The Virgin's Birthday

Meditation on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The History of the Liturgical Celebration of Mary's Birth

[Mary's Birth; Master of the Pfullendorf Altar]

The Churches of Constantinople in the East and Rome in the West celebrate liturgies in honor of Mary's birth from the sixth and seventh centuries on. The origin of the liturgy is traced to the consecration of the church in Jerusalem in the sixth century that has been traditionally known as St. Ann's Basilica. The original church built in the fifth century was a Marian basilica erected on the spot known as the shepherd's field and thought to have been the home of Mary's parents. After its destruction and reconstruction in the sixth century, the basilica was named in honor of St.Ann.

By the seventh century the liturgy was also celebrated in Rome where it had been introduced by monks from the East. From there, it spread throughout the West, and by the thirteenth century the liturgy had developed to a solemnity with a major octave (eight days of commemoration prior to the liturgy) and a solemn vigil which prescribed a fastday. Pope Sergius I (687-701) established a procession (a litania) from the Roman Forum to St. Mary Major for the feast.

During the reform of St. Pius X, the octave was simplified, and in 1955 Pius XII abolished it. The liturgy received the rank of feast.

The date, September 8, was chosen as the 8th day (an octave) after the former Byzantine New Year. Although Mary's birth was celebrated on various dates throughout the centuries, September 8 predominated. The feast celebrating Mary's Immaculate Conception, December 8, (a liturgy instituted later) was set to correspond to nine months before Mary's birth.

In the East, Mary's birthday is celebrated as one of the twelve great liturgies. The title for the liturgy in the East: "The Birth of Our Exalted Queen, the Birthgiver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary." Around 560, Romanos the Melodist wrote a Kontakion for the celebration. The oldest existing sermon for the liturgy was written by St. Andrew of Crete:

[Geburt Mariae; Marx Reichlich]

The present feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exalts, and participates in the joy of this day. ... This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which, by a stupendous project, a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator.

The responsory for the liturgy proclaims:

Your birth, Birthgiver of God, announced joy to the whole world. From you came the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He released the curse and gave the blessing.

The Spiritual Tradition Regarding Mary's Birth

Sacred Scripture does not record Mary's birth. The earliest known writing regarding Mary's birth is found in the Protoevangelium of James (5:2), which is an apocryphal writing from the late 2nd century. What matters is not the historicity of the account, but the significance of Mary's and of every person's birth. In Mary's case, the early Church grew more and more interested in the circumstances surrounding the origin of Christ. Discussion about Mary throws light on the discussion about the identity of Jesus Christ.

The Church usually celebrates the passing of a person, that is, the person's entry into eternal life. Besides the birth of Christ, the Christian liturgy celebrates only two other birthdays: that of St. John the Baptizer and of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It is not the individual greatness of these saints that the Church celebrates, but their role in salvation history, a role directly connected to the Redeemer's own coming into the world.

Mary's birth lies at the confluence of the two Testaments--bringing to an end the stage of expectation and the promises and inaugurating the new times of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Mary, the Daughter of Zion and ideal personification of Israel, is the last and most worthy representative of the People of the Old Covenant but at the same time she is "the hope and the dawn of the whole world." With her, the elevated Daughter of Zion, after a long expectation of the promises, the times are fulfilled and a new economy is established. (Lumen Gentium 55)

The birth of Mary is ordained in particular toward her mission as Mother of the Savior. Her existence is indissolubly connected with that of Christ: it partakes of a unique plan of predestination and grace. God's mysterious plan regarding the Incarnation of the Word embraces also the Virgin who is His Mother. In this way, the Birth of Mary is inserted at the very heart of the History of Salvation. (M. Valentini, Dictionary of Mary, pp. 36-7.)

Representations of Mary's Birth in Art

Mary's birth is usually included as one panel in art series on Mary's lifestory; however, it is also a theme depicted by itself. The oldest known representation is on a sixth century diptych in Leningrad. From the very beginning, the paintings were modeled on the type used for the birth of Christ, where the mother is in a lying position. Instead of a landscape, a cave or a stable as in the birth of Christ, various types of architectural structures are depicted which represent an interior dwelling place. Ann, the mother of Mary, is lying on a couch or on a bed. Usually, servants are busy bathing the child. Starting around 980 the compositions depict three women. One very simple painting, the so-called Berlin diptych from the early twelfth century, shows a servant handing Ann a bowl, while the child lays all tucked in on a little bed. These representations show the natural and joyful event of Mary's birth.

