Here's a lollipop and play jackstones

I haven't done overtime for years.

I remembered doing it against my will, working a 13 hour shift in a dialysis unit because I was extremely skint. If I didn't do it, I'd eat shit and drink pee literally to live for few days - that BAD. I have just done my third teaching session in a span of few weeks due to that need. The good thing about it is doing something for few hours and getting more in the process (compared to pure nursing care). The best thing however is doing what I love the most - teaching.

I taught Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adult incl MCA and DoL.

I was talking to my partner about this venture last week and I'm getting more and more convinced of setting up a company that deals with statutory and mandatory trainings for healthcare staff. Being paid for something you love doing is indeed a rewarding experience. It's like a hobby you spend most of your out-of-work-duty-of-care moments but remunerated at the same time. It's like you're asked to play and be rewarded for having fun.

Do you know someone who says that out of your hundred of friends out there?

temptation

I received my latest copy of RCN Bulletin and was on its way to the bin when I felt the urge to scan the "jobs" section. Then I came across two jobs: Nurse Educator in Qatar, Doha and Senior Lecturer at Bucks University. My ego was so overpowering that I readied my CV and started filling up the online application.

My superego intervened and realised that finding the perfect job is not of paramount precedence. Mr. Bernal is.

knowledge is...

I think this is our Elective Science classroom.

I graduated from Romblon National High School and placed top 7 overall. It's obviously an ordinary feat but I had a wonderful experience back then. I think, I was able to balance scholastic and extra-curricular activities hence my least corrupted social decorum and mental outlook in life... or maybe not.

I still think that one doesn't have to graduate in one of the top schools in Manila to plot a better life and well-being. Most of what we are as entities upspring from our innate makeup.

cheap thrill

There is something romantic about grocery shopping with your beloved.

Cromer

This is one of the teaching venues I'd be frequenting in the next few months. I think it's motivating to be a student when stone throw away from your classroom are these scenic views. Now, imagine my delight at exploring the town after a tedious session of imparting knowledge to young, fresh minds (debatable). Truly inspiring.

having lunch with myself

The deeper I get to realising my role within the organisation, I'm finding myself more alienated and devoid of human contact in between working moments. Lunch is becoming a solitary experience I'm starting to feed my soul with as I feed my unhealthy physical being.

way with words

Norwich today.

the audition

Interview:

Judge 1 - What are you singing for us?

Me - A song from Les Miz. Stars.

Judge 2 - What's that?

Me - A musical... based on Hugo's novel.

Judge 1 - (puzzled look). Hmmm.




(After the song)

Judge 1 - Is that a church song? You must be really religious.

Gelo - (nearly choked).

Well, Javert's religious until he committed suicide.

blending

They are some of Gelo's work colleagues. I really thought blending in would be a real struggle but I obviously underestimated the power of my multiple personalities.

official work companion

It won't answer back.
It makes teaching a lot easier.
It won't abandon me.
It provides a good "displacement" re: work frustrations.
It's bound to respect and serve me for a very long time.

emotion

My sister messaged me on FB about Papa and immediately, I phoned home. I was able to talk to my father and in few seconds, he handed the phone to my mother. My mother said, "There, he is crying again. He is missing you". I begged him to talk to me and in his croaky voice, he said, "When are you going home?" He then said something else but I couldn't figure it out as he's already breaking down on the phone. My mother took the phone so I said, "Please tell him I love him and I terribly miss him". I could feel the warm tears trickling down my cheeks choking on every word being said.

If only I could .......

car-boot Sunday

From here...



To here.

twins????

We are getting that a lot lately.

manipulation of time

Today, clocks move forward.

We have two wall clocks and a few wrist watches to adjust. Some watches are easy to wind; some need a booklet to decipher buttons to press. Moving time an hour forward is like giving up or losing hope. You want to rid yourself of present predicament and move on from there.

If only life moves on to a better place as I wind the clocks an hour forward, then I'd be more in control.

past tense

Did I really write this nearly two years ago?

Days are stupid
Seconds, lame
It takes no measure
To find the flame
But days are long
Seconds, impetuous
These fickle measures
Make wanting arduous.

like Home

Horsey, Norfolk is half an hour drive from where I live. It has a long stretch of fine white sand and permanent residents: SEALS. I'm glad both Tony and AJ invited me to the sea-side whilst my hubby's earning us some keep. For some strange reasons, it felt like home as I trundle along the sand, trying to feel the fine grit against the sole of my feet. It brought back flashbacks of Tiamban, Romblon and Boracay.

I'm glad for the memories.

horsey... norfolk

Wildlife in my doorstep and free.

panic averted

I lost my Driving Theory Certificate.

I searched high and low for this damn thing but it's just nowhere to be found. This is relevant to booking my practical driving test as dates and certificate number are pertinent details needed to proceed with the application. Then a light bulb flickered in my head and remembered that I blogged about it last November.

This is a CONCRETE evidence that blogging works. How inspiring!

1 and 1 not always 1 plus 1 ... part deux

They say, constancy makes two individuals look alike. I see that, truly see that.

This is probably why I think we have a great future together as civil partners. But I also think that to evolve into better persons in the process within the remit of marriage, we just have to be ourselves. I need to pick up on healthy social lifestyle habits again. I need to play tennis real soon.

1 and 1 not always 1 plus 1

What is change for the better?

