Get Lucky

In order to be admitted to the New York State Bar, one has to pass the New York State Bar Exams as well as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).

I took the MPRE last August in San Diego.  I was lucky that Atty. Noreen informed me that I could take it outside of New York as long as I indicate in my application that I am taking the MPRE for the New York jurisdiction.

And so, I decided to stay at my aunt's place in San Diego.  I was advised that I could study for the MPRE after the New York State Bar Exam.  And so I did.

I said to myself that I was going to study for a week for the exam and I had two review books on hand already.  Sunday before the exam, I already started listening to some lectures online.  And then, I would answer some sample questions as well.  By Tuesday, I realized that I could cover more topics if I read instead of listening to the online lectures.

Anyway, my aunt and uncle were very accommodating as there were nights that we went out for dinner.  So I had to make the most of my time in the morning and/or afternoon.  

On Thursday night, there were some changes as my sister was going to fetch me on Sunday, the day after my exam.  So my aunt decided to make the most of my Friday.

We went to the outlet stores on Friday morning as my aunt had to buy some stuff that I could bring to my uncles.  I was also able to buy some pasalubongs as well since I felt I could not buy them when I leave San Diego.  I then studied in the afternoon.

I told my aunt beforehand that we would not stay late that night since I had exams the next day.  For dinner, they treated me to a Korean buffet .. whoa!  

My cousins at an "eat-all-you-can" Korean restaurant

I thought we were going home but then we stopped by Extraordinary Desserts .. wow!  I had Strawberry Parfait and it was delicious!!! (No wonder I gained weight!)

Sarap jud ito ba!

My cousin ordered this Truffle Framboise - Masarap din!

I thought we were going home after that but guess again.  We made a quick stop at USS Midway.  We did not go inside anymore since it was already closed.  My aunt wanted me to stop by here because aside from a tourist attraction, it was where Jessica Sanchez had her audition and homecoming for the American Idol.

With my cousin

And so, we went home.  I was so quite nervous for my exam the next day - wondering if some stuff I have studied have been deleted because I felt so full with the food I ate.  I haven't done something like this on the night before an exam.  Adding to my anxiety was the fact that I was not able to finish all the review materials I had on hand.

This is all I could bring for the MPRE Exam (in a Ziploc bag)

My uncle and I left at around 7:30 and I was at the Test Center (a school) before 8:30.  The exam started at 9:00 a.m. and I was done at 10:45 a.m.

My uncle was supposed to fetch me at 11:00 after mountain biking.  I had no cellphone or watch with me since it was not allowed during the exam.  I just waited after all the other examinees left.  It turned out that one of the guys my uncle was biking with had a flat tire and in mountain biking, no man is left behind.  I was not nervous that I was not going to be picked up (again, I had no phone or money).  I knew I just had to wait.

In the afternoon, we went to Legoland with my cousins.

The exam had 60 multiple questions, only 50 of which were graded (but you won't know what).  I know I did my best.  I have read that some people overstudied for it but others pointed out not to take it for granted. 

Results were out just this week.  I knew it was going to be released this week, 5 weeks after the exam.  I wasn't sure what date though but any day during the week.  I was trying to search for #mpre over twitter and voila!  I saw some tweets saying they're so happy they passed!  My heart was really beating so fast.  I logged in my account and saw my score:

Before you get excited, that's not a perfect score!  The highest is 150 (scaled scoring) and the lowest was 50.  The score required for the New York jurisdiction (it varies in every state) was 85.  So, yes .. I passed it!!!!

Thank you Lord!

Thank you for my aunt, my uncle and their whole family for accommodating me.  I thank them for their support and their faith in me that I could make it (that's why they made the most of my stay in San Diego, even during the night before my exam!)

Thank you to my ever supportive mommy .. as in! Wala na akong masabi!

I am indeed lucky with my family and relatives and passing this exam.  I could not have done it without God's grace.

I hope my luck will continue with the results this November.  

Universal Studious

I stumbled upon this article and I would just like to share it. 

My top  3 favorites, in particular order are: 
                       1.  Pray
                       2.  Sing to yourself
                       3.  Take a power nap

www.clipartof.com

15 ways to take a 15 Minute Break from Bar Exam studying

(from: http://ipassedmybarexam.com/2011/01/13/15-ways-to-take-a-15-minute-break-from-bar-exam-studying/)

The sole focus of many of you during this time period is bar exam preparation.  You may wake up in the morning at 8 or 9am and have the entire day, over 14 hours of time, to prepare for the bar!  That is a ridiculous amount of time and much more than you’ll ever need.  What will get you ready for the bar is not so much the time you have, but what you are doing with the time you use.  During your bar exam preparation, taking breaks will be just as important as studying.

