I am sure a lot  of families are gathering for backyard barbecues; a lot also have travelled for the weekend vacation to be with friends or family in another state or county.

I also learned for the news today that htoudands of people have flocked today to Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty, and what a fitting place to celelebrate America's freedom. More so tomorrow , when,  for the first time in eight years (after 9/11)  the crown of the Lady Liberty will be accessible to visitors. But only for the few who got the tickets-the lucky 200 or so.

Me, I have to contend with watching the fireworks on TV-although I alwasy said I would watch it live one day. Never happened yet, especially not this year. No invitations yet to barbecues either. Anyway, I cannot be going nowhere anyway, even if I want to go to the city or somewhere else after work. Why?

My knee is hurting. I am in pain and I am limping. I don't know what it the problem exactly although I have seen a doctor today. The xrays showed there is no broken bone in my knee-but still I need an MRI because the doctor suspects it might be ligament issues. I can't have one till  Monday, maybe because  the clinics and laboratories are closed today for the weekend holiday.

Oh well, ..these pains come with age as what my co-worker said in a jest. It's true in a way but I am kind of young to have these problems. The seniors who live in the coop housing complex that I work with -some of them are in better shape than me. Well, what can I do, The body has soem wear and tear. Deal with it...that's what I gonna do.

So it's a holiday weekend..and I am STUCK in the apartment.Good thing I have movie DVDs. That will make my day better.

Enjoy the weekend, people.!

We also  saw his fans mourn for him and reap praises for their idol -their ultimate King of Pop.  On the other side, other people  also prefer to dwell on the child molestation charges against him.  And that itself has destroyed him forever to their minds.

Whatever has been said and have happened, the fact remains we have lost a  musically gifted & talented person  who has  undoubtedly contributed much to the music genre  the world over.  He has revolutionized the music scene, having  visualized music as one record producer has said. Yes, thru the MTV, -because music is supposed to be auditory but acting music out thru  the MTV media, we were able to "see"  music.  These MTVs  also catapulted his songs to the record charts. Indeed, it also helped a lot in promoting those songs. And the artists after him followed suit.  And also the dancing-he introduced much of it to his music videos. And a lot of artists got into the dancing because of his precedence. Isn't our own Gary V. been influenced much by those moves that he earned the monicker of being the Philippines' Michael Jackson? So, I believe.

I admire Michael Jackson and knew a lot of his songs as they really becames popular even in the Philippines( although I never owned any record of his)...Give Love on Christmas Day, which I love hearing on Christmas time; Ben,  Out of My Life, Music & Me, Billie Jean, The Thriller, of course "We Are the World "which was a successful fund-raising song, and "Heal the World" and a lot more.

He had made bad decisions and has been an eccentric person to me , especially when he changed his appearance. However, I doubt about the molestation charges against him  because I feel that he was indeed a lonely person. One who had not enjoyed a normal childhood and reports of abuse from his father, and so he longed for the company of children. My feeling is also based on what I know about child predators/molesters. It's always reported that child molesters or predators  have in their possessions (at the time of their arrest)  pictures of nude or half naked children; or their computers are filled with child pronographic sites..or their read child pronographic magazines and all those incriminating evidences. I don't recall these having been seen or recovered  in his home in Neverland Ranch when the police raided it. The evidence of accusations were mainly based  on the oral testimony of the complainant. Maybe that's why  the jury didn't convict him  because of insufficient evidence.  Okay he paid millions of dollars to settle the case but then who really knows. He just wanted his peace and protect his career.

Now, he faces God in his last judgement. So I leave it to the Almighty to give the verdict.  He is the highest judge , where no man can question.  What I am concerned about is his children. He has three and I hope one of them will get his artistic genes. But seriously, I hope that thru the sales (post-death) of his songs  it will provide some money for his children's future well being.  And reports have stated that his father, Joe Jackson  is planning to take charge of his music al wealth-maybe there has been songs tucked in Michael's house that were not recorded- which Joe Jackson plans to record, together with his other music catalogue.

