His Heart of Gold

My youngest son has always been the thoughtful one. Ever since he was little, he always made sure he had a little something for me when he got home from school. He'd give me a little wildflower he picked on his way home, a candy bar or lollipop that he bought out of his allowance. 

My son's gift to me on Mother's Day 1999

A few days before Mother's Day in 1999, I still vividly remember my son counting change and putting it in a little cloth pouch. I even teased him and said "Oooh, lookity-lookity! You're rich!" He was 6 years old then. I got the surprise of my life the following Sunday. He woke me up and handed me a little envelope, saying "Happy Mama Day, Mama!" I opened the envelope and found a little gold-colored plastic heart necklace! The chain was made of gold-colored garter thread with the plastic heart pendant. So that was what he was saving up for! It brought me to tears! I have kept that gift. It was that precious to me. 

My gift to my son for his 21st birthday

Now that my son is a grown man, working hard to earn his college degree, he has never changed. He is still the thoughtful one. He helps a lot around the house and sits beside me on the couch to watch TV or pull a joke on me. In a few month's time, he will turn 21 and I have found the perfect gift for him. I will give him something like the necklace he gave me 15 years ago - this time it will be real gold. I looked at Reeds necklaces and I found the perfect one! The Teeny Tiny 10kt Yellow Gold Heart Necklace is made of 10kt yellow gold, a 17 inch chain and a gold heart! 

It will be a token of my appreciation for him being such a good, thoughtful son. It is only a small gift but to make it more meaningful, I would show him the necklace he gave me when he was a kid and I know he'd be surprised that I kept it all these years. The price is reasonable enough, so I will buy it tomorrow and wait for his special day. I am so happy and excited! 

10 Amazing Body Facts That Made Me Go "Wow! I didn't know that!"

There are amazing things about the human body that are worthy of the "Wow! I didn't know that!" reaction. Here are some of the few:

1. Your forearm and your foot are the same length. Try measuring the length of your forearm (from the crook of your elbow to your wrist) and compare it with the length of your foot. You'll be surprised that they are the same length.

2. Our eyes see images upside down. The physics of light refraction causes the upside down impression on our retina. However, these sensory images travel through the optic nerve into the brain and flip the image to its actual upright position. The first time I learned about this, I had this crazy idea that the world is really upside down.

3. Dimples are anatomical defects.These facial depressions, visible when a person smiles, adds to a person's attractiveness. However, dimples are actually an anatomical defect, caused by shortened facial muscles that cause the depression ("dimple") when a person smiles.

4. We have our own unique tongue prints. Just like fingerprints, we have our own unique tongue print. From now on, I would refrain from sticking my tongue out to protect my identity.

5. Our wingspan is more or less equal to our height. More often than not, the length of our wingspan is equal to our height. There may be an inch or two difference but this is still an amazing discovery.

6. Babies see clearly at 8 months. Babies have poor vision at birth because their sense of sight is still in its developmental stage. At six months, they have clear vision at a distance of 12 inches. Their visual acuity reaches 20/20 at eight months.

7. We were born with about 300 bones in our body, and as we grow into adults, we will only have 206. We have more bones at birth than we have during our adult years. When we are born the bones in our head are not yet fused to enable us to traverse the birth canal. The bones in our wrists and ankles are the same. Complete fusion of the bones in the head are achieved at age 2, while the bones in the wrists and ankles are stable and completely fused at age 17. 

8. Our body is made up of 65% water. 
We need to maintain this amount of hydration for our bodies to function properly down to the cellular level. Once we lose 1% of our total body water, we start to have the sensation of thirstiness.

9. Of the 5 senses, the only one that does not totally dim out during sleep is the sense of hearing. Our ears continue to receive sound waves during sleep, however, we do not "hear" these sounds because the brain does not process it during certain sleep phases. But seeing as your ears are on the clock 24/7, they’re also the most likely of your senses to get damaged. Visit a local audiologist if you feel your hearing level isn’t quite what it was. 

