being home after a year

I told myself I would be writing more over the break.

Who was I kidding?

Of course, I had decent internet too but who has time for the net when there is sleep? That was basically what I did most at home. When there weren't any plans of going somewhere or meeting the old friends, you'll find me underneath the sheets, desperately catching sleep I really missed over the stressful semester. Others would say I should have gone out more, seeing it has been a year since I've actually been home. Nope, all those sembreak plans didn't actually push through. (It didn't help most of my batchmates weren't back home *sigh) Moreover, the town was never the same after that horrible typhoon. It felt like exploring a new terrain. It was amazing, sad and exciting all at the same time.

Did I mention it was also the first time I traveled alone?(Yep but that is for another post. I believe it would be too much for you, Dear Reader, for me to condense everything in just one entry. Say, wouldn't it be too tedious and too boring to read?) The experience was amazing! (albeit its delays and minor mishaps. Oh yes, I'm talking about you, Cebu Pacific.) It just makes me look forward to seeing the world soon. (YES GOALS :P)

Being home ignited the memories of high school, with all the joys and the pain. Still, being back in the small town brought comfort to the soul. Despite everything, I miss waking up to the rooster's crow and the scent of Mom's cooking (along with her occasional nagging to hurry up if we don't want to be late for school.) I miss walking home at dusk when I am not able to catch the company bus making its rounds and I lack the patience to wait for another. I miss working on crafts. I miss seeing familiar faces albeit the yearly drama that always seems to involve me. I miss the province along with what it has to offer and what it cannot. No matter how much I deny it, I miss home.

There is so much to write! Honestly, I could have gone on and on typing about what happened during that hiatus from school but there is also so much to do. By leaving for the break, I actually put off doing my CORE work for CSIW, the science camp for kids we are currently organizing. It's only a month from now and I really have to clutch. I do not want to settle for less. The kids deserve only the best. :)

I'll finish this workload (I was supposed to do it a while ago but I got stuck in the manual registration for one class. Talk about hassle and stress. ) and write more soon! But for now, I have to do that CSIW dance. Huhu so much for abandoning my dance career in grade school. Still, G!

It's Been Ten Years! :)

Today marks the tenth year since Mean Girls was first launched! :))))

Who would ever forget Gretchen Wieners and her appeal to make fetch happen? (Sorry, Regina. It really did happen.)

Then there's Regina George and her all-carb diet just to shed three pounds. Is butter a carb? 

We also have clueless Karen who curiously asks Cady, 

If you're from Africa, why are you white?

And how could we ever forget about THIS dating rule?

(c) Tumblr 

 Guess it's time for another Mean Girls movie date then! :)

(c) Tumblr

Off to Another Chapter!

It seems that someone pressed the fast-forward button. Summer seems to be going pretty fast. I didn't even realize that May will already start this week. I didn't even feel the pressure of my classes (yet). In fact, I look forward to going to class even if it means waking up at 6 and leaving the comfort of my bed in UD. Yep! We moved already! But more on that later. This post is about something else. :)

  Remember this Sunday? I slept at around 5 am already just to finish the blog for Filipino. It was our first project and was due midnight that same day. I had plans and I didn't want to cram passing one of the few requirements for the course. (Hey, it accounts for 20% of our grade. Might as well give it my best shot.) Plus, it was moving day. You get the picture.

  Surviving on barely 4 hours of sleep, I was rushing since I thought I'd be missing the University Graduation! Well, I didn't know what time it was supposed to start that's why I assumed it would be in the morning. (Hello, Andre! Your texts put me in this critical situation. Whyyyy haha ) Apparently, the ceremonies were still in the afternoon. The good thing about that, I no longer need to worry about rushing and I got to move in in our new room. Still, sleep. :< But oh well. :)

  UP will always be one of my biggest what-ifs. You might ask why I was even there. You see, a lot of my orgmates are graduating and since PSYSC and its members have always been special to me, I wanted to be there to witness another milestone in their lives. I know it wasn't something expected from us but somehow, it was something that I just didn't want to miss. After all, they were not just orgmates. They are mentors who taught us what it is in the organization and what it takes to serve the Filipino youth. They are friends who turn the worst situations into things we can look back and laugh about. I might have known some for just a short while. Still, I look up to them for their undying service to the organization, the academe, and in some ways though distant it may seem, the country. *wink wink*

