Friday, June 20, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
For the Country....
I found this in my mailbox this morning and I agree with the list...starting from item number 1. Read on.
I found a book worth sharing "12 Little Things every Filipino Can Do To Help our Country" - Alexander L. Lacson
I found a book worth sharing "12 Little Things every Filipino Can Do To Help our Country" - Alexander L. Lacson
1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ASK FOR AN OFFICIAL RECEIPT.
3. Don't buy smuggled goods. BUY LOCAL, buy Filipino.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak POSITIVELY about us and our country
5. Respect your traffic enforcer, policeman and soldier
6. DO NOT LITTER. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate, Recycle, Conserve.
7. Support your Church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your Taxes.
11. ADOPT A SCHOLAR or a POOR CHILD.
12. BE A GOOD PARENT. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.
I like his number 1. I totally agree that the traffic in the Philippines is setting us back. Traffic decreases productivity, since you come to work late, stressed and have to wake up really early to avoid it, but you keep running to it every friggin' day. I suffered, too, when I was in Manila. I hate it especially when I realize that somebody who get paid the same money in the same workplace woke up 30 minutes ago. My mom would always say, "You'll get used to it, cause I got used to it." As you can imagine, it will be another round of debate with my mom.
Disobeying traffic laws also show that we pinoys don't really care about each other. Its the lack of empathy and compassion for our fellow pinoys that make pinoy drivers crazy. Its always the race to the finish. It's always about claiming my right of way. Dog eats dog even in the street.
Buying smuggled goods is another past time for the Filipinos. I don't know anyone who hasn't been to 168. That's the bastion of smuggled goods in the country and it kills local industries. Greenhills is another smuggled goods heaven. People who buy from the tiangge are just condoning their business plus allow themselves to be fooled by rediculously jacked-up prices for imitation products. I agree, it doesn't help the economy at all.
I particularly hate Filipinos in the US who has nothing but bad comments about our country. Man, if you had a tough life in the Philippines, don't blame the country alone; blame yourself, too. I mean, the Philippines has a bad government, the worst traffic, the most corrupt officials, the dirtiest streets but my family and friends are there and I bet yours, too. Even though it's a shabby place, it is still home to me. I just don't have respect for Filipinos who bash our country without hesitation, nor remorse because I think the Philippines had enough of that. If you are in the States or anywhere abroad, or the Philippines doing good with your life, I guess we're in a better position than 90% of our fellowmen. It's enough reason to shut up.
Please feel free to share.
I like his number 1. I totally agree that the traffic in the Philippines is setting us back. Traffic decreases productivity, since you come to work late, stressed and have to wake up really early to avoid it, but you keep running to it every friggin' day. I suffered, too, when I was in Manila. I hate it especially when I realize that somebody who get paid the same money in the same workplace woke up 30 minutes ago. My mom would always say, "You'll get used to it, cause I got used to it." As you can imagine, it will be another round of debate with my mom.
Disobeying traffic laws also show that we pinoys don't really care about each other. Its the lack of empathy and compassion for our fellow pinoys that make pinoy drivers crazy. Its always the race to the finish. It's always about claiming my right of way. Dog eats dog even in the street.
Buying smuggled goods is another past time for the Filipinos. I don't know anyone who hasn't been to 168. That's the bastion of smuggled goods in the country and it kills local industries. Greenhills is another smuggled goods heaven. People who buy from the tiangge are just condoning their business plus allow themselves to be fooled by rediculously jacked-up prices for imitation products. I agree, it doesn't help the economy at all.
I particularly hate Filipinos in the US who has nothing but bad comments about our country. Man, if you had a tough life in the Philippines, don't blame the country alone; blame yourself, too. I mean, the Philippines has a bad government, the worst traffic, the most corrupt officials, the dirtiest streets but my family and friends are there and I bet yours, too. Even though it's a shabby place, it is still home to me. I just don't have respect for Filipinos who bash our country without hesitation, nor remorse because I think the Philippines had enough of that. If you are in the States or anywhere abroad, or the Philippines doing good with your life, I guess we're in a better position than 90% of our fellowmen. It's enough reason to shut up.
Please feel free to share.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tony Fever
After getting back from Case's wedding reception, I had a momentary urge to bang my head on the wall for forgetting it was the TONY'S!!! Pakshet. But, thank God for Arvin's HD comcast cable with recording features, alas! nothing is missed. He already recorded it save for the first few minutes of the TONY'S. God, I love technology and my friends who appreciate it. So we sat down and view it before midnight.
I must say that the sound system is terrible. Some songs are distorted because of feedback and loss of fidelity on higher decibels. I wish the sound engineers are now on their knees in St. Patrick's, atoning for last night's folly.
It was an interesting season because there are a lot of unexpected nominees. In the Heights, a Broadway musical about the upper west latino village, obtained 13 nominations, while Cry-Baby had 11. I haven't seen these shows, since the season started after I went back to Manila, save for the revival of Gypsy. The show was initially a 2-week gig at the NYC City Theater, but later on, somebody produced it to go with these season's show in Broadway. I watched it with Arvin, Marialena, Cindy, Jong and of course, Alex. I should be thankful to Alex for dragging me to this show; although, I was interested from the start. Patty Lupone and a classic Broadway show is nothing to be missed.
And I am super surprised that Patti Lupone won Best Actress!! She truly deserved it! She delivered a very heart warming and super funny acceptance speech last night, which really cracked me up that I had to watch it again this morning. I was crying and chuckling at the same time.
Of course, I got emotional with the performance of the original cast of Rent. It was dedicated to Jonathan Larson, the playwright of the play who died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm while they were rehearsing. Rent started my Broadway frenzy long after I was a bit fascinated on Miss Saigon. For me, RENT was the epitome of a cool, hip Broadway play: minimal drama, less boring cadences of the usual Broadway songs and the rich, colorful, unconventional characters. It was my choice of Broadway, so I feel for it.
I had to shed a tear for Sondheim, this years' recepient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. He's terribly brilliant. The Stephen King of the Broadway stage. If I ever chose to get a Ph.D. in Broadway studies, I would be a Sondheim scholar. I could rave for hours of his brilliance. This year's revival of Sunday in The Park With George has a very interesting, technologically advanced, stage production. Gotta see that one.
In The Heights won Best Musical and I must say, I have to take the hat off to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyricist, composer AND lead actor of the play. He is one talented dude! Their performace looks fun and I am surely going to see that one.
I'm still burning with Tony fever and it will be tough to cool off in this hot summer day. It's almost 85 degrees here.
I must say that the sound system is terrible. Some songs are distorted because of feedback and loss of fidelity on higher decibels. I wish the sound engineers are now on their knees in St. Patrick's, atoning for last night's folly.
It was an interesting season because there are a lot of unexpected nominees. In the Heights, a Broadway musical about the upper west latino village, obtained 13 nominations, while Cry-Baby had 11. I haven't seen these shows, since the season started after I went back to Manila, save for the revival of Gypsy. The show was initially a 2-week gig at the NYC City Theater, but later on, somebody produced it to go with these season's show in Broadway. I watched it with Arvin, Marialena, Cindy, Jong and of course, Alex. I should be thankful to Alex for dragging me to this show; although, I was interested from the start. Patty Lupone and a classic Broadway show is nothing to be missed.
And I am super surprised that Patti Lupone won Best Actress!! She truly deserved it! She delivered a very heart warming and super funny acceptance speech last night, which really cracked me up that I had to watch it again this morning. I was crying and chuckling at the same time.
Of course, I got emotional with the performance of the original cast of Rent. It was dedicated to Jonathan Larson, the playwright of the play who died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm while they were rehearsing. Rent started my Broadway frenzy long after I was a bit fascinated on Miss Saigon. For me, RENT was the epitome of a cool, hip Broadway play: minimal drama, less boring cadences of the usual Broadway songs and the rich, colorful, unconventional characters. It was my choice of Broadway, so I feel for it.
I had to shed a tear for Sondheim, this years' recepient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. He's terribly brilliant. The Stephen King of the Broadway stage. If I ever chose to get a Ph.D. in Broadway studies, I would be a Sondheim scholar. I could rave for hours of his brilliance. This year's revival of Sunday in The Park With George has a very interesting, technologically advanced, stage production. Gotta see that one.
In The Heights won Best Musical and I must say, I have to take the hat off to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyricist, composer AND lead actor of the play. He is one talented dude! Their performace looks fun and I am surely going to see that one.
I'm still burning with Tony fever and it will be tough to cool off in this hot summer day. It's almost 85 degrees here.
Friday, June 13, 2008
To Mac or Not To Mac
Help me decide. I am about to buy a laptop and still torn on the idea of getting a mac vs a pc.
MAC: Primarily because I don't have to worry about viruses. The US is a different environment, there are hackers everywhere and identity theft is something that scares me. The thought that somewhere in Laredo, TX, an exotic stripper crosses to Mexico bearing my name and SSN is a scary thought: leaving the US is, when work supposed to start 10 days from now...being a stripper is big umph to my current social status.
WINDOWS: I've been a windows-user since the forging of the Rings of Power. I can operate it with my eyes closed while I spin two plates on a stick on my toes. I am so at home with windows, but I've tried Vista and it sucks. And there's the virus issue, too.
Other considerations:
1. Hospital system is not Mac-supported, but really, I don't want to take my work home.
2. I like Mac's wireless capability.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
As If I Never Said Goodbye
After several back-to-back-to-back parties, several drunk moments at 3am and after a gamut of stuff to buy, to endorse and to pack, I finally made it to Manhattan. It was a very tiresome 19 hour flight from Hongkong and it was good to be deprived of sleep. I slumped in my cramped Cathay Pacific airline chair, slept for 2 hours at a time and watching on-board movies in between. I finished 3 movies, I think -- the flight was THAT long.
I thought I only have a two-hour lay over in Hongkong, but no!, it was a 4-hour lay. I immediately went to an internet booth to email my family and friends, but gave it up after a Paki started hovering around me. After a few minutes he asked my help and begged to him use my internet. Yup, it was MY internet that he was intending to use. At first, I was reluctant to give in since it cost me an eclair and a milk tea, although I am not planning to spend on food. But after a few minutes, I let him use my remaining time. I need good karma.
The flight from Hongkong was uneventful. The food was horrible, although I wasn't expecting much from Cathay (I like Korean Air food best), but the on-flight entertainment system was great. I never had to talk to my seatmates (a hetero couple). I also finished the book I brought, The Red Tent, which I got from Booksale at P15. It wasn't that good despite the fact that the critics loved it in 2005, good thing I got it on a very cheap, dirt-cheap in fact, price.
INS and luggage claim was a breeze. I head out immediately to get my nicotine fix and started out to the Airtrain. I didn't plan on getting a cab since I have to live in a tight budget 'till I get my first paycheck (wohoo m excited) and I didn't have that much baggage anyway. I left most of my stuff here in NY and PA. It pays when you plan your every move.
So, off I went to the E train and arrived at 86th street station after a grueling hour ride from the airport. I touched down in Joseph's apartment's foyer at around 2:30am. We were excited to see each other again! We had to talk and smoke first before I shower and get to bed, so that's what we did.
It's nice to be back in the city. It will be a nice, warm and sunny day tomorrow...I don't even want to sleep.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Pack List
After a weekend in Coron, Palawan, I find myself reluctant to leave my room for days until I fly out. Here I am in the middle of the morning sitting in front of my computer and wishing the days are longer. I have tons of stuff to do, but I am in my lamest mood and up to my favorite vice: procastinating. Probably everyone has this cacophony of emotions before leaving: excitement and anxiety, mostly, churning like a tide inside the gastric antrum. Strong emotions that comes in currents, upstream and sometimes, downstream, which just leave you wanting to stand perfectly still. Stillness, before the undertow is what I am experiencing right now.
I wanted to bring most of my stuff here in my room but it also makes sense to leave it all behind and start anew. Should I bring my favorite Spanish books? My 30+ novels that I needed to leave? Most probably not. I havet thought about it for days and concluded that there are just some things I should bring with me:
1. Notebooks, journals. Yeah, I keep those. Writers do and it is supposed to be a secret. I dream of becoming one. Just like being a full-pledge doctor -- it started with a dream. It feels like it, though. Because for the past three years of underpaid hospital duties and career uncertainty, it was a nightmare.
2. My WD hard drive: my 80GB song collection is just too precious. Not to mention my 105 Broadway albums ripped and stored in it. Well, the pictures since 2004 are among the pieces of gold in that electronic black box. Without it, I'll probably go into clinical depression. I can see myself staring in space for days, trying to pin every picture to memory and inconsolably weeping for my music.
3. Badminton shoes. I am still thinking if I am going to chug my trusted old badminton racket all the way to Pennsylvania...hmmm. Those shoes are still new; my racket is already five years old. He just had his birthday last week.
4. My pinstripe suit by Julius Tarog. It will suit me until I can afford to get a new one. I support Filipino designers...so probably I'll get a new one when I go back. It also served as a guide of my ideal body weight for my height; if I can't get into it, I should start doing cardio again.
5. A sentimental sweater from this years' birthday.
6. My favorite sportshirt from someone special. People will kill me if I spill the beans on this. So, zip.
That's it. The rest of my luggage will be for pasalubong. I stacked enough clothes in NY and PA to keep my ass covered for the next few weeks, until I have money to get discounted jeans from Old Navy. I don't want to bring that much luggage; it's just a pain in the butt to carry two of them to JFK.
I wanted to bring most of my stuff here in my room but it also makes sense to leave it all behind and start anew. Should I bring my favorite Spanish books? My 30+ novels that I needed to leave? Most probably not. I havet thought about it for days and concluded that there are just some things I should bring with me:
1. Notebooks, journals. Yeah, I keep those. Writers do and it is supposed to be a secret. I dream of becoming one. Just like being a full-pledge doctor -- it started with a dream. It feels like it, though. Because for the past three years of underpaid hospital duties and career uncertainty, it was a nightmare.
