My 2014 - Part 6

OCTOBER (PART 2)

I wasn't kidding when I said my October was Oh-some.  In fact, I could not write just one blog for my October.  So, here I go again.

Another reason this US trip was so worth it, aside from Ally's Birthday and my Oath-taking, was because of my sister's graduation from her Masteral.  I am one proud sister!

Up there!

Full Support!

 Celebrate good times!

 Triple celebration!

We are family!

And of course, we also went to San Diego to visit Auntie Juvy and her cool family :)

National History Museum

Love Teams!

At USS Midway!

Mom and Dad left a week ahead of me.  Their trip was 2-week escapade US-Canada-US.  And just before their flight, we visited the Andradas :)

Barkada!

The reason I stayed for another thing was because I went to Minnesota to visit my friend and her family.  And that deserves a separate blog!

My 2013 - Part 2

My amazing 2013 journey continued ...

JULY

I still continued to study for the New York State Bar Exam. I wasn't able to finish all the materials I had at hand.  That made me nervous.  But I had to persevere.

So, off I went to the land of the US of A by myself 10 days before the exam.  From LA, I went straight to Albany. It was my first time to visit the capital city of the New York State and also my first time to travel to the US by myself.  Albany is a simple and quiet city, but very nice.  My mom followed just 2 days after the exam for my much needed moral support.

The experience is quite surreal as I took the exam not in a classroom but in a stadium.  Test areas are at the center court and the pathway near food stalls.

I find the New York State Bar Exam less hard than the Philippine Bar since it has lesser coverage and it is just a 2-day exam, unlike the 4 Sundays of the Philippine Bar Exam.

But you could not blame me if I was still nervous.  I had to make it worth it.

AUGUST

The day after the New York State Bar Exam, my mom and I went to New York City - concrete jungle where dreams are made of.  We watched Mamma Mia, went around the streets of New York, visited Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the MET, and walked around Central Park.  I also met Zachary Levi.

And that was just during the first 2 days of August.  Off we went to LA to spend time with my sister and her adorable daughter, Ally.

I then went to visit my aunt and her family at San Diego.  I also went there to take the Multi-Professional Responsibility Exam.  I reviewed for it for a week.  I decided to take it in San Diego since I figured I could study more there than with Ally, because I know I will play with her often .. haha.  But I truly had a great time with my cousins at San Diego.  And I am pretty sure I gained a lot of weight as well :)

SEPTEMBER

And so I went back to my beloved Philippines.  I went to my daily grind of reporting to our office.  While I was away, our office had a renovation.  I am really proud of my mom for her knack in designing everything.

I had a lighter teaching load with just my Sales class in law school.

By middle of September, the MPRE results were out.  And I passed!  Thank you Lord :)

OCTOBER

October is the bar exam month in the Philippines.  As it were in the past years, I then went to Manila for Bar Operations to give support to our students.  This was my first batch of students who took the Bar Exams.  I really pray that they do well.  I also pray that my dear friends who took the same will also pass this time around.

And on the 30th day of this month, I found out that I passed the New York State Bar Exam!  Amazing talaga si Lord :)

NOVEMBER

November was not that much great for the Philippines for Yolanda struck.  The news was really disheartening.  I was relieved when I found out that a law school classmate of ours survived it.

But aside from the devastation, I think the bigger news was the help extended to the Philippines from across all nations.  I just hope and pray that their help would really be extended for such purpose.  May GOD bless the lives of all the concerned citizens all over the world.

It was also in November when I get to attend a wedding of a law school friend.  I was glad to meet up with my first year batch mates.

DECEMBER

'Tis the season to be jolly.

My aunt for Saudi was around from November until first week of December.

I was able to attend the IBP Palaro/Christmas Party and I had fun that night.  Next time, i-career ko na .. hehe

I did not get to attend a number of parties, though.  The reason is that by December 21st, we already left for Australia, where we spent our Christmas and New Year with my dear sisters, Johanna and Jessica.

I will try to post a separate blog for our Aussie trip.  But I hope these pictures will do for now.

Pretty amazing 2013 huh?  And I only have GOD to thank you for it.

Looking forward to a blessed 2014 :)

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.  

Sightings

If you know me really well, then you do know that I'm a big celebrity fan as I have personally handwritten a number of fan letters to celebrities across the globe.  And I have been lucky to get a number of replies as well.

I said to myself before that if I see my favorite local celebrities, I surely would get a picture with them.  If it's a Hollywood celebrity, an autograph would suffice. 

But I have to tell you that I'm immensely shy when they're right there in front of me.  Yes, I need back-up in times like that.

Anyhow, I had a number of celebrity encounters in my latest trip.  I guess I could say that among all my trips, I had quite a haul this time.

As I was lining up for immigration, I saw Venus Raj.  I realized later that we were taking the same flight and that she was just seated a few seats from me - I could see her as she reclined her chair, just 2 seats away from me.  Anyway, all I can say is that she is really tall and slim.  And as far as I can see, she does not seem that "maarte".

