Parish Makeover

Finally, after our almost-6 hour travel from Quezon Province, we arrived safely in Bulacan. When we reached home, we only had an hour and a half to prepare for Christmas Holy Mass. Our Parish church has been closed for months because it was under construction. I've been away from home for a very long time now; clueless I was regarding the condition of our Parish. 

So, Dad and I went to mass. The church is finally OPEN...everything is entirely different--the flooring, the seats, the lights, the altar, the lay people, ...., everything.

The church is now coated with white, silver, and gold. I could hardly imagine the Church's former "look."

I was amazed, dazzled by the glittered altar and elegantly painted walls of the church. But there's a part of me that misses the wooden-vintage feel.

The exterior of our Parish may now be coated with white, silver, or gold...But whatever "makeover" will come, no one could ever paint tradition.

Post Retreat Realization

(c) MIKKA MARCAIDA

1. It's not about the place, it's about the people.

2. It's not about crying, laughing, or simply enjoying the moment.. It's about "being together."

3. I'm fully aware that I can't be with my friends forever. But I could keep all the memories, cherish 'em when I'm sad, and treasure the moments we shared for a lifetime.



I'll write a comprehensive Post retreat blog as soon as I get the awesome pictures from my other blockmates. It'll take awhile...

I'm a proud member of PSYCHOLOGY 5 BATCH 2013

Fighting egocentricity with responsibilities

I'm not a people-oriented person. And I almost embraced my awkwardness fully, way back in high school. Half of senior year is over, and the remaining half will not be less rough. I never expected this. Now, I'm caught in the middle of successfully managing a small publication and disappointing everyone else. Then, I got qualified in a quiz contest! I couldn't even imagine myself being qualified...and be team captain. What are the odds? :))

Life is giving me lemons! And I think I'm not yet ready to make some lemonade :))

Fishbowl

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
I'm so f'ed up with Med school application stress.

And now, it's already November! I'm days away on submitting my application forms and processing other documents :|

Take a risk. Dare to try.

--these two might not be  the keys to success, but you know what? at least, this belief will let me go somewhere rather than be stuck-fixated with my problems.

Here's the story...

I just randomly picked a paper from a fishbowl before our Pre-Med talk that was sponsored by Lingkod E.R. 

And here's what I got:

I don't believe in signs or whatsoever. 
I take this as a challenge! 
*game face on*

Med school is not a form of calling...it's a decision. 

A little thing called "Faith"

As I waited for my brother to pick me up at the UST Hospital, I sat outside the Cancer Institute. Like any other average Psych student, I observed people and tried figuring out their stories.  I took my phone and started writing this. 

The point of realization:
Nowadays, there are several online campaigns and like pages on Facebook about Cancer victims. I don't really hit the like button or  share the pages. Well, I guess I think that's not enough to be able to make a difference. 

Don't just LIKE and SHARE, make a difference by doing ACTUAL HELP!

Cancer: it's a disease which kills not only the mortal human body, but also tries to terminate our delicate faith; to destroy our hopes and slaughter our spirit.

I admire families who evoke constant support, battling together with the victim in order to win over a strong curse...

Let us help in promoting strength in believing that everything will be fine. 

Support a cause, HELP!
It only takes an ample amount of tears, a dose of love and care, a soul sprinkled with prayers, and trust in GOD. Believe me, WE CAN SURVIVE! 

You can check out this website if you wish to give assistance and donations to people fighting cancer:

http://www.cifphil.org/programs.htm

Please do check out this blog:
http://www.miofightscancer.com/

You can buy unique iPhone cases here too :)
because I'm not a big fan of CAUSE like pages...I'm going to buy an iPhone case instead. Let your centavos save a life! 

Teenage Dream No More

A week before my 20th birthday, my sister called me. She asked what I wanted for my birthday.

"A simple family dinner will do," I answered.

Too bad, my sister and brother couldn't make it to my pre-birthday family lunch. So, I had lunch at Conti's with my other sister and dear father. Wish granted! ROAST BEEF!!! Best food on earth next to inihaw na Liempo

Perfect pre-birthday lunch! Not to mention, BOTTOMLESS LEMONADE!
I also  grabbed the chance to buy a gift for my friend, Faye Rayos.

