 Bit
[verb] Past tense of bite (to cut, grip, or tear with the teeth)
[noun] A small portion, or degree e.g. a bit of luck
A brief amount of time; a moment e.g. wait a bit
In computer language, a fundamental unit of information
having only two possible values,
either a one (1) or a zero (0); derived from the term binary digit
Nibble
[verb] To bite gently and repeatedly, or to eat with small, quick bites e.g. nibble a cracker
[noun] In computer language (sometimes spelled as nybble), a set of four bits, or half of one byte
Byte
[noun] A pun of the word bite
In computer language, information made up of eight bits; derived from the term binary table
So whether it’s love online or offline, you can have a bit of love, a half-baked nibble of love, or a love that bites… Love Bits, Nibbles, & Bytes |
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Fooling In Love
Standing 5 feet and 9 inches tall, with hazel brown eyes, light complexion, and lean physique, this Filipino-Spanish guy named Red is a natural charmer. His scintillating and captivating personality, coupled with his English-Tagalog-Visayan-Korean language proficiency, makes him quite a head-turner. He loves singing, watching movies, surfing the internet, and working (his dream house is nearly paid-off and he plans to buy a car pretty soon).
A few months ago, a gorgeous lady with a cheerful personality arrived in town. Her name is Daniela. Quite a number of Red's male friends attempted to woo her but all had failed. Discouraged and upset, Red's friends shared their frustrations, and posed a challenge to Red which he surprisingly accepted. Red's mission: to have Daniela as his girlfriend in the shortest time possible.
Despite Red's appealing character, he did not have any girlfriend because he chose not to have one. But this time, he thoughtlessly agreed to his friends' challenge to pursue Daniela.
The first step was to ask Daniela out for dinner. Of course, Red cunningly chose February 13, a day before Valentine's Day, when the atmosphere is exaggeratedly filled with love. With Red's persuasiveness as well as the help of Daniela's friends, the dinner date was arranged.
The second step was to set that pre-Valentine mood of being in love and wanting to fall in love. Red consulted Daniela's friends on her hobbies, likes and dislikes – what she does for pastime, what her favorite color is, and what mannerisms annoy her. Red then bought a half dozen white roses, a half dozen purple tulips, a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, and a book Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, where Red inserted a bookmark with a short original poem composition written at the back of it.
The third step was being the perfect date. Red borrowed his uncle's car, picked up Daniela at her place, complimented on her looks, handed her the gift (the flowers, chocolate, etc.), and drove to a nearby Italian restaurant.
Ahhh, the first date takes place – the “getting to know you”, the exchange of witty jokes and sweet nothings, and the sharing of ideals. Daniela was lured into the whirlpool of attraction and infatuation, and by the time dessert was served, Daniela had already been spellbound. As they finished off with dessert, Red professed to Daniela how much he likes her, “I love being with you and I just hope you feel the same way. Allow me to be frank with you – I like you. I really like you.” Red sighed, “But if you do not like me, I'll understand. We can just finish our dessert, forget about tonight, forget about each other, and go our separate ways. But of course, I will bring you home safely before we part ways. I just need you to be honest with me now.”
Perhaps Daniela was caught off-guard by Red's candor and she didn't know what to say. I don't know what went through her mind but Red and Daniela stepped out of the restaurant as a new couple!
Victory! The following day, Red egoistically announced to his friends the success of his challenge (men and their so-called accomplishments – food for the ego, so to speak). He and Daniela were now in a relationship which made Red's friends treat Red almost like a god.
On the other hand, Daniela blissfully announced to her friends that she now had a boyfriend. Little did Daniela know that while she was falling in love with Red, he was fooling in love with her. What a pity!
Red played his part well. He invited Daniela to family gatherings and visited new places together. They watched movies together, held hands, and kissed. Red enjoyed the company of Daniela but there was really nothing more to it. The pretension continued for days, weeks, months, until Red could no longer bear the guilt (thank goodness his conscience finally overpowered him).
The confession. Then the breakup. Daniela was devastated and distressed (this is definitely an understatement). She could not endure the embarrassment and deception, and immediately left the Philippines. Since then, Red has not heard from Daniela.
At present, Red adamantly claims that he is a changed man. He does not fool in love anymore but instead, he is falling in love. I find it hard to believe him because I found out that he is now involved in three relationships. When I asked him about it, he convincingly told me that the only reason why he has three “prospects” is that the ultimate goal is to have a successful long-term relationship and in order to achieve this, he must have choices for him to choose the most compatible partner. It seems to me that Red (and most of us anyway) are doing the wrong things for the right reason, and even trying to get it right!
