particular nothings in the everyday life of a teenager who is too lazy to write anyway.

[ end of sem post ]

2008-01-27T16:08:00.000-08:00

Since it is now the start of a new semester (meaning I get all new classes) I just wanted to share a post from my other blog about how the old one went. Imagine! So many things have changed since then... :))

chapter one: boredom dans la classe

I felt like writing this because I was so bored during Math class. The teacher was explaining the homework to the very slow people who did not even do what they were supposed to do. Here's day to day at my new school (and I don't want to appear overconfident because I am not):

I wake up at 6:30 and ride the public bus to school. Then I go with my sister to her locker and she goes with me to mine. We wander around school for a while and go to the bathroom lots of times. By 8:15 the bell (HURRY HURRY!! HURRY HURRY!! Late late late AGAIN!!) rings and I'm in my homeroom. Then English starts. I sit with either Esi, Mathuesha, or Lyza since Devikha (super-sociable buddy) now sits with Allison. Today it was Lyza.

It's usually boring, we read some text from our mythology book and spend the rest of the period discussing it (pointlessly). Like, how is a black-out related to reconciliation? Mr. Santin's nice though. I understand why he has to break it down to the simplest of terms. He tries to explain everything SLOWLY to my very slow classmates (who, no offence, can't even pronounce the easiest words properly. And I have to pretend I don't know what I'm doing either.)

The same with Religion, where there is always homework. Every night we have to read some corny story in our ancient textbook and answer uhm, dumb questions. Ms. Paul-Donegal should know me by now because I answer a lot and have "Oh good, you know how to write" handwriting. Even if what I say and write are different from her terms or too complicated for my fourteen-year-old classmates. Hello, Sir Jade taught us some theology! Believe it or not, our R.E. topic is finding Scriptures in the Bible. Pas très dur! I can do that mega-fast since I know how the books are arranged AND we finished with that...when I was in Grade 4. And also I know what Incarnation and Trinity are. Grade 4. Of course, I was the one who defined it ("Yes S'leen?" yet again!!)

I sit next to Aezelle who I made friends with the first day and who luckily got assigned in the seat next to me. I meet her outside the portables before classes and when I head off to next period I say "See you later!" because she has second lunch, same as me. I'm so glad I have managed to find friends I can actually count on. Makes me wonder how I'll do in Grade 10 if I pass. I'll deal with the present for the meantime though...

And now for the MOST exciting part of the day, Mathematics!!

chapter two: staring out the door wishing for the bell to ring

Actually, Math is so boring it's all I can do from bolting out of the room. I have class in the portable next to R.E. which is 13. Our chairs are arranged U within U (if you can picture that) and I sit in the back row, outer side. That means I'm near the door and far from the board, making it really easy to be distracted. Besides, the PTs are located in the parking lot, where there is always some sort of commotion.

Today it was yet another group of hip-hopping blacks probably on their way from skipping class. They passed by our portable as I happened to be looking out and a girl yelled (like they do) "MAH!" then they walked by. Minutes later there was a huge laughing hullabaloo outside, as can be expected of them. Honestly, I wonder why nobody bothers to discipline them. There's this black guy, a tenth-grader who failed, in my Math class. He always wears a hoodie and the teacher makes him take it off every time. Today he very rudely said, "Yeah yeah I know, I'm taking it off!" (pronounced "Yih yih, I noe, I'm takin' it off")

The students always take advantage of Mr. Alix's apparent cluelessness and the fact that he is boring. When he came in he said, "So class, how was your weekend?? I hope you had an interesting one. Courtney how was your sister's wedding? How's the food, is it pork, beef or chicken? Was there ah dancing?" Courtney just sat there looking bored/amused and nodded. "You know ah class, I know how to do the tango, do you know how to tango? And cha-cha and swing..." (Insert small amount of dance here)

Quenessa (another very rude black girl, one of the "twins") said, "Sir could you do a demo!"

"Only ah, if you perfect the exam." (Not very likely at this rate)

Mr. Alix, the world's most boring teacher, let us finish our Friday's quiz for five minutes. I'd done it before so I just sat there with my head in my hands. I'd woken up with a migraine so I wasn't feeling too well. We then checked the homework, in which he had us come to the board one by one to answer each question.

Mine was: (7) - (- 8) which is duh, positive 15. But for the sake of my slower classmates and the very clueless Mr. Alix, I wrote it down step by step like I used to do in fifth grade. Then I reassumed my comfortable position chin-on-palm. Re-answering the homework must have taken us 25 minutes, as the others didn't even bother doing it.

While Mr. Alix was checking the answers on the board, the rest of the class talked loudly and noisily. Nobody was paying attention (like I said, Mr. A. apparently has no clue that he is the world's most boring teacher. And he is Pinoy.) Tenth-grader Fletcher even had the gall to set his ring tone on loud and walk to the front of the class. He pretended to sniffle until Mr. Alix noticed him.

"What is that, you? Turn that phone off or, ah you give it to me."

"Phone? What phone? I ain't got no phone."

"It's in your pocket, ah Mr. Fletcher, give it to me,"

"What, oh you mean this?" (Obviously handing out anything but the phone)

Then, "Which pocket?" Of course Mr. Alix could very well not reach into Fletcher's low, low-slung jeans to pick out the offending cell phone. That would be a criminal offence. "Next time ah, I will confiscate that. Return to your seat." And multiplication of fractions. He continued checking answers.

After a while things got really boring. I just sat there and absently drew circles on my binder. Then I took out a graphed looseleaf and began to write a diary entry.

ten things to hate about math class:

The fact that what they are doing is very, very basic and which I have done two years ago.
The fact that we have possibly the world's most boring teacher.
The fact that I sit next to that annoying know-it-all Philip John Krolikiewiecz (or something), who speaks out of turn and actually thinks it's cool.
The fact that I have VERY disrespectful, class-disrupting classmates.
The fact that we hold classes in the portables.
The fact that my other seatmate Lindsay was absent today.
The fact that there are two boys who sit in front of me who have very, very bad and outdated hairstyles. One of them, Cody, is pinkish and has blond hair in a ponytail. It annoys me to death that a pink boy actually wears his hair long. And worse: the other, Anoj (Indian?) looks like he has a small bowl on top of his head, which I can assure you he doesn't. It is merely his hair. It is slicked back and always looks oily, it is disgusting and so is the way he tries to be cool. And I have to see that everyday. Him and Cody are practically best friends with weirdo hair.
The fact that I am classmates with Quenessa, Vashia (other twin), and something-or-the-other Fletcher. Three very irritating people who interrupt and talk in that homie accent of theirs (sorry but I can't stand them. Some blacks are okay though.)
The fact that I can't talk to anybody in my class except Lindsay, occasionally, because Mr. Alix always makes us do exercises and I have the misfortune of being seated next to Phil.
The fact that I don't answer as much as I should, even if I know the answer.

Now Mr. Alix was on to Quenessa's answer. "Qua, you didn't write anything?"

"But Mr. Sir, the question is like harder than the others'! Theirs was like - 1 or something."

"Do this do that, the brackets and exponents, blah blah blah," explained the teacher, and beside me Philip was going "The answer is 6,421. The answer is 6,421. The answer is 6,421." When Mr. Alix wrote the final product - 6,421 - Phil went (to nobody in particular), "See, I told you so!"

The same with another problem, only this time it was "The answer is 110. 110, it's 110. I told you it was 110!"

"Class ah, if you do not know the answer, write it down." said Mr. A. I opened my binder and wrote down with my pencil. I could practically sense Philip breathing down my neck to see what I was writing. Probably to tell me how he got his answer.

What I actually wrote was: Math is ugh. This is basic basic basic basic. I have been doing this since the first grade!! I MISS TRIGONOMETRY., with the emphasis on Trigonometry which I never really liked. I made sure he saw it.

Ha, that should fix him.

chapter three: that is my whistle, do not blow it

Now I am home, tired out from gym gassers. Gosh my legs hurt. And I have to take that test tomorrow. What will happen to me?? I have friends now.

My mother dearest's bugging me to get off the computer and review my Math. As if!! Like Adrie very wisely and unassumingly said, "That is my whistle, do not blow it". Meaning it is my problem, do not bother with it. I am almost sure I'll pass. Tests here are very easy. But what am I going to do in Grade 10? I'm really enjoying 9.

Oh maybe I'll just blow that later.

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SCHOOL PICTURE

2008-01-10T15:56:00.001-08:00

I T ` S M E E E E E . ;P

[ between a rock and a hard place ]

2007-12-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

2007 est presque fini et je pense que le moyen il est l'heure de changer.

De sorte que moyen de force

Au revoir Blogger.

It's kinda hard letting go of all the memories, but I won't be shutting this down. I just don't feel like this blog is up to my needs anymore.

So goodbye, possibly forever...

[ dear people, ]

2007-12-29T17:33:00.000-08:00

HELLO HELLO!

SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS

BUT I AM SO EXCITED!

I'M MOVING ALL MY GEORGIA STUFF TO MULTIPLY (BUT NOT JUST YET)

I HAVE MORE NEWS, AND PICS [SVEN, ROBBIE, DAVE & ALL THE OTHERS] AS WELL!!! SPECIAL THANKS TO MY TEXAN FRIEND LIZZIE [FROM WE ♥DAVE the LAUGH] FOR HALF OF THEM :)

FILMING IS FINISHED (HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE NOW, HAHA, BUT THEN I DON'T UPDATE THIS ANYMORE)

AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TO SPEAK LAST NOVEMBER WITH A CERTAIN PERSON WHO IS IN THE FILM.

DECEMBER HAS BEEN SO HECTIC!

I JUST HOPE THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW AT+FFS IN NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO RELEASE DATE AS OF YET.

ANYWAYS...CHECK OUT THE STIFF DYLANS' MYSPACE (YES THEY ARE A REAL BAND WHO SHALL BE BIG NAMES SOON!) WHERE YOU CAN SEE GEORGIA, ROBBIE & DAVE PARTYING

HAHA

I SO AM JUMPING IN MY CHAIR :)

CAN'T WAIT TILL JUNE, WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON MY MULTIPLY IN THE MEANTIME. LINKS POSSIBLY WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK.

TILL THEN

MUCH LOVE,

CHLOE xx

OH, AND P.S. ACCORDING TO LIZ, THE NINTH BOOK IS GOING TO BE CALLED...STOP IN THE NAME OF PANTS! THERE MIGHT BE HOPE FOR DAVE AFTER ALL! HAHA :)

[ bye blogspot. ]

2007-10-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

I am going on another one of my long-term hiatuses (hiatus? hiati?) so...see y'all later. Check my Multiply for more posts and pics. Sorry, Blogger. I'm just not feeling it today. :(

[ kill kill die die!!! ]

2007-09-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Our school is having a Mexico trip sometime in late 2007 / early 2008.

And a Europe trip too. Itenerary: Florence, Verona, Tuscany, Venice, and the French Riviera.

Unfortunately I am not eligible as of yet.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I am stuck in a retreat in the SAME chapel we go to mass too...which is a short bus ride away.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[ i hate my nose. ]

2007-09-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know why?

It's because I've tanned again. In fact I am so tan that I have two white dots ON MY NOSE where my glasses rest.

Huhuhuhu :((

And the tops of my arms are brown too, but the bottoms aren't. I am a two-toned Oreo cookie.

Huhuhuhu :((

[ oh poo. ]

2007-09-20T16:53:00.001-07:00

SCRATCH THAT LAST, GEORGIA HERE WE COME!!!

I STILL HATE ALICE THOUGH.

[ georgia movie cancelled; alice on the way ]

2007-09-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah well, I may be a little late on the news but as of mid-August the upcoming Georgia Nicolson movie based on Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging has been cancelled due to lack of funds. :'(

Another upcoming movie will be about the life of Alice McKinley (another of my four gallies, after Georgia and Alice McLeod and Angelica Cookson Potts). It is currently in pre-production and will star Alyson Stoner [Cheaper by the Dozen; The Suite Life of Zack and Cody] as Alice and Lucas Grabeel as her brother.

Not a great choice casting, IMHO. Alyson does not look a thing like Alice and I doubt she will make a very good one, and Lucas Grabeel looks a lot younger than Lester. Besides, who can ever forget that Lucas is also known as Sharpay's accomplice in High School Musical? The casting has forever ruined my - and other girls' - images of the characters. Parker McKenna Posey [My Wife and Kids] as Elizabeth? Who ever said that Liz was black? Gwen is supposed to be, not Liz. If they wanted diversity they should've saved it for Gwen. The only person who looks perfect for the role is, to me, Bridgit Mendler as Pamela. Only she has short blond hair instead of long brown.

The movie is about Alice, Elizabeth and Pamela as 11-year olds - that's when the books started. In case you don't know, the Alice McKinley books total about 20 and are still counting. The author, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, started it in the 80's. Since then, many young girls have been reading and growing up with Al (myself included) and to date we've been with her through five years. Alice is now 16.

The movie's based on the very first book Alice in Agony, but is called Alice Upside Down. It's set when we first met Al five years ago, when she was 11. So the book's pretty old - it was written in 1985 - and the movie version's been updated. I bet my bottom dollar it won't be anything like the original.

You see, that's what ruins everything. Millions of girls, some of them already mothers, have been with Alice for twenty years and many tears. They have a really good idea what she's like. They - we - know her and we feel like we're close friends or occasionally, that we are her. And then WHAM, this new movie comes along, and the concept of Alice is totally ruined. From the change of title to the looks of the actors to the flow of the story, Alice is different. It is nothing like what we've always known. They might call her Alice McSomething for all we care. I hope this movie is going to be cancelled as well. Or, at the very least, recast.

But there is no hope for that, as they are halfway through. Alice fans UNITE!!! Do not watch the movie!!!

Huh. Well. Now that there's an upcoming (blah-sounding) Alice McKinley movie, an upcoming (cancelled) Georgia Nicolson movie, and a currently airing (mediocre) Alice McLeod series on Canadian TV, all we need to see is Angelica Cookson Potts made into something. It better be good after all the disappointment.

[ british boys... ]

2007-09-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

...really seem to be the best/most good-looking fish in the big blue sea of life (for me that is). Hmm I may be going a bit boy-crazy but I blame that on the atmosphere. I mean there are a lot of white guys here who are really umm, "gorgey and hot", the best being Brits (but I have yet to see a real live one). I say this not because I've been reading the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (although yes, that is what made me remember) but because it is a fact. Or maybe because I have been deprived of white boys all my life. But whatever, British accents are really endearing. And so white guys + British accents = HOTNESS!! (I hate talking like this but sadly it is true. Well maybe not always since Prince William is a fairly ordinary-looking bloke save the fact that he is British and a prince, which would only add to his dreamboat factor. But if I didn't know him and passed him on the street I wouldn't even look twice. Unless of course he spoke. That would merit a second glance. But of course, I know he is a prince, so he is on my British Boy list. And besides I don't know anybody who isn't a celebrity who also happens to be from the U.K.)

PRESENTING...THE LIST OF CHOSEN ONES!! Click to enlarge.

Number One is, of course, the one and only, and probably the most famous, His Royal Highness William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor, Prince of Wales!! (Also known as Wills, Willy, Wombat, Dreamboat Willy, Billy the Basher, the Prince of Wails and His Naughtiness). Go Wills!!

Coming in close second, hmm I can't decide who so this will be in no particular order, the Potter lads. First, my ex-crush, Tom Felton (who is now a little on the skinny side and not so hot anymore, feed the boy!!);
the redheaded Rupert Grint (looks better than Ron does);
and also Robert Pattinson (from two years ago).
My other ex-crush, William Moseley aka Peter Pevensie;
Ed Speleers aka Eragon;
and finally my newest boiiiiii
ALEX PETTYFER!!!!!!! I forgot all about him 'til I saw that he's a Dave the Laugh-to-be (ooer) and we all know that I have the cosmic horn for this fictional character. So hadihahahahaha.

I guess I never mentioned it but this is not the first I have seen (and heard and liked) about Alex. In fact when I saw the poster for Stormbreaker last year I immediately thought ooooo scrumboes and I did not even see the movie! I will cease Georgia-speak for now 'til we find out for sure. He looks almost exactly like I imagined Dave before I remembered he had ginger hair!! And that is a big thing. Whoever plays Georgia is a lucky lucky ducky girl (hmm let's see, a Sex God, a Luuurve God and the double cool with knobs Dave who is also a laugh!) plus she gets to BE Georgia! I am green with envy (or maybe it is because of pickles). Let's just hope, like beekee said, that SHE BETTER BE GOOD. As good as the British boys look (just think, all that unmined treasure!!) *snortsnort*

THE END!

P.S. Alex is a chest barer?! No really!! Type Alex Pettyfer in Photobucket and see what you get. Make sure no one's looking over your shoulder or it might be mistaken for...you know. Hairy underarms.

[ what the?! ]

2007-08-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Where is my proper Clustrmaps thingy?! Why are there only two visits?! Hello?!

Oh no don't tell me. They "upgraded" my version. I've had it for A YEAR now and they made the new one a while back so WHY NOW?! Not when I've got a lot of visits already! WHY WHY WHY???????

[ in eight days, i will be walking the hallways of pope john paul ii catholic secondary school. hooray me! ]

2007-08-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

For the second time in a row I woke up at 7 AM. Today's occasion: go to school!!!!

But nooooo. Not yet. First I ate breakfast (duh). I was not up for rice. Then I took a bath (also duh) which I also did not feel like doing but had to because we had to go meet the principal. After debating on what to wear I chose my favourite brown long thing with the bolero which I have worn a million times on a million important occasions and denims. Also sandals. While I was doing that the song "When the Saints Go Marching in" crept into my head. I do not know why.

First me and the fam went to St. Martin de Porres School to see about my sis (who's going to seventh grade btw) but the principal wasn't there. Me and my sisters explored. It looks like what you see in movies only we were stuck to kindergarten classrooms 'cause we couldn't go up since the school is closed.

Then after the principal failed to arrive we went to MY SCHOOL!!!!!!!!! It's shaped in a P and is a bus ride and a short (meaning long) walk away. How nice in winter.

Met up with the VP and decided on which courses to take. Went with Arielle which is still unfair but I have to get used to and talked about which ones we wanted (not the same as much as possible). There was another girl there, a blonde, who took a look at what we were doing which was filling up forms and asked us if we were transfering schools. I said we just moved to Canada, continued to write, then when confused asked

"What's Integrated Technology?" She took the book and explained

"Take a look at the grade ten and eleven courses and if you'd like to take these" - indicating tech courses - "you have to start with Integrated Technology."

Oh.

Then I wrote again, Visual Arts first choice, Integrated Tech second, Business third, Drama fourth, Music fifth. I know I took piano but I suck at reading notes and besides, I'm out of practice and if they make me sing they'll be putting themselves in danger of perforated eardrums.

To make conversation I asked, "Are you transfering here too?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you transfering here too?"

"No, I have an interview. I'm going to be teaching religion."

Oh wow! And my next question was going to be "What grade are you in?"

I hope she'll be my teacher. If she gets accepted anyway. She's really nice and really pretty (fashionably dressed, non-acned, and young). Better watch out for boys! I actually thought she was seventeen or something.

