Happy Sandwich

 I discovered a cool game this 2023. I just love its details and Mug!!

31st birthday

 

December 10, 2023 | Lord, let us see Your kindness and grant us Your salvation. Psalm 85

 1st time everrrrr to be a psalmist

December 5-8

 

December 3 Competition

November 20-24

Returning for duty after my October jiu-jitsu competition, i was informed by my workmates and my boss that i and Kiri shall be participating in the Calibration training on November 21-24 in BRS, Quezon City and that i shall request for a practical examination schedule for Laboratory Technicians Certification from BRS. I was thinking: "Wow i shall be going to BRS for the first time! This is going to be fun!!" However, i was also thinking i had to brace myself because additional training meant additional responsibility.

We arrived in Manila November 20, Monday. Seminar starts Tuesday so we had time that day to settle in BRS quarters and to explore Intramuros. I've been to Intramuros in 2014 before while we were taking our refresher course for the chemical engineering board exam. But Quenny and i weren't able to explore it fully. What i can't forget about our trip there was the WW II Memorial Shrine in Fort Santiago. It hit me that this famous tourist spot was actually also a prison cell, and that Kiri and i were stepping on the prisoners' grave yard. Entering the underground cell felt very eerie and i got scared. I can only imagine the worst for the prisoners. It was the first time i felt this visiting a tourist spot. But of course my feeling doesnt matter that much. I believe what's more important now is that we make sure that if this ever happens in the present, we do something about it.

 

It was also a bit saddening that the National Museum was closed on Mondays. Actually almost all museums were closed on Mondays. It was our original plan to go to National Museum. But it turned out just fine because Intramuros had so much in store for us, and yes, that included sad and traumatic memories of the past.

Tuesday. Seminar started. We met new friends. Unlike here in Davao where office hours begin at 8am and end at 5pm, in BRS office hours is from 7am to 4pm. Early to begin and early to end to avoid heavy traffic. On that first day the seminar ended real early. We had time to go to National Museum!! Yeyy! Kiri specifically wanted to see the Spoliarium. It was really something. According to Wikipedia, Juan Luna spent 8 months completing the painting which depicts "dying gladiators". I'd personally get lost looking at the entire artwork of Luna. I could stare at it for hours but i haven't got the luxury of time. I still had to train jiu-jitsu at PLM afterwards. 

In the museum, i had a cute, so to speak, experience with a guy. Hahaha! Kiri was on the 2nd floor whilst i was exploring the 3rd. I heard classical music playing from the floor above me so i followed it. From the balcony i saw people sitting on chairs but they are not moving at all. So i thought they were probably manequins. I stared at a guy for a long time to really check if he is alive or not. I think he saw me staring because he finally moved and laughed. Embarrased, i just ran back to the hall and escape that moment. Hahaha!

Anyway.... 

With the Joyride app, i travelled via motorcycle to Ortigas to train at PLM. It was super crazy because i think i arrived almost 7pm and the session ends at 7.30!! But thankfully the main instructor, sir Eggy extended the sparring session. I was the only girl that night, which is not unusual in a male-dominated sports. I was reallyyyyyyyyyyyy happy because i stopped training for a while because i got cold and was also injured but was able to train now in Luzon!! And also a first time for me!! Isn't that great???? I got beaten up by guys and that's okay. Like hey, this is what i came for!! HAHAHAHA! 

I went home to BRS and ate my dinner, contented and smiling the entire time.

Wednesday. Seminar continued. Because i spent so much the past days, i just stayed in the quarters and had a peaceful night.

Thursday. Final day for lectures. I had a crush by the way, sir Joshua. He's a bit cute and smart as well. i also like sir Albert. He's cute and huggable. Hehe. Anyway, Kiri, I, ma'am Chris and sir James had dinner at a ramen restaurant. It was so expensive there but their salmon is really tasty. I was inspired to cook salmon too in Davao.

