Today has got to be one of the most awesome days I’ve had in a while. I got to experience a birth today during my clinical. It was freaking awesome…One of God’s most awesome creations!!! I can’t even explain it. I am very thankful to that family for letting me stay and help out today. Usually, couples are reluctant to let a student nurse, even worse, a MALE student nurse help out. I’m not sure if I already said this, but the first time I got placed in a labor and delivery room I got kicked out cuz the woman had a really long night without her epidural and wasn’t in very good shape when I got there! Totally understandable…But I was very fortunate today. I watched from the beginning all the way to the end. That includes the rupture of her water, to her initial pushing, to the crowning of the baby’s head, to the delivery of the baby, to the delivery of the placenta, cutting of the cord, handing baby to mom and dad, and performing assessments on baby!!! AWESOME!!! It may not seem that exciting but I guess you’ll only feel the way I do when you experience it for yourself…There’s nothing more beautiful than watching mom work so hard to bring God’s creation into the world!

Anyway…According to Dee, I am going through a quarter life crisis! WTF…she thinks I am cuz I just recently bought a skateboard to mess around with…I used to skate when I was younger and ever since I was in Irvine I’ve always wanted to pick up a board at Active, but never did. Low and behold I bought one and started skating again! Haha…Almost ate it last week going down a hill…Board was wobbling pretty bad and I had to get off. But I was going so fast that I almost couldn’t keep up with my own running! Thought I was going to eat the floor! But I didn’t so HAH!!! Freaking Dee was laughing her head off though! SUCKA!

Oh yea…I think I got stuck in the shoe game again!!! NOT NOT GOOD!!! Too many shoes are coming out and I keep wanting to buy more…Not good! I’ll post again pretty soon with some photos of the latest pick-ups…

PEAS

SUFFOCATION

Do you ever feel suffocated?

I think everyone in this world at some point in their lives experience suffocation. I'm not talking about lacking the oxygen to breathe, to sustain life, but suffocated by the everyday things in our world. Even the strongest of the strong, the wisest of the wise get suffocated. Sometimes, I think that we all get sucked into our everyday habits and rituals that we forget to breath, take the time to ourselves to meditate, to reflect, and to enjoy the company of the self. I just learned that there is definitely nothing detrimental with that! In fact it's healthy for our well being!

When was the last time you felt suffocated? When was the last time you "Breathed" on your own? If you haven't, DO IT!

Just taking a little break from studying...Don't have much time...But I think I need a little break to get my mind off things...

Things are moving really fast now-a-days...Theory classes are almost over for the summer although I still have clinicals. I am doing to rotations right now: 1) Pediatrics 2) Maternity...

All I can say is that both of these rotations are not for me...First of all it's hard to work with pediatrics. I love working with them, but sometimes it gets really difficult working with moms and dads. They get pretty involved with care that sometimes it can alter the way you provide your care. But honestly, that's understandable! When I become a daddy (God willing), I'm sure I'll be as heavily involved in my child's care as I see parents at my clinical. Secondly, MATERNITY!...hmmm...WOW...Labor and delivery, antepartum (before labor), intrapartum (labor), postpartum (after labor), Well-baby nursery, Neonatal ICU....Just so much...Too specialized. Let me add....I'm the only guy on the floor!!! That includes nurses, MDs, or any other staff and this is at UCSF!!! haha...it can get uncomfortable at times and I sometimes think new dads are uncomfortable seeing me in the room! But you know what! I'm just trying to do my job. I have been fortunate though to have worked with awesome dads who are open for help!!! Praise God...

Anyway...I wanted to take the time to congratulate the new grads of UC Irvine! I apologize for not being able to come! Things are really crazy up here and there was just not enough time to go down...It's sooooo bad that I won't even be able to make it to my sister's baby shower!!!! SUCKS! But Dee is going to be representing us! THANKS babe!!! It really sucks cuz I have finals at that time (2 of them). I really wanted to be there cuz it's going to be the first apo (grandson) and nephew for our family!!! EXCITING! Ate, I'll be praying for you! I love you and I am really excited for you and Tan!

