Life is Healthy

Corazon "Cory" Aquino, former president of the Philippines, died in hospital, after some treatment of disease due to cancer suffered over the last year. Corazon Aquino who was the first woman president of the Philippines and the icon of democracy in the era died in the age of 76 years.

Her son Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III read the statement at about 5 am. to the Filipino people:

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest." he said at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) in Manila, where the deceased received treatment since some time ago.

"She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country." said Aquino Jr. Boy Abunda, family's friend of the deceased claim, Cory Aquino accompanied by families against the last-winded.

Cory Aquino, who was known as Tita (Aunty) Cory, had been admitted to hospital about a month ago suffering from a loss of appetite related to her condition.

The current president of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo, announced 10 days of national mourning.

President Arroyo said in a statement that Corazon Aquino "helped lead our nation to a brighter day, Cory Aquino helped lead a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril," she said.

"Our nation will mourn her passing. History was thrust upon her when her noble husband was cut down in the prime of his life, as he fought for democracy and the rule of law."

"She picked up the standard from the fallen warrior Ninoy and helped lead our nation to a brighter day... Our hearts go out to the family in this hour of grief and sorrow."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also paid tribute to late Cory Aquino, and said that the Aquinos especially Cory had "helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered".

This former of a housewife successfully restore the Philippines government from Marcos the Dictator to become democratic governance. She also has entered as one of "Woman of The Year Time magazine" in 1986

A number of parties doubt the claims of detonation of bombs in the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton which has released through a blogspot's blog recently. Blog with domain www.mediaislam-bushro.blogspot.com loaded information about official statements from the Amir Tandzim Al-Qaidah (a.k.a. al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, al-Qa'ida) Indonesia, Noor Din M. Top. It is said that they claims that the bomb are part of their work.

Doubts is expressed among others by former Mantiqi Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), Nasir Abbas, as quoted by TEMPO Interaktif last night. "The notes there is different than the letters from him that ever been made before," said Nasir.

The claims were sent last July 26 at 22:02 WIB. Previously, the same post also published on July 18 2009, a day after the explosion at the Marriott and Ritz, with an address at www.bushro2.blogspot.com.

However, the claim is clouded by Nasir. They highlights many mistakes, errors and misspellings in those blogposts. The first mistake, according to Nasir, is writing the name "Nur Din", which is separated, while in previous letters "Noordin" was written connected. In addition, Nasir continued, many of the spellings are wrong.

"Noor Din is a smart person. Meanwhile, the spellings in any of those posts are not correct, such as writing Rizt Calrton hotel (should be Ritz-Carlton)," Nasir said. "Moreover, if the writing is in English, he may not do mistakes."

To track who is the owner of those blogs can be difficult to shift easily. If they are an amateur, it will be easily tracked. How, We can ask for a list of IP addresses that uploaded the scripts to the site manager of Blogspot.com, which is Google.

IP address is the address of user's computer (can be tracked from what countries, even from which computers: personal computers, internet cafe, or a computer owned by Internet service providers, such as Telkom or Indosat). From this address can be tracked the phone number and address of the users.

That's when the author of those blogs are an amateur. When smart, they can hide the IP address by using a false address or usually called anonymous IP. For example, if they are from Indonesia, they can use an IP address from Russia to blur it. "However, this also does not mean can not be tracked,"

Roy Suryo, telecommunications observer said. "Sites are false, merely fishing in muddy water."

Deputy of Public Relations Division of Indonesian Police HQ, brigadier general Soelistyo Ishak yesterday stated, "We will not tricked with the recognitions that it is not yet definitive, and will examine the sites to be able to prove the truth."

Rich Nations Vulnerable To Water Disasters

Even after all that has happened and is happening globally regarding environmental factors and climate change, Americans are still under the impression that we are not vulnerable to that which now effects the developing world. I think this ignorance is what fuels much of the inaction regarding water issues and climate change in America. It needs to change. Now.

NATURAL CURES

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A few weeks ago, I wrote that I had an almost new prosthesis that I was seeking to re-home. This is what happened next:

Julia consulted other directors of Breast Cancer Action, who suggested that there might be a program to send prostheses to developing countries. She also called the social worker at the cancer centre who told her that Canadian Cancer Society takes donations (1745 Woodward Dr., Ottawa, ON K2C 0P9. 613-723-1744). I am so grateful to her for doing this.

Throws Like A Girl , who is part of our group at Mothers With Cancer, suggested that we need "a prosthesis relocation program."

