Harvey recovers well for 2014

2nd week of December Harvey got into an accident. Bruce and him were playing at the garage and the next thing we knew, he was sporting a deep cut at the neck area.

I was on my way out for some scheduled shopping and I thought that the cut was manageable with  Betadine, but the cut was like done with a knife's precision and I was surprised to see the actual skin/fur effortlessly separate from the muscle. Gross. I had no choice but to rush him to the vet as an emergency case. Thank goodness I didn't leave the house yet.

The cause was from their rough play, but I don't think it was intentional on the side of Bruce. He was even happily escorting us on the way out with his tail wagging while licking Harvey. He was completely oblivious of what had transpired. Also, the cut was like done by a knife. Our theory was during their wrestling match (which they always do), Harvey found himself under Bruce and he thought of wiggling himself out until one of Bruce's sharper "molars" slit through Harvey's neck. The cut was very clean and there were no blood dripping episodes at the scene of the crime. For all we know he could've been cut by a knife. If it was a bite mark, it wouldn't turn out to be a slit. Bruce's mouth is not shaped for biting.

Excuse the graphic shot

Harvey was calm and serene all throughout. Even if we were trying to clean his would and carry him around he wouldn't shake or flinch. He was just dazed to say the least, but he was really brave and calm. I don't know if it's just Harvey or this is the same for all dogs, but Harvey has always had a high tolerance for pain. He might be intelligent, independent, a rascal or a nut, but one thing also that he's known for is that he's very brave.


We had to confine him for the day. He had to be put on dextrose to prep him up for surgery the morning after. We were advised to get him during lunch time as soon as he wakes up from the surgery.

Leaving him was like a heartbreaking re-run of the episode I had with Bruce last July. I can't imagine how they're feeling whenever I'm leaving them to be confined. It's like I'm abandoning them. But for some reason my heart was stronger since this was a definite case. Harvey will just have to undergo an operation and I can bring him home the next day unlike when Bruce had acute renal failure, when it was a wait-and-see moment.

The vet told me that Harvey was a very cooperative patient. He was very brave. Even before surgery, they were treating his wound and he would not flinch or react. He was like numb. I have to say that I'm so proud of him.

Just as expected, we got him back the lunch of the following day. The surgery cost 8000 pesos inclusive of the confinement, professional fees, medication and supplies. The operation was a success and he was in bandage for two weeks and in antibiotics for a week.

After four days of operation, we brought him back to the vet to dress his wounds and stitches. The vet said that Harvey is all right and remarkably recovering fast. I think dogs heal faster than humans. After four days of operation, he was running around crazy inside the house and was eager to do his normal activities. But of course, we can't let him out except to do his business. God knows he'll wallow in dirt whenever he has a chance. I bet he must have felt pretty confined.

After the 2nd week, we took him back again to the vet just in time for Papo's anti-rabies shots. His stitches were finally taken out and he's back to his old self to enjoy the new year.

Harvey is a very active and intelligent dog, but with his level of energy, he's bound to encounter some mishaps here and there. In a way, I was kind of anticipating for years that something like this will happen. If not a major cut, some broken bone.

But Harvey has always been a brave dog. He won't display fear and weakness. He's braver than me actually. I just hope he takes care of himself next time cause I don't want to see any of my dogs hurt and undergo high levels of medication. It's heart wrenching.

This closes the veterinary episode for 2013. I'm looking forward to a healthier 2014!

2013 Book Reviews: Old post

Here are the quick reviews of books I remembered reading last 2013.

This is just for documentation purposes.

Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith

Fantastic Sequel to Leo Demidov’s story in Child 44!

Again, there is a rich backdrop of Stalin’s rigid Russia while Leo Damidov heads his own special crime unit with a much more noble cause. If he was confused and robotic in the first novel, in this second one he puts more heart and soul into it. He starts to rebuild his life with a new family dynamics adopting two daughters of a villager that was unceremoniously killed by his comrade. Day by day he learns the meaning of family and how as a father, the extent of protecting them from conflicts and authority.

With the internal tug of war that’s been happening, he is also unearthing a national mystery, a crime of a terrorist group who seeks nothing but the demise of Russia.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

                                    Funny Funny Funny. This is the first novel I read by Zadie Smith and it was hilarious. I thought it would be a bore, which is the tendency for me for contemporary British humor, but it was amazing. It was reading the magnified lives of this multi-racial family undergoing their own rift with their dreams and each and other’s expectations. It’s the usual dysfunctional family we can relate to at some point to: A philandering husband, a perfectionist and neurotic daughter, an independent and carefree younger son and the sensitive and rock of a brother. Reading this reminds me of Modern Family. Though more polite, more polished, but still equally smart and funny.

