www.littlenars.com

Play is very essential for a child’s growth and development. It is not only for the child to enjoy but also it enables them to learn, sharpen their minds and reach another developmental milestone.

Since Christmas is fast approaching, I know how parents and godparents are going crazy shopping for the best possible gifts for their children and godchildren. The problem is, there are a lot of toys but are they suitable, safe and will definitely enhance the child’s development?

Problem no more for there rise the very first toy village in the Philippines.

Pocketful of Kids, the very first interactive toy village in the country. In Pocketful of Kids, the dilemma of “look but don’t touch” is finally over as well as the fear of breaking toys and having to pay a big amount. Parents and children can have an interactive play and have the chance to try out any toy they like, even without buying it, inside this one of a kind play place. I feel it is safe for the children and I love the bright colors of the place (the clerks also have their cute uniforms on which I love…LOL).

Pocketful of kids innovates on the learning process for children ages 0-99(yes, you got it right…) through toys that can stimulate their motor and cognitive skills particularly the 7 smarts which are People, Music, Number, Word, Picture, Body and Nature Smart. Toys are from reputable American and European brands like Learning Resources, Educational Insights (Hot Dots pens, Playfoam and GeoSafari), Alex, Tatiri, Melissa & Doug (Number One in wooden educational toys in the US) They also have gadgets for preschool teachers that will definitely of great help for them.

I surely had a problem with regression when I experienced my visit at Pocketful of Kids (I feel I am not the only one…LOL!). I enjoyed all their toys especially the kitchen play because it has always been my favorite when I was a child. My brother, Jeric and I had almost fought one who will going to use the cash register toy first.

I think I am now fixated with their toys for I really want to visit it again. LOL! I sure had a lot of fun— to be a kid once more. I am always child at heart. Here’s something I made with some of the toys from Pocketful of Kids:

Pocketful of Kids is located at 15/F Strata 2000, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas. They open from 10:00 AM - 7 :00 pm. For more queries you could call them at (02) 634-7888 or (02) 634-2888 or e-mail them at pocketfulofkids@yahoo.com.

But wait there’s more… I have discovered that they have a toy for us student nurses. It is a picture puzzle, which involves the systems of the body. We won’t be having difficulty in memorizing each part for this toy can aid our neurons easily. LOL!

I know my post is a bit late. Nevertheless, I wanted to share something about GLOBAL HAND WASHING DAY.

During my AHSE days, I was 2nd year college then, we we’re required to teach at some public schools about health for our NSTP subject. For that, we have chosen the most common topic yet very important, the PROPER HAND WASHING.

I would remember when I was 2nd year at my Primary Health Care class, we would demonstrate the proper way of hand washing, and no… it’s not simple for us nurses, there’s an art and you have to memorize each rationale for each step. Good thing, there are now Hand Sanitizers LOL!

Anyway, we taught from grade 1 to grade 4 pupils for they are much prone to diseases regarding hygiene. They are very active that they tend to touch whatever they want and go to places no matter how dirty it is. They should be properly taught about hand washing on when to do it and how to do it properly.

We first had a discussion and then we had them demonstrate to us what they have learned. We as instructors have so much fun and we can say that the students also had fun in learning about hand washing (surely, they had fun in singing happy birthday to determine on how long they will wash their hands LOL!).

Let’s always practice hand washing and prevent contamination from microorganisms— kidding, simply to prevent diseases. Indeed, it’s one of the simplest and universal precaution.

As for me, when there’s no sink or water for me to wash my hand, I always bring with me my handy alcohol. (My friends and I would joke that we’re becoming “oc-oc” obsessive-compulsive because every now and then, we would pour alcohol at our hands. LOL!)

I have always had a sweet tooth. I think I got it through genetics from my fraternal side and of course, Filipinos are fond of desserts or “Panghimagas” in Filipino. When I was growing, we would always have ice cream or cake after our lunch or dinner.

Then came, The White Hat.

I first knew about it from my brother, Jeric. When he first tried it, he never ceased to tell me how delicious and mouth-watering it was. He said that I should try it since he knows I have always had a big heart for sweets and so we did one day at Robinson’s Place Ermita, Midtown.

