in the spirit of spirits

I'm undecided whether to go or not to go. Hola Girl invited me to join her tomorrow for this horror interactive show at Southbank but I'm not really keen on frightening myself to death. It's not my idea of fun. So I said, "Go ahead and I will wait outside ... then we can go for coffee". To be honest, I'd rather be clutching a warm beverage as I watch the setting sun along the Thames.

Hola girl is fun but exercising my vocal chords by screaming is way too tedious of an activity to start my week. But then again, maybe this is a good outlet for my pent up anger re: some idiots at work. So, to go or not to go.. that is the question.

"Hola Girl ... Can we just go for a bloody Mary instead?"

american on a mini-hill

Below is the picture of an american diner just atop a 35-40 degree elevation of a mound. I was told that there'd be a get-together that night where Gelo's colleagues would be out in full force for their regular catch-up. When we got there, it was a sight. The lights and mini-palatial look on the outside captured my attention. The hill-like ascent to the top was enough to make me really hungry.

When we got in, Zaks restaurant greeted me with a whiff of greasiness and that organised barn-like arrangement of tables. His colleagues were already there and when I got to my chair... there was a card for both of us. It was a wedding card and then it hit me... this must be a post-celebratory dinner organised by his colleagues as they missed the actual day. My hubby only came out recently to his work peeps and they were shocked. Nevertheless, they lovingly accepted him as thre's no doubt that he's well loved by his peers.

I promised not to be deterred by inspecting looks and the array of questions re: the social ins and outs of our relationship plus the wedding. It turned out be a good evening with newly-found friends. What made me happy that night was the fact that Gelo appeared to be really proud of me as his other half.

He's definitely ticking all the boxes re: a man worthy of love and my undivided attention. I spoke with Gehrie the other day and he sounded resigned to the idea that I'm leaving London and that my man is for life. That's usually a good sign.

from grass to carpet

This business of car-booting is becoming interesting. We saw this OAK-framed sofa and fell in love with it immensely. We tried the haggle until the price went down to £45. Isn't it beautiful?

meet the in-laws

Meet Gelo's sister and her hubby. I don't want to write anything about them right now. I need to properly conceptualise, sit down and be serious about what I'm going to say about them. They deserve special treatment. They're my in-laws.

not really my favourite

Pizza and Beer are my least favourite STUFF in the whole wide world. I just want to say that just in case you occupy the same space as me and you are planning to buy me fastfood for dinner.

That's all.

Grating his carrot

I AM LATE (yet again).

I'm just on my way to work from Norwich and that's over hundred miles to cover. I'm on the train to Liverpool St. Station and by the time I'd get to the office, it would be nearly 11 am. I'm compensating for this appalling work ethic by blogging and admitting it here that professionalism is something every human being should uphold. Although guilt is like that worm that infests on decaying carcass, I feel I have the right to procrastinate and ask nicely those in authorities that I'm coming late. I feel that I'm worth the money they're paying me until the end of November.

There no excuse, I know! Tardiness is a social disease. But I make up for it with productivity beyond job expectations. I'm sure Mr 48 years has something to say about this too. He is perfection personified.

NAM's bite

Three things:

- The previous post is not about moving on/moving to/moving from. It is about the people you meet and how they make the landscape of change less rugged. 

- This is my blog and I reign supreme here with what I believe as unequivocal existence. 

- NAM wants me to write about Suez but I'd rather write about "ampalaya" and sedatives. 

"Hey NAM, wanna trek the amazon?"

Hanging out with the Pococks

Seriously, that's their surname and I'd be proud if my surname relates to things dirrrrrrrrty and extreme confidence. You've got to represent it with pride and with distinctive bravura and they certainly carry it with such ardour. These past weeks, I've spent many of my waking and sleeping moments with them (don't be green-minded... We had to sleep over because Gelo had a mild anaphylactic reaction to a painkiller). Although they don't have sugar to sweeten my coffee or tea, I found out that two pellets of sweetener are enough to help the medicine go down sort of way. And although there's a vibration that could be heard all over the house when you flush the toilet, at least you know someone's about to finish his/her dirty deed inside and mentally calculate when to use it in case you'd like a fresher scent on perusal. But these are not problems or not even close to a deep scrutiny. The Pococks have taste when it comes to interior design. Their house is modern and it gives that cold atmosphere but in truth, I feel warm and comfortable despite the seemingly gelid surfaces of strong, structured and well lined interiors of the house.