My phone's fucked up with text messages and notifications before and after September 17 came. Well, I felt like a celebrity for days =))

I only managed to answer a few tweets, special phone calls via Viber, and voice messages via Voxer. As for the wallposts, I was kinda choosey =)) I only like highly-personalized wallposts...especially the ones with pictures of "me."


I welcomed my birthday practicing the art of cramming. I had tons of quizzes and homeworks on my very special day :((

Anyway, I went to school early to work on my homework :|

Mimi gave me this Cookies and Cream Joe Monkey milktea

MY FAVORITE!!! And I wasn't even expecting anything from Mimi =)) thank youuuu Mimi! She was a little less of a bitcheza that day =))  I also realized that Mimi's a sweet person =)) She also sent me 3 weird voice messages :)) quite annoying

Cookies and Cream Milk tea from Mimi

Got a new iPhone case too from Luzzy :)
ONE WORD: GAY.
But, thanks to Luzzy!!!

Food from Faye! naubos agad before my birthday ended =))
sobrang sulit! thanks Faaaaaye!

After almost 4 years, I finally had the chance to swipe my UST I.D. and listen to the "happy birthday" greeting. THANK YOU UST! :))

I  also got the chance to have a picture with Sir Padilla and Senora Canizares 

After my 7p.m. classes, I had a night out with my highschool buddies. We went to Tomas Morato for some fine dining. NAAAAKS!
We ate at ALBA Restaurante Espanol, a Spanish restaurant. A+ for the food!!! we had a sumptuous meal...and I had the chance to show-off my Spanish skills =))

Janina and I

Ikee and Michelle

During our dinner, the rain poured so hard. And as we exited the restaurant...the flood was already knee-level :((
My car fought the gallant floods and heavy rains! HUHUHU

Glad that we came home safe! I spent the rest of the night with my best buddies.

A week after my birthday...
I had my post-birthday family dinner together with my ate, kuya, and selected JGSH staffs at City Buffet

got this picture from my brother

with my favorite co-pirates!

Still, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you everyone!

Gunter

So much  for art therapy!

ORIGINAL VERSION

I made this painting for my friend's birthday. But I didn't give it :|

Anyway, I used watercolor in painting this.
Here are the processed versions:

GRUNGED VERSION

POSTERIZED VERSION

PENCIL SKETCH VERSION

There's really nothing special about this artwork; just the reason why I made it.

For the record, this is for Louise Bueser, and I hope she gets well soon :)

Art Therapy No.1

I've been busy this past months. Senior year's kinda tough! I've decided to focus on my academics before 4th year started. I gave up on writing, music, and visual arts. But you know what? there's still this part of me that forever belongs to art. 

Actually, my co-intern at Science  Guidance and Counseling quite inspired me in doing these artworks. She's such a DARK KNIGHT fan! =))

Here's the original watercolor Batman that I made:

This one is very simple. I finished this one in approximately 6 minutes.

I prepared some newspapers and placed it on the carpet inside my room. I used a simple "tabo" and a set of kiddie watercolor.

I took a picture of  my painting using my phone. 
I had too see the negative version of the painting to determine the perfect balance on how to "bleach" my painting.

Then, I bleached my painting for a "washed out" effect.

And of course, if there's a Batman...there should be a JOKER! 
I made this one a couple of minutes ago. I just used two of my Sharpie fine point permanent marker.

Med School application Season!

So yeah, I just turned twenty and my life went 360° all of a sudden. For a recap, my senior year so far...in one word: OVERWHELMING.

I gave myself the whole month of September to reflect on possibilities, opportunities, and regrets (too general, I’m conscious of that) =)) Oh well. By the end of this month, I have decided.

Med School applications mostly open on October...and tomorrow is OCTOBER. And therefore, my brain is fucked. HAHAHA!

Today is my DEADLINE. yeay.

In the past few weeks, I think everything is a constant reminder of Med school. My family has been very supportive on “whatever career” I would choose in the future. But basically, the “whatever career” falls in just one category: MEDICINE. It’s like choosing with only one choice.

