Sunday, August 31, 2003 2:20 PM
to be or not to be
I talked to my dad since my mom wasn't home and I told him about the accident. Instead of getting pissed at me, he just laughed at me. Should I feel insulted or glad? I really don't know but I'm happy I didn't get one of his lectures. He also told me not to get it fixed yet just in case there'll be other unfortunate incidents. Now I think I really should feel insulted.
But the accident is not really the one that's making me upset right now. I feel bad (it sank in last night and I kept having nightmares about it) for Bembol. The scene keeps on playing in my head like a broken video. But seriously, I've been contemplative since that phone call with my father. He sent me a letter the other day (he does that sometimes when he doesn't know how to talk to me about things that concern my life) and told me that he wants me to go to law school. I think it took a lot of guts for my dad to tell me that, especially since his own dad pressured him to go to law and he had no other choice but to follow him. I, on the other hand, have the option to pursue what I want but since now that I'm in a crossroad, my dad feels that he should step in and save the day, but not at the expense of my happiness.
Don't get me wrong though, I want to take up law... just not now. I don't think I'm ready for it. I have some MA in mind but it's disappointing to hear your parents say "you're losing focus... I'm having a hard time keeping up with you..." and here's the winner: "you'll just end up teaching". Is that such a scary thought? Like I told my mom before, I'm not studying because of the job... I want to learn. How many students can actually say that? I want to teach, is that a crime too? I think I'm passionate enough to pursue such a vocation, it is the only desire that's consistent all throughout the twenty years of my life. Plus I have other plans too. I want to pursue other possible career options, I just want to make sure that I'm making the right decisions.
All I need is a little faith. I may not know how to drive perfectly yet, but in this aspect of my life, it's time that the front seat passenger doesn't pull the handbrake when they feel I'm making a wrong turn.
Saturday, August 30, 2003 4:38 PM
okay, miss queen of the road, now what?
Oops is not going to cut it. Bembol has a dent and a long gash on the driver's side and it's because of my stupidity and over-eagerness. It was bound to happen I think... that's the reason why I inherited my mom's ten-year-old car, right? My mom expected as much (she herself wrecked Bembol's bumper against the neighbor's gate once) and my dad taught me the legalities of accidents even before I sat behind the wheel. They expected disaster to come first before I could actually elevate myself to driving guru-level.
Freak! It's just so ironic, I handled C-5 and EDSA (which is "legendarily" worse than C-5) just fine. I had close calls and today, all of them weren't even my fault. Plus I drove around UA&P without Bundi in the passenger seat. I drove alone and loved it. So, too bad I miscalculated the parking gate and used it to scrape off paint and this red I-don't-know-what-it's-for metal thing off Bembol. I knew something was going to happen today, I knew it! When I woke up this morning, I had a funny feeling that something was going to happen to the car. I'm just thankful that it didn't involve lives --- but then I haven't exactly called up my parents yet...
The worst thing about everything is that I don't feel bad about it. When I drove inside and I heard the sound (ugh!) of metal against metal, I had a flashback of that taxi accident months ago... The first thing that Bundi asked was "has your filtered mind processed this yet?". Unfortunately, no. I even smiled at the guard when he said I have a souvenir (the red metal thingie) and said it wasn't a big deal. Ack. How can I not feel bad about Bembol? First it was my nameless pc that gave up on and now my car, I should be depressed by now --- material things don't want me. But no! My nonchalance is enough to make Bundi feel exasperated.
Hmmm... so now I'm thinking, I'm not going to get that ugly dent fixed. The guard said I should contact the insurance company immediately, but I'm not going to. This is a learning experience, but how am I going to learn if I don't feel regret? So I'm going to force it upon myself. The gash shall serve as a reminder that I am not the queen of the road, that I am not invincible, that I still have a lot to learn. And until I decide that I have suffered learned enough, I'm going to get it fixed, with my own savings. As for my dad... how should I break the news?
Hello, dad? Remember that time when we just got the car and I was eleven and you were trying to get in the garage but you weren't exactly graceful and then you made a huge C-shaped dent on mom's beloved red possession? Yeah... you remember... okay... ahehehe... I kinda did the same thing...
On a lighter note, the university chorale performed last night and it was a huge success. The UP Madrigal Singers liked our performance but they were phenomenal. We sang for MTV too.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003 11:27 PM
growing up
I so love my niece for letting me bug her and
As I've told people, I don't think I was ever meant to be in one place. If ever my grandmother was right, then this big mole on my right leg should show my nomadic tendencies. They say that Sagittarians are the explorers of the zodiac, that they do so in search for the truth, I agree. There is always something out there... a silent call for exciting adventures that keeps haunting me, which is why I detest limitations. And recently, I have noticed how limiting it is to stay where I am. I've been so pampered like a spoiled child, I'm starting to lose my desire to go out and explore the world. That scares me.
I've often told my friends that I want to see the real world, it's about time I get to it. But I'm sure going to miss Lai --- a niece by law and blood, but more like a sister by heart.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003 9:48 PM
manila will soon have another traffic hazard
Look out world, I am a graduating student of Bundi's driving school. I am proud to say, that at cost of Bundi's nerves and blood pressure, I am able to stare the notorious Manila traffic at the face. Today, after picking up my SLR from the shop, paying for my plane tickets, buying new, black, beautiful, strappy sandals (that spoke to me), and treating high school best friend to lunch in RCBC plaza, I drove.
I drove. You don't know how blissful it is to get to finally say that, which is why I'm going to say it again: I drove. Around Ortigas Center, to the infamous C-5 (where suicidal pedestrians abound this fast and furious expressway), Fort Bonifacio, back to C-5, Ortigas again, to Greenhills, then Ortigas, and finally home. I did not just taste horrid Manila gridlock traffic in Xavier High, I embraced it. I hung like a pro and mastered the pull-the-handbreak-and-go-to-neutral wait. I did turns, with signal lights this time, and I changed lanes. Improvement is an understatement. I am a new woman. Hmmm... seem to get carried away back there... But seriously, give me two weeks, a few more driving practice and lessons in parallel parking, then, baby, a new driver is born. I can inch, I can slink, my God, I can even over-take!
