Garbology

Maybe I'm just PMS-ing, but I'm thinking about the things I hate right now.

It all started when I saw a guy deliberately throw his garbage on the road outside the building where my parents' office is at just a couple of hours ago. I was walking towards him to our car, looking at a distance, and he was walking towards me as well, heading for the building entrance. He suddenly stopped, released a crumple of paper into a gap on the cement floor where he stood, looked at it for a second, then continued on his way. I gazed at the trash he left, then I stared at him. I lingered on his face; he was actually cute, but with what he did, he turned despicable in my eyes.

He apparently works in the building, so he probably knows that there's a garbage bin around three to five meters away from where he dropped his trash. Why on earth couldn't he afford to spend some of his energy to dispose his garbage into where it should be disposed, especially when it's almost right in front of him? Or even if he isn't right in front of a bin, what the hell is so damn difficult in placing one's mess in his/her pocket or bag first and throwing it later? I'm sorry, but I totally despise people who throw stuff anywhere, anytime. Especially parents--parents who even encourage their children to litter wherever--be it big or small garbage. Candy wrappers, pieces of paper, plastics, food containers.. UGH! My blood is really heating up! Lazy, destructive asses.

Other things that ruin my day:

1. People who chew loudly

2. People who don't return things to their proper place

3. Human parasites

4. Demanding human parasites

5. People who ask about the obvious

6. People who don't mind their own business

7. People who are too noisy

8. People who only talk to you when they need something from you

9. People who don't reply to your text, especially if it's important or if you're asking for a response or confirmation

9. People who don't live up to their promises (promise to do this, promise to be responsible for that)

10. Jeepney drivers who smoke while driving their jeepneys

11. People who don't know their place

12. People who complain too much yet don't do anything

13. People who don't flush after using the bathroom

14. People who don't know how to fall in line

15. People who think they know everything

I know, this post is so negative. I'm just stressed and pissed out, and my negativity is being projected on that pesky, environment-unfriendly man.

But still, dear reader, please be one who helps save our earth. Throw your trash where it should be thrown. No matter how small it is, no matter how organic or biodegradable, dispose of it properly. Hindi naman 'yun mahirap gawin.

Eustress

My year started with a hefty amount of schoolwork. The past two weeks drove me nuts, what with the four exams, two papers, med school applications, two reports, and other requirements that I had to deal with. Now, after successive sleepless nights, cans of Bacchus, and bigger-than-ever folds of dark skin under my eyes, my hell-est weeks in college are now over. I'm still alive and sane, thank heavens.

I regret not being too productive during the Christmas break. I wouldn't have crammed to death each and every day of the past weeks. My performance in most of my schoolwork were sadly mediocre, too. But what the heck, I'm just glad that I can move on with my life a tad less stressed. I'm looking forward to better weeks ahead, especially with regards to Organic Chemistry. Malupet na gapangan ito. I can feel it.

Friday and Saturday were great days. Friday night was Mandala X Karaoke and Movie Night, and I was able to spend some hours with my batchmates before studying for my Chem lab exam which was on the following day. I was not able to sleep the night before because of Psych 135, but thanks to Mandala, I gained some happy vibes and energy.

Then I went home, and I felt stressed and sad and depressed again. If not for Bacchus, I wouldn't have survived the night and might have missed my exam. Bacchus has always been my savior during times like these; I was able to kinda study in between five-second-dozes and many moments of lack of comprehension. I'm quite scared though, because I'm already feeling the drawbacks of relying too much on energy drinks. Palpitations, clammy hands, and lack of appetite. Must reformat my body clock and stick to natural sources of energy that is sleep and food.

Saturday came, and I took the exam. Honestly, I didn't do well. I sucked. But then I stopped ruminating an hour after the exam finished and promised myself to really work hard next time. Babawi talaga ako nang bongga :) And I had to move on because after all the stress, it's Katnabor tiiime! Finally, Kat is back in Manila from Korea! From UP, I went to Tanay and surprised her. She cried when she saw me, which then made me cry, and so we cried together. Haha. I missed her like crazy. I'm just so happy she's back ♥

We did lots of stuff yesterday, but we ate most of the time. We took lots of pretty pictures too, especially since she now has a DSLR of her own! I am so envious. Haha. She brought me home a panda head dress that made me giddy like a five-year old kid. Kat + bonding + planning for our future together + food + panda = happiness. This was just what I needed after all the stress.

