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.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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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