As I celebrated my birthday last September 17, I also received three awesome gifts from my three favorite siblings with M.D.’s at the end of their names. And the gifts I received are all reminders of “brace yourself, Med school applications are coming!” Ate Lilia gave me a wrist watch from ALDO. Maybe, “it’s time!” or “time’s running out” or simply, “tick tock, tick tock” =))  Brother gave me a cutie party bag from Debenhams. I really thought it was a party bag, but when I looked at the tag... “mini doctor’s bag” =)) Lastly, ate Rosette gave me a blouse from XOXO plus a snakeskin iphone case. Her gifts were on my bed, and under the XOXO paper bag was a folder—a folder that contained a med school application printout for UERM =)) very concrete =))

Honestly, I’m so stressed right now. Pressured, indeed. But you know what? After considering a lot of alternatives aside from Med school...I’m still choosing Med school. I made a promise to my Mom and Dad; I’m not just going to keep it...wait until I make it real :)

What happened?

It's funny how time changes people.

I just saw my former teacher's Facebook page because I got notified that it's her birthday today (August 27, 2012). Well yeah, she has been one of the few good teachers that I had way back in elementary. Definitely, she's not in my "teacher hate list".

It was just like yesterday (yeah, seems cliche-y...I know), when she gives us homemade cookies  in class. I LOVED THOSE COOKIES!!!

Most of the times, her kindness is abused by many. And maybe, including me.
I remembered that I asked her if I could skate around the classroom and she said "YES." I skated around the classroom during and after her class discussion (one of my AD/HD moments, I guess) =)) But she never got angry at me :/
*insert puppy dog eyes here*

Like what I said, it's really funny how time changes people.
My former teacher's a Dominican Order sister now. YESSSSS, she's a NUN already. IMAGINE THAT.

And here I am, most probably in the boundary of being a catholic and something else...most likely an agnostic theist, a highly oppositioanl person, or...or...JUST LOST (maybe for a while or forever) :|

I'm not even sure of what I'm feeling right now: am I nostalgic of my old self or just some wandering guilt's fooling with my consciousness, or a little bit of both.

I did not greet my old teacher :| (not even a simple wallpost)


I guess I am scared...
or most probably, I'm not proud of the person I am todaaaaaaaaaay.

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sr. Anne! I am sorry :(

Confessions of the Socially Awkward: The Flipside of Bullying

Like any average girl with a little more above the average intelligence quotient, I had/have been a subject of bullying. I could remember my elementary days, when students older than I used to call me names or trap me in a corner asking random questions about my life.  Upon further analysis of the previously awkward situation I was once in got me thinking about the pros of being 'cute' and the cons of being 'small'.

When I reached high school, my experience of being bullied got worse. Well, especially during freshmen year. I could remember my classmates who grabbed my head like a basketball just because they were taller than me, and they just felt like doing it. Everybody seemed it was alright with me...but little did they know, that I was already mentally cursing everyone back then. What could I do? I couldn't like, stop them for being Air Jordan fanatics; that's all they've got...just air inside their heads: no more, no less. And yeah, I remembered this girl who bad-mouthed me and pulled my skirt up up in the air just for fun. I just didn't care =)) it's in her nature already.

I'm like this, not because of them. 
I cannot  put a blame on my bullies for the person I am today. 

Blame them for their broken homes?
Blame them for their fucked up lives?
Blame them for their gender split?
or simply, judge their bitter past.

They had their history.

Well, I think blaming and judging is so overrated. Can we all just move forward?

And yes, I am much of a bully today too =))

In my case, bullying's not an emotional trauma. Well, I guess it's just a part of growing up.

They wasted their lives picking up on me. I'm not gonna waste any time just to bully them in return.
They could set fire a million insults. And I'm not gonna waste any time just to feel insulted.

Someday, I'll be that great person while they're still gonna be their same old shit.

NOTE:

This post was a result of a terrible dream I had. I guess my unconscious wanted to deal with repressed bitter memories in enigmatic retrospect. 

Two sides of the same flood

                                  

A midst the raging tempest;

Against the gallant floods,

Let our compassion fight the heavy fall!

Let our spirits thrive for existence,

For our hopes would not be drowned.

Don't let fear block our consciousness,

Don't let chaos intoxicate our emotions;

For there will always be TOMORROW.

