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What encouragement can do

Pete Barlow was an old friend of mine. He had a dog-and-pony act
and spent his life traveling with circuses and vaudeville shows. I
loved to watch Pete train new dogs for his act. I noticed that the
moment a dog showed the slightest improvement, Pete patted and
praised him and gave him meat and made a great to-do about it.

That's nothing new. Animal trainers have been using that same
technique for centuries.

Why, I wonder, don't we use the same common sense when trying
to change people that we use when trying to change dogs? Why
don't we use meat instead of a whip? Why don't we use praise
instead of condemnation? Let us praise even the slightest
improvement. That inspires the other person to keep on improving.

In his book I Ain't Much, Baby-But I'm All I Got, the psychologist Jess
Lair comments:
"Praise is like sunlight to the warm human spirit; we
cannot flower and grow without it. And yet, while most of us are only
too ready to apply to others the cold wind of criticism, we are
somehow reluctant to give our fellow the warm sunshine of praise."
(*)
----
[*] Jess Lair, I Ain't Much, Baby - But I'm All I Got (Greenwich,
Conn.: Fawcett, 1976), p.248.
----
I can look back at my own life and see where a few words of praise
have sharply changed my entire future. Can't you say the same thing
about your life? History is replete with striking illustrations of the
sheer witchery raise.

For example, many years ago a boy of ten was working in a factory
in Naples, He longed to be a singer, but his first teacher discouraged
him. "You can't sing," he said. "You haven't any voice at all. It
sounds like the wind in the shutters."

But his mother, a poor peasant woman, put her arms about him
and
praised him and told him she knew he could sing, she could already
see an improvement, and she went barefoot in order to save money
to pay for his music lessons. That peasant mother's praise and
encouragement changed that boy's life. His name was Enrico Caruso,
and he became the greatest and most famous opera singer of his
age.

In the early nineteenth century, a young man in London aspired to
be a writer. But everything seemed to be against him. He had never
been able to attend school more than four years. His father had been
flung in jail because he couldn't pay his debts, and this young man
often knew the pangs of hunger. Finally, he got a job pasting labels
on bottles of blacking in a rat-infested warehouse, and he slept at
night in a dismal attic room with two other boys - guttersnipes from
the slums of London. He had so little confidence in his ability to write
that he sneaked out and mailed his
first manuscript in the dead of
night so nobody would laugh at him. Story after story was refused.
Finally the great day came when one was accepted. True, he wasn't
paid a shilling for it, but one editor had praised him. One editor had
given him recognition. He was so thrilled that he wandered aimlessly
around the streets with tears rolling down his cheeks.

The praise, the recognition, that he received through getting one
story in print, changed his whole life, for if it hadn't been for that
encouragement, he might have spent his entire life working in rat-
infested factories. You may have heard of that boy. His name was
Charles Dickens.

Another boy in London made his living as a clerk in a dry-goods
store. He had to get up at five o'clock, sweep out the store, and
slave for fourteen hours a day. It was sheer drudgery and he
despised it. After two years, he could stand it no longer, so he got up
one
morning and, without waiting for breakfast, tramped fifteen
miles to talk to his mother, who was working as a housekeeper.

He was frantic. He pleaded with her. He wept. He swore he would
kill himself if he had to remain in the shop any longer. Then he wrote
a long, pathetic letter to his old schoolmaster, declaring that he was
heartbroken, that he no longer wanted to live. His old schoolmaster
gave him a little praise and assured him that he really was very
intelligent and fitted for finer things and offered him a job as a
teacher.

That praise changed the future of that boy and made a lasting
impression on the history of English literature. For that boy went on
to write innumerable best-selling books and made over a million
dollars with his pen. You've probably heard of him. His name: H. G.
Wells.

Use of praise instead of criticism is the basic concept of B.F.
Skinner's teachings. This great
contemporary psychologist has shown
by experiments with animals and with humans that when criticism is
minimized and praise emphasized, the good things people do will be
reinforced and the poorer things will atrophy for lack of attention.

John Ringelspaugh of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, used this in
dealing with his children. It seemed that, as in so many families,
mother and dad's chief form of communication with the children was
yelling at them. And, as in so many cases, the children became a
little worse rather than better after each such session - and so did
the parents. There seemed to be no end in sight for this problem.

