Be Right Back!

I am smelling Chicken Inasal already... Namit gid! nyahaha

Happy Birthday me, in BACOLOD! woooooot!

Protozoan Summer

Right this very moment, I wish I was a protozoa, happily swimming in the murkish waters of the pond, if just to beat the painfully scorching heat of Dumaguete summer. I remember one time in Microbiology Lab, we examined pond water samples and observed tiny, little microorganisms squirming and beating around like kids playing in the beach. They were fun to see under the microscope; they looked so happy and carefree, bathed in cool water and mud-like, nutrient-rich substrate, like as if nothing else mattered.

See, this is what the summer heat is doing to me, making me wish I was a measly, hyperactive protozoa in a bath tub of cold water with a built-in sandwich vending machine.

Happy summer!

DLSU wins.

It was like deja vu of Game 3 of UAAP Season 70 when Adamson served long on FEU's match point, only now that it was FEU who served long on DLSU's match point in the fourth set.

I have to say, the finals for UAAP Season 71 Women's Volleyball was a good match-up since this is the last season for Manilla Santos and Rachel Anne Daquis, captain of La Salle and FEU, respectively. And as I imply, Captain Manilla Santos of DLSU led her team to the top and finished the last game of her collegiate career with the UAAP crown in her hand.

And as a confessed FEU fan, 'di ko matanggap. haha

Dealing with Losses

How does one deal when...

You’re a child and lost Amanda, the doll you did everything with?
Or when you tripped and lost grip of your chocolate ice cream?
Or when you’re a budding achiever and did not graduate at the top of your class?
Or when you’re a ballerina and you had your legs broken?
Or when you’re a lawyer and lost your first major case that could have made a name for you?
Or when you’re a man and lost your sight?
Or when you lost a family member to cancer?
Or when you had your heart broken for reasons that only you are to be blamed?
Or when you lost a scholarship that could have gotten you through college?
Or when you’ve been through hell and lost the genuineness of your laugh?
Or when you’re a mother and lost your first-born child?
Or when you wake up in the morning and you lost your drive to get up and pursue your plans?
Or when your favourite cup of coffee lost its distinct taste?
Or when you lost all your files a day prior to a big project defense?
Or when you’re driving along an expressway and lost your brakes?
Or when you lost your faith in things you used to strongly believe in?
Or worse, when you realize you are losing your zest for life?

Loss is inevitable, it’s a given fact. But tell me, how do you deal with it when it’s there, happening and slapping you in the face, and in unfortunate instances, all at the same time? You might answer me to just accept it, but how? Yes, loss is of varying degrees and can be dealt with in different ways. But again, how? Move on? But what if I don’t want to? What if I still can’t? I need to make a decision, either to drown in misery or forget it. Then, what? What will happen next? Will dwelling on it eventually tire me and let me move on? Or will it be the other way around? Or will hoping that time will rewind and have a chance to undo everything be a more comfortable resort?

Random 25

from Facebook
Got tagged by Moi, Kat, Trish and Ate Cha. This sounds fun, so here it goes.

Rules:Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.


1) I am scoliotic. I wore body braces for almost three years.

2) I have appreciation for the arts, specially performing arts. i make sure i watch every show in our auditorium.

3) and speaking of the arts, I have passion for dancing. i took ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and tap classes. I'm planning to take up flamenco and belly dancing when i have the time. wooh!

4) I cook spaghetti but before i cook the pasta, i can't help but eat a few of the raw pasta 'sticks'. haha

5) Red ants make me cry. One time, they pestered my laptop, i cried the whole night

.6) Kitkat is my favorite.

7) History and Geography are my most most favorite- est subjects of all time! I won 1st place in a HEKASI quiz bee when i was in 6th grade. Highschool classmates used to call me "soc-sci girl".

8) And because i love geography, i have a fetish for maps and globes. I love anything with a map on it. (I bought a globe for myself. and when i ask my friends for pasalubong, a map of their place will do.)

9) I made a classmate laugh real hard when i told him i want a penguin for a pet and make the freezer as its home. :p

10) I was an exchange student to Japan in 2007. I want to go back and stay longer.