Imstell jumped in with the following:

"Maybe we [Mothers With Cancer] could just host a bulletin board where people could post their needs:

FREE TO GOOD HOME Single 36C teardrop prosthesis. Likes to travel. You pay shipping.

WANTED swimming prosthesis. Any size large enough to hide my belly.

A non-virtual connection with Melissa from Stirrup Queens (and author of "Navigating the Land of If"). We are both holding Nora's head on a stick.

"if you are an engaged parent you have less to worry about in terms of sexual predation online" #blogher09 session on online kids.

it never occurred to me to worry about kids taking pics at my son's sleepover b-day party. should i have? #blogher09 kids online session.

"every technology brings with it new fears." the take away - don't panic! i love it. panel on kids online #blogher09 do you post photos of your kids online? on facebook? flickr? #blogher09

"identifying information that your kids put online has NO correlation with sexual predation." #blogher09

"reputation management" never heard this before in online context. interesting. #blogher09. your photos and words may come back on you, kids

"we are tethering our kids" "we are raising our kids in captivity" - this is the way times have changed. #blogher09.

India launches submarine with nuclear fuel based, Arihant. The first nuclear submarine launched by India can also be launches ballistic rudal. Arihant made with hands of Indian people under Russian supervision. This nuclear-powered submarine will be tested at sea before officially used at the India's military in 2015.

"The project is part of the development plans of 5 submarine worth U.S. $ 2.9 billion, which is delayed for years due to technical problem," said an official at the India's Ministry of Defense, such as quoted by Reuters (26/7/2009).

Arihant with a nuclear fuel capacity reach 5500 tons, capable of carrying 100 crew and the ballistic missile and torpedo with a long cruising range, however Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who attended the ceremony, said that it was not built to threaten India’s neighbors.

India needs a respite defense in the sea to keep China's dominance in Asia. China is the largest trading partners of India, but India always worried over China's military growth. India worry China 'besieged' it with continued supply of weapons to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In addition, sporadic firing in Mumbai done by 10 shooters and killed 166 people in 2008 was signed in through the sea.

"Sea to be relevant in the context of security in India. We must prepare our military to change this environment. We do not have any sense of aggressive or threatening anyone. We see the influence from the outside, conducive to peace and protect our values," said Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh after launching te Arihant nuclear-powered submarine trial.

Cadet Ana Andino broke the Houston Police Department Academy's record for female push-ups by doing 405 “real” push-ups during physical agility testing.

I can do 45 push-ups, of the “girl” variety, and only when broken up into three sets of 15. But that’s a far cry from what I was doing six months ago when I was barely able to do 20 push-ups off a door.

Ana Andino inspires me because, like me, just six months ago she couldn’t do 25 push-ups. According to the press release, “Cadet Andino had no previous athletic experience, just determination to see her goal through to the end... Andino, a single mother, practiced day and night. ‘I would watch TV in the push-up position and my children would count my push-ups for me. My children are what kept me motivated and they encouraged me to not give up. I did it for them. I told them that you can achieve anything you believe you can do.’”

When I started physical therapy for my shoulders, my physical therapist said I was “capable” of doing not only “girl” push-ups (where you use your knees for support), but full-blown plank-style push-ups.

“Me?” I said. “With torn rotator cuffs and messed up biceps tendons?”

Yes, he said. I could do anything once the right muscles were strengthened.

I assumed (and yes it’s true what they say about “assume”ing) that once you were injured, that was it. Granted, I’ve worked hard to ease the pain immensely in two years through strength training, massage and chiropractic, but pain easement and general mobility was all I hoped for. Now, with the help of a “never say never” PT, I think outside that narrow-minded box. While my goal isn’t to break any records, I’m already seeing the fruits of my push-up labor.

The most obvious is that holding grandbaby Luca is much easier than holding grandbaby Claire when she was an infant. In fact, I can hold both of them quite easily.

And while I’m no Dara Torres, I discovered I can still find my way from one end of the pool to the other.

And it felt…

…incredible.

I started by pushing with my legs off the side of the pool and floating on my back. Then I took a chance and waved my arms, gently at first, and to my surprise they not only didn’t hurt, but they moved me forward. I moved them more aggressively and I moved faster. I stared up at the sky, and with my ears underwater, heard nothing but the muffled voices of my daughter, niece and granddaughter, and I swam back and forth through the water, loving my muscles and thanking god for my drill instructor physical therapist.

Just like two years ago when I discovered by strengthening the muscles around my crap-for-knees I could go biking for 15+ miles, I learned my shoulders can take on physical goals I thought were beyond their ability.

