December, 2010 NLE Results

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Welcome to the profession!

Coffee, anyone?

An Open Letter To The Love of My Life

To Whom It May Concern:

Greetings in the Name of Saint Thomas Aquinas!

I, Juan Paulo G. Gultiano, RN, 25 years of age, am writing this untimely yet formal letter to declare my eternal and undying love and affection to you, the love of my life, and assure that no matter what happens, we will be together. I promise.

It has come to my attention that the time for us to meet and perfectly know each other is making the both of us seriously impatient and, I reckon, this could possibly lead to a number of inappropriate behavior and promiscuous activities which can be detrimental to our future relationship.

For me, the past few years has been a wild and bumpy circus act. I don't know about your side but I have been constantly searching for you in every probable spot that I could possibly imagine: bars, book shops, coffee parlors, shopping centers, and even clubs and strip clubs. Yes, I even got THAT desperate in order to have a glimpse at your lovely and fine face. But, alas, I have been unlucky at my relentless pursuits and random endeavors and it usually leaves me crying, bruised, and even wounded.

I can still fondly remember my last attempt at a so-called "relationship." I accidentally fell in love with a former co-worker after bouts of alcohol, bottles of cola and endless cups of coffee. It was a cold night, the stakes were high and the Paris-ish view of a certain mosque was coursing through my love veins. It was as if everything was perfect and picturesque. We were even daring each other, at some point. Sadly, after weeks of relentless communication, my co-worker wasn't ready to embrace the reality of it all.

"Why are you even saying these things?" one might ask. My career has been great, although the paycheck isn't that good. My immediate family has been supportive of my plans and aspirations. My close friends are still there whenever I need them. What's the point? Why now?

Frankly speaking, I am at a certain point in my life that I am desperate for necessary attention, yearning to be loved by someone I can fully trust and express my deep and undying love to the person I am meant to be with. Winter has been a harsh reminder of how cold and lonely my life has been for the last 25 years. Imagine spending most of my time alone with nothing but a pillow and blanket? Cool, right?

I need you. I need to feel you are there. That you seriously exist in this crazy and unfair world that we live in. I need to know that you are yearning for my presence too. That, at some point, you feel lonely and depressed that you haven't met me, your better half. And that you are also waiting for the time of my arrival, the moment wherein the world will stop and the only thing that you'll hear is your heart telling you that I, the love of your life, have finally arrived.

Yes, I am overly romantic, I know. Cheesy, actually, if I say so myself. Not to mention that its Valentines Day today, not that it matters. But the point is: I am here patiently waiting for you. Our time will come and when it does it will be phenomenal. I'm sure of it.

Please be careful and take care of yourself. Always wear a seatbelt and lock the doors. Eat and drink as much as you can and live your single life to the fullest because once we're together, I will never let you go.

I love you, whoever you are.

Sincerely,

Juan Paulo G. Gultiano, RN

*****

Happy Single's Awareness Day to all singles out there! Hahaha.

Coffee, anyone?

On Egypt and Freedom

After almost a month of nonstop protests, Hosny Mubarak finally relinquished his title as the president of the Arab Republic of Egypt yesterday, the 11th of February, 2011. Here are some images from the famed Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo courtesy of my photography buddy, Amir Hakim. Thank you! I owe you BIG TIME!

Every Egyptian brought a friend, a family member, or a co-worker to the square in order to celebrate the end of the 30-year regime. They were singing the national anthem ("Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" or "My Country, my country, my country") full of pride and joy that freedom has finally arrived at the land of the pharaohs.

Every vehicle that I saw honked to their hearts content rejoicing for this wonderful day. Its as if the country has been freed from serious oppression and tyranny. Children of all ages also took part in this pivotal moment in Egyptian history, waving flags and accompanying their parents to the square.

To all of my Egyptian friends, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hard work is necessary in order to bring true and effective change. Thank you for showing the world that nothing is indeed impossible.

Happy birthday to my dear friend, Mohammed Shazly. Your day will forever be remembered. LOL. :-D

Coffee, anyone?

Marry Me - Train

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry Me
Today and every day
Marry Me
If I ever get the nerve to say
Hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm

Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love
And you're beautiful
Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way
Marry me
Today and every day
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm

Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side
I promise to
Sing to you
When all the music dies

And marry me
Today and everyday
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Marry me
Mm-hmm

*****

Errrr. Weird. I suddenly felt the need to get married. LOL.