I miss my mom and dad! I try to call them as much as I could, but there are just those days where I don't have time (studying, stressing, sleepy, tired, clinicals, class). I love you guys and I hope to see you two soon!!! August? Maybe?

Alrighty ya'll...I pray and hope that you are all doing well and that life is treating you right! Irvine peeps, I can't wait until you all come up!!! HURRY!!!

Oh yeah, Please Please Please, pray for the reposed soul of my unborn cousin who passed two Sundays ago at 7 weeks of gestation! God All Mighty have mercy on his/her soul!!! AMEN! Ate Annie and Dave...I'll be praying for you and Madison!

PEAS

FINALS

Please pray for me...I'll be taking a final tomorrow morning and on Tuesday of next week...After these sets I'll have about 6 months left until I take my NCLEX board exam!!! Times are flying by...

Hope everyone is doing well!!! Miss everyone from the OC and LA!!! Will see you all soon! Take care and God bless you all!

PRAYER

God definitely has plans greater than our own...Sometimes, we are ready to accept the fact that God has something far greater, but I think the majority of the time we are taken by surprise, not because of the actual event that God set forth, but because of our own thoughts that we are in control and we are proven wrong!

The reason why I am writing today, is to ask for your special prayers for Dee's Grandma and family. Last night Dee's grandma passed away...She was a strong, loving, inspiring 90 year old great-grandma, grandma, mother and friend.

It definitely is a surprise to everyone because she was a very strong person, with such determination to get well. She said one day "If God wills it, I will live for a longer time!!!" Praise God for her willingness to leave it in His hands.

As a reminder: The Lord does not take anything away from us rather, He allows us to experience His creations, to embrace and appreciate them, to learn, to grow, and to use His creations as outlets to see His LOVE and GRACES. Dee's grandma was a true reflection of GOD's LOVE and GRACE...and over the many years of her life she has brought hope, inspiration and love to her family and friends (one of Jesus' teachings...AMEN? - AMEN) So let's remember that the Lord has only taken back only what He has created! One day we too will be in the Kingdom of our God, rejoicing in His Goodness! Let's pray for one another and please pray espcially for Dee's grandma and family!

AMEN...+BIL

Update

Over the past semester, I had the opportunity to coach an 8th grade girls basketball team...It's actually Dee's younger cousin's team...Anyway...It was a roller coaster! Girls are very different from boys, well, at least this group of girls...When I was growing up, basketball was my life...Day in, Day out, I played basketball. I never missed practice, games, open-gyms, tournaments, and any other times I had the opportunity to shoot around or just dribble a basketball...Out of the 7 girls, only 2 of them came to practice and games consistently...From my basketball background, I assumed that anyone who was in a team, cared about being on a team and cared about PRACTICING and PLAYING in games. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for this team. When I showed up to the first practice I explained to them that basketball is not all about WINNING...I don't think they ever understood that. To me basketball is a sport that builds character. And I tried my very best to explain that to them. All they cared about was missing practice, messing around at practice if they did show up, and playing in games, WANTING to WIN every game. To me that doesn't add up...And when we lost games (4 total) you could see the disappointment in their faces. ????? Anyway...when we lost our second game, the other coach and I sat them down and asked them what they wanted to get out of playing on this team...Overall, they wanted to WIN... IS that possible?

From that day, the girsl changed...They started to trust me and the other coach a lot more, and for some reason, they had the mindframe of learning to play the game. See, according to Dee, these girls never had a coach that ever cared about them learning to play the game of basketball. When I was asked to help out, I didn't hesitate and my primary goal was to teach them how to PLAY!!! NOT TO WIN...TO PLAY!!! See there's a big difference. I wanted them to IMPROVE, to LEARN how to work together as a team and to build CHARACTER...I'm not sure if they ever reached the optimum level, but they did come a long way...We ended up winning the North Division Championship! The first time these girls ever made it to a championship basketball game. Check this out...because we were the North Division Champs we had the opportunity to play in the NORTH/SOUTH Championship! (keep in mind these are PRIVATE school teams. PUBLIC school is very much different) So this was THE game to be in...Unfortunately, we lost, to the school that Dee works at...haha...how ironic! Anyway, all I have to say is that I am really proud of these girls...In the last two games, they showed me and the other coach, how teamwork, dedication, and leadership can make a basketball team successful!!!

