On Driving and License

So I've familiarized myself with the nuances of driving. I've taken driving lessons. I got my Student Driving Permit a month ago. So now, I am ready to take the next step--get my Driving License! Well non professional yet because I am not that much of an "expert driver" yet.

I was pretty nervous because I've heard that some actually fail the Land Transportation Office Driver's Exam. My sister helped me with that, though. She turned to Google and sought some reviewers of the exam. Well, fortunately, there are some sites that have 'mock driver's exams' of the LTO. But I was still not very confident because I never perfected the mock exams. But I went ahead anyway because if I procrastinated (the way I am used to), I might not have the courage to do it.

So 9 o'clock, I set out to LTO along Quimpo Boulevard. As expected I was met by men asking if I were going to apply for license or registration. I just kept on walking to the LTO Office. I felt relieved upon seeing that the Officer of the Day seated at the Officer's table was some familiar face (but not the name) from my own barangay. I went directly to him, who then patiently instructed me what to do.

Step 1: I got an application form at the licensing department. You can't miss it since there is a big sign indicating Licensing and Step 1. I filled out the form and went back to the Officer of the Day who told me to get a Medical Exam. (I actually thought I would be thoroughly examined.) A good Samaritan went with me (even though I ignored him--or at least, I tried to), and showed me the way. It was just outside the LTO. There is a small pathway at the back of the Insurance Offices just beside the exit gate of the LTO. The Office was located on the second floor of the building--the door to the right on the landing of the second floor. There, I saw a line of tables. I was led to the first table where I paid and was issued a receipt of PhP100.00. Then I was sent to the next table where I was interviewed about my medical situation and physical fitness. And then, my blood pressure was taken. Last stop was a Doctor who had further questions about my health. That done, I was back the the LTO.

Step 2. I submitted my papers--filled out application form, student permit with the official receipt, and my medical exam papers. Then started my more-than-an-hour-long wait. Step 2 is where my picture for the license and my signature would be taken. The lady announcer kept explaining on the mic that their system was down so please be patient, blah blah blah. After finally being called and my picture taken, I thought I would immediately go and pay to the cashier, but surprise! I still had to wait another period of time. At least it wasn't another hour. Just a bit closer.

Step 3. Pay PhP168.00 for the exam. That done, I was directed to the seminar hall where I expected to find a live lecturer. Instead I found a television set that played documentaries on LTO and driving. I was a little bit panicky, though because the documentaries covered only some of the things I had encountered in the mock exams. And then the guard approached the participants and told us to just go have our lunch as it was already past 12 o'clock. And to be back by 1 pm. Then I took the test in Tagalog (because that was what I practiced). We were given a maximum of an hour to finish the 40-item test. I took the test seriously so I finished it in 20 minutes. Others finished in less! Whoah talk about pressure!

Went back to the hall and waited some more. This time, wait for the result of the test. If your name were called and you were instructed to go back to the seminar hall (where the examination was conducted) it means you failed. I was called, and was asked to proceed to the Practical Driving Test Division. Yey! (I thought we still had to do a practical driving test) It was inside the licensing office where I was interviewed about what I would be driving. That done, back to the main hall. My name was called again and I was asked to pay PhP417.38 for my license.

Step 4. Got the receipt of my payment and gave it to the woman at window 4. Then I...wait again. I finally got my license at 3:30 pm. But it was not a card because LTO didn't have any available card yet, so it was like a student permit, but at least it was already a license though a temporary one. And I can legally drive without a chaperon! Yey!

