Yep. I am. Very much so that I feel every sliver of anxiety and stress that a living person, faced with a turning point in his/her life, feels. And every sliver translates to feeling naiihi or naduduwal everytime I think about the boards :0P Ugh. Ayan na naman.
Anyway, I've been on isolation mode for the past 3 weeks, only resurfacing during the weekends to hoard happy and (more important) relaxed times that will see me through another loooong and tedious week of reviewing.
For week 1, I had the breathtaking views of the Pacific seen while driving along Hiway 1 to comfort me through boring Orthotics and Prosthetics. The taste of our Moroccan Shrimp starter and Aldwin's entree of Brazilian Pork at Robin's in Cambria gave me werewithal to plod through Physical Agents and Thera Ex.
Week 2 had me thumbing through my mental scrapbook of my first visit to Paramount's Great America for a memory strong enough to get me through Cardio and Pulmo Rehab with Pediatrics and Geriatrics to boot. What was effective? My memory of riding a 45-mph-roller-coaster with twists and turns plus a 360-degree loop, STANDING UP. Hah. After that feat, life can pretty much throw anything my way. (Just not a score lower than 600 at the NPTE, please. That I'm not yet prepared to take.)
For this week, I needed some strong ammunition for Neuro and Musculoskeletal Rehab with a side-serving of Research and Administration. So last weekend, I was at Napa, gorging on good food and excellent wines.
Lemme digress... I am no wine expert but I can taste the difference between the Php60 red wines and the $110 reserve red. There IS a BIG difference but it doesn't mean that I like one better than the other. I still don't like them both hehe :0D Reds just don't push my buttons like the rose and white wines can.
Back to regular programming... so yeah, Napa was a good choice for this week's review. Especially since I was able to bring home not just memories but concrete stuff -- like the garlic-parmesan dip that was also perfect as a Ceasar salad dressing or the Chocolate Amaretto sauce that made me finish almost a pound of strawberries in one sitting.
I'm keeping one Napa souvenir intact until next Friday, after the boards. Whether it went well or not, Mr.A and I will be at home toasting my survival with a bottle of Moscato.
***
Pictures to follow coz all of a sudden I was hit by this bone-chilling panic induced by my inability to remember wTf ST segment elevation means.
6/29/2006
5/30/2006
Memorial Day Weekend teaser
Memorial Day has come and gone, and with it, the crisp breeze of spring. Unofficially, that is. But I can already feel summer in the air and on my skin however unofficial it is.
My 3-day weekend was really uneventful... except for the part where I accidentally razored off a huge chunk of my husband's sideburns :0P
More on that later. Gotta go back to work!
My 3-day weekend was really uneventful... except for the part where I accidentally razored off a huge chunk of my husband's sideburns :0P
More on that later. Gotta go back to work!
5/24/2006
OMG moments of the day
* Reading about a summer package that includes airfare + 2 nights at The Bellagio for just $199 per person.
* Chris Daughtry performing with Live. 'Nuf said.
* High-brow artist, Prince, actually showing up on American Idol.
* Catching a glimpse of Coke Effervescence. Coke and coffee in one drink? OMG.
* American Idol Season Finale -- not Taylor Hicks' winning of the title but hearing Chris Daughtry sing again... OMG, how can they eliminate him?!
* Chris Daughtry performing with Live. 'Nuf said.
* High-brow artist, Prince, actually showing up on American Idol.
* Catching a glimpse of Coke Effervescence. Coke and coffee in one drink? OMG.
* American Idol Season Finale -- not Taylor Hicks' winning of the title but hearing Chris Daughtry sing again... OMG, how can they eliminate him?!
5/19/2006
Mushu musings on season finales
Can't sleep. I think I overdosed on mushu pork :0P
Spent the whole evening watching all the season finales on our DVR -- CSI (both NY and Vegas) and Close to Home. All the shows that Mr.A and I watch are having their summer hiatus. Can't remember which shows we watched last summer or if we lived on reruns alone.
(I can live on Law and Order reruns but don't tell my husband :0P)
Last season's finale episode of CSI Vegas was still the best in my opinion although this season's episode has one hell of a cliff-hanger -- Grissom and Sara?!? Didn't see that one coming.
CSI-NY was so-so... I guess it was the feeling that the whole episode was rushed. The case tackled in Close to Home was interesting although the ending left me with a heavy heart.