They have also said that a will have been found for his children, so I am glad. I hope he provided a trust fund for his children- as he said he loved them so much, so he should have provided for their future..  One of his attorneys have said that during the trials he was so nervous and  terrified- worried about the future of his children if ever he gets convicted.

His last tour was in 1996- 1997 and that included Manila in that tour. I remember that tour because I was in  graduate school  in UP Diliman that time. How I wish now that I watched that  show had I known that was his last. But tickets were expensive, and were sold out fast. It was reported that local movie stars purchased many tickets too, for family & friends. I remember my roommate Marian telling me the day after the concert that a friend of hers  had a ticket for P700.00  and  all he saw of Michael was the size of one's forefinger & thumb  stretched out. That was how huge the crowd was. It was after all held in that reclamation area along Manila Bay. I think that's part of the site of the SM Megaworld.

After the funeral (which hasn't been announced yet)  the fans will then move on.. but surely will store the memories in their hearts and the music will live on in their lives.  No other Michael Jackson has ever merged yet in today's generation of singers. The world will surely be glad to welcome the successor.

Farewell Michael and may you rest in peace now.

I didn't even realize it that day and only after I heard it on TV. Incidentally, it was the Phil. Independence Day celebration, too which I saw on the internet channel Pinaychannel.com.

I wasn't worried anymore that my tv won't work because one of the TV channels- ABC 7 had a test broadcast for the swirch and I was home that time. It gave instructions to watch in the next 5  seconds on what happens to the tv transmission. If my t unit wasn't HDTV- ready then I would see a blank snowy screen- like when one can't  get a channel. So, after the voice over, nothing happened-I mean the show that was on just continued. Just as what the voice said, it would continue with the show if my TV was ready for the switch. The switch is from analog to digital transmission. Don't ask me about the technicalities inolved and how to understand this inlayman's terms becasue I myself don't know much. Except that my tv is fine.

I just can't help but be a bit anxious about this. Remember  in 2000 when they said that computers will crash as well as other equipment that are computerized at the turn of year? I was at first unsure because I don't have my own cable tv connection and haven't asked my landlady about this. I kept hearing reminders on TV to get those cable boxes and antennas etc. that is need. Then later I also heard in a TV news that if one's TV is on a cable connection/service, then you are okay. That's why I was relieved and didn't think much about this. Untilt he day came and heard it on the news.

Well, I didn't also realize that a lot of people were affected by it. I was like-hey this is America... I supposed every family or person had a cable connection. Then I was wrong. One week today, after the switch went onto effect, people have been going to the electronics store to buy those Tv antennas and tuners, or whatever they need- just to get tuned in to a TV channel. People interviewed by tv reporters narrated how their tvs went blank. Others who had bought the antennas earlier also suffered some glitches like not being able to get all the(major)  channels they wanted to have becasue their antennas have tobe tuned or like scanned for the channels. But even those who did follow the instructions still had some problems.

Well, lucky for me, my tv works, and I don't even have to pay for the cable service. Uh uh....i mean it's part of utilities covered by the  rent. So, I was able to watch the NBA final games  where the Lakers won 99-83 over the Orlando Magic last night (6/14). Yes, and the subway series final game too- in which the New York Yankees beat up the NY Mets 15-0.

I am thankful so much to a friend's fiancee who gave the tv to me, too. I am so lucky indeed. Bless him.

Again, she appeared in the Oprah show last May 18 for the official debut of her international single " NOTE TO GOD". It was a splendid & soulful, passionate performance that made OPrah tear up again. That's why they say in the Insider show as the girl that made Oprah cry. David Foster calls her the little one. For indeed she is little, I wonder where her big voice comes from. I have seen and listened to her sing live in June last year in NY city, and the more that I was amazed because of the sheer power of her voice yet coming from a petite body of hers. Even the people in th park were drawn to where the voice was coming from.

