www.littlenars.com

I was thinking…

If I really want to make a year-end (or should I say year-start…LOL!) message…

I should do it now… As in STAT!

New years are always filled with reunions, booze, fireworks (firecrackers), loud noise, food, wishes, good luck charms and new year’s resolution. It is also coupled with the words “Thank You…”, “Sorry” and “I Love You!”. You may probably think I will end up writing about those stuffs above as you read— then, you are correct.

As my family welcomed the year, with all the fireworks and stuffs made by our neighbor I felt like I was the one making that noise… I shouted for I was grateful of the previous year and for another year to experience with my FAMILY.

On the other side, —the sad part I mean… I missed those reunions and “whole” family stuffs with the CLAN… The noise of the compound when the clock strikes 12, the presentations me and my 10 other cousins prepared for the new year, the bingo (I always win before), the high jumps we made and the warmth caused by hugs and kisses… We haven’t got any gatherings this year… I hope there will be, anytime SOON.

If you are going to read the part II of my year-end post, I can say that I have learned a lot this year and I believe, it is “task-oriented” I mean, almost 70% are all school related. As to compare with my 2007, I believe I have improved my social relationships; I spent time with MORE people NOW rather than focusing myself to a PARTICULAR people/person. My social life extended and I am very GRATEFUL with that. I believe I have learned to balance it with my studies also. I have satisfying grades this year and IM LOVING IT.

…….
….
…
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Oooopppsss, experiencing “writer’s block”
arrrggghhh…
BRB.

My 2008, a combination of my FIRSTS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

I started blogging again
and attending blogging events
I stayed single for the whole year
The birth of Littlenars.com
and also Sosickoftaxi.com
I got my new fone
I completed my OR Cases
and also my DR Cases
I have read 13 novels
I have partied to 6 different bars
I have been to 5 different places last summer vacation
I have solved the rubik’s cube
I have stayed awake for 29 straight hours (during duty)
I experienced 16 hours of straight duty and then the next day
I felt like a border in my own house
I started to go to malls by myself
I started to wear dress and mini shorts (LOL!)
I went to a Spa
I’ve witnessed on how to make a book
I’ve seen a heart, brain, intestine, uterus, gallbladder and appendix (and hemorrhoids too… LOL!)
I’ve scrubbed in and assisted for a major operation
and also for a minor operation like a real staff nurse
I’ve set-up a sterile field on my own (LOL!)
I’ve went to a wet market to buy for the ingredients of our food
then cook it with the help of my classmate
I’ve survived at sleeping without a bed and an electric fan for days
I’ve danced with the tune of Low and Soulja Boy
I’ve been punk’d by our reviewer (Sir Asuncion. LOL!)
I’ve been reviewing for the board exam (Nursing Audit)
I killed a dummy… LOL!
I learned how to do CPR (but I am not yet certified)
I have an encounter with mental patients

I became an official Red Cross Youth Collegiate Council member
I have kept 2 secrets then when it was brought up…
I became innocent when I knew it all along
I’ve visited a friend in a hospital
I’ve attended UP Fair and UST Paskuhan
I gained weight. pffft!
I felt I AM NOT YET READY TO GRADUATE
I got my long loved Parker mechanical pencil (courtesy of Lyne)
I started to love LRT line 1 (LOL!)
I “was” always late
I performed a declamation… (oh meeenn…)
I got new group mates
and sets of friends
I grew my hair long
and I got a new haircut (I hate it now.. I hate my hair arrggghhh…)
I learned Adobe Photoshop
I don’t watch T.V anymore (auuhhhh….:[)
I got my eyelash extension
and it’s gone now… LOL!
I haven’t completed the Simbang Gabi
I finally have my own cork board (to-do board)
I have taken care of patients in the I.C.U
I bought the Nike bag on my Christmas wish
I have started to do my pedicure…
I got the worst Atopic Dermatitis attack last summer
and it was solved by Virgin Coconut Oil (eeewww.. hahaha)
My 2 cousins are already in states
and we don’t have a New Year’s Reunion today (this sucks. arrrggghhh)
I got my _________ hahahaha! (secret!)
I met Judy Ann Santos… LOL!
I have not been thrifty this year (which I formerly am)
and I even declared Bankruptcy (LOL!)
“Bebe Gerl and Bebe Boy” expressions
and even “Traidor” (which my group only understands--- courtesy of Llanah)
I got myself into 4 exchange gifts… hahaha!
“Nakakaloka…”--- my word for the year
I’ve been addicted to Boys Night Out (Magic 89.9)
even loved Sam YG’s voice LOL!
“Per-for-mance” and “Ding ding ding ding… they’re watching” expressions at VINES
I learned to walk fast--- REAL fast
I started to attend St. Jude Novenas ---AGAIN.
My younger sister is NOW taller than me (huhuhu :[)
I have worn an N95 mask for a duty
I have been wearing FEU’s NEW traveling suit
and I almost lost mine (I interchanged it with my groupmate)

