Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday Surprise: Reaping Labor’s Sweet Fruit


Saturday Surprise is all about the good things in life ought to be celebrated!:)

At long last!  The Olandesca sisters had finished their studies!  We dedicate this post to our parents, Camilo Bala Olandesca and Antonieta De La Torre Olandesca.  Without you Papa and Mama, we cannot be who we are today.  We love you so much!:)

June Ann T. Olandesca
BS in Information Technology
Misamis University
Laling "the busngi" is our very iyakin sister.  She immediately cries whenever she's teased but laughs hard whenever she's happy.  She's our bunso who's our runner because she's the one who always runs errands for us!

April Love T. Olandesca
BS in Nursing
Misamis University
RN # 0451331
Ep2x "the pislat" is our very maarte sister.  She doesn't eat bahaw but loves to eat tilapia.  She's our middle sister who never accepted a piso from our late Tatay Toto.  However, she's our finest dancer!  She dances gracefully wherever she's at and I am so proud of her for performing in the center stage of Singapore's Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay!

Mary Rosalie T. Olandesca
BS in Chemical Engineering
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
ChE # 0025997
Mimi "the dangas" is the ate who often acts as a non-ate.  She throws tantrums at times but is trying hard to control it.  She also tries hard to be a model sister for her younger sisters.

With all the love and support of our family, we were able to graduate and become professionals.  So we salute you, Papa & Mama, Tatay Toto, Gpa, Auntie Lourding, Mama Dita, Mommy Becky, Auntie Nannette, and Auntie Bebot.  Our diplomas are dedicated to all of you!:)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday Matters: Be Aware and Fight Psoriasis


Monday Matters is dedicated to all things that matter.

Noticed that reddish spot in your skin that itched?  As you scratch it, it flakes up and eventually becomes bigger.  Then the other skin areas are also affected.  It is painful and is really itchy.  Beware!  That might be psoriasis!

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease of the skin caused by the abnormal reaction of the immune system to existing cells.  This body defence mechanism sees such cells as pathogens and attacks them.  As a result, reddish and whitish plaques appear on skin and in no time, would develop into dry scales.  That is psoriasis.  A very itchy and uncomfortable disease you would never want to have.

Since psoriasis is really itchy, you tend to scratch it.  And once you do, it may flare up and bleed.  It is like having open wounds all over your body.  And though psoriasis is noncontagious, people will still look at you as an eye sore.  It lowers your self-esteem that hinders you to function well as a person.  Psoriasis is such a shameful disease so how can we treat it?
Psoriasis Plaques
Through years of study, psoriasis can now be treated through proper medication.  There are drugs that can be taken orally to control its action.  Aside from that, there are also creams that can be applied to minimize the itchiness.  All you have to do is to go to the right person and place to solve your problem.   

Indeed, psoriasis is a rare disease and only experienced physicians can attend to it.  Also, psoriasis medicines are not readily available in most drug stores.  So better ask for professional help first before taking any actions to cure it or it might worsen.

You may also avoid getting psoriasis attacks by taking care of your health properly.  If you already have the disease, refrain from exposing yourself to direct sunlight and freezing cold weather.  Avoid getting skin injuries and infections.  Taking ample amounts of calcium and Vitamin D would help too.  Moreover, stay away from stress!  That is the number one thing that triggers psoriasis.  So be informed and fight psoriasis!  For who would not want a flawless skin to flaunt?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Whimsical Wednesday: Slum Book Fever

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  


My Collection of Autograph Books and Slum Books


The second week of March is the time to slowly bid goodbye to our classmates for the meantime.  We will be parting ways for the following whole two months for summer vacation.  And in order for us not to forget each other, we give tokens of friendship.  But being students, we couldn't afford to give each classmate such things so we just buy autograph books and slum books to be signed by all!

