Though they have healed
They continue to teach
Feel them
Remember them
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
To Each His (or Her) Own
"I heard that movie sucked"
"I don't like that song"
"Golf is so boring"
I think we've all heard comments such as these before. Sometimes when we hear these remarks, it might change how we feel about a certain thing. We're all entitled to our own opinions. But I believe it's important for me to not let another person's judgment affect my perception.
A few days ago, my friend Johnny said the first comment to me. He was responding to the fact that I had rented The Bucket List from Netflix. Having not even placed the movie into my DVD player yet, I knew I would already own a bias towards it. And that annoyed me.
I watched the movie the next day. Some people might have disliked it, but I surely didn't. What we enjoy is tied to our past individual experiences. Having spent a considerable amount of time in a hospital (like the main characters of the movie), I was able to make a connection that perhaps many others would not be able to. When you're laying on a hospital bed, much of your thoughts are what you will do if and when you are once again free from the confinements of convalescence. I found that many of the situations presented in the film parallel those which I have gone through.
Note to self: Go into things with an open mind.
"I don't like that song"
"Golf is so boring"
I think we've all heard comments such as these before. Sometimes when we hear these remarks, it might change how we feel about a certain thing. We're all entitled to our own opinions. But I believe it's important for me to not let another person's judgment affect my perception.
A few days ago, my friend Johnny said the first comment to me. He was responding to the fact that I had rented The Bucket List from Netflix. Having not even placed the movie into my DVD player yet, I knew I would already own a bias towards it. And that annoyed me.
I watched the movie the next day. Some people might have disliked it, but I surely didn't. What we enjoy is tied to our past individual experiences. Having spent a considerable amount of time in a hospital (like the main characters of the movie), I was able to make a connection that perhaps many others would not be able to. When you're laying on a hospital bed, much of your thoughts are what you will do if and when you are once again free from the confinements of convalescence. I found that many of the situations presented in the film parallel those which I have gone through.
Note to self: Go into things with an open mind.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Breaking Free
I've tried many times to post something on this here blog, but all the drafts have been left unfinished. Not this one though. I'm determined to complete it and hit publish.
Not everyone knows this because I didn't share it with too many people, but for much of the summer I suffered from a quite painful ailment, which precluded me from doing many things. The pain was excruciating. It would happen four to six times a day and I could do nothing but let out moans and squeeze someone or something with my hand until the pain subsided. Pain was one thing, but the worst of it was the fear of the pain. Living in constant fear of the return of when the pain would return was absolutely debilitating. Many times I would wake up from the pain and scream and clutch something until it went away, then be unable to sleep again. Of all the things I have experienced in my life, those weeks caused me the most fear ever. I stayed in my house for weeks, praying for the pain to never return again.
Spending months at home caused me to do much thinking. Thinking about the past. Thinking about the present. Thinking about the future. When the pain finally looked like it was gone for good, the relief I felt was immeasurable. It was as if I was breaking free from the physical and psychological prison that held me captive for what seemed like an eternity. The ups and downs of the last few years and the last few months have changed me forever. I feel like I once again have a renewed passion for life.
In the spirit of that passion, I've been traveling.
I visited my sister and brother-in-law in Washington. The Great Northwest is definitely a majestic place with trees everywhere. We did the touristy things like visiting the space needle, the first Starbucks, and the Public Market where the fish store workers throw fish. My favorite part though was hiking through the forests. We saw many waterfalls. At one point I said to Ate, "I can't believe that just a month ago I was lying in bed, suffering from the worst pain of my life, and now I'm standing in front of one of the highest waterfalls in the world." I definitely felt free in Washington. I could live there."
I also went to the San Jose area for my roommate Justin's wedding. A lot of fun. Hanging out with my dorm friends is always pretty crazy. They are a hilarious group. It got me truly excited for the three weddings of other friends coming up in the next year. I can't believe how fast life is going now.