Well, I downloaded her single because of that touching performance. It's available in iTunes and amazon.com. Also, I love the lyrics and the whole message of the song about a person's thoughts of what to write to God. So buy now and let's support a sweet girl who has only but dreams to help & support her family thru her gift-her beautiful voice.

It's a beautiful song, and was orignally recorded by the young singer Jojo in her album but it was never released as a single. So I encourage you to buy the song. For $0.99, what have you got to lose but instead, enjoy a poignant song sang by a girl with a melodic, big voice.

If you haven't watched that episode in Oprah, here's a link to videos posted in YT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svQfjZRr4o8

ENJOY!!!

Are you afraid of getting lost? Me, yes, and no. Well, let me explain.

Yes, of course, it's an uneasy feeling being lost someplace in which you don't know where to go next. I'm in near panic the moment I know I am lost. This sounds crazy but wait: am I saying I don't know I'm lost? No, what I meant is I am not sure at first but when I could see signs and facts around me that tells me I am in a different place, the realization sinks in and I freeze for a moment out of fear. I keep telling to myself: " oh oh, these are unfamiliar ..this seems not right". Sounds silly, but that's how I assess myself when I am in a train or bus for that matter. It's because that's where I alwasy get lost here when I go on trips by myself.

How I do get lost? Almost always, I take the wrong train or bus or jeepney (back home). Or make the the wroing turn. One time, In Makati, I was in a corner in the middle of the comercial district and I stood there, opened my map and tried getting back my bearing. Because after blocks of walking I siad to myself:" Stop. You can't wander the whole day. Get some help & do something right." So right there I get my senses back. I look around, ask people particularly security guards. plice officer if there is one, store owners-people whom I feel knows this place more than others.

I say it's NO, I am not afraid of getting lost. As long as I have money and train/metro cards, has a phone and numbers to call and have people to ask around, I have not much to fear being lost. Do don't venture alone if you don't have money and the guts as well to approach people and not to panic and lose your focus.I even gain something positive on this experience because that's how I know my way around the place or in New York city for example. Like I said, I don't mind asking people - in fact that's the first thing I do. But I don't just ask anybody. I can tell if a person is laso new in the lace or is just a shopper coz they would just say I am also new in the place or I don't really know. But I don't give up. I find another person to ask. Mostly, storeowners or store clerks can give some directions, securirty guards, police officers. And here in the US, I usually  have the phone numbers of tourism offices of the place I am visiting like  Visitor Centers. These  centers are manned by actual persons and they are a good sourcource of information.Subway maps and knowing how to use them works great for me. Before I didn't know what uptown and downtown NY meant.BUt I know now.Of course after getting in the wrong trains first.

There you are guys. Hope you can get some tips from this . Enjoy your next travel!!!

Last Monday (May 18) I stopped to focus on the screen when I heard a story about baby ducks born in Manhattan. Yes, animal stories always get my attention. I am such a sucker for animals. Anyways, the story was about duckling who were hatched in a veranda of a Manhattan aprtment which belonged to a male occupant. There were 12 ducklings which were ready for their first flight. In fact, the sotry went- the mother duck already flew and left them assuming the little ones will automatically follw her- as she went to a pond nearby-maybe the place was near Central Park area.  

Well, the news showed a clip from the movie -Earth?- where it was said that in the wild, ducklings jump from the tree to the ground were dead piles of leaves serves as buffers for their fall. However, in this situation, the ducklings were born in a Manhattan balcony-two stories high! And they have the hard, cemented pathway to land on - which will surely hurt them. Naturally, the ducklings were hesitant to jump.  

So, there came the apartment tenant to the rescue-they now call him DUCK MAN. He coached the ducklings to jump out and he was there to catch all of them one after the other- twelve in all! Other passersby went ot help so he passed the ducklings to them as he caught each one. And they all placed them on the gorund and followed/ coaxed them to walk towards the pond were the mother duck was waiting.  

The last clip showed the cute ducklings finally jumping into the pond and enjoying their first swim! This part they needed no help- as ducks are like fish in water. What a touching story.   Nice job, man!

