They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but spoken words do stuck a little longer in our minds than we thought they will.
Fred Shapiro, editor of the Yale Book of Quotations, has listed this year’s most memorable quotes compiled from famous personalities and average citizens. Kind of like the Last Song syndrome, only there’s no melody involved but the retention is so strong.
Number one on the list is "Don't tase me, bro".
These words were uttered by Andrew Meyer, a student from the University of Florida when he was tasered by the police after he refused to obey orders to stop speaking while Sen. John Kerry was doing a speech. The statement became so controversial that it was printed on t-shirts and even made as ringtones for cellphones. This stirred a lot controversy as the justification was questioned. But in the end, no charges were filed either on Meyer’s side of those of the authorities.
Number two on the list is "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and the Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us,"
Now, this one really hit the charts. U.S. Americans?, see the catch? Lauren Apton must had really experienced the highest level of anxiety during the Miss Teen USA pageant when she made this statement.
Number three on the list is, "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."
These words came from a speech of Iranian President
last October at Columbia University. Well, if that is really the case, the term, “closet queen” has risen to the most literal level.
Number four on the list is "nappy-headed hos"
Who hasn’t heard of this? Don Imus lost his job days after he uttered this in his radio show. He made this comment against the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Even Oprah didn’t let this one pass. I feel that what made this statement memorable is that it triggered the racism hot button. He did apologized and the girls forgave him and now he’s back on the airwaves. Even hired an African-American as one of his panels.
Number five on the list is “ I don’t recall.”
Isn’t that so annoying or what? I mean, former National Security Adviser Alberto Gonzales came to a Congressional inquiry, so, he’s there to answer questions with actual answers, not empty blurbs.
What’s on your list?
These quotes will be etched in history whether we like them or not. What’s the point in listing the most unforgettable words? Thing is, we can’t get enough of them even if we don’t want to hear them anymore.
Smokers actually know that the cigarette ad tagline, Cigarette smoking is dangerous to you health, is true. But don’t know how to quit ‘em.
The ways to quit smoking are countless but yet don’t work for all smokers. Every smoker who wants to quit has a unique way of diverting from a pack a day to virtually no stick at all. You have cold turkey, gums and even herbal supplements. But sadly, as I have observed from friends and relatives, the ultimate sign that smokers decide to quit is when the diseases kick in.
But riding on to the positive vibe, have come up with 4 steps to take to fully launch your campaign to quit smoking. The STAR approach is an acronym for:
S – Set a date. Pick an exact date when to stop.
T – Tell your friends and family. Don’t keep it to yourself. A support system will increase your chances of being consistent with avoiding smoking.
A – Anticipate the challenges. It will be a very, very rough road and will not happen over night.
R – Remove any cigarette-related stuff from your home.
These four steps will help you to strengthen your determination to quit. The key is take it slowly, but surely. Don’t be disappointed with yourself if you feel helpless and if you feel the need to go back. It’s all natural. Just keep on going till you reach the goal.
Time is of the essence when it comes to stopping smoking.
The health hazards of cigarette smoking have been emphasized so strongly stressed since time immemorial. Initiatives and ways to make smokers quit nicotine consumption through cigarette smoking have been developed and but ironically, the number of cigarette smokers have increased over the years.
Fatal diseases have been traced to cigarette smoking. In more ways than one, heart attacks, cancers, and birth deficiencies in newborns are linked to cigarette smoking. Even with all the startling numbers of deaths attributed to smoking, smokers seem to just want more.
In Australia, the government, in a bold move, featured in a commercial former cigarette smokers who are inches away from death. Stories of health struggles and personal tragedies attributed to cigarette smoking were shown and their actual physical deterioration of their bodies were featured. The results? The dropdown rate went down by almost 50%.
Taking cue from this move, my light bulb moment came and made me realize that people need to see the literal results in order to make the drastic change of quitting cigarette smoking.
Live longer in a minute’s withdrawal
Numbers are what people look for before making the decision to change. If you stop cigarette smoking, the benefits are instant in as fast as 1200 seconds.
Once you’ve decided to actually STOP puffing a smoke,
After 20 minutes – Blood pressure and pulse return to normal rates.
After 8 hours – Carbon monoxide levels in the blood are reduced by half, your oxygen levels in the blood return to normal as well.
After 24 hours – Carbon monoxide is eliminated is eliminated from the body and the lungs start to clear out the build up if tar.
After 48 hours – Your sense of taste and smell improve considerably.
After 72 hours – Your breathe easier because you bronchial tubes begin to relax, thus, energy levels will increase.
