Running

Finally, I was able to do what I've been procrastinating for, for days. I was able to wake up at 5:30 in the morning and I was able to jog - well, not really jog - power walk at CCP. 

Yaya and I walked from the house to CCP. That took about 7 songs. When we reach the CCP, I started treading the uphill route. It was really difficult and I wasn't even running. I was just walking. 

I just hope I could do better next time.

Glory to GOD!

Yesterday was my initial exam in St. Luke's Medical Center. My chances of passing the exam seem to be grim since two of my friends who took the exam failed the test. But, of course, I was keeping my hopes up and I believe that I have the chance to make it. 

The day before I said to myself that I would wake up at 7:00 AM so, I have ample time to prepare and I have more than sufficient time for travel. But being the slacker that I am, I came to SLMC, 15 minutes late. Good thing though, it really didn't matter. I was able to take the exam.

The test was a mental ability exam. There were 57 items and we were only given 15 minutes. The first part of the exam was sort of easy but the second part was difficult. Actually, it really wasn't difficult but maybe if there was another 15 minutes, I would have answered everything. Or maybe not. 

I was pretty confident during that time. I wasn't confident with myself but I took comfort in the fact that whatever happens, I know that its part of God's amazing plans for me. 

After we took the exam, the HR proctor left us inside the room because he had to check our papers somewhere else. When he returned, he called three names. He called this guy, then this girl, and he called my name. When I heard him call my name, I was really anxious to find out whether the three of us passed. And we did. The good LORD let me pass. 

Thank you GOD! Thank you SO much for this blessing.

One thing I learned from this whole experience is that the LORD knows what he's doing. In spite of everything being shady and grim at the beginning of my day (me being late, the thought of my friends who were unsuccessful in the initial exam), the LORD turned everything for the better. He's such a good GOD. Thank you LORD!

This victory is not mine but is yours. 

Resolutions

It's time for my 2009 resolutions. I am praying that I will be able to do all of this. Hay...

Fitness Goals:

• Be able to exercise everyday. I should follow my work-out plans as scheduled. 
  
• Write and update my fitness journal regularly. That means that I should be able to 
  
• I should be able to lose at least 30 lbs every four months - that is on the last day of April, August, and December. I should be able to lose a total of at least 90 lbs by December. 
  
• I should undergo my regular medical check-up and have my BP, total body fat, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TSH, and  blood sugar checked every four months, as well.
  
• My BMI should be on the normal level. My BMI shouldn't exceed 24.
  

Career Goals:

• Find a job as a nurse in either of the following hospitals: St. Luke's Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Even better if I could find a job in NY. 
  
• Complete my IVT training requirements.
  
• Attend at least five seminars. 
  
• Attend a BLS, ACLS, PALS training before the year ends.
  
• Be able to pass the NCLEX and IELTS with a very high score. 
  
• Review for the said tests diligently.
  
• If the Philippines is till plagued with the retrogression thingy and the said hospitals are not yet hiring by May, I would apply for a call center job just to earn money.
  

Financial Goals:

• I need to save at least Php 24,000 by the end of 2009.
  
• I should open a time deposit account by June with at least Php 10,000.
  
• Start another online business venture before July and earn money from it.
  
• When I get hired, I need to save half of my salary. 
  

Personal Goals:

• Continue doing my daily devotionals.
  
• Memorize at least four bible verses every month.
  
• Keep 'verse cards' to help me remember.
  
• Stop using the words bitch, fuck, shit. Stop cursing, in general. (Although, I really don't curse, a lot.)
  
• Throw the trash every night.
  
• Start a new blog.
  

 

2008 Year-End Rundown of Questions

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I really can't think of anything. I just realized I didn't do anything new and exciting. That's not cool. Oh, well. Oops. I just realized just now, 8:59 PM, that I did something new. I've tried online business. I baked this year. I baked from scratch. I made my own money (from the garage sale) and spent it all. 

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Surprisingly, I have kept some of my New Year's resolutions. I'm currently looking at my planner (the 2008 Belle De Jour Planner) and I am really thankful that I was able to achieve some of it. 

Here are the goals that I've set for myself:

Have a job as a nurse/Be a nurse at SLMC, MedCity, etc. - Not YET done! Finding a job as a nurse is quite daunting. But, I have faith that I will find one this new year.

Help in paying the utilities - Since I don't have a job and I got turned down in People Support (because I wasn't accepting a salary lower than Php 16,00), I really can't help in paying the utilities. 

