California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) Result

I just received the result of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) that I took last June 13. My status was: Not yet passed. That means I had failed on one or more of the 3 sections of the test. I got a total score of 125 which was more than the passing score. Unfortunately, I needed 4 points for the writing section to pass. I still have to retake the test no matter how high my total score was. The 3 sections, Comprehension, Math and Writing, should meet the minimum passing score which is 41. If one of the sections got 37 points, it would be OK as long as the total score reaches the passing score. Mine was 33. I have to improve my usage, spelling and punctuation. I thought I'd pass still even if I fail in Writing because I was confident that I will get a high score in Math. But I was wrong, I need to pass each section, no matter how high my total score is. It is different from the test that we have back in Phi. If I had known, I should have reviewed my 2 essays and paid more time in my usage of words. I was aware that I kept using the same words many times. It was just because of my morning sickness that I didn't do it well. I was hurrying to get over with the test. Among all examinees, I was the only one who used the restroom pass. I went outside 3 times for me to eat crackers and drink water since it was not allowed inside the testing room. I will surely do it better next time. Wish me luck then for my next test in Writing.

American Independence Day

Celebrating Independence day here in US is really different from where I came from. Of course the date is different because the Philippines Independence day is on June 12. It is different on how every resident of America celebrates it. Starting from July 1, non-profit organizations start selling fireworks and residents are buying them for July 4th. In Philippines, selling of fireworks starts in December. Filipinos don't have fireworks during that day. Firework displays are what people, including us, look forward to every July 4. Filipinos will not stop playing with fireworks from December to January (Christmas and New Year). But how we celebrate doesn't really matter. The most important thing is that we remember one of the most memorable events that happened to our country.

Teacher Credentialing

Alright, I have decided to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) on June 13. I just registered online for the test and paid a $40 fee. I am hoping that I will pass the test. I am just worried because I might be experiencing a bad morning sickness that will prevent me from taking the test seriously. I heard that food and drink is not allowed inside the testing room so I have to go outside for a pregnant woman's necessities.

There are 4 California Educator Credentialing Examinations but I chose to take the CBEST first. If you want to learn more about it, you can check it online. You can also register online and take the test at your assigned venue. You may visit the website now.

I Passed My Driving Test

I had my 4th driving test (behind-the-wheel) last May 3 at downtown's DMV. I decided to take the test here in Bakersfield instead of taking it in Arvin which is 25 minutes away from Bakersfield. I failed twice there and would not want to feel disappointed again. I feel sad because we spent more than an hour to get there and take the test but only failed. So I told hubby that this time around, I would take the test at the city's DMV. I was not scared anymore to fail or scared of the people's hearsays that it is difficult to take the test here. But I proved them wrong. It was easy for me to pass the test. I felt confident and relaxed since my mind was occupied with all the cars around me. It was busier though compared in Arvin but it made me feel more relaxed. I didn't have to check my speed always because I had other cars to remind me. I now realized that I feel comfortable driving with more cars than driving alone the street when having the test. I had only 7 minor mistakes and I felt happy to be on the road so smoothly. Thank God I passed the test at last!

Behind-the-Wheel Test

I failed my three driving tests (in Arvin, Bakersfield and Arvin again) for I made critical mistakes. So I reapplied last thursday. I got no choice but took the test right away since I was at the DMV already. I passed it before without studying, so I believed that I will pass it again. I have been driving always around town and also the freeways (99, 178, 58). It is a practical test so for those who want to take it and know how to drive already, don't worry much. You'll pass it.

For the driving test, I think luck is needed for me. I always met challenges down the road that made me nervous and failed. Don't feel/show any nervousness cos it will really affect u. The instructor told me to get over my nervousness and needed to take the manual test again. I've been driving well with hubby, but it is really different when I am driving with somebody whom I don't know especially if he's checking on me... Well, If u fail, just don't worry.Try and try and you'll learn a lot of things along the way...If you fail, don't ever quit.

Don't commit the same 3 mistakes I committed:

1. not looking over the shoulder when pulling away from the curb
2. driving too slow ( i didn't see the speed limit sign and i was nervous, i remember the video on youtube that if there is no sign, just drive slow>>>I was overfed with information and was too cautious which I knew too well that I should not be)
3. too nervous that I wanted to finish the test right away and didn't let the pedestrian pass. I was at the 4-way stop signs. I was too unlucky cos that pedestrian was a lady pushing a stroller. She didn't make any eye contact with me but still she tried to cross. It was too late for me to let her pass cos I went ahead already. It was my fault :(

3 tests that I failed that was why I reapplied again. I am hoping to pass the 4th time I need my confidence back lol If i fail, then I will gladly take the test again. I hope you guys would learn from my mistakes... I knew about all these but still, during the test, I completely disregarded it... Hubby couldn't believe I failed again!

