Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Little Vatican in Texas



St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is one of the best known and ornate churches in the world. Although for many, it's a dream to visit the Vatican, we've discovered a place not far from Houston that's just as grand. It's St. Anthony's, what some refer to as "The Little Vatican." It is the little church in Beaumont, Texas, where every celebration is bigger than life, even bigger than death.

It is the latest church to join the ranks of Basilicas in the state of Texas. St. Anthony's is only the fourth church to receive Basilica status. That means St. Anthony's has now been recognized by the Vatican, and given the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Catholic church, a Basilica. That's a higher status than a cathedral. On it, will hang the official papal coat of arms. But there is something else that ties this church to its Italian roots. At the heart of St. Anthony's lies the alter, and above it, the Baldachino. It was made to look exactly like the most famous Baldachino in the world. The one in St. Peter's, carved by Bernini.
"You can't go everywhere in the United States and see a church as beautiful as this,". "The grandeur the beauty of it is out of this world. I mean I've never seen anything like it before." But, according to Vatican law, before a church can even be considered for Basilica status, it must be rich in religious history and relics, in other words, human remains. St. Anthony's houses the relics of two Catholic Saints.
Also here, the Zucchetto, or white skull cap worn by Pope John Paul the Second.
"There's so much you could just spend the day here and just walk around and look and pray, it's beautiful.But St. Anthony's is not alone. There are three other Basilicas in Texas like Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine in San Juan . St. Mary's in Galveston, founded in 1847, survived the Great Hurricane of 1900, even serving as a refuge for survivors. And finally, the National Shrine of the Little Flowers in San Antonio. It is surrounded by poverty, but brings a value, worth more than money. "Is something that gives them great pride and it's something that has really boosted the spirit of San Antonio.Much the same for Texas' newest Basilica, St. Anthony, for Catholics, and curious alike.

"People, not just Catholic, people of all denominations, will come to the cathedral to pray to be in solidarity with one another to call upon all mighty God for his guidance and blessings. So it's a very important pastoral center.

Outlook Express


In many cases this feature of Outlook Express is very handy. It allows you to build a database of contact automatically by creating an address book entry for anyone you send an email to.I suppose Microsoft decided that anyone worth emailing was worth storing as a contact and enabled this feature within Outlook express by default.

I can certainly see where this might be a nuisance thought.ha ha ha..depending on how you use email you might find yourself with superfluous contact.. To disable this feature, just open Outlook express anc click on Tools and then Options. Under the send tab, make sure "Automatically put people I reply in my Address book is unchecked

Monday, January 28, 2008

They Call Him Sky Angel Cowboy

I want to share this to you.I heard this since last year 2007.A friend of mine here in houston ,TX share this to us during our bible study last November...Logan’s testimony really touched me and left me in tears. We are all with you Logan and thank you for making such an effort to let us know even through your sadness.

The Sky Angel Cowboy! Logan listens to (89.3 KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX) on Sky Angel because he lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. He called .... distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Listen what Logan had to say.....

An Alzheimer's Hat -- will it work?

Too crazy, too goofy, too good to be true, warn experts on the debilitating disease.


InLONDON, England... What if the secret to stopping the progression of Alzheimer's disease -- and perhaps even reversing its ravages -- lay in the use of a special hat?

Nevertheless, a team of British researchers is showcasing a bizarre-looking contraption that they say could stimulate the healing and regeneration of brain cells using a specific wavelength of infrared light -- a category of radiation most often associated with heat energy.

And human trials on the Alzheimer's hat are even scheduled to begin this summer.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

THE Depth Of Friendship

Some people take this word for granted.
They use it to describe almost anyone
who touches their lives.
But that’s not fair,
for not everyone fits this word.
It is easy to be a pal, a buddy,
a companion, or an acquaintance,
but to be a friend means
so very much more…

To be a friend
means being trusted and trusting.
Honest and dedicated.
Supportive and available.
It means going strong with
your own life’s work and plans,
yet reaching out to another when you’re needed
(and maybe even when you’re not).

