Watch for Live Telecast of 2011 New Year Time Square Ball Dropping & Countdown in USA

Watch for Live Telecast of 2011 New Year Time Square Ball Dropping &  Countdown in USA 

Check out for these links for the  Live Web Telecast of New Year Time Square Ball Dropping &  Countdown in USA 2011.

Watch live streaming video from 2011 at livestream.com

1. EarthCam New Years 2011 Countdown -Webcast

2011 is The Year of Metal Rabbit - Chinese Horoscope

2011 is The Year of Metal Rabbit - Chinese Horoscope

2011 is the year of Metal Rabbit, as per Chinese Zodiac or Horoscope.  It begins on the 3rd of February and ends on 22 nd of January 2012. Chinese Zodiac consist of 12 animals signs, rabbit is the fourth sign.  The  Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space. According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Read more of Metal Rabbit

Pampasuwerte sa Bagong Taon - New Year Lucky Charm 2011

Pampasuwerte sa Bagong Taon - New Year Lucky Charm 2011

Happy new year po! Ano ang pampasuwerte mo sa 2011 bagong taon? Mga New Year Lucky charm for 2011.  Ito ay napaguusapan lang. Marami kasi tayo mga tradition, paniniwala at kaugaliaan sa pagsapit ng bagong taon.  

Tulad ng mga naging kaugalian namin. Bumibili kami ng mga 12 fruits na bilog. Kailangan puno ang mesa ng pagkain para sa buong taon ay masaga sa pagkain. May dalawang mangkok ng asin at bigas. Sa ibabaw ay may mga coins. Naglalagay kami ng mga coins sa mga bulsa at coin purse. Ito'y kinakalog sa paghiwalay ng taon. Hindi nawawala ang mga paputok at lusis na ika nga pang tangagal ng malas or bad spirit sa nakaraang taon. Ako naman ay umiikot sa loob at labas ng bahay sabay sa pagkalampag ng kaldero. Ang pagsuot ng Polka dots na damit ay bihira namin ginagawa.

Para sa akin ang mga ito ay mabigyan kasiyahan ang aming pamilya sa paghihiwalay ng bagong taon. Higit sa lahat tunay na lucky charm ng Bagong Taon ay Prayer at Pananalig sa Diyos. 

Ito ang aking nakalap sa mga kaibigan at kapatid:

Kuya Aldrin - Magpray at Magpray
Justine - just Pray to God and do your best tito Jess.. ^^
Malou - as usual fruits na bilog at maraming coins. at prayers din syempre di pwede mawala yun!
Ian - Praise the Lord for another year passed and the year to come what ever blessing may come!
Olga -  magsuot daw ng polka dots...
Nonie - Yung wife ko, laging may 13 round fruits! kapag new years eve usually, mga orange, dalandan, grapes 
Jess G -  si Lord po syempre...
Jhun D - Be more close to God 
Roel L - walang pampaswerte...dasal alng..give thanks and ask for forgiveness...the rest will follow
Bonir - kami ay nag iiwan na bukas ang lahat ng ilaw sa bahay. bukas lahat ng pinto, at may coins sa bulsa. nag-susuot ng tshirt na may mga "bilog"
Fiel -  Pampaswerte ? cguro ung Prayers na maging peaceful,prosperous,good health ang new year ng family...nsa category cguro un ng nakaugalian..d b nkaugalian n nteng mgdasal at magsimba
Alex - basta think positive lang ako.meron naman kasing malas at swerte taon taon.




Kayo, ano ang pampasuwerte nyo sa 2011 bagong taon? Any Ideas for New Year Lucky charm for 2011?

Happy Blessed New Year to all!  

New Year Bible Verses, Quotes & Greetings

New Year Bible Verses, Quotes & Greetings

Bible Verses About New Year




No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT) Philippians 3:13-14 



"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)


"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)


"You crowned the year with Your bounty and goodness…"
Psalm 65:11 (Amplified Bible)



"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NIV) 1 Peter 1:3 

Sa Araw ng Pasko - Para sa Lahat ng OFW

Sa Araw ng Pasko - Para sa Lahat ng OFW

Para po sa lahat ng OFW, na tulad ko, nawa'y maibsa ang ating pangungulila sa ating mga mahal sa buhay.  Sa araw ng pasko sana lagi natin naiisip na andito lang sila.  Kaya itong awit ng  " Sa Araw Ng Pasko" ay maibsa ang ating lungkot.

Maligayang Pasko sa Inyong Lahat!

