Chapters of My Memories .

What Is Abuse?
Everyone has heard the songs about how much love can hurt. But that doesn’t mean physical harm: Someone who loves you should never abuse you. Healthy relationships involve respect, trust, and consideration for the other person.

Sadly, though, lots of relationships turn abusive. In fact, 1 in 11 high school students report being physically hurt by a date.

Abuse can sometimes be mistaken for intense feelings of caring or concern. It can even seem flattering. Think of a friend whose boyfriend or girlfriend is insanely jealous: Maybe it seems like your friend’s partner really cares about him or her. But actually, excessive jealousy and controlling behavior are not signs of affection at all. Love involves respect and trust; it doesn’t mean constantly worrying about the possible end of the relationship.

Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual. Slapping, hitting, and kicking are forms of physical abuse that can occur in both romances and friendships.

Emotional abuse (stuff like teasing, bullying, and humiliating others) can be difficult to recognize because it doesn’t leave any visible scars. Threats, intimidation, putdowns, and betrayal are all harmful forms of emotional abuse that can really hurt — not just during the time it’s happening, but long after too.

Sexual abuse can happen to anyone, guy or girl. It’s never right to be forced into any type of sexual experience that you don’t want.

The first step in getting out of an abusive relationship is to realize that you have the right to be treated with respect and not be physically or emotionally harmed by another person.

Signs of an Abusive Relationships
Important warning signs that you may be involved in an abusive relationship include when someone:

harms you physically in any way, including slapping, pushing, grabbing, shaking, smacking, kicking, and punching tries to control different aspects of your life, such as how you dress, who you hang out with, and what you say frequently humiliates you or making you feel unworthy (for example, if a partner puts you down but tells you that he or she loves you)
coerces or threatens to harm you, or self-harm, if you leave the relationship
twists the truth to make you feel you are to blame for your partner’s actions
demands to know where you are at all times constantly becomes jealous or angry when you want to spend time with your friends

Unwanted sexual advances that make you uncomfortable are also red flags that the relationship needs to focus more on respect. When someone says stuff like “If you loved me, you would . . . ” that’s also a warning of possible abuse. A statement like this is controlling and is used by people who are only concerned about getting what they want — not caring about what you want. Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Signs That a Friend Is Being Abused
In addition to the signs listed above, here are some signs a friend might be being abused by a partner:
unexplained bruises, broken bones, sprains, or marks
excessive guilt or shame for no apparent reason
secrecy or withdrawal from friends and family
avoidance of school or social events with excuses that don’t seem to make any sense

A person who is being abused needs someone to hear and believe him or her. Maybe your friend is afraid to tell a parent because that will bring pressure to end the relationship. People who are abused often feel like it’s their fault — that they “asked for it” or that they don’t deserve any better. But abuse is never deserved. Help your friend understand that it is not his or her fault. Your friend is not a bad person. The person who is being abusive has a serious problem and needs professional help.

A friend who is being abused needs your patience, love, and understanding. Your friend also needs your encouragement to get help immediately from an adult, such as a parent or guidance counselor. Most of all, your friend needs you to listen without judging. It takes a lot of courage to admit being abused; let your friend know that you’re offering your full support.

How You Can Help Yourself
What should you do if you are suffering from any type of abuse? If you think you love someone but often feel afraid, it’s time to get out of the relationship — fast. You’re worth being treated with respect and you can get help.

First, make sure you’re safe. A trusted adult can help. If the person has physically attacked you, don’t wait to get medical attention or to call the police. Assault is illegal, and so is rape — even if it’s done by someone you are dating.

Avoid the tendency to isolate yourself from your friends and family. You might feel like you have nowhere to turn, or you might be embarrassed about what’s been going on, but this is when you need support most. People like counselors, doctors, teachers, coaches, and friends will want to help you, so let them.

Don’t rely on yourself alone to get out of the situation. Friends and family who love and care about you can help you break away. It’s important to know that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It actually shows that you have a lot of courage and are willing to stand up for yourself.

Where to Get Help
Ending abuse and violence in teen relationships is a community effort with plenty of people ready to help. Your local phone book will list crisis centers, teen help lines, and abuse hotlines. These organizations have professionally trained staff to listen, understand, and help. In addition, religious leaders, school nurses, teachers, school counselors, doctors, and other health professionals can be sources of support and information.

