When I was still in my late teens, I got to disassemble our desk fan, not just for cleaning even the machine part but reparing because it no longer oscillated.

The first time I tried to figure it out I was able to fix it. I changed the ball bearings with monggo seeds. Of course it did not last since it broke to pieces after a couple of hours. I learned, though, what caused it to not oscillate. I took the bearings from a broken fan to make the former working well. Ahh…satisfaction comes from being able to fix things oftentimes.

I love the concept of Scrabble. It exercises one’s brain with regard to English vocabulary. We used to have a set until the letter chips have disappeared one by one. The board has been thrown away too for someone else’s use. I missed it, though. I have no budget to buy so I made a set myself. It’s even fits my bag’s pocket!

First, I searched Google for images of the board and the chips (letters), printed them out, cut the letters, made a box for the letters, and that’s it. I just enhanced the “board” so it is protected from easy damage by sandwiching it between two acetate sheets. The sew marks are the fold marks. I also attached Velcro tape (“magic tape”) so it holds when folded. Below are the pictures taken.

I consider myself stressless amidst stressful situations that most others will normally burst into anger, rage, depression, and whatever emotion that results due to the stressful situation. Without that stressful situation, emotions would normally be connected to peace, serenity, tranquility.

In my case, though, the people around me get stressed because of my stresslessness! Now I can’t say that’s good, can I?

What does it take to be stressless? For me:

1. Trust in God that He is in control, knows what’s best for me, and does what’s best for me, whether I may consider it good or bad myself.

2. Knowing that God will never give me trials I cannot overcome.

3. Take one day at a time. The troubles for the day are enough.

4. Look at the negatives as mere support so the positive will shine brighter.

5. Always look for the bright side, focus on the positive.

6. When defeated, accept defeat with a smile and learn the lessons.

7. Prioritize.

8. Give the benefit of the doubt.

9. Be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove.

10. Ask God for help always.

Men! Yes, those of you who are men at heart and were born males. I don’t mean the muscled types since they are already manly enough physically. Whether they are manly or not at heart is not what I’m concerned about in this post.

Are you one of those who wished could grow muscles, had more hair, and have enough stamina to do manly jobs? It may be in the genes or the lack thereof but it may be that you lack natural testosterone. Good thing there are testosterone supplements you can take to get those arm bulges showing. You’ll also be stronger to which makes a good impression on women.

Yesterday, as I posted at Facebook, I was looking for a way to associate Bible verses or chapters to its keyword content. I cannot depend on my memory. Only if something’s figurable, then I can reach to the conclusion. (Believe it or not, certain puzzles need to be re-figured out or recomputed for me to get the answer again.)

Although repetition is a key, there are just too many verses and not enough time to repeat. It will take years, for sure. For some basic knowledge, I do remember them. Oftentimes, I know it exists, and I even know how they’re phrased (KJV), I just need my e-sword so I can do a search where they are.

So, the problem is, association. I have the keyword or a line, where can I find it?

Below is what I have developed before going to sleep. When I was done, I was practicing in my dream.

I first made a list of the shortest possible references to the books:

