I did something three days ago. It keeps on haunting me. And no matter how I make justifications on what I did, I still can’t help but feel guilty about it. No one can pacify me. I keep on reminding myself that what I did was right. Read more here.
Today, I mean yesterday was the country’s Barangay and SK elections. We went back to the same old banana of voting manually. The husband accompanied his sister who was a lawyer in supervising one precinct in another barangay. I just learned that up until now, they are still there waiting for the result of the election.
Last Saturday we were out for lunch when the husband felt severe pain on his third molar. He said it was too painful and wanted to have it extracted immediately. And so, we scouted for a dental clinic near the area. After the agony of having the tooth extracted, which didn’t happen on the spot, we went home. I took a mental note, upon seeing the healthcard’s logo on the door, to inquire about their services for us. The next day, I called them up to inquire and we ended up having a schedule Monday afternoon for a prophylaxis for both my son and I.
On the day itself, the just cleaned my son’s teeth manually claiming that he still can’t bear the machine-type of cleaning as he was still young. They even claim that there is no need to have his cavity filled which was opposed to the pedia-dentist we first see at the early part of this year. When it was my turn, the dentist cleaned my teeth well but was shocked when she was announced it was done. She only cleaned my front teeth leaving my molars uncleaned.
Is that the way they handle health card holders? I will ask our coordinators in our office if that’s really the way they handle us.
SM Foundation Inc. has been a part of my college life, and I owe them big time. If not for them, I wouldn’t have a degree in Computer Engineering now. It’s a prestige to be part of the SM Scholars Alumni.
Tomorrow, the 17th of October, the 2nd Grand Alumni Homecoming will be held. I was unable to attend the first one, so I make sure I can make it here. It’ll be fun seeing my co-scholars who were my professors too in college and also my college friends who I haven’t seen for the longest time now. See you!
Indeed, the MAN above answers prayers in many ways – mysterious ways that no one can ever predict. Just yesterday, I receive my daily God Whispers Today message which I posted here. It says HE wants me to have money.
I know, I’m getting materialistic these days. Who wouldn’t? Bills are piling up, memo from school arriving almost everyday reminding you to pay this and that. I am literally drowned with payables in my hand.
Take a peek! Aside from that, my boss just gave us a good news. The increase that we (my colleague and I) have been waiting for since the first quarter of this year has finally been approved. Although the company wouldn’t give us the retro pay, they have increased us more than we asked.
Isn’t that a great news?
Thank you Ama! Thank you! Thank you!
By August, the shampoo was revealed. Indeed, it was Pantene. Days have past and I honestly forgot about the free kit I was suppose to receive. I just have a surprise of my life last week when the package arrived. I didn’t expect it at all.
Thanks P&G!
Stay tune for my story regarding this bus which we rode during my son’s field trip last 25th of this month.
Time check! Three in the morning.
Yes, I am up as early as it is. Today is my son’s field trip. Excited much? No.
I have to drag myself up on the bed as I don’t have anyone who’d help me prepare everything we need from our lunch to our clothes to our bags. In a couple of hours, I have to wake up the little boy to feed him breakfast and to take him a bath.
I know I shouldn’t be online now but I can’t help it.
My mom and aunt’s former employer (they were maids before) died recently because of the dreaded big C – CANCER.
Her sister wrote an article based on their experiences on what and what not to eat when one has such disease.
The article is originally posted here.
Food and the fight against the Big C
By AMY A. UY
Before I proceed, I’d like to make it clear that I am not a nutritionist, a dietitian, or a doctor. But as it happens, cancer has struck our family twice in the last three years without warning. And as I’ve learned, when your loved one has cancer, you throw yourself into the business of coping with the pain while reading up a lot, looking for answers, talking to a lot of doctors, and trying to find a magical cure that will make this dreaded disease go away.
What I’ve also learned is that when people find out that you’re caring for a person with cancer, they’re always ready to dispense advice. Most of what they share is based on experience or what they’ve learned and heard, like a friend of a friend of a friend who got cured after taking a potion of this or that, the juice of an exotic fruit or a herbal concoction of sorts.
