My Top 12 Events of Pre-Christmas

Here are my 12 significant (and not-so-significant) days of my life that happened before Christmas day ^_^

4 DECEMBER 2005: A Cultural "Monthsary"

My kanojo and I celebrated our 2nd month differently ....

After her lakbay-araw thingy in some sites in Intramuros in the morning, we had our own tour of the walled city, braving the rain, heat, and exhaustion. We didn't mind, for it was really a full afternoon just beeing together, walking on and around the walls of Intramuros, scouting and reading significant sites of the walled city, and even stopping by Manila Cathedaral at the time when the Archbishop of Manila himself as celebrant, and none other than the President and her entourage with the churgoers! Our tour was cut short by 3:00 pm when I was summoned by our LC chairwoman to serve the 6 pm Novena mass for the 50th anniversary of the UP chapel.

After serving in the 6 pm mass at the UP chapel, we continued our simple "celebration" by just walking along the Academic Oval when we chanced upon a free program in the University Theater. Lo and behold, what I thought was a boooooring show turned out to be a memorable cultural experience! We had just chanced upon the Manju Shaka tour stop at UP Diliman, showcasing talents in kabuki. The performances were awesome, including performances by the group's leader, known only as Mama Rosa (they didn't give us her real name).

It was really a unique "monthsary" celebration for me and my labs.

Too bad we forgot to bring our camera ^_^;

7 DECEMBER 2005: The Lunch Faculty Meeting

Not much significant, except for the free lunch ^_^ ... Oh, and another thing:

I was indicated as a resource person during the last faculty meeting in the minutes of the meeting. Huh? I didn't present anything during the past meeting... : O

It was a good thing our chairman clarified the matter. He said that since lecturers are not really required to attend faculty meetings, those lecturers who will attend will be indicated as "resource persons".

Thank goodness also that some professors and teachers -- me included -- agreed to change such heading to "lectureres attended".

Mas okay, 'di ba? ^_^

8 DECEMBER 2005: Start of the Controversial Christmas Party Awards Sagutan

On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, most of the faculty members of the department feasted, albeit surprisingly, on the start of the raging e-mail sagutan regarding the Math Department Christmas Party Awards.

Conceptualized by my co-teacher Alex, the somewhat "immaculate" awards will recognize the best of the department's faculty members, with awards such as "Haligi" and "Ilaw ng Tahanan" and the "Most Promising Instructor Award". There's a twist, however, since there are such awards as "Alicia Silverstone Award" (for the "clueless" teachers), "Lulubog-Lilitaw Award", and the "Thank God You're Not A Call Center Agent Award" (pinakamagulong kausap).

Well, a professor didn't find the set of awards that "fun", as stated in the professor's December 8 e-mail, and our e-mails started to be filled with comments and side-comments regarding the matter. The matter even touched such eery topics like idol worship (!) and renaming the Christmas party as the year-end party if the awards will be included (huh?!).

It's a good thing, though, that amidst the furor, a female professor has this to say in her e-mail:

Let us celebrate the coming new year by giving love, a priceless gift. So let's have a fun year-end party, mga idol!!! yehey!!! :-)

Love, Merry =p

P.S. Amidst the controversy, natuloy ang "award's night"... see my entry on our Christmas party ^_^

13 DECEMBER: The "Joined Forces" Christmas Party Year 2

For the second year now, the classes of Rose, Iris and I had a joint Christmas party at 11:30 am at my 11:30 am classroom, MB 313. We did it last year in MB 329, Iris's classroom then.

We had a few games for all classes -- "Lyrics" game, "Name That Tune", and the "Friends/Blockmates Game". We also shared the food brought by the students, including our pancit and drinks. My class had our exchange gift also after the program.

Mas masaya talaga 'pag sama-sama ^_^

P.S. My 8:30 am class had their separate Christmas party last December 15.

14 DECEMBER: The Controversial Christmas/Year-end Party

The Department held its traditional Christmas Party on this day at 6 pm amidst the previous bruhaha on the awards. We had games, presentations, and a sumptuous dinner!

Well, the Awarding Ceremonies pushed through, with much fanfare! And there were special awards given away during the night, such as the "Who-is-Jimmy-and-who-is Jesse" award and the "FHM" (Fascist, Hitler, Masochist) award.

Well, award talaga!!!! Asteeg ^_^

15 DECEMBER 2005: The Announcement Dilemma

"You're confusing the people"!

That was what Fr. JBoy shouted to me when I announced the wrong venue for the Student's Simbang Gabi during the 12 nn mass.

