Scrapbook Pictures

Old School

You know the light and triumphant feeling of finishing something very important? How in the first few minutes you're just so happy to just close the book and open a new one? I've felt that feeling so many times.

As someone who makes arts and crafts for friends, or intricate projects just for the hell of it I've lost count on how many times I've been running against a deadline. I've got to tell you that every project and craft that I did I did them giving my all. After so much work those things held a part of me that went away just as soon as I gave them. I guess this is how I could describe the 12 years I spent in Assumption Iloilo where I gave so much that even if left it would still be as if I'm there.

I love my old school even though going through each of those years there wasn't exactly what you'd call easy or happy-dandy. I love that school because I grew up there as much as I did growing up in my own home. I love Assumption Iloilo. I will miss being there even though at the same time I'm glad that I'm leaving it behind. Like closing a new book and opening a new one.

Speak-a-minute Quote:

This school isn't like a hundred thousand other schools, this school is unique to me in all the world...

Let's Fix you...

Panic! At The Disco: Ready To Go [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

I have spent the last 2-3 hours reading various articles on economics. My mind is swimming with words such as...

diminishing returns

unemployed resources

inefficiently

allocative efficiency

*Reallocating scarce resources

opportunity cost

PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

CONSUMPTION/ CONSUMER EXPENDITURE

supply and demand...

I was just going to listen to some sleepy song (Who'd have known- Lily Allen) but then I found out that Panic! At The Disco had a new music video. In reality it's not really new because it's already two months old. The sacrifices of being in school, missing good music. This is a great energy booster for me especially since I'm so sleepy right now.

Panic! At The Disco, Brendon Urie :) <3

So You Think You Can Dance S08E10 Top 16 Perform Melanie and Marko Leona...

ILOVETHISILOVETHISILOVETHISILOVETHISILOVETHISILOVETHISITOTALLYTOTALLYLOVETHIS!!!!!! MARKO AND MELANIE <3

Kapatiran Week

Let me talk about the kapatiran...

Day 1

At lunch time we went around all of the groups and ate all kinds of desert. We had a salo- salo where everything was spread out like on fiestas. A group of fourth year students then played and sang some songs. We were using the school's softball field. The grass was a bright and fresh green, we sat on the ground when we did our picnic. It was really nice to have some of the students play some songs. It was acoustic, perfect for relaxing after eating your fill of sweets, pizza, and coke.

Day 2

My friends and I have been excited for this day since last week. On this day we had to wear the costume of our favorite cartoon character (or movie character, sports person, super hero). On my last post I hinted on planning to be Jasmine from Aladdin. I fortunately got my senses back and thought better of it. My first thought on who to be was Jasmine, then I changed it and started looking for the costume of Dorothy. A lot of people asked me who Dorothy even is- seriously they didn't know. For the people who are unfamiliar with her, Dorothy is the girl from Kansas whose house got hit by a typhoon that whisked her a way into a land called Oz. Part of the bandwagon of characters from Oz are scarecrow, tin man, cowardly lion, Glinda the good witch, and the wicked witch of the west. April chose to be Glinda for her costume though she really didn't know who Glinda was. I didn't look anything like Dorothy however when I finally tried on my costume so I changed it. I became- ironically of course, Lucy! From Narnia. I don't know why but people found it hilarious when I told them. For the rest of my friends they were dressed up as the boys from Boys Over Flowers. They were really creative and really looked like the characters they were presenting. My favorite costumes from the day were Hermione Granger, The Smurfs, Alice In Wonderland, and Russell and Mr. Fredrickson. Everyone- well, not everyone- was really creative with their costumes. It was an amusing sight.

Day 3

Day three was honestly very depressing. We were supposed to help paint and build houses for people who had non but the rain had other ideas. I got wet, and you know just how much I despise being cold and damp. For me the day ended okay. Jewel and I ate at KFC. Yummy... mushroom soup and creamy tomato pasta,perfect for a rainy day. When I got home I was very sleepy and tired.

