Good Experience Live (G.E.L.) Conference

I received an e-mail not long ago about a conference that will be held in New York this coming October 22, 2009 concerning patient experience. I was asked if I could help spread the word about it and I instantly agreed because I totally support the idea of improving the health care system and this would definitely benefit a lot of people.

The Gel (Good Experience Live) conference is a 7-year old event that focuses on the patient's well being, their experience in the hospital, ways to improve patient experience and who are the people and/or companies actively involved in this matter.

I think almost all of us have had our own share of experience with the health care system and personally I'm not quite impressed or happy with it. Most patients complain of being stripped of their dignity the moment they enter the hospital doors. They have to wait a long time to see a doctor and if they do see a doctor they are seen as an object with a defective part.

In this video, Dr. Bridget Duffy, Chief Experience Officer of the Cleveland Clinic, shares some of her personal experiences and views. She emphasizes that what the health care system needs now is empathy. She sites an example where a patient's family decided to get medical treatment not from the best health facility in the world that simply gets the job done but from a health facility that actually cared for the well-being of the patient.

Even I would go for a doctor who actually checks on how I am doing before and after the operation. I don't want to be cut open by a doctor who I haven't even seen once. This has really been an eye opener for me and I will try to be more empathetic whenever I deal with patients in the future.

So for those who want to take part of this conference you can check out gelhealthnews.com for more details. Here are some important information about the GEL Conference:

VENUE: Scandinavia House, Park Avenue and 38th Street in Manhattan.

DATE : Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, 2009

Macbook Pro 13 vs Dell Studio XPS 13

I still can't help being infatuated with the Macbook Pro. I just love the very beautiful design, the incredible multimedia software bundle with it, the amazing battery life, and the "cool factor" that owning one provides. Ok the last reason was one of my top reasons for wanting a Mac. My other reasons were it's 8 hours of battery life, light weight, and it's superior operating system.

But now, I am having second thoughts because I already have a Dell Studio XPS that I bought for the same price so it's like I'm throwing away money if ever I buy a Macbook Pro 13. Someone did offer to buy the computer but she's only going to buy it if I throw in a lot of extras like the Microsoft Office, Antivirus, Laptop Accessories (wireless mouse, cooler, bag), and a 16GB iPod Touch. I realized that I already spent a lot of money on those and giving them away for a lower price is crazy! I'm selling everything for just $1000. And the MBP 13 costs more than that and I have to get accessories and additional softwares like iWork if ever I buy a MBP 13 so I'll be spending more money. Although I have the money to get a MBP 13 now, I'll end up broke so it's not worth it. I still have a lot of more important things to spend my hard earned money on.

It made me look back on the never ending Mac vs PC debate and I guess that with the release of Windows 7 this coming October 22, this gives Apple a run for their money. Windows 7 has somehow become a copycat yet improved the "dock" feature that Apple has. I actually am more accustomed to the Windows OS and I am actually quite happy with it despite the slow shutdown, start-up, and the occasional unresponsiveness. But Windows 7 addresses these issues plus the new OS isn't a system resource hog like the old Windows Vista. Windows 7 runs so efficitently that it can be used on a netbook.

I am quite excited with the release of Windows 7 and getting a copy of the Windows 7 Ultimate for just $10.50 is the major deciding factor I had for stying with my beloved Dell Studio XPS 13. I got the copy of Windows 7 from expertzone.microsoft.com as a reward for completing the Windows 7 training course.

I just have to break it gently to my friend that I have decided not to go on with our deal. This will be a final decision because I already had spoken to her before that I was sort of backing out from our deal. But since she didn't give me any money yet our deal isn't really finalized.

I have been using my desktop for a while because I was selling my Dell but now that I've decided to stay with it, it's time to use it once more! LOL!

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Picture credit and comparison information goes to skattertech.com

Accessories Completes the Package

I have been thinking for several months now to get myself an iphone dock . I'd ask my mom for money but she'll always ask what do I need it for? Well mom, I need it to declutter my desk. If we have guests in our apartment, I usually lock my room first because it is a mess.

