Be Our Guest

Be Our Guest
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she said. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in. "We do not go into a House together," they replied.
"Why is that?" she wanted to know.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their daughter-in- law was listening from the other corner of the house.
She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in- law's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!! !"
OUR WISH FOR YOU...
Where there is pain, we wish you peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubting, we wish you a renewed confidence in Your Ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, we wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength. Where there is fear, we wish you love, and courage.

Eulogy For Common Sense

Eulogy For Common Sense
'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain
Why the early bird gets the worm
Life isn't always fair
Maybe it was my fault
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little on her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement..
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Someone Who Understands

SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. 'Mister',' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.'
'Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?'
'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. 'Here, Dolly!' he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse
Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....
'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't wan't that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands. '
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.
Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'
The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

The Old Phone On The Wall!!

THE OLD PHONE ON THE WALL!!!
When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall.The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts." "Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts. Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her,"Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please." "Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked. All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.
Often,in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense ofsecurity I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
Afew years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down inSeattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator andsaid, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. "Information." I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered, "Information." I asked for Sally. "Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago." Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?" "Yes." I answered. "Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean." I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.
Whose life have you touched today?
Why not pass this on? I just did....
Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey ... NOT a guided tour.
I loved this story and just had to pass it on. I hope you enjoy it and get a blessing.

The Tomato Story

The Tomato Story

A jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at Microsoft.

The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.

'You are employed' he said. Give me your e-mail address and I'll
send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start.

The man replied 'But I don't have a computer, neither an email'.

'I'm sorry', said the HR manager. If you don't have an email, that
means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job.'

The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with
only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and
buy a 10Kg tomato crate.

He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two
hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation
three times, and returned home with $60.

The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go
everyday earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled
everyday.

Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own
fleet of delivery vehicles.

5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US .

He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance.

He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan.

When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his email.

The man replied,'I don't have an email.'

The broker answered curiously, 'You don't have an email, and yet have
succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have
been if you had an e mail?!!'

The man thought for a while and replied, 'Yes, I'd be an office boy
at Microsoft!'

Moral of the story:

• 
  Moral 1:
  
  Internet is not the solution to your life.
  


• 
  Moral 2:
  
  If you don't have Internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.
  


• 
  Moral 3:
  
  If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an
  office boy/girl, than a millionaire. .........
  

P.S - I am closing my email
account & going to sell tomatoes!!! See you in the wet market.....

Bad Eating Habits

Bad Eating Habits

By Dr. Gary S. Sy

• Skipping breakfast


• Starving yourself


• Binging


• Eating before bed


• Eating while doing something else


• Eating too fast


• Not drinking enough water


• Not eating enough fruits & vegetables


• Grocery shopping when you’re hungry


• And what to do with these bad eating habits

PEOPLE nowadays lead very hectic lifestyles. Eating, which was once a main priority, has now become a chore that we have to fit into our schedules, or something that we do rather thoughtlessly and carelessly. Simply put, most of us don’t pay much attention anymore to what we put into our bodies. Furthermore, most of us develop bad eating habits because of our efforts to shed those excess pounds, with the belief that starving ourselves on some occasions will actually help us.

However, breaking our bad eating habits may not be as difficult a task as it appears to be. All it takes is a large amount of discipline and some knowledge about which habits to stay away from in order to lead a healthier life. If we want to get on the fast track to healthier living, make sure to avoid the following:

1. Skipping breakfast

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast gives you a boost of energy and helps clear your mind, it also helps you make healthy eating choices throughout the entire day, as you already primed your good eating habits first thing in the morning.

Eating breakfast may also help you to eat fewer calories later in the day. A study found that a given number of calories consumed earlier in the day is more filling than the same number of calories eaten later on, lessening overall calorie consumption.

What to do:

You’re less likely to make bad eating choices at lunch if you eat properly in the morning, so start the day off with a breakfast of champions. Try a bowl of oatmeal and a poached egg with a slice of toast and fresh fruit.

