Post 10 things that recently made you happy, then tag other people and spread the LOVE to ten people.

For Graduation, my tita gave me two Friends DVDs: The Best of Monica, and The Best of Phoebe. We're both Friends addicts, and we love them all so much! We can spend the whole night holding marathons and just laughing our heads off. Who wouldn't agree that they're so freakin' Hilarious with a capital H?! They crack me up every time. I'm planning to complete all "The Best of" series but until then I'm going to finish these two first.

It's nice to have the house all to myself not because I can do whatever I want (okay, maybe that is part of the reason) but because I get to feel responsible and adult-like. I have to clean up for my mess, wash the dishes, clean the rooms.. I'm playing Cinderella! Some would probably find this really boring but I look at it as my "training" for my future dorm life because..

Yes, it's all settled. I've known this piece of news since last week but it still thrills me just thinking about it. As I've said before I really didn't think my parents would allow me to live away from them before, but since in my case it's practically a necessity to live in a dormitory (commute everyday to and from Paranaque to QC? Uhh, no thanks) I have to grow-up. I have to really be mature and adult with my decisions and actions. But the fun part in all this is that I get to "live" with a friend! Even if we're cities away from home, we get to have each other.. like an instant sister. =)

I was honestly one of the few people who wasn't caught up in the early stages of the Crocs' popularity. I wasn't digging the ugly clog shoes with holes and rubbery feel. My dad kept forcing me to buy a pair similar to his, and always claiming that those were the kind of shoes doctors from Grey's Anatomy wear. As much as I like the show, I don't like the shoes. And I'm not even a doctor -- I'm not going to need it! Alas, fate has its way of knocking me out of my short-lived anti-Crocs movement. I saw the Alice, Crocs' take on Mary Janes, and yes it was love at first sight. I bought myself a pair using the Rustan's gift certificates I received last Christmas. And truly, it was heaven for my feet. I have to admit, it looks pretty! And yes, no holes. =P

Since I am was an SC officer this school year, it automatically makes me a part of the yearbook staff. I'm one of the copy editors and basically my job is to, well obviously, type the descriptions and other write-ups. However we're also going to be brainstorming on the theme and other concepts we can put in the annual. It's pretty exciting actually because many years from now, me and my batchmates will look back on our high school days through that yearbook. It's nice to know I'm going to be part of the process of making it. =)

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Hope and Inna's birthday at Trixie's house. "What?!" I hear you say. Well, Trixie's place is almost always the default venue for tambayan (next to mine, haha) and since they have a swimming pool (a real one, not the inflatable kind!) we grab the chance to get ourselves free swimming time always. And what better way to have it than to celebrate our friends' birthdays? Hope's birthday was on the 18th but since it was Holy Tuesday we didn't get to celebrate. Meanwhile, Inna's is on April 2nd, but who's to stop us from celebrating right away? Hehe. Anyway, I'm psyched because it's going to be our first summer hurrah! =)

Around this time of the year last year, I was lusting over my current phone, the Motorola Razr V3x. You see, there's always going to be the geeky side of me, and apparently it's on a high every summer. Now what's caught my eye is the ASUS Eee PC, the very small and compact, but high-performing and sub-20k laptop that's taking us by storm. I first saw it last Christmas, when my older cousins gave it to their mom as a gift and back then I didn't really show much interest. But now that my future is somewhat set, reality is I need my own laptop for school considering that I'll be doing lots of paperwork and essays for my course. Our laptop here at home is too heavy and besides, this is practically our PC considering our real one is too old to function. I'm still contemplating as to HOW I'm going to get myself one -- okay, well, WHERE I'm going to get Php 20,000 for it but I'll find a way. Kikay nerds like me always do. =)


Don't let its size fool you -- it's fully loaded with features.

Bangkok has been practically my second home because that's always our top foreign destination. I just love everything about the place -- elephants, tuk-tuks, sticky rice, and don't forget SHOPPING! It's a country almost similar to ours, developing and being more globally competitive but at the same time retaining its rich culture. You're probably wondering why I like it so much if it's so much like Manila. Well, I'm actually a city girl, I love the hustle and bustle of the urban life. So yes, I enjoy how their prosperous Thai culture is infused in their metropolitan town. They may have a different religion or a different language but trust me when I say that when I'm in Bangkok, it's as if I'm also in Manila -- without the traffic, of course!

I have to admit: I've not been very updated on OTH for the past few months. Things just got so busy in school that I didn't have time to download, let alone watch episodes. I've only seen Episodes 1 - 3, and after that nada. Thankfully though, I now have the time in my hands, and I have good friends who download and burn it for me. Now I can once again indulge myself to doing what I love most: OTH Marathons, baby!

I miss them!



and last but not the least..

