Owner: Pearl.Operaglasses URL:http://pearl.operaglasses.org Join Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 17:54:16 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: I've never been described as simple or plain. Probably because I'm not. Site statistics:Click here
During days and weeks of academic hell [4] 2007-10-06 21:32:07 This is probably my hardest sem yet. And I mean that in different levels – testing me here and there every freakin day. It’s still baffling how I have mustered that much strength to bring me to this point – October 7, my sister’s birthday (no connection whatsoever) with only 5 more days till sembreak freedom. I’ve been wishing for some sort of time-off and recluse ever since this sem started. Now that it’s almost here, I can’t wait. Of course, just before that, hell arrives.
Last week was the hell week of all hell weeks in my entire Ateneo life. To my horror, I had to endure consecutive, caffeine-induced all-nighters. And I never liked any of those. It was a good thing I had the company of my group mates. My hell day of all hell days with 3 crucial, do-or-die group reports culminated last Thursday. How did it all go? Let’s just say I’m just glad it’s over. I received positive feedbacks from all, so I’m happy.
La
I Heart PolSci People [2] 2007-10-16 08:05:59 I just got home from watching Stardust with my friends, Jam and Kent. FYI: It was a really, really good and entertaining movie. Neil Gaiman never fails.
I’m pretty much in total sembreak mode despite a major group research paper to be submitted this Friday. I guess I’ll be devoting my entire day tomorrow for that. Also, my new chocolate-detox diet is ongoing and I haven’t failed yet! It’s almost a week since I started depriving myself of my ultimate sweet weakness. Good job me.
It’s pretty obvious how much of a series-freak I am. Apart from all the shows I’ve mentioned in my previous post, I am now hooked with two new ones: Pushing Daisies and Journeyman. If you enjoy trying out a quirky, fun, whimsical, forensic ‘fairy tale,’ I highly recommend checking out the former one. (It also has 3 broadway divas including Kristin Chenoweth!!!) The latter, on the other hand, is for those who like more time-traveling adventure and mystery. It& Read more:Heart
Another traitorous night [3] 2007-10-21 13:40:26 It’s 2 past 12 in the morning, and yet I hardy feel the urge to get a decent shut eye. I feel like I’m being held captive by another traitorous night leaving me in this state of vulnerability. Sigh. Truthfully, I could’ve felt worse. Except my best friend, Jazmine came to my rescue. We save each other from all the emotional baggage with our YM conversations every night these past few days. Thank you, love for being one of my happy pills and sources of strength and inspiration. Anberlin’s Inevitable will get us through, while we have tons of fun joining the SLP revolution.
I really have no idea what I shall be writing about. This momentary rut is just really getting to me now. I’m NOT allowing this uneasy feeling to linger. It’s just that I’m caught up in a web of emotions that I can’t seem to pinpoint what exactly I’m feeling. And if I don’t know that, I fail to realize what I really want. Oh shush. I can’t deal with
Thank God for Some Series Downtime [2] 2007-10-23 05:37:05 Lists that prove just how much of a TV-junkie I am, and some more.
My sister and I have color-coded, computerized tabled lists that shows who will download what per day to maximize bandwidth.
Mac has this amazing program called TV Shows that automatically downloads the right torrent file at the right time and even opens up Azureus/Transmission for me automatically as well.
We schedule the times when we are able to watch our shows. Contrary to what this list has made me sound like, I usually am out all the time. My sister and I have agreed we shall watch together, so we have to actually ‘schedule it in.’
I can name the US networks and time slots of all those shows. In fact, I have been recently fascinated with TV ratings and the show’s demographic, especially amongst competitive time slots, networks and shows. Read more:Downtime
, Thank
On Attaining Closure [2] 2007-11-02 00:29:40 The time spent to soothe emotional wounds really did do its wonders. Attaining closure in various aspects of my life and myself is priceless. It has allowed me to set free all negativity and make room for so much positivity and optimism. The once tainted realities are given clarity. There is acceptance of truth, and somehow it has stopped burning. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I can finally proclaim myself victorious from this emotional battle. There really is something empowering about that.
