01 February 2010
Good News...
I've just found out that the results for the recent Nursing Board Examinations (given in November 2009) has been released. Immediately, I googled it and checked some names. I was so happy and proud upon seeing familiar names in the list. In my experience as a teacher, it's always great to see names of your students in lists such as this. Seeing your former students successful in their fields makes you really proud and feel like you've done a pretty good job. Not that they owe you anything, but you just really feel like a proud parent. I can't imagine how happy and proud their parents are. Also, it's much greater and more wonderful if the successful ones actually are very close to you.
So, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our new nurses: Fatima and Khadijah Abduljalil. I know how hard this pair of sisters have worked for this. I am so proud of both of them. And, I am pretty sure that they will be successful women in their own right. Now that they've become nurses and proven that they can be such, I hope that they both devote some of their time honing their skills in writing. We don't exactly see nurse-writers everyday, do we? Hay, right now, I'm just so happy for both of them and all new nurses from MSU, especially those who, once in their lives, became my students.
On another note, I was sad that there were some names I couldn't find in the list, but, well, maybe it's just not their time yet. They probably have more things to learn and realize. I hope and pray that they don't give up. I know it can be really tough, but, as they say, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going!" And, to them I say, "keep going!"
In other good news, an article I submitted to Philippine Daily Inquirer's Youngblood column got published on January 23rd. I wasn't expecting to be published again because I have friends who have submitted articles to such column more than once, but only got to have just one of their articles published. Some of them tell me that their articles don't even get to be published in PDI's website, where some articles that don't get published on the broadsheet get published, but they will not stop submitting until they are 30! Hehe:) I truly admire such determination.
The very first time I submitted an article for Youngblood was back in December 2003. I remember how I'd totally forgotten that I actually submitted an article because, well, it didn't appear in the broadsheet nor the website in the following days or even weeks. It was after almost two months that they contacted me to confirm some things that I remembered I'd submitted an article. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed beyond belief because I'd been a such a huge fan of the column ever since I was in high school. I couldn't believe they were calling me and that they considered my article worthy to be published. And then, I guess it was after another week or two, February 5, 2004 to be exact, that it finally came out. (I can't find the url!) I was so happy. It was one item checked on my list of "Things I Want to Happen Before I'm 30!"
I did promise myself that I'd try and submit an article again. I mean, who knows, I might get published again, right? But, I never really got down to it. Until this year. I was thinking that this'll be my last chance to do so because I'd be 30 in March and Youngblood is only for people who are 29 years old or younger. I thought and thought of what to write, but all I had in mind was that if I were to submit anything to Youngblood, I'd like my article to promote reading.
I wrote and wrote on my journal, but I didn't think any of my entries was actually good enough to submit. And then, I remembered a blog entry I wrote some two years back. I wanted to read it because I felt it would provide me some ideas. I searched for it in my archives and found it. As I went through it, I felt good about it and so, I decided to just improve it, add some more to it, and submit it instead of writing a completely new one. So, I went on ahead and submitted it.
When two friends of mine sent me congratulatory Facebook messages about my article being published, at first I couldn't believe it! I checked our newspaper and, indeed, it was there. Alhamdulillah. It was amazing, too, that it was only a little more than a week after I submitted the article.
I am so happy that the two articles I actually had the courage of submitting to Youngblood both made it in print. I cannot thank God enough for such luck. And, I'd really like to thank everyone who have been congratulating me for this. I just really wish that people, especially young people, who have read the article felt, even in the slightest, how great reading is, what a great activity and, at the same time, a great help it is for anyone and everyone. So, everyone, let's read! :)
2/01/2010 04:58:00 AM
22 January 2010
Same Old, Some New...
Just before 2010 started, there were some things I listed down in a list of things I want to do more of this year. Two of these things are: blogging and watching movies. I want my blog to become as active as it was before. Okay, okay, so maybe not as active, but, at least, more active than it currently is. And, I want to add movie-watching to my hobbies because I believe that I sometimes need some distraction from reality.
