I remember that it was a favorite topic in essay writing contests for the Science Month Celebration when I was in high school. Twenty years hence, we are not just reading about it in scientific journals or encyclopedias or hearing about it on the news, we are actually feeling its effects.

In the past few years we heard of the phenomena “La Nina” and “El Nino.” This is basically what is happening with us today. In Luzon, they are already saying Novenas asking for rain while the rains in Baguio are accompanied by ice (hailstorm). While there is no rain in Luzon, in Mindanao some mountainous areas are experiencing landslides due to heavy down pours. And, according to government authorities our freaky weather may result to water rationing, food supply shortage, and an assortment of calamities.

The reviews and predictions of scientific authorities are gloom and frightening. We have been urged to take better care of our environment twenty years ago and even earlier. Now we have more than enough reason to heed the call.

The papaya fruit has become so much a part of our diet that it has become natural to have it as dessert after a meal or as snack in the morning or afternoon.

Little did I know that this rounded fruit contains contraceptive capacity.

In fact women in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India have long used papaya as a contraceptive. According to a research, eating ripe papaya everyday can help prevent pregnancy. Further, the unripe fruit is even more potent.

It is theorized that the enzyme papain in the papaya fruit will suppress progesterone. Progesterone is a sex hormone needed to prepare the uterus for conception and maintenance of pregnancy. Another reason is that papain, which can be used to tenderize meat, may break down a membrane vital to the development of the fetus.

The research also found out that since papain interacts with progesterone, eating one papaya everyday for a week will bring on menstruation with no side-effects. Thus, it may be a cure to hormonal disorder.

One chapter in the book discussed about sexual intercourse. According to Dr. Reuben, there are three reasons for engaging in it. One is for reproduction or for the purpose of propagating the human race. Putting it simply, the wife or woman will get pregnant and the couple will have a child.

Second is, it is a means of expressing love. He said that this is the ideal form of sex for every couple. The third and most controversial is sex for recreation. This type of sex is engaged in for the sheer physical and emotional pleasure that is brought about by a complete sexual experience. However, this type of sex is has acquired a bad name over centuries. This is the type of sex that is forbidden but is being engaged in by a majority.

It’s a little complicated, isn’t it. And we thought sex is just sex. Given the choices, what type of sex do you have?

    In my dating days, I get automatically turned off with a “prospect” that has long, untrimmed nails. Because, personally, I think that the condition or the degree of the cleanliness of a persons nails somehow tells the kind of person he/she is.

    I read an article about nail health and surprisingly I learned that our nails do not just protect our fingers. They are more importantly indicators of a person’s state of health.

    According to the article, white nails are an indicator of liver disease. Partially-white nails indicate kidney disease. Diabetics usually have yellow nails with pink at the base. And so on.

    Healthy nails are owned by a healthy person.

    Are you healthy? Look at your nails. . .       

I made a further research on it and here’s what I found out:

The transdermal contraceptive patch or more popularly known as “the patch” is the latest in the contraception department.

It is a new method of birth control, which is composed of combined hormone. It is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin and contains the hormones norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. These are similar to the estrogen and progestin that are produced by a woman’s body.

Experts say that the patch is very similar to the oral contraceptive pill since it is composed of a combination of hormone to prevent pregnancy. However, it is better than the pill because of its transdermal administration. Transdermal, meaning through the skin. Further, you don’t have to endure the hassle of remembering to take a tablet everyday and the worry of missing to take it.

However, like the pill it also has some disadvantages depending on your age, the state of health of your body, and your lifestyle.

The next time you visit your gynecologist, discuss this contraception method. I’ll be sure to do this too.

Image source: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/utah/patch.htm

When my husband and I first became a couple, sleep eluded me. I was shocked to discover that I have a “soundly” sleeping bed partner!

My husband snores and a bit loud at that!

When you are very much in love and you finally found the man of your dreams, this may seem very insignificant. But coming face to face (or side by side) with the reality that your prince charming snores in his sleep is indeed sleep-eluding.

I was pretty much disturbed about this so I had to find out why. According to my readings, snoring can be a result of a very tiring day or a symptom of a serious sleep disorder that might be life threatening.

So, to lessen the snores, I bought a big pillow so that when my husband sleeps his head down to his shoulders are a bit elevated. Further, I would gently wake him up and help him lie on his side when he does snore. Lastly, a simple back rub can also lessen snoring.

