DEAR DAUGHTER DEAREST

Dear Daughter Dearest,

Medyo mabagal akong magsulat ngayon dahil alam ko na mabagal kang magbasa. Dito na kami sa probinsya para tirahan ang bagong bili na bahay pero hindi ko maibibigay sa iyo ang address dahil dinala ng dating nakatira ang number para daw hindi na sila magpapalit ng address.

Maganda ang lugar na ito at malayo sa Manila. Dalawang beses lang umulan sa linggong ito, tatlong araw noong una at apat na araw naman nung pangalawa. Nakakainis lang ang mga paninda dito katulad ng nabili kong shampoo dahil ayaw bumula. Nakasulat kasi sa labas ay FOR DRY HAIR kaya hindi ko binabasa ang buhok ko pag ginagamit ko. Mamaya ay ibabalik ko sa tindahan at magrereklamo ako.

Noong isang araw naman ay hindi ako makapasok sa bahay dahil ayaw bumukas ang padlock. Nakasulat kasi ay YALE, aba eh namalat na ako sa kakasigaw ay hindi pa din bumubukas.

Mayroon nga pala akong nabili dito na magandang jacket at tiyak na magugustuhan mo. Ipinadala ko na sa iyo sa DHL, medyo mahal daw dahil mabigat ang mga butones kaya ang ginawa ko ay tinanggal ko na lang ang mga butones at inilagay ko sa mga bulsa. Ikabit mo na lang pagdating diyan.

Nagpadala na din ako ng tseke para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, hindi ko na pinirmahan dahil gusto kong maging anonymous donor.

Ang kapatid mo nga palang si Jude ay may trabaho na dito, mayroon siyang 500 na tao na under sa kanya. Nag-gugupit siya ngayon ng damo sa Memorial Park, okey naman ang kita, above minimum ang sahod.

Wala na akong masyadong balita. Sumulat ka na lang ng madalas.

Nagmamahal for life,
Mommy Dearest

P.S. Maglalagay sana ako ng pera kaya lang ay naisara ko na ang envelope.

ONLI IN DA FILIPINS

* Nakasulat sa pader:
"MARUNONG KA BANG TUMAHOL? ASO LANG ANG UMIIHI DITO!"
* along a highway in Pampanga:
"WE MAKE MODERN ANTIQUE FURNITURE"
* in a Baguio grocery:
"FRESH FROZEN CHICKEN SOLD HERE"
* in Cubao:
"NONE ID NOTHING ENTRY"
* on a parking lot:
"TAXI AND OUTSIDE CAR NOT ALLOWED"
* along Luneta Boulevard:
"BAWAL TUMAE SA BULEVARD"
* on Jeepney and Bus signs:
"BEFORE PAY, TELL WHERE GET THE ON BEFORE GET THE OFF"
* on a Flower shop in Rizal Avenue:
"WE SELL ARTIFICIAL FRESH FLOWERS"
* on a delivery truck:
"NOT FOR HERE"
* on window of a restaurant in Baguio:
"WANTED: BOY WAITRESS"
* A grafitti inside the cubicle of a ladies' C.R. in a university:
"PLEASE DON'T SIT LIKE A FROG, SIT LIKE A QUEEN."
* At a men's comfort room, above a urinal:
"HAWAK MO ANG KINABUKASAN NG BAYAN"
* at a construction site in Mandaluyong:
"BAWAL OMEHI DITO. ANG MAHOLI BOG-BOG"
* somewhere along San Andres:
"NO URINATING, ON THE OVER WALLS"
* vacant lot near Makati ave.:
"DON'T PARKING"
* at an eatery in Cebu:
"WE HAB SOPDRINK IN CAN AND IN BATOL!
and this is the best of them all!!!
* on a building somewhere in the Philippines...
"NOTARY PUBLIC TUMATANGGAP DIN NG LABADA KUNG LINGGO"

HANDREADING - MARIA DE TENERIFE

Your highly strong and independent personality is shown clearly from the strength of the principal lines on your hands as well as by the prominent mounts, particularly that of Jupiter for ambition, authority and individuality; Venus for passion and sensuality; and Moon for imagination, creativity and mobility.

