Looking Back

I came to a realization that this blog site was quite addicting and it quite drawn me to just go here and blog my random thoughts just to ease up what I feel for that day.

I created this blog site, six months ago, because of my love to write. Before, I always made sure that I always put an entry in my notebook journal. Whatever experiences I had, be it bad or good, I always wrote it down before because of my purpose to look it back whenever I wanted to go back and reminisce on those experiences.

That beautiful afternoon on Easter Monday of this year, I hesitantly gave up my notebook journal and started this online blog site in exchange of my traditional journal. Now I can blog whatever I feel and share it to everyone who visits here. It's a good feeling to have myself known to everyone especially what I think, feel, and do. Unlike my notebook journal which I can only keep to myself.

Writing is one of my hobby. I can always write different kind of things. It is a means for me to release my emotions and feelings everyday. I would love to make it as a profession but I ended up in a different kind of career that entails more patience and caring. Yet, writing would be my second job if given a chance.

The joys of writing brings new hope for me. It showed my different moods all the time. I can write happy, sad, moody, angry, expectant, advising, and many more write-ups here in my blog. It is my outlet for me to release all my pent-up emotions. That's why you can see my different moods here in my blog site.

To this day, I have entered 69 blogs in here and this will be my 70th entry. It's been six months now and I feel that my purpose in putting up this blog site was been accomplished and carried on well. I was so happy with the outcome so far.

This September alone I blogged more than half the one I did in August. It's been a great success. I never thought that I've been here all the time almost every day and the other to just blog my mind away. So far, I am really proud of myself for the success of this blog and hopefully I can keep it up as the days elapsed.

Last August,  I blogged 14 entries. That's the time when I came back here in United States from my month-long vacation from the Philippines. It was the month of recovering my emotions for the loss of my dear mother. It really helped me a lot to recover from it rather than immersing myself into depression. It really helped me divert my attention from missing and thinking about my mother. It was a great outlet for me to remember and write about her on this site.

July was my very lowest month. That's the month where I lost my mom. I almost come here everyday to write all my thoughts about her. It was the lonely time where I cried almost everyday and everytime I came here my lonely feelings was been totally erased and eased up because I have to write all of it and all that I've felt about her here.

The later part of June marked my anticipation to go back to my motherland, the Philippines, to see my mother still alive but I didn't expected how ill she was. The early part of June reflected about my feelings at the job. It showed my dedication and frustrations in my job and I blogged all of them here.

During the month of May, I included my two-week-long vacation in Seattle, WA. It was my first vacation for this year and I had a blast that whole week. I wrote it down here to share it online. I love to go back at it and recall all my experiences during that enjoyable week. It was really fun to recall all of it.

Month of April was the birth of this blog site. It was just a spur of the moment decision when I created this blog site but because of my knack to write I insisted to put this up. At least, it showed a lot that this blog site was a success. Hopefully, everything will be in good hands and this site will be in full force after six months.

You have also noticed my mission statement at the very bottom of this blog site. If you happen to read it I hope you know why I put this one up. But for the record, I put this site because I want to share it to all of you, and because I love to write, be it good or bad. And I just want you to know that I always seek your good criticisms to better this blog site.

So, first and foremost, I thank God for giving me the right mind what to blog here and for the right health for me to live life to the fullest and learn from it.

Secondly, to all those who happen to bump my site, in short the readers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time reading some of my entries. I hope it served it's purpose of entertaining you as well as tickling your remote feelings and emotions, be it funny or sad.

I also thank all of my dear friends and love ones for being a part of me everyday and for inspiring me a lot to write all the time. My gratitude for understanding me, if I wrapped myself alone in isolation, because you all know that I can think and concentrate better when I am alone.

You all guys are awesome and inspired me to comeback here everyday and write all my experiences in order to share it to all of you and to the whole world. Thank you all.....

No Direction

It was 3 am  on this early Tuesday morning and I just got home from a very tiring long drive. It was a drive without any exact direction.

I was just cruising around the area driving, my beige Toyota Avalon, blankly without any definite purpose or goal at all. Maybe I did it just to relax and breath fresh air, who knows.......

Yet as I continued driving aimlessly, my mind kept rolling back on the things that had happened to me lately and in the past. Things that had reminded me of my pitfalls, adversities, and tribulations. It was like a little  instant flashbacks that kept rolling at the back of my subconscious mind. In short it was a very implicit drive for me to evaluate my life and worry about its consequences.

After I got out watching the movie Surrogates which starred Bruce Willis as Agent Greer, I felt succumb to find my niche of spending my quiet times. So, I decided to drive and cruise around the area in West Hollywood.

Driving miles and miles of stretched road from The Grove Mall, then right to Fairfax Ave., then right on Melrose Ave. to Vermont Ave, then left on Santa Monica Blvd. to La Brea Ave, then right on Sunset Blvd. until Vermont Ave., then left on Hollywood Blvd. back to La Brea Ave., then back again to Santa Monica Blvd. until my house, I aimlessly zigzagged the lonely streets from Melrose Hills  to Highland Park.

It was a long stretch of aimless driving, enough for me to dawdle on some things that are very important to me and think of it very quietly while listening to the hip-hop music of Jesse McCartney, to the pop music of BBMak, to the latin beat of Shakira, and to a mixture of OPM from the "Star In A Million" previous winners and runners-up, until the rock music of The Journey with Mr. Arnel Pineda as the vocalist.

The music had entertained me so much, as I silently think and carefully drove on an abandoned road on this wee hours of a Tuesday morning.

It was nice to drive along these roads at this very hour because there's not much traffic at this time and the streets are quite not inhibited by throngs of people and passersby, only few people on each bus stops patiently waiting for the bus to pass by.

I always noticed the regular changing and turning of the traffic lights from green to yellow to red. It was the usual sight I saw as I passed each blocks and corners of each streets. I felt that I was the "King of the Road" at that moment, and it really felt so good to own the road without any tacky cops stopping me.

As I drove along the streets I can see few people walking by and most of them had just got out from the night bars and clubs I passed along and were waiting patiently at the bus stops in each corner of every block. Maybe some of them just came out from work and some had just finished clubbing. That I don't know, it's just an assumption.

I noticed that the bars and clubs were already preparing for the closing time and the patrons having enjoyed the night out happily, got out of the bar making loud giggles and noises, about to leave now for their own respective destinations and agenda, whether they go home or find more gigs and have some fun, it's up to them.

I kept driving along the lonely road, tacitly and patiently, observing the gradual ebbing of life on the streets and the lively dancing of the flickering neon signs everywhere. It felt so awfully eerie after a while because the early morning fog had started to settle down and obscured my driving visibility. And the cold breeze of the north wind can be felt everywhere.

When I felt tired and soporific from driving aimlessly and unpurposefully for several few hours, I decided to go home still deeply numbed, from critically thinking too much of my past experiences, and I was just trying to hold it off when I got extremely tired. That's the sign for me to end this aimless driving and called the night off.

It was a good long and tiring drive and I felt so relieved that I got the time to reflect more of my past experiences while I drove and cruise around the area. This was one of my outlet to express out my mixed anxieties and without-no-reason depressions. And I was glad to have done it earlier because it really eased up my mind from too much stress and fatigue.

Now I can sleep well because I felt that I was so relieved and can continue again in struggling for the achievement of my daily goals and objectives.

Well, my little journey or cruise around town had brought me home to my quiet niche. It was a good feeling though to spend some quiet time alone, driving along the mile-stretched-streets of West Hollywood trying to find something that could fill in the void and emptiness I am feeling inside me at the moment.

Although my little journey has no exact direction and definite purpose but it had helped me pass the time and divert my feelings of inadequacy into a full self-realization of the importance of my existence here on earth.

Life is always a struggle and we need to face the music by ourselves alone!

Flu Shot

I left the house early at 8am for my monthly check-up with my personal physician. Not because I am sick but to ask for an appointment approval for my annual ophthalmologist and optician checkup from my HMO insurance because I've been having some bouts of little episodes of migraine lately and also for my yearly flu shots.

It's been two years already that I haven't been back to my ophtalmologist for a routine eye check-up so in order for me to get approved by my insurance, I have to set an appointment for my primary healthcare provider to request for a referral. Hence, this visit was been made.

I was also running out of disposable soft contact lenses and my eyeglasses was been two years outdated already. I needed to be checked and measured up for a new dimensional glasses as well as do my routine eye check-up.

I was so worried about my eye pressure or maybe my brain, that's why I was experiencing a lot of uncontrolled headaches lately. I was prematurely deducing that I have a mild brain overgrowth or tumor that's why I have the headache. It was really weird if you have a know-how about a lot of medical diagnosis that's why it is inevitable for me to think and anticipate for something worst. Well, I hope I am wrong with that premature assumption.

Generally, I am doing great actually. It's just that I can't help thinking of the worst scenario that will happen. Neurologically, I am doing okay and normal. Nothing amiss really happened except for my intermittent lower extremity numbness which is due to my continued peripheral neuropathy which I incurred as a side-effect for a high-dose of Isoniazid  I am taking before for my positive PPD, which left me numb on both my legs and which I think will be a permanent symptom. That's why I was prescribed for a lifetime Neurontin for my chronic lower extremity pain.

When I got to meet my primary healthcare provider, she asked me if I have more symptoms felt other than the peripheral neuropathy, then I told her about my intermittent bouts of mild headache on my forehead then she agreed with me that it is time for me to visit my ophthalmologist and optician.

