met.al: [met-l] noun, verb, -aled, -al.ing or (especially British) -alled, -al.ling. –noun

1. any of a class of elementary substances, as gold, silver, or copper, all of which are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.

“You see metals every day. Aluminum foil is a metal. Gold and silver are metals. If someone asks you whether an element is a metal, metalloid, or non-metal and you don’t know the answer, guess that it’s a metal.”

I chose Chemistry 101 for this week’s theme, that of the purest state of metals categorized under the periodic table of elements. Anybody still remember this from Junior High? We had to memorize the entire table along with its atomic symbol, atomic number and its atomic mass- all 103 at that time (I think!). As of 2006, there are now 117 elements. Glad I’m past memorization and I can just google everything! Yay!

According to this photo:

“Chemical elements (comprising the metals and non-metals) are the building blocks of everything. The Sun and stars, the silicon chips in our computers, and all the cells in our bodies are collection of elements.”

It’s kinda hard to imagine that our bodies are made up of metals, isn’t it? It’s because when we think of metals- we think of hard objects, coins, copper, iron, tin, lead, nickel, cast irons, railroads, bridges, wires, sheet metals, brass, alloys, jewelries, gold and silver, etc!

What’s in our Bodies?

Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) are just some of the major elements in the metals category found in our body and yes, even traces of Lithium (Li), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si) and Arsenic (As) in the metalloids category.

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Properties of Metals

“Metals share some common properties. They are lustrous (shiny), malleable (can be hammered), and are good conductors of heat and electricity. These properties result from the ability to easily move the electrons in the outer shells of metal atoms.”

What are the Metals?

“Most elements are metals. There are so many metals, they are divided into groups: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals. The transition metals can be divided into smaller groups, such as the lanthanides and actinides.”

Griffith Observatory . Los Angeles . California

September 2008

Whew, that was some lessons! If you want to refresh your memory some more on the elements, the quoted items and further readings are lifted from here.

As the Finale for the breakout hit Survivor Philippines draws to a close, the true battle begins for the last five remaining castaways.

Perhaps everyone are heaving a sigh of relief that Marlon Carmen aka “the waiter,” the most disliked cutthroat and aggressive person (?) in the competition is already eliminated; and agreeably has now come down to the ‘brainy’ Charisse, the ‘driver’ Cris, the ‘hunky’ athlete, JC, the self-proclaimed ‘loverboy,’ Rob, and the endearing laundry woman, ‘nanay’  Zita, vying for that 3 million peso prize and the title FIRST “Sole Survivor.”

If this show does not excite Filipino TV viewers, I don’t know what does?!

Here’s Part two of the exclusive interview with Survivor Philippines’ only resident doctor. The ever cheery, at times self-effacing, definitely sharp and multi-talented, Dr. Zoe. Read on:

Preparations

Mae: In the islands, what kind of medical tools do you have? How did you prepare yourselves for possible animal (crocodile, snake, mosquito) attacks and or diseases you, the crew or the half-naked contestants might have encountered?

Dr. Zoe: Fortunately, our Thai production team has also provided us with the necessary equipment to put up our own clinic in the base camp. We have basic surgical tools, a set of splints, oxygen tanks, emergency meds, & other emergency and rescue equipment, etc.

As for the animal attacks, we have rangers and snake handlers surrounding us at all times since it is a national park. Basically, it’s still better to administer first aid to the victim along with the ranger, then conduct them immediately to Langu Hospital where they can do proper tests; to assess whether it would be beneficial to give the anti-venom or not; and to admit and monitor. Luckily, we didn’t have a single incident of such.

The mosquito bites - the Thai and Filipino production teams have a lot of synthetic mosquito repellents in creams and sprays. Prevention is always better than a cure, right? The half-naked contestants would just have to survive the insect bites. However, I do get to examine them periodically, and if they need to be treated, then they will be treated accordingly. The rule that I follow is: Keep them healthy, but not necesarily comfortable. I got this from Dr Adrian Cohen, former medical director for Survivor CBS. This means that if they need sutures or antibiotics, then they will get that. But if they complain of pain or sunburn, they would have to survive that.

