A Chronicler's Life

Back to School Blues

Joshua — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:57:52 +0000

I remember when I was still studying; I have always been an eager beaver. I loved going to school. I felt bad every time I have to miss a class because of sickness or because of an inclement weather. If other students were rejoicing every time there are no classes, I on the other hand was feeling rather low-spirited. If only I’d be given another chance, I’ll go back to school again. But since I have my hands full already with my career and family life I’d opt to try online university first. And one of the best there is, is Western Governor’s University. It offers both bachelor and masters degree programs. There are more than a hundred of graduate degrees in any field you can choose from like business, information technology and health professions. They even offer online nursing degree. The site will provide you with an overview of the course that you want to take. In that way, you will be able to know if it will suit you. It’s like a one stop shop but instead of looking at clothes at window displays, you are actually “shopping” for the best course for you. Hurry and apply now.

Some People

Joshua — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:33:16 +0000

Some just naturally have it but most just don’t have the knack for it. I am pertaining to a good head between the shoulders when it comes to putting up a business. I don’t have the kind of charm or luck hubby has in our businesses like what I have told all of you in my previous posts that I’d be in hot water once it starts to involve numbers. I hate computations as well. Hubby suggested that since I really love writing, I might decide on being a business plan writer instead of a business woman. Not a bad idea at all.

All Expense Paid Trip, NOT!

Joshua — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:03:58 +0000

How I wish it’s an out of town trip or a trip abroad that I will talk about here but sadly not. It’s one of my many trips in the hospital for the entire 31 years of my life. I was just 3 days old when I first had my navel operation due to severe infection and from then on I’ve been a frequent “visitor” of this place already. Of course if I have a choice, I will choose not to. But my health just refuses to cut me some slack. There is not a year that I have not been in and out of it. I don’t know why but that’s just the way it is with me. I even forewarned my husband Ryan my boyfriend then that if he really decides to marry me, he will be married to my illnesses for the rest of his life also. But he said he didn’t care, I just don’t know now if he’s thinking of changing his mind already. Anyway, so last Friday I went and see my oncologist, my real oncologist this time and not just the reliever who stutters when asked of direct questions. We waited in the lobby for just an hour while watching Kingkong on the big flat screen TV. I love that movie so much that’s why when my name was finally called, I felt irritated. I know that I could always rent or download it from somewhere to watch it again but it’s just not the same anymore, the momentum is lost. When I went inside her office, I was greeted by Dr. Charity’s welcoming smile. The first thing that she said to me was “What does a beautiful woman like you doing in my office?” I have to clear my throat on that (ahem!) Apparently, Dr. Who Stutters (when asked of difficult questions) did tell her regarding my outburst the last time I was there. He might have warned her that I’m fragile and that I’m to handle with care, ha! ha! She was so motherly and very soft spoken. It’s like I’m talking to an older aunt and not a doctor! Don’t get me wrong, I think she really is nice but she was so sweet that I was expecting ants to crawl all over my body any moment. I was freaked out in a pretty good but somewhat weird way. She endorsed me to the Derma specialist for my re-biopsy but unfortunately she’s not accredited by my company so we have to shell out everything first and file for reimbursement later on. Good luck to us! Because the one that I filed eons ago for the first biopsy I had must be still in the In-Out tray (with dust and mites when illumined by sunshine for dramatic effect) of HR because until now there’s no feedback yet whether we’ll still get our money back or not.
So since we are left with no choice at all, we went to the Derma specialist who is the exact opposite of my oncologist. This one was rather intimidating, indifferent and exuding with not self confidence but superiority complex. I can’t blame her; you will get numb when you are presented with cancer patients almost single day of your life. You’ll get bored with their predicaments and their sad little stories already. But I will never be that way if I were I her shoes, I think. So I avoided being emotional and just stated my case matter-of-factly instead. That’s called mirroring, thanks NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming), thank you trainers err…I mean enablers! To cut the story short she asked me to lie down and took out her injection (with the longest needle that I have ever seen I swear!) and started sticking it in my left thigh. I wanted to scream because of the extreme pain but I decided to remain calm. When the anesthesia finally took effect, she got a small knife and started slicing my skin in circular motion then lifted off the skin sample needed and that’s it. I was watching the whole time, though; it was a bloody procedure I didn’t mind at all. I wasn’t frightened. I felt no fear but was quite worried because my husband suddenly turned white as a sheet of paper and his hands were very clammy. He’s scared of needles and even more petrified at the sight of blood! The Dr. even asked him if he wanted to lie down on the next bed, ha! ha! My hubby can be real funny sometimes without really intending to. Here comes the real bloody part, when the doctor told us that the 3 diameters of skin costs P4, 500! We felt as if all our blood rushed through our heads all of a sudden. Wow! Luckily, we bought enough cash for that. But just for that because when she told us that the Immuno Histochemical Staining costs P8, 900 we nearly fell off from our seats. Who in their right minds bring almost 15k of cash in their wallets every day, huh? No one! We thought it was just an ordinary check up because we were not informed beforehand that they are planning to repeat everything. The last time we have talked, the biopsy was the only one that needs to be repeated but we were not told that it would be that day already and now all the staining needs to be done again too. Bravo! Clap, clap, clap! They could have asked us to bring a lot of cash that day but NOOOOOOOOO they did not even bother to tell us that. Okay so I made negotiations with her, I told her if it’s possible that the biopsy be prioritized in the meantime and we promise to give the cash they need for the IHC the next day or come Monday. She agreed at first but then she asked if we’ve got our credit cards with us. I don’t have mine but hubby has his. So we decided to go to the cashier and pay for the procedure and Alas, Hubby’s card was declined! He remembered that he exceeded his limit for that month already when he had change oil and bought new tires for the AUV. Paying for the IHC that day was totally out of the question. So we decided to just pay for it the next day. But we’ve got a new dilemma, there is still a Reader’s Fee worth P845 and I only have P550 and hubby has…nothing. When asked how we are planning to pay, hubby answered cash thinking that he was being asked how he wants to pay the IHC and not the RF. So the ever proactive cashier already made an OR for cash when hubby finally understood the question. We were like paupers! We have never felt so humiliated in our lives! I’ve asked a good friend of mine to transfer at least a thousand bucks in my Smart money account like pronto and he did. Thank you dear friend! But then the cashier decided to cancel the cash transaction and made an OR for credit card instead. So after all the hassle that we’ve gone through the RF was finally paid thru hubby’s Credit card which was declined for P8, 900 but accepted for P845 of course. Hurray!

