Passing by Mansfield Park

The reviews indicating Mansfield Park as the most controversial novel By Jane Austen drew me into reading the said novel more intently (and actually reading it again). I ask myself WHY it is controversial when it deals common issues including family, seperation, intellectual arrogance (sorry for the term, but the two Ms. Bertram and Aunt Norris belittled Fanny all through-out the novel), marriage, and friendship---common issues in a plot ages older and viewed or taken in another perspective by our generation.

Recalling the traits and role of each character help me discover the cause of controversy of Masfield park---the extra marital affair of Maria Bertram and Henry Crawford and also the relationship between cousins Fanny and Edmund.

But I need to do additional reading and search for materials that will support (or to contradict) my claim.

More notes soon...

Congrats my Engr friends!

I am very glad and proud to share the news that the following passed the ECE Electronics Engineer Licensure Examination held last October 25:

* Nestydune Amante
* Favis Joseph Balinado
* Maricar "Karen" Caringal
* Sherwin Hulgado

Congratulations my dear friends! Blow-out!!! ^_^

Another Image of Poverty

I received an email about the 2008 Blog Action day wrap up. It showed list of blogs that supported this year's topic (the list were divided into different category). The blog title which caught my attention was 17 Images of Poverty by digital photography school. The blog showcased a collection of pictures highlighting the different faces of poverty. Among the snap shots, I was moved most by the image taken by Thomas Hawk. The man named Christopher clasped his hands as if praying (but it actually tells a different story). It left me thinking that in a way, I am also in poverty--- I am poor in terms of spirituality. There are times that I feel lost... that I don not have enough faith to hold on to(though I am no atheist)...

Last April I told Reynan about my delimma on this particular matter. He only looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. Then our conversation went about other matters. I do not know if He took my disclosure as a joke or He simply opted not to make any comment since we were only newly-acquainted then (maybe it is high time I ask him again regarding his say).

I think I can claim (but not proud to do so) that I am a living image of poverty. I am no frequent-reader of the Bible, I do not attend mass whenever I do not feel I am ready enough for the eucharist, and I feel I do not have enough faith in God. These things alarm me. These things made me realize that I need to seek help---Well, I did. I asked God's enlightenment and maybe Thomas Hawk's "Christopher" is one of God's way of telling me that knowing my need (a stronger faith) and shortcomings is the first step in rising up from the poverty of faith.

Any help?

My Emma Within

At last! I was able to finish and post this entry (after a month of leaving it as a draft) as part of the Jane Austen Book Club spearheaded by witsandnuts.

I thought of "My Emma within" as a very fitting title of this entry for two reasons: First, I'll put into words my perspective of Emma. How I have understood her thoughts
and actions (though I perceived her to do things the other way around) and Second how I have seen a bit and piece of Emma on my own thoughts and actions then and now(this part is patterned after "the child within" concept.)


EMMA IN MY NAKED EYES
With the predictable plot (the almost never-ending match-making) and the irritating attitude (and plot) of Emma, here are what I have observed:

She is respectful. At the first part of the novel, it was explicitely mentioned that Emma gives high regard to Mrs. Weston,her governess since chilhood. Emmma listens to and considers Mrs. Weston's thoughts and pieces of advice, not to mention how courteous she is to her teacher. The kind of relationship Emma has with her father is also something to look upon. Her respect towards her father is always there. She thinks about her father's possible reaction and health condition before making certain decisions.

Emma is outspoken and stands on her beliefs. It can be noted from the onset of the novel that Emma speaks her mind and have the tendency to end up with an argument; not because she likes to argue but because she wants her side or position on a particular issue be heard and understood. If she believe in something she will stand on it until it was proven very unlikely and really distasteful. Emma was also characterize to be the type of person to accept criticisms (but ofcourse her realizations comes days after the occurence of some heated debate).

She admits mistakes. This is the hardest thing to do. One thing which I like about Emma is her will to admit her mistakes. She may not voice it out at once, but in a subtle and in the most Emma-like way she was able to acknowledge her shortcomings. But this same trait makes her also irritating.

