I can’t resist writing about Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today. News about her is all over the place! As one anchor said, it’s a pity Gloria is going through all these, without any loyalist group backing her up. All I can say is, she's now reaping the consequences of her deeds. And it’s inevitable. Karma is digital. Justice will be served, and I wonder if GMA knew this is what's going to happen. She was once the most powerful woman in the country, using all of it to multiply her family's wealth, and I hope that this administration can bring all of it with her down. I can't remember how many mobs we have organized back in college, calling for her impeachment, how many times we have shouted 'Oust Arroyo', 'Patalsikin si Gloria', etc. which back then seemed endless as Arroyo managed to be in power despite all the issues of corruption, negative ratings, and financial crisis. Kudos to all who are making this all happen, and for the rest who shamelessly speak for her 'right', there is blood in the money she's giving/ gave you. Better find a way to get out of her loop or you'll go down with her as well. Harhar.. Naisip ko tuloy yung pusa ko, pinapagod muna niya yung daga bago niya tuluyang tigukin, hahaha!
Imports from my old multiply site joyceanndumayag.multiply.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Random Musings 21 11 11
I was on leave last Friday as I need to go to JRU to get my brother's Transcript of Records and Honorable Dismissal. Then went straight to SSS San Juan to check for my ID. They said after more than 1 year, it was finally mailed to my old address last August (2011). Since I moved to Novaliches, I have to check it. I also visited the SSS Main @ East Ave, and again, the red tape procedures for all of our inquiries. Nothing happened here after going through 4 queues. Its my decision anyways not to go ahead for the final step. I have a feeling I wont get anything anyways. After that, went to UP to get my diploma (after 5 years!), then shopping center, I cant believe while waiting for Roxy, I bought a UP jacket, with a screaming UP at the back, I wonder if I can really wear it in public. Foodtrip with Roxy, hmmmm sarap ng cheese corn, shawarma, and 3-in-1 coffee sa tabi tabi. Met Jane as well and had some chat. Before we split off, we agreed that we do it regularly, those kinds of meeting. Roxy and I went to the Tiangge Area din pala, then both bought Herman Hesse novel, I recommended to her Siddhartha, while I took Narcissus and Goldmund. She also suggested some authors to me, which I should buy some other time. Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning the house. Will is now headed to Croatia and will be there for the next 7 days. As for me, office stuff, might meet Roxy again and check out a Buddhist temple in Malate, and on the weekend, need to go to Nueva Ecija for my bestfriend's son birthday (my godchild).
Celine Dion's music was playing from the boss' office. Made me miss Celine's French songs which I used to sing (to myself) when I was in high school (kahit hindi ko naiintindihan). I like Jane Birkin's songs just recently after watching the film 'In Mom's Head', the song 'Quoi' in particular and 'Di Do Da'.
Adrienne Brody - first saw him in The Experiment film, and just recently, the movie The Pianist where he won Best Actor (Oscars 2002). - thanks to Roxy for all the wonderful films she gave me. And Splice film, andun din pala siya. Crush ko na siya.
Maginaw na naman, this week is the start of the brrrrrr moments, have been struggling with the aircon, headache, breeze, fog, and all related to it.
Mame and Dade just had a fight recently. When we were kids, my brother and I's opinion doesnt matter in these situations, and now, Mame just came to my bed (when I was in Aliaga visiting my grandmother who just came from the hospital), almost crying and telling me the story of their fight and all the other things that lead to it. Of course, I'll tell my mom to fight for her right. But I blamed her as well. Marriage is a partnership, there is no one who dominates the other. I once told Mame, I really can live without marriage. Even my brother who is in the province have a say on whats going on. And we both are in Mame's side. Later on, Dade went to Aliaga and seemed to court Mame again (hehe). No big deal. They have to work things out eventually because they love each other. Or is it mid-life crisis? Mame on her menopause stage and Dade on his grumpy period. They still have a lot of time together, but I hope that they will make the rest of their days the best of their lives together. Me and my brother are grown ups now, ideally, they are not supposed to think about us anymore. Its the time that they should think about themselves more.
Celine Dion's music was playing from the boss' office. Made me miss Celine's French songs which I used to sing (to myself) when I was in high school (kahit hindi ko naiintindihan). I like Jane Birkin's songs just recently after watching the film 'In Mom's Head', the song 'Quoi' in particular and 'Di Do Da'.
Adrienne Brody - first saw him in The Experiment film, and just recently, the movie The Pianist where he won Best Actor (Oscars 2002). - thanks to Roxy for all the wonderful films she gave me. And Splice film, andun din pala siya. Crush ko na siya.
Maginaw na naman, this week is the start of the brrrrrr moments, have been struggling with the aircon, headache, breeze, fog, and all related to it.
