2009 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is coming soon. We used to have the best time of Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at my in law's house. We used to fly back home for these 2 occasions. Robins's mother teach me a true family time in Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

I love Christmas morning service and after that follow by a big beautiful lunch table at Robin's parent. I do remember that the presents were all over.

I was at the Emporium Mall in Bangkok the other day. The Christmas decoration is starting to fill in with all of the malls in Bangkok. People are ready to sell and to buy.

I have decided that I won't give Christmas presents to no one. Honestly I do not expected a cheque with love from Robins any more because my medication is very very expensive. I am sure I will get cheque from my In Laws. I will used it very wisely. No shoes but will travel.

When I say "Thankful" I am checking my own characters that to whom I am thanking to? and What you are "ABSOLUTELY" thankful for this year?

The following are what I understand about what is, what for, why and Where...questions links about the "Thanksgiving!"

"The grateful Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, starting on December 13, 1621, to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. While this was not the first Thanksgiving in America (thanksgiving services were held in Virginia as early as 1607), it was America's first Thanksgiving Festival."

"Pilgrim Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving in these words:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as... served the company almost a week... Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and... their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought... And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE... FAR FROM WANT."

"In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, "unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities." Yet, despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving observances usually occurred only at the State level. "

"Lincoln's original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came - spiritually speaking - at a pivotal point in his life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address." It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. As he explained to a friend:

When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."

"As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving each year, we hope they will retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers , and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that they owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of self-government, the "hard-work" ethic, self-reliant communities, and devout religious faith."

I would also say.... "Thank you very much my God for being with me in Good time and Bad time. Thank you for the wisdom that you give it to me not to forget you even in hard time of my life.

Again, Thank you to you my God!!

News that make me do the thinking

The First News:9 executed over China's deadly ethnic riots
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press Writer Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press Writer – Mon Nov 9, 12:54 pm ET

"BEIJING – China has executed nine men, including eight from the Muslim Uighur minority, for crimes committed during July riots that killed 200 people in far western Xinjiang region."..............


The Second News: DC area relives terror as sniper's execution nears
By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press Writer David Dishneau, Associated Press Writer – Mon Nov 9, 12:59 pm ET

"WHEATON, Md. – When James D. Martin was shot dead seven years ago in the parking lot of a grocery store in suburban Washington, it got little attention on the nightly news."..................

John Allen Muhammad, D.C. sniper, loses Supreme Court appeal
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to block John Allen Muhammad's execution, scheduled for Tuesday in a Virginia prison.The Christian Science Monitor - 1 hour, 3 minutes ago


Helen's Thinking: These two news was on today! When I heard these news in the morning I said; "Wowwww it takes only 4 months to bring the justice and to kill those bastards in China but it takes 7 years to kill one bastard in my USA!!"

This is what Robins said;" Helen, you can't go kill people right away. We have justice and we have to make sure this is the right person or the real things."

Even I am not Robert Shapiro, Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher or Mrs. Golden Mayer (Well... I like her alot because she is fast in everything too), I am not a stupid nor a slow learner!! Trust me on that. I think 4 months and 7 years is a way way huge different time. Why China works fast and we work so slow?? Because we have money to keep a bad guy to live longer life in jail than in China??

Let see on John Allen Muhammad case. Got the dead sentence but after 7 years he is still taking and walkintg with healthy look. Lets do the calculation (might not be correct but let me try it in my way!!)...

Says....................

Food: 15 $ per day X 7 years= 38325$

Electricity: 70 $ per month X 7 years=5880$

Water: 25 $ per month X 7 years=2100$

Say Miscellaneous= 25000$ for 7 years (sickness and hygiene, his clothes, his hair cut etc...)

Total=71305$ (may be more or may be less)

The sad thing is........, Most young and good men or women can't save that much money in 7 years in USA. Here ..we are or we need (I have no idea), to keep this useless man for 7 years is real real sad thing. Now I am talking only one bastard, can you imagine how many bastards that we are feeding for a long long years! How many thousand of millions are we going to use more which is necessary or not??? I have no idea on that.

Here what I found.....

"Originally Posted by London_Man
from what I have read... its costs the tax payer £20,000 to look after a single prisoner for a year."

I am glad that I am not an English Woman!!

That's all I can say for today!!

PS. What do you think about my calculation??

Can I keep the "Respect"?

