I never felt so busy with my previous holiday experiences. Last December 20 me, my younger brother and my mom went to Calinog. My dad's home town. One of my uncle called and invited us to go over for a little thanks giving celebration. It was fun seeing the rest of my uncles and aunt's on my father's side of the family. Last December 25 we went to Zarraga, my grand mother's hometown. It was also a splendid experience. Seeing the old folks. I never had this much fun before. Seeing a lot of unknown relatives makes my heart fill with joy. Our next destination is Bingawan on the 28th. I am looking forward to go there if I feel well. I am a bit ill and I think I caught a flu. But I will try to go tomorrow.
Christmas this year
December 17, 2008
For the past years Philippines has always started to express the celebration of the Christmas season early by decorating two or one month before December. It is an anticipated season where families gather and have a great time together. But for the years after until present date. People have been slowing down. And who could blame them? With all the price increase each year, people are being more practical and saves money as much as possible. It saddens me to see this. I used to see a lot of houses overly decorated with Christmas decors and lights, so warm, so happy and that around the months of August and November. Now it the 17th, and you can really tell that Philippines is very much affected by the Global economy. I don't see what I used to which reflects the anticipation of the Christmas season.
Simbang Gabi
One of the best ways to spend my Christmas vacation is to go to church. Here in the Philippines we have this traditional mass every dawn which we refer to as "simbang gabi". It is actually a novena. It starts at the 16th of December and ends on the 25th. It is believed that if your truly devoted and never miss a mass you wish be granted a wish made at the last day. I used to observe this along with my friends. We wake up around 1 or never sleep and compensate by resting in the day just for everyone to be together. Gp to church and believe me it's one of the times where I see churches here overflow with people. Late comers just stand on the hallway until the mass is finished. After that, you hang out with your friends go to places, make some funny trips and go home. I completed my attendance once. It was when I was facing a problem with school. I was encouraged to attend it because of this believed wish that will be granted. So I wished to pass my second year and I did. But last year I haven't done this and was pretty occupied with school. It's a shame, I already missed two days. All this school stuff is getting me preoccupied. I wish to complete my attendance next year. Hopefully the gang would be around since much has happened. A few went to other regions to work, others are busy with their newly started family, and some of us are hooked into computer games. I plan to gather the group next year and observe this. For all time's sake.
Glad it's fixed!
December 12, 2008
My computer got broken again last week of November. I was so pissed off! I got so annoyed! I tried getting into system restore, configure something in the set up and anything I could think of but to no success. I had to make use of several internet cafe's nearby which distracted me by playing an online game which I can't play at home due to pc system requirements. And I can't seem to update my blogs. But two days ago, I decided to have it fixed to a technician. But before I send it. I opened the cpu and cleaned a lot of dust. And when I turned it on, I was surprised! It running ok! It only I have done it sooner I could have saved myself the expenses. Anyway, back to my regular activities.
I dn't like this time
December 3, 2008
I really am very upset these past few days. My computer is broken and it needs some reformatting. I never had it checked to some computer technician. (Saving money reasons). Just asking some people out how to fix it. I was very restless at the first day lie a person suffering from withdrawal syndrome. I was having "delirium tremens" for not being online and such. I never was able to focus on anything just kept thinking of how I can have it fixed. I never did bother mom about it. Because she's happy it's broken for all she cares about is her electric bill each month. It was a bad time for me. It was days before my preliminary examinations in nursing and medical transcription! But I could not put myself to study. Luckily, I don't see a problem with my Medtrans exam. Just today I'm much more worried with my nursing exam. I took it today. I was only able to browse a few pages of the book. And I'm thinking that I'm not going to enjoy the holiday worrying again how did I do with my exams. I really can't afford to be delayed again in this semester. The results will be posted next week. And right now I'm really anxious about my score.
Aspartame in coke zero and pepsi max?
November 22, 2008
I received this SMS the other day. "The NEW coke zero and pepsi max contains ASPARTAME, a chemical substituted for sugar, which is known to be carcinogenic or cancerous! Cancer is now the leading cause of death worldwide, so do not drink COKE ZERO and PEPSI MAX! Always be a label reader. Please pass forward this message to your family and friends. Health is Wealth!"
I usually don't bother about this kind of messages. The last I received something like this was a misinformation saying that the president of our school died which was not true. So Let's examine what is this "ASPARTAME" is.
Wikipedia defines it as "spartame (or APM) (pronounced /ˈæspɚteɪm/ or /əˈspɑrteɪm/) is the name for an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener, aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester; i.e., a methyl ester of the dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
This sweetener is marketed under a number of trademark names, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel, and is an ingredient of approximately 6,000 consumer foods and beverages sold worldwide. It is commonly used in diet soft drinks, and is provided as a table condiment in some countries. It is also used in some brands of chewable vitamin supplements and common in many sugar-free chewing gums and has now been found in some chewing gums that are not sugar free. However, aspartame is not always suitable for baking because it often breaks down when heated and loses much of its sweetness. In the European Union, it is also known under the E number (additive code) E951. Aspartame is also one of the sugar substitutes used by people with diabetes.
Because sucralose, unlike aspartame, retains its sweetness after being heated, it has become more popular as an ingredient. This, along with differences in marketing and changing consumer preferences, has caused aspartame to lose market share to sucralose."
So is it Carcinogenic?
I surfed in google and found this site with its descriptive explanation of thendangers of Aspartame. (Read Here)
Nowadays, getting sick or becoming ill is not a good thing to happen (even in the past) and having cancer is a NOT desirable thing.
I usually don't bother about this kind of messages. The last I received something like this was a misinformation saying that the president of our school died which was not true. So Let's examine what is this "ASPARTAME" is.