Friday. Exam day. Seminar graduation day. This was also the day we travel back to Davao.

Copa Dumau de Jiu Jitsu Philippines | October 21-22, 2023

I had been planning to join the Copa Dumau Competition ever since my teammate, Adonis, told me about it, and that was after my Licensure Exam for Teachers. So as early as March 20, 2023, i decided once and for all, i'm gonna join it.

 << i even made this my phone wallpaper until end of comp period

I had one goal in mind, to train as often as I could starting March. However, it seemed like God had other plans. Hehehe.

I got some kind of viral infection. I cannot train for about two months. I started regular training June although I cannot train straight 6 days a week cause i had to balance family, cats, work, choir. But of course i tried to make the best of it.

As the date of the competition was slowly arriving, i kept checking on the Dumau website if there are other competitors signing up. I wanted lots of ladies to sign up so that i would at least have lots of matches even if i kept losing. But to my dismay, no one else signed up for blue belt, lightfeather adult division. Not until it was the last week of registration. I saw names like Alguidano and Zapanta. I didn't know them at all. And so as not to add to my anxiety, i didn't stalk the ladies. Hehe. I was also scared i'd get beaten up. In a competition, anything is possible. So to avoid further pressure, i only told some of my teammates about me joining the comp. I tried to keep it a secret but coach Mark gave some clues to the everyone during training so everybody eventually knew about it. Gosh.

I flew to Cebu October 20, Friday. Thanks to my cousin Joy and her boyfriend for accommodating me into their home in Lapu-Lapu City. I slept soundly that night. The day after i had to travel through tricycle then through ferry to arrive to my destination: the comp venue. It was one hot day in one hot place and i was sweating as i entered the mall. i was alone because nobody elso from Dojo.82 signed up for Copa Dumau. Yes, i was alone but i had to face this, i signed up for this and i prayed for this. i was scared but my teammates kept cheering in our group chat. 

Finally the match was about to begin. Unfortunately, i got an information that my first opponent, Zapanta is so good she can actually already be promoted to purple belt. And that was what... about a couple minutes before the match is to begin. Gosh. I was panicking inside and my nervousness was rising. I stepped onto the mats really scared but when the match begun, i had no choice but to be a warrior and apply everything i have learned back at Dojo. Zapanta: 7, Me: 0. Zapanta won via points.

Match 2 for me was against Alguidano. I won via armbar submission.

Match 3 was once again against Zapanta. Fighting for gold but i lost via collar choke submission.

So for gi category, blue belt, lightfeather adult division: i was awarded the silver medal. 

But i still had other matches coming up since i also signed up open weight blue belt adult. I felt a really burning sensation inside. I am quite tired but i know i still have some energy left for my matches.

Match 4 against Sandoval and i won via armbar.

Match 5 against Baclayon and i lost via points.

So for open weight division, i also landed on silver.

After the matches, i rode a motorbike (habal-habal) and went home to my cousin. A few minutes after arriving and narrating to my cousin the events of the day, i suddenly felt blood flowing from my nose. Gosh, i am nosebleeding. I took a shower and hoped it would go away. At that time i also was spitting blood.

In the morning, the nosebleed has subsided a little but i still was splitting blood. I was quite worried because i still had no-gi matches that day but i already felt like i was gonna die. Nonetheless, i still took Dachstzu, their pet dog, for a walk and decided to go on with the comp. Took a less stressful route to the comp venue and arrived there not sweating.

Match 1 for that day was against Zapanta. I lost via armbar and it was a really cool submission. Zapanta is really good. I felt really honored to fight against her and be submitted by her. For no-gi, blue, lightfeather, adult, only the two of us registered to i automatically got the silver medal.

Open weight, blue, adult category

My match 2 for that day was against Baclayon. I lost via rear naked choke. But i still had another match for silver against Sandoval and i won via points. So i still had to fight again against Baclayon for gold. And once again i lost via kimura submission. I won silver for open weight. For my last 3 matches Adonis already arrived and he coached me.