My biggest fear in driving here in Manila is not being able to hack the traffic, and then panic in the middle of the road. It is a matter of confidence, and today, I think I grew it. They say (well, Bundi says) that your true colors show when you're driving, then I liked what I saw in myself. I took the challenge head on. Getting Bembol out of the basement parking was something in itself. Like I said, that notorious incline is a nightmare, but I got tired of arguing and just cranked up the gas. I've never been so proud. It's like that time I kayaked in Florida two years ago, where I crossed a channel in the Atlantic and circled a small island, finally overcoming hydrophobia. I simply shut up and rowed. The feeling is simply glorious. Now I know what people mean when they say they're "on top of the world".
9:32 PM
the usual fallouts
If there is something more weird than me typing on Laila's laptop that's placed on a pillow parked on top of her tummy and listening to Darius (who the hell is he anyway?), then please enlighten me, enetation is available at the end of this post.
Why, you ask, am I using my niece's laptop instead of my own adorable pc with a new infrared mouse? Well, the internet is a very dangerous place these days, and I got hit with the latest bug. So please, if you have mail from me, don't open it. Exhaust all other means to contact me (like the tagboard) until I blog a soon-to-be adventurous trip to Greenhills and get my pc checked. *sigh* I should be incredibly depressed right now seeing my baby in shambles, but unfortunately, self-protective-filtering mind is in high gear and besides, isn't it always every time I have an important paper (like a theoretical framework for my thesis) that my computer crashes? So conclusion: papers are dangerous to the health of any well-enabled processor aside from the student using said processor. This isn't the first time really. It's a good thing I partitioned drives in that computer... er... wait... *bangs head to boring white wall* all my pictures are in the C-drive and I keep putting off time to transfer them. Okay, I am really hating myself right now despite the fact that I can now take Bembol through Manila rush hour traffic.
Monday, August 25, 2003 11:56 PM
i'm going home!
Yey, Surigao here I come! I can't wait to see the surf and sand. Two weeks to go and then I'm off to my hometown for a week of fun. It's fiesta time, so for sure I'll see a lot of my high school friends. Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!
I'll be back just in time for Michael Bublé's concert in the PICC. Oh joy! A well-earned vacation in the middle of the semester. And most of all, I'll have my driving license when I get back here.
5:21 PM
to my old man
Happy Birthday from the bottom of my heart. :) Wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Which reminds me, I gotta tell Ate Weng that you and mom are in Cebu.
10:11 AM
x-men: the abridged script
Voice getting better and probably by tomorrow, I'll be back with a vengeance. Unfortunately, I have to postpone the music lesson till then. In the meantime, I'm cracking up because of this. Ingenious, I tell you!
Sunday, August 24, 2003 10:11 AM
eeep!
Three days have already passed and I still croak like a frog. Today, I think I heard a little pitch coming back, but I'm getting extremely nervous. I need to be in good singing condition by tomorrow. I have to learn the notes for Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin by tomorrow afternoon or else I won't pass the quartet exam on Wednesday. If I don't pass that, I won't be able to perform on Friday. And that would be really, really bad.
Friday means two mini-performances. Only three songs each, but very important nevertheless. First performance at 3 in the afternoon for the university, we have to show them that we're the new and improved choir, good enough for Germany. Second performance is the most exciting at 7 pm --- we're the front act for the world-renowned UP Madrigal Singers. Can't believe I am going to meet them and sing for them!
Saturday, August 23, 2003 11:17 PM
chatty crab divers
Er... I mean chatty cab drivers often scare me. I had the privilege of riding a taxi yesterday (because of the rain) with a very talkative man behind the wheel. Traffic was heavy, as usual, and I was to meet Cyber_inept in Starbucks Shangri-la since she and her family were staying at the hotel for the weekend (I am told that they just check in to a hotel to de-stress, nice...). And like this girl, I made up a story when the driver was being very nosy. To those who can't understand Tagalog, please excuse the rough translation.
Driver: Ma'am, bakit ka namamaos? Siguro sinigawan mo yong boyfriend mo kagabi ano? Nag-away kayo? (Ma'am, why is your voice hoarse? Maybe you screamed at your boyfriend last night when you had a fight?)
*sigh* My voice is really getting me noticed in the strangest circumstances. I think I sounded like a boy in puberty.. My own weird rendition of the bedroom voice. And a taxi driver just had to point it out.
Me: Uhh... hindi naman manong. (Uh... not exactly...)
Driver: Ano ang trabaho ng boyfriend mo, ma'am? (What does your boyfriend do for a living?)
Me: Ah... lawyer po.
I'm not exactly being ambitious or anything. I'm the one who wants to get into law school a few years from now but this was just what was on top of my head. I'm thinking this is some sort of practice for being spontaneous and resourceful in court.
Driver: Ay abogado? Kaya pala ma'am! Hindi talaga malambing ang mga yan. (Lawyers are never exactly the sweetest people on earth --- something like that).
Me: O, talaga? Bakit mo nasabi yon? (Really? Why made you say so?)
Driver: Ma'am, they're heartless. Dapat, ang boyfriend mo driver kase ang driver, sweet lover! (You should have a driver for a boyfriend because driver equals sweet lover).
Me: Uh... ok...
Um, was this guy implying something???
Driver: Pero, syempre di pwede sa yo ang taxi driver, dapat piloto, kase driver rin yon eh sa eroplano nga lang. (But of course, not a taxi driver, a pilot would be perfect, they're like drivers only they handle planes).
phew!
Me: O sige, manong, maghahanap na lang ako ng piloto. (Ok, I guess I'll look for a pilot then).
I think I just dissed my imaginary lawyer boyfriend... oh well...
Friday, August 22, 2003 4:03 PM
praying for a miracle
Everybody cross your fingers. There might still be hope for me getting into this.
