Eureka?

Forgive me but I'm not really in my usual blogging mood today.

I would have sounded redundant if I talked about college, the fuss and fun of it, and my everyday traffic dilemma all over again. I think I'm going to talk about the more serious things in life. Don't worry, I'm not going to talk about the trash Philippine politics because everything on TV's about it and that's the constant conversational topic of my block. You can just go to Casaa Food Center and hear our informal debates and unconventional conversations (e.g. if time only exists in our minds or does it really exist, critiques of GMA and ABS-CBN's broadcasting, yada yada.) We're journalists, y know (at least promising ones), so let it pass.

What more can I say when almost everyone I know in the blogging world is having fun and getting the best tan in college? What else can I describe if everyone's describing the great times they're having? Yes, it's fun and yes, it's so full of adventure - something we've all been waiting for since summer started. And I'm so glad everyone's at it but lemme think of something different for now ...

How about this?
I've been thinking about something missing. I think there is and I think what's missing happens to be important. I cannot say that I feel complete here in college. Not that my high school girlfriends aren't with me and it's not that I forgot to wear my bra. It's something else, y know. I think, inside, there's a little voice whispering to me that I can do something; that being in college and studying shouldn't be all there is in our lives.

It's not enough to join orgs to meet friends, learn lessons, and have alcoholic binges once in while. It's not sufficient that we go home everyday and laugh with the family. I don't think it's enough even if we go to Church every Sunday and pray before we sleep. I believe that there's more we can do to life than that and we can start now ... but what is it?

Of course I know the answer, I just like to leave you wondering.

Descriptions

I have never loved a group people so much in such a short time ...
I love my blockmates. Nothing's ever as fun as being with them during lunchbreaks and when they're throwing their opinions toward each other and when we laugh like there's no tomorrow.

I love college. I didn't expect that I would enjoy every millisecond of it. It's just overwhelming: parties, Ikot rides, great concerts, bonding sessions, meeting new faces, informal debates, strolling around after classes, anticipating cameramen, and just talking about stuff and the issues of the country.

It's not everyday that you encounter such people who are big time valedictorians, school papers' editors-in-chief, published writers, practicing poets, and even those who have the talent of pingpong-ing their eyes ...

Knowing that there are people with me who are potentially going to be my permanent college friends comforts me in a lot of ways. I have different groups of friends, too, in every class and it's amusing to connect them with one another and it challenges me to keep them all up in pace.

Thank God I have my blockmates, my classmates, my girlfriends, and Lambert in U.P. They're the ones who are making every moment of it enjoying and worthwhile. Despite of the difficulties of academics in that institution, they are the ones who keep me running because there is a comfort that after a mind-boggling round of a Biology or a Creative Writing class, they're going to laugh and walk with me when the teacher calls the class adjourned.

P.S. Royce, my dude, you're welcome about that "C" thing that you keep thanking me for. I thank you, too, for sharing it back.

First Day Funk

It's weird, I know. The word funk actually means "a bad smell."

No, I'm not saying that the people I met on the first day of my stay in U.P. Diliman were smelly. They weren't, at all. The title's just the trend today. Everyone here knows the idea of "First Day Funk", right?

5:00 am - my mobile phone's alarm rang. I never really set an alarm on a school day but since this is a day of major changes, I thought I would start it by ringing myself to wake up. Three rides from my house to U.P.. A tricycle, an FX, then a UP-Katipunan jeep.

I arrived at the UP Theater where the freshman assembly was going to explode. An explosion - that's possibly the best way to describe it. There was the showing-off of talents of the world-famous UP performing organizations, speeches from top-ranking professors, and stewardess-like usherettes who guided the fresh-faced Iskolar ng Bayan students to their assigned seats with the rest the of the people from their certain colleges.

It was a well-planned event. There were cool freebies too (that's one of the best parts). There were the so-called "relief goods" for every freshie to enjoy, composed of a plastic bag full of different packs of junk foods and a cool booklet entitled FreshISKOlogy 101. The book explained everything from the UP vocabulary words to what kind of banyo every building has (e.g. Stud Farm - wala akong naririnig na chismis ukol sa mga CR dun. Pero sinisiguro namin na makatatanggap ang mga banyo dun ng rating na five (5) stars ... kung kabayo ka!). It's totally hilarious and creative. I salute the Freshman Orientation Program Committee (FOPC).

The award-winning UP Pep Squad taught the batch the cheering patterns and yells in preparation for the coming UAAP Season. Then everyone assembled according to blocks (sections) to hang out with the blockhandlers and blockmates. I cannot really explain how much fun I had.

The best part of the opening of the University to us is yet to come. Upcoming is the FREE freshman concert, mini-fair, and a lot of other happenings the freshies can enjoy. Parokya ni Edgar, the band, performed near the AS Hall too. Not to mention, all the peeps I've met are so comfortable and exciting to be with. I've never been with a group of people that I have so much in common and so much interesting at the same time. It's so overwhelming ... what else can I say?