It never failed me. I remembered the taste of a frozen Yakult (my mother would always buy that for us when we were a child and sometimes until now. LOL!!). It is not actually an ice cream yet, it’s a new dessert you could try instead of your plain ice cream. It’s an ITALIAN FROZEN YOGURT, which is 98% fat- free and will definitely not make you guilty of the calories you will get and also, they use low-fat milk and added live, active yogurt cultures to make it even healthier.

However, the calorie content depends on what toppings you will going to choose with your frozen yogurt. No, I am not going to lecture about calories here (I actually don’t care how sinful it is as long as it’s delicious. LOL!) You could add 1 or more toppings depending on your preference and you could choose for over 21 fresh and premium toppings.

from The White Hat website

When you tasted their Italian frozen yogurt, you’ll know what makes it different from any other desserts. I loved my White Hat Classic Frozen Yogurt with Strawberry and Kiwi… Their frozen yogurt will bring you to pearly gates (I am exaggerating things am I? LOL!), sweets would always make me hyperactive. This is one heck of a must-try dessert. I am sure to invite my friends there.

So go and experience this one innovative dessert, White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt at their branches in Robinson’s Place Midtown Wing and SM Mall of Asia. You could also check their website at www.thewhitehat.com.ph.for more information.

Here are some text messages I have received about health and about life…

Top 10 Biggest BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS:
1. No breakfast
2. Overeating
3. Smoking
4. High sugar consumpti0n
5. Air p0lluti0n
6. Sleep deprivati0n
7. Head c0vered while sleeping
8. W0rking brain during illness
9. Lacking in stimulating
10. Talking rarely

If this is true, I think I don’t have a brain anymore. LOL!

BULLETIN FOR A HAPPY LIFE:
1. More veggies, less meat;
2. More vinegar,less salt;
3. More fruits,less sweets;
4. Chew more,eat less;
5. More water,less soda;
6. More deeds,less talk;
7. More sharing,less desires;
8. More walks,less rides;
9. More laughter,less anger
10. More prayers,no worries!Ü

I definitely believe in this quote. Prayer is the best.

Since my inbox is now overflowing with text messages, I would like to share them with you. Here are some nursing text messages for you to enjoy:

1. From Mr. Jamon (my C.I during my duty at NCMH)
Nurses are not superhumans.
They read patient’s charts–not their minds.
They also have their own insecurities, problems, and difficulties in life.
They possess strength yet still, they are vulnerable. They know how to get hurt.
So in case your expectations to them become a little TOO high..
Think again…
Remember what the song ‘Superman’ says?
“..even heroes have the right to bleed..”

2. From Mich
A nurse is someone
who says toxic everytime,
who has limited rest days,
who carry tons of books,
who can eat as fast as 5 minutes…
But still manages t0
luk go0d..
and H 0 T..

3. From Monmon
Doing SEX
by Profession:
Doctors
do it in
ORDER
DJs
do it by
REQUEST
Dentists
do it
ORALLY
MedTechs
do it w/
SAMPLES
But
Nurses
do it by
ROUNDS!

4. From Christian
How naughty & nice nurses can be?
>perform nipple rolling to promote c0ntraction.
>touch a guy’s private organ to insert
a catheter.
>perform internal
exam to dtermine
cervical dilatati0n.
.. & it’s all done
for the sake
of the patient care!
Datz h0w nuRses are!

5. From Aaron
I can be ur..
Amphetamine:
2 tel u ‘wag kang
susuk0.’
benz0diazepine:
2 tel u ‘wag kang
mag-alala.’
antipsych0tic:
2 tel u ‘wag kang
sira.’
TCA/MAOI/SSRI:
2 tel u ‘wag ka
nang mlngk0t.’
lithium carb0n8:
2 tel u ‘hinay
hinay lang.’
antic0nvulsant:
2 tel u ‘relax ka
lang.’
antibi0tic:
2 tel u ‘ipaglalaban
kita.’
analgesic:
2 tel u ‘0k lng
yan im hr 2 rliev
d pain.’
multivitamins:
2 tel u ‘ingat ka
palagi.’
bt dnt w0ri,wla
ak0ng syd effect!ü^_^

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What to do when you wait for Operating Room and Delivery Room Cases at the wee hours of the night—or morning should I say?

playing BLUFF

Roe, PLaying Jackstone LOL!

playing pick-up sticks

after playing Hi Jack...

