Differential Diagnosis

I am terribly ill. Metaphorically.

The signs and symptoms are visible but the diagnosis remains inconclusive. I know I’m dying. No one has to tell me — I can feel it.

The symptoms are psychological in nature and they are slowly creeping into the fibers of my soul, little by little eating what’s left of me. If the cause of this illness will not be identified now, I’d soon be dead in a few days — or hours.

I can’t sleep. No matter how much “House MD” series I take and push myself to be addicted to it for a short period of boob tube time, withdrawal syndrome will just be so fast that I’d be out of it right after turning the television and DVD player off. This symptom is usually followed by another one: I’d get back to my pillows to bury my head and cover my ears. I couldn’t cry, despite my longing for it. No tears would want to well up from my eyes and provide a hot comfort against my cheeks. Maybe my tear gland is too drained and my body is struck by numbness, drowning myself into a paroxysm of sadness.

I can’t even have happy memories. They make me sad. How ironic.

The symptoms of my disease also include hallucinations and blurring of memories. It’s like Lupus, an auto-immune syndrome. My body is releasing a kind of psychological white cells to fight off the disease, which could be an infection brought by a rare kind of virus. Is it really rare or something common? Tests have to be done — maybe an MRI would completely explain why the said basic units seem to be attacking not the virus but the healthy part of me.

I’m also experiencing an intense body ache, so painful I want to shout and say, “I want to die! Now!” I don’t want to take a glimpse of tomorrow. Or of the day after tomorrow. I want to die with my whole body intact. I can’t afford to see it disintegrating until nothing is left of me. I want to die, death would certainly be sweeter and life is bitter in a state of unidentified illness like this.

I’m scared. It’s a kind of dreadful fear that couldn’t be solved by subtle bravery.

Maybe the key to a right and certain medical finding lies in my previous actions or experiences. But when it comes to such history, everybody lies. I lie. Or I don’t talk about them so that I won’t need to lie. Or I’ll just say half-truths, which would also end up a lie. Well, at least the latter offers a consolation of not really lying. It simply allows me not to tell the whole truth.

The last symptom is this blog. I hate writing. I don’t write. I won’t write. I don’t want anybody else to read my entries. Or just what I’ve thought so. But still, why am I writing this piece of nonsense?

So, if you’re my doctor, what would your findings be, metaphorically?

By the way, my illness is contagious; it’s “read-borne.” You read this post, you’ll get the virus. Sorry, if I told you this only now.#

When do you take lunch, supper, and dinner?

I was sitting at my workstation. Bored. Numb. And thirsty (there’s no water at the pantry). A question popped up into my mind: “What makes supper and dinner different from one another when, in fact, they are used interchangeably?” Here’s a rather interesting find.

–

“Could you explain the difference between lunch, supper and dinner?”

By

Gareth Rees

“The expressions do relate to the time of day that you eat the meal and the type of food and the size of the meal. That’s why it can get confusing.

First of all, breakfast. This is simplest; it’s the first meal of the day in the morning.

In the middle of the day, you might have lunch or dinner. Lunch sounds more informal or more typical, particularly for people who are working.

In the evening, you might have dinner or supper. I think that people who have a quick lunch in the middle of the day will say they have dinner in the evening and this dinner will be a good meal.

A supper is usually a light meal and is probably had after a larger dinner has been had in the middle of the day.

Confused? Well most people see a dinner as a more complete meal. A common lunch in England is a sandwich, but dinner might include soup, meat with vegetables, and then a dessert like apple pie and ice cream. So, dinner is really the main meal and people might have it in the middle of the day or in the evening. Lunch and supper are both light kinds of meal. Lunch is in the middle of the day, supper is in the evening.

Now I mentioned there are some other meals. We talked about breakfast. Two more words that you could add to your list are brunch and tea. Brunch is a mixture of breakfast and lunch, as you can tell by the sound of the word: ‘brunch’. And people usually have brunch as a replacement for both lunch and breakfast. Brunch is usually had at about 11 o’clock.

And the final word is tea. Now of course this is a drink, like tea and coffee, but it can also be a light evening meal. I think this word is often used in families, particularly with their children. “It’s tea time”, “It’s time for tea!” This means their small evening meal.

To finish, it is of course unusual to have breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, tea and supper all in one day. But let me tell you, not impossible. And from that comment you’ll understand that I have the ideal physique and dietary habits for radio and the internet and not for TV.”