Mr. Ringelspaugh determined to use some of the principles he was
learning in our course to solve this situation. He reported: "We
decided to try praise instead of harping on their faults. It wasn't easy
when all we could see were the negative things they were doing; it
was really
tough to find things to praise. We managed to find
something, and within the first day or two some of the really
upsetting things they were doing quit happening. Then some of their
other faults began to disappear. They began capitalizing on the
praise we were giving them. They even began going out of their way
to do things right. Neither of us could believe it. Of course, it didn't
last forever, but the norm reached after things leveled off was so
much better. It was no longer necessary to react the way we used
to. The children were doing far more right things than wrong ones."
All of this was a result of praising the slightest improvement in the
children rather than condemning everything they did wrong.

This works on the job too. Keith Roper of Woodland Hills, California,
applied this principle to a situation in his company. Some material
came to him in his print shop which was of exceptionally
high
quality. The printer who had done this job was a new employee who
had been having difficulty adjusting to the job. His supervisor was
upset about what he considered a negative attitude and was
seriously thinking of terminating his services.

When Mr. Roper was informed of this situation, he personally went
over to the print shop and had a talk with the young man. He told
him how pleased he was with the work he had just received and
pointed out it was the best work he had seen produced in that shop
for some time. He pointed out exactly why it was superior and how
important the young man's contribution was to the company,
Do you think this affected that young printer's attitude toward the
company? Within days there was a complete turnabout. He told
several of his co-workers about the conversation and how someone
in the company really appreciated good work. And from that day on,
he was a loyal and
dedicated worker.

What Mr. Roper did was not just flatter the young printer and say
"You're good." He specifically pointed out how his work was superior.
Because he had singled out a specific accomplishment, rather than
just making general flattering remarks, his praise became much
more meaningful to the person to whom it was given. Everybody
likes to be praised, but when praise is specific, it comes across as
sincere - not something the other person may be saying just to make
one feel good.

Remember, we all crave appreciation and recognition, and will do
almost anything to get it. But nobody wants insincerity. Nobody
wants flattery.

Let me repeat: The principles taught in this book will work only when
they come from the heart. I am not advocating a bag of tricks. I am
talking about a new way of life.

Talk about changing people. If you and I will inspire the people with
whom we come in
contact to a realization of the hidden treasures
they possess, we can do far more than change people. We can
literally transform them.

Exaggeration? Then listen to these sage words from William James,
one of the most distinguished psychologists and philosophers
America has ever produced:

Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half awake. We
are making use of only a small part of our physical and mental
resources. Stating the thing broadly, the human individual thus lives
far within his limits. He possesses powers of various sorts which he
habitually fails to use.

Yes, you who are reading these lines possess powers of various sorts
which you habitually fail to use; and one of these powers you are
probably not using to the fullest extent is your magic ability to praise
people and inspire them with a realization of their latent possibilities.

Abilities wither under criticism; they blossom
under encouragement.

To become a more effective leader of people, - Praise the slightest improvement and praise every
improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your
praise."

- from: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

"Sticks and bones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Have you ever heard that old saying? It's not true, you know. If you've ever heard anyone laugh and makes a rude remark about your looks, you know words can hurt. If anyone has ever started a rumor about you, you know words can hurt. But words can also heal. A word of encouragement, a simple compliment or an expression of appreciation can make you feel liked and confident. God reminded Ezekiel not to fear the words of his enemies but to "speak my words" to all. Be aware of the words you speak. Be sure they are words that heal rather than hurt. - See. Ezekiel 2:6-7

Quoted from The Teen Study Bible, New International Version. MI: Zondervan Publishing House.1998, p. 1074

Leader are meant to help others become the people God created them to be - Leadership: Promises for Every Day by John Maxwell

I believe every person carries the seed of success. The ability to find another's seed of success takes commitment, diligence, and a genuine desire to focus on others. You have to look at their gifts, temperament, passions, successes, joys, and opportunities. And once you find that seed, you need to fertilize it with encouragement and water it with opportunity. If you do, the person will blossom before your eyes. Raising people to a higher level and helping them be successful is more than just giving them information and skills. The good news is that when you understand some basic concepts about people, it opens the door to your ability to develop others. Remember...
Everyone wants to feel worthwhile.
Everyone needs and responds to encouragement.
People are naturally motivated.
People buy into the person before buying into their leadership.
The more you understand people, the greater your chance of success in mentoring.

Source: Your Road Map to Success by John Maxwell

God is calling you now - the world needs you...

In the belly of the whale
CTALK By Cito Beltran
Monday, June 2, 2008

The current preaching series in our church is about the biblical character Jonah and this week’s service focused on being in the belly of the whale. In many ways Filipinos are like Jonah who perpetually run from the idea of doing what is right or getting involved. We often think that we have more important things to do or that most people don’t care or won’t change anyway.