[Anne Conceiving the Virgin; Bellegambe]

Other works place the stress on the destiny of the child and the teachings of the faith. Pietro Lorenzetti (1342, Siena, Museum dell'Opera del Duomo) places the birth in a side room of a church. On Wolf Huber's Field Church altar, angels participate in the birth through an opening in the heavens. Albrecht Altdorfer places Mary's birth in a church with pillars surrounded by angels (1525, Munich, Alte Pinakothek). During the baroque and the rococo periods, heaven and earth unite in the paintings in happy profusion at Mary's birth.

[Birth of the Virgin (detail); Murillo]

During the later periods, especially after the fifteenth century, the representations of the birth of Mary highlight her destiny as the immaculate virgin, the child predestined by God's choice to bear the God-man, Jesus Christ. The words of the mystic, Mary of Agreda (1602-1665), describe well the way art would attempt to depict this birth. Mary of Agreda wrote, "Not only was the Word conceived before all these by eternal generation from the Father, but His temporal generation from the Virgin Mother full of grace, had already been decreed and conceived in the divine mind. Inasmuch as no efficacious and complete decree of this temporal generation could exist without at the same time including his Mother, such a Mother, the most holy Mary, was then and there conceived within that beautiful immensity, and her eternal record was written in the bosom of the Divinity, in order that for all the ages it should never be blotted out. She was stamped and delineated in the mind of the eternal Artificer and possessed the inseparable embraces of his love."

The Prayer of the Church

The Church prays at midday in the Liturgy of the Hours:

Today is the birthday of the holy Virgin Mary whose life illumined all the Churches. In many cultures, the birthday of every person merits a celebration. Family and friends gather to wish the "birthday child" many happy returns. There are well-wishing, balloons, cards, cakes, candles, a favorite meal, there are gifts and jests--all the things that say, at least once a year, "You are special, there's only one of you, we are happy that you exist." So, it is for the people of God and Mary.

The Byzantine Daily Worship gives us the following prayer:

[Birth of the Virgin; The Hours of Catherine of Cleves]

Come, all you faithful, let us hasten to the Virgin: for long before her conception in the womb, the one who was to be born of the stem of Jesse was destined to be the Mother of God. The one who is the treasury of virginity, the flowering Rod of Aaron, the object of the prophecies, the child of Joachim and Anne, is born today and the world is renewed in her. Through her birth, she floods the church with her splendor. O holy Temple, Vessel of the Godhead, Model of virgins and Strength of kings: in you the wondrous union of the two natures of Christ was realized. We worship Him and glorify your most pure birth, and we magnify you. (441-442)

Ramadan (calendar month)

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This article is about the Islamic calendar month called Ramadan. For information about the holiday and religious observances by the same name, see Ramadan (religious observances).

Islamic Calendar

1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi' al-awwal
4. Rabi' al-thani
5. Jumada al-awwal
6. Jumada al-thani
7. Rajab
8. Sha'aban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhu al-Qi'dah
12. Dhu al-Hijjah

Ramadan or Ramadhan or Ramazan(Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd "to burn". Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month. Furthermore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed. The first day of the next month is spent in celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Timing
* 2 Events
* 3 References
* 4 External links

[edit] Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic Lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year and contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset. The actual and estimated start and end dates for Ramadan in 2005-2010 were and are as follows:
CE / AD AH Start End
2005 1426 2 October 1 November
2006 1427 23 September 22 October
2007 1428 13 September 12 October[1]
2008 1429 2 September 1 October
2009 1430[2] 21 August 19 September
2010 1431[3] 10 August 9 September
Ramadan dates between 2005 and 2010

Most Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some insist on using the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the cycle of the moon. When one country sees the moon, mainly Saudi Arabia, the moon travels the same path all year round and that same moon seen on the East is then seen traveling towards the West. All the countries around the world see the moon within a 24 hour period once spotted by one country in the East.

Each year, Ramadan begins ten days earlier than in the previous year.[4] Astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available.[5]

At the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims.