On the way home we felt harassed and embarrassed at the same time because of that experience but we decided to just laugh it off instead. We have another one for our Wall of Shame, all thanks to St. Luke’s Medical Center, the world class hospital! Oooopppsss…am I not supposed to say its name? Why the hell not? I think there is no end to their brouhahas and shenanigans. Read my first ever memorable experience with them here. Can’t wait for my new adventure! NOT!

Added Knowledge

Joshua — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:36:14 +0000

In life, there are things that you haven’t done yet. Things that you do not actually need to do but yet, you still want to try. It is best to experience almost everything because it will add to your box of knowledge.

My friends and I would like to try playing or going to a casino. We had an opportunity before when the company we are working for held one of our conferences in a five star hotel in the country. The hotel happened to have an in-house casino. We were actually given passes. It meant that we were actually given starter money for us to try. We were daring each other to at least try the slot machine. They say that it would be fun. Who knows? We might even grab some prize! Anyhow, we did not call the dare. Now, we are left innocent of how it is to play in a casino.

Lately, the thought entered our minds again. This time, we have to spend our own money thus we have to be prepared. I suggested to my friends for us to try Casino Online first. You know, playing online would be very helpful. We just have to find the best site where to play. I am glad that there are sites that provide reviews on casinos online as well.

Be Wise and Wealthy

Joshua — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:54:23 +0000

Go for gold! Have you ever wondered why in sports, Gold medal is the highest honor? Gold, indeed is a precious metal. It has been a sign of success be in sports or in education or other forms of competition. Gold is also a form of wealth. I could still remember when I was in elementary, one classmate of mine was always wearing gold. She was almost dressed in gold! She wore gold bracelet, gold necklace, gold watch and gold earrings! Our impression? Well, she might be rich! Well, she came from a well known clan. Indeed, they are rich.

I want to be rich too! Well, at least to have enough for the future of my kid. They say that gold is a good investment. Its resale value increases with time. You have a choice whether you want to keep it for yourself first or sell it right away. Either way, you will be at the winning end. Investing in gold would be a wise decision.

I might invest in gold coins. Easy to safe keep and a good collection if ever I would keep those for myself first. One site that is good to go to is goldcoinsgain.com. I particularly like this site because of its gold collection.There are certified gold coins, gold bullion coins and even other precious metals could also be found there.

Smile Back!

