Cross Roads

The Essence of Destiny

2010-12-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

Watch your thoughts for they become your Words. Choose your words for they become Actons. Understand your actions for they become Habits. Study your habits for they will become your Character. Develop your character for they will become your Destiny.

by Anonymous

Mapping Ourselves

2010-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

"If we are honest to ourselves, we can list almost everything that's ever happened to us - and see how we helped create it and build us.

Do what you Love

2010-06-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

Doing what you love is not a recipe for an easier life,

It is a recipe for an interesting life ... :-)

- Andrew Matthews -

Serenity

2010-06-30T02:40:00.000-07:00

To walk when others are running;

To whispher when others are shouting;

To sleep when others are restless;

To smile when others are angry;

To work when others are idle;

Ta pause when others are hurrying;

To pray when others are doubting;

To think when others are in confusion;

To face turmoil, yet to feel composure;

To know inner calm inspite of everything;

This is the test of serenity.

Taking full Responsibility

2010-05-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

I want to share my thoughts about this, because this has something to do of how we act in a situations or how do we see ourselves when we need to protect someone? How do we handle peer pressure? Do we usually avoid conflict? Do you speak truthfully? Afraid to tell the truth because you like just the safe answer. These what we call taking full responsibility.

Judas, the one who betrayed his friend Jesus (Mathew 26:47-49) for thirty silver coins were seizes with remorse, hanged himself because he has no courage to carry the full consequence of what he did. (Mathew 27:4-5). In this scripture Mathew 27:11-26 Jesus was accused of being a criminal, Pontius Pilate who was the most influential man during that time could have been release Jesus from accusation. Pilate knew from the very start that Jesus was an innocent man since his wife warned him about it but because of the uproar of the people, he took the water and washed his hands to please the crowd, instead Pilate sentence Jesus to put to death on the cross without taking full responsibility of his action and decision. What is the lesson here? Pilate missed the opportunity to a take a stand for what he feels is right. He missed the beauty and privilege to care enough, to give justice and to be a person of integrity when he make his own discretion.

Full of Years

2010-04-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

I was reading this book in the bible and this passage caught my attention. It says in Genesis 25:7-8. Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years and he was gathered to his people. That is something interesting, because I know life has full of ups and down, some are good surprises and some are challenging. But here in this passage Abraham died at a good old age, an old man full of years. Meaning his life was with the most satisfying years while he was living.

I am always amaze of what kind of heart does Abraham have for God. He was a man with a great fear and respect for his God ( Genesis 22). A man lived with honor and full of obedience. (Genesis 12). A man who loves deeply and with compassion. It was like Abraham graduated with the highest distinction or with the highest praise like a Summa Cum Laude award in God’s honor.

Was Abraham like an ordinary man like us? Yes. He was an ordinary human being like us, but with an extra ordinary heart. He choose to be extra ordinary, with him has strength to love, to care enough for people because his heart was drawn to it.(Genesis 18:16-33) Can we still see Abraham in our generation? The faith like Abraham has for God is a matter of our choice. Ask and believe with your unceasing faith to God. Dare to live your life to the fullest (John 10:10). I think the best years of our life is yet to come. Have a full life, full of years to all :-)

The Beauty of Change

2010-01-28T06:01:00.000-08:00

"There is no growth without change, there is no change without fear or loss and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new.

By Rick Warren

To be honest, I think for me, "change" is the most scary word. Why? Maybe because sometimes it's hard to be humble up and accept things. Naturally, we are resistance when people criticize us and tell us something we need to change. When we are in the comfort zone in our work and our boss ask us to change something in our system. Of course when there are not so good changes happen in our relationships.

On the other hand, change is the only way to unfold hidden things. I know that I need to be bold enough to accept change for every aspects of my life. In a godly perspective change means growth and opportunities. We should be positive and open for the call of change in our life, even for people who called us to change for something. It is better to be criticize and take it in a positive way, than no one dare to notice us and say nothing about us that means they don't care. So let go and let's open the door for change.

Your Good Investment

2010-01-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Year 2010!

"When God wants to make a mushroom, he does it overnight, but when he wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years. Great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. "

By Rick Warren

Have you wonder why we have to struggle of something in our life? I thought sometimes life has lot of strange or surprise challenges. When I am in the midst of sufferings or something really hard situations, I would try to comfort myself. I will even talk to myself in the mirror. I would say, "Hey, there is always end of this, sure there will be sunshine and you will afford to smile one day, don't worry". I focus on other things, like I give, share, smile and help whatever I can do. I decide to do good to others maybe praying for them and build them up and humble up. That makes my day up. So don't envy with people who seems has no problem. Everyone has each own, when you are facing one, God is doing the good work in you. Great day!

Faith Lift

2009-12-30T06:26:00.000-08:00

Mathew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about [a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, [b] because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" [c] (which means "God with us").
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

(Please read continuously the whole Chapter 2, book of Mathew)

The birth of Jesus Christ was never been easy. Even from what Joseph and Mary his parents had gone through to fulfill the calling of God. Imagine the time before Christ, the Holy Spirit intercede with the man and the angels of the Lord speaks to dreams to deliver their message to a normal people. In the life of Joseph and Mary who has both great fear in God, you will see in the scriptures the deliverance and the work of God in their lives. That’s incredible!

I was trying to meditate the story of Joseph and Mary based from the bible. And I realize how much the faith they need to have that time to gone through their marriage and for Mary being a virgin to carry the plan of God to become the mother of Jesus Christ. Was it difficult? Yes.

