QUESTION: What would you do?

Circumstances come when people develop extraordinary skills that make them standout form the usuall crowd of everyday living. They are good at what they do and they make people happy, but their heart tells otherwise. Madalas to mangyari sa mga tao.

Masaya sila, magaling ka, pero sa puso mo alam mo kulang pa. This is the very very very long and endless topic tungkol sa pagkakaiba ng SKILLS sa DREAMS. Let us see some examples...

1. Bata ka pa, mahusay ka magdrowing, hanggang s paglaki mo lupit mo magdrawing. Pero ang hilig mo ay gumwa ng kanta at magsulat ng novels. Anu gagawin mo? Which path would you take?
2. You have been surrounded by tech geeks all your life and nahasa mo na ang pagaaus ng ibat ibang systems, pero trip mo talaga maging animation artist. Madami nagsasabi tahakin mo ang landas ng isang engineer but gusto mo ng fine arts... what would you do?
3. Parang si Zohan, malupit sa gera, pero love ang hair styling. Dami pumigil, madami ang kumutya, but he made his own decision. Ang tanong, if you were in his shoes, what would you do?

Naun ko lang naiisip, ang dami palang sagot sa bawat tanong na yan. Ibat iba din pla ang kalagayan and situtaions and mga tao. Meron nga ko nakilala sa MRT, name nya Jackie, and we had that same conversation on the way papunta ng Cubao Station. I asked her if she were a skillfull artist but deep inside she dreams about being a nurse, and everybody pushes her to choose the easy path, ang dami nyang sagot. To cut the long story short, bottomline, in conclusion, she answered that she would take the easy path.

//actual conversation happened// ^^

'Bakit naman?'.

"E kasi sa panahon naun, kelangng maging praktikal ka. Even in your case, engineering, if you would venture on what you want, being a ******** , but lacks the skills and resources to be one, lugi ka. Kasi 5 years kang gumawa nang foundation mo den all of a sudden back to zero ka. Sa panahon naun, its really practical to choose the easy lane."

"ah...."..

//end of conersation//

I guess she was right. Being a newly grad student in the 20th century world really is a challenge. Madami nahihirapan sa pagtapak sa corporate world dahil unsure sila kung anu ba talga kukunin nila. Dami good jobs <***agent, etc., na madalas, kinakagat na ng iba para lng magsurvive sa panahaon naun, may mapakain sa family, may mapanggastos sa araw araw, maipangbayad sa tulong na binigay ni tito, tita, sa pagpapaaral... Minsan, kung titignan mo, at kung papanoorin mo and 3 Idiots, di na rin maaaply un masyado naun, lalu na kung ung mga hanp ng companies ay may 5 years experience na sa work. Takte! Panu magkakaexperience ayaw nyu pakuhain? @#$%^&*^^..

So balikan ko ung title ng note na to, What would you do? Take the easy path or take the more risky and challenging path na pag tinahak mo may chance na di kna makabalik sa pinanggalingan at lamunin ng mga buwayang makaksalubong mo? Tingin ko easy path nalng.. ^^,

Readers, vote wisely, este choose wisely. Its your decision as to what path to take. Basta remember to never let your desires/dreams/destiny/anything that starts with "D", go. Kahit na anung path. And always ask guidance from God. He would never forsake you. ^^

Ubuntu Madness

OS or Operating System as we call it, is a program that consists of different softwares that provides users easy access to different computer capabilities such as document editing, program development, web designing, web viewing, and many more. These OSs nowadays are a big part of the computer community for many years now. It has served many establishments, individuals for different purposes such as document editing, graphic designing, web programming, gaming, etc.

The number one Operating System that is currently in use around the globe is the Microsoft Windows Operating Series. These operating systems offer an easy click-and-understand capability to different users. It also offers a user-friendly GUI that creates a more comfortable environment for them and easy access to different softwares that is fully capable with these systems.

There are many operating systems that have emerged within the past few years. I personally didnt have the chance to see and test those systems besides the famous Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX systems. Until yesterday...

I have been eye-ing Ubuntu for quite some time now. The good reviews it has on the web, the easy access to missing resources, the cool interface, friendly community, and the speed has made itself to my top list of priorities after graduation. Pursuing a programming career requires one to learn different environments in program development so I took one, and gladly I was not disappointed on the results.

The interface of the OS is cool, orange, gray and black, with a little bit of purple makes this OS an eye catcher. The fast booting and fast processing of different application also makes this a top-notch one. I loved it the first time I tested it and is still loving it after the few days of testing. The Ubuntu/Linux community is approachable and friendly unlike those I know of, which could only be approached with a wallet on-hand. Missing drivers are automatically searched through the use of internet.

