Protest Ad Cautelam

It's Latin. And I don't know what it means.

I had my first recitation in second year last night. The subject was Election law. Our teacher is the mother of one of my batchmates in high school. She was the one who gave the speech when I was graduated from kindergarten.

I was quite nervous that night. Sure, I read the cases. But I felt that I was not yet in the groove of things (sobraan siguro sa ka-high!). While reading the cases, I really couldn't think that straight. So our inital prayer was that absent si ma'am. If that doesn't work, I prayed that I wouldn't be called. If it doesn't work, I prayed that I would answer correctly.

My first two prayers weren't answered. I am not sure of the last one but I am ok.

Yes, I was asked what Protest Ad Cautelam means. I said "a protest subject to the petition filed with the COMELEC." I think my answer is somehow connected. Ma'am asked if I checked it out. Unfortunately, I was not able to at that time thinking that it wouldn't be asked and that I had an answer already. And so, she told me to find out. I checked the Black's Law Dictionary today but I didn't find out what that means.

The good thing is that she asked additional questions. I was still nervous but didn't buckle down. I answered, maybe not correctly. But I am ok. She said that if we are called and we are absent, she will give us a grade of 50 for that recitation. If we are present but passed on the questions, we will get a 70. So, worse case scenario, I probably got a 70. Bawi na lang next time at least hindi 60!

Honestly, I am not a big fan of recitations. I do not really believe that recitations per se motivate students to study more. It may be correct but not all the time. We had a subject where we had no recitation, but we still studied and did ok. Yes, we had quizzes every week. But between written exams and recitations, I'd choose written exams on any day.

Another thing, I usually have an inkling when I am about to be called. I would be extremely nervous .. no kidding! Cold hands shaking would be the most obvious sign.

During our class, it rained. I thought that it would be difficult to hail a cab and taking a jeepney would be a risk for me if it would rain harder since I didn't have any umbrella. I got home safely and quite dry. My other prayer was answered :)