The Subic Invasion

Guess what?  I am officially back after a long vacation!  I have already survived a couple of shifts at the hospital after a week- long absence but there is this one place that I still can't get off my mind- SUBIC.


The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)- Luzon Chapter held its annual conference last October 18-20, 2011 at Subic Bay, Philippines and I, together with my mom and twin sister were allowed to join.  It was surreal!

Well, I was sleeping off another morning after another toxic night at the Emergency Room when my mom invaded our room to have us prepare for the trip.  Imagine, I was really sleepy by then.  Hence, our ship sailed forth to Batangas by noon and before we knew it, we were already scheming through the various boutiques of SM North EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) by sunset.  As the evening came, we landed into a hotel at Quezon City to take some rest.

We had a good night's sleep.  Thanks to the comforts of  Fersal Place Hotel.

Furthermore, the next day started out early as the real trip pushed through.  Subic is a two- hour drive from Quezon City.  As http://en.wikipedia.org claims, such place is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Dubbed as 'the number one destination for extreme adventure in the Philippines,' Subic is well-known for its wide array of beaches, shopping spots, casinos, water sports and historical places.

Rise and shine, dear!  The roadtrip begins.

Hence, we got there by noon of October 18 when we accompanied Papa for his registration at Subic Traveller's Hotel.  Then, we went to Subic Holiday Villas to set up our things.  However, although we stayed there for only a couple of days, I am still at awe about it.  Honestly, I was speechless upon seeing the villa.  It is a very classy and traditional inn with a modern touch.

twin beds for Mara and I

the master's bedroom

overlooking the Villa

By mid- day, we left the villa for a while to explore Subic and Olongapo.  We had a memorable lunch at one of the well-known restaurants at the area and did some shopping. It was tedious and tiring but it was really worthwhile.  We went back to the villa before sunset and Mara and I had the chance to take some pictures.

posing by the villas' banner

Mara and the tree

posing by the heart-shaped pool

my twin sis Mara

Me and my twin sis Mara

The real adventure began the following day as we visited Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari. It was really tiring and memorable as I saw various animals and one of the most famous bays in my country- that of Subic. I was at awe with the performances of the dolphins, sea lions, tigers, monkeys, cobras and the humans as well. It was clearly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

breakfast at the villa

Ocean Adventure

Mara, me and Mom by the aquarium

by the bay

gotta love the dolphins

Mara and the surf board

chilling out at Ilanin Bay Cafe'

at the Dolphin show

Mara at the Sea Lion show

Maica conquers Ocean Adventure

Subic Safari

at Subic Safari

Mara riding the Safari train

surviving the Tiger Safari

at the bony area

sitting by the Aeta's trail

After experiencing the wilderness, we had a sumptuous feast at one of Papa's fave restaurants- Shakey's. I bet he brought us there for the sake of his fave thin-crust pizza. 

Shakey's and the thin-crust experience

Thus, the last leg of the tour has finally come to an end.  We had our last breakfast by the next morning as we were preparing for the trip back home.  Then, we took a bunch of pictures, reminiscing every bit of Subic for the last time.

by the terrace

Mara chilling by the bed for the last time

Subic: One last time

As for me, this trip has enhanced my love for travelling and dining into various restaurants in different parts of the globe. It is an experience that I can always look back and be proud of.  I will always treasure the memories of my stay there in my heart and soul. 

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

P.S. The next convention of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines will be held at Cebu this upcoming December. I really hope I can go there as well

OMPH Gets Physical

The BER months officially arrived and that only means one thing:  CHRISTmas is nearing.   And well, I'm already looking forward to this year's holidays.  Henceforth, before I see Christmas ornaments and New Year's Eve's fireworks, let me share my memorable experience during this year's Sportsfest at Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital.

Last October 9-15, 2011, OMPH (Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital) organized its annual sportsfest with the theme: 'Let's Get Physical.' As for me, it was my first time to attend such event and I really had fun.  Imagine, I've had tiring cheer dance practices in between duties but it was all worth while.  Such festivity was clearly a breath of fresh air from all the stresses and dramas of work.  Maybe, it was all I needed to get away from all the toxicities of the hospital within these past few months.

Anyway, the said event started out with basketball matches held on October 9, 2011.  The parade, cheer dance competition and others followed suit on the next day.  

Let the Games Begin !


Ms. Hospolympics 2011

The most memorable one for me is the Cheerdance competition.  Imagine, almost all teams exerted much effort just to make the said event a memorable one. 

Blue Phytons

 Red Warriors

Yellow Jaguars

Green Spartans

The Hospital Olympics will not be complete without the ball games.  Imagine, the doctors, nurses and employees from all walks of life joined in for the sake of their teams.  And after all the yells, stunts and dances, the hospital witnessed the battles of the reds, blues, greens and yellows.  It was really fun!

