Gemini on 2010

I read these forecasts for GEMINI... Hope all is well for 2010!
Happy New Year!

Year 2010 Overview
Isn't it great being a Gemini? All that charm, that mental flexibility, that ability to see both sides of the issue ... you're the wonder of the zodiac. Take a bow. The problem with that is that both sides of the issue have been kind of a drag. Good news: that's all going to change in the next year!

Gemini is one of the few Sun signs that doesn't have an animal symbol, but this may be the year that all of that changes. In the past few years, with Pluto opposing your sign, you've been a little like a monkey, swinging from branch to branch trying desperately to keep one step ahead of the predators and keep yourself fed. With Pluto now moved on into Capricorn, a lot of the major partnership issues you've faced will be lightening up. You'll still retain the swing, but this year you're going to feel a lot more like a hummingbird: still mobile, still getting things done, but in a much more elegant manner.

Your renowned intellect has been strained the last couple of years, as it's been forced to find solutions to the many issues you've been dealt. In 2010, you'll finally be gaining some traction on your biggest challenges, and solutions will flow to you with ease.

My top 9 websites visited of 2009

These are the top 9 websites I visited for 2009.

1. www.starmometer.com This is my favoritePhilippine entertainment blog. I search the site to read latest entertainment blogs. ;)

2. www.digg.com Aside from watching diggnation podcasts and my love for Kevin Rose, I would search this site and read about anything and everything that were digged. I enjoy technology, science and lifestyle discussions on the site. :)

3. www.youku.com This is my favorite site to watch my favorite TV Series like Supernatural, Ugly Betty, Smallville, Kyle XY and etc. I also watch free movies in this site.

4. www.youtube.com I love NOYTUBE! Too bad it was banned here in China last February 2009. Thanks to proxy sites, I am able to access it again. :)

5. www. facebook.com Aside from the banning of youtube, facebook was also banned (whew!) I hated the great firewall of China... Now I can access it again. :)

6. www.abs-cbn.com Truly Kapamilya.

7. www.yahoo.com My homepage. I needed this for my email stuffs.

8. www.google.com Of course! who does not open google? If you want to find out something, google it!

9. www.baidu.com The semi-google site of China... :) Lots of music, videos, images etc. ;)

After a 3-day Christmas Festival

Whew... I was so busy last week preparing for the 3 day Christmas Festival for the school. It was a 3-day activity for the kids to celebrate Christmas. Although I am in China, we still got the chance to observe the Christmas season. I was in utter bliss after everything went successful knowing that we had to prepare for the activity in only 10 days.

Christmas Festival activities including the following activities for the kids:

December 23, 2009 Christmas Caroling competition for children. We had each class prepare a Christmas carol with props, choreography and Christmas symbol costumes. The performances were awesome. I love the infant class's Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer performance. ;) They are so cute.

December 24, 2009 Christmas Games (AM). The children enjoyed the whole morning with different games prepared for them. I am very happy to see happy faces from the kids. It was a day filled with so much fun and surprises for everyone including my coteachers. It was also tiring after too much excitement plus yelling. :) In the afternoon, it was a time for kids to make their Christmas props for the modeling presentation the next day. The classes were very busy working on their props and costumes.

December 25, 2009 Merry Christmas. It was the Christmas festival program. The children performed equally colorful and impressive presentations. There were poems, songs, dances, plays and modeling. My class were very successful in their dance performance. They dance to the tunes of Jai Ho and I know you want me. :)

It was really a very tiring week for me. I enjoyed it alot. I always loved Christmas activities. Belated Merry Christmas to all! ;)

It's almost Christmas...Santa where are you?

I am looking forward to seeing Santa slide down the chimney bearing Christmas gifts for me... ho!ho!ho!ho!

