Weekend Fellowship

Since last week, Ate Ann, Sister and I were planning to have a little fellowship at home. It was postponed several times already due to our busy schedules, school and church activities. So happy was I when it finally happened!

Late this afternoon, we, at last, got to have this friendship togetherness, catching up with our spiritual walk as Christians.

It was a blessing in disguise.

Being too shy, I did not had the chance to share most of my thoughts. Also, because I was really caught listening to my sister and Ate Ann converse. Ate Ann shared about their living witnesses at their church. One story that did my heart good, is that one missionary who aspired to join the Holy Land Bible Study Tour. It is a great opportunity to travel around the places you just got to read in the Bible for so many years! One pastor told him that 'Nothing is impossible with God'. That alone, made my heart melt. More and more funds were deposited in his bank account, and before mid summer, he was able to reach the P150,000 he just needed to join the tour. At first, it was still so surreal to him. He couldn't believe that what he thought was P5000 was actually P50,000 added to his account! We can dream big, right?

Our prime agenda for the fellowship was for Ate Ann to share God's resources from the children ministry in their church. Ours, being a community church, does not have enough budget to finance the weekly Sunday school lesson and facilities to make the learning of the kids better and more effective. I was really grateful to God to have sent Ate Ann. I was actually getting discouraged by all the pressures and traumas I had as a newbie in Children Ministry. I am still getting this thing down pat. And I pray and pray that God would fill my heart with wisdom and courage, and prepare me for His wonderful plan in my journey as a Sunday school teacher.

I was so enchanted receiving the materials and lessons. It got me excited to share those with my co-teachers and my students. Laughter also did not leave us as Ate Ann shared stories about her experiences in the children ministry.

There was this one kid, whose mother got hospitalized. She told Ate Ann, 'Mom was so sick that I was praying so hard.'

Another, who got deeply depressed after watching 'The Passion of Christ', avoided attending Sunday school because hearing Jesus Christ's name feared her (That's so sad to hear, the child needed to undergo a therapy). One of her classmates told Ate Ann, 'Why is she afraid? God is with us!'

Last, a kid telling Ate Ann about her mom said 'Mom is so hard to me, but God is powerful!' He firmly believes God can change his mom's heart.

Imagine hearing these from children whose ages range from 4 to 6! Their child-like faith are exceptional in every way and serves as a motivation to me to do my job well. These kids even bring their own Bibles to Sunday school. They had Bible study sessions at home. They are indeed blessed to be raised in a Christian home. How many more kids are out there, less fortunate of this? How many more of them need our care and love? How many more of them haven't heard about Jesus?

Then you thought, you're just a teacher. But after you become one, you'll realize you're not just a teacher. You're also a life shaper; God's instrument in His saving work. It's up to you if how you want to impact these kids. It's up to you how long you want to be remembered in their lives. Most importantly, this ministry teaches me not to strive to make the kids appreciate me, but primarily, to pursue it to make God appreciate me.

How amazing it is that God placed me here. I am not good with kids and was not fond of them before. But God re-located my heart that it would fit right where I am now.

What more is in store for me, in your wonderful plans in my life, Oh God? I can't wait to see your hands moving, directing me exactly where you want me to be. No one can fight your will. And that's a relief.

A Saturday with Mom and Sister

We went to SM Makati today to buy some new stuff to decorate our home. We made sure we make it before March 1 since we have an expected delivery that day. 

Our first stop, SM Department Store. Before roaming around and mall hopping, we bought several furnitures that were classic but affordable. 

This bedroom display was really cute and comfy to look at. It was cheap, as well! But I doubt its quality, because it is so rare to see a bedroom set with a very low price! Well, looks can be deceiving.

After hours of shopping, mom and sister left me at Brownies to wait for them until they finish transacting regarding mom's MetroBank card. Sister knows me well because she was the one who suggested mom to let me wait there because I'll never get bored eating! Ha ha ha.

I just ordered a drink because I know sweets will only make me thirsty and there are a lot of places that are yet to go to at such an early time. I did not go wrong choosing a coffee shake. 

It was not long until mom and ate came back. They waited for me until I finish my coffee shake. So while doing so, let the camwhoring begin!