But this is not my point.

Tony and Aj are fun, spontaneous and opinionated. The latter may strike you as a negative trait but being such kind of a person doesn't always mean force-feeding thoughts to another unsuspecting soul. In fact, a dose of nonchalance won't even feel the grating effect of such behaviour. But Gelo and I are neither indifferent nor naive to understand our place in a healthy debate and pure friendly conversation when we're with them. I'd point out that differing perspectives are a lot healthier than autocracy. The thing is... we compromise because of inherent respect for our individuality.

But this is not my point either ... for writing this.

I'm writing this because CHANGE is a strong word. I'm moving out of my comfort zone i.e London, to a place that will totally redefine the character that I am. I have known myself as a stubborn old fool and breaking that wall takes a lot of convincing and nous programming to adhere and be malleable to change. Hanging out with the Pococks helps that transition a lot smoother and bicker free from my uber complicated lifestyle. A man is not only defined by his family and adopted family. He is also a product of the people he meets along the way. This is why, I promise not to tease AJ and Tony about the vulgarity of their surname. Only evil people with bullying tendencies would do that. Come to think of it, the word "po" means chamber pot and "cock" is a rooster.

The way I interpret this: It signifies abundance of power and salient humane qualities to share with the world.

So thank you, Misters Pocock!

Shaping life

I spoke too soon. My Sunday wasn't how I expected it to be. Earlier, I was cogitating long bed rest, breakfast in bed, newspaper and tea in the garden, Nat King Cole playing in the background and a peck on the cheek from my loving partner. Instead I had: an early wake up call, pancit for brekkie, Car-boot and Nando's at midday, shopping for home essentials and X-Factor results. The time moved back and rightly so. 6 pm looked like nearly midnight from the window. In other words, my day didn't turn out how the original screenplay dictated it to be. However, most things that happen when you least expect them prove to be more fun and life-defining.

I've been feeling this for quite sometime but today, I'd say something relevant and some sort of a bombshell. My brain was itching for my mouth to utter these lines: Gelo's family members are like family already. I finally dropped my reservations and I feel freer more than ever.

My life is finally taking shape. Now it's your turn to say.... AWWWWWWWWWW.

Sigh

I'd like to blog some more but Gelo's computer is enslaved by Google Chrome. For some strange reasons, I couldn't upload my media files.

KAIRITA!

Filler part 525,600

Happy Sunday Folks.

The time moved an hour back - GOOD TIMES

The time moved an hour back - BAD TIMES

No matter how cleverly we cheat on time, we cannot ignore the fact that an hour lapsed and gone same with the hour you take away from your lifetime. Although it is an hour gained for extra sleep and humanly chores that occupy our Sunday proceedings, somewhere somehow some souls toiled an extra hour whilst most of us weekend people sleep. I hate to say this but man having control of time means we are attempting to control destiny.

"Shut up Ryan. Have a cuppa."

True.

Sunday's meant to be relaxing and laid-back; not a time for crazy reflections.

jump

Life isn't all about
walking,
running and
skipping.

It's also good to jump sometimes.

talkin' about houses

My sister posted a pic on FB and I still don't comprehend my mother and her inherent taste regarding interior design (or in this case, exterior design). When I was growing up, I envisaged myself leading a life like my mother's but as soon as I learned the real meaning of independence, I saw the real difference between us. I prefer the minimalist style and I'm glad to be away when she's concocted this idea of adopting the pattern for the house. I could have said something but my mother has a MOTHER OF ALL COMEBACKS where retaliation is futile.

"Send me a bit of money and maybe.. just maybe... I'd listen to your opinion", she'd say.

I rest my case.

in search of fairies

... in Norwich, Norfolk.

new life

Gelo and I finally got our keys to our new place in Norwich. Don't you just love skeleton keys!

just a thought part deux

Let me add something about friendship. This time, allow me to be more specific. In the past months, I have been really really quiet and the reason was and still is ... the fact that my phone rarely rings. I get regular calls but that would be my hubby calling day in, day out. I get occasional phone calls from people who are endearing enough to foster close friendship with me these past months and I'm truly grateful. However, if comparison is to be a better judge, my social life has clearly diminished a great deal compared to few years ago. Not that I am complaining of course. I am in a very happy place right now. 

