Top 10 Ways to Spend Valentine's Day if you're SINGLE

10. Lose yourself in your work. Keep yourself busy and before you know it, the 24 hours of glittery hearts and pictures of a fat toddler posing with an arrow is over.

9. Watch horror/massacre/gore movies (but stay away from movie theaters!). Preferably films with scenes of lovers making out in a parked car while being stalked by a serial killer.

8. For the day, change your Twitter / Facebook profile picture to that of a scantily clad vixen from Google Images and watch as Friend Requests and Mentions come in.

7. Hug the one creature that has loved you for who you are and enjoyed every single minute he's with you. Your dog.

6. Mentally raise an eyebrow every doe-eyed girl parading in front of you while cradling a bouquet of roses and think: Feeling ko binigay lang niya yan sa sarili niya!

5. Beautify. Exude appeal and poise that can make all committed men wonder why they are in a relationship in the first place. 

4. Find a good-looking gay friend and HHWW with him at the mall while you both search for cute single guys.

3. Be constantly surrounded with people, at least just for this day. There is nothing that can make you feel like a Forever Alone meme than being... well, alone.

2. Stay away from re-watching films with these words in the title: One, Chance, More, Notebook, The

1. Spend Valentine's Day with your True Love. May it be shoes, badminton, books, or Tetris Battle. In my case, it's:

**Photos taken from Google Images and Tumblr

COMMUTING. More Fun in the Philippines

The new DOT slogan has invoked mixed reviews from the public, but it has also inspired many to participate and create numerous memes on the countless things one thinks is more fun in the Philippines. Here is mine.

There is one thing all middle-class working citizens have in common: most of them commute to work. And unlike first world countries who have highly efficient transportation system, ours is admittedly a bit lacking, and quite chaotic. But the way I see it, unlike the predictable and routine ways of rush hour commuting in other countries, here in Manila, everyday is an adventure waiting to happen. It may not be fast or even comfortable, but it is surely an experience that is uniquely Filipino.

10. Yung nirereject ng LRT2 vending machines yung mga piso mo kasi dinidiscriminate nila ang 2010 series at wala ka ng ibang barya.

9. Yung ginagawa kang unan ng katabing mong natutulog sa bus.

8. Yung nandiyan na ang tren at paakyat ka palang sa platform tapos may nakabara na lovers sa escalator ayaw magpadaan.

7. Yung ang sarap na ng tulog mo sabay bababa yung katabi mo sa FX.

6. Yung magbabayad ka sa jeep tapos walang gustong mag-abot.

5. Yung nagbabayad lahat sa jeep tapos ikaw naman ang abot ng abot.

4. Yung pag sinabi ng jeep na may isa pang bakante na upuan sa loob, ibig sabihin nun magpapanggap kang nakaupo habang naka-squat hanggang may bumaba na pasahero.

3. Yung patawid ka na ng kalsada sabay may haharang na jeep/bus sa harap mo pinipilit kang sumakay.

2. Yung moment na male-LATE ka na, tapos nagpa-gas pa yung Jeep/FX na sinasakyan mo.

...and my personal favorite, the one thing everybody has probably encountered at one time or another...

1. Yung feeling na ikaw ang huling sasakay sa gitnang part ng FX tapos hindi mo maisara yung pinto.

** Photo from Google Images

Top 10 Quotes for 2012

And because posting New Year Resolutions is a sham (honestly, who gets to keep all of them?) I decided to try something new this time around.

2011 have taught me a lot of lessons but it has also given me so much, far far greater than what I expected when I was welcoming the year with mental images of what I wanted to accomplish by the end of the year. 

And because life happens in unexpected ways, let's start off this year by veering off the normal road of resolutions. Instead of empty promises, here are the quotes I promise vow try my darnest to live by this Apocalyptic year of 2012. *enter Jay Sean song here before it gets obsolete*

10. When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. -- Erma Bombeck

9. It's not always rainbows and butterflies. It's compromise that moves us along. - Maroon 5 "She Will Be Loved"

8. Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. -- Oprah

7. Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive. -- Mel Brooks

6. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not lived at all. In which case, you've failed by default. -- J. K. Rowling, 

5. Too many people undervalue what they are and overvalue what they're not. - DJ Mo Twister (via Twitter)

4. I wasn't born to follow, and I'm not sure I was born to lead. But one thing I know, I was born to walk my path. - @Itslifenotes on Twitter

3. “If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” ― Rumi (Islam Quote)

2. “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

1. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls. -- Joseph Campbell

The years teach much which the days never know.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Top 10 Rules for Boyfriends

No.10 NEVER CHEAT. This is self explanatory. And yes, cheating includes being "best friends" with a girl you've just met last week. At the same time, if you do stay faithful, DO NOT parade your fidelity like it's some rare feat of undying love. Please be advised that faithfulness in a relationship is a GIVEN and not an elusive trait that should be treated with utmost gratitude and reverence.