D-E-F-E-N-S-E!


strike a pose :)


Say Cheese :)

the girls of Blue Team

Oh wait, let us not forget the indoor games such as scrabble, chess, word factory and dart and some other feel-good games like tug-of-war, obstacle and relay.   Without those, the Olympics will not be complete.

Scrabble champioship w/ Dr. Abubo and Doc Nuestro


Go for the goal!

Tug-of-War w/ Blue Team

Tug-of-War w/ Red Team

Thus, after a week-filled of fun, sweat, yells and smiles, the judgement day finally arrived.  The annual olympics ended-up with a big bang!  Thanks to the show-stopping performances of the teams for 'Showtime.'

Laughtrip with the Blues

the jaw-dropping performance of 'The Red Warriors'

Yellow Team stars in 'Ang Istorya ng Buhay ni Piolo'

The Greens show their moves

Hence, as the show ended and the winners were finally proclaimed, we all went home with smiles on our faces knowing that the event was such a success.  At the end, the blues may have went home with the Championship trophy but the other teams were happy as well.  It is not in winning and losing that competitions end as they say.  What matters most is that camaraderie, respect and peace prevailed.

                                                    

Caselle and I having fun during the awarding ceremonies

Blue Phytons- the Ultimate Champions

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

Some photos copied from:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.299137196769413.93157.100000194049730&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302697769746689.94060.100000194049730&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.249202961794342.57501.100001139218021&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1995921067313.2092136.1522072929&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1823556488151.73413.1817408478&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2339041687275.118520.1586891780&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2335981291468.227238.1607913420&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.273751612658295.77657.100000703753288&type=3

A Long Day over the Long Weekend

I was sleeping off my morning after another night shift when I got the news that my high school buddies were organizing  an event.  It was August 29, 2011 and some of my friends from Manila came home to make the most out of 'The Long Weekend.'  

I could barely open my eyes when my twin sis Mara asked me to join her in preparing for the  said event.  I was tired because of the sleepless night behind me so I ended up arriving late at the venue.  The reunion was held at Feraren Hills Resort and I managed to be there by 3 p.m. already.

This is where it started...

I don't have much idea about how the morning went but I was able to notice how my high school friends conquered the water by storm.  

my high school buds preparing for a dive at the pool

Say Cheese :)

The fun may have started there but it didn't just end like that.  Well, my 4A buddies just swam the entire day off.  Imagine, they had all the energy for chitchatting, swimming, playing around and posing.  It was unbelievable!

Kath, Marian, Grace, Mave and Mara posing by the pool

S-M-I-L-E :)

The gorgeous ladies 

This is me by the pool.  I didn't swim so I was the one tasked to take pictures.

By the end of the day, we had some time for chatting and taking pictures.  It was a memorable one for us all because we saw each other again after some time.  

 This is me by the wishing well.

Mara posing by the resort banner

Grace, Marian, Mave, RJ, George, Kath, Jobelle, Nics and Mara taking some time to pose  before leaving 

As the swimming session ended, we prepared for a night out. We went to a bar and although some of us are not used to the night life, we really enjoyed the night.  Mara, Kath, Jobelle and Marian danced their way as the rest sat for some talk.

Mara at Trix

me by the bar

Kathrina and her outfit

Jobelle posing for the night

The girls of 4A posing enjoying the night out

I didn't insert IV lines nor dress bloody wounds on August 29, 2011 but I wouldn't trade that day for any other one at the hospital.  I just spent my entire day off with my long lost friends.  It was a time well-spent after all.

Lovelots, 

Maica Angelle

Credits:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=2004233033684&set=a.2004226233514.2104739.1479360682&type=1&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=2004233913706&set=a.2004226233514.2104739.1479360682&type=1&theater

Stuck into the Chase

It's August 27, 2011, 2:51 p.m and I am at home, alone with my computer at hand.  Yeah, while the whole medical field is busy dealing with pregnant women in labor, overweight people with chest pains, women having difficulty of breathing, lots of traumas and sick kids, I am stuck here, trying to pour my heart and soul into the web piece I made over a year ago.

As I try to look over the couple of years behind me, I realize that a lot has clearly transpired since I got my diploma from a nursing school.  Well, the former Student Nurse who barely knows how to operate oxygen tanks has finally grown up.  The college girl wearing white stockings and green scrubs for duty is now a bona fide  Registered Nurse and Certified Renal Nurse in the country.  How does that sound, huh?

Anyway, a year has already passed since I started practicing my profession as a Volunteer Nurse in the country and I'm loving this profession even more as time goes on.  I love taking care of the sick people.  I love saving lives. I love being a nurse.

So what's new with this blog post, anyway?  Well, in my 5 months as a Staff Nurse, lots of opportunities came by already.  First of all, I got this chance to migrate to Australia this coming February.  Then, I was also informed that I'll be a certified Intensive Care Unit Nurse this coming December.  I feel so happy and overwhelmed right now.  Imagine, almost all of my hopes and aspirations are finally coming true.  I mean, I finally got this chance to build my nursing career abroad before my IELTS exam results expires.  Plus, I will be wearing scrubs a couple of months from now.

