Technology as a Learning Tool

My two-year old son is a fast learner. Thanks to technology. On a daily basis he would toy with my cellular phone and the computer often playing games and exploring many other stuffs.

He learned the alphabet and other kiddie songs through YouTube. Now that he is able to distinguish letters, there came an idea on how I should teach him to spell his name. While playing one of the games installed, the requirement to start the said game is to enter the player name.
I would dictate each letter, "S", "H", "A", "W" and "N" whereby he would correctly key in each character. After which, to have the game started, I would command him to press the Enter key. So there goes, after a few games he is now able to spell his name by heart.

Testing his memory one day, I asked him to spell his name.

With pride, he said, "S", "H", "A", "W", "N", "ENTER".

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The Art of Deception

On the way to the bakery I chanced upon an orange colored paper that appeared like a P20 bill from a distance. The hour has darkened the surrounding and only the street lights provide the necessary luminosity - whereas insufficient to further detail decisions on things that one sees. As I had proven the litter as of monetary value, I attempted to pick it up, only to discover that it was a prank. Some kids had it intentionally lay across the street attached to a string such that for every attempt picking it up would flare laughter among their fold.

I am not much of a prankster, most specially to people of whom I have no close acquaintance whatsoever. On this case, if I were on their shoes, would not intend doing the same as they did. Darn, I was "pranked" upon on a Good Friday.

I continued with purchasing what I needed and in the course of buying, I had been scheming things on how to get even. Vengeance on a Good Friday. Holy cripes.

So I've been thinking, that I need to return to the bakery again to feign as the pranksters' new victim. In so doing, I need to change my clothes and wear a cap (perhaps) in order to fully implement my deceptive strategy. Having noticed the string to be nylon, I might need some scissors to have it cut. And so the whole concept is get the P20 bill and have it laughing my way to get it even. Should my vengeance result to violent reactions from their group, I have my scissors to defend myself.

And so my plan was set. Funny, I did not do the things I've planned. Just the same, I wanted to get even. So I walked, pretending to be innocent of their trap. As I neared the bill, I quickly stepped, putting all my weight on it. I could hear giggles, perhaps because the one on the strings end may have thought of himself as an angler with a fish attempting to bite his bait. I stepped on the exposed string using my other foot to prevent the predator from pulling the string back. And with much might dragged the bill underneath across the rough surface of the street.

The orange bill was torn.

I had my revenge.

And the predators told the prey, "You're so bad trip!"

Farewell Letter to my Paramour

Let me begin by informing you that I am in an anxious state. I fear that in exposing how I feel for you now would assimilate your view to that of Henry G. Strauss, that the horror contained herein would make you give up on reading. Pertaining to my letter you may do so if you please. But read further, if possible all that you can on your idle time, because as I've read, reading maintains one's youth.

Before I openly declare my true intent, in order to make me less anxious, allow me to sail back on our history as lovers. The first time we met was in 1993. My boardmates introduced me to you while we played pusoy dos. I was very hesitant to extend my arm for even a handshake for that would mean touching - and too often some things that come in contact with my skin often causes me discomfort. And so they teased me saying I was gay. To prove that I am not, I reached out for you. And no sooner, we got hot by the first kiss that we did - with them as our audience.

That kiss sufficed to keep me awake all night longing for more. My heart beat ran on a fast irregular rate that kept my eyes unshut until my friends bored out of card playing. You were a charm that night as I won filthy bucks sufficient for a month's allowance.

From then on, we would often meet at the sari-sari store. We were not ashamed to touch and kiss in public. But I was cautious then that my parents would see us together. I feared that they would scold and despise our affair as most parents would seeing their young kids engrossed with so much "love" in their youth.

Out of poverty, I had to live with my aunt's family. Yet we did not consider that a hindrance to how we felt for each other. You transferred near where I had to settle. And yes, so often we would meet in the sari-sari store in that area, either drinking some soda or chewing on some chips. It was so amazing that we find bliss in many moments that we are together.

It was uncle who learned of our affair. I froze that time he saw us kissing. Horrible things ran on my mind. Only to learn that it was alright with him, so saying that he had his moments similar to ours. However, he advised us to limit our time together - that so much closeness would end us into something we were not prepared for yet. The mixture of emotions from getting caught, we had to nod in approval only to be disobedient thereafter.

The last two years of my college schooling became hectic. Sometimes I needed to stay over night on some of my classmates' houses considering that we need to finish our projects. You did not complain and even accompanied me. My classmates were amazed about us. They also became witnesses of our passionate kisses.

Then the day I dread to happen came about. My father visited my aunt and learned of our affair. He was so upset. There were many things I were told and warned about. Of that litany, this I did not forget, "You must finish your studies first. What you spend for to further your affair remains charged on us who are sending you to school." I was hurt by those verbosities. With a battered ego, I remained connected with you secretly. You kept mum all along and our relationship got more intense.

No sooner, I was able to earn my own. With pride, I brought you home to brag to my father about you. It was him who was mum. All his fears back then were replaced by regret for having said hurting words. We were so happy to let the whole world learn how much we loved each other.

Our tale did not end from there. I had other affairs and yet you remained mum on my misgivings. I had tastes of various women from here to fro, but you remained passionate. I wonder where you get all that courage to kiss a philandering man.

Suddenly, I had a son. After then, a daughter. Not ours and yet your emotions bear the same constant flame as before. You remained seductive as yet, but I know it ain't seduction per se. It has been our nature to be tied to each other. We remain doing many things publicly and privately in the same intensity as before. We cared not about those around us as long as we are together from time to time.

To deviate a bit, I quote a quote I’ve read from my friend’s profile. It says, “Love isn't a decision. It's a feeling. If we could decide who we loved, it would be much simpler, but much less magical.” I commented on that saying, “Ate, it remains a decision. It's either you decide it to be magical or not.”

Going back and straight to the point, everything about us are memories to cherish. We've been to many places. But now, with so much regret, I intend to cease from seeing each other you. I still love you, but I have responsibilities now. Please understand. I would like to live clean and free from the chains of guilt that I am killing my soul every time we get together. I would like to be a good example to my kids as I dream them not engaging into illicit affairs. I would like to father them the best way I can be. And one of the factors to be that dream is to give you up.

It tears my heart to do this.

Addio a voi la mia sigaretta cara. Pardon my Italian conversion of bidding you farewell.

Let us just be friends now.

No more magic.

No more kissing.