Saturday, June 30, 2007

A Week of Firsts

This past week, a lot of things happened for the first time since school started...

Last Monday morning, I was late for the first time since the start of classes. And it was in Pharmacology, where the Dean was the one lecturing. I promised myself not to be late in my classes this year and I hope I could keep that promise still.

Last Monday night, I was able to peel a pineapple all by myself for the first time in the 24 years of my existence. A small achievement but an achievement nonetheless.

Last Tuesday morning, I had my first encounter with a Psychiatric patient. She was presented in front of the class and was interviewed by the lecturer. She claims she is a Dyosa... And she is scary. I can't imagine myself interviewing a Psychiatric patient, it's such a chilling thought. I just hope that in the coming months, when the rotation for Psychiatry arrives, I'd overcome this little setback and actually conduct the interview without crapping in my pants.

Last Tuesday afternoon, we had our first Integrated Case Study (ICS), in which we discussed the case of a 30y/o female who had an infected wound with abscess formation on the right index finger. It was a good experience, even better because I have new groupmates to interact with, all having their own unique personalities that make them really fun to be with. This is promising to be a good year in terms of working as a team!

Having extra time after ICS, our group trooped over to the Otolaryngology Dept to practice our ENT (ears, nose, throat) skills, and what started as a practice session to brush up on our skills in using the otoscope and other instruments ended as a gross-out procedure of having impacted cerumen taken out from both my ears. It was a memorable experience, partly because my groupmates were there making sick remarks about how fossils and artifacts might be found in the earwax that has been pulled out from my head, and partly because it was such painful experience, I wouldn't want to go through that again. During the procedure, I kept thinking that the suction the doctor was using would pull out my eardrum and even my brains, but it didn't happen. Oh well, at least my ears are clean now, and I think I can hear better (or I just keep telling myself that).Just check out my friend's Multiply for first hand look at how the procedure went. Look in her videos. ;)

The rest of the week came and passed, piling up lots of stresses in my already beat up brain and body. Too much stuff to do, too much words to read, too little time for those and other things like blogging and comics. Right now, I just want to unwind, watch Transformers later and go to choir practice, and maybe, I could get myself motivated pick up a book and do what I am actually supposed to do. Wish me luck .

An Important Quote:
"Ang tenga ay hindi nililinis gamit ang cotton buds at metal spoon." - Dr. Oliver, UERMMC Otolaryngology Department

So how should we clean our ears? That would be another blogpost for some other more convenient and less stressful time, so visit this site again soon!

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Story of the Pineapple Princess

I woke up this morning and when I went down to the kitchen, I smelled something weird, like a really fragrant fruit gone sour. It turned out that my sister and I completely forgot about the pineapple my parents brought us almost a week ago.

Let me tell you a story.

She was just sitting there by the stove, unaware of the mundane moments passing by within the walls of her lowly home. A little princess who lost everything: her strong, proud King and kind, loving Queen, her lovely, quiet maid who dressed her in frilly, pink gowns every morning before she meets her strict, uptight tutor, and the vast, forgotten kingdom she should have had inherited, had time stood still instead of flowing like the sea, washing away the sands of memory and antiquity. Alas, this poor multi-faceted princess was sitting still for so long; her bottoms had bled from the pressure of the cold, hard, floor pushing upwards on her immature, fragile hip bone. Time had yellowed her once pristine exterior and no doubt, from the foul smell that emanated from her, her flesh seemed to have had rotten from the inside. What fate awaits this poor girl? Will she be erased from memory, thrown away in a prison of neglect? Or will she be saved by a handsome young prince, or knight, or even if God forbid, a doctor who will free her bottoms from the shackles of disuse and necrosis?

***


Tonight, I peeled a pineapple for the first time in my 24 years of existence on this blessed Earth.

But thank God for the internet and people like instructor Robert Bleifer , normal Medicine students like me who grew up having pineapples cut for them, can cut pineapples for themselves on their own! Using a knife!

I had to cut out some of the rotten parts of the pineapple, but I think I saved most of it. It was kind of overripe though. Oh well.

