How It Feels To Have A Stroke

I found this splendid and powerfully moving video. I want to share it to everybody. Do you know how it feels to have a stroke? Listen to Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor, as she talks about the brain hemispheres and her massive stroke. This awesome brain scientists talks on how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor: How It Feels To Have A Stroke


Simply Awesome!

Beware of Swine Flu

The news about the human Swine flu is buzzing everywhere. Have you heard about it yet? I learned that Swine influenza is a respiratory illness caused by type A influenza viruses present in pigs. (Pigs are also called hogs or swine.)

According to reports, the Swine flu cases continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Because of this, the World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4. This means that there has been verified and sustained human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza virus causing outbreaks.

The symptoms of Swine flu are are similar to regular human flu: fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills, fatigue. There are also reports that Swine flu causes diarrhea, and vomiting. To learn more about the Swine Flu virus and prevention, you can read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) articles about the Key Facts about Swine Influenza(Swine Flu) and the Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Close Contacts. The Nursingcenter.com also posted a Special Report: Swine Flu Update

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. It is important to take safety precautions to prevent contamination. Wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze or when you're in close contact with sick people.

Good Movies

These are the movies I watched this weekend. They're all good movies.

I talked about the Sling Blade movie in my last post. The Day The Earth Stood Still is a 2008 American science fiction film starring Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, an alien who was sent to try and change human behavior or eradicate them off Earth. I didn't like it that much but I think it's still good.

The movie Doubt takes place in a private Catholic school where Mery Streep played as Sister Aloysius, a commanding nun who rules the school with an iron fist. The story is about Meryl Streep increasing suspicious of the Parish Priest, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and his close relationship with a black altar boy. Meryl Streep is superb as Sister Aloysius, the principal. The entire casts of the movie are amazing too but I didn't like the plot of the movie. I didn't like the cheap ending. It's like the writer was finishing up the story in a hurry.

The Reader is really good. I like it. In fact I watched it twice. It's a 2008 drama film based on the 1995 German novel of the same name. The Reader is a story of a German lawyer, played by Ralph Fiennes, who as a teenager in the late 1950s had an affair with an older woman named Hanna Schmitz, played by Kate Winslet. He was a 15-year-old boy, played by David Kross, who falls in love with a 36-year-old Hanna Schmitz. Love is basically blind. Don't you think? Anyways, in the story, Kate Winslet just disappeared of his young life without a word, only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial. The Reader has a lot of surprises and provocative dramatic suspense. The movie tackles a number of important aspects of our life like sex, love, reading, guilt, responsibility, and forgiveness. It's an awesome movie. It made me realized that sometimes we just have no idea of the effect we had on other people's lives. Watch The Reader, if you have not seen it yet.

Gimme a Sling Blade

I never get tired watching this awesome 1996 mesmerizing drama film. I think the Sling Blade movie is a an awesome masterpiece of American actor, Billy Bob Thornton. He wrote, directed, and starred this amazing film. He played the lead character, a mentally impaired man named Karl Childers. The tagline of the movie says, "Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place."

Below is the trailer of the movie Sling Blade.


I watch it again last night and I still love it. It's one of the few movies that I really really love. Everything about the film is stellar. The pacing of the movie, the mood, the score and the music are engaging. It's a classic that everyone needs in their collection. Have you seen it yet?

Beware: Shaken Baby Syndrome

Be warned about the dangers of shaking infants. We all need to be very careful on shaking a baby. There are still a lot of people out there that don't have any idea about the Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of inflicted head trauma caused by the vigorous shaking of the baby . It is also called Abusive head trauma or AHT. Parents and adults should note that the anatomy of infants, especially a baby’s head and neck are especially vulnerable to injury. The baby's head is bigger and weigh more with respect to his or her body and his or her neck muscles are weak and cannot prevent violent motions. I personally believe that parents and baby caregivers do not intentionally wish this to happen but sometimes, out of stress and frustration from a baby’s incessant crying, they have no idea that they've shaken their baby vigorously and may have caused this.

