JD's Musings Decomplexified

Glimpse into my college life… (Hay, nami-miss ko tuloy…)

1. Umakyat sa fire exit papunta sa classroom ko sa 5th floor. Pagdating sa taas, sobrang sakit na ng legs ko at feeling ko ‘di na’ko makakalakad ulit ng maayos.

2. Pagkaputi-puting uniform, na may talsik na ng spaghetti sauce o putik pag-uwi ko sa house

3. Pagsali sa obstacle race nung 1st year. Natanggal pa yung isang sapatos ko habang tumatakbo. Waha. Kakahiyang freshman.

4. Pangangareer sa pagkulay ng anatomy book

5. Kumain ng siomai na sinawsaw sa sobrang anghang na sawsawan

6. Bumili ng spaghetti na may nag-uumapaw na sauce (Para nga syang sauce na nilagyan lang ng pasta)

7. Tumambay sa Impulse office before at after ng klase

8. Nakakalimutang i-surrender sa guard ang susi ng publication office bago umuwi (at kinabukasan ay may sermon na matatanggap mula sa kinauukulan. Hehe)

9. Bumili ng white stockings almost every week dahil laging nagra-run yung stockings ko. Ewan ko ba.

10. Papasok na naka-slippers (bitbit lang yung black shoes sa bag, in case mahuli ng guard)

11. Marikina to school: Makakatulog sa FX. Paggising, magugulat dahil nasa bandang Q.I. na pala. Lagpas!

12. School to Marikina: Makakatulog sa FX. Paggising, magugulat dahil nasa San Mateo na pala. Lagpas nanaman!

13. Magpupuyat sa pagre-review para sa test kinabukasan, na last week pa talaga inAnnounce ng prof pero di kasi agad inaral.

14. Pangangareer sa Logic, Math, Chemistry, Rizal, Health Eco at Pol Sci 2 (mga minor subjects ko)

15. Pagpapabaya sa NCM (major subject ko)

16. Mga pampatawid-gutom during class: magic flakes, safari, blue skies, chips delight, lemon square cupcakes, voice, crossini, at yung tinitindang puto sa store sa likod ng building. Akala ko nung umpisa cupcake yon. Pagkagat ko, saka ako naniwala na puto nga talaga ‘yon.

17. Aalamin ang schedule kung kelan magbebenta yung store ng pansit at spaghetti/macaroni. Kakwentuhan minsan yung dalawang boys na bantay ng tindahan… tawag nila sa’kin “Jesse” kasi alam nilang adik pa’ko sa “Full House” non.

18. Dahil sa puyat, matutulog sa FX all throughout the ride. Bababa sa tapat ng school at mare-realize na nakalimutang ibigay sa driver ang bayad.

19. Pahirapang pagsakay sa FX sa Cubao kaya jeep na lang minsan… Pagdating sa school, sasabihan ng classmate “Uy, ang dumi ng skirt mo sa likod.” Great.

20. Tatawid sa E.Rod (adventure!)

21. Internet magdamag sa student council office. Gagawin lahat ng paraan ma-access lang ang Friendster (na ni-restrict kasi ng I.T.)

22. Practice para sa swimming exams. Para kaming nag-happy happy ng classmates ko kasi nagsi-swimming kami. Tapos sa actual exam, mega kabado na.

23. Memorization ng names ng bacteria, parasites, fungi, muscles ng palaka, bones ng palaka, muscles ng tao, bones ng tao, lobes, mga kapatid at compositions ni Jose Rizal, nursing theories, nursing theorists, preamble ng constitution, correct sequence ng nursing procedures, patient’s rights, at medicines (ito ang pinakamalupit!)

24. Amoy ng formaline na pinagbabaran ng palaka. Masakit din sa mata kaya nakakaiyak pa. Mukha tuloy madrama lahat ng Zoology students.

25. Stress dahil sa major exams, deadline ng news articles, reports, Research class, Research professor, NCPs, case study, case presentations, triage roleplay, at macroseminar

26. Privileges ng isang campus journalist (free access sa lahat ng school events, we’re allowed to get information from the Registrar, admin officers find time to answer our questions, etc.) Wala kaming “sweldo” but these were good enough.

27. Tambay sa guidance office or front desk pag walang makausap sa publication office.

28. Mag-assist during enrollment. Sumagot ng calls sa front desk. Mag-evaluate ng grades ng transferees.

29. Mag-drawing ng papalaking fetus

30. Tatalian ang basa pang buhok, lalagyan ng hair net, at susuksukan ng maraming hair pins… All done in less than a minute! World record na ba?!

