Nights at work: Wilt, wilting, wilted

Tomorrow night is nothing but one long sleepless wrestle with yesterday’s omissions and regrets.

These past days had me without sleep and feeling groggy until I would board a jeepney. Funny how I would observe my fellow passengers on-board the jeep going to do about their business- schools, markets and offices, while I am in the opposite direction- home.

I used to express my appreciation on working in the wee hours- no traffic, no irritating sounds, just you and the computer. But lately, working late has taken its toll. At the end of my night, literally, I could not say I have been renewed. More of like, wilted? And I don't want it no more, concluding that call centers are not really for me. End of topic.

But as I look at the fresh faces of my fellow passengers their vibrant appearance give me something to look forward to. Like a fresh hint of soap.

While I am melting, their faces exude hope.

"Health is wealth"

[Goodbye Mariana Bridi da Costa!]

My mother would always remind me- Health is wealth. She would admonish us when we seemed to forget that our bodies were so fragile.

A healthy body is our only hope, she would tell us. For how can you earn money when you are always sick? Indeed she was right- once again.

When I read the news about a Brazilian model who got her arms and legs amputated because of severe infection, I was sad. I didn't know her of course. But earning money from a modelling job and suddenly your arms and feet are amputated doesn't make sense anymore. When can she recover from that? If she could.

Or I am just a pessimist!

DUE TO SEVERE URINARY INFECTION
Brazilian model’s hands, feet amputated 

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 09:39:00 01/22/2009

Filed Under: Health treatment, Diseases

SAO PAULO -- A 20-year-old model who was a finalist to represent Brazil in the Miss World contest has had her hands and feet amputated after contracting a severe urinary infection, media reported Wednesday.

Mariana Bridi da Costa was sedated in a hospital in Serra, in Brazil's state of Espirito Santo, and on artificial respiration following the procedures, according to several dailies.

Bridi was diagnosed with infection by the Pseudomonas aeroginosa bacterium, which can often prove fatal. Septicemia set in in her limbs, cutting off circulation and forcing doctors to amputate.

Her boyfriend, Thiago Simoes, told the G1 news website that Bridi fell ill on December 30, but was initially misdiagnosed with kidney stones.

The infection quickly spread, causing her to go back to hospital for tests that revealed her condition. Surgeons had to act to remove her damaged hands and feet.

Her father, Agnaldo da Costa, told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper that "the concern is over her life."

Bridi twice made it into the national finals for the Miss World contest, and last year traveled to China to participate in the Miss Bikini International pageant, G1 said.

News from Inquirer.net/ Photo from oglobo.oglobo.com

Sign of the Times

Physicist applies for sweeper's job in S Korea amid economic slump

SEOUL (AFP) - - A jobless scientist with a doctorate in physics has applied for a street sweeper's job, reflecting the severe economic slump and rising unemployment, officials said here Friday.

The 36-year-old physicist was among 63 people who applied for five openings as sweepers, Seoul's Gangseo District Office said. Eleven of the applicants were university graduates, it said.

"I doubt whether any doctorate degree will be of any help to become a sweeper," Chung Young-Ik, an official in charge told AFP.

"He must have been in a very desperate situation to seek this job but we are selecting new sweepers, not scientists," he said.