"Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." Here are the lyrics:
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld Lang syne, my dear, for auld Lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld Lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld Lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend and gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld Lang syne
Patrick Liporada is one of the senior volunteers of UC Nursing CESDEV. He has shown interest in helping others and has displayed pure intentions for community service at the same time trying to strike a balance between his volunteer work, academics, as well as his love life. Truly a valued volunteer of Community Extension Services and Development of the College of Nursing. Happy Birthday, Patrick!
New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves. Here are the ten most common resolutions for the new year:
1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
Physical activity builds physical vitality. With every year of your life, you have more to gain from being physically active; as your age-related risks of chronic disease increase, regular exercise generally slows or reverses that trend. In fact, you're even more likely to notice the benefits of regular exercise if you already have a chronic condition.
Are you ever going to be fit again as long as you live? The answer is unless you make a resolution to get fit – you’re never going to be fit – ever. The choice is yours; it begins by opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, fruit in place of chocolate, and active rather than sedentary activities.
2. Stick to a Budget
It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. Developing and sticking to a realistic budget is a brilliant offensive move as it prevents overspending and ensures peace of mind.
Many people find it very difficult to stick to a budget. It does take hard work and a lot of self-discipline, at least in the beginning. The good news is that most people find the longer they can stick to a budget, the easier it becomes.
3. Debt Reduction
One of the first things you have to do before any debt can be eliminated is to stop using charge accounts. If you continue to use the accounts, you are only fueling the problem, and building on it, not solving it. Make a resolution now to stop charging anything and to get financially stable. If you can't pay cash for it, you don't need it, make it just that simple and you will find yourself out of debt in no time at all.
Keep a diary of all money spent, whether it is by cash, check, credit card, etc. Once you know where your money is going, then, and only then, can you take the steps needed to prepare a good budget that you can live with and make huge strides to budgeting your debt away.
4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
More and more people are resolving to spend more quality time with family and friends this year. This means you must consciously decide to actively and purposely work on improving your family situation every day. You may need to do such things as reschedule business activities to make time for your kids, help your children set and achieve worthwhile goals, and setting aside an hour a day for the family, every day.
Starting right now, you can begin to make choices and take day-to-day actions that will create nothing short of a phenomenal family. You can choose to have one if you just resolve to do it and know where to put your focus. Making our families stronger and healthier is important to our communities, our state and our world.
5. Find My Soul Mate
Romance is alive and well as more and more people are looking for that special someone, their soul mate who lights their fire, the ONE whom they love unequivocally and who shares their worldview. Soul mate relationships are the sort of romantic relationships most of us dreamt of when we were young and innocent: loving and erotic, committed and inspiring and best of all - lasting. Soul mate relationships give both partners the fulfillment that deeply satisfies them and makes them feel that they have found the most wonderful person in the whole universe.
6. Quit Smoking
Becoming a non-smoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life changing as well as a life saving decision. The benefits to your health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment and to your sense of self-esteem for having conquered a really hard-to-kick habit will make any and all of your efforts and determination more than worth while. The resolution to become a non-smoker will also help you to live longer and enjoy the finer things in life.
Once you’ve made the resolution to stop, acted upon it and succeeded, you'll feel great about what you have achieved. Resolving to give up is your decision, and will improve your life from that moment on. No one can make you quit, and no one can help you make the resolution. You have to do it yourself, you have to want to do it, and you need to do it now!
7. Find a Better Job
A new year provides a sense of getting a free do-over, so you can try again and get it right. Many people resolve to find better jobs or to take a new approach to the jobs they've already got. It's corny, but true -- most of us get reflective at this time of year and if we are in jobs already, we begin thinking: Am I on the right path? Do I like where my position and my company are headed? Am I even in the right career?
So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing? To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Resolve to ask and answer those essential questions before making any new career changes.
8. Learn Something New
People throughout the world are realizing that a strong resolve to lifelong learning is more than just education and training beyond formal schooling. A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave and in different learning environments, formal, non-formal and informal.
Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language or musical instrument, or just how to become a better cook? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating and beneficial resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, break out of currents routines and challenge every comfort zone and watch your horizons expand.
