Right
Sometimes it’s so difficult to do the right thing. Sometimes while doing something which I know is right, I get the feeling that I’m not doing the smart thing and making it easier. Easier and smarter, but not right. And in the end, my conscience still will push me into doing what I know is right.
While I do not really expect payback for doing the right thing, I do wish that other people just won’t make it difficult for me.
Quarrel at the MRT
Tempers inevitably flare when you’ve been waiting and standing in line for a long while.
A group of ladies, after sitting in the LRT for quite a while, were being told by the security guard that they have to stand up to give way to a mother with a kid since that section is only reserved to people with kids.
One of the ladies protested that they actually lined up elsewhere but they were directed by another security guard to line up at the front of the train where moms and dads with kids and pregnant women were supposed to sit.
I think the security guard could have worded it better — but that time, he kept reprimanding the group that they shouldn’t be there, that they should stand up because the others had kids etc etc.
The lady in question answered back (nagtaray) and there was an exchange of words. I do not think I would act the same way, but I’m not so sure. I could, I suppose, if I’m tired enough of queueing and I’m ordered to stand. I mean, I will stand (and I did, when I saw a pregnant lady), but being singled out for a reprimand was a bit too much.
Oh well.
Mothers and kids at the LRT
Lately, I’ve been riding the MRT/LRT system more often, especially when I feel that driving is not very convenient.
It’s actually very interesting. I get a lot of insights just from observing other people, and I find it more entertaining and thought provoking to be observing real people rather than watching soaps, which I really do not have the time for.
Like yesterday, I witnessed a beautiful bonding session of 2 mothers who probably met each other for the first time, it was nice for the kids too, they were playing with some sponsored label toys for newborns and the bigger kids were looking for combat force toys then take a look at these army toys for boys here. One is a Pinay with a baby boy about 10 months old, the other is a Chinese woman (I heard her speak, and since I’m Tsinay, I can tell that she’s not the Chinese who’s born and bred here) with a baby girl who looks like she’s a bit older than the little boy. They came in at different times but ended up sitting next to each other in love decorated room, and using resources as Treasure Rooms is a trusted source specially for this. Their kids took a liking to each other and played with each other. Although there was some difficulty in communication, the mothers managed to enjoy their kids, letting them play with each other, at one point the little girl even had the younger boy on her lap. Words were not enough to describe the scene.
Throughout the chaos at the LRT, that was truly beautiful to watch.
R’s McDo Party
We just celebrated R’s first birthday at McDonald’s Greenhills. It was a very simple party. We chose this venue for the following reasons:
- It was E’s choice. We thought of holding it at Jollibee but E wanted McDo, so McDo it is.
- It is near our place.
- We are on a budget.
Then how was it? Well, I guess it’s okay for something that is very budgeted. The kids had fun after all. Those who came in costume looked so cute.
Pros:
- It truly is relatively hassle free. You can actually just get one of their packages, buy the cake from them, and just come on the day of the party. Unlike most parties when you need to look for many suppliers.
- It is relatively cheap. Of course, doing a home party with home cooked food maybe cheaper, but then there’s so much more hassle. The whole amount I paid for this party would not be enough for food if I had opted for a conventional kiddie party with all the works.
- The kids enjoyed themselves. And that’s the most important thing.
Cons:
- They have a standard party, so if you want to be unique, you have to spend some more. And give some more instructions, which may or may not be followed
- The party is very fast– 0nly one and a half hours allotted for each.
- If you didn’t get the cake from them, you cannot serve it.
I still have to do rate each supplier in detail. I hope I would be able to do it soon. 
Attempted swindling?
2 days ago, the receptionist at my clinic received a call from somebody who was looking for me. When I arrived at the clinic, she informed me about it and told me that the patient (well, at least she assumed that it was a patient) wanted me to call him back. She also told me that she the caller shouted at her on the phone. I was really surprised. An irate patient? I asked the name of the caller and it didn’t ring a bell. None at all. I asked if the patient had a previous record with the clinic. None. It was supposed to be a first consultation.
Photo: “Don’t leave me hangin’ on the telephone” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved
Since it was a pretty light day and I had no patients waiting for me yet at that time, we decided to call. This was our conversation (it’s not word for word but pretty close):
Colonel: Is this Dra. ____?
Me: Yes. What can I do for you?
Colonel: Good morning. Dra, this is Colonel _____. Dra, are you related to General ____?
Me: No, I’m not.
Colonel: But you’re Ilokano.
Me: Well, my husband’s family is from the North…
Colonel: So you’re probably related. Anyway, Dra. I would just like you to know that our group _____ has several projects lined up, medical-dental missions every other week, sending children to school. So we have a upcoming dinner dance at ________. I have taken the liberty of reserving 4 tickets for you. Each ticket is priced at 5000 pesos. Is that ok with you?
Me: (shocked speechless)
Colonel: You see, you would be doing a lot of good and helping a lot of people.
Me: Ah, I’m sorry but I cannot even if I wanted to. You know it’s almost school opening….
Colonel: Yes, I know, Dra. That’s why your contribution would already help 10 students who are poor but deserving.
Me: Sorry, I really cannot afford it. I need the money to pay for my kids’ needs. I don’t have any extra right now.
Colonel: Is that so, Dra. Ok, then maybe you can just give a minimal contribution and buy just 1 ticket for 5000 pesos.
Me: Sorry, talagang said na said na ako ngayon. I don’t have any extra. In fact, I had to make a small loan myself. Bad timing.