PAPERS

I really hate writing papers. Seriously, I hate writing papers. It's probably because I really suck at it!!! It takes me forever to write a paper. You know what the suckiest thing is...All my grad courses are based only on papers and presentations!!!! CRAP!!! Presentations no problem...Papers = BIG PROBLEM... DANG...PRAY for me, pray that I have increased perfusion!!!! haha...PEAS

Good luck during finals IRVINE peeps!!!

God bless!!!

“The test of courage comes when we are the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.” – Ralph Sockman

Dee read this to me this morning while we were driving and for some reason it really stuck with me throughout the day. Two sentences with such profoundness! When I first heard it, I don’t think I fully understood the true meaning that lay behind those few words. So I looked up two key words to help me understand the sentences a little more 1) Courage and 2) Tolerance.

Courage - the ability to confront fear in the face of pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.

Tolerance - a social, cultural and religious term applied to the collective and individual practice of not persecuting those who may believe, behave or act in ways of which one may not approve.

I don’t know about you, but I never really took the time to think about the depth of those two words before. I mean, these words are used so often in our everyday language, yet we don’t really take the time to fully embrace their meanings.

During the Lenten season we are called upon by Jesus to PRAY, SACRIFICE and UNITE with HIM for 40 days. In these 40 days we are to, as I understood it from Father’s Homily, take the time to be alone in PRAYER with the LORD our GOD. For some, taking the time out of their busy schedules to be with God is as routine as it can be. Yet for the others it’s a struggle! I would have to say that I’m one of those who struggle to take the time to be with God, alone in prayer. I believe that God calls us (the minority) to build up the courage to journey with Him in this Lenten season. I say “the minority” because I really believe that the amount of people who do build up the courage to journey with him is but a mere few. As I see it, when we do build up the courage to journey with Him as individuals we become a UNITED Church!!! A Church that is of FAITH and LOVE! And when we have those two weapons (FAITH and LOVE) we become a strong force. AMEN? AMEN!!! BUT...what happens when we become that strong force??? What happens when we become the majority! I truly believe that when there is a majority there is always an opposing force that wants to destroy and become that majority! So what do we as a Church do to prevent the collapse of our Unity? I don’t think I have the amount of knowledge to say what we should be doing, but the one thing that I know that can NEVER be wrong is to…PRAY and believe in our LORD. So let’s continue to TRY and SACRIFICE a bit of ourselves to be with our LORD our God during this Lenten season!

AMEN!!!

DARNIT

After reading Dee's post, I found some motivation to finally blog after a whole month. BUT because blogger sucks and of my own stupid faults I lost approximately 30 minutes worth of entry!!! This is the first time, in a long time that this happened. DAMN!!! I was on a roll!

Let me try to recapture some of the highlights of the LOST post!!!

Has anyone been having difficulty staying focused during Mass? I mean, I try really hard to stay focused and attentive to the readings, especially the Gospel, and the Homily. But I find myself thinking about school, what I need to get done, what I'm not getting done, grades, exams, family, friends, my career and so on...Maybe I'm trying TOO HARD!!! Trying too hard to stay focused instead of keeping things as simple as they can be. I try to remind myself that the time in mass is of spiritual development. A time to establish a connection with God in His most Holy Church! A communion with Jesus through the Eucharist! Do you all remember the saying "use it or lose it"? Well as I'm writing, I can't help but feel that way in terms of my spritual journey. I've regressed back to the LIFESTYLE of just going to mass to be at mass and not LIVING the faith DAILY! God has blessed us so greatly with Daily Mass yet, I fail to participate yet alone consider it! WHY? Again, like I said...a LIFESTYLE...I pray that some time soon, in God's time that I will progress into a LIFESTYLE that is of Jesus! A lifestyle of TESTIMONY! I think one of the things that really keeps me grounded and hopeful is when AO1 prepares for gigs. It really brings me back to that so called lost lifestyle. Music (Praise) is probably one of the only things that really gets me to think about living a life completely for Jesus because for some reason I am immersed in the lyrics, the sounds, and the voices. I know that this isn't the only thing that should keep me grounded, but I guess a little something is better than NONE!

