The Invulnerable Medstudent

 January 29, 2016, Friday 9:31 PM I have no class for a week due to International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu. I have lots of reading assignments and there will be a long exam this Tuesday. Right now, I am in front of my book but I suddenly thought about my blog. I asked my self like when was the last time I wrote my "latest" entry? Yes, this blog is really a part of my life.  I decided that this will be my study break for now. 

 I am Franzis Mari G. Lawas, RMT, 23 years old and a registered medical technologist. I am sorry for I just kept on introducing myself in every post. This blog isn't really that updated like before. If you read my previous posts, it is always about my college life as a BS Medical Technology in Velez College. Right now, I entered a crucial part of my life. It is medschool. Yes, I proceed to medschool. I may be too immature and blurry in my decisions before but God gave me some signs to enter this.

I am currently studying in Cebu Institute of Medicine. This was my dream school because this is one of the best medical schools in the country. Being in medschool as what I thought before is really tough. There are lots of reading assignments and exams. I even experienced failures in some of my exams which most of the people who knew me find it unusual.

Yes this is medschool. Too much things to sacrifice. I even saw some of my friends of the same age who already have family on their own and enjoying the fruits of their jobs.  While me? I am right now still studying and dating with my books. I know someday this will be worth it. Even though there are ups and downs in my journey, I am still happy unlike the wrong path I entered last year. (Refer to my previous blog post). Medschool really made me stronger. Medschool made me appreciate my loved ones even more. Medschool made me appreciate the value of human life. My dream is to serve others. What I am studying right now will help me achieve my dream.

This is it. Stay tuned for my future posts. I'll try to keep this a bit updated. Thank you so much.

Updates about Alisonblue

Hello! I would like to let you know that this blog is still alive. This blog is already 7 years. I created this when I was still a naive high school student.

I apologize that I didn't update this for the past months. I know that I religiously updated this at the start. In this post, I would like to update to you the brief events that I missed in this blog.

May 16, 2014

I graduated BS Medical Technology. I finally earned a degree like yay! It started to mark myself as an alumna of Velez College.

My graduation was held at Redemptorist Church, May 16, 2014

June 2014 to August 2014

I was already a Medtech graduate but I still need to have a licensed to practice as a medical technologist. I attended my review class at ACTS Review Center in Manila which is located at Sta. Mesa. I stayed at Shaw Boulevard. It may be located near fancy places like SM Megamall and EDSA Shangrila but still it's a way far from  my review center. In order to get there, first, I'll ride MRT from the Shaw Boulevard station to Araneta Center Cubao then an LRT from Araneta Center Cubao to V. Mapa Station. Still, it's one of the memorable days of my life not only with the plain review classes but to unexpected trips to different places of Manila as well. I am already a bit familiar to Manila. Someday, I'll go back to Manila for only the reason of leisure and fun. I still need to save my money first hahaha. 

Make your Own Magnum from SM Aura

Overview of Shaw Boulevard

Pardon my red hair hahahaha

September 13-14, 2015

I was just until August 18 in Manila. I decided to take my board exam in Cebu because it's kind of comfortable if I'll gonna take my exam at my hometown. I spent my self-review days at home prior to the exam and that was it. The subjects in the first day were Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, and Clinical Microscopy. Hematology, Immunology and Blood Banking, and Histopathologic Techniques and Medtech Laws were taken on the second day. I found Clinical Chemistry a bit easy though it was my hardest subject during my academic years. The toughest was really Immunology and Blood Banking. 

September 17, 2015

1548 Lawas, Franzis Mari Geonzon

Yes, one of the best days of my life. Officially, you can call me, Franzis Mari G. Lawas, RMT. I am a registered medical technologist at last. 

November 9, 2014

I spent about one-month being a "tambay" at home. I was still looking for a job. I chose one hospital to work on but before that, to be officially a medical technologist, I took my oath at Cebu Grand Convention. 

I am so proud that I took a selfie with one of our board of examiners, Mrs.Marilyn R. Atienza, RMT

November 10, 2014 to January 6, 2015

I worked in a tertiary hosptial (not to mention the name). I admit that it's my privilege to work there but unfortunately, there were unfavorable circumstances so I decided to leave. I'm happy that I made great friendships there with my workmates but still I realized that I am not really meant to stay longer in that institution. Well, charge to experience. 

At present...

I am a freelance medical technologist. I am a regular medtech at a free standing laboratory near our place and I am an on-call medtech at other laboratories. I am even happier as I am practicing my profession before I pursue medicine. And also, I am currently molding myself into business. Well, I'll post about this more

This all thank you *bow*

Memoir of a Medtech Intern Part 1 - (3 weeks left for Internship)

iThis week marks my last week of rotation here in Cebu Velez General Hospital Laboratory. I've been assigned in this lab for 6 months unlike in my previous affiliations (Visayas Community Medical Center and Chong Hua Hospital) wherein I only had 3-months each. Well since I am studying in Velez and the hospital is also Velez, okay there is really justice that each intern should stay long in CVGH. 

