Oct 13, 2008
admu bonfire 2008
Photos from the Ateneo bonfire from weeks ago. Please visit my flickr site for more.
counting up: days 51 to 61
Day 55: As Part 3 of Document 3's retrieval process, I am required to undergo a Medical exam. I've chosen the accredited clinic near my place because of accessibility, however, at the back of my head I was still apprehensive and was thinking of mosquito-laden and unhygienic scenarios. In general, I had nothing to fear...except for two things: their Dentist's office which looked a lot like a Mad Scientist's lair, and a bored Med Tech who didnt seem happy with that she works in some small clinic.
At the Dentist's chair, I closed my eyes against the rust-surrounded lamp that highlighted my open mouth and prayed that the Dentist bothered to at least wash the those instruments he's using to analyze my teeth. I was just coming in after another patient, and I didn't want to think that we were sharing not just the same Dentist's chair but maybe the same instruments as well. If I could've gargled using antibacterial solution immediately after, I would have. As long as it wasn't something he found in his lab.
At the blood extraction lab, she didnt even bother to look close enough at my arm to ensure that she was sticking that needle in correctly. She placed a torniquet, asked me to clench my fist and then continued chatting with the other guy in the room. Next thing I know, she was sticking in the needle down my arm. I've had blood extracted before, and this was the first time it really hurt.
However, the ordeal does not end there. I was asked to return to give back some specimen samples (I hate that in medical exams) and to come back without contact lenses. I told them I was nearsighted and if I can barely read the medium sized letters, I wont be able to read any of the other ones without contacts either. Did they listen? No. They insisted I come back blind.
That afternoon, I notified those who will book for me that I would like a flight on Nov 1 please.
Day 56: My spectacled self returns to the clinic where, as promised, I told them I couldnt read the letters without anything. They take down notes and ask me to leave. Yes, I told you I was blind yesterday, didnt I? Results would be ready by that same afternoon, I was told.
Flight-booking-group tells me they will inform me once flight has been booked. As a safety precaution, I tell them I'm waiting for papers from the company's legal department, and though I dont anticipate any delays, I wanted to let them know in case I ask for rebooking. No, they say, tell us when you're ready and then we'll book.
Day 57: I come back to pick up my results. Fit to work...of course. What else would it say?
Day 58: The paperwork I need is still with Legal. I wonder when I'll get this and if I'll get it back soon enough...I have "The Letter" waiting to be sent out. However, I think I must wait until I'm sure I can leave before I make it final.
Day 59: On the lighter and not headache-inducing side of things, I have my first Despedida with Allan's friends. I'm glad to be in the company of the same people who've adopted me and took me with them to Palawan even in Allan's absence. As is the norm, Steaks and Salad were the pick of the night. One despedida down, I have probably a handful more to go....
At the Dentist's chair, I closed my eyes against the rust-surrounded lamp that highlighted my open mouth and prayed that the Dentist bothered to at least wash the those instruments he's using to analyze my teeth. I was just coming in after another patient, and I didn't want to think that we were sharing not just the same Dentist's chair but maybe the same instruments as well. If I could've gargled using antibacterial solution immediately after, I would have. As long as it wasn't something he found in his lab.
At the blood extraction lab, she didnt even bother to look close enough at my arm to ensure that she was sticking that needle in correctly. She placed a torniquet, asked me to clench my fist and then continued chatting with the other guy in the room. Next thing I know, she was sticking in the needle down my arm. I've had blood extracted before, and this was the first time it really hurt.
However, the ordeal does not end there. I was asked to return to give back some specimen samples (I hate that in medical exams) and to come back without contact lenses. I told them I was nearsighted and if I can barely read the medium sized letters, I wont be able to read any of the other ones without contacts either. Did they listen? No. They insisted I come back blind.
That afternoon, I notified those who will book for me that I would like a flight on Nov 1 please.
Day 56: My spectacled self returns to the clinic where, as promised, I told them I couldnt read the letters without anything. They take down notes and ask me to leave. Yes, I told you I was blind yesterday, didnt I? Results would be ready by that same afternoon, I was told.
Flight-booking-group tells me they will inform me once flight has been booked. As a safety precaution, I tell them I'm waiting for papers from the company's legal department, and though I dont anticipate any delays, I wanted to let them know in case I ask for rebooking. No, they say, tell us when you're ready and then we'll book.
Day 57: I come back to pick up my results. Fit to work...of course. What else would it say?
Day 58: The paperwork I need is still with Legal. I wonder when I'll get this and if I'll get it back soon enough...I have "The Letter" waiting to be sent out. However, I think I must wait until I'm sure I can leave before I make it final.
Day 59: On the lighter and not headache-inducing side of things, I have my first Despedida with Allan's friends. I'm glad to be in the company of the same people who've adopted me and took me with them to Palawan even in Allan's absence. As is the norm, Steaks and Salad were the pick of the night. One despedida down, I have probably a handful more to go....
Oct 2, 2008
counting up: days 38 til 50
Its extremely difficult to post updates when so many things have been going on. However, for those who have been asking how things are going, I must keep this updated, so that I don't leave anyone out of the loop...
Day 43: I find out that document 2 has been approved and can be picked up. It seems that from this point on, it will be a short count-up to D Day (Departure Day)
Day 47: I head to Makati early to drop off my passport on the designated time window...I have to return 6 hours later to pick it up with the document and with the others that I've submitted. Two trips to Makati in one day? It wouldn't have hurt if it werent in a so-near-yet-so-far location. My cab trips were longer than the actual time I was there. EACH cab trip was longer than the COMBINED timeframe I was in that office.
Day 48: Since I have document 2, its time to find out exactly what getting document 3 would entail. And find out I did. AFTER 6 HOURS ++ OF WAITING!!!!! To this day, I haven't gotten over the extremely inefficient process in place. I will blog about this some other day.
Day 50: I return as part 2 of The Document 3 Retrieval Process. On my estimate, I will need to return once more after today. But before I do, I have to go through all that they want me to go through, and I have to complete all the forms they want me to complete. For this day, its a 2++-hour pointless seminar where I did not learn anything I did not already know: Travelling information, and that they were going to ask me to pay an enormous amount. Multiply that enormous amount by the hundreds of people who flock to that office DAILY and what do you get? In my opinion, still TOO MUCH cash for the kind of service they provide.
At this point, I seriously have to keep reminding myself why I'm even going through this.
Day 43: I find out that document 2 has been approved and can be picked up. It seems that from this point on, it will be a short count-up to D Day (Departure Day)
Day 47: I head to Makati early to drop off my passport on the designated time window...I have to return 6 hours later to pick it up with the document and with the others that I've submitted. Two trips to Makati in one day? It wouldn't have hurt if it werent in a so-near-yet-so-far location. My cab trips were longer than the actual time I was there. EACH cab trip was longer than the COMBINED timeframe I was in that office.
Day 48: Since I have document 2, its time to find out exactly what getting document 3 would entail. And find out I did. AFTER 6 HOURS ++ OF WAITING!!!!! To this day, I haven't gotten over the extremely inefficient process in place. I will blog about this some other day.
Day 50: I return as part 2 of The Document 3 Retrieval Process. On my estimate, I will need to return once more after today. But before I do, I have to go through all that they want me to go through, and I have to complete all the forms they want me to complete. For this day, its a 2++-hour pointless seminar where I did not learn anything I did not already know: Travelling information, and that they were going to ask me to pay an enormous amount. Multiply that enormous amount by the hundreds of people who flock to that office DAILY and what do you get? In my opinion, still TOO MUCH cash for the kind of service they provide.
At this point, I seriously have to keep reminding myself why I'm even going through this.
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