Anyway...LENT!?! Just want to let all the fellaz know that I'm hanging in there and trying to keep myself disciplined. I know you guys are thinking that I'm probably going to be one of the first ones to fall, but you all need to think again? By the way, has anyone given in to temptation yet? haha...

Before I go to sleep, I just wanted to share this quote that I came across during a study break...

"If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." - Mother Teresa...

Moving on...

Yesterday was really exciting. I've been practicing IV insertions for about a week now and have been really nervous about the test. Yesterday I took my test and I FREAKIN' PASSED baby!!!! Hopefully I'll get the opportunity tomorrow to insert one into my client...Damn...feels like I'm finally becoming a nurse!!! haha...Don't have to wipe as much a** anymore...sooooo glad!!! haha...

Things have been pretty good up here! School has been keeping me really busy and stressed...Nothing new! Anyway, I just realized that in about 11 months I am going to have to take the NCLEX (Nursing board exam) to become an official nurse. It's going to come by so fast. I hope and pray that I will be prepared to care for others effectively!!! I really do... The reason why I say that is because I see way too many nurses on the floor being lazy, not checking in on their clients and messing around with their co-workers. I understand that it is important to have fun, but they are crossing the fine line between caring for themselves and caring for their clients.

Anyway, I'll be in So Cal this weekend celebrating with many for Chris and Tricia's wedding! I pray that the Lord will bless them and their families in this awesome union! Congrats Chris and Tricia!

Oh yeah, Happy 2nd year Anniversary Ate and Tan! Wish I could be there to celebrate with you guys, mom, dad, Elisha and Tim! I'll see you this weekend anyway!!! We could celebrate then!

Photos

2002 LOG crew

on da way to sandeezy

da ladies lanterns of Hastings Ranch
Future Nurses of America (I'm definitely the minority - male and filipino)
The old crew
St. Ignatius Church on a clear night

Sorry blog for neglecting you so...

Anyway, the famous event that inspired me to write tonight is an odd, disgusting, but funny one. Dee's grandpa has been sick for some time now and at about 12:15 tonight he had another episode of productive couging and this time I went to go help him out. I got him a napkin so that he could wipe his nose and mouth and helped him in the bathroom one more time to spit in a napkin. Me and Dee give him his medications and we go back into DEE's room...ALL is good. I'm sitting down watching T.V., while Dee was catching up on current events from our fellow bloggers and xangers. ALL of a sudden I felt some gooey stuff on my right knee with my right pointer finger. I look at it and I say "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ON MY FINGER, IS THIS YOUR PAPAS SNOT ON MY FINGER?" Dee looks at me and she says "DUDE YOU HAVE SOME SH*T ON YOUR NOSE" I go to the bathroom and sure enough there is Dee's Papa's SNOT on my nose and finger...quick, quick, quick...WASH IT OFF!!!! What a night!

While I'm at it I'll give a brief update. Me and Dee came back to the Bay Area on Tuesday morning approximately 2:00 am and it's nice to be back here to relax and prepare for school. We haven't been doing much in these past couple of days but have managed to NOT kill each other, YET!

On Wednesday night I held basketball practice for the team and guess how many girls showed up? Let me add that I only have 7 girls total for the team... NOT 7, NOT 6, NOT 5, NOT 4, NOT 3, BUT 2. I had 2 girls show up for practice. Terrible!!! When I was going to grade school we never missed practice cuz we were so excited to play basketball. And if we didn't show up we wouldn't play in the game. Unfortunately, that option of benching the girls for missed practices is out of the question. WHY? Cuz I only have 7 girls to play anyway. So me and Dee have been thinking of other ways to either punish or as Dee would put it "POSITIVELY REINFORCE" the girls to come to practice. We'll see what happens...Isn't that so DEE to say that???

