"Here I Stand!"

This blog entry is not about the latest studio album of Usher Raymond but this is the good news I got from my recent chest x-ray result.

The x-ray report says that the my lungs is cleared from infiltrations but there are residual lesions on the left lobe. From what I understand, that simply means I am somehow healed from my I-Don't-Know-Where-I-Got-It lung infection.

Thank God and also to all those people who have prayed for my recovery! I hope it will never come back again or else I'll be completely screwed all over again...

This calls out for a party! But wait, this isn't the ending.

Watch this fantastic and entertaining video I got from YouTube. It explains how this Immune System works using the Final Fantasy 12 characters.


Bottomline is; "Having a healthy immune system is absolutely essential to our well being and helping us to maintain our youth. Without proper immune function, disease attacks our bodies, shortening our lives and impacts the quality of our lives. The immune system defends us against germs and microorganisms every day." Ezine

Here's what Dr. Whitting has to say:


So, how to boost an immune system in natural way, especially in the rainy season?

Dr. Whitting has said it all but here's more:


The key to having a healthy immune system is to listen to your body. Never abuse it. Do what you think is the best for your health. Health is wealth, simple as that! Read health tips on the net, magazine etc. and most importantly, lessen your workloads upon your shoulders.

In my case, I should do the following:

I hate using the word "should" because it pressures me to a lot of things but now I'm using it and it's for my own benefit anyway, hehehe. This is like my New Year's Resolution everyday.

1)Drink my Multivitamins (Aminovita), Vitamin C, Clusivol Vitamin D

2) Get up early during the weekends around 7:30 AM and breath fresh air outside for 30 minutes. Have a 30 minute nap after lunch.

3) Drink plenty of water. Remind yourself every 20 minutes. The keyword is "water." Repeat that to yourself.

4) Buy your favorite fruit regularly e.g. banana, mango, papaya

5) Buy a new blender and start gaining weight by drinking your protein shakes.

6) Inhale

7) Exhale

8) Avoid staying in very warm areas to stop allergic rhinitis. Basically, the immune system is weak when you have rhinitis, asthma, and other lung disease.

Have a flu shot, take that as a gift to yourself on August 13.

9) Lastly, eat a lot. Eat what is healthy [fruits (listed above), veggies (Kalamunggay, squash), protein] and have snacks in between. Buy biscuits or bread during snack. Spend your money, SurvivorDean! Your money is not only for your CD, start investing in health care dental care and immune boosting especially.

Tired of Having A Very Weak Immunity

Today, I will see my pulmonologist again to check if I still have this lung infection inside my respiratory system. It's really unbelievable that I acquired this lung infection although I'm not a drinker or a smoker. Until now, I don't still know why I have this lung infection. truth is, there were many important events I need to give up just because of this ailment.

One of which is the "Christmas For-A-Cause Concert" of my special friend last December 22, 2007 at Ateneo De Davao University. I should be there. I should see her sing the Christmas Caroles. I wanted to see her sing. I never heard her sing.

But what can I do? My doctor advised me to take a rest that time and I have to stay inside the house whether I like it or not.

That's a thumb-down Booyah!

Now, I just wished that I am now completely healed from this lung infection. I'm somehow tired of going back to doctor and drink those prescribed medicines. Drinking the medicines is fine but having the regular check-ups are screwing me down. It's expensive. I'm just lucky to have my free medicines supplied by health centers here in Davao and lucky to have my Dad, giving me additional money in case I got ripped off in the middle of nowhere.

This problem I hope, it will be finished. If not, that will be a screw up. If this lung infection is not completely healed, that only means that I really got a very weak immune system and I need to drink the prescribed medicines for another three months or so.

That's life!

What can I do? Full of dramas oftentimes but no matter what, I will still be the SURVIVOR who can outwit, outplay and outlast the rest. lol!

Which Grey's Anatomy Am I?

I really want to take this Grey's Anatomy Test in BuddyTV.com but I have forgotten my username and password and I can't log in. Oh geez, how stupid I am.

But today, I got the time to browse around the net and recover my buddyTV password. Luckily, the result of the test is my most favorite character in the show, YEHEY!!! None other than....

Which Grey's Anatomy Character Are You?

More on Grey's Anatomy. Created by BuddyTV

Seriously, I was convinced to watching this show not because it receives a lot of good feedbacks from the critics but mainly because of Izzie. Geez, I love Katherine Heigl since I was a little kid. She is hot, gorgeous, very charismatic, sexy, attractive, have this "yum-yum" milky-white complexion, versatile, funny, in short- My Ideal Fantasy Babe.

I was very happy when she'd given an awesome break in Grey's Anatomy and finally won the Emmy's Supporting Actress Award on 2007. Woohooo!