Thus, the break has been good so far. Amidst postponed plans, I’m not complaining. It’s refreshing to just think of myself for a change. Shutting myself out from the world entailed no such risks or burdens to anyone. And that felt good. I am able to reconnect with my good friends, strengthen best friend bonds, celebrate promising news, cherish sibling moments, restock my wardrobe, indulge in series downtime, and look forward to good days. It’s safe to say that I’m not c Read more:Closure
My Invincible-I-Am Moment [4] 2007-11-05 20:35:54 Getting my highest QPI ever and maintaining my Dean’s List status is the cream cheese icing on my already tasty carrot cake. (This is me craving for Sonja’s Bunny Huggers Cupcake.) There were no expectations even. I was just glad that it was over and I have finally let go of all that was hindering me from moving happily forward. I guess this is an even greater personal victory for me that I could ever hoped for at the moment. Especially after the most emotionally trying semester. I’m really happy and proud of myself.
Some of my close friends would remember my agony over how the hurt and anger may channel into something negative that could affect my studies. The lesson to be learned here is that nothing can really stop you from doing anything unless you allow it to. Not even heartbreaking realities or rock-bottom moments. My ‘making the most out of the moment’ strategy really works! Clarity of vision and knowledge of priorities were also very, very helpf Read more:Invincible
, Moment
Junior year madness! I can feel it! [1] 2007-11-13 05:59:29 Because exhaustion has taken hold of me at this moment, I shall update in list form. These are random and not-so-random thoughts of the past few days.
I’m in for a whole lot of workload and stress this sem. If last sem was killer enough, I think I have it three-fold this sem. Help me, Lord.
For one thing, I have Dacanay for Theo131. If you’re from Ateneo, I guess that speaks for itself. To add to that, my PolSci majors are more demanding than ever. Talk about weekly quizzes, an average of at least 200 pages worth of readings per week, and final papers that could total 20,000 words (both individual and group). I also have group works for all. Of course, these are rough estimates, but I’m pretty sure it’s close.
This is my first time to have a class that ends at 6PM. The fact that it ends at nightfall reminds me of late-night BlueREP rehearsals for Sweet Charity in the SEC classrooms. BTW, my last class is also at SEC. It’s not really a problem just as l Read more:Junior
When readings are starting to torture me [1] 2007-11-20 07:17:34 It has almost been 2 weeks since the second semester started, and I’ve never been this stressed this early. If you have been keeping tabs on my micro-blog, you’ll see my incessant whining over everything. What a pain.
But then hear me whine and rant some more.
Heavy workload is usually reserved for incredibly inhumane hell weeks that can be experienced some time February or March. Usually, everything before that, especially the first freakin weeks are light and manageable. Unfortunately, it has been anything but!
My subjects are pretty deadly when it comes to the reading assignments. For the past few days, I’ve been staying up way late (than usual) attempting to finish the readings for the following day. Mind you, 150 pages worth of readings only for one major subject given a minimum of 2 days before is supposed to be normal. And that’s just for one meeting for that one subject. My other major also requires around the same amount. There are graded recita
Random school-related tidbits [2] 2007-12-02 18:16:55
I have never really liked cramming. However, college just makes it quite impossible to not cram at least one thing every semester. It also doesn’t help that most of my peers are crammers, which makes the experience of collective cramming is quite comforting at the end of the day.
When it comes to writing my papers, my “magic hour” usually just sets in just before dawn. I try to finish around 1-2 paragraphs early on (even days in advance) and end up taking a long break to review my notes and outlines. Then, I sleep/nap until I wake up at around 3 or 4AM (I don’t even need an alarm for that.) to finish the remaining paragraphs. I always finish on time. Most of my best work are created during those hours.
All-nighters work best through Skype or YM with my group mates. Nagdadamayan kami. And that works.
I have my own highlighter system that automatically registers with my brain. I’m incredibly visual with a knack for bright colors, so my system is pretty effe Read more:Random
, related
When it boils down to this [3] 2007-12-10 10:09:21 At this point, I should be doing my issue memo on the Liberal perspective of International Political Economy due tomorrow. However, a sudden surge of emotion renders me quite incapable of doing it right now.
But I digress.
Life has a way of throwing in these little surprises during the most unexpected times. And I have this tendency to impulsively act on my current emotions and enjoy the present, while undermining the consequences that might occur. I’d like to think that after how some of those surprises turned out before, I have learned to handle it better. Now, I’m a lot less impulsive, and I have learned to acknowledge what I am capable of.
To those who are concerned, I have been talking about how a huge part of me is just not ready. How I want to stay away from any kind of emotional complication. Drama. Conflict. I’ve been telling myself that I couldn’t handle any more emotional baggage.
