Happy 2005!

Posted by special_child at 02:57 AM on January 3, 2005.

I can't believe it's over.

As we all welcome another year and another school term (for my Lasallian friends and those people who also have trimesters), I can't help but be thankful for 2004. Thank God I'm still alive and kicking.

I spent media noche at home with my mom and (unexpectedly) my grandfather who came from Marinduque and Laguna and then finally to Cavite with us. My mom's cousin, who usually comes over on New Year's Eve to celebrate with us, did not come over. And as my offline journal tells me, she also did not come last year because of hypertension. This time it was LBM. Tsk tsk tsk... well anyway, at least three's a crowd. My grandpa (I call him Papa, with the accent on the last syllable, read like puh-paaaaaaaah) cooked some menudo for me (menudo, by the way, is my fave viand of all time) and we all had some milkfish (it was cooked relleno last year, this time it's grilled). It was also the second year in a row that my order of morcon was cancelled. Tsk tsk tsk... react on this please. Hahahahaha...

The next morning, we headed to Bulacan again. We had a mini-reunion, since the two first-generation people were there (Papa and his sister, whom I call Mama Dulce) along with the sons and daughters up until the third generation. Imagine! I have SO many third cousins. I'm just glad that as small as my immediate family is, my extended family is just SO big.

Last Sunday just saw a bigger reunion with Papa and Mama Dulce's other siblings being there with their families for a birthday of one of my mom's cousins. Although we were reluctant to go, we enjoyed every minute of being there. It was so nice to see everyone get together, but it was still not complete. Hahahaha... you've got to see it for yourself.

And as I slink back to reality, with all the challenges that the new year gives me as it pries away all the enjoyment I had from the past holiday season, I can't help but look back at what I did the past year. Thanks to Tina for this idea. However, I'll place mine in the Top Ten List, who's come off its vacation as well.


Top Ten Things I'm Happy For In The Year 2004

10. I passed undergrad COMPARC and all my subjects this second term, despite everything that's happened with the family.
9. I have been a movie buff this year. I think I watched more films this year as opposed to how much movies I watched when I was a kid.
8. I started my offline journal, stopped it, and then made an online one! But I'm sad I stopped my offline journal. I didn't realize the feeling of looking back at what you wrote a year ago... not until today. Hahahaha... so I might continue with it again, and hopefully devote more time for it.
7. I got the chance to serve the school and the students more by being a FORMDEV Facilitator and the ST representative.
6. I met approximately 65% of my extended family this year alone.
5. I have come to realize that the bond of S14 has not ceased to exist. It's still there: lacking luster, but guaranteed to shine once it's polished.
4. I already had enough courage (and money) to give my mom gifts for special occasions.
3. I also realized that I was the preferred one (this statement reminds me of the Il Preferiti from Angels And Demons hahaha). Go figure.
2. More friends. No matter what.

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. SECRET!!! (This is the first time I'm doing an unknown number in my Top Ten List. Hahahaha...)


May you all have a blessed and enlightening new year.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. I am sleepy. But it was nice to read the January that was, according to my offline journal.

Currently enjoying "Ikaw Nga", performed by South Border.
Currently deciphering "The Virgin Suicides", by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Currently feeling exhausted yet infatuated.

5 kid/s drank Promil®

Two Weeks

Posted by special_child at 03:35 AM on January 17, 2005 as a favorite post.

Long time, no blog entry!

It has been a busy time for me, starting this year with a lot of schoolwork and mishaps combined. Moreover, the new version of Tabulas kept me from writing new entries because of the layout change. Tsk tsk tsk. So much for that...

I hope that after fixing my blog, I can be able to post more (actually I've just used the new Tabulas template and edited it so-so, hoping to edit it more if time provides). Hehehe... a lot has happened to me, and I really wanted to share it with you guys. But two weeks in one's life contains soooooo much activities. So I'll just share it with you through my Top Ten list.


Top Ten Things (whether positive or negative) That Happened The Past Two Weeks

10. I went to Eastwood for only the third time in my life. We celebrated Mama Dulce's birthday there. Incidentally, I saw two friends (and tutees) of mine strolling in the mall.
9. Enrollment took me only five minutes. Last term (since I passed my EAF beforehand), it took me only two minutes.
8. I had tonsilitis on the first day of classes.
7. Because of the prescription drug for my tonsilitis, I had LBM. Talk about unlucky.
6. For the first time ever, I did not finish a one-piece Chickenjoy® meal. Imagine!
5. I missed the first meetings of FORMDEV (both class and weekly meeting) and EA.
4. ST week was moved to the third week (and later to the fourth week) of January.
3. I wasn't reconsidered for the straight masters program because my grades were low last term.
2. I sat in the SCRPWRI class of Mito. I didn't enjoy. But I think I'll make a screenplay or script for the professor to check.

