Lunch date with mom

Since mom and I were not able to have some mother-daughter bonding yesterday because of some errands we had to do, we went out for a date today! I treated her for lunch. Just a little expression of thanks to her for all the years poured with her love.

Sunday is the Lord's day!

How was your Sunday, guys? Mine as always as it is, by God's grace, was filled with the living Word of His. Every time I am to teach, my heart skips a beat. I do not know. Maybe because teaching is not an easy job. It takes a lot of hard work to get that pat on the back. But I am humbled that God entrusted me to be in this ministry. I am sure I will grow deeper with Him with this.

Last night, our loft was decorated with cute animal pictures and attractive artworks. A big clap to my ever devoted and imaginative co-teachers! You, guys, did a great job. I was not able to help a lot though, because I live very far.

Before my turn began, I was praying to God that just as He please, He would make my heart ready to be of service to Him not just today but everyday. I tend to be very shy and absent-minded so I was worried. And we know God, He never fails His children. I was so thankful for His Spirit guiding me all through out the day.

This is Hannah. She is so cute, isn't she? She once mentioned how she loved her dress one Sunday morning and was so happy when I agreed. 

Kids, when you give them attention even just a little, it means a lot to them. That's why parents should always be on the go supporting their children while growing up, they'll thank them a million times for that when they have all grown up!

This is Sophia or Gab. I love both of her names! She's their class valedictorian! I'm so proud! Way to go, God's little angels!

I was laughing so hard at the loft after our lesson because of her innocent sense of humor. And not only me but all the people in that same room!

We played Pinoy Henyo while waiting for the service to finish. Usually, when we are done with the lesson and activity, we go play. One of my students, Kenneth, suggested Pinoy Henyo! I was so happy they still appreciate games like that. You know, today's kids grow up so fast, you just find yourself fascinated one day how quick time flies.

Pardon my face, I am as horrible-looking as always. I just look so happy here that's why I considered including this in my post. Ha ha!

Thank you, God, for another lovely day with your kids! It saddens me to know that I won't be able to teach them next Sunday because I'll be flying back to Roxas. Yes, I will be on a 5-day vacation on my hometown. I wonder how exciting it will be!

By the way, the photos are not mine. Credits to Jam for these!

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!