Golosinos in UK # 2

Now I would like to share something about the country’s healthcare – NHS. As we have moved three times, we have mastered the step by step, first things first of all what to dos and that is to have yourself registered to the nearest clinic in your area. Well, with a toddler in our family, to set aside healthcare is just silly.

GP or General Practitioner is how we call doctors here. Generally, healthcare in UK is free. Totally free for children aged 0-16, pregnant women, and elders aged 60 and above. I say totally because any prescribed medicine for these people is also free. If your case is not an emergency, you have to call and schedule for an appointment before a GP can see you and when it is an emergency, you can either call 999 or go to the nearest NHS Hospital. Simple? Yes, that’s how it is supposed to be.

Ngayon para maiwasan ang kung anu pa mang komento mula sa lahi ng mga GPs dito, i-kwento ko ang pamamaraan nila sa ating wika.

Ito ay ang mga pagkakataon na kinailangan naming magpatingin sa kanila. Gusto ko lang ibahagi ang iba’t-ibang senaryo na naranasan namin.

Dahil si Mia ay hindi rito ipinanganak, lahat na nang bakuna o shots na kailangan ay halos kumpleto na niya. Pero hindi lahat ng ibinibigay sa Pilipinas ay ibinibigay nila rito gaya ng shots para sa bulutong. Gaya ng nasabi ko, kapag sa mga bata, wala ka talaga poproblemahin dahil lahat ay libre. Ultimo lotion pag dry ang balat ng bata ay ibinibigay din nila ng libre.

Napakaswerte namin dahil simula ng mapadpad kami rito ay mayroon na kaming pribadong healthcare provider mula sa unang kompanya ni Jose. Kaya naman nuong lumipat si Jose ng employer, inisip namin na kailangan din namin kumuha nito dahil iba talaga ang nagagawa ng “peace of mind.” Gaya na lang sa Pilipinas na back to back ang Maxicare at Medicard sa pag-cover sa aming pamilya. Pero anu nga ba ang silbi ng private healthcare rito? Kahit hindi malinaw sa amin ni Jose kung anung silbi nito, pikit mata namin binabayaran ang AXA PP buwan-buwan para kaming tatlo ay maging covered.

Ito ang isang senaryo na nag-pahinga sa aming dibdib…

Sobrang sakit ng likod ko pag matagal akong natayo o na-upo sa isang pwesto gaya nang kapag: naghuhugas ako ng plato, nagva-vacuum, nagsasampay, at namamalantsa. Pagkatapos kapag nasa sasakyan kami, talaga namang halos baliin ko na ang leeg ko para mawala ang ngawit na nararamdaman ko. Sinabi ko ang lahat ng ito sa GP. Wala siya ginawa kung hindi pinatayo ako kinapa ng bahagya ang likod ko sabay sabi ng, “I don’t think there’s a problem. Probably it’s just your posture.” Sira ba ang ulo niya? Bakit ako magsasayang ng oras para sundin ang mahabang proseso ng pagpapatingin sa kanila kung postura lang sa tingin ko ang problema. Kung iyon man, paano niya nasabi iyon? Kung sa atin, Xray agad yun. Sa isip ko magagaya lang ito noong panahon na para akong nababaliw na at walang ibang pinagawa ang GP kung hindi i-blood test ako para sa diabetes, liver at cholesterol na inabot ng dalawang buwan bago ko pa malaman na normal naman daw lahat at wala ako dapat ikabahala na kung hindi pa ako tumawag hindi ko malalaman... Kaya kung anuman ang napagdaanan ko nuon, sadyang matatag lang siguro akong tao para hindi isuko ang pag-iisip ko.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at nagtaas na ako ng boses at nagsabing, “You know we are actually covered by AXA PP. Do you think it will be better if you give the referral to them? I think I really need a specialist.” O, diba ang yabang ko? Kasi hindi niyo kami masisi dahil ang eng-eng talaga nung GP na ‘yon! Kulang na lang tumulo ang laway niya. Saka siya natauhan at nagsabing sige raw gagawa siya ng referral. Ngayon niya sabihin na posture lang ang problema. Akala ko ba posture lang, bakit igagawa niya ako ng referral kung base sa kanyang propesyonal na hatol e posture lang. Ano? Nakuha siya sa dikta ng isang pasyenteng may “private healthcare?" (Ang sistema kasi, bago i-cover ng AXA PP ang specialist kailangan i-recommend ng GP).

