Two Visits

Last Wednesday, I had two sets of visitors.

The first was around lunchtime. Two friends (a brother and sister) visited me, bringing along pasta from Bellini's. After eating, we played scrabble and several games of Crazy 8. Then, we had a poetry session, composing a poem entitled "We".

They had to leave to go to their office.

Later, towards evening, a client-friend arrived with another client. We discussed a research project for their parish. I have to do both tabulation and analysis of data in a week's time.

So that is what has been keeping me busy these past few days. Almost 200 sheets/questionnaires of three pages each! I started with the close-ended questions. I am not yet done.

I am still not through reading "The Sigma Protocol". Exciting but I need to work.

Another Visitor

Yesterday, another Maryknoller friend visited me. She gave me holy water, some money and pizza. We prayed the 3 o'clock prayer and the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy. I gave her one of my pictures which she will bring to healing masses. What a dear friend!

Another friend and group of friends were supposed to visit me today. But some things came up so both visits were postponed.

Due to the bad weather, I have cough and colds. I drank a glass of calamansi this morning.

Work came in, due Saturday but I'm almost done. Unless I will be asked to summarize the responses to the questionnaire.

I'm reading another book by Dean Koontz entitled "Shadow Fires". As my mom described it, never a dull moment so I'm eager to keep reading it.

I'm wearing my brace again. Somehow eases the pain on my back.

My Second Home

I go often to the hospital, it's my second home! Ha ha

Yesterday, I went to the chemo room for my Velcade treatment. For lunch, we had Chinese food.

Today, we went back to the chemo room for blood transfusion. You see, although my platelets are up, my hemoglobin is done.

It took so long for one unit of blood to be used up.

My sister lent her car and driver. We got picked up. After mom dropped me off, she did some errands.

Turns out my sister had to use the car, too. So my mom was in a foul mood by the time we reached home. I learned to keep silent when she is in such a mood.

---------
My sister keeps giving me food. Last Sunday, she brought barbecue, fresh and fried lumpia and chicken inasal.

Last night, my sister brought pancit palabok from Little Quiapo and Chicken a la King from KFC. For mom, she bought Nathaniel's puto and buchi. Sweet, sweet sister!

---------
Work came in. Actually some revisions on a report I've done.
---------
My report is due for writing end of this month. The presentation is due July 1. I feel bad because client had asked for a discount.
---------

Stuff My Life is Made Of

As announced, I did get to watch "All About Steven". Sandra Bullock was so funny in that movie!

---------
I woke up with two good news, my weight is down to 128 lbs. and my sugar is normal at 6.5. Then mom and I went to the hospital. What do you know, we were able to get the single remaining wheelchair and a good one, too!

We waited quite a while because there was something wrong with their queuing. After my blood test, mom tried to get my blood test results. They weren't ready yet after 10 days. Looks like I really have a relapse. I hope it's not as bad as it feels.

I had lunch of Wendy's fresh salad. I didn't get to eat my bacon mushroom melt. Might give it to my son.

----------
When we reached home, client called to say they have sent another batch of data. I said I will just rest for a while.

So that's two projects due tomorrow. That's money coming. Yehey.

Mom bought chicharon. It's delicious! I almost finished it.

-----------
My batchmate emailed to our yahoogroup to pray for me. That boosted my spirits.

-----------
Tonight, I will continue watching "100 Days to Heaven".

-----------
So that's stuff my life is made of hospital, work, food, friends and family, television.

A Quiet Birthday

Last night, my son brought home delicious pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. Mom loved it. She said she is not a pizza lover but this one, she adored.

Today, a family friend treated me and mom to breakfast at Alex III. I had longganisa, sinigang, two fried eggs and dalandan juice. Mom had tapsilog and our friend had arroz caldo.

We passed by our old house in Matulungin. Pink house with violet gates. No longer fushia. Haha.

No visitors came and no one invited me out for my birthday. So it's a quiet birthday for me.

Ate steak at home with corn.

But I was thrilled by the deluge of greetings through text, email and FB! So many, I couldn't count. That alone made my day.

After a long nap, I worked on FGD guides and screeners. It's a working birthday indeed.

That doesn't mean that this is the end of my celebration. I will be going out with friends to celebrate.

So how does it feel to be HALF a century old? Quite old. Seems like ages ago when I was young and pretty. I miss the "good old days" when I could dance, drive, walk long distances, etc. But, I'm glad that I carry with me now the lessons learned from the past. The strength gained from all the trials I have gone through. The friendships forged through the years. Oh, I'm becoming sentimental. Is that a sign of aging? Ha ha.

Why Didn't I?

I am inclined to accept that job offer in Pasig. But why oh why didn't I tell them of my illnesses? All they know is that is I have osteoporosis. I should have told them of my diabetes, bipolar mood disorder and multiple myeloma. Points against me I guess.

I hope they will still consider getting me despite these illnesses.

Tomorrow, it's back to the hospital for my treatment. Then, I will have lunch at a friend's house. It was her birthday last September 3. I said I will be late.

On Tuesday, I will be fetched to discuss matters with the research agency. I know they need my services so maybe there's nothing to worry about.

------
Today, it's work and play. I just cleared the translation of a questionnaire. And I played several rounds of Scrabble in FB. My average has gone up to 44%. Getting there, getting there...