11:01 AM
from tagaytay to sta rosa
I drove at 2AM from Tagaytay to Sta Rosa, basically a good 45-minute drive with daytime traffic. I was cruising at an average of 60, pretty fast for a beginner, which made driving coach really proud since his biggest fear is for me to become a ditzy lady driver. Fran, Bundi, and I went to Laguna to drop off Cris, whom I made a mission to cheer up. The three of us ended up in Tagaytay for just a quick tour. It was Fran’s first time to go there and we made sure to take some pictures… with Bundi taking all of them. We were in Tagaytay for around thirty minutes tops, there was nothing to see at that time of morning really.
For a city that has a lot of dogs, stray or owned, and for a country that has a lot of speed-hungry drivers, you can just imagine how many dead dogs I had to avoid from running over. Gross, I know. I’ve never seen so many dead dogs in my life in just one night. I didn’t kill any, didn’t even run over one, but my… those were a lot of dead dogs…
On a lighter note, my driving has improved. U-turning is a breeze, I can turn up the radio already (I usually lower it when I drive), and I actually now know how to “communicate” with the headlights. Go me! But I did booboos too… like those stupid potholes, I didn’t see them, sorry. Plus I need to work on staying in my lane. Oh and I do need more work on my city driving because when we got back to Ortigas, I was so horrible in driving Fran home that I almost ran into a parked car. Hmmm... maybe I should keep a driving log.
How was the mouth? Oh… a bit mellow than usual. Maybe it was because I am actually hoarse for the first time in years. I couldn’t understand it. I was fine this evening and then suddenly one of the basses in the chorale would have a higher pitch. But that didn’t stop me when those three bastards wouldn’t lower their high beams in that curve! Talk about letting loose a repressed verbal ability.
Anyway, pictures!
Me and Fran over in Tagaytay Starbucks looking at the Taal Lake (well, we tried to anyway, it was too dark to see anything). Goodness, why the hell am I so white in this picture?!
Fran and Cris aka "Prawny" and "Thongy" (I don't know what they were looking at but when this was taken, Bundi was talking to a Shell attendant. Now I'm beginning to wonder if he was worth looking at.)
and last but not least, the driver (mwehehehe!)
10:26 AM
please raise your right hand
And repeat after me.
I, Alba, am an excellent crammer. My cramming capabilities are so exceptional that not accomplishing the task being crammed has never actually happened before. However, I know now that I am human and therefore unable to control time. There is a first time in everything, and failing was bound to happen. Now, I am prepared to suffer the consequences. I do solemnly swear, even though it is such a tall feat to ask from myself, that I shall never, ever cram again. So please help me God.
Fare thee well, Salzburg. In time I shall see you but not this year.
10:15 AM
back in the game
I gave Bundi another heart attack by sliding down that notorious second incline in the basement parking like a roller coaster and suddenly stepping on the brakes. Okay, at least, it took me five minutes to actually turn into the incline compared to last time’s 30-minute dilemma. I parked the car in 4 minutes too. Not bad, so he said. I have great teacher. ;)
3:21 AM
on professionalism
The Chairperson of the Council of Representatives (COR) just found out today that she got fired. I was personally offended but I just can’t imagine how Claire felt. Claire is my friend, we’ve been friends since third year and it was certainly a momentous occasion for us to be appointed to the highest positions in student government. We were proud because we were students of political economy and our jobs were considered as sheer tests of what we learn in class. The pol eco block was proud enough to have two out of three government heads. Since I am in the process of resigning, I am actually happy that I am leaving the COMELEC in good hands. However, I can’t really say the same for Claire. Her biggest challenge was pulling off the Constitutional Convention, which is still being lobbied today. Both of us promised that we were never going to leave the university until we got that convention finished. I extended my fourth year, she went to the masters. Due to the progress of the convention, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) arbitrarily appointed a commission to work on the new constitution without her knowledge. It was a big shock for us when we found out from a classmate that she was heading it.
No offense to the new head, but I think OSA was unforgivable. I called up Chris, our adviser, to ask for an explanation. When he asked me if Claire still wants to head it, I argued that wasn’t the point. The point was that they went ahead changing political leaders without the courtesy of telling them. How unprofessional is that? How undemocratic! It was basically an assault to our rights as students to govern ourselves (but then that's another story). I am appalled by this type of behavior coming from the administration of a school that practically rams corporate culture down our throats every day.
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 7:07 PM
*evil grin*
I did something stupid / brilliant / I-really-don't-know-if-it-was-wise-but-I'm-glad-I-did-it-anyway today! I skipped chorale rehearsals!!! Why? I still have pharyngitis and it really hurts so singing is definitely not an option. I really should get another bottle of that Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa concoction Keng was talking about.
High school best friend is on her way to see me. I haven't seen her for a year, she just recently moved to Manila. Can't wait to show her that I have long hair now.
4:12 PM
swoon, swoon, swoon
That voice!
I heard he's coming on the 18th of September. I will kill for tickets.
Tuesday, August 19, 2003 10:30 PM
love in the time of pharyngitis
By the time I slept at 3AM, I had the chills. Not because it was the witching hour but because my temperature rose to 39 degrees. Sick was an understatement. I had the mother of all pharyngitis. Now that my fever is gone, my throat still feels raw and I cannot talk. During the day, there were two important phone calls, one of them that could have decided my fate for Salzburg, and the other was something I had to answer in my dad's behalf. My that was certainly comedic. Caller One thought I was crying when I was doing my best rendition of "Alba's Loudest Whisper --- limited performances only". Why is it that I get a lot of calls on my cellphone when I have no voice to speak with??
I think I know why I got sick. Fatigue. For the past week I've been sleeping at odd hours and then I went to the gym. Stupid, stupid decision. As if I didn't learn from Cyber_inept's recent experience since we're practically in the same boat. Really smart of me to take advantage of my body. May I remind myself that I am no longer in fourth year, hence, out of practice when dealing with stress.
