It runs in the family.

I know I said I'll be posting one more May entry, but I've been too busy with my review class and devoting my free time to my Lola who's in the hospital for almost a week now. (It hurts me to see her in pain. Please help me in prayers that she gets better soon.)

Here goes my supposedly May entry. I know it's late but it's better late than never, right? :]]

Though my review classes started on May 4th, the first two weeks were devoted to our orientation, diagnostic examinations and seminar on calculator mathematics. We didn't formally start with the review proper yet so I was still able to ditch my textbooks during the weekends, guilt-free. Last May 16th, my family and I all went to my mom's hometown in Indang, Cavite for the annual Santacruzan. We were there to see Bea and Pito play Little Reyna Elena and consort in the parade. There was nothing that could wipe the smiles off their faces. Bea loves to play princess in a beautiful gown like Cinderella so she wouldn't miss this for the world. Pito on the other hand adores any excuse to get people's attention and I guess he figured dressing up as Prince Charming steps it up a notch.

With Little Reyna Elena and Little Constantine (I took a break from my photographer stint) :]

Since I like to promote anything Filipino here in my blog, I googled Santacruzan and here's what I've found:
Santacruzan is a religious-historical parade held in many cities and towns throughout the Philippines during the month of May. It is one of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena), mother of Constantine the Great. Reyna Elena is usually the last member of the procession. According to some sources, this considerably prestigious role is given to the most beautiful girl in the procession. (No wonder Bea's feeling beautiful all over..)
The highlight of the procession is Reyna Elena who walks with her consort under a huge canopy of flowers. They are immediately followed with a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary then a brass band that lends festive sounds to the procession.

(Thanks www.seasite.niu.edu for the info!)










Don't get fooled. Most girls were not wearing heels. That's the very reason why they can still smile during the parade despite the very long walk and the heat. Who says girls can't cheat at times like this? We'll do whatever it takes to stay pretty. That's for sure. :]]

The Title. (Yes, I'm going to spill it.)
It's not always Bea who gets to play the Queen. I had my own share of the glitz and the glamor too. *wink


I was Bea's age when this photo was taken. I came across this photo while flipping through the pages of my old photo album. And I guess what I have here is enough proof. Whatever it takes to fit in a crown? We need not to search too far because it runs in the family.

hahah! :]]

I'm putting MIA mode on a SCREECHING halt.

I know my blog is on the brink of accusing me of total abandonment for this month of May so to make up for the previous weeks that I've gone missing in action, I'll be posting two entries before May ends.

I just got back from the church and my hands are still throbbing from clapping too hard when our Parish priest finally announced the good news. It was exactly what most of us was hoping for. He's staying! Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle extends Rev. Father Leoben O. Peregrino's appointment to our parish- Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Church for six more years effective May 22, 2009 to May 23, 2015. :]]]] This news alone completed my day.

**
My review classes for the upcoming board exam in October started on May 4th. This is the reason for my few weeks stint of taking a blog leave. So three times a week, I travel to Manila for my review classes. I already got a hang of waking up early ages ago so this isn't a problem. What annoys me is the heavy traffic that greets me during most mornings. :[[[[

**
On a previous post, I mentioned that I've read three non engineering-related books last April. My sister, Louise on the other hand is now reading the 7th book of the Harry Potter Series- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. That's her 7th book in a month's time! She's doing this 'Do Not Disturb' drama when she's holding a Harry Potter book and nobody can force her into putting the book down. Harry Potter had obviously worked his magic on my sister.

**
This week's highlight for me, was the back to back season finale of Suvivor Tocantins and American Idol Season 8. I've been watching Idol since Season 3. This was the season when Jasmine Trias became the very first Filipino ever to advance to the American Idol finals. From then on, I've seen Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, and my favorite, David Cook (I missed Season 6) bag the title on each season's much anticipated finale.

(photo grabbed from: www.tvguide.com)

I am happy about the latest season's result. Though I'd be much happier if Danny Gokey didn't get booted from Idol. (I was rooting for Gokey). I think Adam is an amazing singer, even better than the season's winner- Kris Allen. It's just that I like Kris better than Adam. It's usually a matter of taste, right? And Kris seemed more likable to me than Adam. Adam is a great singer, but I did not enjoy his type of music or his performances. There was a point when I even found him painful to look at. (Sorry.) I like to hear him sing, but I can't bear to look at him. I don't think Adam Lambert lost because he's gay and he has this weird thing over eyeliners. It's just that maybe, just maybe, there are people who does not prefer listening to artists who look like they're on the verge of tears at one point then suddenly scream and screech at you on the other.

