Blogitude

From Wikipedia:

Immunodeficiency (or immune deficiency) is a state in which the immune system’s ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Most cases of immunodeficiency are acquired (”secondary”) but some people are born with defects in the immune system, or primary immunodeficiency. Transplant patients take medications to suppress their immune system as an anti-rejection measure, as do some patients suffering from an over-active immune system. A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be immunocompromised. An immunocompromised person may be particularly vulnerable to opportunistic infections, in addition to normal infections that could affect everyone.

It’s amusing sometimes how people whine about why they don’t have a boyfriend/girlfriend… and then their profile page is set to private.

If you want people to know you exist, make your profile public. (If you’re not against love blossoming over the internet, that is.)

Just my two cents anyway. Just be strong enough to deal with the perverted, and have the common sense not to reveal vital information.

- September 27, 2008

My cousin says that 30 is a fun age. Haha, I wonder. I’m in my prime, but I still feel like such a kid. ^__^; Well, my birthday was simple but not regrettable. I didn’t wish or want anything, and I don’t expect much from other people anymore. As Buddhism indicates, want not, desire not, and you’ll be happy. Or something like that (although when my dad asked me what I wanted, I told him I just wanted to watch the complete 4th season of House MD with him. ^_~). It’s true. =) But I’m still so very VERY happy so many people greeted me, and gave me such wonderful gifts! Thank you so much!!!

Stuff I got:

• -Bubble bath. Wow, I got 3 big bottles! LOL!
• -Body splash. Mmm. Fragrance-y.
• -Beauty and treatment oils. Hey, I need these! ;D
• -A bracelet. Oriental and gorgeous!
• -Lip gloss. Ooh, it’s… glittery… ^^;;;
• -Gift certificates for shopping. Hehe, I wonder what to buy…? ^_^;
• -A book: “Is It Time to Make a Change?” by Deanna Beisser. LOL, yup, maybe.
• -…and when my mom came home, she brought TONS OF FOOD!!! Oh my God!!! @_@;;;; So many boxes of MINT CHOCOLATE!!! O_O;;;

Again, thanks so much!!!!! I love you!!!!! xD

Dating Diaries: Ten Dating Red Flags
by Rich Santos, Marie Claire, on Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:07am PDT

When determining if you should let things get serious, remember: actions speak louder than words. With that being said, here are ten dating red flags. If you see any of these, do yourself a favor and reconsider if it’s worth it for you.

1. You are not on the VIP list for breaking news

Were you the last to learn about this person’s job promotion or newborn niece or nephew? Once things are serious, you should be among the first to know about exciting news, or bad news.

2. They avoid meeting your family or friends

If they are shying away from meeting your friends/family consistently, then there are problems. Even if they are very shy, they should want to meet those who are important to you.

3. They don’t make any sacrifices

Healthy relationships don’t require bending over backwards all the time, but a certain amount of sacrifice is necessary in a selfless union. When two of my friends first started dating one another, she demanded that he go to Farm Aid for her birthday, which was also the opening NFL football Sunday. While all the guys gathered to watch the games, he was sweltering on some field attending Farm Aid — an event he never would have gone to if she hadn’t have invited him. Now that’s sacrifice.

4. They can’t fit in your future

I admit it. When I meet girls, I envision future moments I may some day share with them. Most of my scenarios are her with me and my family at a Thanksgiving holiday or at a summer crabfeast. If I’m really into her, I usually relish the thought. If not, I kinda cringe.

5. They are too controlling

It’s scary but I’ve seen many relationships where guys forbid girls to hang out with certain friends, or wear certain clothes. Major problem if someone is controlling you and not allowing you to be who you want to be within a relationship.

6. The “what are we” conversation fails miserably

Almost every relationship hits that crossroads where you both decide if it’s worth taking the plunge into being exclusive and calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend. If they are confused and surprised that you’re ready to get serious, the timing is not right, and you should try to figure out how long you want to wait around until they are ready.

7. They talk about plans that don’t involve you

My sister has major wanderlust. She’s always talking about heading off to Chicago or living in London for a year. She often talks about these things with no regard for the fact that she has a boyfriend at the time. If you find that someone is making plans or talking about far off places without inviting you along for the ride, don’t let yourself get too into this person.

8. Your friends or family don’t like them

Remember that your friends and family know you best. Don’t take their thoughts with a grain of salt. It’s one thing if a person or two don’t get along with your significant other, but if a lot of them are saying you should reconsider, then do it. Unfortunately, we often find out about how much our friends hated that person after this person is gone.

9. They violated your trust

Whether it’s cheating or a little lie that they got caught in, it will be hard to regain trust. Trust is something we don’t give away easily, and once it’s gone it’s hard to get it back. We’ll always be wondering about that lie, and doubt will creep in more and more as our minds fixate on that lie. Too often, people take trust for granted and once they lose it they never get it back.

10. You practice “unbalanced dating”

Are you always seeing his friends or doing things that he wants to do? Do you just let him pick the restaurants and events? Or is it the other way around? Relationships are fun when you are both able to contribute. If you’re not taking turns creating fun times together, it will most likely fizzle out.

What would you add to the list? Ever been a victim of any of these red flags?
(hell yeah!)