On Numbers and Luck

Tuesday, 27th day. My numerology tells me my lucky number is 27 and my lucky day is Tuesday. Although not big on superstitions, I find myself actually looking forward to Tuesdays and biased on the number 27.
Well, today might just alter my attitude towards these. It's Tuesday, the 27th of January. As usual, I was looking forward to an extraordinary day. After my morning ritual, I went to the dining room to eat. As I was seated at the table, starting my breakfast of rice and daing na bangus with choco drink, my nephew called me in his usual awkward manner. I listened amiably, anticipating maybe a bulb in a room needed replacing, or a friend got sick, or a faucet got broken. But then, as he gradually relayed what was happening, I felt myself bloat, and the two tablespoon breakfast I had just swallowed occupied my whole stomach and overflowed to my esophagus, sending hot and cold needles all over my body. I felt clammy but dry. And my mind was in shambles.
My nephew said that they found C on his bed not breathing, no pulse, and already blackish. After a few seconds of paralysis, my panic sprung me into action and I then called 911. The operator asked me the details and said they would send dispatch. Waiting for the ambulance, I forced myself to calm down and focus. Together with C's friends, I tried calling C's family using the entries in his cell phone. Not knowing anyone in the list, we prioritized the ones that have family terms. We first looked into 'Mama.' Well, there were at least three names there with the prefix 'Mama.' This time, two points concerned me: one, that another mother would mourn for her child, and two, the mother might be sick and this unpleasant news might harm her. When finally, a call went through successfully, a male voice answered. We then told him what happened.
Some time later, 911 arrived, and a man in police uniform ascended the stairs. I waited for the medical-looking personnel, but none came. Instead, more police uniforms came into the room. And I was puzzled and then, my heart once again started its abnormal tug-tug-tug-tug-tug. And I actually asked, "Why you? Where's the rescue?" Then I heard the officer inside the room say, "Wala na ni." This one's a goner. (Yeah, it's not formal, but this is the closest translation I could come up with.) Then, to me, the officer said. "Mga 3-6 hours na ni wala, Ma'am." This one's been gone for 3-6 hours, Ma'am. Though the answer was obvious, I still asked why 911 sent police officers instead of medical personnel, to which they replied it was SOP in this situation.Then later, to my consternation, more and more people came. The Purok Leader, the Barangay Chair, some Kagawad, and, to my horror, some neighbors! Whoa! Talk about circus. Funny thing is, these neighbors just come into the house like it was a normal thing to do.But wait, are there media coming, too? Hope not!
Cut the long story short, the Barangay Chair himself spoke with the family and agreed that the body be moved to a funeral home. I together with one of C's friends escorted the body.
In the afternoon, back at home, I decided to open the store, just to restore some sort of normalcy of the day. But to my dismay, I couldn't find the keys. I looked all over the house, and, thanked Heavens, I saw them on the floor near the door to a seldom used room. I was really upset, so I told myself life is a cycle, if you are down, then there's nowhere else for you to go but up. (Actually I heard it on a movie, though I can't remember which one.) So I decided to buy a lotto ticket, hoping that my day would end 'up.' Well, it didn't. None of my numbers hit. Not a one.
And this is supposed to be my lucky day.
But can I complain? When I think about C's family losing one of the most important part of their lives, my situation really is just a speck.
I believe you have lived your life on earth well. Because you were a good person. Rest in peace, C. And may the ones you left behind also find peace in their hearts one day.

Person for others

Finally, I was able to do one of those things in my bucket list: to visit the office of the Lay Missionaries of the Philippines. The name has been in my mind for two years now. I have always wanted to go to places where I could actually do something that might generate practical and visible results. Well, I had been teaching for quite a while and I could see results, too, molding young minds. However, to my mind, doing things that would affect a whole community sounded so much challenging and uplifting at the same time. 

I have heard of missionaries. The two Filipino Saints had been missionaries, themselves--or so, research would claim they were. Many testimonials claim the hardships and sacrifices the missionaries experience during a mission. But then, I have had my own doses of sufferings. Granted they might not be as grave those of our saints' but I did struggle some, myself. But are these overcome trials enough arms to bring to a mission? 

Moreover, am I ready to leave everything behind and focus on whatever uncertain events that may come into my life?Will my desire to be on a mission get me through missionary situations? 

Decision is really difficult. I have been contemplating on this for almost twenty years now. How much more time do I have to spend to come up with the decision? Only time will tell.