Spidey attacks Obama

This picture shows the lighter side of the most powerful man in the world. It was a candid shot at the oval office when one of Obama’s staff’s son dropped by the White House on October this year. The pint sized spiderman pretended to be shooting webs at the President and Obama played along. The picture came out after President Obama has been named Time Magazine’s person of the year. Obama’s mellow side is undoubtedly makes him stronger and more powerful.

photo courtesy of the White House

Miss USA is Miss Universe 2012

I woke up past 11:00am and as I opened my Facebook account, I was overwhelmed seeing threads of comments mostly of disappointment over Philippines ending up as the first runner up. Janine Tugonon nailed the Q and A portion and although she struggled a little bit towards the end of her answer, she still managed to express herself brilliantly. Her voice, face and stature remind me of Miriam Quiambao who also bagged the first runner up title of Miss Universe in 1999. We still have so many things to rave about the result of this prestigious beauty pageant. Landing second place is something to celebrate. Kudos! Viva Pilipinas!

Ooops, UP did it again! The 3-peat bid!

It was crazy. My heart was racing. I did not know that what I was watching was the live coverage of UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2012 until I saw a friend’s status update of Facebook. Ofcourse I am rooting for my alma mater UP. The UP Pep Squad has kept the title of being the champion for two straight years. I think that the bar has been raised in terms of the stunts, costumes, routines and props. I was impressed by Adamson University’s and De la Salle University’s routines but my jaw dropped watching FEU’s Pep Squad. They have bene in the top 3 for eight years next is UP that kept seven champion titles. I was nervously eager to see what UP has to put to the table. They UP courtside was alone backstage instead of having the pep squad behind her back giving the audience words enticement. UP Pep Squad hid in the dressing room until the very last minute that their name was called on stage. They wear something more than tamed this time. A skin tone body suit for the girls and under shirts and pants of the same shade for the boys. They are more subdued this time but the girls’ shaved hair made a statement. I was at awe looking how they bodies fly in the air defying gravity and making the stunts as if they are in synchronized swimming. I was confident that everything is in the bag until one group of cheerdancers fell as they tried to form a pyramid at the end of their routine. I can feel my heart was pounding . The host has a good sense of prolonging the agony but it is all worth the wait. National University bagged the third place and I felt relieved hearing that FEU got the second place. I began screaming at the top of my lungs knowing that the first place will be UP’s. It was a clean sweep! UP’s Nicolette Erica Arambulo won the Samsung Stunner award, The UP Pep Squad also placed first in the group stunt competition and sealing the deal is taking home the UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2012 first place!

Getting in tune

Rainy days give me good reason to stay at home. Aside from catching up on sleep and watching my favourite events in the 2012 London Olympics on TV at home, I get to check on the internet some interesting video uploads of those who are doing covers of well-known songs by aspiring musicians. Some just want to make then self noticed and some are really out there to help out some people realize their dreams. Musicians friend seagull guitars are one of the clips that caught my interest because for one I have been dying to learn how to play the guitar. I know that someday my dream will come true.

Summer Olympics gets hotter

He became more famous now more than ever now that he is considered as one of the top seeds of the US swim team. So he scored four medals in the 2012 London Olympics and that makes him hotter. All in all, the 28-year old Florida native has 11 Olympic medals under his belt. He is seen to be signed up for a number of endorsement deals like his teammate Michael Phelps.

Comfy care

I like our hospital uniform. It is old school nursing. We get lots of compliments for it but as dainty as it looks, it is so inconvenient to wear in the dog days of summer much more in the height of rainy season. The typhoon season forces me to be in my casual clothes and just pack my whites so as to keep it as white as they should be. During these times that I wish that we are just allowed to be in grey s anatomy scrub pants in order for us to move freely and to save us from the laundry expenses so we do not have to pack our uniforms to work.

Where in the world is Rob Patt?

