Warranty

At last, my laptop's functioning right! After several trips to Compuserve and Microstation, no more hassles! I've been observing it for a day, wishing that it would start at once. Well, what do you know? Isang pindot lang ng power sindi agad. Sus! Hindi pala kasi compatible yung pinadagdag naming hardware kaya nalilito yung processor kung anong memory ang gagamitin nya. Aba, nakailang reformat din yan ng Windows XP. Buti na lang tinago ko resibo and warranty.

Subic

Tan lines. I haven't had one in a long time. I have chosen to shelter myself from the sun (at least until the wedding). Now that everything is done and over with, bring it on. I wouldn't mind spending the day at the beach. Don't forget the sunblock! This weekend was a breather. I always wanted to go to Bora for the summer. I guess I'd have to settle for the good ol' SUBIC for now.
I couldn't help think about my childhood days when we always spend the summer weekends going to the beach. Not a care in the world, I swam til my skin gets wrinkled. Funny though, I always wondered why I got so dark in a very short span of time. I've asked my mom to put coppertone on me a thousand times but to no avail. Now I realized, that since it was I who always grabbed the Coppertone from the racks, I was picking the wrong kind. Ignorance got the best of me. It was a tanning lotion and not the sunblock that I bought. Excuse my dumb-a**.
Anyway, it was fun seeing the bluish green sea again. The tide was a little high but the sea was calm enough to allow us to see the sand and creatures below. Two days of fun, fun fun!

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I woke up with a terrible pain on my right upper extremity extending to my ribs and back. I must have acquired it from playing badminton. Truly, one is bound to suffer injuries (or the like) from playing with an unconditioned body. Don't forget to warm-up and cool down. I used to play it back in college. I have lived a sedentary lifestyle since Med school. The only exercise I had was walking from the dorm to my next class.

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On the way home to Manila, we dropped by my grandma's house in Lubao, Pampanga. It's been a month or two since I last visited. She's 93 years old now, 94 in May. Her eyes are not as keen as they used to, her hearing is deteriorating too, her bloodpressure is unstable even with maintenance meds. She's fighting the battle of her life each day.

My dad and I are her favorites. She can't recognize some of her children but somehow, she can always figure out that it's me on her side. Her body is weak... but her spirit is still souring high. I only pray to God that she stays long enough to see me bear a child of my own. That's her wish, her desire.

Memoirs

I've waited for this moment to arrive. After days and nights of what seems to be an endless YM correspondence, some minor revisions and some technological cosmetic surgery, it is done!
Being the eager beaver that I am, I asked Jayson if we could leave the clinic early and be at the Podium in time for the meeting. Well, we got there an hour early! We had lots of time to kill. One hour is a long time especially if you can't stop thinking about one thing.

While waiting, we decided to grab a bite at Cinnabon. The aroma made me hungry. After one ham and cheese croissant, a chocobon, an applebon, and mochalatta chill (burp), we don't have space for dinner anymore. As the acoustic band was playing at the lounge, i got so amused that I didn't notice Mimi coming. I cleared the table right away, making sure that no stain will lay upon it. Slowly, I unravelled the album. It was fifty pages of pure glee! Feels different seeing the real thing. Brought back tons of memories. Each photo has it's own story to convey. Once again, thank you Mimi and Karl! I must have seen it ten times in the last six hours. I hope the pages won't melt away. It is our last wedding present... the last but definitely not the least! So, without further ado... I now present...

Our Wedding Album

Joyful, Joyful

Finally got a reply from my bestfriend, Joy today. She's coming home to Manila on the 10th of April. Doray ( still the same person...a.k.a Dorothy Joy) was supposed to be my MOH for my wedding, originally scheduled on April 17, 2005.
Hence, the untimely trip to Manila. I bet she was cursing for a long while because of the change in schedule. Poor girl, she doesn't know that the humid weather awaits her here. Anyway, I sent her an email 2 days ago if she could possibly squeeze in a SONY PSP for Jayson. Kapal ng mukha talaga ng bebe. We just took a chance, not really a demand but a request. Voila! Got the good news today. She's might be able to bring one, depends on the availability, of course. Fingers crossed! The truth is, the other reason I'm so happy is because we would be able to see each other again. It's been 2 years. After she left for NY, I never really had a new bestfriend. I guess, I'm just not looking for one to take her place. We've been friends and classmates since grade school, so one can only imagine the tons of experiences we've shared. She's my soulmate, my alter-ego. I am just so fortunate to have met her in this lifetime.

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Going through my list of Daily Must Visit blogs, I got so excited over Mimi's post. It was a pleasant surprise! My heart was pounding fast and hard, as if it would get out of my rib cage. It was a sneak peak of the layout for our Wedding Album. I suddenly burst into tears.

Jayson: "Ba't ka umiiyak?"

Me: "Wala." (sobbing while looking at the LCD screen, wiping tears, I can't read what I was typing)

Jayson: "You're a weirdo!"

Me: "Kumag! Ang ganda kasi eh."(still weeping, sending Mimi a comment)

Oh, Mimi! You don't know how happy you made me today. Muntik na ko atakihin sa puso! You made this another day to be thankful about. Grateful!

En-2-wine

I'm so excited about today! We're celebrating our 2nd month wedding anniversary! Last month, we didn't get to celebrate... the date ended on the 28th. It was a little odd for me. Whereas before, when we we're still single, we used to celebrate every 18th of the month.

Nothing much to do today, I bet Jayson didn't plan for anything special...it's just not in his blood to be mushy and romantic. I accepted that! But sometimes, being the girl that I am, I long for those times when he would still write me letters or take me out some place romantic.

