20 Things I Would Like To See In My Lifetime

Still Talking

By: Enrico Miguel T. Subido


Here is a list of some of the things I would like to see happen during my lifetime. Some of them are real things that we can actually accomplish ( and, in fact, have the necessary and adequate resources for), and some of them are just creations of my overactive imagination. But I would like to see them all, anyway. So here we go, in no particular order:

1.A Varitech fighter or a Gundam Suit.

For all you Japanimation people out there, you know exactly what I'm talking about-big robot fighters that can be piloted. In the cartoons they were used to fight wars, but I was thinking more along the lines of using them for furthering our space exploration program.

2.A battle between Ultraman and one of those big space monsters.

I would especially like to see this battle in the central business district of Makati. Then I want to see Ultraman's finishing move-that ray beam that comes out from his hands when he crossed them.

3.Readily available mutant powers for everyone

Imagine on day being invisible,and then next day being able to morph. Or being super-telekinetic and being able to know exactly what any girl is thinking,and then surprising her by taking to her about exactly what's on her mind.

4.Alternate forms of energy being the standard.

We are burning too many fossil fuels at a building rate and it's not doing much good for the environment. We have perfect sources of natural energy-solar, hydro, geothermal, all of that. Let's make that the standard and save some Earth for the children.

5.A teleportation devices.

Somehow,the idea of de-materializing and re-materializing somewhere else in the world appeals to me. It, however, should be glitch-free. I don't want to re-materialize with an extra limb sticking out from the side of my head.

6.A huge economic appreciation of the Philippine peso.

Our peso is doing better as of late, but it can be better. I don't know how long it'll take,but I want it to happen in my lifetime. I want to see the day when one 100 peso bill can take care of the tab for a whole month at The Ritz.

7.The turn of Atlantis.

I'm not talking about having a figurative renaissance of literature and the arts; I want to see Atlantis rise to the surface of the ocean, flying clamshells and everything.

8.A Philippine World Cup Victory.

The World Cup just ended and I do want our football team to get somewhere. Hard work and perseverance ( and government funding please ), should be enough to get you there, boys!

9.A clean Pasig River.

I remember my mom telling us of how the Pasig used to be so clean that you could take a nice leisurely boat ride and that people could swim and bathe in ti. Well, people till do, but now they risk getting some kind of incurable diarrhea. I don't want that for them.

10.The Yeti, Nessie and A Tianak.

Okay, first of all I've never seen snow and Tibet, so seeing the Yeti there when I take a holiday there should be cool. “Nessie” (or the Loch Ness Monster) I just want to see for confirmation. And she's the closet thing to the idea of dinosaurs we have today. Tianaks, on the other hand, are the scariest muthas ever. I just have to ess one.

11.Drinks that you can regulate.

You know how sometimes, when you order a drink, they make it too weak? Well, I want to see a device that holds the drink (like a glass) and analyzes the types of alcohol you're drinking. Then, on the device would be a meter that you could tweak to make your drink stronger or weaker. Well, stronger, actually; bars here put too little gin in their gin tonics.

12.Organic food becoming the standard.

Okay, we all know that organic is the better and healthier option, but the things is, time are hard and organic food prices just don't make the decision an easy one. So the government should revamp their food committee and make it one that revolves around organic food.

13.Time travel.

When I saw a De Lorean flying through time in the Back to the Future movies, I knew that time in the Back to the Future movies, I knew that times travel was one of the things I would look forward to. I want to especially go back to the time of the dinosaurs and come back with the egg of a Stegosaurus. Then when it's big and all, I'll train it and it around town.

14.Patching up the hole in the ozone layer.

This global warning/greenhouse effect issue is a looming one. It's one of those “domino effect” things: when one thing happens, another does, and then the ozone layer is open, and the ice caps melt, and then shorelines rise until the earth is just made covered in constant tsunamis. Get the point? Let's patch that hole up really quick.

15.Photosynthesis for humans.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the sun's power and chlorophyll to make their own food. Imagine a device that, like a plant , runs on the sun's power and some kind of synthesized chlorophyll to create food for humans. I want to see that. It would be a box or an oven-style contraption hat you program (for what food you want) and just leave under the sun. After a few minutes, and depending on the intensity of the sun, you have a meal. This could greatly help in ending world poverty.

