Senior Citizens Covid19 Vaccination: Experiential Journal
Since the first week of May, covid19 vaccination efforts reaches the senior citizens since this group has been considered vulnerable in the human population for severe infection. I have seen a lot of senior citizens getting inoculated, but there are still people who miss this opportunity primarily because of fear and misinformation.
Last Wednesday was my parents schedule to get the jab. However, first-hand we've been on a bit of a chaotic preparation.
**BEFORE VACCINATION**
The purok president informed them about it and how to get enlisted, only that it was a wrong information. My sister went to the health center as what our misinformed president said, but from there she was told that the form/ appointment was made in the barangay hall, and this happened at around 2pm with all heat and humidity, my sister got so mad with the misinformation. Not only her, but our neighbors as well.
Then the planning came, my mom wanted to have their annual medical check up Tuesday morning, this has been planned since April that's why I have both request for Executive Panel B ready. I told her that its okay to get vaccinated without it but mom really insisted that it's better to get all bloodworks ready so doctors from the vaccination center can check it too. Anyway, I'm sure she's just doing this for peace of mind, I know they're both anxious too, and I completely understand. No need for debate, Monday evening after dinner, we unanimously decided for both of my parents check up. So right after my dad had his milk and my mom her tea before bedtime at around 9pm, they're starting NPO (nothing by mouth) in medical terminology or fasting. They woke up early and me too, I took a leave from work monday morning despite on duty on Tuesday, good thing we don't have much patients in the morning so our Supervisor did not freak out while I'm busy with daughter's duty. Eventually, they completed all the laboratory test, and my mom had an xray too. When I finished my shift at 5pm, I have all the results, well perks of working in the hospital, eh? And, the bloodworks were all okay, praise God!
**VACCINATION DAY**
Vaccination day (Wednesday), I was the one anxious for both of my parents, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. I trust God that everything will be fine and that's the only comfort I have.
The day started with an early breakfast, then I asked my parents to take their maintenance medication, unfortunately my stubborn mom didn't took hers because she's okay as she said. So during screening before vaccination, my mom's BP rose to 170/90mmHg. I gave her the meds and she have to wait 20-30 mins before the jab, then she should be monitored for another 30 mins after, good that it went down to 140/90 mmHg. Meanwhile, my dad was on a breeze, blood pressure before and after were all good so he finished in a jiffy.
See the difference between a compliant patient and the stubborn one? My advice for senior citizens and non-senior with pre-existing diseases and comorbidities, always take your maintenance medications. It will save you time, worries and hassles!
**AFTER VACCINATION**
Few hours after vaccination both of them were okay. However, the following day my mom was experiencing side effects of the vaccine - astra zeneca. Well, side effect was very minimal on her, she felt body fatigue all throughout the day, so she've been moving less in the house and more in bed, that was very unusual for her because mom is typically always busy. I left few instructions for my sister before I left for work that day, this includes checking her blood pressure and check mom if she's taking her meds, and hydrate. Nevertheless, everyone is compliant this time. Dad, on the other hand, was active that day and no signs of side effects from him, I guess.
**REMINDERS**
I made a brief reminder above about taking maintenance medicine before going out for vaccination - very important. Also, disclose everything to the officer during screening about your health issues, allergies and previous exposure/infection from Covid19. One thing to take note is your recent travel 1-2 weeks before vaccination and/or any social gatherings. These are important also so the monitoring team can take special attention on your case. As for my parents, they brought with them their recent laboratory result and prescription of their maintenance medications for reference.
**CONCLUSION**
In our experience, myself vaccinated with complete doses of Sinovac and my parents with Astra Zeneca, I can say that vaccines are safe. There are doctors in the vaccination centers to screen you thoroughly about your medical health history, also you can visit beforehand your family/personal physician to give you clearance if the vaccine is safe for you. Always ask proper authorities about the vaccines.
One last thing, **we can only trust God of whatever pursuits we have to undertake each day, so take it with prayer and confidence that God will bring it to pass** **safely and successfully.**
Let go and let God.
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#Covid19 #Covid19Vaccination #Resbakuna2021
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The Year I Won Against Cigarette
Disclaimer : This is not my story,
but from someone I personally know.
This is my story for a full year without cigarette, following 38 years during which I smoked an average of a pack and a half a day. By the time I quit, I was up to two packs a day - which makes a total of approximately 398,000 cigarettes - not a record, of course, but enough to qualify me as an expert witness.
Early in my agonizing withdrawal, when I could see myself succeeding, I made up my mind not to be a missionary trying to convert everyone else. After all, if I have gone puffing away for all those 38 years, ignoring some fairly plain medical evidence on every pack of cigarette I buy, then why I should become intolerant of a person to smokers younger than me?
**Withdrawal is not easy.** My own reaction could even be called violent; I became easily irritated and short-tempered. On one occasion I gave a severe scolding on one of my close friends. These weren’t just first day reactions. These carried over for weeks and to some degree I became a worst person unimaginable. I'm glad I didn't get a lawsuit or a hospital break from getting into troubles.
The depth of these withdrawal symptoms, and their persistence led me to think that perhaps the worst thing about cigarettes is not what they do to your heart, lungs, throat and nerves, but the addiction itself and the conditioning in your brain that you can’t live without it.
**Stop suddenly or gradually?** As for me it was suddenly, after many months of thing about it but never getting around to it. Like thousands of others, in my heart I know I should quit, and then one day I did. Every single day is a cycle of counting in hours. I sleep early on bedtime at 9pm and when I woke up the next morning I would tell myself to complete the struggling hours of the day of no cigarette. When I got home and snuggled to bed again at 9pm, I would tell myself “1 day – 24 hours”. Another cycle the next day of “2 days – 48 hours” and so on, next I got tired counting in hours and days, next I was counting in weeks, then months.
One day, a colleague who has been observing that I wasn’t smoking asked, **“How long has it been?” I stood there thinking, trying to figure out just how long it has been. Suddenly, I started laughing because I realized that my uncertainty meant I won!**
People kept on asking, “How do I feel?” and in the early stages I had to say, “Terrible.” But, I couldn.t deny the changes are remarkable - the occasional coughing disappeared, and shortness of breath. Instead I gained extra weight – mainly fats, and on body parts where I didn’t want it. This weight must be due to the heaps of strategies I have to do in order to break the cigarette habit. I used every weapon I could – chewing gum, candy bars, peanuts. Though the food I consumed at meals did not increase significantly but the cravings after every meals and break time paved way to drinking chocolate milk, tea, but not just that, with it are biscuits or a slice of bread with butter or jam. Later on, I have to devote some time to exercise and get rid of the extra weight.
Another question people asked: “Does it bother me to to see others smoke?” Not a bit. I think I was enjoying the benefits of not smoking. Aside from improved health and a certain amount of money saved, I’ve seen no more burns in the carpet, linen and furniture. My desk improves with less dust too!
**Life Lesson:**
We can get addicted to anything, not only cigarettes. And talking with him makes me realize that there is always something we can do with with every or any addiction we have. **We only need to equalized or better exceed our persistence to change, over our persistence of craving these things.** Like, mind over matter. Conditioning your mind and thoughts away from the things that tempts you to madly indulge into.
I want to share this short poem about the moth and the flame. This perfectly resembles how your relationship with addiction started and where this will take you.
The Moth don't care when he sees The Flame.
He might get burned, but he's in the game.
And once he's in, he can't go back, he'll
Beat his wings 'til he burns them black...
No, The Moth don't care when he sees The Flame. . .
The Moth don't care if The Flame is real,
'Cause Flame and Moth got a sweetheart deal.
And nothing fuels a good flirtation,
Like Need and Anger and Desperation...
No, The Moth don't care if The Flame is real. . .
- Aimee Mann
Photos from Pixabay (no attribution required)
Photo below is mine
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International Day of Families
This afternoon I have some errands from mom that needs to be done and that includes picking up her online orders from Avon - yes! Mom is an Avon Lady, she keeps some products in stock at her small corner store. While waiting, my eyes wanders over the Franchise Dealers board and there this article came into life. They had this Photo Contest about Family Portraits because **today (May 15, 2021) is International Day of Families! Cheers!!!**
Heading home my mind wanders again how to showcase this article special for families, my family has never been a fan of picture taking, lol! Maybe if I have a million to trade their pose, smile and presence on the camera, they would perhaps do it, hahah! That's how expensive, I guess. Anyway, let me do this in photos digging on a gallery of throwback pictures so here it goes..
Not so long ago, I do get some photography opportunities with close friends for prenuptial, family, kids birthday, etc. They are these friends who would not get mad even if I gave them lame photos so no big deal, lol! I would jokingly tell them that maybe I can trade the photos for chickens in the market! 😂
This friend of mine just started a family and well I understand that everything was exciting, and she loves to keep these memories in photos. When she got pregnant, we went out to shoot, few months after she gave birth to her baby we're out again with her family for a pictorial.
We went to a nature park just near the city. I’m glad that we went early while we can still enjoy taking snaps with the beauty of natural light (usually 3-5pm is the best and no rain) and the beauty of nature that God provides breathtakingly for all of us. Moreover, her baby was seemed to be on the mood, he was amazed with the continuous clicking of the camera that’s why calling his attention sometimes was never a problem.
Pictures are frozen captured moments and before you know it, many years later, you will get older and so with the memories. That’s why you’ll be glad to save the day - in pictures. And, a photo of a happy family is something worth to keep!
Next, was my sister's family photo shoot also and how can I say no to her baby, my cute little nephew. 😍 Tita (aunt) is always on the go for every years pre-birthday pictorial, etc. Lol!
As I peruse google for this International day of families, I have seen lots of photos of families bonded together. I can feel love, because smiles can't lie and the eyes too. On the other hand, this day was also commemorated to discuss issues sorrounding a family, its contribution to society and the role it portraits in honing a child.
Anyway, may this day reminds us to value our families. One might have a complete or dysfunctional family here on earth. Someone can have a missing identity because they don't have a mother or father to identify with. I know these are all important for psychologic and emotional well being of a child, but God is always there for us, so willing to become a father/ mother figure. Our identity with him is far more greater than this world could offer!
**"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:26**
That's beyond measure!
Photos are MINE. Still, i use all photos with permission from both.
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Covid19 Pandemic Stringent Measures
This can be a tiresome pursuit for more than a year now, but every nation, city or any home in this planet should never be complacent. The time we grow weary in protecting ourselves poses a great risk for this evil virus to attack us.
Our city, Iligan City, is not spared from this dilemma, we got a recent surge in Covid19 cases. Five months ago the City Health Office can only record one or two new cases each day, but for like a month now this number gradually increases. Last week, it rises to 15-25 new recorded cases per day. Already a huge volume, we can feel it because pulmo wards are getting full. If the Local Government Unit will not take stringent measures to limit the activity of the people in the malls, groceries, and any public destinations then we are doomed in crisis.