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. I passed the first audition for Y-Speak correspondent! Hehehe...


May this year bring more blessings and challenges to me.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. I can't believe I'm gonna be twenteen this year!

Currently enjoying "Almost Here", performed by Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem.
Currently deciphering "The Virgin Suicides", written by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Currently checking "Pimp My Ride", shown on MTV.
Currently feeling tired.

Drink Promil®!

A Long Time Since It's Happened

Posted by special_child at 02:09 AM on January 21, 2005 as a favorite post.

Hahaha... I'm still prone to travel unknowingly.

Because of the ever-so-boring SCRPWRI class of Mito (though I'm not enrolled, I already submitted my short story The Swing for commenting purposes... email me if you want a copy), even as I was going through the book I've been reading for like a month now, I fell asleep. Somebody blocked my source of light, and the story got back to a boring roll again, so I decided to doze off. The bus is new and the seats are SO comfortable... zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

When I woke up (the radio was playing Christian Bautista's "Colour Everywhere"), the first thing I noticed was that I missed my stop for the nth time. Aaaarrrrrgh! I found myself in the depths of Kawit (I usually get the Dasmariñas bus; unfortunately, most of them are full, so I took the first Cavite City bus and decided to go down @ SM Bacoor). I haven't missed my stop in a long while. Comes to show that I lack sleep!

On my way back, I saw the Aguinaldo Shrine still booming with lights (it was already 11 then). I saw some comedy bars, I saw some shops and restos still open. Cavite is still improving.

So much for that... I am home. Hehehe... got to study for my philosophy exam. But before I go, I'd leave this mini-lexicon my professor unconsciously made. I am a bad bad bad student, so I took this down. Hahaha... this one's separate from the hundred-plus "Nah?"s he utters every meeting (one meeting lasts for an hour).


Top Ten Words on my Professor's Unconsciously-Made Lexicon as of 20 January 2005 (with pronunciation guide and some actual sentences used)

10. primary (prai-MAH-ree)
9. meteor (MEE-chor)
8. thinker (TING-ker)
7. focus (PO-kus)
6. wisdom (wheeez-DAHM)
5. drought (DROT)
(Sentence: "Pag hindi umulan, magkaka-DROT.")
4. purpose (PAWR-pos)
(Sentence: "Nabasa nyo na ba ang The PAWR-pos-Driven Life?")
3. sphere (is-FEAR)
(Sentence: "Napanood nyo ba yung movie ni Samuel L. Jackson and Sharon Stone? Yung may alien sa ilalim ng dagat? Yung is-FEAR?")
2. superstitious (SOO-per-ti-shoos)
(Sentence: "Yan kasi ang mali sa ating mga Pilipino. Masyado tayong SOO-per-ti-shoos!")

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. renaissance (RAIN-ah-sans)
(Sentence: "Because of it, more knowledge was acquired by our ancestors. That's why we have to be thankful for the RAIN-ah-sans.")


He's good in explaining, though. It would be vague at first (due to some of the things mentioned above) but once you get it, you're good to go.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. Am I too harsh?

Currently enjoying "The Promise", performed by Martin Nievera.
Currently deciphering "The Virgin Suicides", written by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Currently checking "Upgraded", shown on MTV.
Currently feeling cold.

4 kid/s drank Promil®

The F4 of Christ

Posted by special_child at 12:26 AM on January 24, 2005.

It was interesting that the priest who celebrated mass a few hours ago was a former recording artist. Though he revived Janet Basco's "You Made Me Live Again", I have no idea who he was.

But at least he was a good speaker.

It helps me that the homily of the priest is a good and thorough explanation, combined with certain anecdotes. I believe that these anecdotes and/or personal stories help the priest connect with his audience well, and it personalizes the explanations.

Many Sunday and non-Sunday Catholics (and even non-Catholics) know the homily as the most boring part of the mass, particularly because it just details the Holy Gospel into a fifteen-minute (or more... or less) speech. Plus, some of the priests have drugging voices. Really.