By the end of my matches, i got really sad with my performance. I know that the energy i showed now was nothing compared to my energy last year. But i know for myself that this experience will not discourage me but instead push me to train smarter and harder. Of course, because jiu-jitsu is love.

The next day, i availed the free training session at Studio 32. Prof Norman Go taught us the head and arm choke in no-gi. I remember Fffion Davies doing the technique to so i was really so into the lesson. It was a new bunch of people and i really had fun training with them. My left elbow popped because of armbar during sparring session but that's okay. It was part of the training and it was worth it anyway. Too bad i had to leave for Davao the following day. 

this last photo courtesy of Donna. Medals are nothing compared to the experience i got. However, i love all these medals because they are my souvenirs of my bravery - to choose to show up and compete knowing that i may get beaten up and be injured in the worst way possible. For all these experiences and for jiu-jitsu itself, to God i am forever thankful.

August 26 2023

My 1st jiu-jitsu competition in Davao.

My 1st competition for this year.

My 1st competition as a blue belt.

I lost but still there's a lot to be thankful for!!!!

Thank you, Pa, Ma, K and K.

Thanks Balolen sa rashguard. I forgot my Dojo.82 rashguard at home apparently. Thanks for braiding my hair.

Salamat to all my relatives and frieeeeeeends. 

Thank you, my workmates in QAHD and bosses for the support. Thanks Dea and Pat for dropping by. 🤣❤

Shoutout to my opponent, Atchi. She's sooo good, not to mention she's still a white belt.

Of course, thank you supeeeeerrrrrr, to my beloved and super generous coaches and teammates at Dojo 82 at F. Torres. Thank you for your time juuud. You've taught me a lot and I know there are a lot to correct in my game. Bawi lang ko next comp. Thank you organizers of #DavaoJiuJitsuCrawl2023 Kyle and Kyle including all volunteers!!! Thank you so muuuch  madam JAI YU our super amazing lady coach!!!!!! We love youuuu. 

Thank you so much for the sponsors of this event. Im so blessed to be able to participate.

Thank you to all jiu-jitsu teams in and out of Davao for making this event possible. Next year uliiit.

Thank you sa support and prayers, Saint Blaise Chorale and JCI Duwaling. 💜💜

Thank you to our mimings at home and in heaven. We love you. #AdoptDontShop po tayo. 😺😽😻

Thank you, Ffion Eira Davies and Taylor Swift. #August #SaltAir

THANK YOU LORD FOR MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!!! 

AMDG! 💕

P.S. Congrats to my fellow competitors. So proud and happy for you Sanchiaaaaa on your first jiu-jitsu competition eveerrrrr!!!

Now for the quiet part, Reflections:

Honestly, i got really sad about having lost my one and only match, and my first in my hometown. What's worse, i, a blue belt, got defeated by a white belt. No offense to Atchi but i really questioned my skills: am i even worthy of my belt? Did i get promoted by mistake? :( But then again, if i question my belt rank i would be questioning the decision of our professor, a black belt, for promoting me. So i, at that point, felt like i disappointed my coaches and professors. Feeling like i didn't meet their expectations.

It was quite hard going back to Dojo to train again because i also felt like i let my teammates down real bad. But then again, i had no choice but to go back training jiu-jitsu, i love it so much i just can't say no to it.

P.S. Photos courtesy of The Black Mountain Manifest

 I was already feeling exhausted as my duty was about to be over. Month-end reports. Semi-annual reports. New reports needed by the central office. Sir Frank's Retirement program. Equipment check-up by our supplier's technician. Compressive Strength Test. All in between 8am to 5pm. I could actually extend a bit but I cannot today because I had to buy catfood before the store closes. So after work, and after dropping some stuff at Sta. Ana Parish, I wished I could hug a dog. I went home (not so fast because of the traffic). Then immediately went to the pet foods store. Unfortunately it was closed. So sad. I went home walking through another route then I passed by Lola's house. To my surprise, Koro, their dog had his leash tied to their gate. I opened the gate and hugged Koro!!! I'm so happy God heard my prayer even though I might not deserve it. I completely forgot about my wish but He granted it anyway. Yaaay!!

