From Cebu with Love

I happened to be in Cebu last May and I love, love, love being there.
                                         and
I happened to have a taste of Cebu yet again...
Thanks for the package tita joy! Love, love, love!!!

just another wake up call

As a student nurse, we are often reminded to treat each patient we have as if they're family, a friend or someone we value deeply. Yet, a daily dose of pain, cries and loss is enough to make yourself immune and just but numb. An injection seems so ordinary, cries don't bother you much and  death - inevitable. I, again was put into test but this time i am my teacher, my workplace and reality (biting) is my teacher.

Situation 1:  Someone I know had an acute abdomen.

He's sometimes/most of the times the life at the ER. The subject of "kulitan" of the "league of nurse men" when life there is dull and at it's slowest pace. He mans his place single-handledly (occassional relievers here and there) but in totality it's his territory. But then yesterday, it was different - seeing him in such pain was unbearable. I can't stand seeing him in that situation. Sweaty, guarded and almost "sinasapian" (possessed) every time pain visits him (it's on and off initially). I was so hurt and scared for him that I don't even want to go into his room but I had to and I have to. It was entirely a different feeling since it's someone you deeply know. It's not like the care for the patient you don't know is less it's such that the pain they have stabs and cuts more deep into you, the gravity is intense. Even our beloved ROD worries exponentially at the sight of him in agony.

Situation 2: My mom on one hand, had dizzy spells again. It was nothing serious since her vitals were stable but she decided to admit her self to a hospital for a work up. (remember that I've blogged about scheduling her for a series of tests just to make sure everything's fine)

I'm not the "atribida" type of person but since you're (i am) in the medical field you get to question every little detail of care. You get too nosy about the medications, tests and iv fluid that is not running or is delayed. I often get irritated at relatives that are so "makulit" about those things but I sure sounded a bit like one yesterday.

Coming to realize that I should also be patient, (but believe me when I say that I am enduring and not easily provoked) extending few more patience is never, ever bad. So if a situation calls for you to be extra careful and understanding, remind yourself to close your eyes, inhale deeply and think that he/she is family.

Terry and her chucks...

Cheers to friendships and besties

I always have fond memories of my childhood and needless to say this lady up here were in almost all of it. Talking 'bout a stroll down memory lane, we had the Apacible street  literally closed most of the afternoons just to play our weird and crazy version of the superior mario game, "patintero" (grid game) and "taguan" (hide and seek). 

Twenty years (OMG!) and counting she remains close to me as ever.

I just love her individuality and attitude. 

She's one independent woman; single and is ready to mingle hahaha

But kidding aside, she's gonna start blogging again - hurray to that!

Here's the link to her blog...

 http://likemylife-lovemylife.blogspot.com/

Please do follow...

 Cheers to friendships and besties!

Old Times

Here we are on our innocent times:

Now on our not so innocent times:

You look back at some old pictures and you find yourself smiling at the thought of old times.

Year 2000 was the new millennium -new things, new promises and new adventure. As for me, it was the dreaded first year of College life. I was quite hesitant about my new environment, UP that is. It's the melting pot of great minds, achievers and people who are bound to succeed at all cost.  The University will punch and beat you so being a weakling is not an option but apparently I am – at first. Imagining a life away from family and home scares the core of my being. How could I ever do things without mom to pull close whenever I need backup?! The need to act mature knocks and haunts you whenever a professor addresses you as "miss". Gone are the days when you were just known as "piggy" in high school. 

Life in college is and was never easy. From term papers, long exams and field work (I took up bio so much of field works are expected) to peer pressure, culture shock and homesickness. It’s a constant juggle and finding great friends to help you on the way is a life saver. People who feel the same as you do. People who go through the same things you’ve been going through. I value the friendships I had and have with them. I love you Miami pips and thank you! Cheers!

Might end this with my College Student Number eh..

00-70332

Do you still remember yours? Hey, no peeking!!!

Comment with your student number

Skin Care Routine

A soft, well hydrated, smooth skin is what I always wanted. Mine is never perfect - constant graveyard shifts, stress and pollution  finds it's way to make a zit pop just about anytime (two on my forehead just now). Finding just the right product that will suit your skin type is just about finding the right shoe. No break outs as to no calluses.
I've been using this products for awhile now and it doesn't break me out as much unlike before.

all prep face - sorry for the messy do (just woke up)

Cleanser:  I'm using Belo Essentials Pore Minimizing Whitening Face Wash. It claims to promote skin renewal, cleanses gently and retains skin's natural moisture. It also soothes and shields skin from irritation with Chamomile extract. This facial wash is really good since it helps my pimples to dry up faster than usual. I have lesser break outs since I started using it.

Since I'm running low on my Belo Cleanser, I started using Pure Beauty Super Brightening Multi Cleanser for days now. A pea size amount of this cleanser goes a long, long way - this huge tube will probably last me months. It has Special Vitamin E granules that enhance the antioxidant benefits. I will add more of my review when I hit a month long usage of this product.

Toner:  Nivea Visage Deep Pore Control Toner claims to cleanse the skin without drying it out. It has Skin's own Carnitine and Lactic Acid. It regulates the skin's oil production deep within the pores and  keep the pores free of oil and other impurities. It also has an Aloe Vera content that helps soothe the skin. 

I'm loving this product. Its budget friendly since the 200ml bottle is sold for less than P200. Content-wise, I like the feel of the toner on my skin since it's not too strong and the smell is quite nice and not irritating. My pores are more refined now plus it leaves my skin smooth and shine free.

