Libera...Surprise, surprise. :-)

I wanted to cap the night with doing rounds on my 9 patients at the wards, when I bumped into  Joff who told me that he had free tickets to Libera from a friend, and if I wanted to come.


What do you think I said?


(I decided on the spot. Yes!)

Bien, and his pretty eldest daughter Tricia (who was also in a choir) were also going, which made it more fun (but I have to admit, thought, anything that's free is always fun.).

Add caption

That's Me, and Tricia, and Bien.

 

And, well, that's the four of us. Joff (for Joffrey), one of the pre-residents applying for the Psychiatry program happened to have free tickets, courtesy of a friend who worked at the Inquirer. The Black-Eyed Peas were also performing and apparently, this wasn't General Admission. ;-)

 

I've heard about Libera before, and that they've been here in the Philippines to perform. However, I never got to see them. :-) I don't know if some of you have noticed it, but they're usually on the airline flights ads...how could you not know Libera if you're a frequent flyer? :-D

 

I thought the boys were amazing. All throughout the show, they'd insert little snippets of their tour, little anecdotes about what it's like being in the choir, and how they all had to learn their music by heart, as well as the song sequences,and even where to go (yes, they move around a lot).

:-) Oh, this is supposed to be a nice picture... I just couldn't brighten it up enough.... :-)


 When the boys sang the Filipino Christmas song Himig ng Pasko, my eyes misted over. I have always loved the song, and I got to thinking about how I won't be going home for Christmas this year. Well, I'll be able to go home on the  30th of December, and will probably be doing Noche Buena at Chamie's, but that's basically the holidays for me...


Anyway, when the boys started to sing that particular Christmas song, the old man leans over, whispers something in her ear, and kisses her softly on the cheek. And then he puts his arm over her shoulders and pulls her close, and then she puts her head on his shoulder.


I couldn't help but cry a little. I thought that was sweet. Something to look forward to with someone. Someday... (although I don't know when, and I don't know with whom.). But still ... one never knows how one's future will turn out exactly, for sure. But knowing me, I always seem to know what I want (or who I want) anyway. :-)


The best kiss I ever got was on the cheek, by the way. Soft and gentle.

 

Taking pictures wasn't allowed, during the show, so I was only able to take pictures at the end. :-)

 

The boys, of different ages (and sizes) waved goodbye onstage, after the performance.

And these are some of the people who waited in line to have their Libera cd's and posters signed...

 

Ok, what is a concert attendance, without posing with the concert poster, right? :-) This was actually an afterthought, as initially, I was too shy to get a picture done. and then I went, what the heck, why not?

So anyway, this is me, and my cliche picture with the PICC logo, and the words, "Manila, Philippines".

(I'm right where I wanna be, baby.)

:-) Someone once asked me if I was the type of person who would "survive" in Manila. I thought, well, yes, of course. Thinking about it, I could basically survive (and like it) anywhere I wanted to be, especially if I had a reason to. 

(I basically just follow where my heart leads me. )

:-) 

Of course I had to take a picture of the PICC, like any "tourist". Joff's friends Dennis and Roselle and Ida took us home to PGH, and we had another invite just in case some artist or other wanders into Manila again. (I heard the next dude coming to town is Jason Mraz. Yippee!)


All in all, a lucky concert. Had an awesome time. Thanks for the freebies, Joff!


~ Love,


S.

Photos: Manila Days

Half-minute. October 2011.
(This is what a Manila Bay Sunset looks like...when the photographer hits the shutter button half a minute late.)

Family time on the curb. October 22,2011.
(I saw this family from the vantage point of the second floor, across the street.)

 

Promise lulled to sleep by Ninong Joe's rocking, and Bulgari Pour Homme. October 2011. 

I get jeans from Kamiseta most times, and they're very comfortable when you have to do some free reading on the floor of the national bookstore.. :-) October 2011. 

Sculpture at the Park.  September 2011.
(I took this photo with my camera phone while I was out jogging one time.)

 

Family time. August 2011.
(One time, while doing rounds, I just saw this very tired family, and couldn't help but snap a picture. They had such a peaceful slumber.)


(I sincerely hope I won't get in trouble. lol. )

Love,

S.

 

Free reading

My best friend Ivy was in town for the weekend for a work-related thing. :-)

I've known her since I was 13, a veritable "sister from another mother."

Earlier tonight, we were eating our Starbucks stuff and drinking coffee at the dining table of my condo. After tasting a bit of the strawberry whipped cream from my waffle, she went, "Phan, this is so not high school anymore."

And we had a good laugh. Starbucks was never a consideration for snacks back in high school...

(We've come a long way, Vivz.;-) )

Oh, and if I might add, the National Bookstore floor is a nice place to hang out in. Especially at the photography books section. I found this cool book on Digital Photography...and tips on Portraits. I wanted to buy it but I suspected I could read it in one sitting, so I...did. :-)

Oh, and Ivy took this picture, when i told her about the trick of the 45 degree angled lighting. She applied it immediately. And yes, I like portrait photography, people being my favorite subjects. 

Anyway, speaking of cameras, if you want a "bridge", I would definitely suggest a Canon G12. It's pretty cool. Tried one out this morning.  Sweet. 

:-)

Love, 

S.

The perfect pizza

 

Now I know what "Pizza" should be like*... :-)

Presenting Pizza Hut's Tuscani Pizza, in All-Meat. 

Inspired by:

The long day at work...

My cousin Ruville's recent victory at the CPA licensure boards (You rock, Manang Kobee!)...

