What's up, ketchup?

What's up with me? A lot !!

We just had our last Bus Org exam. As usual, there were questions based on cases which I have read but forgot the rulings again. Tsk ...

We already had our final exam on taxing and it was taxing .. haha! It was our second to the hardest exam in Tax. I pray I did ok with that one.

What else?

I am currently on an "exam break". This means I will not be taking any exam in the next 10 days as my next exam will be on November 5.

But it doesn't mean I am going to relax. There is still so much to do. I am not sure if I can do all of those stuff I am planning ... taking a break, studying, arranging my stuff .. hehe .. such a busy life!

Too much to do with little time might be taking its toll on me.

My sisters are saying that I talk a lot - either to them or to myself. Either way, they can't figure out easily if I'm talking to them when words come out of my mouth. I can't either .. haha.

They also say that I comment so much on what I see on TV. Why can't I just be silent? I guess I am just exercising my right to freedom of speech .. haha. Take note, hindi lang PBB ang pinapatulan ko .. kahit commercials. (Pansinin niyo: halos every commercial gap lumalabas ang commercial ng Colgate featuring Carmina and her son Mavy .. hehe)

And look! I pose for pictures! Is that me?

What would happen next? :)

At Last ...

At last ..

... Aning and Ian got married !

... I was able to attend a beach wedding !

... I was able to attend a wedding officiated in the morning !

... I was able to witness a civil rites wedding !

... I was able to be a part of a wedding breakfast reception !

... I wore a dress after two years !

... I got to hang out and see some of my college classmates !

Best wishes to Aning and Ian :)

How To Save A Life

While channel-surfing, I happen to see a trailer of Grey's Anatomy where this song was used as a background.

Nice song indeed!

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE

The Fray

Step one you say we need to talk

He walks you say sit down it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

You begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best

Cause after all you do know best

Try to slip past his defense

Without granting innocence

Lay down a list of what is wrong

The things you've told him all along

And pray to God he hears you

And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice

You lower yours and grant him one last choice

Drive until you lose the road

Or break with the ones you've followed

He will do one of two things

He will admit to everything

Or he'll say he's just not the same

And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life

How to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life

Happiness ...

Happiness

... is a family gathering

... is a friend who sees to it if I'm doing ok

... is a friend who calls to ask if anything is wrong

... is a friend who sends an advice

... is when things are appreciated

... is when people are grateful

... is when I am able to express my thoughts

... is when I am able to sing a song played on the radio or MYX

... is when I get to watch my favorite TV shows

... is when I able to do so much in so little time

... is when I feel I am blessed

I am happy. I am ok :)

One True Thing

Someone asked me before what is it I dislike in a person.

I had a hard time answering. I can't even remember what my answer was.

With the turn of events, I realized that I don't like those who lie to me.

I can handle those who stab me in the back (I think). That is their opinion. I don't have much power to change that.

But I when it comes to someone deliberately lying to me, that would be a totally different story.

I do not insist that others tell me everything. If they have stuff they are not willing to share, I would not probe. I know when to stop, most of the time.

But people who make up stories when they don't need to disappoint me. Hate maybe too strong a word. But it disappoints me. It frustrates me.

I know I am not much of an emotional person. I do not invest much on my emotions.

I do not trust people that easily. Trusting for me is a complicated thing.

I trust that people act and do the things they do in good faith. I do not assume bad faith in the exercise of their functions and in the performance of their duties .. hehe. But I do not trust others easily when it comes to what I think, what I feel and what I believe in. I keep it between myself and GOD most of the times. But, yes, I do share every now and then.

When someone shares something or tells a story to me and they tell me it's the truth, then, I believe it.

And so, when I know that all of those were untrue, I am disappointed. Maybe hurt. But not angry. I think I am not angry.

I am frustrated because I do not know what to believe anymore. I do not know if all those stories told were true.

I am a complicated person. But this is me.

No apologies needed. That's how I deal with things.

I stll have much to do assessing what all of this is about.

For now, things will be different.

Series of Events

I am currently in a state where there is a lot of stuff to do and a lot of stuff to think about.

There's law school.

Our exams are scheduled up until the last week of November. Good luck na lang jud sa amin. So far, I am very thankful because I have passed, with decent grades, all the exams that were already turned to us. I was happy as to my 82 in our first exam in Tax. I was expecting a 62. I was extremely happy with my 92 in our second exam. I did not expect it. It was too high for my expectation. And to think all my answers were correct in the second part wherein I expected the worst.

