Khemcy’s Weblog

           I have always been a serious college student ever since my first year. But my four years have also been fulfilled with unforgettable and crazy experiences. It was on my third year when I learned what they call “1-2-3” in jeepneys. It’s when you just ride on a jeep without paying any cents. I already did that for maybe three times.(haha). Well my first time was a bit awful because I’m not used of doing such thing. It’s just a coincidence, I thought I have enough coins for my fare that night (I came from School). But to my amazement, what left in my wallet was only a P500 peso bill. If ever I will pay the driver with that bill, he might get mad at me, that’s why I chose not to pay anymore. I hide my self a little so that the driver wouldn’t notice me. I only heave a sigh when I finally reach our place and step out of the vehicle. The second and third experience was just my “trip”. I really meant not to pay. Thanks God, the drivers was not able to notice me.  After the third experience, I promise I wouldn’t do that again. 

           I also have crazy experiences during my OJT (On the Job Training) days.I can still remember that day when our professor tasked us to work on a science-theme article. I chose to write about AIDS. And because my topic is a bit “technical”, I need to find information about it. At the moment, I don’t really have time to research on it in the Internet or in any medical books because I had a very hectic schedule with my subjects. Since there is a computer in the office, I just decided to research there. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to use the computer for any other purposes aside from the letters (supplements as they call it) to be sent to the company’s clients. Another thing was, it’s being monitored.  I don’t know what came to my mind, though its really prohibited, I still tried it. It was my luck when my boss went out to meet a client. We were just alone there. I am with another “practicumer” and who happened to be my friend also.

             I readily went in front of the computer and then research about AIDS. As I would already print it, I remembered the printing machine was not at the same office, it’s on the other department. However, it did not stop me from printing the 14-page information I found. I told my friend to stay at the office while I went to the machine and waited to print all those papers.  I was a bit surprised when the other bosses were there. They asked me what was that, I said those were just the supplements for the clients. They looked at it and only see the first page, it was really a supplement. I already thought of it in the first place so I print also one letter for our client and next to it until the last page was already the AIDS information.  

            In short, I was never caught and it’s a “job” well done. It was then the first and last time I did such a crazy thing.

          Actually, I had another experience during my OJT. It was the company’s Christmas party. Our boss gave us a CD as a Christmas present. Of course I thanked her, but honestly I don’t like the singer. Since there were still many CDs in one of the drawers, I look for my favorite one. At last, I found it! What I did was— I exchange it with the one my boss gave me. The next day, our boss asked where was that CD. She said it’s for her client. My friend was there when I exchange it so she knew it wasn’t already in the drawer. After she heard our “ma’am” ask for it, she suddenly looked at me, surprised. Thanked God, our boss didn’t notice my friend’s reaction. 

            She instructed me to find it. Of course I looked for the CD, as if I don’t really knew where it was. But (may be) because she’s very busy, she already forgot to ask me for the CD again. That’s it!            

           The CD was still with me until now. I really kept it, not only because it was a gift I treasured, but as well as a remembrance to one of the crazy things I did.

-#30-                 

          The time is really fast-approaching that I can’t seem to realize I’ll be graduating in a few months from now. My four years of hard work in college will finally over. Thus, I can say, those years in the University of the East have been fulfilled with challenging and memorable experiences. 

            I consider my first day in UE as one of the most momentous experience during College. Since I came from the province, I am not quite familiar with the places here in Manila, as well as with the “four corners” of the University. I really don’t know where to go or in which building will be my first class. However, may be because of my eagerness not to be late in my first class, I asked a lady guard where it is located without showing her that I’m lost. At last I found my room but I’m a bit late. Since then, little by little I have learned to adjust to the new environment.

          I also met new people and eventually became my new found friends. For the first two weeks, I was really quiet and would only smile to my classmates whenever they’re looking at me. Actually they thought I am snobbish and shy because I don’t talk to them. But later on they learned that I’m not aloof at all and discover that I am a very jolly and approachable person. I became active then and re-gain my confidence from the new atmosphere.

           I also learned to be an independent person. My family is not living with me in Manila, so I can only rely with myself. I made my own decision regardless of what my parents would say about it. And it taught me a lesson— never come up to a firm decision unless I am sure of it and can accept whatever outcome it may bring. But sometimes, we cannot really say that what we expect will take place. Well, it’s part of our life! And I can’t do nothing but face the consequences of my wrong decisions. At least I’ve learned with my mistakes.            

             I will not also forget when I got my college scholarship during my second year in the University. I never really expected it since I thought my effort in studying is not enough to prove that I am also qualified to receive that kind of scholarship. And I was not quite sure then if it would stay until I reach my fourth year. And thanks God, I maintained it and made to a university scholar. It was an achievement for me. And I must admit, it helps me a lot (financially speaking) since my parents were the ones paying my tuition.  

           As I reach my third year in college, I had already finished my on-the-job training (ojt). It was one of my most exciting experiences.

             Many would say that it is the most difficult part in college. Yes, that’s true, but only for the first few days of the actual work. I really got nervous and excited at the same time. There were new faces and of course the true bosses, who gave the assessments as to how I worked and developed my skills in the field. Though I’m really tensed and with a feeling of uneasiness to the working place, I faced it with courage and confidence. I never showed I was frightened, yet, I followed all the instructions given to me.  