Holy Week Traditions and Beliefs

The Holy week is coming up and if I am in Philippines, I will be observing it well. Usually, we go to church for a vigil on the night when Christ is dead. That is Good Friday. My parents used to tell me to be careful because Christ is dead. If you get hurt like having wounds, it will take a long time to heal. We believed that and we were so behaved and scared. Maybe Mom told us that for us to be good. Cause for the Holy week, we need to reflect ourselves and ask forgiveness. We even forbid ourselves from doing the fun things for Christ is suffering and we need to at least give up something that we love to do for just a few days. Some people will give up meat, games, and delicious food. So when Good Friday comes, we only have Tabirak or benegnet for food, no meat. It is similar to porridge but with sweet potatoes, banana, coconut milk, jackfruit, corn flour and sugar. We also stay at home and avoid going anywhere. The streets are so quiet and there are only a few businesses which are opened. When Sunday comes, that is the day that we rejoice because it is the day that Christ has risen. People go to church early in the morning and join the people walking around the city proper with flowers in their hands. The flowers come from the bouquet prepared for Christ's rebulto (statue). Only a few can get it so sometimes it creates chaos because they are pushing each other just to get it. They say, the flowers are holy, it can be used to cure diseases if soaked in water and drink it. My Dad used to get some of those flowers and offered it to our altar. We only celebrate that and we don't have Easter Sunday (some do that). Oh I miss it!

Fave Eating Spots

It took me two years to be able to visit my favorite eating spots. A few days ago, my friends and I went to LA, CA just to visit the places that we used to go always in Philippines like Goldilocks, Chow King and Jollibee. W don't have these here in Bakersfield so when we had the chance to be closer to LA, we went there and enjoyed the food that we missed for so long. LA is almost a 2-hr drive from Bakersfield. We had a trip to Pasadena so we just drove a few more miles just to get to Eagle Rock Mall where these eating spots are located. I felt like I was in Phi. We'll be back again, hopefully soon.

"Jabe!"

The Divas in Concert!

Divas 4 Divas concert was performed by our talented and popular filipino artists namely Pops Fernandez (Concert Queen), Kuh Ledesma (Pop Diva), Zsa-Zsa Padilla (Divine Diva) and Regine Velasquez(Asia's Song Bird). They just had a show last night in Pasadena, CA and I, along with my friends who drove there, enjoyed it. A lot of filipinos came at the Pasadena Civic Center and the tickets were sold out ($58, $68, $78, $125). There were booths outside by the sponsors. We were even taken a picture by the GMA7 booth as if we were promoting GMA7. Their next stop is San Jose for their USA concert tour. So watch for them.

Regine singing "And I Love You So"

Opening Number

Last Number

St Patrick's Day

It is pinching day! Wait, did I hear it right?

My student just told me this morning that I'll be pinched. I didn't get it at first. Then he explained to me why. I realized that I was not wearing something green and that was the reason that I will get a pinch. Well, they can't do that. Then I took a clover sticker from the drawer and sticked it to my shirt. Here I got green!

Honestly, I didn't remember anything about pinching on St Patrick's Day. All I knew was that people will wear green and will have fun celebrating it in different places. I noticed that on this day, there are a lot of greens and hopefully, will be lucky to get greens (money) :)

Driving Test-First Try

At last, I did my driving test yesterday. It took me long to schedule my testing date. I just scheduled it last week and I got lucky to have a closer behind-the-wheel test date. I was not that sure to take the test since I didn't have much time to practice. I only drive mostly in the evening and not every day. Only when I was in the office and when I was with my husband. Still, I encouraged myself to go ahead and take the test. Just like what I suspected, too much confidence will cause me a few mistakes. Unfortunately, I failed my first test. I still have 2 more tries. I took the test in Arvin, CA. I liked it there, fewer cars and not too busy. At that time, there were a lot of students coming out from the school so it was a challenge for me. I thought I did good. I had only a few mistakes but it was critical. She made a comment about not making a signal, checking the mirror and looking over the shoulder when pulling from the curb. I totally lost that I didn't do it. I was a bit nervous, maybe that was why. I was confident at first but nervousness struck me. I thought maybe that was OK since I was parking on the curb and ready to turn right any moment. But still, it is an SOP to let the people behind and in front of you to know where you are heading and for safety purposes. My bad... Better luck next time then and at least I know where I did wrong and what to do next.

