My Ideal Guy

I still remember the day I met you.
It was nothing and not that special too.
I was not interested and not fond,
And never ever thought of being bound.

As time passed, we came to know each other.
Shared thoughts, dreams, secrets and also desires.
Then we started to laugh at our jokes,
And listened to our problems, fears and hopes.

I saw more of you with each passing day.
And discovered that you are not that gay.
That you love to read J.K. Rowling's books,
And your sight, without glasses, will get crooked.

Without noticing much, I fell for you.
It may be unexpected, but it's true.
I don't have much choice but to tell you this.
So I sent you many cards with one wish.

After that, I was confused and worried.
Didn't know what'll the outcome of my deed.
Because of this stupid thing I did,
I have jeopardized our precious friendship.

I was hoping for something negative,
'Coz I'm thinking that you're young and naive.
I was expecting from you to say "no".
But you have answered me with "I don't know".

I didn't rise my hopes with such answer.
Instead, I'm thankful that you're still there.
You didn't change a bit, still the same.
The only Ahmad, who in my life, came.

I still can't believe what happened that day.
On the third day of June, if I may say.
When I received the letter and read it,
He had confessed everything bit by bit.

It was like a dream come true on my part,
'Coz I look up on him from the start.
To me, he's an unreachable star.
A dream boy who is away and so far.

He is a perfect and ideal guy.
Intelligent, religious, but he's shy.
He is a book lover and have hooked nose,
And wears frame less eyeglasses, I suppose.

It's very difficult to put in words,
When you are feeling unsure and absurd.
But I'm certain that this poem is enough
To express my feelings to my true love.

:)

Learning Experience

Activity: Fecalysis
Date Performed: October 21, 2009

This activity was one of the most exciting activities we had done in our Biology class. Why? One thing is that it involved feces (ewww) and another thing is that we made a fecal smear and examined it as if we were really Medical Technologists. It is really one of the best laboratory activities ever!

After gathering all the necessary materials like the microscope, glass slide and the Normal Saline Solution (NSS), the most important specimen was placed at the center of the table. Jzer brought it which was according to him was his sister’s feces. When Sir Danda opened the container, the smell of the feces penetrated our olfactory senses. One of the most important things to remember is that feces are naturally smelly! Then Sir Danda showed us how to make a smear by dipping a toothpick in all corners of the feces in the container and spreading it in circular motion in the glass slide with a drop of NSS. One thing to remember is that the smear should only have a thin surface to be able to view it clearly under the microscope. Then after making the smear, he placed in under the LPO (10x) and started viewing it. After sometime, he let us view the specimen and we saw different things. There were granule-like substances in circular shape and some fibers were also visible. There were also clumps of granules which Sir Danda said were undigested food. One of our objectives was to see even a single egg that is why we were a bit disappointed at first because we didn’t see any egg of parasite. But after some minutes of constant scrutiny, Sir Danda was able to detect an egg. It was a red oval-shaped egg which Sir Danda said was the egg of Trichuris trichuria (Tt). Of course, we were thrilled to know that there are eggs of parasite in the feces! Our objective was met! Success! The secret behind that is that you should just be meticulous and patient in looking at the specimen. Right?

After the activity, we threw the glass slide and disinfected the working table. This is to make sure that the table is clean and safe from bacteria. Then we returned the microscope in the stock room.

WHERE WILL I BE FROM HERE?

Where? I have no idea too. It really is a difficult question to answer because we never know what the future has for us. But for the sake of answering the question, I might as well assume where I desire to be from here.

In my worldly pursuit, I only desire, inshaAllah (if Allah wills) , to go to Mecca to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam, which is Hajj (pilgrimage). It might have no connect with what I am studying now but that is the only answer I can give. In this world, that would be the most desirable place to go. After studying and passing the board exam, and if I have a job already, I will save money to be able to fulfill my dream. And inshaAllah, I’ll go to Mecca

Talking religiously,

my utmost desire would be to go to al-Jannah (Paradise)

, inshaAllah Ameen. It is a bit difficult to explain through words because my desire to go to this place is indescribable. I don’t know how to start or what to say. I think I’ll say end it this way.


Raissa T. Guldam
BSMT-1A
10-27-09

WHY AM I HERE?

Surprisingly, I also asked myself this question. I also wonder why I am here. But it is hard to find the right words to explain my being here. But oh well, I need to answer this and I’ll just try my best.

First thing that my mind will come up when being asked this question is that everyone goes to college. I mean, it’s a normal trend or shall I say a requirement. It is a requirement so that in the future, if God wills, you’ll have a decent and good job. But when I’m feeling lazy, my answer for this would be, we go to college to gain more knowledge, just that.

