Comfy Hideouts

Studying in the same place over and over again may take its toll on you. One anonymous person once said that, "we thrive in change". From time to time, it may be good for us to have a change in our surroundings. So if you're just around Mayon St., and you're looking for a cafe or two to crash and read or study, or pretend to study, here are a few places to try --- my Top 5 Mayon-ish Study Places:

#5 Caffe Dolce

Located at Mezzanine Level, #848 Banawe St., corner Linaw St., Brgy. Sienna, Quezon City

Caffe Dolce is a nice mix of restaurant and cafe. Being known as a "healthy cafe," they offer different vegan dishes and drinks for prices being more or less a hundred pesos. Aside from the restaurant atmosphere, its large and soft red sofas add a sense of luxurious feel to the place. While a combination of soft yellowish glow of the lights and a large stuffed bear near its entrance give off the comfy atmosphere of a cafe.

The staff are very accommodating, and the comfort room (which is one of my must-haves when looking for a study place) is clean and divine.

What I really liked about Caffe Dolce was their selection of caffeinated drinks dressed with rose petals. I don't know why, but it's just that I have this thing with tasting petals and or leaves in my drink or food.

The drinks we offered weren't just visually appealing, but also tasted great. We also liked the Grandmother's cake (I think that's what it's called), because it was not too sweet, but tasted just right.

I'm not sure as to the opening, but Caffe Dolce closes at 12 midnight.

#4 Burger King

Welcome Rotunda

Aside from the free wifi, the place is relatively more well lit than most cafe's or study places. Although, during the wee hours of the morning, you'd be bugged by the crew to hop from one table to another because they are already cleaning the area. Still, the food is awesome (even though it's fast food)! And, well, it's open 24 hours.

# 3 Myon's Cafe

Located at #390 Mayon St., Sta. Mesa Heights., Quezon City

This newly-opened cafe atop a luxurious French Mediterranean Cuisine located along Mayon St. should be considered as a 'great find'. I haven't tried the restaurant downstairs yet, but I've tried studying in the cafe upstairs. The cafe was smartly conceptualized, was very "maaliwalas"/looks very clean and is the perfect place to read with natural lighting.

The pieces of furniture were also very comfortable and had that vintage feel, and you can actually choose different spots to love anywhere whether inside the air-conditioned area, or outside with the plants. The comfort room is also very well equipped with lots of paper towels and hand soap.

They offer different pastries, pasta, and caffeinated or decaf drinks with prices ranging from around 150 pesos and or above. However, come dark, you may have to transfer to another study place because I think the place closes at around 8 in the evening. They also have free wifi!

# 2 Jollibee

Welcome Rotunda

Although you may have rolled your eyes when you saw Jollibee at the number 2 spot, it is actually a great study place. It even surprised me too, but it actually is really a great study place. It is relatively well lit (upstairs) and they also have free wifi. Although it looks busy during its peak hours, the secret is that you have to stay at the 2nd floor before they close it for cleaning time. To secure your spot, seat at the corner sofas near the restrooms. Look at the picture below.

Then, come around 9 or 10 pm, they'd definitely start clearing other customers out, but your group probably won't be asked to clear --- ours didn't, except for one time when the lady manager asked as to transfer downstairs (most of the time, with the male managers, they'd allow you to stay upstairs, and you'll have the place all to yourselves). Look at us enjoying our private study place at the picture below.

The staff are also very accommodating, they would even tell you that they are closing off the 2nd floor but that it's okay to stay. How nice!

# 1 Kaffe Cafe

Located at #46 Banawe St., corner Ma. Clara (in front of POC), Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City

This would have to be one of the best finds ever. Tucked neatly in front of POC, is a little haven known as Kaffe Caffe. It is a 2-storey cafe offering drinks and food with prices ranging from 100 pesos. But, hell, I'd just have to say that this cafe offers the best-tasting and worth-every-peso drinks  ever --- like Caramel Macchiato. The atmosphere is really comfortable, and the staff are very accommodating as well.

They also have free wifi. And aside from the worth-it-drinks, you can actually leave your stuff lying around and go grab a bite in Yellow Cab, KFC or other fast food chains nearby. Just don't forget to tell the staff that you'll be back.

So, whether you'd be studying, or just simply looking for nice, simple, but fun hideouts, I suggest you try these places. But well, some would say that sometimes, it's not actually in the place or in the food, but in the company that we keep that makes everything seemingly perfect.