However, I can see that our local leaders are sensitive to the need in protecting the people from Covid19. Thus they had implemented again this color coding system in mobilizing the people in Iligan City. This system was already enforced last year right after the lockdown was lifted in the country, however when the Inter Agency Task Force categorized the city to General Community Quarantine this color coding system was also stopped. Lately, the LGU had finally issued a Special Order on the implementation of the color coding system again.
**How does this works?**
Barangays are group together into clusters and each cluster is made up of 6 - 8 barangays depending on the population. Clusters are then assigned with a corresponding color - namely red, blue, green, orange, yellow, and violet. These colors are represented in the quarantine pass each household possess. In the barangay level, they issue quarantine pass per household, that means not everyone in the family can go out to buy essential goods, just 1 each time cause each family has only 1 pass. For the frontliners and working individuals like me, a company ID is enough proof that you have to go out everyday.
This system was implemented yesterday and the police were everywhere reminding the people about it, radio stations and the social media are also on the heads up. So today it is expected that the people were informed. As expected, I see less people today in the streets, and even in public utility vehicles.
This afternoon, 5pm is usually rush hour but the city was like a ghost town. You can see only few people in jeepney stops, this area here is usually busy at rush hour, maybe 15-20 commuters are standing here each time waiting for a ride home, today I can only see 4 or 5. That was really a big difference.
In this corner here, there is always a jeepney parked in this area and one barker would be calling for commuters, but now there is none. Perhaps, there are also less jeepneys serving the barangays who are restricted to go out on this day.
This calesa or caretela (horse- drawn carriage) can still be seen here in our city for the riding public but they're just on this street going to the city market.
Its a ghost town and raining too, I feel like taking pictures because it is somewhat unusual for me to see the city almost empty.
Traffic light is working fine but no cars or whatsoever at this supposed to be the busiest time of day.
**Conclusion:**
The color coding scheme can be a great help in controlling the people going out on each day. Though these might be inconvenient for some people, especially the jeepney drivers who has to experience less commuters in some days of the week, but if this is really necessary people will understand.
When all things are considered, I can say that the people can be cognizant too when the need arise. Thus, I think every government should just be straightforward on its decision on what they deemed necessary. It is understandable that economy is important but weighing it with the public's safety must be considered too.
I love this quote, must be apt for our leaders who have to weigh down every single thing to decide what is necessary.
**"It's not about making the right choice.**
**It's about making a choice and making it right.**
- J.R. Rim
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Lost In Translation
I got this article brewing for like 4 days now, inspired from the lengthy post of the talking head in noise.cash when they explained with "heart and soul" on how to avoid being a spam. So, they translate the entire post in different languages, Filipino included. Ironically, no matter how full blooded Filipino I am, I can get lost in translation.
I can feel the effort of the developers and owner of the platform. I for one has a been a content writer for almost a year in a different platform synonymous with read.cash, only that all content must be in English, at least here the site grants article of foreign language. Well, that was 5 years ago, it disappeared in oblivion before their 1st year, all happy earnings stopped because of the plagiarizers, from none English native speakers who wanted to earn (nothing wrong with that) but never dare to publish original contents and worst just bad in following the rules. Now, I understand that no matter how we want to earn, we also need to respect what this platforms expects from us.
We can get lost in translating, that is pretty common. Finding the right words from what we felt and how we describe it is hard, how much more if we need to express it in a language not ours! Sometimes, we can go out of words from the things we witnessed or experienced, these I see are normal thus it is better if we could express them in our own words and in the language we are comfortable using. I think this was what the noise.cash team wanted to point out on that lengthy post and reminder. That it is better for us to comment sincerely and dissently on something using our language than just comment with "nice post" etc.
In the real world, we can get lost in translation too. In the hospital I’ve been working with in one Arab country before, we have lots of patients from different companies and different nationalities. It is a routine that before any procedure, check-up or any medical intervention, patients will be filling up a personal record form from the reception to ensure follow through of insurance/ company policies.
One day, a sporty guy came to the reception, and since our Egyptian receptionist was always late I was requested by our department director to sit a minute at the front desk. I handed the form to this new patient, and after he wrote his name and address on the paper, he seemed to be brought up short by the query: “FIRM?” He nibbled the end of her pen for a moment, and then wrote: “Not very!” and handed back the form to me. I just sheepishly smile, giving back the paper and explained that the FIRM part was supposed to be the company name, lol!
Apparently, firm is synonymous with company, but not everyone knows that well. Anyone can get lost! So, I bet this form needed an editing, or perhaps we should be filling our minds from time to time with new vocabulary.
How can we find a solution for this? Clearly, we can't change the world, and we can't change the norm - that **English is a universal language.** So the easiest solution would be to learn the language and be open-minded that for us to communicate effectively with other nationalities is to learn the language itself.
“**Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”**
― Henry Ford
Guess, learning is the new fountain of youth! Never stop learning!
How about a funny translation?
**Single Line Only** https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/single-line-only-ed276fe8
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#LostInTranslation #Translate #NeverStopLearning
To The Best Nanay (Mother)
When I think about my mother, these are the images that come to mind. I see her leaning into her favorite chair in a small store she is keeping. I see her stirring green beans in a pot, then opening the fridge to check again for a possible dish to cook for the next meal. I see her outside her store holding a native fan (abaniko in our language) while talking with her bestfriend who often times dropped by. I see her arguing with my dad while he constantly selects what to watch on the television. In other words, she is just there, perhaps unappreciated sometimes.
I'm trying to write an article that examines the mentality of the women who stayed home and raised five handful of children in the 1990's. I want to know if they were happier than those of today who can barely heft a datebook or journal we need to run our frazzled lives. So I ask my mother to tell me about her experiences as a young woman.
"I want to know what you wore, what you did for fun, what you talked about," I tell her. "And I want to know how you felt, how you viewed your relationships with dad and us, your children, how you viewed the future."
She sends me a smile and started, "Well, here goes."
**THE TRENDS...**
Then she tells me that when she was younger, she loves to follow fashion trends. She would wear those bell-bottom pants and jeans. She mentioned how she save frantically to buy those pleated skirts she can see on the magazines.
**HER WORK...**
She worked at a municipal health center as a midwife in Bukidnon, which she hated. When they carry out vaccination outposts in barangay health centers, they would walk a couple or more kilometers on muddy terrains. Salary was meager that time and work was a ton load. She quit her job when she met my dad and ventured out, both as entrepreneurs, which she loved.
**THE LOVE STORY...**
She tells me how she met my father in Bukidnon as school teacher. And, she would cheer for him on his basketball match with some friends. She talks about how hardworking my dad was, and how things were saved for, then bought and eventually appreciated in a home.
**BEING A MOTHER...**
And we came to the picture making her a mother, and she describes her excitement seeing me, of course as the eldest. Then my brothers came and life became bittersweet, it had begun to become a drag. She tells me that my grandmother would borrow me during the weekends, and she would freely hand me to my grandmother to ease some burden once in a while. She talks about traveling by bus to her parents house and bringing the 3 of us (that time it was just us 3 siblings). She would instruct me to hold her pants in the left, my brother on the right, while she carries my baby brother, and some bags too!
**LIFE AS A FAMILY...**
She said that it was never a perfect family. She don't want to elaborate but I can sense heaviness in her heart. I know my dad has always been a good hardworking provider, but has shortcomings too on being a husband to his wife. Perhaps my mother has been so patient on him, I don't know how to describe it because I have loose ends to talk about it, but I'm confident that she amazingly knot this family together, to keep it this way until now.
She said that there was never a time of great monetary assets, but it was rich in many ways.
**I'M SO PROUD OF HER...**
After talking to her, at this moment of writing, much to my surprise, I become teary-eyed, and the halfway of this I am weeping. **The thing is I find my mother here.**
Not on her store, not in the kitchen and not on the couch in front of the television. At last **I begin to see her as herself: her heart full of expectations as she ventures away from her comfort zone, her courage to face life despite of the odds, and her young self with much fun inside. It is in seeing her then that I am finally able to appreciate her now.**
**THE MESSAGE...**
To my dear Nanay, I love you and you will always be that special person. Thank you for not giving up on us and keeping us all in your tight embrace, (though sometimes when I was younger I thought of it as suffocating, lol!) Well, you really know how and yes, that's because you're our Nanay. May God bless you with heaps of grace, mercy and love.
To all mom's reading this, may the good Lord continually bless you with so much love to share for your children and others. Your efforts are always appreciated.
**Proverbs 31:31: "Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."**
Cheers to all mothers and to aunts/ titas who have been loving children close to her heart.
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#MothersDay #Nanay
April BCH Highlights
I don't normally write articles about milestones, BCH and stuffs like that. Primarily because for the past months there has been very minimal progress in my journey with cryptocurrency and if there is it would be a very slight undertaking or maybe I am just feeling so naive with the whole thing still. I feel like I don't have much knowledge to share about crypto stuffs.
March of 2021 was a comeback for me, the 1st week to be exact. Since then I have been consistently writing and active back here in read.cash, that was also the time I discovered noise.cash but not much inclined doing it until the last week of that month. So, basically March was an adjustment period, though earnings that time was a bit slow but that period I think was a great kick off for me in both platforms. Yay!
**EARNINGS AND YEARNINGS**
April has been a sweet and exciting journey in the cryptoverse, especially with BCH because I have been earning well in this platform. I can say no fools days or pranks with read.cash, and I am hoping for more fruitful months to come too. So now let me say thank you to the wonderful community, to BCH, to rusty the randomrewarder.. And thank God for all the provisions!
Earnings for April reaches $150 here in read.cash by publishing 3-4 articles a week, this exceeded my goal because on the previous month I only managed to earn $18 with the same frequency of posting and activity. While I have a great harvest here, noise.cash was a bit off in earnings, but then I love the interaction there and for me every penny counts! I also believe that patience is a virtue, soon I'll have my time too back to that platform. So, earnings in noise for April was $19, not bad for a worthwhile of time sharing photos, foods, inspiring quotes and verses, memes, and tracking BCH in a roller-coaster.
**LEARNINGS**
My time in noise.cash makes me appreciate a lot of terms about crypto, and kept me updated and excited too when BCH rockets to the moon. This April I started exploring in Binance for Flexiible Savings and BNB vault and starting to love it, but then I'm still on the process of experimenting so wish me luck, lol! I can see that these are safe ways to earn passively so I'm not really that anxious. Anyway, I have to admit that learning is hard and really takes time but let's do it! I can do it.
