Unravel Life 2

Fact: Another hiatus just went by.

The usual stuff: Apologies for that quick time skip, truly, those bouts of writing 'depressions' are getting quite frequent. And here's what happened to my life during those 31+ days that I'm gone:

1. Election just started on my university and like the one in United States, there's a lot of cutthroat business going on- I guess that's the way things are. Since I'm not a campaign manager of one of the parties anymore, I've been criticizing both sides with biases off the bat this time. Both parties have their own share of bad blood, but I have to admit, both also have good things to offer to this university. Politics, really. Confusion and interest mix like cookies and cream.

2. My report on COMA 101 had begun and just finished last week. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done on my academic life, next to reading multiple essays in one night. For one thing, it isn't just like any normal report- the professor (an eagle, with eyes and claws sharp as Excalibur) has this tendency to eat you alive if you make one, tiny mistake. Guess what? He ate me. Two minutes before I finish my last report, he noticed one mistake with my argument and decided to play with me for a while. And played, he did.

3. I'm getting addicted to online games- again. The first was Special Force, an online game with the likes of CounterStrike. I know, I know. It's a brutal little game, complete with happy-looking guns and blood-splattering grenades, but it's really addicting. The second was (and still is), surprisingly, Ragnarok Online. The fad was over years back., I know Why the sudden comeback? Free server, baby. I don't have to pay LevelUp Games anymore! Though those nifty internet cafes might celebrate my frequent return to Cubicle 13.

4. Academics are mediocre. Unlike last semester where I could surely say that I'll get a high grade on ALL my subjects, this time, it's a total mess. I don't know, maybe it's the subjects, surely it can't be me. I've been studying DOUBLE time, and there was no weekday when you can't see me reading my books. It's hard comprehending and memorizing at the same time. Arrrghh. I got to bring my grades up to my standards, or a Honor Roll at least.

5. I'm watching Heroes. It's actually great. The characters are superb, and the plot- totally engrossing. It's the same cliche, really, multiple characters fiinding out they have totally cool powers, save-the-world plot, a shady organization to mess things up, and a totally evil villain to mess BOTH the organization and the heroes up. However, the execution of the cliche, I'm happy to say, is actually not cliche. There's timeskips, surprise threads pulled out like a rabbit out of a magician's hat... wow. Simply outstanding. Don't fail me, Heroes!

6. I finished Death Note, the anime series. Probably the most wicked anime I ever watched. Law of Ueki, which was my favorite anime before, was beaten 10 to 0 with this totally intelligent work of art. The characters are magnificent, unique in their own ways, but it's the plot- the plot was the key. Don't expect that you'll know what will happen next. Just as you think the antagonist will win, the protagonist will pull an ace that will spice things up. And THEN the antagonist pulls another ace that was actually predicted by the protagonist which was in turn was predicted by the antagonist. TOTALLY COOL. Watch it, please.

That's it. I've been quite busy watching and studying, but please, I'll try to blog again. Don't worry, I'll be back- and thanks for reading this post. ^_^

Fact: Cutting a post into halves is really a bad thing.

Here's the second part of my second Expectation List of Happy Grades and First Impressions, cut earlier due to server maintenance and rabbit/terrorists taking over my university for the past few days. They're cute, that is true, but when they get hold of a rifle, get ready to run.

5. SOSC 2: Social and Political Thought

What? Obviously, this subject deals with politics and its cute little branches. The primary objective of this class is to discuss the different political ideas made by great thinkers throughout history, and try to apply it to the present society at large.

When? 7 to 8.30 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Although I was somewhat perplexed to hear that Plato would like to fool the society with a false religion just to create the perfect society, this class had taught me that politics isn't that bad. The professor is not only great at her job as a teacher, but she knows her politics very, very well. Her head is filled by quotations from the Politics (Aristotle), The Republic (Plato), other books whom titles and authors I forgot, and even know some parts of the Constitution by heart.