Hmmm...what else...? Oh yea...Since we've gotten back from So Cal Dee and I have been running everyday in hopes of getting in shape. A LOT to do my friends, A LOT!!! Last night we decided to skip out on working out at the Koret Facility at USF and run around Gellert Park. I love running outside and I thought it would be nice to do so. We step out of Dee's house and DAMN...IT'S freaking freazing up here. We ran for about 45 minutes and damn we could not feel our faces when we finished. Next time, I may need to wear sweat pants and thermals...You know, those tight white things...haha...I always thought those things looked funny!

Anyway...I just wanted to thank all the 'Vine peeps for hanging out while I was in So Cal...Good times my friends, Good times...SOME RECAPS...

- Failed GUPPIES run!

- AlbertoTacos...haha...echoing FARTS

- AO1 practice...New songs for up coming Gig ROCK!!!

- Meechy's CAKE...damn GOOD!!!

- Getting hit in the NUTZ with an egg by SHELBY...at least we WON!!!

- LOG meeting!!! Blowing up ya'll...

- Lee's Sandwiches with the youngins

- Learning new songs from ANG!!! Won't forget your STIGMATIZED face!!!

- Kirs...quit leaving it in the car!

- Noreen and Mike....CONGRATS!!!!!

- Ride to SanDeezy!

- Chris and Tricia...CONGRATS!!!!!

- Talks with the HOMIES! that sounds fruity! I mean..."cathcing up with the homies"

- Myspace searching at Madrona

- The little monsters of SHAWshank

Peas out ya'll!!! Take care and may God's Graces be upon you this new year!!!

INSPIRATION

This is a bit long, but please take the time to read it. It's quite inspirational!!!

By Alfred Yuson

The Philippine Star 05/16/2004

Patricia Evangelista, a 19-year- old, Mass Communications sophomore of University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, did the country proud Friday night by besting 59 other student contestants from 37 countries in the 2004 International Public Speaking competition conducted by the English Speaking Union (ESU) in London.

She triumphed over a field of exactly 60 speakers from all over the English-speaking world, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, reported Maranan.

The board of judges' decision was unanimous, according to contest chairman Brian Hanharan of the British broadcasting Corp. (BBC).

PATRICIA'S SHORT SPEECH WORTH READING....

BLONDE AND BLUE EYES

When I was little, I wanted what many Filipino children all over the country wanted. I wanted to be blond, blue-eyed, and white. I thought -- if I just wished hard enough and was good enough, I'd wake upon Christmas morning with snow outside my window and freckles across my nose!

More than four centuries under western domination does that to you. I have sixteen cousins. In a couple of years, there will just be five of us left in the Philippines, the rest will have gone abroad in search of "greener pastures." It's not just an anomaly; it's a trend; the Filipino diaspora. Today, about eight million Filipinos are scattered around the world.

There are those who disapprove of Filipinos who choose to leave. I used to. Maybe this is a natural reaction of someone who was left behind, smiling for family pictures that get emptier with each succeeding year. Desertion, I called it. My country is a land that has perpetually fought for the freedom to be itself. Our heroes offered their lives in the struggle against the Spanish, the Japanese, the Americans. To pack up and deny that identity is tantamount to spitting on that sacrifice.

Or is it? I don't think so, not anymore. True, there is no denying this phenomenon, aided by the fact that what was once the other side of the world is now a twelve-hour plane ride away. But this is a borderless world, where no individual can claim to be purely from where he is now. My mother is of Chinese descent, my father is a quarter Spanish, and I call myself a pure Filipino-a hybrid of sorts resulting from a combination of cultures.

Each square mile anywhere in the world is made up of people of different ethnicities, with national identities and individual personalities. Because of this, each square mile is already a microcosm of the world. In as much as this blessed spot that is England is the world, so is my neighborhood back home.

Seen this way, the Filipino Diaspora, or any sort of dispersal of populations, is not as ominous as so many claim. It must be understood. I come from a Third World country, one that is still trying mightily to get back on its feet after many years of dictatorship. But we shall make it, given more time. Especially now, when we have thousands of eager young minds who graduate from college every year. They have skills. They need jobs. We cannot absorb them all.