Hail in Bakersfield, CA

This is my first hail experience in my 2-yr stay here in Bakersfield, CA. I thought it was snow because that was hubby told me when he called. At that time, it was snowing already in Taft and Derby Acres, a 45-minute drive from Bakersfield. I was so excited when I heard about it because I haven't experienced snow yet. They say that snow comes in Bakersfield once in a decade and it has been 10 years already when it snowed last time. So when hail came, I was amazed. As if someone was throwing stones of ice at me. It was smaller though compared to the bigger ones I saw on videos which are scary. You'll get hurt if you are hit. I touched it and felt it in my hand. It was oily and slippery. Then hubby said, it was because we are in Oildale area :) I guess, he was just kidding.

The Feast of Sto Nino de Cebu

Philippines has a lot of festivals to celebrate and one of them is the feast of Sto. Nino which was celebrated last Sunday, January 25. Not all places in Philippines celebrate the saint's day. Only for those places who have Sto. Nino as their patron. Cebu is one of the main city that celebrates it. They always have a big feast with street dancing and more. Tourists from all over the world gather there just to witness the celebration and Filipinos as well from different parts of Philippines. In my hometown, Iligan City, there is a barangay that celebrates the feast since Sto. Nino is also the patron. It is barangay Mahayahay where I grew up and lived. Like Cebu City, we have activities but not as grand as Cebu. Since we are far from our homeland, all my Filipino friends with our husbands gather here to say and offer some prayers, novena and a mass. We always hold it at a friend's house. We always observe important holidays like this wherever we might be. We always remember our home land and its holidays. Viva Sto Nino!

Written Test for CA Driver's License

Hubby took a stolen shot of me... he was happy that at last I took the test...

I was not feeling well but still I need to take my written test at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle). I have colds and cough since friday and until now but I was feeling better today compared yesterday. I took my medicine on time so I can go to work and take the test today. I have read the Driving Handbook already last October 21, 2008 (the day after my application for the California DL) so I didn't read it again instead, I reviewed the hardcopies of the sample tests before I went to bed. The test that I had today was different from the ones I have studied (as always expected) and I didn't remember reading it from the manual/handbook ( I completely forgotten about it LOL). Luckily, I passed the test with 6 mistakes (too lucky!!! more than 6 mistakes means RETAKE) and I was given a permit to drive (of course with the company of a licensed driver ***My Hubby***). This permit will expire on October this year so I need to schedule a manual test before that date or else, I need to retake the test again. Hopefully, I'll pass the manual test and get a DL ASAP. I badly need it for work. So, wish me luck guys ;)

Philippine and California Driver's License

I have my Philippine Driver's License when I came here in US. The California Driver's Manual states that a foreign driver's license can be used here in CA as long as it is still valid. The bearer is called a visitor driver. Since I am no longer a visitor, I need to get a CA DL. It is an advantage if you have a license already from your country because you don't have to pay $$$ for the driving lessons. I paid $27 (not sure cos I forgot) for the DL application and just take the written and manuat test anytime. Right now, I am preparing for my written exam. It has been postponed always because I don't have time or just being lazy to set a time for it. But I am planning to get my CA DL this month since I badly need to drive myself to the school, office and home. Hubby doesn't have much time to drive and pick me up. Also, my Phi DL is expiring this March. If ever I get a driver's license this month, it will expire right away this August because my Green Card will expire too. I can renew it right away without having my DL suspended if I apply for a removal of conditions for my green card ahead of time (90 days before the expiration date). In that way, I can have my NOA (Notice of Action) from USCIS that I can submit to DMV in order for me to go on with the DL renewal. This is based on my friend's experience.

More info at DMV.CA.GOV

Influenza "Flu" Shot

Hubby and I had our flu shot yesterday at the County clinic. At last, we took it! We paid only $4 at the public health clinic. We always plan to get the shots but we were both busy that we didn't get it in December. So we just had it yesterday. It seems late but the shot is good for about a year. I have read also that flu season is most common in January and February so we were just in time. I was not really planning to get one for me but since I am working with kids now in school, I need to shield myself from any sickness. Getting sick here in USA is too expensive so prevention is really better than cure. Influenza is a deadly virus so if you can get a shot now, better get it. Anyone can be affected.

A Quiet New Year

Celebrating the new year here is really different from Philippines. I miss the fireworks when midnight strikes, the food and most especially I miss my family and friends. Another new year has come and I missed celebrating it again with my loved ones in Philippines but it is OK. They are always in our thoughts and I am always in their hearts too. Instead, hubby and I went to Trout's bar and celebrated the new year there. We had champagne and we danced all night till midnight (new year). Even if there were no fireworks, the band and the music filled our soul and our horns welcomed the new year too! It was a blast and a fun-filled night with Wade Hayes as the guest singer. No fireworks here but most of the people stayed outside their homes, stayed with families and friends, went to bars and enjoyed the night. The bars were the only places where there was noise but outside, it was really quiet...

The Trout's Band with Wade Hayes