Lesson: Being the judges' pet doesn't always pay off. And over the top theatrics with matching off-pitch screams hardly count as a contestant's key to success.

More pictures, less talk.

The rest of April has been a lot of fun. There were less bum days and I got to spend more time with few of my favorite people in the whole wide world- my beloved high school friends. Although we only get to see each other at least once a week this summer, the 'planning stage' of our next get together was enough to sustain my sanity and keep my excitement on a mile high during the remaining parts of the week. The 'planning stage' of our next get together is usually accompanied by my being stuck in my room all day, reading books I got hold of courtesy of Sharmaine. I am currently reading The Stolen Child, a novel by Keith Donohue. Before this novel, I've also read A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer and Book Two of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, the one entitled Golem's Eye. Meanwhile, most of my non-bookwormish days were spent with friends.



Last Good Friday, we spent the afternoon for a drive to Tagaytay City for another visit at Pink Sisters. This trip to Tagaytay is slowly becoming a ritual for some of us still living here in Cavite and still capable of meeting up given a very short notice. After visiting Pink Sisters to pray, we ate meal at Mushroom Burger before heading home.

on our way to Tagaytay City

at Mushroom Burger

My Easter Sunday was spent with Sharmaine with her good friend (now boyfriend!) Mark, her Dad whom she haven't seen for eight long years, and her Tita Tess together with her kids. Sharmaine and I relived our high school days at Enchanted Kingdom where she once spent her birthday back in senior year.

Mark, Sharmaine and I

Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa Laguna

meet my new boyfriend hahah :]

Sharmaine and I with Tita Tess and her Family

The following week, we met up again to quench the summer heat and get some tan. This time, Katrina whom we haven't seen for years joined in the fun too. This was a great time for catching up over lasagna and BBQ. We even got to spend time with Russell who usually skips trips to Tagaytay because of hospital duties.

with Shar, Emay, Russell


us! :]] rusz, jen, emay, carlo, kat, shar and I


well, I hope you're not trying to steal my boyfriend. hahah

Then last Friday, April 24th, we saw each other again in Dani's surprise graduation party in Makati City. This time, Mav became our latest addition to our small group of get together attendees. After our non-stop cam whoring during the party, we resumed catching up on each other's lives over a cup of coffee before finally heading home. :]]

reunited once again at ACCM Bldg. Salcedo Village Makati City

again

and again..

and again.. this time we're trying to be serious

later that night while doing some catching up :]]

I'll see them again this coming Friday. Now THAT is something to look forward to. I can't wait! :]]

This is how we do it in the Philippines

Here in the Philippines, the Holy Week is characterized by a blend of native traditions and a modern day touch of commemorating Jesus Christ's sacrifices for our salvation.

When I was a kid, I secretly disliked the Holy Week, for three <embarassing> reasons. Reason no. 1 is because my mom will definitely barge into my room at 5 in the morning so we can attend the early morning mass on Palm Sunday and on Easter Sunday. No. 2 is because no matter how early we arrive to church, it is always full of people. This means we have to stand up for an hour or two while I fight so hard to prevent my eyes from drooping. Reason no. 3 is because the only TV show I enjoyed watching during those times was a rerun of 7th Heaven.

Don't worry, I was still a kid back then and I'm a changed person now. *wink

This year, my sister Louise and I decided to try something different. So last Tuesday, we joined Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, the same parish church we attend to every Sunday in their Lakbay Nilay: Visita Iglesia 2009.

Visita Iglesia is a Filipino Catholic tradition which literally means, church visit. Simbahan.net defined the Visita Iglesia as a practice introduced by the Spanish colonizers which goes back to the time the early church where Christians would visit the seven great basilicas in Rome for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Maundy Thursday. These churches are: The Saint John Lateran, St. Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls. The last was replaced by Pope John Paul II with the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Love in 2000.

Filipino Visita Iglesia is often a contemplation of the fourteen stations of the cross and traditionally, seven churches are visited with two stations per visit during Maundy Thrusday. However, the Visita Iglesia Louise and I joined visited nine churches in the province of Bulacan and was done during Holy Tuesday (April 7, 2009). We were allowed to take pictures after we said our prayers. Below are the churches we've visited.

