Saturday, September 27, 2003 8:48 PM
when all hell breaks loose
I want to be on the frontline.
I am predicting a hellish week to come. Blogging is cramping my cramming style (but I am cramming earlier than usual). I get distracted when I get online and it's seriuosly impairing my research skills on the internet. I wish my pc is okay... but because of the stuff I have to do for my thesis and the insurance, I have zero minutes to spare. So here I am blogging at Soliloquy's house, letting the heavy traffic lighten for a while... and getting my nerves into gear for morons that claim as drivers.
I am not sure if I'll be able to blog this week, but I promise I shall return. Blogging does give a wonderful high and not blogging for the next few days especially since I'm having breakfast with Church Boy tomorrow morning will be very very difficult. Of course by the end of all this ordeal, my thesis will be out of the way. which means I'll have a more humorous perspective of my life, enough to tickle everybody's funny bone (or mine at least).
If ever you do get a chance to go to a chapel, a church, a monastery, a mosque, or anything really, please say a tiny prayer that my thesis will be good enough for me to pass (and get out of UA&P ASAP). And if you're not religious, crossing your fingers (and toes) will be greatly appreciated too.
See ya people. If I do this right, I''ll be defending my thesis on October 9. AND THEN I'M FREEEEEEEE!!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2003 9:12 PM
the best things in life are free
Never mind the fact that the barista suggested I order the Doubleshot Iced Shaken Espresso after taking a good look at my sleepy face at 8 am.
Never mind the fact that researching at the World Bank Knowledge Center still didn't give me a clue about my hypothesis.
Never mind the fact that I paid a hundred fifty pesos for just twenty minutes parking because I was stupid enough to lose the yellow parking ticket (which meant I bought the most expensive french fries on earth).
Never mind the fact that my dad talked to me about not moving next semester.
Never mind the fact that my mom called in the middle of class to tell me that both my parents are coming on Tuesday and they refuse to let me pick them up from the airport because of my horrific driving skills.
Never mind the fact that the other half of the human species have completely failed me.
Never mind the fact that I pushed the panic button today because of my thesis research.
At least I ate spaghetti for dinner... to coax the inner child to come out play. It tastes best when someone else pays for it.
7:49 AM
thesis
Thesis. Thesis. Thesis. Thesis. Thesis.
Maybe if I say the word more often, the damn thing might just magically show up in front of me.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 10:57 PM
yoo hoo? any brain cells left?
For the past few days of fixing insurance, getting affidavits notarized, enduring traffic and late-night (and early morning) driving, and discovering that chapters 1 and 2 of my thesis will be due next Friday (*alarm sound*), this sums it all up:
Soliloquy: You know what… you’re only human when you drink coffee.
Monday, September 22, 2003 7:23 PM
breaking the rules
Handling insurance is stressful.
Really.
Especially when the insurance guy assessing the damage on your car is hitting on you with everything he's got. First he asks on the phone if I speak Bisaya and he was pleased to find out that I do. And so we chatted in Bisaya (because it's really a relief to speak your mother tongue in a place with another language), and little did I know that we both had hidden agenda.
We proceeded to the basement parking as soon as he arrived. I was dead set on being really nice because of the shenanigan that my dad and I planned to pull. I (actually it was my dad's idea) wanted him to include the old dent in the damage report even though it had nothing to do with the collision. The main plan was to evade the 19 thousand-peso bill.
Apparently, I was too nice. Sure, I became the damsel-in-distress (ick) when I told him I was having trouble with the documents. And even though it wasn't Standard Insurance's policy for insurance adjusters to help out with the client's document problems (now I think I know why), he went the extra mile to go through the stuff I have and finally convinced me to drive him and myself to their office.
Okay... fine... anything to get this over and done with. I canceled art classes for this so might as well set it right. During the time I was warming Bembol up, we were talking about insurance stuff. I looked at the watch on the dashboard when suddenly something flashed, as in the unmistakable flash of the camera he used to take pictures of the car. Mr. Insurance Guy took a picture of me... and trust me, I doubt if it was included in their policies.
And then when I was driving in C-5, he began asking me questions that had no relevance with the accident nor with the car. He asked me out! Of course, I politely declined, saying that he was very thoughtful but no. Then he insisted... I couldn't think of anything else to say or do, I was pretty much uncomfortable that I practically went through a red light. Finally I decided to lie. A huge, big, fat, humongous lie. "Sorry, but I don't think my boyfriend would like the idea."
That shut him up... or so I thought. When I got home tonight at 7pm, I was greeted by a phone call. Mr. Insurance Guy was calling me. He apologized about not taking me to lunch earlier. Huh??
Then he sent me an SMS:
"Love, sorry I didn't text you... I'm home na..."
What the---?? Ewww! Eeewwwww!! Okay, I'm writing Standard Insurance after everything is settled.
