got my Tamron back. Urge to go on a photo-walk. Roxas seems like a nice place, I just need someone to serve as my guuard.

---
I should email acta again. I haven't received any confirmation that they got the edited manuscript I sent

---
The blood bank project will end soon and I can focus on the two projects I would need to accomplish by the end of internship.

So many things are happening outside PGH and I couldn't bring myself to care. Something is wrong.

Finished with IM wards. I would like to believe I did well. It's getting hard to ignore thinly-veiled attempts to recruit me into IM. I just cannot afford to spend any more time in the hospital when I am really sure that I do not want to spend a huge amount of my life as a clinician.

one more week then I need to don a white coat. goodbye well-hydrated cheeks, see you in July.

I step closer to that publication. I just don't have an idea how many more steps there are.

I'm happy to hear that the lab where we did our amoeba research got funding to continue what we started. Too bad I'm too "busy" to help.

---
All the data is in for the other research project. I just have to encode, recode, clean and analyze. The encoding-recoding part is what's taking up too much of my time. And I still have to plan how to link four databases. Then again, I'm quite lost as to what form of data the PI wants.

went to a bar last night to listen to bands. there's always room for first time experiences even though I'm almost halfway through my 20s.

---
Having my lens fixed is going to cost a lot. Money that could be used for hospital supplies or another trip. owell. Things you do for the things you love to do.

---
I notice that my photos are becoming softer. They tend to look more like photos we took during the 90s with slightly off-focus and with fake colors. I like it.

---
Been thinking that if I go into residency, I'll probably be too absorbed in my work and in my patients that I would just go home to take a bath.

updates:
-took my comprehensive exam and used at least 30 mins for napping during the tests
-got a good score in my comprehensive exam
-realized how many hours those days I forgot to sign the attendance sheet on time meant by the end of the year
-took my graduation photo even though graduation is still 1 year away
-went to Baguio after more than ten years and spent too much money on food
-got sun burn from bike riding at noontime
-went to La Union and got beaten up by waves
-got angry at someone with a surprising lack of social skills -slept for more than 8 hours
-watched Emily Owens
-got a crappy haircut
-cut my own hair
-compiled all the research-related stuff I have to do in the remaining days of my summer
-sent my Tamron lens to Japan for cleaning and repair
-agonizing over the 7K bill
-resolved to utilize the coop as much as possible to save money

---
I will have to
-finish editing those Japan pictures
-finish encoding those files
-start recoding and data analysis
-send the reply to reviewers
-finish that high school graduation message
-convince my parents to buy a tablet for me
-update that tablet
-install all med apps I would probably need for internship
-buy stash
-draft learning contracts for my research elective
-contact my research elective coordinators -
start reading CPGs and Harrison's

 ---

Here's to my last summer!

Four days to freedom.

There's a new movement to finally finish our HS yearbook and I've been asked to write a message to the graduating class. Of course, the copy of my graduation speech is now gone. Although there are vague recollections of the use of butterflies in that speech (blame As told by ginger). Anyway, I need to write a new piece. I'm not the best writer in our class, heck, I think I'm in the bottom half in terms of writing ability. The only reason why I have this task is due to my rank when we graduated. Well, I hope I can write a decent piece. I want an optimistic inspiring essay. I hope the IM ward rotation won't turn me into a sour old man.

So I learned what my rank in class is and more importantly, what my GWA is. Apparently, I should be studying hard this clerkship year. I have a really good reason to get good grades. Good = at least 1.75 and no grade lower than 2.0. --- So far, I'm not enjoying IM as much as I expected. Hopefully it will change once I get into the wards and not see ACS cases all day, everyday.

manners are important people. I'm happy I'm getting the chance to be alone in internship year.

The interns have started their countdown. I am not relishing the thought of returning to the wards this February with the Neuro-MICU-IM sequence and the need to seriously study for the finals. So far I have not been keeping up with my study schedule. But I am hopeful I can catch up during this emergency med rotation. I do not exactly know what my GWA is but if their is some hope of a latin title, I think I should give one final push. I would be more at peace with myself if I know that I made an effort to get good grades even if I fail to reach the target. And latin titles wouldn't hurt in applying for scholarships.

so many things to do after finishing med school...

Japan is still as beautiful as ever. I think I appreciate the Japanese people more after this 2nd visit, the food not so much. Maybe when I'm older I can try to get a job in the WHO office there. I hate it that the grad schools there for public health do not seem to be that great.

UDD's Capacities, China Mieville's Embassytown and an external hard drive (Seagate Backup Plus maybe) --- now I need glasses again. Head hurts after a day of reading.

Finally got to take photos during TRP.

Surgery is physically draining. I'm glad that I'm rotating under the Trauma service this week so I don't have to go on OR assists.

---
December is going to be an expensive month. Samurai X, The Hobbit, Capacities, gifts, EAMSC, TRP expenses.

---
Christmas break in 2 weeks. I can't wait.

I need to start studying medicine again. I can't be an idiot in white forever.

the sin tax was just passed by the Senate.

too much PH nerdry. I can't help but wonder who is going to do monitoring work. Now is the best time to collect baseline data from the population in order to observe what change in behavior this law would result into.

Success!

photo credits to Jason A

 Now I just need to do well in that interview and maybe try to convince people not to apply in Track B so I wouldn't have a lot of competition. *evil cackle*