A lurid glare under the stars

The Magic Juice and the Art of Tooth Extraction

2007-09-14T07:58:00.000+05:00

When I read the story " Ay! May Bukbok ang Ngipin ni Ani! (Ani has a bad tooth) to Mabie, she was scheduled to go to the dentist that afternoon. So I had to be very careful in pointing out several facts that the story reveals about dentists and the experience of having ones teeth extracted. It was good that she was very interested with the story. But to be honest, when she browsed the pages of the book, she told me that I'll be tired reading that since it was too long (at least for her). I told her that even thought I had just recovered from sore throat, I can manage to finish reading the story aloud. She was then eager to listen to the story and she was so curious about the part when the dentist was trying to explain how he will pull out Ani's teeth, as if it will be a delightful experience. Mabie saw the drawing of the injection so she became anxious about her scheduled appointment with the dentist. She asked if what the story says about the bad tooth being caused to sleep by the magic juice (aka anaesthesia) was true. Of course, I had to keep in mind that it is not proper for me to give an explanation that will change the schema of Mabie (about the injection and the bad tooth) in a negative way. She really had to go to the dentist and the story that I read to her should encourage her not to be afraid of having her teeth extracted. Fortunately, the writer of the book was sensitive and creative to explain medical processes in such an imaginative way.

"Ate! Mag-read na tayo ng story!"

2007-09-14T07:56:00.000+05:00

In the days that I had read to Mabie, I've came to realize how fond my cousin is of code-switching. She tend to code-switch at any chance that she got. She often use the Filipino verb tense morphemes "nag-" and "mag" like "nagbrubrush ng teeth" and "magreread ng story" . I tried to do some readings on code-switching and I found out that the way my cousin code-switches falls under the mechanism called nonce borrowing where in she would use English words together with tagalog affixes. This comes from the framework of Poplack ad Sakoff (1988). Their theory included 3 other mechanisms, which, however, were not exhibited in the speech of Mabie. The other mechanisms involved a greater control of both the two languages, for instance, the mechanism of smooth switching where in one may code-switch between syntactic boundaries which occur in both languages. (Poplack and Sankoff, 1988). Since Mabie still needs a longer period and more efforts before she fully acquires English as her second language, it is not surprising that she is able to codeswithch only by borrowing a grammatical unit or a word. Nevertheless, I was astounded by the fact that the way this young girl speaks is so similar with the way other college girls speak. I intentionally asked Mabie why she said things like "magreread" instead of "magbabasa", and all I got from her were utterances showing that she was either clueless or hesitant to answer my question. Code-switching seems to be one deeply-rooted linguistic habits among Filipinos, to the point that my young cousin is also employing code-switching as her communication strategy (if we try to look at it at the positive side.) However, there are chances that code-switching makes someone sound as if he or she needs to polish on his or her diction. In the case of my cousin, since all of the code-switching that she did involved a switch between a Filipino morpheme to an English verb, it can be concluded that at the time that she spoke those words, the English word first came to her mind (we can assume that she knew the Filipino word for "read", etc.) thus it was more convenient or easier for her just to say "mag-reread" instead of "magbabasa". Thus, Mabie may be employing a mechanism of code-switching in order to more easily express herself.

Poplack, Shana and David Sankoff. (1988). "Code-switching". In Ulrich Ammon, Norbert Dittmar, and Klaus Mattheier, eds., Sociolinguistics: An international handbook of the science of language and society, second vol., 1173-1180. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.

"Tumaba Ang Puso"

2007-09-14T07:55:00.000+05:00

I was faced with a difficulty on how to explain the Filipino idiomatic expression "tumaba ang puso" to Mabie. She quickly pointed out that it was one of the expressions she couldn't understand in the story Filemon Mamon (which I soon found out that it was actually a story for kids 9-10, so it had been really difficult for Mabie to fully understand it). She first attempted to explain to me the way she understood the expression. "Di ba kapag kumain ng madaming taba at matamis, tataba yung puso at aatakihin sa puso?", she curiously inquired. (She has a concept of heart attack because our 12 years old cousin died of it as a result of being born a blue baby.) I had to explain to her that the expression 'tumaba ang puso' mean something like "became very happy, and touched because you realized that people love you". Of course, there is more to that expression than my reductive explication of it. So I decided to give some typical situations where in people actually experience the feeling of "tumaba ang puso". I cited the way we feel whenever our best friends give us a special gift, or when our family cheer for us when we are performing in stage. After that, Mabie said that she got the meaning of the expression but at the latter part of the reading session, she insisted again that Filemon, the main character, must not eat the 'yema' that seemed to haunt him at night because they would cause him to have a "matabang puso" which may lead to heart attack. (here we go again T*T) I had to explain what the expression means the second time..^^ After a few days, I asked her if she remembers what the expression mean, and surprisingly she gave me a pretty good situation in which she may actually feel "pagtaba ng puso". She told me that if I give her one of the Rapunzel Barbie series for her coming birthday, which will add to the nine Barbie dolls that she already have, she will surely feel happy and touched enough to say that she experienced the feeling of "tumaba ang puso" I'm not sure if she is just giving me a hint of what she wants to receive on her birthday or she really understood the idiomatic expression. ^^

Intonation Patterns

2007-09-14T07:54:00.002+05:00

I was very glad to notice that Mabie knew how to use the proper suprasegmental features while reading a story. She knew the right intonation pattern for a declarative and interrogative sentences and she knew how to exaggerate a sentence in the exclamatory form. For instance, while reading the repeated questions of the main character in the story "The Amazing Hat", Mabie used a rising intonation for the question "Is may hat pretty?" . And she quickly shifted to the proper intonation pattern for declaratives as she read the responses of the other characters. She also read the statement "Charge!, Filemon shouted!" from the story FilemonMamon, with emphasis with the exclamatory sentence, as she made her voice louder and uttered it with a longer period of time, compared to the rest of the sentence. However, there were some inconsistencies with the way Mabie exhibited the use of suprasegmentals. Whenever she couldn't understand the meaning of a sentence, she tend to read in a more or less flat tone when the sentence actually requires either a rising or falling intonation. Because of this, it can be concluded that suprasegmental features can be a factor in checking the reading comprehension of children. Whenever they get the meaning of a statement, they are likely to read it with the expected intonation pattern. Thus when asking a child to read a story, we can check if they are comprehending what they reading not only through a reading comprehension test after they have finished reading but also through listening to the way they read the lines of the characters in the story.

Mabie and the Disney Channel

2007-09-14T07:54:00.001+05:00

Mabie, at a vey young age, is able to understand imperatives, questions and simple statements in English, both in oral and written forms. She also has the proficiency to understand most parts of a TV program in English, especially those for children. Her younger brother, Ernest, thous less proficient than Mabie, somehow also shows appreciation of TV shows in English and both of these siblings are fond of repeating lines uttered by their favorite cartoon . And a lot of times, these two youngsters surprise our family by uttering those lines in a more or less proper context. When asked why her children are able to use the funny lines of cartoon characters in a proper situation, my aunt told me that Mabie and Ernest almost do nothing but watch the Disney Channel everyday, especially during summer vacation. I observed that they were really glued to the the TV when they got to see the faces of the Powerpuff girls, The Titans, or Tom and Jerry flashed in the screen. Mabie often copy the lines of Buttercup, while Ernest often humorously imitate the way Johnie Bravo or Spiderman speak. It is observable that these children learn a second langaueg through exposure to it in school and at home, particularly through media. Though they say that books are still the best way for children to develop language and litreacy, it wouldn't hurt to say that TV programs for children may also be a big help for them to improve their phonological skills and widen their vocabu;aries. I can observe that my cousins pick up a lot of vocabularies from these programs. As a wishful thinkng, I do hope that by more exposure to children programs, they will be able to acquire the accents of the characters in the TV shows. But form what I observe, it may actually take a longer time and greater efforts before they acquire an English native-like accent. They still speak English with a Filipino-English accent (just like I do!). Not that I am saying that there's something wrong with that

Focus, Mabie! Focus!!

2007-09-11T08:26:00.000+05:00

My aunt, the mother of my cousin Mabie, told me that I'll probably have a difficult time sustaining the attention of Mabie while we are reading. She usually wants to skip pages and just look at the illustrations and go directly to the end of the story. I thought I could find a solution to her "attention-span problem" by using books with interesting and colorful pictures but I was wrong because she did what she normally does. She turned the pages and asked me to go directly to the last page. This was the first time I read to her. I expected that she will be doing the same for the rest of the reading sessions, but surprisingly she didn't. Analyzing why she did that the first time I read to her, I realized that a part of the reason was that the book I used which was titled "The Amazing Hat" involves so much repetition and patterns. these devices, one one aspect, are helpful for children to comprehend a text. But on the other hand, it may be observed in the case of Mabie that once she recognize the patterns, she tend to lose interest. If we look at the story "The Amazing Hat", the characters almost said the same thing to the young girl Mia. "Yes, Mia, but it(the hat) will look lovelier if we put something on it". Then Mia also replied in a similar manner. Mabie may have quickly realized what the plot is, so she was just interested to see what happened in the end. However, the our other reading sessions, when I used books that do not involve a lot of patterns, and books whose plot may have been more exciting for Mabie (just like the story "Ani has a Bad Tooth"), she listened attentively until I have reached the end of the story. She looked at the pictures, and paid attention to my narration, as well. And when asked questions about these stories, she was able to answer more correctly compared to her answers to my questions after I read to her the first time.It was interesting to find out that a more complicated plot interested her more than a plot that involved so much pattern, which seemed to bore her.

2007-07-04T18:45:00.000+05:00

I feel tired and stuffy TT

행복한 날

2007-06-18T16:20:00.000+05:00

오늘 정말 재미 있었어.
생각보다 즐겁게 되었어....

2007-06-15T20:28:00.000+05:00

Today was such a busy day for me...I have to get up early in the morning just to go jogging, then go the library to study and prepare for my Eng 199 class. Then I had to finish my registration since I cancelled my Phil lit class and transferred into an English Semantic class..Then of course I had to attend my classes, concentrate and try my best to recite in class..

Sometimes I really get tired.
I don't feel that good now.

I want to but I can't

2007-06-12T17:19:00.000+05:00

Do you know that I want to be kind and swet to you even though the time and the environment does not permit me to?
Do you know that I want to talk to you about all the things under the sun? and yet I always end up talking about things which are "business as usual"....
I even want to hold your hand and walk under the stars but yet I know that there is no way this dream of mine may come true.

You know why?
Because I am so damned scared to show you how I feel....I am almost turning 20 but look at me..I'm like a 13 year old girl who has just found her first crush...

Oh...I'm helpless.

But one's thing for sure..I'm beginning to really like you.

That's the problem.

As influenced by 아줌마

2006-12-21T15:33:00.000+05:00

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?

drink and smoke...

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

no, I didn't even bother to follow them

Did anyone close to you give birth?
none as I know!

Did anyone close to you die?
No..thank God!

What countries did you visit?
none

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
boyfriend....

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?r.
July 15, 2006, Sept. 23, 2006, July 12, 2006,

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
joining the 11th World Korean Speech Contest, meeting UP Arirang

What was your biggest failure?
not being able to lose weight

Did you suffer illness or injury?
heartaches...so many times..kkk

What was the best thing you bought?
digi cam

Whose behavior merited celebration?

my friends who were always there to support me

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

steven's

Where did most of your money go?

bank

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
UP Arirang's activity such as our MT, Norebang contest, etc

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
사랑합니다 by tim

Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? -- happier

ii. thinner or fatter? -- fatter

iii. richer or poorer? --richer

What do you wish you'd done more?

exercise and talking to my bestfriend

What do you wish you'd done less of?
eating..joke!!

