Thursday, April 2, 2009
SMOKING : PART 2
As an addition to the the previous post, I only like to add one more image in which I found in the net quite sometime ago. My deepest apology if this image or picture may be offensive to those heavy smokers out there. I am sure most of you have already seen much more gruesome pictures in the newspaper (on the cigarette pack if you are in Thailand) on the effect of smoking but I guess nothing should have said more than what has been mentioned in the previous post.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
WILL POWER OR NOT: QUIT SMOKING THE OPRAH'S WAYS
I watched Oprah today and the topic was about how to quit smoking. The infamous Dr Oz was there too. Even if I am not a smoker per se, this topic is very relevant and important to my friends who have in times tries so hard to quit but fail to do so. After watching it, I went to Oprah.com to copy and paste most of the topic discussed here inter alia about understanding how a smoker feels, what are the effects of smoking and how to quit according to steps given.
Its a bit long but I hope it can be of some help. So here goes:-
Dr. Oz says the hardest thing about getting the 45 million Americans who smoke to quit is that they already know how bad smoking is for them—every pack actually tells a smoker about the dangers of premature aging, disease and death. "They seem like very rational people, right? They find a way to work, they get up in the morning, they can do all kinds of things. Yet despite being so rational, they keep trying to kill themselves," Dr. Oz says. "This is an effort for us to understand the biology of addiction."
Smokers continue to smoke not because of a lack of willpower, Dr. Oz says, but because of fear. "People are scared of what's going to happen," he says. "First of all, if I do it and I fail, I may be less worthy. And if I do it and succeed, am I going to be normal?"
One thing most people don't consider is how smoking affects their brain. After each puff, the nicotine reaches your brain within seconds. "They go to this part of the brain just above the ear … called the insula," Dr. Oz says. In the insula, the nicotine opens your brain's receptors and allows dopamine to flow in. "Dopamine is the ultimate addictive element in our body," he says. "When we have really good sex, dopamine comes out. When we have a double chocolate cheesecake, dopamine goes out. You do drugs, dopamine gets stimulated. … Cigarettes are as addictive as heroin.
At 29, Aubrey says she's smoked for more than half her life. Those years of smoking have already done some damage to her body, both inside and out. If she continues to smoke, the damage will only intensify.On the left is a computer model of what Aubrey could look like in 30 years if she stops smoking now. "You'll age a little bit," Dr. Oz says. "Your hair will change; your skin won't be quite as bouncy. But when you have four grandkids, you're still going to look pretty hot!"
On the right is what Aubrey could look like if she keeps smoking for the next 30 years. "The smoking sucks up nitric oxide, a very important chemical that gives your skin bounciness. It also destroys the arteries of the body. So you see the wrinkles, especially this pattern of wrinkle around the lips? Very typical of cigarette smokers."The difference on the outside between "nonsmoking Aubrey" and "smoking Aubrey" pales in comparison with the difference on the inside. "The inside of that woman … is not just rusting out the infrastructure of her skin," Dr. Oz says. "She's rusting her kidneys, her heart, her brain, your fertility, your sexuality. It all goes the same way."
Dr. Oz's call to all smokers is not beat yourself up because you haven't been able to stop smoking. Instead, arm yourself with tools so you'll never want a cigarette again.
"I can give you all of the numbers—there are 250 toxic chemicals in cigarettes, and 50 can cause cancer. But you know all that stuff. That's why we don't want to spend a lot of time on this show telling you all the bad things that can happen," Dr. Oz says. "We want to dive into the root reasons of why we don't change."
Dr. Oz contrasts the healthy lungs with the damaged lungs of a smoker. Dr. Oz says this lung's moth-eaten appearance is evidence of emphysema, which is a condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. He also points out a lump that denotes lung cancer.
"People keep thinking it's about cancer. Cancer's the tip of the iceberg," he says. "Emphysema and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Emphysema is a chronic (long time) lung disease that get worse over time. " I googled to find out what it means.
