Pierre Castro is Out!

Look at our little boy! Isn't he the cutest? Our dear Castro came out 26th of November around 3:00 in the afternoon. Majal, my sister-in-law did not notice her water bag break that morning. They told me she had dry labor. As in, gasyagit jud daw sa kasakit!hehe He weighed 3.5 kilograms. Cute-cute guid nga baby and perti kabuot-buot. Waay guid gamo. Sige lang sleep. Mahibi lang pag-babath time. More photos here. I can't wait to go home this Christmas.

Welcome to the world, our dear Castro!

For April

Just got back yesterday from a weekend at my parents'/ my hometown. I have adorable photos of my nephew, Castro, but that would have to wait until I finally get to post them. (Oh, I miss him already.)

Anyway, it's 22 days before Christmas! Can you believe that?! I'm crossing my fingers that my company would give us a Christmas bonus. (And yeah, I don't mean the 13th month pay.) I think this year would be my happiest Christmas because we now have our little boy. But it would still be different if I'd have some extra cash to shop for myself and for everybody. (hahaha everybody, huh?) I'm doing this post as per April Joyce's request thus, the title. I could have used 'My Christmas Wishlist' instead but I learned it's not good to advertise your personal needs. So yeah, this is all for April. I'm making this sort of wishlist for her (because she's been asking me what I want for Christmas and that I should make a list where she could choose from..) So, here goes:

1. Black Strappy Platforms

I kind of haven't gotten over the gladiator madness even though it's so last season. But I'm thinking, a strappy platform would be a safe choice. Well not really as high as the one below but something like it..

2. Black Clamdiggers (edit: black bermuda shorts)

I can wear them to church eventhough they technically are tailored shorts.
(edit: I kinda misused the word. I didn't know what to call them so I'm using clamdiggers. Basta I'm imagining a a knee-length tailored shorts. Whatever you c

all 'em.)

3. White Tailored Shorts

I got one from a thrift shop (I love thrift shops!). I thought it was the perfect pair for me but it's kinda big, I realized.

3. Dark Skinnies

I need to have the perfect dark denims. And yes, I want skinnies.;p

4. Gray Skinnies

I will totally look like a short-legged horse but I don't care.lol

5. Black Tote (either a quilted carry-all or a shoulder/sling bag..the one with chains..)

Hmmm...Micor told me she's getting me a carry-all so maybe a chain sling bag will do. I'm thinking a Chanel-esque but not a counterfeit.;P

6. WAYFARERS!!!!

I'm totally obsessing over wayfarers but Raybans are kinda mahal. I found one in Charles & Keith and they are lovely and easy on the pocket, I guess.

7. Black Flats

Yeah, black flats...preferrably pointy..or a Tory Burch-esque will do. =D

I guess that's all I have in mind so far. Or if you still can't figure out what to give me April Joyce, you can never go wrong with black 2-piece bikinis. I love you April!

11.27.08

I was absent for work today. Toothache. I had like four Tylenol caplets but the pain comes back like in every 30 minutes to an hour. I need a stronger pain-reliever. I also took antibiotics. Talk about self-medication, huh? I just slept the whole day because I couldn't take the pain. I don't want this to last 'til tomorrow. It makes me so irritable and fidgety. Yeah, yeah...I will be visiting a dentist this Saturday but I'm afraid my molars will be extracted. Damn those retainers! They ruined my teeth. Sigh.

Anyway, I was told by Micor last night that maybe somebody tried to break in our apartment. You know that thing that holds the padlock? It's kind of twisted. There are scratches on the area where our padlock is installed. The apartment owner already warned us that the people who used to occupy our apartment lost a laptop because somebody broke in. No wonder we have like four double locks in our main door. Scary.

On a lighter note, my brother's girlfriend just gave birth yesterday around 3:00PM. Pierre Castro is officially out!=D I'm so excited to see him! I'll be coming home this weekend so expect photos of our little angel when I come back. I'm the happiest auntie in the world right now.

I Need Redbull, Quick!

No, it's not hang-over. I guess I have stressed myself much lately. It's three weeks before the wedding. And just last weekend, we threw Micor her "Last Fling Before the Ring". I've never really been to any shower parties before and being the MOH-slash-maidzilla, it's kind of a hard task for me. And with almost all of our closest female friends M.I.A., it makes it even harder. I have no idea how it goes (well, except for the ones you see on T.V.- strippers, pole dancing, and all those naughty stuffs you could ever imagine). Thing is, her office mates also threw her a surprise shower party two weeks ago. And yes, they had strippers and stuff. Of course we couldn't do anything like it- not another cake with a vital part on it! I remember Micor telling me how her whole shower party went and at the back of my head I was like "holy cannolie, what are we gonna do now?". I thought, I am more of mushy than fun...why not do something really touchy for Micor. With just two weeks to plan things out, I texted all our close friends here in Cebu to help me out. Initial plan was to have it on the 15th but Micor's mom came to visit so we had to move it to the 22nd. I imagined renting a hotel room for a potluck party...Everyone should come in white... The whole room should be filled with balloons and ceiling drapings... There should be a tarpaulin that everyone could sign... Then we'll bring gifts.. And for those who couldn't make it, they are to record a video message for her. Whew! I never thought planning a surprise party would be that stressful! Fast forward to November 22nd, Micor had no clue (I guess). DJ, who just came to Cebu to attend the party, cooked pasta at home (she stayed at our place) and brought it to my office because Micor might see it when she gets home (It was a Saturday and we only work half day). All our other friends who were coming to the party either had work or nursing review that they couldn't help in preparing things especially the hotel room. I have to thank DJ and Meme (Micor's cousin and our roommate) for lending their time and effort that eventhough the balloons won't blow up and we couldn't hang the tarp perfectly, they were there to lift up my spirits. While everyone were already preppin' up for the night, we were still at the hotel room past 7:00PM figuring out what else we could do with the room so bare. Micor was already asking where we were and we could

