I might be ending this year, 2024, with positive energy coming out from all the hard work and dedication. It was a pretty tough year for me, and maybe not just for me but also for a lot of people. Every year we could all have our own different stories of survival, and those stories depend on how we handle it. There could be some suspense, thriller, romance, drama, or even tragedy.
My dear Hiver’s, for today’s blog I will be sharing here with you a little glimpse of success I achieved this year. I eventually made the decision to enroll in a different course program, a Diploma in Professional Education (DPE), in 2023. I was initially apprehensive since, after a few years of working, I couldn't see myself attending to school again. But I took the risk and was just thinking about finishing it so I could try something new, or maybe I should call it a career change.
I can say it was a mixed emotion I felt during enrollment. I was filled with countless "what-ifs" but on the other side, I felt the excitement, maybe because I also wanted to try it. So yeah! As the time goes by, I’m getting used to virtual and weekend classes. At the end of the semester, I was so happy that I was able to finish it despite some unexpected happenings in life.
After finishing the semester, that was also the time when I felt unease thinking about taking the board examination. I was full of self-doubt that time because I always got ahead of myself thinking about the possibilities. But I am me; I am with myself, so once again I took the risk to file an application, so I went to the school to kindly ask them if they could provide my grades as early as possible so I could submit an application at the prc and gladly they granted my expedite request and I was able to file. Fortunately, my application was approved.
I honestly don’t have the courage to let everyone know that I will be taking the board examination just to avoid myself getting pressured. Also, I don’t see any reason to broadcast it to everyone since it doesn’t help. I only have a few friends, classmates, and direct family who know that I will be taking the exam. So what I did as a start-up was simply gather some review materials from previous board passers. I kept on messaging random people who recently passed so I could kindly ask them for some free review materials, and gladly most of them are so kind, sending me their files for free. My husband keeps on telling me to enroll in reliable review centers so I will be guided, but I refused because I told him that maybe I should try to make an effort for myself by just doing a self-review, and at the same time it’s a save of money.
The funny part during my review season is no review session at all. In short, I wasn’t able to focus myself to study. I really can’t focus because that was also the time when my husband went home for a vacation, so we went to Manila and spent almost a month there, and after that, back home to Cebu with another vacation. That was the time when I told myself not to expect too much that I could pass since I didn’t even bother to study seriously.
I was anxious nine days prior to the exam day, and I was unable to determine the reason of my nervousness. However, I had a strong desire to accomplish this task. I made a promise to myself to dedicate the next few days to studying, and I followed through on it.
September 29, 2024 – Day of Examination
I left home at around five in the morning after waking up at three to prepare and cook a meal for myself. Even though it was a chilly morning, I could already see the sun rising. As I drove to the examination site, I continued to pray to God for knowledge and wisdom. I pulled myself together that day, telling myself that “you did great!” I lift it up everything to God.
As days and weeks went by, I keeps on praying that I hopefully passed the examination.
And ta-da! I made it!
I apologize for my awful face. PRC said two days ago that the LET results would be released, and guess what? Despite my quiet demeanor that day, my mind was very busy. When the results were announced at three in the afternoon, I made the decision to just go out and go to my niece's photoshoot at the plaza. I wasn’t able to open the link immediately because I encountered some error but after a few minutes I able to open it and my hands are shaking while scrolling to search for my name. I can’t see my name and that was the time I felt so down.
Gladly, my friend @helianthus-chloe sent me a message that I passed the board exam. Probably the link that I opened was the previous examination; that is why I can’t find my name on it. I was so happy to hear the news that I passed the examination. I immediately went to the church to offer my thanksgiving, and while kneeling down in front of Him, my tears keep falling and my hands are shaking. I can’t believe that He hears my prayers.
This year might be a bittersweet story, but I will be ending it with a grateful heart. I have so much going on in my life this year and in the previous years, and He never fails to amaze me. I can say I also deserve this success, as I am dedicating this success to myself and to my loved ones. It wasn’t a smooth-sailing journey; a lot of tears shed and countless disappointments and heartaches, but the universe is so good to me.
May this good news of mine spread positive energy to all of us here. May all of our manifestations come to reality.