**SHARING THE BLESSING**
Yes! I love this part. Everyone knows I have a day job and BCH is my extra income. I love the thought that now I can spare some money for charity. This April I have chosen to donate money for my high school teacher who had immensely inspired me in my youth, I actually made a tribute article for her when she passed away last April 13, 2021. My batchmates that time have been raising funds to help the family of Maam Lily who have been struggling financially from hospital bills before her passing. I know my contribution won't suffice all but with hundreds of us it can make a difference. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/a-tribute-to-a-teacher-who-believed-in-me-de25b2ff
**CONCLUSION**
BCH, read.cash and noise.cash is a big help. It would be selfish to keep it to ourselves, thus I am trying to educate some people. I started with a friend and even published it here, and then my sister too, joined noise.cash but still not working on it because of some doubts perhaps. Still, we have to spread the love, these platforms are both a huge help to all of us. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/one-fine-day-of-chit-chats-and-bch-88532011
Again, thanks read.cash!
To God be the glory!
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Labor Day Adventure and Team Building
Got this article ready for posting
last Sunday (05-02-21) but
my phone has been acting really
weird that I have to get it fixed
in a repair shop in the city. Good
that I have it working normally now,
so bear with me posting this late.
Labor Day is commemorated every May 1st here in the Philippines. Labor unions and other political groups would take this opportunity to rally with placards and megaphones, taking their agenda on the streets for an increase in salary wage among workers, fair compensation, benefits and etc. If not for this pandemic, this year won’t be an exempt. Anyway, whether we rally or not, the solution can only be made with a resolution in the higher court/ senate/ congress and not on the streets, talking with the right people is the key.
However, me, my friends and some colleagues would spend Labor Day to rest and do nothing else related to work - that is having some fun in an underground cave and river!
Saturday was Labor Day, and we scheduled our team building back to back with an adventure in a quite remote place in Iligan City. **Sikyop Agricultural Cooperative** was the place we had chosen to spend our team building, a really different way of organizing the event. Sikyop literally means “hidden paradise” in a Higaonon dialect. Higaonons’ are the natives that lived on this secluded part of Iligan City. It is a pleasure to see that this tribe is a part owner of this wonderful adventure paradise. Moreover working as frontdesk clerk, tour guide, cook, and business associates - this tribe also evolved in the modern world!
There are strict guidelines during the trekking and canyoneering to this underwater river and cave, first and the topmost priority is strictly no littering of any plastic wrappers, or single use plastic like bottled water. So, one should be bringing with them their own trash of candy wrappers, etc. back to the reception area. We also opted to bring water jugs/ plastic jars instead of bottled water. The guides are even picking up some littered candy wrappers along the way, showing there dedication to keep the forest park and the river clean. Second priority, is to check for health issues, making sure that the participant is fit for this adventure.
Though this is a totally different set-up from our usual annual team building event in the Physical Therapy Department but, I like it this way because there were no programs or any formal talk, etc. Just a spontaneous interaction and teamwork between colleagues in order to beat the challenges and obstacles in trekking and traversing huge rocks, some cliffs, and drifting with the river current.
Below are some of the photos.
I love this photo, the view looks calm and wide, and who would have thought that there's a huge cave below it?! This is also the first stop to start downhill trekking.
The second stop before we descend down to the underground river. You might love this treehouse for an overnight stay. There are also small cottages on the ground, and a bonfire setting at the center. Though, there are guards, but I feel unsafe thinking that I'm at the middle of a forest?! So, overnight stay would be for someone more adventurous I think.
Our guide said that this area will be filled with water during rainy season but just knee deep. There are other areas that is 4-5 feet deep, and water drip above us so I can't take a picture of it because i'm worried about my phone/ camera, unfortunately not water resistant.
This cave is really huge, and it's my first time to see a really huge cave. it's cold and not dark inside so it's not that scary at all. Any claustrophobic individual can dare get into this cave without anxiety attacks, lol!
We started the trek at 8am and finished at 12noon. I'm glad that Mr. Sun was hidden in the clouds that time we start hiking uphill back to the reception and restaurant. Around 1:30pm, we were all ready for lunch. We ordered food beforehand, so food will be ready when we get back from our adventure. We're all starving that no one never mind to take some photos Lunch time, lol! We just finished it up and had a laughed.
Thank God all is well after this activity. We forgot about Covid19 for like 5 hours, lol! All 12 of us already completed the vaccines thus less apprehensions. However, still taking extra caution with other people in the area.
I hope you enjoy this little tour with me.
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That Day They Succumbed Death and Covid19
It has been more than a year now when the Covid19 outbreak started and changed the world. No one is an exempt, even the skeptics of this coronavirus thingy succumb to death. From first world down to the third world nations, economies crashing. Even the smallest unit of our society is affected, that is my family or yours, and must be your neighbors too.
This morning I was emotional to receive the news that my uncle, my mom's cousin died from Covid19 last month. The family didn't disclose this to the clan, and I don't know why, I mean Covid19 isn't that taboo anymore. However, he had poor relations with his wife and children, must be the reason why the family was silent. I talked to his son and yes he really felt bad about the whole thing - that he wasn't able to see his dad for some time because of a family problem, and wasn't able to see him for the last time because of this Covid19 ordeal. Moreover, I can feel that everything was left hanging for them, a lot of whys and I know no one was ready to say goodbye. At the back of my mind, I know its hurting them not able to sort out any bitterness, ill feelings and maybe un/forgiveness to a person they once called father.
Sigh. I went to work with a heavy heart this morning. Rest in peace, Uncle J.
Just now, after preparing my stuffs for some adventure tomorrow. I was perplexed to see the post of my friend on Facebook about a common friend of ours who also succumbed to death because of Covid19. As you all know, I got disconnected from using Facebook, when I got busy in noise.cash so I really didn't notice that he wasn't posting his OOTD, obsessions of his antique collections, and some crazy matters online. He was a jolly person and I got used to him posting funny stuffs in Facebook, when I checked his timeline today, he was indeed missing for like a month too. I talked to our common friend and indeed he was on his deathbed for almost a month. March 26 was supposed to be his schedule for Covid19 vaccination, but got exposed and was positive with symptoms of the coronavirus disease on the 25th of March. Isn't that ironic? Maybe if he got vaccinated beforehand, he might have that fighting chance. But anyway, since then he has been really sick, and just now I knew that he has been on dialysis for a year, should be the reason why his body was so frail battling Covid19.
Sigh. Rest in peace, my friend. Your smile and your jokes will always be remembered.
Life is so unpredictable. We can be happy now and sad tomorrow, be wealthy today and broke the next day, living the best of our lives at the moment only to die hereafter. No matter how we live it, life on earth is temporary. Now, ponder on what is eternal.
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." - 1 John 5:11
Maybe today is the perfect time to cherish simple moments with our family and friends, enjoy things on your bucketlist suitable for this time of pandemic, hike, bike, or be ready for some adventure. Forgive people who hurt us. Live the moment, love more and laugh hard.
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
This might be another sad article, but it's my only outlet to vent out what is inside my heart. I would love to write about my labor day adventures, maybe on the next article. Venting outweighs all other topics I wish to write about for now. Here me out. I will be fine tomorrow by God's grace.
Thanks for reading and please stay safe.
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In Losing and Not Having a Child
The little seconds rolled into minutes, minutes into hours, and hours into a day, a day unto night, nights after nights, from the infinite drag of time and on and on, a mother’s heart is longing, continually craving for her baby. Losing someone we loved and worst from us feels like a dagger pointed on our heart feeling the pain every time our heart beats.
I was deeply disheartened on a comment of a colleague on Facebook about their struggle as a couple for artificial insemination for her to get pregnant, yet she just can’t have a baby to cuddle and play with, for 8 years now. Another friend of mine recently posted her story when she experienced premature labor and lost her first baby after 7 months of pregnancy. These are really sad events in life but unfortunately real, stories like these are inevitable and my heart cries out for them.
Even in these modern days there are many women who feel that their finest contribution can be made through marriage and motherhood. Yes! To be a successful mother is a career itself, requiring the qualities of a businesswoman, a chef, a trained nurse, a schoolteacher, and a glamour girl. It can be the most utterly rewarding of all careers. That because we are conditioned this way. The usual pattern of getting married, making preparations of building a home, saving to start a family and learning to accept the painstaking responsibility of becoming a father and mother. Regrettably, with no reason at all, you just can’t have a baby, or it’s just too hard to conceive one. And sometimes, unfortunately, despite of the care and attention you make on that little one inside you, you just can’t keep it, you lost it in just a second of tribulation.
These women had become insecure of not having one, despite all the efforts. They become frustrated and disappointed with life and might be blaming everyone, even God.
I hope in times of trouble and sorrow, your faith will grow with fresh understanding of how God sometimes can turn these miseries to blessings in the future. It can give a deeper meaning permeated on your marriage. As a woman, it is painful but if we look in God’s word we will understand that our emotional and spiritual fitness of undergoing a loss and trouble of conceiving a child will be a blessing to both of you and your partner as well.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
I shared this verse in noise.cash early this morning and amazing how God amplified His word for the article I was inspired to write tonight.
Again, going back to the life lesson we will learn from this unfortunate reality for some couples, let us just trust in His faithfulness. We might fail to understand our suffering at the moment because of grief, but the things unseen and unfathomable will turn into a blessing, in God's time.
Keep the faith!
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Grace Under Pressure
How many times have we been in a difficult situation and despite of it we need to compose ourself or else sanity will leave us?
Have we find ourselves in a dark pit, like a tunnel that hope is our only chance to lead us into some light at the end of it?
How often do we become so cranky when life had become so tiring and messy?
Can you still smile with bouts of frustration and disappointments?
Can you still push on dreaming when life pulls you down without any reason?
The pressure can be so irritating, frustrating, depressing, or whatever you can pathetically describe it. But, this is the reality of life on earth. Can you still smile, be calm and confident? Can you still show grace despite of the pressure?
I imagine myself in the shoes of Mitch, someone who had been staying in the hospital for a month already. Her father have been in coma following a stroke and the family is not giving up on him. I've seen her struggle every single day, yet with a smile. I knew it even with a mask on because the eyes smiles too. It never lies! Her family is not that well off, they're struggling from diapers to an increasing hospital bill. However, Mitch never let her guard down, she is still compose in dealing matters with her father and for her own. It must be because of faith and hope.
Nevertheless, I have my own dose of pressure too. Yesterday, Sunday, should've been a time for myself and my family, but work sometimes gets on the way. I was tasked to treat one in-patient in the afternoon, that would be fast I said to myself so okay let's do it. On the way, I got hooked into a heavy traffic, so unusual on Sunday. This plus the humid weather already made me cranky. When I arrived at the hospital, and finished donning my PPE. I was informed by the nurse that the patient's BP shoot up at 180/100 mmHg. Thus, simply means treatment deferred at the moment. What the h***?! I travelled painstakingly on a heavy traffic for this? I'm almost at my wits end!
