1 - KIM - When it comes to my dad there's always a structure. It includes alphabetizing newborns in the family. Ivy, Job, *Kim*. I was supposed to be a "Kim" but I'm happy I'm not! No offense to the Kim's out there; there just aren't any names more fitting than my own. Joy is a wonderful name I'm happy to live up to.
2 - PET PEEVE - It bothers me when we bounce in different directions while walking. You're up, while I'm down. I'm up, and you're down. You get the point. I like to be able to see eye to eye and converse without feeling like we're afloat on different boats. So when I say "bounce with me" you know what to do!
3 - BAD HABIT - I never finish my drinks, except my water. My mom hates it because it's a "waste." Yet somehow learned to always finish my food...and my sister's food (when she doesn't want it).
4 - DREAM JOB - I've always wanted to be an aerobics or yoga instructor and an Excel specialist. Can you imagine me as one? =)
5 - HATE - I hate milk and Arrogant Boys. Growing up, my mom forced us to drink a cup every morning. I tried super hard to make my milk taste better with chocolate syrup, sugar, cereal, etc. But nothing helped! One day I thought hard and came up with soy sauce because doesn't soy sauce make everything taste better? I was wrong. The odor wasn't bad, but as soon as I gulped it, I puked. From then on, I gave up trying and poured my milk down the kitchen sink everyday instead. I like milk in ice cream; I like half & half in my coffee, and sometimes heavy cream in my pasta, but I HATE MILK... Oh and...Arrogant Boys defined: Any boy who thinks they can get / deserve any girl they want - you know who you are!
6 - SCAR - When I was seven, I tried learning how to jump rope on our slippery marbled floor. After 3 fun jumps, I slipped and landed on my face! I thought I had a special scar hidden under my chin until I recently found another who has the same. 27+ years later, I can jump rope non-stop for over 30 minutes!
7 - SMILE - I've been asked many times what my favorite feature is on people and on myself. My answer has always been a smile. You see, you can workout your legs, arms, butt, whatever to make them look smokin', but once you stop taking care of them, (poof!) they're gone. But a smile is natural, low maintenance and effortless. Your smile is forever with you. Its a gesture that makes you feel good and makes others feel even better.
8 - DANCE - I secretly love to dance...in the shower. I hope you people do that too. Otherwise, that's kind of embarrassing for me to share. Just try not to picture it. =X
9 - LIST - I can't live without my list of list of lists! I've got a list of music to download, places to go, gifts to buy, people to see...I can go on forever! Some I wouldn't want to show you. The most gratifying one I currently have is a list of traits that I like from the people I know.
10 - MAD - My family knows it's rare to see me mad or angry. So when it does happen, everyone wants to know about it (who's involved, what triggered it, etc.). I was slapped in the face a few times by my parents. Though it was probably deserved, it hurt me deep deep inside. During dinner one night (long long ago), my lil sis got into a heated argument with my mom. This is the only time I remember ever being angry enough to stand up for someone. As my mom got up to smack May in the face, I quickly stood up and held her by her wrist. I cried while I yelled at my mom. I told her how much it hurt to be slapped in the face. We were all emotional and crying. Today I don't even remember what it was that started the argument.
11 – TALENT – I’m probably one of the more flexible person you know. That, and I’m still undefeated in plank. Sorry no re-challenges! =P
12 - DAD – My dad is one of the sweetest people I know. He’ll do anything to help you. And he'll do it as you wish. He’ll offer to sew your loose buttons, he’ll comb your hair, he’ll even do your personal shopping! From him I learned that sometimes you live to make others happy. And in return, you will feel happy.
13 - EVIL - One of the most evil things I’ve done is put stuff on my sibling’s toothbrushes. Whatever I could find in the bathroom (Clearasil, lotion, ointment, sprays, etc.). When I felt that they've done me wrong, I’d argue and run to the bathroom and take out the rest of my anger there. Then when I was baptized, I used this story as my confession to all. The whole congregation laughed. I never did it again.
14 - FEAR – I fear divorce and death because of it's unknown.
15 - LOST - Golden chocolate coins were popular in the Philippines during the Chinese holidays. One year during Full Moon festival I won a bag full of these golden coins. So many that they over-flowed out of my bag. I started eating them non-stop until I slept and started up again when I awoke. That afternoon, close to a hundred coins later, my whole thumb nail fell off as I peeled the top of the last golden coin I ate. Now, every time I see bags of golden coins in the supermarket I check my thumbnail to see if its still there.
