A bamboo and a spark of hope.

Change.

The only thing that is constant in this world. And perhaps, the one thing that was constant in my 2009. This is a tribute to the people and events that brought about changes in my life during the previous year.

People.

People that you know come and go. But for whatever reason why, you know that they came to change a part of you. They came maybe to let you experience happiness, or to teach you the true meaning of selflessness. Maybe to let you see that hidden courage inside of you that you didn't know was there. Yes, people that you know come and go, but they come for a reason and go by leaving you a lesson.

During the previous year I've said goodbye to some people who have been my source of happiness and hope for a while. And by parting ways I knew that my life would never be the same again. At first I thought they are bound to leave a hole. But it turned out that the goodbyes were to give way to new acquaintances. New people easily filled those holes as if there weren't really holes to fill in the first place. This doesn't mean that the old ones are easily forgotten. It was more like transforming goodbyes into something new, flourished by beautiful memories and helpful lessons of the past.

Yes, my life has never been the same again since then. Once in my life I have built dreams with people I hoped would be with me forever, only to wake up in the world of reality that nothing's permanent in this world. Something is bound to change. The only thing that should remain constant is how we welcome change. Be like a bamboo. A bamboo survives by bending with the wind. You can survive by adapting to every change that comes your way, even to life's most unexpected twist!

Events.

I had my own share of ups and downs in 2009. I won't deny it. The previous year was a difficult one not only for me but also for those whom I hold most dear. I am sure most people have had the same experiences we've gone through: suffered the pain of losing a loved one, have witnessed your once perfect home crumble, have had broken ties with friends, have seen your dreams at the brink of jeopardy, and have almost mastered the painful art of letting go of a lost love, or a lost dream.

The fact that life isn't as perfect as each of us wants it to be has been reiterated to me over and over and over during the past year. Same as the fact that a person may not always get what she wants no matter how bad she wants it. This year, however, I am starting with a clean slate, armed with the most effective means of retribution I could think of- hope. I am hopeful that with this fresh start, things are going to be different, and 2010 will be a great year for me. If everything is just a matter of perspective, then I choose to have a great one.

Let us all be hopeful this 2010! If you have had countless of unsuccessful resolutions for the past several years, may this be the one you can perfectly stick to, despite whatever it is you've gone through . :)

Against All Odds

To all the victims of tropical depression Ondoy and super thypoon Pepeng:

May God give you.. for every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and n answer for each prayer.

SEPTEMBER 26- SATURDAY

Ria, Don and Ann slept over my place the previous night. We all had everything planned. The original cast consists of Ria, Ihsun, Don, Ann, Tine, Dionie, Rjohn and I. Unfortunately, Tine, Dionie and Rjohn did not make it. It was a visit to Pink Sisters Convent in Tagaytay City, we were then to spend the afternoon in Picnic Grove to relax and unwind. It was what we thought we needed before we welcome the month of October, merely four weeks before the board examination. We all slept soundly the night before, all very excited for Saturday's Tagaytay trip. But rain was already pouring when we woke up on Saturday. We kissed the picnic part goodbye but decided to push through with the Pink Sisters visit. It turned out that it was more of a challenge rather than just a simple visit. Rain started to pour real hard so I wasn't allowed to drive. The moment we stepped out of the house, we were all drenched and cold. It also took us ages to finally catch a ride to our destination.

With only a few meters away from Pink Sisters, along came the ultimate test:

The water was knee- deep! Don and Ihsun piggybacked Ann, Ria and I just to get there.

It was a simple visit turned AMAZING RACE, but our spirit was high. We all took it as a test of faith. After all, it was a trip planned weeks ahead. Despite the cold and rain, our hearts were set to be there, to kneel down and pray.

