gheyb's Xanga

Hey Blogosphere!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:57:06 GMT

I'm back! Yeah, yeah, yeah! This is it! I'm graduating soon! But it kind of scares me, you know. It feels good that all the academic hardships are going to end soon. Yes, I can totally hear the angels sing “Alleluia” right after that last statement. Haha! However, the thought of entering the real world can be totally overwhelming, especially if you're the type of person who can't handle pressure very well... in short, someone like me.

Anyway, a brand new semester meant that I made it through an old one. Basically, last semester was one of the toughest semesters of my entire College life. I had to win over a battle with my laziness, some hardcore and highly objective examinations, and my freakishly emotional self.

Even if I so wanted to blog about every little thing that has happened to me for the past semester, my busy schedule won over, making Twitter and Facebook status updates my trusty “microblogs”. That’s because I have Tweetdeck on my laptop. It’s really easy to update Facebook and Twitter through Tweetdeck, you know. Haha! I guess I’m putting all the blame to a highly efficient software that doesn’t include updating Xanga as part of its service.

So, last semester was really stressful for me. There’s my thesis, my last other major subject, my technical electives, my social science elective and again, my thesis. I’m not yet done with the big T… Still on the data gathering portion, but I gotta tell you… I thought I wouldn’t get to this part. To be honest, 50% of me thought I would get a failing grade for my thesis… and a U (for Unsatisfactory) on the thesis presentation. Luckily, I was able to gather data before the end of the sem :) I owe God big time.

Here are the highlights of my 2nd to the last semester in College:

For the first time in my College life, I felt incredibly independent. For the past semesters, most of the people that I hang out with are my course-mates. I rarely hang out with people who have courses that are different from mine. I think the closest I could get to this was during summer of ’08, when I took up ENG2. Man, it was the coolest non-CDC class that I ever had in my entire stay in the university. For last semester, I get to hang out with a bunch of Applied Math students and lower batch students. Yes, I played “Ate” last semester. I remember myself hating lower batch people for calling me “Ate”. Now, it’s all fine with me. And honestly, I kind of like it. Oh, what I like best about these “Ate”-caling students is that they’re pretty unaware that I was a Senior during the first days of classes. Haha! Really cracks me up whenever I reveal that I’m a Senior… Gotta love the look on their face: PRICELESS. Hanging out with batchmates from a different field of study sure is fun! I loved spending my Fridays with A.Math girls. SOOO COOL! We eat a lot of street food along the way our classmates house, and eat tons of food when we get there.

Ok, that doesn’t make sense. So, what really made this an independent phase for me is that I didn’t rely much on the cloud of people that normally surrounds me. I get to explore myself better and get to know other people as well. Feels good, really. I’m not saying I hate my old friends. This semester just gave me an opportunity to meet new ones… individuals that have preferences and goals that are different from yours. The downside of this independence, however, is that I felt kind of lonely sometimes. Ok, I get to spend time with my new friends. But I miss the shared moments with my good old friends. Because majority of my college buddies are my course-mates, being away from the college building most of the time can really kill you. Nostalgia can sometimes lead to severe depression, especially when not treated right away. Haha, I just made that up but that’s exactly how I feel.

Our HUME1 class :)

I get to travel --- A LOT! Field trips may be a no-no for me on my subjects this semester, but guess what? I had been to different places with no strings attached (reaction papers or some freaking write-up required by professors after conducting a field trip)! I’ve been to Antipolo (nothing new about this, though), Vigan, Abra, Baguio, Cebu, and Bicol (this one’s on my sembreak after last semester, hehe). Talk about the toughest sem,huh? May nalalaman pa akong travel chever kahit sobrang tight ng sked ko.

Here are some proof:

with my relatives... taken in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City :)

In Abra <3

In Vigan <3

In Cebu... On the background is the University of the Philippines-Cebu :) Weee!

A jump shot of the Guevara girls, taken in front of the Penafrancia Basilica in Bicol :) Cool! I'll post an entry on our escapades in Bicol :)

I got promoted. I’m a LIFE coach/OG leader in VCF-LB now. Technically, it’s kind of a comeback… more of like an official promotion. Hehe. The problem with this promotion is this: Can I handle it?