10 . In a normal anatomical position, our true waist is on the same transverse line with the crook of our elbow. Waistlines are usually measured around the "narrowest" part of the body. However, this would be difficult for individuals who do not have an hour-glass figure. A better way is to use this method.

Are there any other body facts you can add to this list? Share in the comments below.

Michael Christian Martinez: An Inspiration for Filipinos to Dream Big

Photo credits: AP/Ivan Sekretarev

The Philippines has earned its place in world news once again. This time its not about the rebels, the insurgents, the dirty politics. Its about a 17 year old boy, Michael Christian Martinez - our very first figure skater who wowed the judges in the #2014WinterOlympics in Sochi, Russia.

Oh yes, you read it right. A figure skater from a country without snow! Southeast Asia's very first! 

This young man, Michael learned ice skating by practicing in a mall ice skating rink. He came from a middle class family, and paying for use of the ice skating rink is considered a luxury. Nevertheless, his parents found ways to support him in achieving his dream and they have never looked back since then.

Michael is an inspiration to Filipinos. At his young age, he showed his countrymen that nothing is impossible. He showed us how to focus on our dreams and how to work hard for it. Failures are strategically occurring "road bumps" designed to make us plan, rethink our options, and carry on. 

He may not have brought home an Olympic Medal this time, however, to be able to finish 19th out of 24 competitors is an achievement in itself. 

Michael Christian Martinez. 17 years old. Proudly Filipino.

Sharing with you a video of one of his performances.

Video credits: HerculeanBreed
http://www.youtube.com/user/HerculeanBreed

Helping You to Help Others with #GlobeProjectWonderful2014

Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and its entire eastern coastline facing the vast Pacific Ocean, the Philippines has seen the worst calamities in recorded human history. However, we are a resilient race, never bowing down to nature's fury. We come together and rebuild, hoping for the best to come out of each and every disaster.

This year, Globe has initiated a program called #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014. This telecommunications giant has joined hands with the government, non profit humanitarian groups and volunteers to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, a Category 5 Super Typhoon that left the Visayas in a pile of rubble. 

In their efforts to create a better world for our less fortunate brothers, Globe has given me the chance to send them ideas on how they can extend more help. They'd choose the best idea and turn it into a reality. The task is simple. All I have to do is to answer one question... 

"If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?"

I was in deep thought for several days. I listed things like stop the wars, better people in government, better textbooks for public schools, etc. etc. I asked the same question to family and friends. I got responses like money, money and more money. Oh my, are we that desperate for money? We can only be good until we have spent the last centavo. So I scratched out money from the list. 

Sometimes, ideas come to you in the most unusual time and place. Mine did. I was in the toilet doing my morning duties when it dawned upon me. 

I would want to give latrines/toilets and access to clean drinking water for the entire Philippines! I want them constructed in the far flung baranggays and tribal lands, in the poorest neighborhoods and rural areas, along provincial highways, and in evacuation sites.  

In the Philippines, an estimated 26% of Filipinos do not have improved sanitation, translating to more than 24 million people (UNICEF WHO Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012 Update).  Almost 8 million Filipinos are openly defecating, which is the third highest total in the Asia Pacific Region. 

“Under the leadership of the Department of Health, the Philippines has made significant advances in sanitation over the last 20 years, however we are in jeopardy of not reaching the 2015 Millennium Development Goal on Sanitation because the poorest 20% of the population is sliding,” says Tim Grieve, Chief of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene in UNICEF Philippines.

Over the last 20 years, the poorest 20% of the rural population went from 36% open defecation to a staggering 48% open defecation.  Poor sanitation and poverty go hand in hand, and the rural poor are four times more likely to practice open defecation than in urban areas.   Sanitation coverage in poor provinces such as Masbate and Maguindanao is as low as 38% and 30% respectively (FIES 2009).