How many one-night stands?
0

What was your favorite TV program?
Kim Sam Sun

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
yes

What was the best book you read?

The Little Prince

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Shinhwa..joke!
What did you want and get?
A Filipino-Korean Friendship org in UP

What was your favorite film of this year?
OH Happry day, A Moment to Remember, The Classic, all Korean films..kkk

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 19. I had so far the biggest bday party in my life

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
bf
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

jeans and loose shirts

What kept you sane?

my friends, UP Arirang and my dreams in life

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lee Byeong Hon, Hyun Bin, etc

What political issue stirred you the most?
Errm...sorry.

Who did you miss?
chris, steven, kate, Camille, my bestfriend Joy

Who was the best new person you met?

Mr. Shin

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
good looking guys are taken.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:

from chris: YOu make other people happy. U have the capacity to brighten other people's lives

The most touching experience you've had this year?

my birthday

What did you like most about yourself this year?
my korean bangs,,joke! no..now I'm more free

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Myweight..and my stupidity when it comes to oppa

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

because i'm a girl....kkk

Was 2006 a good year for you?
yes, so far one of the best years in my life

What was your favorite moment of the year?
UP Arirang's Potluck party
When we went to Makati to look for a Norebang

August 19, 2006 I delivered a speech without even feeling nervous.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
July 15, 2006 flight of steven to Australia

Where were you when 2006 began?
at home

Who were you with?
my family

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
at home

Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
my family

Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
be careful in dealing with oppas..kkkk

What was your favorite month of 2006?
august, sept, dec

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
yes..he ran away from me..joke

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
of course

What was your favorite record from 2006?
Chunhyang OST and Kim Sam Sun OST

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
0

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2006?
a little..but I got drunk twice

Do a lot of drugs in 2006?
of course not!!

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
yes...lovelife blues...I was so stupid this year

How much money did you spend in 2006?
i don't know

What was your proudest moment of 2006?

When UP Arirang got official recognition as an Organization.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?

the dramatic presentation in Eng 42, the formal dinner before the Korean Speech contest..it was traumatic

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
I shouldn't have stopped going to the gym

What are your plans for 2007?
go to korea

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I'm fatter. I am less shy. I can do things that I refrained myself from doing before.

What are your wishes for the new year?
meet a super cute oppa, go to SNU this coming March, lose weight, earn more money, be more kind

Busy mode

2006-12-01T06:02:00.000+05:00

I've been busy lately...my schedule is all messed up and sometimes I tend to underestimate the time I need in order to accomplish something..RESULT: Been late in most of my appointments..

hahaha

There's a typhoon again..And I have a slight sore throat..
I feel so lazy today.

I have to do a lot of things but I feel like I'm trapped in a pit of laziness.

Linggo

2006-10-30T07:45:00.000+05:00

There's a typhoon today..but the weather doesn't match the way I feel.I'm really happy right now. I guess I'll always be feeling this way every Monday. Shall I tell you why??

Okay.. This has something to do with my Sundays.

From now on, it's going to be my favorite day of the week.

Sem break

2006-10-26T09:59:00.000+05:00

It's so monotonous..and so boring

buti na lang pag weekend......hahaha

masaya..

But no really, if you're wondering how i'm fighting the boredom...it's simple...I'm just spending my time in the gym, trying to lose the 10 lbs I've gained over the last semester where I have been nothing but lazy to exercise...I was wrong to eat a lot over the whole sem and then refuse to exercise since I was so busy with school...

Now I have to face my weight problem...

been eating nothing but oatmeal and fruits..I swears it's not fun...

but when I think that I have lost 4 lbs already..hahaha..somehow I'm contented with the fact that I can't touch anything that will make me fat...

oh my God! I can't even consider myself anorexic since I'm not really skinny now...hoho

But I swear I'm okay...I'm almost vegetarian if you think of it..since I'm not consuming any meat....

BUT nonetheless I"M HAPPY....

My friend Mae mae knows why..hahaha

So confused

2006-10-02T14:54:00.000+05:00

I'm weighing my options..and yet I always end up changing my mind..
I don't know which university shall I go to as an exchanged student next year..
shall I choose Seoul Nat'l University or Hannam University?
If only Seoul-te has a language center then I'll definitely go there but it seems that if I go there, I'll be taking up classes in English..hohoho...that's not why I want to go to Korea...

19th birthday

2006-09-19T09:01:00.000+05:00

I'll be turning 19 tomorrow though I won't be able to have my party on that day sincce it's a school day. Tomorrow is a very important day in my life coz it's my interview for the scholarship in kOrea. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. It seems that they have higher standards now when it comes to accepting exchange students. I just got a tip from a friend who was previously interviewed for a scholarship porgram in Japan that she was asked to introduce herself and answer a lot of questions...but the thing is she had to use the Japanes language..well, maybe it's bcoz she's applying for JAPAN...and UP students usually fight over a single slot of a scholarship program in that country...
oh well..i've just heard that there had been 3 panelists who I assume would be fluent in Japanese...I don't know if the same thing will happen tomorrow...perhaps, they will ask Ma'am Jeong to translate whatever the interviewees will be saying..I'm not sure..
but I just hope that things will be okay..hehehe

I hope that all the people who deserve to pass will pass.

Aja! Aja Fighting!!

Falling in and out of love so quickly

2006-09-06T16:04:00.000+05:00

I think this is my problem....
waaahh!!! I wnat to find the cure if it exists.

But actually, right now I'm so happy. I don't know why...when in fact I have a few reasons to be gloomy and worried (since I haven't prepared yet for our panel discussion and report tomorrow)..hohoho
But I'M HAPPY,,, Maybe this is GOOD>>>LATELY I'm JUST HAPPY...

But last weekend was so dissapointing.
I had a terrible headache last Saturday, I couldn't even study for Eng 116. Then last Sunday, we couldn't go ice skating because we didn't want to waste our 320 pesos and risk our lives while trying to skate..We only have Mia to teach us and she might not be able handle teaching 6 persons at the same time, so I thought it would be better if we just do something else...so we just played bowling and some video games...shallow things like that...hohoho

I think my blog is so full of grammatical errors..simply bcoz I don't even care about them...

I'm starting to like someone and here's the catch I think I'm committing the same mistakes I committed before...beginning to like someone easily...OH no!!!

But right this very moment, I think I don't really like him that much....I think I am learning...Now, at least I can stop from deluding myself that it is love that I am feeling...BCOZ I DON'T THINK IT IS...

UP Arirang started the study sessions this morning. It was fun and I think that those who participated were satisfied with the way it went through. I was happy that I was able to study with Hwa-young. I think this is a good way to develop friendship among the Filipino and Korean members..considering that we don't have to spend a lot of money in it (compared to our past bonding activities)...hohoho

UP Arirang!! Fighting!!

2006-08-29T07:51:00.000+05:00

Nowadays, I'm satisfied with the way my life is going on. I am happy that I am able to atleast go back with my "normal" way of living.
Since August started, I became busy with my practices for the Korean Speech Competition, the events of UP Arirang, and of course, my studies. After class, instead of heading for the language center, I would go to the Korean-Filipino Cultural Foundation in Makati in order to practice my speech. I tell you, it wasn't 100 percent fun. There are days when I would go home feeling like I'm a big crap. I felt that I don't have talent for such speech competitions mainly because of the fact that I practice together with a yopung Korean girl who was said to be a "master" of such craft. Oftentimes, I felt that we are being compared...But later on, I've came to my senses and realized that I shouldn't feel that way. I have accepted the fact that I'm not really a professional public speaker and that Korean is still a foreign language to me...So I started to have fun and enjoy the fact that I'm giving a lot of efforts for something which I am interested at. I adapted to the way our couach wanted us to deliver our speech, with intense emotions,a loud voice, and gestures...It was difficult but I've realized that if that's the traditional and "proper" way of doing it..what the heck? I should disregard the fact that I'm having sore throats, colds, and cough and just do what the coach is saying!! I actually wanted to thank my coach because he was able to teach us in a way that we weren't really that boring during our speeches. We all spoke or shouted with audible voices, and sometimes we seem to be angry...but it's really the way other native Koreans (from other categories)delivered their speeches too..
I was not able to get the grand prize.. Of course...since all the grand prizes went to Koreans...hehehe
But it was really a learning experience for me...
I've learned to trust God and to trust myself.
I had a traum,atic experience during the dinner party when I've met all the other foreign contestants..Oh! They spoke Korean very well..and I think their level is much more advanced compared to mine...I was almost teary-eyed thinking that I'll be a shame to our country...I wanted the dinner to end and just crawl in bed and cry...
I send a text message to my Korean prof and told her about how I feel..Thank God that I was able to resolve how I feel and gain the confidence to deliver my speech infront of the crowd.
I was not even nervous while I was delivering my speech..I enjoyed..it was surprising that I wasn't shaking.
I'll never regret joining this competition...It was a good opportunity for me to meet a lot of people who share the same interests for Korean culture.
I've realized various things about myself..Now, I'm pretty much sure that I ought to study the Korean language after finishing my undergrad in UP..I will be happier if I'll do that instead of just study law..
I'm happy and fulfilled.
I want to do a lot of things and I know that I can do it as long as I give myself the chance... I won't be scared...I promise!

happy happy day

2006-08-28T15:48:00.000+05:00

I'm happy right now...a lot of new things have happened in my life....the speech contest was such a learning experience....
now, im trying to enjoy life and balance my responsibilities as a student, as UP arirang's president and as a tutor.
i'm so fulfilled..

Hanbok

2006-08-28T15:45:00.000+05:00

2006-08-21T14:48:00.000+05:00

Unexpected

2006-07-09T18:13:00.000+05:00

Lately I felt that my life is becoming quite complicated. I thought I will be sulking in one corner and grieve for another case of unrequited love. I thought the first two weeks of July will be like hell. But I was wrong. There aren't exactly any improvements when it comes to the area of my life which concerns HIM. But I am taking things better now. Last Wednesday, I've received 2 important calls, both of which were good news. I was so happy. First, I was invited to join a Korean Language Festival. Second, a former exchange student from Hannan University contact me in regards to her plans of applying for a Korean-Filipino Friendship Org in UP.
I met the organizer of the contest this afternoon. He was kind and smart. He is so passionate about spreading the KOrean culture throughout the world.
This coming Wednesday is the first meeting of our Organization...Yehey!! Finallly I will have an organization in UP! I'll meet the Korean students plus the other Filipino students who are also interested in Korean culture.
I think God is helping me go through a difficult situation in my life so He sent me 2 good news. Now, I think I should be happy and thankful for the things that are happening in my life.
Though I still can't concentrate with my studies, I know I'll be able to make it. Aja aja!
hohoho....I have only read the first 3 chapters of Great Gatsby..to think that we will be discussing it on Tuesday! Oh no..I'm patay! hohoho ^=^;

힘들다

2006-06-10T15:27:00.000+05:00

오늘 아짐 에 어학원으로 길 이고 비가 많이 와요. 그래서 비를 맞았어. 어학원에 도작하는떼 기븐이 나빠요: 열이 났어 좀 어지러워. 하지만 괜잫았어.

점심 에 는 광현 에게 부타했어. 그 는 낼 와 캍이 UP 에 가고 싶했어. 하지만 사장님 이 광현 하고 싸웠어. 나 에게 도 사장님이 화가 났어.

지금 힘들어.

2006-06-08T07:17:00.000+05:00

Vacation will be over in a few days.

2006-06-08T06:46:00.001+05:00

I really want to enjoy the last few days of the summer vacation.
I think I'll go to SM MAll of Asia this weekend..or if this is not possible, I'll have to settle for Sm Megamall..hehehe
I'm such a mall rat.
Ok..I promise I'll enjoy the coming days to the fullest.

before being so absorbed in studying again..
Oh common, with the way things in my life are going right now , it might be difficult to be absorbed with my studies.