These are all welcome advice and comforting words. For a moment, you see a flicker of hope and just maybe, there’s a magical cure out there that worked for them and it, too, might work for your brother, sister, husband, wife, or child who is fighting to stay alive. And when your loved one’s life hangs in the balance, believe me, you will try them all.
As for us, we’ve tried all sorts of advice, from eating guyabanos, to drinking mango-carrot-apple juice, mangosteen juice and kangen or alkaline water, to eating papayas and melons and lots of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. The only thing we haven’t tried is, perhaps, to eat one raw onion everyday.
However, the most important thing that a person caring for a cancer patient needs to learn is how to cook especially for them. What struck me was what a doctor told my sister when she asked about her diet. He said, “Just don’t feed the cancer." This means, do not feed the cancer cells something that would allow them to multiply and take over your body. 
Depending on what type of cancer hits your family, the one in charge of the meals should work hand in hand with a licensed nutritionist and read up on what must be avoided and should be generously eaten. My husband had kidney cancer and to keep his other kidney well, a dietitian advised him to limit his intake of red meat and all proteins including poultry, eggs and even fish. He also steered clear of some protein-rich vegetables like beans, nuts and soy while also following a strict low-salt diet.
Eating out is difficult as the choices are rather limited. Going fresh and cooking your own food becomes key. And for cancer patients, survival depends on one thing: good nutrition.
You have to be sure they are getting the right nutrients and none of the harmful additives in processed food. You have to read nutritional labels thoroughly and be wary of what’s in your pack of instant soup, ready-mix sauces or even juice drinks.
While the nutritional needs of one patient are different from another and as diets of cancer patients may also be vastly dissimilar to the usual healthy diets, there are a few practical things that may be changed in the way food is prepared for a sick loved one. At the very least, these might help everyone to stay on the path of wellness.
Homemade broths are good for making vegetable soups (cauliflower, squash, potato and carrot) and even a comforting bowl of arroz caldo. But instead of throwing in an MSG-loaded chicken cube in hot water, save the wing tips, necks and backs of your whole chickens and simply boil them with some carrots, leeks and onions, a bay leaf with some herbs and whole black pepper. I made variations of pumpkin soup, carrot-potato soup, potato leek soup, creamy corn soup, cauliflower soup and a whole lot of other comforting broths which helped my sister when she had trouble swallowing solid foods. Also, chilled soups with almost no salt work best for those suffering from severe mouth sores.
A low-salt diet is recommended for most patients unless they become dehydrated due to chemotherapy and in which case they need to load up on sodium. But for those on salt restrictions, eating doesn’t mean living on bland, tasteless food. Using herbs and spices in dishes in place of a sprinkling of salt brings food to a whole new level of goodness. Unless your loved one is sensitive to spicy food, paprika may be added to dishes for added flavor.
A number of websites on special diets for cancer patients tell us that there are certain foods that slow down the growth of cancer cells. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage belong to that elite list. Unless your loved one is suffering from nausea due to therapy, incorporate them in dishes and have a meal plan with huge servings of these vegetables. Cabbage can go into pochero, nilaga, macaroni soup and chicken sopas. It is also good sauteed with just garlic and onions or flavored with a little oyster sauce. Meanwhile, you can just steam broccoli florets and toss with some minced garlic, butter and a bit of lemon juice or enjoy them in stir-fries with some cubed chicken breasts or tofu.
Sodas and juice drinks are loaded with sugar which is said to be cancer’s best friend. As a substitute, you can easily boil a few tanglad stems and add a little muscovado for sweetness. Chill the brew if you wish and put in some lemon slices for a refreshing drink your loved one can enjoy all day. Catechin-rich green tea has also been widely acknowledged as a tonic that helps prevent the development of cancer. However, soda might be suggested by the doctor when the patient suffers from nausea, vomiting or weight loss.