Take the quiz to determine what kind of smoker you are. Dr. Oz says learning how out of control you really are is an important realization. "Once you realize you're out of control, it helps you build your commitment and be willing to make the effort so you're not smoking at all," he says. "If you're smoking a little bit, that cigarette's going to make you want to have the next cigarette, and it's not going to go well."
(The test: How soon you wake up and need to smoke, do you sweat in the shower, how long cant you stand and need to break to smoke when you are in a meeting - this was an additional thing not covered in the oprah.com but what I copied down during the show time).
Step 2: Prepare yourself mentally and physically to quit smoking.
Dr. Oz says it's imperative to set a "quit date"—your first day of breathing free—between two weeks and a month ahead of time. During those last few weeks before your quit date, Dr. Oz says you should prepare yourself for a life without cigarettes.
Get some ideas for your smoke-free strategy.
Step 3: Visit your doctor, find support and prepare for your first smoke-free day.
Before your quit date, Dr. Oz says you should talk to your doctor about the different medical options that can help you remain smoke-free. You can ask your doctor about several medications and aids.
Chantix, a new drug (block nicotine) and Wellbutrin were mentioned in the show but not stated again in the Oprah.com. They also did mention about the side effect such as nausea, fever, migraine and a few other effects but I forgot to write down.
Step 4: Protect yourself against a relapse.
So you've taken all the steps, your quit date has passed and you're breathing free—but you feel like having just one more cigarette. What now?
Turn to your support system. Whether you and a buddy decide to quit together or you find a support group, you should have someone to turn to when the cravings rear their ugly head.
Find support for your smoke-free life!
Its a bit long but I hope it can be of some help. So here goes:-
Dr. Oz says the hardest thing about getting the 45 million Americans who smoke to quit is that they already know how bad smoking is for them—every pack actually tells a smoker about the dangers of premature aging, disease and death. "They seem like very rational people, right? They find a way to work, they get up in the morning, they can do all kinds of things. Yet despite being so rational, they keep trying to kill themselves," Dr. Oz says. "This is an effort for us to understand the biology of addiction."
Smokers continue to smoke not because of a lack of willpower, Dr. Oz says, but because of fear. "People are scared of what's going to happen," he says. "First of all, if I do it and I fail, I may be less worthy. And if I do it and succeed, am I going to be normal?"
One thing most people don't consider is how smoking affects their brain. After each puff, the nicotine reaches your brain within seconds. "They go to this part of the brain just above the ear … called the insula," Dr. Oz says. In the insula, the nicotine opens your brain's receptors and allows dopamine to flow in. "Dopamine is the ultimate addictive element in our body," he says. "When we have really good sex, dopamine comes out. When we have a double chocolate cheesecake, dopamine goes out. You do drugs, dopamine gets stimulated. … Cigarettes are as addictive as heroin.
At 29, Aubrey says she's smoked for more than half her life. Those years of smoking have already done some damage to her body, both inside and out. If she continues to smoke, the damage will only intensify.On the left is a computer model of what Aubrey could look like in 30 years if she stops smoking now. "You'll age a little bit," Dr. Oz says. "Your hair will change; your skin won't be quite as bouncy. But when you have four grandkids, you're still going to look pretty hot!"
On the right is what Aubrey could look like if she keeps smoking for the next 30 years. "The smoking sucks up nitric oxide, a very important chemical that gives your skin bounciness. It also destroys the arteries of the body. So you see the wrinkles, especially this pattern of wrinkle around the lips? Very typical of cigarette smokers."The difference on the outside between "nonsmoking Aubrey" and "smoking Aubrey" pales in comparison with the difference on the inside. "The inside of that woman … is not just rusting out the infrastructure of her skin," Dr. Oz says. "She's rusting her kidneys, her heart, her brain, your fertility, your sexuality. It all goes the same way."Dr. Oz's call to all smokers is not beat yourself up because you haven't been able to stop smoking. Instead, arm yourself with tools so you'll never want a cigarette again.
Danielle is a 28-year-old mother. "Every time I try and quit, my husband always says, 'Who's stronger, you or the cigarette? Who's stronger?' Every time, the cigarette's always stronger because I always go back."
