Shared Rain

2012-01-29T12:11:00.000+08:00

Sometimes being brave really is inconsistent with being careful.

In law school these past years, I always tried to veer away from taking on roles which require responsibility beyond the classroom.

There are those who frown upon this type of strategy in the law school reasoning that the extra curricular also needs attention or that the professors when they inevitably deliberate on the student's performance, will consider the added baggage the student took on during the semester.

However, there are those like me who believe that the law school is a place to study and the application of the law can be done within the classroom as well. This is to all those who say that the knowledge needs to be applied. I am currently taking up legal aid and handling a case and also in another class, devising a lesson plan to teach children's rights to high school students. I think, at least on a personal level, I know what I'm talking about. As said, I think knowledge and application are found within the law school.

However, it is not accurate to say that I only study in the law school. Three years in the human rights center and 3 semesters in the Ateneo Bar operations (also add some sidelines here and there) comprise my extra curriculars. They aren't at par with the activities of the really busy people but they aren't negligible. I'd like to think I choose my activities according to the academic load I've got. One could even say it's being a reasonable and responsible student at the same time.

Next, I try to veer away from issues. Org politics, the daily mill of gossip, affiliations aren't really my thing. It comes with my personality as well. Never one to be the center of attention, I never really cared nor do I prefer to. I'd rather read and panic for class. Other things are extraneous.

So I presented two things:
I choose my responsibilities so I can study.
I do not meddle with issues so I can study.

Such a typical nerd.

Recently however, I've been getting many cajoling to run for the council of interns in the human rights center. To run would diametrically oppose my set academic strategy. As for the issues, they always follow the people in position. I'm rather attached to what I have going for me.

What's completely apparent in this post is that I am a self absorbed student. I think law students should be to some extent self absorbed if they want to pass. It doesn't mean that I don't care. It means I don't want to bite more than what I can chew.

The problem is (and here, only Ger would believe me) is that I think I've made for myself an image of a competent person. Don't get me wrong. I think I'm doing fine or at least I'm managing (even though I really need a thesis topic right now but that is for another post).

Here is my equation:

Study + some HR + some bar ops + some filed work classes = managing Ju

And this equation is what people see. I agree that it is the game plan of a student trying to get by. This equation works because it is reasonable and feasible.

Ergo, if I should disturb he balance and it becomes:

Study + a lot of HR + things related to HR but are not completely HR + some bar ops + some filed work classes = not so much managing Ju

I always tell the poeple who asked me if I'm going to run that I only have a semblance of being "matino." I really appreciate the trust you people repose in me. I don't think I can get through people even if I say it over and over again that I think there more competent people. In this post I will clarify my thought on this: Perhaps I am competent, but for lack of a backbone which can carry on the additional load, I think I'll be a support system to the incoming council. There are others more willing to risk their study time, braver than I.

Ergo my press release (it also pains me to say this): only an absolute need will compell me to run. There are only 5 positions and if those positions aren't filled on the last day of candidacy, I will RELUCTANTLY hand over my candidacy form.

2011-12-14T21:25:00.003+08:00

Dec 18 - Jan 3

This is how the "vacation" will feel like:

Evidence:
Memorize 40 pages of codal
Memorize the rules on electronic evidence
Read two books
Study for midterms
Study the cases assigned for when we get back

Transportation:
Study the Codal provisions
Study the cases for when we get back
Study for midterms

For Conflicts of law:
Study for midterms
Study more than a hundred American Cases

For Labor:
Read two books
Study the Codal
Study for midterms

Special Proceeding:
Read one book
Study the codal
Make 124 digests
Study the cases for when we get back
Study for midterms

Legal forms:
7 pleadings
two memoranda for midterms

Thesis:
Still topic-less
Still adviser-less
Hopeless
Therefore: FIND TOPIC

Special Penal Laws:
Study for midterms

BarOps:
Make that expanded outline for criminal law reviewer.

SO... It seems Dec 18 - Jan 3 is not enough afterall.

2011-12-13T21:10:00.001+08:00

I couldn't care less for all the GRINCH moves. TULOY ANG PASKO!

2011-12-07T21:14:00.005+08:00

THIS BLOG
RANT SESSION

JU
plaintiff
v.
LIFE NASAN
defendant

COMPLAINT Collection for Some Life

JU, by imaginary counsel, respectfully submits to this blog:

1. That she is of legal age, Filipino, a resident of Poblacion Makati and a law student. Defendant is an evasive concept residing outside the confines of law school and averse to law students.

2. That sometime during November of the year 2011, JU enrolled herself for the second semester of her third year in law school. That JU is in block C which has the reputation of a suicide block for this semester.

3. That this statement, although not a prayer for moral damages, would just like to emphasize that ever since aforementioned enrollment, JU has suffered sleepless nights, severe anxiety, undue confusion and burden prejudicial to her well being.

4. That she was called for a subject meeting during Mondays and Thursdays (Exhibit 1). JU wrestled with the study load because of the Bar Operations and despite this, JU was able to meet the demands of Mondays and Thursdays. However, after a while, JU cowers in fear every class because she does not want to be called during the first twenty (20) minutes of the class.

5. That JU still has no thesis topic and adviser. That such realities are hindrances to her graduation and ultimately to being a lawyer. Attached is her topic deemed as policy paper (ANNEX 1)

6. That JU does not know how to go about a certain subject (Exhibit 2) whether to read green or red. That a copy of the green and red book are attached as ANNEX 2 and 2-A. Please note the difference in content and page numbers.

7. That JU experiences discomfort and dizziness in piles of cases related to a certain subject (Exhibit 3) containing the same doctrine but with wide array of facts. That JU would not prefer to be subjected to difficult and confusing questions after reciting on such cases to which the answer apparently happens to be "thesis topic."

8. That JU has another subject which subject (Exhibit 4) her hand to experience much trauma. Attached are hand written codals and cases related to that subject (ANNEX 3 and ANNEX 3-A)

9. That JU does not know how to go about a subject (Exhibit 5) without recitation. That because of all the workload, she is unable to meet the demands of said subject. Attached is a copy of a blank notebook for said subject (ANNEX 4)

10. That JU does not want to write multiple pleadings but is compelled to do so and therefore her consent is vitiated and she alleges involuntary servitude.

11. That JU rants more to her loved ones now and is merely a husk of her former law school self (who is a husk of her former non-law school self).

12. That JU demands from DEFENDANT that it injects into her life some sort of reprieve. That JU asserts that a Christmas Vacation is no vacation because it is situated a week before midterms.

WHEREFORE it respectfully prayed by plaintiff that Defendant gives her a "chill" environment every once in a while to spare Plaintiff from ultimately falling into a state of depression, anger and hostility. In the alternative, if Plaintiff cannot be given such relief, then at least, decent grades for all her subjects and understanding from all her neglected loved ones and friends.

All other equitable reliefs also prayed for.

2011-11-25T07:53:00.002+08:00

I feel a little displaced. No, it's not about law school.

2011-11-13T16:55:00.002+08:00

2 points away. A GC post.

I know that grades should not define someone and how one is at school may be the total opposite of what one becomes in the work place.

Today, i've calculated my qpi. Something I've ignored doing for 3 semesters now because I've started to falter in law school. The thing which bothers me most in law school is how people think I'm all that like when Ricca says "yung one reading mo, memorize na sa kin" or when ana say "you're gonna be a bar bet" (yeah right. as if).

What I hate about it is how I find myself in a position where I do not deserve their academic respect. If any, I'm a wreck just waiting for that mistake which would totally send me off course. (hopefully not this particular law course). I cry when I don't meet my personal expectations and I have to cry a little bit more because people still think good of me and will not believe me even when I admit that things are not going well at all. I get replies of "sus... eh magaling ka naman" or "eh sabi ng iba matalino ka raw." I will make it clear. I hate getting that. I hate it when my reality is something less glossy than how others see it. It is harder to make mistakes this way. I feel more sad, more off track.

Honestly, this sem. I'll just add to my spiral downwards.

2011-11-12T02:19:00.002+08:00

if this ground could just open up and swallow me whole now. Or my profs. Or my reservations. Or this feeling of nausea that doesn't want to go away ever since this sem started. I'm in for the hardest sem of my life.

2011-11-04T08:22:00.005+08:00

This rainy morning

This gloomy morning, I find myself clicking on youtube and listening to Next to Normal's How could I ever Forget. I was supposed to read some transportation law codal but instead I found myself hitting the replay button around 5 times listening to the song.

Let me backtrack a bit. Some weeks ago, during the halfway of the most recent finals exam week I've gone through, I decided to watch Next to Normal with Tin after the exams. I already watched it earlier this year but it was an easy decision. I really wanted to watch it. I remembered telling Ger that some parts made me teary eyed. Watching it first time, in some parts, I could have bawled and wept but didn't.

Ger asked me what about that play could have possibly been related to my life that could make me cry and watch it again. In thought, I scratch merely a surface and said that it was probably Natalie's feeling of dislocation from her family. I said I got that being mostly away and all. Instinct told me there was some relation but that wasn't it. But it was an answer so I stuck to that.

The night of the play, during the intermission, Tin and I were talking in the smoking area. We were standing near empty benches. She said the play did stir her to feeling some sadness. I told her the second act was more of a tearjerker. She asked me the same thing Ger asked, what about the play attracted me. At that time, finals were already over and I was able to think more clearly and i was able to remember a moment where I sat myself down and blogged about him. My kuya whom I never met.

I'm copy pasting this from a previous post:

Last night, in between page 126 and 127 of my psychology book, I started wondering about him. What happened? Did he die inside? Did he lose his breath during delivery? Did the sudden change of environment, the appearance of light shocked him into wilt? Was he premature also? Did he even cry? I don't know. I never did ask about him. Figured it might hurt mom and all. I don't know his real name but I call him Angel. Come to think of it, I don't know his birthday because I'm not sure if he were ever born breathing. Imagine that. Dying before birth.

Tin motioned for me to sit down. She thought probably that I felt sad. Only to some extent. Not even enough to seek a chair but I sat down. She asked me if I wanted to talk about it. I said there really is nothing to talk about. I meant it.

I realized I did not remember him this past Nov 1 and 2. It's Nov 4 now. Sorry kuya if I'm a little late.

I'm asking myself if it is abnormal for me to feel sad for someone I don't know. Or am I just being so overly dramatic? No. Probably not. The sadness, if it is right to call it that (maybe it's more of a seldom remembering), springs from the question what if he lived? He'd probably be 27 or 28 now. I still don't know his birthday but then I realize, he doesn't really have one.

Time to end this post now. I'll start fixing myself for today. For this rainy day.

How could I ever forget?
Outside the morning was cool and wet...
...They said too wait
They never said we were too late...
...Those weeks full of joy, then a moment of dread
Someone simply said, your child is...
-How could I ever Forget (Sung by Diana)
Next to Normal

So this song reminds me of him. It reminds me that I missed him. Not because I knew him but simply because, literally, I missed him.

2011-10-31T08:32:00.001+08:00

I want to watch you're a good man charlie brown and wizard of oz.

2012, please reserve days for me..

2011-10-28T09:49:00.000+08:00

Kahapon 'to

Amazing how this little town operates. Amazing.
Yeah, I know it's a city but can someone please tell that to the people?
So I was buying breakfast in Jollibee. I went in and realized there were 2 counters open. In one counter, there was a man waiting for his food and nobody seems to be finishing his order and there were 3 jollibee girls in the other open counter but it's not like they were fixing a void order. They were just there. And on that same second open counter, there was no line. There were four people in a ROW (not in a line) waiting for service as if it is the most normal thing. Really pissed me off. Service took a long time. Some give them a memo regarding falling in line please.
The 4 girls in a row were given their number so they could wait for their food. The next in line was a yaya in pink (the other counter with a lone man was still waiting for his order). The yaya in pink was ordering for a whole family and it was a big order. Then one of the girls who belonged to that group who did not know what a line was cut off the yaya who was reciting her long order. The girl was demanding for a receipt and she addressed it to the cashier (not even to those 2 other jollibee attendants still at the cashier for no good reason, oh and the cashier acknowledged the girl who cut in to the prejudice of the yaya and all those in line behind her). The girl was told that her receipt will be brought with her order. Jollibbee has been here in calapan for more than a decade now. Can she not get that receipt has always been given together with a complete order?
After that, a new counter opened, handled by a manager and I walked there. The yaya was still at her order and the lone man still waiting for service when I got my breakfast... Amazing.
Oh. And I had to deal with the line at the pier as well because I'm going to manila today.
Next line: ticketing at supercat
I was buying my ticket for the 10:30 trip to Batangas. There were two counters. There was only one in line, a senior citizen. She forgot her discount card and she was asking how much she'd save if she had it. The cashier said 85pesos and she became upset.
I paid for my ticket but my id had some problem since it was never revalidated by my school. It was revalidated for school use but not for purposes of getting fare discount since it only indicated a 2010 sticker. But I told the cashier it was a valid school id and if it did not bear the proper sticker, that was in no way a fault of mine. She believed me and gave me a student ticket.
I went to the terminal ticket line. There were two counters. The senior citizen lady was there and another girl was in front of her filling up many forms. It was clear that counter was held up because there were still many things for her to indicate. The senior citizen was asked by the guy at the other counter to get her ticket there. I was behind the old lady. They chatted for a bit and the lady recounted her situation about not getting a discount. Then they talked about what if the guy at the counter let her off for free. The obvious wrong thing here was the absence of transaction. Why wasn't the guy getting the lady's terminal fee and the old lady getting her terminal ticket?
I looked at the other counter and saw that the girl filling up forms was still at it. Then, behind me was a build up of line already. The old lady talked to the guy at the counter about regretting not bringing her discount card AGAIN! Jesus! And at the side of the lady, a person cut in line to get a ticket and that person was entertained by the counter guy talking to the old lady. And did i mention he entertained another person who cut in line? (Old lady still talking and woman at forms still writing)
I was already annoyed at this point. If i were in Manila, this would not be tolerated. Then the old lady started chatting the girl filling out forms about her lack of discount. Christ! Oh and girl filling up forms stopped to acknowledge her. Hello?! Line building up behind you inefficient ones?
Then would you believe that the guy behind me tried to cut me off and went in front of the old lady (still not budging at the counter). I let out a controlled "dammit." Loud enough so that the guy and the old lady could hear but not loud enough for the port guard nearby to hear.
The guy behind who was now in front (counter dude was about to entertain him!) looked at me and I stared him down. He was older but i was taller. He told me that I can go ahead. I said , i should because i was in line first. And then i told counter dude to honor the line because that is what lines are for. All in a semi pissed, non-mindoreno tone. Yeah, jollibee line and then this? Too much for my patience.
I found a spot in the terminal and tried calling ger to rant but he was not answering (perhaps boxing) so I decided to type this all on my phone.
Gosh these people. These people, these people..