Yes. Just ALMOST.
When I think back on what Mitch has been experiencing for a month and yet still find grace amidst it all, I calmed down myself and realized that these are just so tiny bubbles of disappointments that I don't need to pop, rather just blow them off away.
Often times, we always need that patience for some petty stressors like what I experienced that Sunday; and of course a whole lot of extra patience for someone like Mitch. Big or small, they're just same circumstances that challenges our character.
I call it grace under pressure. The ability to smile and say bye bye to the nurse and the guard at the hospital despite of the annoyance. The ability to sing along with my favorite song on my way home. And, to be grateful for a day of sudden unfavorable changes.
"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." - John 1:16
This verse is just an amazing promise that we will never run out of grace, by God's grace.
Life has to go on amidst everything, mountains or valleys, good or bad, we have to keep moving forward.. with GRACE.
Just another article to inspire you. God bless!
P. S.
I really love showcasing faces of animals on this article today, their expressions are tangible and authentic! 😼🙈🐹🐼🐰
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"Is it Time for Another Baby?"
“I love baby Jan,” the mother continued wearily, “but chasing her around tires me more every day. On the days when I feel that I screamed and break into tears – on such days I question whether it’s right and acceptable for me to keep on having babies just because I can.”
This was the line of our neighbor when we had a short conversation in my mom's mini-convenience store. I know, being a mother is a great responsibility, thus it requires decision making as a woman - and together, as a couple. Well, I'm clueless if they have such a serious discussion about this yet. For me, it does warrant a real head-to-head talk with each other, and not all couples do that. Some just have children whenever they like without considering other issues in life!
Nevertheless, I still believe that majority of parents ask themselves the same question. The question is seriously personal but there are reasons for downsizing parenthood, reasons that we must consider with our hearts and our heads.
Why?
First, it’s time to recognize that **the world’s population dilemma is everyone’s problem**. If a polluted river, fouled skies and uncontrolled poverty exist in a nation of only 300 million people, what will be the quality of life soon on the future? What will it be like after a century?
In addition to thinking about the quality of life in a national sense, we must consider **the quality of living with our own four walls.** Do we always have cash in our cookie jars for vacation, hobbies and family activities? Or can we devote equally our time to our children? As a child myself, I tried to isolate myself when my mother was so involved with my younger brothers and sisters, sometimes I always got the punishment when I tried to confront them, my mom would shout at me that as the eldest I should always understand and be considerate for them. Now, I was contemplating, how can a parent with two or more children can provide the emotional security and stimulating environment that they want for their children to have?
**Too many children can also strain on a husband’s shoulder as the breadwinner**. They might be working daytime and night time jobs, overtime on Saturdays. Whenever he’s home he sleeps. Talking about quality of life – do we even really have a 'family' bonding time?
As a mother, you might want to look at other “**life options**”.
1.A full or part time job. This can have psychological as well as financially rewarding.
2.An avocation. If you have no interest or in need of a job, how about participating on creative outlets or projects, becoming the kind of interesting woman who makes her children and family proud.
3.A return to school. To continue schooling or obtain vocational training, an investment in continuing education will add a new dimension in your life and keep you in step with your children.
4.Volunteer work. Certainly if love for children is your reason for another baby. A volunteer job at a day-care center can be a meaningful alternative.
Conclusion
We know that children are blessings, and the love a child can give is amazingly satisfying, and that all must always put this above anything else. But all thoughtful couples should consider the pros and cons and basic realities surrounding parenthood.
As parents you have to equipped them morally, not only financially - that is the main responsibility. Never think that babies will just grow without your conscious effort to nurture them, teach and discipline them - look out for them.
"Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father." - Matthew 18:10
Think again.
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How to Control Hypertension?
As we grow older, it seems diseases becomes unavoidable. That's why it is so important that we have to adopt a healthy lifestyle while we are still young, and while we can still control these weird physiological deterioration that accompanies with aging. Hypertension is one common disease that it seems a lot of people are so conscious about.
The other day I went to the last vigil of my high school teacher- one I made a **tribute** article few days ago. I happened to meet some high school classmates, and its alarning to know that 2 of my batchmates just recently had a stroke or Cerebrovascular Disease. I noticed that after the "how are you?" and "how was your job?" they would ask now - "how was your blood pressure doing?" I know that it's a bit funny and yet a sad reality too. Definitely, we are not getting any younger. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/life-and-chess-78c67f2e
**Hypertension** means an increase in the blood pressure, and it is a chronic disease that affects the arterial system of the body. When you always have an elevated blood pressure this predisposes you for heart attack and stroke. Good thing, though this **is the most common cause of stroke, this too is the most easily controlled.**
There are 3 ways to lower your blood pressure:
1. Change your diet
To achieve this you need bloodworks first, if you find yourself hypertensive or or prehypertensive - check for any incease in cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein, check for blood sugar levels and, creatinine. Then you can adjust your diet, consider your consumption on fatty foods, red meat, dairy products. **For Asians, we are so fond in eating rice in every meal, some would even go for unlimited rice which is a very bad eating habit**. Sodium, found in salt, processed food stuff like canned goods, chips and instant noodles can also elevate the blood pressure. A great way to enjoy food without too much seasonings is to use lemon, herbs, and spices. In addition, there are lots of vegetables that alternative medicine today believes to have an effect in our blood pressure, thus it is always smart to eat vegetables more.
2. Make a routine exercise
A 45-min. daily or at least 5x a week of exercise can help lower your blood pressure. You can try any aerobic or endurance execise like walking, running, swimming, and cycling. These type of execises can lower calories and conditions your heart and lungs too. **Physically fit people have low chances of developing hypertension.**
3. Comply with the doctor's prescription
**This is needed when diet and exercise won't work anymore in lowering your blood pressure**. It might be necessary that you'll be taking maintenance medication, at least one or two, and you must comply the doctor's instructions on how and when to take it. Take note of side effects and always ask your doctor for proper advice.
Below is the classification for adults. Remember if you found yourself hypertensive you need to consult your doctor and might also need blood pressure monitoring daily if possible.
**Photo link attribution** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9633/table/A32/
Hypertension is not an alarming disease, if and only if we know how to control it The key is still living a balanced life and learning self control in our food choices and daily activities.
In this platform we rarely get updated about heath issues, **this artcle might be a reminder that you need an update on your health today.**
Stay fit and healthy!
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7 Commandments for Commuters this Covid19 Pandemic
Today, I got a new patient endorsed under my care for home PT, it was a bit far from home so I commute on a jeepney from the hospital to the patients home. I was sitted near the driver thus I was able to read some reminders for the riding public, and that includes this 7 Commandments for Commuters this Covid19 pandemic. I wanted to take a picture of it but the paper was a bit torn on the sides, with stains on some part, I can really tell that the reminder has been there for quite some time. I wonder if it serves its purpose?
The 7 Commandments for commuters was initiated by the DOTr (Department of Transportation) and the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) on its effort to execute the minimum health standards in the community and help fight the spread of Covid19. So, as I mentioned this contained the minimum safety standards plus few more things that I believe are great reminders and well, common sense.
**1. Wear face mask and face shield**.
This has been practiced for quite some time now, surely I can say most of the people are using the mask. Unfortunately, wearing of face shield in public was poorly observed, I can see some people wearing it improperly above the head!
**2. Social distancing.**
Absolutely, there has been no strict implementation on this matter. The driver can no longer control if more people are riding the jeepney. Facepalm** I was looking at the driver and he enjoyed it.
**3. No eating inside a Public Utility Vehicle**.
Well, I haven't seen anyone eating though, this must be something dreadful to do in any PUV especially on this time of pandemic.
**4. No talking and phonecalls**.
No way! I don't think we can limit ourselves from doing it. Anyway, I can see people talking with each other and attending to phonecalls with face mask on. That's a relief!
**5. Enough ventilation**
No comment I got more than enough ventilation while riding the jeepney. My hair almost went off with the wind lol!
**6. No ride for symptomatic persons**.
Perhaps commuters should be aware of this, if you think you're exposed to anyone with COVID with or without symptoms, stay at home. Better that way. In addition, it is so hard to tell if you got abnormal taste sensation, and etc.
**7. Frequent disinfection**.
Another thing so hard to maintain for a vehicle with fast moving passengers. As commuter, we should be constantly aware of the surfaces we are touching and disinfect with an alcohol right there and then.
Aside from law breaking commuters, I also noticed a barker with his face mask down to his chin, seriously annoying! I am glad that I was wearing my uniform when I approached him to wear his mask properly, knowing that I'm a health worker puts me in a position to be serious with this simple and personal safety protocols that would benefit yourself and others.
Going back to the 7 commandments, does it serve its purpose? Considering the increase in the number of people infected, where does these guidelines take us? Why are we going backward?
I really hope that we could personally tame ourselves to be vigilant for our health, because if we constantly break blatantly especially the wearing of face mask and social distancing then we are not helping our society and our country to put an end against COVID19.
"Personal accountability requires mindfulness, acceptance, honesty, and courage.". - Shelby Martin
Stay safe!
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Life and Chess
As I was watching "The Queen's Gambit" it seems life must have been different for people like Elizabeth Harmond. For a person like her, life is tough on her childhood being an orphan. However, with her skills she manage to pull herself up. She might be struggling with some insecurities but it outweighs her obsession in playing chess - where her life revolves around on it. I like this quote from the series,
"You've been the best at what you do for so long, you don't even know what it's like for the rest of us." - Jolene
Indeed, with her extraordinary life, it can be irritating to watch her complain and whine, when some ordinary people could only dream living a life that she have - fancy dresses, travels, popularity and money.
Anyway, back in my College years, I have a friend who loves to play chess, he was really good at it. He was a champion every year’s College sportsfest, but unlike Elizabeth I know he has more of a balanced life that her. Which reminds me of another line from the series;
"It's foolish to run the risk of going mad for vanity's sake." - Harry Beltik
I was reminded of this line from my friend's remark because for him winning was just a parcel of life that we can always enjoy. Moreover, in my opinion it should not be dictating us that losing is not okay! **In life, there are hurdles and hitches that we always strive to break through, and accepting how we run it, losing or winning, is a lesson to learn**. So he never allow Chess and winning to control his life. Now, he is a success on the career path he is taking.
In chess, if you're so good at it, any game can be predictable. So, one time, I asked my friend if he finds himself working out in advance all his moves in life too as a result of playing chess. Like Elizabeth whose indulgence interfere with life’s spontaneity. He thought for a moment and answered that he does sometimes calculates a lot in certain situations, but added that **life is like an opponent who occasionally makes unexpected moves, and that no matter how much we want to, we can never think up the reply and the right moves in advance.**
So true, though we might have all the knowledge and logic to deal with life, but knowing that **God’s ways are always higher than ours, we can do nothing than to trust in His plans.**
“That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 2: 5
This is wisdom. Not logic. Far better than chess.
