Monday, November 27, 2006
Change of scenery.
What to do when you suddenly find yourself too stressed out just thinking about all the things you have to do in the Metro? Go on a roadtrip with your girlfriends to your home in the province!
Like what Marielle would call it, it was so much of a "change of scenery" and it was actually something all four of us needed. While Marielle had to deal with Chem, Joy, Meg, and I had too much Bio in our system--well I guess that was just for Meg and Joy since I haven't really started studying for Bio, hee hee.
It was actually my dad's birthday so Ald and I really planned on coming home. But since there was a Rock Ed event in Dagupan, the Khwekhkhwekh Rock Ed-eers were supposed to go too but it was only Meg, Marielle, and Joy who were allowed or were available for the weekend.
And so it was a weekend of lots of food and lots of dogs. They met all 20+ of them--I lost count--and got to play with the small ones. Our hearts belong to Bogart! I, on the other hand, just couldn't stop myself from cuddling just one pup--and of course that was Audrey, Margot's blue-eyed daughter. (I've a grandkid already!)
After the Rock Ed event last Saturday (I just loved the performance of Amplified, a sixth-grade band from Mother Goose where Kyle, a family friend, played guitar), we headed straight to Matutina's, my favorite seafood resto in Dagupan. We stuffed our bellies with their yummy barbecue, sinigang na malaga, sisig, and of course, my favorite buttered crab!
Our merienda right after Sunday mass was at Jano's, where they served the best halo-halo! Funny how all four of us kept talking about gaining weight and getting fat and our desperate need for jogging several rounds along the Acad Oval--all while savoring the palabok-halo halo combo.
And there was Sunday lunch, the lunch I always look forward to when I'm in Dagups, wherein the number of servings of rice go unnoticed or simply go ignored. Although Meg decided to do away with rice, Marielle, Joy, and I were still going for it. I even ended up finishing a slice of bread, a serving of biko, and a hefty serving of fruit salad just for dessert!
The weekend was so amazing. It was a really great one since I got to spend it with good friends and my beloved family. It was a two and a half days of fun, laughter, weight gain, and total bonding.
Changes of scenery are perfectly healthy after all!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Rock Ed Rocks Dagupan City!
RockEd Philippines & Escuela de Nuestra Señora de La Salette
in cooperation with
Private Schools Principals League (PSPL) of Dagupan City
in cooperation with
Private Schools Principals League (PSPL) of Dagupan City
RockEd LAUNCHING
and
STUDENT LEADERS RALLY
November 25, 2006
Escuela de Nuestra Señora de La Salette, Dagupan City
and
STUDENT LEADERS RALLY
November 25, 2006
Escuela de Nuestra Señora de La Salette, Dagupan City
Sponsored by:
ABIVA Publishing House
Scholastic Books
Scholastic Books
Participating Schools:
Divine Word Academy of Dagupan
Dominican School
Escuela de Nuestra Señora de La Salette
La Marea Academy
Lyceum Northwestern University
Mother Goose Special Science High School
St. Albert the Great School
St. John's Cathedral School
St. Michael the Archangel School
University of Pangasinan – High School Department
2:30 - 3:00 PM MOTORCADE around Dagupan CityDominican School
Escuela de Nuestra Señora de La Salette
La Marea Academy
Lyceum Northwestern University
Mother Goose Special Science High School
St. Albert the Great School
St. John's Cathedral School
St. Michael the Archangel School
University of Pangasinan – High School Department
Program
3:00 - 4:00 PM Assembly & Registration
4:00 PM Invocation .................... La Salette School
National Anthem ..........................Erika Gwen Cuaresma (UPang)
Welcome Remarks ....................... Mr. Rex Lor (RockEd Dagupan)
Presentation 1 ................................RockEd Artists
Speech 1 .......................................... PSPL Representative
"The Youth as Part of Nation Building"
Presentation 2 ................................. Ministry Band (St. John's Cathedral
School)
Speech 2 ............................................ Gang Badoy (RockEd Philippines)
"A Challenge to the Student Leaders"
Presentation of the Covenant ........ Dr. Lina Galvan-Tan (President, La
Salette School)
PSPL Representative
Signing of the Covenant ............... Student Council Representatives
Witnesses: Principals / School Heads /
RockEd Volunteers
Presentation 3 ................................... _________________ Band
The Youth Speaks!!! ......................... SC Presidents / Representatives
Presentation 4 ................................... RockEd Artists
RockEd Witnessing ..............................RockEd Artists
More Presentations ............................ RockEd & Local Artists
SEE YOU THERE! :D
Monday, November 20, 2006
Whiteout Poverty!