We need to remember that forceful shaking can result in severe brain damage, resulting in lifelong disability. Parents, child caregivers and teenage baby sitters should be careful how they respond to a crying infant.

The Baby Shaker Computer Game

Have you heard about the Baby Shaker Application of iPhone? When I learned about this from the news, I just shook my head for disbelief. I was appalled. I could not believe that Apple's iPhone released the said Baby Shaker application for their users to play. The application allowed iPhone users to silence a virtual crying baby by shaking the motion-sensitive device. The said game encouraged people to try to quiet a crying baby by shaking it. Obviously, there's so much more work to be done in educating people about the shaken baby syndrome.

If you're wondering what the Baby Shaker application is about, watch the video below.

Video: Apple's iPhone Baby Shaker Application


The Baby Shaker application sparks uproar from outraged parents and child welfare organizations (which I totally understood why). The company sincerely apologized for the said mistake and pulled the disgusting 'Baby Shaker' iPhone application from the market after only three days.

Bingkay Misses You All

I miss you guys! I miss blogging and I miss visiting your sites. Although I manage to still read and visit some of your web pages, I have not been actively posting new info and other stuffs. I am busy studying. The rest of my weekend was spent into gardening.Anyways, for all new friends and fellow bloggers who have added my blog in their blogroll, I promise to get back to you all, and visit you more often when I get this "important thing" over. God bless us all!

Leave your links. I will visit you. I'll be back very soon!

Cuba and US relation

What do you think about the United States embargo against Cuba? The embargo limits American businesses from conducting business with Cuban interests and there are travel restrictions to Cuba too. Do you think the diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba the right thing for the U.S.? I'm inviting you to join this conversation below.

Friendship Badge

I got this friendship badge from Jessieca. It's so sweet of her to share this beautiful friendship with me and my fellow bloggers. As what Anais Nin said; "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

I'd like to share this Friendship badge to Pinay Sexy Mom, Delicious Corner, Artsy Links, Star Witless and Amiable Amy.

What is Mesothelioma

I was reading more about Mesothelioma, a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. It was used in some products for its heat resistance. Although, the many uses of asbestos have been banned in several countries already since the mid 1980s, there are still a number of people that are diagnosed with Mesothelioma. I just learned that compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma. I guess this is one of the reason why I always see the TV advertisement calling people who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Although it's a relatively rare cancer, there are new cases of diagnosed in the United States each year.



There is a protective membrane or lining that covers most of our body's internal organs. It is called mesothelium. The cancer of the mesothelium is called Mesothelioma. It usually attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. When the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order, it becomes a problem.

You can learn more about mesothelioma, its symptoms and treatments by reading more at the National Cancer Institute Factsheet, Mesothelioma.com, Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center, Asbestos.com and other more educational and medical websites online.

Beware about the dangers of asbestos cancer like Mesothelioma.

Saving Idol Matt

I personally like all the top 10 contestants of American Idol this year. I think the four judges done a great job in the selection process. I thought Lil Rounds will be the one going home tonight but she wasn't the one. Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud joined Lil on the bottom three.

I am one of the many people that the American Idol judges surprised with their decision of using their only chance of saving a finalist from elimination. The judges saved 23-year-old piano player Matt Giraud who sung one of my favorite song, Bryan Adam's "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman". I thought the American Idol judges saved their one-time power saving pick to someone else. Well, what do I know? I myself like Matt Giraud too. I just wonder who will be the two finalists that will be sent packing next week. Simon Cowell announced that next week would be disco-themed performances and two contestants will be sent home. I am also wondering what Adam Lambert is going to do next.

Do I sound like a huge American Idol fan enough?

Answered Prayers

I'm just happy hearing the news about the rescue of ship Captain Richard Phillips who had been held by some Somali pirates on a lifeboat for five days. I heard the Pirates were asking for million dollars as ransom. Instead of getting their money, they got a swift firefight that killed the trio of pirates holding him.

