The Day the Simple Things Took the Stresses Away

When Noy said a patient was coming in for a 6 am antibiotic shot that Friday, I knew we won't make it home before 7.
We had to, technically, because here in the Philippines, we have this plate number system that keeps certain vehicles off the streets on the busy hours of a particular day of the week. For us, that day is a Friday, and the only time we can take the car out is before 7 am, after 7 pm, and between 10 am and 3 pm. Fair enough, but not when the Skyway extension is being constructed.

True enough, we were caught in traffic just before 7 am so we exited in Filinvest Alabang, a place we hardly ever go to, so looking for a place to hang out and wait for 10 am was stressful when time is of the essence. We were hungry and sleep-deprived, and to realize we're burning a lot of gas and money just to avoid being ticketed is just awful.

Just when we were becoming a bit desperate, we were led to this church called St Jerome Emiliani. It's quaint and pretty, and soon after we were both calm after saying a little prayer. We had to relieve ourselves badly, and were more than happy to use the clean, well-appointed toilets the church had. Talk about a complete ambush stress relief!

We decided to leave the car near the church and walk to find a place to eat. To our delight, there's a Max's a few steps away that was open for breakfast. What luck! :D


The breakfast menu was modest, but everything looked so filling, and in reality they're delicious. This tinapang bangus (smoked milkfish) meal lasted me well until merienda time.


This platter of longganizas (native sausages) is heaven for longganiza lovers like Noy. He only wished they had labels so he'd know where each sausage came from. Breakfast meals are served with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and are priced at php150+ each. It's pricey for everyday breakfast but amazingly convenient in a situation such as ours.

We explored the nearby supermarket and discovered Empanada Mas. Their empanadas are not your usual tuna, ham or chicken. They've got stuff like spinach with cream cheese, chorizo, chives, and chocolate. It's wonderful, finding these little yummy treasures inside the simple-looking crust. It stirs excitement and lives up to it. Each empanada was simply divine.


Later that day, we headed back to the CCP for more cinemalaya treats, since last week was so bitin. Little did we know that waiting for a cab in our area is a horrible experience. So we took the MRT to Taft, and took a cab from there. But before that happened, Noy elbow-wrestled with a teenager who insisted he flagged down the cab for us and asked for money. My husband isn't one who tolerates this, so the teenager ran away after closing the door so forcefully the driver got really pissed. Noy, too.


Turns out we're an hour late for the movie. My knees just turned jelly. What a disappointment.


Noy took this when he was in line to buy tickets for the next day's showing.

My husband had never been in an orange jeep before (the ones that ply the taft to ccp route) and is fascinated by them (not that they're special or anything; they're just...orange) so he insisted we take it to go back to Taft. The waiting took another 30 minutes or so, but it was worth it since we got the front seats -


- and look at Noy's giddy face! He's thrilled. He was like a child on a carnival ride or something. That made me happy, seeing him happy. That took all the tiredness away.

It's Never Too Late

One of the girls at the clinic is wearing her engagement ring for the first time today - after three years of marriage. Sounds funny, right?

You see, theirs was sort of a hurried wedding. They both wanted to get married already but he could not propose because he wasn't financially ready. Meanwhile the girl was on the verge of frustration, already wanting a child of her own. They did get married, ceremony and all, just to get it over with. There was no proposal.
Three years and a baby boy later, the husbands gingerly finds a ring that will suit the marriage bands a prinicipal sponsor gave them as gifts. I think it's just sweet. It's a thoughtful way of showing he's determined to make things "formal"and that he really meant to marry her after all.

Which reminds of this lovely movie I saw on DVD a few weeks back -

Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) meets Kate (Emma Thompson) at the time when everything seemed to fall apart for Harvey and when everything seemed to be too stagnant for Emma. In their 60's and feeling the end of it all, they start a friendship that's controversial at the start but poignant and endearing as days went by. They eventually change each other's lives for the better without them knowing it.

I especially love the part when Harvey bravely takes the microphone away from her daughter's stepfather when it was time for the father of the bride speech at her wedding. It was a triumphant moment for Harvey after the many failures he's been through.

It's never too late to start anew and strive to change for the better.

Noy proposed to me at a time that I thought was a little too early. My engagement ring was quite unique in that it had little "waves" coming out of the spot in which the diamond was set. I loved it and flaunted it quite a lot. When it was time to look for wedding rings though, we could not find a design which would fit the engagement ring. We could not go for something custom-made because a) we didn't have much time preparing for the wedding and b) we didn't have the budget for something custom-made.