Once again, "it's the HOLIDAYS people!" (an2n3tte's intro) This is my 4th Christmas away from home and I am used to it. Aside from spending Christmas with loved ones, what I'm feeling sad about spending Christmas here is the idea of not receiving gifts from Santa which I usually love about in the Philippines. I grew up with the idea of Santa during Christmas. Back when I was innocent and cute, I remembered hanging socks by the living room window having in mind that Santa on his sleigh ride will drop by our house and give me some gifts. I used to do it every Christmas eve so I can wake up the next day happily receiving little presents like tarts, chocolates, polvoron, etcetera that would fit in the socks. (I would usually use my dad's socks so I get more presents ...hehehe) Even during highschool, I and my siblings still did the same thing expecting that the next day we get cash from Santa! We still did this to continue the idea of Santa for my younger siblings. It was like keeping a secret to appease the kids innocence and fantasy. That was an awesome experience. My parents were creative enough to inspire us with little surprises.

I also missed how my Uncle Atong would give us surprises during Christmas. During Christmas, he would call all of us (his nieces and nephews) to gather around the Christmas tree. (I also love the themed Christmas tree!) To receive our Christmas gifts, we had to render a song number, do a dance number, recite a poem or give a comedy skit. I remembered singing some Christmas songs I learned from school. My favorites were "Come on Ring Those Bells" and "Christmas Shine!" Merry Christmas Uncle Atong... Hope you enjoy this Christmas Season!

Food...food...food...One food which everyone loves is my Lola Rexie's Endolsao aka Hamonada! I missed how I would disturb my grandma while she prepares food. I would go around the kitchen and check how they prepare the food. Aside from the very delicious endolsao, I really missed the leche flan and "lodo" (dinuguan - I call it lodo which means mud).

Singing...singing...singing! We just love to have fun during Christmas. I also missed watching Christmas cantata.

Spending Christmas was really a very nice experience while I was growing up. I am very thankful for all the experiences I had as a kid. As I reminisce all of it, it made me realize the beauty of not just spending Christmas but keeping it in our hearts!

Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all of us!

:)

2009 NOYTUBE Christmas Collaboration

I was so excited to see this very big collaboration from the great founder of NOYTUBE Kuya Jason Telmo. It was great to see everyone united during Christmas season. I would like to thank kuya Jason for the effort, hardwork, creativity and time spent to make this 2009 Collaboration a success. As you said "From all of us, to all of you... Merry Christmas!"

Happy Holidays NOYTUBERS!

86 Amazing youtubers gathered in one
Here are the awesome YouTubers who were
part of this massive Yuletide special. Check out
these amazing individuals:

acboxorig
AkoAySiJoe
ARCHIEzzle
aryxvladimir
BATANGPALABOK
BIGKELE
billyvela
brownandbastos
candiepopp
caspcaps
celebfalath
Citizenmars
cjxtin
CocoaRush13
Davidescobell
DavidoThePino
docmoorej
Domingo0022
dorllymultiply
dynastyman36
EasyRaoul
EdumacationSensation
erjoivy
evancortez2
filipinokid18
FilmakerMike
Filmhawk
FrancisRivers
Gpinoyrin1
Guitarboi619
heavyassault
IchyKute
imangelanjo
IMtheLoSTkiD
ItsMeMrAquino
Jagamp
JamesTuyay
jaredcicon
jesilee007
JestersBakery
jjsilver83
Jlink
jontimes2
jsf22003
jugghead82
JUV02
kazidelicious
kherwin02
kuyawakpojerk
LashNLine
lefeiknight
maexdae
mariazhei06
mazeslick69
MOESHABEAN1
MokongX3M
mrrobertdeniro
mrandersonjohn
msipodgirl
NeutronGirl1
NewRev0luti0nz
nimrak03
olea24
olivmutya
pinoyblueflame
pMLbAnD1994
pogicory1
poox07
prettyjhaymie
rino72
RoyEmpleo
samurye72
sarahbull
saritac
sexcyanip13
skatmadilly
TounyuProduction
trebornoican
tsubasamoore
WalangMagawaProd
whitelovesblack
xcreativexsoulx
yayiemai
yugoban
yuueli



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRuzI-UArq8&feature=sub

Let it snow, let it snow...