only give her alibis. Good thing she is so naive that it never crossed her mind that we were up with something!hahaha Fast forward again to 9:00PM; we were on our way back to the hotel. We told Micor we were having dinner somewhere in Lahug but we have to drop by Northwinds Hotel because DJ's aunt was 'staying there and she had to see her really short'.

It wasn't the best surprise for Micor but we did make her really happy. We had a photocake with her hatest photo on it (haha), our good friends came, Sway and our friends from Singapore called, and the movie we made for her was perfect.

Now I want to thank all the people who made things possible...

Gladys, for finding a way to make the movie and for staying up late just to download the files
Sheena, for lending her laptop
Ludwig, for making the tarp
Nikki and his family, for making the video messages
April Joyce, for patiently sending her video message eventhough it seemd impossible
Charlie, for going out in the cold just to record her message and for editing it before her defense materials
Paul, Botoks and Melcha, for the Pancit Malabon (evethough you guys are so broke right now)
Doreen, for the two bottles of wine
Nanang and Bing, for the chicken, vodka and drinks
Karla, for her presence and most especially for bringing the naughtiest gift
Karen and Mama May, for your moral support since day1 and cutting your allowances just to spare some amount for the party
DJ, for 'crossing the seas' just to attend the party and for helping me out in the preparation and also for cooking the best pasta
Meme, for buying the balloons we never got to blow up!hahaha of course for hanging the tarp that almost broke your leg..hehe
Achie, for the financial help..it would have been more fun if you made it..
BURX SG, for the entertainment of the night..(I won't elaborate..haha)

We went to Formo and Vudu afterwards for Micor's last night out as a single woman.=)

Thanks God, I can now sleep well..
Oh! We still have the wedding! tsk tsk tsk...

Updates

I haven't realized how much I have abandoned this blog until a friend of mine asked why I was missing. So yeah, it's like three weeks since my last post (well, not that I religiously blog. ) or should I say rant post. Ever since we transferred to our new apartment, I haven't had the chance to transfer my photos from Micor's computer. (Read: no internet connection) It's really different if you are talking about something and you have pictures to show. I have like a couple of saved drafts actually: our housewarming, Micor's engagement party /our trip to Siquijor, a friend's wedding (which reminds me..Tibang you owe me pictures from Paljett's wedding!).

Anyway, updates...updates...It's less than a month 'til Micor's wedding. Later this afternoon we're going to check the flowers. I have a 'misalette' to encode and invitations to work on. The very much hands-on bride-to-be is very much stressed right now so the MOH has to do what she needs to do. The wedding favors are 80% done (the bride-to-be did almost all the work). So I'd like to show you our labor of love...Taaadddaaaaannnn....

The wedding theme is vineyard with red wine as motif. We bought these miniature wine bottles 'fridge magnets' (whatever you call it) from a gift shop and they're just perfect for the theme. The personalized wedding monogram completed the presentation. The boxes were hand made by moi and Micor . (well, mostly Micor!haha She even used algebra just to get the boxes' dimensions perfect!) The tags are also personalized- with Micor and Nikki's sort of caricatures. They're pretty no?=) Next time I will post pictures of our DIY invitations and the wine bottles for the principal sponsors. I couldn't be more proud of our labor of love.

My Series of Unfortunate Events

And so my story continues...

I'm in a net cafe in Ayala right now to have yet again another important document scanned and emailed to a Cisco switch supplier so we could finally pick up the items. I am tired. And hungry. Oh, starving is the word. I only had two cupcakes and two cups of chocolate drink the whole day. *sob*

Right before I came to this internet cafe, I went to LBC to send my officemate a labeler they forgot to bring with them to Laguna. The person in-charge asked me to buy a bubble wrap for the labeler before I ship it. I went to National Bookstore but they don't have any. I just bought an envelope with 'built-in' (haha) bubble wraps because I was so desperate already. When I came back to LBC, the LBC lady told me it won't do. My item might break and it will be their liability, whatevs. So I went out again to find bubble wraps. Good thing they had them at True Value.

I'm going home after this post. I'm just super exhausted. I can't live another day like this tomorrow.=(

Boss, Where Are You When I Needed You?

Just when I thought I could get used to it, I realized I'm better off with my old life some days ago. Closing a deal would have been good news to all of us in the company. But if my everyday would be as kaarrrazzyy as today, I think I might be hearing voices any time soon. Koren gone haywire? tsk tsk tsk.. Doesn't sound nice!

