Twalat Entry

This was drafted for the purpose of ending the "Think Green" phase of my life that started during the Planning/Evaluation Seminar (plevsem) of our organization. It was just a bonus that the rules were edited in a way that Filipino entries were accepted. Anything in Filipino feels different. It has that effect.

Kung anuman ang mababasa mo, isinasabi ko na sa iyo, ay sariling pakahulugan (interpretation) mo na. Pawang talinghaga lamang ang mga ito at naisulat dahil ayaw ng may-akda gumawa ng isang kailanganin (requirement) sa PolSci. Mahaba-haba ito, good luck.

Hindi ako nagsulat nito. Pinapaalala ko lang. Kapitbahay namin. Ipinadala lang niya sa akin.

Twalat - Dahil May Alat Pa Ang Twilight

Malakas na hinampas ni Bella ang pinto ng kanyang sasakyan.Mainit ang ulo ni Bella, naba-badtrip dahi sa kung anu-anong dahilan, kesyo masiyadong makinang si Edward kapag naaarawan at palagi nilang pinag-aawayan ang patuloy na pagtanong ni Edward sa kanya ng, “Bella, nakakain ka na ba?” sabay kindat at ngisi. Sa sobrang inis ni Bella ay napasigaw siya ng malakas na “Gusto ko na talagang makakain! Gutom na ako gusto ko ng karne! At gusto ko sabay tayong kumain, Edward!” sa isang imaginary na Edward sa school parking lot. Hinihingal pa siya sa paglabas ng kanyang sama ng loob.

“69 tayo!”

“Huh?”

“69! ‘Yan ang grade natin sa Biology exam.”

Masakit ang tingin ni Bella sa kaibigan. Biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya, “…I want to take a ride in your disco stick…”

Meet Ana, Swiper, and Moses

You know how some (or most) people give names to inanimate objects? I guess we have this thing for naming anything. We give our pets names, ranging from the really visual Blackie, Whitey, Brownie, to the outer space with Mars, Andromeda, and U100. Well, pets are not the only ones baptized with names these days. Things that have great value to someone are best candidates for a name. Phones, wristwatches, stuffed toys, retainers, shoes, music players, laptops, etc., name it, it has been named.

Phone: Ana

I've always been dependent on a to-do list. I like lists but I dislike remembering what to do next. So, an organizer is heaven-sent for me. In high school, I'm fine with a tickler. In college, dang it! My tickler style is not working its magic anymore! When I got a new phone, I chose a smartphone and it became my PDA - personal digital alalay. Ugh. After it was stolen, I was thinking of having a reunion with my paper friends but just like some relationships, it just didn't click. The high school bond we had was gone, planners and myself just don't have that same old chemistry anymore. Papers revolted against me and offered me to the machines. And now, I'm dependent on my smartphone, with its alarms, notes, remote control capabilities, Internet features, and all. Oh, and why Ana? It's short for ANAL. As in anal-retentive.

Laptop: Swiper

When I lost Alexander, I felt so sad I peed peanut butter and vomited Jell-o. Duty calls and my parents are already having difficulty unclogging the drainage because of all those peanut butter, so my dad brought me to electronics galactica and told me to choose my new Terminator. I'm not really good with funky passwords and my new laptop needs to have at least a first line of defense from sneaky friends and siblings. Good thing it has this fingerprint scanner. I still have a password but regularly, I just swipe my finger (whichever I want to) and I can use my Terminator! (If you're getting confused, I call laptops Terminators because they "terminate" tasks that would've been difficult to do without it and so as "terminate" sleeping hours.)

MP3 Player: Moses

My iPod Nano has been with me since my freshman year. Shuffle doesn't give me control (I'm kind of a control freak) and iPod Video is too bulky/big for commuting. The battery is still good, the "condom" or the silicon protector really works (Moses has jumped off my bag or my pocket a few times already), and even though I have devoured a number of earphones, Moses still rocks the house. Even the Red Sea is going to have a difficult time ripping out Moses. Those 300th Generation iPod NanoVideoTouch don't glamor me. As long as my iPod still works, I'll stick to it. Commuting, waiting in line (I loathe waiting), and traffic became more tolerable with Tegan and Sara, White Lies, Boyce Avenue, and the Holy Trinity.

MORAL: Naming things is one of the greatest challenge we face. Yeah, try naming your Sims, your tribe in Virtual Villagers, your fantasy sports team, your city, your band, or your company. The first step is always the most difficult and time-consuming. What is it in a name? What is a name? Why do we love naming our things? Maybe because in a room full of commoditized somethings, screaming, "Don't die on me, Lady Gaga! I need you!" while clasping the screen of your laptop gives off a different feeling.

Freaking Notebook

"I want a notebook."

"Lenovo, Acer, or HP?"

"I was thinking more like, Moleskine, Scribe, Greenapple, Ciak, or those with leather-like strings?"

"Oh. I thought you wanted a netbook. Hihi."

You just can't say anything nowadays because you've got to have an explanation or some other answers because we're running out of generic words or common nouns for this age of innovation.

"I want a soda."

"Diet or regular?"

"..." ---> Goes on forever, including the brand, the content of sugar, the temperature, etc.

It'll be a marvel to say, "I want 120ml of Coke Zero chilled 60 degrees for an hour, poured into a smoked glass with 3 ice cubes and served with a pink straw that is bendable at the neck. Thanks."

I just want a notebook.

A notebook that is recognized by someone born 80 years ago.

Meaning, paper notebook. Not laptop-notebook.

I've always been writing something in any piece of paper I can find (I don't write on bathroom walls or wherever). I'm one of those who come up with an idea seconds or a few minutes before I fall asleep. The what-ifs that sprout out of nowhere or the next big thing to be made after the invention of the printing press. Those people who write when they don't want to study for a quiz, or wash the dishes, or when the weather is just really suitable for writing.

Moleskines are everywhere, they're becoming a culture. I'm fine with it even though their notebooks are priced like an iPod case. (I'm not a tightwad, shut your trap.) It's good they're bringing back the love for notebooks and actually writing or drawing or practically the use of pen and paper. Yeah, they emanate the typical artist aura - hungry (because one small notebook has the same price as your dinner), creative, quality over quantity thing.

It doesn't work for me.

I just want to write.

I don't want to write on golden paper.

I've been targeting the fillers I have at home, leftovers from the packs and packs I bought in the past for high school quizzes. However, I just can't stuff them in my bag because after a day or so in my life, they look like recycled paper already and they can easily be misplaced like in case I managed to put it inside a thick book. "Where's the dang filler?!" In which case I decide to use a new one only to find out the old one was regurgitated by the encyclopedia (no, I don't read the encyclopedia anymore). I have seen Moleskine-like notebooks in bookstores, offered at less than 200 bucks. Moleskines are like Php795. I just want the long-lasting look and feel of the notebooks because after the rise of the machines (do you hear a Terminator?), someone will stumble upon one of my notebooks and read how amazing it is to be able to write something. Write not type. Longhand not...typewritten (did you seriously expect me to say shorthand?). It's like the Diary of Anne Frank. If I'm going to use it as a journal, it'll be entitled The Psycho Diaries.

Cursive, please don't die.

MORAL: If you keep everything in MS Word or in Google Docs, someday, you'll lose that part of you whether from viruses, or hard disk or server failures. 'Cause everything we write is a part of us, we're sharing our experiences (whether attained through the use of illegal drugs or not), whether to our future selves, or the servers of Google targeting you with advertisements. Gosh, I just want a notebook and write something on that notebook. What if I put my X Things to Do Before I Go Bonkers there? Hmmm...