For years I let my weight, and then my injuries, prevent me from getting in a pool and enjoying one of the most peaceful activities I’ve ever known. Thanks to a PT who saw me as more than an injury or a formerly obese person (those are my blinders), I can now add swimming to my expanding list of exercises I like to do.

My arms are a little stiff today, but not in a “what the hell did you do to me” way. They’re becoming awakened, like aspiring Buddhists. I’m not quite ready to move on to “real” push-ups, but it’s exciting to think about how much more stronger I’ll be when I do. I’ll move mountains!

David Hartanto Widjaya, Indonesian students who was killed in the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), has stated to suicide by the Coronary Court Singapore. "Need a (Indonesian) government intervention," said Chairman of the Independent Verification Team of David Case, Iwan Piliang, in the short message received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In addition, the "submission" or material objection and the legal responses that David's family asked debated by the state prosecutor of the neighbour country.

Meanwhile, lawyer of David's family, Sashi Nathan, says does not impugn the decision of Singapore Coronary Court while the decision itself stated as not "open verdict", which means David is declared suicide so that the case can not be brought to criminal court.

Previously, Iwan in a press meet in Jakarta on Wednesday (22 / 7) said the various facts in the trial of Singapore coronary court regarding the case of David's death was so blurry as if confirming that David died because of suicide.

He has believes David died because of killed and not due to suicide, as told by a number of parties in Singapore. The press conference was also attended among others by David's father, Hartono Widjaja.

As has already been reported, David Hartanto Widjaja died of unnatural cause in the Nanyang Technological University campus in Singapore on 2 March 2009.

Ventana's proprietary chewing gum contains an extract of hoodia gordonii and 2-hydroxyoleic acid. Ventana Biotech Inc is developing a appetite-suppressing chewing gum. The active ingredients in the plant extracts are released into the patient's blood stream, and trigger a hormonal response in the part of the brain (the hypothalamus) that tells the body it is "full", thereby suppressing the appetite of the obese patient. Because the plant extracts activate hormones that naturally exist in the body, there are no harmful side effects.

Blogshop, part of The 2009 Blogger Party: One Spirit One Nation (Pesta Blogger 2009) to be conducted in 10 major cities in Indonesia starting from the city of Malang. Chairman of the committee, Iman Brotoseno said in Malang, other than the city of Malang, nine other cities that designate to be crawled by bloggers are Semarang, Bandung, Balikpapan, Samarinda, Makassar, Surabaya, Medan, Palembang and Yogyakarta.

"This Blogshop initiated to encourage more people in Indonesia to involve in responsible blogging activities , critical, constructive and have a high social awareness," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

He admitted, at this time there are many bloggers who thought that they could write anything in his blog and even think that the rules of law in the real world are not binding their activities in the virtual world. Views need to be straightened.

Imam also said, all bloggers are also bound to remain with the rules of law applicable in the real world so that the blogger also suggested to blogs with full respect, responsibility and highly social awareness.

According to Iman "Trash" Blogs will disappear naturally by itselves. For the entire blogs will be selected naturally and if considered as "Trash" Blogs by the blogger communities it will disappear.

Organizing this event is a collaboration between the American Corner at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) and the United States Embassy in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Public Diplomacy Officer United States Embassy in Jakarta, Tristram Perry said, the U.S. support to organize the 2009 blogger party wichs is already the second time since the first in 2008 and now in 2009.

The supports, he said, not only financially alone but also morally. For the blogger events in Indonesia have similarities with those in America who does not have restrictions so that people actually live in the democratic environment when deliver the bright opinions and ideas.

Based on the browse results of Pesta Blogger, the internet users in Indonesia in July 2009 to reach 25 million people and about 500 thousand of them have become a blogger. Year-end 2009, Indonesian bloggers estimated can penetrate the number one million people.

Two posts ago, we made the rounds of the commonly measured blood lipids (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) and how they associate with cardiac risk. It's important to keep in mind that many things associate with cardiac risk, not just blood lipids. For example, men with low serum vitamin D are at a 2.4-fold greater risk of heart attack than men with higher D levels. That alone is roughly equivalent to the predictive power of the blood lipids you get measured at the doctor's office. Coronary calcium scans (a measure of blood vessel calcification) also associate with cardiac risk better than the most commonly measured blood lipids.

