Have you ever been caught in a dilema where you find your self scared to death because you like someone? I know I have. Lots of times actually and I do alot of stupid things in the process. What do you do when you are in that perilous moment of likong someone but have no idea how the other person might feel?

Do you make your move or do you cop out and tuck your head back into your shell? I really hate it when I fall into a situation like this and I wish I knew how to handle it with grace. Being overcomed with my emotions is a weakness that I can't seem to get over. I just keep on praying that Jesus would protect me from unesserary pain.

Just wanted to share to you something which I got from my TESOL Class.

"English is the most widely used language in the history of our planet. One in every seven human beings around the globe can speak English. And more than half of the world's books and three-quarters of international mail are written in this crazy tongue.

Of all languages, English has the largest vocabulary - perhaps as many as two million words - and of course it has one of the noblest bodies of literature.

However, let's face it! English is a crazy language!

For example, there is no egg in eggplant, - and will you find neither pine nor apple in a pineapple.

Hamburgers are not made from ham, English muffins were not invented in England, and French Fries were not invented in France.

Sweetmeats are confectionery, while sweetbreads which are not sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But when we explore it's paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, Public Bathrooms have no baths, and a guinea pig is neither a pig nor is it from Guinea.

And why is it that a writer writes, but fingers do not fing, humdingers do not hum, and hammers don't ham. If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of booth be beeth?

One goose, two geese, so one moose, two meese? One index, two indices, one Kleenex, two Kleenices?

Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends - but you don't make just one amend, we comb through the annals of history - but not just one annal? And if you have a bunch of odds and ends - and you get rid of all but one - what do you call it?

So tell me, if the teacher taught - why isn't it that the preacher praught? If a horsehair mat is made from the hair of horses and a camel hair coat from the hair of camels - what is the name of the animal that gives us mohair?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables - what does a humanitarian eat? And if you wrote a letter - perhaps you also bote your tongue?

Sometimes it makes you wonder if all English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people drive on a parkway - and park on a driveway? Then we recite at a play - and play at a recital?
We ship by truck and send cargo by ship? And have you noticed that we have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a fat chance and a slim chance be the same thing? While a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike?

How can weather be as hot as hell one day - and as cold as hell the next?

And then sometimes we only talk about certain things when they are absent.

No doubt you have seen a horseless carriage - but have you ever wondered what a "horseful carriage" would look like? And have you ever seen a "strapful gown", or met a "sung hero", or experienced "requited love?"

And I ask you, have you ever run into someone who was "combobulated", "gruntled," "ruly," or "peccable"?

And where are the people who "are spring chickens," or who would actually "hurt a fly"?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which your alarm clock goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not by computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, is not really a race at all). That is why, when stars are out they are visible, but when the lights are out they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch I start it, but when I wind up this essay I end it."

© Richard Lederer

Its another Olympic year and I'm already excited to watch the games as they unfold. Watching athletes in action makes me proud of being an athlete my self. I can understand and appriciate the hard training that an athlete goes thru jusy to be able to attain their goals. I'm particularly looking forward to watrch the Judo competitions and watch my fellow Judokas as they show their prowness as they compete for the gold. Too bad the Philippines is not qualified to send Judokas to the Olympiad but atleast we dont make claims we can't keep.

There is one NSA (National Sports Association) here in our country who twice claimed that they will be the first ones to bring home a gold medal for the Philippines but failed. They couldn't even bring home a bronze medal. I'm not even gona mention which sport this is but I really wish that they either should put up or shut up and put their money where their mouth is. They already made this claim in two olympics already and I wouldn't be surprised if they do the same this year.

I would support our athletes all the way but I am not happy with people who think their the best when in fact their not. But nevertheless, I am proud of our athletes who tried their best even if they don't win any medal. Sports are all about overcoming yourself and recognizing your strenghts and weaknesess and making sure that you do better next time. After all, the true battle of an athlete is within him self.

When was the last time we ever showed kindness to someone? particularly a complete stranger. Jesus commanded us to do good to all people but have we really ever done that? I don't know about you but I'm someone who gets irritated easily by people around me particularly when I commute and I have to confess that I feel guilty of being someone who hasn't live up to the Lords standars as far as showing kindness to strangers even to those whom I know.

