Ma & Pa
31 Dec 2009 2 Comments
in Rants
Happy 23rd wedding anniversary Ma and Pa. Love you both. :)
Mammal Sex
30 Dec 2009 3 Comments
in Fast Facts
Did you know that dolphins and bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) are the only two mammals other than humans who engage in sex for pleasure? This means that they’re the only mammals aside from us humans who copulate even if such activity is completely separate from the purpose of reproduction.
The females of most mammals and animals in general give off detectable signs of their fertility: a change in appearance, a distinct smell, sound, and other specific signaling behavior. This is because engaging in sex can be precarious for them due to some factors, and mating can be done only seasonally when females ovulate.
*Males need precious energy to produce sperm, attract females, defeat rivals and complete the mating – process.
*The mating process takes away time from other vital activities such as hunting for food or caring for the previous offspring.
*Mating pairs are vulnerable to predators and enemy attacks.
*Competition for females can sometimes be harmful or even deadly to the males, and sometimes the females too.
Because of these factors, most mammals and animals in general can’t afford to waste precious energy engaging in sex when there is no possibility that their genes will be passed on to a possible next generation. Reproduction may not be possible if the female is:
*not yet sexually mature
*not ovulating
*already pregnant
*still caring for previous offspring
*beyond the age of reproduction
So, to avoid the risks of mating when reproduction is not possible, it is essential that the females, like said earlier, indicate signs of their fertility and ovulation.
Human females, however, go through what we call concealed ovulation, and there is no reliable way for the male to discern when the female is fertile (without medical technology, the females too can’t be sure). This allows physically mature humans to engage in sex any time without complete certainty that the female will be impregnated. The same is true with dolphins and bonobos, who are receptive to sex all year round!
However, this is not the reason why dolphins and bonobos are claimed to be the only mammals other than humans who have sex for pleasure. Other animals are completely unaware that their sexual activities are elated to reproduction; they engage in sex because they are biologically programmed to do so, in order to satisfy an urge. Some birds also, invite males to mate even after laying eggs, but there is an ascribed purpose to this behavior. It is a biological trick to fool males into caring for their hatchlings.
Sex for pleasure involves willingness and regularity. Aside from humans, dolphins and bonobos are the only mammals who engage in sex willingly and regularly (even there is no possibility of reproduction), and with multiple partners! There may be another reason for this, but it has not yet been discovered. So as of now, it is a fact that dolphins and bonobos are the only two mammals aside from humans who engage in sex for pleasure.
Now you know. You’ve just been educated. Thanks to Wikipedia and other online sources.
Share Love this CHRISTMAS
24 Dec 2009 1 Comment
Last night I felt down and practically in despair. Why? Because this year our family is doing some belt tightening and we won’t be going down to Manila to celebrate Christmas with our relatives. I was so disappointed I didn’t want to have noche buena altogether. That’s when my Mama knocked some sense into me. You don’t need to know how exactly, she just did. Like I said before, mothers have their own indescribable ways of dealing and doing things. Quite neat, no?
I realized that I’ve been selfish and self centered. I’ve been acting like a girl during her period just because I can’t make it to the family reunion this Christmas when the fact is a lot more Filipinos have lost their homes in a fire, but they are still happy because the reason for celebrating Christmas is not the material and temporal things it brings forth, but rather the person who is the essence of the occasion. The man nailed on the cross for our behalf: Jesus Christ. Now I don’t want to be preachy and force my convictions on anyone who disagrees with me, but I believe I should at least get it out there that when I celebrate Christmas, I celebrate my salvation. I celebrate Christ.
I guess I can end this post with the last three words of the previous paragraph. So ciao dear readers. Merry Christmas! Share the love, share Christ.
She smokes
19 Dec 2009 4 Comments
Why does she smoke? I asked myself as I observed her standing by a 7Eleven, holding a cig between her forefinger and middle finger like a pro, early this morning on my way to school. She’s probably only sixteen but she seems used to it, I said to nobody in particular aside from myself. Is it because of sophistication?
“Look at me. I’m a young and independent woman. I smoke; I’m extremely sophisticated…”
I doubt it. There is no sophistication in smoking tobacco. There is only breath that reeks of charcoal, lurid gums and discolored teeth. Also, there is the possible cancer and other diseases entirely unfamiliar to me. So, why does she smoke? Is it because of the warmth the cigarette smoke brings her body on a chilly morning, so cold it feels like frost bite? Or maybe she practices this vice because she was influenced by her peers. Probably; girls her age (and teens in general) are often easily swayed by their friends. They want to fit in, be one of the “cool” ones.
