Dyspnea: The Last Airbender

I can’t wait for the live action – film adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender to be released into the big screen. I was so addicted to the animated production from the start (I was in college, back then) until it aired its series finale around a year ago. Many would think that the show is for kids (yeah, I admit, it was not targeted for my age group), but then who are you to judge the child in me? Right? (*lol)

In a nutshell, Avatar: The Last Airbender chronicles the story of a young boy destined to bring back balance into a world ravaged by greed and war. The main character, Aang, together with his friends must save the world by defeating the Fire Lord thereby ending the destructive war brought about by the fire nation. I no longer want to post details in here and not pre-empt the story for those who are interested to watch or discover why many people are going gaga over it. (For those who prefer to know the story in advance, there’s always Google).

It’s a long wait for the film is due for release on July 2010. Nonetheless, it gives me more time to re-watch the entire Book 1 of the animated series. So it’s just apt for you to follow suit. The DVD copies of the entire series are all out in the market so grab a copy.

The Last Airbender, is the first film in the planned The Last Airbender Trilogy (guys, support it so that production won’t be shelved after the first installement). The film is adapted, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan (director of The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Lady in the Water) and will feature new-comer Noah Ringer as Aang, Nicola Peltz as Katara, Jackson Rathborne as Sokka and Dev Patel (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) as Prince Zuko.

I am pleased to note that James Newton Howard (The Dark Knight, The Sixth Sense, Treasure Planet) will join the production team as Musical Scorer/Composer (?). This is no longer a surprise for me as Newton-Howard has previously worked with Shyamalan before with The Sixth Sense and The Village. Another great news is that Judianna Makovsky will join the team as Costume Designer. She was also the costume designer for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (my personal fave among the series) and Xmen: The Last Stand, to name a few.

Truly, I just cannot wait for my eyes to feast on the visual imagery of M. Night Shyamalan. I hope he does not disappoint me this time. For now, I leave you with the teaser trailer. It might not be much but you have to admit, it does tickle your interest.

You might want to check out these other sites for more information:

Official Website
The Last Airbender at IMDB
Avatar Wiki Article
Official Nickelodeon Site

Post Nasal Drip: LP Rocks Transformers 2

Linkin Park heralds the soundtrack of this season's expected megahit - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The newest single NEW DIVIDE, released just yesterday is currently creating waves of both positive and negative responses from fans and critics alike. Admittedly, it is their first song put out in quite a while after releasing Minutes to Midnight more than two years ago. While it is not exactly a clone/copy of their prior hits, it has a dynamic new sound to it but not totally dilineating from the sound that makes them Linkin Park. I really like how it catches on me and how Chester Bennington has evolved into a more seasoned and mature singer than before. The entire band has completely grown and I can't wait to get my hands on the Transformers soundtrack after hearing this song.

You can download New Divide exclusively via iTunes here.





other links:
Review by www.newreviews.net
Lyrics from Mike Shinoda's blog
Official Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen site

A Mid-year Resolution

Today, I made a resolution. I need to be a little more serious about finding a new job. Not that I really need a new one but I feel that it’s about time for me to move on to the next level. I am hoping and praying that I can find a job abroad but in the meantime I have to settle for just being here in the Philippines.

Honestly, I need a higher paying job so that I can pay my dues and fees for all of my application requirements for a job abroad. That’s just it. Other than that, I really don’t have reasons to leave my current job. Truth is, I love my job. I love what I do. It’s just that working with auditing and consulting firms are not financially rewarding. Ask my fellow CPAs who toil with auditing firms and they will surely back me up.

But in terms of experience, auditing firms are a treasure trove. Most people in the “accounting and auditing” world that I look up to would always suggest that, as new CPAs, we should start our careers with an auditing firm. The pay may not that be much but the experience and the learning we will gain is just priceless. They would say that just persevere for the next 3 years and from there watch your market value soar up.

I am trying to “persevere,” as they call it but is seems my cup can never be full. I want to become lots of things which is quite dangerous at my age – it would simply mean I still do not know where I am heading to. That’s a shocker, right? Me, the ever career oriented person, LOST!?!

But then again, some things in life change. As we travel and live our lives, we learn that we want things to happen. We regret some decisions we made and hope we can change whatever mistakes we did in the past. Some might even shrug off their shoulders and continue to live the same lives they chose before. It may not be the right thing to do but, perhaps, it’s totally late to change everything. I believe it is never too late to change. It is never too late to take a detour or a U-turn and head towards another direction.

