Online Learning

My (online) course records is growing. I received my Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship certificate from Duke University via Coursera. Yay!
It's really awesome that people created this online community to learn for free (or at minimal cost) wherever you are in this world. There are a lot of interesting topics/ courses that anyone would surely find something to his liking. I just hope after this numerous courses I take, these would translate into something productive in my personal and professional life. 

Quote Unquote

I was interviewed by a friend for an article she was going to write for Smart Parenting. I didn't know she would quote me like an expert on that matter. I had been with kids with cerebral palsy all my PT Career life --that's 8 years to be exact. So i guess I can be an "expert" on that matter. You can read it here...

5 Tips for Raising a Child With Cerebral Palsy.

Happy reading. :D

Time to go home

I'm almost done with second trimester. It seems I wasn't even pregnant with all my energy and with my oversized uniform. Some of my patients didn't even know I'm pregnant.

However, last week was a little scary. I felt stabbing pain on the right side of my tummy. It could be just my muscles and ligaments stretching, or appendicitis, or kidney problem, or worse problem with my pregnancy. I went to the doctor right away as i really don't know what it is and all the other people are telling me the worst case scenarios which scared me more.

A few days after that, I almost fainted. My blood pressure went down to 55/28 mmHg. During my pregnancy i was around 110-130/70-100 mmHg. It started with some pain on my neck which I even did massage. I thought I just have stiff neck or something. Then slowly my vision is getting blurred and my hearing was also affected. I'm not the type who would panic and call anyone for help. But this time I think I really need it. So, to the doctor AGAIN.

My doctor said I'm fine on both occasions. It was just all normal to pregnant women. And she "re-assured" me that whatever happens to me, even if i become comatose or something, my baby will be fine. That was really "re-assuring". I think she wants me dead.

Now I think, everything was just really part of pregnancy. Maybe it's my baby's way of telling me to stop working now. It's time for us for something else. My career can wait and my baby needs my full attention now. The little person inside me needs the best of my free time ...if i even have one.

As soon as I got my approved indefinite leave/resignation, I felt more than okay again. It was just really my baby giving mommy orders. I just need to wait for my flight schedule so I can go back home. It will just be me and my baby boss, finally.

I love you baby boss. We are going home soon.

4 o'clock habit

For the past 2-3 weeks, my work schedule looks like this:



For some reason, I have 4 patients at 3 different rooms, all at the same time. I wish I could divide myself into 4. LOL.

However, I’m thankful for my patients—no matter how tiring and stressful that is (and they are) to me. I’m grateful that I have and able to work. This is better than not making a living at all.

my new hobby

My patient introduced me to making key chains, mobile accessories and little trinkets. I think she has a shop where she sells these. I tried making one and she liked it. Now, she pays me for every item i sew. Sweet!

I can make more money with these hobby than my day job. :)

The More You Know

I attended a basic photography class earlier. It was mainly how to use point and shoot camera the proper way. It so got into me that I became really conscious of what and how to shoot (i.e. point of interest, rule of thirds, depth, shape, lines, etc.)
I think I took a lot of pictures but im so conscious of publishing them now. And this one posted here is just for the sake of posting one right now.
I should have not taken this class... lol.

Greener Grass

Someone once told me that the grass was much greener, on the other side..

Any young professional (like me!) would do anything within his reach to get to the greener, other side. Who wouldn't want greener pastures & brighter future?!

Many people here in the Philippines are doing everything -- selling their rice fields & livelihood to pay recruiters and international agencies, taking up 6 months to 2year caregiver courses, shifting from Medicine to nursing, engaging on on-line dating with foreigners -- just to get to, where else, abroad, the land flowing with milk & honey. Some would be willing to make radical changes in their careers (the childhood dream of becoming a doctor to becoming a senior carer on a foreign land, marrying someone you knew only on-line, leaving your family, friends & career). They believe that only on those foreign lands we are not familiar with, were we will always be second class citizens, that our dreams of good life will become a reality. And I, with the job offers from eastern & western coasts of America and a valid visa on hand, is having second thoughts of taking that big step to the other side. Anyone, except me I guess, would take that offer at any time. I don’t have any thing to leave here anyway. I practically don't have any reason to stay but have all the reasons to fly away and make my dreams (or is it my mom's??) become a reality. So, why still having second thoughts???

I am insanely in love with my native land even if politics here is somewhat synonymous to showbiz or even though life is pretty tough here. I would always opt to stay put & continue thriving for my bright future -- maybe not as bright(er) as the others but bright enough for licensed professionals like me.

I am afraid of change. I'm scared of having a completely different life. For 26 years , I only have left this country once. I’ve never felt so alone all my life til that day. My apprehension of going beyond my comfort zone (my life Pinoy style) is one reason keeping me here and not taking the job…or at least not yet!

I am happy & contented with my life, Pinoy style. I may be technically a licensed bum, but I live. I may be working only once a week (that means less pay), but I live. I may not be able to buy high end gears, but I live. I may not be able to spend much, but I live. And simply living makes me happy. SIMPLE LIVING makes me happy.

Years from now, situations will definitely change, concerns & priorities will be different. I might start living on my own, providing for my selfish needs (my own pad, my own car, gimmick here & there, etc), starting a family, etc. With the rate I'm going, I don't think I'll be able to live up to it. Sooner or later I have to face my fears and not content my self with a simple life. What I stand for right now (not taking the opportunity of working abroad) is illogical & impractical. Yah, I think so... but,

till further notice, I'm in between. From where I am standing, my grass is green.

*the first & last lines are the opening song of my fave cartoon, As Told by Ginger
*I just made few tweaks from this old post and the essence still hold true!

Thanks please...

Sometimes, you just want to feel appreciated for a job well done. But most of the time, you just feel that they tell it to you too late already. Like when someone dies & you never had a chance of thanking her for raising you well. Or like when a relationship ends & you failed to be grateful that you endured years together. Or when … (fill in the blanks)

I got to talk with my friends from work last week, they were my subordinates when I was still with them. I just resigned after 5 years of working with them. They are under new management now. Before I left I keep on telling them, that as much as they can, do not compare the new management's take on things as I did Because we are a hell a lot different from each other. I guess they really cant help it. Kung si serendipity lang yung nandito, ndi aabot sa ganito. (if serendipity was still here, it wont reach up to this point. Referring to decisions made in work conflicts). Somehow, it was music to my ears – not that I silently wished for that to happen. Hehe. It was flattering how people appreciated you for what you did. But I guess it was too late for them to say that to me now or for me to hear that now. I needed that while I was at a low point of my career, at a time I was discerning if I will go on or give up my career. I MIGHT not have resigned that early if I had some reason to stay (like a little appreciation?!) I'm not blaming anyone on how things end up ok. My decision was based on several factors… and with maybe with fate too. Im just thankful, somehow, I knew now that I did well. And it is a good take off point to where I really wanted to be or where fate will take me.

So from now on, I'll start appreciating things as they happen & not wait til things are over. I just hope you do too...