Mame and Dade just had a fight recently. When we were kids, my brother and I's opinion doesnt matter in these situations, and now, Mame just came to my bed (when I was in Aliaga visiting my grandmother who just came from the hospital), almost crying and telling me the story of their fight and all the other things that lead to it. Of course, I'll tell my mom to fight for her right. But I blamed her as well. Marriage is a partnership, there is no one who dominates the other. I once told Mame, I really can live without marriage. Even my brother who is in the province have a say on whats going on. And we both are in Mame's side. Later on, Dade went to Aliaga and seemed to court Mame again (hehe). No big deal. They have to work things out eventually because they love each other. Or is it mid-life crisis? Mame on her menopause stage and Dade on his grumpy period. They still have a lot of time together, but I hope that they will make the rest of their days the best of their lives together. Me and my brother are grown ups now, ideally, they are not supposed to think about us anymore. Its the time that they should think about themselves more.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
DMC Pix - NlRC, Naga, Rizal
Series of Disaster Management Courses conducted last August 2011: 1) Partners for Resilience Project funded by Netherlands Red Cross, 2) DMC in Bicol - Convenio Project funded by Spanish Red Cross, 3) one pic with Ate K from Marikina Sub Chapter (under Rizal) for their Norwegian Red Cross DRR Project. Had the opportunity to facilitate the trainings. Its not perfect and much needs to be improved, the learnings come along the way.
Pasyal sa Diguisit Beach
22 Oct 2011: Pasyal sa Diguist Beach sa Baler, Aurora during my birthday. With Rj, Ruffa, Ate Nora, Ponyang, Recar and Panchang! Wala nang masyadong shells, unlike before. The last time we went there, I was able to pick lots of sea shells, ngayon yung maliliit na lang. Only the kids went swimming. :-)
Easing the Storm
How can you ease a storm that has been perennially bugging you once in a while, when you can taste the blandness despite the continuous fight to ignore it? When do you know when to stop, knowing there is some sort of stagnation going on and its hopeless, despite your small invaluable effort to make things change, but deep inside you know that you just cant. When is a good break not a good one anymore? Complicating things isnt just gonna help. We are all dust in the wind anyways. And maybe we can just let it all pass.. And later realize how we were able to get through it when we thought before its something that we cant stand..
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The Lines Are Just Perfect..
Perfect version of a statement about marriage that a friend told me once, from the film 'Frida' that I watched last night, the first time I saw the film was back in college.
"Tina Modotti: I don't believe in marriage. [crowd laughs] No, I really don't. Let me be clear about that. I think at worst it's a hostile political act, a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion - these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don't think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical and courageous and very romantic. To Diego and Frida."
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Loooong Weekend!
I will be on vacation starting tomorrow till the 7th! I just got back from Aurora during my 26th birthday because mom and dad 'forced' me to go home (fearing that I will be alone in Novaliches during my birthday - which for me is ok, no worries, Will not at home, and I, supposedly enjoying the tranquility of my solitude, but it didnt happen). Best part of my birthday? I was able to sleep with my Sascha (cat) for two nights! Joke. Well, just being with family is enough. I am getting older, hu hu.. But its nice to know that with aging comes learnings about life and love. And I really have a feeling that there is something about this year, hmmmm.. Now, an 8-day vacation (excluding the travel days) is awaiting us. I hope to visit Casapsapan Bay in Casiguran, which they say is comparable to Boracay, and meet some elementary and high school friends. Ciao!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Žižek at Wall Street Protest
By Jérôme E. Roos On October 11, 2011
“We’re not dreamers. We’re awaking from a dream turning into a nightmare. We’re not destroying anything. We’re watching the system destroy itself.”
Via Occupy Wall Street and Impose Magazine
We are all losers, but the true losers are down there on Wall Street. They were bailed out by billions of our money. We are called socialists, but here there is always socialism for the rich. They say we don’t respect private property, but in the 2008 financial crash-down more hard-earned private property was destroyed than if all of us here were to be destroying it night and day for weeks. They tell you we are dreamers. The true dreamers are those who think things can go on indefinitely the way they are. We are not dreamers. We are the awakening from a dream that is turning into a nightmare. We are not destroying anything. We are only witnessing how the system is destroying itself. We all know the classic scene from cartoons. The cat reaches a precipice but it goes on walking, ignoring the fact that there is nothing beneath this ground. Only when it looks down and notices it, it falls down. This is what we are doing here. We are telling the guys there on Wall Street, “Hey, look down!”