No.9 ALWAYS offer to take your girlfriend home no matter what. Even if it's high noon and the sun is at its brightest and the criminals of the country are probably still hibernating in their mission control centers, do accompany her home. She needs to know that you do this because you really are concerned about her safety and wants to spend every available time with her and not because you fear the wrath of her parents if she arrives home late without a chaperon. 

No.8 If you both don't have work or class and your girlfriend asks you to go out with her, do not make excuses that you're a) exhausted b) don't have money c) have a basketball game later and d) doing the laundry. Her invitation just means she's willing to sacrifice her free day to be with you in expense of being rested in preparation for another week of backbreaking work. Make time. Make every EFFORT to be with her.

No.7 If your girlfriend asks you to write her a love letter, write her a goddamn love letter. It doesn't matter if you're not the sentimental scrapbooking type of guy or have horrendous grammar, just do it. It doesn't have to be pretty nor poetic, it just has to be real and heartfelt. And even if you are illiterate, she will appreciate crudely drawn symbols on a tissue paper, trust me. All you need is a pen and paper, it's not that hard.

No.6 NEVER ask for stuff that can be bought with money during gift-giving seasons like Christmas or birthdays. This includes looking at expensive items at the department store and hinting that you are in desperate need of them. If ever she asks you what do you want for your birthday, the correct answer would be, "Your love is all I need," (or some sweet cliched derivative of that) and not, "A new cellphone."

No.5 Appreciate her interests, talents and accomplishments. If she writes an article that garnered good reviews and became semi-viral and you're allergic to reading, swallow up your manly pride and READ HER WORDS. If she likes hanging out in bookstores and you get hives when standing within 3 meters from a book shelf, have patience and understand her passions the same way she doesn't complain when you take her to numerous athletic stores she has no interest in while looking for some gadget she knows nothing about.

No.4 A) Do random romantic acts of affection. Once in a while, buy her a gift for no apparent reason. Post on her Facebook wall, text her cheesy quotes, show up in her workplace out of the blue and accompany her home. Tell her you love her everyday, not because of routine, but because you mean it. SHOW HER how much she means to you, not because she wants you to, but because you want to make her happy and her smile lights up your world.

B) If your girlfriend asks you to call or text her at least once a day, please take note that this number is the bare minimum. It doesn't mean that if you do meet the quota, everything is fine and that she's extremely happy that you've somehow managed to allocate 30 seconds of your precious time and spend P1 load in her honor.

No.3 NEVER let the woman pay for anything, even if she insists, even if her bank account is fatter than yours. If you go out on a date, make sure you pay for everything, including the transportation, movie and dinner. A woman looks for a good provider, and one of the worst things that could happen is you asking your girlfriend for the 16-peso Jeepney fare in front of numerous passengers. If money is a problem though, make sure you compensate by being the sweetest and most caring lover she has ever known. Money does make the world go round but love is still far more powerful than pieces of paper that could buy stuff.

No.2 Be the Prince Charming in every fairy tale that she has ever watched. Be the Noah Calhoun of her Allie, the Mr. Darcy of her Elizabeth Bennet., the Romeo of her Juliet. Love her the way Severus Snape loved Lily Potter. These may be fictional characters but women dream of their stories and wish they would happen in real life. Make her fantasies a reality and she will offer you everything that she's got.

and the No.1 Rule for Boyfriends is...

No.1 Realize all these before it's too late.

**Photos taken from Tumblr.

Top 10 Glee Songs (Season TWO)

10. Songbird (Santana)

Episode: Rumors

There's something about Santana's voice that is just breathtaking in this rendition of an old, almost never-before-heard song that this generation certainly doesn't know. Her heartfelt performance and superb tone just brings me chills.

