Living my Life like 2006 to 2010

Last week, I wasted most of my time in social media. I knew that this isn't ideal since it is less than a hundred away to the most anticipated, physician licensure examination. Yes, PLE- I am now a step away to be a legit doctor. Postgraduate internship is almost ending. Without the COVID19 pandemic, I'll be a Pedia PGI today and I might not go back to this blog as of this moment then.

What was I looking for in the social media? In this pandemic, the world stopped. Gone were the days when we go out freely all we want. Gone were the days when we go to the malls do some leisure activities outside when we get bored and stay late at night if we want. Gone were the days when we choose the right shade of the lipstick we want. Gone were the days when we go to the groceries without any schedule. Gone were the days when we hear mass in the church physically. Yes, COVID is everywhere. If we are doing our usual social routines, we might be submitted to the death sentence.

You might consider someone asymptomatic to be lucky. However he or she might transmit the virus to others. That's why I engaged in social media because yes, I am missing my friends. I want to know how they are coping things right now. I would also want to reminisce the pre-COVID19 times as well. Oh, so cheesy. I also want to gather some updates about what is happening in the province, country and the whole world right now. COVID19 has no cure yet. I am still yearning for miracles.

I met my expectations. However, it seems like everything goes wrong. Instead of the needed informations I wanted, the things surrounding my news feed seemed to be harmful to my self especially my mental health. I read some fake news. What is hype recently is the fight between politicians and health care workers. Yes, there is. I hope it will just end in the social media rants. I tried logging out my facebook account. However it was unsuccesful. My colleagues were even fighting in facebook messenger account. I can't let go of my messenger account since it is where I mostly reach out to my friends and loved ones. SMS messaging is not a hype anymore. Well my only "textmate" is my boyfriend. He doesn't have any facebook account (He is one of the less than 5% of the people in this world). Without him, why would I spend for load? SMS was useful for my residents and consultants but I am not in the frontline right now. There were concepts by my own colleagues that were against my principle but I urged myself not to fight and just keep quiet. I don't to torture my mental health and that might be not ideal in my review. Social media is toxic nowadays.

Then I thought of the good times back then. I am one of the millenials. However, my generation witnessed the transition of technology especially internet. We tried playing outdoors in our childhood like patintero, tumbang preso and tagu-taguan in our childhood. I grew up seeing my parents using newspapers and television as their mode of media. We watched local primetime shows back then. Then when I was a Grade 5 student, my sister oriented me about internet in an internet cafe at Ayala Center Cebu. I still remember that the cost was around 50 pesos per hour that time. She made my very first email address which is not existing right now. Those were so simple. I was already delighted to use the search engine in yahoo or google.  Hindi pa uso ang chat. I look forward in receiving emails. The "Daemon.com" thing I received after emailing a wrong email address gave me anxiety way back then.

Then there goes high school wherein our hype was going to internet cafes to make projects and we learned friendster. Receiving testimonials were hype with sparkling GIFs. We were also competing towards the best friendster profile with matching background music. I also made some multiply account for my photo albums. This blogger is the only one left for those times. Yes, we can access them at internet cafe at such limited time. I also joined in Symbianize forums to connect to various people in the country.  It was during my 2nd year high school that I had a personal computer at home with broadband access. However, unlike today's convenience, I still have to switch on my PC. I will not be online in school. My phone was purely for SMS.  I still remember that there was H1N1 epidemic. I only sought information via television or newspapers.

To make the long story short, there was evolution of smart phones that connect via WIFI. Facebook was born  which started with Pet Society and Friends for Sale. Friendster, Symbianize and Multiply were gone. Right now social media is the main platform for communication.

Those were good times. Since I am preparing for my ticket towards my license, for the love of my mental health and myself.  I decide to live as if it is 2006 to 2010. I shorten my contact time in social media. I even installed an application called AppBlock that blocks websites and applications against productivity if I am tempted to open. Settings are my own preference of course. Right now,  I stick to the television or just few of the reliable news websites (not linked from facebook) to keep me updated.

Yes, social media is convenient. However, abusing its convenience makes it toxic. What is important is to think before you click. Lawsuits could be a one type and click away. Aside from avoiding lawsuits, you prevent to hurt others' feeling as well. It might spread and kill as COVID19.

The Blogger's Return on a Pandemic

Gone are the times when hitting a passing mark is our goal, when seeking a crush's attention flutter our hearts and the delight of updating a blog post day by day. 

Here I am again. My grammar and writing skills might somehow rusted away but it is still my delight to post. Currently, I am an unlicensed doctor. I am a postgraduate intern (PGI)  in a private hospital here in Cebu. I am preparing the most important board examination in my life. Why am I not on duty then? The world stopped right now due to COVID19, an invisible enemy that can be deadly. All PGIs have been pulled out since March 17. We haven't sworn our oath yet and this might be the last year that we are considered as students. 

