As I went alone inside the the building, I got lost. hahahaha! Oh well, at least I got lost in American soil! So I got my number, waited for my fingerprints to be scanned. Inside my head, I kept reviewing the pointers my dad told me earlier.

After an hour or so, there was buzz from everyone waiting and guess who I saw? KC Concepcion!! I won't deny it, I got starstucked!! I swear, she's so pretty even without makeup! She kept smiling and had this friendly aura. Some people went up to her to ask for an autograph. Any electronics are prohibited inside so no picture taking. Boo. She sat at the far side compared to me who was in the middle row. Martha and Louie, you guys were on my mind as I debated whether or not approach her! Hahahah! See the effect of having crazy starstucked friends!! But my number was next and I didn't want to miss my number from being called.  

I got called and along the line for the fingerprint scanning, I met Lola Carolina who's was also applying for her visa to be re-issued. All her 3 children are working in the states and she plans to visit them this summer. It would also be her first time to see her grandchildren. We chatted for a while while waiting to be called by the consulate. The consulate called me, asked me 2 questions and yadda! My US visa was re-issued. Thank you dear Lord. Yey yey yey!! I could visit my mom this summer!!! California, here I come again! woot!

In the Delbros section, where you have to fill up necessary stuff to have your visa delivered, I met Lola Carolina again. Her visa was also re-issued and like me, she was already excited to visit her children and grandchildren. I helped her fill up her form, gave her directions and accompanied her to the line. I just couldn't leave her. She's such a sweet old lady and I really have a soft spot for old people.

Outside my folks were waiting and told me a lot of applicants were denied. They were surprised that the consulate only asked me 2 questions. I guess, my charms worked again. Hahaha.

Anyone who wants to adopt me when I go there this summer??

No one would happily greet me when I arrive home.

No one would wait under the dining table for table scraps.

No one would give me the paawa effect look for cornick, chicharon or anything that makes a crispy sound.

No one would block my share of the electric fan in the living room.

No one would sit beside me in the computer room or while I'm studying in my room.

No one would be my pillow when I hang-out along the hallway.

No one would bark telling us someone's outside.

No one would bark insanely at my friends when they come here at home.

No one would play catch with me when I'm bored.

No one would chase cockroaches in the lanai.

No one would let me rub your belly.

No one would wait for me until I fall asleep.

No one would follow me around the house.

No one would be affectionate after a crappy day at school or when I'm feeling sucky.

Chelsea, I miss you already. You've clearly depicted the meaning of man's bestfriend. You were the best dog ever. I know you're in doggie heaven.

Yep, that's true! Joshua Jackson's gonna appear in Grey's Anatomy as a doctor! :) Waaahh!!! Childhood crush! Charlie Conway...Pacey Witter... What next? Hahaha, can't wait.

Don't believe me? Read more.

Let Teri Hatcher answer my Physiology and Biochemistry exam!



or should I say the producers of the show?  haha.lol.

WEEE!!! The initials R.N., are permanently attached to my name!  I am now officially a REGISTERED NURSE!!!  

Congratulations to the UERMMMC Scyons 2007 and the Archangels 2006 with the 97% passing rate! Good Job!

THANK YOU DEAR GOD! :)

Sonnet XVII -- Pablo Neruda

I do not love you as if you were the salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

For Patient-Doctor, we watched Patch Adams. I saw the movie for the nth time. Back in high school, we discussed this sonnet with Sir Toledo. Yeah, it brings back the memories.

Rewind back to my duty days. I got really disappointed when I wasn't able to extract blood on my long time patient, Ate Merly.

Fastforward... 

Today: Physiology lab experiment on Hematology. For my classmates who had Med Tech as their pre-med course it was their time to shine. And how in the world could you perform a hema experiment without blood? Duh! Gochi volunteered to have her blood extracted and while Gelo was preparing, I told him to teach me/give me some pointers. Unexpectedly he told me to give it a shot. Why not? After countless times of observing JIs in awe while on duty. So in my very first attempt, I successfully was able to extract a blood sample with ease! wee.. FINALLY!!!!

Super thanks to Gelowfish and Gochi! You guys made my day!

Ang babaw ko talaga, but you never forget your first time!  