Heigl's character in Grey's is awesome. A kind of surgeon who doesn't know great she is. She has these personal issues in life and she thinks she's a complete loser but on the other leaf, she's a great doctor. Izzie is not very bookworm like Christina Yang (Sandra Ong) and not a cocky booyah kiddo like Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) but no matter what she's still the doctor everyone loves.

So, the next time you watch Grey's Anatomy, look for Izzie Stevens.

Seriously, she's simply adorable!




source: MAXIM





With her Grey's Anatomy co-star George O'Mailey (TR Knight). In the show, they are playing as best friends who eventually fell in love with each other.

Touching A Girl is Not Only About Sex!

I don't like Jojo. She's a thumb-down but this song of hers entitled "How To Touch A Girl" bridges the gap of truth and fiction.

This song is a realization. Touching a girl is never been easy. If girls are very easy to catch, you'll not end as "friends only," or "brothers and sisters."

That's the way love goes. One way or together, girls teach men how to behave properly and not just be a dog who licks their ass.

This is probably the reason why you'll go far if you know how to touch a gil.

The Bigger Picture of You

I've learned this insightful realization last night while watching the season four finale of Grey's Anatomy.

I have learned that in order to find yourself in the crowd, you need to look at the bigger picture of life. The magic of life resides in the mind. If we think we are losers then that's only what we want to believe. Truth of the matter is, what we always want to believe is only a piece of who we really are. These fragments of beliefs, which usually tied up from imaginative labeling and society's expectations, are likely a part of the whole and is not necessarily the one who really defines you as a person.

Reality is, there's a bigger picture of you somewhere that defines you. This picture is not something you should do just to please your parents, your lover, your boss, your enemy or your friends. I am aware that everyone wants to please anyone. Some of us may even conform to what our friends wants us to do although it seems irrational.

This is the reason why there's an increasing percentage of unwanted pregnancy and premarital sex among youth. What's really a suck is, these individuals are immediately judged as immoral, corrupt and sinful.

As a result, these individuals can't no longer see what's really inside this bigger picture. Seeing the bigger picture of you doesn't mean that you need to be righteous all the time. All of us are only human beings born to make loads and loads of mistakes. But these mistakes are the only the pieces, it's not the whole. One can commit mistakes every single minute of the day but there's still a better side of you and this is what your identity is all about.

It's up to you how you figure out the reasons behind your mistakes. It's normal to feel guilty when we do wrong. But guilt is only a piece of life you need to get rid of. This is the reason why there's a saying "Don't judge the book by its cover." This is true! Never judge someone; if you have something to say bad, better keep it to yourself. Making an assumption in your mind is entirely different from saying it in front of their faces, right? Sometimes, what's beyond the eye can see is the where the truth lies.

Searching for a bigger picture has no start or end. That's why; it's very inappropriate to end this article with a conclusion. Finding the bigger picture doesn't stop here. It's a process and most importantly, it's your journey.

Time Can Only Tell

I am aware that David Cook's version of Always be my baby has instantly became the cheesiest love song of the century and this song is banging in my head today like a blaring razor.

I just don't know why. Perhaps, I could be missing someone. If I'm missing someone, that may mean I'm still in love. Holy cow!!! Sometimes, I hate this cheesy feeling, I hate it probably because I just end up screwing myself and smashing my ego into pieces. I tried not to think about it but it keeps on coming back. Im going nuts, folks.

Geez, that really means that Always Be My Baby made a strong impact in my life. What can I do? David Cook's version is remarkable. This song reminds everyone that no matter how true love will just be out there waiting for the right time at the right pace.

Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure. Time can only tell. Let's just wait a while.

Looks Like I Need Some Dental Help Here....

Today, I have my dentist's check up. First time in years. The last time I had my dental was when I was still in high school. Geez, that was a long time ago. Come on, folks! Dental care is so expensive and I couldn't afford it before.

Now that I'm working, dentist appointment should be in my priority list. Having a good dental hygiene makes you even hotter, as they say. Truth is, I am really disappointed with the doctor's diagnosis. He's like telling me that I got a very screwing mouth and you need to rip it off, (just joking).

During the check up. I discovered that I need four "tooth filing" and two very worn out teeth and needs to be removed. Oh geez, I'm not afraid of those dental procedures. I've been there before and it was a nice experience, however, what I'm really afraid of is the cost.

Think about this! The minimum cost for tooth filing or pasta in vernacular is 400 pesos. That means if I need four "tooth filing," that cost 1,600 pesos. Whoa! That's already our electric monthly bill at home.

Looks like I need an insurance here. I thought of converting my PhilHealth's or SSS hospitalization coverage into Dental Care but I don't know if that's possible. I'll better ask my office HR-admin for those matters. I'm also thinking if I can avail of the discounts. I asked my dentist about the discount and maybe, in the long run, I can take advantage of that deal.