While it was finalized that the said big students' dawn mass was to be held at the Chapel, most people knew of the Sunken Garden Simbang Gabi, which was circuled via a memo from the Chancellor. That confused the people, me included.

Well, I admitted my fault, but I felt heavy after thast insident, and was a bit shaken because I felt I made a very big blunder.

Please forgive us for whatever faults we have committed during the Holy Mass....

P.S. That incident didn't tarnish a bit my reverence to Fr. Jboy. He was just concerned about the activities of the Church, and how to do things right. Asteeg pa rin siya! ^_^

Peace tayo, Father ^_^

15 DECEMBER: Lantern Parade with my Love

For our date, me and my labs watched the parade of lanterns at the back of Quezon Hall in the evening of this day. We even watched the marvelous fireworks display, with fish balls in our hands, after the parade. We then went to church afterwards.

17 DECEMBER: The Separation

On this day, me and my labs parted ways to give way to the Christmas break.

Weh... I will miss my labs... -_-

20 DECEMBER: Happy Golden Anniversary, UP Chapel!

The UP Community celebrated the 50th anniversary of the UP Chapel on this day with a concelebrated mass at 5:30 pm. Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, presided over the Mass. Many priest and guests, including Chancellor Cao and some UP Diliman officers, joined in the celebration.

Before the celebration, all of us in the church were really busy preparing for that momentous occasion. The LC'c were in charge of making the missalette for the mass and in guiding and registering guests.

It was not just a solemn and historic occasion, but a fun one for a small group of LC's who joined there -- Ate Boots, Florence, Angie, Clint, Mike, Jepoy, Limuel, and myself. We danced, cheered with the people, and even laughed at Fr. JBoy's jokes.

We finally ended the euphoria by joining Fr. JBoy to Starbucks Katipunan. There we continued to have a good time.

After the fun time at Starbucks, Fr. JBoy invited Jepoy, Limuel, Florence, and I to sleep over his quarters in the UP Parish complex. We were wowed by the simplicity and elegance of Fr. Jboy's quarters. Asteeg!

It was a grand celebration indeed! ^_^

21 DECEMBER: Her Trip to China

On this day, my labs together with her family went to China to spend the break with her mother there.

We still exchanged text messages in the morning befroe her flight.

I miss her na...

22 DECEMBER: The Forced Eviction (See my December 22 post)

I saw my stint in my boarding house ended in a flash.

Just because of me shouting at their pesky kid (naalimpungatan ako nu'n kaya naasar ako), my life became in danger because of the scathing threats of the son of my land lady, who was at that time was in the influence of alcohol. "Hihilahin ko 'yan palabas eh!", "Baka kung ano ang magawa ko sa kanya", and "Babayaran ko 'yang kuwartong 'yan, lumayas lang 'yan!" are some of his threats.

After he left the house (Magpapalamig lang daw siya... Duh, it's only his excuse to drink more!!!!), I decided abrupty to pack up and leave without haste.

After renting a tricycle, I bade my goodbye to my kind landlady and went off to the Math Building to sleep there.

It was really a terrible, forgettable experience. But got to move on....

As of now, I am in the Ipil dorm as a transient till Christmas day morning (Thanks to Tata's convincing power ^_^). I slept at Jepoy's place last December 22.

Thank you, O Lord, for guiding me amidst this crisis. Thanks for your presence....

Thanks also to those who gave cheers and smiles to me during that episode. Thanks guys!

23 DECEMBER: Ipil Night

Thanks to my churchmate Tata, I would've slept on those wooden chairs again in my faculty room....

It was good that the dorm manager, through the guard-on-duty's phone call, allowed me to be a transient in the dorm, starting on this day till the morning of Christmas day.

I decided to go home on Christmas day to give time to fix my things, plan my next moves, and do this blog... plus play my favorite game hehehe :-D

The Forced Eviction

Note: This post was made at 2:45 pm of December 24, but the actual incident happened starting 10:30 pm of December 21 in my boarding house. I left the place for the Math Building by 12:15 am of December 22, thus the date of the blog.

I saw my stint in my boarding house ended in a flash.

Just because of me shouting at their pesky kid (naalimpungatan ako nu'n kaya naasar ako), my life became in danger because of the scathing threats of the son of my land lady, who was at that time was in the influence of alcohol. "Hihilahin ko 'yan palabas eh!", "Baka kung ano ang magawa ko sa kanya", and "Babayaran ko 'yang kuwartong 'yan, lumayas lang 'yan!" are some of his threats.

