100 Nudes, 100 Years

No, loko lang. That event happened last sem.
There was, however, another "nudity-oriented" UP event to celebrate our Centennial Year, and it took place earlier this morning. As in at 5AM today.

Although I'd seen the tarpaulin posters inviting All MALE students, faculty, etc of the UP System to a photo shoot in the field behind Quezon Hall, I really didn't think much about it until Ate Ai invited all of us in Rm 127 to witness it with her. Even after I heard the invitation, I didn't seriously think of going because it was set sooooo early. On a Saturay morning pa jud. As luck would have it though, I was already snoring away by midnight last night, so this morning I woke up the earliest among the five of us in the room.

I realized it was my job to wake them up so we could watch the photo shoot. You know what my wake up call was?
...
Never mind that. You shouldn't have to hear the things I say when I'm in semi-zombie mode.

In the end, Trish, Sunshine and Rachel were too hungover from the Ilang Ilang Christmas Party the night before and only Ate Ai and I went to Quezon Hall. We got there at 6, just in time for the actual start of the photo session, and I swear, the view was amazing.

Now don't go saying I'm green. They weren't even naked. Most wore those shorts the Filipiana dancers are so fond of, and they even had their own version of the infamous "Is it a fig or is it a makahiya" leaf. So haha, lolzters.

The view was great because these men weren't all macho, frat men or in their early twenties. If the objective of the photo shoot was to come up with a representation of the UP popU, the organizers did a good job of choosing their models.

So yun. Had fun taking pictures of and with Ate Ai. Good morning, good.

food trip boo.boo's aka what happens when i'm hungry

I am Public Enemy #1 for food stall vendors. I have an involuntary habit of making their lives messier. Literally.

Food Trip Boo.Boo #1
Once, when I was in CDO, I ate at that cute little hotdog stall near the Ketkai Atrium. After I finished drinking my iced tea, I threw my tall, blue plastic Nestea cup in the trash can behind the counter. Only it wasn't a trash can.

How did I know? I took one good look at the face of the lady behind the counter. She wasn't exactly glaring at me, but she didn't look very happy either. In a timid voice, I asked (with matching point.point at the 'trash can'), "Is that a trash can?"

With a little eyebrow wiggle that was remarkably Cherie Gil-ish, she said, "No, that's the ice box." Weh.

Food Trip Boo.Boo #2
Earlier, I had a craving for isaw baboy. I knew Mang Larry's would be crowded, so I headed to the isaw stall near the coop instead. I ordered four isaw baboy, and sat on the bench near the grill eating to my heart's content.

I threw the barbecue sticks in a large sack near the grill, thinking (yes, AGAIN) that it was the trash can. When I stood up to throw the cup with the sauce, the manong who worked the isaw grill stopped me. I wondered. Why?

I took one quick peek at the sack. It was full of charcoal. Weh.

I guess it's not such a bad thing that I'm missing The Cousin's UP Food Trip this Sunday. Still a downright shame though.

carstuffing princesses (with pushers for escorts)

ICTUS does it again!
25 people - a BMW
and
26 people - one Volkswagen Beetle.
major bongga moment.

For those of you who don't know what the Upsilon Sigma Phi Carstuffing is all about, too bad for you guys. (Evil much?) But seriously, the whole point of the entire contest is that the org with the highest number of representatives who can fit inside an given car wins...

PhP 10,000 for the Champions
PhP 5,000 for the Second Placers
Cheers for the Third Placers

I've been here in UP for two years now, but last night was my first time to join the highly stressful, severely addictive Carstuffing. (Of course, I didn't have an org last year so... wenk.) I'm telling you, YOUR ORG should join it. It's tons of fun, and you get bonded with your orgmates. Literally.

The downside is it ends really late at night. Last night, Bana and I left the venue (AS Parking Lot) at 11 something PM. Since she was going to Area 2 and I was going to Ilang, we had to separate at SC. I was so freaked out by the fact that I was going to pass the Infarmatay AND the CHURCH in the middle of THE NIGHT that I ran to my dorm via the middle of the street like Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky. I only stopped running like mad when I saw another human being - the chicharon vendor who sits outside Ilang. Does she ever leave?

I guess that's another story.

cramming galore

major boo.boo.
when this sem started, I told myself I wouldn't cram because that's what ruined my grades in the previous sem - er, year. i guess things haven't changed though because here i am, frazzled, panicky, wondering how on Earth I'm going to fit every thing I have to, want to, got to do in the ridiculously limited time span of 72 hrs.

whew. cramming ng bonggang bongga.
if you want, you can check out my agenda-slash-wish list for the weekend.

To Do's
(in (ideally) chronological order)

SATURDAY

11.00 AM
Eat lunch at AnT Kakai's.
pista daw sa ilaha so go lang.
I miss my cousins anyway.
Besides... free lunch!!!
(In your faces, economistas!)

1.00 something PM
Show up at Kumon.
submit papers before Teacher Malou thinks I've surrendered...
after barely one week into the program.
bummer.

2.00 something PM
Get my waiver from Ate Meh.
MUST! can't go camping without it!

3.00 something PM
Read a bit of my PA 11 readings.
would anybody care if I said I'm way behind in terms of classwork?
no? well, my teacher would.
thing is, she doesn't know.
YET.

4.30 PM
Meet UPK at KFC Katips.
the mems are going to lead us apps to the 'probinsya'
where our FR will be held.
i've heard our 'probinsya' is in Ortigas Mansions though.
bonggacious much?

Basta Gabii
FR - FI UP Kagayhaan.
postponed last sem so ngayon lang aarriba ang event na 'to.
i have no idea what the mems have planned.
i know they're serving chicken pesto though -
as long as there's food, payts!

SUNDAY

6.00 something AM
Be at Aurora Tower, Araneta Center for Youth Camp.
such an ungodly hour in the morning.
if I miss this, wala na, goodbye GRF.

Basta Morning
GRF Youth Camp.
I don't know what Miss Annette from GRF planned for us.
must be exciting though.
ANNND. it's free.
YUP. totally free.

MONDAY

sometime before 5.oo PM
Still in GRF.
probably snoozing in a bus.

7.00 something PM
Purchase Psych 7 in NBS Katips.
so I can read Chapter 3: Da Brain.
bloody hell! it's PhP 600.

Basta Gabii
Finish reading PA 11 readings for Topics 1 AND 2
AND
Finish reading Chapters 3 AND 4 for Psych 101.

O dibz? Bonggacious galore.

