harry potter

I have just recently finished reading the seventh and last book of the Harry Potter series. I know now how the tale ends. There was a note of finality in the end, and, like the author JK Rowling, I felt as if I’m in bereavement.

I was introduced to Harry Potter and his world about six years ago, and at that time, I had been going through major life changes similar to what Harry and his friends were experiencing. Although a Muggle through and through, I could totally relate to most of what they are undergoing. I was living away from home for the first time in my life, and there was plenty of self-discovery that I had to deal with. Like Harry, I had no choice but to take these as they come, for whether I liked it or not, that was reality.

However, those common grounds were not the reason why I got hooked with the books. At my end, the world often seems dull and depressing. I had been born into the age of technology, so technological magic has lost its charm on me. I found in the books a wonderful new world, one which only exists in dreams and stories. It was a joy to journey with Harry as he explores this world that had been hidden from him since his birth. Most of the time, I couldn’t help but wish that I would have the same epiphany.

Rowling’s creativity also astounded me. Many times I couldn’t fathom how such an individual can come up with these; sometimes, I believed that this world actually existed beyond her head and that she was merely passing it off as fiction. How else would she come up with whomping willows, animagi and priori incantatem if she hadn’t in fact had known about these in the first place? But then again, I might just be underestimating her creative juices.

So I devoured book after book after book. It was terribly frustrating to wait for the fifth book, because the stories just get better and better with each succeeding book. I had grown to love all the characters, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, the Burrow, Hogsmeade and even the house at #4 Privet Drive. In my impatience, I even resorted to reading fan fiction to quench my thirst.

So now, the tale of Harry Potter comes to an end. Still, I’m hopeful that more books and movies will come, sort of what happened to Starwars and the Vampire Chronicles. I was glad that Rowling left some bit of a chance that she might one day write about that world again.

In the meantime, I’m going into mourning. Not because of how the story ends, but because the end for the series had come. I’ve got to be contended for now to continue my mundane Muggle existence. Who knows, maybe one day, amidst this dull and depressing reality, I’ll discover my own magic. I’ll always be hopeful for that owl mail, even if it comes several years late.

in sickness and in health

A few years back, I learned just how difficult it is to assume full responsibility for a living thing. I realized it how it is to have someone fully dependent on you to provide her with her basic needs.

For as long as I remember, I've never been without a pet dog. Since before I was born, there has always been a dog or two in the house. I see pictures in old photo albums of my dad's dog who came into this house before I did. My earliest recollection of a pet dog is Tagpi, a mongrel given to the family by our the fruitvendor who lived and tended a store near my grandmother's place. Tagpi was free to run around the grounds, and even on the streets near our house (there was no dog pound jeep roving around then). So it wasn't really surprising that she delivered several litters of puppies in her lifetime.

One of her puppies became my first pet dog, whom I named Dollar, after Richie Rich's dog (I was a great fan of the cartoons then). Although I claimed ownership over Dollar, she was actually the family dog, because I was too young then to handle the responsibilities of taking care of her. All I ever did was play with her.

Fast forward a couple of years. A stray gave birth to a litter on the vacant lot in front of our house. There were four puppies, and because there was no pound yet, soon the puppies were roaming the street. Two neighbors adopted a puppy each, and because our gate has wide spaces between railings, the two last puppies learned to get in and out of our yard. So we ended up adopting them. I named one Shortie (because she has short hair) and the other one Shep (I have no idea where I got this name). When Shortie was older, she was then sent to my grandmother in Nueva Ecija, who then has only one old dog with her.

As askals go, Shep, like Tagpi and Dollar before her, delivered several puppies in her lifetime. The last litter was composed of two puppies only, and we decided that both of them should be sent to Nueva Ecija (Shortie has already died). Before they were old enough to travel, though, Attila, the more playful one, gave us a slip and was run over by a car. Boyo was left with us, but we still had plans to send her away once she was old enough to take the trip.

Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, Boyo got sick when she was only a little over 2 months old. The vet's prognosis was not promising, and we were instructed to force feed her every hour until she starts eating on her own again. So that was exactly what I did for I don't know how long. That was my first time I really came to terms with just how much responsibility is involved with choosing to have a pet.

Boyo recovered, and because we had bonded during her sickness, the plans for her future changed. She had to stay. But I had to tend to her needs on my own. I was in college then, so I should be mature enough to be able to take care of a dog on my own. This was exactly what I did, but I still had to ask for help doing so when I had to leave home for med school.

Now that I'm back at home, the tasks were handed back to me. Boyo's now older, toilet-trained and more or less a low maintenance dog. Recently though, she got herself so attractive to ticks. The infestation was so great that she was visibly weakened by the blood loss, and she was scratching so badly that she managed to give herself a bloody wound at the back of her left ear. The tick problem was solved by more frequent bathings and more generous applications of medicated talc, but the healing wound was itchy and she kept on scratching it raw.

The vet said an E-collar (Elizabeth collar, named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who used to wear similar collars) should prevent her from scratching her wound. I bought one and an antibacterial cream as well. Boyo did not like the collar (for obvious reasons...that's her picture at the start of this entry) but had no choice but to wear it. The collar and the cream were ridiculously expensive, and it really seemed uncomfortable. When her wound was being cleaned, the antiseptics and the cream were clearly stinging her. Still, Boyo had to endure it all to save her ear.