So this is how it feels to be alive and ** ****....

Vacation will be over in a few days.

2006-06-08T06:46:00.000+05:00

Wishful thinking

2006-06-04T13:22:00.000+05:00

I
just
want
to
"fall",
really
fall
until
I
realize
how
it
feels.
Just
this
once
please.
I'll
be
strong.
But
will
HE
catch
me.

2006-06-04T05:30:00.000+05:00

After months of not seeing my bestfriend Joy, finally I was able to meet her yesterday. I really missed her! We just did the usual stuffs we do when we get to hang-around. At first, I thought she couldn't make it. I was almost upset but luckily she kept her promise. Hahaha... I was really crazy yesterday. We talked about a lot of things...I thought I'll suffer from sore throat. I am glad that she now knows the things happening in my life lately. I think we need to meet again next Saturday, the last weekend before the start of the school year.
Oh! I'm not yet prepared to start school. I haven't even bought a piece of notebook or a pen. hahaha

Bothered

2006-06-04T05:21:00.000+05:00

Last Saturday, I got to know several things that surprised me. The things I have heard only confirmed the thoughts I had in the past few days. I feel stuck in between 2 large stones wanting to crash each other.
I know I should act maturely. Honestly, I have an idea of what I must do but when thinking of the possible results of those actions, I feel hesitant.
She obviously needs a change of attitude.
I want to help her.

What if?

2006-06-01T15:13:00.000+05:00

What if a girl falls for someone eventhough she knows that she might end up being hurt in the end?
Is she that stubborn to succumb to the joys and pains of unrequited love?
What if it happens to me...like it always did in the past.
Does it mean that I never learn a thing or two from the past?
Should I allow myself to dive into the water without knowing how deep it is?
I am so confused.
I wish he can help me to figure out what am I really feeling. I'm clueless about his either.

Summer is almost over

2006-05-20T07:37:00.000+05:00

Our summer class ended yesterday and we had a class party.I guess I can say that it was fun. Though I spent a lot of time arguing with Lourenz (the antagonist in my life...joke ^;^), I still had fun because it wasn't really a serious argument. Anyways, I hope he wasn't offended with the things I said.
제가 제이크의 여자친구를 만났어요.저는 제이크가 그의 여자친구를 데려온 것에 대해 무척 놀랐어요.
그러나 저는 괜찮아요.저는 제이크를 곧 잊을거예요 왜냐하면 저는 제이크를 사랑하지 않기 때문이에요.
Oh how fast time could fly? In just 3 weeks, I'll be starting to attend classes again. And this semester will be quite hectic and challenging for me because I'll take up a lot of major subjects. I'm anxious about taking Eng 116 but I know that there's no way for me to escape it. So goodluck! 아자!

2006-05-14T07:29:00.000+05:00

나쁜 날씨

요즘 비가 많이 와요. 어제 비를 많이 맞았어요. 그래서오늘은난 머리 가 아파서 열이 좀 있어요. 성당에 못갔어요.
지금 그냥 인터넷을해요.
오늘 날씨를 싫어해.

A poem written by Kate

2006-05-14T07:16:00.000+05:00

I'm posting here a poem written by one of the most talented student I had ever met. Her name is Kate Kim or Kim Kee Hyun. She's only 11 but she's very responsible and open-minded. She even gave me an advice regarding my lovelife.I just can't believe my eyes when I saw this poem. It's emotional and romantic to the point that you might want to know to whom it was dedicated for. I myself am clueless..but I guess she was just inspired when she wrote this poem. What is important is that she is able to use her imagination or even her sentiments in order to create such a piece of literature.

Here it goes...

Sorry and Thank You
by Kate Kim

Sorry but I can't give you many good things.
Sorry but I can't think of you.
Sorry but I can't live without you.
Sorry but I have to love you.
Sorry but I don't know why.
Thank you that you love me.
Thank you that you understand me.
Thank you tat you smile at me
even when I have done bad things.
Thank you that you help me.
Thank you that you cry on my shoulder.
Thank you that you had made me knwon what 'love' is.
Sorry and thank you.
I think that I love you.

To The Most Insensitive Guy I have ever met: May you be able to read and COMPREHEND this entry

2006-05-04T14:51:00.000+05:00

오늘은 너 가 나한테 너무거만하게 말했는다. 그것을 어떡해 말했으니? 너대문에 오늘 제가 마음이 아프다.
지금 너 가 심술궂은 사람이라고 생각한다.
I don't what's wrong with this day. Everyone seems to be feeling down today. You can see it from our faces.
I really hate this day. I curse K**** H*** for being so insensitive and arrogant. How could he do that? How could he say all those offensive words? I hate him!!!! I was really hurt by the things he said, even if he was only joking.
I don't think I deserve such treatment.
I want to cry right this very moment. No, perhaps sheding a tear or two wouldn't help . What I really want is to shout at him and curse him until he realize how upset I really am.
Sometimes I always try to be strong. But its difficult to do so if you feel so weak and vulnerable deep inside.
If only I have a heart of stone, perhaps I wouldn't feel even the slightest pain.

A lurid glare under the stars

2006-05-04T14:50:00.000+05:00

A lurid glare under the stars

2006-04-27T18:30:00.000+05:00

My actions always betray my heart.

I really wanted to talk to you but I couldn't muster enough courage to do so.
Why is that whenever I like someone, I always can't talk to him whenever I really want to?
This is a curse.

Time-out

2006-04-23T14:07:00.000+05:00

Perhaps my readers will be surprised that finally, after a long time, I got a full rest. I spent 2 days without actually leaving the borners of what people call 'home'. Its been a long time since this actually happened and if I should, I somehow missed the comfort I get out of the notion that I'll just be staying home for a day. So how did I spent my weekend, oh of course I was preoccupied with the usual stuffs like studying Korean, watching TV, surfing the net, eating, etc. Things I usually have done during the past months alongside with my school works and job. Nothing really new, it's just that I felt well rested.
The first week of our summer class has already passed. I was expecting a lot from our CWTS class and after just a week, I was not wrong to do so. Our professor really knew a lot about the subject matter. He is passionate about what he is doing and he has a lot of fresh ideas and ways to handle the class in such a fun way. My classmates are kind and amiable. We went to a Gawad Kalinga site in Payats last Thursday and eventhough it was quite tiring, I really did have fun. I am happy to be somehow exposed with different worlds where people actually live in. Though I felt useless (compared to the volunteers coming from Ateneo), I am satfisfied with the idea that all of us are left with the option whether to cooperate in such civic activities or not.
There are times when I really wanted to reach out and be as generous as I can, but if one doesn't have the gift of time, such things becomes more difficult to accomplish. Oh well, we all have the gift of time, but what makes us different is the way we choose to spent it.
I am meeting a lot of new people these days and that already makes me happy. ^>^
Tomorrow, I'm finally going swimming with my relatives. I'm excited because I've been hearing a lot of good things about the resort we are going to. Yeah! I' ll try not to get sun tanned (but that might be inevitable.)

여자이니까

2006-04-11T14:51:00.000+05:00

도대체 알 수가 없어 남자들의 마음
원할 땐 언제고 다 주니 이제 떠난대
이런적 처음이라고 너는 특별하다는
그 말을 믿었어 내겐 행복이었어
말을 하지 그랬어 내가 싫어졌다고
눈치가 없는 난 늘 보채기만 했어
너를 욕하면서도 많이 그리울거야
사랑이 전부인 나는 여자이니까
모든걸 쉽게 다 주면 금방 싫증내는게
남자라 들었어 틀린 말 같진 않아
다시는 속지 않으리 마음먹어 보지만
또다시 사랑에 무너지는게 여자야
말을 하지 그랬어 내가 싫어졌다고

눈치가 없는 난 늘 보채기만 했어
너를 욕하면서도 많이 그리울거야
사랑이 전부인 나는 여자이니까

[narration]
오늘 우린 헤어졌어 부디 행복하라고
너보다 좋은 사람만나길 바란다고
너도 다른 남자랑 똑같애 날 사랑한다고 말한땐 언제고
솔직히 나 네가 잘 되는거 싫어
나보다 예쁜 여자 만나 행복하게 잘 살면 어떡해
그러다 날 정말 잊어버리면 어떡해
난 이렇게 힘든데 힘들어 죽겠는데
아직도 널 너무 사랑하는데

사랑을 위해서라면 모든 다 할 수 있는
여자의 착한 본능을 이용하지는 말아줘
한여자로 태어나 사랑받고 사는게
이렇게 힘들고 어려울줄 몰랐어
너를 욕하면서도 많이 그리울거야
사랑이 전부인 나는 여자이니까
너를 욕하면서도 많이 그리울거야
사랑이 전부인 나는 여자이니까

2006-04-06T09:58:00.000+05:00

Waiting

2006-04-06T08:31:00.000+05:00

Because I'm a girl By KISS

2006-04-06T07:51:00.000+05:00

2006-04-04T10:47:00.000+05:00

I want to talk to my friends right this very moment but I can't.

2006-04-04T10:31:00.001+05:00

Sometimes I really don't have a clue what to write about.
To think that I'll be taking a Creative Writing class next semester.
Oh well, might as well find a cure for this writer's block.
hahaha...

My life is still pretty much the same.

2006-04-04T10:31:00.000+05:00

GC: Grade Conscious

2006-04-03T11:22:00.000+05:00

Gee! I saw my grade in Eng 22 online. I only got a 1.75...That's low, not even mediocre!! I was expecting atleast a 1.5. Maybe it's because of my performance in our final exam. Yes, I admit that my 6 pages essay might not really be that coherent.
Urgh!!!!
Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed for my grades in CL 171 and in FA 28.
I'm more worried about the latter.

Forgive me for being such a grade conscious student. I really need to get high grades if I want to increase my chances of getting into UP law school.

What's up?

2006-03-28T10:46:00.000+05:00

Finally, I can now update my blog, my friendster account, sent e-mails to my friends..in short, I am officially on vacation, well at least on school vacation. I still have two jobs to keep myself busy with.
I'm actually at the office right now but since I need to wait for some instructions...I might as well make the most out of my time and post something new here.

Do you know how busy I had been these past few weeks? I am such an epitome of a busy person. I woke up at six in the morning, study from 7 to 5 (minus few hours I spent to eat, to take a bath, to take a nap), face the computer for almost the whole day till my eyes really hurt. Gee, I was really exhausted with the exams, papers, reports I had to prepare for. To think that I have 2 jobs....I can't imagine how I managed to comply with all the demands of school.
Anyway, I am happy that the sem is already over. I can now do the things I wishes to. I can now go to the mall, play arcades, go swimming, work-out in the gym (a hobby I neglected for a week, I was really frustrated!), call my friends (I miss them so much!), most of all I can now study more advance lessons in Korean. Yehey!!!!

I swear I'm going to enjoy this summer.
Eventhough I won't really be stuck at home, I'll try to spend a lot of quality time by myself. I want to give myself a much deserved treat. I can't get a haircut by now since my hair is still quite short...I'll do mundane things later in the mall, whether its buying that cone of ice cream I always stop myself from doing so, playing arcades or air hockey, singing in the KTV, anything that I didn't had time for because of my hectic schedule.

I left my cellphone in the car of my uncle...gee..I'm not receiving any txt messages from friends now...I miss them. We'll go swimming probably around the first week of April..I'm excited to see them.

