Project 30 Day Blog 7/30

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Circa December 2010- C.E. Oathtaking

Let me share to you the message I dedicated during the 60th birthday of the person I look up to.

Dear Tita       ,

Thank you for being one of the most influential person in my life. I am very grateful to have an aunt like you. Thank you for sharing to us not only a house, but a home. I appreciate all the things that you taught to me, from being good at household, to study tips, and more importantly, life lessons. You're indeed a great teacher. Thank you for being an inspiration. I always admire you Tita. Happy happy birthday to you. I wish all the best for you. Good health, good vibes, good life. Stay as wonderful as you are. Have an awesome birthday.

Lovelots,

Maye

My Big Winner

Because you’re a Civil Engineer

Because you’re a Tsinoy

Because you’re smart

Because you’re strong

Because you’re a good leader and follower

Because you’re a gentleman

Because you talk with sense

Because you’re pogi

I love you since Day 1 of PBB Unlimited.

Grabe, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Congrats Jan Slater Lee Young.

See you in the outside world.

And oh, I can be your non showbiz girlfriend. Hehehe. A-S-A.

Congrats my big winner, my Slater.

My Board Exam Experience: The Judgement

The crazy, happy adventures of a board examinee while waiting for the exam results.

We head to eat lunch after the brain draining exam. When we got home, I felt so tired so it's time for me to relax. I sleep immediately wishing that when I wake up, the list of the board passers were released already. However, I knew it wouldn't happen because the results are expected after 3 days.

Monday, I woke up early and pray. Nervousness runs in every party of my body. I wash clothes, watch television, take a nap, iron clothes, and all.just to keep myself busy. I refuse to arrange my review materials because I want to rest myself from seeing those formulas and. C.E. problems. It actually didn't work because whatever I do, I can still recall the board exam questions. I pray the rosary and attend mass in La Paz Church, I leave the rest to GOD because I know he'll give what's best.

November 23, Tuesday. Two days left of being crazy. It was Ivan's birthday, a classmate who also took board exam. He invited us in his celebration in their dormitory. At lunch time, someone sms me asking where am I, and I was supposed to reply that I am currently in the mental hospital. This 'waiting the results experience' made me insane. When I arrive in dorm, we exchange thoughts and board exam stories. Someone jokingly said 'Pasado ka" pause then 'ba o hindi?' That adds to tension but at the same time it made us laugh. It's also good timing to be with my C.E.mates because being with them just feels so awesome. Plus, we had the same board exam sentiments. I attended mass in Quiapo Church before I went home, talking to GOD gives me good vibes.

Third day of waiting. I never dare to browse the internet ever since. I had this feeling that I might cry whatever the result may be, especially if I don't see my name in the list of board passers. Tita Nida even sms me that they've been waiting for the results since Tuesday and it wasn't release until Wednesday morning. My heartbeat seems to be so fast the whole day. I am my phone from time to time, because I am expecting that the result will be sms to me. GOD is really my best companion especially in times like that. I pray the rosary and attend mass again in La Paz.

Though it is possible that the results may be release on the next day because it's already late night, I'm still expecting to receive a message that Wednesday night. It's past 9pm while I am watching Glee, when I felt terribly nervous. I received a sms from Pam saying "Congrats engr." I immediately stand up and request to my sister to turn on the computer. My reply to Pam was "Di nga?Seryoso?" She sent to me the website where she find the results. I immediately browse it, saw Leann in no.1, scroll, scroll, scroll a lot, scroll again and finally find 1432 OLORES, JESSA MAYE POBLETE. I was in doubt at that because they told us to search for the results in Inquirer website. I had a hard time finding where on inquirer.net I could find the exam result, until gotcha, I go to O and saw my name, I finally believe that I am already a licensed Civil Engineer. I called Mama and Papa to tell the good news, that's one of the happiest talk we had. I also sms Tita M, telling "Tita, engr.na po ako. Salamat sa support and prayers." I got flooded with congratulatory messages in facebook, chat, and sms. It feels so overwhelming. I didn't cried when I knew that I passed, I did when Tita M called to congratulate me. Joan and I felt a party ambiance in the house. I jump and shout to happiness. My gratitude also to Tita Nida and Ate Tats who were one of the first to know the great news. Afterward, I sent thank you messages here and there to all the people whose been with me throughout this journey. And most of all I praise GOD Almighty for the wonderful blessing, the gift of a dream come true.

Now, how many "exam" did I mention in the whole "My Board Exam Experience" blog?

My Board Exam experience: This is it!

November 20, 2010. Saturday. Lolo Teo's Death Anniversary.
First Day of Civil Engineering Licensure Exam.