9. Thriller / Heads Will Roll (New Directions)

Episode: The Sue Sylvester Shuffle

I didn't really like this episode because not only did the plot felt forced but it was obvious that everything was written so it could wrap itself up to the climax of this performance. That said, it was still a great and energetic glee version of a decade's anthem.

8. Last Christmas (Rachel and Finn)

Episode: A Very Glee Christmas 

As much as I find the whole Rachel and Finn love arc quite boring and devoid of any kind of chemistry, this holiday duet brings fond memories of Christmas trees, food and presents every time I hear it play. Also, I love how the intro just screams Glee.

7. Get It Right (Rachel Berry)

Episode: Original Song

Of all the original tunes Glee managed to create, I think this one was the best.

6. Start Me Up / Livin' On A Prayer (New Directions)

Episode: Never Been Kissed

Just kick ass. 'Nuff said.

5. Toxic (New Directions)

Episode: Britney / Brittany

It is in these kind of moments when I appreciate the covers Glee does to previously popular tunes. Remaking pink and fluffy pop song into something that could pass up as Jazz (complete with an equally awesome choreography) reminds me that not all remakes are complete waste of talent.

4. I Feel Pretty / Unpretty (Rachel and Quinn)

Episode: Born This Way

Of all the mash-ups Glee has done in its two seasons, this, I think is the best and the one most people can relate to. 

3. Teenage Dream (Warblers)

Episode: Never Been Kissed

Darren Criss a.k.a. Harry freakin' Potter. Having to explain the sheer epicness of this song is insulting.

2. Rolling in the Deep (Rachel Berry and Jesse St. James)

Episode: Prom Queen

Adele song + a capella + Lea Michelle + Jonathan Groff  = Too beautiful for words.

1. Born This Way (New Directions)

Episode: Born This Way

I loved this video because of the message it brings to the world. I think the t-shirt labels are fantastic idea. Now, if only we could have local celebrities do a number like this, I think the world will be a less judgmental and more confident place.

Top 12 Photos of William & Kate's Royal Wedding

Cinderella and her magic slippers got nothing on the royal wedding of the century of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I think every girl with a princess fantasy was crying over television screens all around the globe yesterday when a middle-class commoner married a future king, and in the process, became a real-life princess. Okay, the Duchess of Cambridge, actually, but who wants to be specific?

I have been to a few weddings in my lifetime and even though I "attended" this affair only via cable television and internet, I felt that it was one of the best weddings I've ever had the opportunity of witnessing. The sincere and obvious love of the couple in front of the altar was enough to make the event a moment to remember. Add to that the simple elegance of the ceremony, the dress and the over-all ambiance, it was such a remarkable experience.

Feeling the need to immortalize the event in any way, here I present the photographs I think most showcase the magnificence of the event.

And my favorite...

Just goes to show that even the most prim and proper royal gathering has to have one kid ruining absolute perfection. Cutest wedding photo.. ever.

My Top 10 Tweets Re: RH Bill & Baguio Priest

As much as I love blogging, the old fashioned multi-paragraphed way, lately, I've realized that some of my best points regarding specific topics were best delivered within 140 characters. It will be a shame to just let them get buried in the Twitter rubble so I'm putting it here. 

So in celebration of Maundy Thursday, here are my recent choice tweets that clearly states my passion and advocacy for (hopefully) a future law, which is the RH Bill. Since the tweets are pretty recent, most of it are about the Baguio priest who lambasted Risa Hontiveros on the pulpit and asked parishioners to leave the church if they support the RH bill.


(Some of these tweets are made during a debate so notes are added for continuity purposes. Abbreviations have also been expanded since we're not constrained to limited characters anymore.)

My Top 10 Tweets About the RH Bill


10. I see your point. But their notion of what is a sin or not is suffocating even the (most basic) human right of HAVING AN OPINION. #rhbill (Response on an argument that it's the Church's prerogative to shun RH Bill supporters out of church)


9. They're having delusions of grandeur. Which is ironic bec. Jesus is all about living a humble existence. #rhbill (Response to a tweet saying that priests have forgotten that people ARE the Church.)

8. Ghandi was right. "I like your Christ. I don't like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."


7. The ironic thing is that these are the same people who preach about love and acceptance and not judging people. #baguiopriest


6. I don't think Jesus himself would shun people out of his Father's house for believing otherwise. He would (patiently) teach and explain his side instead. #rhbill (Still about the Baguio priest)


5. The problem with the RCC (Roman Catholic Church) is that they insist that their voice is the voice of God when in fact it's just the voice of high ranking officials.


