Board Exam (First of Two Parts)

COOKIES PAGE:

“I flunked the CPA Board Exam not just once but twice.”

This is the highlight of my speech during our Testimonial Dinner way back last June 2007. The moment my hands touched the podium I knew that it was my precious moment. Many people had said that day would never come in my life. As I delivered my speech (so serious speech) in front of my batchmates, friends from review school, bosom buddies way back in college, and professors, I was proud to say that I failed twice but never gave up.

This October, another batch of new CPA’s emerged. I extend my congratulations to those who made it. Cheers to all of you! Your sleepless nights are finally over! Go get some sleep!

And the rest of this article is for all men and women who failed the much prestigious exam.

I know the feeling of not being part of the list. I am not here to console you guys. But I hope my story would be an inspiration to all of you. Just like what I said earlier I’ve been in that position twice. I cried and cried. I spent so many nights analyzing what went wrong. I kept asking God what will be the next step and where I was heading. In short I asked this question a million times, “Paano na ang future ko?”

When I first took up my review, it was the time that we were financially stressed. I still enrolled in CRC-ACE in Baguio and stayed in a boarding house in Brentwood. During the course of my review, my expenses were all ballooning and I knew that my father was having a hard time financing my review. I made the greatest alibi in my life that I was sick and I needed to go back home. I packed my things, books and review materials and rode back to Lingayen. I decided to continue my review in an unorthodox style- self-review. I went back to Baguio only during pre-boards and the actual examination days. As a result I failed my initial try.

When I failed the exam during my first take, I applied immediately as a bank teller. For five months I stayed there but every time I see my old classmates back in college still reviewing after they failed their initial try, I finally decided to leave my work and asked for financial support to my Auntie Connie from abroad. She was an answered prayer. She lent some cash to finance my review. I immediately informed my father regarding my plan to resign and concentrate for my review.

With some extra cash I saved from my previous work and financial help from my aunt I enrolled once again in CRC- ACE. I was glad to see some familiar faces when I first attended my review class. I was so eager to go back to review like a freshman! Back then I woke up at early dawn reading theories, lobbied around in SLU library in the morning, attended everyday mass in the Cathedral after I had my lunch, joined the afternoon class in CRC-ACE and stayed till 9 in the evening in the library.

I pushed myself up to beyond my limit. I had lesser time to sleep and I felt the pressure through my veins. Still I registered for another try during October 2006.

And for still unknown reason I failed again the second time around.

On the day I got the result of my exam in the PRC, I was shocked that my rating reached 74%, only a hairline away from grabbing my title. I only passed 3 subjects and failed the rest which means I was not also a candidate for “Conditional”. I went home and said to my father that I planned to take the exam again for the last time. My father never doubted my capabilities and he immediately agreed. However, since financially we were not yet stable, I humbly accepted his offer to attend review classes in Dagupan City. (to be continued…)

GUEST BLOGGER FOR OCTOBER

This October, Pat & I are privileged to have our good friend Judith write for us. Her article is one that wil inspire you to love yourself more. -Maan

JUDITH RIANN FERNANDEZ

PAIN OF THERAPY


Unlike Cookies and Cream, who undeniably have the passion to write, I admit I was someone who despised filling out a one whole-sheet of paper whenever asked to write essays and formal themes during our high school and college days.

To write was a torture for me. However due to the pressing requirement of my best friends, Pat & Maan to post this blog on Friday I am now focused on gripping my momentum by munching on this 240-grams garlic buttered toast. Gee, it seems effective.

…however, I could feel an extreme confusion on what topic to write about. Could it be “Getting Married”? since most of my officemates are piled off for marriage this year, or should the topic be “Living Simply” as inspired by Bo Sanchez? What about a topic on my recently celebrated 25th birthday?

Well, right now, all I can see from the four corners of this room is Love.

It isn’t Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I know, but even if we admit it or not, eventually, at the end of our days, we know there’s only one thing that could make us truly happy… it’s love.

Honestly and seriously speaking I am in love with this man, the kind of love which we are all familiar with – “eros” or romance. His features seem to be familiar with my ex-boyfriend except that he has this cute sense of humor like mine. We jive with each other’s joke and his eyes seem to conquer my world every time he stares at me. I thought my heart’s capacity to love had already reached its limit but I was wrong. For three years, after my first boyfriend and I broke up, I, once again feel this feeling which makes the world go round, or twirls the world in a spin. Oh gosh, how I really missed this wonderful feeling.

