Full of hopes this 2011...

"Hello 2011, nice to meet you!"

That's what I said in my facebook status when the clock strikes 12 midnight on January 1st 2011. Another year has passed and another one came, and we all welcomed it with a bang and majority of us welcomed it with full of hopes and blessings. I, myself surely believe that this year is going to be a great year for me, specially in terms of career. I just keep on believing with the Lord, and of course with myself. I know this is my year!!!

I'll just keep on posting whenever I can on the things that are happening on me... See you around..

Looking back to my 2010 experience...

2011 is almost here, and that means 2010 will say goodbye to all of us in a few days. This year has been a tough year for me especially in terms of career seeking. First I joined the Basic Safety Course of Magsaysay Training Center and fortunately I passed it and had my seaman's book (SIRB) and hoped that I could get a seabased job, I was once shortlisted as a Cruise Nurse but unfortunately I didn't get the job. I also tried applying directly to Carnival Cruise Line, I almost got the job but when the Chief Nurse evaluated my exam and credentials, she told me that she cannot accept me for the meantime, since I still lack hospital experience and ACLS certification. It was very painful for me to hear that, but it didn't pulled me down, instead I pursue to get certified in ACLS and renewed my other certifications. I was so happy when I passed the ACLS training in Philippine Heart Center (PHC). It was no joke when I joined the training, I have to identify ECG readings in just 3 days and learn the management of the abnormal ECG for just 3 days too and I have to undergo a written and skills exam of the doctors of the PHC.

After my training, since I still don't have a job offer, I went back to render my duties in PRC-ERU as an ambulance nurse. It was still nice of them to accept me back. There are also new set of volunteers for the department and I was one of the trusted personnel to orient and train them regarding the duties in the office and especially when there's emergency response. It was very tiring and frustrating for me, because for the first few months it's like they're not that really interested on the things we are doing in the ERU, but my efforts and my co-seniors got paid back. It was like God's answered prayers when I saw them joining our weekly exercises and showing us that they can be also reliable during our responses. I hope it will continue till next year. :)

Another great opportunity also arrived to me this year, it was when I was given a chance to really pursue my NCLEX-RN application. There was a family member abroad who was working on a hospital and the employer of the hospital is planning to hire nurses here in the Philippines, so me and my parents decided that I take the exam as soon as possible and hopefully by next year I could really start my review... ;)

This year was also a lucky year for my love life. Me and my boyfriend celebrated our first year anniversary and finally I was able to introduce him to my family and to my surprise they gave him a warm welcome. Until now, I still can't believe I have a best friend who's always there to support me and love me for who I am... God is so kind for giving me a nice, loving and supportive family and boyfriend!!!

An update...

It's almost a year since my last post here in my blog. Just want to update on what's happening to me now... Well, after that NICU experience, I continued rendering my duty in the hospital but earlier this year I decided to stop my hospital experience since it is just a volunteer work and instead focus my self in gaining some trainings and renewing my expired certificates as well. Starting on January, I had my Basic Safety Training and got my Seaman's Book. Right! I am planning to work on a cruise ship hopefully! I experienced applying as a cruise nurse and luckily I got shortlisted but unfortunately I wasn't accepted for the position, maybe because somebody else is more qualified, but I didn't lose hope, I still continued to gain some trainings that would help me qualify for my future applications. So now, I was trying to apply for the position of Front Office Staff in one of the 5 star Hotel Resort somewhere in Visayas Region, and I'm hoping I can get the position. If I am not destined to work as a nurse for the meantime I will accept it. What I want now is a job that will help me grow as a professional and at the same time will help my family.

Enough on that, let's go on the bright side. Even if I am unemployed at this time, I still have reason to be happy because I have someone aside from my family, who loves me so much! He's always with me to support in every decision that I make. We've been together for 9 months and I can't believe myself that I would actually reach this stage of our relationship. I'm just very thankful for having him. I'm just praying that time will come my family will accept him... I know it will happen in God's time...

