Photo: JS Prom, Take 2

Prom. Photo by: Roz.

And so, for our high school* reunion, the Class of 2006 thought up the theme of J/S Prom...and so we ended up looking like this. Prom is prom, and this salmon pink number that I got off a rack is getting to be quite a fun pick. :-) Prom should be fun and carefree. :-)

Anyway, these are some of my classmates who came to the "prom" . My best buds in High School (sans Ria, whose baby had an asthma exacerbation at the time) were there. Antoine and Ivy picked me up at the salon...and I got a ribbing for "going all-out"...and I was like, hey, it took me 13 years to have another chance to dress up at prom, so why not? LOL"

:-)

It was a fun night... so good to see familiar faces. :-)

Something tells me "Makati Nights" are going to get more frequent from now on, considering there are a lot of us based in Manila now. <-- Makati, much to Antoine's delight, because he lives there, is the middle of everyone's location, so there. :-)

Happy New Year, folks!

Love,

~ S.

* high school  = RTPM Dumaguete Science High School (the regional science high school for Central Visasyas)

Photos: Dumaguete Day 1

Charm. Badjao baby riding the PUV. December 28,2011.

It doesn't happen very often that 3 planes happen to show up at one time on the Dumaguete Tarmac. So not. But considering they botched up,and had to cancel a flight due to tardiness, Cebu Pacific had to "create" a new flight.

“Happiness means being close to the one you love, that’s all,” muses the narrator.

"  (Antoine was reading this while waiting, and then I remembered how my cousin Chris raved about this book...he has a copy at home, which I will definitely read this vacation.)

View of the boat wrecked by Typhoon Sendong. December 28, 2011.

Just off the shore.

The Boulevard at night. (With Antoine as the shadowy haze.)

Love,

S.

Video: Valerie

:-) This is my favorite Amy Winehouse song... I like Bruno Mars' version, but this one is in a class all its own.

Amy Winehouse literally, rocks. <-- even if they just did a cover.

Love,

S.

Collage: pop of color

And so I've come up with the idea of making collages for everybody...and printing them out as Christmas Presents...after I've done a "vanity" one of my own. :-)

'If one spends all year taking pictures of everybody/people, one ends up with a lot of pictures to put in a collage." - Me.

Let's see if it works. haha.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

~ S.

Photo: Josh

Josh. December 8, 2011. Manila.

 

Happiness is a grateful spirit, an optimistic attitude, and a heart full of love. - Anonymous

Photo: Buses and Trains

Keys on a red wall. Mr. Quickie, Robinsons Manila. November 30th, 2011.

You know for sure...

That when you say "I Love You" first, and then the other person says...

"Whoa!"

or

"Thank you."

It's definitely unrequited. :-p

---

Check out "Buses and Trains" by Bachelor Girl. It's a classic-in-the-making. If not, then for the lovelorn, at least, who want to be all intellectual and still a bit whimsy about it. Love.

Love,

S.

Balls.

For the "unofficial" Christmas exchange gift party, I got  a set of 3 tubes of tennis balls..."Maybe these'll get you back to playing sports" - Joff.

Yippee!

(I love the "pop!" of freshly-opened balls. and the smell. and their heavy bounce when you first play.)

~


Love,

S.

P.S.

Photo: I told you

Chamie, Trina and Me. After a harrowing morning.  December 20, 2011.


"I told you I was trouble. You know that I'm no good." - Back to Black's "You know I'm no good."


(Although I'm pretty sure that's not what Amy Winehouse meant when she wrote that song. haha.)


Love,


S.

Video: Amy Winehouse' Back to Black

I like her voice. And her songs. So heavy and full-bodied. and raspy, really good when you're listening to it with Phillips earphones.

...Idea. I think I'll download an album for my pops. :-)

Love,

S.

Flooded playground

So I got to hear from my family that yes, they were all safe, and dry...but it was not the case for some of the people who lived near the river. There definitely were casualties, and my heart and prayers goes out to the families who were affected by the flash floods.

