Perchance to Dream

Once again I am putting this blog on hiatus

The time to relax most
is when you don't have time for it.
- Sydney J. Harris

- to rest, perchance to dream.

Free for All Fridays - F for the season of Fall

Everyone must take time

to sit and watch the leaves turn.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

So beautiful yet so short. . .

Free fo All Fridays - E

E for the English language!

If there is one thing we are thankful to the Americans, it was forcing the English language on us. Now, wherever the Pinoy goes, he blends. What made me think about this was my recent experiences at the TIFF.

1) During the Q and A after the showing of the Filipino film, Dining Sana Kita - a Caucasian asked
"In the movie, the characters spoke English and switched back and forth to a different language. How at ease are Filipinos in the English language?"

When it was asked, almost everyone of the Filipino audience gave a sigh and a whisper "yes, we are". Director Sandejas replied about English being our medium of instruction and then a bit of plugging. "For those of you who have not been to the Philippines, go visit the country as you will not be lost, almost everyone understands and can speak English". Good answer, good answer.

2) Meanwhile during the Q & A of a Uruguay film - they had to have an interpreter as the director did not speak English. What added insult to injury too was that most questions asked were also in Spanish. Too bad for us non Spanish speaking audience.

3) I have seen a several directors who struggle to reply in English -- and I think, once it goes through an interpreter -- something gets lost in translation. Proud of Manny Pacquaio who never asks for an interpreter and answers in English after any fight.

Thanks to my English teachers!

Say It Again

In the GTA, listen well or have someone say it again. Here’s why:

You don't say "Yong-ge" when referring to Yonge – the world’s longest street. You say “Young”.

Grosvenor – the street and family name is not “Gros-ve-nor”, it is pronounced “Gruvs-nor”, or "Grov-nor".

Don't ever say you are in "Pa-pe" subway station. Pape is pronounced "Payp".

Etobicoke – is not "E-to-bi-cok", to get it right say "E-tou-bi-kou"

After Etobicoke, there is Mississauga, which is not "Misi-sawga", but "Misi-sa-ga"

And lastly, Vaughan, the city above Toronto, is not called “Vaug-han”. They call the place “Vauhn”.

If you are new, don't worry - we've all been through the same boo-boo.

And if you think they are confusing - wait until you start learning French. You will be most happy just knowing how to say Merci Beaucoup (pronounced "Mer-se Bo-koo") - meaning many thanks.

Sunrise at Ajax, Ontario

Ajax is commonly considered part of the Greater Toronto Area, in the eastern part of the Golden Horseshoe region.

Ajax has grown considerably since the 1980s. What was once a small town mostly surrounded by agricultural areas has increasingly become a bedroom community to Toronto and its environs. Many residents commute to work in Toronto or other municipalities in Durham Region.

Population : 93,100


Photos by Jette Ocampo

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Got some photos? Share them with us at emarene_ph(at)yahoodot.com

Free for All Fridays - D

D is for Drawing

Do you know how to draw? I don't.
Even my stick people are not good, thus I always appreciate people who can.
Like some Toronto street artists.

Draws portraits in chalk and on the sidewalk too!

Do you know who he is drawing?

Flu Season

It is the Flu season again and it might be a good idea to know the difference between the common cold and H1N1 Flu Symptom.

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the H1N1 flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold but will be moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold, but is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold, but is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Check out The Federal Pandemic Guide for more details.