Yamyamyam @ Cafe Lago!

Your'e not from San Pablo if you haven't been to Sampaloc Lake. Well, it is a famous place for jogging, "tambayan" and for "isaw." Everyone knows this place! Anyway in this area, there is a hidden cafe or better say a restaurant which I always wonder how goes it look like inside. Then one day, we need a place to  pass our time with my cousin and Cafe Lago is there not moving and here we go!

I a m actually surprised  about the place,I really thought it was a small place. Well its not that big but enough space for, I think, more or less 20 people. Half of the place is an open garden area. Its really a nice place, with the touch of hanging plants, unique color lamps, a "duyan", a seat made from  bamboo, build stones on a wall  and just simple tables and chairs. I really love the place. Its quiet and relaxing. Having two windows viewing San Pablo's infamous Sampaloc Lake. PERFECT!

Let us taste the food! Well, me and my cousin at that time had just some coffee and a  hot chocolate (tablea). We also had sandwiches. I love the hot chocolate! The sandwich is ok. Uhm, when my highschool friends had a foodtrip reunited :)  We tried FERN (PACO) SALAD and its really delicious! I mean Karen is not really into vegetables but she liked it :) I really love the crunch of fern! Some salted egg, onion and tomatoes. WINNER!

I asked some of my friends who already knew the place for some recommendation. Here are the list of food:

Suman sa Lihia with Coco Jam
Sinigang sa Miso
Fern (Paco) SAlad
Cream Dory in Oyster sauce
Buttered Chicken
Kalderetang Baka
Lengua in Mushroom Sauce
Fried Halohalo
Mais con Yelo

If you are wondering about the prices of the food, I took some picture from menu. (Sorry if it is not properly done hehehe)

Cafe Lago is open during WEEKENDS 7am-10pm and WEEKDAYS 10am-9pm. It easy to spot in Sampaloc Lake. It is just before "Ang Tahanan ni Aling Meding" (a hotel). Cafe Lago exudes charm, relaxation and yumyumyum!!!!! ;)

Prometric Exam Experience

Prometric exam is not only for  nurses buta also for other professionals. Because I am a registered nurse, my program obviously as a nurse. Before you take the prometric exam, I advice you to ask first your agency or search you target area for their required  program exam. In my case, my agency send me an e-mailfor its steps on registration and the exam's website. I'll be going to Alkhobar, kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my program is Nurse Technician.

The registration for schedule and payment would be thru online. you   will need a dual currency credit card, either American Express, Visa or Master Card. According to the e-mail from my agency they suggested me to use a Master Card. If your having doubts because you don't have a credit card, find someone who have it. What I did is I asked my cousin to use his card and I would just pay the necessary bill. I am at his place when I registered. I answered the necessary information and he did the payment part. Now here are the easy steps in prometric exam for NURSE TECHNICIAN KSA.

 Here is the e-mail my agency sent me:

Dear Ms.*****

Here's the Steps & Procedures on how to get a schedule for Prometric Exam
Go to www.prometric.com
Click the following procedures:

1. For Test Takers
2. Click All
3. Saudi Commission H.S.
4. Start
5. Program Name then None eligible, Country-Phils, Next
6. Schedule of Exam
7. Next
8. Agree
9. Nurse Technician
10. Available Test Sites, Manila
11. Search
12. Schedule of Exam, Date&Time Selection, Final available seat in 3 mos. period of time
13. Go
14. Additional Info., Fill up, Next


The next procedure would be for the payment process, your payment should be via MASTER CARD. Your master card must have at least PHP 5,000.00 in your account. Send the complete details to the email address which will be pop out when you're done. Wait for the confirmation into your email address. Then Print it out, bring it to the Testing Center on scheduled date and time of your exam. Testing Center is located beside the Saudi Embassy in Makati. Please advice us immediately if you do so.

I started studying for the exam when I knew that I needed to take the exam which is the time I was accepted on the job. I scheduled the exam on the day that is the farthest on the available schedule which is July 20, 11 am. I chose 11am for the spare time purposes which I was thankful. My span of time of studying, less than one month. I am pretty nervous, I mean its been a long time since I had taken an exam.

I asked some friends for advice and tips on the exam. Most of them told me it was difficult although it is only 70 items. They told it is easier than the NCLEX (I had never taken it so I had no idea) what I did is surf some NCLEX question on exam mode. Be sure if it has answers, it is reliable. What happened to me, unfortunately, is migraine attack! Pissed! What I observed about myself while taking the NCLEX questions on exam mode is I am  pretty fast. I am pressured on finishing the exam.I was not taking note on the exam, wisely. Regarding on the answers of the sample questions, I am not sure if it was reliable.