Okay. Too wordy, don't you think? :) Here are some photos taken that day:

*wink wink* #ootd HAHAHA

#ootd part 2 :P

Jasmin and Pia-sheee! :))) Congrats, Kuya Bart! (didn't see him though :<) 

Ate Mariel's true love= food. HAHAHA jk love you ate! :)

Forever going to be four. :P

The sunflowers were just amazing :) We had photo ops here too! Waiting for Ate Mariel's photos hihihi :)

So there goes the sunflowers.

Kuya Raf's finally graduating! :) He is the closest guy I could have for a Kuya. I knew him since NLTS 2012 and he is perhaps the most clingy faci I ever had! Without those clingy vibes I doubt we'd still be this close. :) I'd surely miss having him around. No more teasing about how torpe and sawi he could get. Please. He's the perfect epitome of a hopeless romantic. You'd believe me once you know his story. :P I'm really happy I chose to apply for PSYSC this school year. At least we got to work together as NECATs even for a short while. >:)

Good luck on the world beyond! And get that courage already while you're still here! *wink wink*

Kuya Jazer! :) I'd always remember you as the kindest soul during my final interview hihi. =)) I wouldn't forget the words you said. "You are a NECAT but remember you are a student first. That's why you have your fellow NECATs, your CORE team, your NEC to back you up. You are never alone. :)"

Ate Ste! Amaziiiiing! MBB FTW! :) Sec FTW! :)))

Met Kuya Jake + Kuya D at KFC :))) 

Just when I thought I was going back to the dorm. :) Didn't regret staying behind and spending time with Ate Mariel + Kuya Carlo who was proudly wearing his sablay while walking along Katipunan! :P Thank you for that dinner + dessert! :)) I had fun talking about the most random stuff from French movies to film stereotypes and even the future of the organization. *wink wink* Looking forward to watching those films >:)

"There is always a kid inside him." (Urbiztondo, 2014)

Sumablay na rin sila! :) 35 NECATs are recent graduates! :))) So proud. :))) Didn't see them all though. 

:( I wonder what the org would be like without them.  Still, I have my hopes. We'd miss them but they have another road to travel, another chapter to write, another facet to discover. Good luck, Ates and Kuyas! Head on life, full speed ahead. :)

Till next year! (Hello, Ate Mariel, Kuya Mel, etc etc etc) I guess I'd be there every graduation then. :P

PS. Waiting for Ate Mariel's shots. :P That, I think, is worth the next post. :)))

deputy stuff

Okay. A lot of stuff happened since summer sem started. There's 

• the first three days of Psych 101 and Fil 14. Thank God for good profs! Lots of requirements but quite understandable. We only have 5 weeks to tackle stuff that was supposed to be for a 5-month semester. Yep. I can handle this. ;) (good vibes, now would be a good time to reappear)
• Commuting alone at 7 pm already! That's a feat! :) Pagbigyan please. :3
• the Holy Week hiatus which I spent with my Tita's family :) FREE FOOD! HELLO, SLEEP! :D 

Ate Duties! :) This little one is just growing up too fast!

• then school again..

Now, let me fill you in with what I'm actually working on (aside from the class requirements, that is.). Well, I'm supposed to be working on my other blog (this is actually a project for Filipino, hence, the language. :) ) but naah. I just have to share this one. :))

  They say college is never complete without an organization. I guess that's true. How then will you meet and widen your social circle without an avenue where you belong? How will you improve yourself in aspects other than your academics? 

  I belong to four organizations, four avenues where I think and chose to be part of. If you have been reading my blogs lately, you know how immersed I am with PSYSC and its culture. This time, I decided to take the next step for my other organization, PMSA! :)

   PMSA (that's short for Pre-Medical Society of the Ateneo) is the one of the two organizations I signed up  in during last year's RecWeek. Nope. Don't go asking about the other one. Just no. As you see, the other two orgs under my belt are the ones where I am an automatic member (being a dormer, there's ARSA then being a Health Sci major, there's HSS).