After 2 to 12 weeks – Blood circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier.
After 3 to 9 months – Coughs, wheezing, and your breathing problems improve as the lungs have more room for up to 10% more oxygen.
After 5 years – The risk of heart attack is cut in half.
After 10 years – The risk of cancer is reduced in half.
Easier said than done
I don’t smoke but I can relate that quitting from cigarette smoking is so way easier said than done. Have seen that with a friend who stopped smoking. A year ago, before Christmas, he decided to quit smoking for a week, but fell ill after and then went back again after that and then quit again and even put on a patch and then went back again. After 7 months of bouncing from smoking, he hasn’t smoke for almost 5 months now.
When it comes to addiction, in this case, cigarette smoking, I feel that we all know the hazards deep in the consciousness. Just don’t know how to stop or when to stop and how to stop permanently. The decision is in your hands. Maybe soon should be now.
There’s no place like home. But what if the place we call home can jeopardize our health and we don’t even know it?
Forbes.com has listed the lurking house items that we thought were just ordinary stuff and safe to use but in reality is secretly and slowly are creeping their way to bring health problems. Time for spring cleaning, even if it’s still December.
Blameless items
Have taken note of the five household items that are just sitting blamelessly around our cribs but are harmful to our health and we should use with more cautious than we usually do.
Common house cleaners – these range from your cleaners for your oven, kitchen sink, insect and window sprays, and furniture polish. The Environmental Protection Agency dubbed these items as harmful to the eyes, nose, ear, throat and can send you six feet under if swallowed. So, always cover your hands and nose and wear eye goggles when using them or go for non-toxic stuff for cleaning such as vinegar and olive oil to wipe your fridge and newspaper dripped in water to get your windows squeaky clean.
Bathroom floor, moist places– just seeing it makes one avoid it. The substances that make up a mold are the ones that are really harmful specifically to the respiratory system. Think you don’t have one around? Well, it’s good if you don’t have one. But just to make sure, check out your bathroom.
Pipes – yes, the harmful effects of lead have been strongly emphasized and strongly enforced this year. Kids toys that were made from China have been recalled. But lead isn’t only traced from toys, but your home’s water pipes. Best protection? Purchase a home wipe kit to check the lead level. A number going over 10 micrograms is considered dangerous. But health experts are urging Congress to lower the accepted level to just 5 micrograms.
Coal and charcoal burning appliances – these appliances range from water heaters, generators. They contain carbon monoxide which can be fatal but totally undetected until all is worst. To stray away from health risks, install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors at home.
Flame retardant furniture – examples of this type of furniture are couches, television and other small appliances. In a basic these are actually helpful as flame retardant furniture were made to resist fire thus makes a person buy more time to escape when fire occurs. The downside, high and over frequent exposure can led to harming the thyroid hormone. So, just use them efficiently.
Hey, I’m not condemning these household items. I actually have all of them at home as well. But it will never hurt to know the good and downside of using them to protect ourselves from health complications so that our home can be truly the safest place to go to after a tiring day from work.
What would make one say, Yes, I'll marry you?
I say a well-orchestrated marriage proposal won't hurt that chance.
Regardless if some are not looking forward to say I do, I'm sure you'll be swept off your feet once you learned these celebrity proposals.
Brides.com has listed the celebrity proposals that truly toppled the countless proposals in tinseltown and as well as in politics. Though in my view, showbusiness and politics seem to blend and the celebrities and politicians jump over each other's fences at an almost regular basis. These marriage proposals went beyond the orthodox ways and those who popped the question made sure that the answer will only be yes.
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier
He proposed to her two years after they met a dinner party in Georgetown University. On the night she got home before leaving for her Europe beat, she was welcomed by a, emerald-diamond engagement ring. Now, isn't that a shoe in? Surely, he knew that the way to a girl's heart is through her friends, and a diamond is a woman's BFF.
Johnny Cash and June Carter
Yes, they were the ones that were immortalized in the movie Walk the line. He proposed to her at the middle of his concert. The audience thought it was just an act. But, it wasn't! Since then, many had followed the lead. But nothing beats the original.
Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly
This is somewhat unconventional yet traditional for those who have royal blood. He proposed to her through a friend, which was in accordance to royalty custom that a Prince does not arrange his marriage. Good thing she didn't fall for the friend. But hey, if your guy is real-life prince, even a video would woo me. But then again, I haven't met any one from any royal family.
Seal and Heidi Klum
The air was not the warmest which is the supposed-to-be feel for a proposal. He proposed to the German supermodel standing on an igloo 14,000 feet above sea level. Talk about getting the chills.