2. My WD hard drive: my 80GB song collection is just too precious. Not to mention my 105 Broadway albums ripped and stored in it. Well, the pictures since 2004 are among the pieces of gold in that electronic black box. Without it, I'll probably go into clinical depression. I can see myself staring in space for days, trying to pin every picture to memory and inconsolably weeping for my music.
3. Badminton shoes. I am still thinking if I am going to chug my trusted old badminton racket all the way to Pennsylvania...hmmm. Those shoes are still new; my racket is already five years old. He just had his birthday last week.
4. My pinstripe suit by Julius Tarog. It will suit me until I can afford to get a new one. I support Filipino designers...so probably I'll get a new one when I go back. It also served as a guide of my ideal body weight for my height; if I can't get into it, I should start doing cardio again.
5. A sentimental sweater from this years' birthday.
6. My favorite sportshirt from someone special. People will kill me if I spill the beans on this. So, zip.
That's it. The rest of my luggage will be for pasalubong. I stacked enough clothes in NY and PA to keep my ass covered for the next few weeks, until I have money to get discounted jeans from Old Navy. I don't want to bring that much luggage; it's just a pain in the butt to carry two of them to JFK.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Have You Ever Had A Surprise Party?
Well, I mean, did your friends ever threw you a surprise party? The kind that they made you think you're one miserable bitch because they gave you lame reasons for not seeing you on the day you're supposed to celebrate? Are you getting me on this one? They text you: Oh, sorry I missed you last night. But I am sure we'll see you before you leave. Blah, blah, blah, but all the while they have this mischevious scheme of having that--hmm, attack--on the moment that you are least aware.
Have your friends painstakingly stalled you on a night that supposed to be a simple dinner? Well, later on it turns out to be something else, but you wonder, at that moment, if she is stalling or she actually was waiting for a patient? I was completely unsuspecting, despite the million short phone calls and secret texting, it was an ordinary night for dinner for me. Well, I did ask why she has to "reserve" a dinner for me in Pavillion, and later, why it has to be "moved" in Crowne? Mil, the orchestrator of all things planned, is one great hell of an actor I must say.
Have you ever been scammed like this? But hell, it was the best scam I've ever had. Especially I did not have a miniscule inkling of what's going on even to the last millisecond I flicked the door handle open. We were supposed to pick up a friend who checked-in the room, but why didn't he keep the lights on? That's when I saw the guilty one, my bestest friends in the world, their faces illuminated by three small candles, singing the you-know-what song in a low, muted voice while I stand there flabbergasted, dumbfounded. For the first time in my life, didn't know what to say. I shook my head. For five minutes.
Have you ever had that feeling? You were extremely happy, yet you can't help to think, why didn't I suspect anything? Why did I give them the satisfaction of succeeding in their deceit? I snapped out of these questions after a few blinks and a sigh. (literally. try it.) The overwhelming feeling of elation oversteps the rest. It trumped everything. Do I deserve all these? They keep telling me so. All I can say is 'okay'. It was one of the highlights of this year. Well, THE highlight of the year. I can't freaking beleeeeeve IT! I can't friggin' believe the effort. I can't completely believe the palabok, KFC chicken, Goldilocks cake and the Disney princess banner neatly laid out on the counter in front of the bed. I was shocked to see beautiful pink balloons ('It's a girl') strewn on the floor. I grew more silent as the clam pasta, rose wine (it was a pinot), red wine and vodka, dessert cakes, rotisserie chicken, yellow cab pizza kept pouring in. I feel like singing 'My favorite things'. I shook my head. For another 5 minutes.
It was one heck of a party. Each of them was one hell of a friend.
Have your friends painstakingly stalled you on a night that supposed to be a simple dinner? Well, later on it turns out to be something else, but you wonder, at that moment, if she is stalling or she actually was waiting for a patient? I was completely unsuspecting, despite the million short phone calls and secret texting, it was an ordinary night for dinner for me. Well, I did ask why she has to "reserve" a dinner for me in Pavillion, and later, why it has to be "moved" in Crowne? Mil, the orchestrator of all things planned, is one great hell of an actor I must say.
Have you ever been scammed like this? But hell, it was the best scam I've ever had. Especially I did not have a miniscule inkling of what's going on even to the last millisecond I flicked the door handle open. We were supposed to pick up a friend who checked-in the room, but why didn't he keep the lights on? That's when I saw the guilty one, my bestest friends in the world, their faces illuminated by three small candles, singing the you-know-what song in a low, muted voice while I stand there flabbergasted, dumbfounded. For the first time in my life, didn't know what to say. I shook my head. For five minutes.
Have you ever had that feeling? You were extremely happy, yet you can't help to think, why didn't I suspect anything? Why did I give them the satisfaction of succeeding in their deceit? I snapped out of these questions after a few blinks and a sigh. (literally. try it.) The overwhelming feeling of elation oversteps the rest. It trumped everything. Do I deserve all these? They keep telling me so. All I can say is 'okay'. It was one of the highlights of this year. Well, THE highlight of the year. I can't freaking beleeeeeve IT! I can't friggin' believe the effort. I can't completely believe the palabok, KFC chicken, Goldilocks cake and the Disney princess banner neatly laid out on the counter in front of the bed. I was shocked to see beautiful pink balloons ('It's a girl') strewn on the floor. I grew more silent as the clam pasta, rose wine (it was a pinot), red wine and vodka, dessert cakes, rotisserie chicken, yellow cab pizza kept pouring in. I feel like singing 'My favorite things'. I shook my head. For another 5 minutes.
It was one heck of a party. Each of them was one hell of a friend.
Freakout Time
I am freaking out. There are still a bazillion things left to do and I am running out of time! This doesn't include the new project that I accepted last week. Stupid. I shouldn't have. But it seems easy, I coudn't say no despite the fact that it will leave me sleepless for a couple of days. Ugh.
And I have to get a non-prof driver's license within these two weeks. It will be my greatest project yet. I am not dreading the practical test, but I am confident that I have the teeny-weeny-albeit -ample knowledge to nail it. Teeheehee. Move the car. Check. Turn a corner. Check. Back to a parking space. Uh...check. Parallel park. Hmmm...I guess it won't be that hard. Hehe. As I've said, it will be my biggest project yet.
Why don't I have a driver's license? Why am I vehemently reluctant to drive? Well, I just think that all the friggin' jeepney and bus drivers in Commonwealth are all, well I have to say this in the vernacular, mamamatay-tao. Commonwealth is like a bump car arena. The only thing missing is the antenna and the buzzing, net-like, electrical contraption.
I really need to get this or else I'll be a flaming cripple diva for the first few months. Feather boa, wig and all. But no. I won't allow myself to be one. I can do this.
And I have to get a non-prof driver's license within these two weeks. It will be my greatest project yet. I am not dreading the practical test, but I am confident that I have the teeny-weeny-albeit -ample knowledge to nail it. Teeheehee. Move the car. Check. Turn a corner. Check. Back to a parking space. Uh...check. Parallel park. Hmmm...I guess it won't be that hard. Hehe. As I've said, it will be my biggest project yet.
Why don't I have a driver's license? Why am I vehemently reluctant to drive? Well, I just think that all the friggin' jeepney and bus drivers in Commonwealth are all, well I have to say this in the vernacular, mamamatay-tao. Commonwealth is like a bump car arena. The only thing missing is the antenna and the buzzing, net-like, electrical contraption.
I really need to get this or else I'll be a flaming cripple diva for the first few months. Feather boa, wig and all. But no. I won't allow myself to be one. I can do this.
Magkano Na Ang Isang Unit Sa Peyups?
The cost of college education: Do the math; weep and wonder
Linda Bolido
Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 26, 2008
MANILA, Philippines—With an income of P148,000 a year (according to
2003 data of the National Statistics Office), an average Filipino
family will not have enough money for food and will be unable to pay
rent (if it does not own its place of residence) even if just one
child enrolls in any of the country's top three universities this
school year.
Definitely, sending a second child to the same school is out of the
question.
Enrollment in several other major institutions, though not as
expensive, will still mean drastic cutbacks on budgets for food,
shelter and other essentials.
Data gathered by Inquirer Research from school accounting, admissions
and registrars' offices, showed that average Filipino families would
have to set aside from a third to half of their annual incomes if they
want to send a child to one of Metro Manila's better known schools,
with the exception of the state-owned Polytechnic University of the
Philippines (PUP).
Freshmen entering the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) will
be charged P2,400 per unit and pay a total of P124,800 for two
semesters with a full load of 26 units per term.
De la Salle University (DLSU), which has a trimester calendar, has an
average unit cost of P2,045.33. A freshman enrolled for the whole year
and taking the full 18-unit load each term will have to pay about
P110,447.82.
The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has a higher per unit cost than
UA&P and DLSU at P2,517.03. But because one school year is only two
semesters and a full load is only 18 units, the annual fee for a
freshman only comes up to P90,613.
Higher UP rate
The state-funded University of the Philippines (UP) system, which
recently raised its fees to P1,000 per unit amid protests from both
students and faculty, will cost a freshman P36,000 in one two-semester
year with a full load of 18 units per term.
Though that is almost one-fourth of an average family's annual income,
the amount is only about 28 percent of the UA&P annual fee.
This means a UP student can almost pay four years' tuition in the
state university with just one year of UA&P tuition.
The DLSU one-year tuition will pay for about three years at UP while
Ateneo's fee is equivalent to about two years and a half at the state
university.
The UP is now more expensive than San Sebastian College, which charges
P786 per unit or P33,012 per two-semester year of 21 units each and
College of the Holy Spirit (Manila) at P903.91 per unit or P32,540 per
two-semester year of 18 units each.
PUP, like the UP often in the forefront of student activism, charges
an almost unbelievable P12 per unit, for a total two-semester annual
fee, at 21 units per term, of only P504. Talk of a true school for the
masa!
It was not immediately known how the school is able to keep its
student population manageable but it has probably adopted stringent
entrance requirements.
Of the 21 schools surveyed by Inquirer Research, three have per unit
costs exceeding P2,000 and eight have rates over P1,000. Annual fees,
with the exception of UA&P and DLSU, total less than P100,000 though
they range from PUP's very low P504 to ADMU's P90,613.20.
Among the schools with large populations, the University of the East,
reputedly the institution with the most number of students, charges
P1,040 per unit for a total two-semester annual fee of P47,840, at 23
units per term.
Far Eastern University charges P1,100 per unit or a total of P55,000 a
year for two semesters at 25 units per term. The University of Santo
Tomas, at P1,072.90 per unit, charges P45,061.80 for a two-semester
year at 21 units per term.
Four percent share
According to NSO data as of 1997, education accounted for a little
less than four percent of an average family's annual expenditure. This
means, if the average annual income is P148,000, it would set aside,
strictly speaking, less than P6,000 a year for education.
Needless to say, food eats up (no pun intended) half of an average
family's income although it appears some belt-tightening had also to
be effected in 1997. NSO data showed that in 1988, food accounted for
50.7 percent of household expenditures. By 1997 this was down to 44.2
percent, a drop of more than six percent.
This was probably because housing costs increased over the same
period—from 12.8 percent of a family's budget in 1988 to 15.3 percent
in 1997. What little remained went into fuel, electricity, water,
clothing, transportation, medical care and other essentials. Saving is
definitely an alien concept to a family with this kind of budget.
How the average Filipino family is able to send not just one but two
or more children to school, pay for food and shelter, is probably not
just the result of prudent budgeting but also the assistance of both
formal and informal institutions like banks, money lenders and
generous relatives. With Kate Pedroso, Inquirer Research
--SUSME, 1,000 per unit...at sa Ateneo, magkano yun, P2517 per unit. Nakakaawa naman talaga ang mga Pilipino. Mamumulubi ka kahit sa UP ka magaral. Lintek na DepEd yan, kurakot kasi. Ewan. Sana masaya kayo sa buhay nyo. Nabubuhay kayo sa kurakot na pera. Gudlak, Pilipinas.
Linda Bolido
Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 26, 2008
MANILA, Philippines—With an income of P148,000 a year (according to
2003 data of the National Statistics Office), an average Filipino
family will not have enough money for food and will be unable to pay
rent (if it does not own its place of residence) even if just one
child enrolls in any of the country's top three universities this
school year.
Definitely, sending a second child to the same school is out of the
question.
Enrollment in several other major institutions, though not as
expensive, will still mean drastic cutbacks on budgets for food,
shelter and other essentials.
Data gathered by Inquirer Research from school accounting, admissions
and registrars' offices, showed that average Filipino families would
have to set aside from a third to half of their annual incomes if they
want to send a child to one of Metro Manila's better known schools,
with the exception of the state-owned Polytechnic University of the
Philippines (PUP).
Freshmen entering the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) will
be charged P2,400 per unit and pay a total of P124,800 for two
semesters with a full load of 26 units per term.
De la Salle University (DLSU), which has a trimester calendar, has an
average unit cost of P2,045.33. A freshman enrolled for the whole year
and taking the full 18-unit load each term will have to pay about
P110,447.82.
The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has a higher per unit cost than
UA&P and DLSU at P2,517.03. But because one school year is only two
semesters and a full load is only 18 units, the annual fee for a
freshman only comes up to P90,613.
Higher UP rate
The state-funded University of the Philippines (UP) system, which
recently raised its fees to P1,000 per unit amid protests from both
students and faculty, will cost a freshman P36,000 in one two-semester
year with a full load of 18 units per term.
Though that is almost one-fourth of an average family's annual income,
the amount is only about 28 percent of the UA&P annual fee.