4. Dear CBCP, I thought God gave us the FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Why can't you do the same?


3. Church's job = maintain morality. State's job = provide needs of people. Teenage pregnancy left and right. Who failed to do their job? 


2. And here I thought the church is a place where everyone is accepted, even the lowliest of sinners. I was wrong. #rhbill (Response to Julius Babao's tweet regarding dismay on the Baguio priest's actions)


1. I THINK GOD Himself wants the RH Bill passed. Therefore I AM for #RHBill (Response to a fill in the blanks  question of "I THINK ____. Therefore I AM for RH Bill.")

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for 2011

10. Thou shalt practice playing thy piano at least once a week. Learning a new piece is a must. Neighbors are getting sick of same compositions being played over and over again.

9. Thou shalt eat well and not more. Thou shall banish thy temptations of palate cravings. The power of vanity compels you!

8. Thou shalt find a suitable laptop desk. Chair and shoe box is not working. Laptop is insulted.

7. Thou shalt increase writing money-making articles. Paypal is getting bored and lonely.

6. Thou shalt hire someone to cut off hair. Banish they idea that the world needs a 21st century Rapunzel.

5. Thou shalt give Wuffy, the white and fluffy dog, a bath at least once next year. Thy dog smells.

4. Thou shalt read more quality books and watch less YouTube. Neurons are fighting hard to stay alive.

3. Thou shalt clean room every weekend. Thou shalt ask reliable housekeeper to clean room every weekend.

2. Thou shalt put thy PRC license to use more frequently and put thy Registered Nurseism to work by serving  human race.

And my No.1 New Year's Resolution for 2011 is...

1. Thou shalt type more, compose more and write more. Thy future novel and blog posts shalt not write and publish  itself.

-

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” -- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Top 10 Things I Wish For This Christmas

10. Anger management classes for some Charice die-hard fans.

9. A couple of those newly designed Philippine Peso paper bills to keep in my wallet. Not for spending, just for show.

8. Bruno Mars's songwriting talent and musicality.

7. Darren Criss's charisma and wit.

6. The hilarious sarcasm of Emma Stone's character on Easy A. (Great movie btw.)

5. An invite for me and all my friends to one of those call center Christmas parties where everyone is dressed up and sparkling pretty, complete with red carpet and background tarp with the company logo for picture taking purposes.

4. Personal blogs for friends who still send group messages of things that happened to them that day.

3. That the RH Bill be passed. Go go go, CONDOMS!

2. A universal sign that will let Jeepneys, FXs (FXes?) and Buses know whether you are looking for a ride or trying to cross the freaking road.

...and the No. 1 thing I wish for this Chrismtas:

1. A stop to the endless karmic cycle of me leaving the house with good music in my ear from my iPod earphones just to board a Jeep belting out Jejemon rap songs in heart-pounding bass and inhumane volume.

Top 10 FREE iPhone / iPod Touch Games

10. Tiki Totems

I love puzzle games, especially ones with loads of free levels on them. The mission is simple, tap the blocks and safely land the Tiki God without dropping or 'hurting' him. Sound simple. Well, yes, for the first few levels at least.

9. Sky Patrol

I can almost call this app "Luxor Free" as it is free and is a complete replica of the dynamics of the said game. You travel along a rustic map as you shoot along the levels. Although, never start a new game since it will permanently erase all your hard earned progress.

8. Topple 2

All the cuteness and the bright colors will drive you crazy before you even play your first level. The goal is to stack up various shaped blocks to reach a predesignated line. The game gets harder with more odd shapes and higher height requirement.

7. Zombie Flick
The world is being invaded by zombies and a pile of trash is your last line of defense. And trust me, it's an addictive game even with the ridiculous premise. I found myself flicking random items like crazy. The 4-way alley of zombies keep you always on the lookout. Play with headphones on and you're immediately immersed in its deathly universe.

6.  Paper Toss

Who knew that such a simple game could be so addicting? Paper Toss is exactly just what it name suggest. You toss a paper in a trashcan and it counts how many successful consecutive throws you can do. That's it. Although there is always a fan nearby to deflect your throws so the game is more interesting that it sounds. The different scenes such as the Basement and Airport modes are beautiful to look at by the way.

