djoanonymous: October 2015

Comfort Zone.

diary October 22, 2015

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TryCook 101: Chicken Cordon Bleu

chicken cordon bleu October 20, 2015

One of my favorite dish of all time, Chicken Cordon Bleu. I first had a taste of this dish at the hospital I am working at and I think it was the sauce that made me love this dish.

Me and my group mate would always order this dish whenever available in the menu. We would even request them to cook this if we are on duty. That's how addicted we are to this meal. And so, with this addiction, this certain group mate of mine decided to learn the recipe and shared it to me.

You will need:

Chicken breast fillet
Bread crumbs
Ham
Cheese
Eggs
Butter
All purpose flour
Evaporated milk
Cream of mushroom
Salt and pepper

**no specific measurements for each. Just adjust according to your prererred taste

1. Pound the chicken breast. Optional: cut the breast first into half of its thickness. Then gently, with the use of meat mallet, pound the chicken breast into 1/4 inch thickness. Put salt and pepper on both side of the breast (I used 2 chicken breast to make 1 chicken roll)

2. Lay down the ham and cheese into the chicken breast. I put a lot of cheese just because I love it.

3. Roll the chicken. Roll and tuck to make sure that everything is tight and inside the chicken.Put it in the chiller while preparing the breading.

4. Make the breading. Prepare a separate container for each coating. Firstly combine flour, pepper and salt. Whisk 2 eggs in a separate container and another for seasoned bread crumbs.

5. Start coating the chicken roll. First coat the roll with flour, then eggs and lastly, bread crumbs. Using flour first before the eggs makes it easier for the eggs to coat the chicken.

6. Fry the chicken roll until golden brown. Set aside.

7. Make the sauce. Melt butter then add garlic. Fry until golden brown.

8. Add cream of mushroom. Then evaporated milk. Just taste it, and add cream or milk whatever you prefer. Let it simmer then remove from heat.

9. Slice the chicken roll and pour your sauce over or just put the sauce on side.

My first attempt

Second attempt

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Again, not much for the appearance, but it tastes good. Bon appétit!

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Langkawi Island Hopping

dayang bunting island October 16, 2015

Moving along to my ultimate summer getaway, was a visit on Malaysia's one of the most popular beaches, Langkawi island. It was like, the Boracay of Malaysia. This island was not only famous for its beaches, but also for their tax-free products including my fave, chocolates!

I was really excited on the way, thinking aside the fact that we need to experience this stomach-swirling ferry boat ride before getting onto the island. The good thing though, I didn't feel a bit nauseous during the 1-hour ride.

It is highly recommended to rent a car so as to have a chance to roam around the island with ease. And that was what we did as soon as we get off to the ferry terminal.

The house we got was just literally a room, with two masters beds and a comfort room. It was more than enough for us since we'll be out most of the day.

Kick starting this adventure, was an island-hopping. The speed boat ride itself was such a very exciting adventure already! We were literally jumping from our seats with each waves we've passed. Nope, not a bit scared back there, instead I was thrilled all throughout. Hahaha!

First island we've stopped for was where the Lake of Pregnant Maiden can be found. It is a fresh water lake in an island in the midst of an ocean. From a certain angle, you can see the hills of Dayang Bunting Island resembling a lying pregnant woman, hence the name of the lake. Too bad my phone was corrupted and all the photos I've captured we're good as gone, including a photo of this resemblance. Though on the bright side, I've still got some photos from our camera.

Anyway, we were given 2 hours to enjoy this island, for we still need to visit other islands.

A little hiking was needed to get to the center of the island where you can meet monkeys and iguanas as you go along. Oh, and mind your belongings, as these monkeys may look adorable but they seriously love taking things off of you.

Reaching our destination, I say the lake was magnificent itself. Legend says that this lake possesses magical cure to those women having difficulty of conceiving a baby.
A floating platform was set up into the lake for the tourists to have a relaxing picnic or whatsoever. Paddling, kayaking and swimming are the activities that you can choose from, in which we chose paddling. Although I have a bit of a skill in swimming, I didn't dove myself off into this lake for a I am afraid of swimming into deep waters (and besides, I'm not yet ready to be pregnant! hahaha!).