To be a friend is to be fun and fair.
Serious and silly.


To make the mundane exciting.
The unexpected acceptable
To be the silent stronghold without being asked.
To feel happy for someone else’s happiness,
and to share the burden of sorrow
in though and action.
To be a friend
is to be strong enough to be learned on
when someone else cannot walk another step
and to look to that other person
for own tranquility
when the world has spun you
out of control.
It is a lot of giving, a lot of talking,
but most of all, a lot of sharing.

The qualifications of being a friend
Are too high for the ordinary to reach.
It takes a while to earn the title
And a lifetime to truly know it’s meaning.
Never take the job lightly or give it away
too quickly;
it must be cultivated, nurtured, and cared for.
For when you truly find a “friend,”
You are lucky enough to have one for life.

WAy Too Much Heaven on Their minds

The Kastilas (as Filipinos call Spaniards) have been gone now for over a hundred years, the religious fanaticism they helped engender is still in evidence all across the Philippines. Case in point, millions of devotees showed up for this years Black Nazarene procession in the Quiapo district of Manila. Continuing a tradition that goes back over 400 years the mostly male crowd squeezed, jostled and shoved just to catch a glimpse of the life-sized statue of Jesus carrying his cross. While their devotion seems to almost border on idolatry, devotees swear by the miraculous healing powers of this religious relic.

During Holy Week, hundreds of penitents all over the Philippines whip themselves to a bloody pulp or nail themselves to a cross to atone for their sins.

To many foreigners and even Filipinos who have been out of the country for some time, the level of religiousness in the country can at times be disconcerting. For the almost four centuries of Spanish domination, religion was effectively used as a tool to keep the "hordes of indios" docile, submissive and subservient to the vastly outnumbered Spaniards. Proof that the kind of Catholicism promulgated in the islands was vastly different from that practiced in "mother Spain" becomes quite obvious when one compares religious attitudes of today's Spaniards with today's Filipinos. Spaniards seem to display a healthier, well-rounded non-fanatical view of religion compared to Filipinos who display a simple-minded, fanatical attitude to their faith.

Sadly, what has helped the Catholic church hang on to it's power and influence in the Philippines, has also retarded the growth of individual Filipinos and the country as a whole. Nowhere is this more evident than in the "bahala na" attitude of Filipinos which in some cases can translate to if God wills it, He will make it happen, whether I lift a finger or not--so why knock myself out trying!

And because most Filipinos seem more concerned with the "next life," many don't bother improving this one and thus live in filth and squalor. The end result is that while the country's neighbors strive to improve their living standards and become masters of their own destinies, Filipinos remain immobile, longing for a miracle, but even if that doesn't happen, at least they'll get their heavenly reward...in the NEXT life.

Loving your kids is easy. Parenting teenagers is hard.

Parents today face very real and sometimes frightening concerns about their children’s lives. As they get older, your kids have their own interests, problems, even their own language. So what's the key to parenting?

You could buy a book…but your child probably won’t read it. You could search the Internet for advice, and ask other parents. Those are good options, but there's one that's even better for parenting teenagers: reality-based DVDs for kids and parents to watch and learn together. Parents don’t typically think of buying a DVD to help them with the issues their children or a problem teenager faces, but this is powerful positive television programming produced by the Emmy® award-winning Connect With Kids team.

Build Your Own Library

We have a complete library of half-hour programs devoted to parenting teenagers and kids, all related to social, emotional and physical health. These aren’t lectures or scare tactics strictly about how to deal with a problem teenager; they’re true stories of real kids facing issues like drugs, drinking, STDs, obesity, racism, peer pressure, body image, bullying, and more.

