A Girl’s Notebook :)

If you were asked what’s common with Aztec, Cherokee, Inca and the Navajo cultures, what would you say? Alright, they are all relative of my friend Arvie the Indian ?. Kidding aside, those cultures are indeed Indians and they all have a person that takes the role of a religious leader. A spiritual leader utilizes nature in his religious and healing work is called, a Shaman. The animals from which Shamans seek help are called totem or power animals.

Indians believe that these animals are the messengers of the Great Spirit. They treat animals as human guides in their everyday living. They are like angels in other religion. Some tribes used them to symbolize certain traits. For example, Bears are thought to represent power, while the Eagle represents the Divine Spirit. These and other symbolisms should not be taken literally and should be taken with caution.

According to tradition, Totem animals are the one’s to choose and guide you. It is possible that two or more animals would manifest their presence to guide the individual. Anyone can have a Totem animal. To discover it, one must always be aware of any sign that tells a person that he is chosen. For example, you met a tiger in your dreams, and as you read the morning paper, you see a picture of a tiger in one page, then, while you’re on your way to work, you happen to pass by a store with a display of tiger figurines. These encounters may be telling you that the spirit of the tiger has chosen you.

Here is a list of some animals and what do they symbolize:

Bear - power, healing
Beaver - builder, protector
Buffalo - sacredness, life, abundance
Cat - independence
Coyote - the trickster, devilment, reversal of fortune
Crow - law, shape-shifting, change
Dog - noble, loyal, teaching
Dolphin - kindness and play, energy
Eagle - divine Spirit and connection to creator
Elk - strength and agility, friendship
Fox - cunning, agility, quick-witted
Hawk - messenger, intuition, discernment
Lion - Power of feminine energy
Lizard - conservation, caution, regeneration
Mountain Lion - courage, leadership, and foresight
Owl - deception, clairvoyance, insight(the night eagle)
Rabbit - fear, timidity, nervousness, humility
Raven - introspection, courage, self-knowledge
Snake - shrewdness, rebirth
Spider - creativity, balance, interconnectedness, industry
Tiger - caution, appropriate timing, stealth
Turtle - protection, longetivity, healing
Wolf - eliminating weakness, loyalty, teaching skill

Source: Manila Bulletin

                Pets Edition

                June 29, 2002

Having a 2-day leave and 2-day off from work, Tata and I had an ample of time to be together. Express our love for each other and make each other feel how we care for each other.

Earlier this morning, we had a terrible fight. And that’s before he leave for Quezon then to Palawan. I’m not going to elaborate what had happened. But what I wanted to emphasize is the lesson I learned from that fight.

Tata loves me so much that I feel so secured. That oftentimes I took that love for granted. It was a big mistake to take your love for granted. It’s not enough to just tell him you love him. Saying “I love you” doesn’t mean a thing if you will not be able to make him feel he is love by you. For you never know when that love will leave to find someone new who will value and treasure it better.

I’m broken and hurt right now. I just hope and pray that it is not too late for me to win that love back again.

I was at Robinson’s Galleria the other day and my eyes were caught by certain leaflets from Watsons health store. Those leaflets are so helpful to moms like me on how to prevent our kids from getting sick.

Kids experience fever when their body is exposed to virus or bacteria. The body’s temperature rises as an effort to fight infection and ill-causing elements.

Common causes of fever include:
• bacteria or virus
• ear infection
• common colds

Parents must know the signs and symptoms of fever. A flushed face, warm skin, too much sweating, chills, fast breathing, or a temperature above 37 degrees Celsius are some of the indications of fever.

When kids have fever:
• Allow them to move. Moderate activity will keep them from feeling groggy. Avoid strenuous activities as this may cause their body temperature to rise more.
• Keep their room comfortably cool, not too warm and dry or too cold.
• Make sure they eat well so they can regain their energy.
• Give lots of fluid to keep them from being dehydrated.
• Give them lukewarm sponge bath to help control their body temperature.
• Consult a pediatrician before giving kids a dose of kid-formulated paracetamol

With kids around, parents must always be ready to treat minor cuts, scratches, abrasions, and other common growing-up injuries.

Most minor injuries heal well without any special care. The basic thing to do when kids get wounded is to stop the bleeding, and clean it using mild soap. Next important step is to prevent infection from developing by applying topical antibiotics.

Some studies show that keeping injured area moist, by covering cuts or wounds with medicated bandages or pads, help:

• Promote growth of new tissue
• Lessen potential for infection
• Minimize scarring
• Lessen chances of further injury

Bandages should be changed daily when they become wet or dirty.

There are different types of bandages such as gauze, compression, triangular or tube bandages for various injuries. Medicated gauze, or plastic strips with non-woven or absorbent pads are commonly used for minor wounds.

However, the wound should be carefully examined to make sure that secondary infection does not develop. If secondary infection is suspected, seek medical help.

I’m back to my old self once again. I have not updated my blog for the past days for I have to spend quality time with my honey and our daughter. He went to visit us and to celebrate his birthday with us last August 22. He’s currently working in Palawan.

My daughter and I met him at SM Megamall. We ate pancit palabok, chicken, burger and ice cream. I gave him a Timex wrist watch as a birthday gift. Antoinette sang a happy birthday song for him. We really had a lot of fun.

I am happy to see my daughter enjoying the company of his father. I know how much she missed him. I missed him, too. I know that Tata loves us so much. We’re not married yet, but his love for me is so deeper that the love a husband can give his wife.

I pray that it’s not too late for me to show how much I love him and how much I appreciate all the things he’s doing for me.