"i've [got] my mojo!"

i've finally bought a pair of those rubber sandals i've always wanted since college. :D back then, we called them "mojos" (i think "mojo" is the brand that was sold in the university shopping center). but this particular pair, i bought in a sports shop in the mall, and was of a different brand. the straps are blue, and the base, black. on the underside, it's got an interesting pattern of a red gecko (or some other lizard).

it's nice to be able to buy the things you don't necessarily need ;)

wisdom comes at a painful cost

i had my first surgery today. my second wisdom tooth was growing, and it was causing me pain for several days now. it was so painful that last wednesday i went to my dentist, dra. grace, to have a checkup. she told me that there was an oricardial (not sure if i spelled it correctly) tissue that was on top of my erupting second tooth, and that it had to be removed. she said that the surgery will only take 30 minutes, but she recommends that it be done after office hours. i had it scheduled on saturday, since i had a ton of work to do, juggling 3 projects with a different project manager for each. yesterday, however, it was really painful even if i had already taken a pain reliever (mefenamic acid, 500mg), and i was having trouble concentrating because of it. i texted a.grace and asked if it was possible to have the surgery moved the earlier because i couldn't take it anymore.

i had my surgery around 12PM. she injected anesthesia into my gums, and let it settle for a while. i kinda like the feeling of anesthesia working -- my gums felt swollen and kinda numb (how can you feel your numb body part? :P ). it also prevented me from screaming out in pain when she did her stuff (i had my eyes closed the whole time, i didn't want to see what sharp thing she has on her hands 'coz i might faint :P ). my hands were also clutching the armrests hard, 'coz i was really, really scared (have i mentioned that i am deathly afraid of scalpels and other sharp objects?). there was just a sensation when she started cutting through the tissue. some minutes passed, however, and i started feeling pain already. ate grace was surprised that the anesthesia had worn off quickly. but the surgery was not finished yet, so she gave me another dose.

after more than thirty minutes of slicing and tugging and what-have-you, the surgery was finally over. she used a dressing that was like reverse bubblegum -- soft and pliable at first, but eventually hardened and covered the wound.

despite the pain and the stress, there were some things to be thankful for:

* doc gj (a. grace's husband) drove me home, door-to-door delivery. it was a good thing because 1) i couldn't speak (it was painful with the anesthesia wearing off, and i didn't want to spew blood all over my shirt) so i couldn't call a cab 2) free fare ;)
* rom was in the house when i came back, and he graciously bought my medicine for me.
* nez came home early and cooked my dinner for me (mushroom soup and soft fluffy scrambled eggs)

i hope i don't go through the same ordeal for my other wisdom teeth.

---

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
-- Lamentations 3:22-23

me?! a what?!

family picture taken new year's eve 2005
i attended my former church in the province at my father's behest because the pastor was going to pray for our family. if you knew my father, you'd know that i couldn't possibly turn down that request. so there i was, that sunday morning, attending that church with my whole family. when it was prayer time, a woman prayed for each of us sisters. and did you know what she said to me? "my child, you have a special calling. you are called to be a missionary."

i was dumbfounded. call it delusion, but i have always known i was destined for something great. but a missionary?! i have lectured a few times in a missions class (being a graduate of that same course), and missions is close to my heart, but i thought i was more of a mobilizer/trainer -- than an actual "goer". oh well, we'll see...

five things you probably don't know about me

I got tagged by mismo. So here's my list of five things you probably don't know about me:

1. superman returns is the first superman movie that i've watched from beginning to end.
2. i talk in my sleep.
3. i hate stepping on sewers and manhole covers, and i try my best to avoid them as much as possible.
4. i can eat sinigang on several consecutive meals.
5. i wanted to be an artist / fashion designer when i was in elementary.

bituing marikit, tap dancer, nunaynunay, jean grey... it's your turn :P

the land of smiles

my friends from the office and i went to thailand over the weekend. since i'm too lazy, i'll just let someone else tell the story :P