My Least Favorite Time of the Year

November 6, Wednesday

Enrolling in UP is perhaps the best way to prepare one’s child for the real world. I won’t exaggerate and say that there are long lines of students waiting beside closed doors whichever way you look, but I’m telling you the scenario is something close to that. This is my least favorite time of the year. Of course, the prospect of starting the new semester excites me hugely, but there’s something about the UP enrollment process that I dislike greatly.

I think it’s the fact that I rarely get the subjects I really want to take.

Same thing happened this year. I didn’t even get De Dios for Econ 109. I did, however, get a fair amount of units during the first online pre-enlistment. Funny thing is, I forgot to enlist for PE – yet again. This is why I don’t have a PE class for the second consecutive sem. And no way am I making up for it during the summer.

Here’s a censored list of my teachers for this semester:

Econ 106

Course Description: The second most notorious Econ Major in the history of the UP School of Economics

Professor: Rumored to be kind and compassionate in terms of grade-giving, but also infamous for not being as good at teaching as her also-infamous counterpart

CWTS2 -Econ

Course Description: Outreach Program class. The batch got divided into several teams, each team working on a different site. My team’s assigned to GK Laura along Commonwealth.

Professor: Had her for CWTS-1 last sem. She’s very nice; you just have to research her requirements for an UNO-worthy reflection paper. An upperclassman noted that she never visited our CWTS site.

Geog 1

Course Description: For this subject, one of my friends had to fill in a blank map of the world’s countries – and name all the important bodies of water in the planet.

Professor: Heard she’s UNOable. Nuff said.

Psych 101

Course Description: A lot of my friends took this so they must find it interesting, too.

Professor: Never heard. Nice last name though.

PA 11

Course Description: Again, no idea what this is about. This, however, is a pre-requisite for higher Public Administration courses so if ever I decide to become the next Senate President or whatnot, this will come in handy.

Professor: Never heard. Really.

Pol Sci 14

Course Description: I have no idea what this is but Nina suggested it.

Professor: Famous guy, even my mother knows who he is.

Philo 11

Course Description: Logic. Supposedly.

Professor: Oh, hell. They tell me he’s a terror teacher. But I’ve gone through so much just to prerog his class that I don’t have the heart – or energy – to just cancel it.

Amazing roster, don’t you think?

The higher the goal, the harder the climb,

But taken each day, one step at a time,

The goal is accomplished, the dream is attained,

AND THE PRIZES?

The wisdom and strength that are gained.

~ bookmark

It didn’t say anything about getting good grades.

Your jaded iska,

sandybeaple

PS. I had a good dream a couple of minutes ago, right before my alarm rang. I might

even write a story about it or something.

Phoenix

October 30, Thursday

If you’ve read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey from cover to cover and back again, you might be familiar with Habit 2’s Go for the Goal Key No. 4: Use Momentous Moments. In case you’re not, here’s an excerpt to help you understand my point better:

Certain moments in life contain momentum and power. The key is to harness these moments for goal setting. Things with starts and finishes or beginnings and ends carry momentum…

Often tough experiences can carry momentum. Are you familiar with the myth of the phoenix bird? After every lifespan of 500 to 600 years, the beautiful phoenix would burn itself at the stake. Out of the ashes, it would later rise, reborn. In like manner, we can regenerate ourselves out of the ashes of a bad experience. Setbacks and tragedies can often serve as a springboard for change.

If the last semester wasn’t a major setback, then I don’t know what it was. I welcomed my sophomore year wholeheartedly, excited as usual that a new AY was about to start (drat my Aries-ness!), but I ended it with low spirits. Really low spirits. Like OMG-did-that-sem-flit-by-or-is-it-just-me bottom. And yeh, my grades are bad.

Of course, I haven’t seen them yet so I’m merely assuming the worst.

Nevertheless, the loss of hope is something that we Aries people are not known for. Pioneering, impulsive, enthusiastic – we tackle change head on. And I swear, by witness of this blog entry, that this incoming sem, Second Sem AY 08 – 09, will not be a disappointment like its immediate predecessor.

I’m writing this merely because, “A goal not written is only a wish.” So there.

What caused this change of heart, you might ask? CD’s. Containing video clips I should have seen right after my high school graduation. (If you’re wondering why I’ve only seen them now, blame the dusty drawer where the stuff was hidden for the past two years.) The first CD has the short vid that Jee Ann made for me; it’s set against the song Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson. The second CD is the raw footage of KHS Batch 07’s actual commencement exercise c/o my Uncle Aping. I swear – and for once I am not exaggerating – they made me smile. And clap my hands like one of those seals I saw in Ocean Park.

Ten minutes. That’s all it took for me to remember why I’m studying in the first place. Why I’m trying so hard to combat laziness. Why I should want to be my best. What I’m fighting for, kumbaga. It’s to make the people I love proud, because I want them to be proud of me, because I want to do them justice.

We do well always and everywhere to serve you.

If you’re Roman Catholic you should know where that comes from.

Your Fawkes-wannabe,

sandybeaple

PS. My husband came out on TV Patrol to encourage US citizens to vote. So if you’re from the US and you’re reading this (which is highly unlikely, methinks), vote! :X

What Makes a Mother

I like to commute. It's something I never had enough freedom to fully enjoy when I still stayed in CDO. Among all the forms of transportation available in Metro Manila, my favorite is the MRT. I just love the way those large, silver machines swallow tickets. It makes me feel so... sophisticated. Haha.

Yesterday, the entire MRT3 line was jam-packed when I decided to travel. It was rush hour, see, and it didn't help that I boarded the train from a 'key area' on a Saturday. Tsk tsk tsk. Definitely a bad combination. Three trains had already whizzed by and I was still on the platform, being jostled forward by aggressive females. (Just to clarify, the MRT admin places the men in the longer compartment at the rear of the train while females, senior citizens and handicapped individuals ride the shorter compartment at the front.) Finally, when the fourth train stopped at our station, I found myself directly in front of the electric doors. Without even waiting for the push that I knew would follow as soon as the doors opened, I stepped inside the compartment.

It was sardine-can inspired, jam-packed with women, senior citizens, pregnant women, people who were considered 'fragile'. The scene was familiar to me; I always ride the front compartment. Something seemed... wrong though. Somewhere on my lower left, someone was making a shrill, irritating sound. I peeked over the shoulder of the tall man who stood at my left.

It was the first time I had seen kids in the MRT during rush hour.