31. Magdala ng makakapal at mabibigat na libro

32. Kwentuhang ilokano

33. Tumulong hanggang madaling araw sa preparation ng school programs

34. Gagawa ng thesis. Pupunta sa bahay ng groupmate at dun na matutulog. Sa umaga na uuwi.

35. Injection. Vital signs. Pag-aayos ng kama. Hospital tours. Surgeries. Labor & delivery. Cord care. ICU. Pagrolyo ng bulak. Pagtanggal ng wound stitches. Community visits. Health education. Leopold's maneuver.

36. Katamarang magdala ng bag. Nasa pockets ng blouse ang cellphone, money, hanky, lip gloss at tissue na may powder. Mangunguha na lang ng ballpen at coupon bond sa publication office para makapag-notes sa class.

37. Bumuo ng choreography para sa “Totoy Bibo” na sasayawin ng grupo namin sa Mental

38. Gumawa ng children stories para sa puppet presentation namin sa Mental

39. Guitar practice para sa song number namin ni Yuanne sa Mental… At nung actual presentation na, nakalimutan ko yung ibang chords sa sobrang kaba. Hahahaha. Tunog-remix tuloy yung kanta.

40. Worries sa completion ng cases ng RLE group namin

41. Gagamitin ang koneksyon at konting impluwensya para ma-entertain ang requests sa faculty at admin. Hehe.

42. Scrubs, apron, mask, white shoes, sphygmo na madalas maiwan sa bahay, stethoscope na madalas maiwan sa bahay, thermometer, surgical gloves, small notebook, nameplate, ballpen, white cup, surgical cap, multi-color ballpen na lagi kong nawawala, wristwatch, bandage scissors, micropore, at paglalagay ng make-up (para raw di kami halatang haggard pag nakita ng mga pasyente)

43. BSN IV – Section 3 and RLE Group 11

44. Mga laman ng pencil case ko: ballpens, mga pang-highlight ko ng books (which I started using in my 3rd year), markers, sign pens, ruler, mechanical pencil, eraser, liquid paper, sharpener, at isang coffee stirrer na ginagawa kong bookmark. Dami kong dala noh? Kinda OC eh. Hehe.

45. Katoxican ng BS Nursing… It's... Fabfrickintastic! Hahaha.


Been out since ’07. Sheesh. Bakit ngayon ko lang na-miss? Eleven months after graduation, I’m starting to miss college and the people I used to see every day.

College peeps, enjoy this period of your life while you can! You won’t realize how fun it was until it’s gone.

Someone stole my umbrella!!!

February 27. I left it beside the umbrella pail on the 31st floor locker area before going to the training room. Yes, I didn’t put it inside the pail because it’s too short when folded and it might be crashed at the bottom by the bulky golf ones. And it’s new.

I left it there. Just there. And that’s so far the biggest mistake I’ve done this year!!! Argh.

I just bought it last week in SM Cubao. I was on my way to work when it rained suddenly so I decided not to get off at Bayan ‘cause from there I had to walk a distance to get to the next terminal. I’d get wet from the rain. Also I have a job at which I have to look presentable. I was wearing slacks and all! So I went straight to Cubao to buy an umbry, even if I knew I’d be late to work. The lesser evil, by the way. I took that over sickness, which I might get from being wet & cold. I saw this very compact black umbrella with a hard case that you could mistake for a case of sunglasses. It’s so small. It’s pretty. It’s black. I loved it. Invested 380 bucks for it.

Now it’s gone. Asarness. Huhu. Ibalik n’yo payong ko!!!

I just had a massage. Grabe, sarap. In line with our company’s 8th anniversary celebration, may free massage sa 22nd and 31st floor. So after our training, I dropped by and availed of this free offer. Hay... After a long day at work, ‘twas so nice na magpa-massage. It took 20 minutes. My masseuse’ name was Lina and she’s, uhm, blind. Actually, almost all of the masseuses have some kind of visual impairment, but they’re good. I was using all my will power to keep myself from laughing nung minamasahe na’ko around my waist and on my back. Hahaha! Mahina talaga ako sa kiliti, sobra. I had to bite my tongue pa while Lina was pinching and kneading me there. Hahaha. The finale was great. She lifted, stretched, twisted and pressed my arms. Felt so good after. I asked Lina kung saan ang place nila when not “on-call”. Sabi nya minsan sa Starmall, Farmers, Megamall or Alimall. =)

* * *

During our lunch break, I treated myself to a dark brew called Taza de Xocolate (145 bucks, the signature blend of Café Xocolat). Grabe! It’s one of the best hot chocolate in the world, pero magkaka-tonsilitis yata ako dahil dun. The drink was so thick and rich! Bad side is matagal ang preparation for this beverage coz I think they had to beat and whip the chocolate pa to perfection. But calling out to the bosses of this chocolate café, I found 5 to 6 bits of thin plastics sa drink ko. Eewness. Buti naramdaman ko yun while the bittersweet liquid is in my mouth pa. Pa’no kung nilunok ko agad yun? Hay. Now you can say that my first experience with your café is bad. Tsk. Pasalamat na lang yung nag-prepare ng drink ko coz I didn’t feel like being irate kanina, coz it’s like I possessed a slight cheer after consuming so much chocolate. Whew. Really, chocoholics like me are pacified once they get their sweets.

