Life Under Construction

As always, the start of every sem requires high flexibility… Aaargh!  Just when I was getting used to the idea of spending a week in Batangas.  They switch it over to Fatima hospital and change the dates to next week!  Imagine the scramble that did to my boss’s my mind.  Again, my gratitude forever to Tart;p  Finally, I’m done with community.  I think two things will be most memorable in this sem’s community.  Ubo’t sipon and Aircon.  Ubo’t Sipon - the title of our seminar.  Aircon - didn’t know that it could run up the electricity bill so high that we had to cough up more dough than we bargained for at the health center.  Couldn’t really blame, Mrs. Santiago.   She did warn us at the start.  hay, didn’t realize it would be that expensive…  Talking  about ubo’t sipon,  the ironic thing was some of us developed colds just this week.  I had to endure colds and migraines till last night.  Buti’t nakapasok pa ako.  Lumihis ang supertyphoon na si Reming.  Thanks to the typhoon we had no classes yesterday.  Phew! Otherwise I would’ve missed school as well because of the darn fever.  Wonder if our OR prep will go thru tomorrow.  I don’t know if I could go.  I’d still have to ask Boss again… wonder how long his patience runs though…  hay, i’d rather not test it.  Sige, tulog na…  VAVOOM!

I’m having my first breather since this semester started… Either my internet was down or my sked just wouldn’t let me.  Salamat sa Diyos! Makakablog na ulit. First thing to write was my journal from one week ago.  I think our teacher wasnt able to make it to class and I just couldn’t stand the long break…  Come on! I’m paying for this=P  Iba talaga ang perspective when you’re paying your own tuition.

11-23-06

It’s my first regular week of classes with duty. Man, am I still adjusting! Our first duty would be community in Obando, Bulacan. Unlike the previous semester or should I say previous community, I think these folks are a lot more serious about their work, which is actually great… except that it would mean more work for me.  I took a leave last Monday morning. Buti na lang din at nag-VL ako dahil nagtulungan kami sa paglilipat Sunday night (11/19) till 1am.  No, I’m not leaving Tahanan. It’s one of my gal pals;p  Have to admit, there’s something cool about getting a fresh start at a better place=) I liked helping out. I think it took us 8 rounds going from the old house to the new one. Doesnt that beat the old tradition of bayanihan?  I was dirty and tired but happy - mission accomplished (well, almost).  After 3 hours of sleep, Don wakes LM & me — Aargh! Bitin na naman… I go meet my groupmates at Chowking in front of Fatima.  Malayu-layo din pala ang Obando… Spent the first half of the day in orientation.  Second half got us started going around houses doing surveys. Limang pamilya lang naman… Kumusta naman at ang unang bahay e may lamay.   Yung balo pa talaga ang ininterbyu ko=P   Anyway, it was interesting.  The Bulakenos I interviewed were very nice and hospitable.  Haha, friends agad kami… Ms. Santiago, the rural health midwife & our CI, was there when we got back to the health center.  Gossip had it that she was very strict.  Nah, not really.  She may have been misunderstood.  The heavy traffic on the way home was a pain.  The construction in the Malinta area is a time killer. Buti na lang nasa Makati si Mama — nakasabay ako pauwi.  Still had four hours of work at 1am.  After work Tuesday morning, did a stopover at home then went back to Obando — sa Lawa nga pala kami.  I went back to assisting with vaccinations.  Kumusta naman at dalawa nanamang baby ang nabiktima ko=P  We had a full day.  Found out that there was a jeep that actually went straight to LRT via Obando, Bulacan and Malabon.  Definitely cut travel time by half.  Wednesday, I decide to ride the same jeep to Lawa only to find myself waiting for twenty minutes for the jeep to fill up. I was asleep half of the way.  Ended up in Paco which was around two kilometers beyond my area.  Buti na lang at uso ang pedicab dun at mura — P6 lang.  Dito, good luck na lang sa effortless na trike.  It was a slow Wednesday.  The interesting part was when we were waiting for rides home.   I saw an FX w/ an LRT sign… Lo & behold!   The driver was a woman not a day younger than 60. She got six of us to ride and offered to go through the Malinta route since five of us had to go down at Fatima.  I dunno, maybe she reminded me of the superwomen of my life - Mama and Lola Itang.   Turns out that "Mommy" used to be in the insurance business until it went down a couple of years ago.  She blames it on PGMA.  Hay, one thing you can say about oldies - they’re definitely opinionated.  I found it amazing how she can still do a Sucat route and Ayala route apart from Obando. Just imagine a granny wearing big eyeglasses, white socks and Birkenstocks for comfort.  I think there was a point when  I wanted to take the wheel from her - not because she wasn’t a good driver. It was the exact opposite - she was cool and composed without being a turtle.  I guess I just felt like if I were her apo, I’d drive for her.  She was fun to talk to.  We were stopped by an MMDA officer because she beat a red light.  She just mentioned that her nephew was so and so… (which was actually true) in a very nice tone.  The officer just bid us safety after that.  People skills… something your ordinary FX driver would not have;p  It’s pretty cool to have a female FX driver.  Just wonder why other women don’t have the guts to do what she’s doing.   Hmm, then there’s today.  I came from a 9pm-6am shift earlier.  Yes, I’ve been awake for more than 24 hours.  Not so difficult since I’m pretty much bangag all the time hehehe… I got busy trying not to sleep during MS lecture.  Swear, I had to keep up with Ms. Maroma’s lecture.  I think it would’ve been okay if I just had enough sleep and she was nearer to me.  Fast forward 2 hours later - I didnt do well in the quiz.  Jeez, my first one for the sem and it’s a flop!=P  Hay, babawi na lang ako;p  Anyway, Mr. Mercado’s here… Gotta run!

