You Give Me Hope

A young German, Josua Nilkens, produced a CD with five songs about God's love, mercy, and hope. The title of the CD is "You Give me Hope". He was inspired to compose songs when he visited the dumpsite in Inayawan, Pardo, Cebu City. The state of the residents was pitiable and the children were dirty. But one thing that Josua saw was a potential. The kids can sing. When he heard a constant beat of something like an accompaniment for a song but was in a crude style, he later found out it was bottle crowns flattened and nailed on a stick. Josua began to work with the children by teaching them the songs and later bring them to a studio for the recording. The patience, hard work, and faith paid off.
To God be the glory and may God bless Josua even more.

February Fever

It's February.

One day more and it's Valentine's day.

There will be sad hearts and happy hearts on this love day. Sad hearts because there are others who does not have dates nor boyfriends. When I was in college we have this running joke about a firing squad for those who've no dates. And I was one of the sad hearts back then. It really mattered to me that I would have a date on V-day. I envied my classmates and friends who got dates on this day. That would mean they would be spared from the firing squad joke. And others who are desperate to have a date on this day would ask just anybody even if they got no feeling for that person to be their date on love day.

But of course there are those fortunate to have real dates on V-day and they were the happy hearts. They got red roses, boxes of chocolates, real dates, shirts with 'I heart my boyfriend/girlfriend' printed on, and they are spared from the firing squad joke. They could feel what this day could mean for them to the last second.

And every occasion there is business. Motels and hotels would be fully booked. This I truly wonder. Is love parallel with s-e-x? I heard from one of my co-workers in my part-time job back in college. He was married but he dated someone who was not his wife on a Valentine's Day. They went to a motel. And it took them a long time to have a room because the taxi queue was very long. He got amazed at the number of couples spending V-day inside a per hour for rent room.

But of course, there are others who spend V-day in a restaurant, the movies, or in the park with families.

What is really the true essence of a love day? Yes, this is St. Valentine's Day. St. Valentine was a priest who defied an emperor in letting single men to be soldiers. Despite the decree he still performed marriages in secrets that caused his death. It was even known that Valentine fell in love with a young woman believed to be the daughter of a jailer. He sent a note with a salutation "...from your Valentine" which is still in use until today. (history.com)

Every single, in a relationship, or complicated status one day of the year on Valentine's Day, let us be reminded that love is not just about boy-girl relationship. Frustration for having no date is unnecessary. There is Someone whose name is Jesus Christ who loves us with an unconditional love. His love is more than enough for us to survive Valentine's Day or any day. But for this to be real and true, faith must be activated. When you believe, then you will know.
Open your heart. He is knocking at the door. Let Him come in.

. Happy Love Day!

Hyper Acidity and Me

I have never been hospitalized in my life and I never wish to be. I have been a healthy girl except for a once or twice a year fever that lasted for only a day or two.

But recently, like two days ago, I was attacked by an existing hyper-acidity in my stomach. I have this "illness" but it does not become bothersome to me. In the past when I had a mild attack of hyper acidity, I only stopped eating sour foods and fruits, junk foods, oily foods, and stop drinking any carbonated drinks and acid based juices. Then the ache will stop and I am back again to eating "normal foods". When I say normal,they are foods I mentioned that I am not allowed to eat.

The latest attack, brought too much pain that my entire body shook and I can barely stand. I asked the doctor if I can have endoscopy and he told me not yet until I am done with the prescribed medicine. If after the 7-day observation period I am still in pain, he will conduct an ultra sound with my tummy. If the result is not good, only then, he will go through with the endoscopy.

Three days later and I am still in pain. Something that I have never experienced before.

I searched the internet for information about what caused hyper acidity,its cure, and what should be avoided.


Definition of Hyperacidity / Acid Dyspepsia (ayushveda.com)

Hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia simply means increase of acidity in the stomach. The human stomach secretes hydrochloric acid which is necessary for the digestion of food. When the stomach contains an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid, then the condition is called as hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia.