Have a nice reading!

xo,

- Keso, OTRP

Post-Mortem:Post Boards

Taking the board exams is perhaps the culminating event for all courses that have one.

At one glance, people can easily and carelessly think or say things like "it's just another exam" or "you've been studying that for years, how hard can it be?" But in reality, or in the reality of those who have taken or will take the board exams, that's not entirely the case.

THE DIFFERENCE

Yes, inside the comforts of our classrooms, we do take exams much like that of the boards regards the purpose: to test us how much we have learned and understood, and how prepared we are to practice our chosen professions. But in real life, there is a world of difference between those exams that we take inside the classroom and the board exams.

For one, preparing for an ordinary exam is very different from if you're preparing for the boards. But more than the preparation, the main difference would have to be the weight of the consequence/s of the results of the board exams. In taking such exams inside the classroom, we have much more confidence than while we are taking the boards. This is because we have that "safety net" mentality; in which when we fail an exam in school, the gravity of the consequences of failing do not bear much weight as compared to when you fail the board exams. It follows that having such mentality, we believe that "we can always try again next quiz/exam" or that "we still have the removals, etc." as compared to failing the boards, you would have to repeat the long arduous months of preparation, of literally, sleepless nights, 24/7 experience of anxiety, and the feeling that your hormones are in overdrive, making you hypersensitive to any stimuli.

BOARDS:BIG

The BOARDS is a big word, and I mean it literally and metaphorically speaking. It is so big, just one month with it will bring about change/s in you in ways you can only imagine. The phrase, "make or break" applies; It can indeed make you a better person or it can break you inside-out. There are no gray areas; during the preparation, you'll be able to understand yourself more as well as the people around you.

THE CHANGES

The board exams is an agent of change: it will bring about a whole new you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Physically

During the months of preparation, it is indeed advisable that an examinee discover and establish a routine and a diet which would make him/her be at his/her most functioning capacity. A physically healthy mind and body is a necessity that one has to acquire and or maintain at least until the moment that you pass your last exam questionnaire and answer key to the proctor.

Eating the right foods is essential. I know you're thinking, "hell, I'm overworking myself, I should at least be able to eat anything that I want!" That's true, we people tend to overeat or retreat to comfort foods when we're stressed. But as the first sentence of this paragraph entails, it is essential and more advisable that even if we do eat a lot, we should at least 'eat right'.

The diet should include less carbs, and more food for the brains!

Bear with me as I describe some mechanisms or technicalities to help you understand why you should eat right during the boards season. According to studies, diets with high levels of carbohydrates have a negative effect on our level of consciousness. Dietary carbohydrate intake has been shown to increase the plasma concentration of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin and sleep-inducing agent (Afaghi, et. al., 2007). Serotonin is an agent of the brain which induces a calm or relax state. It was found that meals with high levels of carbohydrates help to shorten the onset of sleep and thus, helps to induce sleep faster. Carbohydrates are generally thought of as good sources of energy since it readily converts glucose into energy. However, it is a double-edged blade, since not only do carbs have the least amount of energy stores, but high levels of carbohydrates function to increase insulin production of the body. The increased insulin would then result to a decrease in glucose levels in the blood, thus, less glucose can be converted into energy and excess carbs would only be stored as fat. This is certainly not what a board taker who will have to stay up all night to review every night would want to happen for a duration of three or more months.

A diet rich in brain foods is highly advisable. Brain foods include those with low glycemic index such as whole grains (e.g. brown cereals, wheat bran, whole grain bread), high levels of omega-3 fats (e.g. soya bean oil, and oily fishes such as tuna, salmon and sardines), lycopene and antioxidants which help to improve memory (e.g. tomatoes, blueberries, nuts), and vitamins, specifically, vitamin B12, which is known as the vitamin for the nerves. The fatty acids that can be derived from omega-3 help to strengthen synapses within the brain, thus helping to sharpen memory. While antioxidants regulate oxidative stress, which destroys brain cells. This stress is a result of the body's metabolism (i.e. conversion of glucose to energy, resulting to the release of free radicals in the body). Antioxidants block these free radicals from entering and accumulating in the brain. So, it means to say that it won't hurt to eat a handful of nuts and drink a cup of tea for your snack when you're feeling hungry than binging on an order or 2 of fast food.