Survivor Philippines Vital Statistics

Surviving the Islands

M: What “bugs” the contestants the most? What were the most common medical maladies among the crew and the Survivor contestants? Bites and skin diseases?

Dr. Z: The number 1 cause for all of us - production staff or castaways - was mosquito bites and sand mites!! Second was musculo-skeletal complaints, most of them, I guess, due to riding those dump trucks! Just a handful of allergic reaction cases. But surprisingly, I did not have any cough nor diarrhea cases which was what I anticipated the most before arriving on the island.

M: What luxury in the real world did you miss most? Did you have your cellphones, computers with you in the islands?

Dr. Z: We had cellphones, computers and internet on the island. We even had videoke almost every night! We didn’t have cable TV, but, surprisingly, we didn’t miss it. I honestly don’t know what I miss most about the real world, but I can tell you this much: I only realized I miss civilization when I had the chance to go to a mall sometime during our our stay in Thailand. We remembered we were deprived of movies, so we wanted to watch The Dark Knight orThe Mummy because it was shown I think just right after we left Manila.

Unfortunately, the movies in Hat Yai City were all dubbed in Thai! It was so frustrating not being able to watch at a time when we wanted to so badly! But what was delightful was that despite having the chance to taste some fine dining, surprisingly, we still all went straight to Mc Donald’s! Hahaha!

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I talked about Black Fridays here in America quite a bit last year. It is the country’s ONLY biggest sale of the year! Supposedly. With the ongoing recession, it is looking bleak and dreary for both retailers and consumers.

Black Friday is the day when most people shop for their Christmas presents because it is the time, you are assured to get the best deals before hitting that Holiday rush in December.

For an ailing company, how do you offer bargains to your customers when you’re buried in debts? For a consumer, how do you head to the store and shop when you’ve lost your job or unsure if you’ll still have your current job in 2009? How do you splurge on a new notebook or HDTV when you don’t know where to get the payments after swiping it on your credit card?!

It was a crazy and ridiculous Black Friday last year when people literally camped out with tents and sleeping bags for 17 hours outside the store to get ahead of everybody else. I was in the mall myself at 2 in the morning, amidst bitter wind and freezing cold waiting for the store to open at 5.

That was enough to raise doubts in my mind if it’s even worth going again. How much is your time worth, I asked? I wasn’t willing to risk hypothermia for a bargain!

But this is a different scenario today. I feel I don’t really need to shop on Black Friday this year. It just doesn’t seem right for me to do it with too much uncertainties around. Even Circuit City, my most favorite store for electronics filed for bankruptcy and will be closing 155 of its 700 stores by the end of this year! Linens ‘n Things, another store I frequent filed for bankruptcy in May and are closing all stores by the end of the year! Sigh.

After seeing some of the ads for Black Friday 2008 which sucks, I think I’m going to have to skip on this one. The deals the retailers are giving aren’t really giveaways! Where is the thanks in Thanksgiving?? They’re supposed to give their annual thanks to its consumers for the patronage but most of these stores aren’t doing very well and some are really in the hole. Understandably so. Therefore, I’m skipping it this year and look forward to sleeping in Friday morning. So long, Black Friday! I’ll see you when you don’t have “bleak” attached to your day…

Survivor Philippines, the country’s counterpart of the global hit reality television series Survivor is currently making raves in ratings and buzz all across the Philippines! In a recent rating from AGB Nielsen Philippines, it dominated primetime TV with 36.8% viewership- its highest rating since debuting on September 15.

This is a long time coming for Philippine television where over 30 countries have already had successful runs of the franchise since 1997, the most popular being the Survivor US version now on its 17th season.

Thanks to the careful management and considerations of GMA Network, one of the Philippines’ premier TV stations who acquired the franchise, they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor this early on.

With enough media hype and hum, its own interactive website, word of mouth advertising from satisfied TV viewers (talking about it at work, home, parties and elsewhere), positive reviews from bloggers on the internet, and continuous promotion in its network- ABS-CBN, its long-time rival must not be feeling all too cozy these days lagging behind in ratings and viewership.

