Ms. California

Here are a few videos, if you haven't seen yet, of interviews with Ms. California-the woman that has caused some controversy in this years' Miss USA Pageant.

See how she defends her faith and stands for what she believes in.

The Swine Flu!

A swine flu outbreak has infected more than a thousand people in Mexico, where scores have died from the disease. The United States has seen milder cases, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects the number of people sickened to increase. Here are some answers to questions about swine flu.

Q. What is swine flu?

A. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Until recently, the disease very rarely spread to humans. In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were reported in Mexico and then in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Since then, 40 confirmed cases have been reported in the United States in California, Kansas, New York City, Ohio and Texas. An updated case count is available on the cdc Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm .

Q. Is this swine flu virus contagious?

A. CDC has determined that this swine flu virus is spreading from person to person, but it is unknown how easily it spreads.

Q. What are the symptoms of swine flu in people?

A. The symptoms of swine flu, which are similar to symptoms of regular flu, include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, pneumonia and respiratory failure and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause chronic medical conditions to worsen.

Q. How does swine flu spread?

A. This swine flu virus is thought to spread mainly by coughing or sneezing of people with the illness. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to infect others one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu germs before you know you're sick as well as while you're not feeling well.

Q. What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

A. Most important for preventing the spread of flu is washing your hands. Also, try to stay in good general health. That means get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods and manage your stress. Also, try to avoid contact with people who are sick.

Q. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

A. Wash with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner, rubbing your hands until the gel is dry. The alcohol kills the germs on your hands without water.

Q. How long can viruses live outside the body?

A. Some germs can live for two hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, cafeteria tables. Washing your hands frequently can reduce your chances of getting sick after touching these common surfaces.

Q. How does a doctor test for swine flu?

A. A health care provider takes a nasal swab, which is then used to test for the disease.

Q. Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

A. Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (sold as Tamiflu) or zanamivir (sold as Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine flu viruses. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicine that keep the flu viruses from reproducing in your body, thus helping you feel better quicker. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within two days of symptoms first developing.

Q. Is there a vaccine available to prevent swine flu?

A. No. There is no available vaccine for this swine flu at this time.

Q. What should I do if I get sick?

A. If you live in an area where swine flu cases have been identified and become ill with symptoms including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your doctor, who will determine whether you need to be tested or treated for the illness. While you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with people as much as possible.

Q. Is it safe to travel to Mexico, where more than 1,600 people have been sickened and 149 people have died from swine flu?

A. Government officials have issued a travel advisory suggesting "non-essential travel to Mexico be avoided.'' In addition, several airlines including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, have waived the usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico, but had not canceled flights.

Q. What are public health officials doing to inhibit the disease's spread?

A. U.S. customs officers at airports, seaports and border crossing have begun watching for signs of illness, according to Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling. If a traveler appears to be ill or reports not feeling well, the person will be questioned about symptoms and, if necessary, referred to a CDC official for additional screening, Easterling said. The CDC can send someone to the hospital if they suspect a case, but no one is being refused entry. Also, the CDC is readying "yellow cards" with disease information for travelers, in case they later experience symptoms.

Q. Can I get swine flu from eating or preparing pork?

A. No. You can not get swine flu from pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Keep safe guys. Wash your hands!

Something to think about.

Facebook Users Get Lower Grades In College

Posted by timothy on 6:42
Tuesday 14 April 2009
from the but-doodlers-do-fine dept.