I admit that it matters whenever a homily's boring or not. If it is, I lose focus through constantly looking around for people I know or a momentary nap (this one's seldom).

So... going back... his homily talked about the F4 as an introduction... and then goes around to talk about Jesus and his own F4. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. F4 -> First, Fishermen, Followers (and he said F4 just to relate to F4, though there were only 3 F's), their following described as freely, fast, and another f-adverb I can't remember (I'll post it if I remember it).

Even though the topic is overrated, at least he caught the people's attention. Even my mom listened. That's wonderful. Hehehe... just want to share.


Top Ten Priests (in terms of giving homilies, as of 23 January 2005)

10. Fr. Rocky Evangelista (St. John Bosco Parish, Makati, now I don't know where he is)
9. Fr. Bernie Carpio (parish priest, St. John Bosco Parish, Makati)
8. Fr. Gerry Battad (former parish priest, St. John Bosco Parish, Makati)
7. Fr. Gerry Orbos (Sunday TV Mass @ ABS-CBN)
6. Bishop Chito Tagle (Imus Cathedral, Imus)
5. Fr. Anton Pascual (former chaplain, Greenbelt Chapel, Makati)
4. Fr. Jim Ferry (Greenbelt Chapel, Makati, now I don't know where he is)
3. Fr. Michael Martin (parish priest, Malate Catholic Church, Manila)
2. Fr. Bob McConaughey (Greenbelt Chapel, Makati, now back in the States)

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. Fr. Edwin Soliva (St. John Bosco Parish, Makati)
(And he has a journal! Even if he hadn't posted for months! It's just sad he was reassigned.)


Now you know where I go to mass.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. And I remember the priests' names! Hehehe... at least it breaks the statement of the priest who gave the F4 homily. He said that with singing, "you remember the singer, but you forget the priest."

Currently enjoying "Crazy For You", performed by Sponge Cola.
Currently deciphering "The Virgin Suicides", written by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Currently checking "Smallville", shown on The WB & Studio 23.
Currently feeling thankful homily's good.

8 kid/s drank Promil®

Read And Write

Posted by special_child at 01:43 AM on January 28, 2005 as a favorite post.

At last!

I have just finished "The Virgin Suicides" today. It was really dragging at first (and sometimes inside the novel too). The narration style did not give plus points either. But the humor and descriptions (sooooooooper vivid ones) gave it a certain luster. The concept is unique. The story is strong. And it is a nice read. It makes a person more aware of the situation, and believe me it does not encourage suicide. Read this excerpt:
      "But this is all a chasing after the wind. The essence of the suicides consisted not of sadness or mystery but simple selfishness. The girls took into their own hands decisions better left to God. They became too powerful to live among us, too self-concerned, too visionary, too blind."

It was also LEAP today. For two years I haven't attended LEAP (first year it was dissolved, thus my drama with Anne; second year it was full and I didn't get any class). And for the third year, (technically) I didn't attend LEAP again. I just headed a project (what a promotion, from someone who haven't taken a single leap his entire stay in La Salle). I'm wondering what fourth year gives me.

It was also today that I got my short story back from Sir Lito, Mito's professor in SCRPWRI. I decided to pass "The Swing" for consideration as my television script. And guess what? He enjoyed reading my story.



The scribbles roughly reads: "Beautiful. Well written short story. A good piece of sensitive writing. You have the gift of a p*&#$@ (I dunno what word it is) writer. Congratulations!" (And I'm not even sure it is congratulations at the end. Haha...)

It was also fun that he underlined my favorite line in the whole story.



Now I have to start my sequence outline. And I have to finish "Look Sideways"; I'm planning to make it my film script. And to think that I'm just sitting in this class... even though the prof's boring.


Top Ten Favorite Pool Players (as of 27 January 2004)

10. Leonardo "Dodong" Andam, Philippines
9. Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer, USA
8. Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Philippines/Canada
7. Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Philippines
6. Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet, Germany
5. Oliver "The Machine" Ortmann, Germany
4. Fong Pang Chao, Taiwan (not sure of his nickname, I think it's "The Cold-Blooded Killer")
3. Earl "The Perl" Strickland, USA
2. Mika "The Iceman" Immonen, Finland

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. Efren "Bata" Reyes, Philippines


"No, no... that's my signature." - Sir Lito from SCRPWRI, after asking him what word the scribble between "writer" and "Congratulations!" was (refer to picture above)


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. Such a long post. I want a cuestick.

