Groggy Days (rant)

Time management is my greatest nemesis. Poor and slow decisions are my foes. They are always there to make me miserable once a day. I always start the day with a late arrival in class. Every time I go to the publication office, instead of starting editing articles, I am blogging. Instead of studying my lessons, I am watching t.v. Instead of doing my projects, I think of other activities to do or go to sleep and procrastinate to the most intense level. 

Ending? I go home every night groggy. That is the time when I walk not like a normal human being but like a drunkard on the wide grazing area before reaching my abode. Bakit naman groogy? Sino ba naman ang hindi lalakad na parang lasing kung ang feeling mo about to sleep nah, kung ang imagination mo ay pinaghalong food at bed nah, but you still have that something inside, telling you to keep on walking until you will finally reach the step of your house's main door. At least, you could manage a knock. 

Time check: 11: 30 in the evening. Sinong matinong estudyante ba ang umuuwi sa kanila at that time? Tell me. Well, ako yun. Ako yung estudyanteng matino pa naman, kaso di nga lang umuuwi sa kanila hangga't hindi alas onse na ng gabi. And you might ask me why I go home at such time? That's simple to answer. I stay mainly in the publication office to blog, edit, and chat. I could have done it on a broad daylight, pero parang di ako sanay na di mag-procrastinate sa lahat ng bagay, almost. Aside from that, there are also procrastinations in between. 

So I think I have to remain that way until the time comes when someone pokes me very hard on the head and says, "You're dying, idiot. Take care of yourself if you don't want to die early."

Pinoy Ako, Ikaw?

Pinoy nga naman. Walang magawa sa life kundi mag blog tungkol sa pang-araw-araw na buhay n'ya at ng ibang Pinoy. 

(ang lame ng intro. may mai-sa-suggest ba kayong better nito? hehe)

Part 1: Walang maling tanong. Maling sagot lamang.

*Ma, anong oras na ba?

Late ka nah.

*Where na u?

Malapit na. Wait lang. 

*Magkano ba yang dress mo?

Mura lang 'to.

*Anong oras ba praktis mo?

Mamaya pa.

*Sasama ka ba sa SM?

Masakit tyan ko. 

*Kumain ka nah?

Busog pa 'ko.

Part 2: Pick-up Lines

*Kandila ka ba?

Bakit?

Dahil ikaw ang nagbibigay ilaw sa buhay ko.

*Tao ka ba?

Bakit?

Wala. Naninigurado lang. 

*Coke ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi hindi ka lang sakto sa puso ko. Ikaw pa ang happiness ko. 

*Popcorn ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi I can't watch movies without you.

*Lumiit ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi no'ng una nasa isip lang kita. Ngayon, nasa puso na. 

*Enrile ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi gusto ko happy ka. 

*Tall tower ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi Eiffel in love with you. 

*Multo ka ba? 

Bakit?

Kasi napapasigaw ako pag nakikita kita. 

*Ang happiness ay hindi nagsisimula sa letter 'h'.

Bakit?

Kasi nagsisimula ito sa letter 'u'.

*Camera ka ba?

Bakit?

Kasi tuwing nakikita kita, napapangiti ako. 

*Unan ka ba?

Bakit?

Amoy laway ka kasi. 

*Magnet ka ba? 
Bakit?
Kasi I am attracted to you. 


Part 3: English Version na Cheeziness

*If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together.

*Are you religious? Good, because I am the answer to your prayers.

*Was that an earthquake, or did you just rock my world?

*If you were a booger, I'd pick you first.

*Life without you would be like a broken pencil...pointless.

*Can I have directions?
To where?
To your heart.

*Do you have raisins? No? How about a date?

*Girl, you better have a license, 'coz you're driving me crazy.

*Hey, I did not know angels fly so low.

*Hey beautiful. Is that your name, right?

