Fish Pie

Fish is versatile and nutritious. You can steam, poach, bake, fry, grill, or even eat it raw(like cervichi/kinilaw/sashimi). Like meat, it is high in protein. When buying fish, look for firm and a fresh smell, red gills and bright eyes.

If fish is to be poached (like the recipe below), it should be in a well-flavored stock.

FISH PIE

Preheat oven to 180C / 340F

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled
butter
milk
dash of pepper

500g white fish fillet (cod, haddock) (to be cooked in the poaching stock)
37g flour
2 eggs, harboiled
25g grated parmesan cheese

Boil potatoes until tender, drain and mash with a little butter, pepper and pepper. Set aside.

For the Poaching Stock

dash of black pepper
500 ml milk
1 onion, quartered
1 stick celery (optional)
1 bay leaf
pinch nutmeg
8 peppercorns
Combine the ingredients in a pan. Bring to boil place fish fillet for 5 minutes until fish is cook. Remove the fish and flake it and place in a casserole.

Save the soup stock. Add flour, pinch of salt and mix well (you can also use Bechamel Sauce instead)

In a casserole, arrange the fish slakes, top with sliced hardboiled eggs, cover with the mashed potatoes, spreading it evenly. Sprinke with grated parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes until crisp or golden brown.

Single Woman with Cancer

This is an informative article published by the American Cancer Society. As a cancer survivor, I went through the same situation although I have not had any chemo or radiation.

The Single Woman with Cancer
Getting through cancer treatment can be really tough for a single woman. You may not have a friend or family member who can be there for you like a spouse. Perhaps you also worry how a current or future partner will react when they discover you’ve had cancer.

Some of the scars left by cancer are public. These include the loss of hair during chemotherapy, the loss of a limb, or facial disfigurement. Others cannot be seen by a casual onlooker. For example, nobody would guess that a woman on the street has had a mastectomy. These private scars can be just as painful, though, since the few people who do see them are the ones whose acceptance matters most.

Perhaps the most private scar left by cancer is the damage done to your view of yourself. You may be wondering about how active you can remain and even how long you will live. If you had hoped to marry or to remarry, you may not want to involve a prospective partner in such an uncertain future.

Concerns about having children can also affect your new relationships. Perhaps you are no longer fertile because of cancer treatment. Maybe you can still have children but fear that cancer will not give you time to see your child grow up. Maybe you are worried about their future.
When dating, women or men who have had cancer often avoid talking about their illness. At a time when closeness is so important, it seems risky to draw a potential lover's attention to your problems. During treatment, you want to appear brave not complain. Even after the cancer has been controlled, you may try to forget that the illness ever took place.

Sometimes you can ignore the cancer. However, when a relationship becomes serious, silence is not the best plan. Before partners decide to make a strong commitment, they should discuss the cancer. This is true especially if the length of your life or fertility has been affected. Otherwise, cancer may become the "skeleton in the closet," or a secret that will limit your ability to confide in your partner. A loving partner needs to accept you as you are.

When to Talk About Your Cancer
It is always a delicate choice when deciding to disclose your cancer history to a new or prospective lover. Ideally, a couple should discuss cancer when a relationship begins to become serious. Try having a talk when you and your partner are relaxed and in an intimate mood. Ask your partner a question that leaves room for many answers. An example is, "You know I had leukemia many years ago. How do you think that might affect our relationship?" You can also reveal your own feelings: "I guess I hesitate to bring up my treatment for cancer because I’m afraid you’d rather be with someone who has not had the disease. It also scares me to remember that time of my life. What are your thoughts or feelings about my having had cancer?"
If you have an ostomy, mastectomy, genital scars, or a ¬sexual problem, you may be concerned about when to tell a new dating partner. There are no hard and fast rules. It is better to wait until you feel a sense of trust and friendship with your partner -- a feeling that you are liked as a total person before thinking about disclosing such personal information.

The Possibility of Rejection
The sad reality is that some potential lovers may reject you because of your cancer treatment. Of course, almost everyone gets rejected at some time. Even without cancer, people reject each other because of looks, beliefs, personality, or their own issues. The tragedy is that some single people with cancer limit themselves by not even trying to date. Instead of focusing on their good points, they convince themselves that no partner would accept them because of the cancer and the effects of treatment. Although you can avoid being rejected by staying at home, you also miss the chance to build a happy healthy relationship.
Here are some ways to help you make decisions about talking about your cancer:
Tell a potential partner about genital scars, an ostomy or sexual problems when you feel that individual already accepts you and likes you for who you are.
Discuss your cancer in depth when a new relationship starts to deepen, especially if you have life expectancy or fertility issues.
Prepare for the possibility of rejection by imagining the worst possible reaction of new potential partners, but don’t let fear of that reaction keep you from pursuing possible relationships that will work.

