It's been a year. That was fast. 2013 is just around the corner. Are you excited? I know I am. One thing's I'm gonna do for sure - OWN 2013. But before we get into owning anything, ha-ha, I'd begin this year-ender post with, let's say, the highlights of my 2012.
I started the year just hanging around. I finished college and was just waiting for the commencement exercise. With nothing to do the whole month of January, I decided to read and finish Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith. As a slow reader, it was indeed an accomplishment to finish the book in one sitting! Ha! I couldn't believe it.
Then by the start of February, the end of my college life had finally arrived. In a span of four days, we've gathered and celebrated that momentous occasion for the whole graduating class. It was so special to me because I never thought I'd be on that moment, marching up to the stage to get my diploma. My six-year college life was very grueling, everyday on the edge of my seat just to be sure I'd get through it. It was not easy. And for me to actually finish college, it was indeed an achievement.
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| ECE 106 163rd Commencement Exercises Graduates |
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| At the PICC Plenary Hall with Papa after the 163rd Commencement Exercises |
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| At the PICC Plenary Hall with Mama after the 163rd Commencement Exercises |
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| After a month, I received my college diploma. |
I tried looking for a job after graduation. I had no luck. I was not good at interviews which I think will blow every opportunity there is. I got rejected twice. It was not a good feeling. I also got the opportunity to apply for being a challenge tester for Survivor: Philippines and Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs Favorites. Again, I was rejected.
Two months after my graduation, it was my sister's turn to proudly march towards the coveted diploma. Yes, we graduated on the same year. That would say a lot about how my college life went through. Anyway, her graduation was much different than what I've experienced. Theirs was the funnier, lighter kind of commencement exercise. Everybody's laughing at certain names, but it was somewhat unnecessary. It was fun. When my sister's name was called, I had this proud feeling. I've been his parent this entire time with my parents abroad for almost 2 decades now. That girl grew up with me. It was really awesome.
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| Our graduation photos |
April was also the start of review class of ECE licensure examination come October. I was very excited on the first day, like first days at school really. But all those excitements were shattered into pieces because on that very first day, pressure kicked in. I know I need that license in order to move on with my life. Like that serious, and vicious.
But before I got very much into reviewing Electronics and Communications Engineering lessons, I still took a vacation with my two best friends. It was my graduation gift, I guess, since I did not want to throw that big party with lots of people coming in. First, it would be stressful. Second, I'm not the kind of person who throws a party. I'm not that friendly as they say, and I don't really talk a lot in a crowd. Back to the vacation, it was kind of a breather actually because two weeks into the review, I was already losing my mind. I think this is the highlight of my 2012. I've got to travel to Boracay with two of the people I truly love. We did some outrageous activities such as that Fly Fish ride. My best friend couldn't stop screaming "Wah! Let's take advantage of Science!" I couldn't stop laughing even if water kept splashing right into our faces. We also went to parties which we wouldn't do in the city because it's not our thing. And the most important thing of all, we did enjoy the beautiful island of Boracay by staying in the coast line most of the time, watching sunsets, taking beautiful photographs, or just lying around and reflecting through it. Even though people thought we're just flaunting and pretend to be rich kids, it didn't even matter. It was a good experience to remember. Moment after moment, nothing could be put to waste. Precious, all of it! A test of friendship, as my best friend would say, but ultimately, the BEST FIVE DAYS OF MY 2012.
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| Me and my best friends as we enjoyed our first lunch in Boracay |
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| The beautiful coastline of Boracay |
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| Superfriends aka Top Models? |
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| Young, wild, free... Lovely. |
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| With my best girl friends |
Back to the city, I was still on vacation mode so I didn't get serious with my review right away. I decided to do a marathon of Friends. I already watched the first five episodes months before and I was not getting the hang of it. And then I said to myself, let's give this another try, and boom! Came seventh episode, I couldn't stop playing an episode after the other. It was a GREAT series. I finished twenty one seasons of Survivor US in three weeks last 2011. This year, ten seasons of Friends in just over a week. I guess that says a lot about my character - I always finish what I started. But those TV series were just a shallow part of it. A tip of the iceberg, so to speak.
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| Favorite sitcom. (Photo taken from Google) |
I also got to attend the culmination of DLSU's centennial celebration. I haven't seen the newly opened Henry Sy Sr Hall but I had a glimpse of it when I was in La Salle last June. Though I really missed the football field, the building's great inclusion to the DLSU campus. I heard it has this huge library. I really want to visit.
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| The lobby of Henry Sy Sr Hall. That's all I've seen yet. |
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| The culmination of DLSU's 100th year celebration ended with this. Lovely. Lasallianation! |
After less than two months, I was back in Boracay for another trip. And that time, I was with my Canadian relatives. I guess that's the reason of some perception of me pretending to be rich kid. I got to spend two vacation trips to Boracay in just a year! Oh well. After which, tragic incident happened when our whole town was slaughtered by "Habagat". Eight days of non-stop rain brought the whole compound the highest flood I've ever seen in my entire life. My adrenaline kicked in and I was bringing sofas, refrigerators, television up top just to save it from the flood. Horrible experience, but glad to hear from Lolo "Malakas pala si Mark." I know.
On my birth month, I couldn't really celebrate because finally, the pressure's back on for me to pass that licensure examination. After the pre-board examination, I was devastated because I did not pass. My percentile was very far beyond the set average for the entire batch. So I knew then that I need to work ten times harder than before. I was trying to memorize everything that I could from coaching sessions, to reading notes and past reviewers. It was insane. I lost a lot of weight doing that. My waistline has gone down from 34 to 27. It was THAT insane.
The moment of truth came the next month as the licensure examination was indeed inevitable. There was nowhere to hide. Five years, seven months college life and a very special graduation now came down to that two-day, four-subject examination. I was so nervous that I could not even write properly during the Math test. After the test, I told myself to just keep going. I was not really positive about that Math test... well, everyone I know did not do well either. After the second day, I was not really sure where I stand. I'm hopeful, but the expectation wasn't really that high. I just wanted to pass. Even after nine days of novena to St. Jude. Even after praying to crack the top ten. I went straight to the church after the exam and just prayed for me to pass. Just freakin' pass. It was like college all over again - "Uno lang po, magiging masaya na ako."
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| At the SMX Convention Center after ECE Oath Taking Ceremonies |
After three days, my prayers were answered. The results came in and indeed, I was Electronics Engineer Gregory Mark del Carmen before October ended. It was actually the first time I cried out of real joy. I have this thought that if I'm happy, why should I cry? But then I couldn't really help it that time. It was such a great feeling since I really felt horrible after the exam. Not that I'm being negative or anything. The exam was not really easy. The funny thing was my parents did not believe my sister right away when she brought the news to them. It may come across as boastful but I have to say, I'm really proud of myself for finishing Electronics and Communications Engineering. It was a hard course especially for a person who has lost interest of it along the way. I strove. Again, I finished what I started. And for that, I take pride on it.
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| It's really official! |
On November, I became full-fledged Electronics Engineer after taking the oath and receiving my professional ID. Isn't it cool?
Now on to the coming year 2013. Let's see what's going to happen. As for 2012, it was a bittersweet year for me. I was struggling academically last 2011. This year, I am still struggling, now more of an inner struggle which I think would go on for years.
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| So long 2012! |
I am starting to think about life, about the directions I need to take, decisions I'd have to make one way or the other. I am somewhat beginning a new chapter of my life, and it's a perfect way to begin for it's almost new year. My life will change for the better, that's for sure.
Happy New Year, everyone!