Nothing is impossible

The greatest thing is proving nothing is impossible.

So many people said it couldn't be done, but all it takes is an imagination.

That is something I have learned.

- Michael Phelps, 23

I have an imagination!

- Jazzie Sarona, 27

The X-Files : I Want To Believe

Assuming din iyong ticketera sa SM. Isip niya A Very Special Love ang panoorin namin .. hehe

Pinalampas ko na hindi makapanood ng A Very Special Love. Tanggap ko na iyon.

Pero hindi ko pwedeng palampasin na hindi mapanood ang X-Files. Ako pa? Anyone who knows me since high school is very much aware how much a fan I am of X-Files. I was ready to watch it by myself (my first in Davao City if ever) but I was blessed because Lyn was not yet able to watch it. And so, we enjoyed watching it together!

The first few notes of the X-Files theme was played .. I got thrilled! Haha!

Spoiler Alert!

It is definitely different from the first X-Files film. While alien and conspiracy was written all over the first one, the plot for the second was totally devoid of such stuff.

I was excited to see Mulder and Scully back again. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) may have aged but she is indeed prettier. Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) really looks older .. maybe just to show how much a recluse he has been and that he does not look that old in person (haha .. defensive jud ko).

Lyn was right in saying that it was a prolonged single TV episode of the X-Files. It didn't have any great effects or superb sets or pulsating actions. It was X-Files the way it started on TV.

If you have been an avid fan of the X-Files, you may already have an inkling as to how things are going to be.

I already had an idea as to how the psychic is connected to the crime. There was an episode which had almost the same theme where the "psychic" was a girl who was previously kidnapped. She was muttering the same words of the abductor and was the key to finding a girl who was recently kidnapped. (Season 3: Episode 8 - Oubliette)

I was excited when Amanda Peet's character muttered psychics featured in the X-Files, especially Clyde Bruckman.

I was most especially excited when Scully ask as to who are the big guns she has to ask for help from. Guess who? Skinner! I was really thrilled seeing him again and I don't think he has aged that much .. hehe

It was also predictable (on my part that is) that Scully's research on stem cell would somehow be linked with the crime. Why would they show Scully printing all those research while letting us listen to Mulder's explanation as to the case?

And of course, a true X-phile would have guessed that there would be a cliffhanger in the end.

The never ending questions as to science balancing with faith in relation to paranormal is as always present.

All in all, the film was truly in the tradition of the X-Files. It was not a super blockbuster film but it was a film that pays tribute to a great series, of which I am truly proud to have been a part of.

If you are not an X-File fan, I think you would enjoy the film as well. But not as much as a true X-File fan would do .. hehe :)

PS: I missed watching a 5-second scene after the credits. I thought nothing like that would be shown. Oh well, after having no classes, getting excited, watching a movie, reminiscing a favorite TV series and hanging out friends, maybe, it would have been too much of a good thing and too blessed if I got to watch that scene ... (trying to rationalize .. hehe) .. anyhow, I will wait for it on TV or DVD perhaps ;)

Sunday Morning

I already slept at around 3 am and woke up at 7 am for our 9 am Crim exam.

The sleep I had was pretty good since I felt that I was really in deep slumber. Sino ba man ang hindi kapuyin sa lagay na to? Hehe ...

Anyhow, I felt good in the sense that the song "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5 was ringing in my head. It has that feel good tune for me.

"But things just get so crazy, living life gets hard to do"

And yes, things got kind of crazy for me at school. The exam was held an hour late (but I was expecting this .. hehe).

No matter how much I try to memorize provisions before the exam, hindi na talaga ma-save sa brain ko, as evidenced by "my own words" in the fill in the blanks part. But I was still expecting this because my brain has limited capacity for memorizing the exact words (I think). But thanks to my classmates who try to quiz me as to the cases, I was able to cite some cases in the essay.

Ah, here comes the essay part. My mind goes blank on the first question. Next question please. Ai, blank uli. Tsk, tsk .. things are now getting crazy as I try to decipher what provisions to apply, what cases to cite and what words to write. Hahai .. buhay ...

After 3 hours of the exam and 7 snowbear candies (hehe), I am not sure of my answers. I was happy when I found out that I had similar answers with some of my classmates and the fact that I remember some stuff mentioned in our Crim 2 back in first year (some kinda effective jud di ai =P)

After listening to sir as to the answers, I was half-and-half ok (see .. I am crazy!) I missed the motion to quash, tsk tsk .. shame on me since I was able to pull off this kind of answer back in first year. If only sir would be lenient as to the deductions .. pwede ako makasurvive :)

Our Crim exam entails more effort than our Consti 2 exam. But this does not necessarily resonate a better grade over the other .. believe me .. I have been there, done that.

Getting home at almost 2 pm, I was really hungry. And I was so thankful that we have sinigang na hipon and grilled fish .. ai, kadami ko jud nakain! haha

Unfortunately, we were not able to watch "A Very Special Love" which I was really looking forward to watch. I don't know when and if I will still be able to watch it on the big screen :(

At the end of the day, I am back studying for our other subjects. Oh, well ...

See .. life indeed gets crazy!

ATBP

sari-saring kwento

-oOo-

Bajeck: Ano panoorin niyo na sine? Batman?

Hanna: Hindi. Dark Knight man siguro.

(Silence .. akala namin joke .. seryoso pala .. hehe )

-oOo-

My dad wears a sweater as pantulog. Pero baliktad kasi hait daw ... siya lang ang kilala ko na ganun .. hehe

-oOo-

My dad is turning 58 this August. And he is still playing basketball. I joked that maybe press release lang niya sa amin na nagabasketball siya pero hindi na pala siya ginaplaro because of his age. Gitawag dayon ang sister ko na witness na gipalaro jud siya .. hehe

-oOo-

My heartbeat went so fast last night. I was able to catch up a few seconds of the Magnolia vs. Air21 game. My dad was watching it at first. Looking at the score where Air21 was quite ahead, I decided to read Criminal Law. Medyo nakahabol. Sabi ng dad ko, wala na. He turned the TV off. But I turned it on again kay magwatch kami ng PDA. Eh, naka-3 pts ang Magnolia. Hanggang 1 pt lead na lang, 30 seconds to go. I was nervous. Air21 had possession. Pasa--dribble-pasa .. a steal by Racela. Nag-ambak-ambak intawon ko. Tapos failed attempt, no foul. Ubos na ang time :( Sayang .. Pero ok lang it was for Air21 to lose, the game was practically theirs.

-oOo-

So, tie pa naman sila. Medyo weird lang kasi Magnolia na ang SMB. I am so used to seeing red when its SMB. Things change. Although, I don't really watch PBA that much in recent years, medyo updated pa rin ako sa news and because my dad watches .. hehe

-oOo-

Sometimes, there are just people who are quite frustrating. I don't know where they get their angst against some people. Basta there are people that are really confusing .. tsk, tsk

-oOo-

After class in Pub Corp:

Knock Knock: Demotion

Demotion Who?

It's just DEMOTION taking me over
Caught up in sorrow
Lost in the song
But if you don't come back

-oOo-

After class in Succession:

Knock Knock: No Heir

No Heir Who?

Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with NO HEIR
Can't live, can't breathe with NO HEIR
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
It's NO HEIR, NO HEIR

-oOo-

Until our next class and whatever song that comes to my head :)

Overbreadth

Subject: Constitutional Law 2 (Review) - Bill of Rights

We had our first fourth year exam yesterday. All I can say is my answers were generally "overbreadth" .. hehe

One of my favorite subject in law school is the subject on Bill of Rights. The reason? Well, it deals with "you have the right to remain silent" and all that stuff, evidence and all those interesting story lines in detective and investigative TV series .. hehe.

Given that we had to study a subject discussed in less than 3 weeks, which we took up in 1st year in one whole semester, I guess the effort was not that much bad. The reason is probably because we had it before and thus, it is easier to absorb. But that does not mean that it is easier to answer the questions .. hehe.

I can say that my answers were practically "overbreadth" .. whatever that means .. haha! Kumbaga, familiary breeds concept in the sense that most of the things are familiar with the cases in the outline. Not exactly similar for some, but quite familiar. That is why, I can make a concept out of the questions because of the familiarity. The problem is I forget what I read and I am not sure of my reasons and the words that our coming out of my pen .. hehe .. kaya siya overbreadth, hindi siya narrowly defined kumbaga. Although, all my answers for each sub-question did not go beyond one page.

