A blessed, happy SUNDAY and my PAPA's 62nd birthday!!

Answered prayer

After lunch, my much awaited document was delivered by a courier. "Surprise me oh Lord", told myself upon opening the package. And screamed out loud when I saw the document. "Waaaaahhhhh!!! Eto na nga [this is it]. Thank you, Lord". God is indeed good all the time. He makes things fall on the right time. I guess my time is coming, approaching and will never waste such time for my dreams to come true. I thank you dear Lord for the blessings you have given me. This is an answered prayer. I have my family, my job, my loving boyfriend [won't ask for anybody else] and praying for a future healthy, God-fearing family with the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I think I have found 'the one' already. Bless us oh Lord! I am blessed, indeed!

The call

This afternoon, while watching TV with my family, I thought of my boyfriend wishing he'd call. I missed him so badly. Then, the phone rang. It was him. Waaaaaahhhh!!! Happy mode!! We missed each other. Too bad, he's sick. Get well soon, dy! How i wish I was there on his side taking good care of him. Soon honey don't worry. Don't stress yourself too much. I know work is important but health is more important. Remember, someone here is waiting for you.

We talked and handed the phone to my father. He greeted him and they talked for quite a while. Papa related Zar told him since he can't be with us [obviously] for my Papa's bday, he would make up for the time to bond with my family once he gets home. Looking forward to it, dy! Can't wait! [ehehehe]. Time moves in a flash, I know. Soon enough, we'd be together. I'm HAPPY! Keep on praying! Love you, always :)

The BIRTHDAY

Wow, 62 years of existence. He had lived more than 6 decades of his life. Finished school. Landed on a decent job, including the teaching stint in ADMU several years ago. Had met my mom. Got married and had two lovely, grown up daughters who loves him dearly. And I'm one of them [ehem].

Papa and I went to church to give thee thanks then lit candles. Dropped him off at home before heading to Camillian to grace the invitation of our student's Culmination. Their last day of On the-Job Training.

Got home this evening around 6pm. Was a bit worried that the bakeshop might close soon. The cake hasn't been claimed yet. They [the bakeshop personnel] didn't even bother to call our landline to remind us. Well anyways, since my sister is busy in the kitchen I went out once again and decided to commute instead of driving the motorcycle. The rain might pour at once. Poor me. Was praying "please don't close yet" repeatedly on my mind silently while on my way to Goldilocks. When I got there, voila! The bakeshop is still OPEN!! Yahoo!! I went inside all smiles and claimed the fruity chocolate cake we ordered.

The celebration has started pass 7pm already. Shared foods we prepared with our neighbor. Took pictures and eat all you can, hahaha!! Happy birthday, PA!! We love you so much!

We wish him more years. So, he'd get a chance to see and play along with his future apo [grandchild]. May God bless him more years to come and more life to those coming years.

catching up with an old buddy

I just handed down the handset. A talk from patzs just ended. Both of us has to cut the conversation, may work pa kasi tomorrow. For there will be continuation of the conversation on our next meeting [where he promised a COFFEE TREAT ---Yipeee!!!!].

Got shocked upon seeing him in his new hair color late this afternoon where i brought my sister to see a doctor. The same old friend with more new things to find out. We caught up on stuffs, his whereabouts, about me, about life, talked about the latest happenings of our batch mate. Who's who? The recent passers of the June 2009 Nurse Licensure Examination. By the way,

CONGRATULATIONS TO ITESS YCONG!!

We are proud of you. Another Registered Nurse has been added to the group. More luck to the remaining members.

I feel hungry already about a long talk and laugh with my friend. Looking forward for that COFFEE TREAT. Its already noted in my planner. Question is...when?? hehehehe. Sunday perhaps?? Basi mawala na pud ka sa sirkulasyon, friend. hehehe!

Work Abroad

Some of my batchmate [in college] were now working overseas. Well, i'd be a hypocrite if i'd say i don't envy them. I envy them because they are on their way of raking greener opportunities. While me, and some of us are stucked here where career growth isn't possible. We have a job, yes but [you see, there's a 'but'] its not enough.

Its one of my goal in life - TO WORK ABROAD! My motivational thermometer has risen up after seeing the pictures of our batchmate in college [through Friendster] now working in London. Wow, amazing! Ikaw na jud, jave. Magkita ra ta diha puhon-puhon. God permits!

But I guess GOD make all things possible at the right time. I know He has reasons, I have a purpose for staying [for awhile], hehehe. Given the chance, I'd grab the opportunity of working overseas. I just need to work on my papers. Hopefully, my birth certificate problem gets to be ironed out soon. Muambak jud ko taman-taman masulbad ning sulirana --hahahaha!!

