Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure... (dedicated to my 'treasure')


Sebuah pepatah Yahudi mengatakan "Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure."
Yes... saya setuju dengan pepatah itu.

Bertahun-tahun lalu di pertengahan masa perkuliahan, saya bersahabat dengan seseorang. Sebut saja ia bernama 'Treasure'.
Seumur hidup saya, saya selalu dikelilingi teman wanita. Tapi belum pernah saya merasa sedekat itu dengan seorang teman wanita.
Saya ingat... awal persahabatan kami terjadi krn perbincangan saat Treasure menceritakan kisah putusnya dia dengan mantannya. Kekasih pertamanya, yang membuat dia begitu terluka.
Sejak itu kami berdua hampir selalu bersama. Aktif dalam kegiatan kerohanian, selain ketemu di kampus dan menghabiskan waklu luang bersama.
Tak lama setelah itu giliran saya dalam proses putus dengan mantan tunangan saya. Dan saat itu... Treasure yang banyak membela saya di depan mantan saya, Treasure yang banyak disalahkan, dan Treasure ada di saat saya begitu bimbang akan banyak hal dalam hubungan saya waktu itu.
Saat itu Treasure juga sedang dalam masa pergumulan hidupnya. Dan tidak ada yang lebih indah dari kenangan membuat rekaman nyanyi bersama (krn kita berdua sama2 hobby nyanyi), mual dan muntah sama-sama, gila ngutak-utik email sama2 (krn waktu itu para lelaki kami ada di luar Jakarta), ngobrol di telpon sampai subuh, dan mempunyai mimpi2 yang sama.
Rasanya tidak pernah ada tawa yang selepas waktu-waktu itu.

Waktu berlalu... dan berbagai kejadian menghampiri hidup kami.
Luka demi luka terjadi, rasanya tak tertahankan. Dan persahabatan kamipun dilanda prahara (duuuhhh... bahasanya... hehehe... jadul bener :-p)
Berbagai kesalah-pahaman terjadi... merenggangkan hubungan kami. Apalagi setelah Treasure menikah dengan pria pilihannya. Sayangnya, saya tidak merasa 'secure' menyerahkan sahabat saya dalam tanggung jawabnya untuk selama-lamanya.
Dan tahun-tahun itu adlah tahun-tahun di mana saya begitu terluka, dan kehilangan Treasure. Saya tidak lagi percaya kepada persahabatan. Tahun-tahun itu saya sering bermimpi tentang dia, saya menangis waktu salah satu mimpi kami yaitu bikin album rekaman bersama akhirnya terwujud, tetapi dia tidak ada bersama saya untuk bernyanyi bersama dalam album itu.
Saya ingat pulang dari studio malam itu, saya nangis sejadi-jadinya di kamar mandi (krn takut ketahuan suami saya hehehe...) mengingat rekaman main-mainan kami yang pertama dan sekarang kembali saya bernyanyi... tanpa Treasure.

Tapi Tuhan ku adalah Tuhan yang mendengar. Allahku adalah Allah yang memperhatikan.
Chrismas lalu ada sebuah sms dari Treasure, yang ngga saya sangka-sangka... dan sms itu kembali menyatukan kami dalam kegiatan bersama lagi.
Hari ini saya bersyukur... bahwa doa saya diperhatikan Tuhan. Saya tidak pernah berdoa meminta kami bisa kembali seperti dulu. Doa saya hanya memohon agar Tuhan menjaga Treasure melewati semua yang terjadi dalam hidupnya... saya berharap dia selalu happy dan tersenyum.
Tetapi Tuhan memberi lebih...
Saya melihat Treasure menjadi seseorang yang lebih bijaksana hari ini. Dia melewati berbagai penderitaan... dan dia bertahan sampai hari ini. Hhhhmmm... that's my girl!!! hehehhe...
Rahmat Tuhan tercurah penuh atas hidupnya. Dan Tangan Tuhan tidak pernah meninggalkan dia sendiri.
Saya banyak membuat kesalahan terhadap dia, dan dia menerima saya kembali sebagai sahabatnya.
Di masa paskah ini, pemulihan persahabatan kami, menjadi salah satu bagian pemulihan hubungan saya dengan Tuhan juga. Kalau dia saya bisa mengampuni segala kesalahan saya... apalagi Tuhan Allah di surga...!!!
My dear Treasure... thanks for everything we've been through.
We may going through different ways these past few years. But what we have today, is the meaning of friendship. Excepting one another just the way we are and celebrating our presence each other.
Love you sist... and May the Good Lord always bless our friendship.
My pray for you always.

-dedicated to Treasure...-

Monday, March 24, 2008

Aduh enaknya...

Yummy srupppp srupppp...

Setelah 40 hari tidak menyentuh nasi, 15 hari tidak menyentuh daging, kopi... dan 9 hari berusaha hanya memakan sayur-sayuran... kemarin hari pembebasan tiba.
Paskah benar-benar membebaskan ku dari dosa, maut... dan terutama... kembali menikmati kenikmatan duniawi.. KOPI dan BABI! haleluya... hehehhe...

Keinget kmrn ngumpul di Starbucks dan minum Caramel Macchiato... rasanya... ngga ada yang senikmat itu. Sampe sempet bengong sebentar menikmati after taste kopi di mulut gw...

Aduh ini tulisan ngga berkualitas banget yaaa...! cuma ngomongin babi dan kopi...

Eniweiiii... happy easter semuanya hehehehe :-)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

A NEW APPROACH to ALLERGY


A NEW APPROACH to ALLERGY

Kata Alergi belakangan sudah menjadi kata-kata milik awam, bukan lagi sebuah kata yang hanya dikenal di dunia kedokteran. Ini disebabkan karena penyakit alergi sekarang sudah menjadi masalah dunia. Alergi sendiri adalah kegagalan fungsi imunitas/kekebalan tubuh di mana seseorang mengalami sensitifitas berlebihan terhadap satu bahan/ zat tertentu.

