Coke Extraordinaire

In light of today being the birthday of one of my closest med friends
(and fellow coke-extraordinaire),

Peter Co

Forgive the fatness, this is first year med!

UltimEIGHT's first ADMU-DLSU game, and we lost.

and the sadness that is this day,

Pedring.

SunStar's editorial drawing.

I had the time to put up my coca-cola collection. :)

Something that perked me up -- you gotta find that happy place.

It's in the happiness tab <3

Day Off

Whattaday this has got to be. :(

First the mix up with the announcements -- we have got to fix our system for that.

Then I strategically left for hypermarket at 4pm, when the rain wasn't so strong and the winds stopped knocking things over and the sun was still up, so it was possible to walk.

On the way to hypermarket I already started to regret my decision because my umbrella wasn't as defiant to the weather as I'd hoped it to be, but since I was halfway there, I trudged on. It felt amazing to see the lights and the people (you see, im afraid of the dark and being alone -- afraid of anything and everything actually).

Grocery time was happy time, especially since I had heard there was electricity in the house already.

Happy time was cut short however when I stepped into the house. I was excited to use my laptop and for a warm home-cooked meal. But alas, the moment I stepped into the house, the electricity went out! No kidding. I had left the house to get away from the darkness, instead I came home to it, by this time there was no more sun.

Along with the electricity went my dreams of a warm meal (everything in the house is electric so there was no way to cook anything without electricity), atleast my laptop is working (for 77% battery atleast). I light up every candle in the house and kept it in my room to feel safe and secure. And just when I felt it was bright enough to lie down and feel safe, one died on me. I checked on the candles and as it turns out, they were all decor candles -- not meant to be used -- so their wicks weren't long enough to be used for a long time, so they were all dying on me.

As I type this entry, out of the five candles I had lit, only 2 are surviving; with the other one about to give up. :( On top of all that, I'm still sick and coughing so hard. The howling winds and the slamming doors aren't helping, I feel my heart racing -- tachycardia.

But before I continue to dwell on the interesting day I've had. I caught sight of this quote from a friend's tweet:

"it is a shame how, for a time, i can so easily shut out the world's problems when i am safe at home." - angelina jolie

And I realized how true it is. Here I am thinking about how bad my day has been and I hadn't realized that this storm is probably hurting more people in more ways than scary darkness. I had gotten word that some areas of Manila are already submerged in water. I saw pictures of evacuation centers already packed. And there's nothing that I can do about it right now.

Oh, in times like these, there's really nothing left to do but to check on the people you love, and pray. I do hope this won't be as bad as Ondoy. Please be careful everyone.

Parent's Love

Happy 24th Anniversary!

Growing up, I was like any other little girl, 

my understanding of love was prince charming arriving in his grand white horse 

(or hot new Maserati/bmw), sweeping me off my feet and we would live happily ever after.

22 years of TV shows, depressing movies, being a shoulder to cry on for forlorn friends, being an adviser for opportunistic friends, a few hearbreaks or two, crappy reality series, realistic news articles later; witnessing happily ever after fall apart has somehow changed my notion of love.

But the love that you both shared has stayed consistent throughout the years.

It has shown me that love is no fairy-tale; at times it can be difficult; but it has also showed me that loving unconditionally and completely is not bad either, at times it is your source of strength.

I saw your love for each other grow, and evolve to become love for the family and love for us. 

You’ve shown us that love is more than just romance, 

that love means choosing each other again and again.

24 years later, you’ve gathered additional pounds, grown-up children, middle age problems, tears and laughter, and you both still continue to inspire each other and us.

And for that we are eternally grateful, 

we love you Mummy and Daddy.

Sundays are Music Days 9

Let me share my musical promiscuity on Sundays. Sundays are music days.
This week has been so emotionally draining.But also had some great "up" times -- like a roller coaster!
Super blessed to have the most amazing friends.People knock you down to your lowest low,but its people also that help you back up.
Whut am I saying?! I don't know. I tend to babble on and on in heightened emotions.So let's just let the music do the talking now while I go off to study matters of the heart (Cardio).