VP called us back and made conversation with the parentals (I am going back tomorrow for guidance counseling and uniform-buying), then we went. I said to the nice blonde who I hoped was going to be my teacher that it was nice to meet her and she said good luck. I can't believe it, I really did think she was a teenager. She must at least be twenty-one. I didn't catch her name but oh well. See her in religion class!

Went back to St. Martin and got my sister's records straight. Then went with Dad and Arielle to the library, where I'm at now.

See ya! Belated post later on the really great day in Brampton! Hey, I am making good progress and meeting lots of new people. The BOMB!!!!!

[ why i want my life to be in the chick lit section. ]

2007-08-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Hahahaaa. I am seriously getting addicted to chick lit. I can't help it. I've got nothing else to do and the next best thing is be somebody else somewhere living a life.

Today I went to a beach in Texas. Oh yeah adik talaga. I wish it could happen to me, go on a vacation with my friends, party a little, meet some guys. The life, mehn. But at the rate I'm going I'll be doing exactly that in fifteen years (yeah, fifteen, when I'm twice my age now). When I'll probably have my own kid. I haven't even gone to the spa yet, with my mom or anyone else. Omaygulay am I that pathetic? I swear when I have a daughter, that spa sessions will be our bonding activity. I will not be one to pass up such an opportunity, even if it comes when I'm thirty. In fact I would LOVE to have a facial, get a massage and such, all while feeling like a...female.

I want that.

I also want my life to be like the books. It can be predictable I know, but it's so exciting. I wish my parents would be more hands-off. I wish I were more confident. I wish I could have anything I want. I wish I could update my wardrobe. I wish I were popular. I wish I related with my family better. I wish I wasn't this lazy. I wish...

Read chick lit if you haven't. And then ramble on like I'm doing.

[ the geography of girlhood ]

2007-08-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

I've just finished reading this book called The Geography of Girlhood. It looked like a good book when I went searching for summer reads online and I was wondering why it got great reviews from everybody. So I borrowed it.

The synopsis tells about a girl named Penny who is ready to find her way in the world, but has to confront the complicated truths of life and what it means to be a girl stumbling towards adulthood without a map.

Under the cover were reviews from co-chick lit writers such as Sarah Dessen, Ann Martin, Deb Caletti, and E. Lockhart. Plus one from actress Julia Stiles - "A beautifully written, perceptive take on growing up. I only wish this book had been around when I was a teenager." In short, all of them were good reviews. So I decided to check the author out, and got a big shock: Kirsten Smith is the co-writer of the screenplays of movies such as Legally Blonde, Ella Enchanted, 10 Things I Hate About You (which I must admit, and if you cared enough to look, is one of my favourite movies, and also one in which aforementioned actress Julia Stiles acted), and She's The Man (look at one of my oldest posts - I watched that movie with my friends and loved it! So many good memories...)

I was really into it now. I opened the book and began to read. By now I was aware it was free verse, not what I was expecting and not one in which I was particularly interested, but it had caught my attention and I was going to go through with it.

The book started when Penny was fourteen and ended when she was seventeen. During those four years she had to deal with the ups and downs of her crazy life - being unpopular, drifting away from her friends, being the sister of the Queen Bee, being a late bloomer, and all the stuff us girls have to cope with.

The Geography of Girlhood was easy to relate to, simply written, but captured the essence of what it is to be a girl growing up unguided. Of course I'm not seventeen yet and am not about to go running off with the bad boy, but you and me, we could almost be Penny. Here's a verse I particularly liked:

When you're fourteen,

you look good only once a week

and it's never on the day of the dance.

Fourteen is going to bed at night

and wishing you could wake up with a new face

or a new dad or better yet,

a new life

that doesn't look anything

like this one.

And then there is this thing we always wonder about:

Funny how the things you ask for

you never get

And the things you don't,

you always do.

And these things we wish we were:

Basic Stupid Wish List #27

I wish I was this

I wish I was that

I wish I was thin

I wish I was fat

I wish I was Skyler

I wish I was Jean

I wish I was sexy

I wish I was mean

I wish I was beautiful

I wish I was tall

I wish Bobby loved me

But it's a pipe dream, that's all.

If any member of the opposite sex is reading this, you've just gotten an inside look on the mind of a girl. Because gentlemen, that's how it is.

[ tamaditis ]

2007-08-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yan tawag ng mom ko kasi lagi kaming tinatamad. "Tamad-itis" para bang sakit.

Yes I know.

PIPOOOOOOOOOOL, SINCE TINATAMAD AKONG MAGSULAT (AND I UPDATE MY MULTIPLY MORE NOW) PLEASE GO TO AFOREMENTIONED SITE. CONTACTS, YOU KNOW WHERE. NON-CONTACTS, IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, ASK ME. OR ELSE SORRY NALANG SA INYO. THANK YOU.

[ heat wave hits toronto ]

2007-08-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Eh, I am so bored. It's 30 plus degrees outside, I'm in the house, and I have nothing to do. I'd almost rather have the tests you all are always talking about. School starts in a month. HELP I'M DROWNING IN BOREDOM!!!

Well what can I do? You can't expect me to make my Niagara posts today. I'm sweating like a pig, I can't think properly, and before long one of my sisters is going to bug me to get off the PC anyway. Ah, well. I'm just going to worry about what half a year of vacation is going to do to my already-deficient social skills.

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[ kioku no michi ]

2007-07-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Memory is an old friend. I welcome it with open arms, but sometimes I push it away and not let it come near.

Most of the time I choose to do the latter. Why? For a girl like me who never wants to forget, why? Why do I bother to make daily diary entries? Why do I choose to update my blog? Why do I spend hours finishing a [somewhat] useless scrapbook? If I don't want memories to come, why do I preserve them?

I don't want to forget. There are many days, many times, that are part of my memories that are close to my heart that I never want to forget: the day I laughed at this joke, the day I went to that place. The time I was depressed, the time I'd never felt so alive. And yet the ones I choose to remember are those that are not really important: dates.

Dates and memories are not really contrasts; they are part of each other, but they can exist without the other. Dates are important to me. I'm somewhat famous in my family for being able to remember such things, and I'd usually come up with "Do you remember that time when...it was on the 12th of May." or "Today last year we were at..." Being able to remember dates is kind of my special ability (which is why I love history), because they are my way of holding on to the past. Dates are just numbers. They are empty.

Memories are not. Memories are the ones that fill dates, that happen in between those numbers, every second, minute, and hour of the day. Memories are different. They do not need dates to exist. All you need to remember are the basics: that you were a kid, that this-and-that happened. No need for useless numbers.

Dates are harder to remember, but I choose them over memories. Why? Because memories are painful - I have never quite learned to let go properly, or to say goodbye, so I choose to let it pass without feeling anything. Days later I will remember where I was and what I was doing (but never what I went through), fall into the new routine, and not relive anything from that date. That's the main reason why I rarely miss anything. Saves me from somewhat unnecessary tears. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Quick. Easy. Painless.

There are some days memory comes to me and, no matter how much I resist, floods over me. Sometimes I take out mementos on impulse. I hate these days, memories are so uncontrollable! That and the feelings they bring: helplessness at not being able to change things, embarrassment or regret for what's been done, sadness for things past.

In short, pain.

Taking a walk down kioku no michi, as my sister calls it, is no hobby of mine. Not my favourite, but I can't help it sometimes. Today I read the blog of an old friend. I was so struck by the fact that two years had passed and so much had happened since then - stuff I tried not to feel - that I wrote my stat on Friendster: "have you ever thought about how far we've come? ang layo na kaya.. two years is a lot, especially in high school."

Hello, memory, old friend.

[ harry patooters ]

2007-07-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so disappointed I can't even criticize...

:((

Will discontinue movie-Potter-fandom for a while and wait for the Deathly Hallows.

Oh dang.

Rupert Grint was in Toronto last Wednesday.

Downtown.

I was like a street or two away and I didn't even see him.

Sayang.

Boo.

[ something i didn't expect ]

2007-07-11T17:46:00.001-07:00

So today I just came home from Centre Island with my whole family plus Tita Baby (who came all the way from Cali), and Nicole and Monica.

Full story later 'cause my arms still hurt - don't ask. I'm going to write a three-part series about today's adventure, this being part three. What I mean by the title is, really, I saw something I didn't expect.

I do know that the FIFA U-20 is being held here in Canada, although I'm not very excited about it (at least not as much as I was at last year's World Cup). I was puzzled by the banners everywhere that proclaimed the event. I thought, oh, it's no big deal, maybe this is a smaller version, like undercards, you know. But there's always U-20 news in the dailies, and by reading I found out that U-20 is short for under twenty. So the players must be really young.

Wow, what a privilege, I'm in the same country as them! Although it's not as big as the actual FIFA World Cup, I'm still excited that it's being held in Canada. Not all matches are here in Toronto though. Some are in Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton.

How big a chance was it that I would actually run into any of them? So imagine how surprised I was when, while we were waiting for our sundo in front of the Westin Harbour Castle downtown, a bus stopped by near where we were and a guy in soccer jersey, shorts, and cleats got out. I thought it was a tourist bus since there was no indication of it being any other. Then another guy dressed the same way came out. Then another, then another, then another, until the whole team got out. By then I was going "Wowowowowow".

All of them were wearing (if I remember correctly) red/maroon and blue. I checked the FIFA schedule a while ago and what luck, one of today's matches are in Toronto! I do not know if they are actually staying at the Westin or doing some publicity or what. I also do not know where they're from, 'cause I don't know what color jersey-which country they are. Based on the colors and today's schedule I'd say USA. But maybe they're not really part of the World Cup or anything. Still, though, wow.

Some people asked for autographs and then the coach came out of the bus and three little boys dressed in soccer shirts came up to him and said something, and then he patted one of them on the head. Appearently they knew him, or at least, that he was coming. I wish I could've asked for an autograph, but since I was not expecting this, I wasn't prepared. FIFA's site says today's USA-Uruguay match was 0:1, in favour (pardon my new spellings!) of Uruguay. I swear a minute ago it was 0:0. They sure update fast! Will check tomorrow's paper for final score. Click link above for details.

[ pizza tale ]

2007-07-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Oh lord.

I'm in the family room down from the kitchen, having just downed four slices of pizza in quick succession. I am typing this little anecdote in the hopes of interesting you and garnering more visits to this blog.

Anyway, it was not Pizza Hut, which I am used to eating, which was the culprit in this story. It was something called Jamaican...hot sauce.

To start off with, I am a big pizza lover, and would gladly allow more stomach room for more slices. Problem is, I have PMS, and I'm at the stage where I eat a lot. There was this twelve-course dinner last Saturday, which didn't help at all, then some leftover fondue, butter cookies and whatnot lying around in the kitchen. Somebody untempt me!

So, three pounds heavier than I was last week (hey, I counted!), I proceeded to stuff myself again. It all started with an innocent little slice of Pizza Hut's beef-and-pepperoni, and a tiny drop of Jamaican hot sauce. Now you should know that I never can enjoy a pizza without a sauce of some sort (garlic, chili, you name it) and once in a while I get an overdose of the spicy kind.

Today was one of those days. After that small droplet of yellow sauce, I added about six more, in abundance. They'd already warned me about the taste but I guess I underestimated the power of Caribbean hotness.

After that slice it was fast and furious all the way. I couldn't even finish it so I gave it to my mom and started a new one, this time without the sauce. I didn't even need it. The taste was still as fresh in my mouth as if I had put it on that slice. I drank a lot of Coke repeatedly and with each bite.

So here I am, sitting right after having such a huge meal. It's one of those times when my mind is racing and my fingers are itching to type, which may just mean that I am inspired (which I hardly am). And when when I indeed am, I choose to ignore it. So count yourself lucky to have had me type this thing. Hopefully you'll be coming back for more. Ha.

[ the blahs ]

2007-07-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

I kind of feel stupid.

Today before me and my sisters and Tito Raul went to the library, the neighbor, who was a white guy called 'The Boss', said "Somebody lose a shower cap?" I had no idea what he was talking about and so I said, "No". Then I realized he was holding a transparent plastic bag that did kind of look like a shower cap. I said "Oh, that's a big one," the same time he said "It was a joke".

Right.

Boy boy boy boy. It's one of those embarrassing moments I can't help but replay and cringe at. Oh, well. At least we'll probably be moving out next week. And he doesn't know who I am anyway.

So then we went to Port Union, which has a really small library with a big circular glass window at the side. The whole teens section consisted of exactly one shelf. With such limited choices I was forced to read the backs of books and it took me a really long time to decide. Finally I picked two chick lit ones and checked them out. I was stuck on whether or not to borrow The Princess Diaries VII, but I'd already read parts of it before.

I've actually just finished reading the first one, I Am the Wallpaper, which is a really good, funny book. I'd like to see it made into a movie. Floey Packer, the main character, was easy to relate to because she's experienced many mortifying moments, like me, though she did not make her own site to write of her own will, unlike me. Unfortunately for her, her diary is posted on the Internet by her cousins and suddenly she's not a wallpaper anymore. Being a nonwallpaper has consequences though - everyone knows everything about her, including her crush on her best friend. Recommended for the regular teen. It's a laugh-out-loud book with its own moments. According to a review it could be put alongside Louise Rennison and Paula Danziger, although the person who wrote it was a guy. Amazing.

In due time I will post the details on our trip to the Niagara and other stuff, but for now you're going to have to be contented with the pics (and no story) of Kuya Chris' wedding. It was a lot of fun. :)

[ boring title, i know. i couldn't think of anything to put here but "wedding". ]

2007-07-09T00:32:00.000-07:00

THESE ARE ALL TAKEN FROM MY COUSIN'S FACEBOOK.

(Thanks Kuya Rommel XP)

The lady Santoses:
Mom, Auntie Tots, Auntie Cel, Tita Cisty, Tita Baby

Second generation:

Me, Nadine, Arielle, Nicole, Monica

Try this for size:
The entire groom's family. Well, almost.

With love from Chris and Coleen:

The giveaways (fortune cookies)

Table for people over thirty:
The newlyweds and the "oldies".

Smile and say cheese:
The newlyweds and the groom's cousins (plus me and the dress I almost wish I didn't wear).

LOL:
Me and my sisters plus our goofy cousin Rommel (credits for the pics cuz).

Us again:
Monica, Arielle, Me, Nadine, Nicole.

[ attention everybody! ]

2007-07-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Please tell me if any of you has a Facebook so I can add you. I only have two friends now cause I just started. Thanks.

[ ninth grade?! ]

2007-06-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

Me in the same batch as my younger sister?! No way, man.

We went downtown with Tita Cristy and Tito Raul today to take the placement test. I finally saw the other part of Toronto, the "city" part, with the Bata Shoe Museum, the CN Tower, Bloor Street, and other stuff you might find in guide books.

So shortly after we got to the place (Loreto College or something) my sis and I were made to write the usual details on a piece of paper. And then this Vietnamese guy, his name was Henry, put in Grade Nine on both of our papers. At first I was okay with it, since I won't be alone when I get there, but graduate at the same time as my younger sister? Give me a break. I mean, how loser-ish is that?

The test was pretty easy, though. Except for Math. Area, perimeter, all these were lost on me. For a moment there I even forgot how to do fractions - and I've been doing them for the past eight years!

Nevertheless, we both still managed, because of good English to make it to our selected school, Pope John Paul II C.S.S. If we didn't we would've been sent to Jean Vanier. Phew then, we'd have our cousin Monica to guide us along. But still. Ninth grade, with my sister. We both fear competition, even if we are not actually competing. People might look [at me, namely] and say, "Oh, you're in the same grade then?" and compare my grades with hers. The problem is, we are both good, maybe equally so. Both of us are honour students and we are in the same career path. There is no competition, but other people might think there is. And then we might begin to see that we're being compared, compete, and affect our sisterhood.

So you see how that just ruins things? They can't put me in tenth grade and I don't want them to, because the tenth-graders might already have their groups and I might not fit in. I'm glad I'm going to school with my sister so I won't be alone, but having to be in the same grade sucks.

Anyway after all that we went to Eglinton Square in where else, Eglinton. Those white guys are so good-looking. Maybe mostly because I've never been around them (only Filipino guys all my life) so yeah...almost every one I saw was gorgeous. There was this guy who opened the door for me and my sis (cause they have exceptional manners here hahaha) and he and his friend were in muscle shirts or something and like, wow.

Pasta-loving me went to an Italian fastfood place that started with a V and ordered spaghetti and pizza. Their servings are HUGE! I guess, to be expected from a place like Canada. And then we went out after that and I saw another guy in a green shirt who was wow.

Next we all headed to Oshawa. I don't know my geography yet so exactly how far that is from downtown or Scarborough is still not clear to me. Anyway, Oshawa is good. Spacious, clean and new-looking. Kuya Raoul's house was still like brand-new. Everything was white. It was nice, I mean I could imagine living in it, but it was far from any good Catholic school I know. All we did there was sit and watch TV and then around 4:30 PM we left, and shopped for some groceries.

Guess that's all for now. Tomorrow might be Niagara and on Sunday cherry-picking.

[ bad things happen, but they are not always bad. ]

2007-06-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was looking for this song I've told you about (The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves) on imeem. All I found were 30-second ones, so I was really frustrated. I thoguht maybe I would make myself an account so I could get the full version but no, every song uploaded now lasts only 30 seconds. Saves space, I guess.

So then I started reading the comments people put on the song, to see if they felt the same way I did about it, and I noticed most of the comments were "It reminds me of Anna", "Rest in peace, Anna". and other related things. So who was this Anna? I read on. A little later I got to one comment that started with "To those who do not know, Anna Svidersky was..." Another had a YouTube link with a The Adventure video with memoirs of Anna in it, so I clicked. The link is up there. People do seem to associate the song with Anna Svidersky.

...And when I watched the video, I was touched. Anna seemed like a really sweet and really nice person who was full of life and energy. The guy who killed her took a great girl away. I would've liked to meet her. Her MySpace is still loaded with comments and I know people have not and will never will forget her. It's one of those stories that reach out and grab you and make you aware of the things that are happening around you. Things you would rather close your eyes to and not see. Too bad it had to take an innocent seventeen-year-old to make you open your eyes to them. Anna will be greatly missed by those she knew and those who care for her, all over the world.

[ potpal ]

2007-06-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

O, anong inaakala mo dyan? :))

Potpal is laptop spelled backwards. The heck with this thing. I'm not used to typing on the keyboard. Haha. So we're almost done with the sleepover. I'm still at Monica and Nicole's house (with my sisters of course). This is their potpal. We're going to the Pacific Mall with them later and to the Asian Festival thingy nearby.

So far life has been kinda busy. The relatives have been taking us everywhere. I'm still not done with Alice, I Think. I went biking on the Crap Bike yesterday.

Hay, buhay.

[ of bobs and books ]

2007-06-22T13:17:00.001-07:00

Migraine. I shouldn't be using the computer.

I'm wanting to have my hair cut again (even if I just had it last week). The ends are suckish. The right end faces right, and the left faces right too. I'm thinking bob. What do you think?

