A Winning Month

The title says it all.

The Jean Grey Bishoujo Statue I won by joining Kotobukiya's giveaway arrived early this month.

And I was one of fifty that had the chance to be featured in 3 billboards for a whole week c/o Globe's "I choose Tattoo" promo. No 20k though. -_-

Pottermore Mania!!!

Registration for early entrants to the Pottermore world started a month ago and I got to be one of a million of Harry Potter fans around the world that was given the opportunity to know what it feels like to be a Hogwarts student.

I got my Welcome Letter near the end of August. They even got me a list of things to buy at Diagon Alley. I bought my wand at Ollivanders.

And got sorted into Gryffindor.

We even have the chance to brew our potions for house points. I can't wait to start Book 2. Maybe they'd give us an essay assignment on the Goblin Wars.


Our Pottermore mania didn't stop with the internet. I carved a wand as a gift for Drix (fellow Pottermore user) for his birthday. It's based on the wand he owns in Pottermore. :D

What I've Been Up To

Like anyone cares. ohohohoho

Since my last post, a few things had happened. For one, my article got published. Thanks zerothreetwo. Now I'm officially a paid Freelance Writer.

A few days after that, a fire broke out just two houses from ours. At around 2am, some guy was shouting "hoy!" outside so our initial reaction was "nagpinatyanay na". My brother went out to check because, as he said, something was off. It turned out that he was right. The fire was already a huge blaze when I called the Fire Department (hotline number: 160) while some of us was waking other family members.

We literally had only a few minutes to prepare because our Aunt was already screaming at us to get out of the house. I managed to grab a few things on the bed then went downstairs to grab the dogs.

It was another one of those surreal moments that leaves you wondering if it really was happening. This is the second fire in the past decade that came very close to our house.

More of the fire on Kim's blog.

I've been working on a project since May and the fire made me declare, "if our house survives this, it'll mean that I'm meant to do this." So I am meant to finish this one now.

Lolo got admitted to the hospital for Gastroenteritis last may then a week after the fire, Lola got admitted for warning signs of stroke.

On the 27th of June, the 14th grandchild was born. :D

Last week, Kim and I finally filed for our very first passports.

Lastly, I won 1 million pesos. Psych! there wasn't really a lot that happened. Just a lot of headaches. -_-

Who I Am

I've been listing some stuff I figured out recently about myself. An inner inspection of my quirks, I might say. I've been a bum for more than a year and aside from the paintings I do, the books I read and the internet surfing, it's that time before going to sleep that gives me the quiet time to delve deep into my twisted mind. *laughs like a maniac*

-I tend to rebel when I get told to do something more than twice. Why on the third? It's because the first one is the instruction, the second one is the reminder and when it gets to the third one, it's just a nagging. This doesn't happen all the time.

-I don't like being called by my name in public. Out loud. It's a psychological thing, I think. It makes me feel that once someone gets a hold of your name, they have the right to talk to you even if I don't know them.

-Although I like being praised--who doesn't?--I don't like being praised a LOT. It sounds insincere when overdone. I pretty much like it if that praise is accompanied with a reason than a simple, "nice~". Much better if that praise is accompanied by a "but".

-I'm a homebody. That's why my hobbies are those I can do in one spot. I don't see the point in moving around just for the adventure and thrill of things. I can have both of them just by learning new stuff and not even break a sweat. If I get tired, I could just sleep.

-I have difficulty sleeping anywhere besides my bed. This one is a hereditary quirk. hahaha. My Lolo has this thing also. That's why he doesn't stay overnight anywhere if he wants to sleep. Maybe it's the familiarity of the place that makes us feel secure enough to sleep. Once, Lola was admitted in the hospital and Lolo was reluctant to go home.

"Di man sad ka makatulog nganhi(You won't be able to sleep here anyway),"  Lola said.
"Nya, makatulog pud d-ay ko sa balay nga wala man ka(I won't be able to sleep at home if you're not there)," Lolo replied.

Ayeeee~ it sounds cheesier when translated to English.

-I can't sleep with the bedroom door open or when the moon is full. I don't know why.

-I think I have a Challenge-Accepted mindset. I hate reptiles, no matter the size, but I once held an iguana using both hands because I felt that I was being challenged then. I'm a closet competitor?

-I don't like being pushed to agree to do something I'm hesitant about. Without persuasion, I have about 3-5% chance of agreeing. But when people start telling me what to do, that chance drops down to negative one million percent plus a bad mood.


