7 Habits of Really Effective Shopper

Mrs. Thoughtskoto over Pink, Purple and Anything has this interesting post about shopping tips.


1. If you really want to save money for your grocery, you have to be familiar and aware how prices of products ranges from different grocery stores or super markets.

2. Be smart and consider your health, you've got to know what's in the food you are taking/eating.

3. Shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories gives me a chance to tour the entire mall or malls in the area.

4. Don't be an impulse buyer. Not all things on sale are cheap, some stores put mark up on prices before going on sale, and it doesn't make the price low.

5. Take time to ask the sales person about the product. If its an electronic, know where it was made, is the spare parts available in case you need it?

6. Brands does matter. Sometimes it can make your item expensive, but some brands are consumer tested and the quality is superb compared to other brands.

7. Sometimes it really takes more than one- store- visit to decide which one to buy, specially if you are buying something that costs a lot of money.

You should read the whole thing here, I just copied the first sentences. She has very wonderful posting about facial, foot spa, and wide variety of subjects about motherhood and stay at home mom's. Some pink, some purple, and yes, anything and everything!

If you like her post, please leave her a comment. She will jump in happiness if you do! Promise!

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

HABITS that BOSSES LOVES

Margaret Steen of Yahoo HotJobs shared this career tips to all employees out there. Every boss wants employees who do their jobs well. But even among highly competent employees, there are distinctions. Here are 10 tips for making sure you're on the boss's A-list:

1. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Especially at the beginning of your relationship -- that is, when either you or the boss is new to the job -- err on the side of giving your boss too much information and asking too many questions.

2. Acknowledge what the boss says. Bosses appreciate "responsive listening,"...When your boss asks you to do something or suggests ways for you to improve your work, let her know you heard.

3. Collaborate. When your boss has a new idea, respond to it in a constructive way instead of throwing up roadblocks.

4. Build relationships. You'll make your boss look good if you establish a good rapport with your department's customers, whether they're inside the company or outside. Bring back what you learn -- about ways to offer better customer service, for example -- to your boss. This is also helpful for your own career development.

5. Understand how you fit in. Is your boss detail-oriented, or someone who keeps his head in the clouds? His personality is important. Equally important is understanding what your boss wants in an employee. It may be, for example, that a boss who is detail-oriented will expect his employees to be as well. But a boss who has no time for details may actually appreciate an employee who does.

6. Learn the boss's pet peeves. If your manager has said repeatedly that she hates being interrupted first thing in the morning, don't run to her office to give her a project update when you first get in.

7. Anticipate the boss's needs. Once you have worked with your boss for a while, you should be able to guess what information he will want before approving your purchase order, for example.

8. Think one level up. You still need to do your own job, of course. But when managers consider who deserves a promotion, they look for people who understand the issues that their bosses face.

9. Open yourself to new ways of doing things. When your boss comes to you with a new idea, don't simply dismiss it. If you don't think it will work, offer to discuss it further in "a mature, responsible, adult-like way,".

10. Be engaged in your work. Arguing with your boss over every request is not a good strategy, but neither is simply shrugging your shoulders and agreeing with everything your boss says. "The manager would like to see an engaged individual," Beasley says. That means both showing enthusiasm for your work and speaking up when you see room for improvement.

The rest here.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

Sick Domestic Goddess

Cleaning the house, cookling meals, doing the chores, nursing my baby...a lot more keeps me busy each day. But last week, we moved things to our new room in the apartment we're renting. I faced my enemy, dust and heat, as I clean the entire apartment. It's been a long day for us. At the end of the day, I was feeling really exhausted with all the cleaning and moving of things, and I had dry cough already. DH was already worried, but I keep on reminding him, I've never been sick for more than a year already and if I get mild cough that's enough to prove I'm still human, lol. The following day, we went to church, the heat of the sun and sand storm made it worse. We arrive home on the afternoon and I felt my throat is getting sore already.
I started eating lots of oranges and citruss fruits.

