Marrying Age

This is just sooooo funny to pass up!Ü Got this from Mian, by the way.Ü

TAKE THiS QUiZ TO FiND OUT WHAT YOUR MARRYING AGE iS:

[ ] I know how to make a pot of coffee.
[X] I keep track of dates using a calendar.
[X] I own more than one credit card.
[ ] I know how to change the oil in my dads car.
[X] i can wash my clothes
[X] I vote every election.
[X] I can cook for myself.
[ ] I think politics is exciting.
[ ] I balance my checkbook.
[ ] My parents have better things to say than my friends.

Total: 5

[X] I show up for school/college/work every day early.
[X] I always carry a pen in my pocket/purse.
[X] I've never gotten a detention.
[ ] I have never smoked a cigarette.
[X] I have never gotten completely trashed.
[X] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once.
[X] I like to take walks by myself.
[X] I've watched talk shows.
[X] I know what 'credibility' means without looking it up.
[X] I drink coffee at least once a week.

Total: 9

[X] I know how to do the dishes
[X] I can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When I say I'm going to do something I do it
[X] My parents trust me.
[ ] I can mow the lawn.
[X] I can make adults laugh without being stupid.
[X] I remember to water the plants.
[X] I study when I have to.
[X] I pay attention at school/college.
[X] I remember to feed my pets.

Total: 9

[X] can spell 'experience' without looking it up
[ ] I work out on a regular basis.
[X] I clean up my own mess.
[ ] The people at Starbuck's know me by name.
[ ] My favorite kind of food is take out.
[ ] I have gained weight since middle/high school.
[ ] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine.
[ ] I can't go to the store without getting something I don't need.
[ ] I understand political jokes the first time they are said.
[X] I can type quickly.

Total: 3

[X] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour.
[ ] My only friends are from my place of employment.
[ ] I have been to a tupperware party
[X] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job.
[ ] I have more bills than I can pay.
[ ] Most of my friends are older than I am.
[X] I can say no to staying out all night.
[X] I use the internet every day.
[ ] My wardrobe hasn't changed in a while.
[X] I can read a book and actually finish it.

Total: 5

Add up all the numbers and repost this as: MY MARRYING AGE IS --- 31

Though I think that it should be the other way around...rather than adding it up, it makes sense if you just subtract it from the total number of questions (which is 50), in which case, I'm way over MY suppossedly marrying age of 19 (huwat?!?!!!). HAHAHA!Ü Now that I think about it, I guess the adding up all the numbers makes better sense...Ü

So...what's YOUR marrying age? HAHAHA!Ü

Bite Me!

I dreamt two nights ago that I was bitten by a black dog, and that I was crying and scared, which is not surprising since I'm generally afraid of dogs in the first place.

I searched the internet for an interpretation of my dream and here's what I found:

1 From http://dreammoods.com

To dream that a dog bites your on the leg, suggests that you have lost your ability to balance aspects of your life. You may be hesitant in approaching a new situation or have no desire to move forward with your goals.

-Could this mean that i'm working too much? I don't think so. My Saturdays are pretty much work-free, although I do stay until around 6 to 7pm at the office (I start work at 8am), which is more than the 8-hour work requirement and more than what is expected for a genpay employee like me. With the 2nd statement...I think this is true.

2 From http://www.sleeps.com

A dream of dogs is usually a fairly good omen. A dog barking happily shows that you will have a pleasing social life. A friendly, happy dog shows that you have lots of good friends. A dog barking and snarling fiercely at you shows you have some unfriendly friends, and also, if the dream dog is big and powerful, as well as friendly, shows that you have a very powerful protector.

-Hmmm...this made me think. I don't think I have unfriendly friends...coz if they're unfriendly, then I don't consider them as friends.


3 From http://petrix.com/dreams/

To dream about a dog that fondles you indicates great gain and constant friends. To hear the barking of dogs foretells news of a depressing nature. Difficulties are more likely to follow.

-OK, this one's a bit pessimistic. I can think of one situation that can make the news of a depressing nature true. I don't like the sound of difficulties are more likely to follow.


4 From http://www.djmcadam.com/dreams.htm

Dog - calm times ahead.

-The dog in my dream was barking continuously and bit me. I don't think this applies.


