Young Urban Professionals' nOOk

Why would I care who is elected as US President?

2008-11-05T22:08:00.003+08:00

Today, millions of Americans woke up to a new Afro-American President. The first in history!

But, what does it tells me? Should I care? I am now a million miles from the US territory, and was not a born citizen. I opted for my native citizenship and so why would I still care?

Perhaps, Thomas Friedman, a regular columnist of the New York Times, in his regular column today, have accurately articulated my reason:

“Let every child and every citizen and every new immigrant know that from this day forward: Everything really is possible in America.”

An Asian, like me, living and working in the US is not easy as it seems. However, the opportunities too many to pass on. In fact, opportunities are limited only to those who think they can’t compete, or they are not worth anything.

This is not only true in the US, but elsewhere. Anyone can be somebody he wants to be, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, and religion, as long as one takes on life’s challenges by the helm and grab opportunities that come their way. It is not an easy path. However, to those who persist against an overwhelming odds -like Senator President Obama -can triumph.

So, why should I care who is elected as US President? Because the one, who was elected yesterday, showed me that, anyone can!

So, why would you care?

Gadget Advisor

2008-10-07T04:21:00.002+08:00

I am not much of a tech-savvy guy, but I love and admire new gadgets. In fact, I collect catalogues of new network media player models and my browser is full of bookmarked tech sites. Among the new sites I’ve found very interesting and useful is Gadget Advisor. Why is it different from the rest? Simply because it does not give you ‘all’ the latest tech you hear and read about, but only the most “significant, useful, and particularly cool,” like online backup services, universal remote control, among others. In addition, the site is so easy to navigate that you will find instantly what interest you. Two thumsbs-up!

Do we really need another investment site?

2008-10-01T14:54:00.007+08:00

Forgive my skepticism. With what is happening with the credible, established, and larger financial institutions at Wall Street, who can blame me? Life is already difficult for the average career person like me because of the recession, then this financial catastrophe befalling us like dominoes, what is there to hope? Then last Tuesday, Bush showed only that he has no influence over congress when they vetoed the proposed $700B financial-bail-out package for the ailing US financial institutions. What is more lamentable about this latest development, even his own party, the mighty GOP did not even rally behind him. What’s next? This events has already sent economic repercussions world-wide, from Berlin to Tokyo.

So, do we really need another investment site? It’s well worth a thought. The Chinese believe that there is good opportunity in any crisis. Inner 8 is an exciting new investing site created by some of the veterans of E*TRADE, Inner8 matches like-minded investors and provides innovative analytics to help them optimize their investing goals, strategies and results. Could this be your new alternative for a much needed investing advice? Well, why don’t you find out. Read and analyze the benefits, advantages, and merits of what they can offer and decide. Besides, we all need reliable and proven investing advises these days.

Politics, politicians, and election

2008-10-01T14:04:00.004+08:00

I share the sentiments of George Bernard Shaw when he said:

"Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few."

Though I am so much interested on political affairs, I still remain indifferent on how a democratic form of government is run by politicians. I have always viewed democracy as a government by the mob, of the mob and for the mob.

I know there is no perfect form of government. The kind of government we have is always dictated by its leadership. Government models are ideals in papers and in principles, but in practice, they fail due to the powers that be; those that seat in highest places in government. As the US presidential election nears, speculations after speculations have driven the market indexes and prices to a crazy see-saw as usual. Why? Because, whoever takes the helm of the presidency will surely dictate where our economy is headed. Unfortunately, even before the election decided who will succeed Bush, congress has already decided the fate of big financial institutions by rejecting the government's bail-out initiative. The whole world is bracing for the worse global recession ever.

Politics is a necessary evil, I must admit. And so, in the coming US presidential election, my feeling is best described by J. Basil Boothroyd:

"All I can feel about leadership struggle is let them struggle, and let’s just pray that when someone’s come out on top we shan’t get an instant paperback by a couple of political journalists telling us how it all happened."

Special eyeglasses for Computer Users?

2008-10-01T13:52:00.001+08:00

I spend an average of 10 hours daily in front the computer. And I have been suffering from myopia for more than 20 years now. With prescription glasses that I cannot do away with because I hate contact lenses, the glare on my LCD monitor, much more when I use my laptop, have strained my eyes considerably. My vision is not improving. In fact, every time I have new lenses fitted in, they seem to be getting thicker.

