life in my not so parallel universe

Is Nevernever land an injection away through HGH?

They say age is only a number, but those who take HGH seem to not believe this

A recent topic on Anderson Cooper’s show on CNN featured how the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has affected the modern view on being youthful looking. HGH has made appearing youthful via an injection shot.

HGH is actually a performance enhancing drug that was put into quite a bad light when Barry Bonds was proven to have used them during his glorious baseball career.  Stars such as Suzanne Summers and Sylvester Stallone have publicly made known that they use HGH.  The results?  Stallone is playing Rambo at the tender age of 61.  

I don’t see anything wrong in wanting to stay  strong and fit even if we get to the age that we have grandchildren already or we’re fit for senior a citizen’s card.  But the difference lies in the ways we achieve this goal.  Research has shown that HGH should only be prescribed to those who have growth hormone deficiencies.  Side effects include possible diabetes and cancer.  

What would be the sense if you look 10 years younger but your body is deteriorating inside?

So, if we take HGH, will we be like Peter Pan who never aged even though Wendy had grandchildren already?

I daresay nothing beats having a happy outlook in life and peace of mind to looking young.  And no matter how we evade aging, we will have to close our eyes permanently one day.  But you know, dying wrinkle-free isn’t a bad thing either.  But then, we’ll still end up decayed six feet under when our time is up.

Loving means sharing.. EVERYTHING.

Or is it really? Are there still lines that should remain uncrossed? The bathroom door, perhaps?

My bff, Erin, spends the night in my apartment whenever she and her husband have fights. I’m used to seeing her at my door either crying or swearing about her husband.  But her latest unsolicited sleep over a month ago gave me the shocker of my life. They fought over their bathroom.

She said that she had the last straw when her husband left the bathroom in a colossal mess.  The toilet seat was like a mummy wrapped in tissue paper, the soap was floating in the tub, the shampoo caps and toothpastes were all unsealed, the hole was full of hairs, and cigarette butts were all over the bathroom tiles.  She said that this has been going since the day they got back from their honeymoon two years ago. In her rant and stress, she actually thought of leaving him.

She came back in my place just this past weekend and was beaming happily when she told me that they have built two bathrooms in their house.  She ecstatically told me a mixture of zen-like insights and practical benefits on how having separate bathrooms brought back the romance in their marriage.

1. There is an increased respect for one’s sense of space

We all know that besides love, respect is essential in sustaining relationships.  A sense that you still have something you can actually call your own even becauseyou know that if you ever get a divorce he’ll get half of what’s yours, unless you have a pre-nup.

2. Your own bathroom gives the perfect avenue for emotional release.

Aside from the obvious "releasing" we all do in this area of the house, having your own bathroom from your partner can provide healing activity with privacy.

3. The sense of separation gives an air of mystery and excitement.

There’s a tingling feeling when you visualize what’s behind the other room where your partner is usually half naked or totally naked besides your bed.  

4. You don’t have to be stressed over your partner’s mess.

With your own bathroom, you don’t have to experience migraines over what you’ll see after your partner goes out of it every morning. You don’t have to wake up earlier than your partner just to get into the bathroom first.

5. Your bathing hours need not to be cut short.

If you’re one of those who spends at least an hour taking a bath just like me and Erin, then having a separate bathroom is the most ideal for you.  

I’m still living alone so I don’t have a problem with sharing. But then again, it all depends on the couples. Some can share and eventually compromise and make changes to each other’s bathroom habits. In the end, either you stuck to one bathroom or built another one, if you really love each other, you’ll meet halfway.  The bathroom really made Erin mature. Believe me, she can be really shallow at times.  By the way, Erin and her husband are now carrying a gift from the stork.

What’s next when the glitz and sparks of a proposal are over?  The wedding you hope would sweep you off your feet.

If our weddings can get as sweet as those in the following movies, then maybe we’d dream of walking down the aisle over and over again. These movies were compiled by HBO as Hollywood’s top wedding movies.

