Juxtaposing Technology with Reality

Lifting weights is the best way to tone my mouth for barking, eating and gnawing



Curly thinks it's a yummy exercise dumbell



Here's Therese, my niece who knows how to channel her creativity through her hands.



Kids at play



A secret society formed under a "nipa" hut



She's camera shy



Mt. Makiling: from an electronic painter's perspective



A black and white view of Mt. Makiling

I "read" this from some weirdo's computer

In the process of moving on with your life, there will be times that you feel like as if you don’t want to let go of the person or the thing that you are moving on from. In the fantasy world, you’re still with it. You act like as if nothing has change. You act like as if that person or thing didn’t break away from you. But in reality, they’re just gone from you. In short, that person or that thing is simply not in your possession anymore.

In life, when we get too attached to a certain being, we get too possessive and/or obsessive. When the being is with us, it’s like we want to be with them all the time. A common example is a girl/boy relationship. One person gives all the love in their mind and body to the other person and doesn’t leave anything behind for himself or herself, while the other, well, let’s just say he or she does give love but not to the point that they lose their identity just for their behalf. When misfortune happens, the former experiences challenges in moving on with their life than the latter.

In this world that we live in, chances are way over its head in giving us humans either good or bad experiences. Sometimes, chance is on a person’s side, it makes the whole moving on process easy and foolproof. On the other hand, chances tend to play with a person’s head and heart at the same time. It gives a person a hard time deciding whether or not he or she should carry on with another person without thinking that he/she is only on the rebound.

There’s a saying that to be able to move on from the past, you have to take a chance with the future that’s waiting in front of you.

But how do you know if you’re truly sincere in wanting what the future holds for you?

Listen to: Dare You To Move by Switchfoot (I know it's old, but it brings out a great feeling, whenever I listen to it.)

Foods that make my mouth salivate (Warning: a very long post that may or may not make you salivate too.)

Yesterday, as I was waiting for the bus to arrive, my mouth suddenly went upside down and at the same time my stomach began to churn and grumble, when I heard these two people talking about their favorite Chinese food. Yes, I can get exaggerated when food is talked about

I absolutely love Chinese food. It's actually one of my favorite cuisines. Everytime my family gets together and goes on a Chinese food trip, I'm always there. If there's someone celebrating his or her birthday at a Chinese resto, I'm always there.


Chinese cuisine
My favorite Chinese restaurant here in Sea-Town is Fushen located around North City way near Lake Forest Park. They serve authentic and delicious Chinese food, they have a restaurant ambience that I would like to describe as being "plain and simple" and your clothes won't smell like stir-fry or fish fry once you exit your way out of it. No other Chinese restaurants compare to Fushen, seriously, whenever I eat at other Chinese joints, I always end up saying that Fushen is still the best Chinese restaurant there is.

Here's my "all-time" favorites in the Fushen menu:

1. Steamed Sea Bass - The fish and the sauce that comes with it is absolutely to die for. I honestly don't know what ingredients it consists, but who cares about ingredients right?? As long as it makes my stomach and my mouth happy, then I'm happy with whatever is in it.

2. Lobster in Oyster Sauce - Another yummy treat in the menu, it's quite expensive though since the weight of the lobster is taken to account in the pricing, but I tell you, it's worth your $$.

Talking about Chinese food makes me want to talk about my other favorite cuisines, read on if your bored:

Japanese -

Sushi, sashimi, and tempura are the main Japanese food that I love. I don't know, I guess my stomach yearns for raw food and cook food all at the same time. It's a good thing that I haven't had any traumatizing experience after dining out of a Japanese restaurant.


sushi

sashimi

tempura
The Japanese restaurant that I always tend to go to is Susumu: Japanese Steakhouse. I always go there with my sister, since we both love how the sushi tastes there and we both think that it's the best sushi place in town even though we haven't really gone to any other sushi places.

The restaurant is divided into two parts: one part is big enough for big parties to dine in with sushi and teppanyaki as their main course and they can also watch a Teppanyaki chef work his magic with the ordered food on a big hot iron plate. You can find the sushi bar and the bar in the smaller part of the restaurant where small parties can enjoy sushi orders and small portions of the menu.

Here are my favorites in the Susumu menu:

1. Cajun roll - consists of salmon, scallops, hot chili oil, mayo and shrimp. This roll is for the spicy fanatics out there.

2. Sashimi deluxe - consists of a variety of sliced raw fishes such as tuna, salmon, bass, octopus, and the others I can't remember.

3. Tempura Dinner - if you love Tempura, then this is the menu item for you.

Visit the Susumu website to see pictures of the Teppanyaki and Sushi chef at work and also to see what's on there menu.

Italian -

I have a strong penchant for pasta marinara for my red sauce and carbonara and white clam for my white sauce.


By far, the Italian restaurant that I enjoyed dining in is Joe's, located in Agapita, Los Banos, Laguna (in front of the National High School)in PI. The restaurant certainly has an Italian feel to it, because once you enter, you would hear Italian music playing in the background and you will see lots of pictures and memorabilia of Italy in it. In addition, foods that are originated in Italy are also displayed.