I relocated to Norwich after years of living in London where I set a lifestyle that defined (and perhaps, still defining) me as a person. My social life even with less money in my pocket could take me to a great length of fun, filling up the domain that made up a huge part of my being. Since moving to Norwich, with a change of scenery meant a change of outlook, mainly lifestyle. Married life is a different realm. Compromise in terms of making two different souls and bodies happy in one abode can be delicate task. A unified approach to everything is almost impossible.

Then I remembered KG (Kahlil Gibran):

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

My hubby wants to lose weight and go to the gym but I'm allergic to the idea. I say, he does what makes him happy and hopefully, I get to find the personality that's pushed dormant since my life altering move to Norwich. It's true, we are still different individuals despite the union into one. I'm sure I'll find my good self again.

views of Spring

happiness in transit

I'm easy to please.

- Half an hour with a lovely dog
- a bouquet of flowers

Then, I will be grateful the rest of the day.

there's hope in true love

(photo taken at Mousehold Heath)

the sun

I don't like summer but I cannot hate the sun. We all know that without it, we are a non-entity, not even a speck. This week's been mild and sunny and with that, hanging clothes out there is the best solution to lowering gas/electric bill and avoidance of musty, mildewy smell of fabric.

This act reminds me of home... of childhood... of burgeoning dreams... of throes ... of bliss. This is childhood coming back to remind me of the magnitude of time lost and will be lost without the fulfilment of complete happiness.

It's probably a lie to say I'm fully content and happy. A friend said the other day that I am yet to realise my greatest potentials for she thinks I could accomplish more. However, I don't seek the extreme but the balance. It's something that has eluded me all my life.

the book

I won't pretend that I love books (I don't have a choice but to love textbooks and other references - work stuff). If I have the time and I'm in the mood, I do like reading short stories and blogs - novels take time to read and time is something I don't own.

In as much as I'd like to enrich my mind (JZ recommends reading a book to broaden one's perception) through books, I have a 300 page SOVA/POVA national directive document to read. I'm sure that qualifies as book-reading. It's not fun but I don't have a choice. This is why blogs and short stories appeal to me.

They're brief and have that on-the-nose approach to fitting in with other things that pull me in different directions.

"me" moment

I took my last two remaining holidays from work before the start of the new financial year. So as I laze around the house, I decided to do something worth doing i.e household chores and a relaxing bath while reading a book. Waiting for hot water to fill the tub, I played Michael Ball and took the book of short stories out of the shelf.

The sun's out and I feel the growing irascibility of some winter loving people out there ( like me). My other half is working hard until 9 pm and I have the house all to myself. However, I plan to walk a mile or more and see a different perspective at daytime. Ball is already singing songs of WestEnd and I hear myself humming with him. The water's inviting and the book's itching for a flick through the pages.

I need to stop blogging thru my phone.

playing good partner and a bit more...

I never thought I'd be this domesticated.

annual leave

Two hours later, I have done the washings (air and sun drying outside on this lovely day), dried the dishes, cooked lunch, vacuumed, scrubbed the bathroom and tidied up the living room. A clean environment really is a precursor to mental sanity and healthy well-being.

Geez, I'm extremely productive.

let's see sha'we?

I have high hopes that she'll make it to the finals.

totally unique.. unassuming... unpretentious

keep 'em comin'

The Trust I work for is so much into evaluation and audits. I tend to do 13-15 teaching sessions a month and I am expected to submit all the evaluations of the classes I teach for record-keeping. I don't want to sound like a braggart but I'm not ashamed of what I'm reaping as far as evaluations are concerned. I NEED IT IN FACT.

At the moment, only very few things keep me afloat. This is one of them.

jarsoom

We just visited Barsoom via IMAX and it's nearly midnight when we got home. I'm hitting the sack in Jarsoom and will talk about the RED planet when I see the light of day tomorrow. That is, if we are all still alive and not demolished by war, greed and indifference.

a strong affair

I've known myself for being extremely passionate about watches and coats. Then lately my desire for backpacks is reaching that level of vanity and addiction. The bad thing is: I can't afford these nice bags. The good thing is: I can't afford these nice bags. All I can do now is dream of it that someday, my fairy-godmother will grant my wish BIG STYLE.

To get this on any of the special calendar occasions won't be bad at all.

WINK!

life's lesson

A home without fresh flowers is a home without grace and allure. Instead, people call it a house and would call home any corner where they stumble upon some peace and quiet, where flowers bloom... in parks, the side-streets or someone else's abode.

miles and miles

Norwich (Norfolk) may not be as congested/populous as London (a 1/7 in proportion as a matter of fact) but that's a good thing I suppose. Norfolk makes up for it with the vastness of its natural ecology. As for work-related matters, the geographical location of clinical areas are nicely spread far apart and this makes my life a lot more complicated. I have miles and miles to traverse from point A to point B (point C if I want to complicate my life with extra teaching sessions somewhere else - but I'm clever y'see so I don't).

The best part is knowing that I won't die from illnesses related to pollution and socio-economic reasons. I'd probably kill myself by inhaling too much oxygen and perhaps, road traffic accident. Morbid thoughts, right?

Anyway, I am no longer a Londoner but my thoughts are. My body is definitely Norwichian/Norfolkian (if there's such a thing).

incomparable

children

There's always a child in us. It's not worth denying it.