It is alarming to know that despite the economic growth, millions upon millions are still living in dire conditions. No toilets, no clean drinking water.

Children in the poor rural areas are tasked with fetching water from a well or an open pit to use for household purposes - cooking, cleaning, bathing, washing clothes, and yes, drinking. In worse case scenarios when the well dries up, these people get along with water from a pond or stream. 

Without proper sanitation and clean drinking water, we are putting our brothers' lives at risk. Water borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, intestinal parasites and other infections abound and directly affect children under the age of five. 

Latrines/toilets constructed in these areas must be accessible, safe from flood and sturdy enough to withstand an earthquake. The same should be with the water supply. A perfectly engineered reservoir to store water  would be best to ensure every household would still get clean drinking water if a calamity would strike. Maintaining these facilities should be addressed by the local government and by the collective effort of the beneficiaries. One successful project by UNICEF similar to this has been put in place and it is my wish to have more of them. Adult education and aggressive campaign to push the importance of sanitation and frequent hand washing should go hand in hand with the construction of these facilities.

I wish to see this dream fulfilled. I have no financial capacity to do this on my own. However, with Globe's Project Wonderful 2014, I am confident that the people behind this campaign would hear my plea. Should my idea be chosen among the millions of entries, Globe would make this dream into a reality. 

Let's do it for the sake of the future of this nation - our children.

If you were to be asked the same question, What gift would you give to the Philippines? (If my "gift" gets chosen, Globe will also choose the most creative reader comment on this post and award them with an iPad mini.) 

Share your thoughts. Support #GlobeProjectWonderful 2014 and let's all work towards achieving a better Philippines. 

My "I Can Eat These For Life" Food List

Its almost lunchtime and I am hungry. And because my motivation to write came from my belly, I am writing about the Top Ten Foodies I can eat for the rest of my life.

Filipino readers can very well relate to my Top Ten choices. If you happen to be anything else other than Filipino, I have added links for the recipes. I suggest you try them.

Here's my list:

1. Kare-kare and bagoong

Who wouldn't fall for this? The choice of meat would depend on the person cooking it. I prefer beef for my kare-kare. Chunks of beef simmered to perfect tenderness, the thick creamy ground rice and peanut sauce with eggplants, sitaw (a variant of string beans), and bok choy. Best served with bagoong alamang (Salted shrimp fry paste) and hot steamed rice. My mom makes the best kare-kare ever and I run over to her house every time she makes this. 

2. Lechon Kawali

This is a large slab of pork belly deep fried to perfection! The outer crunchiness of the pork skin combined with the tenderness of the meat is pure heaven! I love having lechon kawali with a dip made of soy sauce, calamansi (Philippine lemons) and chilis. Others would prefer a dip called "Mang Tomas" which can be bought in grocery stores nationwide. 

3. Ginataang Tulingan

There are many ways to cook Tulingan (Mackarel). Tracing my roots back to my ancestors who were born and raised in Batangas, the Tulingan is a staple. The most common way of cooking the fish is to to arrange it in a clay pot, seasoned only with salt and kamias (a sour fruit) and set to cook over a low flame for hours. Batangueños call this dish "Sinaing na tulingan." I prefer the other way they cook it - immersed in coconut cream and simmered over low flame. Batangueños add small pieces of turmeric adding more flavor to the sauce. The creaminess and spicy kick from the chilis are to die for!

4. Sisig

Love this exciting dish! It is a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures and would definitely would not be for the faint of heart. The original recipe is chopped portions of (just read the recipe). When I make my own, I usually get pork shoulder, boil the meat till tender and grill it for flavor before I start chopping it into little pieces. Sprinkled with a mixture of soy sauce, calamansi and chilis then topped with a fried egg. Goes very well with lots of rice. Perfect with beer too!