2. Starving yourself

Contrary to popular belief, the body’s first reaction to starvation is weight gain via the storage of fat. Why does the body do this? Well, when you don’t eat for long periods of time, your body becomes pretty upset that you’ve been depriving it of food, so when you finally do eat again, your body thinks it needs to store these calories as fat because it doesn’t know when the chance to eat will come again. And then, the fat remains with you.

What to do:

If your intentions in regards to starving yourself are to lose weight, then it’s time to reevaluate your diet and begin a workout program or intensify your current gym routine. Make sure your diet is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and includes lean meats and fish. Try hitting the gym three to five times a week, and make sure to vary your workout routine. The best way to lose fat is through a healthy diet and regular exercise, not through depriving your body of the calories and nutrients it needs to function.

3. Binging

Food binges usually come in the form of fatty snack foods like chips, pizza or cookies.. Eating too much of the said foods will likely lead to weight gain, dissatisfaction, and a feeling that you lack discipline.

What to do:

Eat five to six smaller meals per day, rather than three large ones, which leave the window open for binging on snacks between meals. Eating healthy, small meals containing complex carbohydrates and lean protein spaced throughout the day will not only help curb your appetite, they’ll also reduce your chances of overeating. Consuming five or six small meals will also help you burn more calories throughout the day, since your metabolism will be constantly running high.

4. Eating before bed

Eating too much food, or eating spicy foods, fatty foods and caffeine one to three hours before bedtime can reduce the quality and length of your sleep, making you fatigued, sluggish and generally not fun to be around the next day. Eating fatty foods before bed will slow down the emptying of the stomach, worsening indigestion, while spicy foods can lead to heartburn and indigestion.

What to do:

If you just can’t say no to the rumbling in your stomach before sleeping, snack on some fresh fruit to avoid indigestion.

5. Eating while doing something else

Eating while doing something else tends to lead to overeating, and subsequently, weight gain. If you eat while you’re watching TV, talking on the phone, or playing a video game, these external distractions will lead your body to pay less attention to internal hunger and satiety cues that may be telling you that you’re not even hungry, or that you’re way too full. Plus, once you begin eating while doing something else, you often can’t stop, since the act of eating becomes a thoughtless, mechanical movement that could just go on and on.

What to do:

Try to focus on one thing at a time. Wandering into the kitchen when you’re on the phone is a bad idea. If you’re eating just to keep your hands and mouth busy, find other distractions that don’t involve calories. Start chewing gum, take up guitar playing, or busy your hands by giving your boyfriend/girlfrien d a neck massage.

6. Eating too fast

Start slowing things down at your next meal because eating too quickly isn’t doing you favors. Taking in your food at warp speed will not only make you look like you just walked out of the Neolithic ages, it also encourages weight gain. It takes about 20 minutes from the time you begin eating for satiety signals to reach your brain, so if you wolf down your meal in 5 to 6 minutes, your brain won’t get the chance to tell your body that it’s full, making you overeat and filling your body with more food and calories than you need.

What to do:

Slow down, relax, really chew your food and enjoy the taste of what you’re eating. This allows your brain to realize that you’re eating, so it can signal to your body that you’re full. If you’re pressed for time at breakfast or lunch, make sure that your meal is small to begin with, so that even if you do end up eating fast, it won’t be more calories than you need.

7. Not drinking enough water

It’s no secret that water is necessary for the optimal functioning of all life forms, humans included. What’s surprising is that not drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day can actually slow down your metabolism, making weight gain a likely possibility, since water is necessary for all metabolic functions, including calorie burning.

What to do:

Water should be readily available to you, and you should drink lots of it. Aim to take in 8 to 10 glasses a day, and more if you exercise regularly. It’s also a smart move to drink water with your meal rather than juice or soda, which may fill you up faster than water, but contains lots of empty calories. And chances are, these empty calories will leave you feeling hungry 30 minutes later.

8. Not eating enough fruits & vegetables

Fruit- and vegetable-flavored foods do not count as a serving of fruits or vegetables. This means that fruit candy, apple granola bars, corn nuts, and guacamole chips don’t count towards the five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables you should be eating every day.