When it rains, it pours... When it snows, you slide!
I really love snow. It falls immaculately from the sky.
Just this morning it was so nice to stand and peep outside my windows looking at the pure, white snow covered streets. I did my morning routine and prepared myself for work. On my way to school, (kay bien ignorante) I got my cam and took some snap shots while walking to school. UNfortunately, I slipped. Kablaaam! Arouch. It was semi-Rachel-Smith-back2back-Crystle-Stewart-MissUSA-falls-on-stage scene. I managed to stand up immediately before other people would clap their hands and say "kaya nya yun!"
When it snows, be careful!

Kris Allen: "Heartless"

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

51 Things I found in my house + 51 caps

This was the video I posted on YOUTUBE showing 51 things I found in my house. I really had fun doing this video. I would love to share 51 things that can be found in my house. This video was a video response for my friend johnny! Check his youtube channel out.

http://www.youtube.com/johnnysmooth

Check my Youtube channel as well... I miss youtube-ing... too bad China is still banned from the site.

http://ww.youtube.com/aryxvladimir
http://www.youtube.com/roel

Plight of the Poor Dandelions

I am disheartened about the plight of the beautiful dandelions! They maybe weeds that are unwanted yet give beauty to the surroundings. Those yellow flowers are a sight to see! They may even be of medical importance. Why would they all be sprayed, eradicated and denied of existence? :( sigh! Look at yourself... you may be beautiful yet you maybe abandoned. Will we allow beautiful things to go astray?

Poor dandelions...

Adventure: Banana Leaf Restaurant

Thought for the day!

Adventure

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore. "

-Andre Gide

BANANA LEAF RESTAURANT

Last weekend, I was in Beijing to accompany Rhose to the airport. Of course, one thing I enjoy most during holidays is EATING! I love eating! We went to Banana Leaf Restaurant to enjoy some Malaysian and Thai food. The food was awesome! ;) I would love to go back to that restaurant again! Whew! One of the most surprising thing in the restaurant is the ENTERTAINERS who goes to table and sing for the guests! It so happen that they are also FILIPINOS! whew!

Zhongguancun Shopping Ctr.Zhongguancun Dajie, 2nd fl. (bet. Haidian Dajie & Zhong Jie) Beijing, China 100080
Phone:
010-5926-3666
Website:
http://www.bananaleaf.com/

Allison Iraheta: "Someone To Watch Over Me"

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

Kris Allen: "The Way You Look Tonight"

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

Whoooops the TOP 4 REVEALED! Goodbye MATT Giraud!

Goodbye Matt G... The man who has been elimintaed for three times in American Idol. He definitely played his AI game very well. He was one of the humblest, good, down to earth, honest and sincere contestant in AI Season 8. He made great performances and was gaining different praises every week. As he said, he was like a cat with nine lives and had surpassed the Wild Card and given the Judge's Save for this season.

I personally like MAtt amongst the guys. He was my third favorite guy in AI but he ended as the 4th best guy after a very predictable elimination this day. I love his performances on stage as he is like a combination of a Bubble and JT. I loved his HUMAN NATURE and STAYING ALIVE performances.... :)

The contest is down to four contestants with Adam, Allison, Kris and Danny. Who will be voted off next! Hmmmm.. It will be rock and roll theme which means it would be a fun to watch Allison and Adam. I hope Kris would do some good arrangements to make a rock and roll song into a feel good folk/indie rock! ;) For Danny... I think he can just be himself again. I think he has strong voting population but sad to say, I am tired of watching him doing same, predictable, mediocre performance. ;(

I can't wait to see the AI finals. Still, I would want to see Kris and Adam in the final two.

