God works in mysterious way

On my last blog, I mentioned that the doctor’s  prognosis for my father’s health problem is Parkinson.  Today is the day!  My parents will go back for the result of the MRI.  I did not come with them.

Today is Friday.  My weekly ritual of going to Quiapo church.  I started this since June when our LOB came up with a new APSP.  Ever since, I never missed to come and say a little prayer every Friday in the church most popularly known as “QUIAPO church”.   Quiapo church is officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. It is home to the 17th century life-sized image of the Black Nazarene.    People on all walks of life come here to pray to the Black Nazarene.  Many experienced the miraculous healings and answered prayers of the Lord of the Black Nazarene.  I am one of them.

After having our breakfast, my husband and I went to Quiapo.  Unlike any devotee, I do not say the novena, pray the rosary or even hear mass.  I say my own little prayer.  Simple and short.  Sometimes my husband will question why I need to go too far away churches where travel time is longer than my prayer time.  He just can’t understand.

The moment I arrived in the church, I say my little prayer.  I always begin my prayer with a thank you for all His blessings, followed by asking for forgiveness for any wrong doings (which I know I always have). Last is asking for my petition.

I know what I want today, I badly needed it.  My God never failed me.  NEVER!  Asking for something you dearly want is not easy.  You need to surrender something or promised Him something. 

For my father’s health,  I will give anything.  I asked God, “Lord, you never failed me when I needed you most.  Today, I offer you something.  I will give up something that is very hard for me to give up. In return, please make my papa’s MRI result not as worse as the doctor says it will.  Not Parkinson, not Alzheimer, not even cancer or even disease that will take his sanity.”

I know since yesterday, my whole family is already praying for the health of my father.  I do not know if God granted my prayer or my mom’s or my other family members.  One thing I know, God works in mysterious ways.  My father is now free from Parkinson or Alzheimer.  Doctor says that MRI showed nothing that serious but my father will be under observation. 
I thanked God!  He made me realized how important my father is to me.  I will never take my father for granted.

Once I had a father…

Last Wednesday, my mother talked to me regarding the condition of my father.  She was so worried about the changes that are happening to my father. 

My father, who is now 68 yo is experiencing difficulty in walking, talking, and completing simple tasks. My brother in-law suggested we see a neurologist.  The next day, I accompanied my parents to Makati Med.  The hospital recommended 2 neurologists.  We went to see the first doctor. 

Consultation alone is Php 1,500.  Other Neurologists in the hospital charges Php 800 – 1,000.  This doctor must be good, I told myself.  After telling the doctor my father’s complaint and after some diagnosis, the doctor drops THE BOMB.  She said, “I think its PARKINSON.  It’s not full blown but the symptoms are there.  I want to make sure.  I need an MRI to be able to tell you exactly what is happening to your father.”

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) cost Php 9,000 in Makati Med. That is too much for a couple who is retired and doesn’t have much income. Now I know why God helped me to get the top bonus for the month of September. He has a reason.  MRI was immediately scheduled for my father that afternoon.  Results will be given the next day.

My mother is not aware what PARKINSON is and how bad it is.  I do not want to tell her.  

My father is a jolly and active person. He is very industrious. He is our all around man.  He can cook, baby sit, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, and others. At his age, he can still do the grocery, marketing and other stuffs. You won’t see him just sitting around doing nothing. Sometimes, my family is getting annoyed because there are times the he will try to fix something that is not broken just so he has something to fix. That is my father.  I love him in spite of his kakulitan.  

I may not be his favorite daughter but I know he loved me more than he loves himself. I know that because I am his daughter.  To see my father slowly deteriorating because of an unknown sickness makes me cry.  Not now, not yet.  I still haven’t given him what I want him to experience.  A plane ride, a long vacation somewhere.  Shallow as it may seem, that is still my dream.  I have taken my parents for a vacation 2 or 3 days in a beach or resort but most of the times, those trips are short.  I will never be who I am now if it wasn’t for him. He and my mom sacrificed a lot just to raise us the best way they can.  He is not a perfect father but he is THE BEST FATHER and I WILL NEVER TRADE HIM FOR ANY OTHER FATHER. 

