Feeling Good

As the song would go:

It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me

And I'm feeling good

I do feel good about today. Aside from the mid-week break from school, the inauguration of the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines happened at noon today. President Benigno Aquino III delivered an awesome inaugural address/speech. I kept a copy of his speech's transcript just so I could tick off his promises as soon as he fulfills them in a span of six years.

No, I am not cynical about his capabilities. I think that I should keep his promises in mind so that I know what and how to contribute in fulfilling this as a Filipino citizen.

I guess it's a new daw, new day, new life, not just for me but for all the Filipino people inside and outside the country. We all should be feeling good.

Super S[Wet] Si[ck]steenth

As in super WET, because the rain didn't let up until we decided to order in; and as in super SICK because my brother got home from school with a high temperature in tow. Super sweet sixteenth indeed! /sarcasm

You know when a few planned things aren't carried out because of unforeseen circumstances? This isn't what today had been... because what happened today was that everything we planned weren't carried out at all! It poured really hard this afternoon and my brother was sick with fever. Can you really blame anyone? You can't force anything either.

The Plan: Thanksgiving mass, dinner with the family at some restaurant, go somewhere else for cake and other desserts, probably, and head home.

The Output: Stayed home, called up a pizza delivery service, woke up sick brother, took photos, sang Happy Birthday, no cake, no candle, watched TV during dinner.

Disaster? No, not at all. I loved how spontaneous everything was and we still had a great time.

Happy 16th birthday, Gabe! You may not hear me say it but I know that you know that I love you. Hihi. (I was gonna post a family photo but we all looked so eww cos no one bothered to look presentable; pambahay mode! So I deleted it. Haha.)

To My Lola

Today is my Lola Gloria's second death anniversary. The photo above was one of the last photos I've had with my Lola when we came home to Davao for Christmas, year 2007.

It was unfortunate that she had to pass right before my brother's 14th birthday. Everything that year (2008) had been a blur after her death. I grew up with my Lola living with us; all seventeen years of my life. It was hard enough to leave and let go when my family had to move to Manila (for everyone's convenience.) How difficult it was to have to go through not saying a proper goodbye to Lola before she passed was beyond words. A lot of things changed after that; things about me, about the family, and even my perspective. I can't say it was for the better or worse, just that her death entailed a lot of changes.

It has been two years now. I am astounded at how it seems like ages ago when the feelings inside my chest make it seem so recent. I know that my Lola is in a wonderful, happy, and peaceful place now. She had a life well lived, surrounded by love from her ever so loving husband, Lolo Pons; from her children, all eight of them; from her grandchildren; and great grandchildren.

An entry to pay tribute to her may never be enough for her loving kindness and light disposition in every aspect of life.

I miss you so much, Lola! Please continue to be with us and guide us always just like the way you did before. I love you!

Give and Take

You know how life turns out to be a shiz-hole for a time that it feels like eternity and you can no longer find reason to be utterly happy? That's how I've been for the past week. Or weeks? With the org responsibilities piling up and the midterms coming up, I have never felt so stressed in my life. Add to that, I found out recently that my favorite uncle has been diagnosed with lung cancer. What is stress, right? I finally found the Achilles' Heel of my dependence on Stresstabs. There can never be too much tabs when there is so much stress. What. Hahaha. K.

Today has been pretty much a give-and-take day.

It started out as me being all grumpy cos I didn't wake up early enough to review for my two quizzes scheduled for the day. Despite the cold shower, hearty breakfast, and running late, my eyelids wouldn't stop drooping! And my mind tells me that my body is too tired that it's numb and that I feel extremely exhausted. (LIFE TAKES!) Like I said, I've never felt so tired in my life. I concude such because I had to stop by 10-Q, a convenience store along Taft, to down 180ml of ionized energy drink so I could stay awake, if not focused. I can't possibly screw up either quizzes. True enough, I didn't feel like dozing off the whole morning! (LIFE GIVES!)

Feeling pretty much alive, I go up to the office and find that it's crowded with so many newly accepted trainees! I planned to review for my next quiz but it didn't happen. Too much people! Well, not that it's a bad thing; we did want to hoard on newbies this term. (LIFE TAKES! LIFE GIVES!)

I headed out to meet Joh and AJ during my lunch break. Joh told me over the weekend that she bought something for me because it reminded her of me. ADORABLE, YES? Mini magnets in the form of my favorite creature on earth!