Improving Your Social Life
Try working on areas of your social life other than dating and sex. Single people can avoid feeling alone by building a network of close friends, casual friends, and family. Make the effort to call friends, plan visits, and share activities. Get involved in a hobby, special interest group, or adult education course that will increase your social circle.
Some volunteer and support groups are geared for people who have faced cancer. You may also want to try some individual or group counseling with a mental health counselor. You can take a more positive view of yourself when you get objective feedback about your strengths from others. Make a list of your good qualities as a mate. What do you like about your looks? What are your good points? What are your special talents and skills? What can you give to your partner in a relationship? What makes you a good sexual partner? Whenever you catch yourself using cancer as an excuse not to date, remind yourself of your assets.
If you feel shy about meeting new people, practice how to handle it. Talk to yourself in the mirror, or ask a close friend or family member to play the part with you.

You can even rehearse how to tell a dating partner about your experience with cancer. What message do you want to give? Try some different ways of saying it, and ask a friend for feedback. Did you come across the way you wanted to? Ask your friend to take the role of a new partner who rejects you because you have had cancer. Have your friend tell you what you dread hearing the most, and practice your response. Can you express your feelings in a dignified and satisfying way?

When you feel some confidence in your self-worth and your ability to handle rejection, you are ready for the real world. Then, when you start to meet people or to date, think of it as part of a learning process rather than a situation demanding instant success.

Cell Phone Tower Dangers

Do you live near cell phone towers? They are called cell sites and we depend on this for clear reception and wide coverage of our cell phones. Are cell phone towers risky or not? Is there a danger of living near cell phone towers? There has been a controversial issue about this. Please read the following articles.

The Cell Phone "Tower of Doom"

Orange mobile phone company agreed to remove its cell phone mast -- dubbed the “Tower of Doom” -- from the top of a five-story London apartment building after seven of its residents got cancer.The cancer rate among those living on the top floor, where residents from five of the eight flats were affected, is 20 percent -- 10 times the national average.The mast, along with a second mast owned by Vodafone, was put up in 1994. Since then, residents have battled cancer, headaches and other health problems they say are caused by radiation from the masts. Three residents have died from cancer, while another four are still fighting the disease.The World Health Organization and other agencies say there is no risk of radiation from cell phone masts, so the companies had no legal obligation to remove the masts.In August 2007, after a long legal battle, Orange agreed to move the mast from the building -- to another area near homes, a public library and a primary school.Vodafone has no plans to remove their mast from the building, and is working on securing a new long-term lease.
Sources:
This Is London August 6, 2007

Cell Phone Towers: How Far is Safe?by Taraka Serrano

Watch BBC report:"EMF Damages Blood Cells, Test Shows"
Watch Sydney TV report:"Brain Tumors and Cell Phones: Are They Linked?"
If you or people you know live within a quarter mile of a cell phone tower, this may be of concern. Two studies, one in Germany and the other in Israel, reveal that living in proximity of a cell phone tower or antenna could put your health at significant risk.
German study: 3 times increased cancer risk
Several doctors living in Southern Germany city of Naila conducted a study to assess the risk of mobile phone radiation. Their researh examined whether population living close to two transmitter antennas installed in 1993 and 1997 in Naila had increased risk of cancer.
Data was gathered from nearly 1,000 patients who had been residing at the same address during the entire observation period of 10 years. The social differences are small, with no ethnic diversity. There is no heavy industry, and in the inner area there are neither high voltage cable nor electric trains. The average ages of the residents are similar in both the inner and outer areas.
What they found is quite telling: the proportion of newly developed cancer cases was three times higher among those who had lived during the past ten years at a distance of up to 400m (about 1300 feet) from the cellular transmitter site, compared to those living further away. They also revealed that the patients fell ill on average 8 years earlier.
Computer simulation and measurements used in the study both show that radiation in the inner area (within 400m) is 100 times higher compared to the outer area, mainly due to additional emissions coming from the secondary lobes of the transmitter.
Looking at only the first 5 years, there was no significant increased risk of getting cancer in the inner area. However, for the period 1999 to 2004, the odds ratio for getting cancer was 3.38 in the inner area compared to the outer area. Breast cancer topped the list, with an average age of 50.8 year compared with 69.9 years in the outer area, but cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased
Israel study: fourfold cancer risk
Another study, this one from Israel's Tel Aviv University, examined 622 people living near a cell-phone transmitter station for 3-7 years who were patients in one clinic in Netanya and compared them against 1,222 control patients from a nearby clinic. Participants were very closely matched in environment, workplace and occupational characteristics. The people in the first group live within a half circle of 350m (1148 feet) radius from the transmitter, which came into service in July 1996.
The results were startling. Out of the 622 exposed patients, 8 cases of different kinds of cancer were diagnosed in a period of just one year (July 1997 to June 1998): 3 cases of breast cancer, one of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymphatic system), osteoid osteoma (bone tumour) and kidney cancer. This compares with 2 per 1 222 in the matched controls of the nearby clinic. The relative risk of cancer was 4.15 for those living near the cell-phone transmitter compared with the entire population of Israel.
Women were more susceptible. As seven out of eight cancer cases were women, the relative cancer rates for females were 10.5 for those living near the transmitter station and 0.6 for the controls relative for the whole town of Netanya. One year after the close of the study, 8 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the microwave exposed area and two in the control area.