*Do you have a Bandaid? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.

source dito

Random Thoughts Part 19

If you want to forget someone, mean it. Dili kay mag send-send ka ug quotes dayun kung mu reply kiligon pud ka. Mura kag adik ana.

I was scrolling down my posts when I saw the title "Random Thoughts Part 19" with the boldfaced texts above written on the blank sheet, saved as draft. I remembered how my annoyed classmate read this to me after knowing that I still have a crush on my ex-crush (pagpasensyahan n'yo nah kung ako'y super childish. hanggang crush lang kasi alam ko sa buhay. hihi). 

Well, that was so three months ago, and now, I am absolutely fine. With another crush and with another smile to adore, I know I am living a normal life. haha. 

The thought that he invited me (this new crush) to this Ringhop Party thingy in their college made me more flattered than usual, although the way he asked me to attend the party was weirdly done, I should say. I will not spill it in this post yet. If you do not know what Ringhop Party is, well, it is for junior Maritime students wherein they've got to invite gals to attach this ringy something into their finger. (maybe that is for the preparation of their apprenticeship next year) haha. I don't know how to describe it well, but I hope you understood it.

More Randomness All in One Day

1. For the first time in several weeks, I was not late in my Political Science class, and I had the chance to take a glimpse of my crush's smile. (heaven)
2. I just found out how boring our Literature teacher was.
3. My class demonstration in Science Education was postponed, and so did my nervousness.
4. Well, my class demonstration in Geography was pushed through, and thank God I nailed it. I received good comments from my teacher and my classmates.
5. NORSU, my school, has sent athletes to the National SCUAA in Iloilo, and guess what? The SG President texted me and said that our school's representative for the Miss National SCUAA just got the crown. Imagine that? Out of the 15 contingents, she topped and excelled. I am absolutely sure that she will be crowned with laurels when she comes back from the competition. And to think that she is also an Education student. 
6. More things are queuing to be done, and I have so much to do with so little time. But because of that picture above from 9gag.com, I know there is no reason for me to give up.

Oh how time flies faster than ever. ^_^

Jesus is Real

A young man working in the army was constantly humiliated because he believed in God.

One day the captain wanted to humiliate him before the troops. He called the young man and said, "Young man come here. Take the key and go and park the jeep in front."

The young man replied, "I cannot drive!"

The captain said, "But then ask for assistance from your God. Show us that He exists!"

The young man took the key and walked to the vehicle. He then began to pray. 

Later, he started the engine and parked the jeepney PERFECTLY, as what the captain had wanted.

The young man came out of the jeep and saw them all crying. They all said together, "We want to serve your God!" 

The young soldier was astonished and asked what was going on.

The captain, crying, opened the hood of the jeep and showed the young man that the jeep had no engine. 

Then the boy said, "See? This is the God I serve, THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE, the God who gives life to those that does not exist.

You may think that there are still things that are impossible, but WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

courtesy of Facebook

11 Questions (again)

Salamat kay Jelai, I am once again caught in another web of questions. May I just ask sorry for breaking some rules on this one. Excited na kasi akong sumagot sa mga anwers n'ya and share them to you. hehe. 

1. Sarah G. or Angeline Quinto? I'd go for Sarah G. (hehe)

2. Naniniwala ka bang bakla si Piolo? haha. NO, I don't. I am not his fan, but something inside me just says he's not homo. :) 

3. Ano ang pinaka na enjoy mong ginawa nung high school ka pa? Haay. High School. The best thing was when we built a horror chamber on the Founders Week Celebration ng school namin and scared a lot of students. We also earned marami during that time, and many even asked for it to extend for another week. Kaso di na pwede kasi back to the regular classes nah eh. 

4. If only you can turn back time, ano ang gusto mong balikan? The day I made my parents upset. And since that happened many times, I want to go back to the past many times din. hehe

5. Five things na nakakapagsaya sa 'yo. 

a. the sight of new books to read

b. the sight of my crush

c. my makulit family

d. makapagturo ng maliliit na kiddos

e. pagkain

6. Life with Facebook or life without it. And why? Okay lang pag meron, okay lang din pag wala. hehe. I don't know how to answer this question. 