My cousin J Miguel's birthday....(I like to call him my "Kinapanggaan"* cousin).

...and simply the chance to just have a few hours to kick back and relax, thankful that you're young and healthy and that everything's going well, so far. :-D

(I should have gotten this pizza last week too. LOL.)

Love, 

S. 

* perfect pizza should be thin, with lots of toppings... :-)


** most loved (he's from Bohol, and in their version of the dialect, that's the superlative of "beloved". :-))

Photo: Sunrise

  I have a thing for sunrises...I got this one yesterday morning, when I woke up super-early, just in time to see this beauty rising up from the horizon.


So tell me, what/who do you think about first thing in the morning?


Love, 


S.

"Utilitarian"

My good friend R. just recently celebrated his 26th birthday, and I got him a present, which I told him was “utilitarian”.  He agreed. It was inexpensive, of course, but I figured it was something he could use, being the busy medical student that he was. According to him, it was just what he needed…however, after a few beats, though, he said that I should have gotten him the bigger one.

(Some people, tsk tsk… are never satisfied. ) 

Anyway, he reminds me of my brother…if my brother were in Medicine, and could talk a mile a minute..including being obsessive compulsive. Which he is so not. Well, they even sort of look alike. (And like any younger brother, he can be annoying, especially when he tries to talk like he’s older.) I figured the reason why we hit if off was because, in a sense, he was like family, right off the bat. My co-residents are used to seeing him around and talking to me. Initially, they asked me if there was anything going on between us, but of course, there is nothing to confirm. He’s just a friend. I’d say brother, but we’re not related.

-------
Why I wrote this? No big reason… I’m just stuck in the house with a migraine and I can’t bring myself to go downstairs to get me some pain meds. I just wish someone would whip me up a utilitarian present of a pack of pain meds. preferably Cox-2 inhibitors.


Please. please. please.
---

Love,

S.

Picture posting...

is currently a Herculean task...as none of my uploading attempts are working. Be back in a few...


Got exams in a couple of days.


Onto other things... Happy Birthday to the Duchess of CL, Ma'am Wamcie. You rock! :-)


Love, 


S.

Video: Poison and Wine

i was watching "Something Borrowed"...i love their soundtrack. This is my favorite song out of the album...aside from Salt N' Pepa's "Push It". :-)


:-)


love,


S.

Video: Adele's Someone Like You

This was my theme song for much of yesterday morning (October 10,2011, 6:00AM). 

Let's keep that a secret...That i'm a closet cornball.


Adele reminds me of Armi Millare from Up Dharma Down, but she's better.


A secret, ok?


:-(


Love,


S.


"Someone Like You"

I heard that you settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,"
Yeah.

You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

The Boyfriend Substitute

“You are my boyfriend substitute…” my friend said.

We were walking towards a restaurant for take-out food, and she happened to jokingly mention it. “My boyfriend won’t be around tonight, so I wanted to eat dinner with you guys, you’re my boyfriend substitute for now.” She said further that she didn’t want to be alone in the house, because she’d probably just sulk.

She tells it in a joking, coy manner that it is hard to take her seriously sometimes (but I usually do.LOL).

Having lived alone for the longest time ever since residency started, I couldn’t relate. There was nothing better to look forward to at the end of a long day than the prospect of going home to my cozy condo unit and just letting all my cares slip away. There’s food, there’s tv, and just recently, internet connection (I’ve got globe now!) at my place. Oh, and the couch is super comfy, I sometimes just spend the night there.

I have had roommates, yes, but none of them have been long-term ones. The longest one was 3 months running, until she decided to quit residency training (for a different department) so she could focus on her other priorities. Another roomie, a friend, stayed only for a short while because her tenure was only short-term, but I didn’t think it would have worked anyway,as I wasn’t totally comfortable talking to her about certain stuff…and it kind of got heavy sometimes, with work and all.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the  avoidant type, nor am I schizoid, I just like having a breather from all the “craziness” (pardon the pun) of the world down there, that at some point, I would like some privacy, and some quiet time of my own, some time for solitude. I think it is necessary to “reset” oneself on a daily basis when the need arises. Besides, in my job, you can’t give much help if you yourself are troubled deep within. Psychotherapy requires a lot of psychic energy, one that tends to get depleted with prolonged daily use.

I have a thing for doses of solitude from time to time… can’t help it. I’m a big fan of Rilke…but with a much lesser permeable membrane, of course.

Anyway, initially, my mother had the idea of me bunking with someone just so someone could take care of me just in case I got sick, or what not. As it turns out, I got to liking peace and privacy more often than I got sick, so here I am. Still roommate-less.  But I’m not complaining…it is kind of liberating. I get to do whatever I want whenever I want to. My biggest peeves though, are scrubbing the bathroom walls, fixing the toilet when it gets clogged (when my father is not around to fix it, of course), and carrying my groceries by myself. especially when I decide to buy the 2-liter coke bottles and the orange juice…

But it’s all good. I’m happy where I am.

You know what I really hate, though? It’s when I have my hands full of carrying my long-term supply of groceries and then my nose itches…and I can’t scratch it.

haha..

good night!

Love,

S.

p.s. pics from Chamie's grand rounds...

 Chamie presented a patient's case  regarding stigmatizing patients with mental illness, and it was her idea to have all of us wear "label" t-shirts (which I, of course, spent all night making and ironing.LOL)

 "Gravedigger" for my tendency to "dig my own grave" according to my groupmates. Here's me with my signature (?) "I have a question..."

 with some of my coresidents...

we usually get a free lunch after grand rounds. ;-)