   I came back from #CAMPCEBU (Yes! Hello, civilization! Hello, Internet!) and naturally, one of the first few things I dealt with after enlisting is checking my Facebook account. Now, there was something interesting in my notifications. Yes, I digress but allow me. :) Wildom, my foster brother for ARSA, is one off the committee heads for PMSA so he has the obligations to tag other PMSA members in that certain announcement. It was a call for deputies.

  Well, I wanted to but I had my hesitations. One, there's Health Sci and I'm in my second year (Yay! NO LONGER THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN!) and they say sophomore year is always the hardest. Two, I have PSYSC. Three, I don't think I'm good enough (Insecurities, yes. :( ). Four, THE DEADLINE'S AT 11:59 PM ON APRIL 12 AND IT'S JUST TWO DAYS AWAY. (You know me. I tend to overthink stuff.)

   It took me quite a long time to decide. About two hours, I think. So there you go. I crammed the application and submitted it right on my schedule. :) Waited for the announcements and got accepted for the interview. :)))

   I didn't think the interview was something to be really scared of. Well, it did make me nervous knowing that the whole EB was there to listen to me ramble my answers but I think it went well. On the other hand, they also learned about my crush in that organization (Don't judge but hey, I have a lot of crushes! And no, I am not the only one like that! :) ).

  Fast forward then.

   I GOT ACCEPTED!

But I guess fate is playing tricks on me. Well, it is no surprise he got in but stilllllll, that meant I'd be sitting in meeting with him, discussing org stuff with him, seeing him! I thought he was already part of my childhood! He did improve aesthetically speaking, no doubt, but no, his charm won't work. Nu-uh.

Even if I know why his nickname is like that.

Even if there's the occasional "Hi!" or "What's up?"

Even if it seemed that our eyes met for a while during that first meeting.

Even if there's the possibility of working with him for a whole year.

Oh no. Won't you please stay in the past?

It doesn't help that the EB and my blockmates know about this. Super honest ko kasi talaga. Hay nako please. 

Oh well. I say hello to such a busy sophomore year then! :)

post-CAMP reverie

Alaaf! 

That's CAMP speak for "Hello!" It has been a while since I last attended NYSTESC. Back when I was also a camper, I've used (or more likely, abused) the CAMP Lexicon greeting fellow science clubbers in various terms such as "Salutey! and "Privyet!" I never thought I would be the one holding that number, leading a flock of curious and enthusiastic kids on their 5-day journey with PSYSC. 

The experience is surreal. Where do I begin? I never realized I would be accepted into the staff list, knowing that we were new members in the organization (13B represent!). We were fresh meat. I, for one, was only holding on to the knowledge I gathered through my high school experience. What do we know about managing 40 kids for almost 6 days? How do we even keep them company? Would they even like me? 

Such thoughts were with me but still, I held on to my desire to become part of this year's Legendary Camp. I held on to my faith that I would have my own set of kids, make memories with them along the way and touch lives. That courage to sign up was the first step. There was no other way but up. 

The road was tough. Who said being a facilitator was as easy as signing up and being accepted? Saying yes to the challenge required commitment and time. It demanded attention. From daily trips to UP for practices and meetings and late-night musings for that 10-minute faci presentation to hot afternoons spent scurrying for that detailed dress code, PSYSC won me over. My 3-week summer break was all for this organization and I have yet to regret making that decision.

Let this post stand as my thank-you to all the people who made this first time faci experience possible.

To the NEC, thank you for entrusting this responsibility to us, 13B. Thank you for believing in our capabilities and for giving us the opportunity to serve the youth. I know it was a tough decision to make but thank you taking the risk. :) 

To the CAMP Core, wooooh! Without you and your undying efforts, this camp would never be possible. :) 1600 participants? Bring it on! You guys made #CAMPCEBU a tough one to beat ;)

Fellow Gesters, we made it! Thank you for being clingy, fun and sabaw all in the same time. :') What stress? What sleep? :) Thank you for making it the workload light despite the harsh reality. To the older ECATs (hiii Kuya D, Kuya Dar, Kuya Rovir, Kuya Jake, Ate Des, Kuya Kim), thank you for being patient with us first timers. It is through your guidance and super jam-packed knowledge we were able to fit in the roles of a full-time faci :)) 