I was news-less. I had no idea what our place looked like, as the news were more focused on Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. I have friends from there, and i'm worried about them too.

My cousin posted pictures of what the flooding looked like, the extent of the damage. This picture below shows the water (these plants were chest-high).

The wooden orchid holders are hip-high...and my cousin's place is like, really huge and wide, but the water from the river still got up to very near their house!

 

This was one of the places we played in when we were kids...not the gate. it's almost submerged in water!

 

the water from the river got really huge... actually there's never been a flood this bad in Dumaguete. ever.

   

look at that. (oh, and in case you're wondering, my tita's orchids survived, funnily enough.)

we grew up playing in a lot of open spaces, so when i saw this, I was just very grateful...that the flooding in the house wasn't as bad. I mean, it's at a lower level than this one, but thankfully, it didn't get any worse than just ankle-deep, or less. 

 

We used to play here in my Lola's old coconut processor ( what's a Landahan in English?:-))

 

that cube-like structure is a bathhouse...the water got up to the doorknob, by the way.

 

the gates...

  

emphasis not on my cousin's trusty Islanders, but on the mud and river silt that coated everything (we had this in the house too...which people helped scoop out.). Even Shannon Lee, our dog,  had to be taken to my tita's place because they couldn't put her in the house because of the mud.

The strong river current from the mountains took away chunks of the riverbank and some houses . our house is near the river...but not as near as that one. Still, it was pretty scary, as the water from the river had gone all the way up to our house and gotten in. Had it not been for my Pop's "barricade" and quick thinking (and the fact that it happened on a Saturday), I think we would have lost more than my high school stuff and pictures..) :-(

Very thankful that everyone I love, back home is safe. Yes, that I am.

Love, 

S.

(Pictures taken from my cousin's site, with permission.)

Updates please!

I just recently found out that Dumaguete's flooded after a 36 hour rain fall...could anyone send updates, or put up pictures please?

Photo BY Clark Amante.

This was around the Area of Banica River, a pretty small river, 1/3 the size of the one right behind our house... :-( My ma assured me that they were alright, though. The water came in the house a little, but they're cleaning it up now, and people came over to help...

The power is currently out in Dumaguete, and there are some casualties. I hope everyone is ok.

This has never happened before in Dumaguete...I mean, i've lived there most of my childhood and some of my adult life, but there's never been a strong earthquake, a crazy flooding, or anything catastrophic that's ever happened there. until now.

I'm praying everyone is safe and ok now.

Please post more pictures if you can. thank you...

Love,

S.

Photo: Powernapping

 

Powernapping. December 15,2011.Ermita, Manila. 

I saw these ladies one afternoon, catching a few winks on my to the OPD, and I couldn't help thinking, "Hmm...I'd like to just keel over and grab some shut-eye too, if I could."

Sleep, oh beautiful sleep, is stress relief in itself.

Love,

S.

P.S. Am on my way to Makati to see Antoine and the Christmas lights at the Ayala Triangle with my Lumix ready in hand! Now that's stress relief! :-)

Don't break my heart.

This was the song that came on when I slipped my earphones in, from the spa.

UB40's Don't Break My Heart...

Uncanny.

One thought came to mind..."I hate walking around with a pained expression on my face."

:-(

Love,

S.

Christmastime

My Christmas Sock. December 11,2011. Manila.
(I think I'll hang it on my window where Santa can see it. A patient's mom made it for me.)

I got home 40 minutes past eight tonight, in a hurry, plopping down in my favorite seat on the dining table (there are 6, and I eat alone, so it doesn’t really matter.) I hurriedly opened my take-away dinner, a breaded pork-chop combo from Goldilocks. With laing.

I have to admit, Goldilocks is not gourmet food…but I’m a sucker for the Laing. My favorite comfort foods either remind me of home…or have a coconut milk-based ingredient. (In Iloilo, I had this thing for an Ilonggo dish called Pangat, which is kind of like Laing, but different.)

Why the sudden need for comfort food, you might ask?

Well…stress-relief, I suppose.