We were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

                                    Heartbreaking and I remember reading how perfect they were and I wish had three brothers to take care of me. But with their love and perfection comes the incident that tore them apart. You kind of think, they’re not so perfect and strong after all.

Verdict:     Go ahead, read it. 

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

                                    A story about a capable writer mourning over the death of his wife while getting entangled by the town’s weirdos headed by the in-law of this mother and daughter he befriended. It’s the story of an old town’s criminal history that comes to haunt the ancestors of the responsible.

Verdict:      You can skip this one. Try other Stephen King favorites. 

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

                                    Can I just that I’ve been eager to read this since forever?

                                    This is a light read and it’s a classic. Two start up couples finding this perfect house. The wife wants kids but the husband is a struggling actor. From the start, their love and partnership for each other are strained by separate needs. You’ll know that they want something more out of their marriage and their wants couldn’t be more opposite with each other. The hidden contrast in their marriage prompted the series of misjudgment and involvement of a less desirable cult.

                         Stupidity, selfishness and greed motion this story into play. How much I wanted to kill the husband by the way.

Verdict:    A classic must! It's a very light read. You can finish it in a day and it's a story you probably already know, but this is the original.  

The Heretic’s Daughter    by Kathleen Kent             

                      It’s one of those calm novels set in a different time. It’s one of those light reads on a rainy day. This reminds me of crucible although this centers the strength of a highly assertive an independent mother against the false judgments of authority. We know that the Salem witch trials have a shitty foundation. We don’t even know what people back then were thinking. The story doesn’t attempt to answer the injustice but the relationship seen in the eyes of the daughter with her mother.

Verdict:    Good for melancholic reading. Nothing spectacular.

A hologram for the king by Dave Eggers

                  This novel is cute and worthy of a summer read. I brought this on my quick sojourn to Cebu and I was not disappointed. It’s a light read and a heartfelt story about a project manager trying to sell a hologram meeting projector in a foreign land. All we know is that he’s not your typical-flying-high-businessman. He's already down on his luck, has a college kid to fund and he's waiting for a break from this sale. You kind of feel sorry for him as he goes to through the process of waiting for the project to end. 

Verdict:   Read it. Good travel book, puts thing into perspective. 

The White Tiger

This book is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! Read it! One of the books that literally made me laugh crazy. It's smart too. It's about this Indian writing to a Chinese Prime Minister mirroring the true situation of his country through his experiences in life. 

Verdict:   Read it!!

The Bat by Jo Nesbo

I initially got this because I was curious about Jo Nesbo and they say this is one of his best. But it's your typical crime-thriller. I swear, nothing great. I slept through some parts even. 

Verdict:   If you're curious, try e-books first or book sales.

The Snobs by Julian Fellowes

Not much dialogues, but I like it. It's one of those elegantly written snooty novels set back in previous time magnifying etiquettes, relationships and society. I loved reading it. You'll read about the lives and challenges of the rich and snobbish. And you won't hate them, it's just the way things are. 

Verdict:  Read it. Good for summer and traveling

Night Film by Marsha Pessl

Can I just say that I love this book? I will write a separate review on this one cause it made such an impact on me. I rarely get scared out of my wits. My training with RL Stine is supreme. I don't get horrified easily, but this book reminded me what an intelligent horror novel should be. Yes, it's hinting some supernatural aspects, but at the same time it's a mystery and test of "facts." Probably it's written in such an effective way incorporating fiction newspaper articles and pictures. I also love it that the ending was open-ended. And clearly there are two possible explanation for all the mysteries of the elusive filmmaker Stanislas Cordova and his enigmatic daughter Ashley.

Verdict:   READ IT!

Padre Gaetano's Puppet Catechism

It's a dark children's fairytale really, but nicely done. It's about puppets who come to life in a post war orphanage. Not much action, history and graphics here, but worth your child's scary horror. Reminds me of sophisticated Goosebump story of a ventriloquist

Verdict:   Sure, you can finish this within the day. It's perfect for youngsters though

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

It's a good thriller of "did he do it?" genre. The premise and the writing style is gripping enough. But I liked Gone Girl better

Verdict:  A good thriller book to keep on hand when the need comes

The Silent Wife by ASA Harrison

A new take on the wife who is cheated on. All throughout the book, you imagine this perfectly calm and capable wife who puts her husband first. But she's not sappy. She's just elegantly calm that sometimes it's scary. You'd like to kill the husband and the mistress for being too bold, but you kind of wait what the wife would do.

