Monday blues and still without a thesis topic

This is to officially kick-in my latest studies, this time I am intent on finishing my Methods of Teaching in our community college. So I will be visiting the school in a few minutes to check my schedule, and after that I will be attending to my Masteral classes. I need to finish my thesis this year in order to get my Management degree. I am thinking of focusing on telecommuting, independent contracting online and web content writing. Any thoughts on the possible focus of the thesis? I am still lost on the specific problem that I will touch on for this year.

Updates on abaca handicrafts, bancuan and what I’m up to

This site has been totally dormant for like 2 years. Many things changed, the abaca handicrafts sector in Albay and the Bicol Region suffered a hit and I was employed in a construction company as a Human Resource Officer and Training Coordinator. The last thing I know is that there are still some surviving entrepreneurs out there that focus on abaca handicrafts and bankwan bags production. Good for them. Count this post as a continuation of my appreciation of the industry that helped us go through college. From time to time, I will still post on things and news related to abaca handicrafts, agas (seagrass baskets) and bangkwan bags. But most of my time is now focused on freelance web content writing serving multiple clients. Yes, once again I am dipping my fingers on web content writing, and ready to serve clients. Wish me luck!

Matt Giraud out of Idol

I am not one of the biggest fans of American Idol, but I do watch the show from time to time. I watch the show last night with the five remaining contestants, with Matt Giraud and Adam Lambert as the bottom two. Sadly, it was the time of Matt Giraud to go. Among the remaining four contestants, I am rooting for Danny Gokey. In fact, he was one of my two choices then alongside Alexis Grace. So, its Danny Gokey and the other three.

I found a news report that mentioned some of the thoughts of Matt Giraud right after he was booted out of the show. When asked what he thinks of the voters and what the voters are looking for in the competition, Matt Giraud said:

At this point, it’s more popularity than talent. We all know that. Everyone in the top five is talented, though, but someone’s gotta go home every week. It’s just whoever can rub America the right way, I guess.

So, it’s the final four. Who is your bet?

Water lily as new abaca fiber?

Lovely water lily as next fiber source

There is a news feature recently that suggest that fiber can be sourced  from water lily as well and this can follow the success of the abaca fiber that can be sourced from the abaca plant and pineapple fiber. The push for water lily, maguey and saluyot as the next sources of fiber comes from the Philippine Textile Research Institute. According to the PTRI Director, the use of water lily and the two other plants are part of their research, testing their efficacy and reliability as sources of fibers.

Well, handicraft manufacturers and makers here in Albay has been using thewater lily for many years now. This is known as water hyacinth and this material was made as the material for weaving and making goods, hampers and baskets. A Japanese buyer has been here 5 years ago I think and the buyer ordered tens of thousands of pieces of these hampers and baskets made from water lily. This goes to show that there is promise in water lily as a material and fiber. The nice thing is that the water lily that floats in Bato Lake were all cleared off thanks to this demand, and this helped the fishermen in one aspect in their livelihood. So good luck on the research on the efficacy of water lily and other plants as sources of fiber.

Picture of water lily for display purposes, and water lily found in the country is of the different kind.

DA pushes for use of natural fibers in packaging

natural fibers

If the Department of Agriculture is to be followed, packaging materials used in many businesses should make use of indigenous materials in order to support the local materials and at the same time help put a stop on the use of non-biodegradable materials like plastics. The news reports have it that the Fiber Industry Development Authority or FIDA is now talking with the local governments officials  and business leaders on how to use fibers like abaca fibers as the main materials in making packaging materials for use by commercial establishments like department stores. This is one good move in order to stop the department stores’ dependence on plastic shopping bags, these plastic shopping bags in trun clog our rivers. With the use of indigenous fibers like abaca fibers, the shopping bags can be made environment friendly plus we will support many local industries and push the stature of fibers like abaca fibers.

Image used courtesy of International Year of the Natural Fiber

Writers as producers and looters

Here is a content that strikes me as something true and correct. The author says that there are two kinds of people, the looters and the producers. Indeed in many aspects of life, you have that kind of duality; someone who produces and someone who takes advantage of the output of the producers- the looters. This is true as well in writing, where writers are the producers and some buyers are the looters. And the looters are the ones that ride on the crest of skills and production of the writers.

The article goes on saying that writers as producers should welcome competition, and never blame co-writers for their failures. Writers who blame other writers for their failures and for failing to snag the writing job are also called looters. For this reason, we as writers should strive to make ourselves to become as producers and simply not looters. The content further challenged writers; welcome competition and help develop new writers.

Every writing project is a way to hone the craft. And yes, I also accept the challenge of the author- to be intent on improving and should cast nothing aside no matter how small that project may be. Read everything- I will and accept challenges- yes I will.

..and MIA’s baby is named?

How’s one of my favorite artist’s doing? Well since the news broke out that MIA has given birth, of course the next talk of the town is the name to be given to the child. Well the press said the the singer named her baby ‘Ickitt’ or name that somewhat approximates the spelling and the sound. But MIA said on her blog that it was not the name of her baby. The Sri Lankan born singer said that her baby is “not called Ickitt, Pickit or Lickit, thank you very much to all the Hollywood press”. This was MIA’s response as posted on her MySpace blog. The singer added that she didn’t release the name of the baby because she thinks that the name isn’t news. But she quickly added that she will be back soon with something newsworthy. Hope to hear from MIA soon!

Unloaded

Unloaded most of my work for March, and I guess this is one decision that I do not regret. I may not earn for the month of March, but  a breather is certainly most welcome. Focusing on the research proposal to be submitted in 2 weeks time, and I haven’t started it yet. Also submitted my application to a local university for teaching post, and haven’t heard from them yet. And yes, one major reason why I unloaded most of the projects is due to Digitel’s internet service. You see, I am without DSL connection for 5 days now and what the tech center can offer me are apologies that I don’t need. Are the products of  Smart Bro/Globe Prepaid wireless net worth the cash?

Clothes shopping with guide and in style

If you are one of those who have been inspired with the creations on season 5 of Project Runway and have been motivated to shop for woman’s clothes of the stylish kind, then I suggest that you start your search online. What I just found out online is simply not just a site that will post the pictures of the dresses in there and tempt you into buying these clothes. What the site does is more than this; as this site makes sure that you are properly guided in your dress shopping.

The site is equipped with guides and tools that can serve your inspiration in making the choice. For example, since it is time to say goodbye to winter clothes and hello to summer clothes, the site has provided you and the other shoppers with great suggestions that would be best for summer. Suggestions for the seasons are provided for, thus making your dress selection easy and convenient.

And if you are the type who goes for the trend by selecting eco-friendly products, then this site has suggestions that can make you proud. In fact, almost all dresses that the modern women want are covered by the site’s extensive offering. The true test is in visiting the site of course; go for it and find the perfect cocktail dress you have been dreaming for the past few weeks.

Stop complaining; On Bjork’s Army of Me

I love this song, currently listening and listening to to Army of Me. Reminds me of high school days when MTV first released this track and this managed to crack the Top 10. This was a surprise hit from the eccentric Bjork. Have you listened to this song? If not, it is never too late to get out of your comfort song and take a look at what Bjork has to offer. The song is taken from  her second solo album, Post. The song is known for the grinding and industrial tune and is punctuated by numerous samples of explosions and lyrics