Sunday, October 30, 2011

Hooked on Chess Opening Preparation!

November 4-8, 2011 is the schedule of the 2011 Intercities Tournament at Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines and at this time I am so excited to learn that I have in my team superb players in the Philippines. Again, for the nth time, I will represent the Department of Education. Only this time the cast will be star-studded. Manning board 1 will be FM Jony Habla, board 2 will be handled by CM Jose Aquino, Jr., and board 3 will be guarded by CM Rainier Labay. At board 4, the man to watch is Ramil Acosta, the usual point-picker of the team, and at board 5 will be me (an unknown chess player from the University of the East).

The timing seems to favor me due to my 4-day vacation at the office. So, like what I said on my title, I am really hooked up on my opening preparation. I digged on my arsenal the almost rotten book "Kasparov's Opening Repertoire" by Shamkovich and Schiller and reconfigure my totally unused chess database Fritz 11.

Since my task will not be as big as those of my team mates (boards 1, 2, & 3), I will just have to draw my games and let them handle the rest.

Ok. Back to work...err games. I will immediately inform you guys of my struggle at Batangas. Cheers!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Brand New Eye Glass

It seems that I am not getting any younger. Even my eye vision is deteriorating.

Last week, I had my eyes checked by an expert and he recommended me an eye glass that was progressive in nature. I obliged.

I am now wearing it.

BTW, I was told to wear it every now and then. Urgh...

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Applied for the Renewal of My Passport

I am so happy that the transaction for the renewal of my passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila, Philippines was so fast. As a government employee, I have a privilege to go to government lane (fast lane), however, yesterday was a different story. I just stand in line on a short queue of regular applicants and finished my dealings within 1 1/2 hours. Great!

The things needed were, just get an appointment through online application, prepare all the photocopied pages (1st, 2nd, and the last 2 pages of the passport), you have to decide if your passport is to be prepared express (P1200) or regular (P950),and should you want your passport to be delivered to your house just prepare additional P130 for your choice of courier.

My next visit would be the U.S. Embassy!

Monday, October 17, 2011

The ABC's of Creating Life of Your Dreams

Guys! Allow me to share with you this worth-reading material. Enjoy.
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The ABC's Of Creating the Life Of Your Dreams
By Jim Donovan

You deserve to live the kind of life you've always dreamed
about. You can have everything you want in life, if, you are
willing to do what it takes.

I have broken the process into three simple steps I call the
ABC's of creating the life of your dreams.

Yes, having the life of your dreams can be as simple as
A,B,C, if you follow the steps.

Accept...

Accept the fact that your thoughts and actions have
contributed to the circumstances in your life. If you are 25
pounds overweight, you did it by choice. Nobody forced the
food into you, did they? If you are in a job you do not
love, you're the one who stays in it.

Take responsibility for your life.

This will empower you to make changes. A good exercise to
get you started is to take a personal inventory. This
exercise is similar to grocers taking an inventory of their
stock.

Take a sheet of paper and list all of the things you like
about yourself along with those areas you want to change. It
is important you list the good along with the "not so good."
When you have finished, you will have a clearer picture of
what you want to change in your life.

Believe...

Believe in yourself. Dare to dream!

And when you dream, dream big!

The late, Norman Vincent Peale said, "If you want a big
life, you have to have big dreams."

However, before you can have what you want, you must know
what that is. You need clearly defined, written goals.

Start with a clean sheet of paper. Across the top write
"Dream Sheet." Now list all of the things you want to have,
do be, and share.

Don't worry right now, how you will accomplish this. Simply
write. Do this for at least a half an hour. You will be
amazed how easy it will be for about 10 minutes, then you
will have to really think about what you want.

Now that you have clearly defined goals, you are ready for
the next, and most important, step.

Commit to your success...

Commit to your goals, right now.

On another sheet of paper, write each goal. Next to it,
write a short sentence or two about why you will accomplish
this. It has been said many times that you can reach any
goal if you have a big enough why.

You are now ready to develop an action plan. Write each goal
on a separate sheet of paper. Next to each one, list one or
two immediate steps you can take to move toward this goal.

Don't worry about knowing everything you'll need to know. As
you start moving, the path will reveal itself. It's much
like the headlights on your car. They only light a certain
distance in front of you but, as you progress, the road
ahead is lighted for you.

What will you need to learn? Whose help will you need?

For example, if you goal is to shed 25 pounds, you may want
to consult a health professional. Perhaps you want to join a
health club, buy a book on exercise, take a class, etc.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are always people,
probably right around you, who already know what you need to
know or do and would be happy to help, if only they were
asked.

You deserve to live a full, healthy, happy, prosperous life.
It is up to you.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Am So Happy to Receive an Invitation

I am so glad to receive an invitation from my cousin to visit US in July 2012. Actually, this is the 2nd time I got this offer from her (free round trip ticket to the US - yeheey!). This time I won't let this opportunity to let go. I am claiming this offer! To God be the glory!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

World Teachers' Day!

I wish to extend my warmest greetings to all my teachers during my elementary, secondary, tertiary, graduate school, and my senseis in Okinawa, Japan. You gave me so much inspiration and, like you, I became just like you - a teacher myself. Special greetings to my mom, my parents-in-law, and my wife who happens to be mentors as well. Greetings!