Sunday, September 21, 2003 3:37 PM
I need a time out
Although I've had stressful weeks before, I just had the mother of all stressful weeks. Okay, so maybe I am exaggerating. Stress is just part of the day-to-day experience, but should it really get to the point that I lack serious sleep because of nightmares (about crashing into car after car and getting people killed)? How about my stomach rejecting normal food intake (it actually hurts to eat, can you believe it?)? And my spine hurting like hell?
Figuring out thesis requirements, catching up with missed classes, fixing insurance arrangements, writing sworn affidavits, entertaining visiting friends, and improvising reports, getting stuck in gridlock traffic, and getting lost! No wonder it feels so disorienting that I am now sitting in front of chunky laptop with the TV blaring The Wild Thornberrys. Oh and to top all that, I've got episodes of confusion, anxiety, depression... I noticed myself smiling less and less lately.
I need a break... anything! As long as it takes me from all of this.
I spoke with the people that owned the Honda Civic I ran Bembol into. The appraiser will be visiting the company on monday (yes, I hit a company car). Funny thing is, the lady I spoke with was encouraging me to drive more often. "Don't develop a phobia, these things happen, it's normal for beginner drivers". Hahaha... well... let's just say that it was a learning experience and that I am not the invincible motorist I used to be. Soliloquy made sure to let me drive through the scene of the accident every time we (or I) leave from her house, and my stomach does flip-flops every time.
Friends tried to cheer me up by assuring me that this does happen to every motorist. I will laugh at this incident in the future. ("You know what mommy did on the second day she actually started driving? She rammed into a Honda and the dent costs 26,000 pesos to fix..."). All I gotta do now is learn to laugh at it now.
Another crazy thing that turned out was that my parents personally knew the couple that head the company from the seventies. They used to go to parties together when the husband was the provicial commander in Surigao before. The wife told me she wished she met me some other way. This definitely goes into my List of the Weird and the Funny.
Last night, I wanted to unwind and catch up with friends (all physical therapists). If it were a TV episode, it could have been entitled "Three Guys and a Girl". Oh what the heck, yes, I had three dates last night, and each one was beautifully chiseled to buffed-ness. The four of us ate dinner and went our for drinks afterwards. I didn't spend a cent, BUT, I became the designated driver --- for three reasons: (1) Lawrence's license expired, (2) Arvin doesn't drive, (3) Paul doesn't have a license. I think it was unfair that the three of them got to drink beer while I had to settle with this disgustingly sweet mango juice and instant coffee. Not exactly the "unwinding" I had in mind. But I definitely enjoyed the company... especially in the times when all of them were NOT talking at once in the car telling me to speed up, or slow down or watch out for incoming cars. God! Three guys in a car while the girl is driving can be regarded as a cruel and unusual punishment. By the time we were in Timog Avenue, I lost it, I had to scream "who the hell is driving anyway?" just for them to shut up. And the three crazies just freakin' laughed at me!!!
I got home at 2 am after dropping them all off (even though they insisted that I take them to Ortigas and they could commute from there). For practicality's sake, and they were probably a bit drunk to argue, I was not only the driver, I became the gentleman. The roles are finally reversed, well, for us anyway. I am just wondering what the people in the parking areas and the restaurants were thinking when they saw me driving and them sitting in the passengers' seats.
To conclude this turn of events, I drove to Mass with Lai this morning (Bundi, aren't you proud of me?) and we got lost on the way to Ate Chona's house in Cubao. Church Boy's uncle talked to us again (Elmer wasn't there) after the mass and invited us for breakfast after Mass next Sunday. When I told my cousins over lunch today, they actually giggled, especially Ate Chona. No doubt Church Boy will be there for the breakfast date... and I could feel the wheels in Ate Chona's head are turning full speed ahead.
Thursday, September 18, 2003 1:01 AM
today, I've learned...
...the value of a hug, where a person could just curl up in someone's arms and kiss one's troubles away.
...the unmistakable smile of someone trying to cheer you up.
...the anticipation and relief that the person you're calling answered in the moment of great distress.
...the amazing self-control of handling a stressful situation.
...the grace of compassion for a stranger.
All of which I have learned today. But it's just a shame, I have no one whose arms I could curl up in. First time I ever felt lonely.
12:10 AM
hot and cold
Just day two of being an official licensed driver and already I wreaked havoc. I feel like Eris, the goddess of discord, in Sinbad when she was whispering "glorious chaos" in pure glee. But really, running into another car is not exactly a happy experience. What's worse is that the whole thing was my fault.
Today is probably one of the worst and best days of my life. I went to Michael Bublé's concert at the Philippine International Convention Center and enjoyed every single minute. However, each minute was also spent in anxiety and worry as I recall the accident (the fourth this year and hopefully begging to be the last) and the fear of my parents' inevitable wrath. Since Michael was singing jazz songs, the ones I grew up with because of my dad's mania with Frank Sinatra, he actually made me guilty of the possible stress I could inflict on my parents.
