Linggo, Marso 29, 2015

“KEEP LOOKING UP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW”

Prepared by: Sweet R. Tappan, RN, MD

To Principal Miriam Palma, dear teachers, beloved parents, esteemed graduates and students of Pasay Adventist Church Elementary School, good afternoon! 
First of all, I would like to thank God for this wonderful opportunity that has been given to me to be your Commencement Exercise speaker on this beautiful day.
When Mrs. Fajardo invited me to speak to you today, the first thing that came to my mind was that am I experienced enough? What am I going to say? I even asked my mom to compose something as to how I would be introduced today because I felt like I haven’t really done so much in life that I don’t even know how to introduce myself. But seeing what my mom has come up with, I realized that yes, maybe, I have done a lot of things in my life already and it was all by God’s amazing grace. And one of those things was become a graduate like you in this same institution about 17 years ago. Boy that has been a long time already.
            I feel humbled and honored at the same time to be in front of you today to be the chosen speaker for this 63rd Commencement Exercises with the theme, “Keep Looking Up For a Better Tomorrow”. As I was pondering on what to share with all of you today, I decided to come up with the acronym “LOOK UP” and I hope that the message will inspire all of you especially the graduates to keep looking up as you face the challenges of tomorrow.
 

Let’s start with the letter L. LOVE. Who among you here has a crush? One of Webster’s definition of crush is a strong feeling of romantic love that is usually not expressed and does not last a long time. My personal definition of a crush is someone that inspires you or someone you admire and make you feel “kilig”. If I remember it correctly, I was in my 5th or 6th grade when I had my first crush. You know the feeling when you get butterflies in your stomach whenever your crush is around or when you see him/her smile. But we should all be careful because sometimes we confuse crush with the word love.
The Greek language has at least 4 different ways as to how the word love is used. Do you know what those Greek words are?
·        AGAPE means brotherly love; charity is also used interchangeably which describes the love of God for man and of man for God.
·        EROS means love mostly of the sexual passion. The modern Greek word “erotas” means intimate love.
·        PHILIA means affectionate regard, friendship usually between equals.
·        STORGE means love, affection especially of parents and children, also known as family love.
1st Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us the perfect meaning of what love is, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
The Bible also tells us in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. He is the perfect example of what true love is. He loves all of us unconditionally that He even sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that we could all be saved and have everlasting life (John 3:16). Another wonderful verse about God’s love is found in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” What is beautiful about this verse as well as in John 3:16, we find no conditions placed on God’s love for us. It doesn’t say, “Sweet, you need to clean up your act before I’ll love you” nor does God say, “I’ll sacrifice my Son if you promise to love me.”Even though we don’t deserve it and we are sinful, He wants us to know that He loves us and that His love is unconditional. God did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love. To understand what true love is and to be able to truly love others, we must know God, and we can do this through a close personal relationship with Him. We can have that close relationship with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ, who was God’s sacrifice of love for us.1 
As such, true love –God’s love – can be summed up in this passage of scripture: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (1 John 4:7-11).

