About 2 weeks ago I saw workers from Davao Power and Light, the local power company installing concrete power poles along our street. We live on a main road here.
Then about a week ago we received a notice that they will be moving the power from the old wooden poles to the new concrete ones and that the power will be off on Sunday April 27th from 6am to 5pm and they hope to have it completed by the projected time.
Well on Saturday the 26th we were having lunch and I hear a “boom”. I looked out the window and our power and phone lines were lying down across our driveway. A Power company truck which was getting things ready for the next day drove down the street with the Cherry Picker basket raised and pulled down the lines and pulled the mounting bracket off the wall.
Well they quickly got on our roof, reattached the bracket and reinstalled the power cables. Then they called the phone company to come reinstall our phone lines.
We called the phone company too and were told we were on the emergency repair list. Emergency is not so since they did not show up until 10am Sunday morning.
Sunday at 6am I woke to the sound of my cell phone beep from the charger going off and that was not all, all the power was off.
What a morning, no lights, no fans, no TV, nothing. The day before I filled some zip lock bags with water and put in the freezer. I then moved all the foods together and put the ice around and over them.
Since I am working and Elena is still recovering from her operation, I was in a dilemma. We usually do our marketing on Sunday and with no power I did not want to buy food to watch it spoil. Saturday evening I was texting a friend and mentioned my problem. Also my car is in the dealership for some body work, but that is another story. My friend offered to come pick us up, take us to the markets and then we could put our perishables in his refrigerator and freezer.
At 10am, just as the phone company repairman showed up my friend arrived too. After the phone was fixed, off to the mall we went. We first had lunch and then did our shopping. After shopping we went to his house to wait out the day.
At 5pm we sent a text to a friend on our street to ask if the power was back on. The answer was no. The we sent a text at 6pm and same answer. By 6:45 Elena said we needed to come home since the girls needed to get their uniforms washed and ready for school the next day. (typical here, wait to the last minute)
My friend offered for us to leave our food in his refrigerator and he will deliver it to use the next morning.
Driving home was very eerie driving down our street. The only lights was headlights from vehicles and the lights to workmen were using to work. We got in the gate and one of the girls used the lighted cell phone to find the keyhole.
About 15 minutes later the power was restored. I lifted the phone handset to see if the phone still worked and only heard static. You could call it but then both ends heard static.
When I sent a text to my friend that the power was on he told me he would be at the house about 10:15 the next morning. To indulge more on his kindness I mentioned Elena had a doctors appointment about that time so could he give her a ride to the doctors. Again he said no problem.
Even with all the trouble and trials of the day my friend showed there are still some nice and helpful people in the world. My friend is one of the best.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Philippine Hospitals
About 2 weeks ago Elena went to see a doctor, she was spotting often. After all the tests the doctor diagnosed Elena has a Myoma. That is a fibroid tumor and is most times benign.
Because of the location it was decided Elena would need a hysterectomy. She was admitted last Thursday evening into San Pedro Hospital.
Now I do not know about all hospitals in the Philippines but I have heard from other circumstances a lot of hospitals work this way. They figure out the cost of the room stay and the operation costs and that must be paid before checking in.
Elena also had to go to the Red Cross office and purchase 2 units of blood and bring them to the hospital when admitted.
During the stay, if there are any medications needed, the patient gets the prescription and someone staying with her has to go to the hospital pharmacy and pay for the medication.
There is also a tradition in the Philippines of having 24 hour a day family or friend coverage in the room with the patient. They are called “Watchers”. Watchers stay in the room, run to pharmacy, help the patient, call for a nurse if needed and keep the patient company. As shits change they also bring food from home to feed the watchers, visitors and even the patient.
The first night, the evening before the operation, Elena was in a ward. There are about 6 beds in the room with curtains to give privacy. When I saw the beds, I was reminded of old World War II movies where you see the hospitals. It was the type where the 2 ends have hooks and the spring platform attaches to the ends. Some wards have Air conditioners and some do not. Prices vary do to this choice.
The next day, after the operation, Elena was moved to a private room. This room was better. There was a wall air conditioner, a small TV on the wall. The bed was bigger and the head could be raised. Not remotely but with a crank at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was nice and clean. I had looked at meals. They are probably fine for the Filipino palate but it looked unappetizing to me.
The nursing staff was plentiful since it is a teaching hospital. They would come in and take vitals often and were available if needed.
There is very little parking near the hospital but there is a mall across the street with a multi-level parking so I would park at the mall. I had to remember to move my car before the mall closed with is 8PM Sunday -Thursday and 9PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Elena was supposed to be released on Sunday but her doctor never came to visit and sign the discharge forms so Elena had to stay until Monday.
Elena is doing well and not in much discomfort. At times she gets dizzy so it is good we still have the walker from her mother. Elena uses the walker as a safety as she moves around the house.
I am so thankful for our nieces for staying round the clock at the hospital and one would come home with me to open the gate to park the car at home. This is because we are on a main thoroughfare with no shoulder. With all the traffic I need someone to open the gates and stop traffic. Most main roads do not have shoulders to park on.
Also I am thankful for my new bosses. They let me leave when necessary and not have to work a full day on Saturday.
Elena’s cell phone has also been busy throughout this ordeal and still with text messages from friends seeing how Elena is doing.
Elena has the sweet personality to make friends with most people she meets and most are so caring too.
Now we are just watching the recovery times and I know soon Elena will be back to her same self.
Because of the location it was decided Elena would need a hysterectomy. She was admitted last Thursday evening into San Pedro Hospital.
