My Initial Reaction on Elearning Tools

My experience with elearning tools is a peculiar one. Let me share it with you

Literature has always been the love of my life. I have studied it, lived it, hated it, and loved it again and again. As a teacher, I always wanted to share my passion for literature to my students. This was of the utmost importance to me. Not only was it my job, not only was it my calling, it was also a very personal matter. I was sharing something that I loved, the stories and poems that constituted my life. In short, I was also sharing myself to my students. So when I first heard that the curriculum was changing in order to include elearning tools as a mode of teaching some of the lessons that we did not have time to tackle in the classroom, I was really caught off guard. I detested the idea. How could something as cold and as impersonal as a computer possibly convey and pass on the passion for literature? The first thoughts that came to my mind was that these students will be hand fed information, memorize them, and just answer a quiz from memory. I felt like there would not be enough of that internal processing necessary to spark that passion I keep talking about. There would be no connections between the self and the text, no real meeting where the self will be see itself in this new light and forever be changed.

But as I soon discovered, elearning tools were actually not that bad. It was not actually meant to replace teachers. I was still there to moderate the thing. It just functioned as a textbook, an interactive textbook which is what makes it better. Now I have changed my opinion of elearning tools for good. I think this new technology is a boon that will help teachers in any subject, so long as it simply an addition to teaching, not a full replacement.

Noynoy Aquino – Saving What Chiz Escudero Left Behind

Chiz Escudero made headlines the other day when he announced his decision of walking out of the National People’s Coalition. No one was more surprised about his decision than NPC itself, the very party that had supported him all the way during his Senatorial bid. Reasons for this alleged falling off remain undisclosed but according to Winnie Monsod, it might have something to do with Danding Cojuanco’s lack of support for Escudero’s supposed Presidential bid. Winnie added that the old Cojuanco reiterated that he would only support Chiz as long as he and Loren would stay as running mates. Obviously, the two seem to hate each other’s gutsy political ambitions, so Chiz was left with no choice but to walk away from the party and go on his own.

Escudero’s unexpected resignation left NPC struggling to re-organize the party. NPC is now considering other options available for them. The party’s spokesperson, Valenzuela Representative Rex Gatchalian, said, “All options are open. Lahat puwede naming i-entertain (We can entertain different options)”. However, NPC firmly stated that they are not entering into a merge with the party of the administration.

While the media is having a field day with this political drama, Noynoy Aquino said in an interview that the Liberal Party is willing to negotiate on a possible coalition with NPC. To make the story short, NPC got dumped by their strongest candidate, Chiz Escudero and golden boy Noynoy Aquino is doing a rebound.

“Klaro naman ang posisyon namin na parehong baligtad sa administration (The NPC and LP have clear and similar positions against the administration),” Noynoy declared in an interview about the possible merge of the National People’s Coalition and the Liberal Party. Noynoy needs additional reinforcements to launch a successful Presidential campaign and if LP and NPC were to merge, it would mean extra arms and resources for his Presidential bid.

Celebrity Divorces That Are Meant to Happen

There are just some people who are not the marrying kind. They might try going down the aisle, try the committed life, play husband and wife, but in the end, the call of Splitsville proves to be stronger than marital bliss. Let’s face it. Like there are some people not meant to breed, there are those meant to lose money on divorce cases just like these celebrity weddings whom we all bet would end up in court for irreconcilable differences.

1. Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker
The crazy rocker lifestyle and the vain world of beauty pageants should not collide or else they would result in another Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker divorce. The Blink 182 drummer was allegedly the one to blame for the split because of he could not keep his hands to himself or to his wife. According to a Mark Hoppus interview (his pal from good ol’ Blink), the musician was devastated about the divorce but knew that it was meant to happen and that he and Moakler could not keep the relationship going.

2. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
The two of them looks like the perfect specimen that scientists should definitely preserve if there’s any need to repopulate the planet in the near future. This is also probably the reason they split. Two too beautiful people just can’t be together or else it’s a monopoly of good genes.

3. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis
Demi and Bruce are good friends now even after their divorce. Looking back, I guess it was really meant for them to split because if not, who else would show us that you can be friends with your ex’s new man or even go on a trip with them together with your kids? Only Demi and Bruce could do it. Kuddos to you, too. Your divorce was so meant to be!

Muscle Building David Beckham Doing an Ad with Angelina Jolie?