I was more worried about my two month old baby if she caught my cough, so I asked DH to give a blessing on both of us. By midnight, I had a very painful throat, dry cough, difficult breathing and fever, thankfully my daughter hasn't caught it and is perfectly healthy.

Because I am sick, my dear husband decided to be absent at work and take care of me and our baby. Well, I'm blessed enough to have a husband like him. He pampered me whole day with the "name what you want to eat", and "let me do it for you" stuffs. By noon, my fever was gone.

What I'm thankful for is for the blessings he gave to me and our daughter, it didn't took so long to be sick domestic goddess because of his blessings and the way he takes care of me.

Life is so wonderful. Trully nothing can compensate for a loving husband and a happy home, it simply makes everything easier to take.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

The Torchbearer

The God of the Great Endeavor gave me a torch to Bear.

I lifted it high above me in the dark and murky air.

Straightway and loud hosannas the crowd acclaimed its light.

And followed me as I carried my torch through the dark and starless night.

Till mad with the people’s praises and drunken with vanity,

I forgot it was the Torch that drew them

And fancied they followed me.

And my arm grew sore and weary upholding the shiny load,

And my tired feet went stumbling over the hilly road.

I fell, the torch beneath me, in a moment the flame was out.

But lo! From the throng a stripling sprang forth with a mighty shout,

Caught up the torch as it smouldered and lifted it high again,

Till fanned by the winds of heaven it fired the souls of men.

As I lay alone in the darkness,

The feet of the trampling crowd, pass over and beyond me,

Their praises proclaimed aloud.

And I learned in the deepening shadow this glorious verity,

T’is the torch the people follow, who ‘ere the bearer be.

Humbert Wolfe

I copied this poem
from the desk of my mission president when I was called as an Assistant to him
on my mission a decade ago.

Wherever I go, this poem is a constant reminder to me to be humble especially if you are called to lead. Those who have been called to serve should remember always, despite the adulation and abounding praise and vanities we will receive, we are there to direct people's attention and life to Him, we are instrument to His hands, whatever path of destiny we are are traversing, our simple pride will always be sublime to the praise and glory of our God.

IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT FILIPINOS

IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT FILIPINOS
by Abdullah Al-Maghlooth, Saudi Arabia

Found here, and here, and here.

"Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Filipino workers — 1,019,577 — outside the Philippines. In 2006 alone, the Kingdom recruited more than 223,000 workers from the Philippines and their numbers are still increasing. Filipinos not only play an important and effective role in the Kingdom, they also perform different jobs in countries across the world, including working as sailors. They are known for their professionalism and the q uality of their work."

"Nobody here can think of a life without Filipinos, who make up around 20 percent of the world's seafarers. There are 1.2 million Filipino sailors. So if Filipinos decided one day to stop working or go on strike for any reason, who would transport oil, food and heavy equipment across the world? We can only imagine the disaster that would happen."

"What makes Filipinos unique is their ability to speak very good English and the technical training they receive in the early stages of their education. There are several specialized training institutes in the Philippines, including those specializing in engineering and road maintenance. This training background makes them highly competent in these vital areas."

"When speaking about the Philippines, we should not forget Filipino nurses. They are some 23 percent of the world's total number of nurses. The Philippines is home to over 190 accredited nursing colleges and institutes, from which some 9,000 nurses graduate each year. Many of them work abroad in countries such as the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Singapore."

"The Philippines, which you can barely see on the map, is a very effective country thanks to its people. It has the ability to influence the entire world economy."

'We should pay respect to Filipino workers, not only by employing them but also by learning from their valuable experiences.We have to remember that we are very much dependent on the Filipinos around us. We could die a slow death if they chose to leave us."

----Abdullah Al-Maghlooth, Saudi Arabia

You can find them in the hospital you went for check-up, or the care center for the aged, you can see them building bridges and towers with its engineers and technicians, you can see them manufacturing your food, your drinking water, and you can see them in banks, offices, and even your housemaids or houseboys. You can see them when you travel on cruise ships. You can find them in houses taking care of the old ones in your family, or teaching Math and Sciences in your school. Filipinos are everywhere, yes, almost 8 million of its best, brightest and diligent people are all over the world.