Movies about wedding tend to bring us to tears and laughter and sometimes annoyance, I know, I felt all those emotions when I watched wedding flicks.  But then again, no matter what they make us feel, we keep on watching them like it’s the first time that we have heard of these movies.

Now I'm listing them from 10 to 1, following the tv shows' lead.

10. Runaway bride (1999)

This was a reunion movie for Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The part where Julia’s character crawled at window was definitely comedic and you’ll feel pity for the boy holding the rear of Julia’s wedding gown who got dragged literally by Julia away from the altar.  

9. The Marrying Man (1991)

This romantic-comedy set the real life romance for Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.  What was so adorable in this movie was though their first meeting was quick ( I meant that in every sense) and bitter sweet, it makes one want to believe in meant-to-be scenarios. Their characters met over and over again through years, marrying and splitting up , and then finally getting thing right. As sweet as the movie’s ending and their real life vows were, we all know that they are currently at each other’s throats for the custody of their daughter, Ireland. So sorry..was only able to post the poster. The trailer's practically not available.

8. Wedding Singer ( 1998 )

Now, was the airplane scene the sweetest part of this movie? And the song, Grow old with  you, says it all.  Drew Barrymore looked so dainty and Adam Sandler really rocked the songs.  

7. The Wedding Planner ( 2001)

The part where Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey danced in a park and Jennifer’s character was amazed that he can dance was truly jaw-dropping, in a sweet way, of course. At that moment, she jokingly asked if he was gay, and the way he answered that he was gay, made us believe that he definitely was a straight man.

6. Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

The scene where Toni Colette’s character had almost made out with her boyfriend was definitely hilarious with her laughter so contagious it will laughing as well.  Social issues like low-self esteem and diseases affecting women were highlighted in this movie.  Why the title, Muriel's Wedding?,
Muriel (Toni Colette) had frequent daydreams of her dream wedding.  

5. Father of the bride (1991)

A classic tale of a father’s rollercoaster emotions when his only girl is about to get married. The basketball the backyard was truly filled with warmth.

4. My big, fat Greek wedding (2002)

This movie emphasizes love beyond race. They definitely took the whole Greek translation to a hilarious level.  

3. My bestfriend’s wedding ( 1997)

Again, Julia Roberts proved she is the marring type, both in movies and in real life.  Her speech at the reception makes us weep all over again.

2. The Graduate ( 1967

Now, this is the sole movie on the list of the top wedding movies that doesn’t contain any word associated with weddings whatsoever.  Dustin Hoffman’s character had an affair with the mother of the girl he fell in love with.  This movie took home an Oscar. The confrontation scene when Dustin was shaving was so sweet.

1. Four weddings and a funeral  (1994)

This movie made Hugh Grant an overnight household name not only in Britain but around the world as well.  The flick made box office records as one of the highest grossing movies in Britain.  Rowan Atkinson aka Mr. Bean playing as a priest? That should definitely get things funny yet witty. The wedding speech scene was adorable.

Drawn from real life
Watching these wedding movies makes us think that the characters do really look good together in real life. Or that we will meet someone like the characters the next day.  Either we will get married or not, these movies will definitely make us hopeful of a life full of cakes and champagne, in a figurative sense.  

Couples who can’t stand each other even for just one day have the courtesy to put a very understated reason on the divorce papers, irreconcilable differences.

Currently not in a relationship right now, or married for that matter, but I had my  unfair share of heartaches through my years on this life.  Maybe there are people who are cut off for a “coupled” life, while some are destined to love solitude for all time. Enough about me.

Let’s admit it, even how painful and soul-wrenching a split up is, at the end of the day, a single nerve in our brain transmits a message that it was all for best, that you had to be apart from that person and that you are a little relieved and one day, we’ll wake up with bouncing smiles.   But then again, regret is something we’ll all feel along the way because the happy ever part is over, at least with that person.