She then told me that it is flu season again so it is time for my flu and pneumonia shot. When I heard about this, I immediately fussed and reacted about it, telling her that I don't really need it, trying to get my way out of it, but she insisted for me to have it done because of the current and widespread occurence of H1N1 virus also known as the Swine Flu virus globally. She then told me not to leave the room not until I get both shots.

I didn't complain anymore but instead I stayed in the room and  just waited for the nurse to come to administer the shots being ordered. Anyway, it is a free shot and it is for my own good and protection.

I don't know though but everytime I hear about needles I freaked out right away. My extreme phobia of needles can be traced way back when I was little. I remember one time when I was in elementary when we had a typhoid and cholera vaccination in school, I have to hide myself in a broombox just to evade the injection process. But I ended up getting it anyway after hearing a bunch of reprimands from my teacher-adviser. My fear of needles actually started there, then it continued until now.

In the room, I was sweating profusely upon knowing that the nurse will be coming in a short moment carrying two syringes with the shots (for the flu and pneumonia) and the needles. When she started  knocking at the door, I couldn't help stop fidgeting, as if I am having an extreme panic attack. I wanted to piss on my pants right there and then.

And when she started to inject the needles on both sides of my deltoids, I yelped and gasped loudly in anticipation for the intended prick. Then while feeling the vaccines being pushed slowly into my muscles, one at a time, I involuntarily twitched my muscles to feel less pain as my muscles absorbed the drug.

My heart was pounding hard and beating too fast because of my premature perception of imminent pain. But actually, it was nothing. It's just that I am extremely afraid of the sight of needles, and that's it. My God, I acted like an imp at that very moment, totally regressing at a very simple procedure. It was probably a funny sight for the nurse who administered the vaccine. It was a total embarrassment.

Fortunately, the worst thing was already over and the vaccine was already in my system. But I still feel that I was melting like a lighted candle and felt like a bursting balloon after that quick little prick. My knees felt so limp and my body felt so exhausted.

Although it wasn't that very bad but I really still feel funny. So I just take in some quick little deep breaths to ease up the anxiousness until I felt better. At least everything was already over and now I felt more secured and protected against any infection of the virus now that the flu season is nearing.

I went home a little exhausted maybe because of the sudden adrenalin rush I felt during the procedure. I was so tired after that so I opted to take a short nap for a while, then do my laundry and household chores.

I think the flu shot is the best way and my best ticket to prevent myself not to be sick this year, although it is not really a guarantee to escape from having one because all I know there are various kinds of strains for the influenza virus spreading around us. But hopefully I am crossing my fingers that nothing major will happen for me this year.

Actually last year, eventhough I had both shots I still had a mild congestion and coughing episodes during the last Winter Season. We can never tell actually, but at least I did some precautionary measures to just lessen the severity of the disease should I get one this year.

It's never been too late to protect ourselves against the imminent danger of the common diseases lurking around us. Handwashing is always the best way and technique to ward off and combat it as well as getting a flu shot. Then eating right, taking vitamins, drinking a lot of water, and getting enough rest can also help.

Protect yourself against any infection. Act now while it is still early and you will be spared from the worst scenario to happen. It is never too late to have one. Get out there and get one!

Emergency Room

I was in my usual Saturday clinical rotation with Batch 5 at a community hospital in east Los Angeles on this very hot October Saturday. 

I convened with my students at our usual corner in the hospital's cafeteria and briefly discussed with them our objectives for the day then I carefully handed their assignment sheet for their assigned unit.

I also gave them a little brush-up recall on how to calculate Pediatric doses and reminded them of some few new regulations issued by the charge nurses of the different units I met early that week.

I have twelve students that day so I evenly distributed them to three places. Some students went to Couplet Care Unit (which is comprised of Labor and Delivery, Post-partum, and Nursery), Emergency Room and Pediatrics. But most of the time I stayed in the Emergency Room because some of my students do a lot of medication administration and surgical procedures in ER.

It was a very hectic day in ER that day and my students were pretty much exhausted with the rapid flow and turnover of patients coming in and out of the unit. But they were very ecstatic and excited because they had learned a lot that very day.

Some of them had assisted several patients with wounds and cuts, sutured by the in-house physician. They also assisted the doctor in the suturing process. I carefully told and encouraged them to anticipate whenever they received patients with open wounds and to assess the patient first, cater with them by cleaning the wound carefully, and apply their knowledge and skills they have learned from the class and the clinical rotation. So I let them prepare the needed supplies and equipment for the suturing procedure and each and every one of them were so eager to prepare everything.

We encountered a lot of cuts ranging from lacerations, abrasions, open and close wounds, gaping wounds and minor scratches, even self-inflicted wounds, you name it you'll see it there.

But there's this one wound I can't forget from this very cute handsome Latino guy who apparently told us that he made it by putting a regular marble down his penis' prepuce. He specifically told me that he made a cut and inserted a marble in the cut and sutured it by himself. Then after a week it got badly infected so he went to the emergency room to seek for professional help. When I get to see the cut, it looks so gross that even the skin appears so swollen and red, already developing a very bad cellulitis and having some yellowish drainage.

I grabbed two of my male students and assisted them how to dressed the wound as per physician's order, applied an antibiotic ointment, and told them to make a care plan for it. Then we gave the discharge instructions to the patient and some directions on how to take care of the wound itself.

We also had this one teenager who had a right side pneumothorax. Upon confirming from the x-rays that it was a pneumothorax I immediately gathered my students around the patient and carefully coached them on what to prepare and assist, as each one of them take turns auscultating the patient for an absent breath sounds on the right side.

Then we prepared the equipments needed in anticipation for the needle aspiration had the mother signed the consent for the procedure. When the in-house doctor did the procedure they were in awe watching the air bursting out and making bubbles in a bottle of normal saline and confirming from the chest x-ray that the right lung had expanded back to normal position after the needle aspiration procedure.

They were telling me that it was cool for them to have witnessed a rare procedure like that. They almost had witnessed a thoracotomy with chest tube insertion had that lung didn't expanded back to normal position. So I explained to them the rationale of the needle aspiration and the need for chest tube placement had the situation called for it.

There's this female teenager whom my students had catered because she had a threatened abortion the night before. She was on her fourth month of pregnancy and all of a sudden last night she had an unexplained contractions while she was sleeping and had a miscarraige.

She even brought the four-month-old fetus and the placenta carefully wrapped in a paper towel zipped in a big Ziploc bag and was placed in a very attractive paper bag with printed angels on it. It was a horrible sight to see the hapless fetus lying lifeless inside that plastic bag.

My students felt so sad about what they had seen and they told me that it was the first time they saw a little lifeless fetus. I told them that it was a good experience for them to see one and they agreed. They then assisted the mom as the doctor checked her for an internal examination checking if there is still some remnants of pregnancy because of the fact that she was still bleeding vaginally. We also catheterized her for a urine and drug study as per doctor's order.

We then soaked the fetus and the placenta in formaldehyde and send it to laboratory for a pathology study and for more studies. Then some of the students stayed with the mom to comfort her.

We also had an eleven-month-old female infant who came in with suprasternal and intercostal retractions, tachycardia, and tachypnea with a moderate hypoxemia as noted with the oxygen saturation of 89%. In short, she has a respiratory distress with no apparent respiratory failure. We assisted the baby and the parents on the gurney, connected her to the monitor, attached her to an oxygen via a simple mask and gave her bronchodilator breathing treatment via that mask as ordered by the ER doctor.

I told my students what to look for and assess had they receive such patient with respiratory distress and carefully assisted them on what to prepare had the doctor ordered laboratories and intravenous infusion.

They were so eagerly pumped-up when they heard that the doctor needed urinalysis and basic metabolic panels for the infant. So I asked some of them to attach a urinary bag to the patient and prepare necessary equipment for lab draw as I prepared myself to draw and collect the blood specimen coaching them to assist me in inserting the intravenous catheter and collect the specimen from the catheter so that I can only poke the poor baby once. I can really see in their eyes how excited they were watching me doing the procedure.

We had also received from an outside transport a fifty-one-year-old diabetic male patient with severe hypoglycemia having a blood sugar of 25 mg/dl as called by the coming ambulance crew from the phone.

So, while waiting for the patient to come in, I gathered my students and instructed them what to prepare and anticipate like the gurney to receive him, an intravenous set infusion for the dextrose 50, and the glucose monitoring system, as well as the oxygen had we need it. I also assigned them roles to do when the patient comes in.

When the patient came, we instructed the EMT guys to place him in the gurney and my students with their assigned roles crammed around the patient and do their respective responsibilities. We immediately removed the patient's habiliments and placed a hospital gown, attached him to the monitor while taking the vital signs.

Noting that the saturation was low we immediately placed a non-rebreather mask and gave him 100% of oxygen, then one of my student took the blood sugar which came back 35 mg/dl so I immediately started an intravenous line and obtained an order for an IV bolus of dextrose 50 as ordered by the doctor. One of my student took the temperature which came back below normal so I instructed them to get a warmed blanket in the warmer and cover the patient while I instructed one of them to pick-up the Bare-Hugger at the central supply.

The ER doctor commended us for our presence-of-mind, alertness,  and help and even congratulated me for a job well done in teaching my students to be a more responsive, quick, and smart thinking nurses. It felt so good to hear such appreciation and praises which I myself didn't expect.

And as we convened for our post-conference I also praised my students for a job well done while we carefully evaluated every scenario we had that day. We reviewed what we had experienced for the whole day and I appreciate their being so cooperative and responsive in any stressful situations. And they were so thankful that I was always there to help them out and for being there all the time to assist them.

