Blog Entry No. 180

It is only now that I realized that after 11 months of blogging, I am just 20 entries short before making it to 200. Hahaha!

I can't believe how September just came flying by. It seemed like only yesterday, I was looking forward to my retreat by end of August...now it's actually the last day of September and it felt as if I wasn't able to do as much of the things I wanted to do this month.

Yesterday, I went to Starbucks Vito Cruz. My laptop at hand, my handouts properly placed in my filing folder, I was ready to go and finish my papers for the week. Surprisingly, there weren't too many people in Starbucks around that time and I was able to sit at my usual table. So for 3 hours straight, I was reading articles and writing down notes and typing in Microsoft Word. After three hours, my head was practically spinning from the information overload.

After hours of sitting around, drinking coffee (yes, I'm still on my two-digit budget limit), it felt like I should take a break. So I decided to read a book a certain someone (you know who you are) was recommending to me. According to him, I will be able to relate to the story. The book was called "The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCullough. It was a great story, to say the least. Honestly, I seldom read novels like these but hey...I don't regret reading this one. I couldn't even put the book down. I found myself flipping through the pages until I realized that I am 15 pages away from finishing the whole book.

Let me end this entry with a memorable quote in the book...

"The day that I first saw you at the Gilly station, you smiled at me, then you said my name. Then you touched me... And since that day, I have somehow known, though I never saw you again, that my last thought this side of the grave would be of you... And there's nothing I can do to change it. Do you know how terrifying it is, that power you have over me?"

Morning Blog.

4:38 in the morning.

I woke up from a much needed sleep. I had a six-hour sleep last night. It felt good to finally be able to catch a break at least for one night It's also a good thing that I have today as a rest day. I'm going out with my high school barkada just to hang out. By tomorrow, I'll be doing school work until the break of dawn once again. But let's not dwell on tomorrow's plans. I'd rather think about what I'm going to do later together with my friends. Hehehe...

Surprisingly, I really don't know what to put in my blog right now. My mind is completely blank. Truth is...I'm still feeling a bit groggy. Anyway, I think I better go. I want to go back to sleep and the only way that's going to happen is closing this blog and shutting off my laptop. Haha!

Good morning, people! It's back to sleep for me...

Back to the Habit.

It's back to no sleep in the weekdays. It was actually after the defense that I realized that I still had much to do for the semester. Papers, reports, debates -- the list goes on and on. And may I remind you that this is just for academics? I still have The Scholastican to worry about.

So yes, it really hasn't been as relaxing as I hoped it would be. Who has time to relax? It seems like the moment I finish with one workload, another one comes piling in. *Sigh* It will all end...it will.

As much as I want to stay and make this entry longer, I better get going. I still have a lot to finish.

Radio Prod Talent!

This was a first for me. But I guess it was bound to happen since I have friends in the MassComm department. Jen Chan asked me to be her talent in her Radio Prod class today. It was such a nerve-wrecking experience but in the end, I had fun. It felt a little silly, but...I enjoyed it, much to my surprise.

I was the guest for "Kulasa Conversations." Being the Editor-in-Chief of The Schoalstican, I was asked (obviously) information about the school publication. I thought that they would throw hard questions at me. Fortunately, the interview was pretty free-flowing.

Anyway, I think I better go. I need to do something here in school. Oh yeah...I forgot to mention that I'm using Wi-Fi here in the Social Hall. Hehehe...

Ciao!

Kuya Rom Goes to US.

I woke up around 3 o'clock in the morning, realizing what day it was: today is the day Kuya Rom leaves for the US...and there's really nothing I can do about it.

As much as I would like him to stay and be with his family, it's not for me to decide how he should live his life. This is his life. He knows what is best for himself. It would be too selfish of me to ask him to stay. A bigger part of me is happy for him...very happy. I just can't deny that there's that small part inside of me that's sad.

For 21 years, my brother and I have been inseparable. It was only this year that we weren't able to celebrate our birthdays together. Now...we won't be able to spend Christmas together. And unfortunately, he won't be here to see me graduate.

