Condoms for First-Graders and Up?

A school in Cape Cod (Massachusetts) recently added a policy that allows elementary students to receive condoms without the knowledge of their parents. Granted these students would first be grilled by their guidance counselor and they would be "likely denied the condom," it still makes me wonder what these school officials are thinking.

I'm not a prude here or anything, but come on, the words "elementary students" and "condoms" should not be in the same sentence. Kids shouldn't be involved in the act of making kids. Period.

Think about it. Enough drama and complications can already arise from adolescents and adults who are doing it, what more with kiddies and their fragile emotions?

Besides, policies like this aren't protecting them, and no, they're not teaching kids to be responsible either. They're sending messages that nowadays, society is treating sex really lightly. Way too lightly.

Geez. If some people keep on giving children things that were once just for grown-ups, what is there to look forward to in adulthood?

[via Examiner.com ]

First meal of the day trumps lunch and dinner for fast food chains

Ever heard your parents tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, the restaurant industry sure has, and they are vigorously nodding their heads.

That Sausage McMuffin you had this morning isn't just fuelling you throughout the day; apparently, breakfast meals are fueling the fast food industry as well.

Findings of market research company NDP Group show that breakfast accounts for nearly 60% of the restaurant industry's traffic growth in the last five years. According to Jack Russo of Edward Jones, the reason why breakfast is such as hit is that it is "a default area for growth." He furthered that, "Lunch is mature, so there's not much room there. And dinner is always a tough sell, because people usually want something better than fast food at that time." I have to say, these researchers really did their, well, research.

I must agree that they have a point. I may not be a morning person bu to me, breakfast food definitely makes my list of comfort food (It’s right up there together with chocolates as well as pizza and beer.) No wonder restaurants such as Denny's and IHOP succeed with their breakfast-dominated menus; the aroma of pancakes, sausages, or coffee can get us up and running no matter what time of day.

[via TIME]

Web Surfers Trust Internet Heavyweights More than Facebook and Twitter

Much to no one's surprise, Web Giants Google, Apple and Microsoft are still better at keeping people's trust than top networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

That's according to a recent survey conducted Zogby International. The market research company surveyed around 2100 individuals on their take on various types of media, and results indicate that overall, users nowadays trust tech firms more than traditional media.

And topping that tech firm bracket? None other than the top three Internet Bigshots. Of course, this isn't to say that Social Networks such as Facebook and Twitter suck when it comes to privacy. It just means that big firms like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are doing a great job in leveraging their hard-earned resources, reputation, and corporate identities. Facebook and Twitter, being relatively new, may not be quite there yet. But I'm really not worried about our two favorite social networks. With their growing amount of followers and resources, it’s just a matter of time before they catch up with the big boys.

Nonetheless, if you ask me, the most important ramification of Zogby International's study is the fact that it will get leading websites to spruce up their privacy settings. After all, nothing makes a company suck up to the public more than unflattering statistics.

[via Telegraph.co.uk ]

Beach parties are awesome, but you might end up like this guy if you take it too far

An unconscious man was spotted on a pool float drifting somewhere near the Mexican Gulf, about a mile away from Florida 's shores.

According to the coast guard, they suspect that the man was pitch drunk, and was apparently still wasted and passed out when they rescued him. He woke up eventually, and paramedics were able to examine him.

I don't really know what drove the man to drink himself into his floating slumber, but he is one lucky guy, that's for sure.

This story could have easily ended with his bloated corpse washed up in some beach, scaring the hell out of surfer dudes. Thankfully, the waves looked kindly on this man, and instead of "eews" and "ughs", the news only ended up giving me a few chuckles.

[via FOXNews]

Lady Killer in Every Sense of the Word

I understand how women can sometimes fall for the bad boy, but isn’t proposing to a guy who’s on trial for murder taking it just a little too far?

Jordan van der Sloot is the main suspect for the murder 21-year old Stephanie Flores in Peru on August 30, 2005. He is further accused for the disappearance of American teenager Natalie Holloway in Aruba, also back in ’05.



In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Van der Sloot bragged that while he was imprisoned in Peru, he received numerous marriage proposals from women, including one who even wanted him to impregnate her.

If you ask me, however, it’s definitely in Mr. Van der Sloot’s best interests if he focused more on his defense, rather then scheduling his conjugal visits.

[via NYPOST ]

10 Things I Realized (or re-realized) in 2009

1.I once read this proverb about how gossip hurts at least three people: the ones being talked about, those who hear it, and those who spread it. This year, I've been all three, and wow, masakit nga. It dawned on me that hey, I have a life, and I'd rather find something better to do with my time.

2.I realized that in most cases, the things that annoy me about the people I love, are also the very things that I adore about them. So sa mga kaibigan kong sensitive, stoic, walang preno, makulit, malakas mang-asar, mashadong maganda/pogi, at iba pa... I love you guys and girls just the way you are. And I wouldn't change a single thing about you.;)

3.“Over-thinking leads to over-drinking.”

4.Bad news is never easy. It's not easy to hear, it's not easy to deliver. But if you have someone who sticks with you through the worst news, then you know you've found someone special. =)

5.Complacency sucks. NEVER give in to this.

6.Never over-estimate your gas tank; or better yet, make sure you that carry ample gas before heading to a drinking session at a friend's place.

7.“Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean” –Bob Marley

8.http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169360638661 –Bob Ong

10.The sitcom How I Met Your Mother rocks. (Yes, it took me this long to catch up. Sorry naman. Haha.)

Happiness doesn't have to come in the form of a paycheck or a party.

Always smile about the little good things, but never let the small mean ones get you down.

I used to say that to myself all the time, but I’ve somehow forgotten about that mantra during these last few months. But because this week has been all about the little things, I’m reminded that it’s about time I go back to paying attention to the small stuff that really get me.

Like pleasant YM chats/offline messages. Or the fact that someone can still remember details about incidents from seven months ago. Or the perfect tint of sunglasses. Then there was that conversation that I was able to strike up with Cute Fifth Floor Guy because I noticed his new haircut. Not to mention the regular phone calls that Krisi and I have been having in the morning and at lunch. Finally, I love the fact that certain people are starting to warm up to me. (It’s about time!)

Yep, I’m glad to say that the past couple of days have been full of nice little occurrences that keep a spring in my step. It’s the little things that keep me genuinely happy, and it’s too bad that I’ve overlooked these bite-sized blessings during the last number of months.

It dawned on me that I’ve been so focused on work and on other people’s lives that I missed the details that really matter. I’ve also been so focused on “fun” that I failed to see that having fun and being happy are not necessarily the same.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that I won’t pay attention at work, nor will I stop chasing good times with fun-loving people. I suppose it’s just realizing that happiness doesn’t have to come in the form of a paycheck or a party. Gasgas as it may sound, I don’t have to look too far, because there are many small yet significant events happening all around us, all the time. :)

***

One BIG thing did take place this week, and that was the No Doubt concert last Wednesday. The band was, as expected, totally awesome. Not only did they play all my favorite songs, but the energy level of their performance was so high, I was singing and *gasp* dancing/jumping the whole time.

When I got home, I didn’t feel an ounce of drowsiness. Classic talaga. It was definitely one of the most FTW nights of the year. Cheers, Krisi! Sa uulitin! =)