Today I received a text message from an old pal and this is what it says:
“Coming October 17, 2008 the sun will rise continuously for 36 hrs (1.5 days). During this time the US countries will be dark for 1.5 days.
It will convert 3 days into 2 big days. It will happen once in 2400 yrs. We're very lucky to see this. So don't miss it. –Courtesy of CNN/BBC News”

Sometime last week another friend also asked me if I’ve heard of this news. It was the first time I’ve heard of such so I tried to research it but didn’t find any coming CNN or BBC. Since tomorrow is the 17th of October I decided to write an entry about this. Sorry to disappoint you guys but this is hoax. False. Untrue. (Just like any other chain letters or emails.) I don’t know who started this faulty report but isn’t it funny how a lot of people spend so much time spreading it?

This online rumor actually started circulating sometime last August. David Emery, of About.com, wrote an entry last 15th of September debunking that “During a one-month period from mid-August to mid-September 2008, over 15,000 postings containing the phrase ‘the sun will rise continuously for 36 hours’ appeared on the Internet.”

As we all know the sun does “rise” continuously. We only perceive it as setting because the earth, while rotating on its own axis, revolves around the sun. The sun does not really (literally) stop rising or slow its speed of setting. So for such 36 hours sunrise phenomenon to happen, the earth would actually have to stop revolving and rotating on its orbit. And guess what, that has never happened and will never happen.

So for you out there waiting for that supposed 1.5 days of sunrise or 1.5 days of darkness, you can continue to live your normal life and go on with your daily activities since no such report will occur.

Warning: This post is a personal entry.

I have been trying to avoid writing entries that talk about my personal experiences because I think of this blog as a way to inform people of life’s various simple lessons. Yeah, some of my posts may not outrightly show those lessons but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Well, isn’t life like that? Life doesn’t shout to us all the answers right away. It whispers to us and asks us to listen patiently. But anyways, getting back on track, this blog is about everyone’s journey.

I know I’ve been really busy these past few weeks as you’ve noticed in my blog. The next couple of weeks will be worse. My finals start this week until the next 2 weeks. Then after that hopefully my spring semester will be totally over. Meaning, I can move on to the next level and finish all my courses with flying colors. I can already sense and smell the sweet scent of success and achievements. Anyways, I was just dreaming. I’m still a bit far from the end of this chapter’s race.

The past couple of weeks have been tough for me. I’ve been slacking off and kinda rushing to beat time and the urge to stay online for hours (like now). Although, I think the hard work is being paid off at the end of most days. And yesterday was one of those days. Yeah, some days don’t really pay off all the efforts I’ve put into.

During Saturdays I usually go to school because I have a general education course scheduled to meet once a week for about 3 hours straight. We had a major exam and a paper due about a week prior to yesterday’s in-class meeting so the professor was due to give back the results. I felt really uneasy when he was giving back the papers since he was commenting on everyone’s performance. He said to one of my classmates, “Outstanding job!” I didn’t know how I did so I felt he would say negative comments or nothing at all. And then it was my turn, he held my paper close to his chest as he thought of the right words to use then he finally said, “Absolutely super A student. You perfected the exam!” Wow. I think I pretty much turned red at that time. Just the perfect words. At that moment my smile felt like it was about to tear my whole face.

Anyways, fast-forward. Right after class, I was the second person about to leave the room when the professor called me. He said, “You’re doing a fantastic job in this class. In fact, you’re one of the best students I’ve ever had.” Here in the States cases like this seldom happen. College professors don’t normally give too much attention to their students’ performance. Ei, I don’t mean to say they do not care at all. By it I mean, for example, they don’t normally approach students to tell them they’re doing great in class. In here when you have a problem, as the student, you have the responsibility to approach your instructor and not the other way around. I mean, we’re already in college right? We’re no longer kids.

So that was how my yesterday (Saturday) went.
It wasn’t a “best day” but that day served a witnessed of how someone’s hard work does really pay off.

