My Top Five FACEBOOK Games

Farmville. Castle Age. Fashion World. Cafe World. Mafia Wars.

If you are a religious Facebook user, those titles should definitely ring a bell! I for one admit that YES, I cannot go through a day without visiting Facebook and playing its very addictive games. Its my immediate relaxation & recreation instant fix. Its where I get a fraction of satisfaction when I take a look and see at my level, my high scores, and the things that I've harvested or accumulated in these games. Some even take pictures of their "handiwork" and proudly show it off on their respective Facebook profile walls! I don't know if people think we are weird or funny or crazy, but frankly I don't care what others think. This I know for sure, that playing facebook games is one of the cheapest source of recreation that I can get my hands on and it works. I love em so much that I would now like to list some of my favorite Facebook games that maybe you'd like to check out when you don't have anything to do and you just want to "play" mindlessly for your brain to relax.


So here is my TOP FIVE FACEBOOK GAMES!

5. Fashion World
This is now my most recent addiction. I LOVE THIS GAME! I've tried Fashion War, Sorority Life, and other "fashion" related games which I eventually lost interest in because it was too shallow, cheesy, or easy. But Fashion World caught my interest since honestly, I have come to realize that I'm a sucker for time management games. I guess the reason why I love this game is because I can dress up my character, choose the "clothes" that I want made, design my "boutique" where I will sell the "clothes" that I made, and hire other people as well to help me sell my stuff! Not only that, you are given a chance to visit your neighbors'  shops and buy stuff there and get free stuff as well to sell in your own store! I dunno, maybe its the girl in me but I really enjoy the "shopping spree" that I get to do with this game. Oh and what makes this game so unique is that you are also given an option to "design" an attire and make it and sell it! You get to express your creativity while you're at it! Definitely a game for those who are sick and tired of "cooking", "farming", and "killing" in other games. I greatly recommend this even to kids who are aspiring to be fashionistas or stylists! 


4. Cafe World/Restaurant City
Zynga has indeed acknowledged the fascination and satisfaction people have in earning "virtual" money through tasks that all you need to do is time it right and click click click on the appropriate time frame to earn MORE virtual money! Cafe World is a result of the success of another game that I will mention later. Restaurant City was also established to keep Zynga on their toes.. or stoves in this case! I love the whole buy, cook, and sell idea of this game and the fact that you can choose the menu that you will be selling. Its definitely a better alternative to those who are waiting for their respective farms to harvest.


3. Farmtown/Farmville
Ok so this is one of the oldest type of games that I've ever played here on Facebook which I really was addicted to for more than a year. I think the reason why planting and harvesting farms became a hit as a game is because you can immediately "see" the results of your supposedly hard work! Again, patience and time management skills are put to the test in this game and I had definitely enjoyed playing it. Designing your farm, buying stuff, and well for me I think these two games-- most especially FarmTown has indeed proven its worth because not only do you enjoy the game but you learn something new from it as well!

Mafia Wars

2. Mafia Wars
Hands down, this is definitely a game that will not die down! With the very nature of the game itself, of course Mafia Wars drew the attention of most of the male Facebook population. Basically you have to create your own "gang" empire through stealing, killing, doing illegal businesses, and fighting--all just by clicking a button. Recently though I've been thinking about it and I'm a bit bothered by some aspects of the game especially the whole idea of the "killing" aspect of the game and plus the moral issue of stealing, crime, etc. about it (yes this is the teacher in me talking). But I guess thats what drew most people to it.. the whole gory and violent aspect of it. Definitely the biggest money maker business of Zynga, they even sell Mafia Wars Godfather points card at Walmart!

Castle Age

1. Castle Age
Now this game is my personal favorite. Maybe because I've been playing this for so long and its one of the facebook games where my level is quite high! But I guess it all just boils down to the simplicity of the game, the fantasy aspect of it, and the various things and strategies one has to do to earn points, level up, and gain more "gold".  I guess one of the things that I like about it the most is the fact that staying connected to your  castle age friends or "army" helps you a lot. It even allows you to interact with other players of the game which makes it unique. The "rewards" system of the game also encourages you to stay -- they lure you with new items and leveling up opportunities. This game for me is definitely the winner!


So if you have your own personal favorites, violent reactions, or suggestions please feel free to do comment and post your recommendations as well. :) I would like to try it out and see if its good as you say it is. Happy gaming! :)

NO MORE MANGA SCANLATIONS!!!!

This is it. This is final. ONEMANGA is officially saying goodbye to all the manga scanlation fans out there. According to the site announcement, 

"It pains me to announce that this is the last week of manga reading on One Manga (!!). Manga publishers have recently changed their stance on manga scanlations and made it clear that they no longer approve of it. We have decided to abide by their wishes, and remove all manga content (regardless of licensing status) from the site. The removal of content will happen gradually (so you can at least finish some of the outstanding reading you have), but we expect all content to be gone by early next week (RIP OM July '10).