Now that Kristen Stewarts affair with Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders is out in the open, Robert Pattinson is taking some time off. Paparazzi and everyone else thought he will be heading back to London to drown his misery after moving out of the house she shared with girlfriend Stewart. News has it that Rob Pat is taking a refuge in Reese Withersppon’s mansion in Ojai estate. Reese's seven-acre ranch provided the actor's much-needed space. Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon teamed up in a movie, "Water for Elephants," and they developed a friendship in the set. E! News reported that Witherspoon offered to the actor her Ojai estate in the wake of the scandal. The actor allegedly already left the mansion is probably staying in a hotel. “heartbroken and angry, and sources tell the magazine that he's been drinking and relying on friends to deal with the pain," says PEOPLE reporter Carlos Greer.

Rest period

For over two months I have stopped going to the gym. I am still in the process of recuperating from the traumatic incident I got myself into. It cause my right inguinal to get inflamed. I feel a whole lot better now but I need to give myself a break for another month or two. I just want to be back to the gym to get my stuff I left in one of the gym lockers. I am afraid that they have taken my stuff away because the rental period for the said locker was over.

Aurora, Colorado a week after

It has been week since the horrific shooting spree in a theatre in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight opening premiere of Batman The Dark Knight Rises. While the first week of mourning coincides with the highly anticipated opening of the 2012 London Olympics, many are still feeling the ripple effect of the tragedy. A makeshift memorial was made to pay homage and as the names of those whose lives were lost, I felt chills down my spine. It took only a few minutes to take 12 lives and to seriously injure more people. James Holmes is now locked up and it will surely take some time to heal not just the superficial wounds but the emotional nightmare each of the victim and their relatives are now enduring.

More reason not to watch movies in theater

My friends who have been my movie-watching buddies have left the country and I being all alone, I do not have the courage to rush to the movie house even though I want to catch the latest flick on the big screen . In the height of the Batman The Dark Knight Rises, 12 lives were lost and 50 plusothers were hurt as a gun man, named James Holmes went ballistic at the midnight showing of the most awaited Batman franchise

I was shaken to the core learning that the suspect came in to the movie theatre armed with heavy ammo and a tear gas in Aurora, Colorado. At first, the moviegoers in the theatre thought that blasting of tear gas and firing of guns in the air were part of the movie premiere. It was too late when they realized the Holmes as aiming the gun at his victims indiscriminately. The youngest victim who died was a 6-year-old kid while the oldest was 51-year-old man. The whole country of America was mourning about this tragic incident and make shift memorial was made in the town of Aurora. Lead actor of the Dark Knight, Christian Bale, went out of his way to pay his respect to the victims in Colorado. The tragedy was just unbelievable. The first lawsuit has been filed against Holmes.


I have been telling that I am not a fan of movie houses, and this recent turn of events made me more disinterested in going too the movie theatre.

Biking gets fun

Among my many entries on my bucketlist is my desire to join a triathlon. I was able to finish 10k in my previous runs, I know how to swim a little and I am sure pro at biking. Ha! I recently joined the a trekker’s club to boost up my desire. I have met up with a fellow member and I am amazed how he is serious about his biking passion. He has several suv bike racks that will secure his bike on his car while trekking the road to terrains.

I wanna be a rockstar!

I have so many things that I want to accomplish in life. One of which is my drive to learn how to play the guitar. I envy those who found connection with any musical instrument. I always smile when I pass by the musical instrument shops along Magsaysay Avenue. I am thinking if I would enrol to music school or just watch demos for dummies on YouTube. My friend is now rocking beyerdynamic dt 770 pro and I cannot wait to lay my tiny fingers on the strings of the guitar I could call my own.

Getting serious

As time goes by, it starts to dawn on me that research is a serious thing in our institution. At first, I was annoyed why our bosses are so frantic it and not until the proposal day I realized that it is indeed a big thing. Being on the third place out of three, I felt ashamed. For me, it means that it is just a consolation. The lowest place we could be in. I told myself to start to be serious about the whole research thing. More than my boss, I want myself to be proud of what I am doing. I commit to share my knowledge in perfecting the topic that we chose. It is not too late to start anew.