[edit]

This Made me Laugh

( this was sent to my e-mail ad ftom the yahoo group Boomers International)


Subject: 'I Hate My Job day'

When you have an 'I Hate My Job day'

Try this out:


On your way home from work, stop at your pharmacy and go to the
thermometer section and purchase a rectal thermometer made by Johnson
&Johnson

Be very sure you get this brand. When you get home, lock your doors,
draw the curtains and disconnect the phone so you will not be
disturbed.

Change into very comfortable clothing and sit in your favorite chair.
Open the package and remove the thermometer. Now, carefully place it
on a table or a surface so that it will not become chipped or broken.

Now the fun part begins .

Take out the literature from the box and read it carefully . You will
notice that in small print there is a statement:

' Every Rectal Thermometer made by Johnson &Johnson is personally
tested and then sanitized . '

Now, close your eyes and repeat out loud five times, 'I am so glad I do
not work in the thermometer quality control department at Johnson
&Johnson .'

HAVE A NICE DAY; AND REMEMBER, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE WITH A JOB
THAT IS MORE OF A PAIN IN THE ASS THAN YOURS!

The Samurai Creed

I have no parents; I make the Heavens and the Earth my parents.
I have no home; I make the Tan T'ien my home.
I have no divine power; I make honesty my Divine Power.
I have no means; I make Docility my means.
I have no magic power; I make personality my Magic Power.
I have neither life nor death; I make A Um my Life and Death.

I have no body; I make Stoicism my Body.
I have no eyes; I make The Flash of Lightning my eyes.
I have no ears; I make Sensibility my Ears.
I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs.
I have no laws; I make Self-Protection my Laws.

I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore Life my Strategy.
I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock my Designs.
I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle.
I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my Principle.
I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics.

I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent.
I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend.
I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy.
I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour.
I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle.
I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword.

REMEMBER THIS !

3 things in life that can never come back

-TIME

-WORDS

-OPPORTUNITY

3 things in life that should never be lost

-PEACE

-HOPE

-HONESTY

3 things in life that are most valuable

-LOVE

-FAITH

-PRAYER

3 things in life that Makes a Person

-HARDWORK

-SINCERITY

-COMMITMENT

3 things in life that CAN DESTROY A PERSON

-LUST

-PRIDE

-ANGER

3 things in life that are constant

-CHANGE

-DEATH

-GOD

ZEN VOWS

These precepts are taken during ordination and also at the full moon Bodhisattva ceremony.

The Zen Precepts are vows that establish the intention of beginner's mind practice. It is the sincerity of our practice and intentions guide us in the development of mindful living and everyday life. In Zen practice, vows are not rules to follow or ideals to attain. They are guidelines for cultivating one's inner life and character, and for learning how to bring benefit to everyone. They are also an endless source of reflection. The vows below also include statements made about them during the traditional full moon Bodhisattva ceremony.

Pure Precepts

I vow to refrain from all evil.

(Doshi) It is the abode and the source of all Buddhas, and the law of all Buddhas.

I vow to do all that is good.

It is the teaching of anuttara samyaksambodhi and the path of the one who practices, and that which is practiced.

I vow to live and be lived for the benefit of all beings.

It is transcending profane and holy, taking self and others across.

Prohibitory Precepts

I vow not to kill.

By not killing life, the Buddha seed grows. Transmit the life of Buddha and do not kill.

I vow not to take what is not given.

The self and objects are such, two yet one. The gate of liberation stands open.

I vow not to misuse sexuality.

Let the three wheels of self, objects, and action be pure. With nothing to desire, one goes along together with the Buddhas.

I vow to refrain from false speech.

The Dharma Wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither surplus nor lack. The sweet dew saturates all and harvests the truth.

I vow not to sell the wine of delusion.

Originally pure, don't defile. This is the great awareness.

I vow not to slander.

In the Buddha Dharma, go together, appreciate, realize, and actualize together. Don't permit fault-finding. Don't permit haphazard talk. Do not corrupt the way.

I vow not to praise self at the expense of others.

Buddhas and Ancestors realize the vast sky and the great earth. When they manifest the noble body, there is neither inside nor outside in emptiness. When they manifest the Dharma body, there is not even a bit of earth on the ground.

I vow not to be avaricious.

One phrase, one verse--that is the ten thousand things and one hundred grasses. One dharma, one realization--is all Buddhas and Ancestors. Therefore, from the beginning, there has been no stinginess at all.

I vow not to harbor ill will.