My officemate's phone call woke me up this morning. Of course it had something to do with work! So I lost yesterday's enthusiasm- first thought of the day: WORK???!! Whatever happened to sunshine and scrambled eggs! Okay, I don't want to get into details because I don't want to sound too technical and that here I am doomed yet nobody would care because they wouldn't understand a word I'm saying.hahaha (I'm getting pathetic now.) What actually happened today? Here's what happened today: 1) I was and still am bombarded with work that writing this is somewhat an escape 2) Everything goes wrong-- our orders, dealership application, even our schedule (we're working on this project in Laguna) 3) My desktop has gone haywire too (this morning it logs off by itself every 5 minutes and writes 3-4 letters in 10 seconds that it took me forever to finish one purchase order) 4) Our printer needs a new toner but I couldn't order a new toner because it requires a purchase order and I couldn't fax the purchase order to our supplier because our fax machine is busted. I could email the PO but then I would have to print it then have it signed by my boss then scan it but our scanner goes with our fax machine so yes, it's busted too. Now that goes to number 5. 5) Our scanner is as useless as our printer. I had to go to this internet cafe in Ayala to have ani mportant document scanned so I could email it to a supplier pronto. But the net cafe could only scan a portion of my document because their scanner is only good for 8 x 11 size bond papers and below. Crap. I had to go to National Bookstore to have its size redused but I could barely read the letters. blah blah blah 6) My boss is M.I.A. and whatever concerns my officemates have, they'd go to me. My list could go on actually. It just drains me to enumerate how bad this day is for me. I could just imagine how worse it could get tomorrow. Sigh. I'm living a nightmare. Got to stop now. Still need to work on other stuffs.

I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!

PS
This just came in. Boss is in the hospital. Stressed maybe. I don't want to be next!

I Feel Like A Super Woman!

I am just so stoked today. You know that feeling where you try to squeeze everything into your itinerary and you almost couldn't make it on schedule and yet at the end of the day you accomplish them all? That's what I am feeling right now. Far better than doing nothing in the office, no? I feel so useful. *grin*

Hello 8th!

We moved in our new apartment last Saturday. (Note: we were kargadors for the day. ) It wasn't the one near our old place. Goodbye attic. Turned out that the owner of that building wasn't so sure when we could transfer there because of the electricity. Whatevs. We need to vacate our dear Centennial homes unit before the 30th,which is today. Anyway, we found this place 30-40 minutes away from the 'civilization'. It's far from our workplaces but it's also far prettier than our old flat. And the door's in rusty orange! Weeee.... Okay, I'm not really sure if it was painted orange; I think it's the varnish and the natural color of the wood.haha It has two bedrooms, one toilet and bath, one little kitch, living room, etcetera, etcetera. And the best part? It has a number of huge windows so ventilation is good and natural light could come in. I will post pics soon. We're having our little housewarming tonight. Friends are coming over. I hope to go out of the office by 5:00 PM so I will still have time to go to the groceries. I'm cooking and we're having wine! (Excited much?)

Rant: Impulsive Buying

Impulsive buying is an enemy. MUST.STOP.NOW.

As much as I don't want to make a post out of this, there's no one I could vent this out to. It's stressing me out! Funny that the only people I could talk to right now about this whole "rant" thing are two guy friends online. Like they care about anything I'm saying!. (April, this goes out to you! Where are you?)

So yesterday was a friend's birthday and she invited us out to dinner. As mentioned in my last post, we were to come in black. I bought the dress from Veronica's Closet and had it shortened. But then I totally underestimated my size that when I got them, I realized I looked like an egg roll! So I called up a friend who is also going to the party to ask if we really are to come in black because if not, I could just grab some random dress from my closet. She told me that it's now okay if we come in whatever color. I had this floral dress in mind. All I need is a wide brown belt and I'm good to go. Two hours before THE dinner, I met up with Micor in SM to get the birthday girl a present. We also checked out some dresses in a couple of stores because Micor wasn't so sure what to wear either. Then Meme came; she wanted to get a dress for herself too. I was looking at their finds and I was like " I will really look granny-ish tonight!"

What to do?
Get yourself a new dress too!

Wow, it all happened so fast. Before I knew it, I was at the counter already, handing a basic black dress to Micor. A black dress I'm not even proud to show to everyone. I had no problems with it until I saw our pictures. So I'm in a remorse mode right now. I could have gotten myself a better dress, something fun and not flat. Something I wouldn't just hang in the closet to age. It was totally an unplanned purchase and definitely not a good find.

Anyhoo, we had fun. The dinner was at Port Seafoods, Waterfront. It was a buffet and I'm proud to announce I did not eat rice! And I did not get out of the restaurant full. Woohoo!!! We went to Loft, then Pier One and Formo after for some cocktails. It was all good, well, except for my dress.

I sound too shallow with this post. I jsut find it "sayang" - me buying a dress I don't like when most of the time I just go thrift shopping. Sigh.

Where Have All the LBD's Gone?!

photo from: Anna's Closet

Now, where are those little black dresses when you need them the most?! I need an LBD pronto! A friend is celebrating her birthday come Tuesday and everyone should come in black. I'm in desperate need of a black dress! blah.

Anyhoo, Veronica's Closet is selling this really nice dress online but it's in black and white. Black and white still has black on it, right? haha I'm thinking of getting it. Have it shortened a li'l bit perhaps.

On a totally different note, I found the cheapest gladiator sandals in the world! P299.00, beat that! After almost a year of waiting for the fad to reach this side of the planet, I finally got hold of my own pair of black gladiators (not the style I have in mind but it will do--just so I could satisfy my long-overdue craving.lol). I'll post photos soon. Below is from Urban Outfitters. Anyone kind enough to buy me one?=)

It's a Boy and this Time it's for REAL!

