my HP addiction

I've been an avid Harry Potter fan ever since I picked up the first HP book 11 years ago. I always knew exactly when the next book is going to be release, and I always made sure I have the copy as soon as it is released - partly because I liked to brag that I already have the book while others are trying to get their own copies but can't coz it's all sold out, but mostly because I just couldn't wait another day without reading about Harry's next adventure. Even until now, I'd still read all the books in the HP series, and I never get tired of re-reading it no matter how many time I've read it before.

You can only imagine my delight when I found out that the first book is being made into a movie. I'm not a fan of books-turned-into-movies, because they end up murdering the whole context, but I was excited. I couldn't wait to see who would portray my favorite characters, how they'd turn the words into images. I felt that it'd be nice to see the characters come to life in the big screen instead of just in every reader's imagination.

And I must admit, they did a great job with all the HP books (except for the 7th, though, for it wasn't shown yet), although, in my own opinion, they could do a better job. I'm hoping the 7th movie won't be a disappointment, because I have high expectations, and I'm sure other HP fans do, too.

I'm patiently waiting for the first installment of the 7th book, because let's face it - what else can I do but wait? I'm glad for the sneak peak, though. The trailer got me even more excited, with the back of my neck tingling with anticipation.

Yes, I've been waiting for a long time. I want to see how it turns out in the big screen. I want to see the war between Harry and Lord Voldemort. I want to see Mrs. Weasley shouting "not my daughter, you bitch!" I wanna see little Snape and little Lily. I wanna see Dumbledore asking Snape "after all this time?" and Snape answering "yes" when they talked about Lily. I want to see more Harry-Ginny scenes (because I do like them both together).

There's a whole lot more, but mostly I want to see my favorite Death Eater again - the one and only Bellatrix Lestrange played by one of my favorite actresses of all time - Helena Bonham Carter.

Isn't she just disturbingly awesome?

My favorite Death Eater!

From kids.. (Look how adorable they are!)

To teens.

my legs are screaming for mercy

I woke up this morning feeling pretty awesome, since I had a good night's sleep and was able to wake up late (thanks to PNoy's inaguration, which was declared a national holiday, meaning no classes today). It's funny how whether you're an elementary, high school, college or a postgrad student, you still cheer when holidays are announced and your classes for that day are canceled.

I was supposed to go home to Cavite last night, but I opted to stay at the apartment. I like staying at Cavite better - I have my own room, homecooked meals, someone washes my clothes, DSL internet connection. The downside is, whenever we come back to QC, we come early. Meaning I have to drag my ass out of bed at 4 or 5 in the morning, depending on what time we leave - usually around 5 or 5:30 am.

I'm not a morning person, but I don't mind waking up early. It's just that, with a full day ahead, I prefer getting all the sleep I can get. Like last Monday, we left the house around 6 am, but I woke up at 5. Traffic was bad, so I wasn't able to stop by the apartment to catch some Zzzz's for a while. The whole afternoon, the words on the PowerPoint were floating in front of my eyes, and the lecturers' voices were almost lulling me to sleep. So is it any wonder that I prefer to stay here at the apartment with my crappy SmartBro connection just so I can get a decent sleep?

Anyway, back to my day.

Lex and I planned to meet up today since we haven't seen each other since he joined me, my cousin, nephews and a few family friends to Subic. I texted my friends with the hope that we could get together, but turns out they're all busy so it was just me and Lex.

We walked around TriNoma, then we decided to go to SM North. I wanted to go to Cyberzone. I absolutely love SM North's Cyberzone, it's the best. We ate a late lunch at Pizza Hut, where I ordered my favorite pizza - 5 Cheese with Mozerella stuffed crust. It's a cheezy goodness. We walked around after eating, and I ended up to what I call "the happiest place on earth" - the department store. I bought a new bag - couldn't resist. I'm weak, plus it was on sale, which added to my weakness. I was also going to buy the Ipanema Giselle Bundchen sandals I wanted, I was willing to overlook it's expensiveness (it's 1,590 pesos), but sadly, fate decided it wasn't for me. The size 5 was too fit, and the size 6 was too loose. We went back to TriNoma, where we walk aimlessly before going home.