These powerful stories are unscripted, unrehearsed and told in kids’ own words, so your children will easily relate to them without feeling defensive, embarrassed, pressured or talked down to. The kids' stories are supported with interviews and advice from leading child specialists, health experts, educators and counselors.

Ribbons of friendship,love,& care

At the Methodist Church this morning...the Methodist women are selling "RIBBONS" for their fund raising and it's also a METHODIST WOMEN DAY.... I got a bunch of "RIBBONS" thanks to my friends at Old River Terrace UNited Methodist Church...Ribbons are achieved through your unit's ribbon criteria. Different units will award a ribbon for different standards. This doesn't mean that the ribbon's meaning is false, but the way you achieve it is different between units. like they award you the ribbon as a friend,love,care etc.

There's a ribbon that binds our hearts together,a ribbon that can't be bought.
It always brings us close in spirit and thought.It gives us strength when life becomes more than we can bear,because it's made out of a warmth that says,"I'm here, and I care."It's a stronger expression than any word ever written or said,for when life is unkind,it makes us hopeful instead.And I'm certain that this ribbon will never loosen or fade away for it's a bond we'll cherish all of our days.


Saturday, January 26, 2008

Uses of SAlt

Didnt know what uses for salt.Well,here some of them...

Veggie Wash,remove dirt from green like spinach,arugula and kale by swirling them around in a bowl of salt water.

Keep WIndows Frost free, Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in salt water and frost won't collect.

Banish Bubbles, Get rid of excess suds when handwashing garments in the sink or doing the dishes by sprinkling them wih a pinch of salt.

Clean A Greasy PAn, shaking a little salt on the pan before washing absorbs most of the grease.

Fix a sticky Iron, to remove gunk spots, sprinkle a little salt on a piece of brown paper and run the hot iron over it. Repeat it necessary.

Remove WAter Marks from WOod Surfaces, make water marks dissapear by making a paste of salt and cooking oil. Gently rub the paste onto the ring with a sponge, let sit for a few minutes.Wipe with a soft cloth and polish as usual...

Hope this TIPS could help your daily chores.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Thanks WENG

Here I am still trying to be one of the bloggers.This afternoon a friend of mine name "WENG" aka. asawakomahalko introduce,inviting me again to make a blog.She invite me since last year but I never take it serious. Because I dont believe earning through online. Scam, scammers, scam is all over.that's my main reason......... take it for granted! here I am now one of the bloggers,"THANKS WENG" for the time and effort.I talk to myself "Why dont you try it?"I really dont have an idea how to earn....that's why I check other bloggers site.I found out some sites how to earn extra bucks....So I try "PAYPERPOST"....sad to say my blog has been rejected....ha ha ha...I just start blogging,posting two days ago .......must be at least 90 days old in order to participate.I never read about PPP I just make an account. WHat in the world is this? ha ha ha....Well, lesson to learn....Another one is "SMORTY" again "decline" my page rank "zero"and not enough indexed pages....huh I could not blame them I only have 6 indexed pages ha ha ha.....I asked "WENG" all about this....and she finally introduce,explain to me everything. I dont even know how to invite co-bloggers.......Again thanks "WENG" I really appreciated what you have done to me.

Just this moment,I receive an email from Google Adsense... my application has been..... approved...In reality I tell you I really dont know what Im doing........still confused.....

Again and again "WENG"

glitter-graphics.com

Snapfish

You should check out Snapfish, my favorite photo sharing and printing site. You can edit photos, share photos and videos with friends and family, and order digital prints for only 9¢ each every day! A Snapfish account is totally free, and you get 20 free prints just for trying it out. Plus, I get 20 free prints for referring you!

Window Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista.It is the ideal solution for a small business owner who wants a single PC to use at the office, on the road, and at home, allowing you to shift seamlessly between the worlds of productivity and play.
Mix business & pleasurewith the combination of the security & productivity features of Windows Vista Business along with the home & entertainment features of Windows Vista Home Premium.
Manage multiple languageson a single PC by easily installing and switching between languages. Windows Vista Ultimate allows multilingual households -- or those learning a new language – to easily switch back and forth without logging off.
Stay on the cutting edgewith exlcusive Windows Ultimate Extras, which allow you to be among the first to experience new Windows software and services.

