My cup of coffee

Yes, it's been a pretty stressful month for all of us, but at least we're still alive somehow.

I have a new blog :)

http://theabyluff.co.cc

Honestly?

The free food. Not the hospital food, that is - that’s never free. The free food comes from the visitors. They would usually bring healthy food like fruits and the like to supplement the hospital food that you eat. Yumyum.

The flowers, balloon, etc. The free food usually comes with a basket of flowers (sometimes with heart-shaped balloons) to give the sick person a nice view to look at every once in a while.

The visitors (and the stories they share). Sometimes, your being sick calls for a [much needed] family reunion. The more interesting part is the “storytelling” part - they tell you about all the events and happenings that have occurred (and missed out) during your entire stay in the hospital.

Related to that is the [almost] undivided attention that you get from everyone. You’re the top priority because you’re sick. Everyone asks you, “How are you feeling now?” They would [usually] get you the things that would help you recover (read: your cravings - i.e. chocolates, some random fruit). They would help you get to the lavatory just because you can’t get yourself to do it on your own.

The fact that nobody’s so mean as to make you do [strenuous] work and get mad at you. Who would be so ill-tempered that he/she would make the poor sick you cross? You’ve got nothing to do but to rest and be fed and be taken care of.

But, honestly, these are the things that I loathe about getting sick.

The things that you can do are limited. Knowing that your one hand is attached to dextrose, you surely couldn’t do all the things that you used to enjoy.

The things that you missed out. Just because you are sick, you don’t get to attend this-and-that’s party, and you simply have to absent yourself in your classes! That’s sick!

and…

The fact that you’re sick. It’s loathsome enough, you know that well.

Some things to thank God for:

1. JOBIE'S TOP 1 AGAIN! Plus, he got the Academic Excellence Award in Language, Science, Mathematics, and Filipino. WHEW! He's going to get five medals (and five certificates, too, I guess) on Monday, their recognition day. Congratulations Meni! :)
2. I PASSED ALL MY SUBJECTS! Haha, I really should, or else, my scholarship would be forfeited (noo!). I don't have the exact grades as of the moment, because the online viewing of grades starts tomorrow. :P
3. Our family had a grand time at the mall tonight. After we celebrated the 1st Friday mass and the Holy Hour, we went to RP to eat (hurray for Shakey's!) and play at Timezone! Haha! Jobie sure had a workout there. :P

That's it for now, I guess.

PS. Welcome back Yanni! :D I guess by the time that you get to read this, you're back to higher civilization! :P Hope you had a grand time in the province. :3

PPS. I'm already starting to read my Accounting book (thanks to Yanni :D) and it's quite interesting! I'm excited, and I hope to get a great Acc 10 teacher. :) BTW, I have summer class. It's only one subject though. I hope to get an A in my ITM 11 class, because I'll be having my undivided attention to it this summer. Tee-hee. #

Let's see... hmm...

When it's a school day, the necessities are:

1. My identification card. I have no idea why my school confines our identity in a piece of plastic. ERR. My ID is a gate pass sorty. Without it, I'll be put on hold [order].
2. My umbrella. Rain or shine, it stays inside my bag. Well, you'll never know when the rain will pour. Besides, it is really handy during hot summer days.
3. A ballpen or two. I think I always have to have a pen inside my bag (or pocket). Maybe I've been trained by Blue Heights (my HS official school paper, my club/organization) to always have a pen and paper ready, in case of occurrence of news.
4. My wallet and coin purse. *Cue in knowing looks and "duh's"*
5. My filecase. I always carry it with me even though 90% of its content isn't really needed. HAHA! My filecase keeps highly-important papers and other stuff (syllabus, long exams, picture(s), schedule...) and keeps them neatly filed.
6. Notebooks, books, and readings. BUT. OF. COURSE.
7. My cellphone. Communication is highly highly important. Did I say it's very important?
8. My rosary. Ever since GS/HS, I've been keeping a rosary in my bag.
9. The others.

