argh!!!! LSS-s-s-s-s-s-s....

What is it with 80's songs? Or Peter Cetera songs for that matter? What's in them that makes the song stick to your head and pop out of your brain from time to time for days at end? Argh!!!Sabado pa 'to!!!! (Daxie...help!!!)


After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
And after all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me
After all...

the empire strikes back :p

One of the biggest lessons I learned in this life is that you can get your way with anything as long as you learn to do it in a very calm, diplomatic manner...

...Although it sure pays to be a domineering, bully-a**ed, motor-mouth biyatch sometimes.

Nyahahahahaha....

*smacks forehead*

Rash. Fickle. Impulsive. Anj.

Haraya Week in Arki was the apex of my stress mountain, and when it was all over, there was nothing I could do except take a spill and snowball my way into boredom. Being the impatient person that I am, I am now itching for the time when all my pending projects will finally fall into place--the AIT thing, the Quiapo book, Gerard's Sawali chorva and whatnot.

Ask and you shall receive. Darn. Why the hell do I keep on forgetting?

I am now officially swamped. The apartment renovation project's kind of in a rush, as requested by the owner; I just came back from a spur-of-the-moment for this other renovation project that I'm doing (and solo, at that) for a friend. I'm feeling that the Sawali thingy's going full blast in a couple of weeks. Oh, and out of boredom (insanity may be a more fitting adjective) I went to Ahead Review in Katipunan this afternoon to try out a part-time tutorial job (which I'm probably not going to make sipot when they call-- bad Anj!).

Bakit ba ang gulo ng utak ko? Argh. It's so freaking frustrating sometimes.

I think I need a vacation to clear my head a bit. Anyone care to um...beach? :p

weeee!!!

F1 season has officially started.
Kimi Raikkonen in a bright-red Ferrari supermachine.
Ahluvettt!!!

ayun e. i knew i was right...

...there did come a third. I'm a believer :p

NIGHT 3 - Part 1: My Date with the Maroons
I woke up at 7 am with a huge headache. It was almost 3 am when I called it a night, working non-stop for 5 1/2 hours on the presentation for the Varsity Recognition that I was commissioned to do. It was still unfinished, and I was supposed to present it to OICA at 10 am, so I made some final adjustments while preparing to go to work.No thanks to the weather, my headache got worse as the day progressed--it definitely feels like the height of summer already, and I'm guessing that it's only gonna get hotter come April *ack*. Thankfully, I was driven around UP-- to the gym then to Arki, then to Bahay ng Alumni and back to Arki. I was originally ornly supposed to make the powerpoint thingy but ended up setting up and operating the audio-visual presentation since they couldn't find anyone to do it (which was totally fine by me--bigger honorarium :p).

It turned out to be one of the nicest afternoons I've ever had.Never in a million years did I imagine that I'd be having late merienda with the men's basketball team. Cheap thrill, I know. But for someone who's a huge fan (yep, despite their not-so-fantastic win-loss records season after season) and who's used to just watching from afar, it was just a tad short of a dream come true.

They were so cool. I mean...ang kulit ni Nestor David!!! They were clowning around, cam-whoring and jostling each other around like little boys. And they were super nice. Now, if only niceness can win you basketball championships :p

All in all it was a good afternoon. I went back to Arki in high spirits, oblivious to the suffocatingly sticky weather and the dark clouds overhead. And I thought that wrapped up a great week for me. I should've known better, tsk-tsk.

NIGHT 3 - Part 2: Basagan Party, Alex-style
I was on my way home when I received Lozzie's text. Alex was inviting me and Leni to the batch's thesis party later at his house. I thought against it--I was tired and hungry and sticky and lugging a huge backpack and a blender (sounds weird, I know). But then Bing called said we should go together, so I said yes. After a quick outfit change (it's amazing what you can do with 500 bucks at Surplus) and a little makeup retouch, I met up with Bing and went to Alex's for some good food and a bit of a buzz :p

It was so funny when we got there--it was close to dead quiet. No music, no noisy chatter, just a pitter-patter of small talk and polite laughter. What?! After a while (and after two certain college administrators called it a night :p) things started to get a little loose, and people definitely started acting a little crazy, myself included. By 11 pm, it was definitely a party. A couple of beers in and our table (the "Oldies' Table", according to Alex) was the new venue for the infamous Forbidden Questions.

I wouldn't elaborate much, since we all swore that what's said at that table stays at the table, but it was definitely crazy, wacky and bordering on the lewd, haha. Instead, I offer you last night's Quotable Quotes:

"Say, 'Circulan 41!!!' " --Paolo A.

"Russel Crowe, inner thigh." -- Aki C.

"Ang karne ay karne."--Pia M.

"Tatlo kasi kaming lalaki. Una-unahan sa brief. Pag late ka naigising, sorry ka na lang."--Ian P.

"Mukha kasing angel si ***. Masarap i-corrupt."--Ae G.