This news comes somewhat of a shock. Well actually, not really. I already sensed that sooner or later onemanga, like mangafox, will have to do something about their sites because of the recent clamoring of manga publishers and writers over their stand on manga scanlations. I thought that if ever, they will just remove all the manga with licensed. But to drastically remove EVERYTHING is quite staggering! The thought that I won't get any manga fix anymore is making me sick! I feel like I'm watching one of my old friends die right in front of me. Yeah I know I'm exaggerating but I can't help it! I've been quite attached to onemanga for years! Yes, despite my advancing years, I have never fully let go of my love for anime and manga. Ever since I was in college, anime and manga has fascinated me.. It has opened up my love for reading in a way whole new dimension! LITERALLY! But buying manga was out of the question. It was too expensive for me. But then I stumbled upon reading manga online. I was ecstatic! Finally, a place where I can read to my heart's content! Onemanga has been my daily destination for my manga fix. It has been there for me for more than 5 years already. So this news about onemanga slowly removing all manga from their site is killing me. I have to say goodbye to all my favorite mangas that I'm currently addicted to. 

The teacher in me acknowledges the rightness of their decision to stop hosting scanlations. I am perfectly aware that what is really happening is unfair to manga writers and publishers and is an infringement on their "rights" to their manga. I UNDERSTAND that it is necessary and legally this is the correct way. I understand but that doesn't mean I can't be sad, frustrated, and feel bad about it! I know that there are probably hundreds.. or maybe thousands out there on the net who are probably have the same panicky, frustrated, and bewildered feeling like mine wondering how on earth can we survive without onemanga!!! 

Anyway, I just needed to screech.. to rant.. and to vent out my frustration. I wanna cry.. I have no idea how I"m going to finish SKIP BEAT.. one of my favorite mangas! *sighs* Today is a dark day for manga addicts. I will now mourn for Onemanga's passing (though they will keep the forums alive according to the site).  To my fellow manga readers out there, if you have any way for me to access at least Skip Beat (yes I'm that desperate!!!!) let me know. 

So if you don't see me online this week, its because I'm going to spend my precious free time this week with the last remaining days of Onemanga. Let me end this post by echoing the site admin's melancholic sentiments..."There is an end to everything, to good things as well."

Goodbye Onemanga. I enjoyed our 5 years together. May you rest in peace. 

A TEACHER’S LINK EXCHANGE PROJECT

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN

A Teacher’s Link Exchange Project by Ms. Vernz. 
Basically this project is a solution for those who want to have a number of link exchanges in one sitting. 


HOW TO JOIN? Here how it works:

Make a blog post of this project with an anchor text  'A TEACHER’S LINK EXCHANGE PROJECT' linking to this post. You can invite friend bloggers, especially those who have new blogs to join, more posts, more invites, more URLs, more links.

Have the project badge in your side bar during the duration of the project. Just copy the code here.


Comment on this post saying 'Link Me' and the link of your blog post.

Fill up the form with your valid email address and the blog URLs in HTML format you wished to be included in the links HERE. (see format HERE)

Blog URLs submitted not in this format will automatically be deleted. You can submit all your blog URLs at one time submission.

This project will run until August 25, 2010.

All links will be collated and will be sent back to the email you used in the form. 

Good luck everyone!


Personally, I think this is an awesome idea! As a fellow teacher, I do would like to be connected with others like me. :) Hope to see you all there!

Join BC Bloggers Links

Hey guys, here's a great new way to get connected! I read an article about this and I have decided to join. Its very easy! Here are the details:

Are you new to blogging and is finding it hard to gain links to your blog? Are you tired of exchanging links one blog at a time? Are you looking for friends in the blogosphere? If you said yes to all of the above then you have come to the right post. BC Bloggers will help your blog gain those precious inbound links in an easy and systematic way. It is also a cool way to meet friends in the blogosphere. So what do you need to do? Just follow these simple steps and you’re in. 1. The success of BC Bloggers depend on the number of people joining. So please spread the word about BC Bloggers 4 and invite other bloggers to join. 2. Put the BC Bloggers badge shown below in your sidebar. You can find the code at Paula's site. 3. Make a page dedicated to BC Bloggers where you intend to post the links. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the navigation bar or at the sidebar as long as it is linked in the homepage. 4. Once you have done steps 1, 2, and 3 fill out the Application Form. One blog for each form. Deadline of application is on August 12. That’s it. Spread the word everyone and let’s cross our fingers for the success of BC Bloggers 4! Let's get all those links together, join the BC Bloggers 4 now! Get more information and the application form through Paula's blog. :) Join now!  More people means success! :) Visit Paula's blog now! :)

Coach - YSL, Poppy, CHANEL Giveaway

Since I'm actually a bit new on this whole blogging business, I was pleasantly surprised with all the wonderful opportunities and freebies that are given away online!