All those who belive in ME

Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve. Kindly put in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in my time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is proper resolution. Remember, I do not sleep, nor do I slumber. There is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

A friend is a gift you give yourself

One who views the world with a similar vision. One will give you a good listening too. There is nothing more wonderful than to be heard. Despite what is happening in our busy world you can count on a friend to "be there for you". Knowing you will never be abandoned or left alone to face the harsh realities of our world on your own. Having a friend that HUGS YOU and means it. A hug that transfers the caring, compassion and vitality that can exist between two people. Sometimes, when a hug is not enough, when you are in your darkest hours a friend that will hold you and reassure your importance. A friend is respectful of others and their relationships, who is also able to be honest with themselves. Honesty, dignity, respect, and trust are integral parts of any friendship. Being able to share your deepest darkest fears along with your hopes and dreams. All with complete faith that your thoughts will be kept in confidence if that is your wish. Someone with whom you can walk, dance, vacation, debate, challenge, learn, laugh or cry and yes even fart... without fear or trepidation. To be with a friend in silence, sharing space and feeling the connection of confidence that only tried true and tested friendships can attain. The pride knowing someone knows you better than anyone in whole wide world. Friends are a natural part of my family.

Before you Sign Up

For a health plan, do read the material your employer sends. Glossing over the details could cost you a lot. MAny companies are now encouraging employees to sign up for consumer-driven health-care plans. These vary in coverage, deductible 9usually high), and the way they work, but many allow you to bank pretax money in a health savings account and draw it out as you need to for medicalcare. (companies may contribute too) What you dont use in a year is yours to save for future health expenses. Sounds good, and it can be especially for your employer, it may also be a money saver for you if you rarely need a doctor. But if you become ill or pregnant a CDHP could prove costly. CDHPs could have more tahn four times the out of pocket costs of women in traditional plans for the same care.

Philamlife

I work at Philamlife before I came over here in United States as an Admin Officer.PHILAMLIFE is an insurance, investments, mutual funds and other financial planning services.Philamlife is the country's largest most diversified financial institution in the Philippines. For over half a century Philamlife had dominated the financial market by being consistently in the number one position having over a million policyholders. Philamlife is not only the market leader in the industry but also the most trusted winning multiple local and international awards like the "Reader's Digest Philippines" trusted brand and "Super brands Asia's Top Performer" to name a few and is a member of the American International Group, Inc. (AIG), world Leaders in insurance and financial services. AIG is acknowledged as one of the strongest and most stable insurance and financial services organization and ranks as one of the top companies in the world in e company which has evidence of financial strength.

The reason why most people fail in planning their financial future is that they are often under the mercy of who they talk to. That means they could be getting bad advise form someone who is has no knowledge or experience in the subject and is just giving bad advise or a con artist looking for a way to make quick money. One of the ways to avoid a con is to learn the tricks of the trade.
Did you Know that it takes more time studying to be a masseuse than studying to be a financial advisor? The fact is that some so called financial advisors are just throwing out technical jargons they themselves do not comprehend in an attempt to sound more intelligent than their clients.
In any business there are always good and bad people involved. There are agents looking for a long term client relationship and there are ones looking for a "screw-you-now, I'll take as much as I can because you'll never see me again" transaction.

If you already know the myths and ready to plan your financial future, PHILAMLIFE have the best products available in the market. You are free to choose from a wide array of Philam Plans like Philam insurance plans, Philam investment plans, Philam savings plans, Philam mutual fund plans, and Philam Financial planning services.

Insurance is an integral part of financial planning and it would be the planner's responsibility to chose the insurance company which has evidence of financial strength.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, occurs when your body no longer responds to or stops making insulin.

