seeing the other side of the fence

What do you know?

I spent the whole afternoon asleep rather than studying org chem and practicing for tap dance like I said I would. Way to go for being productive. Not that I minded, though. I clearly could use more of those kind of naps. Sleep. I've really taken you for granted way back when I was younger and yes, I somehow regretted not listening to Mom and Grandma's advice. If only I slept back then the way I slept now, I would have been able to score much height. 

BUT THAT ISN'T WHY I AM WRITING TODAY.

You see, I met Jason Haw yesterday! :)

YES. 

I MET JASON HAW! :))))))

Okay. Background check:

Jason Haw was last year's Health Sciences Society's, my home organization's, president. He is brilliant (yes, just like any Health Sciences major is :P). Well, he is more than that to us actually. He is THE Jason Haw. He is the one we turn to when Org Chem spells disaster. He can answer almost anything you ask him about, may it be math, physiology, love, name it. He is always ready to give you a piece of his mind. Through his words and actions, you can always hear his love for public health. Clearly, through his magnificent transcript, he could get into any med school he preferred and right he did with a scholarship anyone can dream of (Well, I do.) He belonged to Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health's Batch 2019. And you read that right. Past tense. Why? He dropped out. 

There you go. One night I read on Twitter that he was coming over and was open for individual consultations (IC). Luckily, he still had some time to meet me. :) I really wanted to know of his perspective because as far  as  my block goes, almost everyone is set out to go for med school. Well, me? I was wondering if I could do something else. I was hoping if I could do other stuff than prescribe the right medicine to cure the ill. Not that I do not want that kind of life. I've always wanted to become a doctor. (That was after I wanted to be a cashier, beauty queen, actress or a teacher but you know how we are as kids. Always undecided.)

After seeing partly how the public health situation in our country, after hearing stories of what can still be done, I thought maybe there are other ways I can serve than being a clinician. 

He talked. I listened. I told him of what I thought. He gave me a reassuring smile and said,

"You know what's the good thing and bad thing in our country's public health system? You've seen it. You've heard about it. We've still got a long way to go. Out there, basically, it's just like getting in a swamp. You know that there is so much to do and that is something we could all both be happy and distressed about. You see my point? All you have to do is get out there and apply what you learn. Our course, it provides you with almost everything you need. What you need to have is courage. You need to have the heart to take the risk. In the end, it would still be your choice. Don't worry, Ella. You still have two and half years to decide and I do hope you choose well."

Yes, I still have a long way to go and I do hope, in the end, I choose what makes me happy just as Jason did with his own. :)

expectations and surprises

I can finally breathe.

Well, somehow actually. 

I managed to survive today's second long test in Zoology and midterm exam in History. Supposedly, I only have one test today but since our professor moved our history midterms, I had no choice but to study Chinese dynasties and Japanese eras once more. Well, I didn't know we were having the long test for Zoology this week so I barely studied for it over the long weekend in which I had the much awaited date with worms, carbocations and the Mandate of Heaven. (Much for missing out the last weekend's staff training for the Summit. *tears*)

Oh well.

There is no turning back. My bags under my eyes are getting heavier each day and what else there is to do? This is the life and it would only get better (or worse) once I choose to go for med school *fingers crossed. Surprisingly, I was able to pull myself together and leave the bed just to go to class. How could I miss the test? With a few hours' worth of sleep and few last looks over the hand-written notes from the night before, I sought for the best.

I would never understand our Zoology professor. Her last exam was to die for that's why I did try to memorize everything posted on her slides albeit she never discussed most of them. Who could have ever guessed her next move?

"Class, today's examination will be open-notes! You can take a look at the notes you've taken in MY class. If you printed them out, then good for you! Just no iPads, iPhones, and the like! And did I mention, today you will also be working in groups? Okay. Good luck!"

Wow. So much for studying all night long, praying to God I won't fall asleep and miss anything from her four presentations, with slides ranging from 20 to 72. So much for going through notes all over, again and again. So much for cutting tap dance. So much for preparing so much that I actually left history on one corner saying to myself that I needed an A in this test.

What do you know? The test was mainly essay writing. Pick 4 out of the 6 questions. Explain. Argue thoroughly. Mention the marvels of the world.

Ugh.

As for history, my next and last period for the day, UGH again. I did not make a complete fool of myself. I actually managed to answer most of the questions. However, I must pinch myself for missing out on the details about Japan (my fault since I actually studied more for China huhuhu bad decision ever) and a few terms that are on the tip of the tongue (or the pen, to be more precise) but I couldn't manage to write down. I did go over my notes, knowing that this was how my professor gives out tests. (Thank you for the heads-up, upperclassman friends! )So much for studying the whole long weekend.

Parang pag-ibig. (It can be comparable to love.)

No matter how hard you prepare for it, no matter how many times you hear and witness it, nothing can ever compare to the real thing. It can take you aback, completely messing up with the notions you created so long ago. It can be exactly what you expected but still you would be left biting the dust as there is no way you can be prepared for the laughter and the tears. Still, it was something you would always look back to. It was something worth keeping. It was something worth the risk.



Oh well. Going back to the post lab, I promise.

Theo orals #1

I JUST FINISHED MY FIRST EVER THEO ORALS AND YES I MIGHT SEEM TO BE SHOUTING BUT JUST BECAUSE I AM SO GLAD IT WAS ALL OVER! :)))))))

I literally just got over my Th121 midterms and believe me, I am typing this as soon as I got my hands on the laptop with a working internet connection. Oh bear with me, dear Reader, might you be new to this blog since Blogger led you here or have been reading this already for some time now, redirected to my hugot and sawi late-night thoughts through my Facebook or Twitter feed.

But this isn't about getting those vibes again. This is about pure happiness on ticking one thing off that imaginary checklist (imaginary as I never got hold of the habit of writing it all down). Thank You, Lord, for waking me up just in time! You see, I basically pulled off another all-nighter to study for all those thesis statements. Believe me, I wasn't planning to but I fell asleep as soon as I got back from my last class the day before and woke up substantially 6 hours later. What choice do I have? I've managed from an overload of information (who wouldn't from cramming almost 8 weeks' worth of lecture?) but thank goodness I did remember some (and luckily, those were the important and relevant ones, too!) of the much needed information.

Donning a dress (yes, I might as well present myself nicely if I was going to fail) and clutching my laptop, I arrived at the department 30 minutes of my scheduled slot. Nevertheless, I knew I needed that time to compose myself. Still, who was I kidding? I was still jittery once I entered my professor's office. She asked me to pick a number and believe me, I was that near to shouting for joy when I thought I got statement #9. Wrong. It was a six and boy, those were ones I didn't really manage to internalize more. 

I buckled. I prattled. I had my own set of long, awkward pauses. Nevertheless, I think I explained what was needed. :)

"Well, Ella. I'll see you next week. Enjoy your holiday," quipped my professor as I managed to get through those ten minutes. She said so dearly with a smile and really,I thought, thank the heavens for Dr. Lambino. :)

I might not get an A but oh dear Lord, please let me get through a B, at least. :)))))