In mid-April 2011, the Chinese government prohibited on TV, films, and novels all stories that contain alternate reality or time travel. This is a good sign for China. These people still dream about alternatives, so you have to prohibit this dreaming. Here, we don’t need a prohibition because the ruling system has even oppressed our capacity to dream. Look at the movies that we see all the time. It’s easy to imagine the end of the world. An asteroid destroying all life and so on. But you cannot imagine the end of capitalism. So what are we doing here? Let me tell you a wonderful, old joke from Communist times. A guy was sent from East Germany to work in Siberia. He knew his mail would be read by censors, so he told his friends: “Let’s establish a code. If a letter you get from me is written in blue ink, it is true what I say. If it is written in red ink, it is false.” After a month, his friends get the first letter. Everything is in blue. It says, this letter: “Everything is wonderful here. Stores are full of good food. Movie theatres show good films from the west. Apartments are large and luxurious. The only thing you cannot buy is red ink.” This is how we live. We have all the freedoms we want. But what we are missing is red ink: the language to articulate our non-freedom. The way we are taught to speak about freedom— war on terror and so on—falsifies freedom. And this is what you are doing here. You are giving all of us red ink. There is a danger. Don’t fall in love with yourselves. We have a nice time here. But remember, carnivals come cheap. What matters is the day after, when we will have to return to normal lives. Will there be any changes then? I don’t want you to remember these days, you know, like “Oh. we were young and it was beautiful.” Remember that our basic message is “We are allowed to think about alternatives.” If the broom [?] is broken, we do not live in the best possible world. But there is a long road ahead. There are truly difficult questions that confront us. We know what we do not want. But what do we want? What social organization can replace capitalism? What type of new leaders do we want? Remember. The problem is not corruption or greed. The problem is the system. It forces you to be corrupt. Beware not only of the enemies, but also of false friends who are already working to dilute this process. In the same way you get coffee without caffeine, beer without alcohol, ice cream without fat, they will try to make this into a harmless, moral protest. A decaffienated process. But the reason we are here is that we have had enough of a world where, to recycle Coke cans, to give a couple of dollars for charity, or to buy a Starbucks cappuccino where 1% goes to third world starving children is enough to make us feel good. After outsourcing work and torture, after marriage agencies are now outsourcing our love life, we can see that for a long time, we allow our political engagement also to be outsourced. We want it back.
We are not Communists if Communism means a system which collapsed in 1990. Remember that today those Communists are the most efficient, ruthless Capitalists. In China today, we have Capitalism which is even more dynamic than your American Capitalism, but doesn’t need democracy. Which means when you criticize Capitalism, don’t allow yourself to be blackmailed that you are against democracy. The marriage between democracy and Capitalism is over. The change is possible. What do we perceive today as possible? Just follow the media. On the one hand, in technology and sexuality, everything seems to be possible. You can travel to the moon, you can become immortal by biogenetics, you can have sex with animals or whatever, but look at the field of society and economy. There, almost everything is considered impossible. You want to raise taxes by little bit for the rich. They tell you it’s impossible. We lose competitivity. You want more money for health care, they tell you, “Impossible, this means totalitarian state.” There’s something wrong in the world, where you are promised to be immortal but cannot spend a little bit more for healthcare. Maybe we need to set our priorities straight here. We don’t want higher standard of living. We want a better standard of living. The only sense in which we are Communists is that we care for the commons. The commons of nature. The commons of privatized by intellectual property. The commons of biogenetics. For this, and only for this, we should fight.
Communism failed absolutely, but the problems of the commons are here. They are telling you we are not American here. But the conservatives fundamentalists who claim they really are American have to be reminded of something: What is Christianity? It’s the holy spirit. What is the holy spirit? It’s an egalitarian community of believers who are linked by love for each other, and who only have their own freedom and responsibility to do it. In this sense, the holy spirit is here now. And down there on Wall Street, there are pagans who are worshipping blasphemous idols. So all we need is patience. The only thing I’m afraid of is that we will someday just go home and then we will meet once a year, drinking beer, and nostaligically remembering “What a nice time we had here.” Promise yourselves that this will not be the case. We know that people often desire something but do not really want it. Don’t be afraid to really want what you desire. Thank you very much.
> http://roarmag.org/2011/10/zizek-at-wall-street-protest-dont-fall-in-love-with-yourself/
“We’re not dreamers. We’re awaking from a dream turning into a nightmare. We’re not destroying anything. We’re watching the system destroy itself.”
Via Occupy Wall Street and Impose Magazine
We are all losers, but the true losers are down there on Wall Street. They were bailed out by billions of our money. We are called socialists, but here there is always socialism for the rich. They say we don’t respect private property, but in the 2008 financial crash-down more hard-earned private property was destroyed than if all of us here were to be destroying it night and day for weeks. They tell you we are dreamers. The true dreamers are those who think things can go on indefinitely the way they are. We are not dreamers. We are the awakening from a dream that is turning into a nightmare. We are not destroying anything. We are only witnessing how the system is destroying itself. We all know the classic scene from cartoons. The cat reaches a precipice but it goes on walking, ignoring the fact that there is nothing beneath this ground. Only when it looks down and notices it, it falls down. This is what we are doing here. We are telling the guys there on Wall Street, “Hey, look down!”