Look! It's on our fridge door already! Heehee. Oh, and yeah, I had to include that photo of my Lola, brother, and I in the frame. Hee.

I found out that she sat in AJ's Art Appreciation class wherein they made pretty little collages. She probably had nothing to do and there were art materials available. Look what she made for me! This is why Joh makes a perfect girlfriend. Too bad I'm interested in a perfect boyfriend. Haha! But she's an awesome bestfriend, that's for sure.

Snapping back to reality, I took a flabbergasting 100-point exam. (LIFE TAKES.) I head to the office in time to prepare for the highly awaited GMG General Assembly and Newbie Orientation. We hoarded new trainees. I'm not sure if it's a good thing, though, but I hope it will be. I had my apprehensions but as soon as we started, everything flowed as if they have been determined to happen in such way. (LIFE GIVES!)

We were... CROWDED. I'm not sure but I think all there were more than 50 of us crammed in a 45 seating capacity class room. Hahaha.

I forgot the title. Red Rover? Haha. Mimi's game.

Sir Brad giving a pep talk to the Green Media Group.

LIFE GIVES. Life gives a lot. When things turn bland from mundaneness, bitter from stress, and sour from ugly experiences, life gives. I waited and endured patiently, and alas! It all ends sweet after all.

The Source

Moms are the ilaw ng tahanan as their role is to brighten up and gather every member of the family into a consensus. Dads are the haligi ng tahanan, a pillar of strength for everyone. I know of a man who isn't just a source of strength to his family but the source of all.

My dad is the youngest of a brood of seven. His family wasn't well off. He got through college as a working student. He started earning at 18 years old. He has been providing for my mom, me, and my brother for 20 years now; that's a rough estimate. For me and my brother, he is more than a provider of necessities and whatnot.

Daddy is the source of fun and laughter.
Daddy is the source of inspiration, motivation, discipline, and perseverance.
Daddy is the source of intelligent conversations, wise words, and food for thought.

No, really. He is. I just couldn't find a photo that's not too funny. Hihi. He may appear like he's more of a comical one, and he is. He just happens to be too awesome for serious-looking photos that I would like to keep. Heehee.

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY, DADDY! You're the wisest, funniest, and most awesome dad there could ever be! I love you!

Back to Back

I can't say that I've thanked God enough that today is a Friday. This has been the busiest (meetings-wise) Friday I had yet! My meetings were scheduled by the hour, and believe it or not, I had a meeting scheduled almost every hour as well. Good thing I could delegate a couple of them to my co-officers. *WHEW*

I had been in school from 9AM until 5:30PM. Work hours, yeah. And indeed, I had been working. I was not a student today. Hahaha. So yeah, back to back meetings.

Having said that, obviously, I was out of cable TV coverage. I practically missed the finals game of age-old rivals Lakers and Celtics. I have anticipated this, which was why I wore my Los Angeles Lakers shirt proud today! While I was in the office, I tuned in to NBA.com for live score updates. I am such a boy sometimes.
In more important news...
The Los Angeles Lakers won Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against an old rival today. With the series tied at 3-3, the Boston Celtics were leading by a heap for most of the game. The latter part was an awesome feat for the Lakers as they emerge as champions once again with 79-83 at the end of the fourth quarter.

2009 champions, 2010 champions. Talk about back to back, huh?

Too happy? Yeah, I guess. Poor Linus, though. Hee.

Handog Musica

I have never gone to a piano concert (or the like) before without it having to be required for school. When my good friend Rap invited me, my kumareng Sem, and even my folks to this event, I said yes without an inkling of hesitation. Turns out, the pianist, Dr. Rey P. Roa, is Rap's uncle. We didn't just have a great time, we also got to meet, greet, and congratulate him for an outstanding performance.
Handog Musica is presented by the Yamaha School of Music Philippines, Inc. in cooperation with Black&White Asia Inc. The concert featured Dr. Rey P. Roa, achieved pianist and artistic director; June Ong-Roa, violin and soprano; with guest artist Nick Bautista, baritone. I was surprised to see a colleague from the Cultural Arts Office, Roberto Cruz Brilliante or simply Bob to us from CAO, flutist.
My favorites of the night: Habanera from Carmen (G. Bizet), Se (E. Morricone), Two Guitars (Russian Gypsy Folk Song), Ave Maria (Vladimir Vavilov arranged by R.P. Roa), Denk An Mich from Das Phantom der Oper (A.L. Weber).