I watched her recently  in the Rachel Ray show (May 13) as one of the guests. As usual, she was her funny, witty self. I love her candor and humor, and most especially her love for the environment. She's one of those green artists here in America.   She's also a great mother and I salute her for raising such a wonderful daughter, and for keeping her marriage for 25 years now-which is rare among showbiz people. I don't recall having heard some scandalous reports about her.  

So, here's the latest on her. She was on the show to talk about her current activity: the big picnic she'll be holding in New York  to raise funds for her conservationist group for which she is  committed for 15 years now.It's called The New York Restoration Project which supports community gardens in New York. It also has a goal of adding 1 million trees to NY city in the next ten years.And she was excited to tell the audience that they have planted about 175 thousand trees already so far. And she was ecstatic becasue these trees are flowering trees like Cherry Blossoms, so she said New York will be in full flowers ten years from now! This  prompted Rachel Ray to add that NY will be competing now with Washington D.C. -referring to D.C.'s Cherry Blossom riverside wall or avenue. I can already imagine the beauty of these trees in full bloom in spring and into summer!

Pictures of some  gardens her group has restored were shown in the show. Actually, some of these areas were vacant, abandoned lots and corners in a street that were gathering weeds, and trash. What thye did was to transform these into gardens: landscaped it with greens and flower beds and placed some garden benches on the sides. Very nice transformations in the NY landscape indeed!

Asked what her greatest achievement is, she casually remarked that it's her 22 year old daughter.  She's in her 100th show in Las Vegas at Ceasar's Palace where she's been performing these years, flying from NY to Las Vegas. She's the indefatigable , Divine Miss M.

And she was also excited to announce that she's building a farm in New York and plant vegetables which she would sell to restaurants-something like organic farming. Oh well, there's no stopping the Divine Miss M into doing projects that are close to her heart and she is passionate about. That's why I love her.

Spring is the time where trees sprout new leaves again and plant bulbs begin to sprout from the ground. When I see those plant bulbs shooting out it's stem from the gorund I know spring is in the corner. Nature knows really. Then after like a week or two, those bulb plants bear flowers already-mostly tulips. Yes, tulips in different colors. I used to love them and just admire them in pictures I see in magazines. But here, it'sa common plant around houses and in flower beds in parking lots or buildings and in parks. So my plan this year is to enjoy more of these flowers and nature in general, without spending so much. Where to find them? In parks and gardens of course!!

Didn't I mention last year that I would love to go back to Washington D.C. to witness the Cherry Blossom festival? Sadly, I kind of got caught up with work I didn't realize it was over when I finally thought about the festival. So being "masipag" in searching the internet, I found out that the Booklyn BOTANIC GARDEN has it's own Cherry Blossom Festival -or that Japanese Festival they call it   on May 3.

I wanted to go on May 1 or 2 but I wasn't granted my leave request. Unfortunately, it rained the followng week -sice last Monday but I had to catch the blooms before they wither. So last Thursday, May 7, I decided on impulse to go there. It was also raining (showers) and the skies were gloomy but the weather reporter said it will clear up late afternoon. So there I went but really didn't map out my trip. Like I was waiting  already on the subway train but still didn't know what train to take & station I will get off. So I was like thinking what to do when I saw the security guard at the subway station. Thanks to 9/11 security beef up, security guards are around in train stations & subways. So he told me to get the 2 train & get off at Eastern Parkway. I was still telling him I could get a Q also right? BUt then he said No, just take 2. I think that was the only train he knows as well. Good I followed his advice-or did I have a choice anyway?

In short after an hour and three trains I got off the train and whoow-the RAIN started to pour! I spread my spring caot over my head and ran to a big building for shelter. It turned out to be the BROOKLYN MUSEUM. Good, I thought. I can just go in if this rain doesn't stop. I looked for the rest room and just wandered in the lobby  for like five minutes. There were Rodin sculptures in the lobby to see.But i had thisnagging feeling to go to the garden and not to the museum. So I went to seek the Garden  when the rain started to slow down. I had my umbrella & coat, so I was ready for the rain.

