SPAGHETTI: WITH or WITHOUT CHEESE?

Ang RELATIONSHIP ay parang SPAGHETTING kinakain natin. At ang CHEESE ay ang SEX. Na kahit wala ito ay pwede mo pa rin siyang kainin, lalo na kung love na love mo ito. Ang Cheese, bonus lang yun. Eventually, kapag nanamnam mo ang sauce ng relationship, you'll realize na ang cheese ay QUITE important lang at hindi VERY. Just like sex. Kasi, kung cheese lang ang gusto mong matikman sa Spaghetti, sana lumamon ka na lang ng isang Keso De Bola!

***Makes sense di ba?

Ang Aking Published na Pagmumuni-muni (in increasing level of conservatism to ha):

-- kapag sobrang tabang o simpleng matabang ang sauce ng spaghetti, cheese ang nagdadala dito para magkalasa at makain mo pa rin.

-- kapag matabang ang sauce ng spaghetti pero wala nang available na cheese sa grocery, posible ring humanap ka ng cheese sa ibang grocery.

-- kapag matabang ang sauce ng spaghetti pero wala nang available na cheese sa grocery, pwedeng pagtyagaan mo na lang ding kainin ang spaghetti kahit walang cheese dahil alam mo namang love na love mo ang spaghetti.

-- kapag walang balak haluan ng cheese ang spaghetti marahil halimbawa malayo pa ang mapagbibilhan ng cheese, pinakamainam pa rin na pasarapin na ang sauce ng spaghetti at nang makapaghintay na maging available na ang cheese sa suking sari-sari store -- hindi man ngayon, pero marahil sa susunod na pagluluto ng spaghetti.

 
Lesson Number One

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"

The crow answered: "Sure, why not."

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson Number Two

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with Nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fortnight, there he was proudly perched at the top of the Tree. Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

 
Management Lesson:

Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

When the body was first made, all the parts wanted to be Boss.

The brain said, "I should be Boss because I control the whole body's responses and functions."

The feet said, "We should be Boss as we carry the brain about and get him to where he wants to go."

The hands said, "We should be the Boss because we do all the work and earn all the money."

And so it went on and on with the heart, the lungs and the eyes until finally the asshole spoke up. All the parts laughed at the idea of the asshole being the Boss.

So the asshole went on strike, blocked itself up and refused to work. Within a short time the eyes became crossed, the hands clenched, the feet twitched, the heart and lungs began to panic and the brain fevered.

Eventually they all decided that the asshole should be the Boss, so the motion was passed.

All the other parts did all the work while the Boss just sat and passed out the shit!

Management Lesson:

You don't need brains to be a Boss - any asshole will do.

 
Lesson Number Four

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!

Management Lesson:

1) Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3) And when you're in deep shit, keep your mouth shut!

Journal Into New Potentials
By Dr. Annette Colby, RD

Do you keep a journal? Many people don't because they would not know what to write or perhaps they don't see the value of writing down their thoughts. Why bother taking the time to write when life is so complicated already? Maybe it's time to take another look at just how much you will gain by this simple process. The very act of regular writing allows us to tap into ourselves, regain our sense of identity, and regain power in our lives. Writing allows us to see ourselves in a new light and begins to answer the question "Who am I?" by noticing "What do I regularly think about?"

Journaling is the practice of regularly connecting with thoughts, feelings, frustrations, and real-life experiences. It is a valuable and powerful means for personal growth and self-discovery. Reflecting upon personal experiences, and our relationship to our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, can help us uncover hidden strengths and passions.

Writing provides a way to put thoughts down on paper where they can be seen, read, and reflected upon. A journal provides a place to express and explore innermost thoughts, feelings, ideas, and concerns, and later return to reminisce or re-examine. It can be a place for to talk and be honest in a way that may be difficult under other circumstances. The practice of journal writing can allow us a safe place to get in touch with parts of ourselves normally hidden from view.

Many people turn to food to cover up a tugging of the soul. We become convinced that there is nothing really wrong. Just this thing with the food. If only our bodies were just right, then somehow everything else would be joyous and wonderful. We try diets, programs, and in the process, release and regain countless pounds. Or we just stay in a place of numbed out nothingness, not knowing any other way to take care of ourselves. We condemn ourselves, filled with self-loathing at our bodies and our inability to get a grip on this food thing. We can sometimes spend our entire adulthood being angry at ourselves because of this food issue.