Old Testament Books

GN – Genesis

X – Exodus

LV – Leviticus

NM – Numbers

DT – Deuteronomy

JSH – Joshua

JG – Judges

RT – Ruth

1S – 1st Samuel

2S – 2nd Samuel

1K – 1st Kings

2K – 2nd Kings

1C – 1st Chronicles

2C – 2nd Chronicles

EZ – Ezra

NE – Nehemiah

ES – Esther

JB – Job

PS – Psalms

PR – Proverbs

EC – Ecclesiastes

SL – Song of Solomon

IS – Isaiah

JR – Jeremiah

LM – Lamentations

ZK – Ezekiel

DN – Daniel

HS – Hosea

JL – Joel

AM – Amos

OB – Obadiah

JON – Jonah

MC – Micah

NA – Nahum

HAB – Habakuk

ZP – Zephaniah

HG – Haggai

ZC – Zechariah

ML – Malachi

New Testament Books

MT – Matthew

MK – Mark

LK – Luke

JN – John

AC – Acts

RO – Romans

1CO – 1st Corinthians

2CO – 2nd Corinthians

GA – Galatians

EP – Ephesians

PHP – Philipians

CO – Colosians

1T – 1st Thessalonians

2T – 2nd Thessalonians

1TY – 1st Timothy

2TY – 2nd Timothy

T – Titus

PHM – Philemon

HEB – Hebrews

JM – James

1P – 1st Peter

2P – 2nd Peter

1J – 1st John

2J – 2nd John

3J – 3rd John

JD – Jude

RV – Revelation

Then, each letter of the alphabet could be any thing or animal that starts with the letter. The secret is it should be painted in your imagination, how they look and how they move.

Each number, though, I associated with something that looks like the number:

1 – pencil, tower

2 – swan

3 – coil

4 – triangle

5 – pregnant woman

6 – snail

7 – axe

8 – loop/knot

9 – tadpole

0 – coin

You can add your own to have a variety of items to associate with the number.

Special characters

space/dash – bridge, ladder

colon – stoplight

period – mud

===

How can you use this then? We make an absurd story that connects. We paint a picture. This way, it will stick.

Example: The Law can be found on Exodus 20. My keyword is ‘Law’ and for me ‘LW’ is enough to remind me of the word ‘LAW’ so my story will be based on LW-X20.

The storyflow:

A lizard on a whale crossed the bridge to get the xylophone from the swan that is busy eating a coin.

So where can you find the law, the 10 commandments? You then know that you used LW for law and you will picture the lizard on the whale. Next thing you know, you are telling the story about the lizard on the whale that crossed the bridge to get the xylophone from the swan busy eating a coin. The story simply sticks! All you have to do now is decipher the code. LW-X20.

Another. Basic doctrine is in Hebrews 6. DOC-HEB6.

A dog chasing an ostritch that has a cat in its beak, crossed the bridge to find a horse kissing an elephant with a boy on its back playing with a snail.

Where is that verse that says that no prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation? 2P-1:20.

A swan playing with a peacock walked by the bridge and a crossed over a giant pencil. When they got over, the stoplight signaled them to go and they found another swan laying golden coins.

Do you get it?

How about the reverse? Memorizing a verse difficult? I KNOW. This will work too. You just have a longer story to tell.

Matthew 7:21 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Shortcut: Mt 7:21 NT EVRY1 THT SYS UN2 ME LRD LRD SHL NTR IN2 D KNGDM F HVN BT HE THT DOS D WL F MY FTHR WCH S N HVN.

A monkey hanging on a tree, holding an axe was swinging upside down when it stopped because it saw a stoplight. Beyond the stoplight is what caught its attention. A swan was eating a pencil! A couple of newlyweds were watching, dancing, while drinking tea. They danced to the bridge because an elephant was waiting for them. Guiding the elephant, on its head, is a vulture, wearing a red ribbon on its head and playing yoyo hitting a pencil down below which was stuck at the tip of the ladder. At the bottom is a tortoise catching up with the hare with a tiara running across the bridge.

Go continue make up your own story. It may be difficult at first but when you have made your story, it will stick. All you have to do later is figure it out later when the need arises.

In the Filipino vernacular, when you say it’s traffic, it means the traffic is heavy. Technically there is always traffic. It’s just either light or heavy…or a little in between and over.

The only traffic we would like to be heavy is internet traffic. That is, if you are the owner of the site. If you’re the end user, internet heavy traffic will be your patience’s trial.

Road traffic is best when it’s light. We all have to do our part to contribute in making the traffic light.

- if you’re traveling alone, if at all possible, carpool or leave your car behind and commute.

- if an accident happened that’s not your own, call the necessary number so they can attend to it then leave before a whole line creates behind you.

- follow traffic rules so everyone will not guess what you’re doing.

- if you own a trailer, be ready by getting in touch with a motorhome towing company…just in case you need to ask for their services.

- if you’re a pedestrian, stay within your boundary.

- if you’re a traffic police, do your job efficiently without malice.

- if you’re a driver, develop patience and don’t honk at every non-moving thing you see.

