In retrospect

I would not have been aware that this blog was under a dry spell for more than a year already if I did not stumble upon an article on how to delete your online footprint. It got me curious so I typed my name on the Google search bar and looked for any negative representations of myself. Easily enough, I saw a link directing to my Blogger profile. I noticed that the descriptions in my profile and blog needed updating so I slightly modified them.

So much could really happen within a span of one year. I realized this after re-reading the post before this one. I think wrote it right before the school year ended. It showed how anxious I was if I could survive the most toxic and stressful semester that I endured so far, and the consequences that I'll be facing if I didn't.

Well, I didn't.

I was one of the five students who failed in our ChE 131 (Transport Phenomena) class. My instructor, who was studying in a South Korean university at that time, already did a curve on the passing grade. Unfortunately, my grade was still not enough to earn me a "3.00". It was a major subject and a prerequisite to higher ChE subject. I would not be able to take other necessary subjects without retaking it. Since it was offered only during the second semester, I was officially behind our curriculum by one year. My graduation was then postponed to 2014.

This was a major setback in my life, leaving me demoralized and with low self-esteem. But thanks to the support of my friends, especially Colleen, I was able to cope up and move on. I would like to believe that I am in a better place right now. With four more semesters ahead of me before finally receiving that UP diploma, I'm fueled more than ever to make the most out of it.

Okay, so much for the drama. Here goes my recap of the year that was:

SUMMER 2011. I was chosen as a staff member of the Engineering committee for PSYSC's national event during summer: CAMP 2011. It was my first time to ride an airplane! I could not explain how thrilled I was while we were still in NAIA Terminal 3, except for some procedures in the terminal that I thought were rather redundant and unnecessary.

Upon seeing the inside of the aircraft (we rode Cebu Pacific), it reminded me of the Golden Dragon bus that I regularly ride when going home to Cavite. It just had more seats and smaller windows. I savored the experience, staying awake for the whole duration of the flight. The sun has just risen when we arrived in Iloilo airport.

The event ran pretty smoothly; our President back then, Kuya RJ Colobong, even said that it was the best CAMP so far. Highlights of this activity were the night events, the field trip, national elections, and the R&R.

I enjoyed the field trip, which served as a day away from the stress in conducting the activity. It was very memorable (and even life-changing), especially the visit to the Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

In the elections, a new set of officers were chosen to lead our organization as the National Executive Council. Not all of the seats were filled so a second election was held later on.

And, the R&R! We all went to Guimaras before our flight back to Manila. We took a jeepney ride from the Jordan Port to other side of the island where a beach resort was situated. The beach was gorgeous! It was also my first time to swim in the beach. Hahaha!

I'm very thankful that I joined the island hopping trip. Our boats even entered a cave. I also loved one of the stopovers where we took group photos and swam. The white sand was so fine! And the water was so clear we wished we could have stayed longer.

When we got back to Manila, we immediately processed our enrollment for the summer classes. I was not lucky enough to get another subject aside from Socio 10, but it was alright. I immensely enjoyed my only class, learning about different political thinkers such as Aristotle and Machiavelli. It helped that our professor, Mr. John Robert Go, was super cool. I spent my spare time watching tons of movies that I copied from Mark Sherwin.

(To be continued)