So my mother-in-law, who had a jewelry business herself, had my engagement ring re-shaped so I could wear it with my wedding band. I said goodbye to the wavy ring with eyes tightly shut. I miss it still, but I know that something had to be done for the better.

I will probably have it reshaped yet again, under no one's preferences but mine, once I have the money for it. I can wait. After all, it's never too late.

Five is Not Enough

While everyone was clamoring for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince tickets, we lined up at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to watch one of the movies competing at Cinemalaya Cinco. Since all competing movies seemed very good and since we had very little time in our hands, we decided on Sanglaan just because it was shot in Pritil Market. This was where Mama bought most of our needs when we were living in Tondo, Manila.

Sanglaan has quite a number of closely connected characters each with his or her own life issues, and the Sanglaan (pawnshop) is the common place surrounded by these issues. Or was it the other way around? I'm not good at reviewing movies (if I'm good at reviewing anything at all!) but it's one of those seemingly simple movies that end up not quite fully but you leave the theater so satisfied you can't wait to tell your friends.

In our case, we were sad (we look happy in this photo though, haha!) because we wanted to see the other movies but we still had to meet a friend up for coffee.

Kristine brought us to Chocolat, where the simple menu is lavishly screaming of good chocolate. Since we were very full from an Almon Marina Dinner, Noy and I shared a slice of their sugar free chocolate mousse and a cup of cappuccino. Both were smooth and light but decadent at the same time. It's perfect for an after-dinner conversation. Everything is reasonably-priced too.


Bitin (left hanging), I know. I really don't know what's up with our crazy schedules. We seem to be in hurry all weekend long :( I do believe there's room for an update. Who knows, I might just get a day pass to watch 5 movies and savor the sinful items over at Chocolat afterwards next weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed...

One Partly Cloudy Afternoon After Work

The girls and I went to the lovely town of Los Banos just next to the city where we worked, for an afternoon of R & R. It had been a year since we had one together, so an anniversary of sorts is in order. Three of us actually live there, so it wasn’t far away at all. I find the town quite special myself, since the huge campus of UPLB is located here, where Noy and I spent time together doing a botany project, and where we got to know each other more for the first time.

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The V-Lounge is located just along the street leading to the University of the Philippines Los Banos. It’s a simple cozy place with lots of attendants, so we got to have everything done at the same time – in other words we were like having a spa party! At php400 person, one gets to have a hand spa, foot spa, and an hour-long body massage - quite a steal, huh? And I’m happy to report that none of those services failed to satisfy.

The hand spa started off a little rough for me, but experience tells me that what is “light” for others is always still “heavy” for me, so that’s forgivable. So when I told the lady, to make the scrubbing and kneading lighter, she was just like soaping me. LOL! But it worked. My hands were soft and supple afterwards.

I almost did not notice the foot spa happening since I was so into the article on Sense and Style that I was reading. I remember the soak being warm and bubbly and nice, and my feet felt really happy afterwards – no more bumps and cracks, just happy soft minty cool skin.

Now here’s the tricky part – the body massage. I’ve had a number of bad experiences with this – lousy massage, very hard massage despite the warning that I only go for the “very light”, attendants that make “chismis” while massaging, bad oil – the list goes on. This one I dare say is almost like Relaksasi’s as far as the style of strokes is concerned. Of course, the place would need a lot more sprucing up, but the attendants definitely need training on finesse and proper behavior. They weren’t harsh or bastos or anything – they just need, you know…finesse. Some points at hand – using a softer voice, more appropriate words, softer hands and slower moves.

Overall, V Lounge kind of exceeded my expectations. So yes, I might come back and even bring the hubby along. Hey, it IS affordable. And did I say their ginger tea was superb?

Walking a little more towards UPLB, we sat for snacks at Café Antonio, a cute little coffee place bustling with noisy students. I didn’t mind because they were talking intelligent things. The drink list is quite extensive for such a small space. We tried both hot & cold espresso mixes, and everything seemed okay. Nothing spectacular, but nothing was disappointing either. It’s good enough to either warm up or cooling down those degree-thirsty student stomachs. The price is kind on the pocket, too.

As for the five of us – well, there was fun. There was good relaxation. There was good coffee. But most of all, there was a rekindling of bonds. I can’t believe I already spent a year with these pretty and wonderful girls. I guess I’m having a lot of fun!

Dry and Blessed

"I'm always dry".