So back to friendship. 

I would like to stress the point that my circle of friendship is rather small in diameter. With that lesser number however, the magnitude of strength in terms of decibels, neuronal power, professionalism, kindness, diplomatic honesty and all-round personality .... is pretty much an equivalent of a self-sufficient town where you buy milk at 4 am and  it's available, fresh and cold.  You get the drift right?

So frankly, let me scan my phone and  allow me to dig into the apps I use frequently and see who occupies my waking moments:

- hubby
- NAM
- HOLA girl
- Freezejas 
- TPL
- HoD
- work colleague
- a family member
- the POCOCKs and the gang
- the GUY's gang composed of 2
- the bank

Seriously, I'd never be considered as social butterfly for nothing. But at the rate things are going, I see a mellower person with a lot of time for other things productive. As for friendships, I clearly don't need a thousand strong to make my life anything different. I'd be polite and say HI to people  when chances permit but as for those I follow in moments I choose to do then... it's a different story. 

Fact is, I care about my old old friends and those who in a way helped me be the person I am now like my classmates, my acquaintances and ex-lovers (not that there's many of them). But as we grow old, something clicks inside of us and we have the luxury to choose what we want and what we like. Besides, growing old is not for those who dilly-dally. By now, I know what I like and I am perfectly comfortable with that power to choose. 

I am old enough to say that connection isn't something I need to force. Some things just fit perfectly. Just like friendship

just a thought

I received a text from a friend asking me to write a blog about friendship. I have written quite a few texts related to friendship but I haven't really gone that far as "go for the jugular" kind of way in defining friendship. I just really blame my sit-on-a-fence persona when it comes to a sensitive subject we call FRIENDSHIP. But thinking about that, I've had a fair share of villainous encounters with friends because as we all know, friendship isn't always about fun and reciprocation. It is also about retribution from abuse and extreme honesty. In friendship, honesty can be cruel for it is like a blunt sword you cut your friend with when the situation calls for it.

Good friends are like that: a blunt sword but instead of its intended use to cut you in half, it is modified to spank or poke to incite and excite awareness. Good-friends-gone-bad are those who insist of slicing you with the same blunt blade because they think you are stupid not to learn your mistakes or they manifest their passive-aggresssive nature against your pestering nature as a person. Bad friends use the sharp blade where you bleed and left for dead. OK.. Enough of similes and metaphors.

We always say... "He is my friend because we have fun together". We never really focused on things that are negative from the start to gauge a burgeoning friendship right? It's just silly that we do that but aren't we supposed to be aware of a certain time-frame in understanding individual differences because... as far as I know... we all behave in such an unpatterned ways dependent on a gazillion factors about humanity.

I am friends with almost everybody (except for that woman in the same directorate I am currently in - GOD I HATE HER with so much passion) but I say that because I promote peace and harmony to where I live, where I work and basically, where I breathe. What I have noticed about my set of friends is that... they are different people with different personalities and most importantly, they lead and live their own lives independently. I think that's the keyword for friendship really: Independence. The person's presence doesn't diminish in his/her aloneness and even more palpable in the presence of a dear friend. Putting so much expectation on a friend to behave in a way you've perceived good friendships should be then you expect it to fail.

I preached too much already.

Have a good day.

imagine the shame if I don't pass this test

To quote a colleague... "Don't worry about the theory test Ryan. Idiots pass that so why can't you".

Gee thanks! Talking about pressure eh?...

the life of i

I finally tested iCloud in one of my devices and it worked. The nerd inside of me went bananas!

self

Let's talk about people.

Rubbernecking used to be my fave past time. Then my priorities changed and focused on 95% self indulgence. Today however, I'd like to give back to people who occupy my close breathing space in the Tube and glorify them in terms appropriate to their existence. But then again, I'm TIRED already. Besides, I'm not keen on glorifying them knowing that it's not just recycled air that we share but the winter bugs. Some of them are already violating my personal space without remorse so....

I'd rather be self indulgent.

the beauty of dying

a room with a view

I went to the other site and supervised one of the staff doing haemodialysis using the newest machine. The last time I went to this ward was 10 years ago (for job interview then). It hasn't changed at all. The Houses of Parliament still reign supreme over the Thames.

