To the hospital again

This time it’s Buboy that was hospitalized, but his is for a far more serious reason.

Buboy called me from work Monday night, July 20, asking for a pill to help him with his headache. I thought he was just having one of his migraine attacks. When we met to go home later he complained of fever. He was burning hot when I touched him. It was a hard effort for him to drive home and the two-hour traffic made it even worst. I was really worried but we thought it was just flu. Buboy slept immediately when we reached the house while I stayed up late until past 2:00am watching over him, wiping him with a wet towel to bring down the fever. We stayed at home the following day, Buboy regularly taking Biogesic to calm the high fever down and Alaxan to ease the body pain. Early morning of Wednesday, chills came and that’s when I decided to bring him to the hospital.

It is really hard when the only person who knows how to drive is sick. We had to ask one of the neighbors to bring us to the nearest hospital. After some blood and urine tests the ER doctor decided to admit Buboy. The doctor who followed-up on us that afternoon said Buboy has a viral infection and they still have to verify if it is typhoid fever or dengue. We learned it was dengue late that night. Buboy became like a pin cushion with the multiple blood extraction to monitor his platelets. The doctor said he has to eat so his body can fight but Buboy has no appetite. He was released from the hospital on the third day of his confinement. His platelets are stable, his fever is gone, and his appetite is back… and I am just so thankful.

The experience wasn’t good for both Buboy and me. I was so worried but I dare not show him that because I don’t want him to worry about me too. I texted my family and close friends to ask them to pray for Buboy especially during the time when the doctors are still not sure what is wrong with him. I am very thankful because everyone texted back and I know they all prayed for Buboy. Then there was the issue of where he was placed in the hospital. We used the HMO given by the Company he works for. His coverage is only for a ward room which would be okay if it was in a hospital where ward rooms are still nice. I kept thinking that if we were in Pasig when this happened, it would have been easier to bring him to Medical City where ward rooms are so much more pleasant. Good thing Mama visits and bring fresh supplies everyday.

But nevertheless, Buboy is well again and we are home again, that is what’s important. I pray he won’t be so sick again… that neither of us be sick again.

-chebong

Reunions

Last week, April 19 was the grand reunion homecoming of our high school in celebration of its centennial anniversary. Terry and I went together with my sisters Weng and Juvie. It was fun to see old faces again. It was just sad because the event wasn't well advertised that not many alumni were informed. In fact there were only six attendees from Weng's batch and eight from Juvie's. It was good that my batch mates pretty much did everything they could to invite everyone as about forty of us went. The whole event brought back memories of experiences that shaped my adolescence. I'll probably be posting the class picture we took as soon as i had it scanned later.

Then last Saturday, April 25 was an outing/reunion of sort of Buboy's family. It was my mother-in-law's birthday and we went swimming in a private pool at Calamba, Laguna. Buboy's family is small and it's nice to see them together all at once as this happens very seldom. It's because his sister lives in Laguna and his brother lives in Bulacan unlike my immediate family who practically live together. I told Buboy that we should really do this reunion-like gathering with his family at least once a year.

Anyway, Buboy discovered that he can sing more than twenty songs in one sitting during our family outing. He literally sang for almost two hours and received at least eight 100 scores. He said he now has a favorite - Though the Years of Kenny Rogers. Well, I don't mind. I love that song!

Pictures to follow.

-chebong

Hospital scene

I guess i better blog about my hospital experience, not for anything else, but for the sheer fact that this has been my first in the past 20 years and i wouldn't even be there if not for the fact that i don't have a nebulizer at home.

I think my cough started the last time i jogged about 2 weeks ago. I was so sweaty and there was a cold breeze during my walk back to the office. The next day i knew something is up. I didn't jog again because i started coughing already. Then the cold came. Then the next thing i knew imy nose was so clogged i couldn't breath through my nose and my throat hurt from trying to cough out all the phlegm and later my voice was slowly going out. I couldn't sleep for a couple of days until i decided that i need to see a doctor already. Mind you, i wasn't exactly excited about this thought.