The accident was the worst that happened, but that doesn't mean it was the only thing that happened to me and Bembol. Soliloquy and I were in Glorietta when a security guard (God bless you, my good Samaritan) pointed out one of Bembol's tires was flat. I knew the theory of changing a tire, but even in pol eco, I know for a fact that there's a difference between reality and theory. A huge difference. So I'm writing Glorietta Mall a letter of appreciation for Mr. A. Salcedo. I just wish all people are as kindhearted and compassionate as he was today.
Of course, tomorrow shall be interesting. I'm calling the insurance company first thing in the morning to fix this problem. My dad suggested that he handle it himself, but I insisted that I be the one to fix this problem. After all, I was the one at fault. Bembol has a scratch, but man... you should see the other car, although the previous dent I made on Bembol was bigger, still, the other car's right passenger door has a big kiss mark.
I'm just trying to see the lighter side of things. At least my parents didn't yell at me. My dad's voice calmed me down (which is really unusual because his voice is really big --- perfect for courtroom drama type of scenes). The concert was fantastic. In these times when I just feel so down and clueless, at least Michael Bublé made me fall in love with music all over again. Thanks Suplada for the company.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 11:57 PM
all dressed up and driving
The goal of becoming a licensed driver this year is now crossed out from my list. The project now is becoming acquainted with streets and highways. I really am clueless when it comes to directions. Take me out of Ortigas Center, and I'll probably get lost, not that I mind if ever that happens. Hopefully, this direction-illiteracy of mine doesn't mean it's permanent, I need to get over it in the next few weeks.
I was supposed to go to Cafe Lupe tonight at ten and meet up with a new friend for her birthday bash. Unfortunately, even though I was there already, Carmela and her friends were still somewhere else and I was getting tired. I drove Soliloquy and her mother home before that. They were the ones who showed me how to get to the Cafe, so that means that I've been on the road for more than two hours already.
I decided to just drive around Rockwell and look for a Shell Station. Bembol was running pretty low on gas and it would be traumatic if ever the engine failed on the first time I drove in this city with a license. After a close call with a white SUV (and beating a red light, the goddamn traffic light just changed so abruptly so what was I supposed to do?), Bembol's tank is full and I decided to head back to Ortigas. It felt pretty nice to be driving alone with a license. No more scary thoughts of a cop pulling you over. No more paranoia about getting into an accident and getting blamed for it just because all I had was a student permit.
My only regret was swearing in front of Soliloquy's mom after I hit the brakes when a crazy suicidal pedestrian bolted out of nowhere. I'm biting my lips just thinking about it. Not exactly a good impression you'd want to leave your friend's mom, you know.
10:29 PM
next!
The Rules say that in order to forget about a guy (or the guy), one has to focus on someone new.
Cris, Lai, Fran, and I barnacled in Starbucks tonight. Oooohhh!!! May I just say that I saw the cutest barista I've ever seen in my entire Starbucks coffee-drinking life! He had a nice smile (it made me skip when I was on the way home), and I practically shoo-ed Cris off the chair with the very nice view. Mwehehehe!
It's nice forgetting about someone.
Plus, who would've thought that I would see surfer boy (the cute pol eco teacher) passing by the coffee shop? That's two sightings of the finest specimens of the opposite sex.
This brings a whole new meaning to the cockroach dance.
9:51 PM
getting in touch with art
First art class was great! I'm glad my cousins enrolled me in it. Paul, my teacher, was really cool. He has a shaved head (it was shiny too) and he writes backwards... er... upside down, or whatever! He was sitting across the table and he wrote his notes so I could read them immediately. I was mesmerized by the fact that from his view, the letters were upside down.
Paul taught me how to sketch, never thought I could do it. I was never confident when it comes to drawing so I was pretty proud of myself that I came home today with a page of a still life drawing in my sketch pad. Pretty good one too, Paul asked if I took fine arts at some point. I told him I just took a semester of visual arts as one of the requirements in the unversity.
Anyway, for people who live in Manila who are interested to take art lessons, just drop by in the Renaissance Gallery in Megamall 4th floor.
Next week, Paul will be teaching me pastel!
Monday, September 15, 2003 5:16 PM
braindead
I honestly don't know what to write in my Scope and Limitation. Sure, Methodology is not that hard, it would just need a bit of tweaking here and there to fit the theoretical framework, but what happens if you're not sure about your framework?
Come to think of it, what is a political economy student to do when she does not have a single clue on variable relationships?
I'm calling in reinforcements. I'm having major trouble with this thesis. It's not because it's not executable... but it's the fact that I'm losing interest... I am gradually getting sucked into depression and anxiety altogether.
Help!
Sunday, September 14, 2003 5:00 PM
fever
I'm back in Manila. I went to Podium and met up with Suplada and swooned over Michael Buble.
I wish nameless pc is running normally but I can't plug in my USB port in chunky laptop and upload the pix. So just go to Suplada's blog if you want to see Michael in action. I can't wait for Thurday's concert at the PICC.
