The First Two Months

Sheesh. I did promise to post at least one blog entry every week this year. But during the first two months of the year circumstances have prevented me too - I have been very busy - I know, very original but I really was busy but it did not mean that those two months haven't been great. Let's just say that the good times is still rolling.

1.) Sinulog 2011

Though it will never top Sinulog 2009 as the best Sinulog ever - The Med Girls Gone Wild Sinulog, however it was epic (for the lack of adjectives but still applies) in its own way. It has made a distinct mark in my frontal left side brains. It was alcohol, paint, barbecue, rain, Festival Queens, parade and getting crazy in the rain. It was also Jo's first Sinulog since like the early 90s so it was monumental as this is her pseudo kinda going away party before being thrown back to reality. I recommend that attending the Sinulog Festival in your twenties should be in every Filipino's bucket list. It's that awesome.

2.) OB-Gyne Rotation
I was really dreading it but it turned out really okay and it was a total learning experience. It was the ultimate test of endurance and determination that I was able to extend my patience and acquire more perseverance. Thank you very much to my team of residents for being very accommodating and approachable.. I salute you guys for choosing such specialty as your careers because honestly it is a land mine infested country! Not to mention the amount and consistency of the body fluids too.

3.) 20somethings birth
My friends and I have always wanted form our own team and join Cebu Trivia Nights. So we finally did summon the courage and joined and during our first time we placed second. This was then followed by more first place finishes and it has become a weekly thing for us. We call our team the 20somethings since we are all in our twenties.

4.) Cebu Trivia Nights
I am so becoming attached to this weekly event that it has made me a home buddy most of the time for the rest of the week and I look forward to answering and learning new things every Tuesday at The Joker's Arms with the 20somethings and every Wednesdays at Alejandro's with Group 12. Because of this I got to meet a lot of interesting people from all over Cebu City, the Philippines and the rest of the world who are also geeks at heart.

5.) Manila vs. Cebu
I am still high from Group 12's comeback from behind upset win during the culminating event for the one year anniversary of Cebu Trivia Nights. Because of this we have been featured on the paper and will be seen on TV.

And in between duty days, internal pelvic examinations, biweekly Trivia wars I am learning and loving life! Let's rock and roll!

2010: A Year in Review

I have to say that so far it was the best year ever. A lot has happened. Overall it was a year of steadfastness and contentment, a year in which everything has fallen into place without really asking the stars and the universe to. I have matured as an individual and as a physician during the last twelve months. And I am still in awe of how fast and how great the year has become.

It was for me a great year because there were a lot of changes. Though these changes were not at all pleasant, it gave me the opportunity to be able to react things and it allowed room for maturity. I have changed a whole lot.

When the year began I was on a quest to make this year another awesome year in memory. And it did. That's what I am most happy about. The year did not start with a bang but it ended with a big big bang!

Here are the highlights, and instead of making a top ten list I will be going through the year month by month.

January:
1.) Tarah's homecoming
- after four years Tarah visited Cebu again in time for Sinulog and a get together dinner with karaoke afterwards ensued. What was awesome about this trip was bonding with significant others of our friends and talking and talking as if she never left.

2.) Mountain road trip with Mikah
- together we discovered the therapeutic effects of a lazy Sunday drive across Cebu's mountains through the Transcentral Highway, just add some freshly cooked corn, fresh air and vanilla twilight plus a happy go lucky iPod playlist - it's all good!

3.) Decisions, Decisions
- it was at this month that having to go on duty at the Surgery Department at VSMMC that I finally decided where will I do my Post Graduate Internship and I have never looked back since. I then switched from VCMC to VSMMC and thank heavens I did.

February
1.) Kim's engagement
- Kim went home and told us about her wedding. Ultimate catch up

2.) 26 years on February 19.
- this is how long my parents have been married. Mostly it was bliss and through understanding they were able to raise decent kids and set a good example for us.

March:

1.) The last days of internship
- and yes the countdown began on the first day and it was then breezing through.

2.) High School No More
- My youngest brother Aldrin graduated from high school and he did grew up so fast - from a whiny bratty kid who cries every time I steal his French Fries to a dashing Romeo who listens to the same music as I.

April:
1.) April 1
- the most unforgettable day of the year. I will never ever forget the feeling of excitement because of the fact internship was over and the liberation that the possibilities are endless momentarily for the summer. I felt like a prisoner who has been given parole.