Coolness. I haven't seen anything bad with this class yet (although the professor had this tendency not to give the right answer until somewhat uttered it by accident), except that it's a 7 am class. Why are my favorite classes have to be the first things I have to face every morning, where I'm still half-awake and near conscious?

Expected Grade is 1.50

6. CWTS 1: Civil Welfare Training Service

What? This class weighs no units, meaning it doesn't hold any merit in my GWA, so I don't really care what happens here. Anyway, if you really want to know, this subject teaches you creative ways how to clap (e.g., Yehey Clap, Storm Clap, Iraq Clap, among others) and also tips on how to critique a map. And oh, there's something about helping others, but I'm not sure if it's part of the curriculum.

When? 10 to 1 pm, Tuesdays

Three hours of pure boredom.

Not only does the class forces you to humiliate yourself (luckily, not alone, but with your groupmates) in front of everybody, our class is also not conditioned for learning. The good thing is, even the moderators and professors who handle us are expecting it. A normal CWTS class don't have to be a large class, we were supposed to be divided into groups (each with an individual moderator)- but since there aren't available moderators on a Tuesday, we were treated as one big family.

I made a lot of friends, sure, but learning more about the concept of 'helping others'? Not really.

I give credit to the moderators, though. They work hard to keep our asses stuck on the seats, and they had this [evil] tactical strategy to spread the remaining moderators around the room to spy whether who listens and who does not. When they see you dozing off, they list down your name on a pad of paper. No reprimand, no deduction in grade. They just list down your name.

7. SPCM 102: Voice and Diction

When? 1 to 2.30 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays

It's the best of times, it's the worst of times.

Have you ever felt this emotion where you really want to love something but couldn't because it hates you? I did. Last year, when I was still a freshman, I was freaking scared of SPCM 1. I even put it in my Main Objectives in Life to pass the damned subject. However, as the days went by, I surprised myself by giving cool speeches (humorous speeches, meant to insert information in the audiences' mouths while they are laughing their ass off). And so, I garnered a high grade.

And then SPCM 102.

If you haven't met me before, then know that I have this serious lisp. My upper teeth are separated to each other, which causes me to articulate 's' and 'z' like a snake. And no, I don't know Parseltongue. Anyway, since this is a voice and diction class for God's sake, you may have already presumed that I am doing bad on it. Not to the point of failing the said subject, but my hopes of getting a high grade is as slim as a malnourished stick.

And oh, great teacher and great class. It's just the cursed lisp that is making me look dumb.

Expected Grade is 2.50.

That's all there to it, and I'm really sorry that this post is late. Now get off me and make me sleep. Haha. Have a nice day, everyone.

Note: This post was not checked for inconsistencies and errors both in grammar and spelling. This means that within this post lies a whole load of shitty English. My apologies.

Fact: A common subject here in my university weighs 3 units.


1. COMA 101: Language in Communication

What? Since we are a theoretical class, we study the different kinds of communication theories conceived throughout the years, how they were made, and how they could be applied in contemporary times.

When? 7 to 8.30 am, Wednesdays and Fridays

I love how the teacher teaches this class, but he has this bad habit of branching off from his main dialogue (which sometimes takes 20 minutes or more, depending on how much fervor he puts in it). I'm not saying it's bad, it's just that we could have covered much more readings if we increase our pace a bit.

The readings are quite numerous, but unlike ENG 4's set of essays and poems, they are not that difficult to understand. This would have been a great subject if not for it's 7 am setting, and God knows how much I hate waking up at 5.30 just to get ready for class.

Expected Grade is 1.75

2. HUM 2: Art in Society*

What? The main objective of this subject is for us to learn more about art, its elements, medium and the like. This is somewhat of a practical class, since it allows us first-hand how to create our own artworks.

When? 8.30 to 10 am, Wednesday and Fridays

My class professor knows the trade firsthand, so needless to say, she's good. Her style of teaching is also as good as her works, since I was able to comprehend what the hell is going on without even laying a finger on my readings. Yes, she's definitely a time saver.

