Dental Braces and Mouthpieces (2011 draft)

I have found this draft, and thought how wonderfully it has been written. Probably written sometime in 2011, a few days after my dental braces have been finally removed.

     Have you ever felt the feeling of coldness in two different spectrum of definitions? Its like the bitter coldness of the outside and the cold blood pumping from your heart goes into unison which makes anyone feel barren like a frozen wasteland. A petty disguise to affirm others that you're fine when you are feeling otherwise. Again, my feelings become repressed, as my vigor begins to soar.

     The same feeling of the warrior inside of me that rises into reincarnation. That same feeling that has brought a lazy undetermined couch potato, like myself, into something that of athletic prowess. I am feeling the same old adrenaline rushing into my veins with an intense need to unleash it. It is dangerous as it is beneficial. Yet time has brought me into much certainty as fate has once reunited my desire to fight with the advent removal of my braces.

     Yes, my dental braces have been removed. It would be just a matter of time that I may be able to see how much I developed or missed out over the past few years. I recalled the time, when I did visit the Philippine Boxing Team's Gym in my city. A boxer once told me in the early days, to finish my studies first.. and as of today, I finally did. I have fulfilled that same promise that allowed my bachelor life to flourish yet sacrificed my passion for boxing.

     Although lost out of time compared to the early career of some fighters, I understood the implications of what the boxer had advised me. Not many fighters had the same opportunity like myself to become educated into earning a bachelor's degree. I valued education. I valued my profession as a nurse. Yet boxing remains passionately in my heart. I watched several youngsters in a competition of Tae Kwon Do invitationals in one of the local shopping mall in my city.

     Watching them use their mouthpiece looked like something simple to some people to look at, but means a lot for someone like me. While I am at the peak of my youth, I must take charge and not waste it. I am now able to finally wear a mouthpiece. I believe it is time. I want to achieve a prime that I could be proud of, especially in a sport that I really took by the heart.

(Almost) Two Years

Before I start this post, I would like to thank the world and the interest it has showed to generate 13,500+ blog views over the past few months, despite my inactivity for almost two years. I am honored and extremely grateful.

     So here's the thing. I have been gone for almost two years now in writing this blog. Is it a surprise? Perhaps not at all. I've been in touch with my nursing profession for the last (almost) two years now, and it allowed me to physically and mentally progress into this competent nurse that I have arguably become. Yes, I've been in places, and I've gained these valuable experiences on the way. But what about boxing? I've been boxing still. I may not be physically into boxing for some time, but I know... deep inside the scrub suits and nursing uniforms, lie a great fighter that is waiting to be unleashed out of its shell.

     I still would like to thank, the Department of Health for giving me this opportunity to showcase my now defined nursing skill sets, which helped my personal principles and advocacy come into fruition.. and that is.. to help and serve the poor and those who are in need. It has been the foundation of my calling since I set foot into the halls of my Nursing School. My post "Nurse: Saving and Preserving Life" tells of a valuable nursing experience of mine as a student, which defined my nursing career until this very day. I am thankful to God for all the struggles he masterfully placed into my life, for without them, I wouldn't have been successful.

     It's been almost two years now, so forgive me if I may have lost my touch in blogging. For all those who think I stopped because the Pacman got KO is clearly misguided. I just had to work a year in a tertiary hospital and now enjoying the present, as a community nurse and caring for those in need. I must admit that I am loving my work. But I know, despite the air of contentment, there is a gaping wound in my heart that wishes to fill its void.. and for me to come back and continue writing this blog is a symbolism of that notion. Perhaps it is time to step up as promised. No reasons or excuses. It is now or never. Let the next era begin.

The Nursing Licensure Examination

     Good day reader's of this blog. It has been a very long time since I have posted here. I would like to thank all the people who are supporting me, my family, friends, and cyber friends who have introduced themselves to me through this blog. I have been given several opportunities for work through my writings. In this matter, I am grateful and humbled.. Just previously last December of 2011, I have just taken the Nursing Licensure Examination here in the Philippines. It was quite a struggle with me, that I had to seriously focus in my studies. Like I said in my previous posts, I had focused on education for the past few months in order to pass the examination. I had to review all the things I learned in school and also learn new concepts that are relevant for the exam.

     As you all may have known, it has been like three months or so that I haven't posted for a while, and today, I have returned. As difficult as it had become, I gave up boxing and spent all my days, immersed and well concentrated to the nursing profession. It was hard for me, because boxing was part of who I am, as a person and an individual. I had to make certain sacrifices in order to reach certain goals. I believed I would pass it.. I believed I could make it.. with the right seasoning of determination and hard work, I knew in my heart that nothing is impossible. Then came the day of the examination.