The restaurant serves their food fresh that's why it tastes so delicious and they have yummy appetizers too, just try the spicy calamari. They also serve pastries and bread.

The only drawback to this restaurant is that it takes time for them to serve your ordered meal since they cook their food fresh. My suggestion to you is that don't go in this restaurant with an empty stomach or else by the time you get your food, your hunger has already passed.

Next time your in Los Banos, try to ordering this in the resto's menu:

1. Cheesy Bacon Linguine - cheesy and creamy and yummy

2. Spicy Calamari - squid is good, the sauce is better.

RIBS AND STEAK -

Ever since I was a kid, I always loved to eat meat. Baby back ribs and marinated T-bone steak are my likes. The only drawback to this kind of food is that you feel awful whenever you see people promoting vegetarianism on TV or in magazines or even in the cyber world because they show (and tell) you how cows and pigs and goats and chickens are put to death (i think that's their mode of convincing you to be a vegetarian instead of a meat person).

Filipino -

I'm writing about this last because it's genre of food that is closest to my heart (dramatic, I know.)

My FIip menu -

1. ISAW and PROVEN (flour covered chicken) - I first learned eating isaw through my friends, they practically forced me to eat pig/chicken intestines. har har har.. but I gotta say after my first try, I came back wanting more of it. (GROSS, I know, but some people say it's good for you, others say it's bad if you eat it from the streets, either way I don't really care, as long as it is cook and I don't see it RAW, I'm good with it. )

2. Sinigang (sour broth) na fish/baboy/manok/beef - I love sour food. 'Nuff said.



3. Chicken soup with noodles or SOPAS - good for the rainy season or if your sick.



4. Bulalo (meat soup with bones that have edible bone marrow in it) - YES, I have a strong liking for animal internal organs. But admit it, you also make the "bone marrow" as ulam too!



5. Tinolang manok (chicken soup) - I love chicken. 'NUFF SAID.

Next time I'm gonna talk about my favorite desserts.. CIAO!

A successful surprise PARTAAYY for Mummy

My sister and I held a surprise birthday party for my mom last September 26. I know it's kinda late for me to be even talking about it, but I have a good reason why though, I now have in my possession the set of pictures taken on the fateful day my mom was duped. But first, you have to endure my narrative commentary.

According to my sister, Leah, she has been planning this party since July. I myself had no clue that we were gonna have this party since, as you all know, I was in the PI enjoying my "summer" vacation. I was only informed about it when my other sister, Lee, told me that Ate Leah filled her in about what was gonna happen in a phone conversation. So, during the my time in the PI, Ate Leah filled me and Ate Lee in about what the theme was, which is Hawaiian, that she's gonna have it catered by d'Unik (a Filipino store near our house in Shoreline), that I'm gonna be the official photographer, that Tita Chi was the one in-charge of bringing our Mom over to the place and that we should buy the candles for the coconuts souvenirs when we get the chance. She also told us that our lola (my mom's mom's sister, go figure..) and our aunt is flying over from San Francisco on the day of the party and relatives from Canada where also coming over.

A week after I arrived from the PI, I slept over at Ate Leah's house for the purpose of going shopping with her for the last minute embellishments and decorations for the place where the party will be held and also to help her "tag" the coconut shell souvenirs.

On the eve of the party, I slept over at my sister's house again, because I had to. I'm entitled to help her set up the place, get the last minute items needed for the party, and to make her sane because she gets antsy, nervous, excited, and forgetful when it comes to hosting events such as this party.

On the big day, we were out of her house by 8 am, we stopped by Top Foods to get flowers and extra plasticware, afterwards we headed straight to the center to set it up for the party. Mind you it was only the TWO of us who put the place together. WE, who are both skinny, unloaded heavy boxes and bags from the car. WE, who are both skinny, prepared and arranged heavy tables in the hall of the center. WE, who are both skinny, took out stacks of chairs and arranged them to fit each table. Thank goodness our cousin, Inee who came over to deliver the balloons, helped us with the decorating part.


black and white and colored view of the decked out hall/center. Imagine the place with no decorations whatsoever. BLAND.


Two skinny sisters who made the place look fab.

After we put the place together, we went home to eat lunch and got dressed for the party. My sister told me that before we go back to the place, we were gonna pick up my mom's cake and she put me in charge of holding it. Since I was thinking that the cake wouldn't be big, it wouldn't be a big deal for me to hold it wearing a skirt (yes, I'm that maarte). To my surprise, the cake was big and heavy, thank God my sister came to her senses and instead of letting me carrying the it, she placed it in the trunk of the car.


Hawaiian/Lilo Cake
After the cake, we went back to the center to wait for the catered food and to be on standby for early guests. People started pouring in one by one, but around 5pm, there were still a few guests and we were expecting my aunt to bring my mom at around 5:30 pm. I told my sister that we should call Tita and tell her to bring our mom at around 6. The clock stroke at 5:30pm and guests started pouring in by the numbers. My cousin Inee played "decoy" and called her mom to tell her to bring our mom na. So far, the plan was working without any hitches.


main course and dessert


poor piggy became the "main" course of the evening


Excitement was building up upon all of us. We were all looking outside the window of the hall to see if the guest of honor have arrived. In the perfect hour, my cousin, Eric, shouted, "they're here!". So we all shushed down the talking crowd and we waited until we heard a knock on the close door.