AI Top 5: RAT PACK WEEK

Whoooops.. THE AI is down to its TOP 5 of this season. Honestly, they are by far the best 5 remaining contestants AI to date. The eliminations would be unpredictable...America would be voting again. (btw, I am not American neither am I in America.. just SHUT UP! I am an AI fan.. OK!) This week would be very enticing knowing that it is a week of great classic song choices from three dead guys (Frank, Sammy and Dean.. Whew I am not a fan of the 2 latter artists.. but I heard alot of Frank Sinatra's song since I was a kid.) The song choices would be a risk for the AI contestants as they will have to choose a great song and perform it with the intention to make it original and current. We have also seen song arrangements from Kris and Adam last week which was not new in AI. (David Cook did "Always be My Baby" arrangement last season) BUT Since when was American Idol has become A SONG ARRANGING COMPETITION than a SINGING COMPETITION? Well, It is still a singing competition but I think arranging the song would only mean to fit the songs to their voice styles, range and techniques.

Whew... We have 5 contestants left and I am sure it would be very unpredictable to see who goes home now... Honestly amongst the contenders DANNY GOKERSTEIN has never showed originality in the competition... I guess, he is one singer who would definitely fit the term KARAOKE-ish. He never showed his skills so far. I don't see him as a future recording artist. Still, the judges would give him strangely, out-of-pity, weird praises after performances. HE should have left early in the show. But he has a good voice. (Hmmmmp.. I liked him earlier during Hollywood week..but not now.) He may sing the song MY WAY to tell everyone he does his own thing in his way!

Other contestants may have a good singing career after AI. Allison, may be a girl rock star in the future which is a fad this time. If she continues to show some glamour and personality, she can make it to the top 2. She can definitely sing the song I've Got you Under my Skin!

Matt, may seem to be one very creative performer. Thank goodness he was saved! I like Matt and his falsetto! He made good song choices the past weeks and made varying results after all! ( I love his HUMAN NATURE!) He could be the next Michael Bubble + Justin Timberlake star. Whew! He can sing the song SUMMER WIND for another great performance!

Adam, the most consistent and very great performer amongst the contestants. We are not sure if he goes home the next day and that would mean a TOTAL CHAOS if that happens. He has very good voice, can express his songs very well and is really a stand out. I am sure he would be giving another great performance and that will bring him to final two! (I AM AN ADAM FAN!) I won't be happy to see him leave. Whooops... FLY ME TO THE MOON would be a good song choice!

KRIS, the contestant which has shown tremendous improvements week after week, has won over many hearts already. I did not notice him during the auditions and the Hollywood week. That is why I was not a Kris Allen fan(but I am now!)... hmmm.. but he did very well in his performance of MAN IN THE MIRROR! He is a little shy but I think has a very charming personality that would attract alot of fans. In fact, I can see him in the top 2 as well. He can also have good career after Idol knowing his talent and skills. (somewhat, Mraz-ish, Blunt-ish, Santana-ish... and all the ishms...) He has a place in the folk/indie rock. HE has good looks as well! He nailed a very great song arrangement and performance of "She works hard for the money!" I am sure he is getting alot of supporters now that Anoop is gone(who was the other one who was gone? hate her... Lil.. ryt?) Definitely Anoop lovers would fall for Kris. hmmmm...
Let me see, how would he pull off his performance tonight? I think he should come up with another good strategy. Wait.. He should bring his guitar with him again and sing QUIET NIGHT OF QUIET STARS...That will definitely be LOVELY!

Quiet nights of quiet stars
quiet chords from my guitar
Floating on the silence that surrounds us.
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams
quiet walks by quiet streams

And a window that looks out
on the mountains and the sea,
oh how lovely
This is where i want to be
here with you so close to me

Until the final flicker of life's ember.
I who was lost and lonely believing life was only
A bitter tragic joke, have found with you,
The meaning of existence, oh my love

Flashback on my first day in CHINA

Mild Culture Stroke

China, a country with rich and wonderful culture, i s a melting pot of ancestral heritage of the past dynasties. For people who love the history and the arts, this is the best destination to go. Arriving here last April 10, 2006 was a very memorable experience for me. It was my first time to be outside the country travelling alone. The very day I arrived Beijing, China is still very clear in my mind up till now.

