Ninety-four: First-timers

Having a best friend is one of the most thoughtful and genuinely bright ideas God has ever thought of. When He gave me one, I have been blessed in so many ways. I have someone to talk to, confide with, and laugh with. It also helps that we share the same wavelength about many things-- dreams, food, likes/dislikes, and boys (Of course, girls get giddy when boys come into the picture. That's just how it is.).

Anne, whom I call Labs, is my best friend. She's more like a sister to me. We've been friends since our college years. We were seatmates then and we used to share answers on quizzes and homeworks. On our third year in school, we were put into different classes. I saw less of her but we had regular exchanges of offline messages via YM! and texts. We've also had our fair share of misunderstandings and arguments but our faith and respect for the foundation we've built over time are strong enough to withstand any trials that may test our loyalty.

Today, she turns another year wiser. And with all my heart, I truly wish her all the happiness and success in life. May all her heart's desires be granted. May the little things she secretly yearns for be given.

I love you, Labs! :* Cheers to a lifetime of friendship filled with laughter and silly banter.

Thank you for a night of fun and first-times. Welcome to the club of the big two-oh! :p

Ninety-three: Rainbow

Reading gives me a different kind of joy. It gives me peace of mind and increases my knowledge about so many things. It takes me to places I could only dream of. I would rather spend my day off from work lying and reading books than going out. I sometimes skip a meal and put on hold going to the comfort room because a good book is hard to put down. I dream of books, especially those thick pretty ones that I cannot afford-- and I tell myself, "I'll buy you, just wait and see." 

In this line, when one of the largest boats that house books of different genre docked in the city, my friends and I went out to see the fuzz. M.V. Doulos was a lot better but M.V. Logos doesn't disappoint either. :)

Ninety-two: Inconvenience

Some people don't have respect for another person's time. It's as if they walked out of the house with the value for punctuality shelved out-- and to do that equates with not having the most important meal of the day. It leaves you dumb and you function less. As if waking up at 4 AM isn't bad at all, something even worse happens. I had to wait for another half an hour for the receiving employee to come so I can endorse the care of my patients. And then she walked into the station, had the guts to waste another good ten minutes to comb her hair and tidy herself up, and not even saying a single word of apology. Who does that? My eyes can barely keep themselves open from too much fatigue and my stomach is making all those funny noises because of hunger. I hope you know how tiring it is. You came and asked me several irrelevant questions and I answered them to give the both of us peace of mind. I wanted to scream at you to remind you to come earlier than the scheduled time so we can have a proper turnover of care. Is that really hard on your part when you live five-minutes away from the hospital? I don't think I'm asking too much because that should come easily and naturally. I would do that because I'd hate putting a person into any inconvenience. I wish you could do the same especially because this is the line of profession you chose. Deal with it.

Ninety-one: Speak.

Today has been one of the busiest days. What is supposed to be an eight-hour duty turned out to be a nine or so. I am really tired. My feet are sore, my hands are aching, and my stomach is rumbling (and my hair is disheveled, not that I care). But what frustrates me is how some people can be very insensitive. I have been working my ass off. I am giving my best. I don't care if you don't notice it because you choose to turn a blind eye about it, but at least cut me some slack. The last thing I need is when you shrug your shoulders when I ask an important question or relay an information. What do you want me to do? Split my body into half? Would that bring out the professionalism in you? Would that please you? Goodness, I don't read minds! Speak out so you'll get your point across.

I don't usually lose my cool because I always try to lengthen my patience as much as I could, but tonight, as I type, I am irked. I hope people try to put themselves in the shoes of another, or better yet walk a mile in them. If you woke up at the wrong side of the bed, don't bring your dour mood to your workplace. Leave it where it should be-- in the waste bin.

Sorry, I just had to let that out.

Eighty-ninth: So close

Today, I had a very close encounter with one of nature's disasters. I was in the hospital preparing the noon medications of my patients when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the city. I thought I was just imagining it until I saw some of the things moving. We all hid under the table. It was so scary because I thought we would never see the end of it! It took us quite a while before we gauged that the worse is over. After the quake, everyone panicked. Some of my patients wanted to go out of their rooms thinking they would be safer elsewhere. People were shouting, crying, and some were hugging each other. I immediately went to check on my patients, especially the one who's non-ambulatory and is in slightly critical condiiton.

The moment I was under the table, I had a lot of things going on in my mind. I wasn't ready for anything that serious. I don't even know how to swim. How could I save my life and that of the others? :/

Seeing how chaotic the situation in the hospital was, I knew I had to remain calm. Worrying will not do me any good. I had to put the safety of my patients before mine. Their well-being was our primary concern. But of course, I had to also make sure I was out of imminent danger.

A few more aftershocks happened from then til now, as I type. I am with my sisters. We are in the safety and comforts of our home. We're praying that everything will be alright especially for those who are near the coastal area.

Thank You Lord for being our great comforter despite the storm that we are in. You said that all these shall also pass and we hold onto those words. Please protect and cover us with Your holy mantle.

Life, so far this year, is very good to me. My personal relationship with my work and my coworkers is good. My family is still ever supportive of the things I do. My friends remind me that life is even more beautiful with them in it.

I know I've slacked on my blog on more than a hundred occasion. I wish I could make good with my promise to write very often. With that in mind, I'd like to write down my thoughts.

First, I don't understand the reason behind some of my friends' absence. I try to make time but they always come up with excuses (and they're good). So I told myself, I will not waste my time and effort on people who don't even appreciate the things you do in the name of friendship. I mean, why would I bother, right?

Eighty-seventh: Winner. Loser.

This post is NOT a good read nor a nice post to start the new year in my blog.

I have been irked for more than three occasions by the same patient in a span of eight hours. He managed doing that just by lying on his back. His words were harsh and his eyes were cold and piercing. I kept wanting to delay talking to him but that would not do us any good and it would only give him an impression that I, as his nurse, don't have a sense of urgency to all his medical complaints.

First, pain is subjective. What may be painful for him may not be painful for me. A prick of a needle may warrant a pain score of 5/10 for a certain individual, while another may see it as only a very mild discomfort. It varies. I understand the pain he was going through. I did. But PLEASE don't tell me that I don't care simply because you see me able and well, while you lie in pain. Do not shout at me because while being sick can give you a reason to be a snob or a brat, that can only go for a short while. I've been in pain, too.

Second, I hope you realize that pushing your wrong belief into my system will not get you anywhere. I will not bend. If you want a fast recovery, you should be the obedient patient you are expected to be. Why would you prefer drinking milk (or any milk product) over tea? That will upset the stomach even more and may cause loose bowel movements. Earth to mister, knocking!

Third, what is with money and the impression "Thou shall hurry and prioritize me because I am paying you." that most patients have?! That's ridiculous and very low. I hope he also understood that I was trying my best there to give him the quality of care he deserves.

I am a very patient nurse (I always try to keep my calm) and while you're sorry for treating me that way, I wish my eyes also sent you the message that I want us to never cross path again because you disgust me. I was grossed out with your attitude. You're old. You have some serious growing up to do.

With all these written, goodbye negative vibes. :)