Wanna quote? =)

Dead people feel more alive than we do

2011-09-18T03:59:00.001+08:00

Last night, after finishing a glass of milk tea and having my fighting fish meet his female counterpart, Kim and I sat down and watched Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa.

I never really thought I would like Japanese films so much. If it weren't for my dorm mate who studies at UP, I wouldn't have known their Film Institute had these things. I've grown to liking Akira Kurosawa's work after seeing Dreams when I was still in grade school. Actually, I didn't know he was the director until my dorm mate told me (laughs). But his work made such an impression that until now I still remember what happened in the movie. I recall four different stories in one: the child who witnessed the wolves/ foxes' wedding, the demon in the volcano, the dead woman's funeral, the painting. Still young then, I didn't really catch the message of the second and fourth (laughs).

The film Ikiru ("To Live") is about a man who has worked as the Public Affairs Section Chief for thirty years. He has stomach cancer, a married son who still lives in his house, and a nosy maid. He goes by the name Watanabe. Aside from having stomach cancer, he doesn't know (or forgot) HOW to live that he had to ask a stranger at a local pub to show him what "living" is like. Nor does he know what living FEELS like until he got to spend time with his exuberant employee, Toyo.

What struck me about the movie was the truth in it. Well, all of Kurosawa's films had truths in them... but this was by far the most relatable.

How so?

We think that to be responsible for something, we must forget about ourselves. Watanabe's wife died when his son was still young. Despite the constant coaxing of his friend (close relative or friend?) to marry again, he didn't for he had his son. He needs to work to support them both. Toyo did not approve of his excuse since it meant he was accusing his son of being the reason why he is leading a miserable life. He had a choice. He could have married and saved himself from the loneliness. His son no longer looked at him the same way despite him [son] living under the same roof with his wife. He was only after his father's pension.

Happiness is a choice. This was made clear by Toyo. She was poor, but she never looked down upon herself at all. She was so happy! She was the only person in their department who thinks that what they were doing was boring (laughs). She said there wasn't much to do that she would be better off taking up another job (there really wasn't, which makes me wonder why Watanabe is so "busy"). This made Watanabe like her very much that spending time with her was like spending time with the him before he turned into a "mummy", as what Toyo nicknamed him.

If you want to get things done, do it yourself. The last thing Watanabe did was head the construction of the park. The heads of the other departments and the Deputy Mayor were not in favor of it, turning their heads from Watanabe's proposal. What made them cave in was pity, which really pisses me off. I mean, can't they see that building the park is a good thing? If it weren't for Watanabe's persistence (if it weren't for his illness that is), nothing would have happened and the locals would just be directed from one department to another.

We want to spare ourselves the trouble. The movie also shed some light about the government (in the movie was depicted as the city office). It just goes to show that officials don't want to get involved. They want to spare themselves the trouble. It's pitiful. Not really pitiful... disgusting might be a good word for it.

There are people who take all the credit that is not rightfully theirs. I honestly wanted to punch the Deputy Mayor in the face for saying it was the Engineering and Parks Construction Department that should be regarded and not Watanabe for it was not in his department to do such a task. There are some people who are just like that: taking full credit when those who did everything don't. I was happy when these officials, who were so proud of themselves for doing something they didn't, felt guilty. They lied and they know they did.

We just want to save our asses. Sad, but true. The time was the Deputy Mayor was badmouthing Watanabe (not to mention it was during Watanabe's wake!), no one disagreed with him. Since he was of a higher rank, no one dared to oppose him. Everyone just sucked up to him.

To lead a meaningful life, one must find purpose in it. What do I mean by this? The reason why Watanabe can't remember anything special about his stay in the office, was because... there wasn't really anything happening. There was no sense of purpose in there at all. Everyone was just minding their own business, seated in those rickety chairs, flipping through papers... no wonder Toyo got fed up. What a mundane lifestyle! Watanabe's purpose was to help people, and it made his position even more fulfilling. He was a member of the city office, and that IS its main purpose: to put the locals' interests first. He took the trouble. Unfortunately, the one that came after him did not follow his example.

In conclusion:

We have choice. We can choose to be happy, or not; to do something, or not.

We are here for a purpose. I guess our purpose in life is to live how we can. To live it unselfishly, to not only pursue our own interests, to act.

** I also got to watch Rashomon, Throne of Blood, Ran, and Seven Samurai (thanks to Sir Ron for letting me borrow!)

My Summer (late entry)

2011-07-10T13:29:00.000+08:00

It's been four months since I last saw home.

I was moving my stuff into my new dorm, carefully sorting through the rubbish that has accumulated for two years. I was able to turn in four bags of crumpled up scratch paper and busted stuff. Who knew that so much trash was stored in my drawers? Graded papers, quizzes, and tests were strewn on the floor, with me in the middle of it. Why do I still have these?

Our landlady was planning to have the house we were staying in rented out. She was going to leave for Canada, and will be staying there with her family for six months. After six months, she'll be coming back. The news came as a tornado. We were all seated in a circle with our landlady in front of us. "I will be renting out this place starting on June," she said. We tried reasoning with her. June was three months away. And with tests, summer class. and whole lot of other things in between, the task will be difficult. "Could you give us more time to look for another dorm?" we asked.

She shook her head. And that was that.

The sun was setting. The whitewashed walls turned a soft orange as the sun's rays hits the surface. I watch Prince and Andrew, my two fighting fishes, dart here and there in their tanks. It was quiet. THUNK. I unload another bag filled with papers. This is taking longer than I thought.

*

Under the blistering heat of the sun, I took a stroll along Abada for the dormitories on my list. I spent the night surfing the internet for them. Pretty, but costly.

"Thank you!" Another one scratched off my list.

Well, I couldn't say it wasn't fun. Finding a new dorm not on the list exhilarated me! It was like being in a egg hunt. Call me crazy, but thinking that way made the task less tedious.

A day has passed with me finding a dorm and crossing out five. I was sweaty. That was my third shirt. I entered the house and plunked my keys on the television, turned on the fan and sat in the chair situated in front of it. Ate Judith was in the kitchen."Aalis na kayo Yel... (You're leaving...)" Ate Judith frowned.

She didn't take the news just as well as we did. She too didn't want us to separate, let alone have the house rented out. "Yeah." was all I could say. We have already lost the fight before we could even get out battle gear on. "That's just how it is..." At least we tried.

*

"Did you try this one?" my dorm mate asked. She was also hunting. We would usually report what we found over dinner. Funny that we bond more when our time together is almost up.

In most nights, we sit in the living room, drooling as the chef on television takes out the roasted turkey from the oven, then thinking about what we could possible do with a small burner and a microwave. I really don't know why we torture ourselves like that. "Do you want cake?" one of us would ask as they suddenly caved in to the rumblings of their stomach once the show got to the dessert-making part.

"Why do we watch this?" I asked. I waited for fifteen seconds for the answer. That would mean that after fifteen seconds, the string of commercials rolled, and the reason behind their fixation to the television screen was taking a two-minute break on the other side of the world.

"Nothing," someone would reply.

"Yeah, I found this one near here." I give her the address. Looking for a place to stay for another two years is serious business. Not even the three-foot chocolate cake can sway us.

*

"Sir?" I was panting. This was our last requirement for the summer, a major requirement at that. Time seemed to have slowed down the moment we saw our professor at the door. We handed him the envelope containing our earlier drafts and the final thing. We were panting not because we ran, almost got run over by vehicles or because of the cute guy walking down the street. Our hearts were pounding in our chest! We were a good seventeen minutes past the deadline, and our professor had the option not to accept it. "Sir?" I say again, as he flicks through the first few pages. I forgot how to breathe.

"Okay."

*

PZZZT. Tape-mummified cardboard box done! Apparently, I had way too much fun securing the flaps. I really don't think it is normal for one to finish one roll of tape on just two medium-sized boxes. PZZZZT. "There!" the last box was wrapped up in clear film. "Now what am I going to do with you two?" I eye my two fighting fishes, oblivious to what was going on inside the room. "They're fish. Why would they care?"

I stack the mummified boxes one on top of the other. The only thing left to do now is sweep the floor, kill leftover dust bunnies, and take a bath.

To be continued...

Quote 11

2011-03-27T21:25:00.000+08:00

And to think I decided to update this site more often. Haha. Anyway... what have I been up to for the past few days?

Hell month is officially over. Finals and the last requirement for the semester was submitted yesterday.

I have to say the school was practically deserted, save for the security guards in the premises and students rushing towards the LS Bookstore to purchase pasalubong for their family and friends.

I was taking a stroll. I've never actually gotten a chance to do it due to schoolwork. And it was too troublesome to walk around when stressing over requirements and approaching deadlines.

All I heard was the rustling of the leaves. The wind whipped my hair making the heat bearable. The thing I like about summer, is that the day starts beautifully! The rays of the sun pour through the window, casting rays down on your sleeping form until it gets too hot and you're forced to get up (haha!). Some people may find this annoying... but once you open your eyes, it's such a wonderful sight. Next time I'll get you guys a picture!

I actually planned to go to school again today. Reason? To take pictures of the most quiet yet noisiest place in Katipunan. The school grounds is the perfect subject for such a thing!

Anyway, I'll get on to business and share the 11th quote:

"Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do."

I wanted to say this to those who just graduated. Right now, perhaps some of them might be regretting for not being to do or get what they wanted. Perhaps they didn't get to finish what they started. But this quote tells us that, nothing will happen if you sulk, if you give up, if you don't try to start over.

So what if what you wanted to happen didn't, out of your own recklessness or lack of initiative, or you simply realized that you shouldn't have taken things for granted? Brooding way too much in such matters that have already happened won't change anything. Might as well take the first step and move forward.

You'll get back. You'll be better. You will be different from what you were before. All these things happen for a reason. And we have to keep in mind that the outcome depends on how we respond. If you haven't taken the initiative before, do so now. If you used to take things for granted, grab every opportunity starting from now on. You were reckless, think things through thoroughly.

We fall, we stumble, we lose our way. But there are people out there, perhaps those whom you least expect, to pull you out of the gutter. There's always a way out... you just have to be persistent in finding it. The bruises or wounds will eventually fade into scars, the memory will remain, but bit by bit you are healed.

There is hope.

You can change. Improve. We have the freedom to do so.

We weren't programmed to be just one person. If we were, how can we change? We would just keep on doing the same thing all over again.

There are sides of oneself that lay hidden, and it takes a great deal to pull that out. That's why we tend to surprise ourselves at times.

Don't give up. Giving up would be the worst mistake one could ever make.

Working Things Out

2011-03-06T01:25:00.000+08:00

So here I am in front of the computer, supposedly working on my presentation for class on Monday, but ended up writing about something instead.

For the past several weeks I've been experiencing nothing but physical and mental exhaustion: doing several things in one week, having to work on your schedule to make sure you have time for everything... I have to say I SUCK in time management.

I wouldn't say I was not at fault in the whole thing. I'm not blaming anyone for it. I should be expecting this before I even took the course. Besides, it's not like I'm not the type of person who would not be tempted to do something other than what they're supposed to do (like now). So much for being organized and responsible *rolls eyes in exasperation*. Perhaps it's just my way of letting out steam... problem is I have a difficult time knowing WHEN to stop (now THAT sucks).

I just realized that I haven't posted for quite a while now. And I think it's fitting (since I have some time) to do add another quote to our list.

I wrote this in one of my friend's planner. I got it from one of Paulo Coelho's books, and I think this would apply to most of us (oh yes, escapism).

A lot of people go through the same difficulties we went through, and they react completely differently. We look for the easiest way out: A SEPARATE REALITY.

Everything depends on you really. It is how you react to the situation that matters. Most people prefer to live with the illusion that everything is "perfect". That everything's going the way they wanted it to be, unaware that what's happening outside dreamland is entirely different.

Living with that illusion... is just too selfish. Since you're happy with it, doesn't mean others are as well. I know we all don't want to get hurt with the fact that not everything is how we want it to be. I know being optimistic is a good thing, but there's a difference between it, and being foolish and delusional. We just have to accept that this is how life is. Nothing comes without making an effort nor taking the initiative.

Based from experience, saying, "I give up" or "Nothing's going to change" is a lot easier than saying, "I'll give it a shot". Knowing the risks of failing... no wonder people want to live in 'their' world. In there you wouldn't get hurt, nothing would fail, and there aren't any risks for you knew what's bound to happen. But escaping reality would affect other people as well. And I don't mean others, I was talking about me hurting myself. Sooner or later I would end up regretting. And the worst thing that could ever happen is to regret for not trying. Saying that everything's all right when it wasn't, and thinking that trying won't get you anywhere when it could have.

So you might as well take the risk instead of pushing the situation to the backseat and regretting that you did once realization finally hits. That illusion of yours will disappear eventually once reality kicks you hard on the backside. You'll would find yourself in a tight spot if you don't wake up... soon.

Letters from Iwo Jima Soundtrack and a few other things

2010-12-30T00:54:00.001+08:00

Watched this movie earlier. And, as always, the soundtrack got my attention.

It all began in the year 1944. The Japanese were at war with the Americans. General Kuribayashi was assigned to lead a group of men to defend the island Iwo Jima. The island appears to be the country's first line of defense against the Americans (more like a huge barricade that the enemy would have to break down to get inside the center). With it gone, the Amercians can use it as their base and effectively infiltrate the mainland.

Its good to get to see the other side of the coin for once. While browsing through the comments of the viewers (I was looking for a video of the soundtrack), a some people were enraged by the change in 'position'. I for one think that there is no such thing as protagonists or antagonists when it comes to war. Who is what in the first place? You call the opposing side the antagonist, but aren't you also in their eyes? I think it all boils done to survival instincts: one becomes an enemy if they are seen as a threat.

But seeing the turn of events, and comparing them with other war movies, one can't help but find similarities between the two: sons and fathers were sent out leaving their families behind, their desire to live and to return home [miraculously] unscathed or preferrably in one piece, the lack of support and other necessities (rations and ammunition). Although in said movies the opposing side will be depicted as ruthless, savage, aggressive, and any other adjective you can associate with a barbarian, I can't help but feel pity. I mean, it was the conditions that made them that way. Going back to the movie, the general was asked whether he would shoot his friend, an American, if a war would erupt between the two countries (which strangely DID happen). The general said he would for the sake of his country. If it weren't for the circumstances I doubt he would.

All in all it was beautiful. Clint Eastwood is... wow. He's now on my favorite director list. Haha.

You're annoying, yet I still love you

2010-12-25T02:48:00.003+08:00

I don't know why… but I always find making dialogues a lot easier than making stories. Maybe it's because when I find a scene involving two people, everything just seems to center on how those two are connected. May it just be the briefest of glances or hour-long conversations, the scenery takes a backseat in the whole thing.

I was inspired by The Matrix script and figured that I should just finish what I started. ^^

So here's something I wrote a week ago. Nothing much really. It's basically about a woman finally having the courage to confess her feelings to a guy, even though she knows that it would only be a one-sided love. Typical romantic theme (yeah… I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff). Haha.

Her

Can I talk to you for a second?

Her voice is a tad bit higher than normal, in order for him to hear her above the din. He looks at her. There’s a hint of urgency in her voice. He smiles and nods.

Him

Sure.

They come out through the fire exit. It was snowing, and the only light source was the light bulb above them. He was wearing slacks and a dark blue polo, clad in a heavy khaki brown trench coat. He manages without a scarf. She was wearing thick black leggings, black boots, a navy blue button-up coat, a gray scarf and a black beanie. Her cheeks are red from the cold.

Him

What's wrong?

She moves away from him, her face barely illuminated by the lamp light, but he can still make out her features.

Him

Are you cold?

Silence.

Him

Did something happ-?

Her

I love you.

He is taken aback by the straightforward confession. Her eyes were averted, apparently fixed on a garbage can on his right. Her actions abandoning what she was trying to display: a gutty female.

Him

Oh.

He smiles. He is aware of the gravity of the situation.

Him

I'm flattered, but… I'm sorry. I can't feel for you the same way.

Tears stream down her face. This takes him by surprise. The last thing he wanted was to make a girl cry.

Him

Why are you crying?

She wipes away her tears.

Her

Because I'm frustrated! I know you wouldn't but I still am hoping you would!

Him

I already have someone. You do know that don’t you?

She nods.

Him

Then why-?

Her

I don't want to regret. I don't want to slap myself in the face one day, saying that I should have done something.

She stops crying.

Her

I'm telling you now because I’m afraid of getting hurt. I don't want to misinterpret your actions thinking that what happened tonight is the reason behind them. If you choose to ignore me or avoid me, at least I won't be here. It would be less painful for me.

Him

What makes you think I would do such a thing?

Her

It is one of your options in dealing with this.

Him

Whatever happens I would never ignore you.

Her

How can I be sure?

Him

You should know by now that I’m not that type of guy…

Her

How would I know? The mind is complex. I would expect you to do something, but you have the option to do another or something out of character.

Him

Then that just means you don’t know me all too well.

Her

I’m sure about one thing!

Him

…

Her

I know you're annoying!

Him

Hey! Wait a minute!

Her

And even though you are I STILL love you!

Him

…

She sighs, closing her eyes. One can see a cloud of smoke escape from her lips. Snowflakes get caught on her eyelashes. He doesn’t make a sound.

Her

You seldom finish the things you started, but when you want something, you do everything you can to get it. You're kind, you're smart, mysterious, confusing, and sweet. You make me smile with the least effort. You're a man of few words, but you don't always need words to get your message across. You're reserved… calm… but sometimes bursting into a dam that leaves everybody shaking.

She laughs softly, opening her eyes. She takes a step towards him. He doesn't budge an inch.

Her

You make me want to do more, be more… you make me better. There are so many things about you that I haven't quite figured out yet, and those should be enough to stop me from liking you. But… I can't…

She takes another step forward. He stands still.

Her

You're like a magnet… and I hate it!

She looks away.

Her

But I can't do anything to stop myself. It's annoying.

She closes her eyes. She's looking the other way. She sighs.

Her

I know you like her. And I bet she likes you too.

She reverts her attention back to him and smiles.

Her

She's lucky.

Him

I’m sorry…

She smiles and nods.

Her

Good-bye.

She goes back inside through the fire exit, leaving him standing underneath the dim light.

Okay… so I WAS able to add in some details in the end. Haha! Hope you like the short… dialogue. :D I might make more of these in the near future (when I have the time).

Jewelry Box

2010-12-07T19:45:00.001+08:00

Since you trust me with the things most precious to you: they'll be just as precious to me too.

Even more.

It's the Small Things that You Miss the Most

2010-11-21T20:40:00.002+08:00

This happened on our field trip to Batangas in January 2010. The day was drawing to a close, with no other mishaps we encountered along the way (our bus broke down before we even got to the site). The sun was setting over at the horizon, and night slowly crept in.

It was one of those nights after a school activity that you would be expecting your parents to be waiting there at school to pick you up.

I remember when I was still in high school, there were interclass competitions that would usually stretch until 10PM, and the safest way to get home is to pick up the phone and greet your dad with a sheepish grin on your face, asking him sweetly to come pick you up.

But things were different now.

There was no one waiting for me at the other end. Calling won't help at all, for the one I would ask to come would have to get on a plane, instead of a car, and travel for an hour and forty-five minutes besides the usual 15-minute trip. I sighed to myself inside that bus. I listened to my seatmate tell me that her parents will be picking her up, even though they're an hour away from our destination. She was lucky. I can already hear the others calling their parents, or it was the other way around, telling the one on their other end that we're almost there (we left later that the presumed time).

The bus took a turn into that all too familiar lane and parked at the curb. Sure enough there was a small crowd outside the building, most of them I think were parents. My seatmate pointed out that her parents were there, I looked out the window and followed her gaze. Her dad gave a small wave; next to him was her mother. We descended the bus. Most of the students went home in cars; the others who were also dormers went back in a group. Ten minutes later, there were only a few of us left.

It was so quiet.

At that time I would already be greeted by the sound of wheels coming to a halt near the entrance. My ears acquired the ability to recognize the sound my dad's car would make when he approaches (weird, right?). This was then followed by the driver's door opening, and my dad coming out to help me with my stuff. A smile on his face, a grin on mine: "Hi pap!" I would run to him and give him a small peck on the cheek. When my stuff has been put away, we would get in the car, me in the passenger seat. He would then ask me about my day and what we did at the site, small talk, but something I enjoy very much.

It was the drive home that I missed.

Once the last bus came and I got the stuff I was waiting for, I continued on my way home. It was 8PM, the school was deserted since it was a Friday. I can hear the crickets chirping and the rustling of the leaves, the smell of the evening flowers reaching me.

Tears started to well up.

As pathetic as it may seem to most people, I can't really help it. I got back to the dorm, no one was there on the first floor as I trudged my way in. I imagined my mom coming out to greet me, my two little brothers right behind her to get my things and asking me stuff, telling me things that happened while I was away.

The house was quiet.

I climbed up the stairs and was greeted by an empty room. I dropped my stuff on the floor and sat in my chair.

Staring blankly out the window… I let go.

Quote 9

2010-11-02T19:40:00.001+08:00

"Showing a little bit of kindness to people recognizes that everyone around you is just like yourself."

- Catherine Ryan Hyde
(Reader's Digest, March 2009)

Quote 8

2010-11-02T19:38:00.002+08:00

"The more engaged we become, the more detached we will have to be."

- Deepak Chopra
(Reader's Digest, March 2009)

I kind of noticed in those moments wherein I would have to give my all, that I don't seem to act like myself. I mean, the situation would call me to be something I am not. Perhaps this is what the quote means. Maybe. Interpretations may differ. Detachment is not necessarily a bad thing. It all just depends on what the outcome would be. You detach yourself from yourself. You go out of that box you keep yourself in: bursting through the folds, ripping off that duct tape that seals you within.