Me and my sisters are going to sleep over at my cousins' tonight. We just went to the park with them a couple hours ago, and to the convenience store. The park's over at the elementary by the way. The kids were playing baseball (I think it was recess). Anyway I am going to bring my book Alice, I Think, with me. Yesterday we got our Social Insurance Number thing and so applied for a library card. We went to Woodside Square for that. I've been to the one in Heron Park too.

Nice to know they've got the Princess Diaries (which I have finished) and the Alice McKinley books (only the ones I've already read though). The one I'm bringing later is not an Alice McKinley book; rather it's a different one by a Canadian author.

I borrowed two Canadian chick lit books yesterday at Woodside. Might as well, to see how teens live here. I just finished Raspberry House Blues, which I really liked. My usual type is chick-lit-but-not-straight-chick-lit; either Princess Diaries type or the growing-up-profound-experience-with-the-first-kiss thing. Raspberry House was of the second type, only they didn't kiss. Which sucked. I loved the profound experience part though.

Currently I am reading Alice, I Think which is of the first type. I am starting to like Canadian authors as much as American ones.

So what do you really think about the bob cut?

[ shish boom pak. ]

2007-06-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Hey I'm in Canada! First blog post from the new country. Surprisingly it wasn't too different from the Philippines although the climate is...whoa. They call it "late spring" but back home it would be called aircon. ANG LAMIG SA LABAS. Maybe as cold as Baguio or something. And by the way, I went to Alaska - that's supposedly in caps.

After we got out of the airport (details of the flight in an edit post) and into the waiting area I thought we were still inside. Then I realized we weren't. It was really cold, as cold as the malls back home. Here it was not a mall, it was plainly the outside. Canadians wore short sleeves. Foreigners wore jackets. Kaya halata eh. I hope I get used to the cold soon (eh di pano pa pag winter, di ba?)

By the way, I'm in my aunt's house. In the suburbs. Nagmamadali ako sorry...hindi kasi amin yung computer eh. Kaya siguro maraming mali 'to.

Before lunch my other aunt took me to my supposed-to-be school, Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School. Dunno what grade I'll be in - elementary or high school? Also, where? Supposedly we're sent to schools by district. Maybe not PJPII for me. I like their uniforms though - white polo, necktie, blazer, skirt / pants, high socks. But the people are different. I was a little intimidated. I saw only two Pinoys, and most other students were already in groups. How will I fit in?

No need to worry now I guess. There's a whole two months of summer to come. Oh and I already met the cousins and the relatives (which is a lot) after we came here at one AM. Haha. Different time zone from back home - 12 hours. Philippine time and date for this post is 21st June, roughly 2 PM.

[ stay away stolen adventure ]

2007-06-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

I watched the One Tree Hill rerun on ETC for the third time today. "I'm feeling the Road Mix," Peyton says near the end of the episode. You'll know why when you read the lyrics (or download the songs). It makes people (namely me) feel One Tree Hill-y - I want to go on a road trip to some remote town with my friends. Well, who knows, maybe someday I will.

Of course this episode started with the opening theme I Don't Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw, which was on my favorites even before I really started liking One Tree Hill.

I don't wanna be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and and have peace of mind

And then around the time Peyton and Lucas er, make out, Dashboard Confessional's Stolen comes on. Part of why I really really love One Tree Hill is the music. Other than the story, that is. And the characters.

Stolen is Dashboard's first single from their new album, Dusk and Summer (lovely name!). I remember being surprised to see it on the episode cause I'd just seen the video on MTV. Anyway, here is why I love the song:

We watch the season pull up its own stakes and catch the last weekend of the last week

Before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced, another sun-soaked season fades away

Plus there's my favorite LSS line: "I watch you spin around in the highest heels/You are the best one, of the best ones/We all look like we feel/You have stolen my heart".

Near the end of the episode I heard some familiar music, when they're driving back to Tree Hill. I searched the lyrics and found it was called Stay Away by The Honorary Title (I am so favoriting this one). I got Gerard to search for it, downloaded it once I got to the internet cafe, and listened to it over and over again.

No, I can't dance less it's slow or sad, to a song that's far less obvious

You using me, do it slowly, make it last until I have to go

Love the meaning, or, story behind it, too. Read the rest of the lyrics and you'll know. By the way, I did say I recognized the music, didn't I? Once I got out of the cafe, I realized where I had heard it on before. Cycle Six of America's Next Top Model! The ending creds, I think.

No actually, I am getting quite confused. See the next song I got from One Tree Hill is The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves (also on my current favorites). I saw it on a YouTube vid made by an OTH fan. She did her own opening credits for season five. It sounded nice, and familiar too, so I downloaded it.

Now I'm listening to both songs, and it's not that they sound similar, cause they're both great, but I can't tell which is from ANTM and which is from OTH. I think both. So let me clear it up: this is just what I think. Correct me if I'm wrong, or do your own research.

The Adventure is on Season Four's ending creds. Stay Away is on the episode It Gets the Worst at Night, in which they go to Honey Grove.

On the other hand, ANTM Cycle 6 has Stay Away as its ending creds, and The Adventure on the part where they show the season's winner, Danielle. You know, the one where they airbrush all the other contestants away, leaving America's Next Top Model front and center.

That's as far as I remember. I hope I'm not mistaken, because I can almost swear I'm right. Anyway, we've been delayed far too long, and here's The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves.

I wanna have the same last dream again, the one where I wake up and I'm alive

Just as the four walls close me within, my eyes are open up with pure sunlight

Also the song that inspired the series creator, Mark Schwahn, is One Tree Hill by U2. It's actually about the place in New Zealand, but the song is great! Now I really appreciate the genius of Bono.

The sun so bright, it leaves no shadows, only scars carved into stone on the face of earth

The moon is up and over One Tree Hill, we see the sun go down in your eyes

The lyrics are really lovely. People from NZ said that it felt like home, and that it felt like loss (Bono wrote this for his friend Greg Carroll, who was killed by a drunk). Also that it couldn't be more poetic - a lot of hidden meanings. No wonder Mark Schwahn was inspired.

FIN.

* If you want these songs and you don't have LimeWire, try the following sites: Seekasong, Espew, or Sideload. Or Google "download mp3 [name of song]".

[ after all is said and done ]

2007-06-14T02:35:00.000-07:00

So wow, I actually managed to go to school.

I thought we (Nadine, Arielle, and I) were going on Friday, which is tomorrow. But then as always, it was announced at the last minute that we were to go on Thursday, which is today.

It's not that I was dreading going to school. It's not that I couldn't sleep the night before. What would I have to worry about? What reason would I have to stay up all night?

Nothing. Nothing.

After all, what is one hour, or even one minute, compared to one whole month? I can't let that incident ruin me. I did survive Ferbruary to March, didn't I? I did it without her, didn't I?

What do I have to worry about? It's not like I would see her anyway, right? Okay, there is a 99% chance I will. But so what? I can choose to ignore her, just like I did for a whole month.

It's over now. It was over even then. I didn't let it stop me from enjoying the rest of the year, and I'm not about to let it stop me from seeing forty three other people worth seeing. Which is, the rest of Section 27.

Dad brought us to school at 7 AM. I saw the school bus when we got there. And Smrz. Of course my sisters and I were all in conspicuous civilian, but that didn't matter since we were just there to say goodbye and to fix papers. Nadine went to her sixth-grade class (St. Luke) while Arielle and I and Dad stayed at the canteen because the daily flag ceremony was going on. We stayed there till recess with Nadine, drawing and writing and going insane (except for Daddy, who was busy reading).

And then at around 9:20 we went out to wait by the side entrance and Section 31 came out. I first saw Roselyn. Then I saw her. I'm not one to take revenge or hold grudges, so I ignored her. Unfortunately she is classmates with a lot of 27 people, including Roselyn. But I will also choose to ignore that fact since like I said, it was over long ago.

I'll admit though that I had this scene in mind: if she is with people I know, I will talk to all of them except her. But I'm not that evil. So I didn't follow.

I said hi to, and/or saw, the following people: Martha (first-year busmate); Lia (fourth-year busmate); Roselyn; Kristina; Kryslette; Theresa; Aubrey; Jessa; Wesly; Cahren; Mark; Ian; Paolo; JM; Mario; and Ricardo and Daphne (former classmates from 17). And like I somewhat predicted, I saw little brother too. (!!!)

Well, it went better than I thought it would. Not so awkward at all. In fact, I enjoyed seeing them all again. And except for that I saw her out of the corner of my eye, nothing went wrong.

After saying hi/goodbye to them, I went with Nadine to Grade Six.

It's air-conditioned already. With corridors and everything. The classrooms are closed off. They look like real ones now.

Oh lucky them! Not counting the many happy memories I had in Grade Six, the year I was there was boring. Maybe because of the hot, hot temperature inside the rooms.

Anyway, I donated my old books and uniforms to College after that, bought a San Beda sticker, and got my slippers ripped.

I walked barefoot on the hot pavement, ran, got caught by the guard, and jumped over roped-off areas.

Lovely last-day memories.

[ what pestilence. ]

2007-06-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Ew, disgusting! May ipis na dumapo sakin yaaaaaaaaaaak!!!

This is not the first time. This is only the second. The first was when I was seven and in the toilet, and suddenly there was a cockroach on my leg. The second was just now, when I was coming out the househelp's room and felt something on my foot, then up my leg again. My first thought was it was just the curtain on the shelf. Then...what if?

Nadine came into the hallway and I said what's written on the first paragraph: "May ipis na dumapo sakin yaaaaaaaaaaak!!!", even if I wasn't sure what it was. Then she said: "Ay oo ayun oh goodbye!" because she hates them as much as I do.

And so, like a girl, I called for the househelp. Ang bilis lumakad ng ipis...kadiri talaga! Pesteng ipis!

By the way, I AM coming to school tomorrow. Don't forget to visit Nadine's newly-made blog: HERE. Thanks! :)

"Cockroaches and socialites are the only things that can stay up all night and eat anything."
- Herb Caen

[ dude, do you know where i put the keys? ]

2007-06-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

...and yet again, please do remind me to make the following posts:

june 1-landmark, sm, greenbelt, glorietta, tokyo2; dad's ofc despedida @ dampa roxas
june 2-columbia
june 3-family despedida @ tita ely's
june 8-landmark again, saw rina, d'angelo's
june 9-atc w/ kryslette and roselyn
june 10-lector, glorietta, sbarro's
june 11-megamall, italianni's w/ tita dolly, hagonoy
june 12-bpi, trellis w/ uncle dick, lto, up

dang and i can't even remember when we went to greenhills.

"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh."
- Homer Simpson

[ try walking in my shoes ]

2007-06-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

Okay well. My life is not as boring now as I said it was last week. In fact, it's more of hectic. The whole family has been going out for the past few days to take care of some "business" I have no idea about and attending despedidas as well as shopping like mad.

I'm really sorry for not updating you on too much. I'm going to post belatedly some day when I am not that busy. Probably tomorrow. And btw to those who asked, I'm coming to school for a short visit on Friday.

We are leaving next week. Gosh, seven days. I mean what was I doing seven days ago? In that same amount of time I'll be on a plane and on the way to a whole new world. Jeez, what time is it, 10 PM? Probably I'll be over Europe by now. Jeez. I can't imagine it.

Nakakainis naman yung ETC inulit lang yung One Tree Hill. Grr. It was the same as last week (when they went to give Mouth some "ass" in Honey Grove, Texas). Anyway today was the last episode of my other Tuesday show, Philippines' Next Top Model. Grendel won. Hahaha, obvious ba?

I used to not like Rina. In fact, she was my least favorite girl. But after what, 13? episodes of watching her pose like that (oh wow haha) she's starting to grow on me. Tapos I saw her in Landmark last Friday.

I was starstruck, honestly. I never liked her too much and I knew she wouldn't win the competition because she lacked the potential to; I knew that there was already a winner (because they still have to edit the tapes, and that takes time); plus I knew that she wasn't that big of a star yet, but I was still starstruck. She passed by close to where we were.

Ang tangkad niya grabe. Mga 5'9. And she looks better in person.

"Ay si ano oh..." said my mom. Akala ko kaklase ko or something pero pagtingin ko...

ABA SI RINA! I was really rooted to the spot (as if first time ko makameet ng celebrity, and she isn't that big of one yet). I wanted to ask for her autograph pero nakakahiya naman. Pero I think she would appreciate it 'cause nobody was paying attention to her. 'Di pa siya masyado kilala eh.

Ayun, I passed up another opportunity kaya sayang. Nakakainis na nahihiya ako, pero meron namang dahilan eh. Kasi nung kumain kami sa Chef d'Angelo's (ulit) merong tao sa likod ko na mag-isang kumakain tapos natalsikan yung shirt ko. Sayang Arrow pa naman na orig. Grr. Buti nalang pwede pa yun labhan.

Oy, matulog na daw ako. Kasi nga umalis kami whole day kanina diba, pero 'di naman ako pagod. More on Friday's shopping spree next time (maybe tomorrow).

Till then.

"Well someone's gotta school ya, cause ya got no class"

- Fergie, Pedestal

I AM SO LOVING FERGIE'S SONGS. ESPECIALLY "FINALLY"

[ sixth time around ]

2007-06-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be the final three of Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model. Now I know we're a little late on the news since Cycle 8 has just wrapped up in the States, but I got hooked when Cycle 4 premiered on ETC last year.

For Cycles 4 and 5 both my favorites won.

In case you do not know, here are the international destinations, winners and the runner-ups:

Cycle 1 - Paris, France - Adrianne Curry - Shannon Stewart
Cycle 2 - Milan, Italy - Yoanna House - Mercedes Scelba-Shorte
Cycle 3 - Tokyo, Japan - Eva Pigford - Yaya Da Costa
Cycle 4 - Cape Town, South Africa - Naima Mora - Kahlen Rondot
Cycle 5 - London, England - Nicole Linkletter - Nik Pace
Cycle 6 - Bangkok, Thailand - Danielle Evans - Joanie Dodds
Cycle 7 - Barcelona, Spain - Caridee English - Melrose Bickerstaff
Cycle 8 - Sydney, Australia - Jaslene Gonzalez - Natasha Galkina

"Nana korobi ya oki/Fall down seven times, get up eight."

- Japanese proverb

[ bring on the tissue ]

2007-06-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

I bight dot be cobing to school toborrow od account of by habig da sdiffles. I feel really bad. I'b dot ebed watchig byself type.

"In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired."

- Unkown

[ goodness knows i saw it coming. ]

2007-06-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

Man my life is boring. Man am I boring.

I don't like the way I write anymore. I don't even know who I am anymore. Sometimes I find myself, then I lose it again.

Then there's this blog. I feel like I want to quit writing here. Make a new one, but God knows I already have enough. I know I'm supposed to be blogging for me and me alone but I am too much of a perfectionist. Grammar structure has to be perfect, spellings are supposed to be correct. Besides, there are too many people who read this blog. People who know me.

Sometimes I want to spit out those words (eg. cuss like an army man). I feel depressed. Maybe it has something to do with my being sick but still. There are times when I am just so down and pressured I have no choice but to cry.

And the thing is there is just no place to cry in here. That's why I'm looking forward to moving, to starting over in another place where nobody knows me. Cause here, I don't even know myself. I am bottled, cramped, smothered, whatever you can think of. I need to let it out. I don't even know who the real me is unless I spit out what I want to spit out.

But I can't just do that. Everybody knows me, but not enough. I feel pressured to be somebody I'm not, and that pressure, added to the not-being-able-to-let-it-out thing, is more than I can bear. God, sometimes I want to quit.

You know prayer really helps. I know that not everybody who reads this is the same religion as I am, or were raised the same way as I was, but really, God is the only one I can talk to about everything. I talk to Him, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit, and my other mama, Mary. And I talk to random saints, and to my guardian angel.

And you know what they never let me down.

No matter how much I inwardly cuss, no matter how much I want to scream and kick and throw a tantrum, no matter how I blame everybody, no matter how much I feel like quitting, they always pick me up.

White Flower is really a godsend. Oh, yes it is. Cause like I was telling you I was feeling really depressed today, right before I wrote this, and I was ranting about everything to everybody in heaven, to anybody who would listen.

And like they always do they talked back. They gave me White Flower.

For those of you who do not know White Flower is like an all-around mentholated oil which has a soothing, cooling effect. I was really feeling down and then this sudden thought came to me...White Flower, it said.

AY OO NGA NO.

May White Flower pala.

I had almost forgotten. It's been with me through countless stomach pains, headaches, and runny noses. And so since I thought this particular state of depression was somewhat caused by my non-fever, White Flower was the best, most effective cure.

It helped my splitting headache, unclogged my nose, improved my circulation, and cooled my temper.

What a godsend.

"With a name I'd never chosen/I can make my first steps/As a child of twenty-five."

- Snow Patrol, Chocolate

[ an open letter ]

2007-06-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

Like the title says, this is an open letter because I'm letting you all read it. It's mostly about my feelings on moving to you-know-where, written to my cousin who lives there.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
To: NiKkIbUm
Date: Saturday, 2 June, 2007 11:02 PM
Subject: a little more than two weeks
Message:

well today is june 2nd, and there are only 17 more days until we leave.

it's still a bit unreal to me and i can't grasp the fact that we're actually going. i feel a bit numb, kind of devoid of emotion, about leaving here and coming there.

you'd think i would at least be excited, but i'm not. it's almost the start of the school year back here and i don't even miss going. i don't miss anything... YET, but i probably will.

i wonder what it'll be like to live there. i can't think of that, of the future, or anything. i still can't, don't, won't believe that we're nearly half-done packing, or that we've attended a lot of farewells already, or that our names are on the flight roster.

gee whiz. is this normal? cause when we had that seminar on which they prep us for life in canada, they told us to expect some stages/changes in our attitude: euphoria (none of that now), disenchantment (maybe when i finally start feeling something), acceptance, and adjustment. or something like that.

i'm not even euphoric. i don't expect anything from canada or you. don't get me wrong - a lot of people have told us it isn't necessarily easy there. and as for you, online people are maybe, and mostly, different from what they are in real life. so i won't expect anything of you. we'll get to know each other better when i get there. and please don't expect anything from me either. i'm mostly shy around new people - it'll probably be a little awkward at first, as firsts are, but i'll get used to you over some time.

hopefully, i'm going to take it in well and in stride. i can't say what will be happening in the 18 or so days when i meet canada and you all, because i'm not feeling anything. no premonitions, no expectations. so i guess i'm living each day in slow motion.

now to change the topic, the titas have been making bilin, and we've been shopping till we're dead tired. so while we're at it, do you want anything?

earlier today kuya sam and ate tech took us to the columbia warehouse where we bought our cold-weather gear - probably like the ones you saw them wear when they went there. they were heavy, man! you can give me and my sisters advice on what/how to layer when we get there, but as of now we are just finishing shopping and packing.

see you soon. i will probably start feeling euphoric once i get on the plane. but till then, good luck to me and my family.

"For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is."

- Colossians 2:5

[ remind me to: ]

2007-05-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

make a post about the following:

apr 4-went to sta rosa, laguna
apr 18-my birthday
apr 27-qcmc, the fort, market2
may 8-divisoria (check date)(basta saturday)
sometime after that na tuesday-dentist, landmark, som's, d'angelo's, oth school proj ep
may 13-u.p., market2 again
may 20-qcmc again, megamall, shrek 3
may 25-trinoma
may 27-garage sale, pirates 3
may 30-today; arielle's 14th bday

"I must remind you that our credulity is not to be measured by the truth of the things we believe. When men believed that the earth was flat, they were not credulous: they were using their common sense, and, if asked to prove that the earth was flat, would have said simply, 'Look at it.' Those who refuse to believe that it is round are exercising a wholesome skepticism."