I arrived Beijing international airport half-past 7 in the evening. Taking a connecting flight from MNLA-HK-PKG, I was so embarrassed then when my luggage was left in HongKong because of the limited time allowed for workers to transfer baggage. That means, I arrived Beijing going straight to the Passengers Assistance Area and told them about my concerns. I filled up forms and was very angry due to the inconvenience it caused. I was relieved when the personnel was so apologetic about the incident and promised to deliver my luggage to my flat (my new residence) exactly the next day. (They really did! Unfortunately my luggage reached Huludao City with destroyed zippers and layers of packing tape. whew!) As I went to the exit, a man on his early 30's was carrying my name on an A3 sized white paper. He was my escort. He was responsible to bring me to the Railway Station which will take me to Huludao city where I will be staying for 2-year contract.

People like locusts swarm the streets. This scenario welcomed me in the Beijing Railway Station. Some were like busy ants on the floor moving around and checking the nest train departure. This was noticed in a quick flash as I was catching up time which swiftly speeding fast. Although, I was moving quickly to catch my train, I was keen enough to observe the varied events around me. I made semi-scientific-observations based on my own subjectivity. Knowing that Chinese are non-English speakers, I was very thankful for the gentleman who lead me to the train station as fast as he could. Like Pinoy hospitality, Chinese share the same friendliness to foreigners. In fact, China was named one of the friendliest nations.

Inside the train was a shinning moment for me. It was the same feeling when actors would go to a mall pretentious that people will not recognize them but suddenly everyone would turn their heads and stare you till you melt. It was a superstar feeling. Everyone would love to see you. Later, silent whispers would turn out to be loud murmurs. Each one would try to guess your nationality. Unfortunatey, not one would be able to guess where you are from. I am just wondering if they study geography in HS. Guesses would include XinJiang (neighboring Mongolians/Turks area) , Korean or Hindi. After several guesses, I would say "I am from the Philippines." The Chinese would stare in awe and say the word 'feilipin' (with a hard accent on the last syllable). I would really feel very happy if one would come and get an autograph...hahaha but no one dared too. My 8-hour train to Huludao City was very silent. No one had the courage to approach and befriend me. Not even the train attendants went to talk to me. I was becoming mute. I was also feeling so hungry. I was so scared. I was anxious about the new environment. I was worried about the train travel and my luggage. And I was penniless that time. Thus, I decided to sleep instead. But I was not able to. I couldn't even close my eyes. I never noticed that time went fast. The train attendant went into my four-person cabin and knocked the door. I hurriedly got my bagpack and small hand carry bag and safely went down the upper sleeper. Safely, I arrived Huludao City at 4 a.m. As I got off the train, our school's Vice Principal was there to fetch me.

It was a mild culture stroke I had experienced. An idea that made me see and foretell, like a clairvoyant, my stay would worsen the stroke. I was thinking of the challenges that are before me. Still, I was optimistic enough to say that I can do it. I told myself, I have to face it!

After 3 years here in China, I finally adapted their cuture and luckily never had to experience the mild culture stroke but turned it into opportunities for understanding and learning in a new given culture.

;)

On Philippines: A Nation of Servants

I am so saddened about this article from Chip Tsao. He is such an arrogant columnist...
Here is a blog from BROWN SOUL.

http://esoularium.blogspot.com/2009/03/philippines-nation-of-servants.html


I am working here in China and I am so disheartened by this article which will really cause a problem in my relationship with Chinese here. Knowing the fact that they are so nationalistic, it is so difficult to develop a convincing status for them. I am working in an international school and I believe our company looks up to Filipino teachers. There are three of us in the school and we have tried to maintain a certain trust to our skills and abilities as a worker. Thus, having this article published by such a racist writer would mean affecting everyone who is working here in China especially in Hong Kong.

I hope this issue be resolved and a counter article showing the value of Filipinos working in China would be good for all the OFW's here.

