One tooth down, three to go

After years of putting it off, I finally had one of my impacted teeth extracted this day. I was just too scared to have it removed and my experience today would hopefully make the next extractions done on time.

Jill had already had two impactions and she told me that it was really painful. I used more delaying tactics after hearing that but since school is approaching I really had to start already. I kept on praying that the anesthesia would work (Jill says it did not fully work on her - I stopped drinking for a long time in preparation). I prayed that the pain would be minimal and tolerable. God granted my prayers. The most painful part was the injection of the anesthetic but after that everything was tolerable or I just felt what they were doing to my tooth and not the pain. It took some time because my case is difficult (and the left lower tooth would be more difficult!).

The hard thing was the post-operative pain. It's almost gone now but I hope my mouth heals soon. I want to eat and it's just too hard to do that right now. I also wish the puffiness would subside as that look does not suit my face.

Here's to hoping I get the next one soon and that it'll be as painless or even less so than the first one!

First Online Shopping Experience and Medical Books

There are so many online stores in the world wide web and many times have I wanted to buy something yet my cautiousness told me not to. I finally ordered something online when I decided to buy second-hand medical books to save money. Books used by medical students are really pricey if bought brand new!

Jill, mom, and I scoured for prices of second hand books in Recto a few weeks ago. We only bought two books: Textbook of Medical Physiology by Guyton 11th ed and Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 25th ed. The Physiology book was a great find since it's the newest edition and a new book costs about P3350 in bookstores and Jill got it for only P2200. It's also in great condition and it seems that the previous owner did not read it much. Hopefully, we'll be able to read a lot more! The newest edition of our biochemistry book is 28th so Jill's copy is three editions back. A new book costs a little above P1400 and Jill got the second-hand 25th edition book for P500.

We don't plan to buy an atlas for Anatomy anymore since Janelle has a Netter's atlas which Jill and I will share since we're probably going to be classmates. Our youngest sister also has a Histology bookthat we can use. Brief recap: Jill still lacks an Anatomy and Neuroanatomy book.

Now to my finds...

Jill and I looked online for other books since we need a set of books each. Other not so necessary books, we'll try to share. I was very fortunate to come across an ad in sulit offering various second hand medical books at cheap prices. I contacted the owner and after clearing it with mom, placed my order. The only snags in this first time shopping was that the doctor selling the books was very busy and was not able to reply right away at times because of her time schedule. When I was finally able to deposit the payment (Wednesday afternoon), the seller had them sent the day after and I received it the next day (Friday).

The books were in good condition. The original owner really read them (basing on the highlights) but was very careful with the books. There are no tears, wrinkles or anything of that sort. I hope I could take care of the books as well as her and also that I would read them and put them to good use.

Anyways, it was great that my first online shopping was favorable. I wasn't duped  by the seller. I wasn't disappointed with the products. I am very happy with my purchase and savings. Before I forget, one thing I don't like about buying stuff online is the expensive shipping fee. The fee for the five books I bought was P750. They were heavy though, but still.

Here are the list of books I was able to buy and their prices.
Guyton's Textbook of Medical Physiology 10th ed (newest ed is 11th) P1500
Junquierra's Basic Histology: Text and Atlas with CD 10th ed (newest ed is 12th) P500
Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 26th ed (newest ed is 28th) P500
Snell's Clinical Anatomy by Regions 7th ed (newest ed is 8th) P600
Snell's Clinical Neuroanatomy for Medical Students 5th ed. ((newest ed is 7th) P500

The books' total cost is P3600 and there P750 for the shipping so altogether that's P4350. The good doctor discounted it further (I asked even if I knew it was already a good price) and the final payment was only P3800. Hurray for a great find and for such a generous doctor. She also gave freebies in the form of powerpoint presentations and lectures in a DVD. God bless you, Dr. Chette.

I saved a whole lot which can be used for other necessary things for school. The estimated costs for those five books (new edition prices) would be P12000+. Yes, medical school is THAT EXPENSIVE. I just pray we'd be able to find good books that are inexpensive for Jill and for our future years in school.

Blogger Updated

Finally, after hours of editing here and there I finally finished cleaning up my blog. It's been inactive in so many years. The posts from 2009 to 2010 were exported from my LiveJournal account. I've finally decided to delete that blog and keep this one instead since it's more user friendly.

I updated my template, links, and more. I just need to find the blog links of my friends.

I just hope I'll have time to write about school and other things. :)

Spring Cleaning and Preparations

I've finally been able to do that which I long planned. I deleted friends from my facebook account that aren't really friends (since I added people and placed them in a list that's private for games). I also was able to weed out the other posts here in blogspot. Other things to do is to clean up tabulas and then delete. It's difficult since I want to read the old posts and it's just terrible. I was like that before?!

I'm also going to quit playing Mafia Wars. I've been addicted for such a LOOOONG time. I want to be able to focus on medschool and I don't want distractions as stupid as facebook.