It was difficult for them, I could tell. One of the kids even looked like he would throw a full-blown tantrum if his 'guardian' (the man who was at my left) hadn't ordered him to stop crying. The owner of the tinny, irritating voice was a little girl (the boy's sister, I suppose) who kept pushing herself into the gaps between people's legs, as though she was thinking, "My, how warm this feels!" Their big brother, quiet and unnaturally behaved for his height, er, age, kept pulling his siblings closer to him, as though he was fully aware of his responsibility to protect, to guard, to prevent any possibilities of his kin being squished by some unwary passenger in that train. It was cute, that scene.

What I found most amusing though was the look on the faces of the women around us. They all watched the kids' movements with faint smiles on their faces, some exchanging knowing glances, some looking wistful. Like... they wanted to have three short, puny, rowdy kids to call their own. At that moment, I didn't need a mirror to know that a smile of amusement was plastered on my face. The women, the children - they interested me.

Is it natural for women to want to have children? I've never imagined little girls and boys running around flower beds and freshly mown grass, although I have gotten to the point where I began to research baby names for 'the future generation'. And urgh, I'm not even the most loving person on the planet. How is it that I get the urge to interact with kids, no matter how much they terrify me? Is it because I'm an only child... am I that desperate for companionship? Or is it hormones?

What drives women to want children???

"You Shouldn't Do That!"

... was what Ma'am Toby Melissa Collas Monsod said to our class when she discovered that she taught most of the people in my Micro class both Econ 101 and Econ 102. She's right; it was sick to choose a 1-3PM class (Econ 102 - Microeconomics) AND a 3-5PM class (Econ 101 - Macroeconomics) on the same day, in the same room, under the same teacher. But I've never been good at arranging my class schedule - some acute suicidal attempt like this was bound to happen. Not that I consider studying Econ much of a near death experience. It's actually fun. It stimulates mental exercise, as Ma'am Monsod enjoys pointing out every now and then.

The issue, however, is that I'm a bit weak at remembering the stuff I learn in class. I like to think my comprehension is quick and somewhat accurate, but my memory is an entirely different matter. Which is ironic, considering that my plans after graduating include getting into Law school. Hmfph. We'll see if I'll survive the first sem.

Another reason I like Economics is that I'm right beside everyone else in terms of digesting the topics. In Statistics (the other 'nosebleed-inducing' subject I'm taking right now) I'm way behind majority of my classmates. I'm not sure if this has something to do with my intense aversion to numbers; maybe it's that or maybe I'm just too careless to be a statistician. I have a plan to cure this Math-hate of mine though. When I finally get round to using my 'English' advantage by tutoring Korean students and earn money, money, money, I'll enroll myself in Kumon. Again.

http://www.kumon.com.ph/

It worked wonders before. Why shouldn't it work now? X_X

The Fig Leaf

I’m a bit down; I got one item wrong in our Comm3 quiz yesterday. Of course, I still ended up with a perfect score, what with all the bonus points our professor so generously gave out. Still, isn’t it a tad bit disconcerting that I was this close to getting everything right? That tiny mistake kept me up all night, not exactly an irritant, more of a point to ponder…

The question was: What kind of leaf covers the privates of Guillermo Tolentino’s Oblation? I was confident with my answer; I had heard from one of my friends that the thing was a makahiya, no matter how much it didn’t look like one. Come checking time, I was reveling in the succession of correct answers I had, when all of a sudden, I got question 14 wrong. The Fig Leaf, Sir said, was the correct answer.

Fig? Do we even have fig trees in the Philippines? What on Earth is a fig leaf anyway? How is it supposed to look like? What the hell is it supposed to symbolize?

Given that I do not have 24/7 access to the Internet, and therefore, am unable to surrender myself to the often snubbed authority otherwise known as Wikipedia, I have to trust the words of my Comm3 professor. According to him, Oble originally didn’t have ‘underwear’, until time came when Tolentino had to censor it. He supposedly chose the fig leaf to occupy this very sensitive position because it had a mechanism of growing roots wherever it fell. Basically, it’s supposed to grow if it lands on soil.

Students, I think Tolentino thought, are supposed to be like that. Especially iskolar ng bayan.

Once you think about it, the analogy is perfect. Here we are, students from far flung places all over the Philippines, gathered together under one umbrella formally known as the UP. We are the best of the best (whatever that means), and we are expected to continue giving 110% in our academic endeavors, assisted by the naturally competitive, driven, intense nature of the UP environment. We are expected to serve the nation, lead the nation, be the nation in a few decades or so. But I ask: How can we do this when we aren’t given our most basic right as students? We’re supposed to worry about solving the latest Chem problem set or whatever, not losing sleep over our tuition fee problems, housing problems, lab fee problems, etc.

Consider this:

Roseanne Dy is the only other person from Kong Hua who goes to UP aside from me. We come from the same hometown, speak the same language, pay almost the same amount of tuition fees come enrollment time. I've known her for most of my life, and over the past year, I've gotten to know her more. We both applied for admission in Ilang Ilang Residence Hall, only Roshy's parents' ITR arrived at the Office of Student Housing at a later date. Due to this unfortunate event, her name wasn't listed in the first batch of accepted applicants for Ilang. She tried again.

Imagine our surprise when, after waiting for almost an entire week, the OSH management failed to produce the result of the second batch run on June 13, 2008. Frustrated students and their respective parents had to wait until Monday, June 16, to get the results of the final batch run. Oh, and guess what? Roseanne didn't make it. After several days of desperately searching a place to stay for the entire semester, she found a house in Area 2. She stays there now, together with Ana Abrillo, who's from our city, too, and Nic Nicdao. All of them live far from Manila, yet none of them were able to find a spot in any UP dorm.

...

Indeed, we are like leaves. We just fell off our trees and landed butt-first into the intricate web of college life. Whether we will be like the makahiya, shying away from opportunities that the wind blows our way, or fig leaves, able to take root whatever the situation, is up to us. If I were the same girl who left CDO after sixteen years of living everyday under the same routine, I would say there’s no doubt I’ll be the former option. But because my first few weeks as a sophomore in the Philippines’ National University have been harrowing, mind-boggling and inexplicably exhilarating at the same time, I’m open to the possibility of becoming a fig tree: resilient, steadfast, strong in spirit and ready to journey wherever the wind blows.

Sarvi, Sarvi

Deviating from the Norm! Am posting a survey! Thanks, Has!