But let me just say that certain people have touched my heart in such a warm manner that I somehow didn't mind the chills anymore. One disadvantage of living far from home is the fact that your parents are not there to take care of you when you're feeling really under the weather. Though I absolutely hate feeling needy, I needed people to look after me today. Unfortunately, my niece went to class when I woke up and Juls already went to work. Ate Gina went home to look after her husband since he was sick too. I was home alone and considering my history in the emergency room I got paranoid. So I sent a message to a few friends just in case. Bundi checked up on me hour on the hour and was on standby in case I needed to get to the hospital despite his busy schedule. Ms. Tinette, one of the staff in the Office of Student Affairs, also checked up on me. I guess she hasn't forgotten that hyperventilation incident three years ago. Cyber_inept brought food and risked brain damage by watching The Bold and The Beautiful just to keep me company (awww...). And last but certainly not least, Soliloquy unexpectedly showed up to help me on my recommendation letter when I thought I was just going to chat with her on AOL tonight.
Wow. Don't you just love these people? I felt so blessed today. Thank you. :)
2:24 AM
mwahahaha!
Changed my template again. :) Thanks Katia, you're a genius!
Courtesy of Halfwaygully.
Monday, August 18, 2003 8:05 PM
zip it
Next time I have a plan, I'm not going to say anything until it actually happens. I hate it when plans change, you think one thing and then in reality it's something else.
12:35 AM
your subconscious mind is most preoccupied with issues around your friendships
On a conscious level, you might already be aware that something is troubling you, or eating up a lot of time when it comes to your friendships. But it's also possible that thoughts and feelings about your relationships have been preoccupying your subconscious mind — leaving you with nothing more than a general sense that things just don't feel 100% right in your life though you can't quite figure out why.
You may feel dissatisfied with your current circle of friends or conflicted about one of your closer friendships.
Got this from Emode.
Hmmm...
12:18 AM
anger
There's really no such thing. If you want to appease my wrath, I suggest you disappear for a while, and come back with a pack of Oreo cookies. There's no other alternative. Well... maybe twix may be a good substitute if and only if Oreos are unavailable. Don't forget the glass of milk.
Sunday, August 17, 2003 6:08 PM
a dose of opinion
I have recently noticed that Randy David of The Philippine Daily Inquirer has been writing exceptionally thought-provoking columns... well just recently anyway, I haven't picked up a newspaper in a while. Oh shame of all shames. The wrath of the pol eco gods will be upon me.
Anyway, here are two worth reading:
Why our soldiers have become politicized
A dialogue with Mutineers
12:06 AM
through humanists' eyes
I have always thought that the Philippines has a gold mine in the tourism industry. Too bad, not many people in government see that, and if ever they did... oh well... Yesterday, I "circumterrated" the Laguna de Bae, although I have lived in this country all my life, I really am a tourist in Luzon. And being the true Sagittarian (I really believe that I was meant to be nomadic), I couldn't pass up tagging along with the Humanities Department field trip. It was for free plus Doc T was very persuasive. And since Soliloquy needed some distraction, I dragged her into it.
We visited the old churches built by the Spaniards during the colonial times. Soliloquy and I climbed up to the bell towers of these baroque-inspired buildings, who would thought that the people during those times used egg-whites and lime as mortar to hold the huge bricks to put up these amazing historical landmarks? The yellow (or red, whichever you'd call em) center of the eggs were used to make the traditional leche flan.
serene St Jerome's located on a hill
extravagant Church of Paete in the heart of fish town
We saw some pretty odd things too. For one, we saw a watch on top of a post (like a lamp post only it was supporting a clock) on a corner in one of the towns. Also the bus, despite its goliath size with reference to narrow Philippine streets, imposed on going through the side streets. We were moving very slowly, careful not to hit a kid, the telephone wires, front gates, and street carts selling barbecue. One lady had to pack up her barbecue grill so the bus could get through. And just when we thought that was pretty unusual, we had to stop because one of the houses occupied a side street like an ordinary front porch. The whole thing (improvised front porch) was made of bamboo and Doc T's driver had to saw the protruding piece off so the bus could pass. Soliloquy and I couldn't resist going out of the bus and take a look around while the humanities people stayed inside the vehicle (wusses!). Anyway, we brought the bamboo piece home... and here we are with it:
just dying to take a bite of the action
Friday, August 15, 2003 3:16 AM
more hormones
Come to think of it, the reason why many women suck at driving is because the traffic system was created by a man. :-p
Now if women ruled the world...
1:48 AM
this is my hormones talking
Let's just say that the day I had yesterday wasn't so ordinary. First I slept at 4:30 AM after waking up my mom for her 6AM flight back to the province. Woke up at 10 AM and hung out with cyber_inept at home (we cut class) since we didn't have the guts to go to school without our overdue papers. Had a mild attack of one of those womanly cramps which forced me to take a nap just in time for The Bold and The Beautiful to be shown (arrgh!). Woke up to a text message that said "You want to leave early?", which I said yes to but found myself watching senators ask stupid irrelevant questions to the mutineers on national TV while waiting.
And so fantabulous, extraordinary, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious driving coach shows up with a semi-feverish friend, and the three of us went to Kamuning to buy a birthday gift. And that's where the almost-whacking-the-daylights-out-of-Bembol-diaries began, also known as the scare-the-daylights-out-of-Bundi accounts. First I had to back out of the parking lot with at least two cars (which were more expensive and bigger than mine by the way) waiting impatiently for my ungraceful and disgraceful exit. They were honking like crazy and I was swearing like mad showing the two people with me one of the traits that were usually expected of my sister. Just to explain, I was not cursing because I was nervous, my heart wasn't racing or anything, it's just that I don't like it when people rush me. And my, talk about foulmouth, never been so thoroughly embarassed this month.