And now I'm tagging: Cars, Nikki C., Elise, Lea, Ate Patty, Ate Diane, Mary, Ceejae, Nikki D., and Holy Kamote.. and anyone who wants to answer. I know most of you are probably just as bored as I am anyway, so here's something for you to do. Haha.

It's so effin' hot. Whew. Later, y'all. =)

I'm finally back from Batangas! The day after Graduation, I went straight to my grandparents' home in Batangas and spent my Holy Week there. I always love coming to that place because it has the whole rural and countryside feel but without the whole disconnection from the rest of the world because: 1) The network signal is pretty decent, 2) We have cable and a DVD player, 3) They have tons of malls there! But of course a huge part of my suddenly bum life I had to give up -- the Computer and the Internet. I guess God said, "You can't have everything," and that was my sacrifice for this week. Nevertheless, this week was definitely cleansing, like washing out the inside of my body from the pollution it has somehow acquired from the city. Melodramatic, much? Anyway, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back. Yeheyy! =)

GEEKY, haha.

So most of my time there I spent reading and reading. It's probably not obvious but I'm a huge bookworm -- a bookanaconda<, probably. I can spend the whole day and night just reading. That's my nerdy guilty pleasure. Sometimes I feel remorseful after buying an expensive book only to finish reading it in a day or sometimes hours. I immediately bought two books from the PowerBooks Power Card one of my aunts gave me for graduation: Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. They were both sequels to two books I have absolutely grown fond of so I didn't feel like I wasted any money (though in this case, my tita's money) even if I read it both in under three days. Sheesh, I'm such a geek, I know.

Stargirl is one of my favorite novels about conformity, peer pressure, and first love. It isn't the typical hot boy meets cute girl-they fall in love-they break up kind of thing but despite the relatively bizarre situation and characters, it brings a deep sense of familiarity and comfort. Its plot isn't really complicated but I guess some complexities were woven on the sides of the very simple storyline to make it more worthwhile. I've read it in Grade 6, and I still browse its pages from time to time. So I was really psyched to find out that there is an installment to the somewhat hanging novel. This time, it was Stargirl narrating the story, not Leo (unlike the first book). It did not answer most of my questions but it did bring some new light to the character I thought I already knew too well.

The other book I bought is New Moon, the continuation of the star-crossed but riveting lovers Bella and Edward, a human and a vampire. While I was reading it, I had a hard time putting it down because I really wanted to know how it would end badly. If you read the book already, you probably would understand. The middle part was somewhat dragging for me, or maybe it was just because of the absence of a character (oops -- almost spoiler!) but nevertheless I enjoyed reading it. I really tried reading it slowly, even stopping every six or so pages just so I wouldn't get a headache, but to no avail. And upon finishing it, it just left me wanting for more. I have to thank Ayiene for somewhat introducing me to the series. If I didn't read it in her blog I probably wouldn't have picked it up when I saw it at the bookstore! =)

I guess all this beguilement towards this novel goes far beyond the superior writing skills of the author, but more into the danger and threats of their forbidden love. It makes you want to root for them, despite the perils that Edward brings. It's true what they say, the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, in this case. I can't wait for the next novel, and the movie as well!

OMG it's raining here! Summer, and it's raining! This actually makes me extremely happy. I love rain. Oooohh.. it reminds me of gloomy Forks! Maybe I'll get to meet Edward or something. Whee.

This is EXACTLY what I'm afraid of.. sounding like a complete addict. But oh well. That's pretty much my state these days anyway. LOL. I better go and do my bloghopping duties -- I missed all of you so much! BTW, thanks to all those who congratulated me. A big hug to all of you! HUUUG*

"I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid."

Before me lies hundreds of tomorrows waiting to be discovered and ventured upon. I am on the last sentence of the end of a chapter, on the bridge or coda of a song, on the ending montage of scenes in an episode, or the final act before the credits. I am sitting on the line between the end and a new beginning, I can feel something new unfolding before my very eyes. I am almost there and my heart is nothing but ready to see what the world has in store for me.

"Tell me, Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"

Like a typical damsel in distress, I sometimes feel like I am locked up in my own palace stopping me from seeing beyond my walls. Fear has always gotten in the way preventing me from going to places. There are so many things I want but I cannot have all because I am afraid of failure, sadness, and defeat. I have been protecting myself from desolation that I failed to see how important it is to just let things be, and forgot how fulfilling it is to do something just because you want it.

"Over, sideways, and under, on this magic carpet ride."

They say that life is nothing but a journey full of ups and downs, sometimes resulting in heartbreaks and despair, but often bringing memories worth remembering. Once you embark on this expedition called life, there is nothing else you can do but hold on and keep going. Whatever tomorrow brings, be it good or bad, I just have to relish the moments. Life won't stop just because I do so might as well just strap in my seatbelt and enjoy the ride -- though technically magic carpets don't have seatbelts.

"A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew."

