Loser that I am, the first thing that I chose to do on the last holiday of the summer was to surf the net. When you're addicted to staying online for X number of times a day, you'd have to pretty much justify a) why you're in front of the PC b) why you're not elsewhere infinitely more conducive to learning c) why you can't think of anything better to do. Sometimes, I feel that I spend more time online than at work, really.
Wait, that's not exactly true. As of last week, I've been extending hours at the office because of the projects I have to accomplish. I've never felt so tired and stressed as I have these past weeks. I'm not going to say that I like doing it. Guess everyone has to learn at some point that some things just have to be done and that's that.
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The Greenest Story of All Time
Before we move on to other great tidbits about my lonesome, let me tell you about Canada. Not just anything about Canada, mind you, but a very interesting story which involves a Canadian Obgyn and a certain friend of mine who is pregnant.
One day, a certain friend of mine found out that she was pregnant. So she went to a girl's clinic in Canada and had it checked. At first, it was okay; the baby's existence was confirmed and she excitedly told all her friends in the Philippines that she was with child. Her friends in the Philippines were beside themselves with joy. When they heard the news, members of her family jumped up and down 100 times, which caused a crack in the earth and Miss Janina San Miguel, brainless at that time, fell into that crack and emerged victorious over the sheep and Britney Spears, who happened to be resting down under at that time.
On to my wonderful story. On her 5th or 4th month, this certain friend of mine (we may call her CFM from here on end because her alias is pretty lengthy and I'm running out of time and typing her alias as CFM instead can save me 1.4 seconds which I spend typing her alias in full. time is gold.) had a check-up in a clinic in Canada. The narrator is not sure, though, whether it was the same clinic that she went to before but that's not really the point. The point is that when she went to that clinic on her 4th or 5th month, CFM was told that her baby's left hand cannot be seen. So CFM, of course, was a little disturbed by this news. No one likes hearing vague results, after all. So CFM went to her next scheduled check-up and the doctor, absolute wuss that s/he was, said that the baby had abnormalities. So CFM asked him (or her) what those abnormalities were. Our good doctor said that the baby's left hand was there but did not have any fingers.
Of course, CFM felt shocked and sad. She thought about the activities she indulged in during the past months. She, like any livid, disbelieving mother would, constructed a checklist in her mind. She did not drink, do drugs, or smoke. She believed that she did not do anything that would damage her child's health; in fact, she took extra care to prevent anything like this from happening. The stupendously intelligent, caring doctor suggested that it might've been radiation that did it. Radiation?! CFM exclaimed. I use the microwave but that's it. Then the illustrious doctor gave a little knowing smile and said ever so snidely Microwaves are verrrryyy dangerous, you know. With an ill heart, CFM went home to her husband and told him the news. She told her family about it, too, and they felt down and out and wondered if it was true.
Then CFM and her husband decided that she should go to the Philippines to get a second opinion. Unlike the scripwriters of Deperate Housewives, they believe that the doctors at home are competent and kind. At the same time, CFM thought, she'd be surrounded by people who love her and would stand by her no matter what. So she made some plans with a sister and her mother and off she flew.
Yesterday, CFM met up and surprised her family members and felt very happy. But there was still this niggling feeling inside her on her way to the hospital. When she got there, she was accomodated by a doctor who specialized in abnormalities. The doctor was very unlike the Canadian doctor. The doctor and her assistants turned CFM over and to the side to see that left hand. Turns out, the baby was normal and her left hand was really just hidden from view. CFM, btw, is on her 6th month. Her eyes sparkle when she talks about how her baby kicks and how loud the heartbeat is.
Imagine the relief that CFM felt afterwards. And how awful she would've felt if she stayed in Canada and just accepted the fact that her child could not move her left hand properly. How useless that anxiety would've been.
*****
In a day, there are approximately 35 nursing students who come in and apply for a job at our office. I always ask them why they are there, why they're not practicing their chosen field. They give me uber-lame reasons and the most common one is that their parents forced them to take a Nursing course. I don't believe them most of the time but sometimes, I wonder if it is true. That would be awful -- all those parents unknowingly sending them off to a dead end.
The reality that so many people want to leave and pimp themselves elsewhere is terrible. Staying in the medical industry here is even more so, especially if you're a fresh grad and have to start out. I hear the wages offered for nurses in hospitals are very low. So instead, they go abroad for better opportunities but the thing is, they'd be exposed to people like our friendly Canadian Obgyn. What if they adapt those kinds of practices, that way of giving service? I remember CFM said that she told the doctor to not leave the country because we need them more here. But not all of them will or can stay and they can't be blamed.
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I am reminded of a game I once played with my mother during our occasional dull afternoons. It's the Whoddunit game. Let's play it here. It's fun and exciting. All you have to do is say the best answer you can think of to the question aloud.
So who can we blame for all these nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers, HRM practitioners who can't find suitable jobs here?
the usual suspect (a.k.a the president)
Fat cronies
the kids' parents
the "system"
the education system
lost opportunites
Greed
Lust
Lito Camu
the Hilton sisters
the World
St. Patrick
the whole disgustingly vast universe
alien life forms
the black hole
Judas
Mars
the facts
the trends
people who lie
people who are too honest
the inconsistencies
these predictable hungers
So who is it then? Whoddunit? The person who can make an educated guess gets an invitation from me. One on one tayo. Bring your own beer, please.
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