I miss weekends:(, Independence Day, Filipino pride, etc.

Months ago, everyday seemed like weekend for me, with all the free time in the world to rest, watch my favorite shows, go to places, and simply do whatever I feel like doing. But since I started going on hospital duties, weekends, as in real weekends, suddenly became a rare opportunity for me. It's actually among the few things I don't like about being a nurse. I can deal with the flexible schedules, but how I wish no one would get sick on Saturdays and Sundays, especially Sunday! I feel so ambivalent each time I go on duty Sunday morning, being there in the hospital, knowing that God would understand why I missed church, but still wanting to have intimate fellowship with Him, together with my family and friends.
Last thursday and yesterday (friday), I was in Manila to apply for jobs. I still lacked one of the requirements but I will most probably come back soon to settle things. I'm so excited to finally have a job, and be compensated and respected for what I do. But my experience for those past 2 days felt like someone's telling me on my face that getting a great dream job wouldn't be that easy, especially in my chosen profession. Sometimes I wonder what if I didn't become a nurse, I would've easily gotten a job after graduation, but then, I still know deep inside that it isn't just about getting a well-paying job, but more about being happy about what I do, and earning a sense of fulfillment each time I help others through what I can do best, which is care for them and assist them about matters of health. With that said, I am actually happy with the way those past 2 days turned out. What's getting me really sad right now is the fact that I have duty tomorrow and I still have to go on duty on Monday, supposedly my off, in lieu of my absence yesterday...so practically I'll be going on straight duty for 6 days, that's if I'd be off on the 17th, since I haven't seen my schedule yet for the next 15 days.
Anyway, enough with those energy-draining concerns, it's independence day after all, and also ate kambal's, our helper, and my cousin ate thea's birthday!:) Hindi ko dama ang celebrations actually. It just felt like a regular holiday, in terms of national concern, as seen in the country's and individual preparations. In the US, they call their independence day thanksgiving, for it truly is a day every citizen should be grateful for. It is after all, the day we were all freed from colonization. But with us Filipinos, I don't know if our general lack of concern should be attributed to the fact that July 4 really is our true independence day, and then Pres. Diosdado Macapagal only made it June 12 to be different from the americans; or to a common feeling of being not really free; or to a plain lack of social concern. I remember back in college, I once talked about the lack of national pride among us Filipinos in our history class. We are not so proud of our being Filipinos, that's why we favor other countries over our own; that's why we settle for the mediocre, thinking that we could never measure up to the standards of other countries; that's why we care only about having a good life for ourselves and not for the entire nation; that's why many of us are willing to settle with just eating 3 times a day, that's why many students are contented with just finishing elementary or high school...and the long list of that's whys just goes on and on. This lack of Filipino pride has been present for so long that it has already been, unfortunately, part of our culture. It's interconnected with a lot of things, all negative I believe, and cutting it out of our system would consequently remove selfishness, mediocrity, and all the other innumerable problems that go with it. Being proud of one's self inspires one to be the best, not just to do enough, but to do great and wonderful things worthy of what one is able to do. Now, to be proud to be a Filipino, to belong to such a beautiful country with so many wonderful people full of intelligence and talent, that could surely raise us all up as one nation, shine above all the rest, and make everyone know that we have what it takes to be the best in this world. whoah! bongga! But seriously, i know it's easier said than done. And it will take all of us, not just one person, all of us Filipinos to make it happen. Happy Independence Day! Long live the Philippines and thank God I'm a Filipino!
It's already late and I still have duty early tomorrow morning, but I just can't sleep over the extraordinary talents of our fellow Pinoys shown in the grand finals of pilipinas got talent, can I? I also have so much to write about but I'll surely have more time for that. After all, tomorrow's another day...and for me, it would surely be another day of surprises, great things, and God's blessings! nyt! meow