A borderless world presents a bigger opportunity, yet one that is not so much abandonment but an extension of identity. Even as we take, we give back. We are the 40,000 skilled nurses who support the UK's National Health Service. We are the quarter-of-a-million seafarers manning most of the world's commercial ships. We are your software engineers in Ireland, your construction workers in the Middle East, your doctors and caregivers in North America, and, your musical artists in London's West End.

Nationalism isn't bound by time or place. People from other nations migrate to create new nations, yet still remain essentially who they are. British society is itself an example of a multi-cultural nation, a melting pot of races, religions, arts and cultures. We are, indeed, in a borderless world!

Leaving sometimes isn't a matter of choice. It's coming back that is. The Hobbits of the Shire travelled all over Middle-Earth, but they chose to come home, richer in every sense of the word. We call people like these balikbayans or the 'returnees' -- those who followed their dream, yet choose to return and share their mature talents and good fortune.

In a few years, I may take advantage of whatever opportunities come my way. But I will come home. A borderless world doesn't preclude the idea of a home. I'm a Filipino, and I'll always be one. It isn't about just geography; it isn't about boundaries. It's about giving back to the country that shaped me.

And that's going to be more important to me than seeing snow outside my windows on a bright Christmas morning.

Mabuhay and Thank you.

Home Sweet Home

Finally arrived from the long 6 hour drive...Wasn't too bad of drive however...Didn't get sleepy this time around. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to leave today because it has been storming like crazy in the Bay Area. REAL STORMS my Southern California friends...If you've never been to the Bay Area when it storms then you haven't really experienced a storm. And when it rains, it rains for DAYS, unlike here in So. Cal were it rains for 5 minutes and we say "Damn, that freaking storm!!!"

Driving into the city of Rosemead was a bit weird to me...I haven't been home in several months, which is probably the longest I've been away from my family. I am really looking forward to spending time with my family...I think I'm going to realize this time around how special CHRISTmas is going to be...Damn...I think I am getting OLD!!! Getting all sentimental and crap!!! DAMN...haha...Anyway...Like I was saying...I have a feeling that this CHRISTmas is going to be really special. More specifically, I think it's going to be special for my Mom and Dad. All of their kids have left their house and are off doing their own grown-up things. Both of my sisters are now married and I'm up in the Bay Area for school. I sometimes wonder what my parents feel when they are at home. Happy? Being able to BE together...or SAD? Away from their children. And you know what...I don't think I'll ever know the truth. My family is not really big on expressing how we feel about each other. Pretty unfortunate. Unfortunate, at least for me because I find myself telling my friends that I miss and love them all the time. Isn't there something wrong with this picture? I pray that one day I'll be able to express to my family how much I love and miss them!!! Anyway...We'll all be together on CHRISTmas!!!

I am also excited to meet up with old HOMIES and catch up on things. It's been awhile since I've last kicked it with the Fellaz!!! I am going to try my best to enjoy every single moment!!! Everyone is starting to do their own thing...I wonder sometimes how it will be when I finish school and begin my career. Will I still keep in touch with friends? Will I lose friendships? Will I gain new ones that will be as special as the old ones? Who knows!!!

Anyway...Picked up my Winter vacation reading material...A Million Little Pieces by James Frey...This book has been getting really good reviews...I'll let you all know how it is!

Till then...

YES!!!

The day has finally come...FINALS are OVER!!! It has been a very long and difficult semester, but I got through it and now it's time for me to RELAX!!! No work, no school, no stress (hopefully), and NO MORE STUDYING!!!!!!!! I really can't emphasize that enough...Seriously, the brain can only hold so much information and when you reach that point, NUMBNESS!!! Last night when I was studying for my last final, I got to the point where I was studying for over an hour and retained NOTHING!!! One whole hour and I couldn't remember what I was studying!!! Anyway...

Approximately one year from now I will be taking my board exam to become an offical MALE NURSE...that's right...I am going to become (God willing), GREG FOCKER!!! haha... This program, like I've said before, is challenging, but dang...it is going pretty darn FAST...I've already completed 2 semesters and going on to finish my first year of nursing school...Still trying to get over the fact that I got accepted to such an awesome school...USF...