Okay, I found something else to say:
More freebies, paintball competition, free movies in Cine Adarna (Closer and Balzac), and a wall climbing thing on the fair day! Yehey. First day in UP and I already love it with my life.

First Day FUNK? It actually didn't stink at all. ;)

Bridge-O-Phobia

We just made a significant contribution to the science of Summer-iology. Who would've thought that instead of just watching a film with your high school friends, hiking is a better, more exciting way to conclude the last unstressful days of the year? No one would've found out except us.

Finn, Mirei, Lambert and I went hiking to a secluded, unnoticed village in the middle of Taytay. It's the place where Finn and Mirei are going to serve for their community service requirements. It is populated by humble families who choose quiet lives away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. The village is lined up by the banks of a narrow, shallow river originating from a small waterfall. It was a thrilling site and we ventured to our small adventure.

We hiked up to the mountainous track. It was difficult because we were all wearing slippers and the path was quite muddy and rocky. It reminded me of our hiking trips during this year's camping to Daraitan. The course of our hike is as difficult as that of Daraitan's but I really think ours is more challenging but worthwhile. We had to cross a dilapidated bridges, walk through the narrow path full of mud and giganic rocks, and take extra care or else we would slip into the free-flowing river.

Whew! It was quite an exercise. I was sweating profusely when we reached our waterfall destination but I was nuts with pride about my little accomplishment. Even though Lambert's slippers snapped, Finn's flipflop fell into the water, and I nearly slipped and died, we all had tiring but unexplainable fun.

That is the BEST way to spend the last day of summer and I would definitely go through it again ... just not across the bridges. I have a bridge-o-phobia.

Note: I already enabled my comments below my posts. If you like to talk about or have an opinion about the current topic, just feel free to click.

- Wanna know what it's like to be UPified? Simple! Here's the clue: First Day Funk ... next post.

100 Things

Mike has done it and I'm going to do it because sometimes, I just so love talking about myself.
Here's 100 things you might not know about me:

1. I have hundreds of names that range from Mimi to Camille to Camelights (action!).
2. I wear glasses all the time and I have braces but I don't look geeky, at least that's what I think so.
3. I have ragged and unmanageable hair but I love it.
4. I love pampering myself - parlor, getting a pedi, and buying pink beauty stuff.
5. I admire people who cook well, those who write like a pro, and those who make people laugh without effort.
6. I'm more updated in international tennis than in basketball.
7. I'm usually low-maintenance. I'm not very insecure about anything.
8. Shopping with my sister, Kim, is a total rehab. I love it when I have bucks to spend on clothes.
9. I'm also brand-conscious but for now, I can just afford a handful.
10. I love dressing up. My wardrobe shouts different personas but I'm more in casual and preppy.
11. I don't like guys who wear baggy fashion. I mean, what's cool about shirts ten times your original size?
12. When it comes to music, I hate listening to R&B, metal, and hard rock. I'm into pop rock to punk to pop-country (e.g. The Corrs and LeAnn Rimes).
13. I just loathe the black slang lingo. It doesn't sound right.
14. My idea of a great time is a great movie, great snacks, great conversations, not much expenses, and having a good laugh at the same time.
15. I'm a loyal and proud of my faith.
16. I'm uncomfortable sharing my problems with most people. I intend to keep them between myself, my sister, or sometimes with my best friend, Finn.
17. I hate people who misbehave.
18. I love those who challenge me, especially teachers. I'm open to good risks and I learn from them.
19. I'm proud of what I've achieved so far but I'm not into voicing it out to the whole world.
20. I love being busy - it keeps me from being bored.
21. I'm interested in peering into peoples' lives. Gossips, gossips.
22. I hate blogs that are nonsensical and bloggers who just talk about their lives that you couldn't relate to.
23. I love buying books but I don't really have the patience to sit for long and read.
24. I think that the things most worthy of my money-squandering are books and good food.
25. I so want to learn how to drive.
26. I'm going to complete my lifetime by going to Rome, venice, and New York City.
27. I love being Filipino but I also credit my Italian lineage.
28. I totally believe that Filipino girls have more beauty to boot than white girls. All we need is makeovers and a fashion overhaul.
29. I don't really like spending my own money that much. I'm not a big spender but when I shop, I SHOP.
30. I love playing with and interviewing kids.
31. I'm looking forward to being a mother someday when I can already afford to have them.
32. I only have patience for simple, sensible blogs like this and this and many more.
31. My epitome of cool is Natalie Portman, not masked rockstars and piercings and tattoos.
32. I always cry when watching the Oprah but I don't cry over movies.
33. I hate people who complain all the time even when you're trying your best to please them. I hate those who need workshops on how to appreciate.
34. I'm a film critic. I amuse myself by criticizing films and contesting others' movie tastes.
35. I love a good argument even when I end up having my mouth shut.
36. I believe I'm talented but I only consider one thing as my talent. Ehem ... I'm good at finding solutions.
37. I type real fast. So when I'm chatting, I expect you to read as fast as you can or you'll be left out.
38. My ultimate dream is to be able to afford attending charitable functions instead of going to work.
39. I don't like being ordinary, average, and plain. If I could stand out, I'd take a leap for it.
40. I believe that someday, I can wrap the world around my little finger.
41. The movies that I think are most worth watching are classic films. The Hollywood era of Audrey Hepburn is just so surreal.
42. I'm an insane sleepyhead. I doze of a lot and when I do, nothing can stop me from sleeping.
43. I love learning but I don't like studying. See the difference?
44. I believe that my angel's name is Gabriel. It's something about being born on a Monday.
45. People think my "Mayday" theme is about me loving chaos but it's actually about me solving chaos.
46. I don't like Math and Science but arrogantly, I'm damn good in Math and Science.
47. I have lots of hidden talents - braggart!
48. My synonym of boys is friendship and nothing more than that.
49. I'm uncomfortable watching TV without the remote in my hand.
50. I'm avoiding using the word "nice" because everyone uses it when they can't find a word to describe something.