Hmm...I think I should go for a while...I still have to prepare for my class in International Law.

Until then...

I Saw Elliott Yamin at Trinoma!!!

You read it right, fellow bloggers/dear readers/unexpected blog hitters.

I went all the way to Trinoma in Quezon City just to watch American Idol Elliott Yamin. Don't really have much to say except...

Just check out my Multiply site for pictures and videos.

Pictures: Elliott Yamin in Trinoma

Videos:
Elliott Yamin 1
Elliott Yamin 2
Elliott Yamin 3
Elliott Yamin 4
Elliott Yamin 5

Ciao!

I Can Finally Sleep!

Yes! After the long and winding road, I can finally sleep. I have been sleep-deprived for a couple of days now because I have been preparing for my report in Gender, Development and Peace and getting ready for my thesis defense. Oh! Did I mention that both of them were held on the SAME day? Now you know.

The report went well. I was able to answer Ms. Cucio's questions without blacking out. Hehehe. Even though I honestly dreaded to do my report, I was still doing OK. I'm glad. One down.

Then, of course, there's the thesis defense. I was feeling...hmm...what was I feeling? Actually, I didn't really know what I was going through when I stood in front of the panel. A bit rattled, yes, but it wasn't really nervousness. Whatever it was, it was gone when I started talking and discussed my thesis.

Good responses from the panel, fortunately. I didn't really expect this kind of turnout. But bottom line is this: I'm happy.

As much as I would like to stay online and blog...I really need to get some sleep.

G'night, dear readers and fellow bloggers! Until the next blog entry...

I Have a Baby!!!

Gotcha!

Hahaha...don't take it literally, people. I don't have a "real" baby.

As of 02:17 in the afternoon, I officially bought my first ever laptop. Oh yeah! I'm celebrating! I have a laptop and I am just so happy about the whole thing.

That's all I have to say right now. Hehehe...

Disney Princesses Quiz

Thanks to my friend, Nina, I got hold of this "quiz." Hmm...I wonder which Disney Princess I am. Yesterday, at the POLIS Acquaintance Party, I was in the "Princess Ariel" team. Hahaha!

* * *

Cinderella:
[ ] One of your parents is dead
[x] You are expected to do a lot of chores
[x] You love to dress up
[x] You love animals
[x] You are waiting patiently for your Prince Charming
[ ] Your mom is really strict
[ ] You have sisters who seem kind of jealous of you
[x] You're afraid to speak your mind sometimes
[ ] You have left your shoes at a friend's house before
[ ] You have blonde hair
TOTAL: 5

Belle:
[ ] You've fallen in love with someone your friends didn't like
[ ] You've been lost in the forest
[x] You love to read
[ ] You are not shy at all, and not afraid to speak your mind
[x] One of your family members is a bit weird
[x] You have done volunteer work
[x] You have a wild imagination
[x] You love to take care of people in need
[ ] You've had guys like you only because they think you're pretty
[x] You've rejected at least one person when they've asked you out
TOTAL: 6

Jasmine:
[ ] Your dad is very rich/important
[x] You are very clever - at least, I'd like to think so...hahaha!
[x] You've fallen in love with someone way different from you
[x] You're unique and different from everyone else
[x] You'd never marry someone just because they were rich
[x] You have set a lot of goals for yourself
[ ] You don't have a lot of friends
[x] You're independent
[ ] You have a very nice house
[ ] Your parents try to control your life
TOTAL: 6

Ariel:
[x] Your parents expect a lot from you
[x] You really try to follow the rules, but it's hard for you
[ ] You're a bit of a trouble maker
[x] You're the youngest in your family
[ ] You have a lot of sisters
[x] You collect something
[ ] You have long, red hair
[ ] You have a pet fish
[x] You're extremely curious
[x] You believe everything people tell you/you're a bit gullible - unfortunately, I am at times...
TOTAL: 6