1. Ano ang student number mo? Gusto mo ba ito?
~ 2007-19038! Yup, gusto ko siya... napaka...random. Nyeargh.

2. Magbigay ka ng tatlong course sa UP Diliman na hindi mo talaga alam kung ano ang pinag-aaralan nila. Pwedeng magbigay ng rason kung bakit.
~ sports science, L arch. just wondering if kailangang athletic ka para mag-aral ng sports sci. tsaka sa L arch, pwede rin bang magdesign ng bahay?

3. Meron ka bang araw na wala kang break? Anung technique ang ginagawa mo para makakain ka?
~ nooo. di ako mabubuhay pag walang break. nuh-uh, nuh-uh.

4. Alam mo ba kung saan ang Teletubby Land? [Yung totoo, bawal bumase sa pinagkuhanan ng survey na ito]
~ Yup! Nasa Math! Hahaha! ;D

5. Nakakita ka na ba ng nagpi-PDA? Sa AS? As in sa AS Entrance? In Broad Daylight? In front of many people? Ikaw ba yung gumagawa nun?
~ wala pa naman.

6. Naranasan mo na bang dumaan sa Beta Way? Kahit madilim na?
~ palagi aqng dumadaan dun. pero pag gabi, hindi na. reminder din yung 'memorial' dun na
hindi advisable tumambay dun after nightfall.

7. Alam mo ba na may 4th Floor ang FC?
~ wala ata. hanggang third floor lang. may rooftop ba?

8. Within the UP Campus, ano na ang pinakamalayo mong nalakad?
~ kalai to Math annex.

9. Nakakuha ka na ba ng Freshie Subject Combo Meal? [Geog1 + Comm3]
~ nope. ;(

10. Sa tingin mo, bakit concealed ang profs sa Math?
~ kasi walang mageenlist sa mga terror prof. or yung mga desperado lang.

11. Nakakuha ka na ba ng Math prof na out-of-this-world?
~ wala naman. pero yung prof ko ng Math17, mahilig sa transformers...

12. Natatakot ka ba sa tumutunog na kuryente sa tabi ng EEE building?
~ exciting nga eh. di ko siya napansin at first hanggang tinuro siya sa akin nung ECE friend ko...

13. Ilang individual libraries na ang napuntahan mo within Up Diliman? Isa-isahin.
~ main lib (ss, sils, gen ref, filipiniana), cal, educ, science, econ.

14. Nakanood ka na ba ng Oblation Run? At namukhaan na isa doon ay kaklase mo?
~ yup. timing na right after Math 100 siya. may mga classmates akong nakita... pero hindi yung tumatakbo. hehe!

15. Nakakita ka na ba ng Atenean na nakatambay sa UP Campus? At naki-sit in sa klase niyo?
~ tumambay oo. may id strap pa silang admu. pero sit-in sa class....

16. Nakakita ka na ba ng artista na nag-aaral sa UP? Saan?
~ richard gomez, sa cnb lobby for theater arts workshop. alessandra de rossi sa mang larry's isawan. bruce quebral at joaqui mendoza sa SC.

17. Sa tingin mo, ano ang pinakamahirap na subject sa UP?
~ math? kahit saan naman mahirap yun eh.... pero sa totoo lang, mahirap lahat ng subjects dito.

18. Alam mo ba na tumutunog ang Carillon?
~ yup. naririnig ko siya all the way from cal, habang nasa eng 12 class ako.

19. Nakapasok ka na ba sa College of Music? Kwento mo naman.
~ yup, voice lessons. nyahahaha.

20. Nagpapic ka na kay Oble? Kung oo, confident ka ba na gagraduate ka?
~ gusto ko sanang i-try pero.... wala akong kasama eh. misery loves company!

21. May College Shirt ka ba? Anu design?
~ econ? yup. yung batch shirt namin na may 'always in demand not enough supply'. tsaka yung defy convention shirt ng econ. pero masyadong malaki yun.

22. Naranasan mo na bang mag 1vs100 sa CRS?
~ yeaboi! pe, pe, pe!

23. Naglalaro ka ba ng Guess the Course/Spot that Freshie kapag wala kang magawa habang tumatambay sa AS? Isinasabay mo ba ang Girl/Boy Hunting sa larong ito?
~ guess the course, oo, pero habang nglalakad... boy hunting...? nah.

24. Nangungulekta ka ba ng Kule? Ano ang favorite section mo dito?
~ iniipon tapos pinapadala sa high school ko para mashock yung Sisters sa pagkaliberated ng mga isko at iska. haha. love ko yung return to sender tsaka yung txtbak.

25. Sino ang pinakastriktong guard sa UP na nakilala mo? Yung hindi mo talaga matakasan na wala kang ID?
~ yung lady guard sa math ;D

26. Nakukulangan ka pa ba sa ruta ng Ikot at Toki Jeep? Anung gusto mong ibahin sa ruta nito?
~ okay lang naman. naglalakad kasi ako so...

27. Natatakot ka ba sa mga tingin ng mga nangangampanya tuwing Elections? Bakit?
~ nakakatuwa nga sila eh. ;D

28. May bura ka na ba sa Form 5 mo? Anu yon?
~ yung mobile phone number ko. kailangan kasi sa econ. palaging kong nasusulat sa wrong place.

29. Nagkaprof ka na ba na laging wala sa klase tapos tinadtad kayo ng make-up classes sa end ng sem? Sino?
~ wala naman. pero palagi kaming nagmemake up classes sa math.

30. Alam mo ba kung saan ginagawa ang Blue Book? Gusto mo bang magventure sa business na ito?
~ erm. di na siguro. sa kanila nalang yan.... hindi ba sa up press? or sa out-of-school contact ng coop?

Sandy's Worst Memory

May 4, 2008 ~ Sunday ~ 8:56 PM

Listening to playback of Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita

Ophelia,

Was walking down the overpass yesterday. For the first time in a couple of months, I was actually wearing a skirt. A cute one - literally. Too bad it was a windy day, really. Damn.

To think this happened in Philcoa.

My subconscious will never let me live this down,

Beaple Leone Michaelmas

check out my multiply page ;D

May 2, 2008 ~ Friday ~ 6:42 PM

Alone in 122 Again

Ophelia,

Okay. I understand that I update too much. But is it really a sin to be vain and nurture a constant desire to just keep the words pouring out like ink from a dysfunctional fountain pen? Nuh-uh. I should think not.

So. Voice lessons earlier were not so great. I was fifteen minutes late, but not because I didn’t get there on time. Actually, I got to the building five minutes before my schedule, so I decided to just walk around and wait for my teacher outside Room 211. When it was already eight AM, I knocked on the door. No response. I assumed she was just a bit late or something. So I waited and waited, singing my pieces to myself all the while. And then I heard a piano playing in Room 211, and I realized ‘Cripes, that’s my classroom.’ Thankfully, my teacher still let me in, despite the tardiness. She wasn’t very happy though, I could tell.