Have you heard of pinhole eyeglasses? A friend introduced me to this new and better alternative to my prescription glasses. Pinhole glasses consist of precision-manufactured lightweight perforated plastic lenses, inset into standard metal or plastic spectacle frames. They said that these modern pieces of eyeglasses are ideal for those who are suffering myopia or any refractive eye disorders; especially to those who work entails sitting in front of the computer most of the time. As pinhole glasses allow only direct and coherent light rays to pass through into the eye, hence there is a remarkable improvement in your vision.

For those like me who suffers refracted vision disorder, this modern and affordable technology on eyeglasses will surely prove to be very beneficial. Users of pinhole glasses report almost perfect vision and have little difficulty reading words or seeing definition in a TV image without their regular prescription eyeglasses. Why don’t you give this a try. I did!

My Top 15 Favorite Disney Animated Movies

2008-10-01T13:50:00.002+08:00

The list is in random order.

The Three Caballeros
The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad
Peter Pan
The Sword In The Stone
The Jungle Book
Robin Hood
The Fox And The Hound
The Great Mouse Detective
Aladdin
The Lion King
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
Fantasia/2000
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Treasure Planet
Brother Bear

In spite of the other great animated movies produced recently by Walt Disney, The Lion King will remain my all time favorite. It is probably one of the few animated movies that really touch the softer side of me, especially now that I am singlehandedly fathering my 2-year old boy. In fact, my son also loves this movie. I lost count already how many times we’ve watched this movie together. It has also become a substitute for his lullaby whenever he finds difficulty sleeping.

Interestingly, there is a new game for the whole family available at Amazon.com, called Disney Bingo. It features Disney characters, songs, and movies, including my list above. It’s fun and it is addictive. And is probably one of the best games ideally designed for the family.

Ey, by the way, before you leave, how about listing your favorite Disney movies below? Do you have some of your favorites in my list?

Father and Son by Yusuf Islam (a.k.a. Cat Stevens)

2008-09-27T11:40:00.002+08:00

It’s been awhile since my last Acoustic Friday. Here’s another acoustic classic.

“This is about a Russian family where the son wants to join the revolution but his father wants him to stay home and work on the farm. Stevens made up the story.” (from SongFacts.com)

“The dialogue between father and son hints at Stevens' lonely childhood. The song contains a lyrical trick of verse and chorus sung by different people with different perspectives on the situation.” (Thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy,
To be calm when you’ve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It’s always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father
It’s not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.
(son-- away away away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)
Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not me.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
(father-- stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone? )

Multiple Streams of Income?

2008-09-25T18:48:00.001+08:00

Online marketing is a profitable business if it’s done right, you are in the right market niche, and you have the right marketing system. It can even readily outgrow your day job’s earnings in a few months or even weeks, utilizing only half of the time you spent at work. I’ve heard and seen many who succeeded. Hence, I am always all ears on new online marketing system buzzing around.

Getting multiple streams of income from an online business is possible; only if you have the right online marketing system and the patience to learn.

Try Plug-In Profit Site. It is a program that allows affiliate and network marketers to promote 5 different affiliate programs from one web site. These include SFI, Success University, Empowerism, and Host 4 Profit. Many tried the program and succeeded. Credibility-wise, the program has been around since 1999 and includes a comprehensive free training program for those new to affiliate marketing, so, I should say is worth the risks.

There is no harm trying a new online marketing system, as long as you make a thorough evaluation before you get into one. Still, there are no perfect systems. But a discerning online marketer can generate multiple streams of income in any tried and tested system like Plug-In Profit Site.

To get your own Plug-In Profit Site visit http://www.HomeBusiness.us today.

Prescription Glasses

2008-09-23T04:38:00.001+08:00

If you are looking for quality eyeglasses online, try the incredible stylish new frames from Zenni. They sell Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx Eyeglasses with high quality frames, anti-scratch coating, full UV protection, lense edge polishing and beveling. Each pair of eyeglasses comes with a quality hard eyeglass case too. Zenni sells cheaper than their competitors because they manufacture their own frames. Also, they sell internationally. Get your pair of eyeglasses from them today. Btw, recently Zenni Optical was on FOX news!

The Joy of Working at Home

2008-09-13T11:43:00.001+08:00

Honestly, I still miss life at the corporate jungle. I miss the respect and accolade given to my office, the perks, leading and managing people, office politics (yeah, I really miss that too. Lol), the bull sessions (I mean managerial meetings) with other departmental managers, and more. However, after more than two years of working at home, I am beginning (really) enjoy the freedom of being your own boss and working at home where I get to be with my son more often. I still regularly go out to call on clients and conduct briefings, presentations and trainings. But more often, my projects are done at home.