Although this is a room with a view, still... I don't want to be ill just to have the chance to gaze at the view 24/7.

my early mentors

Marion, Diane and Nadia (From left)...

Nadia is like my mother. She's the reason why I am who and what I am right now. She steered my professional life and never regretted that I followed her advice about this particular field. Seeing her again after several years brought me joy and comfort. It's good to know that she's proud of me and of what I've achieved.

So I said to her.... "Thanks for allowing me enjoy my working life". She looked puzzled so I said, "Thanks for giving me loads of weekends off then and that way, I enjoyed my working life even more". She smiled and said, "I fought your corner Ryan. They were miffed that you were my favourite".

I finally said... "You chose rightly". We both smirked.

lecture

The good thing about teaching young minds is that they're like a sponge. I have been delivering this session about Renal Nursing for a long time and it still amazes me how students perceive learning. I remember my days as a student and I certainly showed enthusiasm towards learning and development. I think, the main bulk of what I know now is the product of years of honing the specific expertise of the profession I have chosen.

Today's my last day of Nevin lecture hall teaching. I take pride on saying that because Nevin is a massive hall and designed a la Victorian classroom where the lecturer stands at the bottom and the students are surrounding you like a school of pilchards and planktons. I was told to deliver a new session re: renal nursing and I did just that. The microphone and state of the art AV system helped make my life easier as I tried to multitask in the process. Didactic approach to teaching is no longer ideal in terms of inculcating learning. There are now a lot of methods of how we could influence students re: education. Amalgamating these resources effectively is dependent on innate confidence and preparedness. Today, this may sound like a brag but talking about renal is a walk in the park. The back of my hand would have more creases I haven't seen before than ironing out issues related to my set presentation.

At the end, there was a round of applause. If I fucked it up then I'd be scarred for life knowing that my last session went wrong and I'm leaving London a failure. Repercussions would have been a year-long therapy with a sick-and-tired friend listening to my unending angst. But NO.... I did well. My last teaching session went on smoothly and I'm proud of myself.

To all those who taught me what I've learned and those who taunted me leading to poor self esteem over the years .... Here's my way of saying... THANK YOU. If not for the challenge, I'd never be an educator I pride myself to be these days.

audit

I was doing an on-the-spot audit of units/wards with my colleague when a lady approached us thanking me for something I've done weeks ago. Then it clicked... There's this old woman who was bleeding from her operation site and I cleared the lift and escorted the family to the nearest unit in a jiffy. It was a really simple act of goodness and besides it's a conscientious nurse would do anyway. Still, it's good to be appreciated even for the littlest of efforts. When the lady left, my colleague smiled and said, "You'll miss us Ryan when you go". In a way, she's right.

Back to audit.

We were doing checks on the completeness of prescriptions, fluid balance chart and observations (vital signs for others) of every single in-patient charts in each ward. Nursing profession has moved on by leaps and bounds in a very short period of time and it's evident from the requirements we expect of the profession and the people who practise it. Checking the observations and other clinical documentations make me feel like a bogus strutting my authority in the ward as if I know everything there is to know about the process and dedication it takes to plot these things down (actually I do know how to take obs and interpret them fully). However, the last time I worked in a clinical setting was aeons ago. When I saw some notable discrepancies from these docs, I couldn't help but ponder on how I fared myself years ago.

No matter how hard I detach myself from everything clinical, the nature's always there. I've always been a nurse first, an educator... second. I'm moving soon to a place where I'd be relegated to do things that would take me away from clinical setting and I clearly imagine degeneration in terms of clinical skills.

The idea petrifies me.

lazy

The only exercise I've done this past weekend was badminton.

That's not entirely correct for I have exercised my oral muscles due to non-stop mastication of delectable dishes. At the rate my mouth was gnawing on meat and the likes, I could have powered the entire city with the friction it generated through chewing. I seriously need to slow down on those carbs and fats if I want to see the future of blogging mankind.

Like, SERIOUSLY.

Ok.... let's dream!

I'd love to own a Leica but this will be just fiiiiiiiiine.



... and a new coat to add to my collection.

When I'm down and out...

I wish that my mother, father, brother, sisters and relatives are around me.

talkin' about...

... minor depression and unhealthy eating habits...