Saturday, September 13, 2003 10:38 PM
vacation over
So I planned to be a good little girl and actually packed a most crucial set of readings for class and a set of difficult musical scores so by the time I get back (which will be tomorrow) I'll have nothing to fret about except seeing Michael Buble tomorrow at 6pm in the Podium for a bit of drooling. Unfortunately, and I cross my heart that I have been berating myself since I picked it up, a muy delicioso piece of pop literature wound up in my lap and I ended up couch-bound ever so determined to cheer on Andrea to tell her boss to take a hike.
Yes people, the Scope and Limitation and Methodology sections of my thesis are supposedly due on Monday when I get back. None of which necessitated that I read up Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada. I still have to figure out how to get around those requirements (I should have a secret plan up my sleeve at this point) but at least the book was the dessert I needed for this trip. The read was light, nicely-paced, a bit absurd (I had my qualms if such a perfect boyfriend existed), but had me in stitches.
Friday, September 12, 2003 9:51 PM
wanna hear something funny?
I saw kathy, a high school friend I have talked to for a looong time, the one that celebrated her birthday last Sept 8, finally! Boy did I get a kick out of the latest gossip! Well, it would seem that because of my long absence from Surigao life, my batchmates in high school, known for their very, very colorful stories (kathy was rumored to have an abortion, but the truth is, she had her appendix taken out) about each batchmate they could ever think of, have outdone themselves this time!
I am supposed to have eloped to some unknown island in the archipelago and married. Oh yeah don't forget, I gave birth to one kid (or two, depends on whose spreading this lie).
Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!! I wish!
8:39 PM
overdoing it
In my perpetual quest to have a bit of color in my life, or at least in my skin tone, I was lying down on the grass after lunch to catch some rays only to fall asleep... so when I finally woke up, I had sunburn. What the hell happened to that Z-cote ingredient that the stupid lotion claimed to protect my pale, white, melatonin-deprived skin from ultraviolet rays A and freakin' B?
Only consolation is, hey, at least I've got color. It's just that it's red.
8:35 PM
better luck next time
I was talking to a very distant relative over dinner in a new café, we're actually pretty close despite our twenty-year difference. Anyway, the inevitable question about relationships came up. No, I'm not with anyone right now... sorry to disappoint you. She met my ex before, and she was very vocal about how she liked him. But that didn't work out and ever since he and I broke up, she was the first to notice my phobia. There were other guys... but I slinked away as soon as they offered their hearts out to me. I wanted the one that got away, it would seem... and soon enough I wanted the one that was never mine in the first place.
Then came one of my best friends. I was actually open to the idea of being more than just friends, he did try some moves, but I think my fear still got the best of me and he got the impression that our friendship was more important to me and so he backed off. Too bad... had he told me everything... had he just said that he was starting to fall, I could have said yes and he wouldn't be with some other girl right now.
So yeah, it was my own doing... my mistake... my fault. And basically, the whole conversation over dinner was like this:
me: "Yeah... we figured out we liked each other only too late..."
her: "Why? What in the world did YOU do?"
me: "Me?!? Why do you assume that I did something?"
her: "Because you're the scared one."
me: "Well, he's the guy, isn't he the one who's supposed to do the first move?"
her: "True, but you could have at least given him the go-signal. You just HAD to tell him that nothing should change between your friendship."
me: "Well, screw him if he misinterpreted that. I do not go around telling guys I'm falling for them."
her: *sigh* "No... you don't... you just tell them you're friends... How showbiz of you!"
I don't know how to refute that. So a two-minute pause ensued... she checked her phone for messages, I concentrated on my mango crepe.
her: "Maybe you should have told him..."
me: *shakes head* "No... did that once, (to another guy) nothing came of it."
her: "If only we could read their minds..."
me: "Yeah... if only... Or at least, if they would just speak their minds, everything would be a lot easier."
her: "But what if there's nothing to talk about anyway?"
me: *sigh* "Ouch..."
Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:54 PM
provincial life
In a place where Jollibee, a sign of civilization, was just put up last year, there are just some things that you simply do not get to experience back in the metropolis.
Like for instance, how many people in Manila know the feel and smell of freshly-ground roasted cacao seeds? Only a few probably, plus considering how oily (but wonderful!) it feels in your hands, some ditzy girls in UA&P might fret over their chocolate-y manicured fingernails.
Nothing really compares to the home-made hot chocolate Nang Bining brews. She, I think, planted the cacao tree itself and roasted the cacao seeds in the backyard. My job was to operate the grinder (under my dad's supervision although he really did all the work and I just kneaded the stuff). That smell, that wonderful woody, earthy, sweet, dark chocolate-y smell! It's simply glorious! It sure beats those commercialized cocoa powder packs anytime!
Tomorrow, we might roast some chili peppers and grind them into powder... a recipe my great grandfather handed down to this spice-loving family. Oh yeah, I miss provincial life!
11:38 PM
step away from the ketchup...
I had a glimpse of what it was like to have kids. It's not easy. Yeeesh!
I took two of my cousins (ages 8 and 10) to Jollibee this afternoon. Good thing a friend also tagged along to keep me company while the kiddies go and play and talk in their own secret language that I can't seem to understand. They ordered their kiddie meals and asked for Sinbad toys.