2010 will be my 7th year of blogging and so much have changed since I started. There is so much more to write and share about. Thing is, I just don't have as much time to write as I used to. And, I remember that when I was still very active in blogging, my mind would always be in blog-mode. This means that whenever I see or experience or hear about something interesting, I'd automatically think of writing about it and describing it in my blog. Nowadays, though, I just don't really have that anymore. And, I don't exactly want that, I just want to blog more.
Now, watching movies? Well, I've never been the movie buff. I do like to watch movies, but I can survive without them. If I don't get to watch movies for a whole year, I can live with that. Also, I used to be really choosy with movies I watch so there were just a handful of movies I was interested to watch. In short, I'm not exactly a movie fan. People who know me know this about me. I think I only got to watch a lot of movies when I lived in Manila because, well, movie houses were so near and most of my friends love movies. That was, I think, the time that I started to really like watching movies. And, I began to be a little less choosy and learned to appreciate all kinds of movies. But, then again, when I came back home (to MSU) almost four years ago, I started to spend less and less time watching movies.
I'm not saying that I haven't seen a lot of movies because I have. I think I have. Especially non-English foreign films. But, compared to most of my friends, I guess I'll have to say I've seen very few movies in my life. I remember back in 5th Grade, we were assigned to list down on index cards the movies that we've seen and while some classmates of mine already had 10 index cards or more, I only had 2 or 3. Hehe:) I'd like to make that list a little longer, I guess. True, I've never really felt the need to watch more movies, but, I don't know, there's been a lot of conversations about movies going on around me these days so I guess I'm taking that as a sign.
So, this year, I've decided to do more movie-watching. It's a nice way to unwind and de-stress. And also, it helps me a lot in relating with my students. Sometimes, I talk about a certain literary device or concept and I'd need to use some movies as examples to make my students really get the idea. Whether I like it or not, they know movies more than books. While explaining movies, I can make them see how great books are, too, since most great movies are based on books. And, these past days, I've come across some famous titles that have sparked my interest. Hence, I'm ready to embark on a love affair with movies. I sure hope this affair lasts long and proves to be as exciting and interesting as I think it is.
For movie buffs out there, any movie you'd want me to check out? Thanks! :)
1/22/2010 02:12:00 AM
10 January 2010
Looking back...
My first entry for 2010!
I actually wanted to write an entry about the year that just passed, but it was just a tad too difficult for me. So, when I chanced upon Kars' Year-End Report, I felt that it was the perfect way for me to be able to write about 2009.
Thank you, sis! :)
2009 Year-End Report
What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
-Handled a Major class, fish massage and got Mehndi (henna tattoo). Those are the only things that come to mind right now.
Did you keep your New Years’ Resolutions, and will you make more for 2010?
-Uhm, I don't do New Year's Resolutions. I believe in Daily Resolutions.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
-Yes, many of my cousins gave birth in 2009, and 2 of my closest friends, too.
Did anyone close to you die?
-My dad. And, that makes 2009 one of the worst years, if not the worst, of my life! Also, one of my favorite and closest uncles passed away last year.
What countries did you visit?
-Thailand.
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
-Savings! A lot of savings! Hehe:)
What date/s from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-Agust 10. The day my dad passed away; a huge part of me died that day, too.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Being part of the 2009 Young Asian Muslim Women Leadership Training and Workshop as the lone participant from the Philippines.
What was your biggest failure?
- Not being able to be by my dad's side when the final moment came.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Nah! Just the usual fever, colds and cough.
What was the best thing you bought?
- Olivia (my Pink Sony Cybershot T90 digicam) and Arianna (my HP Mini 110 Pink Chic Notebook)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
- My mom's. For being so brave and sooo strong.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
- The perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre. And, Joseph "Erap" Estrada.
Where did most of your money go?
