What a "Nice Day" Today

Wow, what a nice surprise when I opened my e-mail this morning...Morgan has passed me the "Nice Matters Award". I've been following Morgan's "the Miracle Process" blog since I first saw it. I admire her candidness and personal strength to see hope and love in things each day. Thanks Morgan! =)

“This award is the Nice Matters Award, and this award is for nice people, good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. The award should be passed on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

And now the seven wonderful people whom I'd like to pass this award to are:

Jo - She's this generous person who get me into blogging again. She has introduced me to the best opportunities on the web. She's someone who doesn't mind sharing her time to me and for other people. How can I not pass this award to her? SHE TRULY deserves it.

Jim and Em - Who hasn't heard of the phrase "GO, Smell the flowers!"? their blog gives people something to think about each day, to be inspired and a reason to feel grateful! And one more thing, they give free flowers every month to one lucky blogger! Now that's nice=)

Spencer- my favorite Golden Retriever in the blogging world. I think he deserves this award because aside from being adorable, he also volunteers as a therapy dog at Northridge hospital. Keep up the great work Spence!

Johann- Johann is my favorite dog blogger because he and his mum is sooo busy trying to make this world a more beautiful place for dogs by creating an awarenes not just for dog and animal lovers but everyone as well, setting up a rescue blog to help dogs in shelters find loving homes. All the best to you Johann and your mum!

Sam Chan - for his inspirational posts
Hin Man - for capturing beauty and sharing them to the world
Blazingsapphire - for her anti-child abuse blog.

1 Million Love Messages

"What the world needs now, is love, sweet love,
It's the only thing, that there's just too little of..."

Got a broadcast from this very cool blog, 1 Million Love Messages. It aims to gather 1 million love messages from around the world, isn't that a wonderful idea? LOVE is such a big and inspiring word and there can never be too much it. Do you have a special message to your loved one? A poem, a prose, a letter? To your friend, family or your better half? Share your own love message to world, and let's start spreading some love.

Help Your Dog Cope from Dog Allergies

People aren’t the only ones who experience allergies. Even dogs can have allergies too. Just like in humans, dogs can be allergic to different things such as food, dust mites, pollen, fleas, ticks and bacteria. A dog can also get contact allergies from things such as dog collars, food bowls, plants, beddings, and other surfaces. To understand better, let’s briefly discuss how allergies are acquired.

What causes allergic reactions?

Allergic reactions are triggered when a substance or an “allergen” enters the dog’s immune system. The dog’s immune system will treat a substance as harmful (even if it’s not) and will attempt to fight it to protect the body. The immune system will produce antibodies which attach themselves in the blood cells. The cells will release chemicals including “histamines” which causes the symptoms we see in allergic dogs. (The same explanation applies to humans with allergies)

What are the symptoms of dog allergy?

Since your pet won’t be able to tell you how he’s feeling, it’s important to observe your dog closely whenever he’s introduced to a new food or a new environment. Symptoms in dogs include:

• sneezing
• coughing
• loss of appetite
• a discharge in eyes or nose
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• difficulty in breathing
• itching
• rashes or red patches
• constant chewing and licking
• hair loss

How do you know if your dog is allergic?

If you notice any of the above allergy symptoms in your dog, better take him to the vet for check up. Your vet would need to do some allergy tests (such as skin test or a blood test) on your dog to find out exactly what kind of substance he is allergic with. Remember that the “allergen” or the substance your dog is allergic to may be found in several types of food or things. Once the cause of allergy is confirmed, your vet may prescribe an anti-histamine, a special shampoo, or allergy shots for your dog.

Some dogs are allergic to beef, chicken, pork, eggs, wheat or dairy products which are the same ingredients used in dog foods that are sold in the market. If your dog has a food allergy, it is not advisable to buy pre-processed dog food. To be sure, ask your veterinary about recommended dog foods that are hypoallergenic and suitable for your dog.

My Dream Day

I got a broadcast from goandsmelltheflowers today and i really enjoyed answering the question, "What does your dream day consist of?"

My dream day would be to wake up in Canada where my best friend lives, she'll wake me up and we'll both be so astounded that i was there.we'll hug and cry because it was so surreal.

We'll watch the sunrise together, have a cup of hot chocolate and breakfast over a long morning chat, we'll catch up on the years we haven't seen each other. Then, she'll take me to all the places she's been and we'll take pictures of us together,it's going to be the fall and trees are colorful and beautiful...we'll eat on the street cafes and have ice cream on the on the way...we'll be able to tell each other everything we've missed just like the old times...

and then in the afternoon,snowflakes would fall and it would be the first time ill see snow, we'll have strawberries and fondue, and more girl talk by the fireplace. Who knows when will be the next time we'll see each other? Maybe, we'll be both married and have kids by then. But at least we've shared another beautiful day and we'll remember it forever.

