Irreversible

The past two months were totally a whirlwind of events. If I had been a nuclear reactor, I would have probably just melted down and spewed out tons of frustrations.

My acads went spiraling down. Really, this semester was a major flop. A mess. I'm now desperately struggling to pass my units. Oh my God, what happened to my major subjects? I was totally out of focus. With all of the distractions and shit.



My bid to becoming UP ALCHEMES' next Executive Officer for Internal Affairs was a big disappointment. It was a good start, but that was all it was. The competition was neck-to-neck, I even thought I still had a big chance to win. After all of the hardwork and campaigning, I fell short with one vote. One freakin' vote. The only thing that comforts me is that a big percent of our population put their trust unto me, and I am very thankful for that. Through this experience, I also realized how big a deal it is to be a part of our organization's Executive Council, and more so, being the President.

I also tried to join the ChESI. I was confident that I would be picked because of my good credentials. And I aced the interview (I think). Again, to no avail. At first, it was okay with me, thinking that they (the ChE Reps) wanted to train the younger batches and that I could develop my potentials more through other avenues like the UP CAPES (I plan to join next sem). But when Kathy Madlambayan told me that what happened could probably be politically-motivated, considering the fact that 4 out of 5 of the ChE reps were from UP PRIME, a bitter feeling upsurged. Good thing it was just short-lived. I don't want to give a fucking fuck about it anymore. Let's just bury the hatchet and move forward, okay?

ARISE seemed to be a promising endeavor, so I attempted to run for the position of VP for Elections. Unfortunately, a co-candidate for the Inte ExO position also decided to run. Since I did not want anymore to compete, I withdrew my candidacy. Instead, I volunteered to be a Director for Electoral Affairs. Though after the mock Miting de Avance, I was also attracted to the plans of Jape Esguerra for the Externals Committee. I specifically liked the concept of making documentaries on the most pressing issues concerning the College of Engineering. Maybe I need more time to think which job I should take, but I'm now more inclined to be part of Exte.

Another distraction was being a pre-CAMP staff for the Engineering Committee. It was just another whole pile of stress, with the head continually bugging us to make those stupid powerpoint templates. Oh well, it's a good training for me if ever I become the next Engg Core member for this year's CSIW.

With everything that has happened, do I regret anything? Maybe. I could have concentrated on my acads and not have a hard time when wrapping-up time comes. But I do not regret having experienced all this. After all that I've been through, I hope to come out as a better, stronger individual.

I will truly treasure and cultivate all that I have learned this semester, but...

I just want to graduate ON TIME. I don't want to disappoint my parents. That's the last thing that I would want to do. And please, I just want to pass my subjects. I hate re-taking a subject. Experiencing such kind of stress once is already more than enough. And I truly, madly, deeply want to pass all of my subjects this sem (esp. the ChE courses). Please Lord, lend me Your mercy. I promise to be a better student in the next semesters that will come.

I hope that after this, I'll finally learn my lesson. (That's what she said!)
Tama na ang Facebook at Tumblr. Acads muna.

Tambayan Makeover!

To clean up the mess Engg Week 2010 has brought to our tambayan, the Execom decided to do general cleanup after the resumption of classes.

It was much easier than I expected. We started sorting things out at around 1PM, and at around 2:30PM, we were done redoing the layout of the tambayan. Whew! It’s such a relief to see the tambayan free from unnecessary clutter. Instead, now it has more breathing space.




We got tired with the good ol’ layout of our tambs wherein the two tables were parallel with each other, and the two storage benches were on both ends. After some tinkering, we decided to have an L-layout. All in all, it’s the fourth layout of the tambayan since our exodus from the old Yakal tambayan complex.



We already got rid of the balikbayan boxes which were totally of no use to us, except being hoarders of space in the tambayan. They were used for the rummage sale of our Finance committee.



Also, the tambayan seemed to brighten up after we have moved the calendar-slash-bulletin board (a project of batch A-cubed) to its original position.

New year, new start.
I hope that this year would bring more success to UP ALCHEMES. Surely, I could see a brighter future for us Alchemists. :)

Indakan 2010

Even though I just sat on the carpeted stairs, I still enjoyed this year's Indakan.

Teatro Marikina was not really suited to house an audience as big as the student population of UP College of Engineering, so a lot of people had either stand up or sit on the aisle. I have already been to the venue once, when I was still in fourth year highschool. We watched the play "Ama" as part of the field trip.