Then last Wednesday, Buboy told me that perhaps it's better for me to get confined to a hospital. The idea of sleeping in an air conditioned room struck me. Why not? I haven't used my HMO card. So we made plans and decided that Medical City is the best choice we have. We went to work Wednesday morning, me mostly just to get all the paperwork ready for my confinement. Right after lunch we head down to Medical City's ER.

I was immediately checked at the ER, blood works and x-ray. However, doctors couldn't find anything wrong with me aside from my clogged sinus. They were a bit hesitant to recommend me for inpatient care. Then my attending doctor at the ER said i better stay there for a couple of days to rest. Yey! i was so happy i texted Terry and Mox immediately.

My first visitors were my two bestfriends! Mox arrived shortly after i got settled in my room and Buboy left to get some supplies from Pasig. A few minutes later Terry was there as well. They stayed until almost midnight. The following night Juvie and Benny came with 3 servings of palabok. We prayed the Station of the Cross at the hospital chapel after Juvie and Benny left.

I slept most of the time i was in the hospital and Buboy did the same if he's not watching TV. Our bill was more than 13k but Buboy paid only P15 for a glass i didn't realized i requested. However, we spent almost 3k for food, parking and outpatient medines. But we did enjoy the fact that while others are suffering the haet outside, we were comfortably cool in my room at the 11th floor.

BTW, Buboy was the best caretaker there is!

-chebong

Eraserheads reunion concert

I cannot believe i'll be watching the Eraserhaeds Reunion Concert tomorrow!

For awhile there i thought i won't be able to see Ely, Raymund, Buddy and Marcus performing in the same band again. But hey, i already got tickets!

I'm so excited because it's been such a long time since Mox and i went to a concert and i have never seen a concert with Buboy before, this will be the first. It'll be fun to watch one of my favorite bands with two of the closest people in my life. I am sure it's gonna be awesome

I'll write more about it after tomorrow.

-chebong

Summer outing

Tomorrow we are going to Buboy's company outing. Tomorrow is my company outing too. We decided to join Buboy's & skip mine. Come to think of it, i'm not much into company excursions. I have been working for more than 10 years and have only joined a company summer trip once, twice if you count another outing of Buboy's two years ago. I'm just not comfortable. Years ago it was because of my legs but these days it's because of my tummy. I love going to the beach. I have loved it since I went to Boracay with my college friends so many years ago. Being with close friends and family in a swim wear doesn't bother me much, but being seen with all my imperfections by people who don't really know me is a bit too much for me to handle. I guess having Buboy beside me helps, besides i'm going to his outing (not mine) for the 2nd time, it must mean something.

Speaking of outings, our college barkada trip to subic is postponed indefinitely. It was supposed to be an excursion with our families. But putting it together is not as easy as organizing outings when we were all single. Times do change. But I really hope we can fix something up soon. Our yearly get-together is not enough to keep up with what's happening with all of us. I don't want us to out-grow each other, it's the saddest thing that could happen to a great friendship.

-chebong

Missed friends are not lost friends

Last weekend I got to talk to one my best friends from grade school via YM. Although I have a pc with internet access at work, a broadband in Pasig and vibe in Las Piñas (this is not too long ago until the pldt line got corrupted around our area in Las Piñas and any dial-up can’t sustain a connection for more than a minute!), I did not install YM because I’m not much into chatting. Last Saturday Buboy had to install it in Pasig because I was waiting for a message from someone who broke my heart (she made me think that she’ll get me to write articles for her, the b*tch!). But then maybe her only role in my life is to link me with my old friend. Well, the moment I was logged in, there was Doc Lani! I missed this girl sooo much! It has been years since we saw each other last because she went to the US. I can’t wait till I talk (or make that chat until I buy a headset and cam for our pc) to her again and make up for all the years that passed. There definitely are a lot of updates to make :o)

-chebong

How lucky can a girl be?

For several days now I have been reminiscing old times with my girlfriends. Maybe it’s the weather that is making me miss them quite a bit… I have been fondly looking back at nights spent hanging out at UP Diliman, or playing pictionary in Tagaytay, or the indoor deep talks about life and whatnot, or club hopping for bands and music, or planning surprises, or out-of-town gimmicks, or crazy laughing spree, or simply eating out… Moments spent with my girlfriends.