So what’s the deal? If that’s the case then why are you [James] dwelling on this? Oh, this is just me pondering over everyday stuff. Don’t mind me.
Exam 1 and a Drunk Guy on my Lap.
18 Dec 2009 1 Comment
My first exam (Economics) is over. I think I did good, thank God. Tomorrow I’ll be having three exams, two of which might be quite a challenge. I’ll be doing a lot of reading this afternoon.
In the jeep on my way home, a drunk guy sat beside me, fell asleep and eventually ended up on my lap. I was there minding my own business when I suddenly felt a weight that was actually his head on my leg. He couldn’t be wakened no matter how much I tried. I shook him and tried to stand him up but nothing I did worked. As the jeep traveled, he made himself comfortable on my lap. People kept smiling at me and laughing. Later, there were only three passengers left: me, the drunk guy and someone I have no idea whatsoever who. We reached the turning point and the drunk guy still could not be awakened. So, I got off and left him there. He’s probably still there, snoozing.
The experience was really uncomfortable but funny. I mean, it’s not every day some hung over alcoholic(yes, I assure you he was) falls asleep on your unwilling lap. If it does happen to you, be cool and don’t lose your poise. Panicking will get you nowhere.
Ohaiyo Gozaimasu, mina!
16 Dec 2009 3 Comments
6:15 a.m.
Just had a mug of hot choco, waiting for my bathing water to boil and at the same time reading an article on pragmatics. Nothing I read seems to be registering into my database and I’m here blogging about it. I keep reading anyway (alternately as I type this). It’s useless ’cause nothing about the subject makes sense to me right now. I guess it’s too early for the technicalities of the English language. I’ll just have to wait ’till later. Anyhoo, I’m considering starting a promo. I’ll give an Artwork tee to the person who registers on this blog as a subscriber and gives the most number of LEGIT(Akismet will block spam) feedback or comments on my posts. Fair enough right? It’s a marketing strategy you see. So is it game?
Moving on, the holidays are getting nearer and so is my Christmas break (YIPPEE!), however, that also means that my preliminary exams are even closer! They’re starting this weekend actually; good thing I’ve been studying well. I’m quite confident.
6:27 a.m.
I’ve given up trying to read the article on pragmatics. I’ve been reading it since 5:45 a.m. and I don’t want to waste any more of my time. Besides, I’m signing off. Ciao
Miri Krismas, Magbigay Ka
14 Dec 2009 1 Comment
in Rants Tags: Christmas, Pinoy, Rants
This afternoon on my way to the wagwagans near the public market I passed on an overpass where the blind men usually play musical instruments and beg for alms. Chained on the railing was a brand new electric guitar with a paper cup fastened on its neck and a cheap amplifier (the sort that you could buy at local stores for your karaoke machine). On my way home and on another Baguio overpass, I encountered a blind man who had a plaque card hung on his neck that said: MIRI KRISMAS, MAGBIGAY KAYO. He played an electronic keyboard.
What I saw was enough to convince me that these beggars are like those in India portrayed by the movie Slumdog Millionaire who are part of some syndicate group who take advantage of these people and their disabilities(which they themselves inflicted) so they can selfishly earn money. When I was in my grade school years, older folk usually told me not to give alms to these blind beggars not only because of their involvement in a scam, but also because it encourages familiarity and motivates them to beg even more. The sad part is that the alms they receive are taken from them by the ‘managers’ of the syndicate group they’re in and they are left with scraps if not nothing altogether. I’ve been instructed to give them food rather than money. Because of these I learned not to trust and encourage these unfortunates.
Nevertheless, I could not help but feel sorry for the blind man from this afternoon and obligated to give him a few of my loose change. Quite hypocritical eh? Yeah, probably. Maybe I should have given him a sandwich or something he could fill his stomach with for a few hours. Maybe I will next time. Anyway, as I look back to my walk towards the jeepney station at Perfecto Street, I imagine what their Christmas must be like. No carols, no gifts, no traditional food like puto bung bong, queso de bola and hamon, no feasts, no fireworks, no love, no nothing. Having realized this made me thankful that I am fortunate to have a family who loves me to spend the holidays with, and food to fill this stomach of mine that always seems to want more food.