All in all Kapatiran week was a success.

3 weeks

It's been 3 weeks since school started and I can't believe that I was actually looking forward to this hectic lifestyle. I haven't read a decent book in three weeks. Three weeks! That might not be such a big deal for those who just read occasionally but for me (whose life has always been around books and such -I'm such a nerd-) it's a really, REALLY big deal. I'm suffering from withdrawal like an addict. This is really unhealthy for me considering that I have to worry about college level algebra (which makes no sense) and... and... well that's basically it. Huh... now that I think about it I sound pathetically melodramatic.

Well, aside from that this constant reading of Dramione fanfics is NOT helping. Why do I let myself get hooked so easily? Warning: Do not read Dramione fanfics! They are oddly addicting. Stop being so good fanfiction writers! Damn curiosity!

What you've read so far is just the tip of the iceberg. I've got more itsy bitsy problems. Like what I'm going to wear for Kapatiran, am I really going to dress up like Jasmine or what? For those who don't know Kapatiran is a half day activity meant to spark inter level unity and friendship. The student council this year is filled to the brim with creative minds. First, the coming back of C.A.T. officers and period, second, the students hour, and now this. Even though I've faltered a few times in juggling all of my activities I can't help but admit that I'm having fun. Sure, my best friends aren't my classmates but at least they're here. I have to be honest though, I can't help but feel bored with studying. Fridays suddenly seem like the best days in the world. In fact I should be studying right now but instead I'm blogging. -Sigh-

I hope my day gets brighter.

Filipino Mythical Creatures Tutorial by Mikey Bustos

This is another video by Mikey Bustos. I find it really funny, so do my parents because I made them watch it. I remember my Tito used to scare me about "moomoos/ mumu "(I don't really know how to spell it) and I usually freaked out when he did. I always read a lot of ghost stories, especially Philippine True Ghost Stories, those are wicked! When I do I scare myself and I wouldn't go out of my room at night. I also bought those glow in the dark glitter glues so I could have some sort of night light. In the end they just looked eerie. Ahh, the craziness of youth.

Piers and 'Rain' Forests

Last weekend I was a boat ride away. Actually a boat ride and a car ride away. We, my aunt, uncle, cousin, sister, and myself, went to Bacolod last weekend.

It was a really enjoyable trip which had it's ups and downs like most but an enjoyable trip nonetheless. It all started with a ride to the pier and a voyage on the sea. We went to Bacolod, specifically Mambukal Resort. I'm sure a lot of people have gone there, it sure looked like it when I was there (fully booked!). The down side of that almost perfect trip (key word= almost) was the weather. Yes, how ironic , I spent more than half of my summer toasting inside my house and the one time I actually go out of my way to go somewhere it rains. Typical.

It would have been okay, I mean I didn't get sunburned (points for me!) but I felt damp and warm at the same time. It doesn't make sense, I get that but let me explain. Imagine what your feet feel when it's raining and you manage to get your socks wet along with your shoes. Lovely... Not. We trekked, and yes it was as cool and as tiring as it sounds. The terrain was vastly different from the hike I've experienced in Camp Regulus, Ajuy and in Bulabog Puti-an when I was in First year. For one thing the trail was stony, there were a lot of dark, glossy rocks. They reminded me of the tiny pebbles I used to decorate Max and Cody's (bless their turtle souls) bowl, only bigger, big enough to squash me and people wouldn't notice. Creepy. We lasted until the sixth fall (or was it the fourth? I always get things messed up) until we decided to pack things up and head back down. We were a group made up of young people (30- below) who had enough energy and determination to go through with it till the end, both however deteriorated through time when our under-exercised bodies couldn't take it anymore. Because of the rain (funny because I was literally in a 'rain' forest *laugh*...corny) it became difficult. That's an understatement because it was downright dangerous. We were on top of a freakin' mountain, no fences, no railings, walking on narrow, slightly muddy ground. I had a reoccurring vision of me falling and screaming to my death where my spine would break due to contact with one of those giant boulders. I have a sick mind, I know. The trek, from start to finish took roughly about two hours. I have to admit I wouldn't have spent those two hours any other way. Aside from the mud that seemed to be everywhere, the water that was never far away, and the wind that was bitingly chilly it was a pretty good trek. But there were sacrifices and these sacrifices were my shoes. It isn't as dire as it sounds, my shoes are okay they didn't rip apart but they didn't go unscathed either. That also includes my sister's and my cousin's shoes. How petty I was, worrying about my shoes when I could have fallen to my untimely doom wearing easily washable rubber slippers. Some of the people who were with us wore slippers but they were lucky. Very lucky.