UP ACTS collaborates with Rock Ed Philippines and Shirts for a Cause in a competition to select the official T-Shirt for Rock Ed’s mission to end poverty through alternative education. 20 finalists will be selected for a traveling exhibit where they will be open to public voting and winners will be awarded at a culminating rock concert at the
- Open to all tertiary level students based in Metro Manila schools.
- Only flat designs executable through silkscreen printing will be accepted.
- For complete mechanics and application forms, e-mail whiteout.poverty@gmail.com (subject: APPLICANT!)
- Only one (1) entry is allowed per applicant.
Design concept must include the ff:
- Rock Ed’s battle cry: "NO MORE EXCUSES,
- The website address of Rock Ed
- Aside from black and gray, designs must utilize ONLY the colors of the Philippine flag (red, yellow and blue).
Prizes:
- Php 5,000.00 cash courtesy of UP ACTS and a Certificate of Participation.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Why I'd rather be a real Betty Boop
I was the "odd" one in my group of friends back in pre-school when we talked about our own cartoon heroines. While all of them wanted to be like Jem and the Holograms when they grew up, I secretly wished to morph into a Betty Boop someday.
For some strange reason, I was deeply fascinated by the innocence she had behind those cleavage-baring, thigh-showing dresses. My friends would tease me about my choice of heroine, saying Betty Boop was "malandi" because she wore such outfits and that men were always chasing after her. I was disappointed that they just couldn't see what I saw in Betty.
When I grew up to be an awkward and pimply fourteener who hopelessly slouched all the time, I loved to hate Betty Boops. I'd watch in awe as they passed me by in their mini skirts, low-neckline halters, three-inch heels, and that intensely feminine aura that made them sell like hotcakes to the guys I'd admired from a distance. Back then I was so in a hurry to grow up then that I've forgotten the real essence of a Betty Boop.
Come 16 when I realized I'd shed some baby fat while growing "new" body parts, I was finally accepted into the Boop World. I'd had my share of crushes, heartaches, cases of unrequited love, near-catfight encounters, "fan-" and "hate mail"--all the perks of learning the art of being a stereotypical Betty Boop.
But you see, as I write this entry while reflecting on how I was as I grew up, I realize how my adoration for Betty Boop has changed. For the past few years of my teenage life, I saw Betty the way others saw her--someone got all that attention because of her looks. And it's such a shame how that was the kind of Betty Boop I wanted to be.
Thanks to all the humbling experiences and encounters I've had, I've learned to see beyond the shallowness of the Boop World. I began to rediscover the very thing that made Betty Boop my personal heroine back when I was 6--that innocent, unassuming air that cancelled out all positive negative judgments about her from the way she looked and dressed.
It doesn't matter if you wear green eyeshadow to class all the time or if you're a shirt-and-jeans girl or if you match black nails with an all-black outfit. You don't have to be model-pretty or incredibly smart--heck, you don't even need to wear a C-cup. If you're confident and happy in your own skin and shoes, then you're just as hot to be called a real Betty Boop!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Paalam, aking stapler :(
'Yung salbaheng humiram ng mini stapler ko kahapon na hindi binalik sa akin, hindi na kita magiging bati forever and ever. HMPH. Tapos sasabihin ko rin sa ibang classmates nating hindi ka na rin nila bati. Tapos pag nalaman ko kung sino ka, isusumbong kita kay Sir Bio lab!!!
HUHUHUHU BIGYAN NIYO KO NG BAGONG MINI STAPLER :(
May sentimental value 'yung blue kong mini stapler nawala dahil tinulungan niya akong ipasa ang 55 units na na-take ko na sa buong college life ko so far--lalo na sa mga homework sa Math 17 at 100, mga postlabs sa Chem 16, at mga seatwork, homework, at exam sa Stat.