2011-10-24T19:54:00.002+08:00

Might be that Vacation themed post

Sem Break has been on for about more than a week now. I just finished my last requirement, friday. Right now, I'm in Calapan.

Kunot noo at gusot kilay.
That's my 20-day old pamangkin, Evo. His real name is Trevor Vincent. He has baby rashes right now because his skin is having difficulty adjusting to the world outside the womb. He looks so suplado and masungit that he reminds me of me (at least the masungit part). I was talking to him last night (well, more like I was baby talking and he was sleeping) and I was asking him how many hearts he will break when he grows up. I said, probably four. I have no basis for saying that but four is the number I bet.

He loves to sleep and he is matakaw. He consumes lots and lots of milk and then he burps loud. His utot is loud too, it is quite funny and cute (amazingly, not stinky). He is such a seniorito as he wants 8 nappies a day. Can you believe that boy? 8 nappies!

But really, he is so precious. He ain't tiny, I think. And he is so malikot. He punches the air and makes dabog all the time (mana sa tita...). I wonder how am I gonna be part of his life?

Mall
Progress came to Calapan so fast when news about Robinsons Mall was opening. I noted a lot more commercial buildings in the area. The mall ain't grand and it hardly even meets average but it is a good thing. I like the seafood tusok tusok place. Incidentally, the seafood tusok tusok place (not its real name) is owned by that nice lady who rushed joanne's dress for her wedding reception)

Gaisano mall will follow. SM too perhaps. The only thing I'm wondering about is how come we still have one main road. Owel...

Dogs
I kid you not. There are 14 askal or aspi (asong pinoy) in our backyard.

Maja Mais
As I was walking from the church to my house earlier today, I passed this man grating cheese over maja mais. He was selling it to a small lady. The maja looked good so I inquired

Ju: Magkano po?
Lady: Masarap po yan!
Seller: Masarap po.
Ju: Ano po yan?
Lady: 30 pesos po, masarap po
Seller: Marami pong keso, 30 pesos po.
Ju: Masarap po ha?
Lady: May leche flan din. May leche flan ba?
Seller: Maja po. Wala, napakyaw ang leche flan.
Ju: Pabili po ng isang maja...
Lady: Sayang wala nang leche flan pero masarap yan
Seller: Masarap po!
Ju: Wala pong leche flan?
Seller: 55 po.
Ju: Pero wala pong leche flan?
Seller: 3 o'clock po ako andito kapag hapon. (hands over maja)
Ju: Salamat po (leaves)

Amazing how Tagalogs talk no?
Masarap nga ang 30pesos na maja. Mom, Dad and I ate it all.

School Trip
I went out to buy coffee. The store was a street away from my elementary school. I decided to drop by. As all my visits there, I waited outside for someone to recognize me and invite me in. I was always way too shy to walk inside the main building and suddenly beso my elementary teachers. Today, nobody was walking outside so nobody was there to recognize me. I walked to the guard and asked about a few teachers. A lot of those names I mentioned were retired already. So that's why I didn't know anyone... I finally mentioned a name he recognized and he directed me to the new building. I forgot there was a new building and the prospect of visiting it made me want to come in instead of just wait outside.

So I went but ma'am avelino wasn't there. I wasn't able to see the new building except for the faculty room which was at the entrance. I went back to the place where I stood before. When it was apparent that my usual strategy of waiting until someone recognizes me will be futile, I went inside the main building. A lot of students were on the grounds practicing some dance routines. I saw a retired teacher, Ms. Hiloma. I chatted with her since I was still too shy to go up to the building and meet my teachers. When I couldn't think of anything to say I asked her if it would be rude of me to visit then and there during practice. She said no and that I should go on ahead.

Ms Untalan, Ma'am Zamora and Ma'am Avelino were in front the grounds (on the stage) watching the students. They saw me coming in and they smiled. Finally, I was able to breathe. I didn't know how to say hello and mostly, I was shy but it was good they noticed me coming. They insisted that I sit on the stage and watch with them. They said if I didn't, they'd make me sing so I sat down and chatted some more. I showed them my Grade 2 library card that I still bring with me and they laughed.

They told me how kids are harder to teach these days. They said there are a lot of distractions so their attention span ain't very long. They asked me if I've been there a long time and I said, I was still in the process of nahihiya.

Later on, Ma'am Avelino offered me a tour of the new building. I didn't know what I did to deserve such kindness. The new building was far. It had four floors and had no elevator. The faculty room was at the first floor and she only needed her things from there. She didn't need to go around the building with me. I was touched by her gesture. We met Ma'am Cuasay, the drama club teacher back then. They invited me to the December play but I said I couldn't go because I had school. Again... they were just too kind.

They told me jokingly how come I visited without pamerienda. I laughed and said I only meant to pick up coffee and initially, I was really shy to come in so any food I bring might be wasted. But know what? I think I'm going to take them on that tomorrow. :)

2011-10-13T17:46:00.001+08:00

i saw a wrist watch i wanna own. i know na my xmas gift to self. :D

2011-10-08T20:01:00.003+08:00

holy crap. may isang buong sound of music ng rep philippines starring menchu sa youtube. eh.... pano aral??

2011-10-04T03:13:00.001+08:00

really cheesy and narcissistic like but I found something which made me smile.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pattisms?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/0/p4bytX4Wgn4

2011-09-30T20:24:00.001+08:00

Me to Patty:
Remember, this Ateneo is not as Mary for you as the other one...

And to think, third year people have eight subjects...

2011-09-18T19:42:00.002+08:00

Waiting for ger to bring dinner.

And I offer. A really STUPID song I made. Please sing to the tune of Do Re Mi from The Sound of Music

DO Donor's, A donor's Tax
RE Required to Self Assess
MI A name on my return
FA A FAN won't issue yet
SO, it did, let's file review
LA Lapsed period, we must pay
Ti Try not to tax evade
Or we'll pay the interest and surcharge! Repeat

2011-09-18T18:44:00.002+08:00

Excerpt from Ten Minutes Ago in R&H Cinderella

Real version:
In the arms of my love, I'm flying
Over mountains and meadow and glen
And I like it so well that for all I can tell,
I may never come down again.

Version sung by Ger while I was singing it:
In the arms of my love, I'm flying
Over mountains and meadow and glen
And I like it so well that for all I can tell,
I may never GO HUNGRY again.

:D

Happy 4 years and 6 months to JuGer

2011-09-12T21:16:00.003+08:00

putakteeeeeeee! Ang galing nilaaaaa demmet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj10EzNKA2M

2011-09-11T22:24:00.002+08:00

Personal Take on something

There are some people who place many happy things on social networking sites to give an appearance that things are going well but in reality, they aren't.

I just noticed something. I hope you really are happy.

2011-09-05T09:26:00.002+08:00

A Cruise

There is an email from Pakyaw offering a Manila Bay cruise I think. I'm so sorry if I really don't find it appealing. For one who travels regularly on boat, I think the sea is really just this mass of body which has to be understood and respected. It's an incredibly powerful and fickle entity. I don't think I'll be going on a cruise anytime soon. Add to that the fact that I'm reading on maritime insurance lately and all the ships are just sinking and the cargo along with it.

A Double Date

Ger and I have gone through our first try at setting up friends. I'll pick mine from law school and he'll have a friend coerced by his office mates to go on do the date. I won't spill because I don't think it's a proper topic. So why did I blog about this? Number 1: I'm incredibly giddy that we were able to do something we've never done before and Number 2: It's nice to see Ger fret over things. Haha. Not that it was bad. More of, he will kind of just will (ie thoughts of "Paano kung hindi sila nag-enjooooooy!!!???). I'm only panicky when it comes to academics. I can almost hear him no saying "Hmph."

New Glasses

I am in desperate need of new glasses. I'm starting to mistake people from about 10 meters. Not to mention I can't read the things on the blackboard/whiteboard.

2011-07-29T23:49:00.004+08:00

So...
after 100 cases of torts... I have 95 to go...

Took a break and watched various lea salonga videos on Youtube. (yeah, I'm a fan)

This one, I found moving, is from her upcoming musical Allegiance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUGf4Cyc7Vg&feature=related

This one, her duet with her co-actor, Telly of Glee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EunqF5gfyMo&feature=related

This one is her singing Defying gravity with difficulty but still with grace (she was pregnant at the time), notice the many instances of her relying on headtone (which demonstrates that it can be a technique in singing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHGCEqxLOGE&feature=related

But just to show that she can totally sing it without headtone. Here she is singing it after electricity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRfR8RCaEvU&feature=related

This one is her singing the prayer and I listened to it because that's what I need to pass all my exams next week, a prayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9frEg32jWY&feature=related

2011-07-27T10:29:00.002+08:00

RATES

Patients with an average resting pulse arte above 70 beats per minute can have a slightly higher incidence of heart attacks.

thought on this:

Eh kapag midterms 75/minute ang pulse rate ko. AMPOTA.

2011-07-22T18:03:00.002+08:00

julianne
arrives
home.
She
drops
her
bag
and
takes
her
jacket
off.
She
sat
on
her
chair
in
front
of
the
study
table.
She
got
a
pillow
and
covered
her
face
to
mute
the
words
which
will
come
out.
AYOKONA.

2011-07-21T19:56:00.005+08:00

The assignment I screwed

***
This is not a very active blog.

Midterms yet again at the great ateneo law.

This blog will not be very active still
***

I saw a high school acquaintance on facebook. She is a really good singer. We were choir mates. I remember the first engagement I got for choir back then. It was to sing a charismatic liturgical song. I think the title is Buksan.

The song goes:
Pinid ng Pintuan
Mistulang dingding
Walang sinuman ang maaring tanggapin

Anong pumipigil?
Anong nagbabawal?
Sa sariling mundo, ba't di ka lumaya?

KORO:
Buksan ang 'yong mga mata
Kahit may luha
Mamahalin pa rin kita
At tutulungang lumaya

Basong may tubig
Lam'nan mang muli
Aapaw dahil wala nang silid

Ang pusong may galit
Di maaring umibig
Bulag sa wasto, alipin ng isip
KORO repeat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6aYeNS0sk

This song, at that pont in time, was close to my heart. It was composed by a priest who was assigned in Mindoro. I was quite familiar with it. I saw our choir director hand me the lyrics and I exclaimed I knew how the song goes. He assigned me to sing in front of the whole first year batch at our basketball court during an assembly.

During practice, I found myself or my voice, rather, inadequate. Over and over, I could not hit the notes. And so for my very first assignment, I was pulled out. And the girl who was really good at singing was the one assigned. It wasn't explained to me why I was replaced but I knew it was inevitable since I was screwing up badly. I was not given any major singing anything after that.

I don't quite remember how come I could not sing that song in high school. I do know that after that particular incident, I became very conscious of how limited my range was. There were/are a lot of songs I could not even hope to manage. I silently put myself down everytime I have to resort to singing in head tone or in falsetto.

For some reason, I have been returning to this memory lately. It is quite persistent. The funny thing is, now, I can sing the song and not even in head tone. I don't know what happened. I'm quite sure my range didn't improve. My bet is that, this time, I can explain to myself that I can.

Funny thing what confidence or the lack thereof can do, no?

2011-06-16T08:55:00.003+08:00

today, i'm throwing the subjects for tonight's class out of the window and concentrating on the disaster awaiting tomorrow and on saturday.

Well, how is law school this time? (I can almost hear a familiar sounding professor saying "terrible, terrible)

To give this some substance, I'll force myself to type something. I should be reading right now though.