When it's a regular day (and I mean, gala day), it's usually cut down to the ID, umbrella, wallet, and cellphone.

HUZZAH! x)

It's actually easy - make your grammar straight crooked, and you're sure to get a million hits on YouTube in just one day.

See how Janina San Miguel (Binibining Pilipinas 2008 - Q&A Portion), Valentina Hasan (Ken Lee - a new version of Mariah Carey's "Without You") and Alyssa Alano (Keys Me - a distorted version of "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer) became instant hits with their infamous gaffes. They have been the talk of the town for so long, and their songs (words, in San Miguel's case) are part of almost everyone's LSS (Last Song Syndrome) playlist.

The typical initial reaction after viewing the videos is, of course, is insuppressible laughter. Who wouldn't let out a chuckle to their unforgivable boo-boos? Some people could have even thought that they could have done better if they were in the person's place. Some could have even said that they could answer the million peso question without batting an eyelash.

The next reaction would be the typical reaction of the critics and the wise consumers: what the [supply appropriate word] is happening to the [select one: world/continent/country/city/English skills of these people]?!?!?!

 

The moment we realize this, we stop seeing the whole thing as a joke to talk about during coffee breaks. We start to ponder, what has gone wrong? Those gaffes do not only humiliate the ones who committed them; perhaps, those gaffes, too, reflect the [in]capabilities of the Filipinos in general. For every additional insult posted in YouTube, every Filipino is subtly mocked and belittled by the world. Oh shame.

Maybe we should start seeing those videos as eye-openers that would show us the situation that we are currently in. At the end of the day, it's no laughing matter anymore.





And for those of you who are still laughing... PLEASE. GET. OVER. IT. NOW.

[I'm putting 'summer' on small caps because half of my summer days are going to be spent in school. Oh well, at least I don't get bored  or anything at home.]

Yays, it's vacation time for me.

What’s in a name?

My name – it has been with me ever since I first opened my eyes to see the world. It represents who I am, and it bears (and bares) my identity. My first name, which might seem to be a mere string of eleven letters to others, is powerful – commanding even – for it carries with it an essential element of my life: my purpose. How could it be possible, you might think, that a name could reveal a person’s purpose in life and eventually bestow upon him the fulfillment that he deserves? It’s simple – live out your name’s meaning.

Surely, there must be a reason why my name is Abygail June (and not any other name like, say, Bernadette or Sylvia or Catherine) – aside from the fact that my parents named me as such. My name Abygail means “source of joy,” and the name June always calls to mind the festivities and joys of getting married since June is the month of marriages. It’s a beautiful thought to know that I am a source of joy, a fountain of happiness, a well of gladness. But another thought crossed my mind: how can I always be a source of joy for others? There is no doubt that I have to actually do something in order to serve my purpose well (my mere presence wouldn’t suffice, of course). Perhaps, I could start with something that I enjoy doing – observing!

The best things in life are free, they say, and happiness is one of those priceless treasures. I find my happiness by simply observing the things around me. I take pleasure in amusing (and amazing) sights that people don’t usually notice. For example, for some reason, I feel happy whenever I see the Orion’s belt at night (it’s a three-star constellation that forms a straight line and it’s so unique that you can easily see it during a cloudless night). I take pride at the thought that I can actually identify the Orion’s belt in the midst of countless stars in the universe (keep this as a secret between you and me, the Orion’s belt is the only constellation that I really know). By observing, too, I am able to keep boredom away. Say, I am waiting for the train to arrive at the LRT station, since the last train left a few seconds just before I got to the waiting area, I have no other choice but to patiently wait for the next train. Instead of endlessly whining about why I wasn’t able to catch the train or think about the appointment that would start in fifteen minutes, I would take the opportunity by having a good look at the people around me. I notice their clothing – most of them in uniform or in corporate attire since they are heading for their schools or offices –and their faces – some are excited, some are tired and weary, and the rest of them have blank faces – and then I think to myself, it’s amazing how, even for a short span of time, these people from all over the city (myself included) from all walks of life get together at the same place and time. That seemingly ordinary experience of riding a train reminds me that no matter who we are or what we have achieved during our lifetime, we are all on the same pilgrimage called life. It amazes me, until now, how these observations enable me to learn life’s little lessons bit by bit. My goal now is to be able to guide others as they discover these lessons by helping them see these beautiful (yet hidden) realities of life.

