I guess the new layout has to wait. I’ve been indulging lately that I barely had any time to sit in front of the computer for a day straight. I’ll try to whip something up when I get back, with hopefully lots of stories and adventures to tell. (I’m really not in a blogging mood, so pictures will have to do…)

Last Friday, I officially ended my BlueREP CORE duties and celebrated a successful year for BlueREP and the incoming core as well. I tried not to be sad and all because I’m pretty sure I’m still going to be active (maybe even more so!) next school year and will still help out with the new core. There are no words to describe how proud I am that my dear blockmate and friend, Emjo is now the new Company Manager for BlueREP. I am very excited for the organization next year. :)

It was really nice seeing a lot of old and new members, our talented alumni, and our blueREP friends come together to celebrate with us. There’s a part of me that is saddened by the thought that I haven’t performed in a long time. That will have to change soon.

Yesterday, on the other hand was spent with some of my PolSci blockmates. We went to Serendra to celebrate the end of our Junior year and the fact that we’re finally Seniors! After Serendra, they all headed to my house where we ended up playing guitar hero and Magic Sing. After everything that we’ve been through this sem, I just have to say that I love PolSci people. :)

haha. I’m sorry that this just sounded like such a lame entry, but I still need to do some last minute packing! Will try to blog as soon as I can.

Ciao. :)

I reckon I should probably be studying the assigned readings for the week by this time. But Sunday mornings are usually devoted to blogging, so I shall put studying in hiatus for awhile. A blow-by-blow account of the most academically intense week yet for this second semester could make up for neglecting my blog. However, I really feel quite all over the place, and cohesive thoughts are just not possible right now. Then again, I shall try.

Supposedly, midterms week is over. I had my Theo orals with Fr. Dacanay last Monday, my POS131 (International Political Economy) midterms last Tuesday and my Philo Orals last Thursday. I was fortunate enough to have gotten the schedules I wanted. The weekend before Monday was non-stop nerd mode for Theo, and I guess the fact that I got a decent grade meant that it worked. My IPE test was not as difficult as I expected it to be, and I’m sure I did okay. And as much as I do enjoy studying Ferriols for Philo, preparing for 6 headache-inducing thesis statements is quite tedious. It’s safe to say that studying for all my tests truly burned me out. You guys could just imagine the joy and bliss after my Philo orals. I wanted to hug people!

Even if I think I did pretty well for all my midterms, I think I may have compromised my POS194 (Comparative Politics) subject by cutting both classes last week. If it weren’t for Philo and POS131, I really wouldn’t have cut at all. And I don’t like the feeling of not being able to be present for discussion because that specific POS class is better appreciated once everything is explained. It’s a shame I wasn’t there. That probably explains why I don’t feel like studying the next reading. I gotta do something about that…

To celebrate the past hell week, my blockmates and I indulged in Wii, Guitar Hero and Sweeney Todd after our Polsci Practicum...

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Words would fall short to describe the overwhelming experience of the last week before the Christmas break and the warm and fuzzy atmosphere that the holidays bring.

I meant to update this thing, but the last week was just incredibly hectic and distracting. Finishing the remaining school work, while finding time to celebrate with friends and family allowed me very little time to rest. So every free time I had (although very, very minimal) was devoted to sleeping in.

But all is well now. I find myself well-rested from the past the past few days of joy, merriment and perhaps quite a few emotional rollercoasters for me and my friends. To celebrate the last day before our anticipated holiday break last Friday, a few of my blockmates and I headed off to our place in Taytay for some much needed unwinding and bonding. It turned out to be all that and more.

The second semester allowed me so much more time to hang out and get to know some of my blockmates. This has become such an exciting and even humbling experience. I say this because I finally had the chance to see them in a different light that leaves me even more fascinated not just with them but with people in general. It’s also very interesting that I’m suddenly one of the guys practically every school day. I’m not complaining. They’re so much fun. I feel like I’ve suddenly gained a wonderful set of smart, funny and interesting brothers that never fails to make me laugh everyday.

From ranting about our majors and professors to soundtrip-influenced, inebriation-induced, emo-sessions somewhere in Katipunan, our friend’s condo or at our favorite place in caf-up, each day feels like an adventure. That’s why an overnight party with them is a guaranteed great time. Apparently, for me, it turned out to be so much more. At the end of the...

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Sunday mornings are usually devoted to a bit of contemplation and reflection about the passing week. That has always been some kind of a ritual, allowing me some kind of comfort and refuge to handle the week ahead.

The past three weeks have been academically trying. Late-nights with around less than 4 hours of sleep every day are all very normal. And the December weather together with my long, long breaks only add up to more moments left for added contemplation, reflection and maybe come academic condemnation.

I wonder what’s in the December air that everyone seems to be succumbing to their emo-ridden selves. Lately, I’ve been hanging out with my blockmates and we usually end up discussing life’s trivial questions – what ifs, what nots, the all-too complicated matters of the heart (thank you Scott Peck). I really don’t mind. In a way, there is a sense of relief, thrill, and comfort derived from appeasing my blockmates’ feelings. I also get that chance to know some of them better and that becomes an exciting process. I also find myself victimizing them with Anberlin’s Inevitable. Thank you, bff. It is all very amusing to see how that song never fails to hit them.

The anticipation of the nearing holidays is all too fleeting. Although it stirs up much warmth and glee, the workload left for us till the very end is overwhelming. I guess I’m just going to try and enjoy every bit of it. Yesterday, my family and I went to the World Bazaar at the World Trade Center, which meant I got to come home with bags of new stuff for Christmas. Later on, we headed to SM Mall of Asia to meet up with my mom’s college friends and dormmates. While having dinner, I couldn’t help but be delighted at seeing all of them happily go down memory lane. I wonder how that would be like with my blockmates. We’re all hopefully lawyers, diplomats, politicians,...

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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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