Hello Spring!

Spring is at hand and the weather turns better than previous which excites the most of us here. We can now wear our crocs or flip-flops outside. And I bet it lessens homesickness from staying all week long inside the house.

But while we are happy to the sight of the rapid growth of grasses and lovely blossoms, snow continues flowing on some part of northern America and Europe. Tornadoes and earthquake as well hit Texas and Georgia recently adding shadow to the so long dollar rate-down Clinton-Obama primary race.

Meanwhile as gas price hits all time high, we are keeping our fingers crossed to the coming of the so called tax refunds to get even with it. It may not be too huge but I think enough to enjoy the awaited refreshing spring.

A beautiful spring!

Pope Benedict XVI first visit to America

His holiness arrived in the United States on Tuesday afternoon at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for his six-day, two-city journey. The pontiff was greeted by cheers and applause from thousands of crowds since landing and anywhere where he is present including the first family.

The visit is to address concerning issues within the church and to let American Catholics or the whole America know him more. His presence though in the land creates many reactions from different organizations, parties and individuals all through out America.

His visit will end with a public mass at 2:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time) on April 20 at New York's Yankee Stadium with thousands of expected delegates. (photo credits: christopher)

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..faith in the good..

“They call us romantics, weak, stupid, sentimental idealists, perhaps because we have some faith in the good which exists even in our opponents and because we believe that kindness achieves more than cruelty.”

-Fridtjof Nansen, Nobel Prize for Peace, 1922

WHY IS THE PHILIPPINES POOR?

The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country. This can be shown by countries like India and Egypt that are more than 2000 years old but are poor.

On the other hand, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries and are rich.

The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.

Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture and cattle raising but is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough they produced dairy products of the best quality. It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order and labor, which made it the world’s strongest, safest place.

Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.

Race or skin colors are also not important: immigrants are labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive powers in rich European countries.

What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education and the culture of flawed tradition. On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich and developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives.

1. Ethics, as a basic principle.

2. Integrity.

3. Responsibility.

4. Respect to the laws and rules.

5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.

6. Work loving.

7. Strive for savings and investment.

8. Will of super action.

9. Punctuality.

10. and of course….Discipline

In poor countries only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.

The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact we are supposedly rich in natural resources.

We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies.

If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also you will not get sick or go hungry.

But those may happen because of your lack of discipline and laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.

If you love your country, let this message circulate so that many Filipinos could reflect about this and CHANGE, ACT!

Live simply……Unknown Author - Balita

AI to MLB

Finally Major League Baseball Season ‘08 has started.

Toronto Blue Jays loss to New York Yankees on their opening game on April 1 at Yankee Stadium but Blue Jays regain themselves on Wednesday night and won at 5-2.

On the other hand, American Idol Season 07 announces Ramiele Malubay to take her way home out of the Top 9 on Wednesday night after a delightful night of Dolly Parton songs.

An Hour I missed

On Saturday night (March 29) some relatives and I intend to meet once again to see one who just arrived from a vacation back home. Everybody’s excited to hear how was her vacation went through. We were aware of the Earth Hour though but as we started our conversation, the discussion went far and further. That we even neglected to check our time so we failed to participate, to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced. Just an hour to contribute to our Mother Earth on the need for action on global warming and yet we did missed it. I have come to think of posting this Ecological office checklist to make up with that World Wide event which is a peculiar tribute to our surviving planet. Because that night of failure acts is still chasing me. And I am hoping this can help instead. (‘o‘)

Simple things and easy-to-follow checklist to help reduce your office’s environmental impact and costs:

Paper Usage

. Edit documents on-screen rather than printing unnecessary draft copies.

. Produce double-sided documents.

. Don’t print email, and discourage others as well by adding a footer to your email template that says: “Do You Need to Print this Email?”

. Buy recycled paper and paper based products.

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

. Turn off all lights, computers, and non-essential equipment when not in use.

. Recycle printer cartridges and other office consumables.

. Recycle office waste such as drinks cans, plastic cups and fluorescent tubes.

Food

. Encourage drinking tap water in place of bottled.

. Encourage employees to bring their lunch in reusable containers instead of plastic bags.

. Use reusable cups, plates and cutlery in your lunch room and for meetings and other events.

Transportation

. Bike, walk, take public transportation or car-pool to work.

. Use videoconferencing and conference calls instead of travel when possible.

(NC-theoakvillebeaver)