I've finally decided to start posting again here on blogspot, since I have all the summer to write and improve my weblog account here... Unfortunately, I can't start immediately... I still have to organize the things I'm gonna post here... Oh, they aren't much... Just a collection of stuff I've written over the last three months and over the weekend, while on the ship headed home... And oh, it needn't be said that this is gonna be my 'official' blog, for now... My Friendster Blog is goin' t'be inactive for quite some time... That's all...
Fin.

I am so not in the mood to do anything right now.
Tired and exhausted from the events of the past week, I just want to lie down in bed and sleep the day away. I didn't have a decent sleep (if you call past 3 am in the morning 'decent') for four straight days, starting Wednesday night because of the preparations for our dormitory's Open House. It was so frustrating to see only myself and a handful of other people working on our corridor design and preparing for the Open House last Saturday. But I'd rather not write about that. I'm too tired, even for that.
Sigh. I'm having some personal problems of my own, too. I just wanna take a break and try to sleep away these eyebags. So I guess this will be all for now. Sweet dreams for me.

Tick, tock, tick, tock...
The monotonous sound of the huge toy clock could barely be heard amidst the din inside the arcade, somewhere in the Araneta Center. I was with two of my closest friends in high school, showing around former schoolmates who had just come from a science fair in Ilocos. The three of of us stayed in a corner, talking and updating each other about our lives while the 'kids' went to play.
Through the conversation, I couldn't help but note how ironic the situation was. About the same time last year, I was having the time of my life here in Manila with these two guys and other friends - participating in science fairs, going out, and just goofing around. Just over a month later, high school life was over and we had to part ways.
Now, here we were. We're going to different schools, leading different lives. The way we look, dress and talk has changed. And sometimes, even though how I regard them hasn't changed at all, I can't help but note the changes in the personalities of the two people I was talking to. While some aspects have remained the same, overall they have changed, and maybe so have I too. Time has passed us by.
I really didn't notice then that our days in high school were already numbered. We were living it up and before we knew it, graduation was just around the corner. At first, it was a bit hard to accept the fact that our lives were going to change dramatically as we face college life. Friends we knew, routines we had gotten used to, memories made and memories that could no longer be made together - those were just among the many things we had to leave behind.
Now, it seems like it's happening all over again. My first year in the university is about to end, with less than two months to go. Our days as Basement Boys in the freshmen dorm are already numbered. Again, I'll be leaving so much behind.
I don't want to make the same mistake again. I guess I'll just have to do the things I have to do before all that I have right now- the people, the experiences, the moments - are taken away from me.
In the end, everything passes by. We are all passersby in the complex tangles of life and destiny.
Make the most out of every moment because these become the memories that will be ours to cherish for the rest of our lives. Learn from experience and let it enrich us as persons.
I'm really not in a position to talk like this. So I'll stop the talking - or the writing for that matter - and start preparing. After all, since I'm just passing by, I'll start creating something I can leave behind to mark my passage.

First, the bad news: the plan didn't materialize.
I wasn't able to go home and attend the RSHSs Congress.
But the good news is that our school garnered some major awards during the Congress. Li-an, the younger sister of my high school research groupmate, bagged the first prize in the Science Investigatory Project Competition in the Life Sciences Fair Division of the Congress. I was told that her reasearch was a continuation of our own project, though I don't know what the title is. To think that she's only a Junior student at that!
Another Senior also grabbed the second place in the Competition, although I'm not sure whether he competed in the same Fair Division as Li-an or if he competed in the Physical Sciences Category. But anyway, I hope they continue to keep up the good work.
But unfortunately, there's more of the bad news. Our exam in Math100 last Saturday was a killer.
Well, come to think of it, I wouldn't have had such a hard time during the exam if only I had thoroughly prepared for it. But no, I had to be complacent enough to watch a movie marathon the night before the exam! Imagine that!
Oops, I hope my mom or sister don't get to read this... They're gonna peel my hide if they find out...
And now, I'm dreadfully awaiting the results of my Math Exam. I hope I don't fail.
But since I resolved not to worry too much anymore (or am I overdoing it a bit?), I'll look on the bright side.
At least, I won't have any more exams to worry about for this week.

