If you could go back in time and relive one day of your life, what would you choose?

I am not quite sure why this question seems so difficult to answer. Probably, it's because of the countless memories and events in my life that make it hard to pinpoint one particular day to relive if I'd go back in time. In this journey called life, I live and seek happiness and contentment, however, it does not always end that way--disappointment, mistakes, and anxieties are also part of my journey. Do I wish to relive one particular day in my past? one particular day that I regret and relive to make it right? And if I do, will it change the course of my life in the future? Will I be the same "me" again in the future if I try to relive and alter one day of my life in the past? I do not know for sure.

Earlier today, I asked a friend to answer this question, "If you could go back in time and relive one day of your life, which would you choose?" Honestly, I was just expecting a shallow answer--just another blatant response from a sinister who thrives well in sarcasm.

Now, I am again reminded that good answers and brilliant ideas do not only come from people wearing eyeglasses with thick books on either hands. He answered by saying that he would rather not relive his past  because he'd prefer not to feel and experience pain all over again. He said that in reality if you go back in time, you will hurt so much twice because you will see dead loved ones in the past and you will know when they will go away.

So, If you could go back in time and relive one day of your life, which would you choose?

What one thing can't you seem to scratch off your to-do list?

Obviously, if there's one thing I can't simply skip not doing as of this time, it would be getting my fingers busy on the keyboard of my laptop. I am somehow hooked to the internet especially now that my new found job requires me to be online most of the time. Sounds fun? Absolutely! It's a paid job. However, among the downside effects of spending too much time in front of the computer monitor are eye strain, head ache, stiff neck and worst is eye damage.

Going online has become part of my daily routine. As soon as my son leaves home for school and my hubby for work early in the morning, I immediately switch on my laptop and connect to the internet. If you'd ask me, what's the first thing I do when I am online? Well, browsing through my Facebook takes the no. 1 spot and followed by checking emails, logging in to Skype, read some articles online, YouTube, blog, write articles, browse, browse, and just browse.

I usually leave my laptop on the whole day, and the only time when it's totally off is when I am asleep. However, there are instances when I sometimes fail to to shut it down because I fall asleep unconsciously.
How am I going to react if there's no internet? A day without internet would probably cause me to scratch my head in dismay. If it's going to be longer than 3 days, I'd probably get so upset.

So, how about you? What one thing can't you seem to scratch off your to-do list?

Cake or Pie?

I am quite sure that cakes would surely be the choice of every man's palate. Cakes are the most frequently served desert during special occasions--birthdays, weddings, christening, graduation, valentine's, thanksgiving, Christmas or just even during ordinary days.

Don't you just love to take a bite on that soft and moist, delectable cake? I would definitely take a big bite. Pies also taste good, but I am not a big fan of it. Here in the Philippines, the most common pies that people often buy or bake are egg pies, pineapple pies, and "buko"  (coconut meat) pies.

In the U.S., I guess the most common home made pie is the apple pie. I haven't tried apple pie yet, so I really do not have any idea how it tastes like. Perhaps, it tastes like apple...huh?! Just kidding! Of course, obviously it tastes like apple lest it wouldn't be called an apple pie if it tastes like mango or pineapple.

Like pies, cakes also come in different variety. The most popular of all is the chocolate cake with a chocolate filling that makes one go woot with its sinful taste.

Hug for Punch King?

Photo credits to R Marsh Starks/Reuters

"Just protect yourself at all times," Mayweather Jr. said during his interview right after the controversial fight with Victor Ortiz last night, September 17, 2011 at Las Vegas, Nevada. Ortiz was  caught unaware of Mayweather Jr's incoming blow on his face. Victor Ortiz took a step back right after he received the unexpected punch from Floyd Mayweather while the second punch, just below his chin, sent him on the ground. The American boxer of Mexican descent was unable to stand on his feet as the referee finally declared that the fight was over. Thus, declaring Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the new WBC welterweight champion. Mayweather Jr. remains unbeaten with a record of 42-0.

Meanwhile, Ortiz was penalized for  a headbutt earlier during the fight while Mayweather Jr. was caught on the ropes. The next round of fight was marked with controversy. As Ortiz approached Mayweather Jr. and apologized for the headbutt incident early on, Floyd Mayweather Jr. took advantage after Ortiz gave him a hug, and that  was when Mayweather Jr. delivered a right hook punch on Ortiz's face.

What could be Manny Pacquiao's impression on this controversial boxing fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz? Well, one thing is for sure, boxing fans were not happy with regards to the outcome of the fight. So, what's your impression?

Freelance: A Jump Start To A New Career

 

Few months ago, I had a full-time job with a stable income. I worked as a preschool teacher. All I had to do was prepare my lesson and teach and play with the students. 

The school where I worked was established in 2006, and I was one of the pioneer teachers. At that time, there were only four teachers with not more than 40 students. I was lucky that among the many applicants who applied for the job, I was chosen despite my educational background. There was really a huge disparity between the job I was applying for and my course description. Imagine, from a Political Science graduate to a full-time preschool teacher. Although I took professional education course way back 2004, it was still way different from early childhood education.