Can’t Get Enough

Well we’ve seen the show, been following it devotedly, picked up our favorites to win the title the first “Sole Survivor,” joined in the forums, watched the highlights and read the recaps on its official website, did all a Survivor fan would do and yet we still want to know more and find out more about the show and its production.

When one thinks of a production like Survivor where you only see the (18) castaways and its host, Paolo Bediones episode after episode- it is hard to imagine what goes behind the scenes and how many others are actually involved in running it!

Dr. ‘Survivor’

Considering that this show is literally about surviving amidst starvation, mind games and various intense physical challenges, and that is what the contestants have signed up for– still a medical and rescue team is most obligatory and essential in overseeing the castaway’s conditions without compromising the rules of the game.

Call me lucky to know a member of the production team! This is an exclusive two-part Q&A interview on one of the unsung “heroes” of the show. She is a kick-ass, highly witty, Mensa member, fascinating, fun-loving, adventure-seeker lass of Survivor Philippines!

Meet the resident doctor known on the show as Doctor Zoe. Read On:

Mae: First off, Dr. Zoe- congratulations on the victorious status Survivor Philippines is currently enjoying. Did any of you expect this much attention and appreciation for the show when you were filming it?

Dr. Zoe: Thank you so much, Mae! Survivor Philippines‘ present status is still overwhelming! We had nothing but hopes for its success while we were filming it. In my opinion, I felt Survivor would generate as much interest as its American counterpart (based on the reactions I have read on the net even during our pre-production phase), but I was hoping that those unfamiliar with this game would embrace the complexities of its mechanics. I wish that Filipinos will see themselves in the castaways and learn a thing or two about surviving the politics of a group, acknowledge its reality, and apply it to their everyday lives.

M: How did you get involved with the show? How were you selected to be part of the medical team? Surely, you didn’t just take a “Wanted sign” and brought it in GMA network’s office did you?

Dr. Z: My name came up because it was recommended by a friend. No, I did not apply because I wasn’t aware of any announcements that they were looking for a doctor. That friend who recommended me, who became the psychologist for the show, brought me to GMA. He told the executive producer, Donna Medina, of my credentials. I was able to talk to Miss Donna later that afternoon. Not long after, I was invited to be a part of the Survivor team.

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By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

- Confucius

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The current global economic crisis is a chain of events, primarily blamed on man’s dependency on foreign oil and the manufacturing companies’ dependency on petroleum for food production. Couple it with the mismanagement of creditors to lend money to people and businesses living beyond their means, which leads to more debts and not making enough money to pay the debts. In the end, all these contribute to foreclosures, bankruptcies, unemployment, high oil prices, high food prices, world wide inflation, and global crash or recession not necessarily in that order.

The United States regarded as a superpower based on its ability to influence the world in all respects, is the most hurt among nations. We wake up with the realization that there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…

This sense of hopelessness and fear isn’t only felt domestically. What it means for the rest of the world is that they will most likely be in an even deeper mess if a superpower like America can in fact suffer the way it has. For most anti-US countries, it is a cause for rejoicing but whether other nations favor the United States or not, sooner or later what is happening to the US will have a domino effect to the rest of the world. It is only a matter of time.

Already, in a surprising twist of event, Iceland- a highly-developed country in Western Europe has announced national bankruptcy. How can that be? People declare bankruptcy, companies file for bankruptcy but a country? an entire country?!

For those who think China is the new superpower, think again. They are a Socialist Republic run by communists. They have strong censorship dictating people what they can and can’t read or know. No freedom of expression at all. They even ban certain websites from being accessed. Can you imagine that if you live in China, you can’t even access Youtube or Wikipedia?! They practically control how people live there.  Despite its huge economy, it’s not as strong as some might believe. They are as vulnerable as the next country especially when part of their economy is based on US manufacturing companies, outsourcing jobs in their country. These US companies have declining funds and they are shutting down plants abroad and closing stores domestically. China workers are suffering.

For the Philippines who rely hugely on overseas remittances, what is happening to the world around it most especially to the United States is utterly disconcerting. Last year, the 11 million strong overseas workers (that’s about 11% of the Philippine population!) sent $14 billion to pump the economy. There are 4 million expatriates from the US alone and about 2 million from the Middle East sending remittances, buying properties and creating businesses (=jobs) in the Philippines. This year while it is expected to remain the same, it is already forecasting a decline in 2009. Who knows how many of these 11 million overseas workers will be sent back home or will lose their jobs in the coming months?