Social Networks Education

Hugh Pickens writes:
"According to a survey of college students Facebook users have lower overall grades than non-users. The study by Aryn Karpinski, an education researcher at Ohio State University, found that Facebook user GPAs are in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on average, compared to 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users and that Facebook users also studied anywhere from one to five hours per week, compared to non-users who studied 11 to 15 or more hours per week. Karpinski emphasized that correlation does not equal causation and that the grades association could be caused by something else. 'I'm just saying that there's some kind of relationship there, and there's many third variables that need to be studied.' One hypothesis is that students who spend more time enjoying themselves rather than studying might tend to latch onto the nearest distraction, such as Facebook or that students who use the social networking site might also spend more time on other non-studying activities such as sports or music. 'It may be that if it wasn't for Facebook, some students would still find other ways to avoid studying, and would still get lower grades. But perhaps the lower GPAs could actually be because students are spending too much time socializing online.' As for herself, Karpinski said she doesn't have a Facebook account, although the co-author of the study does. 'For me, I think Facebook is a huge distraction.'"
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/14/1245233&from=rss

Got this in an e-mail today and found it worth sharing. It really makes you think where do all those hours go? Not only on Facebook but all those other social networking sites like Myspace or Twitter.

It's no secret, many of us (youth) are caught up in social networks and such. Who doesn't love keeping in touch with all the new friends we've made from camp, uploading pics to share, and the surprise of getting new comments and messages everyday? But let's keep ourselves in check and not get too carried away to the point where our priorities are out of balance.

Here are a few tips to keep yourself from mindlessly browsing page after page and start using your time efficiently on the web.

ONE - Take Myspace/Facebook off of your Bookmark Toolbar to weaken the inner cravings of wanting to "login" because of the constant glancing at the Myspace/Facebook logo.

TWO - Write down a set of things you need to do first before anything else on the web. Keep it in view until you've finished everything on that list.

THREE - Set a time limit for yourself when using these social networking sites. Don't compromise by saying, "I'll get off after this" or "Just a few more minutes."

FOUR - Avoid taking too many photographs of yourself to eliminate the time it takes to pose for the camera, choose, edit, post, and/or check for comments.

FIVE - http://www.wiredbeat.com =]


Basically, it's self-discipline.
Think...while everyone is moving their lives forward, focusing on the big picture, you're spending more than enough time on Facebook/MySpace.

-webheadv.

This Saturday - LA

Soul'd Out Fellowship (this coming Sat.) is canceled in LA. Everyone is encouraged to join us at 4pm as they do a Wushu demo and open up the floor for questions. It's at Planet Infinity. Just don't go to watch! Ask them questions too! See you there!

Updates!

Hey guys, we hope you had a great Resurrection (Easter) Sunday.

Here's just a short blog of updates.

[+] We've changed up the backgrounds just a bit! We hope you like 'em!

[+] New Devo blog coming soon.

[+] Just a reminder, don't hesitate to ask your Kuyas and Ates questions. No limits, you can ask whatever's on your mind. Anything from faith, personal stuff, to school related topics. Anything. We'll be glad to help.

[+] Weekly night watch is in LA this week, so join us at 8pm @ Life Pinnacle for new messages from the Lord.

God Bless!

ATTENTION: REMIX / IMAGE LA CANCELLED

Hi guys,

I know we've been looking forward to Remix/Image outdoor event this weekend BUT it has been cancelled for two reasons:

1. Weather forecasts expect rain.

2. All the youth are all invited and encouraged to go to the Wushu Competition @ UC Berkeley. If you're free, it is highly recommended that you guys go and support the Philippine National Wushu Delegates as they compete @ UC Berkeley. There's so many things to learn not just about wushu or the competition but also about the delegates and their training and character. Also this doesn't happen often so it's a very great opportunity to also show our support to them as they are also our partners in the gospel. Dont worry, the trail will still be there for a longtime. This competition, at this moment in time however, is not.

Please inform your friends and everyone else that the hiking is canceled. Also, if you're interested and really want to go to Berkeley but don't know how, let us know. We'll try to make some arrangements. But first inform your parents. :)

LINKS

Hello all,

We've created a links section for all our links. We've posted two important links for LA's Remix/Image Outdoor event for this Saturday: The waiver form and the directions.

If you plan on going, it's required for everyone to sign the waiver or else you won't be able to go. Click the link and download the form. Have it signed and bring it with you on Saturday. Hope everyone can join us!

LINK PAGE