I'm a downer, ain't I? hahahaha

Holy Week for the Not So Religious

We instantaneously decided to go to Argao for the long weekend. There was a couple of last minute indecisions but we still managed to get going together. My mom was packing so much stuff that people can assume that we won't be coming back.

The reason why we want to go to the province was mostly because we want to get away from city's pollution and be able to relax from school/work/chores. The religious activity in the province is a plus.

I'm not even a tiny bit religious and I can say the same for my siblings and mother. Old churches fascinate me though. The way small vegetations start to grow on the ledges and the state of the wood and stone of the entire building. I was able to take a closer look at the stone walls of the exterior. It looks like limestone and you could see chisel marks on them. Probably because they had to manually shape stone boulders into angled shapes. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I wonder how long it took them to finish the entire church.

We set off on Wednesday evening, ate a little dinner at a fast food chain in Minglanilla--their service sucks--then straight to Argao.

When we finally arrived, they had to do a bit of cleaning. I say 'they' because I wasn't able to help with the wiping and washing. I had a mishap with a pair of scissors(whose handle is as sharp as its blade) a few hours ago. Ufufufufu is what I would have said until I scraped my wrists on one of the containers I was carrying. So that's two injuries in less than twelve hours. Good thing there weren't any stairs to fall on that day. -_-

Thursday was when the food fest began. First off, barbecue in the private cemetery. It may seem disrespectful, but we had our grandparents' blessing. :D

For dinner, we ate at Alex Kafe near where we were staying. I recommend their halo-halo. Yummy.

We finished dinner at around ten in the evening. By the time we got back, we were already prepping for a movie marathon--if you can call it that. There were only three(out of the eight) that were still awake by the time the second movie ended.

The next day was the main event. Food from morning until evening at Lola Dencia's house.

It is customary in the our region to serve binignit and biko during--but not limited to--Holy Week. Fasting and stuff.

Biko. Photo by Kim

Binignit. Photo by Kim

 
We had green mangoes, kropek and chocolate crinkles for snacks. We also got to meet some of our distant(2nd degree) cousins.

Cousins: Baby Athena, Kimberly and Kirk

For Dinner was fish and squid and some clear egg soup. Again, yummy.

Photo by Kim. I was too busy eating. hahaha

Photo by Kim

Photo by Kim

After dinner, we lounged around until ten then went back to our house played some rounds of Tekken then watched a movie.

The next day was the final one. We spent the entire morning packing up. We had lechon kawali for lunch then did some more packing.

We went home at around three in the afternoon(after saying goodbye to relatives). But we made another snack break at another fast food chain. hahaha

All-in-all, it was more of a culinary and art trip than anything else. You can appreciate more of the culture as a spectator rather than a participant. If you ask me, those 'participants' are just joining in on the activities without even understanding it. I mean, who would wear very high heels on processions. There were even some that were just texting and chatting instead of joining in the prayers. And who would wear seemingly all of their worldly possession in a very religious act when the church preaches on humility. The statues of the saints they were parading would have shook their heads in disgust.

Worst Best Friend, Best Enemy

A person you once hated with every fiber of your being does not stay that way forever. You two might encounter reconciliation along the way or you just mature more with time. In the same light, the person you might have thought was your friend will make you wish you never met each other.  Either way, it'll be a story that will leave its own mark on the both of you.

Back in elementary school, I was the shy girl at the back of the room that befriends the very first girl that talked to me. That girl was Christine. We had things in common –at least, that’s what I thought then. Both our fathers knew each other since they used to work for the same company. When my parents knew my blossoming friendship with Christine, they discouraged it. They said that I was only being used by the nine-year old. I was adamant at the innocence of our friendship and defended it until a changing event during my second year in high school.

During the time I met Christine, I met Marie. She was the bossy kid that wants everything to go her way. What she wants, she gets. I can’t remember what exactly happened but I know it was after school ended and I was playing with someone else and she made me cry. She wasn’t bullying me, she just taunted me. After that incident, I stayed away from her.

When we reached high school, I was still best friends with Christine. Marie became my friend and became part of our group along with Jam. This was the turning point.

It happened during recess. Our canteen then was selling fruit shakes and I often go there with this group and buy some. I bought a large mango shake with the little allowance I have for that day. Christine started asking me to buy one for her. For free.

