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When I was young and innocent.

I was like one of those nauseatingly nice children. 

I was very, very well behaved and boring.

I used to be obedient.

(take note: USED TO BE)

“delicacy and nobility,” that’s how my family called it. :|

ehem

Dear future Prince Charming, 
     I don’t want you to treat me like another one of the girls you dated and I certainly don’t want you to compare me to them either.I think it would be nice if you looked like Brad Pitt, but really any resemblance to a passably attractive Hollywood actor would be a plus. Hmm, what else? An interest in spontaneous travel and spontaneous things in general would also be very much appreciated. And maybe just the ability,and want, to lie next to me in a warm, clean, white bed and touch my hands.
     I won’t look for you because I know you’ll come one day. 


                                                                      Surprise me,
                                                                                Princess Pat

Another health update: Vicks VapoRub Linked to Infant Breathing Problems

The popular cold remedy Vicks VapoRub may cause airway inflammation that can restrict breathing in infants and toddlers, a new study says.

Doctors at Wake Forest University started their study after treating an 18-month-old girl who had developed severe respiratory distress after the salve had been put directly under her nose to relieve cold symptoms.

“The company is really clear that you don’t put it in the nose, and you never use it in kids under 2,” said lead researcher Dr. Bruce K. Rubin, professor and vice chair for research at Wake Forest’s Department of Pediatrics. “Sure enough, when we stopped all the medicine, the child got much better very quickly.”


Rubin’s experience prompted him to see if there had been other similar cases. “We encountered a few others that appeared to develop problems after using Vicks VapoRub. Parents never volunteered it, because they always thought it is just something you buy over-the-counter, and it’s not a real medicine, because you just rub it on, after all,” he said.

Rubin said Vicks VapoRub can make some adults feel better without really making them better. “For kids, because it can induce some inflammation, even a little bit, that little bit might be enough to tip over a child to having problems,” he said.

The findings were published in the January issue of the journal Chest.

To test whether Vicks VapoRub could cause respiratory distress, the researchers conducted experiments with ferrets. The animals were chosen because they have airways similar to human airways, Rubin said.

The researchers found that Vicks VapoRub increased mucus production by up to 59 percent; the ability to clear mucus was reduced by 36 percent.

David Bernens, a spokesman for Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Vicks VapoRub, doesn’t think one incident involving one child means that the product is unsafe.

“The product is safe and effective when used as directed,” he said. “To say it was the Vicks VapoRub that caused the respiratory distress — I’m not sure we have made that link yet.”

Dr. James A. L. Mathers Jr., president of the American College of Chest Physicians, said in an association news release: “Parents should consult with a physician before administering any over-the-counter medicine to infants and young children. Furthermore, the American College of Chest Physicians and several other health-care organizations have concluded that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can be harmful for infants and young children and are, therefore, not recommended.”

In October, major manufacturers and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be used by children younger than 4 years old.

Dr. Daniel Craven, a pediatric pulmonologist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, said parents shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub, because it has no medicinal value and may even be dangerous.

“Previous research has failed to demonstrate any respiratory benefits of VapoRub, and conscientious pediatricians have thus usually tried to dissuade families from spending money on this and similarly ineffective therapies,” Craven said. “Although the findings are someone limited, this study raises the possibility that this product may not just be ineffective, but possibly might have adverse respiratory consequences — particularly if there is an intense exposure — as when it is applied directly under the nostrils.”

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Reaction:
I was shocked when I read  this article on the internet. I didn't know Vicks VapoRub was harmful to children. My mom used to rub Vicks below my nostrils, on my back and chest whever I have a cold or clogged nose even when I was a little girl. I didn't experience any breathing problems after that. And up to now, I still use Vicks. I always thought that Vicks was like an ointment similar to Pau, Tai-Chi and other chinese ointments. It was mentioned in the article that Vicks is actually a form of topical medicine. Most parents do not know that it is harmful to children 2years old and below since it increases mucus production by up to 59% and may cause airway inflammation that can restrict breathing. I think the problem in there is that a lot of people do not read the labels and the warning that is found on the container of these products. It is really important to read the labels of every product that we use speciall the ones that we put in our bodies.

Secrecy Folder

690M pesos!!!

Out of this world ba itong folder na ito at sobrang mahal?

Unique ba masyado ito at wala kang mabibili sa National Book Store?