Lesson learned: unless, you want disaster, never order fries... or at least keep the ketchup away from the children. Seriously, I think there should be a law that puts an age limit on ketchup use because what happened earlier was simply mortifying.
Patrick, age 8, grabs one sachet of ketchup and tries opening it. And do you know what catastrophe ensued?!? He squeezed the ketchup out of the sachet so hard it squirted all over my friend's white shirt!! I didn't know what to do, I mean, it was okay if the ketchup landed on me (my old shirt was starting to rot anyway) but just exactly how do you handle situations like this?!? I had to apologize profusely, and the whole time the two little devils were laughing their heads off.
11:09 PM
a test of responsible citizenship
And I failed it.
There are just some things that are consequent to living in the Third World that I am not proud of. Like privileges, for example, that are not particularly enjoyed by those to be considered in the lower end of society. Yes, not only does poverty sentences people with everlasting neediness, it robs them of opportunities that can be easily volunteered by the fortunate and the too-fortunate.
I didn't like my morning today. The whole license-application thing was too sad. I got my license (papers will be released by monday). But it felt like I sold a part of my soul. Not the whole of it, just a part. Guilt is still not one of my favorite emotions.
And all it took was an answer key that I didn't even ask for.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003 11:03 PM
gone sentimental
My house holds a lot of memories.
The street where we live was where I first learned how to ride a bicycle... and fell off because I didn't know how to stop. I landed in the kangkungan in the then-vacant lot across the gate.
The street is named after a grandmother in my father's side, in fact, all the streets' names in the subdivision are after our ancestors.
The bungalow itself is older than me by a couple of years. The garden was where I painted watercolor when I was a child. And where I took my first typewriter and wrote my first fiction short story. Right now, there are a lot of lights for the party tomorrow night.
During fiesta time (like now), the cook (who was my dad's nanny when he was a kid, so you could imagine she's pretty old) would make the bestest, most delicious, mind-numbing leche flan in the world. Once you taste it, you'll never be the same again. Right now, there are four in the fridge. They won't be untouched for long.
One of the many highlights of my childhood was standing by the kitchen door during vespers night while Nang Bining (the cook) would make her infamous lumpia (spring rolls). When she's making the crepe-like wrapper, I'd pray that she'd make a mistake and make holes on them so that she'll hand them over to me. I discovered that one lumpia wrapper in five would end up in my mouth every time. She's making lumpia right this minute... Now if only I could just convince my brother to sleep early tonight.
Even the water here tastes sweet.
And that piano in the hall is calling me.
My dad's movie collection in pirated DVDs and original VHS tapes.
That picture of me and my sister in the hall outside my room.
Now here's another thing to add to my list of significant memories: the obscene Surigaonon word that serves as the password to my dad's internet connection.
10:33 PM
home sweet home
And this ain't Alabama. It's much better. I am finally home. There's just something about this place. It's really true, you know. Sagittarians want to roam free but they always come back. I don't I'll ever abandon this place, the longer I am away, the more I want to keep it special... weird as that may sound.
I drove the family car (actually it's a Toyota Revo) from Butuan to Surigao. Considering that this is open road and the Revo is not such a fast vehicle, I missed Bembol. Bembol, who could glide even at first gear, yes he would have been perfect for that 2-hour stretch of cement and asphalt. But I guess the Revo at fifth gear did just fine. :)
We stopped over at my grandmother's and had coffee. First time she offered me the so-called "for adults only" drink. Coz you're not a baby anymore... she said. While she smoked her cigarettes, I went to her neighbor's to say hi to my aunts and uncles. And then we got ready to go to the city proper. As I sat in the driver's seat, the neighbor wasn't too happy about me driving. Why? Because in this part of the country, women drivers are considered a non-existent breed. Well, to hell with that. Funny thing was that my grandma was game for it. And when there was this white SUV that came up, she commented on how young the driver was... I just noticed that his headlights were on and he turned them off after I flicked my headlights. Oh and did my grandma also said that the guy driving was cute too? Hehehe... so now I know where I got that from.
Of course, parking into the garage was an accomplishment. And I did it flawlessly (the parking at my apartment building is a lot worse after all). After some chitchat with the 'rents and a hug from my little brother, I wanted to see downtown. I drove the whole time, first stop was the Shell Station, my cousin and I got some ice cream to celebrate, next stop was my godmother's hotel (it's not as grand as it sounds). And then we headed for the beach, where I first learned to drive. :) It feels great to be cruising at that highway. I recognized some of the places where I stalled, where I learned to do reverse... It feels more awesome when I can actually overtake those pesky trikes and multicabs now. *evil grin*
Now if only I can convince my dad to ride in the car while I'm driving...
Monday, September 08, 2003 10:48 PM
surigao here I come!
