WEDDING OF GIOIA AND GIOVANNI - GROTTAMARE, ITALY - 19 AUGUST 2006

PAINTING THE SKY - PORTO RECANATI, ITALY - AUGUST 15, 2006

TRAVEL NOTES FROM DEAN - CHINA

All 27 in the group said they tremendously enjoyed the guided tour of China (October 19 - November 1, 1998).

Beijing - first stop. World’s largest McDonald restaurant and largest public square (Tien An Men), “Forbidden City” with Temple of Heaven and palace complex. Took a few steps on the 3,000-mile long Great Wall, still China’s No. 1 attraction. Tombs of some emperors of Ming dynasty. Summer palace. Chinese opera which I did not understand what it was all about since there was no translation in English; so, I slept off the second half of the show.

Xian. Archeological discovery site of terracotta Emperor guards, many on horseback (life-size). Digging has continued for 21 years already. Bell Tower and Wild Goose pagodas.

Shanghai. The “Bund” (German for river bank) of Shanghai river with busy boat traffic. Jade Buddha. Arts and Craft Center as well as Children’s Palace (a children’s special school). Breathtaking acrobatic show of juggling, balancing, card tricks with a touch of comedy (I did not sleep in this one at any time).

Guilin. Six-hour cruise on Li River with mountains of well-defined pointed peaks, water buffalos and ducks wallowing on water, villagers fishing or washing clothes. Stalactites and stalagmites at Flute Cave, short climb to Fubo Hill which gives a bird’s eye view of the verdant city.

Guangzhou. Most important seaport of south China. Ornate shrine of Chen’s family and Memorial Hall of Sun-Yat-Sen, founder of the China Republic.

Hong Kong: Three-hour night train ride to Hong Kong. Victoria Peak for a breathtaking view of the former British colony. Aberdeen with so many sampans and scenic Repulse Bay, Stanley Market to shop for bargains of name brands (the shopper’s heaven). Many went crazy (shopping!). They dug deep into their pockets to buy jade rings, earrings, bracelets, cameras, clothing, picture cards, scarves, and what-have-you. So, if you want to have a jacket for just one U.S. dollar, welcome to China! All I bought was one bottled water and ½ pound of chestnuts. I held tight to my wallet, resisting the shopping fever and not losing my head. At every meal including buffet breakfast, not less than 12 courses were served. Although food was a great temptation, I pledged to nail my weight to 126 pounds, m weight before the China trip.

Since the first time (1984) we toured China but with a different group, there has been visibly a giant leap to progress in China. There are more high-rise buildings for offices and for residence than in Los Angeles. The Hiltons and the Sheratons are a far cry from China’s recently-constructed hotels. The people in the cities are well dressed, many of them (men and women) in suits, even if they ride on bicycles. Evident also is a marked increase in private cars and public buses, but bicycles are still clearly “king of the road.” You have to be an expert and have a strong heart to drive in crowded traffic of private cars, public buses, motorcycles and bicycles.

Some are saying they would like to go back, primarily to shop! Some want to go to Scandinavia. So Scandinavia, here we come! In the year 2000, God willing…

SOME PEOPLE ARE NEVER HAPPY

On a chain of beautiful islands in the middle of nowhere, the following people are stranded:

- Two Italian men and one Italian woman
- Two French men and one French woman
- Two German men and one German woman
- Two Greek men and one Greek woman
- Two English men and one English woman
- Two Bulgarian men and one Bulgarian woman
- Two Japanese men and one Japanese woman
- Two Chinese men and one Chinese woman
- Two Irish men and one Irish woman
- Two American men and one American woman

One month later, on these absolutely stunning deserted islands in the middle of nowhere, the following things have occurred:

+One Italian man killed the other Italian man for the Italian woman.

+The two French men and the French woman are living happily together in a ménage a trois.

+The two German men have a strict weekly schedule of alternating visits with the German woman.