Snow White:
[x] You know that you're beautiful - can we change the word to "pretty"??? hehehe...
[ ] Sometimes it seems like your mom is jealous of you
[ ] You've almost been killed
[x] You have at least seven good friends
[ ] You've had food poisoning
[ ] You have short brown hair
[ ] You get along with everyone - there's bound to be at least one who doesn't like me.
[x] All of your friends are different
[x] You love to have a good time
[ ] You're happier when you're out of the house than in
TOTAL: 4

Mulan:
[ ] You're a tomboy
[ ] Everyone wishes you could be a bit more girly
[ ] You've pretended to be someone you're not
[ ] You've had a physical fight with someone
[ ] You have/had considered running away from home
[ ] Your parents try to plan your life out
[ ] Most of your friends are boys
[x] You sometimes find yourself in bad situations
[x] You love your family so much that you'd do anything to protect them
[x] You are proud that you're different
TOTAL: 3

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty):
[ ] You live with someone other than your parents
[ ] You were almost killed at a very young age.
[x] You are gentle, loving, and/or thoughful - I'd like to think I am...
[x] You have a beautiful voice - that's what everybody tells me...and I'd like to think so...hehe
[x] You like to sleep in late on the weekends
[ ] You spend most of your time outside
[ ] You're adopted
[x] You have long hair
[x] You're very romantic - I think I am...
[ ] Pink is one of your favorite colors
TOTAL: 5

Pocahontas:
[x] You love to walk around and explore your city
[ ] You are more spiritual than religious
[ ] You've been in an interracial relationship
[ ] One of your siblings is dead
[x] Your parents are very protective of you
[x] Someone you know has been in war
[x] You love nature
[ ] You have black hair
[ ] You would love to move somewhere exotic and beautiful
[ ] You're very adventurous
TOTAL: 4

* * *

Hmm...so I am a combination of Belle, Jasmine and Ariel...hah!

Sleepy.

I got my most awaited sleep yesterday. It was only then that I could say, I slept long enough to actually say I had a dream about someone. Hahaha! It was something I looked forward to...the sleep, I mean. Lately, it was always a one-hour sleep; most of the time, there was no sleep at all. Good thing I finally rested.

As much as possible, I am taking every opportunity to sleep because by Monday, it's work work work again. Woe is me.

Anyway, I think I'll log out for a while. I've been yawning 8 times the past 20 minutes. Is that normal?

Be right back.

Part II.

So where were we? Ah yes...I finally went inside Starbucks and continued to study for my class in International Law.

It was pretty much "peaceful" when I got in Starbucks, minding my own business, studying and all. Of course, from time to time I would receive text messages from a couple of friends. Basically, I got things done...at least, things I needed to do for the next day.

You'd think that the second part of my memorable Friday was all that.

Here's the interesting part. Note to Marc: I hope you'll be happy. As they say in Filipino, "Pabida effect ka dito!"

It wasn't exactly as peaceful as you would assume it would be. The thing is...throughout the time I would be studying in my little corner in Starbucks, Marc would come over and have a little chitchat whenever he got stuck in the paper he was doing.

Number of times Marc came by my table: 4 times.

Not to worry, Marc, I'm not here to make you look bad.

Actually, I was happy to see Marc that time. It was sort of an "update me with your life" session. It's not everyday that you would see your former boss and just talk, right?

My Starbucks Friday ended around 6 o'clock in the evening. I've finished studying at that time and I felt my head starting to spin. It was almost like an information overload.

* * *

So who would have thought I'd have a day like that? Hahaha! I find it so hilarious that a couple of my friends are starting to think about spending time in Starbucks so that they could experience first hand what I already went through. Hehehe...

Anyway, it is time to go. Still have some things to do...

G'bye!

Break Time.

I started studying for tomorrow's class eight hours ago. You would think that by now, I'd be finished. Think again. I am not even halfway done with my studies. Not even close. *Sigh* Woe to me. How am I going to go through tomorrow?