I woke up at 5am and pray. I was assigned to take the exam in Manuel L. Quezon University, Quiapo, Manila. Before the exam, we sign up different identification forms here and there. At exactly 8am, we started answering the first subject, Mathematics, Surveying, and Transportation Engineering. I start solving from question 1 then skip the difficult one until question 30. Then back to unanswered problems, and find out the trick. Prayer is always powerful, because when I can't analyze a problem, I stopped for a while, pray, and then gotcha I got the answer. I finished the exam few minutes before 1pm. I was satisfied with my more or less than 21 sure answers and few reasonable guess. It was also fun to answer because most of the questions were taught in Review Innovations. I left the room hoping that the next subject would be as easy as the first. We had lunch for 1 hour. The second subject is from 2pm-6pm, Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering. It was indeed the easiest subject. I got a big smile as I go out of the classroom. Most of the questions came from past board exams, and others were discussed also in Review Innovations. My review center is the awesomest. I am very thankful as I go home.

November 21, 2010. Sunday. Second Day of Civil Engineering Licensure Exam.

I woke up again at 5am and pray. Two down and one to go. We took the exam in Structural Engineering and Construction from 8am-1pm, the subject where we all felt the tension and nervousness ever since we heard about the very intelligent examiner. Back sub technique is a no way. As for me, I am really not so sure with almost all of the answers I solved. I answered more or less than 15 items but I was very confuse because Madam Examiner prepared the trickiest exam I ever had. It's almost 1pm when I passed my paper, and that was it. I brought home the nervousness. On a lighter note, I was very surprised and touched because after exam, Tita Mirla, Tita Nida, my sister Joan, my cousin Ate Tats, my nephew Joaqui, and my niece Yanna was there to fetch me in MLQU. I felt I was saved from darkness.

I was just so thankful to my family, relatives, friends, friends of friends, the priest, the shirt seller and all who bid their good luck, prayed for me, and supported me. It was such a great help and inspiration. I would be sad to disappoint them, but they assure me that no matter what happen, they will always be there. I won't forget what Tita M said "Basta gawin mo ang best mo, kung bagsak man, wag ka mahihiya, kilala ka pa din namin." And at the end of the day, I was so grateful to GOD because I knew he guide me while I'm taking one of the most important exam in my life. GOD is good all the time.

Up next, the things I did while waiting for the results.

My Board Exam Experience: The Preparation

Before the Board Exam

We've been given 6 months to formally prepare for the licensure exam, wherein we have to enroll in a review center for 4.5 months of review and 1.5 months of refresher. Honestly, I became very serious on studying during the last month before the exam. Within the review period, I'm really not that focus. Anyhow, it's been a good attitude to attend class on time, copy all the notes in lecture, listen attentively to the instructor (when you're not sleepy.hee hee), and take the evaluation exams (though I usually open notes all the time) so I can assess my learning. Inspiration also helps a lot, motivation from family, friends, and all gave good vibes but also pressure. But based on personal experience, inspiration without action won't work, same as praying without studying isn't effective.

On the first month, June, we were just enjoying the review class and environment. We still felt very relaxed and got the positive spirit aiming to top the board exam. Second month, July, we had lots to review, yet on our mind, we still got plenty of time to prepare. The groundwork we had during August was almost the same as the previous month. We still had fun gimmicks, never ending chats, play, and study once in a while. Thus, when we took the Mid Pre-board Exam, the industrious reviewer only passed as expected, and yes, I belong to the not so industrious. The following month, September was so stressing to me. I got the motivation to study more and more in order to passed the Final Pre-Board and especially the real BOARD EXAM. I felt too much pressure, though I can't help but to be lazy sometimes, I was able to study well. However, what I've learned wasn't enough for the Final Pre-Board, thus I got failing scores again, but to defend myself, I only lack 2% in order to passed. In the refresher, month of October-November, I knew I had to keep my eyes on the goal. The objective is to PASS the BOARD EXAM, I didn't aim for topnotch because I knew I didn't work hard when I still got lots of time. I'm finally back to late night sleeping so I can review and catch up with the lessons everyday. Time has been very important, even in traveling I need to manage memorizing different formulas. Everybody is getting serious, it's cramming time. I was satisfied with the study habits I did within the last month. Though I am not confident enough on the last few days because I still left some lessons unstudied well, prayer has always been a great help in my journey towards my dream. Prayer and trusting GOD is indeed the perfect partner for everything. As this popular quote says, Do your best and God will do the rest.

On my next blog, I will talk about what happened to me during the board exam.

Prayer is indeed powerful

THANK YOU LORD!

