Faith

Just this morning, my younger sister woke me from my not-so-beauty sleep just to inform me that a letter from California came for me. With that in mind, I thought of 2 possible scenarios:

1. It could be a big envelope stating that I failed my NCLEX-RN exam with the precise breakdown of items/points where I failed. It also contains another application form that I am to resend after 3 months. This means that I failed and wasted about P100,000 for an exam bound to nothing.


2. It could be a small envelope stating that I passed my NCLEX-RN exam and I need to obtain a Social Security number in 3 years time or my file will be obliterated. This means that I passed and I'm bound for the US in 2 or 3 years time.

Of course, I was hoping for the latter one for it entails a better future, not only for me but also for my family. Carina, my best friend, informed me of these 2 possibilities just to prepare for the possible outcome of my exam. Imagine, I was to know the result of my NCLEX-RN exam with just the size of an envelope. Very nice.

Obviously, the envelope was opened and has been read when it reached my hands, thanks to my beloved mother. My sister handed it to me and I re-opened and re-read the letter without brushing my teeth (sorry about that one). From the letter, I quote:

"Dear MR. GULTIANO

This is to inform you that you have passed the NCLEX-RN examination and that you have met all other licensing requirements..."

I never read the succeeding sentences due to sudden twist of events.

I did it.

I passed the NCLEX-RN exam. 

Thank God.

First of all, I would like to thank The Lord Almighty for helping me in this endeavor. I wouldn't have made it through this ordeal if it wasn't for Him. He was there when I took that exam. I felt His hand that guided my mouse. He was whispering signs and symptoms of different endocrine diseases. He was there with me, as always.

Second, my parents, siblings, and relatives. They prayed for me the whole time. They believed in the fact that I was witty and smart. They were endlessly encouraging me to strive to be a better individual and inspire them to be the same. Of course, my mom takes all the credit.

Third, my friends and Classmates, especially my best friend Carina, my sisters (in school) Muriel and Raisa, and my best man Mayor-Erneil. They reminded me that I'm a Thomasian Nurse capable of achieving things that's way beyond my capacity.

Fourth, my ICSEC-KAPLAN family, especially, Dra. Banga.  They inspired me to read and study harder amidst my top performance in class. Dra. Banga always said that I was to pass the NCLEX-RN exam if I took it in any day. Of course, I thought otherwise.

Fifth, to my UST College of Nursing family. They molded me to the nurse that I am today. VIVA SANTO TOMAS!

Lastly, to Pheelyp Edward C. Aytona. You have inspired me to become the man I am today. May you continue to inspire the people around you and find the love and peace that you truly deserve. I will always thank and honor you in spite of everything that has happened.

Now what?  Well, I seriously don't know. I'm still weighing my options. Somethings bound to happen soon. Whatever it is, bring it on! Haha.

Thank you.

Perfection

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Pocahontas, and The Little Mermaid are but only a few of the most loved and fancied fairy tales ever written/ showed. I'm actually one of those young ones who was fortunate enough to experience every single one of them. Surprisingly, looking back on every single image of these wonderful and amazing stories, I can't help but feel frustrated about my own fairy tale, or so to speak.

A Fairy Tale, according to Wikipedia, is a "fictional story that usually features folkloric characters (such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, witches, giants, and talking animals) and enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, the term is also used to describe to something blessed with unusual happiness, as in "fairy tale ending" (a happy ending) or "fairy tale romance", though there are notable examples and genres of fairy tales that do not end happily. Colloquially, a "fairy tale" or "fairy story" can also mean any far-fetched story."

Everyone wants the perfect love story/ fairy tale: You know, the usual knight in shining armor/ prince from a far away kingdom in search for the damsel in distress, plus the shiny horse and perfect glowing hair. A dragon or monster will be destroyed (animal rights?), a wedding will then take place after a bloody and gruesome fight, the couple will kiss after the wedding, then the supporting cast will bid the couple good fortune and blessed tidings. Usually, a bird or a butterfly will be seen flying across the screen while the couple rides to the sunset. The narrator will then conclude the whole thing as "And they lived happily ever after. The End."

That is so cliche and overrated. Spare me the drama, please.

A couple of years back, I saw a cartoon entitled "Cinderella 2," which depicts how our hero, Cinderella, faces the cliche-d "Happily Ever After." I remember Cinderella acting a bit awkward as a new princess and eventually forgetting who she really was. Luckily, she snaps out of the so-called confusion and, as expected, lives on her own simple yet elegant way and lives a happy life.

For me, fairy tales serves as a tool for hope. Hope, as defined by Wikipedia, is "belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life." Hope in the sense that amidst every trials, hardships and unfortunate events of our daily lives, something good will eventually happen. It may be a promotion, a new car/ house and lot, a vacation you've always wanted, or a smile from your long-time crush. It may take a day or even a lifetime, who knows. But that single good thing will still happen. You'll just have to sit back, relax, s*ck everything up, and wait. Believe me, I know.

Fairy tales don't have to end with a guy getting the perfect girl in marriage or something of that sort. I think that a fairy tale could possibly be a state of mind. A state of mind in the sense that as long as you're doing or experiencing something with someone or all alone, for that matter, that makes you happy, ergo that's a fairy tale. Happiness is the thing that counts. Do keep in mind not to hurt anyone while you're happy. That could get things pretty messy.

Unfortunately, its easier said than done. Trust me on this one.

Me? Well, I had my fair share of these so-called "Fairy Tales." I don't want to get into any details, but all in all, I'm still patiently waiting for everything to fall into its right place and time. Like what I have said to a previous "date," I don't want to rush everything. Let's just breathe and feel every single moment of this "thing" for someone or something might take that moment away. Nice and slow.