Checkmate! 😉
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A Tribute to a Teacher Who Believed In Me
Her name is Maam Lily and she was my subject teacher in Science. I met her first way back my second year in middle school, but she was not just a teacher, she lived on inspiring other people. I know it because I am one of those.
When I graduated from Elementary, my parents moved in Iligan City to finally settle down here after my grandmother offered a land for us to ultimately build a home (after several years of renting apartments in Cagayan de Oro). I was not born with a silver spoon, with my parents' start ups long long time ago, it was also a struggle that I felt as the eldest.
Moving in a new city means new school, I was enrolled late and didn't make it to the school my mom wanted. I was enrolled to a small private school in the city, and after I finished my first year mom moved me to this bigger school - St. Michael's College. At this point, all the doubts about myself started.
My first few days in this school have been so tough, my classmates ranges from noisy, annoying to bully. A month later I realized that my class is the last section. Apparently this school had a homogenous sectioning, guess I wasn't so lucky at that point in time. I felt disappointed with myself, I was degraded with the shift. I know I'm not that smart, but I'm not that dumb too, my young mind just couldn't accept it. I had been a loner for some time, and my science teacher noticed me.
God must've sent Maam Lily to help me reconnect with the positive side. One day she told me to follow her to the faculty office to help her with some stuff, she handed me a roll of 1/4 sheets of paper tied with a rubberband, and a red-inked pen. I already started checking some papers when she sat beside me and asked if I was not comfortable with my classmates, I said yes and continued my task. She then added that she did noticed that, and she knows that I am different from them because I have good grades and I was doing well in class. Moreover, she was ascertain that I must be hating myself, and yes - that I can't lie because I really am. I was silent the whole time but cognizant of what Maam Lily was trying to aim, and I was not that stubborn to accept it.
I think that conversation with her had helped me overcome those negativity. She successfully inspired me to diligently perform my duties as a student irregardless of where I am and how the situation transpired - just continue learning.
On my 3rd year in middle school, I was indeed in the first section and this time with competitive minds. Nonetheless, I am emotionally better at this point and perhaps learning even more.
Years passed, fast forward, I am now working as Physical Therapist and met Maam Lily again, now not as a teacher but as a caring wife for her husband - that happened to be one of our stroke patient in the department. That time I knew that she was already a principal in my alma mater. Hence, I can say that she deserves the success that she had. Actually for me, her success is not on the position she had professionally, she was a success in touching people's lives in a meaningful way.
Last Tuesday, April 13, 2021, she finally bid farewell from the pain of suffering from cancer, from a family who loved her and from all of us who have been once touched by her gentle soul. I have never seen her on her trudging days as cancer affected her, thus I can only remember her smile and goodness.
I thank my HighSchool batchmates for their efforts to gather funds while she was battling for meds and chemotherapy, and I thank BCH soaring high in the market today enabling me to extend my last help for maam Lily.
May your rest in peace, Maam. You are forever missed.
"He makes me lie down on green pasture,
He leads me beside quite waters, He restores my soul."
Psalm 23: 2-3
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National Siblings Day : Reflection
What a wonderful day?! Not literally because my weekend was a bit mundane, not to mention the throwback photos in Facebook "see your memories" feature bugging me of memorable summer vacations that for now is a No- NO, sad life. Anyway, as I was browsing on Facebook the "National Siblings Day" caught my attention, for me it's a wonderful topic to write about at the moment.
Thinking about siblings, I’m blessed and there are some times that I’m irritated as the eldest sibling in the family.
Why?
I’m blessed because as the first child, I become more responsible, and being responsible made me stronger to decide about a lot of things in life, that somehow, I am proud of what I become. I become self-sufficient, most of the time I don’t rely much on people, if I can do things on my own I would do it, I believe that I can make it happen with diligence, hard-work and focus. But, that was me before my relationship with Jesus. As I encounter God day by day, I learned that it is really okay to be hardworking, actually it is biblical.
"Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows." - Proverbs 13:11
However, God loves a person that relys on Him, like a child dependent on His daddy, and that I am truly blessed. It's a promise that you are sufficiently safe in the things you pursue.
" Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3.
Awesome!
Anyway, that was me as the eldest.
And back to to sibling part, there are times that it can be irritating, and I am blaming individual differences, not them. I know we are all struggling on that issue.
I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, of course all younger than me. We all have our ups and downs - conflicts in the family are inevitable. There were moments when I promise myself not to give in, probably because of pride but it was never a successful feat. Family will always be family no matter what. As we grow old and learned to live our own petty and sometimes huge struggles, we learned to help and support each other.
You would say its perfect, but not at all. We all have our shortcomings and these challenges are like lemons that never run out. But, **one thing my parents taught us is to never give up with each other.. Apparently for me, it is a grace from God.**
I can say that the life of being siblings has been a never ending process of discovering the worth that we have for each other. It is a nurturing gift from God that every day we always try to understand and treasure.
"God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do." - Rick Warren
Always cherish your siblings, love them because that's what you are.
Spread the love! 💕💞
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Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) : Tour to Mt. Samat, Bataan
Today, April 9, 2021, the Philippines celebrated the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor). Historically, it commemorates the fall of Bataan during the World War II.
I have visited Mt. Samat in Bataan way back 2009 and it is something that any Filipino can be proud of. I am glad that I have witnessed even in photos and replicas the heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers, and even the ordinary citizens, for the Philippines’ democracy. I have here some photos of Mt. Samat, Bataan.
The big cross in Mt. Samat symbolizes the death of thousands of soldiers during the 140km. Bataan Death March in 1942, where prisoners of war died from dehydration, infections from untreated wounds and execution. That brutal day might be a hard pill to swallow every single day in exchange of our sovereignty, but are these all worth it? As Filipino, are you making your stance for the welfare of your fellowmen?
Let me ask this because, a lot of people had become so selfish today. A simple reminder of wearing your face masks and face shield to protect yourself and others is just so difficult to follow. If you can’t do that you don’t deserve the valor veterans fought for 79 years ago. They have endured much, why can’t you do such a small thing NOW?
Er, here me out venting.
Also, think about the relentless work from the frontline workers? They are working night and day, with sweat on their brows to sustain the health a sick man needs on his deathbed. It is not an easy task, so I am hoping that any person should not ignore their services and sacrifices. It is really saddening that some netizens would just shrug off all our efforts in the name of what we sworn “in the service of our fellow men,” that is not something that any one should abuse. In times of pandemic, if we shrug off our duties, we all die. Not to mention people discriminating hospital workers, seriously?
Today, President Rodrigo Duterte honors the pandemic frontliners for their bravery and courage to stand in the face of this adversity. It is touching to hear that someone is so thankful for what we have done for this nation. That I hope, each one of us should be proactive in what we all are fighting for, a fight against Covid19.
"As we continue to overcome the COVID19 pandemic, we takr a moment to honor the fortitude displayed by our selflessand dedicated frontliners whose unrelenting commitment in this fight reflects the heroism of the warriors of Bataan that continues to inspire in us a greater sense of patriotism and solidarity during these trying times." - PRRD
I love this line from his speech, indeed in solidarity with all Filipinos and the government we can fight this disease! We might be thinking otherwise, at the back of our minds – end of times, vaccines as business ploys, everything is moneymaking. But, what would we become as a nation if we constantly think this way?
Let us be proactive. And, I still believe that prayers can move mountains. Let us pray together with our government because if there is someone who can help us, that would be them and God.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
- Romans 13:1-2
God bless the Philippines. God bless the world.
Stay safe everyone!
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Love in Different Ways
I had a little obsession a decade ago that twice a year I visited this small island near Bohol, called Batasan Island. It only has more or less 50 families living in this island, it has a small church and a small public school. This island is so much unique because, every single day during high tide water would rise up to the streets and even to the houses, yet you would still see people living here.
Every time I visited this place, when the motorboat reaches the shallow water of the island this woman at her 60's would greet me with a smile. I would yell back, "Hi, Nang Ding!" There's no answering about, she would just help me unload my stuff in order to avoid getting into the water, she would then smile and leave, going back to her shack along a wooden bridge.
If anyone had told me that this burly, square-jawed woman not only would become a friend, but also would leave a huge impact in my life and work, I would have shaken my head in disbelief.
Back in 2005, Batasan - a small isolated island, home to fishermen, scallopers and the occasional summer families. The shack of Nang Ding was a destination for locals and guests especially if they need a ride on-off the island. I think she knew all the motorboat owner in the area. She also sell candies and biscuits, and no child though was denied from her little store for being a few cents short. Adults paid full price and they put the money on an old clean milk can. To supplement her store's scanty earnings, Nang Ding would look for scallops to sell, took in neighbor's laundry and collected their garbage.
In time, i discovered the soft spot in her heart. Once a wounded stray dog lumped to Nang Ding's door and stayed with her till it healed, and another would came. There is always one dog that would sleep next to her, and she told me "A dog will never leave you." Yep, I agree, every fur-mom can attest to that, at the back of mind.
A year passed and I still see Nang Ding on her shack, still leaving alone. A fisherman once told me that long ago her mother ran away from her abusive husband, Ding, that little girl, and her father soon moved to the island. Her father died when she was 17, at mid 20's she got married to a tourist in the island, sold their house and lived with that guy in Bohol. But her husband had become a womanizer, and Ding just couldn't bear living with him. Later, she abandoned her dream of romance and went back to the island, built a little bridge house some neighbors even helped her on that and again lived alone.
Nang Ding was never alone though, for his island was her home. She have gentleness with the weaker creatures. One day I saw a female duck lead a row of fluffy chicks up to her door. "She's showing her babies to grandma," Nang Ding explained. She admired the ducklings for a while, then told the mother duck to take those kids back to the water. And, the bird led her brood away.
She was a tender-hearted neighbor, who would visit four times a day to put glaucoma drops to a friend. And when a wealthy recluse fell ill, Nang Ding moved in and slept on her bedroom floor. "It's not good for sick people to be alone," she said.
It seems everyone was in good hands.
The next year when I came back to visit the island there was no sign of Nang Ding's smiling face. I can only see her little rugged shack.
Some neighbors ventured into her house and cleared away 20 years of non-housekeeping. Nang Ding didnt like tidied up sorroundings much, but a lot of us understood what she portraits as a neighbor and friend: **love expresses itself in different ways.**
Her way was to help - people, animals, birds. A woman who received so little love all her life responded by giving what she could.
