I value my family the most over anything else for the simple reason that it is my life, my home. It is where I draw strength in my daily struggle, an inspiration to keep on striving and it is my responsibility to provide for a better, if not the best, living. I share every little thing of happiness, fulfillment and merit with my family because it is in them that I find comfort when I needed. They are the sole witness of all my joys and to every teardrop that fell. Every moment that I spend with my family is so precious and never a waste of time. It bonds us together even closer.

It is important that we show how much we care for our loved ones while we still have the opportunity to do so. There is no greater achievement in this life than a truly happy family. We can choose our friends, or find a good job anywhere at anytime, but we can neither find nor replace a family once it is lost. Even the lost and the orphaned longs to find his family until the last moment of his life. Because no matter how long and far our journey is, it is our home that we return to in the end. Good or bad that we may be bringing, our family patiently waits and never ceases to care. I am more than grateful I have one…

“Family Matters” was originally posted by Jade Mae at www.globalbusinesspoint.net on Aug. 18 ‘08.

It’s good to get a hotel booking confirmation before leaving for your destination to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel. I would suggest that you check out the Accor Hotels’ City Super Sale first so that you can be best guaranteed that you will get the best value of your money while enjoying your vacation travels to the fullest. This offer is available for 27 cities including Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hanoi, Manila, Mumbai, Sydney, and Aukland but only for a limited time. So, you better catch it before it’s gone. Booking online during June 23-29 ‘09 will save you up to 60% for applicable stays between July 10 ‘09 and Sept. 30 ‘09. Why pay more for the same accommodation and luxury? Not me! This Accor ‘City Super Sale’ will allow me to enjoy an exciting vacation at bargain rates.

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Whew! What’s going to happen next? Prices of basic commodities are rising so fast almost in a regular daily basis. The last time I bought a sack of rice, it was only Php24/kg or Php1,200/sack, about a month or two ago. Now, it’s Php53/kg or Php2,650/sack. Imagine how rapid the price increases? Approximately, 120% increase in just 2 months? How about in the next 3, 4, 5 months?

Good for me that I work at a government bank where I receive 1 sack of rice every month (thanks to my employer). Though it isn’t enough to feed my big family, I only get to buy a few more kilos until the next rice allowance. But what about those who do not have stable jobs? Those who do not earn enough to meet their daily needs? This would only mean that their chances of survival is getting smaller. Life then would be impossible and chaos will soon reign! Frightening isn’t it?

Could this be a start of another civil war?
Consider that as a wild imagination but it is reality. It is not impossible to happen in this alarming situation because many people are greatly suffering while only a few are benefiting. The rich are becoming richer while the poor, much much poorer. In spite of this crisis, let us not lose hope for a brighter tomorrow. Let’s keep our faith in our Creator, after all, His will be done…

“Reality Check” was originally posted by Jade Mae @ www.globalbusinesspoint.net on Aug. 18 ‘08.

There is no cost to join this program — all you have to do is just to sign up and get started! Sure enough, those who did join in this 12-week free course have learned how to become more effective internet marketers. ShoeMoney Xtreme is something that guides us straight to the point! I understand now that it is really not necessary to get yourself your own website to start an online business. No, not necessarily! Yet, it’s a plus if you got one. I understand that every kind of business truly requires a different approach from the others in order to survive in the market and internet marketing could help businesses a lot in terms of reach as well as penetration of information into the intended market in a cost-effective way.

The most vibrant city in the central part of Philippines, that is, Cebu City. This historical city is one of the very promising cities in the Philippines which is often called as the “Queen City of the South”. It is also the Seat of Christianity in the Philippines. Being the country’s oldest city, exploring Cebu City would certainly make one’s encounter truly meaningful given the city’s rich historic past. It’s a beautiful place that’s really worth exploring…

Really proud to say, “I was there!”. Yes, my family and relatives explored this amazingly beautiful cave for the first time on Apr. 13 ‘09 — walking, climbing, crawling, sliding, swimming, and running combined. The entire fun-filled adventure lasted for about three very short hours. And you know what? I’m looking forward to my second visit there — that’s going to be in a day or two…wanna join the fun? So, see you there!