I know that after graduation, many great things are waiting for me. I just may not know them now but I am certain that I will enjoy this new life. It may be hard and difficult, but there's nothing I want more than to hold my head up high and soar through the seemingly endless challenges. I know I can do it -- we call can. And when we're way up there, it's crystal clear, then I'll get to relish the wonderful new world. I can't wait. =)

-0Oo-

Tomorrow is the 62nd Commencement Exercises of our school, also known as the Graduation of Batch 2008. This is it! I cannot believe this is happening all to soon, but it is. I just hope that tomorrow, though the end of my Paulinian stay, will just be the beginning of something truly remarkable.

Loyalty Awardee
Second Honorable Mention
Certificate in Leadership
Certificate in School Representation

Seven days. Sounds scary because it reminds me of The Ring and Sadako's curse. Sounds exciting because it brings to mind the mini-soap opera of Pond's flawless white. Haha.

Seven days from now will be the last time I'll get to wear my Paulinian uniform ever. Seven days from now will be the last time I'll sing the Paulinian Hymn and Paulinian Mission Song. Seven days from now will be the last gathering I'll have with all of my batchmates. Seven days from now will be the last night I get to call St. Paul my home.

Seven days from now, I'll be graduating.

I never thought it could be this so overwhelming. I'm sitting in front of my computer knowing that the week that lies before me would be my last in High School. I want to do so many things to savor the remaining moments -- take pictures, talk to people, stand in the middle of the campus and just take everything in. For twelve years I've been in this school and it was only recently that I realized how this school really is my home. My life revolved in this school, and I know nothing about the 'real world' out there. Maybe I come armed with sufficient knowledge but experience? I don't think so. So yes, I'm dying to see the world out there. SPCP has been my cocoon, taking me in as a young caterpillar, and now I'm ready to soar like the butterfly that I am. I can't wait.

But I am honestly scared as well. Like what I said, I know nothing about what's outside the walls of our school. Sure, I can commute to and from our house, MOA, SM Sucat or other nearby places, but can I really handle it all on my own? I've always felt sure of myself when I go out thinking that I'm all grown-up but in reality, I'm really still an inexperienced newbie. And yes, I can probably consider myself friendly because I have many friends from different year levels. But what if that's just because of my visibility in school? Now that I think about it, I am nothing compared to the millions of people out there, journeying the streets of Manila. Why haven't I felt this way before in my entire life?

It's probably because I've always felt safe in St. Paul, I can let my guard down here. All my friends are here, and I know most of the people in this place by their faces, if not by their names. It's my comfort zone and as cliche as it sounds, it's my home away from home. I probably spend more time here than at home considering our usual Saturday classes and late dismissals. I know of no other school than St. Paul, and I can't imagine calling myself an "alumna."

Perhaps it's not the Graduation itself I fear, but the aftermath. What will happen and what will be left of us? -- those are the big questions. And I guess we'll never really know until it comes. One side of me wants to fast forward to the 15th already while the other want to freeze time. It's like it's so close, but still so far away. But there's pretty much nothing I can do about it. It will come, and it's up to me how I'll handle life after it.

Seven days. I certainly hope that seven days from now won't be the last time I get to call myself a Paulinian.

At feel na feel ko naman.

I'm unbelievably occupied this week despite the fact that Seniors don't have classes anymore. We've been extremely busy with our Gratitude Night practices which will be held tomorrow at our school gym. It's a show the fourth year students hold every year as a way of saying thank you to our parents and our teachers. I am included in the group singing (Gasp!) which may come as a huge shock to everyone since I sound like the drunk men in late night parties singing karaoke -- only I'm not a drunk old man. Haha, that's how unpleasant I sound most of the time. But since I want to do something entirely different, as in completely different, I decided to give it a shot together with Nica and Mikka. I hope we don't give our parents too much embarrassment! Haha.

We're also practicing some Grad songs already and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Like An Eagle is included, which was our favorite during our Grade School graduation. I can still remember the eagerness in our voices as we looked forward to High School. Anyway, one of the lines said "Like an eagle, I will soar above the sky," and once we sang it in our classroom Mikka, Nica and I immediately looked at Trixie who will soon be a Blue Eagle herself. You know those little moments where you and your friends' eyes meet and you just know you have something incredibly funny inside joke to say? Well that's what happened. Lo and behold, something that made us laugh for about thirty seconds.

ATENEO: Like an eagle, I will fly.
UST: Like a tiger, I will growl.
DLSU: Like an archer, I can bow.
MAPUA: Like a cardinal, I will pray.
UP: Like a naked man, I will run.

*insert laugh that caused head to fall off and body to roll on the floor*

Yan. We're mababaw that way. Haha. And yes, we know the Mapua Cardinal is actually a bird. Haha. =) It's only today that the very obvious fact sank in: we're going to different schools, with different school colors! I wonder how our school spirit will turn out to be next year, especially for UAAP?! Go Maroon!

