I still can't believe it. A day more and classes would begin again. The summer had been a blast- surprisingly the whole Psychiatric and Community experiences were truly memorable. Even our Enhancement Duty was interesting- a case study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and one very pitiful case of a 12 year old who was hit by a car- she had been unconscious for 5 days and they were waiting for the swelling to go down so the surgeon can perform the craniotomy. Seeing the girl's cousins and siblings take turn with the ambu bag was heartbreaking. I stifled a tear as I did my 30 minutes pumping oxygen through her tracheostomy tube.

It did get me a new attitude for hospital duties- they are opportunities for students to learn so we should take advantage! Tiring, yes, but its also a fulfilling part of the training.

The summer was capped by a lovely escapade to Cuatro Islas with N. and friends, and to Sohoton and Balantak- just the two of us. Sweet! hehe The rest of the summer I also tried to write, tried to exercise and diet and lose weight, and most importantly ahem, read a bit.

The summer ends and what an eventful two months it had been! Many changes, I won't even mention some.

This collegiate year is our last, and we hope to graduate on time, God help us! I'm certainly prepared to do my best- maybe set aside all the other things I do like blogging? Nah, maybe just minimize the posts.

Projects for this year- there's the very promising (can't tell you about the possible collaboration yet) and very important research. As for the yearbook for Chrysoberyl- I declined the Editor in Chief position because of the possible conflict of schedule (and besides I might be spreading myself thin already) with the Basey project. Oops, I slipped. But of course nothing is set in stone yet.

My GWA... a little below the Laude cut off and I don't even know if its still possible to raise it by .04 to make it hahaha I'll certainly try! I'll do my best with my home and school responsibilities and hope I make it! Go for the gold!

My third book- in the works, but not a priority. School comes first. Just a trivia, I just totalled 500 entries for my blogs, explored new writing styles, getting a lot of hits for the articles.. So blessed.

With that said, I thank everyone in my life- my family, N., friends and classmates, online friends, and of course to our Almighty God. Lord, please give me the strength to fulfill my responsibilities and please forgive me for my trespasses. I don't do everything perfectly inasmuch as I'm just human but please set my path straight and always guide me. Bless us all. And thank you!! Thank you all! Here's to a productive and successful new collegiate year!

Love, Thad.

It's about a week before April 5- our official date of departure for our Cebu Psychiatric Affiliation, I suppose this is a rite of passage for every nursing student all over our country, but somehow the dreadfulness of anticipating the heavy workload weights a lot on me. I can't remember the last decent break I had. We have been working like maniacs since the first semester of 2007- and now, 3/4's of the way I am beginning to feel the strain.

Everyone tells me to just endure- and I am truly willing to do so. It's just that... I'm tired. Really tired- bone tired, in fact. Perhaps a change of perspective might do me good- I'll look at this as an incredible opportunity to learn. This is a chance to still work on my GWA to (hah!) run for latin honors.

After the two week exposure, we return to Tacloban for a week-long intensive lecture on Communicable Diseases, followed by another week in the community (as in we are going to live there!). The summer is capped by another week of hospital duty, before classes begin June 3 for the first semester of senior year. Whew!

I hope God will give me good health and enough strength to face the challenges ahead. Perhaps I just need to take it one day at a time if it all proves to be too much.

Not only will I look at the glass half full- it's 3/4's full!! I offer the following semesters (our senior year) to my Mom who was a good nurse, a great person and the best mother to us, also to N. who supports me every step of the way while allowing me to decide on my actions, and of course to our Lord. I hope I would, in time, be able to give back all the goodness you have given me.

"If Estrada gets removed from power, I will jump headfirst from a helicopter!" and then... "I lied.. Bwahahaha!" - my all-time favorite Miriam Santiago qoutes. Applicable sya sa akin dahil recently I bid goodbye to blogging, tapos heto ngayon at nag-blog ako.

Sorry medyo di ko lang matiis, siguro ganito na lang. "Blog leave" na lang instead sa madramang notice. Diba? Pero mas marisyu mangud it drama uday!

Amo la, bow!

For those nights when I toss and turn in bed when I'm beside you, for our nightly calls and quiet conversations, for each day spent with you that are like holidays...

I miss you hun, and I can't wait to be with you again soon. ;-)

Guess what I'm doing right at this second? No, dire nagba-barbara. lol! The opening strains of "One more chance" of Michael Jackson is playing through the headphones..

That's right, senti sunday na naman. I suppose no one is excited about Mondays, but the melancholy I feel during Sundays is so heavy it actually forces me to do something else to distract myself.. It feels like goodbye to the past hours of relaxation huhu = (

In the cusps of the passing days...

Lord, thanks for the food that we eat everyday. Thanks for my brother who works hard in the navy, thanks for Papa. Keep them safe. Bless Gavin and his parents, and Nanay as well, may they live long, happy lives. And I hope one day I get to repay all these blessings by touching other people's lives in the field of health care or otherwise. Thanks for everything again!

xoxo

Thadie

Mga iday, mga iduy. Adi na liwat kita, new year na! Pero before kita makipagsapalaran (char! Kumakain ng pandiwa, siring pa man), dapat mag look back anay kita han past year…

Ha akon bugto nga hi Ted for taking responsibility and practically being our breadwinner along with Papa. We are devastated (till now) when we lost our Mama, but we stuck together and my brother really stepped in. He's our youngest- we're so proud of you bro!

My brother Tye as well- I'm so happy he finally got to spend quality time with his son Gavin. They both look alike haha! Tye spent the most time with Mama while they were in the US, I know Mama is proud of you also and I hope you would be safe as you join the US Navy.

Papa- thanks for the support as always.

Nanay! Idol hehe, I hope dire gud ako nagpipinasaway hin duro. I'll do my very best to take good care of you. Ikaw pa! You changed my diapers when I was a baby, and took care of me and my bros till we were teens. You are our second Mama, and of course we know favorite mong anak si Mama hehe. We love yoU!

To my friends Jude, Jo, Ann, Haidy, mga Section Aw-anon, group 3! High school friends, my twin sis Tatat, my soul sister Remejoy- I enjoyed the company bitches! haha

Of course to N., you are a big part of my life = ) You changed me, I love you!.

To all who had ever touched my life- fellow bloggers, sina Mink, lola Dave, Gripen, Mugen, etc., mga pedicab drivers, yung suki namin na taxi, yung suki ko sa palengke lolz, people from Eastern Visayas Press! Thank you! I've had a blast, promise!

Gogogo! meet our Maker! Don't be sad because we are ok!! I love you Ma! You keep me striving, you inspire me to do my best always. I'll be a good kuya.

to be less bitchy (lol!) balit,to be more patient,

to go to church every sunday, regardless kung busy o hinde, no excuses! to trust God always,

to study (charot!) so that I can maintain the 1.72 GWA so far lolz parayawnon! to get 1.0 in at least 1 subject this sem,

to be more friendly

to always be calm and mature pag may family problems

dire na pwede mag-emo!

to never, ever stop trying to pursue my dreams no matter what the hardships.

to help people as long as kaya ko.

Here's to a wonderful new year!!
Amo la = )