------
Here's a photo which made me smile:

The simple joys of innocence!

One Down, One More to Go

I just finished a report. It is due tomorrow but I emailed it to Client already.

I need to work on another project. Not exactly a report. But it requires "thinking".

I think I will take a bath first...to freshen my mind.

Work, Work, Work

I've been working these past three days, I was not able to blog.

But it feels good to have done my job. Today, a Sunday, I wrote a topline report. One down, one more to go.

It's a good thing I turned down my mom's invitation to play mah jongg. I like the feeling of making sacrifices once in a while for work. Now, I can relax and wait for the next job to come.

I have a friend who seems to be enjoying the good life. He keeps traveling, going places. He dines everywhere, drinks everywhere, swims everywhere...To be single and unattached, as of the moment. Ha ha. Sometimes, I envy him. Other times, I don't, for reasons I cannot disclose.

Each of us has reasons to be grateful for. Each of us has things to complain about. I'd rather concentrate on the former.

Here's to the good life!

Time for Work

Today is work day.

I helped a client on a new project. I read a 9-paged research brief and helped the agency decide on the methodology and sample size.

Also, data came in on a UAI project. So I immediately started writing the report. I also went through the data tables and asked the data processor to do some retabulation.

Still another client called up to ask me to facilitate four groups on Thursday. Two groups among patients, two groups among doctors.

When it rains, it pours.

Surviving

Mom has been away for more than a week and I am surviving! Ha ha

Yesterday, I went to work for a client. So happens, it was the birthday celebration of her daughter, Angel. They rented a house with a swimming pool.

I got to eat paella, barbecue, lasagna and chocolate. Delicious!

Reena lent me a book entitled, "How to Have Kick-Ass Ideas". Very interesting book. About creativity again.

Her driver brought me home.
------------

Today, my sister brought me adobong pusit (1 Kilo). Sarap! I ate it for lunch and dinner.

She also brought me sanitary napkin. It's my second day today.

I chatted a short while with a friend.

I played several rounds of online scrabble. Except once, I kept winning against the computer. As usual.

I got to watch parts of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and "Talentadong Pinoy".

Working Sunday

It's Sunday and I did two things - sleep and work.

I worked on two projects. I wrote a report but did not finish because it's quite long. I also emailed again to respondents for my tracer study.



My mom has a kidney stone which has to be "blasted". We need about P90,000. As usual, we are relying on God for providence.

The lottery jackpot is upwards of P130 million already. Who will be the lucky winner? It's mind boggling to think of myself having that much money. But I know that it will also bring problems. Good thing I didn't buy a ticket!

A Long Day of Work

It has been a long day of work and it's far from over.

I have written four sub-reports today and have to do the conclusions for a total of 6 sub-reports.

My clients are here again to practice for their presentation tomorrow. Yesterday's presentation went fine. Thank God!

I hope they will do just as well tomorrow.

-----------
I slept late last night because my "textmate" kept me awake. But it's nice to have someone to communicate with in the middle of the night.

Work, Work, Work

I have been super busy these past couple days, I forgot to blog yesterday and it's almost 11 pm as I write this.

I am glad to be working hard because I know it brings in much needed income. I also feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that I am of help to my client.

I have been working on a long report with several product categories. And today, I helped my clients practice for their presentation tomorrow. Three projects with 200 plus slides each! Whew!

BTW, what is work without food? We ate KFC and later, Shakey's pizza. Delicious!

-------

Jobert and I are making slow but "sure" progress in our first poem together. And in the future, we will have poetry sessions together. Yehey! What fun would that surely be!

------

Thank You, Lord, for clients and friends!

A Long Day

This has been a verrry busy day!

I released two proposals. I computed the costing for one of them which could be a tedious process.

I revised a looooong report and wrote the conclusions and recommendations for each of its major sections.

I cleared up some matters about "quota" of respondents in a big project.

As if to say "time's up", the fumigators arrived to start doing their job as I was dotting my i's and crossing my t's, so to speak.

But the worse was not over. It is Friday night. Gimmick time for many. Nightmare time to wait for a cab!...especially for those of us who just want to go home and REST.

So when I finally reached home sweet home, I ate dinner and here I am writing this post.
Feels good, feels great to be able to say "Time to rest". Tomorrow's another day. I will be revising a proposal and transcribing some tapes.

Tomorrow is tomorrow. Today is tonight. It's sleeping time! Thank You, Lord!

Swamped!

Not too long ago, I was complaining of not having work. Now, I am swamped with projects left and right! I know I should be happy but I have health problems. For instance, because of my bi-polar disorder, I can't stay up late at night. I should have enough sleep. Because of my back problems, I cannot remain seated in front of the computer for an extended period of time. And of course, I cannot be stressed.

But why am I taking time out to write this post despite my busy schedule? Because writing in this blog is a daily commitment for me. And because writing is therapeutic.

If you haven't noticed, I use this site to complain, to brag and boast, to share my blessings, to inspire, to promote values, to enlighten and educate...to do many things which make me feel good and hopefully, do a lot of good to my readers as well.

As I write this, I am dead tired but in a few seconds as I wind up this post and look for the appropriate pic, I will be ready again to work till about hmm 10 pm?

Good night for now!