What to do:

Since the only way to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs is by consuming actual fruits and vegetables. And, in case you thought you could get away without eating the whole carrot or apple, one medium-sized vegetable or fruit, one cup of salad, and half a cup of canned fruit or vegetables all count as one serving.

9. Grocery shopping when you’re hungry

While this isn’t a bad eating habit per se, it’s a bad habit that can lead to unhealthy food choices. Do you think you can walk into a grocery store full of tempting sweet and salty snack foods on an empty, growling stomach and come out with sensible purchases?

What to do:

Eat before you go. Grocery shopping on an empty stomach will only lead to impulse purchases of jumbo-sized chocolate bars, grape soda and party mixes, none of which will make a very satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Grab an apple, a handful of nuts or a quick sandwich before heading to the store and you’re bound to return home with foods that will actually count towards a balanced meal.

Sweet News!

Sweet News!

You don't have to say "No" to sugar all the time. Enjoy your favourite coffee, indulge on a decadent cake or an irresistible dessert without worrying about your blood sugar level or getting overweight. Here now is a healthier alternative to cane sugar, the Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar. This natural sweetener is produced from natural processing of SAP of organically grown coconuts in southern Philippines.

The Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar offers greater health benefits than sugar cane-based counterpart. This has been validated by results of tests conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology. In general, sugar and sugar-laden food cause a rush in blood sugar which causes inflammation and cell damage linked to diabetes. Cane sugar causes skin collagen fibers to lose their strength and elasticity leading to premature aging.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diaseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 194 million people as of 2003 and with the Philippines ranking 10th highest in terms of incidence. An estimated six million Filipinos are diagnosed to have diabetes and several millions more are "high-risk" to develop the disease. They are the ones health experts label as having Impaired Glocuse Tolerance Test (IGTT).

The discovery of Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar is a welcome development.
FNRI tests revealed that coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index (G.I.) of 35 compared to cane sugar's 50. G.I. is the glocuse response of an individual from food relative to a standard glocuse solution. Food with low G.I. helps in proper control and management of diabetes mellitus and has been shown to lower LDL and total cholesterol level.

Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar is 100% natural. There are no additives, preservatives nor artificial flavoring. It is produced from sweet tody (tuba) of the coconut tree. The tuba itself contains essential amino acids and vitamins and is rich in sucrose (70-90%) plus glocuse and fructose making up 3-9%. Compared to brown and refined cane sugar, Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar contains higher amounts of micronutrients and of the following nutrients: nitrogen, phoporus, potassium, chlorine , magnesium, sulfur.

Coffee, cakes and any dessert will no longer be guilty pleasure. Make them stay as sweet as they are and yet healthy. Enjoy Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar now and benefit from its low Glycemic Index. Savor its nutritious rich caramel taste and distinctive aroma.

Facts About Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar (Not your ordinary sugar!):

• It is unique. It is from the sweet watery sap (tuba) of coconuts organically grown from the fertile soil of Region X Philippines.




• Its unique rich caramel taste and aroma imparts a new dimension to food and drinks. (A great flavor enhancers for curries and robust sauces too!)



• It undergoes all-natural organic handling process keeping more minerals unadulterated.



• Its Low Glycemic Index of 35 will improve the body's metabolism to promote weight control and lower the risk for occurence of diabetes and other degenerative diseases associated of aging.



• It is approved by the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).



• The SAP of this high quality sugar is harvested by hard working Coconut farmers in Linabu, Misamis Oriental providing income for farmers supporting the Philippine Coconut Authority's poverty reduction program in coconut growing communities.

Ingredient:

The only ingredient is pure coconut sap. Coconut sap is a sweet oyster white translucent liquid that oozes when coconut flowers called "Spadix" are cut.

Processing:

Using a farm level technology, the collected sap is filtered and boiled in moderate heat to reduce its water content. The thickened sap is removed from heat and continously stirred until granules are formed. Two (2) gallons of sap will produce one (1) kilo of Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar.

Packaging:

Linabu Organic Coconut Sugar is available in 15kg and 1/2kg packs.