Before the Thanksgiving weekend, Dee and I had the opportunity to meet with Father Ricio (sp?) for the first time to begin our FAITH SHARING group! It was an awesome experience...Just me, Dee and Father. We each had the opportunity to share where we were at in our faith and for some reason I began to talk about how God provided me the opportunity to attend a Jesuit University. I've attended public school my entire life...I explained to them that attending the Jesuit University didn't feel anymore different than attending UCI or IVC (2 very great public schools) and that I still haven't figured out why God planned for me to be here. I'm still questioning and searching??? Dee sat down with me one day and explained to me how much USF has been such a wonderful gift to her...let me elaborate, according to Dee...

there is a beautiful church that you could go to anytime you want and pray in silence, the long history of USF, having a crucifix in every classroom, hearing the church bells ring every noon time and at 6pm, seeing Brothers, Fathers, and Sisters consistently on campus...and the list goes on...

Do I not see? Do I not hear? Am I seriously that BLIND and DEAF?

Don't get me wrong...I occassionaly go into the church and pray silently, I've heard people talk about the history and I've heard the bells ring throughout the day...UNFORTUNATELY, as Dee has stated it...I have not taken the time to APPRECIATE and REFLECT on these wonderful creations of GOD!!! I think that is what makes the difference...I think a lot of us know that God continually provides and presents us with His awesome creations and graces, BUT we simply ignore or forget to APPRECIATE them. We need to SLOW DOWN...take the time to pray, take the time to praise, and take the time to GIVE THANKS!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

"IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES"

Almost Done Pt. II

It's now down to the last couple of days before finals begin. I start this Saturday at 8:00 AM. I have never had a Saturday final in my life. It's a bit weird! Anyway...have to focus on one subject, one exam at a time...

I don't know about anyone else, but I really like being in school. Education is truly a gift and I don't think I could ever stop learning! When I was still working in Irvine, I really felt "uneducated". I did learn a few things here and there, but after a while, things became repetitive and ended up becoming a complete BORE!!! Being in school and having the opportunity to have an education is thought provoking and it really tests your ability to learn and willingness to learn. Maybe it's the field that I'm in...Honestly, there's so much to the nursing field...I'm just intrigued at the amount of knowledge seasoned nurses have. I pray that one day, in God's will, I will have the knowledge to provide the culturally congruent care that clients need and want!!!

...INVITATION...

"Don't FORCE the Lord into your life, rather INVITE Him into your life during this Advent Season"

I've been having a difficult time lately keeping the faith and living the life that He has called me to carry out. I continuously choose NOT to follow His ways. It has come to the point where I feel so distant and the feeling of warmth, comfort and peace is nowhere to be found. Yes there are times when I get the "feelings" of true happiness, yet are very inconsistent. What am I expecting and searching for? I guess I'm still at the level of my faith where I am seeking to find the "feelings" I used to experience in the "HOME" that embedded the seed of faith, love and hope. Unfortunately, those aren't the feelings of FAITH, LOVE, and HOPE...Living the FAITH is a lifelong journey of struggles and battles, LOVE is not a feeling, but an ACTION, a LIFESTYLE, and a CHOICE, and HOPE...the desire for FULFILLMENT of His LOVE and PEACE. All of these things are what we as Catholic Christians strive for and struggle with every single day of our lives. For some, conquering the battles and meeting the next is like clock-work, however, there are those who seem to be fighting the same battle over and over again and the progression to the next level is at a halt. That's where I'm at.

I understand that God continues to present opportunities for me to serve Him. I think one of my weaknesses is trying to control the "game" and the emotions that serve as the measurement of accomplishment and victory. I believe I am seeking and FORCING to find something that He does not want of me. I need to have a change in mentation, attitude and lifestyle, so that I could INVITE Him openly and willingly.

This past Sunday, Father said "What is the one thing that you will give back to the Lord this Advent season?" The answer is quite obvious, right? But, how many people LISTENED and HEARD the true meaning of what Father said and how many are acutally going to follow through? One...Two...Maybe three...I pray that I am one of those three!!! I desire to INVITE Him into my life, NOT just for this Advent season, but each and every day that He continues to GIVE us.

