Under Renovation

For those who have been checking out my blogsite over the past weeks, it's quite obvious that this blogsite is under renovation.

I am superthankful to my dear celebrity friend (celebrity since she already became a guest host of Gameplan) Maan for the previous look and feel of my blog. That blog showed the child in me.

Nothing was wrong with my previous blog. I just felt that change may be good. And besides, I want to explore what I could do with this blog, without pestering my friends ... hehe. I know, that there is not much change .. just the template. I will take it one at a time and let's see how it goes.

Nevertheless, I'll try to continue to blog even with all the necessary readings in law school. Just bear with me if you notice some changes with this blog.

The truth and nothing but ...

No one can blame me if I take most of what I read of it as a fact, that there must be some truth to it.

But the thing is I don't take everything I read as a fact.

There are things that require more explanations. There are hidden agendas. There are miscommunications. There are misinterpretations. There are misunderstandings.

In the end, what the really matters is what I believe is the truth. Of course, I cannot vouch that what I really believe in is the ultimate truth and every human being in this planet should believe me. But I can honestly say that what I believe in is based on the facts and evidences presented before me. Some may be physical evidences which could just be corroborative or circumstantial. Sometimes it is just based on gut feel and intuition.

I pray that people may be more open minded. I do not blame other people if they are cautious. Self-preservation is human. But then, I do believe that good faith must always be presumed. Yes, I know it is hard. But it can be done. If one cannot presume good faith, make sure that there is substantial evidence to prove otherwise and that due process is observed.

This world is becoming a sad one. Even if one's intention is pure and honest, the name and reputation one has so preciously built could be shattered by some statements.

I pray that people will know that the truth and nothing but ...

I pray for this world.

Okay

It's been quite some time since my last post. But, what the heck, I'm not the only one .. hehe :)

It's not that there's not much excitement in my life right now that I don't have anything to right. Actually, I'm busy .. busy with law school ... hehe :)

No, I'm not complaining since I have envisioned that life in law school would be quite busy. I am even surprised that I don't find myself complaining ayaw ko na. That must be a good sign .. I hope :)

A former law school classmate of mine called up a week ago and wondered if we, her former classmates, still go out .. as in kain sa labas, badminton or nood ng sine. I told her not much. I have watched only 4 movies this semester ... Superman Returns, Click, The Devil Wears Prada and just recently, The Departed (which I am recommending .. it will not bore you). And we played badminton twice. I know it would be nice to do something different once in a while. But the thing is, I do not crave for it. I am okay for now.

I am okay despite getting a 64 in my first exam in Property. Of course, I was sad. And it did depress me. But I know I should not go on with such feeling because it would truly affect my next exams, sunod-sunod na baya. Basta, I used it as my additional motivating factor na lang. I hope I did well in my 2nd exam and that I will do well in the third exam in Property. Just enough to pull up my grade. I hope I'll do well in all of my subjects :)

Oh, well .. that' s it for now :)

They're Back ...

Survivor and Amazing Race are back!

I got to watch around half of the 1st episode of latest Season of Survivor and Amazing Race.

Sure, the teams in Survivor are quite controversial since it is based on race. I do not have anything against it though. It's just another way of classifying people. They have classified it before based on gender and age. I see nothing wrong classiying the teams based on race (this is my opinion). I don't think that if the ultimate survivor is a man, then men are superior to women. Nor do I think that if the ultimate survivor is somewhat younger it means that the youth are more empowered. Hence, if a Caucasian becomes the ultimate survivor this season, I don't necessarily think that Caucasians are more superior than African-Americans, Latin-Amerians and Asian-Americans.

I caught the last hour of the 1st episode of Amazing Race last night. The teams are more diverse than before. Bilib ako dun sa one-legged woman. Astig! Another thing that I was excited about last night's episode was that the first leg of the race was in China. Beijing pa talaga! I was ecstatic because I have been there, been that! Basta maka-excite iyong mapanood mo sa TV iyong napuntahan mo na ... hehe :)

Anyhow, I still do hope I will find time for these shows and some. You know naman law school, it's so hectic! Law School is an amazing race that I have to survive :)

Something New

It's red and it flips.

Yes, after 5 years and 8 months, I changed my mobile phone.

Yes, I have upgraded ... hehe! I am pretty sure a number of persons are happy for me since I was always talked about with my ever reliable Nokia 3210 phone.

How I love that phone .. no kidding! The 5 reasons why I love my Nokia 3210:
1. It has a memory game, which I play every night before I go to sleep.
2. Easy navigation.
3. Simple. Walang che-che bureche!
4. The never ending hirits I receive and give as to using a vintage phone.
5. The joy of less worry. In other words, the less likely possibility of having it stolen .. who would?

