the past few days, and more

Friday I went to Cebu with my Dad last weekend. We left for Ormoc around 7PM last Friday, took the slow boat, and arrived at Cebu around 5AM the next day.

Saturday My Dad wanted a hotel or inn at Fuente, easier access to places, but almost every place was full. The last place we went to was Shamrock Pension, and thankfully, they had vacancies. We checked in, and my Dad and Kuya Larry (a family friend) went to the hospital because Kuya Larry's son was confined due to Dengue. I ate the breakfast we took out from McDo, then I went to sleep (couldn't sleep at the ship, someone was snoring waaaay too loud). We went to SM around 10:30, bought my iPod (more info below), ate lunch at the foodcaourt with my Dad's friends. Then they attended a conference, while I was only too happy to be left at SM while I waited for my fellow Dementeds Jin and Ken. Too bad Kim wasn't able to come with us, though. We just hung out, talked, did a little catching up as we didn't see each other since New Year's Day. The I treated them to dinner at Teriyaki Boy - I just love their Chicken Teriyaki! Yum :)

My iPod Video finally gave up on me, although it's not completely dead just yet. It has issues, though, which I'm hoping can be fixed. I forgot to bring it with me to Cebu so I can have it checked at PowerMac. I'm not giving up on my Vid, since we've been through lots together. My cousin gave it as a gift to me the first I time missed out on our yearly summer getaways (I missed 2, because I got summer classes - Batanes and Dakak). But I was able to join them last year, when I finally graduated, to Dumaguete and Antique. And this year we'll be going to Coron, Palawan. Can't wait.

Anyhoo, back to iPod talk. I asked my Dad for an iPod Touch as a gift to me for passing the NLE. I was aiming for a Nintendo Wii, but my Dad said I was too old for a Wii (I don't agree, though - in my book, one is never too old for a Wii, or any other related electronic gadget). I tried wiggling an iPhone out of him, but he said it's as expensive as my lappy here, so i settled for an iTouch instead. I love music, and I love movies. My iPod Video was loaded with music and movies, and my 30BG was almost used up. So when my Dad and I were browsing for my iTouch, I settled for the 64GB. A store was selling 17K for the 3GB. Good thing we didn't buy it at once, though. We went to another store offering 14K for the 32GB and 19K for the 64GB. I walked out a happy owner of a new 64GB iPod Touch.

Sunday My Dad and I went to Robinsons for a while. I bought a bunch of shirts, while he bought books from Booksale. Then we met up with my Sichi (she was there to attend a christening where she is godmother), my nephews and their dad (they had a soccer game). We went to SM again, where my nephew and I dumped my luggage at the grocery package counter. We went around, ate, and talked. My Dad met with a friend for lunch. Around 3PM we parted ways with my cousin and nephews, and we went to the port to catch the 4:40PM Supercat trip to Ormoc. We arrived at home at around 10PM.

Monday I went with Lex to Dr. Aquitania, he has an appointment to get his nose checked, for he often gets cold. Turns out he has Perennial Allergic Rhinitis. Then we went to RTR, I had to get a new set of transcripts for my application at PHC. We went to Robinsons afterward, had a late lunch. Then I dragged him to PRC, because I wanted to get my board rating. I got a measly 81.40%, but who cares? I effing passed! We went backed to Robinsons, where we watched Did You Hear About The Morgans? Then we went home.

Tuesday Went to PRC with Janz to get application forms, had our pictures taken at Robinsons. The we spent the rest of the day pigging out and playing at Tom's World. Jo caught up with us, then we joined Lex and his brother and Hans. Had dinner with Lex, Hans and Jo at Sunzibar. I love their Rum Ribs and Quesadillas. Yummy.

Today Was supposed to go back to PRC with Janz today, but I rescheduled for tomorrow as I wasn't feeling well. Cha came by, without notice, as usual. Then spent the whole day in bed.

i'm now an RN =)

Praise God, for he really listens to, and answers, your prayers. Ever since I took the board exams last November 29 and 30, 2009, I've prayed for nothing else but to pass it. Mind you, those were the times when I never really cared much for working as a nurse, for I was really hung up on continuing my studies for Medicine. I even had rows with both my dad and my aunt. It was really a bad time for me. But these past few days, I've been pretty much scared out of my wits of the possibility that I wouldn't pass.

