I just want to share a photoshow of our vacation. Warning: This is a long one so sit back and relax. I hope you'll enjoy it. Just click on the link below.

Tom and Mariah in Europe

      (  i need to reset the date on the camera, I am not good at this , I have to find the manual .)

            I received this  huge bouquet of pink roses at work today ,  I turned beet red when my coworkers and our patients were teasing me . They were clapping their hands as one of our patient care technicians handed it to me in front of everybody, Ahhh, it is Valentine's Day indeed. I feel the love ... this is not the first time Tom  sent me flowers, last year  he sent me a dozen red roses, it was not even Valentine's Day. He  does romantic things out of the blue  when I am  not expecting any ,  these things make everything bearable on my side when things get so rough and crazy , I think of all the wonderful things he does  and BAM ! I am on cloud nine!  ( This is my Tylenol #  3  ) .  We went to dinner Saturday  at 12 midnight after I got home from work. He found this small, cozy restaurant  downtown that opened late to serve night owls like us,  we could have gotten there much early but I was stuck at work. We went to Firefly, the food was superb, the ambiance was great, the lighting  and the music was perfect !

            I have not posted anything or said anything in this journal for a really long time now. For all of you who  came and visited, posted tags and greetings, thank you ! My laziness has overpowered me .  I have been a slave for work !  But things have been back to normal , I have quit my other job  for a lot of reasons, I have worked 6 days straight for 6 months and it is catching up on me. If I won't stop I will end up  a patient my self... I have my life back now...I can smell the roses...I can  feel the breeze, I can tell time ...I can call my friends ... having days off are great and good for my heart and mind.  I am looking forward to  our  Europe getaway next month (  I need a comfortable pair of shoes for walking , exploration  and catching the train/plane and  a messenger bag  for maps, dictionary, cell phone, extra pair of shoes, maybe something with an inch heel !  .

            I have been tagged by Rose and  Honeylet ... I owe both of you . Nope, I have not forgotten !    I will do the homework  this weekend  , I want to sit down and write with no distractions  !

 Keep warm, I heard we will have  freezing days ahead ... Hopefully no snow !

                     This guy took home 3 Grammies...I love this song .

"Music is in our blood". This was what my brother Reigel  said to me when we were chatting last Sunday. We have started this ritual of spending more than  two hours catching up with our lives. But with no videocam, he has for some time complained that I am too lazy to get one. Tom have heard this past conversation and when we picked names for our secret Santa, never did I know that he got mine. I was  so touched that he gave me a video camera. He said that my brother's teasing will stop right there. I am chatting on a different level now. I am enjoying it a lot more.  

My brother have been writing and composing songs since we were in nursing school, but without finances to buy things and instruments, his hobby was put on hold. He continued on with his band, playing drums. After graduating from Nursing school, and taking time off from the "stress", him and his bandmates were touring the Philippines. They had their first CD and had a few appearances on some shows on ABS-CBN. That was almost/or more than five years ago. He is currently in Dubai working as a nurse in a British hospital. He has continued on with writing songs. He finished his first song. Excited and proud, he told me to listen and give comments if it needed some more polishing.

I am proud of my brother. I don't have the talent like him and our older sister. They were in a band  when they were in college. My sister was a part of the San Carlos Choir in the 80's . They played as far as I can remember: Tears for Fears, Genesis to name a few and was  the mainstay in Shakey's every Friday and Saturday night. My parents did not approve much of it but they played and did what they liked and loved.

They know how to play instruments while I don't. It is never in my blood. My maternal  grandfather was the conductor of the city government band. Those were glorious years!  We woke up with music and the entire orchestra playing in my grandparents frontyard during band practice. I remember the clutter in my grandfather's room.  Music sheets on the floor, his trumpets, drums and guitar all over. I am not gifted, can't play and can't sing ! If any one is interested to listen to my brothers composition,  click on  Hi Fi  entitled, You Brighten Up.  Please pause the above video for a better listening experience .