Do we have difficult times too? The year 2009 was also never been good for me I confess, even in the very beginning. I still remember the dilemma, the first week of the month of January. It was a situation that everyone will never wish to happen as you were being deceived. Because the big amount of money I carried that day on my bag was stolen unknowingly. I was really crying on my way to office coming from the bank that I supposed to deposit the money. In the office, I called right away my close friend and I felt I'm really in grieve and shared my hurt to her. It's really painful? You have trusted that every people you will encounter were safe but not, for me it’s a traumatic experience. Really that broke my heart and makes me cry whenever that thing pops up on my mind. Maybe that whole month I was in a mess spiritually and emotionally. I was like in a restless battle inside me. Little did I know, I had come up with a lot of questions on my mind towards God and with my faith, same with my family and my personal a lot of things were happening. I continually search for an answer from God on my prayers despite of all. But it was already September 2009 that I was still receiving a message from above. It was the time when a great storm hit the whole Manila. I never thought I will be facing other difficult situations, when I was caught with almost 4 feet flood in the street going home. I was so afraid that I thought I would die anytime. God was so good that he send someone to help me get through the flood. When I finally got home, I went in my room at once and burst into tears and really struggled emotionally that I couldn’t even pray.

Alright, I will stop from there because I finally got an answer from all those lingering questions on my mind. God made me gone through those sufferings and challenges for only one reason, to help me build my faith on Him. As I was writing this as my last article this year 2009, I can say and feel that God gave me a different spirit. He had blessed me a lot of things this year that fades my disappointments and replace it with a lot of appreciation of His love and peace. God is great.

Sometimes we never know that sufferings is an avenue to have faith that simply trusting God. We all want to transform our faith. Isn't it? I think only through unceasing prayers and complete reliance on God that we will experience "Faith Lift".

The Five Love Languages

2009-12-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

I remember her gestures. She’s a wonderful child, a lovely girl. Tanya is smart like her Mom. Bethink our bonding time we were playing, she’s crawling on my bed and her laughs sounds like an angel. She’s holding a doll and I’m trying to pull it from her and playfully place it on her back. In her small hand and body, she would try reach the toy and If I won’t allow her to tap my hand, she will bite my knee with her giggles on her face. I do remember those moments with her because her facial reactions were really funny . She was just about 8 months old baby girl that time. She has set her own routine. Around 6pm, she has already taken her solid food, then give her bath, prepares her for sleep and lastly gave her a bottle of milk until she sleep. In exactly ten in the evening, the room was already dark because we’re both ready for sleep.

In the morning she’s pretty early to wake up than me. I’ll get her from the baby’s crib and place her on my bed. While I’m still about to wake up. I will set her up to watch her favorite cartoons or watching TV and let her play the remote button of the television. I noticed that she’s very smart girl because she can transfer from one channel to another while looking at the remote control. I would observe her face reactions and she enjoyed doing it every morning. I will not forget the day on her 11th month from crawling, she took her first step and slowly walk. It’s a great joy to see her walking and try reaching my hand in the end of the steps. Truly I feel proud to be part of Tanya’s life. I am sure she will grow as bright and obedient child to her parents.

I compare this story of mine with the love languages of love. Generally a child has their own love language that you adult have to speak to them in their developing stage. These love languages are embrace, kisses, hugs, affection and quality time with them. It is not the material things that sometimes the normal parents are trying to give to their child as their trying to speak their love language. It’s the attention and affection you have shown and made them felt in their young age that will sink in. When you as parents speak that kind of love, you are building the future emotional stability of your child and their security. I think for me, I listen to the child sincerely and attentively.

This book I would like to recommend to everyone to read is entitled "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. I have finish read it and it's a great book. It say's there we are all human that we naturally want and need to feel love by the people we loved. These five languages are:

- Words of affirmation
- Quality time
- Receiving gifts
- Acts of Service
- Physical touch

Our expression of love should speak on these languages or there might be a miscommunication according to the book. The goal of this book is that everyone to learn to speak each other love language to a significant being whether to a child and especially to the couple or lovers.

What do you think is your love language? What would you wish your partner will do to make you feel love? The book says speaking each other love language is the important key. Happy day!

What's there in Life? (Part 2)

2009-12-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

It’s around eleven forty midnight, I look around at the corner of the room, on my hand is the small toy made of cloth that looks like a plant in the pot with a smiling face flower, when you grip the toy, it will talk like saying “'ya lyublyu tebya” which means “ I love you. I move closer to the baby’s crib, she’s sleeping tight with her hands on the pillow. I touch her hands for the last time, rub her forehead and kiss her little foot.

Slightly, I feel nervous and take my deep breath, release all my tension. I recalled my sentiments the first time I’ll be separated from my family and friends, the church I had been attending for more than a decade, it ‘s really hard. That time I’m uncertain of what’s going to happen in my life for one year. On my sit while looking at the clouds over the window of the plane, I’m asking myself, what would I expect from the place I am about to go. For the first time, I made a radical decision for my life, doing things that I have not done before, leaving my family, and having a new friends around me. All I know, I prayed for this and was heard.