In mid-April 2011, the Chinese government prohibited on TV, films, and novels all stories that contain alternate reality or time travel. This is a good sign for China. These people still dream about alternatives, so you have to prohibit this dreaming. Here, we don’t need a prohibition because the ruling system has even oppressed our capacity to dream. Look at the movies that we see all the time. It’s easy to imagine the end of the world. An asteroid destroying all life and so on. But you cannot imagine the end of capitalism. So what are we doing here? Let me tell you a wonderful, old joke from Communist times. A guy was sent from East Germany to work in Siberia. He knew his mail would be read by censors, so he told his friends: “Let’s establish a code. If a letter you get from me is written in blue ink, it is true what I say. If it is written in red ink, it is false.” After a month, his friends get the first letter. Everything is in blue. It says, this letter: “Everything is wonderful here. Stores are full of good food. Movie theatres show good films from the west. Apartments are large and luxurious. The only thing you cannot buy is red ink.” This is how we live. We have all the freedoms we want. But what we are missing is red ink: the language to articulate our non-freedom. The way we are taught to speak about freedom— war on terror and so on—falsifies freedom. And this is what you are doing here. You are giving all of us red ink. There is a danger. Don’t fall in love with yourselves. We have a nice time here. But remember, carnivals come cheap. What matters is the day after, when we will have to return to normal lives. Will there be any changes then? I don’t want you to remember these days, you know, like “Oh. we were young and it was beautiful.” Remember that our basic message is “We are allowed to think about alternatives.” If the broom [?] is broken, we do not live in the best possible world. But there is a long road ahead. There are truly difficult questions that confront us. We know what we do not want. But what do we want? What social organization can replace capitalism? What type of new leaders do we want? Remember. The problem is not corruption or greed. The problem is the system. It forces you to be corrupt. Beware not only of the enemies, but also of false friends who are already working to dilute this process. In the same way you get coffee without caffeine, beer without alcohol, ice cream without fat, they will try to make this into a harmless, moral protest. A decaffienated process. But the reason we are here is that we have had enough of a world where, to recycle Coke cans, to give a couple of dollars for charity, or to buy a Starbucks cappuccino where 1% goes to third world starving children is enough to make us feel good. After outsourcing work and torture, after marriage agencies are now outsourcing our love life, we can see that for a long time, we allow our political engagement also to be outsourced. We want it back.
We are not Communists if Communism means a system which collapsed in 1990. Remember that today those Communists are the most efficient, ruthless Capitalists. In China today, we have Capitalism which is even more dynamic than your American Capitalism, but doesn’t need democracy. Which means when you criticize Capitalism, don’t allow yourself to be blackmailed that you are against democracy. The marriage between democracy and Capitalism is over. The change is possible. What do we perceive today as possible? Just follow the media. On the one hand, in technology and sexuality, everything seems to be possible. You can travel to the moon, you can become immortal by biogenetics, you can have sex with animals or whatever, but look at the field of society and economy. There, almost everything is considered impossible. You want to raise taxes by little bit for the rich. They tell you it’s impossible. We lose competitivity. You want more money for health care, they tell you, “Impossible, this means totalitarian state.” There’s something wrong in the world, where you are promised to be immortal but cannot spend a little bit more for healthcare. Maybe we need to set our priorities straight here. We don’t want higher standard of living. We want a better standard of living. The only sense in which we are Communists is that we care for the commons. The commons of nature. The commons of privatized by intellectual property. The commons of biogenetics. For this, and only for this, we should fight.
Communism failed absolutely, but the problems of the commons are here. They are telling you we are not American here. But the conservatives fundamentalists who claim they really are American have to be reminded of something: What is Christianity? It’s the holy spirit. What is the holy spirit? It’s an egalitarian community of believers who are linked by love for each other, and who only have their own freedom and responsibility to do it. In this sense, the holy spirit is here now. And down there on Wall Street, there are pagans who are worshipping blasphemous idols. So all we need is patience. The only thing I’m afraid of is that we will someday just go home and then we will meet once a year, drinking beer, and nostaligically remembering “What a nice time we had here.” Promise yourselves that this will not be the case. We know that people often desire something but do not really want it. Don’t be afraid to really want what you desire. Thank you very much.
> http://roarmag.org/2011/10/zizek-at-wall-street-protest-dont-fall-in-love-with-yourself/
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thoughts of a Dreamer
Do you believe in a god and, if so, which one?
Answer: I think belief is a cover up for insecurity. You only have to resort to belief if you are not sure. Therefore I would say the question does not apply. I have complete conviction that God exists as an infinite intelligence that orchestrates the infinite workings of the universe. I also think that we have that intelligence and we have the ability to get in touch with the larger intelligence. Just like the drop in the ocean is the ocean. You are not only the drop in the ocean, you are also the ocean in the drop. I think by shifting our awareness to our inner being we have access to this intelligence and the mystery we call God. And we don’t need to be part of a religion to experience this mystery.
Interview by Carl Lindgren
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Deep Deepak
Deepak Chopra and I have the same birthday - October 22.
And today is one month before our birthday. I first became interested when I knew that he wrote a version of Siddharta - that I already saw in PowerBooks but didn't buy back then, now I felt an urge to buy one of his books. I have always believed in seasonal biology, and astrology in a way, and reading some of the entries in his official website, I felt like I'm a little bit of his female version. Only a bit at this time but now I'm thinking, I would like to pursue a path like his, not necessarily being a doctor of internal medicine, but on the path of spirituality.
Thanks to all the persons who have influenced my spirituality since I was a child, from my grandmothers, my parents, friends and colleagues. Now I hope to understand it deeper. And yes, I am optimistic, with the help of Deepak Chopra.