What people don't realize is that phone accessories actually makes you enjoy your phone more. It gives you more satisfaction and convenience when your using your phone. Although I believe that accessories, like a bluetooth headset, should be part of the package when you buy your phone but then the cost would be too much that people would think twice before buying. That's why it's great to have online stores like Mobile Fun where they make shopping for phone accessories fun and affordable. They have a huge selection of items at prices you wouldn't believe are real.

I actually had to pinch myself when I saw this blackberry case that I saw on their website which actually casused several dollars less than the one I found in a retail store and it was the exact same thing, design, model number, etc! This is why I love online shopping! It's fast, you get the best deals, and it's convenient.

People would tell me that shopping online isn't good because there's a risk that your private information is stolen. I'm not bothered at all because Mobile Fun actually accepts PayPal paymens, the most secure and safe way to transact online.

Oh well, I might as well check the website out now so that I can start decluttering my desk too!

Hate Only Beget Hate

I was very unfortunate enough to bump into my least favorite people in the world. I bumped into them in a small shopping centre as I unfortunately had to get blood tests done because of my incompetent doctor. Anyway I had the option to just mind my own business and walk pass them... but I didn't.

My pent up anger was already too strong that I followed them to the food court. I sat near them and had double thoughts as whether to confront them or not. I actually went out the shopping centre and came back several times. I knew that I should be the bigger person and just think that they were not worth it but I just couldn't do it.

I wanted to curse the two of them (my harassers is composed of 8-10 people but I only saw those two effing couple) and scream at them like a madman. I wanted to make a scene and make them regret everything that they have inflicted on me. But what the hell? I didn't even say a single word of vulgarity or curse. I wasn't able to say the "F" word or GTH! I just realized that I was effing calm and I just told them that there is nothing they can say to me anymore because I don't work at a effing Tim Hortons anymore. I told them that they must be really sad that they don't have anyone to criticise or harass. I told them to spread the word to their effing friends that I have won this battle.

But God damn it! Not a single bad word... I am just too polite I hate myself.

Anyway, I am happy that I told them that I hate them (sort of) and I am dropping them from my hate list for good. They have stayed too long in my head and heart rent-free and it's time to kick them out. They mean nothing to me now. I have a new life and I intend to live it that way. Although I didn't say "I forgive you" as most goody-two-shoes would do, but what can I say I'm not that good.

They actually said they don't know me (but they did because they did say I already talked to them before at the store about them harassing me) and they should call the police on me. The nerve! They've been ruining my life and sanity and they even refuse to admit that they speak ill of me. Well I hope God takes them right now to heaven! Ok, I'm sick and I need help... anyone here know a good psychiatrist?

Yes I am much happier now than before. They said that quitting and not facing your problems head-on is a sign of weakness. But in my case, it's the best thing to do. I quit my past job because of so many reasons. But I am very happy with my decision and I wish I could have done it sooner.

Because of my harassers, I had grown to shun away Filipinos around me. I felt that they represented the whole Filipinos in the world as in general. Sure there are some rotten Filipinos (as well as in other races I'm sure) but it's not enough reason to dislike every single Filipino. I used to be traumatized by Filipinos and this became a problem because whenever Filipinos are near me, my brain actually plays tricks on me and I hear them dissing me. I even hear Filipinos talking about me on the bus but to my surprise there weren't any Filipinos at all. Just shows how traumatized and insecure I am around them.

When it comes to hate I am always the first one to crumble. I just don't want to carry the burden of hating anyone... it's too darn hard I tell you. You know what? When ever I see a person who wants to ruin my day then go ahead! Say what ever you want because I would just let it pass from one ear to another. I wouldn't even react or make a scene... gosh this is also too hard to do.

But whatever! I am happy with my life and I will mind my own damn business so mind your own business too. How does that sound?

I'm such a drama queen. I hate myself... wait... hate only begets hate so... I love myself just as much as I love everyone in the world. I love you guys! Even my haters! You trolls will always shatter me to pieces but  my friends and I will put me back together...