Mirror GlassesThere is something more.

It feels good to know that you are finally getting back to your usual routine. The feeling of being stuck at home with nothing to do but lay down and drink your medicine isn’t the routine I’m longing for. My body craves for more, and yeah, that’s the reason why I was stuck at home for ten days.

Last Monday, I was diagnosed pneumonia. The doctor said it’s because I wasn’t able to wipe my back whenever I sweat. I will only let the perspiration dry via aircon or fan or just the wind. I don’t have time because I am so busy doing programs, office work, sidelines, etc. So it lead to this. My lungs grew weak.

A week before I was diagnosed, unusual it seemed to me, I only had fever at night. When I recovered from the flu I just had, the cough never left me. My back aches like hell whenever I breathe, along with my chest. I do not know what’s happening to me. I freaked often visit the school clinic to have a consultation. The school doctor said that it is flu again. She gave me medicine but it didn’t help. I wasn’t able to report to the OVPRED because of the fever I’m having. My mother and I went to the clinic near our house for another consultation. The doctor said it was just that the phlegm from my cough is stuck, thus, gave me the back and chest pain. She gave me an expectorant and an antibiotic to take. I was advised not to go to class the next two days.

But nothing changed. I am now having an afternoon fever. For four days I had fever starting at 2:00 PM up to 7:00 PM with a temperature of 38 to 40 degrees. I often hear my mother calling my dad saying that I need to be confined. But I don’t want to be damn admitted to a hospital. All my life, I’ve never experienced dextrose. And I don’t want to try.

I had a chest X-Ray and two CBCs. We visited my pediatrician since I was in grade school at her clinic. When she read the X-Ray, she confirmed pneumonia. She gave me a Co-Amoxiclav antibiotic. It made me feel better. The fever was lower but it was never gone. Then, she changed the medicine. I am now taking Zithromax, and it’s the medicine that made the fever leave me. But there’s something more. I was asked to take a PPD Tuberculine test. It’s a mystery to her why I only have fever at night.

The PPD was due yesterday, so we visited the doctor at her house. She confirmed that my lungs are now weak. If not treated as early as now, I would have a chance of having tuberculosis. So, I was given another set of medicines to take along with Zithromax.

Although I’m quite disappointed with what happened to my body, it is crystal clear that it’s all my fault. I abused my body. I became addicted to working super duper hard neglecting my own capacity of work. But now, the lesson is finally learned.

First of all, I want to greet all the dads out there: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

As a celebration for this special event, my family just did what we used to do. After attending the Holy Mass at our church, we went to 7-Eleven and bought 2 medium-sized Gulps and 1 Big Gulp of Lipton Red Tea. Then we headed for Robinson’s Metro East where we ate our lunch, Wanton noodles, Pork Chao Fan and 3 servings of Bernabest siomai, at Chowking. My mom and dad bought caps and bags they would use a souvenir. My sister and I bought two ice cream sundaes at Miguelito’s, in which we were delighted because at such a low price, the sundaes were so yummy and we were left full.

We went to Puregold Q-Plaza to buy my sister a skirt for her orientation (I think). Unfortunately, she was unavailable to buy one. Instead, I was the one who bought something: a Faber Castell pen and a yellow pad. *laughs* We also bought groceries before heading home.

What I realized this day was how special my father is to me. I know he did everything a father would do for his daughter, perhaps even more. He provided us with all our needs, no matter what the cost may be; what matters for him is our happiness and satisfaction. I know I’ve been quite a burden to him lately. I am not that “pasaway” kind, but I am someone who is too immature for my age. I may meet all his expectations for me, except for one: I can’t be honest at all times. But that was what he wanted from me. He wants me to tell him all the things bothering me or making me happy; he wants me to talk to him. His reason? For me to know that he’s there for me.

I know that sometimes I take him for granted. I am always confident that my Papa will always be there. But I know it’s wrong. Yes, he’s there, but he needs to know I’m here too; for him. Our fathers need our attention, our love. And that’s what I realized when he confronted me last Thursday. He became mad at me because of my dishonesty and he thinks he isn’t worth anything to me anymore. Of course, that’s not true. But, lately I realized that maybe, he wanted me to realize that I am not alone, that he is always there to care for me and to love me; that, I neglected for quite some time. He told me not to keep my problems to myself, that he and Mama and Apol will be there to help me solve whatever trials may come; that we are a family, all for one, one for all.

So, to my dearest Papa: I promise to be honest. I will always keep in mind that I have this kind of family who will never leave me and who will love for what I am. I will continue to live your expectations and continue your legacy. Thank you for your support and your trust that I can be what you and I want myself to be. I love you so much, Happy Father’s Day.

Yey! Finally, I’m able to post a post! :)) I promised myself to post something when my prayer is heard. By now, it is pretty obvious that God answered my pleas. From this day forth, I promise to Him and my family that I’ll be responsible enough for them to be proud of me. Naks!

So what happened to me last summer?

There was no SUMMER for me. No beach, swimming pools, out-of-town trips, sleep-a-thon, NONE. Summer was defined to me and my groupmates as sleepless, radiation, canned foods, programming and analysis. We enrolled our System Software and Development subject this summer; the most vital subject of all. One CCMIT-BSIT student is not a certified BSIT student if they do not surpass this subject. SSD is as simple as FAIL = NO GRADUATION. That’s why we need to sacrifice our summer plans for SSD.

Disappointing as it sounds, our sacrifice was turned into a full-heart blessing. We were able to defend our information system which resulted to our very satisfactory passing grade. :) Plus, it’s not just my group, Ocean’s Nine, but also our fellow classmates. That means graduation for all of us! A wonderful blessing indeed!

But here comes the sad part. Though we’ve already enrolled our last year as IT students, we are enrolled in different sections. The reshuffling of sections affected us, therefore, we need to say goodbye to our 3D family, who became a very essential part in our hardships and smiles. It is hard to accept that we need to be separated once again, but I’m sure there is a reason for everything, just like what Jaypee always say.

What else? Oh yeah, me and Ichi; we’re finally together. :) No more mocks for us. I’ll just keep asking God to guide and bless us in our relationship. Also, in our new section, 4-2D, I’m reunited with my bestfriend, Conrad and Donn and Joana. S2PAJO complete.

Right now, I’m just making the best out of this week since next week, it’s already the opening of classes. I will be a student assistant once again and Ocean’s 9 will be continuing the system we passed in our SSD. May God bless us always!