11) I used to know how to speak and write a little japanese, but somehow i already forgot. no practice. booo.

12) I am a biology major. But one tragic day, in the middle of my literature class (while i was in Japan), i totally forgot what DNA stood for. It took me a while to actually write down what DNA meant. Deoxyribonucleic acid. There you go.

13) When i was younger, my parents let me joined the santacruzan in our village. I was not reyna elena. My sash said, "reyna rosa mystica". O, db?? Mystic. haha

14) I almost drowned when we went snorkling in Apo Island.

15) I am afraid of dogs.

16) Southborder still makes me smile like an idiot when i hear their songs. I am a BIG fan.

17) Mom once told me my name wasn't supposed to be April Dawn. They initially planned to give me the name PRINCESS RAPUNZEL. (?????) Thank goodness they didn't.

18) How i wish I can get a license and drive.

19) My curls are natural. People in the salon always ask me when and where i got my curls. But i used to have super straight hair, though. It just curled as i grew older.

20) In 3rd grade, I was a member of spice girls. I was Posh Spice. :p

21) Volleyball! I am for volleyball! Too bad i am too short for the game. but i'll be glad to be a libero.

22) Maybe your wondering, i'm just 4 feet , 11 inches tall. small and proud. :p

23) It takes me 10 snoozes before i really get up from bed.

24) I am saving up for a trip to ilocos. It would be nice to go there on my own, with my own money.

25) People call me dawnaidi. I call myself dawnaidi. dawn + junaidi = dawnaidi. yeee...

Browsing through the old files from Marianne's lappy, I found this...

(from a year ago at the Yokohama Train Station, Yokohama, Japan)

Blame me for wearing that. No, blame Marianne for letting me wear that! I swear I don't remember! Have a good laugh, Mar! hahaha Happy shopping!

Inday

Something for the non-visayan speakers... hehe

(taken from http://su.edu.ph/features/abscbnfeature41.htm)

Inday is not always a maid
By Liling Magtolis Briones
From ABS-CBN Interactive
June 16, 2008

---

THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNANCE
Yes, there are Indays who are maids. But there are also Indays who are leaders in
their professions as academics, politicians, businesswomen, artists and theologians.
One fine day an Inday can even be president of this country.

---

Yes, there are Indays who are maids. But there are also Indays who are leaders in their professions as academics, politicians, businesswomen, artists and theologians. One fine day an Inday can even be president of this country.

Last week, an article came out, reporting that Inday is finally going to school. This was the news item about a program to allow housemaids to go to school. Obviously it was written by a non-Visayan who thinks the synonym for housemaid is Inday.

Once and for all, the word Inday does not mean housemaid insofar as Visayans are concerned. It has several gradations of meaning. First, it is an endearment for a Visayan girl, whether from Cebu, Negros, Iloilo or Mindanao. In Visayan families, girls are always called Inday. Oftentimes they are called Inday all their lives.

Inday is a tender word which means, precious, dear, loved one. My Ilocano-Pampango husband calls me Inday even as I am old and graying. Certainly, he does not treat me like a maid. My brothers have always called me Inday even if I am not their maid. Parents call their girl children Inday because they are loved, whether they live in a hovel or mansion.

When it is expressed with the proper intonation and inflection, Inday is the loveliest sound any girl can possibly listen to.

This explains why Visayan girls who work as maids automatically answer "Inday" when they are asked about their names. They are only saying that in their homes, they are tenderly loved. Because many poor Visayan girls work as maids, the term Inday is often understood as referring to maids. Even maids who are not Visayan end up being called Inday!.

Second, it is a term to describe friendship and affection. Thus, Visayan girls who are close friends tend to call each other "Day" in the same manner that Visayan boys call their close friends "Bay" or friend.

Third, Inday is a term used to indicate respect. When a Visayan addresses a woman he does not know, he calls her Inday. Its like saying Miss or Madam. When a man wants to introduce himself to a girl, he prefaces his spiel with " Inday…."

