the perils of

[above photos] Chilling in the LS Bookstore with Jhalec, AC, Julian and Cheryl (who took that last one). It was a much-needed break from English class, in which I am not doing so well. It's a good thing I arrived early for class, because I had to go to this 24-hour Internet cafe' along Katipunan to have some readings printed. But even then, I forgot to pick up a copy of Clifford Geertz's Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight , and so spent English class copyless. Which was NOT good, because Sir Pulan asked me about the opening anecdote of the essay (which I had not read, of course) and Deo, God bless him, had to whisper to me a quick summary, which I then told to Mr. Pulan. Very high school, but what choice did I (and poor Deo) have, really. When I felt like I was in the clear, Mr. Pulan asked me to continue summarizing the anecdote, at which point I just kept my mouth shut and hung my head in shame. SHAME.  For Lit class, we had a test on the Elements of Fiction,...

          I was taken off the Internet some two weeks ago because of this long test in Chemistry that I'd been so dreading. Chemistry never was my best subject, and the memory of the last long test I had taken (Subject: Math. Grade: C.) was more than enough a reminder to stop procrastinating and start hitting the books.          The results of that test were released today, and I got an 87 out of 105, equivalent to 82.9%. *Sigh.* What a let down. I guess it's not a bad score (it's a B), but it's not a very good one, either. I want an A!!!          *sigh, again* I didn't find the test that difficult, actually. In fact, if I were sure that Ma'am Terrado would never find this page, I'd go so far as to even call it easy. But... 87 :'(          All the grades I've been getting so far point to one thing only: I. Am.  AVERAGE .          Average average...

        Something about living on my own and learning how to budget the P300 my mom's allowing me per day is turning me into a real cheapskate. This week, I started keeping track of my expenses for my meals. I wrote them all down in this purple notebook my sister had gotten me for my birthday, and ever since then, I've been obsessed with figuring out how to cut back.          I think that being able to actually see those figures written down on paper like that instead of mentally keeping track of them is what's suppressing my impulsive tendencies. Sudden decisions to order dessert, or last-minute detours to Rustan's Supermarket to pick up cookies or cold juice - such was my life before the Purple Notebook. There's my magic little notebook. This picture was taken in Cagayan, the night before I moved to Manila.            Today, I learned when NOT to be thrifty. It was raining buckets here, you see, and...

Oh, Uncle Remus. You went too soon. You and your family will always be in my prayers.  God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.  So He put His arms around you and whispered "come to Me."  With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.  Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.  A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.  God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. You were one of the greatest, kindest, and most selfless men I've ever known. Rest in peace 'col.

I'm too lazy to write anything right now. So, I'm filling this post up with pictures, pictures, and more pictures, and then a picture of an ice cream fish. Big, big thanks once again to the anonymous commenter who keeps on reminding me to update this thang. :) (Oh, and you can right-click any picture and open it in a new tab for a better view.) . . . It was  Karl's 18th birthday, and classes were only until 9:30 in the morning. Karl was taking us all out to Yellow Cab in Katipunan. So, having two hours to kill before lunch, Block XX decided to hit the Ateneo Art Gallery in the old Rizal Library. We were greeted by an intriguing piece of art outside the building. "Balete," by Leeroy New, located at the old libe. The "roots" reach all the way up to the third floor! (Also in this picture: the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership, as seen in the back.) . . .         Inside the library, we went to view an exhibit by artist Kiri Dalena e...

OH YEAH!!! At long last, I've finally gotten an A on something: an essay for Filipino! I now get this nice medal stamped on my paper. Ahh, it fills me with pride. Now, back to studying Chemistry!

I can summarize my day in one paragraph: Woke up at 7, went to school, was forced to play this really dorky (and kind of fun) role-playing game for INTAC class, had Chemistry class and got a B on my previous lab report. And now I really want to get an A on something. Anyway, here's our reading assignment for tomorrow's Filipino. I'm posting it for the benefit of the masses who can't seem to find a copy online. Yeah, I'm a plagiarist now. >:D Unang Ulan sa Tag-araw Benilda S. Santos Kapag halos limot mo na ang lasa ng tubig umuulan Gangga-holen ang patak sa bubong at kalsada. Nagugulantang ang mga dahon sa biglang paglamig at napipilay ang talulot  ng mga bulaklak sa bigat ng ipinalalagok. Nagigising din ang mga paslit sa pag-idlip pagkapananghali at walang-lakas ang pagsaway sa pagkauhaw ng laman sa banyos ng langit. At ikaw, ngayon mo na ilahad ang palad sa labas ng bintana. Wala namang masasalo, kunsabagay. Makakatalik lamang sa balat hininga ng Santin...