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."