While it may be convenient to just buy a pack of ready-mix sauce for some fast and easy adobo, mechado, pancit palabok, or even sinigang, it may be better to start ridding your pantries of processed mixes. Learn to cook sinigang the way your grandma used to, which is to boil a few pieces of tamarind and strain out the juice, instead of using a sinigang mix. Learn to make marinara sauce and your own pasta sauces to be sure dishes are free of preservatives.
As mentioned, you don’t want to feed cancer cells and sugar is what they crave the most. A harmless-looking donut could be deadly – it’s all sugar and transfats. Know how to make sugar-free sweets with muscovado, which is unrefined sugar, or an organic natural sweetener. If you must indulge in desserts, go for those offered by vegan bakers like Meeta Nandan of Heart2Hearth who bakes non-dairy, nut-free, and eggless treats and uses organic ingredients.
Just like mom used to say, spinach, beans and greens are good for you. A diet that is mostly plant-based is recommended. Fruits and veggies are best consumed raw or juiced. However, there are also vegetables that should be avoided in certain cases. Some doctors also tell chemo patients not to consume raw food, fruits and vegetables as they are likely to attack a suppressed immune system. One must also try to buy organic pesticide-free vegetables so do find good sources of these.
Read up and learn from the experts.
It is important to know that not all cancer patients need the same diet plans and caregivers must adjust the diets when the patient or their loved one suffers from different side effects during treatment, ranging from body weakness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, and loss of appetite. It can be very frustrating when the patient’s sense of taste changes due to therapy and he or she would reject the food you lovingly prepared. But take heart as your loved one is not his/her usual self and maybe in a lot of discomfort or pain.
When your loved one is undergoing treatment, always consult a licensed nutritionist to draw up a meal plan or check out websites that offer thorough information about cancer patients’ nutritional needs. One good source of information is the National Cancer Institute website, www.cancer.gov, which lists food options that address different side effects. 
One of the best ways to show your loved one that you care is by preparing their food. And for those who have cancer, I do believe this is one way they would know for sure that you are there for them -- ready, willing and able to help them fight the biggest battle of their life.
I don’t intend to ignore and forget blogging but for the lack of better words and stories to share, I haven’t had entries for the past few days. Well, I’ve been on night shift for two weeks now and I still have six more weeks to cover. I know it’s the best time for me to review for my certification exam but I just can’t find the right kick for me to get going. Maybe I’ll get to be more productive next week. See you around then!
Is it for real? Is it really September now? Time really flies fast. It was only January few months ago and now, it’s the start of the BER months. In time, you’ll feel the Christmas air. It’s the time of the year when everyone is making their list of pressies for our loved ones. Time to hit the mall to start early shopping of gifts, thanks to the 3-day sales.
Christmas countdown starts now. It’s exactly 115 days to go before Christmas!
Originally, the 23rd of August is a holiday as it is the nearest Monday of the 21st. But PNoy’s decision to declare August 23rd as regular day made everyone else grieving except me. I am very, very grateful for his decision. It means a double pay Saturday for me. (My schedule is Tuesday to Saturday, that’s why.)
"The president is empowered under RA No. 9492 to modify holidays by law, order or proclamation," Lacierda said.
Oh, I’m so happy. Thanks PNoy!
I found out this cool application in Facebook where they would check your name and finds an Angel name/Demon name for you. I know they don’t actually scan your name but gives you random answers but still, I find it amusing. Enough to give me a smile even for a few seconds.
“Mom, don’t turn your back on me.”
“Mom, I want milk. Stop feeding Claire first.”
“Mom, let’s go here and there.”
Oh, for the love of God, my sanity was almost in the brick of disappearing. Goodness! I didn’t actually know what to do. My husband was moaning so badly because he can’t bear the headache he has. (It makes me irritated at times because I felt he was just acting.) The little girl is extra clingy. If I could only cut myself to three so I can tend to all their needs at the same time, I would. These were the times my temper is tested to its ream, and I’m almost about to explode anytime soon. I’m just holding and giving extra effort to extend whatever needs to be extended as in the end, I still have no one to hold on to except myself.