On the other side, the applications are rather frustrating upon finding. For example, Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver are nowhere to be found in the os. So an emulator is installed (WINE) which proved very effective in the installation of my Office 2007 and other Windows Based Programs. Glitches and bugs on graphics could be seen but not that noticeable.

All in all, Ubuntu is the Linux OS for me. I would gladly offer my time upon learning and understanding how a Linux OS work and how could I be of service to the Linux Community, specifically the Ubuntu community. For everyone who would want to try this OS out, I suggest downloading *Wubi, a Windows Installer that would install Ubuntu in your windows os via control panel. To use Ubuntu, you just have to restart and choose the OS you prefer in the bootloader. To uninstall, log into your windows system and remove the Ubuntu OS via control panel.

It is time to learn new things, new environment, and new commands to further enhance our skills to fit in the fast pacing world of today. With a jam-packed brain of knowledge in our heads, we would surely achieve greater success in much lesser time.

Graduation 2011

It has been a mystery how time works its own wonders in the life of humans. One day you are born, then another day you made the worst-mistake-of-6th-graders, then you are with the most influential friends, then....

It has been, what, 15 years since we entered the realm of the academes, especially I...

During the past 5 years of our college life, we have faced numerous challenges that brought us to the tip of our lines that sometimes gave us thoughts to surrender everything up and give up the fight. We faced unimaginable characters of in the academy, encountered different sins and saw different shortcuts and breakthroughs. But through it all, WE have successfully tumbling those challenges down over and over again that led us to this moment...

This morning, we have received the final confirmation of our success in the field of Collegiate Academe- our diploma.

As students patiently sat through the program, as they fought their teary eyes, as they forced themselves to laugh in the midst of the solemnity, thoughts and ideas rummage through our minds- 'what is next?', 'what now?', 'how can I help them?', etc. Mostly, the students were not excited in receiving their papers, but rather excited in the challenges and opportunities waiting for them in the professional world.

I was one of those students with the mind-boggling thoughts rummaging through my head. I really do not know what would be next, I do not have the slightest idea on what to pursue, what opportunities to grab, and what failures might be in hand. Confused, I sat and wondered through that 5 hour program thinking what would be the best entrance in the gates of the corporate community.

I was lost in thoughts, lost in sight, lost in the future. My passion is creating programs and learning systems but deep inside I do not know what to do next. I know I have talents, I have skills, but I feel I am not ready. Just then, an unusual thought came into me. God have been there to provide me with everything I have been needing since the first year I stepped into the institution. That means that God has plans and has WORKING plans for me and for my fellow batchmates. NO NEED TO WORRY and just LET HIS PLANS HAPPEN. Then i just remembered something..

I have a part time programming job offered by Version791.com (Ma'am Maj Labindao & Friends) that offers not only experience and money, but also new knowledge and new challenges that would surely create a better Psalm out of me. God has mysterious ways of working things out, especially time. He assures us that there would be something out there that would offer many opportunities, it just up to us to see those things as opportunity.

Today, March 30 2011, am now a proud alumni of the EARIST College. I offer my deepest gratitude to those people who made a big difference in my life- Nanay, Tatay, Flor, Tim, Joy, Francisco Family, Figueroa Family, Friends, Best Friends, and to the Creator.

Friends, we have still lots of grounds to cover and this path is just the beginning. Do not forget that there is Someone who guides us, strengthens us, and provides for use. Let us see things as opportunities, not hardships. In time, we may realise that everything we have done since the very first day of our lives have changed our lives in their own differences. May this part of our life be a start of something new...

Congratulations Batch 2011!

if only...

"if only..."

There was a very lovely butterfly who captivated the eyes of many because of its graceful air-floating maneuvers and the beauty of its wing-design. Then there was a boy butterfly who flew low and steady to avoid unnecessary attention from different butterflies.

One summer day, the boy and the lady butterfly bumped to each other in a garden and fell into the petals of a large gummamela. Their wings were weakened and it gave them a large amount of time to talk and get to know each other very well. Since then, the two butterflies became friends and later became lovers. It was then that their whole world began to spin and grow in different ways they never knew.

As years went by, many struggles turned the butterflies' relationship upside down and went to twist and turns but in the end, they won their battles. Their passion for each other grew and grew in everyday they meet in that same gumamela that they first landed. Then one day, an unusual event came into the picture...

The lady butterfly had changed so much in the past week. She expresses her emotions too much that it looks like its so overrated. She tells things and promises things to the boy butterfly that is not equal to what she does and what she expresses. The boy wasn't silent. He always make a conversation with the lady butterfly with the hope that one day she would be changed and all will be back to normal.