           Since I was first assigned in Advertising and Marketing department, I had to learn the ways and means in the business as well as how the people work there. Fortunately, I was able to cope up with the environment in the department and made friends to the employees. I can still remember the very first thing I did in the department. I was tasked to call a list of telephone numbers of different companies in Metro Manila just to confirm if the contact numbers were still the same and asked who are the present advertising/ marketing head from those companies. It took me two weeks to finally finish all those confirmations because I was only told to call them during our free times.

           Moreover, I can’t forget the day when the advertising/marketing director instructed me to bring some important papers to one of their clients and told me some information about those files. I really got nervous because I’m going there personally with no one else with me and was given the trust to do the job well.  

           What if I tell the wrong facts or if I forget what are the things that I should suppose to say? These were just some of the few questions in my mind. Well, I can’t say no or “I don’t want to do that” to my boss. And so, even if my heart is pounding too hard, I followed her command. At the moment I just thought that I should be glad she already trusts me even though I’m still an ojt. It was an opportunity for me on the other hand.  Well, I’m pleased to say that it’s a job well done. Since then, she would always task me to go to any companies, which are their clients, to bring some important papers.

          I am thankful that I was able to accomplish all the tasks given to me. Above all, I am grateful that I have acquired so much learning on my practicum.

         Through it all, the ka journs bonding and happy moments will also be part of my memorable stay in UE. Actually, not only in the vicinity of the University but as well as in other places where we were together; those times when we shared laughter, fun and even sadness for those ka journs who have to stop schooling for a while due to some personal problems. However, it doesn’t mean our friendship will be over. We are still friends and they will always be my treasured friends.

            In one way or another, I believe that these experiences will somewhat help me overcome the obstacles I will soon encounter when I’m already practicing the career I chose.

            I know there are more challenges and exciting experiences to come. The true hardship would finally take place. Though I don’t have any idea of what will I become in the future, I’ll make sure I will not run away from those burden but rather I would face those with confidence and a smile, like what I did during my first day in college.

                                                                          -#30- 

               How solely do you know yourself? Have you ever thought of having other personalities other than what you think you have? This may sound odd but can you imagine that this may really happen. What if you have what they called in psychology an alter ego? (This simply means— there is another persona within you, or can also be described as “the other I”, and this could either be a good or evil “mystical companion”.) Or worst, thought of having an MPD, or multiple personality disorder. Maybe it’s not the first time you heard this. But how far do you know this kind of disorder? Actually many doesn’t believe that there really some kind of an MPD or some keep on asking if it exist. However, whether you believe it or not, there are really people who acquire the same case and have several personalities within a single body.                  

               Multiple Personality Disorder is defined as the condition of a person having two or more alternate distinct identities or personalities who can control his or her consciousness and behavior. This is a rare and mysterious psychological phenomenon that even professionals don’t consider to take place.

            According to various psychiatric findings, MPD is caused by serious childhood trauma that creates a mental split as defense against that certain traumatic experience. Thus, the different “alters” occur. Those personalities are develop separately  and when the time come that a person is matured enough, can help him or her to deal with stress by expressing annoyance or animosity towards a certain thing; or can even relieve the pain that the “main” personality is experiencing at the moment.                  

             Consequently, each alters have its own mood, memories, behaviors and even experiences. They also possess different names, histories and personality traits. But nevertheless, it is also not unusual for some patients to have identities of different genders, sexual orientations, ages, or nationalities. The average MPD patient has between two and ten alters, and would you believe other individual have reported to have over one hundred.

           The most modern patients are women. They have suffered intense trauma which is caused by sexual abuses and maltreatment.

             MPD patients have either any of the following symptoms; amnesia, depersonalization, identity disturbances and derealization.  

             Patients who have amnesia mostly suffer from lost of memory. They don’t remember anything from the past. And it happens when another personality is “out” of the body. For example, they may find items inside their house that they never knew has been purchased or other proof of unexplained activity not knowing that they actually did it.

          Depersonalization is an MPD symptom in which patients feel something different is happening in his body. They would feel that their body is unreal, changing or is dissolving.

            Derealization occurs when patients sense that the environment where hey belong seems not real. They may see buildings and other objects changes in different shapes, size or color. And in some cases patients can’t even recognize their relatives and the circle of friends.

          Identity disturbances on the hand, results when the patient has changed the entire identity to another personality; including the traits, characteristics and even the memories of the other alter. The identity may come out anytime, especially when the main personality suffers again the same experience she had before.  

              These symptoms may vary with regards to the awareness of the alters.

             The treatment of MPD may last for five to seven years and usually requires a patient to undergo different medications. But the patient should be treated by a therapist with specialized learning and training on the area. They may use psychotherapy, where several psychological techniques are used to cope up with the problem of the patient; or can also use a series of counseling.

                 The most common method for the other identities to come out is the use of hypnosis. This may help patients to recover from what they have experienced at the past by sometimes talking to their other alters; and also to control the patients problematic behaviors.

                 These medications will only take place if the patients’ alters will cooperate with the other personalities, as such, each stress and problems will finally be solved.

***

            Certainly, if you encounter those symptoms cited, try to see a physician immediately.

            So now, as to find out the answers to the latter questions— try to give yourself a break. For a moment, don’t think of your problems, and just relax. You may realize something within yourself, and then at the count of three, relax, close your eyes and think of the place you want to go right now. One…two… three…

-#30-