Ria and Ihsun

me :]]

Ann and Don

SEPTEMBER 28- MONDAY

I've been worried sick after I received a horrible news from Ann the night before. It turned out that most of Cainta Area, particularly where John and Don live was in a terrible condition. Swollen creeks forced many residents on to the roof of their homes. It turned out that 100% of Cainta was flooded, with neck-deep floods in some areas. Since John's phone has been constantly unreachable, I tried calling some of my friends who live in the nearby area. After much difficulty, I've managed to speak to Roy ad Allen who both lives in Rizal. I was relieved to find out that they are alright, and so are their families. It turned out that the villages where Don and John live took the toughest blow when tropical depression Ondoy hit Cainta area.

Classes on all levels, including review classes were all suspended so I spent the whole day in my room, watching the news while my anxiety grew each minute. I waited for updates on Ondoy especially updates on the situation in Cainta. It was a relief to finally talk to Don in the afteroon and learn from him that his family was safe. Their home was a total mess but everyone from his family was alright. It was what mattered most. I thanked God and prayed. All that is missing during that time was news from Rjohn. However, hours passed but not a single call or text message came.

I tried calling him every hour to check on him but to no avail. Waiting was the hardest part. But I know it was nothing compared to what John and his family were going through, or what most Filipino victims were going through. It was as if the anxiety I was feeling was not enough, the news report I was watching showed a video footage of Vista Verde- the same village where John lives. I almost went white with dread.

Then finally, a text message from Allen soothed my anxiety. He forwarded a text message from Rjohn, saying that they were fine. It was all I needed to get me through the day. Hours later John sent another message. It was addressed to me this time. They were fine but everything they own were washed out. He said that they were deeply in need of prayers. He also thanked us for our concern. That text from him worked for me like a sedative. I prayed and thanked God that he and his family were safe.

SEPTEMBER 29- TUESDAY

At around nine o'clock in the morning, I was already on my way back to Manila. The rain has stopped pouring and my face was finally hit by the sun's warmth. But it was still as if my whole being was clouded with anxiety. I knew I had to do something to help so I was more than glad when Ann told me that she and Don were planning to visit the latter's family in Cainta. It turned out that some areas in Cainta were already passable. Flood in some areas has subsided already but there is no water, no electricity and no phone lines. Although Don's purpose of visit was only to bring charged mobile phones to his family, Ria, Ann and I agreed to put on our work clothes to go on a house cleaning mission. First on Don's house, then on Rjohn's. :]]

SEPTEMBER 30- WEDNESDAY

With only less than three hours of sleep, I was surprised that I was the first one to wake up at five thirty in the morning. The girls and I still have classes to attend to in the afternoon hence the early wake up call. We all agreed to go to Don's place first before John's.

Cainta was as bad as expected. Trash, water, and mud woes afflicted almost the whole town. Both homes that we visited were washed out with flood and trash and even their cars had their own share of mud after joining water world. To sum it all up, to say that there is a lot of cleaning to be done is an understatement. But at the end of the day, the mud, dirt, and the tiring workload were nothing compared to the relief that washed over me after seeing for myself that Don's family was okay. They were nothing compared to the gladness I felt to finally see John after the tragedy and to see for myself that although they were still struggling, he and his family were alright. Lastly, they were nothing compared to the sense of fulfillment we all felt, knowing that no storm is strong enough to keep us from helping those in need. :]]

photos from our house cleaning mission:

Paradise Falls and Don's Surprise.

We decided to give Friday night a boost by seeing Up in the Mall of Asia. This is our first group date with Don and Rjohn, both whom we just met and became friends with during our review and stay in Manila. I was ecstatic about this movie date since I was already looking forward to watching the movie when I first saw its trailer late last year. I've always had this thing for animated films and one of my favorite way of spending those few times I've managed to sneak away from Engineering Mathematics, EST, GEAS and Electronics is to go see one.

As expected, everyone was laughing their heads off the whole time. I really had a great time watching the movie. Too bad Ria wasn't there. I also had fun watching Tine on my left, seeing her face light up like a little kid or teasing Rjohn on my right, waiting for him to get teary-eyed during those touching scenes. (Of course he didn't get teary eyed. He was laughing hysterically the whole time. hahah! )


Overall, Up is not just about an old man taking his house to Paradise Falls using 10,000 helium balloons, it is an exquisite fantasy adventure that mixes comedy, action, and drama into a satisfying whole.