About medschool, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila finally released their results last Thursday, May 20, 2010. It's just the first list and it does not include those who have just taken their lacking units this summer as far as I can tell. Thankfully, Jill and I are in the list.

Here's a link to the list courtesy of BMS. Official list of PLM CM Batch 2014

I'm really nervous about medschool. I really want to do well in class and in the profession. I received the second hand books I bought online yesterday and they're all in good condition. Thanks Doc!

This is my first post in this blog in a long time since I opted to write in LJ for a while when I was too lazy to make a Google account.

Summer

Finally, after three years of not being able to go swimming, I was able to swim last Easter Sunday. Jordy invited us to her family's outing at Laguna since it's her last year here. :(

We stayed at a private resort called Villa Lucci at Pansol, Laguna. It had a private pool and kiddie pool that was only filled with unchlorinated water when we arrived. There were also three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Other amenities include a billiard table, videoke, and cabanas. It was so much fun even if there are just a few of us left in our barkada. I'm going to miss them so much. I'm very grateful that Jordana and her family treated us to this outing.

Sarah passed the NCLEX! Her results came out really quick, actually. Just three to four days, I think. We are all so proud and happy for her.

I'll just return to our Laguna trip. Since it was Easter, we heard mass at the local parish. I was approached by one lady to offer a thanksgiving during the offertory. I was hesitant since I didn't want to walk but when I saw that we would be many I agreed. (I was trying to pass the envelope to my friends and Jordy's dad.) Obviously, the thanksgiving is for Sarah's NCLEX and the graduation of Bear and Justine, Jordy's sister. I listed down petitions as well for NCLEX, medschool, and work. I rounded up the group's sentiments (at least my opinion of their wishes).

Going back to Manila and the real world (aka non-vacation mode) meant the long awaited results for PLM. There's still no result posted until now but hopefully tomorrow (which is actually later) they'll post it. Jill and I got our grades for one of our required unit subjects. I just wonder how the grading system is there, though since it wasn't explained to us. Also, how will our alma mater convert that? Questions... I will ask on Monday probably.

Last but not least, after so many months of putting it off I have conquered one of my dental fears. I finally had an oral prophylaxis/cleaning. Thanks Mom! Sorry at napakaarte ko bago masimulan. Next stop pasta and impaction. Courage, don't fail me now. Lord, thanks for granting my prayer that it wouldn't hurt. Help me again during the next treatments. :)

Waiting

One of the hardest things for me to do is to wait. I really dislike waiting because I am impatient. I want to change this but I can't expect a drastic difference anytime soon.

So what am I waiting for? It's what hundreds of MDs-to-be are waiting for - the results. Ack. I hope my friends and I get accepted into our medschools of choice. So far, four of my college friends have schools to enroll in but more are still waiting. Most schools will release in a week or two. Hopefully, PLM is included here! Hahaha. That would just be the interview shortlist though and there would be another waiting period for the list of students qualified for admission.

I just really pray we'll all be able to enter this June and of course, do well in our respective schools.

I just keep myself occupied by reading, watching TV, and of course internet stuff. Right now, I enjoy tinkering with looks on the site looklet. Try it, it's fun! Still, because of these new distractions, I haven't been able to reread my old blogs and delete some parts. I just set them to private so no one else can read the embarrassing posts my childish self published years ago. I hope I can clean it up someday soon! Here's to hoping though. ;P

Day Out with BFamily

This day, we were supposed to get our license from PRC but because of Bagyong Ondoy last September, the schedule was pushed one week further. I called a few days ago to check if the schedule was moved and annoyingly, the answer the girl told me was wrong. What a waste of time we went through this morning since we met up at 930 (even if we said it should be 830) at school then proceeded to PRC. We passed the slips and waited for our names to be called. After more than an hour, someone called us and informed us that the schedule was moved. Man, did I ever want to complain because of the misinformation I was given over the phone but I didn't get the name of the girl who told me that. Haaaaay. It's alright since the day turned out great. :D

We went to Rob to eat lunch minus the monthsary celebrator (you missed a lot!). I didn't have much money on me so I told my friends that my budget for lunch is up to 200 only (since we've already decided on KKK). Lo and behold, our bill was P1000. Exactly 200 for the five of us, super sulit. :D We ate really good food and all our stomachs were very satisfied. Our working friend had to go to her job in the afternoon so we accompanied her there and returned to Rob to play Rockband. hahahahaha. First time to play for the three girls. :) It was like we were little kids being brought by Daddy Bebot to play games. Anyways, it was super fun even if we sucked big time at first. :D We sucked less during the end and I'd really like to try that again.

The three of us girls went to Tides after being dropped of by "daddy" in school. Wow, I've really missed their chicken skin. After some time of eating and drinking, another friend of ours joined us and we talked some more. My sister and I left our two friends since we already had to go home.

For a day that I thought would be brought down by the license mishap, this was really, really fun. A super fun day equals zero money in my wallet, but it's worth it.