Masyadong Nega

For a good change, I will lighten the mood of my blog. I kinda feel excited. More to come!

Smile. Laugh. Love and Pray!

Nagmamahal,

Cha

La Ignorante

The ignorants are spreading. I do not know why. See for your self:

This is the viral video from a UCLA student about Asians studying at UCLA. She complained about the noise at the library, the dorms and God-knows-what. She also blabbed that Asians should learn "American Manners". What pissed me off the most is that, she ranted about Japan's disaster. She said the video was suppose to be a joke, but it wasn't funny. It was offensive.

Series of Unfortunate Events (Not the book)

This is the series of events that led to my "Touchy-feely" status.


March 11, 2011: Japan was hit by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake and triggered a tsunami that hit the northern part of Japan. Northern Japan means to me: SENDAI. I felt a sudden chill, then shock. I do not know what to do for a moment. I checked the net if it is really Sendai. Holy crap... it is. 30 minutes after the tragedy, my hands were shaking while sending an email to all my friends in Sendai. I could not contain myself and I started to cry. I took my phone and started calling them one by one. No answer.





All I can do now is watch the news, my problem is I can't even sit still on the couch. I can not even held my hands together in a sturdy way when I prayed. All I can think about is: are they ok? alive? I don't know. After I don't know how many hours, one friend posted on FB that they are ok. Somehow I was able to breath. Hour after hour is becoming unbearable because hour after hour, I will see videos and pictures of the ruins.

The Land of Cherry Blossoms

October 2009, My feet departed the Philippines' soil and landed on Narita Airport's cockpit to participate in Japan Exchange Program, a joint project of St. Paul University Manila and Sendai Shirayuri Women's College.

It was my first time to leave the country. I was lucky enough that my parents allowed me to go to Japan. I asked my parents repeatedly if they are sure of what they are saying because the fee is not a joke. I never asked for anything that cost around1000-1200 US dollars, ever, in my whole entire life except that time. Then again my Mom and Dad insisted... thus this photo:

Of course, extreme happiness is what I felt. This is Japan! Trains, food, culture, people and technology. What more can you ask for?

Day 1: It is all about travel. I am used to travel by plane, train and feet but if it's Japan, everything is different. The Plane, North West Airlines, never sat in on a plane seat for 4 hours. It doesn't matter because the food was great! Train, good Lord, the trains were 1,000,000X better than here in PH! The Bullet train or The Shinkansen is phenomenal. The Tokyo Direct, sosy! Feet, my God, imagine that all people knows the meaning of: "Keep Right".

Shinkansen, Most commonly known as "The Bullet Train"

Day 2: We visited Sendai Shirayuri Women's College and Murasakiyama Gakuen High School, which is also Run by Paulinian Congregation. The former is the host school for the exchange student program. As I have said on my multiply account, dated October 23, 2009:

Hello There!

Hi. I'm back! Sorry for the looong time waiting. It is just that my appetite for writing came to a halt. I'm good now! Thank you for reading! KTHXBYE!

->Cha

The Nurse Diaspora and the Unemployed Pool

There are more than 200,000 thousand unemployed nurses in the country. Last February 19, 2011, another 30 thousand nurses have passed the National Licensure Exam for Nurses. Some passers might probably find a job, go abroad or remain in the country and be unemployed. Nursing profession is said to be a noble profession. The core of Nursing care is rooted from the works of Florence Nightingale, who selflessly cared for wounded soldiers during a war. It is said to be a promising profession too. Caring for sick people gives a feeling of worth to people who are incapacitated by sickness and disease. In terms of financial compensation, a nurse abroad can earn sixty to a hundred thousand dollars per year.

During the previous decades, nurses have been in demand and due to a high salary overseas, aspiring nurses have flocked nursing schools with hopes of finding a greener pasture and providing their families with financial stability. After graduation, applying for a working VISA and getting it approved is always a trend. Flying to USA is real easy during those times.  However, the demands for nurses have been barred due to the downturn of the United State’s economy. The country is now prioritizing their own nursing graduates, thus the nurse diaspora in the Philippines was turned to a sudden halt. Immigration offices in most of foreign countries that are in need of nurses have now stricter policies and requirements for those who are applying abroad. As for now, the nurses bound for overseas have stayed in the country to work as they wait for their chance to enter a foreign country.

Things We Can’t Live Without

I have been reading tween and teen magazines before and somehow, until now. I’m not a teen anymore; I am a young adult now. I have to change my pace and act more refined. Now is the time that we will be judge according to our judgment and critical analysis of things.

As I am going back to those readable which is not readable to me anymore, If a person is asked a simple question of: what is the thing that you can’t live without? Typical answer would be: cell phones, computers and other objects on the high stream. “OMG. I will die without it!!!!” kinda stuff.

 

 

 Oh ok, follow up question: you were born without these things how come you are alive still?

----O----

Korean: It is hot! I will die! (Hides from the sun)

Filipino: Is there no sun in Korea?

(A conversation between a Filipino and Korean friend in High School)

----O----

I realized that I have grown a bit. You see, when I was young I use to love the things that make my life easy or things that I want to have just to blend in the crowd. But in realty these things are just temporary. It will come and go. Why not we matter more on people not things?

If the same question will be asked from me, I would probably say that I can’t live without my family. Follow up question: “I meant THINGS, you imbecile!” I say: “Oh well you see, nothing is more important to me than my family. Things don’t give the happiness and love they give. So if you please excuse me, can I have that tape recorder?”  “What for?” they say. I slam the recorder to the ass’ throat; “this is for calling me an imbecile!”

I have a lot more to ponder but do not expect me to discover everything. I am not as smart as a Hermit and I do not intend to be one.

-Cha