That leaves me with just House and American Idol to look forward to next week. Oh, and CSI-Miami's never-ending finale ( c'mon, 3 episodes?!) But I watch Miami for it's comedic value -- Horatio's OA drama and my husband's violent reaction to it equals FUN! hehe :0D
What I still fume over is not having the chance to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds. It's stupid Dish Network's fault :0P
Which brings me to the news that we might be getting TFC soon. Hmm. That would give us something to watch over the summer.
Anyway, enough of this. Will try to sleep already. Hope I don't have mushu dreams :0P
Spent the whole evening watching all the season finales on our DVR -- CSI (both NY and Vegas) and Close to Home. All the shows that Mr.A and I watch are having their summer hiatus. Can't remember which shows we watched last summer or if we lived on reruns alone.
(I can live on Law and Order reruns but don't tell my husband :0P)
Last season's finale episode of CSI Vegas was still the best in my opinion although this season's episode has one hell of a cliff-hanger -- Grissom and Sara?!? Didn't see that one coming.
CSI-NY was so-so... I guess it was the feeling that the whole episode was rushed. The case tackled in Close to Home was interesting although the ending left me with a heavy heart.
That leaves me with just House and American Idol to look forward to next week. Oh, and CSI-Miami's never-ending finale ( c'mon, 3 episodes?!) But I watch Miami for it's comedic value -- Horatio's OA drama and my husband's violent reaction to it equals FUN! hehe :0D
What I still fume over is not having the chance to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds. It's stupid Dish Network's fault :0P
Which brings me to the news that we might be getting TFC soon. Hmm. That would give us something to watch over the summer.
Anyway, enough of this. Will try to sleep already. Hope I don't have mushu dreams :0P
5/16/2006
the green card that wasn't green.
Hindi naman pala green ang green card. Puti sya. Ewan ko ba kung bakit green card ang tawag sa kanya. Sabi ng mister ko, nung nakuha nya yung 'green' card nya, pink naman daw ang kulay. Ang labo :0P
Whatever color it is though, I'm thankful that I've finally received mine. At least I don't have to worry about getting deported back to Manila (however remote that possibility is) when my spousal visa expires next year.
Iniisip ko nga na 2 years valid lang yung card ko. According to the regulations, when an application to adjust to permanent resident status is based on a marriage that hasn't reach 2 years yet, the status that will be granted is conditional. Meaning, 2 years valid lang yung card, tapos kapag natapos yung period na yun, one should apply again to have them lift the conditional status, dun palang ibibigay yung 10-year green card. E nung nag-apply kami, a year and 8 mos palang yata kami kasal.
Anyway, I was really surprised and delighted to find out that instead of giving me conditional residency, they actually gave me the 10-year card already! So that means, I don't have to think about applying again and renewing anything.
Hay. Thank God for lucky breaks like this.
Whatever color it is though, I'm thankful that I've finally received mine. At least I don't have to worry about getting deported back to Manila (however remote that possibility is) when my spousal visa expires next year.
Iniisip ko nga na 2 years valid lang yung card ko. According to the regulations, when an application to adjust to permanent resident status is based on a marriage that hasn't reach 2 years yet, the status that will be granted is conditional. Meaning, 2 years valid lang yung card, tapos kapag natapos yung period na yun, one should apply again to have them lift the conditional status, dun palang ibibigay yung 10-year green card. E nung nag-apply kami, a year and 8 mos palang yata kami kasal.
Anyway, I was really surprised and delighted to find out that instead of giving me conditional residency, they actually gave me the 10-year card already! So that means, I don't have to think about applying again and renewing anything.
Hay. Thank God for lucky breaks like this.
5/14/2006
Embarassing Moment #2068493564
You know how there are lay ministers who give out communion?
There's one lay minister in our church who doesn't look like the typical lay minister one would expect (especially if one comes from the Manila). Since he looked 17 to me, I was thinking he's pretty young to be a lay minister. Add the fact that he was sporting a hairstyle worthy of Dragon Ball-Z, you can't blame me for being a lil distracted.
So distracted that when it was my turn to receive communion, I said 'thank you' instead of the requisite 'amen'! :0P
Ang saya talaga!
There's one lay minister in our church who doesn't look like the typical lay minister one would expect (especially if one comes from the Manila). Since he looked 17 to me, I was thinking he's pretty young to be a lay minister. Add the fact that he was sporting a hairstyle worthy of Dragon Ball-Z, you can't blame me for being a lil distracted.
