Friday, September 04, 2009

I landed a job as a Medical Claims Officer in a health insurance company here (see previous blog entry). Fate led me here. I trust fate's maker. 2 weeks ago, Mom suffered from an Acute Stroke. It was terrible. One minute she was just feeling weak. The next minute, she was being wheeled into an ambulance. I wasn't there when it happened. I was miles away, attending an office meeting. I received the news via phonecall. Mom's slowly regaining her strength. This is a recent reminder about how fragile and finite anyone's life is. I don't want it snatched away from my mom this soon. I would like to believe that it was just a wake-up call for all of us. She subjected herself to a great deal of physical and emotional stress. I guess we have to implement stricter rules this time around. No Pringles, no chocolates, no Coke (even the no-calorie variety). We have to be more careful. Get well soon, Mom. We love you.

Waking Up

Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me.

--- Bella, New Moon

Friday, May 29, 2009

5 months in a Nutshell

I felt that it was time to quit my desk job and go into residency. I filed for resignation and scouted for potential residency places. Since residency is months away, I accepted clinic assignments on an on-call basis. I started conducting wellness lectures for an insurance company's corporate clients and writing health articles as well. I enjoyed the flexi schedule. I was a stay home mom on some days. I bonded with Mishka big time. Last month, the entire family went to the UAE to visit my mom and brother. It was a month-long vacation that was well-spent. Among the places we visited, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Chill Out Cafe and Ski Dubai topped the list. With my mom's incessant prodding (haha!), I decided to try my luck there. I'm back in the country for a short while. I'm just here to fix some papers. I'll head back for UAE next month. Might work there already. Sometimes, one has to take risks. Who knows? It just might turn out for the better.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Gemini

Just finished watching performers belt out Spongecola's hit songs in a local variety show. I love their songs. I remember falling in love with this song years ago...

GEMINI

Come a little closer
Flicker in flight
We’ll have about an inch space
But I’m here
I can breathe in
What you breathe out

*Let me know if I’m doing this right
Let me know if my grip is too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one’s yours too
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here

The vacuous right
Steps aside to give meaning
To Gemini’s dreaming
The moon on its back
And the seemingly
Veiled room’s lit
By the same star

Repeat *

And I feel it right here
And I feel you right here

Saturday, January 03, 2009

My first day of work in 2009. I'm obviously suffering from the holiday daze.
The evidence?
1. left my water bottle
2. left my snacks
3. left my earphones
4. left my cellphone charger
The consequences?
1. will get thirsty
2. will get hungry
3. will get bored
4. will have to limit cellphone usage ... will get extremely bored
Good thing I brought along a book to kill time. Might finish the rest of PS I Love You today. Uh-oh. Just remembered. I left my MIMS and Expanded Medicine Blue Book at home as well. Haha. Now I feel so unprepared to see patients. Hope no one's in the mood to go see the MD today. After all, office and school will resume on Monday. People should enjoy what's left of the long holiday break.
The old man paid me a visit on New Year's Eve. Haven't seen him for 3 years. We laughed, talked about the years gone by, dreamt of a brighter future, drank some wine ... just like old times. His smile was hopeful and his words were wise. It was a perfect little moment that brought me back to those days when my folks handled problems that were too big for me to deal with. Now that I'm a parent myself, I know I'll do everything to make Mishka's life as worry-free as possible. I wonder when I'll see Papa again. Another perfect little moment to look forward to.