Finally, I was there and I saw the man ahead of me present a ticket to the guard. Well, I had no ticket yet so I asked where to buy. The guard pointed to a kiosk on teh side and then told me that the guy had like a family ticket & it was good for two. So he said : Actually you can go. Wow, lucky me. I couldn't thank him enough. Wasn't that guy so nice, God bless him. Not that I don't want ot pay but in that weather and it was late afternoon (3:30) I feel cheated paying.

When I got inside, I felt so good. It was marvelous, I know it sounds weird. But I was totally happy to be there. The place is beautiful, and vast. They even had a plant sale going on. Sadly at  I was told at the Visitor Center that the Cherry Blossoms are in their last leg-meaning the flowers are now wilting-almost gone. The rains during the week washed the flowers down. Nevertheless, I still made my way to the  "Cherry Esplanade" or walk. I had a few pictures with me in umbrella, he he. I was actually walking on flower petals.

As a guide, the garden has several sections, like the Japanese Garden, the Cherry Esplanade, the Rose Garden (the roses are not in bloom yet so I'll come back in June), there's a cafe, a garden gift sop, Visitor Center and the Steindhart Conservatory. Inside this Conservatory are tropical plants like a yellow bamboo tree, palms, and others and a Bonsai section. In the Gift Shop they have several bonsai plants for sale but they are expensive

to me.

        Maybe next time, I might buy some plants for the house.

These are tulips.

I posted more  pictures in my PICTURES PAGE. Enjoy!  

Thanks to the internet and all those kindhearted souls who post the vids, I was able to watch the video online. I don't watch it on HBO & frankly I don't know about this pay per view terms & how it works. I don't have a cable connection myself - I mean my landlady pays for it, not my account.

One thing I have observed after Hatton fell down and Manny was declared the winner, was Manny kneelingand praying in his corner to pray right away. I mean, he never took the declaration first and adulations but rather said his prayers first. I am sure he was thanking God for his win and was also praying for Hatton- that he will be alright. I am sure Many will be devastated if ever he knocks out someone in the ring and kills the person it the process. Many is a kindred soul and even if the sport is brutal, he wouldn't wish death to any of his opponents.  Seeing Manny pray confirms that he has a strong faith in God and that his mother really raised him to be prayerful. Being a true follower of God,  being faithful and grateful in all we do- pleases the Lord, who provides all. That's why Manny is so blessed.

More power and blessings. I am sure Manny shares it to his countrymen.

Watch this video. Look how terrified the people were in this part of NY. Think of  9/11 trauma. Hig anxiety day for New Yorkers again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn0tMMYEkQU

And this is exactly what I did the other day. I just went to my bank to deposit my paycheck (which I don't do often since I could cash in my paycheck from my office job, at the Cash & Check agency. I have a direct deposit for my pay in my main job.) and there is that pet store that is two doors away from my bank.  It's called Pet Paws and the store  has expanded. It used to be located on the east side of the shopping center, and it occupied a smaller area. I used to go there before I moved to my current address.

Let me just describe the shopping area. It is relatively small if youa re thinking of SM Malls in the Philippines. No, this is just a shopping center in the village and consists of three one level, or flat buildings facing each other, with the parking lot in the middle. The biggest building is occupied by a grocery or supermarket, one of the supermarket chains in Long Island. This is typical of those found in the villages or towns here in Long island because of the zoning law. The town councils do not allow high buildings except in designated places only. There is a big mall here in the center of the village too, similar to SM but it's only two levels high. I think the tallest height that is allowed here is three stories & that's all I see in a few commercial buildings.

And as I stated earlier, this pet store is in this shopping center near my bank. After I was done with my bank transaction, I decided to drop by the pet store because it was showering anyway and the bus was still to arrive in 25 minutes. The bus stop was only around the corner, so I had time to kill. So, I thought it was great to spend time here since I love pets especially dogs & cats. I just can't own one because my landlady does not allow pets in the apartment.