     At first, it was nerve wrecking, but as the next sets of papers were given, I have somehow become acquainted with the environment and it seemed only a matter of time that I will have finished the exam. The exam lasted for two days which comprised of five tests. In the end, I had answered all the questions in the tests without lacking in time. When I had finished an exam faster than expected, I would run down and review my answers. I was diligent in my answering, and since the early days before the exam, my father taught me not to rush the exam. It is not a matter of who finishes first, after all.

     At last, the final test has been completed. I donated my pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and ball pen's for charity. My exam room was way up in the school building, making going through the stairs a chore.. but it was worth it. I finished strong. I still remember the intense feeling I felt after the exam.. a feeling of vindication.. of intense happiness.. as if I had it in my heart to smile to everyone. Even as I left the school, I continued to smile. It was like a feeling that nothing can go possibly wrong today.

     The results were thought to be released a month after, so everyone waited anxiously for it. After all that sacrificing boxing, I gained weight and I knew I had to do something. So for one month, I had to go back to the gym and return to my previous state as a fighter. I practiced each day, even when I am not in the gym, I did it on my own. After a few days, the results caught me and my friend off guard, as we were having a good time playing video games. I was shocked with several text messages in my cell phone.

     My parents informed me, that I did pass the board exam. The feeling was bittersweet, because although I had passed the exam, my friend did not make it. This is the reason that throughout the days after everyone had congratulated me, I was not really that happy. A lot of people did fail the board exam. It was said that approximately only 34 percent of the takers have passed the exam. In spite of this, life must go on.. I am just proud that I am to be a Professionally Licensed Nurse of the Philippines, and I earned it through God, with perseverance, hard work, and determination.


All of this, has been a learning curb that God has constructed for me, in paving my road in life. I am forever grateful. Nothing is impossible with God.

A Heavy Price for Carelessness

I have started to get extra serious in my weight control regimen over the past few months. Just recently, I have graduated my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and since that time, I have gone to numerous celebrations that has weakened me both physically and mentally. It left me feeling strong yet weak, as I enjoy the bachelor life that most men can relate to. Yes I ate a lot, slept a lot, and did stuff that my usual routine do not usually include. I made it a point to enjoy life after school, that it made everyday a party. This unhealthy lifestyle that I have partaken has given me some consequences that I knew I had to work on when I begin to get a grip of myself. I had ballooned up from 130 lbs to 140 lbs. pretty nasty stuff, as I just had to relax and party for only a month. Looking myself in the mirror, I begin to question myself through my contradicting ideals against my unhealthy lifestyle. Like a pearl from a barren clam, the frustrations made me reincarnate the champion that was hidden inside of me. As I clenched my fist, I begin to look into the mirror and say, "It's time." I had to work out and restrict my food intake, as my metabolic diet doesn't seem to respond anymore with my lack of exercise in these idle days. So I returned, with the old fashion, exercise plus diet regimen. It took me about a month to lose the first five pounds permanently, with the rigorous jump rope, shadow boxing, and abdominal crunches exercises. It was definitely hard to lose weight, but I kept on, carrying with me a determination that continuously burns my heart with inspiration. Throughout the days, I have also learned various techniques in jump rope. I trained every single day possible, and begun to master these techniques that most athletes brag about in the gym. I had to let my body rest for a few days, as it also was a perfect time for my body to adjust in the 135 lbs weight class. As my weight begin to be consistent, I begin to be inspired to lose another five pounds to return to my regular weight class, which is, 130 lbs or the Super Featherweight Division. As the month of July begins, I started to work my way into a new set of training program. I meticulously chose, Jogging, Shadow boxing, Double Abdominal Crunches, Internal Oblique Crunches, and Triceps weight training. Jogging helps for my cardiovascular health, as it helps burn fat through aerobic movement. Shadow boxing helps condition muscles and promotes hand speed. Double Abdominal Crunches increases the abdominal muscles, to help burn fat through metabolism, particularly in the stomach. New to my regimen, The Internal Oblique Crunches not only helps increase the size of the muscle, it also burns those love handles, particularly on the hips. Triceps weight training is incorporated in my regimen, in order to burn the fatty storage on the posterior aspect of my upper arm. Taking all things into consideration, I have actually worked my way down to lose another five pounds. So I was back to the weight class I worked hard for, year's back. It just goes to show that sometimes, when you do things, there are definitely consequences waiting to be paid back. If only I was disciplined in my weight control in the past, I wouldn't have to suffer three months to return to my usual weight. I mean, at what cost is one month of heaven, to three months of hell? Sometimes we may just have to snap ourselves out of the confusion that surrounds us and stick to our will. Yet even as this circumstance has happened, I never backed down. Although I was out of shape, it never made me quit or just give in to the weakening. A champion is someone who overcomes obstacles, prejudices, or any complications that surround him.. A champion remains fighting. It's this character, and the burning spirit of determination, flowing inside my heart, that tells me, I can do it, that, nothing is impossible when you believe.