What are these lists? Concept (and first list) is explained here.
My previous sunday lists: 2 , 3 , 4, 5,  6. 7
Same rules, no judgments, no genre, no limits, just music I tune the world out to. :)


1. This is tooo funny for words! Stupid and meaningless stuff like this are usually seen as space or time waster -- but i disagree, people need to be able to laugh and make fun of themselves to stay sane in this otherwise serious world.Sexy and I know it by LMFAO

Life doesnt stop

I write this entry as I wait for my mail to attach submissions as I race after deadlines.
It's the only time I have left -- but I had to make use of it to share this little humdrum realization:

"di tumitigil and mundo"

As med students, we often lose ourselves in our little bubble of anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc. We are almost always inside the classroom studying, or in a coffee shop studying, or at home studying. I always hear that in movies, in series, in other people's lives -- but I never thought it would happen to me. I used to take pride in being able to balance life seamlessly.

But this week I found myself unable to talk to three of my bestest friends who live far far away when we were supposed to be updating each other about our lives, telling my parents they needn't come to Manila on my birthday because it falls on the weekend before pulmo exams (my hardest module last year), unable to sleep enough to recover from a sore throat which has now progressed to full-on flu, unable to reach out and be there for friends who are going through worse right now from different sides and different perspectives. I feel like I've chosen school over family, friends and my health.

I'm lucky because Im gifted with the most amazing, supportive and understanding family and friends, but I had to take this opportunity to pause and remind myself -- and all other busy people out there (wether in med or not) -- that life goes on. It doesn't stop for anyone or anything -- so be grounded in your priorities and know who you are, so that you don't wake up one day realizing while you were busy doing something else, life had passed you by. There will be consequences, forks in your path to wherever you are going, where you have to give up one for the other, that is where such priorities and self-reflection is needed for you to make the right decision for yourself.

My attachment is about to finish. My "break" is almost up.
Let me end with this. Thank you. For reminding me that there is always more to life.

Bookstores and Maturity

I stepped into the familiar store in a hurry to get away from the slight drizzle. One whiff of the familiar scent and im suddenly reminiscing and smiling like an awkward little girl in the middle of. . . . 

National Bookstore Katipunan!

It's funny what we find familiar, safe, happy, heart-warming.

After bringing my lil sister to AdMU for RIB (org's dance contest), I headed over to Starbucks Katip to study with friends. It would be my first time to step into Starbucks Katip simply to study (the only other times I've been there was to line up for the double sticker promo for their planner in college). After seeing familiar faces and the beloved fast-tracked catch up, I couldn't help myself, I had to pay homage to my collage solace place -- NBS Katip.

While everything around it has somewhat changed (there is now Bonchon, Dairy Queen, Fully Booked, etc. in Katip), NBS was exactly the same, I instantly went towards the colored papers section and picked up random set of colored paper, and of course bought my necessities -- bond paper, highlighters.

I suddenly was made more aware of how much time had gone by -- how different yet the same I was.

A few notable differences or similarities:

- Im studying in STARBUCKS! *shock* I used to be one of those people who judged starbucks for their expensive coffeee -- and judge the people IN starbucks, why spend 100+ on a mug of coffee?! but look at me now, its basically become my home -- theres something comforting (and helps you focus) about the smell of coffee and the abundance of people who are studying all around you.

- I shunned jollibee right beside NBS. In college, my diet was jollibee or mcdo (sans the weight gain), and no amount of "I will stop eating junk food" mantras could get me to stop. This time I didnt even look towards jobee's direction.

- I was surrounded with ADMU BS Bio people. hahaha As a health sciences major, I always felt a OP with the bio people because they had this amazing culture amongst themselves -- it was nice to hear them interact with each other asking about each other's lives in different med schools, hearing genuine concern or excitement for each other. It made me miss my own health sci barkada so very much.

- I paid with my credit card in NBS. It's funny bec in college, one of my biggest bills to my card was almost always National Bookstore. It's my happy place. 

- I drank an energy drink. haha I used to think I would never need energy drinks (if you know me, you'll understand why -- im a freakin ball of energy! haha). Fast forward to med school, its not so bad if taken in considerable amounts -- especially when starbucks drinks are taking majority of your allowance.

I know I was supposed to be studying, and I really was!

Quite productive actually, contrary to popular belief! ;p

But it was nice, that little bolt of reminiscing. 

A friend used to tell me "hypocrisy is a sign of maturity."