Feeling the blow

Fine. It is kicking in. We lost the research proposal contest. The study began in January and it was only in April that I was made the official chair to represent our ward. Admittedly, I did not lash out the inner inquirer and writer in me so I was a bit nervous about the end product of our research proposal. I could sense the frustration in my head nurse who was the overall chairperson for the team. I am expecting water fountains anytime as the blow starts to give the pain and show bruises on her body. I am preparing for it.

And we lost, so what?

Honestly I was more concerned about being on not being on the bottom than winning the research contest. I was obliged to be the presenter to the Research Proposal event as the original one has throat problems. After a series of convincing to stand behind the rostrum I finally caved in. Our group was the first to present and thankfully my nervousness started to subside as I began to speak. I was trying to establish an eye contact but the spotlight that glares infront of me was blinding. I just pretended I was looking at the audience when in fact I felt like staring at the blank wall. I am glad it is over

Give me a break

It is almost weekend and I am planning to have some R & R for my 2 days off after my night shift later. I am planning to go boxing before work andtomorrow after my appointment with the dentist, I want to go out of town. Just in the outskirts of the city. I am thinking of relaxing ambiance, running water in the pond, cushions on the patio and a very good massage.

Bruised

I had my fourth session of boxing at FIST and I tried to be there as soon as it opened today so I could avail of the member’s 50% boxing rate discount while enjoy coach’s full attention. I tagged along my former co-staff nurse who just resigned for a greener Pasteur. After my second round of pure boxing, my coach talked me into trying Muay Thai. Muay Thai is a martial art developed in Thailand in which blows may be struck with the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. I actually have plans off stepping my boxing training up a notch but not this soon. I am just learning the thread of boxing and picking up my speed but the convincing tactics of my coach seemed to work on me. I began kicking landing my shins on the padded training gear of my coach and as soon as I hit the pad, I felt the hurt. I blurted: is this a form of hazing? I was laughing as I enjoyed throwing punches, hitting the pads with my elbows and shins. Coach was so happy seeing me shed sweat and gasp for air. When the fifth round has ended and after some ab workouts, I hit the shower and noticed a pinkish spot on my right shin. It was painful but I am loving the adrenalin rush through my veins.

Being in the know

Although getting more patients would mean income to our company, I feel sad that more and more get sick everyday. Good that most of the expenses are getting paid by the insurance company but more of the patients getting in our hospital drains their own pocket paying their hospital bills. So what does liability insurance cover? Getting health and life insurances are one thing but knowing what you are paying for is another . It is paramount that everybody gets educated on insurance policies so they would not be caught off guard when tough time comes.

Bright lights

In almost all of my shifts, I get to encounter concerns about busted light on the hallway or in the patient’s room. I always call our Engineers to have the cfls replaced and the though they immediately respond to our concerns, I think it would be best to look for a better brand that will help save time and money. This is to prevent the unending cycle of complaints of non-working lights in the hospital.

My precious

I do not own luxury jewelry but I do own lots of fashion ones. I obsessed with them once that I do not have enough storage box for them. I am now looking for good leather jewelry cases that will help me keep and preserve my valued pieces. I do not mind spending a dime on a very good storage just as long as it can keep my jewelry in its tip top shape.

The rides

I have once tried long boarding and I must say that I had a good time. It feels good to see that more and more people are getting into these hobby or sport. They really invest on good long board and accessories that will make their long boarding experience more and safe. They get themselves hjc helmets, gloves knee and elbow pads. It is such a great ride when you are all geared up.