Currently enjoying "Time To Say Goodbye", performed by Sarah Brightman.
Currently deciphering what the next book would be.
Currently checking "American Idol", shown on Fox and ABC 5.
Currently feeling accomplished.

Drink Promil®!

Pessimistic

Posted by special_child at 01:52 AM on January 30, 2005 as a favorite post.

I am normally optimistic, but as of the moment I am not.

Some things occurred that are not to my liking. Hehehe... stated from the least significant up. Firstly, I didn't want Erich to win in that talent contest. If there were a Sandara in this batch in terms of my hatred for that person, definitely it would be Erich. It's just the attitude primarily, and her stupidity in singing. I'd be happier if Charles or Paw got it.

I don't want the bunny killed! Of all animals that can be selected for a dissection/skeletal system project, why a bunny? When there is the conventional frog or cat? Waaaaaaah... Mito! Don't tell me the bunny's dead!

But this thing really hit my nerves. Last Friday was the "ST Party", the "culminating event" to the so-called "ST Week". Yes, majorly I am NOT part of the ST Week. They planned it themselves, "accounting for majority of the ST people". The "party" was their so-called "pig-out", a buffet that was worth P500. To think of, P500 is too much for majority of the ST people. As my analysis of it, you can spend P150 (maximum) for a movie and P150 for food, and still have P200 for fare and Timezone. Tsk tsk tsk... so I didn't go.

While in Makati Friday night, I decided to drop by and greet the people (students and professors alike) who attended the buffet. Along the way, I saw this person. Since Mito knew him, he went and greeted the person. Yeah, he asked if we already ate. Upon confirming that we did, he invited Mito to go and greet the people who were pigging their hearts out. So what's the catch? I didn't get that invitation; I didn't even get a single word. So what am I, an invisible entity now? I was so dismayed with what I experienced, I didn't dare go in that restaurant.

To hell with you. I was right not to get too close to you. You're just a sucker (to professors and other students alike), just like everyone else in your circle.

You think you're friendly? You think you're funny? You think you're "smart"? You think your loud mouth is just normal? You think you're one of the elite? Bullsh*t.

I still stand by my opinion that majority of ST people in Catch 2t6 (predominantly because of the Star Circle Group and the Starstruck Avengers) are oh so grade conscious they forget to have fun and be normal people. Come on! Like you people can't manage orgs with your studies. As I said, "You can't initiate major changes if there are stupid boulders in your way." I hope you people realize that despite your exorbitant grades, you still grow more stupid by the minute.


Blogger's Note: Though I wish to fill out the list entitled "Top Ten STudents I Dislike", I'd just leave your minds wondering who they are.


It was hard wrestling with students from my specialization, and I think I've given more than enough patience.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. I wish IST the best of luck for their week. I might participate there more.

Currently enjoying "Lost Without Each Other", performed by Hanson.
Currently deciphering "The Dante Club", written by Matthew Pearl.
Currently checking "Star Circle National Teen Quest", shown on ABS-CBN 2.
Currently feeling infuriated.

7 kid/s drank Promil®

Good Read

Posted by special_child at 01:14 AM on February 1, 2005.

Laugh trip!

The essay I am about to share is from my blockmate's literature class reads. I recommend it because it was written with essential wit and observation, which are generally my styles in writing also.

The essay is entitled "Suson-Susong Suso". From the title itself you could decipher the contents of the story. It has a moral in the end, so I recommend it to all, especially women. Read it here.

Later, I'm off to revisit San Agustin Church in Intramuros. I've seen it since I was like 5, when I posed as ring bearer for one of my mom's cousins' wedding. I miss Intramuros a lot, and I remember we went there recently. There are a lot of changes since my elementary days. Hehe...


Top Ten YM-mates (as of 1 February, in terms of amount of messages)

10. Joseph
9. Kiran
8. Nina
7. Francis
6. Jennie
5. Tina
4. Allan
3. Rex
2. Mito

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. Anne!


Thanks for keeping me company, guys.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. P120,000? Really? Hahaha... it's just her 2-day salary.

Currently enjoying "Jeepney", performed by Sponge Cola.
Currently deciphering "The Dante Club", written by Matthew Pearl.
Currently checking "I-Witness", shown on GMA 7.
Currently feeling inspired to write.

4 kid/s drank Promil®