5. Steamed seafood (Shrimps, Crabs, Fish, Mussels, Oysters, Clams and Squid)

I have no recipe for this, and I could not find any on the web. Maybe because it is just that simple. Get your steamer ready, rub the seafood with salt and arrange them on the steamer. That's it! Others would prefer to grill it but I prefer them steamed. They come out more tender and yummy. You can eat them when they're done or toss them in a salad for more drama. The dip of choice for this would be spicy vinegar with a little fish sauce or salt. 

6. Pasta

I love pasta! Spaghetti and Meatballs, Mac and Cheese, Pasta Alfredo, Pasta Bolognese, whatever! However, I do not like the Filipino style meat sauce which is sweet and has sliced hotdogs in it. I want real authentic Italian pasta. When I make my pasta sauce, I usually place the ground beef in a skillet over low heat to render the fat. Then I chop onions and garlic (lots of it), toss it together with the beef in a crock pot, pour in a large can of Hunts' Italian Style Spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 4-6 hours. Pour it over our pasta of choice for the day, top with parmesan and voila! I'm in Belly Heaven!  

7. Potato Chips

I can never get enough of potato chips! I have no preference for brands or flavors. I just love them, period. It is the perfect companion for long work hours, movie marathons at home, blogging or simply relaxing with a good book.  With the vast choices out in the market today, I get to try a different flavor to satisfy my craving. Mojos and french fries are also likeable variations, but I still long for the crunch and flavor brought to me by no other than my favorite potato chips! 

8. Pizza

Pizza is heaven in a box! I know many people will disagree with me, but my favorite pizza toppings are shrimps, anchovies and extra mozzarella. I get my pizza only from one local chain - Shakey's. Their Friday special is my favorite, of course because of the shrimps and anchovies. I love their prompt delivery service! I have purchased a Shakey's Pizzanatic SuperCard which gives me a free pepperoni or cheese pizza of the same size with your order, plus a big bottle of Coke Zero. I pay only for one party size pizza and I get one more party size pepperoni pizza free! Great deal. Oh, did I mention that this pizza chain also gives you a free pizza on your birthday? Happiness! 

9. Cakes and Pies

A diabetic with an insatiable craving for cakes? Yes, that's me! I love cakes and pies- Black Forest, Tiramisu, Devil's Food Cake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Apple pies, down to the simple homemade sponge cake with lemon butter icing. To feel that velvety texture on your tongue and palate is satisfaction with the capital S. I know it is forbidden to indulge in such things and I am proud to say that I still have control over my sinful desires. I indulge in a slice once in a while and that's it. I wish I never had this disease. If I could only make it disappear for one day, I would run to the nearest Red Ribbon Bakeshop and fill myself up with as much cake as my belly can hold! 

10. Ice Cream

Another sinful treat for me. I love ice cream all year round. I love having it in the summer, in the cooler months of  January and I even love having it during the rainy season! There are so many new flavors that have hit the market and I am eager to try them all. Selecta's Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my current #1 favorite. Closely followed by their Hershey's Kisses Ice Cream. Magnolia Nestle has this delicious Speculoos Cookie Butter Flavor, currently my 3rd favorite. I have yet to try their Pistachios and Cashew variant. Before I do run to the grocery store for a tub of ice cream, I would make sure that I have my medications. I will be fine because indulgence for me is only 3 tablespoons max. 

I apologize to leave you drooling after reading my post. Would you share with me your Top Ten and make me drool too? Haha. I'd love to hear from you.  

The Relationship of Opposites: Our Top 15 Differences

The cliche "opposites attract" is definitely true. When complete opposites get into a relationship, everyday turns out to be a fun day. There are so many things to talk about, so many things to learn from each other. They are just like fish and chips, cookies and milk, burgers and fries, and kare-kare and bagoong. One without the other is just not the same.