So distracted that when it was my turn to receive communion, I said 'thank you' instead of the requisite 'amen'! :0P
Ang saya talaga!
4/15/2006
Frustrated
I'm crying silent tears of frustration when all I really want to do is to scream and scream or push/throw something just to let out steam.
All I want is the freedom to be myself -- both my nice and not-so-nice-spoiled-brat self. I'm tired of tiptoeing around and keeping everything bottled in for the sake of an audience. I know I could go the other way and let it all out. I know I could. But I won't. Or I can't. 'Coz I'm just not like that.
The rough patches I can sail through as long as I have the privacy and my own space to regroup and to put everything in perspective.
Take that away and I'm lost. And frustrated.
All I want is the freedom to be myself -- both my nice and not-so-nice-spoiled-brat self. I'm tired of tiptoeing around and keeping everything bottled in for the sake of an audience. I know I could go the other way and let it all out. I know I could. But I won't. Or I can't. 'Coz I'm just not like that.
The rough patches I can sail through as long as I have the privacy and my own space to regroup and to put everything in perspective.
Take that away and I'm lost. And frustrated.
4/03/2006
April Fool
That's what I am (with the rest of the US and Europe, I think):0P
And Daylight Saving Time (which started yesterday) is the collective joke on us.
It really is quite foolish (not to mention, painful) trying to fool (there's the word again...) my body into thinking that it's already an hour later when in truth, it's not.
It's especially hard coz I usually wake up at 5.15AM on a weekday.
This morning, the alarm clock said 5.15 but my whole being knows that it's just FREAKING 4.15 IN THE MORNING.
***
Fallen.
And because of DST, I've fallen off the wagon.
Before today, I've been very good about keeping my coffee consumption low. It has been limited to a couple of sips in the morning, a tall, light coffee frappuccino twice a week (to help keep me awake during my study sessions), and usually a sip or nothing at all on weekends.
But today, today I reached an all-time high. A full cup in the morning and a tall tumbler filled to the brim, which I sipped throughout the day to keep me sane and awake.
By the time I came home from work, I felt like there was a gaping hole of fire burning in my gut.
Not good.
And Daylight Saving Time (which started yesterday) is the collective joke on us.
It really is quite foolish (not to mention, painful) trying to fool (there's the word again...) my body into thinking that it's already an hour later when in truth, it's not.
It's especially hard coz I usually wake up at 5.15AM on a weekday.
This morning, the alarm clock said 5.15 but my whole being knows that it's just FREAKING 4.15 IN THE MORNING.
***
Fallen.
And because of DST, I've fallen off the wagon.
Before today, I've been very good about keeping my coffee consumption low. It has been limited to a couple of sips in the morning, a tall, light coffee frappuccino twice a week (to help keep me awake during my study sessions), and usually a sip or nothing at all on weekends.
But today, today I reached an all-time high. A full cup in the morning and a tall tumbler filled to the brim, which I sipped throughout the day to keep me sane and awake.
By the time I came home from work, I felt like there was a gaping hole of fire burning in my gut.
Not good.
3/29/2006
2 years and counting...
Today is my and Mr.A's 2nd wedding anniversary :0)
I can't believe that it was just two years ago when I made one of the most important (and so far, the best) decision of my life. It really seems longer than that.
Sometimes, it seems that Mr.A and I have been together forever.
Cliche, I know.
Come to think of it, this year is actually our first year together. As in together together.
Looking back, it was one hell of a ride. There were a lot of changes and a lot more adjustments. A lot of discussions, compromise and explanations.
Laughter, conversation and a great deal of patience made the ride less bumpy.
And of course, the love and friendship made everything worthwhile.
***
'Idol' musings
* This week's performances suck big time! Worst week ever in terms of song choices and audience impact.
* Sad how Lisa Tucker totally bombed her version of Kelly Clarkson's 'Because of You' during performance night then was able to nail it head on during her farewell performance.
* I thought Katharine McPhee was one of the best performances. Turned out America didn't agree with me.
* Next week's gonna be 'Country Song' week. Of all genre to choose from, why the hell did they pick country?! Mr.A and I might boycott it next week. But then, we might get curious enough to see how Chris Daughtry will approach next week's challenge.
