The Big Letter "G"

Whenever I think of my blog and its contents, the idea of it being the outlet for my feelings always comes back to mind. I'm not a perfect person, and not everything I feel is always good. It is my Christian duty to filter and always check what could be read and found in my blog. Every time I am going to make a post, there are questions in my mind that should be answered first before it is published. Does it glorify God? Is it edifying? Will it offend someone else?

In a world where anything is just a click or touch away, one could find a million things about one mere keyword being typed or searched for. Among those information that we can obtain, how much of them are morally and spiritually correct? Something to ponder on, since we are living in the era of post-modernism where there is no absolute right or wrong.

A radio preacher was talking about atheism, one night while I'm tuned in. It is disheartening to think, that most people don't believe in the true God anymore. I can't exactly remember where I heard this from, but I overheard a conversation that went like this:

A: Sa'n mo makikita ang kasagutan sa lahat ng bagay? Clue, nagsi-simula sa malaking letrang 'G'. [Where can you find the answer to all things? Clue: it starts with the big letter 'G'.]

B: Sa'n? [Where?]

A: Edi sa Google. [On Google.]

First thing that came to my mind was God. It didn't occur to me that he would be referring to Google. He exaggerated when he said 'everything'. I've often used Google search, and it definitely doesn't answer every question that exists. It's much more disappointing that people trust Google more than God, nowadays.

I just hope that Christians will take the time to ask themselves the three questions I have stated above. I have nothing more to say.

Restless

There's a part inside of me that's being restless, right now. I don't know, but, something's making me uneasy. The upcoming May 2013 national elections? No, but the senatorial candidates' jingles are definitely distracting. Especially those of Jack Enrile's and Risa Hontiveros'. I think I'm restless because I'm pressured by the preparation for my approaching birthday celebration.

It's because I'm planning all by myself. And I don't like it when I'm being pressured. Makes me unproductive. Sure, I do have some progress on the program, the important people involved, but I can't help thinking that guests who have confirmed haven't reached even (half) a quarter of the number of people supposed to come. My mom told me that I should give my invited guests a deadline of until when they can confirm that they WILL come.

I understand my mother; I mean, she's the one fixing things like the reservation for food and tables and seats in the restaurant. And it's too difficult to settle a contract when you're not yet sure if people are going to come or not.

My 18th birthday only happens ONCE IN A LIFETIME. For almost 18 years, that's one thing that my mom taught me which I will never forget. When you're invited to a certain party or occasion, you've gotta make time for that. A birthday/anniversary or whatever party is being celebrated because of the reason that it's special. Sabi nga ni Sir Mong Llarenas, "Kung lahat eh meron nung 'something special' na 'yun, edi parang hindi na rin siya special." You do your normal routine regularly, if not daily then maybe weekly or monthly, but the occasion you're gonna miss may be happening only once every year; it may even be once in a lifetime. You'll have another day or week or month for whatever's in your routine, but  you can't have another one of that celebration that you missed.

Another thing, just so you guys know, I've got a whole lot of friends and important people in my life. Coming from my mom's side of the family (she's got 9 siblings, which makes them 10 and that simply means LOTS of cousins for me), my dad's side (he's got 9 siblings, so another set of cousins for me -- they're many, okay), my elementary, secondary, and tertiary school friends, my church mates, my mom's office mates, my hometown neighbors, my mom's childhood friends, my own childhood friends, my mom's discipleship group, my classmates in our Bible study, and a lot more. [Take note: the sons and daughters and grandchildren of the people who belong to my mom's groups are also included, since they too, have become my childhood friends and batch mates. Let's just say that the friendships are being passed on from generation to generation, so...] It's so hard to choose who are the ones I am going to invite to this special day for me. AND IT BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME I CROSS OUT SOMEONE, AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS HE OR SHE CAN'T MAKE IT. Come to think of it, out of my almost-a-thousand friends, I chose you, making you more special than the others. Then you'll say you're not coming?! (You don't do that to me!!!) Kidding, haha. 'Cause this post's getting more dramatic. ~qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm

