Pandemic Crisis How to Battle Unemployment

The global Covid-19 pandemic crisis which started this early 2020 is affecting a lot of people around the globe.  It affected the first world countries as well as the third world countries, regardless of race and status of life it dawned to anybody a surprise whether affected by the virus itself or been unemployed.  Most companies, big or small companies declared bankruptcy from the recent months.

Face mask for personal use

Face mask available at Simplyoj Redbubble Store 

                          

Due to this crisis, unemployment rate increased.  Are you one of these people who got unemployed?  Hope may seem uncertain but a positive outlook in life can be done to battle the unemployment.  Here are things that you can do to move forward during this pandemic:

• Health is wealth.  This pandemic has given us a lesson to go back to basics.  Previously people tend to abuse self by working so hard neglecting health.  In order to move on, the physical health should be a top priority.

• Evaluate skills and self. If you want to get a new job, evaluate and list down the skills and interests that you have.  Your previous experience should not limit you for getting other opportunities beyond your working experience.  

• Improve skills and knowledge.  Getting unemployed is a challenge to improve skills and knowledge to be enable to be more marketable and be able to get a new job.  The Internet is a venue for learning and being in lockdown in the house means you have more time to learn.  Learn the latest trends in career development and the application tools might the prospective employer may require including the conferencing tools such as Zoom, Webex, Google Meet and similar tools.

• Update your resume or online profile.  Be creative and use current online tools to improve your data.  

• Freelancing and other online work opportunities. Remote online jobs increased after the pandemic, more and more companies are giving opportunities to work at home jobs to augment the unemployement and fill their vacancies.

These are basic tips that you can follow and the success will always depend on how you want the new job and do what you have it takes to get it.  

Erik Satie "Vexation" Musical Piece and John Cage

"To play this motif 840 times in succession, it would be advisable to prepare oneself beforehand, in the deepest silence, by serious immobilities.". Erik Satie - 1893

One composition that proves to be a genius and yet perplexed one was Satie's work entitled "Vexations". It  is a short musical piece with only 3 lines to be played  840times in successions. The piece was became popular and published until only after his death .  It was written by Satie same time of his intense affair with the painter and model Suzanne Valadon, from January to June 1893.

John Cage discovered the score through Satie’s friend  in 1949 and have it printed immediately.  In September 9, 1963 (the performance lasted 18 hours and 40 minutes from 6:00p.m of September 9 to 12.40 p.m the next day)  at Pocket Theatre, New York, Cage organized and gathered a team of pianists  who played  the full performance for the first time of "Vexations".  The team included himself,   David Tudor, Christian Wolff, Philip Corner, Viola Farber, Robert Wood, MacRae Cook, David Del Tredici, James Tenney, Howard Klein, Joshua Rifkin, and John Cale.  

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Each pianists made an alternate performance for 15minutes with this short piece of only 3 lines repeated 840 times, the performance lasted for 18hours .  After that performance, many pianists have tried   to play the challenging piece  and been the subject of musicologists and Satie researchers. 

As for John Cage music, Satie  had been probably an influence of his later works.  His interest to the older composer begun since 1945 when he composed two-piano arrangement  of the first movement of Satie’s "Socrate" for Merce Cunningham’s ballet, he  later organized a concert with Satie’s music, his writings, and some other projects  related to Satie.

References :

Serious Immobilities: On the centenary of Erik Satie’s Vexations, StephenWhittington,  1999
Nicolas Fogwall Research Erik Satie Site

Family Gathering for the Christmas Celebration

Christmas holiday celebrations can be tiring after all the preparations and get-together parties or gatherings with family and friends. This year, my family hosted the family gathering. We are busy preparing the house, games, giveaways, and gifts but inspite of that, it was worth it the gathering has been successful. 

Although it took only three hours, it was the time where family bonding took place since everybody will be busy again with their own work and lives after the Holiday celebrations.