Insurance - the law on the policies on takes to insure interest in life or in non-life i.e. property
Tax II - estate tax, donor's tax, VAT, excise tax, percentage tax, et al. I do not know shit on tax so I can't really give justice to this.
Succession - is mode of acquisition by virtue of which, property, rghts and obligations to the extent of the value of the inheritance, of a person are transmitted through his death to another or others either by his will or by opertion of law.
Torts and Damages - it is the MINDFUCK!!!
Fundamentals of thesis writing - durgh. write? thesis? deadline? run away!!!!
Public corp- basically corporations with some public purpose in mind like local gov't, goccs, instrumentalities, et al.
Legal Counselling - we make a mock firm and do some legal shizz
Labor Law- this I think (I think may not be a reliable idea) is something I apreciate
Economics and the Law - economics is about managing the self interest of people in conjunction to the limited resources we have. self interest is something which must be regulated ergo law must be installed to regulate human behavior.

ALL 20 darn units. MUST SURVIVE.

oh and in HR, I am now batch head of tribong bongga and communications committee team.

ang law student ay third yr na.

2011-06-11T01:23:00.002+08:00

I gots me a shitty recit in all of these subjects:
Insurance
Torts
Succession
Public Corporations

I just know I'm not being lax but pray tell what did I do to deserve such miserable luck?

2011-05-30T22:39:00.003+08:00

First day of third year Law

So classes started. This sem, I face 20 units. Hooray for more sleepless nights and non-existent thesis topics.

What has gone by so far?
- Did my ojt with Kanlungan (learned how to write pleadings, dealing with clients, registered mail)
- Celebrated fun with blockmates and Ger at SPlash. Thanks ger!
- Ger's birthday! Happy birthday, love.
- Kuya and Joan got married (the baby's a BOY!)
- Did my ojt with SyCip Salazar (more focused on research work and firm environment)
- Passed second yer first sem. Grades for 2nd sem still pending
- Really thankful but as you can see, this is a tamad post.

back to studying... boo.

2011-04-28T20:43:00.002+08:00

"One Good Deed at a Time"

This was a thought that popped up in my brain after one of those conversations I dread to go through but I still went on with it. Hay... The conversation itself was the good deed.

"She's just my age"

This was the hard reality that hit my poker face while I was talking to one of my clients. She was forced to do things in a foreign land and come filing a case here, probable cause could not be found and therefore, a criminal case cannot be filed. I though writing a petition for her was hard enough. I can't even imagine how hard it had been for her to be the central figure of the petition.

"Sore throat, go away"

The videoke mic is waiting for me.

"oh ye of litle self control"

this one refers to my diet. It's kinda non-existent.

"When water gun is no fun"

I was sitting waiting for transpo near guadalupe. A fire truck came by. It loaded water near palm village. At the same time, a riot was taking plave in the guadalupe area. I realize that water being pumped into the truck won't be dispersing fire.

2011-04-25T19:53:00.002+08:00

New Skin on the First monday of Easter
It's a sunset.

Kinda reminds me that the classes in law school start just before the sun goes down.

I kinda don't like the way this skin does not display titles though. The design got to me though.

A short trip home

2011-04-10T08:23:00.005+08:00

So I got off early from work last Friday. Well, not really. My case manager was feeling under the weather and we weren't in the office as we spent the morning attending a forum at Loyola (yay! Ateneo visit). So she felt sick because days before, she drank not so clean water and she thought she was having a relapse so she went home. So, when the case manager is away, the intern can play (well, at least that's how my brother saw it) He called me after the forum and asked me to go home in Mindoro.

I was hesitant as I had already scheduled my weekend and a trip to Mindoro will just pulverize that schedule. Nevertheless, I saw his reason that I had to help (in some way) in his wedding preparations so I went home.

Thing I realized I missed most
TV. I swear I am not doing anything aside from watching TV. I resolved to do stuff, shop, go to the parlor and dentist, play games but NO.... I watched TV. Like Top model, biggest loser, project runway, oprah, living asia... But hey, I think I'm entitled to it since I'm TV deprived all over the school year. Somehow though, I think I will regret not going to the dentist.

Wedding Preps
I suck at it. (You good for nothing maid of honor you!) Never the girl who played with dolls and looked at magazines and gushed at dreamy weddings. So everytime joanne or kuya asked me about something, my constructive opinion ain't very constructive. I dabbled their options on the cake and the guest list. I asked joanne if she wanted a party before the big day comes cause I think the maid of honor does that (see? useless person that I am). She said no since her friends are in Manila.

Tilapia and green mangoes
I went to the market with mom and dad. The fun bit here is that the 22year old daughter is like a kid with both of her 60 something year old parents at the market place. When I was young, I always went to the marketplace with my parents. So yeah, I'm not disgusted with the smell of fish or meat. yeah, I'm a weird kid. I somehow know how to choose fresh seafood (ironically, meat not so much). Yesterday, I spotted some familiar fishies like bangus, maya-maya, lumahan, moslo, tuna, matambaka, manamsi. I was actually looking for dulong or banak but they were not in season. We bought tilapia. Dad bought the chicken. I was craving for footlong (which is hamondado in Manila) and mom offered to buy but I refused na lang. After that, we went to the fruits section and we got our green mangoes (piko) and alamang (shrimp paste as opposed to bagoong). I ate a whole lot of it and I'm thankful my allergies did not kick in.

I was looking for atcharang ubod but sadly, wala daw yung nagluluto. So with some hours away from going back to Manila, I'll be looking for something to bring back for Ger.

Oh. and got drunk last night c/o kuya and joanne. It was so cold at the beach that beer was the only thing to keep us warm (well, aside from the company that is).

When I get back to manila, I'll probably relax the way I usually spend alone time these days: watching musicals on youtube. I saw a channel which has next to normal, spring awakening and others on it.

***
This post might give the interpretation that I don't care much for my internship. Well, I do. It's just that I can't talk about my internship as I might violate some ethical rules on the practice of law. so there. I'll be quiet about it. I'll have to just say that currently, I have some 5 cases right now.

2011-04-06T23:31:00.003+08:00

this floor can just open up and eat me whole and it will swallow a happy julianne.

found a treasure on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSqBT79sFO0&feature=related

it's lea's my life on stage concert.

Coming up to this point

2011-04-04T07:42:00.003+08:00

Today, I start my internship with Kanlungan. It is a non-government organization and a member of the alternative law groups. The days will be filled with office work and practical applications of law school lessons. My only regret is the school has yet to accept my internship. The internship will only last for about 17 days but all in all, it will take the whole of what's remaining in April.

So coming up to this point, what have I been doing? (oh, I can't do a decent review on anything I watched so I won't)

Before finals came, I watched ZsaZsa Zaturnnah with Ger at the CCP. After finals, I ate at Sunrise Buckets with some of my block friends + Sara and Ger. There was a lot of shopping in between days with a scheduled something too.

Steph Ferrer also threw a birthday party at Center Stage. So that's a videoke party with us college friends + Rommel + Ger.

I also remember doing duty work in the human rights office for MSQRT, calling on schools for hosting a forum on extra legal killings (call it Roadshow). Also, in HR, I called guests for Atty. Medina's benefit dinner (sir, gising ka na).

Ger gave me a Barbra Streisand DVD compilation of movies. We watched The Mirror has Two Faces. I showed the compilation to my mom and I swear her face lit up and she just fondly said, "Streisand..." So I know the thing will go to Mindoro for my mom's viewing pleasure. Thank you Ger.

I also watched Next to Normal and I swear if I have time, I will memorize some songs from the musical. I have yet to secure a cast recording because I can't and won't download. I got a picture with Jett Pangan and he signed his picture on the play bill. Love IT. Next to Normal is my treat for Juger 4th anniv.

Shopping some more... And I started to diet (just a tiny bit) and exercise (less of a tiny bit).

Last March 29, Ger and I watched David and Lea's concert at Resorts World. Day after that was my brother's birthday so I went to Batangas. It was also Mariel's birthday (daughter of my cousin). So in Batangas, I became the "engineer and architect" for the little one constructing buildings from the toy blocks my brother and I gave her.

My brother was with joan and they are preparing for their wedding. We shopped til the SM lipa closed for the night. The next day, we looked for kuya's barong for the wedding. He drove me to the bus station. I hurled a lot of curse words at him because I was really running late. Plus I did not appreciate him thinking that humor will solve my situation. That same day, I had to report to HR for Atty. Medina's benefit dinner (usher and ppt duties). Also, I was asked to write an article for a newspaper. I don't think I'll get published anytime soon.

Next, I reported to Kanlungan for my orientation. It's a small office in Kamias. The workload intimidates a newbie like me but hey, we all got go through this phase, right?

Some more shopping here and there. Some more HR duties here and there. Some more eating out with ger here and there.

I guess I did everything I could to make the small vacation full of memorable stuff. I was exposed to things I don't think I'll ever experience again like the shows I've seen. I participated in meaningful things like the benefit dinner, that writing for HR bit.

So there, back to law school related things at this point.

Oh. Congratulations to all those who passed the entrance exam for Ateneo Law! :D

2011-03-25T08:48:00.003+08:00

I just saw the worst MIMI performance ever. As in ever. Doesn't need much technical critique to see how bad this girl does it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKC-8QHZ04I&feature=related

this one by Nicole Scherzinger ain't an idina but at the very least, she can more than carry a tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K213YHjhlBM&feature=related

You really are my lucky break

2011-03-24T01:15:00.003+08:00

For all that you are to me right now
For all that you've been
And for that bright future, I know, ahead for both of us,
thanks.

I won't say I love you because I don't do cheesy.

But I kinda just did.

Happy 4th anniv ger :) delayed as this post may be.

It's the day before the last final exam for 2nd yr

2011-03-22T08:19:00.003+08:00

I think I screwed up this finals week big time. There. I was able to beat the irresponsibility of last sem. Readying self to study PIL and telling my heart to please lessen the palpitation. The coffee intake of these past few days are getting to me already.

I say...

2011-03-08T00:23:00.003+08:00

May pananawagang maging bukas, mulat at malay;
Sabay nang mas mabilis na pagbuklat ng libro.

buti na lang malakas kayo sa'kin.

Sometimes, I do miss being a Comm major

2011-03-05T00:38:00.002+08:00

Not that I'm not a comm major right now. I mean, I still do have my college degree. It just so happened my undergraduate studies find itself seldomly utilized in law school. Actually, oftentimes, I curse being from the liberal arts. Why didn't I take polsci or leagl management which would make a lot of sense in law school. But hey, I didn't.

So why this topic tonight?
Well, Tonight is Mr. Law School Night. My block was represented by Allan, a friend of mine. I support of him, I was able to make props and such and conceptualize songs and music again. Just like college. Back, then I had classes wherein I'd only draw story boards and then today, I found myself, not being able to study for Ethics because I was making a backdrop.

At Mr. Law School, allan portrayed a character from M. Jackson's Thriller and then he sang Bon Jovi's It's My Life. Some of the creatives and dancers and propsmen behind the whole thing were Ana, Pierre, Tin, Janeca, Starr, Mia, Cates, Yna. (A lot of people donated and it is for a good cause. Initially, it's for the barops then it was to go to Ate Ana's dialysis.)

It was an amazing night even though it did rain for a bit. I was a self proclaimed stage manager for a while and I was thankful for the moment I could be less of a law student and more of a Comm Major again. Sorry to all those who wondered how come I'm suddenly more lively and more active. Law school me is a more quiet person, I'm sure you all know.

So there. Sometimes, I do miss being able to practice what I've learned in Comm. Of course, with finals coming next week, I don't have a choice but be more studious than creative. But tonight (especially because we won), I'm thankful.

A wedding message

2011-03-03T00:06:00.001+08:00

I imagine today is your wedding day. Perhaps this is what I'd tell the crowd.

Si kuya at saka ako, meron kaming "chant". Seven-year old him and five-year old me received some household chores from our lola. And usually, we don't like chores because he'd rather play Battle City or Super Mario and I'd rather watch television. To convince each other that we need to do something, we'd recite the chant like a mantra. He'd say "Importante" and I'd say "Kailangan" and then he'd say "Kailangan" and I'd answer back "Importante" and then we'd still grudgingly do whatever lola tells us to do. We also recited the chant one time on the eve of opening of classes because we both didn't want to go back to school.
I'm not so sure if kuya remembers this little chant of ours. It is actually one of the very few memories I have of childhood.
So why am I sharing this little chant with you? Today, on his wedding day, I can't help but feel like my brother in taking a new role in his life, will be parting with many things. He will be taking some of my tears and much of my blessings with him. And I will show him a smile because I can hear him telling me, "Bunik, kasi importante sa kin 'to." And I'd still be replying "oo, kailangan."

Someone got to know of this joint

2011-02-09T21:56:00.001+08:00

So here's to Cokie if he will view my blog. Hi Cokie!

A lot of stuff

2011-02-06T05:29:00.002+08:00

I should be studying now but it's a sort of free day today and tomorrow and it's only 5:30 in the morning so might as well place something here. (Just slept for 10 hours and I'm so rested. Lord, salamat po.)

These days after midterms have been less stressful. For some reason, there were many free cuts and holidays but I think this week will be the last one and then we're all be realizing that there is only a month to finals then we'd all panic. Such are the days in law school.

Also, another thing filling the days is the talk about summer apprenticeship. Sophomore students and juniors who did not complete the mandatory 240hr of internship all try and apply at firms, courts, quasi judicial bodies allowed by Rule 3 of the School's rules on summer internship. Basically, we need 4 units and 120hrs = 2 units. I sent my resume to 9 firms, 1 court and the OSG. So far, I've gotten 4 replies. That's okay already. I've been able to experience an interview at a law firm. A side story to that particular interview was on that day, I wore a dress and "nagulantang ang iba kong block."

