My Digital Online Diary

It’s been a year and five months since hubby and I moved in together. Within that period, I could no longer count the number of problems, misunderstanding, fights, cries, tears, laughter, cuddling and so on. We are young and still learning to keep our relationship in good shape. That is the reason I search for ways and advice to keep our foundation strong.

One of those advice is to “sleep on the conflicts.” Most people would say: “never go to bed angry.” But, hey, it is so difficult to patch things up when both of us are mad. The idea of airing grievance at the heat of the moment is the most devastating thing I encounter. We almost packed our bags and leave each other. I find that it is really better to just sleep over it and talked about the matter when both of us are already calm. That way we can talk about things in a friendly, calm, civilized and intelligent manner.

Relationship is a complex thing, but that’s what makes it colorful, thrilling, fun and exciting – scary sometimes. We hope we will end up being together for the next 50 years or more.

According to the news I saw earlier, oil prices have risen above $72 a barrel following the meeting of the producers’ cartel Opec last Wednesday. Opec decided not to change the amount of oil being produced by its members. The committee said that “there are signs that economic recovery is underway”, but added there was “great concern” about the pace of the recovery.

In fact the US light sweet crude rose 85 cents to $72.16 in Asian trading, as the euro continued to gain ground against the US dollar in currency markets.

The fact that oil is priced in dollars, so if the US currency falls, it becomes cheaper to buyers using other currencies. Since the market remains oversupplied and given the downside risks associated with the extremely fragile recovery, Opec once again agreed to leave current production levels unchanged for the time being. Oil prices have roughly doubled from their lows last December, but are half the levels reached earlier in 2008. Opec countries supply about 35% of the world’s crude oil.

Eating disorders will only get worse without treatment, and the physical and emotional damage can be severe. So, don’t let your loved one suffer for a long time with eating disorder.

Basically, there are many treatment options for eating disorders. The right method would rely on the specific symptoms, issues, and strengths, as well as the severity of the disorder. Often, a combination of therapy, nutritional counseling, and group support works best. In some cases, residential treatment or hospitalization may be necessary.

• Psychotherapy – Individual and group therapy can help your loved one explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem, and learn healthy ways of responding to stress and emotional pain. Family therapy is also effective for dealing with the impact the eating disorder has on the entire family unit.
• Nutritional counseling – Dieticians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help your loved one design meal plans, set dietary goals, and achieve a healthy weight. Nutritional counseling may also involve education about basic nutrition and the health consequences of eating disorders.
• Support groups – Attending an eating disorder support group can help your loved one feel less alone and ashamed. Run by peers rather than professionals, support groups provide a safe environment to share experiences, advice, encouragement, and coping strategies.
• Residential treatment –- Residential or hospital-based care may be required when there are severe physical or behavioral problems, such as a resistance to treatment, medical issues that require a doctor’s supervision, or continuing weight loss.

I must say that carelessness is the number one reason for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged. So here are some tips to prevent this while you are on travel.

• Always keep your passport in a safe place – never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.
• Never lay your passport down anywhere – passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.
• If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don’t let one person carry all the passports – the odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.
• Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport – when you’re checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.
• Immediately report the loss of your passport – If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn’t have any problem with the loss of your passport. If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to your country.

Considering the given information, please use all proper precautions in using these powerful aromatic essences, and consult a medical practitioner when in doubt. I am in no way responsible for misuse of the information presented herein.

• Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia) – Most frequently recommended for the treatment of athletes foot, candida, in fact any sort of fungus. Tea tree oil is an effective all round anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal oil. Many authorities recommend using Tea Tree neat (undiluted) but much recent evidence shows that it is actually more effective in a 2% dilution. I personally consider it much too harsh to use undiluted on the skin. Tea Tree is the usually suggested aromatherapy remedy for Ringworm. If I were trying to treat this fungal infection I’d go with a weak (ie 12 drops/ounce of carrier) dilution of tea  tree in Jojoba Oil.
• Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha) – Specifically often recommended in a blend to treat “Jock Strap Itch.” I have found it effective blended with tea tree and worked into Bentonite Clay, used as a body powder. Please don’t use Corn Starch in this “do it yourself” dusting powder as it tends to feed the fungus and makes things worse, not  better.
• Cedarwood, either Atlas or Virginia – Wonderful for clearing out musty closets or basements. Perhaps blended with Lemongrass For a basement or large area, I would suggest running in a nebulizing diffuser to really fill the atmosphere; For a closet, first wipe the closet down with a blend of the oils in water, allow to dry thoroughly (perhaps running a dehumidifier, if available).

Early this morning I watch BBC news and to my surprise they reported that the dirty dancing film star Patrick Swayze has died (aged 57). Reporter said that the US actor, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years, died with family at his side on Monday. Swayze was diagnosed with advanced stage four pancreatic cancer in January last year.

The actor had been starring in US TV show The Beast since being diagnosed with the disease. He had also planned to write a memoir with his wife. In January, Swayze admitted he might only have two years to live, but denied he was near death.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most virulent forms of cancer which medical experts say has a 5% five-year survival rate.