Your headline shows a writer’s fork. However, I can see that you have a strong sense or inclination toward business, but mainly for personal satisfaction. There seems to have been a long difficult and trying period between your 14^th and 18^th birthday as indicated on your lifeline, either by your being a rather spoiled and capricious child or a rebellious student in school who wanted to learn more than what your teachers knew. In fact, you weren’t only intelligent but also smart because you finished your studies among the top in the class. A part of this period was also corroborated by your heartline which could show your first sentimental fiasco. On the other hand, things have picked up and improved gradually before you reached 20 and still continuing to be positive up to the present.

Concerning your early career, you must have had a difficult time between 21 and 22 as soon as you finished your studies and started to work. Incidentally, you got your first break before your 23^rd birthday that was followed shortly by a radical change or a promotion. However, more changes occurred between 26 and 27, another significant one at 28. I can see that you succeeded to overcome an obstacle either in obtaining a higher promotion or putting up your own business venture. You’ll likely have a very hectic time between your 30 and 40. There’s an excellent perspective for professional improvements foreseen between your mid-40s and early 50’s when your natural sense for business would bloom and mature.

Sentimental-wise, you appear to be a difficult person to contend with, because you’re too demanding to all of your expectations from the person you fall madly in love with. As I’ve said before, you’re a very fiery and passionate person to sensuality that you could easily fall madly in love at first sight. The first two serious love affairs you have had were one between 16 and 17 and the other between 20 and 21 which could be the comeback of what you have now or a completely new one. Nonetheless, there are other faint lines that are showing when you’ll reach 40 and 50 or beyond as the print aren’t too clear enough to be deciphered and analyzed. Moreover, I could see 3 children lines most likely your own as you like to have them or those of your brother or sister with whom you’ve grown affectionate to because you’d like to put off motherhood until later if possible in order not to sacrifice your independence and career.

I can see that you’ve already traveled widely before, but you’ll be doing more in the future particularly to where the sun is for pleasure and rest and to the emerging economic powers in Asia, Australia, South America and Oceania for business. I believe there’s no better place for you to be than your own city where you’ll keep going back and forth from all of your travels abroad.

GOODBYE DEAN EUGENIO!

Suddenly tears rolled down from my eyes as I learned the news about the passing away of Dean Eugenio the other day from the email of one of his granddaughters. For an instant, I couldn’t help but sobbed wretchedly as an orphaned child that I felt so shattered and forlorn for having lost a very dear and beloved person whom I highly esteemed and respected as my own father.

How I remember him very well that summer of 1963 when I decided to enroll in the university after 3 years of reflection since I finished high school when I took up different vocational courses in order to learn a trade so that I could get a decent-paying job in order to support myself to finance my college studies. Somehow, I felt a certain pang of fear and anxiety as I approached his table hesitantly. In a split of a second, I had to stop midway in order to decide whether I should make a go at it or just walk away. In the stillness of such a seemingly critical soul-searching moment, I heard his soothing voice calling for me to advance as he said the magic phrase “what can I do for you young man” with such a smile which could practically make that of Mona Lisa as an obvious sign of derision and provocation. He immediately broke the ice and made me feel at ease as he presented me the subjects for the semester and then enrolled me officially.

Through him, I saw the very image of what I had wished my father would have been as a role model had he ever lived to see me grow up. Even though he exercised the function of a dean, he never showed an air of self-importance and a somewhat dictatorial authority over others. As a matter of fact, he had a very direct and close personal contact with his students and teaching staff which I did admire as his extraordinary human quality. His office doors were always wide open and anybody could drop by and say hello or even consult him for a tête-à- tête without a prior official appointment.

Finally, I’m very grateful for him for having taught and shown me the importance and true essence of such virtue as honesty, humility, loyalty, patience and perseverance, but most especially the respect for others. If ever I succeeded to carry the good name and reputation our school as the only French Government scholar during his time, it is exclusively thanks to him for which I feel very proud to have made it in his honor.

Goodbye Dean Eugenio. You will always be forever in my heart and prayer.

HELP DESK JOKES

Helpdesk: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one…..

Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can’t get my diskette out!
Helpdesk: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, but it’s really stuck.
Helpdesk: That doesn’t sound good; I’ll make a note….
Customer: No… wait a minute… I hadn’t inserted it yet… it’s still on my desk…sorry.

Helpdesk: Click on the ‘My Computer’ icon on the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?

Helpdesk: Good day. How may I help you?
Customer: Hello…. I can’t print!
Helpdesk: Would you click on Start for me and….
Customer: Listen pal, don’t start getting technical on me! I’m not Bill Gates, damn it!

Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can’t print. Every time I try it says “Can’t find printer”. I’ve even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer says he can’t find it…..

Customer: I have problems printing in red…
Helpdesk: Do you have a colour printer?
Customer: No.

Helpdesk: What’s on your monitor now ma’am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket.

Helpdesk: And now hit F8.
Customer: It’s not working.
Helpdesk: What did you do exactly?
Customer: I hit the F-key-8 times as you told me but nothing’s happening.

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Helpdesk: Are you sure it’s plugged into the computer?
Customer: No, I can’t get behind the computer.
Helpdesk: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: OK.
Helpdesk: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes.
Helpdesk: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Ah… that one does work!

Helpdesk: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor,
the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

A customer couldn’t get on the internet.
Helpdesk: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes I’m sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Helpdesk: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.

Helpdesk: What antivirus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Helpdesk: That’s not an antivirus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry…. Internet Explorer.

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screensaver on my computer,
but every time I move the mouse, it disappears!

Helpdesk: Microsoft Tech. Support, may I help you?
Customer: Good afternoon! I have waited over 4 hours for you. Can you please tell me
how long it will take before you can help me?
Helpdesk: Uhh..? Pardon, I don’t understand your problem?
Customer: I was working in Word and clicked the HELP button more than 4 hours ago.
Can you tell me when you will finally be helping me?

Helpdesk: How may I help you?
Customer: I’m writing my first e-mail.
Helpdesk: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter a, but how do I get the circle around it

HOST STUDENTS - SUMMER SEMESTER 2006

Photo: Pablo, Gabriel and Sebastian (Georgia Institute of Technology), Jared (University of Georgia) and Sophie

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE DAVID!

You have an intense emotional nature and your feelings are frequently expressed in extreme ways. On the one hand you may become infatuated by the attention you attract from others, and at other times you may enjoy teasing those you entice and nothing more.

You attract people with your magnetism because you project desire, and you may not even be aware of it. There is no way you can be sure of the kind of person who will respond to you. The result is that you may have become defensive as your dealings with everyone.

You are possessive with the persons you like and love. Be careful you don’t become vindictive because of jealousy. This can cause you endless problems in your relationships. Try to differentiate between people who are sincere in relating to you and those who make no contribution to sustain a genuine relationship. You must also watch that you don’t expect a lot from people, since you are inclined to be an opportunist.

You need to avoid indulging in daydreas so that you lose your contact with reality. The present is so important to you that you may not plan for the future by developing your creative potentials. You can easily get into a rut and wonder why you are not progressing. Develop your latent abilities and utilize those talents by applying them efficiently to your goals. You tend to resent suggestions from well-meaning friends as an attempt to discredit you. This is an emotional reaction and not a valid conclusion when you take a realistic view.

When others are honest with you there is nothing you won’t do for them and no sacrifice is too great. On the other hand, if anyone undermines you in any way, it’s unlikely you will ever forgive them nor forget it.

FROM LONDON WITH LOVE

It was an exceptionally beautiful weather for the season when we visited London between 1 and 6 December, except for Wednesday when it rained almost the whole morning. There’s seemingly an odd feeling of déjà-vu when one is caught in a heavy traffic during the rush hours and completely be lost in a crowded downtown street where he doesn't expect why he was there in the first place.

Suddenly, the landscape would appear so fascinating that one couldn't help but to stop for a moment, then admire the sight and explore its unusual beauty from different angles. Nonetheless, many tourists seemed to be too preoccupied with their priorities to get to the specific places that they would like to be.

Sara and I bought a season pass that was valid for the duration of our stay so that we could hop in or out of any bus when the traffic could be stacked for quite some time. Fortunately, the entrance to many of the famous museums was free of charge and we could just change our itinerary and go to the nearest one where the bus would eventually take us. There was too much to see but hardly enough time to accomplish everything in a few days. On the other hand, I just couldn't believe to find myself in a huge crowd wherever we went to as if I got caught in the middle of a carnival celebration or worse yet, a circus. Even shopping at Harrods on a gray and cold Saturday morning could practically be a hassle. Yet, the people seemed to enjoy so much from the pleasure of buying anything that they didn't mind being pushed around on their way to the counters or standing in line.

