Tragedy for Christmas

Typhoon Sendong or internationally named Washi is the 19th typhoon that hits the Philippine Island this year. Most  part of the country only experience moderately strong rainstorms. But the Visayas and Mindanao island, two of the three major islands of the Philippines felt how strong typhoon Sendong really is. The people of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and specially Iligan and Cagayan de Oro city are the most affected places. Because of the non - stop heavy downpour for about 24 hours in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, flash floods and landslides occurred.  Typhoon Sendong left 1002 people dead (as of  12/21/2011) and some still missing. Deforestation is one of the main reason why flood and landslides happen officials said. The government made a concrete grave for the mass burial of the dead bodies because the funerals of the said provinces were already crowded to accept more dead victims of the typhoon.

The Philippine Government, Private Sectors, United Nations and International Organizations such as UNICEF Ireland, The Uniting Church In Australia and World Food Program helped for the donations and search and retrieval operation in  Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City. The internet giant Google also set up a Person Finder Tool to locate people in the disaster affected areas in Northern Mindanao.  They also has a crisis generated map where people can share information regarding the devastated areas of Visayas and Mindanao.

Crisis Generated Map by GOOGLE (source)

Person Finder Tool

For those who want to help, you can donate online through RED CROSS or if you are in the Philippines, you can text RED <amount> to 2899 for Globe Users and 4143 for Smart Users. Amounts are 5, 25, 100, 300 and 1000.

Few more days before Christmas. The survivors of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City will not celebrate the season instead will mourn for their love ones who died, rebuild their home and start their lives over again. Few questions ran into my mind because of the tragedy. Why did this happen? Is this the way of how God remind us to take care of our environment and stop the cutting of trees? and How will the people start their lives knowing almost of their belongings had been taken by the typhoon? Maybe these is really God's will. Maybe he wants to teach us something. God always has his reason. All we have to do is pray and trust him.

God Bless the Philippines!! 

Long Distance Relationship

I'm sure you all know what "Long Distance Relationship" or LDR means right? This LDR thing really sucks! Believe me . I've been into this kind of relationship twice. The first one failed and the second still painting the town red. o.0 We had been apart for almost two years and its her first time to get into this kind of relationship but were still surviving it. Its just a matter  of Love, Care, Trust, Understanding, Patience and a big time and none stop Communication. I'm not saying that we don't get into some fights or arguments but at least we always try to fix everything and move forward. I still have a lot of things to learn in this kind kind of relationship but i can tell you some of the things we do conquer this fck up situation.

Chat, Chat and a lot of Chat    

Having only five hours of time difference, and we are only working eight hours a day, we have plenty of time to go online and open YAHOO and SKYPE MESSENGERS (recommended softwares) Aside from the fact that most their services are free like chatting and video calling, we can talk for hours without thinking our conversation might stop because of insufficient balance. We talk about what did we do the whole day, reminisce the past when we were still together. We also discuss our future plans so we have something to look forward too. If you cant go online frequently, just try to set a date where you can both open a computer, go online and chat or talk. The fact that you can see each other while talking to your partner really help to survive this battle. o.0

Sign up for a social networking account

This is the Social Networking Era. It will only take you 5 to 10 minutes to create your own social networking account. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are the most popular social networking websites today. If you both already have an account on either one of the three, make advantage of its free service to show some sugar. Post, Comment, Like and +1 your partner's post. Put your love one in your relationship status and show your friends how proud and how you love  your partner.  You can also mention him or her in your tweets and show everyone that your the sweetest man alive o.0 These are just few examples of what you can do if you have a social networking account. Eventually, you will discover  a lot of things you can do to help you ease the pain of long distance relationship using this social networking sites as a bridge.

Links:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+

Tell your partner where you are

It doesn't hurt to text or call your honey where are you going. For example, your going to the mall, friend's house, to a park or even to a stripe club :p Tell him or her "Baby I'm going to a stripe bar with my buddy John. Don"t worry its just three blocks away from our flat and you will always be the sexiest girl to me" I find it sweet and thoughtful knowing that your partner still inform you wherever he or she go even if your thousand miles away.

Show 'em your made of sugar

Tell your partner you miss him, that you love her and distance will not change anything. Tell him you will wait for him no matter what happen and that he can trust you. You can tell all your sweet messages personally when your talking to him through your computer or mobile. You can also make a video and tell all of this stuffs in front of a camera then email it or upload it through Youtube or facebook. If you're not good at words, there are of lot websites that has sweet messages and quotations . Just ask your friendly friend GOOGLE.

Watch movies together

Yes you can do this. Ask your partner to watch a particular movie tonight before she sleep because you will be watching it too. You can watch online through Movie2k or any online movie streaming sites, you can also download it or just go out and watch it at the movie house. Its really fun to talk about the movie after you both already watch it. 

Do the basic
Call or text your honey. Its the most common way to communicate to her. You know the drill.

Other things you can do:

• Never forget the date of her birthday, your monthsary or anniversary.
• Try to greet him or her good morning and tell i love you every morning.
• Find a way to send her a flowers or chocolates.
• Pay her a visit if you have the time and of course the  funds $$$

Long Distance Relationship is really hard. But if you both put your hearts together and help each other you will surely survive this kind of situation. Just be Understanding, add extra Patience, Respect, Trust and Love each other. Good Luck!! o.0