I have lots of girlfriends. There’s a couple from HS, a bunch from college, and dozens from work. And these I got are the best. And I don’t mean because we never disagree or even fight, because we do. There are times my best buddy from HS and I would not speak to each other for months (because we disagreed/fought about something silly) but when one of us needs help or comforting, we’d run like hell to be there. And friends are great with surprises too. My college girlfriends are very good at planning surprises (but not as good in keeping the ideas until the event though) complete with themes and props, you’d think we're professional party planners. And who says those friends you meet at work are not for keeps? I have a lot of friends I met from the many jobs I had, including volunteer work. And though we don’t regularly communicate, whenever we get a chance to get together, we just know that time has not altered our friendship.

Girlfriends since childhood

aellek then and now

halo-halong girlfriends

You know you have great girlfriends when it's no longer embarrassing or scary to let out your bad side in front of them. That’s how my girlfriends and I are. And although regularly keeping in touch may be a bit harder now (with the different lives we’re living) there is a sense of security and comfort that comes with the memories that say our friendship will stay forever, and that whenever I feel down or up or anything in between, my girlfriends will always be there to share my moments.

It’s true what they say, girlfriends are the best. And I’m lucky I’ve never been short of them all my life. And the best part (yup, there's still a best part) is that my girlfriends are also friends with Buboy that I never had a hard time spending time with them with him. How did i get so lucky!!

-chebong

KurlyNews

KurlyNews
28 April 2007, 11:43 PM

weng, mox, benny, juvie, chebong & buboy (aka "Da Higop Gang")

Chebong and Buboy recently got back from their yearly White Beach, Puerto Galera jaunt where they spent 3 days and 2 nights kicking up their heels with friends and family. Located in Mindoro Oriental, Philippines, the name “Puerto Galera” literally means “Port of Galleons” originating from the fact that the numerous coastlines of the area have provided traders and sailors shelter from the rough seas for centuries. These days however, Puerto Galera is one of the premier tourist spots in the country famous for its beautiful corals (hence the influx of scuba diving aficionados from all over the world), the white sandy beaches, and of course, the world renowned Filipino Hospitality. Let’s have a chat with the Kurly Couple and get the lowdown on their latest adventure.

You’ve both been to White Beach several times already right? Obviously you haven’t gotten tired of coming back to the place every year, what’s changed from the first time you’ve been there?

Chebong (C): More people seem to be going there now than 3 to 5 years ago. The place is slowly getting crowded.

Buboy (B): Yup! White Beach is getting even more congested with every passing year, I mean some resorts there even have three-storey residences!

(C): And most of the girls (whatever their size is) are wearing 2-piece swimsuits. Too bad for me, I should have done it when I still can.

(B): Aww… that’s not true luv… you can still wear ‘em 2-piece suits for me *wink* *wink*

What do you do to prepare? Meaning, what do you bring with you? How much cash should you have on you for the trip? That kind of stuff….

(C): My friend said I pack like a wife now. Anyway, We packed the usual… undies, sleep wear, night wear (for those late night drinking sprees), swim wear, slippers… but I see to it we pack everything with extras… 2-3 pcs extra undies, 2-3 pcs extra shirts, etc. This year we also brought a toiletry hanging basket for the shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine wash, lotion, shaver, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. I made sure we bring our vitamins and other meds for emergency such as biogesic, decolgen, kemil-S, etc. And of course we brought hangers and clothes pins/clips. Food… we always bring at least 5 liters of water. This year we had canned juice and coke, we had dozens of milo, coffee, nesvita and litro juice sachets, we had salted eggs, biscuits and snacks!

(B): Understandably, the rates keep getting higher every year, especially when you go there from Friday to Sunday, the room rates skyrocket by about a thousand bucks! We ended up paying P3000 a night for a room that could fit 6 people, so that would be….P6000 for a 2 night stay. We consider the cost of round-trip bus and ferry rides; lunch & dinner for the 2-day stay…we probably ended up shelling out around P3500 per person in a group of 6. That still leaves you with enough dough for snorkeling, banana boat rides, booze and a few souvenirs!

