AIM FOR A TIE

Well, this is just a realization for that I would like to share. Many times we are so competitive and we always want to be number 1. This is applicable anywhere; whether it be at school, at work, or in sports. Sometimes competitiveness is so rooted already in our system that anything we do, we want or aim to be the first.

Now, let me offer something unusual. Instead of putting your energy and doing everything possible to be number 1, just AIM FOR A TIE. Something new to you? Yes, this is something new to me too. However, this is not something impossible. I got a chance before to see some real tie situations wherein the emotion is far greater than celebrations involved in number 1. Imagine a situation wherein both competitive camps are cheering because both their players are no. 1. It is a great tie.

However, like Haley's comet, this doesn't happen often. What could be the reason? Possibly because we don't want it to happen. We are still enclosed to our belief that in this world you have to strive to be no. 1 ALWAYS. Probably because this was how we have defined competition. I may have not built my case well but I would just like to share something unusual further about this "aim for a tie" idea. There is no harm in a tie for the first place. For me, it is even better than having a very proud no. 1 and a crying no. 2.

We should try to change the norm and achieve for a tie for the 1st place. Encourage others to strive further. Do not let the no. 1 spot be your driving factor in the race. Achieve to be the best because it is the right thing to do; irregardless whether this will mean sharing the no. 1 spot with others.

Imagine how the world would be if all of us will "Aim for a Tie".

Alfred.

Practical exercise

I'll make it short this week and touch a different topic. You and me needs exercise. That I am sure. What kind of exercise specially with our very busy schedule? I'll try to offer an option.

I woke up this morning and peeped at our window and saw snow. Snow everywhere. Then a ray of light from the sky struck my head and a soft voice whispered in my ears and said. --- Get the shovel and start shovelling.

Yup, this is the exercise option that I am selling to you. It is practical and hopefully will tone you up.

I got our $75 dollar worth exercise equipment and started my EXERCISE. It took me almost 40 minutes. Believe it or not. I perspired at last after almost 5 months of being here in Canada. Yes, I am walking almost 3 kilometers 4 times a week and doing some lifting in my job but all these doe not make me perspire. That special equipment I just used this morning made me perspired. Wow. So, I am trying to experiment on different position on how to do this exercise. Who knows you may have the best step to offer. Please share it too.

You cleaned your driveway and you got the much needed exercise. Isn't that awesome?

May your shovelling shape you!

Cheers!

Boracay Island, Philippines

This place is just memorable to me. This is where we celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary! If my memory serves me right, this is the only time that me and my wife had been away for a vacation without our kids. It was really an experience worth treasuring. We chose the place for this special occasion as this place is really special. It is always included in the top ten beaches in the world. This alone is something you can look forward to.

Now, let us begin the tour.

Boracay is known for its 7 kilometer white sand beach. It is the number one tourist spot in the country and visited by millions of local and foreign tourists every year. It is a very developed tourist spot that houses 5 star hotels lining the coast.

In this picture below, just imagine yourself lying on one of this beach beds and drinking an ice cold beverage of your choice and having a basket of tropical fruits at your side at a cost lower than a fast food meal.

You can find in this place all sorts of entertainment. You can either choose to have a romantic dinner or join a beach party. Name any aqua sports and you will find it in this place. I will recommend a sunset sail. If you know how to bargain, you can get an hour sunset sail for $10. Wow, a romantic sunset sail that may relit the fire in your relationship.



A 3 days 4 nights vacation can already be enough if you have limited time. I suggest you book in a hotel that already offers free breakfast and hop from one restaurant to another for your lunch and dinner. You can have a taste of different world cuisine in boracay as the beach stretch is lined by different places owned by different nationalities. A budget of $10 per meal is more than enough. Of course don't fail to try the different grilled filipino seafood specialties.



I guaranty that you will be in love with the place and your relationship with your special someone will be much stronger after your visit in Boracay.

These places are God's gift. Enjoy it.



P.S - Don't fail to have your pictures taken with one the beautifully crafted sand castles along the beach. As the saying goes, leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.

-ALFRED-

Palawan Island, Philippines

Next stop, PALAWAN ISLAND, PHILIPPINES. YES, I am advertising the Philippines. Not that I am so proud of our country, rather, I would like you to visit it as friends who is entitled to see the best in this planet before we close our eyes to rest.

No worries, what I am sharing are those I have visited and given my rating myself. By the way, I am not a professional advertiser, so please forgive me for any shortcomings. Just a hint, I am sharing not more than 10 places from the 7,100 plus unique islands that the country boasts of. Fair enough?