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system destroys the body's insulin producing cell. People with type 1 require insulin injections daily to stay alive.

Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight and eating too many calories (and candy has a lot of them) does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Life's Problem

I am God. today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve. Kindly put in the SFJTD ( something for Jesus to do ) box. It will be addressed in my time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. If it is a situation that you will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Remember, I do not sleep, nor do I slumber. There is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need contact me, I am only a prayer away.

Your Breast CAncer Protection Guide..

Last year, I was diagnosed that I had a lump on my right breast.Thanks GOD, Ive done all the test like X-ray,ultra sound,mammogram and finally the biopsy.........and thanks to GOD it's negative result...It's just a soft tissue.. I want to share to the readers "Why mammograms still matter and other must know facts to lower your risk. Women are terrified of breast cancer. A recent survey by the Society for WOmen's Health Research found that it's the most feared illness among women, ranked higher than heart disease, HIV and AIDS, ALzheimer or ovarian cancer. Yet experts are seeing an alarming trend.MAny women are skipping crucial preventive measures, including getting an "ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM".

The death rate form this disease has been going down, partly beacuse cancers are being found earlier.When a woman doesn't get a mammogram, we're loosing an oppurtunity to catch cancer in it's earliest,most curable stage. Two big problems are that women are confused about what affects their risk, and they aren't sure which test go get when.Despite confusing headlines that have questioned whether mammogram really saves lives (specially in women under 40) getting the screening annually statrting at age 40 is still essential.MIssing just one can mean the difference between catching cancer in a more treatable statge versus a later one in which the prognosis may not be as good.

As an experience to me....so it's really up to you to see a doctor annually,have her examine your breast and give you a mammogram referral...usually 40 yrs old and above..Also I recommend that women of all ages and risk factor do a breast self exam (including under your arms) regularly.It doesnt have to be monthly, but it should be often enough so that you have a sense of what's normal and what's not for you.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Texas LoneStar

TEXAS is the only state that was a Republic before joining the Union. It is the second largest state in land mass and the third largest in population. It occupies approximately seven percent of the total land and water areas of the United States.. Now, that is a mighty big.

Texas owes its name to the Caddo tribe - and the Spaniards. During the Spanish exploration of Texas in the 1540s, the Spaniards met the Hasnai Caddo tribe in present-day East Texas. the Native Americans used the word tayshas for "friends" or "allies." In Spanish, the translation came out as tejas. Eventually, Tejas became Texas.


Texas is also known as the Lone Star State, in reference to the state flag. The flag displays a single, five-point white star on a field of blue with an upper white horizontal stripe and a lower red horizontal stripe. Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, to become the Republic of Texas. Texas was admitted to the Union on December 29, 1845, as the 28th state. Texas state government is divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The governor is the chief executive of the state and is elected for a four-year term of office.


STATE OF TEXAS SYMBOLS
State Tree - Pecan, adopted in 1919
State Flower - Bluebonnet, adopted in 1901
State Bird - Mockingbird, adopted in 1927
State Motto - Friendship, adopted in 1930
State Insect - Monarch Butterfly
State Stone - Petrified palmwood, adopted in 1969
State Gem - Texas blue topaz, adopted in 1969
State Grass - Sideoats grama, adopted in 1971
State Dish - Chili, adopted in 1977
State Fish - Guadalupe bass, adopted in 1989
State Folk Dance - Square dance, adopted in 1991
State Fruit - Texas red grapefruit, adopted in 1993
State Seashell - Lightning whelk, adopted in 1987
State Song - Texas, Our Texas, adopted in 1929
Unofficial State Song - They Eyes of Texas are Upon You

Monday, January 21, 2008

Philippines

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.
Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population of 76.5 million as of May 2000, and it is hard to distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.
The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's unofficial one.
The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.
The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible for teaching the Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.