You ask me how? How could I not notice him when he gives me the special attention I need? How could I not want him when his smile gives a tickle in my heart? How could I not like him when I always see his face wooing me to like him?

From the day I met him, I knew I already liked him. And from the very start I tried to resist such feeling. The more I strived against my feelings the more he occupied my every waking and sleeping hours. Sounds crazy but it’s true. And when you’re in love, everybody gets to notice it because your eyes spark like a happy star. I remember very well yesterday when Janice, my seatmate in the office, asked me “Mare in love ka ba?”

But just last night, as I was reading one of Bo Sanchez’ book, “Fill Your Life With Miracles,” I read about the two types of pain – the pain of regret and the pain of commitment. I chose the latter. Know the song “Sad to Belong?” It’s the song that perfectly describes my situation. I would rather choose the pain of commitment than to weep with sadness of a thousand years. In life, we can really never escape pain but we can always settle for the pain that somehow can be cured by time.

My love story isn’t sad at all because it paves way to self-love. With my decision to let go, I had freed myself from the pain of regret, which indeed gave a meaningful love for myself.

My 25th birthday has been one of the most remarkable day for me. Not just because it’s my silver birthday, nor because I met with old friends, but because finally, I have learned to love myself again. Indeed, it gives me this unreserved happiness right now.

As I evaluate myself for this year, I came to realize that a lot of things have changed in me. I do things that I cannot do before like writing a blog such as this one, wearing a dress, singing on the stage in front of new acquaintances, treating myself to indulgences like a massage, pedicure and facial, riding on a treadmill to feel lighter, saying “No” to my friends sometimes when I don’t feel like doing or going with them, reading good books, giving tithes, enjoying my work, feeling satisfied with all I have and most especially feeling confident and in love about myself. Thank You Lord for these changes! I enjoyed these wonderful blessings so much.

Loving one’s self may seem selfish or self-indulgent but actually it’s not. Love experts even say that it is a pre-requisite to loving anyone else. So treat yourself very well starting today for we’ll never know what lies ahead of us.

Perhaps my writing is getting else where and I couldn’t find a way to end it. Maan, who happens to be seating in front of me, is already making a face while rushing me so much for this article so let me just end this with some lyrics, the song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, Greatest Love of all “The greatest love of all / Is easy to achieve / Learning to love yourself / It is the greatest love of all.”

- o -

Judith Riann Fernandez is a CPA by profession. Her sunny personality has attracted a lot of friends who, in one time or another, has needed a boost in spirit. In the sometimes stressful workplace where she belongs, her jokes and laughter can refresh and rejuvenate everyone.

INDIVIDUALITY

Pat & I tried to apply our individuality this week so we decided to each write about a topic that is close to our heart. Hope you enjoy reading both. - Maan

P.S. Sa wakas may picture na kami ng pare ko.

COOKIES PAGE:

P R I C E L E S S

I went back home last week. I planned to go home since I am going to travel to General Santos City on the 16th for another audit engagement. I will stay there till the end of October. I was already in Cubao bus terminal and unfortunately I didn’t catch the air conditioned bus. I was late by a couple of minutes. I was so tired from the day’s work and I didn’t want to wait for another hour for the next one. I decided to take the ordinary bus.

My trip went quite good. I was asleep during the trip. I reached our house past four o’clock in the morning. I was welcomed by the cats in our front yard (yup we have ten adopted stray cats). I opened the door when I heard the voice of my father calling my name. As he approached me I reached for his hand as I make the usual mano po.

This is the usual routine every time I go home and arrive at early dawn.

After putting down my bag, I went straight to the kitchen. There is still pork adobo left, one of my favorite home-cooked meals. I felt a bit hungry so I decided to eat some. I missed so much eating at home after dining almost every night in fast food restaurants. While eating, my father joined me as he sipped his hot coffee. I always treasure this moment, conversing with my Papa at early hours of the morning. I call this one as our “Kumustahan Moments”.

After I graduated in college, I began to talk too much with my father. As days passed by I became honest and opened up to him. It was hard at first, since I grew up having an impression that he is so strict and a disciplinarian. I shared many stories with him. He knows my dreams, my goals, and my plans in life. I narrated the places I’ve been to. I asked for his opinion regarding my decision to have my own business someday. He knows who my former girlfriend was and whether she passed his standards. And when I broke up with her he was there to give some advice (a one-liner advice). He is a man of few words. Meanwhile, he usually shares with me how his days went by with his students, co-teachers, and their principal (he is a Math teacher by the way). He always tells me his plans after retirement (3 years from now). He also frequently asks about my life in Manila and my work.