Verdict:   Read it before the movie comes up. There's a lot of emotions, thoughts and profile the book has laid out that the movie won't be able to show. 

Sanctus by Simon Toyne

One of the Holy Grail mysteries circling on this brotherhood in the Ruins. But I believe some chapters were unnecessary. But it follows the traditional formula for thrillers so you won't be lost. And it has an interesting take on the "holy grail."

Verdict:  Sure, keep a copy if you're into holy grail thrillers. But yes, Da Vinci Code is better.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak by Robin Sloan

Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. This follows the story of a "forced orphaned" german girl adopted by a couple trying to make ends meet during the 2nd world war. Obviously she has a passion for reading as the title suggests and how it helped her and her community in the dark ages.

Verdict:  Sure, read it before the movie. It's a good summer/christmas read. A friend of mine cried through this. 

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour bookstore

I initially got this because the title is about books. I thought there was some book magic involved. Well not really, but it's a mystery being solved by a cult devoted of cracking the codex vitae of Mantius, an ancient publisher. It's about merging technology to the ancient business of books. 

Verdict:  Though the story is promising and I like the concept of technology, cult and books, but the actual story doesn't mesh well with me. Try it in ebooks instead.

47 Ronin

This is a traditional story of acceptance, suffering, love and honor in extreme settings. Being the setting is in Japan, you know certain aspects would be extremes since their culture and beliefs are so strong and distinct. Reading this reminds me of Samurai X anime. Aside from the very basic good and evil premise, you will enjoy reading Japan's feudal system and samurai culture. You can't help but feel for how Samurais follow a strict way of life and actions backed by principles. I warn you, this story is depressing (in a good way though).

Verdict:   Read it before watching the movie. I liked it.

Apartment 16 by Adam Neville

The title looked promising enough, but I didn't latch onto a very specific instance. It was lackluster and dull. It doesn't help that there are questionable supernatural stints involved in a specific apartment that houses an evil spirit continuously haunting the tenants. I don't even remember the why and how. 

Verdict:  Skip it if you're looking for a real good scare. I was bored.

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

Dashing and rich husband marries a commoner just because she has a witch's lineage and it will preserve two ancient families of witches. What's interesting is that it happens in New York no less with all the glitter, snobbishness and glamor. And not to mention you have a overbearing, snobbish and witch of a mother-in-law.

Verdict:  Good for summer read. Light and sort of series worthy

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

I liked it. The story is very original and gothic. I also got scared about some scenes written and played out, I applaud Joe HIll there especially in scenes that the ghost comes up and announces his presence. I also love it that despite the supernatural, there's a strong history involved. 

Verdict:  Read it. If i were to choose, I still liked Horns better.

Red Rain by RL Stine

A classic RL Stine novel. RL Stine likes to tickle but not entirely go for the ultimate graphic scare. If you're used to reading RL Stine, this is worthy enough to add to your library.

Verdict:   Sure, especially if you're a fan. 

The Time Keeper by Mitch Alboom

It's a romantic story of Father time. It also puts into perspective how we value our life given the limited time we have. It's a usual novel that makes you reflect.

Verdict:  Light read, but will make you reflect. Go ahead read it.

Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

It's a story about a dysfunctional family which centers into the life of Edie, a seriously overweight matron of the family. How her excessiveness and weight pushed people to reconsider their lives and their involvement in keeping the family intact. 

Verdict:   It's okay, I guess. I'd rather you read The Corrections by Franzen. I found the premise here falling short.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

He writes stories about dysfunctional families best. I think it's a good thing. It's funny. Makes you think that you're normal and there are funny more dysfunctional families out there

Verdict:   If you enjoyed The Corrections, you'll like this. 

I might be forgetting something but will just add if I come across my jilted memory. 

Happy 2014

As my first post for this year, I'd like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2014!

Yes! Finally it's the New Year cause I so want to leave 2013 behind! In life we may have good years and bad years and I can say 2013 was a bad year for me. 2010-2012 was a blast, but 2013? You've got to be kidding me! (Inserting: Sarcastic laugh)

The Run Down:

Health

2013:   I'm not a sickly person. I rarely file sick leaves. I don't get fever and cough. Colds are an exception cause I've been dealing with allergies all my life and colds are usually triggered by it. But last year I had a couple of bad stomachs, a really nasty flu which made me skip work for a week and tons of migraines, 2-3 times in 3 months. Can I also say that I didn't have an exercise routine at all and I ate like there's no tomorrow? At least I wasn't hospitalized...yet.