I know it might sound impossible, but trying to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise, maybe 2 to 3 times a week, into your schedule is also advisable. Exercise helps release our body's endogenous "feel good" hormones, our endorphins, which would indeed help us feel more relaxed and focused on studying. Not to mention, since anxiety is probably taking its toll on your body, you might start to realize that you're being constipated as a result. Exercise helps to increase metabolism and improve digestion. Thus, by exercising, you hit three birds with one stone: physical fitness, relief of anxiety and a more sound mind and body for studying.

In my three months of review, all of us, maybe, except for one friend of mine who was dieting during our review, gained a few pounds or so. It may be attributable to the combination of stress, lack of exercise and improper diet. There even came a time when the saying, "you gained some," became ordinary to hear. So I suggest, if you would like to maintain a fit body, follow the two tips aforementioned.

Mentally

Mentally, there would come a time during the review when you feel like you can no longer take in any bit of information; like if you could describe your brains' memory capacity, it feels as if it is critically running low. So another tip for the boards is that you have to be able to choose to study only those that are deemed necessary --- or as they call it, only those that are "boards sensitive."

Remember: You can't know everything, and, you don't have to.

The board exams may get as factual as the Guinness book of world records, but let's face it, your brain cells can only store as much, unless you've started memorizing all of your books (in my case, physical medicine and rehabilitation books such as De Lisa, O'Sullivan, and Braddom), not to mention your notes and handouts, since your first day in college. But by then, come board exams, you'll be too knowledgeable that even the most basic and the simplest of questions would rattle you out.

Yes, the board exams may sometimes seem like a quiz bee; with questions seemingly taken from the moon. But that doesn't in itself mean that you have to know everything that's ever written. Perhaps, let me rephrase it --- you need only know those that are essential. Take into consideration the different kinds of information: (let's use this example to better illustrate the differences of each information --- taking a medicine/drug for diabetes mellitus type 1) 

3. Nice to Know: these are pieces of information that you may or may not know because they are too factual or sometimes too 'specific'/'technical'. You may read it for leisure, but you don't really have to digest the information. For example (refer to the aforementioned situation), in my case, in occupational therapy, you need not know the exact details as to the chemical reactions when one drug is administered in the body, i.e. how a molecule complex binds to a specific alpha blah blah receptor and cleaves 2 molecules of ATP blah blah. But you may want to know number 2.

2. OK to Know: these are chunks of information that are related to those topics that you need to know by heart. In other words, these are supplemental information on the main topics of your course. For example, if I were studying the physiology of drug metabolism (in relation to number 3), I'd have to know where administered drugs are metabolized (i.e. liver - the specific part of the body that metabolizes the drug orally administered so that it may be transformed into a form that may be absorbed by the body so that it will be able to exert its effect), but I need not know "how much mole of energy, or kcal of something is needed to break away a molecule of something to attach to something to move from the plasma to the liver and back, and etc" --- that's information number 3. Get what I mean? But what you really should know is number 1.

1. Must Know: these are the bulks of information that one should be armed with before taking any exam. Most of the time, it consists of the basic principles or the essentials that form the foundations of each practice. For example, it is a must that therapists be knowledgeable on the effects, precautions and major side-effects of drugs administered to patients with DM 1 so that therapists are guided on their decision making regards the intervention that they would provide, as well as to the actions that they would take to prevent or alleviate such adverse side effects during therapy sessions.

See the difference? Take into mind these three kinds of information so as to conserve brain cells, and to not let precious memory space go to waste. Some lecturers would not advise this technique, i.e. "choosing" topics. But this is the reality of the board exams, with too little time and memory capacity,  and too much information to read, sometimes, we've no choice but to choose.

And if the time comes that you really do have to choose, I say, 'choose intelligibly'.

Choosing intelligibly simply means that you don't just disregard a topic because it's hard to understand or because it's too complex; sometimes, that's actually where you really have to focus. Choosing intelligibly means that you choose the topics based on those that have recently surfaced as questions/topics on the previous board exams --- and that's how it becomes 'boards sensitive.' 

So, you see, it's not just during elections when you can get to say, "choose wisely!"

Emotionally

If you have friends, and you decided to stay in one apartment during the review season, I suggest that each and every one of you keep in mind that during the preparation for the boards, everyone is high on hormones.