It's supposed to be one of my high school friends' birthday today. Unfortunately, she changes cell numbers like she changes shirts, so I don't know how to greet her. Oh well, I'm going home to Surigao tomorrow (yes, tomorrow!!) and maybe I'll see her there. One thing about her birthday is that it's the day before the vespers for the fiesta on the 10th. So that means three days of fun and lots of food! Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch the street dancing tomorrow since I'll arrive in Surigao late afternoon (the whole thing starts early morning around 7am and ends lunchtime). It's a shame, I had hoped to watch the Sinulog (or as Surigaonons would call it, the Bonok Bonok Maradjao Karadjao) this year. I haven't seen it in five years and I kinda miss this local tradition. I remember when I was a kid, my dad used to carry me on his shoulders while we watched from the provincial sports complex where the different competing groups would show their stuff. The winner gets to represent the grandest Sinulog festival in Cebu City in February. Surigao has won several Sinulog titles in the past, I don't know if we won the title for the last five years.
I also remember one particular festival where I was one of the "muses" on one of the floats. I could show the pictures here (I was 6 years old I think) but then I don't have a scanner, and besides, I looked like I wasn't too happy about it. I remember how hot it was on that float, and that eighties hairdo! Que horror!
Still I wish I could watch the festival and take pictures on the digicam. It would be nice to show everybody that Surigao is not just about surfing or beaches. :) Two of the photos I took of Surigao are now on display in UA&P for the Kultura Art Exhibit. Yey!
On the other hand, this guy is celebrating his birthday today. Happy birthday, Karl!!!
10:08 PM
for the love of michael
I met up with Suplada today. We bought tickets for the Michael Bublé concert on the 18th. The main plan was buying the 3K-peso ticket for the 17th concert. But after a few boo-boo's (like lining up at ticketworld instead of ticketnet), we ended up buying the P1000+ tickets since the concert for the 17th was canceled and apparently dear Michael is getting way too popular. Damn! We saw him first!
Well, at least now we have extra cash to spend. So we're planning to go to Xaymaca after the concert and maybe meet up with DreamCatcher there.
9:44 PM
could this be telling me something?
Well, today marks the fourth vehicular accident I've had this year. Funny. The only time I got into an accident before this year was when my dad made a dent on Bembol when I was eleven. Ever since then, I've been accident-free and this year, I became accident-prone. Bundi and I got Bembol back from the shop. The dent is still there but Bembol's got new brake pads! His aircon is still cooky but other than that, I miss my little huggabug and I'm glad he's downstairs safe and sound.
Oh yeah, about the accident.. nothing major. Bundi drove. Mwehehe! Guess the great driving instructor is human after all. Oh, and Bembol's fine, no scratches or anything.
Sunday, September 07, 2003 11:38 PM
one heck of an evening
To sum the evening I just had up, I had a great time watching the International Chorale Festival at the Cultural Center (the highlight of which is seeing one of the sopranos of the Austrian choir get carried away in a Sinulog or Filipino street dancing), getting into another accident *sigh*, and coming home finally from an unplanned road trip around the metro.
The choral festival was definitely eye candy. The local Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music Choir blew me away as they sang an Indonesian chant with perfect choreography --- elaborate hand movements and acrobatic stunts are just not usually done by choral groups. The Taiwanese choir sang Filipino folk songs and that impressed me too. The choir from Iceland even did a skit. But the grand finale was something I didn't expect from an even full of choirs. Some Filipino dance troupe did their own version of the Sinulog in the main theater. The dancers literally grabbed the members of the choral groups and they all started dancing onstage with confetti showering for a good fifteen minutes. I was amused when I saw that Austrian girl really getting into the beat, in fact, she was jumping and stomping around so much, I thought her dress was about to give way as the audience got an eyefull of her bra straps and her shoulder blades. I hope the street dancing bit was enough to give those choirs was something to talk about when they go back to their homeland. Even their choirmasters danced like they've been living in tribes all their lives.
The anti-climax came when I rode in Krissy's Honda CRV and had my third accident this year. My God, if I do wild turns, what would you call that U-turn she just did that sent a motorcyclist flying off his motorcycle and rolling into the street? Good thing that guy had his helmet on, at least he's not that stupid after he shrugged off Krissy's left turn signal and made a mad dash for it. They're still in the hospital right now, getting the guy's X-ray results. But still, that sight of a guy flying off a motorcycle was really unforgettable... and sort of traumatic.
One of the basses, Justin, offered to take me home instead. Since he had other passengers with him, we had to drop them off first and this meant a trip to the south, to Antipolo, Marikina, and then Katipunan. Oh yeah, I got a tour. Aside from that, I discovered that Justin also does the Alba shift. I guess he's human after all...
3:54 PM
tragedy of the commons
Okay people, time for a little political economy according to me. Tragedy of the commons normally occurs when a particular good is over-utilized by the public. The best way this was explained to us was through the classic example of cattle farming. The government of the town declares a parcel of land open for grazing for all cattle farmers (and of course, their cattle). Farmers far and wide would take advantage of this opportunity... why not bring a hundred cattles instead of fifty? The land is for free anyway and one has to maximize resources to earn a living, and so every farmer gets the same idea and in the end the land will be full of cow dung with no grass to be grazed. Imagine the negative externality (i.e. effect) to this particular scenario, the government of that town better prepare to evacuate as the methane level would, I expect, reach explosive heights. Anyway, the point to this discussion is that it is a tragedy indeed as all would maiximize resources for the sake of happiness or what we call "utils" and in the end, nobody really benefits from a lot of shit. One cattle farmer's fat cattle is another cattle farmer's big stinky problem. Nobody gets equal benefits.