9. Volunteer and Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms such as spending time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house to name a few or why not join CESDEV Nursing?
Volunteering has risen sharply in the years since we began collecting resolutions. This suggests the possible emergence of a new civic generation and a resolve to make a bigger and better difference with your life. Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question must move from, “How can I become successful?” to, “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people's lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful.
10. Get Organized
Resolve this year to plan your days, reduce interruptions, clean off your desk, say "No", and make detailed lists. The benefits of getting more organized include being able to save time, as you no longer look for the same things over and over again or need to replace things you can’t find at all. You will reduce stress because when you know where everything is, there’s no last-minute rush to find what you need and get out the door on time for school, soccer practice, or that important business meeting. You will also find yourself being much more productive, as all the time you once spent looking for things can now be used to do more important or more enjoyable tasks.
Most people define being organized as quickly and easily able to find what you need. While this is certainly true, organization is so much more. The ability to staying organized lets you focus on accomplishing your most important goals. That’s the true benefit of being organized.
Chinese have a unique way of representing the New Year through animals. They have 12 different animals to represent each year of the 12 year -cycle and the order remains the same throughout with the year of the rat beginning the cycle and the year of the boar/ pig ending the same. As the Chinese year 2008 was signified as the year of the rat, the following year, 2009, is going to be the year of the ox. Chinese New Year of OX, 2009 will fall on January 26th and will mark the 15 day long festivities beginning on the said date and going on till the 9th February.
Preparations for the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 will begin months in advance so that the celebrations be observed in the highest magnitude and splendor. As the different years of the 12 year cycle are characterized by different animals, people born on the different years also feature different traits and characters and most often then not, they are believed to be influenced and inspired by the animals of the particular year they are born in.
With this article on Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 we strive to hold forth the interesting characteristics and features of the Ox and how babies born in this year can be expected to display similar traits.
All years ending in an odd number are Yin and the ones with an even number ending are considered to be the Yang forms according to the Chinese methods of the calender cycle. Therefore the Ox year 2009 will have Yin forms along with the character of the Ox. Ox characterizes a dependable, patient, methodical and calm, hardworking, materialistic as well as an ambitious character. The Ox years so far have been 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and now 2009 followed by 2021 (according to the 12 year cycle).
People born in the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 will preponderantly have the below mentioned traits in their character: Leadership qualities, dependable, great organizers, loyal, patient as well as strong and responsible. They are also some of the best people one can have as colleagues in the work place as they are believed to posses strong work ethics and display their creative side as well, especially when it comes to decorating their home.
Since the people born in the Ox year are also trusted to be reliable and logical, people generally turn towards them for suggestions and guidance. Their honesty and eye for details also helps them to prove their worth both in the workplace as well as in their personal lives.
However there are a few negative traits associated with the character of the Ox that also is reflected through the people born in the ox years. Attributes like being narrow minded, stubborn, with low public relations skills and also very far from being emotional are generally associated with people born in this year.
With these and many more fascinating elements, Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 is just about to arrive. So get set to welcome the year and have a very prosperous New Year ahead.Rats: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008,
2020 (Keep adding 12 years in the series)
( ROQuitco with Pier Pastor of ABS-CBN's Salamat Dok and Nanay Bet at the Avilon Zoo)
The blog administrator is taking his very much awaited "blogger break". Posts will resume on a regular basis starting next year. However, there are posts that are already scheduled for publishing on specified dates. They will automatically appear on the blogsite on the schedule indicated for posting.
The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa. In Greek, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century. Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.
( The blog administrator has received traffic from blog readers outside the Philippines. The article below is posted to cater to the interests of these blog visitors.)
The Freeman - The Philippines is the only Catholic nation in Asia. The Christmas season in the country is known to be the longest in the world. The Church-prescribed period-from December 16 through January 6-is observed, but the celebrations actually start much earlier and last much longer.
Other Catholic nations center their Yuletide celebrations only on December 25, Christmas Day, and the feast of the Epiphany on January 6. In the Philippines, Christmas is a period of unceasing festivities and merrymaking, which sometimes even extend until February 2. This can look like profound piety to some, or sheer excessiveness to others.