You can also get involved at a school or community level as an advocate to help prevent future dating abuse. One example of a school-based program is Safe Dates. Talk to your school guidance counselor about starting a group or other ways to get involved in making sure dating abuse doesn’t happen to people in your school.

Abuse has no place in love.

Reviewed by: Michelle New, PhD
Date reviewed: November 2007

Finally I’m back home for a break. The last time I went back Penang is during Chinese New Year and I didn’t haf the time to meet up with my friends or go anywhere at all. Most of the time i was at home with my family and relatives.

Penang is much different now compared to last time. I didn’t knew it change so much! Lots of new buildings and restaurants. But sadly my this trip is kinda rush and i can only make it to go out on Friday nite and Saturday. My sunday i woke up very late cuz i went clubbing with my girls on Saturday nite. Im supposed to meet up with Emily for lunch on Sunday at a new restaurant which looks like a jail but when i woke up, my mom already cook Curry Fish Head and Tiger Prawnsss =D toooo bad lar.. had to cancel my jail lunch and postponed it to my next trip. And now, I’m gonna try my best to go back more often. I miss my girls back home =(

And, this is my lovely pink room =)

Yah, my mom knows i loves this pink bedsheet very very much and she will always put this bedsheet whenever i’m home =)

This is my notice board. I’ll pin up anything that I wanna remember. Such as my Baby Card which when I was born, the nurse will clip this card on my little bed so she knows this baby belongs to who, Pussycat dolls concert ticket and some pics..

2nd : Emily and I in KL few years back.

This section is above my bed, I stick all my friends and family pics.. People that I will remember always =)

Meet up with Emily in Gurney Plaza while waiting for Eeva to finish work. Had lunch in Manila Place and the funny thing is that, I’m back in Penang and I’m eating Spaghetti Cabonara instead of hawker’s food. Yah, I regret already.

This is Baby Itchy. Eeva’s dog. Very irritating and hyper active !

Clubbing with my girls, Emily couldnt make it because that night is both of her friend’s birthday party. Well, I wish you were here with us too! Hopefully the next trip everyone is free =)

Ahhhh.. this is the only thing that I will never missed out whenever I’m back in Penang. The Koey Teow Basah !!!!! =D

Loves,
Ann

I came across this article of this medication while i was browsing around my customer’s website and i think maybe I should share with some of you here. At least it might change your mind before you decide to take this medication.

What is CHAMPIX?
CHAMPIX is a tablet containing the active substance varenicline. Tables containing 0.5mg varenicline are white, those that contain 1.0mg are pale blue.

What is CHAMPIX used for?
CHAMPIX is used in adults to help them stop smoking.The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

How is CHAMPIX used?
CHAMPIX should be used by smokers who are motivated to stop smoking, and who are also receiving additional advice and support. Patients should first set a date when they will stop. Then they begin treatment with CHAMPIX 1 to 2 weeks before that date. Treatment starts with one 0.5mg tablet daily for 3 days, this is followed by a further 4 days where the patient takes one 0.5mg tablet twice daily. From then on, the patient takes one 1 mg tablet twice daily until the end of treatment (12 weeks). A special pack with the correct quantities of both strengths of tables is available when initiating treatment. The dose may be reduced to 0.5mg twice a day in patients who do not tolerate the 1 mg twice daily dose. Patients who have severe problems with their kidneys should take CHAMPIX as 1 mg once daily. At the end of the 12 weeks, in patients who stopped smoking, doctors may choose to carry on treatment for another 12 weeks. They may also decide to stop the medicine progressively (’tapering’).
The tablets are swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food.

How does CHAMPIX work?
People who smoke become addicted to nicotine, a chemical in tobacco. Nicotine acts in the nervous system, where it binds to receptors and triggers the release of a chemical messenger, dopamine, which plays a part in the pleasure derived from smoking.

What is the risk associated with CHAMPIX?
The most common side-effects (seen in more than 1 patient in 10) are nausea (feeling sick), insomnia (difficulty sleeping), abnormal dreams and headache. For the full list of all side effects reported with CHAMPIX, see the Package Leaftlet.
CHAMPIX should not be used in people who may be hypersensitive (allergic) to varenicline or any of the other ingredients.