The 2nd letter is O – OBEDIENCE.
Maybe most of you have heard about the moth story that Teodora Alonzo told to then young Jose Rizal, her son. Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, a well known-historian, shared that when Teodora couldn’t get Pepe to focus reading a Spanish book entitled “El Amigo de Los Ninos”, she shifted to telling him a story which caught Pepe’s attention. 
Let me share the story in Tagalog, “Ang ina ni Rizal ang unang nagturo sa kanya ng pagbasa. Kung sila ay inaabot ng gabi at si Rizal ay pagod na sa pag-aaral ng pagbasa, si Ginang Rizal naman ang bumabasa at ang anak ang nakikinig. Isang gabi silang dalawa na lamang ang naiwang gising sa kanilang bahay. Si Rizal ay nag-aantok at pagod na sa pagbasa ng librong kanyang pinag-aaralan. Kaya ang ina naman ang bumasa at si Rizal ay nakinig na lamang. Hindi rin nagtagal at ang bata ay napagod sa pakikinig. Siya ay nalibang ng mabuti sa mga gamu-gamo na naglalaro sa ilaw. Minsan si Rizal ay naghikab at napansin ng ina na hindi na ito nakikinig. Huminto ito ng pagbasa at saka nagwika, “Ngayon ay babasahin ko sa iyo ang isang marikit na kwento. Makinig kang mabuti”. Nang marinig ni Rizal ang salitang “kwento” nadilat ang kanyang mga mata at tumingin sa ina. Dagling nawala ang kanyang antok. Mayroon daw dalawang gamu-gamo, isang matanda at isang bata. Maibigin silang maglaro sa tabi ng ilaw na kandila. Isang gabi ang batang gamu-gamo ay lumipad nang lubhang malapit sa ningas ng kandila. “Mag-ingat ka!” ang tawag ng matandang gamu-gamo. “Baka masunog ang pakpak mo ay hindi ka na makalipad.” “Hindi ako natatakot” ang mayabang na sagot ng batang gamu-gamo. At nagpatuloy siya ng paglipad sa paligid-ligid ng magandang ningas. Minsan, sa kanyang paglipad ay nadikit sa ningas ang kanyang pakpak at siya ay nalaglag sa mesa. “Sinabi ko na nga ba sa iyo” ang sabi ng matandang gamu-gamo. “Ngayon ay hindi ka na makalilipad na muli.” Samantalang nakikinig si Rizal sa kwento nalilibang naman siya sa maliliit na gamu-gamong naglalaro sa kanilang ilaw. Napansin nya ang malaking hangad ng maliliit na kulisap na makalapit sa ilaw sa paghanap ng liwanag kahit mapanganib. At nang masunog ang pakpak at malaglag sa mesa ang batang gamu-gamo sa kwento ay siya ring pagkasunog ng pakpak at pagkalaglag ng isang tunay na gamu-gamo sa langis ng tinghoy. Dahil sa pagkalibang sa mga gamu-gamo, hindi na niya napansin tapos na sa pagbasa ang kanyang ina. Isang mahalagang bagay ang kanyang natutunan. Nang sila ay matutulog na nang gabing iyon, sinabi ng kanyang ina kay Rizal, “Huwag mong paparisan ang ginawa ng batang gamu-gamo. Makikinig ka sa pangaral upang ikaw ay hindi mapahamak.”
We can learn about obedience from the story of Rizal and the moth. But obeying one’s parents is not just from a simple moth story but it is actually a direct command from God. Ephesians 6:1 says,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” The word obey in this verse cannot be separated from the idea of “honoring” them. Ephesians 6:2-3 continues, “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first command with a promise – so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.”
It may be sometimes difficult to obey and honor our parents but Proverbs 13:1 teaches us that those who listen to their parents gain wisdom: “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes”. God’s design is for children, like us, to honor and obey our parents as we grow up so that we can live wisely. At the same time, parents also need to set good examples to their children. As we learn respect at home, we will learn to respect others when we leave our homes. Even young Jesus, as written in Luke 2:51-52, even though He is the Son of God, He obeyed His earthly parents and as a result grew in wisdom. So if you all want to grow in wisdom, obey your parents and most of all obey the commandments of God.2  
Luke 2:51-52 New International Version (NIV) 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
 