2.) Summer in Camiguin
- I've always wanted to visit Camiguin. In order for it to be more memorable throw in crazy party friends and an impromptu itinerary, it was the highlight of my summer! It was our island in the sun with a wonderful mix of lush greenery, mystical mountains, splendid volcanoes smacked right in the middle, beaches, culture and history, it was a great vacation to remember the summer by and cap off medical school.

3.) Medical school graduation
- It is indeed the end of an era - medical school took most of my time for the past four years though during that actual day it did not feel big. Looking back it was a crowning achievement in it's self.

May:

May was the month I started my PGI year official. Though I did not start right away compared to my fellow PGIs I'm glad I did because I was able to fully prepare myself physically and emotionally.

1.) Farmville at Nadia's farm
Gossip pals Nadia, Reggie and I spent a weekend at her farm in the middle of the summer heat wave - which meant there were no harvests at all. We ended up talking, catching up and pigging out on food. Till next year guys!

2.) Cebu Museum
Ianne and I have always been fascinated with history and culture. The Museo Sugbo just recently renovated of what was used to be a prison houses a decent collection of memorabilia that's vibrant of Cebu culture. Since our schedules permitted it off we went and had a jolly ol' time rediscovering the city we both were born and grew up in and reaffirmed our love for it.

3.) Anesthesia and Ortho rotations
- Both were a blast! I am considering Anesthesia as my ultimate back up career just mainly for the cash. And I so want to be an Orthopedic surgeon in this lifetime but it seems that the Fates aren't conspiring for me to be one. Well see.

June

1.) Psychiatry rotation
Psychiatry will always be a blast for me. This time around as a PGI it was twice the fun! I've met the coolest residents which until this day I still hang out and keep in touc with, got to know interns who were my school mates, able to meet and was enlightened by a cardiologist who decided to relocate to the US despite a successful practice here in the Philippines and finally tried out go karting - all of this plus learning a ton in Psychiatry.

July

Worst month of the year for me. In this month I lost my phone, iPod and camera.

August

1.) My 26th Birthday - I had qualms of celebrating it but at the last minute I decided to. I did a 26 shots of alcohol this year which resulted in me, yours truly knocked out by the 14th shot and puking in the sidewalk in the middle of the city. However the celebration continued for a night of dancing and tequila two weeks after, which again resulted in me having a hearing disorder the next day for duty. But it's all good!


September

1.) Charisma's homecoming
After spending two years in the US, it's about time Cha paid us a visit and it was the ultimate catch up homecoming.

2.) Kim's pre-wedding homecoming
And we finally had a chance to meet the lucky man!

3.) Group 12
After two months of coaxing I finally joined Cebu Trivia Nights and my week has never been the same since. I found new company and met more interesting people that are into some of the things that I am.

October:
1.) Kim's Wedding
Kim tied the knot and it was one of the most heartfelt ceremonies ever. Love was all around

2.) My Manila Weekend trip
The fastest, action packed weekend ever - watched a musical and got to meet it's lead actress, food trips, culture and history trip, exploring Chinatown, book shopping in a span of 34 hours!

3.) The hiatus began.
- Jo finally came back to Cebu for a three month hiatus!

November:
1.) Daphne's birthday - after five years of not celebrating because she was spending her days in the US, the comeback girl had a birthday party and it was the a chance for a reunion of friends who have not seen each other for a while.

2.) Eva's Baby Shower
I can finally check "Throwing a baby shower" of my list. Though I am not an events organizer, I sometimes do enjoy concocting theme parties for a party of not so full people. We had games, names and well wishes!


December
Of course December will always be the best month or the next best month of the year. In this case it was the second best, after October. A great way to close up the year.

Highlights:
1.) Group 12 won first place unexpectedly in Ayala and then second place after an intense sudden death round. The latter though I was a bit traumatized gave me confidence - as I am now formed a new team - the 20somethings.

2.) Mountain Christmas - Spent 24 hours with my fellow PGIs for our Christmas party. Though we were a small group only 12 and 2 did not even show up it was still a lot of fun and a day to remember. Thank you John for my gifts since you gave to me all of my wishlist.

3.) 90's Christmas - Christmas party of my high school barkada - 90's in theme from gifts, music and games! And don't forget karaoke - what is a party without karaoke! I was high from singing 90's hits

4.) The BigBang Burger Party - Since all of our schedules aligns - we conquered the big bang burger with the 20somethings.