Left without any energy to complain about it, I have decided instead to blog my obvious state of restlessness. Hmm...maybe I should just blog about something that happened a few days ago. Specifically, what happened last Friday, September 7th. Yes, it was, yet again, one of those very memorable days.

Note to readers: the reason why I am actually doing this entry is because there are two particular people requesting that I do an entry about this day. You know who you are. So I hope you're satisfied. Hahaha!

* * *

I arrived in school around 10 o'clock carrying a nice bouquet of flowers from ___ (I don't want to say who it is...but most of you probably know). I bumped into Euki and Angelo when I entered the school and unfortunately for Euki, she wasn't able to see ___ (sorry, people...I really can't say who it is). Angelo even made a comment. Hmph! I'll get you for that, Mr. John Angelo Cortez!

Anyway, back to the story. I immediately went to The Scholastican Office to supervise layout with Peachy and Karen. As I passed by the halls of my school, I can see a number of students looking at me. I wasn't humiliated. But I did feel a little conscious, carrying the bouquet around.

I stayed in school until after lunch, when Peachy and Karen were done with layouting the Deluge page. I even met up with my professor, Sir Bugaoan, at the canteen when I bought food before I went. As usual, he had that sly, all-knowing smile when he saw me carrying the bouquet. Let me just quote him on what he told me about the bouquet, "It's love."

Whoa whoa whoa! Absolutely not. It's not like that at all. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on Sir Bugaoan for thinking that. Hahaha!

I left for Starbucks around 1:30 in the afternoon. Again, walking with the bouquet still made me conscious. When I got there, I went inside to check if there are still seats available. Unfortunately, there weren't any. So I put my stuff down on one of the tables located outside. When I turned around, I was greeted by an someone unexpected.

"Excuse me, miss," I heard the voice say. All of a sudden, I found myself looking at my professor, Sir Peter. What are the odds of me seeing him in Starbucks? We didn't talk much. He had company. He just asked me whether or not Tracy was able to make it on time for the talk with PAASCU. I actually didn't see Tracy in school but I told him that I know she was there early.

Anyway, I went in to order my usual Grande Mocha Frappucino. Before I was able say my order, a certain someone caught my eye. Once again, another unexpected person was there. It was my boss in DFA, Marc. Yes, yes...I call him Marc now. Since I am no longer his trainee, and he said he's going to "kill" me if I call him "Sir" one more time. He was about to go outside, so I pointed him to where I was sitting and I proceeded to order my drink.

A few minutes later, I was out with Marc and my Mocha Frappucino. If I recall correctly, he even said, "Di na talaga nagbago, no? Mocha frappe pa rin." We had a little chitchat, he was trying to stop me from studying International Law because I quote, "There is no such thing as international law in the first place." And he went on explaining to me why. At some point, I was thinking to myself, "Uh-oh...what will Sir Peter say once we see each other in class?" Hehehe...

After about 40 minutes, he went back inside to work on his term paper. Sorry, Marc...I forgot what your paper was all about again. Before leaving me behind, he told me that I should go in as soon as a table is free. Sure! No problem. Hahaha!

About 30 minutes after Marc has gone in, I found a table I can sit inside and went in before anyone else got there first.

*Sigh*

I wish I could go on...but...it's time to get back to work. Part II will be posted tomorrow...hopefully.

Ciao!

Morning's Here.

Morning's here, the morning's here
Sunshine is near
The sky is blue, the morning's here

o O o

Good morning!

I may not be able to blog today because I'll be going to my Lola's house in Parañaque and will probably be there until much much later.

Nothing much to tell. Hehehe...oooh! Oh yeah...I finally customized my Multiply site! Hahaha! A little shallow, yes, but proud of it.

So what am I going to do now? Oh my...still have lots to do with academics and thesis and TS.

Thinking About Yesterday's Post.

Too often these days, we get so caught up in the mundane details of our lives that we forget to see the wonder in what we have, in the loves and friendships we find in our lives. We are so busy with our academic loads and our daily jobs that we forget to see the miracles all about us. Weighed down by our every day lives, we forget that fairy tales can come true.

