finally, the bar examinations are over. after how many months of trying to cram as much information into my brain as possible, i hurdled the last of the obstacles before i could finally put the appellation "atty." before my name. the exams were not easy, and i didn’t expect them to be. although i had hoped that i would be confident through and through, i ended up close to tears after the taxation examination while riding the pedicab to sheraton.

but, it’s done. there’s nothing else to do but wait, and hope, and pray that whatever gibberish i wrote down has some validity (or that it was in very good english, at least) and that my writing is legible enough for the examiner not to say, "langya. parang kinayod ng manok!"

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i repeatedly told my "bar slaves" (love you jayps and aissa!) that after the last exam, as i walk away from la salle, the minute i extend out my hand, i should have a cold beer ready to chug down. i quite didn’t get that wish. when i got out of la salle, the first thing i experienced was the loud thud, thud, thudding of the ateneo law school’s speakers. walking down, there was a blur of violet, blue, yellow, green, and other colors. asan ang maroon? i finally found them at the end of the line. they had their banners, and their cheers, pats on the back and a big hug from garth. but my thought was: asan ang beer?!?

instead of a cooler fully of san miguel, there was a cart full of red bull. i was offered that. hell no! call me a near-alcohol, but i want to smell like chico (as my dad would put it) ASAP! thankfully, the UP barops got through for me and i finally got my dark brew. beer on my left, yosi on my right, it was euphoria.

i never expected that i’ll be that ecstatic finishing the bar. after all, the pessimist that i am, i have only taken the exam, not actually passed it yet. but after all the hard work and after aspiring to reach that stage for so long, it felt like it was an achievement. and though i wonder if i’ll be as euphoric come early next year, i’m thankful i have people who remind me, worries are unnecessary, it’s in the bag :)

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so after the bar hoopla, i am now on vacation. i have travelled thousands of miles and sat in coach for almost thirteen hours to get to california. the first thing i did when i got here? had a beer, of course.

it’s the first full day of my vacation. the day consisted of some reading, playing with my cousin’s dog, watching television (or flipping through all 500 channels), taking a loooooooooonnng bath, drinking more beer :), and having pizza. i’ve always been one who couldn’t stand not doing anything. but right now, i’m not complaining. not at all.