Nevertheless, I'm still happy! For the thought of having him beside me... always caring, always loving, always protective, always making me irritated and laugh at the same time, always making sure that my grammar is correct, making sure that the day will never pass without him saying i love you( i just made this one up in my mind, wishful thinking) all this...is enough to fill my heart with glee. Everyday, I wake up with God's most endearing gift to me, my husband. Of course, it wouldn't hurt if he gives me a present once in a while.

Happy 2nd month anniversary, Bebe!

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As I've predicted, nothing spectacular transpired today. No crystal ball needed to see this coming. It must be the heat interfering with the romance that's suppose to be there. Two months of being married...nothing's changed. It's all good though, all good.

Does my cousin's graduation party count as a date? Duh. 11:57pm

Surfeit of Pain

toilet2

I've been flustered for two days now. My gastrointestinal system is out-of-order. It's debilitating and most certainly caused some embarassment for me. Imagine, weeping over pain that I, myself will have to find a remedy. The spasms are killing me. I had to take medication just to relieve me of some pain. Can't go to work today.
Was it the seafood fried noodles we had the other day? It's another case of indigestion/malabsorption. Stop being a glutton! I ended up having Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Symptoms include:
1. abdominal distention
2. relief of abdominal pain with bowel movement
3. increased frequency of stools with pain
4. loose stools with pain
5. sense of incomplete evacuation
6. heartburn
7. bloating
8. faintness, weakness
9. back pain
10. urinary frequency
Even Jayson wasn't spared. The toilet bowl has been our constant companion for the day. Thank you, vacuum flush!

The Unholy Hours of the Week That Was

Eye Opener:
"Do not judge others and God will not judge you. "(Mt 7:1)
In a world of self-professed "holy" people, judging others seems like second nature. Everyday, we get to experience being scrutinized by self-righteous souls thinking that perhaps, they are better than us, more spiritual, more compliant. They play being God, believing that they can read people's minds. These are the kind of human beings that nobody wants around. They only see what seem fit to their standards, fast to criticize, always missing the big picture.

Just because we observe the Lenten season differently, doesn't mean we are wrong. Justifying every bit of reason why we take this time to enjoy rather than mourn? I say, don't be guilty! Maybe God would prefer that we spend this time with our loved ones, more than going to different chuches, praying for self-gratifying intentions. This is my take on the observance of the Holy Week.

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From a City girl's view point, there's nothing much to do when I go to the province. That's why this is the best time to: go out at night and look at the sky, roam around the backyard, take time to observe how chickens go about with their lives.

(Photo title clockwise from top left: MoonFace (notice the image of a man beside the moon), Camachile backyard, Rooster on the run, My Malibu (just a pair of coconut trees viewed from below...feels like lying on the beach)

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Come Easter Sunday, we had the opportunity to be chosen as the Principal Sponsors for the Baptismal of John Steeves & John Vincent. This is the 20th+ time that I will stand witness as a godmother, 1st time with twins. Yes! A double bundle of joy. I almost forgot what godparents are for, what the Sacrament of Baptism stands for. We had a refresher course on this.

1. Baptism relieves us of the Original Sin
2. Through it, we receive Sanctifying grace
3. We become members of the Church of God

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What do we really want? "World Peace!" - Ms. Congeniality 2, Armed & Fabulous

Diet Me-Dusa

There's no place to go in the city. Not lots to do. Bad tv programming. Nobody on-line!
Most of all, I'm sick of eating seafood! I'm feeling the scales growing on my skin. Every so often, I crave for food. Fish gets digested easily. My stomach rumbles in despair and emptiness.

Though I'm eating, I still feel famished. I want real food or should I say...Junk food! All-meat pizza, Lasagna, Mc Chicken, and Cheeseburger. If I'm not an active Catholic, does that exclude me from the No-meat policy? I'm not on a diet! I'm on a mission, to add-on some kilograms.
Ang babaw. Mahirap talaga pag gutom. Pati utak di umaandar!

Eto ang dasal ko... "Sana Easter na! Ayaw ko na magutom! Amen."

Of Bombs and Bums

Remember the death threats that we had a month ago? Well, she's back! Wanted us all dead in a bomb explosion. A terrorist wanna be. We're not as terrified as we used to. She sounded like a desperate bitch. Insisting that Jayson had offended her and her womanhood. What the F*ck is that all about? Is this a desperate attempt to break us apart? She can't even accurately describe how Jayson looks like. Won't work! Buzz off! You pesky, troubled, crazy, wh*re! Go f*ck yourself!

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Went to work late today. Zero patient/s seen! What a life? Did nothing but wait, walk around, sit, read, nap, eat and take pictures. Btw, here's our little space of work (notice my new haircut too).

This is the basic reason why young doctors seek greener pastures in foreign soil. Papua New Guinea, here we come! Imagine, more than 10 years of college & postgrad education for nothing. Having one of the most noble profession yet being stagnant and unfulfilled. Whine! Whine! Whine! There'll be better days, I hope.

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Determine Your Lifework

1. Your lifework should utilize both your gifts and your interests.

2. Your lifework should be something you love doing. It should invigorate instead of debilitate.

3. Your lifework should provide you with adequate income.

4. Your lifework should be confirmed by others.

Time to ponder.

Back in Business

Finally!
After hours and hours of butt-burning, it is done.
The template was originally from Tuskdrusla but I changed the lay-out and almost everything else in it. Sooooo lazy to start from scratch, besides... I'm still learning.

Here it is now, the product of... my sleepless nights( check time stamp-still awake at 2:30am), layered eye-bags, gluteal pressure sores, and palpitations.