Thank you Lord for that wonderful experience, thank you for keeping me safe and not making it my last. I hope that a lot of people will get to experience what I went through and learn to appreciate it as much as I do. For all my talk of it being uncomfortable and dangerous, I won't lie because it was uncomfortable and dangerous, there was more to it than that. I got to see different kinds of water falls, I now know the difference between mountain air and city air (very big by the way), I felt rich, damp , life-giving soil beneath my finger tips, and I saw what all the fuss was about. The fuss, being that we don't appreciate nature all too often. I'm not a die hard environmentalist but I do get pissed at all those ignorant people throwing trash anywhere and everywhere. Even there, there was trash, in the mountains imagine that. I don't want to get all passionate about pollution but I do hope that more people would realize and take to heart that it is a serious threat. I wouldn't want something as clean and refreshing as those falls and that trail to get ruined because of some moron's ignorance, pardon the insult but hey, you could only be insulted if you are that.

*To all the people who were there*

It was awesome, Right? :)

Spring Awakening: A Rock Musical

Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind. It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater.

Set in late-19th century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality. The original play was banned in Germany for a while due to its portrayal of abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score. Spring Awakening received eleven 2007 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor. The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards.

If you're a big fan of Jessie St. James or Rachel Berry, or if you only like their voices, you're bound to be a big fan of this old rock musical. I know I am :]

The theme of this musical is a bit morose and depressing, not really for those who can't handle feeling a little down ( Me, in certain moments...) . It focuses on that stage where most people are at their most vulnerable phase. The cross that allows you to watch PG 13 movies and such. If you want to hear the songs of this musical I've provided a link below.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj7zI8uZ1EU

Doing...

What do most people do when it's summer? Swim, obviously, but that's not in my schedule of events this week or any other time in the future.

Swimming is great especially when the temperature rises but sometimes it feels a little off. Instead of making me feel great it makes me feel really awful. Like last summer I swam with my friends at the local swimming pool at Punta Villa, it was really great at first but in the end I got sunburned and a headache started to pound at my temples. But last December it was different, it was a lot more fun (there's no such thing as 'funner'). Maybe it was because there were more of us, maybe it was the presence of my Frisbee, maybe because there weren't that many people around for me to feel self-conscious. Well, the thing is I hate the intense heat of summer, I hate getting sunburned by said intense heat. So, contrary to what I've told myself to do earlier on, at the beginning of summer vacation, I have refrained from doing any strenuous activity. That includes sports and various forms of exercise (jogging, badminton, etc.). I could do all of that but my lack of a companion, something I really need, to do all of that is proving to be quite a problem.

What have I been doing you ask? I have been writing, reading, and cross-stitching. Man, I sound really boring. But better than doing nothing right? I wish an opportunity would come up to save me from this self-imposed exile of stitching, but alas! I see none on the horizon.

So, until next time, I shall continue to steadily deplete my summer allowance by borrowing books at book latte every week, and I will focus on attaining inner peace through cross-stitching

Potter Puppet Pals: Wizard Angst

Like most students who are suffering from summer boredom I have decided to do what most of my kind do. Nothing. Nothing important that is.