David Beckham has created some buzz about his campaign ad gig with Emporio Armani a few years back and if rumors are true, he might be doing it again. But this time, Angelina Jolie is supposed to provide him some company. According to sources, Emporio Armani has contacted the muscle building athlete and the actress to do a campaign ad for their line.

When asked about the rumor, David Beckham denied the issue. He said that he would not do any raunchy ad and show-stopping billboard for Emporio Armani with Angelina Jolie. There are rumors circulating that he turned down the offer because he did not want to cause any rift between him and wife of ten years Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, by teaming up with the hot Jolie. On the other hand, David just laughed this off and said "She's an amazing person and so is Brad Pitt. They're an incredible couple -- got an amazing family. You know she wouldn't do it and I wouldn't do it. At the end of the day, I wouldn't do it because I'm married."

Angelina Jolie has not commented about the issue.

Too much imagination is not needed to picture how Emporio Armani would benefit if ever the team up would push through. Putting these two sex symbols together would not only cause some controversies and needed publicity, but also some good cash flow for the fashion line. However, I really do not think that both parties would agree since Jolie is not so much into that loud Hollywood projects anymore and seems to focus more on being a milf…er, I mean a mom. But definitely, seeing these two in one billboard could cause some considerable liabilities on the road.

Celebrities on a Vegan Diet

A lot of celebrities have turned vegan due to many reasons. Some do it to make a statement about their advocacy of animal rights while there are those who do it to simply lose weight. Either way, these celebrities are gaining a lot of benefits out of shoving animal meat off their diet and just munching on rabbit food to satisfy their hunger.

Avril Lavigne is just one of the most popular celebrities who have been very vocal about her vegan practices. It turned out that Avril does this to maintain good health and walk the walk about her animal rights advocacy. Her diet is purely vegan, which means totally excluding dairy and egg products out of her meals. She couples her diet with regular exercise and yoga to strengthen her flexibility and overall health. Needless to say, Avril Lavigne goes for clean and healthy living.

Another vegan celebrity is Natalie Portman. She has been praised by happycow.net for going vegetarian. Happycow.com, a site that celebrates vegan celebrities, they posted a very good discussion about Natalie.

“Well, Natalie is an attractive young woman. She is also a talented actress, however there are many attractive talented actresses, are there not? So what is special about Natalie Portman. To start with she was born in Jerusalem, one of my favorite cities. But most importantly, she is a conscious human. Yes, Natalie is a vegan and you can't get much more special than that! Natalie, you are a special human on this wonderful planet!”

Most of these vegan celebrities are going on the green diet because they want to protect animal rights, but that does not mean that those who do not choose this vegetarian lifestyle do not give a dime about PETA’s advocacy. Mark Hoppus, although not vegetarian, still got a nod from PETA due to a Twitter message that totally shouts animal rights advocacy.

MarkHoppus: I’m doing a photo shoot this week & paying nearly $1000 for a movie prop octopus do a real one doesn’t have to die. do I get an award?

The Anatomy of a Rock Star

Once in your life, you have wished that instead of working on a 9 to 5 pace, you were a rock star. You daydreamed about having your own band, stood in front of your mirror, totting your imaginary guitar, lip singed in the shower, and dressed like a wasted hobo just to have that rock star feeling. We have all gone through that stage, until life slaps us in the face with bills to pay.

So not everyone is gifted with the talent, charisma, looks, and musical skills of a rock star, but that does not mean that you can’t feel like one. This is a free country you don’t have to necessarily be a member of Tom DeLonge Angels and Airwaves, or a member of Metallica just to feel like a rock star. You just have to exude that rock star appeal, and whether you have your own band or not, you can be a good specimen of a rocker.

Study the anatomy of a rock star and learn the ropes of being one.

1. A rock star does not sleep but still looks in control – He may be sleep-deprived because of the concerts he has to play in, but the morning after, he could still manage to finish an interview or two. Even if he is tired of answering the same old silly questions from reporters, he would still try to come up with a decent (or not) enough answer that’s cool to be published on papers.


2. A rock star is fashionable in his own shabby way. He tries to look like he does not care about images and appearances, but in reality, he does. But since he carries himself so confidently, we are made to believe that he just picks up whatever clothes are hanging on his closet. He can put on even the tackiest pieces of clothing, but Page 6 would still commend his style. If the press butchers his fashion sense, he would just brush off the comment and carry himself in style.