And I am proud that I am one of those overseas Filipino toiling in foreign land to live a decent life and offer my child a better future.

The whole story here

Don't Throw Away your Plastic Bags

PLASTIC RECYCLING can be so fun, and crafty like this

and this too

"A fact about plastic bag: Introduced just over 25 years ago, the ugly truth about our plastic bag addiction is that society's consumption rate is now estimated at well over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute."

And so we implore everybody to recycle. And one of the best recycling method we have discovered...

It saves a lot of money, and energy. Plastic comes at various sizes so everybody can chose their size, they be small, medium or large, or even extra extra large.

So this summer let's recycle, and you know, its fun to swim, the splash of water, oh so refreshing!This boy found a new way to do it.You don't need to buy BATHING SUIT.

Easier to wash, and yes, dries easily.

Happy Recycling everybody!

HOW RICH ARE YOU? Let's Find Out.

Every year we gaze enviously at the lists of the richest people in world. Wondering what it would be like to have that sort of cash. But where would you sit on one of those lists? Here's your chance to find out.

How Rich are You?

Find out Here

RICHLIST RANK= 804,100,258
You're in the TOP 13.4% richest people ... Out of nearly 7 Billion people all over the world.

With your new found wealth, please donate a little to this organization.

BELIEVE INTERNATIONAL

This organization was feautured in Caring TV, and Deseret News.

BELIEVE International is a non-profit organization staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers with the objective of alleviating poverty in the Philippines. With approximately half of Filipino citizens living in poverty, education of the country’s youth is a luxury. Yet, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Providing an education for your own children can be difficult. But imagine being forced to choose between buying food and educating your children. Education, for large numbers of children in the Philippines, is simply beyond reach.
Click here to Sponsor a student.

With a hundred dollars, you can send a kid to school for a year, which includes enrollment fees, school uniforms & supplies, and transportation.

Students are encouraged to write letters to their sponsors. This communication will let the student share with you how your generosity has affected his or her life. If you choose, you can respond to the student’s letter and your email or letter will be delivered through one of our volunteers.

In case you would like to donate any amount, you can do so in two ways:
Donate online, Mail in a completed donation form and check.

My mission companion and friend, Craig, son of the current president of the organization wrote this:

"The website lists some of the current children that need help (there are over 100 who need help, with more needy children being identified!). You can view the child's profile and you can choose which child to sponsor. A donation can be made right on the website through various methods - Paypal, Credit Card, Bank Withdrawal, etc. The problem is that no one knows about this organization. I NEED YOUR HELP to spread the word about this amazing organization so we help these children...educate...and lift themselves out of poverty."

So if you can help us by sponsoring a student, or donating to the cause, or simply adding this button link to your blog or website, you will be greatly appreciated.

just copy this photo and put a link to the site.

Thank you! And congratulations for being 'rich'


Note: Photo's of the students posted in this entry was taken by Carvel and Betty Whiting

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

The Rope

There was once a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain. He begun his adventure after many years of preparation, but since he wanted the glory just for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone.

And lo, the journey begun, when the night felt heavy in the height of the mountain, and the man could not see anything. It’s so dark, all was black. A zero visibility, and the moon and the starts were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, and it’s like forever, only a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at a great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being swallowed by gravity. He keep falling…and falling, and in those moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good things and bad things that had happened to his life.

He was thinking now about how close death was getting, and he closes his eyes; when all of a sudden he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard. It’s tightening! His body was still hanging in the air. Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness, he had no other choice and he started to scream,
HELP ME, OH GOD!

He sobbed. Dreams failed, he would be remembered as someone who died in the mountain, in an accident in his quest for glory. He thinks of his family and friends, and those people he cared about. “Oh God, help me”, in the deepening silence of the night his voice is helpless and hopeless but he managed to call God.

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered:

“What do you want me to do?”

The climber answered, ‘Oh God, is that you? Save me my God!”

“Do you really think I can save you?” said the voice.