Quote 7

2010-10-16T13:53:00.000+08:00

Source: http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com/images/e-cards/statuesoflife/images/statuesoflife01.jpg

Quote 6

2010-10-16T13:49:00.000+08:00

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”

Quote 5

2010-10-16T13:38:00.000+08:00

“I think that perhaps we always fall in love the very first time we see the man of our dreams, even though, at the time, reason may be telling otherwise, and we may fight against that instinct, hoping against hope that we won't win, until there comes a point when we allow ourselves to be vanquished by our feelings...”

Quote 4

2010-10-13T10:52:00.000+08:00

In your funeral, the people will see two dates on your tombstone: one of your birth, and one of your death. But the most important thing on that stone slab, will be the little line between those two dates.

I got this from a friend of mine, who found it in her friend's notebook. Her friend collects quotes as well.

I'm Okay

2010-10-08T20:45:00.002+08:00

There was this seminar in hosted by one of the school organizations where one is required to submit two essays or short stories or five poems along with their application. I submitted two short stories, and this is one of them. I still have to improve on PLOT. Haha! Enjoy!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Droplets hit the windowpane, making a soft pattering sound on the cold fogged-up glass. The sky was gray, the trees swayed against the breeze, sogged up pieces of paper littered the sidewalk as we drove past. It would be the perfect day to cry or lock yourself up in your room at least.

Why do they have to do this? Won't they just remember what they had lost even more? The mere pain of knowing on the first day, when the doctor shook his head, taking off his silver-rimmed spectacles to make him look empathetic when we already know he had no idea what we were going through, and told us. "She's gone. I'm sorry." Why should you be? Are you to blame? Are you the reason why we lost her in the first place? I gasped for air. Something knocked the wind right out of me. I felt my heart pound furiously in my chest. "She needs to breathe damn it!" Something wet slid down my cheek.
I blinked.

"Mom?" She was there! In the room! In her bed smiling right at me! How could the doctor have said she was gone? Here she is! Why won't they answer me?

"Take her to the emergency room."

Squeak squeak squeak. The windshield wipers rubbed against the glass. The car has stopped moving, everything stopped moving. I was now looking out a wide field of green, blocks of white splayed on its surface, studded with crosses of white marble or slabs of concrete. We arrived at the cemetery. "We're here." I got out of the car, taken in by a man holding up a big umbrella, shielding me from the rain. The ground I stepped on made a squishing sound. Is she crying? It had been raining since this morning. Not that I mind. I don't mind getting wet. If that was the only thing that would allow me to cry in peace without anyone knowing that I was, so be it. I wish the umbrella would get blown away.
"Go on." the voice urged me on, followed by a soft nudge, a sign that I should move forward. I didn't want to move away from that spot. The closer I get, the more difficult it is for me to think of this as a dream. It is a dream. I'm asleep by the hospital bed. She's alive. But the figure behind me made me move towards it, and my feet, to my disgust, moved mechanically in sync with his.

I can see a group of people huddled together, their umbrellas open above them, making them look like a pack of black mushrooms from a distance. As we got closer, several turned to our direction. I didn't know most of them. Their faces holding the same sympathetic expressions as most people would have when in a situation like this. Others were grim, as if they were contemplating on which expression would be deemed appropriate to flash onto a 13-year old girl who just lost her mother. The group parted to make way. People were complaining in hushed voices:

"I should have gone to the meeting instead of staying out here under the rain. What a waste of time."

"Shush. She might hear you."

I already heard them. Waves of anger lashed my insides. They weren't here for her. They were here to give an impression. To keep up the façade that they're all her friends when they weren't. They can barely imagine what I'm going through.

Every step I took drew me closer to it… a white coffin with a bouquet of roses nestled on top. How I wish she was just kidding. Bursting out of the box, a grin on her face and an exclamation of: You fell for it!, followed by that hysterical laugh of hers I got so used to listening to.

The priest went on with the ceremony, his voice could have made the dead take him in as one of them. His expression monotonous as he read a scripture from his booklet.

Then the sound disappeared.

I was floating.

Light came from above, I looked up and I saw them standing over me. I can make out the ridges of the soles of their shoes. The priest was wearing sneakers. Can't they see me? I opened my mouth to call out to them. "Why am I here?" no sound came out. "Pull me out!"
The priest splashed holy water onto the casket. I screamed. Why can't they hear me? I tried pushing myself out, but all I did was sink lower and lower. The cold crushed my insides, I was finding breathing difficult and painful. I was drowning, sinking, the darkness swallowing me up. How good it was to just give up. It was pointless to struggle. Why am I struggling in the first place?

"May you rest in peace."

I was stepping on solid ground again. "You've gone pale. Are you all right?" someone asked me. Sweat beaded above my lips, on my forehead. I was breathing rapidly. I was no longer sinking into oblivion, but the weight was still there. "Do you need water?"

"I'm… I'm okay."

Was I?

Everyone started throwing flowers as the casket was lowered into the hollow earth. My eyes were fixed onto it, slowly disappearing as two men shoveled dirt, covering its pristine white coating with brown muck. She's slowly peeling away from me… a little more and the reality would finally sink in…

She was gone.

The wind howled, the rain falling in a drizzle. One by one the 'guests' left and drove away, paying their respects, reassuring me that everything will be fine and I would be welcome if ever I needed any help. The usual drill in every burial. I nodded, and thanked them for their sincerity, trying my best to smile. The sun sunk lower and lower, disappearing into a sea of pink and orange, night creeping at its wake. It would have been a beautiful day if it weren't for the present circumstances.

"Should we go?" only two of us remain. I didn't answer. The rain had already stopped. I looked up into the purple sky, clouds stained a darker shade of blue. I can smell the wet earth beneath my feet and the faint scent of roses. I could feel the crisp night air against my face, stinging my cheeks. My breath forming clouds in the empty darkness. The crickets chirped, the sound overpowering everything else. It was so quiet... so was he.

"I prayed to Him…" I took a step closer to where she lies. "I asked Him to give me more time…" Tears started welling up, blurring my vision. "What did He do to me?" My knees crashed down onto the ground. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing anymore. I thought I have perfected control. "Why couldn't He have taken me instead? Why won't he LISTEN TO ME?" I took a handful of dirt and threw it in front of me. "Why can't I do anything right? What did I do wrong?"

"You didn't." My head snapped at his direction. I cannot make any of his features for it was night, nor had I ever looked at him closely while we were in the car or under the same umbrella. "You didn't do anything wrong, Caroline."

How did he know my name? "What do you know?" I paused. "Can you even tell which is right and which is wrong?" the man with the umbrella didn't answer. "He left me! and because of Him she died! People keep on saying that talking to Him would give her a chance." I shook my head. "He didn't give her ANYTHING! He didn't LISTEN TO ME. He IGNORED ME. There must be something wrong with me to make HIM IGNORE ME... I am in the wrong… Everything about me is wrong…"

"No you are not---!"

"YES I AM! I BELIEVED in Him, I TRUSTED Him, I BEGGED. What happened?" I scoffed. "Nothing did."

"Caroline, it doesn't work that way---!"

"Then what does?! Should I have had slaughtered a chicken and offered it to Him? Would that make her come back?" He kept quiet. I glared at the silhouette of a figure two meters away from me. I hope he could feel it, even sense what I was going through. "You don't know what it feels like losing someone important."

"I did."

I felt him take a step forward, the grass under his feet making a low brushing sound, one step, one thud, made the ground quake underneath my fingertips as my hand glided above it. "I lost my son because of what I did. All I had to do was say 'no' to have prevented it from happening." He took another step. "I killed him Caroline. There was no one else to blame."

"It was His fault. If He didn't make it so then you would have never lost him in the first place."

"Even if it was predestined… I would have stopped it from ever happening if I had said, 'No.'" He was right behind me now. The warmth emanating from his body reached mine. "I felt that I had lost everything. As much as I want to say to myself that time that 'everything happens for a reason'… I just couldn't." he crouched down beside me. "I lost my faith in Him, I despised myself… my heart just won't stop aching. I tried finding means to make the pain go away… but I found none."

"I distanced myself from people, driving them away for I didn't need their help." he chuckled, picking on a blade of grass. "I realized far too late that I made a mistake. Having enclosed myself in a shell, in my own 'crypt', I started asking Him, 'Why? Why have you taken him away from me? Wasn't it too soon?' " he shrugged. "I didn't get my answers right away though. I waited for a long time, and it finally came to me. There IS a reason why."

"What good reason is there for Him to take her away from me? Why did He have to take YOUR son away? Wouldn't it have been better if He just let them be?"

"Then that means He shouldn't listen to your pleas."

"If it weren't for Him I wouldn't have to plead in the first place." I was gazing upon the mound of dirt, not once diverting my eyes away from it to look at him squarely in the face.

"If it weren't for Him we wouldn't be grieving over someone right now."

That was then I looked at him.

The moonlight shone upon his face, allowing me to see his lips, the color of his skin and his eyes. "He gave you your mom didn't He? He gave me a son whom I loved very much. I'm thankful to Him for giving me time to be with my son, even though it was only for short while."

My lips trembled. "Then what reason was there for Him to take them away?"

"Your mom would have suffered even more if she stayed a lot longer. She wouldn't have wanted to see you in pain. I wouldn't be able to bear seeing my son in a hospital bed crying from the burns and loss of limbs. I'm glad he didn't suffer any more than he should."

"I would have preferred that nothing happened to them at all. That way we wouldn't have to experience such pain."

"He gives us such obstacle so that we would get to value each other more."

He looked like he was deep in thought. His gaze was focused far off. "Don't you think that's just too cruel?"

"It is. Do you think people would realize the importance of something when they still have it?"

"…no."

"He can be cruel. For us. But there are reasons why He does such things."

"So you no longer blame yourself for what happened to your son?"

He fished something out of his pocket, taking out a folded piece of paper. "Before he left for the trip, he wrote me a letter and left it on his bed. The message didn't sink in the moment it should… but I got there." He handed me the letter. It was all scribbles. I can barely make out the words.

Hey Dad! Thanks for giving me the chance to go to the camping trip. I know you worry about me a lot, but please don't. I'll be fine! Please don't blame yourself or anyone if anything happens to me. Besides, that's part of the adventure! I'll bring you back a baby bunny!
Love you!

- Nathan

"Why are you crying?"

"Huh?" my hand reached, a reflex, and felt something cold. I didn't know I was crying. "I'm okay." I sniffed and glanced up at him.

And I was.

Quote 3

2010-10-08T20:40:00.000+08:00

It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.

Second Quote

2010-10-02T16:06:00.000+08:00

"Understand those who don't understand you."

First Quote

2010-10-02T15:50:00.001+08:00

"It's never too early for anything, it's often too late for everything."

Trip to Camiguin Part 3

2010-06-01T12:08:00.005+08:00

Still wet and cold from the swim, and having a lot of time in our hands, my parents decided to stop by Ardent Hot Springs for a dip (the perfect way to end the day).

The last time I visited Ardent was two years ago, and it wasn't that much of sight anymore. Even though people go there for the spring alone, that doesn't necessarily mean that you do not maintain the cleanliness of the area. I sighed. I was tired from the swim. And it pains me to see that they're going to have a dip without me. Sometimes it just sucks to be a girl when it comes at the most inappropriate time (if you know what I mean then good). "C'mon Yel!" Ardent Hot Springs did not consist of several individual pools of hot water, and there was only a hole to allow the hot spring water from the volcano to gush in (we asked where the water came from and they said it was from the volcano. Don't know which one); it consisted of three pools (differing in depth and temperature) all filled up by rushing hot spring water (it wasn't a hole, more like a mini fall). The pool down below was the one with the highest temperature.

There was the opening of the door and I opened my eyes. We were already there; and I slept all the way! Outside of the gate was pretty much the same: stalls selling souvenirs and beach clothes, and food and drinks. We walked up the gate, paid for the entrance fee (which I think was less that Php30) and went inside. The ground was covered in cotton (or something that looked like cotton). "What's that Yel?" my brother asked. I saw these before in school. They came from a fruit growing on a tree right beside the school library. The fruit were just 2 feet away from my reach if I was standing at the edge of the roofdeck (the roofdeck is one the fifth floor).

"It's a seed." there was a small seed hidden in the cottony substance. I'm guessing that the cotton was made to protect the seed and allow it to disperse, similar to that of the narra's. Perfect time to forget my botany. I racked my brain for its name. Ah well. My brother won't understand anyhow.

"What's the white stuff?"

"Cottony something." I wasn't sure it WAS cotton. But it was similar to cotton in appearance. I was starting to get sleepy. While my dad was looking for a shed to put our things, I was trudging behind trying to get my brain working again. What are those things on the ground?

"Let's go in!" my dad said enthusiastically. I smiled.

"I'll stay behind." I told them. They already know the reason why, my brother (who was asking about the seeds earlier) apparently forgot and asked me why. I couldn't tell him in a public place now can I? He always had this habit of repeating what I told him a bit louder than usual. Making such information a secret pointless. I just glared at him; he walked away without pressing me any further.

They went to the pool at the farther end where the water is at its hottest. I doubt they would take long; it's inadvisable to stay in a tub of hot water for too long. It would make you nauseous, and instead of relaxing, sport a huge headache. They were only gone for less than 30 minutes. "Hey! Let's get a foot massage!" my mom suggested. There was a small 'house' right beside our hut that offered such services. You don't necessarily have to have a full body massage, as what other people would think. A foot massage alone was accepted. But the masseuse told my parents that they should dry off before they get a massage. Besides, they would be open till 10PM, and would be happy to offer their services when my parents come back from Bahay Bakasyunan to change. It's a good thing that they weren't only after the money and would have given my parents a massage right then and there. They thought about what's best for the client; not wanting him or her to suffer from any effects of having a massage without drying off. My dad nodded his head and told my mom that they might as well come back later.

We left the hot springs and I happily drifted back to sleep.

I woke up upon arrival to Bahay Bakasyunan. My brothers' energy reserves were fully charged once we arrived to our room. They wanted to go swim in the pool. While they were stripping into their swimming trunks, I made a turn for the bathroom. Where do they get all this energy? I asked myself while scrubbing the sand off my body. After drawing a conclusion that my brothers originated from an aquatic lifeform, I turn the tap and got out of the shower. When I came out my mom and I were the only ones left in the room. My dad and my two brothers have gone to the pool. I waited for her to get ready and we went down for dinner at the resort's restaurant.

My dad was lying down by the side of the pool, he looked like one of those crocodiles that bask in the sun only that he had his belly up and the sun has already set at the horizon. His eyes were closed, my brothers splashed pool water at each other, clearly enjoying their late afternoon swim. They're really not tired... after calling on a waitress to see the menu, they guys went back to the hut to bathe and change. While my mother was busy browsing through the menu, I was fixated on the view before me. The sun was setting, radiating a brilliant pink and orange glow that bounced off the surrounding clouds. The clouds cast dark blue and purple shadows. It looked like a gigantic painting where the orange, pink, blue and purple colors harmonize on the canvas.

"What do you want Yel?"

"Hm?"

The first bite was all it took for to fall instantly in love with the resto's garlic chicken. It was so delicious, any more and I would have already turned into a glutton. The rest of the night went by. After dessert, my brothers and I rushed back to the hut to watch TV. :)

Trip to Camiguin pt 2

2010-05-29T14:43:00.008+08:00

There was a storm last night and the editted portions of my last entry weren't saved due to the loss of internet connection. *sigh* Good thing this wasn't a paper my life depended on, or else I would have gone wild. (Haha)

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May 23, 2010

The dirty plates were cleared away and my dad washed the dishes (perhaps it was his turn this week). "Yel, you want to watch Transformers 2?" Gavin asked. I haven't seen Transformers 2. The idea came to me while I was still in school, but the thought of going all the way to the theatre to watch it made it unappealing. The first movie was a blast! What really made it worth watching was the action and the comedy. There was less drama in there involving the Sam and Mikaela (thank goodness). I wonder what happened in the second one. More Decepticons attacking the Earth no doubt.

"Sure!" I accepted and stood up next to him, bouncing on the balls of my feet as went ahead to climb the stairs. I already knew my brothers are so close to spoiling the whole movie on me before they could get it playing. I've already warned them countless times not to, good thing they remembered and kept silent as the opening credits rolled.

Hoots of laughter and gasps of shock followed. (For those who haven't watched Transformers 2 don't worry, I won't spoil it here). Usually it was at these parts that my brothers would tell me what would happen next, but they surprisingly didn't. I occasionally asked them who the new robots were, seeing that there were more than last time. I loved the one named Jetfire, a rusting used-to-be-Decepticon who thinks that Earth was a horrid name for planet and we might as well have called it DIRT. (I have to hand it to the scriptwriter, I love the smartass humor).

After sporting a crush on Optimus Prime (despite it being the second time I saw him and he's a fictional character, nonetheless a shifting robot), the three of us decided it would be time to hit the sack. Not before playing some online games, reading several fanfics and packing for tomorrow's trip. I fell asleep at around midnight.

May 24, 2010

"GET UP!" That was not what I expected to wake up to on my first day at home. But it can't be helped, considering that we were going to Camiguin and the second ferry is leaving in two hours. It was 7AM, my brother whined as they woke up. "Oh. Happy Birthday Gavin!" my dad added, standing at the doorway. I leapt up to my feet to get to be the first to use the bathroom. Although I didn't want to wake up so early, the excitement was just too much! We're going to Camiguin!

I was still a bit sleepy when I looked for something to wear before I hit the shower. The cold water wasn't of much help either. After brushing my teeth and combing my hair (thank goodness I packed last night), I went downstairs to help my mom with the luggage. She was usually the one who packed for trips, and my dad would always tell her to pack light. This would then lead to a playful banter that would last far longer than expected. My dad saying to pack ONLY the essentials, and my mom insisting that we bring EXTRAS. I can't say my mom was wrong about that... I actually got packing more than I should from her. I would rather be safe than sorry. My mom tried to squeeze in some shirts into the bag, since my dad said that we were carrying too many bags when all we need are a few. I only had one bag to carry my stuff, my dad had his, one for the towels, one for the drinks, one for the food (leftovers from last night), one for my mom plus her handbag, and one for my two brothers... I hope we don't miss the ferry.

I fell asleep in the backseat, my head resting on my brother's shoulder. Gavin was bigger than me, although it was unfair, it did have its benefits. I have someone to lean on now! I thought to myself with glee. I drifted off to sleep, occasionally opening my eyes now and then to know where we were. I was surprised when we were already on the ferry. I woke up the sound of a lid being pulled off and the smell of meat from last night's dinner. I wasn't hungry, but my mind told me that I should eat. "How was your sleep Yel?" Gabriel asked, if he were any older his question would come off as sarcasm. He's 10, so that was considered an honest question.

I rubbed my eyes. "Good."

We ate in the car, mom passed off plastic spoons and forks and we all just dug in, shoving our spoons into a plastic container filled with rice, and into the one containing the meat. It was... cute. Gavin lodged himself in between the two seats, blocking the aircon and preventing Gabo and I from getting any more food. Can't blame him, he had been telling us (more of heard in those brief moments when I was awake) that his head was aching, a telltale sign that he was hungry. The jug of water of passed from one person to the next. My parents shared a bottle while us three shared another. You can't go obsessive-compulsive in moments like these; it would be another hour before we could find someplace to eat on the island.

I wolfed down all of what remained from mama's beefsteak and handed her the contained. Satisfied, my eyes started to droop. This is getting bad. I should stop dozing off all the time. Try as I might, I still fell asleep. I wonder why I was so tired. In spite me having a preference for sleeping at the wee hours of the night, I didn't have any trouble keeping myself awake. Then... it hit me: nothing was giving me the adrenaline rush. Wait. That couldn't be it! We're heading to Camiguin! How could there not be an adrenaline rush?!

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin was not that far from Benoni Port. It's a 15-20 minute drive away with one turn to the right when you exit from the port. You can't get lost... unless you don't have people skills to ask for directions. Bahay Bakasyunan was... well... really a place for tourists or for those who just wanted to spend a week or two on the island. Accomodating. Affordable. Perfect. Those were the words that fit to describe it. Accomodating: the rooms are spacious and cool, a clean bathroom (what every girl wish for) and excellent room service (they clean the room everyday and leave towels, soaps, shampoo and a new roll of toilet paper after). Affordable: I haven't asked my dad about that, but from what I've heard I could consider it cheap considering that we stayed for three days and two nights in a room good for 3 (it was previously a room for 2 but another bed was added). Perfect: the view outside was amazing at night!

Settling ourselves in, I knew that we weren't going to stop there. My dad was ecstatic, he wanted to get out as soon as possible. "Where do you guys want to go?" I asked my friend Mitch what were the good places to go to on that time of the day, and she suggested Mantigue Island. We haven't been to Mantigue, so the place sparked our interest to head off there first. Another scuffling on what to bring and we were soon our way to find a way to get there. Few more texts and stops along the way, we found ourselves between Barangay Hubangon and Binaliwan (signs made out of scrap planks of wood with "To Mantigue Island" written in black paint can be seen lining the sides near the ocean). Pump boats were available to send us to the island and back for a price of Php550.