Foods Galore!

This evening we presented 4 sandwiches for our Commercial Cooking NC II class and prepared Home-made mayonnaise. Our dominant arms were exhausted beating, mixing all the ingredients. Not that easy, I tell you [chuckles]. There were portable hand mixers available in the cabinet but Sir Bong wanted all of us to experience the natural way of making mayonnaise. So, off we go holding wire whisk and mixing bowl. I get your point, Sir. Thank you.

After the presentation, our group [Bernz, Jopay, Dawn, Joy, JP, Van] shared what we prepared to people who's still present in the kitchen. Thanks by the way Dawn for the softdrinks. It took all our thirst-quenching throat to refresh! Although tired and stressed out, we all went home happy, satisfied, full not to mention the big scream of this blogger [char!] after we stepped out of the school's premises. Kaw daw mukalit ug ka brown-out niya haskang ngitngita! hahaha!! Thanks to our friends who ushered us sa kanto and waited for us to ride a tricycle before taking off. How sweet of our amegahs [hugs].

Oh, got to check my sister's temperature. Until here, goodnight! (",)

Swine Flu vaccine developed

GENEVA – Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG said yesterday it has successfully produced a first batch of swine flu vaccine weeks ahead of expectations.

The vaccine was made in cells, rather than grown in eggs as is usually the case with vaccines, the company said.

The announcement comes a day after the World Health Organization declared swine flu a pandemic. WHO says drugmakers will likely have vaccines approved and ready for sale after September.

Swine flu, also known as Influenza A(H1N1), is now formally a pandemic – a declaration by UN health officials that is expected to speed vaccine production and spur government spending to combat the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.

Since it was first detected in late April in Mexico and the US, swine flu has reached 74 countries, infecting nearly 29,000 people. Most who catch the bug have only mild symptoms and don’t need medical treatment.

WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan made the long-awaited declaration after the UN agency held an emergency meeting with flu experts and said she was moving to phase 6 – the agency’s highest alert level – which means a pandemic is under way.

Click on the link source below for more information...

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20090612/tph-flu-vaccine-developed-pandemic-decla-541dfb4.html

my voice is back!

rejoice for my voice has regained its normal state. God loved me. He gave me a wonderful sunday to cheer. Thank you for the gift. Salabat is really effective!

oh yeah, i can now sing. i can now vocalize la la la la la...hahaha!  people cannot make fun of me anymore.  Its kinda annoying sometimes.  Kamo daw beh. It's not funny. I simply ignore them, yet irritating.  Hence, they would received a raised eyebrow for doing that. 

I still drink salabat despite its awful [for me] taste and sweet-bitter taste.

We started the oral interview. Chem left early while Essa and I continued on conversing the 2nd year individually.  We evaluated how they answer to each question and gave them tips on how to converse with their Assessor properly. 

Essa reminded them to be conscious with the time during the interview.  We mentioned some pointers and then pronounced dismissal. Phew! Another meeting has ended.

Gen and Pi invited us to go and eat at a Pizza parlor near Mary Mediatrix Church. We had Sisig and Pepperoni Pizza. We chatted for the time being until we came to talk about my upcoming birthday. We planned to go to Camp Sabros to enjoy the enchanting view of Mountains and Adventure of its rides. Their first time, my second. Can't wait.

The food trip was awesome. So full. Thank Gen and Pi for the treat. These girls does love to eat a lot! [chuckles]

still hoarse

I'm happy to wake up this morning with a slight voice. I took a sip of hot salabat, still hoping to soothe my throat. We are to meet up with the HCS graduating students this afternoon for their Final Coaching in the upcoming NC 2 exam. 

Hope all of them passed! Anyways, the Provincial Director had an ocular inspection on the Funda Lab. The result was good, but still need to be seen by the Assessor from Davao Oriental for our School to be an Accredited Assessment Center for Health Care Services.

  

Thank you for the Mocha Roll cake Ma'am Van!! God bless your undeniably kind heart!!  [chuckles] 

Hope to regain my normal voice tomorrow..goodnight!!

husky voice

I woke up this morning with no voice. All you'd hear from me is an on and off voice, more like a defective speaker [chuckles]. I still went to school, met up with my students. They were shocked when I spoke.

8:30am Luckily, TESDA people from Region XI will come to visit our School and conduct the orientation for the TESDA Scholarship Programs at ANNEX, to start in an hour.

I collected assignments from my students and dismissed them early, since this blogger enrolled in a Scholarship Program in Food and Beverage Services NC 2, with Chem and Jopay.

