Ah, the annual tradition of looking back at the whirlwind that was yet another year—2024. A solid 366 days of experiences, revelations, and "tiny wins" that are supposedly turning me into a better version of myself. Or so I hope. Here’s my gloriously minuscule progress: 1. Books Read: 20 Yes, I joined the bookworm elite this year. My top picks include Start with Why by Simon Sinek (because clearly, I needed a reason), Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett (spoiler: I am none of these), and the timeless Atomic Habits by James Clear—because nothing screams "growth" like habitually reading about habits. 2. Gym: 118 Visits Originally, the plan was weight loss. Surprise twist: my weight stayed put, but hey, I can now bench press my feelings. Strength over skinny, right? Sure. Let’s go with that. 3. French 101, Seriously This Time After a long hiatus of dabbling in French (read: Googling how to say croissant), I finally committed this year. I started with ...
When I look back on the year, I understand that it was not about perfect numbers or completing every goal. It was a year of adjustment, balance, and quiet growth. Some changes were planned, others were forced by life and work. A few goals were achieved, many were not, but almost all of them taught me something important. This reflection is not about success or failure, but about learning; learning my limits, my priorities, and how personal growth often happens slowly. Reading Less, Learning More Reading was one area where this became clear. I wanted to read 21 books in 2025, but I finished only 12. At first, this felt disappointing. Over time, I realized that the quality of what I read mattered more than the number. Books like Sapiens, Think Again, Factfulness, and Stolen Focus were not easy or fast reads. They required focus and patience, and they stayed with me long after I finished them. Instead of reading many light books, I chose fewer books with deeper ideas about his...
We have so much to do, so limited time, but so little things accomplished. Yet, we still feel bored. Isn't that a paradox? People get easily bored. Sometimes, even the most exciting and adventurous among us can find ourselves feeling a little bit bored. But hey, that's okay - boredom can actually be a good thing! First, let's talk about the signs that you're bored. Maybe you're scrolling through social media for the hundredth time today, or you've resorted to counting the tiles on your ceiling. Perhaps you're watching paint dry or taking extra long bathroom breaks just to pass the time. Whatever the case may be, if you're feeling uninterested, restless, or just plain blah, you might be bored. Boredom has always been a part of human life, but it seems like we're hearing more and more about it these days. With the prevalence of smartphones and social media, people are increasingly complaining about being bored. However, is modern bo...
It has been about more than a year I have started working in the nursing home. My experience was quite varied given I got the opportunity to work in several facilities during than short period of time. However, I can not deny the fact that I was not able to grasp the necessity of nursing homes in the light of my Filipino culture. This has somehow affected how I perform my duties in the nursing home as my work goes against my cultural norms and beliefs. Although through time especially in the last few days, I gained significant realizations about it regarding the ethical considerations of the concept of nursing home. This will be the focus of my blogpost. Hospice versus Rehabilitation Hospice care compose of actions directed to patients who are in the terminal phase of their lives, while rehabilitation refers to measures focused on an individual's optimum level of functioning. It is therefore appropriate to say that nursing homes is part of rehabilitating a patient, a concept unco...
Few years ago, I have noticed a sort of pattern on how every year begins and ends. Everytime I think over the pattern, I hesitate to acknowledge that certain pattern do exist, but there is. I would not want to find meaning on the series of events, but the mere coincidence seems to be improbable to happen and unimaginable to find logic using cause and effect those happened in the exact order and intensity. This blogpost will attempt to shed light on the concept of synchronicity or acausal coincidence of events. One week before Christmas 2011, a great storm hit the Southern Philippines, killing hundreds before daybreak. I was working as an nursing instructor then and more than 100 students almost drown in the flashflood that came with the storm. The event permanently changed my career path, beliefs and working relationships with known institutions. The same period in 2013, I was already in Norway, earning nothing and having no concrete work offer then. That was the first time since I fi...
"Débrouillard" is a delightful French word that doesn’t have a perfect English equivalent. I came to know about this word, because somehow it reflects the motivation I have on what tasks to accomplish, and which kind of jobs I would like to have. "Débrouillard" refers to someone who is resourceful and able to solve problems in creative ways, often with limited resources. Think of it as the superpower of "figuring it out,". But what does it actually mean to be débrouillard? Is it a magical quality reserved for Parisians on bicycles? Or is it a skill that we, mere mortals, can develop and master? Let’s delve into the world of being débrouillard, exploring its ups, downs, and amusing real-life examples. Being débrouillard makes you a master of improvisation. Imagine needing to make dinner with only wilted vegetables, three peanuts, and a can of sardines. While most people might panic or order takeout, a débrouillard can whip up a decent meal with these seemin...
Many people, who are not living in Scandinavian countries probably have not been to Gothenburg, or even heard of the city. However, the city has a rich heritage dating back the Viking age to the present times. Gothenburg has evolved itself from fortified city to an industrial area and tourist destination as it is today. One of the landmarks of Gothenburg is The Lipstick, a building near the port has been one of my last stop in my two-day short stay in the historic city. The Lipstick or Skanskaskrapan located near the Gothenburg Central Station is a symbol of the city's progress. In this blogpost, I will run through the twelve sites I have visited on the second day of my visit and explain their respective historic contribution in Nordic tradition and perhaps world history. Click here for the first day. 1. Domkyrkan Göteborg Considered as an oasis in the middle of a commercial district, the Gothenburg Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the cit...
Non-verbal communication is an essential part in a society, as well as understanding the values the community believe in. This reflects a good overview of how communication and tradition have evolved through time. These expressions are never constant, such that meaning changes from time to time, and is greatly affected by the events or the kind of environment one belongs in. Filipinos, being a society with mixed Asian and Western influences have unique facial and body expressions. These are the focus of this blogpost. 1. Silent stare Stares could mean evil look for Filipinos. It may indicate sarcasm or manipulation. It is considered rude to this, especially when in a conversation because it may also indicate disinterest or disrespect. 2. Lip/Eye pointing This is quiet funny gesture common not just in the rural areas, but also in urban communities. It is quiet hard to explain the direction in verbal language, so it is better to point them vaguely, interestingly with the use of lips,...
Wow, can you believe it's been 15 years since that life-changing moment when I ranked sixth among 88,000 nursing graduates in the Philippines? Talk about a journey! But let me tell you, it's been one heck of a ride, and I've picked up some major lessons along the way. Different start First off, learning is like a hunger that comes from deep within. I've soaked up experiences like a sponge, from being a clinical instructor in the nursing academe to freelancing as a nursing lecturer. I've dived into nursing research with not one, but two master theses, dipped my toes into nursing administration as an assistant to the nursing dean, and even started at the bottom as a nursing assistant in a nursing home in Oslo, Norway. And let's not forget my time as a nurse in various hospital wards—Obstetric-gynecology, medical-surgical, pediatric units, and specializing in substance abuse in the acute department. Yep, I've seen it all—from different body openings...
Wearing flip flops is one of the most comfortable when going out for me. It seems to be very informal but coming from and raised in a tropical country the Philippines, it is very common for people to wear it. Although this article is not about a pair of slippers but how a pair of flip flops can be compared to how an individual lives his or her life. Risk versus Comfort Slippers do not provide full protection of the feet like other footwears, although it is very comfortable to wear whether one is outside or inside his or her home. It does not take time to put slippers on and is very convenient to store and clean as well. In life, the most comfortable things are also the most risky ones. Moreover, to feel comfortable, one must risk first. This is not completely true but there is a reason for people to believe on this. Some people however seems to overdo things by risking everything including ones reputation, values and principles in exchange of short-lived comfort and pleasure. This is...
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