So how do we know that we need to shift gears and change lanes? We think about it. We weigh the pros and the cons. We compare the benefits against the possible consequences. Most of all, We PRAY about it. We do not simply keep our fingers cross and leave everything to chance because that is a dire act of sheer stupidity. The key is discern and pray.

So far, I have made little progress about that resolution. I still have, yet again, to revise my resume (or cv/curriculum vitae) and update all my contact information. The fact that I languidly sit on all of these does not help, not a single bit.

I am going into my 3rd year this November 26th. That’s roughly 5 months from now. And the pressure for me finding a better (in a complete picture) job is mounting.

And about that “market value surge” thing – that I yet have to see or feel.

Nonetheless, life must go on.

Setting the Records Straight: Influenza A(H1N1)

Earlier this morning, our company had an info session about the recent epidemic (no pandemic) that has been hogging around the metro and nearby provinces. Of course, you would know what I'm talking about. It's SWINE FLU. What else?

The info session gave me few new information. Most of the things I've heard were either already posted online, published in dailies, or aired in televisions and radios. Indeed, what is Influenza A(H1N1) or Novel H1N1?

Novel H1N1 (or “swine flu” ) is a new influenza virus strain causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. It is thought to be a mutation - a reassortment - of four known strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 [ H and N are from the protein that defines the influenza: Hemagglutunin (Ha) and Neuramidase (Na)] one endemic to humans, another in birds, and two endemic in pigs. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

As of this post, the Dr. Francisco Duque of the Department of Health reports a total of 247 cases of swine flu which includes an epidemic in one barangay in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, one elementary school and one high school. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that as o June 15, 2009, 76 countries have officially reported 35,928 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection which includes 163 deaths.

Adding to the confusion is the declaration of the WHO of a Pandemic Alert Level 6 status. By this time, many people, most uniformed, would panic much like its "ragnarok" for all of us (as to the biblical implications of this event, I lack the authority to comment).

A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious diseases that is spreading through human populations across a large region. At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. The moderate assessment reflects that:

• Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
  
• Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
  
• Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

WHO is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy. Large outbreaks of disease have not yet been reported in many countries, and the full clinical spectrum of disease is not yet known.

The Pandemic Alert Level 6 raised by WHO is indeed the highest level but this was done by WHO as a precaution given the speed of the spread of the virus. Albeit this scenario, Dengue has claimed many lives than A(H1N1) in our country. This gives us no reason to fear or to panic but also does not assure us into complacence.

I certainly do not know what the future holds for all of us. All I know that for any disease outbreak, there is a two-pronged result. Either it will claim many lives or the disease dying a natural death. But by the looks of it, A(H1N1) is here to stay for some time. Health experts and epidemiologists even foretell of a bleaker future - a mutation of a more virulent influenza A(H1N1) strain.

While my thoughts are poring over this current scare, it is but just apt to finally set the record straight. I am posting below a brief primer on what is influenza A(H1N1) and some useful links you might want to check out. It's always good to be informed.

DOH PRIMER

Influenza A (H1N1) is fatal to humans.

Signs and symptoms in humans

- similar to the symptoms of regular flu such as

• Fever
  
• Headache
  
• Fatigue
  
• Lack of appetite
  
• Runny nose
  
• Sore throat
  
• Cough
  

- Vomitting or nausea
- Diarrhea

Mode of Transmission

- Exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person. Influenza A (H1N1) is not transmitted by eating thoroughly cooked pork.

Prevention

- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
- Always wash hands with soap and water
- Use alcohol- based hand sanitizers
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Increase your body's resistance
- Have at least 8 hours of sleep
- Be physically active
- Manage your stress
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat nutritious food

DOH Hospitals designated as Referral Centers for Emerging and
Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

National Referral Center

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
Tel No. 809-7599

_______________

Amidst all these pandemonium, we can only draw strength from the true healer - JESUS. Above all, let us pray for healing and protection from our Almighty Father. James tell us that in that if any of us in trouble or if anyone of us is sick, all we need to is PRAY (James 5:13-16). Claim God's healing through fervent prayer because with HIM, nothing is impossible.

Useful Links:

Department of Health (DOH) Influenza A(H1N1) Primer
US Center for Disease Control (US CDC) General Information
World Health Organization (WHO)