Not negative, not positive, neither real nor unreal. There is an ocean of illuminated clouds and an ocean of ornamented clouds.

I vow not to abuse the three treasures.

To expound the Dharma with this body is foremost. Virtue returns to the ocean of reality. It is unfathomable--we just accept it with respect and gratitude.

words of wisdom

Everything has been figured out except how to live.

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE (1905-1980)

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

The 1st lover

Once upon a time, there was this girl who had four lovers

She loved the 4th lover the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd lover very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her 2nd lover. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her...Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girls 1st lover was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first lover. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him.

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four lovers with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the 4th lover: I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!' replied the 4th lover, and he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the 3rd lover, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!' replied the 3rd lover. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd lover, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!' replied the 2^nd lover. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her 1st lover. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!


In truth, you have 4 lovers in your lives:

Your 4th lover is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good; it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd lover is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd lover is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your 1st lover is your Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

I hope this touched you!

__._,_.___

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mystical. It is the source of all true art and science.”
~ Albert Einstein

quotes

I'm astounded by people who want to "know" the universe

when it's hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.

WOODY ALLEN

I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all

mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I'm in the wrong

building.

CHARLES SCHULZ

I have a simple philosophy. Fill what's empty. Empty what's

full. Scratch where it itches.

ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH (1884 - 1980)

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day

at a time.

CHARLES SCHULZ

It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day

basis.

MARGARET BONNANO

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the

answers.

JAMES THURBER (1894 - 1961)

Apostles' Creed

---

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

Basic Doctrines of Buddhism

The basic doctrines of Buddhism can be demonstrated in the following concepts:

The Four Noble Truths

Realization of the Four Noble Truths is the first step on the path to cessation of dukkha.

The First Noble Truth is the realization that all worldly phenomena are dukkha, unsatisfactory. Every aspect of existence is ultimately fleeting and unfulfilling, subject to birth, decay, disease, and death.

The Second Noble Truth is the cause of dukkha: craving for the pleasure of the senses, which can never be fully satisfied, and aversion from pain.

The Third Noble Truth is the ending of dukkha. To be free of dukkha one must extinguish this very craving so that no passion and desire remain.

The Fourth Noble Truth leads to the end of dukkha by way of the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is cyclic, forming a Wheel of Dhamma.

Each step on the path propels the seeker to the next step and perfection of each quality reinforces the others.

Perfect Understanding (Sammā Ditthi) Also translated as Perfect Perception or Perfect View. To develop an understanding of the nature of the world through the Four Noble Truths.

Perfect Thought (Sammā Sankappa) Avoiding cultivation of jealous or angry thoughts. Cultivating thoughts of goodwill and renunciation.

Perfect Speech (Sammā Vācā) Avoiding false speech, harsh words, and mindless chatter.

Perfect Action (Sammā Kammanta) Conduct that is peaceful, honest, and pure; includes observance of the Five Precepts.

Perfect Livelihood (Sammā Ājiva) Avoiding any livelihood that harms other beings or involves intoxicants, such as a slaughterhouse or a bar.

Perfect Effort (Sammā Vāyāma) Determined discipline and cultivation of the mind.

Perfect Mindfulness (Sammā Sati) Awareness of one's own actions, words, and thoughts and the true nature of reality.

Perfect Concentration (Sammā Samādhi) To develop the ability to become absorbed in one point or object, leading to higher states of consciousness. Purification and concentration of the mind that lead to establishment in higher states of consciousness.

Buddhist Precepts

There are five precepts commonly observed by Buddhists:

1. To avoid killing or harming any living being.
2. To avoid taking that which has not been given.
3. To avoid committing sexual misconduct.
4. To avoid using false words.
5. To avoid taking alcohol and other intoxicants.

Additional precepts apply to monks and nuns and may be taken by laypeople on special occasions:

1. To eat moderately and only at the appropriate time.
2. To avoid dancing, singing, music, and bodily adornments.
3. To abstain from sleeping in luxurious beds.

Scriptures

In Theravada Buddhism, there are three groups of writings containing the Buddha's teachings, known as the "Three Baskets" (Tipitaka). The Vinaya Pitaka (discipline basket) contains precepts for monks and nuns; the Sutta Pitaka (teaching basket) contains the discourses of Buddha; and the Abidhamma Pitaka (metaphysical basket) contains Buddhist theology.

Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism recognize hundreds of additional sutras recorded by masters after the time of the Buddha. Some of the most well-known are the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and the Lotus Sutra. The oldest scriptures are in Sanskrit, while others have been written in Tibetan and Chinese.

References

Buddha Dharma Education Association, Inc.

2007 Buddhist Studies. Electronic Document, http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm,

accessed December 20, 2007.

Rahula, Walpola

1974 What the Buddha Taught. The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.

Ven. Sathindriya Peradeniye (Bhante Sathi). Interview December 8, 2007.

smiling Christ

acoustic music

peyote cactus

lotus

yellow butterflies
hovering over
red flowers
on a bright day!

The WAY (TAO)

If you don't trust people,
people will not trust you.

what the world needs now is...

we are the world...

Quote of the day

We all need each other.
Leo Buscaglia

The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession.

Mark Twain

Quote of the day

I chose to love you in silence, for in silence I find no rejection. I chose to love you in your loneliness, for in your loneliness no one owns you, but me.""

Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken.
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
If you risk nothing and do nothing, you dull your spirit.
You may avoid suffering and sorrow, but you cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, and live.
Chained by your attitude, you are a slave.
You have forfeited your freedom.
Only if you risk are you free.

Leo Buscaglia

POINTS TO PONDER

(FORWARDED TO ME FROM BOOMERS INTERNATIONAL, YAHOO GROUP)

When you are feeling alone like no one cares, read this cuz its absolutely true:

Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep.

At least fifteen people in this world love you.

The only reason someone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

There are at least two people in this world that would die for you.

You mean the world to someone.

Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look.

Always remember the compliments you've received. Forget the rude remarks.

not much of a man?

( This was posted in my Tagged Bulletin)


A grizzled old man was eating in a truck stop when
three tough-looking bikers walked in.

The first walked up to the old man and pushed his
cigarette into the old man's pie, and then he took a
seat at the counter. The second walked up to the old
man and spit into the old man's milk, and then he took
a seat at the counter. The third walked up to the old
man and turned over the old man's plate, and then he
took a seat at the counter.

Without a word of protest, the old man quietly left
the diner. Shortly thereafter, one of the bikers said
to the waitress, "Humph, not much of a man, was he?"

The waitress replied, "Not much of a truck driver,
either. He just backed his truck over three
motorcycles."

Life Without Complaints

Sometimes, we take our trials, our sufferings, our ordeals too seriously.

The message below will make you think twice before complaining. Again,

let's make the best out of what we have.

Be Deliberate, Be Positive and STAY Committed!

Heavenly day everyone.

If you think you are unhappy, look at them

If you think your salary is low, how about her?










If you think you don't have many friends...


















If you think study is a burden, how about her?














When you feel like giving up, think of this man














If you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as much as he does?












If you complain about your transport system, how about them?














If your society is unfair to you, how about her?



















Enjoy life how it is and as it comes
Things are worse for others and is a lot better for us J

There are many things in your life that will catch your eye
but only a few will catch your heart.....pursue those..

This email needs to circulate forever...:

CEBUANO KO BAI !

(This article was forwarded to me in my e-mail ad)
Author Unknown

I am not a Filipino, never considered myself one a
long time ago. I am a Cebuano and my late father once
said: "There's a whale of a difference between the
two". And that distinction between the Cebuano and
Filipino is never more pronounced than the result of
the 2001 Senatorial Elections. The election results
nationwide from Manila to Mindanao showed an even
trend, far below the expectations of the anti-Erap
advocates. Can you believe that? After we've been
screwed in the ass by a pea-brained Tagawg! But the
Cebuanos voted differently. We Cebuanos voted with the
same clear sightedness and maturity that scared the
shit out of Marcos and his KBL lap dogs who despite
massive cheating and terrorism in collusion with his
Ilocano Generals were defeated by the Pusyon Bisaya
during the Parliamentary Elections in the seventies.
We Cebuanos have a better sense of truth and justice
and we have always been the vanguards against tyranny
and oppression since 1521 when Chief Lapu-lapu whacked

Magellan.