(c) SAMANTHA REYES

Tondo Medical Mission No.1

July 21, 2012

I went to a Medical Mission together with my sister at Tondo, Manila. Actually, I'm not a Med student (yet). But if you want to make a difference, start with a little commitment and a little dose of right decisions. My sister picked me up at UST very early in the morning. It was raining very hard, and my umbrella almost died :(


My sister said that we should eat breakfast before going to Tondo. She bought food and we ate breakfast inside the car. 


"Ganyan talaga pag-doctor...sa kotse ka na titira, mabilisang pagkain, puyat palagi pero handa pa ring tumulong."


When we reached Tondo, we stayed first in her clinic. Almost all the streets were flooded already! The rain got worse and poured like an angry Poseidon. 


"Ano, kaya mo ba pumunta sa covered court ng ganyan?"

* * *

I ventured through the flooded streets with my brother-in-law, and we successfully reached the covered court near the pier. Still, hundreds of people attended the Medical Mission. 


There were a lot of doctors still willing to cross the "sea" just to help. And I'm proud to say that my sister's one of them :)

Friendly Business!

Here’s a little something to help out my friends:

PREPPYMINT

Check it out at: http://www.facebook.com/preppymint

Don’t forget to LIKE the page

Adorn your self with trendy accessories!

Get the up-to-the-minute dress add-ons, in a very affordable price!

To all the frustrated ballerinas out there:

Frollic foldable shoes are also available at PREPPYMINT :)

Refresh your fashion sense, buy at Preppymint :)

HUMAN HEART NATURE

Check it out at: http://www.facebook.com/humanheartnature

For product reference please visit: http://humanheartnature.com/

For your orders: http://www.facebook.com/faye.rayos

Get the organic advantage by using Human Heart Nature products :)

I personally tried the following products:

(Yes, I know I’m not credible enough to endorse LOL)

Get rid of your dark circles with this:

Berry Bliss!!!

Give flavor to your skin...

Get the wildfruit swag :P

Twisted Philosophy

1. Friendship usually lasts in approximately 2 years. After the 2 year duration given for a friendship with a promise of "forever", dies together with the hopes that built it. 


Sa totoo lang, ang pagkakaibigan ay masaya lang sa simula tapos magkakasawaan lang sa loob ng dalawang taon. Syempre sa una, aakalain mo na nakahanap ka na ng kaibigan na sasamahan ka magpakailanman...at maging masaya ka...kapag  tumagal, makakalimutan mo rin iyon. Ang mga dating pangarap ay mapapalitan lang ng ka-plastikan at kasinungalingan. Kung gayon, huwag ng patagalin...tapusin na sa loob ng dalawang taon. Hindi mo kailangan ng mga taong papaasahin ka; tandaan mo na maraming tao ang nariyan na umaasa na papansinin mo. Bawat sikreto na tinatago ng mga magkakaibigan ay investment lang para sa tuluyan niyong pagkasira. 2 years. 2 years lang talaga. Kapag sumobra sa 2 years, hindi mo rin masasabi na maswerte ka. Magsasawa at magsasawa ka pa rin.

2. Friends are usually classified under the "useful" category in the start. As they decrease their ability to be utilized, they decreased their quality of being a friend...and usually end up as an average being. Being 'useful' levitates character and fosters a somehow, wonderful bond. 

Ang mga kaibigan ay nag-sisimula bilang nilalang na may 'pakinabang', kaya mo sila magugustuhan. Kapag wala na silang pakinabang, mawawalan ka na ng gana. 

3. That friend who would tell you that your logic about friendship's fucked up.
That friend who would say you're stupid, even you know you're 'that smart.'
That friend who would accept your distorted beliefs about religion and people.
That friend who would call you using stupid names.
That friend who would say that everything would be fine.
That friend who would tell you that 'we'll make it work', even if everything's seems to be broken.
That friend who is so demanding; such a dictator, and such a bitch.
That friend who threatens you.
That friend who lives three kantos away...with a little left or right turn...and an overpass, then will cross the tiger's lair with another turn, and 2 more tawids, just to be with you.
That friend who would give warmth in your cold cruel hands.
That friend who would give a little pat on the head when you're confused, startled, or just nervous.

Tell yourself that you should have them for keeps :)
Screw the 2 years.

Join the DARKSIDE, maybe?