Joshua — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:43:10 +0000

You know what makes me really tick in the morning? Aside from the fact that I have to wake up early (I am definitely not a morning person), I am really annoyed at people who do not have the courtesy to smile back when you smile at them! It’s so infuriating that you have already exerted an effort to start your day right but these people would just throw it right back at your face. It’s disrespectful, impolite and very offensive. These are not strangers that I am talking about here, these are people that I spoke with a number of times already maybe just in a civil manner but they still choose to treat you as if you are a non-entity! They really get on my nerves because to start with I don’t just smile at someone that I do not know. I am trying to be nice and to have a positive outlook in life as well that’s why I start my day with a smile. Anyway, I know that to most of you it doesn’t really matter but for me it’s really a big deal. Okay if you refuse to smile at least nod! Acknowledge the respect being given to you by the other person. I have now 3 “unsmilers” on my list. I hope that it would stop there already and the list won’t grow. I have learned my lesson today “You cannot give both your heart and smile to just anyone.” Give it ONLY to those who deserve it!

Happiness!

Joshua — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:04:40 +0000

I finally convinced hubby to make my childhood dream a reality, we are going to Disneyland next year! Yay! Though not in Florida yet Hongkong maybe but I still cannot contain my excitement! It’s quite obvious with the end of my sentences, tee-hee! There I go again. Anyway, I will just update you guys when I get there. Next year Hongkong Disneyland, the year after that I’ll be lounging at one of disney world hotels already. I’m like a kid so giddy with excitement. Forgive me for being a late bloomer. Happy days are here again!

If You Cant Beat Them, Join Them

Joshua — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:20:36 +0000

Ooooohhhh, it’s going to be a tough battle for me with sweets this coming Christmas. I was born with a sweet tooth. I live and breathe for anything with sugar. But you all know what happens to those who eat too many sweets; they lose sight of their toes. My eldest brother Chris brings different kinds and brands of chocolates every Christmas Eve dinner. Chocolates in shapes of hearts, eggs, flowers, bears, bunnies etc adorn our long dinner table on this night. On top of this his wife Flor bakes the best cookies in the world! Chocolate chip, butter, peanut butter, coconut, strawberry and blueberry filled cookies that would make you salivate just by looking at them. I just don’t know how on Earth I’ll be able to resist all of these but I will try my very best to defy temptation and withstand this challenge. But then again it’s Christmas and I might just give in just for this time even if I have to burn fat again after this season. Besides, as they always say “if you can’t beat them, join em!”

Confessions of a True-to-Life Shopaholic!

Joshua — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:59:08 +0000

My sister-in- law Rotch found the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic far-fetched. She said it is stupid for a person to continue on her shopping spree even if it is already beyond her means. And she also added that she doesn’t believe that there is anyone who would spend sleepless nights thinking about the object of their desire until they finally get it. Well, I both agree and disagree with her. I agree that it’s irrational for someone to keep on buying stuffs that you can no longer afford, which is really unwise. But for someone to be tossing and turning until wee hours in the morning because you weren’t able to obtain the one thing that you want most, eerrrr.. at that moment only of course, is very factual. I should know because that’s how I am! When I don’t buy the thing that really caught my eye at first sight and I still wait for about week, I go crazy the entire time! It’s all that I could ever think about and if I go back and it is still there, it means that we are meant for each other. I sound nuts I know but hey, this is the real me talking. In fact I’m waiting for another sign now, I saw a beautiful Couture Jewelry yesterday at the window display but I let it go and after a week and it is still there…

Party for Allie

Joshua — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:16:50 +0000

In an hour or so I’ll be off to my best friend’s house for her shower party. Nope I am not talking about a bridal shower; I’m talking about her baby shower! Oh, I’m uber excited to see her and my college friends that I haven’t seen or talked to for so many years. I just received a text from her saying that we should be on time and that I should not forget my gifts to my future goddaughter baby Allie. Yes gifts, I got carried away and bought a lot of things for her. I got her Bath essentials, Bath toys, Rattle, Baby Bags (yes there are two of them colored pink and yellow) and a whole lot more.

I remember the first time she told that she’s pregnant and will be getting married soon. She was so happy! Tears of joy were streaming down my face because if there is one person in this world that deserves all the happiness it’s her. She got married to her boyfriend Allan of seven years on June 29 and even if I wasn’t able to grace her wedding (because my boss won’t allow me to file a leave on a Monday) I was still so glad that finally she tied the knot to the man the she loves the most. And now she can hardly wait for the coming of baby Allie to their lives. In fact, she was asking for my help to find really cute and good quality Car Seats last week and I thought of just lending her Sophie’s instead because she wasn’t able to use it at all. Sophie hates to be confined to anything. She hates car seats, strollers, high chairs and even seat belts (but I still put it on her anyway). Peach was elated that she doesn’t have to buy one anymore and use the saved money for something else instead.

I forgot to mention that I bought a diaper stacker also for Allie’s Nappies. Peach laughed at me when she learned of this and said that I’m even more excited to see baby Allie than her Dad. You know men they don’t really express their true feelings easily but I know that Allan is just as excited as I am.