7. Pag naliligo ka anong bahagi ng katawan ang una mong binabasa? Wahahaha. Uhm, yung genitalia ko talaga una kong binabasa. hihi.

8. What is your wildest fantasy? To fly with the birds.

9. Sinong movie character ang nakakapagremind sa 'yo about yourself? Yung pagpinapanoon mo yung movie, nasasabi mo sa sarili mong, "hala, parang ako lang!" and why? haha. Ang haba ng tanong. Wala naman akong masagot. haha

10. Ano ang pinakaayaw mong tinatanong sa 'yo ng mga tao? "May boyfriend ka nah?" Sasagutin ko "Wala." Tapos they would say, "Weh! Di nga." Ah so kayo na lang maging ako. hahaha. 

11. Kung ibang tao ka, magkakagusto ka ba sa sarili mo? At bakit? I think I will. haha. Dahil pala smile ako kahit sa mga di ko gaanong kilala. haha. Para na nga akong baliw minsan, especially when I see my crush that day. 

Here are my questions for you. 

1. Do you believe in an afterlife? Why?
2. When was the last time you kissed your mother and father?
3. Most embarrassing moment?
4. How old were you when you first realized you had a crush on someone?
5. Bakit walang orange flamingos?
6. What is your life verse?
7. How did you discover about your favorite color?
8. What was the lowest point in your life?
9. What is your greatest wish in the world? 
10. Are you afraid of death, and why?
11. Who is JESUS?

Tag ko na kayo. Pasensya sa ma tag ulit. haha. 

Ate Leah

Jelai

Albert

Ryan

Jela

Myrna

Green Breaker

Noblesse Key

Kuya Rence

Cherry
Vic

11 Questions

Maraming days ago, nabasa ko ang post ni Ate Leah and saw that she tagged me in this 11 Question thingy viral char. Just today, I have also learned that Jhengpot did tag me, too. So I think it is high time for me to post this, too, and tag people. hehe. But before that, there are three things that you should remember and follow first.

• Post 11 random things about yourself.
• Answer the tagged questions.
• Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 

11 Random Things About Me

1. Orange is my favorite color, but I hate pink. 

2. I am the eldest in the family of four.

3. I am always late in my first class in the morning -- that's from Monday to Friday, straight. 

4. I have not ridden in an airplane yet.

5. I don't know how to swim.

6. My favorite movie is the "Count of Monte Cristo."

7. I defecate twice or thrice a week, and not everyday, which my mother and father finds abnormal. But it's so normal to me. haha.
8. I have not and will not, in my capacity, eat balut. 
9. When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a bus conductor. (haha)
10. Phineas and Ferb, and Chowder are my two cartoon favorites.
11. My greatest fear would be to wake up one day and realize that I have not married. That would be so sad.

Here are the 11 Questions from Ate Leah. 

1. What type of music do you like? 
I love to listen to gospel music. But there are also songs that belong to other genres na gusto ko. Uhm, pwede all of the above na lang?
2. What do you do when you get bored at school/work?
At school, I sit down, open my blogger account, and blog. If not, I get a book and read. If not, I doodle.
3. What's your favorite day of the week? 
Nothing in particular, but oftentimes, napapansin ko na maganda mood ko on Saturdays, and I can outbound my imagination during that day.
4. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
I am more of an optimist. But sometimes, when circumstances are tough and too big to handle, I resort to pessimism. Good thing I have friends to help me lift my spirits up.
5. Do you believe in extraterrestrial life?
No, no, never, never, uh, uh, uh. (it's a song, actually)
6. If you win an all-expense paid trip for two to a destination of your choice, where would you go and with whom?
I want to go to Europe, or Israel. Anywhere, pwede nah. With whom? hmmm. With my future husband or boyfriend. ayie. :D
7. If you have an awesome superpower, what would it be?
Telepathy.
8. If you are to win a million dollars, what will you do with the money?
If I am to win such amount of money, I would first give my family a new house, and then rebuild our church, then build a school, and maybe give some to the indigent. If there are still amount left, I would use it to travel the world, with my family, of course.
9. If a movie would be made based on your life, who would you choose to play you?
Call me ambitious but I want Taylor Swift to play as me. All this time, I have wished for her to have a movie, but still, there isn't, not even one. 
10. If you could travel through time, when and where would you wanna go?
I would go to all those times when I made my parents upset with me, when I saw them cry because of me, and when I witnessed them fight because of a mistake I did. Such heartaches I want to change, for I have caused them so much pain.
11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I would want to live in a palace. I don't know where I can find one in the world, but I know there has to be one palace, the tall and princessy palace.


