I felt like 18 all over again.

As soon as I entered the hall where family and friends have already gathered as early as 5 pm yesterday, it reminded me of my debutante’s entrance at my 18th birthday party. There were a lot of cheering and congratulations. I was even greeted by a bouquet of stargazer lilies by one of my godfathers. Whatever sour mood that had simmered while I was on my way, running late on my own party, it just vanished away. I’m not that too stubborn to ruin what could possibly a great night. I hopped from one table to another, albeit like a debutante, as cameras clicked and flashes went off. I was greeted with either a kiss or a hug while I threw “thank yous” and “how are yous” to my guests. It was truly a night to remember.

Funny how just like on my debut, I didn’t get to eat as much as I wanted to. It took me a good hour and a half to finish whatever little food was on my plate… my meal being interrupted with the mandatory photo-ops with guests coming and going. But I didn’t really care. My guests enjoyed them for me and even remarked how good the food was. For all the trouble it caused us through the last two weeks with the preparations, I knew it was worth it. I don’t think the kitchen chefs should look for new cooking jobs over the ads. With the food served last night? They can keep their jobs as long as they want.

The night, though it was fun, would have been a lot more meaningful if a number of those very dear to me got to attend. Missing out on the party were Migs, Mela, Reuel,, Maricar and Roni, who played major, major (LOL) roles in the last five years of my life. And of course, there’s Jen and Jessa whom I believe had partied with me last night in heaven.

I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I last had a celebration like this. I am usually fine with a simple dinner with just a few friends. But last night was of course much much different and however long the wait was… it was truly worth it.

As a ritual, I open my facebook page the first thing in the morning and this message from my friend, Tieza Santos pops out of my screen.

My best friend, along with 39 others bested almost 2,854 social entrepreneur applicants from all over the world for Echoing Green Fellowship 2011. She’ll be traveling to New York this May to face a panel of judges to present ChangeLab Enterprises Philippines’ PinaSarap Enterprise (More details here).

You know what’s cool? She represents the only organization from the Philippines who managed to reach the finals.

Funny how there’s a stark contrast between our lives. While my best friend is traveling halfway around the globe to change the world, I have my head buried in books and rummaging through old brother printers for my papercases to pass one of the biggest obstacles of my medical career.

I’m one very proud best friend right here. I’m absolutely happy with how far she has gone through all these years.

And oh, have I mentioned she’s getting married soon? Haha. Lucky girl.

More about Echoing Green Fellowship Finalists 2011 here.

Once again, St. Luke’s College of Medicine prides itself with the outcome of the February 2011 Physician Licensure Examination. It’s a 100% passing for first-time takers from Batch 2010! Hooray! To my friends, Dr. Allan Gamo, Dr. Apreel Noble, Dr. Christina Sio, Dr. Millicent Carino, Dr. Gabriel Zetazate, Dr. Melizza Villalon, Dr. Neil Apale, Dr. Fatima Juanday-Hernandez and Dr. Lester Chua, your victory is also ours. Congratulations! Hoping for the best in your careers!

On the other hand, all eyes are on us as we, SLCM Batch 2011, are about to face one of our life’s biggest challenges: The Comprehensive Exam. It’s a win or lose situation. No gray areas. This is really scary. So help me God.

Learn more about the results of the February 2011 Physician Licensure Examination from here.

I never felt so shortchanged like what happened the previous night. I went back to Lyf Center Spa to use one of the coupons I have from Ecotech. Since I already consumed the three freebies before (skin analysis, 30-minute back massage and basic facial), I figured it was time to use the other coupons as well. I paid for a Pigment Control Facial worth 880 pesos and with the coupon I used, I was entitled to a free service of a lower value so I chose to have a Lyf Therapeutic Foot Spa worth 500 pesos. Since I’ve already tried their Pigment Control facial before, I looked forward to another good service from Lyf Center Spa. Oh boy. I was in for a surprise.

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I can smell the sweet scent of summer. Despite the goings-on around me: the death of two close buddies, the unstable condition of another close friend and the recent involvement of yet another batchmate in a freak accident yesterday, I’ve realized how there’s still a lot of reasons to see the world in a better light. The second chances that life dishes out on us are more than enough reasons to celebrate life itself. It doesn’t have to be grand. Perhaps it’s as simple as snagging an expensive top on a weekend sale at 50% off, or it may be as life-changing as surviving an accident unscathed. It doesn’t really matter as long as they’re second chances for us to live our lives anew. Life is short and being grumpy just makes it shorter. So if there’s anything that I’ve learned while riding a rollercoaster in the past month: it’s to smile. And then the whole world just gets brighter.

I love you guys.

I want you to meet Kaiser, my new love.

Yes. This baby is mine. And the best part of it? I got him for F-R-E-E. I always join raffles but I never expect to win any of those prizes. I am one of those many, many unlucky souls who always end up as “thank you, patrons” because my name always doesn’t land in the winners’ list. But in a sudden twist of fate, my name was handpicked from hundreds of those who contributed for the FRIC (fellows, residents, interns and clerks) Party last weekend. That’s how I got Kaiser. It seemed as if the heaven was listening to me when I told Mela how I wanted an iPod for myself. The next thing I know, I was a giggly girl on stage ready to get precious Kaiser. I haven’t had the chance to tinker with him since I got him. If only I can get hold of the online backup of my MP3s from an old host, then I’d instantly fill up all 2GB-worth of memory that Kaiser has. Too bad some online hard drives aren’t exactly reliable. Sometimes, it pays to pay. =)