In the same manner our levels of self-righteousness exceeds sanity to the point that we can justify being tax evaders or law-breakers because others do it especially those in government. Like Jonah we cannot even comprehend why we should be part of any attempt or any solution to bring change or lead by example.

This perhaps is one possible explanation how a country with so many churches and religious people can be one of the poorest and most corrupt country in the world. Those who are suppose to teach and mentor churchgoers spend more time making political pronouncement or commentaries and performing like monkeys dancing to the sick o’clock news.

They promote equality and fairness at other peoples’ expense, they show charity from the charity given by others, they vilify and attack the sins of the national government but are blind to the prostitution and whorehouses of their allies in local government. They give sermons on obedience but challenge government programs resulting in more poverty and greater disrespect for authority.

Come to think of it, once you really analyze the book of Jonah, it almost looks like the national business plan.We proudly wear our faith on our sleeves like Jonah who called himself a Hebrew who served the Living God, yet when called to serve and obey, he skipped town and sailed south.

We are either: Catholics who dislike Christians, Christians who distrust Muslims, or Muslims who despise both Catholics and Christians. In general our behavior would be an embarrassment when it comes to our driving, civic duties such as paying taxes, and the worst of it all is the foul language that comes from our mouths when we express our opinion about people in politics and government.

Everyday, there are a few thousand Filipinos who skip town. The pretext is to get a job, to get a higher paying job or to immigrate to the US , Canada , Australia or some civilized place. While the general motivation is economic, a large number will never admit that they simply want to get away from the reality, the responsibility and the challenge, the same challenge that many of us still face and often overcome.

The rest would rather be by themselves and just send money than deal with parenting, parents and their spouse. They simply want to get away from it all. They want to chase the dream or cash in on the promise.Unfortunately we are either in the boat or in the belly of the whale.While I have spent many days at sea or by the sea, one thing I don’t enjoy and never like to be in is a boat in the middle of a storm. That in part is what and where the Philippines is. A boat in the middle of a storm, while those who have the shared responsibility of sailing to safe harbor sleep deeply, undisturbed and indifferent: Government officials, Religious leaders, Opinion makers, business personalities, passport carrying Filipinos and the FAITHFUL below deck, unseen and unaffected.

But for how long? Worldwide monarchies, dictatorships and established systems are being disrupted, challenged or overthrown. Nature has made a mockery of mankind and each day makes “the boat” sink a little deeper. All because no one cared, dared, or obeyed to do the work.

Unfortunately Filipinos are the world’s greatest at self-deception. We deceive ourselves with the idea that things are still normal through our installment mentality, sachet economics, and by bending our knees so we can fit in our security blankets that we have long outgrown.Po Bronson an American author in his book “what should I do with my life” commented that people in general don’t respond to situations unless they become a personal matter. We may have an opinion about certain situations but we don’t really do anything about the situation unless it directly concerns our personal circumstance.

Unfortunately, even when things have affected us at a personal level Filipinos still look for the silver lining, the ray of hope instead of facing the problem or the situation and doing something about it.

You can read all the news, listen to all the commentaries and analysis but unless you start by admitting that the fault begins with you, you will never be able to do anything more than find fault in yourself or in others. The minute you begin to take responsibility and realize that your actions can harm others is when you stop being selfish. Jonah came to terms with his self-deception and went as far as willing to be thrown over board so that God would not sink the boat and kill the innocent on board.

No matter how high or low you are in society we all contribute to the storm. We are all part of the dead weight that lowers the boat deeper into water. The goal is to lighten the load, to be productive, to be of use and not to be the cause of the problem.

For many years people have associated being in the belly of the whale as God’s way of punishing Jonah. On the Contrary it was God saving Jonah and preparing him to have the right mind set to do what needed to be done.I have been “in the belly of the whale” on numerous occasions. Once I spent two years in a mind-numbing job on a construction site where I was everybody’s foot -rest and Gopher as in “Go for this and Go for that”. How was I to know that God was preparing me for my next big ticket: constructing a major resort in Palawan called “Club Paradise” which contributes to tourism and gives jobs to many.

That was followed by seven years on another island that’s reminded me of a whale. It was the beginning of what has been a 17-year journey growing up as a Christian and sharing hope and God. Perhaps the ultimate belly of the whale experience was close to five years spent as a glorified corporate GRO (Guest Relation Officer), the necessary training to becoming an effective Talk Show host.