It's A Vampire Night Alright

EDIT: Here's the entry if you really want to read it. *shrivels*

I have written a couple of entries in the past about Twilight (books and movie) and all the brouhaha it brought upon us. I think in order to say something about anything and mean it, one might as well not fully depend on one's gut or hearsay (sorry gossip kings and queens). Example, if someone asks you if a movie is good or not, don't give your word on it if you haven't watched the movie. It is not a safe thing to say, "my friend's cousin's classmate said movie X is really badass!" when your friend's cousin's classmate actually said, "movie X is really as BAD AS it can get!"

Ok. That was confusing. Main point without all the covers: if you're judging a phenomenon, read or watch it first.

I commented on Twilight based on the first book and the first movie. I read the second one a few days before watching it. I haven't read the other books (I read them in e-book, don't judge) and when I actually thought of borrowing a hard copy of it, I chanced upon a contest from Jessica Zafra's website. I found the challenge hilarious because well, it really needed that part. I didn't mind the contest until after some time she posted that they accept entries in Filipino. You know how things go into a whole new dimension when translated into Filipino?

Example:

"You are lazy!"

"Ang tamad mo!" --> has more impact, right?

"Son of a bitch!"

"Putang ina mo!" --> hmm.

I submitted my entry at 2:54am a few more days after the announcement of the update on rules. How nocturnal (and crammed) is that? I felt weird. (I wrote it after typing my Political Science paper.) After I posted that (after I removed the link to my blog) I told myself enough of the double entendre already. All those hidden messages and whatever stuff we're talking about like trying to incorporate a "green meaning" into anything someone will say - has got to stop eventually (because it's becoming a habit and I don't want to laugh my head off when someone talks to me and think it's all about green jokes). Actually it all started because of the Disarming Game (rules are not to be revealed anytime soon)!

Anyway, when I saw the results, I wasn't sure if I'm going to tell other people about it, because what would I say, "I won a box set of books because I wrote a sex scene for Twilight that's actually based on a few true-to-life stories from my friends!" Or I could just say, "I won books from a raffle!" I was actually tempted to tell the latter but my sister was beside me when I saw the result.

The same day, I managed to watch a couple of True Blood episodes. (Yeah yeah some vampire tv series.) Then downloaded episodes of The Vampire Diaries just because I read that Mia Kirshner (hearts) will be part of it. True enough, The Vampire Diaries is a concoction of Twilight, The OC, Ghost Whisperer, and pretty much that. When The Vampire Diaries become too cheesy for me (Damon even looks like Chace Crawford), I switch to True Blood and then back to The Vampire Diaries when the next episode has finished downloading itself.

Pretty much vampire-ish, right?

*I would like to thank all the MIS chismosos, chismosas, and barberos for the stories (I'm actually one of the chismosas and barberos but what the heck), the Waray Warrior for her mani and for being the recipient of our ballpen/pentel pen joke, the Phone Monster for his monster-like ways, Lady Gaga for her brutal songs, my sister for helping me carry the books, and all the people behind the troubled, "seriously?", intriguing, Twilight thing.

MORAL: Is sarcasm inborn or otherwise? Sarcasm: Nature or Nurture? I want to know. If there's a cure, or a 180-degree turn from it, please give me some advice. Either way, I'm going to read the books. Then recreate the book covers.

Forever Young, Forever Cursed

Dorian Gray.

Forever young.

Forever cursed.

He's the first literary guy I've fallen in love with. Nope, Tom Sawyer nor the Hardy Boys were not my type, not that I have a type. Sherlock Holmes is too old, and vampires and/or werewolves don't appeal much to me. Sorry, Edward and Jacob.

Let's go back to my first love (that I could remember). He could play the piano (I'm a sucker for musically-inclined people) and looks like he never needs to wash his hair. He's the embodiment of a hopeless youth, peer pressured at an innocent time and lived with a twisted philosophy in life. In the movie, Ben Barnes (aka Prince Caspian) looked like our local actor Albert Martinez but that is really of no importance. Sorry graphic people, even though Dorian Gray portrayed a life of pleasure and lust, there are not much cringe-worthy-"dude, look at this!" scenes. Almost all of the "love scenes" were implied and only had minimal airtime for kissing scenes. Boohoo. If I were the actors I'd love to have more time with Ben Barnes. In whatever he does, Dorian Gray, his hair would always be magnificent, immortal, and forever combed. Yeah, sometimes it looks oily but heck. Even though he has reached the nirvana level of libido, Dorian Gray is Dorian Gray. Rich, sexy, misguided, addict, lustful, and pretty...pretty much effed up.

Dorian, oh Dorian. Let's have our portraits painted.

Where's Raphael when you need him?! Da Vinci can't paint me! He loathes eyebrows!

MORAL: Watch out for pedophiles and those Bad Influences our parents always warn us about. Most of the kids today live like Dorian Gray. I'm not saying all, but at least a good percentage are. Party 24/7! Way to go!

Dorian Gray lived a life of pleasure, which he later claimed, is different from happiness.

Some things are more precious because they don't last.

See this movie because a.) Ben Barnes is amazing, b.) it's about freaking Dorian Gray, and c.) you just need reasons A and B. It's not a stellar film adaptation of the movie, so don't get your hopes up. Another cool thing about Dorian Gray, he doesn't have to be a vampire to stay looking young, looking wow!

Alienating Specialization

No man is an island, unless you bring a book because with a book, you're never alone. - Ruth

I heard the very notable quotation stated above from an influential and inspiring persona. Anyway, you notice how people utter statements that seem weird to you only to know that it's a joke based on his/her field of interest. Example, if you're a student in the field of medicine you'll probably joke about how your teacher looks like an enema or how your zygomaticus ain't working. Or if you're in the field of information technology you'll joke about network problems or about programming.

And since that's really pretty common now, people think of the association of the joke to the joker (one who delivered the joke). Sometimes we forget it's a general knowledge and not specific to any field. Let's see here. Based on a true story.

"Where's your brother?"

"Oh. He's just hibernating. Again."

"That's a computer term, right? Haha."

"Uhm, I was just referring to a bear and how they hibernate. Sleep for a long time. Right?"

"Oh. Yeah!"

MORAL: Specialization is alienating us. All of us. Really. It's breaking connection.

X Things To Do Before I Go Bonkers: What's X?

Keep your Bucket List because I will make my own X Things To Do Before I Go Bonkers. I was thinking of whether posting it here in my blog or make another one for it. My conditions are that there must be adequate testimonials and documentations like pictures, audio recordings, video clips, thumbprints, and of course, the most important thing is that I have to do it because I want to (enjoy) and not because I have to. There are a lot of things I'm already doing because I have to, and those are what make me go bonkers. Question for me is, what would X be? 100? 500? 1,000? 50? If I put too many things in the list, it would be difficult to accomplish everything and claim a big victory (though each strikethrough is a match won) but if I put too little, then what the eff is the point, because I'm going to filter things/ideas first before I do it. That's kind of lame.

Deadline for completion? You got it right, until I go bonkers.

MORAL: You don't need to have a lot of money first. "I have to save money first then proceed doing my list," is one of the most stupid things I have heard. Who said you have to complete it in one sitting?! And if you save that much, I swear you won't spend it that easily to accomplish one thing at a time. Stop eating animals, it's making people think like corporate America.

December 17, 2009

December 17, 2009 is so much fun I have to forget that I pissed other people off earlier or later in the day (seriously, I don't mind because it's still December 17).

This is one of those days being a president of an organization is so amazing I could cry orange juice with pulps.