It's still fresh in my mind that a section head of mine in Chong Hua appreciated for my "job well done". I just did my job naturally. That was still the first month of my internship. But he told me that internship is not merely heaven. To spice up my intern experience, I shall face some obstacles for me to learn. Honestly, I made a huge mistake in VCMC and I was sanctioned and it made me learn a huge lesson-- to b careful all the time and double check. That's why it brought me up to be meticulous all the time in my job. 

Yes, when I was going to my first step as an intern, I thought it would be paradise because I got used to become a third year students with lots of examinations everyday and too many pressures to handle. Then I realized that it was half wrong. In internship, it isn't as necessary as third year to study and to handle pressure. As a medtech intern, you need to fight sanctions like extensions and also you need to overcome "boredom on waiting". Yes. On my first day of internship in Chong Hua, it seems like I wore a huge smile in the lab and I kept on saying - Yes! Intern na jud ko (Yes! I am already an intern!). But as the days went by I said "Kapuya na ug sige ug duty uy! Kanus-a pa kaha ni mahuman?" (I'm already tired in going to duty. When will this finish then?). It got severe when I started for a 6-month rotation in CVGH then lately I knew that my Sillimanian and SWU co-interns graduated already and here we are Velezians, still on duty. To the future interns, I know that you are excited right now but don't be too excited. I am not discouraging you. As we all know, Too much of everything is bad. To be honest, I am also excited on your first step in the lab since you will gonna replace us hahahaha. I have just told you literally that I'm already tired, haven't I?

In less than 6 months, I will already be an RMT. There were some events that motivated me to strive better. I will enjoy this week as much as I can and yippeee next week will be Paknaan! 

Random Thoughts of a GradWAITING student

There are really times that time doesn't really agree with me. It's been a long time since I had this kind of Saturday- a kind of Saturday without Seminar or Research class to worry and even without a night duty to await (To update you, my usual schedule in CVGH is that I have a night duty on Saturday. I chose that kind of schedule so that I will have two REAL day-offs in a week. Having a seminar or research class on a day-off isn't like a day-off after all so it's better to have a duty on a Saturday. Also, I really hate Sunday duties :(... It would be rewarding if I had a pay but I'm still an intern.

Well, to be honest I am jealous at my SWU and Sillimanian friends. (When I was rotated in Visayas Community Medical Center, I had co-interns from Southwestern University and Silliman University from Dumaguete.) They graduated already last March and then us? Here we are GradWAITING. Waiting for May 16, our most awaited big day and still finishing the last chapters of internship. They are now starting to review for our board exam this September. And me? I am currently rotated at Hematology department (A department in clinical laboratory which deals with human blood, literally. It is where CBC (Complete Blood Count) is commonly performed and also where blood extraction is a big deal). I always went with my medtechs warding and do all the smear and stain then receiving specimen as usual. The brighter side is that it's my last department in Cebu Velez General Hospital Laboratory before I'll gonna be assigned in Paknaan, Mandaue which will be my last affiliation. I am hoping that I will not get any extensions on my final weeks of internship.

Even though I don't have a complete cooperation with an inevitable thing called time, I am still thankful for it. I didn't noticed that it's more than 40 days that my friend named Lorenzo passed away (just refer to my previous post if you want to know who he really is). It seems like our last talk was yesterday. For me his voice was still fresh in my mind. We may not be together for a long time but I am thankful that God gave me some instances that we became together during the last days of his life. The truth is there were really small things that remind me of him and it made my shed my tears most of the time. The painful thing is that I cannot graduate with him.  Right now, I bet he's in peace right now and I shall be happy for him. Since we became friends, he doesn't want to see me sad.  I know he's watching over me and he's always with me. My advice to everyone is to make most of your time to your loved ones. We can't really escape death. That is reality. You know, Lorenzo's death was really unexpected. Cherish every moment. Be happy most of the time.

Anyway, while waiting for the big day. I was planning for some things after graduation. I was already registered for ACTS review center 2nd batch Medical Technology board exam review in Manila. I am already booked for my flight this May 29. It was really my plan ever since to pursue a Medical Technology license before I'll proceed to Medicine. Right now, I started a little for my review for the board exam. I am still in a procrastination mode. I am still doing my best to resist procrastination because it's for another big day. I shall make most of my loved ones proud. In less than 6-months, I'll be an RMT.

Right now, I downloaded some ebooks to occupy my vacant time. Currently I'm reading Divergent. I shall finish it before this day ends. Tomorrow, it's my first time after 3 years that I will not gonna be in Kabanhawan Festival (A festival here in Minglanilla which is held every Easter Sunday) since I was scheduled for a PM duty (3 pm - 11 pm) tomorrow. It's okay. There is still next year.