I learned a lot of things. Phew… I think this is the best thing about this semester. At that time, all I knew is that I made a total fool out of myself. Guess what? I didn’t. I just collected some of my class cards earlier… and I just discovered that I actually got relatively good grades. Two of my class cards made me super happy. :D The leaflet that I have designed (for free, as partial fulfillment of one of my subjects) for one of the UPLB institutions is now mass-produced in black and white, and soon, in full color. Cheers! Aside from academics, I’ve learned the different ways on how to interact with people. I get to meet people of high positions, become extremely close with an instructor and to set a good example to younger students (naks!).

Miko and I with our dearest instructor/friend, Ma'am Baleng Lagos :)

So, what’s next for my last semester in College? Let’s just hope this is really going to be the last. :)
Don't worry... I'll keep you posted. I miss writing :)

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

Again.

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:10:58 GMT

This is the second time I took a Glee personality quiz. And the result's the same. Haha!

Which Glee Character Are You?

More on Glee. Created by BuddyTV

Just sharing so that my blog would know what's the latest about me. What?! Haha!
I really don't have the time to blog everything.There's my thesis. And my thesis... And then again, my thesis. *Sigh*

So how's my blogging life outside Xanga? The 2 things that I update religiously nowadays are my Facebook and Twitter accounts. Sorry. I'll return to Xanga blogging mode ASAP. I have lots of stories to tell!

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

I'm a Gleek :)

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:42:02 GMT

I just want to share that I'm definitely hooked.... Glee is LOVE! :) Gtg. Just spreading the word. Hehe:)

GLEE: my obsession that keeps me sane from all the academic stuff that I have to deal with this semester:D

Btw, Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) for the win :D

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

Oh no, Ondoy! (part 2)

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:58:49 GMT

Thank God, the rain caused by Typhoon Ondoy has finally ceased! This means that our fellow Filipinos, who are victims of the said typhoon, are now safer. According to what I've heard from the radio last night, this typhoon is the worst since June 7, 1967. And we thought Milenyo and Reming were the worst last 2006! A shocking revelation, really. This is obviously a manifestation of the phenomenon we call "climate change".

Climate change is the drastic change in our weather patterns that are mainly attributed to greenhouse gases trapped in our planet's atmosphere. Because these gases are trapped inside, we are experiencing weather extremes - either too hot or too cold.

The Philippines has just witnessed extreme weather conditions this week. Last Wednesday and Thursday, everybody was close to getting dehydration because of the heat. Then the worst downpour since 1967 was experienced during Friday and Saturday. Different establishments across Luzon are submerged in flood waters; some people are gone missing, and tragically, some of them are found dead; and Filipinos of all ages are stranded everywhere --- as in, literally EVERYWHERE! As of now, 52 persons are dead.

A wake up call? DEFINITELY! We all need to work together. We may not have the ability to get rid of all the harmful effects of climate change, but we can lessen them by taking measures that are aiming for sustainable development. Putting our environment at risk (such as exploitation and pollution) is equivalent to putting our own selves to risk. No matter your status in life is, climate change has an effect on you! A perfect example is Cristine Reyes. She's a known actress here in the Philippines, and yet she got stuck on their roof because flood waters penetrated their house in Marikina City! Just imagine how many Filipinos are submerged all over Luzon.

Cristine Reyes on the roof of their house.

See? No matter how different we are based on our status in life, climate change will have an effect on us all. So please, let's help each other. None of us wouldn't want to see this again...

Photos from news.yahoo.com

Oh no, Ondoy!

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:35:47 GMT

A lot of people are stranded in different areas of Luzon... including my dearest sister. Ondoy, you really did it! Grrrr... Sorry for the people following my tweets on Twitter and my apologies also to my friends on Facebook for flooding your walls. It's just that I feel helpless with what's happening around. If you're in the Philippines, particularly Luzon, and you're totally bothered with what you see in the news (e.g. chest-high floods, stranded passengers) you'll understand why. If you're not, let me give a clear picture of what's happening.