5 From http://predictions.astrology.com/dd/

Dogs can be great friends or frightening adversaries. In dreams, the friendly dog may be a representation of a trustworthy relationship or intuitive affirmation of it. The wild dog may represent a nagging, ongoing struggle with a seemingly irresolvable conflict. (Of course, either case may just be a replay of a life situation starring a real dog that you know, either friend or foe.)

Do you want someone who is unfairly persecuting you to "call off the dogs"? -OK, I don't understand this statement.

Is there a relationship in your life where the loyalty is at question or is especially pronounced? -None that I can think of, no.

-I wonder what that irresolvable conflict is...could it be a quarter-life crisis that's coming my way?


6 http://www.spiritquill.com/dreams.html

ANIMALS** Wild animals denote troubles or fears, even misfortune. Domestic animals, especially pets, usually mean good fortune. Their demeaner is significant. A fierce animal is a warning. A calm one indicates happy times. Animals often represent the primal side of our makeup and the dreamer's relationship with the animal tells how much control they have over that part of themselves (Oh...so this just means that I have no control over whatever IT is). The most common animals in our dreams are:

....DOGS* #1 dreamed animal! Traditional symbol of the Masculine; courage and loyalty. A friendly dog denotes coming domestic happiness. A vicious dog warns you of financial or health concerns. A howling dog warns of separation from loved ones.

-I just received my credit card statement and it's (a lot) more than the usual amount that i'm used to paying every month. I just had a blood chemistry test (is that how you call it?) done this morning (my first time ever) and the results came out OK (everything was within limit). So I guess my dream could be a warning that I will be paying quite a bit more than the usual for my credit card bill. That's OK. I can live with that.

7 From http://www.anael.org/english/dreams/meaningofdream1.htm

Dog, wolf dog that attacks : Karma or punishment that are going to be paid.
Dog, a friendly one : Sincere friendship.
Dog, attacking: a betrayal of a friend. If the dog is big, is a close friend. If It bites, the traitor will hurt.

-Oh my! Karma or Punishment...I wonder what I did that has to be paid? Or...expect a friend to betray me (Naku, sino kaya yun?). The dog was medium-sized...so the friend might not be that close to me...It bit me so that just means he or she will hurt.


8 From http://www.rom101.com/glossary/index.php

Dreaming of a dog can mean that you´re seeking companionship (HAHAHA!), affection, or loyalty. If the dog bites, it might indicate a feeling of disloyalty (Hmmm...). To hear dogs barking suggests a message or a warning from your unconscious (Now, what is my uncounscious mind trying to tell me?).

9 From http://www.brilliantdreams.com

Attack
To dream that you attack someone, indicates that your ill-mood and temper may cause harm to another. You are releasing some pent-up frustration and anger. You feel that you have been wronged. Such feelings may be easier and safer for you to express in your dream. To dream that you are being attacked by someone, signifies questions on your character and the need for you to defend yourself. You are feeling stressed, vulnerable and helpless. You may also be faced with difficult changed in your waking life. To dream that you are being attacked by an animal, is a warning to be careful with those around you. Take notice on who you know in your waking like that shares and exhibits the same qualities of the animal that attacked you in your dream. To dream that you kill an attacking animal, signifies that your life will be saved by a stranger.

Bark
To hear barking in your dream, represents your tendency of barking orders at people instead of asking or talking kindly (Yikes!). It may also indicate that you are annoying others, grumpiness, or fussiness (Naku, wag naman sana ako annoying to others). To see a happily barking dog in your dream, symbolizes pleasures and much social activity. If the dog is barking ferociously, then it represents your habit of unnecessary barking at people and the situations around you (Yikes! again). It could also mean unfriendly companions (Strike 2 na 'to).

Dog
To see a dog in your dream, indicate a skill that you have ignored or forgotten, but needs to be activated (My engineering skills perhaps? Haha!). Alternatively, dogs may symbolize intuition, loyalty, generosity, protection, and fidelity. Your own values and intentions will enable you to go forward in the world and succeed. If the dog is vicious and/or growling, then it signifies some inner conflict within you (Quarter-life crisis, is that you?). It may indicate betrayal and untrustworthiness. If the dog is dead or dying, then it indicates a loss of a good friend. Alternatively, it represents a deterioration of your instincts. To see a happily barking dog in your dream, symbolizes pleasures and much social activity. If the dog is barking ferociously, then it represents your habit of making demands on people and controlling situations around you (Strike 2!). It could also mean unfriendly companions (Strike 3!). To dream that you are buying a dog, indicates your tendency to buy your friends or buy compliments/favours. Alternatively, it suggests a need for you to find companionship. To dream that you are dressing up your dog, signifies your attempts to cover up your own character flaws and habits. Also consider the notions associated with the word dog, such as loyalty ("man's best friend") and to be "treated like a dog".