So I was glad I did go in. I was happy watching the puppies play ing in ther cages-but alas, I couldn't reach to pat them. They made the cage walls high already and there were signs "No Climbing" in there. How adorable they were! And this little boy who came with her mom, just said: "Oh, there is the puppy who likes me, Mom".  I was smiling at how cute that remark was. I am sure that boy,  comes by often to visit and look at the puppies hoping that one day, his mom will buy him a puppy.

Oh and I saw two furry felines-oh they were sleeping. One just stirred to strectch its legs.  On the other side were the fishes in aquariums. SO I was thinking if I should buy an aquarium instead. But then, I cannot play with them or run or walk them around. So I just contented myself in looking at those fishes. There were of course a lot of aquarium accesories and pet toys and food in the store.

There were also a lot of birds in open cages- I didn't bother to try touch them as not to startle them and boy they would chirp loudly and who knows, I will get the attention of the store staff..and maybe driven out of the store, ha ha. They couldn't fly because their wings were nipped.They are the  little colorful ones like the cockatales and Oh, I forgot their names. They originated from Australia and look like little parrots. I saw a feature on Discovery Channel which showed them demolishing wheat farms in a few minutes. They are considered pests, instead of pets-very pretty pests. And here, they are sold as pets! Oh, I got it now-they are the cuckatoos. (i think i mispelled it)

There were also small snakes, yes, snakes also a python label -but the cage was empty. Why do they sell snakes and why sould people have snakes as pets? Oh, really, people have weird tastes and likings. And some geckos, and lizards and also turtles. These wild animals, I beleive should not be sold as pets and be let alone in their natural habitat.

Do you even know that they sell here those crab like creatures we usually chase around in beaches back home? We call those " UMANG". Seriously- I know nobody back home will believe that they sell it here. What pet stores do is color the shells that these "umangs" live in. You know, they don't have their own shells. I just forgot the English term for them. It escaped me at the moment so will anyone supply it for me? And they sell also the food to feed them. I know a Filipino-Chinese family  whose kids had them as pets one summer.

Well, glancing at my watch, it was time for me to leave for the bus stop. It was showering alittle bit and my wait was'nt that long. I had a great moment there, really. Simple pleasures at no cost for me...priceless.

On the flipside of this story however, is still the unresolved hostaging of 105 Filipino seafarers on board a Stolt-Nielsen tanker ship, by Somali pirates in November 10, 2008. Recently 22 Filipino seafarers on board Bulk Carrier M/V Irene EM were also captured by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. 

These seafarers have spent months on the sea with little food and many of them getting sick already. Added to this is the anguish and  anxiety being suffered everyday by their loved ones/families back home  hoping and praying for  their safety and return. But alas, the ordeal is not over yet.

What compounds the problem is the complexity of the situation in my view. The British owned vessel i s I think registered in the Philippines, so that's why, the British government cannot act solely on this. It is a common practice by shipowners to register their ships/vessels in another country, and not in their own,  as Flag of Registry, because it is cheaper to do so.  These vessels don't carry their country's flag. That's why the pirates are also dealing (with ransom demands) from the shipmanning agency in the Philippines. This is also the situation I believe with that Greek-owned vessel, which also has Filipino crew on board that are being held hostages by the pirates.

So, who's going to pay the ransom? Apparently, the Philippine agency of this ships cannot do so, and and mother agency as well, has not assumed the responsibility either.  Their countries won't (or cannot) send a naval warship there in the same manner that the US government did to save an American registered vessel. My assumption is that, the crew involved are not their own people-but Filipinos so they couldn't care less.Well, they can get insurance money for their vessel, but what about the Pinoy officers and crew on board? Would they have the heart to shell out millions for their release?

Maritime laws concerning piracy is also not fully enforced because most governments are not part of it or signatories to it. To be successful in the fight against piracy at sea, countries have to be aligned and coordinate well with each other. Likewise, some laws are just still in the debate stage I guess. So the problem persists. Experts are still discussing and holding seminars or international conferences about this problems until this time.