As I look at my father, I noticed how he has aged through the years. He now has gray hairs and a sporadically aching back. But he still owns a serious face which I think I inherited from him. That’s his signature. He is known for being so serious. But for me, he is not that much serious. Just like a coin, I’ve seen the other side- the lighter side of his life.

He was almost done with his coffee when I finished eating the pork adobo on my plate. It took us almost an hour having a great time talking. No matter how sleepy I was during that moment I still managed to stay awake because I didn’t want to miss tiny details of our conversation. No rewinds. No pause buttons. No replays. It goes spontaneously. It is so precious.

Our Kumustahan Moment is indeed… priceless.

CREAM PAGE:

A NEW FRIENDSHIP & BOXING


I used to workout alone. Now I have a new workout buddy, Weng, a 29-year-old call-center agent from Bulacan. I met her just this September. She is a pretty lady with a baby face. She had recently come out of a break up. We have the same sort of heavy body type that’s why it’s quite a challenge to exercise and slim down. We go to Elorde Boxing Gym located here at the 4th floor West Tower Tektite in Ortigas City. As much as possible, we schedule it every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I first enrolled in Elorde on January of this year with the hope of having a fit body before the summer. Fortunately, after 3 months of faithful training, my love handles reduced in size, my hips isn’t as wide as before & my flabby arms had firmed up a bit.

Before you commit to boxing, the Elorde staff will give you a free trial workout so if you happen to like the first session, you will now have to pay Php 700 for the annual membership & Php 1,500 for a 10-session workout. They have competent boxing trainers who were once participants of professional boxing tournaments here in the Philippines and abroad. My trainer is a short but swift guy named Gerald. He came from a region in Mindanao. His brows have scars & his fists have what seem to be permanent calluses. The cardio routines make us huff and puff and burn the fat. Doing the jab, uppercut, hook and footwork like real boxers develop our arm and leg muscles. The session will begin with a warm up followed by 3 rounds of sparring. Then we work the speed ball, swing ball and the punching bag followed by another 3 rounds of sparring. This will be concluded with the cooling down which is composed of lots of crunches. Whew! At the end of the session, we shower and feel refreshed once again. It’s all worth it – health-wise, money-wise & socially. Not to mention, boxing is a great stress-buster to all those couch potatoes out there.

Silent Killer

Cookies Page:

"The only benefit stress provides to our body is that it sparks our adrenaline."

The very reason why I was hesitant to apply for a job in Manila is because I hate stress. I had this biased perception that living in Manila is stressful as compared to the way of life in my hometown or in Baguio City. My only categories of comparison are traffic and pollution. I had this great plan of building a career in Baguio where I feel the cozy atmosphere of a home. I was also decided to pursue a teaching position in one of the universities in the City of Pines not minding lesser income. What mattered to me back then is having a stress free life.

Unfortunately, things changed. Right now I am here in Makati, employed as an auditor and currently in a rush to finish my working paper. After spending months of stay in the firm beating deadlines, dealing with unfriendly clients, and handling pressures, I can say I became a part of growing number of victims by this Silent Killer- STRESS!

Stress is the one of the enemies of people in the workplace. It attacks by surprise and it’s like a habit that is hard to break when it enters your system. Workplace stress is the result of great amount of demands on the job. It is omnipresent in an unsupportive work environment. Co-workers which are hard to get along with or with irritating behaviors are the allies of stress.

The only benefit stress provides to our body is that it sparks our adrenaline. Our mind and body act on a fast pace in order to meet the demands of our work which is the natural scenario in the workplace. Without stress we wouldn’t meet deadlines, strive hard to achieve quotas in sale or reached the production target. Meeting all this expectations makes our work interesting and satisfying. However, problem occurs when stress is so overwhelming or constant that the tension never abates we never get the chance to relax.

As a warning to all of us, we are victims of stress if we already feel these symptoms:

• Headache


• Sleep disturbance


• Upset stomach


• Difficulty concentrating


• Irritability


• Low morale


• Poor relations with family and friends

If you feel those listed above act quickly and find a remedy to fight stress. I found some friendly tips for all of us, victims of stress:

Get time away. If you feel the presence of stress, try to move out and break free. Walk away from the situation. Stand up from your sit and stroll around the office to catch up some fresh air. Spend a few minutes of meditating. Find a silent place and enjoy a 5 to 15 minutes break.