I know, it’s illegal but what can we do right? We could sleep but some of us, including me can’t sleep properly…

Lyne, mastering her skills at sleeping... LOL!

as well as Llanah...=p

For the third time, our group was assigned at Rizal Provincial Hospital only this time, we are at the OR/DR. During this rotation, (sad but true) was my first time at really performing the “handle”— the one who will catch the head of the baby and deliver the placenta. Though, I haven’t got the chance to catch the head because I don’t know what to do and the baby’s head was already out, I was the one who delivered the placenta. It was easy though the gush of blood stained by OR shoes and scrub suit. Waaaah!!! Nevertheless, it was a great experience. At least, I experienced that before I graduate…=p

with our clinical instructor

Another thing was, our group experienced our first mortality. Though, it really wasn’t our fault and the hospital itself, the baby was delivered dead already. It’s a condition called Intrauterine Fetal Death wherein the baby died inside the mother’s womb. It’s really heart-breaking to see the baby violet-colored, cold, unresponsive. He was just covered with white cloth on his side, lying in his own arms. I want him revived but there’s no resuscitation done because he was already dead probably hours before his delivery. My other group mate even cried. It was really sad.

During my DR completion last summer, I was able to observe a baby being resuscitated for almost 15 minutes because I will do the cord care. My heart stop as well as my breathing because the baby has no reaction to stimuli. Good thing, with constant compression, hyperventilating and suctioning, the baby was revived. As soon as he was revived, my breathing resumed and my heart started to pump.

I don’t want to see a baby dying as much as possible. I want them to live. After killing the baby during our VINES exposure, I’ll definitely make it good!

P.S: Pleasssseee… don’t tell this to the authority… or else… we’ll bite you and kill you with our venom ’cause we’re a PAITON snake (one of my group mate’s surname)… LOL!

.....hisssssssss.....

I haven’t got the chance to blog during the official start of my Semestral Break… (how I love the word BREAK. LOL!)

October 12 was the official start of my semestral vacation but then I signed up for Red Cross Seminar about Leadership Development that lasted for 2 days (to be blogged soon) and so, I was finally on vacation last October 15.

Karren's B-day Treat (also our last day...)

Counting the days before vacation, I had written all the things to be accomplished with its deadline and posted it at the top side of my study table. I was very TOXIC that time.

You can never imagine the pleasure of crossing out the things that I have done already…

When the final requirement was done, I just said to myself AMEN!!!

October 17, my grades were released and to my delight I was satisfied for I actually thought I will get a low grade this semester (low meaning, I will not reach the average I was maintaining for myself, which is 2.00). I even prepared my mother for the result, Yes, the party started after that!

After party at MOA courtesy of Pantene LOL!

Then, I followed up for my completion cases then read a novel, then shop, then read again, then finally blog and update you to what I am up to for my vacation. I came to recall the previous days, I had a pretty busy vacation after all. — but with a different reason… LOL!

I have 2 weeks ahead of me to relax and enjoy. Thank God! =)

What Can You Do in 3 Minutes?
I can take your Vital Signs in three minutes…=p

As a nursing student, I must always put my hair in a bun even if it’s still wet and put hair polish to smoothen the wrinkles in it— that made my hair problematic. I am sure in not the only one having this kind of problem. (Well, i just hope i could bun my hair in just 3 minutes. LOL!)

Good Thing, Pantene made hair miracles happen with the NEW Pantene’s 3-Minute Miracle Treatment!

Last October 17, 2008, Pantene together with its organizers bring about an event for bloggers to enjoy at Taste Asia, SM Mall of Asia. I brought with me my friends and we definitely had fun! With the games, picture taking, bands, (RJ Jimenez of Pinoy Dream Academy was there also) food, drinks (courtesy of Taste Asia and SM Hypermart) and most especially the presence of Ms. Judy Ann Santos, the latest endorser of Pantene (I’ll blog about that later…LOL!).

With the fast-paced lifestyle we have today, we never really got time to combat damage our hair experienced with everyday, especially with us ladies. Pantene’s new 3-minute Miracle Treatment repairs 3 months damage in just three minutes. It has a unique formula that repairs and strengthens your hair inside out.