But really. =)) I mean. Your presence on my special day really means a lot to me. :)) That's all I really wanna say, thank you. :p

Oh right. I'm back. :)

Yeah. I'm back. :) After more than a month-long hiatus. Something to celebrate, (for me, at least) huh? Don't worry. I missed myself too. =))

My last post was when Ma'm Fatsy left for Japan. :( That's not even near the end of the second semester yet. Before I was able to leave for Korea on the eve of April, I've gotta take a lot of advanced tests. That's what started "it" all. I am rushed on my exams, and while I'm staying at Korea, I'm still working on our machine problems due on the finals week. Half-vacation for me, I guess. =))

But it didn't end there. Six hours after landing here at the Philippines, I took another set of late tests... aside from the poster for Physics 71 that I've gotta finish editing before the 15th. Facebook doesn't excite me either... it's because every time I log in, I am reminded of lots of things I still have to do. HAHA But it's still necessary since I communicate with my block mates through it; seems that I have no other choice. :(

On April 15, Monday, I was supposed to leave early in the morning with my mom and sister for the AWANA Summer Camp at Nasugbu, Batangas. Unfortunately, I still have to take an exam at 1 PM and at the same time pass our printed poster for Physics... So I was able to leave Manila at 7 PM already, with my father driving me to Batangas. Never really had a complete vacation experience. :))

And one of the biggest things I missed this summer was our block's trip to the Tribiana property at Nueva Ecija! Why, after staying at Gio's vast mansion, resort, gasoline station, etc., my friends weren't able to eat normally at their own houses. xD As estimated by them, at least 10,000php was spent for their entire overnight stay at Gionelle's. :( Too bad I wasn't able to come. </3 Let's blame my exams, HUHU.

After coming back from the camp on April 18... Tada! Tomorrow's the first day of classes, April 19. No rest for my extraordinary body! =)) And until now, my summer load's heavy as ever. Gotta memorize 37 derivatives and 37 integrals + n physics formulas (I really don't know how many, exactly)... Super thank you, Math 74 and Physics 72! Plus left-over exams in CMSC 130. Whyyy. :(

Another thing, I've been spending a few idle times on reading stories on Wattpad. :)) Influenced by the sister of a godchild. [Is that how you call them? I mean... I'm one of the godmothers of that child.] =)) HAHA Whatever. Hi Miguel! I miss you and Ceejay already. :p See you on my birthday! ;)

And hey, before I forget. I'm planning my whole 18th birthday program by myself. =)) Thank God there's Hannah as my assistant... but all the ideas are still coming from me.

I won't be able to write detailed posts on my summer adventure [for the mean time], so fans, you just wait 'til my 18th birthday's over. ;) I missed blogging, so here's a short post after being silent for quite sometime! :)

P.S. By the way. The "it" on the second paragraph refers to my heavy load (lots of things to do), the main reason why I wasn't able to update this. :( Really sorry guys. Hope you understand. :)

To My Special "Ate" ;)

Fatima Joy Consul Cruz

Panasonic Scholarship Grantee

6th Place, 2010 Chemist Licensure Exam

Third Honorable Mention, Manila Science High School Batch '05

Kababaihan ng Maynila Garland Awardee

Principal's Medal for Academic Excellence

DepEd-Manila Medal for Academic Excellence

Manila Mayor Jose I. Atienza, Jr. Medal for Academic Excellence

...

The ellipsis marks represent more awards and contests na hindi ko na na-research sa buhay ng aking Ma'm Fatsy. At gusto ko lang idagdag, na ayon sa kanilang batch prophesy, si Ma'm ay magiging isang future animator of Japanese and Filipino manga. =)) Mukang magkakatotoo na ito sa pagpunta mo sa Japan, Ateee. >:D< :))

Well this post is really intended for my favorite teacher ni Chemistry. :) So Ma'm Fatsy, para sa'yo po talaga ito. ;) Mejjo mahaba, so sorry for that. xD

