TDD

Most people think it's strange to travel alone to an unfamiliar place. Some will laugh at the idea and say it's only for people who do not have family and friends. Others completely shun the thought because they see it as no fun, dangerous, or expensive. People may think you're a weirdo, and I know the feeling when friends, family, and colleagues look at you intently and say, "Are you serious?" But for me, solo traveling is reserved for those courageous souls who not only wish to experience the beauty of nature but also want to better understand themselves through their journey. I believe spending time alone in an unfamiliar place is essential for the mind, body, and soul. I enjoy traveling alone as well as having companions; both allow me access to different experiences and life lessons. However, at some point in our lives, we should try to travel solo. Here are five reasons why I think everyone should try it. It tests our courage and h

Moving forward is easier said than done when you face the daily agony living in this sometimes harsh, reality called “life.” When you are constantly confronted to meet the expectations of the people around you—the incessant pressure at work, and the nagging demands of your partner, family, friends, and society—it’s really hard to keep your balance, to say the least. When you are regularly bombarded with crises, it’s a real challenge to keep yourself sane, moreover, have the time to evaluate the path you are taking. If you continually find yourself succumbing to the old challenges, stagnant and not challenging your present condition, you are not growing as an individual. And, not growing is not moving forward in life. You aren’t supposed to be a victim of your circumstances, your present reality. It’s just that you have let yourself be victimized by your inability to protest and call into question your decisions. You need to acknowledge the fact that you are a capable individua

Scoring two impressive children’s literature awards, this historical novel is without poverty of thought. Catherine, Called Birdy , written in diary format by Karen Cushman , bagged the Newbery Honor Book award in 1994 and also won the Golden Kite award in 1995. (Just a quick trivia, a Newbery award is considered one of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature in the US. While a Golden Kite award is being given annually to recognize excellence in children’s literature.) The author, Karen Cushman, is a historical fiction writer whose other novel, The Midwife’s Apprentice , also won the Newbery Medal for children’s literature. Karen Cushman has a bachelor’s degree in Greek and English; and a master’s degree in Human Behavior and Museum Studies. This isn't a newly published book though, in fact it was first released way back in 1994. So, you might ask: why am I so fascinated with this old book and a children’s book in particular? Well, this type of book was

For the past five years of my freelancing career I received more than a handful of questions about it from several professionals. Questions about how to do it, what things to consider, and if it's actually worth the risk. Currently, I can say that it turned out just what I wanted it to be. It's awesome being my own boss, and being able to choose what I want to work on. I'm able to pay my bills, worked on flexible schedules, etcetera. I have no regrets taking the leap from the corporate world to being a nomadic freelancer. But where I am now, as a freelancer, is the result of the prices I've paid because honestly, freelancing is not all about backpacking and chasing sunsets. Every (successful) freelancer has a story to tell about handwork, perseverance, determination, and sticking around despite of all the detours along the way. So, here are some questions you may want to consider asking yourself before jumping in. What is your why? Sorry to pop your bubble

"Don't let the good things in life rob you of the best things."  -Buster Rothman How many times have we let ourselves be trapped on the dilemma in choosing between two or more good alternatives? I'm definite we all had those times. Although interestingly, there were those who have mastered the art of choosing what’s best. But what is the best? If it had been choosing between the good and the bad, obviously the answer will be somehow easy. Nevertheless, often that is not the case. Even if we’re to make even the simplest tasks, we are confronted and forced to make compromise time and again. Most of the time we are confronted with either two or more alternatives that were not essentially bad, yet it can hinder us from doing what we're supposed to be doing instead! How are we to deal in choosing what’s best when everything seems to be a good choice? Or how are we to arrange when deadlock with our commitments to our family, friends and bosses? Thus,

You MUST take a break. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student, an employee, a freelancer or business owner, science says you should leisurely take a break if you want to increase your productivity and improve your health which will ultimately bring you more success in your work. Stop working during lunch breaks, stop thinking about your work during these times. Abandon the need to constantly check your emails. Just take your time, leisurely, having your break. You may think you are being productive, yet sorry to burst your bubble, the fact is that the opposite is true. When you keep working during your break-time you are candidly exercising the liberty to clutter your mind. It is scientifically proven that taking a break from work will help you be more productive and allow you more room for creativity resulting in better performance. Aside from that, it’s also good for your health or at least prevent you from worsening your conditions. Dear you, studies show that your mind

Forgive the low quality of my photos here, I took it using my cellular phone. This was year 2007, when we call it cellular phone, not smartphone, mobile, cellphone or phone. I was using a Sony Ericson W700 with just 2MP camera, I hope that explains it. And I guess this is a legit throwback post. Just recently, I found out that the place is now more commonly called Crystal beach, mainly because of the popular beach resort located here which specifically has the name Crystal Beach Resort. And this same resort was where we stayed during our visit, but it's somewhat far from what it looked like before. It looks so serene and remote a decade ago; now it's still beautiful, but modernized. I'm not sure what's the best, but I think I'll still pick how it looked and felt ten years ago. By then, we just knew it by the name La Paz beach. So the story goes this way... There was no plan. My sister and I together with some friends embarked on a road-trip without a