Our Christmas Eve was just a simple get together with pasta, ham, some desserts, and sparkling wine. After the midnight Christmas dinner, we had our exchange gifts. 

I am happy with the gifts I gave and the gifts I received. We thank God for all the blessings we received this year and the life ahead.

Do you Prepare for New Year’s Resolutions?

As the year ends, there will still be New Year’s Resolutions again for some people. Others just got tired of writing their New Year’s Resolutions since they fail to achieve every year. Some New Year’s Resolutions list are not achieved because there are too many and unrealistic. It is easy to write down goals but it is difficult to achieve all of them. Others may opt to have atleast one or two realistic resolutions instead.

Resolutions may be in areas of personal and financial goals. Personal maybe learning a new skill, studying a new short course, and so on. Financial goals like not to overspend this coming year or be able to save an achievable amount at the end of next year.

How about you, do you still prepare for New Year’s Resolutions and how do you do it?

Shopping Time during Christmas

Only days left and Christmas Eve is already here. My shopping list was ready to be fulfilled, and I have the money to buy for the gifts already. I am happy to go out and do my agenda, but unfortunately I am not feeling well. In addition to that, the weather was quite hot outside and I am thinking if I will be able to withstand the crowded malls for those who are also doing their shopping rush. I am supposed to go to my friends house after, but I just decided not to go anymore.

I should be resting at home and reserve my energy for the rest for the coming days. Actually not resting at home, I managed to clean the room and wrapped some gifts that I already have. My gifts are not actually expensive, but I am happy with the personalized wrapping that I have been doing for several years. They are sealed with love and sincerity.

Shopping Christmas Gifts at Nearby Stores

The holidays rush is already here and people are already busy with the Christmas season. For those who are busy on their work during these days, there is not enough time to buy your own Christmas gifts for the exchange gifts on the Christmas Eve. Yearly, when I do my Christmas list, I see to it that I will buy the gifts on one location and not far from my place. Imagine the travel time and the traffic you will take during the holiday rush before you can begin your shopping.

There are gifts that are also available in nearby stores. Some gifts can be also bought online. You just have to know how to buy it from legitimate merchants. I am just being practical, if you can buy it with a short span of time then why not.

Tips in Preparing for the Christmas Season

Christmas season is fast approaching and for moms who will be the busiest for the season preparing early will make a great deal for your holiday celebrations. Planning in advance and creating a shopping checklist would be the first step.  

During Christmas season, the house is usually renovated or having a new look with Christmas decors. Do you have an old Christmas tree or you need to purchase a new one already? For the Christmas eve, you may check new holiday recipes that you have not tried from previous years. Try to browse recipes from online or existing cookbook.

When we talk about Christmas season, shopping is another big activity. Budget your Christmas expenditures. Start checking possible gifts by canvassing in advance. Write down ideas for each person and look gifts from online shopping stores. Check available discount coupons to save money.

Proper planning in advance can spare you from having too much during the Christmas season. This year 2020, will the pandemic Covid19 stop the Christmas celebration and Christmas shopping?  It maybe a different one for each family this year, but definitely, Christmas  will be celebrated and the spirit will always be in our hearts.

Updated August 31,2020

How to Save for the Christmas Season

Are you thinking of how to save this Christmas?   Christmas Season just started with the “ber” months and it means spending some money again for gifts, parties, costume, clothings, travel, and other celebrations during the season. If you are trying to save money for these expenses, think of ways you can earn and save for the holidays. Here are some ideas that you can try:

1. Separate a percentage of your regular income to save money.

2. If your regular income cannot suffice for the savings, get a second job or part-time job to increase your come.

3. Check old items such as old gadgets, clothings, books, DVD’s, other items that are just eating space in your space that you can sell online.

4. Evaluate your expenses and reduce it, avoid unnecessary expenses.

Various Christmas Carols for the Holidays

Only days are counting and we will already in the “ber” months. It means the Christmas season is fast approaching. During this season, many are busy with various Christmas activities whether in the business or in family gatherings.