I went home very relieved that my students had learned so much that day and hopefully will learn more when we come back in that little community hospital which really welcomed us with open arms to learn there during my students formative times of their nursing career.

Hopefully, more difficult and interesting cases will await for us there for the coming weeks.

Gratitude 1: Thank You!

I should have entered this blog last week, but because of my very hectic and jampacked schedule I saved this best for last.

Sometimes it's a nice feeling to receive a nice compliment from somebody appreciating what we have done for them. At least, it's good to know that we are being recognized for our small efforts, gestures, and dedication in our job. Least to say, we are being appreciated because we care not about our job but we care because of our objects and subjects. It boosts our self-worth.

This one letter was emailed to me by my Director-of-Nursing from school. As I read this letter, it never occured in my mind that the little things I did to my students was so great for them. That my thoughts of just doing and finishing my job safely as a clinical instructor was a huge help for them to guide them in their studies.

I mean I love my students, and I always geared my objectives towards their professional growth. For them to learn a lot of things and challenges under my care was a huge paycheck. By learning these things it will make them prepare and ready for the challenges of the outside world. But I never thought this small gestures was a great deal to them. I thought I was just doing my job! And it is heartwarming to hear and see that they even appreciated even the littlest things that I do, shared, and told them.

Here is a letter written by a very isolated and unpredictable student. I mean isolated because of his color. He tend to isolate himself and do things on his own. Unpredictable because you never know what mood he will present everyday. Sometimes he will be extremely excited sometimes down relaxed.

He is a quiet guy, unmindful and imperceptible of his classmates around him. He does his patient care alone but with my supervision. He is quite drawn to his own world of caring his patients that even his classmates had branded him as odd or strange. But as an unbiased clinical instructor I do understood what he's going through.

One time he told me about his own experiences that he had a very rough life and he sweared not to go back to that bitter days he had lived on the streets. And because of his determination to study and avail an educational loan he pushed himself hard to pursue his dreams to have a decent education. I was so touched by his story and I couldn't blame him to separate himself from his cohorts. I mean this is a guy with a purpose and I commend him for his will to survive and his struggles to dream and live a better life.

Sometimes appreciation comes to people who had a lot of experiences and adversities in life. They never stopped appreciating even the teeny-tiny grace and gifts they received from somebody and from anybody. It never shocked me that he wrote this letter and here it goes: (I have to initialized his full name for confidentiality purposes.)

"On behalf of the "Magic 13", Batch 6, I thank you very much for allowing us the opportunity to learn at Homestead Schools, Inc, Licensed Vocational Nursing program! We also thank you for providing us with very competent, safe, knowledgeable, kind, caring, and loving theory and clinical instructors who did an excellent job in teaching us with what we needed to know in order to pass the NCLEX and in order to work as safe, competent, knowledgeable, skillful, kind, caring, and loving nurses! Good job Mr. XXXXX! Good job theory and clinical instructors! Thank you and have a very serene, joyous, relaxing, and calm weekend! Peace!"   from: M.S.C.-SVN send 9/20/09 @ 1:43 PM PST

I hope this will be an eye opener for me to even pay attention to what I am doing whenever I teach my students, guiding them in their most critical student life everyday as they learn a variety of things to skillfully and confidently prepare them in their nursing career.

Fortunately, all my students were very kind and appreciative about my care and supervision. And I hope they have learned a lot from me as I assist them in their everyday student life.

And for sure, each faculty in my institution deserved a pat on the back for a job well done.

Cramming for PALS

These past two days I've been very busy studying. Studying what?...... I was studying and cramming for my two day Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) class. That's why it's been a while for me not to come here and blog my previous days experiences.

Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) is a two day class about the principles of taking care a critically ill pediatric patient in the hospital setting. This class is intended for those nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers who worked in the Pediatric Floor, PICU, pediatric home-health care, and emergency room. And it has to be renewed every two years.

I've endured two days of just sulking in my room, tapping my laptop, reviewing the compact disc that accompanied my PALS Study Guide and Course Manual. I got to take the pre-course exam and review all the questions in that CD about basic electrocardiogram strips, pharmacology, and critical situations pertaining to pediatric cases. I also have to review the twelve case studies we are going to tackle in the class.

These past few weeks, I haven't had the chance to read the Course Manual because of my back to back schedule at the hospital and school.

Honestly, I barely opened my manual and everytime I opened it at work we just can't stop admitting so my chances to read the book became slim. I started to panic already, and I have only a one day off to study yet I felt so tired after several days of working, so I opted to get enough rest first.

By the time I opened the book I just concentrated on reading the list from the small booklet and guide included in the packet. I meticulously reviewed and memorized every algorithms and medications as well as the normal ranges in that little booklet. It was extremely nerve-wracking actually...... a nailbiter. Aaaaah.....

Then a night before the first day, I reviewed and re-read the twelve cases starting from the respiratory, cardiac, and until the shock sample cases. I also got to review the sequence of how to carefully assess a critical pediatric patient. I have to memorize all these facts by heart for the skills lab the next day.

During the first day, I woke up at around 3am to review everything and prepare the things I needed to bring for the class. I left the house at 7am and got to the hospital thirty minutes before eight and I noticed that I came early.

So I went up to the Pediatric Unit on the eight floor to have my morning coffee. At least the coffee had helped calm my nerves down. I don't really know what to expect from this class today that's why I couldn't help worrying about it. I heard from my colleagues who took this class before that the instructor was very strict and very detailed in outlining her instructions and expectations.

Upon meeting with Ms. Liz Gerber, she immediately outlined her lecture to us. We reviewed about the various drugs used in pediatric emergency cases, the current new additions in standard care for  PALS according to the national conference held by the American Health Association last year, and also viewed some important pediatric cases videos related to various pediatric emergencies.

We were dismissed early at 2pm so I immediately went home and continued reading and reviewing what we tackled that day. I also reviewed more cases from the compact disc and retook the pre-course test for me to get used with the clinical situations.

After tirelessly reviewing, re-reviewing, reading, and re-reading everything from the books and disc, I decided to call it quits. I slept early that night at 9pm trying to condition myself for the second day class tomorrow.

During the second day, we started exactly at 8am and I noticed that there were some more participants who came in for the recertification. It wasn't a big class though but enough just to compose for two code teams.

We viewed more videos and discussed our expectations for the skills lab that day. After viewing all the cases we separated into two groups and started the skills test at each lab stations.

We got to do the child and infant CPR with AED use, practice inserting an endotracheal tube on a dummy, have a feel of inserting an intra-osseus needle on a chicken leg, and simulate a mock code by doing a team-leading approach in reviving a sick and critical child based on the cardiac rhythm presented on the portable monitor.

So far we all did good. Then after all the skills lab we took the written exam which I perfected, fortunately. I was so proud of myself for passing everything. High-five for that....... yeah.

We culminated at 4pm and I was so happy to receive my PALS Certification and card after the class . It was a good feeling to have reaped the fruits of my efforts despite of my cramming method in studying. It was funny though because my method of studying like this was not that usual to me. I've been doing this since I was still in college yet I did good during those times. I passed college with flying colors actually.

Now, I am back to that old practice again. I don't know, but I just can't shake that habit away. I think that's how I really am. I know I am sour-graping about this already. And I know this is not a good way of preparing for any exams but I just can't help not getting rid of it. I think it is my own way or my defense mechanism in facing a very stressful situations.

In this case, what I can do is to try my best to minimize my cramming episodes and my approach in facing adversity, in that I can lessen exposing myself to any stressful situations. I think this is the most healthful way to take care of myself by eliminating some stressors that will make me more panicky and procrastinate on the things I needed to take care on time. I hope I won't repeat this habit again in the future.

Preparing in advance is the best way to beat and face a stressful situation. Maybe it's just how the way I handle my priorities ahead of time.

Hopefully, things will get better and life will be easier for me.

Momma Shirley

I was quietly sitting in my usual nook at our Pediatric Unit on the 8th floor unmindful of what was happening around me.

I was bored to death, holding my iPhone, tapping it intently and silently checking my Facebook account for some interesting personal messages. It was practically handy for me to have the iPhone and able to check every messages I have at my Facebook account.

With only two patients to care, facebooking was the best outlet for me to kill and pass the time aside from reading my paperbacks. But apparently, I don't have my books so I resorted to check my Facebook messages.

I intentionally brought my Pediatric  Advance  Life  Support   (PALS) book, planning to review for my class on Wednesday and Thursday, but by mere looking on the very thick book, my appetite to study was gradually dissolved. It seems that it is not the right time to study and I feel that I am currently lazy to absorb some facts right now. My mind feels so numb about something I don't know.

I was so absorbed thinking about the big dent in my car's fender...... how I acquired it......I don't know..... and was still puzzled about its origin. I felt so dejected.

I felt compelled to blame myself heavily, trusting my landlord to use my car today. Now I can't stop thinking about my car's fate today plus the expenses I will incur if I will have it fixed. Aaah..... too much problem. I am in a deja vu.

On the otherhand, couple of nurses were loquaciously talking across the hallway discussing things about their own patient. I can hear them talking about their patient wheezing badly and needing a bronchodilator handheld nebulization treatment and Shirley had to call the respiratory therapist for immediate delivery of the aerosol treatment.

I was busy refilling my patient's chart and was too engrossed with what I am doing, like facebooking. I autistically created my own world in that small corner listening and observing to all the things that was going on around me, sometimes answering the non-stop ringing of the phone and also the continuous beep of the call lights made by the patient and their folks.