The next letter O stands for OPPORTUNITY.
Being a doctor is not an easy job. We encounter different types of people…different personalities…some of which are not so pleasant and sometimes it can be really exhausting. But looking back on all the things I had to go through during my residency training, I realized that the difficulties were a part of preparing me to become a better doctor equipped to help problems of patients that I’ll be dealing with in the future. I know there are still a lot of hurdles ahead but knowing God is with me every step of the way makes all the difference.
As Christians, we need to see obstacles as opportunities…an opportunity to gain strength, improve as individuals and increase in faith. This is often how God works. What we often see as obstacles, failures, and disappointments are actually opportunities He has planned to bless us. Let's briefly look at a few examples in the Bible: 3
Joseph (Genesis 37:1 - 50:26) was betrayed by his own brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. Even though he served faithfully, he was falsely accused by his master's wife because he resisted her sexual advances. This led to Joseph being sent to prison. Despite all this turmoil, God was using this period in his life as "leadership training" for Joseph. After a number of years - through God's miraculous working - Joseph went on to become the Prime Minister of Egypt, second in command only to the King. He was in overall charge of the country's economy and successfully steered Egypt through a seven-year drought. When Joseph was reunited with his brothers, after years of separation, he told them with confidence, "God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth and save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God, and has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 45:7,8). God was orchestrating Joseph's life all along! God actually used the cruelty and injustice Joseph suffered to get him to the right place at the right time!
David (1 Samuel 17) was in his youth when he stood before Goliath - an experienced soldier who stood over 10 feet tall. If you come to think of it, how can a young boy even stand a chance to fight with this giant? His own brothers even tried to belittle him. The King of Israel doubted him. However, David was in God's hands. What seemed like the most one-sided battle in history was a divine setup to launch David into supernatural promotion. It was this battle that launched David into national prominence and set off a chain of events that God used to make David King of Israel and one of the most revered men in biblical history. With one stone the boy David defeated Goliath. Who could have been the One who gave David the victory but God?
Daniel and his 3 friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to the idol set up by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, so he had them thrown into a fiery furnace. But they weren’t frightened. They would rather perish than be unfaithful to the true and living God. God did not save them from being thrown into the fire. But He did something better. He preserved them IN the fire! Daniel 3:27 says "the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed; neither were their garments scorched or changed in color or condition, nor had even the smell of smoke clung to them." What surely seemed to be the end of these men was just the beginning. Nebuchadnezzar was so astounded by God's intervention, he blessed God himself and decreed that anyone speaking against God would be destroyed! What a turnaround! He then promoted the 3 men in his kingdom.

John Maxwell shares in his book “Think on These Things” that Jesus is Someone we should look up to as He lived a perfect example.
“Jesus experienced misunderstanding, ingratitude, and rejection. But He was never bitter, discouraged, or overcome. To Him, every obstacle was an OPPORTUNITY. Brokenheartedness? An opportunity to comfort. Disease? An opportunity to heal. Hatred? An opportunity to love. Temptation? An opportunity to overcome. Sin? An opportunity to forgive.”4
I pray that we can all see pass our most dire situations and realize that every obstacle is an opportunity for God’s miraculous works and blessings to manifest in our lives.
 

The 4th letter is K-Keep humble. If you had a billion dollars, what would you do? Buy condo units in La Verti or in BGC or probably 10 houses in Ayala Alabang or Forbes Park Makati? Buy a yacht or a luxury car like a Jaguar or Porsche? Maybe travel around the world?
I came across an online article about self-made millionaires/billionaires who have remained grounded despite their accomplishments. I would like to share about a few of them today.
Following Steve Job’s resignation from the position of CEO in August 2011, Tim Cook became the face of Apple. Cook has an estimated net worth of $400 million. Living modestly in Palo Alto, California, he bought his 2,400 square foot condo for $1.9 million in 2010. In the book, Inside Apple, he was quoted saying, “I like to be reminded of where I came from, and putting myself in modest surroundings helps me do that. Money is not a motivator for me.” Son of a shipyward worker father and homemaker mother, he stays true to his philosophy of living grounded and humble regardless of his success and wealth.
Next is Chuck Feeney, co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers Group, his net worth is currently $2 million (because he’s given away billions). A Depression-era veteran with a strict personal motto: “I set out to work hard, not get rich.” The co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers has donated more than $4 billion to disadvantaged children and public health initiatives, all while going to great lengths to remain an anonymous donor. “He has no ego…He always chooses the second-cheapest wine from the wine list,” according to his biographer, former Irish Times journalist Conor O’Clery. “When we traveled together he was always dressed like a down-at-heel American tourist.”
Last but definitely not the least, Carlos Slim Helu, chairman and CEO of Telmex, may be the wealthiest person on the planet with a net worth of 69 billion dollars but that doesn’t mean he’s an extravagant spender. The self-made billionaire lives in the same modest six-bedroom house he has owned for the past 30 years and still drives himself to work according to The Week. And according to the writer of the online article, as far as they can tell, he does not own a yacht nor a private plane.
The rich men I mentioned have remained humble despite their status in life. For us to appreciate humility even more, let us compare it with its opposite quality, which is pride or self-centeredness.5
Pride says: “Don’t tell me anything. I already know it all.”
Humility says: “Thanks for your advice and help.”