3. A rock star does not need a stage to be a star. Wherever he goes, no matter who he is with, he will always be confident. This is what draws people to him.


4. A rock star has skills. A true rock star can carry a tune but more than being able to sing or play an instrument, a rock star can move people with his music.


5. A rock star does not care…about what other people would say. Love him or hate him, he would still be the same. Because he is confident about who he is, he is not swayed by what others say about his music, looks, fashion statement, or his views about the world. In a nutshell, he follows his bliss.
   

Francisco Cervelli – what he thinks about

People think about different things and so do major league hitters. They go out and try to do different things while they are on the batter’s box. However, Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli has a new approach:

"I don't think offensively," Cervelli said. "I just go there and try to hit the ball, move the runners and whatever signs they put up, I just try to do that. The first thing for me is to catch and call the game. If I get three hits every time, that's better."

Yankees pitchers like CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte have raved about their experiences throwing to Cervelli, notable this week after Posada and Joba Chamberlain clashed in Friday's 9-8 Yankees victory. A.J. Burnett said he had never worked with Cervelli before but liked what he saw on Sunday, when he hurled seven scoreless innings.

"I think it's just a matter of that we used everything today," Burnett said. "I don't know if it's the catcher, but we used curveballs and fastballs in good counts. They had no idea what was coming, and that's huge. If I'd miss with a hook, he'd call another one. We didn't stay in a pattern."

Pettitte has said that he has been impressed with Cervelli's outspoken nature on the bench and on the field, as he is unafraid to share his thoughts and opinions with pitchers during games.

"I think the key in this situation is that everybody here, the pitchers and the coaches, they give confidence," Cervelli said. "They say you can do it and trust you, and let me talk at the mound sometimes. I don't care if I'm young, if I have to go to the mound and say something, I have to."

Christian Bale – On bulking up and diets

Actors and actresses are always on the go and they always do what the roles want them to portray. There are a lot of things that they can do and one of these things are to bulk up and bulk down. These things are often ridiculed by Christian magazines, here is what Christian Bale thinks of this:

The bodybuilding and unbuilding you’ve done for your roles is alarming—the former all the more so for its being accomplished without any animal protein.
Actually, I’m in and out of the vegetarianism now. But yeah, the majority of the building up you’re talking about was done when I was still a vegetarian.

When did you fall off the wagon?
Just after I’d completed American Psycho [for which Bale, as the preening sociopath Patrick Bateman, got furiously ripped].

Dietary reasons? Or something to do with the character?
I was up in Toronto and went to see that movie Life Is Beautiful. By myself. And when I came out, I had a craving for blood unlike anything I had ever experienced since I decided to go vegetarian at the age of 7. It was a compulsion. It was undeniable. I went to several restaurants, one right after the other, and got the biggest, bloodiest steaks I could get my hands on. It was the first time I had tasted flesh in almost twenty years.

Life Is Beautiful.
Yeah.

That makes sense.
Yeah.

Adam Lambert – what are his options?

What are the options for Adam Lambert? After losing to Christian magazine supporter Kris Allen, what can he do? Here are some of the best suggestions from Rolling stone:

• Fill the vacant front man spot in Queen

Over the weekend, RollingStone.com’s readers suggested Lambert would be the perfect candidate for Queen’s suddenly open job. Lambert did just that on last night’s finale, performing “We Are the Champions” with Brian May and Co. during what may have been a de facto audition. But Michael Slezak, Entertainment Weekly’s Idol writer, points to Chris Daughtry, who was courted by Fuel following his Idol dismissal four seasons ago, and says Lambert should take his own path. “The powers that be at 19 Entertainment and the labels that get first dibs on him are going to want to see him establish himself as a current, relevant recording artist, not a replacement on a reunion tour,” he says.

• Take on the task of reviving glitter rock

Lambert has already earned the title “glam-rock sex god” from our own Rob Sheffield, and Slezack thinks Adam is likely to embrace the sort of fist-pumping spandex-wrapped sound that grunge killed off in the early 1990s — the kind of music Constantine Maroulis currently sings in Broadway’s Rock of Ages. “There’s a lot of good vibes towards glam rock music from a certain segment of, say, 25- to 45-year-olds, who dig that sound and wouldn’t mind hearing it return to the radio,” Slezack says. “I think he has more in common with Cinderella and Winger and Mötley Crüe than Daughtry or Nickelback. He has more of a hair-metal vibe to his voice than he does with anything that’s happening in current rock radio.” MTV News Idol expert Jim Cantiello agrees: “I think the smartest thing for him to do is get into the studio and put out a crazy, funky glam rock album that we haven’t heard in decades, and go all out with it,” Cantiello says. “I think it would be cool if he put out a record that sounded like Brian Eno could have put it out.”