My mother texted me last night.
No, she wasn't inquiring about my health or my academics (as she usually does).
Instead, she texted me to tell me that our highschool research project was on display at the City Auditorium. Having garnered the first place in the Life Sciences Fair Division of the RSHSs Congress last year, it's now being exhibited as part of the ongoing 2nd National Science and Mathematics Congress for Regional Science High Schools.
My intial reaction was like, "Duh... okay mom, so what?"
I didn't tell her that, of course. (Knowing my mom, I would never even consider telling her that. You wouldn't too, if you knew my mom and you knew what's good for you.)
Instead, I sent her a reply, jokingly telling her to take a picture of our project display for posterity's sake.
But her reply caught my full attention. She told me our highschool research adviser was planning to invite us, the researchers, to this year's RSHSs Congress back home at Surigao to attend the Awarding Ceremonies. Mom said they were planning to contact our respective colleges/universities(my two highschool research groupmates are studying at Mapua and Ateneo), so that we could go to Surigao and attend the RSHSs Congress .
But it isn't final yet, and knowing how the DepEd works, the chances of the plan pushing through are slim.
Still, if only I could go home, even just for a while... The possibility, remote as it may seem, still intrigues me.
Honestly, I want to go home and maybe take a break for a while from all the hassles of university life. The past few weeks have been exhausting, with long exams, group projecst and dorm activities one after the other. Besides, I miss traveling and skipping classes, which I often did during high school. And at least mom and dad would have some company even just for a day or two.
I shouldn't get my hopes up too high, though. I can't afford to miss classes, be they excused or unexcused absences. Besides, the money involved and all the bureacratic processes at the DepEd are bound to discourage the Congress organizers from pushing through with the plan. And lastly, we really aren't that important so as to be given special privileges.
But my mom said she was going to keep me updated, though. And if ever the highly improbable possibilty does come true... watch out: Surigao, here I come!

As of now, I'm going nuts studying for our comprehensive long exam in Comm3 this monday. And it's one hell of a long exam; believe me.
The coverage is from cover to cover of our textbook. I can't even imagine what the test will be like. So many topics, from communication models to the steps in speech preparation... so many concepts and tiny details to pay attention to... argh, I tell you, this exam is going to test the limits of my sanity(especially tonight - I haven't even finished half of the text yet!).
I was so relieved when the deadline for our group project in English 1 was moved one week. It meant I would have more time for the Comm3 Exam. But even after I get over that dreadful exam, I still have another long exam in Math100 next Saturday. The exam coverage is also quite extensive.
And even after that Math Exam, there are group projects in English 1, Chem1 and Comm3 to attend to. I also need to start preparing for my extemporaneous speech in Comm3.
And as if all that grueling mental torture isn't enough, there are still dorm activities like the Open House Week and our own Basement GA Cup to worry about(groan...).
I'm really sorry if my blog is turning into some sort of online list of my personal worries and petty concerns . I guess I just don't have anything good to write about while I'm still in the middle of my Hell Week(s).
Do you think I worry too much? Or is it just because there are just so may things to worry about?
Look, I'm even worrying if I worry too much!
I guess that answers my question.

After another dreaded quiz in Chem1, a grueling first long exam in Soc Sci2, and a tricky long test in Sport Climbing just this morning, I can finally breathe a sigh of reief - at least for now, that is.
But it seems that all that I've been through so far is just a taste of what's to come. With the midterms approaching, long exam dates and priojects are filing up and clamoring for my attention. There's a scheduled departmental exam in Chem1 by the end of the month, another departmental long exam in Math 100 on February 4, group projects in Comm3, English 1, and yes, even Chem1, and the possibility of an un-announced test in English1 anytime. It looks like the next couple of weeks will be Hell Weeks for me.
But wait, there's more. Academics aren't all that I have to worry about(I guess I may be too much of a worrier, after all). For sure, by the second week of February the dorm and corridors will in the thick of preparations for the Open House Week. And after that, our corridor will be resuming the GA (Ground Acropolis) Cup sponsored by our committee. And before we know it, it's the end of the semester. Then we'll have the finals and it'll be Hell Week all over again.
Why does life here in UP have to be an endless cycle of Hell Weeks? Somebody please tell me the answer.