Don't get me wrong because I am happy with the other avenues of living but you can't have it all, can you?

state

Words of the day:

vicissitude
&
destitute

feels like Friday

My body's deteriorating fast and it's only Tuesday. If this carries on in the next few days, I'd be dead by friday. The 1001 issues about moving are wearing me down. Over the years I have learned the tricks of life and its incongruences but as I grow older, motivation and the ability to navigate its seemingly labyrithine intricacies are proving to be more difficult to the point of decimation of any hope left in my system.

Sacrifices come from a range of small to large quantities. This is the biggest hurdle yet in terms of how repercussions are drubbing the life out of any sense left in my mental and emotional virtues.

good sign

I haven't forgotten Rafa at all. He may not be winning a lot of titles and keeps on losing against a certain Serb but he's right there for people to see all the time. London buses are cool.

3

After 3 weeks, the terrapins are still alive. This is a good indication that I can rear and nurture a macrocospic living organism someday. But then again, turtles are resilient by nature... more than dogs and cats.

By the way, they are not copulating. They are just scurrying away and huddling together out of fear. They obviously know I'm not their master.

proof

Here's the proof that vanity is deeply embedded inside me.

£35

Yes.

The whole set is £35. When it is too good to be true then one just couldn't help but be skeptical about it - so I did a bit of investigative journalism. I found out that his wife left him recently and to move on unequivocally from the heartache and trauma, he's getting rid of things that would remind him of her. It looks brand new so Gelo and I decided to buy it.

History makes items more interesting, to be honest. It also applies to common people, y'know.

this caught my usually divided attention

Trying to relieve myself after a pub meal in Norwich, I saw this (£5 inflatable sheep) and wondered...

weekend in pics and pixels

I bought and carried six boxes of doughnuts to Norwich.



Played badminton.



Cooked a massive portion of risotto.



Then went to Carboot for stuff.



And bought some stuff.



Today, I'm feeling under the weather. I wonder what caused it.

Compensation

I NEED TO STRESS THIS FACT: Gelo and I finally found a place to live. I must tell you that the view from the window is a revelation. It compensates for the one-way traffic through to the kitchen. The spacious bedrooms also compensate for the lack of installed shower but the latter isn't a biggie of a problem. This part-furnished flat is well compensated by the fact that we can have cats and dogs to our liking but the idea of high maintenance puts me off.

Let's see if the terrapins are still alive before I think of other living creatures to foster.

Menstrual

Crikey!!!!!

One of the passengers in this carriage is having her period. The blood all over the toilet bowl is the proof. I planned to take a photo but nausea took over me.

What if I'm wrong?

la fin de semaine

My partner loves singing and anything that involves singing. This is why X-Factor is a must see without fail. This is the reason why I know the last few of the remaining acts for both USA and UK shows. Some people I know don't follow this indulgent Telly viewing. After several years of repeated search for a singing star, people must have been saturated by such variety of musical tones that they literally shut down through auditory sense. Then you have the likes of my hubby whose perfect weekend ends right there. Then there's me who would happily pass my opinion about the singing with such air of nonchalance.

The fact is... We both love singing. I sing because it's an act of liberation from stresses of living. It is short term remedy but a solution of some sort is always welcome no matter how finite its longevity is. My hubby sings because he loves the act several notches higher than my perception of it. In a way, this common ground between us makes it easier to comprehend our differences as individuals. Sitting on a couch surrounded by friends and watching X-Factor is an exercise of connection with healthy and helpful appendages to spare. I mean, it's a wonderful night when a variety of mental circuitry agree on something and let the passing of time bearable.

My weekend's Fab. But I know it can be replicated anytime soon.

Psychosis

Let me start by saying... This is a cold morning and exactly how I want it. Having minor arguments with Le Partenaire happen and has great potential to ruin a day. I'm glad there's a thing called good communication. Then the second thing that could ruin your day is the transport. This is something I'm laden with until mid November where points A and B are 120 miles apart. Hours are more difficult to find reasons for than minutes if it means being late for work. This morning, I took the 8 am train only to realise that it was a peak service. My ticket wasn't valid so I decided to jump off the train in a jiffy murmuring a grave sense of disgust. The reason: I was told by London train staff that I'd be able to travel back to London as long as I don't get there before 930 am. - 0800 train would take me right at the end of Liverpool street tracks just before 10. Miscommunication has repercussions. It's like acute psychosis minus the fun.