Batch 13! What more can I say? :) SO MUCH LOVE :3 *insert hearts here haha*

Silly as can be :)

And of course, to my subcamp 11. thank you so much for being the best! We might not be the best but I assure you, you are the best in my eyes. To my first batch of kids,  I give you all my love :)) Most of you guys are first time campers so I guess I'll see you next summer! I do hope I was able to make a mark in your life as a camper. I might not be the best faci in town but I do hope you saw my efforts to make this CAMP the best one yet for you, kids. :) Magpakabibo pa rin! Push yourselves to your limits! Keep the fire burning! 

I don't want to end this post yet =(  Be ready for the post-CAMP feels trip :))) These are some things the org has made me experience this summer. ;)

1) Climbing the steep slopes in HPMR, loading and unloading supplies to and from the makeshift staff room. Define. ;)

2) Facing agitated teachers at the Sec Area and keeping your cool. Wooh this is grace under pressure. 

3) Add making at least 800 activity IDs for the participants. Kamusta naman ang mga sugat sa kamay? ;)

Not quite the photo I was looking for but same thought goes! :P

4) Waking up even at 3 am just to catch that 5-minute bath time allotted just for you ;)

5) Surviving and working through 2 hours of sleep (and sometimes, even less) all for your kids! :))

6) Being the rant absorber for your kids especially when it comes to mealtimes. Huhuhu sorry kids but I hope food from Day 3 made up for the lousy, bland ones from the days before :)

7) Eating at the most random times of the day. Food fills in the gaps for sleep. :P

8) Learning to be nocturnal for once. Evals, please :P

9) Going with the flow! If this is what makes the kids smile, then so be it. ;)

Stuck with this guy for 48 minutes. Huhu CAMP Fair pls

Gesters for a week! :) Our outfits say them all ;)

10) Being a superwoman for 5 whole days! 40 kids to facilitate through lectures, challenging workshops and that nerve-wrecking field trip? Bring it on!

11) Occupying almost half of the plane. Yep, they have to wait until we boarded. It would be such a loss without us :P

Not everyone yet :)

12) Sleeping in any way possible. Bahala na kung saan abutin ng antok, basta nakatulog. Yun na yun! :)

Kahit ano na lang :P

13) Keeping a smile on your face despite the stress and the sleeplessness. All for the kids :)))

I have too much feels for this event but those would only make this post so tedious to read and follow. :) Guess this is one CAMP to cherish after all :))))

almost free

REJOICE! Just half a page more and I'm done with Fil 12! 

I need food. just food. 

Then after, hello memoir! Still have a day to finish editing that paper. 

Last push. Bring it on. 

13B Appreciation Post

I know I still have a paper due in 25 hours but can I just take some time off and give in to my overwhelming emotions for like 10 minutes or maybe even less?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM SO PROUD OF US, 13B! From just the five of us from the original staff list, there are already eleven from our batch! That's already saying something! :))

Cheers to us, Clarus, Ben, J-ann, Andre, Romie, Andrea, Rogie, Mia, Xy, Justin! :)) Here's to the first of many national events together!

We are undeniably the largest batch that ever made it so far ;)

I'M COMIIIIIIING!

I was supposed to post this last night but then there was chem and my Lit prof told us never to write during the peak of those emotions so here goes:

Guess who's coming to this summer's camp? 

:))))))))

I was literally jumping and shouting out of joy and surprise. :) Who wouldn't? It was totally unexpected. We have already faced the reality that the chances of us coming were slim. There were a lot of hopeful faces from the earlier batches and compared to us, they were evidently more experienced. Add to that what Ate Annie told us after the staff training. With sad eyes, she looked and told us, "Punta pa rin kayo next week ah? I fought hard for all of you. Don't worry. Matagal pa kayo sa org na ito." We were just like, "Awwwww Ate. It's okay. It's the thought that counts. :')"

Resigned, my batch mates and I assured ourselves that there was still CSIW, the counterpart for this summer's event and was focused on the younger affiliates.  