WHO (World Health Organization) dan WAO (World Allergy Organization) berupaya mengatasi masalah alergi yang prevalensinya mencapai 40% di beberapa negara maju. Penelitian di berbagai tempat di Indonesia sendiri menunjukkan prevalensi yang tidak rendah, bahkan menunjukkan peningkatan di beberapa daerah dengan tingkat polusi, stress, gaya hidup yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan daerah lainnya. Gejala asma di Pulau Jawa dan Bali berkisar 4,3-7,5%, gejala rhinitis (pilek berkepanjangan) 15-22%, serta dermatitis atopic (eczema) 3-4%.

Dunia kedokteran selama ini telah melakukan berbagai macam pendekatan terapi, seperti edukasi untuk menghindarkan pasien dari penyebab timbulnya alergi tersebut, pemberian obat-obatan seperti antihistamin, dekongestan, kortikosteroid. Dan pendekatan terbaru yang dilakukan di pengobatan alergi adalah Imunoterapi, yaitu dengan memasukan allergen ke dalam tubuh pasien dengan harapan tubuh pasien membentuk pertahanan tubuh terhadapa allergen tersebut. Tetapi sampai saat ini belum ditemukan obat yang mengatasi masalah sampai ke akar masalahnya, tetapi hanya berdasarkan gejala yang timbul.
Salah satu pendekatan lain yang dilakukan adalah penanganan dengan metode Biofisika. Dalam ilmu biofisika, setiap substansi terdiri dari energy dan menghasilkan energy. Termasuk juga tubuh manusia. Energi yang dikeluarkan adalah dalam bentuk gelombang dan mempunyai panjang gelombang yang berbeda dan spesifik. Tubuh manusia mempunyai gelombang yang spesifik dan mempunyai 1 spektrum gelombang individual yang normal dan dapat dideteksi. Adanya benda asing dalam tubuh yang juga mengeluarkan gelombang lain yang juga spesifik akan mengganggu pola normal tubuh sehingga menimbulkan gangguan pada sel tubuh untuk berfungsi secara normal.
Terapi ini mampu mengeliminasi gelombang abnormal dari benda asing/allergen dan mengalirkan gelombang normal tubuh sehingga akhirnya menghilangkan sensitivitas yang berlebihan terhadap allergen tesebut.

Metode ini berangkat dari teori fisika quatum yang ditemukan oleh Einstein (dari pengembangan rumus E=MC2), dan kemudian dikembangkan di Jerman oleh seorang dokter Jerman bernama Franz Morrel pada tahun 1977. Hans Brugemann dari Regumed Institute (Regumed=Regulatory Medicine) kemudian mempopulerkan konsep terapi ini dengan nama terapi Bioresonansi di pertengahan tahun 1980an.

Metode ini sudah digunakan di lebih dari 54 negara termasuk Indonesia. Banyak uji klinis yang telah dilakukan untuk membuktikan efektifitas dari terapi ini. Dan hasil uji klinis menunjukkan keberhasilan terapi metode biofisika ini mencapai 85-97%.
Terapi Bioresonansi masuk ke Indonesia sekitar tahun 1996, dibawa oleh pioneer terapi Bioresonansi di Indonesia yaitu DR.Dr.Aris Wibudi, SpPD. Terapi ini mempunyai kelebihan: Efektif mengatasi akar masalah, Non invasife/ tanpa rasa sakit, Aman tanpa efek samping, Untuk segala usia.
Penelitian lain membuktikan selain untuk alergi (asma, berbagai alergi makanan, neurodermatitis), terapi ini juga dapat membantu mengatasi beberapa masalah seperti: nyeri, migraine, Anti Smoking Therapy, dan rheumatic.


Untuk mengatasi masalah anda, hubungi kami:

BIO E CARE
Jl. Pluit Karang Cantik blok Y3T no.18 (Lantai 2)
Phone: 021.92587989
e-mail: withcaregroup@yahoo.com
Jam buka: Senin sd.Jumat 09.00-21.00
Sabtu 09.00-15.00

(dr.Lia Brasali Ariefano)

Monday, March 17, 2008

This is the Most Graceful Time of The Year…!!!


Kita diberkati dengan 52minggu dalam 1 tahun. Dan semua hari, semua minggu adalah baik di mata Tuhan.
Tapi ada saat-saat tertentu, seperti saat ini… minggu ini,
Saat daun palma dilambai-lambaikan mengiringi Yesus yang masuk ke Yerusalem dengan segala kemuliaanNya.
Saat kaki kotor orang-orang terkasih Tuhan dibasuh dengan penuh kasih dan pengampunan.
Saat tanganNya terbentang diantara langit dan bumi, dengan darah yang berlumuran di seluruh badanNya
Saat Ia berjuang sendirian berperang melawan kegelapan untuk SETIAP jiwa yang dikasihiNya.

This is the Most Graceful Time of the Year..

Kemarin saya bersama suami mengikuti misa Minggu Palma di paroki kami. Maksudnya mau nyari misa mudah karena kami berpikir tidak mungkin ada perarakan di gereja kami yang tidak terlalu besar itu, eehhh… malah kedapatan misa dengan perarakan… Puji Tuhan hehehe...
Akhirnya kami bersama-sama ‘berarak-arakan’ bersama dengan ratusan umat yang juga hadir hari itu. Setiap langkah saya… biarpun saat itu saya merasa seperti orang bodoh yang berjalan beriring-iringan tanpa lagu sambil memutari lapangan parkir yang penuh dengan mobil, saya hampir meneteskan air mata…

Melihat seluruh umat Katolik yang berjalan bersama saya, yang mungkin juga merasakan hal yang sama dengan saya.. berasa bodoh, kepanasan, dan berpikir,”Ngapain gw kayak begini…?”
Tapi mereka dengan setianya taat dan menjalani semuanya. Apapun yang ada dipikiran mereka, apapun yang mereka lakukan saat berjalan… tetapi mereka berjalan mengiringi Yesus memasuki ‘kota Yerusalem’. Kasih dan rahmat Tuhan yang mengalir melalui gerejaNya di dunia ini menyatukan manusia dari berbagai latar belakang, suku dan bahasa membawa saya berjalan bersama mereka di hari yang sama, minggu yang sama, dan waktu yang sama.