16.My presidency/emperor/overlord-ship of the world.

Trust me, I know what to do. I can fix things. Just as long as I have total control of absolutely everything in the world.

17.The Midgard Serpent.

This is a mythological creature that is supposed to be the guardian of the ocean. The Midgard Serpent is said to be so big that it can line the bottom of the ocean if it spreads out. To put it to scale, a Midgrad Serpent tooth is Probably the size of the Empire State Building.

18.Peace between man and machine.

Okay, if we really do live in the Matrix, that's okay with me, I'll still be ignorant and it's fine. But I would still like to know the truth. So a gateway between both worlds should be access this opening, let use it to create peace with the machines.

19.No wars.

Between anyone. There's something a-brewing in the Middle East and this recent report of missiles being fired in the area of Korea just freaks me out. I do not want to see or experience a war. War is stupid.

20.All the girls who have ever posed for UNO magazine at my house, tonight.

If ya'll can't make it tonight then I've got a whole lifetime ahead of me to wait.

Peace out, everyone!

Mother' Day History

Contrary popular belief, Mother's day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of hallmark.

The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele. Christian celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In england this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.

In the United States, Mother's Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Application Homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocate by mothers. She called it “Mother's Work Day.” Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyric to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” organized a day encouraging mother to rally for peace, since he believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.

In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named ANNA, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it the young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, “I hope and pray that someone, sometimes, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers.” Anna Begun to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including President Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first service organized to celebrate Anne's mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother's favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for official of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother;'s Day. In 1914 Anna's hard work paid ff when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday.

At First, people observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, present, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day's sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day Festival, and was even arrested for distributing peace at a convention selling carnations for war mother's group. Before her death on 1984, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition.
Despite Jarvis's misgiving, Mother's Day has flourished in the United states. In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, n telephone record their highest traffic, as son and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mother.

Bully-Proof Your Child Is Your Child Safe?

In a few days, the school year is about to start. You may have prepared your child with his everyday school needs like bag, pencils, notebooks, etc. however, is he prepared to face other kids, especially digger ones? The first day of school maybe exciting for kids but in some cases, it's not exiting for kids who get intimidated by others. While bullying is more rampant in other countries, Filipino students have their share of cruel jokes, teases, and intimidation given to them by those who are bigger. Many Filipino students may either experience bullying actions or witness them­- either way will this affect their school environment. Bullying affects both the victim and the perpetrator. The victim may feel unsecured in an environment where he would likely stay for years. He might find it hard to trust to anyone and will expect the same kind of intimidation from others therefore making him more isolated from other kids his own age. On the other hand,, the bully will most likely develop a habit of getting everything he wants through intimidation. He will also develop a bad sense of judgment and uses bullying to cover up his own insecurities. On the other hand, bully will affect a child's maturity and hi will likely despise his childhood days when he grows older. As a parent, here's how you can prevent your child from becoming a victim of bulling.
IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED
A child who is bullied by others may be bound to secrecy-he might not tell you what's happening to him at school because he is either of you criticizing him for being weak or you intervening with the school authorities or the bully's parents. Here's how to tell if your child is being bullied: Lack of interest in school work and sports activities Failing grades Unexplained injuries Torn cloth Missing belongings Repeated request for money (this might mean that the bully is taking his lunch money) Your child comes home hungry even if he brought lunch to school. If you suspect that some thing is going on with your child, try to talk him first. Ask if there is some thing bothering him at school. If he decides to tell you, make sure that you listen only. Do not pass any comments or interruptions while he talks. If he refuse to talk and you feel that there is some thing going on, contact his teacher immediately. There are way's to avoid bullies. Help your child by assisting him on developing a good sense of confidence- good posture, eye contact, and a strong, firm voice. Tell your child not to obey any of the bully's command and avoid isolated places where there less students. Most importantly, it's a good idea to hang out with a group. Enrolling your child in a martial arts classes is also a good idea. Some martial arts instructor teach how to use alternative measures without having to resort to violence. Usually, there are self-defense classes that will teach child how to get out of a situation without getting into trouble himself.
OTHER WAYS TO AVOID BEING BULLIED
Use humor- say something smart and funny as a comeback to something men said by the bully. Self-respect- teach your child to regain confidence on his own. A silent pep talk will keep his esteem up and he will be likely less affected with the cruel things that the bully said. Encourage your child to make friends- You can do this by asking about his friends, inviting them over for snacks and movies, and by teaching your child proper friendship ethics. Never encourage him to fight back physically- especially if your child is smaller than the bully.
WHAT CAN YOU DO alert the teachers and get them to impose a distance between the bully and your child. Talk to the bully's parent about what they're child is doing to yours. Never confront the bully yourself or you'll also be a bully. Listen to your child and qassert to him he is not what the bully says he is. Teach him self-confidence Teach him to hold a deaf ear to insults targeted towards his family or friends.
IF YOUR CHILD IS THE BULLY
It isn't true that all bullies are products of dysfunctional home. Some bullies are were probably just influence by his friends. That's why you have to be more involved with your child's activities. Find out if your child is a leader or a member of a group of bullies- if he's the leader, discourage bullying by protecting the victim. If he's a member, prohibit him from being with his friends. Prohibit you child to go near the victim Cooperate with the teachers and school authorities Talk to your child about unnecessary violence and cruelty Try to understand his side as well If still bullies others ofter you have tried everything, be stricter with hi and watch his actions more closely. Tell hi that you'll be guarding him closely until his decides to give up bullying for good. If all else fails, seek help from a professional who specializes in child anger management.