Storage:

Tranfer to a dry airtight container after opening of package. Store in a cool dry place.


Nutritional Value (Based on a composit sample of 12 packs):

Analysis	Result
Moisture Content (g/100g)	5.335
Crude Protein content (g/100g)	0.747
Crude Fat content (g/100g)	0.059
Ash Content (g/100g)	2.35
Carbohydrates Content (g/100g)	91.49
Food energy content (g/100g)	369.4
Calories from Fat content(g/100g)	0.53
Total Dietary Fiber Content (g/100g)	0.0
Saturated Fat Content (g/100g)	0.036
Vitamin A Content (I.U./100g)	0.0
Vitamin C Content (mg ascorbic Acid /100g)	23.4
Calcuim Content (mg/100g)	4.36
Iron Content (mg/100g)	1.28
Sodium Content (9mg/100g)	146
Total Sugar Content (as invert sugars) (g/100g)	89.36

Produced by:

Spythe Global Enterprises

Balingasag, Misamis Oriental

Mindanao Philippines

Contact:
junb47@gmail.com

How Much Are You Worth?

How Much Are You Worth?
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still, the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?"? And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe, crumpled and dirty.
"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in the eyes of those who love you.
You are special - Don't ever forget it!

Good Karma

Do A Good Turn Daily

The man slowly looked up. He sees a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.
"Leave me alone," he growled.
To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away." The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.
"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by the table.
"What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this. Is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old , rheumy eyes "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business, that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I' ll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you? " he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And...And, thank you for the coffee ."

Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease was first described by James Parkinson in his essay on the shaking palsy. The age of onset is around the age of 50, with incidence peaking during the mid-seventies. The prevalence is 190 by 100,000 population with the sex ratio of three is to two (male to female) with a five per cent familial incidence.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Discordance in identical twins suggests that genetic factors are not important. Environmental mechanisms appear to play a role.

Increased interest in the role of exogenous toxins has arisen through the recent observation that in drug users Parkinsonism is reduced by selectively destroying nigral cells and their striatal projections. Virus infection seems an unlikely explanation in view of the worldwide distribution, lack of viral antibodies in the brain and inability to transmit the disease to primates.

In view of the unclear etiology of Parkinson's disease it is referred to as Idiopathic Parkinson's diseases as opposed to Secondary Parkinsonism where the possible causes are available (drugs like reserpine and haloperidol and the repetitive trauma to the head like in boxing).

There are visible changes in the brain of persons with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The substantia nigra contains the pigmented cells (neuromelanin) which give it a characteristic black appearance. These cells are lost in Parkinson's disease and the substantia nigra becomes pale. The remaining cells contain atypical eosinophilic inclusions in the cytoplasm called Lewy bodies. The presence of cortical inclusions is linked with dementia. There are also minor changes seen in other basal nuclei.

The initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease are vague, with the patient oftentimes complaining of aches and pains. The posture of the patient is bent. The face is expressionless with drooling (mask like facie). There are fine tremors in the hands described as pill rolling tremor. The legs are stiff and the gait is shuffling.

Early in the disease, a coarse tremor at a rate of four per second usually develops. The tremor begins unilaterally in the upper limbs and eventually spreads to all four limbs. The pill rolling tremor can be observed on the hands with the thumb moving rhythmically backwards and forwards on the palm of the hand. This tremor occurs at rest, improves with movement and disappears during sleep.

The rigidity of the body can be detected by examination. The body is in a typical flexed posture. The flexor muscles of the neck, trunk and limbs are in the semi-contracted position. The person is in the posture like that of a boxer.

When the facial muscles of expression are affected the face becomes expressionless. Also affected were the muscles of mastication, speech, voluntary swallowing and muscles of the trunk and limbs. The gait becomes robot like. Every step seems very heavy with little associated movements like arm swinging.

Signs and symptoms will worsen affecting every aspect of the patient's life. The handwriting will become smaller. The gait becomes shuffling with smaller rapid steps giving the impression that the patient is trying to keep up with the centre of gravity. The posture will become more bent. Initiating movements from a stationary position will become harder. Even rising from a chair becomes laborious. The movements of the eyeballs may also be affected. In some cases, although rare, there may be acute ocular deviation. There may also be excessive sweating and greasy skin. Patients may also have depression, postural hypotension and encephalitis.

