Time of my life

I'm still overwhelmed by the feeling of barely passing the board exam. It was God at work at that time. And I'm having the time of my life!

Long before I took the board exams, I kinda imagined myself talking to the crowd as I became the number 1 draft in the 2010 selection. Wanna know what I mean? You can read it here. That's how confident I was at that time. Unfortunately, I didn't have the talent to match that confidence.

But, wth, I passed! That's what's important, right? And I couldn't ask for anything more than this. ^_^

I'm kinda enjoying the David Cook moment as of now. I hope this will keep on getting better. :D

Barely

I barely passed the board exams! The review center told us to just have a 50% rating for the design in order for us to pass because they were confident that we could nail math and hydraulics. And yes, I did.

Well, I barely passed. Does that mean I'm barely an engineer? LOL

The Real Star

"Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

"It is by grace that you are saved and not by your good works so that no one can boast."

These are my favorite passages as the board exams were nearing.

When I realized that my abilities were really not that great, I was holding on to the last passage. The preparation was hard. There were so many trials and temptations along the way. The worst was the frustration of not being able to cope up and understand the magnitude of the board exams.

I was taking everything lightly at the beginning. I studied for a maximum of three hours a day. Well, eight hours, actually, but I had in between snacks, lunches, dinners, watching tv, texting, and whathaveyou. I was so confident that I didn't want to study.

Then the pre-board exams came. That's when I realized that I really need lots more to work on. So, I upgraded to a five hour study session. This time, a full five hours of undisturbed studying. I even secluded myself from the internet just so I can concentrate and not get distracted by the colors of the web.

All that hard work and perseverance paid off, yes, but I also need not forget to mention that this was all part of the greater plan that God has prepared for me. I've been holding on to the 2nd passage from the first time I was introduced to it. I was 17. The good plans the Lord has for me were more enticing than whatever temptation came my way. That really strengthened my faith more. And look where it brought me.

The day of judgment for all civil engineering students came, and Ale asked for a group prayer one last time before we go to battle. The prayer I shared came from the 1st passage mentioned above. But before that, I asked the Lord that He may speak through me and that the message will be more accepted. Well, his plans has no flaws.

We asked to pass the board exams and we did. We sought to glorify him in ways that we can and we are doing it and will be doing it for the rest of our lives. We knocked into his heart that he may grant our wishes, get them, turn them his own, and ask God for it so that we will not be disappointed and here we are, civil engineers of the new generation.

It was a long ride getting here, but we're still buckling up for the next ride is coming. Changes has come though. Because of the real star, we have now ENGR. right before our very names.

I am now an Engineer

It was 11 years ago when I dreamed about becoming a Civil Engineer. What I really wanted was just to build buildings, houses, and anything that's standing where anyone can live in. The first step I took was to become better in math. Unfortunately my ability was just so-so.

But it didn't stop me from pursuing my dream. Well, in all honesty, I almost did. My second year in high school wasn't really one I cherish. My grades in all the three quarters were, 73, 73, and 74. I thought that I wouldn't be able to make it. But with perseverance and a lot of prayers, my fourth quarter's grade was 75. It wasn't what I really wanted but it was what I needed.

As I breezed through the first 2 years of college, I already saw myself having an Engr. before my name. However, when I entered the third year, I thought, "Hey, this isn't what I signed up for!" It was just too tough, man! Still, I pushed through.

It wasn't a smooth road for me as I went along college. I failed a couple of times, I lost the elections, I got thrashed, and I wasn't able to attend the March 2010 Commencement Rites due to the delay of the thesis.

So much had happened. Blood, sweat, and tears were shed, and yet, here I am. Amidst all the pains and suffering, here I am.

It was most thrilling right after I took the board exams. I wasn't able to sleep well because I was waiting for the results. Three days after, at 8:00 P.M. the results were out. I was shaking as I scrolled down. I got to D then scrolled back up slowly, and then..

There it was: 290 BENIGAY, ELDDIE JOHN LATORRE. I am now an engineer and I thank God above all for this blessing. I thank all my family and friends who were there to support me and prayed for me.

And most of all, "Hey, Santa! Thank you for granting me this wish! Now I will surely have a merry Christmas!"

http://www.coolbuster.net/2010/10/civil-engineer-november-2010.html

Update

Hey there! I just had my board exams last Saturday and Sunday. It's been three days and yet the results aren't out yet. This is making all of us crazy.

Anyway, I had nothing to do today so I watched 8 episodes of the 8th season of Two and a Half Men. I also uploaded some very late pictures and videos from more than a month ago.

I restrained myself from the internet so that I could focus on my studies. I hope that little sacrifice pays off.