My hubby and I are just that. We are opposites and we're loving every bit of it. I have listed our Top 15 differences:

1. He's Caucasian. I'm Asian.

2. He's 6'1". I'm 5'1"

3. He loves chicken. I do not eat chicken.

4. He's an insomniac. I'm narcoleptic.

5. He's Protestant. I'm Catholic.

6. He can't swim. I love swimming.

7. He hates cockroaches. I don't.

8. He says lizards are harmless. I am absolutely freaked out by them.

9. English is his native language. English is my second language.

10. He thinks brown skin is beautiful. I wish I had fairer skin.

11. He's hypoglycemic. I am hyperglycemic.

12. He can't stand the sight of fish heads. I love them deep fried and crispy.

13. He loves warm summer nights. I prefer cold winter nights.

14. He's unbelievably smart. I'm a smart ass.

15. He's HANDSOME. I'm GORGEOUS.

Do you agree with me that opposites do attract? Share your thoughts and experiences. I would love to read about your story too.

Give Yourself Some Personal Time

Every woman gets her own share of mood swings. Blame it on the hormones, the job, the motherhood tasks, the worrying about anything and everything. Sometimes I feel that I really do not have enough "me time" and it gets the best of me. Last Christmas, my office mate Mischy gave me a gift which I really needed. She must have read my mind.

She gave me a small paper box containing little cards with suggestions on how to enjoy your "personal time." Each little card provides valuable advice on how to de-stress, relax and just enjoy the moment.

This little box has helped me through my "blah" days. Those days when you feel worthless, run down, ugly, angry, sad, depressed,  - those days that have been patented for women. 

I have used the box four times since Christmas. The first card I randomly picked was this:

Blogging has helped me a lot. Writing has made me become aware of the sentiments of others. It has helped me find humor in daily mundane activities. Even if I do not blog everyday, I make it a point to take note of things around me - events, experiences, changes. I would say I wait for that "push." It is my heart that drives me to turn my thoughts into words. I need to feel it to write it. 

The second card I picked was this:

My mother always had flowering plants in and around the house. She has a beautiful collection of orchids which she religiously "talks to" everyday. She buys the best kind of plant food for them to keep them always in bloom. I guess I got my green thumb from her. I am more of the practical side though. Instead of planting flowers, I raise vegetables in flower pots. My latest crops are cherry tomatoes and all sorts of peppers. I tend to them every aftenoon, watering them and loosening up the soil to aerate the roots. I wish to see them bear their first fruit. My next project would be an herb planter.. or maybe I could try mushroom farming.

My pepper plant seedlings ready for replanting in two weeks

Here's my third card:

It has been a while since I visited the schools I attended. All of them were Catholic schools, and growing up with nuns and priests taught me about not giving up in the face of adversity and the power of prayer. My love for family has its roots in the teaching of the Catholic faith and I will be forever grateful to my parents who spent a fortune on my education. The last time I went to my Alma Mater, the University of Santo  Tomas, was 3 years ago, when I took my son to enroll him for his freshman year. I did notice that so many things have changed. There were new buildings, a monstrous gymnasium, the Plaza Mayor, a student center, etc. Even student attendance is monitored by swiping an ID in the building entrance. We used to deal with a class roll call when I was a student. Now I feel so jurassic. 

The Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas. This is where I earned my degree in Zoology.

And for my 4th "blah" day this year, I picked this card:

Wake up call for me. I have to keep in mind that someone somewhere is having a worse day than me. Somebody has nothing to eat, or no roof over their head. I must be thankful of what I have. 

Although I did not follow the instructions on the card by writing names on a piece of paper, I always keep these people in mind and mention them in my prayers. In the next few days, I may be writing their names on pieces of paper and stick them in the part of the house where I am always at - in the kitchen and laundry! 

To keep our sanity, we need some quiet time all to themselves. Time to just curl up in bed with a good book, to sit with her feet up on the sofa. Time to explore the world outside the kitchen and the laundry. Time to be with childhood friends, to try a new hairstyle, to watch the sunset. Indulge in a few minutes of quiet time, to listen to our innermost thoughts and to allow God to speak to us. The only way we can effectively give love is to start loving ourselves too.

