What couldn’t be more annoying than to see the person who left you hanging in mid-air? Never mind if what I’m talking about is online – to be more specific via facebook.

I always had this notion that people shouldn’t give up a fight without even trying. If it won’t cost you your life and you’ve already made that first big step into going after something, you shouldn’t give up at the first signs of trouble. Life is like trekking one of those raceways. At the end of it all, you may be the winner of end up defeated. But at least, you ran the course of the track.

After getting my license to practice medicine, I instantly knew I had to face the looming question lying ahead: Now what? I thought residency was the way to go. Lucky for me, I was able to try two pre-residency programs of two prestigious hospitals in the country. A month and two weeks later after my pre-residency, I found myself licensed, broke and unemployed. Just great. And it doesn’t help that Christmas is just around the corner! But, I count myself really lucky these days. I managed to get my week filled with reliever posts that, though didn’t pay a lot, were sufficient enough to cover the gifts I had to buy this week for my new godchild, my brother and a friend. Actually, I’m still waiting payment for two GP jobs I did last week so I’m well covered financially until next week or so.

A week into moonlighting, I realized that it wouldn’t be so bad if I don’t get lucky enough to get into a residency training program next year. I mean, I am a licensed GP. I can get a job anytime to feed me three times a day. I may or may not get rich, yes, but at least I won’t go hungry. My time is in my hands to control. I can get a job if I want to and take a pseudo-holiday if I feel like it. I can get a regular 8-5 job (Medical Records Assistant Jobs, anyone?) or I can get a more toxic 24-hour tour of duty in a hospital.

See? Life after the licensure exam is not so bad after all. =)

Today, President Benigno Aquino III will face the nation to deliver his 2011 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Looking back at how the nation fared in the last year, I’d say there’s not much difference at all. If not, we’re in a worse off situation – year in and year out. I envy how our neighboring countries have gone up in terms of economic development through the years. When Mela and I went to Hong Kong last month, I was told by my mom how I’d be amazed with how things are in Hong Kong. True enough, I found myself in awe at how efficient their mass transport system was and how law-abiding the citizens were. For a first-time visitor like we were, getting lost in that little piece of modern land was not a problem – as long as you know where to get off when you board the MTR [or, if matters really get out of hand, hail a taxi cab. ] But during our four days and three night-stay in the shopping mecca of Hong Kong, we realized how much we missed the Philippines even if there are more than a hundred and one negative things we can associate it with (including tourmaster-clad motorbike riders aka street nuisance). We missed eating McDonald’s chicken with rice. We missed hearing back coherent English when we ask around in the language. We missed buying stuff without mentally multiplying by 5.6. And most of all, we terribly missed the culture of hospitality and the culture of respect of Filipinos.

So despite the hundred and one negative things one can easily muster about this God-forsaken (?) country (ChaCha, Hello Garci, TRAFFIC!!! et al), I know there’s truth to that old song about this beloved city… I’ll keep on going back to Manila.

My friend and I were talking about our plans for the summer earlier and both realized how we badly need to get up and move if we want to get those killer abs. You know what’s the problem with working in a really comfortable environment? It’s that no matter how much you spend walking all over the hospital, you won’t perspire at all. So much for exercise. And we don’t get to do our exercise routine at the gym too ‘coz we’d rather sleep than workout. LOL.

You know that electronic muscle stimulator they sell on As Seen On TV? We’re just too tempted to buy one. Haha. How great can it be getting that body without even lifting a finger. Such couch potatoes we are. LOL.

Seven days!

Just like in the famous movie, The Ring, I only have seven days to keep as much happy memories as I can before I embark on my final year in medical school. Geez!

The Zambales trip with Bryan’s friends was superb. I enjoyed the sun and the sand as much as I could since this was my last beach outing for April. I like going out with non-medical people because they keep my sanity in check. And besides, sometimes, I have to get out of my comfort zone every once in a while. =) I would have wanted to tell more about my summer escapades but I’m saving the memories for the next few posts. As for now, I’m off to Zzzz-land, my best acne treatment, for a well-deserved goodnight’s sleep. =)

Oh hi! I just came back from Bolinao, Pangasinan – tanned as ever! Well not really. =) Although I do sport a new tan, I wonder how long this is gonna last. =) It’s amazing how time flies by so fast. The next thing I know, I only have one beach trip left for summer. Boo! This time around, I’ll be heading to an island in Zambales for another round of camping with Bee’s friends. Talk about adventure? Good luck! There are no pools around where we’ll be going on Wednesday so boo! No pool floats! Geez! Zambales! Here I come!