In the end, isa lang naman ang prayer ko .. kahit 75 lang Lord :)

Anyhow, pansin ko that I am quite tired during Saturdays. I was practically in school from 10 am to 5 pm last Saturday. For the past 3 Saturdays, whenever I get home, I feel tired, hungry and sleepy. That's why I sleep for 30 minutes or so .. hehe. I guess my Saturdays will be really like this .. leaving me, not overbreadth, but out of breath .. hehe

Organized Chaos

These are practically most of my law school stuff.

Res Ipsa Loquitor

I am not sure why I decided to post this .. haha :)

Hits & Misses

As usual, here are some of my random thoughts .. hehe

-oOo-

Hit: Father mentioned some stories in our class today which I can still recall that he menitoned to us in our Lab Stan and Corpo class

Miss: I could not remember the answer to his oyster soup bar question .. hehe

-oOo-

Hit: I though I saw Alia walking near the Gazebo, so I called her name. Hindi pala siya iyon. But she was just right behind the person whom I thought was her. Whattacoincidence!

Miss: Such incident really means I need an upgrade with regard to my eyesight .. hehe

-oOo-

Hit: There are a number of materials from my classmates to read for our subjects

Miss: So little time to read them and so expensive to have all of them photocopied .. haha

-oOo-

Hit: Too many stories heard

Miss: Too many stories to keep .. hehe

-oOo-

Hit: I underwent a basic medical check-up and everything seems fine .. yahoo!

Miss: Watching my chest x-ray and realizing that my 'thoracic scoliosis' is really obvious. This was the only major comment the doctor had

-oOo-

Hit: I am doing ok :)

Miss: Some of my friends are going through some tough times :(

-oOo-

Sabi ni Father: In the end, it is your horizon which operates (or something to that effect)
hehe .. dili related sa hits & misses .. toynk!

Weird!

1. This game starts with 6 weird things about you.
2. People who got tagged need to write a blog entry of their own 6 weird things.
3. They should as well state this rule clearly.
4. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Here we go..

1. When I sleep, dapat naka-tuck yung shirt ko .. insert na kung insert .. ayaw ko mapanuhutan .. haha

2. I eat candies, preferably snow bear, whenever I take exams. This has been a habit of mine since high school pa. Yup, kahit nung board exams may supply jud ako ng candy. Usually, 1 candy for every 30 minutes. Tapos if panic mode kay lisod ang exam, ubos agad ang supply. If some kinda kaya, sobra ang baon. So, if sabay tayo mag-exam and may narinig ka na may ga-open ng candy .. ako yun .. hehe

3. I have this habit of joining a conversation, assuming na alam ko ang topic tapos mali pala ako, pero minsan, hindi ko masyado ipa-obvious na mali pala ako .. hehe

4. I don't drink coffee. Kahit may times na super OT sa work before, kahit na gastudy for school.. hindi jud ako ma-kape .. hehe .. ayaw ko lang ata iyong pagkapait .. hehe

5. Since I love talking, there are times that I talk to myself .. ask my sisters. Kulang na lang ata idala nila ako sa mental hospital. But since dumadami na rin kami na kinakausap ang sarili, baka hindi na ito weird in the near future .. hehe

6. Hindi pa rin ako makaget-over sa break up nina Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston .. haha .. hanggang ngayon, wala pa akong pinananood na film ni Angelina since naging sila ni Brad .. parang naka-move on na si Jennifer, ako hindi pa .. o di ba weird!

I tag YOU!

Big Yellow Taxi

Admittedly, there are so many thoughts running through my head.

However, to put it all here would take so much time.

Para mapadali ang buhay, lyrics na lang muna ng song na pang-LSS .. hehe

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop
Ooooh, bop bop bop

They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
No, no, no
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop
Ooooh, bop bop bop

Hey farmer, farmer, put away your DDT
I don't care about spots on my apples,
Leave me the birds and the bees
Please
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Hey now, they paved paradise to put up a parking lot
Why not?

Ooooh, bop bop bop
Ooooh, bop bop bop

Listen, late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took my girl away
Now don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Well, don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise to put up a parking lot
Why not?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Hey hey hey
Paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop
Ooooh, bop bop bop

I don't wanna give it
Why you wanna give it
Why you wanna giving it all away
Hey, hey, hey
x2
Now you wanna give it
I should wanna give it
Now you wanna giving it all away

Hey, paved paradise to put up a parking lot

Why you want it?
x2
da da dada da da da da da

With A Little Help From My Friends

What would think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
He gets high with a little help from his friends,
Oh I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.

What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm I'm gonna to try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody?
I need someone to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love
Oh...
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
I get high with a little help from my friends
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends

the song speaks for itself :)

10 Things I Hate About You

I got to watch "The Break-Up" today. The words of wisdom of Johnny-O (Jon Favreau) to Gary (Vince Vaughn) towards the end of the film somehow struck a chord with me that I decided to search for it in the Internet.

Unfortunately, I could not find it for now.

Fortunately, I stumbled upon this quote from the movie "10 Things I Hate About You." I truly enjoyed watching this film. And I have to thank Maia for introducing this one nice flick to me.

I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car.

I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme.

I hate it, I hate the way you're always right.

I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call.

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you.

Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Tears

"There are 5 types of tears:

• Sorrow
• Regret
• Joy
• Fear
• Allergic Reaction

The one thing they have in common is DNA."

This is what I learned from CSI the other day.

How appropriate. I wonder ...

The Fast and the Furious

Windang!

This was basically our reaction after our Constitutional Law 2 class a while ago.

So, this is fourth year. As expected, things are quite fast and furious. Masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari .. hehe .. Review class na talaga! No matter how much I expected that things would really be fast in fourth year, it is indeed quite different when I'm now experiencing it.

But I am not in panic mode just yet. Being in a panic mode would just make me panicky .. ano daw? Hehe .. I mean, I just have to chill it out and do what I am supposed to do. Panic would just lead to chaos .. chaos leads to disaster .. disaster is the end of me .. hehe.

Obviously, I am not yet panicking considering that I am here blogging =P But I am keeping this short since there's a lot of stuff to do ..

On the other hand, having so much to do would keep my mind off things .. hehe ..

Social Loner

I am not sure how I came up with this irony. But I guess I am a social loner. Weird but true.

I do not know how to explain this further .. hehe.

Well, I know a lot of people. I get to go out with different people every now and then. I get to talk and share stories with different people. But don't get me wrong because secrets and confidential stories are not shared along the way .. hehe ..

Still confusing? Well, I think it's about I can be with different sets of people. If I get invited to an event or just a simple dinner, I try to come. In the next event, I am with a different set of people. If I had too much of a good time in a month already, I stay at home.

Don't get me wrong because there are people that I am constantly in contact with, I think.

But maybe there is something wrong with me. Because at the end of the day, it is just me. I am alone with my thoughts and rarely say my innermost sentiments (if meron man).

Hai .. confusing man ako oi .. but I just have to write this even if does not make sense to humanity just save my insanity .. hehe .. yes, I am already insane :)

Tired

Nope, this is not about being tired about law school and all those law school stuff .. well, not yet anyway considering that I am still in my first week as a fourth year law student.

Anyhow, napaisip lang ako that there are just some things that I seem to have grown tired of. There are certain situations which I have dealt with almost everyday and somehow I just have to let go because it has come to a point that it drains my energy somehow. Well, it hasn't really drained my energy but I don't want to get to that point. I know I should just go with the flow and maybe this is going with the flow.

Things happen. Circumstances change.

Ang akin lang naman huwag pangunahan. Mangyayari rin naman siguro kung yun ang dapat mangyari .. hehe .. SMB commercial man ito noon.

Anyhow uli, there are situations that I have grown tired that I prefer not to be attached to such situations anymore. Some people will not understand. But this is personal and this is me.

There are certain images and perceptions that I have grown tired of being attached to me. I have grown tired of certain remarks that I feel nagmumukha na akong kawawa .. hehe .. self-pity .. haha. I guess that's life. It is just a matter of dealing with it. They just have to manage their expectations and I just have to live my life and manage my expectations within my own world. And just deal with it!

But that's about it. I may be tired since I am only human .. hehe .. but I still have more than enough energy to go on, for now that is .. hehe

Oh life!

Mmmbop!

I was surfing the net and I heard the Mmmbop song by the Hanson being played on TV. So, I decided na yun ang title ko sa blog ko for today .. hehe

-oOo-

First time na nag-enrol ako sa first day of school .. hehe

-oOo-

I did not know what to expect today except that I know I will be busy with the video stuff for the Freshmen Orientation

-oOo-

I am happy that the music videos and powerpoint presentations went ok

-oOo-

I am happy that my opening prayer went well. I think I seem nervous with the prayer. And I think it would seem that way since I just came from running when the program was about to start.