Sa Araw ng Pasko Lyrics
Sung by: All Star Cast (Vahnee Saturno)

[Intro]

'di ba't kay ganda sa atin ng pasko
Naiiba ang pagdiriwang dito
Pasko sa ati'y hahanap-hanapin mo
Walang katulad dito ang pasko

[Refrain]
Lagi mo na maiisip na sila'y nandito sana
At sa noche buena ay magkakasama

[Chorus]
Ang pasko ay kay saya kung kayo'y kapiling na
Sana pagsapit ng pasko, kayo'y naririto
Kahit pa malayo ka, kahit nasaan ka pa
Maligayang bati para sa inyo sa araw ng pasko

Sa ibang bansa'y 'di mo makikita
Ang ngiti sa labi ng bawat isa
Alam naming hindi n'yo nais malayo
Paskong pinoy pa rin sa ating puso

[repeat refrain]
[repeat chorus]

[Bridge]
Dito'y mayro'ng caroling at may simbang gabi
At naglalakihan pa ang christmas tree, ang christmas tree

[repeat chorus except last 4 words]
[repeat chorus]

The Birth Of Jesus (Luke 2:1-14)

The Birth Of Jesus (Luke 2:1-14) 

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Source http://www.biblegateway.com

To all of my Friends and visitors 

Merry Christmas and Have a Blessed New Year!

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 2000

Looking Back Our Family  Christmas 2000

After reminiscing the Our Family Christmas 1999, here another winding moment to my family Christmas  2000. Two months after I left for Saudi Arabia. It was one of my loneliest Christmas.  As an OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker) the most painful part is that we are not able to be with our family during this very special occasion. 


In the year 2000 internet is very seldom. Most of the internet were dial up.  The telephone bill was so expensive. It was 8 Saudi Riyals, compare it now only 1.5 Riyal per minute or 55 halala (cents). The minimum load is 100 Riyals. So I just called my family from a telephone cabin.

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 1999 - MYM

Looking Back Our Family  Christmas 1999 - MYM

I miss those moments when we celebrated Christmas together.  It was the last Christmas when I first left to Saudi Arabia. My wife and I  used to make some Christmas decors. We wanted it to be unique and personalize. I still remembered that our first Christmas tree was made of Coconut stick broom.We designed it with some cotton and glitter papers. We hanged some Christmas balls and angels.

More on Mellow Yellow Monday and Blue Monday

Happy Mother's Day To My Ever Dearest Sweetheart!

Happy Mother's Day To My Ever Dearest Sweetheart!

I want to thank you for being the best mother to our children.

I want to thank you for always be there at our side.

I want to thank for being so caring and thoughtful.

I want to thank you for being selfless.

I want to thank you for love.

I want to thank you!

We Love YOU!

God bless our Family!

Life is worth living for

Fat Tuesday - "Mardi Gras season"

Fat Tuesday - "Mardi Gras season"

I just come across with this topic "Fat Tuesday". This is a Catholics celebration before the lent or fasting season. Make some wiki-wiki and here is excerpt from wiki. 

The terms "Mardi Gras" (pronounced /ˈmɑrdi grɑː/, "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season",in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday), referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices were associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. Popular practices included wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc. Similar expressions to Mardi Gras appear in other European languages sharing the Christian tradition. In English, the day is called Shrove Tuesday, associated with the religious requirement for confession before Lent begins.

Read full in wikipedia

image by thelifeofluxury.com

Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia "No Valentine!"

Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia "No Valentine!"

Love is on the air to OFW around the world on this Valentine's Day. Oooppps! But not here in Saudi Arabia. Where Valentine is banned.  A week before Valentine's day, Gift and flower shop owners were advice by the religious enforcers to refrain from selling red flowers and merchandises (valentine's card, red toys and heart shape)  related to the occasion.  Wearing of red cloths and carrying red toys are also strictly prohibited. Never great "Happy Valentine's Day", especially in public places.




Due to the ban on red roses, a black market has flowered ahead of Valentine's Day. Roses that normally sell for five Saudi riyal ($1.30) fetch up to 30 riyal ($8) on February 14, the Saudi Gazette said.

"Sometimes we deliver the bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion," one florist told the paper.

Valentine's day is a catholic celebration for St. Valentine day. Thus Love is a universal language that  can be celebrated by anyone of any denominations without border. "Muslims are people of love, as evidenced by the fact that this word appears in [the Koran] 83 times,"

"I guess slowly countries all over the world is accepting the tradition of Valentine's Day, it is slowly integrating into their culture, 18 years ago Valentine's Day is banned here pero now, shops sells Valentine Cards and other items related to its observance, Valentine concerts are now also being held. The Pope said, btw he's from Doha.

I hope that one day Saudi will be opened for such occasion. Still each country have their own rules that we, (OFWs) should abide and respect.

Have A Happy Day!

See How Japan Celebrate Valentine's Day

See How Japan Celebrate Valentine's Day

 

Do you know how Japanese celebrates Valentine's Day? Unlike the usual practice that men give flowers and choco. In Japan, Japanese women give gifts to their special someone and their friends. Thank to Jag comment for the initial info about how they celebrate Valentine's in Japan. 

"Honmei" chocolate and "giri" chocolate are two major types of chocolate given on Valentine's Day in Japan. "Honmei"chocolate is given given to a person that close to their heart, boyfriend or sweetheart. While "Giri" chocolate is the obligatory chocolate a woman buys or makes for male friends, co-workers, or classmates.

image from ehow

World Tallest Building - Burj Khalifa Opening Ceremony Fireworks

World's Tallest Building - Dubai Burj Khalifa Opening Ceremony Fireworks

The opening ceremony of Burj Khalifa was held on 4 January 2010.The ceremony featured a display of 10,000 fireworks, light beams projected on and around the tower, and further sound, light and water effects. Using the 868 powerful stroboscope lights that are integrated into the facade and spire of the tower, different lighting sequences were choreographed, together with more than 50 different combination of the other effects.