(Well, even if I was a bit scared of those threats dahil nga nakainom siya, I was not surprised of those kinds of words... nuknukan talaga siya ng yabang at mahangin, at kung sinong nagmamagaling. He even shout at her own mother, my landlady, in some occasions. If only she could evict that guy with his family instead. Biruin mo, may pamilya na, eh, pumipisan pa sa magulang. At siya pa ang mayabang ha! Pasaway talaga...)

After he left the house (Magpapalamig lang daw siya... Duh, it's only his excuse to drink more!!!!), I decided abrupty to pack up and leave without haste.

It was really a hearwretching experience though, since I have loved the place (except for that guy and his uncontrollable daughter na halatang nagmana sa kanya), and I have loved my landlady, treating her as my own nanay. I almost cried when I saw nanay sobbing a bit, removing her tears with her hand. But I would rather leave rather than give more problems to her if I continue to stay in that house.

After renting a tricycle, I bade my goodbye to my kind landlady and went off to the Math Building to sleep there.

It was really a terrible, forgettable experience.

I still have this angst and heaviness inside me, but I have to move on. Got to collect myself again and find another place to stay before January.

Thanks to Ate Rhea (Pastoral office) for responding to my text message of alarm. Thanks a lot to my churchmates -- Ate Boots, Angie, Jepoy with his friend Limuel -- for the concern, sympathy, and cheers.

Thanks, nanay, for the wonderful years I stayed in your house.

Thank you, O Lord, for guiding me amidst this crisis. Thanks for your presence....

And for you -- yes, you, the mayabang guy who still has a pending SDT case -- GROW UP! >_<

Quiz Tayo... ^_^

Well, without anything to do inside my faculty room, I got to try some quizzes from Blogthings:

On my personality:

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Hmmm...medyo matched... How about my ideal relationship?

Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage

You've dated enough to know what you want. And that's marriage - with the right person. You're serious about settling down some time soon. Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to!

What's Your Ideal Relationship?

Oh, really now???? Kami na kaya??? Hee... ^_^

Want to try some? Click on this link: www.blogthings.com.

"...and it all began when I met you..."

Happy first month, my sweet kanojo! Thanks for sticking it out with me for one month. I love you... I love you so much! Mwah! *hug hug* hee *^_^*

This song is for you.... ^_^






When I Met You
APO Hiking Society


There I was an empty piece of a shell,
Just mindin' my own world;
Without even knowin'
What love and life were all about.


Then you came,
You brought me out of the shell;
You gave the world to me
And before I knew,
There I was so in love with you.


You gave me a reason for my being
And I love what I'm feelin'
You gave me a meaning to my life,
Yes, I've gone beyond existing
And it all began when I met you.


I love the touch of your hair
And when I look in your eyes I just know,
I know I'm on to something good
And I'm sure my love for you will endure
Your love will light up my world;
And take all my cares away with the aching part of me.


You gave me a reason for my being
And I love what I'm feelin'
You gave me a meaning to my life,
Yes, I've gone beyond existing
And it all began when I met you.


You taught me how to love,
You showed me how tomorrow and today
My life is diff'rent from the yesterday;
And you, you taught me how to love
And darling I will always cherish you
Today, tomorrow and forever.


And I'm sure when evening comes around
I know we'll be making love like never before;
My love, who could ask for more?


You gave me a reason for my being
And I love what I'm feelin'
You gave me a meaning to my life,
Yes, I've gone beyond existing
And it all began when I met you.
When I met you.


You gave me a reason for my being
And I love what I'm feelin'
You gave me a meaning to my life,
Yes, I've gone beyond existing
And it all began when I met you.



When I met you.... ^_^



********
Lyrics from http://www.lyrics.ly/lyrics.php

"...and suddenly you're mine"

This song is dedicated to you, my sweet kanojo... Love yah *^_^*.

Brighter Than Sunshine
Aqualung

I never understood before
I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history
I didnt believe in destiny
I look up you're standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening
I'd given up and given in
I just couldn't take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn't have the strength to fight
Suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun, sun, shine.

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

Got a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

Got a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

And it's brighter than sunshine.... ^_^

Flashback: The UPCAT 2006 Diary Volume 3: Last Day

Note: This was supposed to be posted after the volume 2 entry, but it was just left as a draft. Well, better late than never ^_^;

Llamas Hall, UPCAT Hall Supervisory Team Table, 5:45 am

Maulan pa rin, pero maaga akong nagising at nakarating ng Pav 3 ....

Naroon na rin si Ma'am Teresa sa aming silid, pero kararating rin lang daw niya. At tulad kahapon, sinimulan na namin ang aming routine...