I graduated last June 2019 earning a Doctor of Medicine degree. Internship, as I've said was a roller coaster ride. I laughed, screamed and cried before being capped as a doctor. I will then be a legit doctor by the time I pass the PLE and to be endowed with selfless responsibilities. 

In 27 years of my existence, I learned a lot. I knew more of myself even more every single day. 

I hope this blog will remain alive and I will post more of myself as I can. For those who are readling this, thank you so much. 

Hello 2019- The Catch-up of a Blogger Intern

Hello, I am back. I am introducing myself again. I am  Alison Blue. If you want to know my real name, just communicate with me or refer to my previous posts. I am currently a 4th year medical student or a Senior Clerk from the Philippines' top medical school. If you noticed, my previous post was still a year ago. I may barely post updates unlike during my high school days. I am still delighted to read my previous blog posts. It made me picture out my progress and the way I grow.

It is already 2019 and oh, this year must be special. This is my graduation year. Please pray that I will catch-up all my paperworks and I will not have so many extensions and I will be cleared immediately.

Internship is not really that easy for me. Thanks to internship that I knew well about myself. Yes, it is a straight 365 days with no day off. There are even 36 hours duty and duty-previous duty. At first, it was really unusual that I am away from my mother. I spend most my time taking care of other people who are not even my relatives. There are even times that I think why I am entering this. Do I really need to be a doctor? Do I really deserve this? These things would pop out in my mind most of the time I'm grilled during endorsement or being scolded by my seniors. Even my relationship with my groupmates was being challenged. I am totally different and I get easily hurt. I even had countless anxiety attacks during the course of my duty. I even had absences which I didn't even regret. Thank God for giving me strength. I even thought of giving up. I even thought of not enrolling during 2nd semester. Thank God I am still in front of my patients greeting them "Good Morning!", "Kumusta na man mo? (How are you?)" with beautiful smile.

I learned a lot during the first half of my internship. Aside from surgical techniques, in dealing with pediatric patients, in managing dengue, in making genograms, in handling deliveries with episiotomy and repair, in doing VATEF (visual acuity, adnexa, tonometry, extraocular muscles and fundoscopy, I learned more about myself. Even my faith in God was being challenged. I learned that despite all the challenges I faced, God never left me. Even though I was angry to God for the thought He left me, He made all those things for me to be strong. He made me show that I am meant for this profession. Thanks to my mother for her endless patience, who is always at my side. Thanks to my friends whom I shouted on on my darkest days. Thanks even to the residents who told me, "You are strong! You can do it. You are almost there."

I am currently assigned in VSMMC Center for Behavioral Sciences for Psychiatry. I am thankful that I didn't end up being like my patients. Just kidding. Anyway, I am thankful that I am being able to touch the lives of my patients. I understand how they feel. In short, I can imagine if I am in their shoes. It is really my pleasure seeing them smiling with all my greetings despite of being ill.

Well this is my post for now. Thank you so much for reading.

Second Chance

Remember that second chance is not a ticket to commit another mistake. It's a ticket for you to realize your mistake, learn from it and be a better person because that is what your partner deserves.

Last night, since I had no exam to study for, I decided to watch ABS-CBNs "Maalaala Mo Kaya". It's a love story by Karla and Gio portrayed by Bela Padilla and JC Santos. In short, the story goes like this: They're like lovers for 8 years and the guy cheated on the girl then they broke up. The girl got hurt so bad. The guy did everything to win the girl back and to seek her forgiveness and eventually the girl gave him a second chance.

Do cheaters deserve a second chance?

I read some reviews in facebook. I've seen comments like "once a cheater is always a cheater", "if he truly loves her, why did he cheat in the first place", etc. 

Me, to be honest, I am a bit triggered or more or less cranky on that episode. Dahil ba nakarelate ako?

Sort of, yes. This is the first time I mention this on my blog. I had a boyfriend for 2 years. Supposed to be we were sort of happy but he cheated on me. Actually, not the usual cheating like the drama like there's a third party. He made a huge lie to me. The trust was broken and then we broke up. He did efforts to win me back but I became stone-hearted. I made my stand and I never restored our relationship because of the broken trust. Our spark was gone as well.

Back to Gio and Karla's love story, well for me, Karla is not wrong. I think Karla loves Gio so much that she handled to give him a second chance. Any person deserves a second chance whether he is a cheater, a f*ckboy or whatsoever as long as he is already true to his word and will never do the same mistake again. I still believe on change. If you truly love your partner like what Karla does, you have the courage to forgive and rather grant the second chance. But if he cheats again, oh well, there's no such thing as third chance anymore. It means that he is truly a f*ckboy and doesn't deserve you hahahaha. Oh well.

How about me? I obtained no courage to give him the second chance. My feelings are gone already. I believe there's a purpose. Maybe he's not really the one.

Anyway, I love how Bela Padilla and JC Santos portrayed their story. They are indeed great actors.

I got the lead of this post from the real Karla's profile. I was really curious that I searched her profile after watching MMK. Indeed, mistakes are to be learned and to be a better person.

Merry at Cafe Berry

Oh, hello. Finally I have a spare time blogging. Third bimonthly period just commenced and I have nothing to study so far. Horray!
Let me introduce to you a place. A  cozy place to chill and definitely for good vibes.
This is Cafe Berry. ❤

This started around midseptember last 2017 when I was searching for a place to study. I was really desperate that time for the fear of sleeping at home. That was on a sunday and I weren't yet halfway on my readings for the next day's exam because of organization and adulting stuff. Then I discovered this place. This is located outside the seaview wing at SM Seaside City Cebu. Yes, outside. From the mall, you need to pass through the exit near Bon Chon Chicken. This coffee shop is facing the SRP road rather.

The place... oh so awesome and classy with the wooden tables, large bookshelf, comfy chairs and wow, the gold painted pipe. I also love the view of the bay in SRP.  It is also spacious so it's not that obvious if it gets crowded. For me, this is the best place to study rather cram the day before exam. This opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 12:00 AM everyday.
There are variety of drinks and desserts to choose from. My favorites are Green Tea Latte and Cafe Mocha for coffee based drinks. For desserts, oreo snow and mango snow are great and tasty.

For more information visit their facebook page. https://m.facebook.com/cafeberryseaside/

Alisonblue at 10

I took this at La Trinidad, Benguet last June, 2017.

From being a naive high school student to a medical student, this blog is like a collection of footprints of my life. For those who took time to open this, thank you so much! It may be different from the start since I only update this just several times a year. I may be currently busy with my journey to become a physician with a heart but this blog lives on. I want to impart this to my future children. Again, thanks a lot! Cheers!

Ultrasonography linked to Autism?

       Social communication is one of the pearls of the child’s development. Impairment in the ability to engage in social interaction with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior encompass the hallmark of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD have dilemmas in sharing their thoughts and feelings with others. Delayed language with lack of interest and play are mostly the initial symptoms that are mostly recognized during their second year of life. Autism specific screening are considered to be done at 18 and 24 months of age. During the past few several decades, prevalence of ASD increased rapidly with estimates of 1 in 68 individuals affected. It may be due to heightened awareness and screening and may be in part from historical shifts of diagnostic categories. Currently, ASD is thought to be brought about by set of environmental and genetic contributions. . Advanced maternal and paternal age, closer spacing at pregnancies, premature birth and family members with learning problems, psychiatric disorders and social disability have been identified as risk factors. Genetic causes are to be unveiled. Exposure to toxic environmental factors to the developing fetus is also considered as a risk in ASD and prenatal ultrasonography was proposed.
As the incidence of ASD increased during the past several decades, the use of ultrasonography has increased substantially. Ultrasonography which is mostly started at first trimester of pregnancy is routinely done during prenatal check-ups. Viability, gestational age, number of fetuses and most importantly, the gross fetal abnormalities are being detected by ultrasound. However, despite its benefits, a study by Mcclintic and Webb suggested that ultrasonography  causes alterations in behaviors and disrupts cortical migration during the fetus’ brain development based on animal studies. Ultrasonography consists of pulses of high frequency sound whose backscatter from tissue yields details of the structure of the tissues and movements of blood. It also has the ability to create local increases in temperature which is detrimental in the developing brain at the first trimester.Thus, the brighter the ultrasonography, the higher the ultrasound exposure and the shallower the tissue, the more harm to the fetus.
A case control study of 420 children  was done by Rosman et.al. The study included 107 children with ASD, 104 control individuals with developmental delay and 209 controls with typical development. They were identified from prenatal care medical records and delivery at Boston Medical Center from July 1, 2006 through December 2014 with a gestational age of at least 37 weeks. Data were analyzed from May 1,2015 through November 30,2017. However, authors found out that children with ASD compared with typically developed children had fewer first trimester scans, a later-first trimester scan, lower mean total time of exposure in the first and second trimester, increased mean depth of  ultrasound exposure.
Increased depth of prenatal ultrasonographic presentation may be associated with disturbances in fetal cortical migration and later autism spectrum disorder. However, this correlation deserves yet a further study. Further research is needed to determine whether other variables of ultrasound exposure also have adverse effects to the developing fetus.
However, ultrasonography has the potential to act as an environmental stressor in a genetically vulnerable system. The goal of searching mechanistically valid environmental modifiers of child outcomes remains important especially if the environmental insult deserves to be limited or regulated.  There remains an consistent call for further studies on the safety of diagnostic ultrasonography.

For more information check on this page:  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2672728


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