God's sense of humor

Exactly 19 days from now, I will be celebrating my daughter’s 6^th birthday.  Six years.  I can’t believe that she is with me for 6 years already.  It seems like it was only yesterday when the only prayer I know is “God, give me a baby.”

After 2 years of being married with no contraception of whatever kind, I never had a baby.  I told myself, it’s alright.  My husband and I are still enjoying ourselves as a couple. On the 3^rd year, I started to wonder.  Our parents, relatives and friends are already asking.  After 3 years of being married…no kid/s. We seek the help of my brother-in-law who is an OB-Gyne and specializes in artificial insemination and In vitro fertilization (IVF).  First, both I and my husband did the regular routine.  Check yourself!!!  Determine who the culprit is.  The day of the test arrives.  It was the longest day of my life.  My husband turned out to be healthy and got healthy sperms.  Oh God!  What if it’s me?  What if I am barren?  I cannot even conceive the thought that I was the culprit.  Alas!  It was not that worst.  Yes, I got a problem.  I have 2 fallopian tubes and a uterus BUT it seems that my eggs don’t know the meaning of fertilize! 

My brother in-law gave us 2 years to try the Calendar method with his constant monitoring.  Every month I will undergo ultrasound and also, he will tell us when is the right timing to mate.  Oh, I forgot to mention, I am also taking a pill that will help me to produce more than 1 egg to have a better chance of fertilization. Every month that we are unsuccessful, my feeling is unbearable.  Every month that I will have my period, I cry.  My mother encourages me to opt for adoption.  My husband was very supportive.  There was no sign of frustration on his side.  All I can see is hope.  I am not fond of kids but hey, I want to have a child of my own.

I remember the last time I cried my heart out to God was December 27, 2004.  It was the day after magnitude 9.3 earthquake struck off the
Northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.  I was at the gym, when my period came.  The moment I found out that we were unsuccessful again, I cried.  I asked God, “Please Lord, just 1.”  Oh yes, I was at the gym.  Part of my getting me pregnant experiment is I need to slim down because I was overweight. 

January 2005, God has a surprise for me!!!  I am pregnant.  Alas!  The 2 years experiment paid off.  Now our goal is to keep the baby in my uterus for at least 9 ½ months!  After 2 months, I experience spotting.  I was worried.  My brother in-law said in his most comforting words, “That’s alright.  At least we know you can get pregnant.  If this becomes unsuccessful, you can try again.” 

In my mind, “What!?! Try again?  As easy as that.  After all the frustrations the emotional torture and all he can say is I can try again!”  My brother in-law and God must really have a sense of humor.

Thank God, I was able to keep the baby in my tummy for at least 8 months.  Yes, I had a pre-mature birth.  We were renovating our house to prepare for the coming of our baby.  I insisted on sleeping in the house with all the fumes of the newly painted walls.  So there it goes.  The paint fumes triggered my pre-mature delivery. 4am of Aug 30, 2005 my water bag broke.  My dream of smooth and painless delivery was vanished into thin air.  I was rushed to the maternity emergency room of Philippine General Hospital.  Trust me when I say, “You do not want to be rushed during that hour in the maternity emergency room!”

My husband called his brother who is our OB.  While we were waiting at the labor room, the nurse was instructed to try to induce labor but it was immediately stopped after 5 minutes because I can’t really do a normal delivery because my baby’s umbilical cord is coiled in her neck.

My CS was scheduled at 12nn.  It was the longest and painful 8 hrs of my life.    Though my OB said it was not really labor pains that I am experiencing and it is nothing compared to the real labor pains, MY GOD, I do not want to experience the REAL labor pains. When the doctor arrived, my husband requested for 2 more hours to wait because the video cam has not yet arrived.  “Are you kidding me?  2 more hours? I can kill him right there and then.”

The time comes when I was delivered to the operating room.  Thank GOD!!!  After I was injected with the anesthesia, that’s it!

I was half awake and half asleep. The next thing I know, the nurse was holding my baby and rushed her to the cleaning area.  All the pains I’ve felt during the last 12 hours that day not to mention the emotional roller coaster I had for the past 2 years all vanished!

I have a baby.  Her name is Marian Dae.  The most precious gift God has given to me.  I always know that God loves me but that was the only time I knew how much He loves me!!!