What is your own dream day? Hurry up and share your answer over at gosmelltheflowers and you can win free flowers delivered anywhere in the world. Isn't that exciting? The contest ends on the 16th, Sunday, at midnight Dubai time.

Do Dogs Know the Smell of Cancer?

We all know that dogs have extraordinary sense of smell. James Walker, the director of the Sensory Research Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee acknowledged that when compared to humans, a dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more superior. Still, can dogs really smell cancer?

That Wet Dog Smell., originally uploaded by alifetimeatsingsing.

In 1989, a woman was diagnosed of skin cancer when she had her mole on her leg taken out because her dog ( a border Collie and Doberman mix) kept sniffing on it. In 2001, the same case was reported by a man when his Labrador kept sniffing on a patch of eczema on his leg.

In both cases, the cancer was detected just in time before it was too late for treatment. The dogs saved lives. These are just two examples but there have been a lot of dog owners who reported cases that their dogs have showed signs that there is something wrong with them, and it turned out that they have cancer. Are they all coincidence?

Scientists believe that tumors or cancer cells inside our bodies do emit a certain chemicals that are beyond the range of our senses. However, it is possible that dogs can distinguish these scents.

A study was done to find out if dogs can detect bladder cancer from smelling urine samples of both healthy and cancer patients. The research was collaboration of researchers from the Amersham Hospital in England and the organization Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Although the dogs weren’t able to come up with one hundred percent accuracy, a 41% success rate proved that dogs can be trained to recognize the smell of bladder cancer more accurately.

In March 2006, a more recent scientific research headed by Michael McCulloch of the Pine Street Foundation in California was published in the Integrative Cancer Therapies reporting that dogs can detect breast cancer and lung cancer just by smelling a person’s breath. In this study, there was a remarkably 88% and 97% accuracy in both types of cancer respectively.

These true-to-life accounts and scientific studies give a promising hope that dogs can help us in the early detection and therefore, early treatment of cancer. Certainly, this is a life-changing feat for all of us.

My List Of Favorite Movies

I was trying to create a top ten list of my all time most favorite movies but I ended up with more than ten. I’m sure there are some movies that I missed by here is what I have so far.

1.You've Got Mail

I love Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. After Sleepless in Seattle, this is their third movie together and I absolutely fell in love with it. It's a feel-good movie because it's funny, light, and it has a very happy ending. I must have already seen this movie about more than twenty times (on intervals) and each time I watch it, still enjoy it like the first time! (haha, if that’s not a great movie, what is?

The movie was shown in 1998, and on that year, I was spending a lot of time in the internet, exchanging e-mails with an “unseen friend” who lives somewhere in Maryland. Although there wasn’t a romantic thing going on, I can understand how a person can build a strong attachment to another person just through written mails or e-mails.

Love the whole soundtrack of the movie. Carole King’s Anything At All is a song I hold close to my heart. Here is part of the lyrics of the song:

“Words can hurt you, if you let them
People say them and forget them
Words can promise, words can lie
But your words make me feel like I can fly. . .

You could have been anyone at all
An old friend calling out of the blue
I’m so glad
it was YOU.”

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void. – Kathleen Kelly

Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.
Joe Fox: You told me.
Kathleen Kelly: They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

Joe Fox: Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry.
Kathleen Kelly: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.

2.Legends of the Fall

This is an unforgettable movie because I watched it in the theaters with someone very, very special to me. It was a heartbreaking movie that really ripped my heart in two. Brad Pitt became a favorite on my list because of this movie. And the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking.

3. The Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest, At World's End

Needless to say, Johnny Depp is my personal favorite. Jack Sparrow is so amusingly handsome, hehehe!!! I’m so glad that in all three sequels of the movie, the thrill and excitement never waned. I have seen them only once in the theaters but I definitely will be collecting all three series!

4.Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Who can forget Sassy the cat, mischievous Chance and the loving protector and leader of the pack, Shadow? Just being reminded of Shadow’s famous quote makes me teary all of a sudden. *sigh* If I only have a dog like Shadow.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Shadow: [after Sassy is lost in the river] I shouldn't have made her come.
Chance: It's not your fault, she wanted to come.
Shadow: But it's my responsibility. I had a responsibility to Sassy - to love her and protect her - the same as I have to you... and to Peter. And the same as you have to Jamie.
Chance: But we didn't ask for this job.
Shadow: We didn't have to. It's built in. Has been ever since the dawn of time... when a few wild dogs took it upon themselves to watch over man, to bark when he's in danger, to run and play with him when he's happy, to nuzzle him when he's lonely. That's why they call us man's best friend.
Chance: [narrating] Looking at him that night, he seemed so wise... and ancient, like the first dog who ever walked the earth. I just hope that one day, I can be like him.