This was how one consultation at my clinic began one gloomy Saturday afternoon. In front of me was a twenty one year old woman who looked a little older than that, being skinny but well-dressed and a little made up. She talked to me in English (casual, not very fluent with acceptable flaws in grammar but forgivable) while I talked mostly in Filipino.

Indeed, it was a sexual problem other girls her age would be too ashamed to talk about with their doctors (here in the Philippines at least). But here she was, upright and open to questioning. She's married to a 56 year old caucasian who only visited her twice in a year. Every visit in the last two or so years always ended up in a sour note because the husband would always complain that she was, well...dry.

She asked if I could prescribe her with something that could take the dryness away. I almost laughed, immediately quipping, "Have you tried a lubricant?" But when I realized for a split second that this was a real life problem, I tried to pry a little more.
Turns out she had a very sad childhood - dry, if you may. Her father died when she was 11; she met her mother only a year ago. She grew up with an aunt, who, upon learning of her marriage with an old divorced foreigner, disowned her and threw her things out the door... except her money and some jewelry. And this particular scene, she told me, always comes up her head whenever her husband tried to make love to her, shunning all sexual thoughts away. But since she wanted a baby with this man so much, she tried to fake it all away until she had these nasty abrasions down there, from all that dry forceful friction. Which would later bleed after every attempt at lovemaking, leaving her hurting inside and out, frustrated and with little self-esteem.

And here I was, frustrated myself but with remorseful nevertheless from a recent career failure. Yes, I failed, but I don't have to get stuck with an old divorcee because I have a caring and responsible husband always at my side, who understands my feelings and day to day changes. Whom I don't have to try so hard to please. Who in the midst of his own academic failure, stood by me and played his role of husband dutifully. Who understands why we are still childless, and doesn't blame me for it. Whom I have always been proud of. Who doesn't leave me dry and hurt and dirty. I grew up in the comfort, security, love and support of a family, with a complete set of parents who sacrificed their own comforts for the sake of their children.

Sometimes it's in the loss of others that we get to see and appreciate what we have and have always had.

I have never given such heartfelt advise to a patient before. Not because she needs a lot of help, but because she reminded me how blessed I was.

There weren't tears from her. Just sheer determination to make peace with her aunt once and for all so she could have that baby and move on with her life. Oh, and have lots of great, fulfilling, dry-no-more sex.

Spongebob and the Secret

I immediately forgot last Sunday that I'm on the quest to lower my serum triglycerides.

Noy is such a huge Spongebob fan so we braved the weather and the traffic that followed it and drove to SM Megamall to see him, Patrick and Squidward. We parked at the lowest basement level of The Podium (yeah, the mall was that full), but before we got there this a**hole almost collided with us in his attempt to get ahead of us.



Determined to make the most of what was left of our weekend, we shunned the bad vibes away and breathed deeply. Gotta see spongebob!

(Geez. I need a new camera that I can bring anytime anywhere...)

We did, but we had to wait for the kids' activity to finish before they let Spongebob out. So we waited and looked around and found this just behind the stage -


We’ve been eyeing Secret Recipe for sometime now since we first saw it at Rob Midtown. They have a store in Shang, but Wham! Burger always succeeded at beckoning us whenever we’re there.
Now here’s the good news –
I could not wait to try all four! So we tried two, which the friendly and courteous staff told us were their bestsellers.

The Minestrone Soup was a bit watered-down for me, but a well-traveled friend told me it may be thick or otherwise. It was flavorful though.


I didn't like the Tom Yum Spaghetti either. It was like eating chicken binacol with tomato sauce and pasta. But I heard a lot of people like this.
























I liked their Chicken Cordon Bleu! It was tender and crispy at the same time, the cheese oozing with each slice. The salad was simple but delicious as well. Oh yeah, it came with fries too. That makes a lot of fries - hot soft savory simply tasteful little potato ridged wedges that I was supposed to ignore.

One thing about this store that I can't ignore though is the simple but classy interiors. I particularly liked this glass & wood panel by our table -


I love the clean white tables and chairs too. But I love this one better -

These orange chairs are in a cozy spot beside the counter. I think they are just so pretty and comfortable. They sit next to a large wood-framed mirror, which I love, as well as the classy yet warm vibe that it imparts. This is where we had dessert, a luscious but light chocolate mudcake.

A lot of food establishments do this, too, but I just want to share the fact that Secret Recipe places leftovers in these nifty microwaveable containers that will definitely be useful to us who try to make recycling a part of our lives. It's a thoughtful act to consider the customer's convenience, which is reason enough to come back...