Well, I guess that's more than enough. From what i've gathered, I must:

• Be careful of those around me.
• Try and identify that inner conflict within me and resolve it.
• Try to decipher what my unconscious mind is telling me.
• Stop barking at people.

OK then. That's nice to know. Maybe my mind is telling me to take a breather and try to analyze the things going on within and around me.

Or it could also be telling me to just simply, buy a dog (i've always wanted to have a black dachshund, but am afraid of the responsibility that comes with taking care of a dog).

So...what do you think? Share to me your thoughts.Ü

A Book Called "Fallen Cradle"

24 hours after purchase, I finished reading this book entitled, Fallen Cradle (edited) by Agnes Prieto and Ricardo M. De Ungria. It's basically a compilation of stories from parents who have lost a child or two due to different reasons: may it be an illness, a violent crime, a freak accident, or even suicide.

I first came across this book when searching for show times and available theaters for the movie Griffin & Phoenix. As destiny would have it (as I would like to think so), I stumbled upon this website (http://aboutmyrecovery.com/) about a Mom's notes on recovery. I got intrigued and read on...Why recovery? And why specifically indicate that it's a mother who's recovering? Turns out, the author (Noemi Lardizabal-Dado) lost her 6-year old son to an accident in 2000 and her website is a byproduct of that loss.

The book features stories (and even poems) made by parents on how they lost their child & their struggle to live a normal life after such a traumatic experience. I agree inded with what the invited psychologist (in the book) mentioned: there is not one word that describes a parent who has lost a child. For children who lost their parent/s, there's orphan. For a spouse, a widow or widower. But for parent/s who lost a child, there is none. I believe this is because it is not in the natural order of things for a parent (or parents) to outlive their child/children. It must be the other way around. But sometimes, fate has a different way of dealing with things in your life. And seeing as we are actually living on borrowed time, we must learn to treasure life as it occurs. Because we'll never know when it will be time out for us.

The book opened my eyes on several things, and I would like to share to you some insights I got from it. I realized that some (if not most) suicides or suicide attempts are caused by an illness called BIPOLAR DISORDER, or more popularly known before as MANIC DEPRESSION (or Manic Depressive Disorder). Bipolar disorder is an ilness where a person experiences episodes of mania and depression, with normal moods in between (http://www3.uta.edu/sswtech/sapvc/information/teens13_15/Teens_(ages13-15)_Glossary.htm). And usually, it is during these manic or depressive states/episodes that they entertain the idea of suicide. There is currently no cure yet for this disorder, although early diagnosis and psychiatric treatment can help manage the illness.

Another thing I would like to share is the innate power of Fr. Efren Borromeo to communicate with those who have passed on to the next life. He is described in the book as a highly sensitive healing priest, and is very much in demand to those who know of his innate ability and are seeking for closure on things that are mostly beyond anyone's control. In the book, he has helped the parents of those whose child/children passed away due to freak accidents (that looked like suicide) and murder, among others.

I recommend this book not only to parents who have experienced a similar fate in life, but to those who have had to let go of someone or something. It's a book that lets you appreciate your loved ones more and makes you realize that nothing in this world is permanent. Everything changes. And as human beings, we need to learn to embrace those changes, no matter how difficult it may be. Indeed, only time can heal all wounds, but a little help from a loved one...a friend...a support group, makes the pain easier to manage. And the thought that you are not alone is God's way of saying that He is with you every step of the way.

Life indeed is something to be cherished and should not be taken for granted. Spend time with your loved ones. Hug and kiss them as much as you can (for me, i love hugs more than kisses Ü). Schedule a dinner date with your dad or have coffee with mom on a lazy afternoon. Treat your brother or sister to lunch, even though sometimes he or she really just gets into your nerves. Talk with your loved ones. Spend quality time together. Learn how to say sorry and be appreciative of even the littlest things in life. These are the things I realized after reading this book. Time spent with our loved ones will sooner or later run out. That fact, we cannot escape. But what we can do is to make every moment spent with them count and be worthwhile.

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Book front and back cover picture from http://compassionatefriends.info/images/Fallen_Cradle_14.jpg