Now I do not know about all hospitals in the Philippines but I have heard from other circumstances a lot of hospitals work this way. They figure out the cost of the room stay and the operation costs and that must be paid before checking in.
Elena also had to go to the Red Cross office and purchase 2 units of blood and bring them to the hospital when admitted.
During the stay, if there are any medications needed, the patient gets the prescription and someone staying with her has to go to the hospital pharmacy and pay for the medication.
There is also a tradition in the Philippines of having 24 hour a day family or friend coverage in the room with the patient. They are called “Watchers”. Watchers stay in the room, run to pharmacy, help the patient, call for a nurse if needed and keep the patient company. As shits change they also bring food from home to feed the watchers, visitors and even the patient.
The first night, the evening before the operation, Elena was in a ward. There are about 6 beds in the room with curtains to give privacy. When I saw the beds, I was reminded of old World War II movies where you see the hospitals. It was the type where the 2 ends have hooks and the spring platform attaches to the ends. Some wards have Air conditioners and some do not. Prices vary do to this choice.
The next day, after the operation, Elena was moved to a private room. This room was better. There was a wall air conditioner, a small TV on the wall. The bed was bigger and the head could be raised. Not remotely but with a crank at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was nice and clean. I had looked at meals. They are probably fine for the Filipino palate but it looked unappetizing to me.
The nursing staff was plentiful since it is a teaching hospital. They would come in and take vitals often and were available if needed.
There is very little parking near the hospital but there is a mall across the street with a multi-level parking so I would park at the mall. I had to remember to move my car before the mall closed with is 8PM Sunday -Thursday and 9PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Elena was supposed to be released on Sunday but her doctor never came to visit and sign the discharge forms so Elena had to stay until Monday.
Elena is doing well and not in much discomfort. At times she gets dizzy so it is good we still have the walker from her mother. Elena uses the walker as a safety as she moves around the house.
I am so thankful for our nieces for staying round the clock at the hospital and one would come home with me to open the gate to park the car at home. This is because we are on a main thoroughfare with no shoulder. With all the traffic I need someone to open the gates and stop traffic. Most main roads do not have shoulders to park on.
Also I am thankful for my new bosses. They let me leave when necessary and not have to work a full day on Saturday.
Elena’s cell phone has also been busy throughout this ordeal and still with text messages from friends seeing how Elena is doing.
Elena has the sweet personality to make friends with most people she meets and most are so caring too.
Now we are just watching the recovery times and I know soon Elena will be back to her same self.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I Got a Job
Last week a friend of mine called me for an interesting proposition. He is involved and soon to be a partner with an Architectural and Engineering Firm here in Davao.
They are in need of someone to help get some drafting for about a month. The pay is not much but it gets my foot in the door and hopefully it can grow to a higher position for a better salary.
My friend would like to have me support him with his marketing role. Also Friday I met with the Architect and showed him how I use AutoCAD Architectural Desktop, not just the basic AutoCAD. In Desktop you draw with 3D walls instead of just lines. Then you insert doors, windows and other items that are inserted into the drawing and become part of the building. Then these items can be put on a schedule that will update if an item changes. This relieves the worry of the schedule not truly reflecting the items on the plan.
There is also an automated area schedule that updates if the size of the building changes.
The architect was very impressed with the quality and speed using this system.
This firm is involved in both local work and outsourcing. Outsourcing is where a company in another country hires a company in another country to do their work.
If you live in the US you know about talking to a customer representative for a company and you hear a strong accent. This is because a lot of companies have their customer service or tech support outsourced to a company in India.
The nice part in the Philippines, most people speak English well. Also since the wage in the Philippines is so much lower than the USA or Middle East you can get qualified people servicing your company for a lot less then hiring staff locally.
This firm has a Civil and Structural Engineer, a MEP Engineer (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and an Architect in charge of a department with a staff of graduates that are licensed too. In America you see more drafting school graduates or fresh graduates working to get their requirements for their license.
The firm is also knowledgeable of the building and structural codes. They are using the latest software.
If you know of any company in need of the services, please contact me and I will pass the information to the principals.
They are in need of someone to help get some drafting for about a month. The pay is not much but it gets my foot in the door and hopefully it can grow to a higher position for a better salary.
My friend would like to have me support him with his marketing role. Also Friday I met with the Architect and showed him how I use AutoCAD Architectural Desktop, not just the basic AutoCAD. In Desktop you draw with 3D walls instead of just lines. Then you insert doors, windows and other items that are inserted into the drawing and become part of the building. Then these items can be put on a schedule that will update if an item changes. This relieves the worry of the schedule not truly reflecting the items on the plan.
There is also an automated area schedule that updates if the size of the building changes.
The architect was very impressed with the quality and speed using this system.
This firm is involved in both local work and outsourcing. Outsourcing is where a company in another country hires a company in another country to do their work.
If you live in the US you know about talking to a customer representative for a company and you hear a strong accent. This is because a lot of companies have their customer service or tech support outsourced to a company in India.
The nice part in the Philippines, most people speak English well. Also since the wage in the Philippines is so much lower than the USA or Middle East you can get qualified people servicing your company for a lot less then hiring staff locally.
This firm has a Civil and Structural Engineer, a MEP Engineer (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and an Architect in charge of a department with a staff of graduates that are licensed too. In America you see more drafting school graduates or fresh graduates working to get their requirements for their license.
The firm is also knowledgeable of the building and structural codes. They are using the latest software.
If you know of any company in need of the services, please contact me and I will pass the information to the principals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