I was surfing youtube (I don't know why they use the word 'surf' but anyway...) I came across this funny puppet show. It's very... original.

Filipino Balut Egg Tutorial by Mikey Bustos

Filipino Accent Tutorial by Mikey Bustos

I got distracted by this Video last Night. It's really funny and the guy is really cool! The guy (Mikey Bustos) is not only fluent in English but also in different Languages. He was also a finalist in Canadian Idol, I didn't know that about that one but I found out while looking for his other videos. Check him out in youtube, it's always nice know about a proud Filipino who's still humble.

The All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret

My DLS: ...... Nah, who posts her secrets on the Internet? I have to be bonkers to do that.

The guy is totally awesome! :)

Let me know that I've done wrong
When I've known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone
Or you'll be just another regret (just another regret)
Hope that you can keep it
My dirty little secret

Who has to know?

When we live such fragile lives
It's the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone
Or you'll be just another regret (just another regret)
Hope that you can keep it
My dirty little secret

Who has to know?

The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping dogs won't lie (won't lie)
And now I tried to but it's eating me apart
Trace this nightmare

I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone
Or you'll be just another regret (just another regret)

I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone
Or you'll be just another regret (just another regret)
Hope that you can keep it
My dirty little secret
My dirty little secret
My dirty little secret

Who has to know?
Who has to know?

A Feature Story (?)

For our project in Journalism we had to interview a successful person. We had an idea on who we would interview. The thing about ideas however is that they're easier said than done. With the upcoming exams, the seemingly endless list of Mastery tests, and other obligatory activities that I'm sure would benefit our education (but not our health; stress and lack of sleep takes its toll!) we had no idea on how we'd manage to squeeze in that interview.

But God, good, great and absolutely awesome gave me the opportunity to arrange that fated interview through the intervention of my cousin's fined books. My cousin had requested me to return these books which were already fined at 100 pesos already because of his inability to return them on their due date. I said yes, grudgingly of course because it was a really, really hot day. I had not expected that I'd be thanking him profusely later on (that didn't actually happen) because it was on that trip that I had managed to request the very important and delayed interview by speaking directly to the owner of Book Latte herself, Miss Mary Kathryn Jardeleza- Tajanlangit .Three days later my group and I interviewed her in the same place.

• Book Latte is a popular Cafe found near Robinson's Mall. A place where worlds meet, an inter fusion of Coffee (cake, brownies, donuts, etc.), Books (My Favorite!), and a lounging area. It's simple, charming, and delightful all on its own.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2011, we sat down and asked probably the most clichéd questions that interviewers of all time have asked interviewees for ages.

It was a bit awkward at first but Miss Kathryn wasn't fazed by it and made the conversation flow easy. We learned that she's thirty year's old and happily married to Stevie Tajanlangit. One of first questions we asked her was on where she studied and what courses she took. She replied by saying that she attended High School in HIJAS, here in Iloilo. She studied BS Biology in University of the Philippines Miagao but after two years moved to a new course. She took up nursing, in the University of Sydney in Australia. After finishing nursing she took up her master's degree in Bio statistics in the same university. So, now you know that she's not only a businesswoman but also a nurse who has a master's degree in Bio statistics. That's pretty impressive when you think about it and even more impressive when you see it on paper.

To all those who aren't sure on where to go for college she advised us that if you have the chance to go to Manila take it because by going there you'd be exposing yourself to many things, things you might not have been aware of before. Relating to her stay in Australia, she remarked on how she wouldn't have had any of the ideas that have made her successful or any of the other things she has done if she hadn't gone there and experienced things first hand. We agreed that she's right on that one, it's better to experience and expose yourself to new things compared to being stuck in a rut doing the same things every day.

