I Passed!

It was a lazy Thursday yesterday and a cloudy, vague late afternoon outside with a dull weather. I just turned off the computer then SS called. I thought he was going to ask something about our plans for today and I answer and he was asking “Have you heard?” in a flat voice. I absolutely had no idea what he was talking about. I initially thought it was the Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour coming to the Philippines or Muse coming. “Uh… No? What?” And then he said: “Congratulations! RN ka na! (Congratulations! You’re an RN already!)”.

Camera zooms in. Focus on the eye and the trembling mouth. Pans out a bit and sees a backside view of my hunched figure holding a mobile phone against my ear. Every noise dies down and then all at once the silence is broken because of my own voice “NO SHIT“. Eventually I sounded too crazy and nearly killed myself by falling down our treacherous stairs but there’s no other way to accurately describe how I looked except with gifs.

I thank the Force, the Lord, the Higher Ups, the Powers That Are. During the exams, it was definitely hard to not get your confidence level to not fluctuate and to prevent yourself from overthinking about the possibilities after the whole affair is over. I have a strong belief there’s a Higher Power at work here and it’s telling me something. I’ve had a lot of doubts about myself and constantly wrestling with my self worth but this is just something I am extremely proud of. Thank you!

The whole review process feels like I’ve been to hell and back but without my mother I wouldn’t have made it. Her unwavering support and love and understanding even if I bitch at her because of the stress and the anxiety, goodness, I can’t even begin how I’m thankful for her. All of my sacrifices and this success are for her! For all the heartaches she received in the previous years, this at least could make her really happy. And she was and could not stop saying to everyone “Take one lang! Take one lang!”. She told me later it was really a testimony that her hard work as a parent and provider paid off immensely and it was the best time of her life. I wish my dad was still here. It would have been priceless to see his face and hear his voice about this wonderful news.

P and my closest friends! Without P, I would’ve gone crazy while reviewing. He’s been such a wonderful companion throughout this whole affair and I’m so glad we both made it as passers! And my friends were always there whenever I needed tips, review materials, happy company to fight away the stress and for having faith in me. Without all of these wonderful people including my family, I wouldn’t have had the courage to face the daunting 500-item exam. Passing is my gift for them, one way of showing I would not let them down.

For those that didn’t make it and are planning to give it another chance, I admire you. Like I said, taking that 500-item exam against thousands of other aspiring nurses takes an unbelievable courage. It’s admirable to have another drive and to rise up after not being victorious for the first time and this just shows how stronger you can be. More importantly do not let faith in yourself and your loved ones falter. In most people’s cases, it is the one thing that keeps them going and a drive that pushes them to reaching their dreams. For those who are taking the exams again and for the first timers, best of luck!

When you go in search of your Personal Legend, the whole universe tries to ensure that you get what you want. – Paulo Coehlo (The Alchemist)

Valentine’s Day with the P

Fact: P is probably the only person I see spending the rest of my Valentine’s Day with in the succeeding years and he feels the same. It’s one of things things that actually feels like you’re forever changed by who that person is and what that person means to you, even after so many years.

What can I do with my happiness? How can I keep it, conceal it, bury it where I may never lose it? I want to kneel as it falls over me like rain, gather it up with lace and silk, and press it over myself again.

Spong-goodies from the most awesome boy in the world: P!

I’m a non-traditionalist especially with these kinds of things but I have to say receiving a flower from that person is a really fantastic gesture and gives you an awesome feeling ♥ He also gave me the most tasty egg pie in town to share with my family and it was sure hit with everyone. They took a few slices off already since they were so excited to try it once I came home last Tuesday night. He also gave me wonderful gift and he pretty paper bag which reminded me a bit of a Japanese origami paper was a very sweet touch.

The whole day was pretty much simple and fun in it’s own way. It was a day of being our usual “mall rat” selves, an eat-eat-all-you-can merienda buffet which left us really stuffed (we didn’t get dinner after) and a not-so-impressive movie in the theater: The Grey. We didn’t like it at all and the trailer looked so promising too and the fact that it had Liam Neeson in it. It wasn’t so bad as long as P was with me and was willing to be really kooky in public with me, so that’s pretty much alright.

I made him a Valentine’s Day face hugger card and my first batch of fried oreos. The fried oreos were really good! Very sweet but it was really unexpected that they’d turn out as I hope they would taste like. It’s a bit of a heart attack per piece but it’s undeniably good and it was fantastic with some cold vanilla ice cream. I’m so glad P loved it! He couldn’t believe fried oreos existed but they do and it was really worth it to see he loved it with much gusto.

This is a random doodle that I made for him and it’s probably one of his favorites. Both of us sipping our favorite Coffee Three (we pronounce it as KOHPI-TRI) from Quickly, one of our simple joys in life. We make a pretty wicked pair, I think and it’s absolutely fantastic I can be with someone that I can be mutually compatible with and yet we’re both so different in many ways.

I love you!♥  Happy Penguintines Day, Penguin Man.

