The Story of my Life

As some of you know, I sold Kit October of last year. It was difficult parting with him as he has been with us for more than a decade already. He was our first. My brother was even teary-eyed when he was taken. He took several shots of him before he left which I've kept with Cams ever since. *sigh*

I've been commuting since then. Taking the train, cab or FX, depending on my mood (and budget). I've had frustrating rides with the MRT, and at some point I cursed it. But it has proven to be the fastest and cheapest way to work and so when I'm in a rush (and low in budget), I still take the train. A good 8-hour sleep is a precondition when riding the train. Otherwise, you'll be thrown out of the platform or suffer from dead toes the rest of your life.

Without a ride, my gimmicks have been limited and I've become more dependent on my friends who have cars...which makes me very uncomfortable. I don't like asking favors from them to pick me up or bring me home and even if they offer, it still makes uncomfortable. Not because of pride, but because I know that I live far from them and I don't want to hassle them by driving me home. So when I'm not riding with anyone of them, I take the cab...even in the wee hours of the morning, even when I'm drunk--not a very safe thing to do in Metro Manila.

When my brother's not using his car I get to use it, which only happens when the car is off the road (Mondays). That's already a lot of help as I usually bring my week's gym stuff on Mondays and its hard commuting with a big bag like that. But he's planning to get married soon and move out immediately after. Hence, a carless household.

And so I acquired Krugger. He's quite old but he looks a lot younger for his age. There are some repairs needed but they are very minor. He's okay from my point of view and so I believe...it's going to be a smooth ride from now on.

I finally managed to change my template. I've used that old template ever since I started blogging and I've grown really tired of it. I've always wanted a new look, but I have no idea how to work around it. But today, for lack of urgent and important things to do, I did it!

I got bitten. Yes, you read it right. I got bitten by some dirty mosquito which caused me a week in St. Luke's.

I was in Manila the entire Holy Week. Went out a couple of times for coffee and badminton. But for the most part, I was just at home watching my DVDs and binging on whatever I can grab from the fridge. It was a quiet weekend, uneventful and reflective. On Sunday, I heard mass and went straight back to my DVDs. But at around 10pm, I began to chill and my head began throbbing. My temperature was 39.

As a child, I was never sickly. My illnesses vary from colds and cough and mild fever, nothing serious that required confinement. So now that I'm all grown up, I've always wondered how it felt to be "really" sick; to have doctors monitoring you on a daily basis. It's true what they say, be careful what you wish for. :-)

Because I wasn't sickly, I thought that the fever would be gone in the morning. But that morning is probably the weakest morning I've had in my entire existence...Okay, let's exclude the times I was hung over (they don't count)...I woke up all sweaty but still with high fever. So I told myself, this is official. I am sick and unfit to work.

I played doctor and shifted from Biogesic and Advil, hoping to relieve my headached and fever. No change. With the advise o f Dr. Pia Cruz (thanks to you Pia! You are my angel.), I decided to bring myself to the ER. After some lab tests, they discharged me on account of UTI. Gave me some antibiotics to treat the infection. As soon as I got back, I noticed I had rashes in my forearm. I ignored it thinking that i might disapper the next day.

Come next day, my fever was at 39.5. I was beginning to wonder whether it was the antibiotics kicking in or there's more infection going on inside. More importantly, I was worried about the 1520 white blood cell count in my CBC. The normal range is 4800-10000 and mine was far from normal. At 6pm, there was no sign of progress. My fever was still at 39.5 and my rashes have settled in quickly.

I went back to ER looking more groggy. The second CBC showed my platelet dropped from 175,000 to 100,000, just a day after my first visit. My fever was up to 39.9, the highest of them all. They had to confine me on account of suspected dengue. A day after, my attending physician informed me that I have, indeed, an infection and that the platelet drop may be caused by dengue.

The sound of dengue cause my mind to panic. I was never the type to text friends to pray for myself. But this one is rather serious and I believed I need all the prayers I can get. I wasn't ready for a serious illness like this. I only wanted to have a "feel" of the hospital bed, enough to make me enjoy it. hehehe

I've heard a lot of horror stories about dengue. A lot of my cousin had it when they were younger and they all required blood transfusion. The thought of someone else's blood being transferred to me scares me. What if he was sick or infected? What if my body rejects the blood? Gggaaahhh...Torture. Will I bleed as other dengue patients? Horror!

And because my platelet was dropping, they had to take blood sample from me every 4 hours. The lowest on account is 28,000. The nurses advised me to drink lots of water as it would help increase it. So one night, as I was trying to sleep, I told myself..."Water pala ha. Maghanda kayo bukas. Lulunurin ko kayo sa water." I was losing my sanity. My prayer was "Lord, tama na po. Na-experience ko na po pano ma-ospital. Okay na ko."

