Eid Mubarak!

With the sighting of the new crescent moon, the holy fasting of ramadan, the whole month for Muslim with no food and drink from dawn to sunset, culminates today with the celebration of the whole Muslim world with Eid Al Fitr or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.

Here in Saudi Arabia, we are on holiday for one week starting yesterday, with almost all offices and stores and companies are closed except for some emergency agencies like hospitals. 

Being the ward activity committee chairman, it is my showtime. The rest of the week will be fully hectic, from fishing, beach barbecue and swimming, to bowling and other sports games, and partying as well as some in door games. It is also the best time to eat great foods, and buy cheap goods. It is like a Christmas season, or a New Year season. You can feel it in the air. You can see it in everybody's eyes, and you can hear the laughters of kids bought with new toys and stuffs.

In behalf of my family, we would like to greet our Muslim brothers and their families "Eid Mubarak!" or Happy Eid! May the great God will bless us all!

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.

Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Let's Celebrate, it's Mrs. Thoughtskoto's Birthday!

May God's choicest blessing be yours, and may He will grant the righteous desires of your heart.

Dear Lovefate,

Today I am so grateful, so humbled, so overwhelmed with the wonders you bring with you and the continued wonders you are doing for me, our baby, and our family.

 

I am so lost with words, except for the phrase that becomes the trademark of my devotion to you. ‘I love you and I will always will even until eternity.’

 

I leave you the words of the man we both respect and admire, the man who become the shining example in our lives, his words reflects exactly how I feel for you.  Pres. Hinckley said it best, and I would like to echo his to my feelings for you today and everyday.

“Every woman is a daughter of God. .. The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities, which cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them. We can encourage that outreach if we will give them opportunity to give expression to the talents and impulses that lie within them…

 

My dear sisters, you marvelous women who have chosen the better part, I stand in great admiration for all that you do. I see your hands in everything. Many of you are mothers, and that is enough to occupy one's full time. You are companions—the very best friends your husbands have or ever will have. You are housekeepers. That doesn't sound like much, does it? But what a job it is to keep a house clean and tidy.

You are shoppers. Until I got older I never dreamed of what a demanding responsibility it is to keep food in the pantry, to keep clothing neat and presentable, to buy all that is needed to keep a home running.

You are nurses. With every illness that comes along, you are the first to be told about it and the first to respond with help. In cases of serious sickness, you are at the bedside day and night, comforting, encouraging, ministering, praying.

You are the family chauffeur. You are driving your children about on paper routes, taking them to athletic events, driving them on ward outings, hauling here, there, and everywhere as they pursue their busy lives.

Well, you dear women, I say thanks to you. Thank you for being the kind of people you are and doing the things you do. May the blessings of heaven rest upon you. May your prayers be answered and your hopes and dreams become realities.

You serve so well in the Church. You think it is so demanding. It is. But with every responsibility fulfilled, there comes a great reward. Many of you think you are failures. You feel you cannot do well, that with all of your effort it is not sufficient.

We all feel that way. I feel that way as I speak to you tonight. I long for, I pray for the power and the capacity to lift you, to inspire you, to thank you, to praise you, and to bring a measure of gladness into your hearts.

We all worry about our performance. We all wish we could do better. But unfortunately we do not realize, we do not often see the results that come of what we do.

You are doing the best you can, and that best results in good to yourself and to others. Do not nag yourself with a sense of failure. Get on your knees and ask for the blessings of the Lord; then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do. Then leave the matter in the hands of the Lord. You will discover that you have accomplished something beyond price.

To you young women with small children, yours is a tremendous challenge. So often there is not enough money. You must scrimp and save. You must be wise and careful in your expenditures. You must be strong and bold and brave and march forward with gladness in your eye and love in your heart. How blessed you are, my dear young mothers. You have children who will be yours forever. I hope that you have been sealed in the house of the Lord and that your family will be an everlasting family in the kingdom of our Father…

May you be given strength to carry your heavy load, to meet every obligation, to walk side by side with a good and faithful and caring man, and together with him rear and nurture and bring up your children in righteousness and truth. Nothing else you will ever own, no worldly thing you will ever acquire will be worth so much as the love of your children. God bless you, my dear, dear young mothers…

 

The rest can be found here

I love you, always and forever. I hope that love reflects the way I treat you, the way I show how much I care for you. My love for you is growing and growing, hoping for the perfect day! Mwah! Happy birthday!