In conclusion it was a good year. More than a good year. And I am predicting and hoping that there will be more good times to come!

My Grown and Not so Grown Up Christmas List

I think it is kinda late to be posting my Christmas list but here goes:

My Grown Up Christmas List:
1.) To be able to pass the Physicians Board Exam this August in one take
2.) A spot or an item in any Orthopedics Residency Program preferable VSMMC
3.) Good health for my family and friends
4.) Contentment and peace of mind
5.) To be able to spend time with my closest friends
6.) I hope I will never have to deal with premature balding (damn, it runs in the genes)
7.) More fun and happy times for 2011
8.) I will be prepared to take the Boards
9.) Both my medicine and medical technology yearbook be published already.
10.) Success for family and friends and more friends.

On the other side of the break, here are the material things I want that I have yet to receive.

1.) Vans Slip Ons
2.) John Lennon sunglasses (I can't believe I let this slip! Ugh!)
3.) Adidas white sneakers
4.) The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
5.) A Box Set of the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larson
6.) Operation Board Game
7.) Any DSLR Camera preferably Canon
8.) Ghost World graphic novel
9.) Artwork Doodle Book
10.) Gucci perfume (the one endorsed by James Franco)
11.) Vintage T-shirts
12.) The Complete The O.C. Series on DVD
13.) Boots from Aldo
14.) National Geographic Special edition T-shirts from Regatta
15.) A plane ticket to Davao City

Merry Christmas everyone!

Words of Wisdom

I have to say that this year, was a year of continuing life education. And these are two philosophies I have lived with.

"You cannot control the way things change, but you can control the way you react at them"

"You have to learn to live with what you've got and maximize what you have rather than yearn for something you can't have.

True enough this powerful words were enough to get me through every day for this year and I have never been this contented in quite a long while. So 2010 is the year of steadfastness, camouflage and seizing the day.

And I have lived with this mantra for two years now and I will continue this for years to come: Voll das Leben. It is in German and when translated it means Live your life fully. I have appreciated every free time, every conversation with my parents, silly times with my friends both old and new, time for sleeping, good food, health and every little thing. Though I am do not have complete peace of mind yet, I am getting there slowly and surely.

Remember remember the Month of December...

Some signs that December is indeed here. Aside from pointing out the obvious that there is only one page in my calendar left.

1.) The temperature is getting colder. Though it is humid occasionally in the mid mornings to afternoons, the nights are windy and sometimes a heavy rain is all you need to make the weather very conducive for a twelve hour sleep.

2.) The yearly huge Christmas tree is already standing in the middle of Fuente Osmena circle all decked out in lights, shiny decor and Sr. Sto Nino on top.

3.) Our house already has a Christmas tree with a silver motif matched with Chrismas red curtains, a little bit off in the papers

4.) Bazaars sprouting everywhere - from MEPZ in Lapu Lapu City to the annual IT park Christmas Bazaar, we all can't get enough.

5.) The window displays in the malls vary from huge nutcrackers to cute little houses made up of cardboard put presented in a very artistic manner - all of them equally splendid and adds more to the holiday feel.

I am really excited for Christmas shopping. I am at a goal this year to spend half of my savings for wonderful yet affordable Christmas gifts for around 25 people. Two years ago I was able to accomplish this, and now there is nothing stopping me.

I am also looking forward to watching Love Actually again, starting a Christmas movie marathon, sipping hot coffee, PGIs Christmas Party, Christmas dinners and get together with friends, eating mom's Mango Float and cheese cake, lechon, Midnight Mass (I think it is about time I attend) and whole lotta more. December here I come!

In retrospect, here are the my Top 5 Best Decembers and Christmas:

1.) December 2008
This was my junior year of medical school and I know that I really have to enjoy and soak in. In my mind I am already aware that next year I might be on duty on Christmas.
Highlights: One week of Christmas parties, from Clinics group mates to Fashion Week to closest friends, High School reunion bowling, Banana Creme Pie, another one week of strolling around the malls, taking pictures of elegant Christmas trees and window displays, clearance sale shopping and quality time with family and friends. Last hurrah before the grind house.

