Joyeux Anniversaire

How bizarre of me to randomly suddenly remember that I once enjoyed posting on a blog site and found myself trying to recall what my OWN page is! After a few attempts (how embarrassing that I can't seem to find my own page. haha) viola! Here I am, checking the date of my last entry and to my surprise, it actually is almost a year from today! Odd how gut feeling works! 

Ever since I started practicing my humble profession, I couldn't just seem to find time for the simplest of things anymore. Most specially since I started working as an Operating Theatre Nurse. Since then, my physiologic needs for eating and sleeping (and resting, and stress shopping and just doing nothing) increased tremendously - seriously! hahaha.

I reckon wanting to be in the Operating theatre from the moment I first laid my hands on clamps and forceps and all those other instruments, dating back to college days. I simply couldn't imagine myself in other parts of the hospital other than the surgical theatres. However, I never really imagined it would be this physically tiring! Nonetheless, I still am glad to be doing what I want. 

Being around people whom I believe share the same sentiments, I guess I have learned (and still am learning) how to cope up with all the exhaustion and stress I am being bombarded with on a daily basis. Allow me to reminisce on the year that's been:)

First of Summer 2014 - Montemar Beach Club with my (almost complete) Orthopaedics family. Thank you, doctors for the pleasant treat! Definitely one for the books! I'd have to admit, out-of-OR activities as such is definitely one of the reasons which lured me in joining the Ortho family. hahaha!

First "OR Outing Club" experience - Magdalena Water Rafting. Beneath my seemingly boring personality is someone who enjoys submerging in lake water, climbing mountains, crawling into caves and swimming next to water falls. Naturally, water rafting has been in my bucket list and I'm glad it's officially ticked off. Though given the chance, I'd gladly try CDO's white waters!

 It's always a good time with these thrill seekers who are constantly in for adventures:)

Isabela Major Surgical Mission 2014 - Fortunately, this overnight mission landed on my Vacation Leave. Joining missions has been my "thing" since college. It's the main reason behind me wanting to be in the OR. It has become my way of giving back and helping people who need it most.

Vikings Despedida (for our lovely mother, Ma'am Katte)-  What better way to send someone off? Having a feast of course! Thank You, Ma'am Katte! You never fail to bring your team / family together:) I'm thankful for being considered as your bunso. We miss you!

Star City / Dampa Day out - Not much photos of our random amusement park day, however I treasure days like this. "Tara, sama ka?"  -Ok. :)

OR Halloween 2014 - PM duty (1400H-2200H) in the OR meant fewer staff. It even used to be a culture to have "themed attires" (We go to work in civillian clothes and change into our scrubs when we get to the OR) or "post-cons" (Things to do after 10 in the evening. These vary from eating, having coffee, karaoke, merry-making, or even going jogging.) Since it was Halloween, and it's already bad enough to be working during pre-holidays, it has been decided to bring Halloween costumes and play dress up after duty ends. Well, what can I say. We are competitive and we take things seriously. hahaha!

Family Portrait (incomplete)- Just because. haha, this was actually taken in preparation for the Orthopaedics Symposium. How ironic, the team having been dominated with men is the team who's the clingiest and the one with the most drama (hahaha sorry but it's true!)... But of course, it's also the team who as a whole is the most malambing (affectionate) and the most maalaga (caring). And I'm ever grateful to be around them in and out of the OR most of the time:)

Orthopaedics' Party - "Work hard, party harder" - Certainly true of Ortho parties. Without bias, they host the best parties to date. Good booze, good food, good venue, great people. Best part, all for free:) 

Malasakit. - Meet my Ortho siblings who have been keeping me sane and company since my first few days in the OR. He's been looking after us like his little sisters, now it's our time to look after you! One of my milestones in the OR, scrubbing in for a friend. Feels awkward having someone lie on the OR bed whom you closely know.

Disclaimer: Photo taken and posted with patient's consent.

OR Christmas Party 2014 - Rumors have it, OR's Christmas parties are absolutely to watch out for. Being amongst the units with the most number of staff, we just have the need to occupy the hospital's auditorium for our merry-making and dancing. Mind you, our dancing isn't the typical *tugs-tugs-tugs* clubbing kind, it's choreographed, judged and prepared for! - which comes with costumes and cash prize! Who sacrifice themselves in exchange for others' entertainment?! Well, just everyone who's new and who hasn't put themselves to shame yet - be it nurses, interns or residents! It was fun being part of this 2014 crew! haha

Mt. Maranat & Mt. Balagbag - My desire to go up a mountain has been granted! Thank you to these ladies for making this very tiring climb fun and worth while. Climbing is hard, exhausting and sometimes I don't really understand why I like doing it - making myself suffer unreasonably when I can opt to go the beach instead. haha! Just like any normal human being I complain and rant and get tired and keep on asking if we're there yet. But once we reach the peak, it simply inspires me to do another climb and the fulfillment I get is indescribable. This particular climb was more memorable since I got a corneal abrasion after. And got myself semi-grounded from climbing. haha

Balayan Major Surgical Mission 2015 - All girls' mission! Feels genuinely good to help:) Plus, I really enjoyed my stay here with the ladies. I missed how it is to 'live' in the province - fresh air, good food, stress free and laid back. If only I could, I would have extended my stay here. haha! Thanks to our hosts for making us feel very welcome and well taken cared of! Sometimes, all you need is a break from all of Manila's hustle and bustle.

Dweet GastroPub - OR's current favorite chill go-to place. Another "Tara, sama ka? -ok" moment. The reason why I don't get to save - at all: Eating after duty is our favorite stress buster! Dweet offers very reasonable prices. It's just that, I end up eating after duty without fail on almost a daily basis. haha!

Disclaimer: Photo taken at the Collective

First of Summer 2015: Ortho Team Outing - By now, I already have noticed how many times in this post have I mentioned 'Ortho!' I just realized it now - I'm always around these people. Not complaining though:) For the record, I used to dread assisting in Orthopaedic surgeries. There are just too many things you have to remember, to prepare, to do, to watch out for, trays to carry and open, various set ups to familiarize and all that! Nevertheless, (and by no choice at first-haha) I came to love what I've been doing and being in the team who's been treating me like family:)

Crystal Clear Calaguas - Fell in love with this island and its beach. Swimming in its waters felt surreal. It's too clear and clean and perfect! No jellyfish lurking around, no disgusting sea weeds, no rocks, very fine white sand which doesn't get hot under the scorching heat of the sun. You can even open your eyes under water without squinting because of its saltiness. It's like being in a swimming pool. And no matter how deep it gets, you can still see the ruffles of the sand underneath. The only thing which will get you thinking of leaving its waters is the sun. And the fear of getting too dark which unconsciously will happen because the beach is irresistible. The long travel time and discomfort of staying in a remote island are both very much worth it. 

Thank you, Outing Club! Calaguas was beyond amazing. I got the "break" I needed and been thirsting to have. More, please?:)

Interns' Finale: Neon Party - Best interns' party I've been to so far! Every so often, interns are to host a party. This batch nailed it by getting casualties black or blur out. haha. 

Cheers to my soon to be 2nd year anniversary as a nurse. I wouldn't have made it this far without everyone around me - God, family, Leo, friends, workmates and my kind patients who remind me that I'm good with what I'm doing whenever I don't feel like I am:)