I have the MOST number of overnights this year

I passed my speech class (so controversial...LOL!)
My old “tambayan” closed already (sad…:[)
I started to like spicy foods…
Me and my family frequently go out to eat and chill (I looove it)
I started to give out my number to others
and not reply to them (bad me. hahah!)
I started my last semester at FEU (waaaahhh… can’t believe it)
and next year I am gonna be unemployed (now that sucks. LOL!)

Oh well… it’s time to change calendar…
So long 2008…
Welcome 2009!!! (and you better be a good one…:]])

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

P.S
New year message to be posted later.
Have to think of it again.
hehehe. BRB.

What are status symbols?

It is something that make you distinct from any other. It is like when you have it, you belong to that certain group. It is an identity for a certain group of people whether it is your profession, organization, school, etc…

In simpler term it’s what makes you say “Ahhh… ganito yan… ahhhh… ganito siya…” . One concrete example is “Ahh… emo yan!” hahaha!

B.S Nursing has this status symbol with them depending on their batch…

As far as I know, FEU-Institute of Nursing has its own also:

1. IN patch

When I was on my 1st year, we were on enrolled with OGEC (I forgot what it means, all I know is it’s a general curriculum implemented when I was in first year) so I am a nursing student but I don’t have the IN patch. I was jealous back then to my ates and kuyas who were 3rd-4th year. Then, when I was in 2nd year, I was wearing my AHSE patch and still jealous, now that I am on my level IV, I am proud to be wearing my IN patch. In FEU, it’s like you are not considered a “real” nursing student because of the patch. LOL!

Now, with the new curriculum, Level I are now wearing the IN patch and our batch was like “ANG DAYA” anyway, the still have to go through battery exam too (that’s fair enough).

Just an update, some change their patch so that they could violate some of the IN rules and not getting caught. LOL!

2. CHN Bag (Community Health Nursing Bag) AKA PHN bag and OB Bag (Tool Box during duties)

When I was in Level II, I am so excited on carrying this bag. In fact, when I start carrying this bag, my family and friends also started to call me “Little Nurse”. However, when I am carrying this bag, it comes with the word “TOXICITY” because that time, we were bombarded with the dreaded return demonstrations and community organizing activities (not to mention the big and long black umbrella we are required to bring to fight stray dogs.. pfft.). We are also obliged to carry it waist level.

Up until now, I bring my CHN bag during community duties and other field nursing exposures. The funny part there was during community, we place our baons inside it, which is a MORTAL sin. Bwahaha!

Our CHN bag is old-fashioned and I envy the CHN bag now where I can see the first and 2nd year students are now using. It’s like a buddy bag with an FEU logo and you don’t need to carry it waist level all the time.

When you go to 3rd year, you may notice that the bag students are carrying are not bags anymore, rather, it is a plastic transparent tool box which contains paraphernalia for hospital use. It’s cute and handy with different colors. I wish I had those but I haven’t (usually, this bag is for group use already…LOL!)