How about you? Are you doing the wrong things for the right reason, and trying to get it right? Are you falling in love, or fooling in love?
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 We Need TLC
TLC… Tender Loving Care – a basic need that encompasses gentleness, generosity, security, thoughtfulness, and understanding. Well, TLC in this write-up actually stands for Talamban Leisure Center and tender loving care is definitely part of its ambiance. Its insignia is a red TLC with a heart next to it. Aptly, an oncologist, Dennis M. Tudtud, is the owner-proprietor of TLC.
Located at Kalubihan Road, Talamban, Cebu City, TLC is a wonderful venue for social and leisure activities as well as business meetings and events. If you're coming from the city, the entrance to TLC is on the right side just along the highway to Talamban, a few meters before the Kalubihan chapel and the Talamban Budlaan Bridge. To get there via public transportation, just hop on a 13B, 13C, 62B, or 62C jeepney. The edifice is situated right across Luna Bella Residences and Crystal Life drinking water station.
As you enter the TLC vicinity, their homey yet classy Café warmly welcomes you. Amidst a remarkable interior design, TLC Café offers soup, seafood, meat, and pasta. All entrees include rice and veggies, served on an interestingly-shaped dish, at an affordable price of not more than Php150 (under $3). Aside from their regular menu, TLC Café will soon offer daily specials as well as healthy eating options called the TLC (Total Low Calorie) Menu.
Sample their Fish with Béchamel Sauce, a creamy and excellently delectable dish. Also, check out their pasta delights with a choice of spaghetti, penne, or fettucine, served with ciabatta bread. Don't miss out the Pasta with Tuna Flakes in Creamy Mushroom Sauce, the Canelloni with Two Sauces, and the Vegetable Lasagna. And for dessert, take delight in their scrumptious Mango Apple Sago.
When you're done at TLC Café, walk towards the side glass door which connects the Café to a distinct indoor badminton court with a nature-like backdrop and chandeliers! Challenge a friend or colleague to a badminton game at Php150 per hour. For functions such as parties and special events, TLC can accommodate approximately 110 guests by transforming the badminton court into a function hall.
The second floor of TLC has adjoining conference rooms for meetings and activities of up to 40 persons. With a mix of modern seating and comfy sofas, the rooms offer a light, relaxed atmosphere equipped with a television, video player, videoke (video karaoke), and mini bar. Other audio-visual facilities can also be made available. The third floor has an internet café and a lounging area with fascinating painted artworks. The fourth and last floor has a small meeting room which can hold 7 persons.
If you need a makeover, feel stressed, or got a nagging pain, TLC has its salon and Sawadee Spa. The salon and spa offers haircut and styling, body massage, foot massage, and reflexology – to mention a few. Whatever you choose to avail, their staff and professionals are committed to provide you with quality and friendly service.
As a fresh alternative for lunch or dinner, discover Eklektik, a garden restobar in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. Eklektik awaits you at the rear portion of TLC. Try their delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu, a French-inspired poultry dish.
For inquiries and reservation, contact (63 32) 346-2790 and look for Therese Noynay, the Food Service Unit Manager and Events Coordinator. She is a very accommodating food and events connoisseur with a cheerful disposition.
So whether it's business, pleasure, or just curiosity, drop by TLC. It's the place to be, to meet, to be seen.
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I Love Hue
Discover a truly wonderful Vietnamese cuisine at Hue (pronounced as “whay”), located at the 2nd level of Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center in Makati City.
Similar to the city of Hue (the ancient capital of Vietnam), Hue Vietnamese Restaurant is an interesting and relaxing place. It has spacious tables, superb service, and great food, which is why Hue remains to be one of my favorite restaurants ever since I stumbled across this venue.
As soon as you are seated, a waiter stamps the restaurant's logo which looks like two fishes with the name HUE. It is marked on a disposable paper which creatively serves as the table cover. You will be then be provided with utensils that are wrapped in a little brown bag tied with a string made of sinamay (material made from banana-plant fibers).
Being a Vietnamese restaurant, Hue serves Pho – a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup which is white rice noodles in clear broth with slices of beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, or assorted seafood, and garnished with onions, ngo gai (cilantro), basil, and the like.