This means a UP student can almost pay four years' tuition in the
state university with just one year of UA&P tuition.
The DLSU one-year tuition will pay for about three years at UP while
Ateneo's fee is equivalent to about two years and a half at the state
university.
The UP is now more expensive than San Sebastian College, which charges
P786 per unit or P33,012 per two-semester year of 21 units each and
College of the Holy Spirit (Manila) at P903.91 per unit or P32,540 per
two-semester year of 18 units each.
PUP, like the UP often in the forefront of student activism, charges
an almost unbelievable P12 per unit, for a total two-semester annual
fee, at 21 units per term, of only P504. Talk of a true school for the
masa!
It was not immediately known how the school is able to keep its
student population manageable but it has probably adopted stringent
entrance requirements.
Of the 21 schools surveyed by Inquirer Research, three have per unit
costs exceeding P2,000 and eight have rates over P1,000. Annual fees,
with the exception of UA&P and DLSU, total less than P100,000 though
they range from PUP's very low P504 to ADMU's P90,613.20.
Among the schools with large populations, the University of the East,
reputedly the institution with the most number of students, charges
P1,040 per unit for a total two-semester annual fee of P47,840, at 23
units per term.
Far Eastern University charges P1,100 per unit or a total of P55,000 a
year for two semesters at 25 units per term. The University of Santo
Tomas, at P1,072.90 per unit, charges P45,061.80 for a two-semester
year at 21 units per term.
Four percent share
According to NSO data as of 1997, education accounted for a little
less than four percent of an average family's annual expenditure. This
means, if the average annual income is P148,000, it would set aside,
strictly speaking, less than P6,000 a year for education.
Needless to say, food eats up (no pun intended) half of an average
family's income although it appears some belt-tightening had also to
be effected in 1997. NSO data showed that in 1988, food accounted for
50.7 percent of household expenditures. By 1997 this was down to 44.2
percent, a drop of more than six percent.
This was probably because housing costs increased over the same
period—from 12.8 percent of a family's budget in 1988 to 15.3 percent
in 1997. What little remained went into fuel, electricity, water,
clothing, transportation, medical care and other essentials. Saving is
definitely an alien concept to a family with this kind of budget.
How the average Filipino family is able to send not just one but two
or more children to school, pay for food and shelter, is probably not
just the result of prudent budgeting but also the assistance of both
formal and informal institutions like banks, money lenders and
generous relatives. With Kate Pedroso, Inquirer Research
--SUSME, 1,000 per unit...at sa Ateneo, magkano yun, P2517 per unit. Nakakaawa naman talaga ang mga Pilipino. Mamumulubi ka kahit sa UP ka magaral. Lintek na DepEd yan, kurakot kasi. Ewan. Sana masaya kayo sa buhay nyo. Nabubuhay kayo sa kurakot na pera. Gudlak, Pilipinas.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mom's birthday
The Internet was bogged down tonight. I guess some cell site was hit by lightning. It started to rain in the afternoon, eased out during the late afternoon, and continued to pour by early evening. I remember hearing a huge boom while in the middle of my afternoon movie, Charlie Wilson's War. It was entirely talk and the boom lifted my booty from where I was. I lifted a book from my overhead shelf, chose the one I've been trying to nail. It was a novel by Edgwick Danticat, a feminist from Haiti, with stories from her native land prior to moving to America. She related the stories from Haiti when it was ravaged by alienating forces which lead them to America. The last section of the book is about her conversion into an American citizen and how her mother keeps bringing her down to her roots. Her voice echoed the millions of Haitian women's voices, transplanted from their native land and nudging their elbows throughout their life to keep them from drowning in the quagmire of American influence.
Then, I picked up the novel In The Memory of Running. Its about an overweight, drunk, middle aged guy coping with the death of his parents after a shocking accident. I only got to the part where he saw his mother lying on the hospital bed; she suffered with broken ribs and a broken hip after a fateful car crash, but alas, no head injuries. I had to put it down after an hour of reading for it forced me to think about my mom.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Contemplating Another Spanish Class
I'm still thinking if I really want to enroll in Spanish again. It's another 2,500 pesos and I don't even have 250 pesos now in my wallet, that's one. And two, I am not sure if I want to wake up at 6 am everyday again. That's the part that sucks most. Wake up at 6am to avoid traffic, but it is friggin' traffic EVERY damn day. There are endless road works along my route. The councilor/vice-mayor who implemented the digging and recementing of Belfast Ave near SM Fairview should be choking in his breakfast for the past two weeks for I have been cursing his guts every friggin' morning. A stretch of 100 meters of cemented roads was done in three weeks, although intuition would say that it can be done in 5 days. Okay, seven days...let's include 2 days of government-paid-service that doesn't actually happen. But, three friggin' weeks?? WTF. I lost 30 minutes of my life in that morning jam. By the time I get to Fairview Mall, I don't have the drive to go to class anymore.
Anyway, Level 6 Spanish was a breeze, although I have confidence issues in speaking the language. Good thing is my classmates are uber cool. We were having a good time. They had been classmates since Level 1 and definitely, they are really great to hang out with. Smokes at breaktime. Cheesecake when Kat feels like baking. Pasta when Matz (a chef) decides to whip his culinary expertise. Downloaded latin songs from Chris. And of course, my querida amigas Lourdes, Lei and Tina. Words that actually stuck to me are actually, the interesting words such as culo (for ass) and pajero isn't about a 4-wheel drive at all. It means masturbator. Too bad we can't use it during the exercises because our professors are either a former priest or a missionary in the Philippines. HAHA. Could've been fun. There you go, All I Need To Know I Learned in Level 5 Spanish.
Hmmm....should I, should I? Or will I just follow Chris who photocopied the textbook and decided to study at home. His wife is Spanish anyway. Hmmm, that's an idea....
Anyway, Level 6 Spanish was a breeze, although I have confidence issues in speaking the language. Good thing is my classmates are uber cool. We were having a good time. They had been classmates since Level 1 and definitely, they are really great to hang out with. Smokes at breaktime. Cheesecake when Kat feels like baking. Pasta when Matz (a chef) decides to whip his culinary expertise. Downloaded latin songs from Chris. And of course, my querida amigas Lourdes, Lei and Tina. Words that actually stuck to me are actually, the interesting words such as culo (for ass) and pajero isn't about a 4-wheel drive at all. It means masturbator. Too bad we can't use it during the exercises because our professors are either a former priest or a missionary in the Philippines. HAHA. Could've been fun. There you go, All I Need To Know I Learned in Level 5 Spanish.
Hmmm....should I, should I? Or will I just follow Chris who photocopied the textbook and decided to study at home. His wife is Spanish anyway. Hmmm, that's an idea....
Saturday, May 10, 2008
One month to go!
Last night, A called me up from Pennsylvania to check how am I doing. He asked me if I am ready and honestly, I don't know how to answer that question. Yes, I am really grateful for this opportunity and I can say that I was made for this. It had been a tedious and long journey for me (my friends know about this) and finally, I got what I asked for. I am ready to give it my best but just like anyone else, of course I have my apprehensions on leaving. But, looking forward this is definitely, for the better. No doubt about it.
Anyway, I still have a lot of things to do. So the answer to my question, at this point, it is still a No. I have a month to get things patched up and by then, maybe I am ready to sail. What is left to do? Driving. Check. Spanish classes. Check. (But I am still contemplating of enrolling this week...cause my Espanol still needs practice. Well, the driving needs a LOT of practice as well.) More importantly, make the most of the miniscule time I have to see the rest of the Philippines. I have a couple of destinations to visit and I regret not having plans to go to Boracay. Gosh, I miss that place. Plus, I need to finish the things I have been doing. RE: work, which sucks, because it is taking me decades to get my data. Thanks to the residents who have been ignoring all my text and emails. UGH. So I have to make a move soon to expidite stuff. I need to conclude this work before I go.
Well, I don't know what to feel about leaving. One thing I'll miss will be the constant hanging out, badminton and San Mig light. American beers are a bunch of bland, worthless crap. I should cut down on my cigs, too: too expensive. A actually told me to bring my badminton racket since there is no good place to buy in the US. WTF?? Actually, I cringe on the thought of lugging my racket, for it is a little worn out. I had since I started playing 5 years ago and I never bought a new one. Too bad, I never won a tourney ever, either. So I had no chance of getting a free new racket.
Countdown starts now.
Anyway, I still have a lot of things to do. So the answer to my question, at this point, it is still a No. I have a month to get things patched up and by then, maybe I am ready to sail. What is left to do? Driving. Check. Spanish classes. Check. (But I am still contemplating of enrolling this week...cause my Espanol still needs practice. Well, the driving needs a LOT of practice as well.) More importantly, make the most of the miniscule time I have to see the rest of the Philippines. I have a couple of destinations to visit and I regret not having plans to go to Boracay. Gosh, I miss that place. Plus, I need to finish the things I have been doing. RE: work, which sucks, because it is taking me decades to get my data. Thanks to the residents who have been ignoring all my text and emails. UGH. So I have to make a move soon to expidite stuff. I need to conclude this work before I go.
Well, I don't know what to feel about leaving. One thing I'll miss will be the constant hanging out, badminton and San Mig light. American beers are a bunch of bland, worthless crap. I should cut down on my cigs, too: too expensive. A actually told me to bring my badminton racket since there is no good place to buy in the US. WTF?? Actually, I cringe on the thought of lugging my racket, for it is a little worn out. I had since I started playing 5 years ago and I never bought a new one. Too bad, I never won a tourney ever, either. So I had no chance of getting a free new racket.
Countdown starts now.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
reaction to doray...
I read your blogpost, Doray, after leaving the comment. My opinion (which you may not agree):I think the opening is a little bit misleading. If people would read it first, it may strike someone else's nerve because the issue had become a gender sensitive one. Wala lang. I know that you meant well and you want it to be an introduction for your entry....but if read alone, that statement is something
Dami kong gustong i-comment. Here are my two cents (sorry medyo mahaba):
1. I think the government is the only one to blame for not having universal healthcare. Hindi lang local government because economics-wise, if we don't have a good health insurance system, hindi sya sustainable. Parang med mission lang ang mangyayari...pag Pasko lang nagkakaroon ng health care ang mahihirap.
2. Health system pa rin ang may kagagawan kung bakit walang bilib ang mga taong bayan sa isang general practitioner. They would rather go straight to a cardiologist, or any specialist for their smallest concern. Kasi, kung magbabayad na nga lang ang A and B crowd, e di sa specialista na. Hayaan na lang ang mga C and D na maghintay ng libre. My point: it's not cost efficient...would have been avoided if we have a working health system.
3. Due to lack of money, they’ve been putting of circumcision.--->Kala ko ba the Philippine College of Surgeons and the PMA are trying to veer us away from the culture of circumcision? Kasi wala namang studies/benefit and it is just a cultural thing? I wouldn't blame a patient if he doesn't want to be circumcised, or would want it at 25 years old....
4. It is hard to help our country if we are not even in it! (hehe). I disagree. I'll be writing about this government and how it sucks and that will be my contribution. My way to redeem my civil liberties and right of self-expression. I am born Filipino afterall, democracy is on my side. Hehe. I would stay if my family is uber-rich, if the Philippines would pay for the cost of treating my patient, if I will receive a paycheck that I think is fair for the amount of time I spent 10 years studying medicine for...and I don't want to be corrupted by this government and the lousy health system just to have stuff that I think I deserve.
5. THERE IS HOPE. I think there won't be a universal health care system in the country in the near future, not in the next 15-20 years. Hope is far, far away. Right now, health is not a government priority, which is a big stupidity. Right now, kanya-kanya na lang talaga tayo. Bahala ka kung kanino ka kukuha ng pampagamot mo...kung kaninong doktor ka pupunta. But when it happens, I can actually say na nagising na ang mga Pilipino. Nagtutulungan na tayo.
Dami kong gustong i-comment. Here are my two cents (sorry medyo mahaba):
1. I think the government is the only one to blame for not having universal healthcare. Hindi lang local government because economics-wise, if we don't have a good health insurance system, hindi sya sustainable. Parang med mission lang ang mangyayari...pag Pasko lang nagkakaroon ng health care ang mahihirap.
2. Health system pa rin ang may kagagawan kung bakit walang bilib ang mga taong bayan sa isang general practitioner. They would rather go straight to a cardiologist, or any specialist for their smallest concern. Kasi, kung magbabayad na nga lang ang A and B crowd, e di sa specialista na. Hayaan na lang ang mga C and D na maghintay ng libre. My point: it's not cost efficient...would have been avoided if we have a working health system.
3. Due to lack of money, they’ve been putting of circumcision.--->Kala ko ba the Philippine College of Surgeons and the PMA are trying to veer us away from the culture of circumcision? Kasi wala namang studies/benefit and it is just a cultural thing? I wouldn't blame a patient if he doesn't want to be circumcised, or would want it at 25 years old....
4. It is hard to help our country if we are not even in it! (hehe). I disagree. I'll be writing about this government and how it sucks and that will be my contribution. My way to redeem my civil liberties and right of self-expression. I am born Filipino afterall, democracy is on my side. Hehe. I would stay if my family is uber-rich, if the Philippines would pay for the cost of treating my patient, if I will receive a paycheck that I think is fair for the amount of time I spent 10 years studying medicine for...and I don't want to be corrupted by this government and the lousy health system just to have stuff that I think I deserve.
5. THERE IS HOPE. I think there won't be a universal health care system in the country in the near future, not in the next 15-20 years. Hope is far, far away. Right now, health is not a government priority, which is a big stupidity. Right now, kanya-kanya na lang talaga tayo. Bahala ka kung kanino ka kukuha ng pampagamot mo...kung kaninong doktor ka pupunta. But when it happens, I can actually say na nagising na ang mga Pilipino. Nagtutulungan na tayo.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
What's Happening With Our TV?