Hindi lang iyon, may problema rin ako sa mga pribadong parte ng katawan ko at sa totoo lang, hindi ako maselan kung lalaki o babae ang titingin sa akin. Pero siya ayaw niya ako tignan, sa babaeng GP daw ako magpaschedule. Sa isip ko, kung ako kaya si Keira Knightley, magdadalawang isip kaya siya? O baka nainis na siya sa dami ng hinaing ko… Kaya kahit hindi niya pa nakumpirma ang stado ng problema ko ni-resetahan niya ako ng lahat ng gamot na hiniling ko. Isipin mo ‘yon. Reseta para sa sakit na hindi siya sigurado! Wala na akong pakielam basta ako’y sigurado na ‘yon ang mga gamot ko noong nasa Pilipinas ako.

So paano ang singilan sa gamot dito para sa edad na pagitan ng bata at over 60s? Ang bawat gamot sa reseta kahit gaano pa karami o kakonti ay GBP7.10 sa ngayon. Halimbawa sa reseta may antibiotic at paracetamol, ibig sabihin GBP14.20 ang babayaran mo. Pero mayroon silang tinatawag ng Pre-prescription Charge certificate na good for 3 months or 12 months. Ang 3 months ay nasa humigit kumulang na GBP28 at ang 12 months ay nasa mga GBP100. Dahil sa apat na iba’t-ibang klaseng gamot ang nireseta sa akin noong “matalinong” GP na ‘yon bumili ako ng PPC for 3 months. Ibig sabihin sa loob ng tatlong buwan kahit ano pa ang i-reseta sa akin, bayad na. Ewan ko ba kung magandang bumili ako non kasi pagkatapos noon ay nagkasakit na kami ni Mia. Lahat ng gamot ni Mia ay libre at ako naman ay bayad na ng PPC ko. Kung tutuusin, ok na rin dahil ang isang gamot ko sa reseta ay Php3k sa Pilipinas.

Pre-prescription Charge Certificate

Matapos ang dalawang linggo, dumating na ang referral ng NHS sa isang specialist clinic. Kailangan ko na raw mag-paschedule. Noong tumawag ako sabi ko na hindi ako pwede ng weekdays dahil nga wala mag-aalaga sa anak ko. Wala raw sila libreng physiotherapist from NHS ng weekend. Sabi ko, anong gagawin ko? Wala talaga ako mapag-iwanan. Sinagot ako na wala raw sila magagawa. Kausapin ko raw asawa ko na mag-leave sa trabaho… O ‘di sige, wala nga raw sila magagawa e. Hanggang sa binalikan ko ang sinabi ng babae – walang physiotherapist from NHS. Tumawag ako agad at sinabi kong may private healthcare ako kailangan ko ng weekend na schedule. Walang isang minuto, may schedule na ko. Napahinga ako ng malalim at nagpasalamat na buti at may AXA PP kami.

Hating-hati ang loob ko kung pupurihin ko sila o malulungkot. Wala nga atang perpektong pamamaraan.