The Holidays

Tom and I had a great Christmas. The party with my friends was a blast. I am really thankful that over these years we are still intact and one, considering that others are married, have moved far away and have kids. I am so glad to see all of us evolve into great , unique individuals.  I could never find any better friends than them. Tom's family came over for Christmas dinner. We prepared  food for the entire city when there were only seven people who came over. We gave away our presents, and I think we both gave great things. I found a new family in Tom's. They always  make me feel part of them.

I miss my family. My sister and my brother did not spend  Christmas in the Philippines. I feel guilty sometimes for my parents that some parents have their children next to them on Christmas. My mom gets too emotional around the holidays. Money cannot replace the emptiness. I rarely give money to my parents but I wanted them to splurge this year. So, I saved up something big and told them to buy things they like.  I wish I was there!

I gave Tom the new Ipod 30GB.  I am glad that He is enjoying his new toy. I asked for a sewing machine and he gave it to me. It was wrapped very nicely and really made an effort to make it look so festive. I don't know how to sew but I will find time to learn. I have to buy a beginners book though or Sewing for Dummies.

New Year came fast. We went to Ted and Tiff's New Year's eve party and ended up going home at almost 6 am. I met new people there and it was fun!  I don't make any New year's resolution anymore. Although great in theory, it usually don't work out the way I want them to be. By January 5th or even the 2nd,  I have given up on them. By the 30th, I may not even remember what my resolutions were.

A lot of great things happened to me in 2005. I have too many things to be thankful for. A great boyfriend, family, friends, great job, a better financial stability.  It has been a great year for me and Tom. My wish is... may we find our greatest joy and fulfillment in this new year. May everyday be a new  adventure of wonder and endless love.

Recipe for a Happy New Year
Author Unknown

To leave the old with a burst of song
To recall the rights and forgive the wrong;
To forgive the thing that binds you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past;

To have the strength to let go your hold
Of the non-worthwhile of the days grown old;
To dare to go forth with a purpose true;
To the unknown task of the year that's new,

To help your brother along the road
To do his work and lift his load;
To add your gift to the world's good cheer,
Is to have and to give a Happy New Year. 

 My coworkers

                       Joy, our am nurse with her husband

           Richard, my sidekick and his wife Carmela

                                   Our dieticians, Sue and Linda

                            People at work today cannot stop talking on what  dress to wear, what type of hairstyle, what color nail polish and who to take along with  for tomorrow's company Christmas party.  There were a lot of laughter, a lot of giggles. Other coworkers telling us not to be shocked when they take along their date, their so called young thundercats, a Demi-Ashton-Stella-got-her-groove-back kind of thing. It is about time we put our scrubs and white lab coats aside. The past parties were held in the clinic, in between shifts when turnover have died down. We were in a rush to eat, drink and exchange presents. When our manager two weeks ago proposed the plan on having it this year, together with three other clinics on a nonworking day at a nice hotel where everybody has to dress up, the sign in sheet was filled in less than 30 minutes.

                 We will be meeting other people from Mt. Greenwood, Hyde Park and Chicago Heights clinic.  Hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow and the weather a little kinder.                 

                  I love these boxes, but it cost me  an additional $ 2.50 . It is pretty though, gift giving is also about presentation....

 I  like shopping this time of the year where the malls are  beautifully decorated, the windows are so festive and  christmas carols are playing , and the people , a lot nicer.  Tom and I braved out the cold yesterday and started going through our list. Mine is longer this year, with 2 new godchildren.  I have a lot of people who mean  so much  to me, and this is the perfect time to tell them that I am grateful for their company and  their friendship.

Last week ,Tom  promised me that he will drive me wherever  I want to go to  shop, so I had a lot of choices then. We were in the mall for 5 hours, his hands full,  never complaining. I have a long mall endurance,  I think most of us women do, but for men, an average hour to an hour and a half.  I think he was so happy when the mall was almost closing, he never told me so, but I can see it on the expression of his face.   My favorite moment was when I was able to convince him to go to this particular shoe store which he swore he will never buy there because the shoes are too metro sexual , but this time he liked this pair and   bought it for him. We like and love the same things except shoes . He always tell me my shoes are too crazy  , which I like it that way, its fun and  never boring !  I am not halfway on my list yet, there will still be more mall trips this weekend. I promised myself not to go over my budget, which I always do every year.  If I do, it will still be the same rationalization that this is the " season of giving . " 