Like what my mom has always said, patience is a virtue. As always, she's so damn right.

Thank you.

Unemployed

Note: I wrote this entry several months ago. I thought that posting it would be something worthwhile. By the way, I passed the PHC exams and initial interview.

Due to my mom’s unrelenting demand, I went to the Philippine Heart Center yesterday to pass my resume together with the other requirements essential for employment as a staff nurse. The Heart Center only accepted applicants from Tuesdays thru Thursdays, 1PM till 4PM. Mustering all of my confidence, I went there with my plastic folder containing all the necessary papers. I was with Mayor which made the whole thing light and easy. Haha. We were laughing the whole time.

When we got there, we were asked to fill up some forms (3 pages, back to back, to be exact), which actually looked liked a resume/bio-data made by their human resources department. As we were filling up the said forms, a number of other applicants suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started filling up the same forms. I then told Mayor to hurry up thinking that we should get ahead of the other applicants. It turns out na I’m the 17^th and he’s the 18^th applicant. We were scheduled on the 27^th of August for our exam at 8:30 AM and an initial interview at around 1:15PM.

My mom was, again, accurate about the Heart Center thing. I should’ve done this application thing ages ago. Grrr. I hate myself for ignoring my mom’s persistence. I am, as always, hard-headed (matigas ang ulo) about certain things, especially about getting a decent job. I’m lucky that I have a mom that pushes me to go further and further. Thank God.

 ***

A few minutes ago, I read an email from my classmate. Like me, she applied as a staff nurse at the UST hospital about 2 weeks ago. They haven’t called her about an initial exam or anything. So, knowing her and according to her email, she went to ask about the status of her application. Surprisingly, she was told that they are prioritizing those who got higher board exam ratings than those who just passed. As expected, the aftershock of the June 2006 fiasco begins.

As you all know, I am a victim of the 2006 fiasco. Because of some peoples’ greed, I am to suffer unemployment and criticisms that I never even thought to encounter after college. This is so wrong. It’s not my fault that I am a 2006 PNLE passer. Yes, I know that it is the company’s sole right to set their own standards with regard to employment procedure. But think of it: why must we, the REAL victims of this humiliation, suffer for a thing we never even saw coming?

This prioritizing thing is so irritating. Think of it: Let us say that I applied there 2 months ago. Then, suddenly, someone who’s supposedly higher than me in terms of board rating applies there. That means that they will make that person first on their list without even thinking that I have been waiting for their call for 2 whole months. What’s that supposed to mean?

Please, don’t make this too hard for us. This is harder for us graduates/passers and hardest on our parents who have been with us, the graduates, since the beginning.

Friends, have faith in the Hand that moves everything.

Thank you.

AOM Christmas Party 2007

Went to the AOM Christmas Party last Saturday, December 15, 2007. Joe Edward Rivera organized the said event courtesy of Jefferson Besas' pad at Lourdes Subdivision, Antipolo City. The party was supposed to start at 19:00. But, as expected from my classmates, they were late. Roel arrived at 20:00, making him the early bird. I followed at 20:05. That's about an hour and 5 minutes late yet I arrived too early as usual. Earvin, Edward, Matt, and Patrick followed at around 20:15, while Jeff, the host, arrived at 20:20. Joe Ed came at 20:30 and the rest is history (the gang followed, obviously).

Attendance are as follows:

1. Roel Capuno


2. Juan Paulo G. Gultiano


3. Earvin Flores


4. Edward Pacis


5. Matthew Correa


6. John Patrick Mariano


7. Jefferson Besas


8. Joe Edward Rivera


9. Mark Merueñas


10. Nestor Abrogena


11. Marjorie Dela Rosa


12. Carina Camacho


13. Irish Lamban


14. Adel Prado


15. Ram Estanislao


16. Diaden Sarcia


17. Dynabel Mendoza


18. Christine Querebillo


19. Ar Jeruh Romero


20. Jay Macalincag


21. Jansen Pulido

We all had fun. As expected, we ate and talked about each of our own lives: may it be love life, work, personal life, family. Name it, we talked about it. But the best part would have to be the speculation on what has happened to the other members of the AOM family. Haha.

For instance, what happened to Dennis Aglibot? He's the Math and Physics "Champion" of the class, plus he entered UP Diliman (BS-ECE). From what I've heard, he became so addicted to Ragnarok, he even slept at an internet cafe in Anonas. Is this true?

What about Mary Lou Garcia? Last thing I heard was she's attending the Meralco Foundation Institute in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. Mary Lou, are you there?

Eduardo Flores, our beloved adviser. What's he up to these days? I heard he's teaching in FEU-Main Morayta? My cousin, who hails from FEU, saw him a couple of years back. Is he still alive? Does he still do that "kaltok" thing?

Earvin commented on how I managed to grab a number of scoops from our classmates. I just shrugged it off thinking that all of those information were mere products of accidental meetings and just plain gossip. No one knows the real score other than the real person, right?

Whatever happened to the other members of the AOM barkada, I'm happy and contended to know that the majority has finally earned his or her position in the society. Whether it be in health, commerce, IT, or the sciences, we've definitely come a long way from the drama of high school. I certainly hope that those who're absent in the aforementioned occasion will be informed earlier next time and will join the next AOM activity, whatever or wherever it may be.

Thank you.

Hello world!

I've been looking for the perfect blog for about a year now. Unfortunately, I've failed. Good thing a friend of mine referred me to wordpress. Hence, my first entry.

I'm pretty excited about this. Sharing my amusing yet pathetic views has always been fun and surprising.

I've had this weird inclination to write since my junior year in college. Some think its cute and funny. Others think that its worthless and stupid.  Whatever people might and will think of my entries, I'll still pursue this weird inclination.

Wish me luck!

Thank you.