To Emma and Family

On the untimely loss of your much-loved brother, our heartfelt condolences.
JRI Orion Batch 1963.

Wall Street says the recession is already here

By Michael M. Grynbaum
Published: January 18, 2008

While the chairman of the Federal Reserve told Congress on Thursday that a recession can be averted, Wall Street sent Washington a different message: It's already here.

"All the momentum is pointing down," said Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Robert Baird. "There's no way to sugarcoat that."

But the stock market is not the only part of the financial world that is pointing to trouble. The Baltic Dry index, a shipping index that is considered a leading indicator on the health of the global economy, has plummeted. And investors have fled high-risk corporate bonds, which can default in times of trouble...

Investors appear to be betting that those sectors will be hurt by a coming downturn, and are looking to get out...

Selling causes more selling. People panic and want to cut their losses," said David Kovacs, a quantitative investment strategist at Turner Investment Partners in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. "Every day now, you have more and more investors leaning toward the camp that yes, this is going to be a recession, and it could be a severe one."...

Indeed, losses accelerated throughout the session Thursday, with a flurry of selling in the final hour of trading.

Read more - http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/18/business/18cndstox.php

A falling star.

Have you ever seen a falling star so close you could actually see the colors?Last night on my way home from work at 1120 pm , while Iwas driving on the freeway ,I saw a falling star so close that it seemed like only a few meters from my windshield.It lasted long enough to enjoy watching it and to make a wish.Guess what my wish was?My wish was that I win the lotto so we can donate more homes to GK and buy some land so that they can plant fruits and vegetables for their livelyhood.And then we could charter that beautiful luxury cruise ship I sent in the email and travel around the world. I guess that's too much wishful thinking.But then again I never imagined that falling stars have colors,more beautiful than the colors of the rainbow.For me it's a new discovery so unique and beautiful and I wish you could see it too.

Gold Strength During US Bi-Inflationary Depression

Watch gold prices continue to rise, even accelerate, as the US economy goes into recession, then depression, while inflationary and deflationary forces will battle each other like two vultures fighting over which one gets to devour the juicier part of the carcass.

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article3351.html

Annie's Cuisine - 5

SESAME ORANGE SHRIMP

Ingredients

2 large egg whites

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup sesame seeds

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1-½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more if needed

1 cup fresh orange juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until frothy. Add shrimp, and toss to coat.

2. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two or three batches, cook shrimp until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add more oil to skillet if necessary for remaining batches.

3. Wipe skillet with a paper towel. Add orange juice, soy sauce, and sugar. Boil over high heat until syrupy and reduced to about 1/3 cup, 4 to 5 minutes. Return shrimp to skillet; add scallions, and cook until heated through and coated with sauce, about 1 minute.

4. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions before serving for garnish.

A Write Up About GK Orion

(This write up is from the website of Udyong . This will provide some basic information about the project.I hope you will still appreciate it even if we are already wrapping up the collection of the pledges.)

A Memorandum of Agreement as signed between the Municipality of Orion, represented by Hon. Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo,Jr. and the representatives of the Gawad Kalinga Foundation last October 30, 2007 at the town hall.

Under the said agreement houses will be built under the TATAG, the Shelter and Environment Program component of the GK which aims to build on a self-help basis, houses and community infrastructure for all GK beneficiaries who are considered poorest of the poor of Orion.

The identified GK site for the Shelter Project is situated at Brgy. Daan Pare,Orion, measuring 4,000 square meters donated to the municipal government by Spouses Ariel M. Belen and Lorna S. Belen. In turn a deed of usufruct will be agreed and adopted between the GK and the Municipality of Orion on the use of the property solely for GK beneficiaries and the foundation.

With the much needed inducement for collective growth, the Municipal Government of Orion and GK action has set the momentum for the community to work together to fully attain, “Ipagpatuloy and Pagsulong ng Udyong!”

Seven Proven Stress Busters

The past year had been stressful to me so to speak.Stressors at the workplace,at home,and my personal life cannot be avoided.They manifested in so many ways;depressed moods,disturbed sleep and even skin blemishes.I had to visit the dermatologist to have that recurring brown patch in my left leg treated.She said ,it is caused by stress.

All of us in one way or another get stressed...we also managed them in different ways,I would like to share an article it and I hope we will have a stress-free
2008.

Here are some ways to help you reduce the stress in your life:


Share your frustrations with a friend or counselor.

Schedule a massage.

Exercise.

Get adequate rest.

Go for a walk.

See a movie.

Listen to your favorite music.


Certain food choices can also reduce stress:



Eat a wide variety of healthy foods.

Eat in moderation -- control the portions of the foods you eat.

Reach a healthy weight and maintain it.

Eat at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Eat food that is high in dietary fiber such as whole grain cereals, legumes and vegetables.

Minimize your daily fat intake. Choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Limit your consumption of sugar and salt.

Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.

Make small changes in your diet over time.

Combine healthy eating habits with a regular exercise program.
You may not have the luxury of taking a daily walk accompanied by a pampered pooch, but there are ways to reduce some of the anxiety in your life. Try the suggestions listed above or come up with some of your own. And, remember to take time to sniff the roses.

A Prayer

A prayer for children taken from SIMPLE PRAYERS for Busy People. 2004 Springs Foundation,Inc.

PRAYER FOR MY CHILDREN

Lord Jesus, bless and protect my dear children.

Keep them safe from all harm and danger, sickness and disease.

Preserve and strengthen them from the corrupting influences of the world, and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy.

Give them godly friends and holy company, who will encourage and inspire them to a life of purity and selflessness.

May they have a listening ear to parental instruction, and develop in them virtues such as diligence, kindness, honesty, compassion, patience, obedience and self-control.

Lord God, I commend my children to Your care.

Pour Your grace upon their hearts and multiply in them the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Let them grow in wisdom and in favor with You, and raise them up to be God-fearing and holy, faithfully serving You throughout their lives. Amen.