+The two Greek men are sleeping with each other and the Greek woman is cleaning and cooking for them.

+The two English men are waiting for someone to introduce them to the English woman.

+The two Bulgarian men took one look at the Bulgarian woman and started swimming to another island.

+The two Japanese men have faxed Tokyo and are awaiting instructions.

+The two Chinese men have set up a pharmacy/liquor store/restaurant/laundry, and have gotten the Chinese woman pregnant in order to supply employees for their store.

+The two Irish men divided the island into North and South and set up a distillery. They do not remember if sex is in the picture because it get somewhat foggy after a few liters of coconut whiskey. However, they're satisfied because the English aren't having any fun.

+The two American men are contemplating suicide, because the American woman will not shut up and complains relentlessly about her body, the true nature of feminism, the equal division of household chores, how sand and palm trees make her look fat, how her last boyfriend respected her opinion and treated her nicer than they do, and how her relationship with her mother is the root cause of all her problems, and why didn't they bring a goddam cell phone so they could call 911 and get them all rescued off this god-forsaken deserted island in the middle of nowhere so she can get her nails done and go shopping.

You don't stop laughing when you GET OLD! You GET OLD when you STOP LAUGHING!

PINOY JOKES

Husband: Lagi mo pala dinadala ang picture ko sa bag mo pag pumapasok ka sa office. Baket?
Wife: Pag may problema ko, kahit gaano kabigat, nawawala kapag nakikita ko ang picture mo.
Husband: Sabi ko na nga ba talagang mahal na mahal mo ko.
Wife: Tinitingnan ko lang ang picture mo tapos sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na WALA NG PROBLEMA NA MAS HIHIGIT PA DITO.

Lola hinoldap.
LOLA: Wala akong pera!
HOLDAPER: Alam ko kung nasan pera mo. (sabay pinasok ang kamay sa bra ni lola)
LOLA: Tuloy mo pa. Me cheke pa sa baba!

Pulis: Bayad ko sa kape, o.
Intsik: Aba, bakit ka bayad?
Pulis: Utos na ni Lacson, wala nang kotong.
Intsik: Aba sige, simula ngayon hindi na ako dura sa kape mo.

WIFE: Hudas ka! lagi kang umuuwing lasing. Naaasar na tuloy ako sa mukha mo.
HUSBAND: Pero mahal, kung hindi ako lasing, ako naman ang maaasar sa mukha mo!

LUCIO TAN: 25% Fillipino, 75% Chinese.
HENRY SY: 20% Fillipino, 80% Chinese.
ERAP: 30% Fillipino, 70% Alcohol.
MANOLING MORATO: 50% Filipino, 50% Filipina.

Sinner: Father, forgive me for I have sinned. I'm sexually preoccupied and often read dirty jokes and graphics from my cellphone.
Priest: My child ... can we be textmates?

Anak: 'Nay, puede na ba akong magbra? Nay, kinse na po ako, puede na ba?
Ina : Hoy! Joselito! tigilan mo nga ako!!!!

Man: Doc, help me uminom ako ng baygon
Doc: Bakit, magsusuicide ka?
Man: Hindi. Nakalunok kasi ako ng buhay na ipis.
Doc: Tanga! Dapat kumain ka na lang ng tsinelas.

Anak: Dear Itay, padalhan mo ako ng pera kasi ang mga damit ko pinagkakain ng mga daga.
Itay: Dear Anak, wala akong pera. Kung gusto mo, meron dito pusa.

Isang babae bumili ng asukal. Inabot ng tindera, pero sabi ng babae,
"Miss, asin itong binigay mo sa akin."
Tindera: Hindi, asukal yan. Minarkahan lang naming "Asin" para hindi langgamin.

Ngongo dictionary:
CATTLE - dun nakatira ang printeta at printipe
MELT - yun ang sinusuot sa mewang
EFFORT - dun nag-la-land ang efflane
STATUE - ikaw ba yan?