We cannot blame people why some turn to alternative medicine, which is being espoused by Deepak. I just had a recent encounter with 2 OB Gynecologists at the Medical City SM Fairview. That was the time when I had a consultation and the doctor immediately said I need a papsmear and did it right there and then without asking if I had intercourse in the past days, if I used vaginal creams, or if I took a bath at the tub (which will affect the result of the test). When I got the result, they said there is something (very minimally) wrong and immediately prescribed something. And then asked me to go back after a week of medication to have another papsmear (again without telling me what to do before the conduct of the papsmear). I felt odd at the instructions, are doctors like that nowadays? Or is it just at this particular medical clinic? They sound like saleswomen, instead of medical practitioners, and even if I did not pay for the tests (credited via the health card), it seems unfair that they prescribe procedures on and on without doing the proper job. Gosh, the health system in this country is deteriorating, and those who are poor in knowledge, they are the ones who have been victims of these kinds of misconduct.
I still believe a lot of medical practitioners do it as a vocation, driven by the motivation to help others.
And today is one month before our birthday. I first became interested when I knew that he wrote a version of Siddharta - that I already saw in PowerBooks but didn't buy back then, now I felt an urge to buy one of his books. I have always believed in seasonal biology, and astrology in a way, and reading some of the entries in his official website, I felt like I'm a little bit of his female version. Only a bit at this time but now I'm thinking, I would like to pursue a path like his, not necessarily being a doctor of internal medicine, but on the path of spirituality.
Thanks to all the persons who have influenced my spirituality since I was a child, from my grandmothers, my parents, friends and colleagues. Now I hope to understand it deeper. And yes, I am optimistic, with the help of Deepak Chopra.
We cannot blame people why some turn to alternative medicine, which is being espoused by Deepak. I just had a recent encounter with 2 OB Gynecologists at the Medical City SM Fairview. That was the time when I had a consultation and the doctor immediately said I need a papsmear and did it right there and then without asking if I had intercourse in the past days, if I used vaginal creams, or if I took a bath at the tub (which will affect the result of the test). When I got the result, they said there is something (very minimally) wrong and immediately prescribed something. And then asked me to go back after a week of medication to have another papsmear (again without telling me what to do before the conduct of the papsmear). I felt odd at the instructions, are doctors like that nowadays? Or is it just at this particular medical clinic? They sound like saleswomen, instead of medical practitioners, and even if I did not pay for the tests (credited via the health card), it seems unfair that they prescribe procedures on and on without doing the proper job. Gosh, the health system in this country is deteriorating, and those who are poor in knowledge, they are the ones who have been victims of these kinds of misconduct.
I still believe a lot of medical practitioners do it as a vocation, driven by the motivation to help others.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Notes from Science Daily
Less salt, less strokes, says new research (August 11, 2011) -- A reduction of 3 grams of salt intake per day would prevent up to 8,000 stroke deaths and up to 12,000 coronary heart disease deaths per year in the UK, says new research. A similar reduction in the USA would result in up to 120,000 fewer cases of coronary heart disease, up to 66,000 strokes and up to 99,000 heart attacks annually
How estrogen could help protect women from cardiovascular disease (August 11, 2011) -- The sex hormone estrogen could help protect women from cardiovascular disease by keeping the body's immune system in check, new research has revealed. The study has shown that the female sex hormone works on white blood cells to stop them from sticking to the insides of blood vessels, a process which can lead to dangerous blockages.
Eating protein throughout the day preserves muscle and physical function in dieting postmenopausal women, study suggests (August 11, 2011) -- Dieting postmenopausal women who want to avoid losing muscle as they lose fat should pay attention to a new study. Adding protein throughout the day not only holds hunger pangs at bay so that dieters lose more weight, it keeps body composition -- the amount of fat relative to muscle -- in better proportion.
Narcissism may benefit the young, researchers report; but older adults? Not so much (August 11, 2011) -- A new study suggests that some forms of narcissism are -- at least in the short term -- beneficial, helping children navigate the difficult transition to adulthood.
Paper money worldwide contains bisphenol A (August 11, 2011) -- The cash register receipts that people place near paper money in billfolds and pockets has led to a worldwide contamination of paper money with bisphenol A (BPA) -- a potentially toxic substance. The amounts of BPA on currencies are higher than in dust, but human intake from currency is at least 10 times less than that from house dust, according to a new study.
Can blaming others make people sick? (August 11, 2011) -- Constant bitterness can make a person ill, according to researchers who have examined the relationship between failure, bitterness and quality of life.
Deep oceans can mask global warming for decade-long periods (September 19, 2011) -- The planet's deep oceans at times may absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of as long as a decade even in the midst of longer-term warming, according to a new analysis.
Put down that game controller: Researcher suggests video games may not boost cognition (September 19, 2011) -- Wouldn't it be nice if all those hours kids spent glued to their PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo DS video games actually resulted in something tangible? Better grades, perhaps? Improved concentration? Superior driving skills? Over the past decade, many studies and news media reports have suggested that action video games such as Medal of Honor or Unreal Tournament improve a variety of perceptual and cognitive abilities. But in a new paper, psychologists critically reevaluate those claims.