Of course, I flatly told her that I can’t; my money wasn’t enough to buy another one. She pouted and walked away from me, dragging Jam and Marie with her. She left me there just like that. For years, I had never been without a friend so I tried redeeming myself and bought another shake, a size smaller than what she wanted because it was all I could afford. I tracked her down and called out to her when I did but she intentionally ignored me. The realization and everything my parents warned me against hit me hard. In my anger, I threw that tiny cup away, went to our classroom and sulked.

It was there that Marie and Jam found me. From then on, we never went with Christine again.

This event made me realize that I used the title “best friend” too casually and bestowed it on someone I’ve been the longest; not the one who knows me the most.  The value of that friendship was the same as that small cup of shape that I dumped in the garbage can without hesitation. My indifference to our friendship further convinced me that I never thought much about our relationship in the first place; it wasn’t something even worth fighting for. It wasn’t even worth any tear. I didn’t cry over our separation. Instead, I felt relieved: I was free of her oppression and bossiness.

I was blind to her misdoings because I was afraid of being alone. I even overlooked her habit of demeaning me when the fact was, I was a lot smarter than she is and will ever be.

Every one of us has our own Christines and Maries. Each one of us has the choice to keep or get rid of either one but it should always be us that make that decision.

To this day, Marie, Jam and I am still friends. Close friends. Best friends, in fact. Our friendship –as cliché as it sounds- stood the test of time. Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing; no relationship is. We had our fights but the most important thing is that we always find ourselves led back to one another. Another important thing is that we cried. We shed tears because if we know that if we don’t repent and forgave, we would lose something much more than the word “meaningful” will allow.

We went to different universities and months would often times pass without a single word between each other but whenever we have our annual meet ups, it’s as if we never parted. We always go back to that time in high school when we copy each other’s assignment or when we would just lounge by the hallways during breaks as if we had the entire school to ourselves. As for Christine, we never saw each other again.

Whoever said that time and distance could bring strain to a relationship has obviously never met us.

Six-plus Inches of My Hair Just Went Bye-bye

I stopped cutting my hair 6+(coincidence?) years ago. By 'hair' I mean the general length of it. I still cut the ones that fall in front of my face for those I-want-bangs moments. I even sometimes cut those at the side of my face that people would assume that I have short hair--until they see my back. hahahaha

It was only about three years ago that I discovered the magic of using conditioners. So by that time, my hair was not looking good. It has split ends.  *gasp*

I'm now looking around for files showing the actual length of my hair but I can't seem to find one. It's one of the drawbacks of being the one usually behind the camera. -_-

So~ I'm borrowing a picture that was taken by my friend Karissa back in 2008.

Obviously, if you have anything unusual in your person, people tend to stare. I've had my share plus a couple of pulls(to see if it's not a wig), murmured comments and some actually ask us(me and my sister) head on.

The comments I can take but I don't like the hair-pulling thing. Ever heard about personal space? Duh.

One time, I was with my sister at a mall(I think) and we were looking at some stuff when we passed by a little girl. My hair was in a single braid then. The girl pulled on her grandma's hand and "whispered", 'look grandma. Rapunzel.'

Yeah, the old Rapunzel association. It's cute. :)

The oddest hair-related question thrown at me is, "what do you do with it when you go to the restroom?"

'What do you think?' is what I so want to answer back. I mean, come on people, use your common sense. Sheeesssh

The most common question is, "is it real?" If people have seen an actual wig, they'd know mine is real. My hair's not so shiny and it's often messy.

I dedicate this entry to the oldest part of my hair that's now with the biodegradable trash. I'll always remember you as the one I had the Yuna-ish hairstyle with. :)

Goodbye My One Thousand Paper Cranes

This afternoon I learned from my cousin's girlfriend that their school is making them fold paper cranes to be given to the US embassy to be sold so that they can donate the proceeds for Japan's recovery.

I've made a thousand paper cranes about two years ago because I wanted it to be part of my thesis but the panel rejected my title proposal so the cranes ended up in my workspace.

That thousand was literally hanging around so why not make the best of it. It's for a good cause anyway.

For Japan!

Day 30 - A Picture of Someone You Miss

I've been avoiding any mention of the "yellow chicken" throughout this project but I'll give the last day to him.

This picture is courtesy of my not so secret paparazzi. Smudged and masked to protect the endangered yellow chicken's identity. I wouldn't want all its fangirls breaking down my door.