Uhm what else???
1. I saw my grade in Korean a while ago...I expected that grade but still I was glad when I saw it online.
2. The wheather is too humid these days...and I am not fond of it.
3. I just found out that my bestfriend is going to spend her summer vacation in Cagayan!! I was expecting that we will be seeing each other a lot this summer. She already has a boyfriend and she said that she needs to go to the province to see him..."_"
4. lovelife= zero
I'm not really interested at someone right now. Unless Hyun Bin wants to visit me here in the Philippines..then that will really be a delight. :)
5. My highschool friends eventually end up as bf and gf! I'm so happy for them...They're both good persons so they make a nice couple!!
6. It's graduation time for some...Eumir, graduate ka na ba? Are you already a licensed engineer? I have this feeling lately that I'll see you in the mall. Oh my God! If that happens, I don't know what I'll feel!

Pictures from Vigan

2006-03-28T08:42:00.000+05:00

This picture was taken in a lighthouse in Ilocos, Norte.
I'm with Ji Hye, and obviously she's Korean so I had a great time talking to her and practicing my conversational skills in Korean.

My trip in Vigan

2006-03-11T15:53:00.000+05:00

A week has passed since our trip in Vigan. Oh, it was fun, minus the many awkward and silent moments I had with people I hardly know, Yes! I had a great time. (Oh common! Do I sound convincing enough?)
My initial plan was to enjoy, have a wonderful time, relax and get to know some new friends.Fair enough, I was able to know some people who were very nice, considerate and fun to be with. 2 of my classmates are such good persons and I enjoyed their company. I even met a Korean student named Ji Hye and her companion Anna. Actually, they both have the same name. I was happy having met these nice group of people and I feel that the trip was worth all the money I spent merely because of the fact that I have gained some friends.
At first, I was dissapointed with Vigan. I am not a fan of antique and old unkept houses so it was inevitable for me to think that Vigan is such a boring place. But when we strolled around Crisologo street, climbed a high tower in Laoag, and dropped by a bridge on our way to Vigan, I appreciated the beauty of the place. The Crisologo street was so picturesque! I love it!
I enjoyed the Saturday night of our trip. Almost everyone was at the Videoke bar (I'm not sure how to call such place?!). I only sang one song, before a lot of people came....hehehehe..I was surprised by the fact that our professors allowed the students to drink beer....I though there's an agreement not to...what duh??? joke!
IHonestly, I was feeling very sleepy almost the whole trip...but I didn't expect to feel quite well without having a sound sleep for 2 nights. That's a miracle, since I'm a person who usually feel nauseated due to lack of sleep.
Some of the people who joined the trip are quite irritating, They don't know when to shut up when almost everyone is trying their best to sleep even for a single hour. Oh..I was pissed off by that giant who kept on mumbling things which could be summed up into a single sentece: (that) he is rich, sporty and "cool"....Why did he need to speak so loud in the phone, for everyone to hear how many cars he have? shit...
Plus there was this snobbish guy who was so mean and boastful.
anyways..I can say that it was usch a memorable experience..
Now, I'm starting to love the idea of travelling.

Kim Sam Soon

2006-02-28T10:40:00.000+05:00

How I wish someone would give me a Kim Sam Soon pig...
Yeah!!! I love this Korean romantic series so much!!!

How's (my) life?

2006-02-28T09:31:00.000+05:00

Lately someone asked me a question I usually don't get to hear from my friends. Its just a simple inquiry; "How's your life?" and yet I was left wondering how would I answer such question when I get the chance to stumble upon it again. Of course, I gave a quick answer, explaining the reason behind my SHOUT OUT in my Friendster profile. My shout- out simply stated a word, CONFUSED, though I know that a lot of emotions were hidden within that sole description of how I felt.
I felt so confuse 2 weeks ago, pondering on whether I should take a risk and apply for the Korean Government Scholarship Program for Undergraduate students. I REALLY WANTED TO GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL ONE OF MY DREAMS, to be able to study in a Korean university. But making such a big decision was not that easy. The risks were too high. I would have to sacrifice or give up my studies in UP, without the assurance that I would finish a degree in Kyongbuk Tehakyo. It was too difficult for me to decide.
I tried my luck and went to the Korean embassy. I arrived just a minute before the lunch break so I have to wait for 1 and a half hour before being interviewed and given a test.
Then i found out that I was not allowed to take up the course that I really want to pursue. As you can see, I wanted to be an English teacher in Korea, so I chose a degree in Education majoring in English. It was wrong for me to assume that I could take it up. They wanted me to chose among the list of courses indicated in the information booklet. Oh gee! I just can't force myself to take up a course I know I might not excel in, especially if the medium of instruction is Korean.
So there, to cut the long story short, I called the officer-in charge the next day and told him I could no longer continue with my application.
end of the story

There are times that I feel that I have let a big opportunity pass me by. I could have taken the risk and who knows, it could have changed my life in a positive manner. But then, I've realized that I must not rush into things. Patience is a virtue, they often say.
So now, I am very much happy with my decision to finish my study here in UP and who knows, after 2 or 3 years, I could apply for a scholarship in Korea for a Masteral degree. I guess that would be better.

Now, I can say that I am happy with my life. I have this urge lately to travel around the Philippines. I will go on a trip to Vigan, Ilocos Sur this Friday and I'm excited. Since I rarely go on trips and vacations, I feel that I am not making most out of my life. Maybe, I am missing a lot of things in life by not exploring the beauty of the world. How I wish I have the money to go to Boracay this summer! But yeah, even if I have the moolah for it, I don't have anyone to accompany me..so what's the point? I couldn't just go their on my own, right?

I promise that in the near future, I would seek adventure in the following places:
I hope I would have the chance to visit them before I depart form this World.
1. Boracay
2. Palawan
3. Cebu (Plantation Bay)
4. SOUTH KOREA!!!! Of course. I swear that someday I'll walk along the cherry-blossoms lined streets of Jinhae!!!
5. California, New York, Canada
6. any Disneyland

Jesy....dream on!!!!! my pessismistic side might say.
But then this time I'll try to listen to the voice within me saying that I can do a lot of things if I persevere. So....Aja! Aja! Fighting!

Confusions

2006-02-17T06:15:00.000+05:00

Never had I been this confused in my entire life.
It's too hard for me to make a decision.
Should I take a risk or stay at the safer side?
I am so confused.
My mind is spinning and yet sometimes it feels numb.
I have to wise.
I shouldn't have jumped into the water right away 'coz now I feel trapped.

I love tree-lined streets!!!!

2006-01-24T08:52:00.000+05:00

Preoccupations

2006-01-24T06:22:00.000+05:00

So what's keeping me busy lately?
Well, for one there's school. I had this feeling lately that I am not paying much attention to my studies. When I know for a fact that I am complying with my requirements, attending and reciting in class, reading in advance. Maybe, its just an efffect other up students have on me.. You see the past few weeks are mid-terms week, and yet, I only had one exam. Oh well, what can I do?Maybe, I'm just lucky this semester. But hey! Now, I'm starting to feel some pressure.
I have the following things to do:
1. Paper for Eng 22 about a Victorian and a Contemporary novel
2. Journal entries in Eng 102 (middle English, plus read a part of Canterbury Tales)
3. Reflection paper in CL 171

just wanna remind myself....

I wandered as lonely as a cloud.

2006-01-13T06:15:00.000+05:00

I am beginning to appreciate the poems of Wordsworth! Really!! He's among my favorite poets already, and yeah! I do agree that one has to write in the language of the common people in order to bring poetry closer to their hearts...

Just for the record, nowadays, I rarely wander as lonely as a cloud. Yes, there are times that I feel down, but now, I guess I'm happy. My life is less monotonous these days!

I know a lot of persons going (back) to korea in the next few weeks. Urgh! I also want to visit Korea!! Sonsengnim will go to Korea next week and she plans to bring us a Korean poster when she returned. Yes!!Finally, I'll be able to post a poster of my fave Korean actor in my room...Who would it be? uhmm.. Lee Byong Hon or Kwon Sang Woo or Jo in Sung or Bae Yung Jun,...I'm so confused!! But no, maybe a poster of Jinhae would be much more delightful!!

2006-01-06T10:38:00.000+05:00

사람들이 “왜 한국어를 공부해요”라고 질문 할 때, 그들은 제가 한국 드라마를 좋아해서 한국어를 공부한다고 생각해요. 한국드라마를 좋아해요. 하지만 그것만이 제가 한국어에 관심이 있는 이유는 아니에요. 저는 한국말이 특별하다고 생각해요. 세종 대왕이 만든 한글은 세상에서 가장 과학적인 언어라고 생각해요. 한글이 현재 한국 성공의 한 부분이기 때문에 한국 사람들은 한글을 소중하게 생각한다고 생각해요. 한글은 서로를 이해하는데 도움을 주었고 문화를 보전하게 했어요. 그것보다도 저도 한국말 소리를 좋아해요. 한글은 많은 느낌을 표현 할 수 있어요. 깊은 슬픔이나 화 그리고 기쁨을 표현할 수 있어요. 특히 사랑이나 관심을 표현 할 때, 그 소리가 정말 진심인 것 같아요.
저는 한국 사람들을 좋아해서 한국어를 공부해요. 고등학교 삼 학년 때 한국 사람을 처음 만났어요. 그들은 외국학생이었어요. 제 학교에서 한 달 동안 다녔어요. 한 명이 제 친구가 되었어요. 그의 이름은 한장운이에요. 그는 친절하고 필리핀 음식을 좋아했어요. 더 이상 연락 할 수 없지만 저는 그를 또 만나고 싶어요.
요즘 한국 사람들이 필리핀에 많이 있어요. 그들은 영어를 공부하고 있어요. 한국에서 좋은 회사에서 일하고 싶으면 영어를 공부해야 해요. 몇몇 한국 사람들이 미국에서 영어를 공부해요. 그렇지만 미국에서 공부하면 아주 비싸요. 그래서 한국 사람들이 필리핀에서 공부해요. 한국 사람들이 우리 나라에서 공부해서 저는 기뻐요. 한국 사람들이 필리핀에서 공부하면서 자주 놀러 가요. 바기오를 좋아할 거예요.
우리는 필리핀을 방문하는 외국 사람이 필리핀 여행이 왜 좋은가를 물어요. 그들은 멋있는 해변, 저렴한 물가, 관대하고 밝은 사람들이라고 말해요. 저는 한국 사람들도 그렇게 생각할 것이라 믿어요. 그렇지만 그들은 영어를 배우기에 필리핀이 좋은 곳이라고 믿어요. 그래서 요즈음 필리핀에 어학원이 많이 있어요. 이것은 필리핀 사람들에게 많은 일자리를 제공하기 때문에 우리 나라에 도움이 되요. 그리고 필리핀과 한국 관계를 좋게 해요. 또한 필리핀 사람과 한국 사람이 서로의 문화를 배울 수 있어요.
두 나라 모두 풍부한 문화를 갖고 있어요. 우리 나라 문화는 제가 열린 마음으로 세상을 볼 수 있게 했어요. 세상은 많이 변화했고 저는 많은 것을 알게 되었어요. 지금은 한국 문화를 알아 가고 있어요. 저는 선생님 두 분에게서 많이 배우고 있어요. 선생님에게서 한복과 옛 궁전과 같은 한국의 미를 배웠어요. 저 또한 한국의 음식과 영화를 더 이해하기 시작했어요. 한국 사람에게서 배울 수 있는 가장 좋은 것은 어른을 존경하는 전통이에요. 한국에서는 사람이 죽으면 자연으로 돌아간다고 믿어요. 아마도 이것 때문에 한국 사람들은 항상 자연을 생각해요. 그래서 한국이 아름다운 나라라고 생각해요. 저는 이런 한국을 더 알고 싶어요.

Can't pretty much understand myself too...