It's just immensely amusing for me to think of this example when I caught a glimpse of the infamous J-man, my sadistic, chauvinist institute director in the mall. His face didn't exactly remind me of manure (this can be refutable), but given the analogy that the mall is a public good and him a cattle farmer... see, this is the tragedy and trauma that happens of seeing a person you loathe so much on a supposedly calming Sunday.
9:28 AM
church boy and his uncle
Our spiritual hibernation (well, for me at least) ended today as Lai and I went to Greenbelt for the 7 am mass. If you have been reading my blog since day one, you'd remember Church Boy. No? Okay, here's a recap: he's the guy who serves in masses in the chapel we usually go to. At first, we thought he was cute, he still is... although not as cute as the first time we saw him. Heaven forbid we call him layboy because his uncle also serves in the mass as a layman. Anyway, we call him Church Boy because we are not really fond of calling him by his real name because it reminds us of glue.
So the mass ended, right? And Lai and I were walking out when suddenly Church Boy's uncle comes up from behind and asks us how we've been.
Church Boy's uncle: "How are you, mga hija?"
Lai: "Ah hi! We're okay..."
Church Boy's uncle: "It's been a long time since we've seen each other, I thought the both of you already got married." (we hope he meant to different people and not to each other as this would've been really weird)
Me: "Nah... not yet."
Church Boy's uncle: (calls to Church Boy from behind him) "Elmer (see told you his name would remind people of glue), over here!" (to us) "So where do you go home to?"
Me: "Ortigas" (silently hoping they'd offer a ride... cab fare is expensive)
Church Boy's uncle: "Ah... okay, we'll see you."
Church Boy: "Bye."
The whole time, Church Boy was just standing there, smiling at us, not saying a word. Conclusion, aside from his funny walk, he might have a speech impediment. Either that, or he's too shy to say anything. What's the point of this story? Nothing really, just want to update blogland that Church Boy is still alive and kicking and still driving that rust-colored Pajero.
8:50 AM
Renaissance Gallery 4th Floor SM Megamall
If things that you've been planning to do for a long time seem to come up at an opportune time, there is really no choice but to take them. Especially if opportunities have a significant effect on the possible life you want to lead. My cousins didn't give me a chance to think about it.
I'm starting art lessons week after next.
8:49 AM
ey?
There is just too much contemplation going on. But it's just so weird that Kenan and Kel is on TV while you're deep in thought. Anyway, after watching Pirates of the Caribbean for the second time (all hail Johnny Depp for a fabulous performance), an unexpected lunch date with a high school friend turned up. So conversation goes:
Trinie: (thoughtful) When are you going to get married?
me: (choking on an Italian wrap after hearing the question) What?! I don't even know how to parallel park yet!
Needless to say, Trinie got confused with my logic of driving and marriage. It makes perfect sense to me, though. There are just some things that I prioritize right now. If Michael Buble and I are meant to be together, I have to show up to his concert in two weeks and that means driving there myself.
8:49 AM
no padawan learner
I graduated from driving school yesterday. Because of the dent I mercilessly inflicted on Bembol, I made the decision to seek the help of the heathen gods of A1 driving school. Of course, despite the support I got from my political economy friends, I felt guilty after signing the credit card receipt because I knew it was Bundi's pride I was dangerously overstepping (It really wasn't personal, honest). I am glad that Bundi did teach me before I went to A1. It was the same training really (and saved me a heap of money), but the difference was that I get to drive different (brand new) cars like the latest Altis and Corolla and if ever I do get into an accident, hey, at least it's not Bembol that I'm beating the crap out of.
Off the record, Bundz, you were the best instructor, I can honestly say that now with more conviction than before after dealing with two other instructors. And I passed with flying colors, in fact, the last one praised me for having the skills of a taxi driver after changing lanes in horrible traffic. Don't be surprised if ever A1 seeks you out and makes an offer.
So to celebrate this occasion, I bought a strawberry sundae and a Hindu dowry bracelet as graduation gifts. Hmmm… I wonder how I shall celebrate when I get my license next week.
Friday, September 05, 2003 9:34 PM
warning: heavy PMS
It's like an uncalled for COMELEC mode, a fury waiting to be unleashed, one of those legendary mood swings only the female species could ever pull. It's true: women do have the biological right to bitch. I never believed this before and I thought my mom just had bad days, but now, I understand her. Big time.
I don't get it. Today seems like a normal day. Nothing spectacular, nothing depressing either, so why do I feel like I want to kill someone? Why in freakin' hell am I so irritable? And will this stupid headache ever stop?!