Gareth Rees has been an English language teacher and teacher trainer for over 10 years. He is currently a lecturer at London Metropolitan University and is an author of different books for English Language.

–

Now, I know.

Go the Distance

Go the Distance
(Theme Song of Hercules)

I have often dreamed
Of a far-off place
Where a great, warm welcome
Will be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I’m meant to be

I will find my way
I can go the distance
I’ll be there someday
If I can be strong
I know ev’ry mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to feel like I belong

I am on my way
I can go the distance
I don’t care how far
Somehow I’ll be strong
I know ev’ry mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to find where I belong

The above version was an adaptation of the original song lyrics written below – Michael Bolton’s Go the Distance.

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero’s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, this is where I’m meant to be
I’ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev’ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I’ll be right where I belong

Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I’ll see it through
And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no, I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its’ harms
I don’t care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms
I will search the world, I will face its harms
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms

–

Am I really still capable of dreaming?

News Summary 4 (08 March 2008)

Photo Courtesy of unc.edu

· It was reported yesterday that the Philippines, together with China and Vietnam, entered into an agreement called Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU), which aims to explore and develop the Spratly Islands. As of now, the full details of the accord have yet been made public by the participating countries. Nonetheless, numerous international and local sectors have expressed their disgust to the GMA Administration for entering into such an agreement. It had been reported that even the US had voiced out that it is “pissed off” to the government actions. Former President Franklin Drilon said that the US is displeased with the government’s decision that seemed to be a warm up to China.

· Pangasinan Representative and Former House Speaker Jose De Venecia asked the President and her Secretary of Foreign Affairs to disclose the full details of the JMSU.

· The following information are quoted from the Philippine Daily Inquier, 08 March 2008, Front Page, with a title – PCSO admits regular donations to Church Groups:

“…reports emerged that some Church organizations have been recipients of generous funding from cash-rich state agencies.”

“The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, for instance, is an acknowledged donor of the diocese of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, and of Radio Veritas, to name just two Church-related beneficiaries.”

“…the PCSO released a P1.6 million donation to the Bayombong diocese and made P2.5 million worth of ad placements with Radio Veritas, according to an official source.”

· The Russian arm dealer Viktor Bout, also known as “Merchant of Death,” was arrested yesterday in Bangkok by the US Agents who posed as Columbian Marxist Rebels.

· Rep. JDV finally gave up and agreed with his LAKAS party mates and GMA’s staunch allies to step down as LAKAS President. This was after he refused to stop throwing accusations and criticisms to President GMA, the LAKAS standard bearer.

News Summary 3 (06 March 2008)

· Senator Hillary Clinton won the caucuses in Texas and Ohio, bringing her back on the race to be the Democratic Presidential Candidate.

· President GMA scrapped the EO 464 after various social sectors expressed their great clamor against it.

· Although the Supreme Court decided that CHED Chairman Romulo Neri could not invoke EO 464 to refuse the summons of the Senate, the same decision, however, expressed that he could not be forced to answer the Senators’ questions pertaining to his personal conversation with the President. It can be recalled that on the first time Neri appeared before the Upper House, he said that he informed the President about Former COMELEC Chair Abalos’ offer of sharing with him millions of pesos just to get the approval of the NBN project. Despite this awareness, however, the President still instructed Chair Neri to continue with the contract. Aside from this information, the former NEDA Secretary has declined to divulge more about his conversation with the Commander-In-Chief by invoking the executive privilege.

· The Supreme Court had proposed a compromised agreement with the Senate so that Secretary Neri may be lawfully instructed by the court to testify without disrespecting the executive power. However, the Senate, through the leadership of Senate President Manny Villar, refused to accept the Tribunal’s suggestions, saying that such compromise would lessen the power of the body, which is supposed to be co-equal with the executive and judicial branch. Hence, the standoff between Chairman Neri and the Senate remains as the Highest Tribunal resolves the issue.

· The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) released the 2006 Official Poverty Statistics report that says 4.7 million Filipino families or nearly 27% of the country’s population were poor in 2006. This figure is 4 million higher than the previous report released in 2003.

News Summary 2, (05 March 2008)

Photo Courtesy of PIA

· First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo went to the Office of the Ombudsman to respond on the graft and corruption cases filed against him.

