Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. It is spread by contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses and contact with a person with swine flu. It is highly contagious. The signs and symptoms are almost the same as having a seasonal flu with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, chills, cough and sore throat. Well, ER nurses, I guess we have to contact isolate pretty much everyone who comes in with flu like symptoms, eh?

There is no vaccine for this yet, but there are several medicines that CDC has recommended to use. They recommend Oseltamivir or Zanamivir for the treatment/or prevention of infection. It can minimize the illness and helps recover faster.

As ER nurses, we have to be vigilant in teaching our patients how to minimize the spread of this virus, by teaching them the very basic of hand washing with soap and water. Cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing. And to stay at home when having flu like symptoms, including us.

There were documented deaths as caused by this infection. It existed before in the US. Now, it started in Mexico and spread in the US like in California, New York and Texas. I hope it will not spread in Arizona, but then it is a virus. So, ER nurses be prepared.  Triage skills are very important.

Good information to get into is the Centers for disease control and prevention  website.

It was music to my ears when Tom told me, he’s back working full time at Boeing, yeah!  For the past 1 1/2 yr, our family did a lot of sacrifices and set back because  he is not working.  It was not easy being a breadwinner either.  Working a lot of  shifts not fun at all.

Considering the bad economy, stiff competition in the job market and tom’s health, we never imagine that he will ever get his job back at Boeing.  In fact he was just looking for a part time job and signed up for a contract work.  He was not really ready to return to work full time.  Surprisingly, when he was offered the job yesterday, it was not just 1 offer but 2. The other job offer was just an on the spot offer, mainly because he used to work a lot with this person, who is now the head of the engineering dept.  He knows Tom’s work ethic and has high respect for his work. 

A lot of things happened then and reasons why he left Boeing, but all I can say and always remember what Tom told me, “There is always a reason.”  And for a very good reason I might ad.  With a significant increase in pay, working with a smaller group of people and working with good leadership, Tom’s never been happier.  I know, I can see it everytime he get’s home.  Congratulations honey!

There is nothing intriguing about this photo at all. In fact, I was thinking about dumping this photo in my garbage bin, but then I realised I can make something fancy about this. It didn’t take me long to play with it in photoshop and voila! My new blog photo wall decor!

Spring break also means ….. pool time!  Daddy will be draining the water in the pool soon and fill it with new  water.  Time to go outside swimming, see the flowers blooming  and birds chirping.  More sunset photo pics for me too.

I just wish the temperature stays in the 80’s-90’s for a while. Not really looking forward to see the tripple digit temperature just yet. ….sigh…. oh well….Welcome to Arizona!!!!

My family has been living in this quite city for about 10 years now. We live at the foothills of the famous Superstition Mountains. When we first moved here, the area had just started growing. Lots of community builders sprung everywhere on each side of the mountains.  Population then was about 3000.  The community is trying to maintain its uniqueness and to preserve the thousands of square miles of state land. 

This is not Sedona, AZ by any means, but some people will consider this place, an upscale community. We have a lot of talented artists that have moved to our community because they have been inspired by the beauty of the surrounding wilderness of the Superstition Mountains. 

Gold Canyon is our community and I hope that my daughter will someday  call this place her home.

I have taken some pictures of our area  from 5-6 years ago when I was running a community website.  I will try to update and take some latest photos when I get a chance, as some areas have changed.  I will keep you posted.