ANAK: 'Tay, anong pagkakaiba ng Supper at Dinner?
ITAY: Anak, pagkumain tayo sa labas, Dinner 'yun. Pag dito tayo kakain ng luto ng Mommy mo Suffer yon!!

Maganda daw mapangasawa CANADIAN, kasi pwede mong sabihin:
Maglaba CANADIAN!
Magsaing CANADIAN!
Hubad CANADIAN!
Tuwad CANADIAN!
Ano, okay CANADIAN?

M'AM: Inday, sa susunod, ayokong pinakikialaman mo ang condom namin ng sir mo!
INDAY: M'am, hwag kayong magbibintang! Di kami sanay ni Sir gumamit niyan! Sobra kayo!

MRS: Lolokohin ko mister ko. Magpapanggap akong pick-up girl ako. Pagkita kay Mister: Hi Pogi! AVAILABLE ako ngayon....
MR: Ayoko sa yo!! Kamukha mo misis ko!!

TRAVEL NOTES FROM DEAN

My permanent room-mate Elena has organized a group of about 20 to tour mainland China, Hong Kong, and Tokyo for two weeks come October. We had this kind of tour back in 1984 with a different group of friends. Besides the two of us, the group will include our older daughter Nancy and her younger son Rex, our younger daughter Lulu and her husband, and her husband’s sister. As usual in the return trip, luggage will be heavier because of irrepressible impulse shopping round and round in Hong Kong stores by the women (yeah, men too!).

This itch for travel abroad started when we went to Mexico in 1976. It was as fascinating as first love. So, we followed it up with tours to the Orient in 1978, Western Europe four times in the 80’s and 90’s, and the Scandinavian countries in the 90’s. One reason for this frequent globe-trotting is the encouragement given up by our children. They told us not to think of leaving them our inheritance, and instead spend our money on travels. Another reason is we are getting old, and as the saying goes: “Make hay while the sun shines.” These travels have become what fairy tales are to a child. This reminds me of the opening lines of a Frank Sinatra son: “Fairy tales can come true, it may happen to you if you’re young at heart.”

Some relatives and friends ask us this nagging question: “Are you going back to the Philippines to spend the rest of your lives in old age?” Unhesitatingly, we reply with a resounding “NO!” When we left the Philippines to immigrate, we had already decided to make America our new home and be buried in American soil. We had burned the bridges behind us. We have bought burial plots in a beautiful cemetery about 12 minutes drive from our house. There is no iota of regrets for sticking it out here in the U.S. The reason? Not to deride the country where we were born, but in there we cannot have as much comforts of California lifestyle that we presently enjoy. California has a variety of geographical features: mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, ocean, and deserts. Among the 50 states, California ranks first in population and third in area after Alaska and Texas. If California were a country, it would be the seventh richest in the world!

Los Angeles, 26 June 1998

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

"3" Steps. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.

2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. ... It is sunny out today)

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call paramedics immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE, you could save their lives.

LADIES BEWARE!

Through a rapist's eyes!
A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1] The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2] The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to cut clothing.

3] They also look for women using their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.

4] The number one place women are abducted from / attacked at is grocery store parking lots.

5] Number two is office parking lots/garages.

6] Number three is public restrooms.

7] The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

8] If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9] These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands.

10] Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

POINTS THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER:

1] If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: can't believe it is so cold out here, we're in for a bad winter. Now that you've seen their faces and could identify them in a line- up, you lose appeal as a target.

2] If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

3] If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

4] If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can do it by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker, either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh - HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it really hurts.

5] After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause him a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, and he's out of there.

6] When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

7] Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it. Go with your instincts. You may feel little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

FINALLY, PLEASE REMEMBER THESE AS WELL ...

I know you are smart enough to know these pointers but there will be some, where you will go "hmm I must remember that" After reading, forward it to someone you care about, never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it.