This I learned from her, in every person who is a little different, I see marvelous variety and potentiality of the human heart. And, despite of our uniqueness, i believe that each one of us have that spark of charity and love ready for someone or something. **Amazing that in every little corner of this world, someone will become a light.**
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
God is pleased with our practical ways of showing kindness to others. Show some heart.
P. S. She died on that wooden bridge, A local doctor confirmed that she has been suffering of brain cancer.
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#LoveInDifferentWays #EasterSundaySpecial
An Unexpected Holy Week Mini-Medical Mission
The original plan was just to stay home for the rest of the week, that is until Sunday, because Monday would be back to work. Also we had a memo from the hospital that for health workers receiving the 2nd dose of vaccine next week, we should be staying home, that means no travels and no big gatherings. So, when my mom asked me to buy her stuff for the "binignit" (this is like a sweet porridge cooked with coconut milk, glutinous rice, sweet potato, 'saba' banana and etc.) Anyway, this is really a delicious tradition during Holy Week and going back to the topic, I just bought the ingredients in a nearby fruit stand to avoid the crowd in the market. Thus, complying with the hospital's advice for us awaiting the 2nd shot of the Covid19 vaccine. I hope.
However, this morning as I was helping my mom prepare the ingredients for her "binignit," our neighbor came telling us that a family friend needs his blood pressure checked because he got dizzy in a nearby small local market. I fix myself in a rush, put on my face mask and brought with me my Blood Pressure Apparatus. As soon as I was outside, I realized that he might be in the market so I went back to get my faceshield, for an additional protection, just in case. **Remember: We really have to protect ourselves first before we go out and help others.**
As I had expected, he was in the marketplace since they own this small stall selling vegetables and other commodities. I ask him if he was okay and replied to me that he was not feeling dizzy anymore, but his wife insisted that she want to know his blood pressure since monitoring isn't always available for them. And, I agree with her, there is no free BP check up in the community ever indeed. One can get access in the local health center but this is not convenient for the working class or the small-scale stall owners in the market who are so busy early in the morning until late in the afternoon.
As I was taking his BP, his wife was asking me to take hers too. Another woman noticed me checking on them and asked if I could do it for her too, and this reached in the neighboring stalls as well and I have to stay a bit longer to check on their blood pressure too - and it got me thinking **'what an unexpected Holy Week Mini-Medical Mission?"** lol! 😂
I think out of 10 people I have seen today, 6 have borderline Hypertension. Moreover, I had adviced them to exercise, a 30-40min. Walk is always a good exercise for hypertensives and if possible see a doctor for medication prescription. Some would shrug off saying that their work in the market is more than an exercise but I would still insist that leg exercise is more effective to maintain a normal blood pressure. I have seen 2 more elderly women with painful knees, one swollen and adviced them to lose weight because they look overweight for sure joints in the lower limbs are already complaining, and also minimize long hours of standing and walking for joint conservation. Of course, all medical advices are apt from a Physical Therapist knowledge, I would still recommend them to see a doctor if the need arise.
At around 3pm I'm headed home carrying some fruits and vegetables from the vendors I've seen in the market. I refused to take money, so they insisted to accept the bananas, some cucumber, apples, orange and mandarin. **My bag is full, and my heart as well. I am sweating from face down to my back, but I'm still smiling**. That was my first time in an unexpected medical mission - alone but I know Someone above is smiling for what I have done.
Indeed, literally a Good Friday.
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#MiniMedicalMission #HolyWeek #GoodFriday
One Fine Day of Chit Chats and BCH
Have you ever tried to deal with someone and forced yourself to be interested for an hour or so just to keep yourself pre-occupied? Unfortunately, I did. On this one fine day.
This afternoon I had finally decided to go out and meet a friend, she is into health and fitness business as what she told me one time in our chat in Facebook Messenger. She have been inviting me for some time now about some business, health related that according to her i have an edge because of my profession in the medical field. And, since today I want to break a daily routine, I met her in the afternoon after my patient in the morning for homehealth PT. We talk a bit about other things, chit chat on our food trip meetings after every duty years back when I was still working as a College Instructor and she on a steel company since she used to be studying metallurgy in our college years. Today, she is offering insurance policies and nutritional/ food supplements. She was so energetic discussing stuffs over the cup of coffee, while I am a bit sleepy sipping on my wintermelon milktea. Seriously, i really didnt had a grasp of everything she explained - product line and the marketing plan - mixing like the pearls and ice in my tea.
Anyway, for the sake of venting here, I do have neurons working patiently at that time. So, she told me that the best way to counteract overweight and fat around the waist, is a combination of exercise and diet. She have this milk powder drink that would make you feel full after drinking a cup of it in the morning thus lessens your appetite to eat more. She also offered auto immune boosters, since I'm a medical frontliner. Moreover, she encouraged me to join the business of its generous benefits, lifetime profit sharing as you climbed the club's ladder of success. Whoa! Very promising! But, i'm not sure if selling or marketing is my thing. After half an hour of explaining, she must've noticed my level of interest was pretty low (like my mobile phone alarming at 10 percent, lol!), she was then very prepared to reroute the topic back to fitness and offered me a sauna strap, in a not so convincing manner she added that In order to complement this regimen and help you shape up faster, sauna strap will give a big help. It helps you lose inches, and there is no need to adopt a drastic diet but just a sensible decrease in your caloric intake. She explained to me the procedure, mechanic, etc. Yes, pretty informative and convincing for the none informed.
However, as a Physical Therapist, I have knowledge about exercise benefits and physiologic effects. Sauna straps are like corsets and belts discussed detailed in our Orthotics class years ago, not just for aesthetics but also for the treatment of low back pain and etc. So, after almost an hour of talking she learned more from me... and about cryptocurrency, as if i'm so knowledgeable about it but i do know some things that might help her get some extra income. Then she asked me about those blog links she saw from my Facebook timeline - few of my articles from read.cash that I shared few months back, and i began explaining to her about this wonderful writing platform read.cash, noise.cash and Bitcoin Cash.
Anyway, the first 30 minutes was a bit boring (sorry my friend) but the second half of the hour with her challenged my neurons to wake up and share some of my experience in the cryptoworld. Overall, it was all fine. She paid my milktea and even gave me a takeaway oatmeal cookies from the cafe – now, that makes it super fine, LOL! And who knows, she might join us in our wonderful community here or in noise – so, even great!
So, how was your day away from virtual and the crypto world?
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Earth Hour
Today I have realized that man's most exciting journey must have been that of Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Norgay of the 50th century when they 1st set foot the highest peak of Mount Everest, or the adventures in Amazon Rain forest in Brazil, or south in the Philippines' the underwater cave of Puerto Princesa. That was a more telling experience than a trip to the moon, for it was a journey into **man's own domain, Earth.**
Yesterday, March 27, we celebrated Earth Day, and it was supposed to be a most cherished day because this is the place that we inhabit - yet we neglected. Sad. Iligan city had an hour of voluntary switching off power and electricity to commemorate this day, that was yesterday at 8:30 - 9:30 PM, 60-minute fight against climate change. I've seen not much household participated and actually some people got surprised that a few houses have gone off grid, lol! Anyway, tonight I am on earth hour, I will try to entice you back again falling in love with Mother Nature.
The prairie grassland of New Zealand stood high; green, rolling hills had blue/green mountains as a backdrop. Forests stood in splendor - pine trees, honeysuckle, blackmaire trees were growing so tall sustaining man's needed oxygen. The abundance of fish, the surplus of water in the Philippines, the supply of raw materials, the beauty and serenity of the beaches and even the mountains, made this country the land that man would possess.
Today, my country is so interlaced with highways that it is difficult to get ten miles from a road. There are of course roadless areas like in Bukidnon, still have large wilderness lands, But they are hardly large enough for the present population, the government is extending and will keep on building farm to market roads for farmers, making some forests dilapidated and soon gone.
Trees are important for their cellulose, and we need managed forests for lumber and other products. Waterways are useful for disposition of sewage - not our garbage, and for generation of electric power. A mountain may have to be invaded for our nation's growth and economy. Valleys and grasslands must be developed to accomodate our steadily growing popuplation. But **the planning for wilderness and nature is as essential as planning for our life.**
Yet man has tampered dangerously on this delicate balance. We have been polluting our air in the expense of our work in the factory and the comfort in driving our cars. We have been overly fanatic in using plastic in most of our necessities, and worst dumping these rubbish stuffs in rivers and the ocean. We are polluting our environment up high and down low, we care less of what is happening to our climate, we think that Earth is just another consumable thing to use, true that we miss being human after being called one. Sad.
**Earth, your threat is everywhere today.** We inherited you in beauty, I hope we shall return in dust leaving you in your glory.
Let us always try to conserve energy, participate in recycling stuffs and avoid using single use plastics, never dispose your garbage in rivers and oceans, and plant a tree. Remember, what you do today for the environment will make a big difference.
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#FightClimateChange #SaveThePlanet #EarthHour2021 #EarthHour #MotherNature #Earth
Covid19 Vaccination: Experiential Journal
The Philippines vaccination efforts to reach a goal of imploring herd immunity in the entire country started on the 1st week of March, 2021, The first to get inoculated were the medical frontliners, and that week staffs from government hospitals particularly the doctors of Philippine General Hospital inially got the first dose from Sinovac, the first to arrive vaccines from China.
The distribution of vaccines went fast to the provinces, even to Mindanao on the 2nd week, and I was one of the medical frontliners to get the fist dose that week, exactly in the afternoon of the 11th of March. With how the government, particularly the Department of Health distributed the vaccines fairly among healtcare workers especially in the provinces, I commend them for that.
How was the vaccine?
Firsthand, the effects ranges from zero (no existing side effect at all) - to fever with chills that last a day after the shot. Initially, some people experienced an increase in blood presssure. My colleague who has no history of hypertension had an increase of up to 150/90 mmHg, but fairly goes down after 30 minutes (withim the time frame of monitoring). That can be due to anxiety, so its inconclusive that the vaccine causes the increase. Some people had muscle soreness in the puncture area pretty normal after any vaccination procedure. I would say the classic side effect of the Sinovac vaccine that we had in common with other people in the department are headaches, body malaise, feeling of tiredness or fatigue that last in the 1st 24-48 hours. Luckily, we had the whole weekend to rest so come Monday, we're back on our daily grind.
Iligan City got around a thousand of vials from the 1st Sinovac to arrive in the country, and that all gone in a week of vaccination among medical frontliners. In the succeeding weeks, Our city again received via COVAX Facility donations of the AstraZeneca, now able to inoculate health workers who are senior citizens. The board of directors in our hospital were among the recipients, together with the staffs in the Central Supply Unit, billing and a ward nurse. They are all in their 60's retiring soon from centuries of hard work, and above all apprehensive in receiving their first dose.