Meaning to say, it should be the responsibility of each and every one of you to ALWAYS, and I really mean, ALWAYS be sensitive and understanding. It is because there are only 2 seasons in a person's life (or only 1 if you're a male) in which his/her hormones are in overdrive: one is during pregnancy, and the other is during the boards season. Yes, think of it as if you are all pregnant. This can only mean one thing --- HYPERSENSITIVITY.

Talking from experience, this hypersensitivity has 2 roads.

1. Nega-Hypersensitive: super sensitive in a way that even the tiniest or minutest detail can make a person cry, laugh, or feel only-God-knows-what for reasons only-God-knows-why. As I've been emphasizing since the beginning of this article, the board exams is an agent of change, it may make your friendship stronger than ever, and or it can help you make new connections even with those you least expect. But, just like every continuum, it has a down side, the boards can also break bonds. It is sad that during this time, friends may turn on each other only because of even the tiniest and pettiest of misunderstandings. So I suggest that you be number 2...

2. Positive-Hypersensitive: super sensitive in a way that you try to notice the slightest change in mood or the minutest response to an action or conversation --- or notice just ANY REACTION/RESPONSE to anything at all and then, be understanding. For you may never know, that simple "ok" response to a joke you usually say to each other may have actually meant, "f*** you." And this could go on and on, until it accumulates, and keep on accumulating... until one day it blows up in all of your faces.

As much as possible, try not to spark ANY fire. You would never, in your wildest dreams, want ANY kind of drama during the boards. The boards is enough drama as it is.

So be hypersensitive - positively!

Spiritually

Of course, in every battle, one must always be armed with this one thing --- FAITH.

Faith is taking the first step forward even if one doesn't see the staircase.

One cannot go into battle without faith. During this season, all kinds of your energy may be drained, but never should your faith in God be drained. For in the end, this is the only weapon that we have. We may have the best teachers, the best review center, the best reviewers, all the comfort foods, the best study place and buddies, etc, but if it is not the will of God, we will fail the board exams. In the end, it is only our faith in Him that would suffice. Atheists wouldn't understand, they'd say that we write our own destinies. Yes, that's true. But it is still in His hands in which we try to write. And when Thy hands move, the only thing that we can do is to follow.

The boards is not just a season of studying from sunrise until sunset. It is also a season of prayer and faith. For it is already but a blessing that your body did not fall ill during the review, or that you have family and friends who support you, or that you are enrolled in a review center where they teach you songs, and techniques; every blessing should be noted and thanked for.

There is a saying, which I think every student should know even for at least once in their life, and it goes like this:

Faith should not be equated to fear. It is okay to feel anxious and nervous before the boards. But one should not fear. We may not know what the future holds, but knowing Who holds the future makes a great difference. So study hard, but pray harder!

During my time, we dedicated one day to visit different churches where we said our little prayers of hope, wrote short petitions for our families and for our future, and lit candles asking for His light. Some of the churches we visited were Quiapo and Baclaran churches, St. Jude at Mendiola's Place, St. Therese in Mayon St., one church in Legarda, St. Claire near LRT Katipunan station, and Our Lady of Good Voyage in Antipolo. We even had a pilgrimage to visit Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan after the board exams. One can also pray novenas such as that of St. Jude or Padre Pio's. One need not have a hard copy, for I didn't. I only searched the net. I found one site that has many prayers for the board taker. You may check it by clicking the link.

So you see, the board exams season is no season to be taken lightly. It is not only just a key to being able to practice your chosen profession, but also a means to be able to achieve a sense of fulfillment. For passing the boards with a national passing rate of 40% is really something, and it means a lot not only to you but most importantly, to your parents or to whomever supported you and your studies for God knows how many long years. This blog cannot even do justice to the weight of the boards. So for every board taker out there, I salute you.

At the moment, passing the boards may feel like it's your everything, but try to bear in mind, that this is not who you are. It is merely but a part of you.

After you have understood this, I hope that you'll feel better and that it eases your anxiety even for a bit. Because that is the reality, passing the boards is a huge blessing, even bigger if you topped it. But failing it doesn't mean it's the end of the world. We may not understand 'why?' now, but someday, we will. For if there is something I've learned about failing, it's that it helps us to learn how to pick ourselves up and rise again --- Life, after all, isn't failure-free.