Anyway, the subject itself is just as good, and I was awed that there were other great artists besides Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, the Egyptians, and the like. This is one of the subjects where I could sit back, worry about nothing, and just enjoy the show. The only problem I have is that this subject is a financial vampire. The payment for the field trips I could have spend in blogging, or much better yet, Coke Float.

Expected Grade is 1.50

3. SPAN I: Spanish Elective

What? This class reminds us that there are other Spanish words besides 'Si', 'mesa', and the famous 'adobong pansit sa binagoong'. The class tries to teach the students how to read and speak basic Spanish phrases and words.

When? 10 to 11.30 am, Wednesdays and Fridays

I suck at Spanish. The teacher is good, but I just don't have the mouth to perfectly say, 'Como esta?', 'Yo soy Kenneth, un estudyante gwapo' or even 'Dos mil otso'. In fact, I believe the only phrases I could utter correctly are the derelict 'Si', 'No', 'Que mal!', 'Hola!' and 'Mi gwapo, tu feo'. I couldn't really blame the professor- she manages the class well, and on top of that, she knows her Spanish as I know my cookies.

I'm trying my best, though. The bad thing is that the reading materials are also in Spanish, so I can't study them ahead of time. Hell, I can't even study them even after the discussion is over. I hate taking notes, I prefer to listen and understand, but for this subject- I have my paper and pen ready for the occasional scribble and doodles.

Expected Grade is 1.75

4. ENG 4: Masterpieces of World Literature

What? A reading class that deals primarily with the literature of first-world countries, ENG 4 tries to tackle how the best books in the Republic of Letters revolves around the three main concepts: love, war and conquest, as well as colonization.

When? 2.30 to 4 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays

This, probably, is the first ever subject that challenges to prove myself as a dedicated bookworm.

Although I like reading, this class is so damn difficult. I could read the essays and poems in two days, sure, but understanding them? I have no freaking idea. Add in the vast multitude of readings, 250 pages alone for the concept of love, and you get a subject that forces you to chip in at least an hour or two every night so you could [have a chance to] understand the discussions.

The teacher is cool, he even won a Palanca Award, but his voice could be compared to Jigglypuff. Not that I need his voice for a round-trip flight to Dreamland, since sleep forces are everywhere- I'm exhausted (mostly due to the consecutive classes I have in the morning), the room is humid, the discussion is boring, and the readings provide a nice pillow for my head. My eyes may be open, but my brain is already fluttering with the birds on the sky.

I know. I'm doomed.

Expected Grade is 2.25

Note: I decided to cut this post into halves, one for my Wednesday-Friday classes, and another one for the Tuesday-Thursday. I might post the other half later on, so please bear with me. Thankee.

*I forgot if it's Art in Society, or just Art. I'll check it out later on.

Fact: Movies are recorded using photographic films.

The Dark Knight*, the sequel to the movie Batman Begins (of which I failed to see, but it doesn't really matter, the sequel is still just as great), is a totally wicked movie. I just watched it last night, and to tell you the truth, I was freaking gripping my seat all the time. It's an awesome must-see, and to quote my brother on his blog, "You cannot NOT watch it." Not doing so would not only make you look like a loser when your friends start to brag their ass off...

Friend One: Hey, guys- have you watched the latest Batman movie?
Friend Two: Shit, man, I just did! It was damn good!
Friend Three: (in a scary voice) Why so serious?

Your friends laugh, leaving you scratching your head.

Friend Two: Heh. What's your favorite scene during the movie?
Friend One: No question, it's the scene with the two ships-
Friend Three: Comown! It's my favorite, too!
Friend Two: Nah, I like the scene when Joker bombed down the hospital...
Friend Three: I like Joker's expression there. Very funny.
Friend Two: Not as funny as those who did not watch the movie!

Your friends laugh again, as you slowly retreat to the shadows.

...but you would also miss what may be one of 2008's best movie flick. It's that good.

Anyway, I'm back to my vice again- reading fiction books! I just finished reading The Face (Koontz, 2003) a week ago, and although the ending isn't that explosive (ala Harry Potter, Book 6), it's a terrific good read. With a book I just bought for 30 pesos at a local bargain shop, it seems unfair that I got so much fun reading it. Quality, now I know, does not go with price.