On the other side, these Filipino seamen are suffering: physically terrified and psychologically battered. Their families are also stressed out and hopes are running low for their safety. To whose hands do they turn? Nobody in the Philippines-from the seafaring sector to the highest government bodies can give them. From across the pond- the British companiy or the Greek companies don't have any clear moves to end this crises either. 

It's a teribble, sad, sad situation and we can't do anything but pray and hope for a positive solution and outcome to this situation. And we need it to happen very soon before lives are sacrificed. It's really a disadvantage when one's government is poor and weak to help.

(more next time)..

 Here is the link.   Listen how the audience loved her performance. Hope you'll like it, too.She has started conquering the hearts of baseball fans of America. Way to go, Charice!  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz0lZESMYAU  

 Bravo Charice, you did a wonderful job! God bless and good luck to your career here in the US. I would love to watch a show of yours someday here in NY...(ha ha ha ...as if Charice will visit and read my blog).

Me, I attended our Easter Sunday service and worked in the night shift. Yes, I was scheduled to work in the morning so I switched with a co-worker so I could attend the service. Pastor Steve's preaching was clear & practical to understand the verses. It was wonderful-with touching songs and interpretative dances rendered by the Youth Groups nd Praise teams. Mind you, most of the choir members  are Filipinos and this is a mixed church. That's why  I like going to this church because the Filipino members are active. They even invite me to join the choir but I can't go for regular practice & service so I didn't join.

What did I pray for? Just like everyday, I pray for good health for me and my family members. Nothing is more important than being healthy. After all, if one is sick, you cannot go to work and do other things. Specially at this time that I have been diagnosed with OSTEOPOROSIS. I kind of suspected having this because I have read in the past that have been taking steroids medications (for asthma) will lose bone mass - as a side effect of the drugs.

How do you know if you have this disorder?  You have to get a BONE DENSITY TEST. I have been meaning to get this exam done last year but I totally forgot about it. So I had the exam early this year-with a referral from my primary doctor. Yes, one has to have a prescription/referral fro this exam because the laboratory company doesn't do this tst on a daily basis. So I even had to call for an appointment.

Three days after, I got a voice mail from my doctor telling me to see him back at his office. With this, I knew something was wrong with my exam. Why? Because if everything is alright, he will just leave a message saying your tests went out fine, and everything is normal. He just left this kind of message two weeks ago after I had my blood tests taken. So I wnet to see him and was told that I had osteoporosis. I knew what it is and searched also for it. I have a -3.3 something level so it's below the normal which is -2.37 if I recall it right.

I am taking now a medication which I have to take for a long time- for life, as my doctor says. It's Alendronate or Fossamax, and is taken once a week- in the morning before taking any food or drink. And then I can eat after 30 minutes. The first time I took this, I didn't read the instructions that came with it coz it was written in small letters and my doctor also didn't give me detailed instructions. Maybe he assumed I would read. So I took it after work-but before dinner. Well, four hours after I took it, I started vomiting and had diarrhea as well. I was so groggy coz I also woke up and started throwing up again at around 2 a.m. I went to work inteh morning, but went home after three hrs. coz I really didn't feel good-dizzy and weak.

Right now, my body has adjusted to the medicine and I am taking it the right way-for over one month already. Sometimes I forget tot ake it on the day, so I take it the next day. I take it on Fridays.

I am also taking calcium- not that I wasn't taking it. I always did but sadly, it wasn't enough coz I was only taking it once daily. We should have 1200 mg of calcium daily especially if we are past forty years old , and our hormone levels are going down. So I now take 600 mg. of calcium with Vit. D & magnesium twice a day (caltrate) morning & afternoon. And also I now drink milk. Yes, milk -lactose free or soy milk. I am lactose intolerant maybe because I really didn't drink milk all my life. As a baby, I was allergic to milk - any milk even mother's milk. I was fed rice am. And  because of my asthma, I wasnt' allowed to drink milk since I was allergic to it. And especially if I had colds & cough. I have read that milk (cow's milk I suppose) has casein which aids in the production of mucus. So if I have colds and cough, the more mucus will be prioduced and then I will have asthma and bronchitis.

