F*CK YEAH

Because during YL5, I submitted my leadership papers more than a hundred days late...

Excellence-For-Others

                The other day, my nephew proudly showed me a stamp that his teacher placed on the dorsum of his hand. It was blue and it said in flashy bold letters – “Job Well Done!” From his ear to ear smile, I could tell he was really satisfied with his badge of honor.

                Years after we finish preschool, we all still long for affirmation. Though it may not come anymore in the form of stamps, we all still crave to be recognized for our hard work and our achievements—our excellence. Sometimes, even, we do things simply because we want others to acknowledge our brilliance. Yet, the problem here is that when we rely on other people to dictate whether or not we are excellent, we fail to recognize the excellence already brewing inside of us. Yes, it is true that there are people around us who gain the praise of most everyone around them for their merits. However, it is important to remember that the approval and admiration of others is not a prerequisite for being excellent. How society defines excellence is not the be-all and end-all of excellence.

               Excellence is definitely not one-dimensional. There are many facets to being an excellent individual. It is not just about garnering the top score in a test, spearheading a school project, or being the most loved individual on campus. As such, no one definition of excellence will ever suffice. To overcome this, we must all come up with our own definitions of what excellence is all about. In so doing, it is important to take into account one’s own philosophies, strengths, and limitations. How we define our excellence would also be how we will live out excellence in our own lives. Thus, it is imperative that our definitions of excellence must be a product of meticulous and conscientious thinking.

               My definition of excellence is always choosing that which would better lead me closer to God. The corollary of this is that I always have to seek out the option that would allow me to be a better son, brother, friend, student, and future doctor. Innate in this definition is an understanding that being excellent is not tied to any outcome or effect. It is an excellence driven by love and passion and rooted in always making the best out of every situation. It is the kind of excellence that takes tremendous discipline—allowing for the formation of the habit of choosing the right thing even when it is inconvenient or difficult.

                Hence, I can say that I live a life of excellence every time I am able to live my life according to my own personal definition of it. A resounding “Yes!” to the call of being a better person is something that I need to be able to do constantly in order for me to be truly excellent. At this point, it is important to emphasize that being excellent does not mean being free from mistakes. Perfection is not excellence. This means that if sometimes I succumb to laziness or hit a road bump in my attempt to be a better student, I am not disqualified from being excellent. Excellence also entails making mistakes and using these mistakes to improve one’s self. 

                I believe that I am excellent when I turn down a few bottles of beer with my high school barkada so that I can finish a few chapters of Harrison’s.          Choosing to study for an exam instead of just having a damn good time and more than a few good laughs with lifelong friends entails much sacrifice and discipline on my part. In this case, excellence is imbibed because I choose the option that would lead me to be a better person. From this example, it might be misconstrued that always choosing studies over bonding time with friends is a rule set in stone. On the contrary, there are actually times wherein picking friends over a few pages of trans is the excellent thing to do. See, excellence is not a set of do’s and dont’s. Neither is it an excellence of extreme measures. Rather, excellence entails being able to balance the different aspects of one’s life and growing holistically in the process. Excellence is situational and the skill of identifying the excellence, the magis, out of every situation is something that is honed over time.

              Like I said earlier, excellence is not tied to any one outcome or result. Therefore, when I studied my butt off for our cardiology exam, but failed, it doesn’t mean that I was not excellent. Instead, excellence was embodied in my hard work, determination, and perseverance to learn as much as I could to prepare me for the final exams. Often times, things don’t always go the way that we want it to. All year long, a basketball team might train the hardest, run the farthest, and sweat the most. However, it is no guarantee of a championship. Instead, what it guarantees is a clear conscience—the knowledge that they did everything they possibly could to put them in the best position to win the crown for their school. It guarantees excellence. Excellence is not about high grades or accolades. It’s about pushing the limits, going beyond ones capabilities, and transcending one’s self.

              I am also excellent when I don’t just think of myself and the implications of my actions to my own life. Choosing to spend my weekend helping out my mom in our farm and foregoing a weekend that could have been dedicated to brushing up on my clinical skills is a show of excellence. When we act, not just with our own best interest in mind, but also taking into account the other people in our lives, we are excellent. Recognizing the moments where we could be of aid to others, identifying situations where we can actually make differences in the lives of others, and then actually doing something about it, is genuine excellence.