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans: if a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU CLOSE the DOORS, LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: a. Be aware: look around your car as someone may be hiding at the passenger side, peek into your car, inside the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. (DO THIS TOO BEFORE RIDING A TAXI CAB). b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Paste and send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better safe than sorry.

BABIES ON THE BEACH - ITALIAN RIVIERA, JULY 2006

FOODS THAT HEAL

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV) -- For 2 years to 11 years old, 1 tbsp. 2x a day. For 12 years old to adult, take 2 tbsp. in the morning and 2 tbsp. at night. Mix ACV in a glass of water or juice with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey. Honey will neutralize the sourness or acidity of the ACV. HONEY IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO DIABETICS. ACV may also be taken in small amount initially gradually increasing the dosage to 2 tbsp. 2x a day... ACV will dissolve the fats in your arteries and internal organs. It is rich in POTASSIUM which is to the soft tissues of the body as calcium is to the bones and harder tissues. With unwanted fats, excess uric acid and bad cholesterol dissolved and flushed out of your system, you will never have to worry about HYPERTENSION. Your blood pressure will normalize... DRINK ACV DAILY. IT IS YOUR BEST NATURAL MEDICINE AGAINST ALL KINDS OF SICKNESSES. BECAUSE ACV IS A POWERFUL CLEANSING and HEALING ELIXIR - A NATURALLY OCCURRING ANTIBIOTIC and ANTISEPTIC THAT FIGHT GERMS and BACTERIA -- FOR A HEALTHIER, STRONGER and LONGER LIFE... BRAGG" brand organic ACV is the best or any other ORGANIC brand is OK. Available only in big supermarkets, vinegar section and health stores. **DRINK ACV FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.... ACV in CAPSULE form is NOT EFFECTIVE.

*** Internal Benefits... helps strengthen the heart, normalize blood pressure, prevent heart attacks and strokes, lower bad cholesterol.... helps fight arthritis and rheumatism and remove acid crystals and toxins from joints, tissue and organs....helps fight kidney and bladder problems and helps shrink enlarged prostate....helps maintain a youthful, vibrant body and retard aging... helps fight germs and bacteria naturally and lessen asthma attacks... helps regulate calcium metabolism... helps regulate women's menstruation... helps digestion and assimilation for easier bowel movements... helps relieve sore throat, laryngitis by gargling with 2 parts ACV and 1 part water.

*** External Benefits... Apply directly to affected area either with pure ACV or diluted with water. Helps treat scabies, psoriasis, itching scalp, dry hair, dandruff, diaper rash, itch, athlete's foot, eczema bee stings, insect bites, cuts, abrasions, etc.....

DRINK VEGETABLE/FRUIT COMBINATION JUICE DAILY --- Remove all seeds and with little water, blend the following: 1/2 ampalaya (bitter cucumber), 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1 green or red apple, 3 stalks of celery, and 2 to 3 pieces of GARLIC. Please remove the skin of cucumber and apple before blending them. While you have to wash thoroughly or soak for 15 to 20 minutes the rest with a mix solution of 3 parts water and 1 part CANE vinegar. DRINK THE VEGETABLES/ FRUIT JUICE DAILY IN AN EMPTY STOMACH (early morning). May drink this juice 2x daily if your health is really in bad shape. This juice combination is the BEST FOOD of our CELLS. It will flush out salt, EXCESS SUGAR and other toxins in the body. If you can help it, PLEASE DON'T EAT BREAKFAST, the fiber of the vegetable/fruit is more than enough to keep you full.