Hindi ko talaga matanggap... wala na si Mini Stapler. Wala na si Mini Stapler na dumaan na sa mga kamay ng mga barkada ko at mga prof na nanghiram, lumapat ng mga 1x1 pics ko sa iba't ibang index card na kinailangang ipasa.
Wala na ang tanging school supply na maipagmamalaki kong meron ako.
Moral lesson: Magdala ng gunting sa Bio lab para hindi na obligadong magpahiram ng stapler.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Dreaming under Decolgen.
I went straight home from my Physics class today since I was not at all feeling well. In fact, I had been sneezing like crazy since Bio lab and have had this itch in my throat for the entire day. On my walk--err, sprint--from IB to Math Building, in which I still ended up late for class, I was drenched in sweat by the time I arrived. Worse, my joints felt even more sore.
(FYI, I was feeling almost the same thing last Friday. I was, however, saved from sickness as I chugged down a fruit shake while we were in the mall for emergency Vitamin C. But I swear, Tuesdays and Fridays really make me sick.)
And so I was bitchy the whole day, nevermind that the topics discussed in each of my classes were all interesting. I've always hated being sick, I have the tendency to believe I'm extremely helpless. I felt so much worse about myself because I was a sneezing feverish loser.
As soon as I got home, I grabbed a pack of Doritos, a Decolgen tablet, and a glass of water and sat down with my yaya who was watching The Lizzie McGuire Movie on HBO. My exact favorite part had been showing--the part wherein she sang onstage, conquering her fears, and of course, saying goodbye to the Loser status. I got teary-eyed, as I always do whenever I get to watch that scene for the nth time.
You see, I'm really a sucker for feel-good movies, especially those when geeks turn into prom queens, pop stars, rockstars, supermodels--overnight celebrities. Or when pretty faces in bright pink dresses conquer law school. Or when macho, clumsy women suddenly win beauty pageants.
In a funny way, I'm deeply inspired to dream that someday I will be somebody--that someday I will stop living in someone else's shadow.
These movies give me hope that maybe I, too, could have my own little moment of glory--not as drastic as being an overnight sensation, of course--but at least that special moment I'd feel genuinely good about myself as I conquer my fears, inhibitions, insecurities, and doubts.
There's hope for us, my dears. Our shining moments shall come to us in time.
And now I feel so much better.
:)
Monday, November 13, 2006
Graceful waiting.
A perfect sky on an unbearably humid day is proof that each suffering is worth something precious in the end.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Of last sem and bouncing back.
Before the second sem starts, let me just look back on the one that just ended. I would have to say it was one helluva sem--killer Stat with Dr. S, 10-page stories for Malikhaing Pagsusulat 10, my 17-page Lingkod Aral paper for 108 which I crammed for in approximately 18 hours (8 of which I wasted on just chatting on YM or surfing the Net waiting for inspiration), that group video report I filmed and edited in just one day (Glad Clauds was there to conceptualize the video and to research), and of course, the worthless emotional shitload I had to deal with come mid-sem.
Last sem, I lost a great deal of focus. And so I reap the bitter fruits--mediocre and rather dissatisfying grades. I know I could have done a lot better and it's a shame that I was only able to pick myself up when the semester was nearing its end. But even if I feel bad about most of my grades, it's such a relief I still made it to CS.
Now that I'm finally free of distractions, I pose a challenge to myself--a challenge to not just do better but to do the best; a challenge to not just get by but to excel; a challenge to not just perform but to take each performance to the next level.
But looking back, despite the many distractions, I've learned to appreciate the people who were always there to help me get back on my feet. They were there to comfort me and cheer me up as I endlessly rant about my problems.
I greatly thank Khwekhkhwekh for helping me get over the bitterness by being extremely sweet as they were always there to give hugs and to simply listen to me. I thank you guys a lot for the sympathy that I never thought I'd ever get from other people. And I will never forget how Mico would make me feel a lot better by telling me to just enjoy each moment, how Meg and Marielle would always tell me "I love you!" and for never wishing me anything but the best, how Clauds would always throw witty remarks while being awfully sweet and convincing, how Karen would sacrifice keeping things always nice because she feels for me, how Leann would write me an encouraging note in the middle of 108 to cheer me up, how Mindy would throw me YM hugs, how Mia would send sweet long text messages even if she doesn't really text a lot, how Joy would start plotting evil plans even before I thought about them, and how Shobe would animatedly remark at all the stuff I share to make me feel I was right. It was love, I tell you--you guys really are love. Here's to more bomb threats and macho dancing!