- My new babies and travel. My shades (eye wear) collection.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- My Thailand trip, I guess.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
- Dance with My Father
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
- Sadder, but hopeful for a better year.
ii. thinner or fatter?
– Fatter. When I'm depressed, I eat. And, 2009 was a depressing year for me. My mom's brother passed away on the 2nd day of the year, we found out that my dad was sick in April; a tragic thing involving some members of my family happened in May; my dad passed away in August. And, up until this very moment, I'm still trying to cope with the loss and the depression, thus, I still eat. A lot!
iii. richer or poorer?
– Poorer!
What do you wish you’d done more?
- Spend time at my dad's side. Read and write more.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
- Feeling depressed.
How many one-night stands?
- N/A
What was your favorite TV program?
- I didn't really get to watch a lot of TV. But, I watched DVDs of The L Word (complete) and Seasons 5 and 6 of Grey's Anatomy. Both are my favorite.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
- Oh, yes!
What was/were the best book/s you read?
- Most of the books I read last year were re-reads. Whenever I'm down, I feel more relieved and relaxed when I go and tread familiar ground. The ones I will list down are books I read for the first time in 2009. Here they are:
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)
2. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
3. My Sister's Keeper (Jodi Picoult)
What was your greatest musical discovery?
- Orianthi. The bad-ass female guitarist!
What did you want and get?
- My new babies, i.e. my digicam and my notebook.
What was your favorite film of this year?
- I can't think of any. Well, I haven't really watched a lot of films last year so...
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- I turned 29. I honestly can't remember what I did.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- Right now, I don't know because every time I go back to the year 2009, all I can think of, all I can remember is when my dad passed away.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
- My usual.
What kept you sane?
- Faith and trust in Allah. My family, especially my mom. And, some friends.
What political issue stirred you the most?
- The Maguindanao massacre!
Who did you miss?
My dad. I missed him every single day since that day in June when they had to leave for Manila and I couldn't go because I had work. I still miss him everyday. And, I always will.
Who was/were the best new person/s you met?
- My YAMWLTW sisters.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
- Life is short. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Do good.
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself.
- I love you.
The most touching experience you’ve had this year?
- How the whole family and all our friends got together to comfort us and help us pull through.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I guess I was strong. Very difficult, but I pulled through.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
- Being affected by some things I shouldn't even bother thinking about.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
- All the lines in Dance with My Father.
Was 2009 a good year for you?
- Not really.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- The moments I was with my dad.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
- If you've been reading this survey since its start, you'd know my answer to this question.
Where were you when 2009 began?
- In Iligan, at my aunt's house. We got together to welcome the New Year. There were games and gifts. It was actually one of the best New Year celebrations I've ever had in my life. I never expected that the year was going to be my saddest.
Who were you with?
- The whole family. Macarambon side.
Do you have a new year’s resolution for 2010?
- No, I don't.
What was your favorite month of 2009?
- My birth month, I guess. And, November.
How many concerts did you see in 2009?
- None.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2009?
- I don't drink anything with alcohol.
Do a lot of drugs in 2009?
- Nope.
How much money did you spend in 2009?
- I lost count. Hehe:)
What was your proudest moment of 2009?
- When I got accepted to the 2009 Young Asian Muslim Women Leadership Training and Workshop.
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
- I don't remember being embarrassed enough to mind it in 2009.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
- I'd go back to June and file a leave of absence so that I could go with my mom and brother when they took my dad to Manila for his medications and I'd stay by my dad's side until the very last moment.
What are your plans for 2010?
- Save. Travel more. Save more.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- With my dad gone, I feel like a whole different person.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- Good health, peace, contentment, love and happiness for me and every person I love and care about. And, more money! Hehe:)
1/10/2010 12:48:00 AM
26 December 2009
A Marriage Vow
I have a close friend who got married recently and she asked for a very weird wedding gift, that is, she asked me to write her vow. I've actually known her before she met the love of her life, so she said it'd be a piece of cake for me to write it. But, vows are supposed to be very personal. Not even the best writer in the world could match the words that actually come straight from the heart. I told her that. But, there was no changing her mind. She told me that it was the only gift she wanted (read: demanded) and she's not going to take no for an answer. Therefore, I had no choice.