Be a Board Top Notcher - I am not a topnotcher but I DID PASS the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination which is an amazing feat itself. I was really ecstatic when my cousin called me to say that we passed the exam. I am now a registered nurse of the Philippines! Woohoo...

Pass the NCLEX, CGFNS, IELTS, TOEFL - Gosh! Processing my papers would take at least 9 months. So, I believe that by the end of this year, I will be able to pass the NCLEX, CGFNS, and IELTS. 

Read books - Well, I didn't read the books that I wrote here but I read books this year which is better than what I did last year. I read Alan Corey's Millionaire by Thirty, Bill Clinton's Giving, James Patterson's Along Came a Spider, and 13 Chapters of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. The best book among the four for me is the one by Alan Corey. I suggest that you go buy and read it.

Read the BIBLE everyday - I thank GOD for letting me read the whole Bible. Well, by tomorrow I would only be around 10-15 chapters short. I failed to read my Bible selections during our Liliw immersion. But, I am really happy that I got to read about 95% of the Bible. I feel truly blessed. And, it really was a blessing. God's Word came at the right time. He really knows what I'm going through and I feel his guidance. Thanks talaga kay LORD!

Exercise, Lose at least 4lbs/month, Stop impulsive eating - I was faithful to these for about 5 months and then I fell from the wagon. Very Oprah! Haha. I even lost 20 lbs during my 5 months of faithful exercise, and mindful eating. Even though, I'm back to my original weight I am not that hard on myself. I actually feel a bit better because I realized that I could do it. If I had done it for 5 months, I could surely do it again but this time, I will not gain the weight back! I really have faith in myself and with GOD. 

Have a semi-annual check-up - I only did this once. So, maybe... It's a half-done resolution.

Save at least Php 4,000 a month - I wasn't able to do this. Too bad. But, at least my new account is still active. And right now, I have Php 4,000 in my bank. Hehe. I read or heard somewhere that in order to be great, one must have a horrible start (or something to that effect). Php 4,000 will become Php 40,000,000. I know I could do it. 

Stop cursing, Stop using the words b!tch, f^ck, Sh!t - I did not fare well on this resolution. I really have to watch my mouth more this coming year.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. My friend Shyn and her hubby Boo gave birth to a super cute baby girl named Raziella Therese a.k.a. Tetet. She's my inaanak and I am a very terrible godmother. I promise I will make-up for it on her 1st birthday next year. Promise!

Did anyone close to you die?
Nope. Thank God.

What countries did you visit?
Nada.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I would like to have more motivation/inspiration for the coming year. And, I hope that my good outlook continues. Positive thinking does a lot for you.

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 1 and 2. The Nursing Licensure Examination. Its one of the most tiring and very anxiety-filled days of my life.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being a registered nurse of the Philippines. I am a professional. This is it! I am really an adult now.

What was your biggest failure?
Biggest failure? Hmm... I really can't think of any. Maybe the fact that I 'half-reach' some of my goals. But I am looking at it at a positive light because if I could do it once then. I could do it again. 

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Maybe the last cold I got this December. It was a really terrible cold. I even have trouble breathing at night because my nostrils are filled with snot. 

What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing I bought was Alan Corey's book.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmm... Behavior that merited celebration. I'd like to say that my behavior is qualified but aside from me, I would have to say Alvi. She knows the reason why.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My dad. But, that's all that I will say.

Where did most of your money go?
Food, movie tickets, transportation, and books.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I really, really, really got excited when I learned about the Nursing Licensure Exam results. I also got really, really excited when Alan Corey sent me back an email. It was so exhilirating to find out that he's really reading his messages.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Womanizer by Britney Spears, If I Were a Boy and Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyonce, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat, Superhuman by Chris Brown and Keri Hilson, Love Story and White Horse by Taylor Swift, Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood, So Close by Jon McLaughlin.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? – HAPPIER!
ii. thinner or fatter? -- FATTER! But, with a more positive outlook!
iii. richer or poorer? -- RICHER! Really. 

What do you wish you'd done more?
Exercise. Really. I should've exercised more. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I should've complained less. There's a lot to be thankful for.

How many one-night stands?
NONE. Never will.

What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy, Pushing Daisies, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. 

What was the best book you read?
Like I said, Alan Corey's book, Millionaire by Thirty.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm... Taylor Swift. 

What did you want and get?
Too many to mention. Probably, passing the licensure exam.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Its a between Tropic Thunder, The Dark Knight, and Iron Man. But, I am leaning towards Iron Man. And then, there's Sex and the City. There are a lot of good movies this year. There's John Lloyd's and Sarah's A Very Special Love. 