It would approximately take the boat 10 minutes or so to get to the island (I think it was longer than that, seeing that the island was situated further than the renowned White Island). Unlike White Island, Mantigue Island was not merely a strip of white sand in the middle of clear blue seawater. Mangroves and other plants were growing, starting from the center and fanning out, making it look like a chiffon cupcake with green icing (ugh). When we got there it was unbelievably quiet. There weren't that many people about, and they weren't making that much noise either. All you can hear was the churning of the engine as the operator gradually eased it to a stop and the slosh of the waves underneath the boat. The boat stopped and we got off one by one. Gavin, being the daredevil (and klutz) that he is, jumped from the boat's tip landing on his feet. His feet unfortunately gave way and he landed on his ass: getting his shirt, shorts and part of the towel around his neck wet. Everyone laughed. My mother told me to keep it down since it was noon. I let out a muffled laugh. [Image on the left is Camiguin Island from the hut we occupied in Mantigue Island]

The first thing we noticed was that it was too hot. Taking pictures were reserved for a later time until the sun had eased up a bit. We were greeted with a welcome sign and a cluster of shells arranged on a table. The "ceiling", shielding the persons in-charge, consisted the trees' canopy. A fruit caught my sight, a sign was dangling from one of its branches saying that it was Pandan. "Weird-looking fruit." The scent of dried seaweed filled the air. I looked to the right and saw mounds of seaweed strewn on shore. They looked like clumps of...

After paying the woman at the desk for permission to snorkel, we trudged through the white sand to look for a good swimming spot. It was like getting stranded on an island; marooned perhaps just like Jack Sparrow. We managed to find a hut, which was worth Php150, and a decent spot (not that many rocks) to swim. I went farther out to do some snorkeling, finding only a large school of fish (same species, just don't know what it is), a strange-looking dome-shaped figure that's pink in color and several starfish that I remembered were endemic in the Philippines. How I wish I had an underwater camera (haha). Two hours clicked by, we started to get hungry. Remembering that we can order some food, my parents left, going through the "forest", to go order. My brothers and I waited patiently, downing the two bottles of orange Gatorade.

My parents returned, along with two liters of cold water and several small packs of Nagaraya. We waited until the Nagaraya was all gone until we decided to head back into the water. Less than five minutes passed and the food arrived. The first dish was a platter of clams and clam soup. They were so... big. And tasty as I drank some soup. Rice came and fish (cooked on coal... I don't think 'roasted' is the right word) that looked like a small barracuda. There was nothing special added to the fish, I was guessing that its taste came from it being part of today's fresh catch. Salt and a squeeze of a few kalamansi was all it needed.

We stayed a bit longer until we decided that it was time to go. We went through the "forest", seeing that it was the fastest way to the "front desk", passing more plants that got me asking what they were. A man offered to take a picture of us before we left, posing right up front. He mentioned something about turtles drifting onto the island to lay eggs, but I didn't seen any nursery OR hatchery. I asked him some more but he didn't answer; it sounded like he wasn't keen onto giving away any more information. I shrugged it off and walked away to get on the boat that would send us back home. Gavin, again, fell on his butt and wet his shorts and shirt; good thing he only brought the plastic bag that carried our swimming gear. Mama refused to give him anything to bring since that incident. [Figures on the right present the weird-looking fruit I was talking about. Documenting it reminded me of fieldwork. Haha)

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Forgive me for the long entry. It's been a while since I last wrote. Enjoy!

Our Trip to Camiguin

2010-05-26T21:56:00.005+08:00

May 22, 2010

My dad picked me up from my dormitory at around 7PM last Saturday, since our flight at 4:25PM the next day. This is a good thing for me since sleeping at the dorm was equal to falling asleep in a sauna! It was so hot! That was the first time I have ever woken up with a wet shirt and bed sheet from sweating the whole night. The fan didn't help at all! It just made the situation unbearable by blowing warm air into my face. Sleeping outside was tempting.

My dad and I had to share the bed, which was a problem for me since I move a lot. To make matters worse he positioned himself at the foot of the bed, within my kicking range. I thought he was going to move to another spot after the movie. Surprised was I when I heard someone snoring. He fell asleep. Ah well. Not my fault he would end up on the floor later.

May 23, 2010

Thankfully... he didn't! I woke up to the news reporter's voice in the television. It was 8AM, the room didn't make it look like it was. It's Sunday today, eight hours from now I'll be back in Cagayan de Oro. I was... excited. I wanted to see what changed and what stayed just the way they were since the last time I went back. I know it was only four months ago, but changes are inevitable. They come and when you least expect them to. Sometimes you have to make them happen.

I have to say coming back to Cagayan de Oro was a bit strange. As the plane lifted off its 'wheels' (for the lack of a better term) from the runway of NAIA Terminal 3, it was like a part of me was yanked out of my system. "Gah! My bladder!" would be the expression befitting to express what I felt at the moment. "The doctor really took it out... cool." was all I could say as we approach our destination.

The last time I went home for the break was last December 27, no wonder I felt that something went wrong as we left Manila. Perhaps I've stayed here for too long that it has become rather unhealthy (unhealthy to a point that I didn't want to go home).

The thing about coming back after such a long time, it's easier for one to point out the differences. There were more subdivisions being put up near the airport, replacing the previous several hectares of farmland which used to be a pleasing sight when people pass by. The green was covered by gray and brown, as the workers dug into the soil to put in foundations.

The thing about modernization, which I find quite annoying, is that it never stops. There are just some things in life that are better left alone. If it would make life easier, go with it. But be sure that the benefits of such a discovery outweigh the consequences brought about by the change. I would go for sticking with the farmland than building a subdivision next to two others. Might as well situate it somewhere else.

The cab turned right down a familiar curb, and I could see the guardhouse from a distance. The place where I usually wait for my dad to pick me up; whenever it was raining and it was late at night or I had a lot of things to carry. The on of the guards on duty that time was a friend of mine, unfortunately he wasn't the one who went up the driver's side to get the driver's ID. After telling the guard, whom I figured was new, who we were, we were allowed in.

Three more houses were constructed in the neighborhood, as we passed by them along the way to our house. There were some guys playing basketball at the court on the field and two girls barreling down the sidewalk on our right with their bicycles. The sun was setting, and the tint of pink-orange-red spread itself on the horizon, glowing magnificently as if it were coming from a newly snapped glow stick. I always take this path home when I was still in high school. It would usually take me ten to fifteen minutes to get home, and within those minutes my mind is completely blank. "How melancholic." you might say. Well... if you were in that stage in life where raging hormones is not the only thing taking its toll on your body, then walking and thinking about absolutely nothing is very much welcome. With the breathtaking view and the cool breeze blowing... it was the perfect breather.

"Left." My dad directed the man to our house. "That park in front of that blue house over there." I was glad that no other house nearby was painted the same shade of blue with the same blue roof as our house. That would make the color an eyesore... the cab pulled up in front of the house. I could see smoke coming from the side of the house. Mama was still cooking tonight's dinner.

"YEL!" my ten-year old brother ran towards me. I didn't let him hug me immediately, I had him chase me first! I laughed, he did to, I stopped, and he knocked the wind out of me as he collided with my gut.

"Ow." I laughed and hugged him just as tight.

"I miss you Yel!" he told me, giving me a toothy grin.

"Miss you too!" I rubbed his semi-kal head. The other bro came rushing down the garage ramp. "YEL!" his voice had gone down a pitch, but it was still the same booming voice that resembled my tatay's. He was taller than me now! He wound his arms around my neck and gave me a squeeze. "How's your trip?"

"It was okay," I smiled up at him. He IS tall. "Come on. Let's put these bags inside." he helped me with my luggage, tugging the stroller with him.

"Yel, your mom's calling you." my dad called from the patio. I left Gavin to deal with the bag, seeing that he can handle it by himself. When did he get so strong? "Coming!" I replied, rushing to the other side of the house. "Hi ma!"

My mom was wearing a green formal blouse, I quirked my eyebrows. "Why are you wearing that?" she was cooking pork belly on the makeshift grill my dad made using a large clay pot that used to hold one of the small trees planted on our front yard.

She laughed. "I asked Gabo to fetch me a blouse. He gave me this." I shook my head. Typical Gabo: if it looks like a blouse and it was the first thing he saw, then that's good enough. I walked towards my mom and hugged her. She kissed me on the cheek. My dad, with a smile on his face, approached us from the front, carrying a camera.

The rest of the evening went by as if I have never went to Manila and stayed there for several months. It was like any other night on the table. Gabo complaining that the meat was too tough (when it wasn't), my dad complimenting my mom's cooking with a grunt or two of approval or exclamations of utter satisfaction, and Gavin staying silent at his side of the table as he mercilessly attacks the meat on his plate. Yep. I'm glad there are some things that NEVER changed.

Home : Day 1 (October 19,2009)

2009-10-26T00:36:00.006+08:00

I know it's really, really late. This happened on a Monday... just ignore the date on the upper right.

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It was... different.

You know that feeling you get when you wake up somewhere other than your usual cluttered apartment? You feel a bit dizzy, and it was as if you were in a dream? Yeah... that's what I felt. Perhaps I was still recovering from motion sickness (that's what RB called it)...

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Pale pink painted walls, white curtains, a wooden study table at the foot of the bed and a red plastic garbage can (I doubt it was a can... it looked like an oversized jumbo cup) on the far left was not what I expected to see at five in the morning. Where am I? I looked out the window and it was really bright out. "I think the clock's busted."

Blinking, I sat up and yawned. "Where was that bloody rooster?" I asked. Usually by this time, the rooster next door would crow... and it finally sank in. Everything that happened the day before rushed back in like a tidal wave hitting the rocks at the foot of a cliff. "I'm home..." The painting my mom made hung on the wall at my left, its wooden baby blue colored frame making it stand out from the pink wall. I smiled and stretched. "Uwaaahh... it's good to be back!"

***

"Morning!" I greeted when I reached the foot of the stairs.

"Whoa. You're up early." my dad said. I know they would be surprised. Seldom do I wake up this early in high school; unless the alarm was set at full volume or my mom sent one of my brothers to wake me up (they really are the type that won't stop until you get up from bed. Call them the human cuckoo clocks).

"I'm always like this. I can't go back to sleep." Try as I might to get back to sleep, I just can't. It's the semestral break, why do I have to get up so early?

Both of my parents were going off to work that day, and my brothers had their exams. "You don't have plans for today?" my mom asked while sipping a mug of steaming hot coffee (grown-ups can't live without coffee).

"Mmm..." I untwisted the cap of the large jar of Nutella my tita sent us, spooning out some to spread on a slice of bread. "Oh! I'm meeting RB today." I took a bite from my sandwich. It was still 6AM, my brothers have to leave by 6:30AM.

"You want to tag along?" mama asked. She got up to use the bathroom since my brothers were already done. The clock was ticking. If I don't give an answer now, my brothers will be late. If I don't tag along, papa would have to come back to fetch me or I have to wait for him to get ready (by that time...). Or, I could just walk under the blazing heat of the 6AM sun (6AM? This hot? You got to be kidding me! ... No. I'm not). This is indeed one of the best ways to start the day, think.

"Sure!" I hurriedly finished my sandwich and washed it down with a glass of ice cold water. I went upstairs to get ready, hoping that I won't be the cause of getting them late.

Thankfully I was ready within thirty minutes. My brother was still putting on his shoes. "Hurry guys or else we'll be late." mom told them. Whoa. It was as if I went back to my high school days. I shook the thought out of my system, I was starting to get way too sentimental.

I arrived before RB (since we agreed meeting at 8AM). I waited for him for a good thirty minutes. I didn't mind waiting. All I did was walk around the campus. There were students on the benches in front of the canteen and around twenty were playing soccer at the football field. It was getting warm, which came as a shock since it was still 7:45AM. "How did it get so hot?"

RB arrived, surprised I was there before him. He expected me to come at 9AM. "Do you really think I would do that?" I asked him. We laughed it off and went on our way to the pavilion. It was their finals tomorrow. RB was going to study for English..."What do you study for English?" he asked. So instead of studying, RB and I ended up talking. We caught up with each other's college life, me asking him how it went with the girl he met on his way home three months ago. He wasn't able to find her again... too bad.

I get to see Carmi and Jaeanne while RB and I were eating our snacks. They were studying for their History finals. It was about the Japanese occupation. I already forgot the deatils (fail). When the first bell rang, they left.

"Do you think Mitch is in CDO?" RB asked me while finishing his orange juice with a loud slurp (he was drinking through a straw). He stood up to throw the empty cup into the garbage can.

"I guess." I said over my shoulder. We texted Mitch to come over. She just got back from Camiguin the day before, but we still urged her to come. "RB, can we look for someplace cooler?" I was sweating like crazy. There was no wind at all! "When did this place get so hot?" I fanned myself with my towel, knowing that doing so would just make it worse.

"Let's go to the fifth floor. It's windy there at this time of the day." He suggested. He wasn't sweating! What the...? As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but ask where we were going. He said we were going to the fifth floor, but we just passed by a staircase. "We're taking the elevator." Elevator? And there it was, an elevator. Three students walked out of it. The last one was almost caught between the two metal doors. Is this thing even safe?

RB entered the elevator first, I followed. He pushed the button that closes the door and then the button with the number 5 on it. "No elevator music?" RB snickered. The doors slid open and we stepped out. The cool wind slapped me at the face. "Woot!"

Finding an empty classroom, RB and I talked for a bit while waiting for Mitch. Rose also came by (waaahh! She's so pretty!) and we talked some more. When she left, RB's phone rang. "Who is it?" I asked him. I was getting a bit sleepy. The wind felt so nice...

"It's Mitch. She's waiting for us at the benches in front of the chapel." We stared at each other. How long has she been waiting? Wah! We put back the chairs we used to their proper places, turned off the lights and fans, ran down the hallway, pressed the down button of the elevator with such vigor and speed I could have made it pop out from its place!

We found Mitch by the benches. She had been waiting for us... judging by the look of her face when we approached. "Where were you?" she asked.

"We... were on the fifth floor?" RB and I said in unison.

"O-kay... where are we off to after? You guys had lunch?" RB and I shook our heads. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat!"

"Where?" I asked.

"Umm... McDo?"

"Okay!"

After lunch and accompanying Mitch to CHED, we then went back to XU Main since RB still has something to submit at 2PM. "Where are we off to next?" Mitch asked. "You guys want to go to Limketkai?"

"Sure!" It was still 1PM, so we spent an hour just talking about the things that happened right after we separated. It had been that long. Five months. Five months of not seeing each other, merely resorting to text and instant messages for communication. When I met up with RB at eight in the morning, starting a conversation with him was quite hard. In high school, we would talk about practically anything. Now... I don't even know the things he became interested whille in college. Same goes with Mitch.

The clock struck 2:00, we slowly made our way to the elevator (seriously, that elevator has a mind of its own. I barely got off when it suddenly closed, keeping my right foot inside! It hurt. Haha!). RB met up with his teacher, we left and rode a jeepney to Ketkai. Aaahhh Ketkai... its twists and turns resemble that of a maze. The first time I went there (after modifications) it took me and my mom twenty minutes to find the bathroom.

So the day ended with us eating Takoyaki, otherwise known as a veggie ball, drowned in sweet and spicy sauce at Robinsons (Robinsons and Ketkai were connected).

After bidding goodbye I went to Gaisano Mall to meet up with my mom. It took me 45 minutes to find her. E-gad (Hahaha!). She was on the fourth floor not the third. I was going from Gaisano Mall to Gaisano City searching for her on the THIRD floor. "Mamaaaa..." I said when I found her (or she found me). "I had to ask the saleslady where Gaisano Mall is. She replied, 'This is Gaisano Mall.' I looked like an idiot." Mama laughed. Gaisano Mall and Gaisano City stood side-by-side, and I have no means of knowing which is which. "Maaaa... you told me you were on the third floor..." I pouted and let out a chuckle, hugging her as she digs into a heap of blouses. What a way to end the day.

POSTIE!!!!

Home: Day 0

2009-10-21T00:06:00.004+08:00

This was on a Sunday. I know it's late. Hehehe. Enjoy!

I woke up to the crowing of the cockerel next door. It was still 6AM when I checked the clock on my table. My brain started whirring, thinking about the stuff I should get done before the end of the day, preventing me from getting back to sleep.

"This early? Can I have thirty more minutes?" I complained, tossing and turning beneath the covers. "Seriously?" I sat up and stretched. The sun was peeping through the window, its rays illuminating the room. It was still 6AM... how did it get so bright out? Taking that out of my mind (since it was still too early to question nature), I got up and went to the bathroom.

The house was too quiet. Everyone was still asleep. "Why can't I sleep just as long?" I made my way to the comfort room, not even bothering to switch the lights on as a entered. Turning the tap, cool water started to gush from the faucet, the sound echoing throughout the whole dorm (yeah. It was that quiet). Taking a handful, I splashed it on my face, hoping to remove the remnants of the sandman.

Awake (what was I before?), I dragged myself into the room and started fixing my things. I was going home today. My flight was not until 12:20AM. I still had approximately six and a half hours to spare. I was sure I had everything ready, being that I packed two days before. Clothes were there, pasalubongs, shoes... the toiletries will be added later. "What to do for six hours and fifteen minutes?" Staring at the ceiling could be one, but the paint was plain making it uninteresting to look at.

Sighing, I went down the staircase to get myself some breakfast. My stomach wanted food. It was still 7AM and Happy Homes won't be open 'til 8AM. I had to wait for an hour for food... pitiful (hahaha!).

Time flew way too slow. I heard my stomach rumble and grumble, it was like I swallowed up a storm cloud and it was gathering up steam at the pit of my gut. I won't be surprised if I started spitting out lightning bolts (that would be so cool!).

When the clock struck eight, I rushed towards the telephone and dialled their number (I was that hungry). I ordered enough food to last me through lunch, since my flight was from 12:20-1:40. There are also chances that it would get delayed. Actually am just trying to convince myself that eating that much was highly necessary. (Hahaha)

Tita came by to pick me up at around 9AM, we still had to buy two dozen krispy kreme donuts for my brothers. Why two dozen? Because a dozen and a half is theirs and the rest is for me, papa and mama. Amazing huh?

It was my first time entering NAIA alone for a flight TO Cagayan. Last time I was there arriving FROM Cagayan. Thankfully there were no mishaps. I didn't get lost, ended up being called by the security office, nor board the wrong plane. Everything went smoothly; even the checking-in of bags. I thought I was going to exceed fifteen kilos, I would have had to pay extra if this was so.

Since I got to the airport way too early (I still had two hours), I amused myself with the game Plant vs. Zombies while drinking a glass of mocchacino. Planes took off before me, like humongous metallic birds with stiff wings being shot into the air by slingshot (they looked like they were sent flying through slingshot... the planes I mean).

Our flight did get delayed, due to heavy traffic on the runway. When the steward called out the flight to Cagayan, everyone at the waiting area stood up and formed two lines. Pregnant women, children and the elderly were given top priority. Getting into your seat proved to be difficult. Some people who were seated from 16-22 entered the front door that was only meant for those who had seats from 15 and below. Everyone was rubbing against each other, bags were slammed onto heads and bodies were being pushed into the chair's linen. I couldn't help but feel a bit cramped. Thank goodness I wasn't claustrophobic. I would have gone wild before the plane could take off.

The flight was uneventful. They had games (a Bring Me game. I wasn't able to win anything since I didn't have the items they requested. Haha) and I was able to use the airplane's restroom, which people said was really, really small (I can still move around in there. Dance maybe). But other than that nothing interesting happened.

When the plane landed on Cagayan de Oro soil, I got all excited! I was going to meet my folks and brothers after five months of extreme sacrifice. "I am not going to cry." I told myself. But to no avail, I did after seeing my little brother crying his eyes out when I approached the car.

It's good to be home. There were a lot of things I missed. I missed my mom's voice, my dad's quirkiness and my brothers' ability to do something funny without even trying to make it so (how adorable!).

I have to go now. So sleepy. Bye!

Bittersweet

2009-08-22T17:31:00.002+08:00

I think my toothbrush is a portkey...

Last Thursday at seven in the evening, I was in my tita Malou's place trying to make her little boy Louis give me a hug. I knew it would take him some time to warm up to me, but he was just too cute! He reminded me of my little brother Gabriel, very energetic and always has something up his sleeve. Sometimes it would involve annoying his kuya to the brink of insanity that one had to hold the big guy down before he could pummel the little one to the ground.

Louis was five years old. He had a brother named Luke, who was nine years of age, same as Gabriel. Luke was the first to hug me. I met him at the attic playing Naruto on his PS2. His eyes were glued to the screen as I greeted him hello. A short answer came from his direction, it was like a bullet shot, gone in a millisecond. I could have missed it if I wasn't looking at him.

The two had an older brother named Lance. He was twelve. He was taller, but if I were to wrestle him I could have won the first round (yes, I'm fat). He was the quiet type,just like Gavin. I would have kissed him goodbye when I left, but it was like he knew what I was going to do when I took a step closer.

It was different. Being teleported into place with a different atmosphere, away from the urban noise, PESTS, tension and pressure. I popped into a place that reminded me of something that I have missed for the past two months. Something that I have left behind and would do anything to return to. HOME.

The dorm could soothe that dull ache, but nothing could compare to that place miles away from where you're standing. I can't help it. I miss my brothers. I miss my mom. I miss my dad. And the people I met that day, whom was able to spend time with for two days, were just like them. It was refreshing, yet it made me miss them even more.

Thanks for everything tita Malou and tito Lito! Miss you!

COLLEGE LIFE

2009-07-07T18:25:00.002+08:00

Tight schedules. Limited time. Cramming. Seven cups of coffee in one sitting. Thick books that make your shoulders ache. These are some of the things that would come to mind when I hear people talk about college.

College, from what I thought back then, was far from what I am experiencing now. Currently surviving my fourth week in a place I am totally foreign to, things have been going really well. The first week was a bit tough since I still had to adjust with my parents' absence and the fact that I was all alone since I barely knew anyone in school. I was also following a different schedule than my classmates', which hindered me from making any acquaintances in the first few days.

But as the days passed by, things are getting a lot better. My teachers are really nice. They make the lesson understandable and fun. (Not what I expected since it's already college. But I'm glad it's like this. Hehehe) They even want the students to be more creative during group presentations, like making a skit or singing a song while reporting.