I asked her how she felt for her "baby" so that I could just get the feel and attempt to write as if I was actually the one feeling it. Being thousands of miles away didn't exactly help. Or did it? After some meaningful exchanges, I came up with something and she liked it (in her exact words and spelling, she looooved it soooo much!). Despite being a little lengthy, she promised she'd use it. I could just hope the words gave justice and captured how she actually felt. I told her she could change it or maybe shorten it. Well, she did use/read the whole thing. And, I'm actually quite happy that she did.
I asked her if I could share it in my blog and she told me it was okay as long as I don't mention their names. Hehe:) So, if you attended a wedding and heard these words or something very similar to this, you probably were in my friend's wedding.
The Vow
I loved life. I thought I already had everything. I had success in my career, loving and supportive family and friends; I actually had a life which most people would kill to have. I was the example, the model given by parents to their children whom they want to go far and wide. Heck, I had a perfect life if there actually was one.
Then, one day, all of that changed. I realized that there is so much more to life than success, money and fame. I realized that intelligence and being smart aren't everything. I realized that life is not about being that kind of person whom everybody envies or wants to be like.
The day that changed my life, the day that changed my whole being, was the very day I met you. You made me realize that all the success and know-how in the world cannot compare to the feeling of completely losing yourself in the embrace of just one person's love. I never believed in the power people assigned to love, I was actually arrogant enough to say that I was like Achilles when it comes to this thing called love. I was completely invincible. All those time, I forgot that Achilles had one and only one spot of weakness. You came and I instantly felt that you were it! You were my weakness. You were my downfall. And, yes, I did fall and I fell hard.
But, far different from expectations on falling, it didn't feel bad. If anything, it actually felt really good. It felt like my fall caused me to have hallucinations of brighter and bluer skies, of a world far more fragrant and colorful than I would ever have admitted, of sweeter music, of better tasting food, of beautiful, beautiful things around me. I was in a dream of beauty and wonder. It was so amazingly real and it felt so great I wanted to just shout and sing to the world. The feeling was so new and so powerful that I thought I'd gone crazy. And, yes, some people would say I did. I was completely lost amidst this wonderful dreamy wakefulness. But, I liked being lost. I enjoyed the dream tremendously. For the first time, I could see clearly and feel absolutely at peace with everything and everyone around me.
And, I realized that YOU were all these things. You changed me and caused a complete 360-degree-turn in my life. You are my dream, you are my world, you are my life! To spend the rest of my life with you is to live in that wonderful dream-world, where everything is made nice and beautiful by your mere smile.
Now, I've realized that this dream-world is not a dream at all. The life that I had before this, before you, was actually a dream. Everything about that life, the unhappy, selfish person that I was, is dead and I leave everything behind. All those times, I felt life was exactly the way I wanted it to be, but, in truth, I didn't have a life at all. I wasn't living. Nothing in that life was real. Thanks to you, reality dawned. You are my reality. You showed me what life really is about and its true meaning.
The day that made me whole was the day I met you. The day that I start to live is the day I marry you. Today is that day. Everything ends and starts today. Everything starts and ends with you. Thank you for the gift of life. I love you and I always will.