At almost 11.00 a.m. on Dec. l, we left Brussels South Station aboard the Channel train. We arrived at the Waterloo Station in London three hours later, with more than 15 minutes beyond schedule. David, our eldest son, was already at the station to fetch and take us to his place. While waiting for the bus to arrive, we posed in front of the Parliament and Big Ben for a picture taking.

After lunch, Sara went downtown while I took a nap because I was very exhausted from the trip and the few hours’ sleep I have had after our office party dance on the eve. At 5 p.m., David and I went to meet my former colleague, Tom Yong, in front of a metro station for a series of drinks at a pub called Churchill Arm.

The next day, I had a lunch at the Barbican Centre with David Lawrence, a colleague from our London office. Afterwards, I went straight to Knightsbridge in order to meet somebody who has the same name as mine that I accidentally came across in the signature book I was updating at work.

While waiting for him to appear, I suddenly felt so uneasy and intimidated as to how I'd react or address him when we come face to face at last. I was having a second thought whether or not to give him a bear hug or shake his hand when I saw him coming. Somehow, I was relieved to see him so cool and natural as he approached and greeted me spontaneously with a big smile and a warm handshake. He invited me to join him for a walk to the park nearby so that we could get to know each other better. Before we parted our ways that afternoon, he invited me for a drink two days before my departure.

Meanwhile, Sara and I went on a series of wild goose chase tours to all the important museums in the city. I was highly overwhelmed by the impressive quantity and high quality of the exhibits we saw, particularly those at the Greek and the Egyptian sections of the British Museum and the old masters' paintings at the National Gallery. During breaks, however, I met and talked to some locals and tourists in the museums, pubs and buses.

Somehow, I found it a very wonderful and unique experience to see and explore personally the many well-known places and at the same time to meet and talk to people from different countries. How I adore traveling! However, I wish I could have stayed longer in order to learn more about the local people, their customs and their tradition

BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILMFEST - 2003

HANDREADING - THOMAS

Dear Thomas,

Thank you so much for sending me your handprints. I'm so glad that you marked with color the two pentagrams you told me about in your first mail. Personally, I might take them for asterisks that resemble a star which could signify a trying or delicate period in your life, but surrounded by a big square that must have protected you from any negative factors or elements that could have affected you even worse if it weren't present. Although the signs couldn't be visible clearly to the naked eye, they're so remarkable that they followed one after the other in succession during and after a somewhat difficult and critical period that have affected your life through a radical choice of career that must have taken you a couple of years or so of reflection when you were almost completing your initial studies, perhaps from medicine or engineering to business when you were between the ages of 24 and 25!

From the overall layout of your hand, you're an intelligent and artistic person who is sensitive and sentimental, i.e you feel melancholy and sadness deep inside you. When things would fall apart and you feel vulnerable and helpless, you couldn't help but burst into tears far away from the indiscreet glances of the crowd. I wouldn't be surprised at all if sad stories or films would easily make you cry. You seem to idealize love so much that you want to find the perfect partner who would share and reciprocate equally your happiness and sorrows throughout your life.

You're so compassionate and altruistic to be easily moved by the suffering and injustice of others that you'd like to bail them out from troubles at all cost. I can easily understand why you dreamed to become a doctor when you were young, because you'd like to make yourself well from the delicate state of health you went through from your very young age up to your mid-teens and to take care of others. If you have a way, you'd like to change the world in your own way so that it could be a better place to live in. Somehow you have had a protected childhood. You're too fortunate to have 3 guardian angels that look after you on a permanent basis since you're born.

You must have gone through a great deal of ups and downs in your sentimental life. Perhaps, you're in love on and off and that you're were so wary not to be hurt again after you suffered a series of deceptions between 14 and 22. I believe your left hand would tell me more about your early love life on how chaotic it was. However, your right hand reveals me that you met your first true and serious love when you were 24, more or less. Unless otherwise I'm not mistaken by the faint lines appearing on your union line, you'd have 3 children! Perhaps the third could be your favorite niece or nephew! On the other hand, you'd still be meeting another one with whom you'd fall madly in love again before you reach 35, or even earlier! Good luck!

Your sound financial situation is guaranteed for life, i.e. you'll not be short of finances even at the last minute! You'd travel far and wide for business and pleasure to Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Career-wise, you have had radical changes and improvements when you were 25 and 26, but the most significant one was before you reached 29! Between 30 and 40 would be a highly fulfilling and rewarding period with substantial expansion and progress foreseen between 37 and 39!

