Newly Minted....

Friends and families gathered yesterday to again participate in the journey - the graduation. University of Missouri School Of Medicine held the graduation ceremonies of the Class of 2013. The auditorium was packed with visitors from babies to the grandparents. The whole family of supporters and friends from Rolla, Missouri came to witness this significant event. Let me share to you some of the pictures during this lovely afternoon. Pomp and Circumstance by Elgar signaled the start of the ceremony followed by the entrance of the faculty. Next came the graduating class of 2013. Proud were the parents, spouses and the children. Proud was everyone who was a part of the journey. Easier said than done - "....you are all well trained. You are all newly minted physicians ...." The responsibility that goes with these phrases can be very daunting let alone scary. The lights at the auditorium will eventually be dimmed and turned off. The pancit and the bar B Q will all be consumed. AJ will have to walk into the real world of healing and dying. We all pray that he will not lose sight of the very reason he chose to be a doctor - not for his own self glory but for the most important person - the patient. Dios itti kumuyog kenka anak.

Sitting On One's Laurels

It's been almost a year since I updated this blog. Life just passed you by - on certain days or maybe months or even years. However, something was worth writing. Congratulations are in order!!!!! Today is medical residency matching day. The graduating medical students went through the rigorous application and interview sequence for almost a year to determine what university hospital they will be working on for their residency program. AJ Enciso got accepted at the University of Missouri Hospitals for their Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialty Program. Mabait and Diyos. Kami ay maligayang maligaya para sa iyo AJ. Yesterday was the big day. One of the most anticipated in any medical student's life. Both parents and student traveled the path. It might not be as smooth as we would have wanted it to be. But yesterday was "it". The father posted this on his facebook wall. He was so proud. So am I. Both Jim and I basked in our one day fame of glory. We sat on our laurels. Sa maikling sandali, I would want to take the credit. I would want to say anak ko yan. Pero hindi - caretakers lang kami. These young adults have their own minds. We could have influenced them but eventually sila pa rin yon. I used to write about those days when the boys would be so dependent on us for their basic necessities while at school I used to complain - pero deep inside me I want their dependence towards me. Gusto pa rin ng magulang na merong natitirang pangangailangan. Well those days are starting to dwindle down. But as I have some reasons to stake my wnership still, then I will bask in these laurels - though shared with the real owners - AJ. Nang isilang ka sa mundong ito..... Laking tuwa ng magulang mo........

THE Final Stretch ( Or A New Beginning)

Our older son, AJ, is entering his senior year in Medical School. Graduation is scheduled this May 2013. Ang bilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang... Jim and I were looking for an apartment for him to stay in Columbia while attending medical school. We renovated a condominium and labored changing the carpet floor to bamboo floors. Parang kailan lang... We went through all of those midterms and final exams praying fervently that the young man will make it through. The arroz caldo(s) and the nilagang baka soup paid off and served the purpose of being comfort foods. Parang kailan lang... The USMLE Part 2 came and passed. Parang dinaanan lang kami. He is not worried about the results, so why sohuld we? Parang kailan lang... Now we are nearing the homestretch - or could it be another new beginning or chapter? He opted to practise Obstetrics and Gynecology. Good choice? I really do not know. He's got the steady hands - then let it be. On the other hand, James, the younger of the two, is entering his sophomore year in college. He is taking his French classes seriously that he is working on this as a Major. He is also wanting to be a Murse - male nurse. The latter, remains a plan. His love for the arts is occupying more of his time.

He is eying to go back to France for his junior year. Baka mapalitan niya si Charles Aznavour kaya. In the meantime, he is working part time at a French day care center. Oui? Parang kailan lang...maputi na ang mga buhok namin...masakit na ang aming mga kasu-kasuan. We go on..we'll see these two men through until we can. Looking back, Parang kailan lang.... The first picture is AJ with his Tatay when he was 2 yrs old then. The second picture shows the Mag kuya while the last picture shows James when he was 3 yrs old at the 1966 Atlanta Olympics.