2006-01-03T11:16:00.000+05:00

How come?
When you talk to me, I act as if I can't hear you..
damn...
Have I forgotten my manners?
I really want to talk to you for hours..
but how?
I'm too busy
to the point that I have convinced myself that
you could never be apart of my life
anyway..I don't need an extra load
to fit my already hectic schedule
but sometimes, I also do get quite lonely
"quite" is such a relative term, isn't it?
I don't exactly know what am I writting by now?
maybe, I'm not myself today
or maybe I am??

First day of school for the year 2006

2006-01-03T10:47:00.000+05:00

Oh..well, things are back to normal again. I woke up too early, attend my Korean class, worked in ISSI and worked-out in the gym.
Shocks! I thought there were still no classes in UP yesterday but eventually I found out that there were.....I missed one meeting of our Korean class! Sonsengnim, mianheyo!!!(maybe, I should be using the hangul right now) Anyways, I was always laughing in our class awhile ago....can't help but think of the Korean kids and "non-kiddos" I had taught these last 2 weeks...^.^
Tomorrow, I'll be so tired again because of the fact that I always have to run just to make it on time for my English 22 class..I still haven't read the poems of Wordsworth...hay!!!

Just curious....

2006-01-03T09:39:00.000+05:00

Isn't it funny and cute?
The craze to study English is so great that they even made it into a movie....

(Not my usual) Christmas Break

2005-12-29T06:10:00.000+05:00

In about 30 or 40 minutes, I would be preparing to go to work again. I am not the most industrious person I know. But hey, know I've realized that there is a reality in the belief that when you love what you are doing, you'll always have the energy to start your day with joy in your heart.I guess teaching is not really one of my passions, maybe it's the fact that I'm teaching Koreans that's why I am enjoying my 2-weeks side-line. It's sad to think that I would only be able to teach them for 2 weeks. If only, I don't have my "career" as a student assistant, I would have been very much eager to continue. But considering the months to come, school works really would not tolerate an additional item in my very hectic schedule (already).
Eventhough, there are some kids taht give me a headache, Tony 3 and Chris 2 for example, I can say that it is still so much fun to be able share some of my knowledge to them. I do hope that their minds would reatain all the things that I have tried to explain.
My favorite students are Tony 2, Jenny, David 2,Tony 1, Alice,Hannah, Sean,David and Joshua. Tony 2 looks like an angel to me. He is so gentle and kind. It was indeed a surprise to learn that he is a blackbelter in Taekwondo. Jenny is such a bright girl. She is also very kind and fun to be with. She gave me a Korean postcard and I really did like it! David 2, is of course, the ever-reliable student, who everyone trusts. He is diligent and respectful at all times. Tony 1 is so cute, and he loves to check my notebook in KOrean. ^.^ Alice is very pretty,gentle and kind. Hannah, Oh, I remeber the 1st time I met her, she kept on saying that I am strange. I took it as a compliment. Sean is determined to improve his reading proficiency in English, I can see that! Compared to James, he is a better person, I guess. He is also kind. The twins, David and Joshua, are very smart. I feel that they are giving their best to cope with their college life here in the Philippines. I also enjoy teaching David logic, hehehe..at least, I also got to review some topics of Logic.
The other teachers are nice nad fun to be with. Although I feel that sometimes, I am irritating them because I often speak in Korean. Yeah, I admit it, I'm such an inconsiderate and insensitive person for doing that. I'm very sorry.
I still have 2 or 3 days to enjoy the company of my new-found friends. It was such a blessing from God that I came with Francis last Dec. 14 in his new job (to sustain his "luho"; luxury). Thanks, Cis!!

Just catching up

2005-12-17T05:23:00.000+05:00

Hello!!! It has been almost a whole month since I have last written an entry here.I can say that a lot of events have taken place on that span of time.
Well, I guess I should start with something that I am very proud of. The Korean Speech Competition was held last Dec. 7, 2005 at the Palma HAll AVR. Of course, knowing myself, I surely would not let such an opportunity to pass me by. So I decided to join with the hope that after several days of practice, I would be able to present a clear and interesting speech in Korean. My piece was very personal, Jong Sonsengnim, told me that she knows that it really did came from my heart. Plus the fact that she could see a lot of passion in my eyes. That was the first time someone complimented me that way. I am very grateful to my two sonsengnim. Dec. 7 was such a big ang long day for me. I had to attend my Poyer Yoga class at 7 am, then take an exam in Eng 22 and finally muster enough courage and confidence to deliver my speech in front of a big crowd. And yes! I was able to deliver my speech properly. My language proficiency is okay, I spoke quite fast, thinking that Koreans speak that way. I don't want to brag, but I did speak with an accent, although sometimes, I sounded mad, (thanks to the Korean movies that I had watched,,,the casts are always angry with someone!)Anyways, I got the 2nd place, and I am very happy because of that. I couldn't have done it without the support of Jong Sonsengnim, Racel Sonsengnim, and my ban chingu/ classemates in KOrean 10, 11 & 12. Kamsahamnida!
After the speech, there was a small gathering just to celebrate the success of the competition as a whole. They prepared a buffet of Korean dishes and If I should say, I enjoyed some of them, especially the Mandu or dumplings and the ttok or ricecakes. Btw, my classmates asked my Korean teacher to introduce me to one of the Korean exchange students. HIs name is Pak Jong Sub. (Brian is his English name). He's currently taking up mass comm in UP. He's cute...but that's just about it.

Dec. 14
Francis, a friend of mine, told me about his new job in a Language Center. I decided to check it out..and I had such a great time talking with the Korean kids! They simply can't believe that a Filipino could speak (somehow) in Korean. Because I enjoyed the company of the kids, I decided to work there during the Christams break...So that would mean there would be no x-mas vacation for me!!! But its okay, I know it would be a great experience! Aja!

Dec. 15. 12 pm.
The Oblation run was held....I was able to see it twice already. But just like the first time, the naked men, didn't even had an ample effect on me. I think they need to lift some weights once in a while..I mean...wouldn't it be better if the CHK majors would be the one to run naked...at least that would be a celebration of the beautiful form of mankind. I hope no APO member would ever get the chance to read this..but hey! why don't your brotherhood consider my advice....it would make your fraternity even prouder than you already are...

Dec. 15. 4:30 pm.
Jay and I were late for the assembly of Lantern Parade participants., Thanks to the very informative lecture of Mr. N.S.S. who actually top the bar last year at no. 9. He's a very intelligent person, to the point that he could tire you out just by speaking infront of you.. Oh well, he made me believe that I should be preparing myself more if I want to surpass the pressures of studying law. Anyways, I do appreciate his generosity that he actually took the time to share his knowledge about the history of England.
So, there...we arrived late as I have said before, but good enough that we were able to sign the attendance. Joining the Lantern parade was actually fun. Sometimes we did feel embarassed , but I guess that's normal. My mask, or heardress was similar to that of a flower girl, minus the hanging leaves at the side, which made it passed for a headress either of a fairy or Mother nature.
The fireworks display was fantastic and breath-taking. Hahaha...I guess they had a big budget for it.
That night, I was very tired, but nevertheless happy.

Dec. 16, 12 pm
Christmas part of ISSI.
The food was great.
I never knew how the bosses of ISSI could be so generous to give out A LOT of appliances, kitchenwares, etc. to other employees.
Thanks a lot!!

today, I'll go to SM to buy my "pamasko", the outfit that I would be wearing on Christmas eve. It's a tradition, you know....lol ^:^

Not your ordinary (attic) cat

2005-11-18T10:25:00.000+05:00

Oppa!!!!

2005-11-18T09:49:00.000+05:00

I just got back from my Korean class. Oh well, here I am again talking about something related to Korea. I never knew that I could be such a big fan of a foreign country. When I was in elementary, I literally thanked God for not making me a Chinese, Korean or Japanese. I pitied them because they couldn't speak English very well. Yes! I was under the spell and influence of our Western colonizers by then. hahaha...Then came the time I had met these group of Korean exchanged students back in 3rd year HS...all of a sudden, I came to appreciate the culture of our neighboring countries in Asia.
Of course, the Asian tv series that is very popular in our country would have something to do with this "inclination". I've just learned a while ago that Qtv ch. 11 is hsowing a Korean drama starring Lee Byong Won and Song Hye Kyo...I am (so) gonna program) our Tv later just to add that channel. Asian dramas have always been a good motivation for me to do something. (e.g. going home early right after school back then in HS).
oh well,.....that's just me!
Just a while ago, on my way up to the 3rd floor of Virata Hall, I encountered 2 Korean guys, both of them looked directly at me.....hahaha....I Wanna asked why..(oppa..we yo??? ^:^) but urghh..I didn't.....maybe next time! Aja!!

btw..just so you know, I currently like someone right now...Just a slight crush, I guess...hehehe!!!

How's life??

2005-11-16T09:37:00.000+05:00

Life is still pretty much the same!
as always....^:^;

2nd sem starts today

2005-11-09T10:33:00.000+05:00

hay!! I am partly happy now that I am about to learn new things again, and partly worried of the stress that my busy schedule brings me.
Just this morning, nagprerog ako sa PE, fortunately, I was accepted in Power Yoga! hehehe..yoga again..
then, I attended the 1st meeting of my eng22 class, my prof is "quite" old (according to her), actually she seem's nice, whenever I'm a little nervous I just remind myself that she is like my lola, and that she won't hurt me anyway. but honestly, I feel that she would be teaching us a lot of stuffs, good for us!
Later, I'll go to the gym again..hehehe
This is just the beginning, a busy smemester is still yet to unveil.

need to practice my korean skills later...mahirap nang makalimutan tomorrow, and we might be asked to introduce ourselves in Korean. Neverthelss, I am so excited to study Korean again!!

Quote for the day...^:^

2005-11-07T06:24:00.000+05:00

"Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the answers, then pretty soon you get it."
– Wally "Famous" Amos

Nothing much

2005-11-03T05:52:00.000+05:00

Hey, this is the last week of my so-called sem break...Well, I wasn't really stuck at home, I am mostly at work and in the gym. Hahaha...
My friends are nowhere to be found...almost all of them are in their hometowns, while for the rest..uhm..I'm not really sure coz I haven't catched up with them lately.
So..that's pretty much it.. a busy, nevertheless boring semestral break. Anyways, at least I found out that I really couldn't afford a month long vacation...It will drive me crazy.

오늘

2005-10-26T07:08:00.000+05:00

Well,what should I be writting here by now?
Uhm..life is pretty much the same...work..gym..jogging, mall, house, etc..
been preoccupied with nothing in particular...
i don't want the next sem to start yet..I know that I am bound to be busy again by that time..
However, I am lucky though...unlike my friends who are so bored at home, atleast I have something to be busy with...
I want to watch any Asian series now!! I hardly get to watch them lately..

Love this song...by Wax

2005-10-24T08:09:00.000+05:00

3. 부탁해요

1. 그 사람을 부탁해요
나보다 더 사랑해줘요
보기에는 소심해보이지만
알고보면 괜찮은 남자예요

눈치가 없이 데이트할 때
친구들과 나올거예요
사랑보다 남자들 우정이
소중하다고 믿는 바보니까요

* 술을 많이 마셔도 속이 좋지 않아요
하도 예민해서 밤잠을 설치죠
밤에 전화할땐 먼저 말없이 끊더라도
화내지 말고 그냥 넘어가줘요

2. 드라마를 좋아하고
스포츠도 좋아해요
야한 여자 너무 싫어 하고
담배피는 여자 싫어하지요

절대 그 사람을 구속하지 말아요
그럴수록 그는 멀어질거예요
사랑한단 말도 너무 자주 표현하지 말아요
금방 싫증낼 수 있으니

**혹시 이런 내가 웃기지않나요
그렇게 잘 알면서 왜 헤어졌는지
그 사람을 사랑할땐 이해할수 없었던 일들이
헤어져보니 이젠 알 것 같아요

그 사람 외롭게 하지 말아요

Got this one from peyups.com..