God said to the man, "Man loves your woman!'
God said to the woman, "Woman respects your man!" Both words are in the Bible. These are what I learn from my yesterday, Sunday Worshipping.

When I said I just learn it means...... I know what love and respect is but never have deep thought about how the love and respect links strongly between a married couple. It DOES!!!

I have love to my husband but I also do have moment of yelling, throwing hurting words, not listing etc.,.... lack of respect not only one or two times but in my 19 years of marriage life, I have many many disrespect times with Robins. When Pastor was busy sharing about love and respect, I was busy asking to myself too. I asked to myself, "Why I do not keep respect???" The only nearest answer to myself was, "I reacted instantly!" and.. the next comes, "May be I am expecting too much."

Then I said, "Well... he provokes me too!" Sound like excuse right?

Can I give you an example what provoke mean to me? : Last night we went out for dinner. Me, Robins, the two Americans Business man, Ning (A Thai lady) and her husband who is from Austria. By the way I had a nice time with them because I like them. The reason I like them is, lots of laughing! Easy going and the conversation just flowed. There is no one minute to pretend that I like them. I just naturally like them the way they are.

Somehow the conversation heading about my blog. Jack (not his real name), said "Oh Helen you have blog?'
I said, "Yes!'
Jack said, "Can I have your address. You will see lots of people will read.,"
I said, " Well.. my English is not that good you know.''
At the moment my lovely husband jumped in and said.,
"Oh yeah, her English is bad... sometime I did not understand what she's saying.,"

(Sometimes Robins forgot that I am not born with English and I do not have Education as high as he has either. I always said to him if I were raised in USA with a pair of parent as he has, I will be as big as Hillary Clinton (not the looks but the brain is what I mean here!). I might also be the First Lady too!")

Honestly I will say this.... if not the yesterday from Sunday morning worshiping about love and respect, I will give back to Robins real real good on that moment and on the spot! But surprisingly, I shut my mouth. I just accepted that if this is what he wants to say, let him say it. I learn to respect or may be learn more to ignore it or I am in still confusing!! I think both combine will work for me well. OK I have been honest here.

See the point here? Why can't he say, "I am glad she can write that much even born and raised on the mountain. I am so proud of her for trying her best. Yeah.. her blog is interesting!!" Then the respect will be building bigger and bigger in my heart! Right? (By the way I have many people poking my blog even with my own bad English!!).

I will end with Pastor sharing from yesterday. Here it is..........

"I once knew a very old married couple who radiated a tremendous happiness. The wife especially, who was almost unable to move because of old age and illness and in whose kind old face the joys and sufferings of many years had etched a hundred lines, was filled with such a gratitude for life that I was touched to the quick.

Involuntarily, I asked myself what could possibly be the source of this kindly person's radiance. In every other respect they were common couple, and their room indicated only the most modest comfort. But suddenly I knew where it all came from, for I saw those tow speaking to each other their eyes hanging upon each other. All at once it became clear to me that this woman was dearly loved.

It was not because she was a cheerful and pleasant person that she was loved by the husband all those years. It was the other way around. Because she was so loved she became the person I saw before me.

from :"Because She was loved" by Helmut Thielicke, How the World Began."

I do have respect for Robins has not cheating on me for 19 years!! The more I grew older I know for sure that a good married is not base on Material. Not at all but help very little such as short time happiness.

How many pair of shoes I can buy right???

Get The Flu Shot Please!!

Good to read! It is from my google subscribtion.

John Schieszer
September 21, 2009

Infection
Transplantation
SAN FRANCISCO—As the nation prepares for influenza season, the susceptibility of immunosuppressed individuals, including transplant recipients, to the new H1N1 influenza strain (“swine flu”) and efficacy of the new H1N1 vaccines in these populations remain unclear. Nevertheless, a medical epidemiologist believes transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed individuals receive the new vaccines.

“I think if I were a renal transplant patient, I would get vaccinated before influenza strikes in my community,” said Gaston De Serres, MD, PhD, of Laval University in Quebec, Canada. “If I have flu-like symptoms during the time influenza is circulating in my community, I should go and consult early [with my physician], not late.”

At the 49th annual meeting here of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Dr. De Serres spoke about the H1N1 vaccines approved by the FDA on September 15.

