And I thought the weekend will never come!

Oh yes.. and it was such a long week for me! Working for 6 days straight with only a day's rest can certainly seem like you've been coming to and from the office over and over again - like a melancholic routine! Gray skies ahead as the metro was burdened with unpredictable heavy rain showers and wind - a deadly combination as I hear people in a coughing and sneezing fit. Flu season everyone!

As I look back and remember the memories of the past week, it seems that I was trying to recall at least 2 weeks worth of memories. Now, let's see..

• I learned that my Uncle (my mom's sister's husband) who I will name as Uncle Piding was confined in the ICU via a Facebook post from my nephew. (ah, the power of the social networking!)
• Frenzy at work trying to cope up with sick staff members, the heavy call volume, motivating staff members while finishing up their appraisals, monitoring and coaching and dealing with deadlines and mild annoyance from some of the co-workers
• More frenzy from work..
• Uncle Piding's health turned for the worst. Mom called while I was on my way to work - Uncle was near his deathbed, texted my cousin and learned that he was on a coma. made arrangements with him to drop by the hospital after my monitoring schedule. received text from my cousin a few hours later that he already passed away. ;( Was in shock and found myself having a hard time focusing at work.
• Had a hard time sleeping. Bothered by something.
• Went to my Uncle's wake - made possible by swapping for a late schedule. saw my Ate Ethel first - after more than 15 years, and hugged her. Hugged my Kuya Roy and greeted my other cousins. Got teary eyed and was a bit conscious that my tears will fall down so I'm mighty glad that I saw my cousin's girlfriend and got into a conversation with her to distract me from crying. Paid my respects by taking a glimpse of his remains. He looked peaceful at least. Not really emancipated. His long thumbnail still untrimmed. Had to leave 20 minutes after getting there for work. Sigh! It's going to be a long cab ride to work..
• Finished Friday's shift with a relief! Was happy to learn that my dearest friend from work - Carly has passed her interview with a prospective new employer and is just waiting for her job offer. Was a bit jealous at first, but hey, I'm still happy 'coz she has the better work ethics between the 2 of us (even though I have the experience). I know she will be a good fit for the manager post! :) Bonded, laughed and whined about the shittiness at work - our fave past time plus planned her new image for her new work over brunch.
• Went home late (late for me is like 4 hours past my end shift time which was 6:30PM ET that day. I went home around 11pm ET) and slept like a log for 16 hours hours after texting Mr. A. about my day. Woke up and whoa - it's start of a new week again and it's still raining! Another wet week ahead? Happy Sunday!
  
  
  

With the passing of Uncle Piding, I want to honor him by giving thanks for all the help that he has given - though I was not really that close to him, He was a steady solid character in my life - someone that I'm used to seeing and knowing that he should always be there during special occasions and family gatherings. I will certainly miss your brooding presence and mischievous old Uncle quips. I do pray that your soul will find eternal peace with our Creator. To the Tolentino Family, my sincerest condolences.

I'm Back and Toothless!

I know I havent updated my blog for quite sometime now- ok, for a really long time. I put the blame on life. As they say, life can sometimes get in the way of things.. and in my case, writing. A lot has happened to me between my last post and now. Transferred to a new workplace, met new people, lost contact with some, got in touch with long lost ones, got myself in a relationship (haha! at last!), travelled more, developed some new prospects, aged (ack!).. I'll be backtracking everything as we go along. But now, I'm glad I'm finally back and ready to write!

Fast forward to now: I took the liberty of extending my 4th of July official company day off by filing for vacation leaves for thursday and friday! So that leaves me with a total of 5 glorious days away from work! What to do? Well, I was contemplating in going to a dermatologist for a procedure (and no, and its not for surgery!) to address my scars, but as I was concerned about the downtime and it has also been raining heavily for the past week, I found myself on a Friday, setting up a dental appointment instead. Since I transferred away from the mecca of medical practitioners I call Medical Plaza where I usually have my dental work done, I find it hard to find the time and a new clinic to go to. Besides, I could not even remember the last time I had my dental cleaning- a year ago or 2 years ago? Yikes! So I decided to find one that my medical card, Intellicare, covers. I found one in BF Homes, JP Romero Dental Clinic. The receptionist who answered my phone call was pleasant and friendly enough and I scheduled myself for a 4pm appointment. The place is just along Aguirre Avenue, but it slipped my mind that Aguirre Avenue stretches all the way to other side of BF. I forgot to ask for a landmark for their office. I did a quick check via Google maps but I still miscalculated the distance ended up walking a few blocks more to reach their office. I got there a little past 4 but they quickly accommodated me. After filling out some forms and doing some verification for my dental coverage, I was lead and made comfortable in the dental chair. As I waited for my dentist, I took a quick look and liked what I saw so far. Their equipment looks modern and the overall area where the procedures are being done were clean. There was even a monitor above me in which I silently hoped that I my mouth will not be magnified through that (Thank goodness it was not. Probably they use it for more interesting and major cases. Whew!). I also notice that even the water that was already laid out for me to gargle had a bluish tint to it. I later found out that it was mixed with probably Colgate Plax which earned them plus point for me as this is the first time that I came across a dental office who had thought of this. My dentist was Dr. Flan Thomas - who looks young but very able and was nice enough to explain and answer my questions. She also has an assistant who listed each of my tooth's condition as she dictates it to him one by one. Aside from having my teeth cleaned, I decided to have both of my impacted teeth extracted. I have been putting it aside for the longest time since it was always recommended that one should have complete hours of sleep prior the procedure and now is the perfect time to do it. Dr. Flan asked me if I was prepared for it and I said yes for both as not to worry about it in the future. Though what I have to worry about after is whether I'm ready to have braces which is going to be another story. So I had my cleaning first and I found myself getting more tensed as she finishes the procedure. The last time I had an extraction was when I was 7 years old for my rotten set of milk teeth. The horror stories about patients getting an infection or overdosing from anesthesia flooded into my mind. So I just said a little prayer in my mind and turned back to looking at the blank lcd monitor above me. At least I'm in good hands. Dr. Flan and her assistant were very gentle and professional though it still hurt a little bit especially when she was extracting the upper impacted tooth in which she even gave me another dose of anesthesia. I winced and was almost telling myself not to faint as I heard my tooth cracking like cracker nuts as she pulled away. I can still hear the cracking sound in my head until now. Hahaha!


And just like that, it was over. Yey, I survived! The good doctor gave me a prescription of meds and some general reminders like no to hot, spicy and seafood based food for the next 2 days. I can only eat and drink cold or room temperature, soft food and drinks. I'm scheduled to be back to have my filling next Saturday since I get it with my coverage with Intellicare. It was also good that the dental office gives discounts as well to card holders so I think I may be sticking with this one. Their braces though cost more - around 60k-80K. I might have to do a little more thinking and planning for that.


All in all, I highly recommend their clinic and I'm happy they made me comfortable throughout the procedure.


For those interested to check JP Romero Dental Clinic, you may visit them at 225 Evangelista Bldg. Phase II, Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque (in front of Central Boy Barbecue and Pan de Manila). You may also call: 02-825 8642.