AMEN!

time to visit the OC

Today was quite an interesting day...

I started out the morning going to the hospital to pick my client that I would take care of tomorrow (Friday)...I wasn't sure who to pick so I asked the charge nurse who I should pick and right when I finished asking, I hear a patient yelling..."HELP...HELP...GET OUT...HELP...DON'T TOUCH ME!!!" then the nurse turns to me and says..."HIM"...I find out later that this particular client was thrown out of his nursing home for being combative and unwilling to comply with the nursing home protocols. The doctors and social workers asked the nursing home to reconsider and they REJECTED!!! wow...so...how will it be tomorrow...your guess is just as good as mine...maybe a fight??? Oh yea, the client is also under psychotic drugs...GOOD ONE DAV...good selection...

Second thing...

I get to campus and I realized that the other section of my Assessment class had their "Health Fair" today where they would teach the class a thing or two on a particular subject...So what's so interesting about that...My prof said that the more PROVACATIVE the better...NOT such a good ideal for grad students...haha...my classmates' topic was..."COLORECTAL EXAMINATIONS" haha...so they went to a sex store and bought an inflatable women to be the "MODEL" for a colorectal examination...wow...is all i have to say...I'll take a picture of my project and i'll post it up so you could see my creativity...hahahaha...by next TUES it should be up...stay posted...

ANYWAY...In less than one day I'll be on a plane heading to so. CALI for an awesome night of PRAISE & WORSHIP!!! It's going to be nice being with the family that introduced me to HIS most awesome LOVE and GRACES...There's nothing like being with brothers and sisters who are so willing to sacrifice everything to be in HIS presence...

PEE problem anyone???

Today was a pretty stressful yet exciting day. I spent about 3 hours today going over the material to pass my URINARY CATHETERIZATION check off. I am now authorized to insert and remove FOLEY CATHETERS my friends. That includes both men and females…oh yea!!! That’s right!!! So if you all have any problems going PEE call me up and I’ll hook you up…For those of you unfamiliar to foley catheters…think of an 18 inch long tube with the width of a regular sized pen being inserted into your “URETHRAL MEATUS”. Hahaha…in other words, your small little hole…hahaha…Honestly, I didn't think that was possible...but you know what IT IS...CRAZY...I hope I have the opportunity to practice this on Friday during my clinical. Seriously, I’m not a freak…I just really get excited performing REAL nursing procedures…

Alright down to serious matters…

If you had a problem going PEE and I was the only one able to insert a FOLEY, would you let me??? Come on…think about this one really hard??? IF I had no choice, I’d let you fools do it to me…hahaha!!!

Almost Done

In exactly one month I'll be done with this semester and I'll be on my way home to Rosemead and Irvine. I really miss being with my family, eating out at our favorite Chinese and Japanese restaurants, hanging out, and just being together as a family. It's been a while since I last saw my family, but I try not let it get me down. I try my best to call my sisters and parents everyday. So that actually keeps me up to date on what's going down. I am so thankful to God for their support. They never stop asking how I'm doing and continue to encourage me to do the best that I can. I love you all!!!

I also miss the LOG family...Those were good times. Hanging out late (12 midnight for me and dee, remember, we did work, that was late for us...haha), eating out, playing poker, jammin' with the band, being stupid, just being in each other's presence. Can't wait to see all of you guys in December. We all need to hang out. I think about you guys all the time...Oh yeah...I'm really proud of you all. I hear that LOG is growing and becoming what God wants it to be through your hard work and dedication. Wish I could be there to see it happening. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Continue serving and continue praying!!!

LOG...Remember to keep Him in your focus, especially in preparation for BC...

Oh yeah...random thought...I bought new windshield blades for my car the other day from good old Target, but don't have a clue how to take the old ones off. I seriously pulled out the Honda owner's manual in the Target parking lot to see how I could take off the older ones, but got even more confused reading it. HELP!!! It actually rains up here so I better change them really soon. How could I not know how to replace windshield wipers...UGHHH!!!