So what gives?

I'm being offered a job at Philippine Heart Center, and most people advised me to take it. Even I wanted myself to take it. It's a great opportunity, and excellent hospital, and as my cousin is a doctor there, I know a lot of the staff so I won't feel all alone when I get in. And I will get in, because I have someone, a dear friend of my cousin who's also a nurse, backing me up.

I never really cared much for using backers before - like in our school, I could have gotten in without even taking the entrance exam, but I prefer to do things the hard way. And I never asked for help on this. It was offered to me - offered, given freely. Because she really wants me there. I even have application forms delivered right to my doorstep. All I have to do is fill them out, send them back, and voila! They even had my name listed down for some volunteering work already, all I was waiting for was my license. And here it is.

But this. Oh, this is a wonderful opportunity. And if life hands you this kind of opportunity on a silver platter, wouldn't you want to take it?

Confused, as to what to do.

Even with no board placers this time (our school had placers for three consecutive years), it doesn't matter.
We're still on a roll, baby. Top 8 Performing School. I'm proud of RTRMF! :) 95% overall passing rate.I freaking made it! Even through all the ditching and sleeping I did
all throughout my school days and review days. God is Good.

For a list of passers, placers and top 10 schools, click here.

The Blind Side

Synopsis: "The Blind Side" depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

Rating: 5/5

Comments: I am not a fan of football (I seriously can never understand the mechanics of this game), and I was at a complete loss over what Oher was doing, but I definitely give two thumbs up to this movie.

The story itself was nice, and Sandra Bullock did an amazing job portraying Leigh Anne Tuohy. She really did deserve her Golden Globe award.

The pictures at the end showing the real Oher living with the Tuohys reminded us that the movie wasn't just based on a true story, it is a true story. It gives me hope knowing there are people like that who would adopt a person into their family and change his life. And the bond between Oher and SJ was just touching.

It was a very moving movie.

---

Leigh Anne: Michael, I want you to have a good time but if you get a girl pregnant out of wedlock, I will crawl into the car, drive up to Oxford and cut off your penis.

Sherlock Holmes

Synopsis: After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.

Rating: 5/5

Comments: Now, this is a movie worth watching. And not only because it stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Great job on the acting. Downey Jr. really did portray Sherlock Holmes as I imagined him to be. Jude Law also did an awesome job with Watson. I'm thinking Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud.

Legion

Synopsis: A dusty diner in the Mojave Desert becomes ground zero for earth’s final showdown in Legion, a startlingly original and terrifying vision of the Apocalypse from director and writer Scott Stewart (Priest). As mankind destroys itself in a savage fury, a small group of people trapped on the edge of nowhere prepare to make a last stand—with the help of a mysterious and powerful stranger.

Unaware of the chaos unfolding around the globe, Bob Hanson (Dennis Quaid), the owner of a remote roadside café, and his partner Percy (Charles S. Dutton) go about business as usual. The restaurant’s beautiful and very pregnant waitress, Charlie (Adrianne Palicki), serves breakfast to Sandra and Howard, a well-heeled suburban couple (Kate Walsh and Jon Tenney) and their teenage daughter Audrey (Willa Holland), as they wait for their car to be repaired by Bob’s son, Jeep (Lucas Black).

When the television goes on the fritz and the phones go out, the group realizes they have lost all communication with the outside world. As they attempt to make sense of what’s happening—An earthquake? A terrorist attack?— an elderly woman (Jeannette Miller) arrives and sweetly orders a steak from Charlie. When her meal arrives, she begins spewing shocking obscenities. In a heartbeat, the fragile old lady develops superhuman strength, launching a grisly attack that leaves Howard critically injured.

A desperate attempt to get medical help ends when an impenetrable cloud of flying insects turns the diner into the only safe haven for miles. As the horrifying truth of their situation sinks in, a stranger (Paul Bettany) joins them with an arsenal of stolen weapons. He informs Charlie that her unborn baby is now humanity’s only hope, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to save it.