Okay, this is all. These are some of my random thoughts right now. I am still counting for May 16 to come.. :)

Para sa akong Gwapo nga Amigo

Hello, kumusta na ka diha?  Dugay na tang wala nagchika ay...

Bitaw, did you remember when we first met? We were on our first week as freshmen as medical technology students. As always we had a "get to know" thing every subject. Nakalimot ko kung unsa to nga subject. Murag chem man tingali to. Then I, introduced myself... "I am Franzis Mari Lawas, I graduated from Minglanilla National Science High School" then you were behind me then imo kong gikuhit..."Hala, science high graduate diay ka? Bright ka sah?" And my first impression to you was you were such a weird guy because of the way you approached me. On the next day, you talked to me na jud, I forgot how our conversation went through basta what I remember was, we exchanged cellphone numbers then you added me in facebook the following afternoon. Natingala na lang ko nga nagdaghan ug mga notifs akong fb, ikaw! Gipanglike nimo akong mga photos ug wallposts.

Nakaremember pud ka nga katong nagkatapad ta sa IT-A (1st sem subject, Information Technology)? Then touchy kaayo ka dimada.. Then timing nga nagmaoy ko tungod sa akong crush paghigh school then I let you read this blog. Honestly, you were the very first college friend who read this blog. Di jud ko kalimot sa imong quote.. "It's his loss not yours"

I will never even forget though I was so very very yagit, you still managed to call me "gwapa". You were one of my most supportive friends. 

Did you remember when we were in the canteen with Brian? We made a deal nga dapat dagko ta ug grades. Then we made it all. Study jud ta together. Honestly naay times nga nasuya ko nimo kay bright bitaw kaayo ka especially sa Math and Physics. But I was amazed. Di ka selfish, mutabang jud ka sa uban. You always shared your knowledge.

Pero this one's very epic. Kahibaw ba ka nga ikaw ang nagbunyag sa akong pagkalaagan? Remember katong sa "Hukad" sa terraces? Kitang Maire, Criste ug Duran? I was surprised the waiters sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was not my birthday kay november to but you told the waiters nga birthday nako.. Wa lang kay lingaw ato. Ang ending kamo ray nikaon sa katong mini-"birthday cake". Then I was even worried because it was too late na especially nga nagpuyo ko sa Minglanilla then kahibaw ka, ikaw pay nisuggest nga ako na lay magbringhome sa mga sobra sa atong gipangkaon para ihatag sa akong mama para dili masuko. Then samot pa nga wala nay kasakyan, sira na ang terminal. Sus, nangolekta pa ka ug contributions sa atong kauban, then nicontribute pud ka para makasakay ko ug taxi. 

Due to unfavorable circumstances lang, nabuwag ko ninyo ni Brian. Pero kabantay ko nga mao ra gihapon ka. You were still there for me. There were times nga ni-ask ko ug favor nimo, hatag jud dayon nimo. Love japun ko nimo. Ni-care gihapon ka nako. Supportive kaayo ka gihapon bisag magkina-unsa. Dili jud ka selfish. 

Karemember ka katong intern na ta. There were times nga dili nako feel akong mga kauban sa first floor then ikaw naa sa second floor. Ikaw akong kaistorya. Lahi ra jud ka sa uban bisan nonsense na akong tinabi-an. Maminaw jud ka nako. I called you then "Gwapo" then "Gwapa" sad imong tawag nako. Kato sang ga-uban ta ug novena together with John Lee. First time baya nako tong Sto. Niño novena. Bisan gikan ta night duty, adto japun ta. Pero sa katong last days nga nagkita ta, mao ra gihapon ka. Bugal-bugalon gihapon.

Those were some of the memories we shared. 

Enzo, Zor, Zoren, Gwapo or LORENZO, if ever you're reading this, THANK YOU so much for being a great great friend of mine. Swerte jud nga nagka-ila ta. I am so sorry for I was not a perfect friend of yours. Sorry sa katong times nga wala ko. Love man jud tika ba. Kahibaw man ka anah di ba? Thank you so much for your patience and being open-minded. Thank you kaayo nga bisan in one of your last days, you still trusted me. You shared to me what you feel. 

If only I could turn back time and if I were given a chance to have superpowers, I wish I could vanish your pain. Pero Zor, nganong nibiya ka ug sayo? Dungan unta ta ug graduate ug take sa board exams. 

Pero matod pa nila, Everything has a reason and I hope someday, I'll understand what it is. 

Bitaw, Zor... Part jud ka sa akong life. Di jud ko kalimot nimo promise. You will be one of my inspirations for the board exam and med school... Niingon baya ka nako nga mamawi ko sa boards ug ig-med. Bitaw, I will make you proud. 