I can't believe that it was just two years ago when I made one of the most important (and so far, the best) decision of my life. It really seems longer than that.
Sometimes, it seems that Mr.A and I have been together forever.
Cliche, I know.
Come to think of it, this year is actually our first year together. As in together together.
Looking back, it was one hell of a ride. There were a lot of changes and a lot more adjustments. A lot of discussions, compromise and explanations.
Laughter, conversation and a great deal of patience made the ride less bumpy.
And of course, the love and friendship made everything worthwhile.
***
'Idol' musings
* This week's performances suck big time! Worst week ever in terms of song choices and audience impact.
* Sad how Lisa Tucker totally bombed her version of Kelly Clarkson's 'Because of You' during performance night then was able to nail it head on during her farewell performance.
* I thought Katharine McPhee was one of the best performances. Turned out America didn't agree with me.
* Next week's gonna be 'Country Song' week. Of all genre to choose from, why the hell did they pick country?! Mr.A and I might boycott it next week. But then, we might get curious enough to see how Chris Daughtry will approach next week's challenge.
3/27/2006
On the verge.
At long last, everything seems to be falling into place.
After the success of my adjustment of status interview, the next good news was the positive result of my credentialing evaluation.
Yup, the credentialing agency granted me equivalency. Which means I don't need to take additional classes. Really a lot of load off my mind.
Next step is applying to sit for the CA state boards. Which would take, give or take, another month. Still, I'm half-way there!
I'm already excited and a lil anxious about the boards. Already told my boss that I'll be taking a 3-wk leave to do some intensive studying once I get the go-ahead to take the exam.
He's ok about it, though he did tell me that after all of this, I'll look back and realize that I really don't need to take that leave to get my license. I told him that this means a lot to me that I'd rather not risk it by being too sure of myself :0P
Sigh. Almost there. Pray for me.
After the success of my adjustment of status interview, the next good news was the positive result of my credentialing evaluation.
Yup, the credentialing agency granted me equivalency. Which means I don't need to take additional classes. Really a lot of load off my mind.
Next step is applying to sit for the CA state boards. Which would take, give or take, another month. Still, I'm half-way there!
I'm already excited and a lil anxious about the boards. Already told my boss that I'll be taking a 3-wk leave to do some intensive studying once I get the go-ahead to take the exam.
He's ok about it, though he did tell me that after all of this, I'll look back and realize that I really don't need to take that leave to get my license. I told him that this means a lot to me that I'd rather not risk it by being too sure of myself :0P
Sigh. Almost there. Pray for me.
3/24/2006
Turning over a new leaf.
Time and again, I've promised myself that I'll make more effort to keep this blog updated.
Time and again, I fail to keep my promise.
Maybe it's because I am so conscious about writing 'properly', when all I should care about is writing for myself.
From now on, I promise to write for myself and not for any audience.
What better time to turn over a new leaf than the first week of spring?
(Though you'll never know it with the amount of rain we've been having :0P)
Time and again, I fail to keep my promise.
Maybe it's because I am so conscious about writing 'properly', when all I should care about is writing for myself.
From now on, I promise to write for myself and not for any audience.
What better time to turn over a new leaf than the first week of spring?
(Though you'll never know it with the amount of rain we've been having :0P)
3/21/2006
I woke up late today.
Why?
Because I was dreaming that I was a contestant in a beauty pageant.
I didn't want to wake up because I wanted to know who won :0P
Talk about weird dreams.
Because I was dreaming that I was a contestant in a beauty pageant.
I didn't want to wake up because I wanted to know who won :0P
Talk about weird dreams.
2/07/2006
It's a slow day at work.
And I find myself counting the hours until 3.30 pm.
I hate these slow days. Days like these, I'm stuck doing desk stuff like answering the phones and doing files when I'd much rather treat patients.
3 more hours and 20 minutes.
I hate these slow days. Days like these, I'm stuck doing desk stuff like answering the phones and doing files when I'd much rather treat patients.
3 more hours and 20 minutes.
2/05/2006
Nothing shouts adulthood like filing your taxes and balancing your checkbook.
I was actually surprised that filing our taxes was relatively painless. Balancing the checkbook every other week takes (a lot) more effort.