So, what drives couples to breaking up madness?  But before you go on, I have a disclaimer, I’m talking about men and women in general, so, it doesn’t mean that if you’re a man that you’re guilty of these things, same goes for women.  Well, if you are guilty, then, that’s your story.

1. Men don’t apologize while women can’t let go

Generally, this is the case why relationships falter. Men tend to talk little and just keep quiet and don’t want talks that last more than at least five minutes.  On the other hand, women tend to hold on to a lot of stuff. All of us can shut up for a while but when something triggers the emotions, we burst in a way that men can’t stand the tension anymore.  Maybe both can just make way for each other, you know, men can say sorry not only with gifts but with a little apologetic speech as well, while women can let little things go as long as they have been resolved.

2. Couples tend to focus on the negative

We are all guilty of this.  Unfortunately, there comes a time that we unconsciously turn a blind eye to the good things and concentrate on the bad for it is better to cite the bad ones, to some extent.  Maybe we can all go back to the dating  days when appreciate the little yet sweetest thing our partners do for us.

3. Bad timing

This is something that is inevitable.  It’s like we’re busy all the time and can’t be disturbed. Maybe we can be more intimate by hugging each other more. Hugging increases oxytoxin, the happy hormone. That way, timing won’t be a problem anymore. I mean, there’s really no good timing. A bad news will always be bad news, same goes for the good ones.

4. Partners either talk too much or too little

Looks like there’s never balance, isn’t it?  But then again, we can never talk moderately right? Maybe the key is to solve this is to let each other talk first instead of talking simultaneously like there’s no tomorrow.

Eye openers

Ah, maybe stones will be thrown instead of bread. When all these things happen, breaking up isn’t that hard to do and the easiest road to travel.  It all depends to the situation. Have posted the reasons not to point blame but to open realizations and learn from them. In the end, let's all love one another to achieve world peace. 

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but spoken words  do stuck  a little longer in our minds than we thought they will.

Fred Shapiro, editor of the Yale Book of Quotations, has listed this year’s most memorable quotes compiled from famous personalities and average citizens. Kind of like the Last Song syndrome, only there’s no melody involved but the retention is so strong.

Number one on the list is  "Don't tase me, bro".

These words were uttered by Andrew Meyer, a student from the University of Florida when he was tasered by the police after he refused to obey orders to stop speaking while Sen. John Kerry was doing a speech.  The statement became so controversial that it was printed on t-shirts and even made as ringtones for cellphones. This stirred a lot controversy as the justification was questioned.  But in the end, no charges were filed either on Meyer’s side of those of the authorities.

Number two on the list is "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and the Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us,"

Now, this one really hit the charts. U.S. Americans?, see the catch?  Lauren Apton must had really experienced the highest level of anxiety during the Miss Teen USA pageant when she made this statement.

Number three on the list is, "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."

These words came from a speech of  Iranian President  last October at Columbia University. Well, if that is really the case, the term, “closet queen” has risen to the most literal level.

Number four on the list is "nappy-headed hos"

Who hasn’t heard of this? Don Imus lost his job days after  he uttered this in his radio show. He made this comment against the  Rutgers University women's basketball team. Even Oprah didn’t let this one pass.  I feel that what made this statement memorable is that it triggered the racism hot button. He did apologized and the girls forgave him and now he’s back on the airwaves.  Even hired an African-American as one of his panels.

Number five on the list is “ I don’t recall.”

Isn’t that so annoying or what?  I mean, former National Security Adviser Alberto Gonzales came to a Congressional inquiry, so, he’s there to answer questions with actual answers, not empty blurbs.
    
What’s on your list?
These quotes will be etched in history whether we like them or not.  What’s the point in listing the most unforgettable words? Thing is, we can’t get enough of them even if we don’t want to hear them anymore. 
 

Smokers actually know that the cigarette ad tagline, Cigarette smoking is dangerous to you health, is true. But don’t know how to quit ‘em.
 