16 - UNIQUE - think what makes me physically unique is that I have contact lenses implanted in both my eyes (and they glow and reflect light in certain angles). Also, no one notices, but I was born with only 3 bottom center teeth. Normal people have 4. And my dad has 5! =)
17 - ADDICTION- I could say I’ve been addicted to only a few things in my life: coffee, golden chocolate coins, Lululemon and Equinox.
18 - BEST AT – Between my sister and I, we both agree that I’m best at thinking up creative nicknames for things and gifts for people.
19 - REGRET – This was hard for me to think up. But if I were to look back, I regret not spending more time with certain people.
21 - MOM – She is the Ultimate Energizer Bunny Super Woman Power Mom. No matter how much stuff she has to do, she will get it done. And still eat healthy along the way. From my mom, I learned never to give up from what you’ve already aimed to do.
22 - SCARY - I'm scared of many things, including you probably!
23 - SIMPLE PLEASURES - I'm all about the simple pleasures in life. A smile here and a laughter there is super contagious - and is all I would like in life.
24 - EMBARRASSING - One windy afternoon in the Philippines, the umbrella which was covering me while I was peeing in the streets blew away. I was 7. Our neighbor who used to have a crush on me saw my butt. =X
25 – HONESTY - Amongst all the awards that I've received (in Mathematics, in Sciences, etc.), one will always stand out. In Grace Christian where I once went to school I found a wad of cash folded and sitting lonely by the canal. It was real thick and without counting I took it to the Principal’s office. As a result, I was bestowed an Honesty Award during our school ceremony that year. I'd like to think they made up that award just for me!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
VeriSY'se Lens Implants - new eyes for Joy
I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was the freakiest thing I've done so far. At a price tag of $4,000 per eye, the Verisyse lens implant is no joke and only for those really serious about it.
As soon as I arrived at the surgery center, they stuck a bright neon sticker over my eye. To massage and soften the eye, a heavy rubber ball was placed over it. After a few minutes, the anesthesiologist knocked me up (I mean out! He knocked me OUT! ), and while I was asleep for 30 seconds, he injected liquid that numbed half my face.
I awoke seeing nothing but white light with my right eye. As they soaked my eye with sterilizing drops I heard the surgical instruments start to clink. "Super blade please." Dr. Pamel said with his deep and confident voice. They were ready.
--Warning: This section is not for those that have weak knees or are easily grossed out--
The freaky part begins. I felt that first slice, and I remember it vividly. Though it wasn't THAT painful, I slowly gripped the sides of my pants and I wasn't going to let go. All I saw was the bright light and the white blurry shadows of the instruments. Many more slices came after the first one.
It took some time to insert and position the lens. Suddenly, like a baby staple gun I heard four shots into my eye. I gasped and my mouth opened in shock (like this) =O
I felt like a ghost - pale white and lifeless but I knew it wasn't over. They had to close the incision. He carefully stitched the open layers in my eye. I was expecting only two short stitches (according to the booklet) but instead I had several (due to my severe astigmatism). Though it wasn’t painful, I didn’t like the feeling of my eye being tugged by the string. Eek! “We’re almost done” Dr. Pamel said.
I took a deep breath in and let out a super long exhale. “Haaaaaaaa…..It’s over now, Joy” I remembered thinking. THEN,..cRaCLe, ZAP, cRacLe, pop! He freaking electrocuted my eye!!! I screamed. I was horrified like watching a scary movie, but actually living it. Dr. Pamel was silent. I knew this episode wasn’t going to happen just once so I asked “How many” then, cRaCLe, pop, cRacLe, zAp, bUrst! AGAIN! “Aaaahh!” I was so scared I was ready to cry. Then Dr. Pamel said what I’ve been longing to hear “Only twice. That’s it. We’re done. “ He cauterized my eye. It's an electric current for curative purposes. That was the most “painful” part of the surgery. I remember thinking how the hell I was supposed to get through the second eye surgery. But two weeks later, I did.
The hard part is OVER NOW. Whew!
For a person who has always stood strong, this was the one thing that scared me (the possibility of losing my vision). The night before my second eye surgery tears unexpectedly rolled down my cheeks but I was glad to have KC right next to me. He reassured me that everything will be okay and was with me every step of the way...