Before you reached 28, your health had bounced back to normality and had improved gradually onwards to give you a more positive and happy disposition.

PASSAGE TO IBERIA - APRIL 2005

GRANADA, SPAIN - APRIL 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!

You are willing to extend yourself for those you love, even when it means you must get along with less. You have strong sentimental ties with your family so that you could have some difficulty relating to people other than your family in a person-to-person relationship. Your loyalty to people you love is admirable, but it can interfere with forming meaningful outside contacts. You are possessive with the objects of your affections to they may feel unable to do anything without first asking your permission or at least discussing it with you. You don’t want to be excluded from any situation your lover may be involved with and you can wear out your welcome unless you change your attitude.

Basically shy, yet susceptible to kindness and flattery, you are uncomfortable with persons who are overly aggressive. You are essentially a dreamer who dwells on romantic imaginings or reveries to satisfy your emotional longings. You are therefore very vulnerable to partners or associates with charming personalities and refinement.

You are unrealistic in facing the harsh realities of life and may postpone taking a partner you are waiting for the nearly perfect individual to come into your life. You are inclined to go more than halfway in making concessions if it will produce greater harmony. Be careful you don’t allow others to abuse your generosity by making excessive demands on you. Your protective instincts are probably stronger than most and you would defend the one you love in spite of the demands being made.

Your career interest might include such professions as law, politics, business management and arbitration. You should also find much fulfillment working with people in social activities as are found in clubs, societies, encounter therapy and counseling. Your mature and polished common sense prevails when there are disagreements in which you are involved.

You are gifted in occupations requiring some business sense, and your ability in management is considerable. You are a no-nonsense person and appreciate the efforts of those who are organized for action. Take care you aren’t obstinate in your opinions and learn to let others make their own decisions. They may learn more when they realize why they failed.

Not content to stand still for very long, you eagerly assert yourself in your affairs. You are usually well informed on every facet of the enterprises you have so that you are able to successfully manage them. You enjoy competition and the risks associated with challenging situations. You never believe you will not succeed, and this raises the probability of success.

Your greatest lesson will come from your relationships and how well you can handle them. Compromise is essential to bring out the very best in you and those you deal with. It is urgent that you give others the same respect you demand from them.

DOUBLE-ENTENTE

Shortly after the language bill was passed unanimously in the Congress to become a law that would provide a better understanding of the business transactions for inexperienced non-English local speakers, the President technically vetoed it because she found the translations were not only too embarrassing and scary but also very vulgar and obscene.

Below are the few samples of the accounting terms, with what the locals would likely take as the appropriate double-entente in parenthesis:

Asset - Ari (popularly referred to as the male organ)
Fixed asset - Nakatirik na ari (organ in erection)
Liquid asset - Basang ari (wet organ)
Solid asset - Matigas na ari (hardened organ)
Owned asset - Sariling pag aari (one’s organ)
Other asset - Ari ng iba (other’s organ)
False asset - Ari-ari-an (tiny organ)
Miscellaneous asset - Iba-ibang klaseng ari (different kinds of organ)
Asset write off - Pinutol na pag aari (dismembered organ)
Depreciation of asset - Laspag na pag aari (wilted or worn-out organ)
Fully depreciated asset - Laspag na laspag na pag aari (organ in its worst lamentable state)
Earning asset - Tumutubong pag aari (hardening organ)
Working asset - Ganado pa ang ari (already satisfied organ)
Non-earning asset - Baldado na ang ari (already exhausted or over-used organ)
Erroneous entry - Mali ang pagka pasok (penetrated by error)
Double entry - Dalawang beses ipinasok (penetrated two times)
Multiple entry - Labas pasok nang labas pasok (in and out in succession)
Correcting entry - Itinama ang pagpasok (rectifying the penetration)
Reversing entry - Baligtad ang pagkakapasok (penetration by the rear)
Dead asset - Patay na ARI (The ORGAN is dead and kaput!)

REFLECTION By Anonymous

Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren

Before you argue about your dirty house; someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet

And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around

Life is a gift
Live it...
Enjoy it...
Celebrate it...
And fulfill it.

Top of Form

TWO TRUE STORIES ABOUT RACISM

1) Oprah Winfrey Show
I'm sure many of you watched the recent taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show where her guest was Tommy Hilfiger. On the show, she asked him if the statements about race he was accused of saying were true. Statements like"..."If I'd known African-Americans, Hispanics, Jewish and Asians would buy my clothes, I WOULD NOT have made them so nice. I wish these people would *NOT* buy my clothes, as they are made for upper class white people."

