dearatejannah

[dearatejannah]

Hey Ate 😅 Firstly, thanks for bringing me along to all of your family adventures this weekend. For someone who met me briefly last year, you made me feel just like one of your own family in my short time here :) As your dad always says, “Thank you very much! I appreciate!”

I wanted to sit down with you and talk a bit longer about your upcoming venture into The States. But I wasn’t sure if there was time with your flight today.

I really only had three questions for you:

1)Do you love what you do?

2)Do you love who you’re working for?

3)Do you trust yourself and in God?

I think question #1 is important because the path of nursing is not simple or easy by any means. You, more so than I, have seen first hand how demanding the profession is. So I don’t have to reiterate how strenuous the job can be. But there is a fulfillment in helping those in need. So if you truly believe this is your calling, the switch from the ICU life to the nursing home/bedside nurse life will be easier. And if you don’t see yourself as nurse in the near or far future, that is ok too. I can’t stress that enough. No one is forcing you to undertake this profession. No one is forcing you to stay in the US. You always have a choice. Saying “No” is always an option and is not quitting. No one will ridicule you for deciding not to pursue this road. But if you believe this what you are meant to do, that will help you go so far dear cousin.

Question 2 was to figure out where your motivations reside. I’d imagine that first and foremost, your sisters and your parents are the core incentives for why you work so hard. When the going gets tough (and it definitely will) I want you to remind yourself not just why you do what you do, but who you are grinding day and night for. Keeping them constantly in sight will be the shield that guards you on the hard days and the drive the propels you on the good days. You are so very blessed to have a surrounding cast of Joanna, Jehann, Jaie, Tita Jaida, and Tito Mike beside you. I know you’ll never let them out of reach. So constantly remind yourself who you are doing all of this for. That is where you will find your inspiration, through the tough work days and the chill ones too.

The third question is kind of tricky because you are a very humble person. I know the first thing you’ll do is give credit to God (and rightfully so). But do not sell yourself short, Ate Jannah. In conjunction with the Lord, you put in the time and effort to sharpen your skills to become the nurse you are today. God will always see how hard you work. But it’s very important the you commend yourself too. Self-love is so crucial to this next adventure you will undertake. I have no doubts in your faith in God. I just want to make sure you have the same trust in yourself and your abilities for the road to come. If you have conviction in both yourself and in God, there is nothing out of reach for you to achieve. And if you have a tough time finding motivation in yourself during your stay with us in New Jersey, just know the likes of me, Tita Minda, Tito Zaldy, Ate Riz, Paxton, and so many more people you haven’t even met yet all believe in you. No pressure though! You have nothing to prove to us. We all trust your skills and your faith. So if you can remind yourself just how awesome you are, you will do just fine when you make your way over from Singapore.

In situations like the one you are about to go through, I always go back to this verse:

Romans 8:18

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Tough times are inevitable. But they are not without purpose. I love this verse because God was very specific to mention that the glory is to be revealed within ourselves. That despite the turbulence around us, we will always find peace and triumph within us. Not anywhere, not in someone else, but within us.

Although! That doesn’t mean you have to live this life alone.

When you make your way from your side of the world towards mine, I’m going to do everything I can to help make your transition as seamless as possible.

I already spoke with some of my nursing school classmates who work in New York in surgical ICU settings about future openings. And if you still want to veer in that direction in the future, the path is there for you. If not, that’s ok too!

I’ve been researching if there are any branches of Life Group present in the New Jersey/NYC area. So far, I’ve been getting weird results that definitely do not resemble the community you’re active in at Singapore 😑 Through your IG stories, I can see how large a role God plays in your life. So if Life Group is something imperative to you finding your footing in New Jersey, I will search much harder to make sure you have a place to continue your growth with God.

