Sunday, June 28, 2015

June Birthday Celebrants

Would treat the June birthday celebrants.  Meeting place is at the 2nd floor of SM Mall of Asia's main mall.  The first to arrive is Tita Leony (one of the celebrants).  Since wanted to buy rosaries with Benedictine Cross medal attached (and have all my Benedictine Cross blessed at the same time), left her momentarily to go to St. Paul's.  When we went back to the meeting area, Vangie, Winston (another celebrant), Winvan and Manong is already there.  As usual, Tita Puring is late.  Parekoy would follow.  Jofel (celebrant) would not be joining as he would be in the birthday celebration of his father-in-law.

We would be eating at Italianni's (I have a discount card).  But first bought movie ticket for Jurassic World in 3D.  This way, after we eat, we already proceed to the cinema instead of queueing first to buy tickets.

Our food:
Spinach & Artichoke Formaggio (free because of the voucher I have with my Bistro card)
Caesar Salad
Spaghetti Vongole
Shrimp Fra Diablo
Pizza Enorme
Bottomless Iced Tea or Dalandan Juice

Since we have birthday celebrants, the staff greeted them with a song plus an ice cream with birthday candle.


Our schedule is spot on.  Tita Leony walks so slowly, even requested to seat from time to time, when we are on our way to the cinema.  I wonder if I just give her the four-legged cane I gave to Nana to her.  Will have to ask Nana.  It is actually a short walk from Italianni's to Cinema 3 but it took us about 30 minutes, in time for our screening.

After the movie, we parted ways.  Before proceeding home, dropped by Super Bowl to buy viands to-go:  sweet and sour pork and tofu with mushroom.  Also bought sweet and sour pork for Manong.



Monday, June 29, 2015

Opened an Easy Investment Plan (EIP) starting July 10, 2015.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Kruel

Finally, the first activity of our office's camera club.  Will drop by the office to cover the Mug Shots Workshop.  No idea why they wanted this activity anyway.  LOL.  Mixed my "coverage" with taking photos for the next photo theme.  Usually, I have an extra battery with me then my camera lost its juice.  Guess, a sign that my "coverage" should end.  Weh!

Walked my way to Ayala Center (remember, 10,000 steps).  Bought discounted movie ticket for Kruel.  Had Mongolian bowl at Food Choices for lunch before my movie.


A babysitter loses the kid she is caring for while on her watch.  She believes the creepy ice cream man took the boy, unfortunately, nobody believes her because everybody, even the police, thinks that the boy walked away on his own and may have drowned.  She asks the help of her ex-boyfriend to look for the boy.  One thing is sure, whoever made the Kruel movie is cruel to their audience.  So borrrriiiiiiinnnnngggggg and bad acting.

After the movie, just window-shopped and accumulating my steps.  Hehehe!  Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Bistro Ravioli.  Also decided to buy the Benedictine Cross bracelet, so went to Guadalupe.  Bought groceries including Nana's adult diaper at The Landmark before proceeding home.

Friday, June 26, 2015

FIT 101

Decided to attend the savings and investment workshop, called FIT 101, being held by our company.  Below are my notes.  LOL

ASSESSMENT
How much is your net worth?
Do you earn more than you spend?
Are you ready for any emergency?

1.  Compute for your net worth
2.  Review your budget
3.  Savings

DIAGNOSIS
Assets - Liabilities = Net Worth

Red flags:
a.  Your net worth is NEGATIVE.
b.  You have very minimal or no cash.
c.  You have cash that can cover for short-term debt.
d.  You do not have insurance, investments or other properties other than your house.

Disposable Income - Expenses = Savings

Red flags:
a. You have ZERO or NEGATIVE savings.
b.  You spend too much on non-essential expenses.
c.  You are paying credit card charges.

Recommended Percentage of Income:
Savings, 5-10%
Rent/ Mortgage, 25-35%

DIET
Lifestyle change

1.  Look for Other Income
= find a profitable hobby together
= sell your old and forgotten items
2.  Take out your Savings first
= automate your savings
= make it "inaccessible"
3.  Classify your expenses into
= Needs or Fixed
= Wants or Variable

How to cut your expenses by 10%
* Take it gradually
* Practice delayed gratification
* Look out for redundant expenses

4.  Pay-off your short-term debts
= limit your number of credit cards
= be aware of your debts
= live within your means
= pay in CASH!

WARM-UP
Set-up your emergency fund
= 3-6 months of monthly salary
= to be used for non-recurring expenses
= consider paying for insurance premiums

Be inflation sensitive.

3-STEP PLAN

Step 1:  Decide on our goal
What is your investment objective?