I saw a Parson Jack Russell Terrier at a pet store this afternoon and guess how much it costs? Nineteen thousand pesos, the exact amount to pay for Bembol's dent. Ack!!! I know I can't really take care of a dog in a condo, but still, the fact that I could use that money for something else instead of paying for a mistake that could have been avoided irritates me immensely!
I practically snapped at a fellow soprano earlier for trying to correct my notes. Normally, I'd smile (despite feeling a bit irritated about it) but I guess she won't try to act little-miss-I-sing-so-perfect-every-time in the next few rehearsals anymore. Since there were only four sopranos that showed up today, we had to sing extra-loud, had the choirmaster tortured us some more in that German song we were learning, I could have walked out.
Gaaaahhhh!! The world is against me today and I don't like it. And I can't believe how irrational the past few paragraphs are.
+++
I was complaining (ranting) about everything to one of the Basses after rehearsal:
me: *@%!*&#^@%$#*@%"
Ken: (laughs) man! I can't wait to see you drive!
9:41 AM
angels we have heard on high
Soliloquy is kinda pissed with me today. She's there in UP jogging alone. I was supposed to meet her there but I slept through my alarm clock. Why? Because last night, (apologies to my language professor for starting this sentence wrong, but the experience was really overwhelming enough to make me break grammatical rules), I went to an International Choral Festival, and I am seriously still in shock to what I just witnessed.
Talk about perfect chords, staggered breathing and really, really high notes! Funny thing was, we were there to watch the Chorus Sine Nomine from Austria, but the local UST Singers got our attention. Sure, the Austrian choir sang perfectly, they knew their notes, and not even once did I see their conductor take out a tuning fork out of his pocket, but the UST Singers, their performance was simply breathtaking, with all the authentic tribal chants, and innovative interpretations. Whereas Chorus Sine Nomine didn't budge and just stood there, the UST Singers danced, stomped and used props! Although I also think their elaborate performance made a toll on their singing because some of the chords went flat, at least it kept me awake. I'm so sorry about this but even if the Austrian choir did sing so heavenly, their repertoire didn't interest me as much since they were too subtle and mellow. But then, that's just from an amateur's point of view. Our choirmaster might think otherwise.
Still, I can't wait for Sunday when I go back to the Cultural Center and watch choirs from other countries. In the meantime, I need to do a lot of butt-kissing to Soliloquy who should be really furious by now.
Tuesday, September 02, 2003 11:05 PM
it's called productive anger
Or something like it. And so I'm going to focus whatever crappy feeling I've got to something more productive.
I have heard of students plagiarizing... even institute directors copying exact syllabi from Brittish universities (yes, it's the same J-man), but a person plagiarizing blogs? Hmmm... what? Suddenly, her life is so boring and empty she can't think of anything to blog about? I know I've heard of writer's block, but this is ridiculous... faking everyday experiences? stealing original witty entries? copying actual conversations? How... how... I don't know... what kind of sad, pathetic life is she actually living? And at 18? Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!
Had Bundi not told me about the excitement in blogland, I wouldn't have known how sick this keiko-character is. Had Pam not emailed me, I wouldn't have realized how serious her problem is. I honestly think it's a mental problem now. And yeah, sorry to sound so freakin' righteous but plagiarism is a crime. I've got enough Intellectual Property Rights papers to induce vertigo on a normal person.
I have once commented on Katia's entry about irresponsible blogging. Although blogs are personal spaces on the net, it's not something to be abused. I'll just leave it at that, or else I'll touch a very sensitive button somewhere.
Keiko, if ever you place another entry in your blog, may the just gods of blogging have mercy on your pathetic excuse of a webspace, as of now, I hope you get a subpoena.
8:57 PM
maybe it's the weather
There's another typhoon out here in the Philippines. Strong winds, lots of rain, the usual. It's actually cold and the frogs are croaking their throats out in the pearl drive creek, or canal, or whatever the hell you call it. The weather bureau went over their heads this time and named the typhoon after the local boxing hero. Arrrggghhh... is it just me or am I actually feeling the punches?
I found out that the dent in my car costs nineteen thousand pesos, that's almost US $400. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Insurance needs my license, it's just that I'm going to get it next week. I don't think my student permit will do, so how the hell am I going to the Buble's concert now?!? Aside from that, the service center called and told me that they have to change the brake pads and drum and that costs almost an additional hundred dollars. Bembol's airconditioning system is under observation too. Oh yeah, I need to rob a bank... or get a job, whichever comes first.
And right now, I'm using my dinosaur of a laptop... the one I used to design my high school yearbook five years ago (it never did fail me). My pc is still crazy and that TV remote is screaming for a replacement, oh and did I mention my beloved (old) CD player is not playing CD's now?
Expenses, expenses! Gaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! I need Pinoy humor to get me back on track. As of now, this is keeping me sane. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen sucks by the way. The movie totally ruined Captain Nemo and the Nautilus for me. If Jules Verne were alive, he'd kill himself after seeing the poor excuse of a flick.