I'm really grateful for all the blessings and opportunities coming my way.  However, I will have to leave someone else behind once I go to Australia and I know that it won't be easy for the both of us.  Loving someone and leaving him behind is hard but for now, I can only hope for the best.  Opportunities come and pass but true love waits, right?

Australia, Here I Come!

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

Credits:
http://www.worldcitypics.com/tag/australia/

In Life, Love and Longing

Comment allez-vous, m 'amis? (Translate: How are you my friends?)  I happened to drop by my site a while ago and I realized that four months have already passed since I made some posts and maybe, blogger misses me already.  Why haven't I made some updates really?  I was kinda busy with work and dealing with a lot these months is also bothering me.  First of all, my grandpa passed away.  Then, I've dealt with relationship problems, stressful workplace and a lot of Mycobacteria Tuberculosis.  Yeah, the past months were crazy!

FYI, I am now officially a Staff Nurse at a nearby hospital and I am loving my profession even more.  Everyday is a challenge.  Every shift gives me the chance to improve.  I want to learn, explore and see where the universe will lead me.  Who says I'm not destined for greatness, huh?

Me and my friends from Pulmo Ward and Mangyan Wing

How can I really describe my career path these days?  Oh well, I am somehow proud of my achievements so far.  Imagine, I've been in charge of the Pulmonary Ward after a month at the Medical Ward.  I'm making my own mark, slowly but surely.  Most of my colleagues may know me as 'the Mayor's daughter' or 'Caselle's girlfriend' but I am sure that they already got to know me past that.  

By the way, my ultimate dream in life is to travel the world and I've been checking out blogs about cruise ship and travel nursing for a couple of months already.  I figured out that those may lead me to my dreams but then I also came to realize working at Intensive Care Units is more of my thing.  I can travel the world once I retire but the adrenaline boost that critical situations bring cannot be equated with anything else.

at Rave's birthday party

Hence, I am currently waiting for my eligibility for the NCLEX- RN exam and I also have the opportunity to apply at St. Luke's once I'm officially a USRN.  I definitely have a long road ahead of me but I know that God has a plan for me.  No matter what that is, I'll keep on praying and believing because everything will happen in God's time.

Lovelots,
Maica Angelle

 Credits:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1771899982942.2091668.1402537049
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.250982384918228.82374.100000194049730

Maica's Ongoing Love Affair with Pen and Paper

I haven't considered myself as a good writer until my end-of-term project got praises from my Communication Skills professor way back in college.  Well, who would have thought that the girl who barely got As on her high school compositions will be able to produce a praise-worthy book review by a professional writer?   Never in my dreams have I thought I will be considered as the best writer in my class.  It was surreal!

It has been six years since then but the memory is still crystal clear in my mind.  During that time, I discovered  my passion for writing.  I may not have gotten myself involved in writing at once but that love  was still in my heart.  I decided to focus on my studies that time but I have not left my passion behind.  I just set it aside for a while.

Well, the story does not end there.  As I've established my career as a Registered Nurse, I got the chance to blog and share a part of me to the world through my site http://gettingthere-angelle.blogspot.com/.  I've been  managing my site for 9 months already, constantly updating whenever I get the chance to write.  However, I wanted to explore the writer's world and got myself into a writing job instead.  

I've been a web content writer for 3 days already and although it pays not-so-well(I get P43.00 per a 500- word article), it makes me happy.  In fact, I can just smile whenever my mom and sister ask me how much I get compensated for all the writing I've done these past few days.  Crazy, right?   

I don't really want to give this job up for now because this is the first job I got hired for.  Imagine, I've been working like a carabao when I was volunteering my services as a nurse at a nearby hospital and I didn't get anything.  Plus, I've been spending some time with my blog for quite a while and I don't gain a cent for what I was doing.  Other than those, this job is very rewarding.  Since I started, I go to bed with a warmth in my heart, knowing that I've been able to beat my employer's deadline from time to time.   This job may be something I started out  of curiosity, but I never expeced that it will be this fulfilling.

Anyway, I got accepted by another writing company, which guarantees more monetary compensation, as a web content writer.  I'm not yet loaded with writing tasks but I'll do my best to write high quality articles.   I  want to learn how to  spend my time wisely.  I'll dedicate my free time to writing.

FYI, I don't intent to be the next J.K. Rowling or Nicholas Sparks as of today and although my dream is to be the next New York Times Bestselling Author someday, I am content with what I have right now.  I may have a couple of writing jobs and an upcoming nusing work(yes, one that is not 'voluntary!') which cannot pay me A LOT today, but I believe that every one must have humble beginnings.  Right now, I am a budding writer and a neophyte nurse but I won't allow myself to be stuck here.  I'll  be working hard and someday, I'll  be at my best.  Who knows, I might get a million worth of paycheck per article someday.

Lovelots, 

Maica Angelle