So here’s the latest scoop everyone. In my prior entry, I talked about Daniel Radcliffe’s search for an Australian mystery girl who caught his eye in one AFI awards night he attended in the past. A few hours after The Daily Telegraph published their article about the boy wizard’s search, a number of girls stepped up saying they were the one who bewitched the young actor. But among those girls, 2 ladies stood out as the possible mystery girl. Both of the girls, blond 20-year-old Cassi McKay from Sydney, and brown-haired saxophonist Savannah Blount from Melbourne, played in David Campbell’s band at the after party and shared a picture with the actor during the event.

Sadly for our lover boy, both ladies already have boyfriends. Savannah Blount revealed that the actor was very polite, sweet, charming, and handsome. Although, she confessed he’s “very short [and she’s] more for the taller type of guy.” Ouch! On the other hand though, Cassi McKay has been set to travel to UK next week for a four-month vacation. And, she is open to meeting up with the millionaire actor again. She said, “I've told my boyfriend about him and I'd be keen to meet up." And if you’re wondering how Ms. McKay’s boyfriend is reacting to all of these? Well, he is not a big fan of the actor. In fact, he has not read any of the Harry Potter books nor watched any of the movies. Although, it doesn’t worry him if his girlfriend of more than two years wants to meet up with the actor since he “trusts her.” Now, that’s what I call a supportive boyfriend.

Now, you might think these girls broke the heart and the Daniel Radcliffe’s hope of finally finding true love. Well, guess again. Few hours ago, the actor’s London-based representative stepped into the scene and brought a new twist to this whole mystery girl search. Yes, a twist. She told New York’s Daily News that the Harry Potter star’s search was only a joke. She added, "(Radcliffe's comments) were meant in jest, but sadly been blown out of all proportion."

Edz React:
Some people laugh at this whole story. Indeed it is a big joke. Cassi McKay, first to assume the mystery girl title, revealed on an initial interview with The Daily Telegraph that she did not want her 15 minutes of fame and is very much committed to her boyfriend. Oh yes, she and her boyfriend had been in the tabloids and interviews all over the place. And Savannah Blount said she finds the young actor short and prefers tall man (like her boyfriend I suppose). So they were thinking they caught Daniel Radcliffe’s heart. Then all of a sudden the actor says it was a joke that was taken out of context. Oh, wow. Girls take that! Indeed this twist brought the two girls’ 15 minutes of fame to an end. Boy, what a laugh to end a day. I guess noble princes searching for average-simple girls may only happen in movies after all. Ever wondered why Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage never worked out in the end?

P.S.
I’ve researched this whole story and referred to various articles on the internet. Because I used too many articles, I find it overwhelming to post them all here. So, pardon me if I am no longer going to cite my sources.

I know most of you already know the story I wrote below but I still want to put it up and share with everyone. I apologize if you find this entry unpleasing though. I did not post it to insult any religious believe. I, myself, believe in the Lord.

The real message is within the story. I hope you get it and continue to practice your faith or whatever beliefs you might have. Enjoy reading. Oh one more thing, I know Easter Sunday and egg hunting are already over but that's not the main point of the story. *wink*

********************************

Our Lord was worried because there have been too many arrivals in heaven. He called to task St. Peter for the laxity in the screening of new entrants.

The Lord suggested that the new arrivals should undergo some kind of entrance test. They are to be asked about their religion.

St. Peter thought the idea was excellent. After thinking what would be the most crucial question, he came up with the following: “What is the significance of Easter?”

“Well, it is a… er… a day… when… ah… we color eggs and children hunt them in the playground.” “You must go to hell,” St. Peter ordered.

“How about you?” he asked pointing at the second person in line. The woman straightened up and pondered what to answer. “Er… ah… on Easter there is usually this er… bunny. A rabbit!”

“You, too, must go to hell,” decided the exasperated Saint.
The next in line had overheard the previous dialogues. He looked ready and sure of himself.

“And you,” St. Peter asked the third arrival, “What is the meaning of Easter?” The man brightened up and replied, “That is when Jesus was crucified, died, and buried. And on the third day He rose again.”

