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This is my first ever year-end blogging recap, a tradition a lot of bloggers do annually. I do realize it is important to always take a step back and look at what has happened in the year that has passed - remember the bad with the good, learn from mistakes and grow because of them. I also think it is important to have a plan at the beginning of the year. The plan may not be as clear-cut or complete, but at least there is a something to measure your progress against. That way you can gauge if you did better or worse - and reward or adjust accordingly. Here we go then...

Dreaming of a European Holiday Getaway? Reyjr traveling in Europe I am too.  Ever since I got the opportunity to travel around Europe - to countries like Italy, Germany, Spain, and France - I've always wanted to go back, hopefully next time around, for a real holiday vacation (or maybe for our Honeymoon!) I am dreaming of visiting centuries old buildings and structures in Italy, walking on the cobblestone street, staying at  villas in Greece with fantastic views of the coast, and marvel at the majestic Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.  I am dreaming of the ever interesting Gaudi architecture all over Barcelona and how I'd love to visit all of them one by one. I've been to Paris, France but do want to go back. I never had the chance to go up the Eiffel Tower or visit Mona Lisa inside the Louvre. I'd love to try backpacking around Brittany or Corsica in France, find some nice  cottages to rent  and just enjoy the peace and quiet a...

Inception What can I say? Sometimes there are just things that take a hold of us - a thought, a concept, an idea - and sometimes an idea is grand and defines your life by the choices you make because of this idea, but often it is a simple idea, mundane even. Even so, this idea captures us and it seems we cannot force ourselves to take any other option. Well, since I am really not in the mood for fantastic philosophications, let's forgo the former and talk about the latter. Here's one idea I can't seem to shake off.  Tell me, do you have the same thoughts and feelings about this idea? I'd love to hear what you think...

Earning 10 in 2010 - Online Earnings Update I'm terribly late but still, hello everyone and welcome to the November 2010 edition of my Online Earnings Update . November was not a good month, and it doesn't seem like things will be looking up soon. I'll tell you why in a bit... For this month, I earned only about $7.34 , mostly from Google Adsense.  It seems I've unwittingly relaxed after I received my first $100 on Google Adsense! Wait.. you don't know what the heck I'm talking about? If it is your first time reading a post from this series, here's a quick background...

Has it been 10 years? Yes, indeed it has! But even though we feel it in our muscles, the panting after every choreographed number, the added padding around the waist like cushions every time the movement requires us to bend, the additional effort to hold a sustained note a steady pianissimo...even though it's been a decade past, the passion is not lost on our years and careers, the energy to the fingertips, the performance bravado, stage presence and the beautiful harmonies still blend together perfectly... "...lumilipad ang puso ko sa awit na aking tangay..."

10 Year Anniversary - The UPCC Batch 2000 Batchmates (from left) Josette, Raisa, Liz, Reyjr, Shaina, Roger, Emily, Ging and Deo. The UPCC concert  is in 2 days and I still haven't fully recovered from my cough and colds.  I am still a little hoarse, but hopefully my voice will be well enough to hit those high notes.  We will be singing and dancing 4 songs: three Filipino songs and one English gospel song...

Tweet World AIDS Day 2010 I recently "Liked" a Facebook Page for UNAIDS , a non profit organization that seeks to help raise awareness and understanding about the virus and how it can be prevented and eventually eradicated.  You can too, if you want.  Just visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/UNAIDS . According to a report published in 2009, there may now be up to 5,500,000 people in Asia living with HIV . Up to 29,000 of those are children. In 2008, an estimated 330,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred in Asia alone.  Please, if you think you are exempt from this, stop and think again, because if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem...