But maybe I’m kidding myself with that reality. If th
I hear the sleigh bells ringing [6] 2007-12-08 19:29:21 Sunday mornings are usually devoted to a bit of contemplation and reflection about the passing week. That has always been some kind of a ritual, allowing me some kind of comfort and refuge to handle the week ahead.
The past three weeks have been academically trying. Late-nights with around less than 4 hours of sleep every day are all very normal. And the December weather together with my long, long breaks only add up to more moments left for added contemplation, reflection and maybe come academic condemnation.
I wonder what’s in the December air that everyone seems to be succumbing to their emo-ridden selves. Lately, I’ve been hanging out with my blockmates and we usually end up discussing life’s trivial questions – what ifs, what nots, the all-too complicated matters of the heart (thank you Scott Peck). I really don’t mind. In a way, there is a sense of relief, thrill, and comfort derived from appeasing my blockmates’ feelings. I also get th Read more:bells
, ringing
On a holiday high [2] 2007-12-22 22:01:29 Words would fall short to describe the overwhelming experience of the last week before the Christmas break and the warm and fuzzy atmosphere that the holidays bring.
I meant to update this thing, but the last week was just incredibly hectic and distracting. Finishing the remaining school work, while finding time to celebrate with friends and family allowed me very little time to rest. So every free time I had (although very, very minimal) was devoted to sleeping in.
But all is well now. I find myself well-rested from the past the past few days of joy, merriment and perhaps quite a few emotional rollercoasters for me and my friends. To celebrate the last day before our anticipated holiday break last Friday, a few of my blockmates and I headed off to our place in Taytay for some much needed unwinding and bonding. It turned out to be all that and more.
The second semester allowed me so much more time to hang out and get to know some of my blockmates. This has become such an ex
BlueREPERTORY Presents BATBOY, The Musical 2008-03-01 18:10:39 BlueREPERTORY
on its 16th year
presents
BAT BOY
THE MUSICAL
Story and Book Keythe Farley & Brian Fleming
Music & Lyrics Laurence O’Keefe
Straight from the tabloid headlines comes BAT BOY, a dark and funny critically-acclaimed rock musical about love and mutilation.
Bat Boy The Musical
chronicles the story of a boy with bat-like ears and needle teeth, who is found in a cave and is later adopted by a human family that tries to teach him the ways of a civilized society. Bat Boy’s struggle to be “human” and to be accepted is at the core of this moving and surprisingly hilarious modern day musical.
Leading the talented cast is Marvin Ong as Bat Boy together with Laura Cabochan as his foster mother, Meredith. With direction and choreography by Repertory Philippin Read more:Presents
Happy Leap Year! [2] 2008-02-29 08:56:20 After reading my friend, Jed‘s blog about not missing a Feb 29 post, I decided I wouldn’t want to miss posting on a leap year!
It sucks that it’s a Friday night and I’m still studying a whole lot of powerpoints for my POS118 (Philippine Administrative System) finals tomorrow. And it also sucks that the internet is distracting me every now and then.
I am trying to find consolation on the upcoming concerts that I will get to watch next week, but the anticipation of the blackhole month that is March is something that I utterly dread.
Can I just sleep through it all and wake up in Singapore this April?
Can I? Read more:Happy
Somewhere down the road [2] 2008-02-26 19:55:11 I know I have been very negligent with this blog. Living through The Sem, while experiencing the most trying courses and teachers takes its toll, and blogging doesn’t seem to be a priority. I’d like to change that of course. Someday. haha.
I’m killing time before I go to my next class here at the Ateneo RSF. I also just finished my second Theo131 orals with Fr. Dacanay an hour ago. And the extreme relief after undergoing such life-changing event (haha) is one of a kind. I’m happy to say that I got the thesis statement I second wanted, and felt quite confident about it. Let’s see if I am able to keep my grade from my first orals, or maybe even get a higher one this time around.
I never really liked the second semester. Scholastically, my grades drop down a Read more:Somewhere
Nothing's Gonna Change My World... [3] 2008-02-13 02:12:47 I am reeling. Reeling from one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.