College is fun! I know it will get even more difficult as time passes, but who says you can't have a little of both pleasure and business? ^__^

I joined a school publication. Hope I get in! LOL

Summer Frenzy!!!

2009-04-15T02:30:00.002+08:00

"Now that summer's in... what now?" I would occasionally ask. This summer feels different. Unlike all the summers I've had, this must be the most uneventful to date. Last summer I spent most of my time reading books. Two summers ago I attended summer classes for Chemistry. Three summers ago, my cousins who migrated to London came over. This summer is pretty uneventful. BUT, my prayers were answered!

Last Saturday, my family and I went to Mantanghale Beach Resort to take a dip and free ourselves from the confines of our small warm home (although it is warm, the endless feeling of laziness is just unbearable!) and the demands of work (who wouldn't want to get out of that?). We were on our way at around 9AM because we didn't pack the night before since my parents had no idea where to go. Haha. It took us two hours to pack my brothers' swimming trunks, two towels, extra shirts, toiletries and the all-important underwear. TWO HOURS. My brother didn't even bother to take a bath! He was too busy looking for his underwear.

On the road, we stopped by Mercury Drug in Gusa to purchase several bottles of mineral water for the trip. The ride went smoothly, if the bumps were taken out, that my brothers and I fell asleep in the backseat (even with the lumps we still fell asleep).

Wiping the remnants of sleep from our faces (you know what I mean), we woke up to the sound of my mom's voice. "Wake up! We're here!" as I opened my eyes, we drove through a narrow passage, and inside was the main entrance to the resort. The security guard on duty almost put me back to sleep with his voice (he sounded like he just woke up). We paid the entrance fee, parked, breathed in the fresh air which was interrupted growling stomachs. It was already lunch and the trip worked up our appetite!

You can't believe how large the porkchop is! It occupied half of the plate! I was almost tempted to ask where they bought it because I have never seen a porkchop that big. After that stomach-busting lunch, we went down the steps leading to the beach.

My little brother, Gabo, was hesitant in jumping in. I told him to wear his goggles since the water would sting his eyes, but no matter how many times I told him, he wouldn't. Because of that, he would constantly run to mama to wash away the saltiness with mineral water. He was the reason why all the mineral water was gone. Due to high tide, we weren't able to bury papa alive. Haha. We did get to have amazing spa treatment by scrubbing ourselves with sand. Hehe.

Next stop would be the pool. Now my brother uses his goggles. I mean, WHAT? You needed it more at the beach not here! DUH! I always think my brothers have topsy turvy brains. My dad taught me how to do the basic swimming technique which I don't know what it's called. I failed. I sank and couldn't get any air after the second arm stroke.

After the pool, we decided to rest for a while since it was too hot (the water was also hot). We ordered halo-halo (aaaahhh... halo-halo), and my bros after snackage went for a dip in the pool now that the sun had gone down a bit.

We got to spend quality time together! After ridding ourselves from our trunks, washing away the sand particles that accumulated in certain places... making us uncomfortable, we head on home. Before heading on home, we had fun at the playground. Papa and I went on a go on the seesaw. Gabo and I did the swings. Gavin was in charge of looking over the place in the tree house. Mama and Papa spent some time alone on the 'group' swing (the one that can accomodate six people).

And the trip back home? We fell asleep. When we woke up we were already in Tagoloan.

Bye for now! See ya!

GRAD BALL!!!

2009-03-19T01:23:00.003+08:00

RB and Athena

RB and I

Last March 17, 2009, the fourth year students of Xavier University High School had their Graduation Ball at Grand Caprice, which began at 5:00 PM. Everyone was in a frenzy! Students were filing in, photographers were filing out, snapping shots at the students as they got out of their ride. Waiters moved in a blur, carrying trays of who knows what. Most of the students were taking pictures of themselves and their friends in the hallways, making it impossible for one to get to washroom without mussing up the tediously made up hair and carefully applied make-up.

The theme for the night was Vintage, usually used in knowing when and where a certain wine is produced, but in general it means old, is a term given to the old fashion of the 1950's. In this period women are dressed in simple pastel-colored, clean cut dresses dividing the upper body from the lower with a belt. Men wore vests or huge coats over open chest polos and a matching hat to add that Michael jackson effect.

The Graduation Ball was amazing! The music was perfect, the mood was set, and the food was delicious! We had a great time last Tuesday.

Valetine's...

2009-02-15T00:45:00.002+08:00

I don't really know what to post. Am just here, eating a slice of chocolate cake at one in the morning... my butt aching, eyes burning as a fix my gaze on the computer screen.

I am currently reading some one shot mangas, and my mom is mumbling behind me to go to bed. Must have something to do with hormones, I can't seem to GET to sleep whenever I WANT to... what a dilemma.

Anyways, last night (three hours ago), my dad treated us to a Valentine dinner buffet (there's also a lunch buffet... so...yeah...to be more specific). The food was good, the cake was awesome, the music was amazing! The atmosphere was warm. There was a slight drizzle, whose raindrops formed ripples on the still waters of the pool. We had a nice view. Bright lights from tiny houses twinkled like stars in the sky (there were no stars then since it was raining); my brother saw a falling star, told me, and I asked him if he made a wish, he repliedthat he did not by pausing and closing his eyes.

My Valentine's Day this year has been a SWEET one. MORE CAKE!!!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T23:28:00.003+08:00

We all know what this day is all about. It's about chocolates, red roses, pink and white balloons, but has it ever occurred to you what it's really all about?

As the closk struck twelve last February 12, I knew what to expect for tomorrow. Since Valentine's Day was on a Saturday, the entire student body were buzzing about, trying to catch up with their desired valentine. Cards and rose petals were flying everywhere. Everywhere you look, you see red! If a buffalo were let loose in this chaos, it would go on a rampage and fling everyone down the stairs!

This year, my pre-Valentine's Day celebration was my last and my most memorable pre-Valentine's Day ever! The guys in our section planned everything out. During our lunch break, all the guys were called down to the library (I was also there). I saw them making roses out of paper (origami - the art of paper-folding... perhaps i shouldn't have been there).

When the last bell was rung, all of 4-JDC were asked to remain. The guys moved out of the room, and at the corner of my eye, I saw a bag of paper roses placed on the ground (I saw it through the wooden planks. Haha). I told them that I can see them, they lifted it and the murmurs grew louder. The girls were getting restless, like they were ready to punce at someone the moment they got through the door.

Five minutes ticked by with no life threatening incident. The guys were still conversing LOUDLY behind the cement-covered, styrofoam wall, knowing full well that about 20+ girls can knock it down, still maintaining that same amount of feral intensity.

Finally, four of the boys walked in. Kenn held a guitar and seated himself comfortably in front, the other three walked back out (body guards?). Kenn started off with a brief introduction about what they will be doing, then by public demand, all the guys went in, carrying those paper roses I was talking about earlier. Others mistook that time to give the flowers (it wasn't supposed to be given yet. Very organized impromptu performance).

Then they started singing El Bimbo and a song I do not know but everyone else is familiar with it. Some of the girls cried. Then the guys started dancing to another song I do not know, but they cut it off to sing El Bimbo instead. Haha.

After the first song, they started giving out the paper roses. Phillterr told the guys to say "I love you", which they didn't. Lowell gave me a rose. I think they were asked to pick about three people whom they want the roses to be given to.

In the end, their antics rewarded them a grand applause. It was sweet and cute. Very memorable indeed that the girls knew they lost against the guys for the "mos kilig" factor.

Thanks guys and gals, for making this the best pre-Valentine's Day ever! Even though it's Friday the 13th. Hahaha!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!!!

La Corda D' Oro

2008-10-26T21:28:00.002+08:00

Ever since Athena introduced me to this new manga, I can't seem to get enough of it.

The manga is about a girl named Kahoko and she was forced by a fairy named Lili to participate in the school's concours. A contest where the finest musicians of the school compete for the title. Now the school is divided into two parts: general and music. The general students are those who do not have music as part of their curriculum. Basically, they're just regular students. The music students , however, have music as their lesson. They basically center their lives on music. Which separates them one from the other. Now Kahoko is a gen-ed student who doesn't have any background on any instrument. Thanks to Lili, the fairy protecting the school, he gives her a magic violin which reflects the players feelings when played with.

This manga has inspired me to play the violin again. I am getting rusty since its been so long since I've played it. I have been searching for musical pieces; by Chopin, Pachelbel, Beethoven, Mozart, and famous artists like Taylor Swift. I like Pachelbel's Canon in D (if you are familiar with it you can tell why). And Beethoven's Fur Elise!

I'm still an amateur. And playing these pieces will be difficult plus my violin needs a little tuning. I want to buy a new one... If I can just get my hands on a standard violin (they say that the size of one's violin is based from one's height), I will play like there's no tomorrow!

I can't seem to perfect the 'shaking' technique, where the violinist would make the violin produce a 'shaking' tune. I don't know what its called but that's how I see it (some violinist).

That's all! Bye!

FOURTH YEAR

2008-10-23T21:29:00.005+08:00

Who knew that senior year can be so hectic? Thanks to the training we got from our junior year, we found ourselves in a better state of mind when in pressure. But that isn't the case with me.

I am the type of girl who can't seem to set her schedule straight. To cram right before the exams and doze off when I know full well that there's going to be a long quiz the next day. What is wrong with me?!

In first year up till second year, I have always prioritized my studies. I don't cram, I don't sleep on tests, I haven't done any of those things listed above. And to think that the junior year and the senior year are the most important years of high school life. This is where the colleges one has chosen determine if you are good enough to be taken in as part of the st udent body.

I honestly didn't do well in my third year. And I definitely deserve that sharp kick in the ass for being an ass (no one did kick me though). WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! Am I just tired from all the school work? Shouldn't I be accepting every challenge I come across with open arms? What is wrong with me? What made me this way?

I could say that i lacked the inspiration to be the best that I can be. But, I have an inspiration. My parents. It's because of them that a strive hard. I don't want their sacrifices to be put to waste. I oftentimes feel guilty when I receive my honor's award, with the words "third honor" emblazoned on it in thick black ink.

They don't deserve this. They don't deserve me. I haven't done anything right, from what I've learned. Yes, they are the coolest parents one could ever ask for, but what good would it bring me if I see them in such a state and I'm doing nothing to help them? I cry, I go out of my way to make things right, suggest to get a part time job, help in every way I can in the household (even though the computer keeps on calling for me), just to tell them how thankful I am to have them.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!! I say that it's not enough! I want to be the best! But there's something lacking. That special spark. That drive. I lost it when I entered third year. Did i get lazy? Does sleeping late have anything to do with it?... I guess it does.

As i ponder on what thing I lack, what it was that I am missing, I will leave you now to settle your own matters. I have a term paper to deal with, lots of assignments to finish, and four days of endless sports fun to enjoy.

Bye.

Is this true? LOL

2008-08-30T14:52:00.002+08:00

What Arielle Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Accomplishment

2008-08-30T14:47:00.001+08:00

I don't know what made me write this... but i think it's... good? Haha.

What is accomplishment? Is it not the feeling of triumph you get when you mastered the art of walking on your two feet? Isn’t it the feeling of well-being you get when you have won something you have been yearning and persevering for? Is it not the word that defines the feeling of being able to do the impossible?

I consider learning as an accomplishment. All humans have the capability to learn no matter what condition or state of mind they are in. God gave us this ability which places us in a much higher position than animals. He gave us intellect, freewill and reasoning, gifts that only humans have. I have never seen a cat stop and think if he should eat the rat or not. Neither have I seen a dog grab a magnifying glass and inspect his fur, wondering why it’s so itchy.

They say that learning begins the very second you come out from the confines of your mother’s womb, your first peek into the world. At first glance, I learned that there are other things far more interesting to look at than the umbilical cord connecting me and my mother together for nine months. I learned that there are such things called good and bad but still had trouble distinguishing one from the other. I discovered new ways how to make use of my feet instead of kicking my father’s face. I noticed that there are furry people walking about on both hands and feet.

At that stage, I was learning even without the help of my parents explaining to me the functions of this part and that, telling me what that furry human is called and what color is orange when I know it’s a fruit. Time passes by and I acquire so many things that seem to cram up the ample amount of space I have in my neural attic. I learned how to draw; I learned how to read and write, what my name was and how to play the violin. I gathered newfound information about the world which I didn’t know of within the boundaries of my home and the security my parents provided me. I understood the complexities of the human anatomy and developed a fondness for the field of science.

The usual words I used in my essays started sounding more complicated and have gotten longer. My usual “large” became “humongous” and the typical “surprised” became “flabbergasted”. I learned that there are different shades of red, pink, blue, green, yellow, violet and orange which before I knew are just plain red, pink, blue, green, yellow, violet and orange. It has escaped me that there are such colors as purple and lemony yellow.

I read books far more interesting than what happened to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The themes were much more intense than papa bear’s bowl of porridge.

I noticed that one word has over fifteen different meanings and that I should be cautious on how I should use them. I felt unfamiliar emotions that just stir up and break out into the open.

I found new ways on how to learn new things easier, by making graphs and abbreviations to help me understand further the topic at hand. Learning something new is an achievement, understanding it is something more. It is also an innate skill bestowed upon us by God. He gave us reasoning, intellect and freewill. Reasoning is testing what we have learned. We learn so that we may be able to decide the best path to take and to analyze what our mistakes were. I also consider this a skill since I get to nurture it and expand it as time flies by.
I was taught many things that I’m afraid I would have to empty some space in my attic again. I acquired all these in a short amount of time and I don’t know what yet is in store for me.

Learning is an achievement. Getting onto this stage is not easy because along the way, I am tested in every aspect. I quote: “Only mashed grapes produce the best wine.” These challenges describe me as someone who wills herself to try her best in all fields and tests and is ready to learn anything. I pushed myself to the hilt. Striving, going beyond my boundaries. These extremities enabled me to get a position on the honor’s list since the first grade. It placed me in the Honor’s class in my sophomore year. It helped me win extracurricular activities that tested my skills in literature, sports and art.

But for me, accomplishments don’t necessarily come in the forms of embossed certificates or medallions sprayed with golden paint. They might just be the things one has achieved but have not noticed. It might just be a talent imprinted on your genetics which you don’t know about unless you stumble upon it by accident.

An accomplishment could be a skill acquired from other people, like playing the violin. And as you enhance that skill it becomes a talent. Developing one’s skill is an achievement, that was what I realized when I played my first violin piece. Is this what achievement feels like? I felt good about myself, knowing full well that I can do anything I set my mind into.

Yet, I still feel like there’s something else missing. And this brings me to the other variety of accomplishment. I consider making friends an achievement. Being somebody else’s friend is an achievement. They say that finding a needle in a hay stack is difficult, what more if you’re looking for the one person that could understand you and withstand all your imperfection and outlooks in life? Making friends is a tremendous feat. Having true friends is a miracle. Each one of us has different personalities that may not coincide with one another; perhaps that’s what makes finding that said person a miracle.

I have a lot of friends. I am a really friendly person. This defines me as a person who never ceases to care and is open to anyone, who perseveres and goal-oriented. There are some triumphs in life that are worth more than the shiny gold medal framed on your book shelf. And these are the things that never rust or tear.

This is my essay that defines me as a person that I am today.

Ugh...

2008-06-28T22:43:00.003+08:00

School, a foundation brought up to form the younger generation into outstanding men and women... that's what they always say. For us students, it's another adventure. School is where you seek the truth. To find yourself and be able to differentiate yourself from other people. In school, you get to do activities that uncovers your true potential preventing you from living beneath another's shadow. School is where you meet new friends, people whom you would get to love and spend all you time with doing the looniest stuff and laughing at the corniest jokes. School is where you get to interact with adults, teachers, yet still retain the same amount of respect. That's what school is.

Today, Xavier University is celebrating its 75th year. The school is getting older, like most of us. It is getting older; the walls may crumble, the paint would peel off the walls, the lockers would rust, but the memories that flood the hallways for all those years still linger. I will remember my high school days, I will remember my elementary days because it was on those days that I was... effervescent. As you tend to get older (and not a deal younger), you can't help but think about the "old" days.

I have never seen the launching of XU at 75. But I am glad that I became a senior on the school's diamond anniversary. Kind of cool to graduate on the school's diamond. "Hey! We were the diamond batch! We're shiny!" Haha!

School has been one heck of a market these days. Lots of students crowd in the lobby after classes that it was like a crime has taken place and the murder weapon was in the middle. Haha. The murder weapon would be an eraser. Stabilo. I like that brand. Good for drawing and the eraser's cool. I'm already promoting their product. Should I expect them to pay me? Haha.

The weeks are passing by fast. Like a blur. Like you're in a race car, without even knowing how to stop it in the first place. Toink. That would be a nasty crash. It's difficult not to faint at the haze of it. People moving about, running in oppoiste directions, yelling, laughing, talking, all too much to handle! But i can live with it.

I cooked spaghetti again. Yummy! I'm being modest. Haha! It;s a feat I am particularly proud of. I can cook spaghetti! I don't put hotdog in it though. only ground pork, spaghetti sauce, lots of onions, garlic, butter, lots of pepper, salt, sugar, water and whole-peeled tomatoes. YUM!!! I'd like to thank my mom for teaching me. Sure is cool to cook.

That's all for now. I'm still searching for an acceptable IP project. Bye!

Weeeee!!!

2008-05-22T22:36:00.002+08:00

Sometimes, I get the feeling that my blog is trying it's hardest to prevent me from posting... because every single time i enter a new post the site goes wild and an error appears! DARN! But tonight, I have a feeling that this little post won't be going anywhere but to my blog page. *laughs evilly*

For the past several weeks, me and the guys have been hanging around with our dear ma'am Amsi. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, as what Newton said by his stupid theory: Everything ends with the opposite. This means that if your are happy now, you'll be crying 75% of your body fluids out later! How's that for an opposite?!

Ma'am Amsi is leaving us this Wednesday to Iloilo since she will be teaching at another school. It was a huge blow on our part vut we know it was for the best and we wish her all our luck. Last Monday we sepnt our time with her at her house, talking about simply anything. She made us mashed potatoes, onion rings and banana cream pie! It was so good! We even bought cake, ice cream and all kinds of chips! It was like having a junk party! WEEEE!!! But you gotta love the mashed potatoes. It's out of this world!

After spending our time with ma'am (from 1pm to 6pm), we grudgingly left her house to go wait for a shuttle at the waiting shed. While waiting, the guys decided to take a few snapshots. The lighting was perfect! Lovette got on down and we started taking a photoshoot! People passing by gave us weird looks, telepathically asking us what the heck we're doing at the waiting shed doing awkward poses! Others just walked on by like it was the most normal thing in world (perhaps it was)! SHAPE that time revealed their "vain" side. Hahaha.

So... I guess this is it! By next week I'll be shipped of too Manila to attend by tito's wedding. I'll be wearing a red dress! EVIL HEELS!!!

After 5 Centuries...

2008-04-27T10:33:00.002+08:00

After five centuries of consistently ignoring my blog, I have finally gotten the strength to post something new.

Well, these past several weeks of my summer vacation has been nothing but fun. Since March 31, me and my barkada meet every week at school with out beloved Ms. Amsi for advance lessons in Physics and Trigonometry. Yeah the lessons were difficult, but that didn't make us roll on the floor and die! Ms. Amsi made the lessons fun and worthwhile. In between the nosebleeding problems, we still find the time to kid around and make fun of each other. Jeof has been on the recieving end on a lot of playful smacks by Ms. Amsi. It was fun to watch at them get at it. They look like mother and child.

My post today is a bit bland, perhaps it's because i can't think of anything else to post... hmmm... Louisse is the vice president of the PSYSC, the mother of all science clubs. She's really good though. Bribing, blackmailing and threatening people to get in and participate... who could have guessed that such an innocent creature can be so evil? Haha. It was fun to watch her try and persuade us. Mitch still remains unfaltered after recieving several threats from Louisse. Perhaps its because Mitch IS the mother of all threats and blackmail. Haha. I don't know how she does it! She even has a LOOK that would make onlookers tremble. But she's not that evil... is she?

I joined the PSYSC, hoping to help the environment in my own little way. Seeing as how the environment is going would sure want you take drastic measures on how to live your lifestyle in a GREEN way.

Anyway, this is my stop. Haha. I have to cook lunch now. Bye!

E-GAD!!!

2008-04-11T02:35:00.002+08:00

It's been a while since I last posted here in my blog. As evidence of my carelessness, the bugs creeping around the blog have already grown beards! White beards about a foot long!

Anyway, I'm just going to talk about the things that happened to me during my summer break. Recently, i've been hanging out more with my friends at school or XU Main with Ma'am Itucal. We are training for the upcoming contests that will be surely held this coming school year. We are also taking advance lessons, a pre-hemorrhage before the actual brain fractures begin! I already had a nosebleed just studying the sines and the cosines! Literally!

Who could have guessed trigonometry and physics can be so fun? Well, if you have a group of cray friends and a really fun teacher, then the feeling's understandable. Unlike being cooped up in a room with other fellow classmates trying their best to behave and understand the lesson while the teacher busily chatters in front waving the chalk in the air. I think the key to such progress is by just being a bit carefree on what you do, not uptight. In the kiosk (the place where we usually study), ma'am would discuss the lesson and while we do some exercises, we chat, laugh, ma'am also laughs with and adds a few cents of her own in the discussion making it even more amusing!

I'm not saying that the 'being-cooped-up-in-a-room' is bad. Besides, there are only a few of us in a group. If there were about forty pupils, I would go for the classroom. Since there is no way that one can understand the discussion if everyone talks all at once!