After San Jose I went to the Bay Area and spent some time there. Also tons of fun. Thanks to Em, Vaughn, and Camizzle for housing me. A grand tour of Union City. Karaoke night at The Mint. Berkeley roaming. Bear's Lair revisited. All good times.
Planning for future trips is also in the works. Another trip to the Bay for a cousin's wedding. A few snow trips to break in my board and gear. A trip to the Philippines. Hopefully three or four Disneyland visits. And to end, here's the Disney song that inspired the title of this post. I will continue to be inspired, and I hope you will be too.
Not everyone knows this because I didn't share it with too many people, but for much of the summer I suffered from a quite painful ailment, which precluded me from doing many things. The pain was excruciating. It would happen four to six times a day and I could do nothing but let out moans and squeeze someone or something with my hand until the pain subsided. Pain was one thing, but the worst of it was the fear of the pain. Living in constant fear of the return of when the pain would return was absolutely debilitating. Many times I would wake up from the pain and scream and clutch something until it went away, then be unable to sleep again. Of all the things I have experienced in my life, those weeks caused me the most fear ever. I stayed in my house for weeks, praying for the pain to never return again.
Spending months at home caused me to do much thinking. Thinking about the past. Thinking about the present. Thinking about the future. When the pain finally looked like it was gone for good, the relief I felt was immeasurable. It was as if I was breaking free from the physical and psychological prison that held me captive for what seemed like an eternity. The ups and downs of the last few years and the last few months have changed me forever. I feel like I once again have a renewed passion for life.
In the spirit of that passion, I've been traveling.
I visited my sister and brother-in-law in Washington. The Great Northwest is definitely a majestic place with trees everywhere. We did the touristy things like visiting the space needle, the first Starbucks, and the Public Market where the fish store workers throw fish. My favorite part though was hiking through the forests. We saw many waterfalls. At one point I said to Ate, "I can't believe that just a month ago I was lying in bed, suffering from the worst pain of my life, and now I'm standing in front of one of the highest waterfalls in the world." I definitely felt free in Washington. I could live there."
I also went to the San Jose area for my roommate Justin's wedding. A lot of fun. Hanging out with my dorm friends is always pretty crazy. They are a hilarious group. It got me truly excited for the three weddings of other friends coming up in the next year. I can't believe how fast life is going now.
After San Jose I went to the Bay Area and spent some time there. Also tons of fun. Thanks to Em, Vaughn, and Camizzle for housing me. A grand tour of Union City. Karaoke night at The Mint. Berkeley roaming. Bear's Lair revisited. All good times.
Planning for future trips is also in the works. Another trip to the Bay for a cousin's wedding. A few snow trips to break in my board and gear. A trip to the Philippines. Hopefully three or four Disneyland visits. And to end, here's the Disney song that inspired the title of this post. I will continue to be inspired, and I hope you will be too.
Friday, June 5, 2009
When the Stars Align
We are all headed on different pathways. Some are working. Some of us are going to school. Some of us us are single. Some of us are in relationships. Some of us are engaged, or are already married. Some of us live with family. Some of us live with friends. Some of us live alone.
Despite our diverging paths, we are sometimes able to reconnect. These are times in which I cherish. I spend many days home alone, with my parents leaving for work before I wake and getting home when my day is winding down. This means that there are days in which I have no human interaction at all. This is why times in which I can reconnect with people I care about are so important. It's a time for me to relax and smile. I dread the time coming to an end, and I look forward to when we can reconnect once more.
I'm lucky that the past few weeks I was able to spend meaningful time with great people, both during my Bay Area visit and here at home. It was the reconnection and release that I needed. I am so thankful for those times. I am more than happy with the my time spent, for the most part.
However, there were a few instances that almost ruined those experiences. Because of residual tension and awkwardness, getting together with different people or groups I wanted to get together with was complicated. It caused some to act stubborn and even childish. This really frustrated me and stressed me out. When the stars align and I can meet up with those I care about, I don't care what I do or where I go, as long as I am able to reconnect with those people. I hope others feel the same about reconnecting.