Carl Fredricksen: [Carl, with his house high in the air, opens his door to see who knocked on it. Looking around, he spots Russell and yells... ] Whaa!
Russell: Hi, Mr. Fredricksen! It's me, Russell!
Carl Fredricksen:What are you doing out here, kid?
Russell: I found a snipe, and I followed it under your porch, but this snipe had a long tail, and looked more like a large mouse.
[His flag then blows away in the wind, and he gasps]
Russell:[Turns to Mr. Fredricksen] Please let me in.
Carl Fredricksen:[pause] No.
[He slams the door shut]
Carl Fredricksen: [Russell waits uncertainly for a few seconds. The door opens again] Oh, all right...
[Russell runs inside]

***

This part goes to Mr. Orlando Punzalan Jr. since I wanted to give him something better than my heart-shaped paper clip surprise and tons of pictures with him on it we've put on our newly decorated table. :]]

Don

For almost two months of knowing this guy, he instantly became not only Ann's prince charming but our knight in shining armor as well. He is so much fun to be with, not to mention suuuper nice and understanding. He has also built his reputation as the "all-around guy" who takes good care of everything and can fix almost anything. From organizing BBQ parties and surprises, holding worthwhile conversations, from fixing the doorknob, the sink and even my broken umbrella. Name it, and he can do it. :]]

Don with Ann. :]]

He never fails to surprise us by doing the unexpected.
I'm putting 'paglusong sa baha' on top of our list. hahah!

Now let me rephrase the first part, for almost two months of knowing this guy, he instantly became not only Ann's prince charming, not only our knight in shining armor but one of my favorite people as well. Cheers Don! Cheers to the many years of friendship ahead! :]]
Thanks for everything.

1286 Loyola St,- home away from home :]]

It's good that blogs can't give anyone a cold treatment because if they do, mine will send me back to the Ice Age as punishment for abandonment for sure.

***
I've been missing in action since Father's day. It's been a while and I'm sorry, but I've got loads to tell! :]]
Above all, I am so pleased that my more than four hours of excruciating-due-to-heavy-traffic travel to Manila for my review classes has long ended. That's because last June, I've finally decided to join three of my college friends in an apartment in Manila, located halfway between our review centers. On top of my worries before doing so was homesickness, since the longest time I've ever been away from my family before was during camping trips.
Luckily, the girls made being away from home not only bearable but enjoyable as well. To celebrate our first three months of living together, I've came up with the list below. :]]

15 Things I've learned from living with with Ann, Kristine and Ria:

1. Hot Pandesal at 11 o'clock in the evening are best shared with friends, while you talk about boys. :]]

2. A barbeque party on the rooftop is an effective stress reliever.

(L-R) Don, Ann, Lei, Ihsun && Ria during our first BBQ party

again!

3. Eating is suuuuper fun! :]]


4. Big fat bellies after the pig out fest is the primary drawback of number 3, but it feels good to laugh about it while arguing with the girls about whose belly sticks out the most.


5. The hair on the sink and on the floor belongs to Ria. If she's not around, it only means one thing- Tine just finished combing her hair! :]

6. If you can't find something, talk to Ann. She knows where to find it, she's probably the one who put it there.

7. Things you can do half-naked:
Dance by the window, tell a story, read, gossip, take pictures, eat, send a text message to everyone on your list, gossip, solve a math problem, walk around the room, do the dishes, and have I mentioned gossip???

8. Alone time makes someone philosophical: If I eat my 10th piece of chocolate pretzel stick when I'm supposed to stay away from chocolates and no one is here to see it, did I really eat it?