Paddling and circling the lake (with my sis), I devoured the lake's beauty starting from its deep, calm water to its trees with different shades of green that covered the mountain. It was very calming seeing this natural work of beauty. The scene was just so soothing that I never felt any hint of tiredness from paddling for almost half an hour.

Setting ourselves off onto our next stopover, is an island where Langkawi eagles can be found. A number of eagles were circling around the boat, flying freely. Although, I admit it, I'm not that much thrilled at this time.

Ending the trip, was on the last island, where we get to enjoy a dip onto this white-sand and clear-water beach.

We truly had a relaxing time here because there was no crowd in here. We were actually the ones at the beach, so we literally have the beach for ourselves.

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Singapore Adventure 2.0

gardens by the bay October 10, 2015

Onto my second, and sadly also my last day in Singapore. We started it with a breakfast buffet at the hotel lobby. The hotel cards were needed to enjoy this eat-all-you-can buffet. And since we only have 2 hotel cards, my parents decided to just eat outside and let me and my sister have the buffet. We were greeted by a Filipina hotel clerk which was not actually surprising 'coz many of our OFWs have been working in SG. She led us to our seat, and offered us our eating tools and napkin. The buffet serves western and asian cuisines. I opted to eat westernly; choosing waffles, bacon, eggs, mashed potatoes and yogurt.

After a burped-full breakfast, we changed clothes and headed up to the Infinity Pool. I treasured every second I had with my very first crossed-off bucketlist. It was a bit cloudy at that time which is perfect for a morning dip...

This was just unforgettable. For a moment there, I was literally just staring below, cherishing every view my eyes could gaze upon. I could never get tired of this view, too bad this was my last day. :(

After spending hours of enjoying myself into the longest & highest infinity pool in the world, it is time for us to pack up our stuff and leave this luxurious hotel.

We checked out at around 1:00PM. And since we will be back in Malaysia not until 10 in the evening, we decided to just stroll around to kill some time. It was a good thing that the hotel got their concierge where guest are allowed to deposit luggage. We were able to wander around more without the weights of our bags.

And so, we went on to our SG adventure. First itinerary was on Gardens by the Bay. It was a bit of a struggle, roaming around the park with the sun on its highest so we ended up relaxing on this shaded wooden hut (and because the entrance tickets are not included on our budget). But hey! I did enjoyed my time here. Seeing nature in the middle of a city was such a refreshing view to the eye.

Finishing this 2 days vacay on SG, was a visit on One Fullerton where the very famous Merlion Park was located. Standing at the center of the park was the 8.6-meter tall Merlion Statue spewing water onto the Marina Bay.

The body symbolizes Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, meaning 'sea town' in Old Javanese. Its head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, or ‘lion city’ in Malay. - Visit Singapore

The park has an overlooking view of the Marina Bay plus the MBS Hotel, which was a breath-taking sight.

As we go along our way back to the hotel, was another spectacular scene- the high-rise buildings of the city, which was even more picturesque at night. Too bad we've got not much time to savor everything.

Heading back to Malaysia, was a 5-6 hours bus travel. Good thing travel buses here are much more comfortable than the conventional buses in the Philippines, with a reclining and massaging seats. Oh, and we did have to stop for the immigration, both for Singapore and Malaysia. Everything was the same as what was happening in airports - interview with immigration officers, checking of passports, checking of luggage.

We did got back to Kuala Lumpur safely, but incompletely. I forgot my glasses at the bus. I was so sleepy getting out of the bus that when I realized my missing glasses, the bus was already on the run. :(

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That pretty much sums up my 2 days Singapore visit. I really did enjoy my stay here, although it is a bit short for me. If given a chance, I would really much love to go back in this beautiful country.

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Shock Delivered.

acls October 09, 2015

It has been 2 years since I had my last BLS & ACLS training at the Philippine Heart Center. The BLS training was not much of a problem but the ACLS was. And oh boy, that ACLS training was like a train running fast straight on me - hitting, colliding and leaving me almost dead on the spot. Yes, almost dead as I thought I would never survive the written and especially, practical exams ( I hate return demonstrations ). Literally almost all the information that was being poured on that training was a bit "above-of-my-level" kind of thing. There were these ECG readings, pharmacology, pathophysiology, all of which are really not my forte. And in this "megacode" of our practical exam, they were flashing these cardiac rhythms and I was like, "What the heck is that? All I know is an asytole" ( well, only on my mind ). Good thing I had experienced nurses and doctors as my group mates who were coaching me what these crazy lines were. But in the end, with God's grace and a bit of good luck and coaching, I passed.