Change is inevitable. What makes us mature is when we learn to deal with it appropriately.

Sometimes that means going back to your foundation and standing up against change.

Sometimes it also means realizing you were wrong and changing your outlook to adapt to the change. What matters is that you know where you've been and you know where you are headed -- so that as you go through the journey of change you don't lose yourself.

To some degree I think I've matured -- hopefully for the better.

Sundays are Music Days 8

Let me share my musical promiscuity on Sundays. Sundays are music days.
Slowly, it gets better. We're done with the basic pathologies module and starting with cardio-- and i love cardio. the heart is absolutely fascinating! <3
As for this list, I made it mid-week and kept adding as the days went by so there's no recurring theme, just a bunch of songs that hit me within the week.
Some people asked me recently how I'm able to do this even if I have to study.It's both my stress-reliever and I simply refuse to be taken over by stress and lose joanie.
What are these lists? Concept (and first list) is explained here.
My previous sunday lists: 2 , 3 , 4, 5,  6. 7
Same rules, no judgments, no genre, no limits, just music I tune the world out to. :)

1. Apparently I am a funk baby... i did not know that about myself. haha I love the blues or whatever this funky tune's genre is. And since a friend keeps suggesting these kinds of sound to me and I keep liking them, I've recently discovered I like the blues, maybe always have, just realized it now. haha No Man by Diplomats of Solid Sound 

2. For some strange reason, when you mention Bloc Party, this song is what pops into my head. First song also that I dont really care about the lyrics -- i just love hearing the sounds together. haha And when you are panicing for an exam, its perfect to just hear something you like with no thinking involved.

This Modern Love by Bloc Party

   

 3. Bruno Mars was recently in Cebu (2 months ago? or i forget, med students tend to lose track of real time) and a few cousins were able to hang with him. That made me start taking his music seriously (yes, I have the weirdest brain connections), apart from the lazy song and the billionaire hype. This song actually caught me with these lyrics: 
"Go ahead, make my day!"
"You've got weapons of mass seduction."
I'm a total sucker for puns and witty use of otherwise common phrases.
Click Clack Away by Bruno Mars 

 4. My on-going search for the best wake up song is still on-going. haha This was one of my WAKE UP soundtracks -- its from Transformers soundtrack (another good movie soundtrack). The violin beginning to an otherwise rock-ish song totally blew my mind (which is easily done i regret to inform you). But I think you'll have to agree with me when I say this unique sound is good.
Awake and Alive by Skillet

   

 5. There are times when you find yourself staring out the window and just thinking of anything and everything. This would be the perfect soundtrack for that moment! I love that this fan-made video exactly captured that -- he's filming a train ride through Holland. I promise, the right soundtrack can bring out the most interesting thoughts!
Lump Sum by Bon Iver

 

6. I was absolutely crazy for this song during ASMIP -- when I found it in a friend's ipod on the way to work because it was so upbeat and because like I said before Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging has an awesome soundtrack. It brings me back to highschool days-- to the times of teenage crushing.
She's So Lovely by Scouting for Girls

Enjoy

XOXO,

Joanie

Happiness in Ninyo

Today marked the end of the hell-ish but genuinely fun Basic Pathologies 2 Module.

You can feel both the defeat and the joy that my batchmates felt after the final exam this morning.

So it was such a joy to receive an invite to end the day with an awesome dinner at Ninyo, Katipunan.

A fusion cuisine hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Katipunan Avenue,

ever since college it has always been a yummylicious escape with AR and Jerome (highschool classmates)

So it just seemed appropriate to end this day here 

with the people that make med school less SCHOOL, more FAMILY (#fakeclose).

Find your happy place and your happy people.

XOXO,

Joanie

Bestfriends

As I go through the milestones of my life 

-- from kindergarten to highschool to college to "adulthood", 

you were always present.

Meme Dakay

Here's to you my gorgeous talented best friend,

from your besty who - despite the distance - will always be your besty.

I love you! Happy Birthday!

