2010

Let me wrap up the whole year real quick.

January and February, clinical pharmacy internship at Ovada, FPGEE review with Dean Eva

March, end of Ma’am Eva’s FPGEE review, completion of online modules, and graduation from BS Clinical Pharmacy

April and May, self-study at home and part-time bum, processing of necessary papers from PRC

June, departure to the US, application for FPGEE

July, PTCB exam

August, nothing much

September, took the FPGEE at Colorado

October, took the TOEFL iBT, applied for California Pharmacy Technician license, got hired by CVS/pharmacy

November, passing result of FPGEE and TOEFL iBT, got hired by Ross Stores, Inc.

December, received FPGEC certificate, got hired by Walgreens, applied for California Pharmacy Intern registration and got it in the mail on this very last day of the year

I’ve gotten so many blessings and met so many wonderful people this year so I’m ending it with a smile.

Dreams Update: DECEMBER 2010

Can you believe it’s been a month since I started at Ross? And it’s been nine days since CVS formally hired me. I was supposed to attend my training classes at CVS this week but didn’t, simply because Walgreens also hired me! And since I couldn’t work for both, I’ll be signing my termination papers at CVS on Monday.

Has anyone noticed how I always talked before about how I wanted to become a doctor and work in a hospital? Today it’s different. I now imagine myself managing my own branch of Walgreens Pharmacy and then being promoted to a district pharmacy supervisor and then district manager and so on until I reach the top of the management ladder.

I just realized I love working with customers and doing business with them. I could no longer imagine myself dealing with sick people in the hospital.

BTW, I counted the days it might take me to become a full pledged pharmacist here in the United States, starting with the date I’d probably receive my intern license:

March 15, 2011 – Pharmacy Intern License
January 15, 2012 – Completion of Internship
February 15, 2012 – NAPLEX after a month of preparation
February 29, 2012 – CPJE after two weeks of preparation
May 15, 2012 – Registered Pharmacist (RPh)

I’m almost there, right?

I’m so excited about my future. God, help me.

Top of the Wheel

December 13, 2010
Monday
21:38

At this moment, I have a job. I already got my first paycheck. I have a very supportive mom whom I could always run to. I have a very nice aunt. I have a place to stay in. I have a phone with somebody else paying for it. I’m not paying any rent or bills. I have food to eat, water to drink, clean air to breathe, comfortable bed to sleep on. I have enough scarves and sweaters to fight the cold. I have a pair of gloves and boots. I have two strong legs which I could rely on when the bus comes late. I’m happy at work. My bosses are cool. My vision is perfect, no need to wear eyeglasses. I have a bunch of kind and fun-loving friends. I have a bank account. I’ve got unlimited Internet access. I’ve passed all my exams. I am healthy. I am happy. I’m on top of the wheel.

Surprises

God really loves to surprise me! Look what I’ve got in the mail…

My FPGEC Certificate!!!

God always has the perfect timing for everything. When I got my FPGEE approval letter, the entire house was soaked in leak. Now, there’s some kind of trouble going on in the household and my aunt and uncle always heat up in an argument, and my uncle kinda blames me for it (well, he blames everyone he sees), but no matter what he says to me, it’s not gonna change the way I feel today.

My day’s already happy. Thanks to the FPGEC.

To God be the glory.

Two Bridges

Last night I dreamed that I was standing by the edge of a tall cliff. Hanging ahead of it were two bridges leading to another cliff. To that cliff, I should go. But in order to get to it, I should cross one of the two bridges.

The one on the left was made of the material used to make baskets (synthetic fibers, I think). The bridge floor had many big holes on it, as the synthetic fibers were woven in such a pattern that resulted to large empty spaces between two fibers. The distance between two fibers were so big, you could stick a foot out of it. However, the bridge had railings which you could hold on to while walking down the holey floor.

On the other hand, the bridge on the right was made of concrete. By the looks of it, it would undoubtedly be safe to walk on it, but the thing is, it had no railings. So you’d have nothing to hold on to in order to support yourself, increasing the risk of falling.

So I was faced with this terrible dilemma: Which bridge should I cross? The one made with poor material with lots of holes but with railings to hold on to, or the one made of stable concrete but with nothing to hold on to?

I chose the latter.

Dreams Update: NOVEMBER 2010

Of all the years I’ve spent on this planet, I think this year is the one in which I’ve encountered the most trials and faced the most risks. However, this is also the year in which I’ve achieved the most dreams! The saying is true indeed: “No pain, no gain.”

My goals for the next month are to work in Ross’ cash office, start working at CVS, and make friends in the workplace especially with the bosses.

To God be the glory.

Believe me, prayers work.

Letters to Camp #1: Thanksgiving

Dearest Aika,

Happy Thanksgiving! How are you? PK posted your address on Facebook. She said you’d be graduating from the boot camp on January. Best of luck!

It was my first day of work at Ross last Tuesday. Have I told you I applied at Ross Dress for Less as a part-time retail associate? They’re the ones who recover items and put them back on the shelves. They also move clothes from the stock room to the racks, and they also do the cash register sometimes.

Last Tuesday, I was assigned at the towels department so all I had to do was fold them nicely and neatly and put them back on the shelves. Yesterday, I was at the ladies’ shoes and kids’ department. They haven’t trained me on the cash register yet, but I hope they will eventually.