Yup, a baby boy on the way it is.
My sister-in-law just had her ultrasound last Monday and they are having a baby boy.
My first nephew, wow!
My brother wanted a cool name for his son. He asked me awhile back on what I think about Che Castro (from Latin American revolutionary leader, Che Guevara and Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro). Err, the Castro is okay but Che? It doesn’t sound right.
One time I was browsing over Bryanboy.com and read about his Pierre Hardy sneaks obsession. Hmmm, Pierre.
Pierre sounds cool.

How about Pierre Castro, I suggested. I totally forgot about it until yesterday I asked my mom what they are naming our little boy.
She said: “Pierre Castro.”
Me: Are they sure about that?
Mom: Yup, they said you gave that name.
Me: Oh, okay. Cool. (Well, our conversation-slash-text-message-exchanges didn’t really go that way, but kinda like it in Ilonggo dialect.)
In my mind I was like: If in the future, well God forbid, my nephew’s classmates will tease him about his name, I’ll be the person to blame!haha

I hope to get hold of the ultrasound result soon. I want to frame it.=)

I Really Liked Being the Girl behind the Orange Door

photo by: judi0lyn

Brooke Davis' front door is red.
Mine is even cooler. It's in orange...

But now we're moving..I will no longer be the girl behind the orange door.=(

After more than a year of finally settling in a place we now call home, the owner informed us that she sold the property and we have to move out on or before September 30.

I cried. We cried. We learned to love the place despite its imperfections.

Three years in Cebu, seven houses. Right now we are checking this place a few blocks from our apartment. I think we found our 8th. It just doesn't have an orange door.

SomeTest Shots

More than a week ago, my friends and I went on a trip to Bantayan Island. The place was amazingly picturesque. Everywhere I look, I would find beautiful photography subjects. It's just that, I don't own a camera. What can be more frustrating than that! Anyway, I'm glad I was able to get hold of Micor's. It's an entry level point and shoot Olympus digital camera with some features she didn't even bother using. I was totally amazed how her Macro shots turned out.

I was actually hoping to create image thumbnails in GridView (or whatever you call it). But since I don't have any idea how to do it, this is how things turned out.

Couldn't even show larger version of the image when you click them. *sad* =( (I really need tutorials..)

My 25th!

Today, I am a quarter of a century and a day old. It’s amazing to know I’m now 25! Wow… My mom had me at 25!=)

I’d like to thank the people who sent me text messages..those who left me Friendster and Facebook comments and messages…The people who called me and messaged me in my Yahoo! Messenger. You know who you are…THANK YOU VERY MUCH! It meant a lot to me. Of course I have to give credit to Butch (Jucile’s boyfriend) for being the first person to greet me at 12:01 AM of August 11^th. And to those who kind of forgot, you owe me a gift y’all!haha

For the past years, I would celebrate my birthday in my hometown together with my family. And since this year my birthday falls on a Monday (I have work), it would be my first time to have it in Cebu. And as much as I want to go out with friends to celebrate it, I didn’t have any money to spare. On the other hand, I also didn’t want it to end just like any ordinary day. So I decided to just cook some pasta at home after work. My two room mates (Meme and Micor) promised to take care of the fruit salad, cake and a half kilo of lechon. Paul, Melcha and Gem came to our house. If I only knew we’d have enough food, I would have invited my other closest friends. Gem also gave me another layer of cake, by the way.

Maybe in the days to come I would make a list of things I want to do before I reach 30. Hmmmm….

Another year, another blessing. Thank you dear Lord!

My Not So Sassy Girl

Last Sunday after church, Achie and I went to see My Sassy Girl. I couldn’t say I’m the biggest fan of the Korean version (or should I say the original) but it sure did make me cry and fall in love. (cheesy mode)

I was expecting much from the movie after the success of the Korean version. But I have to say, it was a disappointment. It was mediocre. I don’t know but it tried so hard (especially the actors) to measure up with the original especially on its humor. And the setting to be NYC? Please!

I don’t recommend the movie. But if you are curious on how it compares to the original, don’t watch it on cinema. Download it.

Happy Slip

Okay, this is a really quick post. It says 3:13 AM in my phone.
(Gosh! The last time I stayed up this late was during our Prison Break marathon. And that was like some months ago.)

Okay, I'll get into the bottom of this...
My friend introduced me Happy Slip today (well, technically yesterday because it's now past 3AM, whatevs..)

Why did I just know about her?! I'm probably the last person on earth to not see her vids in Youtube!

She cracks me up big time!

Weeeee...Am now a fan! I swear.

If you're from Mars and you don't know what am talking about, click here.

My eyes now hurt so..goodnight/ goodmorning! Be sure to wear your happyslip!=D

It's a Boy....NOT!

Finally, I’m back in the office -- back in the real world! I did not know my one week sick leave could serve as my holiday. Well, I did get a time off from work. (wide grin) It’s surprising though that today feels like a typical Monday (when it’s actually a Wednesday). You know that going-back-to-work-after-a-weekend kind of feeling. Maybe if I had more than the prescribed anesthesia last week, I wouldn’t even remember that exactly a week ago, I was on a boat to San Carlos City, anxiously thinking about my so-called operation.