When was the last time someone ever shoed kindness to us? Even for just small things like offering a seat on the bus, sharing a snack. Have we ever thought of paying it forward? Showing kindness or being a blessing to other people somehow gives us a fuzzy feeling inside and it feels great! I have made a promise to the Lord Jesus that I will try my best to live up to this idea and just doing something good everyday even just one then try to do more as the days go by.

I want to pay it forward. Showing love and kindness to other people just as other people have shown kindness to me.

For the past few weeks, our company encountered several problems including a serious one which almost paralyzed our operations but God is faithfull, we didn't allow us to go into defeat. I work for a Christian language school which teaches ESl to koreans and other foreign students, our school is actively promoting the gospel thru some Chrsitian managers and teachers.

Its true that if you are actively doing something good for the Lord, the enemy would try to overthrow whatever plans we have by whatever means. But he didn't succeed, Jesus was with us all the way. Through the prayers of the managers and teachers, we were able to overcome satan and his devils. This is a great victory for us and Jesus! God trully works amazing things as long as we put our complete faith and trust in Him. Jesus said "Be still and know that I am God" and that exactly is what we did. He who began a good work in us will be faithfull and just to complete it. Greater is He that is in us (Jesus) than he that is in the world (satan).

You can see them everywhere, infact I'm preety sure that you know some of them. I'm talking about people who are never satisfied, people who always compain about their company. I reazlly get irritated with people like them. They would always ssay things like the company is not paying them enough or the managers are tyrants or that they are never promoted in the company. Sure, its normal for us to complain when are needs or expectations are not met but the question is, what are we doing about it?

Just this morning, we were having a discussion in the language school where I work about "what is your purpose for being here in the company and why are you still here?" each teaher has his or here own reason but there was this one guy that irritated me a bit with his answer. He said that he was in our company to gain some experience because he plans to go abroad and work as an ESL teacher. Fair enough but he added something more. He said that he does'nt plan on staying for a long period of time because he and other teachers feel that they are under paid and over worked and that they would have better oppurtunities in other schools.

Okay, if that is the case then why is he still with our company? why doesn't he apply in another school? I have worked in many organizations already and most of the time, I would encounter people like this. As far as I can tell, the only reason why they keep on staying in the company is because they can't find any other company who would take them. Most employees have this attitude of "whats in it for me?" and not "what can I do to contribute?" attitudes like this are a big No No for any organization, not to mention dangerous. Because of the simple fact that an employee with an attitude like that wont doesn't really care about their company. Their just looking for ways to make a buck but no commitment that will motivate them to perform well. Yet they keep on complaining and tries to influence new hires by bad mouthing the company. If you can't put up then shut up or leave.

For the past few days I have been downloading alot of songs from limewire. Most of them songs from the 80's and some contemporary Christian music. Here is a partial list of the songs I downloaded.

Pop goes my heart (Not 80's but it sure has an 80's flavor)

Theme from Dirty Dancing

Miami Vice theme (the tv series)

NKOTB songs

Beach Boys

Theme from Growing pains and Full House

Moonlighting by Al Jarraeau

If you leave me now by Chicago

Flock of seagulls

Debbie Gibson (My 80's crush)

I got my mind set on you by George Harrison

Holiday (Rap Version) by Miker G and Sven

With you all the way by New Edition

Crazy Little Thing called Love by Queen

Dont you forget about me from the breakfast club

Christian Songs from Steve Green, Steven Curtis Chapman as well as Keith Green and Sandy Patti

More songs to come! =)

Ever since I became an ESL teacher, I have been learning alot of Korean words and Phrases from our students. I've also had the chance to experience eating a variety of korean dishes from kimchi to Bulgogi, although it took me a while to get used to the spice. I have had a bad experience with Kimchi when I ate a mouthfull a very long time ago and I have never summoned the courage to do it again untill recently.

Most of the time I'm craving for Kimchi in every meal especially every thursday morning when we have our managers meeting at the schools dormitory where we get to eat breakfast (with Kimchi). I also find my self uttering expressions like ACHINCHA! every now and then no matter where I am. This whole Korean culture thing is very contageous.

Today I was asked to substitute for another teacher who wasn't able to report to work today because of the transport strike. I wasn't exactly prepared for it in iterms of having a lesson plan but I did it anyway. During the course of the lesson, Jesus gave me a chance to share the gospel today when we were talking about the coming holy week. I had a chance to explain to him what Christianity is all about and what we believe. I was using Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9 as a point of reference and that the only way for us to have eternal life is to accept God's gift of salvation.