9. The best way to ease the pressure of the upcoming board exam is by spending time with friends. :)

Ann, Ria && Lei with Don after the tedious lipat-bahay

(L-R) Don, Ann, Lei, Tine, Ria, Rjohn :)
This was the day I ditched Differential Equations class because Rjohn said so.
hahah! :)

during Ann's birthday celebration last August 11
(L-R) Teofilo, Billy, Don, Dionie, Ann, Archie, Lei, Tine, Jhaym, Howell and Merce, photo taken by Ria

10. Girls, are not truly girls if they don't take at least two hours to get dressed and get ready.

11. We love surprises although we get wa-poise when we receive one, and a bouquet of flowers never fails to sweep us off our feet. :)




12. Memoplus sucks! If it really enhances your memory, why the hell do you always forget to take it?!

13. Kikay girls can talk longer about cars than when they're talking about boys, fashion or make up.

14. Two things happen just when you start thinking about your dream car: 50% of the time, you see exactly the same one zooms just outside your window. OR half the time, a more luxurious one passes by, slow enough to give you time to stick your head out the window just to get a closer look.

15. During both instances mentioned on number 14, your jaw drops in awe. :]]

MILESTONE

Graduation day.

It was the day we've all been waiting for. Suddenly my constant whining about school stuff and about how sleep-deprived I was during my five years of college became nothing when compared to this. March 25, 2009 was definitely well worth the wait. :]

On the day that marks a great milestone on my simple life

I remember feeling like something has come to an end. After all, going to school was something I've done for seventeen years, I was happy, relieved, excited and hopeful. This marked the end of getting up in the mornings to put on our white and green uniform, it marked the end of our fifteen minute walk from the entrance of the university to our college building. It marked the end of countless problem sets, laboratory reports and exams. It marked the end of lunch with my closest friends at the canteen then in the student's lounge, huddled together in our group sharing stories, laughing and most of the time cramming for assignments and quizzes until the bell rang. It marked the end of our barkada bonding after class, our movie dates, shopping with the girls or patiently waiting for the boys while they bask in on computer games. This marked the end of my 5 minute- powder break turned 15 minutes chikahan session with the girls in the CR while the boys wait by the door; I will never forget their exasperated what-took-you-so-long looks when we finally had the urge to come out. :]]

I will surely miss my dearest friends and the rest of the ECE 51. They are the very reason why I still look forward to going to school everyday despite the very heavy workload that awaits us each day and a serious form of fatigue that goes along with it. It sucks that the two belonged to a single package.

I will definitely miss my professors, and I will always be grateful to them for giving us the benefit of their wisdom.

The most important lesson I've learned isn't about the stuff I learned from textbooks or laboratory experiments or from the long hours of sitting in class. It is the lesson I've learned through meeting the people who touched my heart.. and still do until now! :]]

What Pays Off?

I:
officially became on vacay! a week ago.
wanted to blog weeks ago but kept procrastinating because I know this entry is going to be looooong.
and most importantly..
I:
got pass thesis and case study and pre-board exams!
am graduating on March 25!
am finally done with school for good. :)

Here's a rundown of the important events that happened while I was taking a Blog-leave.


February 6: Final Defense

The original schedule was at 8'o clock in the morning but at 8.30 we were still 2 panelists short and our thesis adviser was nowhere to be found. Luckily, we managed to find the right substitute for the panelist who called in sick and even though we started late, everything went smoothly as I hoped. We passed with minor revisions on the paper.

Minor revisions and more than a thousand bond papers later...



February 26&27: Pre-board Examinations

These were the 2 days everybody was dreading. You're lucky if you have good history on the previous comprehensive exams, but if you don't (like me and everybody else), the pre-board exams were clearly a matter of life and death. It sucks that these two days can put your chances of graduating on time in jeopardy. And unfortunately, for most of us, it did.

March 2: THE Results.

At around 4 in the afternoon, we were asked to enter the Dean's office one at a time for the dreaded results. At that moment, we were immediately branded into two. Those who passed and those who did not. Immediate relief awaited those who passed while sadness and disappointment greeted those who did not. During that time, I just felt that I can't be happy, it's enough that I am relieved for most of my dearest friends passed too. But seeing those people who cried because they didn't make it , even those I don't even know and haven't spoken to during my five years of college was heart breaking enough. I reserved my happiness for later and tried to comfort as many people as I can, especially those who are my friends. It's very hard to see them like that. I mean, we all did not sign up for this pre-board thing. How can they just drop a bomb like that thinking that everybody can handle it just fine. We were working on our thesis, doing internship and case study and we still have academic subjects, for Christ's sake! It's easy for them to say that all we need to do is study hard for the pre-board but I don't think anyone can be fully prepared especially if he has to juggle everything else on one hand including the fear of not graduating on time. Yes, it was easy for them to say that all we needed was to study hard, but I don't think they even thought about the pressure they were inflicting. And if they were in our shoes, I doubt that they could handle it.