I wish I have a disability insurance that would cover my dental expenses. It really sucks to have a toothache. This week, my upper left and right teeth is somehow screwing me. That's because my allergic rhinitis is on at its peak again. My dentist informed me that if one has an allergic rhinitis, the inflamed sinuses inside the nose can cause toothache. Screw my rhinitis!

What should I do? I know there's a solution for this problem but what. SurvivorDean is not really a survivor without his teeth.

Goin' Hand in Hand....

I've learned a new juicy insight today.

"Actions speak louder than words" is what we always believe. But in terms of love, it doesn't only work that way. I've read an article in Ezine entitled "Make Your Woman To Fall In Love With You Again" by Peter Davids.

After reading the article, I was hesitant for a while but no matter what, this article only proves that "Action speaks louder than words, but words with action speak the loudest!"

Here is the entire except of the article from Ezine. Peter Davids, whoever you are, this is your real name or not, living or not, thanks for the new insight.

*******

Always tell her that you love her.

Don't assume that she knows it already. A woman needs constant affirmation in order to be secure. Always verbalize your love and admiration for her. Let her know you miss her.

Let her know that you care for her by telling her always. She can never hear it too often. Tell her about three times a day, just like your daily meals. That's her emotional food and only you can feed her with that.

At times, you can send her a text message at work or wherever she is during the day. Don't be surprised that she wouldn't delete your texts until her phone's capacity is filled up. Women store important messages like that, and will read them again and again.

Remember a woman's memory is longer than a man's own. This should also give you a note of caution and not send nasty texts to her. She won't delete them either. So, be careful of what you send to her when you quarrel, disagree or are angry.

Take her out.

Find an interesting place to take her to every now and then. Your woman will love you the more for it. For some reason, a woman attaches much importance to being taken out on a date or a visit. She even loves and appreciates it the more when you make a sacrifice on your schedule in order to go out with her.

This might mean skipping the next soccer match in order to take her out. But you would really be touching her heart with this gesture and she will love you the more for it.

*********

Everyone Wears A Mask

I read a very insightful quote from Steve Jobs, everyone knows him I'm sure. That's why, I quickly set off right here and post.

Here it goes:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

This is really cool, right? People wear layers of masks and we use these masks to protect our pride. Whether these masks are for good or bad, we usually use it for our own advantage. Without consciously knowing it, these layers of masks destroy our identity. As a result, we tend to become someone we supposedly are not. These masks are devouring us to death; creating pesky voices inside our minds telling us the ifs, the shoulds and the musts.

Screw these voices!!!

That's the reason why life is really unpredictable and I like it that way. Living in righteous Oh Wow world is very boring. Everything else is secondary, a part of one's insecure imagination.

Laughing is Yoga

My Laughing Syndrome

I don't take life seriously although my life seems a mess. I am handicap with an impaired nervous system. My immune system is weak, that's why, I got sick regularly. I have an allergic rhinitis. There are times that I will just sneeze and sneeze and I can't do anything about it. My family is pressuring me at times. My mother died of cancer and until now, I don't even know if my dad is proud of me. Last year, I was diagnosed with respiratory problems without any apparent cause, that's why, I need to leave work for three months for my recovery. Thank God, I survived that disaster.

Those personal experiences suck. My life is a real mess, right? But still, I don't take life life seriously. To me, laughter is always the best medicine no matter what. This is the reason why I laugh out loud all the time. Whenever you see, you may say that I am a happy person. You're right, I smile and I laugh simply because this is the only way to suppress all my worries and anxieties in life. There's no reason why I should refrain myself from laughing. Truth is, a nervous laugh is way better than wearing a lonely and superficial smile on your face.

I am really tired of being lonely. Last year, I was really broke. My ego was crashed, damaged and mauled by my own fate. Geez, I want to puke remembering that moment. That time was another different version of me. SurvivorDean is not like that. He's too fly to be depressed, LOL!

Life is unfair but it doesn't mean that you can't no longer laugh. Laughing seems to be the most effective therapy to ease the innermost burden inside one's subconscious. Even the great and controversial Sigmund Freud claimed that laughing "releases tension and "psychic energy." That means, laughing can be the most effective coping mechanism against depression. I agree, why waste your time being melancholy and be too critical of your friends when you can just laugh out loud? Come on, folks! Life is too short for drama.

I read on Wikipedia that there is this condition refer to as "Abnormal Laughters." Whoa! Am I like that? I am not sure. Maybe. Maybe not. Abnormal laughters are produced only when you have a brain tumor and multiple sclerosis. I was only diagnosed with viral encephalitis when I was five and until now, I am not aware if there are screwing matters inside my brain. That was last week probably, I watched that laughing syndrome case in Grey's Anatomy and unfortunately, that person died after the brain surgery. Oh geez!