I was so happy to be able to share the gospel and I was also happy that he was listening and had some questions about the bible. I am going to be continuing sharing the gospel to our Korean student who claims that he doesn't have any religion. I also made it clear to him that what I have is not a religion but a personal relationship with a living God.

For those who might be interested, I am thinking of starting my own Judo Clube which will be affiliated with the Philippine Amature Judo Association (PAJA) members doesn'nt have to pay any monthly dues but you are required however to pay an anjnual membership due of Php 350.00. This is for the membership ID with PAJA. and you also have to invest in a Judogi (Judo Uniform) real judo uniforms are sold in Mizuno. the white one costs around 6,000 I think but i think we can get a discount for bullk orders. If you cant afford to buy a judogi from mizuno then there are some stores in the quiapo area who makes martial arts uniform for less the cost. way cheaper than a real one.

In order for me to be able to register a new judo club with PAJA, I'm gone be needing atleast 15 to 20 members. If not, then I'll just have to make you guys enroll in the club which I'm currently a member off. (Gentleway Judo Club) also for free. For further inquiries, I can be reached at 09219738345.

I dont know whats it like in the other part of the metro but here in makati its extrmely windy right now. It was really weird considering that there is not a cloud in the sky (Dark ones), then a few weeks ago it was the occaisional drizzle. What is going on anyway? Whats next? a hail storm or snow perhaps? That would be good! =) As long as the wheather is not hot enough for you to cook an egg on the street then I have no complains. =)

Today was off to a bad start. I was really hurt by a group of people, people whom I have tried to help and established bonds with. However, they did something that really hurt me and made me feel bad. I prayed to the Lord, I said, Lord, why did this have to happen? Help me to get out of this situation and recover from it. The Lord replied in the most unexpected way, thru a Christian radio called the edge. I read something in their website which is very timely for me. Anyway, here is what it said.

HOW 2 4GIV

The martial arts was created for one main purpose, and that purpose is self defence. However, There are some people who study martial arts to abuse and bullie people. It irritates me when the martial arts are being mus-used by other people for their own selfish and violent desires. People with violent tendencies shoould be banned from practising the martial arts. Fraternities for example are one of those people who shoudn't be learning a combat sport. I have heard alot of stories and met some people who uses the martial arts to engage in violence especially those from the unorthodox martial arts thats becoming quite popular these days.

When I started taking up Judo twenty years ago, one of the most basic things that my sensei thought me was that Judo should not be used for other means except to defend yourself and possibly to defend those who are being abused. Some people today especially the young ones are only taking up martial arts to show how tough they are. I dont know what their instructors are teaching them but one thing I do know is that most of these unorthodox martial arts practioners have a bad reputation when it comes to martial dicipline.

The Philippines claims to be the only Christian country in Asia but is that even true? If it is true then how come we are one of the most corrupt countries in asia, if not, the world? Do we really live and act as Christians? I think that we filipinos doesn't really understand what it really is to be a Chrtistian. Most of us just live religious lives but not Godly lives, what I mean by that is we just practise traditions which doesn't really mean anything. We think that our good works will eventually get us to heaven but is that really the way to salvation?

Alot of our government officials are the most corrupt in the world, Filipinos even idolize criminals which is mostly shown in our movies. Bad guys being the heroes. Kids are growing up to become bad boys themselves because of the movies they are exposed too. Kids think that being a bad guy is "cool". Going back to my first question, are we really Christians?

Whew! Just got out of my ESL group class and I feel a little drained, teahing english pronunciation to koreans with different skill levels is very hard. It was fun nevertheless but it was indeeed hard for both the students and me. Their English is very very basic but I can see that they are really trying hard and that they are showing determination which is good. I just hope that they dont get tired of it. Koreans just like the Japanese needs to learn to become more neutral when speaking English.

One of the challenging things in teaching ESL to koreans is being creative, making the classes fun rather than boring. ESL teachers have to think of different ways to make each class unique. Sometimes I play games with them, watch a movie, go out with them. WHEW! Nevertheless, I like my job. Grammar is also another subject which is very hard to teach to Korean students. Explaining the rules of grammar is like explaining to them the laws of the universe. Very difficult job but rewarding nevertheless.