Breaking Free from Smoking: DAY 1
Today is supposed to be the big day for me to stop smoking. Although I still smoked a few sticks, I would still consider this day (this day only) a success.
My biggest mistake today was not throwing away all my remaining cigarettes. I was doing well from the time I got up from bed until lunchtime, and then I had the urge to smoke. I tried to get my nicotine gum from my pocket then realized that I still had 2 sticks with me which I forgot to dispose of. (Funny, right?)
That was it... it was too much temptation and I couldn't resist it. After the two sticks, I couldn't stop myself from buying a half-pack thinking that I would move my quit-date to the next day instead.
Five sticks after, I reviewed my plans and gathered all the strength to throw away all my cigarettes and lighters.
This is a problem, it is very difficult to stop at the middle of the day as I could still taste the flavor it would really drive me nuts. I decided to take a nap so I could restart my day (I am on night shift) and got up at 6PM.
Since 6PM, and its been eight hours.. I am still smoke-free. 
Breaking Free from Smoking: Planning
For more than 20 years now, I have been smoking.
I have previously made attempts to stop but all to no avail. I tried around 5 times already and the best I did, I think, lasted only 2 weeks. I don't know how this attempt now would be different, or if it would be successful at all. Nevertheless, I would like to try again.
According to this blog, there are 2 ways to stop smoking - the "cold turkey" approach and the method of gradual withdrawal. The "cold turkey" approach can be recommended for those whose nicotine addiction is relatively weak (less than 1 pack a day). Gradual withdrawal is for people who consume more than 1 pack a day.
I am going for the "cold turkey" approach which means that I would stop abruptly and (try) not take another puff anymore. (Also) I guess that my addiction is relatively weak after all. There was a period (college days) when I consumed around 2 packs a day but now, and (I think) since I started working, I only consume around 1 pack a day.
This, like all my previous attempts would be a very very difficult process.
There were times, during my previous attempts, that I woke up sweating heavily and almost shaking, looking for a cigarette. One time, I was at the province and the urge was so intense that I had to drive to the nearest city (20 minute drive from our town with no traffic) just to get a puff.
Moreover, during all my previous attempts, I suffered from smoker's cough, constipation and migraines.
Anticipating all these withdrawal symptoms, I have to be prepared.
I decided to schedule the BIG DAY (quit date) on Monday. Last Saturday, the Nicotine Gum I ordered was delivered. A box of 170 pieces of this gum (good for 12 weeks) costs $32 or around PHP 1,500. This should help me against the urges of smoking and hopefully a new habit of chewing gum would replace holding and puffing a cigarette.
Yesterday, Sunday, grocery day, I made sure that we have enough supply of our favorite calamansi concentrate as it works all the time for my cough and cold. I also made sure that we have stocks of
- Mefenamic Acids or Aspirins for possible migraines
- Attapulgite to Loperamide for possible constipations
Finally, I would like to be reminded of my reasons and fears -- why I want to stop smoking in the first place. I would like to place them here so I can review them anytime. I hope they could help me stay focused on my goals.
CBCP Wants Condom TV Ads Banned — Is the Catholic Church Blind?
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I really cannot understand the position of the Catholic church towards contraception and family planning. I would like to be enlightened on this, but until that time, I think that the Catholic church is being blind, insensitive and hypocritical. All I can think of, at the moment, is that they only want new blood in the church to ensure its survival without regard to the consequences.
I do believe that sex is inevitable, within or outside the sanctity of marriage. I think that abstinence will never work as sex is natural and essential for most animals, humans included. It may work for some but definitely not for everybody. Deprivation might only result to more immoral repercussions.
Just last week, a monastery in southern Germany was raided due to sex abuse claims - http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/03/germany.abuse/index.html
And we don't have to go far. Here in the country there were various instances of sexual abuse - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/2116154.stm
I think that people can never be constrained from doing it, but we can definitely be educated on how to do it properly, safely and responsibly, with the option of using contraception available.
There are issues to be addressed.
First is the alarming growth of HIV cases in the country - http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=532064
Also, as of 2009, there are already 92 million of us in this small and poverty-stricken country. We are ranked 12th in the world in terms of population, outnumbering those in other countries which are, by far, 'bigger' both in terms of land area and economy. The result -- worse conditions for all of us.
Why is this a better option for the Catholic church? Why are we depriving people the privilege of knowing the "various methods" they can use?
I am glad that Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is firm on her stand.. and it is about time that we have such a leader. I hope that the next president, whoever he may be, would share the same view as Cabral. I am very sure that most of us would want have only a family that we can support and yet, enjoy the privilege of life, without sacrificing the health, security and well-being of our loved ones.
Manny Villar and the C-5 Project Controversy
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I was kinda hoping that come the 2010 elections, our country would have better choices. Unfortunately, those who I believe are qualified are those who are at lowest in the surveys.
I was actually rooting for Manny Villar as I am a believer of hard work and determination, rather than mere popularity and charisma. From his rags-to-riches life story.. then his impressive (at least in my point of view if you dont agree) political career so far as congressman and senator... and best of all, his role, when he was Speaker of the House, in the ouster of former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada ... Manny Villar is a man of action...
... until this controversy...
I believe that Winnie Monsod's analysis is an intelligent one. And given the facts in this video, I do now believe that Manny Villar has some explaining to do.
It is quite sad that Manny Villar and his allies are somewhat choosing to either ignore this issue or address it half-heartedly - http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph/videolink.php?video=1 .
I do agree that the senate is NOT a good venue to discuss this issue or to defend himself, as it would only be biased. But I am sure that there are other and more convincing ways to clear himself aside from his current approach of "letting the people decide"... well, that is IF he really wants to.
This C5 controversy is not a minor issue as it involves corruption. Until this is resolved and clarified, I guess that this would be a permanent and damaging stain to what should have been an illustrious political career.
Noynoy Aquino Tv Ad – Hindi Ako magnanakaw; Ninoy, Cory, Noynoy and the Bandwagon Effect
Any one of those presidentiables can easily make this promise.. and it is easier said than done!
Instead of promises, I hope that most people would rather look at accomplishments and track records.
I agree that noone can deny the contributions made by both by Cory and Ninoy ... but I simply hate it when children or relatives try to use solely their surnames or consanguinity to get to a position and not do anything at all. I would like to believe the Noynoys popularity in the surveys is simply because of the recent hype stirred by Cory's death.. and would soon fade away... I hope.
Come on... 3 terms as congressman and 1 term as senator - all resulting to 9 bills and ZERO laws. How can we see that he would make a good leader and would have the BALLS to be good one?
"It is not WHAT you know, but WHO you know" - don't you just hate it? And yet this is so common. This is why Mang Berto is our baranggay captian... simply because his dad is the mayor's sister's former gardener. Also why Magno was promoted... simply because his father's best friend's niece is the manager. Also why a Celso got the job... because his sister's ex-boyfriend's former teacher is the HR manager.
And yet we regret (that is if he is guilty) that Datu Andal Jr was ever placed in power. Patriarch Datu Andal Sr is former governor, son-in-law Datu Akmad is mayor, Zaldy is ARMM Governor, Anwar is also Mayor.
Are we not fed up yet?
Though I do not like Erap Estrada, I do like the fact that he worked his way up. What did Loi and his children do to earn their places in higher government positions?
I am NOT saying that Noynoy would not make a good president and I would like to believe that Cory did a good job with all her children (yes with sarcasm 
). But until the time that Noynoy has made a name for himself and has made accomplishments that he could claim as his own, I refuse to join the bandwagon.
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