My NICU Experience

Two days ago, nasa NICU ako nag-duduty dahil sa ward puno na ng students and need din ng assistance ng staff sa NICU. Sobrang enjoy ako sa NICU kasi puro babies ang hawak namin. May isang baby dun na sobrang cute nya talaga, ang bait-bait nya hindi kasi sya pala-iyak except kung binibigay yung antibiotic nya thru IV na medyo mahapdi. Enjoy na enjoy ako mag-feed sa kanya, kasi naman ang cute nya talaga. Nakakatulog pa nga minsan habang on-going ang feeding ko sa kanya. Mahilig din mag-smile ang baby na yun, kaya naman nawawala ang pagod ko pag naka-smile na sya. Feeling ko tuloy anak ko sya. hehe... Sayang lang at hindi ko na sya makikita kasi pauwi na sya... Pero good for him kasi magaling na sya... Enjoy talaga ako sa NICU, bukod sa puro babies ang hawak mabait pa yung staff. Kung pwede lang dun na lang ako mag-duty lagi. hehe...

Simultaneous Exercise... The Master's Way!

Kahapon, May 23, 2009, nagkaroon kami ng meeting at simultaneous exercise sa organization ko para sa ERU members. Late na ako nakarating pero hindi pa agad nag-start yung meeting. Pagdating ko dun syempre una ko hinanap si special someone ko, yun pala eh umuwi, nag-text ako sa kanya, nagbibihis na daw sya, masama pa nga pakiramdam nun eh. Nung time na din na yung nag-start na yung meeting pero while on going ang meeting namin, nag-advice sa amin na may aksidente daw sa labas ng building namin, syempre as emergency responders inactivate kami to check the scene, ang dami namin na naghanap sa pasyente, halos ikutin namin ang area, paano naman kasi etong guard namin eh hindi malinaw kung magbigay ng exact location. Nung nakita namin ang patient agad namin na nilapatan ng first aid management, hindi naman sya life threatening pero may open wound sa leg yung patient. After mabigyan ng management agad sya dinala sa hospital. Pagbalik namin sa office, habang nasa kalagitnaan ng meeting, may bagong advice na naman, may nag-collapse daw na structure sa Pasay, so naputol na naman ang meeting, luckily madami kami na umattend sa meeting, madami ang manpower. I was assigned sa medical while the others sa specialized area. Nung time din na yun, hinahanap na si special one ko, kelangan na kasi sya for the rescue van, so nag-text na ako sa kanya, on the way na din sya nun, pero while on his way naaksidente pala sya, dumulas yung motor nya dahil sa ginawa nya na pag-iwas sa biglang huminto na sasakyan sa harap nya, buti na lang hindi sya nasaktan kundi reresponde pa kami sa kanya.. Pagdating nya sa office, ayun, inayos na lahat ng gamit, then sampa na kami agad sa ambulance. Pagdating sa scene, ayun, hindi kami agad naka-engage, nag-survey muna ng scene pero wala na pala yung mga patient, dinala na daw sa hospital pero may naiwan dun sa loob na patay na. After nun, bumalik na din kami agad sa office at nag-grouping n for the activity. I was lucky to be assigned sa group 1 which is group ni special someone ko. Ang saya-saya nya! Si bhebhe ko ang tumayong TL ng group namin, pero before kami mag-start sa activity nag-lunch muna kami.

