the perils of

I really haven't been in the mood to write lately. I don't know if it's some brain chemistry thing associated with the weather (they say cold weather causes a chemical imbalance in the brain, making people sadder), but I've just lost the urge to type out the entire proceedings of my day for all the strangers on the Internetz to see. However, upon the prodding of certain friends (hi, Rap and Andy), I. Will. Write. After all, the show must go on, and the uncreative blogger must feign creativity. I don't really know what's in it for you, dear reader, but in writing this, I supposedly benefit from the theraputic nature of blogging. And then there's that other thing about my future grandchildren finding this blog and saying, "Oh look, Grandma wrote that!" (Ugh. How creepy does that sound? Hello, grandkids. Ack! So very creepy.) But what exactly do YOU benefit from reading this? You will have wasted around five minutes of your time, that's what. Fi...

         I'd always counted on my cellphone to wake me up every morning by playing some Manila radio station at precisely 6:30 AM, but for four days this week I found myself scrambling out of bed around 7:15. Rather than pin the blame on my phone's not going off, I have a feeling that I just sleep through the radio alarm when it comes on. That would explain why, when I was dreaming once about being in my lola's house in Cagayan, that infernal Korean song "Gee" started playing out of nowhere. And, yes, much Korean-style dancing was involved.        Today was different. The alarm ring tone was "Miracles Happen", by Myra, and from the moment I was able to separate my eyelids, I knew it was gonna be a good day. For one thing, today was the last Friday of the sem. And, for another, today was our last English 12 class!!!!!!! (Under normal circumstances, I would add thirty thousand more exclamation points to my previous sentence. However, today do...

Phew. Finally, I've submitted my Chemistry pre-lab report today. I was up till 2 AM figuring it out (and I only just finished it before Math class at 2 PM!) and now I feel like I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the aircon and Internet here in the Rizal Library. :) And Math? Well, I'll just put in a little extra effort tonight and tomorrow and over the weekend. The quiz is still on Tuesday, after all. That gives me five days prep time! And I've already scheduled an appointment with Mr. Tolentino, my Math teacher, for next Wednesday afternoon. I've already explained to him that I didn't take up in high school the topics we're discussing right now. He understands. Man, I feel so behind because my blockmates have already learned this stuff - in their sophomore year, at that! But I'm all mellow right now. I've got only three classes tomorrow - English, Literature, and P.E. All in the morning. So the rest of the day, I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... t...

I just don't understand Math as well as my classmates do. Every Math class, I have to struggle to keep up with the lessons. If this were a race, it seems like my blockmates would be sprinting towards the finish line, and I wouldn't even be halfway there. Math math math math math. Axioms and the table of signs and proving and inequalities... It just doesn't come naturally to me. Now, I'm really, really scared of getting a bad grade in Math and then losing my scholarship. I wouldn't even be here if not for the money given to me by the BPI Foundation. My parents simply can't afford to pay the tuition here. If not for my BPI scholarship, I'd be in Xavier University right now, studying Nursing, living the cushy life back in Cagayan de Oro... D'awww! I can't lose my scholarship. I just CAN'T. I don't wanna go to Xavier!!! I LOVE IT HEEEEEERE!!!! Okay. Here's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to make use of one of the consultancy...

The day I'd been looking forward to since setting foot in Manila: first day of college! Come to think about it, a college education is actually the whole reason why I'm here. Oh, but not just a college education, but a holistic learning experience and spiritual formation you can only find in the Ateneo. (Shameless school promotion, anyone?) Right. So. I woke up at 6:15, fell asleep, then woke up at 6:30. When I checked my phone after I showered, I panicked because Rap, my blockmate and ally in the war of the races (HALF CHINESE FTW IN YOUR FACE ALBERT YOU KOREAN YOU), was already asking me where I was. I grabbed the nearest pack of Sky Flakes and started dipping the pieces in cheese spread like hell. Breakfast ;) Met up with Andy, Karl, Rap and Kaye at the Gonzaga cafeteria and then caught up with a few more blockmates. We went to our first class of the day, Filipino 11. When we got to the classroom in Berchman's Hall, Room 209, we found most of our other blockmates...

Check out these sample ballots! I got them from my lola, who apparently has a pile of them lying around in her home, courtesy of our DILG. I had a lot of fun reading them. Instead of using the real candidates' names, COMELEC printed out names of Philippine artistas and bands, like 6 Cyclemind, Hale, Eraserheads and the like. Even Bon Jovi's here! I imagine that whoever made this sample used a Pinoy Song Hits for reference. Haha. Imagine a country run by rock stars and teen pop sensations. Or, even crazier, what if a movie actor who is also an ex-convict decided to run for president? Hah! What an insane world that would turn out to be! Sorry bout the horrid pictures. I have to make do with my trusty rusty phone cam, which has come in handy more than one occasion. P.S. I'll be off to Manila tomorrow! Gonna visit ADMU, a tiger, a manta ray and a dolphin, so I'm told. I couldn't be more excited!!! I LOVE TIGERS AND MANTA RAYS AND DOLPHINS!!! Hahaha. Seriously th...