To think that was just it, NO. It’s just the tip of the iceberg. Having sickies in the house rattles me the most. Most especially during this time when our finances aren’t doing well. We still have tons of fees due right now. Tuition fees, debts, and others. Holy cow! Where in the world will I get the money we need? If I could only disappear and float in the air, I would. I just want to have peace of mind even for a single day.
I was finally able to watch this most talk about movie here in this side of the world. Others say you have to watch it twice before you understand the whole story. Others say you won’t distinguish which is which, reality and dream. Others say don’t you dare blink or you won’t be able to fully grasp the whole plot.
Armed with what others say, my colleague and I brave ourselves to Greenbelt to watch it. And yes, we didn’t dare talk during the whole time although I was occasionally by the husband’s SMS.
Here’s the plot summary which I grab here.
| Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. |
No worries, I won’t post the full synopsis here. I don’t want to spoil others who haven’t seen it. Otherwise, go here and read it.
A few of my favorite lines:
Cobb: Never recreate from your memory. Always imagine new places.
*****
Cobb: What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.
*****
Cobb: Dreams feel real while we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.
*****
Cobb: I can access your mind through your dreams.
*****
Cobb: The seed that we planted in this man's mind may change everything.
*****
Cobb: You see, I think negative emotions are always trumped by positive emotions.
*****
Ariadne: [contemplating her totem] An elegant solution for keeping track of reality.
*****
Saito: Dare you take a leap of faith? Or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone.
I’d dare say that until now, my mind is still in its own work to remember the movie and finally decide which of the scenes were reality and were dreams. Dream within a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream. I might need my own totem now. Enough said! I’m crazy!
Note: You may want to read this very interesting review of the movie here.
Woke up J and gave him a bath. Left C with my mom while I accompany J to school. Had breakfast first together with the husband. For practical reasons, I chose to wait for J's dismissal. Off we went to McDonald's as requested by the little boy.
After lunch, spent a few hours with C and put her to sleep. Afterwards, hubby fetch me to watch Eclipse. Had a simple dinner afterwards then went home.
*****
I came to realize that celebration isn't as important as it was to me when I was still younger. Before, it's important for me to treat my officemates, college friends and my family for a dine out. Now, being with my loved ones is far more important to me rather than partying during my special day. But then again, celebrating birthdays also is a realization for me that indeed, I am growing old. Admit it or not, few years from now, I may loose my mom or my dad. Or they may loose me. Morbid it may sound but that's the reality of life.
My 4-year old son didn't greet me a Happy Birthday. His mere reason is the same reason when he didn't greet his father during his birthday. I don't have a cake. Our conversation is as follow:
J: Mom, why don't you have cake on your birthday?
Me: I don't need a cake because I'm already old for that.
J: (starting to cry) I don't want you to grow old.
Me: Why?
J: (crying now) I don't want you to die.
I didn't know what to say then. I simply hug him and told him that in the future we will all die, that made him wail louder. His fear is the same as my fear. He's still too young but was able to grasp the idea of death.
Thank you God for allowing me to spend another birthday with my kids.
Cliché as it may sound, but really, time flies so fast. Half of 2010 has already passed and I haven’t accomplished any of my goals yet save to sending Joshua to a good school.
July is my birthday month. I know I should be happy, but deep inside me there is still something missing. It has been two years now since I last celebrated my birthday. I have already accepted the bitter fact that birthdays (or celebrating birthdays) are for kids. For me, the day just simply come and go like any ordinary days. If I won’t be able to attend church on that day, I’d simply say a simple prayer of thanks to the Man above for giving me another year to spend with my kids. We don’t go out. We simply hang out on our house or cuddle in our room. At the end of the day, amidst not being able to celebrate my birthday with a candle and foods, I am still at bliss. Nothing compares to the laughter and giggles I hear from my kids.
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