3. Clinical Uniform

In FEU, you are only allowed to where this uniform if you are already a 3rd year student and so it’s a BIG deal if you are wearing one. (Plus the fact that the lower years are looking at you with amazement. LOL!)

It’s not easy wearing an all white uniform, you need to bun your hair and wear your nursing cap but then again, not only you look good wearing this uniform (for years that I’ve been observing, guys who wear clinical uniforms have this” x-factor” as compared to just wearing their campus uniform…LOL!) but it gives you pleasure— “ANGAS” as I may say.

4. IN Lanyard (ID Tag)

What separates FEU-Institute of Nursing from FEU’s other courses is that we have our own lanyard. I believe this rooted from the FIFA Lanyards almost everyone was wearing a year ago. Then, came the “Unibersidad” Lanyards. (Actually, I bought one) and then now, lanyards from different colleges of each universities.

It is limited edition and mostly (as from what I observed), it is worn by Level III and IV students as well as the faculties of the Institute of Nursing.

5. Name Plate

When I was in 1st year, I am so excited to have my name plate because it gives you distinction that you are a nursing student. In FEU, the first time you will have your name plate is when you are in your 2nd year .But with the new curriculum, I don’t know if 1st years already have their nameplates (I bet none as from what I can see…)

You will only have to change colors of nameplates twice, during 2nd and 3rd year. You will use that until you graduate so you take good care of it.

The colors of the nameplate depends on the previous batch “MANA-MANA” as we would say. I have always wanted a nameplate, which is colored green as the background and gold for the text however, our batch got the Silver background and Blue text and during our 2nd year, we got the black background and silver text, which the present 2nd years are now using.

Just an update, now, I rarely use my nameplate. LOL!

The newest addition to it is the…

Nursing Audit Logbook (with 3-5-90 at the cover page)

Why? This means that you are a 4th year and studying for the board exam. Plus the fact that you designed your own as to how you are going to be inspired and motivated no matter how that is. LOL! Most of us just carry this because no bag could fit to it. pffft. LOL!

P.S I always bring with me my logbook though I am not reading it, it makes me feel I have rlready reviewed for my exams. LOL!

These are just based on my observations. No offense to others…

PEACE!!!

Some of my friends ask me of what is my schedule at school… one word to describe it is “MAGULO” then I would forward them my schedule this coming January and then they will just say “MAGULO NGA”… I even printed a calendar with spaces so I could write my activities in it and won’t get lost. It is now posted at my “to-do” board.

With that, I am having troubles with my uniforms. I usually post the schedule of my uniforms at our refrigerator so that our laundry helper will not get confused as to what I am going to wear every day. I write the schedule per week depending on where I am assigned during duties.

My mom always gets toxic with my uniforms. (Yeah, I don’t do my uniforms… LOL!)

To give you a glimpse of THE FEU-Institute of Nursing uniforms… Here are they:

1. Campus Uniform- To be worn during lecture classes and whenever you are in the campus with whatever transaction you are going to make… (Yup, I am wearing this until now… my lola would tease me and say “hindi ka pa din ba graduate sa ganyang uniform?”)

Actually, there are new set of campus uniform in FEU (white blouse and moss green skirt) and our batch is the last to wear this old “highschool-ish” uniform as they would say.

2. Clinical Uniform- To be worn during hospital duties and hospital orientations ONLY. It is our all white uniform.

3. RLE Uniform- To be worn during health center duties and skills laboratory ONLY. It is a white uniform paired with black shoes and skin tone stockings.

4. Community Uniform- To be worn during field nursing example (occupational, school, geriatric, psychiatric nursing) and community set-up. (I wear this during e-learnings and group meetings…LOL!)

5. P.E Uniform- Obviously, to be worn during P.E Class ONLY (I am not wearing this already, I have taken all my P.E courses already) — at times I wear this when I go to school for transactions and group meetings. There is a new set of P.E uniforms already.

6. Scrub Suit (with Cap, Mask and Smock Gown)- to be worn during Operating Room and Delivery Room exposure. The newest is when we are assigned to VINES.