 GOO GOO DOLLS

Better Days


And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

          " Friendship isn't always easily described". The Eskimos they say, have a handful different words for snow.  Unfortunately the English language isn't quite as innovative, though it has vast opportunities to differentiate meaning. Certainly, love is one of those opportunities, and so too, is friendship. Instead of different words, we are stuck with simple adjectives. Close Friend. Best Friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted Friend. Beloved Friend. But whether we use different words or adjectives, few could deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word. Friends are special people . We cannot pick our family and we are solely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores  and often our conscience, dictate we select a single mate .  But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the adjectives we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life.  

                            Last night at Jenny's birthday party

               Christmas Party 2004

       I feel like I am in Nursing School getting ready for a  case study, I was not good at doing my homework/assignments on time....but Kim , this is for you.

1. What time did you get up this morning?  I woke up at  12 noon today...it is a Sunday ...my day off, I can be as lazy as I want to be! 

2. Are you a morning person or night owl?  I am a night-owl.  I function better at night, my energy level is at its best ! I will die if I wake up at 6am to go to work at 7:30, that will be a slow, agonizing death for me! 

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?  It has been awhile since we went to watch a movie, I think Sin City. There have been no good movies that are worth going out for. I  still have my 2 free movie tickets my manager gave me. I am waiting for Pride and Prejudice. I have read the novel  for the nth time and rented the dvd a few years ago starring Jeniffer Ehle and Colin Firth.  Can't wait for this 2005 version!

4. What is your favorite TV show?  I look forward to Sunday night for Grey's Anatomy, also Frasier reruns whenever I can catch it.

5. What did you have for breakfast?   I had a slice of Zucchini bread  I made 2 nights ago and a glass of cranberry juice. When I work, I skip  breakfast. I would rather stay in bed until it is time for me to go .

6. What is your middle name?   my mothers maiden name...

7. What is your favorite cuisine?  I am picky with what I eat.. .euro-asian, Greek.

8. What foods do you dislike?  Mexican, cannot stand the smell!  Liver and  beets, too !

9. Favorite day of the week?   People are alive on Fridays and Saturdays...I miss my Saturday off!

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?  Tom made me this CD mix 3 nights ago, all my favorite songs that I rarely hear on the radio ,THE MID 80'S -EARLY 90'S....Mighty Lemon  dROPS, They might be Giants, The Smiths , etc...it is pretty cool... good driving music!

11.What is your favorite sandwich?   I don't like  sandwiches!

12. What characteristics do you despise?   Arrogance.

13. What do you do most often when you are bored?  The past few months, I had too much time in my hands that when I got bored I drove to Oak Brook and window shop. You could see me at Crate and Barrell, Restoration Hardware or  Expo  to get inspiration on decorating . I have been busy lately, having only Sundays as my only day off of the week.. there is no time to be bored!

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  I would like to go to Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Dubai.

15. Favorite brand of clothing?  I am not very particular with labels/brand names, I am into classic and timeless pieces with a little sophistication  yet playful  and comfortable. I own a lot of  Banana Rep and Express, I can always find clothes that fit my size.

16. Where were you born?  In the City of Friendship

17. What is your best childhood memory?    My mom buying me stuff whenever I asked for it... She always say ," we don't have any money, remind me next week ",  but she takes me to the mall the next day anyway ...I have a lot of happy memories but this one stands out, this puts a smile on my face! I use this  phrase whenever she asks for something, which is rarely!

18. Do you have pets?  I had a gold fish and a parrot  when I was 7 years old... No, I don't have any at present. Tom wants to get a dog or a kitten, I said no, they will chew on the furniture, shoes,  or their hair on the couch, on our clothes... maybe when I am ready.

19. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone?  I badly need a vacation to de-stress myself. Tom asked if I would like to go to Vegas this January. I am excited ...can't wait to escape the cold! God-willing....

