DL Waiting Game and flight to UK

Sorry, it’s been a long time since I updated my blog. I went through a lot of things these past few months, but I’ll share about that in my next few entries, hopefully this coming week.

After I passed my CBT (in one try!), I commenced on processing my papers that are going to NMC. It took me quite few weeks and few bucks to be able to fulfill the requirements. The very last one that I have to do was the medical exam (that I could’ve done with my family doctor instead). I left Manila on Feb 9, 2017, and few hours before my flight, Ms. Kim from my agency called me since my NMC form that I gave to the medical center ws incorrectly filled up. So fast forward (I’ve tried to do a remedy in Palawan, but the doctors there won’t dare sign my paper), I spent some money again to send my form and have it correctly filled up. After all the mess, I was able to send my papers in March 4 or 9. So, I started counting the days til my Decision Letter comes.

Fast forward to May 8, NMC told me thru email that my referrence forms tel them that I didn’t worked for more than a year. I checked my papers before I sent it and it was all correct. I asked my UK agency to help me, and they did. But at the end of the day, it took us few weeks to get responses, I still had to resend the forms. Sent it in 1st week of June, got confirmed after a week and I got back on the queue.

Midnight of July 8 , I finally got my DL!!! The next day, I emailed my agency about the news and booked my flight to Manila in 5 days. And when I got back, I went straight to the office from airport to get the necessary papers I need for my TB Testing the next day and for my medical exam as well.

TB testing in IOM was fine and it just took me about an hour and a half waiting for everything to be done. Then, I went to SM Lazo for my medical exam and finished it the same day. Well, I came back for numerous times after that since I got some problems with my vaccines and other sorts. Then I got sick in between and had to settle another paper from my Trust plus my visa appearance was not booked.

Any, I had my visa appearance on the 31st of that month and I was told to be leaving for UK on the 13th of August, but few days after that, it was moved on the 10th. I was quite stressed already since I’m still settling a lot of requirements (PAG-IBIG, SSS, PHILHEALTH) and I haven’t got my visa yet. Good thing it arrived on the 8th and was handed to me on the 9th. Phew!

Honestly, I was so tired before I left Manila for UK til the point that things didn’t sink in to me. I was still busy hours before my flight and had to travel quite far as well. #ThatsLife

Day of my flight to UK

Me and my 3 new batchmates were talking on our whatsapp group on when are we going to NAIA 1. Since 2 of them used to work in Saudi, only Gelene and I went to airport real early. Then we met Jonas there who was with us during our PDOS the day before, and is in the same flight as us. We all agreed to sit together in the plane.

We waited a bit more for the 2 other girls then we went to Immigration together and waited til our flight. Honestly, I didn’t felt giddy leaving because of the stress and fatigue I had few days before leaving.

We had our layover in Thailand, and then took the Thai Airways plane to London Heathrow. It was my first time to be in a plane for quite long since I’m used to n hour travel from Manila to Palawan. All I did was sleep, eat, sleep, watch movie, sleep, and then woke up 1 1/2 hour before our arrival to London Heathrow.

To cut the story short, everything still didn’t sink in even til I set my foot to British soil. Hahaha. 🙂

IELTS and CBT struggles

Part 2 of my UK Job Hunting post! 🙂

So yeah, I resigned from my work to review for IELTS. Quick note: I already took IELTS General Training last May 2015 (for my supposed Canada application), and Academic last Jan 2016, but failed to get the needed band scores for my applications. (I didn’t review then and just researched online how the exam works. It was easy but not that easy to get your desired scores esp in Writing subtest.)

When the agency took me in, I was given some IELTS review options and chose 9.0 Niner because of their track record (from what I found online). The agency paid for my unlimited 1 year review and attended my first class on May 2, 2016. The class runs from 9am to 9pm (usually ends earlier than that) and has breaks in between. There’s also a one on one coaching but you have to fall in line early in the morning.

I was booked for IELTS UKVI on May 21 (I’ll edid this if I’m wrong) so I’m kinda rushed with the review. I only attended the Writing Task lessons and I admit, I wasn’t that committed (but I did my best in the exam!)