Yeah, it's weird what some of my friends make me do, but what can I do? They're my friends and they're weird like me. Haha!:)
Again, congratulations! You know who you are. :)
12/26/2009 06:14:00 AM
20 December 2009
December Days
It's been 4 days since Christmas Break started. What have I been doing? Well, for most of the time, I've been sitting and lazing around at home as I was sick for the first two days. I think it's my body telling me to just slow down because I'm not as young as I used to be. When I was younger, er, younger than I am right now, I was so used to immersing myself completely in things that I needed to work on. I could go for one whole week with only 3.5 hours (that is 30 minutes of sleep every night). I could go on for three straight days without a single minute of sleep. That was the kind of life I led. But, now, it seems like age is taking its toll on me. Fatigue and exhaustion have caught up with me. And, until now, I find it weird and unbelievable that I can't even last 2 straight days of no sleeping without getting sick or sleeping the whole day on the third day. Now, I understand what my seniors used to tell me, savor your youthful strength and do the most out of it while you still have it. Hay.
One Blood
Third day of the Break was great. My mom, my brother and I went to Ganassi for the Aguam (my mom's father side) Family Reunion. It was so much fun. Although so many Aguams weren't able to come, there were actually quite many of us present. It always feels good to be around family. It always feels good to be home, to be where you really belong. There were some people there whom I met for the first time and all. When one of our uncles discussed our salsila or genealogy, I found it really amazing. I wish everything could be put down on paper so that we, especially the new generation of Aguams, would never forget who we are and how we stand in our place. One cannot claim true knowledge and understanding of oneself without knowing his/her roots and beginnings. And, knowing and understanding of oneself is very important.
Many people were speculating that the reunion actually had something to do with the coming 2010 Elections as some relatives are actually running, not for the first time, for office in different municipalities. Or, they said, the reunion was probably called so that we can decide which political candidates we will support. It's funny how people are now becoming more and more paranoid and crazy, especially in the political arena!
Well, I am proud to say that not a single word about the election or any political candidate was uttered during the whole duration of the reunion. Not even our aunts, uncles and cousins who are running said anything. It was a family reunion in the truest sense. And, a lot of us would have walked out and gone home immediately had the talks geared towards politics. So, all was good. We all came happy and left even happier. No politics, no drama, no hurt feelings!
I don't know, I just hate politics! Seriously! Many members of both my mother's and father's side of the family are involved in politics, even my father was once directly involved in it having run for office himself. He lost and I'm not sad nor sorry about that. I'm even happy about that. Many people tell us that no matter what we do, we cannot run away from politics. Ugh! No matter what I do or however I look at it, I just can't seem to like politics. I cannot get past its being so dirty, filthy and crazy, and the fact that it completely destroys a lot of families. It takes a lot of lives. Many people enter the world of politics with good intentions and plans, but end up being corrupted by the powers that be. Some really good people I know try to venture into politics wanting to make a difference and change things and intending never to be swayed by the dark side of politics and power, but these people are never given the chance! I just don't get it! I really hate politics with a passion!
But, hey, why talk about something I hate when I can talk about something I love, right? Yeah, I just love my family! And, the following photos would simply say more than enough. :)
Six Years and Counting...
Hey, I almost forgot, uhm, I actually did forget and I wouldn't have remembered had I not seen the date on a text message I received just now. Two days ago was this blog's 6th anniversary. I wrote and posted my very first blog entry on December 18, 2003. I don't even exactly remember what I wrote about, well, except that it was mostly about Ala, whom I didn't personally know at that time, because it was through reading her blog that I came to the decision of having one of my own. And, now, after 6 years of blogging, I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone who became a part of this blog, to every single person out there who reads this blog, and, especially, to Ala for whom I shall always be thankful not just for her blog, but also for this blog's layout. :)
So, six years of swimming in and exploring the OCEAN? I can't believe it's been that long. It feels like it was only yesterday when I started. Has it really been six years? Hehe:) Six years and there are still so many things to explore, know about, think about, write about. And, I'd like to probe into the deeper parts of the ocean. I really hope to spend more time in here. Insha-Allah. :)
---
Oh, and, if you'd like to read my old(er) entries, please click on Into the Ocean! (the Mermaid icon) on the left sidebar. That will open this blog's archives.
12/20/2009 10:34:00 PM