I’ve had a full day at work…quite a long day. I put in a lot of hours with patients. I think it’s time I put my foot in my mouth…I did mention before that one of the main things that drew me to train in Psychiatry was because of the stories. People’s stories. I loved learning about people.

Today, though, I have to admit…I’ve had too many “stories” to deal with… there simply were a lot of patients that I saw today. It’s not enough to just mainly listen…one has to piece everything together to come up with a good treatment plan (and to explain everything in Tagalog). Sometimes, I get a good ribbing from my friends, telling me that I’m just making things hard for myself, because I’m making other people’s problems my own.

Oh well, that’s part of it, but hey, you have to realize, there simply is nothing quite like the feeling that you made a difference in someone’s life. Well, in psychiatry, the results aren’t that dramatic all the time, but when you do see a difference, it is well worth all the effort.

(Like, this afternoon, one of my patient’s family caregivers couldn’t help but give me a high five, because of how well our patient was doing, and how much he had improved. I had to hand it to her…she was an extremely disciplined treatment partner who was able to follow instructions to the letter, and thus, together, we had worked really well together to make our patient better.)

And yes, there are others…I had another re-admission today because another patient relapsed. His mother had tried to “experiment” and seemed to me, was trying to “rush” the process, and ended up getting the patient under-dosed. What a shame. These make me sad, of course… But as they say, it is inevitable, there will be bad apples, so says my senior (and everyone else who has been in Psychiatry, for that matter.)

-----

There was one mother who was hesitant with having her patient admitted because it was going to be Christmas soon, and she wanted it to be spent at home with her family… I assured her that I’ll try to do whatever I can, but Christmas won’t be Christmas anyway, if her patient was currently in his present state…

\

----- 

One time this afternoon, I had a patient who would not take his medications at all…when I tried to have him take it in front of me, he sort of freaked out. Even my opening his pill box to put in front of make made him jumpy. You could clearly see the effort it took for him to drink water…for him to put the pill in his mouth…to speak afterwards. If I didn’t understand how his fear was so palpably real to him, I would have been annoyed and dismissed him. But no, I sort of felt for the little man. Fear can be paralyzing, whether it is real or not.

----

One of my patients presented me with a bunch of bananas. I was touched. He was sort of a recluse who used to be suspicious of other people, but I’ve seen him to be improving over the past few months, and I’m glad. He gave me a smile and apologized that he didn’t have a present for me for Christmas, but he hoped that I would eat the bananas for a snack.

------ 

Speaking of Christmas presents, I got a bottle of cologne from a well-meaning relative who just left it at the ward for me. Victoria’s Secret Pretty in Pink. So…pretty.  I think I’ll wear it in the morning.

----

Another patient’s mother gave me a loaf of Gardenia bread and cheese spread earlier this afternoon because she heard that I haven’t had lunch yet. I took some of it, yes, but I ended up giving the rest to my other patient who had just given birth and was hungry. <—this one didn’t have much money, and was always hungry.

Walking home from work, I then thought about this and realized…”Omigosh, they’re going to be in the same ward….the patient’s mother is going to see that I had given away her gift to another patient!”

Blooper. But hey, how could I not give it away…it’s not easy being hungry…

…which was pretty much why I had a big dinner, and Laing as well.

Happy Birthday, Ma. Thank you for being beautiful, in absolutely every way. 

Love,

S.

Talking to the moon

"Moonshine".  December 12, 2011. Ermita, Manila. 

I’ve had a session in supervision today… my supervisor came over to the department and we saw one of my long-staying patients, one of the most difficult cases I’ve had so far. She’s been admitted almost 5 weeks (our target is acute care – 2weeks.).

The visit from the supervisor was a great help, especially in cases like these. I entertained a neurological problem, but the scans were clean. I was kind of grasping at straws, but as per request, I think I’ll have to change medications to a faster acting neuroleptic.