      I and my husband made a goal of having a mini-van by next year or sooner. We don’t yet know how to get the funds but we sure are determined to have one.I was getting kind of excited over the goal that I almost forgot the “first things first” principle.

    First, I should learn how to drive. Well, my husband can teach me.Next first is, I should learn how to change tire and basic vehicle repair because what if the mini-van will break down in the middle of a lonely road and I only have myself to rely on!

    Another first is, I should learn basic vehicle maintenance, such as checking oil, water level, tire condition, and the like.Car care is a bit overwhelming, and boy! I’m still thinking about it. What if I do have one already!

    Lastly, women and cars are like Venus and Mars. Women from Venus and cars from Mars (like men!!). Let’s face it, driving is almost second nature to men as cooking or taking care of the family seems an extension of women (most women!!!!).

    I almost don’t want my own transport just now, but hey rather than worry I’m already browsing sites containing car tips and maintenance.

    Onwards to the goal of a mini-van and lesser travel time!!!!!

On hindsight, his car might be one of the factors why he is now my husband and I am his wife.

He had it for almost 15 years already. It was the first car issued to him when he was still a medical representative and after all these years it is still in good running condition. So I figured, if he can take care of a car then he must have good providing and nurturing instincts. And, I was not mistaken.

The car, I named “Ekru,” has been a very reliable member of the family. He took my husband through his long travels in his med rep days and even during his “chick hunting” days. Come to think of it, “Ekru” helped my husband find me.

Ekru is still in good running condition because we invest in his maintenance. However, I know that sooner or later he will break down and give in to old age. But the thought of replacing him with a fast car (as my husband dream!) still pains me and feels as if I am betraying a friend.

Well, as my husband puts it, me and my emotional spells (I’m a woman what can I do!!!!).

        I used to just take for granted the changes in my body. My menstruation periods and/or the absence of it every month. Now I really take the time to record it and to count my cycle because I know any variation especially a much extended period means something is already wrong with my system.

        Despite the tons of things that I have to do as a wife, a mother, and in my job, I make sure that I get as much rest as I can. That I get to eat on time because missing meals and not eating on time will trigger my hyper acidity and my hyper acidity would trigger a throbbing headache all day, which would in turn mean less quality time with my husband and son.

       The usual picture of a wife and mother, is one that is fat, "lusyang," and fatigued. Most stay-at-home wives and mothers have almost become one of the house’s furniture because they have blended so well with their day in and day out surroundings. Too bad!!!

        As husbands, sons, and daughters, we need to help keep our wife or mother healthy. This is in fact our responsibility. Our wives or mothers have always been there, when we get home, when we were sick or when we had problems. We sometimes take for granted that she gets tired too and that she needs time for herself too. After all, who would cook our meals, keep the house clean, manage the family income, take care of you when you get sick or comfort you when you’re sad, if she’s not there anymore. . . .

    Becoming pregnant was the scariest and most exhilarating experience I ever had in my life.

    Pregnancy gave me a whole new perspective of life. I am both scared and depress, and excited and happy at the same time.

    How did I know I was pregnant? Instinct, pure woman’s instinct. But like most woman who did not plan of getting pregnant, I did not want to acknowledge that I was pregnant.

    However, I observed that my sexual appetite dropped to a negative, as in “nada.” I had to put 100% effort to making love but my husband still complained about my being “cold in bed.”

    I cry at the lightest provocation and meaningless jibes especially from my husband. And, my tear glands seemed to have suddenly doubled their supply of tears.

    The most exasperating of all signs is becoming sick (as in wanting to vomit) at any given time of the day. The usual smell (of perfume, sautéed garlic or onions) and taste (of fried egg and fried dried fish!!!) would seem to twist my insides.  

    I finally accepted my being pregnant after the fourth week. The denial and exasperation was  replaced by feelings of awe, excitement, and a deep sense of peace. It felt very right to be pregnant, to be in love, and to be alive.

    I read all the materials I can get my hands into about pregnancy and motherhood. I wanted to be fully prepared to take on this new role in my life.

    My son is already one year and eight months old, but I still have that feeling of awe and the deep sense of peace. Becoming pregnant took me and my husband a step deeper in love. It wasn’t just, “I am pregnant,” it was “We are pregnant,” because he totally shared with me the experience.