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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The Beauty of our Eyes

here

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.

Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Some Products With Innovation

We will never get tired of innovative products that could bring some fun and enhance its use to our life. Here are some of those.

some space saving ideas

and personal convenience

and constant reminder to eat right.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Mormons means More Scientist

An outstanding achievement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) is the extraordinarily high level of professionally recognized scientists born in Utah where this church is predominant. Scientific studies over a sixty-year period by three separate researchers of university- level academic standing have discovered and published the facts. 

The site angelfire summarizes these findings and facts as the following;

  

(1) That Utah is the top state in per capita scientist production and has been for over 60 years;

(2) That in Utah the Mormon population produces more scientists than does the non-Mormon, proportionate to their numbers in Utah;

(3) That the Mormon scientists assert, overwhelmingly, that they are  
"Strong" or "Very Strong" believers in the following three key convictions 
held by  Mormons:
     

(1)  That Jesus is the Divine Son of God, the Savior, the Messiah; 

(2)   That Joseph Smith, Jr., was inspired by God in the formation of The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;

(3)   And that this church has the only current authority to administer the 
teachings and ordinances of Christ's restored church. 

Some of the notable scientists are

James E. Talmage, John Widstoe, and Henry B. Eyring

Actually a book was recently publish entitled, The Life and Faith of Henry B. Eyring, the Mormon Scientist. I have been following Elder Eyring since his call, and he is one of my favorite apostle. 

The Church emphasize the continuing education and seeking of Knowledge as well as the teaching that Science and religion doesn't have a conflict added to the verity of the truth and facts. Also, that the glory of God is Intelligence is also one of the reason why the LDS faith produce more scientist.

As a chemist, I have a constant desire to learn for knowledge, for innovation, for new understanding. I have been stuck to experimenting period, I haven't arrived to the conclusions or new inventions yet, and I am really dreaming to pursue my degree.

I have said it over and over again, I am a promoter of education. I am a supporter of constant education and acquiring knowledge. Because I believe, after all, that knowledge in our mind, and the goodness in our heart will the only one we can take with us, after we die and after resurrection.

List of Mormon Scientist here

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Four Years

Today, I am celebrating (well, do I have the reason to celebrate?) my four (4) years in Saudi Arabia.

I know. I know. Call me a brave, or strange? Or better, call my wife and my baby, the legend.

I didn't become extremely famous, but neither did I become notorious, which I hope I won't.

But four years? 

What had happened, and did I achieved something?

Well, besides of the increased in traffic and visitors comment, this blog is still the same.

I am still a trying hard blogger who could be passionate in writing about things that I believe or a  sore loser who copied, paste, and credited others for the great blogs/photos they posted.

I am still a lizard look-a-like (lol). My wife will disagree with this coz to her I look like a prince.

I always find it better to make fun of myself rather than making fun of others. If your self-esteem is high, and you are there on top, there is no need to brag, actually there is nothing to brag about. 

I will reflect and try to condense a few words what had happened the last four years of my life here in Saudi Arabia.

Life become so sweet and meaningful when you have someone beside you who inspires you to be the best, to make the most of yourself. It feels so wonderful to live life with someone who will constantly reminds you of the best you can do, and the best that you have done.

Eversince I have known my wife, I have been blessed tremendously. She is a 24 year old young mother, who loves me unconditionally, and I am so grateful. I have great respect, and great trust to her. Everyday of my life, I have a prayer of gratitude in my heart for the woman I married two years ago.

Eversince Hevyn came into our lives, life becomes colorful, full of laughters and joy, with a few challenges and afflictions, hardships and sacrifices. She becomes the center of our day by day lives here in Saudia. And everyday, as she we watch her grow, we are overwhelm at the wonders of God, and life, and the brighter future she has. 