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Nothing really special. I turned 20. Gosh. I can't even remember what I did on my birthday. I am really spaced out. What the hell did I do on my birthday?

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If there's a thing that would've made my year more satisfying, that would probably be the new generation of MacBook Pro.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

If it's nice, if it fits, then, go! Or, if its black and spandex, then, I'm good! Hehe. :))

What kept you sane?
My friends. The Bible. And, most especially, my sister.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm... Definitely, Robert Downey Jr. and Patrick Dempsey (not because of Grey's but because of Enchanted).

What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm... Nothing really. But, the political issue that made me feel great was Barrack Obama winning. Its not only a success by the American people its an achievement by the human race as a people. It made me believe that nothing is impossible.

Who did you miss?
My mom.

Who was the best new person you met?
Hmm... I didn't meet a lot of people this year. Maybe the people who bought some of my merchandise. Hehe.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
The one with Alvi and Aemiel.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
That I am very thankful this year. I am more content. I like that about me. Thanks to the LORD ALMIGHTY who speaks to my heart through HIS WORD.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Hmm... That I'm still lazy and I still am an impulsive something.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Storybook endings fairytales coming true... Deep down inside we want to believe they still do... In our secretest heart... It's our favorite part of the story... (Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood).

Was 2008 a good year for you?
Very good year!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Hmm... Like I said passing the Nursing Licensure Exam.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Finding out a very ugly truth.

Where were you when 2008 began?
At home.

Who were you with?
Yaya, Kamille.

Where will you be when 2008 ends?
Probably at home. But maybe we will drop by the celebration in Ayala.

Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
Yaya, Kamille, and Papa.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2009?
Yup.

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2008?
Nope. I only had 1 Margarita and 1 Cosmopolitan. 

Do a lot of drugs in 2008?
Nope. Never will.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yup. 

How much money did you spend in 2008?
A lot. Really really big numbers.

What was your proudest moment of 2008?
Please refer to my answers above.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
It was in Eastwood. May tama na ako. Pero konti lang. I was shouting "Josef, Josef." We saw Josef of Big Brother and we were sort of happy and struck that we saw some kind of celebrity. Gosh. That was embarrassing. 

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
The day I stopped exercising.

What are your plans for 2009?
I have big plans for myself. 

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I am more positive. I am more content. 

What are your wishes for the new year?
Wish for my family :: Contentment, Richer in every way

Wish for my friends :: Great jobs! Great careers!

Wish for the country :: Food for everyone. Education for all. Peace. Love. Yes to eradication of poverty and hunger. Quality healthcare.

Wish for myself :: Happy life! Blessings in Love, Career, Friendships, Family, Health, Wealth, Christian Life. 

Create your own Friend Test here

Finally, Someone born on March 1

Jensen Ackles and I were born on March 1! I am always wondering who has the same birth day as I do. Finally, my favorite Supernatural brother was born on March 1. Although he was born 10 years earlier. He was born March 1, 1978 and I was born March 1, 1988. This information is so refreshing for me. Hehe! :))

Kaye is High-Maintenance

My friend Bnong once said to me that my future boyfriend is going to have a hard time keeping me happy because I am high-maintenance. I protested and said that I wasn't high-maintenance. Paris Hilton is high-maintenance but not me. And now, I'm doubting what I said before. Maybe Bnong was right. Maybe I am high-maintenance. 

Taylor Swift

With my current state of unemployment and laziness, I have been spending my time listening to lots of songs and watching to lots of television.

Now, the artist who's been playing on my iPod constantly is Taylor Swift. She has really good songs. If you are into country music, I think that you'd really enjoy listening to her. Here are my top two favorite songs from her.



I think that that song, Love Story, is part of her Fearless album which I think will be released on the 11th of November. You could pre-order in Amazon.com. Or you could just simply wait until November 11.

Another song from her self-titled album that I really love is Teardrops on my Guitar. The guy in the music video is Tyler Hilton. He's the same guy on One Tree Hill's soundtrack. He sang the song When the Stars Go Blue with Bethany Joy Lenz (a.k.a. Haley). I hope that you do enjoy this music video.

McSwimmy

I was watching last night's episode of E! this morning and I came across this video. This is just hilarious.

Gelatone

I am really digging this new found gem on Greenbelt. Its called Gelatone. A small place located at the 2nd floor of Greenbelt 3, near Music One. They serve Italian favorites like penne, spaghetti, panini but I believe that their gelatos are the hot things sold in their store.