                                        Wow, I don’t remember writing this… O_o; lol… More of my poems can be found at: http://chev.deviantart.com/gallery/#Poetry

~ A Friend’s Farewell ~

My eyes drift upwards
To where the clouds drift by
A lonely gray, a stony color
I tear and let out a sigh

Loneliness engulfs me
Whenever I least expect it to
A deep ache in my heart
Dwells where laughter is now few

Smiles now are a rarity
But sincere when they appear
Friends for me are a treasure
Something golden and utterly dear

Why do I cry
When there is no reason at all to weep?
…Because I long for you,
My friend, my sibling… In my heart I keep

Maybe for now,
I shall bear the bitter pain
I force a smile for you
And imagine you’re with me again.

I stumbled across Madonna’s astrological chart, and discovered that most of her astrological placements are the same as mine. Cool. ;D

*Sun in 12th House

With the Sun in the 12th house you’re aware that your conscious self is only part of your total being, and that below the surface lie a more spiritual dimension. You’re very sensitive to the atmosphere and feelings that surround you, and this may manifest as some form of psychic ability. You would certainly benefit from some form of meditation that allows you to get in touch with the deeper levels of your mind.

*Sun Sextile Jupiter

The sextile between the Sun and Jupiter gives you a sense of optimism and faith in life that will tend to offset any pessimistic or depressive influences in your chart. No matter how difficult things may seem on the surface, you always feel that you’ll pull through in the end.

You’ll need to find some form of philosophy or religious system that will help you to understand the meaning of your experiences. You have a desire to learn as much as you can about the world and to expand your horizons through the accumulation of knowledge.

*Mercury in 12th House

Mercury, the planet of the rational mind, is in the 12th house of the unconscious. With Mercury here you may occasionally find that you’re influenced by irrational or disturbing thoughts rising up from the depths of your mind, resulting in panic attacks…or the feeling that you are not always in control. However, whilst the unconscious is the dumping ground for experiences we would rather forget, and feelings we would rather not admit to, it can also be the source of creative imagination and inspiration.

With this placing you’ll need to find some way of exploring your subconscious, through meditation or psychotherapy. in this way you can bring to the surface the memories of unpleasant experiences so that they can be examined and dealt with. Clearing away accumulated psychic or emotional rubbish in this way will help you to gain control of your own thought processes, and enable you to make creative use of your psychic sensitivity and powerful imagination.

*Mercury Sextile Neptune

The sextile between Mercury and Neptune indicates that you have a sensitive and intuitive mind…often sensing and seeing things that others may miss. You have a strong imagination…with thoughts that can be inspired, but you don’t generally waste time in daydreaming…as the ideas that come to you have to stand the test of reason. You’re idealistic, but not unrealistic.

You need to plan some kind of goal to follow…and possibly get into higher education, in order to make the most of your imagination and understanding…for whilst aspects between Mercury and Neptune opens the mind to limitless possibilities, some formal training or discipline is needed to make the most of their beneficial influence.

*Mercury Conjunct Pluto

The conjunction between Mercury and Pluto gives your mind a deep, intense and penetrating quality that would suit you for any kind of investigative work…or work that requires concentration and attention to detail. Not satisfied with the obvious or superficial, you try to understand the deeper meaning to any subject or issue that you’re studying.

You also have strong beliefs, and when you have made up your mind on something you have a conviction and power that others will find difficult to challenge, even if they feel you’re wrong.

You may have to learn to rise above deep feelings of anger or resentment towards those who have crossed you or oppose your ideas. Instead of seeking revenge ..why not channel this strong desire to hit back into more positive ends.

*Venus Square Jupiter

With the square between Venus and Jupiter, you may at times give in to self-indulgence, especially when difficulties give you the excuse to neglect duties and responsibilities. In any case, you don’t like to be hemmed in by responsibilities. You’ll expect a partner to allow you personal freedom, but you may not be too generous in extending the same rights to them.

A Normal Life Process

At some point in our lives, each of us faces the loss of someone or something dear to us. The grief that follows such a loss can seem unbearable, but grief is actually a healing process. Grief is the emotional suffering we feel after a loss of some kind. The death of a loved one, loss of a limb, even intense disappointment can cause grief. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross has named five stages of grief people go through following a serious loss. Sometimes people get stuck in one of the first four stages. Their lives can be painful until they move to the fifth stage - acceptance.

Five Stages Of Grief

1. Denial and Isolation.
   At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer.
2. Anger.
   The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she’s dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it.
3. Bargaining.
   Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?"
4. Depression.
   The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath.
5. Acceptance.
   This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

Grief And Stress

During grief, it is common to have many conflicting feelings. Sorrow, anger, loneliness, sadness, shame, anxiety, and guilt often accompany serious losses. Having so many strong feelings can be very stressful.

Yet denying the feelings, and failing to work through the five stages of grief, is harder on the body and mind than going through them. When people suggest "looking on the bright side," or other ways of cutting off difficult feelings, the grieving person may feel pressured to hide or deny these emotions. Then it will take longer for healing to take place.

Recovering From Grief

Grieving and its stresses pass more quickly, with good self-care habits. It helps to have a close circle of family or friends. It also helps to eat a balanced diet, drink enough non-alcoholic fluids, get exercise and rest.

Most people are unprepared for grief, since so often, tragedy strikes suddenly, without warning. If good self-care habits are always practiced, it helps the person to deal with the pain and shock of loss until acceptance is reached.