I usually watch TV while I eat. I don't turn it on otherwise because I think most of the TV programs are such a bunch of crap. Not just pinoy TV, mind you, but American TV shows as well. Anyway, as I was eating dinner tonight, The Good Night Show with what's-his-name-Alejar was on. He introduced his guest and I was shocked: a 2-year old kid. WTF? He can't even speak straight yet. It's 1130pm, and this guy is interviewing a 2 year old kid who can't even give a straight answer...but that's not the point....my point is HE'S A FREAKING KID!
He's supposed to be tucked in at 9pm. He needs a bed time story, as we wait for him to fall asleep. I just don't think it is right to guest a two-year old in a late night show. What the hell is happening?
Ehem, ehem...child labor laws, anyone?
What's next, when a 5 month old starts to smile you can guest the kid in Walang Tulugan? Oh please.
He's supposed to be tucked in at 9pm. He needs a bed time story, as we wait for him to fall asleep. I just don't think it is right to guest a two-year old in a late night show. What the hell is happening?
Ehem, ehem...child labor laws, anyone?
What's next, when a 5 month old starts to smile you can guest the kid in Walang Tulugan? Oh please.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
I Am Hooked With This Scandal
I am begginning to like Bryan G and his passion for the Philippines. He is taking all his liberties and blogging about our stinking country from Australia. He is one bad-ass writer and I agree with his rants about the Philippines 99% of the time. I think no one had redeemed democracy like this. Pinoys would rather go to friendster, facebook and to the retarted Flips Flipping Pages in Shelfari, which I really think is a waste of my time.
Thus, he writes:
"No health care for your people! TREASON.
Third rate education for your people. TREASON.
Expensive $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ medications for poor people. TREASON.
Poor housing and accommodation for the vast majority. TREASON.
NO HOUSING OR PROTECTION for many. TREASON.
I call treason on all you fat cats and fat bitches who have prospered and reaped/raped your fortunes as a result of and on the backs of your fellow countrymen."
More of this blog at: http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/
I totally dig this post: http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/2008/03/abncbn-hello.html
Thus, he writes:
"No health care for your people! TREASON.
Third rate education for your people. TREASON.
Expensive $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ medications for poor people. TREASON.
Poor housing and accommodation for the vast majority. TREASON.
NO HOUSING OR PROTECTION for many. TREASON.
I call treason on all you fat cats and fat bitches who have prospered and reaped/raped your fortunes as a result of and on the backs of your fellow countrymen."
More of this blog at: http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/
I totally dig this post: http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/2008/03/abncbn-hello.html
Gossip Girl Sounds Like A Disney Sit Com Compared To This...
http://janineislove.multiply.com/journal/item/45/THE_CELINE_LOPEZ-TIM_YAP-DJ_MONTANO_SCANDAL
Yesterday, I went out for a late lunch with Xochi and Mike in Trinoma. We were surprised to find out that there was no aircon in Italianni's and the rest of Trinoma. WHAT THE HELL? It's a new mal, supposedly. We tried calling Mark (the operations manager) but we can't get hold of him in his mobile phone. Xochi told me he's in Boracay and we immediately thought he turned off his cell phone, trying to be oblivious to the rest of the world. He shouldn't have: TriNoMa is such a mess. (Hey...now I wonder if TriNoMa stands for Triangle North of Manila and it is apparently so. Just like MoMa, which stands for something of Makati. Hihimatayin ako sa mga Pilipino talaga.)
Anyway, the conversation went to this scandal which is racking up the gossip columns right now. True enough, it's the real life version of Gossip Girl (it's a sitcom about the trashy lives of the upper west side party elite). I was reading the post and I couldn't help but snigger from the comments made against these people. I am glad this scandal happened because I don't think these people should be a role model for the youth. Tim Yap, for example, has been the "party icon" for a while. Everyone is trying to emulate his fashion sense, finding out his itinerary for the weekend and one stupid network even gave him a TV show gig. Celine Lopez have been a fashion icon in the Philippines. Her travels across the world had been one of the highlights in Star. Nobody asked her where she got the money for this but, after reading this blog/rant space and the revelation that she is actually not a Lopez, a lot of people are raising eyebrows.
Now, everything is going to the dogs for them. Thank you for doing drugs and for swindling a really upset Aussie. I hope Filipinos would turn their heads away from these false icons and start focusing in making a better Pilipinas. Sayang lang sa oras ang mga taong 'to. There are still a lot of things to do.
Yesterday, I went out for a late lunch with Xochi and Mike in Trinoma. We were surprised to find out that there was no aircon in Italianni's and the rest of Trinoma. WHAT THE HELL? It's a new mal, supposedly. We tried calling Mark (the operations manager) but we can't get hold of him in his mobile phone. Xochi told me he's in Boracay and we immediately thought he turned off his cell phone, trying to be oblivious to the rest of the world. He shouldn't have: TriNoMa is such a mess. (Hey...now I wonder if TriNoMa stands for Triangle North of Manila and it is apparently so. Just like MoMa, which stands for something of Makati. Hihimatayin ako sa mga Pilipino talaga.)
Anyway, the conversation went to this scandal which is racking up the gossip columns right now. True enough, it's the real life version of Gossip Girl (it's a sitcom about the trashy lives of the upper west side party elite). I was reading the post and I couldn't help but snigger from the comments made against these people. I am glad this scandal happened because I don't think these people should be a role model for the youth. Tim Yap, for example, has been the "party icon" for a while. Everyone is trying to emulate his fashion sense, finding out his itinerary for the weekend and one stupid network even gave him a TV show gig. Celine Lopez have been a fashion icon in the Philippines. Her travels across the world had been one of the highlights in Star. Nobody asked her where she got the money for this but, after reading this blog/rant space and the revelation that she is actually not a Lopez, a lot of people are raising eyebrows.
Now, everything is going to the dogs for them. Thank you for doing drugs and for swindling a really upset Aussie. I hope Filipinos would turn their heads away from these false icons and start focusing in making a better Pilipinas. Sayang lang sa oras ang mga taong 'to. There are still a lot of things to do.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Caveat: US Embassy scam
I went to the embassy today for my visa interview.
Just so you know, they changed the policy about bringing cellphones and other electronic devices to the embassy. You can no longer leave them in the counter before entering the premises. If you are one ignorant bastard like me, it is ok to bring your cellphone or iPod. but you have to be ready to pay. I was shocked when manang the photographer/ballpen vendor/cedula maker offered me to hold my electronic devices for me until I am done....for the simple price of 150 pesos. Since, I don't have a choice, I gave in after scolding and reprimanding her about this abuse of opportunity.
And there's more...She had terms: the more entries you send, the more chances of paying! I handled her my iPod, and then she immediately blurted, "Naku sir, kailangan nyong magdagdag." I raised my right brow and started the usual litany about 1) being a doctor; 2) being a doctor from PGH and 3) karma. The last was a low blow, but, I had to make a point. Of course, I did not agree. I can only shell out P150 for everything and that's the only amount I could painstakingly give without strangling anyone.
Leave your electronics behind if you're coming for an interview, the 150 pesos is not worth the stress.
Thought you guys must know: I am all set to go.
Just so you know, they changed the policy about bringing cellphones and other electronic devices to the embassy. You can no longer leave them in the counter before entering the premises. If you are one ignorant bastard like me, it is ok to bring your cellphone or iPod. but you have to be ready to pay. I was shocked when manang the photographer/ballpen vendor/cedula maker offered me to hold my electronic devices for me until I am done....for the simple price of 150 pesos. Since, I don't have a choice, I gave in after scolding and reprimanding her about this abuse of opportunity.
And there's more...She had terms: the more entries you send, the more chances of paying! I handled her my iPod, and then she immediately blurted, "Naku sir, kailangan nyong magdagdag." I raised my right brow and started the usual litany about 1) being a doctor; 2) being a doctor from PGH and 3) karma. The last was a low blow, but, I had to make a point. Of course, I did not agree. I can only shell out P150 for everything and that's the only amount I could painstakingly give without strangling anyone.
Leave your electronics behind if you're coming for an interview, the 150 pesos is not worth the stress.
Thought you guys must know: I am all set to go.
Traffic is Terrible
The streets of Manila is a death trap. I wish I will never drive through the streets of Quezon Avenue and its stupid U-turn slots ever (EVER!) in my life. It's a freaking circus everyday! The fast lane suddenly becomes closed for the U-turn slot from the other side of the road; then, the FX's and jeepneys from the passenger side of the road would swerve AAALL the way to the farthest lane to make a U-turn. Swerving (and endangering the lives of others) is now becoming a totoong tradisyong Pilipino. Thank you, U-turn-stupid-slots; you have solved the country's problem of overpopulation.
Oh, and thanks to the brilliant minds of the MMDA, they closed several lanes in Quezon Ave for a U-turn slot and left the motorists with one lane to pass through. The bottlenecking is insane at that part of my freaking 2-hour trip. Araneta Ave to Welcome (that's around 100m) is a 20-minute trip. HOORAY! I am just amazed by how my fellow commuters can tolerate the traffic.
And there's more: Some imbecile made the traffic light in North Fairview switch, like once every 10 minutes and they added a green light for cars that would turn left from North Fairview. It made everything so freakishly slow. At 10:30 pm tonight, there is a
bumper-to-bumper situation which made me flip. I wanted to pull my hair out. I could have started with my nose hairs but I guess that's not good with my seatmate.
So, I have decided to rent a place in Manila which I will be occupying next week. I am fed up with the commute. I am losing 4 hours a day, 20 hours a week, 80 hours a month in this traffic. I would rather use those 20 hours a week to pester the local government and the inutil policy makers about this road inconvenience with our countrymen's daily commute. In a larger perspective, traffic sure does decrease productivity, increase stress and it indirectly harming our country's progress.
Kaya hindi umuunlad ang pilipinas, eh.
Oh, and thanks to the brilliant minds of the MMDA, they closed several lanes in Quezon Ave for a U-turn slot and left the motorists with one lane to pass through. The bottlenecking is insane at that part of my freaking 2-hour trip. Araneta Ave to Welcome (that's around 100m) is a 20-minute trip. HOORAY! I am just amazed by how my fellow commuters can tolerate the traffic.
And there's more: Some imbecile made the traffic light in North Fairview switch, like once every 10 minutes and they added a green light for cars that would turn left from North Fairview. It made everything so freakishly slow. At 10:30 pm tonight, there is a
bumper-to-bumper situation which made me flip. I wanted to pull my hair out. I could have started with my nose hairs but I guess that's not good with my seatmate.
So, I have decided to rent a place in Manila which I will be occupying next week. I am fed up with the commute. I am losing 4 hours a day, 20 hours a week, 80 hours a month in this traffic. I would rather use those 20 hours a week to pester the local government and the inutil policy makers about this road inconvenience with our countrymen's daily commute. In a larger perspective, traffic sure does decrease productivity, increase stress and it indirectly harming our country's progress.
Kaya hindi umuunlad ang pilipinas, eh.
FH died yesterday.
Our flower horn (hence, FH) yesterday. Our two-year old flower horn died. My sibs and I had several differential diagnosis:
1. Swim bladder disease. His tummy grew bilateral masses on each side. We noticed this a week ago, but dismissed the idea that there might be something wrong. It might be a normal variant for these fishes. Then, he started to swim asymmetrically. He also had difficulty swimming to the surface, which never happened before. I used to put several pellets of FH food and he would rush excitedly to his meal, until 4 days ago. He was also getting paler and paler each day.
2. Dropsy. I consulted this web page about flowerhorn diseases and according to the website, you should consider dropsy if the scales are bulging outward. FH's scales are bulging out right on the tail area. Treatment should be easy with an antibiotic. But now I guess it's too late.
3. Depression. He swims alone in the 50-gallon tank we keep in our patio. I am not too serious about this consideration, though.
Yesterday, I was discussing the treatment I found out in the net. FH is becoming weaker and weaker each day. When we woke up yesterday morning, he was swimming upside down. Obviously, we should take action or lose him forever. I told my sister to buy some antiobiotics for him but it was too late. At 10:00 last night, he died. I felt really bad.:-(
1. Swim bladder disease. His tummy grew bilateral masses on each side. We noticed this a week ago, but dismissed the idea that there might be something wrong. It might be a normal variant for these fishes. Then, he started to swim asymmetrically. He also had difficulty swimming to the surface, which never happened before. I used to put several pellets of FH food and he would rush excitedly to his meal, until 4 days ago. He was also getting paler and paler each day.
2. Dropsy. I consulted this web page about flowerhorn diseases and according to the website, you should consider dropsy if the scales are bulging outward. FH's scales are bulging out right on the tail area. Treatment should be easy with an antibiotic. But now I guess it's too late.
3. Depression. He swims alone in the 50-gallon tank we keep in our patio. I am not too serious about this consideration, though.
Yesterday, I was discussing the treatment I found out in the net. FH is becoming weaker and weaker each day. When we woke up yesterday morning, he was swimming upside down. Obviously, we should take action or lose him forever. I told my sister to buy some antiobiotics for him but it was too late. At 10:00 last night, he died. I felt really bad.:-(
Saturday, March 29, 2008
And The Plot Thickens...
Included in my list of agenda before leaving the UES is to enroll in a Spanish class here in the Philippines. I wasn't able to catch the first set of classes mid March, but finally I was able to enroll in Instituto Cervantes last Friday. I have been teaching myself Spanish through CDs, books and podcasts (I HEART CoffeeBreakSpanish.) and I reckon it is time to get some classroom education for this new endeavor.