- George Bernard Shaw

[ i am running out of titles. ]

2007-05-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of getting tired of blogging. Not because I don't have much more things to say, but because when I do, the computer has this annoying habit of not being accessible at the time.

Bad computer.

Luckily, I'm at the internet cafe today, with more time and more freedom (BYE BYE LIST OF BOOKS!) Last time I was here, the day before yesterday, I had 18 pages of work to do.

Okay. Today is Tuesday, my almost-favorite day of the week, because I get to watch my favorite shows. Plus Miss Universe was on too. Riyo Mori of Japan is this year's winner. Miss Philippines, Anna Theresa Licaros, was named Ms. Photogenic. At least may award.

Last night I also got to watch my FAVORITE show, One Tree Hill. Naadik ako dun since yung episode na naaksidente si Haley. Nun lang. Dati kahit hindi lahat mapanood okay lang. Well. Last Monday I managed to sneak in a little internet time between my 18 pages of work. So I did a little research on tonight's episode (I knew beforehand what was going to happen anyway, thanks to a little research from Wikipedia a while back.)

The One Tree Hill Friendster group I'm in had a discussion board on each episode. I commented a little and it helped to see their reactions on this night's ep. Anyway, I was real excited because in this one, Derek's back and he's got Peyton in her basement. Knowing what was going to happen made me want to watch this one even more. Brooke rescues Peyton and they make up at the end. So I wanted to see how the two of them manage to beat this maniac-stalker up.

With that over at 9 pm, I switch to RPN to watch another show which I kind of find interesting. I love America's Next Top Model and I wondered how they would do a Philippines' Next Top Model. Well, they all say we Pinoys are bad imitators, so it would be interesting to see how they'd make it this time.

Surprisingly, PNTM is innovative. The only thing is that they speak Taglish, which, even if I do speak it at most times, I find a little turn-offish. I mean can we speak one language at a time? Taglish is so corrupted and some people speak English so bad foreigners make fun of the accent. Filipinos are fond of wrong grammar. *cringe, cringe*

Back on the subject, PNTM manages to have some originality, though some critics find it "cheap". I only hope that whoever wins is really of star quality, knows how to speak good English, and will present a POSITIVE image of the Filipino (model) to the international community.

That said, I will now launch on a recap of last night's episode. I only get to watch half of the show since I'm still on ETC with One Tree Hill, so I often miss some things I should know if I watched the whole thing.

For example, when I switched to RPN during a commercial break, Joey Mead was visiting the girls in the house. There were still four of them. When I came back after One Tree Hill, they were in Hong Kong and Elf was gone.

That kind of sucked, because Elf was/is my favorite and I think she could actually win. The loss of my favorite contestant made the show less interesting. And to make things worse, my other favorite, Jen, was eliminated last night. Both in one episode?!

Oh well. That leaves only Grendel and Rina, both not particularly my favorites, but I hope Grendel wins. Last Saturday there was an update on Wikipedia that Grendel won, but it was revoked on Monday. I don't really like Rina, but she knows how to pose. I really hope Grendel wins. She lacks personality, but she's better-looking than Rina.

"Never make a commitment you're not going to stick to."

- Your mom, probably

[ short ]

2007-05-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dang, the computer is out again. Shorter posts, no internet access, having to endure dota-boy shouting.

This sucks.

"Should I stand on 125th Street cussing out Whitey to show I am tough?"

- Whitney Moore, Jr.

[ sweet nibblets! ]

2007-05-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

I watched Philippines Next Top Model last Tuesday and they went to the same beach we went to. I mean in Laiya, Batangas. But not the same resort. LMAO =))

"Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings."

- Supposedly funny Internet quote

[ in the mind of sentimentality ]

2007-05-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

I'm at the cafe again, typing. It's been long since I last did this because I never like to type when I have limited time. Anyway. Do you realize it's the 12th of May today? A month more and we'll find ourselves back in school. This summer was the fastest - and the slowest - I've ever been. Days moved by slowly maybe because I was bored. I hardly went out except with my family to do some shopping. Not like last year. It was the best summer I ever had.

Days moved and are moving quickly, and I realize that it's only matter of time before I'm leaving, before I get to start a new life. It moves, quickly. Faster than I can feel anything about going. Quickly. I don't realize that I'm wasting precious time. Quickly. While I'm thinking slow time catches up and overtakes me.

What is that funny thing about time anyway? It flies when you're having fun and it doesn't when you're not.

Did it fly? May 12, 2006. When we were in the hotel in Manila. How much time since then? A year ago today. Is it?

June 13, 2006. Still clear in my memory, like it happened today. Did it fly again?

May 12 to June 13, 2007. Almost a month. I HOPE IT DOESN'T.

I'm a person who lives in the past. Maybe I keep hanging on to it like a dream. Then BAM, when I wake up, it's gone. I realize that it's over and it's done.

Somebody once told me that if I bring my past into my very near future, I'll be finding it harder to move on. That's a new way of thinking I guess.

Thing is, I don't like to think about the future.

And as much as I tend to, I don't like to live in the past either.

I wish I could live in the present.

But then, maybe I'll just have to realize that this is now, before it's too late, before I let time overtake me and regret it for the rest of my future.

To those who do not realize what I mean, this post is about my life in general. I'm moving and I'll be gone before I know it, and there's only a little over a month left, and I still have to go to school on the 13th of June just like I did a year ago, only to be there one last time before I leave.

"Love alters not with time's brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom."
- Lucas Scott, One Tree Hill

[ backtracking ]

2007-05-09T18:08:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

Go to my archives and read my December 9 post please. :) I added it yesterday cause I wasn't able to post back then. In case you wondered, it's about Greek food. Go ahead. And don't forget to comment! I'll be adding a haloscan comment/trackback thing maybe later. HA! Late indeed. I know you all have had haloscans for ages. I just never thought I'd need one till I found out cbox only stores 100 messages. Huhuhu :'(

"It's innocence when it charms us; ignorance when it doesn't."

- Mignon McLaughlin

[ spidey post ]

2007-05-05T01:09:00.000-07:00

Warning: LONG POST. AND SPOILERS. So if you don't like that, go somewhere else.

Since everybody else is talking about the latest installment in the Spiderman movies, I thought I might as well too.

It was (not surprisingly) full in almost ALL movie houses - especially at SM and Town, because everybody was and is dying to see it. I like watching E! News (le gossip girl, moi) and all it got was rave reviews from the film critics. So then people wonder what they are raving about. After all, what can be better than the first two?

We just got home from the theater, after watching the 10:30 showing at Festi. It was really surprising, because we were like seven people in the orchestra seats - five in my family and a couple in the last row. And there were - I don't know - about fifteen people in the premiers. Considering all the hype about Spidey, the theater was pretty much empty.

Which is somewhat explained by the fact that all eight of the Festi theaters are showing the same movie.

All in all, Spiderman 3 is okay. I like the story, I like the characters, and I like the effects. It's all good - and that's only my opinion. You know the thing my sister calls the "movie after-effect"? It's when after you watch a film, you get so involved in it that when you come out of the theater you're still zoned? Spiderman 1 and 2 did that to me. I remember the family watched the first movie in Metropolis (ha!) back when we still went there, and after the movie I was feeling like Spiderman. Well, I was in fourth grade.

Back then I wasn't such a film buff as I am now. I guess all that watching celebrity gossip news is getting to me. Not that I'm a gossip. I just like hearing the latest Hollywood news, so if they tell me this movie is great, I try to watch it.

So, back to Spidey. Like I said, it was an okay movie. It wasn't spectacular like I expected, and I didn't get the after-effect, but it was okay. I guess I don't stand for too much action anyway. But if it isn't spectacular, then it's great. It had all the elements - romance, friendship, action, comedy.

Tobey Maguire does a good job on Peter Parker/Spiderman; he's a convincing actor. He brings a sort of humanity into the character and reminds us that yes, Spidey is only human. And he gets a huge ego inflation in the process. I was laughing really hard when he was doing that I'm Cool thing in the streets. Which reminds me, there are some funny parts in the movie. Like with the newspaper editor and his secretary reminding him to manage his anger and take his pills, and when Peter takes MJ out to a fancy restaurant.

Kirsten Dunst is great too - she looks lovely in this movie. I liked her hair the best. It's long and red and wavy, better on her than short and blonde. She's okay as MJ still. MJ by the way is now a Broadway actress/singer who is let go on a bad show. MJ is almost proposed to by Peter, and MJ breaks up with Peter. MJ is suspended in a taxi by Sandman and Venom, MJ is saved by Spidey. I can't help remembering the line "Who are you?" after Peter accidentally pushes her in a bar brawl.

On the romance part, a love triangle happens. Bryce Dallas Howard is Gwen Stacy, Peter's "just a classmate" whom he uses to make MJ jealous after they break up. She doesn't know he's Spiderman, the same person who saved her from falling off a building. Bryce is okay I guess, but her role is quite small.

Thomas Haden Church is one of three villains; he plays Sandman. When I was watching E! News prior to watching Spiderman, I heard that the director (Sam Raimi) wanted only Arizona sand for the movie. So there you go, all the sand on Sandman is from Arizona. Thomas is not what you'd expect from a big guy such as he is - despite his size, he's a real good actor. He's convincing enough as a tough guy who commits crime only because of his love for his daughter. We later find out that it's he who killed Peter's Uncle Ben. In the end though, Peter forgives him. On Thomas as an actor again - he's got so much muscle! His face is way tough. I mean look at the pictures. Medyo naiinis ako na medyo natutuwa sa mukha niya. Ewan ko ba.

Another villain, a photographer-turned-monster, is Peter's archrival on the newspaper they both work for. He's Edward Brock Jr., later Venom, played by Topher Grace. I remember seeing him on Win A Date With Tad Hamilton - if he's the same guy, but he was kind of geeky there and here... well, he's cute. But not my type.

On the other hand, James Franco is! How can you not love James? He's got GWAPO written all over him. I can't help it - I've had a crush on him since Spiderman 1 and again on Spiderman 2 and yet again on Tristan and Isolde. I love his smile... Anyway, he plays the third villain - as Peter's ex-best friend Harry Osborn. There were times I thought James was quite, er, on some bad acting - I mean, he looks like he's doing just that, acting. But who cares? He's hot! Sorry, back on the subject. After he and Spidey go on a fight, Harry is left in a coma and totally forgets what's recently happened. Like the fact that he and Peter are supposed to be enemies. So they start over again, but the moment is ruined by Harry's father, the late Green Goblin. So Harry forces MJ to break up with Peter, and more fights with the latter happens before he begins to realize that they're really friends. "I would give up my life for them" is what he says to the hospital nurse, and that's exactly what Harry does in the end.

I'll spare you the details, but I gather you're smart enough to put it all together anyway. Or maybe you've already watched the movie. Which is more likely.

Till next post (hopefully soon),
Your friendly neighborhood nonSpiderman,
Chloe :P

"Wow Spidey, LOVE the new outfit! Give me some of that web action?"

- Eddie Brock, Jr., Spiderman-3

[ of pants, pets, and pearls ]

2007-05-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Today I continued sorting out my stuff. Nothing special really. There were a lot of visitors in the house earlier, come to look at our buyables. First there were two of my preschool teachers - I studied nursery and kindergarten in our village school. They took a look at our books, and the bookshelf, and teacher Carina bought the old art table. Also there was Louine's neighbor Sisa, I think she's buying one of the study-desks. Then there was a nice lady with a lot of kids who bought all sorts of books.

Aside from all that, I took out my old play jewelry - none of which I've touched for ages, to sort them out. And then I went to Louine's to lend her the fourth Sisterhood book. When my sister and I got home, we saw a girl walking her dogs. Our new dog (which doesn't really belong to us), Aron, took a look at them and barked. The dogs went crazy. I didn't know what to do, since Aron hardly knows me. The girl took care of it herself. If I were her I wouldn't be able to.

Basically, that's all that happened today. I don't know why I'm writing this. I guess for memories, or I'm just bored.

"It would be easy to say that the pants changed everything that summer. But looking back now I feel like our lives changed because they had to, and that the real magic of the pants was in bearing witness to all of this and in somehow holding us together when it felt like nothing would ever be the same again. "
- Carmen Lowell, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

[ a taste of pampanga ]

2007-04-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

GOOD GRIEF I HAVE SUCH A CRAVING FOR HALO-HALO!

I want one!

Last April 22 I had 'em twice. Ang init parin so I want more!

Kasi nung April 22. Sunday yun. Kakain sana kami sa Chowking pero walang halo-halo dun. So sa Max's nalang. Ayos lang yung dun. Masarap naman.

Then mga 6 PM nagbrownout. Sobrang init! Nakakainis nga kasi summer na tapos ganun pa. Yun tumawag yung dad ko sa mga motel, kaso mahal. Kaya pumunta kami sa Town. Nakita ko pa nga si Charmaine eh. HAHA :p

Did you know that Nigel Barker is coming to the Philippines?

May 11, 6 PM at Alabang Town, Activity Center

Check nalang the posters. I'm not sure about the time and date eh but yeah, he IS coming.

Well anyway, siyempre alam naming bukas na yung Razon's dun. Kasi dati, naadik talaga kaming lahat sa halo-halo ng Razon's kaso malayo (sa Robinson's Galleria) kaya minsan lang. Tapos nagbukas sa ATC. So yun. Yung pic nasa taas, kuha lang yan sa Google. P60 lang isa. Nakakabusog na yun.

TRY MO HA!!! Ibang-iba talaga ang halo-halo nila eh. Want more? Click HERE.

"While yet it is cold January, and snow and ice are thick and solid, the prudent landlord comes from the village to get ice to cool his summer drink..."

- Henry David Thoreau

[ summer reads ]

2007-04-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing you're pretty bored right now, and since I couldn't fit this into yesterday's post, I'm putting it here.

Whether I'm at the beach, on a road trip or in a hotel, I always bring an interesting book with me. Because we're in the middle of summer right now, I thought I might post my good ol' list of summer reads.

Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
Rating: * * * * (compared to the previous books)

When we went to Laiya last Friday, I brought my new book along. It was called Forever in Blue. the fourth and last book in the Sisterhood series by Ann Brashares. I say it's a great read for this time of the year because the stories - Lena's, Carmen's, Bridget's, and Tibby's - all take place in summer. This book was released last February and it's quite new, so there are still no paperbacks available. Hardbound copies cost a lot - mine was P689 from Powerbooks in the Mall of Asia.

This book chronicles the last adventure of the Sisterhood before they go off to college. I've always been a big fan of them, and I was sad to see it finished. I have the other three books and they make great reads too. But we're talking about the fourth one here.

Bridget flies off to Turkey and meets a guy named Peter. What happens to Eric? Lena is in Providence and falls for Leo, who is in her art class. But she can't forget what Carmen warns her about: as soon as she forgets about him, Kostos will show up. Is there a chance he will? Meanwhile, Carmen herself is being invisible, but gets discovered by a casting director. There is a test of friendship involved. And Tibby lets go of somebody she loves, only to find out she can't.

The Pants make their rounds for one last summer before the girls say goodbye. Is this the end?

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Rating: * * * * *

Salamanca Tree Hiddle is on a summer road trip with her grandparents to find out what happened to her mom. Along the way, she tells them the story of her friend Phoebe, and not until the end does she realize that she's part of it as well. She recounts her life from when she found out her mother wasn't coming back and what events happened that led to that. A lot of kilig moments involving Ben Finney, one of her close friends.

I can't summarize the story properly! But because it's that good, the book was awarded with a Newbery Medal. It's one of my pinaka-favorite books, and it's going to be a movie soon!

Playing Phoebe Winterbottom is Carly Schroeder (Matt's friend Melina in Lizzie McGuire). I don't know who plays Sal.

Fanfic @ FanFiction.Net and FictionPress.Com

Rating: * * * * * (depends on the story)

Obsessed about a pairing? Love that 'ship? Can't get enough of your favorite show? Why don't you try reading fanfic - short for fan fiction - stories made by fans just as obsessed as you! There is a wide selection of reads here, from oneshots to chaptered to poems. If you read enough, you learn the lingo! You might even try writing one yourself (I have. HA, HA.)

FanFiction has specific categories, and characters. You can find stuff more easily here, because it's sorted by category. FictionPress I think is managed by the same people, only this is a bit different in the sense that it's more YOU. Less organization, and you can post your own thing here. It doesn't have to be a certain TV show or movie or book. You can post your autobiography, for all I care. So if you are looking for loads of great stuff to read, get 'em here!

Live and love summer! And books! Try trading some good reads with your friends - it'll give you something to do. Go to the beach! Take your book with you! And of course, don't forget your iPod. :P

"All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder"

- William Shakespeare, Passionate Pilgrim 3

[ beach weekend ]

2007-04-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

You know who you are. You said we should be on trips by now. And you were right.

We went to the beach yesterday (by the way, this is an edit post, in case you noticed). Initially it was just a road trip to Batangas, because my dad had a hearing there and us girls - that's my mom, my sisters and I - were just in for the ride. Pero the day before we left they told me we might be going to the beach. THAT SOON? WAIT. I wasn't prepared for that. I need an advance warning for things like that. Besides, wala 'ko sa mood nun.

But there was nothing I could do; you couldn't reschedule a somebody else's hearing for the sake of your own mood swings, so there. It took us seven hours to get to Batangas. Mind you, if it's a beach, it should be on the tip of an island. So seven hours. We got lost along the way and wasted about an hour's journey in Batangas City, which by the way was in the OPPOSITE direction. By the time we got to the resort I was extremely bored. Ilang oras ka ding nakaupo sa kotse, no?

And then there was the beach. At first it didn't look like too much of a beach. After lunch, my sisters and I went to explore. I think I was in "the mood" by then. HA, HA.

So you're asking, where is this beach? It's at the very end of Batangas. If I tell you I went snorkeling in the Mindoro Strait, you should believe me. It's that far. The place is privately-owned, I mean a resort, but the beach is public. If you get what I mean. It's called Laiya Coco Grove, in San Juan, Batangas.

Which brings me to my next point. Would you believe, there are four pages of pictures of LCG on Google? Well. Anyway. Most of them are misc, but there are a few good ones too. There's even a website: HERE. Hm. So the mountain at the right side of the beach was Mt. Daguldol. Hm.

A lady showed us a cottage and we were asked by our parents if we wanted an overnight stay, to which we said Kahit ano (any of which), our usual reply. So we stayed!

Only me and Arielle and Nadine actually went in the water. We built sand castles, etc. etc. I swallowed sea water, etc. etc. ...

And soon it was low tide. And I mean LOW. Because the shoreline had receded to about ten to fifteen feet, and what was once there was not. I was struck to think that we had been swimming in among seaweed, sand crabs, hundreds of tiny snails, and many other little creatures of the sea. My mom and I spent some time on the non-beach looking and poking at them. The water left was dirty, there was a lot of mud, and seaweeds - brown, mushroomy ones - formed a line on the boundary between sand and sea.