Maybe its the age or the cold weather or even the fact that February 14th is just around the corner. Nonetheless, the yearning to be with someone special for the rest of my life is freaking me out. But, frankly, I like the thought of it. :-D

The million Euro question is: Who would it be?!

Coffee, anyone?

Of #Tahrir and #Egypt

Thank God!

Those were the first two words that came out of my mouth last Tuesday, the 2nd of February, when a co-worker told me that the internet connection was back. As we usually say it here "El Hamdullah."

After almost 2 weeks of social unrest and political instability, things are finally starting to move here in Egypt after the Jan. 25 Tahrir Square protests to oust the 30-year regime of Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak. As seen on BBC and CNN, thousands of Egyptians went to the streets of downtown Cairo calling for drastic reforms in government policy, even his immediate resignation from office. Instead, Mr. Mubarak showed a calm and decisive demeanor not only to his supporters and detractors but also to the rest of the world and vowed to remain in control of the country until the September, 2011 elections only.

As expected, news of this fiasco reverberated to Manila and, as always, everyone overreacted. After watching an interview with a local TV network in the Philippines, my mother immediately called asking about my current whereabouts and if the reports were true. Yes, to some extent they were factual. But the bombing statement, the lack of food, water and other basic commodities, not to mention the utterly nonsensical thing about bystanders getting shot head-on was clearly pointless and ignorant. Come on!

From where I'm typing this blog post, the 6th of October City in Giza, I can perfectly say that I feel safe. Yes, I did hear a couple of gun shots here and there during the first few days of the protests but they were, in my opinion, expected from any form of public demonstrations in order to "control" the crowd. Besides, I haven't heard of any rumors of a Filipino ganged by Egyptian protesters anywhere in Egypt.

We are entitled to our own opinion, of course. Freedom of speech as we all call it, but I certainly think that with this liberty to say whatever, whenever and wherever we want comes with great maturity. In other words, think before we speak. People are easily swayed with words that are largely untrue, especially on national or international television. And with the help of the internet, these things tend to be replayed over and over again. Seriously!

Anyways, I do hope that things would get better in the coming days. I'm getting quite bored and my bed's tired of my ass. Plus, my photography skills are getting really rusty. Hahaha. :-D

*****

Please, do everyone a favor and keep your mouth shut. Its irritating. If you want attention, go buy yourself some in the slums.

*****

Coffee, anyone?

My Current Addiction

Yes, I am an Apple fanboy for years and I own a few of their techie products but I am seriously addicted to RIM's Blackberry Messenger! My fingers won't stop typing, PING-ing and replying to incoming messages from my contacts! Waaaahhh!

Try one and you'll definitely get hooked too! Seriously! :-D

Coffee, anyone?

On Photography

As you all know, aside from my inclination for writing, movies, and literature, I am also fond of taking pictures. So, this year, I have decided to save as much as I can for this nifty Nikon D3100 in order capture as much memories as I can. Of course, given the amount of money that I am currently receiving, it will take some time before I can finally obtain the aforementioned gadget. *fingers-crossed*

Naturally, in order to prepare myself for such an undertaking, I am currently taking some fundamental photography lessons somewhere in Cairo. We went for a short trip a few days ago and here's 2 of my "best" shots. *wink*wink*

* * * * *

What do you guys think of these shots?

Coffee, anyone?

@25

Joyeux Annivesaire, Monsieur Juan Paulo G. Gultiano!

From the bottom of my hollow and muscular myocardium, I would like to thank the people who greeted  me on my special day. I feel elated, as we speak, and so blessed that the Lord Almighty has given me another year to be thankful for.

Again, thank you.

Oh! By the way, I read 105 posts on my Facebook Wall, replied to 4 birthday Tweets, got 3 big hugs, received 2 phone calls from 2 different countries, and had 1 long yet wonderful ride home. Not to mention the email from Karen Raisa Ramos straight from Chicago, Illinois! FTW. :-D

Bring it on 2011! I am sooo ready!

Coffee, anyone?

Philippine Heart Center IVT Training Schedule 2011

INTRAVENOUS THERAPHY TRAINING PROGRAM 2011

Control No.: 001807
Registration No.: 003
Frequency per year: 5
Number of slots per course: 65
Time: 7:00 - 4:00 pm (3 days)
Venue: Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura Hall
Requirements: Photocopy and Original copy of current PRC License Certificate
Registration Fee: Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00)
Credit Units: ANSAP / PRC: 18 Units (didactic) 12 Units (practicum)
Instructions: Click Here!
Announcements: Applicants should report to the DNER within the day from on-line enlistment for verification of PRC Card prior to payment and pre-registration.