As to my new phone, it was given to me by my Mama Sang. No kidding, we call my aunt by that name. She is currently working overseas. She decided to change phones when she was here for a vacation and decided to give her 1-year old Nokia phone with me. I do not know the specific model. All I can say that it is Nokia, it is red, it is flip-type. No, it doesn't have camera, infrared, radio and all those extra stuff.

However, I am still thankful for this phone. My top 5 reasons for being grateful with my new-2nd hand Nokia phone:
1. Memory. I do not have to delete names in my address book.
2. Sent items saved. It gives me a better idea and evidence that I really sent something.
3. It's stylish, considering that it is in my favorite color.
4. Colored screen.
5. Sentimental Value. Of course, it is from my Mama Sang.

Kisay

At long last, I found some time to update my blog. It has really been quite some time and I know that I have so much to tell.

For now, let me tell you about Kisay. Ah, Kisay!

Kisay is my cousin who will turn 3 years old tomorrow.

She stayed with us during the summer last year and we so missed her when she left for Baguio, her hometown. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she is now staying with up until November.

Grabe talaga ang epekto pag may bata sa bahay! I mean, I am living a great life pero lingaw pag may bata talaga!

Sure, she eats up some of my study time unlike before. But she surely is a stress-reliever!

Here are my Top 5 favorite Kisay moments:
1. Kisay saying "joke joke lang". Obviously, she got it from my sister Johanna. Ang bilis maka-pick-up ng bata na ito.
2. Kisay singing Pinoy Ako, Breaking Free and Bituin Walang Ningning. Of course, hindi iyong complete. The important thing is makasunod siya.
3. Kisay combs my hair and fixes it as well. Sabi niya, tirintas niya daw buhok ko. Tagalog jud! Bisaya pa, salapid!
4. Kisay saying "hindi kita bati". Tagalog jud!
5. Taking pictures with her in our gaya-gaya pose :)

Not the Usual

I usually check my e-mails twice a week.

The last time I checked my e-mail was a week ago.

Over the week, I thought of how many IMPORTANT mails I must have missed.

The thing is I really didn't get an urgent e-mail this week. You know, the kind that I really have to send an immediate reply.

It's not that I am complaining. It's just that I am not yet used to not checking my mail.

Don't get me wrong. I am the type of person who can leave my cellphone at home and need not worry about it. But there are just some habits that are hard to break.

Nevertheless, I am quite grateful that I got some time today to check on my e-mail and Friendster account as well. It was relaxing to read forwarded messages and some Friendster updates ... requests, messages and testimonials :)

Right now, I am thankful that I have some time to take a break.

I have to eat my dinner though. Philippine Idol is coming up at 8:00 p.m.

Pressured!

Things are easier done if you really want to do it.

Not because you are tasked to do it.

Not because you are in a position to do it.

Not because you know you will be rewarded in the end.

Not because you are obligated to do it.

Not because you will be adored if you do it.

Feeling is better when you do something right.

When you know that you are not pressured to do it.

When you know that you really want to do it.

When you know that this is it!

I hope and pray that doing things would always be like that :)

Google it

Google has been officially been included in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

And I found out that one can actually google ToyNk and my blog would surely appear.

When I found this fact last Saturday, I was truly surprised. Surprised in a sense that I didn't had any idea that someone could actually read my blog and I do not have any idea who that person is. And that such person could relate to what I was actually blogging about. Yeah, I know, that's the whole idea of this blog thing. But I just didn't expect it.

I just liked the idea of sharing my experiences and sentiments that's why I decided to maintain a blog. My long-time friend Ien made the most valid reason - to update our circle of friends. Although, it's less personal compared to an e-mail since you really address such e-mail to that person, it's easier in the sense that you don't have to write the same things to your friends. Afterwhich, I could then send an e-mail separate from those that I blog.

Anyhow, the google thing was quite surprising. I wasn't really afraid that something was revealed because there's really nothing to be afraid of in the things that I write. It just surprised me! (How many times have I mentioned the word suprise? )

Well, google or no google, this is my blog .. I say what is in my heart and mind, open for the world wide web to know :)

Bluff

Bluff.

In desperate times, we do this during recitations.

As much we could, we try to answer a question rather than just saying pass.

Instead of passing, we bluff hoping that we could be right somehow.

I haven't passed in a recitation just yet (and I do hope that I will always be able to answer during rectiations)

I bluffed in our Elections tonight.