Pride says: “I need, I want, I deserve.”
Humility says: “He needs, they want, you deserve.”                      

Pride says: “God, I am so much better than my fellow man.”
Humility says: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Pride criticizes others to tear them down.
Humility praises others in order to build them up.

Pride exalts himself but God resists him.
Humility humbles himself before God and God lifts him up.

Pride says: “I can do all things.”
Humility says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Pride says: “I want to be served.”
Humility says: “I did not come to be served but to serve.”

In Philippians 2:3-11, we are reminded of the most beautiful example of humility. Christ, who is one with God and King of everything, humbled Himself and came to earth as a man. He left behind His glory and willingly lived a life of suffering, rejection and pain. In obedience to the Father, He chose to die the most painful and humiliating way ever devised by man. In His humility on the cross, He made a way for us to have a relationship with Him once again and brought glory to God. One day every knee will bow to our humble King and everyone will proclaim He is Lord. By having the right view of ourselves, in humility, we recognize that we are nothing apart from God. Thru God we can be forgiven and He can give us the ability to live in humility.6

Let’s go to letter U- Understand God is in control.
To those of you who don’t know me personally, I am currently a 3rd year medical resident at Manila Doctors Hospital. I am the daughter of loving parents, Holiday and Tony. My mama is also a doctor and my papa is a businessman. I have two younger siblings. My brother Luigi is a flutist, who is currently taking his Masteral in Elizabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan and my sister is an incoming college freshman student in UP Manila. 
     When I was in high school, I applied at the top 3 universities for college. The easiest entrance examination for me was the DLSU exam and the hardest for me was in Ateneo. At that time, I honestly wanted to pass in La Salle because it is near my mom’s clinic and I wanted to take up BS Psychology. Since it is an expensive school, I applied for a scholarship but unfortunately, I didn’t get in. I was devastated. My thinking then was if I didn’t pass the easiest exam, how on earth was I going to pass the Ateneo exam and the UPCAT? Which were both more difficult than the DLSUCET. But God had better plans for me. I realized then that even if I felt insecure and I doubted my capabilities, God is in control. I passed the Ateneo exam as well as the UPCAT. I decided to study at the premier state university and took BS Nursing as my pre-med course. The rest is history.
Indeed, there will be moments in our lives when we feel that things aren’t really going the way we want it to be. Anna Bachinsky wrote an article entitled, “When God Makes You Wait”. She gave examples of Bible characters like Lazarus, David, Moses, Joseph, and Abraham, who had to wait for God. I would like to share with you an excerpt of her article.7
“Jesus could have come and healed Lazarus when he was still alive. Instead, He waited to raise him from the dead when he was already in his grave. God could have made David become king the day after he was anointed, instead, he waited 15 years to rise to the throne, many of those years spent fearing for his life, hiding out and running away from his own father-in-law. God could have spoken to Moses in the desert about sending him to help free His people from slavery 40 days after he ran away from Egypt, instead, He made him wait for 40 long years. God could have gotten Joseph out of prison one year after he was sentenced there. Instead, he was stuck in that dungeon for 10 years before he was finally set free. God could have given Abraham the son He promised him when he was still a young man. Instead, He waited until he was 100 years old, at a time that conceiving would have been difficult given his age. God could have answered and met the needs of these men much quicker but He didn’t. He made them wait instead. And He often makes us do the same… He kept Moses in a desert for 40 years. Joseph in a prison cell for 10 years. Abraham without a child for 100 years. David on the run for 15 years. And maybe He is keeping you right where you’re at for the same reason He kept these men for so many years: to build your faith. To build your faith in a dungeon cell, during the valley in your life where it’s too dark to see and too hard to believe. To build your dependence on Him when you are barren and empty and to see if He is truly all you desire and all you need. To see how well you will trust and serve Him when you are still stuck in the background somewhere, doing seemingly nothing too significant for Him. To build your trust in Him when the storm keeps raging, the battle keeps going and breakthrough and victory doesn’t seem near. See…sometimes the waiting period of our lives is the most important time in our life. It is during this period when nothing seems to be happening, when prayers seem to go unanswered, when God seems so far away that the most spiritual growth takes place in our lives. That we learn to become more like Him…that we learn to only depend on Him. Don’t allow your waiting period to make you hopeless about what tomorrow will bring. Instead, let it build your faith and give you even greater hope for what God has prepared for you.”
The same reason God made Lazarus, David, Moses, Joseph, and Abraham, wait is most likely the same reason why I had to wait and go through the disappointments in my life… to build my faith and learn not to be discouraged because God is in control.
Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” God also gives us the promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to make you prosper and not for evil, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Last but not the least, P - Pray always.
James 5:13, 16-18 declares, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to.8 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” Philippians 4:6-7 also tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Dear graduates, I encourage all of you to pray to God that He would continue to be with you as you face another chapter of your life which is high school and to guide you in every decision you make in the future - like choosing what college degree or career path to take - and that whatever you do, I hope you would only aim to give glory to His name. And also pray that He’ll continue to prepare you for that heavenly home because our ultimate goal is to be with Him in heaven. So remember, LOOK UP – L for LOVE, O for OBEDIENCE, O for OPPORTUNITY, K for KEEP HUMBLE, U for UNDERSTAND GOD IS IN CONTROL and P for PRAY ALWAYS. Keep looking up, keep looking to God…You need not worry about tomorrow because if you keep your eyes on Him, if you keep trusting on His promises, I assure you that His best for your life is yet to come.
Congratulations dear graduates and may God bless us all! J