Santa Isabel Church Malolos, Bulacan

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as the Malolos Cathedral in Malolos Bulacan




The Barasoain Church

St. James the Apostle Church, Paombong, Bulacan



National Shrine of St. Anne, Hagonoy, Bulacan

Louise and I just outside the National Shrine of St. Anne



Parish of St. John the Baptist, Calumpit, Bulacan



San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Pulilan, Bulacan

The church was under construction during the time of our visit. This town is famous for their Carabao Festival where carabaos kneel as they pass through this church during their parade. This is in honor to the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, Marilao, Bulacan

Our final stop was the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to post since both my digital camera and camera phone both went dead.

I had a really nice time, met new friends and simply glad that Louise and I have decided to devote the entire day for Him. :]] One thing's for sure, we'll do this again next year and I am looking forward in bringing the whole family. :]

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. :)

P.S.O.D

No I'm not speaking forensics. Though I enjoy watching Gil Grissom, OD does not involve a crime scene this time.
*****

One mid- December morning at the office where I was an intern, a friend urged me to finally try Facebook. Our boss was gone and service orders were still far from many. It was the time of the day when everything work related can just sit in the corner and be left ignored. I've been wanting to try Facebook for the longest time but starting an account also means putting up a decent profile for everyone else to see, finding the people I know and uploading a photo of myself. I didn't have the time for that back then and yes, I'm still living in 2003 trapped with Friendster.
My friend too, has recently joined Facebook that time and she wanted to add more friends and more pets in her Pet Society neighborhood. So right after she created an account for me, she introduced me to Pet Society and finally let go of the mouse so I can choose what my pet will look like.
I settled for light green and really cute big round eyes. But just like how I never wanted to wear baseball cap and a plain t-shirt in real life, I didn't want my pet to wear something of that sort. I soon became obsessed with earning more coins, I even went as far as creating an account for both Archie and Billy so I can use their lottery coins to buy furnitures and cute dresses. I am a sucker for anything pink and the first dress I really wanted was this pink princess dress.


I guess the game appealed to me because it involves looking fabulous and getting creative in decorating your pet's house. This pink dress was the first item I really wanted. BAD. But it costs a whooping 800 coins so I had to turn to Billy's pet and his coins for help. I couldn't use my own coins because I was saving up for a pink Mademoiselle's bonnet worth 500 coins that surely did go well with the pink dress.
34 levels later, and after taking over 6 accounts excluding mine, (Billy's, Archie's, Sharmaine's, my brother's and sister's, Brad's), here's a peek of my pet Sundae. :)


Last night while I was looking for new room ideas for Pet Society, I came across this blog called Pet Society Anonymous. The author's January 6 entry was entitled Pet Society Overdose- are you at risk? She presented a list of questions which I dutifully answered while laughing at myself and feeling guilty both at the same time.

Signs that you may be at risk for Pet Society Overdose: (taken from petsocietyanonymous.com)

• You feel intense pleasure and guilt when playing Pet Society.

GUILTY

• You lie about how much time you spend on Pet Society.
  

Uhmm, if we're talking about those times that I should be working on our thesis instead, (oh! this is embarrasing) YES.
GUILTY

• You curse loudly at your computer when your pet falls during a hurdles race.

Here's one I am NOT GUILTY of. I stopped racing a long time ago.

• You neglect to clean your real house, favoring to decorate your pet’s house instead.

GUILTY

Well, not the entire house but my room is a total mess! But my pet's house? Fantastic!

• You think that a pink Christmas tree is classy.

GUILTY
I know the yuletide season was long gone but I told you, I'm a sucker for anything pink and I was desperate to have a pink tree when I first saw it on the Forum. So I am keeping it in my pet's room. It IS classy. And it's final. The tree STAYS.

• You have multiple accounts on Facebook so that your pet can have more “friends.” Or, you have taken over your boyfriend’s/husband’s/ girlfriend’s/wife’s Facebook account so that your pet can visit his/her pet.

GUILTY
Yes. I've taken over my boyfriend's, my friends', my siblings' not just for visiting reasons but for earning coins as well. This helps if you're a shopaholic. There's a tendency that your pet is one too.

• Pet poo excites you.

GUILTY
Pet poo excites me just because Archie wants to collect poo in his pet, Pochi's house. The brown poo's all his. What I am excited about is the possibility of my pet popping out a golden poo!

Thank you petsocietyanonymous for sharing with me the signs of Pet Society Addiction. Not that I'm not aware of them before. It's fun to read the signs from somebody else's POV.
That's it. Enough for today. I still have to feed my pet and open 22 gold mystery boxes.
I'm kidding. I'm pulling an all-nighter (again) for our thesis. Thank God Sundae's here to keep me company. Hahah :)