-oOo-

I am happy that the opening prayer was acknowledged .. haha .. feeling :)

-oOo-

I don't know what to say when Father addressed me while I was at the Dean's Office. He asked me about my mom still not taking the bar exam. I said she was already ok not taking the bar exam. I mentioned to him that before, we joked around na sabay kami magreview and mag-bar ng mom ko .. hehe. He then said that "it is better to have tried and missed, than never to have tried at all." Ok na sana, dinagdagan pa niya "it is better to love and be hurt, than to never have loved" Hala! Damay-damayon pa jud ko .. hehe .. affected!

-oOo-

Afterwards, Father then mentioned to another professor that before, their student was my mom. Ngayon, anak na daw ang kanilang ginaturuan .. hehe

-oOo-

I am happy and blessed when I officially found out that 5 of us in third year are dean's lister. Happy jud ako kasi madami kami and I super care for these people and this is a super blessing that is shared by all of us :)

-oOo-

Grateful for those who expressed their congratulations, including teachers :)

-oOo-

Hmmm ... medyo makapressure din iyong bar bets na speech ni dean ha .. hehe .. walay pressuray .. haha

-oOo-

I am really happy seeing all those people in law school. I think I get my energy from the people around me .. mas energy, mas happy!

-oOo-

Happy that we went out for dinner. Aside from food, nabusog pud mi sigeg storya ug sigeg katawa .. hehe .. sana padayon kahit fourth year na :)

-oOo-

Cheers to a new school year!

Trip

After a super enjoy beach trip with friends, sinulit ko na ang mga natitirang araw ng summer .. hehe .. This time around a quick but super adventure trip with family.

We left on June 4 in the afternoon. My mom and my sisters proceeded to 168 Mall while my dad, my brother and I stayed at the airport for the son of my mom's officemate who was going along with us with the trip. Afterwhich, we proceeded to Mall of Asia and had dinner at Congro Grille. What a happy stomach! Then, uwian na.

We woke up early the next day for our interview at the US Embassy. Yes, this was the main reason why we had to go to Manila. Before 8:30 a.m, we were already done with the interview. We had good news and bad news. My mom, dad, JJ and I were ok for a US Visa. But my two sisters, whose courses were BSN, were denied for that reason alone. No other papers were asked. We think they also had doubts to issue a visa in my name since I am already 27, still a student and unemployed. But I think the fact the my dad is a lawyer convinced them that I am staying to practice the profession with my dad. Hai .. sadness for my 2 sisters. It would still be years before our family would be really complete ..

While it did dampen our spirits, we still made the most of our time there.

Off we went to the Manila Ocean Park. It was pretty ok but I think a lot of it is still under construction. So, I am hoping for more improvement. And I do pray they clean up Manila Bay as well. Seeing the trash was quite frustrating. I guess the highlight was when my brother decided to have that fish spa .. it was a delight seeing him enjoying that experience :)

We then headed for lunch to Aristocrat, which is one of my mom's favorite restaurants. Then, we went to see the PBB House ... haha .. I know! Jologs na kung jologs! We watch PBB and it was really nice for us to see the house and realize how small it is sa front yard. At umakyat kami sa stage at nagpapicture .. hehe. Hala! Picture galore .. hehe. Trinoma was our next stop. We were supposed to go to Bonifacio High Street but I guess everyone was already tired so we decided to go home and catch up some sleep considering that we slept at 12 mn and woke up at 5 am.

We headed for the Ocean Adventure the next day. My mom decided that we should take the swim encounter. We love you mom!!!! It was an experience in a lifetime jud! We really love dolphins that's why we were so ecstatic when we had that encounter. Abot tenga ang smiles. Siguro, kahit tulog kami after that .. nakasmile pa din. And we know that our mom and dad really enjoyed taking videos and pictures of us .. hehe

Back to Manila, we went to Bonifacio High Street, ate at TGIF (sarap, sarap) and saw John Estrada, his girlfriend Miss Earth Priscilla Mereilles and his kids.

The next day, we were back at Mall of Asia and tried ice skating. Hai, I fell 3 times .. twice on my left knee and one on my butt. Nabun-og intawon akong left knee. Aside from the fact that it was my first time, I had a hard time getting a hang of it (pero pinakamahirap pa rin ang snow boarding .. promise!). Nasugatan ang paa ko and it was too late when I decided to change shoes. Pero lingaw na ako na naka-ice skating nako .. murag bata .. haha .. We had lunch at French Baker, another of my mom's favorite.

We then proceeded to Enchanted Kingdom. It was fun because this time around my brother JJ can ride the rides (hehe), unlike the last time we were there. First ride, Rio Grande Rapids! Of all of us, my mom was the one was the most wet. I think I was second .. hehe. Then, there was Rialto! Up next was space shuttle! My brother was shouting "ayaw ko na". And I was nervous and excited at the same time .. hehe .. Then, we proceeded to log jam. I decided not to go with them sa Ferris Wheel. We then went to watch the Diving Show. Basta, we had fun there jud!

We went to get our stuff then proceeded to the airport since our flight is at 4:30 am. The gates won't open until 1:30 am. So, I sat on the floor and slept for some time, quite uncomfortably. Nung nakapasok na kami, hala, higa sa upuan. I got a one-hour sleep. And then, wala pa naka-take off ang plane, natulog na uli ako ..hehe. Pag-uwi sa bahay, we ate breakfast, nanghipos ug gamit and then off to sleep again. I woke up at 3 pm na .. feeling jet lag .. haha

All in all, it was a great family adventure. Short but super fun! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

The Great Island Adventure

This is some kinda belated ... nabusy man gud .. hehe

Anyhow, I had my 3rd trip to the beach for this Summer last May 30. The first one was in Paradise with a friend from Manila na parang 3 hours lang and I didn't swim. The second one was in Paradise where nakisabay kami sa team building sa office ng mom ko. That was a one-day affair. So, it was just appropriate that my 3rd trip to the beach would be an overnight and hindi na sa Paradise but sa Isla Reta.

That was my second time to Isla Reta. The first time was summer after first year law school. Overnight din yun. Come to think of it, the summer after second year, nakapagbeach din ako with law school friends overnight din sa Paradise. So, ayos talaga to. Dapat next year uli :)

It was quite an adventure since we had to ride two boats to get there kay giinspect or gipakyaw ata iyong boat talaga ng Isla Reta.

When we got there after some hours, the water was great for swimming.

After eating and some picture taking, I had fun swimming and discovering the different parts of the beach - underwater, by the rocks, sa sand, sa shore .. hehe.

We had so much fun taking pictures. Unfortunately, I did not take enough pictures kay murag nalingaw na jud ko sa tubig and sa company. Oh, well .. sa heart na lang .. haha .. Pero enjoy talaga iyong jumping pictures .. daming attempts just to get it right. And I think we were able to burn enough calories with those jumps.

Siyempre, meron ding card games .. haha .. lingaw din ako dito sige katawa. Sana nalingaw din sila akin. Pero super laugh trip talaga to.

Around 1 am, it started to rain .. hala! Buti na lang may vacant huts, kaya hayun. hehe

At 4 am, wala pang sun, the water looked so tempting that we decided to take a dip. Malamig pala .. haha! Pero naaliw ako because clear ang water. Makita kay may ilaw man sa isang part .. hehe

Kaya lang, we had to get back at 6 am kay ang next trip 3 pm pa .. hehe

Basta .. super nag-enjoy kami. Just a perfect way to spend summer .. not really to end the summer kay hindi pa tapos ang summer ko .. hehe ;)

Hangover

I was ecstatic when I was able to catch Larry King with the Top 10 American Idols on CNN. I caught the 2nd part on CNN. The 1st part was through youtube. They are one happy bunch! They had a number of hirits that really made me laugh (and even dance during breaks .. haha!) I was dancing to the tune of their opening number (Get Ready) during the final night.

So, eto Top 10 moments ko during that interview:

1. Archuleta saying it was really funny when he found out that 3 of his friends has a David Cook song playing in their MySpace site :)

2. Bewildered - Jason's reaction when Paula made a comment as to his "second" performance.

3. Cook saying that if it was a singing competition, Syesha would be sitting here and he would be all the way at the end ...

4. Brooke saying that she missed the cue with the piano because Ryan was behind her during her first blunder .. hehe .. naghanap ng damay

5. Larry King mispronouncing Chikezie's name =P

6. Silence .. after Archuleta saying 'who know what's going to happen?' Then, laughter. Larry King saying 'thanks for leaving me hanging'

7. Michael Johns with his sexy dance

8. Michael saying that Archuleta said to him that Michael could be his little sister's dad.

9. Michael dodging Larry King's question twice why he was in Las Vegas

10. Yearbook Awards - Michael Johns as class clown, class flirt, and most likely to get into trouble.

Hindi rin masyado obvious na I'm a big Michael Johns fan .. slight lang.