PH 4230, 7:00 am (approximately)

Umpisa na uli!!!!

Kung kahapon ay si Ma'am ang nagbabasa ng mga litanya ng mga instructions para sa mga mag-e-exam, ngayon ay ako naman. Katulad kahapon, kasama na sa ritwal ang pagpapapirma sa attendance sheet at pamimimigay ng test kit ng mga examinees (test booklet, instructions booklet, answer sheet, scratch sheet).

Makalipas ang ng "orasyon", nag-umpisa na ang unang batch ng examinees....

At katulad kahapon, nag-ikot kami para manmanan ang mga nag-e-exam para malaman kung sumusunod sila sa mga panuto. Mas lalo kaming nag-iikot 'pag nararamdaman naming may mga nagmamanman sa amin hehehe =p

PH 4230, 11:45 pm

Dahil mas maaga kaming nag-umpisa, tapos na kaagad kami. At nagtanghalian na kami.

At dahil sa maaga kami, akala namin ay mauumpisahan namin nang maaga ang huling batch. Siyempre naghintay kami pagkatapos naming ayusin lahat para sa hulng sesyon.

Pero...gulat lahat kami kasi kokonti pa lang ang mga dumarating! Biro nga ng mga ibang kasama namin sa Pav 3, baka raw wala na kaming afternoon session! Malas nga lang kasi may ilang dumating...

Dahil sa kokonti pa ang mga nasa loob, naghintay pa kami. At inabot kami ng 1:00 dahil nga may mga hinintay pa kaming mga dumating

PH 4230, 5:42 pm

Sa wakas, tapos na aang UPCAT!

Grabe, kami yata ang huling nakatapos. Kami yata ang huling nag-umpisa dahil nga naghintay pa kami ng mga dumarating. Pero kahit paano, nakahinga na kami ng maluwag dahil tapos na...

At pagkatapos mag-ayos, naglakad na kami ni Ma'am palabas ng Pav 3....

Wrap Up

Grabe, kapagod talaga ang UPCAT... pero kahit na pagod at parang magkakasakit pa ako, sulit na sulit kas masaya at kakaiba ang experience.

'Di pa tapos ang aming trabaho sa UPCAT kasi pupunta pa kami sa Office of Admissions sa August 9 para makita ang unpacking ng mga boxes na ginamit namin sa aming testing room. Tapos...wala na.

Sa mga nag-UPCAT, good luck na lang sa inyo....

At dahil tapos na ang UPCAT, balik uli sa dati ang aking buhay bilang guro.

Pero... sa aking pagbabalik, maraming kuwento ang maibibigay ko sa aking mga kasama.

Asteeg ^_^

The UPCAT 2006 Diary Volume 2: Pambungad

Llamas Hall, UPCAT Hall Supervisory Team Table, 6:10 am

Late akoh!!!

Nagising naman ako nang maaga -- 4:30 am. Nakaalis naman ako ng bahay ng 5:38 am, at nag-pedicab pa ako papuntang sakayan sa may gulod ....

Ngak, ang tagal ko bago nakasakay! At grabe, kinailangan ko nang bumaba sa may Chem Pav dahil sa haba ng pila ng mga sasakyan. Tapos nu'ng dumating ako, kailangan kong magbihis kasi naka-T-shirt at shorts lang ako dahil nga umuulan at baka mabasa ang aking costume.... At naubusan pa ako ng ID para sa proctor! Nyak!

Buti na lang at nu'ng dumating ako 'di pa talaga nag-uumpisa. At hindi nainis ang aking kapartner na si Ma'am Teresa Eala, isang guidance counselor ng UPIS, at may ngiti pa rin siyang nagpakilala at nagpakita ng mga gagawin. Siya nga pala nag gumanap na examiner ngayong araw na ito kaya assistant n'ya ako para sa buong araw.

PH 4230, 7:00 am (approximately)

Umpisa na!!!!

Pagsapit ng mga ika-7 ng umaga ay sinimulan nang basahin ni Ma'am ang litanya ng mga instructions para sa mga mag-e-exam. Kasama na sa ritwal ang pagpapapirma sa attendance sheet at pamimimigay ng test kit ng mga examinees (test booklet, instructions booklet, answer sheet, scratch sheet).

Makalipas ang halos kalahating oras ng "orasyon", nag-umpisa na kami!

Madali na ang mga sumunod na mga pangyayari: nag-ikot kami para manmanan ang mga nag-e-exam para malaman kung sumusunod sila sa mga panuto (at wala silang ginagawang masama hehehe ^_^; ).