;)

On Tomb Sweeping Day

Yahoooo... I am just so happy that I will be away from school work for three days.

China has many short traditional holidays that they observe in a year. The tomb sweeping day (qing ming jie) which means "clear brightness" usually hints the celebration of spring. This day marks the beginning of planting season and the rebirth of nature. At this time, brown grasses are turning green, insects would eventually come out, flower buds are popping out and cold crisp of spring air is in. Outdoor activities are also enjoyed by families as well.

This traditional holiday was celebrated with singing, dancing, picnics and kite flying in the ancient times. Recently, kite flying is also becoming very popular during this time. Kites may be indifferent sizes, colors, shapes and designs like frog, panda, butterflies, dragon, fish and other significant animals.

As I was walking home tonight, I saw people burning paper money, paper gold and other paper spirit offerings which is believed to be offered to honor past ancestors or family members who has passed away. They say this tradition is believed to be a way for helping the dead person in their other life. Spirit money, paper gold and other spirit offerings will be used in the other life. They also believed that the spirits of the deceased are looking after their families thus sacifices of spirit money and food offerings would make them happy giving them prosperous life. Chinese also visit their graves to pull unwanted weeds and sweep dirt away from the tombs. Spirit money and food offerings are also sacrificed. This is actually similar to All Saints Day for us where we visit cemeteries and memorial parks to pay honor and visit to graves.

I am so happy that I will be having 3-day rest because of this traditional holiday. ;) yehey!

What can I do then? I think I would be sleeping...sleeping....sleeping...

whoooops... wo kun le! wo xiang yao shui jiao. (I am sleepy! I like to sleep now.)

On CAW CAW MEGAN! GOODBYE!

Whew.. Megan was voted off American Idol.

Too bad.. She was one of my favorite females in this season. She is unique and entertaining. She is damn pretty as well.

Although it was really clear that the idol producers would send her packing this day since they do not like it when contestants challenge the show.

Being one of the wild card picks, probably she was one of the judges favorites to stay in the show. Later, she has been seeing challenging the show especially the way she reacts to comments from the judges. The producers might think it is intimidating to have someone challenging the show. Also, I read that her brother CJ was found mocking Kara DioGuardi when she was commenting on a performance. Accordingly, CJ was shouting "broken record," which later caused Kara and her bodyguards to stomp CJ after the show. Kara wanted to find out what he meant by broken record. Megan and her family has found to be challenging the show. This means Megan would be sent home early.

Her Tuesday performance of Bob Marley was also not very good. The judges really ripped her apart after the song she performed with no melody and verging on idulgent. I still like her despite everything. I believe it would have been better if she did Adelesque-performance as Kara DioGuardi suggested. I also love Adele and always thought Megan would be as good as her.

;)

I still love Megan. I hope she continues to make music. ;)

Caw Caw Megan!

On Adventure

I am always reminded of this famous quote from MARK TWAIN

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade wind in your sails. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER."

I always spend my day doing things I think I have to do and not regret in the end for not doing it.

I value everyday as if it were my last. I always find creative things to do in the day. Living away from home may have a tendency to spend days routinely repeated, but I make sure I am different. I always find new ways to spend the day. I creatively come up with new activities to make my day memorable. ;)

This famous quote is like my guide on LIVING in ADVENTURE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------R------------------O-----------------E-----------------L-----------------


Whooops... BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MY DADDY Roger Feliciano.
Thank you for being such a great DAD! I LOVE YOU DAD!
Congratulations on your Ordination. Keep touching lives!
;) HUGS!

ON 150 Best Selling Books

"Books are a ballast." I remember my teacher Dr. Aireen Barrios who inspired me and my classmates to develop a habit of reading.
She always reminded us of being functional literate species on planet.

Recently, USA Today lists 150 BEST SELLING books in the last 15 years.
The list is filled with books that I haven't got the chance to read yet.
Whew! I read 11 books in the top 20... hehehehe!
That was a good number... But after the 20th book, I only read some of them....And I saw some of the other books turned into movies.
:)
The purpose Driven Life is one of my Favorites.