The program started late due to the tardiness of the event's hosts, which enabled us who took the ES 13 exam to witness the whole competition.

Six teams participated in the pair category, while twelve organizations joined the group category. The theme was "Montage" where the teams would pick a musical movie and interpret the soundtrack through dance.

ALCHEMES was not represented in the pair category, since no one was willing to do so. The Isentropes chose Moulin Rouge, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, as their piece. Being the first ones to perform in that category, it was obvious that they were really nervous and lacked confidence in what they were doing. Sayang, maganda pa naman yung concept.

The numbers that really caught my (perhaps, everybody's) attention were the following: Across the Universe (KEM), Rent (Erg), Chicago (IE Club), and Sweeny Todd (CIEM). Hairspray by Cursor was also cute. Also, the pair entry of Circuit (they interpreted Blues Brothers) was quite amusing. I got disappointed with GE Club and the ones that performed Cheetah Girls: they looked highschool-ish and pathetic! And Eng'gSoc was pretty messed up too (they did Fame!).

KEM snatched back the championship, with IE Club sliding down to second place, and CIEM retained its third place. I'll still be searching for the winners in the pair category. Congratulations to the winners!

PS No Geminids for me :(

I can now smell Eng'g Week!

After the first long exam in ES 13 later this afternoon, I'm going to be as free as a bird!

We'll go straight to the Teatro Marikina to watch and support the Isentropes, the official dance group of UP ALCHEMES, as they battle it out in the Indakan 2010. The awesome ticket was awesome, as it came with a free baller. Then afterwards, we'll be heading back to UP to witness the Geminids meteor shower. I'm not really worried to sleep late, since I've been used to sleeping in the morning these past few weeks, and the only class that I've got is, well, ES 13 which starts at 2:30 in the afternoon.

I decided not to join any of the slated games in this year's Eng'g Week and just planned to cheer for my orgmates. My load this semester is heavy, and I just didn't want to take any risk, that's all. (Yes, I know, it's a lame excuse. But what could I do?)

I read in UP Alpha Phi Omega's publicity materials (the one announcing the "Great Oblation Run") that they will be holding another blood donation drive this coming Friday. Unfortunately, this would coincide with the Christmas party of our organization. They have decided to celebrate it with the kids from Gentle Hands, an institution taking care of neglected children. Even though it's for a good cause, I'm considering to opt out of the party and donate blood instead, because as much as possible, I would like to donate blood at least once every three months (I started last October this year). To at least save me from my conscience, I'll donate crayons or something for the kids.

So, this ends this blog. I must now go back and study for my upcoming exam. I'm nervous, but I know I could conquer it. Let's go!

Going back...

I've always wanted to maintain a good blog where I would recall all the things that have happened to me, amused me, took my attention, discuss my disappointments and dreams in life, but I find myself being unable to find the drive to even update this account.

So, for the nth time, I will attempt to revive the blogger within me. Tumblr is good, but I think it isn't what I really need. I need a breathing space, where I could express myself and be whomever I would want to be. This time, I would like to focus on my target audience: myself. I'm really getting tired of trying to please the "followers." Here, I could relax and just spill out whatever's inside my mind. The peace and quiet and unrestrained blogging: oh joy!

Now, I'm here (again!) in blogger. And I'm here to stay, hopefully.

Yeah, I've been busy with academics since the new semester has begun. Org-related stuff, problem sets, laboratory quizzes, long exams. All has been well, I suppose. I'm not having a hard time in absorbing the lessons in the courses I have taken. Well, maybe except ChE 131. It's giving me a headache. Momentum, heat and mass transfers aren't really making any sense to me. I'm struggling to answer a single item in the homeworks, much to the unexpressed disappointment by my partner. Sigh. This then requires me to take extra effort in understanding the lessons this coming (insert drum roll here) Christmas break.

Exam in ES 12 is over. Talking to Kuya Michael Dupio was just depressing. I really thought I did great in my exam. Ugh. It sucks. In Monday, there's gonna another exam. This one's for ES 13. I must exert effort this time. After all, it's just the start of the sem. I must try a little bit harder to have better grades come CRS time.

Tomorrow will be my goddaughter's first birthday celebration which will be held in Tramway Timog. I'm now excited to see my cousins! That girl is really lucky, getting all the good things a baby could wish she could get. I hope she does not grow spoiled, though, but rather an empowered and strong-willed individual.

And, yesterday was our 14th month as a couple. I really hope this relationship would last. I am really grateful that she could see the good in me.