After I spent time with Kat, I instantly fell asleep. Yay to 10 hours of much-needed rest. When I woke up, I watched the movie Il Mare while eating my peanut butter sandwich breakfast. The movie made me sad in a way, but the ending was really nice. This is definitely better than its remake, The Lakehouse. Right now, I'm blogging and searching for cheap beaches and drinking red wine from a mug and eating Marty's.

Destressing, finally :)

Remembering 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’ve never done before?

Won in an election where I ran against three other candidates (sobrang nerve-wracking hehe). Was the president of an organization. Ate kimchi. Had my hair cut really short. Be a model, chos (for grad pics lang kasi haha). Applied for a scholarship abroad. Went on a college fieldtrip. Skinned a cat. Went to Ocean Park. Lost someone dear to me. Got seriously angry and hurt. Went to EK with friends (and not for a school fieldtrip or family outing). Got stranded because of Ondoy. Helped out in relief operations. Bought a human brain. Took the NMAT. Joined an international poster competition. Watched the UP Fair. Registered to vote for the 2010 elections. Snorkeled.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Uh, some. A small portion, I think. Hahaha. But I will still make resolutions. Probably next week :p

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Some acquaintances and cousins, but as in close close, no.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Lei :( We miss you, Lei.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. Dapat HK pero NSO ruined everything :(

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More money! I really want to save up for my future. And more learnings. There'll be a lot of that, I know. Med ba naman. Info overload na ito. Exciting! Haha. More time to do stuff I love to do, as well. I wish I could paint and draw and doodle and design more.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 27. The last time I saw Kat before she fled to Korea as an exchange student. Can't wait to see her again next week!

February 13-14. UP Fair. Went with Kenneth and my brother. That night, the Jumping Jologs (JJs) went wild because the fair was full of people already and they couldn't go in despite having tickets. They brought the concert walls down by high-kicking and body-slamming it. From the inside, it was really scary. The artists who were playing (Bamboo, Tuesday Vargas, etc) and the University Student Council were already pleading the JJs to stop and just listen to the concert from the outside. Nevertheless, it was a memorable night. Love. Fireworks. Music. Food.

March 7. Eraserheads: The Final Set. The most bestest concert I've been to, hands down.

March 15. MS 102 Fieldtrip in Alaminos, Pangasinan! We snorkeled and saw lots of corals and fishes. The open waters frightened me, though. We had to swim from the dock in the middle of sea to the coral reefs area and back, eh ang layo 'nun. Napagod ako ng bongga. Akala ko hindi na ko makakabalik at makakagat na ko ng Jelly Fish. Hahaha.

March 19. I won as Mandala 2010's yearbook EIC and batch president. Also, Lei passed away :(

June 12-13. Batch 5 reunion in Binangonan. Old friends, forever friends. Iba talaga ang high school ♥

July 3. Mandala X Acquaintance Party. Had so much fun! Ang sabaw at competitive ng mga tao sa games. Hahaha.

August 1. RIP Cory Aquino. The whole country mourned but was nonetheless inspired by her loss. Also, I gave up. I went to Marie Digby's concert with Kuya Andre, too. I was able to meet her in person and had a photo taken with her! Sobrang fan moment lang. Hihi.

September 15. I hit the big 2-0. Goodbye younger years!

September 26. Ondoy hit Metro Manila and its neighboring areas. I was stranded for six hours with my mom and our driver. But that was nothing to what the others experienced. Heart-breaking. But at least we all learned from Ondoy.

November 14. Katy Perry Live in Manila! Katy was sooo great! I love her personality and style. She was so game, she actually kissed a girl (from the crowd) and she liked it! Haha.

November 20. It struck me. I really want to be a (artsy) doctor, hee.