After washing your hair with Pantene shampoo and conditioner, just squeeze excess water, massage the contents into the whole strand from top to bottom; just leave it for 3 minutes and rinse. You don’t need to go to a salon and spend too much time, energy, and money in pampering your hair. It just cost for around 300php (3 tubes per pack). You could have your instant revitalized hair at the comfort of your own home. What a great relief right?

Who says there’s no miracle for your dull, overly treated hair? It’s definitely not Pantene! LOL! What are you waiting for? Grab your Pantene 3-minute Miracle treatment now at your nearest convenient store and experience a good-feel with your crowning glory.

I am always fond of looking at the billboards as we travel and go to places. I envy those pretty ladies with alluring bodies because I once dreamt to be a model (LOL!!!!). Anyways, we know for a fact that there were— are some sexy- R18 billboards and ads not suitable for the mass people to see that gained much of issue and intrigue. Yeah, it definitely caused traffic and worse, accidents. Those billboards certainly caught drivers’ attention, which should not be the case.

Being trapped in a traffic, for some it’s a form of a distressing fact because they can rest their eyes, for some they are whining for they really want to get home early. But what if there would be pleasant billboards around in which passengers and even drivers would enjoy seeing?

That’s a different case.

Last October 16, 2008, there held a blogger event at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street entitled The Art of Billboards: 2nd Media Opens the Biggest Outdoor Gallery in Asia. The event is just small but they really relayed their aim in this endeavor. I am always interested in paintings as I am a frustrated fine artist (no, I can’t even draw. If that’s what you think…LOL!)

Dubbed as the biggest outdoor gallery in Asia, this endeavor features artworks from 10 most promising Filipino artists. Sharing a theme that highlights environmental awareness, these artworks located in key locations across the metro, is in support of the ongoing international movement rallying for nature conversation.

Not only they wanted to change the image of billboards but also, this could be a very effective tool in making the people knowledged and opening their eyes in certain issues.

With the disparaging issues regarding billboards, I say two thumbs up for the 2nd Media- the Public Affairs arm of the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines’ (OAAP) endeavor in improving the image of billboards in our country.

Here are some of the artworks that you will hopefully see in the near future at South Luzon Expressway, North Luzon Expressway and EDSA:

This one is my favorite because of its health theme:

When I first heard about Red Box and its services, I personally am meaning to go there with my friends. I even invited them but unfortunately, our schedules don’t meet. Then I forgot about Red Box and my frustration to go there.

Then, my brother told me that there would be a Wii Party at Red Box Greenbelt. My spirit was high then. Though I am not familiar with the Nintendo Wii, I was excited.

Nintendo Wii will now be part of Red Box’s long list of choices for leisure and recreation. Starting this October, selected rooms in Red Box will be equipped with Nintendo Wii consoles where karaoke lovers can alternate between the microphone and nunchuck controllers.

Globe-trotting karaoke enthusiasts can also settle into the plush, super-chilled rooms and enjoy munch food whipped up by their expert chefs and swill beverages from their wide array of international beers and cocktails.

Red Box also features also features a mix of leisure and recreational facilities that adds a sophisticated twist to any karaoke experience/ Whether playing a game of pool, battling it out on the poker table or simply lounging in the karaoke bar’s comfy sofa, Red Box makes sure that nobody is left out of the fun.

You could enjoy Red Box at their Greenbelt and TriNoma branch. For their price ranges offers: At Lunch Hour (12nn-3pm) P299/head with free bottomless iced tea and room use during lunch hour, Happy Hour (3pm-7pm) P299/head with free 2 drinks and room use during happy hour, Prime time (7pm-12mn) P499/head with free 2 drinks and room use during primetime and After hours (12mn-4am) P399/head with free 2 drinks and room use after hours. Prices are inclusive of VAT. (Red Box Greenbelt)

But wait, there’s more, Tuesday Nights are Ladies night all through this month! Free entrance to all ladies on Tuesday Nights. (Reb Box Greenbelt)

With that, I would definitely invite my friends, experience Red Box services and have a great time. We student nurses also need a break. LOL!

P.S: This is my first Geiser Maclang event LOL!