Some of Makati's finest

There are two not so popular parks here in Makati.  Both are located in Legazpi Village.  These are the Legazpi Active Park and the Washington Sycip Park.  The two parks are adjacent to each other. 

Legazpi Active Park is more appropriate for joggers or those who want to do their exercise in the morning.  As its FB account says, “It’s small but it does the job.” 

Here you can find big trees, slides for kids, a small stage like place where you can do your thing.  Benches are ample.  Also ideal if you just want to be on your own amidst the busy city of Makati.

The Washington Sycip Park is quite new.  Newly renovated I mean.  I used to visit this park years back when I was single.  My best friend and I used to hang around on this place after office.    Now that they have enhanced this park, it is better than it used to be.  It is now worthy to be called Makati’s little oasis.

Both parks are accessible and free.  Come and visit sometime to enjoy some of Makati’s  finest.

Medicard...The healthcare I deserve!!!

Working in a call center has it perks. One of this is having a health card.  I have two health cards.  Maxicare, which is provided by my company. Medicard, which is provided by my husband’s company.  

I used to love Maxicare when our plan was not yet clinic based.  Imagine 1 million worth of coverage for my health and 500 thousand for each of my dependents.  Since the company changes the plan to clinic based, with the same coverage, I rarely use my card anymore.

Nowadays, I always use Medicard.  Medicard is very convenient. I CAN ACTUALLY USE IT IN MAKATI MEDICAL.  Makati Medical is just beside my office and just very near my house.  They newly open MEDICard Lifestyle Center located at No. 51 Paseo de Roxas corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City. You won’t miss it.

It’s like having a mini hospital with almost all the facilities of the bigger hospital.  It includes a state-of-the-art dermatological center, a fitness facility, an eye and colorectal center, dental clinics and a yoga center.

Upon entering the building, you will be greeted and assisted by friendly staffs.  Goodbye to the number system that some clinics are still practicing.  The service here is fast and efficient. 

Once you register and inform them what you need, you will need to wait at their spacious lobby.  
Nice paintings are hanging on the wall.  Reading materials are also available.

 

Once called, you will be escorted by friendly and most of the times gorgeous attendants to the doctor’s office which is located mostly on the upper level.

If you will be bringing your kids with you, you will feel secure because they also have security cameras everywhere.  A play room is also available as well as a waiting area that your kids will like.

It is always a good experience visiting this place.  They never fail to make their clients a VIP.

My 10 pesos worth of FUN!!!

Yesterday, was a bonding moment for me and my princess who is 5yo. I managed to escaped her from her school after paying her monthly tuition fee. So she's 1 hr earlier out of school. Every Friday, as much as I can, I bring her with me every time I go to church in Quiapo during Fridays. One park caught her attention. It has colorful figures of big pre-historic animal creatures. We often passed at this park everytime we are on the way home. I promised to bring her one of these days and that day was yesterday!

After having an adventurous time in Quiapo, we hailed a PVP bus. Bound to go to the now called "Rizal Park" also known as "Luneta" or formerly called "Bagumbayan". Quiapo is very near to this well known park. Within 10 minutes, we are there. Since we haven't taken our lunch yet, I decided to have our lunch at Jollibee. After a sumptuous affordable meal. Off we go to find the entrance of this so called "Children's Playground".

The entrance is exactly located in Gen Luna St. (beside the Dept of Tourism) near Taft Ave. cor TM Kalaw, . The park has been renovated and restored by the Department of Tourism through the help and cooperation of National Parks Development Committee and the City of Manila. There is an entrance fee for anybody 2yo and above who wishes to enter the vicinity. For Php 10.00 one can enter the park and stay there for as long as you want. I think charging people to use the place helps the administration of the park maintain it not to mention this also eliminates unwanted visitors.

It's been ages since I last visited this park. I remember my parents used to bring us in this place when we were little. Visiting this place again brings back memories. The big red shoe is still there welcoming you.

The place is a child's haven. Your child can slide, run, play, play in the monkey bars, see-saw and swing all they want. There are also some kiosk or food store inside the park but most families who visits the place have prepared their own food. There are also mono-blocks tables and chairs inside with colorful parasol that you can use for FREE. You can also have your own blankets and have picnic on the grass.