It's important to have calcium with Vit. D because Vit. D it helps in the absorption of calcium. We can have lots of Vit D from the sun of course- good between 7-10 a.m. and 3:00-5 p.m. In the Philippines, there is lots of sunshine year round so don't be afraid to be under the sun. Magnesium is needed too, so one doesn't get constipated.

So there, people. Take lots of calcium now. It also applies to men. We all need calcium for good and strong bones and teeth.

And  I think  this also affects people in the Philippines in many ways. Family members who depend on dollar remittances from a son or daughter or sibling who works in the US will certainly be afected economically. I do send a little amount money regularly  to my sister to help with my nephew's school expenses and for my father's maintenance. So I am just thankful that store chain that I work with is stable and is not closing stores or laying off employees.  But oh boy, they do fire out people. A number have been fired since January- two from our department.

Can you imagine losing your job? I can...and my oh my, it terrifies me.  I don't know where I would end up ... but anyway there are caregiving jobs for sure but my not being able to drive a car ( well, I can drive, I just don't pass the test to have the license to drive) limits my choices of taking these jobs. Shows on tv, especially the Oprah show,  talks on how to save money and offers helpful advice on how to really be prudent and strectch one's money in times of crises like this one that we are in.  And so the more that I am careful  to keep my job because it will really be hard. As they advice, one should have like eight months of savings for emergencies. And I don't just have that for the moment. I have a little savings to last me for two months I think. You know I still send money to my family back home especially last week because my father got sick and was hospitalized.  Without my lowly job here, I won't be able to help her out. I am also thinking now of investing a little amount into the company's stocks since we are eligible to buy stocks (stock options). But that would still be in June when I can start. It's a risk that I will lose money but also a sound one if stock prices go up and I will have to sell. I don't know much about this aspect but anyway, i have to study a bit about this, too.

Going home is not an option for me if I lose my job. I have a part time office job too, and that will help a little.  What will I do in the Philippines at this time? The job situation is not bright either. I have thought of going into a small business but with people not having enough money I am not sure any small business back there will prosper- and I don;t know much about managing a business.

I am okay with my retail job even though it pays less. It's tiring but I have less stress. And I have benefits, especially medical insurance which I need now that I am on medication for osteoporosis.  My friends advice me to go study nursing which I have given some thoughts and actions, like going into an orientation on how to go int o a nursing program. It's not easy to get into any school here, more so for nursing programs. It's along way for me because I have to take back units in english and human anatomy as well as pschology (personality). I don't think  I would relish the situation where I will have to shuttle from work, school and doing house chores. Likewise, I won't be happy working as a nurse I believe. I realized that when I was visiting my sister in the hospital early this year.  As I looked around seeing all those hurried  nurses and pitiful patients and all those medical equipment lying around the hallways and in the rooms, it was just overwhelming for me. Hospital job willbe so stressful and depressing. I don't handle stress very well  and I get sick. I have such stresses alreay in my job back home and had enjoyed my career already. 

I have given up on finding and starting a career here because I realized I don't want a stressful life. I have chances of  getting a supervisory & managerial positions in the store but I am taking it slow. As long as I have this job and it paysme to be able to afford  my rent and buy food and essentials, and still be able to help my family, it's okay. What do I need the money for? If I have a little pension from the government, I will live by it ..in the Philippines, a dollar  goes a long way. I

I am really sorry I haven't posed anything in this site for some time. It's just that my settings were changed when I had my computer cleaned up of a worm. I didn't know how to go back in again and it's only today that I discovered how to log in again.

I'm not a computer techie, just "katangahan".. I thought of just deleting this site but I couldn't do it either, even though I wrote the site admin. but they haven't replied.

So I guess I have to continue my blogging. For ine thing, it's spring here already and it's nice out..will have great moments to share. so watch out and keep coming here!

Thanks.