202 hours and 28 minutes.

This post wast meant for yesterday, but I got home a little late last night for we had a farewell party to celebrate our last day in work. I was so tired I fell asleep the minute I got out of the bathroom. Anyway, for this entry I want to share what happened during my last few days in the Clinic of the Holy Spirit.

Monday, April 29, 2013
An activity was prepared, hosted by students from Cavite State University. Although they pretty much kept things together, we tried our best to help out on the preparations. The patients really enjoy activities. Not sure if it's because we give them food after, which motivates them, or is it because they wanted something to do to past time. Either which it brings smile to everyone's faces and it's nice hearing the constant thank yous you'll know are true and from the heart.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013
No activities for today but we used the time to plan our farewell for the next day. And as usual, I asked the patients how they are feeling at the moment. I do this everyday but strange how this time I felt sad that I won't be able to talk to them like this anymore. I guess the place really left an impression to me. One patient even went to me and gave me words of wisdom to bring as I go through my life, reaching my dream of becoming a medical doctor. He ended our conversation by saying "Pagdadasal kita, Ahj. Nakikita ko namang mabuti kang tao." which really meant a lot to me. I hope they all do well in the future. Besides, the world is not that big for us to not see each other again. :')

Wednesday, May 01, 2013
So today is the awaited end of our training. The feeling was not how I expected it to be. I thought it would be happy but it wasn't entirely. I'll miss everyone. The patients, the new friends, the people who work there and even the neighborhood. One thing I'll never forget during my stay there was how people ALWAYS feed me: from the first time I set foot in that clinic, being offered RC by a patient, to eating left over food from the prepared activity by different schools. Not only did my weight grow but also the relationship I had with each one. Haha. :)

162 hours and 16 minutes.

I am having so much fun.
Everyday is a day to look forward to.

As expected, the clinic felt like a classroom. Not only was it filled with 30 students, but the patients are like teachers who mentors us everyday. I have taken into account a number of lessons during my stay there. And as my OJT period becomes shorter each day, these are memories I'd never ever forget. Each and every one of those days were a blessing for sure.

For a relatively short period of time, I met a lot of good people. For this entry, I would like to share how blessed I was to have met them. I recall my younger years, where I preferred being alone. When I hated socializing the most. Now however, it seems a switch was flicked. I became approaching. Normally I was the one being approached. It's a good thing I changed for the better. People are social creatures after all. And I saw a proof of that in the clinic. For both the patient and us students, the more the merrier is true.

Since my stay there, I have received not only lessons I'll bring in life but also material things. I never asked them to give these to me, I even refused, but they insisted that I have it. So I'll think of these as memorabilia that would remind me of my 1 month long stay in Clinic of the Holy Spirit.

132 hours and 10 minutes.

As of today, I have officially slashed off 132 hours from the required 200. Just a few more days left and everything will be back to how they were. I'll certainly miss the experience and definitely the people from Clinic of the Holy Spirit.

I remember the anxious feeling I had before the clinic's metal door during my first day. Not knowing what was on the other side, I started having bizarre thoughts at that moment. Scenes from movies started swimming in my head, and most (might I add), scared me. Looking back, I realized how ridiculous I was for having thought that. Contrary to my assumption, the patients were very kind and welcoming! Seeing new faces made them really happy. Because of them, I was able to adapt with the environment quite fast.

A little background of my workplace: Clinic of the Holy Spirit is a psychiatric hospital which caters to the needs of people who are considered mentally ill, emotionally disturbed and having other unusual behavior. Schizophrenia, Mental retardation, Bipolar and other types of disorder can be observed there. It is a 100 bed facility but currently they have over 50 patients to which most, I am proud to say, I now know the names. It's situated along 4 Los Angeles St. Cubao, Quezon City.

What do we do? Usually we interact with the patients. Getting to know them a little better, asking questions, sharing ideas, exchanging stories and the like. At times we prepare activities for them so they won't get bored. Like this afternoon for example. We did art activity. Had them draw, write or however they want to design their own cup. After collecting their work we combined the cups (together with ours) then displayed it so everyone could appreciate not only their work but the works of others combined.

So far, my stay had been a pleasant one. Had some dull days, I won't lie, but most times I am enjoying it. Thankful to have met such great people: the patients, the fellow practicumers, the aids, the nurse, the guards, the neighborhood in general. Such nice people.

Before ending this I would just like to share an unforgettable experience I had today. There is this patient who NEVER talks. You ask him a question, he simply nods. He likes giving high fives and that's it. This afternoon had me by surprise. When everyone was done handing out their snacks, I went to him and asked how the meal was. I asked him "Busog?", he looked at me for a while then looked pass me and said "Gusto ko pa."
#happy. :D