I don't know. I guess it's my fault since I don't really like dressing up. Some told me I look better fixing myself up but no, thanks. I like my slacks and I don't appreciate wearing a dress when I walk alone at night.

Okay. So now I wonder what would happen to summer? How different it would be compared to all the summers I've had! I'll be working... I wonder if I studied enough for it. Then I'm going to be a junior. I'll be coming up with a thesis topic. There are a lot of stuff to look forward to.

2011-01-15T10:15:00.002+08:00

lost my exam permit. leche! 3 hrs to exam and it's a saturday. musta naman

totally not digging being a Sagittarius. hirap spelling.

Hindi ako pinapaaral ng break

2010-12-29T12:26:00.001+08:00

Lipad ang utak kapag ganitong panahon. Kahit pagbalik sa school, midterms na, hindi enough para matakot. I
m sure the fear will set in sometime soon.

A Christmas Carol

2010-12-18T09:22:00.004+08:00

For the longest time, I know that my favorite Christmas song is a Jose Mari Chan "not-so" hit. It's called Christmas Past. It's included in his Christmas in our Hearts Album (there we know what the hit there is, together with Perfect Christmas).
I first encountered Christmas Past when I was such a young little girl. 9 or 10 year old me would play the JMC album once everyday during December to listen to all the tracks. The album is wonderful. That explains why it still sells up to now. The music is playing on local radio. Ana and I were just singing Perfect Christmas in Civil Procedure earlier this week. (natawag na kasi)

Mom got me that album (yeah, she was very supportive of my love for music and I thank her for exposing me to good wholesome music up to a time when I can choose which music to appreciate for myself). I think she got me the album on a December not too far removed from December 15, 1996. She was not around so much because of work so she got me stuff when she was away to keep me company. I was not a very friendly little girl (still not so much the warm type so far) and I liked spending time alone probably singing or watching tv or playing in the garden.

You see, that December of 97 was different. 1996, I lost my home companion, my lola. She was the one who took care of me when I was really young (taught me to take a bath and all, wiped my head when I'm down with fever and shiz like that). So 97 Christmas was a little bit colder. There was no candle lit reunion. We stopped buying fireworks. Noche buena just sped by and then we'd go to sleep without much talk.

Going back to Christmas Past... As a girl of such young age then, I felt a good connection with the song but something was embarrassing about it. If you see the video of it, Jose Mari Chan is portraying a guy who was returning to his home when he was a young lad and remembering the all the holidays spent there when he was young. What i'm trying to say is, the song, no matter how much I loved it then, was not for me. It was for wizened old people remembering things in their minds probably in black and white or sepia effect. And I was so young then. I didn't deserve the song.

And yeah, I tried looking for another favorite Christmas song. It's not nice also that when people ask me what my favorite is and they're not familiar with my beloved "not-so" hit. Oh, and when they know it, the comment is that it carries a sad tune to it. I grew to love some others like Kulay ng Pasko, Pasko na Sinta ko, O Holy Night and even I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas because lola always sang that even if it were not Christmas. However, the song stuck. As soon as September arrives, I find myself singing it. When I was carolling head in AtSCA, I placed its Coda as a solo, performing it also during some nights when Justin can't. It was selfish but I wanted to place a personal touch on the the event.

Slowly, Christmas in and Christmas out, the song grows or rather, I grow more into deserving the song. The little girl me did not deserve the song because she didn't have enough Christmases to remember but she needed the song because frankly, she needed to recover from the cold December of 96. And if she needed to remember the Christmases with her lola, then be it. And somewhere ago, she stopped grieving.

And now, I realize as I gain more Christmas memories, I get to deserve the song more. It is about Christmases of past and memories that make the song more worth singing. I'm finding myself no longer needing to find a different favorite Christmas song. 13 years have passed by and that's 13 Christmases past. I don't have to worry about not having enough Christmases to remember.

The song still does not fit perfectly. I ain't wizened nor wealthy enough "to share again that Christmas past with all those who have gone..." But year in, year out, we're getting there.

Lola, here is to you. You're not forgotten. I love you so much.

And to all the world, Merry Christmas!

*****
Christmas Past

The sound of bells at early dawn
Like music from afar
Soft gentle breeze, the world at peace
A solitary star

Those joyful hymns and warm hellos
The candycanes and colored bows
All these and love are memories of
My Christmas past

Those wondrous toys of girls and boys
The cheer that Santa brings
That glorious tale of sheperd boys
Of angels and of kings

A christmas tree with lights aglow
Some cotton snow and mistletoe
All these and love are memories of
My Christmas past

Silver and gold, red and green
Colors of a wonderful scene
Memories they keep returning
And I'm like a child again

If there's a place in time and space
Where christmas past has gone
I'll surely try if I could fly
To see that early dawn

And share again that Christmas past
With all those who have gone
But those memories will forever live
within my heart

2nd sem 2nd yr

2010-11-26T23:45:00.002+08:00

Pretty much the same rants I have daily. Same things can be quoted from me like:
Sheeeet!
I am not happy
I am not prepared
Gusto kong mag-cut

Same same. I actually did cut today one subject (too early into the sem too). Turns out I am really sick today. I thought I was thinking it but here I am with colds and a minor headache. And law school is not the place for the sickly (and the weak of heart, will or mind).

So tonight, sickly or not, hello readings. Didn't think you'll leave.

There is one constant

2010-10-25T17:39:00.007+08:00

Today, I'll try posting about singing. It is one of the very few constants of my life. It's not one of them things which are necessary constants like family or faith or that ability to stand up when you just feel like mopping around. No, it ain't that. It is just me singing Christmas Past when September arrives or Defying Gravity (quite poorly) during exam seasons.

I'm no superstar on stage but I do hold my own during small presentations, videokes and small bars (where you can sing all you want but you just have to sing with strangers judging you because they occupy the next table and they want that song booklet).

Recently, I'm able to satisfy this joy of singing because Ger and I would sing in his living room. He would hook the magic sing on his player or whatever and i would purposefully scan songs through the small booklet with numbers. Moments like this, I usually spend practicing songs which I could perform in videokes. Or I research songs I could probably sing without going off tune. Recently, I've learned that my limit is Heart's Alone. I don't think I could go further. So I veer away from the Dions or Houstons or Careys or Beyonces, those stuff. Ger would chose his own songs for fun or according to mood. He usually has his big band songs.

Also recently, I sang with Gene, Steph, Rommel. Ger followed and then after awhile, Idel. We were hopelessly looking for a place to drink in Katipunan and we ended up in Ilyong (is that spelled correctly?). The place has decent drinks though a bit pricey but the ates serving are very polite and welcoming. It also has a stage and across the stage is a screen where songs can be projected and we wrote down requests and sung on the stage (and yes, everyone will see if you fly or not, tamang pakapalan lang ng mukha). It was fun not just because of the drinks. At the time, I still had to write 120 digests so it was hard to find peace of mind. The company was great. It's good to be with them who knows me for the college person that I was and not for the law student that I am now. Everyone knows the law student me is a train wreck most of the time.

Well, anyway, after this big group left, we controlled the videoke. We took turns singing. I sang Hilary Duff's So Yesterday and Rihanna's Take a bow. I'll place a video of the latter if ger sends me the clip. I just felt like letting go and that I'm going to enjoy myself regardless of the 5:30am call time I had the day after that. Yeah, it was a great time. I kinda feel a tinge of sadness every time I'm reminded that we can't always do stuff like that because of the time constrants (law school yadda yadda yadda...)

Lastly, I was able to go home. Joan and I, together with Kuya (who did not sing!) got tipsy at the fancy Filipinana hotel here in Mindoro. But I was feeling happy and the place was too noisy becuase it was "disco night" whatever that is. The locals and some representatives from Batangas were all dancing to very loud music. It was my kind of place but I'd still prefer the one where a videoke screen and a free microphone can be found. So we left. We can't go home and sing there because we don't want our parents finding us all red and tipsy. We drove to this gas station with a videoke slot machine. Believe it or not, it was one of them places to be because of the siomai they serve. The place doesn't even have a decent roof and the floor is not cemented, but just covered with gravel but we didn't care. I chose my Britney, Joan chose her Britney and it was just rockin'.

I just keep on lovin' that mic more.

So yeah, the cheesy song spells true when it said thank you for the music. I'm sure it keeps me sane but it also precipitates the happier moments when sanity can just check out for a bit.

Thanks mom for always playing disney songs on that cassette player near my crib. You always told me you believed that doing so would make me appreciate music.

***This post was inspired by the message posted in the atsca yahoogroups urging people to sing Chrismas carols.

2010-10-14T19:33:00.003+08:00

Let it be known that Gerald Vincent Teo won his first ever raffle. He doesn't join much and yet he complains he never wins.
it.a.4500.giftcert.for.minesview.hotel.
Congrats.

I owe this blog one

2010-10-14T08:02:00.002+08:00

Well, it doesn't take deep observation to see how deprived this blog is this sem. I wasn't able to make any entries. I do have some drafts in my phone which I intended to upload but some of them appear to be too dated so nevermind.

I'm watching news online. I'm watching again! It's been 5 months of media deprivation save for the manga I read during breaks and the 3 glee episodes gerald religiously downloads for me.

I was able to sleep for 8 hours. I'm sleeping again! It was not a very comfortable sleep. I kept on waking up. My body clock has been used to waking then studying then sleeping a bit then studying again.

I was able to fix my cases and reviewers. Many of them will go to the junk shop. the remaining will most likely go to someone from a lower batch so the reviewers can help other minds prepare for walls like midterms and finals.

I'm still going to write digests. Nuff said.

Also, preparations are on go for the sembreak immersion. My batch will go to Antipolo on saturday to handle the newest batch of HR interns.

And what am I doing now instead of writing digests? Reading on the information of my professors supplied by the ateneo website. I guess after the most tiring episode of my life (no exaggeration), i needed to see the most successful people I've dealt with, my brilliant professors. I noted that Dean Villanueva graduated Valedictorian cum laude when he took his masters of law at Harvard. He is just such a walking cloud of genius. Well, maybe I'll start dropping information about my professors here when chances permit me.

Last night at KFC, my friends and I were just talking about various things. How fast and painful time would pass in law school and how grateful we are of the break, how stuoid the shaker is of the chicken garlic parmesan at KFC, how Pierre's pants are already riddled with garlic parmesan, how sir Mel's name is Melencio (may how ba yun?)

I can't bring myself to work yet but I suppose I have to. I'm expecting ger in 2 hours and he'll be bringing our breakfast. Yeah, he still ever present in my mostly academically-inclined existence. I study with him while he works. I'd sleep nd he'd wake me up after my advised 5 minutes. I'd nag about waking up and refuse to move but he'd still shake me and remind me of the exam. My study lamp already has a spot on his kitchen counter where I have finished and rushed most of my midterms and finals study materials and notes. These are all to say how grateful I am of the support. Most of my friends do not have such a strong emotional support. I'm really lucky to have him. (speaking of lucky ger, you shouldn't be so bummed about glee singing lucky. We can still learn the song nevertheless.

Well, next time, I'll try and update this more 65 digests today. 65 tomorrow. SARAP!

This sem

2010-10-13T21:01:00.001+08:00

IS OVER!!!!
YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!

well, i do have a hundred digests to write and a group work to do but it's over in a sense na no more recits, exam, the shit. owel.

Bahala na sa results

key chains and cheesy

2010-07-11T09:53:00.010+08:00

This brings small joy to me. I know it's cheesy and such but we have matching key chains. I took a picture of it while I was studying at his place. I gave him the mickey I wanted to use. I can't have him using the minnie so I used that.I was resting my eyes and I noticed the key chain (in current use, keys and all) and the other older turtle key chain I gave.

Ohoh it's my first post from my phone. Trying to blog using my e63. It's tricky but it's okay.

How has it been?

2010-07-09T00:59:00.003+08:00

I just came from an HR meeting regarding barops. It's already 1am on a school night. I'm asking myself how come I'm in this position.

I was in Nego class earlier. Today is the first time in my whole law school life that I cannot recite a single case from the case list. Today, I was at my most academic low. All I did during nego class was stare at the white cumulus clouds which turn orange and pink on some angles due to the setting sun. I was thinking that if I'd get called and I'm certainly not prepared to answer, at least I was looking at something pretty before I experience the ugly.

Today was crushing. No matter how much I gave, I wasn't able to comprehend the very small work load given. We were doing room to room for Human RIghts but at the same time, I sucked at studying. Today is that day I come to class without anything reserved. It is such a depressing situation. I'm always in panic but I'm always prepared as well. Today has been tiring and I thank whatever power gave us one free cut in sales.

Owel towel.

tinatamad na ako mag-post

basta.

It is an ugly ugly thing

2010-07-08T06:46:00.001+08:00

Unpreparedness.

So I have to post things like this

2010-06-22T21:03:00.002+08:00

At the risk of sounding like I haven't reflected at all, I'd still place this pathetic excuse for a post. I'm just downloading digests that I can study so I'll blitz type this one.

Today is the feast day of ST. Thomas More. He is the patron saint of lawyers.
For more information, go her: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_More

He was beheaded after being prosecuted for treason and thus he is a martyr.

The story I'll tell is simple and law school related. It is very rare that I still feel Christian at the law school. Usually, I feel persecuted.