I personally don't eat breakfast, at lunch, only fruits and water. Managed to train my stomach to just eat just (one) 1 meal daily. Lost 35 lbs. in 6 months from 195 lbs., now I am down to 160 lbs. FOOD IS NOT SYNONYMOUS TO NUTRITION. Worst, if you eat the wrong foods... just like me, all my children and my wife drink ACV and VEGETABLE JUICE daily. KUTCHAY JUICE --- Looks like onion leaves, though smaller in size, FLAT not hollow like a straw and at times with white flowers at the end of its plants. It is the direct descendant of garlic plants. 1 bundle of kutchay leaves is equivalent to 35 to 40 plants, or circle your thumb and forefinger. That's the equivalent of 1 bundle of kutchay leaves. Blend with 1.2 liters of water plus 3 to 4 pieces of garlic. Transfer to a 1.5 liter soft drinks bottle then refrigerate. Shake, then drink 1 glass in an empty stomach for at least 2 months to flush out all kinds of toxin in the body. Will flush out kidney stones and gall bladder stones and will clean the liver, pancreas and blood of excess sugar.

PINEAPPLE (1/8 TO 1/4), 2 TO 3 PIECES OF TOMATOES PLUS 2 TO 3 PIECES OF GARLIC - Is a powerful juice combo that contains over 10,000 phytochemicals to fight cancer. The manganese in the pineapple can prevent bone fracture and osteoporosis... Tomatoes are for iron deficiency.

WATERMELON and COCONUT JUICE FLUSH. For 3 to 4 days every month, to help fight kidney and bladder problems.

ROOT CROP JUICE COMBINATIONS - 1/2 beets, 1/2 carrots, 1/2 potatoes, 1/2 radish (small), and 1/2 sweet potatoes. Drinking the root crop juice regularly every 45 - 60 days and FASTING will reduce the incidence of CANCERS of the BREAST, COLON, RECTUM, PANCREAS and PROSTATE… ROOT CROP JUICE IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ENLARGED GOITER OR THYROID GLAND.

GARLIC (blend and ref) - Contains good amount of vitamin C and B6, plus potassium, selenium phosphorous, etc., protect against cancer, especially in the stomach, colon and rectum. It is also the herb that lowers cholesterol. No other medicinal plant is more effective in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Eating garlic regularly decreases serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Blend and refrigerate. Take 1-2 tbsp. with water at least once a day.

BLEND ONIONS and refrigerate --- Drink 1 to 2 tablespoon mix in a glass of water 2 - 3x daily. Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid that can disarm many potential cancer-causing agents. It is also good for the liver and to cure HYPERACIDITY and ULCERS brought about by the wrong foods that we eat, the side effects of medications, milk, softdrinks, choco, ice cream etc.

CABBAGE --- Eat plenty of raw cabbage. Cabbage will also cure HYPERACIDITY and ULCERS. Wash or soak cabbage or anything that you eat raw or before cooking with CANE and water solution for health and safety reasons.

GINGER TEA instead of coffee - Skin ginger and chop them into small pieces and blend with little water then refrigerate. Drink 1 to 2 tablespoon of blended ginger with hot water. Ginger like garlic and onions, helps to thin the blood and prevent unwanted, possibly dangerous blood clots that can trigger heart attacks and strokes. It also helps to prevent motion sickness.

CANE VINEGAR for cooking, fruits and vegetable. Wash them for health and safety reasons.

GOOD SOURCE OF IRON --- tomatoes, pineapple, corn, okra, parsley, sprouts, raw squash, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, horse radish, carrots, and guava.

GOOD SOURCE OF CALCIUM --- orange, papaya, oatmeal, raisins, beans, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, prunes, spinach, soybeans, soymilk, tofu and okra.

REFRAIN FROM EATING THE FF: PURINE - THE MOTHER OF URIC ACID -- meat, meat extract, pork, beef, skin & dark meat of chicken, peas, beans, nuts, asparagus, alcohol, coffee, sugar, kidneys, liver, sardines, anchovies, cheese, eggs, milk and dairy products.