And here are the 11 Questions from Jhengpot. 

1. Anong ibig sabihin ng pangalan mo? 
Rolyn Jane -- 'Ro' from my father Ronie and 'lyn' from my mother Evelyn. 'Jane', which means 'God's grace' was added to my name because when my mother gave birth to me, muntik na akong mamatay dahil ayaw ako tantanan ng umbilical cord ni mother dear. It was coiled around my neck. She is also afraid of the hospital kaya bahay kubo delivery lang. The Lord God still has a plan for me, and thru His grace, nabuhay ako at na-deliver ng normal.
2. Kung bibigyan kang pagkakataon pumili ng magiging presidente ng Pilipinas other than PNoy, sino ito at bakit?
Kung pwedeng buhayin ulit si Ramon Magsaysay, I'd go for him. He was the only president of the Philippines whom I heard is good and was loved by the mass. But his term was short-lived because of a plane accident, which I believe was premeditated. Pero may isa pa. Ferdinand Marcos. I like how he put the Philippines into Martial Law. Nadisiplina ang mga Pinoy that time. But of course there are exceptions. He was also tyrant, I should say.
3. Wagas experience mo about love? 
Talaga lang ha. hahaha. Wala akong love life. I'll definitely blog that day when I have finally found my true love. Ngayon, crush2x lang muna tayo teh. But speaking of wagas, JESUS' love is undaunted. Amen. ♥
4. Anong kulay ng puso mo ngayon, seryoso, bakit?
Red, I think. Or something of a crimson one, to a darker red. Dahil may dugo. Ewan. Mahina ako sa Biology.
5. Sa anong bagay mo maihahalintulad ang sarili mo at bakit?
Wala akong maisip. Blanko utak ko ngayon mare.
6. Sinong karass mo, maliban sakin (lol)?
haha. Karass ko si Matt Evans noon, tapos ngayon, si Coco Martin naman...eeeh ♥
7. Kung papalitan mo ang pangalan mo, ano ito at bakit?
I cannot honestly think of other beautiful names that would fit my personality rather than my name. I'd stick to my name. I like it. hehe.
8. Anong ginagawa mo pag malungkot ka?
I either scribble my heartaches into my diary or talk to God inside my room, with matching teary eyes.
9. Paanong gagawin mo pag nakita mo yung katapat mo sa jeep may nakalabas na kulangot sa ilong?
I would just look away and close my eyes. Pigil-pigil na ang tawa ko n'yan.
10. Gaano kasarap magmahal (wagas na wagas)? 
Bakit ba love-love to jheng? haha. Hmmm. Of course, that would be a very incredible thing. WIW. ♥♥♥
11. Ano ang gusto mong itanong sayo ng mga tao?
Kahit ano. Wag lang 'yong "Miss, pwede makahingi ng number mo?" or "Miss, pwede mahingi pangalan mo at FB account mo?"


