We went to the Eastern province on a mission trip…. me and hubby had to avail of promo fares and luckily despite the hassles of getting a booking, we were able to get 2 tickets.

OMG, it was my first time to board a 2 seater aircraft and I was whispering to hubby that the plane might be blown away by a strong wind.  Well, now that I had experienced the promo ride, then I have something to share with friends… that no food or drinks served and if you ordered, it will be for a fee.  So better fill up your tummy before boarding the aircraft and in case hunger pang strikes, just sleep during the flight…lol.

Still I enjoyed the ride…. and was sure glad to landed safe to our destination…

Our photography class wrapped up 2 weeks ago but we never stopped shooting and aiming for  picture perfect shots with elements of photography used on the subject.   We’ve learned the basics and hopefully if an advance class will be offered, we will surely grab the opportunity to be part of the Circulo In light workshop once again.

Taking pictures is only one welcome hobby but we have realized that if you will really put your hearts and minds into it you will be amazed on how exciting and fulfilling photography is.  And that is why, hubby is really bent to make good on it.   He never leaves home without his gadget and always ready to shoot an interesting subject of interest.   During our closing ceremony, even though he was a novice in the field, it made him proud that he was included among the top 10 photo entries.  (sigh..I was not among them… ).

Posting here the top 3 pictures and the entry of hubby.

Arches by Angel Tugado

Red flower by Bobby Ikram

drop by Michelle Bollough

Honorable mention (among the top 10) – by hubby

And not to mention... my entry…  lol!

I am not losing hope… achieving the best picture is only within arms reach… just keep shooting and believing… Never surrender!

Missed blogging for some days!  A colleague was away for 5 weeks holidays and who else would be the best coverage for her work but me.   We called the arrangement “back to back”.. all administrative works are passed on and these would mean handling the whole section during her absence and vice versa.

Really I don’t mind but sometimes there were days that most physicians are “toxic” (irritable and unreasonable) who would demand unnecessary requests.   Currently, I am handling 3 sections, CSICU (Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit), Perfusion Section and Pediatric Cardiology Section (which was endorsed to me).   Aside from that, I am dealing with the Recontracting of all staff  and Physician’s Clinical Privileges, Overtime and Calltime entry, Payroll of  Cardiovascular department .  Whewww…. such heavy load!

I am looking forward to my summer vacation next month.   Now it’s pay back time.. back to back…

Now, I’ve decided to let go of our old carpet in the next room and planned to have it replaced with vinyl flooring.   Sometime last week, I contemplated to give the rooms fresh new look and yesterday,  we started in our master’s bedroom.  New pastel colored curtains were installed and it was a welcome sight!  Today, my mind is dictating me to call hubby and suggested him to have the carpet replaced with vinyl.   Stubborn dirt and stains make our carpet dull and looked worn out and for some reasons, dry clean can no longer do the trick.

It is  good that hubby got a bonus last month and there were some money left after he bought his D90 camera.  He consented on my proposal to let go of the carpet.

Yehey….

My friend sent this poem to me years back and I thought of also sharing this to all my blogger friends who too like me enjoy being a Mom… Happy Mother’s Day to All!

A Mother’s love

A Mother’s love is something

that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away…
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking…
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems…
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation…
A many splendour-ed miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God’s tender guiding hand.

As my assignment, I submitted photo of a bowl of fresh fruits taken using my point and shoot camera only.   And  before our workshop ends, all photos we sent our to our trainers were reviewed while being flashed on the projector screen.   All photos were  subjected to constructive criticisms and we were able to see what was lacking and needs improvement.   Well, it somehow became a gauge on how far is our understanding of our lessons and how we had incorporated it on our photoshoots.

title of my project:  ahhhh.. fresh…

I was the lone soul who used point & shoot.  Actually, it was by choice since hubby was busy practicing with his DSLR camera and I wanted him to be good at that.   Anyways, I believed I did a good shot here.

What do you think?

T’was a tiring day!  We just came from our second and final week of our Photography Workshop.  We had photoshoots in between lectures and the usual 5 hours duration of the workshop was extended for another 2 hours because our trainers reviewed our assignments and made constructive criticisms on our work  as it was flashed one by one on screen and then because we successfully completed the training, certificates were handed to us (with matching graduation march on the background…lol)  And to wrap up the event, numerous group pictures  were taken for posterity.

I will be posting pics soon… in the meantime, I have to catch up much needed zzzzzzzzzzzz’s….

Good night!