The Newest addition and the Most controversial of them all…

The Travelling Suit (which is Green)- we are obliged to wear this all the time when we are on our clinical uniform and remove it upon our arrival at the hospital we are assigned to.

Why controversial? Because as we all know, the original of this suit in the U-Belt is CEU. Every time we had a cross encounter with CEU students, they would really look at us from head to toe. LOL!

Aside from our title “Walking Table Cloths” we are now branded as “The Walking Cabbages” Funny right? LOL!

It’s OK. I know I’ll be missing these uniforms and I’ll just wear it with proud and dignity.

Hey! I am a Tamaraw Nurse…:]]

P.S
No wonder I am having a hard time organizing my uniforms right?:]

Tanong: Sino ang pinakamabaet na estudyante ng Nursing?

Sagot: Edi mga 4th Year!

Bakit?

“Pag hindi mo ginawa yan, babagsak ka ng sampung beses sa Board Exam!!!”

Syempre, Ikaw ba naman isumpa, edi gawin mo na lang…
Mas Ok na maging uto-uto kaysa naman bumagsak.
Diba? Diba?

Gagawin lahat makapasa lang… NAKAKALOKA… hahaha!

*hindi pala kabaitan yun, natakot lang talaga. heheheh! Palakpakan…

P.S

More stories about that coming… :]

For the long hiatus at blogging, here are my rationales… (LOL!)

It was November 3, 2008 when I started my last semester as a college student (awww…). You may have noticed that I haven’t blogged the things that I should have blogged about for the reason(s) that:

• November 3, 2008 was the start of my duty at Medical Center Parañaque. My shift was from 1 PM to 11 PM; imagine the long travel from Monumento (Caloocan City) to Parañaque… My clinical instructor really let us home at exactly 11 PM (whew!). I was assigned at the ICU and Hemodialysis room.

I also had our “last” general orientation in the morning. The subjects, rules and regulations were discussed to us. Our professors were also introduced to us. The dean leave us an inspiring message to strive hard with our Nursing Audit (In-House Review as others would call it) in which our battle cry is 3-5-90! (I better get reviewing…LOL!)

• November 6, 2008 was the start of my Nursing Leadership and Management lecture (NCM 104), in which our time is from 7 AM to 5PM with only one professor… (you guess how’s that…LOL!)

• November 8, I had my first Nursing Audit (NCM 105) review with Mr. Emerson Aliswag. Our concept was about Communicable Diseases. We only had two (2) meetings with him, it was short but I really learned A LOOOOOT! He’s one heck of a reviewer. No dull moments and his strategies were superbly effective. *applause*

• November 10, 2008 was the start of my second clinical rotation at Legarda Elementary School. I experienced being a school nurse (well, not really because of conflicting schedule). Instead, we were bombarded with paper works such as project proposals, daily action plan and accomplishment reports. Actually, its not hard to do those, what’s hard is that we have plenty of data gaps and we we’re bound to assume (the mortal sin of NURSING). Nevertheless, our clinical instructor Ms. Edina Jacob was cool and so it was compensated…LOL!

• November 24, 2008 was the start of my third clinical rotation at C&E Publishing in Baesa, Quezon City. It is on-going until next week so hopefully, I will experience to be an Occupational Health Nurse. We had a trip at their work place and the book process was discussed to us. We were given the chance to observe how the book is being done and our task is to be vigilant and keen as to the health hazards present in their work.

• In between those days, my group and I are busy doing our thesis about the Effectiveness of Stress Relief Balls in reducing the test anxiety among students in a selected school of nursing. Actually, we’re planning to do our pilot study next week so, Good Luck to us. Here’s our research pictures… LOL!

coffee bean @ trinoma after doing research...

monopoly @ my crib while doing research...

starbucks midtown after national library...

I am only at school for just three (3) weeks but it felt like I am on the half of my semester. I still can’t believe that I am on my senior year and this is my last semester. I am now anxious as to what will happen next. At times, I feel the pressure but then again, it must not hinder me, instead, do what ever it is to meet my goal and make my family proud.