We talked through various subjects, and when my list of prepared questions ran out we asked some of our own (the ones that popped up after hearing her story). It's funny how you're really nervous in one moment and in the next you're as cool as a cucumber, or in our case really talkative between us, then tongue tied when in front of the person you really want to talk to. And Miss Katheryn is a person you'd be comfortable talking to; she has this sunny personality, a humble humor whenever she talks about herself as well as the things she's been through. She's not ostentatious or regal as you'd expect her to be, she's actually really simple. It's with that kind of simplicity that you see the most beautiful aspects of a person, both inside and out. We asked her how she became successful and she answered by saying...

We: What do you think are the reasons for your success?

Miss Katheryn: Keeping God in the center of my life. I think that the reason for my success is because of my spirituality. We must always remember God and pray to him and thank him for all the things we have. To be successful, you have to work hard. No matter how good you are you can't go anywhere by doing nothing and just waiting for things to come to you; you have to get them yourself. Also, always be creative and don't listen to what other people say. If they criticize, tell you things won't work out, etc., don't listen to them, just follow your heart and do the good thing. That's my motto: Follow your heart.

We: If you could go back in time, and meet yourself when you're still in our age (15 yrs. old), what would you say to yourself?

Miss Katheryn: (Thinking) Well, I'll tell myself not to worry. I worried a lot when I was in High School, whether I'd get awards or not, if someone was talking about me, if I'd get high grades, etc. I had to be a good girl because of the nuns, I also had to do extra- curricular activities and other stuff to get to a valedictorian standard. I really worried a lot about things like these. If I could talk to myself at my age then I would have told myself not worry and just have fun. High School is very important stage in your life. It's good to have good grades, you have to have good grades at least, but it's important that you spend your high school years to the fullest. You can't turn back time and visit when you're not busy anymore, you can't stop time either. Value your time in high school, have good grades and have fun because you can't ever experience those moments ever again.

Through the glass doors we could see how darkness had fallen already. The day had come to a close with the last fading lights of the sun coloring the sky. It was time for our interview to come to a close as well. We asked the final question, a question that was fitting because it was about the youth, generally.

We: There are a lot of issues in the world as well as in the country today. What would you tell the youth, with all the problems and issues going on, what would you advise them to do?

Miss Katheryn: I'd advise them to lead a clean and simple life. If your life is boring and unexciting, consider yourself lucky. Stay away from drama and conflict, it'll just distract you. Lastly, always keep God as the center of your life. You won't go wrong by doing this (smile).

We thanked her for sparing some of her time to talk to us and said our goodbyes. After our interview with Miss Katheryn we were pretty overwhelmed. As Assumption girls and as ordinary girls we realized that had a lot in common with her. She also went to an all- girls high school, experienced the pressure of getting good grades, going to college, the risks of doing things her own special way.

As learners who are going to be faced with the prospect of choosing what career to take in less than a year, the world is pretty scary. They say that college is a whole new world where every thing's different. What can you say to that when you know that it's the world you're going to be pushed into even if you don't want to go anywhere near it? It's like walking the plank, in one end it's the ship that you've familiarized yourself with for four years, in the other, it's the big wide ocean where you have no idea what's going to greet you when you fall into it.

High School is the ship, where you meet people from different places all going to some certain location. You make friends and you have a good time. You battle tall waves together, holding on to each other when the winds are strong and choppy. In this journey some may go away earlier, finding their place in some other ship, but the rest of us, we stay together. But all journeys, like stories, have an ending and we are reaching ours. It's something we can't avoid, and when we fall into the ocean it's either you swim or you drown. If you just keep on swimming you might get to an island and things would get better. There would be hard and difficult times, but still, you may be happy. It's a bit depressing, talking about going on separate directions and being apart from your friends, and maybe even your family. But that's the way things are, besides it wouldn't be all bad. Take Miss Katheryn as an example, she's doing great. Fifteen years ago she was in the same circumstances, now she's happy and successful. It may not have been a smooth ride but then again the greatest things in life are never easy to get. Let's put into heart and mind the advice of Miss Katheryn and live our life both in high school, and out, to the fullest, keeping God in the center of our life as well as keeping everything simple.