And this is the article after that.

What is Champix?
Champix contains the active substance varenicline. It is available as tablets, which are used in adults to help them stop smoking.

Champix has been authorised by the European Commission in September 2006 and is marketed within the European Union in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxemborg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It is also authorised and marketed in Iceland and Norway.

What is the issue with Champix safety?
There have been reports of ’suicidal ideation‘ (thinking of committing suicide) and suicide attempts in people taking Champix. It is very difficult to know if this is due to Champix, as the act of stopping smoking itself can make people depressed, especially if they already have a mental health problem. Depression is often associated with a suicidal thoughts.

What action is the EMEA taking?
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is reviewing the reports it has received on patients who have developed suicidal ideation or attempted suicide while taking CHAMPIX. The committee for the Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) and its Pharmacovigilance Working Party discussed the available information and its impact on the use of Champix during their December 2007 meetings. The noted that the product information for Champix currently does not contain any warning about suicidal thoughts.

What are the consequences of the EMEA’s action for patients and doctors?

• Doctors are already aware of the risk of using Champix in patients who have an underlying mental illness. They also need to be aware of the possibility that patients who are trying to stop smoking can develop symptoms of depression, and they should advise their patients accordingly.
• Patients who are taking Champix and develop suicidal thoughts should stop their treatment and contact their doctor immediately.

London, 14 December 2007

Doc. Ref. EMEA/595658/2007

Went for consultant for my nail this morning at Gleneagles Medical Centre with my sis. I had problem with my right hand’s middle finger nail since i was in air asia and i didn’t even bother about it and until now its totally horrible. You can see it later in this post .. but luckily the doctor didn’t suggest to pull the whole nail out cuz I’m really afraid of it. I just need to take Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids) capsules and apply the ointment. He did suggest for an injection which he said is very painful, into my skin underneath the nail and NO! NO INJECTION MAN! But the injection would heal Psoriasis faster.. but nevermind lar.. I’m not in a rush anyways =)

my nail, the doctor draw and explain the condition of my nail..

the notes about my nail problem. written by my doctor =)

Psoriasis can affect any part of the body!

There! My horrible nail..

My case is called PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition which causes rapid multiplication of skin cells leading to abnormal thickening of the outer layers of the skin and scaling. It is not contagious, not infectious and not a result of bad hygiene.

How to we handle Psoriasis

• Do use treatments regularly as directed.
• Do keep skin moist as this will help reduce itching and scaling.
• Do protect the skin against scratches and cut as this may cause the psoriasis to flare up at the site of injury.
• Do remember that the sun may help the psoriasis but be careful not to burn.
• Don’t scratch the plaques as this may damage the skin and actually worsen psoriasis. (Err..i did)
• Don’t give up treatments too soon as it may take a few weeks for some of them to work.
• Don’t indulge in self-pity and avoid people. Psoriasis is not evil. Learn to accept it as a part and parcel of life. ( Yah man! =D )

What can aggravate Psoriasis

• Infections
• Injury
• Scratching
• Dryness of the skin
• Hormonal Changes (eg. Childbirth)
• Certain Medications (eh. beta-blockers)
• Climate
• Chemical Irritation
• Stress *Yes la boss, I’m very stressss =(
• Alcohol *Hmmmm.. ohh okiess. No more happy hours. But once in awhile is still fine =)

Have to apply this ointment twice a day and then wrap it up!

Diet and nutritional supplement, will they play a role in the management of psoriasis? Until now, this is still quite a grey area because not much is known.

As most of us know, psoriasis is a multi-factorial disease. Factors that might have contributed to one’s onset of or relapse of psoriasis are:

1. Generic
2. Infectious
3. Drugs
4. Injury
5. Stress
6. Hormonal Changes
7. Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking may be associated with the rush of developing psoriasis, while excess alcohol consumption may actually worsen the condition.

Here are some nutritional supplements which are now available. Are they of value in psoriasis?