Throwing punches

I became bored going to the gym. My routine would be 25 minutes on the treadmill, some 30 minutes in the Gold Express where I tone my muscles, 30 minutes on the floor for some core exercises and additional 1 hour if there is a class core or definition class. My co-staff in the hospital invited me to with him at FIST for boxing. It aroused my interest so I went with him. The trainer whom they call Coach is the brother of boxing champ Luisito Espinosa. After the stretching, he oriented with the routine in boxing. Right straight. Left straight, jab, right hook, upper cut. After a few misses I got the hang of the routine. Three rounds have passed and they were amazed that I am not shedding a drop of sweat nor I gasp for air. My hand just felt sore though. I enjoyed the routine that I signed up for membership. I want to have toned arms and flash my guns .

And we lost, so what?

Honestly I was more concerned about being on not being on the bottom than winning the research contest. I was obliged to be the presenter to the Research Proposal event as the original one has throat problems. After a series of convincing to stand behind the rostrum I finally caved in. Our group was the first to present and thankfully my nervousness started to subside as I began to speak. I was trying to establish an eye contact but the spotlight that glares infront of me was blinding. I just pretended I was looking at the audience when in fact I felt like staring at the blank wall. I am glad it is over

Shifting gears

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Rocking it out

I purchased a good pair of green leather shoes. What I loved about the shoes are the metal dots embellished around them. When I wear them I get the feel of being a rocker chick but the thing is the elastic in the back part seemed to be in bad shape. The right shoe comes off my feet just when I start to walk. I really wanted to rock the shoes and I am all desperate to know how to repair leather shoes. Could somebody tell me?

The downside of a downer

In the hospital, it is common for me to see anti-depressant medications. It is used to make them sleep and not to treat underlying psychological problems. It is understandable that patients tend to get elusive sleep when in the hospital and they get a little sleeping aid from downers. I learned though that aside from being addictive, there are also some real downsides to anti-depressants. Zoloft,for example which is an anti-depressant medication with the generic name of Sertraline. It was the most prescribed anti-depressant in the United States in 2007, with more than 29 million prescriptions. Studies show that this drug may cause birth defects and it lead to an infamous Zoloft lawsuit The use of it can result in serious birth defects. Women who took Zoloft during their pregnancy may have children with congenital heart defects. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, fetuses exposed to Zoloft during early pregnancy are more than twice as likely to be at risk for heart defects.

A help coming handy

Practicing my profession as a registered nurse gives me the opportunity to interact with the doctors and patients. It is unavoidable when patients and their relatives would come to you and ask for your opinion on getting the best attending physician. I simply get them acquainted with the list of doctors like Martin Schwartzberg MD who uses and whose credentials are available on Doximity. The application is available for free on Web, iPhone and Android, It enables doctors to connect with each other and communicate vital information within an exclusive, private network. Searching for competent and affordable doctors has never been this so easy. If a fellow doctor, for example is looking for a doctor who has experience treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm who lives in California and speaks Spanish, a physician who is a member of Doximity can type those three key words into Doximity’s search bar to find the right match for their patient.

Face to face

At the this point in time, distance is no longer an object when it comes to communication. Texting and voice calling come so cheap and everyone else uses it as primary medium to get in touch. Another breakthrough in keeping the line of communication open among people who live distantly is the use of video conferencing. Here you are not just hearing the other person’s voice you can actually see them. They are basically internet based and the speed and clarity of communication depend on the speed of your internet connection.

Loving the higlands

It was in February when we last hit the road to Tagaytay and it is just appropriate to enjoy the summer breeze on the hills after soaking in the salty water of Batangas. I have been wanting to revisit LMZ restaurant near Tagaytay Crossing where I had the tastiest Kare-kare in 2010. The sauce itself can stand on its own. You could actually taste the thick peanut butter in it and could really get you through what you can call, a complete meal! We agreed to stop by LMZ restaurant on our way home and have our dinner there. Kare-kare being our highly recommended dish was the first on the order list. After a few minutes of waiting, it arrived and I immediately dug in. They still have it! The same old fashioned preparation of ox tail smothered with thick peanut butter sauce and locally produced fresh vegetables. I did not dare take my share of other dishes. I felt heavenly stuffing my mouth with the most delicious kare-kare . I instantly forgot about my diet. I had 2 and a half servings of rice and a can of coke and that was it for me. I swear, I will be back for more.