With my Lola and friend, RJ.
References:
4.      Maxwell, John. “Think on These Things”.
5.      http://www.thebiblewayonline.com/Active/Life%20of%20Christ-Humble.html

Martes, Pebrero 17, 2015

Organically, Orgasmically Heavenly!!!

"Fight so hard that even fate accepts its defeat."
I was supposed to eat at Zark's Burger but I could not find its location when I was driving along President's Avenue here in Paranaque. But I guess fate has decided a different course for me as I ended up trying out this place called The Urban Farm.
   

        

   

Once I entered, I immediately fell in-love with the restaurant and its light, cozy ambiance. Their tagline "Farm Healthy Good Food" would not only be appreciated in their menu but their interiors also make you feel that everything in it is quite nature-friendly.

Even their table napkins have green hues. ;)
See if you can find the heart-shaped leaf! <3
I was greeted by a waitress who was so accommodating. She offered a complimentary hot tea which was very soothing.

Complimentary Tarragon Tea
As I browsed through the menu, I decided to start with a Pumpkin Malunggay soup which is one of their recommended dishes. The soup was very creamy. I actually enjoyed dipping the bread on the side in the soup. It gives you this warm, homey feeling and it is something you would want to gulp and finish when you are sick or during the rainy days.

Pumpkin Malunggay Soup
Given that I am a salmon lover, there was no question in my mind that I wanted to try their Salmon and Mash as my main entrée. And I was not disappointed. The salmon meat was fresh and moist while its skin was cooked with just the right amount of crispiness. The mashed potato was delicious and the veggies were superb. I finished everything on the plate and it was very satisfying.



