IT'S BEEN A WHILE

It seems like an eternity has passed since I've last posted an entry here. Let me remedy the situation today, then. For the last few weeks, I'd been busy doing some freelance writing and editing for a couple of Training Manuals. Then, I finally went back to Hospital Laboratory Training last Sept. 8. Apart from the usual blood specimen collections and Clinical Miscroscopy, I've had to deal with the possibility of taking ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) samples (from the wrist (radial) or the arm (brachial) -- something I have never done before in my entire Med Tech career/life. It's not really a Med Tech's job to take ABG samples since it's assigned to the Pulmonary staff/Respiratory Therapists, but for some reason, in this hospital where I am currently training in, Med Techs are assigned to take ABG samples. Well, I guess that means I simply have to face my fear and hope that I make a good job of it. Like they all say, it's only hard at the beginning. I sure hope so. So, help me, God:)

To All the MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS Out There

To my friends in the Medical Laboratory Profession:

Ms. Emie Romero, MIM, MBA, MT(ASCP), CLS (NCA), Senior Consultant of International Networking and Research Consultants (INRC/Arizona, USA) will be coming to the Manila on September 13, 2008 (Saturday) to meet Medical Technologists interested in knowing more about the status of MT careers in the USA.

The last I heard was that the meeting place will be at the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Malate. I will contact Ms. Romero to find out if there haven't been any changes made as to the date and meeting place.

Those interested to get in touch with Ms. Emie Romero may send me an email: clairesien1019@yahoo.com

Good luck, guys!

--Claire

The Power of Prayer

This is a Prayer for the MV Princess of the Stars fatalities and survivors.

It's devastating to think that hundreds of bodies still haven't been recovered from that ill-fated sea vessel.

Thank you race and Marites for this tag.

~~Start Copy:
Prayer for the MV Princess of the stars fatalities and survivors.

Dear God, we pray that you comfort each bereaved family everyday as they grieved for their loss, we pray that you will supply all their needs, we pray for the survivors that they may have good lives after the tragedy, that you will bless them and let them know in the deepest part of their heart that in spite of what have happened, you LOVE and CARE for them. This we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. I encourage everyone to keep the prayer going. LET’S P.U.S.H. (PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS).


We Prayed: 1. Through The Rain 2. God’s gift 3. The Adventures of Dong and Jing 4. Me, Myself and I 5. malditang bunso’s journal 6. Underneath It All 7. 100% Kelly 8. My Colorful World 9.InkBabyStudios 10. TheSaladCaper 12. MommyTalks 13. All About the Memories 14. Enchanted Play 15. I Am Mommy 16. MY Happy Place 17. IamDzoi 18. ClikTrik 19. I Love the Thirties 20. Explore Manila 21. Because Life Is Fun 22. All Things Me 23. Just What I Always Wanted 24. Simply Jen 25. A Slice of Life 26. This and That 27. Jenny Said So 28. Race Corner 29. A Beautiful Life 30. Moments of My Life 31. My Crossroads 32. Watchamacallit! 33. Nellypie's Chatterbox 34. Pinay heart wanderings and musings 35. Me, the islands and the world 36.CLAIRE...BY HEART 37.SLIDES 38. YOUR BLOG HERE

Tagging Jan, marly, and ambica.

SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

I would like to take this opportunity to say my sincerest THANKS to Hazel and Eunice for the kind comments they left on my previous blog entry. I truly appreciate it very much, guys:)

I'm making no secret that for the last three years or so, I've been struggling with the longest Spiritually-dry period of my life. My soul keeps thirsting for that connection, that invisible yet strong bond, and that all-consuming love that can only be found in the Lord. I, however, know that God does allow Spiritual Darkness to happen even to the best of us so that we may all learn to seek Him all the more and not just draw close to Him when all is well in our lives. I have been through a lifetime's share of trials and pains but somehow, I survived the storms. But, I only have to look at myself now, after all of these years, to know that God still loved me enough to have seen me through all the plethora of trials and tribulations. Just as I know that at the end of this very dark tunnel, a ray of light will shine.

I take inspiration from Mother Teresa who had gone through many years of Spiritual Darkness and yet still shone God's light and love for the poorest of the poor.

Depressed

Lately, I haven't been posting as much as I would have liked to. Things haven't been going well in my life lately and I've simply been going through the motions. Like I'm just sleepwalking through life or something. It's depressing. I never thought I'd find myself in despair again, but this is something I need to face. I can only hope that I'd be strong enough to deal with this. If I hope in God, I'd come out of this a better person. I will resume posting soon....

TAG OF FOUR

I would like to thank Mhar for sending me the tag.

Instructions: What you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the fun...Clickcopy/paste, type in your answers and tag four people in your lists!

(A) Four places I go over and over: Internet cafe, Clinic, My Aunt Vangie's place, Verdebarr at G. Mall
(B) Four people who e-mail me regularly: Jepoy, Laura, Joanne, Marites
(C) Four of my favorite places to eat? At home, De Bonte Koe, Verdebarr, Port Cafe
(D) Four places you'd rather be? Maryland, USA; Dubai, UAE; Germany; Canada

(E) Four people I think will respond: Tes, Vicy, CoiCoi, Junelle
(F) Four TV shows I could watch over and over: CSI Miami/NY/Las Vegas, Without A Trace, Forensic Files, and Just for Laughs.

Tagging: marites, vicy , CoiCoi, , and junelle....

Out of the Darkness

The last few weeks have been very difficult for me. I couldn't even come up with a decent post. I mean, there I was, trying to revive this blog and hopefully use it for the purpose I created it for in the first place and yet, my heart was drowning in despair and tears. How could I shine a light for the weary and the brokenhearted if I myself was wallowing in dark despair? I could just be another blogger on a blogging site, writing whatever came to mind and be as prolific a writer as I once had been in my teens. Oh, sure, back then I wrote a lot of those teeny love stories that often sent my friends soaring on Cloud 9 and while that won't be so hard to do again, I now find that I would want to do something else. Something that would reach out and touch another person; bring a smile to a hurting soul; and make others feel better about themselves somehow.

Over the last few weeks when I struggled with sadness, frustration, and self-pity, I wondered how on earth I could have forgotten what I realized long ago. That pain does teach what pleasure misses. If there's one thing I learned about having gone through pain and witnessing so much suffering for years, it is that pain has not only made me stronger, but it also helped me become more compassionate and sensitive to the pains of others. Oh, what healing there really can be from reaching out to others who are hurting even if we are actually hurting, too! I may not have much in this life, but I hope that in my own way, I can shine a light for others. I'd like to share with you this beautiful song I first heard from the soundtrack of the tv show TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL. It's called SHINE ALL YOUR LIGHT by Amy Grant.

Thank you: Jeff (for loving me), Laura (for the gift of her friendship), @-->--Marites R (my friend and former tennis partner: for making me laugh), Kelly (for encouraging me even when she's actually hurting, too), and to my other blogger-friends who didn't exactly know why I was depressed but offered encouragement, anyway -- Joseph-Director (my young blogger-friend who offered to listen), @kim , and all the rest (you know who you are). Oh, special thanks to Hazel Quinn (for checking on me now and then). Thanks, everyone!