Unix, whats your background...UNIX? Cool name.

Thanx GAYLE, I am not a good cook but I will try to ask my mother for some traditional Somali recipies. Please come back and visit the women's forum again. Many young ladies here will gladly help you. It is nice to see people helping people. God Bless America

what kind of humanitarian thing are we talking about? Can you clarify? Thanx

Thank you Naag-Qaawan...good post

Faiza, what is the problem. For me, I love poetry and I am not sure why it would bother you that these guys are writing their poetry here or practicing their writing abilities for that matter? I think it is alot better than what many others write about. It is just my opinion. We need positivity here on these boards. This is Somalia Online afterall and not Somalinet. I think we should not put down each other just because we don't like the topic. Let these guys express themselves and certainly let them do it through poetry -- that is just being a true nomad.

Faiza, what is the problem. For me, I love poetry and I am not sure why it would bother you that these guys are writing their poetry here or practicing their writing abilities for that matter? I think it is alot better than what many others write about. It is just my opinion. We need positivity here on these boards. This is Somalia Online afterall and not Somalinet. I think we should not put down each other just because we don't like the topic. Let these guys express themselves and certainly let them do it through poetry -- that is just being a true nomad.

Faiza, what is the problem. For me, I love poetry and I am not sure why it would bother you that these guys are writing their poetry here or practicing their writing abilities for that matter? I think it is alot better than what many others write about. It is just my opinion. We need positivity here on these boards. This is Somalia Online afterall and not Somalinet. I think we should not put down each other just because we don't like the topic. Let these guys express themselves and certainly let them do it through poetry -- that is just being a true nomad.

Faiza, what is the problem. For me, I love poetry and I am not sure why it would bother you that these guys are writing their poetry here or practicing their writing abilities for that matter? I think it is alot better than what many others write about. It is just my opinion. We need positivity here on these boards. This is Somalia Online afterall and not Somalinet. I think we should not put down each other just because we don't like the topic. Let these guys express themselves and certainly let them do it through poetry -- that is just being a true nomad.

Hey, ISRA you are killing us...good one sista

What? I thought the government was full of those "AL-ITIHAD" Islamists...what is up?

Well said nimco. We are all nomads afterall. Your understanding of the term depends on the language you speak and how long you have lived in an English-speaking country. Here is a simple info to help you out Premenstrual Syndrome --PMS What Women Should Know About... As many as 8 out of 10 women have physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. While the symptoms can be uncomfortable and upsetting, PMS can be easily managed in many cases. A healthy diet and self-care can result in more comfort and less stress, every month. Recognize Symptoms You may have PMS if you have these physical symptoms up to two weeks before your period: exhaustion; sleep disturbances; breast swelling; bloating; weight gain; acne; cravings for sweets; constipation, then diarrhea. The emotional symptoms can be even more difficult to deal with than the physical. Common emotional symptoms include irritability; depression; anxiety; confusion; feeling out of control. For some women, these symptoms are mild. For others, symptoms are severe and make life very difficult. While there are many theories about the cause of PMS, scientists agree that it's real, and not "all in your head." Diet Makes A Difference For many PMS symptoms, your diet can make a big difference. Try using these suggestions for a week or two before your period: Eliminate Sugar (including honey, syrup, and "-ose" additives like fructose or sucrose), caffeine (in coffee, chocolate, and cola drinks), artificial sweeteners, cigarettes, and alcohol. Emphasize Whole grains (bread, pasta, brown rice), dried beans, nuts, fresh vegetables (especially spinach), and fruit. Avoid Salty and smoked foods, and dairy products. If bloating is a problem, limit fruit and eliminate fruit juices. Your doctor may suggest supplements including a basic multivitamin with minerals (including vitamins B6 and E, calcium and magnesium); evening primrose oil (available in health food stores); or L-tryptophan, an amino acid. More Help There are other things which will help reduce PMS. Most importantly, take steps to manage your stress levels. Rigorous exercise will reduce both physical and emotional symptoms. Relaxation through meditation, deep breathing, walks, massage, or a hot bath will reduce tension. Naps will help when sleeping has been erratic. If your symptoms are troubling, see your doctor, who may prescribe hormone or other therapy. Your doctor can also assess if there are other problems besides PMS. You can also call the National PMS hotline at 1-800 344-4PMS, or PMS Access at 1-800 222-4PMS. For milder symptoms, try the suggestions above and speak to your doctor when you have your annual gynecological check-up. [This message has been edited by Nowaal (edited 10-06-2001).]