“Praise be to God” St. Peter exclaimed, “finally, there’s one person worthy of entering heaven… And what else can you say about Easter?”

Oozing with confidence, he went on, “After Jesus rose from the cave, he got out to chase the bunny and hunt the colored egged in the playground!”

St. Peter almost collapsed.

Here are some lines that.. Well, you decide if they work or not.

-----Scene 1-----

Guy1: Uy, email mo naman ako. Kailan tayo papakasal? (Ei, email me. When are we getting married?)

Me: Anong pakasal ka jan. Tseh! Add mo nalang pala ako sa friendster. Nakita ko dun mga anak mo. (What marriage are you talking about. Ei, accept my friend request on friendster. I saw your children there.)

Guy1: Ha?!? Nakita mo friendster ko? (What?!? You saw my friendster?)

Me: Oo nga. Nakita ko pa nga dun yung mga anak mo. (Yeah. That's where I saw your kids.)

Guy1: Walangya. Talaga?!?! (****** For real?!?!)

-----Scene 2-----

Guy1: Ang ganda mo pala. Bat di ka nag-artista? (You know what, you're beautiful. Why didn't you try to be an actress?)

Me: Tseh! Tigilan mo nga ako. Sumbong kita sa asawa mo eh. (Will you just cut it out or else I'll tell your wife.)

Guy1: Hindi kasi hihiwalayan ko na asawa ko. Pakakasalan kita. (No, 'cause I'll divorce my wife. I want to marry you.)

Me: Ewan ko sayo. Tigilan mo nga ako. (I don't know with you. Will you just cut it out.)

Guy1: Uhmmp. Bakit nakalagay sa friendster mo married ka na? (Why does your friendster say you're already married?)

Me: Eh gusto ko nga lang eh. Pauso. ('Cause I just want to. Just setting a trend)

Guy1: Ang ganda mo talaga. Iniisip nga kita kagabi eh. (You really are beautiful. In fact, I was thinking of you last night.)

Me: Hoy. Kilabutan ka nga sa sinasabi mo. Sumbong kita sa asawa mo eh. (Ei. Do you even hear what your saying. I would really tell your wife.)

Guy1: Hindi kasi gusto na ng mga anak ko ng bagong mommy. Yung maganda raw. (No, 'cause my children wants a new mommy. They want someone beautiful.)

Me: Ewan ko sayo. Sira ka talaga. (I don't know with you. You really are crazy.)

Guy1: Nasisiraan kasi nababaliw ako sayo eh. Ang ganda mo kasi. (I really am losing my mind. I'm going crazy over you 'cause you're beautiful.)

Lesson 101:
Okay guys. The next time you attempt to flirt with a girl (lady, woman, whatever!) try to make sure you got no attachments. Because as they say no secrets can be concealed forever. Someway somehow we will know the skeletons in your closets. Remember, we're women. We got great instincts. In short: Always be honest!

By the way, I'm not sure if you'll approve of how I translated the conversations. That's the best I can give you right now. If there are any errors I'll edit them soon.

Reader: Do you have a similar story? Why don't you share your experience by posting it under "comments." See yah!

(a past due post that i finally uploaded)

wow. today's October 31! not that I'm all excited or what, 'cause I'm not. In fact, I even feel anxious since I have a paper due this weekend. And again, I'm cramming.

Anyway, today's not one of those ordinary days here in the U.S. Why? Okay, obviously it's Halloween! And that means wearing costumes, pretending to be the character your playing, and - the most awaited part - Trick or Treating! Chocolates and candies! Of course I'm not speaking for myself here, okay? I'm speaking for my younger siblings who are all excited for their costumes. My youngest brother will be wearing a ninja costume with some other props. My other brother will be transforming his own karate uniform to look like a Jedi - of course he has his props too. And my little sister will be more like a fairy or princess. She will be wearing a gown, a wonderful butterfly mask, and will be bringing a pink butterfly wand. Well, before I reveal my own Halloween get up, notice how all my siblings planned on wearing something nice and "not scary" for this year's Trick or Treat? A ninja does not look horrifying at all nor does a Jedi and certainly not a fairy slash princess (I kinda refrain from identifying her costume as that of a fairy since she does not have wings.)