The next day, my temperature improved but the platelet was neither going down nor up. I was on stand-by. Watchful for bleeding episodes. Luckily there was none. Last Saturday, platelet count started going up. Hurrah! There's progress. One more day and I was out.

Back in the real world. As I told my friends, ang pagbabalik. Parang walang nangyari, except that I lost weight. hehehehe...music to my ears.

I'm well, but not 101%. Thanks for all those who prayed.

Heeeelllloooo!!!! I know it's been more than a month since my last "serious" post. I've been so busy with work during the last quarter of 2006...I've also been busy attending Christmas parties with different sets of friends. I posted all photos in my multiply so if you have time, go check it out http://cafanlo.multiply.com.

I know I have a lot of updating to do but first let me write down my 2007 resolution:
(1) I'd go back to hearing mass every Sunday. Last year, I could count the number of times I went to church. Most of the time, I was sleeping or recuperating from a night of partying. I promise to change that and I promise to be more prayerful this time around.

(2) I'll be nicer to people...particularly to those from our Travel section. I think, out of all the travel agents I dealt with, I was only able to keep my cool with just one person.

(3) I'll be more proactive at work....because my bosses said so. hehehe...But I think they're right. It's the only way I wouldn't get bored with my work...and I'd be promoted fast if I knew more about what I do.

(4) I'd dress nicer...I'll be less lousy this year and I'll give more effort to looking good. I'll keep up with my workout to be fit and healthy. I'll also invest in work clothes so I'd be more respectable at work. Naaakkksss!

(5) I'll smoke less. Thanks to a stronger Winstons Lights, now I've shifted to Marlboro Menthol. I'll try not to smoke at work and limit my smoking only on night outs...well I hope I won't be going out everyday. hehehe

(6) I'll do more household chores. During my Christmas break, we had our kitchen renovated. Also during those times I was in-charge of the kitchen. I was doing a lot of cooking then and I'm enjoying it. I feel like I have a talent in cooking, so I think I will do that more often.

(7) I'll finish my paper....ggggrrrr...though I know I'm half-hearted in saying that, I will really try to finish it. I should, otherwise, I will have to take a refresher to be eligible for OCE. Gah!

So, that's basically it for me. I'll post more updates in the next few days.

I want this for Christmas...

Got this from Diosa...

Mout Ironic, tremendous internal wealth, know how to rapidly connect with others, looks for paternal authority. Colors: male: brown, female: red carmine Compatible Signs: Amon-Ra, Thoth Dates: Jan 22 - Jan 31, Sep 8 - Sep 22 Role: A creator goddess, she was the mother from which the cosmos emerged. Appearance: A woman with the wings of a vulture, holding an ankh, wearing the united crown of Upper and Lower Egypt and also a dress of bright red/blue, with the feather of Maഠat her feet Sacred Animal: vulture What is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign? Designed by CyberWarlock of Warlock's Quizzles and Quandaries

Knock...knock...knock...

Just checkin' in. I know its been a couple of months since my last post and I was beginning to worry that my blog won't recognize me. So despite the absence of a good post, I logged in. Just want to say hi to everyone. I promise I'll be back with news of what's been happening.

That's it for now...

And oh, I don't f*cking know what happened to my tag board. All the messages disappeared and everytime I check my site, a window pops up asking for a username and password. So hear me know, and help me with it...I also want to change my template into something more funky and little less dramatic, so if you guys have time why don't you help me. ;-)

I am so loving Grey's Anatomy. I just finished watching the first season and if it weren't for the hassle of rush-hour-commuting, I would have stayed up an hour longer just to get the second season starting . I need to finish the second season tonight as the third season's first episode will air tomorrow.

Watching Grey's Anatomy made me wonder, why the hell did I never want to be a doctor? First off, I am not a great fan of Science. Never was and never will be. I don't even know the difference between a bacteria and a virus. And of course, there's that difficulty in memorizing scientific names. In short, I don't have what it takes to be a doctor.

Anyway, here's my favorite quote from GA:

Meredith Grey: A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying.

I had two groups of friends in high school. One with whom I spent my freshman and sophomore years with and another one whom I've shared the last two years. Of the the two, the first group is the one I hardly ever see. Since we graduated from high school, I could count with one hand the number of times I've seen them and last week was one of those few occasions.

The dinner was set as Pasto, Fort. Yuma and I decided to go there together. She picked me up from work by cab. But we had to take another cab from Mega to Fort as the driver didn't want to face the traffic along EDSA. After queuing for almost 30 minutes at the Taxi lane along Megastrip, we decided to take matters into our own hands. We sought for rescue.