In a telling exercise, Danielle adds up how much her smoking addiction has cost her—it's $22,428 over 14 years. "Wow, that's $22,428 that I've spent on cigarettes—$22,428 that I've spent on killing myself slowly," she says.
In a telling exercise, Danielle adds up how much her smoking addiction has cost her—it's $22,428 over 14 years. "Wow, that's $22,428 that I've spent on cigarettes—$22,428 that I've spent on killing myself slowly," she says.
"I see the autopsy of people. I've seen their lungs; I've seen how black they are, what it does to them," he says. "I've had medical examiners show me what the effects of smoking are, and I still smoke. That's how powerful it is."
"I can give you all of the numbers—there are 250 toxic chemicals in cigarettes, and 50 can cause cancer. But you know all that stuff. That's why we don't want to spend a lot of time on this show telling you all the bad things that can happen," Dr. Oz says. "We want to dive into the root reasons of why we don't change."
Using real human lungs, Dr. Oz shows the havoc smoking can wreak. The healthy lungs of a nonsmoker, he says, look pink and supple. "It's not as pink as it usually is because it's been preserved," he says.
Dr. Oz contrasts the healthy lungs with the damaged lungs of a smoker. Dr. Oz says this lung's moth-eaten appearance is evidence of emphysema, which is a condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. He also points out a lump that denotes lung cancer.
"People keep thinking it's about cancer. Cancer's the tip of the iceberg," he says. "Emphysema and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Emphysema is a chronic (long time) lung disease that get worse over time. " I googled to find out what it means.
Dr. Oz explains that smoking causes changes in the lungs that can lead to emphysema and COPD. "It's the biggest reason that we have lung problems in this country," Dr. Oz says. "[It's] the number four cause of death, and people never hear about it."
Air taken into the lungs enters little tubes called alveoli. "They're like little bubble pops," Dr. Oz says. "As you smoke, you break down those barriers and you pop them. So you take these very nice grape-like structures and you turn them into these big sacs that no longer can exchange air with the outside world. Then when these coalesce and come together, they form these large blebs on the outside of the lung. … That air is not helping you because it can't get into your body and exchange with your blood. So literally as these blebs get larger, they push the normal lung away and you suffocate yourself."
Air taken into the lungs enters little tubes called alveoli. "They're like little bubble pops," Dr. Oz says. "As you smoke, you break down those barriers and you pop them. So you take these very nice grape-like structures and you turn them into these big sacs that no longer can exchange air with the outside world. Then when these coalesce and come together, they form these large blebs on the outside of the lung. … That air is not helping you because it can't get into your body and exchange with your blood. So literally as these blebs get larger, they push the normal lung away and you suffocate yourself."
With all the life-threatening effects of smoking, why can't smokers just stop? Dr. Daniel Seidman, a leading expert on smoking addiction at Columbia University Medical Center
To end the war, Dr. Seidman says you must "wave the white flag" and admit you need help in ending your addiction. "Smokers are not all the same. Some people can quit on their own and relatively easily, and some people will say it's the hardest thing they ever did. So they need the tools, and they need to make the effort," he says. "It's not just about the motivation—they have to make a commitment. They have to make the effort and need some guidance and outside help to be successful with it."
Once you've made the decision to live a smoke-free life, Dr. Oz, Dr. Seidman and Dr. Michael Roizen suggest following a four-step plan.
Step 1: Face the truth.
To end the war, Dr. Seidman says you must "wave the white flag" and admit you need help in ending your addiction. "Smokers are not all the same. Some people can quit on their own and relatively easily, and some people will say it's the hardest thing they ever did. So they need the tools, and they need to make the effort," he says. "It's not just about the motivation—they have to make a commitment. They have to make the effort and need some guidance and outside help to be successful with it."
Once you've made the decision to live a smoke-free life, Dr. Oz, Dr. Seidman and Dr. Michael Roizen suggest following a four-step plan.
Step 1: Face the truth.
Take the quiz to determine what kind of smoker you are. Dr. Oz says learning how out of control you really are is an important realization. "Once you realize you're out of control, it helps you build your commitment and be willing to make the effort so you're not smoking at all," he says. "If you're smoking a little bit, that cigarette's going to make you want to have the next cigarette, and it's not going to go well."