Phew! First two days of second semester are done.  Time to go to Recto for my books and supplies.  Just realized thru Ing that you can buy books used or new at cheaper prices there.  I think I’ve gotten a good set of teachers - MS prof is our duty coordinator, who has a very good sense of humor and a genuine smile on her face most of the time; OR prof is strict but offered a very good incentive to top her exams (exemption from Finals - wow, who wouldn’t want that?!); OB prof is nice and handles half of the sections in OB so you kinda know where most of the questions on the major exams will come from; CCM2 prof was a former DJ, host and standup comedian who’s very committed to serving our fellow countrymen - man, his intro speech earlier was very inspiring and motivating;  and lastly,  eng8 isn’t so bad - our prof was a Kaplan trainor, a company that gives tutorials for TOEFL and the like.  This reminds me so much of first sem.  Despite my sadness at being separated from my former groupmates and chums, God has very good things lined up for me.  Needless to say the challenge of this ill-reputed NCM102 will be  lightened by great mentors.  My classmates are definitely younger - even younger than LM.  What is ati-atehan?! I’m comforted though by my groupmates who seem to be quite responsible - especially Janice.  Haven’t really chatted with them yet but the fact that Janice naturally assumed respo for the group directory got loads off my shoulders.   And then there’s Ruel, our president - who’s also a natural leader.  Great fun too;p  I don’t think I’ll get bored at all.  Perhaps bangag but not bored=)  I think I’ve mentioned that I’ll be doing duty Batangas.  Our schedule’s been finalized. Dec 12-18 will be spent in Cuenca, Batangas.  Now that I think of it, it’s actually a great opportunity to get away from the city and just focus on my studies and clients.  It happens a week from Finals so I could probably get some quiet time to review while I’m at it.  Who knows - baka makapag-Simbang Gabi pa ako dun… Burrr, mas malamig siguro dun kesa dito…  Oooh, can’t wait!  Hay, my hair’s still wet but gotta get into bed… Work’s in 4 hours;p