5. Asphalt Free

I've downloaded more than a few free trial versions of various racing games from the App Store and found that this one is definitely one of the best. The controls are precise and you zoom through the road  quite accurately. The graphics are quite good and the number of power-ups that can be acquired on the road makes it more interesting that its counterparts.

4. Doodle Army Boot Camp

A stick man with a gun. That's all I can say in terms of visual. But even with the mediocre effects, this game is surprisingly addictive and enjoyable. The task is to guide the stick man into a boot camp filled with other soldiers shooting guns and dropping bombs at you. The availability of various weapons to chose from is a big plus in your quest to boot camp domination.

3. Ragdoll Blaster

At first, I was a bit hesitant to download this app because of the gloomy and depressing backdrop in the screencaps. But in the end, I'm glad I did. Its wonderfully imaginative levels transformed a normally dull game play into a maze of brain-bending challenges that will daunt even the smartest of minds. I recommend this for everyone who likes to think and have fun at the same time.

2. The Creeps

One of the most unappreciated game in the App Store, in my opinion at least. A tower defense game with cute monsters and a child cowering in his bed has never been more addictive and delightful. Honestly, I spent hours playing this game and did not even notice how fast the time flew. This game is great for those who strives of strategies and plans.

1. Tap Tap Revenge 3

The game did not get worldwide famous because of nothing. I started appreciating Tap Tap Revenge when we finally installed a WiFi router at home. I enjoyed downloading all the free tracks with new tap format and playing them for the first time since I already got tired of the 3 default songs that came with the initial installation of the game. Playing in 2 player mode doubles the fun and is great for slumber parties. Definitely worth the flash drive space.

Top 10 Things I Learned from the OB Ward

10. 60 patients in the ward versus 1 staff nurse and 1 trainee is considered a benign shift.

9. "Not seen during rounds." Trodat. is an accepted Nurse's Notes' charting.

8. Ampicillin, Ketorolac and Nalbuphine are best of friends. Sometimes, they also hang-out with buddies Gentamycin and Metronidazole.

7. Some patients never buy medicines. They just collect Rxs and irritate the medication nurse.

6. Medication x 100, IV insertion, carrying out orders, extraction, MgSO4, handling patients numerous enough to build an army etc. (Okay, halfway there. I felt compelled to put in something semi-serious for everyone else's sanity)

5. Patients panic once their IV bottles are empty or they see blood in their IV line like they're going to have a cardiac arrest because of it. Re-hook new one immediately or flush mentioned blood. Or else, relative will follow you around the ward and watch everything that you do.

4. The smell of disinfectant and lochia combined will haunt you on your way home.

3. There's nothing awkward about asking somebody you barely know (in front of other people): "Naka-utot na ba kayo?"

2. It is possible to fit 6 mothers and 6 babies in a single-sized bed.

...and the No.1 thing I learned from my 2-month stay at the OB Ward:

1. The location of Lying-In and how to get there. "Sir, sa Lying-In po yan, diretso sa dulong-dulo tapos kaliwa."

Top 10 Must-Haves for Newly Registered Nurses

10. Xerox copy of all important documents including Diploma, TOR, PRC License, Board Certificate, Board Rating, Certificates of Seminars/Trainings attended and resume.

9. White clinical uniform of your own choice. See: Uniform Designs for Nurses

8. ID pictures of all shapes, sizes and background colors. Whether it's 1x1, 2x2, passport size, 2x2 with green background, 1x1 with white background, corporate or casual attire, Matured Experienced Nurse or Enthusiastic Fresh Graduate look. You need them all.

7. Umbrella. The freak show that is our weather is certainly unpredictable. Whether you are avoiding the sun or trying hard not to get soaked, an umbrella is your best buddy while commuting. And let's face it, majority of nurses don't have their own cars. With non-existent salary, we can't afford one.

6. Your own personalized stamp bearing your Full Name, R.N and Lic. No.  Personal choices are Shiny Stamps and Trodat Stamps available in leading National Bookstore nationwide (P.S. Am not getting paid to advertise ff. brands. Although I should.)

5. Dedication. If you are lucky enough to use the stamp that you have just requested to be custom made, it probably means you are offering your services for free. Nobody will survive a week working in a hospital minus the proper compensation without a fairly high amount of dedication coursing through their selfless humanitarian veins.

4. Lightweight, non-tormenting shoes. Yes, they look butt ugly. But 'lo and behold, you will worship their hidden powers of comfort. Especially when you're working in a busy ward where sitting without doing anything is considered a mortal sin and there is a shortage in monoblock chairs. Cheap imitations are not only acceptable but v. wise buys indeed.