 I can't believe I cried twice while watching 50 First Dates again. 

The film's got lots of green jokes but it is sooooo heartwarming.. You gotta love the soundtrack, the people and Hawaiiiiii.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up in the morning when the day is new?

After having spent the day together hold each other close the whole night through."

June 20, 2023

My body is soooo sore.

1PM Rank 2 vs Rank 3 Volleyball girls. Our team, Rank 2, unfortunately lost to Rank 3. Our opponent won Set 1 and Set 3. I was sad really. Because we already defeated them yesterday. Like we totally won Set 1 and Set 2. But today i don't know. Something probably went wrong with our team's coordination? I think. Plus I wasn't really a volleyball player. But i don't regret not being a volleyball player though. hehe.

Past 3PM Losers Game. This time we won the 1st two sets thereby landing on 3rd place. Not bad. I'm happy I got a chance to participate in volleyball which is really very far from jiu-jitsu. hahahaha!

From left to right: Ma'am Mai, Jonnah, Ana, Ma'am Verona, Princess, Ma'am Karen, Ma'am Kath, Ma'am Mitch, Sam, meeee

Past 6PM i trained with my team, the Dojo.82 team. I'm the only girl who trained. The boys kept beating me up. Which isn't bad at all since I know my teammates are doing it for my own good. Val said i had to get to know how to do and how to defend leglocks. Alright. By the way I sparred with Abdul, Val, Ricahrd, Ryan, Rasta, Ethan, Tads, Pjay. 8 spars for today!! Wooohoooooo! heheheheh I'll try to be more technical as much as possible. 

Thank You, Lord for the strength. Thank You for everything!!!

P.S. I met 2 new furfriends today!!! Dogs!!!! Luca who i met during the volleyball women's championship game and Richer while walking to Acacia past 5pm. Richer was sooooooooo big, not sure if he/she is a Labrador retriever. He/she is soooo huge and she gave me a huuuuuggggg. huhuhuhuhuhuhu sooooooooooooooooooooooo looooooooovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy pffffffffffmmmmmmmm

Hello June!!

I’m so, so happy and thankful. At June 3, 2023 Saturday, Doc Guevara declared my eczema as resolved and that I was allowed to return to my jiu-jitsu training!!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Monday June 5, 2023 I was finally able to wear my gi after more than 2 months. First I had ugahip, then eczema. But they’re all gone. [Plus I lectured about PPEs as part of our Materials Testing Technology Training in the afternoon]

There were lots of kids! It was so much fun sparring with them!

June 6, 2023 I trained again. No-gi. And paid my monthly fee with the prayer that God may allow me to train regularly.

June 7, 2023 Launching of Davao Jiu-jitsu Crawl 2023 at Dojo.82, its first stop. Wasn’t able to join because I had to serve in the choir and we had a scheduled practice that night. But I planned on joining the jiu-jitsu team later that night. However, due to the rain, I wasn’t able to attend both the practice and the Crawl.

June 8, 2023 I trained with them Dojo.82 people!!!

June 12, 2023 I got my rashguard from Jan Hao!!! Yeyeyeye! Wasn’t able to train because I had to attend to my sample til 7 pm and we also had volleyball practice that afternoon.

June 13, 2023 I participated in the Davao Jiu-jitsu Crawl 2023 at its 2nd stop at Limitless. It was soooo fun. I learned a lot from SEA Games 2023 Gold Medalist sir Marc Lim. There were more than 50 participants. I sparred with the ladies (Bless, Jen, Kriz Sam, Trisha, Aya)  and with sir Miko. I got beaten a lot of times. The ladies were soooo good.