I'm also very grateful for having Rhea to listen and giggle and rant along with me whenever I'd update her. I'll never forget our Starbucks date last sem wherein we spilled our thoughts on a table napkin, which I keep until now. And how could I forget my shock absorber Ate Faith who was the first to see me really explode. And though we never got to talk about my problems, I am also very thankful for Edison who would always tell me to cheer up, who always saw me beyond the surface, who believed in me.
I am thankful for having my parents for giving me another chance of getting my life back. They never gave up on me and they wished and gave me nothing but the best. My promise of a better sem definitely goes to you, Ma and Pa.
There still a lot of people I owe my thanks to. To my friends who've made efforts to post anything online to comfort because there was no other way, to my high school friends who even despite the big shock still managed to send at least a message to cheer me up, to those who taught me a broken heart is not reason enough to get the best that I deserve, to Dana's group who managed to lift my spirits by making me feel better about myself, to Han my childhood friend who always makes me feel good just by talking to her, to those who patiently dealt with my rants--you all deserve a big hug.
Thank you all for helping me get through the toughest semester in my life so far. Thank you for showing me that my own fulfillment should not come from one single person, that my own fulfillment can only come to be when I've regained my self-esteem and -worth.
I now realize just how I am just by having wonderful friends and family to share my burdens with. And now that I know this, I can finally go back to living the charmed life as I face the next sem.
Cheers!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Un-grounded at last!
If you think that being an adult won't get you grounded anymore, think again. Apparently, I have been on a 10-day hiatus from texting, IM-ing, blogging--anything that had to do with communication--because I have been grounded for something I would've been grounded for doing either at 13.
And so last Friday when my high school barkada got together to go to Yani's mom's funeral (that was the only time I saw them for the sem break), Juds pulled off a joke: Whose parents ground their eighteen-year-old daughter during the sem break? While the other found it funny, it had not affected me at all. It was simply normal on my part of the universe.
Yes, my parents are really strict. You may think they've always been too hard on me. But my parents explained everything--that teenagers more often than not aren't wise enough to make great decisions yet, especially because the teenage years are the times when one is most vulnerable.
And so the rules of my lovelife have been presented to me once again--no boyfriend 'til I'm 21, no entertaining of suitors AND potential suitors, no dating, yada yada. And so I put off a potential lovelife for the next three--well, two and a half--years.
But yes, that wouldn't be so bad. I remember Clauds telling me I badly needed a break anyway. Lovelife ko na lang ang family, friends, and "karir" ko. Olrayt.
***
Registration starts tomorrow! The Psychedelics will be glad to assist you in white shirts and ties tomorrow. Cheers! ;)
I can't believe sem break's over! And worse, Bio's about to come back into my life!
Well, at least someone's not grounded anymore.
***
Because I didn't have my cellphone and Internet access for the past 10 days, I've been forced to do a couple of things I definitely would've chosen the two over. You may think I was bored to death but the days eventually turned out to be too short.
In the past 10 days I have:
01. Had boxing lessons--yes, finally. (But I still gained! I still gained!)
02. Gotten my temporary driver's license--can't wait for the card!
03. Driven home from LTO--yeah baby, nothing like the open road!
04. Assisted in Margot's labor--career shift na ba ito?
05. Finished Wei Hui's Marrying Buddha and Paulo Coelho's The Zahir
06. Started reading Rick Warren's The Purporse-Driven Life--my mom asked me to, for inspiration
07. Played with a dermatograph and cheap watercolor to come up with my own quirky "works of art"
08. Played photographer out of sheer boredom--my mom's poor, poor cam!
09. Promised to buy myself speakers for my iPod, a mouse pen, an SLR (or I can compromise with my dear dad, meaning I would have to get sky-high grades) when I finally be able to save up
10. Rediscovered the joys of being a couch potato with no problems in the world as long as I was in front of the TV
Who would have thought I'd survive for more than a week without the two things I just couldn't live without? Who would have thought spending quality time with family and friends without any distractions was even better?
So how would you have spent your sem break if you were to be grounded for 10 days?