And of course, we still have recitations and quizzes and all those cases to digests. Swerte na lang din siguro ako since I have classmates to depend on when it comes to case digests. As in, contribute gyud. Joint effort! When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. We're all in this together .. so high school musical!

Then, there's all those weekends - from the bar exams to Dean's death and my lolo's death. I am quite thankful that I think I am doing well holding up my self in school and in life in general.

I had to make-up for all those study hours that I have missed due to such events. But I am quite thankful because I think I have been able to do well despite my circumstances. Dean and lolo would have been proud of me.

I thank my classmates as well who attended my lolo's wake. I really did not expect anyone from school to come since they do not really know my lolo. But they did. I also thank those who extended their sympathies and always made sure that I am doing well.

I am also thankful for those who appreciate all the stuff that I was able to do. I am not expecting anything in return except maybe some respect. But I pray that there will be no issues and all those stuff because things are pretty ok with me.

Then, there was our exam in our tax this morning. I think my 2nd exam was better, to think that our third exam was more of past exam questions. I was only able to review it only once. I didn't remember that much. I pray we did well.

And then, there's me .. all those things going through over my head, little stuff, big stuff.

I am thankful that I am still sane, or maybe I just think I am.

Lolo

He was 84.

My Lolo Harding, the father of my mom, passed away last October 5. I wasn't expecting that he'd leave us on that day. But yes, there were signs. Even my lolo was prepared for his time.

Here is the speech I made, delivered by my brother, during the funeral mass for my lolo:

Good morning everyone.

I know we are all grieving today for my Lolo Harding has passed away. But I know wherever he is now he’s happy and contented with what he has left us. I’m sure each and every one of you here today has something to share on how my lolo touched your life.

As for me, I grew up having my grandparents lived near our home. Lolo Harding was known to my elder sisters as Lolo Ipil since they still lived in Agdao before. Later on, he was known to us, the younger apos, as Lolo Emerald, named after the street where they live in Ecoland. It was pretty convenient for me to have my grandparents near our home since we could visit them whenever we want to.

I always welcome those events when we gather for special occasions such as Christmas or New Year or even those ordinary Sundays. But I guess those annual birthday celebrations would always be special. I remember most especially his last birthday where we celebrated his turning into 84 years old. That was his last birthday.

I will always remember those times when we visit lolo and lola, they always ask us if we have eaten and always lets us know that we could get Pop Cola from their tindahan.

For us, his apos, lolo throws a funny line to us every now and then. If we are on our way home after visiting them, he tells us that he will first call his helicopter so that his helicopter can bring us home. Until now, we do not where his helicopter is.

During the last month or so, he asked for sumptuous food – crabs, shrimps, lechon, barbeque, humba, among others. I was also happy because that meant that we would have more of those delicious food often than before. My lolo even managed to crack a joke when my sister brought crabs. He said that his doctor told him that he is allergic to crabs. Well, we knew he was joking since he was the one who ordered crabs and he is the one “allergic” to doctors.

With my age, I have not much to tell on how Lolo Harding lived his life before I became I part of his life. But I am pretty sure that I am thankful he became a part of my life.

I know that he lived well. As any other ordinary human being, he has his misdeeds, just like any human being and just like any one of us here today. And I know he has made amends with the One above. We may no longer see him but we’ll always have these special moments we shared with him. He will always have a special place in our hearts. I hope that we will always remember the good times we spend with him: remember his smile, remember him happily and remember him often.

On behalf of my lola and the entire family, I want to thank everyone here to celebrate my Lolo Harding’s life. Many of you came from deep distances and we are very appreciative. Thank you also to all of you who called, wrote, or visited over the past several days. The outpouring of love and affection displayed to my Lolo Harding has been overwhelming and a source of comfort to my family.

As to my lolo, we love you. You will always be missed.

Thank you.

Obstacles

I am on a blog roll!

But I shouldn't be. I have tons of stuff to do. But here I am!

We just had our Bus Org 2nd exam. I had two questions which I don't think I had the right answers. I flip-flopped.

I guess what frustrates me is that the other one was a case of which I have read. Unfortunately, I forgot the ruling again. Oh, well!

Good thing that the 15 acts wherein a special power of attorney is required was asked. That sort of uplifted my spirit since I really wanted it be asked since it's the only provision I truly memorized and it's worth 30 points.

Oh, well .. that's life. I have to move on.

There are more obstacles to overcome :)

A Life Well Lived

Dear Dean,

Thank you.

Thank you for the lives you have inspired.

Thank you for being one of the major reasons why Ateneo De Davao - Law School stands out.

Thank you for waiting for me to be your student.