The thing I don't believe is how people say one will be more religious in law school because law students pray all the time that they be not called by the professors. One will hear loud prayers in any classroom, sometimes even I am one of them unfortunately. I don't think doing such makes one religious since it is counted as a bargaining with your lord. Lord, don't call let him call me at property and sec trans tomorrow because I am not prepared. I promise to be prepared on friday. See? It's fundamentally flawed.

Anyhow, yesterday, the law school had this anticipated mass in honor of St. Thomas More. A lot of people were complaining about why is the mass not mandatory. One would conclude that if it were, then an hour of class would be automatically cut, sparing law students whatever need be spared of them in that hour. It is a big deal. The point is that there would be no classes, with the mass of St. Thomas More secondary or trifling details.

I was examining the feelings bouncing within me yesterday. I was berating myself for being so self righteous. Who am I to judge this people? I am aware that an hour off is a great thing. Who am I to question them if they want to go to mass for reasons not so holy? Before classes started, I calmed myself (more like resigned myself) to the fact that owel, towel, class again. Nevermind classes that will be cut. Nevermind people who pray that classes will be cut. Nevermind my self righteousness. Nevermind the sinful desire to have classes cut as well. Nevermind.

Then when 6PM came, time for mass. Atty Lerma said, go to mass, see you Wednesday.

For the first time, after a long time, I found myself in a spiritual high. Yeah, because an hour was cut but more so because the Divine is so good. He gave rest to those everyone whether praying, bargaining or questioning.

So yeah, sang my heart out during the mass. Was in a spiritual high.

After the hour, they said the next class would require us to recite verbatim provisions so spiritual high over.

Owel towel. Back to the confused world of law school.

Is this all I've got?

2010-06-13T20:00:00.003+08:00

I'm constantly being haunted by what Grai told me last school year before the second semester started. She knew I was taking care of my grades and she knew they were okay. She said she knows of a lot of people who were really good, masipag, magaling in first year but just lose it afterwards.

I keep on thinking I might be one of those.

Recently, My block has been transferred to the night class. It doesn't help my body clock one bit. Back in the after noon class, the distribution of study time was 6pm-2am; 6am-11am. And now, it's 9:30pm-2am; 6am to 5pm. The long study during the day kills my battery after class. so the 9:30-2am window seems like a black hole of just trying to keep awake.

And guess what? This first week, I haven't come to class as prepared as I usually am. Is this all I've got? Is this my limit? putangina.

Am I no good at all? Second year? Hanggang dun na lang ba ako? Weak.

People say I'm running scared or that I push myself too hard or that I expect a lot from me. Thing is, I am running scared. I do choose to push myself hard. I expect a lot from myself. This is how I work at my optimum. I just fear that my optimum would be still greatly lacking for this new school year.

Seriously.

2010-06-13T19:08:00.001+08:00

Ang hirap pala ng 2nd yr compared sa first yr law school. kill me.

law school

2010-06-08T22:32:00.000+08:00

kills the life out of me.

I suppose I have to post something happy to end my summer

2010-06-01T23:47:00.002+08:00

This summer vacation is something I really cherish. It is the one after my first year in law school. Grabe sarap matulog, kumain ng hindi 5 minutes, makipag-usap sa tao na hindi ako mukhang bangkay, mag-inom, ngumiti, magtext nang mahaba at hindi spurts of short things.

Sure, I still complain about the weight I've gained and the times I don't have anything to do or that I have no friends here because they are all working somewhere but I have to say this beats law school any day.

Well, I'm not taking up law to enjoy anyway.

These days, I allot some hours to studying. I can't afford to be rusty when I get back. This coming sem is bound to be harder than the previous two.

Ohoh. Can I be proud and say my grades are okay? Yeah, I can. They are okay.

Anyhow. My brother and I went to our first trip together. Our parents can't tag along because one is working and one is not really into travel and stuff.

We went to Cebu and ate its lechon. We saw the Basilica and the Magellan's cross. We went to dad's med school. Oddly, we also bowled and watched a film. -_-
We weren't much of adventurers so we didn't go for the diving areas. We went to bohol instead. We ate some more. We took a day tour to the chocolate hills, hanging bridges. We went to see tarsiers. We went to a butterfly garden. We got on that all you can eat river ride and also saw a tribe of people called the Ati. We saw the biggest phyton and lots of other animals. I enjoyed the museum and the calamay. We also bought lechon for our loved ones going back to Manila.

Then I went to Davao with ger! We ate more lechon. I like Davao lechon better than Cebu lechon. I ate a lot of kinilaw because I love kinilaw. We saw lots and lots of pretty animals at the crocodile farm. I ate durian and ger learned to appreciate durian too! I'm so happy kasi di na siya maiilang kapag kumakain ako ng durian. We went to Malagos and saw the Philippine eagle along with other animals. We have a picture with serge army, an eagle and alex, a hawk. Well, actually, we have pictures with lots of animals. We shopped for pearls. We drank durian coffee. And yes, ate more lechon and kinilaw.

I love this vacation.

It breaks my heart that it is coming to an end. It's time to go back.

I have to be at my top game so that I survive law school.

Owel. At least I got to enjoy the best summer ever.

Something far from being settled

2010-05-06T08:54:00.002+08:00

One time during summer, dad struck 5 out of six lotto numbers in the 6/45 draw. He won 18 thousand. That's 5 out of six; one number shy away from the grand prize then of 16 million.

Dad usually thinks back to that day and blurts out silly things which makes kuya, mommy or me mad. He says sayang daw at kung nanalo sana ganyan:

Sayang yung 16 million, nakabili sana ako ng pampakain ng aso... (kuya got mad)
Sayang yung 16 million, nakapagpagawa sana ako ng garahe... (mommy got mad because there were other expenses to worry about)
Sayang yung 16 million, nabayaran sana mga squatters para umalis...(kuya got mad)

On to that last one. Dad said that just last night. Kuya told him that that he should not be thinking about things like paying off the squatters. He says they have been given many things, or rather, they have taken away a lot from us so why in what's name should they be paid.

I was listening in, agreeing with kuya in part. I always thought that dad's mind can use a break from problems. I was thinking, if there is no settlement, how can they be evicted? So I asked dad if there are any cases filed against them. He told me none. 30 years none. So I said, ah... Kaya malakas ang loob nila kasi pinalampas ng 30 years. If then, kelangan nga sigurong bayaran... And that was the end of the conversation.

Just this morning, I was eating bread when dad approached me. He said he and mom never filed a case because mom was afraid that if they did, our lives would be endangered or at least, greatly inconvenienced with threats. Yesterday, from the brgy. captain, I heard that there are 300 voters in the illegal settler's location which is called hidden village (sounds nice but I've never been there). 300 for just the voters. So yeah, it is a rather valid concern for mom to be afraid if we go against them in court. We live just walking distance away and last I've heard, when one is threatened, one gets desperate.

So dad said again, natatakot lang si mommy para sa atin kasi tayo ang maperwisiyo. I was thinking that if the problem was brought to court back then when it was still starting, it should have been resolved by now but I didn't tell him that. He must have known that it is wrong for this to drag 30 years without any settlement or court action whatsoever.

He asked me if they would really do that if we filed a case in court. I told him, ideally, hindi kasi tayo ang nasa tama pero ngayon, malakas ang loob ng mga yan kasi napatagal.

***
Sometimes really, atsca area just becomes a dream or an alternate reality.

***
Oh. I know that the politically correct term for squatter is informal settler. I would just have a hard time writing this if I didn't use squatters because my family doesn't use the right one.

So Dad, it used to be a dooby dooby doo area?

2010-05-05T20:44:00.005+08:00

SO to understand this post, this poorly made image of our compound and surrounding areas should be placed.

Earlier today, my father accompanied me to the grocery store. It was that time of the month so I had to buy you know. While driving back, daddy commented how big the new jollibee is compared to the one in the central town. I told him, people will realize how the food will still taste the same and then things will be back to normal.

Back track to the week before. Our kapitbahay, jollibee, opened. Geeze, It was an event. People were genuinely curious. And guess what? Drive through na si jollibee! First in Calapan! (...) I suppose if I were in Manila, it would not be so much of a big deal but here in the province, it was THE SUMMER EVENT. A pity, really. So for three days, our kapitbahay was playing really loud jollibee music "Dito ang saya!!!" lalala dito ang saya wtfkh21qk2e??!!?? dito ang saya. buwiset. But it's okay, it's over. The loud blaring thing must have been whisked elsewhere to help in some politician's roving campaign vehicle or something.

Anyhow, back to my story. Our crosswind entered our compound. Dad stopped the engine and he said, "Buti na rin nagkaroon ng Jollibee dyan." And then he went about saying how back then, he would see rugby boys there and then he would report to the police and then the police would arrest the dooby boys and recommend them to DSWD. DSWD would in turn release them (apparently kasi wala raw pampakain sabi ni daddy). Then he'd see them back in our not so beloved abandoned gas station. Oh. I forgot to mention that the gas station and the abandoned lot beside it belonged to my extended family. He said that the cycle of seeing rugby boys just goes on and on but this time, it won't happen anymore because jollibee is now on that lot.

So I said, Dad, dooby area pala talaga yan? He said, oo, dati nga nagpaputok pa ako ng baril dyan.

HUWAAAAAAT?!? The conversation was followed with me telling my dad NEVER to do it again because that would be a crime. He told me he was just scaring the dooby people and I told him, that is no excuse.

Oh. Just in case: it was such a long time ago that charges cannot be pressed against him. The prescriptive period for filing charges is finished. Maybe he does need a lawyer for a daughter.

So many changes in such a short span of time. Max's fried chicken, that commercial building in front of our house, then jollibee. I have to grow up faster. I don't want progress to leave me behind.

Right now

2010-04-20T09:50:00.003+08:00

I'm not having much luck of fitness. As the summer days go by, I think I'm just putting on the pounds more. Heck, I'm supposed to be following an exercise video right now. Owel.

It has been okay here. Kuya makes sure I"m not bored out of my wits. His girlfriend, knowingly or not, took the role of my friend here. My close buddies, Madonna and Nicole are nowhere because they have work already. So I'm here but I'm okay. Anything is better than law school I suppose. Well, except for the weight gain.

***
Oooohhh...
To all those who have transactional relationships. Like you decided to be with someone because of that person's money or that person's potential to get money; what you have going for you, end it now. What you have is nothing special. It maybe real, but it is not worth it. It will not blossom into anything better. If you started with something rotten, you're just gonna end up with a lot of wasted time and memories you'd rather not have. Once the other guy provides, he'd think that he doesn't owe you anything anymore for being with him, so he'd end up just looking for someone who would see him as someone more a person than a tool.
I can't really give names to why I'm saying such things but really, trust me on this one.

Well, haven't learned anything yet. Will have to leave my post here.

Oh my.

2010-04-15T12:44:00.003+08:00

Hmmm... To relate to my last post lang.

It seems that my brother has the same insecurities that I have towards him.

He opened during breakfast today that he has no plans for his life yet. He told me about taking up law but he may not be able to do it because I discourage him. Well, he knows he can't sustain it if he goes to ateneo. He can't. I do not know how to substantiate this but we both know he can't.

But I sort of feel bad when he said I was discouraging him. I suppose even if I do not do it all the time, he sees me and he knows that what I do is just not healthy. I mean, even ger says it's not appealing.

So here I am looking up programs from near by law schools which he may be able to take. University of Batangas and Batangas State University seems promising. San Beda Alabang too.

But really, what am I doing? I feel like I'm just doing this so I don't come off as discouraging.

On another note, I'm taking up law because he did not. How am I supposed to know or expect that there is still some part of him interested in it? He's 2 yrs older than me. He should have done something when the opportunities presented themselves like when he was just a graduating student. Rawr.

But as always, I have to be objective about this and give the advice to all those who ask, even if he is my brother: give it one sem.

Back to looking up promising law schools...

2010-04-09T01:05:00.004+08:00

I remember putting up a post with pictures in them describing the construction of the building in front of our house some maybe six or seven years ago. Construction of that thing went on hold for several years due to a lack of permit. My parents gave up on it. However, things changed recently. The building is complete already. I'm not sure if I approve of its design and all but it is surely better than anything it used to be.

Anyhow, my brother gave me a 'tour' of it just this afternoon and he told me how happy he was. He says that it gives him great relief every time he thinks about how the place was resurrected and all. He was very involved in getting that thing finished, among other things and getting other things started.

I have him to thank for that, for the completion of the building. And everything I'm unable to do because I can't help my family in the way that he only can. Here in Calapan, I am rather..useless. Ahahaha. It's not something I'm all too depressed over. I can be too much dependent on others even if most think I'm sensible and strong-willed. It just sucks that I'm an adult already and I haven't done a single thing to really as in really benefit my family. I often can my brother a bum. He will not compare to my level of industry when it comes to studying. His experiences will not even measure to the extent of mine in the four corners of the classroom. But the truth is, he has proven himself in the outside world, a world I am unable to penetrate still.

I won't wish that I decided differently. I won't want to be here and be the one handling the things he can capably handle. I just want to have something to show more than grades. And right now, even grades are on the rocks. Spare me, Ateneo Law.

Vacation Mode

2010-04-05T19:25:00.002+08:00

Somewhat. I'm still doing the paper though but generally, I have my free time.

What has a year of law school thought me?

Aside from learning to rant more...

The Good things
I value time more now. Along with it, sleep, time with special people, time with myself, time for quiet.

