It's my Harry Potter day. Delayed my movie watching by a week for there's a looooonnnggg queue during its first week of opening.
First part of the last Harry Potter series, the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was well handled. Those who have read the book would be wondering how the constant hiding of the three friends would not be a drag when turned to a movie. It's not. Love the scene where Harry and Hermione danced. Very natural. Not sure... but I would think Dobey the elf pulled the rug under them. His heroism in a childish way is very touching. Can't wait for Part 2.
Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Delifrance. Stopped by Tutti Frutti for yogurt before proceeding home.
Decided to pass by Ayala Triangle on the way home to watch the light and sound show titled "Christmas at the Gardens featuring Parol!". It is a "gift" of Ayala Land for Christmas. The free show would run from November 17 to December 23, 2010, from 6PM to 8PM every 30 minutes.
When I arrived, there were already lots of people waiting for the show to start. Was able to catch the 6:30PM show.
Today, I would be doing the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure as advised by my gastroenterologist.
Was at Makati Medical Center around 12 noon. Procedure started around 1:30PM. Woke up at the recovery room around 3PM. Left the Encology Unit around 3:30PM to go to my doctor to get the result of the procedure.
From the colonoscopy, she found one polyp. She removed it and will be observed for 3 to 4 days. Will go back again next week to check on the result. But according to her, usually if it is malignant, it immediately changes color. Mine didn't. Fingers crossed, everything is OK.
From the endoscopy, she did not find an H. Pylori virus. Although, from our last endoscopy, she already observed the chronic gastritis (?). There is also a reflux from my bile to the stomach. She gave me lots of medicines to take...
Today would be a seminar by Mr. Gil Nartea on Photojournalism for our office's camera club. He allowed video to be taken. I was tasked to take the video for the club's provincial members.
Alas! When I woke up, when I turn to may side (while at bed), the world is spinning. Odd thing is, does not feel the same when I stand up. SMSed my cousin doctor and he advised me to take Serc. He said it's vertigo.
Took them (the medicine) so I can attend the seminar and video.
After the seminar, went to Makati Medical Center to get a referral from Maxicare for the procedure I would be undergoing on Monday. Hope everything turns out fine.
Then, proceeded to Glorietta. Was hoping to watch the Harry Potter movie. Very unlikely. Although most of the cinemas of Glorietta are showing Harry Potter, there were lots of people queueing to watch it.
So, decided to watch "A Christmas Ballet Concert" featuring "Pinoy Christmas" and the "Nutcracker". It is a free show given by Ayala Center for its clientele.
After, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Super Bowl. Ate tofu and fish, the only food I am allowed to eat prior to upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy.
It is the first day of my five-day Java training at Active Learning. That means, I'll be back in Ortigas. Can't wait what's in store for me.
Good thing, the building where the training will be conducted is just a walk away to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Shaw Boulevard Station. I'll be taking the MRT home (was dropped off by Manong in the morning.) It is the first time I'll be going to the Shangri-la Plaza. I can take the MRT by passing through the 5th floor of the said mall. Very convenient.
November 19, 2010, Friday
The training was great. I can now program using Java. Every chapter, we are given hands-on exercises. Based on the other partcipants who already took Java training from other training institutions, they finally learned how to program because of this course. That's a lot...
But first, ticked off items in my list before watching the movie; that is, paid my bills, etc.
Watched Megamind in 3D. A supervillain dedicated his life in destroying his nemesis. When he finally succeeded, he was surprised that he did. But like Yin and Yang, Ferdinand Marcos and Ninoy Aquino, even Ate Guy (Nora Aunor) and Ate Vi (Vilma Santos), one without the other is nothing. Thus, he created a new hero. Like the way he usually planned things, it did not go his way. His new hero has no intention of doing good. Thus, the villain is forced to try and save Metro City. The movie is fun.
After, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at New Bombay.
Slowly ticking-off the list my doctors ask me to take.