"Hi Ruth. San ka na?"
"Hi Claire, sa bahay pa."
"Nag-didinner ka na ba? Hindi ka ba pupunta sa dinner?"
"Hindi ko kasi alam pano pumunta dun eh." <---Lame! Lame! Lame! "So hindi ka na pupunta?!?!" "Aaahhhhmmm..." "Pwede ka naman naming turuan kung gusto mo. Or pwede ring magtanong sa mga marunong pumunta dun? Ano sa tingin mo?" "Hehehehe...sige." "Actually, ang isa pang rason kung bakit kami tumawag ay para sabihing, pwede mo ba kaming daanan sa Megamall? Ang haba ng pila sa taxi eh. hehehe"

Ruth decided to go and getch us. So while waiting for her, Yuma and I decided to take our dinner. Yuma talked about her detective skills and the action plan she did to prove that her boyfriend was cheating on her. She also told stories about the guy she's currently dating. Yuma is a self-proclaimed jologs and this guy she's currently dating is the complete opposite. Parati daw syang nosebleed pag kasama at kausap itong guy na to. One time, she said, the guy invited her to go out...

"Ang lakas na ng ulan dito, baka lumakas din ulan dyan. Umalis ka na kaya diyan. Now na."
"Wait wait...slow down. I don't understand what your saying. What did you just say?"
"I said, I think you should take a bath now."
(Very accurate translation huh.)

And we both burst with laughter. We owned Sbarro that night. Took no regard about the people around us. We laughed till our stomach ached. The surprising thing is, they're still dating and Yuma is just waiting for the guy to be disgusted. :-)

It was good meeting up with them again. It brought good memories of our teenage years. The story of Morgue's I-saw-birds-and-stars-episode. Yuma's famous lines --Don't be judgenamental! and Kayo ang backout singers ko ah. Cherry's swave maniac moves. And Leslie's and Ruth's volleyball skills.

Change is inevitable, as they say. It is the only constant thing in this world. 11 years did a lot to us. It's just comforting to know that the good things remained as good as they were, even better.
Ruth haven't lost her warmth. Leslie is still Ms. Prim and Proper. Cherry remains the female counter part of "Maginoo pero medyo bastos". Morgue is still Daddy's girl. Yuma haven't lost her sense of humor, she could give Rufa Mae a run for her money...and me, they think I am still the Manang Claire they know.

The night, though short, was a good one. I hope this will be the start of a more regular get together.

My hormones are acting up and my mood swings have gone from bad to worse...

Bad day.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Because my birthday is fast approaching, I've listed gifts I want for my birthday. A friend of mine said you have to list down what you want in a partner, pray hard for it and believe that it will be given to you, in His perfedt time. So I thought, maybe if I listed what I want for my birthday, it will also be given to me (whoever from my friends are reading this...AVOID THE RUSH, SHOP NOW!).

After listing down the items, I grouped it according to the degree of likeness or desire I have for each of them.

Things I really want but couldn't afford it even after a hundred years
1. A brand new car. I want to get Ford Escape.
2. A townhouse at Enclave. A friend of mine lives there. It doesn't have a big compound but the floor area of each unit is just right. Good enough for a family of four. :-)

Things I NEED but couldn't afford it NOW
1. I need a bag where I can put all my stuff when I play badminton, Yonex Thermal badminton bag is perfect for that! I have having to carry my office bag and racket in one shoulder and my sports bag (where my shoes and clothes are) on the other.
2. Perhaps my smashes and drops will improve with the use of a new Yonex Muscle Power badminton racket. :-D
3. I trip in Taraflex cour with my Air Max rubbershoes so a new Mizuno badminton shoes will be perfect!
4. I feel guilty not being able to offer any shuttlecock when I play. I would love to share my blessings to others...bring in a tube of RSL shuttlecock.
5. I'm not always sweaty you know. I also try to look good so I would need a MAC Studio Fix Foundation (NW30).
6. Dry-fit shirt
7. Sports shorts
8. I need to finish my OCE and a new 13" MacBook will get me going.
9. I love Cams (IXUS60). I don't want to see scratches around her. I need a house for her.

Things I want for fashion's sake
1. Havaianas High (Black) size 34-35 or 35-36 please.
2. Brown-Gold Hava
3. Bermuda shorts
4. Charriol ring
5. Lacoste white backpack
6. Body show blusher
7. Denim jacket
8. White sports jacket
9. iPod Nano armband
10. Technomarine watch (Butterfly Pave)

Things I want to pass time with
1. Tribute to APO CD
2. Angel's Fall by Nora Roberts

I was admitted at St. Lukes the other day after the doctors suspected I have an inflammed appendix. He ordered I undergo a series of tests before he recommends surgery.

Thank God, all tests ruled out appendicitis. But the pelvic ultrasound found something else. I have a 2.6cm cyst in my right ovary which ruptured the night I experienced pain. My ob-gyne was not alarmed with the result so I knew it was not serious. She said no surgery is required for my case unless I wanted to. Of course, who in her right mind, would want to go under knife?