Yari ba sa ginto ito!?

Yari ba sa bakal ito!?

Oh, baka sa sobrang mahal pwede na namin iuwi pagkatapos iboto?

Kanta nalang tayo.

"May bilog, may bilog na hugis itlog!" sing!

Music Shown To Speed Recovery for Stroke Patients

Read this. I found this article from health-updates.org. 


Strokes occur when the blood flow to the brain is blocked. A stroke can kill brain tissue and is one of the world’s leading causes of death and permanent disability. Accepted treatment options include medications, surgery, hospital care and rehabilitation, which may soon include music therapy to speed recovery.

A recent study published in the Oxford University Press journal Brain reports that when stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, their verbal memory and attention span improved significantly compared to patients who either received no musical stimulation or who listened only to stories read aloud.


These findings support growing research pointing to the benefits of music and music therapy for conditions including autism, schizophrenia and dementia. However, “this is the first time music alone has been shown to have a positive effect on victims of brain injury such as stroke” said the study’s lead author Teppo Sarkamo, a psychologist at the Cognitive Brain Research Unit at the University of Helsinki.

The trial, conducted between March 2004 and May 2006, involved 60 patients whose ages averaged just under 60. All had recently experienced a stroke of the middle cerebral artery in the left or right side of the brain, which is the most common type of stroke. Most had problems with movement, as well as cognitive processes such as memory and focusing their attention.

Sarkamo and colleagues started working with the patients as soon as possible after they had been admitted to the hospital. “We thought that it was important to start the listening as soon as possible during the acute post-stroke stage, as the brain can undergo dramatic changes during the first weeks and months of recovery and we know these changes can be enhanced by stimulation from the environment,” Sarkamo said.
The patients were randomly divided into three groups. All participants received standard rehabilitation treatment. One group listened to at least two hours of their favorite music each day, mostly Finnish or English-language pop. The second group listened to audio books, and the third group to neither.

The 54 patients who completed the study received a battery of cognitive and psychological tests that showed a vast improvement. Three months after their stroke, the verbal memory of the music listeners was boosted by 60 percent, by 18 percent in audio book listeners, and by 29 percent for those who listened to neither. “These differences were still essentially the same six months after the stroke,” said Sarkamo.
The music listeners also had a 17 percent improvement in their ability to focus attention. In addition, the music-exposed patients experienced less depression than the other two groups.

“These differences in cognitive recovery can be directly attributed to the effect of listening to music,” Sarkamo said. He continued by saying that “furthermore, the fact that most of the music (63 percent) also contained lyrics would suggest that it is the musical component or the combination of music and voice that plays a crucial role in the patients’ improved recovery.”

“We can’t say what is happening in the brain, but based on previous research and theory it may be music listening could actually activate the brain areas that are recovering,” Sarkamo said. “Music might also in some way activate more general mechanisms that repair and renew the brain’s neural networks after stroke.”
Sarkamo said that larger studies are needed to better understand exactly what is going on and that if validated could offer a cheap, easy additional treatment for stroke patients. “This could be considered a pilot study. It is a promising start.”

http://www.health-updates.org/conditions/hypertension/music-shown-to-speed-recovery-for-stroke-patients/#more-461

An open letter to Mom

Dearest Mama,

Adolescence is a very critical period in a person's life. It isn't easy, you know. Specially when you try to make it so difficult (peace!). Anyway, this letter isn't only for my mom. This is also for the other mom's out there with daughters whose ages range from 12-18.

Let us have our dramas. Teenage years are emotional years--and a confusing one at that. We're not quite kids, but we're not yet grown-ups either, so when I come home with a problem, no matter how silly it may seem, if we say it's a big deal, believe us, IT'S A BIG DEAL. Sometimes we won't talk because we don't think you'd understand. Sometimes, we just need you to listen. Other times we just need you to put our world back together with ice cream instead of I-told-you-so's. Try to put yourself in our shoes if you can't take us shoe shopping.

Let us have our dreams. Right now, we want to be rock stars, models, actresses, not for the fortune, but for the fame. We still know what it means to reach for the stars and dream big. We can't quite grasp the idea of "settle" yet. Let the world teach us that someday. For now, president, Olympic gold medalist, supermodel, you name it, we can still become it!

