I'm Taking the ASVAB not the Board

yes, I'm not going to take the local board for one simple reason. I DON'T NEED TO. A lot of my friends keep on asking me about this. Others call it luck, maybe it is but for me it is more of a blessing because I will not suffer the long wait for VISA applications and a lot of other advantages. You'll surely won't see my name appear on the results of the local board. Anyway, I already took and thank God passed the ASVAB (ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY) last month but honestly I'm not that proud of the result + I don't like any of the jobs they are offering me or should I say what I'm qualified for so I decided to take another shot. "WALA NAMANG MAWAWALA" all expenses paid. I really believe in the saying that if you pray for something pray for the top! haha Since I was really hungry and nauseous when I took the exam I really prayed hard that night because the results was delayed.. "LORD PLS. KAHIT BASTA MAPASA KO LANG XA..." haha although God is really good that He made my score a little higher than the passing rate, the point is I should prayed more but expect less... I was thinking that there's no way I could pass the exam since I'm not really feeling good when I took it and I had a hard time understanding the questions and also the time pressure and I am really thankful that I still passed the exam.

This weekend I'm leaving again but this time finally, I'm with Grace! yehey! Supposedly with another girl named Cristine but it's not confirmed yet if she will be able to go with us. (HOPEFULLY).

WHY NOT TAKE THE NCLEX FIRST?

First im not (PREFERRED!) prepared haha! I'm really thankful to my relatives who are willing to help me but I just want to do it on my own this time and the Air force is going to be my stepping stone ( If I will pass the exam again). Besides, this is one of my childhood dream to be just like my dad. He wanted a nurse and I am going to be someday and I know he'll be a lot happier if I'm going in for service. I don't know a lot of stuffs yet about the Air force but I'm taking the challenge. They said that Basic Training will going to be really really hard. LIFE is LIFE and like Frank McGee once said "Welcome the task that makes you go beyond yourself."

After graduating TECH school and I'm sent to wherever I will be stationed I'll try to go out and take the NCLEX and if luckily I passed, part time nurse outside the Air Force.

If you're thinking what job do I want, I want to be a Cardiopulmonary Specialist. In God's will, He's the one whose going to decide and the only one in power to lead me and knows what's right for me maybe this time is the right time. Whatever jobs I will be qualified after the second exam I'll take one but this time I'll do my very best!

Losing my bestfriend

Losing him just like that is not really easy for me. He's my everything. Now I don't have anyone I can share my daily thoughts with. Although I have a lot of friends I can talk to it's just different compared when I'm talking to him. I remember one line in the movie "When Love Begins" and I really believe that, it's something like this "Kung magaasawa ka dpat kaibigan mo rin siya kasi ang romansa nawawala pero ang pagkakaibigan nananatili" When we started our relationship we made sure that all secrets are not kept in each other. Even past relationships experiences.
At first, it's really hard to open up to someone you just have a rel with. One secret at a time helps. It's fun that you share stuffs that only the both of you know. I really miss him so much. His love is what's keeping me strong. I love you mahal, I always will...




-Don't worry I understand...

Photoshop Madness...

Some of my frustrations in life is to be an artist! drawing sketches and painting but I guess I don't have the talent so when my cousin introduced photoshop I started reading some tutorials and I can't expalin the excitement it brings me. At least in some way I can fill up the spot in my heart that belongs to this some kind of art. Though I know I'm not as good as some of the graphic artists I know but they do really inspire me in a way... When I am really stressed out about school works before I loosen up by editing and there I am, back in my mood again...
After more than a year of using photoshop I really learned a lot by experimenting and by the help of the tutorials in some sites. It's not really that easy especially when you don't have anyone beside you to teach you step by step. Learning is fun but you also need patience when you want to know something. If you are not that busy and you are really interested that's the right time to start putting efforts to accomplish things. Now, I'm trying to edit different stuffs other than portraits. Trying to beef up my abilities but since I am really busy right now I guess it can wait! The good thing about photoshop is even you don't have a very expensive camera that can took marvelous shots you can still have terrific photos needing just your time and of course hardwork. Other people use photoshop as a past time, sense of fulfillment and some also use their talent as a source of income.

He's Leaving me

Yes. he's leaving me, not leaving in a sense that he's breaking up with me but literally leaving me. He's going to fulfill his dreams and so do I and that's why we need to sacrifice the time spent away from each other. He's going to Singapore and start another part of his life there and hopefully everything will work just fine. I once told him that I don't usually survive long distance relationships though it's not the right thing to say It's just that I want him to know that I will change that thought in my mind to prove how great my love is for him...

I know that he's as scared as hell as I am but we can make it. We made plans together about the future about how life will be in the next 5 years and I will always hold on to that. I can never love somebody the way I love him and I am so sure that NO ONE can Love me the way he does. He's PERFECT for me and my friends and all the people around us know that. I'll really miss him! Everything about him. Preparing breakfast for me, the supermega hug, the hagod, the kamot, EVERYTHING!