51. I can't tolerate forwarded and chain messages in text or e-mail. If you want me to keep it, personalize it.
52. I'm so vulnerable. Sympathy is such my weakness.
53. I don't lie when giving compliments so when I give you kudos, I mean it a lot.
54. I have a poor appetite. I'm actually underweight.
55. If I'm going out, it's gotta be for a good and sensible reason or else I'm not going out at all.
56. I only eat around 6 kinds of fruits. They don't include oranges.
57. I don't like eating too much veggies. They just don't taste good to me.
58. I always cry and shiver because of spiders.
59. I love talking. My idea of fun is having a long, funny, and sensible conversation.
60. I'm the type of girl who can go out and play basketball in the mud and then get prissy and spruce up afterwards.
61. I have a habit of checking out myself in every mirror and every tinted car that I pass by but I'm not narcissistic.
62. I enjoy being insane with my peers but I also enjoy being just in quiet moods with them.
63. I only feel satisfied when I just went shopping, have gone to Mass, or have seen three videos a day.
64. I don't feel comfortable typing, texting, and reading SMS or "text" language.
65. I don't like messages using "me" instead of "ako" or "aq" in Tagalog text messages.
66. I'm a half-connoisseur of perfumes and scents.
67. Call me uncool but I'm still going to be strongly against pre-marital sex.
68. I don't believe anyone's average. Every one just need to be kicked a great deal for them to believe in themselves.
69. I love reading about wars, especially World War II and the American Civil War.
70. I hate people who are close-minded in terms of religious, racist, and gender matters. They need awful clubbering.
71. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. I don't smoke. I don't condemn people who do, I just warn them not to.
72. I love daiquiris and champagne but they don't count because they're for formality uses only, not for becoming drunk afterwards.
73. I don't get bored easily. I always find something to warn boredom away.
74. The movies I enjoy the most are mystery films.
75. Call me geeky but I have a PhD in the arts of Star Wars.
76. Contrary to popular belief, I don't read books that much but I do read.
77. It's scary but I'm somehow good at manipulating and convincing people.
78. I'm so blessed.
79. I always pray and go to church when I free time in the afternoon.
80. I love Italian pasta, my Tita Peng's fetuccini recipe, and Mom's karekare and sinigang,
81. I don't eat bagoong, don't dip on vinegar, and don't use toyo.
82. I love warm, accomodating people who are always so refreshing and welcoming.
83. I have a weakness for my sisters' criticisms and praises. Sometimes, they're the only people I listen to.
84. I want to learn the piano - again.
85. I hate people who attack my interests, beliefs, and anything I'm loyal to.
86. Being Obsessvive-compulsive is my trait that's why I hate public places.
87. I enjoy spending time with the easy-to-read versions of Charles Dickens' novels.
88. I'm looking forward to meeting Anne Frank in the next life but I don't know how that being-Jewish-and-staying-in-Heaven-with-Jesus work.
89. I do believe that good, deserving, concerned, helpful people go to Heaven no matter what their faith is.
90. I fall for multi-talented and versatile people.
91. According to my coach, I'm a hustler in basketball but my eyes are jamming my skill from coming out whole.
92. I'm a competitive chess player.
93. I'm humiliated when in the center of attention but I love it when I stand out.
94. I have my own sense of sense.
95. We have over 300 DVDs, most are pirated, some are not. And I've seen four-fifths of them.
96. My motto is: Be not afraid.
97. I don't really value having a cellphone unlike most people. For me it's a pain in the ass.
98. Yay! Two numbers to go ...
99. I dream of being with people who share the drive of resolving the issues of the world like poverty and disease. And I think I'm about to meet them ... soon.
100. I can't believe I typed all the way here.