The unit was been so slow since yesterday. We only have three patients tonight. And I was charge tonight. I have two assigned patients while Xiuming has one and was also precepting Shirley for her second night orientation. That means that Xiuming is open for an admission just in time for Shirley to practice admitting and refreshing the routines of admitting a patient.

Shirley was been working with us before when she decided  to move to Portland, Oregon to be near her newly married son. But because she was not happy with her job there and because of the bad treatment of the nurses in the hospital she worked at plus the meager income she was earning there she regrettably decided to go back here in Los Angeles.

I was actually thinking about her when she was gone and luckily after a year and a half of missing her I didn't even expect that she's coming back again. I thought I couldn't see her anymore.

My friendship with Shirley was close to being maternal. I used to call her Momma Shirley. There was no malice with our teasing each other. I  considered her as my second mom and she considered me her adopted son. Now I can even bond more with her now that she is back.

I used to confine with her my heart aches as well as my personal problems and she used to tell me about her lovelife. We also used to go out and enjoy our conversation over apple martinis and margaritas at El Cholo's. There was no secret left undone and can't hide when we're together and when we're with each other.

She is my momma dearest and my refuge at work. She and Ate Loida, my second half sister at work, were my protectors and my pillars. They were my heroes. We all giggled over green and silly jokes and poked fun at each other as well as make jokes at our superiors. There's never a day that we don't smile, giggle, laugh, scream with delight, and enjoy our moments together.

We used to help out each other, too, when someone was busy and needing help, share our individual sentiments, happiness in life and work, as well as success at every endeavour.

I'm glad you're back again with us Momma Shuuurleey....

Living Each Day Differently

We all have patterns in our lives that are dear to us. And just last month, for lots of unexplained reasons, many of mine were disrupted.

I was here when I wanted to be there and there when I wanted to be here.

I had to do a certain amount of traveling back and forth lately, coping up with some family matters, and didn't have much time for spending time to myself and enjoy my favorite warm-weather activity like sitting near the poolside and reading my favorite paperback novels..... then all I know Summer was already over.

I kept saying to myself that I was having a very "not summer" experience and you can tell it by the term how unhappy I was about it.

Summer will eventually turn to Fall, and as the new pattern will continue and progress, maybe one of these days I will find myself cheerfully telling a best friend of mine; "You know, this is our year of living differently."

Bingo! Then I just realize that I'd had a much-needed attitude adjustment, and that I was just fine with the new order and set of things around me.

As what they say..... when life handed you lemons..... make lemonades out of it. And that is what exactly I will gonna do from now on.

The real truth is, we can shake things up and boggle our lives any single day of the year that we choose. But right now is the right time when our thoughts most naturally and normally go as to what we wanted to change and wanted to accomplish.

While I am not a big fan of resolutions, I do think that the exercise or the habit of examining our busy lives periodically is somewhat most valuable.

With the Holidays almost approaching, we'll have to start thinking and reflecting about the value of life. And what better to think about than what we want for ourselves?

Whether it is something totally tangible, or just a new mindset, you really do owe it to yourself to go and aim for it.

Celebrate life's importance everyday then everything would be great.

My advise is ...... start living each day differently.

Chilling Out

I woke up with a fresh zit  on my right anterior forehead. It doesn't really alarmed me. I used to get it when I have a hang-over.

Last night, a Saturday night, I was off so I decided to go out and relax. I went to the Abbey first to meet with some of my long-time friends that I haven't seen for a very long time because of my very hectic work schedule.

When I got there, thirty minutes before midnight, most of them were already there talking and drinking at the bar. They were so happy to see me and we chit-chatted for a while. I also met some new ones and it was very cool.

They ordered me an apple martini and we continued talking and updating about our own lives. I really missed them and I just can't blame myself coming here to see them. It was nice to have seen them and be with them that time.

After an hour we decided to go to Here Lounge but it was so crowded in there so we decided to move to Rage but there were less crowd in there.

We then continued walking on Santa Monica Boulevard going east where there's more bars located across San Vicente Boulevard.

Our final stop was at The Mickey's. It was also packed there, yet my friends were so tired now to go back to the Abbey, so we decided to line up at Mickey's and paid for the entrace.

The crowd there were so diversified and very open. The two-storey bar was very posh and stylish and the beat of the music was very rhythmic and danceable.

We went to the second floor where we ordered our drinks. My friends ordered me a gin tonic and we continued to chat and made fun with each other. We also danced at times and enjoyed our time there. It was very nice to be with them and enjoy their company. I treasured every moment of it.

After guzzling down  two gin tonics and one rum coke I sensed that I was quite drunk. My friends teased me that I was already buzzing but I still kept denying it in front of their faces. We laughed and giggled a lot and poked fun at each other. There's never been a dull moment when  I was with them. We all enjoyed staying and talking there.

Fifteen minutes past one we decided to cool it off. We sadly said our good byes, smacking kisses at each other, and hugging each other tightly and fervently sweared to get in touch with each other from time to time. Also, we excitedly exchanged numbers and eagerly listed each other's available times when to call each other.

When I get to my car I felt a little pang of guilt in me because I will be driving home drunk. I cannot do otherwise but to go home and drive drunk carefully and safely.

So, I decided to take the risk to drive my car and cautiously drove it home. I know it was an irresponsible thing to do but I know I could get home easily without anything ominous happened. Luckily, I got home intact and without any harm.

I went out with the goal to relax and to chill with my chums. And  at the same time enjoyed my time off after working so hard for quite a time. It was a good feeling to see my old friends and enjoyed their company even for a short time.

Relaxing was also a good feeling. I know life is too short, so instead of staying at home and procrastinating about life I went out and enjoyed what life has to offer.

There are a lot of ways to spend your time off and for me chilling out with friends is one example of killing my time and getting a relaxed and stress free moment.

Watching movies and reading good novels and books are some of my favorite past times and sometimes going out and enjoying the beauty of nature even recharged me.

As a free spirited guy, I know how to spend my time wisely and sometimes waste it enormously. But to the least, I just wanted to savor every moment of it by getting to enjoy spending my time and get the most experience out from it.

Life is indeed short, so get out there and enjoy life. Celebrate on your days off and relax. In short .....chill out!

Unrelenting Civility

Aaah.... what happened to our society lately?

Was it the effect of the widespread outbreak of swine flu?

Or was it just  a general collapse of individual manners or etiquette in an effort to seek personal satisfaction and attention.

Has our moral values been slowly lost?

Or was it just the effect of our own personal angst and hang-ups that bemoaned the erosion of civility represented by these unwarranted rants.

Or some says that this civility was just purely a facade to begin with.

Some also says it is extremely regrettable but not that shocking. And it is considered to be widely spread contagiously like a virus.

It is like a spark of lightning in an open dry field and then suddenly it spreads like wildfire. These must be the cause of some various public outbursts we've seen in the various television channels lately.

Some says that such uncontrollable outbursts reveals a person beneath the mask of a public persona with some substantial element of racial animus working around it. And it is just plainly boorish.

Overtime, we have shredded and shattered the respect for every kind of institution, every kind of profession, and have indulged ourselves and our emotions at every level of society....... from how kids treat their parents and elders, how students treat their teachers and all the way up the line.

And this was recently noticed from a series of public outcries made by some famous celebrities like Kanye West and Serena Williams and politicians like Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina.

Lately, in the recently just concluded US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, it was been the hot topic in the television news  regarding Serena Williams losing her temper about a decision made pertaining to one of her games at the tennis tournament.

She threateningly derided a lineswoman, with expletives, to cram the ball down her throat during the game. With this, she was been penalized and punished to pay a literal price of money and the incident was still being investigated by the International Tennis Federation and was still awaiting a verdict.

In the just recently held MTV Music Awards in New York City, Kanye West's snatching of Taylor Swift's moment was even a symptom of total outrage and losing of temper. It was unruly and unscrupulous.

Kanye West was been reviled by the public, from business community and to the fans, many of whom instantly denounced him on Twitter for snatching the microphone out of Taylor Swift's hand last Sunday at the awards night insisting her award should have belonged to Beyonce Knowles.

It was total madness, and many audience booed him and were shocked with his uncultured and unrelenting manners. It was a big embarrassment for Taylor Swift, who rigidly stood on that stage absorbing her accidentally acquired humiliation and shame.

I suddenly recalled and remember the movie Carrie who exactly typify her when a bucket of blood was been poured from up the stage, but for Taylor Swift it was just a very bad dream.

If not for Beyonce Knowles, who exemplified modesty and humility, giving Taylor Swift her moment to continue her interrupted acceptance speech, the embarrassment wasn't been redeemed.

Then a day after that, Kanye West chagrined, apologized at the Jay Leno Show and publicly announced that he probably needed some time off to analyze his unruly behavior. But the damaged was already been done and the dignity of the victim couldn't be retrieved back anymore.

Some says that Kanye West did it because of his lack of and constantly seeking of attention and publicity as well. And that shameful behavior had catapulted him into the heart of the news and he was getting exactly what he wants right now, hence people were talking about him everywhere.

Also in the White House, it has been reported all around the town about Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst when he outrightly cut off President Barack Obama during the president's speech on healthcare reform last week before a joint session of Congress where he was so enraged calling the president a liar while the president was in the middle of addressing the nation on the topic of critical importance.

The president had just said in his speech that he was happy to work with people who wants solutions but will call out those who are getting in the way and being uncivil. And then the angered representative from South Carolina calls him a liar to his face in front of the whole nation and the whole world.