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret here. A few months ago, I turned to the other side. (scary laugh) Last year's Halloween, I chose to dressed up as a karate girl (my dream!!!). And this year, I planned on stretching my limits and finally have the courage to show my other side. I will be dressing up as a witch!!!

Finally, a dream come true! I'm a witch! Just kidding. Well, I'm not really kidding since I'm planning on dressing up as a witch. Oh by the way, don't tell I'm too old for Halloween and Trick or Treating 'cause believe me I would desperately want to just stay at home from work and finish up all my requirements for school (not to mention catch up on a lot of reading and research). Unfortunately, I have to go with my siblings and watch over them (well, collect some chocolates and candies for myself too. *laugh*).

Halloween is for everyone. That includes you and me, okay? All the children, the parents, the young, and the young at hearts. Halloween doesn't have any age requirements nor limits. Just enjoy! And remember why we celebrate it. Anyway, I may not finish this post since I have to prepare myself for Trick or Treating. Ciao!!

Oh by the way, don't party too much, don't drink and drink, and don't throw tomatoes at your neighbors just because they ran out of goodies.

1. Blackhawk Down - Ibong Maitim sa Ibaba
2. Dead Man's Chest - Dodo ng Patay
3. I Know What You Did Last Summer - Uyyy... Aminin!
4. Love, Actually - Sa Totoo Lang, Pag-ibig
5. Million Dollar Baby - 50 Milyong Pisong Sanggol (depending on the exchange rate)
6. The Blair Witch Project - Ang Proyekto ng Bruhang si Blair
7. Mary Poppins - Si Mariang May Putok
8. Snakes on a Plane - Nag-ahasan sa Ere
9. The Postman Always Rings Twice - Ang Karteri Kapag Dumutdot Laging Dalawang Beses
10. Sum of All Fears - Takot Mo, Takot Ko, Takot Nating Lahat
11. Swordfish - Talakitok
12. Pretty Woman - Ganda Ng Lola Mo
13. Robin Hood, Men in Tights - Si Robin Hood at ang mga Felix Bakat
14. Four Weddings and a Funeral - Kahit Apat na Beses Ka Pang Magpakasal, Mamamatay Ka Rin
15. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Ako, Ikaw, Kayong Lahat
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Adik si Harry, Tumira ng Shabu
17. Click - Isang Pindot Ka Lang
18. Brokeback Mountain - May Nawasak sa Likod ng Bundok ng Tralala Bumigay sa Bundok
19. The Day of the Dead - Ayaw Tumayo (ng mga Patay)
20. Waterworld - Basang-basa
21. There's Something About Mary - Mga Kwan sa Ano ni Maria
22. Employee of the Month - And Sipsip
23. Resident Evil - Ang Biyenan
24. Kill Bill - Kilitiin sa Bilbil
25. The Grudge - Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti
26. Nightmare Before Christmas - Binangungot sa Noche Buena
27. Never Benn Kissed - Pangit Kasi
28. Gone in 60 Seconds - 1 Round, Tulog
29. The Fast and the Furious - Ang Bitin, Galit
30. Too Fast, Too Furious - Kapag Sobrang Bitin, Sobrang Galit
31. Dude, Where's My Car - Dong, Anong Level Ulit Tayo Nag-park?
32. The Beauty and the Beast - Ang Asawa Ko at Ang Nanay Niya
33. The Lord of the Rings - Ang Alahero

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We were really confused. While transcribing medical audiotapes, a colleague came upon the following garbled diagnosis: "This man has pholenfrometry."

Knowing nothing about that particular condition, she double-checked with the doctor. After listening to the tape, he shook his head.

"This man," he said, translating for her, "has fallen from a tree."

-Patricia Longbottom

p57, Reader's Digest. April 2007