20. What did you want to be when you were little?  a Flight Stewardess or a model...

21. Different jobs you have had in your life?   None really...went straight to being a nurse.

22. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?   I think the Chicken....Noah's ark? anyone?

 So Kim, I hope I have satisfactorily answered all the questions...it wasn't too bad....

          A patient's family member has been missing for almost a month now. She is in her 30's. She went to pick up her father to take him to an appointment but she never got there. Her car was found parked in the middle of a cornfield  in Missouri, when in fact she is from Homewood, Illinois. There have been news of missing persons lately, female in their early 20's-30's.  Below are tips I received via email  and I would like to share this to everybody. Tell your friends about this, it may save a life.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM BUT TOSS IT AWAY FROM YOU.. Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver wont see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

    a. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
    b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.
Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
    c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.(Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

   I am proud of my small accomplishments today! This 2 days off is really a luxury...I stayed home, did some house cleaning, paid bills, took my clothes to the dry cleaners, did laundry, cooked and baked!  Yes, you heard it right folks. I cooked and baked! To be honest, the last time I cooked/baked was 4 months ago, which did not turn out quite right. I made macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake which I got the recipe from a Betty Crocker Cookbook limited edition. A friend of mine gave me this as a birthday present 2 or 3 years ago... Every time we have a get-together with my friends, they always assign me to bring drinks, fruits, cake! Only this three. I guess they don't trust my cooking, which I am in no way offended!   Tom and I ended up throwing the chocolate cake. It was hard as a rock, we could not even slice/cut it! . The recipe called for a cup of sugar. It did not say what kind, so I used confectioners sugar... I never cooked nor baked after that!

         I've had this recipe for zucchini  bread on the fridge for 3 months now, given to me by a co-worker. Today, I was brave enough to try baking  again...

Here is the recipe:

Cream together

2 eggs

1 c oil

2 c sugar ( I used the right one this time)

3 c flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Stir into cream mix

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tsp cinnamon

3 c grated raw zucchini ( i did not peel it, the skin adds to the texture )

1/2 c nuts

1/2 c raisins

3 tsp vanilla

Bake for 325 degrees for 1 H and 15 mins for a small loaf pan, makes 2 loaves .  20-25 mins for mini muffins.

  Well folks, I did it right  this time....it is good....

 Since that fateful Tueday night accident , I have been increasingly nervous driving back home at night. I am always on the look out for deer crossing my path again. My hands get sweaty, ever so tightly, holding on  to the steering wheel like it will run away from me. I hear my heart palpitate, my eyes on the road never wanting to blink, afraid that if I do,  I might  miss something.  I have been having flashbacks of the accident. Going to bed at night and closing my eyes, I see the deer staring at me, with his big, round  eyes.  I could see his pupil constricting as he came close to my car, my headlights glaring.  It was definitely male, a stag!  I am not an expert on this subject, but judging on his built, he was humongous, strong and robust. He had this pair of antler shining like steel.  Hitting him, I thought it would struck  my window. My mind does not stop here of the many possibilities that could happen.  The windows breaking in pieces, me strapped on my seatbelt, sitting in my car upside down, those steel-like antler piercing my vital organs, and I  will slowly, painfully bleed to death.  What a sad and scary way to die!

                Autumn, now I know, after hearing stories of car-deer accidents, is  the busiest season for these  crashes as deer seek mates and food sources. 

               Illinois Department of Transportation, issued a press release due to the increasing number of accidents. Collisions between vehicles and deer occur the highest during this season, they stated that motorists have to be especially cautious near ares where deer are likely to be present, such as wooded areas, stream, creek beds, farm field edges,  and parks or forest preserves.  

            Among the suggestions for motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents:

• Be especially cautious at dusk through the early evening and in the hours before sunrise when deer are most active.
  
• Keep track of locations where deer have been seen in the past to avoid being surprised by deer crossings.
  
• Reduce speed and be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present, especially areas near streams or rivers, farm field edges, wooded and densely vegetated areas.
  
• Be mindful that several others may follow a single deer near a road.
  
• Deer may cross the roadway and double back across the road. Make sure deer have moved away before proceeding.
  
• Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim or honking the horn on their vehicle to try to encourage the deer to move on.
  
• Alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping the brakes.
  
• Avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway - slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along.

If a deer-vehicle accident does occur, drivers and passengers involved should provide assistance to anyone injured. Contact local, county or state law enforcement - do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway. Illinois law requires all accidents resulting in damage of $500 or more to be reported and an accident report to be filed with the police.

The driver involved in an accident involving a deer may take possession of the deer. If the driver does not want the deer, any Illinois resident may claim the animal. Anyone possessing the deer must keep a personal record of the date the deer was claimed, the sex of the animal, the location of the accident, and the place where the deer or deer parts are stored. This information must be kept until the deer is consumed or no longer in the possession of any person. This information must be provided to any law enforcement officer investigating the death and possession of the deer.

Those taking possession of vehicle-killed deer are not required to phone in a report and obtain a registration number for the deer unless the deer is taken to a taxidermist or tannery. If the deer is to be taken to a taxidermist or tannery, please call the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement at 217/782-6431 to obtain a tag before delivering the deer.

                    I did not file a police report. I did not know who to call and besides, all  I could think of is to get home. I was so shaken and could not think straight!  The damage was more than 3,000. When I spoke to my insurance agent the next morning, I told him that I did not file a report. He stated I did not have to, and will not have an effect on my claim whatsoever. He was great over the phone and did not even "interrogate" me. I have heard stories of people filing a claim and were given such a hard time about it, so I was too  surprised !

                Yoda gets funky

       If you don't laugh , or at least smirk , there is something wrong with you.....Enjoy!

                           pablo picasso ,  A Girl

      I have not written anything lately in this journal as all of you can see.  I feel like I have too many things to do with so little time in my hands. I get too lazy to think and compose the happenings of the day. I have had a lot of activities for the past weeks since I started my part time job. Loyola is a big hospital and things are always going and going. I need to recharge at the end of the night. It has been quite a ride working there where everything is all brand new to me. I always stayed away from giving blood transfusions to patients a few years ago. Now, I am at it almost everytime I am there, not mentioning those who needed fresh frozen plasmas or albumin etc, side by side. Things are getting exciting there. The more I think of quitting, the more, at the end of the day, my feelings of pride and fullfillment. We still have to see.....

     It was nice seeing my friends at Ken and Rose's party, I have not seen them for  awhile   and I felt like I am lost with what is going on in their lives.  I always reminisce those days when all my friends were single and less responsible  . We didn't have to carry our work schedule in our purses to coordinate our days off if we needed to do something or go somewhere. Now it all depend on this piece of paper, or plan it more than a month in advance.  I would like to have another afternoon tea, just the girls one of these days. We had such a great time when we went a few years ago at the Drake.

    I hit a deer 2 nights ago on my way home from work. It was a very frightening experience. I was shaken and stirred!!! My car has a lot of damage , hopefully it is only cosmetic. I was able to drive it after I struck the poor animal.  My car is in a Nissan Body Shop. I received a call from the service guy and said that an agent from Statefarm came to check and is worth almost 3 grand in repairs. Statefarm hasn't given me any problems yet. I got so worried that my insurance premium might go sky high. FYI for all of you out there, my agent said that it will not affect the premium. It is not considered an accident, hitting a deer, a dog, a horse. Whew! It was such a relief! They said my car will be ready in a week. Hopefully... since I am driving this  rental car. .. I feel like an undercover cop!

I wish I am out there  walking barefoot, feeling the warm salt water on my feet....picking sea shells, making sand castles, reading a good book...eating chocolates, chips and ice cream, all  the junk food the world can offer...just being plain lazy...ahh...life's little luxuries!