2.) December 2004
As I have said over and over before everything about 2004 was awesome. New found freedom, new found friends and new found ways of having fun!
Highlights: This was my medical internship year - the Christmas parties, practicing for the choir singing and spending most of the month in Paknaan for community rotation, what a great way to end the year. Plus Christmas off and New Year's off!

3.) December 1996
I was in sixth grade, so this was the last for elementary school
Highlights: Our Christmas Field demonstration, Christmas party with all the fun and games, Our Periodic Table of Elements inspired Secret Santa (our adviser assigned each one of us elements as our code names and we don't know who we were and who we got in the first place, but a day before the party he revealed our identities so that we will know what to buy for our secret Santa. I was Americium and I got Platinum), spending the holidays in Manila, Enchanted Kingdom and Baguio.

4.) December 1991
This is the Christmas in which I have the earliest vivid memory of
Highlights: My grandparents actually paid or asked someone to play the part of Santa Claus. Though he didn't come down the chimney on Christmas Eve, he came knocking down on the door of Grandma's house bringing gifts and candy. And because of this I was a firm believer of Santa Claus, but right now I still believe the abstractness of his enigma.

5.) tie between December 2003 and December 2007
December 2003 was rebound Christmas year. The year before Lola Naring died so Christmas was a bit sad. This year I was on a goal to make up for the previous year and it was all good. It was even more special since I just battled depression two months before.
Highlights: First year I bought gifts for everyone, Berks all out Christmas drinking spree, very very rainy Christmas

December 2007 was a great way to start a year that started out kinda bad. But after summer everything went smooth sailing and things were falling as if they are in the right place without really wishful thinking for it to be.
Highlights: Guada and Bany's joint birthday celebration, Stardressed which is the most awesome students ball ever, Christmas party with Group 1 together with Dr. Sanchez and the most creative Secret Santa ever, Elixir Christmas Party organizer again for the second time, Dare or No Dare, Chain smoking and binge drinking, loudest High School reunion ever!

Honorable mention:
December 2000 - Last year of high school and my family and I spent the Christmas in Manila. Though I was initially against the idea but after a year it was indeed worth it.
Highlights: Christmas shopping in Glorietta and Megamall, wet day at Enchanted Kingdom, watching The X-Men on pay per view on Christmas Eve, buffet breakfast, receiving a Craig David CD, watching fireworks on my hotel window overlooking Dasma village in Makati, pool dipping at The Dusit, practicing and entertaining the crowd with our Blast from the Past Decade Rewind Dance.

Let's Round It Up, Shall We?

As much as I hate doing summary posts, which I think is a sign that I am neglecting this blog, but subconsciously I am not. Hey I have the best intentions for this blog, its just that I realized I write on a whim and I do get the most flow of words at totally inappropriate times. Times like there are no paper available or an Internet connection. Okay okay. This might be the last summarized post. Starting today I am on a goal to accomplish at least one post a week.

Well you see, I've not bored with this blog, its just that I am juggling a lot of leisure activities adjacent with my hospital duties. I go out at least once a week - Trivia Nights or Jo's Weekly Thing and make up sleep at least one or two days in a week. And the remaining time is squeezing in for reading fiction books that are totally non medical related, catching up on favorite TV shows and FaceBooking.

The past two months - September and October, were the best times of PGIship so far. It started out not the way I wanted it to be but eventually it progressed and ended way beyond my expectations. To sum it up it was balance of work, leisure, family and friends.

Here are the highlights:

1.) My Whim Manila Weekend Trip
After two months of non stop phone calls and planning, I finally booked a cheap ticket all the way to Manila to visit Jo. And it was very jam packed and fun indeed. I was able to eat a lot of good food, finally catch a musical live, meeting the star Ms. Dawn Zulueta and immersing myself in Binondo, Escolta and Intramuros for an afternoon of an enriching history class refresher. I capped off my visit with a shopping at PowerBooks Robinson's Malate - four books for 150 php including a commentary on Mexican cinema! Woo hoo! And since attorney is planning to work in Makati, hopefully this will be the first of a couple more visits of Manila pig out and roaming.

2.) Kim and Arnel's Wedding.
One of my closest friends finally tied the knot and to a very deserving gentleman. The wedding ceremony was heartfelt and seriously full of love. It was touching and genuinely blissful. So to the married couple, guys you still owe Dawnah and I the pajama shots and more babies to come!