Let us know we're beautiful. We learn what's beautiful from celebs, boys-and you. Even before we knew who Ashley Tisdale is, we wanted to look like you. But you're not too happy with the way you look so we started wondering, if you're not pretty like we thought you we're, maybe we're not pretty either. It's hard enough not to be the "crush" of our "crush," but if you don't tell us that we're beautiful, then someone else might tell us we're not--and we'll believe them. We'll change for them, try to be more like them, and compromise who we are just so we could be beautiful for them. And once our self-image is shattered, it's so hard to put back together again. So come on mom, say it, even on-especially on-days is not even close to being Vanessa-Hudgens-like: "You're beautiful."

We're like you but we're different. I look a lot like you, I learned a lot from you, people often say I'm a mini version of you-but mom, I'm not you. I have my own interests, opinions and even values-sometimes they're just like yours but sometimes they're not. Differences don't have to be all bad right? You and I can have our disagreements like what I should wear, who I should listen to, and what will make me happy in life-but we can still be friends. You may hate my music, my friends, my choices, but they are my choices for a reason. Talk to me, find out why I think such and such is the coolest thing on earth, or why I like going to the mall with my pals on a school night, just this once. You don't always have to say yes--you're still my mom--but first, hear me out before you say no. All I need from you is respect. Respect that I'm an individual. Respect that I'm growing up to be the person I want to be. You may not always understand me, but I'll be forever grateful if you try.


Infinite x's and o's,
Mara

REPLAY =)

The RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 20 friends (make me #21 so I can see your results).
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!


IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
>>Beep by the pussycat dolls (ok?)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
>> Love like this (by natasha bedingfield) >.<

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
>>eh eh nothing else I can say (Lady Gaga). Haha. cge. wala ako masabi

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
>> With a Smile (eraserheads) =)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
>> Stop and Stare (by One Republic). Haha. lang kwenta pala purpose ko

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
>> IMAGINE (the beatles)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
>>Best I ever had (di ko lam singer..haha)..yeah! I'm the f*ckin best..haha

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
>>Fuzzy Blue Lights (by owl city)--- huh?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
>> Leaving on a Jet Plane (by Chantal Kreviazuk)---haha. Unga. Gusto ko lumayas..ambored here

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
>>For you I will (by Monica)---wth?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
>>Halaga (Parokya ni Edgar)----haha. Pwede!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
>> half alive (by secondhand serenade)---aww. save me? haha

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
>>All Star (by Smashmouth)---yess!! ALL STAR! Taob! I wouldn't settle for less..haha =)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
>I believe (by ewan ko..haha)---oo, i believe!

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
>> Bad Girl (by Rihanna ft. Chris Brown)---wtf?? haha!!!

HOW'S YOUR SEX LIFE?
>>Insomnia (by Craig David)---woah! haha...so that's what's keeping me up all night? LOL!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
>>I'll make love to You (by Boys II men)---hahaha...takte. Anu ba yan!

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
>> Photograph (by Nickelback)---haa??

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
>>Party in the USA (by Miley Cyrus)---haha. Yeah! Party pips ako. jk.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO RIGHT NOW?
>> Dangerously In Love (by Beyonce)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
>> My life would suck w/o you (by Kelly Clarkson)---aww. I love my friends!

WHAT IS THE FIRST IMPRESSION YOU GET FROM OTHER PEOPLE?
>> Let me be the One (by Jimmy Bondoc)--haha. ako na lang kasi!

WHAT IS BOTHERING YOU RIGHT NOW?
>>Complicated (by Avril Lavigne)---yep. as usual. haha. (i thought i deleted this song??)

WHAT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
>>Used to (by Chris Daughtry)---aww.. =(

WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM OFTEN COMPRISE OF?
>>The Climb (by Miley Cyrus)---yes. Pwede.

WHAT DO YOU SING WHENEVER YOU'RE IN THE SHOWER?
>>Birthday Sex (by Jeremiah)---aba! Over na ha? LOL! pota..

WHAT WERE YOUR PARENTS' REACTION WHEN THEY FIRST SAW YOU IN THIS WORLD?
>>If I were a Boy (by Beyonce)---aww..oo nga. My dad would've liked it if i were a boy

WHAT IS YOUR DRINKING SONG?
>> Once when i was little (by James Morrison)--huh? ok.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU?
>>Just Stand up (various artists) =)

HOW ABOUT THOSE WHO HATE YOU?
>> No One (by Alicia Keys)---haha. No one hates me? Naman!