Happiness easily comes to me because I find joy in simple things. I want to make others happy, to be a better source of joy by helping them find beauty in all things and opening them up to even more fountains of happiness. When I fulfill this goal, it is only then that I will be able to live up to the meaning of my name and only then will I be able to feel a sense of completion that somehow, through little acts and simple things, I was able to bring a smile to the world.

Flowers, FLOWERS!



I really adore/like/love flowers - I could actually study Botany if not for those other unnecessary terms that I am not willing to memorize. If only Botany in the Ateneo is all about plant appreciation, I wouldn't have any doubts about choosing it for my NatSci this sem - but it isn't like that, so NO Botany class for me. :P

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Suuuper thank yooou to Yanni for ze flowers. :3 It really brightened up my day, especially that it was a surprise for me. Ang cute, pink din yung damit ko nung araw na yun. :P (17 Mar 08 - A year after SN1)

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My English-slash-Lit blockmates (R39).



They're a wacky bunch of people - sometimes boisterous, sometimes quiet, but all the time witty and wacky! They're my second home, and I love them because they are fun to be with. I will miss the MWF critical analysis during Lit class and the group projects in En class. Almost everyone's in the picture except Jackie... and where could Gigoy be? (Hmm... he was even making side comments a while ago... but anyway..) I'll miss these people - see you around everyone! :)

I'll miss Ma'am de Pano & Sir Serrano, too! (SPOT OUR PROF IN THE PIC! Hint: The one you are to look for is our male teacher. xD)

BTW, this is the last year that we will be having our English and Literature classes so I'll definitely miss this class. Things to look forward to before really parting ways - 1) Lit finals and 2) the two productions of R39 (plus the party after? c:)! (19 Mar 08, last formal class in Lit14)

I really like pleasant surprises - as in really.

That A in my argumentative research paper for En 12 was/is highly surprising. I didn't quite expect to have a high grade for my paper.

But still, hooorAAAy! X)

More papers, orals, tests to come, though.

But still...! Good job, self! *pats back*

For me, one thing that's VERY, very difficult to describe is the feeling of euphoria.

It's like you feel something exploding inside of you, that you feel the need to just let it out.

It's highly exciting, nakakakilig sometimes, and you just can't help but grin from ear-to-ear.

SAYA! :D

Sana magkaroon ng cute na theme ang WP para hindi ko siya iwan. ><

Or sana kasi, libre lang ang pag-edit ng template. :D

Ang cute kasi ng template dito...

may DUCK. :))

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I am such a blog-nomad. Really.

I've had lots of blogs, excluding some dummy-turned-secret blogs, all over the Netizen world.

My first blog was hosted in Friendster blogs. I deleted it already, so don't bother anymore to Google it. X)

The second one was http://abyjune28.blogspot.com. I got tired of it - particularly the URL - and I wanted a new blog life.

So, I created another one - http://juicy-orange.blogspot.com.

Then came http://bitter-turned-sweetchocolate.blogspot.com (I liked the idea that my URL had something chocolate-y in it, HAHA, and I actually got a bit envious of Yanni's URL ChocoFudge, so there. XD).

Not contented still, I created even MOOORE blogs - I can't even remember their URLs, they are too many.

I also created this one, my LJ. It's first purpose, actually, was to connect with the BH community, since back then, I was perfectly in looove with BitterSweetChoc.

(Ooh yes, I even semi-maintained a blog in Multiply!)