How was the vaccine to the senior citizens or the elderly?
Maam K, from the senior citizen staff, was one of the negative people before the vaccination started, she would roam around the departments that the whole thing is just a ploy for the end of times, lol! I must say that she's one of the inspiration from my previous article "End of Times." During the pre-screening, she would discourage staffs in the waiting area to say NO about it. However, at the last minute that they would be vaccinated with AstraZeneca, it seems that she changed direction, I don't know who did the #ExplainExplainExplain thingy, but I would say she was a victor on that. Maam K got vaccinated Friday. The following Monday, i saw her back to work in the Central Supply Room when I did the requisition routine that morning. I asked her how was she after the shot, her literal description was this "Asta turned her world upside down," i laughed and she got caught on with work so I got no better opportunity to dig in, I would assume that she didn't mean it negatively because she's so much normal in my sight. Anyway, another senior citizen who received the shot Saturday was reported to have fever and chills, but only lasted for a day. I think that was the most intense side effect I encountered so far.
Each hospital have teams formed and assigned for the vaccination program, and they too are monitoring department heads who are communicating with their respective staffs in order to establish a supportive environment when a crisis arrives. And, by God's grace in our hospital, even in other health facilities in the city, there has been no negative reports about the vaccines, Sinovac and Astrazeneca.
These are just my observations
based on my experience and of my
colleagues.
An announcement just arrived today in our emails, the 2nd dose of Sinovac will be administered after the Holy Week, that would be around April 6-10, 2021.
Good news! Another email came and it is to inform health workers in private practice, not affiliated with any health facility, like homehealth nurses, caregivers and traveling Physical Therapist to contact the City Local Government for the vaccination. Another great effort from the national government to initially protect all health workers as we continue to serve.
Lastly, this article is to encourage people to be proactive on this vaccination effort from the government to protect our country and people from the havoc of Covid19. This would be my simple way of imparting #ExplainExplainExplain to some people who had been neglecting the opportunity to become one of the solution. Let us be part of the 70%, brave hearts and heroes, on our way in acquiring herd immunity.
Read my vaccination story here and know what to to expect during the vaccination process. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/covid19-1st-dose-vaccination-with-sinovac-b0481f8e
#Resbakuna #Covid19Vaccination #explainexplainexplain #BeProactive #Braveheart
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End of Times?
When I was 6 years old rumors broke that the world was going to end. My cousin and I could hardly wait. We made up lists of preferred ways for it to happen. Maybe an earthquake, or a big tidal wave, my cousin wanted a large comet. On the day that the world was supposed to end, we go to the seaside because it’s the only open space we can find near, and waited. By late afternoon we went home, disappointed that nothing happened. Since then, every time someone tells me that the world is going to end – I simply don’t believe it.
As I mature and begun to value life, family and the future, fear creeps in whenever rumors of such things resurfaced. I can remember way back December of 1999, there has been some kind of panic and anxiety among people with hearsays about digital alterations in the banking sector and worldwide blackout come year 2000 was schemed into the mainstream media. That was called the y2k bug, and it does changed the holiday spirit of cheer into fear. I can see people lined up in bank/ mall ATM to withdraw, some were on panicked buying to stores for essentials like food and water. Only to find out a big fat LIE. It was at the end of January 2000, that I got a sigh of relief. No doomsday, and absolutely not at the advent of my graduation day. A totally different reaction I made when I was a child sitted in the seaside.
Now, another stories of how humanity should end. This time, I'm not in the seaside expecting it with excitement, nor trembling like a dreamer grieving over crushed dreams. I am in a hospital working as frontliner, I can no longer think of end of times. I only see people surviving. Like me.
Some might think, with the technology and ingenuity, in the succeeding years we’re going to solve the entire problem the world has to offer. *Maybe perhaps we have enough brains, enough talent, enough imagination that gives us enough power to withstand and survive. However, I wonder if the people in power can have that "enough" power to solve the end of times?*
After so many years, from that day of our ridiculous assumptions in the seaside, I finally fathomed that the end is inevitable. And *despite of the technologies and the geniuses, still no one knows when and no human can stop*. Some people might initiate and device a plan but no one can be certain. Rumors broke about depopulation, microchips transplanted on humans through vaccination, one world currency, and etc. These might looks like an end coming so near.
**How are you going to embark on it?**
I will still one day sit at the beach and just wait, putting my confidence in Someone so certain about my ending.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amomg the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10
Turn the music on and listen to this song *Prince of Peace," by Hillsong United, because I so love this line of that song.
" And my soul will know, when fear comes knocking, there You'll be my guide.
When day breeds trouble, there You'll hold my heart, come storm or battle
God I know Your peace will meet me there. "
Anyway, let us live life with the NOW, and cherish it with faith, hope and LOVE, because
"Perfect love, casteth out fear." - 1 John 4:18
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What a Day?!
Have you ever been so dead tired at the end of the day that you have actually forgotten to post the journal you've written because the bed was just so much cozy and wonderful refuge to retire the day off? I just did last night. So, I squeezed in this first paragraph, because the original article/ journal i've written last night started from here...
Yesterday's itinerary:
7am - alarm
8am - cel will drop by
9am - 12 noon - attend a funeral service
1pm - 5pm - work
5:30pm - 7:30pm - drop by the mall (LBC pickup, deposit gcash and complete some errands from mom)
I was supposed to wake up at 7am but unfortunately my alarm failed me and woke up 7.45am instead. I was already on a rush to finish everything before my friend will be picking me up at 8am. The thought that I forgot to do some morning routine already ruined my morning, sigh.
We arrived at the funeral service held at a local church. The parents of my bestfriend in middle school died. It was a traumatic experience for her at the moment, first the mom died with complicated multiple organ failure, and after 2 days while the family is mourning, the father died too of heart attack maybe he has been so much hurt inside for his loving wife. It was really an unfortunate event, i cried when i heard about the news. I just felt so bad for my bestfriend.
In the funeral, the couple was given with a really memorable tribute, some close friends and relatives gave their messages, my heart broke when it was my bestfriend's turn, she can hardly speak from crying. She was on tears narrating what her mom had gone through prior to her demise. Just so painful beyond words. The only consolation we can give is the thought that the disease will never hurt and cripple her again. And, his husband is with her now too, Their wish not to be apart from each other just came true. **"Not even death can separate them"** as the priest remarked on his homily.
Everything was heartbreaking, the weather added the turmoil too. It was just so hot yesterday, when I checked the weather online, it was 34 deg. Celcius, humidity felt was 37 deg. Whoa! So excruciatingly hot to be outdoor. In addition, there were really lots of people attending the service and burial, the LGU already apprehended the crowd, reminding everyone that we are in pandemic and social distancing is a must. My bestfriend's family could not even control the crowd, the only solution was to finish everything so everyone can leave. And, we all did.
As for me, my tiring day wasn't over yet. I pulled my extra shirt from my bag when I reach the hospital and off to see my patients. Yes, it was another hard feat to beat, encouraging myself to pull it off! At 4pm, my adrenaline starts to wear out and I can feel the tiredness. But, the day isn't over yet.
After work, i still have pending errands to do for myself and for mom. It was just a one-stop thing to complete at the mall that if I arrive early. And, i did! LBC closed at 5.30pm and they're so kind to accomodate me at the last minute and as the last customer of the day. What a day?! I'm blessed beyond the moon and back lol!, or else i'll be doing another trip to the mall for mom the next day and that is just so annoying. After that everything went well smoothly, though I'm just super duper drained.
Gladly, my dad cooked something for dinner and I just have to eat my heart out, shower, and tried to write something.. In times like this freelance writing would do. Guess, i was able to pull it off when I just dozed off - off to dreamland.
What a day?! I just did.
Hoping you are all ready for today! Blessings!
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#WhataDay #Funeral #BusyDay #Heartbreaking
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Can You Stay Slim After Dieting?
A lot of people crowd there way in lose weight centers to get that perfect figure that they wanted. But after dieting, they go back to the usual problem. They usually call it the “yo-yo syndrome,” weight down, weight up.
As a Physical Therapist, I often talk with women of all ages about their weight problems. Some have been heavy all their lives and later on having back or knee problems, other friends of mine are trying to lose the post pregancy excess, still others are struggling with the inevitable midlife shift in body compositions and slower metabolism. We all know that when we reach our 30's our metabolism slows down thus our usual day to day activity won't be enough to elimate those excesses.
While a good plan of dieting can be a good factor, and lots of dieting strategies have been so popularly sought online, like ketodiet, intermittent fasting, low carb diet, low fat diet, and so on, (believe me, they're just so many to mention), heard these strategies from patients and friends, and yet weight goes back up when they missed a week of dieting. Personally, I still adhere to the fact that a change in our body's metabolism brought about by proper exercise is as important as our diet.
Shape up with exercise
These people that I've met along the way were all surprised to learn that they really can reshape their bodies, with exercises, and proper knowledge about the routines that you do. For instance, endurance exercise like walking and jogging for 30-40 mins might be enough to challenge your cardiovascular system, but not enough to lose weight and burn stubborn fats! Adding 30 mins more to that routine will sure did. Strength training - the use of handweights, resistance equipments like therabands or theratubes, or your own body weight to build and sculpt muscles - is also the key, whether you're 18 or 80.
More surprises!
Exercising prevent muscle and bone loss in an essentialy vulnerable group: women - regardless of age. Many women are shocked to learn that this is an at risk category. Unknowingly, when women diet but don't exercise, between 20 to 25 percent of the weight they shed is water, muscle, bone and other lean tissue. But truth is, the less muscle you have, the harder it is to maintain the loss. Reason? Because muscles can make us metabolically active, and anytime can burn more fat than with people who are inclined in doing dieting without exercising.
Take note of Metabolic Disorders
It is important that people in a weight loss program must consult their doctors first, for the reason that some overweight problem originates from a metabolic disorder.
Who usually has metabolic disorders? They are one who was trained from childhood to overeat. In other words, a person can start life with a perfectly normal metabolism and by overeating results to metabolic disorders. These are the typical kids from clean-your-plate mothers and who are used to give candies and chocolates as rewards for a good behavior. *Not bad! Neither good!*
Moreover, metabolic factors can also stem from pregnancy, thyroid and pancreatic problems. Medications can also contribute to gaining weight like patients who are on steroidal therapy.
There are really a lot of concerns to think about - health, money, life, family, career, and etc. Still our health should be an utmost priority before anything else.
Remember, health is wealth.
Stay safe and healthy!
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Recee's Fight Against Cerebral Palsy
The 10th of July 2008 was a memorable day for Lily and her husband Dave, that was when Lily became a mother after giving birth to Recee, a healthy baby girl.