IF YOU WOULD BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR COUNTRY'S NATIONAL ANTHEM, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
>>Bad Romance (by Lady GaGa)---LOL! Yess! bongga ang flag ceremony nito. haha!

IF SOMEONE LIKED YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO TELL YOU?
>>You Give Me Something (James Morrison)--- =)

WHAT TIME IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT ON REPEAT FOREVER?
>>Do You Remember (Let's Bring it back) by jay sean---no i don't remember, but let's bring it back. Haha!

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE DOWN?
>> Sway (by the Pussycat dolls)---haha. I sway when I'm down. bongga!

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT COMES INTO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "SEX"?
>> I like it rough (by Lady GaGa)---hahaha! OMG.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU HAD MORE OF?
>> A place in this world (by Taylor Swift)--- OP ako eh. haha

THINK BACK FEBRUARY, HOW WAS YOUR LOVE LIFE THEN?
>> Stay (by Bic Runga)---aww. hindi kaya! haha

THE PERSON YOU LIKE SAYS THEY LIKE YOU, YOU SAY?
>>Forever (by Marc Nelson)--- =)

WHAT'S A FACT ABOUT THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
>>I don't care (2ne1)--ha? I still care!! haha!

WHAT'S THE GREATEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU BY FAR?
>> Birthday Sex (by ewan ko)---nanaman? aba! nananadya na ang iPod ko. haha! Sinungaling. binabagyo kaya nung debut ko. haha!

IF SOMEONE WERE TO ASK YOU TO BE THEIR GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND RIGHT NOW, YOU WOULD SAY?
>>Out of my league (by Stephen speaks)---weh??

WHAT IS THE QUOTATION YOU LIVE BY?
>>Beautiful (by Christina aguilera)---yess!! inside and out..hahaha. takte.


WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
>> Replay

(haha...katuwa naman 2!)

Suuuuuuuper long hiatus!

3 months of abandonment. Is that forgivable in the blogging world? I hope so because I don't plan to lose this blog forever. Anyway, I can't believe I haven't updated this thing for ages!! 3 months is a long time for me considering that when I first started this blog, I was always updating it everyday. Sometimes even 5 times a day! I told myself I was gonna a be consistent blogger. At that time, I was a frustrated writer. I was frustrated because I can't pursue Journalism as my course (my mom just won't allow it. sad). But then after a couple of months, my eagerness to update decreased..mostly because of my hectic schedule. I began to update once or twice a week. Hanggang sa yun, tumagal ng tumagal. Not because of my hectic schedule. Not because of my lack of ideas. Maybe because I just started to lose interest? Ningas-kugon ba ang tawag dun? Sa simula lang magaling, sa huli, wala na? Well I hope I can still change it.



Time for a change.


MAG-UUPDATE NA AKO NG BLOG! PROMI....oops!

I don't wanna say the "P" word anymore. I told myself I won't say anymore promises. It's just so frustrating when you don't get to keep them even though how hard you try.

Sorry for the long hiatus!

oh my, oh my..I almost forgot about my blog! Haha.. I was getting lazy for the past three months. I can't even remember the last time I wrote here.

Anyhoo, I just got home. I went shopping today..woo! But it's not fun, I only shopped for school supplies for the next sem. Why wasn't it fun? Because I have a budget (that's because I used my own money). At first I think it's cool to spend your own money for your school stuff. I'm feeling a bit independent this semester. Like last week, I processed my enrollment by myself. It feels good when you don't rely on other people (specially your parents). But using your money to buy your own necessities is not included. It sucks! I used to enjoy shopping for school stuff, but now I kinda hate it! Whenever I pick an item, say..a really cool binder, I think twice before I put it in the basket. I had make computations in my head. I don't have a lot of money, you know. I'm on a really tight budget right now. I only have to buy stuff that I really need. Only the necessary stuff. And the worst and most difficult part was passing by the fiction section of the bookstore. Man, I was dying to take a peek of the new books on display! But I know that if I go to that area, I'll only get frustrated because I'm not supposed to buy a book.

Anyway, I'm thinking of making my mom pay for everything I spent today. Haha! Just kidding.

Ayan..tinatamad na ulit akong magtype. haha! Saka na lang ulit..promise!