For the first time, I was called for recitation on a case I wasn't able to read. It's not that I intentionally wasn't able to read. Hindi na talaga kaya ng powers ko. I have already read the cases before the topic I was called for. But our teacher skipped. And I was called.

My saving grace was the digested case I had on hand, and with a little ingenuity (in other words, kunwari alam ko). There were some questions that I wasn't able to answer right away. But eventually got wind of it through leading questions.

One good thing I did was I prayed. When I had that strong sensation that I was called, I really went into deep prayer - closing my eyes and clasping my hands - while one of my classmates was reciting.

I think prayer did it. I was somehow able to answer as if I read the case.

I am one blessed girl but it took some time to get the shock off.

Thoughts

I have a wild and wide imagination.

Sometimes I forget what is real and unreal.

I have dreams.

Sometimes I am not sure if I could attain them.

I have expectations.

Sometimes I expect too much.

But I do hope for the best.

Then, something comes up before I even made the first step.

No time to expect.

No time to hope.

A burst in the bubble.

A door shut closed.

With no window nor roof opened.

Just waiting for someone to unlock that one and only door.

Heartbreaker

Someone just broke my heart.

Actually, it isn't just one person. It's the whole Red Bull team.

Red Bull broke my heart. They won over my San Miguel Beer team.

I have long been an SMB fan, ever since 6th Grade. I was duly influenced by three persons - my Dad, Elaine and Maan. And I am ever grateful to them.

After I graduated in college, I saw less PBA action. But I do try to keep up by reading the papers, which I do everyday. I was happy when a number of SMB players got to play in the last Asian Games where they placed fourth. Now, that was a heartbreaker. I kept crying on and on when they lost that game against South Korea to be assured of a silver. My housemates even tried to prevent me from watching the game for bronze as they were concerned that I was going to cry again.

But I did not cry again, although my heart was broken. I kept praying that SMB will win so they could enter the finals against Purefoods. Red Bull was leading all the way until SMB kept fighting back up until the last minutes. But Valenzuela made that shot. The ball was clearly off his hands with 0.1 of a second left.

Heart-breaking indeed!

Oh well, I am not the only one. Fans of Argentina were truly heart-broken when Germany won in their match in the World Cup. Larios afficionados were also heart-broken when Pacquiao won today.

At least I am not alone. And I hope Purefoods will win.

* I was happy when I saw the SMB logo. It was SMB's logo back in 1993-1994. I used to copy this logo and really tried hard to copy the mug.

The Justice League

Justice who?

Well, I'm part of the Justice League. No, not the Justice League you see on television. (But, I could be ... who knows?) The Justice League is the newest batch of LA applicants, of which I am proud to be a part of.

Last Saturday, there were 11 of us who joined this tiring but fun race around Davao. It was a race prepared by LA official members.

I wasn't part of the first two stations at AdDU since I was supposedly kidnapped and should be rescued by my fellow teammates. My team mates were the last to arrive at Shrine where they were to rescue me. But I never lost hope. The next task was to crochet a one-meter yarn. I volunteered, feeling that I still know how to do it. I was shaking at first. But I was so happy that we gained some ground and got to 2nd place. Then, we went somewhere in SIR to catch a ferry to Magallanes. We were able to catch the first team. They rode a tricycle to the ferry but I suggested that we just walk or run since that's what is written in the clue. We asked some of the organizers and they said it was okay as we still have money.

After we got to the right ferry, we reached Magallanes and dashed to Rizal Park. I was thinking that they would make us perform. Good thing, they didn't! So it was just a chopstick relay of some sort. Then off we went to Frissan where one of us needs to play billiard to get the clue. We got the clue and then we were off to 4Play! There, my teammates did some wallclimb. Afterwhich, we went to MTS to do shaggedy-shaggedy, skip rope 200 times and eat 6 bananas. I ate two! Then, we went to the Statue of David, listened to some kids rap, pose and get the clue. We were the first to arrive at the finish line at Times Beach! Woohoo!

I am happy with the Cool Blue Team! There's Sharone, who did the wall climb so fast, just enough for me to take a leak ... hehe! There's Kiko, who has so much stamina in him that he was always the first one to reach the place where we ought to go. There's Carlo, who was our team leader who brought the water and was so strategic with the chopstick. And of course, that's me, of which I could proudly say that my greatest contribution was the crochet thing. We rock!

Anyway, the race was really fun kahit kapoy! My legs are still sore but it was worth everything. There were times talagang gihingal na ako pero padayon gihapon .. slowly but surely!