There are a lot of Spanish-speaking communities in the US. They are the largest ethnic group in the country and people translates into patients in the medical business. Since my surname is Spanish in the most strictest sense, I have a feeling they will all gravitate to my clinic schedule. Thus, I want to make most out of the opportunity and being fluent in the language will help me in the future. Besides, I think it's time to learn a new one. I would also want to watch movies and read books in Spanish. Most of the time, subtitles lose the essence and the passion of the language when translated into another one.
Dumbfounded by the question, I proudly raised hand when the teacher asked if who among us test takers haven't attended a single class in Spanish. It was a diagnostic class anyway; my goal is to enroll in a class as far as possible from Level I Spanish. The test was hard. I got lost in the subjunctive, imperfect and even on the preterite tense. Nevertheless, I answered the best I could.
After a few minutes, the teacher went out and talked one by one to the people in the room. I was the third person. She said, "You're Level 6." WHAAAT? "Your grammar is great." More WHAAAT? Then, she showed me the paper. I told her my predicament: I haven't been speaking the language that much (well, except with Mariaelena in PA) so I don't think I can cope with a higher level of Spanish. When I took the exam, I am assuming I have enough Spanish to get me past I and be in Level II or III. It willl definitely hurt if I pay thousands of pesos just for them to teach me how to count in Espanol.
"No...I don't think you'll like Level III, at least Level 5. If you are confident after that, we can skip 6 and get you through Level 7."
Hahaha. Wow! I was so happy! I totally did not expect this! Like a kid with a gold star, I ran home (figuratively. In reality, I rode a FX for 2 hours...again) and told my mom about it. She was also happy and told me she had 24 units of Spanish in college. I tried coaxing her to speak it in the house, but she shooed me away. She dismissed me before I could start to speak a word.
So the plot thickens....I am juggling several jobs, attending class, commuting 4 hours to and from work, drinking like a hobo in some nights, playing badminton TTHS and trying not to fall for someone. The plot twists are draining me out.
There are a lot of Spanish-speaking communities in the US. They are the largest ethnic group in the country and people translates into patients in the medical business. Since my surname is Spanish in the most strictest sense, I have a feeling they will all gravitate to my clinic schedule. Thus, I want to make most out of the opportunity and being fluent in the language will help me in the future. Besides, I think it's time to learn a new one. I would also want to watch movies and read books in Spanish. Most of the time, subtitles lose the essence and the passion of the language when translated into another one.
Dumbfounded by the question, I proudly raised hand when the teacher asked if who among us test takers haven't attended a single class in Spanish. It was a diagnostic class anyway; my goal is to enroll in a class as far as possible from Level I Spanish. The test was hard. I got lost in the subjunctive, imperfect and even on the preterite tense. Nevertheless, I answered the best I could.
After a few minutes, the teacher went out and talked one by one to the people in the room. I was the third person. She said, "You're Level 6." WHAAAT? "Your grammar is great." More WHAAAT? Then, she showed me the paper. I told her my predicament: I haven't been speaking the language that much (well, except with Mariaelena in PA) so I don't think I can cope with a higher level of Spanish. When I took the exam, I am assuming I have enough Spanish to get me past I and be in Level II or III. It willl definitely hurt if I pay thousands of pesos just for them to teach me how to count in Espanol.
"No...I don't think you'll like Level III, at least Level 5. If you are confident after that, we can skip 6 and get you through Level 7."
Hahaha. Wow! I was so happy! I totally did not expect this! Like a kid with a gold star, I ran home (figuratively. In reality, I rode a FX for 2 hours...again) and told my mom about it. She was also happy and told me she had 24 units of Spanish in college. I tried coaxing her to speak it in the house, but she shooed me away. She dismissed me before I could start to speak a word.
So the plot thickens....I am juggling several jobs, attending class, commuting 4 hours to and from work, drinking like a hobo in some nights, playing badminton TTHS and trying not to fall for someone. The plot twists are draining me out.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Most Uneventful Holy Week Ever
I simmered at home for 2 days: it was hot and sticky and there was nothing to do but play Naruto on PSP with my cousins. It was Kiba, Sakuri and Rock Guy who filled my days with excitement. It's really fun, even though I ended up with a completed bruised pride after my 12-year-old playmates kept kicking my arse.
It was eat-play-sleep cycle for 2 days. But on second thought, I owe this time for myself. I was working hard at the start of the week doing a teaching stint and going on call at nights. I had two hours of worthless sleep last Tuesday. Also, everything happens in Makati or Manila. The bus ride becomes my mobile home. I am getting used in texting, reading, listening to podcasts while enduring the gruesome commute to work.
Everyone was restless by sabado de gloria. Just like everyone in our little suburbian town, we went to the mall to look for a place to eat and basically, see other people. True enough, some of my badminton buddies were in the area, desperately looking for something to pass time. Not everyone is in the mood for a game, though. That night, we all trooped to Pasig as one of my badminton friends prepared dinner for us. It turned out to be a sizeable feast: sizzling bulalo, pepper steak, chicken satay, chicken pandan, tokwa't baboy, sizzling corn complete with several pitchers of a cocktail drink called zombie. That night, as we await for easter, I know we were more or less bound for the third tier of Dante's Hell.
Easter was as uneventful as the other days. Finally, I got my feet on the court again after a week of not playing. My playtime dwindled since the dual meet in Antipolo three weeks ago (We were not much of a loser, we lost 2 out of 6 games, so I wasn't that disappointed with my play). Real life and work caught up; ergo, I was busy running around Manila like a lap dog.
Now, it's Monday and I can still feel my liver working out the liters of Tanduay in that zombie-shit drink. I keep telling myself to work. I've been procastinating for quite sometime now.
It was eat-play-sleep cycle for 2 days. But on second thought, I owe this time for myself. I was working hard at the start of the week doing a teaching stint and going on call at nights. I had two hours of worthless sleep last Tuesday. Also, everything happens in Makati or Manila. The bus ride becomes my mobile home. I am getting used in texting, reading, listening to podcasts while enduring the gruesome commute to work.
Everyone was restless by sabado de gloria. Just like everyone in our little suburbian town, we went to the mall to look for a place to eat and basically, see other people. True enough, some of my badminton buddies were in the area, desperately looking for something to pass time. Not everyone is in the mood for a game, though. That night, we all trooped to Pasig as one of my badminton friends prepared dinner for us. It turned out to be a sizeable feast: sizzling bulalo, pepper steak, chicken satay, chicken pandan, tokwa't baboy, sizzling corn complete with several pitchers of a cocktail drink called zombie. That night, as we await for easter, I know we were more or less bound for the third tier of Dante's Hell.
Easter was as uneventful as the other days. Finally, I got my feet on the court again after a week of not playing. My playtime dwindled since the dual meet in Antipolo three weeks ago (We were not much of a loser, we lost 2 out of 6 games, so I wasn't that disappointed with my play). Real life and work caught up; ergo, I was busy running around Manila like a lap dog.
Now, it's Monday and I can still feel my liver working out the liters of Tanduay in that zombie-shit drink. I keep telling myself to work. I've been procastinating for quite sometime now.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
I'm Getting Paid Like A Normal Person
Yey, it's payday! With almost twenty pesos in my wallet and a whole page of outstanding debt, I will probably savor the moment I write a positive entry into my personal spreadsheet. One measly positive entry among 25 negative ones. Such a shame for my highly specialized, totally useless overrated medical education. When I go out with my friends, I usually shun away from any conversation regarding salaries, investments and properties. We are at the same age, but they are paid a whole lot more. I had a conversation with a friend, an IT professional, last night and he was doing HTML, MySQL and Linux systems. I took those for my informatics elective in medical school. Give me a Linux PC and around 6 months, I can probably do what he can do. He owns a car, has a townhouse and goes to out-of-town trips twice a month. He leads a pretty comfortable life for a thirty-four-year old bachelor--a real one--and if I compare it with a doctor's salary, we will be having a comfortable life at 45, which every professional probably accomplish by the time they are 35.
We, meaning my classmates and I, have concluded this years ago: we are in the wrong profession. That is, if we really want to make loads of dough. It's a sad thought, and right now, we totally resigned to the fact and came to terms with our priorities; it isn't about the money anymore.
I never had my own bank account here in the country. There's no so much to put anyway. I had a huge problem before since I usually get checks as payment, save for those moonlighting hours which they usually give us cash. I soon figured out that I still have my old bank account which I co-signed with my mom. I opened this account when I was ten years old, but since I am a minor, I had to get my mom to co-sign for me. Those were the heydays of my artistic life. For four years. my mom coaxed me to join a lot of art contests and luckily, they found my works interesting. Actually, up to now, I have no idea how I won those art tilts. I stopped after doing it for 3 years: I was getting old and the art style is slowly getting inappropriate. The money is good back then. My ten-year old self holding an oil pastel makes more than me, at thirty, wielding a stet. The bittersweet irony of my mediocre, unaccomplised, irrelevant life.
Niow that I need to go pick up my check, I need to score some dough from my parents for fare money. More likely, I will be scurrying back home after procuring the cheques, so as to prevent hunger pangs from stinging my belly because I refuse to spend money for dinner. But honestly, I got used to these kind of hardships. These are just pebbles on the road; and I have faced boulders. I had the experience of being deprived of hope and how it consumed me--body and spirit. These petty challenges is just an affirmation of being alive.
It is not often about money anymore, it's about keeping your head above the water, and hoping that a wave is not in sight, to bring you down underwater, again.
We, meaning my classmates and I, have concluded this years ago: we are in the wrong profession. That is, if we really want to make loads of dough. It's a sad thought, and right now, we totally resigned to the fact and came to terms with our priorities; it isn't about the money anymore.
I never had my own bank account here in the country. There's no so much to put anyway. I had a huge problem before since I usually get checks as payment, save for those moonlighting hours which they usually give us cash. I soon figured out that I still have my old bank account which I co-signed with my mom. I opened this account when I was ten years old, but since I am a minor, I had to get my mom to co-sign for me. Those were the heydays of my artistic life. For four years. my mom coaxed me to join a lot of art contests and luckily, they found my works interesting. Actually, up to now, I have no idea how I won those art tilts. I stopped after doing it for 3 years: I was getting old and the art style is slowly getting inappropriate. The money is good back then. My ten-year old self holding an oil pastel makes more than me, at thirty, wielding a stet. The bittersweet irony of my mediocre, unaccomplised, irrelevant life.
Niow that I need to go pick up my check, I need to score some dough from my parents for fare money. More likely, I will be scurrying back home after procuring the cheques, so as to prevent hunger pangs from stinging my belly because I refuse to spend money for dinner. But honestly, I got used to these kind of hardships. These are just pebbles on the road; and I have faced boulders. I had the experience of being deprived of hope and how it consumed me--body and spirit. These petty challenges is just an affirmation of being alive.
It is not often about money anymore, it's about keeping your head above the water, and hoping that a wave is not in sight, to bring you down underwater, again.
I'm Getting Paid Like A Normal Person
Yey, it's payday! With almost twenty pesos in my wallet and a whole page of outstanding debt, I will probably savor the moment I write a positive entry into my personal spreadsheet. One measly positive entry among 25 negative ones. Such a shame for my highly specialized, totally useless overrated medical education. When I go out with my friends, I usually shun away from any conversation regarding salaries, investments and properties. We are at the same age, but they are paid a whole lot more. I had a conversation with a friend, an IT professional, last night and he was doing HTML, MySQL and Linux systems. I took those for my informatics elective in medical school. Give me a Linux PC and around 6 months, I can probably do what he can do. He owns a car, has a townhouse and goes to out-of-town trips twice a month. He leads a pretty comfortable life for a thirty-four-year old bachelor--a real one--and if I compare it with a doctor's salary, we will be having a comfortable life at 45, which every professional probably accomplish by the time they are 35.
We, meaning my classmates and I, have concluded this years ago: we are in the wrong profession. That is, if we really want to make loads of dough. It's a sad thought, and right now, we totally resigned to the fact and came to terms with our priorities; it isn't about the money anymore.
I never had my own bank account here in the country. There's no so much to put anyway. I had a huge problem before since I usually get checks as payment, save for those moonlighting hours which they usually give us cash. I soon figured out that I still have my old bank account which I co-signed with my mom. I opened this account when I was ten years old, but since I am a minor, I had to get my mom to co-sign for me. Those were the heydays of my artistic life. For four years. my mom coaxed me to join a lot of art contests and luckily, they found my works interesting. Actually, up to now, I have no idea how I won those art tilts. I stopped after doing it for 3 years: I was getting old and the art style is slowly getting inappropriate. The money is good back then. My ten-year old self holding an oil pastel makes more than me, at thirty, wielding a stet. The bittersweet irony of my mediocre, unaccomplised, irrelevant life.
Niow that I need to go pick up my check, I need to score some dough from my parents for fare money. More likely, I will be scurrying back home after procuring the cheques, so as to prevent hunger pangs from stinging my belly because I refuse to spend money for dinner. But honestly, I got used to these kind of hardships. These are just pebbles on the road; and I have faced boulders. I had the experience of being deprived of hope and how it consumed me--body and spirit. These petty challenges is just an affirmation of being alive.
It is not often about money anymore, it's about keeping your head above the water, and hoping that a wave is not in sight to bring you down again.
We, meaning my classmates and I, have concluded this years ago: we are in the wrong profession. That is, if we really want to make loads of dough. It's a sad thought, and right now, we totally resigned to the fact and came to terms with our priorities; it isn't about the money anymore.