Mejjo naaasar ako, kasi po aalis ka na lang, 'di mo pa rin po ako ina-accept sa FB. :( Tapos, kahapon ko lang nalaman na MaScian kaaa! </3 It's so heartbreaking. And sobrang nakakahiya. :)) Ang pagkakatanda ko po kasi, pinalagay niyo sa index card namin kung sa'n kami nag-high school. Nahiya naman daw ako ng sobra sobra nung makita po kita sa yearbook niyo. =)) Pero nakakatouch. Naiyak nga ako kahapon ehhh. Kasi, basta. 'Di ko ma-explain. Ang drama ko pa sa index card na 2nd take ko na ng Chem 14 ['yun talaga 'yung nakakahiya eh, naturingang MaScian], ang dami kong reasons blahblah. Pero never mo pong binanggit na MaScian ka, edi siyempre lalo akong na-pressure at nan-liit no'n. At sa star section ka pa! :p Nakakaiyak 'yung consideration and pagiging kind-hearted mo Ma'mmm. :') We had the same 3rd year Chem teacher, tapos ikaw po 6th place sa CLE. x_x Ok speechless na'ko. :))

Sabi nila, nung time na I'm taking up Chem 14, mag-kamukha daw po tayo. Glasses, braces, tapos eh straight hair ka pa po no'n! Sumasakay lang din ako, eh kasi po ang cute niyo. HAHAHA So feeling ko cute din ako. xD Ako na feeler. Eh ngayon, parang ayoko nang masabing kamuka niyo. 3rd honorable mention asdfghjkl. Too overwhelming. :)) Tapos, wala ka nang braces, tapos 'di ka na po kulot, tapos ang talino-talino niyo, tapos ang galing niyo sa Chem, tapos ako... ayaw sa'ken ng Chem. :( Hahaha. Pero super thank you, kasi ang tiyaga niyo pong mag-turo, lalo na sa'ken kahit marami akong tanong no'n.

Proud at masaya ako, kasi kahit minsan sa buhay ko, mejjo (mejjo lang talaga, ansabe naman ng pagiging cute ni Ma'm Fatsy sa ichura ko) naging mag-kamukha tayooo. Feel ko parang ate po talaga kita. :"> 'Di ko akalaing huling DPSM Week na pala nung January na magkakasama tayo. 'Di ko rin po alam kung bakit ayaw niyo ako i-accept sa FB, pero kung dahil po talaga 'yun sa pagiging MaScian ko ['yun talaga ang feeling ko :))], grabe sobrang naiiyak na talaga 'ko. Isang reason pala 'yun, kaya dito ko na lang tinype. Ayoko maiyak sa personal, HAHAHA. Eh gaya ng promise niyo na ia-accept niyo ako pagka-graduate ko, parang masyadong matagal po 'yun... At wala ka na dito sa Philippines. :(

Kahapon ng hapon parang depressed talaga ang feels ko. 'Yun talaga ang reason kung bakit ako nagpunta ng department eh. Kasi, mula talaga nung elementary ako, lahat ng nagiging ka-close ko na profs, umaalis. =(( Wala lang. Kasi feeling ko (feeler talaga ako, FC pa) umuulit talaga siya. :)) Eh katulad niyan, ka-close po kita [kahit siguro para po sa'yo hindi =))] tapos aalis ka na. 'Di ka na po aabot sa 18th burdeiii ko. :(( Waaahh nakakaiyak talaga. asdfghjkl

Basta ayun. 'Yung iba pong mas personal messages ko eh dun ko na po nilagay sa binigay ko sa inyo. :) Isa na lang request ko sa inyo Ma'm: I-ACCEPT NIYO NA PO AKO SA FB. =)) HAHAHA Siyempre pa'no na tayo magco-communicate niyan, mahal ang roaming kaya dapat FB na lang. :p Sobrang mamimiss ko po kayo Ma'm Fatsy. :( </3 Nakakaiyak talaga nakakainis. :(( Iingat po kayo sa Japan ha? Susulat. 'Dejk, FB na lang talaga eh. =)) Ayun. Thank you po sa lahat Ateee, I love youuu! >:D<

               

#alamKoNaFullNameMoMa'm! #kadramahangTaglayNgPost #angClingySorryHaha

Halcyon Years Celebration

We would've stayed a little longer in Bulacan if only we had brought extra clothes for another day. But the good thing about going back to Manila the night before the EDSA Anniversary Commemoration is that we had more time to prepare for Hannah's Junior-Senior Promenade. You see, the whole family's involved in the event; I was asked by Tita Tata to be the official photographer of the fourth year level, she asked Nanay to bring the flowers for the special awards, asked for Tatay's help with the food, and of course, Hannah, being a senior in MaSci, had to be there.