Spending time with people I haven't talked to since forever, finishing one level of my favorite game, seeing Santa Claus, witnessing SciTech Cluster presidents sitting on the floor for no apparent reason, twisting their ankles, or texting weird messages, having free cut for a really boring class, having a decent quiz for another subject, and attending a light and entertaining Christmas party, this day is awesome.

And you won't bring me down. Okay.

MORAL: I'll worry about other stuff tomorrow, wherein tomorrow is equal to 12:00AM. Hello Philo Long Exam!!!

I'm Not Dead Yet

And you probably thought I have died.

I haven't written anything in a long time.

I thought I have died, too, and remained in limbo.

How's December? Well, I have dysfunctional fingers, and I have the patience of Bruce Banner.

MORAL: If there is no proof, no knowledge, no agreed truth, there is faith. I have faith this will pass.

Reflections at 2AM

This was drafted last October 12, 2009 at 2:30am. I read it again and found out that sheesh, finals bring about personal issues. They're not a good mix.

I'm not sure if I can consider this one of those emo posts again. Haha. If this is an emo post, this is the 2nd one. And this is not intended for this person to know because well, it isn't - it can't even be considered a letter. If you happen to get to read this, well, you can't confirm if it's about you anyway. However, if you think you are this person, we need to fix our lives ASAP.

I just want to say/type/post that it is such a pain to know (and feel) that you can see the boundary, the limit, in the friendship you are sharing with someone for a few years and counting. There are limits, or well, I just realized that there IS a limit in the friendship I have with you. When someone tells me we have a love-hate relationship, is there something wrong? Hah!

I guess I'm not patient enough to always understand, absorb, or just "let it go" when you things get really crappy. I have only said so much once. Only once. Why, after all these years, only once? 'Cause someone never learns. And if you have counted more than once (I believe you have tallied more than once in your board), you're doing it wrong. You admit it, you know that you're like that but knowing without doing is like Ondoy - it's no good.

I find it really annoying I'm having these kinds of realizations at 2 in the morning, right when I have truckloads of things to do. Seriously.

And then I find it amazing how you could think over a cartoon character. I'm talking about Spongebob Squarepants because the roots of Spongebob was shown in MTV and I got the chance to catch some info. Someone from Nickelodeon said that the beauty of Spongebob (or what's amazing in him) is that he doesn't (or cannot) see the negative emotions of other people. He doesn't (or cannot) see Patrick's stupidity, the crabbiness of Squidward, and how Mr. Krabs could be so mundane and exploitative. I wonder if Spongebob is just turning a blind eye in his friends' qualities or is he just that ignorant?

I laughed when a friend told me she's experiencing a "quarterlife crisis". You don't have to wait for midlife to experience it. You just need to get stressed out.

MORAL: Who's to say? And who are they, anyway?

I remember the results of my FIRO-B test. It haunts me every time. When I get disappointed with someone, I can footnote the FIRO-B results.

Mensahe Sa Mga DL na Atenista Last Sem

*Drafted last October 11, 2009. 11:22 pm. Grabe, bakit hindi ko napopost mga naisusulat ko. Puro nasa drafts. Che.

NegaStar mode na naman ako. Trip ko ulit magpost ng entry sa Tagalog/Taglish. Mas malakas ang tama kapag Tagalog eh. Feel it, beybeh!

Sa lahat ng mga magiging Dean's Lister ngayong "optional" semester, sana ay hindi maging ugat ng kasiyahan niyo ang dahilan na optional ang requirements at final exams sa subjects niyo.

Matagal na akong hindi fan ng "Win or Lose, It's the school we choose" slogan ng Ateneo. Feeling ko medyo "eh ano naman, basta Atenista ako" ang dating sa akin. Marami ang kokontra sa akin rito dahil it's all about loyalty to your Alma Mater. K... Kahit na may injustice sa loob, ok lang. Loyalty. Choosing to not see the faults. Ok lang, it's the school we choose. Sabihin mo na, mali interpretation ko. Pero yabang parin eh. Win or lose, it's the school we choose. Basta Atenista o galing sa Ateneo, okay na!

Singlaki ni Godzilla ang gulat ko nang sabihin ng VP ng Loyola Schools na optional na raw yung mga bagay-bagay na kasama sa syllabus! Lalo na ang final exams and final projects (suwerte ka kung pang one sem lang ang subject mo, yung tipong hindi na kayo magkikita ng teacher mo next sem).

Ako na siguro ang pinaka-kontrabidang tao ngayon. Naaalala mo ba ang Task Force Ondoy sa Ateneo? Sa Covered Courts?

Sabi sa Philo class ko na ramdam na ramdam ko naman, kasi dapat parehas na okay ang panloob at panlabas na kilos. Puro panlabas na kilos lang yung iba, aminin na natin. May ibang napilitan lang dahil "duty calls" or "kailangan eh". Puwede ring naghahanap ng dahilan para pumunta ng school kasi walang pasok, gusto maglakwatsa, o dahil bored lang. Cool kasi tumulong sa relief operations sa Ateneo, maraming cute, maraming ganito, ganiyan, nandun mga kaibigan. Sarap nga eh, ultramicrominiskirt, full make-up at puro self-portraits pa. Hindi naman bawal magpicture and mag make-up. Hindi rin naman masama pumunta doon kahit na iba ang intention mo, kasi at the end of the day, nakapagpack ka parin ng goods, nakapag-assembly line, o nakapagpili ng damit para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo. Nakatulong ka parin.

So anong pag-uugatan ng kasiyahan kung kinonkontra ko yung dahilan na "optional"? Sakin, natutuwa ako sa Ateneo (kahit na hindi parin ako fan ng slogan), dahil alam nilang hindi ang akademikong bahagi ng buhay ng tao ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat. Hindi lang tungkol sa academics ang buhay. May buhay pa bukod sa final exams, sa final requirements, dahil hindi talaga final ang mga ito, hindi natatapos sa silid-aralan ang mga maaaring matutuhan sa buhay.

MORAL: Proud ako maging Atenista at hindi ko ikinahihiyang hindi ako nagtake ng final exam sa ibang subjects ko. End of story.

Nandoon Kaya Ako?!

Drafted last October 15, 2009, at 1:39am. Tears in my mind how I write too much in the wee hours.

It's starting to annoy me already because it has been happening a lot of times, that I vocally wish people I want to be with WERE with me, just to realize or remember that they were with me during that moment all along.

Example 1:

Me: Ang ganda ng (insert movie title here), pinanood namin nila (insert other people's name here). Sana napanood mo rin.

Friend: *looks at me weirdly* Ano ba, magkatabi kaya tayo sa sinehan?!

Example 2:

Me: Hmm, depende pa kasi sa mga groupmates ko eh.

Groupmate: Diba groupmates tayo?

Me: Oh... Yeah...

Groupmate: *shows a WTF?! face*

Example 3:

Me: Ay may kwento ako sayo. Sa (insert subject here) class ko dati, may isang girl na (insert a really funny or memorable event here). Grabe noh.

Classmate: Oo nga eh. Tapos sabi mo (insert what you said here).

Me: Yeah! Sinabi ko yun! Paano mo...*starts slowing down upon realization*

Classmate: Yups. Classmates tayo.

Me: Ah...*thinks of other words to salvage self*

Classmate: *nods incessantly* Seatmates tayo.

Example 4:

Me: Eh kasi wala ka nung party eh. Umuuwi ka kaagad.

Friend: WTF.

Me: Huh?

Friend: Nandoon kaya ako! Sa akin niyo pa nga grinab yung pictures niyo?!

Me: Oh crap, onga.

Friend: *gives another WTF look*

Example 5:

Friend: Onga eh, naalala ko yung hindi nadudumihan na pants ni Megan Fox.