I was hesitant to order dessert because I felt full already after the soup and salmon but since it was my first time, I decided to give it a go and treat myself with a Pumpkin Malunggay cupcake. At first, I didn't know what to expect since pumpkin and malunggay for a cupcake seems to be a weird combination but it was really interesting. The cupcake really went well with the citrusness of the maple cream cheese on top.

 

After a very hearty meal, I went to the bathroom and noticed that the faucet outside was made of bamboo which I think was a clever idea sticking to the restaurant's theme.

Bamboo faucet
And with the mirror in front of me, I decided to take a selfie...Can you see my sense of accomplishment and satisfaction? I would definitely recommend The Urban Farm to my friends especially to those who love anything fresh and organic. Until my next food blog...thanks for reading! :)

Sabado, Pebrero 14, 2015

Bleeding Love

Photo source: symphonyofheaven.org

I'm sad. It's not because I'm spending Valentine's day alone but because today I lost a patient. A post-angioplasty hypertensive diabetic patient who had to undergo stat dialysis yesterday for acute kidney injury died after developing an acute intraparenchymal hemorrhage at the right thalamus with perilesional edema and transtentorial herniation. As much as I could be part of those singles who once again feel cold and weary about not having a special someone to spend this day with, it would not compare to the feeling of the loved ones left behind by that certain patient as they have lost a mother, a wife, a sister, an aunt, and a friend today. And honestly, if I were in their shoes, I think I could not bear the thought of losing a loved one...not on Valentine's day and not even on any other ordinary day.

I didn't really get to know this patient to be that attached to her because I have just taken cared of her I think twice (last night was the 2nd time) during my ICU duty/rotation but I could just imagine the emptiness her loved ones must feel about losing her. Instead of celebrating life and love, there were tears shed and their family will probably cry even more today and in the coming days as they mourn over their loss.

It got me into thinking about how a lot of funny #bitter posts can be seen in social media today of a lot of single persons out there and how I somehow wanted to join the crowd and rant about going through another Vday without getting a romantic gesture from anyone but I chose to write this post instead.

I may not receive any bright, colorful flowers or chocolates to give my palate a sugar rush today (like others probably would) but it's nothing compared to not being able to see the beauty of your loved ones' smile or the warmth of their hugs and kisses anymore.

As I ponder on the things I had to go through the day, it may have been sad to lose someone but I also realized that even in losing, one can gain something...because it is only when we experience sadness that we are able to truly appreciate what happiness is all about.

And so even in my sadness, I'd like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to God, the Lover of my soul for giving the promise in Psalm 147:3 and that only He can truly mend a broken heart...if you feel like yours is broken, whether your love has not been reciprocated or you have lost a loved one, too, let God take your heart and provide you with the healing, comfort, and joy only He can provide.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you'll all feel God's love today and everyday of your lives. <3 <3 <3

Huwebes, Hulyo 24, 2014

Aussie Good Time!

It's been a while since I last posted in this blog. I just feel so happy and blessed with my recent vacation leave that's why I wanted to share some of my captured moments during my Aussie trip. Hope you'll enjoy watching this video as much as I enjoyed making it...can't help but repeat it several times on my mobile phone so as to remind me of the joy I felt with my experience in the Land Down Under. It was definitely an Aussie good time! :)


Secrets of A Traveling Doctor

Just want to share a video of the amazing food I was able to taste & enjoy and the awesome views/tourist spots I was able to see during my trip to Australia...the secrets of a happy, traveling doctor. ;)


Martes, Oktubre 30, 2012

Better Than I

The past month (1 month and 1 week to be exact) was quite an experience for me. I had to go through pre-residency in 2 different outstanding institutions...it was a month filled with so many emotions and honestly I have shed a lot of tears (as expected, given how emotional I can be) because I think no one is really 100% prepared for what is to come and nobody said it would be easy...