My friend, Louise, and I decided to save a day for a Star Wars Trilogy time marathon. Despite the tension and awkwardness while watching the movies, a lot of silly (?) thoughts entered my mind.

A lot about the case of Anakin Skywalker's intriguing, yet complex "sith-tuation." I formulated a lot of theories regarding Anakin's journey to the DARKSIDE...and THIS ONE would be the BEST:

1. Intelligence vs. Ignorance (in the context of Innocence)

Those who know they know too well, really know nothing.

C’mon, life’s not all about how much you know about it!

Life’s more about how’d you deal with it.

With great intelligence, there sprouts great questioning...

and in every unanswered question, we lose faith.

We all started as young Anakins...

We are not conscious on how much we know, and on how much we could still learn.

But when we start to bring to awareness such realization, our innocence dies out—and we start to evaluate ourselves: “Am I intelligent, or rather ignorant?”

2. Death vs. Life

We’re all destined to be slaves of lost—no one’s an exception.

Anakin lost his mother, and from that lost...he found vengeance.

If our life is partly ruined already, it doesn’t mean we have to destroy what remains of us. If we believe death or lost is reason enough to kill our hopes...can we not let our lives be reasons enough for us to continue living?

3. Thirst for power vs. Powerlessness

When we decide to breed vengeance from pride’s womb...we start to seek power.

Power could transform us as victors of our own conquest, but would power bring us happiness?

4. Love vs. Despise

When we love, we start to hate ourselves—hate ourselves for we think our efforts aren’t always enough.

And we always think that the sacrifices we make fuels equilibrium. 

We are not born to be martyrs of our relational idealisms. Our love is never for ransom---not an enticement to be retrieved from imprisonment. Love is to be shared, not broken nor thrown away.

Finally,

5. Inner Sith vs. Inner Jedi Master

One word: DECISION.

P.S.

Thank you again, Louise! 

And for your laptop...REST IN PEACE.

That awkward chocolate drink

On the third day of my Educational Psych internship in UST Science Guidance and Counseling, a friend visited me. My shift was almost over, and when I went outside the Guidance, there was one person who was particularly disturbing (I spotted LOUISE). Well anyway, when I approached Louise...she handed me a chocolate drink. I was confused. shocked. puzzled. I took the drink inside the Guidance, then stared at it. I tried reflecting...trying to decipher the true essence of the chocolate drink. 


Lunch  came, classes started, then my stomach vigorously grumbled.
That was the CUE!
Then I drank the awkward chocolate drink DURING our ETAR subject! =))
As I threw the lifeless tetra pak in the garbage bin, I had an outstanding realization...another EUREKA moment!


PANTAWID GUTOM, indeed.


Well I guess, the story ends here.


Thank you, Louise! your chocolate drink practically saved me from fuel deprivation.

Christmas Overnight

There's nothing better to tell than a story of genuine friendship, aside from an epic story of romance.

I don't believe in 'happily ever afters', 'forevers', and 'lifetimes'. We're not characters in a fairy tale. We are PERSONS. We own our stories...we are our own adventures!

A lot of people say that 'friendship' is one of the most wonderful illusions we can experience in life, if we seek to believe. But little did people know, that we could always decide when to believe in friendship and when to stop believing.

We are bound to be deceived in order to truly believe.

Yeah,  I have friends. And I also once believed in the power of true friendship, in the power of crossing great distances, and in the power of 'lasting forever.' I have contradicting beliefs =))  I must be pretty messed up right now. Well anyway, there's still a chance that a friendship could last a lifetime...but it doesn't mean that it'll be as bright as how it started. YES...

THE BITTER REALITY THAT FRIENDSHIP FADES AWAY.

* * *

I was browsing some old pictures in my laptop. I found our 'CHRISTMAS PAMILEE OVERNIGHT.'  Janina, Ikee, Michelle, and I used to call our barkada,  'Pamilee', before some stupid copy-cats tried to own the title :| (to be exact, some younger peeps from our old school called their barkadahan the same :| )And now, we call ourselves "THE TRUE BROTHERHOOD" =))Because we agreed to be "ALWAYS TRUE" no matter what happens!

oooh GOOD TIMES.