There is magic in love, beauty in friendship. Is it not a miracle that in all the wide world, two people might find each other, fall in love, and spend their lives with one another? Sometimes when life treats us unfairly, when love leaves us broken-hearted, we forget that someday our prince will come. But if we open our hearts to the wonder about us, our own fairy tales can come true.

Believing in the magic in everyday life, seeing that our lives can be fairy tales, doesn't mean that the real world is any less there. Bills still need to be paid, daily jobs must be worked. But happiness is something we choose to have, as much as it is something we find, and when you choose to see the wonder in your life, miracles can happen.

In this world of rent, bills, and jobs, two people might - through a series of amazing coincidences - meet. Become friends. Fall in love. Find in each other they kind of quiet solace and passionate love that is the envy of others.

The "L" Word Keeps Crawling Back.

I woke up around 5 o'clock in the morning. No reason at all. As usual, I would simply get up and turn the computer on and surf the net. I went to my Multiply site to see what's new and I saw an entry by Chi. "Once Upon an End." That was the title of her blog entry. It caught my attention. It seemed intriguing. So I read it...only to find out it was about fairy tales and love lives.

I don't know why. But suddenly I had the urge to write something. Hmmm...just when I thought this day was going to be same old, same old.

* * *

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I started to daydream about being a princess in those fairy tale stories I used to read. I instantly loved the idea of having a prince to come for me one day and save me...from whatever it is I need saving from. I don't know. I was a kid, I didn't know what was in store for me in the future. So yes, I filled my head with these images of what I thought would be a great fairy tale come to life when I reached a certain age.

Years passed, I still thought about my would-be fairy tale life. I was waiting for my "prince." Yes, yes, I realized that my head was up in Cloud 9. But what was I to do? I was in love with the whole idea.

High school years have come and gone, I have had my share of kilig moments and heartbreaks. Still, it didn't stop me from thinking that I would someday meet that one person who was looking for me all his life. Too cheesy, I know, but at that point, I got the habit of reading romance novels. My head was filled up with these love stories here and there, I was daydreaming time to time.

Then college years arrived. This was the time it hit me. My life wasn't the fairy tale story I have always dreamed of. It wasn't as sweet as I hoped it would be. My college years have brought me to tears more times than it made me happy.

From 2004 to present. Total heartaches or heartbreaks: Three. The third was the most painful one. Apart from the fact that I still haven't found the "prince" I was looking for, life was simply...treacherous, to say the least. Feuds between friends, misunderstanding in the group, you know the drill. *Sigh* Would I want to go back in time and change things. Sure, somehow I wished that certain things never happened at all. But then again, in a way, I'm glad they did, because I had a new perspective in life.

Back to the heartbreaks. I was so down in the dumps. I was depressed. I wanted to just give up on love. There, I said it. The "L" word. No matter what I do, it seemed that I will never get the chance to find my prince.

Until I realized that I don't need to find my "prince." No search necessary. At that time, I realized that I already have a "prince." Yes, it's true. That, I do.

Oh no...I'm not in a relationship. Absolutely not. But believe it or not, I have found a "prince" in a dear friend of mine. Who would have thought, huh? Isn't it wonderful? I don't know if my friend IS my prince charming...but he is, without a doubt, a prince to me. Must I ramble on with stories about him? Hmm...maybe some other time. For now, that is all you need to know.

It's funny. I just realized something. That is...

Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life...love gives us a fairy tale.

Evening Blogging.

Sleep.

The bed is calling me to lie down and go to sleep. But I can't. Unfortunately, I can't. Not yet.

*Sigh*

Woe is me. I can't go to sleep even if I wanted to. I have yawned six times for the past 20 minutes. Does that have any significance to you at all?

People would probably say, "Why don't you just go to sleep?" Yeah...if only it was that easy for me to do it. The thing is...I'm just really swamped with so much school load. Readings. Papers. Reports. Cases. Thesis. Presswork. These are just some of the things I'm doing.