This is kind of a useless entry... but this is what happened for the summer break. I'm hoping for more exciting things to pop out of nowhere, like a mongoose would suddenly crawl up to me! I saw a snake once, i was just three feet away from certain death! It was cool though. The snake and the cat were having a staredown, like sumo wrestlers in that battle ring of theirs.

Prom night!

2008-02-10T16:18:00.000+08:00

Prom night! Who could have guessed prom night was drawing closer by a day? Who could have known that one would go shopping for a dress or suit, accessories, reasearching for possible hairstyles for that night? Who could have known that prom night could be such a BLAST?!

Yesterday at 3pm, we were on our way to the parlor to get my hair and make-up done. Just this once I resisted the urge to wipe off the paint on my face (I hate make-up). My hair was done, it was a little curly on the edges and above it, my hair was fxed into a bobbing French twist (it could have been a French twist, but it didn't turn into a bun).

I met up with my "escort". His name is Sam and he's from another school. He just had their prom not so long ago. I thanked him profusely for sacrificing his rest day to be there with me. He arrived by taxi and with my mom, we went to the clubhouse (he gave me a gift! Weeee!). Sam and I have been bestfriends for a long time now. We act like silly kids when we're together. Just like me and Mitch.

Upon arriving, we met up with the group. Saw familiar faces and laughed at some of the dresses that some girls were wearing (we were having fun describing one particular dress. He implied that she looks like she's wearing a bib). Some guys looked like bodyguards! They were wearing sunglasses and had their serious looks on.

After chatting with the guys, Sam told me not to leave him since he's from another school. I promised and he pulled me to the entrance. We registered and waited in line to have our pictures taken. After that, we went upstairs which happened to be cooler than the lobby.

We met up with Mitch and had a chat about you-know-who. Sam laughed about our topic. We went to Mitch's table and I gave out a shout! Ellen was so HAWT! She was wearing a tube! I didn't even recognize her the moment I walked in!

Moving our way to our table, Sam surprised me by pulling the chair out for me.

0--------DISCO---------0

The lords and ladies of the night danced first. After the first song was played (which was pretty corny and not one of the songs we selected), Sam pulled me out of my seat and danced with me (this guy's so full of surprises). He even lifted my arms to place them around his neck! We both laughed and mouthed to each other, "CORNY!" I thanked him again for everthing and he offered me a hug (were friends, its normal). When the music started pumping, all the guys went wild! The whole group was there, dancing to the music. Sir Nitz was also there to show us some of his moves (he's a good dancer).

After the disco, we took pictures and went home. That night was one of the most memorable nights of my life! I wish i could upload the pictures we took last night, but my blog will not allow it.

That's all for now! Ta-ta!

Weeee....

2008-01-27T13:19:00.000+08:00

At present, I'm searching for colorful animations for our report in chemistry. We didn't do well the last time, but we were asked to have a recap before the test. I don't know how to discuss the matter in a simpler way! *bangs head on table*

This might be the reason why its bad to sleep late. My brain's not functioning anymore! I think it ran out of gas neurotic gas. Malfunctioning is when my brain can still function, but there are a few kinks to it. It needs a good whack if its in that state. Now... there's nothing in there! *laughs*

Anyway, I'm entering yet another post! What happened last week? We practiced Tango! It was a rather, intimate and sensual dance. The women are supposed to be well-poised, have control over their body yet graceful. The guys should "handle" the women properly (arms raised the entire time, hurts).

The rest of the week, we practiced our lines in English. We were going to act out Romeo and Juliet. I'm Benvolio in the play, the peace-maker and bookworm in the group. Fits me quite well doesn't it (except the peace-maker part)? We had fun! We get to spend time outdoors, I really enjoyed the change of scenery. From the cemented-wooden walls (they look like cemented walls, but in reality, their wood) to the pleasant outdoor sun and cool breeze. I have a knack for scenery!

What else? I almost fell asleep in ++++++ class. Perhaps I'm not used to not having +++ +++++ discuss the lesson. He makes the lesson really interesting, the real wake-up call in the afternoon!

What else? I can speak British! We tried that during our OSASI period. Louisse and Mitch started it. It was cool at first, when we suddenly taked about virginity and asked +++ +++++ if he was still a virgin. He smiled, and since silence means yes then he's still a virgin (duh!). Is it wrong to ask people that? Especially the men? 0.o

Prom's drawing close, I spent the whole day yesterday looking for sandals that would fit me. I hate sandals! Who discovered this ankle-hurting, three inch long masters of falling-down-the-carpet-and-breaking-your-neck device?

We had a remedial lesson on algebra yesterday. Then the rest of the day was for the sandal-hunting and another remedial with Ma'am Amsi. WE LOVE YOU MA'AM!!! *XOXO* (this means, big kiss, big hug, big kiss, big hug)

That's all for today! Me going to watch Jurassic Park III! Bye!

Plain Something's

2008-01-23T18:16:00.000+08:00

Gawd! I just noticed! There are a lot of typographical errors in this post! How embarassing! T_T

A billion centuries have already gone by since the last time I, Arielle the Doofus, faced the computer to type in a new post in my blog. A lot of things have been going on lately. Our English teacher, Mrs. Pearl Bondoc, retired to take care of her granddaughter... it was a really sad day for all of us since she was really cool.
When she left, it was like a huge part of the III- Brito class got chunked off.

0----S.H.A.P.E. Christmas Party!----0

Wow! That was some night! We celebrated our Christmas party at Ate Erika's house! It was sooooo cooool!!!! Ma'am Amsi was the one who cooked all the food and boy, the ginataang kalabasa was soooo goooood!!! sir Nitz was also there! We had someone to torture all night! He even got drunk because of the teramisu (did i spell it correctly?). Too bad he had to leave. He wasn't able to watch the second horror movie that night! After the marathon, Ate Sheena shared her experiences in Japan with us. She had a lot of souvenirs with her, they were so cool! Especially the Naruto notebook (I have a major crush on Kakashi).

We slept around three in the morning! The others were sleeping on the rug, the inflatable bed, the sofa, and up at the balcony! Hahahhaa!
At first thing in the morning, they were all shivering from the cold! Hehehe.

0----English teacher----0

Everyone was really frisky. If you saw how cats act when they get impatient, that would be the perfect mental picture of the class that day. After waiting for two whole days (we can't take it anymore!), we would finally get to meet our new English teacher! All of us had their bets on Sir Nitz (ssshhh...)! It was really exciting! Feli and Leo were waiting outside the classroom. Then Leo said, "Si Sir +++++!" everyone fell silent. If a fly were to buzz by, you could actually here it! Everyone went back to their seats and wait for Sr. ++++++ to enter the room. Then, "He went upstairs!" then the class resumed its usual racket.

"Dili siguro si Sir Nitz."
"Kinsa kaha?"
"Basin lain na teacher. Ma'am +++++?"

A lot of questions that can't be answered started to find its way from ear to ear. When suddenly...

"Good morning class!"
"SIR NITZ!!!" everyone reacted violently. Others were whooping, cheering, clapping!

When Sir Nitz came, most of us were practically jumping up and down! The rest were gawking at Sir Nitz's attire! It... was... so COOL!!!! He has really good taste when it comes to clothes! I love his shoes!!!!!!!!! Sir Nitz... can I have your shoes? The white one? Ngek!

That's all for today. Me tired. Hahahah! See ya!

Paulo Coelho!

2007-10-12T18:46:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone! Fifty decades have gone by since my last entry. And within that time, a lot of things had happened (*gasps* I'm not really serious in all of my entries. There's nothing fun about being serious. Hehehe. Says who? *looks away*).

At present, I'm reading another Paulo Coelho book which I couldn't get my hands off. The title is By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. It's a love story (ew?) and it's not that mushy! Theres a lot of sense in Paulo Coelho's words on how he defined love. And I quote, "Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows." This actually makes sense. Aside from the fact that I was beginning to feel all mushy, I was able to contemplate (char!) that what he's saying is true! When we are with the people we love, we tend to overlook their flaws. And I quote from Margie Simpson, "The reason why we're still together is because I tend to overlook everything that I do because I love you." She said this to Homer. Watch the movie!
He also compared love to a dam. If a crack forms on the dam, water starts to trickle from it. Eventually, the dam breaks due to that tiny crack, and a flood of water gushes out. Quote: "To love is to lose control."

I've written so much! I've only read sixty pages! *laughs* Anyway, the story focuses on adolescent love. And if you're a teenager like me, you can probably relate. For a teenager, love is confusing. It begins with an innocent touch and finishes with a heartbreaking end (ouch!). I'm starting to sound mushy.

Okay! I've also read The Devil and Miss Prym. (Sir Nitz: Miss Prym is a young woman. Berta's the old lady referred to on the first page. *grins*) It starts off when a man is seen by Berta accompanied by the Devil. The man is on a mission. His mission was to prove if his theory about humankind is correct. And to do that, he tries to make Miss Prym and the townfolk of Viscosa violate one of the Ten Commandments. I won't tell you which ones since it would turn into a spoiler an I would be forced to sleep with the police around my bed. *laughs*

"Good and evil have the same face; it all depends on when they cross the path of each individual human being."

"There are two kinds of idiots- those who don't take any action because they have received threat, and those who think they are taking action because they have issued a threat."

-Paulo Coelho

Have fun reading!!! ^_^

The night of July 26

2007-07-28T09:47:00.000+08:00

July 26... what a day for Christie's Social Studies group! As planned, right after class, we would head down to my house to begin the photoshoot. I thought it wouldn't last that long since all we had to do was dress up as the inhabitants of said country and take our picture. Hello! The make-up lasted an hour and a half! I couldn't stop laughing after the event, replaying everything that happened. I could have uploaded the pictures, but I would be terribly embarassed if you saw them! You might as well wiat for next week when Christie's done editting. The activity lasted until 9:30 in the evening. Everyone went back home with empty stomachs since Jollibee won't deliver (they only deliver until 5:00 pm). Everyone was hungry at that point (including my little bros).

I'll just update more about the pictures and see if this template would accept them (I can't post any pictures in here. They all disappear!).

The day before that, I found out that I'm the highest in the Chemistry Olympiad test!!! YAY!!! I know no one asked but I'm just so happy! I don't know what to think! I'm not bragging or anything okay? I'm just happy!

That's all for now! Bye!

Pure Unthinkable Torture!!!

2007-07-09T21:46:00.000+08:00

I'm back! Weeks have gone by since I last posted. The whole week has left everybody worn out. Last Friday, we had no class in the afternoon. YAY! Which didn't make any difference thought since my best friend Mitch and I spent two hours at SM just to find the perfect friendship token (I suggested a bracelet but she said she would lose it the day after). We spent one hour walking in circles on the second floor and ground floor. The tokens that we thought would be perfect cost two hundred pesos. we looked for far more cheaper thingy-magiggys (not those that use up all your allowance and make your receive a massive beating ceremony when your get home). We took a tour around SM Department Store (ignoring the strange looks from the passersby), carrying our bags filled to the brim with pebbles. The first baggage counter (near the coffee stand) was completely occupied with bags (which I think came from XUHS students who came to watch "Transformers") that the one in charge can barely move around. So, we had to leave our bags at the second baggage counter that was located farther off. When we deposited our bags, we spent another hour looking for the shuriken and kunai cellphone key chain that Mitch had bought the last time we came to SM. Unfortunately, we didn't find any. We spent that same hour to pick out waht we had to buy since we so happened to accidentally bump into a shelf filled with Naruto goodies (KAKASHI!!!). There were a lot Kakashi collectibles! Mitch had no luck in finding the right and most durable Itachi goody (Itachi is just too brutal... no one wants him). There were a lot of Kakashis since Kakashi rated as the sexiest and coolest anime character there is! Cool huh?

July 11 is drawing near! Harry Potter part five will be showing in cinemas this Wednesday. Please watch it! By the way, this week's Friday is the thriteenth of July. so you better watch out for Mrs. Norris, or else you might get run over by the Knight Bus. Hahaha!

Well, I just finished my assignment. I would like to thank you for taking some time to read this post. And, we have a new classmate! He transferred from the USA. He's really fluent in english. and he knows how to speak French too! Isn't that something?! WOW!

Avril Lavigne is so cool! Her new album is totally awesome!

My Japanese name is Arieru. You can call me Arieru-chan (if we're close) or Arieru-san (if we're not that close). ARIERU!!!

Bye!

EEEGGGGAAADDD!!!

2007-06-23T19:53:00.000+08:00

Fifty years had gone by since I last posted... DARN! This blog is crazy!

Okay... School started last week. I was really excited since I get to see my classmates again and several brand new faces. Everyone was there, giving hugs and all that. Screaming, shouting... dancing I think...

The first thing the school did on this occasion is to welcome the first year students. Students enter, took a seat and enjoyed the presentation created by the class of II- Rodriguez (YAY!), supervised by none other than our beautiful moderator, Ma'am Gerlie! The presentation was too short (more hair pulling! The Spaniards were more brutal than that! Come on!... sorry...), but it was flawless! It made the students realize (not for the first time) the cruelty inflicted by the Spaniards to all Filipinos during that time. No wonder there were a lot of [unsuccessful] revolutions.

After the assembly, we head down to the cafeteria shoving past just to get a tiny little morsel of food (like turon! Five pesos only! I love ba-na-na!). The first year students went back to the covered courts right after. It felt like it was only yeasterday that I entered Xavier University High School (pretty specific huh?), clad in nothing but a blue collared blouse, pants and rubber shoes. Wearing that inferior hairstyle (CHA!)!

Anyway, my first impression of the school that time was... SCARY. It wasn't until I saw Father George that I start to feel better (a single smile does wonders, don't you think so?). Then there was Kuya Ernie (famous), "You can call me Kuya Tonton."

We then got to meet our OSASI facilitators (Sir Louie Akiat corrected us. He is to be called our 'facilitator', not 'formator'). Kuya Ed and Ate Mel!!! I miss you both!!!

We then met up with our moderator Ma'am Lorie. First impression: She loves to smile (YAY!)! First rule that should be observed in the classroom: C-L-E-A-N-L-I-N-E-S-S. Yup! Last year, our classroom could have won the 'Dirtiest Classroom' Award', if there was any such award.

We get to meet our subject teachers next week (Awwww...). For three days, we only see each other during the mornings and undergo orientation. We have a new principal! Father Pen (Yay!)! New prefect: Mr. Picar (YAY!)!

This week, I got thirty-six (out of eighty) in my Chemistry Achievement Test (wow... killer... duh...). That makes me qualified to join the Chemistry Olympiad! So now, I'm forcing my brain to suck up all the information in the book about Molecular Geometry! E-GAD!

Compared to Lowell... my situation is half lethal. He's the alternate for the Quiz Bee since we told Ma'am Itucal that he's good in memorizing. Forty or more pages of reading material were shoved at his direction which he has been memorizing for the past two weeks (peace Low!). He blames it all on us really... good thing he didn't go berserk and kill himself, bringing us with him... or he just kills us without bringing any harm onto himself...

This week, we got to know our teachers (this is the second week of the school year). They... were... so... FUNNY!!! They are so cool! I can't believe it!!! The assignments can kill, but the teachers? You'll die in your seat in a heartbeat!

A miracle has happened... I'm the Class Treasurer! This is the first time that I ever got voted as class officer! Perhaps it has something to do with the face... Kuya Ernie? What to you think? I'm not bad...

So... this is it... I might not be able to find the time to post again soon... so I think this is enough for now. See ya!

I LOVE KAKASHI HATAKE!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Just kidding! Hehehe.

Third Year! Third Year! We are the Juniors!

2007-06-16T21:05:00.001+08:00

Wow! The second week of June has just gone by and I still can't believe that I'm now in third year... It feels like it was only yesterday that I first entered Xavier University High School (and it feels like a year has passed since my last post), unfamiliar with the rooms and the floors comprising the large architecture.

This is a flashback that happened two years ago...

"Hey guys!" twelve year old Arielle greeted to all her high school friends. Some familiar faces were missing. "Have you seen any of them?" they shook their heads.

"All right everyone, please form your lines according to your section." A woman in a teacher's uniform ordered. We did so and followed her.

She led us to what appears to be the school's covered court. We entered and applauses were heard, music was played, it was like a welcome ceremony for us newbies. A very warm welcome. I began to like the school after that, the students were friendly and so were the teachers. The first person who ever made me comfortable was Fr. Esguerra himself. He was all smiles that day! You can't help but smile too. He gave a speech and then the emcee introduced to us the faculty and staff of the school.

'I can't wait for lessons to start,' I thought excitedly. We were asked to exit and return to the covered courts after the break by a very scary lady (I was new...).

Then, I get to meet Kuya Ernie. "Good morning everyone!" he greeted.

"Good morning," we greeted, albeit less energetically.

"My name is Ernesto B. Neri. You can call me Kuya Tonton," he said. All smiles. 'Students love to smile in this school...' I concluded.

My school year was exciting. My teachers were so nice, Ma'am May was perfect! Ate Mel and Kuya Ed... I miss you two so much! Kuya Ernie... you crack me up, especially when Collin's around! Hahaha!

What I didn't expect during my high school life is the endless dispute of the honor's section and semi's. There's this endless talks about how cruel--- yada-yada! But I didn't listen, I have a lot of friends in the honor's section thanks to Mitch.

Third year... time flies so fast as what Kuya Ernie commented in my Cbox. One day you're a newbie, the next day... Father Pen hands you your high school diploma. I can't take it!

After the orientation last Tuesday, we were told by the teachers that this year is going to be a crucial year (another word for cruel...). We have additional subjects... but... Hakuna Matata! Timon and Pumba, even though their cartoon characters in the Lion King, are right (for a wild boar and a meerkat)! I should be optimistic!

Goal set for this year: DON'T EVER GIVE UP! Studying Chemistry and Geometry... don't give up!

Thanks for everything everyone!

My Own Hot Summer (it is hot, isn't it?)

2007-05-05T19:41:00.000+08:00

After days of sitting on the couch, playing with my dad's cellphone and then staring at the computer for hours, I finally experienced summer fun for the last two days! Thanks to Athena who inpsired me in writing this... I was really not in the mood...

Monday came, Blue Monday... no wonder they came up with that name! Anyway, my friends and I met at our beloved Xavier University High School's main entrance. Blabbing about last week's Chemistry lessons and talking about Mitch's trip to Camiguin (no pasalubong for me...). When the bell rang telling us to stop talking and make our way to the fifth floor (the building does have five floors right?) for the Chemistry Lab. We met up with other students and went inside enjoying the breeze coming from the windows. The lesson came and went as usual. It was fun! Especially with a group of friends who would help you in solving the problems. Our teacher told us that tomorrow was Labor Day, which means we won't meet tomorrow. Everyone cheered and got so excited that they finished their work pretty quick!
When I got home, my tita told me to pack a few things. I asked her why and she told me that we were going to Camiguin and come back the next day. I was dumbstruck! Camiguin? This was a dream come true! I've always wanted to go back to Camiguin since the time we left two years ago. The place was clean and green and there are a lot of places to go to. One week would not be sufficient in exploring every one of these. I quickly did what she told me.

Tuesday, four in morning I woke up and took my breakfast. At 4:15, I brushed my teeth and changed my clothes. At 4:30, I comb my hair and wait for the others to get ready. My dad was all hustle and bustle and walked briskly to a certain point of the house and then back outside in the garage. It was making me dizzy! Lack of sleep can really make you dumb... We left at five (we were already late since the designated time was four) and was on our way when papa stopped the car. "THE CAMERA!" I had to laugh, we all had to laugh! Of all the things to be forgotten, it had to be papa's brand new camera. He's always wanted one of those and it was time to finally test it (he has been practicing for ages inside the house photographing the clothes). We were still laughing when we got to the gate (the guard was already surprised seeing us off that early. How much more if we were back that quick?), papa found the thing he was looking for that he forgot to turn off the lights upstairs (mama scolded him for it). We went back out again and surprised the guard (he must have thought we were morons) again and have finally reached their meeting place.
We got to the meeting place and waited. I got to meet my tito (I haven't seen him for four years) and his wife and daughter. We waited until six (darn! That spare one hour!) and drove to Balingoan. We got in the barge, and after a few negotiations and papa's endless parking, we were on our way to Camiguin!

I would have shown you some pictures if it weren't for this stupid template!

We got there (along the way I didn't see any dolphins) and made our way to the hotel, dumped our bags in the room and went for a swim at Katibawasan Falls. The water was sooooo cold! My brother's teeth were chattering, he can't even say things straight! I had to laugh at the picture! He was hanging on papa's back and his teeth were chattering every time he talked! He was so cute!

Next, we had lunch at Coron Coron (lechon manok and barbecue!) and then made our way to Sto. Nino Cold Springs. It was cold! But nothing compared to the falls. Perhaps it was because our bodies got accustomed to the cold water at the falls. We had to use salbabidas to be able to swim (the pool was six to seven feet deep). Since were not able to swim, we had to hang on to them like our lives depended on it!

After that, we went back to the hotel. Along the way we passed the Sunken Cemetery and took a few pictures. Once we got to the hotel, they planned tonight's dinner and drove to Ardent Hot Springs. Before that, we went to the Old Church (if you studied Camiguin's history, you'd know what I'm talking about. Or, you have a Camiguin brochure...) and took a few pictures. While there, there were some mishaps that, I'm afraid, I can't share with you.

We got to the hot springs and had a sauna (watching other people take a bath in it. My other tito was hit on the head by with a kabo by a woman who was taking a bath in it.) The others reluctantly left for the hotel. We took a bath and ate dinner (at 10 pm). The grown-ups were left behind to drink the remaining 'berverages'.