The Man in Me

Inspired by Lia Cruz's If I Were a Boy...Oh Wait,I'm Not?, I'd like to share a stuff that I love to do which expresses the some kinda manly side of me. There are things that are typically done by boys wherein I enjoy doing. I started being fascinated with construction stuffs since I was a little girl. My lolo is a carpenter. He does masterpieces (or not.haha) made of lumber. Give him wood, saw, hammer, and nail, then presto, you have an instant household paraphernalia, name it from chair to cabinet to shelf to shoe rack and the like. As far as I remember, almost all of the stuffs that he created became useful naman. He usually let me buy paint, cement, nails and etc.in a nearby hardware, the reason why at very young age, I know the terms de dos, uno medya, de unong pako. I like watching him while doing his carpentry. I remember before, when he was still strong, we have a new item in our house weekly, or if not new, a redesigned one. I enjoy construction. It must be one of the the reason why my chosen career path is in the field of Civil Engineering. Living in all-girl home for more than 5 years now, we cannot avoid some construction-related things to do. Although my uncle is just a call away to help us fix an item, I'm usually game in doing the little repairs. I take care the nailing, screwing, painting, and others. When we need a hook/handle for something, when a door is broken, or when a paint is fading, I'm handling the repair. Our tool box is my friend. I'll do house repairs over stitching/sewing or doing laundry because I find it more fun. Maybe that is also a sort of preparation for me in a bigger construction that I'll be encountering upon entering the Civil Engineering industry. And that is The Man in Me. Bow.

The Review

No uniform
No dress code
No attendance
Can come late
Can eat in class
Can chat in class
Can sleep in class
Can open notes during exam
Can copy exam answers from others
No recorded grades
No checking of notes

Random thought: They give you all the comfort, it's just between you and your will to success. The discipline is within you. If you're really serious, you will attend the review on time and regularly, listen attentively in the instructor, write lectures, and won't use notes and cheat in evaluation exam. (which is btw, I'm guilty with some of those wrong acts :[)

Good vibes to C.E. peeps in Mid Pre-Board Exam. Time to make friends, quoted from Sir Andales "Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan?" Haha.

Innovation in Review

I've gone this far; after 5 years of fun and hardship taking up B.S. Civil Engineering, I finally got my degree. The next goal is to pass the board exam in order to have a license and may soon have the title "Engr." before my name. In less than 5 months, our batch will take the November 2010 Civil Engineering Licensure Exam. I am few steps closer to my dream. Kumbaga sa game show contestant, malapit na sa jackpot round, kumbaga sa artista search, on the way to stardom na. Parang election na malapit na sa proclamation, parang engagement planning for marriage.


Inside a reviewer's bag (photo above)

I am presently enrolled in Review Innovations, a review center that produces successful C.E. through the years. It's been a month of review. Though not yet fully motivated, I'm doing efforts in order to study well enough to pass the board. As days go by, I am enlightened on the things that I need to do. Sacrifice is a must, focus is needed, the time allotted for review is very important, every second counts. It is better to stay away from extra curricular activities, it's best to study hard, tutal after the board naman, it will be all worth it.

Here are some of the "must know" in C.E. Board exam:

Board of Civil Engineering
Hydraulics May 2004 Engr.Apollo S. Enriquez-Chairman
Design Nov 2009 Engr. Praxedes P. Bernardo-Member
Math Nov 2009 Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete-Member

Schedule of C.E. Board Exam:
Nov 20 8-1 Math
2-6 Hydraulics
Nov 21 8-1 Design

Requirements:
*Transcript of Records (T.O.R.)
with date of Graduation
with remark "For Board Exam Purposes"
with printed scanned photo
*Birth Certificate
NSO Issued (in NSO Security paper)
*Marriage Certificate (if married)
*Community Tax Certificate (cedula)
authentic

Subjects covered for C.E. Licensure Exam
1. Mathematics, Surveying, Transportation Eng'g- 35%
2. Hydraulics and Geotrechnical Eng'g- 30%
3. Structural Eng'g and Construction- 35%

Types of Examinations
Situational Type of Problem (usually)
-10 problems
-3 questions per problem
Multiple Choice Type of Questions
Selected Problems by Computers (randomly selected per topic)

Scores needed to pass the licensure exam
1.passing percentage of 70%
e.g. Math = 70x0.35 =24.50%
Hydraulics = 85x0.30 =25.50%
Struct.Eng'g = 60x0.35 =21.00%
Total =70 %
2.must not have a grade for each subjects that is lower than 50%
3.no erasures

Here's a tip for studying suggested by our instructor:
Exam is 5 hours per part
There are 30 items per part
Thus, you should answer 9 mins. per problem

Answering 60 problems per day is advisable but if you find it hard to do try answering 5 problems on day 1 of review, then 6 on 2nd day, 7 on 3rd day, and so on. If you have 150 days to study you will be able to answer
Sn= n/2 (2a + (n-1) d) = 150/2 [(2x5) + (150-1) 1) ] = 11925 problems
Nice di ba! :D

Do not study when your stomach is full, because the brain is focused on digestion, maybe you can review 2 hours after meal. Our instructor also told us that effective study time is at dawn, when imagination is much active.