And so after several hours in the sun, during which Nadine collected a variety of shells, I climbed a lookout post on a coconut tree and cursed for fear of going down (SH*T!), we explored the stretch of beach that was the Coco Grove, and wrote our names in the sand, it was finally time to settle. Our family was the only one on the entire resort (excluding the happy campers in the lone tent on the beach), and it was good, because it was quality time with them 'rents and sibs. Since we had not originally planned on staying overnight, we had leftovers for dinner - cold chicken and all. But it still tasted good.

There were strange marks on the sand, like that of a little ribbon snake, extremely thin and loopy, and since we were the only ones there, I got kind of scared. But never mind, because morning came soon.

By then the water had risen a little. The ocean was beautiful. But! The peace was destroyed soon after, because a lot of people came. It was a large prayer group from Antipolo and they held a little Mass on the beach, which was fine because...

We went out into the sea. Sigayan Bay to Mindoro Strait. To think that it was only a strait and you could see Mindoro and Puerto Galera (another of the more popular beaches here) on the other side! We were on a boat with those things on the side to maintain balance - like we did before in San Fabian, Pangasinan when I was seven, the first beach I ever went to. There were two guys with us. One was Mang Nardo, who controlled the engine, and the other I don't know who.

Last night I had already decided I was going snorkeling for the experience, and I knew I could potentially be scared. But today I just went and jumped off. At first I sank. My head went below but I wasn't scared at all. I put on the mask and went in again. And brought some salt water in to my nostrils. Again and again I tried, and failed. I was always getting salt water in - nose or mouth. Finally the other guy told me to blow. BLOW AND SUCK. KEEP THE TUBE ABOVE THE WATER. Okay. So I clung on to the ladder at the side of the boat, and went in again. So much better.

I can still remember what I saw down there. When I tried Googling pics of coral reefs, I couldn't stomach it. Because what I saw down there is something you can't see in a picture, something you have to experience yourself. The depth of the sea - fifteen to twenty feet I think; the magnificence of the colors of the fish - blue, violet, bright yellow, zebra-striped; and the size of the corals - the size of a bedroom - was absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Very beautiful.

But like I said, you can get overwhelmed. Sometimes you can't stomach it. I was both at the same time, in awe and overwhelmed. This is a strait! Very small compared to the actual sea! And yet - very deep and rich in marine life. I always made sure to keep something familiar in view - the underside of the boat, my sister's foot - so I wouldn't get too scared. Fish were all around, the corals were below. And I have to admit this: I got kind of freaked. But don't get me wrong. It is absolutely beautiful. If you ever go to Sigayan Bay or Mindoro Strait, never forget to snorkel. It's an experience of a lifetime, and you won't forget it. Can't even describe it, because it will always be more than words can say.

Moving on. Back at the beach itself, you will probably see a lot of vendors peddling their wares - "Ma'am sampalok kinse lang" - but you watch out for the pearl vendors. They are mostly Badjaos, and they sell genuine pearls, straight from the sea, at only P100. How much of a bargain is that?

If you talk to them, they might even show you the oyster shell where pearls are just beginning to form. There are black ones, and pink, and blue (South Sea pearls I think), and of course white. Just think: a pair of earrings and a ring made of REAL pearls for P100. Plus you'll be helping the Badjaos. Sinisid pa nila yan para sayo! :))

Going back to Manila took only four hours this time, and we saw Christopher de Leon campaigning for vice mayor or governor I think, but for now, boy am I tired.

"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
- H. G. Wells

[ confirmation ]

2007-04-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

My sister was confirmed today. Pic/s - finally!

In pic: Me, Dad, Adrie, Diane and Mom

"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

- Acts 13:52

[ benedict loves you! ]

2007-04-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hahaha...basahin niyo to nakakatuwa...chinat ako ni Benedict tapos nagkwento...close kami eh! XP

benedict: Hi Celine!
benedict: I just found my crush on our section
me: yeah?
me: roselyn?
benedict: U got it
me: and so?
me: what happened when you found roselyn?
benedict: I just fell in love in our swimming party last month
me: and then?
me: how?
benedict: I just.... saw her so gorgeous.... u're with her on that pic posted on yahoogroups ryt?
me: yeah..
me: ehm benedict, what about ashley?
benedict: Uhmm.....she's still my crush but roselyn is for 27 ok?
me: okay..
me: cno pa naging crush mo sa 27?
benedict: Uhmmm........ Besides roselyn, my life-long friend in Neopets
me: isabelle?
me: hahaha >:)
benedict: Roselyn is very gorgeous in her summer outfit and so is Issa
me: what about the others?
benedict: Roselyn is the most gorgeous in our swimming party why?
me: who are your past crushes in 27? :))
benedict: Uhm....can't we talk about the past crushes cuz ALL THE GIRLS FROM 27 IS GORGEOUS! [thank you, Benedict]
me: yeah who are they?
me: i mean your past crushes?
benedict: from....
me: 27?
benedict: Uhm.... can't remember
me: who can you remember.. anyway..?
benedict: my favorite pic there is you and roselyn (who's d 1 wearing a blue bathing suit)
me: yeah and so?
me: why, because roselyn is there?
benedict: yup
benedict: and she's gorgeous when she wears that outfit
me: yeah?
me: you should've seen her in PE swimming classes..
benedict: Uhhh.... I wish I could recieve a kiss from her but still on that outfit
me: why?
benedict: cuz...... if i cud remember... she's d only 1 wearing a blue bathing suit
me: yeah..
benedict: so..... what makes u agree
me: with what?
benedict: the thing bout my crush
me: she's wearing blue, i agree with that.
me: anyway.. who are your past crushes?
benedict: uhmmm..... issa, i think
me: and?
me: kei? julia? nina? louine?
benedict: r.... still accepted
me: which one?
benedict: kei.... i think
me: oh okayy.
benedict: uhmmmm.... can i copy the pic between roselyn and u?
benedict: or... u hav a pic of Roselyn?
me: yeah sure
me: ehm.. i'll just send you the pics in your email, alright?
benedict: sure
benedict: i just like roselyn's summer outfit
me: oh okay

"Either he's dead or my watch has stopped."

- Groucho Marx

[ give it to me ]

2007-04-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

I am obviously writing this on a late night. I am obviously harried. And you obviously understand that.

LDN - Lily Allen

You just have to love Lily Allen. She's an outspoken, sassy lil miss. You can tell by her songs. This one showed all that. "When you look with your eyes everything seems nice, but if you look twice you can see it's all lies."

Give It To Me - Timbaland ft. Nelly Furtado and JT

Three of my favorite artists in one song! How cool is that? Not crazy about the video though. Haha. "If you see us in the club, we'll be acting real nice. If you see us on the floor, you'll be watching all night. We ain't here to hurt nobody, so give it to me give it to me give it to me. Wanna see you work your body, so give it to me give it to me give it to me."

Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Xtina's tribute to the Andrews Sisters. Love the marines thing and the music. It has a 1920s feel to it. Sweet! "Tarzan and Jane were wingin' on a vine. Candyman, candyman. Sippin' from a bottle of vodka double wine. Sweet, sugar, candy man."

Grace Kelly - Mika

This is kind of funny, but it speaks for itself. Kaching! "I could be brown, I could be blue, I could be violet sky. I could be hurtful, I could be purple, I could be anything you like."

What Goes Around Comes Around - Justin Timberlake

The thing is, I just don't like Scarlett. I love the song though. Remember Alicia's "Karma"? The lyrics go - what goes around comes around - don't they? This song lasts around seven minutes. "Is this how we say goodbye? Should've known better when you came around, that you were gonna make me cry."

How To Touch A Girl - JoJo

Who doesn't love JoJo? Her voice is amazing! After two albums though I thought her songs were getting quite repetitive - same beats, if you know what I mean. This one is different. I like the style and the music on this thing. "You'll go far in this world if you know how to touch a girl."

Collide - Howie Day

Can't get enough of this. I've played it hundreds of times in a row, and have heard it on The Perfect Man movie. "I'm quiet, you know; you make a first impression. I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind."

All At Once - The Fray

Gotta love The Fray. Their lyrics are amazing, the piano is unique, plus Isaac Slade is a great singer. That's what makes them my favorite band. I especially like this song (after getting tired of How To Save A Life and Over My Head). The last part is what really got me - listen to it. "Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same" - how right of them.

Cold As You - Taylor Swift

I'm liking country because of this. I love the lyrics - they're heartbreaking. Perfectly suits my favorite ship, Draco/Hermione; as a matter of fact, I got this song from a fanvid. "And now that I'm sitting here thinking it through, I've never been anywhere cold as you."

Look After You - The Fray

I don't need words to explain this song. Love love love it. The emotions are...strong. You might have heard this on One Tree Hill. "If I don't say this now I will surely break, as I'm leaving the one I want to take. Forgive the urgency, but hurry up and wait. My heart has started to separate. Oh be my baby."

Beautiful Liar - Beyonce ft. Shakira

They looked so much alike there were times I couldn't even tell them apart! I love the moves on the video, and the song showcases both their vocal talents - very different, but good together. As somebody on TRL said - two of the most beautiful women in music today in one song! Not to mention that I love Spanish. "He said I'm worth it, his whim desire. Yo se cosas que tu, nunca querres saber. He kissed me, his one and only, this beautiful liar."

Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

I thought - wow, Avril, is that you? Then again, I think she did that cheerleader-music kind of thing to show us she can do anything - with a little mockery on the side perhaps? "Hey hey, you you I know that you like me!"

Some of these are kind of last-week, and some even last-year. But I just can't get enough of 'em. :)

"Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere."
- G. K. Chesterton

[ grr ]

2007-03-30T20:26:00.000-08:00

I WAS POSTING SOMETHING THEN THE COMPUTER HUNG AND IT ALL GOT LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?' "
- Sydney J. Harris

[ delayed sleep phase syndrome ]

2007-03-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

If you're a teenager like me and often have trouble sleeping at night like I do, consider this: you most probably have a condition called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS).

I first learned about this thing when I was surfing Julia's blog for fun. It was a little weird actually, since I've been having trouble sleeping lately and thought I had semi-insomnia. It seems like this happens every summer, starting last year. I wouldn't get sleepy till around twelve AM (look at one of my previous posts) and would normally wake up at around ten. My mom gets frustrated with this, saying that she can't make three breakfasts in one day, but to me waking up late is normal. Besides, I really can't help it.

So when I serenidpitiously found the answer in Julia's blog, I was quite ecstatic. Finally, a scientific way to explain to my mom why I'm used to such a schedule. The article says most adolescents are the same way as I am. Try checking your IM buddy list. Maybe that's why your classmates are always online till after midnight - try asking. Maybe, like you, they can't fall asleep at an earlier time.

Here's a little something from Julia's blog and Wikipedia:

"Recently, however, a different picture has emerged. Independent investigators in Brazil, Japan, and the United States have suggested that the internal, biologic sleep-timing mechanism is reset along with the other changes of puberty. Adolescents’ bodies signal them to go to sleep at a later hour and also to sleep later in the morning. They are often incapable of falling asleep earlier. This phenomenon is known as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.

The syndrome usually develops in early childhood or adolescence, and sometimes disappears in adolescence or early adulthood. It is usually treatable, but cannot be cured. Often, DSPS individuals report that they cannot sleep until early morning, but they fall asleep at about the same time every night, no matter what time they go to bed. DSPS is a disorder of the body's timing system - the biological clock. It is believed to be caused by a reduced ability to reset the body's daily sleep/wake clock. Individuals with DSPS might have an unusually long circadian cycle, or might have a reduced response to the re-setting effect of light on the body clock.

People with normal circadian systems can generally fall asleep quickly at night if they did not have enough sleep the night before. Falling asleep earlier will in turn automatically advance their circadian clocks. In contrast, people with DSPS are unable to fall asleep before their usual sleep time, even if they are sleep-deprived. Research has shown that sleep deprivation does not reset the circadian clock of DSPS patients, as it does with normal people.

Among others it can be treated with chronotherapy, which consists of resetting the circadian clock by going to bed several hours later each day for several days."

So that's why most of us sleep and wake up so late. Hope you learned something from this. What I usually do is take a nap in the afternoon so I won't lack even more sleep, surf the internet till after midnight (I think my mom finally kind of understands, and lets me stay up late), and sleep through most of the morning. Therefore my eating schedule is also affected - breakfast at 11 AM, lunch at 3 PM, dinner at 8 PM, anybody? :D

"I’m anal retentive. I’m a workaholic. I have insomnia. And I’m a control freak. That’s why I’m not married. Who could stand me?"
- Madonna

[ twenty five backwards ]

2007-03-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

Haha, so obviously I'm stuck at home again, with nothing that special to do. Den de nen. Last Saturday I started sorting books out already, and it was quite unnerving to see so many of them go. We are going to sell them in a book sale sometime this April - go nerds! - joke. Today I was flipping through a pile of children's books, our children's books, books I had loved as a kid. I remember those afternoon storytelling sessions with my mother, when my sisters and I would beg her to read the same book all over again. :'( Makes me quite sad to think.

So I said that I'm at home with nothing too special to do. But it's pretty much okay, since I'm not spending the whole day in front of the boob tube or the PC anymore. At least I ain't bored.

I obviously loved last summer. I wonder how I got through March and the first two weeks of April though? My lessons mostly started in mid-April. Oh well. Pala, pala...my cousin's coming home on Saturday! They've been in Canada for the past month - a week in Vancouver and the rest in Toronto. I can't wait to see the pictures!

I'm finally going out of the country too (though not this summer)! But still, Canada isn't enough for me. The place I'd really, really like to go to is England. Having nothing much to do today I reread beekee's May archives about her trip to London. Kakainggit ka grrr... haha joke only! I wish I could go there though. If you want to see 'em posts, click HERE.

Gotta go - my mom's calling us for dinner. Pochero? Hm.

"Oh England is a pleasant place for them that's rich and high/but England is a cruel place for such poor folks as I"
- Charles Kingsley, The Last Buccaneer

[ summer vacationitis]

2007-03-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

It's been only a week and two days since summer vacation but I already feel oh-so-bored. I'm online almost everyday for the whole day, I've made a couple of rounds on Blogspot already, and I've tried several things on bored.com. Still didn't work.

So how do you kill it? You wish for a break, you get what you want, you wish you could do something for a change. Happens to everyone. I once came across a story on this (read: fiction) which called that kind of boredom "summer vacationitis". I don't think that's the correct term for it though. The suffix -itis, I know for a fact, means "inflammation". No, you do not get fired up when you're bored. Or do you?

The past days have all been the same. Wake up at around ten, turn the TV on, watch cartoons till lunch, turn the PC on, surf some sites for the next five hours, take a bath, get back to the PC and surf some more, turn PC off at ten PM. Then go to bed and not sleep till twelve AM due to insomnia, and wake up again at ten AM. I know I could do something about it, but I feel really lazy. I'm probably going to start working after Holy Week, around April 8. Today is March 23rd. TWO WHOLE WEEKS. No way!

So this is going to be a less productive year than last year, which was the most I've done for summer. Last year, I:

* got into a sport which for once I love, soccer;

* took swimming lessons for the second consecutive year, and did well at it;

* got to level I at Kumon Math, which is a year ahead of my high school curriculum and considered as a real achievement for me seeing as it's MATH-RELATED (!!!); and

* developed my personality through public speaking

Last summer was also when:

* I made a lot of friends and met a lot of new people;

* I got to try different cuisines;

* I learned how to not be nervous when in front of an audience;

* I lost a few pounds - finally;

* I managed to successfully follow my work-out routine for the first time since I became body-conscious (sit-ups, push-ups, weights, hahaha);

* I actually HELPED with the house chores;

* I first read Dramione fanfics and really got to liking them;

* I made this blog;

* I really planned out my school year and got through with it;

* I was actually productive;

* I attended four summer classes (see above); and

* I really LIVED and LOVED summer.

This summer, I'll be busy with:

* packing;

* sorting what to bring and not to bring;

* selling my old stuff;

* cleaning out my room; and

* throwing unnecessary trash away.

Heh, heh. Compare that with last summer and see what I mean when I say this one is boring. On the other hand...

* packing is actually fun;

* when I'm sorting my things I'll get to see all of what has accumulated through the years (i.e. memories);

* selling old stuff is doing something productive, plus it'll be awesome to have a look at who'll be buying what;

* I'll get to see what my room actually looks like;

* unnecessary trash is really unnecessary, so no big deal; and

* I'm going to get another summer in Canada anyway, and I'll have more space and time to work things out and maybe continue what I did last summer.

In the meantime...how do you kill boredom? Tell me.

"Boredom is not an end-product, is comparatively rather an early stage in life and art. You’ve got to go by or past or through boredom, as through a filter, before the clear product emerges."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

[ 51st post ]

2007-03-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

Currently: How to Touch A Girl - JoJo; Takeshi's Castle; King Kong

Today is Sunday! Hahahaha...for some reason I still think I'll be going to school tomorrow (which I'm not) and for some reason I still think we have the dreaded PE (which we don't).

So yesterday the family went out again. I felt quite weird actually and I still do. My dad was playing '70s tracks on the cassette and it made me backtrack. I don't know why I could relate to those songs, maybe because I grew up hearing them, but I could and I went to way way back in my own past. I even got to thinking I had a previous life, maybe I'm a reincarnation, maybe I'm really an old soul. Is that why I'm this way? It felt really really weird, so I stayed quiet for most of the trip. I still can't explain the feeling, but I was in a sort of dream state. You know? Like I wasn't living in reality. It was made more so by the fact that I was dizzy.

So now I'm still dizzy and am thinking of taking a pill to stop it. I feel like I'm out of focus.

Anyway, the car trip led us to U.P. Diliman (University of the Philippines, Diliman campus), where we were supposed to sell my sister's old violin. The woman, dumb as she was, didn't buy it. By the way, U.P. is not made of one building, it is scattered around a huge area. There are grass fields like the Sunken Garden and the Oval in between, and many trees. There is also the shopping complex, and residential areas, which leads me to explain my childhood.

So believe it or not, I grew up in U.P. That is where I learned to walk - I have pictures of me on our street there. We lived near the Oval, and when I was a baby my parents used to take me there to play. If you're wondering why we lived in a university campus, I'd say I don't know myself. My father is not a teacher. All I know is that he grew up in the same place I did, too.

We don't live there anymore, but we visit regularly. Usually we do it on Saturdays, to have some...bonding time with the family. I remember last year, I think it was April - yes, three days after my birthday - that we went to catch the meteor shower (we did see some). We went on top of the Observatory roof and there was a GMA news guy there who wanted to interview my mom, but she didn't agree. I wouldn't either, I wasn't dressed for the camera (hahaha feeler!).

Then we also went on October 21st, exactly six months after the meteor shower. As usual we stayed out on the Sunken Garden till around seven in the evening and did the usual stuff. So you see, I have many memories of U.P. My parents made sure I'd never forget the place I spent my first two years in.

Maybe that explains the backtracking? Maybe because it's one of the last times I'll see the place I grew up?

Weird. I still feel weird.

"But childhood prolonged, cannot remain a fairyland. It becomes a hell."

