I have a Job

Inspired by the Beatles' song: "Paperback Writer", I went on and started work as a freelancer. I have to say, I've been doing pretty well and with each article I write, I get a little bit of cash in my pocket. 

This is my first time using the internet to gain money by doing something I like, namely writing. 199jobs.com has given me the oppurunity I didn't think was possible to get. 

What is 199jobs you ask? It's this beta site where you can offer your services for the small amount of 199php. You can also put add-ons as options for your buyers for you to earn more than just 199 with each order. 



I've been using it since March, and I have to say, things are run pretty smoothly. The site developer, Mr. Glenn Santos, is very accommodating. He even put up this exclusive seller group in Facebook where he and others can post different job opportunities for sellers like me, he also updates everyone through the group about site changes, meet ups (He arranges meet ups every Monday) and he asks for suggestions from sellers on what we think should be added to the site for us to be able to use it more efficiently. 

And I have to say, the site has seen so much improvement since I started using it last March. I can really see myself using it for a longer period of time. 

But how does the site work? 
You can learn more from reading the site FAQS. 

if you have talent, and are willing to do work from home, I suggest you try this out. Who knows? this could be the ticket you're looking for to get that money you need. 

Japan Suicide Forest

I've been doing a lot of online reading lately. I've read all sorts of things. What would happen is that I would read something from facebook trivia pages like What the F*ck facts and I'll be like: "There is no way that's true." Then I would google it and be proved wrong.

It's already happened more than once. I have turned my online time to reading time. I get all sorts of useless information. but these information can come in handy in conversations or when you're out on a date and you run out of topics. You could be like: "hey, did you hear about that guy who died and was devoured by his pet spiders?" 

Well, your date might be grossed out, but at least you have something to talk about. Anyway, I wanted to share something I found strange yet fascinating online. I read somewhere that there was this forest in the foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan where people go to take their lives. 

Naturally, I was skeptical so I googled it. I found that it was called Aokigahara Forest. A very popular place for people to come and take their lives. According to the internet, it was the second most popular place to commit suicide, right after the San Franciso Golden Gate Bridge. 

A noose used for suicide found inside Aokigahara Forest

Regular searches are conducted by the Japanese government to look for suicide victims in the forest. They even went on and posted signs on the entrance telling these people to get help and to think about what they are doing. 

A sign urging suicidal vistors to seek help.

As many as 100 people take their lives in this forest every year. Some bodies don't get discovered until they are nothing more than skeletal remains. Traces of people in the forest can be seen on the forest floor.
 as seen in these pictures taken by search parties, volunteers and journalists. 

I found the items to be depressing, but not as depressing as seeing the bodies. 








While I was looking at these pictures, I couldn't help but feel sad. Sad for these people who were feeling so down that they believed that death was the only exit. I read somewhere that when you commit suicide, you are not eliminating the pain, rather you are eliminating chances of getting better. 

What kind of lesson did I get by reading all about Aokigahara Forest? I learned that you should never let someone go through the darkness alone. And that you should be the friend who holds the light for them. Because in the darkness, they believe they are alone. Show them that they are not. Show them that someone cares. 

You could save a life just by listening. Just by being there. Be aware of your friend or family member's actions. Make sure that whatever hardships they go through, they don't have to go through it alone.




(Images from: Google)