I don’t think I made it better by messing up my notes. I just can’t get the bloody diphthongs right. And my lungs are so weak I can hardly extend the notes to sound good. Ala Broadway.

So anyway, we didn’t have bowling class ‘cause the workers at the alley were out on their annual field trip or something. It was okay though, because I still had Pan Pil…

We watched Dogma. It deconstructs the Catholic Church, but honestly, I think watching it helped me built my Faith. I dunno. I can’t explain it. But it was certainly the opportunity, the avenue to discover that I had been praying for to the Virgin Mary. Although it mocks most of what I’ve been taught all my life and would appear very twisted if one passes judgment based on the dialogue, it moved me. Seriously. Maybe you should watch it.

Have decided to call current writing project One Proverbial Summer,

Beaple Leone Michaelmas

PS I saw my ex-English teacher again. I was just folding my umbrella (it was scorching hot earlier) and making my way towards the building where my Pan Pil class is when I looked up and saw a familiar face drift by. At first I didn’t react. Then my instincts kicked in, and I asked myself, “Was that…?” Guess what? He was smiling again. Or grinning, actually. Broadly. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he’s always grinning when I see him. Could he be laughing at me or something? Nyah. Just you wait, Sir. Just you wait.

PS Again. One of my friend’s mom’s visited her today. Watching them, I felt sort of lonely. I dunno. I’ve always thought I’d dumped by emotional side the moment I graduated high school, but apparently, that’s not the case. I called home. Exchange a few pleasantries with my Manang, asked about the fiesta and all. It turned out my mom was in Bohol, ‘cause it’s also fiesta there, so I only got to talk to my dad. Which was great, in any case, because we don’t really talk. And I asked him about the rice crisis, asked him about work, asked him about the dog, asked him if he was gaining weight. And then I got off the phone and texted my mom, telling her not to eat too much lechon. I feel sad. Hmfh. That’s strange.

peter pan pains

April 30, 2008 ~ Wednesday ~ 5:49 PM
Purposefully missed Top 5 at 5

Ophelia,

Am too obvious to be real. Remember that group mate I told you about? The (eep!) cute one? Just made a fool of myself in front of him earlier this afternoon. Gawsh, he was sitting across me again and I spent our entire Peter Pan Meeting trying not to look at his eyes without appearing uncomfortable. Except I was exceptionally conscious, so I guess it must have soon. I wonder if he knows? Hmmm. Probably wouldn’t matter much. Some freshie feeling awkward in his presence won’t count much; perhaps he’s used to being fawned over all the bloody time.

I wonder if he attended his graduation without shaving? Hmmm. The rugged-look kind of clashes with ceremonies of most sorts.

Anyway, I’m having trouble writing my story. Yet again. I just realized earlier the plot I have in my head is kind of lame. Not just kind of but really. Too gasgas, if you get my drift. Either way, if you don’t, at least try to understand that I’m having trouble writing. Yet again. Urgh. So redundant.

Oh yes. It turns out my professor isn’t Bob Ong. At least that’s what my group mate said (yes, the infamous one). Still, I mustn’t be too gullible. Or otherwise. Basta.

To anyone who’s reading, what do you think about this: the most effective form of writing is one that resists dominant cultures in the society. Without resistance or deviance, there is no tension, there is no excitement, your writing will lack the so-called “X-factor”.

What do you think? I know some people believe in Art for Art’s Sake, but most classes I’ve attended take the more ‘purposeful’ side and insist that Art must have a clear goal. And I’m just wondering ‘cause most of the time I write for writing’s sake, you know? Just like one of my room mates, who writes about food and dinosaurs just because she feels like it. Only once have I tried to write with ‘resistance’ in mind and I found the experience harrowing. Nyeargh.

Your thoughts?
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

phones and drain bamage

April 29, 2008 ~ Tuesday ~ 7:52 PM
Papa’s 51^st

Ophelia,

I feel like such a self-righteous prat. I called home just a few minutes ago, and I got my Manang on the line. And when she picked up, instead of saying pleasant things like, “O Manang, wazzup?” I just said, “Manang is Pa home?”

If I was on the other end of the line, I’d bust a nerve. Or burst. Whichever.

Inyhoo, it turns out my dad wasn’t home. He was working overtime. On his birthday, yes. Now see where the self-righteous pratness comes from? Oops. Must not say non-positive things about Pa. He is my father after all. And he’s just turned 51. Which, I think, is enough reason for him to stop engaging in stressful activities such as working overtime on his birthday.

But moving on, moving on: my day was quite spiffing, thank you very much. My first ball for duckpin this morning actually earned me a strike! It didn’t do me much good though ‘cause I got zero points for the next frame. Still, it’s not so bad, eh? My second strike in two weeks! Perhaps sometime next week I’ll be able to land another one, hehehehe.

Also, I’m quite elated ‘cause we won’t be having Pan Pil 17 tomorrow. Not that I despise the subject, but you know, it is quite depressing to be bogged down by so much paperwork during the summer. What makes it more depressing is the fact that I actually chose to tackle the nemesis called summer classes. I wanted to be frickin’ productive! And look where it’s gotten me. I swear my eye bags have gone darker. But perhaps that’s due to reading too many fanfics. Nyeagh.

I still have to go to the classroom tomorrow though. Sir tasked our class to deconstruct some fairy tales; some groups got the Disney Classics while one got Ang Pagong at ang Matsing. As for our group, we were assigned Peter Pan. I think it’s scowl-worthy that when I went to the library in search of a copy, I found none. What kind of university library doesn’t have Peter Pan on its shelves????

Ours. Apparently.

Have decided to start reading borrowed book due tomorrow,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

PS I saw one of my former English professors earlier. He was walking out of the building I was making my way to. I’m sure he noticed me, given that I changed my course immediately after I sensed his presence ~ just to avoid seeing him face to face. I don’t think he minds though; I was always under the impression that he thought me quite strange. Well, thank you, Sir; I think you’re quite weird, too. Utterly intelligent, but definitely different. And you’re getting stranger every time I see you. You were actually smiling earlier, Sir! I’ve only seen you smile twice before. Twice!!! Note to self: Must call classmates. Could our ex-prof be in love????