Yes… This is really the most graceful time of the Year…!

Sejak hari Jumat sebelum Minggu Palma saya berusaha berpantang banyak hal yang menjadi makanan rutinitas saya. Alhasil… di hari pertama badan saya menggigil luar biasa karena ‘sakauw’. Tetapi dari hari ke hari (hari ini sudah memasuki hari ke 4), saya kembali merasakan kedekatan dengan Tuhan yang sudah lama sekali saya ngga rasakan sebelum-sebelumnya. Setiap kali saya sendirian, saya selalu memakai waktu-waktu sempit saya untuk memanjatkan doa.

Saya bawa semua yang saya rasakan bersama dengan Kristus minggu ini. Berjalan bersama Dia menapaki hari-hari saat Ia akan begitu menderita. Tapi saya merasa, hari demi hari di minggu ini intensitas cintaNya direnggangkan makin lama makin kuat dalam dalam hati saya. seturut dengan mendekatnya hari penderitaan Yesus di atas kayu salib, di mana kasihNya dinyatakan sebesar-besarnya untuk umat manusia… untuk saya, dan untuk kita semua.

So… Yes…. This really really the most graceful time of the Year…!!

Sering kali kita melewati hari-hari kita tanpa makna. Semua berlalu begitu saja, seolah waktu menjadi santapan rutinitas kita sehari-hari. Dan banyak hal berlalu begitu saja tanpa kita sadar, apa pengaruhnya dalam kehidupan kita. Kadang luka tergores, kepahitan mulai berakar, ketida percayaan bertumbuh dan saat itu terjadi… kita menjauh dari Dia… sang kasih mula-mula.

Ini saat nya kita bersama memberanikan diri… untuk mendekat kepadaNya, memanggil namaNya, dan percaya tidak ada satupun penderitaan, air mata, kelelahan, pergumulan, dan luka kita sia-sia bila kita satukan dengan penderitaanNya di atas kayu salib.

Percaya… bahwa tidak ada yang terlalu besar bagiNya untuk Ia bereskan, Ia sembuhkan, dan Ia pulihkan.

Percaya… bahwa Ia Sang Pencipta kehidupan kita, yang memberikan hidup ini, akan bertanggung-jawag atas kehidupanNya yang diberikan kepada kita, bila kita mengijinkannya.

Percaya… bahwa tidak ada dosa yang terlalu merah untuk Ia kembalikan putih seperti salju.

Dan di hari ke 3 Ia bangkit dari kuburNya, menghalau kegelapan dan dosa.

Saat itu kemenangan datang, dan harapan menjadi nyata.

Selalu ada hari esok dalam kehidupan kita bersama Yesus. Bahkan disaat kematian seakan membuat semuanya seperti berakhir.

Tetapi Allahku… Allah anda dan saya… adalah Allah yang hidup.

Ia hidup atas hati saya, Ia berkarya dan menyelamatkan hidup saya.

Ia memulihkan hati saya dan selalu memberikan cinta dan pengharapan atas hidup saya.

Seperti ia selalu menghibur saya dan setia di kehidupan saya.

Allah yang sama juga berkarya dan hidup atas hidupmu.

Because This is the Most Graceful Time of The Year…!!!

(last week of the lent 2008)

Lia B. Ariefano

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Zugspitze of my heart


Yes... it's really a blessing for me...
10 hari training di jerman buat belajar, melihat, dan menyadari banyak hal...

Ngga ada satupun dalam kehidupan kita terjadi, tanpa sebuah tujuan.
Tapi itu semua hanya bisa terjadi kalau kita terus menggantungkan harapan dan impian setinggi-tingginya dan terus percaya.
Dulu salah satu keinginan gw adalah bisa sekolah di luar negeri... dulu sebelum masuk kedokteran gw ud sempet urus-urus dan les bahasa segala buat mempersiapkan kalau-kalau orang tua gw mengijinkan gw buat belajar ke luar.
tapi banyak hal terjadi... yang menyebabkan akhirnya gw memutuskan buat ambil kedokteran di Atmajaya. Dan gw ngga pernah menyesali keputusan itu juga sih.
Dari waktu ke waktu gw belajar tidak ada satupun yang terjadi...
bahkan yang terburuk sekalipun, bila kita gantungkan pada belas kasihan Tuhan... yang tidak mendatangkan kebaikan bagi orang-orang yang mau terus berharap kepadaNya.
tahun demi tahun... dengan semua yang telah terjadi... bahkan gw ud selesai jadi dokter... siapa yang ngira... gw bisa ke Jerman dan ambil kursus di sana.
Segala hal terjadi... mungkin ngga sesuai tepat seperti yang kita inginkan... tapi... buat gw itu ud ngga penting lagi sekarang.
Krn banyak hal terjadi.. (bukan cuma hal kursus ini), orang-orang yang gw kenal dan gw ngga sangka-sangka, setiap kebetulan yang mgkn tidak terpikirkan... dengan sekejab bisa menjadi berkat buat gw... dan gw percaya itu juga berlaku buat setiap orang yang selalu percaya...

Zugspitze adalah gunung tertinggi di Jerman. Tingginya 2962mtr. Dari bawah tidak terlihat dan tidak dapat kita sangka apa yang ada di atas sana. Berharap pun agak sulit untuk bisa mencapai ke atas sana.
Tapi harapan orang-orang yang ada sebelum gw... yang merintis semua alat transportasi ke sana, bertemu dengan harapan gw... yang ingin menginjakkan kaki di gunung bersalju... akhirnya membuat satu impian jadi kenyataan.
Yes... kadang hati kita dipenuhi oleh mimpi2 setinggi Zugspitze, bahkan lebih tinggi lagi.
Tapi percayalah satu hal... tidak ada gunung yang tidak dapat didaki, apalagi bila kita jalani bersama dengan pencipta gunung tersebut.
And there I was... at the 'real' Zugspitze... and I believe in one thing...
that every other Zugspitze in my heart will be climbed soon...
with God as my light and strength,
with love of everyone around me as my warmer (bener ngga sih... mksd gw penghangat gitu hehehe...)
with a hard work as a tool to reach the top of the mountain.
and the most important thing... with never ending hope and believe that everything I dream will come true.