For less indolent days, I would answer this question more deeply. My answer for this question was just recently realized and I bet many people would disagree with me. But it’s my idea and no one can prevent me from saying it. Honestly, I think one of the reason why I am here in college is to satisfy what other people wants for me.

Candidly, I would love and choose to study about Islam than be here in college.

Why? Simply, because it is more important for a Muslim like me. But because my parents, my uncles, my aunts and everyone I know expect me to be a doctor someday, so here I am, flapping my wings in the face of college. But I didn’t say that I don’t want to be in college. What I said is just that I prefer to study Islam than be here. Although there is the desire in me that I also want to finish a degree, but my thirst for knowledge in Islam is too much. That’s why I motivate myself that I just need to finish one degree and maybe, if God wills, I can start my in-depth study on Islam. Of course, I am thankful to God that I have this opportunity to study in college that’s why I will really do my best. I also want to repay everything my parents had done for me by presenting them my diploma and license. I also keep in my heart that whatever I do, just like this studying in college, it’s for God’s sake and nothing more. I don’t have the thinking that I go to college because I want to be rich someday, or I want to be famous, but because whatever I get from studying, I’ll be able to use it for good deeds in my everyday life.


Raissa T. Guldam
BSMT-1A
10-27-09

WHO AM I?

For sixteen years of living in this world, this “who am I?” question always end up with diffident answers. But as for now, as how I have assessed myself, maybe I can try my best shot in answering this. I may not be so sure about my answers and maybe you will not agree with some, but well, that is the best that I can do.

Typically, when I asked myself of this question, I automatically and jestingly answer it by saying my name. I tell myself that I am Raissa Guldam, no more. But in different mood and environment, when I will ask myself of this question, I might have a different answer or maybe several answers. But it depends upon my mood.

Generally, my full name is Raissa Tutanes Guldam. My biological parents are Mr. And Mrs. Rubi K. Guldam and my brothers are called Ashraf, 19 and Nizar, 12. I am the second child and only girl among the siblings that is why I think of myself as someone special in the family. I don’t have the most perfect relationship with my brothers but we get along well most of the time. My dad and I used to be close when I was a little girl but since I entered high school, the closeness drifted. Although we still talk a lot, but not the way we used to be when I was little which sometimes made me think that we never really got close. Or maybe time really changes people. But I surely do love them all for Allah’s sake.

When I was a little girl, I had fantasized of meeting my Prince Charming, of living in a lofty mansion, and all those sorts of dreams. I thought I can get whatever I want in just a snap, just like what I see in the movies. But of course, I was wrong. When my thinking was matured enough, I came to know what the real world is. That it is not possible to achieve something without exerting any effort. If you really desire this thing, you have to take the risk of pursuing it, taking the risk of failure or success. That there is no real Prince Charming or the so-called knight in shining armour who will save you in times of need. Maybe there will be some who will help you but not your Prince Charming. That a lofty mansion and luxury is not the key to happiness and tranquility. That this world is just a temporary place and we should not be blinded by its beauty hence, we should desire for that permanent place, Paradise. And that whatever happened and will happen to you, may it be bad or good, it was/is God’s will and it was/is what’s best for you. You just need to be patient and trust God for He is the All-Knowing. So many important lessons I have learned from my life experiences and day to day encounter with different people, which I’m sure, shaped and fashioned my character.

They said that I am a capricious and stubborn girl. Yes, I agree. Capriciousness is I think a common trait for a woman that’s why I really don’t bother myself in eradicating it. Stubbornness is another thing because it’s not a good trait. I don’t know why but I really go against anything that does not suit my personal thinking. I sometimes become unreasonable and close-minded due to my stubbornness that’s why for me, it is a dangerous trait. Another thing is that I am 101% lazy. Yes, you read it right. LAZY. SLOTH. It is a known fact in our home that’s why whenever they asked me to do something, I always remind them that I am a lazy person and that they should not rely with me. It’s a lousy excuse though. That’s why my dad used to talk to me about my slothfulness and I just nod at him. I don’t know why but I think my laziness is a genetic trait. What am I trying to imply here? Never mind. Anyhow, I am trying my best to improve myself from this genetic trait and I think I’m currently doing progress in it. But it all still depends on my mood. So you see, my mood plays a big role in this. My mood and slothfulness sometimes goes hand in hand. Whenever I’m not in my mood, I become lazy and whenever I am feeling lazy, then it means that I’m not in my mood. Just that! Simple.

As of now, I’m really running out of words. I know I haven’t properly described what I am but I hope you get the gist of it. I am not really good at explaining myself especially in limited papers. I will need right time and space for everything. And of course, it will still depend on my mood. But what I am more concern now is about the conclusion. Once I took a path, I sometimes lost my way due to distractions. And this is what I really hate and always try to avoid. I should be walking a straight path but due to beguilement, I sometimes take the long way, with winding path. That’s why I always pray to God to guide me on the Straight Path and to protect me from distractions. So now you see, eh? I talk of something and might end up with different thing. Well, that’s also me. I hope you get what I mean. Finally, they say that your ideas are your best reflectors that’s why through this paper, I hope, someone might understand even a piece of my life.

