Back To My Cocoon

"Be well, do good work, and keep in touch." ~Garrison Keillor

The first month of 2011 is poised to bid adieu, astronomers even had laid-out another set of zodiac order that triggered commotion among its worshippers. A lot of things to blog about, but just couldn't get time to straddle between maintaining a weekly post and preparing for school activities. Obviously, this post signals the end of a rather busy time  that I almost forgot I have a home here and few frequent visitors excited to read my new post. And I'm not even in my element to write. I have for the time being forgotten that I also blog. I felt like I am a full-time student obsessed with homeworks and school activities. Now I'm back to old routine. No more school to anticipate every Friday. Somehow I'm feeling nostalgic.

At some point in our lives, we are told that to make it in life, you must go to college. In high school, my Chemistry teacher used to remind me that I should take up Chem. Eng in college. My Math teacher would advise me that Acccountancy suited me.  But what the heck? I ended up rather completing a Caregiving 6-month course. And of all places on earth - in Saudi Arabia. This is what I said in my speech on Thursday's graduation that barring title and prestige, this is the closest thing to a baccalaureate degree. No, I'm not in any way undermining my course in caregiving, I am in fact very proud of what I have achieved. I have, at some point in my life,  planned to get a course or training in computer, foreign languages and even welding, but this is the  one of which I was able to finish.

Six months ago, it didn't occur to me that I will be in for a fun ride that is caregiving. I thought what propelled me to enroll in this course was to break the monotonous routine that could gradually wear out this sedentary little thing called brain. This has been my frustration all my life - to get to school again and get good education.  And whether it is in Jeddah or somewhere else in Antarctica as long as there is an opportunity to learn, I won't surely let it pass. Secondary to my motivation, though figuring top in the list for many, was to use this course as springboard to get to Canada. But midway through the course, I found out that the units I earned in college were not enough as requisites for Canada. Initially I was saddened, but putting it in a proper perspective, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about. Putting aside conventional intentions, there are intangibles that weighed heavier to me after my completion of this course.

What first started as my sole reason why I enrolled in this course now plays second fiddle to what I primarily gained after graduation. To be honest, I certainly won't miss that much the long lectures in class  that start early morning compounded by a night without sleep. Instead of romancing my bed the entire time on my offdays, there I was, sleep-deprived and getting up so early to catch an early class like my life depended on it. Blame it on the kind of environment associated with petty restrictions  and devoid of recreation for which we've been used to, this one is as good as getting entertained while learning. One can't just resist bursting in laughter or better yet roll over at the bloopers. Thanks to the talent of our instructor/founder who is pretty aware that most of his students had not slept. Not that I am sending out a wrong message that fun is what I'm after for - it's only an icing on top of the precious knowledge that I gained. And that icing is one that I certainly miss the most.

Who could not miss the noise of the three bombs that sat next to each other at the back row? And the habit-forming giggling when Marvin gets to gargle his Visayan tirade? And Jane's sinister-looking lump of inquisitive eyes at first impression? No, she's a rather nice fellow and sincere and would remind you to lotion your arms when she finds them scaly. And Rischel's genuine laugh and effortless humor that tops her unrelenting Friday supply of hypertension-friendly Cinnabon to dump into our dilated intestines?  Benjie's Bengali-mode photo-habit that becomes a hallmark of bad dramatization of a screwed-up script  certainly is identifiable to Batch 4 wackiness and will also be missed. Hospital exposure too deserves volume of stories to write including  Jasmin's waistline-unfriendly mouth-watering menu of pancit in a basin. I hope I also get to write about that episode of the big toe souvenir from our diabetic patient. And Marvin's perineal care addiction that gave him downright nod for clinical excellence. :-)

Yes, it's quite a journey. What started off as mere routine-breaker has left indelible marks in my heart for a variety of reasons. From school activities,  Corniche escapades, bonding moments, and even sharing our answers during examinations, to our Christmas party until our graduation day and the succeeding Durrat episode. Though, I'm back to my familiar routine, I only have these memories to stay with me.  But I would say what happens in Durrat stays in Durrat :-) I will all miss you guys especially Ma'am Silna. If you noticed, I am not in the picture above, because I don't miss myself haha! Good luck and hope to see you soon!