Over the next six months, more will be known about how safe and effective the H1N1 vaccines are in immunocompromised patients, he said. Based on preliminary data from adults participating in multiple clinical studies, the H1N1 vaccines induce a robust immune response in most healthy adults eight to 10 days after a single dose, as occurs with the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Ongoing clinical studies will provide additional information about the optimal dose in children. The recommendations for dosing will be updated if indicated by findings from those studies. As with the seasonal influenza vaccines, the 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being produced in formulations that contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, and in non-thimerosal formulations. Patients with severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine, should not be vaccinated.

Patients who receive solid organ transplants (SOT) generally have higher influenza infection rates because of the immunosuppressant drugs they take to prevent organ rejection, Dr. De Serres noted.

Lung transplant recipients seem particularly at risk as the lungs are the primary site of flu infection. Kidney transplant recipients can suffer organ rejection if they contract influenza. In theory, vaccination in these populations could also stimulate a T-cell response, leading to rejection. However, most studies suggest this does not occur.

Flu can cause organ rejection

“Seasonal influenza has been reported to cause rejection of the transplanted kidney, so preventing influenza in kidney transplant recipients is important,” said Ken Kunisaki, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. “While kidney transplant recipients may not have as good antibody responses to influenza vaccine as people without transplants, a substantial proportion still responds. Therefore, kidney transplant recipients should receive influenza vaccination, in accordance with guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation. Unfortunately, there are not enough data about swine flu in transplant recipients and its vaccine to make firm conclusions and recommendations at this time.”

With seasonal influenza, a key issue appears to be timing. The American Society of Transplantation recommends flu vaccination every year for all recipients of SOTs, beginning six months after transplantation. U.S. guidelines recommend lifelong annual vaccinations; European guidelines recommend individual patient assessment.

Estimates show that more than 327,000 people were receiving hemodialysis treatment in the United States at the end of 2006. Infections are the second leading cause of death in these patients, and lung infections such as influenza claim a higher proportion of lives among dialysis patients than the general population. An analysis of Medicare claims data showed that flu-vaccinated patients on dialysis had a substantially lower chance of hospitalization or death from any cause than unvaccinated patients.

Chemotherapy can produce acute and profound immunosuppression in cancer patients and studies suggest that 21%-33% of cancer patients may be infected with influenza when admitted to a hospital with respiratory symptoms during a flu epidemic. Again, timing of flu vaccination may be crucial in cancer patients. The response to flu vaccination might be best between chemotherapy cycles or more than 7 days before chemotherapy starts.

“Patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer appear to be at heightened risk for influenza-related complications,” Dr. Kunisaki said. “They also appear less likely to respond to influenza vaccine, but nevertheless, a fair proportion still responds. No formal guidelines exist for influenza vaccination of patients receiving chemotherapy, but the data suggest timing vaccination to either more than two weeks before receiving chemotherapy or between chemotherapy cycles.”

Big Mouth

Army: 12 dead, 31 hurt in attack at Fort Hood

By APRIL CASTRO and DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writers April Castro And Devlin Barrett, Associated Press Writers – 15 mins ago

"FORT HOOD, Texas – An Army psychiatrist set to be shipped overseas opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post Thursday, authorities said, a rampage that killed 12 people and left 31 wounded in the worst mass shooting ever at a military base in the United States."............

"The man was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a 39-year-old from Virginia."

Above new was on CNN this morning, a Breaking New! I am sure by now the whole world are already knew what happening in our US soil.

I am going to have a very big mouth about this new. Well.. This is my blog and I am entitle to express what I feel today. You have a problem for reading this blog? So what?? If you want to big mouth like me, get your own blog please.

In 1992 when I set my foot in US soil, I have learn that USA is full of multi racial and multi culture. People come to US with different reasons...i.e., Migration, Studying, Work Permit, Contract, Asylum and Business Investment. You know some of them never go back to the country where they are from. USA welcome every people from around the world.

We do have a one big problem in USA though. From those people, how many are really adopting the real American Spirit!! Most of them knows what is the American Dreams but seen to me they forgot the meaning of American Spirit!

You can not come to stay USA for money only. If this money is the only reason you come to USA, you are not a good Citizen you are just the same level of a bad "PUTA".

Once you become American you have to have American Spirit which is "Unity Under United State of America." If you do not prepare for this "Unity" you should even not consider to become a US Citizen.

I will never accept people who come to my house just for eating and shitting. Worst they even not flash the water after shitting. I like my house guest locked my door if they are back to my house late or in anytime any day. Just secure my house please!! If you do not want to do this please get out of my house.