Yes... the zugspitze of my heart just a matter of time.
His time, His mercy, and His faithfulness to me.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

what an exiting year we will have!


Waktu berlalu begitu cepat...
dan kmrn di klinik, kita ud siap-siap pasang pohon Natal.

Tapi setiap tahun memberikan warna baru dalam kehidupan kita, khususnya kehidupan gw.
Kalau ingat-ingat menjelang Natal tahun lalu, rasanya semua begitu tenang dan ngga terpikir, tahun ini banyak sekali hal yang terjadi.
Tahun ini hadir si Mindy dalam kehidupan kami, yes... she's a dog, tapi she really make my day!
Tahun ini banyak usaha sendiri dimulai, khususnya buat riko yang selalu pengen punya usaha sendiri, rasanya ini tanda setia Tuhan juga buat dia.
Dan tahun ini, gw mendapati banyak hal yang gw pikir sudah tidak mungkin terjadi, mimpi-mimpi yang ud gw masukin kotak dan tersimpan baik-baik... perlahan-lahan mulai berani kembali gw buka tali pengikatnya dan membuka kotak kita kembali sambil memilah satu persatu...

Gw membayangkan tahun ke depan... what an exiting year we will have!
Di kala banyak orang bilang tahun depan akan sulit... gw mau bilang ke diri gw... tahun depan akan penuh dengan tantangan yang menarik untuk dijalani dan akan memberikan arti lain dalam kehidupan gw dan riko.

So help me God!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

cherish my days


yes I cherish my days.
yes I am greatful with everything I have in my life today...
and I still for many best things happen to me...
I just a matter of time... and every thing good will happen in my life!!!

I can choose many things in my life. And yes... I decided to see it and feel it in a good way.
I choose what I'm gonna be in next 10 years... and I choose to make my life meaningful.
Because life is short and full of many possibilities. Good possibilities.

One of my blessing is friend. I am treasuring my days through them also.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Dog's Purpose... Remembering my late dogs


Remembering my Dee Dee, Angie, and Nero... they did it so well...!

Dog's Purpose, from a 4-year-old

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed
to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The four-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Keracunan Grey's Anatomy

Iya nih... gw lagi keracunan Grey's Anatomy.
Kmrn dalam waktu 1 mgg gw abisin 4 season nya Grey's Anatomy.
Untung gw belum ada buntut, kl ud ada... bisa kagak gw kasih makan anak gw hehehe..
Parah nih!

aduhhh... Patrick Dampsey... yummy deh... hhehehe...

Having a Drink

Monday, August 27, 2007

Mother Teresa... Amazing Soul of Hers


3 hari lalu saat sedang makan bersama, suami gw cerita soal tulisan mother teresa yang baru ditemukan dan dimuat di yahoo (untuk lengkapnya please visit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20070823/wl_time/motherteresascrisisoffaith).

Ada 3 wanita yang sangat berpengaruh mewarnai kehidupan saya... pertama adalah my mom, lalu mother teresa dan yang terakhir... Ms. Oprah Winfrey! hehehe...

Dan tulisan mother teresa yang baru ditemukan ini membuat saya tercengang-cengang...


Dari seluruh kehidupan pelayanannya yang luar biasa... hampir setengahnya ia menjalaninya tanpa merasakan Tuhan dalam kehidupannya.
Ini membuat gw bener2 ngga habis pikir dan bener2 speachless...
She didn't feel God for almost half of her life... and yet... she always speaaked about Jesus.
Hatinya selalu terarah ke Tuhan dan melewati padang gurun yang tak ada habisnya... hanya Yesus yang menjadi kekasih jiwanya.
Dan dia.... memancarkan kasihNya kepada orang-orang di sekelilingnya.

I wish... I have that grace...
I wish... I bring smile and joy to everyone i meet.
I wish... I wish... this simple soul of mine filled with His love...
How I desire to love you Lord... more and more each day
And walk through my days in the world meaningful to others.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

love letter from my Mindy


I Am Your Puppy...

I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a 6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to me. I am delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beat. Instead, please guide me with encouragement and wisdom. For instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING that you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between your old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200 Nikes.

I am your Puppy, and I will love you until the end of the Earth, but please know a few things about me.

I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for learning are the same as an 8-month-old child.

I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I explore and learn about the world. Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what is not.

I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1 - 2 hours. I cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot have "bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months. Do not punish me if you have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault. As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after: eating, sleeping, playing, drinking, and around every 2 - 3 hours in addition. If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give me water after 7 or 8 p.m. A crate will help me learn to housebreak easier, and will avoid you being mad at me.

I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me! In time I will learn.

I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day. If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk to me in "dog talk," by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the message, as this is how dogs communicate with one another.
If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.

I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much like your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family, and your life.
You got me (I hope) because you want a loving partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger. Do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family member you want me to be.

I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books on dog care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my particular breed and it's characteristics, it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things I do. Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave and socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class, we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.

I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you, and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and must work to understand one another's language, body signals, wants and needs. Someday I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be proud of and one that you will love as much as I love you.

Love,
Your Puppy

Monday, August 20, 2007

the one and only: our wedding photo


Ini mungkin agak aneh buat cerita orang menikah...
Tapi percaya atau tidak... kita cuma punya 1 foto pernikahan diantara foto2 yang lain...
hehehhe... lucu juga sih... cuma ini satu2nya...

A Woman for All Vocations


by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Can a woman like me aspire to emulate such an amazing woman—the Virgin Mother of God, the first disciple, the matriarch of the Holy Family, and the Mother of the Church? Recalling instances in Mary’s life, we call to mind her gentleness, humility, holiness, perseverance, selflessness, and unwavering faith.