Finally, the word Inday implies veneration or honor. A woman of high standing in a Visayan community is addressed as Inday. Thus Mayors, hacienderas, barangay captains and heads of religious organizations are called Inday. The wife of the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia was called Inday Garcia.

It is time for Indays, wherever they are, to clarify once and for all what the word means. They should not allow one of the most beautiful words in the Visayan language to deteriorate into a generic word meaning maid. I dread the time when Visayan women will be embarrassed and ashamed because they are called Inday by their parents, siblings, friends, and community members.

This is not to say that it is shameful to be a maid. It is a very respectable calling. Maids abroad can earn more than a university professor in the Philippines. It is just that the term Inday does not mean maid, that's all.

Yes, there are Indays who are maids. But there are also Indays who are leaders in their professions as academics, politicians, businesswomen, artists and theologians.

One fine day an Inday can even be president of this country.

To Lee Su-Min

Shocking as it was to know you left so soon,

I am blessed to have known you.

'Til we meet again, Izumi-chan...

FRIDAY, I'M IN LOOOOOVE!

come friday, i'll be the happiest person in world! *kilig kilig* woohoo! :)

rock hard rock

hey, it's been more than a year...

Cheers to the VANITY SISTERS! Missin' the good ol' times!

on disappearing

My Sociology professor once asked us, " To what thing do you compare yourself with?". And to it, I replied, a chameleon. I just want to get lost among the trees, rotate my eyes in all directions and take a good look at everything that's been going on. Pahinga muna, kumbaga. Reality check. See, things have been very fast. In a snap, i changed my address, i had my hair cut too short, i failed a subject (f*ckin' physics. No, screw the teacher!), i called everybody i can in manila and davao for NMAT forms, i've turned into a gudang girl, i called my teammate a volleyball bitch, and recently, due to a suffocating deadline (like a tight rope tied around your neck), i told my prof that i'll prove that Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus can absorb heavy metals in contaminated soil and water with no assurance that i can really do so. I just want to stick to that wall in the Science Complex, dissolve into its rustic colors and be invisible or better yet, be one of those bottled specimens soaked in stinky formalin, like that poor little chick i purposely killed for my Systematics class (I had no choice). I really haven't mastered the skill to cope with too much stress, to deal with high expectations, that I can't help but stop in mid-air, and wait for my system to either fly back up or just anticipate a nose-dive and crash hard back to the ground.

I need ice cream. I need coffee. Nah, i'm just tired. Help me, Lord.

RAINBOW

Silliman Amphitheater Grounds

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, it's been a while since I last saw a rainbow. God promised a rainbow after the rain and i believe He really will. Kaya ko 'to.

T_T

TORQUE - as my Physics professor would define it, is a force that causes the rotation of a body.



As of the moment, PHYSICS is my TORQUE. I'm turning 360... around... roundabout...




Everything's falling.. falling... falling... failing... failing... failing...

By Sara Judith on Flickr

HELP!

goodbye frisbee days

We admit it, we are hooked. Avenue for stress release. Regular exercise. Bonding time. Whatever we call it. It just really feels weird not playing frisbee in between classes, after classes and even on days without class. So, imagine us when dear frisbee broke...

US on frisbee days

(Not minding our sudden discoloration: from brown to darker brown!)

US when the frisbee days were gone

(watching the pros on the other side, wishing for a new disc)

We miss the adrenalin rush. We miss the natural high. We need a new frisbee.

End of story.

so how am i?

this me now...

... like this cup of oatmeal in the middle of the night, placed in a microwave of pressure and heat, and in just a snap, it blows out a mess.

Well, it's been a whirlwind of things since i came back and started serious university life again. A few weeks into my majors, I already had my share of hidoi teachers asking me "what happened to you?" and telling me i've gone haywire and stupid all over. I failed one major prelim exam. I made a mess out of my reports. Whatever. There's this new set of friends (aka classmates), who I thought I'll have a hard time laughing with; turns out, they laugh as hard as i do. Thanks to them, I have a new venue for stress release. (FRISBEE!!!!) I'm back in the dorm where I have a new room with new smallies (who are still very unsure with what they want to major in, Oh God help them!) to look over for. Three months and i have given up a lot of things just to get back on track on the academic road. But until now, i still can't see why the heck i gave them up. I took Japanese classes to bring my Japanese tongue back. I just lost them over the summer. Oh, by the way. I now have a brother in campus, which is a good thing, actually. Someone's looking out for me. I have an ATM anytime.