Wikipedia defines it as "spartame (or APM) (pronounced /ˈæspɚteɪm/ or /əˈspɑrteɪm/) is the name for an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener, aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester; i.e., a methyl ester of the dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
This sweetener is marketed under a number of trademark names, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel, and is an ingredient of approximately 6,000 consumer foods and beverages sold worldwide. It is commonly used in diet soft drinks, and is provided as a table condiment in some countries. It is also used in some brands of chewable vitamin supplements and common in many sugar-free chewing gums and has now been found in some chewing gums that are not sugar free. However, aspartame is not always suitable for baking because it often breaks down when heated and loses much of its sweetness. In the European Union, it is also known under the E number (additive code) E951. Aspartame is also one of the sugar substitutes used by people with diabetes.
Because sucralose, unlike aspartame, retains its sweetness after being heated, it has become more popular as an ingredient. This, along with differences in marketing and changing consumer preferences, has caused aspartame to lose market share to sucralose."
So is it Carcinogenic?
I surfed in google and found this site with its descriptive explanation of thendangers of Aspartame. (Read Here)
Nowadays, getting sick or becoming ill is not a good thing to happen (even in the past) and having cancer is a NOT desirable thing.
Computer Vision Syndrome
November 15, 2008
As we all know, computers are now vast through out the world. And many people are enjoying or spending more time facing it than doing any other chores. May it be at home, school, or work. And I believe many people are experiencing this problem already. So here is a medical condition for us netsurfers and tips on how to manage it.
Computer vision syndrome is a condition resulting from prolonged focusing of eyes one a computer monitor. As our dependence on computers continues to grow, an increasing number of people are seeking medical attention for eye strain and irritation. Eyestrain is often caused by excessive bright light coming in from outside and excessively bright light inside.
If we spend more than two hours each day in front of a computer screen, we are likely to experience some symptoms of computer vision syndrome (or CVS) which include but not limited to:
■ Headaches
■ Loss of focus
■ Burning, tired and irritated eyes
■ Double vision
■ Neck and shoulder pains
■ Dry eyes
Tips to overcome the problems of CVS:
1. Position your terminal at right angle to the window if possible. Avoid facing bright light coming from behind the computer screen as well avoid bright light falling on the computer screen behind you.
2. Install an antiglare screen.
3. Make sure the screen surface is clean. Clean your screen at least once a week.
4. The top of your screen surface needs to be at, or slightly below, eye level; find a comfortable distance between your eyes and the screen (usually eighteen to twenty-eight inches).
5. Adjust the brightness controls n the screen until they are comfortable to your eyes.
6. Be sure the screen doesn't flicker or wave - this could indicate that service or adjustment is needed.
7. Look away from the screen periodically. One may be able to mitigate the risk of CVS by adhering to the "20-20-20 rule". Every 20 minutes, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
8. Don't forget to blink - Blinking is very important when working at a computer - it rewets your eyes to avoid dryness and irritation. When working at a computer people blink less frequently - about five times less than normally. Tears coating the eye evaporate more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and cause dry eyes. The use of over-the-counter artificial tear solution can reduce the effects of CVS.
9. Also try this exercise. Every 30 minutes blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if falling asleep (very slowly). This will help rewet your eyes.
10. Computer eye glasses are available and if you are already wearing specs, change yours to these antiradiation and antiglare lenses on your next visit to the optometrist.
11. Gently massage your eyes, cheeks,and forehead from time to time to keep blood flowing and muscles loose.
I, young as I am, am currently experiencing some of the symptoms of CVS. And when it was lectured to us in Medtrans school I bothered to blog about it. And I hope this would really help
Computer vision syndrome is a condition resulting from prolonged focusing of eyes one a computer monitor. As our dependence on computers continues to grow, an increasing number of people are seeking medical attention for eye strain and irritation. Eyestrain is often caused by excessive bright light coming in from outside and excessively bright light inside.
If we spend more than two hours each day in front of a computer screen, we are likely to experience some symptoms of computer vision syndrome (or CVS) which include but not limited to:
■ Headaches
■ Loss of focus
■ Burning, tired and irritated eyes
■ Double vision
■ Neck and shoulder pains
■ Dry eyes
Tips to overcome the problems of CVS:
1. Position your terminal at right angle to the window if possible. Avoid facing bright light coming from behind the computer screen as well avoid bright light falling on the computer screen behind you.
2. Install an antiglare screen.
3. Make sure the screen surface is clean. Clean your screen at least once a week.
4. The top of your screen surface needs to be at, or slightly below, eye level; find a comfortable distance between your eyes and the screen (usually eighteen to twenty-eight inches).
5. Adjust the brightness controls n the screen until they are comfortable to your eyes.
6. Be sure the screen doesn't flicker or wave - this could indicate that service or adjustment is needed.
7. Look away from the screen periodically. One may be able to mitigate the risk of CVS by adhering to the "20-20-20 rule". Every 20 minutes, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
8. Don't forget to blink - Blinking is very important when working at a computer - it rewets your eyes to avoid dryness and irritation. When working at a computer people blink less frequently - about five times less than normally. Tears coating the eye evaporate more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and cause dry eyes. The use of over-the-counter artificial tear solution can reduce the effects of CVS.
9. Also try this exercise. Every 30 minutes blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if falling asleep (very slowly). This will help rewet your eyes.
10. Computer eye glasses are available and if you are already wearing specs, change yours to these antiradiation and antiglare lenses on your next visit to the optometrist.
11. Gently massage your eyes, cheeks,and forehead from time to time to keep blood flowing and muscles loose.
I, young as I am, am currently experiencing some of the symptoms of CVS. And when it was lectured to us in Medtrans school I bothered to blog about it. And I hope this would really help
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