“Of course, I believe You can” said the climber.

“Then cut the rope tied to your waist…” ordered the Voice.

There was a moment of silence; and the man turn between two choices. He will cut the rope and fall or hold on till morning and wait for rescue.

He decided to hold on to the rope, and the Voice is not heard anymore.

The rescue team tells, that the next day a climber was found dead, and frozen…his body hanging from a rope. His hands holding tight to it…
ONLY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE GROUND.

And we? How attached are we to our rope? What are the things that make us hold on to the rope, like fame, glory, worldly things, status and beauty. Are we willing to let go?

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

Why Kenji? (bumped and updated)

Why Kenji?

(An answer to friends and pals queries as to why I change my call name)

 

--Bumped and edited----

 

July 15, ‏2005‏‏

Dammam,

Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia

 

Today, I will answer and explain something, a question that I've been asked many times then and now, of people that I know and associated with and those I've never seen or even knew personally. If someone I knew in the Philippines will come here in Saudi Arabia, and will take notice of my workmates, my associates or friends call me by name; he or she will absolutely be surprised. Except for my national ID (Iqama), Passport and Payroll slip, I rarely use my real name. And I guess it's I like it to be that way.

 

It was sometime in August 2004 that I decided to alter my nickname. I was normally called Jebz or JB back home. After the pain brought by the love suicide I committed, it made me rethink or reexamine myself. About the setbacks and disappointments of the past, about the challenges of today, and about the life I have to live ahead. Call that introspection or simply, a paradigm shift just as Mr. Covey, author of the 7 Habits termed it.

 

It made me realize life indeed has a lot of surprises, some for good and some for not-so-well. I decided I needed to have a change. I needed a new standard where I can walk on in spite of the many discouraging experiences I had. I thought I was strong enough then, but August 2004, I was in the brink of discouragement, wallowing in self-pity, pounding my chest, and lamenting for the fate that have befallen on me. It's all about love.

 

I got out of that shell eventually that leads to my reinventing of myself again. Foremost to my push to change, is a new nickname. I considered it to be essential for me to move on in my journey with a new name. It will not be easy, but I know I will persevere.

 

A girl from somewhere in Southern Luzon wrote me a message in my Friendster Account that while searching in the web she found out we have the same name - JEBEE. She catches my attention. She asks me to visit her profile to which I did.  I saw pictures of her, her family and friends. I read some of her friends' testimonial. Unfortunately, she was not a member of the LDS Church. Can you imagine then if we become married and have kids? I joked with her this; Her name is Mrs. Jebee Solis, and I am Mr. Jebee Solis! Our children will be asked what are their father's and their mother's name? It would be a total confusion then! Hehehe. I wrote in her testimonial this note. " I am proud to find someone whose name exactly spells my name in a girl version, a very lovely indeed, and smart, and yes, friendly and kind Jebee. I told her that Jebee was derived from my father's name Jessie and my mother's name, Betty. It is for me a beautiful, unique name…and sacred too.

 

That happening for me was an inspiration and I think an answer to prayer. I needed to change the way people call me. Something that will remind me of the goodness I needed to do. Thus, KENJI came.

 

We have a high school newspaper where I was the contributor and later proceeded to become the literary editor. I use three nom de plume, JelseBoise, a scrambled Jebee Solis; Kiana, and Kenji (Khalil a muslim name was introduced only once, I grow up in Mindanao where 40% are Muslims) Kiana, eventually become the name of my journal or diary. Kenji remained with me. He was there already for a long time. Thus Kenji is not new anymore, he was around several years ago but was abandoned when I was blinded, when I lose sight of what matters most and what do not.

 

I reinvented myself again, with a new call name, a name that stands for something essential, though invisible with the natural eye. Focusing more on the character, the inside, and the primary greatness as the Seven Habits call it, than the shallow personality.