And of course there's the rest of the Justice League, most of which are first year law students. There were only three of us who are already in second year.

Honestly, I really did think a lot before joining LA. Kahit sa pagtulog, I was still weighing the pros and cons. In the end, I decided to try it out and see if it works. So far, so good. I got to meet new people. And I like that! Let's see what the future holds.

Joining the LA was a personal decision and nothing more. I could go on and on why I decided to join and why I had second thoughts joining LA. But then I am here.

Justice League was nicely suggested. And I guess we were happy with it. We were thinking of something related to Pacquiao because of his fight. But we were concerned just in case he loses (which he did not!). Feeling superheroes, we decided to go with Justice League. We're law students and it's all about justice! Coincidentally, may last blog was about being a superhero .. hehehe!

One more thing, I was elected to be the batch leader. I did not pray nor hope for this one. I am happy that they trusted me. I hope I could deliver. Justice League could be Jazzie's League ... hehe ... But I wouldn't insist on that because we are all equal (char lang!)

I pray that Justice League would live up to its name. We will deliver!

Being a Superhero

Who doesn't want to be a Superhero?

I don't know who. But watching those superhero flicks would really make you think twice of wishing and hoping and wanting to become a superhero.

I just watched Superman last night. I watched it with my five other classmates. I planned to study yesterday, since we had no classes. But I succumbed to pressure and watched it with them. In the end, I only had an hour of study yesterday.

This is one of those times I want to be a Superhero. I want to do lots of things. I want to accomplish lots of stuff in such short a time. I want to be a Superhero so I could watch all the movies and TV shows I would want to. I haven't watched The Lake House and if I were a Superhero I could have probably watched it. I want to be a Superhero so I could read not just for law school but all those interesting novels that I long wanted to read.

Wait a minute? I don't think that those stuff I want to do defines a Superhero. I think what I really want are superpowers. But not really a Superhero. Makes sense!

Honestly, being a Superhero would still be cool! Saving the world from disasters - what a task! Being a Superhero may not be that bad at all. But then, I still have to ask Superman and Spiderman if everything is worth the sacrifice. I do hope it is :)

I Think ...

I think I think too much.

Maybe not always. But I really do at times.

I think too much of what to write right now. And then, mental block! There is no continuity.

I think too much of what to do. I do write my goals for the day. I write too much because I end up not doing everything. But that's okay. I just think too much of what to do for the day.

I think too much of what to watch. I am confused on whether to watch High School Musical or CSI or both. I may end up not watching anything.

I think too much of what to say. Or not say anything. Maybe I should I have said something. Or maybe it was a good idea that I didn't say anything when I had the opportunity. I would never know if I did not do was the right thing. Opportunity lost .. but I hope not forever!

I think too much of stuff. I worry about things.

I am not sure if that is normal. Heck, I am not sure if I am normal.

Thinking too much eats me up at times.

To get around it, I then just do it!

What a Lost!

What a LOST indeed!

Tonight's episode (Philippine time ... siyempre) was really cool.

This episode was probably the most thrilling one for me.

It was cool that they found the balloon and the grave.. But I really felt that "Mr. Gale" was lying. Sayid could not be wrong when he said that he knew "Mr. Gale" was lying. Masisira ang credibilidad niya. Naisip ko na they should dug up the grave. They did and they found out what they are looking for.

Tapos nandiyan pa iyong lockdown-lockdown thing. Exciting din iyon. Tapos may neon scribbles ba. And Locke needed "Mr. Gale's" help. I don't blame him. I would probably do what he did. But you'll know that something was really up with that "Mr. Gale" when he bargained for the help needed ... that Locke should protect him no matter what. No matter what pa talaga!

It was a nice episode. I can't wait for next week.

In the mean time, I have to get back to reality and read law stuff.

Actually, I'll just get some cases from the internet, print it and I would probably go to sleep na. But I'll wake up early tomorrow. I have a feeling that tomorrow would be a long day. And so it will be on Wednesday as well.

Protest Ad Cautelam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Day High

Nasasabik sa unang araw ng eskwela ...

Hindi rin ako masyadong excited ano? Actually, I was looking forward to being back in school but not that excited. Just enough to motivate to get back in school and to psyche myself that I can do this ... hehehe ...

First day back in law school was definitely a high for me! I had jitters, although I am not sure why. I had a slight shortness of breath, which could mean either I lack exercise or iniipit na ng spine ko iyong lungs ko. My knees sort of wobbled and my hands were a bit shaking. I kept complaining but it was nothing that I couldn't handle.