As you all know that I am from Shan State, now under Burma. I love my Shan State very much. I will always love this place. I will miss my people but once I become American, my first priority will be my new country, USA. I am an American.

I have SEEN American people celebrating... The Italian day, The Purta Rican day, The Irish day, The Mexican day. These celebration are fine with me and sure for the American too. People should not forget where they are coming from and their cultural but should be nothing above than celebration once you become American Citizen.

One of the question on the day I was interviewed by US Immigration office to become a US Citizen was... "Will you bare the arm to protect when the country needs you."... My answered was, "Yes!". They just need to teach me how to shoot then I will shot when the country needs me. Jesus told me "What belong to Cesar give it to the Cesar" which my understanding is... I have to obey my country laws.

Today if I have one wish to say, this will be my wish..

LOVE YOUR COUNTRY!! BE A GOOD FELLOW AMERICAN CITIZEN.

Those who mad at US Government, please go to deal with the US Government but do not touch American.

My way of thinking

NOTE: 1. This blog is only from my thinking and my views only. Might not be the same views of yours. Well.... we all are different in some points don't we???. OK I have to clear the air first.... I have no intend to attack anyone in this blog. Just pure from my thinking ONLY!

2. Do not forget that my English is not that good as to writing down from what I have in my brain. So bare with my bad English too please.

Here is what I have in my brain for today.

I will say it again as I said in my old blogs that sometime I have encountered sweet Atheist and bitter Atheist. To be fair, yes ....there are good Christian and bad Christian (I would say, people who has Faith but without Act! According to James (from the Bible), Act without Faith is as bad as Faith without Act), and good Hindu and bad Hindu, good Muslim and bad Muslim.......etc,.

Every time when I see unsweet Atheist, they like to discuss about religion but the only religion they want to talk about is Christian Religion. Why? Why not unsweet to other religions too??

When I was reading last night I found the following "The Ten Commandments" of Ethical Atheist. I got a catfish smile (mean... little smile). Honestly I have no idea what Ethical Atheist mean. I guess, may be sweet Atheist??

First thing I told to myself when I saw the Atheist Ten Commandments was.....

"Oh Lord here come again, Even Atheist Commandments has to be number, "10" commandments as we Christian has. Why can't they have "12" or "14" commandments??? " Well obviously they like to be same as the number (10) as Christian!!!

They said jsut consider as "suggestions", well... OK even as a "suggestions" why not 12 or 14 "suggestions"??

Here are the Atheist Comments.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (OF THE ETHICAL ATHEIST)
NOTE: Free thought and tolerance obviously prohibit these from being "commandments"! Just consider them "suggestions".

1. Thou SHALT NOT believe all thou art told.
Helen said: Free choice for every one so I really do not have to say about what everyone believe in!
2. Thou SHALT seek knowledge and truth constantly.
Helen Said: Knowledge..yes we are facing new knowledges as science is developing, i.e. medical science. Doctors need to seek new medical science. Truth, I have seen the truth in my Bible and also in my Christian Ten Commandments. i.e. The truth for me is, my God is living God. I no need to seek constantly about it. Put it this way I have found my true God..period!
3. Thou SHALT educate thy fellow man in the Laws of Science.
Helen said: Kidding me? Yes, science we have to learn. For me I starting to learn science since I was middle school. But my educators was not call "Fellow Man" They are call "School Teachers". I am talking about pure science but I have no idea that science has the laws. By the way, who are the Supreme Judges of the the Laws of Science?? I know country's laws, States Laws but Zero knowledge about Science Laws for me. I need to read more on this point.
4. Thou SHALT NOT forget the atrocities committed in the name of god.
Helen said: Honestly I admitted here that I need help from my dictionary because I have no idea what "atrocities" is. Now I knew! Let me tell you this... No religions said kill in the name of God. People is the one killing in the name of God. God did not tell you to kill in the name of God. From my believe, Jesus never tell me to kill other in the name of Jesus.
5. Thou SHALT leave valuable contributions for future generations.
Helen said: For me this even shouldn't be in the any group of Commandments. Say, If I am a poor and uneducated Atheist I will be beating to myself for not being able to leaving nothing to my future generations.
6. Thou SHALT live in peace with thy fellow man.
Helen said: I was told not only live in peace with fellow man but to love my neighbour.
7. Thou SHALT live this one life thou hast to its fullest.
Helen said: I need to understand more about the meaning of "Fullest" for Atheist.
8. Thou SHALT follow a Personal Code of Ethics.
Helen said: I do not understand what Personal Code of Ethics is as well.
9. Thou SHALT maintain a strict separation between Church and State.
Helen said: Here come again my fellow Atheists. Why they use the word "Church" only. Why not "Temple", "Monastery", "Pagoda", "Mosque", and even "Atheist and State!! If I say like the way they are saying as, "Thou Shalt maintain a strict separation between Atheists and State."!! Sound good???
10. Thou SHALT support those who follow these commandments.
Helen said: I support my family, my friends, my church, my religion not in blindly but within in the laws of God's eyes and with the Earthly laws. If a Church is running unethical way, I won't support this kind of church either!
I obey the Laws of God and the laws of men on earth in each country.