(The test: How soon you wake up and need to smoke, do you sweat in the shower, how long cant you stand and need to break to smoke when you are in a meeting - this was an additional thing not covered in the oprah.com but what I copied down during the show time).
Step 2: Prepare yourself mentally and physically to quit smoking.
Dr. Oz says it's imperative to set a "quit date"—your first day of breathing free—between two weeks and a month ahead of time. During those last few weeks before your quit date, Dr. Oz says you should prepare yourself for a life without cigarettes.
An addiction to smoking has physical, social and emotional components, Dr. Oz says, so it's important to have a battle plan on all fronts. To begin your strategy, Dr. Oz suggests writing a list of all the reasons why you want to keep smoking and a list of the reasons why you want to quit. "Help that reptilian brain that Dr. Seidman was talking about at least retreat a little bit so the smart, higher brain can start to do its job, which is to get you to do the right things," he says.
Get some ideas for your smoke-free strategy.
If you smoke out of habit, Dr. Oz suggests taking up a healthy, new habit—like walking—in its place. "The most common reason women give for not stopping smoking when they're young is weight gain," he says. "So the first thing we want you to do is start walking, because if you don't get on a weight reduction program, if you stop the cigarettes, you will gain weight."
In addition to preventing weight gain, Dr. Oz says walking has other benefits in your battle to breathe free. "If you've got a program that makes sense for you, and you're feeding your brain the right nutrients … you'll lose weight, and you'll be alert and ready to make these difficult moves like stopping cigarettes.
In addition to preventing weight gain, Dr. Oz says walking has other benefits in your battle to breathe free. "If you've got a program that makes sense for you, and you're feeding your brain the right nutrients … you'll lose weight, and you'll be alert and ready to make these difficult moves like stopping cigarettes.
Step 3: Visit your doctor, find support and prepare for your first smoke-free day.
Before your quit date, Dr. Oz says you should talk to your doctor about the different medical options that can help you remain smoke-free. You can ask your doctor about several medications and aids.
Chantix, a new drug (block nicotine) and Wellbutrin were mentioned in the show but not stated again in the Oprah.com. They also did mention about the side effect such as nausea, fever, migraine and a few other effects but I forgot to write down.
Step 4: Protect yourself against a relapse.
So you've taken all the steps, your quit date has passed and you're breathing free—but you feel like having just one more cigarette. What now?
Turn to your support system. Whether you and a buddy decide to quit together or you find a support group, you should have someone to turn to when the cravings rear their ugly head.
Find support for your smoke-free life!
So how do you avoid those relapse triggers? Being assertive can help you stay out of social situations that might tempt you to light up. "When your buddy calls up and says, 'Let's go down, grab a drink together, and then we'll go over to the movie,' you've got to say, 'You know, I love you, but I'm not doing that because I know what's going to happen if I do that.'"
When you're really in a crunch, Dr. Oz says you should also have some last-ditch escape mechanisms to steer your focus away from cigarettes. "It can range from other things to put in your mouth, like cinnamon sticks or tea. File your nails," he says. "Do something that distracts you at those times of crisis."
When you're really in a crunch, Dr. Oz says you should also have some last-ditch escape mechanisms to steer your focus away from cigarettes. "It can range from other things to put in your mouth, like cinnamon sticks or tea. File your nails," he says. "Do something that distracts you at those times of crisis."
At first, a person who quits smoking will feel some discomfort—but the doctors say that's okay. "We are not comfortable being uncomfortable," Dr. Oz says. "[But] that is the single best way to grow in life. You all have the beautiful opportunity to get through cigarette smoking, which is going to make you a lot better equipped to deal with other realities in life."
When you're preparing for your quit date, you should be ready for the discomfort withdrawal can bring. Dr. Roizen emphasizes that while you might feel bad at first, you will feel better in about a month. "When you first withdraw from a drug—and nicotine in cigarettes is a drug—you feel bad. It's like withdrawal from anything," he says. "That's why we give [some patients] the [nicotine] patch to help you feel a little better. But it's not the same high. When you inhale it, you get a much higher level. And so over time, you withdraw from that, you replace it, and you end up feeling normal again."