The thought of coming was already at the back of my mind but when the clock struck 8 and Kuya Egbert posted the staff list, I found myself clicking the link as curiosity and hope took over me. 

Familiar names were in that list. There was his, too!

Redirecting and scrolling down further,

I FOUND MINE! :)))))

Along with me are four other new additions in the organization. Yep, Batch 13B represent! :)) (Hiii Clarus, J-Ann, Andre, Ben! That is if you are reading this. :) ) Although it was also sad that there were only four of us, happiness ruled over.Our batch was still supportive, though. :') I'd always love them for that. 

Change of plans then. I won't be coming home to Albay after all. Maybe after summer classes then but for now, there are finals and this camp! :))

Chem finals in an hour. ;) Ciao.

PS. Loving this shot from Ate Mariel :))

From yesterday's staff training with Kuya Esgie, Poy and Belle. :') 

sawi + happy vibes

Today went as usual as my daily routine goes. Thank God I woke up earlier than the alarm. Got the chance to have a real breakfast and spent a really good portion of my time in the hot shower on the second floor. (Yes, SECOND FLOOR. I still have to go downstairs for a bath since it seems our floor experiences a shortage on hot water supply every morning. Oh well. Sacrifice, it is!)

   Got into English class just as my professor also entered the room. You know what is really weird? I tend to be more sleepy in the daylight. Whoa. I AM NOT TURNING INTO A VAMPIRE. Yes, that I really know. Maybe it's because of the sweater-slash-cuddle-weather. My bed's hold on me is getting tighter the minute the sun shines into my corner. I HAVE TO FIX THIS BODY CLOCK! Noooo. I shouldn't give in to that urge to just sleep. Hey, girl! YOUR LIFE REVOLVES DURING THE DAY! 

    Okay. Back to the topic. My English prof returned our notecards and surprisingly, I got a C+. Yes, a C+ on the notes I made three weeks before submission. A C+ for my efforts of going to the library even on weekends and reading 10 books for those notes! Of course, I asked him about it and he said he'd check. Apparently, he graded the wrong paper which I submitted just for the sake of the advisory marks. Oh well. I'll check up on it again this Friday. You might think I am being paranoid but I just really need every good grade for this course. 

    On the bright side, my classes were only in the morning so I had time to drop by at the PSYSC Main Office! :) Oh, it's an organization that promotes the science clubbing movement in the Philippines! :) (Hit the link above to learn more. ;) ) I've been part of this org since I was in high school as a participant and the regional chairperson and I really planned on joining it by the time I enter college. Guess I needed to adjust to the new environment that's why I wasn't able to apply last semester. I had to apply this sem since our Kuya (our facilitator last camp) is already graduating and it would really be sad to miss him.

During the first immersion last Saturday at the UP! :) Oh, the things I had to go through for this org! This is only a small part of the big number of applicants this semester! :) Looking forward to being a NECAT! :)

   I had to tambay at the office as part of the application process. Thank God I had Rogie with me. (I can't find a picture of us sooo that means I still have to have one photo of us taken, too. :P ) He's a friend I knew from last year's camp and he's studying in the Ateneo, too! Because his siblings are active members of the organization, Rogie also knows a LOT so he's really, really a big help! :)

   This time, I had someone navigating the streets with me. Oh no, I won't even dare commuting alone. I would be like a small fish dropped into the ocean. Nope, I still haven't fully grasped city living. Don't worry. I'd get there in time. ;)

    The three jeepney rides to the office and getting lost in the process were worth it! Yes, we were lost for a while since Rogie made the wrong decision of crossing the overpass and thus, turning in the wrong direction. We found the place eventually and got the chance to help out in the certificate packing! :) Before, we were the only ones receiving these letters but there I was, behind the scenes, helping out pack and get those letters ready for shipping! :))))

      

     I met some of the NECATs, (This is what the members are called; also known as the National Executive Assistance Team) too and they were really awesome! Started ticking off some things off my sigsheet! (This one's like a huge and thick autograph or slumbook. I've got to fill it with information and signatures for this! :) ) I cannot wait for the day I'd be one proud NECAT, too. ;) Just hope I get the chance and time to be active in this organization I have always wanted to be part of. Fingers crossed!