***

My dear Babybutt,

I am so proud of myself for peeling a pineapple for the first time that I had to blog about it. I know you would be proud too… except that you probably would be disappointed because I am blogging instead of reading. I promise I will be studying after the next two words.

Love, Hunniepoo

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Six Weird Things About Me

“Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about himself or herself. People who get tagged need to write a blog entry of their own as well as state the rule clearly. In the end, you need to tag 6 people as well and list their names. Don’t forget to let them know they’ve been tagged!”

Okay, so I wasn't tagged per se but I think it would be fun to tag others.


One

I don't like pineapples when cooked. I only eat them when I have no choice, like when Mama serves Pininyahang Manok as ulam and there's no other viand. I just realized this last night when Tricia said she'd cook me the said viand one of these weekends. I do love pineapples because back when my Lola was alive, she'd have fresh pineapples in the fridge that is free for us cousins to eat. I guess it just feels weird to eat them cooked; it's just not for my taste.


Two

Sometimes when I get off the shower and I am alone in the house, I walk around naked. You should try it, it's liberating.


Three

I get easily starstruck. I get conscious of what I am doing and I get easily distracted whenever there is a celebrity around, even if its just Bentong or some B-list star. I look at them, I sometimes stare, I take second and third glances, I wait for the opportune moment to come close to them and introduce myself but I never do so. I have never asked for a celebrity's picture, ever. But if ever I meet Heart Evangelista or Angel Locsin... Hmm...


Four

I have this compulsive behavior of checking and double-checking if I locked the doors of my car and our condo. I know this might not be weird enough but try to imagine me, going down the car, locking the door, going around the car to check the doors, walking away and turning back to check the locks again. Weird 'di ba?


Five

I sing anywhere, everywhere. Back when I was in UP Diliman, I would walk from the Math building to the AS building and sometimes when I am walking alone, I sing at the top of my voice and people stare at me with weird but amused smiles on their faces. I still get jitters though when I sing on official singing engagements. It's funny how I am so afraid to sing when I am asked to and yet I can throw away my dignity while walking down a street.


Six

I get nauseous when nervous and my hands tremble when I am onstage or in front of the class. I will try to gag and vomit minutes before going on stage, but nothing comes out. It's just a conditioned reflex, I guess. Last friday, when I was in front of the class during Pharmacology, I was holding out this Manila paper and discussing something and I noticed I couldn't stop my hands from trembling. I quickly finished my discussion before anyone noticed! I hope I can control that trembling though, it bothers and distracts me a lot.

And now that I am done, I tag Tricia, Kitchie, Marvin, Rey, Vanessa and Fr. Jboy! Write down your weirdness now!

EDIT: The obsessive compulsive in me just went through the whole blogpost, corrected some grammar, added some pics and smiled because of your comments. I now tag everyone who reads this!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Pangarap Kong Bidyogeym

Minsan nangarap din akong maging isang video game developer. Naisip ko, pagkatapos ko ng college, pagpunta ko ng USA, mag-aaral ako sa isa sa mga paaralan doon na ang specialty ay ang paggawa ng videogames.

Pero mabuti na rin at hindi ko ito sineryoso. Ngayon ay masaya naman akong nag-aaral na maging bihasang duktor. Sa sobrang hiyang ko sa pag-aaral, tuloy tumataba ako.

Oh well.

Napulot ko ang sumusunod sa Nautilus comics group. Sa mga nangangarap na maging videogame developer, pagkakataon mo na.

Matahari Studios (Philippines)

For over four decades LAI Games has been a leading player in the entertainment industry. Our company manufactures and sells a variety of arcade-based games, and we also operate the highly successful Timezone Family Entertainment Centers. Matahari Studios 3D art production team has also successfully worked with many Triple A game publishers for both PC and other game platforms on their major titles. With more than 500 locations throughout the region, we are poised for significant growth.

Matahari Studios is the software development group for Timezone arcades, and we must expand aggressively to meet our customer’s demand. We have build a studio in Manila, and we invite those with a talent and passion for game development to join our ranks.