So here are my 11 random questions for you to answer. I have chosen 11 people to be tagged, and I do hope they do the same, until the game goes viral. :)

1. Do you believe in an afterlife? Why?
2. When was the last time you kissed your mother and father?
3. Most embarrassing moment?
4. How old were you when you first realized you had a crush on someone?
5. Bakit walang orange flamingos?
6. What is your life verse?
7. How did you discover about your favorite color?
8. What was the lowest point in your life?
9. What is your greatest wish in the world? 
10. Are you afraid of death, and why?
11. Who is JESUS?


So here are the people I am tagging, and do tag other friends. Albert, Ile, Kuya Xan, Kuya Earl, and Jewel.   

Single Awareness Day

Oh my! This is awkward, but lemme do it for you out there. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY. Nothing to talk about romance for today. No kilig moments. It's not in my vocabulary. I am busy with other things. haha. 

I just posted this to make me feel alive online even on Heart's Day. tootles!

By the way, the Google doodle today is so simple yet cute.

And some reminders before I leave. 

Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. 1 Timothy 4:8

"Life is a journey into love, it seems to me, and there is nothing so beautiful as a godly soul. Physical exercise is good, no doubt, but there is something far, far better...

and it is LOVE."

Love does not necessarily mean romance. Indeed, love is the purest sense of reflection on God's character. 

Today is Single Awareness Day. A boyfriend or girlfriend is not required to celebrate this day. What's important is to be in love. eeeh!

Blessed is the man who found a girl that loves God more than him...

and...

blessed is the girl who found a man that waits for her and asks her from God.  

When two people love each other, they don't look at each other. They look in the same direction. -- Ginger Rogers

PEDICAB ka ba? 

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PEDICABang maka-date sa Valentines Day?

Notice to the public: Dating is not allowed during Valentines Day to pay some respect to those who are single.

P.E. Fail Day

"The P.E. Fun Day might have failed, but not the picture-taking part."

Physical Education Fun Day is part of the hidden curriculum of our university wherein all students having P.E. are required to attend and enjoy the games prepared by the faculty of the P.E. Department. Although I am already in my third year, but since I am a General Curriculum Elementary Education student, we were still required to attend the fun day. Our task? Take pictures of the event.

Well, it did not go as planned, a whole-day activity supposed to be. They said that the university president called for the cancellation of the activity because of the bad weather. For me, it was not a good-enough reason to postpone the fun day. My excitement turned to ashes of displeasure as the P.E. Department Head told everyone after the mass that they are free to take pictures and later, go home. Tsk. 

Although it was the worst fun day I have attended, we dropped by the house of one of my closest friends and ate our lunch there. 'Twas awesome!

An Advance Gift for the VDay!

I am never fond of reading long stories or posts online, really, because it makes my eyes all watery and blurred. But this story, entitled 'Marriage', had a different clout on me, which made me re-post it. The author is unknown, and the story is a typical one. However, it made me teary eyes and all, thanks to kuya Lester of Gateway to Adventure. I tell you guys, this is quiet long, but it would all be worth it. Enjoy! (and oh, a happy weekend to everyone, too.)

Marriage

“When I got home that night as ...my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? 

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her! 

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now. 

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again. 

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. 

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request. 

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. 

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office. 

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her. 

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. 

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. 

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. 

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. 

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore. 

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart. 

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband…. 

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage! 

A New Brain Game

Friday morning (that was last week) when a friend from the publication introduced me this new game. There were actually two of them so engrossed with something on the monitors of their respective PCs. For curiosity's sake, I watched them as they click on something. At first, I did not get what they were doing. But as soon as I sat on one of the PCs and signed up on the site they referred me to, I got hooked to it myself. Now, I am at an aim to lower my millisecond response in the Lost in Migration game. That's what I fancied the most. Lumosity has an Orange logo, too. hihi.

Check the site out, sign up, play games, increase your intelligence, and invite me as your friend. Let's play LUMOSITY! 

Thank You Spectrum

After meeting Bob Ong in person in Talisay City, and being flustered with the friends I met from other prestigious universities around the Philippines, I had a rather satisfying ride back home on the night of January 27, 2012. I was hesitant to say goodbye to my friends but I still have to attend another seminar the next day in Foundation University on The Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP). 