Right now, I'm holding off on any recommendations on the procedure because I'm not able to see 20/20 yet (soon though!). My prescription used to be a - 1,000 without glasses. And to give you an idea of how blind I was prior to the surgery, I don't ever (in my life) remember being able to make out the jumongous E that sits at the very top of the eye charts. You'll be even more surprised to know that I was not even able to read the "Got Milk?" billboards that used to be displayed along side the highways!
The surgery took about 30 minutes per eye. Today, after three weeks I went to cut my stitches to help reduce the inflamation. Immediately, I was able to see 3 more lines down the chart! Amazing! =)
I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was the freakiest thing I've done in my life, but...
To be able to see while I shower and not have to search and feel for my glasses with my hands
To be able to identify a mugger or rapist (if I ever were to be so unfortunate)
To be clear from raindrops, snow flakes and fog on my glasses and...
To be able to see my surroundings as soon as I open my eyes every morning
is a wonderful gift.
Great rewards involve great risks. If I braved through it and I'm sure you can too...
As soon as I arrived at the surgery center, they stuck a bright neon sticker over my eye. To massage and soften the eye, a heavy rubber ball was placed over it. After a few minutes, the anesthesiologist knocked me up (I mean out! He knocked me OUT! ), and while I was asleep for 30 seconds, he injected liquid that numbed half my face.
I awoke seeing nothing but white light with my right eye. As they soaked my eye with sterilizing drops I heard the surgical instruments start to clink. "Super blade please." Dr. Pamel said with his deep and confident voice. They were ready.
--Warning: This section is not for those that have weak knees or are easily grossed out--
The freaky part begins. I felt that first slice, and I remember it vividly. Though it wasn't THAT painful, I slowly gripped the sides of my pants and I wasn't going to let go. All I saw was the bright light and the white blurry shadows of the instruments. Many more slices came after the first one.
It took some time to insert and position the lens. Suddenly, like a baby staple gun I heard four shots into my eye. I gasped and my mouth opened in shock (like this) =O
I felt like a ghost - pale white and lifeless but I knew it wasn't over. They had to close the incision. He carefully stitched the open layers in my eye. I was expecting only two short stitches (according to the booklet) but instead I had several (due to my severe astigmatism). Though it wasn’t painful, I didn’t like the feeling of my eye being tugged by the string. Eek! “We’re almost done” Dr. Pamel said.
I took a deep breath in and let out a super long exhale. “Haaaaaaaa…..It’s over now, Joy” I remembered thinking. THEN,..cRaCLe, ZAP, cRacLe, pop! He freaking electrocuted my eye!!! I screamed. I was horrified like watching a scary movie, but actually living it. Dr. Pamel was silent. I knew this episode wasn’t going to happen just once so I asked “How many” then, cRaCLe, pop, cRacLe, zAp, bUrst! AGAIN! “Aaaahh!” I was so scared I was ready to cry. Then Dr. Pamel said what I’ve been longing to hear “Only twice. That’s it. We’re done. “ He cauterized my eye. It's an electric current for curative purposes. That was the most “painful” part of the surgery. I remember thinking how the hell I was supposed to get through the second eye surgery. But two weeks later, I did.
The hard part is OVER NOW. Whew!
For a person who has always stood strong, this was the one thing that scared me (the possibility of losing my vision). The night before my second eye surgery tears unexpectedly rolled down my cheeks but I was glad to have KC right next to me. He reassured me that everything will be okay and was with me every step of the way...
Right now, I'm holding off on any recommendations on the procedure because I'm not able to see 20/20 yet (soon though!). My prescription used to be a - 1,000 without glasses. And to give you an idea of how blind I was prior to the surgery, I don't ever (in my life) remember being able to make out the jumongous E that sits at the very top of the eye charts. You'll be even more surprised to know that I was not even able to read the "Got Milk?" billboards that used to be displayed along side the highways!
The surgery took about 30 minutes per eye. Today, after three weeks I went to cut my stitches to help reduce the inflamation. Immediately, I was able to see 3 more lines down the chart! Amazing! =)
I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was the freakiest thing I've done in my life, but...
To be able to see while I shower and not have to search and feel for my glasses with my hands
To be able to identify a mugger or rapist (if I ever were to be so unfortunate)
To be clear from raindrops, snow flakes and fog on my glasses and...
To be able to see my surroundings as soon as I open my eyes every morning
is a wonderful gift.
Great rewards involve great risks. If I braved through it and I'm sure you can too...
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