3. Hospital backers. It's not what you know but who you know. It's the absolute truth. Learn it, love it, live it. If you can.

2. Tons of trainings and seminars if unpaid work experience is not your thing. Fret not, young Florence Nightingales. There might be a non-existent demand for nurses in the country but there are endless opportunities in the land of Trainings and Seminars! From First Aid to BLS, ACLS, BST, ECG, PALS, ETC, WTF... You name it, they have it.

and the No. 1 Must-Have for a Newly Registered Nurse is..

1. SALARY. Twenty years and counting of being dependent on allowance given by parents. Is this ever going to end? Unfortunately, if you are a nurse, only time will tell.

Top 10 Things I Learned While Watching The Twilight Saga: ECLIPSE

10. Everyday is Foundation Day in the make-up trailers of all the actors in the Cullen family.

9. Taylor Lautner's confident smirks beat Robert Pattinson's I-must-speak-in-hoarse-brooding-voice-at-all-times-while-barely-opening-my-mouth motto hands down.

8. Kristin Stewart delivers her line in the same sarcastic tone whether she's happy, sad, terribly worried or having an epileptic fit.

7. Twilight werewolves are cuddly as their vampires are sparkly. Will gladly exchange the ripped Jacob to a fluffy version.

6. Must not vent up feelings of frustration over the incredible stupidity of the books and the flatness of its characters while in line to get tickets. Will get dirty looks.

5. Screenwriter (Melissa Rosenberg) was really good. She wrote funnier dialogue and made it seem like the book has a plot and not at all just filled with Bella's tortured musings about platonic love for Jacob and Edward's perfect sparkling perfectness.

4. Teenagers are the most annoying species of all. They scream at everything, from Jacob's abs to Bella's let's-have-premarital-sex whines to Edward's will-you-marry-me speech. In short, they screamed the entire movie.

3. Wondered if I was that annoying when I was a teen. Decided I probably was.

2. Twilight fans come in swarms. Like bees buzzing and hovering everywhere until you feel claustrophobic and itchy. From allergy.

... and the No.1 thing I learned while watching Eclipse is..

1. The Twilight world can be deemed decent enough for public consumption without damaging any brain cells, provided that there are special effects involved, we don't see it through Bella's love crazed eyes and that Stephenie Meyer did not write it.

By the way, just for the record, I am Team Potter.

Top 10 GLEE Songs (Season One)

The international sensation that is GLEE just wrapped up its first season. With so many musical numbers recorded and performed, it's almost impossible to pick a favorite. Almost. Here are my personal picks for the most hair-raising, mind bending, emotionally uplifting songs / performances of season one.

TITLE - VERSION COVERED - PERFORMED BY

10. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen - Jesse St. James with Vocal Adrenaline
I know. They're the bad guys. But basing from the superb performance of VA and Jesse St. James's remarkable pipes, this track definitely deserved a thumbs up.

9. Faithfully - Journey - Finn Hudson, Rachel Berry and New Directions
There's something magical that happens every time Rachel and Finn perform a duet. Whatever it is, "Faithfully" embodies just that.

8. Somebody to Love - Queen - New Directions

First great performance of the complete glee club. Definitely a memorable one.

7. Imagine - John Lennon - Haverbrook Deaf Choir and New Directions
The audio itself is mediocre, but what made this song so special was the scene with the deaf choir and the message it brings to all.

6. I Dreamed a Dream - Cast of Les Miserables - Shelby Corcoran and Rachel Berry
Susan Boyle got nothing when it comes to Idina Menzel and Lea Michelle, singing as mother and daughter, combined.

5. Hello - Lionel Richie - Rachel Berry and Jesse St. James
Lea Michelle and Jonathan Groff in their first duet since Spring Awakening. Wendla and Melchior, Rachel and Jesse, it's just too perfect.

4. One Less Bell to Answer / A House is Not A Home - Barbra Streisand - Will Schuester and April Rhodes

This very well done mash up of two songs that could almost be considered under the genre of 'Classical' brought forth such emotion it's hard not to be carried away.

3. Defying Gravity - Wicked the Musical - Kurt Hummel and Rachel Berry
Fell in love with the song from the very first note. Not only did it stay in my mind's LSS Chamber for weeks on end, but it also opened a whole new world of Broadway musicals that I now just can't get enough of.