American Idol – The last episode

Watching the last episode of Idol is one sad experience. It is the last of the season and as it is, it comes with expectations that the show will be grand in every stage.

Here is a list of the things that happened in the final episode of this year’s Idol on fox:

Allen was joined by Keith Urban on "Kiss a Girl," while Lambert performed with Kiss. The female finalists, including Allison Iraheta, opened up for Fergie, who sang "Big Girls Don't Cry" and then was joined by her group, the Black Eyed Peas.

Iraheta later dueted with Cyndi Lauper on "Time After Time" and Danny Gokey joined Lionel Richie for two tunes.

Rod Stewart sang "Maggie May" after the male finalists opened for him with "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy."

An offbeat guest was Steve Martin, the actor-comedian who also specializes in the banjo. He played his song "Pretty Flowers" with finalists Megan Joy and Michael Sarver on vocals.

Asked by Seacrest to guess who might win "American Idol," Martin replied: "I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping I do."

Christian magazine cover boy Kris Allen rose to the occasion during Tuesday's performance show, especially with his soulful version of "Ain't No Sunshine." But he was tripped up by "No Boundaries," a song co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi and ill-suited to his voice.

Lambert did a better job with "No Boundaries" and excelled on his reprise of "Mad World" and on "A Change is Gonna Come."

"That was the best I've ever heard you sing — ever!" exclaimed Abdul.

Miss California Carrie Prejean answers her detractors

Last week in a pres conference, Miss California Carrie Prejean answered different questions about her racy pics that are flooding the internet.

"I am a model, I am a Christian. Many of you are aware of an Internet photo that was posted of me when I was 17 years old and first entered into the modeling industry. A girlfriend took some shots of me at home to include them in my portfolio, which were submitted, to several different agents. As the photo was intended for application rather than publication and I did not and I did not anticipate anyone was in a position to release such an image."

"The photo in question was taken was I was a minor, several months before the 2005 pageant," the note, dated May 5, 2009, read. "The photo was not meant for disclosure to the general public."

Access Hollywood obtained a copy of her contract and published the following findings:

According to page 15 of her Miss USA contract, obtained by Access Hollywood, she was barred from being "photographed in a state of partial or total nudity."

A christian magazine also noted that Prejean's contract with Miss California USA also prohibited nudity, stating on page five, "appearing in public or permitting myself to be photographed in a state of partial or total nudity or in a lewd, compromising or sexually suggestive manner constitutes a violation of this provision (this includes photographs of images that may appear on any Web site, such as MySpace of Facebook)."

Prejean told Access two weeks ago that she felt targeted because of her stance on traditional marriages, saying, "I am a Christian, and I am a model. Models pose for pictures including lingerie and swimwear photos."

Lindsay Lohan the party crasher

Lindsay Lohan apparently loves to have a good time – even on parties that she is not invited. Reports from Foxnews.com said that the 22-year-old was denied entry into the launch party for Charlotte Ronson's JCPenny line at Bar Marmont on Friday. We're told security was under strict orders not to allow Lohan inside and that it took several guards to hold her back at the door.

The christian magazine report also said that when Lohan couldn't party at Bar Marmont she then snuck into the bungalow area of the Chateau and went on a door-knocking rampage. The actress obviously heard word of an all-girls night in and even though she didn't know the party peeps personally, she wanted to be part of the action.

"There was a knock-at-the door and Lindsay Lohan was there," an eyewitness told Tarts. "She was as orange as a carrot and her pupils were as big as quarters. She looked awful!"

Apparently the 22-year-old introduced herself and said "Let's party!" but even when the ladies tried to close the door on her she continued to push back. Eventually the annoyed guests locked the door, but our girl stayed pounding away for another minute before (finally) getting the hint and moving on.

Lohan eventually turned to Twitter for comfort after the night fell flat, reportedly tweeting on her private page about how her DJ lover had been turning-the-tables with other ladies.

As usual, her rep is being mum about this. Lohan should take lessons from Molly Jenson on how to stay grounded.