But on the boring afternoon of January 28, Saturday, when I was in one of the classrooms near the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall where we were accommodated, listening to one of my group mates sharing her life story, as what was instructed of us, Ryan texted me from Talisay. He told me that I won an award. Two actually. 

Let me share my happiness with you. Here are the two awards I got from Spectrum even if I was not there to receive them. Character in absencia. Thank you Spectrum!

These next photos are the awards we won  as a publication. 'Twas a fulfillment. 

Bang, Bang, Reckless Man!

From home to school, with a total of 28 kilometers apart and with almost an hour of travel, I still prefer to go home than board a house/room. But with every commute I make, there is nothing extraordinary about it -- just the humdrum flock of people trying to go home after a good day's work. 

Last night, however, was different, and I found what I was looking for -- an extraordinaire. After I ran an errand to our college, I scurried out of the office and into the busy thoroughfares of the city. I was aware of how late I was in my meeting with the rest of the officers of the Ambassadors For Christ at McDonald's. Regaining my composure after arrival, I gave them a smile and they smiled back while continuing what was discussed. Later, I found myself already seated inside the bus en route Bayawan. I was hungry, tired, and excited to see my bed. 

I stole some nap on the moving vehicle after uttering a short prayer of safety while the rest of the unlucky ones stood beside me, with tight grips on the steel rail. Twenty minutes later, the bus stopped for the nth time to drop a passenger. But before it could accelerate, a sudden screech, a loud thud, and a faint groan were heard almost simultaneously on the back portion of the bus. Everybody had their initial reactions and the once silent bus buzzed with murmurs. I, for one, thought that we had a flat tire. Dang! I was supposed to go home early. Then, a woman at the back screamed in terror. "Ginoo ko. Motor!" (Oh my God! Motorcycle [accident])

Most of the passengers rushed out and checked on what happened, together with the driver and the conductor of the bus. Though a journalist, I did not mind checking on the man outside, for I despise gores and groans. Some other commuters preferred to stay inside with me, and just peered through the window. I did the same. I saw one man at the tail of the bus, wrapped in his hooded black sweater, moving. He tried to get up but he can't. His balding head had a slash across its forehead and was filled with dripping blood, although there were no other wounds found around his face. He was still groaning in pain, and a group of local men started to fill the place. They just watched, but nobody tried to help him. Nobody. :(

Everybody started to suspect that the man was either drunk or missed his consciousness for a moment. The fact that the bus was on the right lane and that the tail light was well lit cannot make the motorcycle driver deny that it wasn't his fault. He was moved to another location, safe from passing vehicles and the curious mob. But he still wanted to get up.

this is the best picture my phone can get. please bear with it. :)

The remaining passengers, on the other hand, were forced to get off the bus and were advised to hail another ride since the bus cannot go without the consent of the local police. For thirty long minutes, the wounded man waited for aid, but no ambulance came, although one passenger said that she had already called for help. For thirty long minutes, the man moaned in pain. For thirty long minutes, the police car did not come to respond immediately. For thirty long minutes, we waited for another bus to take us home. For thirty long minutes, I yearned more and more to go home and be with my family. Thirty long minutes.



The sadder part of the story is that the driver has to be suspended for what happened. I had a talk with him and he said that it was part of their Preventive Procedure. Even if it was not his fault, he still has to temporarily quit his job, and can only go back to driving after the case is closed. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor man. I saw how gloomy he was with the situation, but he said, "Wala na tay mahimu ana. Nidasmag man s'ya." (We cannot do anything about it anymore.)

For drivers out there, either of motorcycles or cars, please be careful ALWAYS. Our bodies are made by GOD to praise His name, and not to bump it into some fancy yellow hard bus. It is still the best for motorcycle drivers to abide with the law and wear helmet, and for car drivers to buckle their seat belts. May this be a lesson to everyone.