Talk it out. The best way to reduce your stress is simply expressing it out and share to someone close to you what you feel. However be careful not to sound hysterical or in panic mode. Simply talk it out. Surely support from others will be overflowing which is an excellent remedy to steam off stress.

Cultivate allies at work. The feeling that you are not alone in the battle field assures you that there are co-workers who are willing to assist you in time of stress. Just remember to reciprocate and help them when they are in need.

Find humor in the situation. Talking out your stressful experience to people around you hilariously and not seriously ensures you that series of laughter will fill up your atmosphere. Sometimes it’s nice to have co-workers who are naturally born comedian for instant laughter on gloomy days. Just like in a saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”.

I hope these tips can help you deal with stress. Enjoy life and have a stress free day!

Cream Page:

"I assure myself that any time now, things will get better and the task I’m working on will be accomplished. "

Stress Test
The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress level at St. Mary's Hospital.Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical.A closely monitored, scientific study of a group revealed that in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical; a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. If there are many differences found between both dolphins, it means that the person is experiencing a great amount of stress.Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation.

Didn’t that make you laugh!? In this fast-paced stressful life we have now, it’s refreshing to take a vacation from time to time. If you want to live longer, just take it easy. Don’t take life too seriously. Laugh and have fun under the sun, and even under the rain. Be a child-at-heart.

Many people today are ambitious. And that’s not a bad thing at all. It’s not bad to desire a big house, your own car, a trip abroad or a self-established business. But many are hard-driving workaholics. They work 25 hours a day. And stress is one of the silent killers affecting their system. Work is the 3rd most common cause of stress after bereavement and divorce.

Stress is the body's response to any stimulus. Any type of stress triggers physiological responses: your adrenaline output increases, your heart pumps faster, and your breathing rate goes up. There is both healthy and unhealthy stress. Some stress adds the needed pressure to push us through an important deadline but there is also negative stress that can have some serious impacts on our health. The strain of negative stress manifests such symptoms as: chronic fatigue, headaches, a change in eating habits, inability to concentrate and general irritability. Stress hormones weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure and increase the number of blood platelets which can clog arteries.
Whenever I experience stress, I try to be optimistic. I assure myself that any time now, things will get better and the task I’m working on will be accomplished. Time is not my friend with the job I have. We always have to act fast, to catch up, to beat the cut-off, to make it no matter what. But at the end of the day, I always sigh with relief and relax once again. I never bring any work home. I usually read a good book before I sleep at night. And every weekend I see to it that I watch a good movie as well. But the greatest stress-buster I know is chatting with friends and officemates, and having a good belly laugh once in a while and even during that stressful time of the day. It makes things lighter and more bearable.

“If we agree that the bottom line of life is happiness, not success, then it makes perfect sense to say that it is the journey that counts, not reaching the destination”-Csikszentmihalyi

DELECTABLE FINALE

Stress is inevitable. It can either be positive or negative. It’s up to us how we’ll let it affect us but it’s always important to keep a positive and optimistic attitude. Let’s not take things too seriously and be playful from time to time. Life is still worthwhile. There are multivitamins in the market that may alleviate stress but there’s also a free stress-buster always available to us: a good belly laugh.

Unforgettable City: Baguio City

Cookies Page:

“Baguio City has amenities of a city and a province.”

“Tara Baguio tayo this weekend!”

These are the words my co-worker utters out of the blue every time he feels upset or mentally stressed-out from audit. Of course all the people around him including myself positively reply from his invitation. Unfortunately due to time constraints our plan for a weekend in Baguio always does not prosper.

Why do people like to go to Baguio? Well for me, this city plays a big part in my life. I’ll share with you tidbits of my family background. My mom grew up and studied there being an alumnus of University of Baguio. I still remember her stories about her childhood days and on how much she spent (25 centavos) for a movie ticket with sandwich and her taxi fare back and forth to their house. My mom’s sister, Tita Naty and her family, who lives in Loakan, were my only relatives in Baguio. Also my parents were married in Saint Vincent Church, (near SLU Girls High).

On my part, I was lucky to study in Saint Louis University. I met the nicest and coolest guys who became my friends. My old flames were both from Baguio (just a coincidence). The city I loved most also gave me my first job as a banker assuring our clients that they are in good hands.