Speaking of Maroon, it breaks my heart that I didn't get to watch the Maroon 5 concert. Amf. It's ADAM LEVINE, for Pete's sake, and I missed it because I didn't have money! The cheapest ticket was at Php 1,500 and that was at the bleachers! I know it would've been worth it, but now I'm just stuck with regret. Argh, we should have gone! I also have an extremely slim chance of getting to watch Incubus on the 9th. That's two of my super hot major musician crushes that I'd miss. Justin Timberlake, you better come here! I swear I'm going to use the money and buy stuff for me! =)

Just finished reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It's enchanting how a vampire can become so enthralling and abhorrent at the same time. Who wouldn't fall in love with Edward, anyway? I heard it's going to be filmed as a movie. Maybe it's in the works. But whatever it is, I hope they do not stray too much from the real turnout of events.

Just like what the Gossip Girl TV show is doing. The plot lines were hugely modified and even the characters' history isn't exactly as those into the books only. It's so -- commercialized. I really am grateful that I was able to buy the original print of the Gossip Girl series because it has been my most favorite series the first time I laid eyes on it. Haha. I still really think you should read the book first before indulging yourself in the juicy gossip the show is supposedly offering. Darlings, if you think the show is juicy, then that's nothing compared to the scandalous world of the real Gossip Girl. Aww! The only downside to completing the series immediately is that I have to wait for an extremely long time when a new one comes along.

By the way, here's the new era of Gossip Girl coming this May 2008:


The New Era of Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl The Carlyles

LAST NIGHT WAS THE MOST MAGICAL NIGHT OF MY LIFE.

I cannot even put into words how extremely delighted and ecstatic I am. I can still feel the Grad Ball spirit! Everything about it was beyond words.. from the food, the venue, the music, the ambiance, every moment was worth remembering. It might have ended but its memory will most definitely stay in me forever and ever and ever and ever.

The best part of it all is getting to hang out with my best friends and my batch mates. We never really get the chance to bond as one, what with all our school works and other things going on with our academic lives. But tonight was different because it was entirely FOR US, BY US (and of course with the help of our teachers and parents). We are one big happy family who danced and laughed the night away. We are one solid batch ready to rock the world as we leave the halls of St. Paul. And yes, we are one crazy batch who partied all niiiight! =)

Let my pictures do the talking. I am not capable of writing how magical it is because I still have too much excitement in my body, my words might not perfectly capture its wonder.

P.S. I was the "head" of the dancing Caterpillar! Haha, yun ba tawag dun? Basta yung kabit-kabit na sumasayaw, ako ang pasimuno. Hahaha. EVERYONE joined and we danced all around the ballroom, sumali pa pati teachers! I rock. LOL. We rock! =)

P.P.S Nag-expect kami na issurprise kami ng pagdating ni Ne-Yo at doon siya mag-concert! HAHA, asa naman eh noh! =))

Today was the last day of our 4th Periodic Examinations, which means: WE'RE FREE!! Usually I'd rant about how difficult the tests were, but why worry myself with it when they're part of the past? HAHA. No more agonizing Biochemistry lessons, so long mind-boggling Economics problems, goodbye to seemingly infinite Calculus.. adios to high school lessons! Sarap ng feeling!

In just a few hours, we will be having probably the biggest night of our lives: GRADUATION BALL. I bet my batch mates are all lined up in salons, doing some last-minute fittings, and resisting the urge to eat too much, all because we're so excited! As I've mentioned before, Grad Balls in our school rarely happen, but because we are a pioneer batch we are so lucky to be having it. This is the night everyone's been waiting for (aside from Graduation, of course!), even the not so girlie-girls are excited. And I bet our boys -- ehem, our MEN, are just as psyched. I can't wait, really. By one o'clock, we'll head to the salon and get my hair, makeup and nails done. Ayihee, dalaga na!

Christopher, my ever-loyal partner, is my date. He's my partner during our ballroom, tinikling and all other dances in PE. So I'm pretty sure I won't be sulking in my seat tonight because we WILL dance! Haha. I caaan't wait to partayy! =)

For the past 48 hours, my mom has been telling me stories about her prom nights. It's funny because she still gets kilig over her partner, and can remember all the inside jokes she shared with her friends as if it was just like yesterday. It's true what they say that prom night (or in our case, Grad Ball night) is one of the biggest nights of your teenage life. I know tonight will be worth remembering. I hope I get the same sparkle in my eyes like my mom's when I look back on this night. =)

I SOUND SUPER EXCITED.. well that's because I am! Haha. I'll take lotsa lotsa lotsa pictures and promise to upload them ALL! I have to go to the parlor na. Haha. Wish us luck!