Lastly, my way of motivating myself:
Kuya Yan says "Do it for yourself."
Think of the people who will be proud of you, your school, teachers, friends and especially your family.
Be inspired by the people you admire.
Think of the opportunities waiting for you in the industry, and the chance to contribute for the betterment of the country and the world.
Lastly, one of my favorite advice: study hard, PRAY harder.
After all naman, it is for GOD, it's giving importance to the opportunities and blessings he has given to us. :D

Good vibes to all that will take the C.E. board November 2010.

My Ideal Kuya :)

After all the disappointments I had last week,here comes a message that takes the blues away. GOD is really wonderful. :)

Salamat Itay! :) Haha.

He is my ideal kuya- Yan Y. Yuzon. Not because he is the brother of Yael,my love that I want him to be my real kuya (pero pwede na nga din). Nyahaha. Well, I love him the most because he is the sweetest. He treated me as a good friend. He was never suplado in gigs.He is also good in giving sound advices. The times that I saw him was all memorable, he never runs out of cool,nice kwento. Kuya Yan is very humble and appreciative too which made me love him to the nth power. He also cares much, especially when we bid goodbye as we go home. Those simple acts were really treasured. Kuya Yan is full of sense and very opinionated person. Yeah, I want a kuya whom I can talk to about anything under the sun. The one who knows how to joke around, but more importantly, he talks about meaningful things in life. He has a very strong, charming personality. Kuya Yan portrays good influence to others.


Yan Yuzon- He does vocals and guitars for Archipelago and guitars and vocals for Pupil.

Yan Yuzon is a creative writer. I never thought that he writes gags for Going Bulilit, and yes he is! His writing skills is so admirable as observed in his tweets. By the way, follow him in Twitter @yanyuzon. Oh well, since I am a frustrated writer, it would be nice to have a kuya who will applaud in my work or will criticize my writings and will say "Ano ba yang pinagsusulat mo, walang sense." but eventually will give tips to improve it and will tell me "Good job sis!" Kuya Yan is also a very talented musician, he composes beautiful songs, sings very well, and very good in playing instruments. Kuya Yan is an all in all an awesome performer. I so love Archipelago and Pupil because they create wonderful, brilliant, genius music. I'm a huge fan of OPM and I'm so proud with the works of Kuya Yan and his band because it contribute greatly in the music industry. Lalo na siguro kung kapatid ko sya, I'll be the proudest. I'm very lucky to have known this guy. Trivia: Kuya Yan taught Yael how to play guitar. Mr.Yan Yuzon is also an excellent professor. I'd love more to be his sister and student. Siguro excited ako palagi pumasok kapag sya ang professor ko because I'm sure there's always something consequential sa lessons nya. No dull moments in the class of this intelligent instructor. Plus pa na dream profession ko is to be a teacher,maybe he can also give me advices. Trivia: Kuya Yan became Yael's teacher in Ateneo.


Kuya Yanny as friend,son,brother,boyfriend,and dad.

Too much of the professions,let me talk about how great Kuya Yan as a friend.Kuya Yan is a good buddy. His unwavering support to his friends is awesome. He never fails to make a friend happy, wherein I counted myself as one. Hehe. Kuya Yan is also a loving son and brother. He grew up in a well-reserved family where everyone is close to each other. They engaged in different family activities that keep the relationship tight. Tito Johnny, Tita Elsa, Yan, Yael, and Ysab has this special bonding that is envied by others. Since the siblings are in the music industry, the Yuzons were very supportive to each other. It's always nice to see their family present in gigs.Talking about his love life,Kuya Yan is also the best boyfriend. Aaaaw, I remember the Travel Advisory launch when I saw him together with her one great love Mia.♥ Kuya Yan is the sweetest, cutest, most faithful boyfriend on earth. To someone like him,please introduce yourself to me. Hehe. (Jez Olores like this). Anyway, Kuya Yan is also a responsible father. His bonding with pretty Nina is incomparable. He is the coolest dad--protective, supportive, and very caring, I've witnessed that Kuya Yan is the mooooooooost kind! :) He has this extraordinary love for Mia and Nina. Quoted from Archipelago's Travel Advisory album "My Mia and My Nina.I love you and I love you!" Simple words yet full of sense. It makes me feel happy when I see their beautiful family.

Oh God,what more can I ask for,he is the ideal kuya I wanted. Thank you Kuya Yan for being a good influence, an inspiration. Thank you God for letting me know him.