2005-10-21T10:19:00.000+05:00

Love Stories : Just another story
Once upon a time, there was a 15 year-old-girl who was deeply infatuated with a 21-year-old guy. They met one summer in a play, where the girl was one of the lead actors and the guy, the assistant director. Weeks before the show opened, the actor playing opposite the girl backed out and the guy volunteered to take his place. However, the director replaced the guy with another actor at the last minute. The girl was disappointed, to say the least
The guy had always been the girl's fantasy—an unattainable one at that. The guy was what girls would call a “catch”— he was charismatic, charming and he came from a de buena familia—so it was not surprising that girls swooned at his presence. And the guy loved girls almost as much as they loved him.
Unfortunately, the girl witnessed the guy switch from one girlfriend to the next— this week it was a reed-thin model, the next it was someone he met at a bar— just as if he were changing shirts.
The guy also somewhat made the girl feel she meant nothing to him but a kid sister, as if careful not to give her even a glimmer of hope. One time, the girl thought she overheard him say he would never go out with kids. Perhaps the guy intended those words to reach the girl’s ears, sensing her crush on him. Or perhaps the girl was just paranoid.
But when the guy was not playing the tough I'm-older-than-thou act, he was sweet to her. He saw to it that the girl was taken care of, and he provided her the most stimulating of conversations. At those times, she prayed he didn't see her as the kid. She thought he was very cute too.
She considered the times hanging out with him as one of her best. Occasionally they'd eat out (with the other theater people, of course), go to bars, or stay at the girl’s house until the wee hours of the morning, talking, goofing around, and filming silly commercials together— commercials directed by the guy and acted out by the girl and some of their friends.
One time, after filming at the girl’s place, they decided to take a dip at the pool at 3 a.m. The others didn’t care for swimming, so it was just the two of them—the girl and the guy— chatting the night away. They stayed submerged in water till dawn. In a way, the girl was satisfied with just that. But of course, a kiss wouldn't hurt.
When summer—and their play—ended, their days together came to an end as well. They rarely saw each other after that, which saddened the girl a lot. But what did she expect? A few months later, the girl threw a party at her place, as an excuse to see him. And come he did, towing his new girlfriend along. The girl never threw a party for his expense again.
Time came when the girl no longer clung to her fantasy, although she never forgot the guy. She knew she had to be realistic, so she moved on to boys her age. From time to time, the girl would bump into the guy—at the mall, at a club, at a party thrown by a common friend. When that happened, she would act cool, calm and collected, as if the sight of him didn't affect her at all. She could be a very good actress when she wanted to.
Two years later they met again. This time during the funeral of the guy's relative. The girl was 18 now, and the guy was 24. The girl was happy to see him, and quite surprised that the sight of him didn't set out butterflies in her stomach anymore. Time erases a lot of things—or does it really?
The girl noticed something different about the way the guy acted towards her that night, but she couldn't really put a finger on it. Before the girl left, the guy asked for her number. They were in contact regularly after that.
The guy would ask the girl almost everyday how she was doing. They'd joke about things, exchange stories and talk about old times again. Guy would sometimes flatter her using sugary words, and she would ride on with it, assuming nothing. One day, the guy surprised her with a Chinese quote. He would sometimes refer to the girl as Chinese because she resembles one, but since she wasn’t, she had one of her Chinese friends translate the quote.
"It means 'I love you,'" explained the girl's friend. To say the girl was startled was an understatement. But it did explain the way he was acting the past few weeks. He couldn't be serious, the girl thought. It was so sudden, so soon. It seemed that she got what she had always wanted, what she had always craved for. But why did she feel that familiar sinking sensation at the pit of her stomach? She recalled the guy’s long line of girlfriends during their theater days. That was not what she wanted to end up being— just one of those girls he’d get and discard quickly.
She couldn't bring to ask him about it. But she didn't have to because the next night he told her again, this time in plain English. She didn’t say anything. They never talked about it again.
The guy suddenly stopped contacting her. In a way, the girl was relieved. The guy was a past chapter in her book, as far as she was concerned. But deep down, she knew she still liked him. But she told herself it was better that way. She wanted none of the pain, none of the complications that went with liking him.
Soon, the girl heard the guy had a new girlfriend. She didn't feel a thing this time--no stinging, no churning of the stomach. He would contact her from time to time to say "What's up?" to which she would obligingly reply "I'm fine. You?”
Then a year later, after months without contact, the girl received a call from the guy.
Guy: You doing anything later?
Girl: I'm doing stuff for work. Why?
Guy: I want to go out. But not alone...
She gave it a long thought. She knew she wanted him, wanted him still. But what he could give her was not enough. She wanted what her fantasy promised her—the whole deal. She wanted him for keeps. But she knew he couldn’t give her that because he still hasn’t changed—he was the same person she knew at 15. She knew what she had to do, although she wished she could be weak and not say…
Girl: Sorry I can't. Still have a lot to do. I have a deadline soon. Rain check?
Guy: Sure.
Both girl and guy knew there was no rain check. The guy got the hint. Still they played along, talked a bit about their lives and reminisced about old times again, both aware it may be their last time to do so.
They haven’t spoken since.
*******
Once upon a time, there was a 15 year-old-girl who was deeply infatuated with a 21-year-old guy. They met in theater, where the girl played as one of the lead actors and the guy, the assistant director. The guy had always been the girl's fantasy--an unattainable one at that. And she was right. Because they were never together, and it seems they never will be. At 20, the girl moved on. It took her a long time, didn’t it?
Still, sometimes, the girl would find herself, like now, remembering those summer nights she spent with him four years ago: Their stimulating conversations, their swim at 3 a.m. and, most especially, their acting together. He could be a very good actor when he wanted to. Just like her.
Exactly like her.

In Hangul

2005-10-19T09:52:00.000+05:00

제 이름 은 제시　임니다．　저 는 학생 입니다．UP 에서 공부해요．저 는 영어를공부해요. 저 는18 살 입니다. 운덩하다 는 저하 해요. 이 덩 건 도 저하해요.

가 끔, 텔레비전 을 봤아요. 텔레비전 을 보 면 기분이 좋아요. 한국 예서 가고십아요!! ^:^ 한국 남자 가 재미있어요!

finally...I was able to download the Global IME.(korean font)
감사합니다！！！
If you are not seeing the korean characters, I think you would also have to download the Global IME..but I doubt if you'll do that!
아녕히　가세요．

^:^ My tutee friend..hehehe

2005-10-18T09:16:00.000+05:00

Eng 100 MHW ^:^

2005-10-18T06:49:00.001+05:00

2005-10-16T05:02:00.000+05:00

I am angry and dissapointed! After all the efforts we have exerted just for things to work out in this project, this is what we got? AN ACCUSATION THAT WE ARE GREEDY!!! Greed is when you take more and give less. We PROVIDED THE THINGS WE THOUGHT NECCESSARY, EXACTLY THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED IN OUR CLASS,(snacks, prizes, loot bags, story books.) The amount we have collected, a big part of which comes directly from our pockets, exceeds the amount we had expected. ANd if it was that point in time in which we have decided to provide the class with LUNCH, IT WAS NOT OUT OF GREED BUT OF IMPULSIVENESS. IT MIGHT BE A WRONG DECISION, but the words thrown directly infront of our faces was TOO HARSH. YOU just can't accuse us of being greedy, you were not there when we made that decision. You do not know our intentions and feelings on that time.
you SHOULD HAVE MADE IT CLEAR WHAT YOU REALLY WANTED! i THOUGHT providing the kids with snacks and freebies, teaching them lessons and preparing visual aids wre enough! IT might have been! BUt when the money exceeded more that what is necessary to provide those things, and we took it as a chance to provide a class lunch, you made things that we have done seem LACKING.
WE have different values! YOu can't expect every single person to be as generous as you are! and if they are not, YOU COULD NOT ACCUSE them of being greedy! WE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN THE THINGS THAT WE THOUGHT SHOULD BE PROVIDED, our generosity might be limited IN the perspective of saints. BUT IT WAS NOT GREED!
ONE tHING I've learned from you is..YOU REALLY JUST CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY, so might as well please yourself!

Thinkpiece no. 6

2005-10-11T16:30:00.000+05:00

Animal Farm (the movie), an adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, is an attempt to revive the feeling of realization out of the apparent symbolisms of the characters and the flow of the story. It mocks the totalitarian system of governance, where absolute power is placed in the hands of a certain political leader. Also, it explores the realm of humanity that seeks power, however unruly and corrupt the course maybe.
During the initial part of the movie, Old Major, the supposed to be leader of the animals, presented a Utopian society, where the success of the animal’s revolution against human seems to be foreseeable. His thoughts are nonetheless idealistic, however he surely has the gift of tongue to make them sound seemingly bound on reality. I, for a certain point, actually did feel the anger in his voice and realized that it was a result of an enduring suppression and abuse. Old Major, seems to be a typical good leader. His ideals, if put into action, would not only benefit himself alone, but the rest of the animals, who willingly accepted his leadership.
During his speech, I feel that his beliefs have a parallel relationship with Marxism. He ought to remove man for it will cause the root of their hunger to be abolished. This would also entail that their fruit of labor would be rightfully placed in their hands. He could be an ideal revolutionary proletariat here. Of course, human, particularly Mr. Jones, would have to represent the capitalists. Just like in the real life scenario, the person who is in charged of them, for he benefits in the product of their labor, couldn’t care less for the welfare of his laborers. The foremost valuable thing for him, of course, could be nothing else but profit. Again, George Orwell and his counterparts in the movie industry, were able to infiltrate into the political-economic arena of human society.
As I have stated before, the movie also presented that part of human that would always want power placed in his hands. As the death of Old Major signaled the revolt of the animals, and upon its initial success, new leaders would have to step up. Napoleon at first work hand in hand with Snowball, in order to continue what Old Major has started, however because of the absolute power given to him, he was corrupted by the temptations brought by his complete authority over the animals. He collaborated with Squealer, his propagandist, in order to rule the whole farm as they wish, and bend the commandments in their favor. I believe that the movie presented a repulsive yet realistic type of a political leader, the type who do not keep the trust of his people and use his power in order to gain wealth and continuous supremacy.
The animals, at first where living in a pleasant atmosphere under the rule of Napoleon. They are cooperating with each other towards their goal of making the Animal Farm successful, even without the help of man. But when power got the better of him, the whole farm was placed in the hands of an exploitative and cunning master, just like the master that they ousted. Their naiveté were demonstrated at first, as they tolerate Napoleon’s impulsive decisions and actions even to their disadvantage. However, for some, Napoleon’s malevolence has reached a limit, and they either decide to leave the farm, or act against Napoleon’s will. Of course, both would put them in danger, yet the risks are proven to be worth taking. After a long time, Napoleon has no follower left for him to rule and with this the decay of his authority and the decrement of the whole farm was paid to be the price of his injustice.
Animal Farm, as a whole, warns us to be wary of the leaders in which hands we place power into. It is presenting a clear picture of what is doomed to happen if absolute authority is given at the wrong hands.

Hanguk ban ul Bogo shipda!

2005-10-11T13:39:00.000+05:00

I miss my Korean class!
Hope they would offer Korean 12 nxt sem!