And to top it all… Mommy Veda gave me four chocolate brownies during our last break.

Well sometimes, too much… is just right. Hehe. For me, at least.

Ciao.

Just to let you know…

I am not a coffee lover and I will never be.
I only drink coffee when Pepsi is not around and I’m staying up late to study.
I actually like the smell of coffee but I don’t like the taste, especially the aftertaste.
I don’t really drink coffee, but if I did, I try to finish it off in less than 3 minutes. No smelling. No enjoying. No drinking drama. I’m just after the caffeine’s effect.
Are we clear? Good.

That is because this post might imply that I’ve become a coffee lover. Hindi po. Batang Milo at Nido ako. And till now, I still prefer choco or milk drinks over coffee. Or I’d just go for iced tea. I’d even be just fine with water. You think the sleepless college nights I had made me a coffee-addict? Nah uh.

So here it goes. This month, I’ve been hanging out at coffee houses. Imagine? Nung college nga I think I’ve just been to Starbucks twice…. Just twice! ‘Coz considering my allowance, di practical para sa’kin ang tumambay sa isang coffee shop na over a hundred pesos ang isang cup of frapawhatevah. Mamumulubi ako non. Haha. Nursing student pa naman ako… heavy na nga sa bulsa yung books at hospital paraphernalias ko eh. Di rin ako pasosyal to go there just to be SEEN. Ang routine ko lang noon eh bumili ng Safari, potato chips or donuts on my way home… tumambay sa publication office or sa Gateway… stroll sa National Bookstore… Mangulit ng tao… TV… Movie… Masaya na’ko dun. But now that I’m earning my own money, there’s been a change in my leisure hours. When Clang and I are in “spendthrift mode”, direcho kami sa coffee shop after kumain ng lunch. Sometimes I even go there alone after ng work. Aha. Ayos di ba?

Dito nagsimula yan…

Last February 4, I got a crazy work sked. It’s 3pm to 12mn. Unholy hours for a nocturnal person like me. People are napping or eating their merienda, and here we are in the training room disassembling computer towers, trouble-shooting motherboard problems or fixing network issues! Argh. Our class is fun but sometimes I can’t help but feel sleepy that I’d give anything in exchange for a few minutes of sleep. That’s when I started going often to the pantry for sips of coffee. It worked, but later on it’s like I became immune to caffeine, specifically, from instant coffees. I began going to the restroom just to wash my face and get rid of all signs of sleepiness. Sigh. Drug tolerance… Are you familiar with the term? (NUrSe mode on) Well, it occurs when someone’s reaction to a medicine decreases so that larger doses are required to achieve the therapeutic effect (NUrSe mode off). Yes… Yes… It happened to me. Not with drugs but with coffee. I needed a stronger shot!

That’s when I started to appreciate the hot brews from coffee shops. I go there in hopes of stimulant and energy. Or at least a temporary solution to ward off drowsiness and reduce the feeling of being tired. Haay. OK naman. Effective. DQ won’t do. Pantry won’t do. When my eye lids are drooping at work… I forget what expensive means, my feet could trace only the way to a coffee shop’s door, and baristas become superheroes.

Man, this sure is ugly. I still don’t like coffee. Tsk tsk. But I need it. Sigh.

Bring back Pepsi Cino!!!!!!

In chronological order...