PH 4230, 10:30 am (approximately)

May naramdaman kaming medyo potensyal na problema sa medyo kalagitnaan ng eksamen ng unang sesyon.

Nakita kasi ni Ma'am Teresa na may babaeng examinee na medyo masama ang pakiramdam. At tama nga hinala namin: nilalagnat siya. Giniginaw siya pero wala siyang jacket. Ayun, inilabas siya at doon na sa tabi ng pinto nag-exam para 'di siya masyadong ginawin. binigyan na rin siya ng sweater. At maayos niyang nairaos ang UPCAT...

Akala talaga namin ni Ma'am, may mailalagay kaim sa irregularity report...

Whew... ^_^;

(P.S. Habang payapa kaming nagbabantay ni Ma'am, may nalaman kaming kakaiba sa kalapit namang room. May napaihi raw na examinee sa upuan! Siguro dahil 'yun sa sobrang nerbiyos... ^_^;)

PH 4230, 12:02 pm

Yey, tapos na! ^_^

Ayan, natapos na ang morning session! Pagkatapos uli ng ilan pang seremonyas, pinalabas na namin ang mga bata. At pagkatapos namin ayusin ang mga test booklets at iba pa, nagtanghalian na kami ni ma'am.

Makalipas ang halos kalahating oras ng pagkain at konting kuwentuhan, inihanda na namin ang aming mga sarili para sa susunod na sesyon....

PH 4230, 12:42 pm

Ayan, heto na ang bagong batch ng examinees!

Pagkatapos papasukin ay inulit lang ang mga litanya at seremonyas katulad nu'ng umaga, at inumpisahan na ang exam ng mga ala-una ng hapon....

PH 4230, 5:42 pm

Yey, tapos na ang unang araw! Whew!

Pagkatapos naming palabasin ang mga nag-exam ay nag-ayos na kami ng mga ilang bagay bago kami umalis nang sabay sa NIP.

Wrap Up

Grabe, kapagod...sakit nga ng paa ko sa kakatayo at kakalakad eh... Pero ayos na ayos kasi nagawa ko nang mahusay ang gawain ko at naging maganda ang working partnership namin ni Ma'am Teresa.

Ay, may bukas pa pala... Sana maging maganda ang huling araw namin...

At sana maging maayos akong...examiner! Yaiks, examiner pala ako bukas!

Weh, good luck sa akin... ^_^;

The UPCAT 2006 Diary --Volume 1

Sa kung saan, 7:30 pm

Weh, 'di talaga ako makapaniwala.

Biruin mo, makalipas ang halos 11 taon nu'ng kumuha ako ng UPCAT sa Math Building Room 322 (hanep, naaalala pa... ^_^), sasabak ako uli sa UPCAT....

Pero hindi na bilang examinee...bilang examiner-proctor na!

Asteeg!

Excited na excited na nga ako eh, kasi unang beses ko pa lang magbabantay sa UPCAT sa tatlong taon kong pagtuturo rito sa UP Diliman. At sa ibang gusali pa ako nakadestino -- sa Llamas Hall ('yung lumang Physics Pavillion), PH 4230. Dapat naroon na ako ng mga ala-6 ng umaga para maiayos na naming magka-partner sa silid ang mga materyales na gagamitin sa pang-umagang sesyon ng UPCAT bukas.

Sa sobrang excited ko nga ay binabasa ko nang paulit-ulit 'yung manual (hm, dapat naman talaga para malaman ko ang gagawin ko) umaga pa lang ng araw na ito. Tapos, kahit alam ko na 'yung room assignment ko, pumunta pa ako sa Office of Admissions para masilip ang listahan. (Nagkaroon pa ako ng dahilan para daanan du'n si Saira-chan ^_^). Heto ang mas asteeg: tiningnan ko pa 'yung room assignment ko kasama si Saira-chan! Parang estudyanteng mag-u-UPCAT ano? Wehehe ^_^;

Well, sana nga lang maging maayos ang aking pagganap sa tunkulin ko bilang examiner-proctor sa UPCAT bukas...Hindi kasi basta-basta 'yun kaya dapat gawin ko ang aking makakaya para mairaos ko ang pagganap ng iniatang na gawain sa akin ng aking pinakamamahal na Pamantasan...

At sana lang, maaga rin akong magising ^_^;

Flashback: DDD (Dazed Demo Day)

This academic year is my third academic year as a lecturer of the Department of Mathematics in UP Diliman. Until now I still can't believe that I was actually accepted to teach in the department. I consider it as a miracle, really.