Diagnosis of Parkinson's depends on high degree of suspicion based on complete history, physical examination and exclusion of other disease entities that mimic or can produce tremors and bradykinesia. Senile tremor, essential tremor and metabolic tremor are not visible during rest and will appear only and become more pronounced on voluntary movement. Distinguish also rigidity from spasticity. In spasticity, the resistance is felt towards the end of motion. In rigidity, resistance is present through the full range of movement.

Management is aimed to restore the balance between dopamine and acetycholine. Treatment is symptomatic and will not stop the pathologic process. The goal is to reduce acetycholine and its effects and increase dopamine. Anticholinergic drugs will reduce tremors but have minimal effect on the rigidity and bradykinesia. Dopamine and dopamine agonists will improve bradykinesia and rigidity with some degree of control of tremor. Good nursing care and the regular consultation to prevent complications are essential.

"Live Free" Concert

Project Title: Live Free Concert

Project Background:

Life Haven, Inc. (LHI) is a non-profit organization of persons with disabilities duly registered at
the SEC with a mission to promote the Independent Living (IL) philosophy. The Independent Living
movement started in Berkley, California during the 70�s and became a worldwide phenomenon
encouraging the restoration of self-confidence and self-respect of persons with disabilities, promoting
active participation and awareness of our inherent rights such as equal opportunities. The movement is
striving for social change that will result to a barrier-free society where persons with disabilities are living
in the community and enjoying life to the utmost.

Life Haven's vision, mission and goal can be summarized as establishment of an IL centre in the Philippines. Life Haven is a member of the Asia-Pacific Network for IL Centers (www.apnil.org),Philippine Council on IL and an associate organization of Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability (www.apcdproject.org). Members of Life Haven have undergone orientation seminars and workshops about independent living philosophy and movement here and abroad. We have a steady progress with regard to our activities and the services that we provide. We have held several workshops and orientations of our own with guest resource persons from Japan and Korea and attendees from different provinces of Luzon.

Life Haven provides the following services:

• Advocacy
• Peer counseling
• Peer support group
• Peer visits
• Information dissemination
• Wheelchair assistance
• IL program

To sustain our activities and continue the services that we provide we will hold the �Live Free� concert on May 30, 2009. This fundraising project will showcase performing arts talent of persons with disabilities. The main performer is the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled Performance Art Troupe which will be joined by Filipinos with disabilities and mainstream bands that support our cause.

In 1993, the Beautiful Gate Foundation (BGF) for the Disabled was established in Petaling Jaya Malaysia. They provide accommodations, job trainings, education, recovery programs and various services including independent living programs and services to support persons with disabilities to live independently. The BGF Performance Art Troupe has proven their mettle as shown in their numerous performances like in states and cities throughout Malaysia, such as Sabah, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur. BGF Performance Art Troupe has made a Malaysian record by presenting a wheelchair dance with the most number of dancers and represented Malaysia in the International Disability Art Festival. Beautiful Gate hopes to demonstrate the beauty and strength of persons with disabilities; inculcate a culture of love; and bring hope, warmth and encouragement to the society through performing arts.

Purpose of the Project

• To raise funds for IL activities and services;
• To encourage cooperation amongst organizations from foreign and local to showcase their talentsin performing arts;
  
• To demonstrate the determination of persons with disabilities and the desire to live
  independently;
  
• To promote the greatness of loving and caring spirit of the society and their social responsibility.

Performance Date: May 30, 2009

Expected Outcome:

We are expecting that the audience of the show will have a better understanding about the lives of persons with disabilities and their determination, aspirations and their potentials as human beings. It is also expected that the audience will understand the meaning of independent living for persons with disabilities, more particularly, how people with severe disabilities achieve their independence.

Presented by:
Abner Manlapaz

President: Life Haven, Inc.


Email: lifehaven@gmail.com