I never had my own bank account here in the country. There's no so much to put anyway. I had a huge problem before since I usually get checks as payment, save for those moonlighting hours which they usually give us cash. I soon figured out that I still have my old bank account which I co-signed with my mom. I opened this account when I was ten years old, but since I am a minor, I had to get my mom to co-sign for me. Those were the heydays of my artistic life. For four years. my mom coaxed me to join a lot of art contests and luckily, they found my works interesting. Actually, up to now, I have no idea how I won those art tilts. I stopped after doing it for 3 years: I was getting old and the art style is slowly getting inappropriate. The money is good back then. My ten-year old self holding an oil pastel makes more than me, at thirty, wielding a stet. The bittersweet irony of my mediocre, unaccomplised, irrelevant life.
Niow that I need to go pick up my check, I need to score some dough from my parents for fare money. More likely, I will be scurrying back home after procuring the cheques, so as to prevent hunger pangs from stinging my belly because I refuse to spend money for dinner. But honestly, I got used to these kind of hardships. These are just pebbles on the road; and I have faced boulders. I had the experience of being deprived of hope and how it consumed me--body and spirit. These petty challenges is just an affirmation of being alive.
It is not often about money anymore, it's about keeping your head above the water, and hoping that a wave is not in sight to bring you down again.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Finally, I Got My Papers In
After the distasteful encounter with BossShitCrap, I was able to turn my papers in, finally. It will take a week before it comes out, but at least they didn't give me a hard time this time. PRC was another damn marketplace yesterday and I really thought I'll be spending the rest of the afternoon there. There's a gay guy in the legal department who was so mean and snubbish but I didn't bother to make a big fuss out of it. I recognize him from the Step class I used to attend in Fitness First. Maybe he recognized me, too. I never had a word with him...maybe that's why.
Anyway, I made a point that I am totally free of any responsibilities yesterday. I also set my mind not to get mad to anyone. I listened to Sweeney Todd all the way to PRC (Sondheim always makes my day. Always.) and just kept smiling to myself. I may look like a loon but it kept my sanity safe. I never raised my voice to the PRC people despite the wrong lines they kept sending me. Nor to the fat, old, mean gay guy in the legal department. I was totally calm. In another bitch moment, I would have done my asanas in the middle of the floor. It was a matter of mind set and a little tickle on your good chakras. Haha.
Anyway, I made a point that I am totally free of any responsibilities yesterday. I also set my mind not to get mad to anyone. I listened to Sweeney Todd all the way to PRC (Sondheim always makes my day. Always.) and just kept smiling to myself. I may look like a loon but it kept my sanity safe. I never raised my voice to the PRC people despite the wrong lines they kept sending me. Nor to the fat, old, mean gay guy in the legal department. I was totally calm. In another bitch moment, I would have done my asanas in the middle of the floor. It was a matter of mind set and a little tickle on your good chakras. Haha.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Encounter With BossShitCrap
Looks like I am spending another weekend at home. I totally ditched all invitations to go out yesterday. Well, I figured that I went drinking until 3 am last Friday and I guess I should spend the Saturday for myself. What did I do? Some trivial stuff the WHOLE day long. Pretty juvenile, yes, but I am definitely hooked to this Daxter Game in PSP. Then, I arranged my music archive again. Laptop has been dead for a week and I just learned that some of my important files are still in there! I don't want to hit my panic button because my catecholamines are still up from my encounter with the DOH people.
Oh, yeah I really did make a scene in the Department of Health. They are giving me such HUGE bureaucratic crap. I have all my documents ready save for my Certificate of Registration and the Cert of No Pending case. When I applied for the No Pending Case, they gave me a certificate of good standing which is essentially the same piece of shit but the latter is from the legal department. I applied for a replacement for my certificate of registration so I figured that I should show them this claim stub and probably accept it since I need the document from them ASAP.
When I went to the freaking DOH Int'l Health Office. It was their lunch break and their office will open up at 1pm. The nerve. People from the government having a freaking lunch break. One, they don't deserve it and two, they are a government agency. Taxpayers are paying for them to have a coffeebreak? Well, I did not make a big deal out of it that time. I was in a good mood.
Then, I presented my papers. Girl #1 is kind enough to accept the Cert of Good Standing, she has to ask about the Cert of Registration. Bossshitcrap should be consulted. So, off I go to bossshitcrap. She told me she can't accept the stub. I told her that I have a replacement coming but it will be out in 2-3 months. I cannot understand what kind of proof they need for me to file my papers. I have my license and I have this certificate that I am in good standing. Oh, she said:"Well, there are some people who are actually faking their license..." I was like: WTF? I have a freakin' contract from the US...do you think they will accept me if I am just a dummy doctor. After all the pleading, it boils down to "No, you have to get a certificate that your Cert of Registration is under process."
Okay, I'm going to play this game, I told myself. I went back to PRC and obtained that stupid document. It will be out in five days. Pakshet naman, o.
So, I got this certificate 3 days ago and marched back to DOH. Guess what? They issued me --tada!!--another Certificate of Good Standing, this one has a "for whatever legal purpose it may serve" clause in it. Great. After 5 days and P100 less, I got another Good Standing piece of paper shit.
At the DOH, Girl #2 got my papers this time and looked at my Good Standing. She said we needed a Certificate of No Pending Case, not this one. I argued that Girl#1 said it's fine the last time. She said "Oh no, you should talk to BossShitCrap about this". So I talked to her again. Bossshitcrap said the same thing, "I cannot accept this." This time I was raising my voice. I told her that Girl#1 told me it is okay and I specifically asked PRC about this No Pending Case document and they told me it's the same as the Good Standing piece of shit. She even showed me how it looked like and their letter to PRC, telling them to issue applicants with the No Pending Case from the Legal Department.
I was so frustrated. I wanted to have a go on her false eyelashes. Her neck was also a pretty nice wringing ground.
I told her that it wasn't my fault since I asked them about the No Pending Case and this is what they issued me. I surmised that it is definitely not my responsibility to tell those imbeciles in the PRC that the Good Standing certificate is not the same as the No Pending Case Document. I don't understand why they cannot accept my documents. I was definitely raising my voice because it is such a pain in the ass to go to DOH. It's out of the way and moreover, my papers will get delayed for another week.
She finally asked me, "Why did the rest of the applicants got it right?".
"Maam BossShitCrap, I went directly to the PRC to ask the right questions and to get the right document. Apparently, they gave me the wrong one and it's not my FRIGGIN' fault!! " Actually, if you read both certificates, they say the same thing. I don't understand why can't they accept one for the other?
She said, "But, I cannot accept that. "Wait, I have a phone call," she retorted and turned her back from me.
I stormed out of the room. I was so furious. I might say something really evil to BossShitCrap. She uses this teeny-weeny voice that sounded like a school teacher talking to her fifth grade pupil. It was so annoying. She even said something like, "Ganyan talaga ang nag-aapply," complete with her malambing-but-annoying-almost-sarcastic tone.
Does that mean they have this clout over people since they are applying? How come people have this notion that applying to them is akin to asking them a favor? It affirms that Filipinos are, indeed, power hungry. Well, specifically, BossShitCrap. She took this opportunity to torment applicants like me. I guess she figured that she can never have this power over a doctor and powertripping might be a good hobby she can learn. Wow.
I have been through a lot by this time and these people are still giving me a hard time. Ugh. I hate it. I took the time off before going back to the dinghy DOH building. I have to cool off my steam for a few days. But, it is so frustrating that some things in the Philippine government offices will never learn to change. So, I have to go back to PRC and get the No Pending Case Certificate. I have two certificates of Good Standing which I don't need. Should I ask for a refund? It's almost 200 bucks for two pieces of paper which will soon be shredder fodder. But, with the amazing services of Philippine government offices, I bet they won't give me the freaking refund.
Oh, yeah I really did make a scene in the Department of Health. They are giving me such HUGE bureaucratic crap. I have all my documents ready save for my Certificate of Registration and the Cert of No Pending case. When I applied for the No Pending Case, they gave me a certificate of good standing which is essentially the same piece of shit but the latter is from the legal department. I applied for a replacement for my certificate of registration so I figured that I should show them this claim stub and probably accept it since I need the document from them ASAP.
When I went to the freaking DOH Int'l Health Office. It was their lunch break and their office will open up at 1pm. The nerve. People from the government having a freaking lunch break. One, they don't deserve it and two, they are a government agency. Taxpayers are paying for them to have a coffeebreak? Well, I did not make a big deal out of it that time. I was in a good mood.
Then, I presented my papers. Girl #1 is kind enough to accept the Cert of Good Standing, she has to ask about the Cert of Registration. Bossshitcrap should be consulted. So, off I go to bossshitcrap. She told me she can't accept the stub. I told her that I have a replacement coming but it will be out in 2-3 months. I cannot understand what kind of proof they need for me to file my papers. I have my license and I have this certificate that I am in good standing. Oh, she said:"Well, there are some people who are actually faking their license..." I was like: WTF? I have a freakin' contract from the US...do you think they will accept me if I am just a dummy doctor. After all the pleading, it boils down to "No, you have to get a certificate that your Cert of Registration is under process."
Okay, I'm going to play this game, I told myself. I went back to PRC and obtained that stupid document. It will be out in five days. Pakshet naman, o.
So, I got this certificate 3 days ago and marched back to DOH. Guess what? They issued me --tada!!--another Certificate of Good Standing, this one has a "for whatever legal purpose it may serve" clause in it. Great. After 5 days and P100 less, I got another Good Standing piece of paper shit.
At the DOH, Girl #2 got my papers this time and looked at my Good Standing. She said we needed a Certificate of No Pending Case, not this one. I argued that Girl#1 said it's fine the last time. She said "Oh no, you should talk to BossShitCrap about this". So I talked to her again. Bossshitcrap said the same thing, "I cannot accept this." This time I was raising my voice. I told her that Girl#1 told me it is okay and I specifically asked PRC about this No Pending Case document and they told me it's the same as the Good Standing piece of shit. She even showed me how it looked like and their letter to PRC, telling them to issue applicants with the No Pending Case from the Legal Department.
I was so frustrated. I wanted to have a go on her false eyelashes. Her neck was also a pretty nice wringing ground.
I told her that it wasn't my fault since I asked them about the No Pending Case and this is what they issued me. I surmised that it is definitely not my responsibility to tell those imbeciles in the PRC that the Good Standing certificate is not the same as the No Pending Case Document. I don't understand why they cannot accept my documents. I was definitely raising my voice because it is such a pain in the ass to go to DOH. It's out of the way and moreover, my papers will get delayed for another week.
She finally asked me, "Why did the rest of the applicants got it right?".
"Maam BossShitCrap, I went directly to the PRC to ask the right questions and to get the right document. Apparently, they gave me the wrong one and it's not my FRIGGIN' fault!! " Actually, if you read both certificates, they say the same thing. I don't understand why can't they accept one for the other?
She said, "But, I cannot accept that. "Wait, I have a phone call," she retorted and turned her back from me.
I stormed out of the room. I was so furious. I might say something really evil to BossShitCrap. She uses this teeny-weeny voice that sounded like a school teacher talking to her fifth grade pupil. It was so annoying. She even said something like, "Ganyan talaga ang nag-aapply," complete with her malambing-but-annoying-almost-sarcastic tone.
Does that mean they have this clout over people since they are applying? How come people have this notion that applying to them is akin to asking them a favor? It affirms that Filipinos are, indeed, power hungry. Well, specifically, BossShitCrap. She took this opportunity to torment applicants like me. I guess she figured that she can never have this power over a doctor and powertripping might be a good hobby she can learn. Wow.
I have been through a lot by this time and these people are still giving me a hard time. Ugh. I hate it. I took the time off before going back to the dinghy DOH building. I have to cool off my steam for a few days. But, it is so frustrating that some things in the Philippine government offices will never learn to change. So, I have to go back to PRC and get the No Pending Case Certificate. I have two certificates of Good Standing which I don't need. Should I ask for a refund? It's almost 200 bucks for two pieces of paper which will soon be shredder fodder. But, with the amazing services of Philippine government offices, I bet they won't give me the freaking refund.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Adjusting Well, But Dead Tired
Actually, I am not adjusting well. My body is rejecting Manila and you can see it from my face. My eyelids are puffy, my nose is red and my eyes are continuously watery. My allergies are killing me! I endure the sneezing all throughout that day and my eyes are burning from itch. Aside from that, my feet looks like the map of the Philippine Islands from all the shedding. I never had an attack of dyshidrotic eczema for the last 10 months, but after a week here in Manila, my soles started to have vesicles. Ugh.
Well, it's true that I am getting into the rhythm of Manila life right now. It entails 30% of my time for work, 30% for the commute and the rest for sleep, recreation and going out. I get to read while doing the long commute from Novaliches to Makati/Manila which is actually great. I would think it's stupid, but I look forward to that long commute. I get lost in the pages as the morning traffic breeze by in my periphery. I get to focus on my novel and at the same time, I am moving from point A to point B. That's why I never had the motivation to drive.
Speaking of driving, I have to nail that skill at once.
I am currently hooked to the Barnes and Noble Meet The Author podcast. (I download it from iTunes for free) They interviewed some of my favorite authors and its really, really great to hear their voice, learn about their writing process and the basically, their life.
I am so tired today. Forgive me, but I think I have to crash.
Well, it's true that I am getting into the rhythm of Manila life right now. It entails 30% of my time for work, 30% for the commute and the rest for sleep, recreation and going out. I get to read while doing the long commute from Novaliches to Makati/Manila which is actually great. I would think it's stupid, but I look forward to that long commute. I get lost in the pages as the morning traffic breeze by in my periphery. I get to focus on my novel and at the same time, I am moving from point A to point B. That's why I never had the motivation to drive.
Speaking of driving, I have to nail that skill at once.
I am currently hooked to the Barnes and Noble Meet The Author podcast. (I download it from iTunes for free) They interviewed some of my favorite authors and its really, really great to hear their voice, learn about their writing process and the basically, their life.