There are several flavors you could choose from. I bought the 500 grams to share with the folks here at home. I chose three flavors - strawberry, mascarpone, vanilla with chocolate. I love gelato! It really is better tasting than ice cream. Its more creamy and more flavorful with less fat, less sugar, less air. This means that you get more from your money. I love it.

From the three that I bought, I'd have to say that my favorite is strawberry. I am a berry person. Blueberries, strawberries. I really love it.

Could you tell? I love the gelato.

What? Laarni Won?

All I could say is that the people really got it wrong. Its like Big Brother Teen Edition 2 once again. Bugoy should've won just like Robi should've won. Argh. I find this totally unacceptable. Really. Anyway, Bugoy will do even better just like Christian Bautista did better than Erik Santos.

Attract Happiness

I am making a conscious decision to think positive. I want to think positively so that positive things will happen to me. I somehow got it now. When I burden myself with negative things, my mind and heart is so burdened by it I really become an unpleasant person. When things irritate me and I retaliate with a bad attitude, my day gets ruined.

From now on, I will let all negativity slide. At least, I will try.

Come to me. Improved attitude, come to me. Great family, come to me. Healthy life, come to me. Money, come to me. Great job, come to me. Happiness, come to me.

Where To?

A quick one. In 10 - 15 years, I should have traveled in the following places: 

1. New York, USA
   
2. Las Vegas, USA
   
3. Boston, USA
   
4. Paris, France
   
5. England
   
6. South Korea
   
7. Hawaii
   
8. Amanpulo, Palawan
   
9. Cebu, Philippines
   
10. Camiguin, Philippines
    

I would really love to go there. I really would. 

DVD Torture

Imagine yourself in a place where everything you want is right within your reach and you can't have anything of it. 

I was tortured yesterday. Music One in Greenbelt was having a great sale. Original DVDs were being sold at half the price! Being the movie buff that I am, I was totally cringing over the fact that I couldn't buy any of it because I am trying to save money. But, darn! The Friends DVD Set was only 500 which used to be 1200. Imagine? It was terrible. If I had the money, I could've bought just about everything there. IF I had the money.

Argh...

Rain, Rain...

I remember during highschool, asian series took over the crown of the most watched shows from the mexican telenovelas. The arrival of Meteor Garden signaled the dawn of the new kind of entertainment. Of course, I am one of those people who went gaga over the boy group F4. I am one of those people who got 'kilig' over the love team of San Chai and Dao Ming Si. Meteor Garden pretty much elevated the standards of making Filipinos 'kilig'. They raised the bar high... Until Full House reached my screen.

Full House was shown on the Philippine television just about the same as Meteor Garden. I wasn't really paying a lot of attention to it then, because I was focused on another Korean drama. It really doesn't matter that I haven't seen it before. I am just so happy that I got to see it now. 

Full House is such an amazing series. I really love it. I am totally going crazy. The last time that my 'fanaticism' (Is that even a word?) reached this level was during the Meteor Garden days. More than the story, I am really drawn to the characters in the drama. I find myself smiling over the thought of Young Jae's arrogant behavior. He is so endearing. I actually don't know whether who of the two I find endearing Young Jae or Rain. Does it matter, really? 

I think I fancy Rain. I'm smitten. Really, really smitten. I can't even begin to describe it. 

Rain... Rain... Never go away...

Okay, I think I'm going to puke with what I just said. I am ridiculous. 

Because of this new found interest, I think I am going to learn Korean. And study what I can about Korean. I am going nuts!

Hay... Rain. 

What They Call Life: The Past, The Present, The Future

I just couldn't contain my excitement when I saw my highschool friend, Miguel, playing in Game Ka Na Ba. I love it. Its so refreshing to see someone from your 'past' (past here, doesn't pertain in anyway to any romantic relationship) and its even better to see them on tv. Hehe. Miguel lost some weight, huh. Ang taray! And, he graduated Magna Cum Laude at the Ateneo de Manila University. I love it. There's no doubt in my mind that he would graduate with honors in college. I love it talaga!

Makasali nga sa Game Ka Na Ba.

I just printed over 100 pages of PDF files regarding my CGFNS and NCLEX application. Gosh! I never thought that right after passing the Local Nursing Licensure Examinations, I would find myself bombarded by a juggernaut of things to do. At the moment, I have finished browsing all of them and it seems like I've got mountains of stuff to do and a whole lot of money to spend. Oh, well I believe that everything will work out well.