Will I Am Bio - How he got started

This is a truly a great man. Will I am or William of the black eyed pees has a very impressive career. Check out the Will I am bio I got from wikipedia:

His real full name is William Adams. According to a christian magazine, he was born March 15, 1975. His stage name is currently will.i.am but he was formerly called Will 1X (for the life of me, I haven't figured out what the one X stands for.) He is a Jamaican American and has been awarded both an Emmy and a Grammy, now that is impressive. His music is hip hop, he is a dancer, songwriter, rapper, voice talent, and the founding member and frontman for the BEP act. He now has his very own music label.

This guy is my idol. His hit songs are heard everywhere. He even helped John Legend co write the Ordinary People piece which is such a big hit. The Will I am bio will be continued next post.

Tom DeLonge blink 182

We all know Tom DeLonge blink 182 from blink 182 even after the band has disbanded. Well, apparently the three of them are back in action. Tom DeLonge blink 182 along with his band mates appeared in the 2009 Grammy awards and congratulated Coldplay. They presented to Chris Martin and crew, the best rock album of the year award. Drummer boy still had his arm in a cast.



Here's my favorite quote from Tom DeLonge blink 182 coming from a christian magazine

"We really take our music seriously and we take the band very seriously. But we have a lot of personality. So if we`re going to write a song about kissing a girl, we`re gonna write it. And people think we`re a funny band, but we`re just realistic, we put our personality into our lyrics."

of David Duchovny and World Hip Hop Champions

There a new group crowned the World Hip Hop Champions. And they might give even the famed Jabberwokees a run for their money. Plus, these world hip hop champions are Filipinos to boot. I saw them perform and was really astounded by their freshness and originality. Kudos!



On a sad note, a christian magazine reported that David Duchovny and his wife Tea Leoni have now officially divorced. If you ask me of course, the X-files, Californication, and Red Shoe Diaries star had it coming. He was a "sex addict" whatever the hell that meant. I would say that meant that he could not say no to the alien in his pants.

Yellow, Coldplay, Will i am

The day I hear Will i Am cover a coldplay song, well.. that's the day a pun the barrel of a gun inside my mouth and pull the trigger, feeling the bullet - oh yeah, I won't have much time to feel anything because my brains would already be splattered all over the floor. I wonder how that would feel. I wonder if consciousness, even for just a millisecond, could survive in pieces, as if my mind was a mirror shattered into a million pieces, and little broken reflections of me are scattered all over the ground..

The best song ever:

Yellow lyrics

Your skin, your skin

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you
And all the things you do
Yeah, they were all yellow

I came along, I wrote a song for you
And everything you do
And it was called yellow

So then I took my turn
Oh, what a thing to 've done
And it was all yellow

And your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Don't you know?
You know I love you so
You know I love you so

I swam across, I jumped across for you
Oh, what a thing to do
'Coz you were all yellow

I drew a line, I drew a line for you
Oh, what a thing to do, my love
And it was all yellow
Yeah, yeah, yeah

And your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Do you know?
For you I bleed myself dry
For you I bleed myself dry

It's true
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And all the things that you do


Sooo, that's it for now you guys. Don't slit your writs while listening to yellow. Instead, listen to this gloriously spiritual song by Will I am. Just to cheer you up. It's called a new day.



I'm reading a christian magazine and I hope that new day song by will i am did the trick.

And I want you to know

Look at the stars. Aren't they grand? But you see, every star has it's dirty lining (wait was that right? anyway).

Hollywood celebrities are the best topic of conversation everywhere you go even when you read a christian magazine. Their lives are so full of juicy tidbits. For the life of me, I really don't know why this is the case. Some of them lead ordinary lives. A lot of them lead exuberant, dirty sexy lives. Most of them are rich, loaded, that's really a big part of their appeal. They've got so much money. Their lives are the glamorous lives that we all want. Real life is in the silver screen. They're the one's living the real life, not us, not here in this broken and battered existence of desire, disappointment, and despair in that order and repeated immutably for every one of us.

Well, lets spit on the stars. Let's take all the lurid details and love it, lapping it down our throats. Let's dance and sing in the graves we dig for them. Yes, we will bury them, but we will not honor their funeral. They will be our main course. Let them nourish the hole that cannot be satiated, but can be filled to the point of regurgitation. We can be sick and full but we cannot be satiated. We can be sick and full but we cannot be satiated. We can be so sick so full of it but we cannot be satiated. Not by it, not by anything else. Anything else, everything else, is a lie.