Step 2:  Determine your tolerance

Step 3:  Discipline yourself
Find our match
Stay invested
Invest regularly

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Talkabout MD200R

First time to see an endocrinologist.  Would need a clearance before I can proceed with my endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure with my gastroenterologist.  Already had a 10AM appointment but Dr. Thelma sure has lots of patients.  Requested Maxicare to refer to me a doctor that has Saturday clinic.  Was already at Makati Medical Center around 9:30AM.  A finally have an audience with my doctor nearing 11AM.  Was cleared for the medical procedure but asked to return on September.  Gave the clearance to my cardiologist's secretary to secure my cardiologist's clearance.

Then walked my way to Ayala Center.  First stop is Bistro Ravioli at Greenbelt for lunch. Planning to buy a Columbia convertible pants located at the same mall.  If you don't call it lucky, Columbia's Titanium members have 20% off on all items until tomorrow.  I guess, was really meant to buy those pants. LOL.  Decided to look at shops that I may use for emergency. There's the store that sell Swiss knives but I already have one (with my name engraved on it).  Decided to go back to Glorietta. Checked my pedometer.  It has been reset!  Great.  I intend to meet my 10,000 steps.  It is either the battery or the reset button has been pressed because I am wearing tight (than usual) pants.

At The Landmark, checked for whistle (they offer same brand of whistles from other shops at lower price).  It is already out-of-stock.  Same is true for other sports shops I went to except for Tobys Sports Arena.  Saw also an OMRON HJ-005 pedometer.  I wonder if this is more accurate (OMRON is noted for its health products anyway).  Bought it and the whistle.

Then, went to Ambassador Appliance where I ordered a two-way radio.  Got the Motorola Talkabout MD200R.

Then, just walked... and walked... and walked.  Decided to use immediately the OMRON pedometer and saw have to e-mail the registration for the warranty.  Did just that.  My iPhone's pedometer shows I reached the 10,000 steps (there are also Android pedometer apps), my Spalding's pedometer shows I have reached 7,000 steps (the unit must have reset when it was at 3,000 steps).

Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Soi.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

FT3, FT4, TSH

Was curious what the result would be.  During lunch break, went to pick-up the result at Makati Medical Center's Nuclear Medicine.

FT3 RIA, 4.363 (Normal range is 4.2 to 12)

FT4 RIA, 19.310 (Normal range is 8.8 to 33)

TSH IRMA TURBO, 5.015 (Normal range is 0.27 to 3.75)

Brought the result to my doctor's secretary.  Since the instruction given to her yesterday, if the result is normal, cardio clearance will be granted and given to my gastro, else refer to an endocrinologist.  Hayyyy.....

Got a Maxicare referral in our office's clinic and already made an appointment for Saturday.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Cardio Check-Up And More Test

Will go to my cardiologist to show him the medical test results.  But first, picked-up the result of my treadmill stress test at the Heart Station.

Result states:
  1. Resting 12 lead ECG: Poor R wave progression V1 to V3
  2. No subjective nor objective evidence of myocardial ischemia during exercise and post exercise recovery phase.  No arrhythmia.
  3. Patient achieved 86% of PMTHR at 10.1 METS and a treadmill exercise duration of 9:00 minutes.
  4. Physiologic blood pressure response to exercise.
  5. Functional capacity is average.
I thought I would already get a clearance; but, my doctor requested for another test because of my TSH result.

So went to Maxicare to get a referral then proceeded to Nuclear Medicine.  I was supposed to get the FT3 RIA, FT4 RIA and TSH IRMA TURBO.  It is my first time to go to Nuclear Medicine.

Was supposed to take only a half-day leave but since it would take some time, decided to take a whole day leave.  Had lunch first at Pancake House, was picked-up at Makati Medical Center then proceeded to The Landmark.  Bought Nana's adult milk and decided to buy the emergency tools I saw at True Value.  Just lucky that today is the start of their sale.  The item I wanted is almost 50% off.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Go Bag

Sundays is always rest day for me, that is, just stay at home and chill it.

Decided to fix my "go bag".  It contains one Columbia convertible pants, three shirts, underwear, desert scarf, jacket with hood, first aid kit, transistor radio, flashlight, battery, documents.


I think I lack food and water....

Saturday, June 13, 2015

First Aid Kit

Used my new MBT Haifa sandal for my 10,000 steps.  So, walked, climbed stairs, etc.  Noticed that using my new sandal gives more impact to my walk.  Usually not tired with my usual walking sandals.  A straight 2,500 steps with my MBT sandal makes me feel tired specially when climbing the stairs.

Had lunch at The Landmark's food court.  Then, something which I keep on thinking, twin popsies for dessert, which I bought at the The Landmark supermarket.

No plans of watching a movie as I intend to buy things for my first aid kit, which is part of my "go bag".  Went to Mercury Drug to buy cotton, band aid, elastic bandage, gauze, scissors, Betadine, alcohol, digital thermometer, paracetamol.