I am so tired today. Forgive me, but I think I have to crash.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Freaky Friday
I am officially freaking out today (yes, coincidentally, it's a friday) because my laptop just decided that it will dim itself. He started this 2 days ago, then, all of a sudden when I turned it on this morning, after seeing the Compaq splash screen and the Windows boot scrolling thingofmajigs, it conked out. I could still see the desktop, but I am not planning to shine a flashlight the whole day while I edit my work. So, from the then on, I went downhill.
I am supposed to have work this afternoon, but I ditched it. I should have gone to Makati today and work on my new assignment, but I ditched it. I am supposed to have a dinner symposium thing for Unilab in Manila Polo Club this evening, but I prefered to figure out what is wrong with my Compaq. So, I ditched it as well. Right now, I still have stress hormones and cathecolamines circulating in my system.
Well, the good thing is I finally learned what is wrong. After hours in the tech forums, I learned that the FL inverter board of the LCD should be replaced. Before that, I called the HP service center and actually asked about the cost of making my compaq well again! Lo, and behold -- diagnostic fee costs 1,200 bucks!! Then, if I do want it serviced, there's a labor fee of 1,600 pesos plus the cost of the part to be replaced. I was shocked. I refuse to pay 1,200 for diagnosis fee for something I already know, and my Compaq is already 3 years old, a good age to bring it rather to the talyer instead of these expensive service centers. In techno parlance, that means my Compaq is going to Greenhills.
I can't believe the exorbitant prices for repair services. I guess they figured that laptop owners have money in their pockets, so might as well rip them off and make the most profit from repairing their toy. I am one exception to the rule though. I don't have money to burn and if ever I do, burning it for a computer repair service is in the least of my expenditures.
I am practically swamped with work and it's a fret to do research without my trusted laptop. I honestly don't know if I could transfer my Zotero bookmark, notes and files to my laptop. Probably not, so that is what's bugging me right now. I have to stick to one computer in doing my research work and that means sticking with this desktop and feigning the thought of bringing work on the road. Ugh. What a mess.
Oh well. My blog is getting full of rants these days, and I dont think it's cyberhealthy. Well, there are a lot of changes going on with my life right now and I am coping with it and trying to live 5 months with the stress in Manila. I hope I get out of here in one piece.
It's a Friday night, I am at home, working. That. Is. Freaky.
I am supposed to have work this afternoon, but I ditched it. I should have gone to Makati today and work on my new assignment, but I ditched it. I am supposed to have a dinner symposium thing for Unilab in Manila Polo Club this evening, but I prefered to figure out what is wrong with my Compaq. So, I ditched it as well. Right now, I still have stress hormones and cathecolamines circulating in my system.
Well, the good thing is I finally learned what is wrong. After hours in the tech forums, I learned that the FL inverter board of the LCD should be replaced. Before that, I called the HP service center and actually asked about the cost of making my compaq well again! Lo, and behold -- diagnostic fee costs 1,200 bucks!! Then, if I do want it serviced, there's a labor fee of 1,600 pesos plus the cost of the part to be replaced. I was shocked. I refuse to pay 1,200 for diagnosis fee for something I already know, and my Compaq is already 3 years old, a good age to bring it rather to the talyer instead of these expensive service centers. In techno parlance, that means my Compaq is going to Greenhills.
I can't believe the exorbitant prices for repair services. I guess they figured that laptop owners have money in their pockets, so might as well rip them off and make the most profit from repairing their toy. I am one exception to the rule though. I don't have money to burn and if ever I do, burning it for a computer repair service is in the least of my expenditures.
I am practically swamped with work and it's a fret to do research without my trusted laptop. I honestly don't know if I could transfer my Zotero bookmark, notes and files to my laptop. Probably not, so that is what's bugging me right now. I have to stick to one computer in doing my research work and that means sticking with this desktop and feigning the thought of bringing work on the road. Ugh. What a mess.
Oh well. My blog is getting full of rants these days, and I dont think it's cyberhealthy. Well, there are a lot of changes going on with my life right now and I am coping with it and trying to live 5 months with the stress in Manila. I hope I get out of here in one piece.
It's a Friday night, I am at home, working. That. Is. Freaky.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
I Am Legend
I feel old. I feel like a bear, not in the kink sense, but someone who hibernated for 10 months. Everything in me is creaky and needs oiling (I'm strying hard to sound serious here, okay). I suck in everything I used to do well. (Now really..) But I guess, I have to rise from my butt and get going with life again. Ka-hoot.
I suck in badminton. I terribly find myself disgusting. I used to beat up a lot of people but when I tried playing again a week ago, ihe magic is lost. I guess my peers got better, too. My months of absence in the court really shows. Ugh. I hate losing.
I now see ECGs as 'squiggly lines'. Again. It's like going through 3rd year of medical school. I cannot confidently say antero-septal-myocardial-infaction. I have to do a tongue-in -the-cheek after and between the words. I guess I lost a lot of neurons from all the boozing and late night trysts (trysts in the middle of the night: does that make you dumb? I've done that more than the boozing, though.)
I can't stay up after 12 midnight. Unless it is something important. *wink, wink*
My allergies are killing me like a plague. I keep sneezing, scratching my eyes and sniffing all day. Manila is one humongous dust cloud that is slowly choking me. Haaay.
i've read two novels in two days, though. Something I am really delighted to have done. One is Oracle Night by Paul Auster and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Kite Runner is one shit of a book. I cried like a friggin' milkmaid all the way to the end. It's just a pity that the movie sucks, accordinng to some friends who went to the premiere night in New York. The director, according to them, should be chained where everyone can slap pies on his face. Such a disappointment for one hell of a book.
Hosseini is a MD! He practiced Internal Medicine for 3 years, published this book in 2003 and become a writer ever since. He now works for the UN as a peace worker in Afghanistan. I have a lot of realizations from reading that piece of work and it deserves anothe blog. For this purpose, however, it inspired me to write fiction myself. I passion that I've trashed after committing myself to medicine. Just a thought...
Work is overwhelming me right now. Okay, its not the work actually, its the commute! I hate the freaking commute from Novaliches to Makati and back! OMG, it scrapes out the productivity in you. It even takes your fresh-from-the-shower smell. I think its pure torture to commute this way everyday. How can people take this? Two days ago, I came to realize, as I was standing in the MRT during the afternoon rush hour, that traffic people, whoever is in charge of all these commuter torture, are all stupid. I hope they know that with not doing their job in making traffic a lot better, is actually detrimental to our country's economy. Traffic scoops out the positive outlook, the energy and the productivity in you. I absolutely hate every single minute I sit down in traffic.
Well, its been a while since I posted, so there you go. I've been using my desktop for a week now and actually missing the feel of my laptop's keyboard. Now, that I am using my laptop again, I feel charges. Unlike what traffic does to me. Have a nice weekend everyone!
I suck in badminton. I terribly find myself disgusting. I used to beat up a lot of people but when I tried playing again a week ago, ihe magic is lost. I guess my peers got better, too. My months of absence in the court really shows. Ugh. I hate losing.
I now see ECGs as 'squiggly lines'. Again. It's like going through 3rd year of medical school. I cannot confidently say antero-septal-myocardial-infaction. I have to do a tongue-in -the-cheek after and between the words. I guess I lost a lot of neurons from all the boozing and late night trysts (trysts in the middle of the night: does that make you dumb? I've done that more than the boozing, though.)
I can't stay up after 12 midnight. Unless it is something important. *wink, wink*
My allergies are killing me like a plague. I keep sneezing, scratching my eyes and sniffing all day. Manila is one humongous dust cloud that is slowly choking me. Haaay.
i've read two novels in two days, though. Something I am really delighted to have done. One is Oracle Night by Paul Auster and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Kite Runner is one shit of a book. I cried like a friggin' milkmaid all the way to the end. It's just a pity that the movie sucks, accordinng to some friends who went to the premiere night in New York. The director, according to them, should be chained where everyone can slap pies on his face. Such a disappointment for one hell of a book.
Hosseini is a MD! He practiced Internal Medicine for 3 years, published this book in 2003 and become a writer ever since. He now works for the UN as a peace worker in Afghanistan. I have a lot of realizations from reading that piece of work and it deserves anothe blog. For this purpose, however, it inspired me to write fiction myself. I passion that I've trashed after committing myself to medicine. Just a thought...
Work is overwhelming me right now. Okay, its not the work actually, its the commute! I hate the freaking commute from Novaliches to Makati and back! OMG, it scrapes out the productivity in you. It even takes your fresh-from-the-shower smell. I think its pure torture to commute this way everyday. How can people take this? Two days ago, I came to realize, as I was standing in the MRT during the afternoon rush hour, that traffic people, whoever is in charge of all these commuter torture, are all stupid. I hope they know that with not doing their job in making traffic a lot better, is actually detrimental to our country's economy. Traffic scoops out the positive outlook, the energy and the productivity in you. I absolutely hate every single minute I sit down in traffic.
Well, its been a while since I posted, so there you go. I've been using my desktop for a week now and actually missing the feel of my laptop's keyboard. Now, that I am using my laptop again, I feel charges. Unlike what traffic does to me. Have a nice weekend everyone!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Enough Surprises
It was a success! I surprised a lot of people when I came home last Saturday. Well, back to the Philippines, that is, until I fix all my papers before I start training in July. I'm excited to spend these next 6 months in the country since I might not able to spend that long a time here. Social calendar, ready...go! Haha. (Suki, you're so infectious!)
Anyway, a lot of people got caught with the surprise:
5. Reiagurl, my best friend in HS, who was screaming in the Trinoma parking lot when I called her. She was almost run down by a speeding car.
4. Millie - she cried on the phone because she was on duty last Monday night and really had regrets that she cant join us.
3. Leng and the rest of the MedChoir - Leng was really happy and it's nice to see her in the wedding. Everyone, gave me the wide-eyed, jaw-dropped staple "OMG". Cherry sat down to her hunches in the middle of the aisle when she saw me singing in the choir. It was great!
2. Mcthinnie and Meregreek. Arvin and his Muse came from their vacation in Boracay and I saw them after the Leng-Sher wedding. We hanged out and drank beer until 2 am. Marialena goes: "I like it here, well, except that people kept staring at me like I have five heads or something". Hahaha.
and of course, 1) My mom. She was really surprised! I saw that she was fighting back her tears! I guess its from relief: no more humongous credit card bills. Yipee. Well...let's see about that...
I am in day 3 from the day of my arrival, and so far, no jetlag! Which is great. I worked hard for it though. I did not sleep last Thursday, flew Cathay Friday morning for 15 hours and arrived in Manila at 6 pm. I can't sleep on the plane either. Damn those economy class seats! I watched several movies though and it was great. I did not have any problems coming back, contrary to the time I spent stressing about it. Today, I spent the whole day at home, cause I have this nasty stiff neck that refuses to go away.
It's nice to be back to my old room. My books surround me like stuff toys in a baby's crib. Ahhh. Surprises should be enough at this point, hence, this post. drop me an email with your number so I can update my phone book. monstermd@gmail.com. Ciao, time to sleep.
Anyway, a lot of people got caught with the surprise:
5. Reiagurl, my best friend in HS, who was screaming in the Trinoma parking lot when I called her. She was almost run down by a speeding car.
4. Millie - she cried on the phone because she was on duty last Monday night and really had regrets that she cant join us.
3. Leng and the rest of the MedChoir - Leng was really happy and it's nice to see her in the wedding. Everyone, gave me the wide-eyed, jaw-dropped staple "OMG". Cherry sat down to her hunches in the middle of the aisle when she saw me singing in the choir. It was great!
2. Mcthinnie and Meregreek. Arvin and his Muse came from their vacation in Boracay and I saw them after the Leng-Sher wedding. We hanged out and drank beer until 2 am. Marialena goes: "I like it here, well, except that people kept staring at me like I have five heads or something". Hahaha.
and of course, 1) My mom. She was really surprised! I saw that she was fighting back her tears! I guess its from relief: no more humongous credit card bills. Yipee. Well...let's see about that...
I am in day 3 from the day of my arrival, and so far, no jetlag! Which is great. I worked hard for it though. I did not sleep last Thursday, flew Cathay Friday morning for 15 hours and arrived in Manila at 6 pm. I can't sleep on the plane either. Damn those economy class seats! I watched several movies though and it was great. I did not have any problems coming back, contrary to the time I spent stressing about it. Today, I spent the whole day at home, cause I have this nasty stiff neck that refuses to go away.
It's nice to be back to my old room. My books surround me like stuff toys in a baby's crib. Ahhh. Surprises should be enough at this point, hence, this post. drop me an email with your number so I can update my phone book. monstermd@gmail.com. Ciao, time to sleep.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Entonces, hasta luego.
Today will be a grueling day. I've driven myself to sleeplessness akin to the sleep-deprivation study we had during medical school. Ha! That interesting study we had in physiology. THAT is a story. I'll tell it anyway, since I have lots of time prior to my lift.
Sleep deprivation is usual in medical students like us, So, we did this study in second year medical school wherein we sleep deprive ourselves for 2 sessions, one caffeine-free session and another one with caffeine. The amount of caffeine was the same for all the subjects (which is us) and that means everyone has to drink whatever caffeine we needed to ingest to keep us awake. Even it means ramming a cup of coffee into someone elses throats--well, this is need to minimize bias. Thank God, we didnt go this far. Everyone was such a Starbucks freak and my anti-capitalist, non-conformist self was totally disgusted.
Then, we measure the latency of our P300 auditory evoked potential. OK, I guess ithat's a mouthful, but simply, we measured the delay of the P300 brain wave using electrodes in the scalp as you respond to a sound stimulus. During the test, you will have to listen to a click sound and buzz sound. Once you hear a buzz, you have to press a button. The electrodes calculates the amount of time needed for the brain to process that sound into an action. How freaking cool is that?? Apparently, it becomes delayed when you are sleep deprived and the delay is shorter when you are caffeinated. It was awesome.