Here is the list:
Top 150 books of the last 15 years(Rank. Title, Author)
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling
2. Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Robert C. Atkins
3. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling
10. Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson
11. The South Beach Diet, Arthur Agatston
12. Tuesdays With Morrie, Mitch Albom
13. Angels & Demons, Dan Brown
14. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway
15. The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren
16. The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom
17. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey
18. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
19. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, John Gray
20. The Secret, Rhonda Byrne
21. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter
22. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
23. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… And It’s All Small Stuff, Richard Carlson
24. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
25. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
26. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
27. The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks
28. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, Kim Edwards
29. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
30. Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
31. A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle
32. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, Dr. Seuss
33. The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz
34. Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt
35. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
36. Body-for-Life, Bill Phillips, Michael D’Orso
37. New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
38. Night, Elie Wiesel
39. Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
40. The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw
41. Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
42. The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield
43. Wicked, Gregory Maguire
44. Good to Great, Jim Collins
45. Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
46. Eragon, Christopher Paolini
47. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Rebecca Wells
48. Your Best Life Now, Joel Osteen
49. In the Kitchen With Rosie, Rosie Daley
50. Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach
51. A Child Called It, Dave Pelzer
52. A Million Little Pieces, James Frey
53. The Testament, John Grisham
54. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger
55. Deception Point, Dan Brown
56. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
57. Marley & Me, John Grogan
58. Dr. Atkins’ New Carbohydrate Gram Counter, Robert C. Atkins
59. Life of Pi, Yann Martel
60. The Brethren, John Grisham
61. The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide, Arthur Agatston
62. The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, John Grisham
63. For One More Day, Mitch Albom
64. The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg
65. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
66. The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
67. What to Expect the First Year, Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway
68. Love You Forever, Robert Munsch, art by Sheila McGraw
69. Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss
70. A Painted House, John Grisham
71. The Rainmaker, John Grisham
72. Skipping Christmas, John Grisham
73. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
74. The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time, Mark Haddon
75. Life Strategies, Phillip C. McGraw
76. Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
77. The Summons, John Grisham
78. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt
79. The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
80. The Runaway Jury, John Grisham
81. Goodnight Moon Board Book, Margaret Wise Brown
82.The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger
83. Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson
84. The Giver, Lois Lowry
85. Embraced by the Light, Betty J. Eadie
86. The Chamber, John Grisham
87. You: On A Diet, Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz
88. The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson
89. Holes, Louis Sachar
90. Digital Fortress, Dan Brown
91. The Shack, William P. Young
92. The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
93. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
94. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
95. The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav
96. Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Marci Shimoff
97. The Partner, John Grisham
98. Lord of the Flies, William Golding
99. Eldest: Inheritance, Book II, Christopher Paolini
100. The Broker, John Grisham
101. The Street Lawyer, John Grisham
102. A Series of Unfortunate Events No. 1: The Bad Beginning, Lemony Snicket
103. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
104. Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
105. The King of Torts, John Grisham
106. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
107. The Horse Whisperer, Nicholas Evans
108. Hannibal, Thomas Harris
109. The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama
110. Running With Scissors, Augusten Burroughs
111. The Glass Castle: A Memoir, Jeannette Walls
112. My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult
113. The Last Juror, John Grisham
114. The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
115. Left Behind, Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins
116. America (The Book), Jon Stewart and The Writers of The Daily Show
117. The Red Tent, Anita Diamant
118. John Adams, David McCullough
119. The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans
120. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Ann Brashares
121. Sugar Busters!, H. Leighton Steward, Sam S. Andrews, Morrison C. Bethea, Luis A. Balart
122. Blink, Malcolm Gladwell
123. The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
124. 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life, Don Piper, Cecil Murphey
125. The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
126. 1776, David McCullough
127. The Bridges of Madison County, Robert James Waller
128. Where the Heart Is, Billie Letts
129. The Ultimate Weight Solution, Phillip C. McGraw
130. Protein Power, Michael R. Eades, Mary Dan Eades
131. Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Marci Shimoff
132. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer
133. Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides
134. Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin
135. You: The Owner’s Manual, Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz
136. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List Patricia Schultz
137. Self Matters, Phillip C. McGraw
138. She’s Come Undone, Wally Lamb
139. 1984, George Orwell
140. The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
141. The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas J. Stanley, William D. Danko
142. The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory
143. The Zone, Barry Sears, Bill Lawren
144. The Pilot’s Wife, Anita Shreve
145. The Lost World, Michael Crichton
146. Atonement, Ian McEwan
147. He’s Just Not That Into You, Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo
148. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
149. The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman
150. Cross, James Patterson