When we woke up in the morning... Hannah and I just took the time to arrange our PCs and free it's hard drives. =)) It's almost out of memory, so we really needed to move some of our not-usually-used files to my external hard drive. Nanay was waiting for Tata's text message if she's still gonna buy and bring the flowers, for the prom was supposed to be held last Friday [February 22]; but due to inclement weather conditions, classes as well as the JS promenade was suspended and it was moved to Monday. When Tata finally confirmed, the three of us immediately went to Dangwa (it's the famous place in Manila that's full of flower shops) and look for Sining's, the store that my Tita Nette suggested to Nanay.

As usual, my mom's asking for bargains and discount from the shop's sales people, since she already contacted them beforehand last Friday. They agreed on some kind of flower arrangements for a pretty reasonable price. But just to make the long story short, my mom ended up not being satisfied of their design and arrangement. Her disappointment was so great, she just bought some sinamays and arranged it again when we arrived home, still complaining of their flower arrangement. :)) We went to Dangwa at about 10 o'clock in the morning, we arrived back home at 2:30 in the afternoon. Too short for waiting time, eh? :p You couldn't imagine our hunger during that time... so once I set foot in our house I immediately reached for the phone and quickly dialed 8-7000 [Jollibee's delivery number!]. Hannah went to the shower and took a bath, while I helped Nanay a bit to make the flowers stay fresh until later that evening. The food arrived when I was taking a bath, so it was Nanay who received the delivery. When I'm finished in the shower my sister's already telling me to iron her hair. I wanted to eat first, so I told her to dry her hair in the mean time. I just finished my rice when I started ironing her hair and I'm still eating my leftover chicken while doing that. <3 Multitasking at its finest. xD We were moving at a fast pace, since by 5pm everybody should have been finished with their registration already; aside from the fact that each of us have our own responsibilities there.

The golden celebration was indeed more than just something; it was well prepared by the Juniors and the Junior Parent-Teacher Association, headed by Mrs. Rose Uy [Tata]. What surprised me more are the magical and fantastic costumes of the students... and also the teachers! Mr. Fernando Orines, our principal, also rendered a very special number. His voice is truly awesome! \m/ It was nice after all to have a prom inside the school... though the tables for eating are kinda hard to arrange due to the limited space in the Amadome. When Tiffany and I talked about our stay in MaSci, we missed our Blackout parties and our prom, and we also wished that we had something like this inside the school. You know, the neon lights are really cool and gave a sparkling effect to the photos!

I enjoyed taking pictures of the students, as well as the teachers. It really was a memorable prom for the students. And Mr. Orines was kind enough to let the juniors and the seniors have the following day as their rest day -- which means no classes for them. :> It was also fun since I can freely go in and out of the PTA room and eat as much as I can; there are lots of food in there! Hahaha. Beside the free golden shirt I got from Tita Tata. ;) Thanks for the opportunity Tita! :*

The last part of the program -- the cotillion, was awesome too! It didn't just have the traditional dance that we did when we were part of the cotillion, but it also featured the modern ballroom dancing fierce moves. =)) At around 12:30 AM we decided that it's already time for us to go home. I still have a 7 o' clock Math 73 Lab class that day, so I've only got 4 hours of sleep. :)) I slept at 1am already since I gave Hannah copies of some pictures so she can change her profile pic on FB. It was tiring but awesome! Nice summary of the golden years of MaSci's Tradition of Excellence. ;)

P.S. Technorati's asking me to put this code on one of my posts, so sorry for inserting it on this one. Just bear with it. :p QSEN8Z8K9MYH