This is the funny part: we had to keep ourselves awake for 24 hours, checking each other if someone is snoozing off. We did a lot of fun stuff -- board games, ball games, TV marathons, anything to keep us awake. Then, we rush ourselves to the Makati Med sleep lab for the P300 measurement, I can still remember the whole group slumped on the ground, craving for sleep, as we took turns in the P300 machine. It was a funny sight. We look like a pack of junkies waiting for sobriety. Haha.
And that is how I look now. I have to STAY awake. I have to wait until night becomes day and day becomes night, so that adjustment is not so tedious and disgusting.
What did we found out? Well, for one, caffeine does stimulate the brain---big whoop...I guess we all know that. It makes us sharp. But, once you're sleep-deprived, caffeine does not stimulate the brain significantly. Consequently, we concluded that we all need sleep. Medical students should be treated as humans and our group argued that mental capacity to respond to stimuli is impaired, despite of caffeine, in sleep-deprived pitiful medical students that we were.
Just the same, it didnt change anything. We still have to go on 24- and sometimes awake for 48-72 hours during our toxic (read: pedia) rotations. I am just so glad I didn't kil any patient during those sleep-hungry times. And now, I am so glad I am so frigging far away from medical school.
I'm getting a cup a coffee. This day will be one LONG day. Hasta luego a todos.
Sleep deprivation is usual in medical students like us, So, we did this study in second year medical school wherein we sleep deprive ourselves for 2 sessions, one caffeine-free session and another one with caffeine. The amount of caffeine was the same for all the subjects (which is us) and that means everyone has to drink whatever caffeine we needed to ingest to keep us awake. Even it means ramming a cup of coffee into someone elses throats--well, this is need to minimize bias. Thank God, we didnt go this far. Everyone was such a Starbucks freak and my anti-capitalist, non-conformist self was totally disgusted.
Then, we measure the latency of our P300 auditory evoked potential. OK, I guess ithat's a mouthful, but simply, we measured the delay of the P300 brain wave using electrodes in the scalp as you respond to a sound stimulus. During the test, you will have to listen to a click sound and buzz sound. Once you hear a buzz, you have to press a button. The electrodes calculates the amount of time needed for the brain to process that sound into an action. How freaking cool is that?? Apparently, it becomes delayed when you are sleep deprived and the delay is shorter when you are caffeinated. It was awesome.
This is the funny part: we had to keep ourselves awake for 24 hours, checking each other if someone is snoozing off. We did a lot of fun stuff -- board games, ball games, TV marathons, anything to keep us awake. Then, we rush ourselves to the Makati Med sleep lab for the P300 measurement, I can still remember the whole group slumped on the ground, craving for sleep, as we took turns in the P300 machine. It was a funny sight. We look like a pack of junkies waiting for sobriety. Haha.
And that is how I look now. I have to STAY awake. I have to wait until night becomes day and day becomes night, so that adjustment is not so tedious and disgusting.
What did we found out? Well, for one, caffeine does stimulate the brain---big whoop...I guess we all know that. It makes us sharp. But, once you're sleep-deprived, caffeine does not stimulate the brain significantly. Consequently, we concluded that we all need sleep. Medical students should be treated as humans and our group argued that mental capacity to respond to stimuli is impaired, despite of caffeine, in sleep-deprived pitiful medical students that we were.
Just the same, it didnt change anything. We still have to go on 24- and sometimes awake for 48-72 hours during our toxic (read: pedia) rotations. I am just so glad I didn't kil any patient during those sleep-hungry times. And now, I am so glad I am so frigging far away from medical school.
I'm getting a cup a coffee. This day will be one LONG day. Hasta luego a todos.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday Syndrome
I'm sick. I think I got this illness last month. I am oblivious to stress in December and the wave is drifting its way to all the Mondays succeeding it. I have Monday syndrome. The drone of the weekends reverbs to my Monday rhythm and it pretty much put me to a constant state of procastination.
Its 11am and my mind is practically still under the sheets. I have been reminding myself since 9am this morning about the stuff I need to do, but, my body refuses to bulge an inch. Damn. Caffeine and nicotine don't seem to work. Endorphin should, but its too much effort to obtain. I need a quick fix.
Well, writing this should fire some neurons into work. I've been playing around with my iTunes and friends' site...and now m writing endlessly until I have the energy to lift my butt off this bed.
Ugh.
It has been like this every Monday and I guess its normal. I've been so lazy this past month that I just read one novel out of the 3-4 I promised myself earlier. My comments and book reviews are moved to my shelfari site: http://www.shelfari.com/monstermd. It's nice to have a virtual bookshelf. Being a closeted geek, I find inner enjoyment in skimming through the titles in my bookshelf. Haha--geek! But then, I found this site, where you can build your own bookshelf and make comments or notes on the books you've read...its awesome!!
Ok, I think this is enough. I am perked up. Have to get moving....
Its 11am and my mind is practically still under the sheets. I have been reminding myself since 9am this morning about the stuff I need to do, but, my body refuses to bulge an inch. Damn. Caffeine and nicotine don't seem to work. Endorphin should, but its too much effort to obtain. I need a quick fix.
Well, writing this should fire some neurons into work. I've been playing around with my iTunes and friends' site...and now m writing endlessly until I have the energy to lift my butt off this bed.
Ugh.
It has been like this every Monday and I guess its normal. I've been so lazy this past month that I just read one novel out of the 3-4 I promised myself earlier. My comments and book reviews are moved to my shelfari site: http://www.shelfari.com/monstermd. It's nice to have a virtual bookshelf. Being a closeted geek, I find inner enjoyment in skimming through the titles in my bookshelf. Haha--geek! But then, I found this site, where you can build your own bookshelf and make comments or notes on the books you've read...its awesome!!
Ok, I think this is enough. I am perked up. Have to get moving....
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Things I Will Never Do Again In the U.S.
Once is enough. I could say this to the items listed here, These are trips and gigs that I will never do again. EVER.
1. Waiting in line for Thanksgiving.
Just twenty percent discount?? After half an hour in the freezing weather?? C'mon, there must be a better deal than that in Circuit City! We were aiming for the $300 laptop but I guess the people who camped out for 24 hours for this will be the first ones hawk-eyeing that piece of bargain. Not to mention the 15+ people in front of us who froze their asses by standing in line for more than 30 minutes. Okay. Considering the cheapskate that I am, I might do this again, IF--the weather is fine. Let's see next year.
2. Cross country drive to California
I just couldnt stand to look at deserts, shrubs and roadsigns for more than 3 hours. The endless deserts of New Mexico and San Bernardino, CA just killed me. Westward drive is also a bad idea for the skin, too. The sun is directly is in front and yes, after driving through the desert for 4 hours does leave it mark: a burned tan from the level of the armpits down to the knees. Okay, Considering my outgoing nature, I would consider doing this again, IF--the drive starts from the West Coast and well above seventy years old of age because 1), my skin won't be any better and 2), time seems to be faster when youre past that age.
3. New Year in Time's Square
Not peeing for four hours due to the anticipation of a giant disco ball descends to signal the start of the year is not entirely how I wanted to do my New Year in the city ever since I agreed to do it in 2004 It was fun, though, because I went there with friends. Okay. This one is non-negotiable--never going to do it again.. Unless I come in a limo.
1. Waiting in line for Thanksgiving.
Just twenty percent discount?? After half an hour in the freezing weather?? C'mon, there must be a better deal than that in Circuit City! We were aiming for the $300 laptop but I guess the people who camped out for 24 hours for this will be the first ones hawk-eyeing that piece of bargain. Not to mention the 15+ people in front of us who froze their asses by standing in line for more than 30 minutes. Okay. Considering the cheapskate that I am, I might do this again, IF--the weather is fine. Let's see next year.
2. Cross country drive to California
I just couldnt stand to look at deserts, shrubs and roadsigns for more than 3 hours. The endless deserts of New Mexico and San Bernardino, CA just killed me. Westward drive is also a bad idea for the skin, too. The sun is directly is in front and yes, after driving through the desert for 4 hours does leave it mark: a burned tan from the level of the armpits down to the knees. Okay, Considering my outgoing nature, I would consider doing this again, IF--the drive starts from the West Coast and well above seventy years old of age because 1), my skin won't be any better and 2), time seems to be faster when youre past that age.
3. New Year in Time's Square
Not peeing for four hours due to the anticipation of a giant disco ball descends to signal the start of the year is not entirely how I wanted to do my New Year in the city ever since I agreed to do it in 2004 It was fun, though, because I went there with friends. Okay. This one is non-negotiable--never going to do it again.. Unless I come in a limo.
The First Two Weeks of This Year Has Been Crazy
So, its official. I signed it this week. But since a lot of issues have been raised after I finalized my decision, I can not completely say I did it. One last hurdle to make. One stress to conquer and then I would definitely say that I have a success story to tell.
The stress of it had been hovering over my head and haunting me during my afternoon naps (my nights are good) for the past few days and it IS stressing me out. I want to pull my hair in pieces until I am ultimately sure I am good to do home and process everything from there. During the last two weekdays of this week I've been constantly in the net and asking questions over the phone. Now, the weekend is coming to its end and its time to crunch the immig law websites.
But, everytime I see my brand new Western Digital 160GB portable hard drive, my worries seem to go away. I love it. I love.it. I love it. My friend A and M gave it to me for Christmas and I was in absolute shock when I got it. Honestly, I don't deserve it. I've been leeching pity and scraps of food from them (well, from a lot of friends) since I got here. I feel that I just don't deserve a holiday gift. Probably, the hapless state of being impoverished and the inability to reciprocate that would incline me to kneel and touch my forehead to the ground, repeatedly, while my palms outstretched and lips continuously chanting "I'm not worthy...I'm not worthy..." until I pass out, a good sign of limitless gratitude to these people.
It's black. It's sleek. It weighs less than my Adidas chronograph watch (which I got for $15 on Thanksgiving). He's the love of my life right now. Well, I hope iPod won't be jealous. I had her for almost 3 years now. The scratches and bruises are witness to the sand, cement and stone we have kept together. Although, her battery is running a little weak, she's still fine. And now, I have a new baby...he makes me cry.
Now, I can take home all the MedStudy CDs with me back home. Ehem..m such a freaking geek. I guess that's what I am turning out to be. Well, not to mention the loads of porn. But, honestly, I am thinking now of deleting it. It may be inviting bad karma and it would kill me if I just find it dead after loading it with so much of it.
More to come in this exciting year!
The stress of it had been hovering over my head and haunting me during my afternoon naps (my nights are good) for the past few days and it IS stressing me out. I want to pull my hair in pieces until I am ultimately sure I am good to do home and process everything from there. During the last two weekdays of this week I've been constantly in the net and asking questions over the phone. Now, the weekend is coming to its end and its time to crunch the immig law websites.
But, everytime I see my brand new Western Digital 160GB portable hard drive, my worries seem to go away. I love it. I love.it. I love it. My friend A and M gave it to me for Christmas and I was in absolute shock when I got it. Honestly, I don't deserve it. I've been leeching pity and scraps of food from them (well, from a lot of friends) since I got here. I feel that I just don't deserve a holiday gift. Probably, the hapless state of being impoverished and the inability to reciprocate that would incline me to kneel and touch my forehead to the ground, repeatedly, while my palms outstretched and lips continuously chanting "I'm not worthy...I'm not worthy..." until I pass out, a good sign of limitless gratitude to these people.
It's black. It's sleek. It weighs less than my Adidas chronograph watch (which I got for $15 on Thanksgiving). He's the love of my life right now. Well, I hope iPod won't be jealous. I had her for almost 3 years now. The scratches and bruises are witness to the sand, cement and stone we have kept together. Although, her battery is running a little weak, she's still fine. And now, I have a new baby...he makes me cry.
Now, I can take home all the MedStudy CDs with me back home. Ehem..m such a freaking geek. I guess that's what I am turning out to be. Well, not to mention the loads of porn. But, honestly, I am thinking now of deleting it. It may be inviting bad karma and it would kill me if I just find it dead after loading it with so much of it.
More to come in this exciting year!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
New Year's Events: A Picture Blog
HAHAHAHA. I was like this when a few minutes past midnight when I went to my friend's after-midnight-party. I didn't realize that I had so much that night. I had 2 glasses of wine, 2 shots of vodka, a screwdriver and 2 shots of tequila (omg, that was good). I haven't drank since I got back from PA, so I guess my liver isn't that pumped up to process the poison. But, I am glad that I was still decent. In fact, I don't have the strength to remove my wool sweater. And, I struggled like hell in order not to puke on it in the bathroom (dry cleaners are expensive).
Honestly, I pondered on posting this for some minutes before deciding to make a complete fool of myself. But believe me, this isn't the worst.
The next day, I woke up, unbelievably, at 7AM, with a killer headache and the sun shining on my face. The room was swirling around me, and I needed to sober up. I made coffee, drank a few glasses of water and played Bach on my iPod. I downed 2 cups and brought a jug of water with me on the recliner. I was sitting on the recliner for 2 hours, staring at the sealing and feeling the chord progressions of Bach's Goldberg variations. My mind and body wants to sleep but the caffeine was keeping me awake! I decided to take an Excedrin for my headache and the additional caffeine is just enough to keep me awake the next day. Haha. Next, I tried having a warm shower (didn't work--but I was clean!), I drank some more water (made me puke) and the only solution is to drink a little more alcohol. I had two gulps of beer and it made me feel a lot better.
It was a great way to start the year. I felt like waking up from a long sleep; though it came with a headache and hangover. But alas, this is the new me.
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