1. Vitamins- unproven (at this stage it is not proven as to vitamins will be of value to psoriasis)
2. Red leaf clover- here say (these are claimed to be a cure for psoriasis, but to date we do not have a “cure” for psoriasis, you can control it quite well.)
3. Probiotics- here say (these are supplementation of the gut bacteria. One needs the gut bacteria to be healthy, but as far as psoriasis is concerned, it has no definite proof.)
4. Barley green/ Spirulina- here say
5. Juice Plus- here say (this are fruits and vegetable extracts)
6. Niwa Time- here say (this is a food supplement founded by a Japanese professor. It is very expensive, but yet there is not enough proof)
7. Enrich- here say
8. Fish oil- There are open studies and a few, small double-blind controlled studies that suggested fish oil may benefit. The duration of studies were 6 to 8 weeks. But the benefit is not fantastic.

The recommended diet for psoriasis is thus:

• Take more fatty fish 3 to 4 times a week, or fish oil supplements (EPA, DCHA)
• Cut down on animal fats, corn oils, sunflower oils in food, and also steam or bake your food, rather than fry. *Sigh, i love fried food and animal fats =D
• Increase intake of fresh fruits and raw vegetables (especially vitamin A- rich ones) *WHAT?! I HATE VEGES! I only take Broccoli and Cabbage and for fruits i only take watermelon, pomelo and honeydew. Sigh, It’s gonna be bad.

Written by Dr. Yee Kim Chye

Consultant Dermatologist at Tung Shin Hospital & Gleneagles Medical Centre

20th March 1999.

” Your diet is something you can change. You can change your life to be better by improving your nutrition because the basic of health is a healthy cell, and cells need nutrients. “

OMG. I found this and it’s so BEAUTIFUL! Seriously, you don’t need to give me an engagement ring to marry me, just give me this necklace and i will say ” I do !!!!!!!!!! AND I REALLY DO! “

It’s nicer than a wedding ring ! Hmmm.. wait… NO. I mean this for engagement only but on the wedding itself.. DIAMOND RING of cuz! if not i straight divorce you !

This Diamond Pacifier is by CustomLabels4u

Exclusive line of custom Diamond Pacifiers, the newest trend in celebrity baby gifting. Their sparkly Diamond Pacifier feature over 278 pave cut white diamonds totaling 3 carats with a 14K European White Gold.

And the price for this Diamond Pacifier is… hehheee very nice price..

17,000.00 USD !

which is

RM 54,935.50!!

I loves pacifiers since i was a kid and till now but obviously i dont suck it anymore la! I’ve been looking ups and downs for pacifier necklace, bracelets or even keychains but its really hard unless its custom made. I did custom made a pacifier hp hanger before and it’s lost.Damn ccb. My girlfriend Emily went to Africa few years back and she bought me a sweet of a Pacifier shape and until today it’s still with me. Not open.

You can give it as a present to your friend’s who is gonna be a mother soon or even to your little newborn niece. Please buy together with me.. I really love this crystal pacifier =(

For the Crystal Pacifier itself its only about RM12 each but the shipping i cant confirm yet because they don’t ship to Malaysia, only US and Canada only. So i will ask them send to my friend in US and she will then send to Malaysia for me. Once i have enough order for this, i’ll then look up the shipping matter. EMAIL ME AND PLACE THE ORDER NOW !! =D

Thanks =)

Joanne Hng

juzannies@hotmail.com

UPDATE!!

*2 Crystal Pacifier for Elaine Chew! (Thanks babe!)

1. Men are like – Laxatives – They irritate the shit out of you.

2. Men are like – Bananas – The older they get, the less firm they are.

3. Men are like – Weather – Nothing can be done to change them.

4. Men are like – Blenders – You need One, but you’re not quite sure why.

5. Men are like – Chocolate Bars – Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.

6. Men are like – Commercials – You can’t believe a word they say.

7. Men are like – Department Stores – Their clothes are always 1/2 off.

8. Men are like – Government Bonds – They take soooooooo long to mature.

9. Men are like – Mascara – They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

10. Men are like – Popcorn – They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

11. Men are like – Snowstorms – You never know when they’re coming, how many inches you’ll get or how long it will last.

12. Men are like – Lava Lamps – Fun to look at, but not very bright.

13. Men are like – Parking Spots – All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

There are days when I feel the same way too.. (Shhh.. don’t tell my boss pls! )