Going green

Having a green thumb is a gift. Not everyone could plant a tree and make them grow. There are some who take planting and gardening seriously that they built greenhouses. There are wooden planter boxes lining their gardens which for me is a space saver. I just love to look at how plants were beautifully groomed and grown. Plants and any form of greeneries are really pleasing to the eyes.

Just a dream

I have been thinking about learning how to play the guitar. I want to channel the inner rockstar or popstar in me. I feel inspired watching bands or solo performers strum their guitars as if they make personal connection with their instrument. I know I do not have to enrol myself to music school, I could learn it online. There lots of tutorials on YouTube and there are even Ableton Software available online.

The balance, pH that is.

It is past 12:00 midnight already and I am still up. I should be sleeping right now so I could get up at 2:00 to prepare for our unit outing. Unfortunately, sleep is very elusive. I have popped Benadryl already but I have lost count of sheep jumping over the fence and I am still wide awake. I decided to just browse the internet and chanced upon these ph meters. I cannot believe that they are now available and they are cheap.

A tail's tale

Finally, after the long wait for my hair to reach its first anniversary of being rebonded (straightened) I get to have the same treatment again using the voucher I availed in December through ensogo.com.
It was priced at around P5000 plus that include hair rebonding, keratin treatment and hair cut.
I had an appointment and thinking that I will be sitting in for the treatment for approximately six hours, I packed some power food (read: super lunch).
My hair was ironed out first and then the trained staff put on some hair treatment batch by batch. After about 20 minutes my hair was washed, dried out and then ironed out one again. Another hair treatment was put on my hair and after another 20 minutes, it was rinsed out. It was dried out and ironed out for the last time. The procedure seems easy as I described it but what makes it long and pain staking is that my hair was too thick that ironing it out requires approximately 2 hours. Some snipping were made to make my hair’s length even.
I was asked, note asked not offered, to buy the special organic shampoo and hair mask/conditioner worth P800.exclusively made for the salon. I did not argue since I already declined their suggestion to have hair cellophane treatment worth P900. I should say that my trip at Studio One salon was satisfying as compared to my first visit there. Maybe because the owner who rejected to have my hair treated in February was not there.

Sustaining success

I admire my cousin who has been working as a CPA in Canada. He started his career here in the Philippines and supported himself through college. When he became a CPA, he decided to pursue a corporate career and teach at a university at the same time. His being “in-demand” has never mellowed as he still continues to soar in the cpa network abroad. I wish that I have the talent and luck as he does.

168 revisited

It’s been a while since I last visited Tutuban and 168 malls. These house great bargains from China and Thailand. I really wanted to go back and for the lack of time and energy, it took me 2 years to hit the road and squeeze myself into the sea of shoppers and vendors.
I met my friend there who already began her bargain hunting while waiting for me. I was at awe seeing the collections there. They are a bit pricey compared to the outfits I scored in Singapore. We managed to get some China-made satchels for P200 and P300 each.
I saw a beautiful leather satchel at Accessorize in SG and it was roughly around 2500 in Philippine peso. I learned from my niece who was with me in SG then that there is a same store in Manila and the price is just the same. So while I am saving up for the high price tag (for my salary grade) of the satchel, I convinced myself to contain (myself) to a knock off.
We went straight to 168 mall and along the sidewalk, we saw beautiful cocktail rings which sold a 3 pieces for P100. I was so glad that I did not give in to the call of impulsive buying at H & M in SG otherwise I will forever sorry for my credit card. I got to score turquoise, red, purple and everything I could lay my hands on.
In we went to 168 and we were amazed by the choices awaited us. Shoes, clothes and more accessories, it was indeed feast for our eyes.
We got a full cardio workout walking through the hallways and we did not rest until we felt our stomach complaining of hunger around 3:00 pm. With little of what is left of glucose in our bloodstream, we headed to the foodcourt. I am amazed to see that most of the food stalls there serve authentic Chinese dishes. They are actually owned and ran by Filipino-Chinese. My friend told me that our colleague highly recommends Mitzi’s and coming from a pure-blooded Chinese I felt obliged to try the store’s menu. I chose siomai and with a little instruction from the owner, the store attendant gave me a value meal. Authenticate and sumptuous 4-piece large siomai and a cup of rice for P69 was all worth it.
After less than 30 minutes of tummy filling, we decided to go on with our shopping spree. Our final destination was a store selling Korean clothes that I usually online. I and my colleague get our matching lace shorts and salmon pink blouses for P500. The shorts was originally priced at P300 but since we are getting each a set, we bargained to get the matching blouse for less.
Looking at Lookbook.nu I felt to accomplished getting the same look without draining our banks.
Too bad I was not able to buy the mustard laced up flat shoes but I think will come back and just get the grey ones. A maxi dress also caught my attention but the P2500 budget I got was not enough.