I hope you are happy there. I'm just happy for you kay wa na kay problema. Free from sufferings and pain. Maningkamot lang kong dili muhilak kay kahibaw ko nga di ka ganahan nga muhilak ko. Pero gimingaw man ko nimo uy. 

Bitaw gwapo, see you someday there sa heaven. Magbinuotan lagi ko. I love you so much my dear friend.

Rest in Peace. Farewell. 

Sincerely Yours,

Ate Franz (matod pa nimo, ang pinakagwapa ug pinakalami nga intern)

Lorenzo Josef P. Peñalosa

1994-2014

 

2014 (The Return of the Lost Blogger)

Hello? Hi?

You might wonder regarding the existence of this post alone or even the existence of the whole blog. Okay, let me introduce to you myself again. You can call me Alison Blue (This is just my pseudonym, just browse from my previous posts regarding my real name.) I am 21 years of age and I am just a simple girl with big dreams. Before, I pushed enough perseverance in posting this blog since as what I've said, this is a part of my life or what we call a "public diary". But those were the good old days. Those were the times when the skies were easy to reach, the times when I could stop the world for my own... Oh, kidding.

Yes, I am the lost blogger. Do you know why I got lost? Well.. It is just because of the word BUSY. Busy? Yes it is too common.

In the middle of the year 2013, I entered the transition of my course which is INTERNSHIP. Well, you know what internship really is. That is what I yearned for as I suffered along the hell of third year. When I entered internship, it was like the gates of heaven opened wide for me yet I was wrong.

To the future medtech students, or even the medtech students in the lower years, here is my piece of advice-- Life has no contentment. During internship, you will still be subject to some unfavorable circumstances and challenges that may be "meritable" to the award named EXTENSION. You must be careful on what you do. And the worst of all about internship is-- TIME THIEF, Yes. Internship is not just a regular class where in you can go to school five times a week from Mondays to Fridays. Internship just stole my weekends and even holidays. That's what they said, Internship is the training ground for being a working person. Due to internship, I missed lot of hang-outs, due to internship, my vacation in Manila was cut too short, due to internship oh well, I had no any ample time to post this blog. Yes, again.. life has no contentment.

Of course, internship has brighter side, I was able to meet new friends. My skills as a future medtech were enhanced. Okay that's a short flashback of 2013.

2014.. Hmmm, as I entered the new year, I invited some good vibes and pocketful of sunshine within me. I hope it will be better than 2013.

What will be in 2014? Well these are the things I expect :

- The end of the Internship program
- Graduation
- BOARD EXAM
- Hopefully, the attainment of my first PRC License
- New career

As I pass all through these, I hope the Lord will guide me especially on the board exam. This month I might start to study some of my freaky Medtech topics.

What I hope for too in 2014, well, I hope I'll be the better FRANZ. FRANZ who is wiser and independent. I will really try my best.

For everyone, Happy New Year!!! Stay updated for I might have a mood to post something :-)

Failure before Success ( The return again)

I was trying to beat my circadian rhythm for my first graveyard shift tomorrow. I slept for four hours during the afternoon and I’ll resist sleep tonight (If I can). I shall gain sleep tomorrow before my 6 pm- 6 am duty at Chong Hua. Tonight I’ll do something productive and one thing that came in my mind is blogging.

                Hello! I am still alive. I am seeking an apology for my readers (.. if there are some). I bet you already know my situation last year. As I opened my blog, well.. I found out that my last “normal” post was just last June 2012. The previous one was yet unfinished. Now, it’s 2013.

                There are some instances that I thought about this “public journal” of mine. Well, let’s just consider this public since this is open for random viewers. This blog is just like a part of me already. This covers some of the significant events of my life though this is not really updated. I may suck at writing now unlike in my journalism era. Sorry, writing is not my forte anymore. BUT, I still retain this blog so that my children in the future can read this. I want to let them know what my life really is in this generation.

                Since this is my return, I want this post to be a special one. Let me tell you a brief story of what happened to me in the past months, I mean… the whole year.

                I entered the most crucial (probably) of my medtech life last year. To be honest, I thought kaya ra ni.. mada ra ni  yet, I was wrong.

                Third year life revolved too much on many challenges. Swear, even passing was very hard then. Too much exams.. Long coverage but only a little time to study. Yes, I tried getting low marks and even failing. There were even times I got depressed. There were really times that it came to a point of giving up this course. Still, God permitted me to stay.

                Above all, I discovered the purpose of these events. I know that these really forced me to grow to become a better person and student. I learned that achieving success is not really easy. You still need to achieve failure in order to attain success. I do really thank God for not leaving me during the past school year.. Lord, thank you so much for guiding me in my decision. Amidst of those trials, I am now an intern.  I owe a lot of you Lord God.