 One of the amazing freebies that I just recently stumbled upon is from Elle of the Ball COACH - PUPPY, YSL, CHANEL Giveaway Contest. I saw this from Vernz blog and I was amazed how simple it was to join this $300 giveaway contest! All you have to do is visit and CLICK HERE for the details. Its that easy! So join now and get a chance to win these awesome stuff! Contest is open internationally and will end on August 25, 2010. I just joined and now I'm crossing my fingers and hope that I will win this contest! :)

Facebook as Top Online Destination in the Philiippines

Facebook is top online destination for Pinoys | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Again, another news report on how popular Facebook has become. I don't know if I should be happy or sad with the announcement that Facebook (FB for short) has become the top site to visit online. I won't be hypocritical about it since I know that I do spend a considerable amount of time on FB. Let's face it (no pun intended!), FB is one of the perfect places to go where you can play online simple games (o__O dang Fashion World & Castle Age has been so addicting!), chat with my friends online, show off your pictures, and get updated on what's happening with your friends! You get it all there with just one click. Its that easy!

Aquino gov't to catch corrupt via Facebook, Twitter | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

And this other news update also makes sense. I mean, what better way to put FB to good use but to catch bad people who are stupid enough to brag about it online! LOL. Actually I think what they really want is to encourage FB users to use Facebook or Twitter as forums for the public to report crimes. I don't know how effective that will be but hey its worth a try right?

Still, Facebook is not always the best place to be. I mean yeah it had all that great stuff, but then there's always a dark side to it especially when people start using something that was meant for good into something bad. I've heard stories of a stalker posing as one of my previous students then adding her friends and then started posting outrageous, malicious, and disgusting stuff that alarmed her friends. As of now, the matter hasn't been resolved despite it being reported so she has already warned all her friends that this certain profile wasn't really hers.

Another downside to FB is the appalling lack of privacy and proper conduct online. Friends, couples, and coworkers announce their spats online dragging everyone else into viewing their nasty comments, flames, and online fights. I mean, do you really have to let everyone know about that! I know there are times when you really have to vent out your frustration but I don't think FB is the venue for that. BLOG it! Thats what I do. I have a specific blog that is only for specific circle of friends where I can rant, rave, and furiously type out the feelings which at times I can't say out loud.

And as a teacher, I must protest as well with the indiscriminate prolific distribution of indecent, inappropriate, and violent photos or videos on Facebook which unfortunately is sometimes plastered over one's own wall. I was so shocked the other day when one of my old students (ok so he's a graduate but still...) had a wall photo of a group of women showing their naked backsides (and one full frontal) with a caption on the bottom taunting gamers to choose them or their games. I accidentally saw this on my FB recent news feed and I wouldn't have clicked the picture if I had known what it was. My point is, ANYBODY or any child can click the picture and view these inappropriate photos. Also, I find it annoying to see those things on my newsfeed or be tagged on something that I don't agree with and it being automatically plastered on my wall for all my friends to see and I only find out later when I log on. I know that there's a feature somewhere where you can screen tags or something like that but c'mon, I don't have the time and patience to check each and single tag or comment if its decent or not to be posted on my FB!


And lastly, I guess I can assume most teachers have the same problem with how FB or social networking has sooo taken up the time of our students that has made them lax in their studies, in attendance, and in class participation! I have students who stay up til late in the wee hours of the morning because of FB or maybe other internet or computer-related activities. I mean, I wouldn't be complaining much if it was school related work but if its not and you come to school like a zombie.. I don't think that's a good idea neither a healthy one for that matter.

So what's my point? My point is that we must take appropriate measures in using Facebook. Its a tool that we can use for good and sometimes for bad. We must educate our students--our children-- in the proper use of the internet and Facebook. If your child spends too much time on the net or on facebook, talk to your child and warn them about the things that they should and should not do (or rather post). If you parents have noticed the failing or low grades of your kids, check your kids' internet life. How much time do they spend on the net than studying? Talk to them reasonably and set limits. I know that all students (especially highschool and lower grades) would probably protest at this but this is now an issue about their health and well-being. Its hard for some to understand but understand this guys.. this is being done for your own good. I'm not saying to completely take away Facebook altogther.. I'm just saying LIMIT yourself. And be a responsible netizen.

And thats my two cents on the current popularity of Facebook.