There was this 'one day' that everything was so 'perfect'--a day me and my friends wished that would never end...but it did.

WE HAD IT ALL PLANNED! We packed our things for the over night, reserved a car, we have our itinerary...we were extremely ready for a getaway that was not FAR FAR AWAY =))

1st, a meeting at my crib! just because I was the 'driver of the day' =))

We wore matching shirts courtesy of Ikee Gonzales.

We got our DSLRs readied to reinforce our vanity.

We did some photoshoot that was sort of "Street fighter" or "Tekken" inspired.

and YES, K-boxing =))

We always loved that intoxicating cubicle for a wonderful Karaoke experience.

We went to Ikee's house after K-BOXing and eating merienda. We played card games of all sorts. =))

The loser would be vandalized with baby powder =))

Sorry, but I couldn't share the photos here =))

creepy powdered faces with Mature content =))

PHOTOSHOOT with Ikee's dog, Lexie.

We went out to a grill house to eat our dinner.

SISIG OVERLOAD!!!

sobrang dami lang ng kinain namin =))

The overnight proper:

we had a little card game again...

then waited for midnight for our "4-way exchange gift" =))

We even used codenames =))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

But still, no one preserved their anonymity =))

FAILURE.

Here's a bunch of pictures using Ikee's gay Stitch stuffs =))

from the left: Michelle, Janina, and Ikee

Janina holding my mini-satchel gift :")

Michelle scared us before we all went to sleep, by telling nasty, freaky, creepy supernatural stories :((

and the "pulikat" scare factor was invented! :| =))

Then, the day ended. And now, I am writing this...

I miss 'US' :(

I hope I could spend another perfect day with my primary barkada :(

but fourth year happened :| =))

BUSY BEES :|

Friendship fades...but it doesn't mean it could not shimmer again! :")

"Ang pagkakaibigang ito, mas matibay pa sa ngipin mo!"

For the pictures I used in this post:


(c) MICHELLE SANTOS
(c) IKEE GONZALES

Hello Neo-Centennial!

Yes, I am a proud Thomasian! 
Celebrating UST's Neocentennial year as a junior Psych student!!! woohoo!
(I really thought I couldn't enjoy the UST @401 celebration because January was HELL.)


And yeah, I'm a senior student now. So fast, and I'm already months away from THE GRADUATION; and an hour away to READY.SET. CRAM. my homework =))
BOOM.



Here's a picture of Faye, Luz, Issa, and I during our university parade (more like a death march). We circled around UST and built our own squatters area during long parade-lag intervals. I remembered that I ate 2 ice creams; I also forced myself to drink water to save my ego from being dehydrated. I fought against heat, dehydration, and bitchy school books in my backpack. 
I forgot to bring my shades :| EYEBAGS revealed!!! kill me now.

Yes, this balloon saved our lives! The only and closest thing that saved us from skin cancer =)) HOORAY SHADE! 

SQUATTERS MODE chillin' under the sun with Issa =))
Quiz papers and The Varsitarian saved our butts from being fried!
We were to spend the whole afternoon at the field waiting for the program to start...But we made our great escape =))
Ikaw kaya mag-bilad sa init ng araw...walang disenteng upuan, walang pagkain at inumin, siksikan at maingay. Sinung hindi mamamatay? 

Almost time for the big event!

Sharing the light to the rest of the world!

The Maki campfire! 

ihawin na 'yan.

That amazing sky of fireworks! LOOKS EXPENSIVE. ONLY IN UST.

Neo-centennial Lushkin =))

Litson Baka, half-cooked by Gerine Sy...

And it's for FREE!!! 

Our block rented Sticks & Bowls to enjoy our salu-salo =))
Litson manok, litson baboy, litson baka, rice, and refreshing drinks = CHOLESTEROL OVERLOAD!!! =))
Ma-diskarte talaga kapag PSYCH FIVE. 

I hope that I could enjoy more amazing events like this! 

It would be fine if I'd be waiting for another 400 years, as long as I could celebrate amazing events with the same amazing PEOPLE OF P.FIVE :)

How to end this blogpost?

(insert fireworks here)

For the pictures used in this post:


(c) FAYERAYOS
(c) SAMREYES
(c) DAINEVALERIO
(c) GERINESY
(c) YNAREYES