Sometimes all we need to do is jump in the water and allow God to take us where we become our best and serve others.

Interesting Conversation

We rarely read emails thinking those are just spams. But sometimes we miss out some interesting email messages because of that kind of thought. I've found this Interesting Conversation on my email account one day:

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his Classon the Problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY.
He asks one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .

Professor :You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill.
But GOD didn't.
How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

( Student is silent )
Professor :You can't answer, can you ?
Let's start again, Young Fella.
Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right.
Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ?
And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student :Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?

(Student does not answer)

Professor :Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?
All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Professor :So, who Created them ?
( Student hasno answer )
Professor :Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you.
Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student :No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD?
Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor :Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student :Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist.
What do you say to that, son?
Student :Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor :Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.

( The Lecture Theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events )

Student :Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat,
a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that.
There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.

( There is Pin - Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student :What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir.
Darkness is the Absence of Something…
You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light . . .
But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn't it?
In reality, Darkness isn't.
If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor :So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality..
You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD.
You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.
Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought.
It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that
Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.
Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor :If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

( The Professor shakes his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument is going )

Student :Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and
Cannot even prove that this Process is an On - Going Endeavor,
Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir?
Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?

( The Class is in Uproar )

Student :Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?

( The Class breaks out into Laughter )

Student :Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . .
No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that
You have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?

(The Room is Silent. The Professor stares at the Student, his face unfathomable)

Professor :I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . . .
The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Moving & Alive.

It turned out later that the student is Albert Einstein.

Article That Can Really Make You Cry

The Basureros
(The Garbage Collectors)

Ever since it was diagnosed that I am having a possible heart enlargement in the last APE, I have exerted more effort to do physical exercises.

I do jogging during week days and do long - ride mountain biking every Sunday.

But this Sunday is a special Sunday to me. While I was on my way to the mountains of Busay (cebu) hoping to strengthened my heart by this exercise, instead, I personally encountered a heart-breaking scene that changed me.

I already passed the Marco Polo Plaza (formerly Cebu Plaza Hotel) when I decided to stop to buy bananas at a small carenderia located along the road. I haven't taken any solid food that morning so I need fruits to have the needed energy to get to my destination - the mountain top.

I am almost done eating with the second banana when I noticed two children across the street busily searching the garbage area. "Basureros" I said to myself and quickly turn my attention away from them to sip a small amount of water. I cared less for these kind of children actually; to make it straight, I do not like them, and I do not trust them even more.

You see, several times I have been a victim to these kind of children who are pretending to be basureros looking for empty bottles and cans when in fact the 'plangganas' , 'kalderos', and 'hinayhays' are their favorites.

I remember one afternoon while I was watching a Mike Tyson fight when I noticed that the TV screen suddenly became blurred. I checked outside and saw two young basureros running away with my newly installed antenna.

Hatred may be a little bit stronger word to describe my feeling towards these basureros, but I do not like them honestly not till I met these three children.

I was about to embark on my bike again when I heard one of the two children, a girl of about 7 or 8 of age saying aloud to the other, a 12-yr old boy, "kuya si dodong kunin mo kasi tumitingin sa mga kumain, nakakahiya", only then that I noticed a small boy standing near to me biting slightly his finger. He's a few inches shorter if compared to my 5 years old son (but I knew later that he's also 5 yrs. Old).

Though he did not asked for food to anyone in the carenderia, the way he looked at the customers who were eating , enough to convinced me that he intensely craving for it. The older boy then quickly crossed the street and gently pulled out the little one who politely obeyed. As I watched the two crossing back the street to the garbage area, I heard the tindera saying "kawawa naman yung mga batang yun mababait pa naman". I learned further from the carenderia owner that the children are from a good family , both parents were working before, and that their father got a stroke 3 years ago and became partially paralized and their mother died of heart attack while their father was still confined at the hospital. The parents were still in their early forties when the catastrophe happened, and the children became basureros since then to meet their daily needs and for their father's medication.

Deeply moved by what I heard, I went to a nearby bakery and bought 20 pesos worth of bread and gave it to the children who initially refused including the little boy. "Sige lang po, salamat na lang, bibili na lang po kami mamaya kung makabenta na kami," the young girl said to me.

I explained that they need to go home because it started to rain. "Nasanay na po kami", the girl answered again.

Again, I explained that the rain can make them sick and if they'll become sick there's no one to take care of their father. Upon mentioning their father, they nodded and accept the bread but I noticed that the older boy did not eat.