Four years had passed and here I am with a beautiful and one-of-a-kind, second-to-none wife and a lovely and cutty daughter. I have told my manager that we are considering of leaving Saudi Arabia. My salary is so meager that we the increase in the oil prices and the sudden rise of the standard of living in Saudia brought by the unprecedented increase in almost all imported prime commodities, we find it hard and difficult to save.

There were some company job offers, some opportunities, and some prospects for the better. I am just waiting for the right time this coming months, and we might make some life changing decisions.

But for sure, the blog will stay, and wherever we will go, our thoughts, my thoughts will always be shared with you. 

These are my thoughts, thoughts 'ko 'to in Philippine language becomes an inspiring blog. 

Our theme is not just about the faith that my family subscribe to, but about the current events around the world, some blogs and stuffs that will make life better, in one way or another, in small and simple way, directly or indirectly. 

Thoughtskoto, is an inspiration. Thoughtskoto is an inspired blog. Thoughtskoto will continue to inspire others. Thoughtskoto will continue to be the source of inspiration in a life full of challenges and hardships. Life is beautiful. It is not because of the materials things and worldly status we achieved. Life is beautiful because we view it as such, and we live life as such. 

Four years, and life is getting more exciting and becomes so beautiful. This is what we call progression. There were setbacks and disappointments, and there will always be. But life must go on, 4 times 4 times 4.

Light the candles, share the cake, pour the juice.

Today, and the days ahead, with God in our lives, with families in our side, and friends to cheer and comfort us, life will always be beautiful!

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Portable Lego Type Prison Cells in MORMONLANDIA?

What they are going to do with many portable lego-type prison cells in Provo, Utah? This prison cells are designed to snap together to meet the demands anywhere anytime. But why are they unloading it in Utah?

I remember what Grandpa Hinckley said something like this; we build more prisons to accomodate the growing crime doers, but this is not the right solutions to the problems of our time. He said the root of the crime is the problem and disintegration of families throughout America. We solidify our family, we teach them goodness and abide correct principles. Instead of building these, why not the US government build more houses for those poor people who an't afford to own a house?

Anybody knows what are these for? Maybe they are closing down Guantanamo and bringing the suspected terrorist down to Utah, for missionary discussions. My wild guess, or horrible guess, or perhaps, goodnews.

This story was emailed to me by a friend and can be found at fourwinds10.com here.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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LDS ShortFilm Viewable Online

Some of the LDS Shortfilm not available for purchase but can be viewed online using Quicktime.

(Some of these films might not be available. )

Dave Skousen: The Redemption (2002)

Jared Hess: Peluca (2002)

Andrew Black: The Snell Show (2002)

Tucker T. Dansie: Two Dimes & a Nickel (2002)

Dan Harville: First Kiss (2002)

Orson Scott Card: Remind Me Again (2002)

Jacob Hoehne: General Household Repairs (2001; d)

Christian Vuissa, David Cromwell: Bill's Christmas (2001; d)

Carter Durham: Woodwork (2001; d)

Hubbel Palmer: Hoagies (2001)

Krisi Church: Shattered (2001)

Brad Barber: Get (2001)

Emily Gaul: Disco Gap

Scott Jones: Experimation (2001)

Kathryn Young: Never Me (2001; d)

Brandon Arnold: Jip (2001)

Chad Gooch: Movement (2001)

Katie Bogner: Back to One (2001)

Michelle Jackson: The Gift (2001)

Clint Carpenter: Iscariot (2001)

Wyatt Woolley: I Miss You (2001)

Matthew Carlson: Echoes

Marcus Cano: Delusion (2001)

Melissa Leilani Larson: Please (2001)

Clark Edmunds: Elise (2001)

Ethan Vincent: Sublimating Arthur (2001)

Ben Unguren: Leroy Pratt: Crossings (2001)

Krisi Church: Entity (2000)

Aaron Ruell: Happy Go Lucky (2000)

Christian Vuissa: Daybreak (2000)

Tawnya Cazier: Just Say When (2000)

Jared Hess: Cardboard Only (2000)

Brian T. Burnham: A Peculiar People (2000)

Megan Wolfley: The Jean Massieu School (2000)

source: Ldsfilms

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Kerry Blair, Your Book Reached Us here in Saudi Arabia

One of my favorite author is Kerry Blair. 