Sundays are Music Days 7

Let me share my musical promiscuity on Sundays. Sundays are music days.
So when you think it can't get any harder.... it does. haha Have to go study now so here's a quick list.
What are these lists? Concept (and first list) is explained here.
My previous sunday lists: 2 , 3 , 4, 5,  6. 
Same rules, no judgments, no genre, no limits, just music I tune the world out to. :)
1. Another song I stumbled upon when I was looking for a "wake up" tune. Fell in love with the lyrics -- its a good start to this sunday's list because its so hopeful and rather a believable dream -- that we can get everyone to wake up to the wrongs of the world so that we can all do something to set them right. As med students who are super engrossed with our studies (surviving our exams and excelling in the classroom) that we forget the real world -- not just the social lives and parties we are missing but the injustices that goes on. Just something to remember I guess -- I don't believe in "out of sight, out of mind."Wake Up Everybody by The Roots    
2. Listen to the sound of this one. It just jams well. It is hard times indeed for us YL6 -- when you have an exam every monday, weekends are always hard times. But I don't think that was what they meant by hard times for this song. Either way, give this a listen. You wont be disappointed, when you have legend as a family name, pretty sure it'll be legendary. (corny. either way that illicit a smile from me ;p)Hard Times by John Legend and The Roots  
 3. A friend reminded me recently of why I love hip-hop so much. It's less to do with the mumbojumbo that hipsters say to defend their indie discoveries but more to do with just the beat and the bass that make you tap your feet and just want to get up and dance. (no hating, I have learned to appreciate most genres, but being able to do so, I really see the difference in the 'experiencing' of the sound). This one in particular was one of his recommendations that just flew at me. I like my beats fast and my bass down low. hahaBass Down Low by DEV ft. The Cataracts  
 4. When you are studying up to 4 in the morning, only to get up at 6 the following day to study again -- you need all the STAY AWAKE techniques you can get. Coffee, tea, caffeine and energy drinks have their limits -- I have had several "omg Im going to die!" palpitations already. So I find it super effective to switch up my study soundtrack to songs that'll get me fired up or dancing or on my feet to wake up. ALSO, I super miss dancing and this choreography I wouldn't mind learning!EXPRESS by Christina Aguilera  
 5. After watching "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging", me and my sister looked for their soundtrack because it was just so feel good. I gave up coz it was hard to find but my sister persisted and kept playing this song. I love it! I couldnt find a proper video of the song except for a lot of fan-made shizms, this was the one that I particularly liked -- its actually from a Swedish film that I will find the time to watch soon enough!She's got you high by Mummm-ra
Enjoy

XOXO,
Joanie 

Inflamed

Last Saturday was day-off from studying day for almost all ASMPH students because it was our sportsfest. The one time we get off of our bony (or junkfood-accumulating) asses and do something physical under the sun -- be it running around, cheering our voices away, or simply posing around. ;p

This year it was headed by my batchmates (and incidentally, kabarkada?) TJ Malvar and JC Batan. These guys are known for their antics, so everyone was excited to see what they had in store for all of us. And they did not disappoint.

This was their promise: 99% Astig. Boring Proof.

It was held in Raffy Go's school - Xavier

*Look at the poor piglet that they decided to use for "Agawan-Baboy"*

The Swim Team's Water Balloon Booth -- such a smart idea!

Scholars' Food Stall

Zekaf

A very random friend, Rap Santos.

Rubor - Calor                                                                         Tumor - Dolor

The crazy games begin -- Agawan Buko and Agawan Baboy.

Quidditch -- yes, the game from Harry Potter, flying in broomsticks!

I had an awesome time. Til next year!
Forgive the lay outing -- first time to picture blog, its not easy pala!Most are my own pictures with the last few as Jonnecker Kingsu's.
XOXO,Joanie

Study Smart

So these past few weeks have been the Basic Pathology 2 Module in school. When they had said that it would be the hardest module -- they were NOT kidding. It's been 4 weeks of head buried in books and a barrage of super-long, never-ending exams. No matter how much you study, you still aren't able to fully memorize the details and perfect 120-140 point exams.

It's crazy.

I'm starting to see friends, classmates, (even myself at one point), starting to doubt themselves. People who aren't used to failure suddenly faced with week-after-week barely-passing grades.

I'm one of those struggling to keep it together (we dont have 'recovery time'; after an exam, NEXT lecture right away, so theres really no time to fall apart),. But Im takin a short break from staring at histopathology slides (i swear, they all look the same to me!), to share this quote I heard from someone who found the right style that complements this module. I turned it into a doodle on a piece of scratch paper to remind myself:
Study Smart not necessarily Hard.