The Second Appointment

A week before I left for San Carlos City (the day I had my first gyn visit), I was advised by my doctor to have my polyps removed as soon as possible. Polyps, by the way are otherwise known as tumors but I’d rather use the word “polyps” because tumors sound terminal or whatever. Anyway, the procedure would cost about P20,000 to P35,000 depending on the hospital that I’ll be admitted in. We are a little short of budget right now that we had to consider other options. I totally understand that my family doesn’t want to compromise my health. It’s just that if we could find someplace else where the procedure isn’t as expensive as Cebu’s rate then it would be better. So, it’s San Carlos Doctors Hospital. The doctor who will do the procedure is the same doctor who removed my aunt’s fibroids like a year ago.

After about four hours of travel, I arrived in San Carlos City 12:30PM that Wednesday. (Wow! I was like wearing the exact shirt I’m wearing today!) I directly went to my aunt’s house where my father was waiting for me. I had lunch there. More like my last lunch before I’d be lying on the operating table!haha I don’t know but my family was kind of excited to go to the doctor that we were an hour early for my appointment. With me were my aunt, cousin and my stage father. (My mom had to stay home. My father didn’t even give her updates until I got out of the operating room. More on that later. ) Outside the doctor’s office, I was like talking and laughing the whole waiting time but my pits wouldn’t lie! They were like sweating like never before!haha The doctor came in about 15 minutes past three in the afternoon. I was first in line. She did not do a pelvic exam on me anymore.(Thank goodness!) Instead, I just showed her my ultrasound result and she just scheduled the procedure. Our conversation was like:

Doctor: So, unsa man? When do you want them removed?
Me: Anytime, doc.
Doctor: When was the last time you had food or water?
Me: About 12:30PM but I finished lunch past 1:00.
Doctor: Ok, no more food intake for you. We’ll do it 7:00 tonight.

Inside I was like, “Whaaattt??!!!” Okay, that was it. The doctor’s secretary did blood typing and hepatitis test on me. It hurt! Yaayyy! After 24 years on earth I finally learned my blood type! I’m an A+!

The Emergency Room

After my check up we went to the ER to be admitted, whatever. I hate emergency rooms! You could expect someone bathed in blood would be rushed there anytime! Eewww.. I was just lucky to be the only patient there at that time though. Whew! I changed into my watchamacallit gown then the nurse checked my vital signs...etc, etc, etc.. They asked me to remove my nail polish! (Nooo!!! Not my newly painted pussy red nail paint! Aarrgghh…) Anyway, I was talking non stop to my cousin, Krisna when another hospital staff came to me. She took blood samples for my complete blood count (CBC). Is that even necessary? I don’t like needles! It truly was a day of my ‘many firsts’!. After the ER experience, I had my first wheelchair ride. Hahaha Mr. wheelchair guy took me to my room. We had cable TV. Woohoo! I was glad my father loved me that much that he didn’t put me in the ward station. (sigh)

The Operating Room

I swear it was my first time to be lying on a hospital bed in a hospital gown and all the works.hehe I had my first ever IV therapy (intravenous therapy which people usually call ‘dextrose’) my whole life. Did it hurt? Of course it hurt! I could bitch slap the nurse!hahaha joke! Maybe some minutes before 7:00PM, the nurses came back for my ‘pre-anesthesia’ shots, whatever. Okay, they said it was for sedation. One was through IV and the other was IM (intramuscular slash injection). It was the most painful injection ever! If tattoos would hurt that much then I think I wouldn’t get one in the future!hehehe My arm was swollen for days!

After the shots, Mr. wheelchair guy took me to the OR – probably the scariest place to be in! The nurses made me lie down the operating table while waiting for my doctor and anesthesiologist and while they were preparing their stuff. The room was so quiet. Well, it wasn’t really that quiet because the nurses were talking but it would really help if they had radio in the operating room! They placed a medical cap on my head, some clip-like thingy on my left index finger, and a BP apparatus on my left arm. I talked to everyone in the room, maybe to ease the tension. One of my nurses, by the way, was gay. I love gay people.=) I wasn’t knocked out yet when the doctor and anesthesiologist came in. The latter asked me questions like if I had allergies and stuff. I told him I had asthma. The last words that came out my mouth were: “Doc, pila ka minutes before mutalab ang anesthesia?” I slept during the whole procedure. I was under general anesthesia. They did D&C (Dilation and Curettage) and Polypectomy on me.

The Recovery

I believe I was in the recovery room that time already when I heard people’s voices. I was kind of scared at first because I thought the procedure isn’t over yet and that I was already awake!hehe They brought me to my room and the attendants transferred me to my bed. I was fully awake about 9:00 or 9:30 PM. (What time is Pinoy Dream Academy aired again? My cousin was watching PDA that time.) I don’t know but I think my oxygen made me sick. I asked people inside the room to remove the apparatus. My father told me I was super pale and my blood pressure went down like 90/60! Or maybe I was just hungry because after I had some food, I felt okay. Hey, there was no pain, no discomfort down under. Thank God! And by the way, my dinner was Caldereta. My tita brought me some food from a party. Right before my procedure I kept telling everyone that I’m craving for Caldereta and Pato Estofado!hahaha Wish granted. They just didn’t have duck.

I don’t know if it was my medicine or the dextrose which made me want to pee like every 30 minutes to an hour. My nurse was so shocked to find out that I was in the bathroom when she came in my room to check my vital signs. She told everyone that I’m not supposed to stand up yet and instead I’m only to try to turn side by side!hahahha I didn’t want to use a bed pan! No way! I had like four to five trips to the bathroom the whole night.