There are lots of events for reunions, family gatherings, company christmas party events and many more. With these celebrations, popular Christmas songs or carols will always be present. They will be heard again in the airwaves, here are some of the songs to expect every Christmas season:

Deck the Halls
Joy to the World
Silent Night
Jingle Bells
Hark the Herald Sing
12 Days of Christmas
Good King Wenceslas
The First Noel
O Come, All ye Faithful
We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Preparing for the Christmas Season

Preparing for the Christmas Season is one of the busiest activities people during September to December. The festivity of Christmas Season runs through first week of January to welcome the coming of a new year.

Preparation includes preparing for the list of family, friends, and work or business associates where you normally give Christmas gifts. Decide first more or less how much budget you are willing to shell out for the gifts so you can choose what type of gifts you can buy within your budget. An extra budget allowance will not hurt much so add atleast 10% of it.

Given the budget you have, what are the best gifts you can give which are different from last year? Gifts for family and friends are usually personalized and given with a much thought.

Gifts not be expensive though, be creative and try to check out deals and coupons as early as September to save money.

Saving Money during Christmas Season

Christmas holiday season is fast approaching and it also means spending for the holiday preparations. There will be expenses for the decorations, shopping for the gifts, any family travel plans, expenses for the party celebrations and Christmas Eve celebration of the family, and other miscellaneous Christmas expenses.

With all the expenses line up for Christmas, is saving money possible these days? Yes, you can if you will be wise enough in planning and spending this holiday season. Check out the following simple tips:

• Plan ahead and set your budget before spending
• Collect discount coupons online
• Check old decorations so you will not buy a new one (example the Christmas tree)
• Be creative with your gifts, expensive gifts are not necessary if you cannot afford it

Too Early for Christmas?

Time is really fast, it seems that months before we are only celebrating New Year’s eve. Now, we are only one month away when the “ber” months starts again. Christmas is the busiest season and the festivities starts months before the Christmas day. If you are a busy mom, start the preparation to avoid the hassles of Christmas rush.

Check your old Christmas stuff, the Christmas tree, lights, and other Christmas ornaments to see if you still need to buy or just recycle the old ones. Planning your budget is important that is why careful planning is also essential in saving money from your preparation. If you are travelling this Christmas season, start browsing for budget deals in advance to plan your travel well.
Is it too early for Christmas? No, not at all. Planning is a key for any successful activity or event.

Gift Ideas Ideas

Thinking about what gifts to give can be hard sometimes, for whatever occasions birthdays, Christmas,weddings, anniversary, and more. It is fortunate today that there are also gift certificates that can be spent generally by the recipient.

Gift Ideas for Children - . Kids usually want associated with their favorite toys, games, and movie character clothes. 

Gifts Ideas for Teens - Gadgets such as smartphones, Ipad, psp games

Gift Ideas for a Husband – Gifts related to his sports and hobbies or grooming

Gifts for business associates are usually general gifts such as gift baskets, wine, or packaged toiletries.

Office Bullying?

In a corporate environment, competition among employees are common. There are different types of people working in one place of environment where attitude clashes and there is a need to deal with even with the hard or nasty people. What if these people are superior in position, or in another department where you need to deal with those people even if you do not want.

Most of the victims of office bullying are young new hires who do not know yet how to defend themselves from intimidating a much older and senior co-workers. Other victims are women who are being bullied by men, nasty bosses who maltreated subordinates.

Do not be a victim of office bullying, be always assertive and deal with them objectively. If they go the boundaries, let the Human Resources Department that you are being bullied, just be ready that you can prove it because they can easily turn the table for you.

Afternoon Delight with a Friend

A cup of brewed coffee and a freshly baked bread are enough to enjoy an afternoon delight with a friend. After the tight and stressing weekdays, feels good to unwind a bit and enjoy a personal chat with a friend.