Perfect bonding time

What is enjoyable during summer is that it allows us to do gardening. I enjoy helping out my grandmother taking care of her beautiful plants. I volunteered getting rid of knee-high grass using our push mowers. It is really fun watering the plants and sipping tea in the afternoon after the long yet fun activity with granny. I wish it is summer always.

Hello Summer!

We just welcomed my niece and her boyfriend from Canada. They will be spending their spring break here and what they initially and excitedly asked us what to go swimming. It turned out that they do not get to enjoy swimming in Canada because the water is too cold and pools there require electric swimming pool heaters otherwise they will freeze to death. I am excited to go swimming with them as I really love dipping in the cold water but not too cold though.

Engaging the core

So I am addicted to core exercises already that I wish it is held everyday in the gym. I honestly, I do not have the drive to them on my own. I want a trainer howling at me and I want to be surrounded by gym addicts like me. I missed the classes in the past two weeks and I was shocked to learn that they have advanced the lesson already. We were asked to use the core board and it was really freaking hard to balance. The main point of the core board is to do exercises that will strengthen the core. The routines that were taught to us felt like prenatal exercise. It was a killer workout but it feels good.

A thoughtful act

I tried to deal away with the packing and getting-there stress when we went to SG. I wanted to be a traveller and not a tourist because I really want to enjoy the places that I am getting in. I want to immerse with the people and the culture more than the photo opp. But since the Filipino in me is trying to make a scene, I gave into its call to snatch some stuff that I could share with my loved ones. I managed to buy some souvenirs that include the dog exercise pen for my pup.

It is summer time!

It is officially summer! As I feel the heat warming up my core, my hunger for a dip in the pool gets stronger. I want to dive into the cold water in the pool everyday and I am glad that the resorts and hotels we love to go to have pool pumps that allow them to change pool water every so often. I just need to get serious with my gym class in order for me to get the perfect summer bod.

Making life easier

Being the OCD-ish at times, I took the liberty of printing some ward forms and have them book bound. I am not really the type of person who enjoys scribbling that it why I took time typing and printing some forms. I have asked the help of your ward clerk for her to have the forms I made reproduced and it took time before she could hand me the copies due to lack of vci paper. I just hope that there will be a way for her to speed things up to make our clerical work easier.

The next Guitar Hero?

Ellen DeGeneres just had Taylor Swift and Zac Effron on her show. They were there to promote the animated movie on which their voice were used for the lead characters. I don’t know but Ellen kept on injecting the “couple” issue all throughout the interview. Swift and Effron just laughed at the teasing. They really looked cute playing guitar together and singing their hearts out to Taylor’s newest hit. Seeing Taylor graciously hug and play her guitar, it inspired me more to go after my dream of learning how to play the guitar. I am looking to owning an alvarez md6104 before the year ends. Oh well, talk about long–term goal.