P.S

My extra-curriculars are still not included in those reasons but one thing’s for sure; it didn’t allow me to blog for a long time. How I miss blogging! However, the great part is, I am busy but I can still attend to blogger events. LOL

To my batchmates… Luciat Vex Lustra! Let your light shine! 3-5-90!!!

Checking my account at Friendster, I noticed this one post at the Bulletin Board from FEU TAMbayan account:

Iam Bieryle John B. Agnir RN from class of 2007 (BSN 714-grp 53). I have received a text message from my former group leader, containing this:
This message was forwarded by mam Filoteo. Please pass as many as you can.Laury
Mam Eli dela Cruz is not an ordinary faculty member of I.N. She devoted much of her time and effort to I.N and o its students. For many of us, she taught us to be self directed, she helped us unleash our potential in use of them to the fullest. She inspired us to care for F.E.U-I.N. Though in her 60s, she is still physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually fit. However, she was only given a few units this sem and may not teach next sem, a directive which was made known to her this sem. There are exceptions to rules. And these exceptions were granted to faculty retirees. They were allowed to teach even after retirement (eg. Ms. San Vicente, Ms. Punongbayan). For once, for someone who stood for us… Let us speak on her behalf. Join us in texting/calling/e-mailing the dean that mam Eli be allowed to teach still in INnext scjool year and be given additional load this sem. After all…SHE is far from ordinary.
—Nothing follows—
My dear colleagues, as I read this text message from my former leader, I felt sad. We clearly know who mam dela Cruz is, and we know how intelligent she is. Mam DC has a large passion in teaching the tamaraw nurses. She did a lot of change in our institute. She is one of the pillars of our institute. She was there when the institute was in its pedestal and she is still with the institute today in where the institute is striving hard to bring back its glory. Ms. Elisea dela Cruz is already an institution in our institute. And I believe that she still has a lot to share with the institute. Let us act my co-tamaraw nurses and nurses to be.

Click here and here to verify that I am not making this up.

Ma’am Elisea Dela Cruz or popularly known as Ma’am EDC was my professor during my Community Health Nursing Concept last semester. I know most of us are guilty that when we heard the name “EDC” we will immediately think about “TOXICITY”— that she is a terror, strict, serious and “will-make-you-tachycardic” professor. Well, I can definitely attest to that. She usually have recitations and she wants a “complete” and exact (well… who doesn’t right?) answer. If you’re wrong and you can’t answer her question, you’ll going to stand for as long as she doesn’t tell you to sit. If she caught you not paying attention, she’ll check the seat plan, ask you a question and then you’ll be sorry that you didn’t pay attention (I experienced that!) But then again, I managed to take back the [X] mark at my name for I have recited enough to redeem that (I remembered when I and my seat mates would coach each other when reciting we call it “Pondong Recitation“). LOL!

Me and my seatmates while waiting for Ma'am EDC's class...

I could clearly remember the palpitations and hyperventilations before my NCM class way back, thinking of the questions I might not answer and will make me stand up. Also, the tension of the class when she wants answer and we don’t know it. The brain-bleeding and neuron-damaging examinations that I can’t believe I passed (Thank God!). Lastly, the grilling-hot seat times when you are reporting in from of the class (many have shed tears maybe because of fear and shame…) Until now, when I see her at the faculty room, I still have palpitations though she doesn’t do anything but when I greeted her and she smiles, then I relax.

For once, I didn’t like her because of THE adverse effects (I am sure most of us do) but then again, I started to broaden my mind about her purpose on doing this to us, her students. For me at least, she let me see that I am NOW fourth year nursing student. She opened my mind on what qualities I should develop to be able to be a competitive nurse someday. She taught me to be responsible—more responsible.

I thought she doesn’t know how to smile… I thought our class won’t make her laugh or even just smile good thing, we did because of our group presentations. Her seriousness, I believe is just her professionalism. I once saw her near the faculty room, playing with a little girl, and then I said to myself, Ma’am EDC is not stonehearted after all.