 

I made a website out of my name with a Kenji add-on to it. I wrote emails and texted my friends informing them of my new call name. My lockers and notebooks was named Kenji even my cell phone logo! Some of my seminary students and young friends associated this name to Kenji Nakamura of Samurai X, the son of Kenshen. I admit I like the cartoon series and I watched it a lot but Jebee Kenji Solis was born before I saw Samurai X. And so a lot of people are asking me the same question over and over again. Why Kenji? I was elated that they ask, really. It made me smiles because it serves as a reminder of the dreams and focus I have - To live a life, to learn a lot, to develop Christ like love and to leave a lasting legacy.

 

The first to ask me are my workmates in Asia Pacific in Manila. Then my board mates when I took a bed space in Pasay. Then my best friends and pals… mga kafriendship ko, and those who visited my website. When I first arrived here in Saudi Arabia, my branch president interviewed me and he asked me first and foremost why my nickname is Kenji. And a lot more people were asking me, the latest among them that prompts me to write this entry is Anthony Gayo, a friend who works here in Saudi Arabia and Abe Burnett, a member residing in California. He was searching in Google about someone he knew in Iligan, he typed the name and the Google search Engine gives my website as the number one resource of that person. That girl happens to be my friend in college days. Thus started my friendship with Abe and thus leads to his question as to where I took my nickname – Kenji.

 

WHY KENJI?  I overheard very many people telling me my nickname sounds Japanese but awesome! As what I wrote in my Friendster Profile, and in my website  Kenji stands for:

 

Kind, (hoping I am) or I am trying to become. Di ba sarap pakinggan to hear from people wherever you are and wherever you go, be they are your siblings, your parents, family, friends, associates and neighbors saying "ah si Kenji Jb, napakabait nun!" (Wish ko lang)

 

Enthusiasm, to those who know me, they know that I always wanted to infuse excitement to anyone, anywhere, anytime! I can't eat or sleep if something I am too excited with is not settled or done. My enthusiasm is my fire that makes me excited about life.

 

Never afraid/No fear – I hope I am not arrogant, I hope I am not overbearing; I hope I am not proud or full of myself. To me it simply means being courageous and yet determined. My strength is the strength that comes from my faith in the Lord.

 

Joy- this is what I wanted to achieve in life, just like all of us. It is way above happiness. It can't be bought with money, it can only be found through obedience to time tested values and virtuous and standards. It can only be found, truly when someone understands the reason where we came from, why we are here, where we are going, what we will become and what is really the purpose of life.

 

Integrity/Inspiration from Above. I hope I am living a life with honesty and integrity, be it in my word, in my action, in my thoughts. I failed at times, I am not giving up. I hope I am making sure that whatever is said I will do, I hope I am going to do it. I wanted to be that man. Kenji hopes to be that man. That's why it is in the end because it is a process, and the end of that process of change means Kenji eventually becomes what he dreamed of.  I hope to pray always and seek the wisdom and direction of Someone Above who knows all. I can never do it alone. I can never be what I wanted to be without the aid of Someone greater among us all.

 

Why Kenji? And so to all my friends who asked and are asking me. Jebee is a beautiful name. Jebee will be forever. It will be the name I will eventually bring with me in Heaven. Kenji is just a call name, but it is an important name. It is a mark of a significant turning point in my life, between dreaming and working for those dreams, between love and life, and hatred and death. Kenji therefore stands for the right attributes I wish to become, and I hope to eventually become, by choosing the right, always, no matter how difficult the price may be.

----Kenji jb

The Parable of the Pencil

The Parable of the Pencil

In the beginning, the pencil maker spoke to the pencil saying,
"There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be"

First:
You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand.

Second:
You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil.

Third:
You have the ability to correct any mistake you might make.

Fourth:
The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

Fifth:
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.

The pencil understood, promising to remember and went into the box fully understanding it's maker's purpose.

Now put yourself in place of the pencil; always remember it and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One:
You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for many gifts you possess.

Second:
You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you will need it to become a stronger person.

Three:
You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them

Four:
The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And five:
On every surface you walk. You must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

Everyone is like a pencil…
Created by the maker for a unique and special purpose. By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

You were made to do great thing's…

Courtesy of my brother Carl, from his collection.