Now, their story is the traditional candlelit dinner. But, here's the catch, it was in Buckingham Palace that went with an 18-carat sapphire ring embedded with diamonds.
Nick Cannon and Selita Ebanks
Now, what do men see in Victoria's Secret angels? He proposed to her right in the heart of Times Square. Both of them were lost in words as the words, Selita, will you marry me?, were etched in the Mtv jumbotron. Talk about shouting your love to the whole world.
This Friends star got the proposal of a lifetime. They had the spark, literally. Fireworks were in the air the very moment he asked for her hand in marriage in a beach in Florida.
Jordan Bratman and Christina Aguilera
She went on an almost wild goose chase as she opened a dozen of boxes not really knowing what to look for because every box had a different gift and a poem. And she definitely got THE find of her life, the ring.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
A proposal in the most romantic city in the world can almost get the wedding bells rolling. On top of that, she said yes at the top of the Eiffel tower. Is that the most romantic or what?
Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon
His proposal definitely made her wanted to wake up even if she had the sweetest dream. He asked her to walk down the aisle on bed filled with strawberries and cream.
Well, some of these wedding proposals didn't have the the happily ever after scenario. But I know that it was good while it lasted. Even those of us who haven't been tied the knot would agree that the most important thing is that you love the person for reasons you can't comprehend. That it doesn't matter how your love began, but how it goes. But a heart melting proposal will never hurt.
After that tragic and saddening incident at Omaha, Nebraska, I deem it is necessary for you and for myself to feel inspired. You know, to make us feel that THERE IS still some good in the world, a lot actually. They came in thosw with two hands and four legs.
CNN has just honored today 7 people who have showed that we don't need to have supernatural powers to be heroes. And that we don't have to die first in order to make sacrifices. These 6 people aren't actors or actresses, nor are they politicians or CEOs of multinational companies. They are your average citizens who live normal lives anf worry about their mortgages and gas and well, one worries what's for lunch at the cafeteria.
I decided to list them as the top 6 non-supernatural heroes of 2007 to deviate from the normal end of the year countdowns. Surely, you have heard all kinds of top whatever, from the top earners, top parents, anf top top worst parents and would-be parents. Riding into this end of the year countdown tradition, I chose CNN's Top Heroes. They are now one of my favorite people. Before them, I only had 5; Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and my mom and dad.
These six people were nominated by their peers and families. Their works shone brightest over 7,000 nominees. I give you this year's honorees, in no particular order:
Steve Pfeifer
Non-supernatural power : Championed children's rights in Kijabe, Kenya
He worked with almost all schools in Kenya urging them to actually go to school. Combatted to make sure that 11,000 students can get to eat at lunchtime and can use computers. Words aren't enough, you've got to see and hear his story. Click here to watch the video on Steve Pfeifer.
Sister Rosemary Nyurimbe
Non-supernatural power: Crusader of the community
She currently runs a boarding school for girls who were mercilessly abducted by rebels in Uganda. See how she turns the girls into brave souls.
Irania Martinez- Garcia
Non-supernatural power: Defender of the planet
It's not only Nobel Prize winner Al Gore who is making all possible and seemingly impossible efforts to turn Earth green. She turned an hectare of toxic dump in Cuba into an eco-friendly garden. Watch as she how she helps the residents breathe a cleaner air.
Pablo Fajardo
Non-supernatural power: Fighter for justice
He leads a group of lawyer to give justice to the victims of a fatal toxic waste emiited by Ecuador's state-run oil company. See in him an Erin Brokovich . well, without the chests.
Peter Kithene
Non-supernatural power: Marveling medical care
He founded and established an organization solely dedicated to bringing medical care to the poorest rural communities in Kenya. Watch to know his good heart.
Kayla Comale
Non-supernatural power: Under-aged wonder
Her Sound in a Syllable foundation started as a personal for her gifted cousin, Lorenam who was diagnosed with autism. She put the alphabet in the piano and teached Lorena to understand and communicate by playing the piano with the letters pasted on the keys, literally. All these she did before turning 18. See how she progresses from a personal cause to a local and maybe in the future, a worldwide reach out.
As the song goes, we could be heroes, even for just one day. These people are heroes for all their lifetime. They can't freeze or turn back time, but they can certainly change lives for the better.
What happened yesterday in Omaha, Nebraska was very disturbing. And I thought that the ending of the this year would be peaceful, boy,was I wrong.