Please, let's try to leave the past in the past so that we can be a part of each other's future.
Despite our diverging paths, we are sometimes able to reconnect. These are times in which I cherish. I spend many days home alone, with my parents leaving for work before I wake and getting home when my day is winding down. This means that there are days in which I have no human interaction at all. This is why times in which I can reconnect with people I care about are so important. It's a time for me to relax and smile. I dread the time coming to an end, and I look forward to when we can reconnect once more.
I'm lucky that the past few weeks I was able to spend meaningful time with great people, both during my Bay Area visit and here at home. It was the reconnection and release that I needed. I am so thankful for those times. I am more than happy with the my time spent, for the most part.
However, there were a few instances that almost ruined those experiences. Because of residual tension and awkwardness, getting together with different people or groups I wanted to get together with was complicated. It caused some to act stubborn and even childish. This really frustrated me and stressed me out. When the stars align and I can meet up with those I care about, I don't care what I do or where I go, as long as I am able to reconnect with those people. I hope others feel the same about reconnecting.
Please, let's try to leave the past in the past so that we can be a part of each other's future.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Adding on to the Baseball Rant
The Dodgers have lost 4 out of 5 without Manny Ramirez. Their NL West lead has been cut in half. Still think they're gonna last 50 games without him, Steve Philips? Goodness. ESPN should hire me as a baseball analyst.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
My dad and I took my lolas out to Mother's Day brunch. I thought it was delicious and I think they enjoyed the outing as well.
However, Mom was unable to join us because she was working. She works at the Intensive Care Unit at Sharp Hospital in Chula Vista, the same unit where I spent over two months being treated for a Lupus flare-up last year. My mom being a nurse there really made the recovery a lot easier. She knew the doctors and nurses (a lot of them being her long-time friends). She was active in how my treatment proceeded.
But for all the advantages her past experience brought, it also meant that it took an even harder toll on her. This is because as an ICU nurse, you understand all the medical jargon. You are always told to think of the worst that can happen to your patient. It's one thing to think the worst can happen to a patient, quite another to think that of your child.
When Mom came home tonight, she told me of the patient she was assigned to today. Her patient was a 20-year old girl with Lupus. The girl has been in the ICU since mid-April. The girl's mom had been asking to speak with my mom, apparently because the girl's mom was told of a nurse who had a son with Lupus. I'm sure my mom gave her some good advice.
My mom doesn't know I have a blog (I don't even think she knows what blogs are), so she'll never read this. Nevertheless, this one's for you, Mom.
However, Mom was unable to join us because she was working. She works at the Intensive Care Unit at Sharp Hospital in Chula Vista, the same unit where I spent over two months being treated for a Lupus flare-up last year. My mom being a nurse there really made the recovery a lot easier. She knew the doctors and nurses (a lot of them being her long-time friends). She was active in how my treatment proceeded.
But for all the advantages her past experience brought, it also meant that it took an even harder toll on her. This is because as an ICU nurse, you understand all the medical jargon. You are always told to think of the worst that can happen to your patient. It's one thing to think the worst can happen to a patient, quite another to think that of your child.
When Mom came home tonight, she told me of the patient she was assigned to today. Her patient was a 20-year old girl with Lupus. The girl has been in the ICU since mid-April. The girl's mom had been asking to speak with my mom, apparently because the girl's mom was told of a nurse who had a son with Lupus. I'm sure my mom gave her some good advice.
My mom doesn't know I have a blog (I don't even think she knows what blogs are), so she'll never read this. Nevertheless, this one's for you, Mom.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Baseball Rant
The first sport I became a fan of was baseball. For a variety of reasons, I've become less and less a fan. Perhaps what gets me the most about the game is that nowadays, the biggest story on ESPN is who's the newest player to be accused of using performing-enhancing drugs.
For those who don't watch sports news too often, LA Dodger Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games today for using hCG, a substance banned by Major League Baseball. At first, it didn't get to me that much, which is a testament to how accustomed I've become to these kind of stories.