- Louise Bogan

[ yeah i know ]

2007-03-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

Okay okay, so this has been my third consecutive post, and I know it's getting a little boring, but yesterday was THE ultimate day for pictures. Unfortunately our FTP still has, er, a problem. So if you won't mind me giving you links, here they are. Most of the following pictures have me in them (duh of course I am the owner of this blog) but were all taken from my classmates' Multiply albums. Many thanks to Vigs, Adrian, Kei, and Jessa.

our beloved school!
hillsborough entrance
aerial view of aqua park
vigs, me, robert
anyeong haseo!
informal :D
kakatakot benedict!
nerds' last pose...aww
check out roselyn sabi ni kei!

NB: I'm the one wearing a white sando and khaki shorts. :)

"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes."
- Oscar Wilde

[ the sun burns! ]

2007-03-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

Ang cute naman, pati sunburn pinagsamahan. Ang close talaga ng 27... :)) Yung mga stat nila kanina puro sunburn. Totoo naman eh, ang sakit! Bat kaya ngayon lang talaga tumama?

Grabe ang sophies...suki talaga ng Hillsborough! 23 - Wednesday, 27 - Thursday, 28 - Friday, 21 - Saturday. Aqua Park yun! Sa may tapat ng Hampton Court. Maganda super...click yung link ni Essell sa baba (prev post) para makita yung pool.

Alam kong may sinend nang GM si Wesly pero...

WHAT IS SUNBURN?

* Skin discoloration ranging from slightly pink to severely red or even purplish. Sunburn can appear from one to 6 hours after sun exposure and reaches its peak in 24 hours. It should then start to fade or tan.
* The skin feels hot to touch and is tender.
* The appearance of small blisters that are filled with fluid. These may itch and eventually break. This can then cause peeling of the skin, exposing an even more tender layer underneath.
* Severe sunburn may cause very red, blistered skin but will be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea (in some cases vomiting) and dehydration.
* The eyes may experience pain or irritation caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun or solariums (always wear eye protection when using solariums).

HOW TO TREAT IT.

* Use aloe vera.

* A hot shower immediately after mild sunburn can bring about peeling sooner and rid you quickly of discomfort.

* Vitamin E, one of the antioxidants, can be taken regularly as part of a daily vitamin and mineral supplement or spread as in an ointment on sunburn. Vitamin C is another antioxidant that will help prevent severe damage from sunburn and shorten its effects. Selenium is a mineral that will help fight sunburn.

* To protect the eyes and the area around the eyes, try placing thin slices of fresh cucumber over closed eyelids when lounging in the sun. The cucumber will absorb all the ultraviolet light and keep the eyes safe and cool.

* Also, be sure to drink plenty of water, as the dangers of dehydration multiply with sunburn. It is not wise to drink alcoholic beverages, because they may increase the risk of becoming dehydrated. You may not feel like eating, but you should try to eat a little something to keep up your strength. Sunburn can be like any illness or injury depending on its severity, and your body needs nourishment to heal itself.

* If your sunburn starts peeling, it may begin to itch as well. Try not to scratch, which can cause further damage. Apply calamine lotion to alleviate itching and use plenty of moisturizer to help re-hydrate the skin.

* Taking a cool bath will also help make you more comfortable. The cool water will help lower your body temperature and reduce the heat of the skin. Soak in the water and rinse gently but do not use soap on burned areas. Soaps can remove naturally occurring oils that your body needs to heal. After bathing, dress in loose comfortable clothing and stay in out of the sun until your sunburn begins to heal. Be sure to get plenty of rest.

[ sun, tan, and summer fun ]

2007-03-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

Hahaha ang corny nung title! Gusto ko kasi rhyme eh...ang CORNY! Check niyo na ulet yung Multi nila. Napost na siguro yung mga pics ng kahapon.

Time to go swimming! Makakabili na ulet ako nung Sunsilk Summer Fresh hahahaha. Might as well go crazy under the sun this time, baka dun kasi puro snow! Joke lang di naman siguro, pero maski na. Iba ang summer sa Pilipinas eh.

Teka muna, kwento tungkol sa Hillsborough! Suki ata yung mga taga-Bene eh. Alam ko yung 23 nung Wednesday, kami Thursday, tapos di ako sure kung ngayon (Friday) yung 28 tapos Saturday ewan ko lang. Marami kasi taga Hillsborough eh. So yung nangyari...

Dumating ako dun after 12 na, tapos sila andun nung 9 pa. Late nga eh :)) tapos pagdating ko kinwento nila muntik na daw malunod si Benedict. Laughtrip talaga. :)) So yun, pagdating ko, dirediretso sa pool! Andami ko kasi kinain nung breakfast eh.

Yun paikot ikot kami ni Roselyn, 3 feet to 10 feet. Ang saya talaga! Halos lahat kami andun except si Paolo. Wait lang nag-iikot parin ako sa Multiply. Buti nalang talaga vain ang 27 andaming pics!!!

Nagkwento pa yung iba tungkol sa nangyari bago ko dumating. Sayang pala di ako nagmaaga! Nung mga 1 PM binuksan nila yung slide... tingin dun sa taas...

Nung first time ko kasama sila Cahren, Aynna and Roselyn kabit-kabit. Sigaw ako ng sigaw hahahaha...sobrang daming beses ako nagslide nang iba-ibang style. Sosyal :)) tapos nun ikot ikot ulet, usap usap...basta hindi boring!

Then mga 4:30 nag-alisan na sa pool. Naligo na yung iba or kumain (ako pareho). Yung iba naman nagpicture picture pa. Bikini babes! Hehehe.

Habang ginagawa nila yun, naglaro kami ng patintero dun sa gitna ng kalsada. Yung mga kasali sila (team ko muna) Myka, Wesly, Adrian, Renniel - at ako shempre. :)

Yung isa pang team sila Irene, Marie, Roselyn, Isabelle, at Jessa. After a while nagsub si Julian. Nakakatuwa para kaming bata! Takbuhan, tawanan at kantahan nung theme song ng team namin..."Lucky lucky me, with Rennielly". Ang saya saya talaga, nakashorts kami, tumatakbo sa gitna ng kalsada. Buti nga walang masyadong kotse sa Hillsborough eh. Pero speaking of Hillsborough pala, ang ganda ng mga street names nila nakakaelibs. Cambridge, Oxford, Buckingham, Hampton Court and may Scarborough Park! Ang British pati nung itsura. Yung Hampton parang castle tapos ang maganda pa, grass yung nasa paligid. Ang lawak din nung street kaya walang masyadong kotse. Talagang pangmayaman. Mukhang British dun hahaha :)) ang ganda!

After nung patintero, umakyat kami sa slide kasi naka-off na yun. Tapos after a while pinaalis kami dun. Balik kami sa clubhouse, tapos nagpakavain ulet!

I'm a tad sunburned but who cares?

My hair smells like chlorine but who cares?

IT'S OFFICIALLY SUMMER!

"Summer's all in bloom/summer's ending soon"

- Vanessa Carlton, White Houses

[ partyyyyyy daw! ]

2007-03-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

Gosh talaga...I will miss 27 the most! I know I say this every year, but by far II-27 St. Bartholomew of Farne, under the supervision of Ms. Patricia P. Sison, DMD is THE best section I was ever (and proud to be) part of. Sobra magpicture, sayang wala masyado nung start ng schoolyear. Kung kelan end tsaka dumami! Tsk tsk.

K E E P I N T O U C H P E O P L E ! ! !

Yan kung gusto niyo makita yung buhay namin - well actually mostly last week yan eh - visit niyo yung Multiply nila:

Hahahaha...more next time! That should keep you busy kasi andami talagang pics...bukas na yung pool party post ko!

"Summer, you old Indian summer/You’re the tear that comes after June-time’s laughter/You see so many dreams that don’t come true/Dreams we fashioned when summertime was new"

- Frank Sinatra, Indian Summer

[ bente siyete ]

2007-03-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

NERD!

Last day na ngayon ah. Except for the pool party tomorrow, I might never see most of you ever again. So before I forget your names, I'll post the things I'm going to miss about each of you... sorry if Tagalog ah.

Robert. "Miss, when will we watch Jacob, Joseph, and the Coat of Many Colors?" Laging yan ang maaalala ko sayo. Mamimiss ko yung mga comments mo tsaka yung mga pangaral kay Benedict.

Jerome. Jabbar, kahit nasa Florida ka na, di ka namin makakalimutan. You'll always be in our hearts - nyak! - basta lagi mong aalalahanin na naging bahagi ka ng buhay bente siete.

Wesly. The most responsible, dependable, friendly, approachable guy sa...buong...basta, future President ng Pilipinas! Sobrang galing magsalita, mabait pa.

Julian. F.K.A. Mr. Sungit, pero sa totoo lang mabait. Mapang-asar pero trustworthy. Kinikilala bilang Julie Adipose.

Paolo. Ang pasaway ng 27! Ilang beses nang naprefect pero okei parin pagdating sa grades.

Adrian. Super friendly, cheerful at laging nakasmile. Close din? Kaclub ko. Mabait. Love niya si Roselyn *uuuuiiii*; laging nagcocomment sa CBox ko. Uy comment!

Rigel. Super talino, laging naeexempt sa Math, gifted child, love si ano, ex ni ano.

Mario. Anak ni Bamboo! Mabait, friendly at Kampupoter (go Kampupot!). Maganda bahay. Nanghiram ng English book. Magaling umarte (Antero!).

Benedict. Nakoooo...mahirap talagang kalimutan etong si Benedict. Yung class clown namin, inosente pero nakakatawa. Mahilig mag "Uh miss, isn't that...", adik kay Ashley Tisdale, may pagkaperv... nagbabasa ng Total Girl.

Erwin. Mabait, nakakatuwa. Laging nagsasalita - talaga lang! - hinding hindi natutulog sa klase. Ahaha, joke lang. Parang panda daw sabi ni Roselyn.

JM. Hillsborough! Gitarista sa Underscored, mabait, prinsipe ni Louine. Hahahahaha...

Jethro. Former seatmate, galing sa Math! Mabait, champion fighter ng Justice. Love na love ang Law of Ueki kasi dun daw siya natuto.

Joseph. Crush ng bayan pati ni Sir Abrillo, drummer ng Underscored, mabait at friendly.

Mark. Seatmate ko nung first quarter, may crush kay C/K, mabait, approachable, pwedeng hingan ng favor (gaya ng pagprint ng picture sa prefect), gitarista din ng Underscored, annnnddd dandanan...anak ni Sir Mangaoang.

Ian. Ang naaalala ko lang sa kanya, kaklase ko siya nung Grade 1. Hahaha; magaling maggitara. Kasama sa Underscored. Mabait din pala, di nga lang kasi kami nag-uusap masyado.

Kim. Finally, marunong nang tumawa si Kim! Humahanga kaming lahat sa kanyang angking katalinuhan. Very reserved, quiet, at best friend ni Jethro. Mapang-asar din pala hahaha... mabait at matulungin sa homework, nagpapakopya pag kailangan.

Gerard. =)) (Ui comment ka tungkol dito ah. Wala kong sinabi sayo eh.)

Renniel. Number Two nerd ng klase! (Yung number one pala si Julia). Mahilig magjoke. Mahilig pangatwiran si Benedict. Nakakatawa tumawa. Mabait, friendly at approachable, minsan nga lang masyadong busy sa pag-aral. HAHAHAHA.

Dominic. Mabait sa tao. Pag di tao...

Victor. Mahilig sa knock-knock! Mabait at magaling magpatawa. Friendly din at madaling kausap. "This dead rose represents me without you"...

Vigs. Super friendly, mahilig din magjoke lalo na pag tungkol kina Benedict at Roselyn. Number one fan ng Partidong Tipton!

Joyce. Yehey! Favorite ang Naruto. Mabait, jolly at cheerful. Sexy pa! O diba...nagpapahiram din ng Naruto DVD, laging nakasmile, at mahilig mag-hi.

Kryslette. Super talino! Valedictorian ng batch namin pero di mukhang valedictorian. Approachable at mahilig tumawa. Close din. Very trustworthy and dependable. Mahilig sa PCD at Jesse McCartney, pati narin kay Nelly Furtado (hahaha). Lagi kong nakakatext or nakakachat lalo na dati nung first year. Uy, yung scrapbook ah...

Erika. Cheerleader, mabait, friendly. Kaklase ko din nung Grade 1. Mukha daw mataray pero hindi naman - opposite nga eh.

Clarissa. Kashare ko kay Actor Who Plays DM! Di pa sinosoli yung Anna and the King. Isoli! Or sayo na un. Uy Clarissa...mamimiss ko yung chinachat natin sa YM tungkol sa England...

Darlene. President ng klase, maganda, maganda lalo na ang buhok. Mahilig tumawa at mabait.

Nina. Benedict loves Tintin! Daw ah...di ako nagsabi nun. Magaling magblog at magPhotoshop, model, fashionista, maganda, maraming nagkakacrush. Friendly at matulungin.

Charmaine. Bakla daw...mabait naman! Masaya sa buhay, dati laging inaasar kay Cuis pero ngayon hindi na.

Marie. Isa pang anime lover. Magaling magdrawing, artistic, talented. Masaya kausap.

Jessa. Mahilig din tumawa! Matulungin, mabait, at approachable. Marami ding jokes at maganda handwriting.

Isabelle. Crush na crush ni Benedict. Hahaha...sobrang bait, masaya kasama, patient (sa stalker niya na si Benedict), understanding at adik sa Neopets!

Kei. Pano nga yun...pag pumasok si Kei laging may background music care of Benedict. Super bait, laging nakasmile, friendly at matulungin. Artistic din, maraming nagkakacrush, at dependable.

Essell. Super friendly! Approachable, madaling kausap at generous sa pics. Born leader na rin.

Roselyn. Daming boylets pero stick to one lang. Bigo sa pag-ibig pero may nahanap na lalake. Trustworthy at loyal. Close din at okay kasama, maraming nagkakacrush. Talented sa music at drama.

Chloe. Ako yan!

Louine. Isa pa sa mga Kampupoter (na talagang hinding-hindi magpapatalo sa ibang kalye diyan), mayaman, very berry mabait, trustworthy, at crush ng bayan. Perfect ba?

Aynna. Tinaguriang "Princess Manosca" ni Gudo, singkit at friendly. Hahaha...mabait at mabait parin.

Myka. Resident rakista ng 27. Magaling maggitara at masaya ding kausap. Member ng Pink Smylz (tama ba spelling, mali ata eh).

Anne. Marami ding nagkakacrush dito...mabait at madaling kausapin.

Irene. Mabait! Friendly! Confident sa pagkatao niya. Hindi nag-aalala kung anong iniisip ng iba sa kanya. Galing din umarte - Dona Dolores tsaka Rustica. Pareho tayo classroom roles ah.

Theresa. Matalino, approachable at okay kausap. Lagi ding nakasmile or tumatawa.

Cahren. Friendly siya. Maganda magsulat at madali rin kausap.

Julia. Number One nerd ng klase! Katabi ni Renniel. Super bait, understanding, masaya kausap, marami din nagkakacrush.

Christian. Mahilig magjoke na nakakatawa.

Fatima. Tinatawag na "Fat" ni Gudo, "Timang" ni Julian. Model, mabait, medyo quiet pero hindi pala. Magaling din magviolin at marami nagkakacrush.

Siyempre naman, kailangan pa bang sabihing matalino kaming lahat? =)) Kaya nga cream of the crop eh! *yabang* Joke lang ah...di kami nagsabi nun!

"I think it's ironic that for once dad's butt prevented the release of toxic gas."

- Bart Simpson

[ huhuhuhuhu ]

2007-03-09T03:47:00.000-08:00

Wala ako masabi... bukas na lang or mamaya...

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

- Mahatma Gandhi

[ late night talk shows ]

2007-03-04T22:45:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure you've watched an episode or two of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Nothing, haha. It's just that I like the ads thing where Jay shows classifieds which have somehow mutated into knee-slapping articles people love to laugh at. It's funny. Plus the guests aren't duds, either.

Today wasn't a special day, but it's been a long time since I went to ATC with my mom, my dad and my sisters. I was starting to miss our old Saturday routine (which happened only on account of my going to Kumon). So yesterday I begged my mom to take us there. And today we did.

While my parents were out booking flights at a travel agency somewhere in ATC and Arielle was at a group practice in BF Park, my other sister Nadine and I stayed at Powerbooks. Mom had left three books about Canada and I got intrigued by the cover pictures, so I picked them up and started reading. You know how I am. Well, as you might have expected from reading tour books like I did, I learned a lot about the country we're going to, and specifically about the Toronto area. There was Yonge Street, which is the longest street in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and the CN Tower, which was originally built for broadcasting and turned out to be a major tourist attraction. I also saw pictures of Vancouver (my cousin left yesterday and they're staying there for a week before flying to Toronto), and Nova Scotia, which is the next best place to visit if you don't have the money to go to Scotland.

CN Tower / Part of Yonge Street

It hasn't yet become real to me that we're actually leaving. I'm supposed to expect euphoria once we get there. Then disenchantment. Then acceptance. Then something else (I can't remember what). These are the stages of when you move someplace new. I don't think I want to get disenchanted. Or homesick. Or both. I hope I don't.

"Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein

[ smells like rain ]

2007-03-03T01:49:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say it's raining in the middle of summer. But it's not. I really can not understand the weather we're having right now. At the end of January to the start of February, we had really cold, jacket-wearing weather. After a week or so it became extremely hot and you could feel summer coming.

And now it's raining?! WTF.

Amoy lupa sa labas!!!!!!

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

- Unknown

[ pundits! ]

2007-03-03T01:48:00.000-08:00

You Are A Pundit Blogger!

Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read.
Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

You Are 32% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well.
In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

You Are A White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino

One of a kind and forward looking, you're the first to introduce a wacky new trend to your friends. And even if your ideas seem weird, they get adopted pretty quickly.

What Flavor Frappuccino Are You?

You Are New York

Cosmopolitan and sophisticated, you enjoy the newest in food, art, and culture.
You also appreciate a good amount of grit - and very little shocks you.
You're competitive, driven, and very likely to succeed.

Famous people from New York: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tupac Shakur, Woody Allen

What American City Are You?

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

- Oliver Goldsmith

[ great week ]

2007-02-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

Well I have been having great days lately, except for I was sick last Sunday and had a horrible headache on Tuesday. Biogesic helped a lot then, so I was okay. I thought my semi-insomnia was kicking back again, but I guess not, because I've been sleeping better.

Today was a great, great day. Of course I don't really expect Fridays to be great, I just live them off because the next day is Saturday. Anyway, Fridays are when I spend my time doing pointless stuff like sitting in front of the computer. Right now the rest of my family is at the theater so I'm home alone and I've got the computer to myself! Hmm...so my way of writing this post is kind of like The Actor Who Plays D.M. because I just read his blog. Looks like he has a huge crush on The Actress Who Plays H.G. because a lot of his entries have her name and the word gorgeous in the same sentence, on them.

