Entries for November, 2006
November 4th, 2006
Gettin' the Feel of Vacation
I'm on sem break. My sem break, unlike any other, started just last Saturday, October 28, the afternoon after my life-changing Math17 finals. The last time I checked, which was yesterday, I thought that kinda hate my layout, the violet one you know. Ugh. I don't like the thought of it, but I've just realized upon reading my last year blog entries--and comparing the handful of layouts I've made to the ones I've just created now--that last year was far better. I don't know about you, but I just thought that perhaps I've worsened this year, in terms of writing in this blog. Whoa, I hope not.
Anyway, the past semester is a total mess--totally! One minute I was so eager to be a US, the next I felt like I wanna consume all the seven and a half years I'm allowed to stay in the university. One minute I was so fired up with God, the next, I'm doubting him again like before. One minute I was so excited for the coming sem break--for the coming "rest and relaxation days" that I've been waiting for--and now that it's here, I'm so excited for yet another sem. What's up with my fluctuating emotions? Duh!
So, I failed to update for the past month, huh? What can I do? Not only did we not have internet connection because of the miserable Digitel slow internet services, but also I didn't have the time. In the beginning of the past month, when we still had internet connection, yet I was so busy studying for the final exams I'm about to take for the last week of our classes. And then just last week, when all my misery has ended--when I finally have all the time and energy to go on typing everything--that's when the stupid Digitel cut our internet connection.
Oh well, it's over now. I'm here now, and I've just posted now. That's what matters most. 
September 28-October 1
Milenyo hit us. Oh man! The wind was so strong, that the roofs off the rooftop of our dormitory were blown away and scattered all over Los Banos. I can still remember the day before that, the 27th, it was so rainy. Yet, as usual, classes weren't cancelled, even though all the other schools just closed already. But we, UP students? No, cancellation of classes, or rather half-day classes, ain't in our vocabulary. Classes continue no matter how feirce the wind maybe, how strong the rain pours down, or even how dark and hot the rooms would be without electricity. Well, let me take back the "dark" part. I haven't exactly experienced it, but upperclassmen tell me that they do take pre-lims in the dark, even if there's no electricity. Pahirapan 'to sa kanila. Hehehe.On the 27th, before Milenyo hit its worse towards the Philippines, I remember being so happy then. Until noon, I was so happy. But after that, noticing how unstoppable the rain pours down on our mountain, I was so pissed off. Why? Because on that day we were supposed to take the "final walk" for our PE. My PE? Don't ask. 
You know, it's like this: the administration is enforcing now, more than ever, their students to wear their IDs. Of course it's for verification purposes. And so these people thought of a fashion show that'll encourage students to, not just wear their IDs, but wear them with a touch of fashion. Hey, they're right on track! Now ID can be a part of our overall look, huh? Here are some pics from the said show.
And guess what? After that night, nobody thought that it would be the last time we'll see the university in such orderly state. Tstktsk. Then the rest was history. Rain, wind, thunder and lightnings followed that day, the 28th. What was so damn frustrating about Milenyo is that his strong winds not only blew away weakly-founded roofs, but also uprooted big, strong trees--trees that lived almost a lifetime already--destroyed small bridges made of cement--ones that everybody thought were built in strong foundation--and, worst, toppled down electric poles--shutting the electric system of the whole province that nobody thought would last for a week.
By the 29th, I woke to a sunny morning, feeling that I just missed class. But then, everyone else confirmed the announcement that indeed, there are no classes. Yeah, so what's the reason for me to stay in the dorm when it's a Friday, there's no classes, and I can stay at home the whole weekend? Well, of course the black out reached our town, and what's worse is that people here at home didn't have water--as in running water--and that gives me enough to reason to stay in the dorm until classes resume, which will probably will by Monday, 2nd of October. And so I thought.The weekends passed, dorm mates went their own ways to their home towns, then came back for the classes they expected to resume by Monday. It was Sunday, the 1st day of October, when all of a sudden, my room mate, who's been gone for some time without saying a word to any of her room mates, comes rushing in our dorm, sits in the waiting area with the rest of us, blabs surprisingly with a very catchy line, "I think I'll go home in Dagupan."
Of course, who wouldn't be shocked. It's a Sunday, the following day is a regular classes day. Why waste your time going to such far place and then stay there for just a couple of minutes, and then spend the whole day returning in LB for classes? It's such a waste of time spending 20 hours in travel, and only less than a quarter of that time to stay in that place.We, of course, altogether said "Huh?", as if trying to say, "What are talking about? Why on earth?" Just as we are surprised, she also surprisingly asked, "Haven't you heard? No classes the whole week next week." Everyone heard this, even those outside learned of what she just said. It's like, the whole of her second sentence caught the attention of everyone. And of course, we were skeptical, and were like, "C'mon! Really? Who said so?" Everyone had questions and were shouting them out in amazement. Some were happy, others were just in doubt, still there are others who are quite angry, or should I say they just can't accept that announcement.