But then I heard a few interviews from ESPN baseball analysts.
Tim Kurkjian said something about how players have been cheating in baseball since it's inception, then went on to say that fans really don't care, as long as they win. Um...well let me say it. I CARE.
Then, what really got me angry was the interview of Steve Phillips. He was asked where the Dodgers would be when Manny got back.
I'll try to paraphrase what Phillips said. He claimed that 'the Dodgers are too far in first place in the NL west division. They're a really good team. They'll hold on to that lead until Manny comes back in July, then go on to the playoffs with Manny leading them. It's a special year for the Dodgers.'
WTF
Yeah, they're in first place by a lot. But that's because they had Manny in the lineup. Manny is an RBI machine. And even when Manny's not doing well, teams have to always account for him. He gets on via walk because teams pitch around him. This leads to more runs. Think about it this way, take ANY team's best player away from a team, do they do as well? The Yankees are next to last in the AL east without A-Rod (who, btw also took performing-enhancing drugs), even with the highest paid team of any sport ever. Did the Patriots make the playoffs without Tom Brady? Would the Cavs be so good without Lebron James?
Plus, the reason they are so far in front in the NL west right now is because during the beginning and ending parts of the baseball season, teams play the majority of their games against teams within their division. That has made these games up until this point super important in the division standings. And now that the teams have finished those games and will play the majority of their games against teams outside the division, Manny gets suspended. If he was suspended to begin the season, I think the standings in the west might be different. But there's no way for us to know. Baseball, you're losing me as a fan.
Tim, I CARE. For now, at least.
Is it football season yet?
For those who don't watch sports news too often, LA Dodger Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games today for using hCG, a substance banned by Major League Baseball. At first, it didn't get to me that much, which is a testament to how accustomed I've become to these kind of stories.
But then I heard a few interviews from ESPN baseball analysts.
Tim Kurkjian said something about how players have been cheating in baseball since it's inception, then went on to say that fans really don't care, as long as they win. Um...well let me say it. I CARE.
Then, what really got me angry was the interview of Steve Phillips. He was asked where the Dodgers would be when Manny got back.
I'll try to paraphrase what Phillips said. He claimed that 'the Dodgers are too far in first place in the NL west division. They're a really good team. They'll hold on to that lead until Manny comes back in July, then go on to the playoffs with Manny leading them. It's a special year for the Dodgers.'
WTF
Yeah, they're in first place by a lot. But that's because they had Manny in the lineup. Manny is an RBI machine. And even when Manny's not doing well, teams have to always account for him. He gets on via walk because teams pitch around him. This leads to more runs. Think about it this way, take ANY team's best player away from a team, do they do as well? The Yankees are next to last in the AL east without A-Rod (who, btw also took performing-enhancing drugs), even with the highest paid team of any sport ever. Did the Patriots make the playoffs without Tom Brady? Would the Cavs be so good without Lebron James?
Plus, the reason they are so far in front in the NL west right now is because during the beginning and ending parts of the baseball season, teams play the majority of their games against teams within their division. That has made these games up until this point super important in the division standings. And now that the teams have finished those games and will play the majority of their games against teams outside the division, Manny gets suspended. If he was suspended to begin the season, I think the standings in the west might be different. But there's no way for us to know. Baseball, you're losing me as a fan.
Tim, I CARE. For now, at least.
Is it football season yet?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Point of View
Today I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 9:40am. I showed up kinda late (maybe 9:45) so I felt bad. But when I walked into the reception office, I saw that it was packed. I wondered why.
I stood in the appointment line and waited to check-in.
I got to the front and said, "I have an appointment with Dr. Duque."
The receptionist said, "Oh! Dr. Duque? Well he's not here today. He'll be out for two weeks. His wife just had a baby. Go wait in line over there, for his nurse, to see if you can be seen by another doctor, or reschedule."
