Impulse

I have two very good examples on acting on impulse today.

Scenario 1

This morning at around 10:30, my friend Rochel asked me if I was still interested in enrolling for the Korean language course at the UP Department of Linguistics. I said I’ve decided on it already, whether she was coming with me or not. So she said let’s do it. And then we crammed. I had work at 1pm. Took a quick bath, met at Ministop Espana and asked each other: any idea how to go to UP Diliman? Haha. We rode a cab since there was no way I wanted to be late for work. The time was 11:30. In the event that the cashier had lunch break at 12 noon and we didn’t make it, I would have left her there to settle the fees haha. But we did make it at 11:55 am. And we were officially enrolled. Classes start at May 18. Daebak!

I’ve been to UP Diliman thrice: the first was when my sister took the UPCAT, second when I applied for it, and the third was when I participated in a Fun Run. Yes the last one was not a joke but I did finish the 5k run/walkathon in one piece. I had absolutely no idea on how to get around the area. We left the cashier and rode a UP Ikot jeep again on impulse, and went down after 30 seconds hahaha! We then rode a jeep en route MRT, and when we reached Philcoa (I think), we decided again to ride an FX instead since it was a very hot afternoon. In the midst of waiting for an FX, we saw a big air conditioned bus going to Quiapo not knowing exactly its route and ran towards it for protection from the harsh UV rays. It proved to be a good idea. I was at the hospital at exactly 1pm.

Scenario 2

I’ve been planning to take the HAAD-RN (Health Authority of Abu Dhabi) licensure exam for registered nurses, but never had the courage to register since recent exam passers have significantly dropped. Just a few seconds ago, I was chatting with friends on Facebook and the next minute, I was entering my credit card info to pay for the exam. Absolutely no idea how I ended up in Pearson Vue in a matter of seconds. Will not tell when I will be taking the exam. That was a quick $95.

Maybe, subconsciously, I wanted to be busy since I was done with my masters. So now I have to study Korean and Med Surg at the same time. Hurray.

What’s Next?

Well what do you know. I finished graduate school haha. I know this post deserves a long entry, but I’m just not in the mood. Maybe soon. So what’s next? Sleep. Lots and lots of it.

Jeriko R. Pablo, RN, CRN, MSN

Irrashaimase

Cravings should not be left unmet haha. For days, I have been craving for takoyaki, okonomiyaki and patbingsu. Good thing, my favorite spending buddies were available after duty. No hesitation noted. Off to Octoboy!

It is always an expensive affair with these two. 275 + 100 + 140 = Happy tummy.

Comprehensive Exam

The final hurdle. The final exam. After this, will be graduation. But I am not thinking of that yet. I’m thinking of what to answer in Statistics and Research. 2 subjects I never really liked in college haha.

Everything seems to have fallen in place. I was granted a vacation leave for my 4 weeks practicum, then another 5 days for my 2 day comprehensive examination in Tuguegarao City. It could be a sign. It MUST be a sign. Yet I could not help but feel burdened and uneasy.

We attended a review class on Statistics, since it was the subject we were having trouble with the most. And it seemed like we were really in trouble. 0_0

So the night before the exam, we were all busy memorizing formulas and browsing through our research notes.

Examination was supposed to have started at 8AM, but it was 9AM already when we entered the computer laboratory.

Long day short, we finished late in the evening. Everyone looked wasted as we entered our hotel room. But we still had 3 more exams the next day and after dinner, we started again with our books. We would check each other from time to time whether someone was cheating/sleeping haha.

Day 2 was basically the same, except that all exams were based on our major subjects. It was Sunday, and I really wanted to attend church so I did my best to finish the last exam by 5:15, since the evening worship at VCF Tuguegarao started at 5:30pm. By 7pm, I was back at SPUP and most of the examiners were outside. Some smiling, but more were anxious over the exam results. Revalida will be given to students who failed to meet the passing grade.

We stayed until next day to find out about the results, and to submit our hardbound requirements.

So. The Admin group all passed the comprehensive examination and will be graduating with the degree Master of Science in Nursing, Major in Nursing Administration on March 16.

We should be shouting at the top of our lungs by now. Hahaha! However, we choose to contain our excitement until graduation day. Or maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet. Or maybe all doubts will only be erased when we finally wear our academic gowns.

I love you Admin guys. See you again on graduation. Our last adventure to Tuguegarao as students. We made it!

Practicum

The last of 2 hurdles of graduate school: 200 hours of field practicum in a hospital and college of nursing, and the final comprehensive examination.

Time left: 2 months.

Date of graduation: March 16, 2013

Will I come out of this an MSN degree holder, or a dead body?

 

Loss for Words

It has been a sad day. The first SMS I read as I woke up this morning was from an unknown number. It said that my friend Tracey had passed away. I stared at it for a while, not knowing how to react. This couldn’t be possible, was my initial reaction. I lost my phone just a month ago and lost all my contacts, but the text had to be from her sister. I knew I had to face the sad truth and it could only be confirmed through the internet.

Yes, the text had been from Grishilde, her sister. I immediately browsed Tracey’s Facebook page and learned what had happened to her. My fingers were shaking. It was so sudden and unexpected. She even greeted me 2 days ago. And it happened on Christmas day.

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This is the first time I’ve had a close friend who has passed away. The feeling is inexplicable. It’s been years since I last saw Tracey physically since she left for the US, but the friendship and bond we formed since college is bulletproof and could not be shaken even if we were miles apart. She is family.

I know the sadness and hurt I’m feeling right now cannot even compare to what her family is going through, and not being able to see her physically causes them twice the despair. I am sincerely including all of them in my prayers.

As Grishilde has said, we need to be brave and face this.

Tracey, my dear friend. We will miss you. We will be forever your BFF.

JCO Donuts

Russell went to the JCO store in Trinoma, and said that he will be buying 2 boxes of donuts because it turns out to be way cheaper, and that I will be paying for the other dozen. And I immediately said yes haha. I was curious because I’ve heard many times that people fall in line for hours just for them. It must be crazy good.

What do I think? It was alright. Maybe overrated. I do love sweets but I will never fall in line for an hour just for donuts. I actually prefer Krispy Kreme and Go Nuts. No offense to JCO fanatics.