PS Again. A friend from bowling brought her recently released high school yearbook to our class earlier. She’s from an all-girls school so flipping through her yearbook was like looking at the pages of some glossy, girly magazine. Then she started pointing at some faces and saying “This one here’s a lesbian”. I was honestly quite surprised. Not because of how model-ish those girls looked like but because there were so many of them. Hmmm. Another one of those exclusive school rarities, I guess.

the reason is...?

April 29, 2008 ~ Tuesday ~ 7:39 PM
Erm.

Now this one is addressed to anyone who’s reading ~ that is, if anyone is reading:

I’m not sure you guys understand the reason behind my sudden change of preferred blog writing style. Well, except from Ma’am G who’s had years of experience with my indecisiveness. I don’t really know why my style’s differed yet again, but I do know I like it. I’m actually more comfortable talking to an imaginary person than writing for people I do know. I dunno. Just feels better when I’m talking to Ophelia. I get to write more.

By the way, Ophelia’s my laptop. Don’t ask; I don’t recall where I got her name. Yes, it’s a she. (That sounds strange to me ~ does it sound strange to you, too?) But for the record I have friends who have given their own laptops names like Periwinkle, Hamlet and Nameless. The strangest one I’ve heard so far is Laplap, or something like that.

So yes, I’m back to business after a couple of absences in the online writing scene (though I seriously doubt said absences caused repercussions with Magnitude Ultra). I actually considered just giving up this blog and finding something else to do instead. But nah, I like yakking about too much. Lets loose some steam.

For a Taurarian, that’s quite a vital exercise, methinks.

P.S. Beaple Leone Michaelmas is something I came up with in senior year. High school, yes. I’m using it to sign my blogs so that if ever I don’t accomplish my dream of being published under that pseudonym, at least I can say I got to write under that name. Figure it out. Go on.

fishball tales

April 25, 2008 ~ Friday ~ 5:39 PM
Wishing Dinner’s Available

Ophelia,

Here’s a thought that crossed my head as I was trying to come up with a coherent plot for a story I’m currently working on. Somewhere in between thinking of a good super power for one of the main characters and wondering how my first chapter should go, the strange incident that took place two nights ago jumped into my head. Like oil leaping from a frying pan.

Realizing that I was hungry after nearly three hours of surfing at Alicia’s, I proceeded to the fishball stand near the parish. It was already dark and the street lamps were casting eerie splashes of artificial light on the streets, but I felt the need to eat something aside from dinner at the dorm. I ordered 20 pesos worth of fishballs and once that was taken care of, happily ate away while the stalls around me were closing. I was alone.

That was, until this tall guy in a white polo walked over to the fishball stand. Tearing my gaze away from the last few fishballs on my paper plate, I turned to look at the newcomer. To my shock and pseudo-horror, I saw myself standing face to face with my ex-Math teacher. Yes, the cute, twenty-something professor who I think didn’t like me much thanks to my guts. Not wanting to ignore him as I had been ignoring him for the past few months (besides, it would be too overtly rude to ignore him seeing that the distance between us was practically less than a meter), I inclined my head at him in an attempt at a polite bow.

He turned away. He ordered the same thing I did. 20 pesos worth of fishballs.

Heart thumping (whether from the shock of seeing him again or from the irritation caused by being ignored, I don’t know), I turned back to my paper plate of cooling fishballs and tried to munch away in peace. But it was difficult, and after a minute that seemed like hours, I grabbed my plate and walked away. Hmf.

The moral of this seemingly senseless story is… I’m not sure. It’s certainly proof that the world is a miniscule place and one often bumps into people one would rather not see. Not that I despise my teacher or anything; I mean, I totally deserved the 2.5 he gave me at the end of the first semester. It’s just that I don’t think he likes seeing me, and I definitely feel uncomfortable seeing him, so it’s better if we don’t see each other, noh?

Really, of all the people in the university that I could have bumped into at a fishball stall, I had to bump into my ex-professor. From Math 17, nonetheless. Quite a troubling thought, considering that the last time I was within a few meters radius away from him I made an utter fool of myself. Till now, I still cringe at the memory. Brrr.

She who was never good at dealing with teachers,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

P.S. My first ever voice lesson occurred uneventfully. Aside from the slight mishap of forgetting my wallet when I had to pay for photocopy expenses, it was an okay experience. I have been assigned to study ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Think of Me’ and ‘All I Ask of You’. Which really sucks ‘cause the sheets I have are for ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘All I Ask of You’ and ‘Music of the Night’. Misunderstanding rides into my life far too often. Bike and all.

P.S. Again. Speaking of bikes, I almost got run over by two of them as I was strolling around the Oval earlier. My head was floating somewhere far away. Apparently, they were in the moon, because one of the bike riders scoffed, “Para kang nasa buwan (As if you’re in the moon).” I laughed.

Toodles! Poof!

suprise, surprise

April 28, 2008 ~ Monday ~ 10:53 PM
It’s that time of month

Ophelia,

Am quite pleased to report that I got a perfect ten for our Pan Pil 17 first reflection paper. I’m happy, yes, because I was actually under the impression that my professor would flay me alive for admitting that I once thought of cursing the subject he teaches. Apparently though, my teacher, good man that he is, thought I had presented my ideas quite reasonably, that I had related our lessons to aspects of my life. Insight, it seems, is very important. Even if one’s insights border on blunt.

So. I was walking along the Oval earlier when I came up with the idea of writing a teenage love story. I’ve always wanted to write one, I guess to pacify the homeless romantic kikay in me. Thing is, I did begin writing one, except I stopped. And I can’t remember my original plot anymore so I guess I’ll have to start from scratch.

And I’m actually planning to publish it. And hand it over to my good friend Melli who will be celebrating her eighteenth come July. I’m doing this because I want to give my friends something extra special on their ‘coming of age’ celebrations. Problem is, most of my friends’ eighteenth birthdays have already flitted by. So I’m making up for my lack by ensuring that my other friends who will be turning eighteen after today will get the best of what I can give.

I’m dedicating the book to Melli. I hope she appreciates it. It’s my first book after all. At least, it’s going to be.

Quite tired and sleepy,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

PS Just finished reading a fascinating HP humor fic. It’s called The Naked Quidditch Match and although I can’t remember the pen name of the author (although she calls herself Anya) the story’s on fanfic.net if anyone wants to check it out. It’s really good. And it’s a light read.