While the US dependency on foreign oil is believed to be the major culprit of its economic fall, the Philippines’ major dependency on its biggest export- its human resources doesn’t seem to be a cause for concern at all for the government. In fact they even brag to the whole world that the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are the lifeblood of the economy pumping those dollars to support the country’s stability and economy.

In short, thanking the overseas workers for NOT having have to lift a hand, for NOT having have to do their own laundry or wash their own dishes, for NOT getting their hands dirty, for NOT having have to sweat blood and tears because the overseas workers are doing it for them! They can be lazy on their jobs because they are getting huge financial support from overseas workers. They can continue with graft and corruption, the things they do best!

Oh as a consolation, they get to call us “modern-day heroes.” Did you hear about Pres. Gloria’s recent announcement that “From now on, call them Expats not OFWs!” She says further that “we should begin to call our overseas Filipinos expatriates because the nature of their job is increasingly more on skilled professions, and they should be called expatriates because expatriates usually get higher pay.” Huh, say that again Madam president?! Are you high?! OFW, Overseas workers, expatriates, slaves, servants- just semantics.

Seriously, that is not something to be proud about! It is a shame to say that your own countrymen are leaving the country of birth for greener pastures and opportunity. That is blatantly admitting that you the government, failed to protect your own people from poverty and unemployment and lack of better paying jobs! I would go back to the Philippines in a heart beat if I know I could survive there and live comfortably the way I can! The Philippines for all its inadequacy and destitution is a paradise to live in.

Does the government actually think we’re here abroad to enjoy the Grand Canyon or Disneyland or just enjoy the view at the Petronas towers where we can relish in the beaches of Boracay or Palawan or explore the rest of the 7,001 islands? We would not have to go to other nations and suffer if you the government can offer more decent jobs for us “expatriates.” This article shows how delusional President Arroyo is!

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Car Repair…

ruins your day…

ruins your plans for the duration it’s being repaired…

Extra Money…

is what you have before your car needed the repair…

and that ruins your savings big time!

Today our kid sister is officially 18 years old! Yes, I said kid. She’ll always be a kid to me though she is certainly more sensible than I am in a lot of ways! Our mom wanted to give her a party if not a grand debut. It is customary in the Philippines to officially present 18 year olds to society in the company of friends, relatives and family in a somewhat elaborate fashion: formal affair, big gowns, 18 roses and 18 candles ceremonies, the Cotillion, the first dance, big cake, lots of food, music and dancing- the works!

Funny, regardless if we approve of it or not, despite us becoming 18, our parents still gets the last say on a party after all they’re paying for it! Lucky for those who didn’t have to go through debuts! I remember my own debut, big hairdo, spray nets and all. I didn’t want it but our mom did! She said because our eldest sister had one, so should I. The same reason my third sis had her own debut.

Being in America changes everything. The fact that the entire family are practically scattered all around the globe makes it difficult to have a party where only 3 of the 6 can attend; the spouses, close relatives and friends can not witness it either. What is the point of doing a party sharing it with acquaintances? The fact that this is really not a good time for parties when we have a college savings fund to fill as well… add to the fact that our mom has now mellowed in her ways by letting us be our own persons and deciding for ourselves more freely; so when she said she wanted a debut for our youngest Inah and Inah exclaimed a big NO! That was the end of it to my relief and our mom’s quiet acceptance.

I’ve written a ‘testimonial’ of sort to our kid sister when she was sixteen. I’ve rewritten what I wrote, keeping some, adding more. This is a timeless gift of words from one sis to another!

Every time I talk about her I feel nostalgic. Every accomplishment no matter how small, every feat is a milestone. Being 18 in this time and age, in college,  with her wit and intelligence intact is amazing!

