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!