Yesterday, my sister and I went to Greenbelt to attend the church service and to purchase some stuff that we need. Anyway, after the mass, some of the church volunteers handed out envelopes to fund churches that need help. Then, suddenly out of nowhere some lady blurted out something to this effect, "Di nga ako binibiyayaan, bakit ako magbibigay?" (Please note that these were not her exact words. But it sure sounded like that.) My sister and I were startled. We both were saying, "Omigosh!" I was really shocked not by the thought that she didn't give any donation but by the fact that she was so cynical. Maybe she has a lot of problems right now. I pray that GOD show her the many blessings in her life. May she realize that she is a blessing to somebody and may she realize that GOD has blessed her in so many ways.

LORD, I thank you for the blessings that you have given me.

Tong-Pats, MERALCO,VAT, Sisterhood

Ted Failon is one intelligent, and funny guy. He's one of the three news anchors of TV Patrol World. I listen to him every morning in his radio show with Korina Sanchez - the news commentary program, Tambalang Failon at Sanchez. In that radio show, Ted and Korina sometimes use 'salitang kanto' and Filipino slang to make their show more appealling, less intimidating, more informative, and greatly satisfying. I think just now, he was caught off guard by what he just said. While reporting in TV Patrol World, it seems like he unconsciously made a mistake by using the word 'tong-pats' (patong, or bribe). I think it was really funny.

Anyway, what's up with this MERALCO issue? I really hate that GSIS is meddling with the affairs of a private company. GSIS has a lot of trash and whatnots to fix in their own backyard and they want to fix MERALCO's problems? I think that that is just stupid. Winston Garcia is a greedy businessman who has way too much regard for his self. As much as I would like to hate the Lopezes for sort of monopolizing businesses, well, its a business. The best thing, I think, is to introduce new players to compete with MERALCO. The new ones could post competitive prices.

If I were the president of the Philippines, I would not remove the expanded Value Added Tax (eVAT) instead, I would allot the money that I gained to increase the salaries of the teachers, nurses. I would also provide for additional rooms, equipment, personnel, etc. in government hospitals, as well as government schools. The money that the government gained from the issuance of eVAT amounts to billions of pesos. The government is so stupid to give a 'stipend' kind of thing for the 'less fortunate'. You are teaching the people to rely on free stuff. You don't teach them how to be resilient, how to be resourceful. Giving them fish is not the answer. Let us teach them how to fish.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the sequel of the ultimate chick flick, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I feel like I am most like Alexis Bledel although, I am more of America Ferrera's size. Hehe. I hope to watch this with my close girl friends namely, Rocie, Ste, Iris, Beth, Aica.

Now, What?

I guess I am now at the point of my life where everything seems unsure, more than ever. Having received the good news of passing the June 2008 Local Nursing Licensure Examination, I thought that I would finally be able to plan my life. But, it's the other way around. There are a lot of options and I have a lot of things that I want to do and I don't know where to begin. I have a lot of goals and I don't know which one to prioritize. I really need a lot of time to think but I don't have the luxury of time. It's hard. This is hard. But, I know that by GOD's grace, I will be on the right track.

17667 MIRANDA, RN

I've always had this feeling. That I will pass. And, I did pass.

My heart is full of gratitude and praises for our GOD. LORD, I am overwhelmed, and overjoyed by this wonderful blessing that you have given me. You have given me the title of RN. Thank you for this blessing and I appreciate it very much.

I pray that I may become to grow as a loving, compassionate, intelligent, wise, GOD-fearing, client-centered NURSE. I pray that I may become GOD's instrument to care for the people who are in need.

Thank you.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Finding Passion

One of the things that really irritates me is when I watch the television and when I hear people say that, "Singing is my passion," or that, "Acting is my passion." All of this they answer because they are part of a contest that is scouting to find the best new singers and actors. 

I feel like the word PASSION has become an ordinary word with an ordinary meaning. I believe that many have mistaken it for LIKE. I think that when some people say that doing this is my passion, what they really mean is that they like doing that. 

But, maybe it IS their passion and I am just jealous that I haven't found what I am passionate about. 

I'm already 20 years old and I feel that I'm missing out a lot on living because I believe that I haven't found my calling - the thing that I could be passionate about. I want to find that something or whatever that I would love doing for the rest of my life. I want to make a big impact around the world. I want the world to be a better place and I want others to follow suit.

I pray to GOD, that being a Christian, he would lead me to that special something, someone, somewhatever that I'll be passionate about.