Nakakatawa dahil noong may sakit kami ni Mia, sinabi ko (ibang GP na ito) na nilalagnat ako’t hindi makahinga, kailangan ko ng paracetamol at gamot sa sipon at ubo. Sinabi ko na may PPC ako. Sinabihan lang ako na mura lang ang paracetamol bakit ‘di na lang ako bumili. Tapos hindi ko raw kailangan ng gamot sa ubo’t sipon dahil lilipas din ang sakit ko matapos ang dalawa hanggang tatlong linggo. Seryoso ba siya? May lagnat na nga ako! Pinagtaasan ko ulit siya ng boses na kailangan ko ng reseta at sinabing, “Maybe for GPs like you, a paracetamol costs nothing. You see, in our family, my husband is the only one who works and I bought PPC not just to display the card, so I need that prescription.” E di binigyan niya ko. Pinilit ko pa na kailangan ko ng gamot sa sipon at ubo pero hindi ko raw kailangan. Kung after a week daw ay hindi pa ako gumagaling, bumalik na lang daw ako. Asar na asar na ako kaya ‘di na ko humirit pa. Salamat talaga at may stock pa ako ng Neozep at Katinko dahil ayoko maghintay ng isa pang linggo.

Eto naman ang kay Mia, e ‘di libre nga lahat ng gamot niya. Paano naman ang GP? (Iba rin ito.) Inalam niya kung ano sakit ni Mia, as usual paracetamol lang daw at hindi kailangan ng gamot sa sipon at ubo, lilipas din daw. Tapos ok nga raw na magkakasipon ang bata kasi mas lumalakas ang immune system. Hay! Kung anuman ibig niya sabihin na ok na nagkakasipon, sana naman may iba siya paraan ng pag-paliwanag. Para na niyang sinabi na maswerte si Mia na sinisipon dahil palalakasin siya nito! Tapos alam ko raw ba ang timbang ni Mia. Sabi ko huli kong check last month pa at sinabi ko na nga na 18kg. Sa isip ko, e asa tabi niya lang yung timbangan, dapat SOP na siya ang tumingin. Last month pa yung timbang na ‘yon! (Ang sipag mo Tsong!) Tapos grabe, paracetamol lang at lotion tumingin pa talaga siya dun sa libro ng mga gamot! At tama kayo sa hinala niyo! Mali ang dosage na ibinigay niya. Laking pasalamat talaga ako sa pharmacist sa lugar namin dahil talagang ipinatawag pa niya ako at pinayuhan na 5ml lang ang dapat kay Mia at hindi 10ml. Pinagsabihan niya ko na at all times, basahin ko ang label ng gamot for instructions kahit ano pa ang direction ng GP para kung may conflict makahingi ako 2nd opinion. Bakit ba hindi na lang yung pharmacist ang naging GP!!!

Mia's FREE Meds

Ano? Tatlong iba’t-ibang GP ganyan? Naku... judgmental lang siguro ako.

Nitong Sabado ay nag-punta na nga kami sa Blackberry Clinic kung saan ako tinignan ng likod. Ayun cancellation pa lang ng appointment ay GBP35 na (mag-cancel kasi sana ako at tanghali kami nagising) paano kaya yung mismong charge nila sa pag-check-up at mismong program ng pagpapagaling? Hindi na kami nagtanong basta ang importante sagot ng healthcard. Hay! Sana naman dahil “private” clinic na ito, talagang mapapagaling nila ako. At hindi ako ang manghuhula ng dapat nila gawin. Balitaan ko na lang kayo…

Pasensiya na kung medyo negatibo ang dating ng post na ito…sa kabuuan, pasalamat pa rin kami sa biyaya ng tinatanggap namin araw-araw. Naway pagpalain Niya ang mga taong walang pribadong healthcard sa bansang ito.

Part 4 of 4: Our 4th Year Anniversary Celebration

Very Heavy English Breakfast before the Very Long Walk...

For the last leg of our anniversary celebration, Jose brought me to Blenheim Palace to see ‘the finest view in England’ as expressed by Lady Randolph Churchill…

“As we passed through the entrance archway and the lovely scenery
burst upon me, Randolph said with pardonable pride, ‘This is the finest view in
England.’ Looking at the lake, the bridge, the miles of magnificent park studded
with old oaks, I found no adequate words to express my admiration and when we
reached the huge stately palace, I confess I felt awed. But my American pride
forbade the admission.”