Raissa T. Guldam
BSMT-1A
10-27-09

The Continuously Growing Seed

When a seed is planted in a good soil with ample watering for sustenance, it will surely grow and produce fruits. But growth will not stop with the production of fruits. The seed, now a plant will continue to grow proximally and laterally and produce more fruits until it produces seeds from its fruits and propagate more. The growth of the plant is continuous. This is the growth of Zamboanga A.E. Colleges, now Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ).

Sixty-one years ago, a young man from Marikina came to Zamboanga City and dreamed of a school that provides affordable education for the underprivileged. He wanted a school that would exemplify the ideals and aspirations of the youth, live up to the expectations of the people of a school for everybody, regardless of social standing, religion and political affiliations, and the one that imparts a higher level of understanding to its students, inculcate ideals which will enable them to be successful in their professional and personal endeavour later on in life. Because of this dream, Engineer Arturo Francisco Eustaquio Sr. founded Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges (ZAEC) on October 12, 1948.

Engineer Eustaquio Sr., more known as “The Founder”, wanted his school to cater the educational need of everyone. That is why from The Founder to the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO), he passed the legacy “education for all”. And along with this legacy, Zamboanga A.E. Colleges started in the strategy of “study-now-pay-later” which made Zamboanga A.E. Colleges known as the school for everyone.

For the past sixty-one years, Zamboanga A.E. Colleges now Universidad de Zamboanga was able to produced thousands of graduates who now have their own livelihoods and works, outstanding positions in big companies, and high-paid jobs here and in abroad. Known political figures who are alumni of Zamboanga A.E. Colleges are Mayor Celso Lobregat and the late former Mayor Vitaliano Agan. They are the alumni who surely had contributed to the advancement and improvement of the society in terms of education, agriculture, medicine, engineering, technology, criminology and commerce. These people are the proofs of the quality education which Zamboanga A.E. Colleges provides.

Through the management of the present CEO, his son, Dr. Arturo F. Eustaquio III, not only just Zamboanga A.E. Colleges became Universidad de Zamboanga but there were still more achievements. Universidad de Zamboanga has now eight campuses namely the Main Campus in Tetuan, the City Campus located in the city proper, the Cabatangan Campus, the Pasonanca Campus, the Veterans Avenue Campus, the UZ Community Medical Center in San Jose Road, the Canelar Campus and the Ipil Campus in the municipality of Ipil. Also, the construction of the Summit Centre was made possible.

Universidad de Zamboanga has also the title of the first internet provider in the whole region and the leading Information Technology Education Provider. Not only had that Universidad de Zamboanga produced board topnotchers but had already set the trend. Most graduates of Universidad de Zamboanga not only passed the board exam but made it to the top especially in the School Allied Medicine (SAM).

In continuing The Founder’s legacy of “education for all”, Universidad de Zamboanga has many offered scholarships for deserving students and still has the lowest tuition fee compared to the other private institution in the city. This is to prove the school’s commitment of providing quality education for everyone even in a not-so-expensive way.

Universidad de Zamboanga has improved many lives through academic excellence by providing quality education for all. We still and will always say that Universidad de Zamboanga is still the best school in town!

Amazing Race ‘09

As part of the 7th year anniversary of the School of Allied Medicine (SAM), an amazing race was conducted last September 5, 2009 at the UZ Main Campus. The race had two categories, first category for the students of SAM and the second category for the faculty of SAM. The first category was composed of five groups, from five different departments (Nursing, MedTech, RadTech, Respi and Pharma) with six members each. Unfortunately, there were no participants from the RadTech Department which led to two groups from Pharmacy Department since they have extra players and which we differentiated as the Old group and the Young group. The second category was also composed of five groups (Nursing Faculty, MedTech Faculty, Respi Faculty, Pharma Faculty together with RadTech Faculty and SSC Officers).

As the race begun, the participants excitingly hustled around the campus searching for each station of the ten stations according to the clues given to them and to accomplish each tasked before the time runs out. At the end of the race, winners were declared according to their recorded time and scores. For the first category, the MedTech group bagged the first place followed by the Nursing group as the second placer, then the Pharma Young group, the Respi group and the Pharma Old group as third, fourth and fifth placer, respectively. For the second category, the Nursing Faculty emerged as the first placer succeeded by the Respi Faculty, and then the MedTech Faculty, the SSC Officers and the combined Pharma and RadTech Faculty as third, fourth and fifth placer, respectively.