I was discharged after lunch the next day. I came home to Canlaon with my dad. It was my long awaited vacation ever. Hehehe It’s just sad I missed my Trekkers class and The Dark Knight’s opening day.

I am to have my follow-up check up this Saturday. I will also know the biopsy results that time. I’m all well now. For those who prayed for my so-called operation, thank you very much. I’m back on track.

Health Stuff

It must have been the numerous trips to my pedia which made me want to be a doctor while growing up. I still have a vivid picture of my doctor’s clinic – there were toys all around, so much eye candy! What do you expect; I was a kid!haha But when I realized you’d be dissecting cadavers in med school, I totally dropped the idea of wanting to be a doctor or anything in the medical field. The thought of blood, scalpels, syringes and even just the smell of the hospital just freak me out! Oh well, I have to give credit to myself for being a healthy kid that after my asthma, I would only visit the doctor for vaccine shots. I have not tried being admitted in a hospital so much more being ‘dextrose-d’. Now you can just imagine my horror yesterday when finally I decided to pay my friend’s gynecologist a visit for the first time!

It wasn’t any regular check up actually. I experienced some abnormalities down under for months now and when I heard four of my friends have been diagnosed to have an ovarian cyst, I fretted. My plan was to schedule the check up Monday. Then it became Tuesday and then finally Wednesday. No one could go with me so I made a solo trip. Some courage I got there huh…going to the doctor alone.=) It was very much a nerve-wracking experience, I tell you. From the moment I entered the doctor’s clinic up to lying on the examining table and finally when getting the results. Sadly, the doctor saw something during my pelvic exam. You bet there was some dropping of pants scene! She advised me to have a transvaginal ultrasound to check the rest of my reproductive organs. By the sound of it, you probably get a picture on how the test will be done. That was like past 11AM. And since another gyn (and in another building too) will do the procedure at 1PM, I went to Ayala for lunch. I was kind of like in a complete shock when I got out of my gyn’s clinic. I don’t know if I should cry and breakdown that moment. And since I have no one to comfort me, I texted my closest girlfriends about the news. I went to Max’s to have a nice meal to somehow compensate how I felt. I am very much thankful to my girlfriend’s boyfriend, Leo, for leaving work in the afternoon to accompany me the rest of the day. I met him at Max's. He brought me goodies from Davao. (Thanks, Ben!) So there, I had my ultrasound after lunch. (Be posting the results after I scan them.) I brought the results to my doctor for final advice/ opinion. (Drum rolls, please) I have a cervical polyp, an endometrial polyp and an intramural myoma. There is no known cause on how I got them. They just grew inside of me and that they have to be removed as soon as possible except for the myoma. My myoma is inside the uterine wall and it will be hard to remove. It won’t have any impact on my reproductive function as long as it won’t grow bigger.

Leo and I had pizza afterwards. I was calm after the diagnosis actually. At least I still get to laugh about the whole experience. I already told my Dad. My Mom? Maybe next time. She has hypertension.=( Haaaayyy...Wish it were a nightmare. Hello surgical table, hello general anesthesia, hello dextrose, hello recovery room!!!

P.S.
If you experience something unusual down under and you feel there are abnormalities (bleeding, heavy period, pain, whatever), go to your gyn. Take it from me.
Were the examinations painful? No. There was a bit of discomfort but they weren't painful. Or maybe it comes with the choosing of a good gyn.=)

His Answer...Achie's Pre-Birthday Celeb....The Sunday Gathering

So many things have happened to me this past week but I never had the time to write everything down. It’s during these times when I wish I own a laptop which I could carry around just so I could blog anytime, anywhere. It’s really different if you write things down while you are at the peak of your emotions and cerebral juices are overflowing.

Some months ago before I started blogging, there would be times when I’m already in bed and thoughts would run thru my head like crazy that I have to grab a paper and pen to jot them down. Sometimes, I save them in my phone but most often than not, those pages of raves would only remain thought bubbles---unexpressed.

Now that my notebook, literally my freedom wall, is upgraded to a blog, I still experience the same sentiments as before. I thought it would be different because I have unlimited internet access in the office and I could post as many blogs as I can the whole day. But then the irony of life strikes --- my important life ‘happenings’ would take place either when I am about to leave the office or worse, during the weekend (that I have to wait ‘til Monday to write about it.) These make me want to go obsolete again and just grab a piece of paper just like the old days!

Since I find it ‘sayang’ if I don’t get to share the happenings the past week, I will try to recall as many details as possible and put everything to writing.

HIS Answer
Part Two of God’s Little Miracles
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Perhaps people who don’t know the other side of me would find it odd to read something I wrote with a religious undertone. I could choose to stay discreet but my faith, no matter how frail it may seem sometimes, has done so many great things in my life and I want to share it with everyone.

Two posts ago, I wrote about how financially challenged I was. Well, I still am but things have been a little lighter these days.

It was a Thursday. Our bookkeeper told me to do the fund transfer for our June 15^th payroll that day so if in case our bank’s online banking is down, we could prepare a credit memo and I could go to the bank the next day. I checked my email and found all our payroll calculations. I computed my pay- house rent and other bills, groceries, food allowance, fare, cell phone load, etc., etc. It wasn’t enough no matter how much I cut down my expenses. (FYI: I don’t go out.)

The phone rang. On the other line was our bookkeeper again. She told me to put the fund transfer on hold because there were supposed changes in our payroll that she missed to include. “Nakalimut ko. Naa man ta mo increase ni Tangoan.” she added. Translated: I forgot. You and Tangoan were supposed to have an increase.