Moisturiser:

It was love at first use for me. I'm completely sold with L'oreal Hydrafresh Anti-Shine all day Hydrating and Matifying Icy Gel.  The gel consistency makes the application easier since it glides and sinks deeper into the skin. It is light to the skin unlike other products that leaves a sticky and oily after feel. The cooling effect right after application is nice on a humid condition that we have here in Philippines. I use it in morning and night, it's also a good primer since it leaves the skin soft and supple. Mine is half empty already and will definitely repurchase.

BP on the Rise

4:30AM

I was awaken by my dad's voice saying, "yang, tingnan mo muna mammy mo" (yang please look at your mom first). I know that this is gonna be the same thing, it would probably be her blood pressure on the rise - I was right. 

My mom has this frequent episodes of BP surging up. The moment she ate pork or beef (which is very rare nowadays, she only eat the veggies that comes along when it's cooked) she'll be complaining of dizziness or nape pain the next hour. She'll let me then check her BP which would be at the 150-170mmHg systolic range then she'll pop her pill and lay still for awhile. Next thing I'll be getting will be a warm compress and a pair of socks since her hands and feet are cold. We will be monitoring her BP for sometime until it goes down. That's always the case with my mom, and I know I should ask her to do some tests just to make sure everything is fine.

Will surely set an appointment with her doctor soon.

Glad she's a bit fine now, BP's fine...

Pissed Off

With quite a few patients to handle on my morning shift, I found some things to keep me literally productive on my 12 hour loooonnng ( i intentionally put a couple of o’s to emphasize the magnitude of it) duty - a rolled cotton and a tray
Making cotton balls on and off ( i need to stop when a patient/relative ask or complain about something plus the one discharge i had later in the afternoon) kept me busy…i was getting irritated towards the end of the shift since the cotton fibers (enough to make a ball - exaggeration haha) were stuck at my nostrils that it left me sneezing as i head home…
Question:
Did anyone had the experience of wanting to go home as early and quickly as you can but ends up coming home supeeeerrrrr late?! Ughh! that just happened and it pissed me off bigtime…
I usually ride a van home but i was just a minute or two late that it left without me in it (hahaha). Thinking that the next one would take long to fill out i opted to take the jeepney that is almost full. I don’t mind seating at the far end but later did i know that i had to sit in an awkward/difficult way!!!… a tire was put in the aisle and i ended up sitting with my feet on top of it!!! i wanted to come out and take another ride but since im in it - i took the plunge…my feet were getting cramped halfway home but i was saved when a couple of passengers including the woman in front of me (sitting awkwardly too) took off.
But it seems like my quota for agony wasn’t enough, the jeepney stopped and would not start just when i’m nearly home..
Bad karma now, hoping for a good one tomorrow…

terry

i just love her dearly

Spark Your Dream

i was rumbling into my nightstand table when i happened to come across a book that we (WT and I) bought the last time we were in Laoag, Ilococ Norte for some r and r time.
Spark your dream was written by a couple named Candelaria and Herman Zapp. I think i should not be using “was” since their stories seems to be without end. We were lucky to meet them and their adorable kids when we stayed at Playa Tropical Resort last December 2010.
I haven’t finished reading it (but hopefully i’ll soon be able to) but let me share their story and i quote:
“Herman and Candelaria Zapp got into a 1928 Graham-Paige car with a dream of getting to Alaska in six months. But the innumerable surprises of the road changed their plans a little.
Spark your dream is a true story of personal inspiration that explores the inconveniences and the solutions that are presented at the beginning of a dream. Through this incredible journey the reader will live the risk, the sensation of freedom, the passion, the pain of a death, the birth of a son, frustration, life and success. And surely, upon getting to the destination you won’t like to stop, but you will have to do like Herman and Cande did upon arrival in Alaska. And you’ll get there moved to tears and jump with them celebrating, knowing that dreams are possible if one day you begin.”
                                                            - Spark your Dream

Flats Addiction

i was out at tiendesitas the other day and was caught between the nude and blue pseudo tory burch flats..
ended buying the nude one…

Just Our Usual Day

just our usual day…
WT: you’ll give your patients a heart attack if they see you looking this good….:)

flowers

“The roses you sent me were just as fresh when a dozen more came knocking on my door..”
iloveyou WT

Intimate Thoughts

“Looking at our future with your hand in mine seems not scary at all”

Scent of Woman

I’ve been following “scent of a woman” for some weeks now…its a new korean drama from the sbs network - judgement: i am totally hooked!!!
I’ve been having sleepless nights waiting for Sunday to come bid me “hi”. Sunday equals new episode - and I'm on episode 10 now by the way. I’ve always loved kim sun ah back from the time she starred in “my lovely kim sam soon”..who doesn’t want to be swept away and be loved by a man who’s richer and younger than you - i wouldn’t mind if asked hahaha (but mine’s a different story to tell)
this time her story is about living life knowing that she’s terminal…Living each day wanting and feeling what it’s like to love and be loved in return…She’s living each day fulfilling her wishlist… Sometimes, knowing how long one can live seem advantageous..You get to choose things you want to relive, remember and make a good memory of…You’re given time to prepare but truly how do you prepare for something like that?
As for me, I just want to live a simple yet well remembered life. Life well lived with my family, my friends and my man.
Tomorrow - new episode!! yipeee

friends

i sincerely value every friend i met in my life’s journey
i may sometimes say things awful about you but that doesn't mean i'm stepping on you
i may always pick on you but that doesn't mean i make fun of you
i may constantly ask favors from you, but that doesn't mean i'm taking advantage of you
i may sound rude at times but that doesn't mean i care less
i may be all those things and more but i love those friends who truly embraces and understands that i am like that and yet appreciates me in return

first entry

i’ve been browsing some blogs, fashion mostly, few days ago when it suddenly interests me to make one for myself…this blog will not be entirely about fashion, but mostly about anything random - from my lazy hours to my toxic duty days…
just about me and my life’s journey…
OMG! im a blogger hahaha