Lipoproteins Can be Subdivided into Several Subcategories

In the continual search for better measures of cardiac risk, researchers in the 1980s decided to break down lipoprotein particles into sub-categories. One of these researchers is Dr. Ronald M. Krauss. Krauss published extensively on the association between lipoprotein size and cardiac risk, eventually concluding (source):

The plasma lipoprotein profile accompanying a preponderance of small, dense LDL particles (specifically LDL-III) is associated with up to a threefold increase in the susceptibility of developing [coronary artery disease]. This has been demonstrated in case-control studies of myocardial infarction and angiographically documented coronary disease.

Out of the 87 men with pattern A on the high-fat diet, 36 converted to pattern B on the low-fat diet... Taken together, these results indicate that in the majority of men, the reduction in LDL cholesterol seen on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet is mainly because of a shift from larger, more cholesterol-enriched LDL to smaller, cholesterol-depleted LDL [sdLDL].

In summary, the present study showed that changes in dietary saturated fat are associated with changes in LDL subclasses in healthy men. An increase in saturated fat, and in particular, myristic acid [as well as palmitic acid], was associated with increases in larger LDL particles (and decreases in smaller LDL particles). LDL particle diameter and peak flotation rate [density] were also positively associated with saturated fat, indicating shifts in LDL-particle distribution toward larger, cholesterol-enriched LDL.

Cross-sectional population analyses have suggested an association between reduced LDL particle size and relatively reduced dietary animal-fat intake, and increased consumption of carbohydrates.

Albatross has a good discussion about 'inertia' and how it prevents us from getting started with our weight loss goals. She's lost about 30 pounds in the past year and has increased her fitness and health levels. See what she has to say about overcoming inertia and the four factors that helped her do it.

I got a text message on Saturday morning from a number I didn’t recognize. It read, “U awake?”

I’ve received lots of misdialed phone calls, but never a misdialed text. I smiled for a moment and wrote back, “I think you have the wrong number.”

I thought that was the end of it, but the question lingered and I heard a voice whisper, “U awake?”

Of course I’m awake, I thought. My eyes are open. I’d just worked out in the hotel fitness room and taken a shower. I’m checking my email and going over my to-do list. I’m ready to finish the drive to Chicago, to follow my carefully laid out plans….

“U awake?” it asked again.

Yes, yes, I’m awake! Now leave me alone!

But it didn’t.

In my last blog entry, I wrote, “I’m the Queen of Planning…” and told you how I’d planned our trip down to the minute, miles, mayo and mustard. I must have sent so much intense energy into the universe with all my planning that the universe decided it was time we talked. First with “U awake” and then through the Audio Dharma daily reflection in my in-box that I received as I sat on the bed eating the free hard-boiled eggs (egg whites only, of course), courtesy of the hotel breakfast buffet. The title of the reflection? “Mindfulness of Planning.”

“Planning is an important practical skill. You don’t build a house without planning, or run a business or a myriad of things we do in life. But it can also be an unskillful habit arising from worry or anxiety, where we plan and re-plan anxiously.”

I sat with this for a few moments. I watched my husband working on his computer. I thought about lunch and how I’d like to eat outside and not in the car, like I’d planned. I remembered the sign for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore that I’d seen – and ignored – along I-80 on each of the dozens of trips between PA and MN I’d driven over the last 18 years. I always wondered what the Dunes were, but was always too busy to find out. “Maybe next trip,” I’d tell myself.

I went to Google and typed in Indiana Dunes. Went to Mapquest and got directions. 71 miles, with only 8 of those miles off my planned route to Chicago.

“What do you think of having a picnic at the Indiana Dunes?” I asked Larry. He turned away from his computer, smiled, and said, “Sure.”

That was easy. I guess I was the only one in the room with the planning issues.

When we arrived at the visitor’s center, the park ranger directed us to the recently completed Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Development. The land was used for years by steel mills as a dumping ground for hazardous waste. In the last four years, two acid ponds have been cleaned up, and wildlife and native foliage have been reintroduced.

We walked along the jetty and the beach. The sand was soft and warm. The Gary, Hammond and Chicago skylines were visible across the lake and large sporting boats dotted the water. It was there I felt awake for the first time in weeks.

The next day, on our way home from Chicago, my daughter called. Her husband had become sick and needed to go to the hospital (nothing too serious…he’ll be fine) and she asked if Claire could spend the night at our house. We were still seven hours from home – plenty of time to worry how I was going to handle all the unpacking and watch a 21-month-old baby.

But instead of worry – and with only minimal, useful planning – I stayed “awake.” With the help of my niece, other daughter and husband, we took care of Claire and had a fun, unplanned evening. She fell asleep in my arms after a bath and some ice cream and didn’t wake up until 6:30 this morning.