I learned that my brain has more capacity than I give it due. Although sometimes, it still doesn't meet the daily necessary requirement, it has worked better this year than in any year of my life. As I've said, pasado man o hindi this year, no one can take away from me the things I was able to do or retain by trying to stay in Ateneo.

Alongside with retaining many things is actually learning. Law school was a new animal. Everyday and every damn reading is a new pretty firefly or ugly bug in the forest. And although there are more bugs than fireflies, I still have to keep on going because I have gone through the inner circles of the forest yet.

I met good people at the law school, people who had genuine causes and people who genuinely just want to live out life.

The not so good things
The world passes by while one worries about that one or two hours in the class where one could be called. That's part of the sacrifice, I suppose.

You get to be religious for the wrong reasons, for the selfish ones. Lord, sana pasado ako. You know they are selfish requests but also you know that they reflect an inner desire, maybe not the deepest, surely not the most meaningful but they matter still. Because that over arching fear of not passing is there. It is just there. Owww man... Sana I pass... please... please...

I realize the flaws in my education now. Some of my blockmates can employ techniques in studying which I have not acquired growing up. It is really up to us to devise some workable system.

What does the future hold for me, i wonder?
Will I still be able to do four readings of the assigned materials?
Will I get along with Sei? She's a blockmate and my housemate for next year.
Will I finally be able to strike a good study life balance... Hay... That usually is just an impossible thing. I have to cross my fingers.

And the wait continues. April 30. Atenista pa kaya ako?

Happy April Fools Day

2010-04-01T08:43:00.002+08:00

I will spend it cleaning my room preparing to move out of my current residence. I'll be living nearer ateneo.

Examsareoverandidontknowifillmakeit.

Still the same story for Criminal Law

2010-03-29T22:23:00.002+08:00

I sucked. I think we all did. No one was happy. Like we were living examples of that guy in the Life is Hell Law School movie after that exam.

I can't even start reviewing. Nah...

Scratch that. I won't add one disappointment to another. I shall try still.

Oh. On a different note, I'm moving residences next school year.

sending from phone

2010-03-25T13:48:00.000+08:00

I am not ready for ObliCon finals tomorrow. Sheeeeet!

Took a break from studying

2010-03-17T08:42:00.003+08:00

I just have to greet Ger in this small space here.

Happy three years.

Madami na rin ang nangyari. 3 years na rin from that time na hinabol kita (flirt with finesse naman). Ayan, blog to the world na hindi ka reacher at hindi ako settler as you would call it from How I Met Your Mother.

We're not exactly having the best of days with your work and with my final exams. Hectic. Nakakatawa lang na kahit busy, ganito pa rin tayo. Sabog pa rin ako, wala pa rin tiwala sa sarili at di pa rin sobrang pala-isip. Ikaw naman, plaisip pa rin masayado at kagaya ko, wala rin sobra tiwala sa sarili in certain things. Owel. Kaya tayo bagay eh. AHAHAHA.

3 years. Happy, they are. Not just today. They all are. Thanks for being a part of the last four years of my life. And counting.

Hoping to count more years with you,

Yesterday in a video

2010-03-12T09:54:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, we showed a video in class we made for our theo project. It was about peace and justice. The story goes that jun-jun, played by allan, was mourning for the death of his mother and he blames the mayoralty candidates for not helping him save her. He then kidnaps the daughter of the candidate, and the son of the incumbent. In the end he dies, the children are safe, there is peace or at least, there is a fair election. I dunno, go figure.

Well, my point really in telling this story is my single speaking scene there. I played the role of the mother of the boy who got kidnapped. My orientation was matapobre. In the scene, I was in the car with my video-family and jun-jun (who was forced to beg for money because he lost his job and he has no health benefit) knocked on the window to ask for alms. My video-son (Archie, who would after that be kidnapped by Allan) posed as if to give him a hundred buck and the guy who was playing the role of the father (the incumbent mayor) said, 'o? bakit one hundred? Piso lang katapat niyan, and then I said, "Wag mo ngang sanayin yang mga yan. Kailangan nilang matutong magtrabaho" and then looking to at jun-jun, I said, "Alis diyan, dinudumihan mo kotse namin." ANd then I roll the car window up to completely ignore jun-jun.

It was a short scene. I'm not complaining since I don't like acting and I'm camera shy. My block, though, was really surprised. I'm not a good actor but they saw 'matapobre' in those very short lines I said. Heck, I won't deny, I looked convincing. My friends, even jude and caloy, cannot believe. Ano daw ginagawa ko sa ATeneo Human Rights at ganon ako. Di na daw ako AtSCAn. Nag-law school lang daw, ganyan na. Yeah, I suppose, goes to show that yeah, I looked the part.

Thing is, I know I can look the part. I was raised to disliking squatters. The 'magtrabaho' quip. That's not something I came up with. That's something I heard regularly from my mother when I was young.

Also, the rolling of the car window thing in front of a peasant, I've done that. I did it at a time when I didn't know better, in elementary. But I did it still. I was in our toyota sprinter. I was in the back seat and a friend, Madonna, was sitting beside me. The car was parked by the market, on the bridge. We were waiting for my dad, who was buying vegetables. The car window was half open. Someone knocked and I saw it was one of the people who normal people would classify under taong grasa or luko-luko. I looked at him, bearing in mind the words of my mother,"kailangan nilang matutong magtrabaho" and I rolled up the window. I remember showing Madonna what I did (because she was looking the other way) and I distinctly remember my disposition when I did it. I was smiling. I was happy at what I did, enough to show it to a friend, smiling. There is no excuse to that. I did that.

That was the memory that crept up my spine while I was watching our video. Hindi makapaniwala ang mga kaibigan ko kasi so out of character daw. So not miss alberto, only member of ateneo human rights from block 1-C. They'd be surprised if they knew the truth. I suppose I played it convincingly because at one point in time, I was convinced that that was the way to handle such situations.

My viewpoint on the matter now is something I take from Fr. Bob. Do not encourage mendicancy but look the beggar in the eyes and acknowledge his presence. I don't know if it is any better because, the person still won't be able to eat acknowledgement. Though maybe, even if just slightly, it is.

2010-03-08T19:20:00.001+08:00

It seems that on Thursday, my Media Law prof back in college, Atty. Imbong, will talk about Gender. Maybe I'll drop by and see that forum.

2010-03-05T15:29:00.002+08:00

I just attended a recollection earlier today. I noticed most if not all those who attended were first years even though the recollection was open to other members of the law school. I can't help but wonder that the only reason or maybe, the primary reason why people went is that there were plus points for that miserable theo long test yesterday we subjected ourselves to. Hopefully, people got something out of it. There is always grace I suppose. I have yet to know what my reason if for attending the thing but I was happy for the 20 minute silence given to us. At the very least, that was a moment of reprieve.

2010-03-03T16:52:00.000+08:00

Sei and I were talking earlier. Nagkasundo kami na bawal bumagsak. Bawal. Mahal bumagsak.

2010-02-27T07:21:00.002+08:00

Currently trying to wake up kri because she asked me to. We're going to complete that shoot we have for a project. Still a morning person, that I am. Which brings me to my next point. Should I go with the flow if our block become part of the night class? Sabi nila, malaking convenient daw at may tulog pa na hindi putol kapag night class kasi tutulog ka pagkarating mo sa bahay tapos aral ka na diretso until evening kapag night class daw.

I don't know. I'm not sold eh. I don't think I have it in me to transfer blocks if ever that happens. However, I also predict that I'd have a deep grudge everytime I finish school and the sun isn't up or is at least setting. I like having part of the day at the end of my own day.

2010-02-22T22:50:00.002+08:00

I sent this to patty today to remind her and kieffer na lagi namin sila naaalala ni benjo. ahaha. mga sneakers namin yan nung magkatabi kami sa banig during pullout.

di nga lang natanggap ni patty kaya posted it here na lang.

2010-02-19T19:29:00.000+08:00

another bad oblicon recit.

Oh no.

Consti 1 all over again.

During Study Breaks

2010-02-14T11:22:00.000+08:00

I make it a point to smell the white roses and the pink lilies.

Awww...

Thank you, Ger. Happy Valentines!

2010-02-12T16:49:00.002+08:00

I got my first Big time bad recitation yesterday for this semester. It's ObliCon and it is our most major of subjects. I really felt bummed about it. To think, I always get bag recitations in constitutional law last semester. But this time it is different since my professor right now does not adjust grades. So I really have to make it up n ObliCon. My problem however is that there are constraints in my schedule. I'ms upposed to go to bilibid and conduct paralegal trainings. I'm supposed to go to mindoro and conduct a voter's ed one weekend. Hay... I guess being in HR in my freshman year would have some bad turns for me since I haven't gotten the studying down just right.

For now, these are the happy things:
Watched The Blind SIde with Ger. Great movie. Salty Popcorn. Great Company.
I drank Sango Green Milk tea shake
I got my yearbook thanks to Ger
I met up with patty for breakfast. Saw Jomi and mars too.
I learned some magic tricks at the school's alternative class program.
I'm reading criminal law, which I do not usually read.

There. Things that are happy. And then I will dread yet again the dawning of another day with an ObliCon schedule.

2010-02-11T02:55:00.002+08:00

I ate at KFC after consti class with Grace, Ana, Allan and Sei. Grace opened a topic saying how she finds ara mina's interview with mo twister looks more like a bubble gang segment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Gpi_l4PxQ

You can decide for yourself. It's not a hard decision.

We were laughing and ana went on about she is so sure that people will vote for her just because. And on about how this country is like this because everyone is corrupt.

I had to go and say how she shouldn't think that way because she should have more hope in the people. People learn but it does take time. I said, look, they didn't vote for ceasar montano. And she was like, because there was someone else running aside from montano. And I was like, no. He ran for senate.

Then all of us went on talking about automated elections and then with all the side shows going on in the Senate instead of the legislative work our legislators are supposed to do. I think it was a recurrent comment on how our parents' tax money, the people's money is being wasted.

Ana went on again and said see? That's why she is jaded. Because even the people in power are like that. I had to go on again and say she shouldn't be. She's adding up to the number. She is educated and it would be sad to lose hope. She told me she is jaded precisely because she is educated. I went on and said, well, ano na lang mangyayari sa mga taong gaya ni grace at sei na tumutulong pa for truthful elections through lente if educated people like you remain jaded?

She said she would love to be proven wrong. Prove her wrong and she would be happy.

It bothered me thinking about that perspective, being educated leaves one hopeless.. I've always thought that education places someone at a more informed level and thus, even with the threat of being exposed to the uglier side of life, of the world, one also sees gradually how this world has evolved through man's work and his strife to change because every change has been precipitated by some form of struggle. Aren't we studying to better ourselves and become more useful citizens? What is education's worth if it only leads a person towards a path of pessimism?

I know education is a right. I know, in this country, it has sadly become a privilege. So what happens if even the privileged lose it?

And so it was over with a pot of kare kare

2010-01-27T17:38:00.002+08:00

First year second sem midterms is done. And I was happily eating kare kare after the exam. Happily.

Screw not knowing if I passed everything or not. Savor the small reprieves granted by this fast paced law school life.

***

On to oblicon. A lot to read tonight.

Oh my

2010-01-22T03:55:00.002+08:00

Cats is coming to manila. Should I watch it? I have no clue about this musical and all I know is that Memory song I hear on the radio. I hear Lea's gonna play a part there. Awww... Big motivation to want to see but I want to watch a musical FOR IT not for the actor, even if she is my favorite Filipino artist.

I'll research on Cats after midterms then.

Sift

2010-01-21T16:47:00.003+08:00

No, I really don't want to talk about what was or what could have beens regarding some people. I think people have a conscious effort to know which relationships to keep and which ones to part with because in some friendships (unilateral, mutual, whatever) and in some connections(connected, disconnected, complicated) somebody gets tired and it isn't that person's fault.

After all, affections and fondness may not be returned. And the point is not in the failure to return but in the failure to keep on letting things out knowing that the sentiments will just fall on something a little less than a hardened heart.

Here I go again posting songs

2010-01-07T22:42:00.002+08:00

Yeah, I know it is another Lea Salonga song. I really like the way she sings you see.

Something More

Beyond my eyes can see,
There must be something more
Beneath the surface rush of things
There's something else in store
Beyond this daily strife, there must be more to life
An underlying rhyme in things
I must have known before

Before the seasons changed,
Before I grew too wise
I watched the passing clouds
In search of meaning in the skies

I read between the lines
But the verses lost their rhymes
And though the truth has long been told,
I'm still waiting for a sign

Where are you, you whom I seek to know?
Are you the one i'm looking for?
Show your face
Why don't you break your silence now?
Take the stormy seas within me
Name these shadows trapped inside me
Claim this lost and frightened child you see
In me

Beyond my eyes can see,
There must be something more
Beneath the surface rush of things
There's something else in store
Beyond this daily strife, there must be more to life
An underlying rhyme in things
I must have known before

I bear my private pains
I go the extra mile
Will you be there beyond this road,
To meet me with your smile?
Before my very eyes you'll shed your last disguise
And then i'll realize I need nothing more
That the face i'll recognize
****

On to my post

Aside from the over-arching "I'm going to fail law school feeling", the other thing I consider as a problem right now really is how spiritually malnourished I am. I make no secret about it. It has been the topic of some of my posts or at least I make mention of it every now and then. I try to make this exercise every now and then and remember some theology lessons I've learned from Ateneo just so I can tell myself that I do not forget those days when I can say I was more looking out for myself with regard to my spiritual needs. Yeah, AtSCA did help a lot back then. I try to remember my sharings then too during prayer sessions. I wonder if I can still recognize my way of thinking now from the things I remember.