Oh no, the exams week is fast approaching.
Already, long exam schedules and special projects are popping up left and right. From Comm3, Soc Sci2, Chem1, to even PE, examination dates are lining up and the readings are also piling up at my table back at the dorm. And add to that my responsibilities at the dorm as our corridor's Sociocom head.
It's not that I'm complaining( although I admit I often do). It's just that I'm worried that my academics might suffer if I really pour in time and effort into the Socio-Cultural Committe. I mean, I've always been the type of person who shies away from responsibilities, not because I can't do them mind you, but because I believe other people could accomplish them better than I could. Besides, I believe I'm more of a follower rather than a leader-type of person. In short, I'm not leadership material.
Okay, I know you think I may just be lazy. But really, I don't like biting off more than I can chew, so to speak. That's why I'm not very open to taking up responsibilities.
For one thing, I'm already having a hard time as it is fulfilling my duties as a Christian, a son and a brother, a dorm resident, and especially as a student . Besides, I came all the way here to study, so my priorities should be my academics. But alas, it seems that no matter how hard I try, I just can't escape from (added) responsibilities.
Well, it all started when I got elected as the new Sociocom head due to a reorganization caused by some 'internal problems' within our committee. Now, barely less than a month as the new head(and that already includes the Christmas break), I'm starting to feel the weight of the new responsibility I've assumed.
You see, I have a lot to live up to since our committee was always active and had so many activities last semester. We already have some nice plans and goals, but achieving them is a different matter. Even if there's a project head for every program/activity, it's still my responsibility (argh, it's the ''r" word again..) to oversee and ensure that the goals are accomplished. And some people in our corridor are just too hard to please...
Honestly I never really wanted any of this. But due to some circumstances beyond my control, these responsibilities are now mine, whether I like it or nor. I guess I'll just have to accept them and pray for Divine Guidance.
Maybe I just worry too much. But if I do, it's 0nly because I don't want to fail the expectations of other people. Ah, if only life were so simple...
...duh, as if.

2005 is history.
Year 2006 has now arrived. And after all the post-Christmas revelry and the end of the long vacation, well, what do you know? The first week of 2006 is already coming to an end. And what a week it was(for me at least).
Last Sunday evening, I and my three older siblings left for Manila. I met up with some friends from high school and grade school on the ship as most of them were headed for Cebu. It was nice getting togehther with old friends, reliving the times spent together and catching up on our lives. The rest of the trip was uneventful and by early Tuesday morning, we had disembarked at the South Harbor and soon found ourselves on a taxi headed for Quezon City.
I arrived at the dorm at about 8 0'clock. After a shower and some rest, I was off to my Chem1 class, dreadfully expecting a long quiz. But as fate would have it, Ma'am Felipe didn't show up so we neither had class nor quiz. So far so good.
I had classes in Math100 and Soc Sci2 though. We finished our discussion on St. Augustine and Prof. Tigno dismissed us early. Later that night, things started to get busy.
By 7 pm, I was at the dorm's basketball area to help set up our booth, together with most of my region mates for the Pasalubong Festival the following day. It was then that the realization that I had no future in carpentry and construction struck me. But kidding aside, it took us hours to set up our booth from bamboo, nipa palm shingles and some rope. We finished at around 2 am and I still hadn't finished unpacking my things back at my room. But though it was tiring, it was fun and at least we already had a decent booth.
The following day, I met up with my partner in Comm3 at 8:30 am to finalize our plans for our activity on Thursday. After that at 10 am, I went to my Sprots Climbing class at Tandang Sora where I found out that our test had been moved but there were additional topics to be taught. Back at the dorm, it was back to helping out at our booth to put the finishing touches. We finished at about 2:30 and our boat-shaped booth was looking good. It was colorful and reflective of the influence of indigenous cultures in our region thanks to our wonderful designers, though it was a bit small. By that time I was already tired but I still had to look for the things I needed to facilitate our activity in my Comm3 class. At about 3:30, I was already at our booth to help set out the food. Unfortunately, it turned out that the Espasol from our province was already spoiled. It already had molds when we opened it. But at least we still had our Budbud.
The Pasalubong Fest was one big smorgasbord of delicacies and dishes, fruits and pastries, local wines and rums, and so much more. There were so many people and guests from outside, I wasn't able to go to all the regional booths. After a while, all the food started to taste the same to me. My tastebuds had gone numb. Maybe it was the lambanog? Or the hot Bicol Express? Or the overload of pastries, sweets and kakanin?
As for our region's booth, all the foods we prepared were readily consumed, except for the Jumping Shrimp. I guess people just didn't like the idea of eating fresh, raw shrimp that had to be dipped in a vinegar-based sauce. Actually, even I didn't like it that much. But the Sinuglaw(barbecued pork strips and fish kinilaw mixed together) and the Som (rum made from the Nipa Palm) were best-sellers. Even the Tuna Sinugba, Budbud and Salvarro had all been eaten up. That night too, we already had to dismantle our booth. I was way too tired already, my feet were aching but I had to help even just to at least return the tables I borrowed from our corridor. Then I had to prepare the diagrams and materials for our Comm3 class the following day.
Now it's already Thursday. After Comm3, Eng1, Math100 and lunch, I'm typing away here in an internet cafe. What a week it has been so far. But before the week ends there's one more thing it's got for me: my test in Chemistry tomorrow.
Well, I have got to go. And oh, Happy New Year.