One of the best things about having to work at home is being able to do my job anytime and anywhere I want. With a laptop, a cordless phone, and a wireless router in place, I can virtually choose where to work at any given time. That’s what you call real freedom in the workplace. He he.

I rely on an uninterrupted internet connection to accomplish most of my projects and in communicating with my clients. Thank goodness for the amazing Linksys routers. Six months back, I am confined to my home office or bedroom for internet connection. Should I choose another location to work, I had to move the cables –darn! What a hassle! A friend recommended Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router, and wooh! That’s when I gain my freedom finally! Get the picture now? I love working at home! The best career decision I’ve made so far!

You are not indispensable!

2008-09-01T13:34:00.010+08:00

Only you can make this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright.
Only you and you alone
can thrill me like you do
and fill my heart with love for only you...

Humming that beautiful classic song by the Platters reminds me something about my role at work. While we can truthfully assert "only you" to our partner (wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.) the organization does not.

Let me get down on this a bit, please.

It is a humbling experience to discover that others can get along without us. Yeah. Let me ask: which one of us has not harbored the secret thought that when we leave a job to others, it probably won't get done as well as if would if we were doing it? Aha! See. Still, the fact remains that none of us is indispensable. In the end, that job will be accomplished with or without us.

Organizations now can easily cope. Change Management, by the way, is now an institution for many organizations. Change is inevitable. It is happening all around us. What used to be effective and efficient methods and processes then, were now considered Jurassic. The advancement in technology has compelled organizations to continually audit their business activities and implement changes when and where necessary. This includes training employees for multi-tasking jobs. This is being implemented to ensure that there won’t be any job within the organization that cannot be done. Hence, if you are toying on the idea that no one can do that job except you, you are in for a surprise.

With outsourcing and B2B ways of doing business becoming the norm, any employee can easily be replaced and any job can be fill in immediately.

Therefore, the next time that you get into the trap of thinking that the job won't be done without you, and you are about to commit another night at the office or sacrifice another weekend away from your family, please reconsider. No one is indispensable. You are not indispensable. Learn to delegate. Learn to allow others to share the responsibilities and goals. After all, organizations do thrive when members synergize and the mavericks (or Lone Rangers) learn how work with a team.

On another thought, if you really think and believe that you are indispensable, it only shows your lack of planning or your inability to manage priorities. More so, this is also an indicative of your lack of trust on the others ability or worse, your failure to train others to take on those responsibilities.

Think again my friend. In any given job or project, there is always another man who can do it better or even faster than you do.

Grilled Florida Seafood with Plantain Coconut Broth

2008-09-01T11:31:00.003+08:00

I love everything about Florida. Other than it feels close to home, Philippines, I love the food here. And in particular, the delicious recipes of Chef Andy Saint Agnes. They are simply the best. Recently, I visited www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com and found some yummie recipes worth trying at home if you don't have the chance to visit Florida.

How about whetting your appetite with lobster, shrimp, clam and stone crab marinated in citrus brine, grilled with plantain coconut broth? Chef Andy calls it “Grilled Florida Seafood with Plantain Coconut Broth.” Yummy! It’s one of his best recipes. What you have here, IMO, is a fusion of east and west cuisine. The citrus brine combined with plantain coconut broth have brought into life the real taste of grilled lobsters, crabs, clams, and shrimps. Underscore, ‘real taste.’ Back in my home country, we would not even bother to marinate these delectable sea foods. Sometimes, we would just throw ‘em on the open charcoal flame and take them back in a couple of minutes to eat. So, imagine the sweetness and natural saltiness combined taste in your palate. That’s a pleasure to eat. But with Chef’s Andy’s recipe –how much more!

If you are interested on this recipe check it out at cook off. By the way, Chef Andy is the “Executive Chef of Joe’s Stone Crab, the busiest independent single restaurant in America, located in Miami Beach, Fl. He manages a staff of 137 employees and annual sales around 30 million. He has also started a seafood manufacturing company called Dockside Foods which produces a variety of seafood products.”

Wishing for an extended day?

2008-09-01T11:25:00.003+08:00

I have always wished that I have more than 24 hours a day. Sigh. I don’t. You don’t. But, most people also seem to be unwilling to recognize that there is limit on what they or their organization can accomplish in any given period of time. No wonder most of us find ourselves continually adding new tasks and goals without removing any.