Me: Napanood mo na yung Transformers 2?! Second day palang ngayon ah.

Friend: *gives me a straight face*

Me: Oh yeah. *remembers friend was there when we watched on the first day*

And I never learn.

Example 6:

Me: Naaalala mo yung nasa (insert details here)? Noong (insert more details here)? Ayan ah, di na kita nakalimutan.

Friend: Yeah.

Me: *wonders the cold response*

Friend: Kaso wala ako nun.

Me: Oh crap.

MORAL: I just hope people would think it's done intentionally, maybe like a joke, ice breaker, or something. Sad thing is that I really forgot. Noooo. Next time I'll super duper think or ransack my memory first before I share stories. Vocally wishing people into your stories is not good, well for me, at least. I have seen a lot of eyeball-rolling, WTF facial expressions, and all those poker faces Lady Gaga would be so proud.

Entrance Exams

Having read Mark's ACET Tips I realized I was a parent's total nightmare when I took my entrance exams. Honestly, UPCAT is the most difficult JUST BECAUSE it's the first college entrance exam you're going to take and you'll feel all the pressure of not knowing how an entrance exam would be like. After that, everything else is another experience to enjoy. I loved the essays they are really amazing.

Mark's tips (that are really helpful):

• Sleep the night before the test. I cannot stress this enough as a well-rested mind and body has been proven to answer tests more correctly than the mind and body who took an all-nighter.
• The baon that you bring during the exam should fit in your pocket. Trust me, you won't be able to eat that much. Snacks brought to the test are designed to keep you and your stomach relaxed in between breaks.
• Do not bring Cola as refreshments. A single bottle of water will do. You don't want your stomach grumbling due to the carbon content of the Cola.
• Bring high-quality Number 2 pencils. I don't have anything against generic brands, but you don't want your pencils screwing up during the exam. Better go with a brand you can trust.
• Eat a full meal hours before the exam even if you don't feel eating. My parents treated me to KFC in front of Gate 3, and though I didn't want to eat, I must say that a full stomach adds to the confidence.
• Bring/Wear/Borrow a watch. You will be taking the test under time pressure, and it will be helpful if you can monitor yourself. Time is more precious than gold when taking the ACET. Remember, do not dwell on one question for too long.
• Since what will save you most of the time is your stock knowledge, it would be nice to pick up knowledge in whatever form you encounter it. From now on, read the newspaper, brush up on your reading, watch the news, etc.
• Practice your English (seriously) and get serious with your Math. You will write an essay during the test so you also better start practicing your writing.
• The Math will be hard, but with enough studying, you'll pull through I promise. I did!
• Wear comfy (and decent) clothing during the ACET. Flashy clothes tend to be thicker, so better stick with the shirt and jeans. Mas presko, 'ika nga.
• PRAY! Smiling will also help, even if the other people are wailing after finishing the exam. Positive energy attracts even more positive energy.
• Take care of yourself days before the test. You don't want to be sick when taking the ACET.
• Remember that it is just a test! It is completely normal to worry about it, but you shouldn't let it get the best of you.

What actually happened to me:

1. I slept 5 hours before my UPCAT.

2. I brought bottled water and a sandwich. My seatmate brought a portable thermos (I'm not kidding). Another just brought 5 Judge chewing gums. Another brought packs of cupcakes and snacks that could feed the entire row.

3. I only brought 2 Number-2 pencils and they are the "kids" type, meaning they are thicker and won't fit in your regular sharpener.

4. I didn't eat a full meal because I was hell scared that my large intestines were going to do backflips while I was shading those circles.

5. I was actually super sick during my DLSU exam that those around me thought I was crying (and I swear it's because of the colds). Haha. Also, during the DLSU exam, I wore the same thing with the girl next to me. My entrance exam uniform - black shirt, pearl earrings, and jeans. Boohoo.

6. I freaking didn't study anything because I don't know what to study. I was somewhat nervous before the UPCAT because a lot were reading notes and scanning through their reviewers. I told my brother I wasn't prepared because I didn't study anything.

7. While in line, I talked to those near me. Being friendly helps because it relieves tension, actually starts pumping up your brain and those I chatted with offered me (a lot of) food during the exam, offered me clean erasers (even though I have one), and even spare sharpeners (because they saw my huge pencils). I bring my own stuff but then being friendly has been beneficial to me for quite some time already.

8. I normally finish exams ahead of everyone else (IDK, I've been like that since grade school because I don't want to be the last in anything).

9. I never got the chance to personally know the results of my exam. The results of all my exams were 2nd hand information already. "I saw your name..." "You passed in ..." And my common response? "Oh."

10. I'm not bragging but I passed all my entrance exams (UP, Ateneo, DLSU, UST, UE). I prayed.

11. Essays in Ateneo could actually be a make-or-break thing for applicants. Not kidding.

12. Don't make entrance exams a big fuzz in your life. You'll just get stressed, tired, and depressed (with the results). It's not the measure of how intelligent you are or something because you know yourself better than all those entrance exams. You know you are smarter than your score and that these exams are not made of recycled paper so they ruin the environment.

MORAL: Check number 12.

Vain, Blamed, and Unappreciated

Another post typed during my Internet-free deprived days.

~~~~~

Apparently Not All Ateneans Are Intelligent

I would always have the pleaser inside of me. I am a pleaser, or well, I used to be one. I won't be able to sleep at night if at the back of my mind I think I somehow misaligned another person's solar system. However, being part of a group and leading the people here to infinity and beyond, there is no place for a pleaser. How many times have you heard of "you can't please everybody" and those "if you can't please yourself, you can't please anybody" words of wisdom? Through the years I was in denial that I am a pleaser, but in this line I chose, having not a pleasing personality but the pleaser-type of personality is deadly. It would be so stressful you'll just rip your hair off and donate it to cancer patients instead. You'll wash your face with coffee and go crazy thinking of nothing in particular.

Then I began to hope. Now that I can really say that I can't please everybody, I found the beauty of hope. Hoping that one day, when those kids get a year (or 2) older, their perspectives will change for the better - that they will realize that the Executive Board actually planned for things to happen, that we're not just waiting for the Global Financial Crisis to extinguish it's damaging flame, and we did not just release some prints as an opportunity for the whole body to criticize us. I'm hoping that they will see the bigger picture and not judge people by what they see at first (impressions).

Honestly, do they really think we're that dumb? Sorry but we're better than that and we're not vain, we're just that awesome normal.

MORAL: We won't always reach out. Meet us halfway, dearies. I do not want to lose hope to those next in line. I think they're taking in too much alcohol.

Glee - It Brings Joy

I didn't have Internet for what seemed to me like 3 years. It didn't help me at all especially now that everything revolves in the virtual community. I was typing all my shiz in Twitter and in Notepad (yes, this was the most used app in my computer). As I checked my saved Notes, I forgot to put one important thing: date.

So now, I have one file of all these "blog entries" I saved and I don't know the date when I barfed those words!

Here's the first in my list.

~~~~~

You know those tv series most people download every week or just copy from their friends' hard disk?

Those tv series they tirelessly gush and talk about night and day?

Yeah. The latest catastrophe is Glee. Everyone's all about it and chat up about how great it is over cafeteria food. They keep on asking each other if they have watched the latest episode and they all agree on how amazing it was. Topics of the conversation mostly include the choice of songs and who's cuter.

I used to be one of those who painfully wait every week to download the latest episode of the gazillion tv series I watch.

Then I had a change of heart and became one of those who wait at the end of the term then copy the episodes or buy a compiled dvd from the local movie pirates.