PS Again. Yesterday morning I finished reading A Little More Time by Jess Pallas, from Mugglenet Fan Fiction or MNFF. It’s Remus/Tonks and it’s really well written. As expected from Pallas, of course. D’you know he/she (sorry, not sure as Jess goes both ways and I never bothered to check every detail in the author profile) also wrote Oblivious? That story, by the way, won Best General Fic in the first ever MNFF Quicksilver Quill Awards. So yes, Pallas is v v v good. Knows what he/she’s talking about. Definitely.

pitfalls of the literary dream

April 26, 2008 ~ Saturday ~ 11:02 PM
Yet again

Ophelia,

I’ve been typing since twelve noon. Right now, I’ve discovered that writing isn’t easy. At all. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creative Writing is true to its word. Or the first few pages anyway. Writing can be really exhausting. By Jove, it’s really exhausting.

Okay. My progress for Dercium Crest: The Prologue that I came up with in my head got divided into two parts, for the simple reason that I apparently wrote enough to fill eight pages of words in Verdana, Size 9. Because I’m following Pallas’ (from MNFF) chapter length, I had to cut my write-up in Page 5. That leaves three more pages of what I’ve written so far. And yes, the second part of the prologue isn’t finished yet. But because I’m feeling pumped up right now, perhaps I’ll have it done by tomorrow. Perhaps.

Now I understand why it takes months for my favorite stories to be updated online. Aside from the time allotted for editing and checking for compatibility with the host site’s policies, there is that little detail of the author’s schedule. Just think. It’s summer time here. And it’s Saturday. And I’ve been working my ass off for almost ten hours. And I can only come up with one freakin’ chapter?!

Really, it’s exhausting. Very.

Although I’m pleased to report I’ve actually written a decent first chapter. Rather, a Prologue Part One. A bit incoherent, probably, but that has always been my style. I have this tendency to ramble on and on and on without actually finishing the discussion of a certain topic. Which is a weakness on my part, but a very interesting one, don’t you think?

Pardon me. It’s the exhaustion that’s sucking up my brain cells and blending them to cerebral summer shake. It’s good fertilizer, I’m thinking.

Must I say it again? I’m exhausted.

Planning to read Pallas’ latest fan fic before I turn in,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

pitfalls of the literary dream

April 26, 2008 ~ Saturday ~ 12:00 PM
Starving

Ophelia,

I still haven’t written the first chapter of my story. The plot and the sequencing are already in my head. My Muses haven’t paid me a visit yet, that’s all. Like Michael Vic, whose arrival I had been anticipating most eagerly. I can’t possibly have menopause at the age of seventeen, right? And I definitely, definitely cannot be pregnant. Haha!

So anyway, I spent my morning playing Pokemon Ruby. My game has progressed quite rapidly these past few days, thanks to the Walkthrough I downloaded online. After an entire morning of pressing Z’s, X’s and the Spacebars, I’m walking on Victory Road. On to the Pokemon League!

Problem is, I’ve realized my pokemon’s levels are way too low to compete. Of course, there’s no level cut-off, but given that I only have two pokemon whose levels are above 40… Well, those who’ve played the game will understand. Consequently, the same people will scoff and wonder how I’ve come so far without leveling up so high. Truth be told, I don’t know either.

Ate Tia and I watched The Other Boleyn Girl last night. It was really fascinating, although a tad too deep for a relaxing Friday Night Movie Marathon. Definitely, definitely difficult to relax while watching Anne Boleyn’s head being sliced off. Oops, spoiler? Although I’m not well acquainted with English History, it seems that the whole movie is factual. So if you’re well-read and adequately educated, you’ll most probably know how the story will turn out.

Kind of like a Walkthrough. You’re watching it, playing it, but you don’t actually feel part of it. Minimal Gaps. Which, according to Pan Pil 17, isn’t very good.

Hoping a lunch tray would drop from the sky,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

earth day edition

April 22, 2008 ~ Tuesday ~ 4:53 PM
Happy Earth Day!

Ophelia,

The strangest things happen to me. Earlier, I was assigned to the same group as this really cute (dare I say scorching hot?) guy who kept staring at me in this strange, uncomfortable way. I’m not sure of the reason behind the stare, though it was either because I was directly in front of him or because our professor, who happens to be a good friend of his, told him of the woes I expressed in a reflection paper. All that crap about feeling bogged down by course discussions and confused each time someone mentioned the words commodity fetishism. Either way, I hope I didn’t have anything unsightly on my face. Aside from the acne, of course. They’re a given.

By the way, one of the lights in our dorm room is busted. Again. Maybe it’s a sign that I have to conserve electricity, considering it is Earth Day today. Well. Really. Is it so wrong to love my laptop so much? Besides, I think I’ve turned off enough unused lights to make up for it.

Captain Planet’s Four-Eyed Sidekick,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

PS Nearly hit strike earlier in duckpin bowling. Too bad though, because I knocked all ten pins during my second attempt. So it’s just a spare. Nyeagh.

touring thai

April 21, 2008 ~ Monday ~ 8:08 PM
Wondering if I behaved appropriately

Ophelia,

If it’s true that life begins at seventeen and my first actions as a full-fledged teenager foretell the rest of my life, then perhaps there’s a wealth of fun in store for me. Earlier this afternoon, I was walking out of the College of Music, determined to claim a nook in the park where I could start on Ovid’s Metamorphoses, when this old lady with a digicam asked me for directions to the library. After a bit of complicated gesturing and hopeless mumbling of probably incoherent directions, I looked at her and asked myself if she actually understood what I was saying. Leaning slightly to the answer “no”, I offered (graciously, I should hope) to escort her to her apparent destination.

Imagine my shock when she said, “Okay, let’s get into the car.”

Of course, the phrasing was considerably less straightforward, but my shock was still quite immense. I was even more surprised (yet slightly excited) when she introduced me to her fellow visitors from Thailand. Okay. Let me get this straight. I’m expected to tour a group of eager tourists around the university? I’ve never done this before! I was therefore quite unsure on how to deal with her relatives, so when Miss Pim (for that was the lady’s name) asked me if I wanted to go to the restroom, I immediately jumped on the opportunity.

Thank God I did, because it was during our sojourn to the bathroom that I learned the vital details of that afternoon’s event. It appeared that she was a Business Administration student in my current school forty years ago. It also turned out that she had the luxury of touring around in a beautiful car because on of her relatives was staying in the Philippines for a reason I probably shouldn’t state for fear of getting into trouble. Most importantly, it turned out she had quite a lengthy list of ‘places to visit’ that afternoon.

