Eczema Q&A

I am not a medical doctor or a health expert but as an eczema sufferer, I learned from my own experiences and felt the urgent need to get my self free from this illness. So, I did a lot of research to find out more about it. Here are some common questions and answers :

Question : What is eczema?

Answer :

Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is an extremely itchy inflammatory skin condition made worse by scratching. The skin can become red and irritated and even weep (oozing liquid) if the area becomes infected.  In the chronic stage, skin thickening (lichenification) can occur.  Atopic eczema can be a very difficult condition to deal with for both children and adults.

Between Lunch Buffet and Balinesia

I locked my bike at the piazza Largo Pietro Annigoni, then headed to Pingusto, the all you can eat buffet restaurant and our meeting point. Everyone were there already, that was a special lunch gathering to facilitate all of us so we can meet Dina. She lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but was in Florence at that time as she came with her husband who works for GE and had his business trip at GE office in Florence. Beside Dina, Erna Vin Eka Putri was there too. January 15, 2014, was an official day of my first time meeting with Dina and Erna. We have two Ernas in the community now!

Top 12 Piazzas in Florence

Here are the top 12 piazzas (squares) in Florence :

1. Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo as you can see from the top of Giotto's bell tower (campanile), the building with white roof is the  Baptistery, located right in front of the Duomo / Il Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore 

Piazza del Duomo is located in the heart of the historic centre of Florence. It is one of the most visited places in the Europe and the world; here we can find the Florence Cathedral with the Cupola del Brunelleschi, the Giotto's Campanile, the Florence Baptistry, the Loggia del Bigallo, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and the Arcivescovile and Canonici's palace. The west zone of this square is called San Giovanni square.

2. Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica

It is a square in the centre of Florence, location of the cultural cafes and bourgeois palaces. Among the square's cafes, the Giubbe Rosse cafe has long been a meeting place for famous artists and writers, notably those of Futurism.

3. Piazza della Signoria

It is the focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political hub of the city. The impressive 14th century Palazzo Vecchio is still preeminent with its crenellated tower. The square is also shared with the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia (now the Bureau of Agriculture), and the Uguccioni Palace (16th century, with a facade by Raphael). Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio is the Palace of the Assicurazioni Generali.

Merry Christmas_Buon Natale_Fijne Kerstdag_Selamat Hari Natal

Selamat Hari Natal 2013, Buon Natale, Feliz Natale, Fijne Kerstdag, Merry Christmas to you all.
May the peace, joy and love of Christmas in our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Christmas is about Christ. He is the reason for the season.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." | John 1:14

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. " | Isaiah 9:6-7

Cafés Curfew

Sitting in a nice café on one of the busiest roads in Florence, we were up to la apericena, a late after dinner served in buffet style at a price of a glass of drink. It was Gallery Art Bar on Via dei Benci 30. While we were eating and drinking this guy came in, he was happened to be a singer who regularly performed live music there.  We greeted each other, a little introduction before he finally set for more talks.

Aperativo buffet at Gallery Art Bar.

I noted three things he mentioned :

1. Business has been slowing down a week before Christmas which was quite obvious. It was Saturday night at 8PM and we were the only customers they had;

2. Due to so many complaints from the neighborhood about people getting drunk and caused chaos, liquors or drinks with alcohol can be sold before 9PM only;  

3. The latest law regulation strictly obligated all cafés / bars to close their venues at 10PM, with an exception of one restaurant / bar located across the road, simply because they had more security guards who will drag drunk people away from their venue, or presumably, they had more money to ‘pay’ to the authorities.