Wednesday, woke up at six in the morning. washed my face, brushed my teeth, got dressed and combed my hair. We were finally going to White Island! A strip of a white sandy beach that would disappear in the late afternoon due to high tide. We went, right after me and my tita snuck a bag filled to the brim with softdrinks from the car (because we're not allowed to bring drinks inside the hotel just like last night). On the boat, we got to enjoy the morning sea breeze. It was refreshing on such an early morning! The water spraying on your face, the breeze making the feeling cooler and the excitement that you feel that the boat you're presently riding on would abruptly stop in the middle of the sea.

We landed, took a few pictures and got ready to swim. Applying sunblock to our bodies and faces we dove right into the water! We shivered a bit and relaxed, the comforting feeling of the sand between your toes driving you farther until you find yourself floating right into a life and death situation! AAAHHH!!!

We got out at nine (way too early) because we still had a barge to catch. On the pier, we bought a box of pastel (really tasty and sweet) and got to watch a movie out of a pirated DVD on the barge (yeah!). We were all tired out of the trip, but enjoyed it nonetheless!

Thursday, I got back and can't wait for today's lesson (believe me...). I met with other friends and the first thing they said was, "Pasalubong!". We went up, met with other students who were also waiting for the Chemistry Lab to open. The first bell had rung and there still was no sign of our teacher. We sat on the stairway waiting for her when the bell rung for the second time. We were beginning to worry that we decided to ask the Science Summer Directress. We waited a bit and the lab was finally opened.

Another day, another lesson, another fun-filled adventure!

See you! Same time, same place, here at aRiElLe'S bLoG!!! Bye!

CHEMISTRY!!!

2007-04-20T20:05:00.000+08:00

On the 16th of April, we were told to get our report cards. I'm happy to say... I passed! It's absolutely wonderful to see your parents smile at you and say that you've done well. I'd do anything to make them do that. But, oh well, that just happens on special occasions... Anyway, that's not the only 'good news' I pulled out from my report card envelope. I was given the opportunity to take Advance Chemistry lessons for free! I was practically jumping! YAY! CHEMISTRY! FOR FREE! You know how expensive summer classes are... not to mention tiring...

They say that Chemistry is really difficult... can't wait!

I met up with some of my friends and they got a letter too saying the same thing. Mitch didn't get one since the club that was typed on her report card was: Brebeuf. And, she didn't even sign up for Brebeuf! We were wondering how that could be a typo... She rushed to the Registrar's office and complained about it.

Mine was even worse, my name was spelled wrong! Instead of 'Arielle', it was spelled 'Airelle'! Isn't that just weird? On my Recognition Card, it was also spelled 'Airelle'. ARIELLE!!! How can they get it wrong?! That's my name! Don't mess it up, please... My dad said that if I don't correct them soon, I would have a really hard time collecting my papers. They won't believe me that my name is 'Arielle' since in their records that name me 'Airelle'. Mom says that I would have to go back to school again, and I would surely go wild if I have to!

We were to start on Tuesday since we missed the first session that was held at 9:50 that same morning. Mitch let me borrow some books: The Pilgrimage, The Alchemist, The Babysitter's Club and Daddy Long Legs. I started reading The Pilgrimage, and I was so engrossed with the story that I spent the whole afternoon inside our bedroom reading the whole thing! It actually took me a total of three days to finish it since I had to read between the lines. It's not just a story about Paulo walking the Road to Santiago to find his sword. It's a story on he finding out what he intends to do with it. According to Petrus, walking through the Road to Santiago was no that important. Yet Paulo was not able to grasp the idea.

I was even tempted to try out the exercises. Especially the one about invoking my Messenger. I got really curious about it but didn't try it... I really wanted to though... I wonder what my Messenger's name is...

Tuesday came and I found Chemistry really exciting! Learning about Ions and Molecular Compounds, Polyatomic and Binary really drains out you brain juice! We were all laughing when we went home, result of mind boggling drill. We look crazy and drunk! Hahahahaha!

Wednesday, not able to come...

Thursday, talked about: Combination, Decomposition, Single Replacement and Double Replacement. Mitch was there, I told her to come since she's S.H.A.P.E. too! It was because of the club typo that she didn't get a letter... It was funnier with her! We were laughing and joking around, we looked like we weren't paying attention anymore (hey! We paid attention! Don't judge right away!)! It was fun! Even though your neck's hurting and your brain feels like it has been squeezed dry, we still laughed! Call that crazy!

Today, just like yesterday. Only that my neck is really hurting... OW!

That's all! Not really in the mood... but I would just like to announce that four of my friends are taking karate and taekwondo: Lovette (was in pain that Tuesday), Louisse (she was limping that Tuesday), Anna (they said so) and Athena (recently told me). What a healthy way to exercise! Don't you think? Too bad I can't... I'll be bringing home a sore body instead of a black belt! Hahaha!

Bye!

SUMMER... boredom...

2007-04-15T16:16:00.000+08:00

People think that when it's the summer, loads of endless fun and surprises are in store every corner. That wouls at least be true if you're loaded up to the brim with cash. Allowing you full privilege to do what you want whatever you want guarded with limitations. This may be my ever first post since the summer to make you guys aware that I'm still alive. Nothing to do that going back to school is a tempting alternative to stop myself from getting fat from eating too much food!

Last week was not that eventful. But you can't deny the fact that it was really fun to be with your family under the scorching heat for a day. I'm not saying that I hate the summer. I'm saying that it would kill me if nothing exciting would happen during the summer! You may think that I'm a sort of negative person, but having a mole on your foot can really kill you!

So far, we went swimming at Duka Bay and went on a road trip. Going to Bukidnon and getting a big juicy hamburger at Cawayanon, forcing my dad to drive us to Palaisdaan for some fishing and returning home with a wailing little brother in the passenger seat. Really interesting wasn't it (at least the burger was good)?

Presently, I've resorted to drawing, writing stories two pages long and reading books found at the very corner of our bookshelf. The book I have read is about a top secret mission that, unless done correctly, would resort to world destruction and war. The operation was called: Operation Snow Wolf. There are two people assigned for this mission: Alex Slanski and Anna Khorev. The mission was headed by a man named Jake Massey. The objective is to assassinate Joseph Stalin. It was to be aborted since the enemy found the file containing Joseph Stalin's background. The discovery arose the Russians suspicion that the Americans are on to something.

William Massey is Jake Massey's only son. Being orphaned at the age of ten, told by a stranger that he's father's dead in the boarding school he's in and unable to grip the fact that he is dead since he hasn't seen the body. William Massey's parents were divorced and it was his father that took care of him (unlike others...). He was desperate to know the truth. And since finding the top secret file hidden behind a couple of loose bricks in their basement's wall, he was able to gain a type of insurance to get some answers.

Anna Khorev is one of those who have survived the mission. There were other people involved but they're not agents. She once had a life of her own with a husband and a daughter. One night the police abducted his husband, saying that he was a traitor. His name was Ivan Khorev. Their daughter's is Sasha Khorev. She was informed that her husband's dead while staying at the Galuga. She too was abducted and was sent to that camp. Being separated with her daughter, she was confused and depressed. she joined the Red Army and was a good soldier. Still, after getting caught yet was able to escape and kill the soldiers who 'molested' (not the word I would have used but at least appropriate) her, she was sent back to the camp and endured so much pain. She was able to escape the camp and was able to start a new life on American soil. What she didn't know was that the Russians were watching her every move and progress.

Jake Massey was to many people, a good man. He helped Anna Khorev start a new life and reluctantly agreed to send her back to Russia for the success of the mission. Unfortunately, before they escaped form the clutches of Moscow, he died. There was shooting, and since they were in a car, he was shot. He was ordered to kill Anna and Alex to prevent a war from happening since the Russians knew about their plans. He wasn't able to do it.

Alex Slanski is an assassin (just like James Bond only that he doesn't go gallivanting with girls on every mission). He's a widow and a loner. No one knows that much about his background especially the CIA, but he's really good at killing the bad guys like a gay Russian senior officer by the name of Krashkin. He's pretty... brutal. Cutting of the testicles of Krashkin and putting it in Krashkin's mouth is really unpleasant to think about. But really, he has a heart. He loves Anna. Too bad they didn't live together, he shot himself after he shot Stalin in the head. He's a friend of Jake Massey. Since Jake Massey was ordered to kill him and Anna, they weren't in pleasant terms anymore.
Before the mission was completed, he was struck by a certain discovery. Yuri Lukin, a KGB officer that has been tailing him and Anna since the time they parachuted, was his long lost brother! Alex's real name is Mischa Stefanovitch. I actually prefer Alex Slanski.

Yuri Lukin is a KGB officer with a pregnant wife named Nadia. I could say that he was no brute compared to the other KGB officers since he didn't torture Anna while interrogating her. Yuri was ordered by Beria to hunt Anna and Alex down before they completed their objective in killing Stalin. If he failed, he was going to face the firing squad at target practice. I'd say he was in a knot of confusion! Alex kidnapped his wife to exchange her for Anna. He knew the consequences if he released Anna without authorized permission, but what if he didn't comply to Slanski's request? He had to do it!
He was actually the second person who found out that he and Alex were brothers. His real name is Petya Stefanovitch.

Pasha is a close acquaintance of Yuri. A Mongolian who is not afraid to speak his mind (really speak his mind). Even though the person he's dealing with is of high rank like Romulka, he's not afraid to raise the middle finger at him. "Bah! Having Genghis Khan as an ancestor, what do you expect?" he died in the hands of Romulka. The guy was tied to a chair! Against a pistol on your temple, you won't stand a chance in a chair!

There were other people responsible for the mission's success, but if I name all of them, there won't be any space left. Wishing you guys a happy summer! Athena, here's a post to keep you reading for three minutes...

I joined the Sports Clinic, but since there's a certain time of the month that every woman must endure for the rest of her life until she reaches fifty, it was a let down. Now, I'm munching on some chocolate coated biscuits with a new hairdo. WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO IN HERE???

Enjoy life everybody as much as I do!!!

SUMMER!!!

2007-03-24T23:39:00.000+08:00

Life is taking an unexpected turn. After those ten murderous months facing endless moments of utmost torture (not really... *grins*), life is turning to a destination that every person hopes for after a long period of hard work.

Some of my classmates joined the Sports Clinic (seeing if there's a chance to become a Varsity player and get a half-scholarship and slimming down).

It so happens that I have turned addicted to Naruto! Yay, Hatake Kakashi!!! You are so COOL!!!

Grrr... can't-post-picture-darn it!

Hmph... time to destroy the computer! Bye!

The Farewell Party!

2007-03-24T23:19:00.000+08:00

Hello my dear classmates! This happened last week I think... Anyway, may I just say that it was a very invigorating experience! and when I say invigorating, it really is! There was the Magic Sing and the War Games and the constant eating that never ceased to end (go Mango Float!)!

The Magic Sing, this little doo-hikky is always present in every class gathering (not that we had a gathering often), but it's always present. I sang "Like A Virgin" before since I don't know any other song and got a 94 out of it. That day, they asked me to sing it again! GGGGAAAAAHHHH!!! NOOOOOO!!! It was really embarassing (I'm not a good singer, especially when I'm nervous...)!

There was the War Games that everyone looked forward to before all the balloons could be filled. Before it began, people were already squirting at each other! The class was divided into to two (since the boys were already huddled behind the car, squirting every girl who passed). Finally, it began! Everyone was getting wet! Water balloons were flying out of nowhere that both teams ran out of it within minutes! And then, they resorted to the only thing available and can cause maximum damage, BALDE!!! Nikki was the first person who thought about it and the first one to get completely wet! Leo came out of nowhere like one of the water balloons and appeared behind her. She was about to flung the water at the boys when he grabbed it and tilted it over her, backfiring her plan. She was completely wet! After that, they started to use the hose that everyone tried their hardest to get at the person responsible, having the urge to tumble a large container of water onto her!

Then, there was the eating of Mango Float! YAY!!! Nothing tastes better that Mango Float... perhaps spaghetti and french fries...

Anyway, that's all for now! Bye!

Farewell Sophomore Year (I know its already super duper late...)

2007-03-24T22:54:00.000+08:00

After the last three grueling days of the school year (I wanted to say worthless but...) the whole campus went on a rampage! Students were hooting and were running down the ramp just to get out of the confines of the school and head for the first flight to Paris. It was a spectacular moment, considering the fact that our teachers were all smiles about it during the entire process. Most people were reminiscing while others were getting excited and impatient (when is the bell going to ring?! It's like, two minutes already! Darn it!)...

Monday... nothing special, except the usual wearing of gala uniforms...

Tuesday... nothing exciting really, just the fact that the Pag-asa gave us a little treat! It looked like you were reading from a comic book! Instead, you're reading an article about Cupid, who won the award during the Juniors' Prom and an obviously cut story that people so happened to crave for! But it was still really sweet of them to go that far with the printer to publish it like that...

Wednesday was, and I'm sad to say, a whole day (we thought that there would be farewell program made by the teachers... but I think they were busy due to the exams...). When the bell rung, signifying that it lunch time, the third year students were hooting in their classrooms. We, on the other hand, were busy trying to concentrate on writing letters for our teachers.

Going back to the present situation, we didn't have our Christian Humanism period since Ma'am Irene was not there because of the Seniors' Ball (they're graduating... CONGRATS!). So, we decided to use that time to plan our Farewell Party. Moments later, our beloved Sir ---- dropped by and asked for the letters recently made by us. Everyone was shrieking after two seconds of awestruck silence! He happened to wear a t-shirt the same color as our wonderful second mother! Everyone was screaming and jumping for dear life!

Good-bye Sophomore life, and hello Junior (not that I'm excited about it or anything...)!!! I sure am going to miss you...

Another year to correct the things you've done wrong, another year to kill you of your strength, another year to kill someone in turn to lessen the burden (I mean that figuratively... not literally...)! That's high school... enjoy every moment of it...

Bye!

BUKID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PINYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-11T18:21:00.000+08:00

Exam week is over! There's still going to be some post tests next week but they're not a horrific as the exams. Anyway, that goes to show that, SCHOOL IS ALMOST OVER!!! YAY!!! YAY!!! HAKUNA MATATA!!!

What an exhilarating experience! Playing games under the hot sun (and when I say hot, it was really hot)! There were a lot of activities, prizes, newfound friends, cramps, sprains and wounds (not on me) and a lot of newfound capabilities (especially in cooking).

Lots of things happened within the last few days after the exam week. The Padre Faura and S.H.A.P.E. Club members went to Bukidnon for the Science Camp.

After Computer, the last exam for the whole week of endless torture (I say, after the bell rung that time, everyone hooted), we went to I-Berchmans classroom for a somewhat orientation for tomorrow’s event. After that orientation, we met up with our patrol and talked about what to bring. Karla and I did not know what to do! We were only four out of all the twenty first years attending this trip. We pretty well looked like a bunch of oldies amongst them because during the trip, everyone was so silent until. We asked them to be noisy and to not be shy since we weren't teachers, but to no avail, they kept silent. It wasn't until we got to know them better and that's where things started. There was Kimberly, Nestor, Bernard, another Bernard, Sunshine, Cheska, Anjo, Reena, Euch... that's all... hehehe...

When we got there, it was SO FREAKISHLY, TORTURINGLY HOT!!! I'm not even sure if torturingly is a word! We were getting fried!!! Our patrol name was "Soaring Blue Eagles" (very Ateneo). Due to the heat, we called ourselves "Frying Blue Eagles", followed by a reply, "Pagod na ta! Dili na frying!"

We pitched up our tents and get third place! YAY! Feli was really good! He helped us pitch our tent all the way. Thanks Feli! We then arranged our stuff and saw our facilitators get off their jeepney covered in dust! Hahaha! They look like they've rolled in the dirt!

The first years were fun to be with, especially during the activities, Anjo and Roxette both nailed the prizefor the H2Olympics. In the Amazing Race, we did it! We solved the crime! Too bad it was only the fish that got murdered... COD: No water, we had to send it to the coroner's for inspection... what a fish! TOD: When the aquarium broke... Suspect: Dan the Man, crime tip, don't leave any evidence behind, because we're still going to catch ya!

For dinner, It took us about an hour to cook the rice! When the cooking was done, the food immediately disappeared on the table! At the Night of the Best, after taking a bath with a candle burning, we won third place! The Camp Masters, all second years, presented a short presentation on how to protect the environment, I was one of the villains named Watty Lution. The heroes were, Envi, Ron and Ment... they were know as "Team Environment".

After that, we went to our tents and got ready to sleep while some of us were telling ghost stories in the tent the next door. We woke up, only to find that Karla's previously melted chocolate was hard! it was like being inside a refrigerator since it was so darn cold!

We didn't want to leave!!! It was so nice being there, isolated from urban life and living in a place with unspoiled beauty! I hate to leave... but, we had a home to return to. So we packed our bags, mounted the bus and went home.

Along the way, we took a lot of pictures of the people sleeping inside the jeepney! Hehehe. It was such a sight!

That's all for now! Bye!

The Inconvenient Truth that people tried hard no to believe...

2007-02-25T00:47:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday, all the second year students got out of school, hailed empty jeepneys and went straight to SM after the three o'clock bell. We were going to watch the Inconvenient Truth. All I can just say is, "Now their making it an issue! About time and yet... too late..."

I mean, for goodness sake! Hints, text messages, diseases were already given by Mother Nature to those people who have the power to institute martial law to do something. And yet they didn't do anything about it and focused themselves on politics and today's weekly gossip! What can you find in those things anyway?! They just add to spit pollution! SPIT POLLUTION!

Students are already aware yet we didn't have the power to lead a full force environment saving force (and the funds). We already planted trees yet they were turned to statues at the side of the road! So much for doing something to change this lump people used to call earth. People, see what we are doing? No! We fail to see it! All we do is look at the magazine and admire the new edition of Honda cars! Then buy them, drive them and contribute more to the enlarging of the ozone hole which could be larger than Russia and the United States put together by now, thanks to us!

I don't know why I'm angry! Perhaps the fact that I can't live in harmony for the next twenty years since I would be underground protecting myself from getting fried by the heat of the sun! I'm angry because I won't be able to see my children enjoy their lives and see those animals that have not yet gone EXTINCT! I think half of the animal kingdom is dead by now! There are no more polar bears! Fishes have turned to broiled fish for the water temperarure has increased! Penguins are decreasing! If ever they don't stop dumping oil into the ocean they would be saved! Corals are turning bleach white! That means more ornaments to hang above at home and no marine life!

Sooner or later, the remaining animals will have their revenge just like in animal farm. All of us is Mr. Jones while the farm animals are the animals of the world. Wow! Is that a sight to see! People getting kicked in the shin by hyenas! As a matter of fact, we are hyenas! Doing nothing just like the toad staying in the the gradually heating water!

I HATE THIS! I DON'T WANT IT TO BE THIS WAY! I HATE IT, I HATE IT, I HATE IT!!! Children of today won't get to reach the age of seventy for the earth's temperature would have gone way above the average earth temperature! I wish Al Gore would have been president so that there would be no war in Iraq! Pollution would have stopped! The ozone hole could have been covered up! GAAAAHHH!!!

Why? Why make it an issue now? What's the special forecast of global warming is killing many people all about? Why now? Why not earlier when it first began? WHY NOW?!

I really don't like where we are going through... and all we need is another ice age... would there be another one? Or are we done for?

Play Fest

2007-02-16T21:50:00.000+08:00

Something interesting happened today! I was awakened by my cellphone, and on the screen it said, "Ate Mel 17". Ate Mel is now celebrating her seventeenth birthday! YAY! May you have many more birthdays to come!

We had our play fest earlier, and there were only three sections that presented. Ogilvie was the best! It was a play about a tribe where the chieftain was planning to execute her daughter because she committed adultery. There were arguments between the chief, his wife and advisers and it was so cool and filled with suspense that yolu can't stop watching! The music was great, it totally fits the story being portrayed. I won't even mind a replay of the entire play! Hehehe. Too bad we can't what they were saying since their mics were not properly pinned on the costumes. The story goes like this:

The first princess was convicted of committing adultery. Her mom won't hear of it and begged her husband (the chieftain) to spare her or change the rules. She also said that how could she commit adultery if she wasn't even married yet. The chief won't listen to her and ordered her daughter to be strapped onto a bamboo plank. She would be quartered, and her body parts were to be distributed to her two lovers. The first lover won't hear of it and agreed to be exiled from the tribe just to spare her life. He even agreed to let his brother marry her. He cut off the rope that bounded her and knelt in front of the chief, ready to pay the consequences. The daughter would not let her father do it and begged him, asking him why can't they just share her body to the both of them (she loves them both). The chief did not approve and told him to get up and fight between his brother. The one who survives the battle will get to marry the princess. Before that happened, his second daughter (twin of the first) came near her father and told him what happened. There was a mix-up. The both of them were so identical that could not tell which from which. The only source of differentiation they have were the moles located on the princess' bodies. Their mother asked the both of them to describe where these moles are located. The first lover got it right and married the first princess. The second did not and married the second princess.

It was a really cool play and the costumes were incredible! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! The actors were very, very good!

Valentine's Day

2007-02-15T19:38:00.000+08:00

Today is the day! Love is in the air! Valentine cards flying here and there! The sweet smell of chocolate engulfs you! And rose petals fall from above! Wow! What a day!

As I wake up, I greet my dad a Happy Valentine's Day. Mama was not around since she had the morning shift, for she's a nurse at Madonna. I gave him my card and I left my other cards for my two brothers and mama.

I went to school seeing people carrying roses, chocolates, balloons and yelling in the corridors, "Happy Valentine's Day!" I even greeted the janitor a happy Valentine's and replied back with a smile.