Last week, hubby and I attended a Photography Workshop in a British compound.  I felt it is my duty as his wife to support his interest so when I’ve heard from a friend about the workshop, I asked her to include hubby’s name.  So, it came as a surprise to him because all along he thought that I opposed his new hobby.  Well, I would like him to learn the fundamental knowledge of photography so that his DSLR will not go to waste.  If he will not learn the fundamentals, he won’t be able to take good photographs of me…lol… Or he will be forever doing trial and error shots.  That’s tiring and frustrating….

Photography Workshop

I also decided to join even though I only have a point and shoot camera.  At the start of the session, our trainers asked who among us brought cameras and all of them took out from their bags their new and state of the art cameras while I sheepishly showed my point and shoot camera.  Yes, it was only me who have the courage to use a P&S while others have DSLR’s of different brands and models.  Surprisingly, we were briefed that “better camera does NOT necessarily mean you become a better photographer”.  Yes, that boosted my spirit!   We’ve learned too that good photos are not based on new and sophisticated cameras but it is determined by one’s talent and knowledge in using the tools for photography.   Yes!  That was strike two…for I know that with my kinda creative mind and limitless imagination, even if I will be using my P&S, I can come up with better photographs.

high end cameras that made my point & shoot inferior in quality

Whew… as the workshop lessons deepened…I was somewhat  confused with numbers and metering… too technical but I tried my best to listen and drill it into my mind.   The terms Aperture, Depth of Field, Speed of Lens and Shutter Speed plus ISO , I should try to learn by heart.  For a beginner, it was too alien sounding terms for me…. but I know that I will soon learn about it… gradually but surely.

lessons about Elements of Exposure

Husband who was besides me asked if I understood and I shook my head… anyways… last night I did my review of the manual and took multiple shots adjusting the shutter, controlling Depth of Field …(yes! I am learning!!!).  I was satisfied with couple of photos and submitted it to our trainer through email because tomorrow, they will decide on which of those photos submitted passed their standards.   I am not expecting anything..  I still have a lot of things to learn.

it was a long day but worth it…

Tomorrow will be our photoshoot with a model…  excited me but nervous too!  It will now be a hands- on workshop…

Oh well….

Health care professionals are wearing diversified medical scrubs nowadays.   Such a welcome fashion change in the medical field! They now have the option not to limit themselves with the same basic white uniforms they use on duty. Colorful and stylish scrubs are fast gaining popularity and the hospital scene is livened up with colorful and flattering cut and styles of medical scrub suits.

Even the Pediatric nurses that almost everyday I have lunch with, surprised me when they showed up in the hospital dining area all too proud with their medical scrubs . Their scrubs suits are with fun character prints they claimed that can amuse any nervous child in the clinic.  Exaggerated it may seem but they swore that it really worked with kids who loved cartoon characters and their latest fashion find always do the trick (of taming them for sometime).  And they excitedly divulged that the OR male nurses are beginning to notice not only their stylish scrubs but how pretty they are… (oh gee.. where is this so called  humbleness?)

Not to be outdone is our lunch mate Dianne who is  fashionable as ever and was wearing a very flattering cut, style and color of nursing scrub suits.  We were told that it was the latest and highly commendable Baby Phat Scrubs she bought online with which she loved to display.  Well, it elicited some buzz from nurses not far behind but straightforward Jane couldn’t care less.   She quipped that it’s about time that they should search the web and change their drab uniforms!

Nowadays, it is much easier to be fashionable even while on duty for  they can search, choose and buy online for their medical uniforms so no nurses will be seen outdated….

Dianne ordered her stylish medical uniforms from http://medicalscrubscollection.com

The much awaited Royal wedding of  William and Kate happened last Friday, April 29  and I was one of those who stayed glued on TV  watching as the whole event unfold.  It was a celebration of love… Kate was enigmatic and very charming and William looked every inch a prince.  Romantic!

The event also became an avenue for flamboyant display of hats of styles and sizes.  They say that special occasion in British society is not complete without hat .  They ladies looked stunning in their hats and there were some who stunned us!  But who am I to question their fashion sense?  I believed that they really prepared for that grand Royal Wedding and had chosen the best hat for the occasion.  For sure, they made  trial fitting  to check if it will look good on them and they have consulted the best hat designer in town.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie wore eye catching hats

hat (or boat) that complete the outfit!

hats in different color, shapes and sizes

Overall, it was the best hat show that day!  And to us who are not used to wear hat … let us die in envy….lol!