I ask myself this because I know I will never accomplish what our Blessed Mother has, or even come close to her holiness. Yet all women are called to holiness—whether in the sublime role of raising children, as a wife, as a single woman, or as a woman religious. And Mary demonstrates attributes and virtues that all women can emulate, whatever their vocation.

Mary’s deep faith was the foundation of her great holiness. Even though Mary was the Mother of God, we should remember that Mary was human like us and prayed to be unwavering in her faith, just as we also are called to do. Mary’s faith is the same gift available to us. We can ask Mary to be a mother to us and guide us closer to her Son, Jesus.

A Faithful Heart
Wanting to imitate Mary’s virtues, we may try to figure out what made her tick. Images from our Catholic tradition and Scripture may come to mind. We may be reminded of Mary as a faithful Jewish girl praying with her people in Palestine for the coming of the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises. Mary was familiar with Isaiah’s words that a virgin would conceive and bear a child called Immanuel—“God with us”—but never imagined that she would be that virgin.

At times, we find ourselves in situations requiring faith in God, but our humanness causes us to feel inadequate or to fear that we are not faithful enough. When I hemorrhaged at 10 weeks pregnant with my fifth child, I was required to have faith that God’s holy will would be fulfilled, whatever it would be.

My doctor told me that I was miscarrying and conducted an ultrasound to check on the baby. When the ultrasound revealed a tiny baby with a beating heart, I was ordered to stay on complete bed rest and just wait. The doctor added that he wished the miscarriage would hurry up, saving me from further anguish.

I shuddered at his words and chose to hope instead. I rested and waited and never stopped praying. My four children bustled around me as I did my best to stay still and have faith in whatever it was that God had planned for us. I knew Bl. Teresa of Calcutta at the time, and she instructed me to call upon the Blessed Mother and to wear a Miraculous Medal that she had given me. She reminded me to trust in Our Lord, stay close to Mary, and pray, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a mother to me now.”

Our prayers were heard, and after a long nine months Mary-Catherine was born! In retrospect, I can understand why Our Lord may have given me another reason to pause during that pregnancy: While I was kept still, I was inspired to write about motherhood. These reflections have since been published. As a busy mother with four children and another on the way, I might never have had a spare moment to sit down to write! Our Lord knew what He was doing.

Humble Generosity and Courage
We know that when the angel Gabriel visited Mary with the announcement that she would become Jesus’ mother (Lk. 1:26–39), the humble teenager found it difficult to believe that it was she, a simple girl, who was chosen by God. Taking the blessing to heart, Mary responded with her courageous “yes” to God.

Shortly afterward, her generous heart sent her on a journey into the hill country, pregnant and “in haste,” to help her cousin Elizabeth, who was much older and also expecting a child (Lk. 1:39). Mary surely prayed and reflected throughout her journey, while the blessedness of Jesus dwelled within her. After Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb upon Mary’s arrival, the two women embraced. Elizabeth praised Mary for her great faith, and Mary humbly responded with the words of the Magnificat, glorifying God’s holiness, justice, and mercy, and foretelling that all generations would call her blessed because of the great things the Lord had done in her (Lk. 1:46–55).

When we question our own ability to courageously answer God with our “yes” when He bids us to follow Him, we must remember that, as women, we are also blessed with generous and courageous hearts like Mary’s. Graces are available to us to be courageous and to respond with love in all situations within our vocations. Throughout our daily lives, we are presented with many opportunities to put our own needs aside and go “in haste” to help—to help our children, our spouses, our parents, our neighbors, our coworkers, or whomever God has put into our lives.

The Simplicity of Love
Mary was led on a donkey by her beloved husband, Joseph, in search of a place to give birth and faced only rejection by the innkeepers. Soon afterward, Jesus’ infant cries were comforted at His mother’s breast in a stable. Our King and Savior was born into poverty, resting in a wooden manger of hay—hardly what is expected for a King’s birth! Angels sent simple shepherds to Mary and Joseph to see their holy baby. Mary “kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk. 2:19).

When we women face rejection in one form or another, we can pray for the graces we need to continue on, just as Mary did at the inns and later, when she felt the sting of the rejection of her Son by the very people He helped.We can imagine Mary throughout the hidden years, teaching Jesus on her knee in the warmth of their humble home. As Jesus grew, Mary surely encouraged her Son to help Joseph in his carpentry. Mary’s faith deepened in the cenacle of prayer that she fostered in the heart of her home.

Mothers, too, live through hidden years, raising their families and trying to remain simple. Especially when children are young, mothers may find themselves housebound with the care of the family, children’s illness, or infants too small to go out. Mothers can make their home a “domestic Church,” as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have spoken of, by praying within the home, teaching the children, and thanking God for the blessedness of their families and the opportunities to care for them.

“Do whatever he tells you”
At the start of Jesus’ public ministry, sympathetic that a bride and groom were without wine, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no wine.” While Jesus appeared reluctant to perform His first miracle, saying that His hour had not yet come, Mary confidently told the wine stewards to “do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:2–11). Mary’s initiative, intercession, and obedience ultimately nudged on her Son. Thus, the power of a mother’s love brought about Jesus’ first public miracle.

Women, as mothers, have within reach the tremendous power of prayer. A mother has the ability to influence her children for better or for worse. A faithful mother’s prayers will always be heard by God. In their intercessory role, faithful mothers are forever praying for the welfare of their children, both for those living at home and for those who are grown and may have strayed away from the Church. A mother’s prayers can be just as efficacious as those of our Blessed Mother and have the power to work miracles in human hearts.

The Heart of the Home
Women can learn from Mary as one who listened to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide her. She gave herself completely to the will of the Father. We learn from Mary that a mother’s prayer is powerful. When we are asked to endure suffering or pain within our vocation, we can turn our thoughts to Mother Mary, who was no stranger to suffering, and ask her assistance and intercession.

When it is difficult to trust in God, we women can meditate on Mary’s faithful trust in Our Lord, drawing strength from her as we pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. When those of us who are mothers experience the deep joy within our role, we can feel an affinity with someone who has also experienced this deep joy in mothering Jesus.