(My niece took this photo of me as I was writing this blog in the car. I didn't realize how intense I get. Not only did have no idea she'd taken the photo , I didn't notice her reading over my shoulder.)

I’m sure things would have worked out just fine if I hadn’t visited the Dunes, if I hadn’t “strayed” from my planned path on Saturday, but the voice asking, “U awake?” made the experience of watching Claire after a long trip (and an even longer week) enjoyable and not just something I “got through.” I plow through enough things in this life. Taking care of my granddaughter, no matter what the circumstances, should never be one of them.

(Claire helping me wash carrots for dinner.)

I’m applying this same “awake” philosophy to the next four days. I’ll have very little time for a formal workout, which in the past always made me feel guilty. But if I stay awake, stay mindful of this moment and the next and what I put in my mouth, this experience will be enjoyable and not guilt-ridden as my other “vacations” have in the past (since losing weight, that is).

Thanks for reading along as I work my way through these last few weeks. Just as I finally stopped the weight-loss/weight-gain roller coaster that was my MO for years, I’m working on stopping my typical reactions of guilt, worry, and self-inflicted angst when things don’t “turn out as planned.” It’s turning into a bit of a bumpier ride than changing the ways I viewed food and exercise, but as long as I stay aware of that voice that asks, “U awake?” I’ll be fine.

So how about you? U awake?

Claire and me chillaxin' on the deck

This month I have 2 programs back to back in different venues; or so I thought. I decided that I would take my 'proper' camera with me to Salamanca, spend the weekend in Madrid then the following week in Gredos and get three locations shot, that was the plan.
However I arrived at the tapas meet only to find out that I was going to Gredos for both weeks, AND this that week is the Young Adults program! Damn it, so much for preparation and planning.

The Young Adults were in high spirits and seemed very much up for the week. The Spaniards on the other hand seemed daunted and sleepy at first, but they soon came round.
There were a few issues during the week. We had a couple of complaints at night from guests. The problem is, people are going to socialize (an important part of the program) but in order to do so they need to be able to have somewhere to do it without disrupting others. There is little point in expecting 8/10 people to 'chat' quietly.

It would have been nice if the facilities were made more available by the hotel, as they are already there it is of no extra cost to them.
One of the participants left the program at the beginning of the week after finding it too difficult. Vaughan Town is hard and daunting enough, you really need to have at least a basic level of English to feel comfortable. I think that age is also a factor and 17 is too young; Vaughan Town is not a summer camp.

I must admit though the Young Adult programs are more work then most typical programs and they do get tiring after a while, which is why if the group do as they should, you can relax off and not 'mother' them so much.
We had an accident during the improv sketch which put a downer on the remainder of the evening; luckily she is ok, nothing broken.

Surprisingly it took the party over an hour to get into full swing - and no, it had nothing to do with my music! Marisa did a good job of keeping them together and focused.
Well I have another week to prepare for but this time with adults, lets see how that goes.

The photos of the week can be found below - enjoy ;)

Vaughan Town - Gredos - Program 166

I am having my best BlogHer ever.

The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention trial was a very large controlled diet trial conducted in the 1980s. It involved an initial phase in which investigators screened over 350,000 men age 35-57 for cardiovascular risk factors including total blood cholesterol. 12,866 participants with major cardiovascular risk factors were selected for the diet intervention trial, while the rest were followed for six years. I discussed the intervention trial here.

During the six years of the observational arm of MRFIT, investigators kept track of deaths in the patients they had screened. They compared the occurrence of deaths from multiple causes to the blood cholesterol values they had measured at the beginning of the study. Here's a graph of the results (source):


Click on the graph for a larger image. Coronary heart disease does indeed rise with increasing total cholesterol in American men of this age group. But total mortality is nearly as high at low cholesterol levels as at high cholesterol levels. What accounts for the increase in mortality at low cholesterol levels, if not coronary heart disease? Stroke is part of the explanation. It was twice as prevalent in the lowest-cholesterol group as it was in other participants. But that hardly explains the large increase in mortality.

Possible explanations from other studies include higher cancer rates and higher rates of accidents and suicide. But the study didn't provide those statistics so I'm only guessing.

The MRFIT study cannot be replicated, because it was conducted at a time when fewer people were taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. In 2009, a 50-year old whose doctor discovers he has high cholesterol will likely be prescribed a statin, after which he will probably no longer have high cholesterol. This will confound studies examining the association between blood cholesterol and disease outcomes.

Thanks to The Great Cholesterol Con by Anthony Colpo for the MRFIT reference.