What’s the most memorable experience you had there?

(C): Buboy and I weren’t married yet when we first went to Galera. It was for my birthday. We had been fighting days before and I was prepared to break up with him there. But instead of breaking up, we made up. And during our first night there, we were laying on the beach, watching the stars, I realized I really love Buboy and I am not going to let go of what we have… Years after, we went there again for our honeymoon. And I remembered the first time we came there… I was glad I didn’t let go…

(B): Aaaawww maaaaannnn!!!! Now, how can I possibly top that kind of an answer…Cmere and lemme give ya a hug! But seriously, what Chebong said was right on the money… and one thing that keeps me coming back to the place must be the fantastic sunsets there. There’s really nothing like seeing that blazing red-orange sun going down on the vast ocean blue…. Really takes your breath away!

Did you do anything new this year?

(C): Yup! We had a banana boat (but I swear it was shaped like a pencil) ride. Though we requested no “taob” because most of us don’t know how to swim and we’re (at least I am) mightily afraid of being thrown in the middle of the sea, even with a life vest on.

(B): We also had special henna tattoos made. These were extra special beeecause…. I designed em’ myself! Yup! Check-em out, we had our names tattooed as ambigrams (they read the same way once you flip em over!). Henna artists on the beach actually do ambigrams themselves but they were really surprised that we made ours without any help.

If you manage to return to White Beach next year, is there anything in particular you would want to try that you haven’t done before?

(C): Yes. I hope to be able to ride the banana boat with “taob” next time and maybe go hiking. We’ve been going there for years and we haven’t seen the tamaraw falls yet… heck, not even a live tamaraw. Maybe next time we can afford to stay there longer, like 5-7 days perhaps.

(B): That would really be awesome… one week of sun and sea… maybe we could even have time to try out jet-skiing this time.


So there you go folks, seems like the kurly couple will definitely be having more adventures in the months to come. Let’s wait and see where they turn up next! Till then…Keep on Kurlin’!!!!!

waffle weekend

I have been wanting to write what Buboy and i did on my bday and the waffle-cooking trial we did last sunday but i got so busy. Anyway, here it is...

My birthday
Buboy picked me up before 3:00pm and we went to Market!Market! We ate dinner at Giligan's and bought bday cupcakes from sonja's cupcake at serendra. Before going home we dropped by bookworm to browse. I started reading the orange girl by jostein gaarder and Buboy bought it for me as a present. Then we went home. It wasn't much when you read it like that but it was really a wonderful day for me. I mean being able to cut work and slip away with my hubby:0)

orange girl & me ;0)

Waffle-cooking
Well, it's a waffle feast because we cooked so much waffle we weren't able to finish them all:) It was really a bit crazy. Mox, Buboy and I met at galleria to buy the stuff we need then we went to Mox's place to do our thing. We tried (i think) 5 recipes including the control (ready-mix pancake, i forgot the brand). It was sooo hot and the kitchen sink cannot be used so we had to wash the dirty dishes and stuff either outside or in the bath. But i think that was a pretty successful activity. We learned the trick to make the waffle full and not hollow inside and we discovered that we'll need a squeezer so it wont be messy, among other things. We identified a recipe that we all liked and we know we can modify to perfection:0) We will be meeting again next week for the second run of the waffle-cooking trial.

our first waffles!! yum,yum!!


-chebong

reunion

UST College of Science will have a reunion tomorrow and my college barkada and i will not be attending. Not that i mind, really, because i don't care much for reunions. I mean, i kept in touch with friends i really care about anyway. But we are all eager to visit our alma mater once again and i suggested doing it during the reunion so we can go inside the main building (our college building) and explore it's halls again. It's kinda hard to do that on an ordinary day kasi they won't let anyone in, kahit alumni. But then, most of us are not available so we decided to schedule another day to go back to UST.

I love UST and i'm proud to belong to the College of Science because it's kinda an elite college:) I had a lot of good memories of UST and had found a lot of very good friends there. I'm looking forward to visiting my alma mater with my friends again. Hopefully it'll be soon:)

-chebong