His answer to Oprah was a simple "YES". Where after she immediately asked him to leave her show.

My suggestion? Don't buy your next shirt or perfume from Tommy Hilfiger. Let's give him what he asked for. Let's not buy his clothes, let's put Him in a financial state where he himself will not be able to afford the ridiculous prices he puts on his clothes. BOYCOTT. PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ANYONE YOU KNOW. Then send it to the whole community that's not white people and see the result. We have to see the result of unity.

Let's find out if Non-whites really play such a small part in the world. Stop buying any range of their product, perfume, cosmetics, clothes, bags, etc.,

2) Scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg and London.
A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess. "Madam, what is the matter," the hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this Flight is taken. I will go to see if another place is available." The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. "Madam, Just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is a seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class." Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued: "It is not Usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting." She turned to the black guy, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class." At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had Just witnessed stood up and applauded.

Both the above are true stories. If You are against racism, please copy and send this message to all your friends.

TRANSHUMANCE FESTIVAL IN EGUILLES, FRANCE - 25 MAY 2006

ONCE UPON A DREAM...

In the spring of 1967, I competed with a number of students from different universities in an examination given by the French Government. The main prize at stake was a round-trip ticket to Paris plus a year fully-paid scholarship grant at the University de Lille. Although I was not officially endorsed to represent my school, I boldly made a go at it on my own personal initiative because it was my only and unique chance to make my dream come true, i.e. to go overseas without incurring a major financial undertaking. Alas, my initial hope crumbled when I did not make it through the last question of the oral examination. In a flashback, however, I could have passed it by default had I only known in advance the nationality of Jean-Jacques Rousseau was not French, but Swiss!

Worse yet, that summer I experienced the most frustrating setback in my life that had plunged me deeper into despair and desolation but short of a major nervous breakdown. The underlying reason for which was that I was very confident that I though I already had the post I applied for at the Foreign Office exclusively for myself because I had passed all the required entrance examinations successfully, complete with the appropriate experience and the necessary civil service qualification. What an utterly fool I had made of myself to have believed so naively that such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could only be too good to be true!

On the big day that I thought I would be signing the employment contract and assume my post officially, I nearly passed out from seeing the event turned suddenly into a nightmare as I witnessed helplessly in confusion how I was being practically bypassed by a young and unexperienced newly graduate who was already occupying the desk that was supposed to be intended for me while she was being personally escorted and recommended by an influential family acquaintance employed internally who was seemingly in a very intimate conversation with the head of the department at the moment as I waited for my turn. As a consolation, I only got the same old refrain "don't call us, we'll call you once a suitable post would be available in due course!" How on the earth could such a thing ever happen to me at the most crucial moment that I was so desperately counting on as if my whole future only depended on it? What an ironic twist of destiny that I even had to sacrifice and resign from a very promising and stable position in an international organization the month before so that I could serve my own country!

In the aftermath of all this chain of unlucky incidents, I just felt so badly humiliated and totally betrayed by such a flagrant and vicious practice that I completely lost whatever trust I had in the political system. What else were my options and raison d’être of staying behind and fighting against injustice and corruption when I already knew from the start that I was only waging a losing battle? Feeling too vulnerable and forlorn to see that my only opportunity to serve my own government being practically shattered and disintegrated right in front of my eyes, I firmly decided right there and then to leave the country for good. In my state of rage and frustration, however, the thought of losing my temper by attacking blindly the authorities would not only prove to be a quixotic and suicidal initiative but also a totally useless and ephemeral cause to die for.

Finally, I chose to remain alive and be a coward than to be dead and become a martyr or an unsung hero who would only to be forgotten before he could be completely buried six feet under the ground. Moreover, such a radical reaction would very likely be tantamount to be sentenced to imprisonment without a fair trial for sedition or treason against the internal security of the state which could subsequently compromise my precarious situation and jeopardize my plan of carrying out my immediate departure.