'Til my next nobelablog, xo

-KESO, OTRP

References:
Afaghi, A. et. al. (2007). High glycemic-index carbohydrate meals shorten sleep onset. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 85; pp. 426-430.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower

SG in Banawe

Having traveled to Singapore gave me an opportunity to taste authentic SGean dishes. However, a downside to having experienced something good or great is that someday, you'll find yourself craving to re-experience such. Good thing is that we Filipinos are risk takers; willing to step out of comfort zones and try out new things. And our love for trying out new food or cuisine is actually one that we are known for. Fortunately, if you're up for such, Banawe is one of the best places to be. Bugis St. Food is now open within the vicinity of Banawe, near POC.

(Though, I'm not quite sure as to the exact date of their opening.)

The place is just a small restaurant with vibrantly colored chairs and tables. They offer affordable SGean dishes, such as the must-try spicy SG Seafood Laksa, for prices ranging from 130 to 150 pesos.

The staff were very accommodating and they had fast service. We tried out their tofu, SG Laksa, and buffalo wings. if you liked authentic laksa or Secret Recipe's seafood laksa, I really recommend you to try the SG Laksa. It is cheap and really tastes good. It was spicy but tolerable; though you can actually opt to make it spicier. One order can feed two hungry, but not ravenous, tummies.

The tofu and wings were okay but, if you're inlove with Sunrise Buckets' wings like I am, I don't recommend for you to order such.

Overall, the experience was fun, and we intend to go back and try out their other must-try dishes.

Til then,

- Keso

Different Circumstances

I look at my room...

And I panicked at the time on my clock. It read nearly 6am. I'm supposed to be walking for school and am supposed to have already bought my lunch for my fieldtrip. So I gathered all my things in a hurry and went to set out for a journey. It's Saturday, and it's the 14th of February. Though it is still the wee hours of the morning, people are starting to emerge from the streets of Dangwa, carrying flowers. I was on high spirits since you don't always get to have a field trip when you are in RS. It is a trip towards a day of meditation and reflection with God, towards Monasterio de Tarlac, for our Theology subject organized by Ma'am Q. I went straight to the meeting place without stopping to buy my lunch since I was scared that I might be left behind by the bus. As I arrived, there was only a handful of my classmates on board the bus. I was actually disappointed because I didn't get to buy my lunch just to hurry to the meeting place. So I decided to go buy lunch. However, Ma'am Q already arrived so I can no longer go because she's already instructing us to board the bus. So I've no choice but to board and find a nice place to sit with my friends. The day went on, we arrived there at around lunch time. Good thing my friends packed up enough lunch for us to share. We had our liturgy, a time for medication, and picture taking. Then we went to our classmate's home in Tarlac, where we had some snacks. We then headed back towards UST and arrived there at around 9pm, I think. When I got home, I made myself smile so that I'll show my date that I'm not too tired to go out on a dinner date... with her. I opened our room, and my sister was singing and listening to her cellphone's radio.

I said, "Let's go eat dinner."

We went out to McDonald's Lacson. And as a gift for my sister, I paid the bill. We took out and decided to eat our simple Valentine's dinner at home.

(BSFAM photo (with me at the middle) taken at Monasterio de Tarlac) 

I look at my room...

And I see my stuff scattered in my sister's bed. My cellphone rang, it is 2 in the morning. My sister just sent me a text message.

"Where are you? Aren't you going to fetch me?"

I keyed in a short response, "On my way."

This has been me and my ate's situation ever since last year. I sort of wanted to fetch her from work every time her shift ends, either very late in the evening or very early in the morning. I went out of my room and told our land lady that I'll be going out to fetch my sister (even though we aren't allowed to go out during late hours). Upon hearing that I'm going out, my dorm-mates decided to come with me, because an opportunity to go out at the wee hours of the morning is once in a bluemoon, and besides, it is the morning of the V Day. Dangwa, where the gate where I'll fetch my sister, will be flooded with people who would want to buy flowers earlier and not get the hassle to buy it later during the day. It would be a sight to see; all the flowers and their fragrances, and the faces of the people who would want to buy them for their beloved: a sight that is once in a bluemoon indeed... So we all went out, regardless of the reaction of our land lady. And what we saw was just like what we imagined. The energy was too much that even though you're not one of those persons who'll look forward to this day, you'll get your spirits high up. And feel something good inside yourself... Then we fetched my sister, and after taking a short look around, we went home...