The world is about to become a waking nightmare for the last remnants of mankind as rolling caravans of crazed killers arrive in search of fresh victims and an army of warrior angels bent on total destruction follows close behind them in a unique and terrifying glimpse of the End of Days.

Rating: 2/5

Comments: Now, that was one disappointing movie. It was definitely fantasy, somewhat thrilling, not even remotely horror. And I must say, the bitchy Grandma at the start of the movie was a nice touch, especially with her climbing the walls, although Mrs. Ganush from Drag Me To Hell was a much more convincing creepy old lady.

And what's up with angels declaring war on humankind? And since when did angels have wings of steel and machine guns? Just what are they trying to portray?

The ending was also anticlimactic. Sucks all around.

on ear infections, beating boredom, and gleek friends

I finally had my ear checked by my doctor last Saturday and as I expected, I got otitis externa. That's inflammation of the outer ear, which could be cause by swimming. The pain started last Tuesday, and knowing me and my aversion to check-ups (yes, I took up Nursing and hopefully will take up Medicine but I don't like visiting my doctors), I waited till last minute. My Mom called my doctor for an appointment (she knows I won't do it) but unfortunately, she had ORs to attend to on Thursday and Friday, so she couldn't see me till Saturday (yey me!).

By Thursday night, I figured I was gonna be screwed. I was gonna go beg my Dad to take me to the ER because the pain was excruciating. God. I learned at school that ear infections can be painful, but I never really believed it until I experienced it myself. Who knew an ear could hurt that much? I woke up around 2 AM to this intense pain in my ear, and my head felt like the little Irish people were tap dancing in it. I had this weird visions of me going to the OR where they had to operate on my ear because something was really wrong with it (did I mention that I'm just a tad lot paranoid?). I ate some biscuits, took some pain killers, waited for the drugs to kick in, and went back to sleep. Come Saturday, I was only happy to see my doctor.

I've been swimming my whole life and I never had otitis, not once. There was a time when I told myself that I won't go swimming again, but it was the pain talking. So, will I swim again and risk another ear infection? Hell yeah! Coz we're going to Coron, Palawan this summer! Oooh boy, I can't hardly wait. For you Filipinos who keep going out of the country for vacations, shame on you! See the Philippines' beauty first, for Pete's sakes. (Now, I'm not judging, coz I've been to other countries, but hey. This is why they invented the saying love your own.)

---

I was out with Janz yesterday. We were both bored, so we decided to hang at Bo's (it was either Bo's or JK, but we chose Bo's because of the free unlimited WiFi). Then around 3, Jo and Denise came, but Denise had to leave a little earlier. So it was just me, Janz and Jo. We talked about what's going on with our lives - usual stuff. Life and how boring it is, work and how tiring it is, love and about hard it is, money and about how scarce it is, vacations and about how we're not gonna get it.

We also abused Bo's WiFi, coz Janz and I downloaded a bunch of stuff (movies from Torrent and songs from Limewire) to our laptops. I was feeling a little sentimental so I downloaded a bunch of old songs I really loved. Some old ones from the previous generation like Could It Be I'm Falling in Love by the Stylistics and wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham. And some from my generation, like music from The Corrs and 98 Degrees, and etc.

We also exchanged movies, the ones we got on our laptops. And Glee! How we talked about Glee, and their renditions. Rehab kept cracking us up, coz we kept singing it.

At around 6 PM, I went to DWU Church because I was the only one who didn't attend mass. I went back to Bo's after, and we waited for Ishan. We tooked pictures, joked around, talked about more stuff.

Then we ate dinner. Pizza for us all. Yum.

After dinner, we all walked to my house, where they got to harass my dogs.

I can't believe how I missed my friends so much. I guess now that we don't have school (except for Ishan and Denise), we don't get to see each other often. Makes me wanna go back to school, if only I get to see and hang with my friends on a daily basis.

But we made plans for Wednesday, though. Gonna watch Legion. Can't wait.

great weekend

My cousin celebrated her birthday at Kuting Reef. We travelled more or less 4 hours from Tacloban to Maasin. Finally saw Agas Agas Bridge - the tallest bridge in the Philippines. Before going to the resort, we dropped by to my cousin's friend's house first, and ate a late lunch there.