So yesterday when we received two books from the US via Postal Service, we can't contain our excitement. We are happy that despite the custom in Saudi Arabia, you know books and stuffs like religious material are being scanned in the post, the package arrived unscathed, and sealed.

We are so worried that because Kerry's book are soooooooo good, rich in humor, but full of values and inspiration, the Saudi postman will keep it and read it for himself.(lol)

Anyways, me and my wife are so happy and sooooooo eager to read the books.

My wife and I will be writing a review. Although the book Counting Blessings, Wit and Wisdom for Women is, well, just for women, thumbing through the introduction I find it intriguing and yes, interesting to read too. So after my wife is done, I'll be digesting the hard bound nice, great gift book.

Ghost of a Chance is the first mystery fiction book I will ever read. Some review says the book was a masterfully woven mystery that you'll end laughing out loud, gasping at times, or feel in love with the romance. Sounds exciting!

Read it for yourself. Visit Kerry Blair's site and order more of her books here

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Who is one of Stephen R. Covey's Heroes?

The Stephen R. Covey community is doing a series of asking Dr. Stephen, and one of them is this question.

Q: Who is one of your personal heroes?

A: Mahatma Gandhi. 

Let me read you his personal mission statement:

“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:

* I shall not fear anyone on Earth.

* I shall fear only God.

* I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.

* I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.

* I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

They considered that as Gandhi's mission statement that eventually changed the world. 

Dr. Covey continued, "and just think on this, he held no formal authority. No position. Most people think that leadership is a position. It isn’t. Leadership is influence. The key to influence is what we’re talking about. You can have influence without position. So don’t be so dependent upon position or formal authority, but use your moral authority, what you know is right. Gandhi changed over three hundred million people using this. Today there are one billion people in India.

I love going to India. It’s a tremendous place. And he achieved many significant goals, but he didn’t achieve all of his goals. But eventually, it became an independent country with its own constitution and they could deal with their own problems, instead of having some steward oversee what they were doing and making judgments and setting up rules and regulations.

He’s one of my favorite heroes.

But you know what he did? He learned synergy within himself. He learned to create a third alternative: non-violent action. He was not going to run away, and he wasn’t going to fight. That’s what animals do. They fight and they flight. That’s what people often do, they fight or they flight, they run away. He worked it within himself until he won the private victory and learned the philosophy of his life. Non-violent action; a third alternative."

Join the Stephen R. Covey Community now for free.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Bottled Water vs Tap Water

Ever since I graduated in College, I have focus my career in water. From Industrial water treatment, to drinking water processess. I have spend almost a decade dealing, treating, studying and researching water and it's chemistry. As a current Chief Chemist and managing the QA Department of a bottled drinking water company here in Saudi Arabia, I am going to blog a little about water. Choosing between tap and bottled water is ultimately a personal decision. You may not want to base your decision only on the taste.

Consider this table

Tap Water Regulated by EPA	Bottled Water Regulated by FDA
Cannot have confirmed E. coli or fecal Coliform bacteria.	A certain amount of any bacteria is allowed.
Filtered and/or disinfected	No federal filtration or disinfection requirements.
Violation of drinking water standards are grounds for enforcement.	Bottled water in violation of standards can still be sold.
Utilities must have their water tested by certified labs.	Such testing is not required for bottlers.
Tap water results must be reported to state or federal officials.	There are no reporting requirements for bottlers.
Water system operators must be certified.	Bottled water plant operators do not have to be certified.
Water suppliers must issue consumer confidence reports annually.	There are no public right-to-know requirements for bottlers.
Costs pennies a day	Costs $.80 to $4.00 per gallon.
Contains essential nutrients for the body such as calcium and iron.	Natural minerals are removes by filtration.
Chlorine residual in water to prevent bacteria growth.	No disinfectant present to kill bacteria in bottles.

The FDA, National Geographic and ABC all have something to say about it, but I will add my two cents.