It is a good thing that the day before the exam, I took a visit on the Prometric testing center. My cousin knew the place so lucky for me, it was easy.

I slept over in my cousin's apartment around Makati for the "early attendance" purpose, I had my breakfast of course.Anyone should do, especially if your taking any exam.

July 20 was really a rainy day. Actually there is a storm that day in Metro Manila area. Darn! My jeans are soaking wet from rain and I just waited on Starbucks (just in front of the testing center) for two hours. now my nightmare was coming....

I went in when it is already 10:30 am. I am not feeling well due to the weather. The guards would ask your agenda on the area and would ask you to log-in in their logbook. The testing center is on 2nd floor. When  I entered the room, the table in  front had a sign to register your name and leave your ID. What I bought is my postal ID ( my PRC license was still not released that time and my passport was in my agency's office for processing. I was pretty down  that time. They asked me to to return at 11:30am and it was already 10:40am! I got less than an hour to be in Quirino Avenue!I  texted my agency first to inform them.I am worried  due to the rainy weather and traffic! Thank God I had spare money that time. I did get a taxi and asked Manong if he could just wait for a moment  on Quirino then return to the testing center, immediately. God is still good to me, because he is a good driver and person. He waited for me and tried his best for me to arrive on time in the testing area. Lesson: BRING YOUR PASSPORT OR PRC LICENSE!


I waited until 1pm to take the exam. I was really afraid at that moment. I wouldn't have the chance to take the exam, I mean I already paid  P 4,000.00. It was a good thing I met someone who is actually late for her schedule. And we just chat while waiting to lessen our stress. when my name was called, they asked me why am I late and of course I told them the truth. They are pretty strict. By the way, the will hand you a key for your own locker. You will put your stuffs in the locker. Everything. There will  be no items even in your pockets. No rosary, lucky charms etc. You'll only have the keys. They will check your passport if it really you. They will take your picture and ask if the information they had in their computer are correct. And you can take the exam after.They will guide you in your  cubicle. you are forbidden to look in your side  before walking and also during the examination. There is a camera in every cubicle to monitor the test takers during the examination period.


I took the 70 items examination. You can mark the questions or items of your unsure answers and go back to theses items if you want. From what I reviewed, only 5 items appeared! I had only 10 items that I am sure I answered correctly! so long to reach the passing 30! So prayers!! whew! Some questions I had are labeling. I think its about 5 items. Most of them are anatomy of human body of course, assembling steps on procedures and I just can't remember the rest. I had questions from ECG reading and I am sure I got 2 correct answers on those items. Its a luck the question is regarding normal ECG reading and infarction. To make long story short, the exams I had are more on MS,Fundamentals and couple questions from OB, Pedia and Psyche.

It was pretty scary ending the exam. Why? Because you'll know that moment if you had passed. They said 30 items is the passing grade but hello! still made me nervous. I know less than half of the correct answers to pass. When I hit the end button,more than half of the correct answers! My passing grade is a secret of course. :)I just went outside the room and told the preceptor that I had finished the exam. She gave me the certificate that is VALID FOR 3 YEARS. I am really happy that I passed. People at home doesn't know that I took the exam that day :) They are surprised I had bought pizza at home!!!


P.S. As much as possible took the Prometric Exam while you are still in the Philippines. Many of my friends from KSA told me that the passing grade in KSA is 40! And questions are more difficult. Some of the nurses flanked the exam three times, which we don't want to happen.

TIPS
1. Review in a non-pressured way! if you have to keep it secret, do it! Be relax and eat what you want.
2. Answer Exam mode questions in the internet especially with time. You can assess yourself on how you answer. Remember, it is different from NLE which you put your answer on scantron and hold your booklets.
3. Before the exam, be sure you visit the center. It will prevent you from being late.
4. Be on time! Be sure you have your PRC id or passport and printed email.
5. Of course, DO PRAY! HARD! doing a step and praying at the same time would be a powerful force to reach your goal.

I hope this article helped and lessen your anxiety on taking the exam! YOU CAN DO IT! 

Stumble

Am I a loser at stake?

How many time will it be?

I'm broken, hurt, down at my knees.

Asking Lord, why? what did I do?

I wanted it, but again you spare it from me.

How long will I wait?

I admit jealousy to people I see,

They have what I want as easy it i.

Be content but I can't,

I'm sorry, Am I being greedy?

I feel no face to face?

Everyone, my friends, my family, myself,

Stupid  tears as it fell.

But I know what to do

DO MOVE ONE, HAVE FAITH and PRAY.