"Shut up, Red!!!!"--Alex E.

"What's the difference between a bunch of pygmies and a team of women runners?"--Danny S.

"Why, does that turn you on?"--Anj V.

I decided to call it a night by 12:30--I was more than buzzed and um, "let my 'inhibitions' out" in Alex's bathroom. Ian offered to give me a ride and we prepared to say goodbye to the profs. As I was thanking a visibly-drunk Alex (who seemed to be inventing new dance steps by the living room), the 'kids" came up to me and gave me hugs and kisses. I previously gave them a bottle of wine with a little note as a graduation present (I knew I was saving that bottle of Beringer Zinfandel for something important). They told me they read my note and that they were so touched by it, and thanked me for everything I did for them in college.

Buzz-aside, I was super touched. I never realized a made an impact in those kids' lives, even in the slightest sense, and they made me feel like I did them all a huge favor. That's when I realized that I'll be missing those kids when I go to work in June and no Schidz or Pat will be there to welcome me with a hug. I'm sure I'll miss Alex too, as he's not returning next schoolyear to focus on his practice. In fact, I'll miss everyone there when I go back to the States in August.

My cab ride home was a break from all the fanfare and the celebration, and the quiet definitely got me thinking about a lot of stuff. My biggest realization for this week--that endings, no matter how bittersweet, must be celebrated as much as beginnings are. It's a weird concept, to celebrate when things are coming to an end, when there's nothing to look forward to afterwards. But I guess it's not the actual ending that's to be celebrated, but the process and the journey that leads to the ending and the destination. Machiavelli said that it is the end that justifies the means, but I'd like to think that it is the process of achieving the end goal that should really matter. It is not just about crossing the finish line, but hurdling the obstacles that makes victory in a race sweet.

It was the perfect ending to a near-perfect week (I say near-perfect in context of the "nothing is perfect" mantra). I got to hang out with my college idols on the court in the morning, and party with my college idols in Arki at night. I got to know the people behind the athletes, and the human side to my seemingly-inhuman mentors. I saw which player was the most makulit, the most down-to-earth, which seemingly-impeccable prof smoked like a chimney (I would never have guessed in a million years), etc. I saw how everyone put their guards down in the spirit of celebration, and realized how some small acts produce huge results.

Endings always make me sad, but this time that sadness could not help but be overwhelmed by the sense of happiness and fulfillment that I felt over all that's happened this past week.

3 fun nights, 1 great week. I could only wish for something like it to pass me by once again.

PS Congrats to the grads: Pat, Jik, Meggie, Jiddu, Nina, Kay, Jax and the rest of Batch '07! Mabuhay!

groovy. interesting.

They say it comes in threes. Well, two great nights of fun and laughter so far. I wonder when Night 3's gonna be.

Night 1 - Haraya Night of Music
Disco was the theme and from it, lots of happy, groovy tunes and dance moves was to be expected. There weren't that many students (in fact, attendances in these college events undeniably dwindled upon moving in to the new building), but nevertheless, it was a night of great tunes, cool moves and happy memories.

Student performances, although in need of a little polishing, were very much appreciated. The admin and staff were not to be outdone. Joel's band, the Soul Brothers, "rocked the night away" (as Jacko would say). It was fun performing with my Do Not Delay brothers, after nearly a year. I get a little bit sentimental thinking that it may be the last time we take the stage--Joel's graduating and I'm going back to the States (and staying a bit longer) in a few month's time. But as the optimist in me would say, "Don't dwell on the 'what ifs'." After all, with friends, there are no definite goodbyes.

Night 2 - Beat the Geeks and Tomatokick
I was groggy waking up this morning after a tiring (but super fun) Tuesday night. Saku and I were supposed to be in Marikina by 9 to do a site visit on our current renovation project. Boy, was it the worst time ever to do so. Summer's definitely settling in and there's no stopping the UV rays from wreaking havoc into our skins. Ang init!!!! After that, we decided to take a cab back to UP to avoid both heat and traffic. We should have known better.

AF hosted a Beat the Geeks-type competition between students and faculty, as an offering for Haraya Week. Leave it to our professors to leave us in stitches. I will never forget the sight of Prof. Silvestre's pouty I-hate-that-it's-not-going-my-way-kuno face, and Prof. del Castillo's dolphin-enjoying-sex maneuver. My face hurt from laughing too much, and I literally felt my tummy muscles harden (haha, asa!). No big prize was at stake, but I guess it's the spirit of just hanging out as colleagues and ka-lokohans that got the best of all of us.

After a grueling showdown of wits (the word antics might be more appropriate), AF settled down to hold it's Miting de Abanse for candidates for next schoolyear's execom. I was glad to be there to witness these "kids" act and think like mature college student leaders, all for love of the org. Nakaka-taba ng puso. I was happy to hear plans of not just upholding tradition, but more importantly, new ideas to keep the org we love so much strong and alive. It's these times that I feel like not all hope is lost for today's students. I'm happy.

