. Some people find that a home theater is quieter and more convenient than a movie theater. If you're thinking of turning a room in your house into a fully functioning home theater, just make sure that you have enough space where you can arrange all the said stuff.

"The Woman Men Adore"

"Men by their nature WANT to take care of women. It's true! When a woman allows her man to take the lead, she is actually using his natural tendencies to please her, because the ultimate prize for a man is in making the woman of his choice happy."

"If he feels he can make her happy rather easily, he is more likely to try harder to please her. Often a woman's self-suffiency gives the impression that she does not want him to protect and cherish her."

"One way to describe this difference is the two hearts.  A woman's heart, on the inside, is very tender. It is sensitive and empathetic.  ...[But] I have seen women whose hearts were broken, but who recover in half the time it would take most men."

"A man's heart is totally different.  The inside of a man's heart is even more sensitive than a woman's.  Around his heart are walls of steel, like doors that slide open and shut, and only open for special occasions. These doors open when he is interacting with his children or the woman he loves, or perhaps in a spiritual moment."

"When those doors are open, a man is extremely vulnerable. During those vulnerable times, if someone hurts him or makes fun of him, those doors shut up very quickly.  This is why men do not like to open up much - it's just too scary.  When a man's heart is injured, he does not have the recuperative power most women do."

- by Bob Grant, in "The Woman Men Adore and Never Want to Leave"

Wireless Routers

Wireless routers are radio transmitter, and there are some simple rules to observe if you want to maximize performance.

1. Mount the wireless router higher rather than lower. – On top of a cabinet is better than inside it.
   
2. Keep it away from large metal objects. – Aquariums and foil-backed insulation are bad news too. Try to keep it away from sources of interference such as microwaves.
   
3. Place it carefully - The easiest way to improve the performance of your Wi-Fi network is to put your wireless router as closes as possible to the area you’re trying to get the signal from. 
   

When it comes to WI-FI, the better reception, the faster the connection.