OUT OF ORDER

OUT OF ORDER!

What does "out of order" mean?

http://idioms.yourdictionary.com/out-of-order

1. Not functioning well, not operating properly or at all, as in The oil burner is out of order again. [Mid-1500s]

2. Unsuitable, inappropriate, as in Her comments about the management were out of order. Also see out of line, def. 1.

3.Not following parliamentary procedure, as in The chair called him out of order.

I guess out of order does not fit in this case...

Streetfood in Rangnam, Bangkok

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Can we be friends?

People from different walks in life can still live together in harmony.

This the concept of Unity in Diversity!

From Wikipedia:

Unity in diversity is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation" that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions. 

No matter how different we are ~~~ in age, form, language, religion, race, culture, profession, student or no work at all ~~~ we can still find things to talk about, to share, to enhance knowledge with interesting interactions.

Our differences will not be the hindrance especially if we have the same purpose in life like:

~~~ working together for peace and prosperity

~~~ or having the same goal as performance excellence

~~~ or just wanting to share cultures and know more about each other.

In the blogging world, this motto "Unity in Diversity" holds true:

~~~ the young and old minds meet

~~~ the rich and poor has no boundaries

~~~ the happy and the sad exchange experiences through words and photos.

And the sharing just flows and we can find so many topics (many of which never ever even crossed our minds until now) and we realize that knowledge exchange is endless!!!

Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida

ON LAZINESS AND ILLNESS

Am I just tired?... or Am I lazy?

I asked one of my friends, if the reason he is sleepy is because he is tired... or is it because he is lazy!

It worries me to see him seem so slow ... and so ill-looking.

He answered he is not feeling well... and he eventually said he is also depressed.

We forced him to have a check-up and found out he is really sick and needed an operation!

So the question goes again:

Am I just tired?... or Am I lazy?

And the answer is None of the above!

We have to communicate with the people around us so they will not misinterpret illness and depression with laziness.

If we do not talk, people around us will continue to feel bad about our attitude, thinking you don't want to work when in fact, you are really suffering! You will lose respect in the process.

Why do we deny the presence of illness? 

Is it because we are really afraid to have a real dreaded disease... cancer for example?

True, fear is a natural emotion and reaction.

But, if we resort to denial, all the more the illness will worsen and we might not recover at all!

When we are at this stage, it helps to find someone to talk to.

This helps you gain a better perspective of things around you.

It is difficult to be misunderstood to be lazy, when actually you are sick and depressed!

Call a friend... express your sentiments... for all you know, the folks around you are actually sympathetic and sincerely helpful!!

And, when you are well again, you can gain back your own true self ...  with more vigor and enthusiasm ... and the will to live again with a purpose! 


Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida  

BEACH SCENE IN KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

For us, this picture may be ironic... fully-clothed and half-naked!

Malaysian ladies generally are still very conservative that they go to the beach all donned up. Even their swimsuits are like scuba suits, long sleeves and with leggings down to the ankles!

It was a cool day, the sun was hidden behind the clouds and the waves were quite visible!

The guy continued to enjoy Parasailing.

Definitely, this is not a scene in our beaches...

just outside Swiss Garden Hotel

Kuantan, Malaysia

A CHILD'S JOY

A child's joy is a hug from her teddy bear!

No matter how tattered the little bear is, it is still the most precious thing on earth.

A child does not see new and fragrant...

She sees "time together", caring  and bonding!

A child does not see nice and expensive...

She sees security and sentimentality!!

A child does not see brilliance or wealth... 

She sees innocence and love!

Let us see the world in the eyes of a child...

Not to be marred by external effects like new clothes and shoes and bags!

(Yes, they love this too but on a temporary basis)

But the value of  bonding, security and love!

WHAT SQUIRRELS STAND FOR

What comes to our mind when we see squirrels?

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-squirrel.html

When the squirrel comes into our lives it is often a message for us to have more fun, and take life a little less seriously. We can see this in the squirrel's daily antics in our yards and surroundings.

Other animal symbolism of squirrels deal with practicality. As the squirrel is commonly known to hide and save its food and return to it in the winter months - we take this as a sign in our own lives; a sign that it might be time to look into our own provisions. 

It's not commonly known that the squirrel only actually finds 10% of the nuts he hides for safekeeping. This is another message from the squirrel that we can also foolishly over-prepare. Here there is a lesson of balance to be considered.

This symbolically coincides with the old adage "what we sow is what we reap." What may seem like absent-mindedness is actually a strong message to us to be mindful of the metaphorical seeds we plant in our own lives as they we will surely reap the consequences.

The animal symbolism of squirrels addresses our ability to express ourselves in social settings. The squirrel reminds us to communicate effectively with others, and to honor those around us with our presence (rather than dishonor them with inappropriate or rude behavior).

Let us be like SQUIRRELS known for Energy, Play, Prudence, Balance, Socializing, Preparation, Resourcefulness!!!


Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida

ON PATHS TO TAKE

We usually have so many choices on which path to take and we get confused.

Sometimes, though, we think and we feel that we are lost and we don't have the luxury of choice!

Many times, we feel the road may be too bumpy and wouldn't want to take the risk on passing that route.
Think of it this way, why not change our shoes to make the walk less difficult...
Be more prepared to reach a farther goal!

Or, the road is too smooth but there is nothing at the end.

Whatever path you decide to tread, always keep your senses active... open your mind... and your heart receptive! 

So that when the road is too steep or too rocky, you wouldn't stumble...

When there are forks to choose from, you can decide wisely...

And when the path is smooth and rosy, you can well enjoy the way!!!