(The gratification for one’s work in psychiatry is of the much-delayed type. It can take months. Years. )

-----

One of the nurses at the ward, has a sort of “gift”. I’ve never really explored it, but sometimes, just for fun, we ask him for a “reading”. With almost crystal ball-accuracy, he can give you a reading of your current state of affairs. When I was in the ward earlier and waiting for a procedure to be done, I asked him, “Hey sir, does your spirit guide have any message for me today?” and I chuckled.

He smiled, and thought for a little while… while I worked on some paperwork. Presently, he said to me, “You seem sad..like you’re walking around in sort of a daze. Your happiness should not depend on anyone, or anything for that matter…it should come from within.”

I guess he’s right…I’m pretty tired. And I've been really tired lately…

And then a few minutes later, he comes up to me and says, “Ma’am, I think I remember what I told you before, ‘If you settle for something right now, that’s all you’ll ever do, and that’s all you’ll ever get.’ “  I just gave a small smile, and said thanks. I mused about it, of course… I’ve realized, ever since he first said it, that I tended towards settling.

Maybe it’s time to think about myself and not about other things, or other people. Settling is not good…I deserve to be in a situation that would make me the best person I could be, and the happiest.

-----

I had a camera discussion with a friend earlier.

Yes, my Lumix is a beauty, and when I’ll have time, I’ll go do boulevard sunset shots, and shoot my favorite subjects.

People.

By the way, I took that picture above while listening to Sara Bareilles’ “Wherever the Wind Blows” when I got home tonight. I’ve been trying out the different settings.

------ 

Oh, and by the way, when I get stressed, I tend to sleep a lot.

Love, 

S.

P.S. The inspiration for the title came from Bruno Mars'. "Talking to the moon". <- Which is like somewhere out there, but more hiphop. ;-)

Video: All I want

Toad the Wet Sprocket: "All I want"




This is one of those alternative "classics" that is perfect for listening to when you're thinking about what you just said, with all the right intentions...but said in a wrong/different way. And what the repercussions might be...


But, some things just needed to be said. There will be consequences, and I hope I am strong enough for them.


ALL I WANT


Nothing's so loud
As hearing when we lie
The truth is not kind
And you've said neither am I
But the air outside so soft
Is saying everything
Everything
All I want is to feel this way
To be this close, to feel the same
All I want is to feel this way
The evening speaks, hear it say
Nothing's so cold
As closing the heart when all we need
Is to free the soul
But we wouldn't be that brave I know
And the air outside so soft,
Confessing everything
Everything
All I want is to feel this way
To be this close to feel the same
All I want is to feel this way
The evening speaks, I feel it say
And it won't matter now
Whatever happens will be
Though the air speaks of all we'll never be
It won't trouble me
(sung over last chorus)
And it feels so close
Let it take me in
Let it hold me so
I can feel it say






(Or am I just being corny?)


Love, 


S. 


P.S. more psychiatry and training related articles next time.

Photos: Prom Night

Last night was the department's Christmas Party...themed "J/S Prom" (by Mer), entitled "The Sparkling Ball" (by well, Me.) :-) I thought I'd share some pictures...these don't happen very often. Only on Christmas. :-)

That's our group performing a dance number to Adam Levine's "Moves like Jagger". :-)

Me and my beloved batchmates. :-p <-- i guess everyone had an awesome time. :-)

Chamie won "Best Dressed" and got to bring her favorite prom date (and well, you might as well call him her "forever date"), Tope, to the party. :-)

Dr. "JLo" (not her real name), one of my supervisors, was also there, and I got to pose with her.  After this picture, though, she reminded me, "Hey Steph. Don't forget to schedule supervision." (haha.)

Everyone had fun. I believe great parties are the ultimate equalizers.

(Well, not for every situation, but hey, you get the idea, right?)

That's our batch with some of the pre-residents...who'll be incoming first year next year. :-)

I got nominated Prom Princess, yes, but no, I didn't get the "Most Manic" award...that belonged to someone else, of course. :-p

What's a party without a congo line?? :-)

My favorite girls. My batchmates Chamie and Trina! :-)

:-) It was a fun party, really. Can't wait for next year's party! :-)

 

Love, 

S.