The purpose and ultimate reason for all music is to glorify the Lord and to refresh one's spirit... - Johann Sebastian Bach

Indeed, the experience had been one that has refreshed my spirit. After everything that has happened today, I deemed it necessary to unwind. That Caramel Macchiato wasn't enough, I knew it.

Bravo, bravo!

001 to 100: DLSU Centennial Countdown Celebration

SKIP THIS PART. Not important. Proceed to photos. Thanks. Haha.

I had a humongous role and an extremely easy task. What could have gone wrong? Unfortunate circumstances, that's what. The effect of that mishap wasn't a major disaster, I think. But of course, having done productions for quite a time now, I knew that it wasn't excusable. Once the production/show/event has started, there never can be room for mistakes. Enough vagueness, it isn't helping.

Overall, the program was a success. It wasn't an ordinary program; it marked the day that De La Salle University counts down to the University's 100th year. I'm very drained. This entry is ugly; it falsifies my knowledge and competence in the field of writing. I don't normally write this way. La la la.

After the countdown, I was literally a walking zombie. So here are photos:

A photo from last night during the one and only technical run that the entire production had.
*HINT* My simple task with an enormous role: Babysit and guide our La Salle Greenhills representatives, Kevin and Roniel. Photo taken from inside the sacristi of the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
While the show had been running smoothly since the flash mob dance, Stage Manager, Sir Brad, takes a breather and sits with the Lasallian Youth Orchestra. Congrats, Sir!
Countdown done! Time to party! (Look at all that confetti. I've never seen so much in my entire life!)

© Meryl Algenio 2010

WE ARE ROCK SOLID. I love you, EB loves. ♥ All drained but all smiles, still. (I just noticed how forced my smile is. Eckh. Haha.)

© Andrew Pamorada 2010

We are the Green Media Group. We make things happen.

Time Flies

Who would have thought that time would fly so fast? Everyone has, apparently, as the statement is such a cliche. As mundane as it may sound, I'm amazed at how, exactly three years ago, I knew very little (to almost nothing) about the organization that I lead today.

AJ, my partner-in-all-GMG-related-crimes and Executive Vice President, cleaned out the officers' inboxes last week to make way for new files for the new set of Executive Board and Pool Heads. He found a letter addressed to me in one of the inboxes (the VP-Human Resource, Training, and Logistics's, most probably.) Much to my surprise, to have been thinking that GMG didn't give out letters of acceptance/non-acceptance during my time, it was indeed my letter of the result of my application into the Coverage Pool of the said organization; my acceptance letter.

I was looking for old academic readings this morning when I found the recently torn envelope containing a letter of good news dated exactly three years ago: June 15, 2007.

Yesterday, I had been complaining about a lot of things. One of those was the responsibility I held with GMG. I feel a bit guilty now because I wouldn't have realized how lucky and great I should have felt if not for this letter popping out of nowhere. It must have been a sign; a sign that should constantly remind me that whatever I get into, I wanted it; whatever happens, I am primarily (if not solely) liable; and whatever negative vibes I feel, there's always a positive end-result lingering nearby.

Sold!

I feel like I sold my soul to the devil.

And for what, experience? Credentials? Training?

It doesn't matter why or for what because I am here now, wallowing in what I call a consistent stream of responsibility. I'm not complaining because I can't do it. I'm not complaining because I don't want to either. I like responsibility. It keeps me busy. I like being busy because I hate being idle. Otherwise, I could live being idle all my life and I wouldn't care if I went nowhere.

Here's the thing. I am ambitious. Admitedly, I am OC when it comes to things that I think will interfere with my usual routines; or with things that require a lot of patience, because it tests me until I'm ready to break away; or the things that I lack knowledge and interest in.

I have not an inkling of doubt that I have an attention span worse than a baby gnat's. Once my eyes gloss and glaze in the middle of a conversation or an activity, boom! Sorry, I'm out. Zoned out.

Anyway, enough segue.

I think I just needed to let this all out. I'm not sick of my responsibilities, don't get me wrong. Like I said, I like having responsibilities. Sometimes it just gets too heave for my arched back and my neck can't take the pain. Oh, but one thing that I love, though, are words. Thank God for words because they lift me up when I feel like everything has buried me deep into my stresses, insecurities, and doubts.