Some of the things that you and your family can enjoy in this cheap but wonderful place is a Victorian fountain that welcomes you to the place. On the left side is a series of slides for bigger kids to enjoy. On the right side, you can find monkey bars and also some miniature slides. Straight ahead you can find a big Hippo, volcano and some dinosaurs. The place is a total haven for "cam whores."   No, not an individual who performs sexual services on the Internet with webcam in exchange for money.  I learned this from my  office mate, Kimmy, who calls people who loves posing whenever they see camera a "cam whore."

Over all, my daughter and I have wonderful pictures for my FB.  Maybe next time, we will try the other parts of Rizal Park!!!

Validosa, My rebonding experience!!!

I was supposed to go with a friend for a rebond.  Plans were changed so I opted to try this new salon nearby where I live called...Validosa.  The salon claimed "Hindi mahal, ang maging glamorosa." 

Once I stepped into the salon, a friendly staff greeted me and the OIC named Rommel personally assisted my needs.  I asked for a mega-rebond,which doesn't cost much since it already  included a rebond, perm color, power dose and hair blessing.  I also requested for a mani, pedi and a basic footspa.  Its about time I pamper myself.

I was instructed to go up the second floor where Rommel started my rebond and left me to let the chemicals takes into effect.  There is this one friendly but not so nice little girl around 3 or 4yo.  She said hello and starting walking around me.  Then she attempted to open my bag, I said no.  Then she opened the light of the mirror, then walk around me again, closer and closer until she touches my belly and said, "baby".  I know I'm a bit overweight and do not mind being pregnant since I am already a mom and a wife.  I told the little girl, it's not a baby but fats.  I suddenly remember what if the customers are sensitive like my friend Quennie.  They will lose a customer if they will keep on allowing staffs' kid to be roaming around and bullying customers.

When Rommel came back, he asked me to go down and have my hair rinse.  After the shampoo girl, finished her job, Rommel asked me to just sit on one of the chair in the ground floor.  There I met the branch manager, Kristine.  Kristine is a friendly gay who likes to do "beso-beso" to all the customers of the salon.  Then I also saw the audit officer of the head office of the salon.  It was payroll day the next day and actualy inventory day that day.  The reliever (for the inventory), who is a lady also brought her 2yo son.  The officer asked her to tally the sales for the inventory.  She did this for about 2 hours with her son on her side.  After 2 hours she gave the paper to the officer and the officer checked the report.  The officer was pretty irritated because after 2 hrs, the report is not accurate.  The officer said in an irritated voice "Nde ko alam kung san mo pinagkukukuha yung mga numbers mo.  Wala kang itinama!  So, ako din pala ang gagawa nito!"  Just when she said that, the son asked her mother for a milk.  The reliever went to bring her son upstairs to fix milk.  The officer in an exhausted voice said "Okay, dito lang ako, unahin mo yan kasi mas importante yan kesa trabaho."  She then asked the OIC which is Rommel if the staffs are always like this bringing their children to work.  Rommel said "Just when necessary."  I'm sure he is just covering up the staffs.

After 15 minutes of waiting, the reliever went down and they started to do the actual physical inventory.  Alas!  Her report does not match the physical stocks.  The officer asked the branch manager to call the real inventory clerk and asked her to report NOW!!!  After 15 minutes the real inventory clerk arrived and the officer explained that a lot of things are missing.  She gave the report to the clerk and said that she will let her reconcile the inventory report from the physical inventory.   The inventory clerk said, "Tapusin ko muna po ung payroll kasi nde pa po marunong yung kahera 2 weeks pa lang po sya. "  The officer became irritated again and said, "Nde yan ang trabaho mo, trabaho nya yan bayaan mo sya dyan." After few minutes, the inventory clerk cannot reconcile all.  She reasoned out that she wasn't able to do inventory for the past 2-3 days.  This made the officer irritated.  She said "So, kasalanan ko?  Nde ka effective na inventory clerk nde mo ginagawa ang trabvaho mo."  Ending a 3k worth of inventories will be deducted to her salary because of her negligence. 

I went to the salon 11:30am.  I was done 6:45pm.  Hungry and more stressed because of my experience, it makes me think twice to come back on that salon again.  One thing good though, the rebond was awesome.  Nice service by Rommel.