I looked it up from the ever-reliable www.wikipedia.org and found out that if the cyst persist beyond two or three cycles, it could be more serious. I'm going to see her again next week and I'm hoping there'd be progress. For now, the red alert can be turned off.

Anyway, on a more lighter note I have a new word to use...

Doc: How are you?
Me: Better doc.
(and went on to do his routine examination.)
Doc: Have you passed a flatus?
Me: Huh?!
Doc: Umutot ka na ba? Fart?
Me: Opo. (I wanted to say, that's my hobby doc. Don't you know my friends and I are the Fart girls?) hehehe

Met with my college friends last Saturday and played our own version of scategories after dinner.

Have a look at Sonia's winning entries:

Letter: Y
Category: Electronic Device
Answer: Youghart Maker

Letter: Y
Category: Baby things
Answer: Yaya's bag

Letter: T
Category: Things you see in the classroom
Answer: Teacher

Letter: I
Category: Things you see in the bathroom
Answer: Ihi

Kawawang Sean.

I promised myself before that every year, I should be able to go to a new place, one that I have'nt been to before. Thanks to Cebu Pacific's P1.00 per seat sale, I had the chance to go to Bohol. So on Aug 9-12, off went Ching, Jerome and I to the beautiful city of Tagbilaran.

Bohol is the home for the smallest monkey in the world, the 1,688 Chocolate Hills, and now it is also the home of the largest python snake in captivity, 23 feet (and growing).

My friends said I have n0t been to Bohol if I don't have a picture with the famous Tarsier. And here it is ...

We also met Prony, the Python. He was named after his captor, Supronio. They must have spent so much precious time thinking of what to name him. Marimar, the care-taker, entertained us with her wit and charm (he's gay). Prony is 23 feet long and 200kgs heavy. That's about 4x my weight and almost 5x my height. He could, literally, swallow me whole.


The last stop of our day tour around the City of Tagbilaran is the Chocolate Hills. The weather was nice to us, though it was drizzling every now and then. To see the magnificent of the Chocolate hills, you have to climb 214 steps. 30 steps after, I was already catching my breath. I guess I'll have forget about mountain climbing, I could never make it. Thank the High Heavens, I made it to the top.

I wonder where my next trip will be...hhhmmm...Palawan sounds like a good idea.

A couple of months ago, I participated in a Volleyball tournament here in ADB. Also in the same month, I joined the Badminton Tournament organized by ADB Badminton Club as a send-off for members who were retiring. I lost in both events. It didn't matter much because I was in it for fun and experience. I'm not the competitive type, so winning or losing is not at all a big deal.

I joined another badminton tournament a couple of weeks ago and to my surprise, my partner and I won the championship title. You can't imagine how ecstatic I am because this is the first I've received a medal in my entire life. =P

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We had our traditional shower party for the bride-to-be last Friday held at Butch and Kris' humber abode in Quezon City. We feasted on Beef Stew, Roasted Chicken, Kare-Kare (my favorite!), and Calamares, the star for the night. Of course, Kris served the luscious chocolate cake from Quiapo as dessert. Sarap!

The marrying spell that struck my college barkada will officially expire on 30 July. Meryl, the last in the roster of marrying Tsinays, will finally tie the knot next week with lawyer-boyfriend, Kirk. The big question is, who will be the next to join the bandwagon? Arle, Ge, Aileen or me? Place your bets now.

A good friend of mine sent me this as a reply to my forwarded e-mail. I am a scarred girl, if you haven't noticed, and every word that was spoken here have been in my thoughts for the past several years. Just thought I'd share it with you...

SCARRED PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL
by Rev. Charles Cooke

Man Speaks:
I've seen a number of good movies, Lord.
Like Romeo and Juliet
They love of young people, at least in this movie, is beautiful
So simple, so total, so uncomplicated!

They seem so natural
So free in their emotions
Unrestrained in their actions.

I wish I could be like that, Lord
But I can't be!
Why is it so?
I've been hurt, Lord!
I have trusted and been betrayed many times.
I have loved and received nothing in return.
I have tried hard to care and failed often.
I have shared my secrets and heard them whispered to others.
I have been warm and received a cold shoulder.
I've been through it, Lord!
I have fallen on my face.
I have banged my shins.
I've been bruised!
Look, Lord! I'm all covered with scars!

The Lord speaks:
Maybe you have not yet understood enough!
Maybe you still haven't learned that human life is like that.
All saints are scarred.

Young love isn't the highest form of human love.
The highest love comes from scarred people.
I know many people who stop loving so they won't be hurt again.
But those people who do start over again, who continue despite of all,
who leave themselves open to the possibility of hurt again.
These people are able to love in a gentle way...a more understanding way...a richer way.

Many responds:
I think I know what you mean, Lord.
I've met people like that and knowing them gives me great courage.
The greatest people are those who continue to love with all their scars.
I like scarred people, Lord. They are beautiful.