MY Fourth of July

This week, I'm celebrating one full year working as a research doctor for GSK. On July 4 last year I had to ask my husband to cover for me for three hours while I attended an endorsement meeting cum welcome party for me and the new clinical research assistant Nona, in a resto 2 towns away from the hospital. It was a scary move, but it paid off quite well. Thank God.


I feel blessed to have this job. I never get overworked and it pays good. It's not permanent, but it allows me to broaden my horizons. I work in an office setting but I am still a doctor. I still work with patients but no one comes to me dying. Thank God.


I am lucky to have a thoughtful boss, a supportive colleague, a trustworthy staff, and understanding CRAs. Thank God.


It's been a fun and fruitful year. There were a few hitches, but this good job tells me I am going to get through it. No fireworks necessary. The freedom to choose and to be happy is all worth it.

Back to the Grind

Had a blood chemistry check late last week.


Did you see how high my serum triglyceride level was? It's ridiculous!

But acceptable.

See, I'm diabetic. I've been taking medications for two years now and having my blood chem checks anytime I like, but this is only the second time my TG levels were scary-high. I ignored the first check (I think any doctor who's more concerned about things other than their personal health would do so too.) since diabetics are expected to have high triglyceride levels despite good blood glucose control.This time I've decided I'd be a little more concerned because my blood glucose level isn't well-controlled either.

For starters, these 5 basic reminders should help me focus (hey, it pays to be slow but sure) -

1. No more hash browns during Monday breakfasts (we almost always go to a McDonald's
along South Luzon Expressway on the way to the week-long work).

2. If fast food could not be avoided during lunch and dinner, french fries or fried potatoes in
any form must be avoided.

3. Eat fat-free yogurt instead of ice cream for dessert (im a huge ice cream fan! but where in
the surface of laguna province is there fat-free yogurt? :( )

4. See my endocrinologist for crying out loud and stop my husband or me from treating
myself. I know I should be taking Gemfibrozil already, but it's best to know what I don't
want to know.

5. AND! start cranking this baby up again.


this machine (the one at home, that is) had been sitting in one lonely corner of the house for
so long already, and literally gathering dust. i can almost feel its open arms welcoming me
again!

Wish me luck!

I Just Saw a Snake

And it was gliding through the tops of our windows.
We were watching TV when I noticed something rope-like through the glass of the window, which wasn’t usually there. Several seconds later I looked at it again and the rope-like thing was gone, instead it was on the adjacent window! I took a closer look and there it was, a gray-brown hissing creature as big as a mop handle dangling from our window.

Of course I screamed. Noy tried to poke at it and when it came gliding down the sill, he called for help from the neighbors. When they got to the house, the snake was gone. I don’t know where it went. I wasn’t able to take a photo. Heck, I can’t even look at it again. And from now on I’m not going to live in this house the same way again.

The house where Noy and I live, a real house where normal living takes place, is a concrete-and-wood structure sitting on that strip of land surrounding the National Mental Hospital. It was one of the many house and lots granted by the government of Mandaluyong to its deserving employees. Noy started living here when he was in college after growing up in Cainta, Rizal where his family was able to acquire a property. A lot of people have come and gone in this house, mostly boarders and Noy’s siblings in their college years. This is where we lived when we got married, as what was his family probably had planned.


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Though I am appreciative of his family’s thoughts, I can’t help but complain sometimes that the house is a little too worn out for me. I honestly think it was haphazardly built without an architect’s opinion – the floors aren’t leveled and the walls aren’t straight. I would not mind if it were difficult to “style” or that the paint is starting to peel off – it was just too difficult to keep clean because debris seem to just fall off the ceiling every hour. I’d clean in the morning and by evening there’s a neat little gathering of dirt in the corners.

Earlier last week, we found a large group of big black ants in one corner of the spare room upstairs. They were eating off a piece of the wall. And though they easily gave in to insect spray, I was a bit surprised when Noy blurted out we should move to another place. I am a bit scared about renting (hence, paying), but the snake today kind of reinforces that idea. If I see a big bad wolf outside the door next week I’d probably move back to Tondo where I had lived most of my life.

I kind of love this house though. It’s near everything. It’s 2 minutes away from EDSA. It’s quiet and airy. I love our bedroom which has a large window that looked out the back of the hospital, which has a small road lined by trees on one side and vegetable patches on the other, which goes all the way down to our side. It smells fresh in the mornings and when it rains. Most of all, FIREFLIES do fly around here. I don’t think I can find that anywhere else in the city.

For the meantime, let me ogle at these my dream living spaces (thanks HGTV!) until Noy and I have come to a decision.