SARAP MAGING SENIOR! =)

Post 10 things that recently made you happy, then tag other people and spread the LOVE to ten people.

For Graduation, my tita gave me two Friends DVDs: The Best of Monica, and The Best of Phoebe. We're both Friends addicts, and we love them all so much! We can spend the whole night holding marathons and just laughing our heads off. Who wouldn't agree that they're so freakin' Hilarious with a capital H?! They crack me up every time. I'm planning to complete all "The Best of" series but until then I'm going to finish these two first.

It's nice to have the house all to myself not because I can do whatever I want (okay, maybe that is part of the reason) but because I get to feel responsible and adult-like. I have to clean up for my mess, wash the dishes, clean the rooms.. I'm playing Cinderella! Some would probably find this really boring but I look at it as my "training" for my future dorm life because..

Yes, it's all settled. I've known this piece of news since last week but it still thrills me just thinking about it. As I've said before I really didn't think my parents would allow me to live away from them before, but since in my case it's practically a necessity to live in a dormitory (commute everyday to and from Paranaque to QC? Uhh, no thanks) I have to grow-up. I have to really be mature and adult with my decisions and actions. But the fun part in all this is that I get to "live" with a friend! Even if we're cities away from home, we get to have each other.. like an instant sister. =)

I was honestly one of the few people who wasn't caught up in the early stages of the Crocs' popularity. I wasn't digging the ugly clog shoes with holes and rubbery feel. My dad kept forcing me to buy a pair similar to his, and always claiming that those were the kind of shoes doctors from Grey's Anatomy wear. As much as I like the show, I don't like the shoes. And I'm not even a doctor -- I'm not going to need it! Alas, fate has its way of knocking me out of my short-lived anti-Crocs movement. I saw the Alice, Crocs' take on Mary Janes, and yes it was love at first sight. I bought myself a pair using the Rustan's gift certificates I received last Christmas. And truly, it was heaven for my feet. I have to admit, it looks pretty! And yes, no holes. =P

Since I am was an SC officer this school year, it automatically makes me a part of the yearbook staff. I'm one of the copy editors and basically my job is to, well obviously, type the descriptions and other write-ups. However we're also going to be brainstorming on the theme and other concepts we can put in the annual. It's pretty exciting actually because many years from now, me and my batchmates will look back on our high school days through that yearbook. It's nice to know I'm going to be part of the process of making it. =)

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Hope and Inna's birthday at Trixie's house. "What?!" I hear you say. Well, Trixie's place is almost always the default venue for tambayan (next to mine, haha) and since they have a swimming pool (a real one, not the inflatable kind!) we grab the chance to get ourselves free swimming time always. And what better way to have it than to celebrate our friends' birthdays? Hope's birthday was on the 18th but since it was Holy Tuesday we didn't get to celebrate. Meanwhile, Inna's is on April 2nd, but who's to stop us from celebrating right away? Hehe. Anyway, I'm psyched because it's going to be our first summer hurrah! =)

Around this time of the year last year, I was lusting over my current phone, the Motorola Razr V3x. You see, there's always going to be the geeky side of me, and apparently it's on a high every summer. Now what's caught my eye is the ASUS Eee PC, the very small and compact, but high-performing and sub-20k laptop that's taking us by storm. I first saw it last Christmas, when my older cousins gave it to their mom as a gift and back then I didn't really show much interest. But now that my future is somewhat set, reality is I need my own laptop for school considering that I'll be doing lots of paperwork and essays for my course. Our laptop here at home is too heavy and besides, this is practically our PC considering our real one is too old to function. I'm still contemplating as to HOW I'm going to get myself one -- okay, well, WHERE I'm going to get Php 20,000 for it but I'll find a way. Kikay nerds like me always do. =)


Don't let its size fool you -- it's fully loaded with features.

Bangkok has been practically my second home because that's always our top foreign destination. I just love everything about the place -- elephants, tuk-tuks, sticky rice, and don't forget SHOPPING! It's a country almost similar to ours, developing and being more globally competitive but at the same time retaining its rich culture. You're probably wondering why I like it so much if it's so much like Manila. Well, I'm actually a city girl, I love the hustle and bustle of the urban life. So yes, I enjoy how their prosperous Thai culture is infused in their metropolitan town. They may have a different religion or a different language but trust me when I say that when I'm in Bangkok, it's as if I'm also in Manila -- without the traffic, of course!

I have to admit: I've not been very updated on OTH for the past few months. Things just got so busy in school that I didn't have time to download, let alone watch episodes. I've only seen Episodes 1 - 3, and after that nada. Thankfully though, I now have the time in my hands, and I have good friends who download and burn it for me. Now I can once again indulge myself to doing what I love most: OTH Marathons, baby!

I miss them!



and last but not the least..