I’m not really hard to please when it comes to movies, because I usually try to find something positive about it. But this time, I’m just going to rave incessantly about how much I enjoyed my pre-Valentine’s Day movie. (Actually, I just said that for the sole reason that I just watched it now, a day before Valentine’s Day. And no, it’s not some sort of date, as I happily watched it alone before I finally start with my Philo102 long test.) Read more:Change
, Nothing
, World
Theo131 Post-Seminar Thoughts [1] 2008-02-04 05:09:43 Just came back from Fr. Dacanay’s whole day seminar/plenary on Marriage as part of our Theo131 requirement. He hosts one and requires all his students to attend every semester. And I’m pretty sure than one sem after another, there will always be raves and positive comments about it.
Coming into Ateneo my freshman year and getting a hold of my 4-year curriculum, I was initially quite surprised by all the CORE subjects I had to take. More importantly, 4 Theology subjects and 4 Philosophy subjects as required courses were something that I wasn’t looking forward to, especially since my CORE subjects usually screw up my QPI at the end. Of course, finally having taken up 1 of each and currently taking both has debunked all those negative notions and made me incredibly thankf Read more:Seminar
Almost there [2] 2008-03-15 03:10:31 I’d like to take comfort in the fact that I just finished one seemingly psychotic week. Perhaps that is somewhat of an overstatement. But allow me the liberty to make that exaggeration, especially after just enduring one of the most extremely trying weeks of my Ateneo academic life. I’ve technically got less that two weeks left before I end my junior year. Unfortunately, I really don’t have anything to rejoice about until the very last day. It will end when it ends. For the mean time, I gotta make the most out of it. More importantly, I gotta do well.
Days pass by so swiftly as I struggle to find time for myself. I feel as if instead of fitting into my schedule all the group reports and meetings, research and paper work, OJT applications, org meetings, interviews, etc. Read more:Almost
Like plunging into deep, dark waters 2008-03-24 20:00:46 The four-day “break” that started last Thursday was the beginning of an all-too-unbearable state of despair and frustration over PolSci requirements. And amidst the frying of the brain cells are the added emotional highs and lows by some unforeseen events (school … erm.. course related) that I will not bother divulging over here.
It was insane. I felt like a prisoner in my own room, shifting from reading at least 6 sources and then ending up glued in front of my computer the rest of the night. I had at least two seemingly impossible-to-finish final papers. I say that because I just basically started during that week, so it was definitely falling under the “crammed” category. For the entire “holy week,” I experienced caffeine-induced nights that
Rejoicing [2] 2008-03-27 21:56:10 I officially ended my third-year life yesterday. And after such a hell/heart-breaking FINALS week, I am overflowing with relief. And joy. And peace. There were so many moments since “holy week” started that I felt like breaking down. It was just all so emotionally and mentally exhausting. And the fact that I barely get any shut eye every day didn’t help.
A 3.5 for my Dacanay orals made it all so worth it though. :)
But I’m just glad it’s all over, and I can finally look forward to my most eventful Summer yet. I have tons of activities lined up for me and a Polsci Practicum to top all that!
I’ll try making a new layout before I leave for Singapore this Monday! :)
Woohoo! Seniors! [2] 2008-03-30 08:19:27 I guess the new layout has to wait. I’ve been indulging lately that I barely had any time to sit in front of the computer for a day straight. I’ll try to whip something up when I get back, with hopefully lots of stories and adventures to tell. (I’m really not in a blogging mood, so pictures will have to do…)
Last Friday, I officially ended my BlueREP CORE duties and celebrated a successful year for BlueREP and the incoming core as well. I tried not to be sad and all because I’m pretty sure I’m still going to be active (maybe even more so!) next school year and will still help out with the new core. There are no words to describe how proud I am that my dear blockmate and friend, Emjo is now the new Company Manager for BlueREP. I am very excited for the Read more:Seniors
Photoblog: Singapore [1] 2008-04-04 23:51:33 Our trip to Singapore
has been way too much fun for words. And after taking around 800 pictures and more than an hour’s worth of video, a photoblog is the way to go. My apologies in advance for this incredibly overloaded entry.
Day 1
(Top): Flying via Singapore Airlines with my sisters beside me. We ended up watching Enchanted. Feel good movies are fun.
(Middle): That’s me and my good friend from high school, Jam at the Singapore Airport.
(Bottom): That’s really just my sister clicking away as we head on to our car.