I look at my room...

And I look at my cellphone's clock. It reads 6am. I forced myself to get out of bed and get ready for school. Somehow, I feel down in the dumps just thinking of what's in store for me today; I've got two 7am quizzes in Occupational Therapy 3, two paperworks, and one powerpoint presentation due today. It pains me to go to school and go through this day, to think that today's the 14th of February. Ugh. How I dread this day.  My sister's abroad and unlike the other two F-14ths that I've had for the last two years, this year, I ain't in a high spirit. It's like energy's been drained from me. Two years ago, it wasn't like this. But times have changed, time continues to change everything, and the circumstances are different. And what you'll learn is that life goes on, and it isn't going to stop for anybody; that everyday,

it's funny that nothing changes, but when we look back, everything has... 

And we can only hope that they do for the better. I guess what's new with me this time of the year is that I have learned to trust, hope, and believe that everything happens in accordance with His plans.

I look at my room... sigh, and get back to work.

- LMG

I wrote this last V-day 2011 to honor time and the change that accompanies it.

Do the Hustle in SG

In each of these out of the country kinds of trips, the day that we would most likely be excited about would be the day of arrival, while we dread the day that we leave and say good-bye to such a wonderful place. Our final day in SG was dedicated to last minute shopping, roaming around un-toured parts, and of course, taking endless photos from everyone's cameras. Our plan was to do the hustle and we started our day off in Marina Bay Sands. We took the MRT from Lavender, then switched lines from East West line to North South line at City Hall interchange. Then from there, to Marina Bay. We walked from the MRT station to Marina Bay Sands past SG's 1st dragon boat international competition, Marina Regatta, where we got to see Team Pilipinas compete for a round.

Team Philippines

Marina Regatta - SG

The Bay was teeming with tourists, both international and local. It was actually quite a sight, since from where we were standing, I could see a lot of tourist destinations such as the Merlion on my left, the Marina Bay Sands on my right, and the Helix Bridge and Singapore Flyer straight ahead just past the Marina Bay Sands. It's a jackpot if you think about it, you can actually take photos of all these from one vantage point such as ours, or any point within the Bay for that matter. So if you're up for fast-paced touring, doing the hustle around the Bay would be perfect.

Marina Bay Sands as my backdrop

After taking some photos, we then headed inside Marina Bay Sands malls. The plan was just to pass through the mall, but then, we spotted some pastry shops and delighted with the sight of macaroons! Some shops were on sale during that time, so I indulged on shopping, and bought one box of macaroons each from 2 shops: TWG Tea, and High Society; so that I can taste different flavors from different shops.

However, we ended up spending too much time buying macaroons, so we had to find a place to have lunch. We chose to eat in the food court where I decided to have my last chicken rice meal before I leave SG.

SG Chicken rice

After lunch, we hurried outside Marina Bay Sands to the Helix Bridge. The view was quite amazing; you can actually capture the Marina Bay Sands along with other infrastructures as shown in the picture below.

At the Helix Bridge

Team OT with at Marina Bay

Just beyond the Helix Bridge is a spot where you can take a photo of yourself with the Singapore Flyer far behind.

With the SG Flyer

Then walk a little towards Esplanade, where you can take a photo of yourself with the Merlion statue behind. We opted not to go nearer since we were running out of time, and we had to hurry back to V hotel for check-out. We also had a plane to catch.

With SG Merlion

From V hotel, we then went straight to the airport still via train. And from there, home.

NAIA Terminal 3

From the moment this trip was conceived to the moment that we landed back on Philippine soil, I can say that I learned a lot from this trip; about life, about friendship, about chances, and about Occupational Therapy. And among these learnings I've gained, one thing that I'm positive I'll never forget is related to the phrase:

Ships on harbor are safe, but that's not the reason why ships are made.

If you think about it, never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined myself going on an out of the country trip during my internship year. From a fresh OT intern's point of view, it is only but a hassle to be pulled out of the centers just to spend money on a trip like this. Furthermore, being pulled out would mean less number of thesis half-days. Not to mention that it would be energy consuming as well. But after the trip, none of these ever mattered. All of the things that we worried about, before saying yes to this trip, did not matter for even a bit. I learned, that it is indeed not within the confines of our comfort zone are we able to learn about the world; we could read about it all we want from the books, magazine pages, or articles, but we can only be able to fully understand such once we're in it --- this means stepping out of our comfort zones, exploring and discovering the marvels of the world. Sure we're not always going to find pots'o gold at the end of the rainbow, but even in such travels, one is still able to learn.