What’s with Baguio anyway? A friend of mine once said “Baguio City has amenities of a city and a province.” I guess she is right. Life in Baguio is just like in Manila. The city is becoming thickly populated each year but the people are still kind, warm and good-natured. SM mall and establishments, mostly food and restaurants sprouted like mushrooms as well but the simplicity of life remains and the cost of living is far cheaper as compared to other major cities in the country. There are already traffic jams at some streets and air pollution is evident but taking a different perspective, walking along the city is still enjoyable because of the cold climate and still green environment (though there are lesser pine trees as compared before).

Well back to the present, my co-worker’s invitation is finally fulfilled. Ten of us went to Baguio during the first weekend of September. After being in Manila for months, I was so eager to go back to Baguio. It was the joyous weekend escapade I ever had. We were like tourists in the City of Pines as we wandered along Lourdes Grotto, Burnham Park, Mines View, and Botanical Garden (whew!). We had our lunch in Good Taste where foods are served just like in fiestas (burp!). Finally we ate our dinner in Don Hen (I still love their pizza!). I met my old friends and enjoyed the rest of the evening listening to the acoustic sound of Baguio City.

I guess it is not only the beauty and coolness of Baguio which make this city an unforgettable one, but the memories I created with people I met during my stay. People who were once strangers became friends.

“Tara Baguio ulit tayo this weekend!”

PS: My co-worker in the office suggested this topic. He wants to see an article in our blog about the Baguio City. Nelson your request is granted.

Cream Page:

"I had a fun time shopping for a week’s supplies at Sunshine."

I had the chance to read this interesting section in a particular blog:

You grew up in Baguio City if…

…you bought your school supplies from CID Educational Supplies

…you bought your fabrics from Tiong San Bazaar

…you went to Tea House for coffee and siopao

…you went to see movies at Pines Theatre
…you think that the best chinese restaurant in town is Rosebowl Restaurant

…you had your photos developed at Pines Studio

…you buy your potted plants at Orchidarium

...you know what cooking oil looks like if not in bottles

…you know that the best San Rival is from Sizzling plate

…you don't have an inclination to eat at mcdo/jollibee/dunkin donuts which came to baguio only in the middle 90s

…you always prepare vegetable salad in any handaan

…you speak straight and clear english without an annoying colegiala accent

…you do not wear the Baguio City hat (only tourists wear them)

…your idea of a good weekend is a picnic at burnham or john hay or swimming at asin hot springs

…you have eaten Pinikpikan at least once in your life

…you have a photographer take your picture at Burnham in the morning and then claim it in the afternoon

Baguio City brings wonderful memories to me. This is the place where my mom and dad met when they were still college students at Saint Louis University. They weren’t from this City to begin with. That was destiny. Eventually, they decided to settle there as well. I had been working here in Pasig City for almost 3 years now and it will be a precious treat to stay for at least a week in my own hometown. Although the “Cleanest & Greenest City” had deteriorated a bit in terms of cleanliness, orderliness & coolness of climate, the place is still so nice compared to the urban areas here in Manila.

My fondest memory of Baguio is of course the time when I was growing up. When I was about 7 or 8 years old my mother would already give us a list to buy from the supermarket. I had a fun time shopping for a week’s supplies at Sunshine. I bought necessities like milk, sugar, hotdogs, soap, shampoo, etc. Sometimes it was too heavy that’s why I rode a taxi going home. I grew up to be independent at a very young age. I thank God for having Baguio as a home because it was a peaceful and secure place. There were no hold-uppers, snatchers, kidnappers and the like – a very safe place for a kid like me to have gone walking all alone and practicing my soloist attitude.
I recommend Baguio tourists to visit Pink Sisters Convent if they want to have a solemn moment to pray or to attend mass. Pink Sisters has a chapel ran by sisters who have angelic voices. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to hear them sing and you will feel peace and tranquility inside you.

I will never trade Baguio City for any other place because this is my home. Someday, this is the place where I may consider spending my golden years for good.

Delectable Finale:

All of us belong to a place where we are born. We have our own place which we call home. And still we also have a place which in one way or another became a big part of our life. For Maan and I it's Baguio City.

This city touches our lives. It nourished our needs during our years of stay. How ironic we found the warmest love of the people in the coolest place of the country. How about you what's your unforgettable place?