Pagkatapos ng lunch namin, nag-start na ang activity naming siguradong nakakapagod at hindi nga ako nagkamali, nakakapagod sya talaga. Pinakuha ang bawat group ng mga gamit galing sa rescue van at syempre, kami yung magagaan lang halos at useful ang kinuha. Si bhebhe ko na TL namin ang naglabas ng mga gamit kaya halos nakuha namin yung mga magagaan, pero mukang hindi pa din talaga magaan yun! haha! Nung ok na ang lahat, nag-formation na kami sa lobby, nag-instruct ang aming "Master", na kami ay mag-jojogging mula first floor hanggang fourth floor at gagapang sa ilalim ng mga silya sa lobby habang dala-dala yung mga gamit na kinuha namin. Syempre kami ang group 1, kami ang nag-lead ng jogging, si bhebhe ko ang nasa unahan ng line, sa first attempt namin, hapos mawalan na ako ng hininga sa pagod at bigat ng dala ko, buti na lang pagdating sa third floor may pahinga kami. Pagbaba namin sa front lobby, gumapang pa kami sa ilalim ng silya, nabatukan pa nga ako ni master dahil umangat ako, eh bawal pala yun.. Haha! After ng gapangan na yun, back to line uli kami at may bagong dagdag si master sa obstacle namin. This time pag sinabi naman nya na "down" kami ay dadapa no matter kung ano ang dala o kung saan ang pwesto namin. Inulit namin ang jogging paikot sa buong building, then pagdating namin sa hallway ng third floor sumigay na si master ng "DOWN!" Napadapa kaming lahat nun, ok din kasi kahit papaano naging resting time pero nung nakukuha ko na hininga ko dun naman kami pinatuloy na sa jogging pababa ng lobby at gagapang uli sa ilalim ng silya. After nun, ibang obstacle naman ang binigay, this time hindi na kami sa loob ng building, pinalabas na kami, at sakto, katirikan ng araw, nag-jogging kami papunta sa open area na katabi ng building namin. Grabe, parang magco-collapse na ako nung time na yun, dehydrated na ako at sobrang pagod na, hindi ko na nga mahabol sila bhebhe ko, lakad na nga lang ginawa ko, pinapasok pa kami sa isang lumang jeep dun habang dala-dala namin nga gamit, buti na lang kasama ko bhebhe ko, tinutulungan na nya ako, paglagpas namin sa lumang jeep, sa isang trailer naman kami pinasampa, eh ang taas nya, feeling ko hindi ko sya maakyat, gusto ko na sumuko nung time na yun, halos ako na nga yung huling umakyat, sobrang pale ko na nga daw, akala ko magpa-palagay na ako ng oxygen eh, pero buti na lang nakaya ko pa. After namin makababa sa trailer, nag-form kami ng line sa arawan, this time ang test namin ay basagin ang mga bricks gamit ang maso. Ang representative ng group namin is syempre si bhebhe ko, pero after ng guys, yung girls naman. Wala ako magawa dahil ako lang ang babae sa grupo ko, ginawa ko sya, pero katatawanan pa, kasi nagulat ako nung sinabi na babae ang gagawa nun. Mabuti na lang bhebhe ko ang pumili ng brick na babasagin, maganda ang nakuha nya, sya din nagturo sa akin kung paano humawak, pero nung binigay nya sa akin yung maso, para akong madadala sa bigat! haha! Buti na lang at nabasag ko yung brick sa tatlong beses ko na try. May blooper pa nga nangyari sa time na yun sa kabilang group eh, hindi kasi nabasag sa first try, nung sinabi sa kanya na isipin mo na lang si "ano" yan, aba sakto nabasag nya. Parang may galit dun sa tao at dinaan na lang sa bricks yung galit eh... After nun balik na kami sa loob ng building namin for rest and preparation sa final task. Sobrang namumutla na daw ako nung time na yun, si bhebhe ko nasa labas pa lang kami tanong ng tanong kung ok pa daw ako, nung naka-inom ako ng water medyo bumalik na kulay ko.