We finally had dinner in
I backed up Bembol out of the parking lot and I must say that according to my excellent (I am buttering him up because of the very scary experience you will read later in this entry) driving teacher that I have improved. The thing is, I get really confused where I want the butt of the car to go and that handbrake... nevermind. I am also proud to say that I did the "alba shift" just once and the rest of the time I practically caressed that stick shift with tender loving care. (Oh my... what a very visual sentence). I drove around the Xavier School area (where the mighty driving coach used to go to high school) and did an A+ two-point turn. I also almost ran over a runaway dog which made brilliant driving instructor hold on for dear life. You must remember that I was indifferent the whole time because my brain has this uncanny ability to suppress impulsive, very reactive emotions.
Finally, we drove Fran home and I got to drive in the back area of my flat's building to the basement parking, which is the supposed climax of this entry. Part one of how I almost whacked Bembol to the gate: my turn was inaccurate and I could have entered the building with the gate lodged to the driver's car door. I backed up (after the guard cackled) without looking and almost hit a passing Pajero (this is part two). Going down the steep incline of the first basement was easy as pie. I enjoyed sliding down that thing. BUT the second incline on the way to my parking space (Bembol resides in Basement 2) was the product of a dark, evil, saboteur-of-an-architect's mind. Literally for thirty minutes, I watched my passenger / driving coach sweat and fret, while I was worried about my foot sliding off the brake pedal because of unsuit-for-driving heels. The handbrake became my bestest friend in the world as Bembols front-half hung on that incline. Part three came when I backed up slowly (after many, many attempts) and Bembol's right front side was inches away from one potential major heartbreaking crunch or scrape, whichever would come first. The stupid little island in the middle of the incline (yes, one of the manifestations of the sick-minded architecture's obstacle course) was so low I wouldn't be surprised if Bembol would get snagged. But he didn't, thank God.
And so we slowly went down that horrible drop and stopped just for a while to realize how very dangerous that close-call was. I have never in my life seen a very nervous person other than my brave driving coach that I had to calm him down. My own fear sank in later while we barnacled in Starbucks and I accidentally tipped my water glass. Luckily the water just drenched the lower part of my left leg or else I could have looked like I had a bladder problem. I parked Bembol and almost hit the post on the right side of my parking space, which is part four of attempted murder against my own beloved car.
To reflect (hoo boy!), I am seriously joyous that I am a stubborn person as I may not have insisted on surviving my own driving impairment. I have improved, but I am not yet good enough, and I totally dislike imperfection. I may suck at everything else but I consider driving as the only thing where there is absolutely no room for mistakes because the life of my passengers and my own are greatly at risk. Because of this I found myself replaying the incline incident in my head while I read a pol eco reading.
One day I will drive. And not just drive, it has now become my personal mission to disprove the stereotyped image of female drivers. I refuse to be taken lightly on the road. And while I'm learning, I secretly (most evil-ly) wish that all jeepney drivers and their jeepneys would disappear into thin air so I will just have to deal with bribe-hungry traffic enforcers' crap in the future.
Thursday, August 14, 2003 3:31 AM
*sigh*
Chorale trip to Germany next year calls for P200K. I just found out from my mom that I'm only insured for half... So mental note, can't fake death to sing in Europe.
1:20 AM
uber-wowness
A friend won second place in the Don Carlos Palanca Awards for his play entitled Twenty Questions.
Wow!
Such a brilliant mind. I knew he was good from the day I met him in the Murder in the Cathedral set back in February 2000. Even in ViARE, we respected his genius. Like one former ViARE President said, "UA&P will not see another Christian Vallez for a long, long time".
Anyway, shameless plug! If you happen to be in Ortigas on Friday and Saturday, a play entitled Ang Mga Kahon will be shown on those days. Shows will start at 3pm and 7pm. The play is written by Rolando Tinio and it is directed by Christian Vallez himself.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003 9:29 PM
happy, happy, joy, joy!
Sing with me! Happy, happy, joy, joy! I just found out today that the chorale is going to Germany next July. Yeah you read right. The University Chorale of the University of Asia & the Pacific is going to La Germania next year!!! Oh my God! Happy dance! Happy dance!
Okay, down side is that each member should raise P200K to get there. So anyone out there wanna sponsor me? Maybe I could fake my death and get insurance money. Mwahahaha! I would love to go to Germany! And since I'll be a graduate that time, I wouldn't mind backpacking around Europe. Wow! And to think one of my goals in high school was to go to a European tour after I graduate from college! I can't wait!
9:21 PM
a small confession
I really can't get any work done at home (TV is too distracting). My book review is way, way passed the deadline. My allowance is actually down to my last hundred and I still have that penalty fee for an overdue book in the library (think two weeks overdue). I stopped reading materials for my thesis proposal a week ago. I am letting that Salzburg application slide. I am losing interest in Comparative Political Economy. I hate it when my mother pulls a guilt trip on me (coz it's working). I am craving for a chicken sandwich in Zuppa.
Hi, I'm Alba, I am a delinquent. And if the ground should open up and swallow me whole, now would be a really good time.
Tuesday, August 12, 2003 8:00 PM
all in a day’s work
The freshmen are all calling me “Miss” or “Ma’am” after I talked to them this afternoon about their class elections. They actually thought I was a teacher. And evil Mr. Ledesma, who seems to have a knack in putting me in the spotlight, strikes again! He made me sing the University Hymn in front of everyone! Ack!
Oooohhh, by the way, we changed Bembol's oil and filter today. Didn't know the whole thing was so expensive! I nearly tripped on my heels when I realized the bill was up to three thousand pesos!
7:34 PM
I knew at some point I had to do it
I have to resign at some point (yes, it’s another COMELEC entry), but I never knew that I would start missing my job. The wave of emotion is just so unexpected, maybe it’s hormonal, but my God, I never thought I could be so attached to such a thankless job. I thought saying goodbye to the Presidency of VIARE was one of the hardest things to do, but letting go of COMELEC, it’s so… unimaginable…
When you’re in COMELEC, you’re not exactly everyone’s favorite person. A former candidate and now one of the VP’s in the Student Executive Board just told me that my “sternness” actually reminded him of his dad. And he told me today (like other times before) that I was a nice person pala. Then I remember Beans actually asking me on the tagboard if I was ”suplada”. Well, I’m not, but when I get buried deep in COMELEC responsibilities, I tend to demand peace and order, and by God, I demand. It was only in COMELEC that I got rid of my pushover nice qualities, which is probably why most of the staff in the Office of Student Affairs said that I underwent a major transformation in UA&P. Am I success story in the school then? Hardly. I am not the epitome of a good student, but I’d like to think that I did what I could to help the university be what it is today and what it could be in the future.
