I've started reading the book entitled "You Are What You Think." It's all about cultivating our Self-Talk. I'll share the lessons discussed in the book the moment I'm finished reading it... Hope it's going to be soon.

i've been busy these past few days. hope i could find time to write some articles soon on my blog...

If people are willing to turn their backs away from their dreams for the sake of love, I am not. Fulfilling your dreams in life is more important than anything else or anyone else. It is something that will complete a part of your life and a part of yourself. Leaving that aspect of your being behind because you sacrifice it for the sake of love, would not guarantee that you'd have the sense of fulfillment. It's better to give priority to your dreams. If you have already achieved it, then you can seek for your true love...

For me, achieving your dreams will define your existence...

Lighthouse...

I can't help but be mesmerized by the antiquated features of a lighthouse...

Struggles of a Novice Writer

I am not a born-writer. But I always love to write. The problem is, when I was in front of a computer, I could not organize my thoughts logically. I've always found myself staring at the keyboard and pondering on how to start my story. Eventually, I ended up writing nothing and excusing myself from what I had planned.

I envy those people who could write stories or articles effortlessly. I had a classmate in college who could scribble ideas out of her head without squeezing her brain out. Unlike me, I often ran out of words to express my ideas or thoughts. I often gazed at the ceiling as if the it could shower me with words that I needed so badly. At the end, I found myself sorrounded by crampled papers.

Read more books! Grab a dictionary, a thesaurus! Do writing exercises, etc.,etc... These were only a few of the advice I received from my professors and fellow classmates. I did. I bought books about writing, word building, and grammar books. I even read magazines, pocketbooks, and other related materials. Eventually, I improved even a little. I was glad for that gradual development.

A professor once said, "a good writer is not born..." With determination and aspiration, I believe, I can still be a writer I want to become.

Though I struggle from scribbling my ideas, I keep on improving my writing skills. I know I can do it!

The Roads of Life

In life, we have been passing through different kinds of roads. No matter what roads we are on, the experiences these roads bring into our life will make us stronger and better people.





ROUGH & STONY ROAD

















WINDING ROAD


















CELEBRATED ROAD












Being able to surpass through these roads will give us the feeling of triumph over life's challenges...

Tree Tops

Seeing the top part of the trees...
When I was a child, I wondered how could I see the top part of a tree; or what would a tree look like on a higher level?
But when I trekked the mountainous part of Batangas City and was able to see the top of the trees from atop a mountain, I, then, enthused that if a tree could captivate one's eye on the level ground, it could mesmerize one's heart from above.








The synchoronous movement of the clouds and the swaying of the leaves of the trees as wind blows renew one's heart, mind, and soul...

Overview of Taal Lake, Alitagtag, Batangas

The first time I went to Taal Lake was when I was still in college. My classmates and I had agreed to do our review for our chemistry subject by the lake which would have a quiz the next day. I did not actually appreciate the lake from the coast line.

Last summer, I had the chance to view the lake at a different angle - top view. It was then that I was amazed by its view. It was soothing to see the beauty of the Taal Lake from above...






I'm still lookin forward to visiting the place someday...

A Whim or Sense of Pride?

I used to believe in the notion that buying things that are less important is a whim - or impractical. Just recently, I have realized that owning a stuff - the fruit of my labor - is not really a matter of impracticality, but a matter of SENSE of Pride. For a person whose monthly income is just enough to support a family and whose material belongings are often gifts from friends, acquiring material things out of his hardwork is, indeed, a dream come true - something that would give him a SENSE OF PRIDE...

Fixing Fragments

In the previous study, we study about the different types of fragments.Being familiar with these types of fragments will able us to easily detect them in our writing. However, let's not be contended by acquainting ourselves with their structures. We must also learn how to correct fragments in our writing.

Remember, the ability to fix or correct fragments is more important than the ability to recognize or identify them in passages. Correcting fragments is not as difficult as we think it is. The following are the suggested ways on fixing fragments:

1. To correct a fragment, connect a fragment to a complete sentece.

Ex. I feel secured. When you embrace me.
I feel secured when you embrace me. (correct)

2. Omit words to make a fragment a complete sentence.

Ex. Because my parents remind me to remain calm in times of trouble.
My parents remind me to remain calm in times of trouble. (correct)

3. Add words to make a fragment a complete sentence.

Ex. Everytime you tell me that you love me.
I cherish the moments everytime you tell that you love me.