New ideas are great. New concepts are exciting. And new opportunities are wonderful, and there are times when we ought to go ahead even though we are not sure we can handle them. I once worked for a man who said, “the way to get ahead was to get yourself in trouble and fight your way out.” Har har har! Really? I don’t think so.

But for most of us this will simply not work in the long run. Hence, we should always ask ourselves when we are about to add a new task in put schedule or charge on a new involvement is, “what am I going to stop doing when I start this new task or take on this new responsibility?" This of course, is a form of priority setting because it forces us to weigh new opportunities against the continuing importance of present ones.

We are told that our body stays alive by some cells dying and new ones taking their place. Life involvements should be that way. We should establish a check mechanism where we weed out the old activities before we take on new ones. This is nt only applicable true for us yuppies or to any individuals but organizations as well. For an organization that cannot abandon former ways of doing things, i.e., old irrelevant policies, ineffective methods, inefficient programs, unreasonable goals and objectives, will soon find itself involved in doing nothing but keeping itself in business and eaten by its competitors alive in the process.

Let us start looking at our calendar of activities and weigh each. Then start deleting those no longer serves our purpose and start listing new ones. You will realize that by doing this, you will be able to regain your composure immediately. Less clutter, hence more time to work on priorities.

The Look

2008-09-01T10:59:00.010+08:00

Okay that is not much of a look that says, "I am available for the taking," “I am attracted” or “You are cute.” However, a casual look that imbibes a happy outlook about life is much better than any other look. Sometimes, IMO, not looking invites more interest on you than when you are ogling or you are giving a kind of look that broadcast your interest for the other person. The way you carry yourself, and that casual smile that always hang on that face, however anyone describes it (lol), will attract more interest to yourself. More so, it won’t take much efforts and conscious action. It is natural.

On another note, I must admit that if you need to make the first move, then the ‘look’ will send the best message, ss long as you are doing in taste. Now, don’t ask me further how’s that gonna be –I simply don’t know. Each of us, I think, has its own unique way. Discover it. Use it to your advantage with discreet. Lastly, make it natural and casual so as not to invite bad impression or trouble your way.

By the way, join the flirting championship at Extreme Style by VO5 and practice that unique look of yours and see if it is really effective.

Boredom

2008-08-30T10:25:00.001+08:00

When boredom sets in, your senses go numb. you fail miserably in a lot of things for simply your mind is elsewhere.

Boredom is similar with painkillers. They don't heal the wound, but rather block our neurons' ending so that they can't send signal of pain to the brain. So, we do not feel the razor sharp scrapping our nerves unlike when we are in pain. In the same manner, boredom inflicts us. When its pangs has totally subdued us; we become insensitive to our surroundings, the presence of others and their feelings, especially at work.

What needs to be done?

Simply break-out of it! Easier said, than done huh.

Steve Winn insightfully wrote:

We're terrified of boredom and simultaneously sunk up to our knees in it, a post-"Seinfeld" generation running as hard and frantically as we can to avoid a condition we increasingly regard as inevitable. "I heard you could die of boredom," goes a mordant line in a Neena Beeber play, "but I guess not." "Not so fast. As more and more people seem to recognize, the universal experience of being bored -- unengaged, detached, afloat in some private torpor -- may be far more precious, fruitful and even profound than a surface apprehension might suggest. As ordinary as gray skies and equally pervasive, boredom deserves its own sun-splashed attention and celebration. "

He goes on to argue that boredom is in fact an ally. We don't have to avoid it because it has its benefits. While the immediate solution I proffer is breaking-out of it, boredom can be utilized to harness your most creative side. Experience tells us that many great ideas produced through creative thinking were bred out of boredom. I remember Isaac Newton was not actually in deep thought when he mused about the law of gravity. He simply saw an apple fell on the ground and began formulating the universal law of gravity.

So, when boredom hits you again, do not allow it to take the effect of a painkiller, harness it and try doing other things.

As for boredom....I notice that it leaves me as soon as I am doing something that has got to be done. -John lay Chapman

Unique Gift for Mom

2008-08-30T08:29:00.003+08:00

A few more days and she’ll be celebrating her 62nd birthday. My sister and I were already racking our brain as to what would be a unique gift to give her. Until, she stumbled upon this online store for Blowfish Designer Shoes. Our search ended there.