The series is amazing if you're into music. Even if you hated High School Musical or if you secretly love it, you'll go for Glee. So far, it can deliver your expectations, I just don't think this series will last because of all that production number and well the storyline's somewhat weak, but who knows? Who knows?

MORAL: Okay, Finn is as lame as (a retarded) Nick Lachey but I don't judge. You don't have to wait for the series every week for the story, you'll want it every week eagerly waiting to be surprised with the next mash-up or whatever song Rachel is going to murder. Let's go, Cheerios! Is high school really that lame?

Sign the Birthday Card

Last time, I asked the officers in our organization to "sign the birthday card" for someone. So I gave the card to one VP and they'll SIGN the birthday card. Guess what I got at the end of the day.

Their freaking signatures. Haha. Really, I was surprised that they thought they're celebrities for that person to want their signatures. I had a good laugh and oh, the person never got his birthday card. No one even wrote Happy Birthday. o_o

MORAL: Do not underestimate the understanding of student-leaders. Clarify instructions. Okay? Ok.

Circus Jeepney

Last night, I had high hopes for today. I envisioned a cool cloudy weather that's perfect for walking. I would buy gummy bears first then go to school with a blank DVD for Windows 7. Then I'll submit the softcopy of our project documentation, copy the complete 2nd season of The Big Bang Theory from a friend, and have...some fun? No, I was thinking of frozen yogurt hopping. Compare all the frozen yogurts and all. Well, I have to push that to some other time because nothing happened as envisioned.

What really happened is that I woke up almost lunch time, the sun was scorching, and came to school to find out that the tech support was not in their office. I even brought my laptop and 2 external HDDs with me. Haaay. Good thing I got a free ride home from a friend. When we were in Santolan already, traffic was eeeevil so I volunteered to ride a jeepney because our house is not that far anyway so why not.

The few times I ride a jeepney I attract bad vibes. I rode a jeepney with only 6 other passengers, 5 adults (inclusive of 1very pregnant lady) and 1 kid. Then we had a Boom Boom Pow moment. Along the intersection, the driver stepped on the brake pedal while on the 3rd gear. I'm not sure on that but it just means that he's driving real fast then hit the brakes all of a sudden. The kid did a dolphin dive (or was it a front roll?), and I saw the pregnant lady lie down in the seat like she took a 2-second nap. Whatever happened, it was too fast and the result was a crying kid, a very angry parent, a defensive driver, and a hyperventilating pregnant lady.

I looked back and saw skid marks. I swear the driver wants to be a drifter.

MORAL: Life is an adventure, commuting is a roller coaster. Things happen in a blink of an eye. I was worried for the preggers and the kidders. Really.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Another post drafted last October 13, 2009, at 3:37am. Zombie mode gave me a lot of entries saved.

Finally, a storm-devastated-related post.

I was listening to Coldplay's Strawberry Swing song and the cover of The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever in the movie Across the Universe and I suddenly remembered Baguio's Strawberry Fields and how beautiful it is. My sister has never been to Baguio, she claims being there when you're 2 years old doesn't count, so for her, she has NEVER been to Baguio. The song is not a happy one, and neither does the scene of Baguio's Strawberry Fields at present. The luscious red ocean of strawberries in the cool temperature of Baguio is going to be but a distant memory now. A postcard you want to preserve in your mind.

My friend said, "Baguio, will never be the same." I added in the most unusual optimistic me, "It will never be the same again because it'll definitely be better."

Strange, but I have faith.

MORAL: There would always be forces greater than us.

Nagtatampo Ka Ba?

Drafted last October 13, 2009 and I just got to post this now.

Two of the "benta" questions I suddenly thought of are "Nag-aaway ba tayo?" and "Nagtatampo ka ba?" Come to think of it if you really are sulking because of someone and that someone asks you "nagtatampo ka ba?" it's like a 3-punch combination to your face! You've been feeling bad for something someone did intentionally or unintentionally then that person doesn't get it. Doesn't get why you're feeling sucky, why you're sulking, why you're exerting effort to feel pissed off. The worst part is that this person did it and doesn't get it.

Same thing for "nag-aaway ba tayo?" because sheesh, c'mon! Were you just yakking on and on about nothing?

Could be that people are too dumb, too numb, or just insensitive.

MORAL: Actions speak louder than words but sometimes plain assumptions are wrong. There's a 50-50 chance of getting it right (if someone's sulking), but it's a 100% that things won't be the same again.

Adopted Sleeping Breaks

Last night, I never felt so much pressure into sleeping.

When I got home, my sister, mom, dad, yayas, hmm, almost everyone kept on asking me, "What time are you going to sleep? Do you have plans on sleeping? You know you should be taking Stresstabs or those multivitamins regularly."

Thanks for the concern. This is one of those times when pressure feels genuinely good.

~~~~~

There are those acronym sites that share short stories - FML, MLIA, GMH, etc. Just search for them if you want to know what the acronyms stand for, to read the stories, or just to waste time. I came across this one while testing the Internet connection of those mobile Internet kits (I'm using the Globe Visibility one at present)

Today, my teacher was telling us a story about her friend's adopted son and how he got picked on for it. One day at school a boy went up to him and said, "I came from my mommy's tummy, where did you come from?" knowing the boy was adopted. His response? "I came from my mommy's heart." He was 6 years old at the time. This GMH

When I read that (it was the first one when I checked), I remembered what Sushmita Sen told her kid (adopted, too). Her kid tells those who pick on her that she's (more) special because she was chosen (out of a lot of other kids). Haha. Great response if you really want to shoot down the bully. Then it brings up the issue of "unwanted" children. Ho hum.

~~~~~

I have been blogging a lot lately (so far I still got 3 unpublished entries) and posting a lot in Twitter. The reason is that well, I have reiterated a lot of times that I work at night and when you really NEED a break from all the thinking, typing, and reading, you'll look for other forms of leisure. You check to see who's online, well, at 4 in the morning, your relatives from half the world across are the only ones awake, you can't really watch TV, can't take a nap (because you'll end up having a 8-hour nap), and you've been eating forever. When you want to just vent out your frustrations, ideas (that are not needed for your work), and all those annoying realizations (that I've been having lately), Twitter and blogging are lifesavers.

MORAL: Reflections between 2-4am are fine, as long as you still do your work. Haaaah.

Personal Risk Management

Risk Management is the way to go! Let's have some fun this risk is sick, I want to take a ride in your disco risk! (This is a sample of trigger point #2. See Trigger Points below.)

~~~~~

Risk Description: Group member losing consciousness while finishing the paper.

Preventive Plan: Inject 20cc of amphetamine. Use muriatic acid as facial wash. Rinse with coffee (not decaffeinated please).

Probable Cause: Too many zombie modes. Insomnia. Gluttony. Dehydration. Illness (not mental).

Contingency Plan: Revive the member, get the document, check if the document is accurate, revive the member (if unsuccessful on first try), pray, whine, scream "May gwapo sa labas!" and if it still doesn't work, call an ambulance.

Type of Risk:

Probability - Very High

Severity - Very High

Trigger Points:

Panda eyes.

Too much "sabaw" moments in school, at home, online, offline, baah.

Person is online when you get home, still online before you log-out, and still online when you wake-up.

MORAL: Life is like Choc-Nut. Yum! (This is another sample of trigger point #2. See Trigger Points above.)

Cogeo Station

There's always a balance. My day started well, got zapped in the middle part, and I'm still waiting for the good news. I know it'll come. Though, the interesting one is that people really say the funniest things when they don't intend it to.

I overheard during my LRT-2 ride a while ago 2 homos talking to each other.

G1: Yung boyfriend ko ngayon, kabaligtaran ng ex ko.

G2: Ay ganun. Ano ba ex mo, babae?

G1: Ewan ko sayo.

G2: Sunod na station na ako.

G1: Ano ka ba, sabay kaya tayo bababa!

G2: Oo nga pala noh, Cubao ka rin.

G1: Saan mo ako gusto pababain?! Sa Cogeo?! Bruhang 'to!

*NOTE: There's no Cogeo Station.

I was trying my best not to laugh. (I wasn't utilizing my iPod at this point.)

My silver flash drive is nowhere in sight. It kind of contains really important stuff and if I lose it, my head is going to be on the chopping block and 16 people will chant "Kill" endlessly. So Yaya Belle asked her sister, Yaya Susan, "Nakita mo ba yung parang silver ni Mei na ginaganito *does an insert action* sa computer? Yung mahaba?"

Sanny's reply, "Ah yun ba? Hindi eh."

MORAL: I live on these simple moments. Funny how they make me happy even for a while. Whoever said commuting is boring must burn. That's one of the things I like in commuting, there's always a surprise. Even though surprises could include PDA, ghetto dudes, grumpy people, wailing kids, and suspicious looking people.

Colds and Monsters || Postpaid Ads

I still have colds. I'm doing my best to say "Pika" before I sneeze. Someone's going to form a habit.