March 6: First job interview.

This was a funny experience. I can't believe I did not take this seriously. I did not even think about the things that they might ask and how I should answer. I didn't even cracked an Electronics book open to prepare for the technical exam. It didn't even cross my mind. I just accepted their invitation, (I was lucky I was among the 6 people who passed their first exam) sent them my resume via email, then went to my first job interview unprepared. Hahah!
My excuse?
My mind was already in vacay! mode that time. And I'm not planning to land a job immediately, I still have the actual Board Exam to prepare for.
At least now I know what to expect for my next job interview. And I learned a lot of lessons, believe me. :)

March 7. Senior's Night: Black and White Party.

My friends and I are not exactly the type who go to events like this especially if the Student Council organized it. It's not that we have anything against them, it's just we think there are better things to do. Always.
But the Senior's Night was an exemption. After all, this was for us seniors. And we just couldn't miss the chance to be together in a Black and White Party. We are about to separate ways, so this may not happen again.


However, one bad thing about school events is that they always have a curfew. It was not even long after we got into party mode that the organizers were already calling the night off. It was a good thing we had a back up plan. It was a road trip to Tagaytay plus partying and dancing until 4am. :]]

So what if wearing heels sucked big time? I was just too happy that we were together.

So, what pays off? Patience and hardwork pay off. And love of friends pays off too. Suddenly, it doesn't matter if college life has been difficult, at least I have them. And I intend on keeping them, for good. :)

What's In the Box?

It all began one hot summer during high school. Together with two of my friends, we decided to write each other letters, as a way of keeping in touch during the vacation. Apart from the usual text messaging and telephone calls, of course. Letters were something I’ve always fancied. I am a sucker for colorful packaging, so any bright and multicolored stationery call out to me.

So there I was, writing letters for my dear friends, telling them stories that made me laugh and cry. They were not just simple letters stuffed into envelopes. Crammed into those small colorful envelopes are the joy and sorrow of our friendship, and the slightest touch of affection that kept our friendship from going flat. Those letters relieved us of our longing to see each other again, and jogged our memories that we maybe separated by miles, but our hearts cannot be bothered by any distance.

For once or twice a week I welcome the mailman with a hearty smile, happy to be given my letters. After reading them several times over, I keep them carefully in a decorated shoebox. It was a self-made repository of my treasured letters. And through the years the letters grew in number. My shoebox contains not only letters from friends, but from my family too, and from the man I love. On folded pieces of paper are soothing words of ‘Thank you!’ and ‘I’m here for you’, and a whole lot of ‘I love you!’. Once in a while, I get my shoebox from the shelf and read my letters. They are something I can always touch, read, and rely on when my life becomes difficult, reminders of the wonderful people I have in my life. My blessings. Inside that decorated shoebox are love and comfort that I can always believe in, even when I am alone. As of now, I could no longer put down the cover of the shoebox properly. They were many, but they will never be enough. I would never want to stop receiving letters, for in each of them are pieces of my heart, and each have contributed to the woman I’ve become. Gifts of great beauty and value are nothing compared to a humble, decorated shoebox filled with joy and love. It’s something that cannot be bought, and a loyal memento that the best things in life are free (minus the postage stamp cost, that is!). And sometimes, they come in folded papers of all shapes and sizes.

I decorated another shoebox for keepsakes of all sorts- from bracelets to candy wrappers. You maybe are wondering why I keep all these ‘trash’. But never for a moment did I consider them as trash. They are pieces of me too, in their sticky and cluttered form. :)