Cebu City was the first established capital of the
islands until the seat of the Spanish colonial
government was moved to Manila in the early eighteenth
century. Why? Can you imagine if Malacanang Palace
were in Cebu City in September 21, 1972? Marcos would
have been barbecued in Pasil in less than 24 hours.
That's the same reason why Legaspi changed his mind
and moved the capital to Manila and not because Cebu
was no longer a commercially viable port during the
galleon trade with Acapulco. Legaspi was simply
traumatized by Magellan's defeat in Mactan and was

clearly intimidated by the Cebuanos.

In Col. Manuel Segura's book "Tabunan: The Exploits of
Cebu Guerillas", the dauntless yet under armed
Cebuanos inflicted the highest number of enemy forces
killed per guerilla fighter in the Philippines. The
indomitable spirit and determination of the Cebuano
fighters to arm themselves against the superior
Japanese Forces became the progenitor of the now
burgeoning gun (paltik) industry in the province. One
of the most famous guerilla fighter that later became
a successful arms manufacturer was Simeon Cortes who
once fabricated mortars out of sewer pipes.

The imminent invasion of Australia was thwarted when
Japanese General Koga who was carrying the classified
blueprint of the of the military plan to invade
Australia was captured by Cebuano guerillas off the
coast of Minglanilla. Yet this brave tales remain a
footnote in military history. Why, because history is
written by the Tagawgs of the North. We once had a
Cebuano President the late Don Sergio Osmena, Sr. who
never got re-elected for being too honest to tell the
Filipinos that he cannot promise them a better life in
a country reeling from the destruction of war. He
never licked the butt of the "Liberator kuno", the
legendary mama's boy General Douglas MacArthur. He was
a great President in the wrong country!

Do you know that the Cebuanos produced more world
boxing champions than any other ethnic group in the
Philippines? Let me refresh your memories.

One of the all time great in the Junior Lightweight
division was the legendary Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. The
string of World Champions that followed were Bernabe
Villacampo, Frank Cedeno, Dodie Boy Penalosa, Jerry
Penalosa and Joma Gamboa. The Cebuanos also produced
the best singers and musicians in this archipelago. We
are all familiar with names like Pilita Corrales,
Amapola Cabase, Dulce, Eva Santos, Vernie Varga,
Manilyn Reynes, Vina Morales, Chad Borja, Ray-an
Fuentes, Stax Hugete, Ingrid Sala Santamaria - the
list is almost endless. This is a testament to the
artistry and creativity and the passion to excel that
is deeply ingrained in the genetic code of every
Cebuano.

We are a unique people Blessed by the Sto. Nino. We
have lesser typhoons, criminality, traffic jams and
virtually no earthquakes. Our artisans are
world-class- we have the best furniture makers, the
best gun makers, the best guitar makers, and the best
delicacies,etc.,etc.

We deserve nothing less than the best in governance
and to be able to run the affairs of the state and
economy by ourselves without relying or being
exploited by the hopelessly corrupt Manila government.
Our children don't have to suffer the torturous Tagawg
lessons in school because our own language is more
eloquent and superior. Is there a Tagawg word for
husband? Or who can better pronounce the words
Beatles, popsicle, tricycle, uncle? Cebuanos or
Tagawgs? Baaah!! Yet they make a mockery out of our
accent and they think all Cebuana girls are maids.

Since the choice of our national leaders will always
be superseded by the choice of ignorant Filipinos, the
time is ripe for the Cebuanos to rise and demand
self-determination. Mga Moros ra diay maka-hibaw? No
doubt we can do better than what Hong Kong and
Singapore have accomplished as an independent State.
Let the rest of the country be run like hell by the
Ilocanos, the Pampangos, Pangasinense and Tagawgs.
Give Mindanao to the Moros, they deserve it! Kamong
nang botar ni Loi, Ping, Honasan, Angara inyo na ang
Pilipinas. Leave Cebu to the Cebuanos. So, who's with
me in this crusade? Sugdan na nato mga igsoon! Voice
out your anger! Cebuano Pride is Burning! So please
don't call me Filipino in the same manner that the
Catalans, the Andalucians, the Malaguenas and the
Basques don't want to be called Spaniards! "We are
what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act,
but a habit". ARISTOTLE

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away. George
Carlin

Aimee and the Boom -Town Rats

by: Alan K. Caña

We call them the Boom-Town Rats because they're led by Aimee , a small 19 year old girl who stands less than 5 feet tall. A friend of mine once called her his cute little stuffed toy and another one called her his beautiful and sexy pygmy.

