The Filipino language, like any other complex system of speech, has a vocabulary so unique that finding a direct translation for each word in English is nearly impossible.
Think of words such as grabe, hanep, astig, naman, sabik or even susmaryosep! Surely, you will be grappling for words to define those terms :)
To date, my favorite Filipino word is "sulit." In English translation, sulit means "worth it!" Featured on the photo is my sulit car. I purchased it from a good friend way back in the year 2000 and since then, it has provided me sulit service. Yes, it is what you would call my Car-Friday, as Robinson Crusoe would term it. The fact that I drove it first on a Friday is purely coincidental. I'm sure you have your own sulit story, don't you?
Ah yes, the glory of the old ballpoint pen! The Egyptians were one of the first to create the world's most reliable writing instruments. Too bad their papyrus was pulverized to dust after years of storage. And so did the ink that was used to record salient events of their history. That first attempt, however, was the pioneering work that led to what is known today as the world's most reliable writing tool.
Since the time of the ancient civilizations, several hundred billion pieces of ball pens have been sold all across the globe. The ballpoint pen is the most widely used writing instrument in the world, regardless of social class or culture. Even the advent of computers and high-speed internet has not altered humanity's dependence on ballpoint pens.
Allow me to share to you my favorite ball pen. I love it because it is wonderfully scented. SMENS, as they are aptly called, hail from the land of the free -- USA. SMENS are not your run-of-the-mill ballpoints. These are eco-smart ball pens made from recycled newspapers and just a little bit of corn-based biodegradable plastic. As a bonus, SMENS are infused with earth-friendly essential oils that make writing an unforgettable fun-smelling experience! SMENS come in ten gourmets scents namely, pink lemonade, caramel corn, banana-fo-fana, mocha, red licorice, passion fruit, ninja berry, aloha, creamsicle, and black licorice.
Smencils Manila is the authorized distributor of SMENS in the Philippines. It is also available in retail establishments such as Fullybooked, Hobbes and Landes, and Powerbooks. The scented pens are currently under a Smencils Manila promotion. Visit the Smencils Manila Facebook page for further details.
Please. Do not cringe. At least not yet. I know how Mathematics can shut your whole system down in a second. You can shoot me dead after you read my next statement. Of course, that is, if you find me! Read carefully. I LOVE MATH! Yes, I do! Algebraic equations (and inequalities) excite me. Proving theories in geometry were the essence of arithmetic life. I enjoyed Math so much I actually married a man who graduated with a B.S. Mathematics course!
While I would expect my own child to share the same joy in solving Math word problems, the opposite has happened. My bundle of joy would rather read books about the human body and experiment creating a solenoid than deal with learning the multiplication table. Of course, a mother will NEVER lose hope that someday, she too will fall in deep love with Mathematics.
Choosing books to use for homeschooling is a tall task. There are so many good curricula around promising many great things. When it comes to Mathematics, there are endless approaches to learning and teaching, even though most people find it to be the most boring subject. From all those really good choices, I finally handpicked Singapore Math. After two years of using this math curriculum, I can say that I am satisfied with the results.
Using very "loose" terms, I would describe Singapore Math to be the "Smart Math." Rather than trying to memorize rules and formulas, Singapore Math instructs you to logically understand the relation between the digits, numbers, and basic operations. I love the fact that when Singapore Math introduces new mathematical concepts, it starts with a picture. The math we know as abstract begins with a concrete approach with visual illustrations. I also think that having some math manipulatives around has helped me connect the concrete to abstract learning process. I do not recall ever instructing my daughter to memorize a rule or a formula in Singapore Math. On the other hand, I always hear myself telling her to "think and think harder."
Smencils are the world's only gourmet-scented pencils made entirely of recycled newspapers. These eco-friendly writing instruments allow its users to be more socially responsible earth citizens, preserving trees as they choose the less damaging alternative. Original Smencils come in many fun scents such as root beer, very berry, cotton candy, orange, grape, tropical blast, cinnamon, watermelon, and black cherry. If you would like to enhance your memory for a test or simply like to relax to the scent of peppermint, you may want to try Smart Smencils. Stir up the Van Gogh in you and create a beautiful work of colored pencil art with Colored Smencils!
What if you wanted to create your own Smencils? Would that be possible? Yes! Smencils now has the Smencils Mini Kit which includes two unscented pencils and one scent applicator ready to squeeze and "paint" on the newspaper rod surface of the pencils. The Smencils Mini Kits come in four scents namely toasted marshmallow, bubble gum, strawberry, and pineapple. You may get your own mini kits from Hobbes and Landes as well as Fully Booked. Here's to a gourmet-smelling day for you! :)
Halloween is finally over and in a few weeks, Thanksgiving. Once that turkey is served -- or "lechon manok," as we Filipinos prefer -- Christmas time is just around the corner. Malls are sprucing up their common areas with themed Yuletide decorations if only to wake up the sleepy shoppers from their crisis-slumber.
My family enjoys giving and receiving gifts. Immensely. My daughter exerts tremendous effort at resisting the temptation to open her presents before December 25. All that energy should power a village, in my assessment :) There is no other time in the year when everyone is, to an exceptionally advanced degree, truly happy.
The most valuable gifts I have received during Christmas are the ones that are either highly functional, unique, or both. If you are thinking of Christmas gift ideas to fill up your Christmas list, may I suggest this product: a multifunctional headgear that can be twisted, folded, turned, and manipulated for use in a number of interesting ways namely, as a neck warmer, balaclava, headband, dust protector, pirate's hat or skull cap, beanie or bonnet, diadem, scrunchie, and many more. The original creator of the multifunctional headwear is a Spanish brand called BUFF. Each piece costs over a thousand pesos. I know, it is a lot of money for a Christmas gift.