To view the complete 2008 Philippine Bar Exam results, please click Inquirer.net or see here the complete list of 1,310 successful examinees who passed the bar exams in 2008.

Event: Vote Earth 2009
Mission Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mission Time: 8:00-9:00 P.M. (Bangkok time)
Duration: One (1) hour

Visit http://voteearth2009.org/home/ for the exact timing in your respective locations and for more information on how we could help save the earth. By participating in this global affair, we can possibly help reduce our impact on climate change. The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming.

Getting your own web host gives you ample of chances to enjoy extra bandwidth, visitor trackers and your own I.P. As a result, you do not have to worry about illegal situations occurring within your server. Webhosting companies offer various packages of money-worth web hosting services and I found that Webhostingrating.com can help us expedite the tedious process of finding the right web host whom you can call a good and reliable business partner.

Plumeria trees are found commonly throughout the country of Burma and being tropical deciduous small trees, they become skeletons in the summer time due to the falling off of leaves. The stem has dichotomous branches and produces a milky sap when it is cut off. Its latex contains powerful alkaloids. The flowers are showy and the colours are different according to the varieties. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance. In dry fruits the seeds are winged. This tree belongs to the Apocynaceae family and under this family, it consists of (180) genera, and one of the brothers of Plumeria tree is the Devil tree (Alstonia scholaris). It has medicinal properties and its bark is used for diarrhoea and dysentery, and its latex can also be applied to ulcers. Another brother, the Serpent wood (Rauwolfia serpentina) is a shrub and it’s root is used in the treatment of hypertension, mental disorders and related ailments. Another close relatives, Rose Bay shrub (Holarrhena antidysenterica), is also an important medicinal plant and its bark is powerful for treatment of dysentery as well.

In Burma, this tree is called Tayok-saga in general and its vernacular names are different depending on the flower’s colour. When the tree bears red or pink flowers, it is called Tayok-saga-ni and if the flowers are white, it’s called Tayok-saga-phu (scientific names: Plumeria rubra and Plumeria alba, respectively). Another variety is found with pale yellow flowers. Although Thai people believe Lanthom (Plumeria) as an unlucky flower or tree, Burmese admire, cherish and adore them instead. Therefore, it is planted in residential areas and parks for ornamental purposes in general and particularly in the vicinity of Pagodas, Buddha Image Shrines and Buddhist Monasteries as well.

As a Burmese delicacy, steamed flowers are used for delicious Burmese salad. Dried flowers can be brewed up for preparation of a tasty beverage (like a plain tea) and also useful as an herbal medicine. Talking more about indigenous medicines, the branches of Plumeria are burnt down to ashes and is applied to formulate the remedy for diabetes.

Many thanks to Mr. Hank Kyaw Sunn of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for sharing this very helpful information about the Plumeria tree and its positive attributes. I wish you all the best in life, Sir, and please continue to share your good thoughts to my readers. Cheers…

Of course, pregnant women should avoid Phthalates that are the common fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and lotions — as these are used in plastic processing. It is better to use cosmetics that are unscented to stay free of risks on the fetus. Retinoids and Hair Treatments — dying, perming, or treating — may also have some probable harmful effects during pregnancy. Women are so beauty-conscious that many of them can’t live without cosmetics on. Imagine how celebrities would look like on the movie or tv screens without beauty treatments! For women who are pregnant, finding beauty products that are safe for both mother and fetus is essential. The beauty regimen that most Hollywood moms-to-be discover as particularly safe for both themselves and their fetuses is Beaute de Maman. It is a unique line of health and beauty products developed by a board-certified obstetrician and these can treat problems specifically related to the physiological and hormonal changes experienced by women during pregnancy, too. Some Hollywood celebrity moms-to-be who are currently using these products include actresses Penelope Ann Miller, Salli Richardson-Whitfield (“Eureka”), Chyler Leigh (“Grey’s Anatomy”), and Jennifer Blanc. Brooke Mueller Sheen, wife of actor Charlie Sheen, as well as Jane Hajduk, who is married to actor Tim Allen, and The Insider’s celebrity correspondent Victoria Recano, can also be counted among expectant Hollywood moms who have been seen and heard referencing various products in the Beauté de Maman line. Why don’t we order now and try it as well?