And now I'm tagging: Cars, Nikki C., Elise, Lea, Ate Patty, Ate Diane, Mary, Ceejae, Nikki D., and Holy Kamote.. and anyone who wants to answer. I know most of you are probably just as bored as I am anyway, so here's something for you to do. Haha.

It's so effin' hot. Whew. Later, y'all. =)

I'm finally back from Batangas! The day after Graduation, I went straight to my grandparents' home in Batangas and spent my Holy Week there. I always love coming to that place because it has the whole rural and countryside feel but without the whole disconnection from the rest of the world because: 1) The network signal is pretty decent, 2) We have cable and a DVD player, 3) They have tons of malls there! But of course a huge part of my suddenly bum life I had to give up -- the Computer and the Internet. I guess God said, "You can't have everything," and that was my sacrifice for this week. Nevertheless, this week was definitely cleansing, like washing out the inside of my body from the pollution it has somehow acquired from the city. Melodramatic, much? Anyway, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back. Yeheyy! =)

GEEKY, haha.

So most of my time there I spent reading and reading. It's probably not obvious but I'm a huge bookworm -- a bookanaconda<, probably. I can spend the whole day and night just reading. That's my nerdy guilty pleasure. Sometimes I feel remorseful after buying an expensive book only to finish reading it in a day or sometimes hours. I immediately bought two books from the PowerBooks Power Card one of my aunts gave me for graduation: Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. They were both sequels to two books I have absolutely grown fond of so I didn't feel like I wasted any money (though in this case, my tita's money) even if I read it both in under three days. Sheesh, I'm such a geek, I know.

Stargirl is one of my favorite novels about conformity, peer pressure, and first love. It isn't the typical hot boy meets cute girl-they fall in love-they break up kind of thing but despite the relatively bizarre situation and characters, it brings a deep sense of familiarity and comfort. Its plot isn't really complicated but I guess some complexities were woven on the sides of the very simple storyline to make it more worthwhile. I've read it in Grade 6, and I still browse its pages from time to time. So I was really psyched to find out that there is an installment to the somewhat hanging novel. This time, it was Stargirl narrating the story, not Leo (unlike the first book). It did not answer most of my questions but it did bring some new light to the character I thought I already knew too well.

The other book I bought is New Moon, the continuation of the star-crossed but riveting lovers Bella and Edward, a human and a vampire. While I was reading it, I had a hard time putting it down because I really wanted to know how it would end badly. If you read the book already, you probably would understand. The middle part was somewhat dragging for me, or maybe it was just because of the absence of a character (oops -- almost spoiler!) but nevertheless I enjoyed reading it. I really tried reading it slowly, even stopping every six or so pages just so I wouldn't get a headache, but to no avail. And upon finishing it, it just left me wanting for more. I have to thank Ayiene for somewhat introducing me to the series. If I didn't read it in her blog I probably wouldn't have picked it up when I saw it at the bookstore! =)

I guess all this beguilement towards this novel goes far beyond the superior writing skills of the author, but more into the danger and threats of their forbidden love. It makes you want to root for them, despite the perils that Edward brings. It's true what they say, the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, in this case. I can't wait for the next novel, and the movie as well!

OMG it's raining here! Summer, and it's raining! This actually makes me extremely happy. I love rain. Oooohh.. it reminds me of gloomy Forks! Maybe I'll get to meet Edward or something. Whee.

This is EXACTLY what I'm afraid of.. sounding like a complete addict. But oh well. That's pretty much my state these days anyway. LOL. I better go and do my bloghopping duties -- I missed all of you so much! BTW, thanks to all those who congratulated me. A big hug to all of you! HUUUG*

"I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid."

Before me lies hundreds of tomorrows waiting to be discovered and ventured upon. I am on the last sentence of the end of a chapter, on the bridge or coda of a song, on the ending montage of scenes in an episode, or the final act before the credits. I am sitting on the line between the end and a new beginning, I can feel something new unfolding before my very eyes. I am almost there and my heart is nothing but ready to see what the world has in store for me.

"Tell me, Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"

Like a typical damsel in distress, I sometimes feel like I am locked up in my own palace stopping me from seeing beyond my walls. Fear has always gotten in the way preventing me from going to places. There are so many things I want but I cannot have all because I am afraid of failure, sadness, and defeat. I have been protecting myself from desolation that I failed to see how important it is to just let things be, and forgot how fulfilling it is to do something just because you want it.

"Over, sideways, and under, on this magic carpet ride."

They say that life is nothing but a journey full of ups and downs, sometimes resulting in heartbreaks and despair, but often bringing memories worth remembering. Once you embark on this expedition called life, there is nothing else you can do but hold on and keep going. Whatever tomorrow brings, be it good or bad, I just have to relish the moments. Life won't stop just because I do so might as well just strap in my seatbelt and enjoy the ride -- though technically magic carpets don't have seatbelts.

"A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew."