It was nice to spend time with him again. ♥

I arrived at the apartment at half-past four. And around 5 pm, Tita Eilene and I walked to the Quezon Memorial Circle. It was my first time to pass by the underpass, and I can't believe how nice it was except for the crowd of people going to QCM, too). We walked around QCM, then we decided to exit the are. We never intended to stay for the street party, we just wanted to see the set up there. After satisfying our curiosity, we walked back home.

I had an amazing day, but I can't say the same for my legs and feet. My muscles are in agony. Too much walking in one day is not good.

happy fiesta, tacloban

Too bad I won't be able to go home. :(

I finished my IVT training last June 22-24, and I'll be doing my completion on August 23-25, because I can't do it this July. I can't wait to do my completion. I love sticking needles into people - IM, ID and SQ injections. But this, oh, IV insertions are just awesome. I'm really better off as a doctor, but that's neither here nor there. I also met new people, and after the three-day stint, I have found new friends. 3 days may not be enough for us to know each other that well, but we bonded, and we still keep in touch, thanks to modern technology, a.k.a. Facebook.

I started my Critical Care Course last Monday. It's first day all over again, and I was a bit anxious because I don't know anyone. But I was positive, because I didn't know anyone when I had my IVT training, too, and I came out with 5 new friends, and more acquaintances. I was happy when I saw familiar faces from the IVT training. Now, the three of us are always together. We talk about almost anything and everything, it's like we've known each other a long time. I guess friendship is a lot like love - when you know, you know. :)

june blues

I never really liked June. It signifies the end of summer vacation, the start of classes, and Christmas is still a long time away. This June, I decided to make the most of it.

Last Sunday, we went to Subic's Treetop Adventures. For the first time ever, I finally introduced my boyfriend to my family (except my Mom and Dad, because they already know him). We all had an awesome time. We enjoyed all the rides (if I could call them that) - Superman, Canopy Ride, Silver Surfer, Interactive Free Fall, but for us, the best was the Tree Drop. You get to choose if you want to rapel down, go head first, or just free fall. It's great for adrenaline junkies who are not into too extreme stuffs.

On a different note, I could have been a student again this month, if it weren't for my meddling aunt (yes, I'm still bitter). I don't usually hold grudes, but this time, she'd gone too far. I envy two of my friends, Cha and Cess, for they got to enroll and are now Med students. *sigh* So as of now, I'm stuck at Cavite playing Farmville and eating Kraft Easy Mac (it's currently my favorite instant food), drinking lotsa iced tea, and playing the Plants VS. Zombies game that my nephew installed when they were still here.

Yesterday, I went to Heart for my Critical Care Course exam and interview. The interview was easy as pie (they asked me to define a critically ill patient, name gadgets found at the ICU and give their uses, and they asked me if a person is critically ill if, although ambulatory, he is admitted at the ICU) but the exam stumped me. I had no trouble with the cardio and ECG questions and all - but dang, I'm usually good at Math and computations, but their questions left me scratching my head and thinking why I never learned anything at school. Yes - it was that hard. But, oh well.

I start my IV Therapy Training this June 22, and I can't wait! I'm so excited to finish it and get my IV card and have the right to be poking other people's veins (for therapeutic purposes). *evil grin* I know, I'm morbid. Lots of people told me so.

I got out of bed this morning excited to watch Game 7 between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics. I don't support either team, but I've always hated the Lakers (no offense to fans, but I just don't like Kobe) so I gave my support to the Celtics. Imagine my disappointment (yes, I was very disappointed) when the Lakers won. Boo hoo. But it was an awesome game, one that had me gripping the edge of my seat and shouting for the Celtics (eventhough I'm watching it alone). And although the Celtics didn't win the finals, at least they played their best.

One of these days, when I'm not too lazy, I'll ask some of my friends out. Maybe we can get together over coffee or something. But as of now, I'm perfectly content being a homebuddy. =)

Captivating Coron

I may be living in a third world country, but we sure as hell have wonders that only the Philippines can offer. We may not have much economy-wise, but we sure can offer things that money can't buy. I've been to a lot of places, but as of now, nothing compares to the beauty offered by Coron, Palawan.