The first place we visited was the Jurong Bird Park. Singapore is a haven for plant and animal life with gorgeous reserves, parks and zoos. Honestly, I was both anxious and worried because I’ve read a lot about torturing animals during training p
COA Formsem is love 2008-04-08 10:53:17 My three-day formation seminar hosted by OSA with those who comprise COA or the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo was yet again another very high point of my most eventful summer yet. I honestly don’t know how to begin seeing as the attempt to look back at what has transpired during those three days is all too overwhelming. And the fact that I’m leaving for Camiguin in around 4 hours is also not helping. I mean I’m quite exhausted from the very eventful formsem, as well as the 2am sleeping time for the previous 2 nights. But anyway, I really just want to blog about my experience. Just because it was so powerful and inspiring for me personally that it needs to be shared out into the open. I’ll just try to put it down in list form to make it easier for me to shar
Natural retreat 2008-04-15 22:32:20 For the past three summers, I’ve been going back to visit my province in Camiguin with my family and even with friends. Of course, most of my summers as a child growing up were spent with my grandparents and relatives over there as well. So it’s safe to say that Camiguin has always felt like home. It’s a far cry from the place I grew up here in Makati. And though I still believe that it would be incredibly different to part ways with the city lifestyle, I occasionally crave for that form of escapism that only the provincial life can bring. There’s just something about being so close to nature that makes you want to just embrace your surroundings and immerse yourself in the wonders of the simple life.
The island has always been very beautiful, and the fond summ Read more:Natural
, retreat
Harong ni Charing [2] 2008-04-22 10:59:15 I never realized that I would have accomplished and experienced so much even after only 2 days of OJT in the House of Representatives. I’ve managed to help finalize a draft for a specific bill, review past bills and the Tax Reform Act of 1997, write a few paragraphs as part of the explanatory note of that bill, learn how to file it, learn how to search archives, and attend my first session. Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The best part about representing a congressman is attending the workshop conference on Political Parties earlier. I’d love to talk about that more thoroughly at another post just because it was such an overwhelming experience. It was amazing to experience the intensity of PolSci in action. hahaha. It’s like everything I learned from m
Enjoying the fruits of Labor Day 2008-05-01 07:37:20 Work, either in Congress or for COA has kept me quite busy these past few days. Not that it hasn’t been any fun, because I really do find myself enjoying both. I marvel at the new things I learn and discover every time. And every new experience has been incredibly valuable. I also get the chance to meet new people – something that I’ve always enjoyed. Meeting all these influential and powerful people, and actually have that chance to exchange views, opinions and even a quite a few light-hearted moments does get quite overwhelming. But I’m really just thankful for that opportunity.
I’m truly fortunate enough to have been sent to quite a few conferences, committee hearings, offices, etc. The exposure is probably the best part of my job. I get to learn a lot of
A Little Less Vague [1] 2008-05-04 07:41:49 It’s a sunny Sunday, a welcoming treat from the oh-too-annoying sudden strong downpour of yesterday afternoon. Storms are usually my cup of tea. But at times when it starts to ruin my already set important plans, then it is just downright annoying. I missed some important meetings, and a COA get-together that I was looking forward to go to. I was just absolutely not in the mood yesterday, and spent the rest of the night locked up in my room, tinkering with phone applications and watching Disney. (The latter somehow lifted my spirits up.)
But all is well now. I’ll take the glorious sunny skies as a good sign. Sunday is my favorite day. And my preferred blogging day as well. It’s also about time I start to blog after every few days rather than just once a week. Perhaps
The Work is Worth it 2008-05-13 11:03:04 It’s been crazy-busy than usual lately. The past few days since last week were both physically and emotionally challenging. I ended up feeling very feverish and even took a trip to visit the infirmary inside the House of Representatives last Wednesday. It was really terrible because the next few days after that was still pretty busy for me. I really didn’t like the fact that my body ha Read more:Worth
Overwhelming non-academic pursuits 2008-05-28 09:41:46 I just came from BlueREP pictorials. Yes. After two years of theatre hiatus, I finally auditioned for a BlueREP production. I’ve thought about it a lot before trying out, and even went out of my way to ask my parents for permission. I did that because if ever I do get in, I will have to devote school nights of June for rehearsals. It can be pretty tough for someone who lives in Makati like I Read more:Overwhelming
Approaching the End of a Summer-less Summer 2008-06-07 08:00:04 The usual buzz and hype brought about by the start of school is nowhere to be found, and has been replaced by the immediate scheduling of all my other work. Amazing how I seemed to express that so loosely. It seems as if I have to juggle rehearsals, Aegis work, COA meetings and the occasional PolSci concerns everyday recently. Even before rehearsals started, I was already occupied with Congress wo Read more:Approaching
, Summer
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