About exactly twelve midnight I close the door of my room, say goodbye kiss with grandmother and Ms. Jenia. I keep all their warm gestures of love and concerns for me. Then pick up my suitcase and finally get in to the car to bring me to the airport. It’s midnight and I’m afraid that time because it ‘s only their body guard that’s with me on the car. So while were a few distance from the house, I’m thinking a while ago and after a few seconds, I hear a very loud music inside the car. I asked Alexander, the bodyguard “ What’s going on? ” I said, “Your music is so loud”, we can’t even hear each other and he drive so fast that I need to tight my sit belt and hold to my sit. And he said, “ You know we are flying!” What? I got scared of him and thought this man was acting unusual. So I prayed a little, to help me get to the airport safe. We are living in the hills, so normally the streets are little dark and houses are in distant. We travelled just almost forty minutes, which normally that take an hour and half going to the city where the airport was located. We finally slow down when we saw the building lighting up the Siberia airport. I get out from the car and say thanks and goodbye to the body guard, I tried to forget all weird things I thought of this bodyguard, the most important now I reach the airport safe and sound. I hurried to go to the boarding room, arrived thirty minutes before my departure time.

There were uncertain feelings I had before going back home. I don’t even care my exhausted look at that time, but still carrying smile, maybe on my face was marked of anxiety because of whole day stress. As I get off from the plane, I saw my whole family and relatives waiting for me for almost five hours. It was two o’clock in the morning when our plane goes on board to the NAIA airport. I was very tired coming from almost 16 hours travel time, running from one airport to another, but when I saw the kids also waiting for me, and they were all happy and excited to see me, I was overjoyed when I saw all of them and I thought my joy was complete. Kids were all excited to receive their gifts and chocolates as well as the adult one. So funny that it caused me a problem because my one bag of chocolates I bought in Siberia is not enough. Chocolates in Siberia are best and really cheap that is something I will not forget from that country. So I list down all the names of my family, friends and church mates, they are a lot! I got a headache that time dividing my gifts huuuh! 

It was really great reminisce those tremendous memories that was part me. When I think about it right now, I would smile and be grateful. I know for me, those transitions happened in my life was because I know in my heart, I’m trying to complete something that I know God has left for me to do and He pave the way.

How about you? Do you have something in your heart that you think the chances is calling you to do it right at this moment? Of course doing things with your clear consience towards God. What are we really looking for in life?

For me, I conclude that life is like a maze. We are all incapable to build it. Our life is a constant journey, with the help and our faith in God, we will know that satisfying and successful life is when you make your life surrounds with what you know you consider true treasures.

Bohol Escapade

2009-10-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Bohol a little island paradise located in the Southern Philippines, top travel in Asia. The island famous for its Chocolate hills and the Tarsier – the smallest monkey in the world.

I had really been very excited the first time we planned to go an out of town. I heard many great remarks on this wonderful island. So what I did, I had a month ago online ticket reservation, a three weeks before the departure date of application for leave of absence in my office. So I would say, I am absolutely ready on the go. :)

It was a busy four days sojourn and everyone was equipped with their own cameras of course to catch the beautiful scenery. The first agenda’s were to visit the Blood Compact monument tourist spot, the Python – world’s largest snake captivity lives in Bohol and the Tarsier species. We had our extravagant lunch in Loboc River, then drive going to the famous Hanging bridge crossed it and at the end appease our thirst with freshly coconut milk. The highlight of the tour on the second day, a more than an hour half Island hopping for dolphin and whale watching in the middle of the ocean, a very thrilling snorkeling, then landed our boat in the Virgin Island and you will see the contrasting of the sea and the white sand. On the third day we visited the Baclayon church, the greenery fresh looking Man Made forest, the Butterfly Farm and had lunch in the Bohol Bee Farm with their delicious organic dishes (It was our first time that we had eaten fresh flower on top of their garnish… and guess what it’s delicious… ), and lastly a look alike Great Wall of China at Sagbayan Peak. Of course the gleeful buying of pasalubong. Check out the videos. Have fun!

Snorkeling

Island Hopping

Delicious Food Trip

2009-09-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

I have two recipes that I want to share with you guys. You can try these recipes on your menu. These food really delighted me, whenever I see this prepared in the kitchen.

“Sariniki” one of my favorite breakfast and snacks when I was in Novosibirsk. It’s perfect when you combine it with hot green tea or black tea or try it with fresh milk.

Ingredients:
600 grams cottage cheese
1 cup of flour
4 eggs
¼ baking soda
½ cup of refined sugar
Olive oil for cooking

Procedure

1. In the bowl put the cottage cheese and mixed the flour.
2. Stir the 4 eggs and pour it on the mixed cottage cheese and flour.
3. Combined the sugar and mixed it together. Put large amount of sugar if you prefer it sweeter or small amount if not.
4. Pour the small parts of baking soda and mixed together.
5. Shape the dough into round shape.
6. Ready the pan fry with Olive oil.
7. When the oil is hot enough, put the shaped dough.
8. Wait the dough until it brown color, turn the other side to cook.
9. Serve it while it’s hot or fresh baked.

For dinner:

“Plouf” or “Palif” (Rus) Pilaw (Eng)

Ingredients:
4 pcs. of onions
4 pcs. Of carrots
3 pcs. Of garlic
1 kilo of pork or chicken meat
1/2 kilo of rice
½ bottle of olive oil
Pepper, Iodized salt or ready mixed spices

Procedure

1. Pour Olive oil in the pan fry to make it hot.
2. Put the pork meat in the hot pan fry and cook until it brown.
3. Combine the onions and sauté it together
4. Combine the slice carrots and garlic
5. Place the rice in the casserole on top of the pork meat and put water for the rice to cook.
6. Wait until rice is cooked then mix together with the pork and all the ingredients inside the casserole.
7. Serve it while it’s hot.

