DEATH TO A MOLAR

It’s a case of a 3rd upper molar gone berserk. It had a mind of its own when it decided to grow sideways. Instead of the usual downward growth, it grew side by side with my left cheek. This made me bit my cheek every time I chew. If not for this discomfort, I wouldn’t sentence this molar to extinction.

I had my 3rd molar extracted. It was painless through anesthesia. But of course, after the numbing has subsided, there was a slight tingling sensation but nothing to complain about really. The thing was, I didn’t realize how surreal the experience would be. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a tooth extraction. I couldn’t remember the feeling of having to undergo the procedure nor anything associated with it. It was “huh?!” to me. The dentist told me to inhale and exhale as she put the needle in my gums. The inhale and exhale thing worked, I didn’t feel the needle prick. Then she told me to wait a while for the anesthesia to take effect. After about 10 to 15 minutes, she did something with my tooth and asked if I felt anything. I told her, none. Then she told me that she’ll proceed. After some tugging, pushing and pulling, the molar gave in. Then she handed me a small pack of ice to put in my cheek and gave me a sheet of paper. Below is what’s written on that paper verbatim.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARE AFTER DENTAL EXTRACTION
Maipid, Munoz and Pangilinan Dental Clinic
Unit 202 Heart of the City Condominium
40 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone no. 924-1632

1. Bite on gauze at least 30mins. If bleeding continues, place a gauze pack directly over the bleeding point and bite or press firmly after an hour.

2. To prevent dislodging the blood clot, DO NOT spit excessively, drink through a straw, smoke for at least 72 hours, or rinse the mouth vigorously on the day of surgery.

3. Keep the mouth clean to prevent secondary infection. Brush your teeth and tongue gently. Flossing may be deferred until pain subsides.

4. To prevent swelling, apply cold compress or ice wrapped in a towel against the face near the affected site after the procedure. Do this for 30 minutes, then remove it for 30 minutes and repeat. Cold also reduces bleeding.

5. Take pain relievers or analgesics to control pain or discomfort.

6. The diet should consist of cool fluids and soft foods for the first day.

7. Strenuous activities or exercises should be avoided for 24 hours.

8. After 24 hours, rinse the mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. salt per glass of lukewarm water). DO this 3 to 5 times a day for 7 days.

I hope anyone who would have to undergo the procedure or have done so recently would find these infos useful.

CCP ON A SUNDAY

It was such a treat for an amateur photographer like me and an exploratory toddler like Rainie. We had long walks, seaside trips and a Jollibee treat. It’s a good and fun way to spend a lazy Sunday morning with the ones you love. I consider it as one of those ultimate cheap bonding activities.

It’s also a thrilling sensory experience - aerobics classes left and right, dragon boat trainings by the bay, bicyclists, joggers, family lounging around, kids eating, chattering and running about, sounds of laughter, the smell of early morning air. CCP on a Sunday morning… fascinating and fun yet it’s free.

HOW TO GET THERE:

By public transport - Ride the LRT and alight at Vito Cruz Station. Go to Vito Cruz corner Taft. Take any of the orange shuttle going to CCP Complex. For more details on CCP's location, you may visit this website: http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/aboutUs-location.htm

Love "Trip"

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, let me have a trip down memory lane. Some reminiscing wouldn’t hurt a hopeless romantic like me.

1989
I was in Grade 6. He was in 3rd year high school. I knew him only by face. He has a group of "rowdy" friends who frequented a carinderia just beside our house. He’s the silent type. It’s probably the reason why he caught my fancy. I thought he was cute. But that was that. I haven’t seen him since.

January 1996
I visited a gay friend, whom at that time, had a female guest. They were talking about a high school friend whose girlfriend just died of cancer. I don’t know the guy but I was moved by their stories of him - of how he took care of her girlfriend throughout her battle and how he stuck with her even on the most difficult of times. Honestly, I was impressed. I know no guy who would do that for a girl. Then suddenly, they came up with a suggestion. “Why don’t you meet him?” “Why?” “It’s no big deal. It’s routine. We tour him around for distractions.” Hmmm. I don’t know what made me said yes. But I did. By the way, the guy’s name is Ramir.

April 1996
I got a call from my gay friend. He told me they were coming over with Ramir. Since I gave them my word, I said ok. At 4 pm, the doorbell rang. My gay friend was leading the pack. But he had other companions. I remember them as members of the “rowdy high school boys club” when I was still a sixth grader. Then I saw this guy crossing the street. I knew I’ve seen him before. He’s the silent, cute guy who caught my fancy seven years ago. But Ramir has an advantage. Unlike me, he knew who I was. He would later reveal that he found me to be a pretty kid then, but I was too young and “masungit” for him. According to him, the very first thing that popped out of his head, when he saw me again was, “Si Miss Masungit, dalaga na. Maganda pa rin.”

September 1996
Every Sunday, from June to September, I received a dozen roses. But there’s this particular Sunday when I didn’t receive any. Thirty minutes have passed after Ramir and I have arrived home from Sunday mass, our doorbell rang. I answered it. I saw one of Ramir’s friend at the gate. I thought he needed something from him, then suddenly, he handed me a dozen pink roses. The card that came with it read, “Sinasabi ko na nga ba! Babasahin mo ‘tong card. Oh! Ngi-ngiti-ngiti pa.” I came back inside blushing. But I couldn’t hide my smile. After another thirty minutes of talking, the doorbell rang again. When I answered it, it was Ramir’s other friend. This time he handed me, a dozen white roses. The card read, “Akala mo isang dosena lang, dalawa naman, para maiba.” When I came back inside, I was blushing even more. After another thirty minutes, another friend of Ramir opened the door. I probably left the gate open. He gave me a dozen peach roses. The card read, “But seriously, I love you.” My heart did some acrobatics - jumps, flips and tumbles. I never felt so special.