The ways to quit smoking are countless but yet don’t work for all smokers.  Every smoker who wants to quit has a unique way of diverting from a pack a day to virtually no stick at all.  You have cold turkey, gums and even herbal supplements.  But sadly, as I have observed from friends and relatives, the ultimate sign that smokers decide to quit is when the diseases kick in.

But riding on to the positive vibe, have come up with 4 steps to take to fully launch your campaign to quit smoking.  The STAR approach is an acronym for:

S – Set a date.  Pick an exact date when to stop.

T – Tell your friends and family.  Don’t keep it to yourself.  A support system will increase your chances of being consistent with avoiding smoking.

A – Anticipate the challenges.  It will be a very, very rough road and will not happen over night.

R – Remove any cigarette-related stuff from your home.

 
These four steps will help you to strengthen your determination to quit.  The key is take it slowly, but surely.  Don’t be disappointed with yourself if you feel helpless and if you feel the need to go back. It’s all natural. Just keep on going till you reach the goal.

 

 

 

 

 

Time is of the essence when it comes to stopping smoking. 

The health hazards of cigarette smoking have been emphasized so strongly stressed since time immemorial.  Initiatives and ways to make smokers quit nicotine consumption through cigarette smoking have been developed and but ironically, the number of cigarette smokers have increased over the years.

Fatal diseases have been traced to cigarette smoking.  In more ways than one, heart attacks, cancers, and birth deficiencies in newborns are linked to cigarette smoking. Even with all the startling numbers of deaths attributed to smoking,  smokers seem to just want more.

In Australia, the government, in a bold move, featured in a commercial former cigarette smokers who are inches away from death. Stories of health struggles and personal tragedies attributed to cigarette smoking were shown and their actual physical deterioration of their bodies were featured.  The results? The dropdown rate went down by almost 50%.

Taking cue from this move, my light bulb moment came and made me realize that people need to see the literal results in order to  make the drastic change of quitting cigarette smoking. 

Live longer in a minute’s withdrawal

Numbers are what people look for before making the decision to change. If you stop cigarette smoking, the benefits are instant in as fast as 1200 seconds.

Once you’ve decided to actually STOP puffing a smoke,

After  20 minutes – Blood pressure and pulse return to normal rates.

After 8 hours – Carbon monoxide levels in the blood are reduced by half, your oxygen levels in the blood return to normal as well.

After 24 hours – Carbon monoxide is eliminated is eliminated from the body and the lungs start to clear out the build up if tar.

After 48 hours – Your sense of taste and smell improve considerably.

After 72 hours – Your breathe easier because you bronchial tubes begin to relax, thus, energy levels will increase.

After 2 to 12 weeks – Blood circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier.

After 3 to 9 months – Coughs, wheezing, and your breathing problems improve as the lungs have more room for up to 10%  more oxygen.

After 5 years – The risk of heart attack is cut in half.

After 10 years – The risk of cancer is reduced in half.

Easier said than done

I don’t smoke but I can relate that quitting from cigarette smoking is so way easier said than done.  Have seen that with a friend who stopped smoking. A year ago, before Christmas, he decided to quit smoking for a week, but fell ill after and then went back again after that and then quit again and even put on a patch and then went back again.  After 7 months of bouncing from smoking, he hasn’t smoke for almost 5 months now.

When it comes to addiction, in this case, cigarette smoking, I feel that we all know the hazards deep in the consciousness. Just don’t know how to stop or when to stop and how to stop permanently.  The decision is in your hands.  Maybe soon should be now.

 

There’s no place like home. But what if the place we call home can jeopardize our health and we don’t even know it?

 

Forbes.com has listed the lurking house items that we thought were just ordinary stuff and safe to use but in reality is secretly and slowly are creeping their way to bring health problems.  Time for  spring cleaning, even if it’s still December.

 

Blameless items

 

Have taken note of the five household items that are just sitting blamelessly around our cribs but are harmful to our health and we should use with more cautious than we usually do.