I thought I could just shrug off the fact that I’m turning in my resignation letter this week along with my notes of experience… My shoulders are starting to feel like iron.
I’m very glad that Bundi will now be officially taking over. Congratulations! I know you’ll do a good job :) And if ever you have problems with legalities and memos, I’m not going anywhere. But really, please review your Omnibus Code, it will save your ass in sticky situations. ;)
So goodbye sleepless nights, goodbye memo-writing spree, goodbye stupid complaints, goodbye free food, goodbye late-night ballot counting, goodbye evil-sadist snickering, goodbye making-candidates-squirm talks, goodbye stern-if-looks-could-kill glares at the campaign managers, goodbye forever-arching-left-eyebrow opportunities (my eyebrow shall out of shape soon), goodbye silly nicknames like COMELEC Queen-Mother, goodbye, goodbye... I shall never forget, and for sure in the distant future, my kids will get a kick out of the crazy things I did.
6:26 PM
great movie, great company
Watched Finding Nemo finally! Yey! Don’t you just adore animations? I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow my love for cartoons or computer-generated animations. My dad would always complain every time I’m home in the province that “those kind of movies” are just for kids. Well, sorry, but life without Disney, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network and the whole caboodle is just so sad.
I find Finding Nemo one of the best animations I’ve ever watched. If you click on the Disney Channel as much as I do, then you’d know all the work that went into the film. It’s pretty amazing how realistic the movie portrayed underwater life (I should know since I live near one of the best diving spots in the archipelago). And to think that two Filipino artists worked in it. Couldn’t be more proud. And secretly, I wish that God gave me enough talent to go to Pixar, or at least enough kiddie imagination to create original scripts so I can work in Pixar. (I can feel a light bulb lighting up beside me right about now). Anyway, my favorite character is Dory. I just find her short-term memory very, very cute! Hahahaha! A lot of people I know love Crush, but Dory just cracks me up! And William Defoe as Gill wasn’t bad either.
I just have to watch the movie again. I want to tick every last item on the Hidden Secrets Checklist over at the official site. I can’t believe I missed Mike Wazowski snorkeling in the end credits!!
Now I find myself waiting for Pixar’s The Incredibles.
1:49 AM
book review update
It's 1:45 AM. Page one down, 19 pages more to go... When is this book review due again? Oh yeah, yesterday. Guess I'm not sleeping till later tonight. *sigh*
Monday, August 11, 2003 1:33 PM
thinking about skins
Looks like Katia is having fun changing the look of her blog. Plus I took a look around Halfwaygully and fell in love with yet another template, so I might just follow Katia's example... maybe in a few days. But since I have no income yet, I can't pay Katia for her custom designs so I'll just settle for the free ones. ;) Maybe in time I can buy her one of the things on her wish list. Who knows? Anyway, I got my eyes on that a'sailing template, it reminds me a lot of my hometown.
Oh and have you tried looking around Book of Styles? I might just learn the nuts and bolts of CSS. Woohoo!
10:05 AM
abusive much
If barbarians still roam the earth, I think my roommates and I will be three of them. I think it's time I have to bring the TV's poor remote control to the Phillips Service Center in Makati. It looks so pitiful, all maimed and broken. It literally fell apart and the only things holding it together are the pink (ugh!) rubber bands my niece wanted to
Sunday, August 10, 2003 11:36 PM
watch out world, I will drive soon!
Bundi and I went to Batangas today. (Road trip! Road trip!) We got to meet our sister COMELEC in First Asia Institute and help them out with their responsibilities. We met up with Maro, a former UA&P staff who now works in First Asia. She treated us to lunch in Denny's Grill and brought us to her beautiful house. But, the real highlight was when I finally learned how to park Bembol at the end of the day. Hurrah! Talk about beginner's luck but Bundi said I parked "beautifully" --- minus a couple of boo-boo's like almost lurching into the wall coz I forgot to put the gears into neutral and forgetting the handbreak so I had to back up again...
Here's my beloved Bembol.
Me backing up like a pro... *ahem*
And of course, me & bundz after a long day.
My, my, my! I'm really having fun with my dad's digicam. Anyway, back to my wretched book report...
Saturday, August 09, 2003 12:33 AM
my first friday five
1. What's the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country?
Hmmm… The last place I went to outside the Philippines was Australia when UA&P sent me on an educational excursion to universities in Adelaide and Sydney. It was a great experience to travel with my friends to another country, especially one that I have been longing to go to since I was a kid. Since my mom is half-Australian, I was curious about the grandfather I never got to meet. I didn't meet him... but I hung out with my Yugoslavian uncle instead.
2. What's the most bizarre/unusual thing that's ever happened to you while traveling?
My friends and I were in Adelaide, and we needed to get on a bus to go back to the student hostel. It was funny because the bus driver talked to me like I was twelve when in fact I was eighteen that time. He kept enunciating every syllable like I was retarded. Maybe my hair in pigtails had something to do with it. Another thing was when this Mexican guy asked me out in Spanish when I was in LA, I was scared stiff since I didn't understand what he was saying, then my aunt told me he said that I have very nice eyes... teehee... Next time I'm not going to sing along to La Bamba in Mexico Town.
3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go?
Oh a dream come true!!! Anywhere? I’d say, every place on the planet, from the Great Wall of China, to the Big Ben, to the Pyramids in Giza! That’s a very, very dangerous question to ask a female Sagittarius!
4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car?
Actually, it doesn’t matter. Even if I travel on a boat, I wouldn’t mind. I always find traveling exciting and I never get bored. BUT, I better learn to drive soon.
