Joys and sorrows

Kelvin's house party on the twenty-second was really cool. The plants were lined with lights and there were tables for four arranged on the concrete, a buffet table, dessert table, and bottles of red and white wine. A television set and stereo (?) system was also set in a corner, with a mike, but none of us wanted to sing. Lol. Quite a few people came; it was a mini-reunion of some sort, although some of Kelvin's Atenean friends attended too. Anyway, the salad was especially good, and the wine went down quite well. We went home early, though, as I was merely going with a friend who couldn't stay too late. Apart from parties and gimmicks, I've been doing a lot of things at home, too. Firstly, I've been watching A LOT of TV. I got to watch 50 First Dates and Catwoman on HBO the other day, both movies of which were awesome. I've been watching all the usual shows I watch, plus rewatching some DVDs. Another, more useful thing I've been doing is self-studying Spanish. I always loved the language, I just never finished the book my dad bought me about a year ago. I've completed seven chapters so far, and to help myself improve, I've been tuning in to our sole Spanish channel as well, although I understand nothing of what they say. I am determined to be able to, however, soon enough, and I'm equally determined to write an entry here entirely in Spanish once I learn enough of the language to do so. Of course, my Learn Spanish book isn't all I read. I've finished reading two books I recently bought and I'm reading the stories we never took up in Lit class too. I'm also browsing through my siblings' computer books to prepare for the ITM exam, and I've started reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. AGAIN. For about the twentieth time. Ja and I enrolled at Socialites just the other day, as well. We start lessons on November fifth. Both of us are driving a CRV. Not exactly my choice of car, but it'll do. I'm so excited to finally learn to drive. It'll be so much more convenient. Soon, whenever I crave for Doritos and the driver's somewhere else, I can just drive on to the grocery store and buy one without having to wait all day for him to come back home. And speaking of snacks, I took the liberty to buy out the whole junk food section of Parco a few days back, because I couldn't possibly watch Million Dollar Baby or leaf through Cosmopolitan without munching on something. Obviously I'm exaggerating, just as I am when I say that my leg needs to be amputated for permanent damage. It could be permanent, though, what do I know? It's been hurting in the same spot for weeks now, everytime I exert too much effort. We're going to see a doctor soon, even though none of us has any idea which doctor to visit nor what exactly the problem with my leg is. It couldn't hurt at a worse time, because the wushu evaluations are a mere two weeks away, and I've missed SO MANY classes because I had no wish to aggrieve my leg any further. And obviously my performance won't be as good as if my leg were in perfectly good conditions. But God will make a way. He always does. He did with my dog. I'm incredibly happy to say that he's improved greatly- his appetite has returned, he coughs less, and he's not suffering from lethargy anymore. He's been jumping around quite energetically, and everytime I see him I smile and my heart fills with joy. Sadly, whereas my dog lives, my godfather, who is also my dad's best friend, passed away a couple of days ago. He's been in a coma for a few weeks, and they decided to pull the plug. His family has accepted his fate, though. My parents have as well. He's to be buried tomorrow. This is why life has been compared to a wheel- sometimes it's up there, and sometimes it's under. I remember not so long ago seeing my godfather at a party for his first grandchild. He was as gay and lively as could be. Nobody knew what was coming. He was only forty-nine when he died. Sad, I know, but there is always happiness in the midst of sorrow. It comes in various forms; even the littlest things can brighten up one's day. Such as buying six gorgeous 2006 calendars and a bunch of yellow roses, as my mom and I did earlier today. Even coming home from working at my dad's office, knowing that in my small way, I've helped him somehow. And so, because of these things, each one of us comes to appreciate the beauty, hope, and cheer still left in the world and are able to transcend the loss and pains, learning and becoming stronger through the trials we've overcome.

Are you crying now? Haha. I'm so dramatic.

Sembreak perks

It is absolute heaven to be able to sleep all you want and wake up only when your internal clock rings. So is being able to make plans on the spot and go out and have fun without having to think twice about it. So is not having to worry about which paper to complete for the week or what exam to study for. And sometimes, so is being able to just sit and do nothing, knowing that you truly have nothing to do or need to do. It is even more satisfying, however, to know that you deserve all of it, for working so tirelessly during the excruciatingly hectic first semester. I feel justified, therefore, for having bought three gorgeous sunglasses and an awesome bag in a mere two days. Not that I needed three sunglasses or even a new bag, I just wanted them. Lol. After all, "shopping is a full-time job," as someone says. And I quite agree, except that it isn't exactly a "job" to me, it's a pleasure. I'm indulging myself while I can, which is why I've been going out all the time for the past few luxurious days. There was that day I spent with Ja, where we went to watch Corpse Bride and ran around the mall in search of Cheezy Fries, of which I bought two. We went to A1 and Socialites too, to inquire about the driving courses. I got my high school yearbook the day before that, but was (no offense to anyone) really disappointed at the outcome. Yesterday, Awi and I attended Howard's very brief but fun party with Niks, after which I went shopping with my mom. And today, my mom and I spent the whole day shopping again, buying a few gift items and other little trinkets. Sadly, I missed our block trip to Enchanted Kingdom because I thought I was going to attend wushu class, but I didn't because my leg's been injured, and I'm having it checked tomorrow. It's been hurting for quite some time now, starting from when they made us do three hundred kicks per leg. I don't think it's muscle pain, either. But aside from that, my sembreak has been just peachy.

There's a very entertaining show on Jack TV right now, and I'm not missing it. Adios!

On a happier note...