Almost a month has already passed since I started Med school. Overwhelming is the perfect word to describe it. Everything is very detailed compared to the limited information stored in my head. It's keen to say that I'm familiar with the topics and jargon during lectures. A strong foundation on the basics is what I have. :)

I've also adjusted pretty fast, since I still go to the same institution and see  the same faces of upper and lower class men everyday. Yes, even Manong Guard, Manong Edson (our driver during community days) and Kuya Jeff, Dean Divinagracia's very friendly driver. What I miss the most is the company of my friends and batch mates. Until now I still get that feeling that somethings missing. It's different going to the same school without them who have become family. My comfort zone.

Last Thursday, May 3 -- Filed my PRC requirements for the Nursing Board Exam this June 10 and 11. Pam, Diane, EQ, and myself had a different experience compared to what my other batchmates endured. They call it mayhem and madness, we call it pure luck!!

 

In-house review starts tomorrow meaning we get to be isolated from everything until June. Serious studying mode.

I am now officially enrolled as a First Year Medicine student for this incoming schoolyear! It made my day; same reg card every semester only this time, different course and student number. It was surreal seeing my name on the registration card with the course MD instead of BSN. This is it! Haha. The last digit of my new student number is my old jersey/lucky/fave number! 8! At magkasunod pa kami ni Ricka ng number!

In-house review ends at June 3.  Classes start at June 4. Board Exams at June 10 to 11. Big uh-oh there. Lord, please help me.

Graduation Day: minutes before going up the stage.

More photos

 on another note: NO MORE PRC CASES TO WORRY ABOUT!!!!!!  FINALLY.

Got my grad pictures earlier, including this super big frame about the size of a 1/4 illustration board or i think its bigger. Where the hell am I gonna place that super-sized frame here at home?? During the pictorials, and until now, I keep on joking that the only time that frame would be used is during my wake, either beside or above my coffin. *knocking on wood* Swear, its really big!

I look too old on those photos. Now I can see myself 10 years later minus the wrinkles.

Still on the topic, I went to our Barangay Hall today to get a cedula, a requirement for the PRC to take the board exam. As soon as I went inside the office, they noticed me clutching this big frame and I asked information to obtain a cedula. A man asked me, "Ilang taon kana, 16?" I answered him my age and this lady said, "Ayan nga oh, graduate na!."

Don't get me wrong, but for me it's a compliment when people mistake me as the youngest one in the family, or when people guess my age younger and don't believe me after I tell them my real age.

I will scan those photos as soon as I find the driver of our scanner or maybe I'll just take a lousy picture of it and you guys be the judge.

• Finally, after postponing it thrice, the Disengagement Party for the Community People at Antipolo pushed through. This culminating event was way overdue and now its done! It showcased all programs implemented by second to fourth year students in partnership with our foster communities in Antipolo. The happiest girl during the disengagement was VICY! It's a dream come true for her! Two words: Querida and Pres. Divine. Haha! You could now really graduate! Lastly, being part of the organizing committee was stressful but we did a pretty good job!!
  

• Wasn't able to watch the movie 300 with Claudette, Sayno, Justin and Olive because I had to do stuff for the Disengagement. Priorities, priorites!

• I missed eating Cu's all-time-forever-specialty, Sinigang and Garlic Chicken from Chicken For The Road at The Apartment! Good food and good company is ALWAYS THE BEST!

• My insomia attacks yet again last night and what's worse is that I still have asthma. Yes, for more than a month already. It's been there since Day 2 of Community Duty in Antipolo.  Last night sucks big time! Hindi ka na nga makatulog, hindi ka pa makahinga. Poor little me!

• Ma'am April, made my day today. Why? I choose to keep that to myself. THANK YOU APRIL! We now call her on a first name basis and I'm still getting used to it. Her being a Clinical Instructor to us in the community is now done.
  

• My siblings and I pigged out at Pancake House today. Banana Caramel Walnut Pancake = My Guilty Pleasure! YUMMINESS! I missed hanging out with them! Our next agenda is my sister's high school prom and my brother's high school graduation. Makes me wonder: Am I really that old?
  

Meredith: Stop. I do not need rescuing.
Derek: You would've drowned in the bathtub had I not been there.
Meredith: I'm a surgeon. I do the rescuing. You are not my knight in shining, whatever.
Derek: So we're going to fight because I pulled you out of the tub?
Meredith: You have a place, you could sleep at it. Then you don't have to pull me out of the bathtub. You're everywhere, all the time, saying things.
Derek: This is the happy ever after part, and in the happily ever after part, the guy is there, all the time, saying things, and the girls love it.
Meredith: Go to work. I'll see you there.
Derek: Just for the record, I am your knight, in shining, whatever.

-- Grey's Anatomy: Season 3, episode 15: Walk on Water

CUTENESS!!! Ü