Mary’s marvelous “yes” to God changed the entire world for all eternity. May all faithful women also courageously answer Our Lord, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” as they strive to live holy lives and raise their families in a cenacle of prayer fostered in their homes, pondering it all deep within their own hearts and setting an example for all women.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

A Promise to Myself


I feel good... nenonenonenonet... :-)


Hihihi... itu adalah alarm handphone gw yang tiap pagi...

Judulnya emang I feel good,... dan gw berharap itu bisa menstransfer semangat ke gw setiap pagi.

Tapi alhasil ya nasib... hehehe... lebih banyak gw mematikan itu HP dan kemudian memakai waktu yang tinggal sedikit untuk terus tertidurrr... :-)


Yes... i think segar ngga segar it's about choice.


Gw berasa banyak hari-hari gw yang terlalui dengan keadaan yang negatif dari gw.

Jadi bawaannya setiap hari gw malessss terus :-)

Tetapi hari-hari belakangan ini, gw mulai menggiatkan sel-sel otak gw untuk terus dan terus memancarkan energy positif :-)

Sebelum tidur... gw banyak membayangkan semua hal yang indah-indah... semua mimpi dan harapan gw... (hihihi... ini gw belajar dari buku The Secret)
Dan sesaat sebelum bangun dari tempat tidur gw... gw selalu bilang ke diri gw... "everything i need comes to me..!" hehehe...
Dan percaya atau tidak... banyak hal akhir-akhir ini terjadi tanpa di duga2.
Itu memang daya tarik dari semua pikiran positif yang kita pancarkan ke sekeliling kita.
Semua yang positif selalu membawa sukacita, and it's really about a choice!
So... setiap pagi... gw berusaha untuk feel good, and I choose to feel good.
Karena berpikir positif saja kadang tidak cukup kalau kita tidak merasa positif.
Woooooo! I feel good... nenonenonenonet... :-)

God's Word for Me: Because I Love Her

Because I Love Her

I made her. She is different. She is unique. With love I formed her in her mother's womb. I fashioned her with great joy. I remember that with great pleasure the days I created her. To Me she is beautiful. I made her. I love her smile. I love her ways. I love to hear her laugh and see the silly things she does. She is herself and no one else. This is how I made her.

I made her pretty, but not beautiful. Because I know her heart and I know that she is vain. I want her to search her heart and learn that in Me she would be beautiful. It would be My spirit that would draw people to her. I made her in such a way that she would need Me. I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be, because I want her to turn to Me in her loneliness. I made her dependent, so that she would depend on Me. I know her heart. I know that if I had not made her like this, that she would go her own chosen way and forget about Me, her creator. I have given her many good and happy things because I love her.

I have seen her broken heart, the tears that she cried alone. Many times she has stumbled and fallen because she would not take My hand. She has learned hard lessons because she would not listen to My voice. So many times I have watched her go on her way alone, now she is Mine again.

I made her and then I bought her. I paid a high price for her because I love her. I have had to reshape her and remold her, renewing her for My plan. It hasn't been easy for her, or for Me, I want her to be conformed to My image. This goal I have set for her because.....I love her!!!

Love Yourself

Love Yourself —
Or You Won’t Be Able to Love Anyone ElseYou Cannot Give What You Don’t Have
by Bo Sanchez

I’ve got a confession to make.
As a young Christian, I used to believe that we shouldn’t love ourselves.
To me, loving myself was another word for selfishness.And I have an embarrassing experience to prove it. One day, as a 14-year-old kid, I went to confession and said, “Father, I play the guitar for our prayer meeting, but I sometimes feel proud whenever I play the guitar — because I know I play well.”The white-haired priest chuckled, patted me on the shoulder, and said, “Son, a part of that feeling of yours is good, wholesome pride.
That’s important in life. So go ahead and play your guitar, feel good while you play it, and have a sense of pride doing so. Love yourself, son.”I nodded my head but told myself that I would never go to this priest again.
Obviously, this priest was less spiritually than I was. So he couldn’t understand me — the way some spiritual directors misunderstood mystics. He was not in my league. I belonged to the likes of St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.Twenty-five years later, I laugh at my arrogance.Today, I’ve grown older — and humbler. (I hope. Because someone told me that if you say you’re humble, you’re not. Gosh.)

I now feel very strongly about this truth: That I cannot love anyone else — not even God — if I don’t love myself. Why? Because I cannot give what I don’t have.

ON PROUD PEOPLE
In fact, I've met very few really proud people in my lifetime.Because most of what we call "proud" people are just the exact opposite: They're very insecure people who're so desperate to prove themselves. They brag of their achievements, they boast of their wealth and they act really bossy.But deep within, they're desperate for someone to love them. Because they don't love themselves.

ON HYPERCRITICAL PEOPLE
Have you met a hypercritical person?I've met a few of them. They love to tear others down.Somehow, they feel they have received a Divine Appointment to tell the world how rotten everyone is. So they'll criticize this person and that person — and you almost feel that he really enjoys throwing rubbish at everyone.Are these people proud?On the contrary, I’ve discovered that these self-appointed critics hate themselves.Subconsciously, they simply project themselves onto others — so they like taking shots at everybody.I repeat my thesis: When you don’t love yourself, you’ll have a difficult time loving others.

LOOK AT HOW YOU VIEW OTHERS
Here’s a clue as to how you view yourself: Check how you view others. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.— Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D Your reactions to others say more about you than they do about others.Because every human being you meet is a mirror.
Do you know that upon meeting a total stranger, you form an impression of that person in the first four minutes of your encounter? You decide in the first four minutes what you like or don’t like. These decisions will be based on facial features, tone of voice, cologne scent and your own past experiences.Your reactions to other people are really just barometers for how you perceive yourself.If you accept that, then every human encounter becomes a gift from God for you to learn about yourself. What you see in others is only a projection of yourself. So learn! What irritates you in that person? Their pride? Their rigidity? Their selfishness? Look deep inside, and you will find the same things in a slightly different form or shape.
Every time someone irritates you, or angers you, or hurts you, ask: What gift is being given to me? This person is a mirror. What is he teaching me about me? One day, I was in a meeting with a man whom I perceived to be disorganized.He didn’t come prepared for our meeting, and there was no forward planning involved, and it was as though nothing much was going to happen.As I continued to judge him, I hit the pause button and searched deep inside: Did I hate my own disorganization? And the answer was a very loud YES!So this irritation I was feeling wasn’t about this man.