Study breaks are VERY GOOD for you because 1) you have the time to do it, and 2) they willkeep your fresh, energized, and efficient.  Here are 15 ways you can take a 15 minute break to reenergize your body, mind, and spirit.

(1)     Walk/Jog in the park

Even taking a short, 15 minute walk may be the best thing you do all day.  Not only will taking a break clear up your mind, but walking allows you to keep the blood flowing.  Also, being in the park changes your surroundings, giving you new, fresh energy.  And being in nature will connect you with your natural environment.  Studies show nature walking can make you more successful than city walking.

(2)     Walk your dog

Taking your pet out for a nice walk or run will keep the blood flowing, give you fresh energy, change up the scene, and provide some companionship and connection. 

(3)     Read your favorite book

What?!  More reading?  Yes!  Dive into your favorite fantasy novel, war story, or brain book.  Surprisingly, I didn’t feel tired or drained when I did additional, outside reading.  Rather, it was a great way for me to disconnect from the bar, keep my mind in the ‘reading’ zone, and learn something new.  Curling up with your favorite book for 15 minutes to end each night is a great de-stresser.

(4)     Play video games

Without a doubt, this was one of my most utilized and best study breaks!  It was easy, games were short, and I didn’t even have to get up from the library or wherever I was studying.  It’s also very fun, makes you happy, and allows for a complete disconnect – all the things you need to do on a break before you hit the studying again!  In case you’re wondering, my game of choice was Command & Conquer: Zero Hour for PC.

(5)     Youtube

Enter ‘funny videos’ on youtube and you’ll be off to a great, entertaining, and fun break from your studies.  Keeping yourself laughing and smiling is one of the best things you can do.

(6)     Push-Ups

Need a quick de-stress? Drop down and give yourself 20 push-ups.  If you feel embarrased, do it in the corner of the room or next to your desk so people don’t see you.  This is a great way to get the blood flowing in the brain again.

(7)     Meditate

Finding a nice quiet park bench, closing your eyes, and letting all your thoughts seep out into the ether is a very relaxing way to de-steam and collect yourself. 

(8)     Pray

Meditation if the art of listening.  Prayer is the art of asking.  Putting yourself in a peaceful mind and ask the divine creator for assistance in helping you pass the bar exam just might be the best 20 minutes you spend the entire two months.

(9)     Simple stretching

If you don’t have time to go to a yoga class, just walk outside and do some simple stretches.  Put your feet together and try to touch your toes, holding for at least 20 seconds.  Then go two shoulder widths apart, take your right arm and put it over your head, feeling the stretch on your side, and switch sides.  Stretch your arms out and move them in circular motion.  Do a slow hula hoop movement to stretch out your hips.  Do whatever other stretch you feel you need.  Stretching is a great way to keep your body and mind from getting too tight.

(10)    Call mom, dad, sibling, best friend

Need a positive, encouraging boost?  Don’t we all.  Make sure you take the time to get it.  Call up your most positive, supportive fans and have a conversation.  Just hearing their voice for 15 minutes can do wonders.  Hopefully, they’ll drop a few, encouraging remarks, “You can do this.  Hang in there.”  If not, ask them to give you these remarks.  Just hearing it will help, even if you told them to say it!

(11)    Take a power nap

Naps allow your mind to absorb and process all the information you have been putting into it.  A quick 15 to 30 minute power nap can help you get ready for another essay run.  Just don’t oversleep during the day.  If you go over 45 minutes, you’ll become drowsy, and it might take you a while to get back up and at it!

(12)    Eat a snack

If you’re hungry, why wait?  Grab a ‘snackers.’  Giving yourself a few minutes away from the book, while feeding your mind with a stimulating and healthy snack is a perfect way to take a break.

(13)    Brain games

These are a great, fun way to take a break and strengthen your mind.  Think your mind is already being tested enough?  These brain games can actually be a great compliment in strengthening your analytical thinking, significantly assisting you for the bar exam.  You can get brain game books for cheap at a bookstore or find them online.

(14)    Look at your visual/goal for passing the bar

Sometimes, when you need a break, it is simply your mind telling you to remember what you’re here to do.  Looking at a goal you wrote, a visual you created, or the reasons you want to pass the bar exam can be a beautiful way for helping you refocus again.

(15)    Sing to yourself

You know you sing to yourself when you’re alone in the shower or driving.  It’s ok, we all do it.  Sometimes you may just want to yell at the top of your lungs.  Instead, turn that rage into a nice, sweet melody.  Just sing it loudly so you feel like you’re still satisfying that rage feeling.

I hope you enjoyed these great ways to take a 15 minute break.  Make sure you take several breaks every day throughout your study period.

As always, good luck in passing your bar exam!

All Star

So much to do so much to see 

So what's wrong with taking the back streets 

You'll never know if you don't go 

You'll never shine if you don't glow

For the past few weeks, you can say I have been maximizing my brain capacity (although scientifically, I think it's not that possible yet).