3.) Charisma's homecoming and road trip
Cha one of the Berks people decided to have a two week holiday after working her ass off in the land of milk and honey for two years. One thing's for sure, it sure seemed like she never left and the talking still non stop. We did a road trip/bonding all the way to Simala for thanksgiving and petitions and then swimming in a pool somewhere in Argao and a dinner to end the trip. I can't wait for her next homecoming.

4.) Julie's homecoming and Dylan turns a year old.
Dylan Rafael turns one and Mommy Julie made sure to fly from NZ to spearhead the celebration. Our high school group is expanding into the next generation.

5.) Toledo weekend
After thirteen years of friendship, I finally was able to meet BFF Dawnah's hometown and her clan. And Toledo prove to be a peaceful place where I was able to gain and catch up on sleep while being her wingman for her 26 Beer-day. Sadly I passed out again before any one else. But I am really glad I was able to be a part of giving her another memorable birthday to cherish!

6.) Trivia Nights
Thanks to Dr. Milan's persistent invitation, I have a new and exciting way of unwinding and at the same time its a total learning experience, mid week Wednesdays just got extra exciting!

7.) Jo's Cebu City Week after Week
With partner in neuroses/crime in the Queen City of the South for four months it's about time she gets to live the Cebuano way of life. A slice of the city every week entails eating in homegrown restaurants and discovering new places that were yet to be explored.

8.) Kimmy's pre wedding visit
When Kim and Arnel personally attended to their wedding plans, it was a perfect opportunity to get to know the man she will be binded to. And it was a five very eventful days and not just on the ceremony but getting to know someone and getting to know that someone fully in a short span of time!

9.) Career Changing Decision
I think I have finally decided that I will never be a suited for a residency training in General Surgery. I don't think I have the skills, dedication and knowledge worthy enough to survive the grueling five year training. It's Orthopedics followed by Internal Medicine.

10.) General Surgery Rotation
Major thanks to the ever supportive, patient and willing to teach residents of the department. Though I realized that I will be never be fit for the program, I have learned a LOT of things on General Surgery. So far this has been my favorite rotation.

Looking back now, it was indeed an awesome two months. Living fully is indeed liberating. Good food. Good health. Good friends. It all sums up to the Good Life!

In Summary

August has come and past and September is here, but so far so good, still my anticipation is more worth than what is happening right now. But I'm doing great.

I finally turned twenty six and my birthday was not so bad as I had hoped. I was not looking forward to celebrating it but instead of moping around and whining I was able to come up with something to at least make the day memorable. At the last minute I decided I'm up for the challenge of drinking 26 glasses of liquor, each drink to be documented in a photo with a number to take not the shot. The result? I was knocked down in the 16th glass but hey in my defense I was up all night, the night before so I was really really tired. My mom again went out of her way to throw me a dinner party which I was officially MIA more or less. So this birthday became Top 6 of all time just barely making the Top 5 but a great way to start the rest of my adult life! Gulp! Another ironic moment is that my family again surprised with a present and guess what it was - a camera, which I already had one two weeks earlier but forgot to tell them. Hahaha. A month ago I had no camera, iPod and a cellphone. Now this month I have all three back. Talk about a rebound!

*****

Internal Medicine rotation is finally over. And after two months - what can I say - it was very toxic! But in the end of the day it was all worth it - I've learned a lot and in the process I gained confidence in myself. I am now considering Internal Medicine as option number two in residency! I am still on a goal to get into an orthopedics residency program. And goodbye to General Surgery for me since I can't seem to master the anatomy of the human body.

*****

My friends are now popping out babies of their system and because of this I finally have my first godson and goddaughter. Ivo Marcus Teves-Ocio born to lucky parents Lindley and Donna is super chubby and cute! He is the perfect mix of Lindley and Donna's features. I hope he will be as intelligent as his mom! I'm super honored to be one of the chosen people. First goddaughter is Bianca Frances Chiong-Lagarnia, Edgel and Yvonne's eldest an American citizen by birth. Bianca looks like her mom, with a touch of her dad's features. Though I can't be there on her christening, Yvonne already told me that I'm still her ninong. Another baby from our berks society coming up is Jamae's baby, she's due anytime December. Our group is expanding with the new generation.

*****

Ms. Joanne Balili Babon, future lawyer, is taking the BAR exam! I know y0u will do well Jo! Come back home!