It was about me — I didn’t like the part of me that was disorganized.Just being aware of these dynamics will help.Let me now try to clarify what it means to love yourself.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE TREATED BY OTHERS?

One day, I was speaking to a group of women.I asked them, “How do you want your husbands to treat you?”Their answers were candid. I wrote them on the board…
• “I want him to be patient with me when I make mistakes.”
• “He should be thoughtful of my needs.”
• “I would like him to give me rest when he sees that I’m tired.”
• “Yes, he should treat me out for a mother’s day off!”
After a barrage of answers like these, I turned the tables around and asked, “Now tell me, my dear women, do you treat yourself in these ways?”Their faces went blank. Finally, one woman asked, “What do you mean?”“
First, are you patient with yourself when you make mistakes? Or do you endlessly criticize yourself, replaying inyour mind your failure again and again? How many of you are your harshest critic?”I saw a raise of hands.“
Second, are you thoughtful of your own needs? Do you actually know what you need? Or are you always subsuming all your needs for the needs of your children — that you no longer know what you need?”Some women were already holding hankies over their faces.“
Third, do you give yourself rest? Or do you feel guilty when you take a break, feeling as though your own mother were there beside you, telling you to get up and do something?”Many of them nodded.“
Fourth, do you give yourself a mother’s day off? Do you actually write it on your calendar and announce to the family that you’ll take it?”I continued,“Mothers are known for recklessly not loving themselves. They act like they’re superheroes, and worse, martyrs. They’ll work and work and work until they feel depressed and die. But mothers, remember that if you don’t value yourself, you’re teaching your kids not to value themselves as well.”Here’s our problem: We like others to treat us well.But do we treat ourselves well?Many of us don’t.

Let me just share with you a few ways of loving yourself…
1. BELIEVE IN YOUR WORTH
Why do people perform poorly in their finances? Why do people have pathetic, lifeless, boring marriages? Why do people fail in their spiritual life?Why do people have relationship problems?I’ll tell you why. In the past 25 years of helping people, I’ve realized that most of our problems come from one thing.Here it is: We don’t think highly of ourselves.It gets complicated after that.Here’s our problem: We like others to treat us well. But do wetreat ourselves well?Many of us don’t.But that’s the basic problem. Perhaps as little children (or even as babies growing in the womb of our mothers), we received messages from the ultimate authorities of our lives that we’re bad and stupid and failures and unworthy of love.That could have been done verbally.That could have been done through actions — such as when parents abandoned us or if we have been physically abused.These negative messages are powerful, and we carry these beliefs for the rest of our lives.
2. CHANGE YOUR LABELS
I’ve met husbands who have invisible labels hanging from their necks that say, “I’m a lousy husband.”I’ve met wives who carry invisible placards everywhere they go that say, “I’m a terrible mother.”I’ve met hoards and hoards of people who unconsciously hold up a sign that says, “I’m poor and I’ll always be poor no matter what I’ll do.”Gosh. It’s frustrating helping people like these.Because we become the labels we unconsciously carry in our hearts.Unless they themselves change their labels, no great change will happen in their lives.Here’s the truth — and I hope you make them your labels: You’re not perfect — but you’re perfectly loved by God. You’re not complete — but you’re completely loved by God. You’re not whole — but you’re wholly loved by God. And God has made you perfectly, completely, wholly lovable.Here’s my principle: If you want to be successful in life, you’ve got to love yourself the way God loves you.You’ve got to reprogram your negative beliefs about yourself, and replace them with new ones: That you are child of God, that you can do great things, that you are special and wonderful and beautiful…
3. TAKE CARE OF EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE
Respect your body.People who eat unhealthy stuff, who smoke, who drink need to look deep within themselves and ask, “Do I love my body or do I dislike it?”Feed your mind with only the best!People who watch end- less TV every day aren’t loving themselves. People who don’t take time to grow in their intellect through reading and reflection aren’t loving themselves.Nourish your soul.People who don’t prioritize daily prayer, reading Scripture, and partaking of the Sacraments — because they don’t have the time — aren’t loving themselves.Can I make a suggestion? Write a list of 100 ways of loving yourself.
Call it “Love Me” activities. Stuff that will refresh you, bless you, nurture you.
I’ll give you some items in my list…
Watch the sunset
Read a good book
Take a long walk
Have an “alone time” every week
Have a massage
Listen to your favorite music
Have pizza with a friend
Eat fruits for breakfast
Have a salad every meal
Pray every morning
Kiss my wife seven times a day
Play with my sons daily And when you start valuing yourself, you’ll begin to realize that it’ll be easier to value others around you.Deep within you is a love tank.You won’t be able to give love if your love tank is empty. Fill up your love tank with love, and then you have something to give. Because you cannot give what you don’t have.

KBo’s Action Steps:
1. Do you love yourself? Do you feel yourself worth while? Do you accept yourself for who you are, weaknesses and all? Do you nurture yourself and take care of yourself?
2. List down “Love-Me Activities,” things that you enjoy and have always wanted to do to nurture and care for yourself.

God bless you, my dear friends...

Women... by my beloved JP II

Pope John Paul II has majestically portrayed the charism and genius of femininity in his apostolic letter"Mulieris Dignitatem"

According to the Holy Father, the essential components of women are so exemplary as regards the sincere gift of self, that this can be compared to the great mystery of the Church as Spouse united to Christ. The Pope underlines the special sensitivity that woman has for man, and, indeed, for everything essentially human, and which is expressed in the natural tendency to especially direct her attention toward some particular person.