Immediately I was pretty excited. Dr. Duque is super nice and I felt happy for him. But I realized that this was the reason for so many people in the waiting area. Dr. Duque's patients would have to be seen by other doctors at the clinic, doctors who probably had a full schedule already.
Waiting in the long line to talk to the nurse, I overheard other people's conversations with her. Angry statements like "I've been here for over an hour, and you just let in someone who just got here!" or "When will I be seen?!" or "I already took a day off work, and now I have to come back and miss work again?!"
I know I have a different point of view because my days are pretty free since I don't have work or school to go to. But even if I did, I don't think I would have reacted the way the other patients did. At least I hope wouldn't have. Do you really expect Dr. Duque to come in the day his wife goes into labor? Would you? And why take it out on the nurses? It's not like their day got any easier either.
I got to the front and the nurse greeted me with a smile, recognizing me. She scheduled me for exactly two weeks from today at 9:40am again. This time I'll be early rather than late. And I'll be sure to congratulate Dr. Duque.
I'm reminded every time I read Kitty's blog: "It's not too difficult to be nice."
I stood in the appointment line and waited to check-in.
I got to the front and said, "I have an appointment with Dr. Duque."
The receptionist said, "Oh! Dr. Duque? Well he's not here today. He'll be out for two weeks. His wife just had a baby. Go wait in line over there, for his nurse, to see if you can be seen by another doctor, or reschedule."
Immediately I was pretty excited. Dr. Duque is super nice and I felt happy for him. But I realized that this was the reason for so many people in the waiting area. Dr. Duque's patients would have to be seen by other doctors at the clinic, doctors who probably had a full schedule already.
Waiting in the long line to talk to the nurse, I overheard other people's conversations with her. Angry statements like "I've been here for over an hour, and you just let in someone who just got here!" or "When will I be seen?!" or "I already took a day off work, and now I have to come back and miss work again?!"
I know I have a different point of view because my days are pretty free since I don't have work or school to go to. But even if I did, I don't think I would have reacted the way the other patients did. At least I hope wouldn't have. Do you really expect Dr. Duque to come in the day his wife goes into labor? Would you? And why take it out on the nurses? It's not like their day got any easier either.
I got to the front and the nurse greeted me with a smile, recognizing me. She scheduled me for exactly two weeks from today at 9:40am again. This time I'll be early rather than late. And I'll be sure to congratulate Dr. Duque.
I'm reminded every time I read Kitty's blog: "It's not too difficult to be nice."
Monday, March 23, 2009
If You Don't Use It, You Lose It 2
Once again I have found something that I was quite good at before that I can no longer do. Today it was the Rubik's cube.
All throughout college, I was able to solve the Rubik's cube in under 2 minutes. I solved it so many times that the stickers would rip off, so I would have to buy another one. I went through four Rubik's cubes during my time at Cal. I even taught some friends how to solve it.
Today I was hanging out with Phil and found Mikhael's Rubik's cube on his counter. While driving to pick up Shelley, I was able to do the top two rows easily, but I was completely unable to do the bottom. I tried to figure out but to no avail. So sad. Maybe a friend who I taught can teach it back to me? Please?
Hopefully I haven't lost anything else. :(
All throughout college, I was able to solve the Rubik's cube in under 2 minutes. I solved it so many times that the stickers would rip off, so I would have to buy another one. I went through four Rubik's cubes during my time at Cal. I even taught some friends how to solve it.
Today I was hanging out with Phil and found Mikhael's Rubik's cube on his counter. While driving to pick up Shelley, I was able to do the top two rows easily, but I was completely unable to do the bottom. I tried to figure out but to no avail. So sad. Maybe a friend who I taught can teach it back to me? Please?
Hopefully I haven't lost anything else. :(
Sunday, March 22, 2009
If You Don't Use It, You Lose It
This little phrase can apply to so many things. For me, today it applied to public speaking.
Madel and I dropped off JennThai at the briefing for the PASS so-cal outreachers. We had planned to just bring her there, and maybe say hi to the handful of the older outreachers who we knew.