TAP water is usually treated in the community water system, often with chlorine. This treated water is being carried out by pipes to the distribution and to the households. This is cheap, and yes, might also be safe. But the danger with this is that after it is being treated and pumped to the distributions, impurities, bacteria or microbes formation, and other contaminants cannot be controlled. We don't know if along the lines, bacteria formed, some metallic deposition are carried along to the glass of water you drink. 

BOTTLED water is usually safe, except for the recents studies about BPA's and other plastic components that could be dangerous to humans physiological aspects. Beside being expensive, it is also being debated upon if the bottle reaction to water causes some effects to humans not to mention the mother Earth lovers comments about environmental damage this bottle cause.

My suggestion: Using tap water, if you can afford it, set-up a cartridge filter and carbon filter and a small UV disinfecting system after your tap. This filter should be cleaned once every 3 months or 6 months depending on the water quality.

I will be willing to help. Just email me if you need some more info.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.

Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Don't Buy It, Choose, What's on Your Mind.

Things of Eternal Worth can't be Bought

You came here with One Life to Spend, 

Don't spend it all on Stuff.

Good and Evil are Polar Opposite

Let Virtue Garnish thy Thoughts Unceasingly...

Wordless Saturday.

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Don't Buy It, Choose, What's on Your Mind?

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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You are what You are the way You Sleep

Scientists believe the position in which a person goes to sleep provides an important clue about the kind of person they are.  

But what about those with different sleeping patterns, does it mean they have different kind of personality? Anyways, another UK sponsored Sleep Scientist, who is probably sleep addict himself, conducted a research study and found out 6 sleeping patterns that could indicate your behavior and personality as well.

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How is she doing?

No, I am not talking about the Sarah Plain sensation. I am tired and sick of US politics, and I am relieve my favorite candidate didn't win. I have more time to spend blogging about bacon, ham, cheese, and some inspiring stuffs.

When I look back at the postings I had, I notice a path that is traversing directly opposite of what I like and what matters most. Occasionally we have to reroute our way when we notice we are no more driving the right lane, or perhaps, we tend to be lost from the right track. I am not saying I didn't blog good stuff before but what I mean is that I should have stayed in. Talking about faith, principles, goodness and life betterment is more noble than politics and gossips, right?

I have been so obsessed with what's hot and what's on top, what drives visitors around and what will make a kicking blog, that I forget to blog about what are the things I am thinking, what are the things I am thankful about, what are my righteous desires and my honest opinions regarding this and that.

My wife reminds me to go back to the way I blog before. Somethings thoughtful, insightful, inspiring and yes, those post leads her to feel in love with me. Naksss! (nyehehe).

So today I am posting about our "tanging yaman", one of the reason besides her Mom why I am working hard and yes, doing all I can to make the future a little bit brighter.

Hevyn, just turn 5 months old yesterday. The photos will tell you how precious she is. 

I was telling my wife last night, that no matter how difficult life sometimes, no matter how much tribulations and trials and challenges are thrown along our path, just the thought of a pretty child and a lovely wife, inside and out, is enough to give me enormous strength and will to carry on.

At 5 months old, she still loves to sleep. 

Well, babies love to sleep because they are developing something within them during those times. She will test things with her mouth - everything will go straight into it! (lol)

She was 4 months old in this photo,  at times rolling over and can push up with her hands and look around. She even begin to wriggle and move around. She can turn her head, and begin to twist her body to look at things or follow sounds when you are holding her in your arms
 

Three (3) months old in this photo. She was a voracious milk sucker then as she is still now. (lol)

Two months old, can't hardly believe time pass so fast.

She was a month old her. She can barely see. So her eyes was still rolling. (haha)

And 23 minutes after delivery. Our first encounter of the same kind. Hehe.

Anyways, she started chatting with us, and most especially if she is alone. It's just so fun. She is gaining weight too, and getting heavier now. 

This photo was taken last night. We were trying our best to make Hevyn sleep so she will forget the pain in her gums. She is teething and anytime soon, two new teeth will appear, maybe more. Kinda early for a 5-month old but exciting. 

Mrs. Thoughtskoto and her will always make fun of my big nose! Grrrrrr!

But hey, it feels better, the bigger your nose, the more air you inhale, the more chances you will live longer. I don't know if that analogy is right, but anyway, it makes sense. (lol)

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

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