And in anticipation of our tax refund (hehe), we went to Cache Creek and stuffed ourselves with, among others, roasted lamb, baby back ribs, prime rib, grilled salmon, cocktail shrimp, ice cream, cheesecake and my favorite -- fresh, juicy strawberries.
Then we donated $60 to the slot machines :0P
***
Superbowl Sunday
The Pittsburgh Steelers won, a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
I don't know a thing about football, but I have $2 (or was it $5?) riding on the game.
(When I put down my money, I thought it was for a community raffle. As it turns out, I was adding to the pool for the Superbowl :0P)
At wala akong napala sa pagtaya ko sa ending hehe :0P
And in anticipation of our tax refund (hehe), we went to Cache Creek and stuffed ourselves with, among others, roasted lamb, baby back ribs, prime rib, grilled salmon, cocktail shrimp, ice cream, cheesecake and my favorite -- fresh, juicy strawberries.
Then we donated $60 to the slot machines :0P
***
Superbowl Sunday
The Pittsburgh Steelers won, a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
I don't know a thing about football, but I have $2 (or was it $5?) riding on the game.
(When I put down my money, I thought it was for a community raffle. As it turns out, I was adding to the pool for the Superbowl :0P)
At wala akong napala sa pagtaya ko sa ending hehe :0P
2/01/2006
For a moment there, I forgot about the complicated process of immigration.
After sending in my adjustment of status application (to change from a spousal visa to that of a permanent resident) and finally getting my employment authorization, I sorta put everything that's immigration-related to the back of my mind.
I've had other things to think about.
Like work. And my never-ending quest to get licensed here in Cali. Our NY trip (which was a blast, by the way). And the small everyday things that makes a life --- like what to cook for dinner, when to do laundry, where to go on the next three-day weekend (Tahoe, maybe?).
But with the arrival of my appointment letter for the adjustment of status and the appointment itself looming on the horizon, it has been uppermost in my mind again.
Uppermost as in I think of it every single day. Trying to anticipate the unexpected.
It should really be a piece of cake. After all, our marriage is as real as the diamond on my finger. (And I've got the certificate to prove it -- both for the diamond and the marriage.)
But, alas, it doesn't depend on me :0P
Still, there's the uneasiness that comes with being in a situation where you don't know what to expect and where you're not totally in control.
I've had other things to think about.
Like work. And my never-ending quest to get licensed here in Cali. Our NY trip (which was a blast, by the way). And the small everyday things that makes a life --- like what to cook for dinner, when to do laundry, where to go on the next three-day weekend (Tahoe, maybe?).
But with the arrival of my appointment letter for the adjustment of status and the appointment itself looming on the horizon, it has been uppermost in my mind again.
Uppermost as in I think of it every single day. Trying to anticipate the unexpected.
It should really be a piece of cake. After all, our marriage is as real as the diamond on my finger. (And I've got the certificate to prove it -- both for the diamond and the marriage.)
But, alas, it doesn't depend on me :0P
Still, there's the uneasiness that comes with being in a situation where you don't know what to expect and where you're not totally in control.
1/08/2006
All dressed up.
Waiting for our train to long island where my friend is getting married. Goin to be late for the ceremony coz i was so slow gettin ready:0p will miss nyc but we're def comin' back!
1/07/2006
1/06/2006
Georgia on our mind...
It's 6am here in atlanta, but we're still in pst, which is 3am, thus the bangag look. Will have coffee first with tessa before going on to ny.
1/05/2006
Off we go...
Waiting for our flight out at the oakland airport. Next stop, atlanta, to meet with a dear friend for breakfast. (Uy,jetsetter ang dating!
Start spreading the news...
We're leaving today! :0)
Got the mobile blogging up and running so that I can send 'postcards' here while I'm in NY.
(Would have wanted the mobile blog to be a sideblog thingy but I don't have time to figure that one out. Maybe later.)
Anyway, we'll be off at 10.30 tonight, and after a sidetrip to Atlanta to have breakfast with Tessa (yippee!), we'll be in NY by lunch tom.
So yeah... start spreading the news...
Got the mobile blogging up and running so that I can send 'postcards' here while I'm in NY.
(Would have wanted the mobile blog to be a sideblog thingy but I don't have time to figure that one out. Maybe later.)
Anyway, we'll be off at 10.30 tonight, and after a sidetrip to Atlanta to have breakfast with Tessa (yippee!), we'll be in NY by lunch tom.
So yeah... start spreading the news...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