This morning I "rediscovered" my account on easyjournal.com and started to fix that journal again. Then I stumbled upon my entry on the day of my interview and teaching demo in the department. This is worth sharing so I might as well reprint it here. Here goes...

-----------

Pinapatigil na namin kung ginaganahan na!--Sir Ric

It was one heck of an interview/demo teaching session.

Almost 8 years of waiting and yearning for me to apply for a teaching job at my department -- the Department of Mathematics of UP Diliman -- ended when I had a cahnce to face the screening panel for an interview and demonstration teaching. I couldn't believe it at first, but when the Chairman, Sir Ric, scheduled me for the DI (Demo/Interview) day yesterday, it really dawned in me that the day of reckoning was at hand.

Well, the day of reckoning made me end up dazed, dizzy and even distressed....

Who wouldn't? Being grilled by a committee of professors would make your stomach churn and your body shake. It was really a wonder how I managed to survive it.

After the demo, I was on a high, having told myself that I actually hurdled the interview and demo. Then it hit me: I found myself not satisfied with my performance, to the point of having doubts of having a possible teaching career at the department. Not even Ma'am Divine's assurance comforted me.

Oh, well, an interrupted teaching demo and the uncertainty of my employment as a teacher hovers in the horizon, but they should not worry me at this point.

I just have to wait and see. ^_^;

Sentiments

I was about to go upstairs for my math 17 class yesterday morning, when out of the blue I heard someone called me....

It was our new chairman, Sir Ernie.

Well, I didn't feel anything unusual in that sudden encounter. For one, we always see each other in the department, whether in the administration office, the corridors of the Math Building, or even in the fishball cart outside the building. But when he asked me to sit down and talk to him, I felt something was coming....

In his unusually serious tone, he asked me about something I was a bit familiar with: the sentiments of the lecturers of the department. For one, I am a lecturer of the department, so he felt it necessary to summon me that morning in haste.

Without any introductions, he told me straight that he was told about the sentiments expressed by my fellow lecturers especially in the hiring of many rookie teachers to fill in the many vacancies left by resigned teachers. He was not aware of such sentiments, he told me, since he has just assumed the post in May. The hirings was still under our former chairman, but Sir Ernie just finished the final papers. The lecturers were in an advantage than the newbies if they applied for reclassification, since they can boast of teaching exprerience that the newly-grads, well, don't have.

I expected this statement from Sir Ernie though: that he should have known that many of us lecturers had the intention to apply for reclassification. In short, we should've told the department our intentions before the interview of applicants, since the department has posted the announcements ahead of time (well honestly, I didn't see any of those posts...it can be my fault not to see them, though). When he said it, I remember what a fellow lecturer told me: in her former unit, the department first asks the lecturers if they want to be reclassified before they hire new teachers. Hmmm, it might be just a difference in policy....

About the reason why I didn't apply, I told him that I planned to do so but deferred it for next sem. The interview date was within the summer classes, and I had two classes then so I might not finish the requirements for application. He then learned about the predicament that me and my other fellow lecturer experienced during the second semester of 2004, and told me that he will look into that matter. (See the post "(Re)Classified Odd: Another Letdown?" for the details of that incident)

When asked if I knew of any specific rants or of my fellow lecturers, I just shrugged and said, "Sir, I am not in the position to speak in behalf of my fellow lecturers." It was a safe answer: I really didn't want to speak in behalf of my other colleagues, since they have specific sentiments on their own. I have mine, too, but they may not be the same as the others. I just answered "yes" when he asked me if he can talk to the others.

With no other matters to discuss, we ended our conversation and headed off for my class.

The thoughts of that conversation, though, didn't end there....

About the sentiments, well, there will always be sentiments...They should be addressed right away. And I think Sir Ernie wanted to do that, that's why he wanted to talk to us lectureres.

Well, let's just wait and see what happens next.

"Melancholically fleeting thoughts... on this tragedy night"

Just one of those melancholic anime themes I listened to n times (n a natural number greater than or equal to 10...)