Like I said, laughing is good. Laughing out loud might sound insane but do you know that you're also releasing endorphins when you laugh out loud? Endorphins are not only released when you're having sex. Sex is good but laughing is better. No need to buy condoms. No one will get pregnant when you laugh. Just be ready when everyone will stare at you with an Oh-Dude-You're-Nuts-Look in their forehead. This is probably the reason why laughing seems contagious.

Bottomline is, laughing protects your ego from harmful rays of reality. Most importantly, it is one of those best things in life that is absolutely free.

Why not laugh out loud, amigos, if reality tells us that no one gets out of life alive?

Usher Raymond's Mature Journey in Here I Stand

"A Man who won't Stand for Something will Fall for Anything."

This is the inspiring quote you will immediately read as you pop Usher's CD from its case. Great, isn't it?

Usher's fifth studio recording "Here I Stand" is one-hell of a life revolution masterpiece. There are 18 cuts and all these tracks mirror a certain jolt of introspection. The album is a journey; a transition from a lustful voyage of an adult into a full-grown devoted father. In fact, the album's cover shows a license plate 1126, the date of his son's birth (Wikipedia).

1 "Intro"/"Forever Young" (UK Only) James "JLack" Lackey 1:28 / 4:21

2 "Love in This Club" U. Raymond, J. Jones, L. Taylor, J. Jenkins, R. Lovett, K. Thomas, D. Dalton Polow da Don Young Jeezy 4:20

3 "This Ain't Sex" U. Raymond, C. Stewart, P. Alexander, T. Nash Tricky Stewart and Jazze Pha, co-produced by The-Dream, vocals produced by Kuk Harrell 4:25

4 "Trading Places" U. Raymond, C. McKinney, T. Nash L.O.S. Da Maestro, vocals produced by Kuk Harrell, guitar solo by Chris'TEK' O'Ryan 4:28

5 "Moving Mountains" U. Raymond, C. Stewart, T. Nash, T. Harrell Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, vocals produced by Kuk Harrell 4:58 / 4:00 (UK)

6 "What's Your Name?" U. Raymond, W. Adams, R. Toby will.i.am, vocals produced by Kuk Harrell will.i.am 3:58 7 "Prayer For You (Interlude)" 1:43

8 "Something Special" U. Raymond, J. Dupri, J. Phillips, M. Seal, J. Austin Jermaine Dupri, co-produced by Manuel Seal & LRoc 3:57

9 "Love You Gently" U. Raymond, A. Harris, V. Davis, R. Devaughn Dre & Vidal 3:39

10 "Best Thing" U. Raymond, J. Dupri, J. Austin, M. Seal, S. Carter Jermaine Dupri, co-produced by Manuel Seal Jay-Z 3:54

11 "Before I Met You" U. Raymond, B.M. Cox, J. Austin, K. Dean, C. Love Bryan-Michael Cox, additional production by WyldCard & Craig Love, vocals produced by Johnta Austin 4:56

12 "His Mistakes" U. Raymond, S. Smith, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen Stargate, co-produced by Ne-Yo 4:59

13 "Appetite" U. Raymond, N. Hills, B. Muhammad, E. Lewis, M. Araica, B. Casey, J. Dupri, M. Seal Danja 3:58

14 "What's a Man to Do" U. Raymond, J. Austin, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen Stargate 4:09

15 "Lifetime" U. Raymond, R. Lovett, J. Lackey James "JLack" Lackey 4:36

16 "Love in This Club, Part II" U. Raymond, J. Jones, L. Taylor, J. Jenkins, D. Carter, R. Lovett, K. Thomas, D. Dalton, T. Bell, L. Creed Soundz Beyoncé and Lil Wayne 5:09

17 "Here I Stand" U. Raymond, A. Harris, V. Davis, J. Jones, R. Blackstone, G. Gaddiss Dre & Vidal 4:10

18 "Will Work For Love" U. Raymond, J. Rotem, J. Fauntleroy II J. R. Rotem 3:16
These track listing is taken from Wikipedia

Now here's what I'm gonna say...

Three of these 18 cool tracks are my first-impression favorites. First on my list is Track 17: Here I Stand. This is not only a noticeable soulful love song but this is a track that undoubtedly marks a new trademark for Usher. This is what I'm talking about and first time I listen to it, it simply knocks off my feet. The lyrics instantly reminds me of someone except of course in the line where he says "when we make love..." hehehe, I'm still young for those matters. No matter what, this song defines the real Usher behind the mask of controversy and superficiality.

"Forever yours here I stand," he says.