I thought I’ve seen the best of palaces when I’ve seen the Windsor Castle. I know I am in no position to compare which is better than the other but with the most innocent remark, let me say that Blenheim Palace in its entirety is simply stunning. Crowns, Chinas and the Royal family’s history and treasures aside, Blenheim changed our minds about collecting souvenirs, buying guide books and just taking our time to breathe and remember every spot that our eyes bring us to.

2,000 acres of beautiful parkland is no joke. As soon as we were welcomed by the Hensington Gate, I knew we were up to aching limbs and feet. I thought people who have their own vehicles were very lucky as they could explore the whole place. But the parking lot is the closest that their convenience could get to. The weather that day was rubbish. It was too cold and too wet for the get-up that we naively wore (more for Jose). Nonetheless, we were in the anniversary spirit that our loving arms can keep the warmth, our courageous legs can saunter leisurely and our lucky charm, well, can stay obedient.

Umuulan na, picture at smile pa rin!

Check HOW FAR we had to walk before reaching the Palace!

Left/Above: Main Entrance Right/Below: The Blenheim Palace

The pictures that we have could not do justice to what this place has to offer. As I’ve said, we decided to take in everything we could hence our camwhoring selves did not live up to that status.

The palace tour was something really new to us. It was divided into two parts, first is the guided tour (that we were not able to take advantage of) to the State Apartments and the other is the virtual tour of Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story. Taking pictures is not allowed inside so as much as we’d like to be sneaky, the pictures in the guide book is all that I could share to you.

Left: The 67-foot-high Great Hall* Right: Red Drawing Room* (Used as Billiards Room years ago)

Left: Second State Room* Right: Green Writing Room*

Left: The China Ante Room* Right: Green Drawing Room*

Left: First State Room* Right:Third State Room*

Left: Long Library* Right: The Organ*

The Chapel*

As opposed to what the Palace’s flyer suggests, in my opinion, it is better to take the virtual tour before going to the State Apartments. The virtual tour made us (the ignorant couple) more engaged to who the Marlboroughs and the Churchills really were. We thought Mia would make the whole 45-minute experience hard for us but the props, lights and effects were truly appealing. Most of the time, Mia was left at awe. It was also a good thing that we were grouped with very patient grandmas and grandpas that every reaction or noise coming from her was acknowledged as adorable.

Engaging Virtual Tour - The Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story

For those who would like to know, the Blenheim Palace, a world heritage site, is where the “Greatest Briton of All Time” was born. Lady Randolph Churchill gave birth to Sir Winston Churchill in one of the palace’s small bedroom. (Duh? How small is small?) He was Britain’s Prime Minister from 1940-1945 and 1951-1955. He is also considered as a national hero. The Blenheim is also where Sir Churchill proposed to his wife, Clementine Hozier. It happened during a summer downpour (noon pa man ibang klase na talaga panahon dito…) as they took shelter at the Temple of Diana.

Left: The "Little" Room* where Sir Churchill was born Right: Framed in the middle of bed's rail is Sir Churchill's curls* cut from his head when he was five years old

Temple of Diana

Inside the palace, I prayed every chance I get that somehow, maybe the rain could go away… Like a miracle, as soon as we finished both tours the heavy showers stopped. We took it as a signal to carry on with the long trek of gardens sans the umbrella and buggy for they were in the Great Hall’s entrance. This was the greatest bonding of all bonding experiences that the three of us had. To keep Mia from asking where her buggy was, Jose and I decided to make the trail like of Dora the Explorer’s. Bridge. Rose Garden. Waterfalls! Then, Waterfalls. Boat House. Palace! (For Non-Dora fans, you would understand someday…) All we had was a bottle of water for that two-hour walk. And when we were at the lakeside trying to find the Boat House, it was as if we were in the middle of a typhoon. I know… we are very bad parents and Mia once again proved that she is sweet and kind and a darling.