Anyhow, eto lang maalala ko .. pero marami pa talaga na makatuwa na moments .. hehe

Hangover na kung hangover .. hehe

As Good As It Gets

I have to admit the fact that my life is sort of a bore for the past few weeks. I have been going through the same routine - making reviewers, watching TV or DVDs, reading a book, surfing the net, eating, sleeping .. you know the drill!

Nevertheless, I am thankful because despite the bore, I never ran out of being thankful for little things that have come my way. Here are the Top 5 good things that has happened to me over the last few days:

1. I passed Corporation Law .. and I am truly happy with my grade :)

2. I passed Tax 2, too. I was sort of thinking that my grade would not be that too good considering that my grade for the 2nd exam was a 62 .. toynk! But na lang nabawi .. hehe

3. Nakapagswimming na rin ako sa beach last Saturday .. and the water was great for swimming .. ayos!

4. Good talks with people I have known for some time - ke sa gazebo, through text, or after watching a movie.

5. I watched the Bucket List and finished Harry Potter 6. Hopefully, I could watch more movies and finish at least one more book before school starts.

I know I'm blessed with such good things .. truly grateful ;)

Cook is it!

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of David Cook .. hehe ..

But I truly acknowledge that he rocks. I respect his talent and he truly is a performe. He does not necessarily have the best vocals but it is good enough with the aura he brings on stage. I just don't like it when he shouts .. hehe. His best performance, for me that is, was "Always be my Baby". I was hoping that he will end up in the finale so he could sing it again. Well, he did not choose to do so. But, who cares? He is the new American Idol :)

I am no big fan of David Archuleta either. I just like that his voice is nice and I think he is really a nice person as well. Archuleta was also great. But he was a given ever since he was chosen to be part of Top 24.

David vs. David finale was a great combination. They are complete opposites and with definitely different fan base. And different attitudes as well. Cook can act smug and go head on with Simon's feedbacks ("well, it's America who votes .. toynk!). Archuleta, on the other hand, was all thank you, gosh, this is so great .. hehe. Basically, either one will do.

All in all, I was thinking (not necessarily hoping) that Archuleta will win before the finale just because he was a shoo-in from the very beginning and most of the people who tend to vote are those who fall within the age-group of his fans. And aside from that, there is this reality that I can't get rid of : the image of Cook being smug ... sorry dude .. hehe. Maybe it goes with his age and the rocker aura (but I don't think Daughtry was smug .. maybe that's why he was booted out before the final 3 kasi kulang ang rocker aura niya). Another reason is I have this feeling that Cook will sell more albums than Archuleta whether he wins the title or not, so, kay Archuleta na lang ang title .. hehe

I admit that Cook has a lot of fans on this side of the plante. Friends and classmates of mine were rooting for him. Even my mom was cheering for him .. hehe :)

Come performance night, Archuleta clearly outshone Cook. Nahulog sa song choice. But I really like Cook's 2nd song, even if Archuleta's 2nd song was a winner's song .. hehe. So, medyo nareinforce yung belief ko na Archuleta could win.

I was thinking na super nag-effort fans ni Cook because naipit siya last night. Kudos to his fans .. fans jud mo .. hehe

So, if I am not a big fan of Cook and Archuleta, then who am I? I am one big fan of Michael Johns .. haha .. yun ang highlight sa akin - to see him perform again .. hehe

Here are my Top 5 moments in the final results night:

1. The 6 guys singing with Bryan Adams .. I like the songs they sang man gud .. hehe :)

2. Carly and Michael's duet .. the top 5 usually sing with a celebrity, eh di celebrity si Michael Johns .. haha!

3. Midnight Train to Georgia with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. (lingawa nako kay Downey oi)

4. Opening number ng Top 12 .. all white .. hehe :)

5. Archuleta singing Apologize with One Republic (familiar man gud ako sa kanta .. hehe)

Oh, the announcing of the winner (pinatagal din talaga ni Ryan after he said "david ...") was memorable as well. But I got a text message that our Corpo grade is out .. nakulbaan ko! So, medyo nawindang .. haha .. I'll check my grade later .. hopefully, I'll be a Cook when I get it (please .. Lord .. hehe) :)

Eyes Wide Shut

I know it is summer.

But I have a feeling that I am using my eyes to the fullest extent. At least, when there were classes to attend, I really don't abuse my eyesight for a maximum of 4 hours.

I am already visually impaired, wearing eyeglasses with a grade 5.00 on both eyes. I started wearing eyeglasses when I was in first year college, which was way back in 1997 .. hehe.

Anyhow, these are the ways I am abusing my eyes:

1. Make reviewers using my laptop

2. Read Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince when taking a break from making those reviewers

3. Watch TV when my favorite shows are on

4. Read newspapers during commercial breaks

5. Surf the net before going back to making reviewers

This is basically what I do these past few days. Thus, I cannot deny that my eyes are strained. I guess I am ok with this, rather than be bored .. hehe

When do I rest my eyes? When I am sleeping, taking a bath, eating or just walking around the house in a limbo .. haha ..

Oh, well ...

Mom

Super characteristics of my Super Mom:

Hardworking - She was able to sent 7 of her siblings to college while she already had a family of her own.

Thoughtful - She always see to it that we had kinilaw and sinigang whenever I was in Davao when I was still working

Unselfish - While my mother loves to shop, it is mostly to sell to others and most especially for us, her kids (kid pa ko .. haha). The last time I bought clothes for myself was in 2005.

Emotional - She cried when she was in Disneyland with 2 of my siblings because she felt the fun was not complete without me, my Dad and my other sister.

Traveller - She loves to travel and be with the people she loves.

Caring - She was so worried when I had dengue over a year ago and JJ had hernia. To think that I felt ok and wasn't that much worried. She saw to it that we were well-cared for.

Supportive - She fully supports our decisions, especially with my sisters either studying or working abroad or me deciding to stay here and study law.

Loving - With all the things she has done for us, there no better reason than because of her love for us.

We are so proud of our mom.

From being born in Bohol, growing up in Calinan and washing her clothes by the river, moving to Agdao, marrying my Dad, bringing us into this world and just being that amazing woman that she is :)

Happy Mother's Day!

The End of an Affair

2 months ..

I never expected it to happen in the first place. I never expected it to last for more than a month. Though after some interviews, the period to beat was 3 months. Too bad, the affair ended midway.

Yes, the truth has to be told. After 2 months of being privileged to be "unlimited" with my Globe mobile number, the glitch in the system seems to have been corrected. Oh, well.

I am not sure how it started. But I remembered that it was weird that I cannot check my balance by sending a text message to 222. I have to call 222 to do that. That's when I noticed that whenever I sent a message to another Globe subscriber, hindi naman nababawasan load ko. Days, weeks and a month passed. I just had to reload so that I can send to other networks.

Anyway, that was a privilege and not a right. Who am I to complain then?

But it is quite hard letting go. It is quite hard to come to the realization that such an affair ended.

Emote na kung emote .. haha :)

Now, the playing field is fair .. hehe. And I am back availing of Sulitxt or Unlitxt or Everybodytxt or watchamacallit whenever I think it would be to my advantage.

Anyhow, thanks Globe for such an affair to remember :)

What's Going On?

As usual, I am again on this mode of blogging some stuff that are going on in my so-called life ...

Summer for me officially started after we had our last exam last May 3. Afterwhich, I got to attend a birthday party for my friend's son. I was happy since we were able to catch up with stories and I got to meet Barney again in person .. haha!

Busy may be an understatement. But yes, I have a lot of stuff to do over the coming weeks for law school. Just goes to show how much I am so into law school .. haha. The only thing that bothers me if I will be able to accomplish all the tasks I committed to. Go! Go!

Hai .. hindi pa ako naka-beach and to think its summer. And to think na summer, medyo umuulan din pag-gabi dito. Pero ok lang kasi nasa bahay lang naman ako. So, normal .. haha

Good thing nakapag-sine na ako. I got to watch Iron Man with classmates and Robert Downey, Jr. fits the role jud. I am so happy I got to watch in a cinema after 6 months .. 6 months! Imagine, 3 years ago, almost every week I get to watch a movie sa sinehan. Tapos, ngayon, after 6 months .. haha.