Track 5: Moving Mountain, the second commercially-released single from the album, showcases a different slice of Usher. Listening to its lyrics will make you realize that you're still a human being who gets tired and simply wants to get rid of those strings of confusion and sorrows. The song is a realization. Its Timbaland-HipHop flavor is a real dog; a must-listen.



Lastly, Track 12: His mistakes wraps up my list. This single is composed by the ever-talented R&B singer/songwriter Shaffer Smith or rather be called as Neyo. The song is about loving a girl who's still suffering a trauma from her past relationship. "I know he did you wrong |But tell me what does that have to do with me | Trying to show you something real | Figure out what is going on | Before you look up and I’ll be gone | I’ll do anything to prove I love you | Baby girl but I refuse | To pay for something I didn’t do, girl | I love you, and I love you I love you," he sang.

What's really awesome with this song is it therapeutically touches your damaged ego. It's not a martyr song of unconditional love and those cheesy stuffs, it's a song of reality and that reality, whatever it is, hurts a lot especially, when it means goodbye.

Other stand-out tracks in the album are "Love in the Club" (Track 2: of course it's his first official single and stayed at the number 1 spot in US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for three weeks in a row but to me, the song is simply a resemblance of "Yeah!" Just lust, lust, lust and nothing more... plainly horny), "Trading Places" (Track 4; Another Usher's HipHop signature that plainly talks about sex) and "Before I Met You."

In fact, some reviews in the net say that the album has no single dot of weak points. I somehow agree, but her duet with Beyonce Knowles in Track 16 (Love in the Club Part 2) lacks some quality. It's good but not that strong. I don't really know why, perhaps my expectation are too way up high. It's very unfair to compare it to "My Boo," his duet with Alicia Keys. My Boo is just My Boo; The best R&B duo of all-time that rocks my world with a wheezing spark of fire.

Here I Stand is entirely different from Confessions (Usher's groundbreaking fourth album). Confessions is two-thumbs-up great but for me, Here I Stand is even better. Usher has leashed out some sensational and remarkable insights on this album. It's not only about sex, lust, regrets and all that, Here I Stand is a life cycle of one's experiences and his personal learning.

The album sold 433,000 copies, based on Nielsen Soundscan Survey, in US alone and has already reached number 1 in the Billboard Top 200. Just hoping that it will win some Grammy's next year.

What Dean Ryan G. Martin Means?

I tried taking this "What-Your-Name-Means" test a while ago and weeheee my name is definitely a HOT one. That means I'm a hottie, oh geez that's really cool of me. Peace and love, folks!!!

What Dean Ryan G. Martin Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Album Review: As I Am- Alicia Keys

The third studio album of Alicia Keys (Alicia J. Augello-Cook in real life) entitled "As I Am" has created a loud buzz all over the world during its release in November 2007. Alicia was born on January 25, 1981 (Aquarius) and won a whooping eleven Grammy Awards (as of I'm writing this review). In fact, "As I Am" reached number one in US Billboard Top 200 on December 1, 2007 and sold 742,000 copies during its first week US release and until now, it's counting for more.The album has 14 cuts and the first 6 tracks were noticeably unforgettable.

1."As I Am (Intro)" (Alicia Keys) - 1:52

2."Go Ahead" (Keys, Mark Batson, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Marsha Ambrosius) - 4:35

3."Superwoman" (Keys, Linda Perry, Steve Mostyn) - 4:34

4."No One" (Keys, Brothers, George D. Harry) - 4:13

5."Like You'll Never See Me Again" (Keys, Brothers) - 5:15

6."Lesson Learned" (featuring John Mayer) (Alicia Keys, John Mayer) - 4:13

7."Wreckless Love" (Keys, Jack Splash, Matthew Kahane, Harold Lilly) - 3:52

8."The Thing About Love" (Keys, Perry) - 3:49

9."Teenage Love Affair" 1 (Keys, Splash, Kahane, Lilly, Josephine Bridges, Carl Hampton, Tom Nixon) - 3:10

10."I Need You" (Keys, Batson, Lilly, Paul L. Green) - 5:09

11."Where Do We Go from Here" 2 (Keys, Brothers, Mary Frierson, Johnnie Frierson) - 4:10

12."Prelude to a Kiss" (Keys) - 2:07

13."Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)" (Keys, Novel Stevenson, Ron Haney, Brothers, Green, Mostyn) - 4:28

14."Sure Looks Good to Me" (Keys, Perry) - 4:31

This Track Listing is taken from Wikipedia

Strengths

Of all the 14 tracks, her debut single "No One (Track 4)" is, hands down, the most outstanding. Every line of the song has a significant truth and it also articulates the real significance of love in human existence. In fact, the single won as the Best R&B Song in Grammy Awards 2008.

"You and me together | Through the days and nights | I don't worry cause | Everything's gonna be alright | People keep on talking | They can say what they like | But all I know is everything's gonna be alright," she sang.