Another opportunity came when I happened to read a post at a local online classified ads. Again, I didn't have any second thoughts. I immediately sent my application and resume online to the address that was posted on that site. I got excited at the thought of becoming an Online English teacher, but then again I didn't have any experience teaching online, however, it didn't stop me from trying my luck. Just like my first job, I was assigned as the marketing assistant and circulation-in-charge for a publishing company, and the challenging part was the time I was tasked to do bookkeeping. Who wouldn't fret? I was studying the constitution of the Philippines and the next thing I knew, I was already doing some computations and payrolls--definitely out of my league.

One day, I received a message through my cellphone. The message came from the manager of the Online English school, and I was literally having cold feet and hands. I got nervous when I read the message that I would be interviewed later that day. So, basically the rest was history. I got the job--yeepee! 

Did I quit from my daytime job as a preschool teacher? No, I didn't. I was literally in the act of juggling from daytime to night time job. Soon, I found myself too exhausted trying to balance my time--work, family, and self.

First, I gave up online teaching, and months later, I quit my daytime job as a preschool teacher. The next thing I knew I was already unemployed. At first, I enjoyed the freedom of just staying at home--relaxed and carefree. I had a new title on my name--full-time mother and homemaker. I spent my time surfing the internet while my son was in school and while my hubby was busy working. 

While browsing, the word "freelancer" popped into my mind. I had been eyeing on becoming a freelancer even before I quit my two jobs. I remembered having thoughts of becoming a freelancer and entrepreneur. I did some research on freelancing, and I found many home-based teaching jobs and so many other online jobs that I can do at home.

It has been less than a month since I finally decided to give it (freelancing) a go, and then I realized that it's not easy to be an online freelancer. I am in the process of learning and getting helpful tips from experts who have managed to make it as a freelancer. I just wish that I won't run out of patience and hope.

Hopefully, I can manage to do more online jobs like article writing, blogging, and any similar jobs. Thus, gaining more experiences mean gaining more projects and income.

The internet is a difficult world to thrive in but soon you'll learn to settle. It's like a maze that you need to find your way around. You are definitely on your own trying to make a mark in the online industry where aggressiveness, determination, creativity, patience, perseverance, and resourcefulness play a major role.

I am a freelancer and it's a jump start to a new career.

Damn! Wish You Here...

I happened to hear this song, "Wish you were here" by Avril Lavigne, just now. The melody and lyrics of the song made me played this video a couple of times. I tried to listen to its lyrics, and the words were just plain and simple, casual but meaningful.

The lyrics speak about a girl who is in love, and how it weakens  her without her man by her side. I think there are lots of girls who can relate to this, and who simply like to say, "damn! damn! damn! what I'd do to have you here, I wish you were here,"

Avril seemed to have transformed into a more mature singer/performer in this video. The video itself focused on  facial expressions and emotions, and I think Avril pulled it off. It's good that the video didn't showcase the usual Avril Lavigne with a punky, rock star looks. However, in this video, the director could have thought of something different aside from the bathtub scene. I have already seen a lot of this scenario from other artists' videos.

Here is the lyrics of the song entitled, "Wish you were here" by Avril Lavigne.

"Wish You Were Here"

I can be tough
I can be strong
But with you, it's not like that at all

There's a girl
who gives a shit
behind this wall
You've just walked through it

And I remember all those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here.
All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here

Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
near, near, near
I wish you were here.

I love the way you are
It's who I am, don't have to try hard
We always say, say like it is
And the truth is that I really miss

All those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here.
All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here

[Chorus:]
Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
near, near, near
I wish you were here.

[Bridge:]
No, I don't wanna let go
I just wanna let you know
That I never wanna let go

(let go let go let go let go)

No, I don't wanna let go
I just wanna let you know
That I never wanna let go

(let go let go let go let go let go let go let go)

Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
here, here, here
I wish you were here (I wish you were)
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
near, near, near
I wish you were here.

Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
near, near, near
I wish you were here. 

I'm going Freelance

It has been a dream of mine to be a able to work as an online freelancer--doing all sorts of jobs like creative writing, blogging, teaching online, doing admin jobs, etc. I find these kinds of jobs fulfilling in a sense that you don't get to do the same thing over and over again. As a freelancer, you will always get a job that is different from the previous one, hence it's always challenging and rewarding at the same time.

At this point, I am focusing my attention on online teaching. I am in a mission to look for clients--Japanese, Koreans, and other nationalities who want to learn English as a second language.

This is a video which I made to promote myself to students/clients to book into my class. I recorded this video exclusively for Ontue. Ontue is a site managed and maintained by a Korean company. It's where teachers can register and look for students, and the students may also freely select their own teacher. Most of the students from this site are Koreans. Moreover, I am also a registered member of other online teaching sites like Eikaiwa, which is a Japanese term for speak English.

Anyone who is interested to to learn English online via Skype may contact me through the following:
Email: mmp0528@gmail.com
Skype ID: lebyamliscatap

I also offer a free 15-minute trial class to get to know the students and vice versa. It also allows me determine the student's level--beginner, intermediate or advanced, so I can prepare the type of lessons that a particular student needs. I specialize in conversational English (dialogues/open topics), including vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc.

My rates are very affordable. We can always negotiate. Payment details will be discussed during the trial class.