Social media gave us opportunity to keep in touch always with our loved ones through various chat messaging, a personal social contact with them is still best if time permits. With electronic cards, emails, and other forms of electronic communications are just tip of our fingers, but it comes impersonal at times.

Simple joys in life are still the best shared with a friend.

Do you Share your Personal Email Password with your Partner?

Same as the title goes, do you share your personal email password with your partner? Various couples (married or not) may have various opinions about this, to some it may cause arguments or disagreements. Okay, ideal relationships are build on trust, but does individualities of each should remain?. 

There are many other email accounts, but this article refers to the personal email that you have been maintaining even before the relationship. Unless you are the type of deleting emails from time to time, your personal email may contain sensitive emails from your other friends whom your partner do not know about, sensitive email communications with your family, important documents previously sent before. Some sentiments of women involved in romantic break-ups was because they have given their all and losing themselves totally while in a relationship. 

There maybe no right or wrong answer to the question. It may only depends on how will look at it of each person in a relationship and how they will go about it. 

Office Romance in the Office

Office romance is so common among corporate co-workers when a relationship blooms. Couples who are either both single, one is married, or both are married. How does office romance develops? If the two are constantly seeing each other everyday and becomes fond with each other. They start to eat together during lunch or during break-time, sometimes it start with a group but later on become exclusively being seen together . Afterwards, they try to still be together even outside the office premises and begun enjoying each others company by eating outside and dating already.

If the couple are both single, there might not be much problem as long you do not bring the relationship into work hours and be discreet about it. If one is commited, the weight would be on that person whether she/he will make a choice between the two. The third scenario will be if both are committed already (married or not) and if already have kids of each own. Is it just a whirlwind romance? One reason that two committed people falls into falling in love is because they begun sharing own personal problems with their current partners. They develop friendship, share sentiments and find solace with each other, not realizing that they are already falling into the person. 

Can this be avoided? Maybe yes or not. Decisions may depend in one’s life core values and what matters most. There are things to consider especially if there will be other people who will be affected or there will be a consequence after the decision. In the end we will suffer or benefit from the fruits of our actions.

Tips on How to Avoid Car Thefts

Car thefts are so rampant nowadays, there have been many reported cases through the years. Have you been a victim of car theft? Good news if you are not, here are some tips on how to avoid them to protect yourself and your family:

Do not forget the ignition keys when leaving the car. Even for a short period of time since it can easily be started by those who knows to unlock the ignition. 

Do not leave valuable things and do not leave bags visible in window (put them in the lower area of the seats or in trunk or compartment),or else It would attract car thefts.

Close the windows tightly so no opportunities for an open window can be given to these car thefts.
Park your car in a well-lighted area and as much as possible with security post.

Guinness World Records for the Biggest Shoes in Marikina, Philippines

Marikina City is one of the key cities in the east of Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the shoe capital of the Philippines where quality various brands can be bought. If you want a customized shoes, there are a lot of shoe makers around. Some wedding bride go here for the customized shoes for their wedding.

The biggest shoes in the world is certified by Guinness Book of World Records in 2002 which is located in Marikina Shoe Gallery inside River Banks Mall in Marikina City, Philippines. Made with genuine leather, with atleast 17 feet long and 8 feet wide, atleast 30 normal feet size would fit. It was my first time to see the biggest shoes while shopping at the mall.

Are you Bored?

Do you ever get bored of your everyday life? Are you unemployed or are you tired of doing the same routine in your work or in the house? Sometimes we actually feel like the boredom, but there are things we can do about it to face life more with enthusiasm. Here are some things to get rid of boredom:

Change your routine once in a while, have a break with your everyday activities. Energize yourself by going away from your present environment or do something that you love to do for a long time. Visiting a friend is another way, to have a simple talk and catch up things.

Learn a new skill or hobby. Aside from work, we should have something that we love to do in a regular basis. Allot a time for your hobbies, you are more inspired and to divert mind from work matters or stress.

Time for yourself or to be silent sometimes. Sleep whenever you can to give your body a rest.