Different people love to collect different kinds of things. These things can vary from stamp, toy car, sticker, gold coin, cap, scarf, handkerchief, and many more.

When I was younger I used to collect photographs of sunset, musical instruments and quill. The sights of these tell me that the world is such a beautiful place to be in.

Lately, I also appreciate keeping in my purse coins from different countries. So far, I’ve got coins from the Philippines, U.S., Indonesia, Hong Kong and Belgium. They are all silver coins. Who knows if one day, I’ll also get to have a gold coin. That would be something really precious and for sure, I’ll be a proud owner.

Many believe that diamonds are really forever that’s why this is one of the favorite stones of many people.

Diamonds are the hardest natural material known. Approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg (57,000 lb)) of diamonds are mined annually, with a total value of nearly US$9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually according to Wiki. A large percentage of it came from Africa where you can also buy wholesale diamonds. Although there are some controversies about blood diamonds or a conflict because of diamonds, people are still dreaming of owning diamonds.

I really hate to see people smoking in a public transports especially when it is the driver. They don’t think about passengers who are really most affected by the second hand smoke. They just don’t have the nerve to be ashamed as some can really be shameless persons.

My son Kyle also mentioned to me that every time he sees a person having cigarette, that person is bad because he is having cigarettes. Hopefully those in authority will really impose a penalty if caught smoking in a public transportation.

The law said in Republic Act No. 9211 June 23, 2003 in Section 5. Smoking in Public Places - Smoking shall be absolutely prohibited in the following public places:

a. Centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for persons under eighteen (18) years old;

b. Elevator and stairwells;

c. Location in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials;

d. Within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals. Medical, dental, and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories;

e. Public conveyance and public facilities including airport and ship terminals and train and bus stations, restaurant and conference halls, except for separate smoking areas; and

f. Food preparation areas.

Section 32. Penalties - The following penalties shall apply:

a. Violation of Sections 5 and 6. - On the first offense, a fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (Php500.00) but not more than One Thousand (Php1,000.00) shall be imposed.

On the second offense, a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) shall be imposed.

On the third offense, in addition to a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Ten Thousand pesos (Php10,000.00), the business permits and licenses to operate shall be cancelled or revoked.

How I wish those drivers as well as the riding public will be informed and educated about this. We hope that they don’t wait till they have a try on a spirometers if their lungs are still functioning well. And consider the amount of money to be spent if they are already having their lung-related problems someday.

Its been a while since I met someone on the net, then eye-balled her in a grocery store and then asked her to marry me inside a taxi cab. I hardly noticed that it was already almost eigth years ago that we have been together. There is no expensive, personalized gifts to give but I am sure I can make my wife know that how grateful I am to have her as my wife. And the only thing that I can prove to her is that I am still with her after eigth years through thick and thin, in sickness or in health and in richer or poorer and till forever I pray that we will never part.

It’s great that my son Kyle has his own laptop computer now. His mom and I will be able to regulate his use of it especially during weekends. That’s the only time we can permit him to play or use his laptop. These days even young kids have computer subject in school. Hopefully he will take good care of it as we all know computers and other gadgets sometimes last for only a year or two. I wish there’s 3 year laptop warranty available for his laptop.

World Cup, a major sports event that has also been called the Football World Cup has just taken place. The Soccer World Cup that only happens every four years is currently won this year by Spain. An estimated 715.1 million and hundreds of thousands visit South Africa just to see the games live. I am sure personalized footballs are among the widely bought items for souvenirs. This cup event is mostly won by Brazil and Italy.

People have many various ways of keeping a piece of a place they’ve been to. When coming from a beach resort, for example, tourists love to bring shells, sand, stones back home.

When coming from different places, some people like to bring back home items that are key products of these countries. These could be shoes, clothes, painting, house ware, food that distinctly identify such countries.

I realized that I tend to collect three things when I am outside Metro Manila or outside the country: these are brochures, keychain and coins. Speaking of coins, I just find them to be really cute proof that I’ve been to this or that place. The good thing about owning coins that are made of gold is that there are business establishments that buy gold coins. Thus, as time goes on, the gold coins increase in value. That is, if you’re willing to give away what you have been keeping all along.