In life, there are times when we are faced with difficult decisions; on whether or not we should grab a chance. In such instances, reasoning is our best friend; we weigh the pros and cons of each decision, and then we decide. Other times though, reasoning isn't the one that we should turn to, for there are decisions that aren't made with the mind, but with the heart. And these are the decisions that make each and everyone of us unique. For it is in difficult crossroads in life are we able to define who we are. When we decide to take on the safe road, sometimes, we do the right thing, and sometimes we don't, and we'll only be able to find these out at the end of the road. But another thing that I'm certain is that during these difficult times that we have to choose between roads and when we think that 'there's still next time', we should also keep in mind that 'next time' is always too long before it comes again.

So that's it for my SG adventure. Thank you for bearing with me as I recounted one unexpected journey. Join me again on my next adventure.

XO.

- Keso

Rush Hour

Running late? Well, the Philippines is probably the worst place you could ever be if you are. Every once in a while, or for most people, we find ourselves rushing to catch the time, even though no one probably ever did.

In the Philippines, a commuter has lots of forms of transportation to choose from. We have, what I've always thought to be an original from the Pinas, the "jeepneys," which I was already in high school when I found out that it wasn't. It is in fact a remnant of when the Americans were at war with the Japanese years ago. The Americans used it for transportation during the war and then after the war, they left the used jeepneys here in the Philippines. Jeepneys are long open vehicles with 2 side entrances up front, one for the driver and one for passenger/s, and a rear entrance for loading/unloading passengers to the jeepney. Jeepneys are cheap means of transportation with only specific routes that they follow. But they don't have "jeepney stops"; drivers just stop whenever a passenger says "para", "sa tabi na lang", or similar notions to tell him to stop, such as knocking the roof of the jeep. This is what makes it convenient since you can stop directly where you need to go, but this also causes instant traffic. It usually has a capacity of around 20 passengers. A modification of the jeepney is a multi-cab, which is actually pretty much the same as the former, except it is shorter and only run for shorter distances. For both transportation means, you usually either give your fare directly to the driver or if you're seated farther away from the driver, you ask the other passengers to pass your fare to the driver. On special instances, there's a booth where you're asked to fall in line to pay for a chip that's equivalent to your fare or a conductor asks for your fare.

Another popular means of transportation is the petite tricycle. From it's name itself, it has three wheels. It is a means of transportation made up of a motorcycle attached with a sidecar. It has a capacity of usually around 4 to 5 passengers. They are like taxis, except they are open and they are not metered. Instead, the driver usually has a fixed price per destination. A modification of this means of transportation is the pedicab, which is pretty much the same as a tricycle except it is not run by a motorcycle, but by a bicycle, and it is also cheaper. However, tricycles go for the extra mile while pedicabs are just for shorter distances.

A third means of transportation is the bus. The buses we have here in the Philippines can be either open or air-conditioned. And just like the ones found abroad, the buses here have specific routes and bus stops, although the latter isn't actually strictly implemented since the buses here can actually stop anywhere that's not specifically prohibited. Buses can operate provincially or only within the city or a specific area. In each bus is a driver and one or more conductors, with the latter being the one issuing tickets and collecting fares from passengers. Some buses have television set for entertainment, while others only play music.

For some places here in the Philippines, we have boats or barges for transportation. While here in the metro, we have the light rail transit, the Manila Metro rail transit, and the Philippine national railways. All of which are trains with specific train stations where they issue tickets for one-way travels or tickets with stored value.

But for a common commuter like me, jeepneys would have to be our best friend. As was mentioned earlier, they are cheap, fast, and convenient in such a way that they can stop wherever you want them to. But the latter is actually one of the reasons why we have instant heavy traffic here in the metro. And for that, for me, here are the top 5 reasons why it's not that fun to commute in Manila during rush hour.

