YOUNGPRO's Formal Dinner

On February 27, the Young Professionals Study Center (YOUNGPRO) toddler students showcased what they've learned about observing proper decorum and manners in a formal dinner. Administrative Head Mrs. Annabelle Del Rosario believe that character education can make a positive difference in a child's life. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and guests gathered for an evening of pageant and dining at CNJ Pavilion, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta.Maria Bulacan.

The venue.

Left Photo: Clarence Cruz, Sherylene Cruz, and myself before the event.

I am honored to be invited to witness this event as one of the judges. I was also very fortunate to speak with the lovely teachers at YOUNGPRO. Teacher Annalyn, Teacher Jen, Teacher Beth, and Head Teacher Sherylene (my dear sister) expressed how their students were so excited about this event, the kids actually did their own countdown for this day.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines' BS HRM students ushered participants and guests.

During the dinner.

The parents were really elated, and we all think that this program truly motivated these children to learn and apply proper social skills. At a young age, they learned the importance of respect through basic practices such as making introductions, handshakes, first impressions, table manners, and overall proper social behavior.

Pannel of judges.

The students and teachers of YOUNGPRO.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6

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Candy Blush

One of the many perks of blogging is meeting new friends. Now I'd like to share with you a blog post of a new-found friend named Aisha. You should see her, she's super pretty!

In her blog, she shared her fair share of depression back then. And it's so generous and brave of her to show her transformation. She stated "Accept what you look like, love your body, no matter what your flaws are". She took good care of herself, loved herself and the outcome is a lovely lady gifted with beautiful oriental features. Not only that, she now administers a site for ladies encouraging them to stay positive.

Read more about her here.

Switching from Blogger to Wordpress?

I wanted so much to switch blog platform from Blogger to Wordpress. After reading a lot about blog platforms, I think I need to switch to WP. Why? Because of special plugins/widgets, integrated stat reports, easy linkbacks, and all other cool stuff that Blogger doesn't have.

However, after doing my research, I decided to push that idea back for some other time.

Aside from it being too tasking, it's costly too. When you import your blog posts to Wordpress, it's said that you'll need to re-upload all your image/audio/video files. Also, you'll need a hosting account. This custom domain I have right here doesn't have a hosting account included yet.

Hosting account is available for roughly $60 and up (more or less PHP3,000.00) per year - depending on where you'll get it. Once you have that, then you can install a Wordpress software, adjust domain settings, import blog, then re-customize the whole site. Have I mentioned also that WP customization cost some dollars too? Well, there you go.

So yeah, I changed my mind. Not now. I don't think it's worth all the fuss and money when it's not that bad to live with Blogger's hacks and third party tweak codes.

I Fly When I'm Jaded

Poem by: Stacey Tee

"We all get a little jaded sometimes,
and we all need an escape.
We all get a little tired of ourselves,
and sometimes we end up in hate.
We all want to have a break;
a reason to feel anew.
We all have devils to face and fight,
in the mirror you'll see them too.

I suggest that you go out and scream,
those words which no one knew.
Then after a while, you may be floating
just out of the blue.

If that doesn't work, try this my friend,
try it with your heart.
A smile, a song, a step, and a prayer...
Give chance for a new start."

Here are two Aerosmith songs that helped me heal when I was a student. Life's been a juggle act and hell yeah, at any age you'll figure out that we all have to have an outlet. Hah! When I feel horrible, I yell sing along to rock and roll because when I do, therapy begins. Up to now, I still do.

"Jaded"

"When everything you see is a blur
And ecstasy's what you prefer...
My, my, baby blue
Yeah I'm thinkin' 'bout you
My, my, baby blue
Yeah you're so jaded..."

***

"Fly Away From Here"

"We all make mistakes,
But it's never too late to start again
Take another breath
And say another prayer...

Then fly away from here
Anywhere...
Yeah, I don't care..."

Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinong bloggers!

I found out this morning that this humble website of mine was nominated for a fun award called "Filipino Blog of the Week" hosted by The Composed Gentleman.

Being nominated alone brings a heart-warming feeling already. So feel free to vote for me, Stacey Avenue or whoever you deem cool for the award because all other blogs nominated are by great (and I mean amazing) bloggers! You may find the poll all the way down the right sidebar just click here.

A reason to give thanks.

Yesterday while I was on my way home in Bulacan, the van I was riding came across another speeding vehicle. What happened was really fast, my eyes were closed then, and all I can hear was the music from my ipod headset.

The next thing I know, my left shoulder and head hit the window when a bad jolt and brisk maneuver occurred. Our driver made another fast turn to the right up to a violent screeching halt. This time, my heart was rapidly beating, I was shaking; it went on for a couple more minutes.

When the roadway officers came, we have already managed to get out of the van. My mind was clear and I could feel nothing but my palpitation, it went on until I got home. Mom took me to the hospital to have me checked. I was observed for a couple of hours before I can go home again. It turned out I just hyperventilated and other than that, I am OK. Thanks be to God.