I can't believe what I am hearing. Naag-Qaawan, have you ever seen the image of the man beating the woman with the baseball bat--almost like it? Just because one part of her body was showing when he walked by. He wasn't even related to her. She kept crying for help. That is not justice. That is not Islam. That is pure abuse. I wish you saw that clip on CNN. I was crying for minutes because I knew that this lady was helpless and these morons were using the name of Islam in order to justify their abuse for women. c'mon. It wasn't even an American clip...it was a clip CNN got from other networks. Please, that was just sad. Jaber. I didn't expect you to react positively to my post because you are probably the only man who hates women most in this forum. Brother, gabdhaha waa loo naxariistaa....budh lalama dhaco.

They have been severely oppressed since the Taliban took over. It is really not fair. They can't work, yet the men are gone and not providing for the kid, so they start begging on the streets. This is the sadest thing I have ever heard of. They should be given arms to fight against the ruthless Taliban. God!

Guys, there is another article on NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE on the net. It kind of relates to the same issue of Hepititus G and HIV virus. Please read and lets us discuss this more. ---------------------------------------- Virus May Help Fight HIV By STEPHANIE NANO Associated Press Writer Published Sep 5 2001 Infection with an apparently harmless, newly recognized virus seems to interfere with HIV, slowing its progression and prolonging survival of AIDS patients. What isn' t known is exactly how the virus, called GBV-C or hepatitis G, inhibits HIV. Researchers say if they can figure that out, it could lead to new treatments for AIDS virus. In the meantime, they warned patients against intentionally infecting themselves. " If we can identify the path GBV-C is taking to inhibit HIV, then we' re well on the way to making this something practical, " said one of the researchers, Dr. Jack Stapleton of the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Iowa. The findings were reported in two studies in Thursday' s New England Journal of Medicine. They confirm earlier, smaller studies that showed that patients with both HIV and hepatitis G lived longer than those infected with HIV alone. The hepatitis G virus, discovered in 1995, does not appear to cause hepatitis or any other disease, unlike other blood-borne hepatitis viruses that cause liver damage. It is found in about 2 percent of healthy blood donors. The Iowa study looked at 362 HIV-infected patients treated between 1988 and 1999. About 40 percent, 144 patients, were also infected with hepatitis G. About 29 percent (41 patients) of those infected with hepatitis G died during four years of follow-up, compared with 56 percent (123 patients) who were not infected with hepatitis G. Researchers calculated that HIV-infected people without the hepatitis G infection were nearly four times more likely to die than those with both infections during the four-year period. A second study of 197 HIV patients conducted at Medical School Hanover in Germany also found significantly longer survival for the 33 HIV patients with hepatitis G, even after more potent AIDS drugs became available in 1996. Researchers also tested hepatitis G-infected blood and found the more hepatitis G infection, the less HIV was in the blood. " We don' t have any clues how it works at the moment, but I' m quite confident that we will gain this information in the next 12 months, " said Dr. Hans L. Tillmann, one of the researchers. The German researchers did one of the earliest studies that showed that hepatitis G may be beneficial for HIV patients. Tillmann said they were trying to determine whether GBV-C had the same negative effect as hepatitis B and C on people with HIV, but found the opposite. Dr. Steven Wolinsky of Northwestern University Medical School, co-author of an accompanying editorial, said the findings of the two studies need to be kept in perspective. " While we' re looking at larger numbers of patients, we still don' t really have a specific mechanism, nor have we ruled out any other potential variables that may be responsible, " Wolinsky said. Tillmann and Stapleton both strongly warned against intentionally infecting HIV patients with hepatitis G while research continues, a warning echoed by Wolinsky. " We don' t really know what the long-term consequences of infection with this virus is, " Wolinsky said. " We also know that it seems to travel with other viruses, and we don' t know if it' s an accidental tourist or not." On the Net: New England Journal of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org