It's different now,, I can't be with him even if I want to because he will be very far from me and I can't do anything but to wait for the time that we'll see each other again. See his smiles, his frowns, the way he beat the drums, the way he cuddle me and tickles me, the EMO thing inside him whenever we have small fights. What's left is memories. powerful memories that will help us survive the sad parts of our journey.








I've been funky about things that's happening in my life since I graduated but now I'm seeing light upon the darkness of my way. I make sure that I always look up to God and thank Him for his guidance. Now that I have no reason to stay here I might as well leave the country and start the next step. Now, to be an airman is my first step to success. Hopefully things will be better on my way back to Guam. Praying I could get a slot to be a Cardiopulmonary specialist or any medical related jobs that the Us Airforce will offer me. After the basic training and tech school, I can probably get a chance to take the nclex exam outside air force and if luckily I'll pass I will apply in the hospital outside base as my part time job. Anyway it's just a plan guys... How I wish its as easy as writing all your plans in a sheet of paper and whoooshhh! everything will be just the way you want it. But yeah Life is a journey and you can't avoid hardships and trials in your way up. Thanks to those who prayed and believed in me. Ever since, it's my dream to be just like my dad at the same time fulfilling his aspiration of having a nurse in the family.

Filipino Nurses: Where art thou? (from Sir Ej)

People, especially nurses, say, "The pasture is greener on the other side."

True to its geographic and economic stability, the Philippines has long been a third world country. It has endured countless occupancies; from the Spaniards, who brought Christianity as a religion into this fair land, to the Japanese, who introduced sushi as a main dish, to the Americans, who spread capitalism as a means of international survival. Undermining the barter between and among other lesser nations, the Chinese who introduced gunpowder, thus, the cause of the proliferation of modern-day armory, and the Arabs, the people who spread Muslim as a religion.

For so long, the Philippines has not known its identity. With countless times, having been given the chances of growth and stability, it has only known one thing: Dollars.

Embedded in every Filipino is the chance and choice of a better life. I use the term chance, for so many Filipinos, rich and poor, have been given that opportunity to migrate and flourish as a "western citizen." The term choice, on the other hand, depicts a much lighter perspective on the Filipino citizen.
Translation: He has enough money to go there anytime and be a hard working "western citizen", but in the Philippines, he's filthy rich.

And for the last 10 years, one thing has become a mass hysteria for the Filipinos: Nursing.

Yes, the course which teaches the art and science of caring, has been abused by every Filipino citizen there is.

Scenario:
Parent: So, son, what course do you plan on taking on for college?
Son (high school graduate): I think i want to pursue my dream of being an architect. Yeah, probably architecture or fine arts.
Parent: Are you sure?
Son: Yes, of course. I could build a house for both you and mom. Wouldn't that be great?
Parent: Yeah.. (smirking) But you know son, it would be better if you took up nursing. it's in demand in US and other countries abroad! I mean, you don't have to build us a house. You could just send the money then, and we'll build it for you!
Son: (sluggishly agrees, nods head in approval)

You see, ever since the boom of this profession, it has spread like a wild fire. And every single Filipino has thought of one thing: The Great American Dream.

However, in truth and in fact, it doesn't matter if it isn't the States!? There's always the United Kingdom, or Australia, or Ireland, or even New Zealand. If it doesn't work out? There will always be Asia - Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc. Filipinos don't care!? So long as their sons and daughters leave this wretched hole, everything is fine.

Sure, you will always here parents say, "Pinapagaral ka namin dahil yan lang ang tanging kayamanan na kaya naming ibigay."
Translation: Study hard and finish Nursing or I'll kill you!

This hysteria has been going on for so long. People living in the rural areas, they would be willing to sell even the last pig and carabao just to send their sons and daughters to school. And yes, they should be taking up Nursing, of course.

And then..

Reality strikes..

Ain't it a bitch!?

Newly grad nursing students have to take up the Board Exam.
Sure, they try their best to make it, while some, sorry to say, fail even after taking the exam 5 times.

Like i said, reality bites.

And so, they become professionals. Trying earnestly to make a living, saving enough money to buy the carabao they sold 4 years ago. But what do the parents say?

Scenario:
Parent: My god son! You sure made us proud! Good thing you got the exam the 4th time around!
Son: Yeah, good thing, Dad. It was really hard! I told you i never wanted Nursing, that's why it was so hard for me.
Parent: It's ok son. At least you did your best, and now, you're a Registered Nurse.
Now you can go abroad!

I wish it was that easy.

And so, the journey continues...

Through hell and high water, these brave, young souls try to conquer the world of health-care. And when they do, they are a mere step away from acquiring that goal - leaving the Philippines.