Siguro abuso if gi-showing ang Street Kings this week. Hehe .. pero sana naman nagsabi iyong taga-SM na hindi pa pala showing. Nagtawag pa talaga ako if showing and anong oras. Wala pa man pala. Hindi man rin sounds like kasi walang movie na same ang schedule sa sinabi sa akin. Late na gani ang Davao sa ibang sine, mali-mali pa ang information .. hehe. At least, naka-hang-out .. haha!

Until then!

Of Everything and Nothing

I am sort of in a bind. It's not that I have nothing to do. I have stuff to do but nothing too significant to blog about. So, don't expect too much .. hehe

We are holding a Garage Sale tomorrow. We will sell our old clothes, bags and a few accessories. I think its a nice feeling since we are pretty much excited about it. We will hold the sale at our lola's place which is near the squatter's area. A 10-peso nice shirt would truly be appreciated .. hehe

Survivor Philippines will hold its auditions here at SM tomorrow and the day thereafter. When I first read this, I was excited but hesitated since GMA bought the franchise. Kapamilya man gud ako .. hehe ... And besides, it doesn't fit my schedule - one month intawon ko maabsent sa law school. Haha! Pero its nice to know that there are also other people who are interested .. hehe .. let's see. I may not be able to join but being a big Survivor fan (true jud ni!), I can share some stuff to anyone interested to go a long way .. haha .. feeling expert!

I got 2 of my grades already - in Legal Forms and Insurance. Happy, happy, joy, joy. Good grades, more than what I expected. Good turnout for legal forms despite our blunder and unexpected grade in Insurance. Thanks jud Lord! More grades to come .. tsk .. tsk ..

Ka-nice ng feeling when I get to talk to people whom I haven't seen and talked in a long while. Sharing some stories and maybe bits of advice. It's nice.

I got braces .. again! Medyo masakit pa .. tsk tsk can't eat that much .. but I am eating anyway kahit matagal matapos. Anyhow, I am still getting used to it again and some will still get used to it pa din .. hehe

I am so looking forward to a summer break .. no exams. I know I'll be editing transcriptions and preparing law school stuff anyhow. Pero at least walang pressure .. hehe. Weird ka nga kay I am looking forward to doing such stuff.

That is practically how my life is nowadays. Lots of stuff going on but nothing spectacular and extra-ordinary. On the other hand, nothing bad. Everything seems quite okay. Grateful!

Hmmm .. living life is quite extra-ordinary though. I might as well enjoy it.

(Enter song background: Ang sarap dito sa pupuntahan ko ...)

The Proposal

Movies + TV + weird mind = this topic!

This is actually a movie still being filmed starring one of my favorites Sandra Bullock. 2009 pa release nito though. (plugging ba!)

Anyhow, when the words FRIENDS and PROPOSAL come into play, two things enter my mind.

One - I am pretty sure you are aware of the agreement in My Best Friend's Wedding where Julia Roberts' and Dylan McDermott's characters agreed that if both of them reached the age of 28 without any of them being married to another person, then, they should marry each other.

Two - An episode of FRIENDS with the title THE ONE WITH THE PROPOSAL where Rachel and Phoebe talk about having backups: guys to marry if they're not married by the time they're 40. They decided that Ross is Rachel's backup and Joey is Phoebe. No need for backup with Monica because at this time, she is already engaged to Chandler.

When I watched My Best Friend's Wedding and the said Friends episode, I thought it was quite funny how people come up with such idea. I have heard friends in college kidding around as to who should be their backup persons .. hehe.

So, the proposal is would you agree to enter into such agreement wherein you will marry this person if both of you are not yet married when you reach a certain age?

One has to consider many factors.

If you are attached right now, I don't think there's much point in answering such question just to keep you safe from any feedback .. hehe. Iwas kontrobersiya na lang .. hehe

Next is who is that other person? A stranger? A celebrity (wishful thinking)? An acquaintance? A friend? An ex (cannot relate .. hehe)?

Another point to consider is at what age .. malay mo at the age of 80? So, parang sige na nga kasi wala rin namang papupuntahan .. hehe

Pag-single ka and desperate, it may require some time to ponder .. hehe .. If you are afraid of growing old alone, you can't help but think about such question.

Ang tanong .. ano ang sagot ko? Heto ..

First, doubtful that I would agree kasi feeling ko forced. Parang just get married for the heck of it. Kung ganun, just the same walang papupuntahan .. hehe

Second, what if the other person gets married ahead of me? Ai, loser ako pag ganun nangyari. Ang mahirap if iyong other person is yung marrying type tapos ako pa naman ay hindi .. haha ..

Third, ok lang naman sa akin if hindi ako makapag-asawa, I think .. haha .. feeling ko sobra na blessings sa akin and abuso na if hilingin ko pa to .. naks! Pag dumating, why not. Pag hindi, choks lang!

Pero in fairness, medyo nakakaflatter din if may ganitong proposal sa yo .. hehe .. di ba?

Basically, case to case basis lang. Depende sa personality nung 2 taong involved, sa circumstances, sa mind set, etc.

Napaisip rin kayo noh .. hehe

Happiness

I have to think positive despite and inspite of what happened. So, I am thinking of little stuff that makes me happy. Here goes:

1. Hearing the song "Everything" sang by Michael Buble. I heard him sang this afternoon on television and on Alia's site. I really like this song.

2. Knowing and keeping a secret or a surprise. This means I am trustworthy pala. Although, admittedly, I don't share my secrets easily. Nevertheless, it is sometimes awkward knowing stuff about others and you can't react to it. So, dito mapractice ang pagka-artistahin ko.

3. Food trip. Whether planned or unplanned, whether past, present or future, whether invited or uninvited, whether below or above P 100, happy ako basta may food.

4. Strawberries. Definitely a favorite. I will always remember that trip to a strawberry farm. I long for that strawberry dipped in chocolate. I am looking forward to eating strawberries and cream ice cream.

5. Text. Whether a simple forwarded message, a simple query, a simple share of sentiment or a simple check on how things are going, text messages bring a smile to my face.

Simple stuff that makes me happy.

I guess I am trying desperately to move on from our "non-existent" exam. But I think I can truly move on after I will find out if we have passed our subjects.

Don't Know What To Do, Don't Know What To Say

Ooops .. hindi ito love life kasi wala ako nun :)

Pero may pagka-love life na rin kasi i love law school baya .. haha

But yes, I really don't know what to do and what to say after it was confirmed na wala na pala kaming fourth exam sa Corpo. Huwaat Da!

So, I was truly studying and truly in the mood for Corpo from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Nag-question and answer portion pa jud kami while studying. Lo and behold, wala na palang fourth exam!

Just this morning, I passed by our school to get a copy of our class list to ensure na everybody is informed na our "exam" is moved to 10 to 12, instead of 2 to 4. And then, ma'am told me na from what she understood, last exam na namin nung Monday. Hala, windang ako! Werla jud! Text ako agad sa aming president. Basically, hindi talaga ako mapakali until it was confirmed.

Oh my! For me, the fourth exam was a pambawi sana (see previous post as to our third exam). At least, mas madali na ako makarecall kasi nadaanan na. Hahai ..

So, hindi ko talaga alam ano ang reaction. Halos mangiyak-ngiyak na ako. Love ko pa naman ang Corpo .. walang stir!

Text brigade to the max ang aftermath! Kanya kanyang discussion and reaction.

Ako naman, sumakit super ang ulo. For the past week, hindi sumakit ang ulo ko sa kakaaral, unlike the week before. Tapos nung nalaman ko na wala pala, pastilan, kasakit na lang jud. Sa sobrang sakit hindi ako makatulog. I took a paracetamol, walang effect. Later on, I took 3 aspirin. Tapos nagpahilot ng ulo sa brother ko. In fairness, nawala.

Baka blessing in disguise kasi baka super hirap ng fourth exam na baka iyon lang makahila pababa.

Pero baka makabawi din if may fourth exam.

Hay, ang mga baka ng buhay talaga.

In the end, it all boils down to passing this subject (along with the others) para next level na sana.

So, sa ngayon, divine intervention na lang talaga :)

Hai .. ganyan talaga ang buhay. Nalalagay sa situation na "don't know what to do, don't know what to say" ang drama.

21

21 random things than ran through my mind after our Corpo Exam:

1. What corporations are covered by the tender offer rule? TOYNK! Same lang pala ang sagot dito dun sa corporations where independent directors are required. Memorize ko pa naman :( This is one of those times na ma-enumerate mo iyong sagot, pero di mo alam ang answer.

2. America ATM and Export Bank entered into a joint venture. As in-house counsel of Export Bank, what would you say to the Bank President? Sabi namin ni Teen, I will say very good, that is a good business .. TOYNK! Tumbling jud pag-check ba. Pero sana tama o may points kahit papano iyong sagot ko na dapat maka-secure ng license sa SEC ang America ATM.