The Love Song Mix

It’s almost that time of the year again. I don’t care much for what happens on February 14/Valentine’s Day and honestly I think that sometimes it puts a little too much pressure on everyone, couples and single people alike. Although I do think it’s nice when you receive something from someone, whether it’s a friend, schoolmate, colleague, relative or from your immediate family. But even without that extra something, it doesn’t mean you’ll be forever alone throughout the rest of the year and the next year or the year after. I’m not trying to be mean but I just don’t understand why this tradition brings everyone else’s complaints about being “lonely” to a whole new level.

Instead of spoiling the opportunity you have to be happy by being bitter and whiny, channel that negativity to something positive. I think by starting that way, it would change negative perceptions about this certain time of year.

That aside, I’m going to show a person how much I my appreciation is in this post. Songs are fantastic for things like this, yes? Some of my favorite love songs are all here and it just feels right to share them. Le good kind of cheese.

Hello P

 

Only Boring People Get Bored Or, Fight the Boredom Manifesto

Source

Monday Love List

♠ P – You have no idea how closely I wrapped myself around your heart.

♠ Chronicle (2012) – P and I watched it the other day and we were just surprised how good it was. It’s a mockumentary film about teen superhero origins done just right. It has a very unique take on the idea of superpowers and what it could do to normal people like us– we wouldn’t even use it to save the world; we’d probably use it the same way the boys did in the film. It was very interesting and P and I we’re just raving about it. Definitely check it out if you haven’t seen it yet! Here’s the trailer:

♠ Sisig Hooray’s Chicken Sisig in barkada size. P and I don’t care. We just love to EAT and this one in particular just makes us go:

Batshit crazy for it.

♠ Tenkuu no Escaflowne (Vision of Escaflowne) anime marathons for that epic nostalgia wave of the late 90s. This is my third time watching the series and it still blew my mind the same way it did when I watched it for the first time many years ago. Definitely an anime classic and my OTP is still Hitomi and Van. Like what my friend said, awkward teenage romances for the win and Van is still just gorgeous. I still have the soft spot for his character after all this years!

♠ Zooey Deschanel is one of the few women I look up to. And I just found something: an interesting letter she wrote to Vogue when she was 17 and Vogue actually published it.

♠ Re-reading my copy of Brothers Grimm’s Complete Fairytales and realizing how I love them. It’s interesting that my particular favorites are definitely the stories with things Disney fairytales aren’t made of. But all of them have that recurring theme of senseless violent deaths, deals with the Devil, mayhem, madness and treachery. I’ll probably do an entry about my favorite tales one of these days.

♠ Beautiful paper dresses made from vintage maps! Source.

♠ I think this seemed really appropriate: Salvador Dali’s illustrations for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

♠ Finding out someone does the same weird things as you do.

♠ A Lord of the Rings Valentines! These are definitely fun and it’s definitely nice to send them to your friends. My favorite is the Sauron and Aragorn one.

♠ Seeing someone read your favorite book.

♠ Watching Fight Club with P.

♠ When someone offers the rest of their food to you. I mean, who can resist that? HAHA!

♠ The movie Warrior (2011) which stars Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte. I’ve never (on a regular basis) watched a sports themed action drama film and I have to thank P for letting me watch this one because it’s definitely a good place to start. I loved it more than I thought I would and ended up shedding a few tears near the end of the film. The whole plot was good and there was a lot of thought provoking and moving instances in the stories of the 3 men. For a film industry that doesn’t get into movies dealing with sports that much, I thought this would be an exceptional addition to that genre. The actors were excellent in their roles and were able to deliver a fantastic performance in a film which I thought was gripping and intense. A must watch especially for you fans of mixed martial arts and UFC.

Kotobukiya Bishoujo Review: DC’s Wonder Woman

Note: I was not paid nor sponsored to do this toy review. This is completely out of appreciation of the figure. Also you may click on the images for a high quality view of  the figure. Thank you!

Credits: Photography courtesy of my boyfriend, P.

I previously featured Kotobukiya’s Bishoujo Wonder Woman figure before in this entry when my boyfriend initially got it. Now I felt that entry didn’t justify what a fantastic figure it is and so I’m giving it a proper toy review it deserves.

The Kotobukiya Bishoujo Collection is probably one of Kotobukiya’s most successful endeavors to date.Teaming up with one of Japan’s well known illustrators Shunya Yamashiya, they’ve created an impressive collection of
statues featuring prominent and well-loved femme fatales and heroines in the geekdom with a Japanese bishoujo (pretty girl) twist.

My boyfriend P is the more toy-inclined of us two and he’s especially fond of this particular series of figures. I myself am interested in them and it can’t be denied that these are figures done just right! Take for instance, DC’s Princess
Diana of Themyscira, more popularly known as Wonder Woman.

Overall, Kotobukiya’s Wonder Woman looks incredible! She stands up with a dignified pose like how any warrior should be and her face is full of determination, ready to face any threat coming to get her. She also has a sense of being graceful as well, with her raven her billowing in the wind and just flows and frames her gorgeous face. Wonder Woman’s expression is not smiling nor is she frowning; instead, she looks like she’s planning an attack or out to get a villain. Beautiful nonetheless.

This is exactly why I love Wonder Woman than some of the Bishoujo girls; she’s not as pose-y or looks “forced” as the rest and she’s sculpted the way how her character should be and what she represents: a strong and confident female warrior.

In Order To Be, You Must Do.

Source: 16hours.com