Our chat messages are sweet and often times crazy. It makes me wonder now: what happened? Are we still friends?

I miss the "butterflies in my stomach" feel whenever we talk. I've been blabbing about this a lot in this blog so I won't delve on this anymore. I just miss the chicken. Period.



Dear Yellow Chicken,

If you see this picture, you'd know I've been talking about you. Don't hate me for stalking you. Feel free to stalk me. hahahaha

Friends?

Still waiting,
The crazy girl beside you >:)

Day 29 - A Picture That Can Always Make You Smile

My first choice was a picture of a text message I got on a certain December day last 2008 but I think I threw away my old phone's charger away. So that's quite impossible now. :(

So I opted the next best thing: L and Ryuk's Lightsaber Shoot. Ryuk here was supposed to be wielding a red one but the it barely emits any light so we just changed it to a yellow glow stick.

Day 28 - A Picture of Something You're Afraid Of

Death. Not my own but of those around me. I am more afraid of losing people close to me than dying. I've been accompanying my grandparents to funerals of their relatives and friends. I've seen how people react to the lose and I don't like it. I don't like watching people try to keep the hurt to themselves because it makes it more painful for me to watch them.

My eyes would sometimes glaze up seeing all those mourners not because I'm a crybaby or a drama queen but because it's a habit of mine to place myself in other people's shoes. And in a funeral, there's no other shoes to fill other than those that had lost someone.

Dying is easy, coping with death is harder.

Day 27 - A Picture of Yourself and a Family Member

Zero~ when she was still a teenager. hahaha.

I was telling Zero to look at the camera but the camera shot too soon for me to point at it. Yeah, you can see that finger wanting to get in the picture. :))

When our father left us, we weren't devastated. Instead, we felt relief. Do not judge us and say that we shouldn't tell that because he's our father after all. He does not have the right to be called our father. He abandoned us at the drop of a hat and he told us frequently--and bitterly, I might add--that we wouldn't be alive without him(and that we should be grateful).

So when he left us, my younger siblings felt that it's about time we get a pet, something that's more part of our family than our father ever was.

Our family's now complete. :D

Day 26 - A Picture of Something That Means a Lot to You

Need you ask? It's my books. hahaha

I took some quick snapshots of them, hence the blurry ones. Those books have invaded the space for my clothes! Even with that, I'm barely able to cram them in such a small space. I don't even have all of my books(others are still on loan). -_-

Book picture spamming begins here. :D

Yeah, I know it's disorganized. >:)

Day 25 - A Picture of Your Day

As everything is, it all depends on the "what" and "where". In my case, what I was/am doing or where I am.

Being a bum for a year already, I have spent some time rolling in bed. But you don't want a picture of that--I wouldn't even post it here anyway. hahahaha

So let's just make do with what I usually do during the course of a day.

When I was in school...
I rarely study. When I do, it's usually because I got a barely-made-it grade. That's usually in Filipino subjects. But most of the time, I doodle (especially with teachers as my subjects).

The only doodle ever saved digitally. Guess who? >8D

Origami...
That word says it all. I did Satoshi Kamiya's "Yellow Bird"(75 steps) quite a lot. I've been meaning to fold the "Red Dragon" (275 steps) but I can't seem to find the perfect paper. -_-

My mini Chocobo army. :D

Photoshoots...
We have been thinking of a concept for our next shoot but the it's taking us too long to finalize and find costumes for each of us. I don't know about them but I'm almost done with mine. wehehehe

pic by kim

Black Rock Shooter Figma

Macro shots. Lola's cattleya

Partying with the whole family!
The best thing about any party is food and it won't be a family party without Lola's cooking. I don't have a picture of the food because I'm usually busy eating. D8>

During Lola's birthday 2010. We have a funny family. :))

Doing my sister's haircut...
She no longer goes to the salon because no one knows how to follow her hair specifications (there should be a term like this!). Roughly a decade ago, she wanted her long locks cut similar to Rihanna's hairstyle a couple of years ago. But no, "it'll look weird," the hairdresser said. They cut it too short in the front so it looked like that of a little boy. Ever since then, I've been cutting her hair. I never had any training in hairdressing but I do have one in sculpting. hahahaha

Her recent haircut. Soi Fon Style. >8D

Artsy Stuff...
Oil painting is my forte. Never liked watercoloring. I do a lot of crafting stuff. I learned how to knit just so I can make Chiaki's scarf. View my artworks here. :D

Playing with two very funny dogs...
We weren't suppose to keep any of Zero's puppies but here we are: Zero who gets excited when mom says the words "wink wink"--I don't know why but it doesn't have any effect on Zero when other people say it--and Aki who always want to sit on my lap.  