ON the YOUTUBE BANNED in CHINA PART2

Although the banned was lifted earlier Friday, March 27, 2009 but uploading videos from users in China is still not available. I was trying to upload this video in my youtube profile but it always says an unknown error has occured.. Whatever!

I think the banned is lifted but there will be restrictions from uploading YT videos from China users. whew! ;)

This really pisses me off! waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I hate it!

I hope you get to check out my YT profile instead

http://www.youtube.com/Roel

http://www.youtube.com/aryxvladimir

On AMERICAN IDOL 2009

If you are an AI fan please stand up! (YES!!! I AM!!! --Standing up)Every year I am looking forward to watching this reality singing competition for two-fold reasons: (1) I get to listen to old songs turned into audiblicious (audible+delicious) contemporary and (2) appreciate the wannabe-capable-star-quality performers... (oooops, not to forget the characters!?! and show shockers!?!)

Every year I am also looking at performances and trying to figure out my top 3 ladies and 3 guys... This season 8, I had decided the following:

top 3 ladies:
1. MEGAN JOY CORKREY... from auditions alone she was really very stunning and unique.
2. Arianna Afsar ... she has one great vocal (too bad was out during the top 36)
3. Tatiana del Toro ... she can really sing (was once a wild card yet did not make it to top 12)

top 3 guys:
1. ADAM LAMBERT ... He is my projected AI WINNER season 8!
2. DANNY GOKEY ... He is very adorable.. has the voice... good he had a story to tell that led him to top 12 (Rest in peace Sonia(?), his wife)
3. MATT GIRAUD ... I love soulful singers... That is why i like him!

Whooops... 4 of them are still up and running. The show is really unpredictable. The performances are getting better week by week. Let me do some clairvoyance...
1. My TOP FIVE PREDICTIONS for this Season would be : ADAM, MEGAN, LIL, KRIS and MATT
2. Danny gokey will be out and will be given the judges vote to be part of the show again but will not make it to top 5.

BULLSHITTING: ON Youtube blocked in CHINA

Chinese government known as the "enemy of the Internet" has barred access to the most popular video sharing site, YOUTUBE!

Whew.. This recent news is really disheartening. I indomitably abhor this action of blocking website which has a primary purpose of showing realities to the international community. What is the reason behind this censorship anyway?

Chinese government has already been censoring websites they deem politically invidious and obnoxious. Also, this is not the first time for youtube to be blocked in China. Last year it was also blocked because of the Lhasa, Tibet predicament. Violence was shown in a video where the police brutally hurt protesters in a riot. This time, the Chinese government's claim was that a video has been uploaded showing a police beating a Tibetan-protester to death which is said to be a fabricated video. Are they in the authority to say it is fabricated? whew! Where did all the fake come from anyways? If the video is bogus then youtube must be responsible for censoring uploaded videos. Videos showing violence, cruelty and hatred has no place in a video sharing site.
I have become an active youtube user when I found new friends from this video sharing site. Thus, without youtube my day is incomplete. I missed my friends' new videos. I don't get to watch them now. This is the 3rd day of youtube censorship. I miss youtube. I miss NOYTUBErS!

I hope this blocking would be lifted soon.
:)