Sekai ga Owaru Made Wa
(Until the World Comes to an End)
Artist: Wand
Second Ending Theme From Slam Dunk
Lyrics source: www.animelyrics.com


Romaji Lyrics

daitokai ni boku wa mou hitori de
nagesuterareta akikan no you da
tagai no subete wo shiritsukusu made ga
ai naraba isso towa ni nemurou ka...

sekai ga owaru made wa hanareru koto mo nai
sou negatte-ita ikusen no yoru to
modoranai toki dake ga naze kagayaite wa
yatsurekitta kokoro made mo kowasu...
hakanaki omoi... kono tragedy night

soshite hito wa kotae wo motomete
kakegae no nai nanika wo ushinau
yokubou darake no machi ja yozora no
hoshikuzu mo bokura wo tosenai

sekai ga owaru mae ni kikasete okure yo
mankai no hana ga niai no KATASUTOROFI-
daremo ga nozomi nagara eien wo shinjinai
...na no ni kitto ashita wo yume mite'ru
hakanaki hibi to kono tragedy night

[Instrumental]
sekai ga owaru made wa hanareru koto mo nai
sou negatte-ita ikusen no yoru to
modoranai toki dake ga naze kagayaite wa
yatsurekitta kokoro made mo kowasu...
hakanaki omoi... kono tragedy night
kono tragedy night

English Translation

I'm all alone in the big city,
thrown away like an empty can.
If love is love until we know everything about each other
Then let's sleep forever...

Until the world come to an end, we won't be apart.
I wished it for countless nights
Why does the past destroy even the worn-out heart that shines?
Melancholically fleeting thoughts... on this tragedy night

And so, people seek an answer
And lose something that's irreplaceable
A city filled with desires,
even the stardust in the night skies doesn't shine on us

Before the world comes to an end, please make me listen.
A catastrophe well suited to a flower in full bloom...
While everyone wishes, no one believes in eternity. ...
Even so, they certainly dream about tomorrow.
Short-lived days and... this tragedy night

[Instrumental]

Until the world come to an end, we won't be apart.
I wished it for countless nights
Why does the past destroy even the worn-out heart that shines?
Melancholically fleeting thoughts... on this tragedy night

This tragedy night

Sumpungin

Sumpungin ako.

'Di ko iyon ikinakaila.

Ilang beses na na rin akong sinumpong ng galit at pagkapikon sa mga nakalipas na mga buwan. May nakagalit ako, may mga kinainisan, at minsan iritable lang ako. Pero sa maraming beses, nawawala kaagad ang aking sumpong at kumakalma agad ako.

'Yun nga lang, sa pagiging sumpungin ko, may ilang nagre-react. May ilang nainis. May ilang kebs lang at pinalipas lang nila.

At ito ang isa marahil sa mga reaksyon sa pagiging sumpungin ko na tumimo sa akin: reaksyon ng isa kong estudyante noong nag-exam sila, na kanyang inilagay sa kanyang blog:

"It was already 7:30 am when the prof arrived. we immediately acknowledged him with a warm greeting. no response. hmm.. maybe he didn't hear. he continued on walking towards the room, grasping for the keys in his pocket. we greeted him again, this time with the other students as well. still no response. what the heck..?! he totally ignored us on purpose! nakasimangot pa! it's as if his alter ego suddenly struggled to surface and successfully conquered his whole being that morning! it's even worse than not being a morning person. when we already settled down, some brave students tried talking him out of his silence by asking him questions like pwede po ba gumamit ng scratch? or ngayon lang po ako magppass ng blue books. but he just snapped back with cranky retorts like bawal ang scratch and kung walang blue book, wag magtest! while we were having the exam, a cell phone beeped. pag nagring pa yan, lahat kayo ma-minus-an ko. and he was dead serious about it. really, it was quite disorienting. the whole faculty room had a heavy atmosphere, despite all the anime posters hanging all over the place. i was easily distracted by him, walking around all the time with a quick and unstable pace. after taking the exam, my friends and i talked about him while looking for a good place to eat. so apparently i wasn't the only one who noticed the peculiarity of our prof. everything about him that time was just so...weird. i guess we wouldn't give this much thought had he been that way ever since we met him. but he wasn't. he was the enthusiastic and youthful teacher whom we were fond of because of his evident passion for his work and willingness to impart knowledge to his students in the best way he can. it was just so not him. funny, my friends and i even tried to recall the events that took place before that time, tracing back if we ever did something wrong along the way that might have pissed him off, but to no avail. *sigh* oh well... i guess there's more to that man than meets the eye.. a lot more."

Nakakagulat. At nakakapanghina rin ng loob.

Kasi, sa pagiging sumpungin ko, marami ang naaapektuhan. Marami rin ang nakakanit, nasasaktan. Kahit pala gaano ka kabait sa kanila, 'pag inatake ako ng sumpong at may naapektuhan, apektado na pati pakikisama mo sa kanila.

Sumpungin ako.

Pero dapat, kontrolin ang sumpong, para laging masaya nag pagsasama.

At pati ako, maging masaya rin. ^_^

My First Day of Being A 27-year Old

Today is my birthday....