The Upper Water Terrace*

Left/Above: Lower Water Terrace Right/Below:The caryatids and tiered shells between the Water Terraces

Left: Off to Arboretum Right: The Arboretum

Left: I want to sit!!! Right: Going to the Lakeside Walk

"Typhoon" at Lakeside

Left: Boat House Right: Naawa na si Daddy...

Please put your eyebrows down when I say that it was all worth it especially when we reached the Waterfalls or the Grand Cascade. We were fortunate to arrive at that spot with another couple also celebrating their wedding anniversary, their 40th. I blushed (and felt very humbled) when I replied that we are also celebrating our anniversary, our 4th. All the same, we had our family picture and they also had a sweet remembrance of themselves together.

The Grand Cascade* One of England's Most Pisturesque Waterfalls

We had a short hot chocolate break after that damp but joyful experience. As soon as Mia’s back touched her buggy, she was knocked out. This made us realized that we tortured her enough. As much as we’d like to go to the Secret Garden, the Temple of Health, Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge, Column of Victory, Queen Pool, and the Palace Station to see the Marlborough Maze, Butterfly House, Bygones Exhibiton and the Adventure Play Area, the whole Oxford experience is all ready to burst that we had to give it up to next time. Hopefully Summer next year when the Rose Garden would look like a Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden*

Parang 'di ako masyado nasiyahan sa "Rose Garden." Haha!

Left: The Secret Garden* Right: The Marlborough Maze*

The Two Great Bridges: Chamber's New Bridge and Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge

I had the most wonderful time and whenever I check the pictures especially now when the British economy is on its all time low, I can’t help but stop thinking about it and smile once more.

Thank you Hun. I’ll be looking forward to next year and the year after next and... be it as simple as a movie date or as well planned as this.

Ooops! Did I mention about a bonus? Well, ever heard me complain again about the pain of clicking away? Jose also got that covered with...

Cyber-shot w300, Cyber-shot Camera Case, 4 (Tanda ng Anniversary!) GB Memory Stick

Praise God for everything.

*All small pictures are taken from the Blenheim Palace Guidebook (obviously). All photographs there were taken by Peter Smith of Newbery Smith.

I Love This Blog

Woohoo! Thank you Cee! I heart Livin A' La Mode as well because of the enigmatic approach of her blog when it comes to how her family looks like (which is my blog's exact opposite for I obviously expose my whole family be the innocent or the brave.) That factor makes me want to visit her more for a few hints. Hehe! Although, she's also a Mom that I can relate with when it comes to parenting.

So there. To keep spreading some love, the 7 blogs that I give this to are: Cheche's, Ate Pinky's, Kuya Keith's, Ate Weng's, Ate Meeya's and Aggie's. If you want to know why, pay them a visit and I'm telling you... their blogs are worth anyone's time.

~Start Copy~

The Rules of the Award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her Blog.

2. Link the person you received your Award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other Blogs.

4. Put links of those Blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the Blogs of those you have nominated.

Previous awardees: Mabelle, Prily, Ate Norma, I Love Philippines Too, Shenga, Nova, WebbieStuffs, Nancy, Webloglearner, Pinay Wahm, and My So Called Life, Let’s Spice Things Up, Beauty and Shop, Idealpinkrose, allin, kimchiland, Korean Food, The Paper Vision, Embrace Simplicity, Me and Mine, A Window To Our World, A Grateful Heart, Can of Thoughts, A Mother’s Stuff, http://housewifeatwork.blogspot.com/, MommaWannabe, Lourdes Mia, Praning’s Shoutout, When Silence Speaks, Etc Atbp, Aeirin’s Collections, Life is What we Make it, Underneath It All, Cellulitic Bliss, 100% Kelly, C'est La Vie, Our Family Adventure!, As We Face Forever, From This Side, Living A' La Mode, Twinkie Calls,

X Factor, X Factor and X Factor

Leona Lewis was the 2006 winner of this talent show and since then, we (Jose, Twinkie AND Mia) loved watching it. Last year’s set of finalists was not as excellent as this year’s if I may say so because this season's contestants are all impeccable. But, as they say, only one could have the X Factor. In my opinion, the top three would be:

Diana, Austin and JLS (Pictures from here)

Diana Vickers – she is 17 years old mentored by Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud (my favorite girl band after Spice Girls) and as Jose puts it, Diana should not be in the contest anymore for she should be making her own album by now. She could be Britain’s Carrie Underwood for she’s truly admirable, has got unique voice and she simply has star quality.