Why Palawan? Because it is the location of the Subterranean National Park. One of the finalist in the new list of the world's natural wonders. The underground river, yes, I wrote it right is a an 8 kilometer river inside a cave. The cave is like a cathedral inside that presents stalactites and stalagmites sculptured by nature to different magnificent images. Believe me your jaw will drop on what you will see.

Hereunder are some pictures:









Anyway, the Palawan Subtarranean river is not the only tourist spot that you can enjoy in Palawan. You can also go to Honda Bay which is just within Palawan which boasts of abudnant marine life. I am a beach lover and have gone snorkeling on my many beatiful sites but this is the only place where I really swam wish schools of jack fish. Beleive me it, it will really be an experience worth treasuring.

Honda Bay pictures:

Davao City, Philippines

Hi friends, most of you know that I am from the Philippines. However, on this blog, allow me to introduce to you the Philippine city where I lived before coming to Canada. Of course, the idea is for you to visit the city if ever you get the chance to visit the Philippines.

Davao is located on the Southern part of country. It is approximately 1 and 45 minutes plane ride from the Philippines' capital, Manila. The temperature is on the 27 to 29 range and it is one of the areas in the Philippines that is not visited by typhoons. The place is blessed both with scenic mountains and white sand beaches. 15 minutes from where I lived you can be on the beach and do sun bathing or choose to get a view of the City from a mountain spot.

I have posted some pictures for your appreciation.

Insider's tip:

1. Take advantage of promo fares. Sometimes it will only cost you $10 CAD for a rountrip plane fare from Manila to Davao City Philipiines. Very cheap, right? Just like eating at McDonalds.

2. Instead of booking at a hotel located in the inner City. Book in a beach resort hotel (in Samal Island) or a mountain resort (Mt. Apo). Average cost will be $20 CAD per day which already includes a free breakfast.

3. Splurge on the native fruits and foods of the place. "Pomelo" - a giant citrus fruit. Mangostene - starting to be well known because of its medical benefits and "Durian" a fruit known to be aphrodiciac. Of course, plenty of mangoes, bananas, guava and other tropical fruits. If you are a seafood lover, Davao City is the place. It is one one the major exporters of Tuna, Shrimps, etc - meaning you can buy it cheap if you are in the place. Buy the seafoods live and fresh from the wet market and have it cooked in your inn at a minimal cost.

4. Learn scuba diving in many dive spots. Cost? Believe it or not it will only cost you not more than $10 for an introductory dive. Try white water rafting if you would like an adrenalin rush too or if you still have the strenght and the guts try to climb the highest peak in the Philippines which is Mt. Apo.

Anyway, just in case you would wish to go. Don;t fail to give me a ring. Who knows I may be able to give you the tour myself.

Want to learn a magic?

123 Magic. This is the title of the book I am reading now. You may be wondering, what is this about? Probably, Alfred is looking at another profession other than being in the accounting field. Probably, he wants to be a magician! But no, this book is not about magics. I am hooked to this book because I am a father of 3 beautiful kids with ages 4, 8 and 10. I am reading this not to learn tricks to amuse them, rather, to learn principles that will atleast guide me on how to discipline them.

This can be the awaited solution to those of you who are currently troubled by the whining of your kids, by their tantrums or anything that you yourself used to do to annoy your parents when you were a kid.

Counting 1 - 2 - 3 without any emotion is the essence of the book. I would like to emphasize on the words without emotion. Let me put the theory to an example for clarity. If you see your kids fighting just for the sake of quarelling and you think it is but proper to put a stop on it, then you can try the 123 magic principle. First, count 1. If after 5 seconds they still continue what they are doing, count 2. If after 5 seconds, they still ignored your warning signals count 3 and say - that's it and put them to time-out. This can either be not letting them play their favorite toy for 5 minutes, reducing their time to watch their favorite tv show, etc.

It is that simple and you will be amazed by the results. My wife who already read the book and has the chance to practice the principle is attesting that it is working.

Of course, the 123 magic is for kids aged 2 to 12. Just don't know if this will work for grown-ups. Anyway, no harm to test it with your partners, husbands or wives. Who knows, they may have learned the principle before you and you will be the one to be timed-out. Am glad my wife hasn't tried the principle to me.

Will discuss next time the possible reason why it won't work and this will boil down to the NO emotion thing. Till next time my friends.