2014:   To have less migraines please. And I don't want to be hospitalized for anything. I still want to continue my allergy-attack free streak and to not have flu. I also plan to keep health as one of my top priorities by exercising regularly (ugh) and eating less fatty foods. I will have to choose fruits over some Starbucks trip. Less desserts. Less Booze. More to facials, detoxifying and wellness regimens!

Work

2013:   I admit, I was very very disappointment on how my work turned out. Part of it is due to the incompetence of higher people around me and honestly I was riding on emotions. I honestly felt I did a good job in the 1st half, but it just wore me off after June. I decided to take things slow and by taking it slow I began to put career at the backseat. I still do my job of course, but it's more of to meet deadlines and do what's necessary. There was a time I dread going to work and as soon as I clocked in the more I wanted to go home. I'm missing the passion to do more. I was in complete hibernation mode.

2014:  Time to get back to my old self! Got to get that passion back to compete and achieve. It may also be a perfect time to reconsider other opportunities. It's time to do more but never reach overdrive.

Relationships

2013:  I've had the chance to rekindle friendships. That's one of the good things I've achieved this year. But this year is also a year I've considered to cut friendships as well. It's not personal, it's just the way it is. We're getting older and I don't think we need to waste time on people we think we're friends with just because. It's sad to cut ties because who doesn't want friends? But we're not living in a cheerio bubble. People change, things change, relationships come and go. Connections either sizzle or fizzle. That goes the same for not focusing on the good ones as well. I've had complaints about me taking for granted people who care for me, well that's the ultimate let down.

2014:  I plan to keep good relationships close and rebuild relationships that matter. It's time to at least devote an aspect of my life to nourishing relationships. I know, it's so not me, but at least it's time to try. I'm 30 for crying out loud. I may have lost lots of friends in the 20's, but I don't mind keeping a few friends in tact, as long as the quality is real and stronger than a 2 year contract. I may not be the clingy and affectionate type ever, but believe me that I value friends and I value good relationships. I guess I am willing to make it work.

Money

2013:  Ayayay. Where do we start? Just like work, I let this aspect of my life go to waste. It was shameful. To be honest, I haven't done a productive with money. Everything's devoted to pure enjoyment and expense. This is by far my worst...financially. I remember the times when I still had meager salary but I was able to save. But in 2013...hell no! It seemed all my money's going out the window and no...they're not investments. Everything was for temporary and shallow joys in life. Most of it are for emergency expenses. Shame. Shame Shame. I am disgusted by my 2013. I may not have debts, that's true, but I ate out of my savings and I don't even have a solid investment. Honestly, I don't even want to talk about it.

2014:   It's not too late to start, that's the bright side of things. At 30, probably I can still turn things around. I over enjoyed myself too much in 2013. It's time to get serious and actually save. It's time to also try some investments. Not everything is for temporary pleasure only, right? Time to cut down on book shopping, intensive dining out (which takes out a huge chunk of my salary) and worthless material acquisitions just because it's cute and I'm feeling impulsive. It's the time to NOT OVERINDULGE, but it's time to be an adult when it comes to money.

Reading

2013:  This is one of the strengths for this year. I turned into a reading monster. Every week I try to finish a book and start a new one. My book acquisition doubled turning my desk into an emergency shelf. I've literally ran out of space to house my new collection. Book acquisition and book reading were phenomenal this year.

2014:  Continue what I've started and will religiously catalogue books the entire year. I initially wanted to catalogue my library before 2014 starts, but I realize it will be a year-long process. That's fine, at least I started already with my log book. Also, will try to look for a free library software to at least take advantage of technology. I'm looking forward to new books, new reviews and excellent work coming my way this year.

Writing

2013:  Very weak. That's all I can say. You can judge by the posts of this blog. Also, I've stopped writing some of my short stories. All successful writers would always say to write at least a sentence in a day. Well I haven't done that. I write at a whim and it got me nowhere.

2014:  Time to turn things around. Just like my resolution the previous year, I will try to post one entry per day. I'd like to think of what my theme this year would be like: "What made this day awesome?" or "365 days of my life: Day 1." I have a friend who captures great images she encounters in a day. She dubs it as 365 Days, 365 photos of my life. I plan to emulate her scheme. And of course, I plan to continue writing stories brewing in my head. This is the perfect year to start.

Travel:

2013:   I was not able to step out of the country this year, a very drastic change from the previous years. What a waste of perfectly good time and weather. Shameful. I used to go gaga over travels, but this year even my domestic pursuits fail in comparison to previous years.