Aside from physical symptoms, which usually are temporary, Dr. Seidman says you must deal with the emotional issues that come with quitting. "Sometimes there's other things hiding behind the smoke," he says. "You might have problems with your mood or anger or other things like that. And if it doesn't get better, it's important to realize that whatever's wrong with you, smoking is not the best medicine for you."
Aside from physical symptoms, which usually are temporary, Dr. Seidman says you must deal with the emotional issues that come with quitting. "Sometimes there's other things hiding behind the smoke," he says. "You might have problems with your mood or anger or other things like that. And if it doesn't get better, it's important to realize that whatever's wrong with you, smoking is not the best medicine for you."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
MY BIRTHDAY MAKAN-MAKAN 8 MARCH 2009
It has been nearly 2 weeks since my birthday and it has been a week since the day I celebrated my birthday with my old and close friends. First and foremost I would like to thank all my family and friends who gave their wishes. Secondly, many thanks to all my guests who came to my makan-makan petang last Sunday. Really appreciate it. Thanks for the nice gifts too..hehe... It was a small and intimate gathering. True as what Ben told me..the gathering bring back fond memories... My intention to do it at the pool side of my house was non other than to make it more laid back kinda thang. Also, I thought because of the afternoon heat, any of the guests might want to dip into the pool to cool themselves but I guess wrong. They were not prepared to bring their swimming apparels or either too shy to strut in their swimming suit( or to show their swimming skill? hehe...)
Special thanks to my partner in crime, the superhero batman
Still cutting the cake for the guests, I love the white chocolate macadamia
Other guests eating and chatting away..
The food for the makan-makan petang
Food again...
Nope, the initial "S" is not for Snake...and its not a birthday present either...
The snake belong to Azhar (looking at the back)
and its already hungry ermm..
Till we see again for next year gathering...InsyAllah...xoxo...........
Saturday, March 14, 2009
TAGGED BY SANKAI
I was tagged by Sankai and below are how to answer and get result on the personality test...
1. Open this website : http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx
2. Take the Personality Quiz
3. Copy Paste the result to your blog.
4. Tag your friends including me :)
My Result
A big grin after reading the result...to those who really knows me may beg to differ... I take all this as a fun thang...nothing more than that.......
With this, like it or not..I will tag Awis, Wan, Lie, Dzeng and Rizal....
1. Open this website : http://www.quizbox.com/per
2. Take the Personality Quiz
3. Copy Paste the result to your blog.
4. Tag your friends including me :)
My Result
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.The seriousness of your love:
You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.Who is your true self:
You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.A big grin after reading the result...to those who really knows me may beg to differ... I take all this as a fun thang...nothing more than that.......
With this, like it or not..I will tag Awis, Wan, Lie, Dzeng and Rizal....
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
SIMPTOM MURUNG
Found this info in the Kosmo today. It talks about simptom murung which translated as Depressed Symptoms. I copied it verbatim (In Malay) with the hope that it may in any way help us to determine whether any of our friends, relatives or even lover/s are in this stage. Early detection means early cure... So here goes:-
SIMPTOM MURUNG
SIMPTOM MURUNG
- Mengalami kesedihan atau keresahan luar biasa.
- Kehilangan minat terhadap aktiviti biasa seperti rutin harian, hobi atau seks.
- Kesukaran untuk tidor
- Kemerosotan daya penumpuan
- Berasa letih daripada biasa
- Rasa bersalah atau tidak berguna
- Perubahan selera makan
- Gelisah atau pergerakan menjadi lembap
- Sakit kepala, belakang, otot atau sendi
- Berfikir tentang keinginan untuk membunuh diri atau mati.
Sekiranya anda mengalami mana-mana gejala kemurungan ini, anda dinasihatkan berjumpa pakar psikiatri untuk menentukan sama ada anda mengalami kemurungan .