Marissa's birthday!

February 19 is my friend Marissa's birthday! We surprised her with cake, balloons, and a mini tarpaulin with her recent and high school photo. This bash was full of bloopers!

1. We were supposed to get her silver balloons but the one who bought those is color blind so he thought what he bought were silver balloons. Don't ask who it is.
   
2. Angelique, our Sales Analyst who I planned this whole thing with was late so we weren't able to wait for her when we greeted Marissa! - Sorry, Jig!
   
3. Angelique sent the HAPPY BIRTHDAY email (with Marissa's high school photo) to a distribution list that includes the Vice President, the COO, and the CEO of our company. Marissa cringed and laughed it off like hell... Nyahahaha!
   
4. We kept these stuff (cake, balloons) in Del's car. I bursted some of the balloons while helping him get those out. - Sorry!!!
   
5. Del made the most effort in all of this but he's not in any of the photos. LOL
   

From left to right: Angelique Uy, Florzelech Abriol, Pamela Tan-Maximo, Marissa Tan, and Stacey Tee

Reaching the 100 mark!

After three and a half months at Blogger platform, I've finally reached the 100 mark! So, for my 100th post, here are some facts about this site:

• Original URL was http://kaskaserangtasya.blogspot.com/ with a blog title "Because Life is a Road Trip" until a fairy godmother named Kathleen Co paid for the new domain name as a gift last December. "Kaskasera" means "reckless female driver" while "Tasya" is a rather funny nickname that my father used to call me.

• I've been a blogger since 2005, using Yahoo 360 platform and is viewable by invited readers only.

• Counting of unique IP address visit started on November 22, 2008 excluding my own visits and page views.

• My actual blogging here began on October 28, 2008.

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to come back soon!

99th post at Stacey Avenue

Hello beautiful people of the universe! Today, I created a poll which is located at the bottom of this page. Feel free to vote and help my friend and I about a fashion dilemma we're about to face this summer.

What's up with Stacey nowadays? This girl is well, happy. First, a new Reyes Barbecue branch opened near my place, and then... this post, dear friends is my 99th post ever since I started blogging here last October 28, 2008. Just late last year! So the one after this is my 100th post. Yipee!

However, I'm still thinking of something special to write for the 100th post.

Palaisdaan...

Fish farms are somewhat underrated for its scenic sunrise and sunset. I don't know why there aren't too many Filipino movies or TV shows featuring people dating or families having picnic in a fish pond. Here's where you can catch your own fish and cook it fresh too. Whether it's steamed or grilled milkfish, tilapia, or catfish, it's the activities you get to see and experience together that really makes it worth coming back to.

Photos by cousin Francis "Kiko" de Jesus

Mouthwatering Menu from Chef Bellyssimo

Two eccentric girls and a doofus.

What's for dinner? It's Valentine's Day entree.

It's the night before their Valentine's Day. "Their" because I don't celebrate v-day. For me, this is a day when love is treated like a commodity. The roots of Valentine's Day lie in a pagan worship and festival. Which of course is little known to this date because nowadays, people will believe in anything they want to, anyway - even without digging for truth. Maybe that's simply how things are nowadays.

About the priest St.Valentine? It was mentioned in a Catholic encyclopedia that he was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic church. And there's more than one "St. Valentine" listed than you could ever imagine so that's another story for questioning this person. Anyone who wants to fight me about this may do so, but please try to research first before you roll your peepers.

In fairness to people celebrating this, well we just love holidays, don't we? This is when people are given a reason to shop for gifts and plan for special things to do. I love holidays too, especially if it's a non-working holiday so Valentine's day is not counted in my list of favorites.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade. It's just reality check. It's nuts to conform easily with some of society's beliefs for celebration especially when it's based on crap. Love can be expressed anytime, any day so there's no need for an occasion to send your girlfriend, wife, or mother a bunch of roses. It's sweeter to receive trinkets or be treated on a date for no special reason but by just being YOURSELF for that person.

But that's just my two frigid cents. You may choose to or not to take it seriously and just be happy that we are two different and unique individuals. Thank you.

Great customer service!

Last Tuesday, I decided I have to get a pair of new urbanized gumboots from Plueys. It's for a family event this coming weekend where there will be some puddle stomping action at a fish farm. I have no time to go to Luna at The Fort so I checked their website (http://www.plueysmanila.com) to see if I can order online.

I'm very pleased with the speedy response. Shortly after I completed the order form on their website, Em and Esel of Plueys Manila made a follow-up through email. They made sure there's stock available for the style and size I chose before they get a hold of my payment! They provided me with the freight tracking number right away.

Big thanks to this team for shipping my order the same day. It was sent using Air21 and was delivered the day after ordering! I love it!