Recee grew up normally like all other babies, she would grimace and smile as she sees her mom and dad, cries when her diaper is full and at 7 months utters her first word "momma." She's a bundle of joy, her milestone is a delight for her parents.
Two months before baby Recee's 1st birthday, she got sick with measles and got hospitalized because of high fever, since that day Recee already shows some weakness of her left limbs, and she can no longer manage to crawl or creep or assume kneeling and standing in the crib. Mommy Lily consulted a neurologist and found out that baby Recee got Cerebral Palsy due to measles. It was a terrible and the most shocking news for Lily and Dave. Its frightening how a simple fever as they thought could paralyzed baby Recee.
Recee"s treatment began with Physical Therapy, her parents were both very supportive. Though sometimes there were weeks that they can't afford Recee"s treatment session, but Mommy Lily would still make sure that she could perform home exercise program for baby Recee as instructed by her therapist. A couple of years of perseverance with the treatment baby can now able to stand by herself and at 3 she finally took her first step, she was that delayed functionally but none of that matters for mommy and daddy, they were all in tears watching baby Recee walked for the first time.
A couple years more, Recee should be starting kindergarten. Mommy Lily thought that Recee should be in a Special Education class for disabled children, but turns out a plight for Recee. Every morning that she goes to school, Recee would throw a fit, she cried as if something was torturing her. After a week of struggle going to school, the school teacher had finally sorted out that Recee might have been so scared from the condition of her classmates. In the class, there were kids with severe cerebral palsy tormented with rigidity, some movement disorders like athetosis. It was a bit bizarre for Recee who only had very minimal manifestation of the disease.
The school directress recommended Lily and Dave to try send Recee to a regular school just like normal kids. No joke. Recee was officially accepted and enrolled, with all the warnth and lively atmosphere, playful kids that sorrounded her for the first time, she got startled again on her first day. She cried hugging her mommy, but when the teacher settled all kids back to their seats. Recee calmed down, recollecting her attention to the class. The first day was a success, and that with her mommy beside her.
It was almost a year mommy Lily would sit with her daughter in class, but all good cause Recee got finally a hang of it. On her 1st grade, she can attend school with mommy outside the classroom in the hallway. Eventually, Recee as 2nd grader would allow her mommy to leave her in school. She can join some kids play, but mom couldn't go home thinking Recee might get hurt or bullied.
By and by, Recee slowly copes up with the usual student life, She is now a 6th grader, doing online and modular classes because of the pandemic. I can see her now trying some moves with the TikTok app with her very encouraging cousins. You bet, she's a good dancer. Her caring grandparents are all rooting for her step by step and little by little strides into becoming a teenager. But for mommy Lily and daddy Dave, she will always be their little girl, supporting her in every step of the way.
P.S. This is a real life story, narrated by her Physical Therapist and at the same time the author of this article. Real names are hidden for privacy.
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Photos from Pixabay (free to use)
Photo below is Mine
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Covid19 1st Dose Vaccination with Sinovac
Today, March 12, 2021, I got my 1st dose of Covid19 vaccination. The vaccine that arrived first in Iligan City, Philippines was Sinovac, and inoculation with the medical frontliners was directly initiated. Since I'm a Physical Therapist working in a hospital setting, I got the opportunity to get my first dose today.
Our hospital is currently the covid19 vaccination center in Iligan City. All medical and administrative staff in the hospital were first in the line, the first few doses were being administered first by the doctors. It is a way of showing their staff and the public that there is nothing to fear with the vaccine and its process.
The entire vaccination process have 5 procedures:
1. Registration
This is to check if you are in the masterlist of medical frontliners receiving the vaccine for that day, you are also given the form to fill in disclosing your medical history of existing allergies, other diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and etc, maintenance medications and history of Covid19 infection/exposure.. A vaccination card is also given, showing your name, the date of 1st dose, name of nurse administering the vaccine and type of vaccine given.
2. Counselling
In this station, people on queue for vaccination are given necessary information about the vaccine and what to expect after receiving the shot. The personnel will also explain what's in the card and where to check your 2nd dose, usually after 21 days from the 1st shot.
3. Pre-screening
People are screened here for vital signs namely: Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, Respiratory Rate, Oxygen Saturation. There are also doctors screening especially for high risk individuals. If during Pre-screening you show signs of hypertension, you are given time to rest, one proceed if BP goes down to normal or might get another appointment when he/she stabilizes.
4. Vaccination
You'll receive your shot here. It is a bit painful like all other vaccines you receive in the past, but tolerable though.
5. Post-Monitoring
After you get the shot, you'll be under monitoring for 30 mins. People under monitoring are group into two: low risk and high risk. I was in the low risk room because I have stable vital signs after the shot, praise God! Perhaps my medical history has no issues whatsoever so I dont need to be closely monitored. My colleagues who are Physical Therapist too, got an increase in blood pressure after the shot at 150/90 mmHg, so they're in the room for high risk. After 30 minutes one them have the same BP and so she was given medications and another 15 minutes of monitoring. As for me, I was released after the 30-min. monitoring period, and was even back to the department working with patients. Sigh. But I thank God for that because I'm doing pretty well after the shot.
**What to expect after Covid19 vaccination?**
As for my experience, I only had a slight increase in BP, from 100/80 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, our doctor said that was normal. In the evening, I got some pain in the puncture site, some heaviness in my shoulder, and felt a bit fatigue/ or tired. These are the signs some of my colleagues are experiencing, so I must say these must be normal signs too.
My advice?
Be honest in the medical history during the registration and screening.
Don't be afraid, because chances are you'll get stress out and the more stressed you are, the more symptoms you'll get after vaccination. Like an elevated BP, difficulty breathing, etc.
If you're hypertensive, take your medication first thing in the morning
Get vaccinated and be part of the solution this world needs against Covid19!
Before heading home, we stopped by at the hospital lobby for some selfie, lol! Meet the Rehabilitation Medicine Team! 😉💪
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Photo (first) from Pixabay (free to use)
Photo below, lead image and second one in the article are all Mine
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#resbakuna #resbakuna2021 #sinovac #covid19vaccination #covid19
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One Fun Weekend with the Family
Last weekend was a lot of fun for the family. My aunt, my mom's sister, had her 65th birthday and so we decided to visit them. Though my aunt just live an hour away from here, we still can't visit them when the lockdowns started last year because of Covid19 and due to travel restrictions in the province. So, perhaps it has been a year that we haven't gone to my mom's hometown, and we all missed them.
Last week, the IATF (Inter Agency Task Force) for Covid19 reported publicly of the new guidelines for domestic travels. It has been announced that traveling will be a bit easier (at last!, maybe I can make a separate article for that, lol!). My mom got excited and planned to visit her hometown on her sister's birthday and so we did! Off we go packing our stuffs and head to the land of palm trees and warm breeze near the beach. Perfect!
They have this beach house and a small beach resort in the province, so my nephew opted to bring with him the camping tent, I bought some chips and cookies for a little picnic with the kids, and they all loved it! We had lunch first with the whole family, lots of good food and great laugh. It has been a year that we haven't bonded with them - aunt, uncle and cousins, so we really did a lot of chit chat and catching up over lunch.
So, that's our tent. After lunch, my nephew insisted to help him camp out. Finally, we were able to put it up with the help of my cousin, since I really had a hard time fixing it up because of the wind. Guess, i didnt really know how to strategically position the tent to avoid the wind from blowing it off. Gosh! It's a man's stuff... But I'm learning it.
At around 3.30pm we're off for a swim because finally the wave was not that strong anymore. My uncle warned us not to swim in the early afternoon because of high tide and the kids were not so persistent after all. So, yes I was able to control them playing in the water. Well, we only have the little girls though and they're not as stubborn as the boys. What a relief! After swimming the lil ones had their snacks, while the adults have soju. This is a popular alcoholic drink in Korea, and kdrama fans can certainly relate to it. Lol! That's me. We dropped by at 7/11 and find it on sale, buy 2 - take 1, great deal!
It was an awesome time with family. I think we really miss going out on picnics after a year of staying home wrapped in fear because of this pandemic. I believe we can still travel and enjoy life after all, but of course with all that necessary health and safety standards.
That was a kick off for summer 2021. I hope we will still have fun and be safe at the same time.
Something personal for today. Thanks for reading!
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Photos are all MINE.
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Women: What Makes you Special?
Today we celebrate international Women's Day and every Monday of March we are encouraged in our workplace to wear purple to celebrate the Month of March for Women.
There must be something special in women to designate a month in every year for US - women. Like mothers, fathers and grandparents day, we also have ours to celebrate being a woman. So what is so special with us? I have been thinking some facts about it and might share it here, maybe like some trivia you see around.
Let me start it from here...
1. The patience to endure pain and discomfort with the monthly menstruation. Not to mention the premenstrual syndrome of abdominal pain and sometimes headaches. Yes! This will nag us once in every month, and it is never easy to carry it with us at work or at school, and we are not even excused despite having this around every month!
2. It's amazing how women can endure carrying another human within her for 9 months. Just imagine those ligaments in the low back and abdominal muscles in front stretching to its maximum to accomodate the baby on her pelvic cavity, and above all carrying the baby around 5-10 lbs. anytime she stands and walk to do some chores, errands and some pregnant mothers still have to work up to the 9th month!
3. A woman like - a mother, mom, mommy, momma is the only person in the world that can incessantly go through the pain of child birth/labor. You can hear her moan, shout and curse but can never give up delivering her baby into this world.
4. Lots of women in some parts of the world are fighting for gender equality. Just recently, after how many years of figting for fairness among men and women, the latter in Saudi Arabia were now given the previledge to drive vehicles, and to pursue a profession they want. After so many years of conservatively unjust cultural mentality where women were not given an equal chance with men to study and pursue a career and do things that they want to do in society. In addition to that, women in some countries were also not allowed to run for public office. Despite of her brilliance and qualifications, the fact that she's a woman, the right to become a public leader is not for her. However, women continues to defy the odds, from Joan of Arc till now a lot of women succeed and diligently proves to the world of what she is capable of doing.
5. Women are great homemakers. Men can be homemakers too, but only women have the patience to work for it with grace and calmness. Most women can do it for a lifetime!
6. Women can work in the sidelines with joy. As this famous quote goes;
"Behimd every man's success is a woman."
Yes, a woman takes joy in the success of his man - his partner, yet never gets intimidated. She understands her worth in the success of his man with respect and dignity. Moreover, she never thinks of dominance but delight with obedience and respect. For this reason, a wife should never be treated as slave in her home, and never deserves to be abused by any man.
Women should be empowered, and be reminded that we are all equal to man. In his birth, he will **remember a woman's worth.**
So...
This month, and the whole year round - "WE MAKE CHANGE WORK FOR WOMEN."
Happy Women's Day, ladies!
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Photo below is Mine
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