The woman's personality, given her tremendous capacity of love, cannot fulfill itself except by giving love to others.
Her strength lies precisely in the gift of self, and in the fact that God entrusted man to her. "Thus the 'perfect woman' (Proverbs 31:10) becomes an irreplaceable support and source of spiritual strength for other people, who perceive the great energies of her spirit."

Understanding Asthma

Understanding asthmaThis common disease can claim lives, so control it as early as possible.
By Dr. Sonia J. Silos

A good friend of mine in his mid-30s has had asthma since childhood. He tells me that his attacks since then have been few and far between, but that they come at the most inopportune moments. He says, "It has reminded me of its presence at the worst times: when I am elated, when I exert myself physically or at the tail end of the flu."
Yes, living with asthma is difficult but it doesn't have to be that way. The first step is learning about the disease and how it affects you. This will help you better understand how to treat, manage and, ultimately, control asthma.

What is asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs and its airways. It affects adults and children alike, but asthma in children is different, explains Dr. Agnes Sebastian-Sanchez, pediatric pulmonologist at the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center and the Healthway Medical Clinics (both in the Philippines). "Children have smaller airways so the symptoms are exaggerated, particularly in younger kids."
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by acute attacks. These attacks are caused by hyperreactive airways, which produce increased mucus, then subsequently tighten and narrow, causing airway obstruction. All these bring about the common asthma symptoms of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
But what exactly causes the airways to hyperreact? There are numerous asthma triggers and each individual has his own particular trigger. Once you identify what sets off your asthma attack, you can begin to avoid or limit your exposure to them.

Dr. Rommel Tipones, adult pulmonologist at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines and the Healthway Medical Clinics, shares these handy tools for controlling asthma triggers.
Quit smoking. Ban smoking inside your home.
Keep furry pets out of your home.
Keep doors and windows closed to control the entry of outdoor allergens. Air-conditioning, although expensive, will help.
Remove stuffed animals, carpeting, curtains, or anything that collects dust, from the bedroom. Cover your mattresses and pillows with airtight covers.
Get a flu shot each year.
These are safe for adults and children over 3.

Drugs definedAsthma medications can either be inhaled or swallowed (systemic medication). Tipones says inhaled medications are preferred because they deliver the drug direct to the airways, decreasing any side effects that affect the whole body (systemic effects).
Medications are classified into relievers, which help stop attacks once they start, and controllers, which help prevent attacks from starting.
Relievers consist of bronchodilators, which keep the airways open, allowing you to breathe during an attack. Inhaled bronchodilators in the proper dose and frequency are very effective. It is the one medication that every asthmatic should have handy wherever he goes. Inhaled bronchodilators are the medication of choice for exercise-induced asthma and are the only medication that those with mild asthma will ever need.
Systemic bronchodilators, although equally effective, have more associated side effects and so are not frequently used. Side effects include a rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, dizziness, irritability and difficulty sleeping. When these occur, tell your doctor immediately.
Controllers are anti-inflammatory medications that reduce the swelling of airways and their mucus production. There are different types, including the ever-popular corticosteroids. These are recommended for daily use and are safe and highly effective for long-term therapy. But remember that they have to be used regularly and consistently for maximum effect.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the most frequently used controller medication, but they require spacer devices to avoid side effects such as throat infections. Systemic steroids are only given for severe, uncontrolled asthma. They are extremely effective but can cause serious side effects with prolonged use. Among the many side effects are weight gain, nausea and vomiting, face puffiness and foot swelling, hyperacidity, growth retardation in kids, early cataracts, delayed wound healing and infections.
As such, avoiding their long-term use whenever possible, especially in children, is prudent.
The doctor's roleYour treatment program will usually be individualized because each person's asthma is different. What works for your friend may not work for you. It is the doctor's role to choose the right medication at the right dose for your particular asthma.
After you have been prescribed asthma medicine, see your doctor even when you feel well.

Regular checkups can help your doctor ascertain if the medicine is working well for you. "Generally, improvement should be seen within a month of starting treatment," Tipones points out. It is vital for your doctor to know if:
You are taking more than the usual recommended dose.
You have symptoms at night and have trouble sleeping.
Your daytime symptoms are increasing.
These things signal that your treatment program is not working, and a change of medication or additional medicine might be needed.

Asthma and you

Finally, successful asthma management relies heavily on you as the patient. Everyone with asthma has a responsibility to learn everything about the condition.
Know your symptoms and what to do about them. During an attack, knowing the signals that precede it is vital, especially in young children, who usually can't report what they feel. Your job as a parent is to spot those early signs to ward off a severe attack. Be alert for cough especially at night, noisy, irregular breathing, wheezing, flaring nostrils and pursed-lip breathing.
Learn about your medication and how it works. Inhaled bronchodilators relieve symptoms quickly. They take effect within five to 10 minutes, when symptoms should start abating. The earlier treatment is given, the less medicine you'll need to control the attack. It is best to give treatment within five minutes of an attack.

Discover what your triggers are and work hard to avoid or control them.

Complete control of all your triggers is impossible, but you can decrease the frequency and severity of attacks. For instance, those with exercise-induced asthma need not curb their sports activities; they may be advised to take medication instead before engaging in strenuous activity.
Swimming has long been touted as the best exercise for asthmatics. Sebastian-Sanchez says, "Children can benefit from swimming because it teaches proper breathing techniques and there are less environmental triggers associated with it."
Take your med exactly as prescribed, even when you feel well. With controller medicine, the effects are not evident immediately. It takes a few weeks for them to work. For this reason, some people discontinue medication because they deem it unnecessary or see no attack forthcoming.

To control your asthma continuously and permanently, you must adhere to the treatment exactly as the doctor recommends. "Asthma management requires a partnership between the patient, his family and their doctor," Sebastian-Sanchez stresses.
Asthma can last a lifetime and can even be life threatening, but if you manage it properly, it is almost always controllable.

Quotes by Women who inspire my life.

"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." (by Oprah Winfrey)

"Hidup benar di hadapan Tuhan. Percayalah... apa yang kau buat pasti berhasil!"
(by my mom)


"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."
(by Mother Teresa)