And I Made it this Time! : a short story of my board exam journey :)

After failing on the December 2010 NLE, I was so depressed and feeling so frustrated as the results came in last February 19, 2011, questioning my self "why did others made it?" "why my name was not included?", "what subject did I get the lowest score?", "What's my board rating?" so many questions,until I finally saw my board ratings, just point six away and again makes me more frustrating. So that makes me decided to review and retake again for the second time.

I decided to review at my school wherein I graduated a year ago. Luckily, the review coordinator Mr. Francis Vasquez, gave us a good review program with excellent reviewers.Reviewing became fun and has lots of learning. And little by little I was able to be friends with my co-past grad classmates.

After almost 4 months of review at school, filing is done, room assignments came in, luckily my room assignment is at College of the Holy Spirit Manila. As I took my exam, I was feeling hopeless because of the difficulties of every test subjects. After taking my last subject, that was way back July 3 around 1 pm,as I finished my exam, I started praying so bad saying "Lord sana po last exam ko na ito, ayaw ko na pong ulitin itong board exam".

Seeing those examinees going to St. Jude, and recognizing that it was a sunday afternoon, I also find a nearest church since I'm a Latter-Day Saints member, luckily I saw a Mormon Chapel near PRC, so I went there and attended the sacrament meeting of Manila University Ward. The members there were very warm in welcoming me especially the Bishopric. Going to University Ward makes it one of my lucky charms upon waiting for the results, since I made the right choice to go to the church after the exams instead of going to mall and unwind and enjoy.

Then comes the agony of waiting, 37 working days upon processing the results, there is feeling of hopelessness, frustrations, what if's etc etc.. I even tried to apply at some call center companies to divert my attention, but I did not make it so I decided to wait for the results.

August 19, 2011, I remember that was around 1 pm or lunch time, as we are about to eat at Chowking located at Grand Central, I heard an Inspirational song played at Chowking, it was Fantasia's "I believe" which became her winning piece after winning American Idol Season 3. I almost cry and asked God "Lord is this the sign I'm asking from you?", after shopping JV's clothes for his birthday, Mama, JV and I went home tired and felt sleepy. As we arrived at home, I slept Immediately for about an hour or more.

The time comes, around 6 to 6:30 in the evening, this is what I saw


Roll of Successful Examinees in the
NURSE LICENSURE EXAMINATION
Held on JULY 2 & 3, 2011
Released on AUGUST 19, 2011

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2918 ARIOLA, JONATHAN MARTIN
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This is the sample of the page in the internet wherein I saw my name:




I have the plans of surprising my family but as I saw the result wherein my name was included, I was the one who was surprised, that is why I cried, the tears of joy fell out from my eyes, and the rest here at home were laughing at me, but I believe that behind those laughter, are the happiness they felt that finally I made it this time around. After seeing the results, I texted my Sister abroad, and she was so happy that I passed the board exam.

And then I prayed using the candle which I used before taking the board exam. Thanking the Lord for giving me one of the biggest blessing I ever wanted. It was really an answered prayer and a dream came true. :)

"I can see little stars across the sky, dream of hundred thousand dreams before now I finally realize, you see I've waited all my life, for this moment to arrive, and finally, I BELIEVE.. :)