Kuya Eric's the one carrying the girl

SURPRISE..SURPRISE.. When my sister opened the door and we all shouted SURPRISE!, my mom was in shocked, it took her a second before she could come in the door that my aunt had to pull her inside the hall. I was surprised that she was surprised, because I kinda had the feeling that my mom already knew that something was up. But, she didn't know NADA. The surprise was a success.


60 candles were blown away
On a side note:

Here's how my aunt played the whole thing to my mom: She told my mom that she was gonna attend a dinner party that was hosted by Northwest Hospital. She told her that she was allowed to bring one guest, ergo, my mom being the perfect candidate for that 'guest' part. Little did my mom know that the party that she was going to attend was actually a party for her. Sneaky...sneaky.


The people in this picture duped the woman who's wearing the peach colored blouse

Insomnia attacks... AGAIN.

Summer is a perfectly good season to be an insomniac. You have tons of free time, plus, you get to do all the things that you couldn't do when you were at school (i.e. watching shows that are shown during school nights, watch DVDs that came out during "hell" (finals) week of spring quarter, update your website or your blogsite, etc.). I admit, I'm an insomniac during summers, just ask my friends, they know that I can stay up as late as 3 am in the morning, or even 4 am in the morning. Weird, I know.

However, I only intend to be an insomniac during the summer season so that's why I train my biological clock to sleep at a more reasonable hour two weeks before school starts this way I can wake up early to attend classes knowing that I won't be feeling any sleepiness for one whole hour. Unfortunately, my recent routine of sleeping early has been sabotaged by my summer disease.

Why can't it wait till Christmas break?? WHYYYY??

Before I do anything related to school..

Today I woke up feeling groggy, the reason behind this state of being is that I slept at 4 am in the morning. BWAHAHAHAHA... pretty insomniac don't yah think?

My face was in front of the computer from 3 pm onwards yesterday. I was surfing, bloghopping, answering a quiz for my online class, posting a thread for my online class, playing with MS Picture IT editor, updating my blog's template and watching "The League of Extraordinary Gentleman" DVD, which is a kick-ass movie by the way, and I highly recommend it if your a science fiction/fantasy/action/adventure movie fanatic.

It's really crazy that I don't think of myself as being a geek and/or nerd, when in fact I'm doing all these technical computer stuff that makes me look like a nerdy girl. I think now I have to start thinking it. :-) (so Lin, if your reading this, I agree with you na! har har har..)

*****

I'm contemplating on whether or not I'll edit and upload all the new pictures that I have in my computer this week, there are a lot of pictures: pictures that I took when I was in PI, pictures that I took during my mom's surprise birthday party, and pictures that I took just for fun. But I have homeworks and classes, so I have to make that as my top priority. Hmmm.. I wish it was Thanksgiving week already..

*****

All I want for Christmas is... my two front teeth..

• To be spiritually driven again.
• For this country to unite.
• Iraq governed by its own people.
• Terrorists be gone.
• A laptop computer - 2.8 GHz processor, 40 GB of HD, 256 MB of RAM, CD/RW/DVD/W drive, and a wireless card port.
• To watch the final 6 (or 7) episodes of Sex and the City in DVD.
• A black, acid free paper photo album.
• Adobe Photoshop Software.
• an Ipod 20 GB mp3 player (this counts as "wishful thinking")

******

Here's an article written by one of my favorite writers:
Women who lunge
By Celine R. Lopez
10/17/2004

There are a couple things that I can never trust: Stairs, revolving doors, people with teeth that look like chiclets, absurdly beautiful men, children too clever for their own good and women. The last comes bold, italicized and underlined.

http://philstar.com/philstar/LIFESTYLE200410183707.htm ----> CLICK THE LINK to read the whole article

*****

Have a good week y'all!

side note: I edited this entry 5 times! YES, I'm ANAL like that.

Screw sabbatical!

I wasn't successful in going "sabbatical". You see, I may not have been posting entries, but I was constantly checking my blog and have been doing some "mini-updates" to its template during the past 4 days. HMM... Remind me next time never to announce "I WILL GO ON SABBATICAL" again.

Here's what's up in my world:

1. One of Seattle's sports team, the Seattle Storm, won a championship title. They were crowned the WNBA champions of this year. Finally, a team who gave a winning title to Seattle. Sonics should get there act together this season.

2. Presidential debates are finally over. I honestly don't know what the purpose of those debates were. But from what I heard, they were intended to help the people who are still "undecided" of who they will vote for the November elections. Since I'm not voting, I'm not gonna give my whole schpill about how those debates are played out. You see, if you're not voting, you're not allowed to bitch about political stuff.

3. I had my first midterm for Chemistry yesterday. I cannot tell how well I did on answering the questions, but hopefully I get a grade that will pump me up to study HARDER.

4. My Calculus instructor started talking about Calculus concepts last Tuesday. To tell you the truth, I didn't understand one bit of her lectures about limits and continuity. I must.. I must.. I must.. read my Calculus book and ask QUESTIONS.