We arrived at the resort late afternoon. We changed into swimsuits, then proceed to take pictures. We then took a dip at their ice cold infinity pool (it's been rainy these past few days, so the pool water was really, really cold). Took more pictures. What's a weekend getaway without a few pictures? Ok, so more than 500 pictures is a lot for a 2-day stay, but who's counting?

After our swim, we had dinner. Then we got vodkas and beer and some Magic Sing fun.

We were supposed to go to Limasawa the next day, but the weather at the island wouldn't permit. So we stayed at the resort. Jetskiing, banana boating, kayaking. It was so much fun when the banana boat overturned. Took a dip in the sea, then we transferred to the pool.

We checked out after lunch. Had dinner at my cousin's house. Drank cocktails, talked, Facebooked. They all went back to Manila this morning.

The weekend was over, but the memories will last a lifetime. ^^

on breaking up, and getting back together..

..after an agonizing 2 years.

Yes, Lex and I are back together. Again. We have this weird on-off relationship when we were together for more than 2 years before. Then we went "off" for a very long time (we'd usually break up then get back together after a few days, laughing over how silly we were, but not that last time). Then we went into this awkward, we-have-the-same-friends phase, where we would get together every semester break, Christmas break, and summer break, making it harder for the both of us to move the hell on.

So it's no wonder we were so hung up on each other that we'd have a hard time looking for other people and entering another relationship.

He tried getting back with me a lot of times over the course of 2 years - but he stopped it during the start of the 2nd year. I guess he figured he'd wait til I'm ready (if I ever became ready) than annoy me and push me further away (because believe me, I was like a bomb waiting to explode whenever he pestered me, or whenever he is mentioned by our friends). That's how bitter I am was. Note the word was.

You're guessing I'm not bitter anymore. Maybe I still am, but I don't let the past bother me anymore. I figured, why not let bygones be bygones? Hell, we were young and stupid then, maybe we still are, but not as young and stupid as before, and that counts for something, right?

I mentioned here that he mentioned the L-word again on New Year's Day (of all times), and completely took me off guard. Not that I didn't know it. I knew. I guess I always did. I just sort of shuffled it to an unconscious part of my brain (I could rant about psychobabble crap, but it would just be a waste of everyone's time).

After that fateful day, we got to talking on the phone every night, it was so like high school all over again, back when I'd still doodle his name over a piece of paper and dream of cute babies with eyes like his and curly hair. We'd also hang out, mostly with friends, but also the two of us. I finally got to the point (again, after 2 years) where I'm once again comfortable being alone with him.

I felt like I was falling for him again - not that I ever stopped loving him. I was on denial after we broke up, I guess it was time I finally faced the truth. It's also the reason why I never had any relationships after ours ended (not that boys were lining at my feet trying to get my attention, but whatever).

Ok, I'm rambling. So there. We're back together. I just hope we'd stop acting stupid this time. They say people change with time - I know we both did. I just don't know if we changed for the better or for worse. I guess we'll have have to take one day at a time and see where it'll take us.

I don't want another long-distance relationship, but with him, I have no choice over that matter. He's in Manila, studying. I'm in Tacloban. He can come home after he graduates this April (I think - I can't guess accurately because DLSU is tri-sem), but by that time I'll be in Cebu (hopefully) studying Medicine. But we're making it work (again) this time.

Whatever. Right now, I'm just happy being in ♥.

photo tags

I was about to post a really long blog about how I'm sick and how I hate being one, but I dropped by Krissy's page first, and saw this. So i decided to do this instead of focusing on my colds. Thanks, Krissy! Ok, here goes.

1st Photo Tag's Rules
1. Open your first photo folder.

2. Scroll to the 10th photo.

3. Post the photo and the story behind it.

4. Tag 5 or more people.

Snow White gone crazy. I actually have a collection of pictures that I just grab from the World Wide Web. Just random pictures that I find amusing. Some are plain pictures, some have quotes on them (like the ones from Tumblr). I also grab movie stills - the most I have are from Harry potter movies, especially Bellatrix Lestrange's photos. What can I say, I'm a sucker fro pictures.