A little while back she was just a cute, bubbly little pain in our necks- crying all night for milk or for extra cuddling; wanting to be carried around all day when she can walk; scribbling crayolas on all our bedroom walls; tearing things; breaking apart barbie dolls; insisting on wearing clothes of her own choice without regard on the occasion; won’t get off that coin-operated little pony rides in the malls; won’t eat anything but jollibee (Phils. answer to Mcdonald’s) kiddie meals!; dancing  and prancing around to cheer us up. She plays with lipstick and makeup from our mom’s dresser, puts it on her dolls and on herself and denies she did even when her face is still smeared with colors and then gives a hearty laugh.

She starts to learn more words and begins to reason and argues with us; she sets up a little office where she appears to bury herself with paperwork daily. Like me and my mom, she loves paper and writing- there were really no words or sentences yet, only drawings and scribbles of her name, lines, circles and stick figures. She loves carrying a handbag like a briefcase with full of paper and artwork.

One time she called all of us to her ‘office’ and there we saw strings of her art works clipped with clothes clamps up for sale. Her gallery opening, she exclaimed proudly! She placed price tags on her works ranging from 25 cents to 10 pesos. The highest denomination she knew. It was a heartwarming moment for all us. We still have the artworks tucked away in our home in the Philippines.

She bursts out funny awkward truths about people only a 4 or 5 year old can get away with to our bewilderment. She asserts things for herself with innocent confidence and bravado that can melt ones heart! Her smiles alone can melt anyone’s heart.

Then we see her becoming a self-assured, independent little girl who at age 6, had to fly alone on board an airplane, only under a care of a stewardess and not a glimpse of anxiety in her!

And around that same time sadly celebrated her own birthday with only her nanny and a kind neighbor who remembered, came to celebrate with her with a small cake and a simple meal. That event hurt the rest of the family. It still pains me to this day, seeing her only photo that night, she was lighting her own candle on the cake- her eyes puffy from crying, still composed and strong.

I think that was the day she truly grew up beyond her age. We know in her childlike manner she resented us for that night but she understood. All of us were doing adult obligations we couldn’t get out of on that particular day, her 7th birthday- no family by her side. (I’m sorry, Ins. We’re still very sorry for not being there for you on that day…) We’ve made it up to her since that birthday yet it still breaks our hearts.

School started and she became really good at it without being pushed. She is smart, witty, attentive, funny and full of life! Even when she had an accident in school when she was 9, she would still show up in school with a smile on her face, though obviously in pain. She was playing one day with her classmates, climb someplace, reached the top, jumped and fell badly. She broke her right leg, undergone surgery and had to be put in cast for 2 months! Our dad literally carried her to her classroom, to her seat every day and did the same after school. Her nanny waiting outside the classroom to carry her around when necessary during the day. She never complained. She remained cheerful and positive.

No more mishaps after that thank heavens!

Time flies. Amidst the ups and downs, she’s still a pain in our necks, she’ll always be that in an endearing kind of way. It’s her way that we love and hate at the same time. She’s a highly charged individual with strong determinations.

What does being 18 mean? You can vote (You just missed it by a hair)! 18 means you can legally drive (without adult supervision) and can work without parental consent and can have some decision making rights BUT that doesn’t make you an adult adult! You still can’t legally drink alcohol and we insist on you know what!! You are slowly creating your reality, no longer a world of make believe.

It means that a long, scary fun ride in the journey of life starts right now. We believe you are fully equipped to take on any challenge life throws at you. We believe you are ready to face the real world when the time comes.

I wish you were still a kid. I wish you’d stop growing BUT you must…

Three things: Live your life responsibly with full trust in God. Respect people for who they are and heck, love your family all the way- for always! No reservations. no ifs, no buts. We got your back and we hope you got ours!

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?”
- Dr. Seuss

For some lame excuse or another, I have failed in writing about this. I’m not sure how it got off my radar but it did. I’m sorry for the delay but I am truly grateful. I have very little “online buddies” and to get these awards mean a lot to me. BIG THANK YOU…

Two of the few blogs I do follow and read, check them out sometime!

Amazing Site Award from Bing of Warmstone!

Blogging Buddies Award From Stacie’s Blog!

Keep blogging you guys!

can’t take one without the other.
can’t have one without the other.

complimenting. blending.

side by side.

what’s salt without pepper? what’s pepper without salt?

together.