How excess alcohol depresses immune function (August 15, 2011) -- Alcoholism suppresses the immune system, resulting in a high risk of serious, and even life-threatening infections. A new study shows that this effect stems largely from alcohol's toxicity to immune system cells called dendritic cells. These cells play a critical role in immune function, responding to danger signals by searching for unfamiliar antigens within the body that would be coming from invading microbes, and presenting such antigens to T cells, thus activating them to seek and destroy cells containing these antigens.
Psychologists interrupt the miserable cycle of social insecurity (August 15, 2011) -- Tom likes Susan but he fears she does not like him. Expecting to be rejected, he's cold toward Susan. And guess what? She snubs him back. His prophesy is self-fulfilled, his social insecurity reinforced. The miserable cycle continues.
Conflict levels don't change much over course of marriage (August 15, 2011) -- Think about how much you fight and argue with your spouse today. A new study suggests that your current level of conflict probably won't change much for the remainder of your marriage. That may be good news for the 16 percent of couples who report little conflict or even the 60 percent who have only moderate levels of conflict. But it's not such happy news for the 22 percent of couples who say they fight and argue with each other a lot.
Schoolchildren can also learn complex subject matters on their own, researchers find (August 14, 2011) -- Self-directed learning has long been heralded as the key to successful education. Yet until now, there has been little research into this theory. Educational researchers in Germany have now shown that schoolchildren can independently develop strategies for solving complex mathematical tasks, with weaker students proving just as capable as their stronger classmates.
Biodiversity key to Earth's life-support functions in a changing world (August 14, 2011) -- The biological diversity of organisms on Earth is not just something we enjoy when taking a walk through a blossoming meadow in spring; it is also the basis for countless products and services provided by nature, including food, building materials, and medicines as well as the self-purifying qualities of water and protection against erosion. New findings indicate that much more biodiversity is necessary to keep ecosystems functioning in a world that is changing ever faster. The protection of diversity is thus a crucial factor in maintaining Earth's life-support functions.
Scientists highlight link between stress and appetite (August 13, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which stress increases food drive in rats. This new discovery could provide important insight into why stress is thought to be one of the underlying contributors to obesity.
Social acceptance and rejection: The sweet and the bitter (August 13, 2011) -- For proof that rejection, exclusion, and acceptance are central to our lives, look no farther than the living room, says a psychologist. "If you turn on the television set, and watch any reality TV program, most of them are about rejection and acceptance," he says.
Research reveals genetic link to human intelligence (August 12, 2011) -- New research provides the first direct biological evidence for a genetic contribution to people's intelligence. Previous studies on twins and adopted people suggested that there is a substantial genetic contribution to thinking skills, but this new study is the first to find a genetic contribution by testing people's DNA for genetic variations.
Polar climate change may lead to ecological change (August 12, 2011) -- Ice and frozen ground at the North and South Poles are affected by climate change induced warming, but the consequences of thawing at each pole differ due to the geography and geology, according to a hydrologist.
How estrogen could help protect women from cardiovascular disease (August 11, 2011) -- The sex hormone estrogen could help protect women from cardiovascular disease by keeping the body's immune system in check, new research has revealed. The study has shown that the female sex hormone works on white blood cells to stop them from sticking to the insides of blood vessels, a process which can lead to dangerous blockages.
Eating protein throughout the day preserves muscle and physical function in dieting postmenopausal women, study suggests (August 11, 2011) -- Dieting postmenopausal women who want to avoid losing muscle as they lose fat should pay attention to a new study. Adding protein throughout the day not only holds hunger pangs at bay so that dieters lose more weight, it keeps body composition -- the amount of fat relative to muscle -- in better proportion.
Narcissism may benefit the young, researchers report; but older adults? Not so much (August 11, 2011) -- A new study suggests that some forms of narcissism are -- at least in the short term -- beneficial, helping children navigate the difficult transition to adulthood.
Paper money worldwide contains bisphenol A (August 11, 2011) -- The cash register receipts that people place near paper money in billfolds and pockets has led to a worldwide contamination of paper money with bisphenol A (BPA) -- a potentially toxic substance. The amounts of BPA on currencies are higher than in dust, but human intake from currency is at least 10 times less than that from house dust, according to a new study.
Can blaming others make people sick? (August 11, 2011) -- Constant bitterness can make a person ill, according to researchers who have examined the relationship between failure, bitterness and quality of life.
Deep oceans can mask global warming for decade-long periods (September 19, 2011) -- The planet's deep oceans at times may absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of as long as a decade even in the midst of longer-term warming, according to a new analysis.
Put down that game controller: Researcher suggests video games may not boost cognition (September 19, 2011) -- Wouldn't it be nice if all those hours kids spent glued to their PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo DS video games actually resulted in something tangible? Better grades, perhaps? Improved concentration? Superior driving skills? Over the past decade, many studies and news media reports have suggested that action video games such as Medal of Honor or Unreal Tournament improve a variety of perceptual and cognitive abilities. But in a new paper, psychologists critically reevaluate those claims.