In a very strange way, I think that words buy me back from the devil. Piece by piece.

Cheap Thrills

After almost a week of not updating this blog, I decided to write about how I've been so into playing games lately. One of my best friends, Kay, and I are the two most kids-at-heart among our group of friends, and we agreed that we do play too much sometimes. Roll call of games, yeah? On Facebook: Hotel City, Baking Life, Nightclub City, My Town; elsewhere: The Sims 2, Mall-O-Palooza, HP Games (that came with my laptop), and uh... That's it. Haha.

So anyway, my primary objective (which is what was aforesaid) was steered when I saw the Template Designer here on Blogger! Oh, how I am delighted! From a boring old template of light grays, a slab of burgundy for a banner, and a tinge of oranges and pinks here and there, to this really simple, ergonomic (really? Haha), yet colorful page!
I bonk myself on the head *virtually* a hundred times for not print-screen-ing my old template (just for comparison) before I got click-happy with the very convenient Template Desginer. :(

Either way, I'm really delighted. I had a really tough week in school, so I was really looking forward to this weekend... Of more games, movies, running, family bonding, dining out, and just chilling, maybe? Ack, life's cheap thrills! I feel the awesomeness already! :)

Revelations

Half of my day was wasted on oversleeping just like any other weekend morning; what's new? I drag myself to school because of org responsibilities; what's new?

What is new, really?

I talked to a friend this afternoon and I found out something. Well, a lot of things. But that one thing got my eyebrows raised involuntarily. I'm glad that he told me. I'm touched as well, because amidst all the shiz that's been happening to me lately, it flatters me that I am one that can be trusted. I was told that out of all the (very few) people who came to mind, I was the one he could trust. And I'd have to say, he didn't make the wrong choice. I'm glad I got to talk to him; it was more like I'm glad he talked to me about it.

I found out that someone has been hating on me and a few others who are dear to me. Just because you don't like who you're working with doesn't mean you have the license to make their workload feel like hell. It's bad enough that you don't cooperate, it's worse that you don't make an effort at all. The worst part is, you do it on purpose because of a really shallow reason. I hate how you put on a mask of a damn smile whenever I see you because I know that behind that mask is a scowl so bad I wanna rip your face off. (Haha, too graphic.) No, really, don't make it look like I don't know shiz cos I do. I'm not stupid and you know it. Unless you make more wrong decisions and make a fool of yourself in the long run, let's see who surfaces as stupid.

Another person has been talking shiz behind my back (huh?) and I'm not even surprised. Not that I'm someone famous or interesting or whatever that people talk about. That's exactly why I'm irked and unresponsive at the same time. I am a nobody! I am a nobody except in one aspect: the organization. I am not one who abuses power when I have it, but I do know how to make power work. You've served in your own time and now I do things the way I believe would be for the better. Don't go thinking that I decide just because I want it my way. Do think that I have a band of minds working with me (of which the second person of this entry is not a part of, in any way) and we have thought about processes long and hard before we implement them. So don't go sticking your nose in someone else's shiz cos I guarantee you that if you don't stop, it will get dirty.

I've always said that hate is such a big word and it deserves to be associated with nothing else but crap. So pardon the next statement: I hate this entry. There's just so much hate. Like, try 2 of 3 topics? Haha. I might delete this entry when the time comes that I can't take the crappiness of this any longer. But for now, I'm glad that I word-vomited because I feel a lot better. :)

On Responsibility

Recruitment week for interested student applicants of the Cultural Arts Office's performing and student support groups officially ended today. Interview sessions for each pool started today with Green Media Group.

It's only the first week, the first (supposedly) no-class Friday, and I spent it in school. And guess what, my first Saturday of the term will be spent in school as well. I didn't have much time for anything else but classes, extra-curricular work, and more responsibilities for the organization.

The old me would have given up already. But I'd like to think I'm a different person now. I took this responsibility to be the leader of the group, and so I should stay committed. It is only fair that I do, especially that in such way, I can prove (more to myself than to anyone else, really) that I actually give a shiz about what I do.

To get things done, all it takes is effort. To keep going sans the sanity, dig deep and resurrect the passion. In all, passion fuels the human soul. (Even when the soul desires otherwise.)