  Have you seen this commercial yet? This is pretty funny...some of you may think that this is an image of a good husband or  maybe just plainly whipped. What do you think ?

http://www.ugoto.com/videos/things-that-girls-make-you-do.html

            It has been a hectic 2 weeks juggling 2 jobs at the moment. I have started my orientation at the chronic hemodialysis unit . My 2 days per week orientation has been a good experience... So far, the staff  have been very good at showing me the the ropes.  Dialysis procedure/principle is the same whichever unit you go. The only difference is the unit's policy and procedure, the machines. They are using the most ancient Cobe 3 which I  worked on 6 years ago,  so I have to go through it again and  familiarize myself on how things are to be done. There were a lot of Filipino nurses there. The manager is also Filipino. I was kind of hesitant to work when I knew they are more than 60% of the entire staff. Having a Filipino manager 10 years ago was not good for my physical and mental well being. I hope my impression would serve me wrong. The day they called me in for an interview way back in July, I told Human Resource that I am interested in out-patient hemo, and not acute in-patient ( working in ICU, telemetry etc, in the hospital). When I had my second interview with the manager, I told her too, loud and clear, that I am only interested in chronic.  I  found out 2 weeks ago, the manager told me I was hired for Acute in-patient. Now, what in the  world did she say ? I told her what the deal was in the first place. She said there is no open position in chronic.  I was so  infuriated, I don't have any acute setting experience.  I will have to learn apheresis, CRRT, etc, etc, etc.!  I will die! When I got home that day, I have simmered down and thought about things. I have been in my protective shell for years now that maybe I should try to go out from my comfort zone! I will take this challenge and see how far I could go! I will be learning new things, meet new people. There is a bigger world out there, plus they are giving me an excellent rate and it's close to home! So here I am, trying  this new adventure! I am so glad Tom has been so patient and understanding. I have no time to do laundry, go grocery shopping, or to at least try/ pretend to cook ( he knows I don't know how to ). I am so exhausted at the end of the day. He made dinner last night and bought me a long stemmed rose. That was so sweet ! I  have been working 6 days per week, but will have to go for 5 days/ week next schedule.

My manager in Davita has been very good to me and has agreed to take me down to 30H/week. My manager does not want me to resign as of yet. She told me to  test the waters first, and if I won't like it, I still have my regular job  to go back to. This 40- minute drive each way to work is the only main thing why I am trying this. If not for the distance,  I am all set .

 Accepting the torch, from Geri to me

            3 things you don't know about me...

1. I was once one of the back-up dancers of DingDong Avanzado and Rachel Alejandro when they were touring  Bohol. I was in nursing school then, maybe my junior year. We were always called on to dance on special occassions like SVD day, Founders day, presidents day, etc. So our clinical instructor asked me and 4 others if we could be back up dancers. It is too funny now that I think about it. My brother told me he would deny me as his sister if  I accept, hahaha!! He was in a band , played the drums and sometimes did vocals. He always told me it would hurt his popularity  ! He could not stand the fact that I will be up there strutting our stuff over OPM songs. We always have the same taste in music; the Cure, Pearl Jam, Nirvana etc, that he thought it would be a disgrace to our taste... ahhh, too funny!!!! After many nights of weighing the pros-cons, all 5 of us accepted. We had a lot of late, late night dance rehearsals, and wardrobe planning . We were paid a decent amount of money. Oh my God, it is so, so funny, I can't help it!

2. I freak out if I take money out from my savings. I always think that what if  I get sick and not work for a month? How will I pay my bills?  I am obssessed at putting money in for a rainy day...It scares me just to think about not saving for my future. I always make it a habit that if I plan to buy something bigger, I make sure I have the money for it by working an extra day or two. Not taking money from my savings is the rule!!

3. In nursing school, in our psychiatric nursing class, our teacher talked about obssessive-compulsive behaviors. My classmates made fun of me, telling me that I am a classic example. Which, okey, I accept, but not to the extreme of the extremes. I accept that I frequently wash my hands, triple checking everything ; doors ,lights, the electric iron, medications, charts... It is no big deal, right? They say I am  the real "Niles Crane",  of the sitcom Frasier. The funny thing is , this is my favorite show. It left a scar when they were pulled out from primetime tv.  Thank goodness for reruns ! All of us have our own compulsions. Are you kidding me?

Velvet revolveR

Fall To Pieces

we , at some point in our lives have experienced something we thought was too tragic, too painful...that we vowed never to love again.. with friends and through the passing of  time, we somehow managed  to survive and  moved  on...  more stronger