3. What are the essential features of a close corporation? TOYNK! Sabi ko lagi ba may maglabas about close corporation ba. Eh bat hindi ko minemorize? .. hahai! Ang kicker kay I was supposed to transcribe a lecture covering this topic this last Wednesday kasi nasira iyong laptop nung isa kong classmate. Pero since gipit sa oras, I decided not to. Ayun, nasa lecture pala. Although nasa provision naman iyong sagot, mas naalala ko if gitranscribe ko .. hahai .. regrets, regrets :( What is done, cannot be undone or rather what is undone, don't sulk over it na lang .. hahai ulit

4. Distinguish fiscal and monetary policy. Are both mandated by Bangko Sentral? Medyo may papuntahan naman iyong distinction ko .. sana. Kaya lang gichange ko man answer ko oi, pati fiscal policy gilagay ko na mandated by Bangko Sentral .. TOYNK!

5. May delinquent shares be sold in a public by a corporation with no unrestricted retained earnings? Ai, blanko jud ako nito .. TOYNK! In short, mali sagot ko .. hehe

6. Insider trading question .. eto pinakaklaro ko ata na sagot para sa akin .. haha .. ang problema ako ba daw mag-check .. TOYNK!

7. False, false, true daw ang first 3 answers sa true or false na part. If totoo, may 3 points na ako .. TOYNK!

8. May pagka-weird ako. Sabi ko sa true or false ako makabawi kay way klaro akong essay part. Mahirap pa rin ang true or false para sa akin ha, pero icompare ko sa essay, dire-diretso ako naka-answer sa true or false pagsabi 10 minutes to answer .. TOYNK! Karamihan sa classmates ko, mas naguol sa true or false .. weird jud ko!

9. Mas mahirap iyong first exam namin sa Corpo. This time around makasagot man sana ng tarong kaya lang dami kelangan alalahanin. Madaanan man lahat siguro ba, it is a matter of remembering na lang .. TOYNK!

10. Kahit mawindang-windang ako sa exam sa Corpo, I will give credit where credit is due .. naiintindihan ko naman ang subject pag nag-aaral ako. I mean, my imagination runs when studying for Corpo, unlike Insurance na mahirapan ako maka-relate .. TOYNK!

11. Kung mabagsak ako (simbako) sa any subject this sem, maglipat kaya ako ng school? TOYNK! Payagan kaya ako maglipat? hehe

12. Ready na ba ako mag-fourth year kung saka-sakali? TOYNK!

13. Hindi man sa feeling or ano man .. pero tingin ko mapasa ko man ang bar. Ang tanong lang man is kelan? After ilang takes? Eh, up to 5 lang baya pwede .. TOYNK! Tingin ko mahulog sa timing, preparation and divine intervention.

14. Hai .. minsan may pagka-tactless din ako. TOYNK! Minsan kasi hindi nag-iisip. O baka isip ko lang na tactless ako .. paranoid!

15. Excited to see a friend from high school probably attending law school next sem and catching up stories with her :)

16. Happy to see a friend from college reviewing for the bar exam

17. Looking forward to a trip this June.

18. Grateful for knowing a secret, entrusting it to me and keeping it as well. Minsan may sense din talaga ako about things because my inkling was right all along .. haha

19. I think lahat may intuition man jud, it is a matter of honing and being aware of the factors .. TOYNK! I try to hone my intution by guessing the time before looking at the clock, guessing whose message I just received after the beep and guessing ano type ng exam (minsan palpak pero usually may factors na kelangan lang iconsider hehe)

20. Sometimes I have doubts if I am worthy as a friend, but if one person sends me a text message in the middle of the night and needs someone to talk to, why not? I pray that she's ok :)

21. Kelangan mag-study na ako uli ng Corpo .. may final exams pa .. kaya yan! Go! Go! Go!

Bitter Sweet

Bitter Sweet ... wala kasi akong ibang maisip na title to sum up some stuff that happened to me over the past few days

Bitter .. kasi eliminated na si Michael Johns sa American Idol. Ayaw ko! I was really disheartened. He is really my favorite and malakas ang dating niya sa akin. May hitsura naman siya and may boses naman siya. And di hamak na mas ok naman siya kay Syesha and Kristy Lee. Although, hindi ko naman pinangarap na siya talaga ang maging American Idol, gusto ko lang mapakinggan siya every week .. iyon lang! Ngayon, not much to look forward na .. less excited about American Idol but I will still watch though. Ako pa na TV fanatic .. hehe

Sweet .. kay nawala ang sakit ng ulo ko. For the past 4 days or so, parati masakit ang ulo ko. Last night, hindi ako makapag-aral ng maayos kasi nga masakit ang ulo ko. Ngayong gabi, hindi na masakit. Siguro, kelangan lang makalabas ng bahay. Change of environment kumbaga kasi today we ate out tapos nag-SM din. Maybe that's why.

Bitter Sweet .. namove kasi Corpo exam namin. Hindi naman ako nagpray na mamove kasi ang prayer ko naman talaga eh basta makapasa. And hindi kami ang nagpamove ha. So, you can say divine intervention. Baka na-sense ni Lord na mahirap ang aming exam and hindi pa kami ready and kelangan pa namin ng more time mag-aral. And besides, hindi nga ako nakapag-aral ng mabuti the other night because of a splitting head ache. Bitter kasi ma-prolong ang agony, sweet kay more time to prepare.

Eh, anong ginagawa ko dito? hehe .. Makapag-aral na nga uli .. hehe :)

Reality Bites

I am a big fan of Reality TV!

I somehow try to schedule my day depending on what is to be show on TV. Yes, I love watching TV, mostly TV series and reality shows.

I am a big fan of Survivor. And yes, I really try to catch the "live via satellite" on Friday afternoons and then try to catch up some scenes I miss on Tuesday night. Until recently, I don't get to watch it on primetime on Fridays because of my classes. Right now, I want a fan to win, probably Alexis. She's cute and nice and she is not a weakling. I think she will go far since she doesn't have that much exposure just yet.

I love American Idol. Maybe I love it because I love to sing even though I admit I don't have that great voice. Wishful thinking lang jud kaya manood na lang ng American Idol. I hope Michael Johns will go a long way. I think he doesn't have a huge base fan. Nevertheless, fan niya ako. Gusto ko iyong dating niya. I love his accent .. haha! David Cooks performs well pero maangas for me .. haha. David Archuleta has a nice voice pero marami na siyang fans .. hehe. Jason Castro has really nice eyes, nose and smile. Pero, walang kalatoy-latoy ang performance .. hehe. I like Brooke .. soulful. Hindi kelangan bumirit pero you know she can sing. Carly has a great voice pero hindi makamasa. I am not a big fan of Kristy Lee and Syesha though.

I am a PBB fan. And I won't deny it. Watching TV during primetime revolves on PBB. So, kahit may ibang palabas na series, PBB ang default. Nakakatuwa ang "guardians". And the teens in this season is much different that the first one. Mukhang mas good boy and girls .. hehe. As always, di mawala-wala iyang loveteam. Buti na lang walang love team - love team sa guardians .. haha .. kundi lagot!

That's also one of the reasons na hesitant ako magsali sa PBB dahil sa love team - love team .. haha! Jowk!

My dad made a funny hirit when he said na pagnagsali si Bajeck, my sister, or me, siya dun iyong mag-guardian. Ok lang daw sa kanya. Tapos sabi namin papano if pasalitain? Sabi niya, ang sabihin lang niya kay "ok, ok, yes, yes". Haha!

Hwag ka dahil hindi patalo ang mommy ko. Given that overage na kaming girls sa PBB teen, sabi ng mommy ko na my brother Jeremy na lang magsali sa sunod. Siya daw ang mag-guardian. Toynk! Mag-toss coin na lang sila ng dad ko .. haha. Ang problema mukhang ang kapatid ko iyong tipong hindi magsali ng ganyan .. haha! O di ba, kaaliw!

Pansin ko lang .. I usually start my blogs in straight English and then tag-English na Tagalog na Bisaya na iyong next .. haha!

Anyway, that's reality TV for me.

And as for the real me, I should be studying for our Insurance exam this Saturday pero wala pa ko katunga .. haha. I don't know pero hindi man masyado ma-appeal ang Insurance sa akin .. hindi masyado tumtakbo ang aking imagination. O di ba, weirdo talaga ako .. kelangan ng imagination para makapag-aral ng mabuti.

Anyhow, in real life, you take things for what they are .. no more or less, until someone or something comes up and somehow makes you question what is the real thing.