All in all, i'm half dead, half alive. STILL A MESS.

hapi hapi

Happy Fours.. :)

volleyball back-to-back

Ok, i feel like the biggest loser for being at the right place but at the wrong time. You see, i'm a hardcore volleyball fan and being in Japan and staying for a year is something other fanatics would kill for. Yeah, i was there when the Italy, Brazil and USA dominated the World Cup 2007 and got the first three tickets to the Olympics, but it was not enough. It was just the start of the volleyball season. I had to come back home and to cut the story short, i missed the most important matches prior to the Olympics and will miss the ever popular FIVB World Grand Prix 2008, of which the finals will be staged in my dear old YOKOHAMA. bad. bad. bad. If only I had the option to stay a little bit longer.

look at what i've missed

(WOQT: Japan vs. Poland)

Japan hosted the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Olympic Qualifying Tournament last May17-25 in Tokyo. And yes, my predictions were right. Though I wanted team Japan to top the competition, finishing with Serbia and Poland on the same ground and getting that much-coveted ticket to Beijing is good enough for me. haha It went like this. Japan demolished Poland, Poland sweeped Serbia but Serbia blocked Japan to tie their standings at 1-1. So much rivalry, so much pride. After all, these teams are ranked 7th (Serbia), 8th (Japan) and 9th (Poland) in the world. Together with Kazakhstan as the tournament's best Asian team next to Japan, they complete the volleyball list for the Beijing Olympics.

Here's the complete list (from fivb.org):

Women's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams

1. China (host country)
2. Italy (1st World Cup)
3. Brazil (2nd World Cup)
4. U.S.A. (3rd World Cup)
5. Algeria - Africa
6. Kazakhstan - Asia *
7. Russia - Europe
8. Cuba - Norceca
9. Venezuela - South America
10. Poland (1st World Olympic Qualification) *
11. Serbia (2nd World Olympic Qualification) *
12. Japan (3rd World Olympic Qualification) *

* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournaments were played combined with the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan
COQT = Continental Olympic Qualification TournamentWOQT = World Olympic Qualification Tournament



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's go local.

When the world had its eye on Japan, I had mine on local collegiate volleyball. The 1st conference of the 5th season of the Shakey's V-league had kept me glued on the boob tube every afternoon. So now, i know the new faces of Philippine volleyball. Wink!

Right after UAAP Season 70, I have to admit, I became an FEU convert. (Go Shaira! Go Chel! Go Abanto!) haha But a big surprise at the opening of the Shakey's V-league left everyone in doubt, FEU sported a technically new team with more than half of its champion team out for the conference. Out of the seven, including their libero, only three were left; Gonzalez, Morada and libero Taganas. I really didn't expect them to place and true enough, they didn't. But I have to commend their efforts and fighting spirit. Young as they were as a team, they managed to pull off several 5-setters with the more experienced teams (e.g. Lyceum and Ateneo) and actually won games for themselves. Hintayin nating huminog ang FEU, they'll be a deadly team to watch out for.

Obvious bang FEU fan ako? haha Anyway, fast forward. After I dropped my hopes for FEU, I was for San Sebastian all the way. I cheered for the Visayan teams (USJR and USLS), but, no, I'm a Lady Stag for this conference. Even more, when they announced that their former Thai import, Jaroensri Bualee will be back to play for them. Plus, I'm in awe of their quicker, Rysabelle Devanadera and their libero, MJ Pepito. They were my team to beat, I even gambled with my brother who was for Adamson, 'coz we both expected an Adamson-San Sebastian final clash way before the final four was decided. But lo-and-behold, something happened on the way to the finals. Underdog Lyceum of the Philippines stopped Adamson and Ateneo bested San Sebastian to force a double knock-out game. It was suddenly Adamson vs. San Sebastian / Lyceum vs. Ateneo. And true to their winning form, Adamson and Ateneo kissed the championship court leaving San Sebastian and Lyceum fight for 3rd. In the end, Adamson wanted it badly more than Ateneo, and won Game 1 and 2 of the best-of-3 finals match. As for my Lady Stags, they went home with the 3rd Place trophy after 2 duels with Lyceum.