Our Korean class party

2005-10-11T13:24:00.000+05:00

Thinkpieces

2005-09-26T17:58:00.000+05:00

I constantly update my blog, so you might not find my thinkpieces 1 to 3 easily when u open my site. They are already in the archive that's why.
but for your convenience, here's the URL of my thinkpiece 1 n 2:

http://jesysmile.blogspot.com/2005_06_01_jesysmile_archive.html

and here's the uRL for the 3rd thinkpiece:
http://jesysmile.blogspot.com/2005/08/thinkpiece-no-3.html

thanks!

The Promises and Pitfalls of Democracy

2005-09-23T17:44:00.000+05:00

Thinkpiece no. 5

Democracy, or “the rule of the people” would have been an ideal scenario which could nurture the intelligence and will of the people, if only the body which has been entrusted with power by the people would not pursue their individual will. Perhaps, I am saying so only in connection to the Philippine government. (It might sound silly, but I do not have any further knowledge of where the democratic form of government has led other countries.)
However, I am not going to frown upon the system only because of the people who run it. The system, just I have stated before provide a suitable ground for the development of critical thinking and vigor of the people. Where freedom of speech and thought is permitted, an individual is unbound to the dictates of the time, provided of course that social tyranny does not exist. If it is, which has always been the case, an individual may still feel free to deviate the norms and face the consequences of his actions.
Direct democracy and representative democracy both have their own sets of advantages and pitfalls. Direct democracy, which relies upon the direct participation of the citizens, creates, as I have stated before, a tolerant atmosphere for the pursuit of personal beliefs, interest and eventually excellence, at its greatest point. It creates a more responsible and politically-aware citizenry. The interests of the people would not be jeopardized in the hands of self-serving politicians. Legitimacy of rules is also well-observed since the people are the one who imposed such rules to themselves. Direct democracy is the sole pure form of democracy; however it is only practicable on a small community. A country with a large territory would not warrant a situation where the citizens could assemble to discuss important matters of the state.
Direct democracy, on the other hand, being an indirect form of democracy, is a more practicable form of governance. The people, who are naturally absorbed in their own endeavors, would have more time to attend to them since they have been lifted off the weight of decision-making. Often, the temporary custodians of power have been reared with sufficient education and ideally, they are more skilled in handling political affairs. This is where the pitfalls of representative democracy come in. The perils brought by a system of representation are always lurking around since the individual will of any human being might led him astray of the real obligation he must fulfill. The Philippine government would be no less a perfect exemplar for this scenario. All throughout the years, our politicians have been nothing but pursuer of things that would benefit their political career and their fortunes. Opposition and administration alike, have used democracy as an excuse to air out their grievances which would either save their asses from the fury of the people, or add up to the rage felt for their opponents.
Also, a persistent critique of democracy is the claim that it encourages the elected representatives to change the law without necessity, and in particular to pour forth a flood of new laws. Because the citizens are likely to be ignorant of the law, the law-making body may push for any policy that would only benefit them or any party, whether it be in the business or government sector. In contrast to this issue, democracies are also criticized by their slowness in decision-making. Again, slowness is one of the practices perfected by our politicians, especially on matters that would not cause an increase on their pork barrel.
The short-term focus of democracies is also among their pitfalls. The administration would usually last for four to six years, thus self-serving politicians, instead of passing unpopular bills with longer term benefits, would only resort to popular policies which, however, might only have short term benefits.
Another argument held against democracy is that it is so prone to be reduced to political instability. Since the people are free to disagree with the actions of the government, and if this resentment becomes too strong, the people can remove administration without changing the form of government. In regard with this matter, I feel that this sets forth advantages and disadvantages at the same time. It is rightful that in a form of government that is claiming to be a rule of the people, to have an opportunity for the masses to oust a leader if they deem him or her unfit for the position. However, this right must not be abused and put into practice on grounds which are not sufficient. The threats imposed by a call for change of administration through massive protests cause harm to the economy of a counrty. I need not say that PGMA obviously insists on this matter.
Just to sum things up, after all the pitfalls I have held against democracy, it is still the form of government that I mostly favor. I feel that I would have more problems with monarchy or aristocracy, or tyranny and oligarchy (but I don’t think there’s a country claiming that they employ the form of tyranny or oligarchy, is there? ). Again, democracy is an ideal and rightful form of government because the people or their representatives could be held accountable for their actions. I do hope that the Filipino nation would witness a real form of democracy not only during election times, but also during decision-making of the present administration where the voice of the people ought to be heard and considered. I might be being too idealistic here, what can I do, it's a free country anyway.

2005-09-12T09:00:00.000+05:00

"Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

– Ella Fitzgerald

Of Hope and (resisting) Trepidation

2005-09-12T08:35:00.000+05:00

hey!!
I've been very busy lately...reading works of famous political thinkers, practicing transcriptions using the english phonetic alphabet, etc.

I cried last saturday night, but I guess no one knew about it...the reason: I was hurt by a certain realization in life..(don't want to ponder more about it!)

Last Thursday, I was saved from our exam in ENg 100, my prof decided to take a day-off..hehehe...joke! So we just went to the lib (nerds!) and chat(hahaha! I told you were far from being nerds!) We talked about our aspirations to become a lawyer..Melissa told me that she know someone who graduated Summa Cum Laude (in UPD) and did not pass the LAE. That's shocking! and it makes me dread more about entering the College of Law! Oh please!! I hope I'll pass!! If not...I don't exactly like my other options...I love this university so much that I don't want to study in other universities here in the Philippines...(a univ. in US, Korea, UK seems appealing though). Maybe the LAE would be the 2nd most important exam (if not the 1st) I would ever take in my entire life!

I would have to pray hard and be very hopeful..and yes, hardworking!! (plus try to acquire eloquence, critical and logical thinking, confidence, etc.)

If you want something hard enough, the universe would conspire for you to get it! (from The Alchemist)

Thinkpiece no. 4

2005-08-26T17:05:00.000+05:00

On Elizabeth and Absolute Power

The movie, which retold the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I, was grand and emotional. It was aptly nourished with extravagant costumes and setting, which is a trend of productions relating to the Golden Age of England (Shakespeare in Love, for instance). The casts were also very much suitable for their roles. What I don’t really appreciate in this movie is its storyline. I feel that the real story behind it was so rich with important events that the writers had troubles in choosing what to highlight, or simply include in the movie. They were successful in presenting the character of Elizabeth I, but for the rest, their roles are not clearly established. I know that time is a limiting factor here. But I think that it would have been more helpful for people like me who are not really familiar with English history, if the script explored more the motivations behind the actions of Sir Francis Walshingham, Robert Dudley and the French and Spanish royalties. Was it only power that motivated them? Maybe I’m just not being simplistic and at the same time skeptical of the story the movie presented (since Hollywood has its own way of curving the truth for its pleasure).

Anyway, moving to the real business of this thinkpiece, absolute power was probably the theme of this movie, hence its tagline “Absolute power demands absolute loyalty”. To be more specific, I think the movie is concerned with the hardships and stakes of achieving absolute power. Being in the position of power, automatically bequeath one with numerous foes and a meager number of trustworthy friends. Man’s pursue of power is so strong that he would do anything just for it. Thus, if one is successful of attaining power, he has the grave responsibility of defending his throne against both his known and faceless adversaries. Elizabeth I was surely a perfect exemplar of this scenario. Considering that she was considered illegitimate at a young age and she is a protestant, her claim for the crown was apparently questioned and criticized both by the Catholic Church and other dominant figures of Europe. Fortunate enough, she had the courage of restating that she is the one in power and she will rule as she wishes. Plus she had the wisdom of figuring out who to trust and not.

The symbols used in the coronation of Elizabeth I were evident of her absolute power. At first, her absolute power seemed unclear to me, she was standing on shaky grounds and was surrounded with a council whose intentions are murky. But when she suggested the retirement of Sir William as her adviser and made him a Lord instead, it became evident that she was indeed in absolute power. This would soon be more established when she addressed the parliament regarding the uniformity issue of religions. In her exercise of power, it is unquestionable that she is crafting her decisions towards what she thinks would be beneficial for her people. Being both the leader of the state and the church, she was able to influence England in wholly.

The idea of absolute power is hard to grasp for someone like me who was raised in a state where power is never confined in a single body. For Elizabeth I, the political system during her time was on her side. Provided that the Church would be separated from the state, she would have a harder time dealing with the clergy’s moves and decisions which would be beneficial for the preservation of their power. The country would never be united because the people would have to abide with the policies of two different bodies, which often than not, would often be conflicting with each other. Her tolerance for Protestantism would never be appreciated by the Church, thus devout Catholics would always contest her decisions for the state. But luckily enough for her, she was powerful both in the state and the realms of religion, and her time of power would soon be known as the Golden Age.

Giving a leader absolute power seems too scary for he or she might abuse it. Assurance that the lives of the people would be better after a system of absolute power was implemented would be my sole condition to concur with such arrangement. However, assurance of anything seems to be out of the question. We would never be assured unless we subject ourselves to a situation that would test its outcomes. The possibilities of a having unified country sounds too pleasing but the stakes of giving someone absolute power are very high that we fear the idea alone.

Thinkpiece

2005-08-24T06:48:00.000+05:00

My previous thinkpieces are already in the archive of my blog. Here's the URL so you won't have to spend extra time looking for them..
http://jesysmile.blogspot.com/2005_06_01_jesysmile_archive.html

My 3rd thinkpiece however could be found below.
thanks. Good day!

cherry blossoms

2005-08-18T08:22:00.000+05:00

Someday, I'll be able to visit Korea, the most beautiful country for me.
^^ love their beautiful trees so much
love their culture, their fashion and of course the Korean stars.

2005-08-15T11:43:00.000+05:00

my blog has a newlook..that's good.
might as well get one, uhm..maybe not now.

love this show!!!

2005-08-15T08:57:00.003+05:00

dumb and careless (^^) hahaha...

2005-08-12T12:12:00.000+05:00

Today, guess what ? I slipped in AS STeps.
of all the places..thank God! di ako nagtuloytuloy pababa! 1 step lang..hehehe
good thing, i have one of my classmates in Korean to help me, the incident would be more embarrasing if I was alone. Bec. if that would be the case, I can't laugh at myself, that would make me look more stupid.

Thinkpiece no. 3

2005-08-09T04:37:00.000+05:00

Q: What should be the proper arrangement between church and state?

We are made to believe that the concerns of the church and the state are distinct from one another. The Church takes care of the morality and faith of its members while the state ensures adequate access of necessities in aim of attaining a good life for its people. However, the boundaries that should have been clear was shuddered by both parties as the pressing issues of society overlap with both of their affairs.

We won’t have to go far to cite an example for such incident, here in the Pearl of the Orient, the Catholic Church and even other religious institution would always have something to say in regards to the political issues that are sensational as of the time being. Unsurprisingly though, our politicians would always clamor for the support of the major religious institutions of our country come election time. As a result, they would always have to respect and give consideration to the stands of the Catholic Church (or any religious institution, atypical however) in performing their legislative functions. For instance, artificial contraception was always opposed by the Catholic Church, thus the government could not successfully advocate it, which of course is among the reasons why the Philippines is overpopulated.

I would want to answer the inquiry of proper arrangement between the Church and state in the Philippine scenario alone, the extent of my knowledge could only reach that far and besides what I ought to think regarding this matter may not be effective in other countries.

Tracing from our history, we could see that the influence of the Church has always been a factor in the governance of our leaders. The Spanish colonization period, where the different religious orders are almost in full control of the affairs in our country, is the most evident conjunction of the Church and the government. Given this situation, it won’t be surprising that the members of the Catholic Church are vocal with their political and social views.

In my opinion, the Church must not meddle with the affairs of the state if they are doing so only for their own interests. However, if they are advocating the true interest of the people and the government is no longer considering the welfare of the majority, then they could serve as means of voicing out the sentiments of the people, especially if moral issues are involved.