Then also, I realize that I shouldn't keep myself to just going back. Going back and trying to remember is good but it shouldn't cause my not moving forward. Enter the storm says a good and handy prayer book I have (that I left behind in Mindoro. great.) Anyhow. Enter into the eye of the storm. And this is currently my storm I suppose.

On to the song. Something more is a song rendered by Lea Salonga in a Jesuit Communications release of Something More (Songs For Skeptics). Nope, I'm not a skeptic but I kind of relate the lyrics to how things are, looking for something more in all he bustle of law school and sometimes, the meaning of doing things just get lost all too easily.

Oh. I should do this quick

2009-12-30T21:20:00.002+08:00

It's rizal day again and that means it is my birthday once more. 21. Sabi ni ger that would be the age that the international community acknowledges me as an adult. Owel. It may appear as a sad reality for some but I do not really celebrate my birthday. As long as the day is good and nothing goes wrong, I'd be thankful already. It isn't something to be sad about. It is simply the way I see things.
Today, I was only playing games on the DS I borrowed form Ger. TOday would be game day. I have been missing playing games. And rightfully, today is the day I catch up on them. Tomorrow, I'll be studying again. I wanted to play so that I won't go looking for games when I go back to school.

Ger visited me. Here is what we did:
Day 1
Fetched ger at pier
He checked in at hotel
We go walking in town (tiring)
We ate dinner at max's (which is situated on our lot)
We ate fruitcake and lemon squares at home
ger met our dog who is not so fond of him
we went to the local perya (which is situated on our lot)
We lost money betting
He recovered his loss
I didn't want to increase mine so I didn't try recovering it
We drank beer and ate barbeque

Day 2
I cooked corned beef, garlic rice
Ger came to our house and he helped (he was scared of our dog)
He cooked the eggs because I was boiling coffee
breakfast
Ger tried fixing our tech stuff (will not happen, lacking in plugs and such)
We played scrable. I was not a team player. Tampo si ger for a while.
We went to town.
Tried to look for souveniers (in vain)
Walked to church
walked back
Walked to wing wah and bought soy chicken and fried rice
Went home and ate lunch
played games on ds and such
Went to nicole's to give pastry
walked back
bought ice drop (si ger)
won ice drop (bunot ko; there is this draw lots thing wherein if you get a number with a zero, you'd win an ice cream; piso lang)
walked home
played for a while then an electrician came (i handled that)
played badminton (sakit katawan kasi as you can see, we were walking a lot here)
Tried to look for a cooked thing that has goat in it (in vain; but it was fun kasi rad trip w/ kuya and joan)
went to a beach resort hotel to eat (with kuya and joan)
Ate a LOT (waited long though)
road trip again
went home
gave joan cheesecake
kuya drove us to ger's inn. played ds
went to the Calafest (street party, felt like we were gonna be stabbed)
drank corn palamig (yey)
ger bought ice crumble which he tried for the FIRST time (OMG!)
walked to the local wine seller
bought vodka and sprite
went home
Drank til midnight
he greeted me happy birthday
ger took a trike going back to the inn

day 3
I cooked vienna sausage
ger came with pancit
we ate breakfast
he said goodbye to my mommy
i asked dad to drive us to the local suman maker (merl's suman sa lihiya)
I bought 10 special suman for ger's family
we drove to the pier
ger got him a 9am supercat ticket
ju wished him happy trip and so did dad.

There. He is still terrorized by our loyal guard dog, Negro.

Finally

2009-12-25T17:42:00.002+08:00

Okay. I changed the broken layout. At last.
ANd it is already Christmas. Oh my. Well how has it been?

Almost halfway through second sem and I have a few bad recits. Okay lang. Still alive pa.

I watched Lea Salonga's concert because Ger treated me to the concert as his birthday gift. Yey. I fool you not when I say That is the first ever concert I've ever been to and IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIAL. My favorite artist and ger. Okay na. More than okay. And I keep on listening to the broadway cd she released 2003. That is his Christmas gift. Thank you! A lot of people who used to give me gifts this Christmas weren't able to but I don't mind. I got me a couple of very good ones already.

I completed simbang gabi and my prayer the whole time was for peace in mindanao. I don't think my prayer life has been healthy since law school but I think that should not stop me from trying to nurture my highly depleted spiritual life. I started with going to the 430am mass at palm village. I was able to catch one at gesu presided by fr. David. And the rest at the hospital chapel in Calapan.

Christmas. The priest during the salubong mass didn't have anything new to say. But his homily wasn't supposed to surprise the masses or intrigue the intellectual. It was a simple reminder that Chirst was born. The songs have been played. the lanterns have brightened the world. The gifts have been given. WHat is left is for him to be born in the hearts of people. That's pretty much what I remembered from the homily. I spent much time staring back at the baby boy in the front seat who was staring at me.

This was the first time we didn't heve conventional noche buena. We had late dinner but not noche buena. There's no problem or anything but mom and dad were sleepy and kuya had an upset stomach and I was, well... looking forward more to the vodka than the food. It was a good evening. Kuya and I oh and the dog waited for Christmas and then we went to bed.

Food has been the bane to my existence this holiday season. I have really as in really eaten more than what I should (or can) for each day of the vacation. God. I do not want to be obese. Jeeze... I will not eat. I will not eat. I will not eat. (hopeless) Please shoot me if my but no longer fits this monoblock chair.

I brought criminal law and oblicon with me. I just have about a hundred pages for crim. Okay pa. di naman sobrang patapon (except when it comes to eating... I don't want to be obese). I was able to catch up with the lesson. It is just a matter of reviewing for the midterm examinations. I can do this. I will not be lax after xmas break. (Yeah right).

Back to the lay out. I got it from blogskins and it is about coffee. I don't think I've ever paid tribute to my favorite drink yet. No. It ain't vodka although that is a close second.

Merry Christmas everybody!

I'm looking forward to Ger coming over to mindoro. I have to remember to reserve a room at the local inn. Have to remember to send him boat schedule. Have to remember to read the things I brought before he arrives so I won't feel guilty when we're together.

I got my badminton racket out. I want to play.

What else can I say? I'm not so sure.

First yr Second sem

2009-11-09T11:46:00.003+08:00

Title yan ng folder na ginawa ko to organize my files. My laptop was too cluttered this first sem. Grades are out and they seem to be fine. Thank God and all the powers that be in law school.
Immersion had a lot of firsts. And I'm still deathly scared of slopes. I don't think I can give justice to the experience by blogging it now. Hirap mag reflect, classes na maya-maya.
Oh. I've met a lot of good people in HR too. Again, cannot give everything justice.
Will have to blog when it can be given. Hay... too out of it.

Cleaning up

2009-10-23T07:29:00.003+08:00

I'm currently packing for the human rights activities for the break. My stuff aren't complete yet. But I'm getting there. Anyhow, I would just like to express my thanks to ger for helping me clean up my law school ravaged room and for helping me buy stuff and for helping me fix my knapsack. ANd well, for ultimately being there for me this semester even though I can get stubborn and ill-tempered and utterly insecure. Thanks for your patience.

On Finals week and on HR

2009-10-23T07:26:00.002+08:00

Finals week just finished and I’m not confident with some of the subjects. I don’t think I’d get kicked out of law school but I do fear getting failing marks for either Consti or Crim. There should be one more exam but I’m opting not to take that one because I can afford to. It is not boastful. It just so happened that I passed two exams and this third one is cancellable depending on the grade. So I passed two already and two will be considered for the final grade. That’s enough already.
On to human rights. Originally, there were three freshmen in the Human Rights center who got accepted. Me, Sei and Geoanne. Unfortunately, I find myself the only freshman left due to unavoidable circumstances. I’m having a hard time mingling with upper classmen because I can’t relate to the subjects they were talking about. And I can’t really talk about my stuff because to them, what I’m going through is already history. They are all understanding and they do let me in and join in their groups. Still, it can’t be helped that it is harder since I don’t know anyone. I told myself that this is really a test of desire. When I heard that the two of them backed out the first thought that came to me was if I should as well. Hypocrite. I find myself not even considering the option. I’m just scared that I won’t find the right company or the people to talk to. However, in the gist of it all, I don’t want to say I quit because I don’t want to. I want to be part of Ateneo Human Rights. I’m no good with trekking or going to the mountains for our immersion next week. I don’t even know what a windbreaker is. But I know that this immersion experience would only be the first. Do not condemn me for not being so excited. I am deathly scared of the woods, of having to do my thing (bath, urinate, crap) inside a malong, of the npa, of not being able to get along. I am. Scared. But I realize how this is only a part of something which could flourish into something big for me and for those whom I can influence. Yeah, it can be inconvenient but I know I want to be in this particular organization and for the right reasons. There can be so much more than the temporary and fleeting fears of discomfort.
As for next semester, I pray that I be able to be of quality service to the organization while studying. I really hope I pass all my subjects. Atty. Medina said they consider grades in accepting people and I really don’t want to disappoint.

I wonder

2009-10-20T22:12:00.000+08:00

I wonder

I wonder...

I really do...

tatagal kaya ako sa Ateneo?

Finals week at law school

2009-10-17T21:35:00.002+08:00

I'm preparing to study for Crim. Today was my Consti Law finals. I think I'm flunking it. Persons and leg prof down done too. Crim and Statcon to go.

Thou shalt not steal thy landlady's cheese

2009-09-27T10:24:00.002+08:00

So I saw this goat cheese in the fridge. And it looked cute. And I haven't eaten goat cheese ever. Or maybe I have but not as pure goat cheese so I won't remember the taste anyhow. I asked ate darlyn, ate anong lasa nito? She said kuha ka isa. So I got one of them cube thingies and unwrapped it. It is larger than the usual cube thingy. And as I took a bite, my tummy grumbled. And then Darlyn, sobrang timing, asked the landlady to come to the kitchen and survey what is for lunch. And I was still holding the big chunk of goat cheese which I know is not mine but is for her regular salad. I turned around, ate the whole thing and pretended as if I'm just washing my hands but really, I was chewing fast.

ANd now my tummy grumbles.

Thou shalt not steal thy landlady's cheese.

On the academic side of life.
God. Save me.

2009-09-18T19:49:00.003+08:00

Okay. It has been awhile since I've had a semi free night. I am still going to review for tomorrow's class but I am really searching for some sort of break. This week has been hectic. The past few weeks had been too. Our persons debate, bar ops, and Consti is now, 2 hours every time. So that takes time.

But anyway, I'd like to tell stuff. Other stuff. Law school stuff but not rants.

I got accepted in Ateneo Human Rights. There were only three of us first years. I didn't think they'd be that strict. I wonder where this road will take me. I really do. My first memory of the the Human Rights, I remember, was that they were those shiny people (Yes, I said shiny) who joined along in the truth and accountability rally. I think that was my reaction because I was just in 3rd year back then. And I was thinking "oooohhh law school people." I wonder if I can stick this out. I wonder if I can stick out law school.

Patty emailed me about the solicitation for retreat. She told me how she wished I was okay because I texted her how there are no more happy days. It was Vince who said he feared losing his spontaneity in law school. I think as much as I fear failing, I also feel the same. Three weeks for class and a week of exams. I'll be toughing it out. But I do hope I pass first sem. This is that period when they segregate really those who will stay and those who are not so lucky. Sometimes, I really don't know who is. It would suck if I got accepted in HR then I'd be forced to leave because of grades. That would not be nice.

What's next to the list of stories?
Oh. And Kri is Djumantan.
Hay... People won't get this part. This is taken from a case we repeated in Consti. Djumantan was married to a Filipino while the first marriage was still subsisting. Djumantan is Indonesian but she followed the man in the Philippines and resided here. She lied about their relationship. It was discovered and she supposedly was to be deported but since a petition for deportation can only prosper within 5 years after filing (1980), she was not deported because it was already 1990.
And we joke around sayng that Kri Roderos is the woman and she is unable to go back to Indonesia.

Basta. Malabo. Pero sobrang benta sa min.

And what else? Ana, Marien and Kri says they have their own sorority they call boobority. And the queen is the queen boob. I am not sure why I get tangled with such people but they really are very fun. They are such the opposite of me (who mentally hangs, as in like nag-hang na computer) every time I'm faced with things like that. Nut maybe that is what I find so amusing about them. Allan says he thinks I'm older than them. But really, I'm not. Ana is 24 na rin. And Kri is 2 batches up.

They all do the fun stuff. My role is to well, hang around and just mentally hang whenever they do their thing. I honestly don't mind. I like being their friends.

Okay. A blow.

In our philo class, the people rarely study. Rarely: when we report or during the 3 tests we'll be taking. Well, we took 2 already. So that leaves one. And failing philo under father ferrer is so normal. He always uses a bell curve system in order to save some souls. Anyway, why a blow? Yesterday, we took the 2nd exam. And honestly, it was damning hard. And people were not prepared because of the advent of our two hour consti. We have reports in class and we are given handouts from those. But father ferrer takes the questions from the original text so relying on the handout really is either failing or praying for a so so passing grade.