Here’s to my last night of bumming…  First day of school tomorrow and I’ve blown my budget by going on Christmas gift shopping at 168 earlier;p   As advised by a friend or two, better to shop at Divi in November or January to avoid the Christmas crowd.  I’ve seen quite an evidence of early shoppers or shopowners looking around. Despite the limited budget, shopping is still fun and there’s the challenge of looking for an a-ok gift. I have to apologize to friends who’ve been bugging me to go to Divi with them.  Yeah, it’s kinda difficult to shop with the very people you’re shopping for hehehe…  I think I’ve covered almost everybody on my list.  Of course, I know that there would still be stuff I’d have to get, but at least I have more time.   As close friends could attest to, my memory has never been my best asset;p  There’s also another thing that isn’t such a big problem but bugs me– how difficult it is to get boys gifts.  You don’t want to get them the regular hanky/ towel/ food especially when you’re limited financially.  With girls, it’s quite easy.  You can get away with accesories and the like.   So guys, i’m sticking to the same old reliable thingamajig=) Hopefully the recipients-to-be are not reading this - wish ko lang hahaha…   I think I’m mission accomplished on the basics.  Items were cheaper than I thought and look cute too.  Finally found a wide belt - just when I’ve resigned myself to not getting one because I couldn’t find enough tops to go with the Terranova belt I was talking about earlier.   And it costs half the price of the Terranova belt and looks almost like the MNG belt (which was at P3K+) I originally wanted.  Talk about luck!  And it was the last in stock;p  My biggest coup for the day would be Inggie’s gift. I think by now you can tell that I get a high buying gifts for friends;p  You see, Inggie’s celebrating her birthday this December.  So it should be twice as special since she’s one of my closest buds.  Found this juicy couture terno of jogging pants and sweater with hood.  It was just hanging there - first thing you’d spot as soon as you entered the store.  Nevermind that people think it’s not trendy anymore.  I’ve always been retrominded - hehehe, huli forever despite my love for Preview.  That dark shade of purple in velvet is just so perfect for her.  It’s rare for you to get something you think is perfect for someone.  Gift buying is such a hit and miss thing.  You hope that friends don’t find it corny, cheap or worse, they actually have it already - God forbid!  After bagging it, comes the harder part.  To keep from actually giving the gift to her…  Haay, unfortunately delayed gratification didn’t happen.  I was too excited to have her try it on so I gave it tonight;p  And she loved it!  Yeba, feeling winner naman ang lola niyo…  Good thing she’s been looking for a purple sweater for the longest time.  And before you know it, simbang gabi na.  Ok, ok I’m through extoling the wonders of my gift… I’m just on a high - it’s really something else when you’ve made another person happy.   Sometimes I feel I’m happier than the receiver which makes gift-giving kinda selfish in a way… Selfish but selfless - go figure! Time to go to bed…  Wonder how my first day’s gonna go…   

Waah!  Second sem is upon us;p  Duty sked finally came out yesterday.  It got my mind running crazy till earlier this morning.  Good thing my boss is an angel… hehehe, thanks Tart!  Again, I’m in group C but I don’t know anybody in the group.  Jeez, I have this weird feeling that I’ll be the oldest in the group.  Doh!  Panganay na bangag.  Sana talaga super respo ang mga kasama ko kundi patay2 kami=P  And what do you know?  I’m getting assigned to a Batangas hospital for 6 straight days in December.  So tuloy din pala ang core leave ko.  Hopefully this finalizes my sked… man, I’m going to miss just bumming around on the sofa watching Friends, reading JAK novels and hanging out at the gym…  Lately I’ve been finding our hiphop instructor fascinating. It’s like watching muscles in movement… sigh!  A male professional dancer who’s not gay… or is he?  The handsome face helps too.  Maybe that’s why I’m seeing several middle aged women taking up hiphop despite rheumatism hehehe… Tried joining a session but - my golly gulaman!  Ang titigas na ng buto ko and I can’t seem to catch up - jeez, maybe I am getting old.  Once school starts I won’t see MIM again.  Sayang…  But then again, there’s still Christmas break;p   Hmm, what else?   
Kudos to Preview and Marie Claire for great November issues!  I should really write them a letter one of these days.  Never thought Bea can be that glamorous - the red Balenciaga-inspired dress really becomes her.  Lucy, as always, is gorgeous - gotta love the bangs=) So so adore this year’s lineup.  The shoes - they rock!  Platforms and boots - Rafe Totengco’s slouchy ones are killers… Yep, I love living in a tropical country but boots are tops! Go figure;p Preview’s section on ruffles and jewel toned dresses gave me ideas for HDPP’s Christmas party.  Ok, ok, it’s still in January I know! Hey, it’s always better to be prepared.   Anyway, I’ll be recycling my old blue gown from LM’s debut.  I have to admit the cleavage portion has to be reworked.  Wouldnt want to lose my co-workers’ respect;p  Sometimes I wonder how I had the guts to even wear the outfit that way back then or even design it.   Hopefully ruffles or lace works…   Hmm,  wide belts-  it’s been bugging me for quite some time.  It’s true what they say about the idle mind being the devil’s playground.  I finally went to MOA last week with my good friend Inggie and drove her nuts by going inside almost every shoe, bag and dress store.  hahaha, the search for the best belt it is.  Finally found it in Terranova - it’s so 80s, it’s killing me;p And it better be there when I go back or else!  Then, I get to thinking I don’t have a lot of tops I could actually use it with.  Hopefully, I’ll find el-cheapo tops in Divisoria.  Really have to get this Christmas shopping done.  I’m chopping the Christmas list by half already and it’s still too long for my budget…  So it’s like a little snip here and there. To all my friends out there (whether you actually get a gift or not), remember it’s the thought that counts hahaha… Sembreak officially ends on Wednesday.  Still have 24 hours to bum around, yipee!  Then Thursday comes and I hit the ground running to school - Cinderella time as usual;p