Getting financial aid to study in the US

My husband and I are in the food business and are earning a good income. We have three children and our priority is to send them to good schools in the US for college so that they could get good jobs there. They are intelligent kids and are doing well in their studies. We think that the level of education here has deteriorated. Most of our college graduates cannot even express themselves in English, which has become important globally. I am glad that President Gloria has restored English as the medium of instruction. Even our nurses who are in demand in the US and who used to top the exams there are now failing to get jobs because they cannot speak or write English well, hence they answer the exams poorly. We know that education in the US costs a lot of money and my husband and I don’t think we can afford to send all three children unless they apply for student loan once they are accepted in the school. Do you have suggestions on how we can go about this? – Mrs.Protacio

What a coincidence that I have been researching on this for my nephew and niece. The best plan I have read so far is the one by Michael C. O’Brien who is a recognized personal finance expert and CEO of Financial AID.com (www.financialaid.com), a financial services website that provides a comprehensive range of financial services under one web-based roof. The group is committed to guiding students and their parents through the college selection and education funding processes. Consult with Michael C. O’Brien via e-mail at financequestions@financialaid.com.

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SARS Symptoms

My daughter has been chronically coughing for three months now and she has been self-medicating with cough syrups, Tylenol and antibiotics. With the advent of SARS in several countries, I am fearful that her cough could turn into that. What are the symptoms of SARS and how is it detected? – Worried Mommy

SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome cannot last for three months without fatal consequences. If your daughter’s cough has lasted this long and she is still alive, then chances are she has some kind of respiratory ailment other than SARS. Advise her to stop medicating herself and go to a lung specialist. She probably has pneumonia or tuberculosis or a resistant cough that isn’t getting better due to our polluted environment or her weak immune system. But one cannot keep second guessing what these symptoms are and the best course of action to take is to go to a lung specialist. SARS is a non specific illness and comes from a family of unidentified viruses and so far no specific cure has been pinpointed. The doctor who has been treating the first casualty of SARS in Vietnam just recently died from it. The symptoms of SARS are very high fever, (100.4 °F), dry cough, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and changes in chest x-rays. Other non-specific symptoms include headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhea.

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Vanity: Not His Favorite Sin

I love my girlfriend dearly but one thing turns me off about her and that is her vanity. It is okay to be vain up to a certain point but not to the point of wanting to alter one’s looks through cosmetic surgery. I am conservative and I think we should be thankful for whatever looks God has given us. My girlfriend is very attractive but her nose is small and wide. It suits her features and complexion, but she wants to have a rhinoplasty or nose surgery. She also often complains about her legs, which I don’t think are bad. Our dates always end up in a discussion on her cosmetic surgery. She already changed the color of her hair to brown with blonde streaks. J. Lo and Ashanti are her idols but she is Filipina, not Latin American so why does she want to look like them? My argument is always that if she wants to look attractive for her boyfriend – me – then there is no need for surgery because I find her attractive the way she is. She wouldn’t listen so I guess there is no recourse but to break up with her. Maybe you can help me understand her as well. – Mel

For most of us, whether we like it or not, physical appearance influences how we see ourselves and how others see us. Our looks, size and shape of our bodies may affect how we feel about ourselves and in some cases how we function. There is nothing wrong in wanting to change the way we look. Some people do this through diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. However, there are some aspects that exercise or diet cannot change (like one’s nose). Some people, when they are unhappy with a specific aspect of their appearance, go for cosmetic surgery and this usually improves their looks and gives them self-confidence. However, surgery always involves risks. Make sure your girlfriend goes to a good doctor so she gets the results she is hoping for. You might find her attractive enough but if her looks make her unhappy about herself, she will go through life having a low opinion of herself. If money is not a problem to her, being supportive is not a bad idea. But you must also tell her that enough is enough. Point out Michael Jackson. His numerous cosmetic surgeries have had negative effects. She wouldn’t want to look the way he does.

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Fiber Benefits

I read in your column about the good effects of psyllium fiber to our body. But how much does one take a day to maximize the benefits? I am afraid to take too much! – Health Buff

One tablespoon of fiber daily will eliminate constipation, regulate bowel movement, remove waste and toxins from the colon and intestine and is a natural fat absorber. Be sure to drink lots of water with it.

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For your questions, write to Mayenne Carmona, StarMedia Inc. 6th floor Jaka Bldg. Ayala Ave. Makati City.