Reality Bites!

Halo-Halo Espesyal

Again, this is another of my halo-halo blogs wherein I just basically share the ice, macapuno, ube, sago, nangka, nata de coco milk, sugar, ice and leche flan in my everyday life .. haha

-oOo-

Nagutom ako dun ah .. hehe

-oOo-

My hair is still ok but it does not have that galing sa parlor effect. So, medyo pangit ang ends. Makabili nga ng blower .. haha! Nevertheless, I am ok with my hair and it is still better than the treatments I have had before. It is still straight and smooth!

-oOo-

Do you believe in soul mates? I am not sure if I have crossed paths with my soul mate. But I do think that it is possible to have one in this so-called life.

-oOo-

Mom's back and we are so happy. Aside from pasalubongs and the pictures, it's nice that mom is back here safely.

-oOo-

I am happy for I know a number of people who passed the bar exams. Two of my batchmates in high school, Omar and Pillar, passed the bar exam. And so did Suseyline, a batchmate in College. Others were those I knew in law school and I am just happy for them. I am also ecstatic that Ruby Luy from our school made it to Top 9. Ayos! Galenga niyo oi!

-oOo-

Nevertheless, I know of at least 7 people who did not pass the bar exam. Maka-sad. I prayed for them pa naman. I know malakas ako kay Lord most of the times. But maybe this is not the time for them just yet. I don't blame them if they sulk for a while. But they are pretty strong individuals and I am sure they will move on and start reviewing if they are really determined to become lawyers.

-oOo-

The 2007 Bar Exams is said to be the hardest ever. Just imagine, they lowered the passing grade from 75% to 70% and adjusted the disqualificaction grade from 50% to 45% in labor, civil law and criminal law. If there were no adjustments made, only 5% of the ones who took the exam would have passed, instead of the current passing rate of around 22%. Our school's passing rate, although better than the national passing rate, was lower than last year. Tsk, tsk. I pray that when our time comes, things will be better.

-oOo-

I was happy that our final exam for Tax 2 was a multiple choice type of exam. I was hoping it would be. This time, pinakita ni Lord na malakas ako sa kanya. I was praying for such type so those who were not able to study well can have an easier time. Yahoo! Nevertheless, kara-kara pud ko answer sa 55 questions kasi iexplain pa. So, from short hand na long hand na towards the end. From 2 or more sentences as explanations, I had one short sentences for explanations in the last 15 questions. I was able to answer only 15 questions in the first hour, thinking that there were only 33 questions. 55 pala when I checked it after an hour. With 30 minutes remaining, I still had 15 or so questions to answer. May na lang nahuman nako ;)

-oOo-

Masarap kumain ng libre .. haha! Salamat :)

-oOo-

A two-hour all girls conversation is one of the simple stuff I enjoy in life. With some food on hand, chika galore is one thing I look forward to. Enjoy jud!

-oOo-

It has been quite some time when a few of my classmates got to visit our home. I had fun when 4 of us had lunch, merienda, watched Michael Clayton and played a little bit of Wii here at home. Lingaw!

-oOo-

While having our make-up class today, shouts for joy were heard near the dean's office. The list of graduates for this year is out. They are the ones we are looking for to pass the next bar exams. More power to you guys!

-oOo-

Change of plans but nevertheless an experience. I did not make the right turn so medyo nadelay ang dinner. Super apologetic intawon ko. Tsk tsk .. Anuyhow, first time ko kumain sa Bankerohan. Sarap kaayo ang bulalo na mainit-init pa .. hehe. Sundan pa ng 2 oras na videoke. Sali mo na 5 ka tao na lingaw kasama plus ako. Eto ang ma-miss ko after law school .. hehe :)

-oOo-

I know it's summer but for the past week, it has been raining here in Davao City. Today was first rain-free day in a week, I think. It was sunny the whole day. It was the kind of day na masarap kumain ng halo-halo espesyal. Haha!

WeirDO!

Got a hair cut. Got my hair treated.

Tadaa! I've got a new 'do! And for two days I am happy with it. I pray it will last long though .. I, mean, it being this way na parang galing sa parlor parati .. haha ..

I first thought of having a really short hair, boy cut para less hassle. But I decided against it after a classmate told me not to shock her senses and after my sister told me na I would be super young-looking if my hair with my shorter. So, I settled for this 'do.

I guess the people in law school are not accustomed to me having short hair. I mean, I have had my hair short since I was a kid. Before I had my hair cut recently, my hair was the longest ever .. just an inch or two below the shoulder. And I just usually tie my hair up in school.

And so, I got some nice reactions and compliments from people. I am not sure if they are telling the truth or just say something nice for the sake of saying something. But I do appreciate the compliments. And I never had this much compliment from a hair cut as far as I can remember .. haha .. deprived?

I feel like I am kid, like my little cousin Kisay. I think Dora and I have similarites, minus the bangs .. haha. My classmate thinks that may pagka-sophisticated daw .. pwede pala akong maging ganun. Bagay daw sa akin. You guys make it really worth .. hehe

Oh, well .. let's see in a few days what happens with this new 'do! :)

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

There is only one TV show that can get me teary-eyed in each of its episode.

This show is none other EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.

I admit that I am not a loyal follower of this show in a sense that I ensure that I get to watch each and every episode. I cannot remember the first time I got to watch it. I think this was shown in RPN 9, before it became C/S, but somehow I lost track of when it is supposed to be shown. Now, it is shown over at the Velvet channel and I get to watch it once in a while in its 11:30 a.m time slot on Saturdays. I do not think I can catch in on prime time though. I only get to watch it on Saturdays when I do not have exams on that day.

Anyhow, the whole concept is extreme makeover of a family's home. I think the criteria is that the family owns the land and the home needs a makeover, depending on the needs of its members.

Last Saturday, the design team made a new home for a family where mom and dad are both deaf and the youngest son is blind and autistic. The eldest son is quite normal. Given the circumstances, this family was really quite deserving of that home makeover - latest technology inside the house so that they could watch over their son on screens placed all over the house, fire alarm that doesn't alarm but rather blinks, labels in braille all over the house and the biggest swing one must have probable seen. You should have seen how ecstatic the kid was when he was on that swing.

Aside from that, there was a home make-over for a family wherein a child has special needs - because of some illness - and making sure such home was safe. There was another were they made room for like 4 kids where there parents died and their aunt, with her huge family, decided to make the kids part of their household as well. There was another wherein they lost their mom. Heartwarming stories indeed.

The design team is one great team and I can feel that they love what they are doing. Who would not be? They get to do what they love to do - construction, interior design and the works, and in addition, be of great help to other people. It's not just that they love what they are doing. I think they are blessed with what they do.

The contractors are amazing as well. You can likewise feel that they love what they are doing.

And there's the whole neighborhood who cheer the team on and welcome the family to their new home. Poster and cheers galore! The episode with the blind and autistic kid was more heartwarming in the sense that the neighbors, instead of clapping, shook their hands in the air - clapping in sign language. There was silence but poignant nevertheless.

This is indeed one great reality TV show and I am happy that there are people, sponsors included, who do such great work for such great people.

Pay It Forward ...

... and Back!

Pay It Forward was a nice film. I liked it but I do not necessarily love it. The concept was nice but I did not like the way it ended. I am ok with a lead actor dying. But not that way - dying with a single stab wound from a pocket knife most probably.

Anyhow, paying it forward was really a nice concept. Idealistic but probable. Three big favors for three other people. Not bad at all.

The thing is huge favors entail huge sacrifice. Huge sacrifice entails much decision making. I am not against granting big favors. But somehow it is not that easy to do. There are so many factors, depending on the circumstances, one has to consider.

As for me, when there seems to be no opportunity as yet to grant huge favors, small favors would probably do. It may be small but it is most likely to be done. If I can't give a ladder for a person to climb, I might as well provide one rung to that ladder. One at a time will do.

Now, with small favors, we can still pay it forward. And paying back would not be bad at all. While I do not expect people to pay back any thing that I have done for them, I am truly grateful for the simplest and smallest gesture of appreciation.

Those short thank you notes. Those simple thanks through text messaging. Those notes added when my stuff are returned. Thank you.

And as for me, I am grateful for those who help me out. I know I may seem to be an independent person. But everyone needs a helping hand. We get by with a little help from our friends so to speak. Although it is a conscious effort for me when I ask a favor from one person, it is quite rejuvenating for people who extend their helping hands for me.

Paying the kindness extended towards us would be great. But paying such kindness back to the giver is not that bad at all.

Lost in Translation

Let me know if you get lost.