Somehow we were placed at the beginning of the agenda for the briefing. Madel and I had to introduce ourselves, then provide advice to the thirty or so outreachers, most of whom had know idea who we were (other than the anecdotes they had been told by seniors and juniors: i.e. hella on a steep and the Puerto Nuevo outreach trip).
While at Cal, I had more than enough opportunities to perfect my oratory skills: Outreaches, running meetings, speeches at events, and more. It got to the point where I was absolutely comfortable getting up in front of a room of forty people or more, whether I knew them or not. Like I was speaking to an old friend.
However today at the outreach briefing, I bombed. I stuttered. I forgot my thoughts. I wasn't smiling. I was fidgety. It was a train wreck. I was totally embarrassed. I wanted a do-over.
I realize now that I haven't been in a setting like that since I graduated, almost two years ago. Being thrown into that situation, having to provide words of knowledge as a wise alum right on the spot, made it that much more difficult.
Sigh. Ah well. Just gotta try and smile about it I guess. Good luck outreachers! :D
Madel and I dropped off JennThai at the briefing for the PASS so-cal outreachers. We had planned to just bring her there, and maybe say hi to the handful of the older outreachers who we knew.
Somehow we were placed at the beginning of the agenda for the briefing. Madel and I had to introduce ourselves, then provide advice to the thirty or so outreachers, most of whom had know idea who we were (other than the anecdotes they had been told by seniors and juniors: i.e. hella on a steep and the Puerto Nuevo outreach trip).
While at Cal, I had more than enough opportunities to perfect my oratory skills: Outreaches, running meetings, speeches at events, and more. It got to the point where I was absolutely comfortable getting up in front of a room of forty people or more, whether I knew them or not. Like I was speaking to an old friend.
However today at the outreach briefing, I bombed. I stuttered. I forgot my thoughts. I wasn't smiling. I was fidgety. It was a train wreck. I was totally embarrassed. I wanted a do-over.
I realize now that I haven't been in a setting like that since I graduated, almost two years ago. Being thrown into that situation, having to provide words of knowledge as a wise alum right on the spot, made it that much more difficult.
Sigh. Ah well. Just gotta try and smile about it I guess. Good luck outreachers! :D
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Two Blocks Away
For those who have not been to my house, I live two blocks away from an elementary school. I pass Corky McMillen Elementary School every day. I always read the marquee. It's interesting to see what's happening in the lives of the neighborhood children.
Recently the marquee said "McMillen Idol - 3/10 to 3/11". I imagine it's American Idol for the K-5 students of the school. How freakin cool would that be to see? It made me wish I had a cousin or neighborhood friend whose sibling was in the show, so that I could have a reason to go.
Although I didn't go, just the thought of it made me smile. A sign of good times, when something like that can make me :D
Recently the marquee said "McMillen Idol - 3/10 to 3/11". I imagine it's American Idol for the K-5 students of the school. How freakin cool would that be to see? It made me wish I had a cousin or neighborhood friend whose sibling was in the show, so that I could have a reason to go.
Although I didn't go, just the thought of it made me smile. A sign of good times, when something like that can make me :D
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Not Again.
Every year I forget to give my palms from Palm Sunday back to the church before Ash Wednesday. I have about 5 years of old palms in my car.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
one min, one hour, one day
a gspot layout.
one min ago
brushed my teeth. put in my invisalign, washed my face.
comments: i've been using invisalign to straighten my teeth for about a year and a half. nearly all my teeth are aligned now. it's just my right canine that is laggin. i have about ten or so aligners that i have to go through before that last tooth is straight. when i started out wearing them, i counted on my teeth to get straighter. what i didn't foresee was that the overall health of my teeth would improve so drastically. with invisaligns, i have to brush my teeth and floss every time i eat something. prior to using them, i would usually only brush once, maybe twice a day, and floss once a day at most. that neglect of my teeth caused many a cavity. for a year and a half i have been cavity-free. :D i also have to wash my face a lot more now. until recently i haven't had too much acne. just a few pimples every so often. however i'm taking the steroid medication prednisone now. one of the side-effects of prednisone is acne. D:
one hour ago
got home from the dentist. ate a nature valley oat's and honey granola bar while watching monk.