Keep homes clean for the little children

Summer is synonymous to school break so the little ones be spending most of their time at home.

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Eighty-seven percent of dirt in our homes is basic tracked-in soil and dust. It can be removed dry so one can put off the need of professional cleaning by regularly vacuuming before dirt is set in.
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Electrolux knows that a clean home is also a healthy home. To keep allergens at bay, Electrolux launches its Oxt3system vacuum cleaner.
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Ox3system cleans the dirt preventing asthma and allergy triggers in the home. Four of the most common allergy and asthma triggers are lurking right under your nose: animal dander, dust and dust mite, mold and mildew and seasonal debutante pollen.
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Vacuum weekly with an allergen-control vacuum, more often if you have a pet and during allergy season s, make a minimum of six to eight passes over each area. Empty or replace the bag when it is half full (Full bags result in less suction power).
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Area rugs should be use in front of all entryways to trap and hold dust and dirt. Keep outdoor allergens away from living areas. Regularly shake them outdoors…away from the open windows. Wash them weekly.
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Vacuum wood floors.1 dust regularly with damp cloth or a dust-attracting cloth. (Dry dusting sends dust spiraling into the air).
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Wash curtains frequently to remove dust.
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Clean window frames and sills regularly. Look out for condensation, mold and mildew. The bedroom is a dust mite’s home base, thanks to the proliferation of shed skin, a mite’s favorite meals. To keep them away, Electrolux suggest the following:
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Remove carpeting if asthma or dust allergies are severe.
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Dust frequently with damp cloth.
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Vacuum weekly using well-filtered vacuum cleaner.
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Launder curtains regularly. Better yet, replace curtains with shades.
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Get rid of clutter, dust collectors and dust generators such as magazines, knick-knacks and stuffed animals, or store them in closed boxes or cloth bags.
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Keep the closet door closed.
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Launder sheets and pillows weekly in warm water; tumble dry. Blankets, comforters and mattress pads should be washed monthly.
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Vacuum the mattress for at least two minutes twice monthlyto reduse dust and allergens in the mattress.
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Keep furry or feather pets out. If one takes a catnap on the bed, wash the bedding as soon as possible.

Mold and mildew are the biggest challenges in the kitchen. Follow these do’s and don’ts.

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Moisture inside the fridge makes it prime breeding ground for mold. Clean walls and shelves regularly using nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water.
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Wipe up water that accumulates in the crisper drawers, and clean them regularly.

To keep allergies caused pets at bay, try these advices from Electrolux.

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Keep pets out of your bedroom. 1 Brush pets regularly; bathe pets regularly. (Check with your veterinarian about how to keep pet’s skin from drying. Dry skin increases the loss of skin scales, increasing allergens in the air).
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Launder your pet’s bed and blanket weekly in warm water.
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Keep pet off upholstered furniture.
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Place litter boxes, pet beds and cages away from the place where an allergic family member spends time. As sign litter box duty to a family member who is not allergic.