~~~~~~~

Kapag postpaid ka, most likely nakatatanggap ka ng mga Text Ads na nakaiinis. Mga cash loan, mga pampapayat, mga halogen lights, mga gamot, mga pampalaki ng piling bahagi ng katawan *ubo*, at iba-iba pang produkto. Ka-badtrip. Kapag naka-Unlimited Globe-Globe texting ako, nirereplyan ko sila ng "CHEH!" Cool ako eh.

MORAL: Hindi na uso ang privacy ngayon. Actually, nasa Tumblr ko yung dalawang yan. Trip ko lang ilagay dito. Oh yeah.

Virtual Social Wars

Yahoo! Messenger

Blog (via Blogspot)

Multiply

Facebook

Tumblr

Twitter

I hope it ends there.

I have always claimed to be not a fan of all these social networking sites and all the latest shebangs in the Internet. I've had my blog since I was a baby but posted entries then were as often as leap years. I ditched Friendster when I was in my sophomore-junior year in high school. Okay, honestly my account got blocked and I swore I won't revive my account there again. I signed up for Multiply because we needed it for one of my class in college - freshie year, and everyone got Multiply in Ateneo. It's still working as a repository of photos, which is like its only purpose now. Facebook? I made one just for accepting/confirming people who keep on sending those invites. However, Facebook is the main thing right now, the reigning champion in all of these virtual social networking in the Internet even in third world. Tumblr was born because of my uncontrollable banters, one-liners, and all. Tumblr allows easy reposting/reblogging of whatever other people already posted, which is not my type. Then Twitter. I have a Twitter account before, but deleted it because of forgotten reasons. Now, Twitter is there if you're the ultimate quidnunc (CHISMOSA), fangirl, stalker, or whatever. I revived my dormant Twitter account when a new friend's account proved to be really, really interesting. And now, since I have Twitter in my phone, I can update there as fast as I can say "Wow." Twitter just shows how eccentric and hyper I am.

It still amazes me how I can post different content for the sites I usually update at present (Twitter, Blog, Tumblr).

MORAL: If you always go with the flow, you're nothing more than a dead fish.

Eclipsing Ganymede

This is the sample output file when I ran the project for Hibernate part of our Contemporary Database class.

Lady Gaga

I'm making the world creepier!

There is a Gaga in all of us.

Hallelujah!

===============

Kanye West

Yo, yo, yo, Taylor!

Imma let you finish but Beyonce got the best video!

Beyonce forever!

===============

Taylor Swift

Kanye, yo yo your face!

I'm so white, I'm racist!

===============

MORAL: Why are there different versions of Eclipse? Ganymede is one of the 63 confirmed moons of Jupiter and is the largest one in the solar system. Ganymede is also a mythological character who's considered as the most attractive of the mortals and was abducted by Zeus to serve as a cupbearer to the gods and as Zeus's beloved (READ: someone who's in a love relationship with another man). Thanks, Wikipedia, for polluting my mind.

On Lace Living in McDo Katipunan

Me: siguro pag nandiyan ka

Me: yung mga nasa cashier

Me: "Hi Ma-. Ay, kaw na naman."

Lace Lofranco: =))

Me: hindi enthusiastic pag nakita ka

Lace Lofranco: kilala na nga ata ako nung taga linis ng mga tables... hahaha

Me: =))

Lace Lofranco: one time pinapasok ako sa kahit "temporarily closed"... hahaha

Me: WOW SO MUCH FOR VIP STATUS

Lace Lofranco: ung isang area

Me: that's super fun!!!

MORAL: If you always stay in one place (let's say in a fastfood establishment that is open 24 hours), have memorized the store's playlist which has a high probability of making you go bonkers, fall asleep there then wake up to see people eating breakfast already, congrats, you're just like my blockmate!

Run, Before Chuck Norris Finds You

I thought it was just a joke but it's the real deal!

In Google,

Type: Find Chuck Norris

Hit/Click: I'm Feeling Lucky

CONGRATS.

MORAL: Chuck Norris is everywhere.

IM Alone

I told myself and just posted it in my status message in Yahoo! Messenger a few nights ago that I won't be clicking on people's names then chat with them. I'll reply only if someone sends me a message first and I thought it would be easy. There were times that I've typed messages 5-pages long then delete everything because I'm not supposed to be IM-ing people. Why? What's up with this weirdness?

I just feel like it.

I'm a sucker for social experiments and feeling-Philosophical things that aren't really Philosophical in nature and can't be considered social experiments. I guess I am just that neurotic.

I'm kind of being half-meant-true emotional this sem. I'm thinking if I'm just wasting other people's time when I double click their names and fire away. I don't chat or buzz those with busy signs okay? I just thought that maybe I just type so much or share too much stories, so maybe it's about time I learn to shut up even just virtually. Would people double click my name and send a message instead (of me doing otherwise)? Sheesh. Emo, much.

Then I remember what happened to me when I was in highschool as well, also in my senior year. I don't like to associate it with my senior year but I guess I want to look what difference have I made from highschool and college when dealing with people. I'm just not too familiar with being too close with people. There were times when I ask that if you can't have relatives as your maid-of-honor, to whom would you give the title? And, will that person accept it? I guess I'm with those who have a million acquaintances but few close friends. I personally prefer the other road, fewer friends but the relationship is intense. Boohoo. (If I get married, I'd probably just ditch the whole maid-of-honor thing.)

What if I really have to be in contact with someone? There's cellphone, there's e-mail, or even there's such a thing as sending a message in Facebook. (You're surprised?!)

I told a few blockmates about this, one thought I'm having technical difficulties (because YM is prone to crashing on you especially when you really need it) or something. Well, it's emotional difficulties, baby.

MORAL: There's no real time for reflection. Some things strike you when you least expect it to. Just like while doing your project. It's annoying but sometimes you can't help it. I'll admire you if you can control that. "Please, no sudden realizations while I'm working real hard in my academics!" Ohh, I think that's called focus. I guess I must focus more. Dang.

Bloggers Change, Too

In my blog, dati laging funny yung posts ko (or I think they are), ngayon hindi na. Boo. Mas conyo-neurotic intelligent na (WEH). Kasi ganito, para maging funny or benta ang isang bagay, maglalagay ka ng description sa isang bagay. Basta exaggerate the description and magsingit ng nonsense na hirit. Humahaba lang ang blog entry mo.

