The past few days was hectic… some crappy… some good… But despite of all the things I have to put up with, I have learned a lot of things day by day.

I have learned that the music of the piano makes me happy…

I have learned that I can never make this world my world…

I have learned that not all people are sensitive and appreciative…

I have learned that raindrops are really beautiful…

I have learned that you have to think of things a thousand times before making a decision…

I have learned that the hardest and most excruciating word I could ever hear is maybe…

I have learned that the worst thing you could ever do to me is to keep me guessing…

I have learned that people you love can really hurt you a lot…

I have learned that I have to give up on cracking jokes because my sense of humor is hopeless…

I have learned that sharks are immune to all kinds of diseases including cancer…

I have learned that I am good at recycling…

I have learned that it is not bad to fight for what you deserve…

I have learned that speaking your mind out is helpful…

I have learned that real friends frankly tells you that your stupid…

I have learned that fish scales once dried look like petals of white roses…

And I have learned that you can’t always save someone from feeling the pain, sometimes you have to let them face the consequence of their actions…

Phew. Now I think my brain deserves a break… Right?

Two days ago I received a text message that actually painted one huge smile on my face! It reads:

“pls. be informed that your package is ready for pick up at LBC Balanga branch. pls. give them a call and present an I.D. to pick it up. thanks. – xend”

And oh, I was just like an inch from running around screaming with glee – ‘It’s here! It’s actually here!!’ if only I was alone then and not in the midst of a huge mob of people! LOL

And what do you kow, after 5 min I was actually inside LBC already! LOL And upon presenting my I.D. to the evil lady at the counter… this is what I’ve received…

It's my package!

And the best thing about it is…

It has my name on it! :p LOL

And when I opened it…

there was another packing... awww...

And when I opened it again….

It wasn't another pack! These are all the goodies!

Oh look!

The letter reads…

Jenny is my creative swap sender!

And you bet she sent me a lot of great stuffs! For the goodies, she sent me a box of Meiji strawberry-chocolate and a pack of M&Ms…

hhhmmm... it's going to be my first time to try this!

now who doesn't love this? :p

And then I found this…

oooohhhh.... interesting... >.<

Jenny made me a crochet headband!:) and I love it! Thank you!:D

She also sent me metallic bookmarks from her own collection!

super cute...

And for my ‘to be’ craft, she sent me these…

paintbrushes! Bekaruh's on the background...

and these…

and a set of oil paints! Yey! complete with my own tray for painting!

To Jenny, thank you very much to the nth time! I loved everything you sent me. And I am actually planning to start my first painting project maybe next week… Once I finish it, I am going to give you a peek to how I am actually doing! LOL

To Caryn, thank you very much for letting me join the Creative Swap! I am absolutely looking forward to the next round!

Piapot is still in awe…

I was assigned to do field work for our student publication for the 5th Philippine Bird Festival held at Balanga City, Bataan last October 8-10. And honestly, I wasn’t really that ecstatic about the fact that I will do it the first time my mentor have told me to do so.

First, I was 100% sure that people will be flooding all corners of the streets. If I haven’t blogged about it, I do have a little thing about crowding, sort of a mild claustrophobia (I can’t stand a trip inside an elevator for a long time!). Second, it will be very tiring because I have to run around and take some pictures to cover the event. And third, I have to interview big people, which is not really a bad idea, though what I was really worried about it is that they would be really hard to find and would be hesitant to be interviewed. But…

Piapot was W-R-O-N-G.

The event was a blast. I really never imagined that I would really have a good time covering the event. Yes, I was tired from all of the running and walking plus carrying the EOS 500D DSLR. But it was all worth it.