I especially followed this news because the braveness and courage shown by Captain Richard Phillips was incredible. He offered himself as a hostage in return for his crew members safety. Captain Richard Phillips persevered through difficult times and has shown real heroism. For many days, his family and friends did not lose any hope that he'll come home safe. They kept their faith burning and their prayers were answered.

My salute to the the U.S. Navy Seals and others who worked to rescue Captain Phillips. It's great to hear happy ending news every now and then.

Happy Easter

guys! I hope you're enjoying your Easter with the people that you love the most. I am sure the kids are having a great time, I hope the adults are having a great time too.

Concert Mania

I'm a big fan of live music concerts. I usually enjoy the performances of my music idols. Sometimes I join the screaming, the singing along, the dancing and the fun throughout the live performance but there are also instances when I just want to stay away from the crowd and go home. I guess it depends on who I am with and .the reactions of the other audiences. What was the most unforgettable concert you've ever been?

Spring Colors

Take a peek at our garden. The beautiful colors every spring season is one of the many reasons why I love Spring. I always get excited to see how my plants are doing, especially the Perennial flowers (those that wither down after their season and come back every year).


Here in the South, where we're at, most people usually buy new plants and flowers to plant, after Easter Sunday. Before Easter, there's always a frost to watch out that could practically mess the new season plants. We did not buy new plants and flowers yet. Last year, we planted a lot of plants and trees, and made 2 flower beds specially for tulips (see picture above). Most of the plants and trees we plated last year were Perennials. As much as I love gardening, I do not wish to spend the same hard work and back-breaking digging and gardening every year. That's why I love Perennial plants, I just plant them once and see them again every spring season (unless something kills them along the way). This year, hubby and I will just have to buy a number of annuals (seasonal plants that dies and does not come back again after its season) for our garden pots and containers. And probably some vegetables too.

Have you started gardening yet?

The Blogger Awards

I got this awesome trophy for The Blogger Award from Meryl. Special thanks to her. I love this.


I'd like to share this wonderful award to Awoman'sjourney, Star Witless, Plink Master, Delicious Corner, Ric, Arniev, and Amiable Amy .

How To Add Background Color on Text

This is a post for trial purposes following my friend's tutorial on how to add background image to text. I've been looking for this code.

Ops! I got it. Awesome..Thanks dith!

I'll pass the information because someone, somewhere out there might also need the code.

Here's the code:<br /><span style="background-color: # of the color of your choice check the chart below">replace here whatever text you want to be highlighted</span>

For example, you want your background color to be #FF99C6, like the one I use above, the code look like this
<span style="background-">This is a post for trial purposes following my friend's tutorial on how to add background image to text. I've been looking for this code. </span>

Perfect Fit

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes or sandals? I got a couple that I use often depending on where I go and what activity I do. One time I bought a pair of shoes that's a little smaller. I thought that it will soon fit right, after the material will lose up a little bit but I was darn wrong, my feet hurt so much. After using it three or more times, I have to give it to my little sister. Have you ever experience that?

Out feet needs shoes with perfect fit and style. It can make the difference between a great activity experience and potential injury. By the way, I took this very short survey about our feet and our shoes. You are welcome to join.

Be Careful, April Fools!

It's April Fools day, sometimes called All Fools' Day. It's not a holiday. It's just a notable day that's celebrated in many countries on the first day of April.

April First, April Fools. That's how I get to remember the day. Practical jokes and (nasty) pranks are the order of the day. So, beware! you might get lot of hoaxes and other elaborate practical jokes from your friends or relatives. You might also get some fool's errands at work. April Fool's Day is "for-fun-only" but we always need to be cautious. If you intend to be the one playing the tricks on other people, just be mindful of the kind of tricks or pranks you're giving. Not all April Fool's Day victim's find tricks and pranks funny. Just throw a terrific and a good-humored prank ☻. April Fool's Day is supposed to be fun and lighthearted.

Have you been a victim of April Fool's day? or were you the one that has pull the pranks on your friends and family? What was your experiences?