Some says that these public hardball and outburst denotes the emergence of racial slur which become more distinct to the public eye. It was the effect of unconscious racism in the political and public context and was no accident that most of these incidents involved blacks and whites. That the racial tensions on both sides are on a pretty high level right now.

It's on a new level now, because it is not conscious or overt, and people should be on extremely on high alert. It is bubbling underneath and what might have led to a small reaction or a thought to yourself that something is unfair is now popping out of people's mouth. It is inevitable as well as unpredictable.

In the wake of these high profile outbursts across disciplines whether it be politics, entertainment, and sports many people have found themselves asking what is going on in our society right now?

To some, it is not just a coincidence but rather a manifestation of a deepening social dysfunction. And this needs sudden attention by our higher ranking officials because it will surely degrade our social mores and public persona.

In my opinion, people need to be wary about the collapse of social respect and the emergence of racial division and anarchy which could spark more public outburst and the denigration of someone's right to enjoy life because of this selfish descrimination.

I am afraid it will embolden people to be more rude and will backfire in the end because of this bad examples set by our celebrities, politicians, and athletes.

Well, it is high time now to examine where we made a mistake and try to fix it so that we all live harmoniously in the end.

Funny Things 2: Random Encounters

Funny things always happen inevitably. Sometimes we did it unconsciously and all we know we did something wrong that amused us, made us smile, or even made us burst into laughter. These things sometimes perk up our day and free us from the worries of this mundane world.

Like me I have a lot of unexpected encounters that made it categorically funny and I want to share some of it to you here on my blog. These ones happened randomly as I struggled to live day to day, whether I go on a walk at the park, went shopping, driving on my way to work, doing some errands, and talking on the phone.

These funny things or sometimes hilarious moments will succumb you to various unforgettable manifestations including a little bit of embarrassment, minor offenses, memory lapses, and grave mistakes.

Along with these wacky encounters I always learned a lot from it. It is sometimes a slight mistake but the lesson learned is enormous. It sometimes greatly shaped our life and improved who we are.

Fist one, I was literally walking one early morning on McArthur's Park walking track in Koreatown near Wilshire Boulevard when I was doing my daily running exercise. Geared with a proper attire for running I was briskly walking for about 20 minutes when two elderly Mexican men jogging towards me, were calling at me saying "Andale! Andale!" . In order not to block their way I stepped on the side grass briefly out of the track to let them pass. And then I suddenly felt something soft where I stepped on. When I bowed my head and bend my hips to check what it was I suddenly smelled something bad. I realized that I just stepped on a dog's poop on the grass I stepped on. I then briskly wiped my shoes' sole on the grass, and noticed that I have two different shoes on. On my left was a blue Puma running shoe and on my right was a navy blue Nike running shoe. In my haste to leave my apartment I probably did not noticed that I put on two different shoes. I was laughing at what just I did and because of my embarrassment I stopped doing my cardio routine and headed home immediately. Lesson learned: Always double check your attire or things before leaving the house.

Second one, I was shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch at The Grove one afternoon with my bestfriend to buy a shirt asked for me by a family friend from the Philippines for her son. It was almost 5 pm on a Saturday and almost closing time. There was a Gavin Rossdale concert at the mall's central park and there were lots of people around. In short, the mall was packed because of the concert.

When we got to the store we immediately went to the second floor and looked for the shirt I was asked to buy. I selected the appropriate shirt, grab it, brought it to the nearest counter to pay for it, when suddenly I noticed the new Colden cologne on the table and tested it. I liked the smell so I grabbed one box and paid it together with the shirt. The cute African-American guy on the counter smiled at me and volunteered to help and assist me at the counter.  He folded the shirt, packed the items, and dunked everything in the small Abercrombie paper bag with a handsome shirtless model printed on both sides. It was a very nice bag..... My friend took the bag and I smiled and thanked the cute guy then me and my friend left the store.

We then walked to the other side of the mall passed the concert park trying to evade the throng of people circling around the stage. We were at the Apple store when my friend asked me to hold the bag because he is going to use the restroom. I realized that the bag was so light so I decided to check if all the items were inside. I found out that it was only the shirt inside and the cologne was not there. When my friend came back I told him what I found out. So we ran as fast as we could to the other side of the mall trying to squeeze ourselves out of the packed concert to go to the other side where the Abercrombie and Fitch store is. When we got there the store's door was about to close and we told the security guard at the door about our little dilemma. He let us in and told us to go to the second floor and to talk to the cashier. We were panting and huffing when we got there and good thing the cute African-American guy was still there. So we told him what we found out and he apologized about what had happened and carefully handed us the box of cologne. He also gave us some coupons to redeem for our next trip at the store maybe to cover for his slight mistake.  My..... that was an intense workout for us to run across the other side of the mall. When we got out of the store me and my friend was laughing hilariously at what we had just experienced. Lesson learned: Always check your items before leaving the counter.

Third one, I was driving to work one afternoon on a rush hour. I was on a red light on a downtown street and was literally on a stop when I saw a cute jogger with his leashed dog running along with him. I was literally checking out the people walking on the sidewalk but my eyes focused on this very handsome Caucasian jogger in a black preppy-baggyish running shorts and white tank top hugging his well toned body outlining his six-packs abs. In tow with him was a cute brown mixed lassie. He was running so fast when suddenly the dog stopped on the sidewalk and tried to sit. Then suddenly the dog started to poop. I was smiling in my car looking at the embarrassed cute owner figuring out what to do because he probably did not expect what had happened. He looked so helpless maybe because he forgot to bring a plastic bag to collect the droppings as well as embarrassed because a lot of people including me were watching at him and his nice dog. Well, at least the guy is super cute and handsome....... but I was so amused at his reactions. He probably don't know what to do at that time, or may be some passersby gave him a plastic bag to pick-up the dog's poop. I didn't know what happened next because the traffic light already turned green and I have to drive ahead. Lesson learned: Don't bring your pet when you're out running or don't feed your pet either when  you're out to do something. You don't know what to expect..... tsk. tsk.

Fourth one, I was out doing some errands on one of my day's off. I have a lot of  to-do-things and appointments to be accomplished that day. I have to go to a doctor's appointment that morning, go to the lab to have my blood drawn for my routine annual check-up, pick-up my pay-check at work, go to school to pick-up my paperworks for my clinical rotation that weekend, go to the grocery to buy some groceries and fresh fruits, go to the bank and deposit the check as well as withdraw some money for my niece in the Philippines, go to PNB to remit that money for my niece, and a lot of things that really made me busy that day. Literally, I was all over the place, here and there, driving all around the town like crazy.

The last thing I did was to pass by the bank to deposit the check and withdraw some money. When I opened my wallet I noticed that my driver's license was not inside. I didn't realize I did not have my driver's license with me. I then remembered that I left it at my pant's back pocket when I went to the bar the previous night for a happy hour and a drink because I don't want to bring my bulky wallet at the bar and risked the danger of getting picked-pocket. I did not even returned it back in my wallet when I got home maybe because I was already drunk or maybe I was just plainly procrastinating. Then when I woke up the next day busily thinking of doing these tons of errands for that day it passed on my mind and I forgot about it already. Good thing nothing had happened that day and I wasn't stopped and mugged by the fierce LA cops and harshly interrogated me for the offense. Lesson learned: Always double check you have your driver's license when you are driving.

Fifth one, I just got home from a graveyard shift and was super tired. I already finished eating a bowl of cereals and had took a warm shower, donned my pajamas, and was about to go to sleep when suddenly my phone rang  like crazy. I grabbed the loud phone and answered it. Well.... it was my classmate from Houston just trying to call me and check out on me. We chit-chatted for a while and I told her that I am about to hit the sack. I told her that everything was fine for me and we shared a lot of great news. Because I was so tired and sleepy at that time, while talking to her laying on my soft bed, I didn't realized I already dozed off and left the phone hanging. I didn't even remembered what we were talking after I dozed off. It occured to me that I probably went to sleep while my friend was yacking like a mad talker on the other line. I didn't even remember if I bade her a goodbye. I was so guilty with what had happened.

That night I phoned my friend back and told her what had happened. She told me that she was engrossed in talking with me when she suddenly heard me snoring on the other line. We were both laughing at what I did and I apologetically told her that I am sorry about it. She told me that she understood, maybe because I was probably too tired from the previous night's work but it was so funny to her though that I dozed off at her while talking to her on the phone. Lesson learned: When you are about to go to sleep no matter how tired you are don't answer that damn phone, let the answering machine take the call, then make the necessary call later. You don't know what you will do in between the conversation.

Well, these were just some of the snippets of my various wacky moments in my life. Some of them were not that interesting and some were awesomely inspiring. So I hope you've enjoyed what I posted here. In the end, I've learned a lot of lessons from them and made me more aware of this busy world we lived in.

Until then and see you on my next five funny, hilarious, and awkward moments.

My Hollywood Blvd. Stroll

I was  off yesterday and was been out almost all day.

Firstly, I went to attend the wound management class for eight long hours sponsored by the Medline Company which supplies all the wound care products of the hospital I worked with.

The class started at 7:30 am and finished at 3:30 pm. It was a very long day of interesting lecture about wound management and a very interactive class. The educator from Medline was a very prepared and knowledgeable lecturer. She knows her topic well and delved it adroitly and expertly. She gave a very thorough explanation and examples for her lecture and focused on her class objectives closely without even boring her audience. I really learned a lot from her lectures.

I got four hours of continuing education units (CEUs) for this class  and a certificate at the end of the class. Just in time for the renewal of my nursing license in November.