People were flooding the streets during the parade, but it wasn’t that hard for me to go around and take some shots. I was also able to interview big people, like Ace Durano, Department of Tourism Secretary; Mike Lu, president of the Wild Birds Club of the Philippines; Mr. Robert Brinks, Ambassador of the Netherlands; and of course our city mayor, Mr. Joet Garcia; and have fun with a lot of bird enthusiasts from all over the world not to mention hanging around with great bird watchers and photographers

Sir Alain Pascua and Sir Jun Onas! And the best part about it is that they were really warm and welcoming, aside from the fact that they are brilliant people who cares not only for bird watching and the conservation of birds, but the conservation of the environment and the ecosystem as a whole, educating the public of its importance and its life contribution to mankind.

this photo is by Sir Alain Pascua

What I really can’t forget about this fact is that these people from all around the world came to Balanga City, in the far off place of province of Bataan, with no personal interests, no ego tripping, no manipulation, no corruption, but just one caring voice  -  “Preserve what’s left.Replace what’s lost. Love Birds. Love animals. Love the environment.”

With the purpose of the 5th Philippine Bird Festival to raise awareness about the conservation of the planet and its animals, I do believe that it was attained with flying colors. Why? Because before, I am reallynot fund of birds, but after 2 days and a half, I love them already. I am an advocate of the preservation of the environment and animals way before, though I am raising the level a little bit higher now by volunteering for the reforestation of Bataan.

Let’s love the environment. Not so much is left of our lands. Let us be one for its conservation. So that for the next generations to come, children will still be able to be in awe of how beautiful this world is.

When I opened my facebook account, this is what I read:

On this day of your life, Pia, we believe God wants you to know… … that humans learn only by trial and error, and that includes you. You’ve got to live life, not think about it. Step into the midst of things, try and fail and learn and stand up again. The question is not whether you will or will not make mistakes – you will. The question is do you want to learn and grow, or do you want to shrink back and be stuck? Take that step you’ve been avoiding. You can succeed, or you can get feedback that it didn’t work, but in either case you are sure to feel alive.

What would you know… God must have been hearing my thoughts…

Don Domeng: “Pia, paki timpla mo nga ako ng kape.”

Piapot: “ok, pa.”

Don Domeng: “Tapangan mo ha, yung kaunti pa rin ang asukal.”

Piapot: “Sige po.”

(After 1 minute)

Piapot: “Pa, bakit gusto mo yung mapait na kape?”

Don Domeng: “Kasi, pag ikaw ang nagtitimpla…. matamis na.”

Now tell me if that’s not a good morning? LOL

Since the day I started my duties, things have changed dramatically.

First, I have been so busy.
Second, I am not able to go home more than twice a week.
Third, I am not able to blog and I’m missing it so much.

Though, even if it gets tougher and tougher each day, I am still trying to make the best out of everything. And oh, my priority skills are getting better now, so I am finding my way to sneak into the blogosphere!

Anyway, I just missed my blog so much!

I was able to watch the eulogy of Michael Jackson thanks to PM, and honestly I am regretful not to see him the way I did just tonight. It seemed like he was a man that  I had never ever known him to be even in my wildest imaginations.

To a great man, whose acts was unknown to a girl who lived in an age where his legend seem to be encapsulated with ridicule and judgments, I am deeply in shame.

To a great man who has done a lot for other people amidst the turbulence of his own life, my respect and gratitude will be his – for he has done good, and he deserves to be with Him.

And as I pondered on how I look into  a man with my eyes open, I am thinking of what better it would be if I would just keep them close and look through the darkness to see the light shadowed within.

And as I listen to Usher singing Gone too soon in MJ’s eulogy, my heart was pierced and enlightened to have known of the King of Pop in a different light.

Like A Comet
Blazing ‘Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

Sigh.

After a day and a half of having break time in the coziest place on the planet which is the home of Don Domeng and Mother Goose, I am leaving today for the nth time for school, and am going to stay in the dormitory far away from home where there is no nagging of care from Mother goose, no joke times from Don Domeng, no sisters to crack my corny jokes to, and no piles of dogs to stumble on and dozens of cats to play with. It’s just like a form of disabling you, like hearing for one sec, and has gone deaf right after the other.

