beautifulandhappy.com

Many Filipinos work abroad. Surely, it’s so hard to be away from your family and loved ones. I know that since my husband is still working in Australia. When we were still living Downunder, there was a time when our phone bill shot up to A$200 a month because of overseas calls to the Philippines. We sometimes bought budget call cards, however, during urgent calls, we didn’t have time to go to the Post or any Asian stores. So we didn’t have a choice but call via direct dial. (more…)

I am deeply moved when I read this story.  I wish I could be as steadfast as the bird, specially in times of adversities.  For my kids, I would do anything to keep them safe under my wings - and I know all mothers would do that.  More so, I know God will always keep us under His - giving us refuge anytime we need it.

God’s Wings
– Author Unknown

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a birdliterally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.

Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

“He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge.”
Psalm 91:4

When I started blogging last year, I have always thought of having my own domain. Hence, beautifulandhappy.com was born. I could easily sign up for a free blogger or wordpress.com accounts, however, I chose to register my own domain name. Why have your own paid domain for your business or blog sites? First, I noticed that paid domains have higher page rank compared to those free platforms. Second, many advertising companies prefer those who have their own domains. Hence, more income opportunities, right?  Definitely an add-on to any blogger.

So if you are planning to have your own domain registration, think that the benefits would outweigh the cost of having paid domain. Check out paylessdomains.com.au to see their great deals, including web hosting and domain transfer. What’s more, they give tips in choosing a domain name so you’d be guided on what domain name to register.  So what are you still waiting for? Start thinking of what domain name to use NOW!

 We know that the Four Way Test is associated with Rotary International.  However, do we really know how it originated?  I lifted this story from truinsights.com, and I am very happy to share it with you.  Did you pass the Four Way Test?

The Four Way Test

The man was Herbert J. Taylor who surveyed the way the company did it’s business, which was the sale of aluminum pots and pans. The nature of the industry was fraught with unethical business practices. To bring the business out of bankruptcy Taylor knew that he had to change the way business was conducted. Ultimately he developed a very simple business philosophy that all employees were to follow in all of their business dealings with customers, suppliers and associates. The philosophy changed the business, turned the business around and ultimately brought it out of bankruptcy.

The business philosophy is a simple four step decision making tool. It didn’t tell people what to do or how to think, but it did give them a tool to use in all of their business dealings. The tool is now well known to anyone that has ever associated themselves with Rotary International. It is simple The Four Way Test. The tip is to use this simple decision making tool in your life and see if it doesn’t make a difference. As people, we must all stand by our personal honesty and integrity. This is a handy and simple test of what you say, do or think. Give it a try in your life.

The Four Way Test

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and better friendships?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

By the way, this tool made Herbert Taylor a multimillionaire in the 1930s. So it’s also a very profitable way of doing business.

The semester is almost over. I am now giving the final examinations to my students this week and I will be computing their final grades before the Holy Week. Tsk-tsk. My table is now full of projects and test papers. I still haven’t checked the midterm exams! Oh, well. I really never thought that being an instructor would be such hard work.hehe.

Anyways, my dilemma now is how to grade some of my students who didn’t do well in class. The university where I am teaching has their own computation of grades, which of course I have to follow. However, if I follow their formulation, I have no choice but to fail some of them. The subjects I am currently teaching are Physics 1 and 2 and Math 3/4. Of course, many students hate math and sciences and those subjects are most people’s waterloo.

Being a first time teacher, I feel guilty about giving some students a failing grade of 5.0. I feel guilty because if i fail them, they have to re-enrol that subject again (of course!), which means another enrollment fee. I think being a parent myself, I am more concerned on the parents’ reaction especially for those poor students. But on the other hand, I tried several ways to make their class standing better, like giving them special projects and remedial exams. I tried to give them all the considerations. And yet, they can’t even have the passing grade of 3.0. What should I do? Hmmm, I wonder if all newbie professors get the same confusion?

To fail or not to fail: THAT IS THE QUESTION.