March 2003
It was my 26th birthday. At 1 pm, the doorbell rang, my mom answered it. A kid gave her a brown package. Inside the package was a dozen white roses, the card read, “Parang nangyari na ‘to. Happy birthday. I love you." At 5 pm, the doorbell rang again, my sister answered it this time, two kids gave her another brown package. Inside was a dozen blue roses. The card read, “I just wanted you to be happy on your birthday. I love you very much.” At 6 pm Ramir arrived at my place. He pulled out something from his pocket – a little box so familiar that I had palpitations. Then I opened it. My heart sank. It was a rosary. I tried to hide my disappointment by giving him my thank-you-for-your-gift smile. After a while, he handed me a card. I read it. There was the dictionary meaning of the word miracle - /mir-a-cle/ - an occurrence with Divine intervention. Then he wrote, “alam mo ba na ikaw ang ikino-consider ko na miracle sa buhay ko. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit masaya ako. Mahal na mahal kita.” Then he took something out of his pocket – a tiny porcelain jewelry box, then he opened it. He got my left hand, took off the horseshoe ring he gave me on our first anniversary, then slipped a new ring with a heart-shaped aquamarine stud. Of course, it wouldn’t complete without his, “Will you marry me?”

On December 20, 2003, a day short of our seventh anniversary as boyfriend and girlfriend, we took a vow to love each other for the rest of our lives.

Cartimar-rific!

Looking for plants, shoes and pets in just one place? Cartimar is it. We went there to look for arowanas. Here’s an interesting side story. My husband’s parents have a pet arowana which took a suicidal dive out of its own aquarium. I can’t believe it, the first time I heard it. It’s a case of an oversized arowana inside a rectangular aquarium-prison. Apparently, the fish is sick and tired of its having to swim in a small aquarium. It took the matter into its own hands. After mustering the courage to do something no fish has ever done before, it gathered all the strength it needs to jump out of its cell. It succeeded in its attempt. So it was given a decent funeral – somewhere in the garden. The aquarium looks so empty, both figuratively and literally. So there, off to Cartimar. It is always a delight for me to go there. There’s so much to see.

Fishes and shells in various colors, shapes and sizes. Shoes, specially those sporty looking ones, in different hip styles.

Plants – orchids and cacti - are my favorites. Water fountains (we used to make these as a sideline business), but those in the stalls are more complicated to make and definitely bigger than the tabletop ones.

If you’re looking for pets, there are dogs and a couple of Persian and Siamese cats, all so cute and somewhat giving that please-buy-me-so-I-can-get-out-of-here look. Lovebirds, pigeons, turtles – name it.

I hope we can go back here again, but this time minus the arowana suicide story.

HOW TO GET THERE:
If you're coming from Monumento, the fastest way would be to take the LRT. Alight at Gil Puyat Station. You can walk from there (long walk) or you can board a jeep with Cartimar signage or any jeep going to Baclaran. Ask the driver to drop you off Cartimar.

Superwomom’s Top 10 List of Pinoy Children’s Books

Thank God for children’s books. If not for them, I wouldn’t be able to really connect with my daughter. Together, we’ve read more than 10 Adarna books. I’m the eager reader and she’s the avid listener. I can say she responds well with books. She can identify things based on what we’ve read. I introduced her to reading by setting a side some of our time in the morning to just sit down and read. Based on what comes to her mind (I think), she’ll tell me the book she wants to read. Of course, I’ll readily oblige.

I started this reading session with Rainie when she was still in my womb. I don’t know of it has anything to do with her liking for books. I love reading children’s books. I even dream of becoming a storyteller. And I’m happy to slowly realize that dream with my daughter as my first and sole audience (for now). After months of diligently reading to her, she can now identify what’s going to happen next or fill-in the words for me. She even points out the things in the book that she’s already familiar with.

I just hope that her love for books will be sustained throughout her life and I hope that I’ll be able to support her all the way.

Superwomom’s Top 10 List of Pinoy Children’s Books

1. Ang Magic Silya ni Titoy

2. Si Ching na Takot sa Dilim


3. Bru-hahaha, Bru-hihihi


4. Ang Mabait na Kalabaw


5. Si Emang Engkantada at ang Tatlong Haragan


6. Ang Makapangyarihang Kyutiks ni Mama
(photo not available)

7. Chenelyn! Chenelyn!


8. Bakit Matagal ang Sundo Ko?


9. Papel de Liha


10. Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel



All photos are from Adarna House website. Please visit www.adarnahouse.com for each story's summary (except Ang Makapangyarihang Kyutiks ni Mama). All books are also available in National Bookstore. For bulk orders, visit their office at 2/F FSS Bldg. 20 Scout Tuason cor. Scout Castor Sts., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City or inquire at tel. no.: (632) 372-3548, 372-3549, 373-9923, 373-9924, 373-9925.

Happy reading!