On the day I left Albany, 98 Degrees, New Kids on the Block and Boyz 2 Men were going to have their concert in the same venue where I took my exam.  Unfortunately, I did not see any of them.  I then had my hopes high as my mom and I made a side trip to New York City.  

And I sure had a close encounter with no other than Zachary Levi of the Chuck TV Series.  I watch it every now and then, and I really like him.  Anyhow, he was having his Broadway Show, First Date, right beside the hotel where we were staying.  On our last night, as we were going back to the hotel, there he was, having his picture taken with those who watched the show.  I immediately gave to my mom the camera so she could take the picture.  

I tried my luck and asked him if I could have a picture with him.  Oh, yes! I was truly nervous!  He asked if I watched the show and I answered "no" (honest ako!).  And he said it would be unfair to those who watched the show if I would have a picture with him. I said that I'm a big fan from the Philippines and he replied that I should watch the show tomorrow.  (Yes, we were really having a conversation!) I told him that we were already leaving the next day (which is true) and he said that I should be back to watch the show and said he was sorry.  Believe me - he seemed so genuinely apologetic and so kind.  I get his point.  Sayang lang jud!  

My hands were really cold and clammy and my heart was really beating fast that time.  I was one of the 2 or 3 people left.  And he said his goodbyes and left.  I explained it to my mom what just happened and asked her if she was able to take a picture nevertheless.  Apparently, she could not figure out how to make the camera work as it suddenly turned off.  This is the only picture I have ...

Yes, that's Zachary Levi in white shirt and that is me with that big arm and pink shirt.  Oh, well!  At least, I have this one.  And yes, Zachary Levi is tall and handsome and not geeky as I expected him to be (the Chuck effect).

We then flew to LA and then to San Diego.  Together with my Aunt's family, we went to Legoland, where there is also a water park.

While sitting and just waiting for my cousins to finish swimming, my aunt ran to me and said that Lou Diamond Phillips was just right there.  And yes, I saw him with shorts and no shirt on with his wife and daughter - yup, just like any ordinary family.  Some may have noticed him and he just seemed so normal there.

When I saw my uncle, who chaperoned his children by the kiddie pool, he told me that he was the one who noticed Lou Diamond Phillips.  Apparently, both of them were looking over their daughters at the swimming pool.  My cousin was even playing with Lou Diamond Phillip's daughter.  When my uncle noticed him, my uncle said "LDP" to him (they were just near each other), LDP acknowledged him and fist bumped with my uncle!

My uncle asked my aunt if she was able to take a picture of LDP.  My aunt said she forgot since she was totally nervous .. haha!

Anyway, I was back in LA and my sister brought me to The Grove where Extra TV is shot daily.  And yes, we saw Mario Lopez and Maria Menounos.  I was not able to take a picture with them because they were quite busy.  I think I did not see them taking picture with any of the fans that day.

Yes, that's Mario Lopez.  He looks good but I think he looks better on TV

 (Maybe because he had too much make-up at that time for tv purposes)

And that's Maria Menounos - she is indeed pretty and sexy (very slim!)

We then went to Santa Monica Place and my sister mentioned she saw Shannen Doherty there one time.

As I was just sitting in the Promenade, I then saw this Beverly Hills 90210 guy right in front me (yes, he was really close).  I told my sister "si Beverly Hills 90210" repeatedly.  I forgot his name!  Haha!  My sister then called her husband and told him about the Beverly Hills 90210 guy (yes, complete name ng show jud!).  My sister then searched the net for his name and we realized he was Ian Ziering!  He was a bit old but still recognizable (to me at least!).  My brother-in-law mentioned that it was a good thing I noticed him because he looks old (But of course, the show was so long ago!)  He then asked if we want to have a picture with Ian Ziering.  My sister and I said it was not necessary.  My sister even said it's okay if we don't get to have a picture with him because he does not have a movie.  My brother-in-law then searched the net through his phone and mentioned that he was in Sharknado.  I said I'll let it pass since he was with family.  He had his little daughter with him, as well as his wife and some relatives.  I did not bother to take a picture of him from afar.  My brother-in-law did but I forgot to ask him to send it to me as well.

Yes, I guess I could say "naka-quota" ako.  Before this trip, the only close encounter I had with a Hollywood celebrity (outside of concerts) was the one with Geoffrey Rush when we saw him at Melboure Aquarium with his family.  He was in Australia at that time as he just promoted "Finding Nemo" sometime in 2003 or 2004.  But we did not have any picture with him.

Anyway, in my flight back to the Philippines, as I was talking my luggage from the overhead bin, Amanda Page was just right beside me.  I'm not sure if you still remember her.  But all I can say that she was really pretty and she did not seem that old.

That's it for now.  Hoping for more sightings in my next travel.