I'll get back to you when I've found MY appropriate style -- when I fully understand this quote. For now, back to histopatho.

XOXO, Joanie

Sundays are Music Days 6

Let me share my musical promiscuity on Sundays.
Sundays are music days.

I cannot even begin to say how busy my weekend has been - I'll blog about that later
For this sunday's list, I didnt exactly have the time to sit down and put it together.
Instead, I made it my reward for everytime I finish a trans -- I can put in a song that I liked while studying that trans.

Also, I'm making the video screens a lil smaller to highlight the words -- MY thoughts on the songs -- more,
since I realize this is a lifestyle blog, not a music blog. haha and also coz im trying to make it seem less cramped.
Whut am i saying?! I'm rambling. Gotta go study now! :)

What are these lists? Concept (and first list) is explained here.
My previous sunday lists: 2 , 3 , 4, 5.
Same rules, no judgments, no genre, no limits, just music I tune the world out to. :)

1. Ultimate pump-up soundtrack! TRON! When I watched the movie, all I could think was I love the soundtrack but I never got round to downloading the music til recently. Now THIS particular song is my music for when I'm about to start game-face studying. Earphones on. Volume High. Highlighter in hand. Trans on the table. Game FEZZ!!!
The Game has Changed by Daft Punk


2. By the time I start to get a momentum in my studying, I need a lil breather with my soundtrack -- slower and chiller. Just enough to drown out the outside sounds, but not to distract me from what I'm actually studying. This song is particularly nice not just for studying but because of its lyrics. For some strange reason, I always find myself in particular SITUATIONS. haha Here's Situations by Jack Johnson


3. Another great sound from the same artist -- but in a different genre. This is from my beach playlist.
From the Cloud by Jack Johnson


4. I found this song by accident when I was looking at youtube recommendations the other day. And WOAH, Beyonce looks amazing! Absolutely glowing! She's one of my biggest fans -- whut?! haha She's one of my favorite artists - not just for her songs, but for who she is. During the height of my dark-skinned insecurities, she was one of the few role models to look up to who isnt hella skinny, fluorescent-white skin and a meek/demure lil girl. So I love that she continues to be one of the most powerful women in the industry -- regardless if she's married to Jay-Z. haha
Here's Best Thing I never had by Beyonce.


5. So this is an adorable song. With an adorable video. haha All her videos are like this actually but i dont really like many of my songs, but this one in particular is uber cute.
Just you and me by Zee Avi


6. Okay im stressed na sobra. haha so much to study. so little time. This song is particularly nice to make me feel pumped up again and mirrors my panicked mood. Its german -- and did you know it means something about "NO way will i ever be UNDER a woman!" hahaha If this was in english, I'd probably hate the hell out of the song. But its not, So fine.
Du hast by Rammstein


Enjoy

XOXO,
Joanie

Internet's Music

I uber enjoy putting together my sunday is music day lists every well, sunday.
And i was ecstatic to see that some of my friends have put up their own lists.
I love it because it exposes me to other people's musical taste and my musical promiscuity is satisfied. :)

If you want to check them out, here are their site's
Mae-ann's Mixtape Monday
Ricky's Soundtrack of August

And other friends that have music blogs that I enjoy
Cara's I can't whistle
Pam's Chase the Stars
Sara's Sarsagonsaur (incidentally the original music sunday inspirator)
Raleene's blog and youtube channel and Rizza's youtube channel
Their band-duo Walkietalkie


And *squeal* a real band that I am a fan of actually followed my blog which exposed me to their
musical tumblog of artists that inspire their music; Balance and the Traveling Sounds.

Some people have asked me for a copy of my complete playlist - which is super flattering but at the same time difficult since my music takes up a majority of my laptop memory and continues to grow. Also, I recommend showing your support for your fave artists and for the music industry by actually buying their music (musicians need to eat too y'know hahaha).

But if for some reason you want the music RIGHT NOW, the internet is a wonderful place.
Look for music videos per artist here
Then download them through here
Or convert them here

But if for some reason you dont like music videos, or just want audio, here are a few music sites:


So there ya go. Enjoy your music! :)
(And this'll help me to remember the links coz im such a forgetful foofoo.)

XOXO,
Joanie