Food in Focus

2009-09-03T02:07:00.000-07:00

What’s your favorite food? Do you include fresh fruits regularly on your diet? Somehow, I noticed that some filipinos aren't really fun of fresh fruits or eating like fresh salad. They like sweets and fruits with sweets which are not really beneficial to health. For me, one of my favorite foods that I like to prepare is fresh salad. In preparing it, all you need are lettuce or any salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, whole corn pieces and slices of ripe mango. Combine or arrange them together and put cheese on top of it and that's really perfect! You may prepare your own salad dressing with garlic taste or prepare something little sour taste, which depends on what you prefer. You can also prepare salad in the olive oil. But what you can do is to cut the lettuce or the leaves and all other ingredients into square pieces. Mixed the olive oil, little iodized salt and pepper on it and that’s it.

But of course I like to discuss here another food you need to focus that contains almost all the nutrients we need for our body. That is Papaya fruit. Papaya is called a “miracle fruit” because of its rumored medicinal properties. It is said to treat ringworm and high blood pressure and acts as an anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, analgesic and anti-fungal. Papaya is also touted as weight-loss aid and some say that it increases metabolism and helps digestion. Whether or not the rumors are true, papaya is a fat-free fruit that contains only 55 calories in one cup. It also very high in fiber, potassium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C and contains iron, calcium and B Vitamins.

I also love eating papaya. I usually put honey on top of it and put some drop of lemon juice. That taste really good. I heard and I knew a lot about Papaya. It is a fruit that has a lot of nutritional benefits. Eating papaya helps to prevent cancer. Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants that the body needs to fight against cancer-causing cells. Vitamin C, E and beta-carotene are antioxidants that prevent all kinds of cancers. So adding a daily serving of papaya to your diet may lessen your risk of developing cancer. So have your Papaya now. Enjoy and treat yourself on this real sumptuous food!

Allison Davis Photography Inspired by Love

2009-07-21T03:30:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have thought about looking a web page about weddings and photography. To my surprise, I came across Allison Davis Photography Inspired by Love. I am truly appreciative of photos and designs, when I browse this blog page, they are awesome! Take time to look on the link above and get inspired. It’s wonderful and I love it!

Meet Allison…

Quote:

Love is never static. It doesn’t sit there like a pretty picture on the shelf. It isn’t an either-or matter. Neither is love an absolute.

Love needs to move ahead at it’s own pace. It must find its own way. Love can be quietly exciting as it moves from one stage to the other. As it becomes more secure, more sure of it self, love takes on new characteristics, new features that early love can never have. – bob garon

What's there in Life? (Part I)

2009-07-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

For a long time, I have kept this small notebook of mine on my shelf. I was thinking to put up my notes on that notebook to my computer files for keep sake. I also thought I would need this in the future and would serve as reminder for me when I had my rigid training in a hospital.

On the other hand, I decided to write these notes on my web page blog for my compilations. Also for others who would have a chance to read could have at least ideas about what is in this training.

Yes, I do have three to four months caregiver training in one of the prestigious hospital here in the Philippines. I had finished a short training program in a caregiver school. I studied hard and I even got the “Duty Award” the highest grade earned from duty on my batch in our school. I remembered the night shift duty from eleven in the evening until six in the morning and each night, our Nurse trainer would give us quiz in our 30 minutes break, which is always after each student finish reporting the research done about the illness of the patients assigned to him/her on the duty. So of course, I better listen to the reporter or else I don't have anything to write on my paper. We usually assigned to a different patients each day, definitely I was exposed to different patients with atypical health conditions. I felt a little good about myself every time I do my job for the patients. I thought this is what I like to do. For the mean time I will stop here and will continue on Part II.

The following reports written below are just my notes from training. It only serves as a reminder and a guide. You may consult to a medical books or your doctor about the illness. So don't get panic when you're reading this post...hope you just enjoy being informed. God bless you all!

*CEREBRO VASCULAR ACCIDENT – stroke or brain attack. The three important parts are:
Cerebro – having to do with the brain
Vascular – having to do with the blood vessels
Accident – something unpredictable and unexpected.

Stroke or brain attack is when brain cells in the area affected and do not get oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells or tissue die and the brain damage occur. The functions controlled by that part of the brain are lost or impaired.

Manifestation:
CVA occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is stopped due to a blocked blood vessel.

The four main causes are:

1. A blood clot can form elsewhere in the body, travel to the brain and lodge in a small vessel. This is called embolus – or wandering embolus. Embolus is a clot carried by the circulatory system from its place of formation to another site, usually causing an obstruction.

Embolism – wandering air or blood clot – could be air embolism

2. A blood clot can form in the brain itself and remain there. This is called thrombus.

A plaque can accumulate in the blood vessels and eventually close them. Plaque or the Atherosclerosis – accumulation of fatty deposits within the blood vessels attached to the vessel walls or arteries.

Arteriosclerosis – hardening of fatty deposits

3. A blood vessel can burst causing a hemorrhage. This is most common in people who have hypertension.

Signs and Symptoms or Disorder of CVA
- Transient Ischemic Accident (TSI) – temporary interruption of blood supply in the brain.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of one side of the body which they call hemi paresis or Hemiplegic
- Nausea, vomiting and memory loss
- Unconsciousness or noisy breathing
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Difficulty in speaking
- Loss of speech or aphasia
- Problem with balance
- Sight disorder in one or both eye
- Loss of sensitivity

Results of CVA:
Cerebral hemorrhage – bleeding. Bleeds often result of arteriosclerosis, hypertension, aneurysm. Bleeds within the arteries that burst or dilatation of arteries.
Cerebral infarction – death of brain tissue due to lack of blood supply in the brain.