Yup, I turned a year older today.

And as if the word older is not enough, I turn 27 years old today.

I still can't believe it...27 years. Matanda na ako! But I'm not that worried. I am just fascinated...whoa, I survived for that long? Time really flies that fast!

Twenty-seven years ago, my mom was on labor inside the operating room of the Manila Medical Center, risking her life in the process. Twenty-seven years after, here is her son teaching in the Mathematics Department in UP Diliman. And in between 1978 and 2005, so many things happened in the life of her son, which made him what he is now....

I thank God for this gift of a new beginning. Not all people are really that fortunate to have the chance to reach 27 years old. I owe this to Him. Thank you, Lord!

I also thank those people whom I was with for the past 26 years, for guiding me, for being my friends, for influencing me. I owe so much to all of you guys. Thanks a lot!

Well, I'm happy to be a year older, but this mean that I will face another year of challenges and trials in my life. I just need to be strong and continue to have faith.

I'm now 27...and I'm happy to be 27. ^_^

P.S. One problem I still have: I'm already 27 but still don't have a girlfriend....Well, so much for that.

The Blog Black Out

It seems that this blog is getting useless by the day...

Well, thanks to so much things to do in the department, plus a little bit of laziness, this blog is a virtual standstill....

Know what? I had so may things I wanted to expound in this blog since December 2004. I was elated (and blessed, actually) by those beautiful homilies of our priest at the parish. I planned to put the gist ofr their homilies here, but days passed and not one saw print in this blog. I also wanted to pour my angst on our Math 53 textbook, but such angst just fizzled without being published here, even on draft mode. And I had tons of other stuff that I wanted to type here on this blog, but nothing went on to become blogs.

So many ideas, so many plans...none of them were posted here.

*Sigh*

I wish I were eager enough to put those write-ups in this blog right away... I wished I had the will to just go to a PC and type all the way.

*Sigh*

Oh, well, I should promise myself to post as often as possible. Maybe not every day or every week, just as often as possible so that my blog will not be stagnant for a long time.

Just a bit of will, maybe.... ^_^

Ningyo Hime

When I posted the lyrics of Raison D'etre (Reason To Live) last June 9, 2004, Adrian gave this comment: "Mas gusto ko po yung Ningyo Hime! Hehe...mas sad kasi ang tune nu'n..."

Well, Adrian was right...

I was surprised to hear the second ending theme of Chobits at the end of Episode 14. The episode which ended with Hideki seeing Shinbo and Shimizu-sensei embracing in the rain...

I really didn't know the title of the ending at first...as I progressed with the next few episodes after episode 14, the sadness of the song started to sink in....until I searched the lyrics of the song at Animelyrics.com.

Well, how sad was it really...

The lyrics, based on the English translation, are bereft of pain and longing...The manner it was sung by Rie Tanaka contributed to that melancholic effect....

And just like the song Alone from Gensoumaden Saiyuki, Ningyo Hime just struck me...

And so, without leaving you again., no matter how much I hurt inside, I'll always be near you...

Sheeesh.....

Here are the lyrics of the sad sone, along with the English translation, courtesy of www.animelyrics.com:


Ningyo Hime (Mermaid Princess)
Artist: Rie Tanaka
Second Ending Theme From Chobits


Romaji Lyrics:

yoru no machi ha shizuka de fukai umi no you
tsudzuku michi ni tada ATASHI hitori dake
tooi koe o tayori ni aruite yuku no
zutto sagashiteru sotto hikaru aoi hikari

nee ATASHI o mitsukete soshite yonde KOKORO de

donna ni hanareta toshite mo kikoeru kara

gin no akari ga tomaru sorezore no heya
kitto doko ka niha iru to negai nagara aruku

nee ANATA o mitsukete
soshite nido to wasurezu
donna ni mune ga itakutemo
soba ni iru no

tsunaida te o
hanasanai kara

nee ATASHI ga ANATA o mitsukete
soshite nido to wasurezu
donna ni mune ga itakutemo soba ni iru no

zutto
zutto



English Translation:

At night, the town is quiet like the bottom of the ocean
I continue down the road by myself
Guided by the distant voiceI keep searching for the soft blue light

Hey I discovered myself within
And my spirit calls out to me
No matter how far away I am, I can hear it

The silver light burns within every room
I walk around hoping for it anywhere, surely

Hey I found you
And so, without leaving you again
No matter how much I hurt inside
I'll always be near you
I'll never release
Your hand that I held

Hey I found you
And so, without leaving you again
No matter how much I hurt inside I'll always be near you

Forever
Forever