My first encounter with autograph books and slum books was when I was in Grade 5.  One classmate brought an autograph to class and technically, all girls followed.  We exchanged autographs and slum books to be filled-in with information, to be answered whole-heartedly, and to be written with some sweet notes in dedication.  We were really crazy over it because we can have the chance to get to know our crushes more!  
My Entries for My Grade School and High School Autographs
For the record, I had all my crushes signed my autographs and slum books!  They couldn't get away with it because I had my friends to back me up.  There's just this one classmate who vandalized my slum book so badly that I couldn't decipher who he was now.  On contrary, I got an "I love you" from an anonymous classmate.  Hmmm....Would I ever find out who he is now?


It is so funny reading all I had written before especially in the "favorites" part.  I couldn't even remember if those were really my favorites.  But mind you, I had my ambition realized.  If you could just read closely, I put in there "To become a businesswoman."  Then successfully, I am one now!  (Though I'm still struggling.  Hehe.)  Anyway, at least that dream came true!
Some Notes from My Dear Classmates
Back in the olden days, our parents called these stuffs "slum books".  In our days, we called them "autograph books".  And kids nowadays call them "profile" (Leveled up!).  Now that's an evolution of terms!  No matter what we call them, they are all the same that give us joy!  They inflict fanaticism and mania to us!  And it is so good to read them again today which brings back good 'ol memories.   
                 

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Thursday Tidbits: Final Exam Blues

Thursday Tidbits puts meaning into life's littlest issues.
Another school year is about to end!  Perhaps some of you have plans for the upcoming summer vacation already and are now excited for it.  But before enjoying the carefree summerrific life, you have to undergo tedious final exams first.

For some students who had performed well since the beginning of the school year, they have little worries for the finals.  But for the others who hadn’t given their best yet, finals is their only chance in order for them to pass their subjects.  It is a time to catch up wherein projects are also given to make up for ailing but not yet failing grades.

With all the busyness, students cram for final exams.  They do overnight group studies and try to insert all lessons taught to them in their already panicked minds.  They just memorize without understanding and just study without learning.  At the end, they go “mental blocked” (as what they termed it) during the exams.  Then cramming would be proven inefficient.

So how should we study efficiently?  How is it done without sacrificing and exerting too much effort?  Years of experience in diligent studying had enabled me to come up with the following STUDY TIPS:

1.    Listen to your teachers well.  All teachers mean well.  They feed you with lessons as best as they can.  Everything is being discussed in class and all you’ve got to do is just listen.  Through listening properly, your self-study time would be lessened.

2.    Manage your time better.  Allot an hour or two of your time each day to study the lessons your class had covered for the day.  In this way, you will gain better understanding of your lessons one at a time.  Advance studying aids you not to cram.

3.    Participate in group studies.  No man is an island.  Two heads are better than one.  In this way, you may help others while the others may help you too.  It is also a chance to socialize a bit so you won’t be fed up with too much studying.

4.   Avoid taking medications for the brain.  This would only give psychological effect.  Better save your liver and turn to the natural ones instead like peanuts and chocolates.

5.    Relax and do not overstudy.  A relaxed mind can focus and function well.  Study wisely by getting the gist of all subject matters and connecting them with each other.  Always take note of key words that you can easily remember.  Do not try to absorb everything.  Just keep it simple and keep your cool.

If you’ll follow the above tips my dear student readers, you’ll surely pass all your subjects with flying colors.  Fight final exam blues by preparing ahead of time! 

Just a reminder: NEVER RESOLVE INTO CHEATING.  Your teachers know very well who among you does it.  Some teachers may confront and humiliate you in public, some may report you to the guidance counselor for sanctions, and some may just choose to be silent.  And being silent means greater vengeance.  Do bear in mind that you are only at the tip of your teachers’ ballpoint pen.

So, help yourself by sweating a bit.  For what you sow is what you reap.  Enjoy studying and good luck in your final exams!   
  
Photos Grabbed from Fatima Jumadil