It's been some time since I last heard about the excited news that I passed the NCLEX-RN ( May 2007 ) yet it's been only a few times that I earnestly mentioned about the spiritual aspect of my preparation. I told friends and family about my physical and mental conditioning I had before the test. Almost all the time I seemed to claim the lone credit for the success of my exam. However, I have come to realize from personal reflection that all those would have gone down the drain had not HIS omnipotence blessed and guided me all the way.
At first, the travel to the testing site ( Seoul, S.Korea ) was to be my first outside of my own country. The expenses, and an extremely different culture of my destination gave me enough apprehension that would likely block me mentally on test day, aside from the exam anxiety itself. A country where there were unexpectedly a few people who could speak and understand English would drive me crazy looking for the test center in the maze of the city. Yet, it was with all these that I started counting my blessings.
A good Samaritan in the person of my US-based cousin covered all my expenses from my exam registration to my travel package costs with allowance. As if they weren't enough I had a good company with another cousin who would be taking the same exam on the same schedule and venue as I.
During our flight to South Korea, I was awestruck to witness darkness shift slowly to daylight when the sun's rays introduced themselves to my window. They were beaming in the background against the cottony clouds from high altitude. I felt how good it was like to be an angel standing on the said clouds. I was engrossed in this fantasy until I was awaken into reality when the plane touched down the runway. land bound, we were greeted with panoramic views of peculiar trees, stretches of seashores and rocky hills on our way to the city proper. When we got there, I was fascinated with how technology ( buildings ) splendidly blended with Korean cultural heritage ( historic structures ).There wasn't a single moment wasted because as soon as we settled our things in the hotel we proceeded back sightseeing on foot. It was then that we discovered the testing center was located just next to our building. We spent the whole afternoon taking snapshots of the city square unmindful of the grueling 5-hour test we had the following day. Indeed I was psychologically and emotionally relaxed for the next day's hurdle. Best of all, we only knew later that the test center would be closed the day after we sat for it. I was quick to point out what spared us from misfortune but allowed us of the wonderful privileges.
In my year-long self-preparation for the examination I regularly served in the church masses on top of praying the rosaries, personal prayers and Bible reading before I would read a single word from my review materials everyday. Behind these spiritual effort lies also a sincere heart of praise and worship, not just petition. There's no doubt I was delivered in my test woes and I should rightfully be grateful in return. In writing this, I have this intent to give HIM what is due HIM, that people may know how good God is and be hopefully inspired of His goodness . All praise and thanks to you, Mighty One!
At first, the travel to the testing site ( Seoul, S.Korea ) was to be my first outside of my own country. The expenses, and an extremely different culture of my destination gave me enough apprehension that would likely block me mentally on test day, aside from the exam anxiety itself. A country where there were unexpectedly a few people who could speak and understand English would drive me crazy looking for the test center in the maze of the city. Yet, it was with all these that I started counting my blessings.
A good Samaritan in the person of my US-based cousin covered all my expenses from my exam registration to my travel package costs with allowance. As if they weren't enough I had a good company with another cousin who would be taking the same exam on the same schedule and venue as I.
During our flight to South Korea, I was awestruck to witness darkness shift slowly to daylight when the sun's rays introduced themselves to my window. They were beaming in the background against the cottony clouds from high altitude. I felt how good it was like to be an angel standing on the said clouds. I was engrossed in this fantasy until I was awaken into reality when the plane touched down the runway. land bound, we were greeted with panoramic views of peculiar trees, stretches of seashores and rocky hills on our way to the city proper. When we got there, I was fascinated with how technology ( buildings ) splendidly blended with Korean cultural heritage ( historic structures ).There wasn't a single moment wasted because as soon as we settled our things in the hotel we proceeded back sightseeing on foot. It was then that we discovered the testing center was located just next to our building. We spent the whole afternoon taking snapshots of the city square unmindful of the grueling 5-hour test we had the following day. Indeed I was psychologically and emotionally relaxed for the next day's hurdle. Best of all, we only knew later that the test center would be closed the day after we sat for it. I was quick to point out what spared us from misfortune but allowed us of the wonderful privileges.
In my year-long self-preparation for the examination I regularly served in the church masses on top of praying the rosaries, personal prayers and Bible reading before I would read a single word from my review materials everyday. Behind these spiritual effort lies also a sincere heart of praise and worship, not just petition. There's no doubt I was delivered in my test woes and I should rightfully be grateful in return. In writing this, I have this intent to give HIM what is due HIM, that people may know how good God is and be hopefully inspired of His goodness . All praise and thanks to you, Mighty One!
