Balikbayan Box 2 comments

What's better than receiving relief goods 2 days after Ondoy wrecked havoc in our house?

Receiving a Balikbayan Box, of course. Filled with items you won't find anywhere else in the local market, whether it's a can of sardines or a bar of soap, even if you have enough money to buy groceries, it's still feels so much better to receive them for free and goggle on the different brands not available in the country.

Just last night, we opened two boxes from my uncle in United Kingdom. Just so you know, I love smelling the trapped air inside those packing-tape-battered cartons. I don't know if science is behind me here, but I do believe the smell of air in countries vary from one another. I might be deluded, though.

So after battling the sticky powers of various tapes mummifying the box, there in front of us was loads of canned goods in all shapes and colors. For me, it's not about "Oh my Obama, we finally have food!" because we have awful plenty, it's mostly "Ooh what is this?" and "How do you pronounce this word?". I love trying out food from other countries that it even include preservative-filled ones.

In the end, the most interesting pieces I got was perfume (smells pleasantly like the rain), 1 box of Ferrero Collection chocolates (Ferrero Gardens, oh heaven!) and a vibrating toothbrush. It's funny, I thought it being named Oral-B Pulsar is just an advertising stunt but lo and behold, it actually has an internal battery and an on and off switch. We were laughing so hard.

I dream of one day, when I get to work and/or study abroad, packing a box that I will send to my relatives back in the Philippines. I wonder if it's enjoyable shopping for other people and sealing those items in a big brown box. Because it sure is delicious opening one.

Philippine General Hospital Training (APCN) 19 comments

 PGH's 27th Batch Advancement Program in Clinical Nursing (APCN)

(6 Months Training Program)

QUALIFICATIONS (any of the following):

1. A recent graduate of the BSN program; or
2. With clinical &/or hospital experience for the past five (5) years
(2005-2010)

• May 18, 2010 Screening
• May 25, 2010 Qualifying Exam (Php 100)

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Letter of intent addressed to Ma. Rita Villanueva Tamse - Deputy Director for Nursing
2. Dean's Form (Available at DNET Office)
3. Photocopy of Transcript of Records
4. Certified True Copy of Board Rating
5. Authenticated copy of PRC License
6. Photocopy of PNA Membership Card
7. Qualifying Exam (To be scheduled upon submission of requirements)

FEE: P 10,000

For more information, please visit:
http://www.pgh.gov.ph/divisions/nursing-services/training

GLEE "Dream On" Ep feat. Neil Patrick Harris, Joss Whedon and JOLLIBEE 1 comments

The first thing I noticed when I opened up my Twitter account is Jollibee 10th on the Trending Topics list. After a couple of seconds of "WTH?", I couldn't believe that people are saying that the popular pinoy fastfood chain made a cameo on Glee. Of all TV shows, on GLEE. Especially, on the NEIL PATRICK HARRIS episode. On the JOSS WHEDON (creator of my dearest Buffy the Vampire Slayer and spin-off Angel) directed one that I've been waiting for the whole week. How fantastic is that?

Thankfully, I easily found a decent megavideo link and watched the episode via streaming video. Frankly, I didn't noticed the happy bee even after I have finished watching the whole thing. Probably due to the epic awesomeness (Yes, that's retarded fan speak) of "Dream On".

The episode, as is obvious with its title, is all about some of the characters' most intimate dreams in life. It is surprisingly deep yet it didn't showcase the usual "Don't Stop Believing" performances we are used to. Which is a great thing for a show slowly losing its heart to grand showstopping numbers. I mean, if we wanted to be treated to 40 minutes of sing and dance musical gimmicks then we would've watched a concert. This episode, I think, brings us back to the basics. More character driven plots, less jazz hands.

Best Glee episode of the year, hands down.

Back to Jollibee, I really did not see it. But once I did, it was obviously everywhere on the "We Can Dance" mall dance routine of Artie. I'm betting "PR STUNT" but I might be wrong. Either way it brought us Glee loving Filipinos something to talk and tweet about.

Next stop, the Lady Gaga episode...

Lung Center of the Philippines Basic Skills Training for RNs 4 comments

Lung Center of the Philippines

Tel: 924-6101 loc. 270 and 385

BASIC SKILLS TRAINING Requirements

• Resume with latest picture
• TOR including Diploma and RLE Records
• Board Rating Certificate
• PRC License
• Certificate of Passing
• 2 pcs 1x1 picture
• Chest Xray and PPD c/o Lung Center
• Long Brown Envelope
• BLS Certificate and ID
• Must have undergone IVT Training

Registration Fee:

• 6,000 for 3 months
• 1 month lecture and 2 months practicum.

Just wanted to share with you all struggling unemployed colleagues. A friend underwent this training and from what she said, the 6k was worth it. Problem is, they have limited slots that easily fill up upon opening. Better be prepared for loads of other people fighting for a spot on the program.

Spring Awakening (A Rock Musical) 0 comments

There are musicals that get famous because of how grand the production is. From the set design to the costumes, props and even the choreography, it is easy to get lost at how colorful the stage looks like and deem such theater production as superb.

Then there are musicals that gain recognition because of the quality of the story, the brilliance of the music and the greatness of the actors portraying exquisitely the complexity of the characters. It doesn't matter if the set is comprised of a couple of chairs, a desk, a raising platform at a fog machine and nothing more. All these superficial things are overshadowed by the story and the performance anyways.

Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind. It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Set in late-nineteenth century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality. The original play was banned in Germany, for about a century, due to its portrayal of masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, rape, bondage, child abuse and suicide. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score. Spring Awakening received eleven 2007 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor. The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards.

 -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Awakening

The original cast starred Lea Michelle of GLEE and Jonathan Groff who is also guest starring in the said show at the later part of Season 1. The most wonderful aspect of the show is that it centers on such taboo subjects and yet delivers the truth and the story in an entertaining yet sincere way. The theme, dialogue and songs are explicit but not at all vulgar.

Although there was a Philippine production of the musical a few months ago, I got to watch it in youtube.com of all places. Yay for whoever got the guts to record the whole show via a hidden camera. Honestly, this is one of the instances where I adore blatant piracy.

For those looking for the Spring Awakening (Original Cast Recording) Album, look no more. Once again, I searched the cyber world for a download link and have found a jewel.

DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?yojumunyxin

 

Enjoy.