Austin Drage – among the boys in Simon Cowell’s group, Austin stands the best chance. Even if the arrangement thrown to him tonight was quite funny, he still made the song bearable to listen at. Unlike Scott and Ben, I like Austin’s approach of keeping things cool just like the way David Cook handled the American Idol pressure.

JLS – they are the only surviving talent of Louie Walsh early on this race. I am not sure if this country is ready to give the groups category the X Factor crown… Talent-wise, they have it. The attitude, I hope they could keep up. Will they be the next Boys II Men? Hmmm… Let’s see…

On a different note, with Britain’s economy on the brink to recession, REDUNDANCY is the most popular word or topic in BBC News. I have been keeping my thoughts on this for a few weeks now. Since Jose told me that Accenture UK will consider reducing their workforce by around 3-4% targeting SI&T, ACG and T&OP employees before the end of this year, my nights have been weary as Jose is under the SI&T group. To wait for the final annonuncement on how their company would decide on who stays and who does not is nerve-wracking! Even if Jose’s rating has really been good and he has never been out from projects, we are still not sure how safe his position is. If performance and projects are the only basis, I could probably try to breathe a little more, but no. They had to make the assessment fair to everyone. After all, this is not just about our lives… there are hundreds involved. I am irking to stay positive here…’til then, I hope and pray that Jose has the X Factor to stay. Please pray with me our dear family and friends. Thank you very much.

Now to end this on a good mood, our family in the Philippines celebrated the 50th birthday of my Mama’s eldest brother, Tito Jody. Mama’s siblings were coined as the United Colors of Benetton many times because the 7 of them had different skin colors. Tito Jody, had the darkest but he is arguably the most good looking as he was always mistaken as look-a-like of William Martinez during their younger days. At present, I think he looks more artista than William! Naks! Just like my other uncles, Tito Jody proves to be one of the best family men I have known. He was able to raise three outstanding girls and one of them is Louie Belle, our Bayanihan star. Just like her sisters, I am very proud with how she is trying to make life out of the madness in this world. That being said, I think that Louie has the X Factor to become the most awaited Miss World of our country. She’s got the looks, talent and the wits as she keeps on acing her grades at Assumption College whilst joggling her schedule with the Philippines’ well-renowned dance troupe. (O mga cousins, walang mag-selos ha? Iisa-isahin ko kayo. Don’t worry marami pa akong posts! Hehe!) Of course, Louie showcased her dancing prowess at her Daddy’s party. Take a look at some of the party pictures held at One Serendra's conference hall:

1. Lolo Daddy, Birthday Boy and Lola Mommy; 2. Dulay Family ( Far right, Tita Totie, other half of Celebrant);

3. Ate Twinkle, Angeli (youngest sister), Tito Glenn (youngest Tito) and Allison (Tito Glenn's youngest); 4. Tita Ching (Tito Glenn's other half), Mama Jean and Baby TJ - kawawa na-singkit na sa sipon ang prinsesa;

5. Jd, brother-in-law and Baby TJ; 6. Ignacios and Atienzas

7. Angeli, Baby TJ, Mama, Sean (Tito Glenn's Eldest) and Nikki Ann (Tito Jody's Second Child); 8. Mark (future cousin-in-law Hehe!) and Toni May (Tito Jody's Eldest);

9/10. Louie Belle (Tito Jody's youngest, the family's Bayanihan Star.) More dancing pictures here and here.

Again, Happy 50th birthday Tito Jody. Hanggang pictures na lang muna kami makikikain!