During this time, I was reminded that of the responsibility that comes with having a dog. In healthy times, having a dog is a blast. However, neglect to look after her led to this problem, so it was not only me that had to suffer...she suffered more because of my irresponsibility. I felt really guilty.

Boyo's healthy again, her ear wound is healed and she's becoming as active as she used to be before the tick attack. I hope I never overlook any of her needs again. By choosing to be her human and the recipient of her unwavering love and loyalty, I also chose to assume over the responsibility of providing her with her needs. I hope fellow pet owners know this and never forget it. I promise I'll never again need to be reminded of it.

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have low conscientiousness. Impulsive and off the wall, you don't take life too seriously. Unfortunately, you sometimes end up regretting your snap decisions. Overall, you tend to lack focus, and it's difficult for you to get important things done. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

english speaking country

You Belong in the UK

Blimey! A little proper, a little saucy. You're so witty and charming... No one notices your curry breath

What English Speaking Country Are You?

what my latte says about me

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it. You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful. You are complex and philosophical, but you are never arrogant.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

what my bathroom habits say about me

What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You

You are very independent and self-centered. You don't solve other people's problems - and you don't expect them to solve yours. You spend a lot on clothes, and you tend to be a very dresser. However, it's hard for you to throw away trendy clothes when they go out of style. You have the perfect blend of confidence and class. You're proud of who you are - but you don't broadcast it. In relationships, you are practical and realistic. You have a romantic side, but you only let it out when it's appropriate.

What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?

10 years

10 years ago, it was July 1997...

1. How old are you? 17
2. Where did you go to school? University of the Philippines, Diliman. It's my freshman year and I was still adjusting to college life.
3. Where did you work? Didn't work yet.
4. Where did you live? Marikina City, Philippines
5. Where did you hang out? NIGS (I was in the geology block, so their home became my home), the closest mall: SM North (going to the movies every chance we get)
6. Did you wear glasses? Only at home. When I go out, I put on contact lenses. Clear contact lenses.
7. Who was your best friend? I didn't know anyone in school good enough to call him/her my best friend.
8. How many tatoos did you have?None.
9. How many piercing did you have?Three. One on my right earlobe, 2 on the left.
10. What car did you drive? Didn't have a license then.
11. Have you been to a real party yet? Yes
12. Had your heart broken? No

FIVE YEARS AGO...It was JULY 2002

1. How old were you? 22
2. Where did you go to school? Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. I was on my second year of med school.
3. Where did you work? Still unemployed.
4. Where did you live? Nakpil Street, Malate, Manila
5. Where did you hang out? Thank God for coffee shops! Starbucks in Robinson's Ermita, Adriatico, UN; Cinnzeo and San Francisco Coffee in Robinson's Ermita
6. Who was your best friend? Che
7. Who was your regular-person crush? I forgot his name
8. How many piercing did you have? 3
9. How many tatoos did you have? None
10. What car did you drive? My parents' car at home, but in Manila, I take public transportation.
11. Had you had your heart broken? Yes.

Now...it is JULY 2007

1. How old are you? 27
2. Where do you work? In various hospitals in Marikina as a moonlighter
3. Where do you live? I moved back home with my parents.
4. Do you wear glasses? Yes, but only when I'm at home. I still prefer contacts when I go out, but now I use colored contacts.
5. Where do you hang out? At home, Starbucks Marquinton, Mocha Blends in the Shell Station in Marcos Highway
6. Who are your best friends? Che pa din, Angge, Yaya, Irene
7. Do you talk to your old friends? Through email. The person I've been friends with the longest are now abroad, but we still see each other when they visit the country.
8. How many piercing do you have?Still 2.
9. How many tatoos? None
10. What kind of car do you drive? A sedan, my parents' car.
11. Has your heart been broken? Yes.

exploratory bag-otomy

I learned from my friend Hazel's blog that the content's of a person's satchel tells a lot about his/her personality...so I thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm currently using a big (as in BIG) bag that I got from a recent conference. I use this bag when I go on duty because I love roomy bags...saves me the hassle of having to make my things as small as possible.

So what does my bag contain? Read on...

1. My kikay kit (cosmetic case), which contains a pressed powder, eyelash curler, water-proof mascara, liquid blush, powder foundation, eyeliner, and eyebrow/lash comb/brush.

2. Another kit for my toiletries: shampoo, liquid soap, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, nailcutter

3. My lipstick holder: it has a mirror and can hold 2 lipsticks at a time.

4. Change of clothes: 2 scrub tops, disposable underwear, 1 scrub pants

5. A pair of rubber slippers

6. A sarong

7. A handtowel

8. My contact lenses kit: solution and case

9. My eyeglasses

10. Body spray

11. Several pens

12. A penlight

13. My keys

14. My stethoscope

15. Blank prescription pads

16. My PDA

17. Cellphone charger

18. Hair clamp

19. Tissue

20. Wallet

21. Coin purse

22. Trodat

23. Sachets of instant coffee and creamer

24. My Starbucks tumbler

25. Water bottle

Now, what does that tell about my personality?