Hair loss comes early in life usually because of our own doing. Hair dyes, hairdryers and curling irons are the leading causes of hair loss for men and women. Hair coloring more than once within the 8-week period will make gravity stronger, causing hair fall. Braiding too tight stretches the hair is also a hair-fall contributor. Too much alcohol and tobacco not only causes hair to say goodbye to your scalp but dandruff is also caused. Illnesses and antibiotics weaken those grips to your hair follicles so as excessive shampooing and lack of sleep and off-time sleep. Also, avoid too much salt.

Now you know what to avoid, the following are what you have to do: Do have a good shampoo and conditioner. Do take calcium. Do sleep at least 8 hours and sleep early. If you are too late, perhaps the hair loss cure will be your ultimate solution…or get on a new style going bald all over.

Apart from blogging, I sell real estate. It’s something you can sell without much capital except for knowing everything about it and going to the site to explore what you’re selling, which means travel expenses.

There is this one model house that’s generally small. It’s catering the buyers who don’t have enough money and yet would like to have a good-looking design.

Small as the house is, stuff used are friendly to small spaces like using double-decks for the children’s bedroom, modular furniture and the tv wall mount that you can even swivel left and right. It occupies the air space and a small wall space where the mount has been mounted–about 4 square inches! You can do that with your plasma mounts too. If you don’t like the wall, you can use the ceiling.

Online shopping has never been more competitive than now. More and more are also getting comfortable with it joining the millions enjoying the ease without having to dress up for shopping especially for busy people who cannot be in two places at the same time.

What I like most in online shopping is I get to compare prices from different sites and only my fingers do the mousing! Not only do I find sale items but I also find rare items not available locally.

How to be an online shopper:

1. When you found the item you want to buy, you’re ready to sign up. Make sure your information is complete especially your real name and address to prevent hassles of returning items to sender.

2. Make ready your credit card or debit card or better yet, sign up for a PayPal account and get verified for safety. Verifying means attaching your credit card or debit card to your PayPal account so you only give out your email address and keep your credit/debit card number safe with PayPal instead of entering it every time you buy.

3.  Pay and wait for delivery.

Easy!

One caution, though. Always check the feedback of the particular seller you intend to buy from. Go for 100% positive feedback to lessen the possibility of fraud. In the end, you are always responsible for your action.

Asthma can be deadly. Several times I’ve experienced attacks that made me think it’s the end of me. Asthma attacks can be controlled, though. Only if you knew how to.

Two days ago I had a bad attack. I don’t panic yet inspite of that my call on God was really asking for help right away. Good thing my youngest daughter was with me then. I motioned her to tap my back. Having small hands, she got tired and her hands reddened because she had to make her taps a bit harder than usual. She did not leave until I said it was ok. I had my inhaler but having around 10 puffs in the span of 45 minutes is not normal. Normally, 2 would be enough. It was one of those near-death occasions. I’m sure God intervened.

It got me to review again what I missed to do, what I did wrong, what else has to be done. Hubby was helping me.

Several things that I already know:
- keep away from allergens such as smoke, dust and certain foods
- don’t get your back damp
- don’t get too cold or too hot/humid
- exercise
- always have an attack inhaler within reach
- controlled breathing

Knowing is different from doing, though. I lack the exercise I needed. It’s the best shield against asthma. I’m starting to do it again little by little now.

What I’d like to share with you is the better and right way of breathing which I learned 2 days ago and has contributed much to my relief.

I already know that controlled breathing alleviates/hampers/stops the asthma attack. I was inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. It helped.

The additional knowledge, though, is inhaling and exhaling should be only through the nose and exhaling should be at least twice the length of time as inhaling.

Another breathing technique is when you inhale, it should be your stomach that inflates and not your chest. It takes some practice as adults have grown accustomed to the opposite. Kids, though, do the right thing. Observe that when they breathe, it is their stomachs that move and not their chests.

It may be quite difficult to adapt to the breathing habit but it’s worth it. I consciously breathe in and out through my nose and put air in my stomach instead of my chest. Attacks have lessened. I just had one now but it wasn’t as bad as my attack 2 days ago.

Even if you don’t have asthma, learn and live with this breathing technique to live life better.

Actually, I’ve learned a lot from breathing.com.