Sa lobby, after ng obstacle namin, nag-rest kami at tinuruan na kaming mga hindi pa masyado familiar sa equipment dahil susunod na yung mas madugo na task. Si bhebhe ko, tinuruan nya kami sa CSBA kung paano ba yun ginagamit, isa-isa nya pina-try sa amin then, tinuro nya din sa ibang group yun. After ng familiarization sa equipment, nag-prepare na kami sa next task, this time extrication na ng victim. Na-assigned ako sa medical, tapos sila bhebhe ko ang sa specialized, within 15 mins, dapat mailabas ang victim sa isang collapse structure. Grabe naman sa hirap ang task na yun kahit hindi ako kasama sa nag-e-extricate. Kasi naman batuhan ang gagapangan nila, buti na lang yung victim hindi masyado mabigat. Luckily pasok kami sa time na binigay. After nung task, pahinga mode at picture taking na kami, the whole group namin nagpa-pic at ako ang muse nila! wahaha! wala sila magagawa eh ako lang girl nila. hehe... After nun, nakipag-laro na lang ako sa pamangkin nung friend ko na pumunta dun, ang cute cute talaga ng batang yun! After na matapos ang whole activity, sumunod na ang fave ng lahat, kainan! haha! Grabe yung puto na binigay sa amin, parang dinaanan ng bagyo! haha!!! After ng kainan may maiksing discussion sa amin about sa AH1N1 then uwian na. Nakakatawa ako nung time na yun, kasi nagpalit ako ng damit, yung pants na baon ko, medyo bitin so I had to remove the lower part, convertible kasi sya, umuwi ako naka-shorts, nagulat nga si bhebhe ko, kasi nakita nya ako naka-shorts. hehe... Care ko naman kung makita nya ako na naka-ganun. hehe..

Ayan lang ang ilang mga bagay na ginawa namin sa buong araw. First time ko sumama sa activity na yun, hindi ko din alam kung paano ako naka-survive dun, imagine 3 hours lang tulog ko, dahil nag-inuman pa kami the night before. Pati pala bhebhe ko uminom the night before, so ibig sabihin hindi man kami magkasama the night before pero sabay kami umiinom! haha! What a coincidence!!! Sana maulit uli ang experience na ito.. Kahit pagod kami, masaya naman!

My birthday celebration... not the usual

Maybe it's my 23rd birthday celebration is the most unusual compared to the previous birthdays that I had. I was on duty the day before of my birthday and hours before the clock strikes 12 midnight, we were in Pasig, responding to a fire emergency. Oh great! We spent almost 3 hours on the scene and after fire was declared under control until totally fire out the whole team leave the area and ate somewhere in Mandaluyong together with the fire volunteers from Paranaque and with my special one who was called that night to bring our rescue van which we didn't use. Haha! Atleast I still had a reason to see him. After we ate our very late dinner or should I say midnight snack we head back to our headquarters. At the office, after fixing our things, I went back to my task which is to make a checklist of our trauma kit supplies and to my surprise, they gave me a cake and they sang happy birthday to me. I almost cried while they were singing and that moment too, another fire alarm was monitored and it's near our headquarters, the fire alarm went to 5th alarm but luckily, the chapter who was in-charge of the area had a manpower on duty that time, but my special one had to go back immediately to their base to respond to the fire. We just monitored in the headquarters and after a few minutes I went to sleep and I woke up past 6 in the morning. After I fixed myself, I was standing in front of our bulletin board and I was surprised when my special one went in, he was singing me the happy birthday song. I was so touched by his thoughtfulness. haha!!! Before I go off-duty, we ate the cake that they gave me and had a little chat before I totally went home.

I attract a Capricorn!!!

What Sign Do You Attract?

You Attract a Capricorn

When down to earth, responsible, loyal Capricorn meet you, they've met their match. You are as ethical as Capricorn, and they respect your values. You are also able to be a loyal and caring partner to your Capricorn, even when times are tough. You are there to cheer up or motivate your Capricorn - which never goes unappreciated.

There was a quiz online that I answered with a title of "What Sign Do You Attract" and the result was a "Capricorn." I was surprised with the result because I didn't expect it. I don't know if it is just a coincidence or what. It happened that the sign of my "special someone" is a Capricorn and my sign was a Taurus and I read in different sources that the sign I'm most compatible with is a Capricorn aside from Virgo. I'm so happy with the result!!! I hope he's really the one I've been waiting for my whole life.