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…

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….

It took me quite a time to finally give in to hubby’s desire to buy a DSLR camera.   Out of the blue, he became interested on photography and would like to buy high end camera while before he was very much contented with my point and shoot cam… Change of heart?  Or I guess he was inspired with pictures taken by a friend that amazingly came out so well  and hubby would also like  to discover the wonders of photography.

I was adamant to let him buy one for practical reasons… explaining to him that buying one is unnecessary and I even told him that for the longest time I did not see any trace of photography skills in him… lol….  Ouch!  Hubby was slighted but still very persistent (the discouraging words did not work out). Months passed and I thought the desire was long forgotten but 2 weeks ago he came home joyously announcing that he received his Performance bonus – 30% of his monthly salary.   He hinted that he can already buy the cam with his bonus, recounting further that he really worked hard and performed his best and the boss obviously noticed and gave him evaluation that deserved a compensation!   Good job!

papa and cam

It would be too selfish of me not to be touched by hubby’s seemingly over  melodramatic story….so when he mentioned about the cam again… I consented.. he deserved one… like a child that he keeps nagging me about it… so my mother’s heart gave in to his desires.

hands off?

Well, the new D90 DSLR camera is posted here….. Hands off?  No way… I have to use it too!

It’s Holy Week and as part of my penitence as a true Christian, I will stay away from Facebook for the whole week…  last night I had this urge to open my FB account to check but I was able to overcome the temptation.   I hope my FB friends will not miss me or maybe they too are doing their own penance.

Good for the soul and the spirit to veer away from wordly activities…. Good girl!  (and this makes hubby more than happy!)

I have never  tasted lamb and I had this misconception about this food…..not that I opposed to ever trying it but somehow I thought it does not taste good and disgusting to eat so I hesitated for a while when friends invited us to eat at Cabrito restaurant – famous for serving roasted lamb.  However, due to much prodding and their convincing powers, I joined them in a cubicle where we gathered round and sit comfortably on the carpet like the Arabs do.  Whoa!!! the serving was enormous.. a whole lamb leg good for 4-5 person served in a big platter with assorted types of rice to go with it.   The lamb meat is tender and juicy and flavored with spices so our group really enjoyed it.  By the way, the lamb served before us was eaten using  a grabbing apparatus (the hand), just pick up a chop and put it straight into your mouth….

A few lectures about lamb… accordingly, lamb is a good source of “good fat” so it is good for health conscious people because it has less saturated fat than any meat products.

Tender..succulent meat

Honestly, it’s just the thought of eating lamb that was grossing me out but actually, it was not bad as I thought.  I managed to have few servings and I was done….  I would like to believe that another lamb attack will make me at ease eating it just like them.  The aftertaste (or I was just getting paranoid) was watered down with hot tea and I was full…..

Before….

The after effect…..

Well, what a lamb experience!

A friend is trying to convince me to buy the slimming coffee she swore that will make me slim.  I was adamant thinking it is again one of those networking schemes that are a lot here.  She was insistent (to get a sale????) and showed us our common friend who had tried the coffee.  OMG… if this slimming coffee is what she used to make Gina that sleek and slim then I will initially order a dozen boxes!!!!  Now, I am beginning to change my perspective that all fad diets won’t really help.   But now that I have seen the proof and based on her testimonies… I think I am about to believe… Gullible huh!

Alright, we were given leaflets to read and I gasped when I read that the magic effect of the slimming coffee is that you will be slender in only 18 days…. My mind wandered fast because in few weeks time it will be my silver wedding anniversary.  In case, we decided to renew our vows… I will be wearing a white gown again and looked good in it…. Just wishful thinking… But how?    Well.. accordingly, it will lock fats and prevents absorption.. it will also increase fat reduction and increase metabolism…

Well… to good to be true huh! Anyway, I won’t believe it till I experience it first hand.   Does this mean that my friend has a sure deal now?

PS… I won’t mention the brand yet till I have tried it and if it’s effective, surely it will be for endorsement.. Just hang on!.

My hubby just celebrated his 51st  birthdays 3 days ago.   Prelude to old age?  Well, I believe that he must do something about taking care of himself more because he (or we) are not getting any younger…. Last Sunday,while driving to  a meeting, he complained of shortness of breath and numbness on his left arm.  Knowing him having history of hypertension, alarmed, we proceeded to the Emergency room of a nearby hospital to have him checked.   He had his ECG done and X-ray (??? wonder why chest X-ray) and an IV fluid administered.

According to the attending physician, the pain was not related to hypertension but a neck problem, suspecting some nerves might have been blocked or twisted that caused numbness.  What a relief…but still he needs to take care.  He should not rest with the thought that his ECG was normal… he might overindulge again.  Actually that  is his weakness, he would not listen because he loves to eat and most often than not he would not skip eating those foods that he needs to avoid confident that his medicines are ever ready… lol…   Of course, I want him to enjoy food but he need to watch his intake.  I am not imposing too much restrictions on him and really, I would not want to see him starving.   Hubby should eat sensibly and healthy before it’s too late.

This illustration is worth sharing to all (including him….).

Oh well, it is really true… we can never teach an old man new tricks!

Yes!  I am sure glad to be back!  I was able to rest for the whole day but there were times that I was  tempted to go near my computer and start blogging but I restrained myself so that I will get better fast.  I know that all my FB and blogger friends missed me and same here!

Such a pure bliss… RELAX MODE……

There is nothing really serious… I had body malaise,  feverish and my migraine had visited me again (actually, my monthly visitor).  Since I am used to his visitation rights (huh!), I can’t do anything but to take extra care of myself  and just wish that persistent headache will go away fast.  However, I felt the more it makes me sick , just lying in bed the whole day inside our room so I changed venue, I relaxed in our hammock in the covered rooftop.  Reading will only strain my eyes so I put it off for some other days and I avoided the  computer for a while …  I just amused myself with happy thoughts about my family especially my children… I also had the chance to reassess my life and had checked  what are areas of my life that needs strengthening and renewal.  Also I remember my my hubby… in 2 months time we will celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary….and somehow I got a bit depressed because until now, my excess weight is still here with me… OMG.. it has been a long time resident of my body! lol.

I just hope that I will look good in my gown despite the bulges here and there!  I just need to have the RIGHT ATTITUDE!  No worries… today, I feel a lot better and I am happy to blog again…