comments: my dentist is a good guy. and the receptionists are super nice. i never get nervous when going to the dentist's office. actually, i kinda get excited to go because i know ill be able to get my new set of aligners. been eating a lot of granola bars lately. a healthier snack choice to chips or sweets. now that i'm back to my normal weight, my doctor says i need to "live healthier". his subtle way of telling me to eat healthier and be more active. monk's a really clever show. tony shaloub is a great actor.
one day ago
heeded my doctor's advice. was "active". got home and was super tired from being "active". took an "active" 3-hour nap. practiced mcat general chemistry problems: gases and gas laws. had dinner at an italian restaurant with rosalin and johnny.
comments: the hardest part of getting "active" again is the again part. it seems that once i stop for even a little while, my stamina and energy plummet. this hinders the motivation to get started again. ah well. one day at a time i guess. did well on the mcat problems. when i was doing them i thought they were pretty tough; but i got a lot of them right. so that's a good sign. at the italian restaurant i had a salad (eating healthy!), garlic bread, and a baked rigatoni. all quite satisfying. it was good to catch up with rosalin and johnny. hadn't seen them in a while. called my mom at work and asked if she wanted me to bring her anything from the restaurant. at first she said that she wanted spaghetti. then she said, "no wait. get me a big mac meal from mcdonald's instead." hrm. maybe i should tell my mom to "live healthier".
one month ago:
was in disneyland with some truly great people. wore a button that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nicky (Disneyland Resort: WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE). park wasn't too packed. rode so many rides. tired myself out. in a good way.
comments: went with people i don't get to see as often as i want to because i no longer live in the same city as any of them. definitely good times catching up. i'm pretty sure that all the disneyland workers are required to say "happy birthday" to you on your birthday. i probably heard "happy birthday" about 100 times. made richelle ride tower of terror. "NO MORE!" quiz, nel and i initiated the girls into mkd. sad that the day had to end.
one year ago:
spent the day studying mcat physics: equilibrium and momentum. went to mcat class. probably watched an episode or so of the wire with rick.
comments: wasn't doing as well on the mcat practice problems in feb 2008 as i am in feb 2009. most likely because i wasn't reading the suggested assigned readings. the word suggested should never be attached to readings. the wire was my escape from mcat life. i would lie on my futon and rick on the couch. one of us would almost always fall asleep, so a lot of the times we would have to restart episodes. it was okay though. cause we had all the time in the world. no rush. man. good times. :D
one min ago
brushed my teeth. put in my invisalign, washed my face.
comments: i've been using invisalign to straighten my teeth for about a year and a half. nearly all my teeth are aligned now. it's just my right canine that is laggin. i have about ten or so aligners that i have to go through before that last tooth is straight. when i started out wearing them, i counted on my teeth to get straighter. what i didn't foresee was that the overall health of my teeth would improve so drastically. with invisaligns, i have to brush my teeth and floss every time i eat something. prior to using them, i would usually only brush once, maybe twice a day, and floss once a day at most. that neglect of my teeth caused many a cavity. for a year and a half i have been cavity-free. :D i also have to wash my face a lot more now. until recently i haven't had too much acne. just a few pimples every so often. however i'm taking the steroid medication prednisone now. one of the side-effects of prednisone is acne. D:
one hour ago
got home from the dentist. ate a nature valley oat's and honey granola bar while watching monk.
comments: my dentist is a good guy. and the receptionists are super nice. i never get nervous when going to the dentist's office. actually, i kinda get excited to go because i know ill be able to get my new set of aligners. been eating a lot of granola bars lately. a healthier snack choice to chips or sweets. now that i'm back to my normal weight, my doctor says i need to "live healthier". his subtle way of telling me to eat healthier and be more active. monk's a really clever show. tony shaloub is a great actor.
