An Open Letter for My Friends

Dearest Friends,

I am writing this letter for all of you whom I consider my closest friends. This is gonna be quite long (zzzzzz) and for all others who are just curious, I'm telling you now, this letter is really gonna bore you. hehe.

Let's go back to the day of my NBDE Part 1 exam, last September 6. It's been a month now, and most of you have probably guessed from my delayed announcement that, well, I failed. I remember this quote from Clueless, Cher said, "I failed at something I couldn't talk my way out of". The day after my exam, we flew to Florida, went to my happy place called Disneyworld, and came back home to Chicago. I opened our mailbox and there I saw a really thin envelope from the ADA. That's when I knew I flunked. The thing about the NBDE exam was that it was really different from what we are trained for in UE. Content wise, they included basic sciences, and the exam itself was meant to be taken during the first years of Dentistry proper. Well, I could go on and on about how bad I did in my exam (I wasn't even close to passing!), and I would've done this and that before I actually took it, but then, I'd be such a sour graper and from my experience, I'd rather eat cherries or something. Hehehe. So, the only advice I could give to those who plan of taking the Part 1 is, look for a leakage NOW! Nah, just kidding. The study materials are very much available, you can even get them from me. Just remember: the best time to take the exam is WHEN YOU ARE CONFIDENT, not because you are pressed for time...

Speaking of time pressure, another reason for my letter is my extended stay here in the U.S. I can only retake the exam 90 days from September 6th. That should right about be on December 5th. So, I can't go home to the Philippines until then. I know you guys are probably upset that I can't make it home this month like I promised. And there are really no words to express how much I miss all of you. But the thing is, I'm doing my best so that I can easily help you out to work here as well. True enough, there are so many Filipinos flocking over here to look for better opportunities. I myself have seen the difference of dental practice here. I'm so excited to work here and it has been my dream to do so. I must confess to you now, the moment I answered question # 1 in my NBDE, I knew I couldn't take the Philippine Dental Boards right away on December. So much so when I flunked, I said to myself I'd concentrate more on retaking Part 1. Sometimes its just so hard to lay out my future plans, because when they backfire, I'm simply stuck. But I could say this now. Right after I pass Part 1, I intend to take Part 2 as soon as possible. And that might make my stay here even longer. I do hope you understand... It's not my intention to desert the PRC boards, and I don't want to lie to those who think I'm taking it soon, but the PRC boards isn't my priority right now. I know it can wait and I can revert back to it whenever I can. In addition to this, the air fare going here is so expensive, my sister would rather pay for my extension rather than spend 5 times more for another round trip ticket for me. Simply put, These are my plans: to take the exams, look for work so I can pay my sister, and do my best to figure out the step-by-step process to be able to practice here, so that I can help you if you really want to come here too...

As I end this letter, I'd like to say once again, THANK YOU, for supporting me and for praying for me always. I felt that I've let so many people down when I failed, and I was even a little depressed for some time, too. But it is now that I've understood the importance of failing, because it is that big, huge STOP sign that tells us it is time to look both ways before continuing, so that we can be reunited with our true FRIENDS who are on the other side of the road...

Love always,

Debbie