What I only have in my room are two double-deck beds, with no roomates obviously, well unless my sister, Ched, comes to stay during her duties, a closet, a study table and piles of books that keep me company throughout the week.

Yeah. Yeah. I know. I actuallly had given myself a self diagnosis of separation anxiety when it comes to my family.

But what the heck, no matter how quiet it all seems when I’m alone in my lare room, with my nose stuck on my books and sweat crawling down by back, everything turns out to be alright when my phone starts to vibrate and its lights start to blink, with the sound of my favorite saxophone serenading my ears, I rushed towards it, and I know that I’m all back home again.

Until then guys! Be safe and stay safe!

piapot bye-bye!

My first week of hospital duty had finally come into an end yesterday at around 1pm. And to be really honest, it was tough and toxic and tiring, but I was really really happy to be there!

The first day of handling a patient was the toughest. Any first day of first things that ever do in your life has always been the toughest right? I was still getting the hang of me being a nurse that should be taking care of my post operative patient that gave birth to a healthy baby girl through cesarean section. I was really lucky that she was nice, and her mother and husband too. I was really nervous to come inside their room for the first time! Imagine me standing in front of their room for about 2 minutes or so practicing what I’m supposed to say and actually preparing myself for the worst! LOL But everything turned out to be fine, and the next day she was already out of the hospital. And lucky me, everything happened to my next patient.

Oh, and let me tell you, the nurses there was nice as well, and they took us along to observe and do special procedures that we rendered ourselves!

First, the nurses thought me how to administer an NGT feeding.

Second, an orthopedic doctor thought us how to make a four solution for irrigation of severely infected wounds most commonly used for diabetic patients.

Third, I assisted in removing an indwelling catheter to a mother who had just given birth and rendered perennial care.

Fourth, my group mate tagged me along to her patient who was having blood transfusion and thought me how to regulate and attach it to an IV line. And her patient was an old man that was really really nice and sweet.

Fifth, the orthopedic doctor asked us to assist him in cleaning a diabetic foot that actually left my group mates’ mouths open.

Also, I have learned a lot of things about myself and about life.

I have never really thought that I would do good in making conversations to people I don’t know. To be honest, some of my classmates actually thinks that I am an antisocial kind of person, though I’m just not used of talking or chatting with not so close friends and all. Though to patients in the hospital, I was really good. Maybe I should tell my classmates to become patients so I will talk to them just the same? LOL

Though, what amazes me the most is how much appreciative people can be. When you ask them how they are feeling, or when you just touch them, or just give a smile, and tell them to get better, you would see in their faces, especially in their eyes, that you made them happy, like you are the most caring persoon in the world! And the next time you enter into the room, you would be surprised that the patient was already waiting for you to come.

I have learned that in life you just have to have compassion, to care for the people who needs you, and be just human. Sometimes, when you can do nothing to alleviate their pain or condition, just being there makes everything alright. You don’t have to move mountains to touch the lives of people, you just have to have a heart, and a little of it goes a long, long way!

Today will be the last day of my ordinary life as an ordinary student and as an ordinary person – because about 2pm today here in the Philippines, one of the most precious possession I am waiting for will be mine…

Today is my capping day, and I am very happy to have made it through three years of torture education that turned my neurons to dust and straighten my noodles to make them work and be able to acquire and learn the things I have to do and have to know to be the best for every patient under my care as a student nurse. I know we are not going to be able to do some stuffs as registered nurses, but atleast I would be able to take a peek on what it is like to become one. And honestly, I am very very excited about that fact and a little nervous too!

When I told my fried about this, he said that I was afraid to fail and was not excited at all, that bothered me a little, though to think it over, I was afraid to fail, terrified honestly to not be able to do my job for those who need it. I am afraid not to be a good nurse for a patient who needs me. And I am afraid  most to not serve my purpose.

Today is my day! The countdown is on… At 2pm, Piapot will be in white!