between a toothache...

Friday should be a jiggy day – looking forward to a long weekend.


A drive out of the city maybe, a theme park, and a couple of other extras. But after two minutes of being settled in my office chair - Ouchhhhh…. first taste of real toothache.

I can’t imagine, it took me several decades to experience this excruciating pain. I was twice an A1 child of my class in Highschool mainly for having the healthiest teeth. Why this pain? Okay, yes, it was my fault, chocolate pigging for a week.

With almost a dozen of Advil, Rite Aid’s oragel, and a “kulit” officemate named Gina who supplied me with those ever reliable pain killer (by the ways, with her strict instructions, she could almost pass for a doctor or a mom, perhaps?) I survived the day. Upps! must not forget Roger and his ultra pain reliever (Thanks Roger!) But what added pain to the injury, was hearing the dentist will not be able to see me until Thursday.

It was then that I realized I should be more tolerant, increase my pain threshold (my doctors in the Philippines know I have a very low tolerance of pain) three levels up at least. Calmed myself, hold onto the pain, and settled for more pain relievers and the gel.

How I miss my dentist in the Philippines…I could always call her on her cell and set-up emergency appointments even before I feel any pain.

Between a toothache, I just felt our (my Family) plans diverging. It is such and uncomfortable feeling that will ruin my enjoyment.

Between a toothache, Saturday became almost exactly like the other Saturdays but with some exciting twist, late afternoon mass, grocery shopping, with a little spree for me, to ease the pain at least.

A drive to Chinatown for two full packs of the sumptous Fullhouse’s Special Noodles (fried angel hair noodles with mixed seafood toppings) and I survived Saturday. Retiring to bed, i told Brack how i appreciate the advantages of having two boys, they pamper me (without getting jealous of my shopping, hahaha!!!). Between a toothache, i was able to sleep soundly that night.

Between a toothache, the saga continues. Sunday morning, Abraham made the pancake mixture (by the ways, he always gets the first cake out of the pan) and we all had a hefty delicious pancake breakfast. By noon we drove to Los Feliz but never get to enter Costco at all. We were discouraged by a comment from a fellow "pinoy" (colloquial term for filipino) who just came out from inside - "grabe! punong-puno ng tao sa loob!" (horrible! the place is full of people). Understandbly, it being a holiday weekend, and i guess the fact that gas price had increased, people went shopping instead of driving.

Between a toothache, I ended up enjoying chicken baked pie, a small portion of pizza, a small portion of hotdog, a taste of raspberry tea, and almost an entire cup of the yummy twirl (hardheaded - Gina will scold me for this!). And by the ways, i even managed to check out the toys, cuties, and the bicycles at Toys R Us.

Between a toothache, we drove to Burbank, stopped at the mall, and finally got our seats at AMC Center 6 for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I skipped the popcorn and the soda this time...because I have a toothache, that's why...hahaha!!! With most eateries closed, when we got out of the moviehouse, we salvaged whatever "pangat" (stands for pangatlong init- or leftover food) we have in the fridge and laughed about the movie, the four of us...Took the pain relievers, then off to bed.

Between a toothache, Monday was a delight, woke up to see the kids already doing their homework is such a relief. Cleaned the house, put things in order and finally, watched Message in a Bottle (for the fourth time, this movie touched me so much, but i never liked the ending though, that's why I stop the movie at a scene near the ending that I like - wise!).

At the end of the day, I just realized that the long weekend is over and that between the toothache, it was still an enjoyable one. This made me realize that it's true what they say, by nature, people know how to adjust to their situation.

And that no matter how bad it is (like a toothache for example), we can still make it better, i guess attitude is the main factor...

And thanks for indulging, not too often you would read an article about a toothache, right?

Pain is deeper than all thought; laughter is higher than all pain. Elbert Hubbard