I AM A WRITER (A Required writing for Coursera)

The first time I ever considered myself a writer was on a summer vacation in my elementary years when I started writing letters to close friends. The exciting part for me was more on writing about what happened to me that day rather than receiving their replies to my mail.

One of my most memorable writing experience was having one of my essays (from an English examination) included in an issue of our school paper. It was about the adage, “Time is Gold” – to this day, I can’t explain why I was able to write what I wrote during the examinations, but I’m just thankful my teachers thought it worthy to be printed.

In college, I’ve had two more essays from an examination that gained the attention of my teachers and earned another publication on the school paper. One was on the importance of the subject we were studying – described as “Rizal’s Life and History”. The other one was a commentary on the conflict between Israel and Palestine over a piece of land which nobody even bothered to take notice until the Jews came back to reclaim what was historically their land anyway.

During those years, I maintained correspondences with close friends – and these correspondences weren’t just about trivial moments of my existence or theirs, but we would also often have discussions on politics and issues of the day as well as reviews of books we’ve read or movies we’ve seen.

Now in my working years, I write mainly to do reports, to compose a research or write a blog or comment on Facebook.  I would love to someday write an Elementary Music textbook, or an epic fiction story that would put my nation and its history in a more positive light amongst our ASEAN brothers.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES

by George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

5 Foods that Are Natural Antidepressants

Stay Happy by Eating the Right Foods

Thanks to:

Tom Servo

 

When most people hear the word "antidepressent" they think of drugs and medicine, but did you know that some foods are natural antidepressants? It's true. In fact, simply eating a healthy diet all around can help to cure a person's depression. I've never been a fan of prescription antidepressants, so I love to share this kind of information with you. Not to mention, you can save a lot of money at the pharmacy buy incorperating foods that are natural antidepressants into your diet rather than spending money on pills and medication.

 
Water: As simple as may seem, water is one of the best natural antidepressants. Dehydration causes fatigue, which in turn, causes your body to not feel so great. People who don't feel well physically, have a tendency to not feel well mentally, as well. Drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily to help yourself feel less depressed.
 
Spinach: Spinach is a very good source of folic acid, which is very important for maintaining proper physical and mental health. A lack of folic acid causes the body to not produce enough serotonin. There's a reason Popeye ate this stuff. Spinach is a great natural antidepressant.
 
Oranges: Oranges and other citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C which is needed for your body to produce dopamine. It will also keep your red blood cell count high.
 
Red Peppers: Another excellent source of vitamin C. Red peppers actually contain more vitamin C than citrus fruit.
 
Wheat Bread: Whole wheat is another food that can act as a natural antidepressant. It's loaded with complex carbohydrates that will help your body produce healthy amounts of serotonin. Try making a sandwich on whole wheat bread with spinach and red peppers, and then wash it down with a big glass of water and some orange juice, and you just got a dose of all five of these natural antidepressants in one meal.
There you have it. Five delicious foods (and liquids) that will help you stay happy and beat depression. You'd be surprised how many other foods there are out there that also act as natural antidepressants. Remember, it's all about eating healthy. As long as a food is good for you and packed full of vitamins, odds are it will help you fight your depression. Now go make yourself a snack.