Example:

Grabe yung nakita kong babae sa TV. Super payat hindi mo na malaman kung chopsticks ba yun or legs or arms. Yung tipong pag nagsuot ng bangles eh didirecho sa kilikili niya. Tapos sa sobrang pointy ng buto eh mabubutas na yung leggings. Did I say grabe na ba? Ay nako, dapat hindi nag-eendorse yan ng vitamins.

Pero bakit ngayon hindi na ako funny? Ewan. Siguro kasi uso na yung straight to the point. Alam ko mga mahahabang post eh kadalasa'y pilit yung funny-effect. Maraming ganun. Promise. Ako? Nagbago na ako. Minsan puro hirit, minsan naman, hammer the nail! Straight to the point! Walang make paliguy-ligoy! Pero if funny ka talaga, pare, clown ka.

Ang uso na lang ngayon, conyo at sabaw.

Akala mo funny, yun pala hindi.

MORAL: People change, intentions change, things change, climate change.

Submerged Phone

SuperSecret: alam mo ba nasubmerge sa weewee ung cellphone ko nung wednesday pero ayos na ngayon 1600 binayad ko

Dyosa: =))

Dyosa: KADIRI KA

SuperSecret: i know

Dyosa: ano nangyari

Dyosa: pano mo pinulot?

SuperSecret: eh di kinuha ko lng ng kamay ko

SuperSecret: habang nagmumura

SuperSecret: hahahaha

SuperSecret: no choice na eh. buti na lng di ko naflush

Dyosa: K

Dyosa: sa school or sa bahay?

SuperSecret: kasi nung wednesday pagod na pagod nako. 5am-6pm ako andun, nagCR ako di ko napansin nahulog na pala sa bulsa ko at nashoot na dun

SuperSecret: sa admu

SuperSecret: sa CR ng covcourts

SuperSecret: hahahaha

SuperSecret: kasama ko si *toot*

SuperSecret: tapos sobrang tagal ko sa loob ng cubicle

SuperSecret: kinatok na niya ako "SuperSecret, are you okay?"

Dyosa: anong kasinungalingan sinabi mo

SuperSecret: sagot ko: *silence* "umm.. i'm fine.."

SuperSecret: "sandali lang.. you can go ahead if you want"

SuperSecret: pero inantay niya ko

Dyosa: lumabas ka?!

SuperSecret: kaya no choice basta binalot ko lang ng tissue tapos tinago ko na

Dyosa: ng.. wet hands.

Dyosa: K

SuperSecret: nagpunas ako tissue. tapos inantay niya pa tlga ako ang tagal tagal ko naghugas

SuperSecret: nagtaka na siguro pero hindi na siya nagtanong

SuperSecret: tapos todo alcohol

SuperSecret: hay buhay

Dyosa: i have something to tell you

Dyosa: HAHAHA

Dyosa: wag kna sumama kadiri ka

Dyosa: BEST STORY ever.

SuperSecret: HOY BAKA NAMAN KUMALAT NA TOH HA

Dyosa: i won't borrow your phone EVER

Dyosa: =))

Dyosa: hindi mo binanlawan?

SuperSecret: sorry lang

SuperSecret: dapat babasain ko ulit kaso ano ba baka hindi na mabuhay

SuperSecret: pinunasan ko alcohol pag-uwi ko

SuperSecret: bawat corner

Dyosa: ano sabi ng nanay at mga kapatid mo

SuperSecret: eh di EEEEEEEEWWWW

SuperSecret: YAAAAAK KADIRI

Dyosa: TEKA PANO KA NAGPASUNDO

Dyosa: K

SuperSecret: nanghiram ako ng phone kay *toot*

SuperSecret: un pa iniisip ko "shucks baka may nagttxt na sakin"

SuperSecret: pero ok naman naayos din

SuperSecret: hindi nga namin sinabi sa repairman

SuperSecret: na sa weewee nasubmerge

SuperSecret: basta ganito lang: ano problema? nabasa po

SuperSecret: yun binalikan namin after a day naayos naman

SuperSecret: pinatuyo daw nila tapos may pinalitang piyesa

SuperSecret: J

Dyosa: K

Dyosa: you're legendary

Dyosa: my respect for you got multiplied by 200,000

MORAL: GOSH. Sorry SuperSecret. This is too funny NOT to share.

Single and Available

I saw this in a friend's blog and the first thing that came to my mind when I saw (not read) it was: TOO MANY WORDS. Apparently, it's super worth the time and effort! It's not a dragging post and it'll crack you up at some point.

NAGTATAKA KA BA KUNG BAKIT KA PA SINGLE?

SINGLE: Minsan ayos lang kase free na free ka gawin kung ano ang gusto mo o kaya makakapunta ka kung saan mo gusto pumunta pero kung minsan, lalo na't malamig ang hanging o kya maganda ung view, magwiwish ka na sana may yumayakap sa yo, hahalikan ka sa noo at tititignan ka ng parang ikaw na ata ang pinakamagandang babae sa mundo. nakakamiss yun.

kaya heto, susubukan ko bilangin ang mga dahilan kung bakit single pa tayo. Gaano katagal na ba tayo walang nagiging boyfriend?

1. Masyadong independent
baka naman masyado mo napoproject na kaya mong mabuhay ng wala silang lahat, ayan tuloy parang hindi nila maramdaman na kailangan mo rin sila kaya dun nalang sila sa taong tingin nila ay magkakaron sila ng silbi.

2. Mataas ang standards mo

siguro hindi na natanggal sa isip mo ung pangarap mo nung bata ka pa. aba, kelangan mo na gumising sa katotohanan na walang ideal guy. ok cge, kung makita mo nga ung hinahanap mo na gwapong matalino na mayaman na mabait pero nung nakasama mo naman eh nakita mo hindi pala pantay ang kuko niya sa hinlalaki o kaya naman sobrang bad breath niya sa umaga o kaya naman daig pa ang tambucho sa lakas manigarilyo...oh eh di turn-off ka na? kung lahat ng tao ay katulad mo na mataas ang standards, malamang wala ng magboyfriend at maggirlfriend ngayon. puro friends nalang.

[......]

Finish reading it here. It's a good read just don't mind the punctuation marks. I know it's annoying but I don't want to edit things.

MORAL: Well, sometimes being single is a choice. I don't want to believe in "waiting for Mr. Right," because you'll decide if you're going to make someone, the right one. Well, you could argue with me on this.

Sooner or Later, Everything Comes and Goes

I have been waiting for Michelle Branch's new album Everything Comes and Goes since February and then its release got pushed to November. The agony of waiting for it. Well, time flies by especially when you're stressed out in school and she just had the premiere of her new music video for Sooner or Later which would take a day for her team to upload in YouTube. I'll post the video here once it becomes available in YouTube because the vid's not available for international viewers in her site (boo!). Still amazing, though. Here's some part of the lyrics (I just typed the parts I want people to read) and yes, sooner or later, you'll be wishing you had me. Take that, freak!

Yeah you talk, talk all you want, you pour your heart out

But you never do see, you never do see me

Ooh, I can't wait forever for you

Sooner or later

You're gonna come around and you'll be sorry

When you figure out

That I was always everything that you needed

Sooner or later you're gonna wish you had me

Yeah, you're gonna wish you had me

Lipstick, pretty face, and maybe you'll notice something

Different 'bout me, different 'bout me

MORAL: Michelle Branch is still the best policy. Amen to that! Nice lyrics, nice melody. Good decision to release this as a single over This Way. Sweet.

Meanwhile here's the acoustic version and let it melt you.