After the class I drove home and napped for a while. When I woke up, I felt so bored so I decided to go to Hollywood-Highland Mall to buy some gym shorts that I needed for my exercise and cardio routines at the gym.

After obtaining the gym shorts that I needed I brought it to my car and left it there in the trunk, then I grabbed my portable digital camera and decided to take a stroll around the famous Hollywood Boulevard and see the celebrity's star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame."

I also visited the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater, Madame Taussad's Wax Museum, El Capitan Theater, and Kodak Theater. I also took some liberty of snapping several pictures for all of them.

On the boulevard various tourists and revelers were being seen as well as the locals enjoying the different sites the boulevard can offer, including the ones I mentioned and enumerated earlier.

As I scanned the laminated celebrity stars on the well-known "Hollywood Walk of Fame" I happily located some of my favorite celebrity's star and snapped some pictures of it.

I also saw Michael Jackson's star with a wreath and flowers on it but I was astonished to see Patrick Swayze's star with sunflower and carnations placed on it and a crew of television news team filming near by. I was shocked to know when I got home that he passed away today. Rest-in-Peace Patrick......

After the brief stroll I went to the open piazza of the Hollywood-Highland Mall where there was a stringed instrument contest sponsored by Samsung and was been hosted by Jimmy Kimmel , the host of the Late Night Program at the ABC-TV station, who hosted his same named show.

I was just passing by and checking out what was happening there then I decided to just watch a movie at Mann's 6 Chinese Theater. So I lined up at the box office booth and bought a ticket for a movie.

I decided to watch the movie District 9, which pertains to a myriad of prawny-looking aliens who got stranded on earth because their mother ship got stalled and ran out of fuel. The aliens stayed on earth for so many years causing fear and havoc to the life of the citizens of Johannesburg, South Africa and demanded equal rights with the humans, but instead were being maltreated and abused, and were transferred to a very deplorable and despicable place called District 9, hence the title.

The main character was a never been recognized South African actor who performed his role expertly and superbly. He carried his role real well and his acting was very believable. It was actually a very interesting yet very sketchy movie.

The ending part put me on the edge of my seat because I know it  will probably be concluded on the next sequel. But it made me hang-on there thinking and assuming deeply for a long time what will gonna happen next. We'll just see it next time, then.

When I got out of the theater it was already 10 pm. The boulevard was still teeming with tourists and locals alike. There's always life everywhere, and the bright-lighted street was always alive with the fast motion of the traffic, the flickering and the dancing of the neon signs, and the rapid turn-over and crossing of the people at the intersections.

It was an interesting day for me today, starting with my early morning wound management class, followed by my Hollywood Boulevard stroll, and culminated by my watching of the District 9 movie.

Life is always interesting and spontaneous. It doesn't stop to amaze and surprise me.

Los Angeles County Fair

It's September again, and it's that time of the year for a month-long celebration of the Los Angeles County Fair.

I never been to one yet since I moved here in Los Angeles in 2000 from Texas but I've been to some rodeo shows and county fairs before when I was still living in McAllen, Texas.

So for this year, I am planning to go to one of the fair's concert on September 25 or 26. I might watch Ms. Donna Summer or Ciara if I would be able to squeeze my time well enough to accommodate my plans. Hopefully, I would and will love to watch one of those.

I heard it from one of my co-worker that the fair was so much fun. I remember when I was little when we have an annual fiesta at my hometown in the Philippines where we have a lot of carnival rides and magic shows as well as various gaming nooks and shacks to boot.

I would like to share this article from Los Angeles times which explains what one fair participant expects in going to experience during the month long event. Here it goes:
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FAIR-FLUNG FUN, RIDES AND EATS by Alie Ward (as featured in Los Angeles Times)

"We've had people faint and fall on the ground; we've had people throw up...." starts Sky Shivers, manager of the Big Red Barn at the Los Angeles County Fair. He is describing various Southern Californians' reactions to watching a live cow birth. "We've had mothers shield their children's eyes and drag them out of the pen."

Starting Saturday and running through October 4 the LA County Fair is expected to lure roughly 70,000 people a day to Pomona Fairplex for carnival rides, funnel cakes, live music and acres of sawdusty attractions including pig races, chicken hatchings, mini ponies, baby bunnies and new exhibits dedicated to the goat meat industry.

"I've been to many other fairs," Shivers says, explaining what makes LA County Fair unique. "Here, there's more exhibits of what we call 'edutainment', where you enjoy watching something you don't normally get to see and you're also being educated."

This year's fair is also a draw for holiday thrift-seekers opting for a "staycation," says the fair's vice president of creative programming, Dale Coleman.

"The value message this year is huge," Coleman explains. The "promotions" page of the fair's website is a glut of bargains including coupons offered by local retailers and discounts for Dodgers fans and city employees. Early birds arriving between 10 am and 1 pm this Labor Dau weekend can get in for $1, rather than the usual $17 sdult ticket price. Saving money on admission means a better excuse to disobey your cardiologist at the fair's labyrinth of food stalls.

Hawking chocolate-covered bacon, frog legs, and turkey drumsticks fit for a caveman, the fair celebrates not only the harvest, but the end of bikini season. Chicken Charlie, innovator of culinary aberrations such as deep-fried Twinkies and batter-dipped Spam, is a living legend at the Fairplex. But it's not all nutrirional nightmares. The Farmhouse Kitchen stages demos on preparing fresh and healthful produce, and the LA International Wine and Spirits Market place invites fair goers to swirl and sniff varietals during daily tastings.

The fair midway fetaures a tangle of roller coasters and a 16-storey Ferris wheel, but those seeking less visceral thrills can stroll through the new animamotrinic dinosaur show, catch a monster truck bout or watch pirate-themed trapeze acts. The fair's End of Summer concert series includes entertainers as varied as Peter Frampton, Good Charlotte, the Beach Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Ms. Donna Summer, hiphop darling Ciara, and Ms. Pat Benatar.

Soul legend Al Green kicks it off with a performance on the opening day. Gree, a veteran of the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theater, says of the expected crowd, "LA is the entertainment capital of the world and a lot of those same people that make Hollywood tick are coming out to the fair. And LA is going to do what LA does." he adds, "and that's just go nuts."
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Ahaha...... these are the wide arrays of things I can expect to do during the fair. A week of happenings had gone by and my friend from work already went there twice. She bragged about her experiences there and I seem feel jealous about it.

I needed to set aside some time in order to come one of these days. I can't wait to experience how to be in a county fair. Maybe it will be nice to be a kid again and enjoy a day at the LA County Fair.

As what Mr. Al Green had said, "It will just go nuts."

9/11 Anniversary and Effect

Today marked the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 event that had happened in New York, Pennsylvania, and Pentagon, Washington D.C. in 2001.

It was the after effect of an organized terrorist attack that was realized eight years ago because of the leniency and laxity of our security regulations in our domestic as well as foreign airports and seaports.

It was still clear in my memory what had happened on that hapless and sad day, when terrorism succumb us in fear, massive sadness, and traumatic experiences because of the tangible and intangible damages it brought to our daily lives.

I remember that bright-beautiful-early-morning of September 11, 2001; when I was still working at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Good Samaritan Hospital along Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; I was just back at NICU after picking-up a newly delivered critical baby from the labor and delivery unit, when one of my co-worker told us about the World Trade Center in New York City being hit by a passenger plane and was been engulfed by a massive fire and thick smoke as shown from the television on the 8th floor waiting room.

We all went to the waiting room and checked if it was true. When we got there we saw the South building of the World Trade Center engulfed with a heavy-thick-black smoke on the middlemost portion of the building. The scene was continuously repeated by the cameraman at the CNN television station and there we saw a passenger plane hitting the majestic tall building.

Then few minutes later, another passenger plane plunged at the top portion of the north building. Then more heavy-thick-black smoke occured until a big inferno developed consuming the two tall buildings of the World Trade Center. Then several hours after, a loud thunderous sound was heard and the two buildings gave way and collapsed to the ground.

It was a horrible sight to see. A lot of people were been seen jumping out of the building and some madly running and shouting on the streets, looking aghast, maybe due to extreme fear and trauma of the incident.

Some spectators near and far and around the perimeter were frightfully afraid, terribly and horribly crying because of the hapless fate of the people accidentally trapped inside the two buildings and also due to the terrible and massive damages this unexpected event had brought to the city of New York and the whole nation.

While watching the television I can feel a warm flow of empathic tears rolling hotly on my cheeks and a sudden pity to those who were affected especially to those helpless people who were unfortunately get stucked inside the building.

Since it was report time at that moment, I helplessly and sadly went back to the NICU unit and gave report as fast as I can to the next shift. Then I hurriedly left the hospital and drove back home to continue watching the grimming situation of the trapped people and their families who got affected by the blast.

While I continuously watched the television another sad event had happened during the middle of the day in Pennsylvania where a United Airlines plane had crashed in an opened field.

It was speculated later that it was still connected with what had happened in World Trade Center in New York where the passengers of the plane fought with their lives against the terrorists in order to prevent the plane from heading to Washington DC to cause another unwarranted havoc in the nation's capital.

Unfortunately, the plan was suddenly aborted and the plane unluckily crashed at a farmland in Pennsylvania because of the bravery of the male passengers to stop the determined terrorists to realize their planned terrorism attack at the nation's capital. Their sad fate though and unforgettable heroic acts were greatly honored by the nation after that.