· The Supreme Court made a ruling that the former NEDA Secretary and current CHED Chairman, Romula Neri, cannot invoke Executive Order 464 to refrain from answering the questions of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the NBN Scam Investigation. The EO 464 states this:

“ENSURING OBSERVANCE OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS, ADHERENCE TO THE RULE ON EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE AND RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS APPEARING IN LEGISLATIVE INQUIRIES IN AID OF LEGISLATION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

(full details, click here)

· This order bars any Cabinet Members and Executive Officials from attending the Congressional inquiries without the duly consent of the President.

· President signed the Civil Aviation Authority Act, which states that the Aviation Transportation Office (ATO) will be replaced by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

· Two more social groups, namely the Assumption Women and former senior government officials, expressed their fervent desire to find the truth concerning the NBN Project. They published two separate open letters on Philippine Daily Inquirer.

· The countdown before Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez began, and its 12 days to go before that big day. Paquiao, who is still undergoing a difficult and rigorous training, is now down to 133 lb.

Tired of Reading Today’s News? Switch to Its Summary

Photo Courtesy of The Peninsula

Photo Courtesy of Saint Scholastica College Timeline

01 March 2008

· An estimated number of 15,000 to 80,000 gathered yesterday at the intersection of Ayala and Paseo de Roxas for an Interfaith Rally. It was marked by prayer, poetry, and speeches clamoring for the truth and accountability. Various religious, social, and business organizations from all over the country participated in the said event.

· Pulse Asia showed the result of its recently conducted survey about the President’s distrust rating: 2 out of 3 Filipinos believe Rodolfo Lozada Jr. leading to a 76% distrust rating for the Philippines’ Commander in Chief.

· After the news of his assignment to Afghanistan was leaked online, Prince Harry was promptly pulled out from his deployment by the British Military.

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Even If It Takes A Lifetime

Photo Courtesy of Awi’s Site

EVEN IF IT TAKES A LIFETIME

By Brother Nicanor P. Tiosen

If it takes a lifetime

to realize a dream

never would I give up

though it may cause some pain.

If it takes a lifetime

to reach the goal

I will keep on going to the end -

rising up, every time I fall

If it takes a lifetime

to find lasting happiness

then would I not be surprised at all

should a beautiful day be shrouded in mist

If it takes a lifetime

gladly would I wait

for a wonderful promise

of a love that’s so great

Sweet success does not come overnight, I know.

But I’ll watch each spring from the ground and grow.

I’ll patiently hope for its fruit midst dirt and grime,

even if it takes a lifetime.

(1997 Editor’s Choice Award

The National Library of Poetry

Owing Mills, Maryland

Included in the anthology “The Glow Within”)

Journal Writing: Building an Archive of Current Events

Photo Courtesy of The Internationalist

I learned to love history. I did not know how and why, but I just felt it. Maybe it’s because I enjoy reading too much of Ambeth Ocampo’s columns at Daily Inquirer that I got convinced history is fun.

Recently, I have come to realize that this passion in events should not only end with reading, but should also be extended to expression so that my opinions may also be heard by others. I want to begin doing this by objectively taking accounts of the recent events. Through this way, I may have history to look back and share with my grandsons someday when I get old.

Gloria, Resign!

I would like to begin my archive with the history of my own country and the events that have recently unfolded when Jun Lozada decided to testify before the inquiry of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee. He divulged the secrets of the National Broadband Deal (NBN) Project, threw in accusations against former NEDA Secretary and now CHED Chairman Romulo Neri, and categorically admitted the participation of former COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos in a corruption plan to get huge commission from the broadband project.

Everything began when Jun Lozada’s family reported to the media that Jun was kidnapped from the airport. Later on, it was learned that he was fetched by a group of policemen under the instructions of PNP Chief Avelino Razon. General Razon said that he gave the order to secure Jun because his wife, Violeta, requested for it. However, Violeta and the family members denied it.

After the policemen fetched Jun from the airport, they gave him a long free ride around the Metro and the nearby province of Laguna. Finally, Jun was brought to the Brother’s House in La Salle Greenhills. That was when the probinsiyanong Intsik decided to speak before the media about what happened and what he knows about the NBN project. In the press conference, he admitted that he was asked to fix and approve the NBN Proposal to allow Abalos get at least $130 million as commission. Even the name of the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was dragged and was accused of having planned all of these fraudulent acts.

Upon hearing the testimony of Jun about this huge NBN graft and corruption issue, the public violently reacted and promptly went to the streets to ask for the resignation of President GMA. And the last time I checked it, my fellow Filipinos were still out there, on the streets, shouting with all their might – Gloria, Resign!