5. My bedroom have been experiencing earthquakes and whirlwinds for the past 4 days. It looks like a big ass trash can. Seriously, I gotta get my act together and clean that room up!

6. During my so-called "sabbatical leave", I have come across blogs that has well-written entries in it. Check out mikhail online, joey, and gail.

7. Yesterday, in my mom's car, I heard this old song playing in KIXI 880. The singer was singing lyrics that I thought some of us can relate to. I searched the net for the title and the singer. The song's title is "She's got You" and was sang originally by Patsy Cline, remakes were sang by LeAnn Womack and LeAnn Rimes.

She's Got You
by: Patsy Cline
provided by letssingit.com

I've got your picture that you gave to me
And its signed with love just like it used to be
The only thing different
The only thing new
I've got your picture, she's got you
I've got the records that we used to share
And they still sound the same as when you were here
The only thing different
The only thing new
I've got the records, she's got you
I've got your memory or has it got me
I really don't know
But i know it won't let me be
I've got your class ring that proved you cared
And it still looks the same as when you gave it dear
The only thing different
The only thing new
I've got these little things, she's got you
I've got your memory, or has it got me
I really don't know but I know it won't let me be
I've got your class ring that proved you cared
And it still looks the same as when you gave it dear
The only thing different
The only thing new
I've got these little things, she's got you

That's it for now.. Have a good weekend y'all!! ciao!

I'm going to try SABBATICAL

...at least for a week, so I can get back on track with my school work.

SURE. Let's see how successful I will be in doing that.

I'm having my first midterm exam in Chemistry this Thursday. Truth be told, I haven't even read half of Chapters 12 and 13 of my Zumdahl book. SAD. The only time I had my eyes on that book was the time when I was doing my homework for Chapters 12 and 13.

Memories... Memories... Memories:

My head is travelling down memory lane again. These past few days I've been going through some recollection of memories that have happened during my 3-month long vacation in PI. I miss my friends. I miss my two nieces. Don't worry, I won't write a long dramatic paragraph about how I miss them. I'm just gonna write down the memories that I've been recollecting.

1. Therese's version of "Noypi", which was originally sang by Bamboo. It cracks me up everytime I remember her singing that song; she sings it with an American accent. I asked my sister if she could send me the recorded sound of her daughter singing that song from her phone. Problem is, I don't know if she knows how to send it to my email from her phone.


silly picture of Therese
2. Margarita's loud noises. You know how a baby sounds when he or she shouts? You know those coos and AAhhss?? Well that's what I miss about that big 6-month old kid. She sounds like a cat when she shouts, which led me to nickname her, CAT (Ain't that unique?).


Marga already knows how to flirt with the camera!
3. Saturday gimiks with friends.

+ Session at Pao's place. Nakipaginuman naman talga ako with the guys. It was fun and it was memorable for moi.

+ Eating isaw at Ron's place. ME, Lenn, Joy and Ron pigging out with isaw. HEHEHE....

+ Eating spaghetti, which was cooked by Lin, and watching the pirated version of Spider Man 2 at Ron's place. Both YUMMIE (LIN: Your spaghetti is GOOD!) and fun times.

+ Session sa Split Hit. Note: Dito ako napaamin ng.. BASTA! (diba NOEL??) I was outnumbered, since I was the only girl there.

+ The serious talk that Lin and I had at our house. 'Nuff said.

+ Dining at Chowking with Lin, Lenn, and Joy. It's girls night out. ;-)

+ The parties (refer to October 1 entry).

+ Road trip to Festival Mall with Nyo, Jamu and Lenn.

4. Thursdays with Joy. I had fun with her, all we did together was eating and shopping.. HAR HAR HAR.. And we watched the South Border concert at UPLB together!



ME and Joy at Lenn's party

5. Session with Heidi at our house. Fun times. She's one heck of a tickler! Grabe! nahulog ako sa couch namin! hehehehe..

Heidi and Me

That's it for now y'all.. I'm signing out.. Have a good week! CIAO!

Computers: Is it an advantage or a disadvantage?

Computers have given people like me ways to communicate in a cheaper and faster way to loved ones across the country and across the globe. I can talk to my friends and family through the voice chatting and/or video conferencing features in Yahoo or MSN instant messenger and send e-mails that can be received within a minute in x amount of hours and only pay five dollars every month. But there’s always a downside to everything that is fast and cheap: computers experience “melt-downs” such as “pauses” or hangs and also a down internet connection.

Computers also paved the way for “online” everything, which means, you can shop online, pay your bills online, file your tax forms online, book a flight online, and research online and so on. The only drawback to this advancement is that you have to worry about how secure such online services are.

Students like me see the computer as an alternative learning environment. It helps me unleash my creative side when I design a webpage. It makes me self reliant when I’m in an online class. It also gives me thousands of information that could help me get through my everyday life. Of course, like any other environments, computers have the power to influence a student’s way. It replaces studying with online gaming, chatting and surfing and it also limits them from doing physical activity such as house chores and exercising.

Has computer become an advantage or a disadvantage? We can never really tell which way the computers have geared our lives to. We can only tell what it has done for and against us.