Sister took excessive photos of mine while I was trying so fast to get done drinking my coffee shake. My hair's usually messy and I tend to sweat easily, therefore, it surprised me how I look so orderly here.

In exchange, I took lots of pictures of hers as well.

I love how cute mom is in this pic. Her bangs are awesome! It actually makes me want to sport bangs, too! What do you think?

Next stop, Greenbelt! I realized, it was a bad idea wearing a blazer. I did not presume that it would be uncomfortably warm on our way there because the last time I have been to Greenbelt, it was fairly cool. Perhaps, we were just on a different way in.

As we reached the main entrance, we were welcomed by this colorful fountain that added to the sophistication of the evening.

On our way going to the array of restaurants to dine in, we happened to pass by Bubba Gump Shrimp Company! It is a seafood resto chain inspired by 1994 film, Forrest Gump. Bubba Gump is named after the two characters in the film Benjamin Bufford 'Bubba' Blue and Forrest Gump. I'd be very happy to try eating here. Run, Forrest, run! I love Forrest Gump!

My sister found this funny art trick outside the resto. It reminds me of Forrest Gump, indeed! Aww..The bench, plus the attache case, brings me back to the moment when I was teary-eyed watching Forrest telling his life story from a person to a person waiting at the bus stop.

As the clock struck 7, our stomachs were growling of hunger already. Ha ha!

Sister suggested that we have dinner at Banana leaf. Being a probinsyana or province girl (LOL), I am not so oriented to places like this so mom and I are very lucky to have sister around. Since mom, as well, is not that of a wanderlust like sister!

While waiting for our order to be served, we had another personal photo shoot again.

Mom and I acting out one of the best-loved Asian poses. Mom's game for anything! That's why we love her!

Not so long and it's dinner time! Supposedly, we just planned to have some snack before going home. But since it was pass seven already and we still wanted to roam around after, we ended up ordering for dinner. 

Nasi Goreng Nenas.

Charcoal grilled sliced pork steak Thai style.

Deep fried squid flavored in homemade garlic.

Filipinos are rice people. So, it's a must-have in every resto chain in our country to include rice in its menu. Ha ha!

The coffee shake actually rocked my tummy just like any other coffee I drink later after breakfast. Hence, I was not able to savor dinner last night! But if I were to review the service and food of Banana Leaf, it would be two thumbs up. 

Giving our guts time to digest, we roved around Greenbelt 3. It is where most renowned and most expensive fashion houses are located! My eyes were roasted with all the tempting luxurious brands of shoes, watches, jewelries, bags, sunglasses and books that which prices are more than enough to feed one or more charities! Whew! Well, we were just window shopping. Ha ha!

Also, we spotted a celebrity inside LV house. It was Heart Evangelista! Taking pictures is not allowed inside though.

It was fun spending my weekend with mom and sister.

Shall return.

200-hour CPI

How else can I start my summer vacation to make it a more of an exciting experience than this?

If you have browsed my previous entries, you might have read about my community pharmacy internship. I have not written a formal blog about it, rather, just insert the thought of it on my posts so it's expected that this will be a very long entry for today.

It has been almost a month now since I started my 200-hour CPI. It is a pre-requisite to us, pharmacy students, in order for us to be able to take the board examination. Actually, we can have it any month, any year we want, but as a regular student, I do not want to make any delays. 

My school is a 45-minute ride from home. That means I live very far away from where I study. My family and I used to live in Valenzuela before but moved here in Malate just later last year. It was an edge for me because I wouldn't have any difficulties finding a branch close by Malate that still has available slots for first batch interns since colleges near our place usually do not conduct CPI on summer, I think.

But the sad part is, it would be really rare for me to have someone, like a classmate, to accompany me during my 200-hour CPI. By God's will, I had Roma!

We are classmates since 2nd year-2nd semester. I have not spent so much time getting to know her before until we became co-interns! Is there such a word? Well, going back, actually we are not supposed to be apprenticing at the same branch, but because she ran out of first batch slots on Pedro Gil, which is nearer her place but just one station away from Quirino, she chose my selected branch the moment she saw my name on the list! Ha ha ha. Sweet! 