Passed by Stoked where I was able to buy a waterproof bag, which I plan to use as my "go bag".  Bought a small case at National Bookstore to keep the contents of my first aid kit.

Since Uniqlo is on anniversary sale, went to their branch at Glorietta 5.  I prefer this branch than that at SM Makati.  Was able to buy two tops and one hooded jacket.  The hooded jacket will be included in my "go bag".

Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Bulgogi Brothers.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Jurassic San Andreas

A holiday (Independence Day); thus, a movie marathon for me.

Was early so went first to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to wait for the mall to open.  As soon as it did, went to the movie theaters counter to buy tickets.  Tsk!  Tsk!  Really was early that I have to wait 11AM for the ticket counter to open.

Instead of waiting in line, decided to tick-off items on my list.  Bought water, Genteal drops and Co-Altria (for my post-nasal drip) at Mercury Drug; CR2032 (battery for my pedometer) at General Photo; Haifa sandal (which I reserved) at MBT on a 10% discount.

After, queued to buy my (discounted) movie tickets for Jurassic World and San Andreas.


A dinosaur theme park needs a new attraction to attract more visitors to the park.  But this new attraction is far more dangerous--highly intelligent, can camouflage himself, kills to hunt (which makes it more dangerous than killing for food).  Fast, exciting, keeps you on your feet.

After, have late lunch at Bistro Ravioli.  Decided to go to SM to tick-off more items on my list.  Did not find one, so went to The Landmark.  Was trying to come up with my "go bag" in case of emergency/ calamity.  Dropped by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel.

My second movie is "San Andreas".  Hope I get tips in case the feared 7.2 magnitude earthquake at West Valley Fault occurs; although, I pray it does not happen in this lifetime.


A massive earthquake occurs in California.  A rescue chopper pilot goes in to save his daughter.  One word:  scary--specially it might happen to us.  Oddly, almost everyday, you can get news of earthquake occurring around the world.

After the movie, went to True Value where I was able to buy a small transistor radio plus flashlight (items for my "go bag").  Picked-up my sandal at MBT and did some groceries at The Landmark.  On the way home, passed by Pet Express for Tsubasa's dog food.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Test, Repair, Comelec, Birthday

It is Nana's birthday! Already ordered food to be delivered to the house around 3PM.

But first, will have a treadmill stress test at Makati Medical Center. It is needed for my clearance to have the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure.  Then, picked-up the result of my chest x-ray.  Finally, placed a "period" of having a tuberculosis.  Thank You, God!

Result states:

Normal cardiopulmonary findings.
Thoracic dextroscoliosis, unchanged since prior study.

Next stop is RedDot Philippines.  Have my camera repaired for the hook where strap is connected last February.  Was only able to get it back last Monday due to availability of parts. What is worse, it would now not open normally. Hello?! The original problem is the hook! Left the unit. Hope it will finally be repaired.

Then proceeded to Glorietta to have lunch at Food Choices, bought a cupcake and requested to put a candle at Cupcakes by Sonja, and chocolate truffle at Sugarhouse.


Left our purchases at home and proceeded to Comelec to correct my name and affix my signature so that I can already get my voter's ID.

Back home, the food I ordered has been delivered. We went to Nana's room to greet her and for her to make a wish and blow her birthday candle.

Happy birthday!

Saturday, June 06, 2015

Insidiuos: Chapter 3

OWould take the tests requested by my cardio.  Have to fast from 12 to 14 hours for the blood tests at Makati Medical Center.  After, did the chest x-ray.  Finally, brunch of Eggs Ben at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Then, walked my way to Glorietta.  That's plus 2,200 steps.  Bought discounted movie ticket for Insidious:  Chapter 3.  Since still have time, was hoping to buy a two-way radio--this concern about the West Valley Fault.  None available.


Quinn thought that her mother is trying to contact her from the grave asked the help of psychic Elise to talk to her.  But because of what happened to Elise, Elise is unwilling to use her gift anymore.  But somehow, she is forced to face her fears to help Quinn.  Not really scary, there are the "BOO!" scenes, but Lin Shaye (Elise) delivers!  Find if funny the screams of the audience.  Hehehe!

After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Luk Yuen.  Before going home, stopped by SM for my Beachwalk slippers.  Always keep one on stock in case my slippers snaps.

Since the lab results can now be viewed online, checked it out.  Sad.  Saw my fasting blood sugar (101.63 mg/dL), uric acid (5.80 mg/dL), and TSH (4.480 ulU/mL) is slightly above normal.  My MCHC (33%) is slightly below normal.  Hope my chest x-ray result on Monday will give a clean bill of health (moment of truth of my fear of tuberculosis even if my PPD test says negative on TB).

Note to self:  No more soda. Try the Noom Coach app.