Guided by the suggestions above, there are still other techniques on how to correct fragments - familiarizing ourselves with punctuation rules for fixing fragments. Note: (,) - requires a comma to connect a fragment to a main clause.
(+) - no punctuation mark is required.

Here are the rules:

1. Subordinate clause fragments (,) main clause.

2. Main clause (+) subordinate clause.

3. Participle phrase (,) main clause.

4. Main clause (,) participle phrase.

5. Main clause (+) infinitive phrase.

6. Infinitive phrase (,) main clause.

7. Main clause (,) afterthought phrase.

8. Main clause (+) lonely verb phrase.

9. a. Main clause (,) appositive phrase.

b. Appositive phrase (,) main clause.
c. Start of the main clause (,) appositive phrase (,) end of the main clause.

For further study about fixing fragments, you can log on to www.isu.edu/success/writing/handouts/fragments.pdf

Ashley Jei's 5th Birthday

We celebrated my niece's 5th birthday on June 12 of the present year. Below are the selected captured moments of that very special day in my niece's life. Together with us was her Nonong Ed, the generous person behind the fun.

The Elegant Grand Carousel





SM Lipa, Batangas, Philippines

What is a Fragment?

A sentence and a fragment are both groups of words. They both begin in capital letters and end in punctuation marks. However, the main difference between the two is: a sentence has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought, while a fragment is only a piece of the complete idea that has been punctuated.

Example:

I love chocolates. (a sentence)
Because I love chocolates. (a fragment)

Identifying Fragments

A student must learn to identify fragments in writing. It will be easier for them to fix or correct fragments. Fragments can be phrases, clauses, or any group of words that begins in capital letter and ends in an end marks such as period (.), question marks (?), or exclamation point (!).

There are different types of fragments. These are:

1. Subordinate Clause - a group of words that begins with a subordinating conjunction and has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.
Ex. When she forgot to deliver her message effectively to the audience.

2. Participle Phrase - a verb that ends in -ing, a verb that ends in -ed, or the past or past participle form of an irregular verb.
Ex. Walking down the street.

3. Infinitive Phrase - a phrase that begins with the word "to" followed by a verb and the words that follow.
Ex. To perambulate through the corridor.

4. Afterthought Phrase - a group of words that begins with an "after thought" transition such for example, such as, including, like, etc.
Ex. For example, a candlelit dinner, a bouquet of red roses, and a bunch of chocolates.

5. Lonely Verb - a group of words that begins with a coordinating conjunctions followed by a verb and the words that follow.
Ex. And try to reach out to those in need.

6. Appositive Phrase - a phrase that renames or identifies the subject in the sentence.
Ex. The businessman standing at the corner of the room.


Being familiar with the different types of fragments can guide you detect one or two in passages or paragraphs and will lead you to correct or fix them once you have encountered them in your reading.

For further perusals you can visit//chompchomp.com/handouts/fragtip02.pdf

Very Rare Poses

I'm picking up stones for souvenirs...



I'm standing by the shore under the shade of the an umbrella. I rarely pose for a picture holding a blue umbrella.

Revisiting the LIGHTHOUSE

Since the first day I heard about the lighthouse in Lobo, Batangas from a friend, I had dreamt of going to the place. In 2008, along with my fellow instructors from IIIT, I travelled to Lobo and did not let the day end without visiting the place. The experience was memorable. Every minute of my stay was worth it. The experience was exhilirating.

This last summer vacation, during the last leg of our marketing activity, I was able to revisit the place. Still, i was struck by its nostalgic atmosphere.



Behind is the antiquated lighthouse.

View of the Sea

Sunset in Pinamucan, Batangas City, Philippines

Whenever I see pictures of a sunset, it reminds of how beautiful life is. It connotes mystery about a person's life. The transition of a day into night reminisces the events that have happened in a day full of wonders.

That's why, when I visited a friend's place, who happened to live near the coast ,for a fiesta I took the opportunity to witness the setting of the sun and captured the awesome moments.

First Time: On The Rocks

On The Rock.

These photos were taken during the "final walk" of our field marketing activity last summer vacation.

Look at me. Look at yourself. Look at everyone... Have you ever wondered what would life be if all mankind share equal wealth and rights?...