Yes, I know I can do more than two things at a time but...this is just too much. Everything keeps piling up and seems like I'm not getting any work done.

Maybe I should try to go to sleep. I need it anyway. I didn't get any last night.

Good night, people!

Blogging in TS Office.

02:20 in the afternoon

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am currently in The Scholastican Office, blogging my blues away. I don't exactly know why. I just feel a little bit down. I can't seem to really cheer myself up. Yes, I am once again wearing a mask for everybody's sakes.

Academics.

Thesis.

TS.

My top three priorities. Hmm...somehow, I don't think it's quite right. I feel that it shouldn't be my top three priorities. If anything...I think they should be my TOP PRIORITIES.

*Sigh*

03:30 in the afternoon

Then all of a sudden, my attention goes to another incident.

What a way to go.

You know, there are some Scholasticans who really pissed me off today. I won't say who they are...for the sake of keeping their identities a secret.

I was walking back to the publication office, coming from the faculty room. I was, as usual, minding my own business...when...all of a sudden, I stopped on my tracks. Forcibly. I suddenly found myself not moving at all because one (rather huge) student walked in front of me while another walked behind me. Wait...they weren't walking, actually...they were sprinting, rather. As soon as I got my composure back, I saw who they were. The nerve!

Those ____ students who thought it would be a great idea to take a short cut to get a glimpse of the professor they were crushing on. Hmph!

Am I that thin or that small to not see?! Am I not visible at all to the human eye?! Am I not a person to say, "excuse me" or "sorry" or whatever needs to be said at that moment?! My gosh! The audacity of these people...

Some of you readers know who I'm talking about. You've probably seen them along the hallways of our school.

I'm still a little bit frustrated...I think now is the time to go to Starbucks and calm myself down a bit. Yeah...I probably need to do that. I've been in school since 9 in the morning. I need to go some place else.

Ciao!

"My marrying age is 30." --> Wooo! Nine Years to Go!!!

I got this from Meg's site. I wonder how this would go...

Thanks, Meg!

* * *

[x] I know how to make a pot of coffee.
[x] I keep track of dates using a calendar.
[ ] I own more than one credit card.
[ ] I know how to change the oil in my dads car.
[x] I do my own laundry.
[x] I vote every election.
[x] I can cook for myself.
[x] I think politics are exciting.
[ ] I balance my checkbook.
[x] My parents have better things to say than my friends.

total: 7

[x] I show up for school/college/work every day early.
[x] I always carry a pen in my pocket/purse
[x] I've never gotten a detention.
[x] I have never smoked a cigarette.
[x] I have never gotten completely trashed.
[ ] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once.
[x] I like to take walks by myself.
[x] I've watched talk shows.
[x] I know what 'credibility' means without looking it up.
[x] drink coffee at least once a week.

total: 9

[x] I know how to do the dishes
[x] I can count to 10 in another language.
[x] When I say I'm going to do something I do it
[x] My parents trust me.
[ ] I can mow the lawn.
[ ] I can make adults laugh without being stupid.
[ ] I remember to water the plants.
[x] I study when I have to.
[x] I pay attention at school/college.
[ ] I remember to feed my pets.

total: 6

[x] I can spell 'experience' without looking it up
[ ] I work out on a regular basis.
[x] I clean up my own mess.
[ ] The people at Gloria Jeans know me by name.
[ ] my favorite kind of food is take out.
[ ] I have gained weight since middle/high school.
[ ] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine.
[ ] I cant go out of the store without getting something I don't need.
[x] I understand political jokes the first time they are said.
[x] I can type quickly.

total: 4

[x] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour.
[ ] My only friends are from my place of employment.
[ ] I have been to a tupperware party
[ ] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job.
[ ] I have more bills that I can pay.
[ ] Most of my friends are older than I am.
[x] I can say no to staying out all night.
[x] I use the internet every day.
[ ] My wardrobe hasn't changed in a while.
[x] I can read a book and actually finish it.

total: 4

add up all the number and repost this as: My marrying age is..