- first time to deliver a placenta and cut an umbilical cord
- first time to be the program director of a seminar
- first guy bestfriend
- first farewell speech (huhu.. i miss the publication)
- first graduation march in PICC (probably the last too?)
- first hillwaking
- first mountaineering
- first MP3 player and USB flash drive
- first time to host Freshmen Night at VCF New Manila
- first slide phone (which was later stolen)
- first time to kneel during praise&worship (out of total reverence to my Savior)
- first time to make a resumé
- first hair rebond
- first NBI clearance
- first police clearance
- first SSS application
- first time to apply for a job (and that's online pa ha)
- first job interview
- first job
- first time to see and sign a job contract
- first time to play Warcraft and fooseball
- first salary
- first ATM card
- first bank account
- first corporate email address
- first OT
- first locker
- first time to buy my own mobile phone (Nokia 1600)
- first attempt to make a movie (trip trip lang)
- first long conversation with a foreigner
- first time to eat at Teriyaki Boy, Somethin' Fishy, Yellow Cab, Rufo's, and Burby's
- first time to fall asleep in a movie theater
- first time to see my fullname on national broadsheets
- first professional oath-taking ceremony (Araneta Coliseum)
- first professional license ^_^
- first time to buy and prepare a grand merienda for my family (pesto, pasta, drinks, etc.)
- first 13th month pay
- first 3G phone (Nokia N73ME)
- first memory card
- first time to buy something a li'l expensive for bro (birthday gift)
- first company Christmas party
- first time to go to The Basement & Brown Paper Bag (don't ask me)
- first Rubik's cube
- first successful music download
- first time to drive a scooter (alone!)
- first shopping spree using my own money
- first city violation (jaywalking)
- first time to buy DVDs using my own money
- first time to read a John Grisham novel
- first time to bring my brother in VCF New Manila

My six months' hard (or tamang hard) work has finally paid off. Today, February 6, marks the 6th month of my employment. My probie period has just ended. Yes. I'm now a regular employee of eTel. Yaherz.

Now what? Hmm... Since I'm a licensed nurse, you may ask "What are you doing in a callcenter?" Well, I have my reasons. But trust me. I know what I'm doing. Hehe. I got Jay Jay.

Saw Sky hours ago... He came here in Libis and met him during my lunch time. Ayun...

"Too many times we stand and let the waters slip away, till what we put off till tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.."

Yeah right. Ha ha.

Sigh*

I mentioned before that my wavemates call me "the hacker" back in client specs, ayt? And I mentioned "Trinity" too as my hacker-self's name based on The Matrix (tawag sa'kin nila Bamboo). She's this computer programmer and hacker who has escaped from that virtual reality world. Sigh. Well, just to let you all know... this girl Trinity is back in the Matrix.

Hmm. Figuratively, I guess. "Matrix" is a code we actually use in the company. It 's the codename of an account where we offer technical support for the customers of this large computer company, which you might find out in my next posts. It's incredible. It's big. It's serious technical support... And I'm now an apprentice there. Sigh. It's WOWable, right. The opportunity is awesome. But I'm a bit sad 'coz for sure I'm gonna miss my Intuit-MMG family, esp. Team Sprint.

Jon - the future CPA who loves movie soundtracks, fictions, and the 90's music as much as I do; mini SME ko
Tina - ang kontrabida; the girl who got wind of my Blogger URL, but thanks to her I was encouraged not to hide this site anymore (Thanks sa bracelet & rubik's cube!)
Tin - kasama ko umuwi; si bungisngis; kaya nyang tumawa forever and ever nonstop!
Jade - mini TL ko; tagadala ng masasarap na food... yum!
Joan - mentor ko pagdating sa pagda-download ng kung anik anik; malupit sa WordToYourBrain
Ruvy - Sisterness from Gale! It's difficult to find people you can share with and talk to about your spiritual life. Glad I met her.
Reg - the woman whom I would never dare argue with (over my dead body!); bossing! (takot ako jan eh.. hehe)
Teejay - si Lottie... "Mamma Sarah.." (FYI: Si Clang si Sarah. Ako si Ermengarde. Haha.)
TL Jason - Si Miss Minchin
Dex - Si Miss Amelia
Bucci - Text nya sa'kin every Tuesday: "Jill, may QA calib ba?" At ako naman, laging di sure kung meron nga. Hehe.
JJ - Mr. Libre; taga-sulat ng noisy sa chatroom
Robin - the very first person I bought breakfast for dahil natalo ako sa dare namin minsan. Hay.
Cars - sa Tagalog: mga kotse (hehe); ang girl na laging may blanket
Calai - Ask her "why men marry bitches"... She read the book. She knows the answer, promise.

Come to think of it, last year nung malaman ko na magiging TSR ako, I wished that I'd be assigned in the Matrix 'coz my tech pet instructor came from that program and he told us amazing stories on trouble-shooting. I saw the program as "astig and cool." I'd be dealing with both hardware & software. But then I became part of Mercury (codename). Along the way I came to love the accounting software and totally forgot my first preference to be a Matrix member. Now, unexpectedly, I was pulled out, given this precious chance to be part of the Matrix account. Sigh*

A woman once said "None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years to change all the tenor of our lives." I guess I can't really prevent change from happening. OK, so maybe I'm sad right now, but I'm gonna be fine. I am a world-class sentimental junkie, seriously. But I'll be fine.

BTW, I'll be a regular employee na this coming February 6. Yay me! And well, it's official... I AM NOW PART OF THE MATRIX.

Ta ta.