Take a few minutes off your daily routine. Bask in that much needed "Personal Time."

I did. 

Guess what? It helped.

(Thank you Mischy. I really really love the "Personal time" box)

Loving that #TruMoo Feeling!

It is the perfect time for family bonding! The cold, chilly weather may cut down on your child's outdoor playtime, however, thanks to #TruMoo, we can now enjoy a nourishing cup of Chocolate Marshmallow Milk. Its their new February flavor that your kids would surely enjoy! Its available in the dairy section at the grocery stores nationwide through the month of February. 

#TruMoo is the best milk in the market today. If you are mom like me who reads the labels before putting things in your grocery cart, you would discover that it has all the essential nutrients of regular milk - Calcium, Protein, Vitamins A, D and B12, Riboflavin, Phosphorus and Potassium. #TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow milk is made with fresh white milk sourced from regional dairies around the country - pure cocoa and just enough natural sugar to make it taste great!  #TruMoo milk contains no artificial growth hormones and no high fructose corn syrup. It is a nutritious and delicious drink that provides your child adequate nutrition during their growing years ensures proper bone and muscle development. 

Load up your grocery cart with this wonderful new #TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow Milk. Bring out the board games, teach your kids how to play chess, or watch a good family movie together. It is the perfect time to sit by the fireplace, share hugs and look at old family photos. Build memories that would last a lifetime. Share the warmth, spread the love and raise your glass for s'more!

Enjoy #TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow hot or cold, whether you are young or old! Enjoy it hot and have yourself s'more!  You will also love their other #TruMoo Milk flavors - Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla and for a quick pick-me-up, try the delicious #TruMoo Coffee Milk! All natural, all nutritious without the high sugar content. What more can we ask for? Nothing else but S'MORE!

Create a Mark - Join #Markerly!

With the emergence of new marketing strategies, businesses are now trending towards influencer marketing. What exactly is influencer marketing? It is the ability to affect the purchasing decision of a target audience. Influencer marketing provides brands to connect with the purchasing public through a group of people called influencers whose task is to increase consumer awareness of a product which in turn leads to increase in revenue for the brand. That being said, let me introduce you to the best influencer marketing platform and blogging network I have ever joined. 

Markerly is a full service managed network with 24/7 blogger support. I love the way they provide me support whenever I need it. Unlike other blogging networks, Markerly provides prompt response to emails - not generic ones but detailed and personalized.  The founders of the company are very much hands-on in running the business, hence the prompt, personalized support. With these great minds bringing bloggers the best sponsored content opportunities, the company has added $600K in seed funding to match bloggers with brands.

These wonderful people started it all - Rahf, Justin, Sarah and Todd

This company trusted me with writing sponsored content for big name brands. I was ecstatic when I got approved to write for them. I was so nervous writing my first post for them. I wanted everything to be perfect!As soon as I submitted my article, I got paid in less than 48 hours! Now isn't that amazing?

With Markerly, you can get to work with big name brands like Levi's, Super Bowl, TruMoo, eMeals, Skillshare, etc. You can also get free products to review like wine from companies like Last Bottle Wines and Invino or get cool earbuds from Jaybird. All you have to do is to be able to write about how great these brands are and that's not difficult at all, considering the brands Markerly is working with are really great. 

Searching the web for hours looking for sponsored content opportunities can be frustrating. However, with Markerly, they make it easy for us bloggers.I get an email when I am deemed fit for an opportunity. I find this very convenient. I am offered to write about something that is in line with my interests and reader demographics. Markerly is very focused on quality blog posts and bloggers that have engaged audiences. One more fantastic thing that is offered by Markerly is that they give you heat maps of your entire post so you can see what people are clicking on.

I am sure you are all revved up to join. Markerly's network is open to anybody to join. If you have 10,000 page views a month or an average of 3 comments per post, then come on and be a part of Markerly. It is going to be a great 2014 for you.

Click here to join and start having a rewarding blogging career!

Dry Eyes Syndrome

Early this morning, my eldest son called me at work. He told me he was at the university health clinic with severe eye pain. I was close to panic and all I could ever think of is, "Oh please God, please don't let it be glaucoma."

Since I could not get off work right there and then, I asked my son to call me when the doctors were done with their tests. Two hours passed when I got to talk to him again.

"Mama," he said, "Its not glaucoma. The doctor said I have Dry Eye Syndrome." I gave a sigh of relief that it was not the worse case scenario that kept me on the edge of my seat. "The doctor said I may just be dehydrated, so she prescribed oral rehydration salts and told me to increase my liquid intake. I also have to get some eyedrops that I should use every 4 hours for two weeks," he added.

I tried to remember unusual symptoms that I may have overlooked. One week ago, my son complained of his eyes being extra-sensitive to bright light. He had to cover his eyes with a pillow before he even attempted to open them after waking up. I never thought it meant anything serious. Then he told me he had stringy mucus in his eyes. Again, I thought it could be nothing serious, and that he probably spent the day in an area where the pollution was bad.

That was until today.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome? And so I did my research. I read up on all online material I could get my hands on. I have to find out if there would be any other underlying cause for this Dry Eye Syndrome. So here I am, blogging about this disease that is affecting my college boy.

Dry Eye Syndrome may be caused by a variety of factors, and was discussed thoroughly in The Mayo Clinic website. I read about the symptoms that my son had - eye pain, stringy mucus, and sensitivity to light. The Mayo Clinic website provided easy to understand explanation of the symptoms, causes and treatment modalities. I am sharing with you very helpful information that I got from their website.

Symptoms:

1. Stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes (My son had this symptom)
2. Stringy mucus in or around your eyes (My son had this symptom)
3. Increased eye irritation from smoke or wind
4. Eye fatigue
5. Sensitivity to light (My son had this symptom)
6. Eye redness
7. A sensation of having something in your eyes
8. Difficulty wearing contact lenses
9. Periods of excessive tearing
10. Blurred vision, often worsening at the end of the day or after focusing for a prolonged period.

Causes:

1. Poor tear quality
• Tears have three components - oil, water and mucus. A deficiency in any of these three components can lead to dry eyes
2. Decreased tear production
• Decreased tear production (when you are unable to produce enough tears) are common in people over 50; postmenopausal women; may be associated with some medical conditions such as diabetes (this disease runs in our family), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid disorders (this disease runs in our family too) and Vitamin A deficiency. Decreased tear production may also be caused by laser eye surgery and tear gland damage.
3. Eyelid problems
4. Use of certain medications
• Some drugs that use to treat high blood pressure
• Antihistamines and decongestants (My son uses these medications for his allergic rhinitis)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Certain anti-depresents
• Iso-tretinoin type drugs for treatment of acne
5. Additional causes
• Wind
• Dry air
• Tasks that require enough concentration that you blink less often

Treatment Modalities:

The Mayo Clinic website discusses about treating the underlying cause of Dry Eyes Syndrome. You may check it out for more in depth information.

My son was prescribed eye drops (GenTeal), 1-2 drops every 4 hours for two weeks. I have to make him learn to use a warm washcloth over his eyes and massage the corner of his eyes where the oil (Meibomian) glands are. I will make him take a Vitamin A supplement regularly and encourage him to keep himself hydrated. Most importantly, I will be more vigilant in taking note of other symptoms that may point to either diabetes or thyroid disease which both run in the family.

My family's health is one of my top priorities. It is always a good thing to address the illness at an early stage than to put off the symptoms and regret it later on.

I hope I was able to give you some useful information today. Credits and thanks to Mayo Clinic.