Management:
- Position the patient in recovery positions
- Loosen slight the clothing
- Turning the patient every two hours
- Elevate the head without flexing the neck the neck (semi- fowlers)
- Safety

*ISCHEMIA – Insufficient blood supply to an organ or tissue. A condition in which the blood flow is restricted to a part of the body.

Cardiac Ischemia – occurs when there is lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle (myocardium)

Silent Ischemia– people have ischemia without pain and they may have a heart attack with no prior warning.

Angina pectoris – chest pain, may have silent ischemia

Arythmia – difficulty in breathing

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (MI) – obstruction, death of part of the heart due to a blockage in a blood vessel as a result of a lack supply of oxygen and other nutrients.

Infarction - means the death of tissue due to lack of blood supply or lack of oxygen supply.

Myocardial refers to heart muscle.

Symptoms of Cardiac Ischemia:
- Chest Pain
- Neck or jaw pain
- Arm and shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Shortness breath
- Nausea and vomiting

Doctor diagnosis of cardiac ischemia:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Stress test
- X-ray of coronary arteries (coronary angiogram)

Treatment:
- Medication
- Exercise
- Angioplasty – heart operation, putting a small tube to dilate arteries in the heart
- Bypass Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass
- Pacemaker – electronic device use to get of the impulse of the heart
- Open Heart Surgery – use cardio pulmonary machine, due to congenital defects
- Closed Surgery – bloody surgery in which invaded big vessels or arteries

Management:
Apical pulse – two fingers below your nipple from left of the heart, to check if there is heart problem

Apical Radical Pulse Deficit – Usually apical is higher than radical pulse

*CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) – is a chronic disease in which coronary arteries are hardened and narrowed (atherosclerosis) or lack of blood supply to coronary arteries.

Causes:
- Fatty plaque narrows the coronary arteries
- Plaque calcifies causing the arteries to become harder and suffer

Symptoms:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting

Prevention:
- Learning family medical history
- Eating heart healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Controlling diabetes
- Control high blood (hypertension)

*Untreated CAD usually continues to worsen and can eventually lead to a heart attack or over cardiac arrest in which the heart stops beating.

Prevention:
- Aspirin a day (with Doctor’s prescription)

*ATRIAL FIBRILATION (AF) – is a disorder found in the hearts of two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively, the blood isn’t pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, the result is stroke.

Aorta – left and right coronary artery

Treatment:
- Medication
- Electrical cardio version
- Drugs
- Radio frequently oblation
- Surgery
- Atrial pacemakers

Medication: Warfarin, Aspirin

*ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION – is the cause of cardiovascular disease and associated with an increase risk of stroke and heart attack.

Risk
- Coronary Artery Disease 33%
- Stroke 10%
- Renal Failure 15%

HYPERTENSION – a condition in which blood pressure is consistently above 140/90, which means systolic (heart beat) is consistently above to diastolic (heart at rest)

Systolic – heart beat
Diastolic – heart at rest

Types of Hypertension:

1. Essential hypertension – 95% common. It could be genetic factor or environmental factor due to food intake.

2. Secondary hypertension –
Causes:
- Adrenal gland tumor
- Cushing’s syndrome – patient with DM
- Kidney disorder
- Glomerulonephritis – inflammation of kidney
- Who take medication
- Oral contraceptives

Factors/Causes of Hypertension:
- Volume of water
- Salt content of the body
- Condition of kidney nervous
- Blood pressure

Prevention:
- Lifestyle changes
- Lose weight if overweight
- Exercise improve cardiac fitness
- Dietary adjustments

NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA - is an infection acquired during hospitalization. The major cause of these infections is gram negative bacteria or bacteria in blood stream.

Mostly affected:
- Patient with weak immune system
- Blood dyscrasia (development disorder of blood)
- Burn
- Trauma

Prevention:
- Awareness of the possible risk of infection among hospital patients.
- Correct hand washing

PNEUMONIA - Inflammation of alveoli damage and excessive accumulation of fluids in the lungs

PNEUMOCOCCUS – causes over 50% of bacterial pneumonia

Ways in which Pneumonia are classified:
- Acuity : acute, sub acute or chronic
- Transmission: infections or non- infection
- Acquisition: community acquired or hospital acquired
- Agent : Bacterial (aerobic or anaerobic)
- Distribution : Lobular (Bronchopneumonia or interstitial)

Risk Factor:
- Chronic illness
- Debility (condition of feebleness, weakness and lack of physical ton)
- Immobility
- Alcoholic & drug users

Signs and Symptoms:
- Cough productive spectrum
- Leukocytosis – presence of bacteria
- Fever

Management:
- Management of antibiotics
- Adequate ventilation
- Appropriate treatment of any underlying or pre-existing disease
- Adequate nutrition
- Hand washing to prevent spreading the infection

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE - disease that cause irreversible damage to the lungs over a period of time. This cause permanent damage to the lung tissue.

Causes:
- Cigarette smoking
- Air pollution, infection and allergies

Signs and symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chest discomfort
- Ankle, feet and leg swelling

Treatment:
- Limit your exposure to pollution
- Vaccination
- Exercises
- Medication
- Nebulizer
- Good nutrition

DIABETES MELLITUS or DM – disease in which the pancreas produce little or no insulin. The glucose level builds up in the blood and urine causing excessive urination, thirst and hunger.

Insulin – hormone that absorbs glucose in our body

Vasopressin – hormone that controls the amount of urine secreted

Types:

INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS IDDM (Type I) – the body doesn’t produce insulin. Occurs under 20 years of age, occurs on puberty like 10 to 12 years old in girls and 12 – 14 years old in boys.

NON INSULIN DEPENDENT (Type II) – not functioning pancreas or pancreas can’t produce insulin.

