I was nervous. I simply tried so hard to appear calm, but deep within, I was really a quivering mass of nerves as I made my way to the Apo View Hotel yesterday at 7:30 AM. The Orientation/Job Fair was scheduled to begin at 8 AM, but I made sure to arrive ahead of time. I always make a habit of arriving ahead of time (at least 30 minutes to an hour before an appointment/event) sort of to give myself time to prepare for "the battle ahead", ha ha ha.

It was actually a Job Fair for nurses, PTs, OTs, and teachers (new applicants) but I was invited to come over so I could personally talk to the US-based agency rep who had started to handle my application since May of this year. So, I made my way to the registration table and presented myself to Erl who asked me to wait a moment while she talked to Ms. Helen, the lady rep. As I watched Erl walk into the Waling-Waling function room of the Apo View Hotel, I could feel my heart beating so fast and reminded myself to calm down because I could do it.

Erl came out after a couple of minutes or so. "Claire, this way please."

Oh no. This is it, I thought nervously as she ushered me to the room. I thought I was simply going to be asked to join the orientation for nurses for the morning session so I nearly went into panic mode when Erl all but announced nonchalantly, "You're going straight to interview, Claire."

W-what? I thought at the back of my mind. I probably would have felt panicky and I wanted to, ha ha ha. Except that there simply was no time for letting panic settle in because everything happened so fast and I just found myself in the private interview area (separated from the rest of the room by a divider). When I saw the pretty and distinguished looking lady looking up as I walked in, I swallowed nervously. I'm going to get grilled. I am soooo going to get grilled, I thought over and over.

The pretty lady smiled and suddenly said, "Why, hello, Claire. How have you been?"

She knew me. Then I found out why when I was finally seated in front of her and she explained that she got hold of my credentials last May and that my papers were already in a Boston hospital's HR office. All we have to do is wait for the HR to review my credentials and then finally come up with a decision. I knew that because the owner of the Davao agency I enlisted with actually called me from Maryland last May and said she would negotiate for the terms of payments on my behalf. But, then, it still felt great to have heard the news personally from Ms. Helen, the distinguished lady from the Maryland, USA-based agency.

What I anticipated to be a grilling session of an interview actually turned out to be a friendly chat. Ms. Helen was such a very nice person who seemed to have the ability to make people feel comfortable with her. Ms. Congeniality, if you ask me. If you've ever experienced meeting someone and just feeling very comfortable with that someone, then you might know what I am talking about.

I only struggled with one thing. I felt like Sandra Bullock felt the first time she was made to wear heels in the movie Ms. Congeniality, LOL. I actually own a few pairs of heeled shoes/sandals. It's just that I mostly prefer the comfort of flats and so, I save the heels for important occasions only.

All's well that ends well, as they say. I just hope things eventually go well with the Boston thing. For my sake

wow..naapil ko ug kulba my heart. it's a good thing that you got a very nice interviewer. Girl, am so excited for you.dayon na unta ka oy! adto jud ko uban nimo hahahaha!

Hi Chloe! Just popping in to let you know I'm back, and that I saw your comment on the tagboard about Kelly. I have her email address, so I'll try to get in touch with her and find out what's going on. Thanks for the heads-up.

Now, as to your post here, I understand your nervousness. Job interviews are always nerve-wracking, aren't they? It's good that you arrived early, though; that's a habit I still practice to this day. It's great that the interviewer already knew you, though, and that she made you feel so comfortable. I know you're going to land the job, Chloe, and of course I wish you only the very best.

Have a great day and a great week!