Locate the Cell Phone Towers and Antennas Near You
Do you know how many cell phone transmitters are in your neighborhood? You'd be surprised. Visit antennasearch.com to find out where the towers and antennas are in your area and how close they are to your home or place of work. The site will also pinpoint future tower locations, additional helpful information for those considering buying a home.
For clarity, towers are tall structures where antennas are installed. A typical tower may easily hold over 10 antennas for various companies. Antennas, on the other hand, are the actual emitters of signals for various radio services including cellular, paging and others. Antennas are placed on high towers or can be installed by themselves (stand alone) on top of buildings and other structures.
Using where I live as an example, I've located 3 cell phone towers and 22 antennas within a quarter mile from our home, with the closest one at 845 feet.. And this is in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood by the ocean in the small city of Hilo in Hawaii. As you may guess, I did my research only well after we've moved in. Fortunately, we're here on just a lease and we'll be a bit wiser next time we look for a new home.

What to Do If You Live Near a Cell Phone Transmitter

Short of relocating, there are some things you can do to fight the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The Safe Wireless Initiative of the Science and Public Policy Institute in Washington, DC, outlines three levels of intervention in accordance with the public health paradigm that everyone can apply. Here are our suggestions based on these guidelines:
The primary means of intervention is through avoidance or minimizing exposure. This simply means to avoid contact with EMR as much as possible. In case of a cell phone tower close to your home, this could mean using specially formulated RF shield paint, shielding fabric, shielding glass or film for windows, etc. Although they may sound extreme, these measures are a life-saver for someone who suffers from electrosensitivity, a condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms aggravated by electromagnetic fields. (Sweden is the only country so far that recognizes electrosensitivity as a real medical condition, and their government pays for measures to reduce exposure in their homes and workplaces).

The secondary means of intervention is to minimize the effects of exposure. This includes the use of bioenergetic devices that help reduce the effects of EMR, such as pendants, chips or other devices designed to strengthen the biofield of the individual. A biofield is the matrix of weak electromagnetic signals that the body's cells use to communicate with each other. EMR disrupts these signals, causing the cells to eventually shut down and result in build up of toxins and waste products within the cells, including free radicals known to result in cellular dysfunction and interference with DNA repair. A scientifically validated bioenergetic device restores intercellular communications and normal cellular function by strengthening the biofield against the effects of EMR.

The third means of intervention is to help reverse damage caused by exposure.This includes nutritional support such as anti-oxidant supplementation, particularly helpful in countering the effects of free radicals. Supplementing with anti-oxidants SOD, catalase, glutathione, and Coq10 are especially recommended. Microwave radiation has been shown to decrease levels of these anti-oxidants that the body normally produces to protect itself. These levels are sensitive indicators in stress, aging, infections and various other disease states.
(Ref: Safewireless.org article for the cell tower studies. See Dr. Gerald Goldberg's book, "Would You Put Your Head in a Microwave Oven?' for more information regarding nutritional support against RF/microwave radiation.)
(Note: This article is shared for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you believe that you have a health problem, see your doctor or health professional immediately.)
© 2007 Taraka Serrano
Taraka Serrano is a health advocate dedicated to sharing information and solutions relating to serious health issues of our time. Watch video reports on the dangers of cell phone and EMF radiation, and learn more about the right protective solutions for you. Visit EMf-Health.com EMF Protection

Chruch in New Mexico

Church Interior

click photo to enlarge view

A scenic view of a church somewhere in New Mexico. I don't know its name and the exact location. I was there right on the foot of the staircase. I have to find out where this place is. The view was awesome. If my memory was right it was in 1995 when we traveled from El Paso, TX to Carlsbad Cavern, going all the way to Ruidoso and then to Colorado. For many years I have been wondering and looking for the name and location of this place. Thank's to the Internet - my search is over. Finally, I can post the photos in my blog!!!


Yes, after an hour of searching in the internet, I finally found the name of the church. It's called "Saint Joseph Apache Mission" in Mescalero between Almagordo and Ruidoso in New Mexico.

"A little bit of history about the church"

St. Joseph Apache Mission church sits nestled in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains where it stands as a tribute to the faith, patriotism and courage of the people of southern New Mexico.

This inspiring Romanesque church was built to serve the people of the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and has been dedicated as a memorial to veterans who gave their lives in World War I and II.

Through the years St. Joseph Apache Mission has continued to serve the spiritual and communal needs of the Mescalero Apache and surrounding neighbors. You can check their website at www.stjosephmission.org

On Feb. 1, 2005 this church was officially entered in the National Register of Historic Places and on federal list of historic properties. worthy of preservation.

Hongkong Trip

Shopping in Hongkong

Valentine's Day

Memories of a time gone by....

Traces of love

long ago....

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Whether you are looking for it, have found it, or just remembering someone special in your life "Have a wonderful Valentine's Day" !

Chicago

Chicago
Chinatown in Chicago