The biggest high I got was when my everdearest and longtime friend enrolled in law school. I sort of guessed it considering that she took the exam last year and she did some changes in her career. But I am so happy jud that she is in law school!

I was also high when I found out that my friend and my former classmate and another friend are classmates. Actually, it's quite nice kasi the three of us live in the same subdivision. Lingaw!

Of course, I was also happy since I got to see my classmates again. Astang chika gihapon namo ... hehe! However, changes are inevitable. Some of them are no longer in law school. Some are in law school but we're not classmates anymore. Oh well, I have to widen my social circle. Pero iba pa rin!

It was also nice looking at the list of first year students. There were a number of familiar names. I am not sure if they know but I have an idea who they are. Some of them are my former classmates, a sister of my former classmate, taga-Women's and taga-Ecoland. Feeling ko marami pa lang kilala but not necessarily kakilala, if you know what I mean.

Anyhow, I was also high when I found out that second honor pala ako. I am not sure of all the criteria for judging. All I know that I was a full time student, with no grade lower than 80 and I had an average of 86.76. Ok na siguro iyon kasi tinawag nila pangalan ko sa stage. Sayang, hindi ako pinakanta sa stage. Of course, happy jud ako nun. But I am not setting my hopes up too high because there are a lot of factors to consider. And it also adds pressure the more I think of it.

Just an added note, my mom's friend, who is a professor in law school, was the one who told my mom. He sent an SMS. So siyempre, happy ang family ko for me. I was still contemplating of telling them or on how to tell them ... kasi nga maka-pressure. Pero ok pa rin na they found out ... hehe!

May pakapin pa! It was a good thing that our teacher was absent because I forgot my class cards. Haha! Pagka-tanga na lang jud! Hehe!

That's it for now! Study muna ako :)

Reality Bites

Summer is definitely over since classes will already start tomorrow.

So to officially close my Summer 2006 (char lang!), I would like to pay tribute to my 5 favorite reality TV guys ... hehe ... pagpasensiyahan niya na. These were the guys who definitely made my summer sizzling (huwaat?)

1. Julijo - The 3rd runner-up in the Star Circle Summer Kid Quest. The pinaka-gwapong bata sa balat ng telebisyon ... walang stir! He is Sweet Tooth in the Colgate Commercial. He is also in Pediasure and Chunkee Chewy Soft Cookie and probably more commercials to come. Ang batang ang sarap halikan at kurotin! He may not be the most talented but he has the talent to become the next matinee idol (walay atik!). He may pilyo but then he is still a child. Oh, Julijo!

2. Sam - No, not Sam Milby! Sam Concepcion of the Little Big Star! You can see that he was born a performer, with good looks. He may not have the birit voice but his stage presence is truly mesmerizing.

3. Elliott - The 3rd placer in the American Idol Season 5. I so love his voice! I am so happy I have mp3s of his 4 performances ... woohoo! I hope to see and hear more of him!

4. Aras - The Ultimate Survivor in Survivor: Exile Island. Of course, Terry was more deserving but then he was not in the Final Two. And Aras deserves it, next to Terry, for he always gives his best in all the challenges.

5. BJ and Tyler - The team that spiced-up Season 9 of the Amazing Race. And of course, they ultimately won it! These guys deserve it. They were my favorites since the beginning. If they weren't around, this season would have been a blah, no kidding!

So, there you have it. My five ultimate guys in reality TV this summer!

Sightings

Yesterday was good day for Keanu sightings.

Yup, I am a big Keanu fan and I am not ashamed of it. Yes, I know that he might be gay. But so what? Saka ko na problemahin iyon if kami na ... hehe. Yes, I know that he might not be the greatest actor. Anong pakialam niyo?

Anyway, his movie, The Lake House, with Sandra Bullock is coming out this month. That's why he's practically around tinseltown doing the promotions.

I saw an article on the newspaper yesterday that he wants to get married. He says he is quite lonely and wants to get married and have children. Yes, he still continues to mourn the loss of his stillborn daughter and 1999 and the death of the baby's mother in 2001. But they already broke up in 2000.

If only he knows I exist ... hehe. He is actually 41 years old. I don't care. As if he cares that I'm 25. It has been years since his Speed days.

I also saw him last night on Jay Leno's Show. Actually, Kellie Pickler was sent to do interviews at MTV Movie Awards. Keanu and Sandra were there. Kellie is indeed one lucky girl, interviewing all those celebrities on the red carpet. She was actually hilarious. She did a matrix move and it was quite funny (for me).

I would probably see more of Keanu in the next few weeks with The Lake House coming up. Cool!