Christmas in the Philippines is unique. There are some variations to the fundamental Catholic ways of celebrating the season. These give Filipino Christmas a distinct local character. For instance, a daily dawn Mass is held from December 16-24. It is called Misa de Gallo, a Spanish term meaning Mass of the Roosters. It is so called because the Mass is celebrated at dawn, a time when - especially in the rural areas - roosters begin to crow upon sensing the first rays of sunlight.
In the olden days, the rooster's crow would rouse up the farmers to go to work at the fields. The early hours of the morning were taken advantage of in order to avoid the scorching heat of the tropical sun as the day proceeds.
The Spaniards introduced Roman Catholicism in the country in the 16th century. Spanish friars taught their new converts that it was their Christian duty to offer nine days of prayer towards the feast of Christ's nativity. They taught them, as well, that it was good practice to start the day with prayers. Hence, Mass was celebrated before the farmers would go to the fields.
The Misa de Gallo prompted the emergence of delicacy stalls around the public plazas adjoining the churches, where people usually passed by after hearing Mass. These stalls have survived to this day. In the Visayas and Mindanao, enterprising women serve hot sikwate (native chocolate drink) with puto-maya (sticky rice cooked in coconut milk) or bibingka (rice cake). In Luzon, their own Tagalog delicacies are served. In big cities, the original makeshift stalls have developed into full-blown night markets.
Also during the Spanish era, and for many years thereafter, Filipinos performed a tableau on Christmas Eve depicting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. The main actors would go around the community knocking on every door. The homes would be decorated with star-shaped lanterns, called parols, to light the way of the couple.
The staging of the tableau, called Panunuloyan, has waned considerably through the years and is now practiced only in a few communities in Luzon. But the hanging of parols continues to be a popular tradition, which has now even grown to the scale of a major attraction in many places of the country.
Many other foreign influences have since contributed to Filipino customs and traditions regarding Christmas. Most notable are such foreign imports as Santa Claus and the Christmas tree. Many Filipino kids have also come to look forward to Christmas for a carnival-on ice!
Christmas has come to have very strong social, cultural and commercial implications in Philippine life. Reunions of old friends and families are common at Christmastime. So are reconciliations and conflict resolutions. Filipino Christmas is both a domestic and public celebration, bringing together the whole family and the whole community.
There's the business dimension, too. The long merrymaking results in increased spending; people try to acquire new things with extra incomes from job bonuses. Generosity seems to stand to its full height-gift giving is a standard practice, almost to the point of being obligatory. Stores provide extra consumer motivation by offering attractive bargains.
Old people lament the fading away of the old Filipino Christmas traditions. The say it was better during the country's early Christian beginnings. Yet even the Christmas originally brought in by the Spaniards was already a product of many earlier adaptations. It seems all things change with the passing of time. All things without exception.
Indeed, Christmas in the Philippines today is a far cry from what it was in the olden days. But many, too, welcome the transformation. The celebrations have become something more-modern, fabulous, colorful. Yet, for the most part, they have remained basically religious and distinctly Filipino!
The "Eva Fonda" of UC Nursing CESDEV will be turning a year wiser today. On this special day, the volunteers wish Joselito Noel Cabahug more blessings, great health, and success. He always serves as the life of the party and never fails to make everyone laugh with his timely punchlines and antics. Many more years, many more great laughters, many more smiles, many more birthdays to you dear Noel!
An open invitation for the sun, sea, and sand was offered by Evetti Ranara and Don Jade Canama to whoever is interested as a prelude to the fast approaching holiday break and at the same time, rest and relax after pouring in serious academic-related efforts. A number of friends heeded the invitation and it was such fun as they shared food, played games, danced to the music, engaged in exciting conversations, and many more. 'Twas a great bonding at the beach.
Attention all student nurses of UC Banilad. Please read this very important advisory from UC Nursing CESDEV. Click on the image below to enlarge.