Zero and Aki sleeping

 

Day 24 - A Picture of Something You Wish You Could Change

A portrait I did of my cousin for my thesis. 

In this country, people think that being "environmentally-aware" is only for those that belong in the upper-middle class or the upper class citizens. That is the mentality of our people: something goes wrong, blame it on the government.

I can't say that the government is totally blameless either. They should hold more awareness campaign regarding responsible trash disposal, and particularly the dangers of smoking.

Smoking. Our tiny store does not sell any cigarettes so people regularly asks us "why?". Just that single word tells a whole lot about people's ignorance of its effects on themselves as well as those around them.

Littering. An excuse commonly used by those who litter is that "there's no trash can". If there's really no where you can dispose of your garbage properly, put it in your pocket. If it's too big for your pocket, you can put it in your bag or you can just carry it around until you find a trash can. There's a mall here in Cebu that doesn't have any trash can every few meters so my sister and I had to walk from the annex to the main part of the building just so that we can throw whatever it is we were holding. And I can tell you that it wasn't a short walk. Again, in our store, my mother charges an additional 2php when children (that lacks common sense and over-all manners. I'm blaming it on the parents) wants their sodas poured in a plastic. One kid protested that he won't throw his plastic in front of the store but "there"--pointing at their area at the upper part of the street.

"Still," my mom retorted, "you're just going to throw that on the street."

"No, I won't", the kid said. "I'll throw it in the canal."

Makes you want to do a facepalm, eh?

Spitting. Why do people spit on the streets? Don't they know that that's one of the reason why diseases spread. They would have saved a lot on hospital bills if they just disciplined themselves better.

Awareness. Our family supports the "Earth hour" movement. As I've pointed out a couple of times in this entry, we have a store. It can easily be noticed that our store had it's lights off during the one hour duration of the event. Almost everyone that came to buy asks us why our lights were off. We patiently tell them that it's for the "Earth hour" campaign. Guess what? They gave us blank stares with an accompanying "what?"

All in all, I don't think that it is because of poverty that people are not conscious of the environment; it's because they refuse to care and be responsible because they are poor or that because it's the government's job. News flash for them, the government is not a super hero. We still have to do our share since we are a part of this country; what affects one, affects us all. Don't even get me started on people rallying to stop oil price hikes. gah!

So I want to change this picture. Instead of only one caring for the environment, I want everybody to join in.

I wish there was a ghost that haunts people who litter and smoke. >8D

My sister during one of our impromptu photo shoots.

Day 23 - A Picture of Your favorite Book

Pride and Prejudice is my ultimate favorite book but that's old news. My newest fave is a book series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. It's a somewhat unofficial prequel of the Peter Pan story by J. M. Barrie.

Starcatchers is an interesting enough set and introduced characters like the Mollusk people, the original Lost Boys, Ammm and the dreadful Ombra. The story adds new ideas to the original one. Not to mention that it's illustrated. hehe.

The Blood Tide book follows the story of the Lost Boys and two children from the Mollusk Tribe while Peter was away on Starcatcher business in London.

The Starcatcher series has a final book in the making: The Bridge to Neverland. I can't wait for that book to be published. :D

Day 22 - A Picture of Something You Wish You Were Better At

Jym's violin

You can't say you want to get better at something you never tried before but let's just pretend that I did the first step. And no, I don't mean playing the violin exclusively--but it's one of my dreams to play one--it's music in general. Unlike some preparatory schools, the one I was in didn't really teach music as one of the subjects. If you wanted to learn, you have to be in the Drum and Bugle Corps. I once briefly played a tom-tom drum when our scouting unit did a short presentation for a DBC competition. Other than that, zilch.

I always say that some people are quite lucky to have had lessons. I was not as lucky. I never learned to fully understand notes on music sheets and often wondered how each finger combination equates to specific parts of the score.

