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....

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.:-(

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.