Meanwhile, the prevailing political atmosphere had become so intolerable that I could hardly bear to stay any much longer or else I would go banana. Like an injured animal that was trapped in an ambush, I just then became so obsessed and jealous to keep my only fondest dream alive within me no matter how impossible it could be or how long it would take me but I'd do my best to make it come true at any costs in the end. On the other hand, to think of leaving on a spur of the moment in such an erratic state of mind with a few pennies in my pocket would be highly too farfetched and most unlikely to materialize on a very short notice. Hopefully before I could do something foolish which would make me regret dearly for the rest of my life, I lighted candles in every church that I passed by on my way and prayed hard for a miracle to happen...

Unexpectedly that fall just a few days before my birthday, I received a wire from the French Embassy requesting me to present myself again for an oral examination and interview by the newly-appointed cultural attaché. All of a sudden, I saw a ray of hope. Although I knew I had a rather slim chance of winning the scholarship this time, I just couldn’t cry victory until the result was official, because I was too scared to go through the same experience I have had at the Foreign Office, once again. Moreover, I was competing with two other candidates who came from more prestigious and exclusive schools. Deep inside me, I was somehow ravaged by a sense of guilt of self-apprehension for not having been an outstanding student or an alumnus of a big league university. Yet I could be too proud to be the only one from my school to have qualified in the finals.

What a mixed blessing of laughter and tears when the scholarship was officially awarded to me a week later. My office colleagues were so overwhelmed to see me jumped with joy by the telephone as I broke them the good news and they congratulated me, even those who detested and envied me for speaking French. It came to me as a total surprise that I could hardly believe I finally made it. For a fraction of a second, I went blank and couldn’t utter a word as if I was practically hit by a lightning. My mind traveled at a supersonic speed into a kaleidoscopic jumble of images of the landmarks I only saw on postcards, like the Seine, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacré-Coeur, Latin Quarter, and all the other sights that I read and saw in the books and magazines. As I gradually regained consciousness, I hazily imagined having distinguished the word « Paris » appearing on tilt like in a slot machine, for a dream that was still to be realized very soon!

In fact, it was the craziest moment of my life yet the most memorable because all my hardships and sacrifices were duly recognized and finally rewarded -- by a foreign government! As a result of this lucky stroke of fate, my whole life radically took a 180-degree turn and it was changed overnight completely!

SKEPTIC WELCOME!

Brussels, Belgium - May 6, 2006

Greetings!

Superstition aside, there are still many of those who are very skeptic or wary of having their hands read because they would be afraid to hear and be influenced by the negative remarks that would be given by the hand reader. Generally, they would immediately jump to the conclusion that when they see that their life or any other lines are short or broken, it would utterly mean a premature, sudden or tragic end. From the many hands that I’ve already came across and read, however, they totally meant the opposite. Fortunately in most cases, a break would generally signify the end of an old and unfulfilling existence or situation into a new, positive and more meaningful lifestyle such as a radical change or improvement in one’s career, home, finance, health, love, marriage, motherhood, travel, and personal accomplishments. No matter what I see on somebody’s hands, never in my practice did I mention death, accident, separation or anything unpleasant that I consider would easily affect the psyche of the consultant traumatically or otherwise, whether he or she is sensitive or not. My personal priority as a guideline to follow when reading hands is to give each one a chance to live his or her life to the full by accentuating on its positive aspects. Honestly, I couldn’t change their destiny, but I could help them to follow the parallel path that would lead them to be happier and more optimistic in their life in the long run.

Inasmuch as I've never taken any formal schooling or training in astrology, I couldn't tell you in what level I'd be right now. On the other hand, I must confess to you that I don't have a highly logical mind to any seemingly complicated calculation as a result of a traumatic experience with my mathematics teacher when I was in the grade school that made me somewhat allergic to whatever is related to problem solving in numbers or figures. Fortunately, there are easy and ready-to-use programs on natal charts available on the market or online that I could resort to. Otherwise, I'd just easily go banana by taxing my cluttered brain manually on a chart and screwing up with my interpretations of the signs and planets in the end. With a somewhat limited knowledge and training of astrology, I don't interpret the charts on my own personally as I still have a long way to go before I could do so. In practice, I go by the book. Perhaps with the passing of time, I'd be able to acquire the expertise of it the same way as in hand reading.