At work, we are interviewing all day. That's another psychosis in the offing where paranoid delusions work to a certain advantage.

Yey

I am happy. Actually, both of us are happy. Gelo and I just came back from CARBOOT and found a rather practically elegant dining set and will be delivered next Saturday. You'd ask... Why buy home stuff when you don't even have a place yet to live. Here's the thing... We viewed few properties yesterday and FINALLY found a place to spend our married moments. It's a lovely 2-bed flat near the City Centre. It will sound corny but it's really a blessing.

I have pictures to share but let's see if I manage to post some later. Blame Blogspot (google owned) and Apple incompatibility.

Yey

I am happy. Actually, both of us are happy. Gelo and I just came back from CARBOOT and found a rather practically elegant dining set and will be delivered next Saturday. You'd ask... Why buy home stuff when you don't even have a place yet to live. Here's the thing... We viewed few properties yesterday and FINALLY found a place to spend our married moments. It's a lovely 2-bed flat near the City Centre. It will sound corny but it's really a blessing.

I have pictures to share but let's see if I manage to post some later. Blame Blogspot (google owned) and Apple incompatibility.

Need

When you're hungry.... I mean.... really hungry, you'd eat anything. It's a bonus if you like what's on your plate. AJ and Co. ordered pizza last night with spicy wings, fried chicken parts and fries. I savoured the first bite and climaxed on the last bite. The reasons: one skipped meal and a two-hour train journey to Norwich. You'd think the latter was a stoooopid reason but when the carriages are overcrowded, you know you'd never even think of leaving your seat (unless it's about the call of nature, wilder than the petulance of a nagging tummy).

It is bad to skip meals. The minute hunger takes over, you glorify nothing but food; the same thing as facebooking at work.... Errrr not really. Blogging, maybe.

Go... Have coffee or do something else

I'm off to Norwich yet again. It's just a matter of few weeks before I see myself totally immersed in a city I just know on weekends. This time, I'd be living the life of a Norwich-ian just like the rest of people who are happy that their malls shut at 6 pm and the life left buzzing are the bars and clubs. I just wish their cafés open longer but no.... You have to go home and make yourself a pot to your heart's content. 

Armed with 6 boxes of Krispy Kreme and my trusted Tumi bag, this weekend's going to be strictly social. I intend to play badminton with friends and view some more properties. However, viewing some other properties will just be a formality. Gelo and I have set our eyes on one property already and if practical reasons are to go by, this one's a winner by a mile. Also, I expect a night in with friends with nothing but Telly viewing, light drinking and tonnes of warm-hearted banters. 

I still have an hour before the train sees the final railtrack. The guy in front of me is devouring a novel intently via Kindle and next to him is a middle-aged chap who hums something from the Brat Pack. The boy next to me is doing what's expected of him: play a video game. This travel is like that routine, predictable flow of time. You know it'd progress to another added minute and hour and things would be what you'd expect without fail. 

I'm not using the term boring. There are times one could only wish for something like this because it is what your mind and body need to recuperate from the barrage of stimuli the weekdays had offered. I say this is self -contentment but I don't blame the reader of this blog to get bored. Allow me to let you slip away and hopefully, find something more productive to turn your Friday energies to. 

Thanks for reading. 

worth awwwww-ing

My tatty old badge is finally going to get its well earned rest. After over three years of servitude, it has proven itself well. Goodbye is not going to be a straight-forward thing to do. It'd be laden with blood, sweat and tears.

You'd probably say, "Just get on with it and move on, will ya?".

I'd say, "Real sentiments are deeply rooted. I put value on things, real or imaginary".

my favourite time of year is fast approaching

...hence my happy, cheeky face under that warm headgear.

simulation

Almost immedicately after hearing the word/s after-care, one loses the interest to follow up on cleaning the mannequins and equipments used during teaching sessions/simulations. It's the same for everything really. Most of us like the extended hurrah and celebration of a successful program and leaving the mess for other people to act upon. But this is not the point I'm making.

I'm old-schooled. Simulations were as rare as the raindrop in Gobi desert. Talks about it were rife but actions were a different matter. I learned most things in my professional career by reading theories and observing new learning objectives in action at work. I was brave enough to put myself in the forefront of any possible courses and modules grabbing as much knowledge for my seemingly rapacious, sponge-like mater. It somehow paid off.