one day ago
heeded my doctor's advice. was "active". got home and was super tired from being "active". took an "active" 3-hour nap. practiced mcat general chemistry problems: gases and gas laws. had dinner at an italian restaurant with rosalin and johnny.
comments: the hardest part of getting "active" again is the again part. it seems that once i stop for even a little while, my stamina and energy plummet. this hinders the motivation to get started again. ah well. one day at a time i guess. did well on the mcat problems. when i was doing them i thought they were pretty tough; but i got a lot of them right. so that's a good sign. at the italian restaurant i had a salad (eating healthy!), garlic bread, and a baked rigatoni. all quite satisfying. it was good to catch up with rosalin and johnny. hadn't seen them in a while. called my mom at work and asked if she wanted me to bring her anything from the restaurant. at first she said that she wanted spaghetti. then she said, "no wait. get me a big mac meal from mcdonald's instead." hrm. maybe i should tell my mom to "live healthier".
one month ago:
was in disneyland with some truly great people. wore a button that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nicky (Disneyland Resort: WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE). park wasn't too packed. rode so many rides. tired myself out. in a good way.
comments: went with people i don't get to see as often as i want to because i no longer live in the same city as any of them. definitely good times catching up. i'm pretty sure that all the disneyland workers are required to say "happy birthday" to you on your birthday. i probably heard "happy birthday" about 100 times. made richelle ride tower of terror. "NO MORE!" quiz, nel and i initiated the girls into mkd. sad that the day had to end.
one year ago:
spent the day studying mcat physics: equilibrium and momentum. went to mcat class. probably watched an episode or so of the wire with rick.
comments: wasn't doing as well on the mcat practice problems in feb 2008 as i am in feb 2009. most likely because i wasn't reading the suggested assigned readings. the word suggested should never be attached to readings. the wire was my escape from mcat life. i would lie on my futon and rick on the couch. one of us would almost always fall asleep, so a lot of the times we would have to restart episodes. it was okay though. cause we had all the time in the world. no rush. man. good times. :D
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
How I Spend My Day
I realize that I haven't really updated what I have been doing the past month or even the past few months.
Really, it's quite simple. I have been MCAT studying. Almost every day I spent 2-6 hours studying. It's going really well. I have ten study books from The Berkeley Review covering Physics, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Verbal Reasoning, and Writing.
I've reached about the half-way point in reviewing the material. What's really helping is that I'm reading and taking the time to really learn the concepts. It makes the problems easier. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the material by sometime in March. If I'm able to do that then I can take practice tests for a month or so. I'm planning to take the test in May or June.
It's definitely a challenging task, but I feel I'm up for it.
Friday, January 30, 2009
"Hey! That's ME!"
Have you ever read a book, or watched a movie, or listened to a song and said to yourself, "Hey! That's ME!"? I'm sure you probably have.
A few times in my life I've said that to myself. I said that to myself late last night/early this morning while reading a book. It was almost exactly what I've been experiencing and feeling for a while now. I won't mention which book because some of you die hards might actually get the book and try to decipher who/what I'm talking about. And I won't confirm or deny any speculations.
Really, the book, or movie, or song does not matter in the point I'm trying to make. The point is this: It's nice to know that others have followed the same path or thought the same thoughts that I have. It makes me feel connected to people, people who I haven't even met.
That's pretty darn cool.
A few times in my life I've said that to myself. I said that to myself late last night/early this morning while reading a book. It was almost exactly what I've been experiencing and feeling for a while now. I won't mention which book because some of you die hards might actually get the book and try to decipher who/what I'm talking about. And I won't confirm or deny any speculations.
Really, the book, or movie, or song does not matter in the point I'm trying to make. The point is this: It's nice to know that others have followed the same path or thought the same thoughts that I have. It makes me feel connected to people, people who I haven't even met.
That's pretty darn cool.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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