5. What's the next place on your list to visit?
Ohhh… so many places, so little time, but I’d like to go to Salzburg, Austria when I get that scholarship I’m applying for by October this year. On the local scene, I'm going to Batangas tomorrow. Yey! Road trip!
Friday, August 08, 2003 11:24 PM
if you want me to dance...
... bring in the cockroaches. (Yes, this will be another entry about the most disgusting thing on the planet, how lucky can those little critters get??)
Anyway, imagine three women, immensely craving for something salty (one of the great mysteries of womanhood). So Lai and I decided to get some chips from a minimart a block away. And here's what's remarkable. I know I have myopic vision, but man, I can spot roaches like a hawk and there were a lot! Millions! Just crawling out of the sewers, scurrying about like they owned the world. Yuck! Eww! Eww! Eww! And double eeeewww!!
I bet those customers in Hotshots found us really funny. And that pick-up truck driver, what would he think after he saw me and my niece freak out and running in circles all over the street? Ever seen a woman dance in the most hilarious manner? Well, I did the full version of the flick-the-roaches-off-my-body dance. Even in the elevator I was flinching like mad.
And when we got home and told Juls what happened, you know what she did? You got it, she danced too.
1:04 PM
bad, bad alba
I know I'm real bad but I am secretly hoping that the rain outside wouldn't stop so my mom's flight would be postponed. But it's for a good purpose, honestly, because both our mental states will be at risk. I don't want a State of Rebellion in my own house.
1:16 AM
may i just share?
*That according to Oprah, I am a doormat. People can easily abuse me because I am pushover nice. Like last night... I ordered a tall Mocha with a splash of hazelnut because I found Jax's description pretty interesting. I ended up with an overpriced cup with not a trace of hazelnut to satisfy a single tastebud. Worse, I didn't complain because I didn't want a big deal out of it. And now I totally regret it, my ovulation hormones are kicking in and I have this desire to go back to that barista and give her a piece of my mind. Aaaarggh!! Later, I swear it. I will be evil.
*The question of having a private blog has now been invading my mind the past few weeks. But the thing is, I believe that what is written deserves to be read. So, where's the fun of not having people to read what's on your mind? True one cannot really share true emotions about certain topics because of the gravity of its privacy but then having a blog is (the way I see it) a way of sharing with newfound friends on the internet like you hang out with your friends in the real world --- either you share secrets or you don't.
*That this Review of Related Literature I am doing for my thesis proposal is starting to kill me slowly, brain cell by brain cell.
*That my mother will be arriving later and I expect World War III, IV, V, and so on to erupt in the next few days.
*That I look forward to go to Batangas on Sunday just because.
*That I just realized I pasted my face on my blog, which I never meant to do in the first place but now that it's there, I can't do anything about it anymore.
Thursday, August 07, 2003 1:40 PM
a tribute to barnacles
Barnacles, according to Integrated Marketing Communications, are the kind of customers that consume a small number of products but utilize other services of the establishment almost to a breaking point. For political economists, they’re called free riders, individuals who tend to use the public good without any reservation. At the rate Bundi, Fran, and I have been studying in Starbucks, oh yeah, it’s clear, we are barnacles... I mean, free riders.
I know I banned myself from posting pictures in this beautiful lay out, but I can’t resist showing what the Midnight Barnacle Club is about.
The good stuff...
Bundi de-virginized by the Mocha Venti.
me & Bundi on COMELEC mode.
And of course, Fran aka Prawny, and me...
Wednesday, August 06, 2003 10:38 AM
the things I do...
...for the people I love.
Ick. That sounded corny, but then again, it's the best way I can describe what I did for Laila on her birthday. Since this will be the last year that she and I are sharing the same flat, I decided to buy her a gift and a cake. And of course, this misadventure wouldn't be complete without Bundi driving Bembol around for an unplanned city tour. First, we went to Rockwell to check out Fully Booked for that yoga book that I have been eyeing to give to Lai, but lately, I found out that she lost interest in yoga, which meant a total change of plans! So I was at a loss in Fully Booked, having dizzy spells because of my astigmatism, racking my brains for an idea on what to give her. I remembered she wanted a copy of Of Love and Other Demons by G.G. Marquez but the store was out of it. Good thing Bundi was there to suggest to check out Humor Post in case they have some nice items.
So I bought a Girl's Best Friend Mirror. It's pretty cute, actually. And perfect, considering how vanity runs in the family! If you turn the mirror on, you'll hear this guy with a Brittish accent saying things like, "you look fantastic!" "you look groovy, baby!" "you look great, have you lost some weight?" Hehehe! Made me wish I had one myself. And right now, I can hear Ate Gina having the time of her life fiddling with the sensors.
After Rockwell, Bundi and I went back to Ortigas to buy cake from Red Ribbon since Lai is sooooo crazy about Sans Rival in that cake house. Unfortunately, ignoramus me thought that the Red Ribbon would close at ten when it really closes at 9pm. I was ready to kick myself, I can feel those cuss words trying to invade my tongue. I was running out of ideas and being in such a PMS-y mood, I was losing my patience, hating my existence because I thought I was going to be the first to break a tradition I started at home. But Bundi took me to Eastwood to try our luck in the Red Ribbon Branch there, but it was closed too! So Bundi brought me to Jack's Loft, a place that was known for desserts (a fact I later found out from my other roommate). I closed my eyes (with Bundi taunting me) as I gave out the last of my allowance money for that week to pay for a huge round cake called, Super Moist Chocolate Cake. It was worth it, I believe. The cake was so good, it could knock my socks off if ever I was wearing them. Oh and did I mention that there was a rainstorm outside as we were walking from the parking lot to the restaurant and back? Let's just say Bundi offered to donate an umbrella to Bembol, since I wouldn't keep one around considering my experience with owning umbrellas.