Teaching and Learning programs evolve slower than today's definition of friendship. I still believe that the right amalgamation of old and new strategies re: inculcating ideas to young (and old) minds help achieve a favourable direction in developing present and future practice. Simulation is one brilliant idea I'd never be intimidated of unlike some people in the teaching pool who shy away from the benefit it affords.

We have a SIM-Man that cries, talks, blinks and performs other humanly features and I find that COOL. I watched Stephen Hawking's program on telly last week and was blown away by scientific possibilities a decade from now. The day will come when I'd be expected to teach a session where my students are from the past. That would be the day, don't you think?... Imagine re-writing history, huh!

bukang liwayway

I tried to squeeze my brain thinking of a better Filipino translation for the title but failed miserably. This is all about the artistry and exquisiteness of the rising sun during Autumn and Winter seasons. It simply goads me to be flowery creative about life and living.

But it's Friday and I'm terribly tired.

last minute

You already know that Bo lost an arm, a leg and most of his dignity, figuratively. Helping him with his present shitty predicament, we walked miles and miles across London to get his accomodation sorted. When a slight blip of light was in sight at the end of the tunnel (I love the three-word rhyme), it was too late to realise that I graced the grand London wearing this!!!!!!

Que Horror!

To lose

So.... We've cancelled and blocked everything. We waited for an hour for this security guy to show up with the key to his flat. He's mobile-less and he's freaking out. He started mental calculating his loss in pounds and he freaked out some more. Then he said... "By the way, both your gifts from NYC happened to be in the bag that's stolen".

I said.... "Fuckin' thieves!!!!!".

Bloody thieves

Bad News!!!!'

Bo's bag was stolen and as usual, I was the initial displacement of his wrath. It's like WW3 really. He's lost his phone, wallet, iPod, newly bought headphone, keys, professsionality and dignity. Now, that's a lot!

Handling these kind of issues is not his strongest point. Let's see how far he's matured over the years.

mentor

This is the WOMAN who taught me everything I need to know about PDN-ning. The most important thing you need to know is that she is a walking dictionary and she strings phrases as if you haven't heard English your entire life. I'm taking this opportunity to feature Barbara here just in case I forget the special mention before I depart.

simply simple

Living is meant to be simple.

done... dusted

My last session of Venepuncture and Cannulation for the Trust's done. Despite that massive loss of energy, I feel elated whilst reading the positive evaluation comments from the staff. My adrenaline is levelling down and it's only now that I feel the need to sit and wind down a notch.

It's always good to be appreciated for what you do. I'm glad to have chosen this path of my profession and may this continue wherever my feet take me in the future. I'm a bit mellow now and I'm heaving a good sigh.

more doses of Janette

Finally, I was able to convince Janette to write a blog.

So , WELCOME JANETTE.

May your sarcasm prosper and finally bag you a man who doesn't get intimidated by your charm and wit.

Let's give her some love: www.jenesphere.blogspot.com

leading the pack

For me to say, I LOVE CHOCOLATE is an overstatement. Still, I find assuagement from cocoa at times of depression. But that could wait a long while. At least, I know where to go in case I get delusions of persecution. But that's a long shot since I know I'm in a happy place now.

Geddit?

Can one possibly miss an inanimate object?

I saw a man carrying a Mulberry bag and suddenly, I felt a twinge. My chest started to tighten and my heart, pumping faster than usual. I became anxious and started staring at the bag... then the man... then the bag... then the man... then my feet.

So yea... I suddenly missed my bag.

a dose of Janette

I must say, Janette is a rarity. You'd argue that ...." so is everybody". We can say, no two individuals are alike hence that rarity or complete uniqueness. But let me stick to the original proposition that Janette is a rarity. No argument there.

I say this because when I'm with her, I feel like a different person. I cultivate a different persona that's something innate and only reserved for Janette when she rises along the tides a la Venus. I mean, we seldom see each other but I have that section in my being that's speaking the Janette lingo and nothing else.

OK. OK. OK.

I'm sure you're getting the drift so back to Janette. She's turning 40 soon and I want to be of help. I'd love to find her a boyfriend soon so... any bachelors out there? No gay guys allowed. I know why you'd love her. Her high-end designer bags are enough enticement to be honest. But seriously, Janette needs a man.

I wonder what to get her for her birthday.