First there was Twilight and then there was True Blood and now a new vampire series has emerged. There is a lot of Buzz about this new show called Vampire Diaries. I haven't read the books, but from what I have seen in forums and other sources, the TV series differs a lot from the book.
Since I haven’t read the book my expectations are quite low but I have to say that there is something missing from the series. I guess it’s too early to give up on the series. I just have to watch the next few episodes and try to read the books to make a better idea of the story line.
One of the first few books that I have finished reading was written by Dan Brown. I read three out of his first four books. So when I found out a few weeks ago that he would be releasing another books on September, I told myself that I have to get my copy as soon as I could drop by the bookstore.
Today I was able to purchase a copy of the Lost Symbol. I am really excited especially when I found out that it is another Robert Langdon story. I really like the Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code. I hope the lost symbol would live up to my expectations.
Hopefully I would finish it within a few days depending on how busy I would be in the next few days. I’ll tell you what I think about in a few days.
In the early part of this century, a new type of virus has emerged. The Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (Ai) is a contagious disease which primarily affects birds. This virus is caused by an influenza A virus or also known as avian H5N1 virus. While most influenza virus does not affect humans, this type of virus has caused severe infection in humans. The first cases of the Avian H5N1 virus have been reported in Hong Kong in 1997. There were 6 deaths among the 18 cases reported in 1997. In the 2003, large scale outbreaks were reported were over 100 human cases have been confirmed in four Asian countries The following countries were Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. More than half of the people have died during this outbreak.
What are the Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans?
1. Fever
2. Body weakness or muscle pain
3. Cough
4. Sore throat
5. Sore Eyes
6. May have difficulty in breathing in severe cases
How is this transmitted to Humans?
Through inhalation or contamination with infected discharges or feces of sick chicken
Side note:
There were three influenza pandemics that have occurred in the previous century. The first was the Spanish influenza of 1918 which killed approximately 40 to 50 million people worldwide. The second outbreak was Asian influenza in 1957 which killed an estimated 2 million people. The third was the Hong Kong influenza in 1968 with a total of 1 million deaths.
The sun is the main source of the earth’s energy. The Sun’s solar energy is transmitted via infrared rays. While one thirds of the infrared rays are reflected back to space, the greenhouse gases traps the remaining two thirds which causes the Earth’s temperature to increase. This is called the greenhouse effect. This is actually a good thing because without it, the planet would too cold and inhabitable. Since Carbon Dioxide emission has increased significantly in the past few years, the planet is heating up rapidly as well.The increase in the planet’s temperature is called global warming.
Global warming has caused the increase in frequency and the intensity of floods, drought, and Hurricanes. Due to the increased in the planet’s temperature, the three largest masses of ice, (Arctic, Antarctica and Greenland) is at risk of melting off. If this happens, sea level will increase significantly. That is not the only problem, the glaciers, permafrost and the ice acts like a giant mirror that reflects back infrared rays. Imagine how hot it will be if that remaining one third of infrared rays is not reflected back to space. Global warming also changes the amount and pattern of precipitation.
Swine Flu A new strain of swine influenza A (H1n1) has emerged. While most influenza virus does not affect humans, this new strain does. According to researchers, this new type of flu is a combination of bird, pig and human virus. World health official said that Mexico may be the epicenter of a global epidemic. Mexico’s health minister has reported that there were a total of 86 deaths and 1400 people are infected since Apr 13, 2009. So far, fatal victims were between the ages of 20 to 40 years old. Flu victims are usually either infants or the elderly. In 1918 during the Spanish influenza, the first victims reported were healthy young adults. Children appear to be immune this swine virus. The reason for the children’s immunity is still unknown. Symptoms of this new swine flu are respiratory congestion, body aches, sore throat, coughing, fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) and vomiting and diarrhea in some cases. Several countries have also reported cases of swine flu. In the United States, several cases were reported in California, Texas, Ohio and Kansas. Several suspected cases were also noted in New York. No fatalities were reported so far. Canada was the third country to confirm human cases of swine flu. East coast Canadian provinces have four confirmed cases of mild swine flu among students between 12 to 17 years old. They are now recovering. Several countries are taking steps to monitor passenger coming from Mexico. In Japan’s Narita airport, device that measures the passenger’s temperature has been installed in the arrival gate. In New Zealand, students coming from Mexico has tested positive with influenza. Authorities have yet to determine whether the influenza is indeed the Swine Flu. Since this is a new strain swine flu, vaccines that fight off this strain specifically are still unavailable. It is still uncertain whether the current human flu vaccines could offer any type protection.
That's right! The sun is burning hotter and it's washing away my summer spirit. Haven't you noticed? The temperature here in the Philippines has risen up to 35 degrees Celsius in the last few days. That's a record high. It's climate change brought by Global warming.
Why should we care about Global warming you may ask? But most importantly what is Global warming? Global Warming is the increase in the planet's temperature which is caused by the increase in the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Why is this bad? Simple. The more the temperature rises, the frequency of hurricanes, floods, droughts and forest fires increases as well. 19 out of the 20 warmest years have been recorded since 1980. And in last eight years, the top three hottest years has occurred. Imagine how hot will it be in the next eight years. Imagine the effect of this phenomenon. Imagine would happen if this continuous.
It's too late to point the finger on who’s the biggest contributor of the carbon dioxide emission or whose not doing their part to solve this crisis. We have to get along. We have to start moving. We have to start the change. Let's save our planet! Let's save our life source!
Why don’t you stay for a while and witness my becoming
Deceit me with your unclean hands as you wash away my blood
Why don’t you stay for a while? Are you not entertained?
The very pleasure of seeing me in misery is the only thing I could offer
For my world is too small and my insignificance to conquer
It is the irony of my existence
Why don’t you stay for a while and embrace fruit of your lies
Little do you know it is only glass. It shatters and brings me pain
Why don’t you stay for a while and witness your creation?
Watch and taste the tears falling from my chest.
I let myself feel the love in every touch of your hand.
It feels so good I can taste it. It feels so good it made me blind.
It feels so good it takes me away then I burn
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