Like some other things in my life, music remains among those that's hard to reach, either by laziness or by lack of resources. *sigh*

Day 21 - A Picture of Something You Wish You Could Forget

First year, first semester. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

This subject was one of my favorites that time, next to algebra, until it started letting you do activities that involves going in front and/or holding a microphone.

It began with a simple product commercial that you have to do yourself. Mine was for a soda that replenishes lost creative juices. Juice Up: it's not a juice, it's a soda. Pretty lame, I know. Anyway, those simple enough assignments turned longer. It evolved into doing your own radio segment as a deejay. Inevitably, it proceeded to being a veejay. I have to give credits to Final Fantasy for the music played for both of those "gigs".

I really thought that was it until our teacher announced that we'll be singing a full song in front of class for our Finals. Gah! I don't like to sing, especially in front of everybody.

When the day came, we found out that we were not only going to sing in front, we're going to do it with a microphone... and two speakers behind us.

The only tape I was able to borrow was by Carol Banawa. I sang--or rather, tried to sing--the song "Stay". For those who know how that song goes, it has a lot of high notes. Certainly not fit for a newbie like me. In the end, I did sing and left forever scarred.

I immediately buried that memory but it pops out like a zombie once in a while. Most frequently during my Literature classes a few years afterwards. I usually end up skipping class on days with singing or anything involved with the front part of the classroom.

Day 20 - A Picture of Somewhere You'd Love to Travel

A shot of Camiguin Island from White Island

I would like to travel (back) to Camiguin. It's a 12-hour boat trip from Cebu but I'll do it again just so I can ride that pump boat skimming on high waves and bask under the sun at White Island with my friends. I'll brave three things I usually run away from: motion-sickness from very VERY long trips, sun and sea water. I would want to be able to climb the stations of the cross running by the main island's volcano since we weren't able to do it the first time.

Day 19 - A Picture of a Letter

This picture is a recreation of a letter I gave to someone special. Not one for the conventional, I wrote my confession among the stars. *wink*

This is what I wrote--not inside the 'letter'--about the secret of my supposed gift to that someone:
  
a single crane for a thousand
another one for a thousand more

a thread that binds our names together
to let you know that i want fate to let us be paired

one dream for you
another holds a confession

I like riddles, don't you? >:D

Day 18 - A Picture of Your Biggest Insecurity

My handle on the English Language is one of my biggest insecurity. Even writing this blog--which can be read by a lot of people--is a huge step.

Note: I am NOT fishing for compliments so please don't say anything like "you're good at it" or "it's perfect". Please don't. It is called an insecurity because I am not confident with it and I know that it stems from that tiny part of me that just can't accept anything that's not perfect. It will always be there no matter how hard anyone would try to cheer me up. It will only be up to me to suppress that lack of confidence. No one else.

Thanks anyway.
:)

Day 17 - A Picture of Something That Has Made a Huge Impact on Your Life Recently

March 2010. Graduated from FA-Painting with five other classmates. Our population results from the sparse number of students that enroll in this particular college course. We're a minority in our Department and, as I have come to realize after finishing school, it's also the same as in the "real world".

Welcome to the world of the unemployed. A diploma is not a ticket to a bright future but is only an expensive piece of paper that may help you. In today's time, skill is all you need. Employers looking for artists often go for someone who has the ability rather than the degree.

If I had known that, I would just have spent all those years--and tuition fees--on digital equipments and just studied on my own. -_-

Day 16 - A Picture of Someone Who Inspires You

I don't know!!! Oh my~

I really haven't thought about it before this assignment so I spent almost the entire day thinking about it but still, no one comes to mind.

A living zombie is what I am. An oxymoron: something totally contradicting existing in a single being. So where do I get that spark when I do those artwork? It does not come to me in any physical vessel, that's for sure.

It's like one of those light bulb moments when you just hear this imaginary click and you have this inexhaustible drive for the entire day.

So who inspires me? It's an invisible formless energy that comes to me when it feels like it. -__-

The World is Full of Hate-Worthy People But It's Still Awesome

My day didn't start well. As I said earlier, "it feels like a rug being pulled from under me. I was anticipating it but I still wasn't able to brace myself from the fall."

That "fall" started the previous night but I was too elated to notice that the reason why I was on cloud nine was because "the rug" had already been pulled from underneath me. I never felt the descent, only the hurt when I hit the ground.

A few hours ago, one of my friends got harassed by one of her haters. That guy started uttering inappropriate things especially towards the fact that my friend was a girl. When you're female and better than them, they feel the need to hate.