I ain't promoting tourism to the Philippines, but I sure hope you get to visit this place, too. =)

A jellyfish, but it doesn't sting.
A Kalachuchi tree. Kinda like Japan's Cherry Blossoms, isn't it?

The Sleeping Giant.
Sea urchins, baby.
Lotsa sea urchins.
Starfish!
My leg accidentally brushed on that, and I freaked out! It's spongy.
Pretty pink coral =)
Clear blue waters. So inviting.
Joy to the fishes in the deep, blue sea. Joy to you and me. ^^

outlining my whole summer

April

• 24 - Arrived at Manila, ate breakfast at Pancake House, went to my cousin's apartment, slept, ate dinner at Kimono Ken.
• 25 - Went to MoA and watched Shutter Is. We all thought it was a horror movie. LOL Ate dinner at President's.
• 26, 27, 28 - Stayed at home at Cavite, while my cousin and Kuya R both went to work.
• 29 - En route to Busuanga via Zest Air. Damn flight was late for more than 2 hours, and the airline didn't even had the decency to offer us lunch. Arrived at the Coron Village Lodge 3 hours past our schedule. Went trekking at Mt. Tapyas (climbed approximately 700 steps). Relaxed at Maquinit Hot Springs before eating dinner at Kawayanan Grill Station.
• 30 - Rode a pumboat to Siete Pecados to do some snorkeling, then to Blue Lagoon, trekked to see Kayangan Lake, proceeded to see the Skeleton Ship, and then went to Twin Lagoon. Ate dinner at Kawayanan again.

May

• 1 - 2-hour boat ride to Banul Beach, where we ate lunch. Went to Coral Garden to see some amazing corals, then to the Japanese WWII Skeleton Wreck. Back to the lodge for dinner and rest after a long day.
• 2 - Arrived at Manila in the afternoon. Went directly to MoA to watch Iron Man 2. Scarlet Johansson was hot!
• 3-7 - Stayed at Cavite. Spent our days sleeping, eating, surfing the net, playing PS3.
• 8-9 - Went to Laiya, Batangas for the weekend. Joined PHC's NeuroICU staff during their outing. Played games, went swimming and Jetskiing. Lotsa fun. Made new friends, too!
• 10 - Went to Trinoma. Ate at Conti's. Went to my aunt's house to rest awhile, then went to SM Centerpoint for some grocery shopping. Then we ate dinner at Pizza Hut.
• 11 - Went to Robinson's. Ate at Icebergs.
• 12 - Spent the day at Balete. Went to Red Palace for an early birthday celebration for my Aunt, where we had a spat (more on this on another blog).
• 13 - Spent the day at Cavite.
• 14-17 - Went to Kuys R's hometown in Antique. Learned how to play Mahjong. Went swimming, snorkeling, fish feeding.
• 18-19 - Back in Cavite.
• 20 Went to MoA. Supposed to buy clothes for interview, but shopping with 4 males in tow is no help. Watched Robin Hood instead at the Director's Club (where they had La-Z-Boys instead of the normal cinema seats). Awesome.
• 21 - Went to Lung Center, the ANSAP office was located there. Went to Trinoma where Ate M helped me with my shopping. Ate dinner at the Golden Bay.
• 22 - Stayed at Cavite.
• 23 - Went to Festival Mall to get the TV we sent in for repair. Ate at Icebergs at Timog. Then went to PHC, because my cousin did her rounds, while we waited for her at the Neuro ICU. Went to the apartment, then went home to Cavite that night.
• 24 - My exam and interview at PHC's HR Department. Wasn't so bad after all. The HR personnel said I was open, honest and sincere, but I gotta work on my communication skills, though.
• 25 - Clinical exam for the Nursing department at PHC. A bit hard.
• 26 - Saw heart surgeries. A PDA closure on an 8-month old infant. Saw a beating heart from a man on bypass. Saw an AVH for a CABG surgery. Soooo cool
• 27 - Stayed at Cavite.
• 28 - Went to Trinoma to watch Prince of Persia. Hot damn, I love love love Princess Tamina!
• 29 - Back home to Tacloban =)