I know that after graduation, many great things are waiting for me. I just may not know them now but I am certain that I will enjoy this new life. It may be hard and difficult, but there's nothing I want more than to hold my head up high and soar through the seemingly endless challenges. I know I can do it -- we call can. And when we're way up there, it's crystal clear, then I'll get to relish the wonderful new world. I can't wait. =)

-0Oo-

Tomorrow is the 62nd Commencement Exercises of our school, also known as the Graduation of Batch 2008. This is it! I cannot believe this is happening all to soon, but it is. I just hope that tomorrow, though the end of my Paulinian stay, will just be the beginning of something truly remarkable.

Loyalty Awardee
Second Honorable Mention
Certificate in Leadership
Certificate in School Representation

Seven days. Sounds scary because it reminds me of The Ring and Sadako's curse. Sounds exciting because it brings to mind the mini-soap opera of Pond's flawless white. Haha.

Seven days from now will be the last time I'll get to wear my Paulinian uniform ever. Seven days from now will be the last time I'll sing the Paulinian Hymn and Paulinian Mission Song. Seven days from now will be the last gathering I'll have with all of my batchmates. Seven days from now will be the last night I get to call St. Paul my home.

Seven days from now, I'll be graduating.

I never thought it could be this so overwhelming. I'm sitting in front of my computer knowing that the week that lies before me would be my last in High School. I want to do so many things to savor the remaining moments -- take pictures, talk to people, stand in the middle of the campus and just take everything in. For twelve years I've been in this school and it was only recently that I realized how this school really is my home. My life revolved in this school, and I know nothing about the 'real world' out there. Maybe I come armed with sufficient knowledge but experience? I don't think so. So yes, I'm dying to see the world out there. SPCP has been my cocoon, taking me in as a young caterpillar, and now I'm ready to soar like the butterfly that I am. I can't wait.

But I am honestly scared as well. Like what I said, I know nothing about what's outside the walls of our school. Sure, I can commute to and from our house, MOA, SM Sucat or other nearby places, but can I really handle it all on my own? I've always felt sure of myself when I go out thinking that I'm all grown-up but in reality, I'm really still an inexperienced newbie. And yes, I can probably consider myself friendly because I have many friends from different year levels. But what if that's just because of my visibility in school? Now that I think about it, I am nothing compared to the millions of people out there, journeying the streets of Manila. Why haven't I felt this way before in my entire life?

It's probably because I've always felt safe in St. Paul, I can let my guard down here. All my friends are here, and I know most of the people in this place by their faces, if not by their names. It's my comfort zone and as cliche as it sounds, it's my home away from home. I probably spend more time here than at home considering our usual Saturday classes and late dismissals. I know of no other school than St. Paul, and I can't imagine calling myself an "alumna."

Perhaps it's not the Graduation itself I fear, but the aftermath. What will happen and what will be left of us? -- those are the big questions. And I guess we'll never really know until it comes. One side of me wants to fast forward to the 15th already while the other want to freeze time. It's like it's so close, but still so far away. But there's pretty much nothing I can do about it. It will come, and it's up to me how I'll handle life after it.

Seven days. I certainly hope that seven days from now won't be the last time I get to call myself a Paulinian.

At feel na feel ko naman.

I'm unbelievably occupied this week despite the fact that Seniors don't have classes anymore. We've been extremely busy with our Gratitude Night practices which will be held tomorrow at our school gym. It's a show the fourth year students hold every year as a way of saying thank you to our parents and our teachers. I am included in the group singing (Gasp!) which may come as a huge shock to everyone since I sound like the drunk men in late night parties singing karaoke -- only I'm not a drunk old man. Haha, that's how unpleasant I sound most of the time. But since I want to do something entirely different, as in completely different, I decided to give it a shot together with Nica and Mikka. I hope we don't give our parents too much embarrassment! Haha.

We're also practicing some Grad songs already and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Like An Eagle is included, which was our favorite during our Grade School graduation. I can still remember the eagerness in our voices as we looked forward to High School. Anyway, one of the lines said "Like an eagle, I will soar above the sky," and once we sang it in our classroom Mikka, Nica and I immediately looked at Trixie who will soon be a Blue Eagle herself. You know those little moments where you and your friends' eyes meet and you just know you have something incredibly funny inside joke to say? Well that's what happened. Lo and behold, something that made us laugh for about thirty seconds.

ATENEO: Like an eagle, I will fly.
UST: Like a tiger, I will growl.
DLSU: Like an archer, I can bow.
MAPUA: Like a cardinal, I will pray.
UP: Like a naked man, I will run.

*insert laugh that caused head to fall off and body to roll on the floor*

Yan. We're mababaw that way. Haha. And yes, we know the Mapua Cardinal is actually a bird. Haha. =) It's only today that the very obvious fact sank in: we're going to different schools, with different school colors! I wonder how our school spirit will turn out to be next year, especially for UAAP?! Go Maroon!

