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 :))))

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!

Thank God It's Wednesday!

Halfway through the last week of class for 2013!

Although the day didn't start off the way I planned it to be (I was hoping I could still review early before my first class, 8:30 Literature), it was a day worth the hassle and stress. :))

Because I crammed studying for that first Chemistry long test and hit the sack at around 2 am, my body clock cannot help but adjust to what my exhausted little shell demands. To no one's surprise, I went to class, rushing late. Well, at least I had time to grab some coffee.

The same routine went on, actually. Literature. Chemistry. Quiz unfinished. Ranting about the fact that I knew the answers but time suddenly went haywire and left me with some questions unanswered. Dance aerobics. Back to the dorm.

My bed is indeed a siren, luring me with her captivating lullaby. Indeed, one must congratulate me for standing up against her calls. :))) Instead of sleeping in, I had a date with my Chemistry notes (I'm tired of Chemistry too. =.= but allow me to digress please.) and I said goodbye to my life online for a while.

Studying drained me. Oh well, those 5 hours solving sample problems made a difference, anyway! :) Although I was still betting against time, I had fun answering the long problems! :D The multiple choice part was confusing though. Since when did multiple choice be as simple as the alphabet ? It's the same with life and all the crossroads it poses. You must always choose. At least in an examination, there's always a right option. That's not always true with life, though. One choice leads to another and you'll end up thinking, "What if I chose the other one?"

Now, where did that come from?!

Moving on, after a grueling match of wits, IT WAS TIME TO CELEBRATE! Who wouldn't rejoice over the fact that you survive a long test? I always do, by the way. :)))

UP was having its annual Lantern Parade and it would have been fun to go and witness the lights over the city skyline but then, the obedient little daughter inside me opted to let the chance go. It was a tough choice! :( I had to choose between this and my block Christmas party this Friday. I couldn't miss our block's first holiday get-together. It's a milestone I should be part of. That's why, sayonara, UP Lantern Parade. Maybe next time. :')

I would have called it a day but then, Claire, one of my groupmates for our Food Innovation Project, called to update me regarding our proposal. And.....

Ella: Hey there.

Claire: Girl, I HAVE NEWS!
Ella: Yep, ano latest chikka? (Yep, what's the latest gossip?)
Claire: *mumbles something*

Ella: What? Can you just send me a text message or anything? I'm still having dinner at KFC!
Claire: WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FIRST PLACE! DOC WONG LIKED OUR PROPOSAL AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FIRST PLACE!

Ella: OMAAYGAWD SERYOSO?!?

Let me just emphasize it again,

OUR PROPOSAL GOT THE PANEL'S ATTENTION AND TA-DA! HELLO, RESEARCH TURNED TO REALITY! :)))

That research project slash paper slash proposal was no small feat. Our group was mainly composed of freshmen plus a mentor who is a senior from the same course. We spent nights cramming that paper! (Yep, I know. We are master crammers haha) We faced the crowd and defended those ideas. The risk paid off! :))))

I was too happy to function well upon hearing the news. Literally jumping from joy, I seemed not to have any other care in the world. Never mind the cars passing me by. I'm sure they were wondering who's that girl skipping each step. But i just had to. :))))))))))

We didn't get bragging rights as champs, though. Got second place because our project lacked something. Still, it is a huge deal! :))))) Only a few more revisions and we are good to go! Doc Wong also teaches Thesis for our course and you know what's another good thing to celebrate, he is considering exempting us for this class! :))))))

The day really turned out better than I have expected. :)))))) Now, exhaustion is overcoming me. I was able to survive straight 24 hours without napping though! Time to log out. Ciao~ :))

Here comes the long test

The long wait is over!

After two suspense-filled weeks of  anticipating this moment, I was finally reunited with my Chemistry answer sheet. Perhaps I was very excited that I went up to my professor and got the wrong paper for myself. Hopping and skipping, I went back to my seat, proudly telling those who asked that I got a 91. Well, it took me a few more seconds to realize that it wasn't my penmanship and so I checked.