I had my speaking test the day before my LRW exams, and I was totally tired because it was too early. The speaking exam doesn’t faze me anymore. Lol. The next day, since it was summer, I wore a comfortable dress but was shocked when the exam venue was too cold (plus the other room’s kinda loud). I was already shivering before the Writing exam.

After 2 weeks, the results came out and I was disappointed why I got 6.5 in writing while my LRS are all 7. Honestly, I was depressed after that. I couldn’t help it. I think I did my best, but obviously it wasn’t enough.

After few weeks, I came back to review and then decided to work. When I was almost starting to work, I had a quick realization. I didn’t pursue working again since the reason why I resigned was because of my review. Good thing my family supported my decision ( I love how they trust me in my decisions).

Fast-forward, I attended the Final Coaching around September and got reminded that I need to get a recommendation with Sir Ervin and had it scheduled the next week. I was also thinking of taking the exam before November since I want to combine my next exam’s grades with my UKVI one. Sir Ervin told me that I’m ready to take the exam and that I just have to be careful with my tenses (which is my weakness back when I was a college writer).

I attended some one-on-one coaching, mock exam, and grammar classes before my exam. It totally helped me, plus I make it to a point to read, practice writing, brainstorm in topics, check the thesaurus, and check my tenses.

A week before the exam too, I trained myself to sleep and wake up early. I felt refreshed when I woke up early during the exam day. Plus, I still had time to check some sample Writing exam questions too.

It was a cloudy day and I wore the blue dress I bought, ate Tapsilog, and went to Niner by walking 🙂 When I arrived, most of the examinees were there and I started to feel nervous. Then, I saw Mam Iska and we talked while waiting (me, for the exam, and her, for the coaching). She reminded me to wear my rosary and I put a peso under my shoes :))

During the exam, I was not nervous at all, but as much as possible, I opened my 5 senses. I had the perfect spot in the exam room, plus we’re just 25 examinees at that time (idk anymore).

I tried to be calm during the Writing tasks, and started Task 2 before I finished the first one. I dunno what happened anymore and I realized I only have a minute left. I don’t have time to check everything, but good thing I spot a potential mistake in my Task 2 and corrected it.

Fast forward to October 5, I passed!!!

Listening: 8.5

Reading 7.5

Speaking 7.5

Writing 7.0

TBS: 7.5

Honestly, I couldn’t contain my happiness. I yelled and I forgot that my door was open.

UK Job Hunting Experience

Looking back, I embarked in this journey about a year ago. As my uncle kept on insisting me to pass my application in my current agency, just few weeks after passing my one-year mark at work, I followed him like an obedient niece.

I passed my application around late afternoon sometime in February 2016 and I was scheduled immediately for an interview the next day. There’s quite a number of applicants there are I seemed to be the youngest in the bunch. The NHS Trust that interviewed was based in Wales. I felt confident that I’ll pass since the flow of the interview is quite good and they didn’t interrogate me a lot. Then I came back to Puerto Princesa and continued with my work. I received the news about a week after that I didn’t pass. I felt bad a bit but thought that it isn’t my time yet to be abroad.

A month after, I received another text from my agency that I’m shortlisted for an interview for another Trust. Since I’ll be off duty during those days, I decided to try my luck again. So yeah, I spent money for airfare and 2N3D stay.

I woke up early for interview and went there just before they opened the building but I finished my interview past 1PM. I was quite outraged (internally) since I was one of the earliest humans there but they accommodated those who came late than me.

Well, we had an English and Nursing exams when we entered the holding area in the morning. I wasn’t able to finish the essay that I was writing then. Then I also listed my name for the Surgical Ward category (I’m not into Pedia, and I’m too anxious with the ICU setup) since they told us that we can choose where we want to be.

But heck, the biggest mental breakdown I ever experienced happened during that fateful interview. The getting to know you part is totally easy but when they started asking me about that scenario about a patient with the following symptoms, your objective data, the ECG reading, and meds, my head totally flipped. Bruh, I was screwed! Good thing, their follow-up question was about Chest Drains, so I felt confident again. (Do not underestimate my Lung Center training! 😂) I was able to answer the questions immediately. Yas! Then next was about addressing concerns with your co-nurse, and I was able to answer it correctly.