2014:   Travel? Travel to far off places while I'm young and able. I plan to snag a certified travel buddy soon. If God permits, I can work out a Europe trip. If not, probably a New York Trip. I plan to go to Palawan and visit Cebu and Roxas often. Yes, I plan to travel lots this year.


Dogs

2013:  How can I forget 2013? I nearly lost my Bullmastiff to an acute renal failure. It was a 2 week devastating turn of events. I was depressed. I couldn't care less about work, my time and my relationships. My eyes and heart focused on my gentle giant. I was crying in supermarkets. It was that bad. I never experienced grief, but it was as if my heart will be pulled out from my chest. It was a stressful time for me psychologically and financially. And of course, Harvey my JRT would also share his own darker moments. He had a emergency case wherein I had to rush from work at 8 pm and bring him to the vet to be confined because we thought he swallowed rat poison, which turned out to be false alarm. Also just recently, a minor surgery for a knife deep cut in his neck c/o of his rough play with Bruce. Unbelievable. Probably I spent 60,000 PHP in all their medical costs. That 60,000 pesos EXCLUDES 1,000 per week food grocery, 600 per month vitamin bottle, 300 per month knick  knacks, 1000 per month salary and 500 per month water and bath supplies.
             One major happy thing for 2013, aside from the fact that my dogs are still alive and well, is that my family and I adopted a puppy from our irresponsible neighbor.

2014:  Good health, please! And no physical accidents. I don't want to go through what I had to last 2013. It was hell.


Summary: See what I mean by shitty? Out of all the major aspects of my life, only reading came positive. The rest were shadowed by dark ages. I didn't get to formally study on something nor finished writing stories. I wasn't able to save and spent a lot on useless things (now that I think of it). I didn't lose weight and I don't think I have a healthy lifestyle (far from it). And I took for granted relationships and didn't focus on work that much. Wow. Talk about nailing it right through the head. 

But that's why I am recognizing them for what it is because I have to make peace with them. I know now what my 2013 looked like and please kill me if I didn't do anything about in 2014.

Moving on in 5...4...3...2..1!

Happy New Year Folks! I don't know about you, but I'm already digging 2014.

Slow Down December 28

December 28. It's one of the days between post and pre-holidays that I simply know that Christmas is finally over, but then again I'm still anticipating another round of merry making. It's either by this time I would savor or get sick of the multiple reheats of all leftover food. I usually feel absolutely bloated from all the happiness, tangible and intangible, that I've consumed. So 28 and the days in between Christmas and New Years are days that I take it slow...and reflect.

What I usually ponder on these days would be how my 2013 turned out and what I'd like my 2014 to shape up. Simply to close the past and prepare for the future.

For the past there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. I don't cry over spilt milk. I just acknowledge it for what it is and let go. All that's left is to highlight are the good ones and remember the bad parts to learn from it. I can cuss a word or two, sure but there's nowhere to go but forward. Leaving a year has never been my problem.

Cause I always like new starts and change. New Years are perfect symbols of that. It's a celebration to start the year right and on a clean slate. It's that time to at least attempt to kick off that resolution and hopefully stick with it. Probably it's a perfect day to start saving and ironing out one's finances. Or it's a perfect day to look at the calendar and plan your vacation leaves to travel to places you haven't been last year. It's the best opportunity to take advantage of the positive feeling and turn things around your way. In my previous posts I always stress that I enjoy the new year. To start of it off, group my new year into quarters. First Quarter is to shape up my goals and setting the tone for the year. Second Quarter is usually the hardest with follow throughs. Third Quarter is nailing it full steam ahead while Fourth Quarter is left to be honest with oneself and start assessing what you still can and can't do. I know it's a bit rigid and neurotic, but it helps you get through the year to constantly know your destination. I prefer to not to flit around day by day without a clean goal or perspective. For those who haven't done the year as a road map or in quadrants, I suggest you try! :)

But of course, no matter how we try to turn things around let's not forget that we are imperfect humans living such imperfect lives. There will be challenges and there will be dark moments in every year. It's just a matter of turning old a year wiser and stronger to withstand any hardships in life. That's what I always hope. I hope my 30 years of existence brought me at least an ounce of wisdom and strength.

Well I didn't intend for this post to be lengthy but might as well get a freehand in it.

And to be honest, 2013 was a shitty year for me. There's nothing wrong recognizing that. There were a lot of dark ages and frustrations in 2013 and there's nothing wrong in recognizing that. We have good years we have bad years. But thank you that it's ending and I'm still here. Never been happy to move on to another year. 2014, here we come!