When I asked him if he does not like the kind of bread I bought for them he smiled but as he's about to explain, the little girl, who is the more talker of them interrupted, "Linggo po kasi ngayon,pag sabado at linggo hapon lang po sya kumakain, kami lang po ang kumakain ng agahan pero di na po kami kakain pagdating ng hapon si kuya lang po. Pero pag lunes hanggang biyernes, kasi may pasok, si kuya lang po nag-aagahan, kami hapunan lang pero kung marami kaming benta, kami pong lahat (kumakain) she continued. "bakit kung kumain kayong lahat, hati-hatiin nyo na lang kahit kunti lang ang pagkain? I countered.

The young girl reasoned out that their father wanted that her older brother to come to school with full stomachs so he can easily catch up the teacher's lessons. "Pag nagkatrabaho si kuya, hihinto kami sa pamamasura, first honor kasi sya", the little boy added proudly.

Maybe I was caught by surprise or I am just overly emotional that my tears started to fall. I then quickly turned my back from them to hide my tears and pretended to pick up my bike from the carenderia where I left it.

I don't know how many seconds or minutes I spent just to compose myself; pretending again this time that I was mending by bike.

Finally I get on to my bike and approached the three children to bid goodbye to them who in turn cast their grateful smiles at me. I then took a good look at all of them specially to the small boy and pat his head with a pinch in my heart. Though I believe that their positive look at life can easily change their present situation, there is one thing that they can never change; that is , their being motherless. That little boy can no longer taste the sweet embrace, care, and most of all , the love of his mother forever. Nobody can refill the empty gap created by that sudden and untimely death of their mother. Every big events that will happen to their lives will only remind them and make them wish of their mother's presence.

I reached to my pocket and handed to them my last 100 peso bill which I reserved for our department's bowling tournament. This time they refused strongly but I jokingly said to the girl, "suntukin kita pag hindi mo tinanggap yan". She smiled as she extended her hand to take the money. "Salamat po, makakabili na kami ng gamot ni papa", she uttered. I then turned to the small boy and though he's a few feet away from me, I still noticed that while his right hand was holding the half - filled sack , his left hand was holding a toy ? a worn out toy car. I waved my hands and said bye bye to him as I drove towards the mountains again. Did he just found the toy in the garbage area or the toy was originally his - when the misfortune did not took place yet? - I did not bother to ask.

But one thing is crystal clear to me, that inspite of the boy's abnormal life, he did not given up his childhood completely. I can sense it that way he hold and stare at his toy.

My meeting with that young basureros made me poorer by 100 pesos. But they changed me and made me more richer as to lessons of life are concerned.

In them, I learned that life can changed suddenly and may caught me flat footed. In them, I've learned that even the darkest side of life, cannot change the beauty of one's heart. Those three children, who sometimes cannot eat three times a day, still able to hold on to what they believe was right. And what a contrast to most of us who are quick to point out to our misfortunes when caught with our mistakes. In them, I've learned to hope for things when things seem to go the other way.

Lastly, I know that God cares for them far more than I do. That though He allowed them to experience such a terrible life which our finite minds cannot comprehend, His unquestionable love will surely follow them through.

And in God's own time they will win.

This article is a forward email which originally came from Melinda Empay

What's with Valentine's

Programmers are made, not born

I started my first job this January. I'm still at the training period. It's just like when I was still studying: discussion, quizzes, exercises and exams. What differs is that the training is already part of the job. I'm sure the things discussed will be useful for future projects. To be honest, the topics are compacted. I think, we discuss 4 topics per day on the average. Fortunately, I have a background on programming especially in Java.

I thought Java is easy (though we were told during undergrad that it is one of the subject where students fail). My grade is far from failing anyway. I enjoyed the subject even if I took it along with my Special Problem which is also in programming. The two didn't have conflict though. The training tells me that I have more things to learn in Java. I'm taking it as a challenge. All I need is time. Time to review and time to read the books available. During my undergrad years, I usually go to the library. Not the main but the CompSci library instead. I found the books I want on the CompSci library. Literature helped me in self-studying on HTML, CSS, VB and Game Maker by Mark Overmars. That's another story.

Going back to the topic, my heads in information overload right now. The training phase is really fast. My schedule's eaten by assignments and exercises. But it okay. This things are normal when working. One good thing to do is adapt. People usually leave out other works to finish the ones they want instead of sacrificing sleep sometimes. Staying at night makes me do more things. I also found out that I many other programmers work more late at night. Programming is the job that I can really stay awake of at night. But still, deadlines and exams tell that we are not perfect in doing things.