Another great track in her album is Superwoman (Tack 3) and I am really sure this will become another feminists' theme song worldwide. This is undeniably one of the strongest soulful tracks in Keys' album. In fact, this is her topmost favorite. The first time I heard this song; it produces goosebumps all over my body. It makes me realize that the real attraction of a woman is not only seen in her physical appearance.

I also like Track 5 "Like You'll Never See Me Again." Listening to this song for the first time can be depressing due to its nostalgic lyrics, especially in the chorus part. Try listening to it and you will learn to appreciate the one you loved the most.

Weaknesses

From what I can observe, there's no evident weak areas in the album. However, I expected more of soulful and powerful trademark singles from Alicia. I expected a stronger and soulful duo in her duet with John Mayer in the song "Lessons Learned (Track 6)."

This song was about heartaches and having a damaged ego; Therefore- I expected a lot of intimate exchange of thoughts between the two artists but it turned out that almost all the lines are sung by Alicia. I thought John Mayer could create an interesting twist in the song, sad to say, it didn't happen. "Lessons Learned" can still stand on its own even when John Mayer is not there.

Overall Review

The album is unique. It can lurk straight into the deepest corners of your soul.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Alicia Keys is truly MY BABE, please marry me? :)

That's Why It's Called A Delusional Fantasy...

There's really a time that this thing we call LOVE can be very confusing, turning our world upside-down with no beginning or ending. Sometimes, you are ready to love that someone but unluckily, she can't no longer love you back. And what's more disturbing is, when you need to let go, it even hurts more. That a real suck, right?

Love is, indeed, a crossroad. A crossroad of thorns, confusion and most of all, it's a rollercoaster of cascading sequences of reality. Like what other people said, love is pain and pain is love. You don't know which way to go until you feel the indescribable pain of truth. Some can let go easily after a number of days or months. Some simply can't even though they already did everything they can.

Is there a scientific explanation for this? Let me know.

If it hurts to love somebody who can't love you back and to let go even hurts more, the best and the last resort you can do is not to think about it. Perhaps, this little thing we call LOVE is the hardest nemesis which we can't outplay with. This is probably the reason why people coined the words "Unconditional Love." They want to believe that love is the most powerful fire of human existence.

Wikipedia defines love as "a representation of range of human emotions and experiences related to the senses of affection and sexual attraction." That means it can either be irrational or not. Therefore, unconditional love may exist or simply a delusional fantasy of many. Unconditional love might happen to some but once it goes away, there's always a 60-40 or even 80-20 chance that it will never come back, right?

Reality is, love will move in mysterious ways no matter what and this is one of those saddest realities beyond our control. It's really up to you if you continue to believe in this thing we call love. No expectations + No Time Frame= Unconditional Love; This is a little bit insane, we are only human beings who expects a lot of things to come at the right time. Perhaps, it can be equated this way:

Suppression + Repression = Letting Go of Love

How To Gain Weight and Mucles?

Being skinny sucks. I was not this skinny when I was still young and innocent but as I grow up as an adult, I am becoming skinnier day by day. That's a real frustration. I don't know exactly why. Maybe, it's in the genes. My father was also an ectomorph when he was in my age. My mom was slim.

Or maybe it's in my blood. I was diagnosed with viral encephalitis when I was five. That means, my nervous system screws me a lot and I have a weak immune system. Is that it? But there are several handicap people out there who are healthy and not that skinny like me. In fact, you need to build a stronger upper body when you are a handicap.

I'm tired of being skinny. It destroys my self-esteem. I feel I am a great loser when I'm in front of anyone. Nobody knows that but me. Truth is, I really don't look good and this maybe the reason why my greatest love of all dusts me off. That's fine of me though. I understand that she deserves better than me, or just maybe.

Reality is, I want to gain weight. Just gain weight and build some muscles here and there. If possible, I want to become the next in-demand bachelor in town not only because I got the brains and the heart but also the dog appearance that makes those girls go wild. Understand what I mean? I have a disability and I still have the right to look good and feel good whenever I face the mirror. I just don't like to see the man with a four-legged walker, I want to see more.

What can I do with this dilemma? So, I'm putting this helpful video from YouTube. Hoping that one day, there's a light from Up Above and shower me pieces of winnings eventually.



How to gain weight and build lean muscles? The IIDS Formula

1) Increasing your protein intake.

2) Increase the resistance in your training.

3) Drink shakes rich in protein.

4) Sleep!

A Closer Look on the Two French Open Champions

Isn't it amazing seeing these two in a tennis match? The Current World See Number 2 (Male, 22) VS The Current World Seed Number 1 (Female, 20). Geez, that's way cooler and hotter than Baywatch.