I say Ma’am EDC should stay for your IN years won’t be complete if you didn’t experience being under her. As what was said in the Friendster bulletin, she had established herself in our institution and she really had given great efforts in producing skilled Tamaraw Nurses. I‘ll definitely NOT forget her.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a charity. I just want to share my Ma’am EDC experience.  

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!)

Field trips are always fun. Not only it enables you to learn and appreciate your environment but also it brings bonding to your group. Honestly, I have gone to Rizal’s Shrine both in Intramuros and Laguna a couple of times already, whether I am with my family or with my classmates but that was when I had a not-fully-developed memory and understanding of things. Now that I have refreshed my blurred vision of what Rizal’s Shrine looked like in Intramuros and in Laguna, I thought there would be no learning because of the aforementioned statement but I was wrong. There was indeed a difference. A Difference in looking, in perceiving and in understanding things. For the reason that I have grown and I have different group of people as my companion, who at some point had influenced the way I recognize things.

We first visited Intramuros where I saw Rizal’s footprints— again. Being nostalgic, I remembered when I was a little girl, I enthusiastically follow Rizal’s metal footsteps, which I thought was big but now, my feet doesn’t even fit in Rizal’s shoes. I still tried to follow it, and as I went farther, I realized all his efforts just for freedom to reign in our poor country. I knew that with each step, are his hardships and dedication for the betterment of the future Filipinos— us.

Second stop— Rizal’s house at Calamba, Laguna. I honestly thought going there was just a waste of time, money and energy but again, I was wrong. Upon entering Rizal’s house, I saw their utensils, bedroom, dining room and even their bathroom but one thing I noticed is that, their things are small, this made me conclude that Rizal’s family is not that big or tall. Then it made me think of something worth realizing, I realized that even if Rizal is not a tall person, you can never step onto him, his principles and his philosophy. Even if he is just small, he has a magnificent and brilliant heart and mind, in which until now, his life and works affect each one of us. It is still the basis for each crucial decision our country needs to take.

Visiting places where memorabilia of Rizal are in, is just one of the ways in depicting Jose Rizal as a Filipino Hero. Preserving his properties is one way of giving and paying respect to his great contribution in the Philippine History but we should all remember that it is not only through that, in which we can show our tribute to him, it’s by living with his teachings from his essays, novels, poems and most especially, from his example. Through that, he will much appreciate it as he delightfully envisioned the future Philippines.

To wrap up our exposure in Rizal class, I gained something unique by simply walking through the walls of his home in Calamba and chronicling his long walk at Intramuros. How I missed field trips. Good thing we had this activity. Rain or shine, we still pursued the trip for we know, it’s a blessing and indeed, it was.

Learning outside the four corners of the classroom, I believe is the best way in which an individual never forgets because he explores on his own and yes, it is life changing.

Though Jose Rizal is just a small person, Indeed, There is no small thing that can’t blind your eyes.

So yeah, after I have finished one module in our E-Learning, here I am today enjoying myself in our cozy home at the same time, being absent for my E-Learning schedule. Yes, my mom knows about it. I actually asked her permission regarding my absence. LOL!

For the past 2 weeks, I have been on straight duties and lectures. No free day, as in no time for rest.

Here is what happens when you are sleep deprived.

taken at Q.I

He is really sleeping...

2 in a row! LOL!

Student Nurses, if given the chance (even if there is no chance…LOL!) would steal even just a minute for sleep. Yeah, I am dead guilty. I have actually learned a skill for that— Sleeping in anywhere (be it on public transportations or in the hospital itself) and in any style you want as long as you don’t get caught. The best part in that skill is I can sleep with eyes OPEN. LOL!

I just realized, taking stolen pictures will help me not to have sleeping pictures. LOL! My skill in taking such unique photos is another story…=D Beware…LOL!

Oh wait, I still have loads of things pending to be done… arggghhh!

Free day is the new “Do-My-Schoolwork-Day” *sniffs.

*Now this would make me a good student. (Sarcasm again. tsk)