Ne-Yo feat. Cassandra Steen - Never Knew I Needed

I know that I've been posting way too much music videos but I really love sharing music like this. This is a song by Neyo ft. Cassandra Steen that's part of THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG movie.

Panic! At The Disco: The Ballad Of Mona Lisa [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

I've liked Panic! At The Disco ever since I heard their song "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" where Brendon Urie (the singer) looked awesome along with the rest of the music video. The is a new song, the audio has been out for awhile now but this is the video. This has the same feel as the music video of the song I mentioned earlier, soooo.... I love it! :D

Lyrics:

She paints her fingers with a close precision
He starts to notice empty bottles of gin
And takes a moment to assess the sin she's paid for
A lonely speaker in a conversation
Her words are spinning through his ears again
There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa
I'd pay to see you frown

He senses something, call it desperation
Another dollar, another day
And if she had the proper words to say
She would tell him
But she'd have nothing left to sell him

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa
I'd pay to see you frown

Mona Lisa...

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa
I'd pay to see you frown

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for

Castles In The Air

I am so stressed. It seems like there's always something to do, something to plan. In times like these I imagine a much simpler and whimsical way of living . I always talk about things I want to do whether it be now or in the future. I talk about it because I don't want to forget. So after weeks of not writing a decent Blog post I'm now presenting a list of what I want to do.

1. Walking dogs. have you ever imagined yourself in a park? A park where there's no trash, no sweaty guys playing rough basketball shouting obscenities , no violent children shouting at each other, and no "Sunoys" acting cool when they're obviously not. There would be clean green grass and nice wood and iron benches on the sides, there would also be joggers and people playing tennis. I wouldn't want to do this on my own though, I'd want someone with me, but only one person because three would be a crowd.It is a very idealistic dream but I still want it. I also want a picture of myself walking these dogs because that would look so awesome.
2. Being a passenger on a propeller plane. Do you remember those old planes back in the 1900s? The ones Amelia Earhart used? I want to be a passenger on that kind of plane. It's nice to imagine yourself high above the ground, the wind in your hair and the blue sky your backdrop. Those aerial exhibitions would be like roller coaster rides in the sky. To be honest, I actually have a little fear concerning heights but then again how can you be afraid of something you haven't tried yet? (I say passenger because I'd freak out if I was the pilot.)
3. Inside a piano room. Not an enclosed piano room of course, but one with a large window overlooking the green yard and displaying a vast blue sky. Have I said that I love the Beatles? Well, I do, I think that their music is great. I'd have someone play the piano for me, that someone should sing too. But it's okay if only the stereo played, I'd have a play list including all the songs I want to listen to. There would be a comfy sofa where I'd lie reading a book. Never to be forgotten, I will have a library inside that piano room.( I will not have party music playing, that would give me headaches from bobbing my head.)

That is what I dream about when I'm either bored, wistful, irritated, frustrated, or a combination of the bunch.

-sigh- When will this ever happen?

I know when, soon. In about 10 to 20 years. I'm not sure about the plane part though, is there anybody in the Philippines who has that kind of plane?

Monsieur Caterpillar (cocoa tussock moth)

Last Sunday I went out of the house to clean the wine bottle J. had given me for our travelogue. There were some very strange looking forms inside and they wouldn't come out, even after I cleaned it with soap and hot water. I asked my Dad for some advice and he told me to put some sand inside and shake it. I got some sand and was about to do the job when I spotted something very colorful. It was a caterpillar, small and furry. I went into the house and came out with a camera. But not immediately of course, I had to get the caterpillar into a container. When I had it secured I got it out again where it expectedly tried to run away. I say tried because it wasn't a successful attempt. I followed it's route but stopped it in time to place it on a bonsai tree. I took pictures of it. These pictures are now proudly in display and can only be found here in Corr.