Predictable Win For Rafa Nadal

It was a predictive win for Rafael Nadal (Spain) on last night's French Open Men's Championship, effortlessly beating Roger Federrer (Switzerland)6-1, 6-3, 6-0.

Overall, the game was somehow boring because of its predictive twists and turns. There's no doubt Rafael Nadal was a great tennis player. He's hailed as the King of Clay, grabbing the French Open Title for four consecutive years since 2005. What can I say? At 22, he's already a monster in clay devouring Federrer with his two-handed backhand strikes.

It's my first time to see Roger Federrer play on a national TV. As expected, he had this unsatisfied urge to nail his opponent. Unluckily, it didn't happen. As a matter of fact, the way he handled the game was disappointing. Set 1 was just below average for him. Although lost, he was resurrected from nothingness during the second set. Set 3 was blankly miserable. All in all, it was not the match I've expected from a World Seed Number One.

During the awarding ceremony, "Oui, c'est moi" |Yes, it's me| Federrer blurted out for the first time reassuring the people and his millions of fans worldwide that he was not impersonated by his incompetent devil twin. (source:sports.espn.go.com/sports/)

Ivanovic Wins French Open 2008

Last night, it was my first time to watch French Open Tennis Tournament and luckily, Anna Ivanovic, a twenty-year-old professional tennis player from Serbia was hailed as the overall champion in women's singles, beating Dinara Safina of Russia 6-4, 6-3.

Winning the French open for the first time, Ivanovic or rather be called as Anci her nickname, she was also proclaimed as the first Serbian woman to win a Grand Slam. Truth is, Safina-Ivanovic final match was really rough. There were lots of awesome edges and unforgettable tennis moves there. I don't really know Safina but what can I only say about her is, she was very meticulous in her hot-tempered moves and the way she hits the ball was surprisingly powerful. I hope I can see more of her in the next tournaments.

On the other hand, there's this super cool version of Safina- non other than Anna Ivanovic. I saw her played once with Maria Sharapova and from that moment on, I felt this Hey-You-Nailed-Baby! factor in her. Sharapova was nice but Ivanovic was different. She's hip and much cooler.

While watching the French Open finals last night, Ivanovic was a cool bomb, displaying a sanguine disposition throughout the game. Despite of the nerve-cracking nerves flooding in her, she still has this I-Am-Enjoying-This-Game-No-Matter-What smile on her face.


"I still can't believe what happened!," said a joyful Ana. "The crowd was amazing, they've been a great support. I've got no words to describe that. Last year's final was a great learning experience for me and I could make it this time (anaivanovic.com)"

This is the reason why Ivanovic is my tennis chick from now on. Just nail it, Ana!

What's Truly Going On In Our World Today?

I really miss this video. This cooler R&B mix version of What's Going On is really a hot one. Two of my legendary icons, Usher Raymond & Alicia Keys, are here.

Watch it... Just watch it and enjoy and leave a feedback if you have some.

The Real Delight of Cheap (Air) Traveling

Working as a content writer, we are trained to write travel articles. Whoa!!! I'm not a traveler, how can I write Travel Articles? I seem can't relate to the topic. But after months of reading news and articles pertaining to air travel, cruising, road trip etc, I somehow realized that writing travel articles is not boring. It's hard but it's oozing with knowledgeable worth-knowing facts.

I am posting an interesting air-travel article here from Flight Travel Worldwide

Read this article before booking a flight to your destination. Here it is!!!

Some people say that traveling is expensive and hazardous. You need to book a ticket, find the cheapest one as possible, compare prices, pack your clothes, undergo jet lag and be screwed with a lost baggage afterwards. Who wants to experience these misfortunes? No one.

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” --Freya Stark

But, like what the quote connotes, traveling seems to be a major catastrophe yet it’s the most adventurous and strangest experience we can ever have. We need these risks in order to feel that we are still the most pleasant entity in this universe empowered with power of will and love of nature. God didn’t create the Earth and one of us will be left behind. He wants us to see it. He wants us to appreciate its wonders and mysteries. That’s why, we need to travel.

Traveling is a delight. A joy of the unknown. Many people hate it but neither one of us can say that traveling sucks. Yes, traveling sucks sometimes but treasure the moment. When we get screwed right in the middle of a haystack, this is when the deep essence of traveling comes in.

When you travel, there are only two major elements as you search for the best dirt cheap airline tickets. These are diligence and patience. Why these two? It’s simply because you need to know where to look for them and when to book them. In fact, the introduction of cheap flights contributes to the popularity of air travel. These days, information about the cheapest airlines can be easily accessed and causes no stress. Below, are the tips and tricks you can do:

1.The Internet is your perfect niche to plan, to price, and to purchase any types of travel packages.

2.Details about each and every flight to distant places across the world is easily available on the Internet.