P.S. We also played volleyball today. I helped only a little bit. We won. I discovered a cute volleyball player #24 from PDD-FD. He knows how to spike.

June 14, 2023 | I donated blood todaaaaay!!! | Church Mass plus choir practice. Head was aching.

June 15, 2023 | Dea lectured normal consistency and time setting. I lectured autoclave expansion, air content and compressive strength. I was a bit tired because I donated blood yesterday and it was a long day after all.

June 16, 2023 I had to go home early because I had to attend the DPWH fun run tomorrow. No jiu-jitsu training again. But it’s okay. I will study jiu-jitsu videos.

June 17, 2023 Woke up past 4am. Had to let Iki take vit C because she has runny nose. Hopefully she will get well really soon. Pooped and took a bath. Went to Crocodile Park at about 6am riding habal-habal. Wasn’t able to join the Zumba session and was late for Fun Run but was able to run more or less 5 km. Came to work at 7.20am ++ and had breakfast at work and prepared for my asphalt lecture. What a busy day but thank God I’m done!!!!

Licensure Exam for Teachers March 19, 2023: I passed!

Licensure Exam for Teachers March 19, 2023: I passed! Yes. I am thankful i did pass. However, I was kind of disappointed with my performance because I really aimed to be Top 1 for this batch. I know I might sound ambitious or too proud but I really worked hard and somehow assessed myself according to my skills and knowledge. 

November 2018 I started earning education units at the University of Mindanao. I worked 8am to 5pm and went to school 5.30pm to 9pm. At that time, I was informed that I belonged to Bachelor of Secondary Education major in physical sciences. I had high grades. The subjects for me were quite tolerable and understandable. I already thought in advance: if only my major was mathematics i might probably top the board exam. For the past years, mathematics major students kept on acing the board exams. And during high school and college, I showed excellence in most of my math subjects. So if my major would've been math, I might have a chance, right? 

I finished earning units early in 2020. I was planning to take the board exam on that year. However, covid happened (quarantines over the country and the world) and my birth certificate was processed for correction. I had to wait for 2022 to claim my corrected birth certificate, then request for my Transcript of Record, then start reviewing at FTRC. By that time, it was announced that our batch, the March 2023 takers, were the first to take the board exam for professional teachers in the new curriculum. I had no worries on whether the exam would be hard or easy because i trusted our review center. They produced lots of topnotchers for many years already. I was only worried that old curriculum students, like some of us earners, wouldn't be allowed to take the board exam for new curriculum. But then it was all settled because it was confirmed that we would be allowed. 

Anyway, reviews came. Those sessions were challenging because I had to work daytime and review in the evening. And lots of information were given really. I wasn't alone though because most of my classmates in the evening section were working students too. We shared the same struggle and supported each other. In the middle of my review days, I got a hint from a fellow chemical engineer who also took and passed the board exam, landed on top 7, Mark. He told me that my major was actually mathematics, not physical sciences, not general sciences. And it was also confirmed by PRC when I filed an application to take the board exam. By that time I made a firm decision in my mind to make it happen - to top the board exam. I calculated in my mind, "for sure LET math is not as difficult as engineering math, and i'm already an engineer!". and of course math is my forte. So from that moment on I had my eyes on the prize: to top the board exam. I studied as hard as i could. I focused on my weakness, professional education and still made time for general education and math problems. I attended our review sessions for math majors and honestly the topics were easy. There were also previous board exam questions discussed, and they were easy, as in. We needed calculators but some problems I can already solve mentally. So in my mind, I was on track. I prayed to God everyday. I know I can't study as much as full time reviewees, but I know nothing is impossible for Him, so I just asked Him for the top 1 place. I didn't mind if I'd share the top 1 place with other takers, as long as I can get the top 1, that's all that mattered to me. In my chemical engineering board exam, I passed but didn't top it. I was thankful though but quite disappointed with my grade that time in general mathematics. So i was thinking this is the opportunity to beat my score from my previous board exam. If I can perfect the math exam for LET, i will do it. I can do this! I kept repeating in my mind: March 19, 2023, Kristianne Ornieta, Top 1. So there.