Causes of Hyperacidity / Acid Dyspepsia
The prime medical factors of hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia are as follows:-
(i) Stomach Ulcers – Ulcers in the stomach are one of the prime causes of hyperacidity. Once this is diagnosed, the treatment will be done by the surgical removal of the stomach ulcers.
(ii) Acid Reflux Disease – Some people have a gastric disorder called as the acid reflux disease. In this condition, the acids of the stomach, i.e. gastric acids or hydrochloric acid, get refluxed up to the food pipe, which is biologically called as the esophagus. When this happens, it builds up the level of acidity in the stomach.
(iii) Stomach Cancers – Stomach cancers can also cause hyperacidity as one of their symptoms. This is a very rare case, but the mortality rate is quite high. Hence, a hyperacidity that lasts more than two weeks must be immediately shown to the doctor and got checked for any cancer. A timely diagnosis can enable complete treatment of the disease.

Hyperacidity gets aggravated by the following triggers:-
Excessive intake of oily, spicy and salty foods
Excessive intake of sour foods that contain high acid content
Inadequate exercise
Going to bed immediately after a heavy meal
Too much mental stress and worries
Taxing the mind excessively
Consumption of alcohol
Smoking and drug addiction
Addictive consumption of coffee
Too much intake of therapeutic drugs like aspirin
Diseases of the digestive organs such as the stomach, intestines, gallbladder or the pancreas
Peptic ulcers
Spinal lesions

Symptoms of Hyperacidity / Acid Dyspepsia

Hyperacidity symptoms are observed a couple of hours after eating, when the food has been digested and still excess acids are left within the stomach. At this stage, the following symptoms are seen:-
*A typical feeling of restlessness
*Feeling of nausea (wanting to throw up) and actual vomiting
*Sour belching with an aftertaste of the already-eaten food
*Stiffness in the stomach, which is called as atonic dyspepsia
*Lack of desire for any other type of food
*Indigestion
*Constipation

Prevention of Hyperacidity / Acid Dyspepsia

Hyperacidity can be taken care of with a strict and healthy dietary routine. The following principles must be observed:-
A person with hyperacidity problems must totally abstain from consuming heavy food.
It is very important to perform some light exercise after every meal in order to burn some calories. Alternatively, the person can go on a brisk walk.
Smoking and alcoholism must be totally avoided by people having repeated complaints of hyperacidity.
The mind should be kept free and devoid of tensions during eating.

With this information, I know for sure what to avoid. Sometimes though I have the tendency to crave those oily, salty, and sour foods. I love my life, and for me to prolong it, is to watch my diet. :)

January Plan

January 13, 2011
New year arrived. Mikmik and I talked of getting married this year. We decided in August. I suggested December instead since people at least those who are working will have bonuses so gifts are expected without it a burden to guests. Well, just a thought. The idea came from Melanie when she mentioned to me that she and her boyfriend will get married next year and in December. So it might work for us. Mikmik agreed not just for that reason but for us to have more than enough time to save up.
The main thing that we worried the most is our financial situation. So we agreed that the coming months will be devoted in saving up. By December I should have not less than fifty thousand pesos saved up and Mikmik should have the same amount in our separate savings.
The next thing that I worried about is the venue for the wedding. I love to be married here in Cebu since transportation, catering, and other stuffs needed are within reach. But, during my conversation with Mikmik, he mentioned that it would be best to have the wedding in their place so his relatives and mine, from Sagbayan, don’t have to travel far.
Another thing is our religious differences. I am a Protestant and he is a Catholic. All my life I wanted to be married in a church. Speaking of church, it is going to be in my church. But of course, I have to respect his decision as well. I already told him that I don’t want to be married in a Catholic church. So the most realistic ceremony will be a civil wedding ceremony, officiated by a mayor.
As early as the first month of the year, I am already thinking about this but not much worried. All we have right now is the plan of getting married. The details will be discussed only after we ask permission from our parents and we have the money already. I am not looking for a grand wedding; I only want it to be solemn, sacred, celebrated with family and close friends and of course, memorable.
And I know, this is just the beginning of our life together-planning and saving up. There will be series of tribulations and trials heading our way as we enter marriage, but as long as we believe in us together, life will be worth it getting married.