Apparently, most of us were, and that led to dinner and drinks over at Tomatokick. There's just something about that place that makes people act loud and crazy. Maybe it's the good food. Or the laid-back ambiance. Or the cocktails. Or maybe its just the company I was with (no matter how zany, and purple-faced and pukey and mooshi-mooshi people can get, haha!). Leni, Agnes, Dax, Jika, Saku, Janmikebading, JP, Tal, Sudar, X, Jas, Fae, Arni, Rap, Shayne and Mary--thanks for the great evening. Weird but great. Interesting. After a long day at work, you guys just happen to make it seem alright. Salamat! *mwah*

They say it comes in threes. Hmmm. Do I smell freshly-brewed Benguet coffee on the way? Nyahahaha....

bongga ka 'day!

Freaking LSS. Who uses the word bongga these days, anyways? Disco fever's in town (well, in Arki at least) and it's here to stay. Yikee....

All that listening to Earth, Wind and Fire, Hotdog and VST and Co. makes me think of my Mama's and Ninang's stories of when they were teens back in the day, when people were either cats or chicks, Manila's streets were kept clean by the sweep of bell-bottoms and you have to look where you're going for fear of getting stabbed in the eye by those notorious nik-nik shirt lapels.

In high school, I saw this movie called 54. It was about this hugely famous club in New York called Studio 54, and all that went on inside it--sex, drugs and well, disco. Everyone who was anyone hung out in 54 (much like Embassy or one of those celebrity clubs today)--actors, models, athletes, musicians, artists. Famous names like Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Mick Jagger, soccer great Pele, Andy Warhol--you name it. The film, from my high school point of view, was a visual and auditory feast--one that I could only imagine through my parents stories.

Sadly, I was born during the last days of disco. Nevertheless, I still love it. For me, it isn't just a genre of music. My parent's stories give me this sense of disco as an image, a passion, a lifestyle. When I hear songs by the Bee Gees, EWF and the like, I just don't imagine funny-sounding men in funny-looking clothes singing about staying alive and whatnot--I imagine my mom and dad, my aunts and uncles all dressed to the nines, dramatic makeup and all, swaying to the beat like theres no tomorrow, faces aglow with the energy and lightness of youth.

Most kids would laugh at the idea of their strict, uptight parents, um...shaking their groove thang. But to me, it's a new way of looking at mine. Looking back at their groovy pictures, smiles on their faces, it gives their now mature and serious faces a sense of youth and humanity.

They were like us once, after all :)

the biggest question:

Can I not care that much?

Though she's 3 years younger, I've always treated my sister as a buddy, a barkada--as an equal. I've never lorded nor rubbed in her face my authority, being the eldest child (well, maybe, except for a few times that I got first dibs on makeup and/or food :p). Growing up with neither Mom nor Dad nearby, I made it the top priority of my life to look after her welfare, make sure she's doing ok, support her in her life choices, etc, etc. In short, all the good stuff that sisterhoods are made of. She is my baby sister, and sometimes the word baby had a greater influence on my actions with her than the part that says sister.

Now that I think about it, maybe I am somehow at fault because of that.

Recent events have somehow led me to feel that maybe, just maybe, I should have been more big sister than buddy, more ate than just plain Anj. I still see and feel the respect that my sister affords me--let's be clear about that. But something has definitely changed between me and her. Nowadays, she hardly ever listens to anything I have to say. She doesn't seem to take me seriously when I act like the big sister that I am. It's very difficult for me--not to mention painful--to deal with something like that. I am torn between following my mandate of responsibility and letting the pal in me prevail.

My sister is growing up, and really, I should just do my part and give her wings to fly. But I worry--I worry for her, out in the big, bad world with the big, bad wolves waiting to pounce at the slightest whiff of fresh meat. I trust her, but then, there have been many instances when that trust has been breached. And sometimes, instead of waiting patiently for her to mend that trust, it seems that I am just waiting for her to mess up again, so I can finally make my mind up about how to deal with her. I hate that.

People tell me I should just let her run and fall, that she may learn to rise up and dust herself off on her own. I try. But I must admit that it's still hard for me, having been used to running after her and picking her up all these years.

Sometimes I'd also like to think that this is partly her wrongdoing too, letting me be that huge a factor in her life. Caring for my sister has always been my biggest vice, and I'm not sure if I can go cold turkey on that.

blah.

blah week. blah start of the month. i hope this is not a premonition of days to come.

busy pa rin. busy-bisihan. same old.

gusto ko nang mag summer (actually, summer na pala). gusto ko na mag-beach. la union. pagudpod. zambales. batangas. galera. cebu. bora. palawan. santa cruz. monterey. laguna beach. beach boys. beach bum. beach ball. son of a beach. kahit ano basta beach!!!!

ayun o.....