How excess alcohol depresses immune function (August 15, 2011) -- Alcoholism suppresses the immune system, resulting in a high risk of serious, and even life-threatening infections. A new study shows that this effect stems largely from alcohol's toxicity to immune system cells called dendritic cells. These cells play a critical role in immune function, responding to danger signals by searching for unfamiliar antigens within the body that would be coming from invading microbes, and presenting such antigens to T cells, thus activating them to seek and destroy cells containing these antigens.
Psychologists interrupt the miserable cycle of social insecurity (August 15, 2011) -- Tom likes Susan but he fears she does not like him. Expecting to be rejected, he's cold toward Susan. And guess what? She snubs him back. His prophesy is self-fulfilled, his social insecurity reinforced. The miserable cycle continues.
Conflict levels don't change much over course of marriage (August 15, 2011) -- Think about how much you fight and argue with your spouse today. A new study suggests that your current level of conflict probably won't change much for the remainder of your marriage. That may be good news for the 16 percent of couples who report little conflict or even the 60 percent who have only moderate levels of conflict. But it's not such happy news for the 22 percent of couples who say they fight and argue with each other a lot.
Schoolchildren can also learn complex subject matters on their own, researchers find (August 14, 2011) -- Self-directed learning has long been heralded as the key to successful education. Yet until now, there has been little research into this theory. Educational researchers in Germany have now shown that schoolchildren can independently develop strategies for solving complex mathematical tasks, with weaker students proving just as capable as their stronger classmates.
Biodiversity key to Earth's life-support functions in a changing world (August 14, 2011) -- The biological diversity of organisms on Earth is not just something we enjoy when taking a walk through a blossoming meadow in spring; it is also the basis for countless products and services provided by nature, including food, building materials, and medicines as well as the self-purifying qualities of water and protection against erosion. New findings indicate that much more biodiversity is necessary to keep ecosystems functioning in a world that is changing ever faster. The protection of diversity is thus a crucial factor in maintaining Earth's life-support functions.
Scientists highlight link between stress and appetite (August 13, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which stress increases food drive in rats. This new discovery could provide important insight into why stress is thought to be one of the underlying contributors to obesity.
Social acceptance and rejection: The sweet and the bitter (August 13, 2011) -- For proof that rejection, exclusion, and acceptance are central to our lives, look no farther than the living room, says a psychologist. "If you turn on the television set, and watch any reality TV program, most of them are about rejection and acceptance," he says.
Research reveals genetic link to human intelligence (August 12, 2011) -- New research provides the first direct biological evidence for a genetic contribution to people's intelligence. Previous studies on twins and adopted people suggested that there is a substantial genetic contribution to thinking skills, but this new study is the first to find a genetic contribution by testing people's DNA for genetic variations.
Polar climate change may lead to ecological change (August 12, 2011) -- Ice and frozen ground at the North and South Poles are affected by climate change induced warming, but the consequences of thawing at each pole differ due to the geography and geology, according to a hydrologist.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sense and Sensibility
Enjoyed this film too much during the weekend, what I love most is the relationship between Elinor (Sense) and Marianne (Sensibility), as sisters, and their struggles with Love and their own Natures. I have identified myself with Marianne (played by Kate Winslet - one of my favorites), who showed stubborness in her own way, melancholic and full of feelings, while Elinor kept a lot of her feelings to herself, and being responsible for her family above all. Loved the pieces played by Kate Winslet on the piano as well, and how she sang them well!
Everyone should watch this film, based on Jane Austen's novel. Thanks to my friend Roxy for sharing the film to me. :-)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Eat, Pray, Love
Liz said, "I do not need to love you to prove to you that I love myself." Bitter.. Haha.. I love this film, but Liz is too risky to do it all, only to find herself, too costly, but I guess some people really need that, to just go away from everything once in a while. I just hope the marriage didn't end too easy.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
A Celebration with Butterflies & Flowers!
Spent our 5th Year Anniversary at Grand Villa Resort at Laguna. Thanks to Ms Rhea for giving us complimentary. It was a weekend of relaxation, being close to nature once again, with the butterflies, flowers, and some wild animals (hehe), and of course, with each other. Hmmmm, I am still in love with this guy each day, and every day, love deepens. There is a certain kind of feeling when you know someone so much. We have struggled through a lot already, and I know that we can get through anything together. Celebrating our 5 years together felt like entering a new phase, renewing an unwritten contract of love. :-)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
One Month @ the New House
Its been more than a month - living at the new house, and I feel sleepy a lot of times. We need to wake up at 5 in the morning during work days, leave the house quarter to 6, without breakfast (which is fine with me, but sometimes Willy manages to cook his food while I still sleep in bed). With the RC service, I usually arrive at the office before 8am, then in the evening, leaving the office around 5:30 then arriving home around 8pm. Sleeping around 6-7 hours per night, this is so short for me! Haha. Well I guess, I can adapt to this soon. For weekends, I can sleep as long as I can.
BTW, announcement, my sister in law is pregnant, same with my Sophie (dog) and Sascha (cat)! All three soon-to-be mothers, in our parent's house in Aurora, and we hope to visit them soon, maybe end of August (long weekend)!