Sumber: Pertubuhan Psikiatri Malaysia
Monday, March 2, 2009
2 MARCH 1965
44 years ago, I was born to this world, today. According to my mum it was a Tuesday afternoon and it was an easy delivery as I was a healthy baby boy. Off course I don't know. You have to ask her on that. Being the last in the family and after I knew a certain thing or two, I had once asked my mother and father why my name was different from my other siblings, i.e. they all started with the initial "F" whereas I am the only one with the initial "H". My late father answered with a jest..I was a chinese boy he found in the bushes near our house. I was shocked. Looking at my appearance I did look a bit different from the others i.e. I am fairer than my eldest brother. I was devastated. You wouldn't have known how I felt at that time. My savior was none other then my mother off course....she showed me my birth certificate. Her name was written there as the one who gave birth to me. Sitting at her lap, she then told me all kind of stories during her pregnancy and I listened fondly...yes I am my father's and mother's son after all...Later that night, my father brought us all to eat 'satay' near the Muar river, his way of saying sorry...understandably how a parent react in those olden days...
How is life at 44? ermm sooner or later, God willing, you will be there too...and I can't wait to be in the next big Five "O", six years from now. Somewhat an anticipation huh? Try listen to what Agatha Christine has to say about reaching the age of 50, "I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find - at the age of fifty, say - that a whole new life has opened before you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about...It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thoughts was rising in you".
For me, age is just a number as what was rightly said by William Wordworth, "The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind." What do you achieved in that year is the most important...The most remembered woman, the late Lady Diana Cooper had this to say.."First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful."... how extraordinary her words had been, even so coming from someone who did not even experience old age. Hemmm...
At this age, I must confess I begin to take my love life a little step further, as broad as it may sound but it has become as deep as it can be. I honestly believe in what Jeanne Moreou words on this subject. "Age does not protect you from love, but love to some extent protects you from age". True to the words, love does not understand the meaning of age...
To fully stress my point on what life must be in relation to age, derived from the words of this one great man. "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
How is life at 44? ermm sooner or later, God willing, you will be there too...and I can't wait to be in the next big Five "O", six years from now. Somewhat an anticipation huh? Try listen to what Agatha Christine has to say about reaching the age of 50, "I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find - at the age of fifty, say - that a whole new life has opened before you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about...It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thoughts was rising in you".
For me, age is just a number as what was rightly said by William Wordworth, "The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind." What do you achieved in that year is the most important...The most remembered woman, the late Lady Diana Cooper had this to say.."First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful."... how extraordinary her words had been, even so coming from someone who did not even experience old age. Hemmm...
At this age, I must confess I begin to take my love life a little step further, as broad as it may sound but it has become as deep as it can be. I honestly believe in what Jeanne Moreou words on this subject. "Age does not protect you from love, but love to some extent protects you from age". True to the words, love does not understand the meaning of age...
To fully stress my point on what life must be in relation to age, derived from the words of this one great man. "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
I want to die young at a ripe old age.
(Ashley Montagu)
(Ashley Montagu)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
POEMS BY NIKKI GIOVANNI
I came across these poems written by Nikki Giovanni. Ever heard of her? Well you should. She has earned the reputation as one of
In 2004 Giovanni was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards for her album "The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. She was also commissioned by National Public Radio's All Things Considered to create an inaugural poem for President Barack Obama.
On April 17, 2007, at the Virginia Tech Convocation commemorating the April 16 Virginia Tech massacre, Giovanni closed the ceremony with a chant poem:-
... We know we did nothing to deserve it. But neither does a child in
As I said earlier, I quote these two interesting poems written by Nikki:-
POEM OF FRIENDSHIP
We are not lovers
because of the love we make
but the love we have
We are not friends
because of the laughs we spend
I don't want to be near you
for the thoughts we share
but the words we never have to speak
I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are together
CHOICES
If I can't do
what I want to do
then my job is to not
do what I don't want to do
It's not the same thing
but it's the best I can do
If I can't have
what I want...then
my job is to want what I've got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more to want
Since I can't go
where I need to go...
then I must....go
where the signs point
through always
understanding parallel movement
isn't lateral
When I can't express
what I really feel
I practice feeling
what I can express
and none of it is equal I know
but that's way mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry
Nikki Giovanni 1973