For your information, I give less attention to the origin and pedigree of the authors whom I wish to consult as long as the content of their works would interest me that it should fully meet with my requirements. What matters more to me are the detailed illustrations and the descriptions contained therein with every minute particularities that would accompany them. Perhaps I must have had read so much on the basics from the beginning that I’ve slowed down or have reached a saturation point in acquiring new titles as I’m getting more and more confused on the technical terms used that could appear new or foreign to me than putting what I’ve already learned into practice. From my own past experience, I find the major hand lines as already predestined, whereas the minor as the evolution of all the future changes and improvements in the course of our growth. Before mastering the hand reading techniques, I resorted to astrology and numerology as an ice-breaker in order to carry out a conversation with new and interesting faces that I’d like to meet. Surprisingly, such a strategy would often work wonders and could spread like a bush fire especially when everybody would become interested on the subject matter out of curiosity.

I'm honored indeed by your comparing me to your grandmother. However, I’d like to tell you that I don’t consider myself as an empath because I had to learn the basic of hand reading from the outset before I could practice it with ease and acquire it instinctively later. I believe your grandmother mainly practiced it by her strong affinity with her consultants. When I was young, I did it first from a growing obsession and attraction to the exotic physique of the white race so that I could touch and hold their hands while I fantasize on how exciting it was to be too close to them, to feel the softness of their skin and to listen to the warmth and sound of their voice. Many years ago, I had a rather funny experience that could have nearly turned into a diplomatic incident with a blond Dutch woman who hailed me to read the hands of her grown-up daughters in a family beach on the Italian Riviera one summer day. One of them was topless and accompanied by her boyfriend. What a gorgeous couple! I was so confused where to put my undivided attention that I couldn’t get my words straight without stammering at the sight of her firm and bulging breasts that almost reached up to her navel. With a seemingly tropical heat at nearly 35 degrees Celsius, I was perspiring so profusely that I thought I’d just wanted to faint and fall as hard as a sack of potatoes right on top of her hadn’t her boyfriend offered me a bottle of cold water to appease my burning desire and bring me back to reason. In the end, I had a great and wonderful time with them by reading everybody’s hand.

Thanks for recommending me the photo websites. Are you the one who is beside the luxury sports car? Wow, I didn’t know how cute and sexy you are! Your suggestion for me to pursue my hand reading studies in India is worth considering. However, I have other plans for such a trip which would be for tourism and culture, with a special emphasis on spiritual enlightenment through yoga. Perhaps, I might stay in an ashram and spend some time with a guru or a holy man. Warmest regards.

ON HANDREADING...

Lille, France - July 21, 2004

Dear Pearl,

Thanks for your kind note. I'd be only too glad to read your hands as I do with others. I don't know where you live at the moment. In case you're working somewhere in Europe, perhaps you could take a time off and come to Brussels. Who knows what the future has in store for you? You may not be aware that the lines of marriage and children have long found their way on the palm of your hands. Frankly, I get better results and positive feedbacks when I do the reading in person on the spot because I could decipher and interpret easily the minor lines that represent the improvements and changes in life which would hardly appear very clearly on bad prints. However, I enclosed herewith a fine example of a print from which I could obtain important data effectively.

I tried making prints with ordinary photocopiers in the past, but they didn't produce optimum shots particularly on the hollow middle part of the hand where many important events and changes that occur mainly between 20 and 40 years are reflected. Perhaps there are now advanced and sophisticated state-of-the-art photocopiers that are available on the market which could make comparably razor-sharp copies not only of flat surface but also on hollow surface. Otherwise if you don't care much to get your hands dirty and want to have the job done properly, here's how you could take a good print. Get a water-based black printing ink from any art shops and squeeze a little of it onto a ceramic tile and then roll it onto the roller. Lightly roll off any excess onto a paper kitchen towel. Gently roll the ink onto the hand being careful not to press it deeply into the lines on the hand. Place the hand on a white plain paper and press gently so that all of the hand is in contact with the paper. If the hand is very hollow in the middle, then place the paper on the rolling pin and roll the hand over it.

Kind and warm regards.

Pablo

PS. Pearl, you should go out and enjoy life as much as you could while you're still young and strong. I personally believe that it isn't a question whether you're sunny not if you do really want to meet others or encounter your one and only dream lover. I was just like you before I diversified into hand reading when I travelled regularly by train from Belgium to Italy and back from the late 60's to the 80's. During those long rides, I found myself in the presence of total strangers with whom I couldn't dare to talk on sensitive subjects such as politics and religion. However with a basic knowledge of astrology and palmistry, I was able to break the ice and got them talk to one another, made their acquaintance and fortunately won their goodwill and confidence in the end. Why not try it? Here's wishing you a good start and good luck!