WOW! Just three days after that post. Three days and my prayers were answered! I tried to forget about what she said because it might get jinxed! Haha

I left the office around 7:00 PM. Just after I went out our door, my superior called me to tell me that my increase was approved by our big boss in Hawaii. Double wow! Talk about God’s timing huh. It’s just amazing how He does things. My superior told me weeks before about a possible increase come July. Why approved in advance? I don’t know. Ask God. I know He has something to do with it.

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Achie’s Pre-Birthday Celeb
Saturday, June 14, 2008

Ate Carey is celebrating her birthday on the 21^st of June. Original plan was to have dinner at Spice Fusion in BTC then go to Formo afterwards. It is supposed to be our glam night since we seldom, really seldom go out. But then her husband left for Japan and will be back by July 2 already. So instead of a big party, she decided to have a simple advance celebration-- a dinner with her closest friends, then she’ll just go home to Dumaguete on the day of her birthday.

So it’s Pier One in IT Park Saturday. Problem is, Achie called me about her new plan a day before. I was like in a semi panic attack because I had no idea what to wear! It will be a simple celebration alright but we all know how women could be camwhores these days. With my very limited wardrobe and my doubling weight, I did fret.

I settled for a floral knee length skirt and a black shirt. Not a good choice but I didn’t want to show some skin; I’m growing an ogre these days. Read FAT. And besides, I really thought we might just have coffee afterwards! Holy Connolly Batman! I looked like Gloria Labandera in the making when everyone else was ready to party! I was so uncomfortable the whole time.

Anyhow, it was a good night. I had fun. I’m also happy that Achie loved our gift.hehe Food in Pier One, by the way, is all right and price is affordable. Much, much cheaper than Gerry’s Grill. I loved their Chopsuey and Crispy Pata. But since they just opened about a week ago, the place is jam-packed, while their service needed improvement. Right after dinner, Achie’s friend Ren and Eva had to go home early. Since, it was still early to call it a night, Micor, Achie and I went to Coffee Bean to talk about Micor’s wedding. (Achie btw, is planning and coordinating Micor’s wedding.) Then another friend of Achie’s, Princess, followed.

Last stop was Formo. I loved the place especially the music and the thought that the place was not crowded with teens that couldn’t wait to grow up. I just had a bottle of vodka and that was it. I somehow survived my manang get-up! Haaayyy…

Thanks for the night Achie. I had fun! Next time we go out, I will be glammed up na for sure!

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The Sunday Gathering
Sunday, June 15, 2008

Not having enough sleep the night before, I had to have coffee before going to the Sunday service the next day. I know my Narcolepsy could strike any time, any place and I just hate it when it happens when I’m in church. As I was sipping my coffee, I heard my neighbor’s stereo playing Nat King Cole songs, songs that my father would sing to us when we were kids! Then I remember it is Father’s Day and I promised myself to text my Dad early in the morning. He gets ultra sensitive when it comes to stuffs like these. Little did I know, we were to pay tribute to father’s in our Sunday gathering. Too bad he wasn’t there with me. But it’s all okay; I don’t want to get all melodramatic with him.

I have the best dad in the world. He is close to perfect and he is the only father I want to have in case there is a next life. I was really overwhelmed by the service. There was this song that was sang to fathers and it best fits my Dad. I’ll download the song soon. Here’s the lyrics.

You're My Hero
by Teresa James

I would ride on your shoulders
And look out on the world
Pretending I was big and tall like you
When you were there to hold me
I never was afraid
You made me feel there's nothing I can't do

If I'd spread my wings to fly
When I was very small
I knew that you'd be standing by
To catch me if I fall

You're my hero
Chasing the monsters from my room
Going on trips around the moon
The one who's always been there faithfully
You're my hero
And 'cause you're my Dad...
I'm twice as blessed and lucky to be me

As I kept on growing
We often disagreed
But you let me find myself in my own way
And it's funny, how just lately
I've come to recognize
How wise you are becoming every day
There's so much you've given me
I hope I've made you proud
You're everything a Dad should be
And it's time to tell you now

You're my hero
You didn't have to say a word
Your love was the message that I heard
Inspiring me to be all I can be
You're my hero
And 'cause you're my Dad...
I'm twice as blessed and lucky to be me

I know I am very blessed to have Papa Remo though he tends to be a stage father at times. But I like it that way.hehe

To those who have a not so good relationship with their dads, here’s something I got from the tarp outside Touchpoint just before the gathering.

“We may not all have perfect fathers…And in some may have left wounds that are difficult to heal. But you can always choose to forgive. Forgiveness does not change the past..But it does enlarge the future.”

Lastly, I’d like to share this story of a father and son who really touched my soul. I learned about this from last year’s Father’s Day tribute, still at Touchpoint’s Sunday gathering.

Happy belated Father's day to all Dads! and Happy Birthday Achie!

Nang Dahil kay Juan

As I have said in my old Multiply post, I have been following Brian Gorrell's blog since day four. Now that the blog has evolved (He changed his blog description to: Recovering my STOLEN 70,000 dollars from Delfin Justiniano Ocampo Montano II, Philippines News, Manila's 'HIGH' High Society, World Politics, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Homophobia, Gucci Gang(CL) and the rest.), I still am an avid reader.