 

Common house cleaners – these range from your cleaners for your oven, kitchen sink, insect and window sprays, and furniture polish.  The Environmental Protection Agency dubbed these items as harmful to the eyes, nose, ear, throat and can send you six feet under if swallowed.  So, always cover your hands and nose and wear eye goggles when using them or go for non-toxic stuff for cleaning such as vinegar and olive oil to wipe your fridge and newspaper dripped in water to get your windows squeaky clean.

 

Bathroom floor, moist places– just seeing it makes one avoid it. The substances that make up a mold are the ones that are really harmful specifically to the respiratory system. Think you don’t have one around? Well, it’s good if you don’t have one. But just to make sure, check out your bathroom.

 

Pipes – yes, the harmful effects of lead have been strongly emphasized and strongly enforced this year. Kids toys that were made from China have been recalled.  But lead isn’t only traced from toys, but your home’s water pipes. Best protection? Purchase a home wipe kit to check the lead level.  A number going over 10 micrograms is considered dangerous. But health experts are urging Congress to lower the accepted level to just 5 micrograms. 

 

Coal and charcoal burning appliances – these appliances range from water heaters, generators. They contain carbon monoxide which can be fatal but totally undetected until all is worst.  To stray away from health risks, install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors at home.

 

Flame retardant furniture – examples of this type of furniture are couches, television and other small appliances. In a basic these are actually helpful as flame retardant furniture were made to resist fire thus makes a person buy more time to escape when fire occurs.  The downside, high and over frequent exposure can led to harming the thyroid hormone.  So, just  use them efficiently.

 

Hey, I’m not condemning these household items.  I actually have all of them at home as well.  But it will never hurt to know the good and downside of using them to protect ourselves from health complications so that our home can be truly the safest place to go to after a tiring day from work.

 

What would make one say, Yes, I'll marry you?

I say a well-orchestrated marriage proposal won't hurt that chance.

Regardless if some are not looking forward to say I do, I'm sure you'll be swept off your feet once you learned these celebrity proposals. 

Brides.com has listed the celebrity proposals that truly toppled the countless proposals in tinseltown and as well as in politics.  Though in my view, showbusiness and politics seem to blend and the celebrities and politicians jump over each other's fences at an almost regular basis.  These marriage proposals went beyond the orthodox ways and those who popped the question made sure that the answer will only be yes.

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier

He proposed to her two years after they met a dinner party in Georgetown University.  On the night she got home before leaving for her Europe beat, she was welcomed by a, emerald-diamond engagement ring. Now, isn't that a shoe in? Surely, he knew that the way to a girl's heart is through her friends, and a diamond is a woman's BFF.

Johnny Cash and June Carter

Yes, they were the ones that were immortalized in the movie Walk the line.  He proposed to her at the middle of his concert.  The audience thought it was just an act.  But, it wasn't!  Since then, many had followed the lead.  But  nothing beats the original.

Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly

This is somewhat unconventional yet traditional for those who have royal blood.  He proposed to  her through a friend, which was in accordance to royalty custom that a Prince does not arrange his marriage.  Good thing she didn't fall for the friend. But hey, if your guy is real-life prince, even a video would woo me. But then again, I haven't met any one from any royal family.

Seal and Heidi Klum

The air was not the warmest which is the supposed-to-be feel for a proposal.  He proposed to the German supermodel standing on an igloo 14,000 feet above sea level. Talk about getting the chills.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Now, their story is the traditional candlelit dinner. But, here's the catch, it was in Buckingham Palace that went with an 18-carat sapphire ring embedded with diamonds.

Nick Cannon and Selita Ebanks

Now, what do men see in Victoria's Secret angels?  He proposed to her right in the heart of Times Square. Both of them were lost in words as the words, Selita, will you marry me?, were etched in the Mtv jumbotron. Talk about shouting your love to the whole world.

