LLE 2013 and How I Thought I Had Failed.

This is totally surreal. I actually thought my friend was joking when he texted me "Congrats! Ms. Top 2." Kaya ayan, iba-blog ko na habang 'di pa nagfe-fade ang ecstasy. Sa Facebook ko sana 'to ipo-post kaso medyo mahaba-haba ito at marami akong gustong sabihin. Tsaka para pwedeng mag-attach ng maraming pictures. Hehe. :)

When my friends started calling me this afternoon, I was at my mom's grave. I had to visit cos I didn't visit her last November 1 and 2. Since she died, I was always there during those holidays. But I told my family that I'd pass cos I wasn't able to finish my review. I felt guilty for that. But I'm sure Mama's proud of me now. And I'm sure she's forgiven me. This achievement is for my family. *punas-uhog muna kasi naiiyak nanaman ako*

Anyway. Ayan. As I've said, it was shocking. More than I ever hoped for. My friends know how nervous I was and how much I panicked. I started to review just a week before the exam. Yes, a week. Seryoso. I attended an Intensive Review from October 14-25 pero a) hindi ako nakikinig/natutulog ako, b) nag-ke-candycrush ako (kasi paksyet 2 weeks na 'di ko pa malagpasan 'yung level 125), c) absent ako madalas and d) all options are possible. I procrastinated and I crammed real hard. Umabot sa puntong parang sabaw na 'yung utak ko, wala na kong naiintidihan/naaalala sa mga binabasa ko tapos mina-migraine na ko. 4 days before the exam, I started feeling really bad. I couldn't sleep immediately. It would take me 2 hours to stare at the ceiling while my mind panics before I could doze off. Partida, I was even drinking melatonin then to help me sleep. Ang hirap. So yeah, kids, I don't recommend that you cram.

Fast forward to the day of the exam. A kid outside MLQU begging for alms cursed me. He said "Ang damot mo. Ipagdadasal kong hindi ka pumasa." Siya na nga lang nanglilimos, siya pa galit. Aguy! The exam went on for 2 days, from 8am til 4pm. I couldn't understand most of the questions. Siguro sa 1000 concepts na naaral ko, 10 lang ang lumabas sa exam. Masyadong madugo. Karamihan ng sagot ko hula. I was debating with the questionnaire while I took the test. "Eh depende naman kasi sa sitwasyon!" "WTF! Your questions are confusing!" 'Yan yung mga pinagsusulat ko sa questionnaires ko. Pero ayun na nga, sa wakas, natapos din.

And fast forward to today, I ranked # 2.

Unexpected. Wow.

So here, I'd like to thank the people who've supported me during the agonizing pre-board weeks.

1. My family
2. The Metrios - Salamat po sa pag-ampon sa akin during the review week. :)
3. Sir Brian - for lending me your flashcards and for telling me to deactivate my Facebook :)

4. My awesome college friends (Milko)
5. Lissa pals, Eby and GM, for helping me with DDC and being my cheerleaders
6. My former workmates and boss at Engglib. Yes it was really helpful na meron nang experience prior to the exam. Helped me answer the situational questions.
7. Of course, to UP SLIS for the education. To my professors and the secretariat at the SLIS Review, thanks po! <3

Sino pa ba? I might have forgotten some people. Pero thank you to all. And to those who've called and texted today, maraming salamat!


PS:
WOOHOO! MAY BAGO NA KONG VALID ID! YEHEYYY!

PPS:
Posted a tips series on how to pass the exam