Keeping a personal journal can be a very effective tool in learning to make peace with food or other addictions. If you are the kind of person who habitually turns to undesired coping strategies, addiction, eating or food restriction in response to stress or emotions, you might start simply by reflecting on what seems to stress you. No need to give up the coping strategy just yet. Instead, become curious. Investigate.
 

1. A journal provides a safe avenue for anger.

Sometimes we find ourselves trapped in compulsive goodness, unable to speak what is real. We may encounter situations in which we have difficulty standing up for ourselves and respecting our inner truths and feelings. We may act compulsively good because we are unskilled at the practice of expressing effective, appropriate anger. A journal gives us a place to vent and to explore new possibilities for self-growth, worthiness, and self-expression.

2. A journal relieves stress.

A personal journal is a marvelous tool for releasing emotions stuck in your body. In terms of spiritual growth, a journal can be a place where we explore our doubts, where we confront our perceived character defects, where we address resentments. A journal can help quiet a racing, out-of-control mind. It can calm emotions. Writing has the power to put things into perspective. We can focus thoughts, release anxiety, soothe ourselves, and perhaps even prevent a major binge or other undesired coping strategy. Instead of immediately suppressing a wild mind or chaotic feelings, try sitting down first and expressing what is being felt at the moment: "I feel...," "I need...," I want..."

3. A journal affirms the reality of your life.

Learning to have compassion for self, without judgment, is a difficult task to undertake. Journaling aids in the journey toward loving self as it allows us the courage to acknowledge who we are, where we have been, and where we are going. This journey is about looking into the shadowy secrets deep within. It is about facing inner feelings about who we are. It means letting go of blame, and no longer agreeing to play victim. Writing allows an avenue to see self in a different way. We can confront the often less-than-empowering thoughts we hold about ourselves. We can "see" the self-critical thoughts are not motivating...will not create peace or happiness... and will not go away by themselves. Writing about life adds purpose, power and new direction.

4. A journal will help recover a lost sense of identity.

Using food or additions to cope with life separates you from yourself. Exploring with pen and paper allows a process to unfold of reconnecting with hidden aspects of ourselves. It helps us speak out, allowing ideas to become tangible words. It allows vague ideas to take shape in the safety of a journal. Writing is a power tool that allows what is often locked away inside to have access into the world. It allows us to feel into our physical body and connect with intuition, creativity, and imagination. Writing allows the time to find precisely the right word or the most powerful image to express self. It takes fuzzy or confusing images and brings them into sharp focus.

5. A journal will clarify dreams.

For many of us, what is missing is a relationship with ourselves. We need time to get to know ourselves, time to nurture our spirits, and time to create. If we take the time to write a few thoughts each day, our ideas about what is important and meaningful will become much clearer. We will begin to discover what we really want in life.

Simple Journal Exercises

1. Start a journal in your daily organizer. At the end of each day, write one word to describe your day. Then jot down one word of how you want the next day to be. At the end of month, see the words you wrote and review your month!

2. Write while you wait. Get a small journal to keep in your briefcase/purse. This can be a place to keep a success list, write down an inspiring affirmation, or write down a goal. Use it when you find yourself waiting in line, waiting at a long stop light, or waiting for an appointment to begin.

3. Ask others to write something in your pocket journal. Hand it over to your friend at lunch and say, "Could you write something in my journal?" Or perhaps ask your significant other for some words. You may be surprised at the written words that come to support you, inspire you, and give you valuable information.

Positive Notes:

As I write and listen, I will come to know myself.

Writing leads me to my inner truth and love.

It is safe to open myself and explore my emotions, thoughts, and feelings on paper.

DEATHLY HOLLOWS. OMG, Harry Potter Series’ 7^th and last book is done – and is to be published on July 21^st! National Bookstore now accepts reservations – and I am definitely saving myself a copy, most probably tomorrow, in Olongapo. The book’s title is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. I am seriously looking for the book cover but to no avail. And this made me more excited about the book than ever – you know, not having even a visual clue of what a part of the story will be like makes the anticipation more intense. I also have read rumors about this last book. The overrated threads saying that this indeed will be the last Harry Potter book makes me feel a little sad – though J.K.Rowling herself said that even if there will be no life-after-Hogwarts or Harry-attends-Wizardry-University books, she might consider writing something like a Harry Potter encyclopedia (or anything of that sort) – and the proceeds of which will go to charity. Well, I will still involve myself to those, definitely – for charitable reasons, that is. Hahaha!