So she confirmed by telling us what happened on her trip back to the campus and everything the orgs were doing for help and everything like that. A dorm mate thought of an idea and called the UPF, the only office open on a Sunday. And it was confirmed. We're going on a mini-sem break. Turns out, all schedules were moved one week forward, even the Christmas break! But it's fine. It's been proven that in UPLB, you only got 1 week Christmas vacation. Fine, it's still 1 week.And what was I supposed to do upon knowing this? In my home town, there's still no water and electricity. But in my ever-loved province, Batangas, all I needed was there--plus more!
So, I immediately took out my phone, excitedly spread out first the good news to LB friends, and then sent the message to mom and dad [and I think even to my sis ^_^] INFORMING [not asking their permission] them of my plan to go on vacation in Batangas!While I was busy doing all these stuff, my room mate and I decided to go for a tour around the "new UPLB". Unfortunately, it wasn't as messy as it had been when Milenyo struck. Yet still, some of the remains, rather marks that he came, were still there. We even took pictures of such. Here goes.
The Infamous Hanging Bridge [no more shortcuts for us engineers anymore, tsktsk]
Unbelievably, the ancient Math building, the oldest building in UPLB, is still up and without even a single mark of casuality.
How about a flying roof? XD
And we came back to the mansion, aka dorm, of course as usual it's brown out. We stayed up late chatting with other dormates in the front door. They turned on the generator, in the assigned time, and then watched pirated DVDs we bought there in LB as well. Then when they turned it off again, we went to the rooftop, 'cause it was cool there. Suddenly, it rained so we had to go back inside. We were wondering what's taking them long to turn on the generator again, then someone came up and told us that it won't ever be turned on until they find where to buy deisel for it. We all went in our rooms, listened to the rain pouring down fast. It took hours until it stopped actually. Out of nervousness and excitement perhaps, I couldn't sleep, so I got to keep track of how long the rain lasted. Thankfully, it ended that night as well.
The following morning, I was off to Biboy, Ponay, Alex, Sharmel and Em. Here I come, Batangas! XDOctober 2-8
If you're not satisfied, or really just want s'more, check 'em out here.
October 16-20
Hell Week. These two words are enough. They tell it all. But beyond that, as each final exam unfolds, as each one ends, I smile. Not only do I know it's over, but also I'm assured of myself that I've done what I should have. I maybe too hard on myself, but I do believe that I haven't done my best yet. And so, it excites me that the new sem is just around, waiting, and that it would be the best time to start anew. This time around, I'm gonna be sure to bring out the best and lay down all my cards.
OK, so last week was really the last week that UPLB can torture me. On the 28th was our finals in that doggone Math17. Thank God I studied. It was quite easy. Yesterday I asked my blockmate to see my final standing in that subject. It was a 2.25. Well, It wasn't that hard to get that 2.25. Again, I'm not being too hard on myself, but I just thought that I didn't give my best. I mean, I could've done better, right? I just know it. Oh well. Next sem, I'm gonna make sure I don't just pass 36, but also get a standing better than 2. I wanna secure my future, my plans, so I wanna make sure that I really pass all my courses--and a 3 won't simply suffice. It just won't. For me, being a somewhat perfectionist, a 2 would suffice, but I already loathe it. How much more 2.25? If I'm not hard on myself, perhaps you'd say I'm too proud. Well, I guess you could say that.
Right after that, I went straight to Manila. Why? Because I wanna attend the Regional Youth Conference of YFC in Morong, Rizal. And guess what? It's the only place where Rizal routes are found. Yup. You want to hear s'more? OK. I got lost. Yup. Yes, I went there alone. All I had was myself, my trusty big, shoulder bag-slash-maleta, and my long, dirty, torn, but still trusty wallet containing a few money that'll surely get me through.
And now I'm home safely. I'm here now, updating. Oh, just in case you haven't noticed 'cause perhaps you never got to see this before, or you just don't really care at all, or whatsoever excuse you got there to notice--well, I just changed the layout of my blog. I'm kind of hating all the layouts I made for this year. Except for the one I made for the summer. I so love that. I guess it's the best I've done yet.
And now's a new layout. Well, I just thought that for the first time, I'm gonna make my own image. Hehehe. So, yeah, you see, I got no talent for art. Well, I kinda like this one, huh. I just noticed, comparing it with my layout last year, same month, they have the same simple concept of black and white. How's that? Coincidence or what? Or is this just what I feel like in these times? Mmmm. Whatever.
There you go guys. Will make sure to update more frequently next sem. OK? Bye now.
It's my day, so I'm the one who's rightfully expecting something from you guys. But before that, Merry Christmas first. How many many days to go? Dunno. I lost track of my count. 
Dear God, It has been a fruitful sem for all of us. Thank you for the past months in school of toil, hardwork, and very valuable lessons on love and friendship. God, I pray that you bless and protect my friends and family as always. Take care of yourself, God, 'cause if anything happens to you, we're definitely in BIG trouble!
listen Kami nAPO Muna: A Tribute to Apo Hiking Society
read Elisabeth Elliot's Passion & Purity
watch Grey's Anatomy
yahn @ 12:48 PM | Book Of The Yahn [Add comment/s]