Mom loves to stroll and visit her friends. Active in church activities, she’s always on the go. Like typical ladies, she really love sandals and shoes. She, in fact, collects them. We thought, a pair of Blowfish women shoes would be a good addition to her collections. Well not only these elegant and fashionable blowfish shoes would add to her collections, they will definitely look good on her. Besides, these shoes came from the renown designer of famous brands as Rocket Dog, Esprit, Sam & Libby, Hippopotamus, Aerosoles, and David Aaron. So, this unique gift will definitely put a beautiful smile on her face.

Prove, Persist, Get Hired!

2008-08-23T06:30:00.004+08:00

You've heard of the three Rs of education: reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic. But have you heard of the two Ps of job hunting? They are proof and persistence.

To get hired for your ideal job -- or better yet, to have that job created just for you -- you need to prove you can do the work, and persist past the point where others give up. Here's how one woman did just that. What can you learn from her story?

"I was dashing from the office, on my way out of town. While waiting for the elevator, a young woman appeared and complimented me on my wardrobe. She continued chatting and asked me what I did for a living. When I said, 'PR,' she jumped on the elevator and rode with me to the garage where my car was parked," says Katherine Roepke, President of Minneapolis-based Roepke Public Relations.

"Talk about an elevator pitch! Meghan had one. She managed to get the most important points across: she had recently graduated with a degree in journalism; she had a job but was looking for a way to get her foot in the door with a PR firm; and she would do anything for experience, including an unpaid internship."

"In the end I gave her a business card and told her to contact my assistant. I decided that she was either really good or crazy, and that I'd let my assistant decide. She turned out to be better than good. We interviewed her and hired her."

That woman was Meghan Bonneville, now an Account Executive at Roepke's firm. But success didn't happen on the spot for Meghan. She had to persist doggedly just to land a job interview.

"I contacted Katherine's office by email and phone once a week after our first meeting. I left messages with her two assistants, made sure they had my name and number, and requested to meet with her, restating my background and qualifications each time. After four weeks, she set up a meeting," says Bonneville.

That interview went well, according to Bonneville, although there were no jobs open at the firm. Did that stop her? Of course not. "The day after, I sent them four writing samples to give a full picture of my skills. A couple weeks later, I was offered a part-time position, which I took. One week later, I was made full-time because they loved the work I was producing," says Bonneville.

Now, let's look at how Meghan Bonneville used the two Ps to get hired for a job that didn't even exist beforehand ...

PROOF

In public relations, you must create instant rapport with busy decision makers and "sell" them on new ideas. This is exactly what Meghan did in the elevator with her future boss. "I think my 'pitch' was good because I was just returning from a job interview with another firm when I met Katherine by the elevator. I was already pumped up about finding a new job, so I saw the opportunity and I seized it," says Meghan.

While you may not have a job interview every day, you can have your qualifications and your ideal job clearly in mind every day, which can turn chance encounters into job interviews. Just like Meghan did.

Let me rephrase that.

Will you to meet your next boss in front of an elevator? Not likely. But, will you fail to impress a potential employer at a dinner party, or in church, or while volunteering at a charity, because you weren't prepared with an "elevator pitch"? That is very likely ... unless you're prepared.

Brain-Starting Questions: If you were to meet your ideal employer in front of an elevator, what would you say? Are you as excited about your ideal job as Meghan was? If not, why not? And what can you say or do to prove you're perfect for the job, as Meghan did?

PERSISTENCE

Meghan contacted Roepke's office every week for four weeks before landing her initial interview, after which, she was NOT hired. But she persisted by sending writing samples the next day, to further prove her skills.

Brain-Starting Questions: How often have you followed up after your first contact with your ideal employer? How often have you given up after being told just once, "Sorry, we're not hiring."? Always remember that when an employer says, "No," it means, "Not today." It does NOT mean, "Never come back again." Meghan didn't take no for an answer. She persisted and proved she could do the job, though no job was open. And she got hired.

What's stopping you from doing the same?

__________

This is a guest post by Kevin Donlin of http://www.collegerecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php. He is the Creator of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. Author of 3 books, Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio and others.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

I.O.U.S.A.

2008-08-20T10:40:00.005+08:00

As the U.S. presidential election draws near, smear campaigns on both sides are intensifying. This is only but one of the symptoms, IMO, of society who cares more about “what they can get” rather than “what they can give.” The famous challenge uttered by the late JFK in his inaugural address is now relegated in high school history textbooks, no one seems to care anymore.

“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe - the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God … Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty… And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. “

That is patriotism, not only eloquently spoken, but at its’ best.

Probably, I.O.U.S.A. might spur us to rethink where we are right now, and do something positive about it.