ALONE BUT NOT LONELY

Being alone doesn't necessarily mean being lonely...

In fact, it is times like this that I get to know more people.

I used to travel always with my family, so the first time I traveled abroad alone again was initially intimidating.

These past few years, I have traveled alone abroad several times, although, always for continuing education activities.

Usually, I am the only Filipino or sometimes, I would meet a few Filipinos (who I haven't met before) there, too. 

Many times if we are already with friends, we are in our comfort zone so we don't feel the need to get to know others there.

I have met many new friends and colleagues from around the world along the way and usually, I take the initiative to introduce myself and be open to meeting them.

With Facebook, Yahoo and Google, somehow, I hope that the friendship continues even if we may almost never see each other again!

In my last visit to Bangkok, I found out that we usually get to see each other again, and many of them also became friends elsewhere.

The first time I met my friend from Bangkok was in Penang then HongKong twice and he asked me why I missed Macau a few months back.

We were quite a happy group in Penang coming  from Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and me from the Philippines.

One from Bangladesh said hello and reminded me that we met a few months back, also in Bangkok. His Australian friend told him that we  met in Paris last month.

New friends from Indonesia asked where I met their Indonesian colleague and I said in HongKong.

Of course,  if it were not a Conference, I guess I would have reservations about meeting new people.

I even have reservations about going around alone abroad - - a bit of fear on getting lost... and more likely, lost in translation!... and also fear of falling prey to spurious characters!

Even then, when I stay alone in the hotel room, I still am not lonely because of my dear Mac... and my love for photography and blogging!... and, if I have to do other writing or reading stuff related to my work!

from Wikipedia:

Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling in which a person feels a strong sense of emptiness, yearning, distress and solituderesulting from inadequate quantity or quality of social relationships. 

Again, being alone doesn't necessarily mean being lonely.


Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida

TOUR EIFFEL AT NIGHT@2012

One of the places, we dream of going to once in our life is Paris and was so inspired to see Tour Eiffel, Paris' icon personally!

I found out in Paris that the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) glitters 5 minutes every hour after sunset until 1 am or 2 am!!!

We literally ran to the Eiffel just to take pictures of this glittering and after it stopped, we stayed another hour just to wait for the the next light show even if it was midnight!

As I saw the Eiffel, I marvelled at its beauty, the inspiring play of lights, its being an engineering wonder and as symbol of France, one of the dream destinations of many people!

taken using a cellphone...not ideal at all!

This is the GIF with the twinkling Eiffel Tower... but too bad it doesn't display properly anymore!

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From Wikipedia:

The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel, [tuʁ ɛfɛl], nickname La dame de fer, the iron lady) is a puddled iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris^[11] and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011.

The tower stands 320 metres (1,050 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-story building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. However, because of the addition, in 1957, of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building. Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is accessible only by lift - stairs exist but they are not usually open for public use. Both the first and second levels feature restaurants.

The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France.

FEAR DURING AIR POCKETS

I was riding the plane today to Manila... 
the day before there was news of typhoon in Manila.

The young "laddy" across the aisle beside me told the stewardess before the flight, "I'm scared!".

I thought that she was just afraid, but not really. (let me just use "she" and "her")

During the flight, she looked anxious so I thought maybe it is her first flight.

But as soon as the airpockets came, I saw her really express her fear -- with hyperventilation and all!

I held her hand and told her not to be afraid... to take slower and deeper breaths... and tried to comfort her that this will just pass and things will be okay! I told her to close her eyes and try to breath slower!

She calmed down a bit, but in the next airpocket, she cried! I again held her hand and guided her breathing  - - - I didn't want to see her go into HYS (Hysteria) and go into a stroke-like action!

Here is a bit about Hysteria or HYS from Wikipedia:

Hysteria, in its colloquial use, describes unmanageable emotional excesses. People who are "hysterical" often lose self-control due to an overwhelming fear that may be caused by multiple events in one's past that involved some sort of severe conflict; the fear can be centered on a body part, or, most commonly, on an imagined problem with that body part. Disease is a common complaint; see also Body dysmorphic disorder and Hypochondriasis. Generally, modern medical professionals have given up the use of "hysteria" as a diagnostic category, replacing it with more precisely defined categories such assomatization disorder. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association officially changed the diagnosis of "hysterical neurosis, conversion type" to "conversion disorder".

The stewardess came and asked if she wanted to stay with them and she conceded.

I saw her after the flight and she said "Thank You!" That was nice!

Sometimes, we take things for granted. Since I travel a lot, I can just sleep off even the worst air pocket. And, I also have a positive attitude and so I always think it will pass.

What is an Airpocket? According to my friend, the Wikipedia, Air pocket is also known as the Clear Air Turbulence.

Clear air turbulence (CAT) is the turbulent movement of air masses in the absence of any visual cues such as clouds, and is caused when bodies of air moving at widely different speeds meet.^[1]

The atmospheric region most susceptible to CAT is the high troposphere at altitudes of around 7,000–12,000 metres (23,000–39,000 ft) as it meets the tropopause. Here CAT is most frequently encountered in the regions of jet streams. At lower altitudes it may also occur near mountain ranges. Thin cirrus cloud can also indicate high probability of CAT.

CAT can be hazardous to the comfort, and even safety, of air travel.

It is really a pity to see the "laddy" go to Panic Mode! I want to comfort "her" but since she doesn't know me, she might not even believe me! I wouldn't know if she had a previous bad experience ... or she really is the anxious type of person!

I hope she recovers from this fear...she is so young and I know she would want to travel the world!

I hope she would gain more faith... that things will always turn out for the better!