HYPERGLYCEMIA
- Secondary to DM and contribute micro vascular complication like kidney and eye disease. Micro vascular complication could be Myocardial Infarction and stroke.
- Increase in glucose, decrease in sugar

HYPOGLYCEMIA
- Decrease in glucose and increase in sugar.
- Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia can lead to coma or death chronic

Management:
- Oral medication
- Exercise
- Balance diet
- Monitoring
- Awareness and education

HYPONATREMIA – water content of the body is greater

HYPERNATREMIA – water content of body fluid is deficit

CHRONIC HYPERNATREMIA – organic osmolytes start appearing inside the neurons.

Causes of Hypernatremia:
- Decrease cellular volume of water due to little water intake
- Too much salt

Types:
- Hypovolemic hypernatremia – water deficit, sodium deficit
- Hypervolemic hypernatremia – sodium gains, water gains
- Euvolemic hypernatremia – water loss is from intracellular and interstitial

General Symptoms:
- Irritability
- High pitched cry
- Seizures
- Fever

Pathophysiology occurs in the following 3 ways:
1. Pure water depletion
2. Sodium excess (salt poisoning)
3. Water depletion exceeding sodium

DERMATITIES OR ECZEMA – Inflammation of the skin. Outermost skin layer appear thickened and the skin may take on leathery appearance.

Forms:
Atopic Dermatitis – Allergic condition involves activation of cells of the immune system whose job is to protect against invaders.

SCABIES – a microscopic tiny 8 legged mice that attached to the skin – attracted to warm site of the body.

Main Cause: Poor hygiene

Signs and Symptoms:
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Blistering
- Skin is crusty or scaly

Treatment:
- Application of moisturizers and emollients
- Oral antihistamines – relief from itching

HYPOKALAEMIA – serum potassium concentration is less than 3.5 ml.

HYPERKALAEMIA – excess of potassium

Clinical Features:
- Weakness
- Muscle Fatigue
- Respiratory paralysis

Clinical & Monitoring
- Cardiac Rhythm
- Continues monitoring of potassium

PARAPLEGIA/QUADRIPLEGIA – result from injury or trauma to spinal cord.

Paraplegic – damage is lower extremities to a person.

Quadriplegic – person’s damage is in upper and lower extremities.

Autonomic hyper reflexia – severe paraplegic

Causes:
- Motor accident
- Diving mishap
- Fall
- House accident
- Sports accident

Symptoms:
- Pain
- Loss of sensation

Problems occurred:
- Frequent urinary track infection
- Kidney stones
- Muscle spasm
- Pressure Sores
- Wide & rapid fluctuation in body temperature

CATARACT – loss of vision

Types:
1.Senile – develop in the elderly because of change in the chemical state of lens protein
2.Congenital – new born or genetic due to maternal rebulla
3.Traumatic – develop after a foreign body injures, the lens with sufficient force to allow aqueous or vitreous humor to enter the lens
4.Complicated Cataract – detached retina of the eye, occur secondary to glaucoma
5.Toxic Cataract – due to chemicals of medicine intake, result from drug or chemical toxity

Signs and Symptoms:
- Gradual blurring
- Loss of vision
- Black pupil turns to milky white
- Poor reading vision
- Poor vision in bright sunlight

GLAUCOMA – the most preventable cause of blindness, abnormally increase intra ocular pressure which may produce severe and permanent vision defects obstruction of ducts.

Kinds:
1. Chronic Open Angle – Over production of aqueous humor or obstruction to its outflow through the orbicular network

2. Acute or Chronic Closed Angle – obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humor due to anatomically narrow angle

Signs and Symptoms:
- Mild aching in the eyes
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Seeing halos around the light
- Reduced visual acuity, especially at night

SCHIZOPHRENIA – is personality disorganization.

Four Types:
1. Paranoid – shows less regression of mental faculties’ emotional response.
2. Catatonic – most outstanding characteristics is his overwhelming of will, usually obedient
3. Hebephrenic – most severely disorganized personality and has no contact with reality
4. Simple – lacks of the irrational thoughts, begins in early childhood

Causes:
- Biochemical
- Sociologic
- Physiologic

Treatment: Therapist theory

Signs and Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headache

Love Timing

2009-05-26T02:09:00.000-07:00

I am fond of reading book those talk about friendships and relationships. Well, because it gives me positive emotions and valuable learning whenever I finish reading these kind of books. I think it shape me up to become a better person and gave me ideas of other people opinions, beliefs characters and personalities. I would also like to read articles in the magazines or even blogs that share about love stories. I felt somehow entertained and thrill about their stories on how love can move in a mysterious way in a relationships. The movies I’ve watched so far and really my are favorites, “Nothing Hills”, “A Walk to Remember”, “Titanic, “ A Beautiful Mind” and “Twilight". These are movies with admirable and touching love stories with lessons in life. I am talking about this, because I would like to share this relevant principle, the truth behind a lasting love and romance. Read the story as follows:

The Kite & The String by Eugene Peterson

Wisdom is simply the ownership of insight. Peterson says wisdom is the “art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.” When we guide romance with wisdom, we have skillful romance – romance that is directed by what is true about God and about the world He has made.

I like to think that the relationship between wisdom and romance is like the one between a string and a kite. Romantic love is the kite that catches the wind and tenaciously heads for the sky, wisdom is the string that tugs downward holding it back. The tension is real, but healthy.

I suppose there are times when a kite feels tied down by the string. “If this bothersome string would just let go of me, I could fly really high” the kite might think. But that isn’t true is it? Without the string holding it in the face of the wind, the kite would quickly come crashing to the ground.