I kind of expected that I won't get accepted at UP-PGH but I wanted to go through the pre-residency there to learn, gain experience, and not regret that I didn't try...I'm also glad that I was able to meet new people and work with doctors who I know have so much passion in what they do. I actually admire those who applied for the 2nd time there because it shows their perseverance and as they say, good things come to those who wait...so my special mention and kudos goes to Marvin, Joti, and Denver! :)

Having to go through the process of rejection is never easy...but I wasn't as sad I thought I would be. Maybe because I know that whatever happens, God is in control. I'm reminded of David Campbell's song "Better Than I" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvWu82fE9gQ)

I thought I did what’s right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don’t know
Is part of getting through

I try to do what’s best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in you

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was you who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me will you teach me

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
I’ll take what answers you supply
You know better than I
 

I often feel inadequate and unworthy. I honestly was not confident when I was doing my pre-residency at Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH). The past 2 weeks has been quite a ride and it was really exhausting given our every other day duty. But I also learned a lot of things and I was, again, able to meet doctors, especially the consultants, who excel in what they do, are passionate in giving quality health care to their patients, and who enjoy sharing their knowledge & expertise to their subordinates. I am also grateful I was able to go through the process and finish the whole pre-residency at MDH with wonderful doctors like Dr. Pau Reyes, Dr. Vanessa Tarongoy, and Dr. Iandrof Patricio. (To Vane, I will always be grateful for all the help you have given me...you have the zeal in what you do that I truly admire. I hope you'll continue to be as bubbly and positive as you are...don't ever change. Let's keep in touch. To Pau and Drof, let's take care of each other, okie?)

I didn't think I'll actually get in...But I did. I realized that it wasn't my doing, rather, I feel that it is God's will working in my life...I'm just His instrument. In so many ways, I feel like I have disappointed Him with all my self-doubting & insecurities...but He continues to make me feel loved and provide me with overwhelming blessings though how undeserving I may feel...I just hope I could be better as I face another chapter of my life as a doctor...



I am now an incoming first year resident of the Department of Internal Medicine at Manila Doctors Hospital. MDH would now be my 2nd home in the next 3 years. I know it would not be a bed of roses nor a walk in the park...not knowing what lies ahead is actually scary (sympathetic nervous system activated non-stop!)...But what gives me comfort, amidst all the struggles & storms inside me, is that I know the Greatest Physician, who is always beside me, knows better than I...and that is enough reason for me to get through the day. :-)

Linggo, Setyembre 9, 2012

Para sa Paborito kong Lola



"Gising na. Sabado...Maaga tayo dapat sa church." -every Sabbath.

"Patayin ang ilaw. Isarado ang pinto at mga bintana. Tanggalin ang lahat ng nakasaksak." -every time we leave the house.

"O ingat ha. Mga gamit mo. Delikado sa paligid. Uwi ka ng maaga ha." -everytime I would go to Starbucks to study.

"Ingat sa pag-drive. Maulan, 'wag mabilis ang pagmaneho, madulas ang kalsada." -when it's a rainy day and anyone of us would use the car and leave the house.
 
La, san ka nakatingin? =P hehe...
These are just some of the constant reminders of my lola, who our family fondly calls Mama Sisi. Aside from her routine verbal mementos, what is fascinating about my grandmother is her wittiness despite her age. Although she can be like a living tape-recorder, she never fails to bring a smile to our faces especially when she gets back at us when we make sarcastic jokes about her or about life in general. We cannot outwit her! Haha. I was supposed to go back to my dorm today so I can study somewhere but I could not easily say no when she requested me to go back to our house in Paranaque. Before we left the house, she even went to the van and said that she would be waiting for us to come back so the whole family could go out and somehow celebrate.







Celebrating Mama Sisi's birthday at Shakey's...wacky mode! :)

With Diaz Family
With Lola Julia Talento Venida at Naga View Adventist College

With Lolo Toning when he was still alive...we miss you, Lolo!

With my 90-year-old Lola Orang, Mama Sisi's older sister. :)

Sistahs! =*

Anyway, I decided to make this simple post to pay tribute to her on this special day and to all the grandparents out there. Take time to greet, hug, and kiss them because they truly make this world a more colorful one! =)
photo taken from:
parenting.leehansen.com