Chinese Lesson c/o Stancy

Stancy: Mei, Mei.

Stancy: 妹妹

Me: !$#!%$%^ ka rin

Stancy: WTF.

Stancy: =))

Stancy: That's your nickname kasi in Chinese.

Stancy: "mei-mei".

Me: ._.

Now, you learn two things about me. 1.) My nickname's Mei-Mei (which I eventually shortened to Mei) and 2.) I can't read/understand Chinese-related stuff.

MORAL: Search before you react.

How to Retrieve Your iPod in 5 Easy Steps

How to Retrieve Your Snatched iPod Touch While Riding A Bus in 5 Easy Steps:

Note that the victim noticed that his iPod was snatched when the music suddenly...stopped.

1. Run to the exit of the bus. Your adrenaline will get you through a crowded bus.

2. Grab by the collar the first person who's going to exit. Make sure your grip is strong.

3. Shout really loud that there's a snatcher in the bus and explain to the passengers that you're going to frisk them to look for the missing item. If the person is "clean", let go.

4. Trap the snatcher in a headlock while people are helping you look for your lost item. An elbow-drop is optional but not necessary.

5. Slam the confirmed snatcher to the side of the bus. Ask permission to hit the person. If others don't agree, go back to the bus and leave the snatchers at the side of the road.

My brother explained that if he lost his iPod without him doing anything he knows I will laugh at him. He recalls how I ran along Aurora Boulevard for my snatched phone. Taking into consideration my ankle was injured. Also, he told us that his workout regimen would be deemed useless if he doesn't take advantage of it, considering that the two snatchers were skinny.

MORAL: Whoever said that commuting is boring must experience what my brother experienced. I really like the slamming. Oh yeah! Ahia = 5 points, Snatcher = 0.

Note: Please do not do numbers 2, 4, and 5 if you're not macho enough. Thanks.

*Author is not liable to any damage or pain you might experience.

R-18 Iced Tea

I'm staying in an internet cafe that doesn't offer internet games to avoid rowdy kids in their store. After being here for quite some time already (I can feel the strain of the cost of using internet here), I stood up and decided to walk around. I saw one guy's monitor and he was searching for... I don't know. I just saw images of women's asses in the screen then he turned around and I ordered Iced Tea in no time just to save my own.. ass. So much for being chismosa!

._.

MORAL: Look at your own stuff!

Kim Chopsticks

Wow, Audrey (Kim “Chopsticks” Chiu’s character) died in the series! Amazing! Now I can say I like that tv series! Hahaha. I don't watch tv anymore, just because I can't afford to! Sleep is a luxury already. Just when I thought that coming home late (which is becoming a trend for me now) would just bring me looks of fatigue and sadness, great news dawned upon me! Chopsticks no more!

Sorry, my sister and I have something against Kim Chiu and we don't know why. Why is she tooooo thin? I remember, "Chopsticks ba yan or legs?" Yeah. Why do you always have to complete her name? "Kim Chiu!" Why can't it be just "Kim" or just "Chiu?" Why.... Kim Chiu?!

So when her character died, all the while my sister was expecting that Jake Cuenca's character will die or something, I thought there was going to be a fiesta.

In times like these, I wish I’m a dormer. I feel like being drained every night.

MORAL: Sorry, Kim Chiu. Nothing personal. Just hormonal.

RFID Like

Last time, my dad asked me about source codes because Bandila had a segment about it pertaining to the automated election. I was grilled about source code, giving the definition, some examples, and all the analogies I could think of. Then, when the issue of RFID sprouted like mushrooms, I was in the spotlight once again. We did an RFID project for our OJT/practicum. Hey, it wasn't the same as going to Makati or some office everyday wearing corporate attire, but the experience was asymptotic. Well, who had the experience of being looked from head to toe by your visitor and questioning if you're really having practicum because you're just wearing shorts and slippers. HAHA. Yeah, I did that! We worked in school and in my groupmate's house. I felt how it was being a vagabond. It's really tough. So there, my course became useful for my dad already. He's getting information from me. RFIDs? I explained what they are, what they can do, their pros and cons. I feel so intelligent I'm like obese already.

First, source codes.

Next, RFIDs.

What's next?

MORAL: I now believe everything happens for a reason and the time when you realize that is just not now.

Haters Gonna Hate!!

Mga nakaiinis sa buhay.

Mga puwet na hume-hello.

Mga demure.

Mga Maria Clara.

It's okay to be like maarte but not Maria Clara! Haha.

And omg when you're like in pain, say OUCH!

Eyelovethis. :D

MORAL: This is so true! There are actually people like those who were featured here. There are people who cough in front of you (I am an annoyed victim), and there are the buttcracks. I used to call them coinbanks, because you could put coins in the gaps. And there are those "demure" people in the world. Hehe. And there are also people like the one who's talking about the Maria Clara's in the world.

And The Winner Goes To

What I witnessed a while ago is one of the most different raffle and freebie-giving day ever. When someone's name's drawn, people would rejoice if the person is not there. If the winner has a proxy, the words "please verify the ticket" would always be said. And if someone really wins, "Boooo!" would echo in the room.

During the raffle, JM, the project director said, "And the winner goes to..."

MORAL: This org is really different. Haha. I think if I won anything from the raffle, it would really look awkward when my name gets posted in the winners' board. Oh well, that's something that's not really fun. Though I get free tickets for plays and musicals, I think it's okay.

When ITALY and JAPAN Aren't Enough

Why is it fun to be creative, really bored, and stuck somewhere else? I've only heard of ITALY, JAPAN, and BALIWAG (thanks to my Theo groupmate, Kris, for introducing the acronym to us). I found this on someone's page, sorry! I can't remember where, but if I do, I'll really cite it here, because I'm not claiming to have written these. It's a good read, though. Shows how we can create a multitude of phrases from the spelling of countries and places.

• ITALY - I Trust And Love You
• IMUS - I Miss U, Sweetheart.
• BALIWAG - Beauty And Love I Will Always Give.
• HOLLAND - Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies
• PARIS - Please Always Remember I’m Sincere
• ROME - Remember Our Memorable Evenings
• JAPAN - Just Always Pray At Night
• LIBYA - Love Is Beautiful; You Also
• FRANCE - Friendship Remains And Never Can End
• CHINA - Come Here, I Need Affection
• PINAS - Promise Im Nice And Sweet.
• KOREA - Keep Optimistic Regardless of Every Adversity.
• KENYA - Keep Everything Nice Yet Arousing.
• MALABON - May A Lasting Affair Be Ours Now.
• MANILA - May All Nights Inspire Love Always.
• CANADA - Cute And Naughty Action Develops Attraction.
• PASIG - Please Always Say I’m Gorgeous!
• CEBU - Change Everything… But Us.
• BURMA - Between Us, Remember Me Always.
• TONDO - Tonight’s Our Night, Dearest One.
• INDIA - I Nearly Died In Adoration!
• EGYPT - Everything’s Great, You Pretty Thing!
• RUSSIA Romance Under the Sky & Stars is Intimate Always.
• PARANAQUE - Please Always Remain Adorable, Nice And Quiet Under Ecstacy.
• PASAY - Pretty And Sexy, Are You?
• MARLBORO - Men Always Remember Love Because Of Romance Only.
• PERU - Porget Everyone… Remember Us.
• SINGAPORE - Sex Is Needed; Gals Are Priceless; Orgies R Excellent.
• YEMEN - Yugyugan Every Morning, Every Night.
• PHILIPPINES - Pumping Hot I Love It! Please, Please, I Need Erotic Stimulation

MORAL: Filipinos are the real bombshells in creativity. We should be hired to do more advertisements.