Speaking of Maroon, it breaks my heart that I didn't get to watch the Maroon 5 concert. Amf. It's ADAM LEVINE, for Pete's sake, and I missed it because I didn't have money! The cheapest ticket was at Php 1,500 and that was at the bleachers! I know it would've been worth it, but now I'm just stuck with regret. Argh, we should have gone! I also have an extremely slim chance of getting to watch Incubus on the 9th. That's two of my super hot major musician crushes that I'd miss. Justin Timberlake, you better come here! I swear I'm going to use the money and buy stuff for me! =)

Just finished reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It's enchanting how a vampire can become so enthralling and abhorrent at the same time. Who wouldn't fall in love with Edward, anyway? I heard it's going to be filmed as a movie. Maybe it's in the works. But whatever it is, I hope they do not stray too much from the real turnout of events.

Just like what the Gossip Girl TV show is doing. The plot lines were hugely modified and even the characters' history isn't exactly as those into the books only. It's so -- commercialized. I really am grateful that I was able to buy the original print of the Gossip Girl series because it has been my most favorite series the first time I laid eyes on it. Haha. I still really think you should read the book first before indulging yourself in the juicy gossip the show is supposedly offering. Darlings, if you think the show is juicy, then that's nothing compared to the scandalous world of the real Gossip Girl. Aww! The only downside to completing the series immediately is that I have to wait for an extremely long time when a new one comes along.

By the way, here's the new era of Gossip Girl coming this May 2008:


The New Era of Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl The Carlyles

LAST NIGHT WAS THE MOST MAGICAL NIGHT OF MY LIFE.

I cannot even put into words how extremely delighted and ecstatic I am. I can still feel the Grad Ball spirit! Everything about it was beyond words.. from the food, the venue, the music, the ambiance, every moment was worth remembering. It might have ended but its memory will most definitely stay in me forever and ever and ever and ever.

The best part of it all is getting to hang out with my best friends and my batch mates. We never really get the chance to bond as one, what with all our school works and other things going on with our academic lives. But tonight was different because it was entirely FOR US, BY US (and of course with the help of our teachers and parents). We are one big happy family who danced and laughed the night away. We are one solid batch ready to rock the world as we leave the halls of St. Paul. And yes, we are one crazy batch who partied all niiiight! =)

Let my pictures do the talking. I am not capable of writing how magical it is because I still have too much excitement in my body, my words might not perfectly capture its wonder.

P.S. I was the "head" of the dancing Caterpillar! Haha, yun ba tawag dun? Basta yung kabit-kabit na sumasayaw, ako ang pasimuno. Hahaha. EVERYONE joined and we danced all around the ballroom, sumali pa pati teachers! I rock. LOL. We rock! =)

P.P.S Nag-expect kami na issurprise kami ng pagdating ni Ne-Yo at doon siya mag-concert! HAHA, asa naman eh noh! =))

Today was the last day of our 4th Periodic Examinations, which means: WE'RE FREE!! Usually I'd rant about how difficult the tests were, but why worry myself with it when they're part of the past? HAHA. No more agonizing Biochemistry lessons, so long mind-boggling Economics problems, goodbye to seemingly infinite Calculus.. adios to high school lessons! Sarap ng feeling!

In just a few hours, we will be having probably the biggest night of our lives: GRADUATION BALL. I bet my batch mates are all lined up in salons, doing some last-minute fittings, and resisting the urge to eat too much, all because we're so excited! As I've mentioned before, Grad Balls in our school rarely happen, but because we are a pioneer batch we are so lucky to be having it. This is the night everyone's been waiting for (aside from Graduation, of course!), even the not so girlie-girls are excited. And I bet our boys -- ehem, our MEN, are just as psyched. I can't wait, really. By one o'clock, we'll head to the salon and get my hair, makeup and nails done. Ayihee, dalaga na!

Christopher, my ever-loyal partner, is my date. He's my partner during our ballroom, tinikling and all other dances in PE. So I'm pretty sure I won't be sulking in my seat tonight because we WILL dance! Haha. I caaan't wait to partayy! =)

For the past 48 hours, my mom has been telling me stories about her prom nights. It's funny because she still gets kilig over her partner, and can remember all the inside jokes she shared with her friends as if it was just like yesterday. It's true what they say that prom night (or in our case, Grad Ball night) is one of the biggest nights of your teenage life. I know tonight will be worth remembering. I hope I get the same sparkle in my eyes like my mom's when I look back on this night. =)

I SOUND SUPER EXCITED.. well that's because I am! Haha. I'll take lotsa lotsa lotsa pictures and promise to upload them ALL! I have to go to the parlor na. Haha. Wish us luck!




SARAP MAGING SENIOR! =)