              In ASMPH, we are educated to be doctors-for-others. Also, we are taught to always strive for excellence in all our endeavors. Let us all strive to live our lives with much excellence—an excellence-for-others.

My Royal Flush

I was flipping through a poker book  (How to Win the World Series of Poker, thanks Jazzmah) and in the first few pages, the dedication of the author said: "For Jeannine, my very own royal flush" For a poker player wannabe like me, I found it soooo sweet and at the same time, witty! Witty + Sweet =  "I get so weak in the knees I can hardly sleep" HAHAHA. LULZ LULZ LULZ. 

Well, to the poker illiterate (I judge you, along with people who don't know how to play chess hahahaha im kidding), let me talk about the royal flush for a bit. The royal flush is the absolute best hand in Texas Hold'em poker. 10-J-Q-K-A of the same suit! The possibility of getting such a hand in poker is 1 in 700,000. 1 in 700,00!!!! Hmmm, imagine taking a test, answering all C's, then getting perfect!!!! Well, point is, it's not impossibe, but it's really really really really, to the moon and back, hard. So, to be called someone's "very own royal flush" is to me, one of the best compliments ever. But then, what would you prefer? To find your "very own royal flush" or to be a "royal flush" to someone? Something to shoktong about. :)) It's not that hard a question, really.

Come to think of it, all of us are in search of our royal flushes in life. Some are even fortunate enough to have found theirs already! I guess we each have our own definitions and ideas of what our royal flush/es are. And I believe that someday, with a bit of luck, or a lot of luck for that matter, we'll all find our own royal flushes (is finding the same as getting?)! As long as we do our part, prepare for the many opportunities that will come along the way ("opportunity + preparation = luck" - Kriselle Hahahaha) , that time will come! ROYAL FLUSHES ON THE FLOP! SHIP IT!!!!

Summer Solstice

After being majorly disappointed by Ateneo's loss to La Salle (Redeeming factors: Kita kami sa TV & Probably the funniest half-time show I've seen from Ateneo), I went with Taruc to Summer Solstice. He volunteered to take some shots and I tagged along as his camera bag-toting assistant. Free food! And 2nd Avenue ballpen. Haha. Thanks Jerold and Co!

I guess you could say I was amused at the bazaar. Mostly by the food. And challenged by the people I saw there selling their goods, promoting their products, and making things happen for them...while I'm stuck in medschool still studying. Delayed gratification sucks, really.

First, let me talk about the food. At the back of the bazaar there were plenty of food stalls. There was this buchi stall. But instead of the usual red beans inside, they would put different kinds of chocolate: Ferrero, White Toblerone, Andes Mints. I found the idea interesting so I tried one White Toblerone buchi for 40 pesos. Taruc got the one with black beans for 20. The melted White Toblerone inside the sesame-fied buchi shell tasted goood. Goooooood.

Then there was this gelato stall. Mio gelato, I think. They had unique flavors: cream cheese frosting, chili chocolate, wasabi, cinammon, etc. It was delightful! I took a particular liking to the chili chocolate. I read about it before and I finally got to 'free-taste' it. And although it was less than a spoonful, the spice was already there! Interesting stuff. I think I 'free-tasted' like 10 flavors. But all along, my heart was already settled on the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. I have a weakness for Cookie Dough. Haha. 

Oh, to supplement our dinner, Taruc bought from Chubby Chicken. I have to say it was exquisite! I loved their white sauce. The owner, who is far from being chubby, described it as 'like Bon Chon but better'. And I guess there was some truth to that statement. Sarap eh!

There was one other thing that I wanted to try but I didn't get to. Partly because I was already full, and partly cause I didn't want to spend anymore--the cheesesteak something (I forget the name)! To my surprise, it was the stall of our family friend, Kate Diaresco and her boyfriend! I was really amazed! She told me that it was all her boyfriend's recipes and I just found it so cool that they were there, slugging it out! Inggit me. Didn't get to try their cheesesteaks though! I will next time :)

So throughout the night, while walking around the place, I would see familiar faces, mostly Ateneans, and they were all there manning their booths and selling their products. A 3rd year management student was selling hoodies that you can design on your own. The fashionistas (dex!!!) were selling clothes and shoes and other girly stuff. The culinarians were offering a free taste of their sinful deserts! And this mom was advocating Wheat Grass! According to her, a glass of wheat grass juice is equivalent to 2 kilos of fruits and vegetables! That's some healthy stuff!