"A true writer doesn't need embellishments to make a good piece. All he or she needs is a better understanding of life and a willing acceptance of all the bad things that go with it."

"If I were you, I'd write about what I know, instead of what I would like my readers to believe I know."

---- Writer's Block by Omega Anne Vaflor

Read more of the author by clicking this link:

http://you.inq7.net/youngblood/06042004/ybl8-1.htm

Getting to know an individualist

During my recent summer vacation, I had the chance to get to know a ka-tropa. He became my schoolmate during my CSI (Christian School International) junior high school days and soon became an acquiantance after my friends introduced me to him. I didn't get the chance to get to know him since I was deported far far away from the land of many islands after a quarter of my junior year in CSI. OK, LIANE, enough with the mindless blabbing and introduce this person already. Friends, meet Paolo...



On one lazy Saturday night, me, Lin and Lenn, decided to join the guys's drinking session happening at Pao's place. When we were inside his place, I took a glance at the nice drawings that were hunged on the walls of his living room. I learned from Lin that it was Pao, who majors in Fine Arts, was the one who drew those pictures. I wish I took pictures of some of his drawings, it would be nice for y'all to see how talented of an artist he is.

On to another Saturday night, September 4th to be exact, which was Ron's birthday party, I had the chance to talk with Pao. It was one of the best "talks" that I had. In that conversation, I had the chance to know who he really is, his tastes in music (punk rock and if i remember correctly, he also likes grunge music, is that even spelled right??); his takes on life (he is an individualist at heart); his love for his parents and his sister; his talents (other than drawing, he also paints and writes music); and finally his love for his "someone special". What really struck me the most in that conversation is how he talked about his parents so candidly, heck, it almost made me cry (maybe because I remember my own parents).

So Pao, if you're reading this, I enjoyed talking to you that day and sorry for putting you through this embarassment, I just had to narrate memories that got stuck on me from my vacation. Hope you don't mind.. ;-)

Apple iBook G4

Apple iBook G4

I'm currently thinking of selling my Dell desktop computer and buying a notebook computer instead. I just like the idea of having your computer with you wherever you go and plus my desktop is currently bugging the heck out of me. I'm thinking of either buying a Dell Inspiron notebook or the notebook in the picture that you're looking at.

So for all you MAC users out there, is this notebook worth it? Will I get my money's worth from it? Is it really easy to use? Are the MAC technical support people friendly and helpful and knowledgeable? Does the MAC have the features of the PC?


Thinking.. Thinking.. Thinking...

I'm suppose to be doing homework..

But instead, I chose to read blogs and write an entry for my own blog. DAMN. It's so hard to come back to reality when you've just experience a fantasy that you've long for for two years AND it's also hard to keep my hands away from my computer! When I was in the PI, I only had the chance to blog and surf the net when a) my brother-in-law, who owns a laptop computer, is sleeping at the Calamba house or b) when I'm out with my friends.

I was suppose to finish my Chemistry homework today and perhaps read a bit of paragraphs from the Technopoly book. But instead, I watched Sex and the City, in DVD. But in my defense, while I was watching SATC, I was doing something productive: I was ironing my mom's clothes AND AND I vacuumed the living room! So I guess that makes up for the fact that I didn't do one single schoolwork. ARGGHH... I'm gonna have to sleep late again tomorrow, unless I do my work all afternoon with NO deviations from it. God help me.

So, I'm writing this entry to remind myself of what I have to do tomorrow, so that when I check this site out tomorrow, I will be able to know what THE IMPORTANT STUFF I HAVE TO DO.

1) Do my Chemistry homework.
2) Read all Chapter 2 of Technopoly.
3) Do my Math homework.

I gotta get my act straight starting this week or else regrets will haunt me when finals week arrives.

Parttaayy... till dawn...

Here's the continuation of the Philippine '04 vacation recollection.

In this entry, I have posted (some) of the pictures that was taken during birthday parties or debuts of friends to which I have gone to. I hope y'all enjoy this "mini" photojournal.

Gustine's Late Surprise Party

This picture was taken at Max Restaurant in Pansol, Laguna last June 26, 2004.
Gustine's is the girl in the blue outfit whom I was sitting with. It was actually a last-minute invite because her family called us up on the DAY of the party itself.
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Karlenn's Early Birthday Celebration

Taken last July 24 at some resort (forgot the name)in Miramonte Village, Pansol, Laguna. We all look wasted in this picture, because it was 3 AM and we're all fighting the sleepiness by drinking and swimming.

Still at Karlenn's party. Don't us girls just love to play dress up when it comes to parties?


More drinking at 5 in the morning and still during Karlenn's party.

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Nyo's DEBUT

1 guy, 5 Beauties: Taken last August 28. This was the party I was worried about for I thought I won't be able to attend it since we drove down from our Baguio vacation on the day itself. Thankfully, we arrived on time (around 1 pm) and I had time to fix my stuff, take a bath and meet up with Lin before going to his party at around 6-ish pm...without any rest... AHH.. the love that I have for my friends...


Food trip...