As you may know, the validity of AHA's BLS & ACLS is only for two years, so ( yes, you are right ), I am in need of renewal. But this time, the train did not hit me straight on. It almost ran on me but did not hit me - it missed me. I was prepared.

I got my BLS & ACLS training under the FDM Training Center. Maybe because I had the training before or the instructors had made it everything understandable, I do not know; but one thing was for sure, I was now able to grasp every information that was offered. I have now understood, almost every concept of it, especially the cardiac rhythms; unlike before where my "kabisote" self was doing all the work and not even bothering to understand every single detail. Everything went well actually. I passed the written exam with flying colors. Mainly because I recognized the questions which were the questions I had when I took my first BLS and ACLS exams (though the answers were not really given after each exam). Anyway, the practicals went well too. I was now able to differentiate and recognize Supraventricular Tachycardia from A-Fib, Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia from Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia and so on. I had now understood each algorithm and management for each case and the reason behind them. I am now proud that I actually passed this training, with the understanding ( almost ) of all of its concept.

Here are some of simplified concepts that made my BLS & ACLS training a less complicated one:

Always ensure to maintain safety throughout your BLS & ACLS survey. If not, it is an indication of withholding resuscitation.
A conscious patient needs initial management of ACLS survey while an unconscious one needs BLS. I am only talking about the survey here okay?
Immediately start defibrillating the patient as soon as the AED / defibrillator arrives. Even if you are still in the middle of your CPR and still not complete with the 30 compressions and the AED / defibrillator is ready, shock the patient immediately.
You do not give any drug on the first 2 minutes of resuscitation , may it be asystole, PEA, or pulseless v-fib vtach. This is to check if the dysrhythmia will respond to or resistive to shock.
Resume high quality CPR after each shock.
Cardioversion is done in synchrony with the heartbeat , low-energy shock is delivered at the R-wave ; whereas asynchronous defibrillation is done irregardless with the heartbeat , that is a high-energy shock is delivered randomly, irregardless of the QRS complex .
Polymorphic unstable vtach is treated with defibrillation . Any other vtach can be treated by either synhronized cardioversion or pharmacologic approaches.
A patient is stable if he / she is asymptomatic and with a BP of equal or more than 90/60 whereas unstable patients are those with serious signs and symptoms and BP of less than 90/60.
Epinephrine is given every 3-5mins , that is why it is alternated with any anti-arrhythmic drugs during the 2-minute rhythm analysis.
Epinephrine is the only drug given during PEA / asytole.
Carotid massage is not recommended for patients 60 y / o and above for the risk of dislodging a clot that might cause a stroke.
Remeber to act FAST when a stroke is suspected. Use the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale . F ACIAL droop, A rm drift, S peech : inappropriate or slurred. I added T ime , which is when you first notice any of the signs and symptoms.
ECG rhythms:

** These are a combination of what I learned for myself during my self-review and during the training itself. Feel free to question anything that might be incorrect.

Oh, and another thing, (I'm not actually sure if this was new, but this was definitely new to me) AHA's got this new feature where you can view your certificates and print your own just by logging in online! So, when you misplaced your certificates or somewhat has been accidentally ruined, you can now easily print one. All you need to do is go to cprverify.org the create an account. The name that you will register will be the one to show up on your certificates. After signing up, verify your account via your email. After verifying, log-in your account then enter your certificate number that can be found on either of your card or certificate. You need to give a feedback first before you can print your certificates, so just finish this feedback about your training and poof!... Your certificates are already print-ready.

But take note, this only applies on certificates not on card. So if you lost your card, better go to the training center where you had your training or any AHA accredited center to get another one.

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Comfort Zone.

TryCook 101: Chicken Cordon Bleu

Langkawi Island Hopping

Singapore Adventure 2.0

Shock Delivered.

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