8 to 12 GLASSES OF WATER --- DISTILLED is the best, REVERSE OSMOSIS 2nd and DEIONIZED WATER 3rd -- Please don't be fooled by the mineral water distillers, that mineral water is good for the body. Mineral water from the springs or mountains is just like deep well water. It contains lots of INORGANIC MINERALS that cannot be digested and is harmful to the health. The water purifier we normally use at home is not enough to filter out the inorganic, bacteria, and germs from the water. Play it safe. Install a steam water distiller (will cost you a lot in electric bill) or reverse osmosis purifier (this is what we are using at home). Or BOIL water before drinking.

A GOOD SAMARITAN...

A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door.
"Hurry," she said, "stand in the corner." She rubbed baby oil all over him, then dusted him with talcum powder.
"Don't move until I tell you," she said, "pretend you're a statue."
"What's this?" the husband inquired as he entered the room.
"Oh it's a statue," she replied, "the Smiths bought one and I liked it so I got one for us, too."
No more was said, not even when they went to bed. Around 2 AM the husband got up, went to the kitchen and returned with a sandwich and a beer.
"Here," he said to the statue, have this. I stood like that for two days at the Smiths and nobody offered me a damned thing."

MOMENTS IN LIFE

There are moments in life when you miss someone
so much that you just want to pick them from
your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often times we look so long at the
closed door that we don't see the one,
which has been opened for us

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream;
Go where you want to go;
Be what you want to be,
because you have only one life
and one chance to do all the things
you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human and
enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always
be based on a forgotten past;
you can't go forward in life until
you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end,
you're the one who is smiling and everyone
around you is crying.

Please send this message to those people
who mean something to you;
to those who have touched your life in one way or another;
to those who make you smile when you really need it;
to those who make you see the
brighter side of things when you are really down;
to those whose friendship you appreciate;
to those who are so meaningful in your life.

Don't count the years - count the memories!

AN AFTERNOON OF SACRED MUSIC - BRUSSELS, 28 JUNE 2006

At 2:00 p.m. on June 28, 2006, twenty-two students from Wallace High School of Northern Ireland gave a concert of sacred music in Gaelic and Latin at the Cathedral of Saint Michel and Saint Gudule in Brussels, Belgium under the direction of David Falconer, the conductor. The group will also perform in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven.

A LESSON OF LOVE

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.

Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the garden behind the Minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.

He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?"

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg He lay there trying to gather himself as the Minister came running to help him.

Although the Minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.

"Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the Minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

"Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle and started to water again. Confused and a little concerned, the Minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"
"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately," came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the Minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before, their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time, they didn't rob him.

They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth-giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.

As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

"Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.

"What's this?" Carl asked. "It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."

"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you.

We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say.

"That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.

Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

Carl died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular, the Minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know, sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The Minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the Minister's office door. Opening the door, the Minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer.

"I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.

The Minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the Minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.

One day, he approached the new Minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."

"Well, congratulations!" said the Minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"

"Carl," he replied.

That's the whole gospel message simply stated.

Take 60 seconds, give this a shot! All you do is:
1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this, (Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day!)

2. Then copy-paste and send it on to other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!

The following message has been circulating for some years now and I'm still receiving it in my mailbox, plus in other languages. The first time I got it, I thought it was so genuine that I sent it to a lot of people I didn't even know in order to see how much money I'd be able to get from Bill Gates. Unfortunately, I haven't received yet a single cent up to this moment.

quote

This thing is for real. Rest assured AOL and Intel will follow through with their promises for fear of facing a multimillion-dollar class action suit similar to the one filed by PepsiCo against General Electric not too long ago.

Dear Friends; Please do not take this for a junk letter. Bill Gates sharing his fortune. If you ignore this, you will repent later. Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet companies and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the most widely used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an e-mail beta test.

When you forward this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and will track it (if you are a Microsoft Windows user) For a two weeks time period.

For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will pay you $245.00 For every person that you sent it to that forwards it on, Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every third person that receives it, You will be paid $241.00. Within two weeks, Microsoft will contact you for your address and then send you a check.