David Arquette and Courtney Cox

This Friends star got the proposal of a lifetime. They had the spark, literally. Fireworks  were  in the  air the very moment he asked for her hand in marriage in a beach in Florida.

Jordan Bratman and Christina Aguilera

She went on an almost wild goose chase as she opened a dozen of boxes not really knowing what to look for because every box had a different gift and a poem.  And she definitely got THE find of her life, the ring.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

A proposal in the most romantic city in the world can almost get the wedding bells rolling.  On top of that, she said yes at the top of the Eiffel tower.  Is that the most romantic or what?

Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon

His proposal definitely made her wanted to wake up even if she had the sweetest dream.  He asked her to walk down the aisle on bed filled with strawberries and cream.

Well, some of these wedding proposals didn't have the the happily ever after scenario.  But I know that it was good while it lasted.  Even those of us who haven't been tied the knot would agree that the most important thing is that you love the person for reasons you can't comprehend.  That it doesn't matter how your love began, but how it goes.  But a heart melting proposal will never hurt.

After that tragic and saddening incident at Omaha, Nebraska, I deem it is necessary for you and for myself to feel inspired. You know, to make us feel that THERE IS still some good in the world, a lot actually. They came in thosw with two hands and four legs.

CNN has just honored today 7 people who have showed that we don't need to have supernatural powers to be heroes.  And that we don't have to die first in order to make sacrifices.  These 6 people aren't actors or actresses, nor are they politicians or CEOs of multinational companies. They are your average citizens who live normal lives anf worry about their mortgages and gas and well, one worries what's for lunch at the cafeteria.

I decided to list them as the top 6 non-supernatural heroes of 2007 to deviate from the normal end of the year countdowns.  Surely, you have heard all kinds of top whatever, from the top earners, top parents, anf top top worst parents and would-be parents. Riding into this end of the year countdown tradition, I chose CNN's Top Heroes.  They are now one of my favorite people. Before them, I only had 5; Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and my mom and dad.

These six people were nominated by their peers and families.  Their works shone brightest over  7,000 nominees. I give you this year's honorees, in no particular order:

Steve Pfeifer

Non-supernatural power : Championed children's rights in Kijabe, Kenya

He worked with almost all schools in Kenya urging them to actually go to school. Combatted to make sure that 11,000 students can get to eat at lunchtime and can use computers. Words aren't enough, you've got to see and hear his story. Click here to watch the video on Steve Pfeifer.

Sister Rosemary Nyurimbe

Non-supernatural  power: Crusader of the community

She currently runs a boarding school  for girls who were mercilessly abducted by rebels in Uganda. See how she turns the girls into brave souls.

Irania Martinez- Garcia

Non-supernatural power: Defender of the planet

It's not only Nobel Prize winner Al Gore who is making all possible and seemingly impossible efforts to turn Earth green. She turned an hectare of toxic dump in Cuba into an eco-friendly garden. Watch as she how she helps the residents breathe a cleaner air.

Pablo Fajardo

Non-supernatural power: Fighter for justice

He leads a group of lawyer to give justice to the victims of a fatal toxic waste emiited by Ecuador's state-run oil company. See in him an Erin Brokovich . well, without the chests.

Peter Kithene

Non-supernatural power: Marveling medical care

He founded and established an organization solely dedicated to bringing medical care to the poorest rural communities in Kenya. Watch to know his good heart.

Kayla Comale

Non-supernatural power: Under-aged wonder

Her Sound in a Syllable foundation started as a personal for her gifted cousin, Lorenam who was diagnosed with autism.  She put the alphabet in the piano and teached Lorena to understand and communicate by playing the piano with the letters pasted on the keys, literally. All these she did before turning 18.  See how she progresses from a personal cause to a local and maybe in the future, a worldwide reach out.

 

As the song goes, we could be heroes, even for just one day. These people are heroes for all their lifetime. They can't freeze or turn back time, but they can certainly change lives for the better.