5. Overtaking Anyone

 Overtaking is a driving act involving a rapid maneuver to get ahead of another vehicle in front. Here in the Pinas, it is very rampant especially in the provinces where there isn't much strict implementation of traffic rules. It is good in such a way that one can actually use this maneuver to get ahead of slower vehicles especially when one is in a hurry. But it is also a hassle to commuters alike since during rush hour, everyone is simply impatient and would want to overtake anyone just to get to their destinations. Indirectly, it causes more accidents, which can potentially result to traffic jams, which in turn, aren't easily resolved since I'm quite sure that 99% of parties involved in such accidents would say that they weren't at fault for the accident, except when so much evidence is at hand.

When you look at it within the context of life, we people tend to overtake those in front of us. We may have reasons for doing so. Sometimes, it's right to do so: because we are better than those before us and it comes naturally for us to overtake them and lead the way. Sometimes, it's wrong: because we tend to think that there is a hierarchy and that those walking at the back tend to be the weaker/lower ones, and so we try to overtake those in front. But for me, there are times that we should be content on where we are and try to be patient, for in the end of the journey, it matters not who finished first, but rather, who was able to do the most on the way there.

4. Swerving

 Swerving is a driving act which can be likened to suddenly changing one's mind while on the midst of doing what he has already decided upon, i.e. swerving is suddenly turning and changing one's direction while doing a turn to the right/left. Indirectly, it also has a potential to cause accidents, which would now cause the traffic to go haywire. It is a really common mistake that causes one to get an instant ticket from traffic enforcers, especially here in the Philippines.

When you look at it within the context of life, swerving is something that we usually do at times when we are having doubts on whether or not we are doing the right thing at that very moment while we were doing it. But for me, sometimes, it's not the decision that makes it right or wrong, it's always up to us to make whatever we've decided to do, the right choice, because all of the time, we have an option to do so.

3. Parking Anywhere

Here, there, everywhere. People would park their vehicles wherever space would permit. It is good in such a way that if you were really in a hurry and you needed to park your car, you can do that in front of the establishment and signal that you're in hazard. But it is such a hassle especially when the parked vehicle causes the road to become too narrow for others to pass easily, or it takes up half of the lane, causing traffic because it would now serve as a block to other vehicles passing through especially when the car is parked near an intersection or a street curve.

When you look at it within the context of life, we have moments of being parked at certain points in our lifetime when all we can ever do is to sit quietly, stare blankly in space, and not be able to think or do anything, but just stare. We may have these kinds of moments, we black out anywhere. But we should always try to start our engines again and never give up, for as long as we have life in our body, we can live. Sometimes, it is okay to rest if we must, but make sure to make it quick and move on.

2. Beating the Red Light

Yes, this could be one of the most violated traffic rules ever. I mean, as a commuter, this is really helpful if you're in a hurry and all you want to make the driver do is to make the vehicle fly past the stop lights! It is certified that PUVs would really stick their necks out there just to catch that yellow light. But this is such a pest because it has a high propensity to cause accidents.

Not just accidents, it can also cause blockage to the intersection when the PUV tried beating the red light but then, gets stuck in the middle of the intersection because the lane is still packed with other vehicles because of another stop light in the proceeding intersection, and this is one of the most common causes of heavy traffic here in the Metro.

When you look at it within the context of life, we always do this, trying to make it through each finish line we encounter day by day by day. It's as if, it is the only thing that matters; trying to finish as early and as fast as we can. But this should not be the case in our lives; we should not be hurrying to end each day as if we're never going to get old. Instead, it is better if we try to make the most out of each moment, no matter the circumstances. Because, when you think about it, this is our one and only life, and it is ending one second at a time.

1. Stopping Anytime

I've seen one sign posted on the back of a jeepney driver's seat which says:

(Please hold on: Sudden stop is sometimes necessary)

I know that what it says is right... at times. But, it is also wrong most of the time - if you put it in the context of traffic. Here, it would instantly cause heavy traffic because almost all of the PUVs do this; be it for loading or unloading passengers, buying water bottles, rags, cigarettes, etc from street vendors, etc. As I've said earlier, it is really convenient because it let's you get off at exactly the point where you want to. But sometimes, I believe that it would be really so much better if PUVs would follow the concept of bus/jeepney stops. Yes, it would be a hassle to walk some distance from the stop to your destination, but then again, if you look at it within the context of life, it is better to stop at the point where it is right to stop than to have to stop somewhere you think is right but is totally wrong.

These are the reasons why I love and hate to commute here in the Metro, especially during rainy season. But, hey, don't get me wrong, I still love the Philippines no matter what. It's just that since we love something, we would want to see it in a better place someday.