Adamson Lady Falcons, Shakey's V-League 5th Season Champions

List of Awardees (from v-league.ph):
Best Scorer:13 BOTO, Beverly - Lyceum of the Philippines University
Best Attacker:7 JAROENSRI, Bualee (G) - San Sebastian College
Best Blocker:8 SORIANO, Ma. Rosario - Ateneo de Manila University
Best Server:7 BENTING, Angela - Adamson University
Best Digger:6 GATA, Lizlee Ann - Adamson University
Best Setter:5 SERAFICA, Janet - Adamson University
Best Receiver:5 PEPITO, Mary Jane - San Sebastian College
Most Improved Player:8 SORIANO, Ma. Rosario - Ateneo de Manila University
Most Valuable Player:11 BAUTISTA, Neriza (G) - Adamson University
Most Valuable Player For Finals:11 BAUTISTA, Neriza (G) - Adamson University
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One season down, more to come! Hello Olympics! :) See yah there!

exclamation point!

"... Everybody all for one! The real summer has just begun! Let's rock and roll and just let go to the rhythm of the drums!.."

teens class

ballet class

kuya ran, jeremy, kim, marlou, harvey, kuya kevin, kuya japs

Well, my summer vacay just ended, right on the stage of the Grand CAP Auditorium. 'coz in a few hours, i'll be tugging my big luggage around, board a plane back to Dumsville (Dumaguete) to start school again.

teacher eds, teacher ritz

teacher ces

Thank you, LCB-PAC and all the participants for the fantabulous recital we just had! (and to the lightsmen, who made us feel like superstars with the spotlight!) Two months of training, from morning 'til night was sometimes unbearable but thank you to all our teachers, who patiently and unceasingly motivated us to "point your toes! pull up! smile! warm-up properly!" and squeezed out every little ounce of dance, and discipline we had in our systems. Thank you, too, to all the people i had classes with and had the chance to dance with. I was up for the challenge to dance beside a company member. haha And our break time was a lot less boring with you guys around. And of course, thank you most especially, to our parents for letting us dance, despite the price. haha joking!

mel, pen, mai, cindy and me

mae, kate, anne and me

New friends, learning a new dance (I now know how to tap dance!) and a reunion with my first love, ended my summer. Now it's time to face dear old Silliman again. See you soon.

flashbacks

saw his ballerina sister at dance practice today...

flashback... he was a dance demigod...

flashback... he was a good friend...

flashback... [*gushes*] but really, he was just my kuya... haha

smile... smile... ok now, goofy SMILE! :p


3 days to my dance recital! woohoo!

fairy godmother

As a child, i looked up to my godparents as rich and succesful individuals who can afford to shower me with gifts to open during Christmas eve and on my birthday. (I hated those who didn't remember me. haha) I never really met all of them, some i just came to know because their presents were regular fixtures under our Christmas tree and some, because I never found their gifts under the tree.

But now, it's the other way around.

Meet Christian James, my very first inaanak, who just got baptized this morning. And meet Dawn, the first-time ninang (godmother). I'm now officially a godmother and i suddenly feel like a grown-up. Being given the responsibility to be a guardian, a guide and an example to this little angel is a little overwhelming knowing that someday, he'll look up to me the way i looked up to my godparents. I hope I can be just that and that someday, i'll be his favorite ninang.

But of course, kids will be kids. They'll judge who the best ninang is according to how big and how often the godparents send them gifts. As I am not financially-capable of doing that just yet, i already had mom to take of it. atleast for now. haha