When I went out, my agency’s staff gave me some pens and I thought that even though I won’t pass, atleast I got some souvenirs. I went home really down. Since I felt that I won’t pass, I decided to buy new scrubs for work (the ones I was wearing are all uncomfortable).

I went back again to work and buried myself in it without thinking of the results. I also had to endure some work problems so I wasn’t expecting some good news .

One night after my PM shift, I checked my emails and found out that I passed! I immediately told Mommy about it and she was really happy.

It took me a while to decide whether to resign in my work or not since I have to dedicate some time for review. I asked for my long-time supervisor’s advice (she handled me since I entered the hospital) before I finalized my decision.

Thinking about those days of uncertainty, life totally moves in mysterious ways. I didn’t plan about this in 2015 but here I am now 🙂 I think I wouldn’t make it without my family’s support and God’s guidance of course. It feels great to share this story after a long time. I’ll post my IELTS and NMC experiences soon 🙂

10 Awesome Reasons Why You Should Date A Nurse

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This is 100% TRUE.

MYX Slam Jam 08.14.2014

 Last Friday, I attended the FEU leg of MYX Slam Jam. Gahd, I waited for them to drop by at FEU in my entire college life! Any, I really enjoyed the even since it featured some of my favorite bands that I really loved in high school. It was my first time seeing 6cyclemind and Mayonnaise and my third time with Spongecola.

At first, I was with the Sports guys (Justine, Ryniel, Lance), Kuya Tud, and Jess, but later on, only Kuya Tud and I remained. Haha, we started watching at the back, yet we found ourselves in front of the stage during 6cyclemind’s performance.

Haha, here’s some of my shots during the event. As usual, I took crappy shots again. 🙂

 

Look at those blue lights! That’s Tutti and 6cyclemind! 

I really loved when he sang Alapaap by EHeads, and then said “Gusto nyo bang… magchampion?” 🙂 Haha, well, we didn’t know that he was from FEU Diliman. 😀

Yael Yuzon went closer to the crowd and he balanced himself (with the help of the guards) while standing at the steel fence!

 

Hiding thy brightness

 

Full Moon
July 14, 2014
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City

“I’ll find you soon…”

Haha, I look really awkward in this photo. 😀 I tried my best to manipulate the colors in this photo to make it look lively. Too bad I don’t have that knowledge in terms of photo editing :))

Photo by Don Carlo Santos
FEU FERN College Football Field

FT Island- I Hope You Were My Lover

“I want this song to be played in my wedding!”

Honestly, that was the first thing that entered my mind when I first heard the song. It was in Korean, but I don’t care, it’s melody captivated me. This song was composed and sung by one of my favorite Korean bands, which is FT Island. 🙂 It’s other title was Be My Girl. If you happen to read the song’s english translation, you will definitely feel kilig. Haha. 🙂

Coincidentally, this song was also performed in a wedding! Haha, well it’s for the program We Got Married (a show which features the life of fictional newlyweds which were headlined by celebrities), when FT Island’s frontman Lee Hong Ki became a part of the said
show.

Haha, I don’t have any plans yet to get married. I haven’t even met my husband to be 😀 But it’s not that bad to dream about your future wedding, walking down the isle while this song was being played in the background. 🙂

Watch their live performance here 🙂

(It melts me whenever I hear Hong Ki’s husky voice. Huhu.)

I will forget you- CNBlue

Since today marks the 4th anniversary of my favorite Korean band, I decided to dedicate this post just for them 🙂

Initially, it was just Jung Yong Hwa whom I know in the band since he played Shin Woo in He’s Beautiful, but I became exposed with their songs when JYH played Lee Shin in the drama musical, Heartstrings. Since then, I religiously listen to their songs everyday. 🙂

I chose this song over Hey You, I’m Sorry and Love Girl (to name a few of my personal favorites) because it sounds different compared to their other singles. It’s also heart-tugging and almost everyone will relate to the song’s message 🙂

Saranghae CNBlue!! :3