Dogg Pound guys
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Ron's DEBUT

A barkada picture taken at Captiva Resort, Los Banyos Laguna last September 4. I think this was the first picture I've ever taken with all of us (guys and girls) in it. By the way, Ron is the guy wearing a blue outfit.

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Grace's Late Party

Grace is the girl carrying a kid. Her birthday was actually September 1, but since that day was a school day, it was decided to be celebrated on September 5.

-------

Yes, I attended two parties for two straight days. Imagine: I went home from Ron's party at around 5 am. I slept until 9 am. I stood up from my bed at around 9:30 am. I got dressed and waited for Lin dahil magkasabay kami pupunta kela Grace. We were at Grace's house until 2:00 pm. I went home, took a bath and went to Baker Hall in Los Banyos to watch my brother-in-law play in his soccer league championships. Afterwards, I went to church. IMAGINE how TIRING that is. Seriously, I have that much love for my friends AND my family.

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Lin and Mimi's DEBUT/PARTY

The debutante is wearing a white flapper-like dress. This was taken at Villa Morales Resort in Real, Calamba, Laguna. It was Lin and Mimi's, who are twin sisters by the way, debut. It was fun times. Almost all of my friends were there.


after the program


during the program

WHEW!

to be continued... part 3: An "ODE" about a friend.

Digging through my brain for some Inorganic Chemistry knowledge

I'm currently feeling a little bit ignorant or as I may say, incompetent, to take the last inorganic Chem class. All the information that I've collected from the past two classes that I took are gone from my head. I felt so depressed when I looked at a question about "finding the final concentrations of all ions" in a pre-lab today, because I completely forgot the whole concept of concentration stoichiometry. SO SAD. I guess I have to start racking up those old notes from my first two Inorganic Chem class. Hopefully, I did not throw anything out.

Check out this new song by Nelly from his "SUIT" album. Watch out for it in the radio waves! CIAO!

Over and over
by Nelly feat. Tim McGraw
Album: Suit
lyrics provided by letssingit.com

Cause it's all in my head
I think about it
Over and over again
And I can't keep
Picturing you with him
And it hurts so bad
Cause it's all in my head
I think about it
Over and over again
I replay it
Over and over again
And I can't take it
I can't shake it no
I can't wait to see you
Wanna see if you still got that look in your eye
That one you had for me
Before we said our goodbyes
And it's a shame that we
Gotta spend our time being mad about the same things
(Over and over again)
About the same things
(Over and over again)
Oh but I think shes leavin
On me shes leavin
I don't know what else to do
Can't go on not lovin you

Chorus

I remember the day you left
I remember the last breath you took right in front of me
When you said that you would leave
I was too damn stubborn to try to stop you or say anything
But I see clearly now
And this choice I made keeps playing in my head
(Over and over again)
Play in my head
(Over and over again)
Oh I think shes leavin
On me shes leavin
I dont know what else to do
I can't go on not lovin you

Chorus

Now that I realize
That I'm going down
From all this pain you put me through
Every time I close my eyes
I like it down
Oh I can't go on not lovin you

Chorus x2

Over and over again
Over and over again
Cause its all in my head

College Blues - Back To School

Fall Quarter has officially started. Spending two hours in Shoreline was a relief and at the same time nerve wracking. I have two campus classes and an online class, so time management is going to play an important role this quarter. BIG TIME.

Math 124- I'm taking the first thread of the three thread system of the Calculus subject. Calculus is just like Technology, it can either be your friend or your enemy. I don't know which it will be for me, but I can feel that it will be challenging.

my calculus book

Chemistry 160- I'm taking the last thread of the three thread system of the Inorganic Chemistry subject. During the class orientation, I was a bit surprise about the information I read about our Final Exam. It consists of 2 parts: the first part was a 50-minute ACS (American Chemical Society) Standardized Exam and the second part was a comprehensive 60-minute exam of the final Chemistry Thread. The part that surprised/scared me? The ACS Test. Truth be told, I am no good in taking standardized tests. Standardized tests are like enemies to me. They tend to burn me once I get the TEST SCORES itself.

my chem book

English 102 (Research and Writing) - AHHHH... a break from the Science and Math world. BUT... this is the online (writing) class. This is where I could tend to slack off, therefore, this is where I need to give extra effort in order to get the GPA that I want by the end of this quarter. Hopefully, this class will relax me and steer me away for a moment from differentiation and chemicals.

my english books

To all you back to school people out there, have a good year! God bless y'all!

This is a late mini "memoir" about the first two days of my recent vacation in the Philippines. It was supposed to be written a week ago, but due to cleaning and a down internet connection (refer to previous entry) it had to be cancelled and done on a much later date.

First Day - First Tipsy Head - First Time I played with Therese with no melodramatic tones from her.

It was an early flight in, WAAAYYYY too early for I, myself, was used to a 12 pm wake up call. My brother-in-law, Toots, picked me up and drove straight to Starbucks for the much needed lattes.

On the way home, my brother attacked the Krispy Kreme donuts I carried around with me in the 17000 mile journey. I wasn't going to let him touch it until we reach the house, but being the sweet addict that he is, and me empathizing with him, I just let him have it.