Friday Madness! F riday grips my attention. R estraining, increasing the tension I n my chest. My mind is already D ancing away from my body A nd skipping with glee down the hallway Y es, obviously happy it's Friday. Nov 30 is Bonifacio Day ps. It's going to be a long weekend - with the November 30 " Bonifacio Day " moved to be celebrated on November 29.  Let's take some time this weekend to stop and remember one of our Nation's heroes, Andres Bonifacio . pps. To those celebrating it... Happy Thanksgiving !   Click this to Subscribe to Reyjr.com

Tweet Parasailing in Boracay If you've never gone Para-sailing before, Boracay is the perfect place to try it - with the breathtaking view of the island, the wonderful warm breeze and the accommodating crew to assist you, you will surely enjoy the experience. We sure did! Excited to fly Para-sailing style for the first time! We were leaving Boracay the next morning and were feeling adventurous enough to try either the "Helmet Diving" or "ParaSailing" , and eventually decided on the latter...

Tweet Pacquiao defeats Margarito! With speed and agility, Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao has defeated the taller (by almost 5 inches) and heavier (by up to 20 lbs) Antonio Margarito to capture his 8th world title, WBC Welterweight Champion.

Tweet Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree My room in Batangas needed some cheering up for the coming holidays, and so I went and got myself a Christmas Tree . :D I found just the Christmas tree I needed at Ace Hardware in SM Batangas. It is small enough to not crowd my small room but big enough to cheer it up, plus it's easy to set up - no other connecting parts save for the stand.  Aside from the tree, I also got some blue and silver frosted decorations, and of course, some Christmas lights...

Earning 10 in 2010 - Online Earnings Update October 2010 Online Earnings Update Hello everyone and welcome to the October 2010 edition of my Online Earnings Update . For this month, I earned about $19.00 , and I also reached my first $100 on Google Adsense! If it is your first time reading this, here's a quick background...

Tweet Reyjr and Michelle sing "When God Made You" by Newsong feat. Natalie Grant After over 2 hours uploading, I'm glad to finally be able to share with you the video below of me and my colleague Michelle Agas singing "When God Made You" , a song by Newsong featuring Natalie Grant. We performed it during the wedding of our former choir's pianist, Joy to her now husband, Mark at the Greenhills Christian Fellowship in Ortigas...

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Tweet Introducing Roxie the Yorkie Nothing like some cute puppies to cheer you up. :D

Tweet Dear friends, You may have heard about the new case filed by the Bureau of Customs (Customs) against Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation . Below is an article published today by Shell in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star to provide the public more information. I encourage you to read more and know more about the issues before making your conclusions about Shell and its employees...

Tweet It was the sudden passing of Paul, one of our elementary school batchmates that convinced us to push through with a grand reunion.  He was 28. Paul is the first boy from the right on the front row. Someone had posted one of our class pictures on Facebook , tagged everyone and began a riot reminiscing spree. Soon a reunion party was being organized virtually. Paul was one of those who really wanted to have a reunion party.  He was even egging me to help him organize it.  A few weeks after that, we heard news of his passing...

Tweet Give a Gift to Nourish a child To commemorate its 18th anniversary, Virlanie published an 18-month calendar which runs from July 2010 to December 2011. The calendar features 18 engaging photographs by Sebastien Cuvelier and Mark Quisquirin which show a glimpse of the lessons Virlanie learned from the children they care for. This calendar is the perfect Christmas gift that would surely brighten up the day of your friends and family. Proceeds will help nourish street children. Call Dana at (02) 895 3460 to get a calendar! See the ad below...

Tweet A House is not a Home "I am a city boy who works in the province", goes the first line of my blogger profile.  That means on top of the stressful days and nights in the office writing reports and beating deadlines, or working under the scorching heat of the sun especially during plant maintenance shutdowns, I go home to an empty room , have to cook for myself and eat while having a one way conversation with the television. Blah. Bleh. Blah. Because of this, my weekends have become all the more focused not only on recharging and relaxation, but more importantly, spending quality time with my loved ones. The 2-hour rush home is always a build up of increasing excitement... and the best way arrive Home is with some awesome " pasalubong ", of course! Awesome Pasalubong! Häagen-Dazs Caramel Biscuit & Cream I don't know anyone in my family who can resist some rich Häagen-Dazs ice cream, so when I heard that there was a new flavor out - Häagen-...