UC Nursing CESDEV volunteers have been actively participating in numerous outreach activities and relief operations of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Newtwork. This partnership has led to a lot of worthwhile achievements all intended to provide needed help to our Kapamilya. In recognition and gratitude for the assistance provided by CESDEV Nursing to these activities, ABS-CBN invited the volunteers not only as studio audience but as players in the gameshow, Kapamilya Winner Ka! Although the volunteers did not get the top prize, they had a day filled with fun and excitement as the activity afforded them not only entertainment but a whole lot of new experiences.
"Everything good happens by God's grace."
With a deep sense of faith, the CESDEV Nursing volunteers found its way to thank God for keeping the volunteers safe, healthy, happy, and optimistic by attending mass at the Basilica del Sto Nino. The visit was also significant as it happened on the birthday of one of the active UC Nursing CESDEV volunteers, Mr Don Jade Canama. Prayerful volunteers lighted candles for guidance and protection as CESDEV Nursing embarks on more significant, relevant, and fruitful activities. May God continue to bless the volunteers, may God continue to bless CESDEV!
Student nurses from University of Cebu - Banilad Campus joined CESDEV Nursing in the next phase of putting up a community library in Barangay Kalunasan - the classification of books according to subjects and level as well as documenting the title, author, and publisher of the books that were donated.
UC Nursing CESDEV would like to extend its warmest birthday greetings to Mr Don Jade Canama. God bless you always and may you continue to reach out and be of service to those who need it most. Happy birthday!
AT least 100 homes in Sitio Lupa Bontores, Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City were razed in an afternoon fire that is believed to have been caused by four children reportedly playing with matches. Damage to property was pegged at P3 million. The Cebu City Fire Department received the alarm at 2:28 p.m. The firefighting lasted for more than an hour before Chief Insp. Victor Vibares, acting Cebu City fire marshal, declared the blaze under control. Fire trucks from as far as Consolacion town and Lapu-Lapu City and a firefighting team from the Philippine Air Force aided in putting off the fire, aside from firemen of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade. Vibares estimated the fire scene to be about 500 meters away from the highway. While water supply was not a problem, both Vibares and SFO2 Alikasem Espinola said the poor access road was the primary problem they encountered. Strong winds also fanned the fire that quickly spread to the houses. Most of the fire trucks stayed along the highway; firemen had to connect the hoses to penetrate the fire scene, which Vibares said was time-consuming. Espinola, in a separate interview, said most of the structures razed by the fire were made of light materials. ABS-CBN was joined by UC Nursing CESDEV in packing relief goods for the fire victims. These include rice, sardines and noodles as well as used clothings and blankets.
Animo CESDEV, the CESDEV Spirit is unique yet so true. It is that mark that separates the student nurse volunteers from the rest of the crowd -- it is an animating drive to be of service to others believing that they are born not only to themselves but to give more meaning to the lives of others.
The CESDEV Nursing Volunteers is the spirit that keeps community extension services relevant, meaningful, and sustained ... for these volunteers have numerously displayed the drive, the purpose, the intention, the passion, and the intelligence for SERVICE.
Animo CESDEV!
Christmas is definitely in the air. The imposing Christmas tree at the lobby of University of Cebu - Banilad Campus always welcomes the students as well as the teachers and visitors with a joyous feel of the season.
UC Nursing CESDEV wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!
CESDEV Nursing volunteers joined Tabang Sugbo, a yearly activity spearheaded by the Metro Cebu Christian Church, in giving out early Christmas cheer to the Badjao children in Alaska, Mambaling, Cebu City last December 6, 2008. The children received slippers and were given a good lunch. Other services rendered were free medical check-up coupled with free medicines. Gift packs were also distributed containing rice and grocery items. This event was participated by CESDEV Nursing upon the invitation of Mrs. Theresa Miagan, a Clinical Instructor of the College of Nursing of UC Banilad.
A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. --Author Unknown
UC Nursing CESDEV would like to sincerely express its gratitude to the Clinical Instructors as well as to the General Education teachers and most especially to the Level Chairperson and the Dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. Helen C. Estrella, for all the support, assistance, and encouragement they have extended to the volunteers and to their work. Happy Teacher's Day!