3.Many people believe that traveling east is harder than traveling west due to changing timezones.

4.Airfares are its cheapest when purchased during the early morning and “red eye” nights.

5.Web researching on on travel site is not enough, therefore, you need to knock on your coconut shell and visit different sites.

6.Booking a vacation package for a group travel reduces the cost of airfare.

7.Another good way to search for huge bargain is to set your destinations to foreign destinations.

8.Beware of some travel agents. Usually, there’s an added fee in their services that only adds to an already expensive ticket.

9.Standby flights are an excellent choice to those who are flying alone and are not in a hurry. Booking a flight right after the midnight is still a good chance in scoring big savings on your next air travel.

10.The back row seats do not recline and these seats are commonly perceived as not the most desirable zones in the plane but take note, these seats usually offer an astounding cut-off rates.

11.Great bargains are surely up for grabs between 4 months and 18-24 days before the departure flight.

12.Airlines usually skyrockets high 21 days, then 14, then 7 and finally, 3 days before the scheduled flight.

13.Sites such as the Last Minute Travel can also help you in finding all the latest last minute airline deals.

14.Always compare prices using these major online traveling services like Travelocity, Expedia or Priceline. These search engines will do all the work for. From airline reservation, discount and special offers, flight booking, etc. These search engines will surely save your time and effort.

15.Keep in mind that many airlines offer sales in fare each week during Tuesday and Wednesday.

16.You can save tons of money by dropping on the major airlines and take advantage for a discounter.

17.Before booking your flight, your air fare must consist all the necessary fees and taxes.

18.Airlines’ main sites offer better deals than the discount travel sites.

19.Airfares are a constantly changing rates several times a day. Ticket sales don’t usually last long so grab it while it’s still hot.

20.Clearing the cookies on your Internet browser each time you do a research on airfare avoids server connection failure. For a more detailed information about this matter, ask your computer technician.

21.Timing is luck and it’s everything. The sooner the time and date of your departure, the sooner you’ll make use of great vacation packages and avail the best bargains.

22.Before flying, consider the kind of service and the distance you are traveling.

23.Many cut-off rates airlines offer flights within Europe. the traditional airlines are the one to choose when you’re traveling in a long haul flight.

24.Learn to book in advance. Even the low cost airlines can charge you more if you book your ticket in the last minute.

25.Try scheduling your fly on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s rather than Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday’s.

26.Use the airline ticketing search engines, which helps you search through the different travel airline websites and best possible discounts for you.

27.There’s another way to look for cheap ticket and that’s simply by calling your airlines ticketing agents and ask them what sort of deals and promos they have. The best time to call them is after midnight- this is when all the updates are made.

28.Stay flexible. Adjust your travel dates and time if it can save you money. Never stop searching for more freebies even though you’re already at the airport. Truth is, many airlines overbook and when the it’s time for boarding, they will just ask if anyone is willing to give up their seats for a later flight. A “flight-on-hold” is a nice option to save money.

Seriously, traveling is a JOY but traveling for free is a LUCK. How to travel for free? That's another story to tell.

Post-it Index Highlighter Pen

For years and years, I finally found what I'm looking for. This is really what I am talking about. A handy pen with a dual purpose. You can use it as a highlighter, simultaneously, you can also use it as a bookmark.

How to do it? Very Easy. You simply twist the barrel at the end point to reveal the index dispenser, which contains red post-it flag cards ideal for your daily readings. That's it!!!

Don't worry, from what I read, this Index Highlighter pen contains 3x50 index refill inserts (150 indexes in total), therefore, no need to worry for extra post-its.

Imagine the convenience when you're reading an Inspirational book, Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life for example, and you have this pen. You can't only highlight those memorable quotes there, you can now bookmark the pages for future scanning and skimming. Great, isn't it?

For me, this pen is a real rock! I am a nerdy bookworm. I love reading whenever I have time. I enjoy reading than having a cocktail party with strangers. Truth is, I miss reading my psychology books at home as I am writing this review.

The Gorgeous and Vivacious Parvati Shallow

Survivor Micronesia is over. Parvati Shallow was already crowned as the sole survivor who outlasted the rest.

Parvati was born on September 21, 1982 in Vero Beach, Florida, making her a true-blue Virgo (Earth). Amidst all the gossips and degrading news articles lurking in the Internet saying that she's like this and that.... she's still the gorgeous vivacious Parvati in the glow and she's my girl no matter what.

Watch this interview with her.



Here's another early-show interview with Parvati Shallow. I love this woman and she's my rock!!!

What Kind of Blogger Am I?

My AOV friend, Lyka, sent me a Blogger's Test. I took a shot in answering the test, it might result to something worthwhile.

So, here's the result:

You Are a Pundit Blogger!

Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read. Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few

What Kind of Blogger Are You?