Yes, I had and have so much to do, so much to read, so much to write .. basta so much!  It has gotten to the extent that I get so easily irritated lately.  I also worry a lot.  There are times I find myself teary eyed, almost crying or really crying.  

So this is what happens when I take so much.  It's not just my brain which has been greatly effected.  I find myself emotionally unstable as well.  Mentally and emotionally unstable - thank you Lord wala pa ko gidala sa mental hospital.

I think what has been keeping me sane, nevertheless, is that I try to do something different or appreciate what's at hand.  I rant when a scheduled meeting does not go on as planned due to some fortuitous event.  I know it's beyond my control.  But I can control my emotions.  So I just rant.  And then relax.  And here comes a friend asking for some lawyerly help.  We chat while I prepare a doc and she shares some good news.

There are days when I already had my day planned.  Then an errand, a sudden meeting, an unexpected call from a client.  Schedule disrupted.  I get pissed.  But I can't do much about it.  I just go on and on and do what I can.  And then, I go to the mall, eat by myself - some me time.  And now, I'm back to myself.

Yes, I really had and have still so much to do until the end of August (or who knows until when).  There are times that I just have to let it out.  I asked for this.  This is what I want and I know that I am not just lucky.  I am blessed to have all of these!  

I know I'll get through it.  With God's grace.

Singin' in the Rain

I used to write e-mails to my friends before. Before e-mails, I even had hand-written letters sent to them.

Anyway, in our e-mail exchange, we usually have our random Top 5 things - the beginning of which I cannot remember. In the e-mail I sent on October 5, 2007, I had the

TOP 5
na gusto ko present sa first ever concert ko

1. Madonna Vogue Microphone
– Headphone pa rin ba
iyong tawag sa ginamit ni J. Lo sa wedding planner?

2. Microphone Stand
– Gusto ko maka-try talaga
magkanta/magperform na may microphone stand. Sige gud
katawa mga officemates ko when I asked them magkano
ang microphone stand.
(Gusto ko iyong makaluma na microphone (parang Michael Buble). Ayaw ko iyong glitter-glitteran gaya kay Mariah Carey and Charice)

3. I have to sing Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ..
hehe!
(I remembered when I sang this in our House Party in Manila. Akala ng iba lasing na daw ako, eh Coke lang jud ang giinom ko.. haha!)

4. I get a chance to play the piano, drums and guitar
.. hehe!
(Multi-tasker!)

5. Guest ko si Gary V
- local muna bago intl!

* Recent comments are in italics

Ambisyosa

"FBI"

I always dreamt of saying that for real, with matching an action showing an ID.

While we were having our class, our discussion somehow reached NBI and how it had the feel of FBI in the Philippines before. Sir mentioned that it used to be that there were lawyers and accountants in NBI before. (At this point, I felt my seatmates are looking at me .. toynk!)

Anyhow, I find it funny. I think anybody who knew me way back in college or even some of my officemates are aware of this "dream" of mine.

Criminology was actually one of my top 5 choices for a college course. No, I did not want to be a police woman. I wanted to be an FBI agent. I really did not want to be an NBI agent because I felt it did not had that stature of FBI like in the US. But I decided not to pursue criminology because it would be of no use to someone in the Philippines who dreams of becoming an FBI agent.

My "dream" of being an FBI agent is probably rooted in my "love" for The X-Files. I was already a fan back in high school.

In college, I looked forward to days where I can wear a jacket. Why? Because I like to place my ID in the inside jacket and then show it to the guard. Kulang na lang sabihin ko FBI agent ako .. hehe. Actually, based on the TV series, one can show their ID by flipping their wallet. But I like keeping it in my jacket and make fun of myself in class showing my ID .. hehe.

Back then in our computer laboratory class, my classmate and I would go to the FBI site and check out qualifications for an FBI agent. I found out I am disqualified for many reasons - I am not a US citiizen and not even a resident. I think I did not reach their height requirement. And I do not have a 20/20 vision. Oh, well ...

When I started working, we had an activity and I remember that one of the questions asked was what is your greatest dream. I wrote "to be an FBI agent". Laugh trip!

Actually, I was asked by one of my US office mates a more or less the same question. And I said the same answer. In fairness, he did not laugh at me. He said he actually sees me being an FBI agent. (O, ha!) I am not sure if he was just taking me for a ride. But it made be happy .. hehe. He said that he knew someone who is an FBI agent who is sort of like me. Then, I mentioned my disqualifications and I heard that most of the time, I could just be at my desk .. hehe. And he said, he heard that too. That was actually a nice discussion.

I am not anymore hoping that I could be an FBI agent someday. It was one of those dreams which is unlikely to come true but you just dream about it anyhow. Maybe in another life time.

Oh, well .. libre lang naman mangarap :)