I think we who can have and do have what these beggars can only wish to have should be grateful. If you aren’t, take a good long look at the beggars around you who go crazy and have no home and turn to the spoils of fast food chains and garbage to satisfy their hunger. You’re something else(and something i don’t want to be acquainted with) if what you see doesn’t move you.
Post Mother’s Day
07 Dec 2009 4 Comments
I wrote this Mother’s Day piece when I was 15, if I remember right. Found in my folders and thought it would be real sweet to share all over again. Hail mothers! (I’m such a dork, celebrating the occasion months after official date. But hey, the internet is democratic, isn’t it? A lot of readers would think this is really cheesy, but for the sake of those who appreciate this sort of material, let’s just ignore them.)
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Ah, Mother’s Day. The appreciation of a mother’s patience, diligence, love, concern, and all sorts of other mushy things. Those who have mothers are fortunate and should be thankful.
“Imagine what your life would be without your mama.” I once said to myself. All things then started to enter my mind, and I found myself diving into the pool of pessimism. I reasoned that I’d be better off without the constant lectures, teachings and words of wisdom a mother can give. I reasoned that I’d be happier if there was no one to find out all my secret sins. Mothers have a way of discovering all things you hide just in the nick of time. I thought that I’d be a better person without my mama. I was dead wrong. I’d be pathetic without her. I’ve broken her heart so many times but she was always there when I needed her. Still is. I am the man I am today because of my mama’s guidance, because she loves me so much. I can name a million reasons to be grateful for my mama, but I can never find a reason not to be. I don’t ever want to find one either!
I love you ma, I thank God I’m your son.
No Coincidence – An Ode to GBA’s 30
07 Dec 2009 3 Comments
“Most days of the year are unremarkable. They begin and end with no lasting memories made in between; most days have no impact on the course of life. You cannot describe great cosmic significance in simple earthly events. Coincidence; that is all everything ever is. There is no such thing as fate; nothing is meant to be.”
I came across this saying while writing a post for my blog. It came in the form of a text message, and after reading it, I could not help but ponder about it and later, disagree with it. I firmly believe in the providence and sovereignty of a divine being; of the one, true Almighty God, and the above quotation totally contradicts this. If it were fact that everything are but mere coincidences, then what is the point in believing, in faith, in religion, in life itself and everything else? If all were just coincidences, then what is the point of our Christianity, what is the point in our salvation? Believing in coincidence, I suppose, would be equivalent to declaring that Christ’s death was nothing but a mere miscalculated, unpredicted, turn of events and was utterly void and useless.
I know it to be the truth that Jesus died on the cross, according to God’s will and purpose, to save humanity from eternal damnation in Hell. I believe in the fact that God purposefully sacrificed the life of His only Son for a race of the worst of the worse sinners, because he loved us utterly. And in the same way I believe in this, I believe that my schooling in Grace Baptist Academy was no coincidence.
The truth is, the seven years of my education at G.B.A. were not the best of life. In fact, I had too much tough times, too much bloopers and blunders. I have never been the typical A.C.E student, and I lacked the motivation to strive, to do good work. Because of this, I was often times the object of my teachers frustration; I often got 60 minute detentions, because I did not finish my goals. However, it would be an injustice to the academy for me not to mention that despite all my excessive bloopers and blunders, I have kept many fond memories. I have always been a joyful person, and at Grace, I was allowed and able to have good fun. I was given the opportunity to create and develop bonds and ties with several people, and I was able to create numerous cherished memories with people who I now consider to be my best friends.
My schooling at Grace Baptist Academy taught me so many things that in turn, helped me become a better Christian. Because all students were required to memorize and recite Scripture (this seemed to be such a mechanical practice back then), I learned to love and adhere to God’s Word. Because in each PACE, the fruits of the Spirit and other character traits were defined, I learned to love the persona of Christ. Because all of us were required to set goals for the next school day everyday, I learned to be goal oriented. There are so much more that studying at G.B.A. taught me, like excellence, humility, the concept of grace, etc. and naming them all would be beating around the bush.
The point of all this is that most of my days in G.B.A. were remarkable. They began and ended with lasting memories in between; most of my days at the academy had impacted the course of my life. I can describe great significance in each simple earthly event I was part of while studying there, and I can proudly say that none of it was a coincidence. It was part of God’s will for my life, and was meant to be.
I am grateful that though I did not finish my high school education at G.B.A., for seven years, I was a part of it. So, Grace Baptist Academy, Happy 30th Anniversary, and cheers!
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