Weeks, months have passed and still nothing has changed. The boy butterfly was so frustrated that one day he tried to end his life by cutting his wings and letting himself fall into lair of spiders. but he was too afraid.. Then one day, all hope had faded and the string that was once strong is now gone...

The girl who was very careless of the relationship now became loveless. She longed for the boy butterfly to again get her and convince her to change herself but there was none. There are still times when they talk to each other but the spark that was there before wasn't there at now. The girl butterfly didn't even came and talked to the boy butterfly because she was too afraid that her pride might stumble...

Years have passed and the pride that the girl held is now broken. It took some years to break it and make her realize that there was nobody to blame but herself for not listening. The lady butterfly searched for the boy butterfly but to no avail. She approached the gumamela where they met and flushed her emotions out by crying...

...She was broken because of a simple family problem and she made this a great issue that she pushed away everything, including the one she loved away from her. The boy butterfly always tells her that everything happens for a reason, maybe its a challenge for the whole family and only God knows where it'l end. The lady butterfly never listened to the boy butterfly and she continued to rebel and fight until there came the time when she was left alone by everyone, including her own family. The boy butterfly also told the lady butterfly that never ever consider a mistake as a solution to other mistakes but the lady still wouldn't listen. The sadness and frustration even broken out to several mistakes until she was completely untouchable. This made her life's contrast even more darker and gloomier...

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...

...

...

A small etch on the surface of the gumamela were noticed by the lady butterfly. This made her tears flow even more.

Inscribed in the surface of the gumamela are the words "i'll wait for you", written in different times and different years, all written by her boy butterfly. Then she noticed that almost the whole surface of the gumamela have these inscriptions on it. She was very happy and very relieved that her boy butterfly forgave her and wants her to come back.,

She was preparing to depart to search for the boy until she saw another inscription. Written in the top most corner of the flower petal are the words "i'm sorry, but i think i have waited to long" and some kind of location. It was dated just the day before the lady butterfly realized her mistake.,,.

Still not losing hope, she went to the address inscribed in the petal. As she was near the said location, she fell down as if her wings suddenly froze. She crawled her way to the body of a dead butterfly lying inside a ring of carefully tended flowers. As she approached the butterfly, she realized that it was her boy butterfly, lying lifelessly on the ground. She suddenly broke down in tears realizing that the place was intended for her return..

...

..

...

During the time that the boy butterfly broke up with the lady butterfly, he became frustrated and lonely. For some months, he dwelled in a place where he took some time to think if his actions was right. There came a time when he knew God and at that same moment, he patiently waited for the girl's safe return.

He prepared a location where he plans to surprise the girl and convince her to stay once more and setup a ring of flowers to beautify the place. Every day he returns to the gumamela and inscribes the words "i'll wait for you". Rain or shine, hot or cold, winter or summer, he stood there patiently waiting. In addition, everyday, he tends to his flowers for the time where her love one will come back.

One day, he realized the way his body has been entirely sick. The boy butterfly still pushed himself to fly once more to the gumamela and inscribe the location of his surprise for the lady. As he landed, the light went out...

...

...

Lost for words, the lady butterfly only spoke out the words "if only..."..

"if only..."

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...

Hope everybody got it...

-Psalmnoel F. Figueroa

Life

Life comes in different shapes, color, sizes and faces. Ever since the world began, people all over the world experienced tremendous suffering and also extreme happiness. Some are born with good life while others are not. Some survive, while others give up...

I had my own experiences of suffering and happiness throughout my growing years. I had experienced pain, near-death experiences and loss. I also had my fair share of friendship and love. Everything that happens to us has its own reasons. All we have to do is to see and understand them.

Almost everybody has gone through their own losses. From families and friends, grief will surely envelop every soul that it encounters and cloud their mind of judgement. Few have managed to look beyond that cloud and have started to "reconcile" or "let go".

A few years back, I have met a girl student in our university. As months passed, we became friends. As the barriers between us were broken, she had opened up some things that made me envy her and at the same time, pity her.

She is a great lady - A very hardworking student, lovable child, true friend. From the day she was born, she has been the subject of argument of her parents. Her father thinks that she is not his child. This lasted until his father died when she was eight. Her mother worked hard for their survival and because of that, she had managed to enter a university and continue her studies. Just days before the first day of class, her mother broke down and died because of cancer.

Tears fell from my eyes as I listened to her story, but also am confused because of the sudden brightness in her eyes instead of grief.I asked her how could she smile with that pain in her heart. Her answer changed my perspective in the world, and also my life.