2nd Photo Tag's Rules:

1. Post a picture from your childhood (less than 13 years old).

2. Write something about the picture.

3. Tag your friends and readers.

This is the oldest picture of me I have on file (actually, I grabbed it from my Facebook account, since I'm so lazy to browse through DVD-RWs where I store all my pictures). That's me (a few months old, I think) with my paternal grandmother. I was browsing through old albums once, and I stumbled upon pictures of my childhood, so I scanned them. Those were the days of film cameras.

Ok, enough about that. I'm passing this on to Aileen, Joan, Jojo, and to whoever wants to do this tag. ^^

you have no right messing my life this way

My life is an effin' mess.

First my Dad won't let me study at Manila. Fine by me. We decided on Cebu. And so I thought it everything was fine. I downloaded application forms for CIM, prepared my letters of recommendation to have them signed by former CIs, requested for copies of my TOR at school, and made plans with Cha and Jin (I'm going to Cebu with Cha and we're staying at Jin's). Things are looking up (after bawling my eyes out over not being to study at St. Luke's or UST), or so I thought.

Life's a bitch.

I had a call from my aunt this afternoon. Our conversation went like this:

She: Alam mo ba kelan uuwi Dichi mo para sa birthday niya?
Me: Ewan, 15 ata. Alam ko lang uuwi siya, di sinabi kung kelan.
She: Pero kelan birthday nya?
Me: 16 pa.
She: Ah baka 15 sila pupunta diyan.
Me: Baka nga.
She: So ano plano mo, Medicine? Tuloy ka pa?
Me: Oo.
She: Saan ka mag-aaral?
Me: Cebu ata.
She: Ba't ka pa magsi-Cebu eh meron naman diyan?
Me: Kasi mas maganda school sa Cebu. Iba na ang RTR.
She: Eh bakit si Dichi mo doon naman marami namang pasyente ngayon?
Me: Iba na nga ung school. Mas maganda dati.
She: Ayaw ng Daddy mo lumayo ka, tatlo na nga lang kayo.
Me: Siya kaya may sabi ng Cebu.
She: Eh ayaw nga nya.
Me: Basta sabi niya Cebu na lang ako.
She: Ay bahala ka. (hangs up)

Then she freakin' hang up on me. What kind of person hangs up on her own neice? What kind of person hangs up on anybody?

Same shit, different day.

Jojo came by this afternoon to copy some movies from my laptop. Then we went to Jolibee for a snack. When I got home at around 8, I told my Dad about our conversation. Then (we were speaking in Chinese, Waray and English; I just translated it to just Tagalog and English):

He: Why would you study someplace else when there's a med school here, ba?
Me: Kay it's different na nga. Lower na standards.
He: It's the student naman.
Me: Ay basta.
He: Tatlo na nga lang tayo, aalis ka pa.
Me: Kay Cebu na nga. Ikaw na nagsabi na Cebu na lang.
He: I thought mag-eexam ka lang.
Me: Klaro sabi ko, Daddy. Sabi ko mag-aapply ako sa Manila, sabi mo Cebu na lang. Wala akong sinabi na exam.
He: (silence)

That's the thing about my Dad, he avoids confrontation with me. He didn't say a word again, so I just walked out. Then I cried my eyes out, again. And I talked to my Mom. She told me she knows my Aunt talked to my Dad, but she didn't know what she said to make him change his mind. But my Mom did promise to talk to my Dad.

Anyway, I didn't make this blog to rant about my misfortunes. This was supposed to be dedicated to my manipulative, overbearing, condescending bitch of an aunt. She doesn't have a husband of kids, but she does support her late brother's adopted son who's not accepted by the rest of my uncle's family. She hates Lito's guts, but claims that he has nobody else. It's an act of charity, but I don't think her heart's in it.

I think deep down, she's lonely. And that made her bitter. She doesn't want to see me happy, that's why she's hell bent on destroying my life. She's so fuckin' bitter that she wants other people to be as miserable as she is.

I just wish she'd butt out of my life!