Computer Artist (3D/Animation)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate skill with creation of assets via 3DMax, Maya, ZBrush or other similar package; includes character, object, and environmental art;
models as well as animation
• Demonstrate proper and appropriate techniques for normal mapped assets
• Create documentation required relating to artistic and technical issues as
• Provide a task list and schedule for planned and completed work; assist lead/managing artists with the team’s work plans and schedules as
requested
• Assist in the sharing of ideas and exploration of new art practices to continually improve the quality of game development within the company
• Maintain a professional attitude during all stages of development; excel as a team member and strive to maximize personal, team, and company performance

Requirements:

• Candidate must possess at least Bachelor's/College Degree in Art & Design, Advertising/ Media or equivalent
• Required skill(s): 3D Studio Max, Photoshop
• Preferred skill(s): Maya, Zbrush, MS Office
• Required language(s): English
• Applicants must be willing to work in Ortigas Center
• Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status
• 2+ yrs of consistent work experience specializing in Arts/Creative/ Graphics Design or equivalent
• Must play games regularly, understand how they work, and enjoy making games for a living!

While we seek all levels of talent, to be considered for the more senior positions you must bring with you previous experience in the development of interactive entertainment, software development, or related discipline.
We highly encourage you to write us a cover letter that explains to us:

• Your perception of the responsibilities and duties of the position for which you are applying
• Your perception of the skills and qualifications that would make a good candidate; what would you need to know to do well
• What is your interest in a game development company; what games do you play
• If you do not possess any past game development experience, how have your previous positions prepared you to take on such a new role; what is it about your background that matches these requirements


email your resume at: michael.rivero@ mataharistudios. com

website: www.mataharistudios.com

Disclaimer: I am not personally connected with the studios as I just picked up the ad in a newsgroup. However, I visited the website and it seems that they are legit, and they have connections with Timezone (yes, the arcades!). Check them out!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

A comic book about Dr. Jose Rizal

I read a Wiki about Jose Rizal yesterday and I was again, like all those times before whenever I read articles and writings about him, awed and intrigued by this Filipino who fueled the revolution that freed us from colonial Spain.

Incidentally, some months ago, I read on artist Gerry Alanguilan's blog that he was planning to release a comic book about Rizal and yesterday, concrete news about the comic book finally came from the man himself.

The comic puts Rizal on a fictional plane and yet retains the qualities that makes Rizal a hero. Gerry writes:
"Rizal is one of my greatest heroes, and I will certainly be treating him with the utmost respect. But I will respect him enough to be honest about who he really was, and not treat him as some infallible saint that a lot of textbooks have historically painted him to be. I will try to make this Rizal as close to who he really was, and it is basically, ordinarily, human. And by rising above his flaws and shortcomings, in ways that many of us can only imagine, he becomes even more heroic." Click here for the rest of the blogpost

I have high expectations for this comic, since it's coming from the man who wrote and drew Wasted ( which made a profound impact in my life), Humanis Rex! (which has just finished its run on FUDGE Mag) and is currently writing and drawing the life of intelligent chickens living in the mundane world in Elmer. But then, my budget has been too tight these days, (I'm collecting American comics again!), and reading Medical books do take a LOT of time, so I'll just probably just wait for the collected edition.

Gah! What an agonizing wait that would be.

"The Marvelous Adventures Adventures of the Amazing Dr. Rizal" will be serialized in FUDGE Magazine's upcoming August issue.

In frame: Gerry Alanguilan's portrait of Dr. Rizal which serves as promotional art for the comic book.

Rants & Raves 01

Rants:
  • I've been on SmartBRO for a week now and I must say I have mixed feelings about it due to the intermittent signal my unit has been getting.
  • Why is it so hard in second year Medicine?
  • I feel bad that I passed on the opportunity to take the blood pressure of that woman beside our patient's bed who was already crying her heart out for her dying son... I guess I got scared that I'd mess it up or something.
  • I'm hungry but I don't want to cook right now. Hmm...


Raves:

  • God bless 24/7 internet though, I've been hoarding a lot of files lately.
  • We've just finished interviewing Male Bed No.3. It was a fun learning experience talking to him, eventhough his story has a lot of holes in it. I can't wait for my turn to conduct the Neurologic Exam on my own two weeks from now.
  • I love Lengua de Gato.