As I entered the classroom, I screamed, "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYBODY!" They replied in turn and I found chocolates and cards on my desk, all from my classmates. Andre was distributing KitKat to everbody, Karla was handing out apples and almost everyone was sending out Valentine cards. Our two most beautiful bachelorettes, Nikki and Nessa, got very special gifts! Hehehe. Expensive boxes of chocolates, stuff toys and roses! Hahaha! What a day! One of our classmates even confessed his true feelings to the girl he loves that day. What made it even more embarassing was when a classmate of mine read it aloud with the other girls shrieking in the background after every sentence! Hehehe! Can you a imagine a group of girls shrieking, laughing hysterically and jumping all around at the same time? Hahaha! There was also a huge demand for heart-shaped balloons that almost everyone rushed to SM after English time and came back with a 25 of them!

Hmmm... Leo keeps on freakingly teasing! What the heck?! I mean, Lowell's just a friend of mine (right ate Mel?) and he keeps on smirking when Lowell and I carried the SRA box to the front of the speech lab. He also said, "How sweeet." I hate you Leo! I'm gonna wipe that smirk off your face once and for all! You ugly, cruel, cold-hearted, menacing... GRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Appreciation Day

2007-02-15T19:14:00.000+08:00

This day holds many memories from last year. Last year I gave my favorite ate and kuyas an appreciation card (do you still have them? hehehe). I gave them a card since they're really great! I don't know them that much (especially Kuya Ernie), but I gave them a card anyway! Hehehe.

Today is the day when teachers find out how much they are appreciated by the their students. Each class is assigned to three teachers (as we were) faculty, staff and those who are not. We were sorry to find out that the other teachers were not given any presents...

What else? Hmmm... what do you think of my other side? "Yel" she's called has been coming out often! YAY!

Communicating with thy inner self...

2007-02-09T23:26:00.000+08:00

Seeing Kuya Ernie's posts at his blog, I decided to try out the alter ego-to-ego interview thing. I will call my alter ego Yel (that's my nickname). Be warned, this is the first time I have ever communicated with my alter ego... so here goes...

Kuya Ernie, I'm not making fun of you while typing this. I solemnly swear that I am up to something good. Please don't get angry...

Arielle: Hello?
Yel: Hi dude!
Arielle: You my alter ego?
Yel: What do you think?
Arielle: Okay... you like books?
Yel: Not really... I'm more like the adventure girl type.
Arielle: Oh, okay... what books have you read?
Yel: Archie Comics... you?
Arielle: Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Danielle Steel and Harry Potter...
Yel: You a bookworm?
Arielle: Yup!
Yel: Have you ever gone hiking?
Arielle: I'm asthmatic...
Yel: Oh... you like badminton?
Arielle: I love to eat.
Yel:-----
Arielle: What?
Yel: You're aware that you're boring don't you?
Arielle: Some people think I'm serious...
Yel: That's just UGLY!

Arielle is the boring and serious side of me while Yel is the funny and energetic girl. This year, people get to see Arielle more often that Yel... so I think I've got to balanace them out to prevent people from running away.

SuCcEsS!!!

2007-02-09T23:05:00.000+08:00

YES!!! VICTORY!!! We had our storytelling contest earlier and I got to tell you, we were honestly unprepared. We only had three days to pull it all off. The props people were still adding finishing touches to our costumes (I'm part of the cast! YAY! ...?). Some of the cast members helped them paint some of the props. We used up brown, black, white, red, yellow, green, orange and blue paint. There was a basket filled with paint bottles and there was a maximum if three bottles a color. A bottle (container?) of paint costs P37.75! AYAYAY!!! Well, it was worth it! We had fun (especially on the goblin part! June was fantastic!) and was able to portray the entire story beautifully (if I do say so myself).

We were so happy especially when the judges' vote was unanimous! Everyone shouted, yelled, cheered, jumped, wrecked their costumes, threw their chairs and sprayed their salivary amylase when Teacher Eva announced the winners. It was a moment that everyone dreamed of because:

We get a high grade in English (Sir Nitz and Ma'am Gerlie really wants us to win for we... are... the CREAM!)
No more plays (but I would really want to though...)!

Actually, Sir Nitz and Ma'am Gerlie were all smiles! We had a group hug (with Ma'am Gerlie only)! Sir Nitz didn't want a hug... hehehe!

Besides that, we have a project in Social that we are going to pass this February 26 and our Florante at Laura presentation in Filipino. We also have a long test on Math and Biology next week and thesis in Christian Humanism. WHAT A LIFE!!!

But Kuya Ernie said, "Making learning a habit." Right Kuya Ernie? Or was it something else...

This February 12... APPRECIATION'S DAY!!! I remember my Appreciation's Day... I gave Ate Mel, Kuya Ed and Kuya Ernie "I appreciate you" cards. Do you still have them? Hehehe.

What else?

How about we have a Q and A category every time I post? And those who reply will have to answer them both or just pick from the following:

Has anyone got a Valentine for Valentine's Day? Just a question really...
What's so exciting about third year?
Who would you show appreciation to at school this Appreciation's Day?
Why do people give flowers or chocolates on Valentine's day? What's so special about them? Hint: Watch The Chocolate Factory! Hehehe.
Where is everybody?
Who is a member of the teaching staff that has a blog?
How do you create links?

That's all for today! Good night!

UPDATE!!!

2007-02-03T22:39:00.000+08:00

I'm gonna update as many times as I can starting from now until Monday since its a holiday...

Now, we went to school to meet up with my other classmates at school to discuss about the storytelling contest in English. We were going to be the sixth presentor. Okay, it was already 10:30 and there were only fifteen of us who showed up! What a BUMMER!!! Freaking ****!!! Anyway, we just went to SM and canvassed all the materials we would be buying on Monday to be able to start working on the props.

The teachers were having a Community Club get-together (we weren't even invited! Hahaha...). What else? Uuuhhh... I had experienced my very first chat room experience... I never thought it would be like that... ever!

Anyway... here's a poem I just happened to be writing... hope you like it!

I stare into space

With nothing but a smile

Your face hovering over me

Looking almost senile (Erk!)

I began to wonder

On why you're there

We seem to be an unlikely pair

But I don't even care

I smile and take out a cutter

I gently cut that bond away

You didn't even fight, or punch, or move, or yelled

You just stared and looked with eyes of despair

I stopped and waited for you to talk

But you didn't even dare

If I cut of the bond, you will die

If I don't, I will

You reach up and took the cutter from me

And slice the remaining piece of the bond

You say something to me, but I just couldn't hear

And you fell without me shedding a single tear

I watched and thought of what you've said

Was it something you felt?

Was something you've read?

What was it you said? I just didn't catch it!

You said, "I love you, can't you get it?"

Hahaha! What a poem! CORNY!!! Hahaha!

HOLY MOLY!!!!

2007-02-02T21:02:00.000+08:00

This week was unimaginable! There were a lot of projects to pass! There were two in Biology, one in Filipino, one in OSASI, a lot of assignments in Math (that I find impossible to solve) and a lot of tests from all the subjects! Except English because we were mainly focusing on our story for the storytelling contest. This would be just like last year only that the presentors are not mixed with other members of a different class. Our story is entitled the "Magic Pencil".

Tonight, Ms. Chin-Chin Gutierrez came and talked about how we can save our Mother Earth. I could tell that no one was listening (we were sitting at the very, very back... DARN!!!). She was singing, and I can't help feel at peace when she does. Her songs were great and her voice was enchanting! I feel sorry for her though because, at the time when Sir Nitz said, "Have a pleasant evening." I think that was the cue for the mob to engulf her! People were taking pictures of her, not even allowing her to escape and get some fresh air! I'm not even sure if she ever made it out...

Our project in Biology was s family tree. Many people said that I'm a scanned copy of my mom (not photocopy since its black and white... ha ha... corny!). I just can't seem to see it because I think I look more like my father. They say that whenever I smile, I look like my father. But when I frown, I look like my mom (so that means I'll be smiling forever). The only thing I didn't inherit from my mom were her eyes. I have my father's eyes (no eating! corny...).

Since no one is visiting my blog anymore (due to some technical difficulties)... I'll just gloat and look more like my mom by the corner...

Bye!

Wait!!!

2007-01-28T01:39:00.000+08:00

Okay-dokey... that previous post did not go on pretty well. Anyway, my friend Low came up with a really interesting topic for his IP project next year. If he would of course continue it... a tabulation of all the bad words he would hear inside the classroom, the campus, anywhere! I can't even tell you how many speciamens he's gonna present to the judges if he goes on with this...

What else? Oy! Marianne! Can you teach me Spanish? *pretty big eyes* All I know is Roho... which is Spanish for red... Dora the Explorer... hehehe. My brothers watch it every morning... can't help it. It's fun to learn a new language...

At the time being, I am waiting for the Wikipedia window to open, showing me the digestive system and the tissues... I've already printed twenty-seven pages of a research about plant organs and tissues... AND I'M ALMOST DONE!!! In two o' clock in the morning... I'm still not tired...

Bye!

At last! without posting for a week, I have finally gone through! HAHA!!!

2007-01-27T23:46:00.000+08:00

Now! Since the Lord has granted me a privilege to update my blog (i waited for two hours staring at the computer just to wait for the homepage to appear), I will do it!

Okay! Last, last week... in Biology, our teacher told us some good news! She said that we were going to have a long test every Monday starting that week.

We have many projects, researches to do and assignments to pass in Biology. I like the subject. I, being the beadle, also have to record every human being who has passed their assignments with the air of importance (like someone I know) of a person who stood up on a sea monster because he or she has already passed their assignments on time. And you can't believe the head ache I would get after the stampede is over! It would be matter of time my guts would spread all over the platform!

In English, we were divided into ten groups. Each group is assigned to one chapter of the Animal Farm. Has anyone heard of a fairy story? Fairy story... fairy story or fairy tale? Anyway, that's what the book is. It's a fairy story (what's the difference? Story, tale?)

Okay! Hi Marianne! Hi Athena! Hi everybody! You guys not irritated that I haven't updated for so long? I've been utterly busy (Athena can relate to that).

Here's one of the topics assigned to us that I have researched (real waste of ink! It's even in color!)

Carbohydrates

Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk. It is pivotally composed of a molecule of β-D-galactose and a molecule of β-D-glucose bonded by a β1-4 glycosidic linkage.

Carbohydrates or saccharides are simple molecules that are straight-chain aldehydes or ketones with many hydroxyl groups added, usually one on each carbon atom that is not part of the aldehyde or ketone functional group. They are the most abundant biomolecules, and fill numerous roles in living things, such as the storage and transport of energy (starch, glycogen) and structural components (cellulose in plants, chitin in animals). Additionally, carbohydrates and their derivatives play major roles in the functioning of the immune system, fertilization, pathogenesis, blood clotting, and development.
The basic carbohydrate units are called monosaccharides, such as glucose, galactose, and fructose. The general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is (C·H2O)n, where n is any number of three or greater. All carbohydrates have a hydrogen to oxygen ratio of 2:1. Monosaccharides can be linked together in almost limitless ways. Two joined monosaccharides are called disaccharides, such as sucrose and lactose. Carbohydrates containing between about three to six monosaccharide units are termed oligosaccharides; anything larger than this is a polysaccharide. Polysaccharides, such as starch, glycogen, or cellulose, can reach many thousands of units in length. Many carbohydrates contain one or more modified monosaccharide units that have had one or more groups replaced or removed. For example, deoxyribose, a component of DNA, is a modified version of ribose; chitin is composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, a nitrogen-containing form of glucose.

My Birthday Party!!!

2007-01-06T23:31:00.000+08:00

My birthday party was great! Almost everyone was there to celebrate it with me... I really am sorry for those whom I didn't invite and those who weren't able to make it...

It started off with us meeting at National Bookstore there at SM. Everything was fine and the sandals were killing me!But it was fun taking your time reading the books lining the shelves for thirty bloody minutes until one of the people you invite laughs at your appearance! That person would be my best friend, Mitch... who else? She teased me about my attire that I felt the urge to slap her! Which I do every single day at school... that's nothing new... she slaps me back so that's still fair... but twice as hard!

Thirty more minutes and all the other people were there. Except Low who was always busy asking me where in the blue blazes of SM were we going to eat (really annoying)! I tell you, nothing went well between him, Mitch and my cellphone...We then went to the place where we were designated to eat (after reading our daily horoscope)thanks to my wonderful parents (THANK YOU)! Low was still bloody texting me where we were that when Mitch snatched the phone, he appeared right in front of us! WHAT THE FREAK???!!!!

An hour passed by and we were all stuffed with pizza, spaghetti, ice tea and sliced lemon (which was really sour). I then opened my presents from Mitch, Low, Karla, Gin, Chin and Rem... they were really cool! I got a mug, a cute teddy bear, a cute blue Mickey Mouse stuff toy, chocolate mallows, earrings, comb and two birthday cards!It's too much! But I thank them for being very thoughtful. Thanks guys!

They then went to buy 'fried' ice cream which I think should be called 'freezed' ice cream. Since 'frying' would mean applying freaking heat on the object... whatever! Fine! They asked to walk around for a bit (play Karaoke) and we did! It was fun (Low got 100 points) and Sam arrived saying that that was a lie! He bought me a book! Yay! Bittersweet by Danielle Steele!

We then took a group picture naming ourselves, Family Garcia from the Disney Channel movie 'The Garcia Family', Sam is Don Garcia since he was wearing a suit and had a really serious facial expression! Hehehe. And we were the servants (yeah right, serve him? You wish). We then took a ride on the Kiddie Train and the Ferris Wheel! It was loads of fun that Chin got the feeling of throwing up! But unfortunately, she didn't... Hehehe. Just kidding! She really enjoyed the ride though! Especially with the demonic Sam, what else can get worse?

It was great! I will remember this day for a lifetime! Thanks everyone!

My New Year!

2007-01-02T19:31:00.000+08:00

There was smoke in the air! People blowing their horns and making a lot of noise! Others were out of air as they blow through their little paper trumpets hoping to arouse as many people, making them alert as the countdown for the New Year starts!

There was a lot of ruckus going on! People (like my father) were blowing up Judas belts (three at least)! Some were screaming their lungs out saying, "HAVE A BLOODY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" (that would be in British) saying,"MALIGAYANG BAGONG TAON!!!" (in Tagalog) saying, "DAGHANG SALAMAT SA LITSON!!!" (that would be in my terms) saying, "---" (I don't know in Visayan... I think it's ths same with Tagalog...)

Anyway... there was a lot of food that I can't find it possible to sleep! Bellies were really bloated because pf mama's spaghetti and other stuff that were placed on the table. People were having a grand time lighting up sparklers and blowing up Judas Belts when the countdown turns zero! SM even had a fireworks display at 7:00 p.m.!

What's really great about the New Year is you get to have fun with your family... including Christmas!

See ya all on January 3 then! Bye!

Our Family Christmas...

2006-12-26T00:29:00.000+08:00

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Everybody was really busy last Sunday, December 25, 2006. It's just like every other Christmas, mama prepares the all favorite family special spaghetti! Along with my papa's magical powers... a huge banquet was prepared. We opened some of our presents... we recieved hugs and kisses... we even played karaoke (I'm not really good...). We stayed up late (what else is new?) and hear my dad sing a song.

The following morning, we gave gifts to other people whom were not close to but grateful for what they are doing... they were really happy! And so were we!

But what is the true meaning of Christmas? Is it just some typical day where everybody goes crazy over presents? No. Christmas is the time of giving and spending time with your loved ones (like the computer! Just kidding...). No matter how silent (like no-one's-alive silent) that day may still have a pinch of holiday spirit into it! Some people come for the food on Christmas, and that's not a good sign (watch your cholesterol!).

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Our Christmas Party!!!

2006-12-26T00:25:00.000+08:00

There's only one word which I can use that can describe our Christmas Party... it... was... AWESOME!!! All the guys were in the Christams spirit even though the fourth quarter examination in Math is coming up in a few minutes! Everyone was really in the shizzle when people whom they were close to entered the classroom expecting panicking classmates asking those people who are good in Math on how to get the square root of 6789. Besides that, we were showered with gifts and palangkas! Which really thoughtful and sweet!
After a grueling one hour and thirty minutes, I accompanied Anna and Athena to the Faculty room since they were going to sort something out in Biology and hand out presents to our subject teachers *ahem*. Eveyone is in a good mood that day! I'm writing this a one in the morning... we were talking about ghost stories on the way to my classmates house to celebrate our Christmas Party... now I can't sleep!
There was the Mass and then the presentation of the the faculty and staff. There was like a Maalaala mo kaya setting that was really hilarious that it was getting impossible for the students to maintain their seats (including me). The teachers were acting a really funny scene! They also danced and Sir Nitz sang...
Now, we then waited until one o' clock for the jeepneys to bring us to the my classmates house. We arrived there and changed into our civilian clothing. We then played MAGIC SING! I got 94 points out of 100 for singing 'Like a Virgin'. It's definitely a miracle for one such as me to get a line of 9 in singing, coz' I'm not tat good like June, Vel, Harlie (they got 100 points!)!!!
We then had games, prizes, exchange gifts and group presentations. Mitch danced! Yeah! She's gonna kill me when she gets to read this...
Okay... that's all for now and may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Good night!

December...

2006-12-17T21:56:00.000+08:00

It's going to be our third quarter examinations this Wednesday and here I am in front of the computer doing my assignment in Biology. We were to create an outline of the five kingdoms. I already made my outline... but I didn't wirte it one paper, I used the margins of the book. You should see it! It's pretty messed up right now! My book is a total mess but really easy to gather reference because all you've got to do is look at the margins! Hehehe.

Can't wait for Friday! We're going to have our Christmas party and we're are going to have an open forum and play the hot seat! I can't wait!

Okay... I should get back in creating my outline... good night!

One week?!!???

2006-12-09T11:14:00.000+08:00

Okay... this week was no different... we got scolded by one of our teachers and someone told everybody that we love being mediocre and are rebellious prats... I don't know what that means but I think its bad and I don't care because that is true! Most of my classmates are like that! But I and a chosen few, are not! We had an open forum during CH (leaving no time for that meeting's lesson). I started it because, I can't seem to hold it anymore! All the anger was poured into that final session and it was refreshing! Today, I mean yesterday, we did our part in decorating the classroom for the Crispinas. We had a native theme for it. It was going well (we ran out of bagul), I was the one who painted the bagul and I don't mean to brag but they are beautiful! Hehehe. I'll show you a pic later... if I can. My favorite was the one where I painted an Advent Wreath. It was my favorite!

Today, I'm researching on some Japanese recipes that my group and I could present next, next week. We're going to have a cooking show in SOC!!! YAY!!! This is going to be fun! It's just like the iron chef thing. I love it when they cook! Five courses finished within one hour from one basic ingredient. You are always unprepared for you don't know what the theme is for that day. It is pretty cool!

Hmmm... what else? Oh! We're going to ave an open forum on Monday with Ma'am Gerlie. You bad guys and especially gals should watch your backs because we're going to get ya!!! Bwahahahaha!!!

Okay... that's all for now... stay tuned for more adventures of... whatever... Bye!!!

DARN IT!!!!!

2006-12-03T13:08:00.000+08:00

When have I last posted?! A month ago...all right... I'll just enumerate the things we did during the whole JIG week.

Monday: We went to school about 7:15. That's really late fro me though... but I don't care! It's the JIG! YEHEY!!! No classes for one week! Time to relax...
Went to mass at XU Main chapel held at 5:30. Met Kuya Ernie... Hi!

Tuesday: No classes! Got to go to a classmate's house to practice for earth dance to be presented this Saturday. I was part of the props committee and incharge of the Advent Wreath. Really artistic... irony!

Wednesday: Sleep, do assignment, eat. look at computer, sleep at three in the morning the next day...

Thursday: Went to he XU Main's library which was totally awesome! It was air-conditioned! Practically... fantastic!!! It was such a cool library that I think I would definitely live in it if not for the curfew. Saw Kuya Ed and Ate Mel! YAY!!!!

Friday: Stayed at home and did homework...

Saturday: The same thing as Wednesday...

Sunday: Presently doing...

That's all!!!!

The Weekends

2006-11-25T15:24:00.000+08:00

Hi... to the few who have read this post... I deleted it. I did not regret the things I said because if I did not post it, I wouldn't get any advices from people who have gone through this already. Thanks...

By the way.... how do you make those things appear on you sidebar anyway? I can't seem to do it......

I'm not crazy okay? I'm just angry.... I've been holding the tears for two hours already.......

Something guys should know...