December 22. EK with the EB plus Kriss and Ilao. Bought overpriced shorts and slippers because we got drenched at the Rio Grande Rapids and Log Jam. Lesson learned: bring extra clothes. Haha. Fun fun fun!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Winning and doing my job as Mandala EIC ♥

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to save my GWA.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious. The usual flu or fatigue every now and then.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My HP Mini, Chloe!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My close friends who stuck with me through thick and thin. Kat, Joyce, Mica, Jem, Christian, Zoe, and Reg. And of course, my beloved Mandala Ed Board.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Someone's, but I wasn't really appalled or depressed. I was angry, but now, I think disappointed probably is the apter word. But I'm over it already.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes. Org stuff. Clothes. School supplies. Clothes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Concerts (Eraserheads: The Final Set and Katy Perry Live in Manila) and get-togethers (HS batch, HS barkada, Mandala)!

16. What song/s will always remind you of 2009?
Nobody by the Wonder Girls, FTW. Or the one that goes "mga tambay lang kami, sawa sa babae." Hate it so much. Haha.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? – Sadder, but in only one aspect. At nababawasan na din naman 'yung sadness. Hihi.
Richer or poorer? – Poorer! Ubos ang savings ko. Dati yata marami-rami akong napamaskuhan. Haha.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
SLEPT. Worked out. Blogged. Took pictures. Studied. Haha.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being confused. Cramming. Procrastinating. Wanting so many things that I can live without.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent it with my family. The usual Porciuncula and Alfonso reunions, pero hindi kami nakaabot sa latter :( Had isaw with my mom and my brothers at around 6PM, and also spent some time with the Amonoy's and Arcilla's after dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Hmm, no. Continued to be in love, yes. But then.. 'Yun na. Hehe.

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
It all started with The Big Bang, hey! And of couse How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, and Glee.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hahaha. Hindi naman hate. Pero yeah, bad vibes siguro.

25. What was the best book you read?
Psychology of Learning by Ormrod. Hahaha.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Death Cab for Cutie and She & Him. Pati si Taylor Swift? Hahaha.

27. What did you want and got?
New phones (nasira 'yung una huhu), a laptop, clothes, art stuff.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Definitely Avatar! (500) Days of Summer comes next, but its because I love Summer!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 20. Hmm, didn't do anything special. Just ate with some friends. Celebrated with my family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a 99+ score in the NMAT. Asa naman ako. Haha.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Layers. Colorful. Comfy. Cardigans. Minsan vintage-y. Anything goes, actually. Depends on my mood.

32. What kept you sane?
Inspiring fashion and art blogs. Food. Friends. My dreams. My mom :)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The Olsens. Rachel Bilson. Kate Beckinsale. Anne Curtis.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Maguindanao Massacre. Insanely immoral. Ang sarap painumin ng phenol 'yung mga Amputuans.

35. Who did you miss?
Kenneth and Kat.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Chris, a Starbucks barista. Haha.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
That we all have different wants and needs in life, at nagbabago 'yun through time. Pwedeng pareho tayo ng gusto noon, pero ngayon hindi na. At walang masama 'dun. Nothing is constant. We have to live with change :)

Also, that everything does happen for a reason. Gasgas na gasgas na, pero it's true. When things don't go the way you want them to, sulk a little, then move on. There's so so so much more to enjoy and be happy about. Tomorrow is always a new day to learn and change and grow. Easier said than done, I know, but I realized that it's all in the disposition, really. Kaya think about your dreams everyday. Always have something to look forward to. Spend time with people you love. Do stuff that makes you smile. These can balance or overwrite all the other things that gets us down. Para masaya ang world :)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life :)

Departure and Arrival

When I finally decided to pursue Medicine after graduation just a month ago, the realization was very sudden, like a bullet shot straight into my head. Now, a couple of minutes after 2010 set in, a different yet very significant realization hit me. I have been waiting for quite a while for it to finally arrive. Now, it's here. Finally, it's here. The best way to start to 2010, really :)

***

2009 was a painful year for me. It also was the most life-changing and stressful. But frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way (except for acad-related regrets haha). It taught me a lot. I've grown because of the things that I had to go through. I became stronger. I became more independent. Changing for the better and learning to move on never felt so real for me in the past year.

Ah, 2010. The highlights of this year would certainly be graduating from college, getting into med school, and moving closer to my deathly yet fulfilling dream of becoming a doctor. I am seriously excited! Of course I still have to endure tough and wild waters before I finish my undergrad studies (AKA Psych 135 and Chem 31), but what the heck, I know it'll be a great and crazy adventure :)

Will think of realistic, attainable resolutions tomorrow. Welcome, beautiful and awesome 2010!