There is a community called Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD) in New Jersey that is rich in both its Catholic roots and its Filipino heritage. I’m actually a member of it so you wouldn’t be going in blind. I can vouch for BLD and say it has enriched my life for the better. The people there are so accommodating and empathetic no matter where your faith is. They won’t force you to see their POVs on religion nor will they push you to do anything you’re uncomfortable doing. People from different walks of life and even those from different faiths have gone in there and thrived. I’m not sure what religion you associate yourself with (Catholic, Baptist, Born Again, etc) so I don’t want to unknowingly cross any boundaries on where your faith resides. Just know the BLD community, though Catholic in its foundation, welcomes all walks of faith and will not judge or exclude you for believing in way that differs from theirs. It’s actually welcomed! Since it gives a more holistic approach on how best to find God in our lives. If you come in with an open heart and an open mind, that’s more than enough. And as with everything else, you can say no to this too!

In terms of work, you won’t be alone. Tita Minda will be there every step of the way. Ate Riz will be around as well. In my not so humble opinion, I would consult with Ate Riz first on anything lol. Nursing wise, Tita Minda is a genuine master. But Ate Riz has a perspective of a child born in the 90s so she is much more approachable :) She speaks Tagalog too! And much better than me 😅 So there shouldn’t be a language barrier to deny you any insight she can provide you with. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. The nursing team in the place you will be at in Inglemoor is a true team. They will help you find your place and excel as you continue your nursing career.

I’ve spoken with your mom/Tita Jaida and she’s told me how much of a nomad you are. So I would imagine that being grounded in the States for a bit will be one of the more difficult things for you to adjust to. But if there’s anything you want to do or anywhere you want to go within US borders, I will take you there no questions asked. You’re going to have to forgive me for not being as adventurous as you though. I’m a tad bit lazy haha. But I want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. So whatever it is you want to do, I’ll hop out of bed and take you wherever your brave heart desires.

I know how close you are to your family. So being State side for a while without being able to visit them as frequently as you do now will take a toll. But I’ve spoken to my mom/Tita Minda about this particular situation. She is more well-versed in the logistics of it all but what she essentially said is that once you have enough time and good work accumulated, petitioning your parents to come to America will be much easier and quicker than you might expect. It will be a different challenge to get your siblings to come to to the States. But in time, they’ll be able to make their way here given some time. But Tita Minda was very optimistic that it won’t take long for your parents to follow you to the USA. So being homesick shouldn’t be a problem in the near future 😬

Before I wrap this up, I wanted to give you one last bit of Kuya Johny insight 😅

Among everyone I’ve come across in my visit here, you are the one who most closely resembles Lola Inang. Even back home in Jersey, no one really compares to our dear Rosita. It’s so uncanny how much you are like her! And I can say that without bias because in her final year of life and throughout her stay sa States, I was around her the most. On top of the infinite light and joy in her heart, Inang had an unmatched level of selflessness that I have not seen in anyone. Until you.

I don’t want this to be misinterpreted because Inang is alive everywhere I look. Her selfless persona is apparent in my mom, her joking nature shines in your dad, her maternal nurturing in Tita Wida, and so on and so forth. All Inang’s children carry a piece of her that I’m so blessed to be in contact with. And she’s alive and well in her grandchildren and great grandchildren too!

But in terms of someone who both acts and lives like she did, you most closely resemble her ☺️

You have the same heart of a child that Inang did. Even at the age of 85, she never acted her age 😂 And neither do you lol. All the attributes Inang had are shining bright in you Jannah: The light in her heart, the joy she exuded in her life, her selflessness with her friends and family, her courage through difficult times, and her endless trust in God. Rosita Mendoza Malonzo was a special one, a genuine child of God. And you have every single one of those traits in you. They really don’t make many of those. Only in the Philippines 😅

Jokes aside, it’s because of everything I just mentioned that I have no doubt that will thrive in America. Not just survive, but THRIVE.

If you ever need help or need someone to talk to, I’m always available. Tita Minda and Ate Riz are always around as well. We are all here for you. Just say the word and we’ll do our best to help.

Take care Ate 🙃 I’ll speak with you soon.

Love your tall, shy, poor-Tagalog-speaking cousin,

Johny