Abaayo, it is true that some studies show the Hepatitus G can slow down HIV growth. But everything is kind of prelimenary. Check out the article please. GOOD DISCUSSION SO FAR GUYS. I AM IMPRESSED. Studies suggest hepatitis G virus slows down the AIDS virus From News Services Published Sep 6 2001 A harmless virus discovered in 1995 and carried by tens of millions of people worldwide appears to interfere with HIV, slowing its progression and prolonging survival of AIDS patients. What isn't known is exactly how the virus, called GBV-C or hepatitis G, inhibits HIV. Researchers say if they can figure that out, it could lead to new treatments for AIDS. 'If we can identify the path GBV-C is taking to inhibit HIV, then we're well on the way to making this something practical,' said one of the researchers, Dr. Jack Stapleton of the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Iowa. In the meantime, they strenuously warned patients against intentionally infecting themselves. The findings, reported in two studies in today's New England Journal of Medicine, confirm smaller studies that showed that patients with both HIV and GBV-C lived longer than those infected with HIV alone. The GBV-C virus does not appear to cause hepatitis or any other disease, unlike other blood-borne hepatitis viruses that cause liver damage. It is found in about 2 percent of healthy blood donors. 'It was a virus looking for a disease,' said Michael Manns, a liver specialist at Hannover Medical School in Germany, where one of the studies was conducted. The Iowa study looked at 362 HIV-infected patients treated between 1988 and 1999. About 40 percent -- 144 patients -- were also infected with GBV-C. About 29 percent -- 41 patients -- of those infected with GBV-C died during four years of follow-up, compared with 56 percent -- 123 patients -- who were not infected with GBV-C. Researchers calculated that HIV-infected people without the GBV-C infection were nearly four times more likely to die than those with both infections during the four-year period. The Hannover study of 197 HIV patients also found significantly longer survival for the 33 HIV patients with GBV-C, even after more potent AIDS drugs became available in 1996. Researchers also tested blood infected with GBV-C and found that more GBV-C infection meant less HIV in the blood. 'We don't have any clues how it works at the moment, but I'm quite confident that we will gain this information in the next 12 months,' said Dr. Hans Tillmann, one of the researchers. The German researchers did one of the earliest studies that showed that GBV-C may be beneficial for HIV patients. Tillmann said they had been trying to determine whether GBV-C had the same negative effect as hepatitis B and C on people with HIV, but found the opposite. Dr. Steven Wolinsky of Northwestern University Medical School, co-author of an accompanying editorial, said the findings of the two studies need to be kept in perspective. 'While we're looking at larger numbers of patients, we still don't really have a specific mechanism, nor have we ruled out any other potential variables that may be responsible,' Wolinsky said.

According to Reuters Health, approximately 1.0% of Somalia's population of 8 million is currently infected with HIV. This is an estimated 80,000 adults ranking in age 15-49. Somalia has the lowest AID spread rate in all of Africa. that is good new. But the HIV prevalance rate is expected to increase in Somalia to 4.0% 2010. Women in Somalia will be the worst affected. In some areas of Somalia HIV prevalance in the age group 20-24 will approximately hit 10%. 1.7 million people have died since the disease was first diagnosed in 1986. Those numbers are scary. Let us discuss, and talk about solutions on what we think can can be done to avoid Somalia from being another SOUTH AFRICA. Thanx Nowaal Dahir