Despite the long distance traveled from house to office, 4 hours per day, it feels good that now, after 9 years of renting a place, I finally have settled into a place of 'our' own. Willy and I have plans to improve the renovated house, and I cant wait to see it finished. Our decision was right. And I do really hope that this decision will lead to some other things we have been wanting to have.
Tomorrow is our 5th Year Anniversary together. I bought a gift for him - a guitar for him to practice his skill, and teach me how to play it as well :-) ! Ah I hope we can go to Laguna tomorrow to celebrate it. For now, I am really sleepy. TGIF.
Partners for Resilience W-S
July 26-30 2011: Another learning experience for all of us! And its good to see Omer again. Pleased to meet the CARE partners, IIRR facilitators, and delegates from Netherlands. I hope I can really help Ms. Elle in whatever she needs for this project, I cannot do so much though.. But will try my best. :-)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Health Check Weekend
Woke up late last Saturday morning, had brunch with Will, then off we go to SM Fairview Medical Clinic. The doctor advised me to get a papsmear and she did it right away. Advised me to get ultrasound as well but I dont think t'was necessary.
Then in the evening, Will and I went to the place where we first spent our first dates - OFF The GRILL at Timog. Promised myself that for this night, Im gonna have my last bottle of beer and my last cigarette stick. The band played slow rnb music, with Duncan Ramos as their guest singer.. Despite the sleepiness and the slight colds and cough, which the doctor suspected is allergic rhinitis, I still managed to enjoy the night, talking with Will and reminiscing what were the first conversations that we had. :-)
Then on sunday, had a shot of Varicella Vaccine administered by a lovely Doctor in Healthway SM The Block. Dra. Lorenzo, if Im not mistaken, she even told the story of her first pregnancy where she had chickenpox while 7 months pregnant, fortunately, it didnt affect her baby.
Then off we went home to savour the last hours of the weekend, I cooked some vegetables for our dinner and watched a not-so-old film 'Point of No Return' starring Bridget Fonda. I have watched this film years ago and I always liked Bridget for her gentle rugged-feminine role as an assasin. As my colds worsened, I decided to sleep on the sofa, without the aircon that Will cannot sleep without. My god, sometimes, I feel like I wanted to smash the aircon and the fans so I wont have a problem. Haha..
Monday, July 11, 2011
Selected Quotes from Harold and Maude Movie
***Thanks to Joerg for telling me to watch this film. Weird couple though, but Maude is a revolutionary! And I do love her philosophy, minus the extreme ones though, but who cares, great ideas come from crazy thoughts.. The ones I liked most are in red.
---
Harold: What were you fighting for?
Maude: Oh, big issues. Liberty. Rights. Justice. Kings died, kingdoms fell. I don't regret the kingdoms - what sense in borders and nations and patriotism? But I miss the kings.
---
Maude: A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life. *Reach* out. Take a *chance*. Get *hurt* even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room.
---
Harold: Maude.
Maude: Hmm?
Harold: Do you pray?
Maude: Pray? No. I communicate.
Harold: With God?
Maude: With *life*.
---
Maude: Vice, Virtue. It's best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much *life.* Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you're bound to live life fully.
---
Maude: Harold, *everyone* has the right to make an ass out of themselves. You just can't let the world judge you too much.
---
Harold: You hop in any car you want and just drive off?
Maude: Well, not any car - I like to keep a variety. I'm always looking for the new experience.
Harold: [smiling] Maybe. [more seriously] Nevertheless, I think you're upsetting people. I don't know if that's right.
Maude: Well, if some people get upset because they feel they have a hold on some things, I'm merely acting as a gentle reminder: here today, gone tomorrow, so don't get attached to things *now.* With *that* in mind, I'm not against collecting stuff.
---
Maude: [to a motorcycle officer] *Don't* get officious. You're not yourself when you're officious - That is the curse of a government job.
---
Maude: Consistency is not *really* a human trait.
---
Harold: So... you don't use the umbrella anymore?
[Maude does not hear him]
Harold: No more revolts?
Maude: [Maude is crying, and finally looks at Harold] Oh, yes! Every day. But I don't need a *defense* anymore. I embrace! Still fighting for the Big Issues, but now in my small, individual way.
---
Maude: I've collected quite a lot of stuff in my time. Yeah, this is all memorabilia — but it’s incidental, not integral, if you know what I mean.
---
Maude: Here we are. Oat straw tea and ginger pie. Excuse the mismatched saucers.
Harold: This is definitely a new experience for me.
Maude: Oh, wonderful. Try something new each day. After all, we're given life to find it out. It doesn't last forever.
---
Maude: Oh, that was fun. Let's play something together.
Harold: I don't play anything.
Maude: Nothing? Oh... Dear me. Everybody should be able to make some music. That's the cosmic dance.
---
Maude: What a fuss this is -- so unnecessary.
Harold: Don't die, Maude, for Christ’s sake.
Maude: Oh, Harold -- oh, don't upset yourself so.
Harold: I love you. I love you!
Maude: Oh, Harold... That's wonderful. Go and love some more.
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