5.Girl Interrupted

At the time I guess I could say that I was a girl interrupted in some ways. No further explanations needed.

6.Notting Hill

The soundtrack is beautiful and the setting of the movie is just so inviting. There’s something walking about the streets of London! Again, I fell in love in this movie because it portrays what true love always does… and that is to break seemingly unbreakable barriers, to make any difference petty and trivial!. Of course, Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts made the characters more alive, they have a wonderful chemistry together! But everyone in the cast made the movie even more lovable than it already is! And let’s not forget the bench in the movie.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
"For June who loved this garden from Joseph who always sat beside her." Some people do spend their whole lives together. -Anna Scott

7.When A Man Loves A Woman

Someone recommended me to watch this film because it’s his favorite movie. And I ended up loving it too! I think anyone would dream of a man that loves as much as Michael (Andy Garcia in the movie) does. The movie discusses love in deeper meaning, sacrifices, acceptance, and being a family in times of trouble.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Michael Green: My wife is an alcoholic. Best person I ever met. She has 600 different smiles. They can light up your life. They can make you laugh out loud, just like that. They can even make you cry, just like that. That's just with her smiles. You'd have to see her with her kids. You'd have to see how they look at her, when she's not looking. To think of all the things she lives through, and I couldn't help her.
Alice Green: Maybe helping wasn't your job.
Michael Green: Well, it wasn't. See I love her. And I tried everything, except really listening, really listening, and that's how I left her alone. I was so ashamed of that, and I couldn't even tell her. Maybe if I tell her she'd love me anyway.

8.Before SunriseBefore Sunset

The simplest movies I have seen, in terms of story, but is profoundly affecting at the same time. Both movies revolved around Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine’s (Julie Delpy) conversations along the way. In Before Sunrise, they’ve met on a train and spent a night together in Austria. Nine years later, they met in Paris with more experiences and a more realistic view in life. I can definitely stay home and watch this movie on a rainyday repeatedly.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Jesse: Oh, God, why didn't we exchange phone numbers and stuff? Why didn't we do that?
Celine: Because we were young and stupid.
Jesse: Do you think we still are?
Celine: I guess when you're young, you just believe there'll be many people with whom you'll connect with. Later in life, you realize it only happens a few times.
Jesse: And you can screw it up, you know, misconnect.

Celine: You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.

9.50 First Dates

Love the soundtrack. A funny, and heart-warming movie that will make you want to fall in love! Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler were the perfect people to play these roles. I love that the story tells about the incredible power of love that nothing is insurmountable. Lucy (Drew) has a short term memory and she forgets everything that happens to her after a day since the accident. Despite this fact, Henry stayed by her side and love her even he if he has to make her fall in love with every single day. What is amazing is, Lucy may not totally remember him in the morning but it doesn’t mean that her heart has totally forgotten. The whole time they were separated, she was painting only one face even though she doesn’t remember who it is, and she also remembers the song she’s singing since they met.

10. Stand By Me

This is a movie close to my heart and I will never tire watching this. It is about the adventure of Teddy (Corey Feldman), Vern (Jerry O-Connell, Gordie (Will Wheaton) and Chris (River Phoenix) when they were twelve. All the dialogues in the movie just speaks straight to your heart, the honesty and candidness of being young, their innocence and openness to the world around them.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve.

11. My Best Friend’s Wedding

Love the songs in the movie, love the characters, love the dialogue, love story! I must have seen this movie like thirty times and still love it.

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Michael O'Neill: Kimmy says if you love someone you say it, you say it right then, out loud. Otherwise the moment just...
Julianne Potter: Passes you by...
Michael O'Neill: Passes you by...

12. Forrest Gump

Tom Hanks played the role of Forrest Gump so amazingly, nobody could’ve played the same way. The movie is just so profound in so many ways, it makes you think and makes you realize that the Heart is a powerful weapon. Forrest’s innocence, loyalty, honesty and genuine love for all people have made him successful more than anyone can imagine and anybody ever expected from him. Truly brilliant, meaningful, inspiring and heart-warming!

Favorite scene/dialogue:
Forrest Gump: I'm not a smart man... but I know what love is.

My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Mrs. Gump: You have to do the best with what God gave you.