A Plumeria Tree is also called in many different parts of the world as a Frangipani, a Pagoda, or a Temple Tree. It is commonly known in the Philippines as a Calachuchi Tree. In Thailand, people call it as Lanthom or LeeLawadee and it is Champa in Laos. Despite its flowers’ sweet fragrance and an all-year colorful appeal, the Thai people believe Lanthom as an unlucky flower or tree. The Plumeria or Calachuchi is a tropical tree, therefore, it can thrive in extreme tropical/subtropical conditions in order to flourish. It does best in the full sun or at least a half day exposure to the sun can make the flowers bloom properly.

This tree belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Buddhists and Hindu use this tree in their religious rituals, however, in the Polynesian culture, the flower is worn behind the right ear if a lady is seeking company and behind the left, if the lady is attached already. I wonder if this tree also has some very helpful medicinal properties. There should be some healing attributes of this tree as well — does anyone know?

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An old tree by the tennis court at the Asian Institute of Technology. I really love to watch this tree in-between tennis games. It looks so sad in summertime as leaves would fall out and lively again with all the green swaying leaves during the cold season. It does give us shade during tennis matches when the sun is in its strongest.

Viewing from the distance, it is not easy to identify an old tree by the tennis court at the AIT, but it’s probably one of the deciduous tropical tree and, certainly, it is not an Old Oak Tree of growing on the Green Green Grass of Home nor weeping willows. It looks sad, exhausted, tired, skinny, and helpless due to the severe summer heat. Every person who possesses nature-loving instinct, will feel pity for this tree. I believe that it is the worst time of a year for this tree. According to the Natural Phenomenon, each and every living organism has its own life cycle. The trees also conduct year-round cycle.

In the normal course of event, in summer time, some trees shed their leaves and then a few days later, small buds start to appear here and there. Within a fortnight, new leaves are rejuvenated and the trees turn into bright pale green canopy looking fresh and young. Subsequently, blooming of flowers follows and that moment will be its most beautiful time of its life. Time goes by and trees bare fruits, then the fruits are ripened and dispersing. At the favorable condition, the seeds are ready for regeneration. It can be called the end of its cycle or the beginning of the cycle — whatever, however you think it is. It is the life story of trees.

The end of February and March is the threshold of summer time in Burma and various kinds of trees and shrubs are flowering in full swing. Exploring into the forest this time is wonderful and romantic as all the plants, small and tall, trees and shrubs, climbers and herbs, bear flowers in various colors. The tiny ginger
(Zingiber barbatum) are growing like a sea of white flowers in sandy ground among the undergrowth while the wild jasmines of several kinds are dancing in the breeze. You can see, feel, smell, and listen to the sounds and sceneries of the natural environs.

Obviously, looking above, you can notice the unique beauty of orchids (Dendrobium spp) of white, lilac and yellow as they are dwelling on the trunks and crotches of tall trees. What a marvelous and splendid scene it is! This is the loveliest time of the year at countryside in Burma. By looking at the picture of an old tree, I presume a good lesson for me that everyone has his ups and downs, and it does occur in plants as well. However, an old tree is suffering from the severe heat of summer, it will have a good time in rainy season. Likewise, we are now facing the impacts of the global economic meltdown, but don’t worry man, a Happy Time will come here again, certainly! I do believe in the Natural Phenomenon. — Hank Kyaw Sunn.

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A special birthday message to our Big Boss…

“Wishing you smiles and laughter, joys and cheers, as well as new happiness that stays throughout the year.  Hope your birthday brings all these and more filling life with surprises and joys galore.

A very Happy Birthday to you, Khun Tanadit kha!”

– FAD Team