Boo. The paper wasn't mine.

Quickly I returned the paper back to my professor and she, along with my block mates,  laughed at my honest mistake. Back in my seat, I found myself waiting for it. Urgh. Time seemed to slow down.  Oh, chem long test! Where art thou? :<

On and on she called out names and gave back the answer sheets but where was mine? My hands are turning cold and sweaty from the anxiety. My tummy's already a haven for butterflies. Where oh where is my paper? Why can't I have it now?

The professor then called out some other guy from the other block. He was literally jumping out from joy! I deduced he got such an excellent score. Later on, it was announced that he got the highest in the class. Only 2 mistakes out of the hundred. Such a lucky guy.

Imagine the pressure when my name was called out next. I slowly made my way to the front. My only thoughts were, "Please oh please let me pass that exam."

"Here's a better score," she said with a smile.

I took my time. This is what I saw.

Indeed, it was better by a point. :)

Thank you, dear God for those sleepless nights. They paid off. ;)

How my Friday went like

    6:00 am

     My alarm clocks bids me to take a trip back to reality. No more dreams. No more made-up worlds. No more fantasy. It's Friday anyway, my last battle for the week. My bed doesn't loosen its hold on me but I fought back. It was a struggle. Staying up late to study hyperbolas and all those other conic sections, my mind longed for rest. Still, it wasn't the right time for that. No more chances of sleeping in. Every moment spared must be spent hitting the books, not the sack. Such a bitter choice but deemed necessary by students like me.

     Sure, I was dragging my feet to the shower, quickly bathing and dressing up for school. Grabbed a quick meal so I won't find myself faint in class. Breakfast, anyway, is the most important meal of the day. I had three classes for today. English. Literature. Math. The first two I can manage but the last one's always causing me migraine. Thank the heavens I don't have chemistry. I'd be mad if those two end up together on the same day.

     English was a breeze today. Our professor spent his hour talking about places, people and some of his experiences altogether. Manila was in the spotlight today. He rambled on the image of Manila if it could morphed itself as a person. This city would probably be that charming guy always with a hint of grime on his face. Never had trouble with the quiz for Literature. Boy it does pay to choose watching the movie in class than slacking it off for some troubled sleep. For that perfect choice, I was rewarded with an A in that quiz. :D

     Oh, if only my luck had gotten me past for the day. Never imagined it would end up me committing another shameless mistake on my Math quiz. :((((( All my efforts were put into waste. I felt like crumbling down in the dust. Sure, some of you might say it was no big deal. I could easily make up for it the next quiz. However, for me, even that single quiz could change the way things work out to be. That one shot might mean so much in the end. That could either make or break you. That's why I am so frustrated. It's disappointing to note that I didn't make it again this time. :((

    After the class, I sent my parents a message about the unfortunate quiz. I told them how sad it is not making it to the cut once more. I guess my best still wasn't good enough. :( Not a few minutes after, my phone beeped to the arrival of my dad's message. "It's okay. :) We know you can still do it. Make up for it next time. Stay positive."

     My dad still believes in me. That's enough reason to move forward. :)

PS. Midterms on Literature and Long Test in Math next week. Wish me luck. :) I badly need it right now.

WHERE ART THOU, FIRST BLOG?????

Oh hey.

I was the one posting under the same title under the link ellaughter.blogspot.com. However, when I checked it just a while ago, I found out that my blog was deleted.

WAS DELETED.

DELETED.

:(((((((

Well, although I just had 6 posts there (hey, newbie here. :D), it felt like my virtual world was already crashing down.(I was like, "NOOOOOOOOOO! GOOGLE, WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME??? T.T" ) I TRIED SO HARD TO REVITALIZE IT. Believe me. I really did to no avail. :(((  My heart went <////////3.

TOTALLY DEVASTATING.

I cannot go long without writing so here I am once more, creating a new blog, hoping it would be a better experience for me.

PS. OH PLEASE, GOOGLE. DON'T EVER DELETE MY POSTS AND MY BLOG AGAIN. T.T