She's got a lovely face with skin so soft like a child's. She smells like a child too. She uses baby cologne and baby powder to smell fresh. She wears her hair long reaching as low as her buttocks. She wears the shortest of shorts.

Everyone agrees that she's a sexy little rat. A rat who makes a living from the goodies of the drunken men seeking pleasure from the night.

She was the first girl I met in that place. There were no other customers when I came because I was there early.She sat beside me and said she won't be ordering anything, just wanted to talk. I told her I don't have much money, she smiled and said, "It doesn't matter". We talked.

She told me about her Grandpa and how he gets mad at her for screwing around. She told me about her attempted suicide at sixteen. She told me many things, sad stories and amusing tales. I listened as she babbled on - entertained! Then she asked me to sing. I gave her five pesos and a song title, I sang Sandra by Barry Manilow and she sang a Tagalog song.

Then new customers came pouring in. I was a little drunk, so I told her to go and find someone she might spend the night with. She said she's waiting for her sugar daddy.When her "daddy" came,she kissed me lightly on the cheek and asked for my name and I told her. She thanked me and walked towards him.

As I am writing this, I cant help feeling awkwardly amused of myself. The story Im telling seems like something cut right out from a Tagalog movie, with me as the main character. So unoriginal, but nevertheless true!

Anyway, that short encounter became the starting point of a friendship. A friendship that has led me to meet more girls like her and the people who frequent the place, and the proprietor who owns it.

I became an insider. their friend and confidante. I was a participant-observer and I learned many things - lots of them!

When I came back a few days later, Aimee introduced me to three of her friends, Jesselyn, Juliet and Myrna. All of them wore sexy shorts and tightly fitted Tees. Jesselyn has a mole near her nose at the left side of her cheek. She's a little taller than the rest. She told me she's married and has a three year old child. She's twenty one.

Juliet was about five feet and 2 inches tall,with long hair. She has this habit of nitpicking her hair. A friend said that he'll never go out with this girl cause she seem to be infested with lice. This girl sings well with a husky voice. Her sugar daddy is a policeman from the nearby city in the south. She's twenty. And she's the niece of a very good friend of mine who happens to be a nun.

Myrna was different. She's fair-skinned and looked very ordinary. But when she sits beside a guy one easily sense that shes got this appeal. Perhaps shes got a high pheromone level in her because she attracts many admirers. She's nineteen and three months pregnant.

Are they prostitutes?..I don't really know, I did not care to ask any of them. But this is what they do: They enter a videoke bar and befriends customers and if they "table" them, they ask for lady's drinks", they ask for money to pay to sing in the videoke, and if the going gets good they received tips from their friends who as time goes by will become their sugar daddies.

If they find out that there are no moneyed customers in this hang-out, they send for their friend the habal-habal (motorcycle) driver to take them to the city of Naga or to some other bar. But they usually come back at Twelve midnight at their regular hang-out, here in Minglanilla.

Yes, here in the usually quite place of our hometown.

Right in the middle of Boom-Town Minglanilla - where Aimee and the Boom-Town Rats roam!

My Videoke Bar Experience Ends Today

by: Alan K. Caña

I just finished emptying my Cell phone's Phone book of unwanted numbers .Numbers of people who I don't want to exchange text messages anymore.
Cell numbers of people I met inside the Videoke Bar

It has been an exciting two months or so - my Videoke Bar experience.and I learned a lot from what I saw and from the people I talked with.

There were the girls. Yes, lots of them! The regular customers who were mostly people that I know, the proprietor, the walk-ins and almost everyone I met have their own stories to tell.

But no, they did not come to tell stories, but to enjoy themselves.

But somehow, in between the rounds of drinks and songs, the huggings and kissings, and the laughter, glimpses of their private lives surfaced in forms of drunken talk. Of course the seriousness always comes in behind the facade of playful bantering.

As I emptied my phone of their numbers, I felt a sadness within. But somehow, the experience should end while the stories begin.

I'll write of them, perhaps all of them, for their unique lives have touch mine.I'll write about them because this is the only thing I can do. I can not take them out of the rut they are in. I can not even show them the way for when I was with them, I felt as lost as they.

Tomorrow.Ill start writing about Aimee (not her real name), the star of the place.

But tonight I'll stay home, resisting the urge to go out and have fun.

Work begins tonight.