I was finally able to go to Fully Booked at Rockwell. I bought Tall, Cool One and Hunters of the Dusk, which I started reading the minute I got home. I only finished about three chapters, because it was six and I had to get ready. By eight Rachel and I arrived at Terriyaki Boy. Rosedell's party was a night to catch up with my old friends. There were only eleven of us there, but I was happy nonetheless. The food was good as always. The service was bad, however. We had to call for water I think ten times before they finally filled our glasses. I got home at about 10:30, which left me ample time to do quite a lot of things before going to bed at two in the morning.

As for today, I checked my e-mail to find that our Physics (Lab) teacher sent our final grades in an attachment. I got an A, and so did seven others. I think four of them were my groupmates. Thank God for that, at least.

I intend to try to stop worrying about my dog and just watch some mindless TV or something. God has never abandoned me before and he won't start now. I have so much faith in him. My dog should be safe.

Worries

I feel so helpless. I worry so much I wonder if the next time I look into a mirror I'd see a head full of gray hairs. I don't know what to do; I've done everything I can and still, my dog doesn't seem to be ok. He's weak. He refused to eat again today. His coughs are getting worse. I could cry just seeing him suffer. I'm sure he'll be ok, but I still can't help but be anxious. I love him so much I would do possibly anything to ensure his full recovery. I know that he can't be any safer than he is now, in God's hands, and yet looking at him, I am sick with worry.

Whoever reads this, please spare a prayer for him. If you've never owned and loved a dog, you wouldn't know how strong the bond between one and his master is. But please try to understand what I'm feeling right now. I would very much appreciate any prayer in behalf of my dog.

Thanks.

Two months in a nutshell

Finals are finally over and the much-awaited semestral break has begun!

As people have been telling me for a few weeks now, I need to update my blog.

So here goes =)

- Cel's 18th birthday was fun. She looked absolutely gorgeous in an outfit her dad bought for her. And she was in make-up. A lot of my blockmates showed up, so we were split into two tables. The food was the usual traditional Chinese dishes, but good nonetheless. There was this dessert that I particularly liked, though. Some kind of cake. But overall, I enjoyed the company. One of my blockmates even mistook Cel's sister for her, and gave her Cel's gift. Lol. Anyway. There was a party right next to Cel's and it was really sweet. Some old people celebrating their anniversary, I think. We watched them as we were leaving.

- I joined the Freshman Math Intersection Challenge and I qualified for semi-finals along with two others to represent our class. Our very beloved teacher gave us a plus twenty for that. He's really awesome, isn't he? Anyway, we ended up in fifth place, but at least we tried. The time was too short, too, otherwise I'm sure we would've gotten a higher overall score. Besides, we were competing against Math 18-A students, even though a friend of mine *ehrm, Awi* insists it was his pure genius that got them in fourth place.

- I thankfully got an A in my math midterms, which I didn't expect. After all our math tests were averaged, I got exempted from the finals =) I cannot even describe the happiness I felt upon hearing that. God, I love math. Haha.

- Our Filipino teacher sweetly required us to attend the Filipino parade. Actually, we were made to station all along the roads and hold candles to light the parade's way. Although my feet were excruiciatingly painful after standing so long in one place, I did enjoy seeing people I know dressed up in funny costumes =)

- My advisory marks weren't that bad. I got an A in Math, B+ in both English and Literature, B in Filipino. I certainly hope I changed those marks. To higher ones, of course. Haha. A groupmate of mine said our overall grade in Physics (lab) was A, although we have yet to see what our teacher's going to give us. Grades come out on November 4, I think. Oh, and I passed P.E. =)

- Ralph came for a visit during his summer break. On his last day we went to Shangri-La mall with our other crazy friends- Ja, By, Jon, Awi, Jensen, and Coy. The movie we watched was hilarious. Adam Sandler starred in The Longest Yard, doing the movie quite a lot of good, in my opinion. We also went to record our own CD at some little booth. It was fun! I would say that day was one of the best in my life. I miss my high school friends.

- We went on an exposure trip to a public school called Ilugin for INTACT. Rode a jeep, watched Beauty in the Beast with the kids in their surprisingly air-conditioned and throughly furnished viewing room. It wasn't a really awesome trip, but it wasn't bad, either.

- I got a Compaq laptop from my uncle. Ah, the joy. Of course, I immediately downloaded upgrades and installed some games and filled it with pictures and personalized it. I was quite excited. It's big, though, so I don't really like lugging it around. But it makes for a nice permanent display on my desk, lol.

- Rizza's and Jon's birthdays were both really great. I always look forward to birthday parties. For Rizza's we ate at Gerry's Grill, and for Jon's we ate at Marina. I loved the sisig =) We talked and updated each other on our lives, took lots of pictures, and just took pleasure in being reunited with each other again. Jensen told me he made the Dean's List over at La Salle. I'm so proud of him. Haha.

- I tasted the most delicious things in Bizu. Macaroons. A lot of people say they're too sweet, but you can always have a glass of water beside you.

- The hell weeks in Ateneo were really......hell. I had countless papers to submit, a number of long tests to study for, and projects and reports to complete. I only had one finals test though, for Literature. Gladly, I managed to survive those weeks, and am justly rewarded with a month long sembreak!

- My dog was taken to the vet for the heartworm treatment. He's back home now, and recovering. I am immensely thankful and continue to pray that all goes well. I adore my dog, after all. He's the sweetest thing in the world.

- My English food review groupmates and I went to eat at Mr. Choi's Kitchen, which, incidentally, is owned by Ady's aunt. It was a good restaurant, although the staff refused to have their pictures taken for our project. I have no idea why.

And these are the very much incomplete happenings in my two months. I must go enjoy my lazy afternoon now, so ciao.

Oh and btw, the Amazing Race: Family Edition has been going on for a few weeks now. And I've fallen in love with another TV show, Life As We Know It, on Studio 23.