First was the wire-guided breast biopsy last October 20.
This time, I am arranging the requirements before I undergo the colonoscopy procedure. Was able to get a clearance from my cardio this Monday. Met today with my gastroenterologist with the clearance and several blood test results in tow. Scheduled my colonoscopy this November 22, 2010. Oops... she also added the endoscopy procedure.
The colonoscopy procedure has preparation prior to it. And I would definitely diet.
November 20, Saturday No veggies, no fruits, no meats except fish Can eat rice, egg, tofu, cheese, pasta, noodles, sandwiches except wheat bread
November 21, Sunday Same diet as Saturday for breakfast and lunch 5PM, lactulose 60ml followed with 2 glasses of water 6PM, dinner with general liquids--lugaw, soup, ice cream except chocolate flavor 8PM, lactulose 60ml followed with 2 glasses of water 2 glasses of Gatorade (but not red) or clear juice without pulp 10PM, Dulcolax 4 tablets followed with 2 glasses of water 2 glasses of Gatorade (but not red) or clear juice without pulp
Framed Shots: (Monochromatic) Black And White Landscape
Today's our camera club's monthly meeting; and would be our last meeting for the year. It will be the judging for this month's theme--(monochromatic) black and white landscape. Rather a misnomer? An oxymoron? It will also be the election of our officers.
Submitted four entries; unfortunately, none gave the judges' nod.
After, watched "Adele: Rise of the Mummy" at Glorietta. It is an adventure, comedy film set in the early part of the 20th century where a famous novelist tried to "solve" the supernatural events occurring in the city. Love the way the movie was treated. Strange and utterly twisted, the movie is lots of adventure.
Today would be the Canon Photomarathon. The venue would be at SMX in Pasay City. Good thing, my brother allowed me to use the services of his driver for this fun activity.
There would be three themes. It will be announced one at a time. We are given two hours to take photos and 30 minutes for the downloading. As a control, we changed the date of our camera/s to January 1, 2012.
First theme: Deep and wide, peaks and valleys go Inside or outside, all the places you know Near or far, it doesn't matter It's the view that counts to the photographer.
We went to Fort Santiago to try to capture the images the way we understood the theme.
Second theme: Big or small, we come in different sizes Short or tall, we grow in spurts and phases Round and round the circle of life goes When we stop, only God knows.
Where else? The Manila Zoo.
Theme 3: Happy, mad--sometimes we feel the blues Angry, glad--our moods are changing hues Up and down our lows and highs We close our eyes and then... surprise!
This time, we did not go far. We just walked around the SM Mall of Asia compound to capture those "emotions".
As surprise gift of Canon to the participants, upon downloading the last theme, each of us were given a 70-200mm L f/4 lens.... tumbler/mug! Even if we did not win, sure felt like we did. c",)
Did not finish the event because we have a planned reunion with the Tilak Hettige and his other Inner Vision students. That was a fine dinner with friends. We parted ways around 11:30PM.
While waiting for the next activity at SMX, learned that my on-the-spot (OTS) entry for PWC's All Saints Day contest took 8th place!
My usual November 1 activity is to visit the eldest sister of my mom (deceased) who lies in peace at the Manila Memorial Cemetery. As early as 4AM, we are already on the way there. This is to avoid the traffic we are expecting today. On the way, we came across an accident along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), causing a slight delay in our trip. When my mom, who I fondly calls Nanay, wals alive, she always visit her sister every November 1. Now, I took upon myself to do it.
We then proceeded to Sgt. Mariano Cemetery where my Nanay and other relatives are. But first, stopped at McDonald's for breakfast. I just wanted that candles are already lit at my Nanay's tomb. Will be back later in the afternoon.
(To be continued...)
Around 4PM, with my niece and nephew, went back to Sgt. Mariano Cemetery. Spent some time there. Before proceeding home, dropped by Makati Medical Center to pick up the lab result.