The families and relatives testified that they had received some distressed calls through cell phones before the crash and while the plane was still flying towards Washington DC. Numerous testimony had surfaced later and was been aired on the national television especially on the CNN News and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Then while I still continued to focused and watched on the television about the sad event that had happened I also heard and witnessed another plane crashing at the Pentagon Building in Washington DC that day destroying some of the portion of the building and important military gadgets and storage around the area. The authorities had also suspected that this was also connected to what had happened in New York and Pennsylvania that sad day.

It was still fresh in my mind what had happened eight years ago. The aftermath of the terrorist's attack brought a lot of damages, hurt, emotional and psychological trauma, lost lives, and unhealed memories in our minds and hearts. And yearly, as we commemorate the anniversary of this organized terrorism attack we always think of our safety as well as our nation's safety and the world's safety as well.

After this event had happened, the government and the people were very vigilant enough to protect the safety of everybody and the nation, as shown in our current strick and meticulous security regulations in our northern and southern borders as well as our domestic and international airports and seaports.

Even the previous administration had campaigned a lot against curtailing terrorism haven and cartels in suspected countries who indulgently harbor suspected terrorist such as Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations like the Taliban in Afghanistan. It was a worldwide campaign participated by a lot of powerful nations. Until it reached and ended to the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan erradicating the Taliban and Al-Qaeda organization who started a Jihad against America.

This campaign was criticized badly worldwide. Until our country turned out to be the bad guy. Because of the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan many lives were affected and lost and our global image was been hurtly stained. It was a humiliating fiasco for our military and our government, which greatly affected our nations military image, financial economy, and international relationships with other nations.

Today, it was President Obama's first commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy for his much dissected administration, now that health care reforms was widely criticized and microscopically delved and discussed nationally.

Despite of solemnly commemorating the said event our politicians focused more on scrutinizing the current administration on how to maintain and improved our nation's health care system for the benefit of the American public.

The current administration inherited and adopted a lot of government problems whether in economic, political, international, and internal-external issues. It was a huge challenge for President Obama to face and tackle these inherited problems and I hope the 9/11 event will unite us more to help our ailing economy and tarnished political situations.

Hopefully, our nation can get over these challenges and will improve it's current situation for the betterment of our country and our lives specifically. This we could achieve maybe if we all unite and set aside our own individual differences and interests by acting as a one nation and participating in any programs that will help alleviate our social, political, and economic status.

Let us get rid of our own moral and immoral acts and actuations that makes as a ravaging cancer to our helpless society and nation. Forsake our own selfishness and jealousies and work hand in hand for the welfare and betterment of everybody and everyone as well as the whole world. Then we could achieve a lasting peace, great success, and continuous progress globally and locally.

There's always a solution to every problems if we all unite as one in every endeavour. If there is a will there is always a way, as an old adage say.

Noynoy's Candidacy Confirmed

I was off yesterday and stayed home all day. I did my laundry and do some household chores dusting off furnitures and tidying up my closet. I also had time to cook and clean up my car. It was a busy day for me yesterday.

I was supposed to be available for work yesterday but after I woke up at 11 am yesterday I called my supervisor if she needed me to come to work that night, but she told me that the unit was slow and that we only have six patients, so that means that they don't need me.

So instead, I planned to stay home and do some domestic work. I was so busy doing one job at a time and when I'm done it was late in the afternoon so I took a warm shower and started to open the television to listen for the afternoon news.

I set the channel on The Filipino Channel (TFC) and there I saw on the screen that they were covering Noynoy Aquino's acceptance speech for running the Philippine presidency under the Liberal Party in 2010.

The room where the annoucement was held was filled with excitement and happy faces. The Liberal Party members were all there and was very happy and satisfied about Noynoy's announcement. They celebrated with pride because Noynoy finalized his decision to carry the party's banner for the coming presidential election.

Senator Benigno S. Aquino III a.k.a. "Noynoy" is the only boy of the late former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino who really worked and fought hard to have our country achieved a decent democracy. And his family was noted to have a lot of influence in every Filipino lives.

Noynoy wasn't motivated to run the presidency at first not until when his mom died when a lot of people asked, begged, seeked, and evoked him to accept the candidacy because of the current situation of the country and because of a lot of reasons.

As I was listening to his speech I can feel how he feels the pains of our countrymen for the current administration. If not for his mom's death he wouldn't see the light and courage to run for presidency and willingly helped his countrymen by accepting the position. He just wants to continue his family's truthful and peaceful legacy and wants our country to be better.

Well in fact before, he did not have an aspiration to run for the position. If not for Senator Mar Roxas who was supposed to be the prospected Liberal Party candidate for presidency, who humbly stepped down two weeks ago, just to gave way for Noynoy to ascend to the position, Noynoy wouldn't have the courage and bravado to accept the candicacy. It was a brave decision though for Senator Mar Roxas, who might be officially proclaimed as Noynoy's running mate. What a perfect tandem.

In his speech, he spend a lot of time in his one week retreat at the Carmelite nunnery in Zamboanga, trying to consider and reconsider a lot of things and reasons why he will run for the presidency and one of the reasons he pinpointed out was to continue his mom's legacy in upholding peace and democracy for our country.

During the acceptance celebration all his sisters were there signifying that they are all intact and supportive in their brother's decision. A lot of the Liberal Party members were there, too, to support him for his political aspirations. Senator Mar Roxas was there, too, to give him moral support. And all the people gathered there were so excited and happy about the good news he brought to the party.

In recollection, I was there in the Philippines when Tita Cory died. And I know how people went out and say goodbye to the mother of Philippine democracy. I saw the outpouring of support and emotions on the television and how the people wanted and requested Noynoy to run for the 2010 elections. I can see it in the television when I was there.

I can also see Noynoy's hesitance at first and now I was so happy that he accepted it graciously asking the Filipino people to just wait after they mourn for his mom's death. Then after the 40th day of mourning, here he is willingly accepting the position after his one week retreat to think about this very important decision.

So it is official that Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr. will be the standard bearer of the Liberal Party for the presidency and yet to confirm Senator Mar Roxas for the vice-presidency.

And for sure the people were very very happy and contented about this acceptance for they seek it and hope they will not abandon Noynoy instead will go out there and campaign for him in order to support him for his political aspirations as well as continue Tita Cory's legacy. I myself is also excited about this. Hehehe.

Go Noynoy go! You are my candidate for the 2010 Presidential election and I will campaign for you eventhough I can't vote there but I will tell my family to vote for you. And thank you for humbly accepting the position.

Good luck to you and your party.

It's That Time Again

Sigh...... (a very deep one).

Well, it's September again. And it's time to renew all my credentials. Every two years I have to renew all my paperworks and credentials at work.

I just had an annual evaluation last month and my Supervisor just handed me the copy of the said evaluation. It seems that I was qualified for a raise this year and I was happy for the trust and confidence my employer gave me.

For me, I think I really deserve this trust and confidence, after working at my company for the full seven solid years. My good nursing work ethics also helped in ameliorating my job and accelerating my nursing ladder.

But in order to continue my work spontaneously I have to renew some of my credentials. For this month I have to renew my Certification for Pediatric Nursing (CPN). I took this exam in 2005 and successfully passed it with flying colors. And now I have to renew it every two years by accumulating thirty continuing education units (CEUs).

CPN was an objective, measurable way of determining a nurse's competency that attests to the achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation. It can enhance career mobilty, elevate the professional practice and standards for pediatric nursing practice, recognize nurse's special knowledge by employers, consumers, and colleagues, provide national certification credentials to state licensing bodies and employers, and help increase nurse's compensation.

Research has shown that nurses who are certified in their profession received several rewards such as personal growth; recognition; increased autonomy; empowerment; career advancement; increased marketability, higher self-esteem; enhanced collaboration; and financial reimbursements.

This certification was the highlight of my fifteen years Pediatric nursing practice. It proved my professional growth and expertise in working for long years of practicing pediatric nursing as my chosen career field. It stamped my pediatric nursing practice, experience, and skills as my official nursing practice field. As if it is the pinnacle of my nursing practice and career.

In order to complete my CEUs I have to subscribe for a Pediatric Nursing catalogue and choose some topics related to my Pediatric nursing practice. My skeds right now were so hectic because I have to devote four hours daily for reading all this pediatric nursing topics and answer the questionnaires and evaluations.

So that means that I have to set aside my love of reading paperback books and devote my precious time reading and accumulating my continuing education units until I can be ready to renew all my credentials.

This September I have to also renew my Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) card. This is also one of my requirement in order to maintain continuity in my work. This card indicates that I am always be qualified to respond to any Pediatric emergencies. And it means reading and reviewing again the PALS manual and the skills until my class starts on the 23rd and 24th of September. Then the card will be handed out after I successfully passed the exam at the end of the second day skills lab.

On Monday I have to attend a class for wound management. This one is an optional class but I opted to take it because I really felt that I needed it in my clinical rounds and exposures with the students in school. This is only a one day class and is not really included in the renewal of my credentials but can add more CEUs for my nuring license renewal.

Recently, I just took the Hospital's Annual Skills Fair and I have to do it online at the hospital. They posted and discussed several topics from Ergonomics, HIPAA, Bioterrorism, Child and Domestic Abuse, Patient's Improvements and Satisfaction, Infection Control, Bioethics and Engineering, Fire Safety, etc. And then I have to take the test after each topic. Fortunately, I passed the exams but the reading took a lot of my time.

Also I scheduled myself for a two-day breastfeeding management class next month which is a mandatory class for all Pediatric and Couplet Care Nurses. My Supervisor scheduled me for October 16th and November 2nd class so I have to open and read a very thick module about breastfeeding management.