The approachable people of the company (that includes my trainer) helped me appreciate topics in Java. Of all the topics, the one which I appreciate most is JUnit Test. Imagine yourself programming without the user interface yet. Are you sure the you're program's working properly without outputting anything? The Unit Test is a big help during this situation. But Unit Test can do more aside from that. The creator of it are so clever to think of such idea. In the training, we first discussed about layering. It's all about the presentation-business-data-access-layer stuff of your program. It was discussed at the beginning of the training but I get to know its importance as we applied it on exercises. Think of having a program that still works though the user interface and/or the stored data for your program was changed. Layering also makes your program organized. No wonder programmers prefer Java.

Thanks to the Sun Micro-Systems for creating Java. Programmers can program for any Operating System. I'm more familiar with Windows but it's not that hard to use Linux. The Ubuntu interface is pretty nice and user-friendly. Using the system is just like familiarizing with an easy to use software. Speaking of a new software, I was introduced to a software that was new to me. I never knew that Eclipse is very useful in Java programming. This complex IDE can do many things when programming in Java. Was its usefulness emphasized? :)

In the company I joined in, call all the employees "happy." You can do your work on a flexible schedule. But hey! Don't forget about the results. Results are the best way to show the product of that flexible time.

I thought the languages I can speak speak would only be English, Filipino and a little bit of Chinese. Now I can speak the Java language. :) I'm dreaming of a time when I am already well versed with Java. O & B is a great place for learning, working, and growing. I was blessed the day I stepped on the office. Life restricts what you can do with the things you want but God game me a place where I can use and enjoy my passion in programming.

Effective remedy to clogged nose

You may have experienced a clogged nose. Here's a very effective way to clear your nose. It may sound crazy but this really works. Try this when your nose's clogged due to colds:

Inhale and hold your breath and
Gently massage the tip of your pinky and ring fingers using your thumb.

Very simple isn't it? This advise was given to me by a friend which he said was told to him by a nurse. The result comes after a few minutes between 10-20.

Maybe next time, you'll be more careful not to catch cold.
Read The things to know about colds.

20 Reasons Not to Sin

The following list is useful in having a relationship with the Lord. I've just read it posted in my room when I arrived in it.

- A little sin leads to more sin
- Sin invites the discipline of God.
- The time spent in my sin is forever wasted.
- My sin never pleases but always grieves the God who loves me.
- My sin places a greater burden on my spirtual leaders.
- In time, sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
- Others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
- My sin makes the enemies og God rejoice.
- Sin deceives me into believing I have gained
when in reality I have lost.
- Sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
- The supposed benefits of sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedient.
- Repenting of sin is a painful process.
- My sin may influence others to sin.
- My sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
- Sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died
for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
- It is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
- Others more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
- God chooses not to hear the prayers of those who cherish their sin (Ps. 66:18).
- My unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it authority over me greater than I understand.
- I promised God He would be the Lord of my life.

Greatest Story Ever Told

Christmas is over but this the story will never leave our mind.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,a that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)

The size of this presentation is intended for it to be readable.

A Mouse Trap Story

It is common to get the same e-mail messages sometimes. There are times when you fail to read the first time the message get into your inbox.

I received this message not for the first time and I internalized what it means the second time it entered my inbox:

A mouse looked through the crack
in the wall to see the farmer and
his wife open a package.
What food might this contain?"
The mouse wondered - - -
he was devastated to discover it
was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard,

the mouse proclaimed the warning :

There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched,

raised her head and said,

"Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern
to you, but it is of no consequence
to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to
the pig and told him,

"There is a mousetrap in the house!

There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, I am
so very sorry, Mr.Mouse, but there
is nothing I can do about it but pray.
Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to
the cow and said

"There is a mousetrap in the house!

There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.
I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin
off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the
house, head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap . . .
alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout

the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching

its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see
what was caught. In the darkness,
she did not see it was a venomous
snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital ,

and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever
with fresh chicken soup, so the
farmer took his hatchet to the
farmyard for the soup's main
ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued,
so friends and neighbors came to
sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer
butchered the pig.


The farmer's wife did not get well;


she died.


So many people came for her funeral,
the farmer had the cow slaughtered to
provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from
his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone
is facing a problem and think it
doesn't concern you,

remember ----

when one of us is threatened,
we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life.

We must keep an eye out
for one another and make an extra
effort to encourage one another.



SEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO
HAS EVER HELPED YOU OUT AND
LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.



REMEMBER. . . . .

EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD

IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;

OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.


One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND !!!