We set-up the whole Funda Lab for ocular inspection by the TESDA Provincial Director.

For the meantime, we stayed inside the Funda Lab. Ma'am Julie of Rudy's Art Photography came by to hand-in the pictures during our 2nd Pinning Ceremony. Gwapa jud ming tanan oi! We will make sure our documentation will be as fabulous as the event, so those people who have little understanding on the significane of the event will realize that 2-year courses does have a ceremony like that of a 4-year Bachelor courses. Thank you, Ma'am Julie!

10am Chem and I hopped in to Gene's car going to ANNEX. When we got there, few enrollees participated in the orientation. Some went home na daw.

Engr. Nestor S. Tabada, Provincial Director - Davao City/Davao del Sur explained the duties and responsibilities as a TESDA Scholar and pointed out some reminders. The orientation didn't last long. After the short speech, we were called to sign the Scholarship Vouchers by Mrs. Panuela, FASD Chief of Finance and Administrative Services Division, Davao del Sur and submitted our photos. That's it! We are now TESDA Scholars! I'm excited..when will be our first day? hehehe

Going back to school this afternoon, I met up with the 2nd year students and taught some tips on their upcoming NC 2 exam despite the hoarseness of my voice. They were mimicking me pa nga eh. I still tried to teach them.

Afterwards, we leaved school going to Warehouse to stroll around and buy some goods.

4:40pm We were done paying at the Counter and I felt my feet started complaining. Yeah, Pucca is tired na..Gikapoy na akong beauty.

5pm I came home tired, hungry, carrying loads of folders with a bag of some grocery items. Was happy to see our dogs, wagging their tails trying to relieve my tiredness. I just love them so much. I never got to buy salabat [pulverized Philippine version for ginger tea] =( Wala ng stock.

By the way, bought a new mug, nice design! Baptized its use in trying Ji**s Choco 5 in 1 Mix with Agaricus Mushroom Extract Plus Spirulina. I surely include this always on my To-buy list when going to the Grocery. I love the taste, creamy and healthy as well. Can be served hot or cold.

6pm I was watching TV when I suddenly remembered my dues at Herbito's. I changed clothes in a snap and left home. Yes, still in my hoarse voice, umalis pa rin ako. I couldn't ask my sister naman to pay it. Ate ping and company was surprised to hear me. I even headed to the market to buy vegetables and look for salabat. I really had to. Imagine how I deal with the sellers and tricycle driver. =) hahaha..they always give me a second look. hehehe..

When i got home, I immediately tried the salabat I bought. Wow, i felt the soothing effect in my throat. I hope I'd wake up tomorrow, with a normal voice na.

Goodnight, everyone!!

Typhoid fever strikes!!

Note: another lengthy post by yours truly. But, what can I do, I want to relay even the finest detail. Anyways, happy reading!]

November 27, 2008
My sister was having on and off fever few days back with accompanying headache. She was kinda hesitant when I told her that I'd bring her to the doctor. She's never been admitted to the hospital.

And so this morning, she got confined to Llanos Hospital. My best bud Patzs, Galore and Cherry we're on duty on AM shift. We packed things and brought some extra cash for medical expenses. Unfortunately, she doesn't have any medical insurance.

Yeah, so sad. Having someone we love being hospitalized makes me upset, thinking what have gotten wrong? Anyways, when patzs took her temperature, it raised to 39.3 degree celsius. The ROD examined her, took her health history then ordered for U/A and Widal test.

I left for awhile to buy IV sets. Patz inserted the IV. I witnessed the whole procedure. Makes me remember of my experience as a Volunteer then. Bingkay mentioned it does hurt but just in a snap.

I then informed Papa about sis' condition. He is coming home for the weekend. He told me, he'd relieve my position when he gets home. I could feel Papa's sadness on his message.I don't want him to get stressed. I can manage to look after my sister.

Ganon pala ang feeling noh? First time ko kasing maging watcher. Before, I was the one who deals with the patient and its watchers. And now, I am being dealt with, does the errands of buying this medicines, foods, etc.

We were settled to the Semi-Private Room, airconditioned with a cable connected television [till HBO nga lang, di kasi cable ready ang TV, hihihi]. It's rate is fair enough naman. I want my sister to stay in a room where she'd feel comfortable while being treated.

I didn't report for work. I have already informed the school concerning my absence.
Afternoon came. Her headache strikes again. When the attendant took her temperature, it went up and was given paracetamol by mouth. We were informed she was positive for Typhoid fever. My GOD! I felt sorry for my sister. I thought of asking her to recall what she had eaten for the past days. She couldn't remember. I could just react "Hay naku!"
Oh, well. This isn't a time for blaming but I hope this would serve as a lesson to her, to us, to everybody.