When we arrived at our house, my sister, Lee , greeted me with a hug and my eldest niece, Therese, gave me a shy smile. I went inside the house to take a sneak peek at my youngest niece, Margarita and wow, did she have the chubbiest cheeks.

sister act: therese and margarita

Unpacking was the easiest thing to do, unlike packing, all you have to do was take all the things that you have packed and throw it to the next available space you see. My sister, being the OC freak that she is, picked every stuff that I threw on the floor and arranged it according to size, shape, who's it for, and where it's gonna go.

In the middle of unpacking, we were constantly interrupted by my niece. Being the kid that she is, she was telling us to "let's go Tita, play with my toys". Of course, being the good aunt that I am, I obliged to the little kid’s desire. Unfortunately, in the middle of our play, I started to feel light headed, a good sign that was telling me to lie down and sleep.

Second Day - Friends Reunited

It was Friday. I was desperate to see my friends, but sadly, I didn't have their numbers memorized. I called my friend, Karlenn, the night before to ask what Joy's cellphone number is and also to tell her that I was going to Los Banos the next day. She then called me up the next day and told me that she wanted to come with me and was gonna be at the house by 2pm. I was ecstatic. After that phone call, I sent a text message to Lin that said: "u comin' home 2day? kta tau!!" No reply.

On our way to LB, we sent a text message to Joy, asking her if she was free. She replied, "HEEYY!! Nnd2 ka na!!! Ala n q class ng 4." We replied, "k, kita tayo sa VEGA ng 4." I became excited after that 5 minute long send and reply repertoire. I was finally going to see the people I want to see.

Once we have reached our destination, Vega Centre, my pulse began to rise. I was back at a place where I use to hang out and eat with my friends, just like the good old high school days.

Here is a chronological list of the people I saw:

1. After eating lunch, Karlenn told me to send a text message to Noel asking where they were. He replied, "D2 kami gamerum, san kayo?"; we replied,"punta kami dyan"; they replied, "d, kami n lng, punta kmi dyan." And so we waited in front of Chowking.... Ron, Noel and Jamu came.

2. Since it was almost 4, we told the guys that we should wait for Joy. 4:30 pm came, with no sign of Joy around, the guys decided to go to Ron for a mini drinking session. But before they were set to go, Dianne and Jaynee came.

3. When the guys were gone, Joy finally showed up.

.... stayed at vega for a while... went to Ron's place... decided to go internet surfing... received a text message from Lin saying she's arriving at around 6 pm... went back at Ron's place to chill and wait for Lin... Dianne and Jaynee left.. Joy left since it was getting late...

4. Lin arrived with a white car tailing her, which was apparently driven by Nyo.

I was getting hungry, so I asked Lin and Lenn to accompany me at the nearest restaurant, Nyo went with us also.

5. On our way to the restaurant, we said hi to Ryan and Earl who drove by us.

Lin, me, and Lenn

This picture was taken at 06-18-04 in Inihaw Express located in Umali, Los Banos, Laguna. Special thanks to Nyo for taking it with his camera phone.

School starts tomorrow. I, on one hand am pushing it away from me because I am in no school mode yet. I still have remnants of my recent vacation, remnants that I doubt I'll even forget. Many memories were made from it. Many friendships renewed in 90 days. Many stories unraveled.

to be continued....

My Dell computer and ME.

In the world of technology, everything evolves in faster and better mode. We, the people, can't keep up with the ever changing ways of the tech world. Once we try to keep up with it, it tries to eat up our asses because it makes us look like dumb nuts because we are not able to connect it or use it or play with it because we can't figure out how to CONFIGURE it!

Today, I had a one-on-one brawl with a computer who didn't fight back. Instead, it just looked back at me as if it didn't know what it has done to me. The wireless connection of my internet, once again, went down on me. I have no clue what I'm doing wrong. Everytime I get my hands on this computer, I somehow make every process that it's making seemed so hard to comprehend. Unlike before, I had control of this computer; I had no problems with it ever since the first time I laid my hands on it, except for some minor hardware problems. But now, it seemed like the computer is the one controlling me.

Gone are the days of dial-up connection. Dial-up was much more fun than DSL connection. True, it was much more slower, but HELLO?? It was much less complicated! It was easier to figure out what went wrong with it unlike the DSL connection.

Right now, I just want to smash my computer into pieces. But on second thought, I bought this with my scholarship money. I don't think the scholarship people nor my parents would be happy about 1000 dollars scattered around my room.

side comment: this entry was written by the author this morning when she was cursing to herself because of the down wireless connection.

9:06 pm - Now, my wireless connection is up and running again. Don't ask me how I figured how to "configure" it, I'm just glad that it is UP.

Ok, I just lost the entry that I typed before this entry. Anyway, here's a lowdown of what to expect from this blog in the next few weeks.. that is, if my computer gets fixed.

- P.I. vacation lowdown
- running down memory lane
- loads of pictures

From 18 to 30: Tying a knot out of a very crucial decade

A week ago, I was watching an episode of Sex and the City entitled, "Anchors Away". It was the episode when they were talking about having 2 great loves in a lifetime and showing that having a baby changes your lifestyle from social to maternal. The episode inspired me to jot down things that I want to do before I get "tied" down. Things that I want to do before I reach the age of 30.

