Sgt. Mariano Cemetery
It is Tatay's (+) birthday today. Will go visit him (and my Nanay) at Sgt. Mariano Cemetery after office. Have already asked Edgar, the driver, to buy candles. I have with me my bottle of holy water.
Ensured I would leave the office on the dot, hoping that the rain would not fall. It did start to drizzle but stopped when we are on the way to the cemetery.
Sgt. Mariano Cemetery is a public cemetery and there are people who actually live there. It is not really scary; but, what worries me is a possibility of being infected with COVID-19. Some adults were wearing face masks; but, not the kids. And some were actually following us to my parents' grave.
No face masks. Less than 1 meter distance. Oh, no! The saving grace is that we are outside. Hopefully, me and Edgar wearing face masks, face shields and personal air purifier "protected" us.
Just when we are lighting the last of the candles, it started to shower. Thus, we immediately left towards the car. Time check: less than 15 minutes contact.
And More Tests
Will have the urinalysis today. Already drank water before I left home for Makati Medical Center. The registration took some time; but it is OK as I am hoping that by the time I am processed and provided with the specimen bottle, I am ready to "go". Besides, I was already late in going to the hospital so I expect there will be more people to service.
With "my PPE" (surgical mask + Cambridge N99 mask + surgical mask, baseball cap with face shield, personal air purifier), I was a bit comforted given that I would be going to a hospital. I forgot the personal air purifier I attach to my bag so brought along the ionFan instead.
Providing the specimen is quick. Will do this strategy again whenever I am asked to take the urinalysis test. Will check the result again online later.
Then went to Glorietta and proceeded immediately to the Nokia store. Reported my complaints and told them all the troubleshooting I did plus contacting their customer care online. They can only replace the unit after a technical assessment. So we went to MemoXpress, Nokia's Care Center. The technician will be available on Monday. Hello?! As much as possible I do not want to go to the mall (which I usually do on Saturdays) because of the pandemic, now, they would ask me to go back on Monday? What if the technician will not be available again by then? Well, the seller decided to replace the unit even without the technical assessment. Tested everything including the SIM and SD card. Thank you!
As soon as I arrive home (after taking a bath and sterilizing the items I brought out and brought in), updated my new mobile phone's operating system, applications, etc. Happy.
Oh! The result of my urinalysis. Everything is OK. No protein, no bacteria, etc.
Laboratory Tests and Nokia 7.2
Took a leave today so I would take the laboratory tests requested by my doctor. Started fasting around 9:30PM last night (you need to fast for 10 to 12 hours).
Went to Makati Medical Center and proceeded to their Nuclear Medicine. Already filled-up their onine screening form last Wednesday.
Of course, I am in "my PPE" (personal protective equipment). For face masks: surgical mask, Cambridge N99 mask and another surgical mask to "cover" the N99 mask (the hospital does not allow face masks with valve)--but will still wear my N99 mask, which is much better than N95 mask. For face shield, my baseball cap with face shield attached. And my "secret weapon": personal air purifier -- as a necklace and attached to my bag.
I was quick. Will check the result online later.
Decided to buy another Nokia smartphone to replace my Nokia 5. Actually, nothing is wrong with my Nokia 5, it is just it's storage is about to be full. Also, it not advisable to use your SD card as internal memory. So, off to Glorietta I go.
Waited for the mall to be open as we are already there around 9:45AM. The mall opens at 10AM.
The Nokia store is still close, so went to SM Makati to buy my "stock" of slippers--my slippers' strap broke last night. Then went back to the Nokia store. Was thinking of buying their Nokia 8.1 model but it is no longer available. So bought their latest instead, a Nokia 7.2. The unit is on sale (about PhP 3,000.00 off) and it comes with a jacket and a jelly case.
As soon as I arrived, updated the phone's OS and built-in applications. Downloaded my commonly used applications. Lo! The phone does not detect my SIM and SD card. Searched the internet for the troubleshooting: used other SIM, put my SIM to another cellphone, reset network, reset to factory default, etc. All to no avail. Talked to their customer care online, suggesting to do the things I already did. Finally, was advised to return to the seller.
Anyway, the result of my laboratory test is not good but definitely better than last time. My TSH IRMA is still high (5.19) against the reference range of 0.27-3.75; which is much lower than the 8.34 last August. My doctor asked me to take 25mcg of Euthyrox an hour before breakfast everyday. And she asked that I take my other medicines at lunch or at night. No milk or coffee during breakfast.
Tomorrow, will have another laboratory test. I don't like to take urinalysis along with my other tests as I do not want to remove "my PPE", particularly my face masks, to drink water at the hospital to provide a specimen.
Hua Mulan
Received an SMS yesterday from Hua Mulan advising me that the massage comb I had repaired is already available. Will go today and pick it up.
First stop is at Petron gasoline station that we often frequent on weekends. There is no more discount on weekends... 😔
Then to SM Megamall where the Hua Mulan store is. Picked-up my repaired massage comb and bought another Hua Mulan Sucupira comb. 😁
Since we were already there, dropped by at El Pollo Loco to buy food to-go. Learned that they already have a branch at Glorietta, my favorite mall! Also learned that their restaurant is always full for the allowed limit during the general community quarantine (GCQ). Really?! I am still afraid to eat at restaurants unless it is outdoors. This is why I have food delivered or to-go.
In the office, I am not that afraid to eat as I have three air purifiers (personal use) surrounding me. One purifier has HEPA filter and ion (I turn off the negative ion), another purifier that releases plasmacluster ion, and another is a UV photocatalystic purifier nano. The negative ion makes pathogens heavy and fall on the ground--what if it falls on the food I am eating? Plasmacluster ion deactivates the pathogens.
Decided to go to True Value to buy a FECA hook which is only available in this store as far as I know. And True Value can usually be found in Ayala malls.
Of course, as soon as I arrived at Glorietta, checked where El Pollo Loco is. Found it! It is at the second floor of Glorietta 4. And, indeed, there were people eating at the restaurant.
Bought my item and proceeded home.
Tsubasa
My dog, Tsubasa, is now playing with his ball in dog heaven... 😢 He is almost 12+ years old.
He is actually not my dog. He is my niece's. But we always have this idea that she does not have a "green thumb" because even a cactus plant dies on her--which she insists she did not own the cactus plant that died. So, I sort of "adopted" Tsubasa. Although, my niece named him--his original name is Disney.
Tsubasa is actually a trade made with my brother for a Rottweiler puppy. The original owner of Tsubasa bought him for his General father who is about to retire. But since he can't imagine a retired military general walking a pomeranian, he wanted a Rottweiler instead. Tsubasa is already trained for he can fetch the ball, proper walking the dog, etc. He is already two years old then.
Tsubasa has undergone several calamities (fire--twice, earthquakes, floods) and survived!
Tsubasa waited for me to arrive home from the office before he went to a long sleep.
Rapid Antigen Test
Our Company have their employees tested of #COVID19 . Twice a month for the front liners, once a month for those working in the office. I already did a rapid testing (RTK) for antibodies twice. This is the first time I would be taking the Rapid Antigen Test.
While waiting for my turn, noticed that there is a UV Care Air Purifier. Inside the booth where nasal swab will be performed also has the same air purifier. Thank you for this safety protocol.
The result? Negative. Thank, God!