A certified match-maker. Mr. Elton, Mr. Churchill,and Mr. Knightley (and never Mr. Martin)are the three men whom she match-make with Harriet, the daughter of nobody (in the end was said to be a merchant) whom she have taken into her wings. But then, despite Emma's schemes, she failed to arrange a marriage or even just a couple out of the mentioned gentlemen. The first married Augusta, the second was secretly engaged with Jane fairfax, and latter was actually in love with Emma. What may have made her fail with her match-making was her blindness regarding Harriet's real love interest and her intent focus on social status that equals Harriet (financial and social status are for her contributing factor to a possible pairing/match-making).

Love makes the world go round but-not-for-me attitude. Emma delights in match-making but vowed never to marry---her reason was her father's health (what a crap, right?). But this belief or attitude was not meant to last because jealousy of Harriet (who assume that she got the affection of Mr. Knightley). She realized that she love Mr. George Knightley since she hardly determine when.


MY EMMA-LIKE WAYS
I was bale to relate with the story, specially with Emma, because I saw some part of me in her. I labeled these similarities as My Emma-like ways:
* Like Emma, I have great respect and regard to my educators and mentors. I value their role in making me the way I am now.

* I also speak my mind (and actually tries very hard to think hard first before I speak) and stand on my beliefs (I sometimes end up making enemies).

* Emma's joys and struggles were confined in a small place, to Highbury. She stayed in Highbury by choice (despite her wealth). I also have few travel opportunities, but it is due to to financial constriants.

* Match-making is also my strong point. It makes me jolly whenever I can pair my assumed well-suited friends with each other (but only a few end up as couples). Honestly, I also have some factors to consider before I even act on matching two of my friends or acquaintances. I scrutinize if they have complementing triats. (hehehe) Oopps, here is a BIG BUT--- I hate it when I am the one who is being matched. *grrr* (hehehe)


HERE ARE THE LINES THAT STRUCK ME MOST:
"... no man can be a good judge of the comfort a woman feels in the society of one of her own sex after being used to it all her life" – Mrs. Weston

"Vanity working on a weak head produces every sort of mischief." – Mr. Knightley

"It was foolish, it take active part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuring too far, assuming too much, making light of what ought to be serious- a trick of what ought to be simple." -Emma’s realization

"There is safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person." – Frank Churchill (Oh my! should I start being less reserved to attract attention and affection?)

"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart." – Emma to Harriet

This novel made me ponder three things: use of wit and tenderness of the heart, respect, and sincerity.

Family planning at Laiya

This are some pictures of the seminar I attended regarding Family Planning.




















Di you notice that there are no family planning -related pictures above?

Postcard from Ms. Firefly

This is the first postcard I ever received and also my first Irish-made stuff possesion.... Being my first for two resons makes this one special. This may be too simple for others but this one is a treasure for me... Thank you Ms. Firefly!




And here is Ms. Firefly's message (I like here penmanship)...


Now I am thinking if its possible to ask my friends abroad to send me postcards too... I am a hopeful heart for simple joys.

A Click for a Cause

I was channel-hopping last October 1 and was able to watch a news at Channel Net25 featuring poverty and some ways which every one may take to help alleviate it. Freerice.com was one of the two games mentioned (the other one was food force)that aims to help end hunger.

In FreeRice one's knowledge on Arts, Chemistry, English, Geography, Language learning and Math is challenged and gauged (the difficulty of level of the game depends on on'es answers). Every correct answer I make is converted into 20 grains of rice (through the help of the sponsors). It is actully a small amount of rice, but if I play a lot and accumulate a number of points I am sure I will help generate enough rice to feed the people need it. Honestly, I try my best to make some review (yes I cram) before I play so I will be able to earn big points. This UN World Food program imparts to my learning, gives me entertainment, and makes way to my undertaking to help.

It amuses me that people like me who look for entertainment can both be diverted and be of aid at the same time with just few (or more) clicks. FreeRice is really a work of technology with a heart(and of course with the help of sponsors).

Almost Every breaktime, I try to visit freerice. I really love seeing the bowl gets filled with grains of rice. I feel my heart leaps due to excitement. I told about my bro and Mhaleen and my other friends about FreeRice. Know what? They also enjoyed (and still enjoy) the games and like the advocacy of FreeRice.

How about you? I'm inviting you to visit Freerice.com and click for a cause.