I have one thing against it, however: the book is so fun to read that I could not freaking stop flipping the pages until my roommate pleads to turn off the lights. Aristotle's Politics, of which I am required to read for the exam this week, was even put on hold as I read Koontz' damn book. Multitasking is definitely not an option when reading The Face.

Writers, I know we asked for fun and excitement, but please- let your readers catch their own breath at least for a second! Isn't it too much to ask to place boring scenes in there so we could have some sort of restroom breaks?!

With The Face finished and locked in a vault deep in the ocean, I judged that Politics could wait for one more day and decided to borrow another book from my brother's library**. Having heard from a friend that the book was good, I settled on Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Not only does it have a blessing from a friend, it was also featured on Fully Booked's Top 100 Books of the Last Century. It must be really good to garner that much appreciation.

I just hope it doesn't meddle with my academics anymore!

That's all for today though, so yeah- thank you, and have a nice day ahead! :)

*No link! I implore you, if you haven't seen the movie just yet, avoid being spoiled and watch it now!
**My brother had this quest to read every book on the Top 100 list I briefly mentioned earlier, which is not to be confused with his quest of dining at the Top 134 restaurants in the Philippines. Cool, isn't it?

Fact: July 24 was a fun-packed day.

I just love birthdays- and yes, even if it's not mine.

Rash, who just turned 18 the day before yesterday, is one of my well-liked friends in Block X4. With her charm, wit and peaceful disposition, Rash has this unnerving ability to just get along with everyone. It isn't then a surprise that she was one of the block's most prized members, for not only is she nice and appealing, she is also one of those who helps maintain the tranquility and joy within the block. Not making her special during her special day, especially since she is away from her family and homeland, is definitely out of the question.

And it's not one of those surprises that only last for a moment, because what we plan guarantees that the fun never stops (at least during the whole day). Yes, dear reader, what we plan is an all-day birthday surprise; there is no safe haven for you, birthday girl!

I don't know who suggested what the surprise will be (I have this assumption that it was the Westbrook Girls), but upon hearing it, I was definitely excited to be a part in it. The basic idea is this: As the day progresses along, Rash will receive 18 gifts from 18 boys, boys who- in some way or another- have a connection with her (these boys might or might not know her, and vice versa).

OK. The gifts aren't a problem, with the help of our block president's 'special friend', we have acquired 18 cute souvenirs- small bottles containing a blade of baby orchid, planted on gel sacs of different colors. It was the boys that were a problem, either our university lacks the sufficient boys we need, or our block just don't know that much boys. Boyhunting is definitely in need, and luckily, 98% of my blockmates are females. No problem there. I think.

Anyway, to start off the birthday surprise, the block gave Rash- through a batch 08 boy who I understood was being seduced by her (or was it the other way around?)- a large paper bag, one of the 18 souvenirs, and a note saying our greetings as well as a warning that she would bring the paper bag with her the all day.

For where else will she put all those bottles? :D

Immediately, the block received a message from Rash, asking what the hell is going on as well as her thanks. Ayeen, the block president, and I decided to meet up to look for more boys. We still need 5 more, and we still have to 'orient' those boys who will be giving the bottles. However, since there are no familiar boys in sight and the heat is now beyond overwhelming, we decided to refresh ourselves with my fave drink nowadays, Coke Float. Yum, yum.

And yes, I intended to include Coke Float on all my posts. Haha.

Anyway, the surprise did not end in disaster after all. With no boys and the day almost over, the block decided to recruit girls and to leave some of the precious souvenirs on her dormitory. It's not part of the basic plan, but it's the thought that counts, anyway. Heh. To top it all off, Rash received all of the cute little bottles, as well as the happiness a debutant and a friend deserves to have.

Happy birthday, blockmate! Have a great year ahead of you, and enjoy life being an adult.

As for you, dear reader, you have my thanks, and have a good day ahead of you.