I was born here in Davao City. I grew up here. But I do not speak Dabawenya. The Dabawenya is a dialect which is spoken by people who are not actually from the City of Davao.

I speak Bisaya. But Davao City is in the Island of Mindanao. Davao is not in Visayas. Bisaya is not taught in school. We just basically grew up with it.

I speak Tagalog. But not Tagalog as in the Tagalog that is spoken in Manila and the rest of Luzon. My Tagalog is a half-Tagalog, half-Bisaya actually. It is incorrect Tagalog and incorrect Bisaya. I have been told that some of my Tagalog or Bisaya, whichever is applicable, is wrong.

But I don't get offended. My dialect has a world of its own. I am pretty sure that most of you already received or read that e-mail as to the dialect that is spoken here in Davao. It is fun reading it, from my perspective that is.

The dialect that I speak, whatever you may call it, is also not taught in school. It has its way of evolving I think. There is the syntax of "gina" and "mag", the use of "gani" and "lagi" and a whole lot of prefixes, suffixes, and other words as well.

The thing is my mom was born in Bohol and grew up in Davao City. My dad is from Davao del Sur. So, they really know Bisaya terms. But I don't know why we end up speaking this dialect that we speak. I think it may be the influence in schools and office. I am not sure.

I find it quite funny when people adjust when they speak to me. Yes, I have had classmates, even way back, na maka-Tagalog ug ahat when speaking to me. I think they are feel obliged to speak in Tagalog (my Tagalog, that is) when they speak to me. Makaulaw minsan because they adjust even if I can perfectly (ok, most lang) understand Bisaya. And I also speak Bisaya baya. Parang makahiya kasi mag-effort pa sila for me when in the end, I can understand them either way.

When I worked in Manila, my Bisaya was honed. Funny, isn't it? I was living with people who spoke more Bisaya than we do at home. My seatmate in the office studied in Cebu. So, Bisaya jud! When I got home for the holidays, my brother made a comment na na-Bisaya na daw ko .. haha!

I also remembered that I was asked by one of our foreign managers if I think in my dialect and translate in English. Or do I think English then translate it in Bisaya or Tagalog? Or do I think in Tagalog then translate in English? It made me think .. do I translate words before speaking in English? I think what I said was I think in Tagalog then translate in English. Am I making sense or are you already lost? Hehehe ...

That manager also took note that I was at an advantage compared with my two other Filipino officemates. I can understand them with their Tagalog and but they cannot understand me fully if I speak in Bisaya .. hehe.

Oh well, I guess it all boils down on how we make sense out of everything - trying to adjust, trying to communicate and trying to understand one another and making this life more exciting.

Bits & Pieces

As usual, I have been doing and thinking lots of stuff.
So, here are some bits & pieces as to my current state of my mind.

-oOo-

We had our 3rd Tax exam last Saturday. I am not saying that it was not hard. But I just like the state that I was in while answering our exam. Tuloy-tuloy ang current thought and things are quite familiar. Hindi ako nablanko. Simbako mabagsak ako, I will still say na I haven't that kind of exam where I felt ok in such a long time. And my favorite question, which I was really hoping to be asked, was the number one question.

-oOo-

I was so ecstatic last night when I saw a post that a sequel to the X-Files movie will be shown this July. Oh my! I'm a big fan of this show .. as in! And I am so looking forward. Super looking forward!

-oOo-

We had our Medico-Legal Friendship Games over the weekend. Sana mas maraming audience pero given the circumstances ok na rin. I prepared the questions for the Quiz Bowl and I was happy na it was well-received na it was within the category of Difficult, More Difficult and Most Difficult. Pero ang highlight para sa akin kay yung nag-commentator ako sa basketball nung Saturday. Dream come true! Since I'm a big basketball fan back in elementary and high school, I dreamt of being a sportscaster but I did not want to take up Mass Com kay daghan na ga-take. Anyway, at least, I was able to accomplish such dream. Next dream please!

-oOo-

Oh my God! Wait! I'm so sorry! I can't believe what I saw when I watched sa youtube yung nanalo ng Binibining Pilipinas - World. Oh my God din talaga masabi ko!

-oOo-

First time here in Davao na kami lang ng kapatid ko namalengke sa Agdao. We've done it before but we always had our parents around.

-oOo-

I was asked if may crush ba daw ako sa law school. Sabi ko wala. Weird ba ako? I mean I appreciate what I see pero it does not mean my heart will leap (or does it .. hahaha) Ewan ko masyado na ako discerning parang I stopped having crushes.

-oOo-

Conversation goes something like " si Y ikasal na". "Buntis?" "Oo." Hehe .. Pano na daw pagsinabi si Jazzie ikasal na? Eto ang pamatay na reply: "Ha? Ikasal si Jazzie? Sure ka si Jazzie ikasal?" Kaya walang nangyayari sa akin dahil sa mga hirit ko na ganito .. haha

-oOo-

I was all by myself last night watching a rerun of Going Bulilit. Sigaw "Sunog! Sunog!" Tanong ni Hopia: "San nagsimula ang apoy?" Sagot ni Sharlene: "Nagsisimula po ang apoy sa letter A". Hilarious!

-oOo-

That's all for now!

Drive Me Crazy

It has been over a year since I officially started driving.

I already got hold of two student permits way back in college but I somehow never got to that point of applying for non-professional driver's license. I was ok with the daily commute since it is just one ride from our home.

Anyhow, I eventually had the nerve to get a non-professional driver's license with my sister.

Everything was done one step at a time. Most of the time I practiced within our subdivision, my dad's office and SM nearby.

And then, the first time I drove to school I called up my friend and neighbour to accompany me in my great adventure. I was happy she was around although we had our nervous laughs nung namatay ang makina in the middle of of the road. And it happened twice that day.

Afterwhich, I am thankful for things have been ok. I am grateful for my everdearest classmates and friends who have been there being patient with me. It was quite funny at first because I always warn them whenever its my first time to pass by this street or this bridge or somewhere. I was always apologetic kapag namatay ang makina in the middle of nowhere.

I am still not hawd since I still have difficulty with parallel parking. As in, pinapawisan ako ng maraming singot in the two times I attempted this. And I thank the Jacinto boys for being patient with me .. hehe.

Napapraning pa rin ako pagmag-park. And mahirap minsan maghanap ng parking space sa school. But that's part of the deal.

I've had my share with scratches - twice sa gate. O di ba, yung hindi pa talaga gumagalaw ang natamaan ko. Mas ok nga iyon di ba? And there's another slight encounter sa bumper ng pick-up. But thank God, that's about it.

Once I was so near a flower pot but I told my classmate that it's alright since I am purposely moving away from the car of my teacher. Mabuti na iyong flower pot kesa sasakyan ng teacher ko .. hehe

I have had two interesting situations with our car. There was that one hot Saturday afternoon na namatay iyong makina but it won't start again. As in! And I was all by myself and I was in the middle of an intersection. Hala, nanawag intawon kina manong. Buti na lang may mga trisikad drivers and may repair shop na malapit. Gitulak intawon nila hanggang nag-andar. Ayon, nag-thank you ako. Nung medyo malayo ako, naalala ko na nakalimutan ko magbigay ng pangkape man lang sa kanila. Hay, na-stress talaga ako nun. Nahiya na rin akong bumalik kaya ipinagdasal ko na lang sila sa kanilang kabutihan .. hehe

The other time was when it was already nighttime and we had to get something. I already parked the car and I forgot to close (close ba ang tamang term?) the windows that's why I had to start the engine again. Eh, ayaw. Hala, my lady classmate and a tindero tried to push the car to no avail. Mabuti may auto shop uli. Chineck, wala namang problema. Tinulak ng 2 manong, umandar na. Hindi ko na nakalimutan magbigay .. hehe

Ewan ko pero in these 2 occasions, I feel so blessed. At first, medyo panic mode ako. But then, I realized na I just have to park the car kung anuman then I will call my dad and go about my business. Hehe ...

I am one of those motormouths. Yup, I sing to my heart's delight whenever I know the song being played on the radio. I know that I look funny as if I am talking to myself. The car I drive is not heavenly tinted. So, klaro jud. Ok lang, pasalamat na lang iyong mga tao dahil hindi nila ako naririnig.

There are still areas of which I dare not drive. But time will come that I will drive through those roads. I am no hurry. I am taking my time.

I am quite aware that with driving comes great responsibility. I remember my classmate saying that she would not drive just as yet because it may be the reason why she won't be able to take the bar exam (simbako).

So, everyday, I pray that I continue to drive safely. I know I am one crazy creature. But I am one crazy creature who tries to drive safely. So, help me God!