2. Don't Stop Believin - Journey - New Directions
The song that reeled in the millions of fans Glee has today. Without the greatness of this song, I think Glee would be just another flop musical.

1. Like a Prayer - Madonna - New Directions with Jesse St. James and gospel choir

New Directions with Jesse St. James and a gospel choir remaking a Madonna song. Need I say more? The unbelievable vocals and the stunning performance gave me goosebumps I didn't even care where the gospel choir came from.

For a full list of GLEE songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_in_Glee

Top 10 Things to Do Less than a Month Before the Nursing Board Exam

10. Throw out your books if you haven't yet. Stick to summarized/bullet type reviewers and go crazy.

9. Answer as much practice test questions as humanly possible and know the rationale. Board Exam Compilations in front of the PRC are nothing but crap and should not be purchased unless you're willing to do painstaking research for the correct answer. And you won't even know where to look for the answer key for prioritization/intuition questions the BON are so fond of.

8. Attend all your review classes if you're enrolled. By this time, you'll be feeling the pressure of the looming date you've marked on your calendar since the beginning of this year. This is not the time to be too lazy to get up in the morning or skip afternoon classes because you need to check your Facebook account and serve cooking dishes that are about to spoil in Cafe World.

7. Do not panic and spend all your waking moments memorizing drug side effects, pathophysiology of sorts and that blasted developmental milestones in Pedia. They won't do you good as out of the 100 things you have to memorize, only 2 of those will appear in the exam and I'll bet anything you won't even remember the answer for those that came out. Instead, focus on those practice tests as I've mentioned because you'll remember them better, especially if you got the wrong answer. :)

6. Get some sleep. You look wasted. But sleep at night and not during the day. You're not Edward Cullen. Oh wait, Stephanie Meyer decided to ignore all the common vampire customs when it comes to bloodsuckers and sunlight, hence, Sparkly Edward. Sorry, my bad. (Yes, I hate Twilight. Though, I don't know how I managed to subway my distaste to this list which has nothing to do with the subject matter being discussed.)

5. At the same time, do everything possible to stay awake in after lunch review classes as they tend to go on forever. Every moment counts. Who knows, the one question that could have spelled the difference between pass or fail is the one you didn't hear because you fell asleep. How's that for irony?

4. If your birthday falls within the week before the board exam, take my advice for Obama's sake and celebrate early. My birthday was exactly the day before the exam and, needless to say, I spent the entire day fussing over my uniform, forms, pencils, other things and whether you can bring snacks with you. The answer is a big fat yes, btw.

3. Buy few pencils or gather the ones you have, choose one and have a meaningful and trusting relationship with it. This will help facilitate an emotional bond that will foster good working relationship at the day of the board exam. Seriously. You won't regret it.

2. Do the same with your eraser, sharpener and favorite anting-anting keychain so that on exam day, you'll feel as if you're surrounded by friends cheering for your success. And no, I'm not schizophrenic.

and the No.1 thing to do a month before the Nursing Board Exam is...

1. Start praying. Trust me, even if you're an Atheist or Agnostic you'll believe that there's a higher being capable of doing the impossible. There's got to be.

Top 10 Most Romantic Movie Soundtracks

10. So Close - Enchanted

So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close



9. All I Ask of You - Phantom of the Opera

No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
my words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you..



8. Everything You Do - Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

Look into my eyes you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do I do it for you



7. Come What May - Moulin Rouge

Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time



6. From The Heart - Notting Hill

From the heart
I'm giving you everything, everything
From the heart
I promise you that I'll be there
I'll be there to love you
From the soul
I'm showing you all I feel, all I feel is
From the heart, from the heart



5. When You Know - Serendipity

When you know that you know who you love, you can't deny it.
Or go back, or give up, or pretend that you don't buy it.
When it's clear this time you've found the one, you'll never let him go
Cos you know and you know that you know.




4. I Have Nothing - The Bodyguard

Share my life, take me for what I am
Cause I'll never change all my colours for you
Take my love, I'll never ask for too much
Just all that you are and everything that you do




3. My Heart Will Go On - Titanic

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're one
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on



2. I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing - Armageddon

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
Far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure



and the No.1 Most Romantic Movie Soundtrack (in my opinion) is...


1. When You Say Nothing At All - Notting Hill

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing