rAdIoLoGy NoTeS 01 11/20/2007 04:24:00 PM

I'm enjoying my first few days at work. I relish the fact that I still have my weekends off, don't have any overnight duties, and the time I spend in the hospital isn't so hectic as well. There are a lot of things to learn, and a lot of books to read. I'm already doing a few preliminary reading, as well as performing some of the procedures (or observing how they are done) with the help of my seniors. The mostly male staff can really tease you a lot, but I'm taking things in stride.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

A few fun (and/or corny) radiology jokes, mostly in the Cebuano context (items in pharenthesis entirely my un-copyrighted additions...):

*Surgeon: We cut and sew

OB-GYNE: We deliver

(Radiologist: We see right through you!)

*Patient(at Radiology Department Reception Area): Pwede mag-pa eksthrays? (eks-four, eks-five, eks-six?)

*Intern/Senior Clerk: Unsa pa imoha labs, Manang?

Patient: Ambot, Doc, naa man toh Chest Phah. Ambot unsa na... (Chest Phah?! Ah, Chest P.A. - meaning chest postero-anterior view!)

*Patient's Relative (to Radiologic Technologist): Sir, pwede kuhaon ang plackards? (Plackards?! Asa diay mo mag-rally? Ah! You mean plaka a.k.a. x-ray plate!)

Shimmering. Silver Spiderweb 11/10/2007 11:47:00 AM

Beholden by this

Web of shimmering thread, I

Cannot look away.

-jara-

(c. 2007)

Ballad of the Hermit Crab 11/08/2007 05:01:00 AM


I trudge along

Unmindful of the morning's mist

And wearied throughout the night

Within the mangrove's roots

I seek out a new home

I ponder the empty shell

I ease myself out

Vulnerable in my nakedness

As I transfer to my new home

I trudge along again

Amidst the weeds of the sea

Alone, yet carrying my home with me

-jara-

(c. 2007)

Cherrylyn Revisited 11/06/2007 11:42:00 AM

Here are some more pics of Cherrylyn, that little girl born blind from Sitio Ibo with the volunteers.

RSP Oct'07 11/01/2007 04:30:00 AM

I just came back from the year's second Rural Service Project to Sition Ibo, Barangay Pondol, Balamban, Cebu, (October 26-31) organized by Banilad Study Center. It was a whole lot of work and a whole lot of fun, too!

I was again assigned to oversee the administration (read: kitchen and house upkeep!), as expected. I got lots of help though from the other people assigned there as well. We had it easy this time thanks to the lovely resthouse we were staying in, with all the equipment we needed to run things smoothly.

Despite the rain (and getting wet, of course!), we were able to finish the septic tank for Sitio Ibo's public toilet, play games, read stories and teach the kids catechism (even had a party the last day!), hold livelihood classes for the mothers, have a one-day-only medical and dental clinic, go on an excursion to Binghay Marine Park, and explore the nearby river and go spelunking (just to the mouth of a nearby cave--people dindn't have flashlights!), and relax with our nightly get-togethers. We would also pray the rosary every afternoon at the chapel (kapilya) we had helped to construct last April. It became sort of our headquarters and where most of the activities were held as well due to the rains.

This will probably be the last rural service project for me, at least for the next four years, so I cherished the whole time I was there to work and relax. I think I have stored enough great memories though to last me the rest of my life!