Things that I want to fulfill before I reach the age of 30:

1. Earn a degree in Biochemistry

2. Travel back to Philippines after I graduate college

3. Go island hopping, from Boracay to Mindoro to Palawan, with friends

4. Come back to Seattle

5. Apply to respectable medical schools

6. If I don't get admitted in the medical schools that I've applied to, I will, apply for
a researcher job in the Biotechnology field.

7. Apply to grad school and earn a masters degree in Biochemistry

8. After grad school, I will continue studying until I get my Ph.D. in Biochemistry.

9. If grad school or Ph.D. doesn't prevail, I will self-study or enroll myself in a photography class

10. Pursue freelance photography

11. Create a picture portfolio

12. Contribute an article to a magazine

13. Design my own graphics

14. Travel California, Hawaii, Florida and New York

In the midst of these goals maybe I will find the man God set aside for me and be married to him. Or maybe I will still be single when I reach the age of 30. Who knows? God only knows what. I don't know if I can manage to fulfill all these goals, but one things for sure, the past and the present has given me determination and inspiration to do what I think I want to do. Time can only tell when these goals are going to be fulfilled, but only God can tell which things will be fulfilled before I get "tied" down.

4 ambitions in 1 lifetime: a futuristic view of my Life

I'm a pediatrician/scientist who specializes in oncology/hematology field. I make rounds at the Children's Hospital near UW when I need to and hold clinic hours at UW Clinic. When I have finished all my routines at the hospital and the clinic, I go to Fred Hutchinson Research
Center to oversee what's happening on the research I proposed doing.

Whenever I'm free, I put my photographic skills to test or I write an article for my column in the Seattle Times. I'm about to start working on a novel temporarily entitled, "A Memoir: Getting over one of life's greatest challenges". Above all else that I do, I still find time to shop for myself and cook food for myself and thank God for the energy and the determination that keeps me going.

Outlets – Not just for the happy and sad, but also for the mad.

When you’re pissed or angry at someone or something, its either you confront them or you just lay low from them until the time you know your anger has subsided. But what do you do during the span of your "fury" time? Do you snap at every person you encounter? Do you smash all the things in your bedroom? Or do you go to a bar and drink until you get drunk? These three attempts to release you anger out in the open can only be described in one word, RISKY. I would have to admit that I have done two of the things that I’ve mentioned, but like I said, doing them can be a bit risky. In fact, after you have done any of those attempts to let loose the anger, guilt instantaneously follows.

Learning from experience, I decided to pour out my anger/fury into a much safer way. The last time I was really pissed off was last July of this year. I won’t give any details of the said dramatic event, but I will recount how I released the fury inside me. I wrote. I wrote down what I felt then, I wrote down what the person did that made me so furious. (See the July Blog archive and look at the July 20 entry). I must say that writing about it has done a great job in calming my nerves down.

The way that you could just go on and type endlessly about your repertoire on your computer is a good substitute to a blabbing mouth. Also, you have done a favor to a best friend because you have spared them the agony of hearing "rage against the machine". Writing is just like blabbing, the only difference is that your pen or your hands is the one doing the action, not your mouth.

Here are no-risk "I want to pour out my anger" attempts:

1. Listen to music. Rock, alternative, and hip-hop are the best choices. Nix the slow jams.

2. Surf the net. The Internet is a great place to find humorous things that will help ease your anger.

3. Design a web page. You could use your anger as an inspiration on a page layout and design.

4. Shopping. Not for the "I’m a shopaholic and I have some anger issues" type of person, but seriously, retail therapy is a good way to calm your nerves down.

5. Basketball. Creative visualization: Picture the ball as the person or the thing to which you are mad at.

6. Writing. Do I need to explain this again?

There are a lot of other "outlets" out there. It’s all up to you to choose what suits you best. Just remember that snapping, destroying and getting drunk aren’t really "outlets", they’re just merely attempts to ease the anger for a really short period of time.

Pet Peeves 101

Two Sundays ago, I read an article written by Celine R. Lopez in the Philippine Star's Lifestyle Section entitled, "Where's the beef?" The article was about showing your "inner diva" when instances or situations such as salesladies giving you a snobbish attitude or cellular phones going off during a movie, bothers the heck out of you. The author also listed ten things that tick her off, which gave way to me in writing my own pet peeves.

1) snobbish, apathetic, bitchy salespeople

2) unfulfilled promises. Promises are promises. If you know you can't fulfill a promise, then don’t make a promise at all. Go by the mantra: "promises are NOT meant to be broken".

3) The "Gold" card bank members who get VIP treatments from the bank people. What's up with the discrimination??

4) People who cut in long lines.

5) Sales people who follow you around like rabid dogs while you shop.

6) Restaurants who serve food slow

7) People who take advantage of other people's weaknesses

8) "all-knowing" people

9) Cellular phones that rings/vibrates loudly during class, movie or mass

10)Merchandises that has no price tag

11) People who don't say "excuse me" when they pass across or beside you.

12) Sales people who lack the determination to find out the price of an unmarked merchandise.

--- from Celine Lopez to me to you, how about writing your own pet peeves?