In the same way, romance without wisdom will soon take a nosedive. It becomes selfish, indulgent and even idolatrous. Have you been in a relationship like this? Have you witnessed such a relationship in the life of a friend? What was it missing? The answer is wisdom.

It’s not enough to simply have romantic feelings, anyone can do that. Long lasting romance needs practical, common sense wisdom that knows when to let the wind of feelings carry us higher and when to pull back. When to express our emotions and when to keep quiet. When to open our hearts and when to rein them in.

Perhaps we have our own worries and questions; someway we’ll discover and be secure that all along God, had the right thing at the right time for us. Perhaps his plan is more wonderful than anything we could imagine or create by ourselves. Perhaps what we can do is to learn to entrust our questions, our doubts and worries into our God's tender loving care. For we knew God knows how to give good gifts.

James 1:17

“ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. “

What matter most in Love?

2009-04-10T03:09:00.000-07:00

For the entire lovely woman, I dedicate this song to you all. I like this song because it reminds me of my ideal kind of love. I accept the fact 'ideal love' doesn't always happen in a real life story, but I will say you are very fortunate, if these kind of love happened to you. Well, if you are one like me, obviously we have all our love wishes in relationships, in friendships. There is a saying, the highest form of love is friendships. Is that true? Correct me if I’m wrong because I am only one step far to be reach out by your comments left on my post.

I have one question for women who consider herself lovely. What do you look for a man to marry? Is it his personality or his character? Which one is more important? In Proverbs 31:10 “The Wife of Noble Character” It says that a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised and is worth far more than rubies. God says that virtue and character matter most.

See my other posting in God’s gift.

Hope I can make you smile today

2009-04-07T03:28:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

The Mature Mind

2009-03-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

" Tradition says that as you get older, you gradually lose your marbles as dottiness and dementia take over from the acuity of younger days. In this cogent book, Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, shows that this is just another myth. Quite the reverse, as we get older we actually get better at thinking."

What are the myths and facts about aging, brain and learning?

Myths

1. The brain cannot grow new brain cells.

2. Older adults can't learn as well as young people.

3. Connections between neurons are relatively fixed throughout life.

4. Intelligence is a matter of how many neurons you have and how fast those neurons work.

Facts

1. The brain is continually sculpting itself in response to experience and learning.

2. New brain cells do form throughout life.

3. The brain's emotional circuitry matures and becomes more balanced with age.

4. The brain's two hemispheres are more equally used by older adults.

Source: Cohen, Gene (2005). The Mature Mind. The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. New York: Basic Books.

Friendship Tips

2009-03-03T01:10:00.000-08:00

When the matter is about friendships. I always take a look and read the article, whether its blog or magazine or a book, for me its interesting topic why, because you‘re always have a room to learn and grow as a person. Isn't it? I like the tips show up, join the group, form a group because I'm applying these now. Tips from the Happiness project website. See the full article here. I believe, if you are looking for happiness in your life, you rather do something about it. And guess what, you will enjoy what you're doing, additional benefits of taking time in building friendships to others.

See the photos above. I'm proud to say she's one of my best friends in the whole world! Can you notice something in common in the pictures? Your comment is highly appreciated.

Kirk Cameron from being a celebrity to real life's Faith

2009-03-02T02:53:00.000-08:00

Kirk Cameron who played Caleb in Fireproof movie, was happily married with six kids by now. I want to share with you guys this you tube video. See the link here. Kirk highlight interview on CBN cable network. In his young age, he was a famous hollywood teen celebrity for hit sitcom series Growing Pains in America and have a very successful career.

What struck me in this video, is how Kirk boldly shared his life to the public. How God moved his life in a powerful way and in the way how his heart was changed by God, when he heard the good news about the gospel of Christ. From being an atheist to becoming a believer for Christ, he shared the incomparable joy that he was experiencing right now by knowing God.

I decided to write this short post for this interview because from the man like Kirk, who has everything in this world, like fame, material things, money, good career, he knew he still needs God to lead his life. What a spiritual human being. I salute you Kirk!

FIREPROOF is still generating heat

2009-02-18T02:28:00.000-08:00

Highlight news from CNN.com Entertainment Cable News network’s Website, the film “Fireproof” was also an unexpected hit, since it was the church third movie for Sherwood Church Baptist in Albany Georgia also the maker of “Facing the Giants”.

“In September it debuted at No. 4 at the box office, eventually bringing in $33.5 million and spawning two books: a novelization, also called “Fireproof" which is the The New York Times’ best seller list’s Top 20; and companion to the movie, “The Love Dare,” which has sold more than 2 million copies.”

As I was reading this article, I was really amazed and dazzled of the success of the movie. What does faith and prayer can do in the life of people who believed. According to one of the pastors behind the film Alex Kendrick, they didn’t expect that Fireproof will be a big blast, but he said it was even two years ago before they come up with the film, the Sherwood pastors gathered together prayed and asked God to give them idea for the next movie it came out “Fireproof” was the answer. See full article here.

FIREPROOF

2009-02-10T03:37:00.000-08:00

Its Valentines Day once again, flowers, red ballons are around the corner and trully love is in the air especially for lovers and married couples who stayed inlove. But one good thing in this special event, wether your single, committed or not everyone remembers this day religiously, because this is such a great time to show their gestures of love to a special someone.

