over pandesal with cream cheese: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

When we do hear about fathers, we tend to hear a lot about what men aren’t doing right, about how fathers have let families down, how they tend to get so strict and about their potential to be abusive. 

But let us spare a thought for the dads who actually are where they are supposed to be, doing what they are supposed to be doing, and serving their families in the best way they know how.


US President Barack Obama wrote a book entitled "Dreams from my Father". On fatherhood he says: 

“Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognise and honour how critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They are mentors and role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it”.

This may not be true for all fathers, but I would like to believe that majority would like to fulfill this task. The task of being behind every family's foundation and strength.

My dad is not a perfect dad. He gets cranky when we wake up late during weekdays, blabbers side comments when we're taking too long to shop at the mall, picks up arguments with my Mom and forgets to take his meds. But amidst all that imperfections, I can proudly say that he has pushed us towards the right. 

My dad inculcated in us the value of hardwork and honesty. He taught us that intelligence is not all about books and facts, majority of which can be seen in the attitude. He gave his genes, love, money and jokes. He showed how a father can be feared and loved at the same time. 

Everyday, fathers are faced with the dilemma of choosing what fatherhood style to utilize. Well, my father being the topnotch lawyer that he is (atleast to me and to my siblings), one cannot forget to ask "Is your Dad strict?" To close all issues, it depends. As for night outs or dates with friends, tell him the who, when, where and what and you'll get a yes. For suitors, well that's not really a problem because a) I don't have any suitors and b) If ever there is, it will only take a formal meet up with him and it's fine. Some would even say that "Baka kaya wala ka pang boyfriend kasi si Daddy mo strict" Oh please, let's get my dad out of that issue! (Plus, it's another issue, really). At the end of the day, a father must choose whether to use the rod or the staff, whether to inspire with praise or caution with criticism. 

Here's an inside story of how I became a Daddy's little girl. When I was born, I was dark and had big black eyes. My Mom, being a mestisa, was quite surprised about my looks. She even asked the nurse if I was really her child and was not exchanged. (Just imagine my shock! What a Mom! Hahahaha kidding Mama! I love you. But I can't blame her, I look pretty horrible when I was a newborn, I can seriously pass off as a tsanak Hahahaha!) To calm my Mom down, my Dad told her, "Ano ka ba, ikaw lang nanganak ngayon no, anak natin yan"  Finally, someone claimed me! I am loved! So when I was little, I had thousands of photos with my Dad and few photos with my Mom. I am smitten with the legend so ever since, I've become so close to my Dad. 

We watch basketball together and cheer for the same team. I go to some of his hearings, play the role of being his secretary during my free time, take time together to sneak in at a beauty counter for his facial care needs, catch a bite at our favorite restaurant and share stories over pandesal with cream cheese and coffee after a long day from work. 

I can be stubborn and he adjusts to my opinions. I have my occasional what to do moments and he dishes out advices. I fell in a ditch and in an instant, he carries me back to the right track. I cry and he gives me hugs, kisses and pandesal with cream cheese. 

I'm just saying that I am glad that my Dad accepted the challenge of being my father. You are taking a fairly good shot at fatherhood. 

I don't know if I ever thanked you enough. Here's an addition to the million more to come:

THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU, Papa

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

:)

careers, dreams in random

Instead of resting my heavy head (and body at that) from duty, I'm seriously defeated by my urge to surf the net. I feel like it's been years since I was able to catch episodes of pretty little liars, read a good book and chatted with friends. What a duty can do! But there's seriously no room for complaining. I love the job that I do and that I'm learning so much from it. 

Well, I'm proud to say that I'm on my 4th month of residency! I am so, so proud of myself! Before I started, I was even asking myself if I can even finish the 6 months training but look at how time flies!! There is so much more than books and mnemonics in the clinical area.  So here's a few career lessons I've learned, just random:

1.SET ASIDE YOUR FEAR. As a nurse, you're welcomed by tons of procedures. If you have fear, you can never do them well. If you don't do it yourself, you will never, ever get rid of that fear, of that uncertainty. So, set aside fear and just volunteer and do it!

2. DON'T REFUSE LEARNING. As an entry level nurse, we should get all the learning we can get. If the learning is all out in the open and you're not ready to grasp every bit of it, then it's useless. Grab every bit of learning while you can! 

3. DON'T THINK EVERY DUTY IS A STRESSFUL ONE. A career is something that you will do forever. To do to earn. To do for a living. You will just stress the hell out of you if you have the mind set that every duty will give you stress and nothing but shit. Shoo away those negative energy and build positive ones! Every duty is an opportunity for learning, an opportunity to help, an opportunity to grow. 

4. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. This I've always kept in mind. It's a must for me to say even a short prayer before I go out from our nurse's quarters. Ask for guidance and surely, our good Lord will help you. 

5. UNWIND WHEN YOU CAN. All work and no play makes a person dull. We have free days of course! I will definitely resign from a work that offers no rest! Everyone needs it. On free days, we are our own head nurse. We do whatever we want! Take it as a reward from all the work that you've done. 

Recently, I think I've been on a career crisis. I was so torn between going for what I really wanted (communications) and for what I have right now (nursing). I tried out for a reporting job, but got cut from the final round. I was depressed. Not the I-don't-want-to-eat-I-just-want-to-die depressed, just the I-thought-I-have-what-it-takes-*sigh*-so-will-just-cry-and-sleep-it-off depressed. 


Here's a snippet of what happened with my encounter with first love. I was really hesitant to pass my resume just when I was already in the building, just a few steps from the office. I don't know what has gotten into me. Jitters maybe. Or probably, shyness. But somehow, I heard myself say in the quiet halls of the building. This is now or never. And why should I be shy? Everyone has to go through these steps. So I mustered enough courage and went inside. I did not get a call a week after I passed my resume. I was almost ready to give up. Just when coming home after our ward outing, my brother welcomed me with the news that a certain Patricia Carlos called me for the auditions. I was flabbergasted!! I looked at the date when they were expecting me and OMG I have duty. Just then, I thought of that one day when I was pulled out from my shift was asked to relieve for the night shift. I asked permission from my head nurse if I can get an extra off with all due respect to my extra duty day. And yes, I was given an off and was able to attend the audition. With that, I felt that the universe conspired. THE HIGHER ENERGY WANTS ME TO FOLLOW MY FIRST LOVE. I was called back for round 2. I felt really proud of myself. The producers told us that we were called because we have potential. Potentials to be tapped. I WAS OVERWHELMED! They thought I had potential in speaking?! That's beyond amazing!! Sadly, that's the end of it. I got cut from the next round. Nonetheless, I was proud of myself of having gone through the whole process. Plus, there's always a next time. 

As of present, I'm continually psyching myself that God has His own perfect timing. Good things are bound to happen. 

The story does not serve to contradict what I said earlier. I love the job that I do. I do. It's just that sometimes, long and well bonded ties are hard to loosen. They creep you once in a while and in those times, you need to give in. If you don't, you will build regrets. Regrets are a no-no. Right?