Also in October my Registered Nurse License Card will expire so I have to renew it. This one is the most important card to be renewed because without it I couldn't practice my nursing profession.

But I have to complete a thirty continuing education units (CEU's) before renewing it. So it is timely, because I just have read some education units right now in renewing my Pediatric Nursing Certification (CPN). At least I don't have to read another catalogue and pay extra money for it but saved my money instead.

My profession is not an easy job at all. In order to be current, I have to constantly read a lot and continuously learn everyday. And for me, everyday is always a learning process and I never dare to stop and cease learning. I have to improve more on my skills and accumulate more raw knowledge. In that my company will trust me more on my nursing experiences as well as my patients and clients will have confidence on my nursing expertise .

Well, I have so much to do in the coming days and months. So maybe, I have to do it one at a time. For now, I have to take care of this first then I will celebrate later on and do whatever I like when everything was been taken cared of.

I really loved my job and my patients. I was called to do this calling of taking care sick people and to that I will do everything I can in my power to protect my profession.

Thank you very much for your trust and love as well as your confidence for me.

Post Labor Day Observations

Every first Monday of September we celebrate Labor Day. It heralds the start of Fall Season and the end of Summer.

People were in a rush to savor the last days of Summer by going outdoors spending time with their family and friends. Some goes out camping or picnicking outside.

Some were just enjoying staying outside their backyard having barbecue and drink ice-cold beer with their family. Some goes to the beach and enjoy the warm waters as well as surfing on the big waves caused by the warm Summer breeze.

Some goes out shopping for the post-Labor Day sale. Some malls send out fliers and catalogues one week early for the sale. Some malls marked down their items to even fifty percent of the original price for post-Labor Day sale for some Fall wardrobes in preparation for the Fall Season.

During Labor Day you can see some appliances being marked down even until half the price. It is really good to buy some gadgets on Labor Day because of the enormous discounted prices.

It was a custom here in the States that during post-Labor Day it is a big no no to wear white clothes and apparel.

I don't know how this came about but I still can remember when I came over here in United States, I was cited by some elderly retirees when I was still living in McAllen,TX long time ago, when I wore a dainty white immaculate shoes past Labor Day.

Here in America it is not a proper etiquette to wear whites after Labor Day but only after Easter Day. The reason for it, I don't know, but may be because of the weather. They were saying that during Fall and Winter Season it is better to wear earthen and darker colored clothes and apparel because of the gloomy weather and rain.

It was good logic though, because if you live in New York and if it is always raining there everyday during Fall and Winter season it would be inapproriate to wear white because it will get caught up with the mud and dirt. Whereas, wearing dark colors will cover it up.

Whites are being worn only here during Spring and Summer Days because of the warm weather. White clothes can absorb the Summer heat well. Light colors are being required to wear during hot weather.

Well, some people and fashionistas tend to repel this notion. I heard and read that Coco Chanel included white colors in her Fall wardrobes fashion shows in the 70's. Even GAP and Banana Republic included white colored wardrobes on their recent Fall collections.

Well as for me, I did nothing on Labor Day. I only went to the Hollywood Hills to feel the last heat of Summer for a while. I was supposed to go with my cousins on a camping trip but I bailed out because I was so tired from working the previous nights. So I did not have any agenda at all during Labor Day. And I am working a day after that so I cannot even enjoy an ice-cold beer and barbecue with my friends.

As Fall season is being felt in the air, I observed some malls and grocery stores adorned with Halloween decorations. I noticed some spooky and horrific decorations around the corner which really marked the coming of the Halloween Season.

Fall season also is the time for Fall Television season. Television stations will start their Fall season shows for air time. And time for me to watch my favorite TV shows such as my favorite show Fringe, Grey's Anatomy, Two and A Half Men, Vampire Diaries, Samantha, The Big Bang Theory, Accidentally On Purpose, L.A. NCIS, Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Weeds, Supernatural, Smallville, The Office, Dexter, Nurse Jane, Project Runway, American Next Top Model, How I Met Your Mom, So You Think You Can Dance, Merlin, Dancing With the Stars, True Blood, CSI Series, Law and Order, etc .

And it's also time for Fall Season movie releases which will be the time for selecting nominations for the annual Oscar's Academy event. I can't wait to see and watch the movie releases. For sure, I will watch some good ones.

As the Labor Day goes, a lot of events follows. There's Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day, Superbowl, and Oscar's Celebration. Fall and Winter time is loaded with a lot of family togertherness and gatherings.

It's time to take out all those Fall wardrobes. It's time to wear those sweaters and jackets for Fall season. Thermals, boots, jackets, trench coats, gloves, and bonnets for Winter season.

Aaah..... couldn't wait to wear my sweaters and jackets. Can't wait what to expect this post-Labor Day and the incoming Fall Season. Hopefully, it will be a good one.

Baby Jane Doe #31

Well, it was Labor Day yesterday and I have to work that night. It sucks because instead of staying home and have an ice-cold beer I have to get up early and ready myself for the night's work.

When I arrived at work I was told that it was my turn to get floated. Our unit has only six patients plus one coming for admission, so technically we only needed two staff nurses. There were three of us scheduled so I ended up getting tossed up to Newborn Nursery in 8 East floor.

It was been a long time that I haven't been to Newborn Nursery. I think the last time I got floated there was been this last Spring. Since our census peaked after Spring I got the chance to enjoy plotting my overtime and never been floated not until now.

Now that Summer was over, our Pediatric census markedly plunged down to accomodate only two staff nurses per schedule. I was unfortunate to get floated today.

Having floated to Newborn Nursery was another plus or advantage for me. I never complained going there because I liked normal newborn babies. I'm not boasting but with my experience in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, I can say that normal Newborn Nursery add up to my nursing qualifications.

Working in Newborn Nursery is fun and challenging. I got to assess normal newborn babies, do the Dubowitz assessment or Ballard's assessment, draw labs for septic babies, gave them their initial bath, got to bottlefeed them when they're hungry, and change their diaper when they get wet. I love working there all the time.

When I get to the Nursery my partner was apparently getting report from the off-going morning nurses. I just quietly joined them and intently listened to the endorsement process. We have four boarders and one of them is a hyperbili-baby.

The three were just feeders and the bili-baby was been under double bili-light. I took the hyperbili-baby and Baby Jane Doe #31.

Baby Jane Doe #31 was an abandoned baby being left by her mother at the Emergency Room. Because of confidentiality issues the baby was named as Jane Doe #31 and she is the 31st abandoned baby in our hospital this year of 2009 hence the number 31.

See how many abandoned babies were being admitted in our hospital alone? How much more around Los Angeles? the whole United States? and even the whole world.?

Even us nurses were prohibited to know the mother's whereabouts as per hospital policy. We just have to conform or rely with the information given to us by the chart and the Social Worker, albeit the mom's information was still unknown to us.

Our hospital, being a safe haven for abandoned babies utilized it's Social Service Department to protect the baby's right to live by coordinating with Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to look for potential foster parents for these abandoned children until they can find a qualified adoptive parents who are willing to take care of the baby.

I assessed Baby Jane Doe #31 and did her vital signs. I then changed her wet diaper and prepared to feed her. She was a very quiet baby, not fussing a lot and eats well. I mean she is a very good baby and not giving me any hard time at all when I am taking care of her.

I also noticed that she is a very pretty baby with rosey-cheeks, curved long eyelashes, pink-red pouty lips, and appropriate and proportionate button-high-nose. She is a very very beautiful baby. I just can't stop holding and pampering her as if I want to take her home.

If given a chance I want to adopt her, but because of paperwork and status issues it would be impossible for me to have her adopted. At least I enjoyed every precious moments I spend with her. I even took a picture of her on my iPhone but because of confidentiality issues I am prohibited and can't post it here, or else I will be in trouble.

I got to feed her every three hours and she just sleeps and eats well without making any trouble and fuss at all. I really liked taking care of her and holding her on my caring arms.

Whereas, my hyperbili-baby was always hungry and irritable inside his isolette. So I have to spend more time for him rather than Baby Jane Doe #31.

I also admitted two newly delivered babies from Labor and Delivery, assessed them, did the Ballards or Dubowitz and bathed them when they were warm enough under the radiant warmer. It was just easy for me to do this routine admission because I already mastered the rigors of newborn admission and assessment every time I get floated here.

The Dubowitz was kind of tricky sometimes but I usually got the gestational age right. My perseverance to really learn it was been paid off. Practice really makes it perfect. Now I can do the Dubowitz even if I close my eyes intentionally. It's always a challenge for me to do it and most of the time I got it right.

Then at 11 pm, the unit was so slow and there were no more deliveries pending or waiting in Labor and Delivery. So the charge nurse and the floor supervisor decided to flex somebody so I volunteered to go home.

At least I put up an ample four hours work and I'll just get it back if they call me for overtime on Wednesday because I put myself available for overtime.

After I'm done with  my general assessment for both my boarder patients I sadly bade goodbye to little Baby Jane Doe #31. I will surely missed her. I hope she will be okay and that the DCFS and Hospital Social Services can find her a good and more qualified foster parent as well as an adoptive parents. I will pray for her safety and good fate.

I left the hospital ten minutes after eleven and headed to the parking lot. While driving home I was happily smiling because now I can have an ice-cold beer to celebrate Labor Day eventhough it is already late. Well better late than never.

I passed by the nearby liquor store near my house and can't wait to drink my late Labor Day ice-cold beer, while watching my "Teleserye". Aaah.... it was indeed a good night for me.