I left the bazaar feeling somewhat sad and like I said, challenged. Ang galing nila! Taruc pointed out that those people in the bazaar took that path while we, on the other hand, decided to become doctors. The funny guy has a point, really. But I still feel challenged to come up with something that I can advocate/promote/sell and make a profit from. It doesn't have to be mindblowing. It just has to be interesting, marketable, and easy to pull off, given the fact that we don't really have a lot of time on our hands. Help me brainstorm, people! :)

To the Summer Solstice crew (Jerold and Patsy), Chubby girl, Kate and boyfriend, Wheat Grass mom, Banoffee Pie couple, 3rd year hoodie girl, and the fashionistas who made the bazaar such a pretty sight, props to you for believing in your idea and making it happen! Good job guys and best of luck!

Internship.... all aboard!

I'm here at the office. And I'm wearing a polo barong. Let me tell you, I don't get excited about dressing up. But the thought of wearing a polo barong gets my juices going. LULZ. I don't know where I got this fascination about wearing polo barongs. Maybe it's because I see my brothers always wearing them. Or it can be that it's just such a cool uniquely Filipino business attire. Whatever the reason, I enjoy rocking the 'polo barong' look. People have been making rude comments about my get-up. They say that I look like a security guard or somebody who is hired to protect VIPs. Woe to you, who shed my costly blood! I don't care. In my head, I am rocking this 'daddy look'. LULZ. Really can't wait to be a dad. Wear mid socks. Short shorts. And a shirt too loose. Plus there won't be any need to always hold my breath and keep my stomach in. Cause being a daddeh is enough reason to have a big tummeh. Anyway, I digress. 

Today is my second day of internship. A taste of the 8-5 life. And I've got nothing better to do but write on my blog. Time is slooooow. I guess there really is a lot of down time in the office. Or moments when you just don't have to do anything anymore but you're just forced to stay in your cubicle because, well, rules are rules. So you end up looking for something to pass the time. Or if you're really desperate, you find some form of work to do so that the last few hours at work won't be reduced to a mere countdown to the much awaited soccer game/movie date/peaceful ride home. 

CRAP! I just realized I was writing about my boss. HAHA. I don't want to be one of those employees who get fired because they talk bad about their boss and post it on the net. To my defense, I wasn't saying anything bad about them. I actually like them!!! And i want them to like me too. LULZ. Wow. It's cool having a boss. Or bosses, rather. I've held 'jobs' before but it's always been for family so this is different. I just remembered this quote or saying or something. If you don't like your teacher, you can get rid of them after one sem. If you don't like your boss, you're stuck with them! So I'm thankful that I like my voice!!!!! =))

The next three days, we're going to Montalban to do social mapping. Barge into other people's houses. Check what material their walls are made of. And see if the children are eating enough. Plenty of walking. Probably a lot of awkward silences. But hopefully, a learning experience that I can always remember! Part of me is excited. Part of me is just wishing that I had it easy. Like the people at RMC. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Adventure here we come! If all else fails, I still got my polo barong. LULZ.

Hmm..... 














*sigh*

Goodwill can get you a long way

I googled the definition of "goodwill" and this is what I got.

1. An attitude of kindness or friendliness; benevolence.
2. Cheerful acquiescence or willingness.
3. A good relationship, as of a business with its customers or a nation with other nations.
4. The positive reputation of a business viewed as an asset, equal to the excess cost required to acquire the business over the fair market value of all other assets.

A while back, I read an article on Steve Pavlina's site (I highly recommend reading his articles. A lot of interesting reads. All about personal development.) stating that money is not the only widely used form of exchange. Instead, there is also goodwill. His example: When you're traveling to Europe, you can either use money (stay at hotels and pay the rates) or use goodwill (look for a friend who's willing to have you as their guest for a couple of days). When I read this, I found the idea quite intriguing. For somebody who's always broke, investing on goodwill sounded like an interesting way to save money.