Aside from Pho, Hue's menu has an array of meat and seafood dishes, as well as vegetarian selections. For starters, you might want to have Goi Cuon (Summer Rolls) or Cha Gio Chay (Spring Rolls), and Goi Buoi (Pomelo Salad). If you want to sample their Com (Rice Bowl), I suggest the Coconut Curry Rice. For your entrées, I recommend the Red Snapper with Chili Pepper Sauce, Stuffed Tofu, Vietnamese Vegetarian Pancake, and Grilled Prawns with Curry Sauce.
Hue's food is served in a simple yet delightful way, with generous portions. Dining at Hue is indeed a pleasant and relatively healthful experience, plus the taste suits my palette!
For queries and reservation, call (+63 2) 757-4936. |
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 Cohabitation, also known as, live-in – I am “For it”.
Did I catch your attention? If I didn't, oh well. But if I did, thank goodness! I do admit that there was a time when I was "For cohabitation” – as long as it was for the so-called "right” reasons. But now, I am certainly "Against cohabitation”.
Before I go on, it is important to understand what cohabitation means. Cohabitation is an emotional and intimate relationship within a common living place without legal or religious approval. In short, cohabitation refers to an unmarried couple living together.
Traditionally, an unmarried couple who lives together is socially shunned. However, the number of cohabiting relationships has startlingly skyrocketed. Even if cohabitation is generally taboo in some countries, it is becoming a trend among couples to cohabit for whatever reason.
Actually, there are several reasons why unmarried couples decide to live together but the most common reasons are: (1) Compatibility test which is sometimes called "trial marriage” or "testing the waters”. This is to find out whether the couple really gets along well together; (2) Pre-marriage arrangement which is a preparation for the couple of what married life will be like. Couples claim that this improves the chances of a long-lasting marriage; (3) Same-sex, inter-racial, and inter-religious relationships where marriage is forbidden; (4) Fear of annulment/divorce (as the case may be). If there is no marriage, then there is no annulment/divorce. When things get too rough, you can just leave because cohabitation is easier to establish (vis-à-vis marriage) and to dissolve; and (5) No legal entanglements so that one is free from the responsibility of partner's debts or liabilities.
Popular opinion suggests that cohabitation is a good idea to "test the waters”. But is cohabitation really a trial period? Or is it just an escape when things don't go exactly as planned? Doesn't cohabitation imply something like, "I'm committed to you, but not for a lifetime”? Or at worse, doesn't it see love as conditional rather than committed?
In cohabitation, the "Till death us do part” is being replaced by "Till I am happy” which is an unstable situation and hence, harmful to the couple as well as to out-of-wedlock children (if any). Those who have experienced parental separation and extreme marital discord during childhood do not have an excuse to form cohabiting relationships because we are not here to repeat history. Instead, we are here to rewrite history.
Moreover, it really blows my mind when a couple says that the sharing of economic responsibilities in cohabitation is more than enough proof of love because a marriage license is just a piece of paper and they don't need a piece of paper to prove their love. Well, who would ever raise objections when your partner, buys you a ring (or anything nice for that matter) just to prove their love? If a marriage license is indeed just a piece of paper, then what's wrong with proving your love by adding one more symbol – that piece of paper? Evidently, a marriage license is more than just a piece of paper. That so-called piece of paper implies total commitment and this is one of the reasons why couples cohabit because even if we don't admit it, we fear the incessant responsibilities that go hand-in-hand with total commitment.
In addition, cohabitation as a pre-marriage arrangement does not lower the risk of annulment/divorce in marriage. In fact, it may even increase the risk of breaking up after marriage. An obvious explanation is that couples who are more willing to cohabit are more open to terminating unsatisfying relationships and thus, are more likely to leave a marriage when it becomes problematic.
With much contemplation, perhaps cohabitation continues to exist because couples have become less focused on establishing lasting relationships that lead to marriage and raising a family, and have become more concerned with making money and having fun.
Furthermore, underlying cohabitation is the rejection of morals and pursue for freedom of choice which could be attributed to the advent of effective contraception and sexual permissiveness publicized through advertising and entertainment. Not surprisingly, some adults have favored this stance on unrestricted personal liberty.
I am saddened that a number of adults have started to become oriented to self-fulfillment and becoming increasingly selfish and less willing to make the sacrifices necessary to form a family. So many children have grown up in broken homes that they no longer have models to pattern their own lives after.
Nevertheless, I still have hope for the present generation and the generations to come. Despite the startling rise in cohabitation, unwed parenthood, annulment, and divorce, a successful marriage is an attainable aspiration.
So, are you single, engaged, cohabiting, married, annulled, or divorced? What do you think about cohabitation – are you "For it” or "Against it”?
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