Anyways, it's been one year since State of National Emergency was last (and somewhat confusingly) declared. I remember well because February 23, 2006 was THE day. :) I really miss being a high school freshman, because that was when everything started. I can honestly say that I've grown up a lot since then, and know that I WAS NEVER IN LOVE WITH COKE. Ah, those were the days, back when practically every girl was swooning over some guy and saying they were "in love" (though I believe some of them really were - you know who you are!). I really miss first year. I still can't get over the fact that I'm almost over with being a sophomore and that we are moving to a whole new country, and I'm still missing those carefree, happy days (don't worry, I'm having carefree, happy days right now). Time really goes fast, doesn't it? It was Saturday last week and it's Saturday again tomorrow!

Oh well. At least we're not going out. My parents are going to fix some papers in U.P. and my sisters and I aren't coming along.

By the way, have you watched The Passion of the Christ? If you haven't, well, watch it. We did in our CVE class last year and we're doing it again, and it made me cry last year. This year though, because I knew what was going to happen, I didn't. Besides, my classmates are noisier now than they used to be. And totally not related to the topic, the song I Belong to Me is stuck in my head. Gah. I can't get it out; I might as well put it here so you can all hear it in your heads after reading this. Hahahahahaha.

New layout tomorrow! Thanks Vicky!

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

- Elizabeth Browning

[ three little pigs ]

2007-02-19T04:48:00.000-08:00

Three Little Pigs went out to dinner one night. The waiter comes and takes their drink order.

"I would like a Sprite," said the first little piggy.
"I would like a Coke," said the second little piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," said the third little piggy.
The drinks are brought out and the waiter takes their orders for dinner.
"I want a nice big steak," said the first piggy.
"I would like the salad plate," said the second piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," said the third little piggy.
The meals were brought out and a while later the waiter approached the table and asked if the piggies would like any dessert.
"I want a banana split," said the first piggy.
"I want a root beer float," said the second piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," exclaimed the third little piggy.
"Pardon me for asking," said the waiter to the third little piggy, "but why have you only ordered water all evening?"
The third piggy says - "Well somebody has to go wee, wee, wee, all the way home!"

ANG CORNY! Wahahaha =))

"Every search for a hero must begin with a villain."

- Unknown

[ happy blogiversary! ]

2007-02-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

IT'S MY BLOGIVERSARY TODAY!!! I have been officially blogging for one year! But I'm sick today. Haha. May Diagnostic Test pa naman bukas. Mag absent kaya ako. Huwahahaha. Wag na. Uy, 4 months na lang pala tapos goodbye Philippines na!

Will be taking my blog with me to Canada. :)

"You'll never find it if you're looking for it."

- The Used, Blue and Yellow (from beekee's blog)

[ and realization dawns ]

2007-02-10T23:21:00.000-08:00

OMG! It's 11 PM and I just realized something. You see, I've been editing my posts (what with the wrong timestamp and all) when I saw my VERY FIRST POST. And the layout... man it was like yesterday I was sitting in that cafe and picking the most decent I could find, which happened to be a black angel. Golly wow, I'm about to hit my first year with this blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I've been good at this, but still...

Happy blogsary me! :D

"If it rains, play in the puddles."

- Unknown

[ pity pity pity ]

2007-02-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

-William Shakespeare

I just read my old archives. Funny how fast things change, isn't it? That thing above keeps on repeating in my head. I must be feeling it.

You know what, I pity you.

[ telephone conversation ]

2007-02-09T07:21:00.001-08:00

I might be violating copyrights, but right now I don't care. We're doing Afro-Asian Literature in English and have finished with an excerpt of the Rubaiyat and a poem called Till Hearts End (which, as usual, I was too lazy to post). This one is called Telephone Conversation. It is about racism. Might give you some food for thought, so enjoy.

TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

Wole Soyinka

The price seemed reasonable, location

indifferent. The landlady swore she lived

Off premises. Nothing remained

But self-confession. "Madam," I warned,

"I hate a wasted journey - I am African."

Silence. Silenced transmission of

Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came,

Lipstick-coated, long gold-rolled

Cigarette-holder piped. Caught I was, foully.

"HOW DARK?"...I had not misheard. "ARE YOU LIGHT

OR VERY DARK?" Button B. Button A. Stench

of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak.

Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered

Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed

By ill-mannered silence, surrender

Pushed dumbfounded to beg simplification.

Considerate she was, varying the emphasis

"ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT?" Revelation came.

"You mean - like plain or milk chocolate?"

Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light

Impersonality. Rapidly, wave-length adjusted, I chose

"West African sepia" - and as an afterthought,

"Down in my passport." Silence for spectroscopic

Flight of fancy, till truthfulness changed her accent

Hard on the mouthpiece "WHAT THAT?" conceding,

"DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS." "Like brunette."

"THAT DARK, ISN'T IT?" "Not altogether.

Facially I am brunette, but madam, you should see

Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused -

Foolishly, madam - by sitting down, has turned

My bottom, raven black - one moment Madam!" sensing

Her receiver rearing on the thunder clap

About my ears - "Madam," I pleaded, "Wouldn't

you rather see for yourself?"

I love free verse, don't you? The way sentences are left open and then continued at the next line, the way they don't rhyme, the way they talk to you and have a lot of periods. It's so inspiring. I just love free verse. :)

[ life is good ]

2007-02-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

I feel the way you feel after you've taken a nice, long bath. I feel free. I feel renewed. It's like I've finally woken up and realized that life is not going to be this way forever.

I know I'm going to face some major changes soon, but I think the change has already begun. And I'm okay with it so far. It's like I said, change is the way you feel after a long bath. But I have a question. After you've washed the filth away, would you actually miss it? Why would you, if it made you feel hot and sticky and sweaty? Would you be sad to let go of the memories you wash away with the filth?

I've undergone a major change in scenery. I don't know if I ever will come back, or if this is the way it's going to be. And if you're wondering why the title of this post is "life is good", it's because it is. You know, there's a saying that change is the only permanent thing in the world. I believe that. I believe also that there are good changes and there are bad ones. So far, the change of scenery has been good, and so life is good too.

To all the people who have made a difference in my life, thank you. That means you too, thank you. I owe you five years of making me the way I am. Thank you for teaching me about how things don't last forever. And to those who took me in and shared their friendship during the past two days, I am eternally grateful. You have shown me that I actually have a lot of great friends behind my back, and I don't need to stick to just one. I know now that I have many people I can turn to, thanks for showing me that. Thank you for making today and Friday two of the best and most memorable days of my life here. When I thought I was going to be miserable, you showed up and I actually had a load of fun because of you! A big thanks to K, R, A, A, and K.

Sitting in my room

Feeling sorry for myself

I can't feel worse

Well what else? I wonder what I could say

To stop the voices, taunting and laughing

The way they're acting I wish they'd just disappear

The joke is always on me

It's always on me

Why don't they understand

That we are all the same

And we all feel lost at times

Why don't they understand

That someone else's pain

Is not for gain

Sticks and stones won't break my soul

Get out of the way, I'm invincible

Throw them down

'Cause the one you hurt's not around, not around

It's not your place, honestly...

In the end you'll be the victim

You're the one who has to live with yourself

And when you're reaching for help

There'll be no one, there's no one

I won't live in chains, I've got something to give

I won't play these games, yeah I'd rather live

You know I've come too far

To be like you are

Why don't you understand

That we are all the same

Sticks and stones won't break my soul

Get out of the way, I'm invincible

Throw them down...

-Sticks and Stones, Aly & AJ

Well, that pretty much sums it up. But remember that I am also a human. I can get hurt too, but I won't let it stop me from living.

So it has been a nice, long bath. Of course there was freezing water, but it only served to wake me up. The only question is, will I miss the dirt?

This has been a positive post. Hooray for me!

[ rewind forward play ]

2007-01-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

I have recently realized that I've been living in a dream for the past eight months. Draco and Hermione will never be together. I repeat, never, unless somebody somehow manages to kidnap JK and make her change her mind.

Now that my addiction is finally winding down, I have thought about exactly why I got to liking the pair in the first place. (I can't even remember.) Maybe the computer caused me to lose my taste. Ever since it got hit by a virus, I have been seeing less and less of Draco and Hermione. Even the best site I know hasn't updated in ages.

~~Scratch that last.~~ I just visited Dracohermione.org and it says there's a Draco figure for sale in June. Hahahaha. Bahala na yung mga adik dun.

On some other topic than my boring addiction, I have finally gotten a new haircut. I like it. It's shorter and easier to manage, and it's definitely less frizzier than the one I used to have before. To all girls who haven't had their hair cut in a long time, I advise you to go and get it done. It's a nice change.

Speaking of changes, we're confirmed for Canada. We're moving in June 2007, so I won't be spending my junior year in high school here. As of now I'm excited, but I know the closer we get to actually leaving the less I'll want to leave.

At least I've still got five months (including a whole summer) to enjoy life here in the Philippines, unlike Jerome, who was informed they were leaving only a month before departure. Again, like a haircut, this might be the change I'm looking for.

Who knows? Maybe it'll be easier to manage, too.

[ pugo ]

2007-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

Ang tamad ko talaga. :))

Not in relation to above quote:
We have the Sto. Nino celebrations in school every year, and it is always accompanied by a fair. Last year and this, I bought a quail. The old one was named Coke (in honor of my ex-crush) and this one was appropriately named Panget. Haha joke lang. Panget is the cutest quail I've ever seen. :)

But Panget died today. And it was quite sad, you know, because before I went to school this morning he was still alive. The trouble with him was, he had a broken leg.

Every night I would pray that nothing would happen to him, but the quail was one frisky little thing, kept running around and slipping, chirping loudly as he went. Ayan tuloy, nabalian.

We're having cold weather now since it's January, and I feared he would get cold. Yesterday I bundled him up in an old cloth, and last night when I looked it had sixteen pieces of, er, crap on it. But Panget was still cute. :)

I also noticed that lately he was getting quite fat. No wonder, since I was always putting food in his box. He was a plump little quail who was always eating. And boy was he noisy.

You have to forgive me for the over-adjectivizing (haha) because I'm missing my pugo right now. If a quail has been living with you for the past week and three days, you would surely miss all the things he did. That is how I feel right now. To think that I'd taken him out this morning, and now to find him dead...

[ a learning experience: one day in prison ]

2007-01-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

BELATED POST! Outreach for A.Y. 2006-2007

December 6, 2006, Wednesday

Things you can ask the inmates:
-Name
-Province
-Marital Status
-Dependents (No. of Children)
-Occupation
-How did jail change your life?
-How do you feel about our visit? Your impression of us?
-How is life in the prison?
-Hardships/trials in the prison
-Message about freedom
-Experience with God
Rules:
-No jewelry
-No gadgets (cellphones to be left at the Prefect of Students)
-And most important...silence

// //

Last year our class planted mahogany trees.

This year we had reason to get excited: we were going to New Bilibid Prison. We were supposed to go last week, on November 30, but a typhoon was on the way. This typhoon later caused thousands of deaths in the Bicol region, and a mudslide in Albay.

Anyway, I arrived in school the usual time. We had our first three classes in pants and PE shirt, and they just had to give us homework (they never let us off!) After that, we went down to the Students' Lounge for the orientation, where we were told the rules and what to ask the inmates. Then we had a very long lunch. Section 46 and another 4th year section were first to be called on the buses. There were only two.

It was an ordinary, although longer, lunch period--we played games, chattered about as usual, and played pranks on each other (our class is really noisy). Then Section 11 was called, so we got to be the last.

At around 1 PM, we finally got to ride the bus. We grabbed our donations (in my case, three to help) and ran mostly yelling to the two ManVar buses waiting outside Gate 6. We got hyper; we were excited!

Sir Manuel was on our bus. It was hilarious! I sat with Christian, Roselyn was on the other side. My busmate Roberto was on the aisle seat. Half of Section 17 was with us (Boo was there) and half was in the other bus with Section 28.

Around Madrigal, the people in the green van in front of us started laughing. It was funny, so we laughed at them too. The bus got to Daang Hari, and after a while arrived at the prison.

It was just a small gate, you wouldn't realize it led to a prison at all. And to my great surprise, it was right outside Portofino Homes. Anyway our buses were stopped and inspected; Sir Manuel said we had just gone through the employee exit. There were barbed-wire fences at least 20 feet high surrounding the correctional center. There were about two layers and they were, erm, scary-looking.

Finally, we got off the bus at a field opposite the Medium Security Camp (the sign there said that.) The first year and second year were separated and each class was arranged by number. We found out that the people in the green van before ours was a third-year band (there were no juniors in our outreach.) We were given labels. The tags ran out since there were only 150 made, and I was the 151st. Ha, ha.

Then we walked in a line to the inspection center. The guards were women, and they had big voices and crew cuts. They were also very strict. One pushed me and said "Dun ka na" after I passed the semi-inspection. There was another inspection where our pockets were searched; papers were found in mine and the guard was sort of suspicious. "Papel lang yan..." I said. There were maximum-security inmates digging in the room behind us.

Our IDs were taken at the next room. We walked on again, past other inmates, until we got to a covered court where the previous sections were.

The medium-security inmates were on a sing-and-dance program, and when we arrived they were doing a dance number. They did not look like prisoners at all. In fact, if not for the 20-foot barbed wires, it would not look like a prison at all. The inmates were like the ordinary commuters you see everyday along Service Road. That's when I realized that they were also humans. They were people. They may have killed one or two, but that didn't make them any different from us.

After the dance, other inmates performed a medley of songs. They had surprisingly good voices. They sang stuff we all knew: Kung Wala Ka and some other OPM song. It was really touching for me. They knew the same songs we knew. They were in jail, but they were singing songs by Hale (haha corny rhyme). I mean, wow.

I noticed something kind of haunting. There was a man in the middle of the line I noticed right away. His face looked pinched and he had no front teeth. I was a little bit frightened because, excuse the word, it was freaky. But he was singing with all his heart. You could tell by the way he looked up.

They were all looking up. They were all singing with their hearts. I truly believe that because I saw it. And people paid attention to them. Five others, besides the one I noticed, were missing their eyeteeth. I wouldn't call it pathetic, I didn't even think that they probably hadn't brushed in days. Like I said earlier, it was sort of haunting and touching.

That image of the formerly-hardened inmates, lacking a few teeth but singing like they meant it, would stay with me long until the visit was over. I can still see it clearly in my mind's eye.

A few numbers later and after the green-van people had performed, Mario came up front and sang Hallelujah. Kaboses nya si Bamboo... and the people went wild! Then he gave a rose to Anne. Haha. Woohoo.

And after that, the inmates did another number, in which they didn't ask us to applaud. Instead, we were to listen to the message of the song they performed. It was something called Bilangguang Walang Rehas, which in English means Cage Without Bars (it may sound corny like that because it's better and deeper in Tagalog.) I'm sorry to say I got distracted talking to my seatmate, so I have no particular reaction.

As soon as the program was over, we were to have a one-on-one session with an inmate. I was a bit nervous, because these people, after all, had committed crimes. I prayed I would have the strength/courage to talk to a criminal. I also prayed I wouldn't get one missing his front teeth.

Roselyn and I were assigned as a pair, and we got a decent-looking man as our subject. We were seated on Monoblock chairs, with the others scattered around, in the covered court.

Our inmate's name was Feliciano Sagganay (or something like that; I couldn't see his ID). He said he was from Zamboanga, which coincidentally, was Roselyn's province too. So that gave them a lot to talk about (Chavacano, where in Zamboanga they lived, etc.) The interview basically was a life-changing experience for me. We learned that Mang Feliciano was one of the "innocents" in the prison, one of those who were wrongly accused of committing a crime he didn't do. He was convicted of murdering his neighbor, which he said he never did. And you know, I believed him. This man was a father, a husband, a simple farmer who couldn't probably even scrape up enough. Like I said, he was decent-looking. He did look innocent.

And then we asked him some questions. Of course, we had to speak in Tagalog.

US: Hello po... San kayo nanggaling bago kayo napunta dito?
FELICIANO: Sa Zamboanga.
ME: May anak po ba kayo?
F: Meron. Isa. Ilang taon na kayo?
ROSELYN: 14 po.
F: Ah, ganun na rin siya.
ME: Sori po kung tinanong ko, pero ilang taon na po kayo dito?
F: Nakulong ako nung 1996... Ilan na ba yun? Apat na taon pa nga lang yung anak ko nung kinulong ako eh.
ME: Sampu... So hindi nyo na po siyang nakitang lumaki?
F: Hindi...
ME: Okey naman po kayo dito?
F: Ayos naman, pero siyempre nahihirapan. Walang bumibisita eh, lahat sila nasa Zamboanga. Tapos yung asawa ko,
may iba nang kasama. Siyempre nasa kulungan ako tapos wala na siyang kasama...
ME: Sa tingin nyo po, patas lang na pinadala kayo dito kahit hindi naman kayo yung gumawa ng krimen? (I was careful
not to say "bilangguan")
F: May natututunan naman ako dito.
R: So ano pong paborito nyong gawin?
F: Mag-aral. Marami nga akong natututunan eh. 4th year na ako.
ME: Ilang taon na kayo?
F: Ano, 38.
ME: May kaibigan naman kayo? (At this point I was running out of things to say. I elbowed Roselyn, and Mang Feliciano
was looking around...)
F: Ano yun? Medyo mahina na kasi pandinig ko eh.
ME: May kaibigan naman po kayo dito?
F: Siyempre meron. May samahan talaga.
ME: Oo siyempre meron. Hahaha...
R: Saan po kayo sa Zamboanga?
F: --said something like Talun-talon--
R: Ah, kami malapit sa airport eh.
F: Malayo kami dun.
ME (after a long pause): Tingin nyo po, bahagi ito ng plano ng Panginoon na ipadala kayo dito? Naniniwala po ba kayo
sa Panginoon?
F: Oo naman. Mahirap lang kami sa Zamboanga eh. Dito naman, nakakapag-aral pa 'ko.
ME: Pinatawad nyo na po ba yung mga naglagay sayo dito? (he was wrongly convicted of murder)
F: (and this answer touched me) Matagal ko na silang pinatawad. Hindi ako galit sa kanila.
ME: Eh yung asawa nyo?
F: Napatawad ko na rin.
ME: Nagbago po ba kayo pagkapasok nyo dito?
F: Nagbago naman.
R: Sa tingin nyo po, may pag-asa pa kayo sa kinabukasan?
F: Meron pa siguro...
ME: May mababalikan pa po ba kayo dun sa Zamboanga?
F: Wala na yung asawa ko pero andun pa yung iba.
R: Eh yung anak nyo po, san nakatira?
F: A, kasama nya yung lola nya.
ME: Ano pong impresyon nyo samin?
F: Ha?
R: Hindi nya ata maintindihan...
ME: Edi Tagalugin mo.
R (after another pause): Ano pong tingin nyo samin?
F: Mabait... para na nga kayong anak, nakwentuhan ko pa. Pag may dumating nga tapos nagpapakwento, ayoko eh. Baka
maiyak pa ako. (at this point or some other we were all tearing up a bit, including Mang Feliciano)
US: Ah.
R: Ano naman pong masasabi nyo samin?
F: "Mag-aral nang mabuti; sundan ninyo ang inyong mga magulang. Siyempre mayroon talagang pagkakataon sa buhay na
magkakamali tayo..." (munches on sandwich, offers us some which we politely decline, and sips on a doy-pack without any straw
which I think was removed for safety purposes.)