2006-11-17T23:45:00.000+08:00

(DON'T SUE ME! I DIDN'T WRITE THIS)
To the nice girls who are overlooked, who become friends and nothing more, who spend hours fixating upon their looks and their personalities and their actions because it must be they that are doing something wrong. This is for the girls who don't give it up on the first date, who don't want to play mind games, who provide a comforting hug and a supportive audience for a story they've heard a thousand times. This is for the girls who understand that they aren't perfect and that the guys they're interested in aren't either, for the girls who flirt and laugh and worry and obsess over the slightest glance, whisper, touch, because somehow they are able to keep alive that hope that maybe... maybe this time he'll have understood. This is homage to the girls who laugh loud and often, who are comfortable in skirts and sweats and combat boots, who care more than they should for guys who don't deserve their attention. This is for those girls who have been in the trenches, who have watched other girls time and time again fake up and make up and screw up the guys in their lives without saying a word. This is for the girls who have been there from the beginning and have heard the trite words of advice, from "there are plenty of fish in the sea," to "time heals all wounds." This is to honor those girls who know that guys are just as scared as they are, who know that they deserve better, who are seeking to find it.
This is for the girls who have never been in love, but know that it's an experience that they don't want to miss out on. For the girls who have sought a night with friends and been greeted by a night of catcalling, rude comments and explicit invitations that they'd rather not have experienced. This is for the girls who have spent their weekends sitting on the sidelines of a beer pong tournament or a case race, or playing Florence Nightingale for a vomiting guy friend or a comatose crush, who have received a drunk phone call just before dawn from someone who doesn't care enough to invite them over but is still willing to pass out in their bed. This is for the girls who have left sad song lyrics in their away messages, who have tried to make someone understand through a subliminally appealing profile, who have time and time again dropped their male friend hint after hint after hint only to watch him chase after the first blonde girl in a skirt. This is for the girls who have been told that they're too good or too smart or too pretty, who have been given compliments as a way of breaking off a relationship, who have ever been told they are only wanted as a friend.
This one's for the girls who you can take home to mom, but won't because it's easier to sleep with a whore than foster a relationship; this is for the girls who have been led on by words and kisses and touches, all of which were either only true for the moment, or never real to begin with. This is for the girls who have allowed a guy into their head and heart and bed, only to discover that he's just not ready, he's just not over her, he's just not looking to be tied down; this is for the girls who believe the excuses because it's easier to believe that it's not that they don't want you, it's that they don't want anyone. This is for the girls who have had their hearts broken and their hopes dashed by someone too cavalier to have cared in the first place; this is for the nights spent dissecting every word and syllable and inflection in his speech, for the nights when you've returned home alone, for the nights when you've seen from across the room him leaning a little too close, or standing a little too near, or talking a little too softly for the girl he's with to be a random hookup. This is for the girls who have endured party after party in his presence, finally having realized that it wasn't that he didn't want a relationship: it was that he didn't want you. I honor you for the night his dog died or his grandmother died or his little brother crashed his car and you held him, thinking that if you only comforted him just right, or said the right words, or rubbed his back in the right way then perhaps he'd realize what it was that he already had. This is for the night you realized that it would never happen, and the sunrise you saw the next morning after failing to sleep.
This is for the "I really like you, so let's still be friends" comment after you read more into a situation than he ever intended; this is for never realizing that when you choose friends, you seldom choose those which make you cry yourself to sleep. This is for the hugs you've received from your female friends, for the nights they've reassured you that you are beautiful and intelligent and amazing and loyal and truly worthy of a great guy; this is for the despair you felt as you sat in the aftermath of your tears, knowing that that night the only companionship you'd have was with a pillow and your teddy bear. This is for the girls who have been used and abused, who have endured what he was giving because at least he was giving something; this is for the stupidity of the nights we've believed that something was better than nothing, though his something was nothing we'd have ever wanted. This is for the girls who have been satisfied with too little and who have learned never to expect anything more: for the girls who don't think that they deserve more, because they've been conditioned for so long to accept the scraps thrown to them by guys.
This is what I don't understand.
Men sit and question and whine that girls are only attracted to the mean guys, the guys who berate them and belittle them and don't appreciate them and don't want them; who use them for sex and think of little else than where their next conquest will be made. Men complain that they never meet nice girls, girls who are genuinely interested and compelling, who are intelligent and sweet and smart and beautiful; men despair that no good women want to share in their lives, that girls play mind games, that girls love to keep them hanging.
Yet, men, I ask you: if were you to meet one of these genuinely interested, thrillingly compelling, interesting and intelligent and sweet and beautiful and smart girls, would you give her your number and wait for her to call... and if you were to receive a call from her the next day and she, in her truthful, loyal, intelligent and straightforward nice girl fashion, were to tell you that she finds you intriguing and attractive and interesting and worth her time and perhaps material from which she could fashion a boyfriend, would you or would you not immediately call your friends to tell them of the "stalker chick" you'd met the night prior, who called you and wore her heart on her sleeve and told the truth? And would you, or would you not, refuse to make plans with her, speak with her, see her again, and once again return to the bar or club or party scene and search once more for this "nice girl" who you just cannot seem to find?
Because therein lies the truth, guys: we nice girls are everywhere. But you're not looking for a nice girl. You're not looking for someone genuinely interested in your intermural basketball game, or your anatomy midterm grade, or that argument you keep having with your father; you're looking for a quick fix, a night when you can pretend to have a connection with another human being which is just as disposable as the condom you were using during it.
So don't say you're on the lookout for nice girls, guys, when you pass us up on every step you take. Sometimes we go undercover; sometimes we go in disguise: sometimes when that girl in the low cut shirt or the too tight miniskirt won't answer your catcalls, sometimes you're looking at a nice girl in whore's clothing - - we might say we like the attention, we might blush and giggle and turn back to our friends, but we're all thinking the same thing: "This isn't me. Tomorrow morning, I'll be wearing a teeshirt and flannel shorts, I'll have slept alone and I'll be making my hungover best friend breakfast. See through the disguise. See me." You never do. Why? Because you only see the exterior, you only see the slutty girl who welcomes those advances. You don't want the nice girl.. so don't say you're looking for a relationship: relationships take time and energy and intent, three things we're willing to extend - - but in return, we're looking for compassion and loyalty and trust, three things you never seem willing to express.
Maybe nice guys finish last, but in the race they're running they're chasing after the whores and the sluts and the easy-targets... the nice girls are waiting at the finish line with water and towels and a congradulatory hug (and yes, if she's a nice girl and she likes you, the sweatiness probably won't matter), hoping against hope that maybe you'll realize that they're the ones that you want at the end of that silly race.
So maybe it won't last forever. Maybe some of those guys in that race will turn in their running shoes and make their way to the concession stand where we're waiting; however, until that happens, we still have each other, that silly race to watch, and all the chocolate we can eat (because what's a concession stand at a race without some chocolate?)

What happened on Friday... November 17, 2006

2006-11-17T21:40:00.000+08:00

It was a chance of a life time. Students like us won't be able to get a chance like this ever again since the distance that we have to travel from there to school is pretty far and it totally takes about two full hours of your time to get there! What is this place you wonder? Well, today, we had our field trip to the STEAG power plant in Tagoloan. It was really awesome (except the fact that we had to pay 60 pesos for the fare). It was absolutely fun (we missed Filipino! YAY!)!!! we joked around on our way and we also got lost for the jeepney driver was like going 100 km/hr and didn't know where to go. We had to stop and ask for directions from certain passers-by where STEAG is. I think we almost went on a trip to Butuan or something (wgich I was looking forward to anyway).

The other jeepney (since there were 35 of us so two jeepneys were needed) got there first, then, the orientation began. They started discussing and view some slide shows (and I didn't get my free Coke!!! Our merienda...) and we asked some questions... the plant was absolutely fascinating! It took them three years starting from December 2005 to construct it. It took them 3000 workers to pull it off! The plant covered 55.44 hectares (see, I was listening, not eating...) and the people who designed it were Japanese and German. So it was like a United Nations project. The stack of the company (where the smoke comes from which passes through a filtration process) is 30 storeys high! Imagine you jumping from there without a parachute, surely you won't die! Well, maybe you won't since there was humongous conatiner filled with nothing but coal at the bottom. So, instead of coming out a white angel, you come out as a distant cousin of Nightcrawler from X-Men.

It was absolutely amazing (yeah... the tour guide was able to cope with our endless questioning)! We rode in a coaster or capsule, it looked like a mini airplane since its interior looks like one (except the mini t.v. perched on top. No remote... what a shame!). We then went home to catch the show of Katutubo and along the way, they talked about horror movies (which I did not dare listen since I'm a real scaredy-cat).

For our essay presentation, we made a documentary by filming. Nikki and I then edited it (we did it ourselves, with some help from sir Eryk with the icons).

That's all for today! Now, I must read some Harry Potter fan fics! Do you guys think that it's good to pair Lucius Malfoy with Hermione Granger? Anyone? How about Hermione and Snape *vomits* (who came up with that pairing??? Just asking for your opinions... I'm not writing one okay? I'm writing a fan fic but it's about Harry and Joan (the main character whom I added). Want to hear it?

The Start of the Week

2006-11-06T18:23:00.000+08:00

Now, I'm researching about the three kingdoms: Monera, Protista and Fungi. I have some pictures but I don't know how to place them. My grades in English and Biology increased by three and two points respectively. I was so happy! I got 65.5 over 70 in my Math exam and 110 over 120 in English! I was so happy that morning. Until... it came...

Ate Mel: Hmmm... still, I need to investigate! Hehehe...

The Wedding and The Ghost

2006-11-05T21:44:00.000+08:00

Okay... perhaps the author does not want me to share the summary and wants you guys to read the book yourselves. Because I happened to type a two-page long summary of what the books were about. And suddenly, the connection cut off! Fine, since there's no time to create one anymore, I might as well answer ate Mel's question. What I meant by "really???" is that I don't believe you. Seeing the pictures on your blog, I won't buy it! Hehehehe. I'll be back with better results! Bwahahahaha!!! *sputters*

One Bloody day to go!

2006-11-05T18:11:00.000+08:00

My tita's back! We were so happy! Yesterday we did nothing all day. We went out starting from eight o' clock in the morning. My dad asked me where I wanted to go and I told him, "Anywhere besides SM." I confess! SM is really boring. Seeing the same sites and have already seen everything it has to offer is pretty uninteresting. So we went to Limketkai. My mom didn't like it a bit because it's a bit 'unorganized'. It would be impossible to find the store you desired with all the paths you have to through to get there! We only lasted there for about an hour and half looking for the right curtains to place in the living room (judging from the massive amount of curtains bought and unused by my parents, I asked, "why bother?"). My feet ached after that, standing all day is not my thing. My brothers had no problem with it. But then I got really bored, I asked my dad to buy a bar of Cadbury chocolate. He agreed (since we'd all share it), and we happily ate all the way to the entrance. We then went to SM and we bought a book by Danielle Steel entitled "The Wedding". Being the bloody bookworm that I am, I can't help reading it while walking. My mom scolded me for it and told me a story of a girl who was kidnapped because she was reading alone in a secluded area. "But I'm not along. You and Gavin are here and some other people. And two security guards are behind me. I'm not really that alone," I said jokingly. As we got home the cycle of chores happened again and then I got back to my book from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. I was already halfway there.

Last night was a miracle for me. I never seem to sleep that early for the whole year. I usually sleep at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. But last night was a real surprise. I woke up at 7 a.m. today after having a really strange dream. We were all at war and the students were wearing uniforms. We were gathered on the field of XUGS (really weird, huh? Maybe it's because of the book...) and I was shooting away with a large lava cannon! Monsters or aliens were falling from the sky crushing everyone I know. Fortunately they can defend themselves as well since they have high quality machine guns. Wow! What a dream! After that, I slept back waking up at 9 a.m. I lazed around for a bit staring straight at the ceiling and got out of bed And did my chores for the morning, like making the bed in both rooms and cleaning the table since washing the morning dishes was not mine (for I can't seem to wake up early enough). I was really shocked how fast the week passed by and I never enjoyed any bit of, like going some place else, feeling a sense of adventure for a bit. But then I noticed that the break was not meant for only myself, it was meant for the whole family.
Being at school eight to nine hours straight and coming home too tired to even play some video games or watch a movie with you family for one year and only spending a couple of days with them (one if you're occupied with a special project) is not really the best way to spend your life. Growing up, you don't get to spend as much time with your family, being pretty busy and all that.

So now, I have to gather all my school stuff! *rummages inside the basement* Bye!

Things that happened on my Semestral Break

2006-11-04T01:51:00.000+08:00

My tita (or yaya, we don't call her that...), went home to have her own semestral break leaving us, from Tuesday to Sunday, yaya-less. So that means I can't enjoy my one week break and I have to double my efforts in keeping the house fit for human habitation (inhabitation...). So for the past three days I have been setting the table, washing the dishes, clean the table and that cycle has been repeated over and over. Today, i'ts different. I'm going to help my dad do the laundry. It's going to be a bit of a first for me since my tita does the laundry every Wednesday so I can't help out. My dad asked me to separate the white clothes from the colored ones to avoid stain, so I did that. He then starts to plunge it all into the washing machine, add a bit of laundry soap (powder) and watch the clothes spin inside. After that he rinses them (I was doing my own bit of laundry) and hands them to me. I will then hang them on the clothes line (at 10 a.m.... it was really hot...), I wasn't really complaining, it was fun! The cat then starts to distract me, by purring and rubbing it head on my legs (I'm ticklish). After that, lunch (that has not yet been cooked, since the chicken was completely frozen). We waited until 2 p.m. to have lunch. It was okay, since we ate breakfast at around 9 a.m. so 'I' was still, practically, full. I then was the dishes, same cycle. I then helped my mom (when she got back home form work, my dad was on leave) in doing her laundry, ate some ice cream, I didn't complain a bit about what I have done this week. Since in the end, I get the computer starting from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. Don't worry, I'm not yet sleepy since I took a 3-hour nap (if my mom didn't wake me...) in my room. It's really nice helping around the house (besides the fact I broke two plates and three glasses in one night while setting the table for breakfast the next day). I'm practically, clumsy. Not everytime, it just starts up when you least expected it.

Time to surf. I'm going to play Text Twist now. Bye!

The Intramurals!

2006-10-31T23:40:00.000+08:00

The funny thing that I noticed about the Intramurals is that its when great things happen. New things are discovered both emotional and physical (you're good in sports for example). Well, last Friday was really awesome! We met up with an old friend in grade school. He was my best friend in the third grade and still is until now. His name is ***, and as years went by, a silly girl (like me) starts to develop some feelings for him... so, let's cut to the chase!

We haven't seen each other for about nine months since our last meeting which was on my thirteenth birthday. I don't know what he might look like and you can't imagine how shocked I was by his sudden change in appearance! We met at the gate and found out that he wasn't allowed to enter the campus grounds since of course he wasn't an alumni and that he was from another school (discrimination). The group got so angry about it and to add insult to injury, we were called for a basketball rematch against Arrupe (they already lost by one point the previous day). So, we had to answer the call leaving him behind in the hands of my other friends who were his friends too. Some time later, they managed to get him inside, only they wouldn't tell me how!

The day was perfect! We had so much fun (except the fact that we lost to Arrupe), we cried about it, since it was our only hope of winning at least one game... he cheered me up, that's why he's my best friend. I also figured out that I don't feel the same way as I did whenever I'm with him, so that's a good thing... right? Well, we then gathered in the covered courts for the dance sports competition (after checking some examination papers), hoping to see the star of the moment (Ate Mel). The dancers were awesome! We also saw Kuya Ernie and Kuya Ed, but most of all... we saw Ate Mel! She was dressed in a whiter glittering dress and her head had glitters on it, like she was wearing a tiara or something! She dances really well!

Even the judges can't top that! The judges were great together (if it was Halloween)! What really hit me, was when the female judge took off her upper garment (can't forget Kuya Ernie's expression (both hands covering face*)! All the students went wild! Well, I can't say it wasn't a bit amusing actually...

Semestral break is coming up! See ya!

INTRAMS!!!

2006-10-26T20:44:00.000+08:00

Intrams! My favorite moment of the year! We played badminton, and lost... by one point actually... (Karl and I were the players). We played volleyball, and lost... (but it was fun!) and we played... basketball!!! Girls' division, we're going to have our championship game tomorrow and in the boys' division... I better not talk about it...

meily: I also wish that I was not quite serious...

A Spectacular Day!!!

2006-10-22T14:07:00.000+08:00

It was Louisse's birthday last Friday. And we were so excited! Only ten people were invited to the birthday treat... After the exams, we went to S.M. for that's where all the birthday parties take place. We first went to the supermarket to get something to drink, for we were going to eat at Greenwich. While were eating, we had loads of fun! Everybody was laughing and we were a bit noisy actually... we were afraid that we would get thrown out by the staff... After eating, we had our group picture taken. We wore some suits and graduation gowns. While waiting for the pictures to develop, we decided to have a ride in the kiddie train. It was really expensive but still it was fun! It was the first time that rode that thing! Louisse paid for eight of us for the others paid for themselves. I told Athena that maybe we could come upon someone special along the trip. We hooted, people stared and we took pictures. While the conductor was taking our picture in front of the train, Kuya Ernie passed by clamping his mouth with his hand... I mean... oh my, all of us laughed so hard that we didn't even pay attention to the camera. Lowell saw Kuya Ed so we went over to them and talked for a while. everything was doing fine, he said that it was going to be their semestral break next week and then on the following week, classes would start. Kuya Ernie asked me about our exams, if it was difficult (particularly Social), he greeted Louisse happy birthday (not face-to-face... he was too shy) and he said that they might be there during the Intramurals. A lot of things happened that on that spectacular day!

Today's the Week!

2006-10-14T22:07:00.000+08:00

Were going to have our exams this week... starting this Wednesday until Friday. I like the exams (except the exam part), on Friday we get to visit Xavier Grade School and meet up with old grade school friends. Apart from that, we would watch a movie! After the exams... INTRAMS!!! I just noticed this, a lot of good things happen during the Intrams... now don't tell me that's not true!

So tonight, I'm studying biology. Next is Christian Humanism and then English. Those are our first three subjects to be taken on the first day. I love Biology! It is so interesting! Even our teacher is... interesting...

Kuya, ate, will we be able to see you guys during the Intrams?

Kuya Ernie: How do you do it kuya???
Ate Mel: Surely I'm going to see you during the Intrams, ate! Go, go ate Mel!!!

KAPOY!!!! Beat the stress!

2006-10-08T02:19:00.000+08:00

Well... here I am at two in the morning posting a... post. I'm not yet tired from the Marian Shrine making and the tree planting held this morning at the pelaez bridge... for when I got back home, *zonk, snore* Woke up at 9:30 pm! Got to finish dressing the pumpkin! I joined the Jazz up the Pumpkin contest in SM. 1st place, you get 30,000 pesos! Enough to pay tuition fee! YAY!!! Well, um, I'm still awake, doing my project. We have 5 projects and 3 long tests for next week... call yourself Superwoman why don't cha! Hehehe. At least I can see the sunrise! Hehehe... *yawn* Bilar na sad ko! This isn't the first time... last time I reached 4 am staring at the computer! Isn't that great?! *hysterical laughter, coughs* Training for Nursing, since you have to stay up all night in the hospital... hehe...

Life in the honor's class (it a drag!)

2006-10-06T19:29:00.000+08:00

We were going to discuss about our Marian shrine this morning. But the peepz didn't seem to care!!! It's like they don't know that we too would like to go home early. The teachers were having their formation so we were only following schedule C. We asked them not to go home yet because we were not finished with the assigning of the materials thingy... but oh no! They go out of the window, depending on 'us' fellow nerds to finish it by Monday!!! CRAP!!! I don't like dependent people, it's really tiring cooperating with a bunch of 'babies'! And this is true... my bros are still babies... even though they are already 6 and 8 years old! Few of my classmates already backed out from the incharge list... 'coz it was really tiring to cooperate with them! Where's the unity?! Aren't we suppose to be a family or something? Or did you mean a 'broken' family?

Second good deed...

2006-10-01T17:18:00.000+08:00

We visited the Zayas Landfill last Thursday at approximately 3:00 pm for out OSASI. It was really fun! We were to interact with the people living there and get to know them better. Our's was really kind (family), her daughters were really cute and funny. The eldest is a good singer, the second is a good dancer and the youngest is... how do we put it? Fighting-form. They all like to play chinese garter (who doesn't?).

Good deeds...

2006-09-30T22:05:00.000+08:00

We went to Narulang last Thursday. It was an amazing experience! We met at school, we were supposed to leave at 8:30 but there was a bit of a problem. There were only a few of us from the meeting who joined the activity. And since there are a lot of water jugs (5 gallons I think) to carry, this is going to be one trip!
When we finally went on our way, after buying some cookies, junkfood and waffles, we conversed about how fun it would be. When we arrived at the entrance, we went down from the jeep (obviously) and took a bundle of water jugs along. Each bundle has 5-6 water jugs, so... that's mine!
We went first, me, Mitch, another second year and two kuyas. Kuya Arfil (sorry... is this how he spells it?) led the way down the mountain (or was it a hill?). It was slippery, treacherous... absolutely fantastic! Me and Mitch almost slipped and toppled over for it was a bit muddy and we were stepping on some really big boulders! I wish I was barefoot (but it would hurt).
We spent thirty minutes of sure footing and passing a huge cow in the process before we got to our destination. It was really... exciting! A cow! Good thing it wasn't a bull...
The others finally caught up. And then we started with the games and giving off prizes. We also ate some fresh delicious guavas! Really good! Mitch was trying to totally eat all of hers up! Kuya Arfil wanted me to accompany him their store there, for he wasn't really sure if can buy something there. He bought some Lumpia Shanghai (junkfood), gave us all a piece and started to crave for more after one bite. We were really childish after that.
The climb up was really... tiring! I really hit the dirt that time! We were all sweaty like a bucket of salty water has been poured on top of us (really!), insect bites on out arms, dust on our pants (don't care!) and our hearts were about to burst (mine was)!
Back to school we went, we were mocked by some of our classmates and they asked us, "How was it?" I mean, they don't have a clue on what we've been through! Then our teacher started to share and recollect the time when "they" there too. It was funny!

School!

2006-09-03T21:20:00.000+08:00

School tomorrow... Got to wake up at the crack of dawn (not literally)...
Going to greet the other fellow Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Ahriman and Ahura Mazda... (Sudras not included because they'll be pretty busy in maintaining they're 'good' karma)
Have been studying the Zend-Avesta today, seeing if its allowed to use colored paper to tell the people who's going to die and get reincarnated...
I like the caste system, seems to add a bit of color in describing Mohenjo-Daro (Harappa is just right beside it, can't tell which is which)...
There are signs floating on the Indus river, concerning about which way the boats should pass to make the trade more efficient...

Hello!!!

2006-09-02T22:20:00.000+08:00

Hello! First time that I have ever written in a blog in blogspot! Hehehehe.
Well... life's good. Ain't nothing to say...
*humming*