I was reminded of this whole idea while I was walking home from the LRT station yesterday after a delicious day of Peking Duck and Bubble Tea (I hardly ate dinner!). As I was passing through the guard house, the guard on duty greeted me "Good evening sir!" Tangina kinilig ako. LULZ. I would always come across this guard (I have yet to get his name) when walking home and I would always give him a salute or a nod as I would pass by his station. He hardly ever acknowledged my gestures. (I would just assume that he couldn't see me) But yesterday, I got the affirmation I so desperately wanted from him! My immediate thought was "ayos puwede na kami dumaan sa gate na 'to pag magpapahatid ako sa bahay" as this gate was nearest to my house, but would not allow cars without stickers to pass through. Goodwill. By having established a good relationship with the village guard, the need for buying stickers for my friends' convenience was eliminated.

Other examples:

1. Borrowing a book from Jappy instead of buying it from him. The book carried a much too hefty price tag. He tried selling to us before. Pineperahan mga kaibigan amphf. HAHAHA

2. Riding with a friend instead of commuting. I take advantage of this because I still do not drive. Oh yes 17-year olds all over the world would put me to shame. Thank you driver-friends :)

3. "May barya ka?" - Sounds familiar I bet. And we always readily give our coins only to find out moments later that we needed 'em. So the cycle continues. Thanks fons for sponsoring my train ride home!

4. Flirting with the guards who man the parking area. Carla Lee so proudly proclaims that she no longer pays for her parking right outside our school. She saves 40 pesos a day. True story. LAKAS.

5. Being friendly to Aling Nena so that when you ask for a bigger piece of pork chop, or little extra tocino pieces, or dinuguan sauce (I'm getting hungry), she would gladly oblige. Sayang lang wala na half-ulam :( Or maybe through goodwill, exceptions can be made :)

Of course the list doesn't stop at 5. Like lamb chop's song, it can go on and on. And as future physicians, I bet goodwill would come in very handy, unlike ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife. So guys, let's stock up on goodwill! :) Start by always reading my blog =))

You Can Do Anything

I got this from the blog of Jason Mraz. (If it's actually his blog!) LULZ. Very inspiring! I've been reading through blogs lately. Seeing what it's supposed to look like :)) Remember guys, WE CAN DO ANYTHING! See you at the top ;)

Oh My God This is Great!

Summer is great:) Yeah, I know. DUH. It's summer! It's supposed to be like that. LULZ. But I don't know. I guess for me it's a time to un-deprive myself of things that I had to forego during my first year as a med student. Well, fine. Maybe the "foregoing" process wasn't really a conscious decision. But because of the schedule and the hours needed to attend to school requirements, there are just some things that I wasn't able to enjoy anymore. Or at least not as much.

(I feel like my writing style is super immature but who cares! If in your head you somehow thought to yourself: "I care", then... too bad for you! HAHA)

I think one thing I was most deprived of during the school year was sleep. Well, maybe I wasn't really the most sleep deprived person in our batch--my brother would always complain that I was sleeping too much for a med student. So yeah, I probably slept more than I deserved. (Sue me!) But I still honestly think that I was, for most of the time, not getting enough sleep. And I guess the fact that I was always sleepy is proof? Anyway, my point is that during the summer, sleep is something readily available. And maybe even taken for granted. Aww... Poor sleep :( 

However! More than the sleeping, what I think I was also very much deprived of during the school year is the "Wake up slooow,,, mmmhmmm... wake up slow..." No! Not banana pancakes! LULZ. What I mean is that I was deprived of the luxury of waking up slow. Waking up, sleepily smiling to the risen sun, and spending a few minutes to just lay in bed and enjoy the act of "waking up"! Plenty of times during the school year, I'd spend a decent number of hours sleeping, but would wake up panicking and rushing to "finish studying" or to get ready for school. It's like the stress of waking up would negate all the energy I regained while I was sleeping. But now that it's summer, waking up is such a joy! It doesn't matter if I only spent 4 hours sleeping, waking up to "nothing" still gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. And besides, I can always go back to sleep later if i choose to! And I usually do.

Summer is great:)