Thank you for your passion for teaching.

Thank you for our Civ Pro, Prov Rem and Rule 65 - Certiorari discussions.

Thank you for fervently and meticulously checking our exam paper.

Thank you for letting us know the 4Cs - correct, concise, clear and complete.

Thank you for reminding me to use spaces in between paragraphs.

Thank you for letting us take a class picture with you.

Thank you for your prize to us for being the over-all champs in the Conflicts of Law.

Thank you for attending our victory party.

Thank you for attending that conferment on your last day at school.

Thank you for that last class in Prov Rem/SCA, even though you were tired on that day.

Thank you for I topped the last exam you checked and gave in Civ Pro.

Thank you for the lectures.

Thank you for that last exam in Prov Rem, though I would have loved that you check it.

Thank you for making us responsible for our actions and always be ready.

Thank you for encouraging me more to go the distance.

Thank you because you made me excited for an exam.

Thank you for inspiring a number of people.

Thank you for a life well lived :)

Post Ops : Bar Ops

This is definitely a post-ops blog!

September is the month of bar exams. I was sort of living a jet-setter life when I went to Manila in a span of two weeks!

I was there for the second week of exam. I was happy that I was able to help out and experience helping out in the bar exams. I got there Saturday evening and left for Davao Monday morning. I attended classes in the same evening and slept from 10 pm to 9 am the next day. Yes, I lacked sleep when I was in Manila. Aside from the fact that I had to wake up early, I also stayed late catching up with my friend :)

Oh, my Manila experience would not be complete if I would miss out in seeing celebrities.

I love Bonifacio High Street and Serendra! The shops, the fountain, the grass, the open area .. very nice. I like the fact that people were having fun out there babies and pets in tow.

Well, Rachel Alejandro, Christian Bautista, Paolo Abrera, Bobby Garcia and Beth Tamayo got to see me .. hehe

But the biggest surprise I had was when Juday saw me and I saw Ryan.

My gosh! Juday is pretty and really glowing! I could not blame her .. hello! si Ryan Agoncillo ata boyfriend niya .. hehe!

My friend said that Juday must be really caring that's why Ryan fell for her.

I said I can compete with Juday when it comes to being caring. But I can't compete with her being beautiful .. hehe. Honest man ako!

Ryan, on the other hand, did not reach my expectation. Maybe I had high expectations. Maybe I was just so amazed how pretty Juday is that I forgot about Ryan .. hehe

Anyway, I guess you can call that closure :)

And so, I went back to Manila on the last week of the bar exams.

We were around 14 students in the Cebu Pacific flight that I took. Unfortunately, I was not able to win those memo pads .. hehe

Anyhow, this trip was less strenous as I had just enough sleep.

Iwas ecstatic that I had the chance to see up close and hear Elliot Yamin. I was all by myself in Glorietta, but I didn't care. I waited for over an hour. I didn't move from my place since I had a pretty good view and I am pretty sure I would lose it once I leave.

So, what did I do while waiting? I opened my Bus Org book and studied, with matching dermatographs .. hehe

The next day was the final day of exam.

Now, that was fun! It was nice to be there to experience it and be part of all the picture taking .. hehe. I woke up at 3 am, arrived at our headquarters at 4 am, run some errands in between and left the headquarter at around 7 pm. Slept for an hour and then left for the LA party just before 10 pm.

The LA party was ok was well. I am grateful that we have lawyers who are willing to shell out a few bucks so we could all party :)

The next day was my Mall of Asia day, by myself again .. haha! And of course, I studied for an hour at Subway (hai .. for the love of law school!)

Monday night was fun as I get to hang out with Han and company. While waiting, I studied at Mocha Blends (Awardan na jud ko ani ba!) We had dinner at Dencio's and had the time of our life singing and dancing while on a "cruise". We went on a cruise wherein we were the only passengers. We felt we were rich. We had some videoke time and dancing with matching choreography as well. O, ha!

Tuesday was UP day! At last, naka-abot na rin ako sa UP. Siyempre, pa-picture jud ko sa Oblation .. hehe

The night was spent dinner with friends and comedy bar with classmates.

We had a great time at the comedy bar. But I was confused if nalingaw ko or nainsecure. Those gays had great voices and some of them are more pretty than me .. haha!

I am so thankful with the bar ops trip. And I thank God that rain didn't dampen the mood. And I thank God profusely for keeping me safe despite taking those cabs alone late at night .. hehe. Malakas jud ako kay Lord :)

Oh, well! That is my post-ops. I guess I have recovered already :)