Regards. Charles S Bailey General Manager Field Operations
1-800-842-2332 Ext. 1085 or 904-1085 or RNX

292-1085 Charles_Bailey@csx.com Charles_bailey@csx.com

I thought this was a scam myself, But two weeks after receiving this e-mail and forwarding it on. Microsoft contacted me for my address and within days, I receive a check for $24,800.00. You need to respond before the beta testing is over. If anyone can afford this, Bill gates is the man.

It's all marketing expense to him. Please forward this to as many people as possible. You are bound to get at least $10,000.00. We're not going to help them out with their e-mail beta test without getting a little something for our time. My brother's girlfriend got in on this a few months ago when I went to visit him for the Baylor/UT game. She showed me her check. It was for the sum of $4,324.44 and was stamped "Paid in full"

Like I said before, I know the law, and this is for real.

Intel and AOL are now discussing a merger which would make them the largest Internet company and in an effort make sure that AOL remains the most widely used program, Intel and AOL are running an e-mail beta test.

When you forward this e-mail to friends, Intel can and will track it (if you are a Microsoft Windows user) for a two week time period.

Try it; what have you got to lose

unquote

NOT THIS TIME!

A middle-aged couple had two beautiful daughters but always talked about having a son. They decided to try one last time for the son they always wanted.

The wife got pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy.

The joyful father rushed to the nursery to see his new son.

He was horrified at the ugliest child he had ever seen.

He told his wife: "There's no way I can be the father of this baby. Look at the two beautiful daughters I fathered! Have you been fooling around behind my back?"

The wife smiled sweetly and replied: "Not this time!"

MISTAKES YOU DON'T MAKE TWICE...

A man staggers into an emergency room with a concussion, multiple bruises, two black eyes and a five iron wrapped around his neck.

Naturally, the doctor asks him what happened.

“Well,” the man says, “It’s like this: I was playing a quiet round of golf with my wife when at a difficult hole, we both sliced our balls into a pasture of cows.

We went to look for them, and while I was rooting around, I noticed one of the cows had something white on its rear end. I walked over the lifted the tail, and sure enough, there was a golf ball with my wife’s monogram on it—stuck right in the middle of the cow’s butt.

That’s when I made my big mistake.

“What did you do?” the doctors asks.

“Well.” the man replies, “I lifted the cow’s tail and yelled to my wife: Hey, this looks like yours!”

“I don’t remember much after that!”

FOOD AS MEDICINE

HEADACHE? EAT FISH!
Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches.
So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.

HAY FEVER? EAT YOGURT!
Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season.
Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily.

INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?) HONEY!
Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!!
Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. (When I was young, my mother would make onion packs to place on our chest, helped the respiratory ailments and actually made us breathe better).

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!!
Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (Fish has omega oils, good for our immune system)

UPSET STOMACH? BANANAS - GINGER!!!!!
Bananas will settle an upset stomach.
Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!!
High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!!
Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME? EAT CORNFLAKES!!!!
Women can ward off the effects of PMS with cornflakes, which help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue.

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS!
Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC!
Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (Remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too.)

COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!!
A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy.

BREAST CANCER? EAT WHEAT, BRAN AND CABBAGE
Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE VEGGIES!!!
A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!!!
Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

DIARRHEA? EAT APPLES!
Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are good for this ailment)

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO!
Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!!
Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure.
Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!!
The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you… they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young........blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field........they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C & Potassium. (Watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn UV rays)

Guava & Papaya: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation.
Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes. (Also good for gas and indigestion)

Tomatoes are very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies.

INVITATION TO SUMMER HANDREADING WORKSHOPS, JULY-AUGUST 2006

You’re all cordially invited to a series of free and informal handreading workshops conducted in English, French and Italian on the Italian Riviera by the Adriatic between July and August 2006.

If ever you’re vacationing or passing through the area, please don’t hesitate to drop by. Come one, come all!

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE, BRUSSELS - 24 JUNE 2006