May Bago Na Kaming TV (Yehey)

'Di ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang i-share 'to, pero I have to happily say na may bago na kaming TV. hihi. One week ago, nasira ang luma naming tibi. Ayaw na mag-on. Sinubukan ni father dear, the love of our lives (tawag namin sa tatay namin) na ipakumpuni ang cute naming tibi pero di na talaga umubra ang unique skills ng mama. Our old TV has found its end. Syempre, nalungkot kami kasi 'di kami makakapanood ng favorite channels and programs namin. Si tatay di na makakapanood ng tennis updates, si nanay di na makakapanood ng HYY. Kami namang mga bata, no more Phineas and Ferb, Ben Ten, The Amazing World of Gumball, Chowder, Fish Hooks, at City Hunter. Lungkot much. 

But it was not the end of everything. Mas nagustuhan ko pa 'yung moments namin with the old television off kasi wala kaming ibang magawa kundi mag-chikahan sa sala while my sister plays the organ. Magsisimulang kumanta si tatay, tapos tatawanan ni nanay. Minsan naman, nagtatawanan kami sa mga weird at korny jokes nina nanay at tatay, at nakikinig sa mga stories ng kanilang past lives, na definitely narinig na namin for a thousand times. haha. 

Just last night, though, narinig ko na parang may nag-iingles sa loob ng bahay. Akala ko nakumpuni ang lumang tibi namin. 'Di pala. Tatay has bought a new one. Wow naman. They just can't live without a television. Pero sige na nga lang. Another set of happiness has come kasi makakapanood na kami ng inaabangan naming movies "all February Saturday long" sa Disney. Yehey! Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, The Cat Returns, at Howl's Moving Castle. Watch out ang mga popcorns nitech. Isa pa, magsisiksikan na naman kaming lahat sa harap ng tibi at mag-aagawan ng remote with tatay and nanay and bunso. hahaha. 

Are You Normal?

She is often teased by her friends because her crush is not a human being (since birth). Her crush is an anime, ever since Slam Dunk invaded the televisions of every homes. After that, she had no other crushes anymore. She is sometimes asked why she is still single for 18 years already. She is also asked if she is a man-hater. She just shrugs her shoulders and smiles. She is laughed at when she cannot get a joke right or when she does not react according to how a conversation should get a response. She's not me. She's my friend, my close and dear friend. 

She might not be normal, according to her, but today was noteworthy. Today is different. Today is February the first, and today, she found out that she is normal after all. 

While sitting beside me inside the TN office...

Isra: Ros, feel nako normal na ko. [Ros, I think I am already normal.]

Me: Kay? (serious, seemingly disturbed by her statement) [Because...]

Isra: Naa na koy crush. *babyish laugh* [I have a crush already.]

Me: *pout lips* Ay, si Rukawa na pud na sah? haha. [Ay, that's Rukawa again.]

Isra: Dili uy. Tawo na jud s'ya. Tinuod na ni. [No. This time, it's a true human being.] 

Me: As in? (with an excited tone)

Isra: Oo. Naa na. [Yes, I have.]

Me: Kinsa? [Who?]

Isra: *hesitant but later on gave in* Katong classmate nato sa Pol Sci nga pution gani. Katong burag but-anon ug nawong. (laughs again) [Remember our classmate in Pol Sci? The fair one? The one whose face looked kind?]

Me: Ahh. Yeah, he's cute. Nice jud ka ug choice Xang ha. [Nice choice Xang.]

Isra: *laughs again*

Me: Okay. We'll call him Snow White from now on.

She just nodded. 

I am so happy for her because she has finally found her crush, human crush. I kept on telling her before to look for a cute boy around the campus, just for the sake of inspiration. She did not like the idea, and I respect her. Well, I have my own crush, and she was contented of taunting me with him. Now, already I have a very good reason to taunt her back. *kiddy laugh*