I took the mind set that I'd read the originals for the Philo long test but I will have to accept a bad recitation from consti if studying the original text meant giving up a recitation. Because recitations come all the time for consti even if it s my waterloo. But a long test, that only happen 3 times in that philo class. True enough, I was called and my recitation in consti was eww... And then after the philo test, eww din. Reading the 22 chapters was tiring and I found myself guessing constructively the items. Parang intellectual guess kasi nag-aral naman talaga ako. Infer here and there lang. But as a whole, it felt like a practice in futility.

We got the test today, 56 ako. It must be a decent grade because people were congratulating me. But many also were telling me, thanks a lot for screwing the bell curve. Kasi daw mataas grade ko (kahit di ko alam total grade or kung may mas mataas sa 56.) sabi nila 65 total daw. Apparently, I ruined the grades of many because I studied and I feel uncomfortable because really, we don't know. Perhaps someone got a higher grade who just isn't speaking out. And I don't like the feeling that I can't even feel happy for myself. Hay... Still, I know I it is not like me to not study. So there. I bet I'd feel bad if I got lower and that bad recitation would have been in vain.

Have to go study. Study study.

Scribbled

2009-09-18T19:43:00.002+08:00

I scribbled this on my spare post-it note yesterday:

In this case sir, uh, in this case,
We take not of how the respondent
Tried.

Ahahaha. Go consti. ahahaha.

I have to think things through now

2009-09-02T19:38:00.002+08:00

Was never much of a transcendental thinker. I do things, I suppose, by the week if they are academic in nature and about other things, well, they come and I act on them. Or maybe, I act when I feel like it. Sometimes the lines get blurry because I do not plan much outside my student life.

Well, what's the point of thinking things through?

I applied for the Ateneo Human Rights Center and today I got interviewed for it. And as much as I know it, as much as my mom and brother knows about my applying, I still got hit by the reality that I won't have a sem break because of it. Well, I suppose the immersion is the break already. But this much, I haven't thought about it because there was that feeling of remorse somewhere.

I have to think things through. I want to apply but somehow, somewhere whispers wala ka nang vacation. What was said during OrSem as the best vacation of my life because it is the one after 1st sem, wala na yun. Kaya dapat isipin. Bakit ko gusto. Hindi yan AtSCA. At ayaw mo rin na AtSCA yan because it's a different stage in law school. Isipin mo kahit papaano.

"Natrauma ka ata sa Midterms"

2009-08-28T22:41:00.002+08:00

sabi ni Sir Mel.

That I shall not deny. As I've said in a Plurk, Hindi ako sanay bumagsak. Hindi ako sanay pumalpak. Sanay akong pumasok sa classroom, cool lang. Hindi mahilig makipag-usap at hindi mahilig sumagot sa prof pero kapag bumabalik ang exam, halatang may ibinubuga naman pala.

Owel. Gone are those days. Sabi nga ni Ger, by 4th year, bored na ako. Oo nga naman, nung college, sobrang mani na ang second sem. No offense to theo 141, philo 104, media law, philippine cinema an I think I had another class, di ko maalala. Oh. Audience studies.

And now, ahahaha. Umuulan ng bagsak. Ang saya. Di naman ako tanga. Pero bagsak bagsak talaga kami. Nakakatawa na nga lang. Kaya pala may delibs sa law school. Naiisip ko nga eh, maybe sometimes, it is just a question of placing a 77 or a 78 to the card of a student, the former placing her soul in limbo and the latter, letting her taste something close to an academic salvation.

Hay. I should really be studying right now. But my brain has been rebelling for about 3 days already. I have to go study. Study study study. Especially since i have a new cK glasses. thanks mum! Oh. my eye grde increased .50 for both eyes. -_-

Blockmates

2009-08-25T02:15:00.002+08:00

I have been meaning to make a post about my law school friends with descriptions and all but I can't seem to find the time. Well anyhow. This picture will have to do. We spent some time in Red Mango last Saturday coz it was Allan,s birthday and this shot was care of Kri's camera.

So from left to right:
Sei, Marien, Ana, Marge, Kri, Allan and Me

Ana, the one in red is my first OrSem buddy.

After midterms

2009-08-22T11:38:00.002+08:00

I know I do not lie when I say that was most tiring 2 weeks of my entire life. All the things read, memorized and understood. Oh geeze and we do not even trust that passing all five exams is possible. I mean Philo results are out and there is a saving grace of a bell curve that save most of our pride and souls but the bare truth is that without that curve, out of 107 students, only 1 passed.

And he is the only guys who curves. So yeah. And many failed still even if he did that.
And that was the ONLY test I was confident with (primarily because a lot of people did not study for that one and I managed to read it through thrice) so I can safely say I am on the right side of the bell. Whew. right side of the bell is the right side. Right?

Anyway. I do not trust the results of the remaining four. And God help me with my majors if I failed all 3 of them. I remember I was devastated right after Persons and Consti. Crim too but that was the last test so I was in a happier place.

So my brain is no longer in between a rock and a hard place. I suppose it fluttered elsewhere. It still is really tough to go back to my regular study time because I spent so much brain studying. Need to recuperate. Although I did study Persons for Monday. I have the unfortunate fate of having more two hour Consti classes. Reader, you should see our Consti class. It is not for the weak of heart. We run 15-20 cases an hour and what does 2 hour classes mean? with only a day in between to prepare and other subjects to consider. It is tough. I won't rant about it (especially since it is already past midterms) if I'm no longer finding it such a challenge.

Oh. And I was able to parry my coughs and colds until after midterms so I was proud I was able to tough it out. However, I have to deal with it now. I drink a lot of meds and vitamins. So there.

I'll know later if I passed legal research. I'll know on monday if I decetly failed Persons (really, no one is expecting to pass that one anyway so I we pray for a decant failure).

Went to Greenhills with Ger yesterday and had to destress. Sucks that I'm sick but thankful for the break. Thanks Ger! We also went to Marytown. Saw some of the MT-ers. Mariel doesn't recognize me anymore and I cannot say how sad I am. Played some games too on Ger's PS3 and had my turtle character blasted off the face of the virtual world which made me cry. I'm a sucker for turtles. Geeze.

Anyhow.

I want to change this layout but I have to go research now.

A ten minute break

2009-08-10T19:52:00.002+08:00

Aside from doing well or failing decently in midterms, I honestly have one prayer for myself lately.

At the risk of sounding like a silly freshman...

Between pages 244-310, or maybe while writing the nth digest or highlighting that other case, I do pray that all of it wouldn't make me forget about my God, or the things that are dear to me.

I think about my cousin who just died.
Or maybe my ninong who I don't know if he is still attached to life support.
Or the father-in-law of my tito who just died.
My mother who is caught in the middle of a bitter DOH LGU conflict back at home because of AH1N1.
or maybe even Cory (further, the freedom my generation enjoys because of the sacrifice of people like her)

And going back to page 310 or to that case or to that digest. Wait, where is my highlighter? Or the refill or that next case? 85 pages to go. then next. And I'd be back again to this system where (as they say) the sacrifice is great but the prize, greater.

Nope. this is no rant. I'm going to read again after thins and get to feel my first law midterms tomorrow.

I'm just saying. LIFE.

Midterms na bukas

2009-08-10T19:51:00.001+08:00

I read half of the Persons book (the coverage) thrice. and wrote it too.

Sucks if I'd fail.

Let me just say

2009-07-29T08:36:00.001+08:00

Ang eww pero sobrang saya ko sa pore strip. kakasira talaga ng skin kapag kulang sa tulog eh. Barado na nga dockets ng courts natin, pati ba naman pores ng mga lawyers/aspiring (ambisyoso) lawyers pa? wahahahahaha.

ay sabaw.

NagKakalat Ako. Nagkakalat ako

2009-07-20T17:19:00.002+08:00

Sing to the tune of those dwarves in snow white

Hiho hiho Nagkakalat ako. (whistle)

hiho hiho

Hiho Hiho Hiho Nagkakalat ako (whistle)

-mood after Consti. Baliw.
Aral ako ng 17 cases tumba on the case #5, before the bell rang.

Whistle... hiho hiho

2009-07-17T10:04:00.004+08:00

Nagkakalat ako sa recits kapag Consti. It ain't healthy! Hahahaha. Sabi ni Ana, kelan pa daw pwedeng mag-drop ng class. oh no. ahahaha.

***
di ko na sasabihin kung sino, tamaan na lang ang tamaan, pero "Learn some English, will you!?!" ang sabaw ko.

***
Happy rainy monthsary to ger and I. Buti nakalabas tayo. hihihihihihi

***
Ang hirap maglakad papuntang ateneo kasi maulan. Buwiset.

***
May kiddie party kami para kay sir Cande. Meh ganun?

***
Nasabi ko bang nagkakalat talaga ako sa Consti?

***
EPIC FAIL!

***
Dapat hindi tinitipid ang sapatos dahil mabilis maluma ang sapatos.

***
Nag sign up pala ako for Ateneo Human Rights.

***
Sabi ni Dean Roy sa'min dati sa intro to law, "You all look rested, that's terrible! These guys (pointing to sophomores), do you think hey sleep? they have bad skin all the time!"

***
And for the first time I have visible blackheads on my cheek. ampota.

***
Sir Mel, ang orange nyo daw kahapon, benta kayo sa block. sunshine sa rainy day kahapon ang barong nyo.

***
Dandalan!!!

***
POTA!!! WALANG PASOK, KALALABAS NA BALITA YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

***
Sa wednesday na lang pala ako magkakalat sa consti kasi sa lunes na lang ang party.

***
Oo, may party pa rin.

***

Ang saya, parang barong ni Sir Mel. Ang cute eh (hindi po ito libel)

***

Ayan, dahil bigla pala akong may free time, magblog ako ng matino.

I had to resort to blogging shorties because I felt like I needed to but I didn't want to construct paragraphs given that I have around eight more cases to read and have only around 45 minutes before I prepare for class. But since they called classes off which leaves me with hours to read until 6.

So things have in a way cancelled themselves again in our block's favor for the short term and detriment (I suppose) for the long term. I don't know how to blog about our classes in such a way that I won't sound like an ungrateful and lazy moron who doesn't deserve the great ateneo education. I think just a scroll down of this page would reveal that we do get breaks from the unfortunate events coming from external factors and that given those breaks still, a review of this post would reveal that I am having a hard time coping with (hehehe) Consti. And today, I'm sure I can review Consti after I review Statutory Construction and Philo but equally, I'm sure that by Wednesday (Yes, plenty of time to read), I'm still going to need that broom for my recits because, SIR! Nagkakalat pa rin ako!

A sharing on Persons.
>>> During recits in this class, I honestly sound like I don't know English. Christ. No, hindi ako nagkakalat sa Persons but shit. Where did my vocabulary go? I manage to answer but the jitters seem to hold my words hostage. I suppose as long as I don't answer things that sound like they've come from pluto or a black hole, I can be forgiven. Those have been Sir Mel's most creative comments "Suntok sa Pluto! Hindi! Suntok sa Black Hole!" (Hindi po ito libel, cute po ulit) People in our block seem to love him, seem to want to take the route down Family Law because of him. Well, it is too early to decide folks. So I'm still one of them students with no specific branch of law in mind. Dare I say no even human rights? But then again, that is why I member myself in Human Rights so I can better inform and equip myself, right? Sir Mel said, kung ayaw nyo sa putik, huwag kayong magHuman Rights. And yeah, I'm honest enough to admit that I can tolerate "putik" but as of now, maybe just to a certain extent. People after all are limited by their circumstance, bearing and upbringing and I know I haven't had my share of hardships. Again, perhaps to expose myself more would be there best path for now.

Ah there is that hanging cloud of a make up class with sir Cande due to this cancellation of classes... I am scared. Hahahaha. On a side note, during recits, Sir mel said, there is an airplane and it disappeared behind an ulap. My blockmate who is Cebuano said, "Sir, what is ulap?" Sir Mel said, Cumulus!

And the class burst into laughter and when we remember that particular exchange of brilliant translation, we still have our laughs.

So? what is the point of this post? Which seemed to have grown longer than expected.

1st: Happy monthsary to ger and I
2nd: 1st year law school is tough. It is as tough as they say it is, maybe more and the days and the nights can ask a lot from one (bad skin and all), but we want to become better (lawyers, we're still unsure). But we're here.

So I said things about Intro to law (dean roy), about Consti (Sir Cande), Persons (Sir Mel), Philo (Fr. Ferrer who interviewed me and who requires a report which I will type after this) and about my block (which is dysfunctional but functional nonetheless).

I will end with a quote from a second year student, Oliver, (who I sometimes end up riding with in the shuttle going to school) who is the host of our batch OrSem:

"Happiness and energy is the key to success"

---
This post is corrected (amended, repealed)

Tuloy ang party for sir cande today. So, kantahan habang bagyo. Works for me. Happiness!

Delayed

2009-07-04T12:53:00.004+08:00

My block is delayed with our lessons. All of law school has adjusted to law school life but our block. We only started experiencing all the subjects this week. and there is the hanging thought that the experience of reading consti cases, due to to the cancellations, was highly distributed among those days with nothing to worry about. Now, we have the same amount of cases, more of it actually and we only have a day to read it. Together with all the other subjects.

So I can finally say, Hello Law school.

Oh. I've been wanting to replace/download another layout for this blog but I haven't the time yet. But I'm thinking blue or maybe yellow... Hahaha... which is exactly the color of my old downloaded layout (blue backdrop, turtle, yellow sand feel to it)