So we hopped into the car (the driver turned out to be a blessing in disguise ~ a Bisaya just like myself) and began ticking off her list one by one. I actually had fun pointing out the numerous buildings to the guests, even adding a bit of history for some of them. Of all the places we visited, they seemed quite enraptured by the Engineering Building. They even had the youngest member of their group pose for pictures on those imposing stairs. It turned out he was a second-year student back home, and he was considering the idea of studying in the Philippines. Engineering, of all things.

Probably one of the highlights of my afternoon was seeing two college girls giving said young man ‘the eye’ and murmuring “Ang gwapo niya!” to themselves. Out of the corner of my eye, I actually saw one of them pulling out a digicam and aiming to freeze his pose in some place other than her memory. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?), he moved just as she was about to do the deed. Fascinating, Filipino girls are. A rarity, I assure you.

Other places we visited include Miss Pim’s former dormitory, the swimming pool, and the shop where I got the umbrella that amused the family so much. To cap the afternoon, they had their own version of a food trip, and, before one of our school’s numerous dirty ice cream carts, we said our goodbyes. Thus was the culmination of my third afternoon as an official seventeen year old.

As I’ve told Miss Pim, I found the experience very enriching. Even though my parents would probably flay me alive for talking to and touring strangers, I wouldn’t want to have spent my afternoon any other way. True, I’m a bit too reckless and trusting, but I’ve had enough of cooping up in my dorm room and laughing my head off at entertaining albeit socially debilitating Harry Potter fan fiction. As the line from Dead Poets Society goes, “Carpe Diem. Make your lives extraordinary.” I plan to achieve just that.

Your tour guide in training,
Beaple Leone Michaelmas

P.S. I saw my former roommate this afternoon. Realized I miss my freshman year terribly, lousy grades and all. The friends I’ve made are worth the academic difficulty. Always.

Of Stat and Snape

April 12, 2008 - Saturday
9:27 PM – Rm 122, Ilang Hall
Sleepy.

Dearest Nonexistent Reader,

Instead of going home for the summer like most people I know, I’m stuck miles away from my beloved Cagayan de Oro City, taking summer classes for God knows what purpose. Because I was unable to enroll myself in a major class (like the other 70+ people who had hoped of getting that coveted seat in a Stat 101 summer class), my load now consists of one GE and one PE subject. Hmmm, let’s think. Are those worth a tuition costing thousands of pesos, the hassle of transporting one’s stuff from Novaliches to Diliman, and not being able to hop on a plane and go white water rafting with one’s friends? I sure hope so.

Anyway, enough of that. I’d like to talk about something happier. Preferably topics that don’t involve scorching midday heat, money, and the perfectly flawed contraption otherwise known as CRS Online. In other words, nothing about summer classes in UP.

So. Happy topics. Erm – I just finished rereading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows¹ earlier today. Although I didn’t cry upon reaching the last line (as I did the first time I finished it), I still felt this odd, empty emotion washing over me. I dunno. I felt like I had lost a friend. Like one of my arms had been axed off and would never be part of my anatomy again. I just felt so… sad. I think it’s because Harry has reached his end. So to speak.

Admittedly, at first, I only started reading the series out of curiosity. I remember the warm afternoon when my good friend Mary was lugging this gigantic, hardbound book to class, and I asked her what she was reading. She said ‘Harry Potter’ but I didn’t know what it was about so she began to talk about spiders that turned into whatever one feared most and stuff like that. What she said seemed like gibberish to me. But strangely, I felt drawn into it, even though I couldn’t understand the explanation at all. So the next time I visited a bookstore, and spotted a copy on the display shelf, I took it. And the rest is history. At least to me.

Point is, I’m not good at handling goodbyes. I’m not very good at dealing with people, period. That’s precisely why I value my books - and I believe yellowing, dog-eared pages and torn covers are NOT signs of neglect. My books, I’m sure, will never leave me. They don’t care if I can’t string two complete sentences without getting tongue tied or if I talk before I think or if I can’t crack a joke that any other human will find remotely amusing. They will always be there on my shelf, in my bags, in the boxes where I’ve kept them for their own protection. They will always be a part of me, and a part of me will always been in them.

To sum it up, I do not think my alternative topic was all that happy after all. It shows I see inanimate objects in an affection light, which isn’t very normal, methinks. Still I’ve written what’s on my mind as of the moment, and that is the most crucial part of blogging, no? As Gurkin, the People Punisher, from Sydney White says, “It’s not about being read. It’s about being written.”

Toodles! Poof…

¹By order of my having read them, here are the chronicles of Harry Potter’s adventures and misadventures in the Wizarding World: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. All sprung from the forehead of JK Rowling. That is, there are her – um – ‘brainchildren’. 

hiatus?

Here's the content of an email I'm about to send to my Australian friend Drake Magellan. It's just a simple (but long) letter that pretty much says what I've been feeling these past few days. My last days in Kalai. Sniff.

March 27, 2008
11:44

Drake,

When you changed schools, did you have to leave your old house? I'm thinking it could have been difficult for you to adjust to a new school, but I also think it's just as hard to move into a new neighborhood. I mean, that's just what I think. I've lived in our house since - erm - I was born, so I really don't know the feeling of 'rearranging life'. The closest thing to moving that I've experienced is living in a dorm. I remember mentioning something about me living in a dorm. Well, that's only for one year. And that year's over. It's quite sad.

It was first time to live out of our house. But honestly, I didn't have trouble adjusting to dorm life. I guess I'm just like that. Beginnings excite me. I guess that's also why I've got to keep moving; trying out new things makes me feel alive. Besides, I'm not the 'homesick' type. I rarely miss what I've left behind, although when I do, it really hurts. And although I haven't left it yet, I'm already missing our dorm. We're all freshmen living here, so it's like one big family of teens who have no inkling on how to go about college life. Something like that. Some of my newfound friends have already left. Every time I send someone off ('cause they have to return to their respective provinces) I feel this gaping hole in me. Like I can't breather. I must say, I never felt that when I graduated. When I left high school, I felt relieved. Long story, bah.

But now I feel sad. Really sad. Maybe because I've lived with those guys for one whole year. I saw them in their early morning hideousness, I know their allergies, I know their pains. Or maybe it's because I'm beginning to fully comprehend that in college, change is pronounced. You rarely have the same classmate for more than one semester, you have to keep moving around (especially if you're a dormer). And well, I guess I'm just surprised. I was never the type to go on full emo mode over change. As I've said, I like moving around. So yeah, I'm surprised by what I'm feeling.

Anyway, enough of that. How are things? How're you? How's Melly?

sandybeaple