Let us consider how politically active members of the Catholic Church are right now. Archbishop Oscar Cruz, (I was surprised to see that he has a blog: http://ovc.blogspot.com/) for instance, swerved from the usual religious affairs of his diocese to stand up against the immediate family of the president in aim of revealing the influential people behind Jueteng. Fr. Robert Reyes, is popular for his hunger strike as a way of beseeching the president to resign, of course among other priests and bishops. On the other hand, the present administration was relieved when the CBCP did not asked for PGMA’s resignation.

If the morality is really the issue, then the Church are held by duty to air out their opinions and provide ample ways to solve the problem. However in doing so, they must be careful so as not to appear as if the are imposing their views to their members, which in some sense, might have a political effect. It would be ideal if they stay true to their mission and duty, which is bringing the people closer to God and His way of life. Other than this, the Church has no business in regards to politics, unless, as I have stated before, the welfare of the people is at stake, and the government is no longer following constitutional processes and serving for the good of the people.

Today we ask ourselves, “As Bishops what can we offer to our people? Can we provide some clarity and guidance in the present confusing situation?” We can only answer these questions from who are. We are not politicians who are to provide a political blueprint to solve political problems. Rather we are Bishops called by the Lord to shepherd the people in the light of faith. With Pope Benedict XVI we do not believe in the “intrusion into politics on the part of the hierarchy.” But we are to interpret human activities such as economics and politics from the moral and religious point of view, from the point of view of the Gospel of Jesus and of the Kingdom of God. We are to provide moral and religious guidance to our people. This is what we offer in the present crisis. Not to do this would be an abdication of our duty.

From Restoring trust: A Plea for moral Values in Phil.Politics

How to stay young (acdg.to an email I've recently received)

2005-07-26T09:12:00.000+05:00

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this In mind if you are one of those grouches;)
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle."An idle mind is the devil's workshop."And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and Lots of time with HIM/HER.
6. The tears happen.Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you your entirelife, is yourself. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you lovewhether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health.If it is good, preserve it.I f it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

A taste of the "real" world

2005-07-22T12:27:00.000+05:00

While riding in a ever- reliable IKOT jeep to go to ISSI, a friend of mine asked me why do I need to work? Is it required? huh.. actually, I never fail to came up with answers that would make working look like its so much fun. (or in times of exhaustion, make it look so difficult that I could derive pride for actually subjecting myself into it.) But right this very moment, she has actually left me in deep thought.
Why do I work while studying in a university that challenges (or torture) students with high academic pressure? Why am I making things tougher that it should be? You might think I'm nuts asking myself these questions while in fact, working has been a part of my life eversince I was in 3rd year highschool, though I used to work only every summer in highschool.
To answer the questions that I have imposed on myself, I work because 1. I like earning my own money. (I don't ask for money from my parents just to buy clothes, cellphone, etc.) 2. I am no longer used to long vacations so I easily get bored at home. (a sign that I might be a workaholic in the near future). 3. I don't eat a lot at work. (really, this is one of the major reasons why I always have a summer job!) 4. I AM LEARNING A LOT FROM MY WORKING EXPERIENCES, things that a fresh college graduate may not know, I would like to believe that I have enough knowledge of it already.
5. IT gives me a sense of identity. Jesy..always the working girl, the student assistant since who knows when.
So, even if I AM VERY BUSY RIGHT NOW, I still feel that working while studying is worth giving a try.

2005-07-21T08:34:00.000+05:00

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
– Mahatma Gandhi

2005-07-21T08:30:00.000+05:00

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
– Helen Keller

Losing someone

2005-07-19T12:58:00.000+05:00

July 9, 2005
Around 2 am: I woke up bcoz of the loud voice coming from outside. It was my uncle calling my grandmother. I immediately felt nervous as I realized that something bad could have happened to my cousin. But it took a while before my grandmom responded to the call, so I dismissed the idea that something was wrong. Then when my mom came out and asked my uncle what happened. My gut reaction was affirmed.
We immediately went to the hospital thinking that my cousin is still alive. We were not told that she already passed away because my grandmom might breakdown. When we arrived at the hospital, we went straight ahead to an area of the emergency room. I saw my cousins body lying in a bed. I thought she was just unconcious. My aunt said otherwise.
It was extremely shocking, for someone who just happily spent a day in school that Friday, to be gone as the new day approaches.
It was so difficult and painful to believe in.

But I know we have to accept it.
For my cousin, who never failed to praise me for my achievements in life and whose generosity I truly admire, is now an angel.

I will miss you, Camille.

Hey, it's been a while!

2005-07-18T09:06:00.000+05:00

I never thought I would not be exploring the net for more than a week.
Been sad and busy.
I missed blogging a lot.

Thinkpiece no. 2

2005-07-16T05:44:00.000+05:00

I posted this last June 27, I thought that it was due on that day so I crammed and came up with this thinkpiece. I am posting it again, so that you won't have to scroll along my blog just to find it.

Greek Genius, Character and Way of Life
Q: What are the legacies of the Greeks?

The Greeks have contributed a lot to human civilization that they are often the topic of discussions and inquiries among scholars. Questions on how such a relative handful of people could make arts and literature, politics and other domains flourish are of great interest to those who are studying Ancient Western civilization.

It amazes me that such a group of people could produce good calibers of political thinkers, writers, dramatists, and artists. I have learned in class that such occurrence was made possible by the availability of services provided by the laborers. Fair enough, I guess. It is apparent that one could devote his or her time in practicing his or her field of interest if he is exempted in doing household chores.

It is unmistakable that the Greeks have left a lot of legacies for the enrichment of human life, both as an individual and as a member of a state. Among all their important contributions, I would have to say that democracy is the best gift they have delivered in this world. It would be adequate to call Athens the “birthplace of democracy” for it was successful in practicing the beliefs of a democratic state. Assemblies are often held to seek the interest of the public before the government makes a decision. What I deeply appreciate in the way they practice democracy, which is seemingly non-existent in the Philippine context, is that every citizen was eligible to attend the assemblies and they were also encouraged to speak up. Through this system, the voice of the people could really be heard and not only those of the ruling class.

Having an interest in literature, I consider the legacies of the Greeks in that field as valuable as their other counterparts. All Western literary forms, both prose and verse, were established and brought to a high degree of perfection by the Ancient Greeks. Their literature survived the catastrophes of late antiquity and made possible the rebirth of learning and appreciation of tradition and art. Greeks are often mentioned in the development of drama, tragedy and comedy. However, I feel that their mythology is of greater popularity. Greek mythology provides its readers with a mystifying adventure of what is deemed unreal in the present world. It is always fun to encounter characters whose divine powers is always coupled with human flaws and on the menacing side, their own creatures of the dark would always challenge one’s imagination.

The way they value education and the things derived out of this value could also be considered one of the legacies of the Greeks. Their flourishing ideas in politics, science, philosophy and the arts were also incorporated in the quality of education that they provided for the citizens especially the youth. I think that through the outstanding teachers tat they were blessed with like Plato and Aristotle, their system of education served as a good model to lay the foundation of one’s educational structure.

It is no doubt that the legacies the Greek has imparted to the humankind go beyond the knowledge they have contributed in science and medicine, the relevant political ideas and philosophies that transcend time, or the pieces of art and literature that they have created. The Greeks are also successful in showing how far a man could develop his potentials, provided that he has a good environment and passion and personal motivation. People of other lineage would be happy enough to derive inspiration from the lives of all the popular thinkers and artists that Greek civilization has produced.

Urggh! I miss this show!!!

2005-07-08T11:48:00.000+05:00

I need to watch it again...it reminds me that I do REALLY want to be a lawyer.

Not the One

2005-07-08T08:06:00.000+05:00

I waltzed around you Seven times Only to become A melody you never sang I'm not the one Oh I'm not the one"----Not The One, Collective Soul

OH no!!

2005-07-04T09:03:00.000+05:00

I want to ask you what happened? R u okay?
It seems that u could still put humor to such unfortunate incident, so from that, I would conclude that u'll be back on track soon.
Wishful thinking, I guess...but I pervently wish that I was the one at your side when you needed help and confort.

2005-07-02T09:48:00.000+05:00

I came across one site that analyze names and birthdays.
Here is teh result that I've got after I have entered my full name.

There are 18 letters in your name.Those 18 letters total to 48There are 9 vowels and 9 consonants in your name.
Your number is: 3
The characteristics of #3 are: Expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living.
The expression or destiny for #3:An Expression of 3 produces a quest for destiny with words along a variety of lines that may include writing, speaking, singing, acting or teaching; our entertainers, writers, litigators, teachers, salesmen, and composers. You also have the destiny to sell yourself or sell just about any product that comes along. You are imaginative in your presentation, and you may have creative talents in the arts, although these are more likely to be latent. You are an optimistic person that seems ever enthusiastic about life and living. You are friendly, loving and social, and people like you because you are charming and such a good conversationalist. Your ability to communicate may often inspire others. It is your role in life to inspire and motivate; to raise the spirits of those around you.
The negative side of number 3 Expression is superficiality. You may tend to scatter your forces and simply be too easygoing. It is advisable for the negative 3 to avoid dwelling on trivial matters, especially gossip.
Your Soul Urge number is: 8
A Soul Urge number of 8 means: With an 8 soul urge, you have a natural flare for big business and the challenges imposed by the commercial world. Power, status and success are very important to you. You have strong urges to supervise, organize and lead. Material desires are also very pronounced. You have good executive abilities, and with these, confidence, energy and ambition.
Your mind is analytical and judgment sound; you're a good judge of material values and also human character. Self-controlled, you rarely let emotions cloud judgment. You are somewhat of an organizer at heart, and you like to keep those beneath you organized and on a proper track. This is a personality that wants to lead, not follow. You want to be known for your planning ability and solid judgment.
The negative aspects of the 8 soul urge are the often dominating and exacting attitude. You may have a tendency to be very rigid, sometimes stubborn.
Your Inner Dream number is: 5
An Inner Dream number of 5 means: You dream of being totally free and unrestrained by responsibility. You see yourself conversing and mingling with the natives in many nations, living for adventure and life experiences. You imagine what you might accomplished.

I came to realize...

2005-07-02T08:00:00.000+05:00

Last night, while browsing the pages of my blog, I noticed that nothing (thats not true, one post was about him..the new "him" this time) seem to tell how I first saw him, started to like him, and never saw him again.(teeny bopper stuffs like that..)
Well, I'm hesitant. It feels that I have no right to tell stories that would involve him. (i'm getting iritated now...typing the word "him" for the nth time)
But what the heck??! He won't be able to come across this blog (May God forbids!) so i'm writting this one now..
When I first saw him, it was inevitable for me to think that he is the "boastful" type.. but he's actually very interesting....but I dissed the idea since he's out of my league.
Then after several weeks, it was untimely to find myself telling my bestfriend that I think I have a crush on him. Then I was surprised that during the next day, all of a sudden, without THEM knowing that I am starting to like him..THEY started(having fun) teasing me because of an honest mistake that he have unconsciously done...
I was stupid to be carried out by the situation and unsurprisingly, I knew that there's no turning back...I like him already (and it seemed that my brain finally declared it)..
well, thats the end of the story.
saw him in TV once, got shocked...
then never saw him again...
all along I knew that nothing would happen...
still like him though...
**THEM pertains to a group of people whom I had fun being with

In high spirits...

2005-07-02T07:28:00.000+05:00

This class pic was taken up on the
night of our Seniors' prom last Feb. 2004, the same night I first knew that I passed in UP.(so more reasons for me to celebrate during that evening) Everything was great and I had so much fun.

Where am I in the pic? uhm..im the 4the person (from the left) standing at the back.