The blood spill in Virginia Tech a few months ago is still fresh in our senses. And then, this..makes me wonder what's going on inside the minds of the teenagers in this country? What turns them to go over the edge and go on a killing spree and take their own lives after they see lifeless bodies? Very disturbing.
Blood spill on a crisp afternoon
Robert Hawkins, 19, went to West Roads Mall in Nebraska and then just out of nowhere pulled out a gun and shot every person at close range, killing 8 innocent shoppers and then shot himself and was dead on the spot. It gives me chills and a sense of pity for those people who were there. I mean, they were just there to shop and probably to buy gifts or something for the holidays and then one minute they heard gunshots.
Reports said that Hawkins left a suicide note saying that he wants to go gracefully and that he wanted to be famous. To me, that sounds twisted. His background spoke of a recent breakup with his girlfriend, a kick out from his job in McDonalds. If he was still alive and didn't make this horrible tragedy, then I would have been sympathetic.
Enough about him, I will not further dignify his wish to be famous.
What makes them go overboard?
With this devastating incident, what comes to my mind is what are the reasons for them to to go and just shot someone like it's just a normal day at the mall? Surely, these teens have very big problems but, where are their parents? Yes, he's past the big 1-8, but, obviously, he has issues that needed the guidance of his folks. Now, I have to stop talking about him again.
I admit I tend to be solitary in nature. I know I am not the only person in this planet who loves solitude. Tend to keep things to myself and solve problems by my own as much as I can. But I know that I am not alone in this. And I think that's what keeps me sane. I know I am not alone. The feeling of being alone pushed these killer-teens to do what they did. That no matter what they will do, good or bad, they will still be alone. They felt that by taking the lives of others will make them a part of a group, anf unfortunately, they do now belong to a group, they now belong to the list of murderers.
I am not a crminal profiler or a psychiatrist. I am a mere observer. My condolences are with the families of those who were senselessly killed in that mall. I offer my sympathy and well-wishes of those who were injured. And I am thankful for those who were able to get out unscathed. Even if I have only watched it from tv, I felt their pain.
Here's a clip of the news story on the shooting yesterday:
No warning signs
They say that the warning signs of a person who's about to go on a killing spree are unreadable. Well, that's a non-reliever. But we can do something, in our own little ways. Like, if you have firearms in the house, keep them well hidden. Or take time to observe. I am not a parent, and I'm not teaching how to be parent. I just want us to be safe.
May God bless us all. Love one another. Be safe.
I'm a lot thankful now that Thanksgiving's over. I mean, there's so much joy in coming home for this tradition but it just gets the worst out of my system. Did you feel like you just want to shout from the rooftops and let everyone know, that hey, you have a life, duh? I felt the exact same emotion when I went home almost two weeks ago. A bad mood can definitely take the joyous spirit,right?
I don't want to experience the "rant" that I felt last Thanksgiving, so I made a quick self-discovery of what pushed me to the edge..sounds like a yoga statement,right? Know you wouldn't fall for it. Actually, what I did was just to look to back a few days and months preceding Thanksgiving to determine the factors that caused me to feel bad at what should be a peaceful and happy occasion. Here's what I' ve come up:
- Money
Yes, doesn't everyone struggle to keep up with their budget? As I looked back, trying to keep up with the alloted budget gave me the mood swings. Got to allot for the food, for the gifts, for the decorations, and for the bills. What bothered me was even though I had figured out how much I'm going to spend for those stuff, still, it wasn't enough. Bummer.
- Family reunions
Don't get me wrong, I do love my family. I love those that my family loves. Feels funny that we all have unfinished businesses with one of our relatives. And during the holidays, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas, we can't help but feel reminiscing of the negative emotions towards that relative whom we have differences. I have this cousin whom I don't despised, really. But since the day she spilled red paint on my favorite pajamas when we were six, I had my boundaries set. Good thing she didn't come last Thanksgiving. But the she-would-be-there feeling really troubled me before that.
- Civil status
Yes, the proverbial question that really ticks me off, and I bet it does get into you too. No matter what kind of social gathering that I go to, people tend to look at my ring finger or if I have a "friend" with me. Really, do I have to be attached just to be let alone by probing eyes? I'll settle when I feel that it's the right time. That's it.
There, these three things really make my holidays a little less than joyful. But I still love the smell of the holidays, I'm not Ms. Grinch or any bitter Christmas character. I love to eat and be with my family and wait for long lines at the airport just to get home. Maybe I'm too old to wish from Santa, but hey, I'm a kid at heart. I wish for a stress and pressure-free Christmas. Ok, I wish for my cousin to come too.