Getting sick is one of the most terrible thing that happens to a person. It affects nearly everything, so to speak. Yeah, thumbs down =(

I'm sure this neighbor of ours would lift her eyebrow and would probably start babbling about my sister's condition. I guess it's really her nature to make up stories about people around her eventhough we are not doing anything to her. God knows!! Sometimes, i almost thought of confronting her but something in me is telling me to hold back. Yeah, I won't stoop to her level. It won't make us less of a person and as a family. I just couldn't figure sometimes she goes to church every Sunday and then when she comes home, there she goes again. Ya know what I mean. [wink! wink!]

I bought the first batch of Bing's medications and was quite surprise of the costs. The branded antibiotics was really that expensive. It almost reach a thousand bucks per vial,and that goes for 1 dose only with 3 doses per day. Oh my!

Rose, Joy and Cheche visited their 'Ate Jo'. Her best bud Benedick came by to visit, as well.
At 7pm, she had her very first SKIN TEST. An agency protocol to determine if she is allergic to the antibacterial meds I bought. While waiting for the result, I took a short video inside the room, the facilities and the patient [hehe]. I sort of documented her IV infusion and SKIN TEST site. A remembrance and sana di na maulit pa [hope there will be no next time,chuckles]

The result was negative. It was around 7:30pm when her first dose of Ceftri was given. Hope and prayed to GOD she'd get well soon. Thanks Nurse Cybelle!

I slept late again, as usual. Was awakened when the Night shift Nurse gave her 2nd dose at around 2:30am. This blogger went back to sleep afterwards. ZZZzzzZz

November 28, 2008 Reported back to work. Asked our househelp to bring some water and look after bingkay and buy another vial for the 3rd dose at 10am. Left some cash to sis. There might be another prescribed medicines for her. She still has headache and slight fever when I left. Told them to check on the IVF and ask the Nurse for IVF to follow. Thanks to Nurse Galore, for hooking the next IVF of my sister.

My sister's classmates came over daw. They stayed for a few hours and kept them company.
I headed back to the hospital after my class, still on my scrubs uniform. I stopped by the fruit stand to buy some citrus and pineapple. The weather was gloomy and thank GOD I was already in the hospital when it rained dinosaurs outside [hehehe].

I went onto buy two more vials for the 4th dose at 6pm and 5th at 2am and some p.o. [per orem, meds taken by mouth] meds.

Papa is on his way home and relieved my position for the night. He looked stressed and admitted he didn't get enough sleep when he found out about sis' getting ill. Told him, I could stay and have him head back home to rest. He insisted to stay and smiled at me. Sabagay aircon kasi, sasarap tulog ni Papa nito [hehehe].

Before leaving, I told them to text/call me the progress. If her fever returns, anything they need, etc. Stuffs like that.

When I came home, the dogs were like looking for my sister and told them 'Ate Bing is sick.'It looked like they seem to understand me. Goodnight, everyone!!

November 29, 2008
I woke up this morning reading a good news text message from bingkay. She is not febrile [no fever noted] and was not experiencing headache anymore .Thank GOD! The meds must have taken its action. I was right. Papa had a good night sleep, he didn't even notice the Night shift Nurse entered the room at 2am to give IVTT [Intravenous through tubing] medication to Bingkay.[chuckles]. It's okay.

I brought Coffee and Creamer for Papa. Bing is visited by her PJ and Janine[again]. Sis is getting well. Thank God! Dra. Labuguen gave the last prescription of Bingkay's antibiotics, for 6th dose 10am and 7th at 6pm. I left again and bought the medicines. Finally, my sister can now go home.

Bing related a story when I got back that Papa made her giggled to laughter. When the kitchen attendant asked for the food tray with the plates and saucers on it, Papa handed it to Bingkay. I guess he had forgotten that bingkay had her dextrose on. She attempted to take it as well when she realized she couldn't carry it. They all laugh out loud. PJ volunteered to give it to the attendant.

I went down to the cashier and settled the hospital bill. I also asked for a copy Medical Certificate she could present when she comes back to school.

We went home around 8:20pm. We waited pa kasi for her last dose of branded antibiotic [e-mention ba?], for her IVF to consume and for her IV tube to be remove. She looked well naman. Thanks to Ryan for helping us out with the things we brought to the hospital. When we got home, our pets tails never cease to wag upon seeing my sister. They missed her so much. They missed Ate Bing for 2days and 2 nights.

Thanks to the Medical and Nursing Staff..GOD BLESS!!