Ineligible

I can't express the great disappointment that I am going through right now because after all the sacrifices (not the mention expenses) that I and my friend Ellen have done to make sure that I am able to submit my requirements to University of Alberta (U of A), my admission decision is ineligible.

I have no idea why I am ineligible for admission as a first year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at U of A when I already was a third year BSN student back in the Philippines. Is it because they think that Canadian education is far superior than Philippine education?

Anyway I'm just glad that I took the advice of my mom and re-applied at Grant MacEwan. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise because I know a fellow Filipino BSN student from the Philippines who got admission to MacEwan and she was only a first year student.

But if ever I still don't get admission from MacEwan I am going to cry, NO I'M NOT!!! I still have the option to go back to the Philippines to continue my studies at Xavier University for school year 2010 to 2011 or I can just go to NorQuest College and take Licensed Practical Nursing then proceed to Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

What ever it takes I will NEVER GIVE-UP!!! I won't allow myself to just settle for mediocrity and just continue to work at Tim Hortons. I rather die than be an underachiever.

I'm Still Loving Korean Dramas!

The first Korean drama that I had fallen in love with was "Lovers in Paris" and this is also my mom's favorite Korean drama series. It's a beautiful romantic comedy between two lovers from completely different social backgrounds.

The thing that I really like about Korean dramas is their unique and very interesting plot. Korean dramas make me cry my heart out because the story is really captivating and you can't help but relate to the character's life story.

Recently the Korean dramas I've been watching are Coffee Prince and Soulmate.

What makes Korean dramas more appealing is the successful use of music to convey extreme emotions of sadness, joy, tragedy, and much more.

In Soulmate for example, the use of Nouvelle Vague's This Is Not a Love Song is perfect during times when Min-ae flirts and seduces Philipp. The song is so addictive that I can't help but listen to it over and over again.

I so love Korean Dramas!

Mesothelioma: A Silent Killer

Many people are not familiar with the cancer mesothelioma, most likely because it is such a rare malignancy (approximately 3000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States and Canada). While it may be rare, it is a devastating disease, made particularly more difficult to bear because generally it is entirely preventable. Preventable? I use that term only because mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure, which affected hundreds of thousands of industrial workers while simply doing their job.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has durable but microscopic fibers which were used in thousands of industrial and consumer products because it was adept at insulating and enhancing fire retardant qualities. Unfortunately, for as useful as asbestos was, it was equally as hazardous. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, as they often were by those who worked these materials, the lodge in the lining of the lungs and abdomen, a thin membrane known as the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers cannot be expelled from the body because they are so durable and resistant to chemical breakdown.

Over time, asbestos fibers cause a harmful inflammation of the mesothelial tissue, which creates malignant plaques on the surface of the mesothelium. These plaques are the beginning stages of mesothelioma, which is highly aggressive and has no known cure. Patients of mesothelioma will often ultimately suffocate as the cancer will envelop their lungs and prevent them from sustained breathing function. It is a slow painful death, one that could have been prevented had greedy corporations and their insurance companies exposed the hazards of asbestos rather than keeping this damaging information from their employees.

Fortunately, the world is beginning to wake up to the devastating nature of the disease and more funding and research is being dedicated to mesothelioma treatment. Progressive therapies, like those which Dr. David Sugarbaker is conducting at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA, have extended survival rates far beyond previously attainable levels. Hopefully as awareness is spread of this difficult disease, even more funding will be devoted to focused mesothelioma research.

Brian Turner
Mesothelioma.com

Another Heart Ache

Tomorrow evening, I am going to do something that will probably brake my heart. I was given the extremely challenging task of telling one of my co-workers and friend that she is going to be let go...

I don't know why she has to be let go because in my opinion, she is a great asset to our shift. They said that her work performance was not satisfactory but I know for a fact that she works harder than some other staff in Tim Hortons.

But most of all, she is a very dear friend to me so losing her and not being able to see her again is very heart wrenching indeed.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the saddest event in my life. But I have to be strong, it's better that I will tell her in a very supporting manner than in a you're not needed tone by someone else.

I will miss you my dear friend...

Knowing That Your Family Doesn't Have Your Back

I used to be a person that everyone turns to when they need advice or an opinion. The people who always ask advice from me are usually the people having problems with their family. I was always optimistic and positive and I always quote, "...in the end it is your family who you can turn to...".

And now I think that I am a fool for saying that and I was delusional. I am quite hurt to know that my family doesn't have my back and they aren't interested in my boring life.

I thought it was normal for a son/daughter to share his/her problems with his/her parents and that the parents would listen, give advice, and support their children. But not in my family, they don't want to listen to your problems and they sure don't want to be bothered to have to help you with your problems.

I was having problems with this someone from work who is very rude, disrespectful, and bossy but I am now more upset with my family than with her. I am just glad that I have my co-workers and friends at work to receive a gentle pat in the back and support. And I am glad that they agree with me and they are there to support you.

So in the end, everything may turn upside down, your own family rejects you, but it is your real friends who will show up at your weakest moments to give you strength.