Some days ago, a colleague of mine forwarded me a letter from Juan dela Cruz. Here is its content:

When I was small, the Philippine peso was P2.00 to the US dollar. The president was Diosdado Macapagal. Life was simple. Life was easy.

My father was a farmer. My mother kept a small sari-sari store where our neighbors bought sang-perang asin, sang-perang bagoong, sang-perang suka, sang-perang toyo at pahinging isang butil na bawang.

Our backyard had kamatis, kalabasa, talong, ampalaya, upo, batao, and okra.

Our silong had chicken. We had a pig, dog & cat. And of course, we lived on the farm.

During rainy season, my father caught frogs at night which my mother made into betute (stuffed frog), or just plain fried. During the day, he caught hito and dalag from his rice paddies, which he would usually inihaw.

During dry season, we relied on the chickens, vegetables, bangus, tuyo, and tinapa. Every now and then, there was pork and beef from the town market.

Life was so peaceful , so quiet, no electricity, no TV. Just the radio for Tia Dely, Roman Rapido, Jonny de leon Tawag ng Tanghalan and Tang-tarang-tang. And who can forget Leila Benitez on Darigold Jamboree?

On weekends, I played with my neighbours (who were all my cousins). Tumbang-preso, taguan, piko, luksong lubid, patintero, at iba pa. I don't know about you, but I miss those days.

These days, we face the TV, Internet, e-mail, newspaper, magazine,grocery catalog, or drive around. The peso is a staggering and incredible P44.00 to the US dollar.

Most people can't have fun anymore. Life has become a battle.

We live to work. Work to live.

Life is not easy. It was in Saudi Arabia in 1983. It was lonely, difficult, & scary. It didn't matter if you were a man or a woman. You were a target for rape. The salary was cheap & the vacation far between. If the boss didn't want you to go on holiday, you can't.

They had your passport. Oh, and the agency charged you almost 4months of your salary (which, if you had to borrow on a "20% per month arrangement" meant your first year's pay was all gone before you even earned it).

The Philippines used to be one of the most important countries in Asia.

Before & during my college days, many students from neighboring Asian countries like Malaysia , Indonesia , Japan and China went to the Philippines to get their diplomas. Like Thailand , they went to study agriculture in UP Los Banos and earned their bachelors in the Phils and now we import rice from them. Its opposite now.

Philippines used to be the exporter of any agriculture products but now its different. We import because not much land (farms) they can cultivate due to private sectors who focused on developing houses, buildings, supermarkets, mall and others.

What happened now?

Whats the government doing?

Checking their own pocket, their own personal interest and pork barrels.

Wow!

Until 1972,like President Macapagal, President Marcos? was one of the most admired presidents of the world.

The Peso had kept its value of P7.00 to the US dollar until I finished college . Today, the Philippines is famous as the "housemaid" capital of the world.

It ranks very high as the "cheapest labor" capital of the world, too. We have maids in Hong Kong, laborers in Saudi Arabia, dancers in Japan , migrants and TNTs in Australia and the US , and all sorts of other "tricky" jobs in other parts of the globe.

Quo Vadis, Pinoy? Is that a wonder or a worry? Are you proud to be a Filipino, or does it even matter anymore?

When you see the Filipino flag and hear the Pambansang Awit, do you feel a sense of pride or a sense of defeat & uncertainty?

If only things could change for the better...... . Hang on for this is a job for Superman. Or whom do you call?Ghostbusters. Joke. Right?

This is one of our problems.

We say "I love the Philippines .. I am proud to be a Filipino."

When I send you a joke, you send it to everyone in your address book even if it kills the Internet.

But when I send you a note on how to save our country & ask you to forward it, what do you do?

You chuck it in the bin.

I want to help the maids in Hong Kong ...

I want to help the laborers in Saudi Arabia ...

I want to help the dancers in Japan ...

I want to help the TNTs in America and Australia ...

I want to save the people of the Philippines ..

But I cannot do it alone. I need your help and everyone else's.

So, please forward this e-mail to your friends.

If you say you love the Philippines , prove it. And if you don't agree with me, say something anyway.

Indifference is a crime on its own .

Juan dela Cruz

I think it's beautiful, a good read actually. I grew up in the boondocks and although I am already a child of the 80's, I could still relate to some parts of Juan's letter. I have to be honest though, I do not get how forwarding this letter to everyone could change the nation. Oh well, I forwarded it to Brian anyway.

This morning when I checked my email, I received a reply from Mr. Gorrell:

Re: Juan dela Cruz

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:53 PM

From:"brian gorrell"

To:sassy_koren@yahoo.com

Hi dear.

Wow, thank you so much for the great link. I will put it on the blog.
I would like to include a picture. Any suggestions?

B

Wow! He received over 100,000 emails so far and he has opened about 4,000 of them. I am lucky to be one of those 4,000. Such a fangirl!hahah

So, he posted a Juan dela Cruz entry yesterday (which I only got to read today) and here's an excerpt:

Dear Readers,

Thank you gracious peeps, for the wonderful e mails and comments.

Thank you for drowning out the ignorance and depravity found elsewhere.

I'm humbled by the kindness and understanding.

Lets all keep it up!

Thank you as well, to the reader who has introduced me to Juan de la Cruz.
I find this entire subject and concept fascinating, and I found Juan's accompanying letter to be an excellent one. One of many that could be written.

To view the entire post, click here.

'Yun lang pow. I just want to share it to everyone. Enjoy the rest of the day!=)