The event began with a short film which depicted the story of Dubai and the evolution of Burj Khalifa. The displays of sound, light, water and fireworks followed. The portion of the show consisting of the various pyrotechnic, lighting, water and sound effects was divided into three. The first part was primarily a light and sound show, which took as its theme the link between desert flowers and the new tower, and was co-ordinated with the Dubai Fountain and pyrotechnics. The second portion, called 'Heart Beat', represented the construction of the tower in a dynamic light show with the help of 300 projectors which generated a shadow-like image of the tower. In the third act, sky tracers and space cannons enveloped the tower in a halo of white light, which expanded as the lighting rig on the spire activated.

The ceremony was relayed live on a giant screen on Burj Park Island, as well as several television screens placed across the Downtown Burj Khalifa development. Hundreds of media outlets from around the world reported live from the scene. In addition to the media presence, 6,000 guests were expected.

Watch the grandeur fireworks


Full story Wikipedia

Epiphany - Religious Significance of the 12 Days of Christmas

Epiphany - Religious Significance of the 12 Days of Christmas

Epiphany (from Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια "appearance", "manifestation") is a Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God made Man in the person of Jesus Christ. It falls on January 6 or on a Sunday close to that date. January 6 in the Julian Calendar, which is followed by some Eastern Churches, corresponds at present to January 19 in the Gregorian Calendar, which is the official civil calendar in most countries. On this day, Western Christians commemorate principally the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the child Jesus, i.e., his manifestation to the Gentiles; Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. It is also called Theophany, especially by Eastern Christians. read full story wikipedia

12 Days of Christmas

The feast of Epiphany begins on Christmas day and ends twelve nights later. Twelfth Night has long been thought to be the day the Magi of Three Wise Men arrived from the East with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to attend the infant Jesus.

The new and old testaments of the Holy Bible are represented by the 2 turtle doves.
The theological virtues of faith, hope and charity by the 3 French hens
and the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John represented by 4 calling birds.

The five golden rings represent the Pentateuch which are the first 5 books of the old testament of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The biblical story of the six days creation are represented by the 6 geese a laying
and the seven swans a swimming are the seven sacraments, the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The 8 beatitudes are represented by the 8 maids a milking
and the nine fruits of the holy Spirit are the 9 ladies dancing.

The most obvious aspect for many will be the ten commandments and the 10 Lords a leaping,
with eleven faithful apostles of Jesus Christ as the 11 pipers who pipe out their call to the faithful.
Finally the Apostle's Creed has 12 points of principle which are drummed by the 12 drummers.

Happy New Year and Let There Be Peace on Earth 2010

Happy New Year and Let There Be Peace on Earth 2010

Let there be Peace on Earth

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

God bless everybody!

In this coming year let us pray that there be love, hope and peace on earth, in our country, community and family. And let it begins within ourselves.

New Year's Traditions in Philippines

New Year's Traditions in Philippines

Filipinos have many customs and traditions during New Year's Eve. We have inherited from our ancestors, influenced by foreign settlers, words of mouth or commercialism.

Here are some of the practices...

Foods

On our table top, we usually prepare 12 kinds fruit. Rounded fruits is preferable. Three bowls fill with rice, salt and cotton. Each one have some coins on top. A pack of Fiesta Hams. A red Keso De Bola. Some sweets, buko pandan, buko salad and fruit salads. Plus other mouth watering dishes.

Dress

To attract money for the coming year, you should wear Polka Dots dress or shirt.

To Do

If you wish to gain extra height, you must jump as high as you could.

You keep on smiling and be happy. It is nice to start the year with jolly heart.

Make your New Year's resolutions.

Drive away bad spirit and bad luck. Here are some practices that we got from the Chinese.

Sprinkling of rice and salt around the house. Make noise in and out of the house with cymbals, trumpets and drums. And the most awaited event is the fireworks.

The best seller firecrackers are Judas belt, sawa, fountains, super lolo, bawang, crying cow and more. For cheaper and safety, it is advisable to use "lusis, labintador or watusi".

To avoid any kind of accidents, some local officials have designated firecrackers zone. Specially in some congested and slum areas. They event organized a party or concert. And then followed by colorful and majestic fireworks display as the New Year strike.

After the the festive celebration. Families are gather around in order to give grace and have a midnight meal or medya noche. It is a belief that family member should stay together before the separation of year. Well this will be an exemption for Expats like us.

Some of the faithful Christians prefer to attend the church service instead of enjoying the firecrackers and party.


These traditions are the manifestation of our imagination. Other said its a pagans practices. In general, it's just for fun in order to have a joyful celebration. For whatever reasons. We must not put our fate in such traditions. But instead focus on our life and have faith in the Lord. Work out for our success.

We can do all things through Christ Jesus!

Happy New Year to Everyone!