At this the bell rung, which was quite a relief because I really was running out of things to say. I said thank you about three times before the last "Thanks po. Goodbye."

You know what, I was so touched by his story that I wanted to give him my rosary bracelet. I bet that would have made an impact on him. Unfortunately, I was too attatched to it and couldn't let it go.

Haha hindi pa yan tapos. Nag camping pa kami dun sa field. Mahaba pa eh. Sorry kung magulo, copy-paste lang yan sa Notepad. And sorry na rin kung belated. :)

[sorry]

2007-01-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

Sorry for everything wrong with the layout and my "tamad-ness" and for not posting regularly. It's just that it's really difficult to post when you can't even fix the layout. So maybe later (after I finish the Math project) I'm going to fix this, and, hopefully, post more regularly.

[ harry potter and the order of the phoenix ]

2006-12-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

I found a new vid on HPANA today. Feel free to check it out here. It's a behind-the-scenes look at the new movie, set to premiere around July next year. You can see a bit of Luna Lovegood, Evanna Lynch, in the clip. Also seen are Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, and Imelda Staunton as Professor Unmbridge.

Anyway, I'm at the cafe again. Our computer is fixed already but all our old files were deleted, so I'm kind of bummed right now.

[ greekish ]

2006-12-09T17:59:00.000-08:00

For my mother's birthday today, we ate at a Greek resto recommended to my dad by an officemate. The place is called Cyma Greek Taverna, and it can be found on the 6th floor of Edsa Shangri-la Mall.

Our waitress was Kristy - she was very friendly and took the time to tour us through the items on the menu. And she also told us that Cyma means "to flourish". I read that they noticed the similarities between Greek and Filipino cuisines, for example, how we are naturally inclined to eat seafood since we both live near the sea. There are now two Cyma branches - the other one in Boracay. After reading my favorite food blog, Anton's, I learned that a lot of celebrities frequent the place. Of course when we got there there were none. They give all guests a special and equal treatment nonetheless. True to the name, Cyma is flourishing.

The ambiance of the restaurant is modernized Greek - see the picture below. It is well-lighted and clean-looking due to the color scheme of blue and white. At the leftmost side you can see the blackboard where they showcase the menu, and below that board is the bar/counter, beside which we sat.

I got pretty excited because it was my first time to dine in a Greek restaurant, and I was dying to taste something else besides the usual shish kabob. We ordered our food, waited, washed our hands, and waited again. Soon it arrived.

Of course I ordered something with beef on it. Steak-beef tenderloin souvlaki it was called, and it turned out to be what else but shish kabob! Nevertheless I really liked it. Other orders were kotopoulo lemonato, which is, according to the menu, Greek chicken adobo with lemon, and my parents' order, mahi-mahi (fish).

It was a fairly awesome dining experience I guess, since it was Greek. Of course there's always the fact that it is Greek-Filipino, not Greek-Greek, so it is not 100% authentic. I must say I liked the souvlaki best. The kotopoulo lemonato, besides having an exotic name, was not to my taste, although I ate quite some.

And then there was dessert. We got a flaming mango, another recommendation from my dad's officemate Tita Dolly. It's basically a whole mango with vanilla ice cream and a syrup. Before they put the ice cream though, they shout "Opa!" and flame the mango - I think the syrup contains some alcohol.

It's a really amazing treat, hot and cold at the same time. The mango tastes even better with the sweetness of the warm syrup and the neutralizing flavor of vanilla. I guess you can say it was my favorite part of the meal.

Curious, my mom asked Kristy what the whole ceremony meant. Kristy explained that opa means something like "cheers" in Greek. Most first-timers, we were told, are startled to the point that some even jump out of their seats when the waiters do that, but we'd been warned so we didn't. A signal is given when the flaming mango is served, and they all shout "Opa!" It's a merry activity, I tell you. I was quite amused.

As Anton says, it's like fire and ice melting together. It's sweet and creamy and mango-ey, even better because mangoes are my favorite fruit! For all that, however, you spend P180. Somehow all five of us managed to get a bite, us three daughters getting the most. My mother is an expert in making said, so she managed to scrape the mango clean.

All in all, it was a semicrazy new dining experience, worthy to be shared to you all! So if you're going to Cyma's, order the flaming mangoes. You'd be missing out if you don't.

[ blogspot ]

2006-12-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

Something is seriously wrong with my blog. Annoying popups are everywhere, no matter what page you visit. Ugh. That's partially the reason why I've been off for so long, but that doesn't mean nothing's happening in my life. Well, tata.

[ wachak ]

2006-11-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have hit an all-time high. Yesterday, I was on an all time low. So I'm happy... :D

Sorry for the last crabby post, ha. Sori sa mga natamaan, like I said in my Tagboard. Anyways... I have decided to change my url to "thefreewayexit", you know, something like a refuge. But I don't know if there is such a thing as a freeway exit. So I'll have to research on that.

Meanwhile... I just want to share something like a list of bloggers I admire:

+Vicky, because of her substantial, thoughtful posts. I love the way she writes. It actually inspires me to stick better posts and makes me realize that life is not that blah. Plus, we share a love for England and football (is that right?).

+Nina, for sharing her colorful life, and for the many pictures she puts up. A fabulously-gorgeous blogger who can speak perfect English; her posts are never boring. Wish she'd come out of hibernation...

+Avi, my writer friend, who can make a beautiful poem in less than a minute. Her posts are thought-provoking and she shows us that her life ain't just a boat ride.

+Aubrey, my other writer friend, whose gifts in the literature area are enviable. She can write stories that can make anybody cry, plus her poems are amazing.

Well, that's all for now. Wish I could write like the aforementioned girls... So will work on that. :D Enjoy life, people.

Bon noir!

[ no sleep tonight ]

2006-10-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

I told you so. Toldyousotoldyousotoldyousotoldyouso. I told you it would be like nothing ever happened. It's not the first time.

You can't stop this feeling...there's no escape. No sleep tonight, you won't get no sleep tonight.

Why do they always use that when people are playing soccer? I love this song. You might remember it in She's the Man, when Vi is playing on the beach at the start of the movie. You might also remember it in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, when Bridget is training in Baja California, Mexico. Basta lang, I love this song. That's all.

Ang peke ng ibang tao. Hypocrite is the word. Sasabihing pangit o baduy, tapos biglang favorite na kasi nakikiuso. Don't you hate people like that? Plastic. Fake. Trying to get with the "in" crowd". Magugulat ka nalang, sasabihin niyang "Favorite ko yan!" tapos yun pala, walang kaalam-alam tungkol dun kasi nga, nakikiuso lang. Eh kelan lang ba nung pinipintasan niya yun, "Pangit! Baduy! Sino bang nanonood nyan? Puro foreign ka ah. Mas maganda yung..." Gets?

Hypocrite. Eh wala ka ngang alam dun eh.

Huli ka.

[ life sucks. well, sort of. ]

2006-10-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hey. Guess what. Life doesn't suck at all! So why did I put that in there? I don't know either.

I think I'm up for something new. I WANT TO CHANGE MY BLOG LAYOUT, but unfortunately I am not particularly gifted in the HTML area. Gah. Plus, or minus, my posts suck. Ha, so that's something that sucks. I wonder why I'm always blank whenever I face the screen. It's not like I'm blank all the time. When I least need to be full, my mind comes up with crazy schemes and ideas I want to write down. Unfortunately that's also when I don't have access to the computer.

September 28 was going to be another ordinary day. Or so I thought. At least, not until people bombarded me with messages of "Walang pasok!" in YM. Apparently a storm was coming. Woohoo. And boy was it some storm. It lasted around 4 hours (?) and that's ONLY four hours, so we were lucky. The wind was really strong and it moved so fast, you could hear it. Whooooo. And you could see the clouds up there swirling like it was the end of the world. Wow. First time in my life I ever experienced something like that. It was like a tornado (there was a small one started in Zamboanga, I heard).

After we all thought it was over, it started up again. Oh and by the way, electricity was cut off due to the winds, some 300+ kph (?) Check the news for the storm of the millenium. Yeah, so I advertise. And so what.

I experienced three whole days of no electricity, no water, and no telephone. Totally cut off from the outside world. My cellphone battery was running low, so I kept it shut most of the time. So no communication (except for a few text messages reporting to Kryslette, haha)

After the storm, at around 6 pm, we went out and surveyed the damage. On our street alone, it was, um, really devastated. Yeah, so there. Branches and leaves were scattered everywhere. The yero at kahoy garage in front of our house had collapsed. Beside it, a tree was uprooted. It was really cold outside, we had to wear jackets. Overhead the sky was gray. Since I was looking for some adventure, I suggested that we go outside the village and see what had happened. So Dad, who had just gotten home from work, took us.

On South Superhighway, more than ten billboards had collapsed. Shows you just how dangerous they are. Fortunately, none fell on roofs. A huge tree had fallen over and completely blocked the entrance to Greenvale (where we once lived). More trees near the church had been stripped of their leaves. So wow, the damage done was big.

That night I slept without the fan. It wasn't that hot, thank God for the wind. Friday was an ordinary (and hot) day. It was quite boring, since there was nothing to do. Saturday and still no electricity. And then came the dreaded news. "Walang tubig." And I hadn't shampooed since Thursday. Oh nooo. So we went to my tita's house in Quezon City. I got to see my baby niece Iya (sorry, no pics; she's really cute though). At around seven, our maid called up my mom and told us... well, you can guess!

At 3 AM though, electricity was out, again. Ugh. Sunday, blah nothingspecialhappened. Then at 11 PM viola, lights went on. Monday, no classes as declared by the Muntinlupa mayor. By then our Long Test II had been postponed for four days. And then at 7:30 PM... no electricity again! This sucks.

Tuesday, which was yesterday, the fan suddenly went on at six AM. And off again at around 10:30 PM, when I was studying for my SS test (cause finally, we had classes). Boo. It came on today at one AM. Yes, people, I was awake when it happened. Haha.

So life doesn't suck at all! Almost six days of no electricity was quite an adventure for me, who has an otherwise ordinary life. And tomorrow, the winning SAN BEDA team comes to school. Hurray for the basketball fanatics.

Ah wait. Gotta go; will research on... THE EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF A FROG. Oh yeah and before I forget, try this: Milenyo vids. Take your pick.

[ makulay ]

2006-09-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

Hey again. Long time no see. Hulaan niyo. Yep, sira nanaman. Thursday pa daw. So in the meantime, cafe muna.

Busy week. Hindi naman sobra, pero hectic na rin. Saya. :D

Densai, wait lang. Ililink din kita, don't worry. Sulisman, hindi ko crush yun. Sabi baka nga lang eh. Sayo na rin yan Gerard. Alam kong binabasa mo to (grrr)... hindi mo kilala yun. Bwahahaha.

So I'm supposed to be doing the PA project now, but UNFORTUNATELY both of my groupmates aren't online. Ang hirap talaga ng walang PC.

Andaming project! Plus Long Test II on Thursday and Friday, so. And oo nga pala, alam ko maraming typos sa blog ko pero sori nalang. Tsaka hindi rin kita yung ibang words diba? Will fix, if have time.

Sa mga dayuhang hindi ako maintindihan, mamatay na kayo. Haha. Taglish ako magsalita eh, sabagay halos lahat naman Taglish. As much as possible, I will try to speak one language at a time. Swear.

Next time na. Bwahaha.

Anyway, Thursday last week was a pretty good day. I missed the 3:30 bus and so had to stay in school until 5:30. Actually, I almost caught it. In fact, I ran after it. Unfortunately, Kuya Edgar didn't see me and so I missed it. Bad trip pare. Haha. Gulo no? Tagalog ulit.

So I stayed in the lounge and looked through the yearbooks with my classmates. We laughed at the pictures and names of the old students. Which made me think, what if in the future, people will look at our yearbook and laugh?

Louine found somebody from our street on the 1997 copy. It turned out that the guy was my neighbor, and I didn't know! Haha. Laughtrip nun, tawa kami ng tawa.

And Friday, September 22, was Tom's birthday. Yup, the guy who plays Draco turned 19 already. Ang tanda.

So, well, gotta go, because my classmate just IMed me and told me that our PA project is due Tuesday. So will kill myself doing it instead of surfing for the next hour.

Buhbye.

[ go san beda fight ]

2006-09-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

PANALO BEDA! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!

I guess all I can say is, "I'm proud to be a Bedan". :)

San Beda Wins NCAA Hoops Title
By Frank Calapre, The Manila Times Correspondent

Ending with a roar instead of a whimper, San Beda College survived Philippine Christian University’s fiery endgame rally for a hairline 68-67 win Friday that clinched its first National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title in 28 years.

But the Red Lions had to go down the wire to beat the seemingly unsinkable Dolphins, who erased a 61-44 third-quarter deficit with a scary 23-7 tear that nearly did the trick.

Not until PCU’s gunner Ian Garrido drew a blank from 15 feet near the keyhole as time expired could the San Beda crowd at the packed Araneta Coliseum heave a sigh of relief and erupt in celebration.

Yousif Aljamal collared the rebound and held the ball tightly like his life depended on it, as the desperate Dolphins swarmed all over him. Confetti then fell from the Big Dome roof signaling the end of San Beda’s long title drought.

The Red Lions then gave a well-deserved victory ride for rookie coach Koy Banal, who set a record of sorts with the historic triumph, after closing out the thrilling best-of-three series at 2-1.

Banal is the first mentor to win both NCAA and University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball titles. He steered the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to the UAAP crown in 2003.

The Red Lions last won the NCAA championship in 1978 with a squad featuring Chito Loyzaga, Frankie Lim and Jayvee Yango. It took them nearly three decades to collect their 12th title in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

“This is for God above all. I’m so very happy and I’m proud of my boys all of them. Thanks God,” a jubilant Banal said later.

On the other hand, PCU came tantalizingly close to winning its second championship after its inaugural plum in 2004, but settled for its second straight runner-up finish.

With 6-foot-8 Nigerian Sam Ekwe neutralized, Aljamal and John Escobal saved the day for the Red Lions, combining for 38 points, 15 of them in the third quarter when they looked set to pull away for good.

The 6-foot-3 Aljamal, who topscored for the Red Lions with 23 points on top of 11 rebounds and 2 steals, was later voted the Most Valuable Player in the finals series.

Escobal finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, while Alex Angeles made 8 points and 4 rebounds. Ekwe, the season’s MVP and Best Rookie awardee, had 7 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Jason Castro led the PCU Dolphins with 25 points, followed by Robby David with 10, Beau Belga had 9 points, but the pro-bound Gabby Espinas was held to just 8.

The Scores:

SBC (68) - Aljamal 23, Escobal 15, Angeles 8, Ekwe 7, Menor 5, Evangelista 4, Maggay 2, Hermida 2, Gamalinda 2, Tecson 0, Taganas 0.

PCU (67) - Castro 25, David 10, Belga 9, Espinas 8, Navarro 7, Graham 4, Garrido 2, Amparado 2, Chien 0, McCoy 0, Santos 0, Vidal 0.

Quarterscores: 15-19; 36-30; 61-44; 68-67.

[ homecoming and hoarse cheers ]

2006-09-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Intrams kanina. Kulelat kami. 4th. AGH.

Homecoming niTop Suzara kahapon. Nagshoot sila sa Bio Lab. Adviser pala niya si Ms. Sison nung 4th year siya. Haha. So yun. May cameras and everything, tapos nakakahiya kasi ang daming mali. Lalo na yung wrong answer. Wala naman kaming kaalam-alam dun sa "tinuturo" ni Ms. kasi anatomy na yun, pang 4th year. Yung iba naman, sobrang conscious dahil sa camera. Sus, wala namang makikita sa kanila. Ilang minutes lang yun, no. Tsaka icucut naman nila. Wala rin.

Concert was after batch practice, mga 2:30. Natapos daw 4:30. Di ko alam kasi hanggang 3:30 lang ako. Nag-alisan na daw after nun. Mga 50 nalang daw natira. Kawawang Top.

Gawd, kakahiya yun ah. Walang welcome? Kay Rico Blanco nga eh, nung nag-MTV Homecoming suya dito nung January, nagstay sila hanggang mga 9 siguro? Kasi hello, si Rico yun.

But still. Kahit hindi ako kita dun sa scripted video ng "Top in the Lab", naging kaklase ko siya. At least for one fake lesson I didn't even understand. And I got his autograph. First time. Wow. So nahyper ako.

And then, Opening of Intrams kanina. Batch cheer. And after practicing for... uh, one day, we were ranked 4th out of 4. Andaming mali. Nakakahiya... "B-E-D-A, B-E-S-T, B-E-D-A we are the best..." tapos kala meron pa, tapos na pala. Aw.

Ang boring after ng cheer. May mga sikat din pala na hindi ko kilala. May black guy na basketball player na sobrang tangkad, "most promising" daw. Galing magdunk.

Tapos kahapon pala, super inspired ako sa fanfic na nabasa ko na puro Draco naisip ko. Kaso sama ng araw eh. Grr. Lang kwenta. Nairita ako eh. Nakahanap ako ng kahawig ni Draco, ayun crush ko na ata. Wala nang Garfield. Pangit na yun eh. Yung lookalike pala, naging kaklase ko dati. Popular siya. Kayo na bahalang manghula kung sino. Basta gwapo. Haha. Maangas? Ewan, basta kahawig. And no, Graceli, hindi si "A" yun... Nasa YM ko na pala. Hindi ko alam. :P

Tagalog mode pag bored. Bored ako eh. Halata no? Or bored ako lagi? Siguro pagod. Sigaw ng sigaw eh.

Putol putol. Haha. Yung cheers (not in order).

Umpa umpa umpa umpa Beda Beda Beda Beda Fight Fight Fight Fight Hey yu kim kum ka wa... Haya a kalma, kalma polly wanna haya a kalma, kalma polly wa rah...

We're red, we're hot, we're red hot Bedans. We're here to fight with all our might, fight...

B-E-D-A, B-E-S-T, B-E-D-A we are the best...fight team fight...

Itaas ang kamay iwagayway, awitin natin ng sabay sabay ang awit ng Sophies na naghihintay sa inyo...

Don't mess, don't mess, don't mess with the best cause the best don't mess...don't fool, don't fool, don't fool with the cool cause the cool don't fool. Sophies...we rule...

Nasasabik na manalo ngayon ang Sophies, taas kamay may confidence let's do the Sophies high...SO-PHI-EZ high, Sophies high...

Go Sophomores! Wala lang...okei lang na 4th tayo. :D

[ pa lab ]

2006-09-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Yehey! FIRST TIME TO POST WHILE IN THE PA LAB!!!! Wahoo......!!!

Anyways, look at the map on the left side. Wala lang... may nagvivisit pala na taga States tapos may Malaysia at England na rin. Pati Australia meron! I am SO happy! Hahaha... hyper ako eh!

Thanks to all who visited... :) Come back lagi... Sorry kung wala kayong maintindihan pero balik lang! Haha. Of course wala rin yung number of visitors, icompare mo naman kila Saab Magalona tsaka Ala Paredes... Walang tatalo...

Bat Tagalog ako ngayon?!?!?!?!?