"I did grieve for my mom, and also my dad. I loved both of them, and even my father. Because of them, I am here. I could blame myself for all of this but I just try to look into the reasons why this had happened. When my dad died, I was pushed to survive with my mom. Eventually, we became close, much closer than the previous years when my dad died. Because of him, I understood my mom and we became close friends. And for this, I thank him."

"I watched my mom suffer tremendous stress and pain by being a laundrywoman in our little barangay. Everyday she wakes up 4am to collect and deliver clothes in different houses just to fund my tuition. My mom died because of cancer. She told me that in the last week of her life so that I will be ready. I blamed myself for her sickness and had tried to end my suffering as well but I had realized something. My mom had gotten her sickness because of my tuition for my college. She worked hard for many years just so that I could eat 3 times a day. If I end it at that moment, all that I could give my mom is disappointment and more suffering. All she did was for nothing and I dont want that. After some time of praying and understanding things, I had managed to let it go. You see, everything happens for a reason, if you just look at it at the right place."

A sudden weight inside my soul have been lifted up. All my life I have blamed others, as well as myself for mistakes that is happening in my life. I have never realized the cloud that has blocked myself from doing better decisions. Thanks to her, I understood the reasons, as well as my purpose.

Life is not that cruel to us. Sometimes we may be on the top and sometimes we are down. We may not realize the things that are happening to us right now but always think of this:

"Everything happens for a good reason. If we just look beyond those clouds that cover our hearts, we might find the right answer that could enlighten us, and eventually, bring us up again."

-Psalmnoel

...oDesk...

oDesk, one of the Internet's most leading Freelancer site, has now became the official "Tambayan" of many Filipinos (including me).

oDesk is a freelancing site where two kinds of individuals correlate to each other. They are the "Buyers" and the "Providers". The Buyers are individuals who 'hire' the people to do their bidding for them while Providers are the people for hire.

I am a new recruit in oDesk and I could proudly say that it is really worth my time. I have been applying for many buyers in the site and I have seen fast responses (mostly declines, haha) to avoid time waste.

I haven't tried other freelancing sites such as Guru, Elance, Rentacoder, etc, so I could not say for sure how other sites take care of the "Buyers" and "Providers". But definitely I know that oDesk sure does take care of their registered people.

Should somebody read this post and would like to try some of my skills, please to visit my profile or visit oDesk.

oDesk, your one stop shop for Freelancers!! ^^,

...the best partition software...

During the past 20 years, different tools and different utilities for computers were developed and then sold to different markets worldwide. Tools such as antivirus, anti spyware, registry defragmenter, registry cleaner, etc., were spread out to provide PC users the convenience of fixing their own computers for free without having to pay for technician services.

One of these useful tools that ill blog about today is called Partition Managers. What are Partition Managers? What does it do? Is it necessary for every PC?

Partitions are "dividers" of a single hard drive. It gives users the opportunity to have a backup place for files if another hard disk could not be afforded. Partition Managers are softwares that allows users to "cut, format, extend, and manage" their own hard drives WITHOUT the pain of going through extensive steps. Let me explain...

Before, when partition managers' prices are still at its peak, users go through the hassle steps just to create another partition. They use boot disks, and other tools. Most of all, it FORMATS your hard drive ENTIRELY BEFORE you could manage to add another partition.

With Partition Managers, you could easily create and manage partitions without boot disks, without the headache, and most important, without FORMATING the whole system.

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There are numerous softwares in the market that offers these (Partition managers) kinds of services. Some of which are PartitionMagic 8, Acronis Disk Director Suite, EASEUS.

Yesterday, a new NEO Edge Laptop came into our house. Its default hard disk drive has a capacity of 160 gb and we knew at that very moment that we ought to have a backup partition in the machine. So i did that homework.

I downloaded PartitionMagic 8. I have been using this software many times, and i has not given me any problems at all. I installed it in the computer. After a few configuration and reboots, i executed the program. Walah!! An error 117 came up, telling me that the drive letters could not be detected.

I thought it was a software error or bug, so i decided to reinstall it, but still to no avail. I searched through the net, only finding that PartitionMagic 8 has its own sets of flaws, which could not be avoided. I decided to look for the best software there is in the market...

I tried Acronis DDS, but still errors came up. Finally, i saw EASEUS Partition Manager. I bought it and installed it in the system. After executing the program, it all went smoothly from that time. The system rebooted, and all in all, the process just took 10 minutes (included the reboots).

Unlike the Powerquest PartitionMagic 8, EASEUS is one of the BEST software for managing your own partitions. Bugs were inevitable, but still, it doesn't affect the whole system.

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So, if you would like to partition your existing hard drive WITHOUT formatting the whole system, then try EASEUS Partition Manager. Sets up in seconds and processes in minutes! Try it!

http://www.easeus.com/