The term 'brain drain' has been used countless times to describe a natural occurring phenomenon, particularly in developing countries, where their professionals migrate to other regions of the world to work. And numerous times have we been left with close to nothing. Our professionals, especially those who have been endowed with the intellect and the technical know-how, through the years, have left this country in search for a much "brighter future."

In Nursing, such term could and should not be used anymore, for using such a term to describe the exodus of our beloved Filipino Nurses, would be an understatement. Today, particularly for our Nurses, we use the term "Brain Hemorrhage."

This country has been bled dry because of the rapid turnover rates we have in the hospitals. Be it government or private, these health care institutions have, and still is, experiencing the further decrease in manpower, especially in every Nursing Service there is. As a result, the quality of health care has been compromised. Patients have had complaints of the kind of service other hospitals have been giving.

And why is this?

The pool of nurses we are left with here gets younger and younger each year. Over the last 10 years, the average stay of a Filipino nurse has gone down to 1.4 years. So just imagine, a newly trained nurse, who has stayed only for a year, given the opportunity and the means to leave, would not have the patience and the dedication to pursue such a profession in this country. And the result, hiring of a younger neophyte.

Furthermore, not only do we compromise the quality of service we provide, more so, the quality of education being given to Nursing-hopefuls. The Clinical Instructors, who have mastered the several areas in Nursing, have also migrated. Not only that, quality of education is also compromised by the kind of institution offering the course. Since the boom of this profession, Nursing Schools have been sprouting like mushrooms in the wild. Even technical schools now offer this course!

Who could blame them for leaving? In Singapore alone, the basic salary of a nurse increases by 30% compared to the meager P13, 000 given by government hospitals. If a nurse chooses to migrate to Saudi Arabia, his salary will increase by 60%. In Australia, Filipino nurses' salaries increase by 120%. In the United Kingdom, their salaried increase by 150%. And of course, in the US, a normal Filipino nurse salary increases by a whopping 200%. So now tell me, who is there to blame? No one. Such rapid exodus could simply be attributed to a country's economic stability, and it is saddening.

Another point of consideration, is the quality of nurses that we export. Granted, there is no possible way to stopping the migration of Filipino nurses. However, the question really is, have we really produced effective and efficient nurses, capable of working abroad? Yes, perhaps. And maybe No. Perhaps we should've considered that as well.

I read an article once and there was this Nurse, a graduate of batch 2004 who was given the chance to leave a year after. This female nurse, who apparently, only stood 5'1", was stationed in the Intensive Care Unit. Imagine a petite lady, carrying a 200-plus pound patient in the ICU? And you know what happened? One of her vertebral disks slipped and was sent back home, with no money, no savings whatsoever. When asked where she graduated, she simply graduated from a new technical school, built to cater to the demand for nursing students. Probably Proper Body Mechanics was not taught in that school? I dunno.

Who is there to blame about all this? Nobody.

And how are these valiant nurses.

Good. I hope.

ONE TREE HILL

One Tree Hill

For the past few weeks I've been very BUSY watching DVDs and recently I focused on one series which is ONE TREE HILL and finally I'm done with the fourth season. At first the series makes me felt a little bored about the story of Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty) the two half-brothers whose lives are brought together on the basketball court when they both end up playing for the same team in high school. The previously estranged twosome struggle to prove who is the better player on the court, and also face personal turmoil, most notably in the shape of Nathan's girlfriend, Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), whom they both lust after. The parental struggle that split the boy's upbringings also plays a major part in ONE TREE HILL, with Nathan's father, Dan (Paul Johansson) and Lucas' mother, Karen (Moira Kelly) bringing many unneeded complications into Nathan and Lucas's lives. Until the episodes becomes heavier and more exciting so I continued watching and as I watch one episode, I find it impossibly hard to not watch the next. So late night movie marathon continued until the first of may because I'm finally done with all the Seasons! hmmmP!

IRON MAN

IRON MAN

Last Wednesday, my mahal and I decided to watch a movie. We picked Iron Man and started watching. Well what can I say about the movie? hmmm I think that Iron Man is the perfect start to spend summer with action scenes that thrill, fight scenes that make you cheer, wisecracking dialogue that makes you laugh in all of the right places and an interesting story with the kind of depth that makes you appreciate the transformation Stark is undergoing. Director Jon Favreau and the screenwriting foursome take a little time to develop the characters.

Sure, you might see some similarities between Iron Man and other super heroes since he has his own Batcave, and flies like Superman, but you just don’t care because Iron Man is cool. Favreau gets the audience wrapped up in the action immediately, and Downey, Jr. makes Tony Stark into more than a cartoon character showing us the man’s regret and desire to change his life, especially in a poignant moment when Stark talks about how he should be dead and wants to find the reason why he is still living.

Get your popcorn ready. If all of the summer blockbusters are this good, it’s going to be the greatest summer ever!