The year 2016 isn’t the best year. So many things happened this year that most of us end up cursing. Maybe it’s time that we leave all the negative behind and start looking forward to a better year that’s yet to come.

Despite all the (political) drama, I can say that, personally, 2016 has been a turning point in my young adult life. I’ve been through a lot in the past year and I can’t help but be thankful for the awesome year that was. Allow me to share 6 things that happened to me this year that I am most thankful for.

1.Passed the Nurse Licensure Examination

The year 2016 started great with the release of the results of the November 2015 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE). What made it greater is the fact that I got a board rating high enough to be included in the list of Top Ten Passers (Read: Isang Take Lang!). I owe this success to my professors, clinical instructors, and mentors as well as my family and friends. The year started good and I strived to keep it that way. 😉

 

2. Buklod won 6/6

As one of the co-founders of Buklod, a political, leadership and advocacy organization in the UP College of Nursing, I can’t help but be proud of the entire team that made this possible (Read: #GreaterTogether). I salute the campaign team for their creativity, sacrifices, and undying support for the candidates. I am proud of the Nursing Student Council officers (all of them Buklod members) for their eagerness to serve not only the students and the University, but the Filipino people. I hope they continue to serve as inspiration to other would-be leaders who will answer the call of the Oblation – to be nars para sa bayan.

 

3. From north to south…and overseas!

Because I had some money that I could use for leisure/travel, I grabbed every opportunity to travel to different places in the Philippines. To name a few, I’ve been to the Manila Ocean Park, Silang in Cavite for the AUP COM Open House,  Laiya in Batangas, Tagaytay City, Lucban in Quezon, Nagsasa Cove in Zambales, Batac in Ilocos Norte, Minalungao National Park in Nueva Ecija, and General Santos City and Cotabato City in Mindanao. This year, I’ve also had the opportunity to visit Singapore for an international conference. It was my first travel abroad. Thank you to all the sponsors! 😀 I hope I’ll be able to visit more tourist destinations in the Philippines next year. Cebu-Bohol, yes?

 

4. Presented our undergraduate research during an international conference

The primary reason behind the visit to Singapore was the 4th Worldwide Nursing Conference where I had the opportunity to present our undergraduate research entitled “Professional Quality of Life of Staff Nurses in the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital” It was also in this conference that I met Dr. Rozzano Locsin who authored the middlerange theory on “Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing”. I was so happy and proud to present our simple research paper in front of an international audience. What made the trip worth it was the overwhelming acceptance and congratulatory messages I received from fellow attendees. It was a unique experience I’ll never forget.

 

5. Nurse in the Classroom, (Research) Field, Hospital

During the past year, I’ve been able to do three things: (1) work as a research assistant at Health Futures Foundation, Inc.; establish an organization of researchers (NRS: Nightingale Research Solutions), (2) teach nursing topics to students of a national review center, and (3) work as a hospital staff nurse (Read: RSA: 1 of 2, First 50 Duty Days). I look forward to more career opportunities in the coming years. For now, my goal is to continue enhancing my knowledge and skills while finishing my RSA obligation. 🙂

 

6. I’ve never been happier.

This year, I’m lucky to have met people from outside my usual circles of influence. Happy that I still get to widen my circle even with the busy life I have as a nurse. I’m also happy that I get to keep my old friends. In fact, it was this year that I felt reunited with my high school friends. I’ve not been able to join them in their “lakads” in the past 4 years due to the toxic schedule I had when I was still in nursing school. I’m also glad because I have with me my low-maintenance college friends. We don’t meet regularly (due to distance and schedule) but the friendship is strong and alive. 🙂

But the highlight of my 2016 happened a few months back.  (Read: Neither slow nor fast). 🙂

I am happy to be with someone who never fails to make me happy, laugh, and look forward to waking up next day thinking that it’s another day being in love with him. I am happy to be with the person who understands me well, and accepts everything (good and bad) about me. I am happy to be with someone who I can be my 100% self – no inhibitions, no pretensions. I am happy to be with someone who isn’t fussy about fairytales or happy endings but fond of the way we are right now, of how and where our relationship is going, and of how we keep this going stronger than ever. I am happy that you inspire me more than I inspire you. I am happy because we work as a team but still respect each other’s individuality. I am happy to be the person who you could share with your thoughts, frustrations, and aspirations in life.

I am thankful for the past 5 months. I am thankful because you draw me closer to Him. I am thankful for your unending love and support in everything that I do or plan to do. And lastly, I am thankful for you choosing to stay.

I don’t know what will happen in the future. All I know is, right here and right now, I want to spend every moment I can with you (Barry Allen, The Flash). I am more than excited and hopeful for what’s in store for us in the future. Again, I say, I really cannot imagine my future without you in it. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been. And, I’ll make it my life’s mission trying to make you feel the same way.
To a year that was and the year that will be, cheers! 🙂

 

Photo Credits: Top Rank Review Academy, Baguiao, Andallo, Rosales