Petty thieves, personal-space invaders, people who abuse authority. Our world is full of them. The worst are those who call themselves professionals but does not seem to know its meaning or the certain set of manners--personally, I call it common sense--to be followed when donning that title. When you tell people to find you, it's expected that they will and you should not go running off towards the other direction pretending to be deaf or blind. A simple "I'm sorry" would have sufficed. Do not leave them hanging. They might have things much more important to do than waiting for you to finally tell them why you needed them to reach you.

Geezzz..

What those kinds of people do might have infuriated me but I have friends I can pour out some of the hurt to. That's what makes the world bearable. That's what make my friends awesome... to infinity plus one!

Day 15 - A Picture of Something You Want To Do Before You Die

 

I want to try Laser Tag wearing a suit. Barney Stinson makes it look fun and easy. I saw in the news that there's one Laser Tag facility somewhere in Manila. I should go there... with lots of friends in suits. I can just imagine the people's faces. ohohohoho

Day 14 - A Picture of Someone You Could Never Imagine Your Life Without

I could not live without the ones dear to me: friends and, most especially, my family from my mother's side. I have this fear--aside from the squid one--that they will die ahead of me. I am very dependent. I do not like being abandoned... permanently. I would rather want to die before anyone of them could.

I've been accompanying my grandparents to their friends' funerals for the past few years and I could not imagine myself in their place. My grandfather buried his two younger brothers. I know that he was forcing a smile but the sadness is clear.

The picture was taken in Argao last October 25, Lola's birthday and, coincidentally, the barangay elections. Not anyone was able to participate in this impromptu picture-taking because they were either asleep or were at the nearby beach. Guess where I am~

Day 13 - A Picture of Your Favorite Band or Artist

I never preferred any band until my brother discovered The Black Mages. They combined my two favorite things: Final Fantasy and instrumental music. I was already familiar to FF music when I was introduced to the band's versions of the songs. Instrumental Rock. How cool is that? Even cooler is the fact that the band members are already middle-aged. You don't see a lot like them these days.

My favorite track is "Vamo' Alla Flamenco". It reminds me of the hours I spent digging for treasures in Chocobo's Forests. It makes me want to nod my head up and down just like a Chocobo!

Day 12 - A Picture of Something You Love

The Cebu Eastern College Pugadlawin Scouting Unit.

I entered the unit when I was a freshman in high school through the persuasion of my cousin who was an officer in her time. So, I joined since it also meant that I can be exempted from PE classes. I didn't take it really seriously even when I reached my second year. I hardly ever attended the regular meetings on Saturdays but I do join the hikes.

When I reached my third year, my sister was in her first year in high school so I bribed her in joining the unit. I then became the Patrol Leader then my sister became my assistant. At that point, I regretted having been absent during my two years in the unit.

Our school's scouting unit is not like those of the public schools here in the Philippines. I remember that our Type A uniform then was made from a very thick blue cotton cloth. We would roll up a yellow beret(yellow is the color for the member rank) and tuck it under a strap on one shoulder and a yellow braided cord would be on the other shoulder. Senior officers would then check if our cords has a whistle attached to it.

Just like our uniforms, the way the unit is run is different. Boys and Girls are trained together. That's why I never earned a single badge for my girl scouting (if girls could apply for the boy's badges, then I'm confident that I could have earned some). Girls in our unit are not taught how to sew different stitches or any of those girly stuffs written in their manuals. Instead, we were taught how to tie the eight basic knots, the special knots, how to build a two-story tower using bamboo poles (and make us climb it after we're done), how to build a fire using friction, Morse code, the sixteen points of a compass and, one time, how to use a trans-receiver.

We were taught discipline which meant that we are not allowed to talk or even wipe any sweat from our face when in the 'Parade Rest' position.

I was (in my third year) a part of the newly-formed Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe. We performed at different venues and get cash in return. I was a rich girl then. haha

I graduated high school with the rank of Girl Guide Skills in the unit. GG Skills requires that you are knowledgeable in different areas of the skills taught in scouting, hence the name.

I still returned to the unit once in a while when I was already in college (I even spent one of my summer vacations training future officers, single-handedly, gah!).

If only I have known that the University of Cebu offered a Rover scout course, I would have gladly cross-enrolled.

All that I'm left now is the memory and friends I gained during my brief stay in the unit.