Getting my highest QPI ever and maintaining my Dean’s List status is the cream cheese icing on my already tasty carrot cake. (This is me craving for Sonja’s Bunny Huggers Cupcake.) There were no expectations even. I was just glad that it was over and I have finally let go of all that was hindering me from moving happily forward. I guess this is an even greater personal victory for me that I could ever hoped for at the moment. Especially after the most emotionally trying semester. I’m really happy and proud of myself.

Some of my close friends would remember my agony over how the hurt and anger may channel into something negative that could affect my studies. The lesson to be learned here is that nothing can really stop you from doing anything unless you allow it to. Not even heartbreaking realities or rock-bottom moments. My ‘making the most out of the moment’ strategy really works! Clarity of vision and knowledge of priorities were also very, very helpful. If you feel like almost everything is going against you, just try looking at the ‘bigger picture.’ Usually, your present troubles are merely little hobbits. (Haha. Redundant ata yan.) Do not allow yourself to get sidetracked.

I really believe that one of the more wonderful things that came about after this semester is that I finally got the chance to know more about myself than ever. I’ve never liked being vulnerable, but I later learned that these moments of weakness have allowed me to recognize strength that I never realized I had later on. Do not succumb to self-pity. Stop torturing yourself for answers that you know you can always look for at the right time, given the right opportunity.

The last few posts will be there to remind me of moments like these. It’s like some kind of high that can possibly maybe rival that of falling in love. Okay, siguro hindi. But pretty damn close. This post...

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The time spent to soothe emotional wounds really did do its wonders. Attaining closure in various aspects of my life and myself is priceless. It has allowed me to set free all negativity and make room for so much positivity and optimism. The once tainted realities are given clarity. There is acceptance of truth, and somehow it has stopped burning. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I can finally proclaim myself victorious from this emotional battle. There really is something empowering about that.

Thus, the break has been good so far. Amidst postponed plans, I’m not complaining. It’s refreshing to just think of myself for a change. Shutting myself out from the world entailed no such risks or burdens to anyone. And that felt good. I am able to reconnect with my good friends, strengthen best friend bonds, celebrate promising news, cherish sibling moments, restock my wardrobe, indulge in series downtime, and look forward to good days. It’s safe to say that I’m not clouded with all these repressed feelings. I am able to revel in new possibilities and opportunities knowing what I want and what I can be capable of. And after everything, it feels as if I can handle anything.

Hearing my close friends affirm that truth, while expressing admiration and reminding how much strength I have does make me all feel warm and fuzzy inside. There have been so many times in the past wherein I am left scarred and questioning every minute. I guess I’d like to remind everyone that there really is such a thing as a rainbow after a storm, a silver lining, a chance to have that happily ever after.

I don’t want to get in and over my head, but I want to allow myself this feeling of knowing I shouldn’t be scared, paranoid, or worried.

That’s why I want to be optimistic about the next semester – the last of my junior year. With a really bad T-TH schedule and a SAT class, I...

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I just got home from watching Stardust with my friends, Jam and Kent. FYI: It was a really, really good and entertaining movie. Neil Gaiman never fails.

I’m pretty much in total sembreak mode despite a major group research paper to be submitted this Friday. I guess I’ll be devoting my entire day tomorrow for that. Also, my new chocolate-detox diet is ongoing and I haven’t failed yet! It’s almost a week since I started depriving myself of my ultimate sweet weakness. Good job me.

It’s pretty obvious how much of a series-freak I am. Apart from all the shows I’ve mentioned in my previous post, I am now hooked with two new ones: Pushing Daisies and Journeyman. If you enjoy trying out a quirky, fun, whimsical, forensic ‘fairy tale,’ I highly recommend checking out the former one. (It also has 3 broadway divas including Kristin Chenoweth!!!) The latter, on the other hand, is for those who like more time-traveling adventure and mystery. It’s also set in San Francisco, which made me all nostalgic about Charmed. Due to the insane number of downloads we have for the week, my sister and I have our own weekly download system.

But before I continue on with my series-filled night, I’ll share some pictures with my blockmates from last Friday’s sem-ender. To celebrate the end of our hell sem, we channeled our love for singing and indulged on our own KTV Night in Greenhills.

It was chaos, of course. My blockmates are pretty much entertainers in their own right that I can’t help but think we might be in the wrong course. hahaha. Most of the time, we can’t help but inject our own ‘theatrics’ in any presentation or report. I swear my blockmates ooze talent. Our previous teachers can attest to that.

It might seem like they’re goofing up and cracking sabaw jokes all the time. But every...

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Just because there’s free internet here at Starbucks, Corinthian, I’m going to try updating this thing. Starbucks is not exactly my ideal place to study, but that’s probably because I never really found a ‘good’ branch that’s conducive for studying. It’s all a matter of preference, and this one is surprisingly not bad. It’s not far for Ateneo, but not exactly close enough for me to bump and deal with people I actually know. And the place is pretty big, and plays just the right kind of music – easy-listening, motown/jazz and soul. I’m stuck here because I’m still not done studying for my Economics final, which will happen in a few hours. I’m still calm, which means my panic mode will sink in a bit later.

I can’t wait for all my finals to be over. I feel like it’s never going to end, seeing as I still have 2 hugeass papers due even after finals week. One that our group basically haven’t started yet. Uhm… we have good reasons. Trust me. Pero kaya yan. Kaya talaga yan. I’m actually pretty thankful deadlines were moved or else I’m probably going crazy right now.

My plans for sembreak are still tentative, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have our block sem-ender KTV thing, BlueREP EVSEM, my 4D sembreak out-of-town outing and our family Singapore trip. I always make the most out of my sembreaks, and this is no exception. I’m really looking forward to my much-awaited vacation, where I can finally have time for myself and get my much-needed closure. Wonder how that will go. Hohum.

Time to go back to more Econ studying time. I’ll just leave you with pictures from my sister‘s birthday celebration at Circles, Shang. Buffets are incredibly sinful. Thinking about how much I’ve gained since the start of the sem is depressing. Stressed eh. Bawi na lang sa sembreak. haha.

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This is probably my hardest sem yet. And I mean that in different levels – testing me here and there every freakin day. It’s still baffling how I have mustered that much strength to bring me to this point – October 7, my sister’s birthday (no connection whatsoever) with only 5 more days till sembreak freedom. I’ve been wishing for some sort of time-off and recluse ever since this sem started. Now that it’s almost here, I can’t wait. Of course, just before that, hell arrives.

Last week was the hell week of all hell weeks in my entire Ateneo life. To my horror, I had to endure consecutive, caffeine-induced all-nighters. And I never liked any of those. It was a good thing I had the company of my group mates. My hell day of all hell days with 3 crucial, do-or-die group reports culminated last Thursday. How did it all go? Let’s just say I’m just glad it’s over. I received positive feedbacks from all, so I’m happy.

Last Tuesday, I had my last COC7 meeting with the girls and the Candy editors at Icebergs, Galleria. It was a joy seeing my co-council mates, who have become my good friends during my entire experience. It was a bittersweet meeting that ended with a lot of cam-whoring and messages. I shall miss everything about being a part of Candy. Hopefully it won’t be the last.

Despite having to attend my Philo Final Orals (that I feel like I have screwed) the following day, I went to the Little Prince Concert with my friends. It was a benefit concert for our teacher, Mr. Abodilles, who is in dire need of a kidney transplant. It’s amazing how Augustinians can pull off a huge concert in a span of 2 weeks. Ang galing. Iba na talaga pag nasa kolehiyo.

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