Then, Macky tagged me with her WP blog link. I checked out WP's features and all and I instantly liked it.

Well, you can actually guess what happened next. X)

My current blog, http://childlikeinnocence.wordpress.com was born.

I also liked the fact that I could easily transfer my posts - and comments! - to WP. Adjusting to the new interface was pretty easy, so for some time, I kept on blogging on WP.

But now, at the peak of status hiatus and writer's-block moments, my WP blog isn't getting any better. -_-'

While my cutesy LJ is getting all the updates! Haha!

Owwgeez. NOMADness? Not yet sure.

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That duck on top really has an effect on me, I know it.

There are some things that you'd rather not believe in to forget past hurts and deny the fact that the truth isn't actually pleasing.

You'd rather make a fool of yourself and live in a world of make-believe to make numb that aching heart of yours.

It hurts to know that at your lowest point, the ones you need most aren't there to support you. It's as if all the while, all your effort to make them happy is worth nothing.

Choo-choo, there goes my train of thoughts.

There's a small chance that they are going to read this so... the train is moving towards its next destination.

CHOO-CHOO.

*I'm putting this here so that less (close) people can read. Teehee. >:P

Anyway, yes, I just came back from the hospital. Nice timing - it's Hearts' Day today! Yippee! X)

I got infected with German measles (or rubella) just because my niece Denise (okaaay) had it too!

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Ang gusto ko lang sabihin, well, nalungkot lang ako kasi no one in my block cared. Well, except for really close friends that is. I mean, no one cared to inform me about how are the lessons going, what things are to be done and stuff.

I might, I might be even surprised if I get a note in my locker, saying "Get Well Soon!"



Seriously.


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Tyvm to Yanni for visiting me. :D

I'm trying out Windows Live Writer - it's a new cutesy program for blogging. :)

Link [here].

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Well, I better get started with my paperS. It's Sunday already and I haven't done anything for acads yet. Argsh. It's the Sagala thing again - I had to cut 100++ feathers for our dear float. I hope we win - or at least, I hope that we get to finish and finally get through with the parade.

Do watch us! Our section, Fil 12 JJ, will be the first float in line (in the student category) and we'll be presenting Ibong Adarna. The Sagala will be from Gate 3 to Bellarmine Field (of the Ateneo), presentations will be held at the Bellarmine Field. The event is on Friday, 08 February 2008, from 4 PM to 8 PM. :)

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Gotta go, buhbye. :)

If ITM was hell...

the recently-concluded, tear-jerking, brain-wrecking, banana-splitting (haha) Math 19 midterm exam is the [PEN]ULTIMATE examination in the Ateneo universe (weeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeeee).

Departmental exams are really bloody. Walang sinabi ang Mina LTs! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.

Preparing the battle plan

For the past few days (and hours, even), I kept on studying my lessons for the midterms. I even got a copy of last year's midterm exam to practice and prepare myself for doomsday. Last year's test is manageable - meaning with/without time limit, it is possible to answer [almost] all questions without having to endure a brain drain.

To help lighten up the burden of studying Math alone, I had to have people to accompany me in answering the problems. My blockmates and I spent our break times comparing answers and we were quite, quite happy that we had the same answers. Yanni would help out in the more difficult questions, even sharing to me their class' quizzes (which were difficult all the same).

On the front line

When the questionnaires were given out, I briefly went through the questions, thinking, Hmm, this looks easy. Okay, go! But as popular belief would say, looks can be deceiving.

Sure, the first half was easy. The limits part was a breeze. And so are the other numbers in the first half (erm, unfortunately, I can't really remember the questions).

The second half, however, was like... ARRRRGH (in layman's terms, 'How am I going to solve this question?' + 'Am I really going to need this in real life???').

The worst part is that we were only given 2 hours to answer the test (a.k.a. to endure hell).

The equation of the day therefore is:













Conclusion

That only means, goodbye A. OUCH.