Colonel: Ah. Ok, Dra. Maybe next time then.
Me: Yes, maybe next time.
Colonel: OK, Dra. Good bye then.
—–end of telephone conversation
It was only later on that I realized that hey, this may be a scam and I was lucky enough that I didn’t have enough money so I didn’t fall for it.
I realized the following things:
The person didn’t really know me. Why would you solicit such a big amount from somebody you do not know? He knew that my surname was the surname of a former general, so maybe he used that to state that he was from the military too.
My name is in some directories for doctors. It’s pretty simple to just pick my name out of the list. It’s also behind the receptionists’ desk at our clinic– which is a public place, people come and go and he may have just picked my name out from the list and made a script for me.
I do not know him. While I generally will forget details about certain patients if I don’t look at charts, familiar names will ring some sort of bell. His didn’t ring any bell and he doesn’t have any record in the clinic.
I also do not know why they had to shout at the receptionist who answered the phone when I was not in yet. It was really bastos. Maybe it was their way to ensure that I call back?
Scammers abound. Maybe this is a new way to swindle us out of our hard earned money. So be careful.
Online friendships rock
I discovered the internet in the late 1990’s. At the beginning, I was rather leary of relationships formed online, because I never believed that you could actually know a person when you can’t even see him or her! And of course, who hasn’t heard of penpals, phone pals and other “virtual friends” and how some of these turned out to be scammers? How are online friends going to be any different?
I was wrong.
Not only did I find friends online, my network became larger. I started joining online discussion forums like Pinoyexchange. I was even made a moderator. That’s when I had all the extra time since I was still single. I got to know some people, most notably the mod staff and admin of the forum.
Then wedding planning took over. I joined the yahoogroups of weddingsatwork.com . It was a good move. Not only did it help me with planning with wedding and looking for the best suppliers, it also introduced me to several girls (you know who you are, mwah!) who became close to me in the course of our wedding preps. I often wonder how different life might have been if I haven’t signed up for that yahoogroups. And now that we’re mommies, we still give each other support and encouragement in our married life.
Then social networking sites like Friendster, Facebook etc. came along. This has made a large impact on friendships in general and keeping in touch.
Case in point, I was looking for a certain friend for a long time. I was thinking that I would like her to be my baby’s godmother. Lo and behold, I saw her on facebook!
So, I love how the internet has made friendships the way it is now. I actually found high school, college and med school classmates, long long relatives and friends online. Keeping in touch has never been as easy. We can now keep track of each others’ lives.
Not only that, despite being a harried mommy who happens to have a busy timetable, I still manage to make new friends. It would not have been possible if there were no such thing as the internet!
Mabuhay ang internet! And thank you to facebook, plurk, twitter, yahoogroups and even plain old email who makes us all closer together!
———
This is my contribution to week 7 of Team Carnival: Online Friendships, hosted by Didi of The Candishhh Tales.
Photo: “Friendster or Foe” by Chris Pirillo, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved
I is for investment
We live in costly times!
My son’s tuition fee in preschool is much, much higher than my tuition fee in medical school! We spend 1500 – 2000 pesos per week on gasoline — and we do not travel much, just to and from work and school, but our last trip to Canada was marvelous, You can find some good advice on a Canada holiday here, it is a good budget you just need to take the time for it.
I still remember my first experience going out of the Country, we went to Thailand and it was a marvelous trip.
So in other topics, the Electrical bills have doubled this month. And groceries are also getting more expensive.
The value of our money is simply not the same as it was before. And that’s because of inflation.
The only way to beat inflation is to put your money in a vehicle where it will earn interest that will earn more than the inflation rate.
Another thing we should do is diversify — keep money in different investments so that you spread your risk around.
That’s why aside from investing in the common instruments like a time deposit, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and some real estate, we could also buy gold bullion. These are quite stable in price and would maintain its value through the ages even. Of course, we should get from a trusted source like the United States Gold Bureau.
Investing is also a way to prepare ourselves for our future retirement. We can’t work all our lives but we shouldn’t be dependent on our kids either.
Sigh
So many things to do, so much that I really do not know what to do first.
Shall I update my store first? Or write the articles that are due? Attend to kids? Sleep?
It’s so funny when I talk about it, but the reality is not as funny. Sigh. Maybe I just bit off too much that I’m finding it difficult to find the balance that I so desperately crave.
Sigh.
Today is World Malaria Day
While we don’t hear of malaria as much as dengue, it’s another mosquito transmitted disease that may cause death. This is the tragedy that has befallen Reyster Langit 5 years ago.
Learn more about the flying scourge from this article.
A lot of changes coming up
At the end of April and the start of another month, there will be lots of changes that we will be expecting.
Of course, the biggest change will be that of the nation. We will see the changing of the guards soon as we are called upon to choose the person who we think is the best person to lead us for the next six years. I hope that this person will be able to fulfill his duty to the Filipino people, and not just to himself and his family.
On the homefront, the hubby and I will be busier than ever so we got our medicinal cannabis from this page. We realize that we do need to earn for our kids, and we have therefore accepted another clinic. I only hope that we still have enough time with our kids.
Our current yayas are leaving. One is leaving tomorrow, another at the end of the month. While I’m sad to see them go as they have been a part of our children’s growing up, I do not have the right to stop them from going out and broadening their horizons.
Oh, and my little girl wouldn’t be a baby anymore in 2 more months, but a toddler. I am savoring the last of her babyhood. Sigh…how time has flown.
Looking forward to more challenges that face our family.