Just this week, my group friends and I had watched this DVD movie entitled “FIREPROOF” with theme song “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. It was really a great and wonderful movie. This is highly recommended for the married couple. Now FIREPROOF DVD was officially arrived and is out on DVD stores – have your copy as your best gift for yourself. People from around the globe most especially couples have high remarks on this movie and they said this film made a great impact on their marriage.

Caleb who was the main character was upset to Catherine her wife because of unmet expectations. After seven years of their marriage, their relationships became sour and cold. Each day they see at home, they're always nag and find faults. Until the time comes that everything they do was a burden anymore.

When this happened to a relationships the tendencies were to slack off the love and respect for your spouse, eventually lose the trust and end up with divorce. The truth is, it's not overnight process to just vanish your affection to someone whom you vow to love for the rest of your life. But only because of each pride and resentment, marriage culture when there was already conflicts usually resolve in separation or what we call painful divorce. Reality bites, but this was really happening nowadays. I assume this is a traumatic life moment for the person who experience these.

Catherine because of so much pain she felt towards their marraige, she decided to be out in the relationship and file a divorce. Caleb who was almost giving up was contemplating to accept it. But his father asked him a very significant question. If he has anything he can do to save his marriage. So his father sent him a diary book written there was a forty days challenge to save his relationship with his wife. Doing each challenge is not easy for Caleb because of constant rejection from his wife. The hardest thing for him now, is winning back again the heart of her wife and her trust.

Each day he reads the diary book, in print there are all encouragement from his father and reminders from God’s word. In this course of challenge, his father showed Caleb the unconditional love of God for him. That despite of all his weaknesses and offenses, God accepted him and still loved him so much. Until Caleb learned God’s unconditional love, he began to understand what true love means (Romans 5:6). He knew what it really means to honor and to love his wife. It's amazing of what God can do in our relationships. When Catherine got sick, Caleb took the opportunity to humble up and ask deepest apologize from her wife. Teary eye with tender care, in front of Catherine’s face he said: “God has given me a love for you that I have never had before… ” – the most dramatic, and my favorite part of the movie.

We really enjoyed the movie and everyone was laughing and clapping their hands after they saw it. Happy hearts day!

101 Ways to keep up your energy

2009-02-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

Many people have been searching for the ways to staying young and healthy. For the women they would try different beauty secrets just to maintain their radiance of youthful skin and good shape. Hundreds or thousands of different kinds or brands of dietary supplement came up in the market claiming the good benefits of their product in human health. Men simply go to the gym as their form of exercise, a way to burn excess fats, because most of them became overweight or obese because of their habit of eating. This can cause greater health risk on their part so they are recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables. Men should have nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day than women to aim seven servings a day. Nevertheless, many have figured out different means on how to maintain good and healthy lifestyle but sometimes this is really depending on how the person perceived their needs and of course their life perspective.

For me, health really matter. I knew I got easily drained and stressed out, especially when I do a lot of work load in a day or staying longer hours in the office. So I got interested reading a lot about health therapy. From there, my point of view in life has changed. I learned that the key to a successful and happy life is being fit in health, mind and body. I should take care of myself first, so I can take care of others. Taking good care of myself makes me feel good and confident. This kind of lifestyle makes me more productive each day and gives me more option to do what I want. Here are my 101 ways health tips to stay you healthy and keep up your energy:

1. Have enough sleep – Sleep is one way to rest our body. It’s a way of refueling and rebuilding damaged cells and renewing itself during your time of sleeping. Making sure each day you have 6 to 8 hours sleep, is a healthy habit. This regimen keeps you refresh and even gives you rested skin texture.

2. Drink lots of water - Water is one of the best ways to keep our skin healthy. The body needs at least eight to ten glasses of water daily in order for the skin renew itself, for the brain function properly and for the body eliminate waste. In the morning, when I wake the first thing I do, is take one or two pieces of banana and take 1 full glass of water to start my day right.

3. Eat less meat, more vegetables and fruits – Fruits and vegetables contain fiber that facilitate the digestive process. A diet high fiber rich vegetables and fruits are good for the skin and can reduce cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.

4. Take Vitamins and Minerals everyday - Find dietary supplement with at least 1000mg amount of Vitamin C and combined with B complex for your anti- stress formula. This helps you recuperate in each day pressure and work load.

5. Exercise - A 20 to 30 minutes exercise or walking is a good compliment for the intake food. Daily exercise activity is essential for one’s health. It reduces cardio vascular diseases, diabetes and other health risk. Find each day to go on walking like going to the market, walking while talking with your friends or going to a nearby street.Also have a sports day activity.

6. Meditate – Through meditation, the mind can throw out impure thoughts that can release bad toxins in the body. It is also through meditation that the body becomes open for positive ideas and makes the body and emotions responsive to change. Try reading a good book and make it a goal to finish it also update yourself with different journals and learned from it.

7. Avoid junk food – Eating junk foods is not good for our health. Too much of this can cause major harms of our body and can even slow down some of the basic functions of the body system because of the impurities brought by unsafe ingredients of this junk food. So be aware of it.

8. Avoid too much exposure in the sun – Sun rays is a good source of vitamin D in our bodies but too much exposure to the sun is harmful to our skin that can lead to skin cancer. Use sun block products in your body especially on your face.

9. Plan your day ahead – Planning your day ahead is a way to have less stress and avoiding some conflicts of your schedule and can ease your work load. You may take time to sit down, think and write down your “things to do” for each day.

10. Smile – Smiling can make a person look pleasant and adorable. A person who smiles regularly can have opportunity to gain more friends and even keeps the person looking young and does slow process of aging. Smiling and laughing is also the best exercise of the brain. It is the most effective way to supply oxygen to the brain that gives more health benefits.