PS. I love you Sweet Atheists even we believe in very different way as....
You do not believe in God but I do believe in my God!

Breaking Point Again!

Note: The following is the health news that I subscribe from Google.


I just only want to say; "Thank you America and thank you to never giving up doctors!!" If I am in Shan State, I'll be dead by now and may be the warms are happying for the food.

Amazingly I have been living a quality life for 3 years! Again thank you to Shand Hospital, University of Florida. Thank you to my doctors, Dr. Hemming, Dr. Langham Jr., Dr. Nelson, Dr. Souldevilla Pico of course my buddies at Transplant Team, Rocky Lab, Nurses and to a University Hospital bus driver. I love this lady but I can't remember her name who I encounter totally twice in my life. She makes me laugh and make me also can't forget her everytime I go back to Gainesville!! What a joyful one. Also thank you to my Thai Doctors, Dr. Sinn and Dr. Surasak.


Above of all thoes people a very big big thank you to my Lord Jesus Christ who is walking with me and being with me all those diffiicult days....and till now.

I love you my Lord and my God!

Ok enjoy the reading!



Reuters
World`s 1st Total Artificial Heart to Dual Heart & Liver Transplant Performed at Cleveland Clinic
Tue Nov 3, 2009 8:55am EST Email Print Share Reprints Single Page[-] Text [+]

Featured Broker sponsored link
63-Year-Old Dentist Undergoes 14-Hour Landmark Surgery
TUCSON, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.syncardia.com), manufacturer of the SynCardia
temporary CardioWest Total Artificial Heart, announced today that Cleveland
Clinic has performed the world`s first Total Artificial Heart to dual heart and
liver transplant.

"Cleveland Clinic has made medical history with their use of the Total
Artificial Heart to bridge a very ill patient to a dual heart and liver
transplant," said Dr. Jack Copeland, internationally renowned transplant surgeon
and Total Artificial Heart pioneer. "My congratulations go out to Drs. Nicholas
Smedira and Randall Starling, two world class physicians."

After living with the Total Artificial Heart for 113 days, on May 1, 2009, Dr.
Michael Zabell received the donor heart and liver during a 14-hour landmark
surgery involving two different transplant teams. Today, Dr. Zabell is enjoying
life at home with his wife of 19 years and his two daughters, ages 17 and 15.

"I`ve had more doctors than the Cleveland Browns have had quarterbacks," said
Dr. Zabell. "Dr. Smedira is not only an outstanding surgeon but he`s really a
wonderful guy. Cleveland Clinic has an outstanding group of surgeons, physicians
and hospital staff, including my cardiologist Dr. Starling. I can`t say enough
about the care."

Dr. Zabell was first admitted to the hospital to wait for a heart transplant on
Aug. 18, 2008. He was given medication to help his heart function, but his
condition continued to deteriorate. By January 8, 2009, his heart had become so
weak that doctors needed to implant the Total Artificial Heart to buy him more
time until a matching donor heart and liver could be found.

*Disclosure* Nicholas Smedira, MD, is a paid consultant for SynCardia Systems,
Inc.

Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, the Total Artificial Heart is
currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for patients dying from
end-stage biventricular failure. The Total Artificial Heart is the only device
that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 L/min through both
ventricles.

The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is the first and only FDA, Health Canada
and CE Mark approved Total Artificial Heart in the world. There have been more
than 800 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 170
patient years of life on the device.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6089811&lang=en

SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
Cell: 520-955-0660

Copyright Business Wire 2009