Friday, November 25, 2011

My Book Review of "Couples Who Pray" by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

Jeff
It was last month when my wife and I started to incorporate Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt in our daily routine. While we have used a number of books in our devotional time together in our ten years of being married, this book is actually the first that we have finished together and in such a short period of time. Give or take, a couple of weeks.



When we first read the introduction of Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, it felt kind of awkward when we learned that the authors were married but have had previous marriages. But as we went along the succeeding chapters, we saw how they remedied their previous mistakes by this essential part of marriage, which they have meaningfully tagged "the most intimate act between a man and a woman."

The one chapter a day worked really well for me and my wife. We skipped a day or two, but we generally both find ourselves gleefully anticipating the reading sessions we have every night as we went along. The book has 164 pages with additional appendixes for the necessary questionnaires that the husband and wife need to answer separately. The answers to the questions reflect the perception of the husband and wife of their marriage. It was interesting as we went along discussing how we have answered differently and why. Discussing through that alone allowed for us to see through each other like we would not have done without the activity.

The book is also packed with encouraging stories of couples who took the 40 Day Prayer Challenge. A few of which are known celebrities like Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford. The authors made it a point that the testimonials of the couples they have interviewed are interesting to read.

In a nutshell, Couples Who Pray is kind of a campaign. Calling on husbands and wives to take the 40 Day Prayer Challenge and see how it will change their lives. A lot of couples find it uncomfortable to pray aloud together. Yes, even couples who are prayerful individuals. The idea is bearing your soul as you come in prayer. It is when you allow yourself to be totally vulnerable to God as well as your better half as you pray together that we allow our spouses to see our heart of hearts. As simple as it sounds it totally makes sense. I highly recommend Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt's "Couples Who Pray".


Disclosure: I received Couples Who Pray by By Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

"For Those Who Do": My Entry to the Lenovo-Intel Blog U-Rap Contest

Jeff
Last August of this year, Lenovo and Intel held the Lenovo-Intel Blog U-Rap Contest which was a rap making (lyrics, music and video) contest opened to bloggers and their theme was "For Those Who Do". When I first received an email invitation to join it I really did not give much attention to it because my first reaction was that the contest mechanics and requirements were too hard. It would entail a lot of work, I thought.




But as the registration deadline for Lenovo and Intel's Blog U Rap contest came closer I started to consider joining the contest. So, to make the long story short, I made my own lyrics using Lenovo's theme "For Those Who Do" and used it as the title of the rap I created. I cooked up some grooves and beats using the Garage Band app in my iPad and then went to the recording venue as scheduled.


There were actually three recordings of the video, one was before the contest where I used a slower tempo for the music I created. In that video, we wore head costumes; the back up did not wear a nurse uniform or some hip hop clothing. The second video was after I was notified that I won first place (the one embedded below) and the third was a live recording during Lenovo's celebration for being #2 globally.


So, enough of the introduction. Here are the lyrics and the video. Credits to Lenovo, Intel, the sweet ladies of Ardent Comm and my three back up vocalists (Tin Tin, Cla and Pochi).


For Those Who Do
By Jeffrey Aspacio for the Lenovo-Intel Blog U Rap Contest

Verse 1:
The world revolves, we’re all involved
In each other’s lives, that’s how we thrive and stay alive
But suffering is never ending
And all around, problems abound, the crying sounds
Poverty. Atrocity. Our apathy
Is no solution, cause of indignation
We have a choice to be a voice
Speak out for them, or just ignore ‘em.
Add to the problem


Pre-chorus:
Complainers, whiners, moaners or nit-pickers
You ain’t doin’ anything, so back off from the winners
For those who do, the catalyst and movers
Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers

Chorus 1:
Lean over, lean over (pronounced as Lenovo)
This is what I’ve got to say
Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over
Stop thinking that you don’t know how
Go make your move, the time is now

Verse 2:
Lend me your ears, volunteer, with your peers
Make a difference, don’t be indiff’rent
Realize, look with your heart, not just your eyes
It’s getting’ to ya’, this music moves ya’
As the sun gets higher, these words will catch fire
Our passion and desire to get up from the mire
We have hope, so look up and don’t mope
By loving and living and more than existing
The world that we live in, is gonna be changin’

Pre-chorus:
Complainers, whiners, moaners or nit-pickers
You ain’t doin’ anything, so back off from the winners
For those who do, the catalyst and movers
Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers

Chorus 1:
(pronounced as Lenovo) Lean over, lean over
This is what I’ve got to say
Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over
Stop thinking that you don’t know how
Go make your move, the time is now

Chorus 2:
Lean over, lean over
It’s your resolve to get involved
Your story’s yet to be told

Lean over, lean over
It’s not too late, to seal your fate
So get up now, and prove you’re great

Chorus 1:
Lean over, lean over
This is what I’ve got to say
Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over
Stop thinking that you don’t know how
Go make your move, the time is now

By loving and living and more than existing
The world that we live in, is gonna be changin’
For those who do, the catalyst and movers
Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers, Peace!


"For Those Who Do": Rap video - music and lyrics by Jeff Aspacio



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Where to Buy Tickets to the Azkals vs LA Galaxy Match

Jeff
I purchased two bleacher tickets for the LA Galaxy vs Azkals football match on December 3, 2011 and if you are wondering where to buy tickets like I did before, then let me share with you how easy it is. But first, let me tell you about the other events that come with this special football match at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium; Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. M. Adriatico - Vito Cruz, Manila.



The Azkals vs LA Galaxy football match is a Saturday but there are two other events prior to the match that are also worth watching. LA Galaxy will have their open practice and a football clinic the day before the match. Tickets are available for the three events.


Schedule of events:

LA Galaxy's Open Practice: Friday, December 2, 2011; 9-11AM

Football Clinic for children: Friday, December 2, 2011; 2-4PM

The Azkals-LA Galaxy match: Saturday, December 3, 2011; 7:30PM




They are available at Ticketworld and ticket prices are as follows (inclusive of extra fees):


Ticket Prices for the Azkals-LA Galaxy football match:
PhP 15,965.00
PhP 12,875.00
PhP 10,815.00
PhP 9,785.00
PhP 5,150.00
PhP 2,060.00





Ticket prices for the Football Clinic and Open Practice: (Audience)
PhP 3,090.00
PhP 1,545.00



There are three ways to purchase tickets for the Azkals-LA Galaxy match:

1) Visit the ticketworld.com.ph and purchase your tickets online using your credit card. You will be prompted to create an account with them if you do not have one yet.

2) You can call (0632) 891-9999 and make your purchase over the phone. You need to be ready with your credit card details.

3) You can visit any ticket world outlet. Here is a list of TicketWorld outlets.

So go and select your method of purchase and secure your tickets for the match. I got mine yesterday will just need to claim them in a RedEnvelope from an outlet. When I bought my pair yesterday, tickets were still very much available. I checked the TicketWorld site this morning while writing this post and the availability of tickets for the Azkals-LA Galaxy match is still high.


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Traffic Along Ortigas Avenue

Jeff
It is another long weekend and as I was driving home last night along Ortigas Avenue, traffic was so bad. I thought that maybe people were taking advantage of the start of a long break and flocked to entertainment areas and malls. Maybe they opted to spend the long weekend in the city instead of the going out of town and sending holiday photo cards to their loved ones. I was just glad that I was able to find an alternative but a longer route home but driving was way faster.