Ondoy is a typhoon that hit the Philippines yesterday. The rain started pouring yesterday night, and had been nonstop since then. Many Filipinos are stuck in schools, offices, etc. because they couldn't access proper transportation that could get them home. As for those who are stuck in their houses, some of them are fine (like us) and some are not, mainly depending on the location of the house. Water penetrated majority of the houses located near bodies of water, those located beneath the mountains (water downpour), and those that are just in pretty bad areas.

For pictures, click here: http://ondoy.tumblr.com/
For more credible news, click here: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173232/epic-flood-in-metro-manila-caused-by-record-rainfall

NDCC's boats are not enough to rescue people that are highly affected by the floods. So let's take some action!

If you're safe at home, let's pray for our fellow citizens from this calamity. May we get over this safely, with God's help.

You can also help by sending donations. Send Red Cross donations through SMS: text REDAMOUNT (5, 25, 50, 100 or 300) to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). Ex. RED 50.

DISASTER EMERGENCY HOTLINES YOU CAN CALL:

These are the hotlines that our citizenry can call for disaster emergency situations, especially urgent rescue and relief needs.

National Disaster Coordinating Committee
911-1406
911-1873
911-1906
911-5061
912-0984
912-2665
912-3046
912-5296
912-5668

Help hotlines:
734-2118
734-2120

Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region
729-5166
410-6254
413-8859
407-1230

Bureau of Fire Protection, Region III (Central Luzon)
Hotline (045) 9634376

Philippine Coast Guard
527-6136

Red Cross
143
911-1876
527-0000

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
136
896-6000

Taguig emergency hotline
1623

Meralco
16220
0917-5592824
0920-9292824

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. emergency hotlines
for dumptrucks going to flooded areas for rescue of stranded people:
0917 4226800
0917 2414864
0927 6751981

Sen. Dick Gordon (Philippine National Red Cross)
Please send address of stranded friends/family to
09178997898
0938444BOYS

How I Met Your Mother Season 5

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:13:30 GMT

Meet this year's "Power Couple"... BARROBIN!!! Weee! I'm pretty psyched for HIMYM Season 5!!! Anyway, I love the long weekend!!! :D

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

Barely alive... save me!

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:06:30 GMT

It's September.. near the end of the 1st semester... and here I am, barely alive.

Things are all messed up... my emotional self (depression, leave me alone!), my spiritual life (the fire is dying... keep it burning, please), my physical being (I'm getting fatter each day due to depression), my academic life (not yet data gathering for my thesis) and my social life (I'm a freaking antisocial!).

Me being a mess is more of like a monotony now. EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY LIFE is a mess.

I miss my old self. I miss my family. I miss my friends.

Crap. I sound like I'm dying.

Somebody save me!

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

the boys are back

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:17:04 GMT

The A1 boys are back together after 6 years (am I right?)! Call me corny or baduy. But what the heck! A1 completed my Grade School life! :D I miss them. Too bad Paul isn't here.

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

I typed my name on the Yahoo! search engine...

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:04:51 GMT

I do this all the time, just for fun. I either Google or search my name on Yahoo!

Most of the time, I see links to my different online accounts.
But this time, it's different.
What did I find out, really?

Here's the link:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090610-209697/Almost-6000-pass-career-service-exams

Something to cheer me up, I guess. haha! I'm cramming for the nth time, for crying out loud! My big T is under construction. lol :)

PS. I had fun yesterday. Reymart and I's 20th birthday blowout was awesome! We get to see Stefan's look-alike at Powerbooks, we get to eat two boxes of pizza at Yellow Cab (one with hair in it, which the affected slice was replaced with ice cream that according to them, tasted like Albatross), and we get to watch a legen.. wait for it... dary comedy film! "The Hangover" cracked me up! I even downloaded an mp3 file of Mr. Chow's "toodooloo M*****f*****!" line! hahaha! The problem though is, I don't know what will I do with it. LOL! Sana maulit muli! Sa unang sweldo ni Jema siguro. Hahaha! Peace!

MISCHIEF MANAGED!

I gotta feeling...

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:57:13 GMT

...that I'm going to graduate on time. haha! Optimism, pare!

Sleepless nights for me = a hope for my graduation dreams :D

Good thing we already have internet connection in our dorm room. Yebah! ^___^

Gtg. My ticket to UPLB's 2010 graduation awaits!

MISCHIEF MANAGED!