Bundi and I arrived at my place to discover there weren't any people in it --- not even the birthday celebrant. Ate Gina already went to bed after opening the door for us. And so we just hung around, resting after the little adventure we had. The baristas in Starbucks probably missed us last night. The Midnight Barnacle Club called a night off. When Lai finally came in at 11, the three of us had a little birthday party, with Sanjay (Lai's very interesting Indian friend) joining in a few minutes later. It was nice seeing my niece smile and have fun like that. She's like the little sister I never had, you know, and often I spoil her like she's my daughter (she's actually my cousin's daughter in case you're wondering why she's my niece). Am going to really miss her when I move.
Tuesday, August 05, 2003 12:43 PM
Midnight Barnacle Club strikes again
And to think I wanted to slow down on my coffee intake, unfortunately my caramel macchiato awaits me. But last night there was a new barista that completely ruined my coffee experience. I ordered the usual. He asked for my name (shocking!) and my caramel macciato has no caramel in it! I understand that he was new, and that I completely forgive him, but the next time he's behind the counter, I am ordering something else. I want my macchiato caramel-ly.
Last night, I started on my book review and with the way I have been reading (well, at least I'm reading) I don't think I'm ever going to finish the book on time. There's only one solution to this problem and that is to cram. Oh well, good luck me. *sigh*
It's my niece's birthday today. Happy Birthday Laila! :)
Sunday, August 03, 2003 5:19 PM
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." -Plato
Let us all go out and register for the 2004 elections. We really have no right to complain about the government unless we vote. Here are the requirements that you can bring to the local COMELEC Office near you.
REGISTRATION PERIOD:
August 4 - October 31 2003.
Go to your local Comelec office in your City Hall or Municipal Hall
and submit the following:
A. A 1x1 or 2x2 ID Picture
B. Age 22 and above (at least 2 of the following)
1. Driver's License
2. NBI Clearance
3. School ID
4. Company ID
5. Passport
6. Proof of Billing (Meralco, MWSS, PLDT etc.)
7. Police Clearance
8. Postal ID
C. Age 18-21
1. Birth Certificate
2. Any ID listed in B.
All ID's should indicate Present Address.
2:54 PM
sabado nights
For the first time this year, I slept in on a Sunday. I woke up at 11am! How weird! But nice. Didn't go to the usual 7am Mass in Greenbelt since I went to Mass last night with Bundi and Fran.
After the Mass, Fran and I looked around for shoes (there's a sale in Megamall that I think all girls should check out) and dragged Bundi along. I think I found a possible shoe-shopping buddy in Fran. (Sagittarians unite!) We know the value of a good pair of shoes because of our little adventure trips. After Fran bought a gorgeous pair, Bundi and I went to Sentro in Greenbelt for dinner.
I never knew that night life in Greenbelt was so... pop, as Bundi put it. I was never a night life person, but sometimes, I am curious... like what makes people so darn addicted to it? Bundi wanted to go around, to bask in the "nucleus" of pop-ness. We walked around, the whole time my guard on high mode. You see, I have this cursed ability (a gravitational pull, mind you) to run into people I don't want to see. Every time I go out, I run into cousins and aunts, and before I knew it, I'm the topic of hot chismis (gossip) in the family. But last night, I guess I was just being paranoid. (Sorry, Bundz!)
Though we did run into Chris and said that a lot of UA&P people were there that night especially one that Bundi and I wouldn't want to see at all. I think Hael would agree: seeing Spikey more than once a day is too much.
My night on the local pop scene was interesting... I'm glad I decided to be open-minded about it. Besides, my curiosity kicked in and since we didn't stay long enough, it's not totally satisfied yet. So maybe next time. :)
2:10 PM
Ick.
I dropped off my SLR at the Canon shop yesterday for a bit of cleaning. Bad news is my shutter melted. And I didn't notice it! I feel so bad... My beloved sweetie, in the shop, all alone... without me...
Saturday, August 02, 2003 4:19 PM
woe is this soprano
The Soprano section went flat in almost all the songs today. It was bad. The people who attended the mass probably didn't notice but the conductor did and he wasn't happy. He kept looking at me and the other Sopranos and kept pointing up. My throat was a bit raw. We didn't vocalize and because of that vodka at the party last night, I couldn't get the high notes even if my life depended on it.
There were only five Sopranos that showed up. One had pharyngitis and another was feeling under the weather. So that's three delinquent Sopranos including me. No wonder the section was in trouble. No parties before a performance again.
At least, I didn't get drunk.
Friday, August 01, 2003 11:15 AM
messages from a never-was
It's his birthday today... I greet him through SMS. He texts back and say I owe him a ref cake.
I don't owe you anything.
Later in the night, he sends me another message telling me he was drunk.
Good for you. I hope you didn't bring your car.
He says he didn't, so I shouldn't worry.
What the __?!?
I'm not going to call you. You don't need me to tell you that you should take it easy on the booze. I have no business in demanding that you go home because of how intoxicated you are. I think that's your girlfriend's business. Not mine.
11:06 AM
exams, talks, and waffle pants
I have this philosophy: if you fail an exam, might as well fail it looking good. And so I took out the pants I bought four months ago that I never had the guts to wear because it had this light waffle print. I know it sounds hideous, but they’re actually very nice, they’re not scandalous or anything and I got compliments the whole day. It’s just that they’re not me. Plus I wore the funky silver earrings that I bought in Bangkok eight years ago.
The exam was actually easy but six essay questions (worth twenty points each) in an hour and a half is insane. I didn’t have any time left for the last two questions that I submitted my paper without answering them. Horrible! I’ve been kicking myself ever since I got out of the classroom.
Then I remembered that I was invited to a gathering for provincial students. I didn’t want to show up because I was feeling rather rotten about the exam earlier, but I promised Mr. Ledesma I’d go and talk to the freshmen. I thought it was just a simple gathering… but imagine my surprise when I saw my name on the programme, which meant I had to do a speech! Damn it! The whole staff of the Office of Student Affairs was there, including the director! And the freshmen! Oh yeah, I picked the wrong day to wear my funky pants and chunky earrings in a very conservative Opus Dei University.
And that introduction was just so wrong! Mr. Ledesma, what did you mean when you said I underwent a transformation?