On-Line Pre Registration Date/Time: Date for submission of requirements is between 10:30 - 11:00 AM (First log-in, First in).

Schedule - On-Line Registration - Submission of Requirements

January 12 to 14, 2011 - Closed - Closed

March 21 to 23, 2011 - March 7, 2011 - March 7, 2011

June 7 to 9, 2011 - May 16, 2011 - May 16, 2011

September 12 to 14, 2011 - August 22, 2011 - August 22, 2011

November 23 to 25, 2011 - November 7, 2011 - November 7, 2011

Source: www.phc.gov.ph

Coffee, anyone?

2010 in review

The guys from Wordpress.com sent me this email detailing my blogs activity in 2010. I can't wait to blog more this year! Not to mention my upcoming projects and travel plans! Wooohooo! Let's get in on, 2011!

*****

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here's a high level summary of its overall blog health:



The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,800 times in 2010. That's about 14 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 56 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 233 posts. There were 230 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 304mb. That's about 4 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was August 25th with 83 views. The most popular post that day was Heart Center Experience: IVT Training.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, google.com.ph, en.wordpress.com, healthfitnesstherapy.com, and statistics.bestproceed.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for philippine heart center logo, philippine heart center, iv insertion sites, ivt lectures, and afp nurse corps.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Heart Center Experience: IVT Training March 2008
26 comments

2

AFP Nurse Corps. Requirements February 2008
400 comments

3

Philippine Heart Center IVT Schedule 2010 January 2010
1 comment

4

Philippine Heart Center Staff Nurse Requirements May 2008
16 comments

5

24 Nursing Lessons I Learned @DAFH July 2010
6 comments

*****

I will blog more this year. I'm sure of it. *fingers-crossed*

Coffee, anyone?

Boom. Boom. Boom.

 

[caption id="attachment_1392" align="aligncenter" width="458" caption="What a way to end 2010 and start 2011, eh?"][/caption]

Happy New Year!

Bonne Annee a tous!

Yes, I know. I know. I haven't written anything for a VERY long time. I get that. I AM SO SORRY. I have been, as always, busy with my work and personal life that I almost forgot about my blog. Everything just flew past me so fast and I got caught in a whirlwind of experiences that I seriously never thought possible. Until now, I definitely cannot believe that everything actually happened.

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="aligncenter" width="458" caption="We are NURSES, right?"][/caption]

2010 was phenomenal for me. I was able to finish my contract with DAFH and, luckily, I'm staying here until further notice. I got to rekindle my loving relationships back in Manila for 13 days and spent 13 hours at the Kuwait Airport Hotel on my way back to Cairo for FREE. I met a new batch of nurses for DAFH and I am still trying to bond and mingle with their unique personalities. And, last but not the least, I'm happy with my current status. *wink*wink*wink*

[caption id="attachment_1395" align="aligncenter" width="458" caption="Am I PERFECTLY LONELY?!"][/caption]

2010 brought tears in my eyes, at some point. I had to say "See you later!" to some of my "siblings" by profession because they opted not to renew their contracts. I Fought with my mother with regard to my financial status. Also, I realized that some things are better left unsaid and that we all need to move on with our jaded lives no matter what. Finally, I even thought I was a goner.

Things happen for a reason. Good or bad, they will surely happen. Its either we cry about it or deal with it one day at a time. It will all pass in God's time. Stay strong and move on! GO.

Any thoughts for 2011? None so far. Probably, my number 1 resolution for 2011 would be summarized in this image:

[caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="458" caption="2011: KEEP SMILING!!"][/caption]

Apologies for the heavy eye bags and unfashionable hairstyle. For some strange reason, they look good together all the time. Hahaha.

By the way, I will be participating in Wordpress' Post A Week 2011. I will try to post more than once a week since my hectic schedule will restrain my naughty fingers most of the time. *fingers-crossed*

Au revoir, 2010! You have been a dear friend to all us. Thank you for everything!

Bonjour, 2011! I'm counting on you for more f*cking good times and loads of fun! :-D

Coffee, anyone?