The mock board exam came. To my surprise, I landed on top 2 for the general education and top 8 or 9 in the professional education. WOW WOW WOW. I was so happy!! Specialization was not included in the mockboard. To me this was another sign that i might actually make it to the top. Chances are indeed high. 

Days passed so swiftly. And everyday was a struggle to study and keep up with the information given to us. Everyone was stressed, even our review center was stressed. And they were so strict too. Finally the board exam day came. 1 day. March 19, 2023. I was looking forward to this day and I looked forward to acing the board exam. I just knew in my heart it's gonna happen.

8am to 10am. General Education. Very easy, although I wished there were more math questions. There were 100+ questions for this set.

11am to 2pm. Professional Education. The weather was quite hot and humid and it added to the difficulty of the exam. I had at least 20 unsure answers in 100+ questions of this set.

3pm to 6pm. Specialization: Mathematics. 120 items. probably there were 50 easy questions. 30 medium and 40 haaaaaard questions. At that part of the exam, i became nalibat (cross-eyed) because of many many hours of reading, comprehending and answering. My eyes were tired. Shading the answers in the answer sheet became difficult. I had so many unsure answers.

After the board exam, it's like i fell apart because i expected math to be the easiest part and i was wrong. I was so tired. I had dinner with my classmate, Blessie and we had truly been overwhelmed by the exam. So this was the exam for the new curriculum huh? I even got sadder when news came to us that Filipino majors and science majors found their specialization questions easy. Right then, I knew only a miracle could make me land in top 10 at least.

May 19 2023 came. The day of the results. Some were expecting it at midnight. I, however, expected it after work, past 5pm. But results came in the middle of my working hours. past 3pm!!! I got quite agitated. What if i didn't make it to top 10? What if, God forbid, I failed? I tried to keep my cool. After all, I was at work. Then the FB post came. The list of topnotchers was posted. I tried to find my name in the list of about 50 to 60 people. Mine was not written, unfortunately. I asked the Lord, "Lord, sa kadaghan sa names sa topnotchers, wala nalang jud nimo giapil akoa?" At that time, I already wanted to cry. But i can't. I'm not yet at home. I got really, really sad. At that point, I was not anymore sure if I passed at all. I was in agony.

Then my workmate Dea searched for the results in the internet and found my name. I passed. Thank You, Lord. Thankful still. I'm finally a licensed teacher. I'm gonna be okay though. I know, for sure, God has other plans. And the topnotchers deserved their spot, surely.

Kristianne Ornieta, Licensed Chemical Engineer, Licensed Professional teacher, at your service.

So help me God.

To God be all glory!!!

[posted April 20, 2023 on Facebook]

1 month ago, March 19, 2023 we took the Licensure Exam for Teachers.

6 months ago, October 24, 2022 we started being classmates sa FTRC. 🥰

Looking back, I Just want to thank you fellow LPTs (claiming) for helping, guiding me and being so supportive of each other in our preparations sa board exams.

Even now I can't help but be amazed at how you managed to work daytime, review at night and still have the time to work on your lesson plans. Some are even communicating with parents sa inyong students habang gareview. 🥲 Some of you naa na pud mga children na atimanunon pag-uli.

I will miss studying with you, listening sa lecturers with you, wishing dili matawag sa recitations, eating dinner with you, dancing sa zumba and praying with you.

We enjoyed and struggled through the ride and we made it juddd! Yey! Thank GOD!! And thanks to our families!

Posting right here our memories so we can look back on them once LPTs na ta. XD

God bless you all!!!

[Videos and pictures below, some are not the same as in FB]