On our first day, we were assigned at the Rx section. Pharmacists are the ones who operate the Rx, where they fill prescriptions, dispense dangerous drugs and other hot items, and do pharmaceutical compounding. My favorite and most experienced type of compounding is making papelitos or paper tabs, destined for special populations like geriatrics and babies. I did not have the chance to take photos while doing so because cameras are not aloud inside the authorized personnel area. So glad, our manager is very nice to have permitted me to bring camera inside the Rx and take pictures because it was our last day of internship, already. But of course, there were restrictions. :)

This is my everyday get-up. Ponytailed hair, uniform attire, and pale face. Ha ha! Admittedly, I am very passionate with fashion and other girly stuff but I am too lazy to make it a routine to dress up and beautify myself. Probably, I'll mind that after I graduate college. For now, I'll enjoy being carefree.

Outside the Rx section are a thousand more drugs to memorize, to familiarize and to study. But as time-deprived as we are, we were just asked to memorize, to familiarize and to study the drugs located inside the Rx section. Yey! With all humility, Roma and I were able to familiarize ourselves around the Rx section. We took our part as interns in dispensing drugs whenever our pharmacists are busy or are not on duty, which helped us a lot on acquainting ourselves on the numerous drug products MDC has. You know our specie, we are endangered. That's why on mornings, we have our manager as our pharmacist. I do not know why not more students get interested in Pharmacy. It's a very fun and profitable profession, I say. But also requires critical cautiousness. We were free to do most of pharmacy functions except filling prescriptions because that's a serious thing. Just one mistake and buh-bye license.

Me, together with our supervisor, Ma'am Honey and our two pharmacy assistants, Ate lrene and Ate Russel.

Ate Russel, striking a pose while trying to search her take order.

Ate Jen, an alumnus of ours, with Ate Russel and Ate Irene on the cashier area.

There are the grocery also as you enter the drugstore, the rest rooms where we stay during our lunch breaks, and the storehouse which is very private. Our branch is the flagship of the district, which means it has almost all the brands of drugs being sold by MDC. Which also means, we were very blessed by God to be placed in a large branch of MDC here in Malate so we were exposed to more drugs.

Everyday, we are allowed to make paper boxes, where loose items are lodged prior to dispensing, whenever we have nothing better else to do. Also, we dust out the banquets every now and then while accustoming ourselves to the placements and arrangements of the drugs.

As well, we were happy that we had the opportunity to package Epsom Salt a.k.a. Magnesium sulfate when MDC ran out of stocks. It's an additional experience for us to practice our measuring and labeling skills.

A few days before we ended our CPI, we received this note from another supervisor of ours, Sir Dong, thanking us for helping him regarding with the upcoming inventory this May 11. We are pleased to help! 

Just this morning, I really had fun posing for the camera and taking pictures together with these lovely people. I am so touched that they were very enthusiastic doing it as well, for us. 

Roma with our very pretty and ever energetic Ate Irene, Ate Russel and Ate Sophie.

Ate Sheena, being cute and charming as always, with Roma.

Me, with our Branch Pharmacist, Ma'am Malou. I had a very good training ground in making things as organized as they can be and being an efficient worker through her. Thank you, Ma'am!

And finally, my favorite wacky picture of mine with our Branch Manager and my Ates. Ma'am Rose, you really are cute when you smile! 

Posing with the sexiest woman in this world ever, my companion, Roma! I literally call her sexiest woman in this world ever, whenever. In exchange, she calls me gorgeous. Ha ha! Don't our nicknames speak so honestly of us both? :) We are very willing to believe that.

And on the last 2 hours of our stay as interns, I goofed around with this Carnation freebie we were given of. It's so posh, isn't it? Ano say ng Louis Vuitton mo sa posh bag ko?

My training there in MDC, Malate branch, was truly one for the books! It was a ride to remember. Regretful though that Ma'am Zy, Kuya Rico, Kuya Otep and my other Kuyas and Ates were not able to take pictures with us because of the endless number of customers coming in and out of the drugstore and because some of them were on graveyard shift or on leave. Hopefully, this won't be the last chance I will be spending time to learn from them and bond with them. 

God has a wonderful way of making my April extra-special!